Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in the Treatment of Primary Hypertension: A Double-Blinded Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Hypertension is one of the most serious global concerns since it has affected over 1.2 billion people. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile in hypertensive patients with vitamin D deficiency. Methods: In this double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial study, 116 hypertensive patients (intervention and placebo groups, 58 each) with vitamin D deficiency (< 30 ng/mL with ECL) for 14 weeks, started from the beginning of autumn 2019 in Seyed-al-Shohada Educational Hospital in Urmia City. Fifty-five patients (49%) were male with the mean vitamin D 15.89 ± 5.09 ng/mL and 57 females with 17.29 ± 6.31 ng/mL. In a stratified blocked randomization scheme, the patients were randomly allocated into similar sized intervention and control groups based on body mass index (BMI), then the randomization with four block size was performed in each of strata by random allocation software. The intervention group received six doses of 50,000 IU vitamin D supplements for 6 weeks, then two supplements for two following months (one capsule per month). Blood pressure (24/h blood pressure measured by an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device), vitamin D, FBS, and lipid profile (HDL, LDL, CL, and TG) were all measured at baseline and end of the study. Physical activity (measured by short IPAQ questionnaire), sun exposure using a questionnaire, dietary intake of vitamin D using three 24-hour recalls during the intervention, and anthropometric indices were measured at baseline, middle, and end of the study. Fifty-six patients in each group completed the study. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Urmia University of Medical Sciences (ethics code: IR.UMSU.REC.1398.192). Results: The office blood pressure, 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), nighttime SBP and DBP were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group, whereas the reduction of daytime SBP and DBP was not statistically significant. Vitamin D supplementation significantly decreased serum triglyceride, cholesterol, and LDL levels. Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation had positive effects on blood pressure, triglyceride, cholesterol, and LDL levels in patients with low serum vitamin D.
A influência de Metais Pesados sobre a Macrofauna Bentônica da Plataforma Continental adjacente a Baía de Guanabara - Rio de Janeiro/Brasil

The structure of the macrobenthic community and the sediment characteristics collected in the dredging tailings disposal area located on the continental shelf at Guanabara Bay / RJ were studied. In addition to the characterization of the community of benthic macroinvertebrates, it was intended to investigate the possible relationship between the distribution of contaminants in the sediment and the structure of the benthic community. The sediment characteristics were determined, as well as the organisms present in the sediment. The recoverable total metals were determined. For heavy metals, with the exception of Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn), it was verified that the spatial variation of the concentrations was lower than the temporal variation. The concentrations of metals present in the characterized sediments are generally below values associated with adverse biological effects. The benthic macrofauna found was characterized by the presence of the following groups: Nemertinea, Nematoda, Sipuncula, Annelida-Polychaeta, Mollusca, Crustacea, Brachiopoda and Echinodermata. A predominance of Annelida-Polychaeta, Crustacea and Mollusca was observed. Extinct, exotic or endemic species of this area were not registered. The ecological indexes (richness, diversity and fairness) were, in general, similar among the different collection stations of the study area, except in the Central station, named as “ponto F”, where the values were low in relation to the other stations. It can be affirmed that there are traces of impact regarding to the disposal of sediment material from the dredging activities on the structure of the benthic community, with the presence of high concentrations of Zinc, Copper and Lead, with reduction in the ecological indexes in the Central point, considered as moderately strong potential impacts.
The structure of species discrimination signals across a primate radiation

Discriminating between conspecifics and heterospecifics potentially challenging for closely related sympatric species. The guenons, a recent primate radiation, exhibit high degrees of sympatry and form multi-species groups in which hybridization is possible but rare in most populations. Guenons have species-specific colorful face patterns hypothesized to function in species discrimination. Here, we apply a novel machine learning approach to identify the face regions most essential for correct species classification across fifteen guenon species. We then demonstrate the validity of these computational results using experiments with live guenons, showing that facial traits identified as critical for accurate classification do indeed influence selective attention toward con- and heterospecific faces. Our results suggest variability among guenon species in reliance on single-trait-based versus holistic facial characteristics when discriminating between species, and differences in behavioral responses to faces can be linked to whether discrimination is based on a single trait or whole-face pattern. Our study supports the hypothesis that guenon face patterns function to promote species discrimination and provides novel insights into the relationship between species interactions and phenotypic diversity.
Histologic parameter score does not predict short-term survival in severe alcoholic hepatitis

Background and aim The alcoholic hepatitis histologic score has been proposed as a new prognostic tool to assess the risk of death in alcoholic hepatitis. We aimed to evaluate its prognostic value in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Methods Liver biopsies were analysed independently by two pathologists according to the alcoholic hepatitis histologic score. The Laennec staging system was also used to evaluate fibrosis. Results One hundred and seven patients were included, and 89% of the patients received corticosteroids. The alcoholic hepatitis histologic score was available in 105 patients. Histologic scoring showed mild, moderate and severe scores in 10, 29 and 66 patients, respectively. Laennec staging was available for 53 patients, among whom 49 had cirrhosis, including 7 with Laennec 4A, 15 with 4B and 27 with 4C. Survival rates in mild, moderate and severe alcoholic hepatitis histologic score groups were 90%, 72% and 69% at 28 days (p = 0.6), 80%, 52% and 63% at 3 months (p = 0.3), and 70%, 41% and 58% at 6 months (p = 0.3), respectively. Within the alcoholic hepatitis histologic score, fibrosis demonstrated the best interobserver reproducibility (agreement = 100%, Κ = 1.00). Compared to patients with Laennec 4B or 4C cirrhosis, survival rates for patients without cirrhosis or with Laennec 4A cirrhosis were 100% vs 83% at 28 days (p = 0.16), 91% vs 68% at 3 months (p = 0.13), and 82% vs 64% at 6 months (p = 0.2), respectively. In multivariate analysis adjusted for age and for model for end-stage liver disease score, the alcoholic hepatitis histologic score and Laennec stage were not associated with 6-month mortality. Conclusions The alcoholic hepatitis histologic score is not predictive of short-term survival in this cohort of patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis.
Alternating panel charge sharing technique for touch screen panel self‐capacitance sensing IC

This Letter presents a self-capacitance sensing (SCS) technique for touch screen panel with the alternating panel charge sharing (APCS) that effectively suppresses low-frequency noise and achieves a better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). With the proposed APCS-based SCS, SNR is improved in measurement by 7.65 dB compared to the conventional panel charge sharing-based SCS.
Overnight Supplemental Blue, Rather than Far-red, Light Improves Microgreen Yield and Appearance Quality without Compromising Nutritional Quality during Winter Greenhouse Production

To determine whether supplemental blue light (B) or far-red light (FR) overnight can promote microgreen elongation to facilitate machine harvesting and improve microgreen quality and yield, two common microgreen species, mustard (Brassica juncea) and arugula (Eruca sativa), were grown in a greenhouse in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, during January 2019. Low-intensity (14 μmol·m−2·s−1) B or FR was applied to microgreens overnight from 1730 hr to 0630 hr, and no supplemental lighting (D) was used as a control. After 2 weeks of light treatments, B compared to D promoted stem elongation by 16% and 10%, respectively, and increased crop yield by 32% and 29%, respectively, in mustard and arugula. B compared to D also increased the cotyledon area in mustard and leaf mass per area in arugula and enhanced cotyledon color in both species despite having no effects on total chlorophyll, carotenoid, and phenolic contents. However, FR did not increase stem length or fresh weight compared with D, reduced plant height compared with B in both species, and reduced the cotyledon area in arugula. FR, compared with D and B, reduced the stem diameter and phytochemical contents of both species. Therefore, low-intensity B can be applied overnight for winter greenhouse microgreen production because of its beneficial effects on appearance quality and crop yield without negatively affecting nutritional quality.
Kant be Compared: People High in Social Comparison Orientation Make Fewer—Not More—Deontological Decisions in Sacrificial Dilemmas

The current work tests whether the dispositional tendency to compare oneself to others—social comparison orientation (SCO)—impacts decisions in moral dilemmas. Past research offers two competing predictions for how SCO impacts moral decision making: (a) SCO increases deontological judgments because people high in SCO care especially about social norms versus (b) SCO decreases deontological judgments because people high in SCO are competitive and thus unconcerned about causing harm to others. Four studies (two preregistered) find consistent support that SCO decreases deontological decisions. This relationship was robust in employing conventional (Study 1) and process dissociation (Studies 2–4) dilemma analytic techniques. Furthermore, we find that psychopathy uniquely mediates decreased deontological decisions among people high in SCO (Study 4). These results indicate that high-SCO people make fewer deontological decisions because they are less concerned with causing harm. Overall, the current research suggests that there is a dark side to making social comparisons.
Musculoskeletal and cognitive effects of stochastic resonance whole body vibration: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: We investigated the acute musculoskeletaland cognitive effects of stochastic resonance whole-bodyvibration (SR-WBV). To our knowledge, no study looked atthe effects of SR-WBV on inhibitory control so far. Materialsand Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participantswere randomly allocated into a verum (6 Hz, SR-WBV)or sham (2 Hz, SR-WBV) condition. Inhibitory control wasmeasured with the Stroop Test before and after the exercise.Also, muscle stiffness, muscle relaxation, sense of balanceand surefootedness were assessed in a questionnaire beforeand after the exercise. Results: Inhibitory control increasedsignificantly after verum SR-WBV (t = 2.949, P = 0.018), butnot after sham SR-WBV (t = 1.165, P = 0.252). Muscle stiffnessdecreased significantly after verum (t = 5.273, P < 0.000), butnot after sham SR-WBV (t = 1.533, P = 0.135). Also, musclerelaxation increased significantly after verum (t = -2.879, P =0.007), but not after sham SR-WBV (t = -1.650, P = 0.108). Senseof balance increased significantly after verum (t = -2.061, P =0.047), but not after sham SR-WBV (t = 0.347, P = 0.730). Nosignificant effect was found in surefootedness, whether afterverum (t = -0.966, P = 0.341) nor after sham SR-WBV (t = 0.849,P = 0.402). Conclusions: SR-WBV seems to be an appropriatemethod to improve not only physiological measurements butnewly also cognition, i.e. inhibitory control. In this study wecould show that SR-WBV exercise reduces interference andincreases inhibitory control in a young and healthy sample.Keywords: Stochastic resonance whole body vibration (SRWBV);Musculoskeletal effects; Cognitive effects; Inhibitorycontrol; Randomized controlled trial.
POLÍTICA NACIONAL DE MEDICAMENTOS GENÉRICOS: 21 ANOS NO BRASIL

Introduction: The National Policy on Generic Medicines in Brazil is one of the strategies to regulate the pharmaceutical market, increase price competitiveness and improve access to medicines. It is based on the understanding that universal access to health is a task to be performed by the State, with the implementation of mechanisms that guarantee the population access to safe medicines, with quality and fair prices. Aims: To seek evidence that the National Policy on Generic Medicines in Brazil contributed to improving access to medicines, promoted technological innovation and provided improvements in the economy in the pharmaceutical
Vine water status is a key factor in grape ripening and vintage quality for red Bordeaux wine. How can it be assessed for vineyard management purposes

Aims: The impact of water deficit stress on vine shoot growth, berry weight, grape composition and overall vintage quality was investigated in Bordeaux vineyards. Methods for assessing water deficit stress were compared.Methods and results: Vine water status was assessed on three soil types during four vintages by means of stem water potential and carbon isotope discrimination measured on grape sugar. Regional water deficit was compared for a range of over 30 vintages by means of water balance modelling. It was shown that water deficit stress anticipated shoot growth slackening, limited berry weight and enhanced berry anthocyanin content. Berry sugar content was greatest when water deficit was mild. It was shown that stem water potential measurements and carbon isotope discrimination are accurate tools for assessing vine water status at plot scale. Seasonal water deficit at a regional scale can be correctly estimated by water balance models. Vintage quality in Bordeaux is determined by the intensity of water deficit stress rather than by the level of the temperatures.Conclusions: Vine phenology and grape ripening are highly dependent on water uptake conditions. Mild water deficit stress enhances grape quality for the production of red wines. Vine water status can accurately be assessed by means of stem water potential or carbon isotope discrimination measured on grape sugars. Quality losses through severe water stress can be avoided through the use of drought-adapted plant material, appropriate canopy management, yield reduction or the implementation of deficit irrigation.Significance and impact of the study: This study shows the key role of water deficits in the production of quality grapes for red wine production. Methods for assessing vine water status are compared and discussed. Among many existing methods, the accuracy of stem water potential, carbon isotope discrimination measured on grape sugar and water balance modelling are emphasized.
Non-uniform Quantization of Soft Information for 5G LDPC Codes

This paper proposes a non-uniform quantization algorithm of soft information based on density evolution for the decoding of low-density parity check (LDPC) codes, which applies a non-linear transform function to soft information, and provides good block error rate performance. The transform function is obtained by minimizing weighted mean square quantization error for every combination of modulation type and LDPC codes and has an analytical expression of distribution of soft information. It can be realized as look-up table via quantization of transform function and has low complexity of implementation. Simulation results show that the error performance of proposed algorithm is close to no quantization condition and has a gain of around 0.3 dB compared to uniform quantization algorithm for 5G’s rate 2/3 LDPC codes with APSK modulation over additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel.
Effect of Nitrification Inhibitors on N2O Emissions after Cattle Slurry Application

Cattle slurry injection (INJ) has shown to be an efficient measure to reduce ammonia (NH3) losses from soils but it might also significantly increase nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, which can dominate the total greenhouse gas (GHG) release in silage maize production (Zea mays L.). Nitrification inhibitors (NIs) are known for their potential to mitigate N2O. Therefore, we tested the effect of NIs added to cattle slurry before INJ on N2O fluxes from a Haplic Luvisol under silage maize in southwest Germany. We determined N2O fluxes at least weekly, with the closed chamber method over two full years. NIs differ in their chemical and physical behavior and we therefore tested a range of commercially available NIs: 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate, 3,4-dimethylpyrazol succinic acid, a mixture of both, nitrapyrin, dicyandiamide, and 1,2,4 triazol and 3-methylpyrazol. Although not significant, INJ treatments with NI showed lower mean annual N2O emissions than the INJ treatment without NI in the 1st year. The emission reduction by NI of 46% in the 2nd year was statistically significant. In both years, we did not find any difference in N2O release, crop yield, or nitrogen removal between the different NI treatments. In the 1st year, which was extraordinary dry and warm, emission factors (EFs) for all INJ treatments were 4 to 8-fold higher than default EF from the IPCC. Even in the 2nd year, only three NI treatments reached EFs within the range provided by the IPCC. Direct N2O accounted for between 81 and 91% of the total GHG emission. Area- and yield-related GHG emission of the broadcast application with subsequent incorporation was in both years in the statistical class with lowest emission. In contrast, INJ with NIs showed similar GHG emissions in only one year, and consequently, incorporation was found to be the optimum management practice for livestock farmers in our study region.
Achieving Efficiency in Capacity Procurement

This chapter studies a capacity procurement problem in which a buyer meets an uncertain demand using a combination of spot purchases and supply options offered by multiple competing suppliers. The specific setting we consider involves multiple suppliers each owning a block of capacity and the buyer restricted to reserving the entire block or none. We first examine the buyer’s optimal purchase decision and then study the suppliers’ optimal bidding strategies in equilibrium. We find that it is optimal for suppliers to set execution price at cost and hence make a profit only through the reservation payment. We also prove that when all the blocks have the same size the buyer’s optimal profit as a function of supplier set is submodular. This property allows us to characterize an equilibrium in which the supply chain optimum is achieved, each supplier makes a profit equal to their marginal contribution to the supply chain and the buyer takes the remaining profit. When the blocks have different sizes, we develop a recursive procedure to characterize a class of equilibria in which the supply chain efficiency is achieved.
“It’s not worth the effort”! Examining service recovery in Airbnb and other homesharing platforms

This paper aims to use equity theory to develop and test a model of the dynamics of service recovery in the homesharing context. ,Using a sample of those who have experienced a service failure with a homesharing company and have voiced complaints to the company directly, the study adopted alternative model comparison procedures to test three competing models of service recovery and examined the effects of five moderating variables. ,The results indicated that the model based on equity theory provides a theoretically and empirically superior explanation of the dynamics of service recovery in the homesharing context than the alternative explanation based on the tenets of justice theory. The two key inputs into the service recovery interaction – consumer complaining and recovery effort and trust in brand – have significant direct effects on post-failure loyalty outcomes, and also significant indirect effects via the mediating mechanism of perceived justice. All five moderators have significant effects for at least one of the post-failure loyalty outcomes. ,The findings emphasize the company’s role in service recovery in the homesharing context. Managers of homesharing platforms need to establish customer service infrastructure that minimizes the amount of time-related, procedural and cognitive effort that customers need to expend in the recovery process, and effect communication that enhances trust in the homesharing brand. Future research is needed on the dynamics of service recovery in alternative hotel-homesharing business models, and on the role of value co-creation in the homesharing context. ,This study is the first to create a holistic theory-based model of the dynamics of service recovery in the homesharing context, using the novel construct of customer complaining and recovery effort. Also, and contrary to typical conceptualization, it demonstrates the role of trust in brand as an antecedent input into the recovery interaction that can generate loyalty outcomes.
Pressure Gradient Effects On Two-Dimensional Plasma Expansion

Recent advances in interferometry has allowed for the characterization of the electron density expansion within a laser produced plasma to within 10 {micro}m of the target surface and over picosecond timescales. This technique employs the high brightness output of the transient gain Ni-like Pd collisional x-ray laser at 14.7 nm to construct an effective moving picture of the two-dimensional (2-D) expansion of the plasma. We present experimentally measured density profiles of an expanding Al plasma generated through laser irradiation in a 14mm line focus geometry. Significant lateral expansion was observed at all times as well as a pronounced on-axis electron density dip. Detailed modeling with a 2-D plasma physics code gives good agreement to experimental observations. Large pressure gradients associated with the tight focal spot conditions are calculated to dominate in shaping the plasma density profile.