Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elucidation of role of antioxidant molecules and enzymes in reduction / elimination of off-flavour in soybean ( Glycine max ) Ms

Interest in introducing soybean and soy based food products to the diet has fetched much attention recently owing to the health promoting effects of soy protein and phytochemicals antioxidants present in it. However, the grassy, beany, metallic and bitter flavour associated with soy products restricts the growth in its consumption. Lower doses of gamma radiation are being used in food processing for microbial disinfestations and are also reported to enhance the antioxidant potential in soybean. The present study was done with the objective to explore the effect of three different doses (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 kGy) of gamma radiations on the levels of individual antioxidant molecules and enzymes in soybean seeds differing w.r. t. their seed coat colour and to determine the effects of changes in antioxidant capacity on the off-flavour generation mediated through oxidation of PUFAs. The study revealed that among the fourteen genotypes of different seed coat colour the varieties with black and brown seed coat were richer in antioxidant molecules mainly because of inherent higher levels of anthocyanin in them. The anthocyanin content increased significantly in dark coloured varieties (BS-1 and BR-2) at all radiation doses but for yellow varieties (PK-416 and Bragg) there was significant decrease at the higher doses of 1.0 kGy. Gamma irradiation resulted in slight enhancement in the level of total phenols at 0.5 kGy but only in dark coloured varieties. The isoflavone content was found to increase at 0.25 kGy and then decreases at higher doses for all varieties dark as well as light coloured. The tocopherol content increased significantly at 0.25 kGy for dark coloured varieties and there after decreases sharply at higher doses while a continuous decrease at all radiation doses was observed for the yellow varieties. The LOX activity decreased significantly for dark varieties at all radiation doses however for yellow varieties activity decreased slightly and non-significantly at 1.0 kGy. TBA number and Carbonyl value decreased for dark varieties at 0.5 and 1.0 kGy but increased significantly for yellow varieties at all doses. Gamma radiation had no significant effect on the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Thus, our study showed that the varieties having dark seed coat colour have higher levels of Chapter 6
Joint Probabilistic-Nyquist Pulse Shaping for an LDPC-Coded 8-PAM Signal in DWDM Data Center Communications

M-ary pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM) meets the requirements of data center communication because of its simplicity, but coarse entropy granularity cannot meet the dynamic bandwidth demands, and there is a large capacity gap between uniform formats and the Shannon limit. The dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system is widely used to increase the channel capacity, but low spectral efficiency of the intensity modulation/direct detection (IM/DD) solution restricts the throughput of the modern DWDM data center networks. Probabilistic shaping distribution is a good candidate to offer us a fine entropy granularity and efficiently reduce the gap to the Shannon limit, and Nyquist pulse shaping is widely used to increase the spectral efficiency. We aim toward the joint usage of probabilistic shaping and Nyquist pulse shaping with low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding to improve the bit error rate (BER) performance of 8-PAM signal transmission. We optimized the code rate of the LDPC code and compared different Nyquist pulse shaping parameters using simulations and experiments. We achieved a 0.43 dB gain using Nyquist pulse shaping, and a 1.1 dB gain using probabilistic shaping, while the joint use of probabilistic shaping and Nyquist pulse shaping achieved a 1.27 dB gain, which offers an excellent improvement without upgrading the transceivers.
A Class of Itô Diffusions with Known Terminal Value and Specified Optimal Barrier

In this paper, we study the optimal stopping-time problems related to a class of Ito diffusions, modeling for example an investment gain, for which the terminal value is a priori known. This could be the case of an insider trading or of the pinning at expiration of stock options. We give the explicit solution to these optimization problems and in particular we provide a class of processes whose optimal barrier has the same form as the one of the Brownian bridge. These processes may be a possible alternative to the Brownian bridge in practice as they could better model real applications. Moreover, we discuss the existence of a process with a prescribed curve as optimal barrier, for any given (decreasing) curve. This gives a modeling approach for the optimal liquidation time, i.e., the optimal time at which the investor should liquidate a position to maximize the gain.
The Role of Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in Low-Grade Appendiceal Neoplasm: Friend or Foe?

Low-grade mucinous appendiceal neoplasms are rare tumors. There is limited data on the treatment for pseudomyxoma peritonei with low-grade appendiceal histology. Classifications of appendiceal neoplasms include low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN), diffuse peritoneal adenomucinosis (DPAM), and peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis (PMCA). Studies have demonstrated patients with low-grade appendiceal neoplasms have improved overall survival compared to patients with high-grade appendiceal neoplasms. Since low-grade tumors have better prognosis some retrospective trials have suggested observation in patients with these types of tumors. Another option includes cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). We have done an extensive literature search exploring the various methods in which to treat patients with this disease.
The Importance Given to Food Naturalness Attributes by Millennial University Students

So-called natural food is one of the most significant current trends in the food business. Despite this trend, previous research on the measurement of naturalness has made no distinction between different groups of consumers. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the attributes important to millennial university students when evaluating food naturalness. The study is based on a questionnaire administered to a sample of 372 respondents. Using a partial least square (PLS) methodology, it performs a standard confirmatory factor analysis for measurement and validations. As a result, it identifies one attribute linked to how the food is grown and eight attributes associated to how it is produced and processed. These findings have several implications. Apart from testing previous scales in a millennial context, they confirm that market strategies must take different understandings of naturalness into account contingent upon the consumer group.
Hearing to Discuss Controversy Over Measuring Economic Inequality

Chairman Lee, Vice Chair Maloney, and members of the Committee, I am honored to have the opportunity to testify on the state of the science of measuring income inequality and its implications for public policy. Inequality has been famously described as the “defining issue of our time” and has been deployed as a rationale for significant federal policy changes, particularly with respect to taxation. But the casual adoption of policies on the basis of inequality belies the serious disagreement in the research community over the state of understanding of the level and changes in inequality.
Does Narrow-Row Corn Production Influence Plants’ Response to Foliar Inputs?

Intensive management to increase corn (Zea mays L.) yield may involve multiple practices moving forward. Although the effects of foliar fungicide and foliar fertilizer applications on corn yield have been evaluated in past research, little is known concerning the impact of these foliar applications in narrow-row corn. The objectives of this study were to determine if disease or N demands increase in plants grown in narrow rows (15-inch spacing) compared with conventional row spacing (30 inches), and if intensive management involving application of foliar N at R1 with or without a fungicide can help increase grain yield in narrow-row systems. A field study was conducted with two hybrids during 2016–2018 at two Ohio locations. Plants were rated for foliar fungal disease [northern corn leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum) and gray leaf spot (Cercsopora zeae-maydis)] injury before and after foliar application, and plots were harvested for grain yield. Partial returns were also assessed for each foliar treatment. Although the weather was favorable for fungal foliar diseases in some siteyears, disease incidence was low. Inclusion of foliar N increased yield in narrow rows in the absence of a fungicide but did not increase the partial economic return compared with the untreated control. The addition of foliar N alongside fungicide did not impact yield in 15-inch rows but increased yield at 30-inch row spacing. However, partial returns were similar for each row spacing and foliar treatment. Intensive Agronomic Management Practices Impact Grain Yield Foliar fungicide applications and narrow-row spacing are becoming integral components of high-yielding corn production systems in the United States (Jeschke, 2019). Other management inputs including foliar N applications are also being used to optimize yield. Growers who have achieved record grain yields in the National Corn Yield Contest (National Corn Growers’ Association, 2019) promote these practices. Several university studies also indicate that these methods may help corn growers increase yields (Ruffo et al., 2015; Nelson and Meinhardt, 2011; Nelson et al., 2015). Although corn planted in row spacings less than 30 inches account for less than 7% of the U.S. corn acreage (NASS, 2018), it is widely perceived that narrower rows can contribute to higher corn yields (Jeschke, 2018; Ruffo et al., 2015). Narrowing row spacing at equal plant densities results in more equidistant plant distribution. This Crop Forage Turfgrass Manage. 5. doi:10.2134/cftm2019.05. 0039 © 2019 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Published November 27, 2019
Pigmentation Variation in the 14-Spot Ladybird Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Edirne Populations, Turkey

Frequency differences in the 2 different coloured forms of the 14-spot ladybird Propylea quatuordecimpunctata in the Edirne populations were investigated. The results indicated that black individuals tend to occur more frequently in the habitats than in shady habitats. The body length of the black coloured 14-spot ladybirds was significantly smaller than that of the yellow individuals. The pooled data consisted of 66 % black and 34 % yellow forms.
Star formation towards the southern cometary H II region IRAS 17256-3631

IRAS 17256-3631 is a southern Galactic massive star forming region located at a distance of 2 kpc. In this paper, we present a multiwavelength investigation of the embedded cluster, the HII region, as well as the parent cloud. Radio images at 325, 610 and 1372 MHz were obtained using GMRT, India while the near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy were carried out using UKIRT and Mt. Abu Infrared Telescope, India. The near-infrared K-band image reveals the presence of a partially embedded infrared cluster. The spectral features of the brightest star in the cluster, IRS-1, spectroscopically agrees with a late O or early B star and could be the driving source of this region. Filamentary H_2 emission detected towards the outer envelope indicates presence of highly excited gas. The parent cloud is investigated at far-infrared to millimeter wavelengths and eighteen dust clumps have been identified. The spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of these clumps have been fitted as modified blackbodies and the best-fit peak temperatures are found to range from 14-33 K, while the column densities vary from 0.7-8.5x10^22 cm^-2. The radio maps show a cometary morphology for the distribution of ionized gas that is density bounded towards the north-west and ionization bounded towards the south-east. This morphology is better explained with the champagne flow model as compared to the bow shock model. Using observations at near, mid and far-infrared, submillimeter and radio wavelengths, we examine the evolutionary stages of various clumps.
Revealing and Harnessing Tumour-Associated Microglia/Macrophage Heterogeneity in Glioblastoma

Cancer heterogeneity and progression are subject to complex interactions between neoplastic cells and their microenvironment, including the immune system. Although glioblastomas (GBMs) are classified as ‘cold tumours’ with very little lymphocyte infiltration, they can contain up to 30–40% of tumour-associated macrophages, reported to contribute to a supportive microenvironment that facilitates tumour proliferation, survival and migration. In GBM, tumour-associated macrophages comprise either resident parenchymal microglia, perivascular macrophages or peripheral monocyte-derived cells. They are recruited by GBMs and in turn release growth factors and cytokines that affect the tumour. Notably, tumour-associated microglia/macrophages (TAMs) acquire different expression programs, which shape the tumour microenvironment and contribute to GBM molecular subtyping. Further, emerging evidence highlights that TAM programs may adapt to specific tumour features and landscapes. Here, we review key evidence describing TAM transcriptional and functional heterogeneity in GBM. We propose that unravelling the intricate complexity and diversity of the myeloid compartment as well as understanding how different TAM subsets may affect tumour progression will possibly pave the way to new immune therapeutic avenues for GBM patients.
Stakeholder Perspectives on a Financial Sector Legitimation Process: The Case of NGOs and the Equator Principles

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present an in-depth, context rich, and stakeholder-focused perspective on the legitimation dynamics surrounding the initiation and evolution of one of the key financial sector environmental and social responsibility initiatives in recent years, the Equator Principles. Design/methodology/approach - The paper draws on a combination of in-depth interviews with non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders, extensive documentary analysis and participant observation in order to understand and explain, from an NGO perspective, the use of the Equator Principles as a central element in an attempt to legitimise financial institutions' project finance activities. Key aspects of legitimacy theory are used to theoretically frame the analysis. Findings - The paper reveals and analyses the process through which campaigning NGOs conferred a nominal level of legitimacy on financial institutions' project finance activities. It proceeds to unveil how and why this attained legitimacy unravelled. A perceived lack of accountability at an institutional, organisational and individual project level is identified as a central reason for this reduction in legitimacy. Research limitations/implications - The paper primarily focuses on one side of the story of the dynamics of the legitimation process underpinning the evolution of the Equator Principles until 2006. Future research could focus on obtaining and theorising financial institution perspectives on the Equator Principles' development, implementation, and progression as well as analysing developments beyond 2006. Originality/value - The paper advances our understanding of the dynamics of legitimation processes. These dynamics are studied from the perspective of a key “relevant public” thereby prioritising perceptions that are largely absent from corporate social accountability research seeking to empirically inform legitimacy theory.
Chapter 6 EVALUATION OF CROATIAN INNOVATION CAPABILITY

In this paper we try to assess and evaluate Croatian innovation capability thorough the framework of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS), a system of innovation indicators. Economic theory perceives innovation as a source of national competitiveness and the EU set the ability to compete within the single market as the main economic criterion for EU accession. Through the use of EIS indicators we are able to compare and rank Croatia’s achievements in innovation policy against EU and Central and Eastern Europe countries (CEEC). Croatia ranks well by European standards in comparison to other CEEC, in particular Bulgaria and Romania, but has not made a significant progress in its innovation potential and policy with respect to the EU.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Titanium Nanoparticals using Banana Peel Extract and Investigate its Antibacterial and Insecticidal Activity

Titanium nanoparticles (TiNPs) have been synthesized due to its certain characteristics that are expected like non-toxic, eco-friendly, and bioactivity. In this study, the researchers used Banana Peels Extract (BPE) with titanium dioxide to prepare new nanoparticles which are never carried before. These nanoparticles were biologically synthesized using an aqueous solution of banana peel extract as a bioreductant. The novel TiNPs were successfully prepared and characterized using Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy (UV-VIS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), and examined its antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic bacteria as well as insecticidal agent against Musca domestica. The instrumental analysis confirms the presence of TiNPs with average diameter: 88.45 nm and volume 31.5 nm as resulted by AFM and XRD respectively, while the bioactivity exam to TiNPs shows inhibitory effect against several pathogenic bacteria, as well as it cause a high mortality percentage against three larval stages of house fly.
Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution by biofilm-forming bacteria isolated from mined-out soil in Mogpog, Marinduque, Philippines

eavy metal pollution evokes scary health scenarios which should prompt moves for proper treatment to prevent further heavy metal contamination and spread. In this study, heavy metals from synthetic solution were removed through bisorption using biofilm-forming bacteria. Eight out of 90 bacterial isolates obtained from mined-out soil in Mogpog, Marinduque exhibited biofilm formation and tolerance to Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd. Isolates NV1A and NV2A formed the thickest biofilm and isolate NV1A showed the highest degree of tolerance to the four heavy metals. All eight isolates reduced the Cu content with 15-68% efficiency using 100 mg·L-1 Cu in solution at six hours of contact time. The amount of Cu removed by five isolates (NV1A, NV2A, NV11, NV22, and NV112) decreased when 10 mg·L-1 Cu, 0.5 mg·L-1 Cd, 5 mg·L-1 Pb, and 200 mg·L-1 Zn were present in aqueous solution. In contrast, amounts of Cu removed by the isolates NV17 and R11 from a multimetal solution increased compared to that of the Cu only solution while the amount remained the same for isolate NV211. Identification of the isolates by 16s rDNA sequencing revealed that NV1A, NV22 and NV112 have 98 to 100% sequence similarities with Rhodococcus equi and R. opacus; NV2A, 100% sequence similarity with Pseudomonas aeruginosa; R11, 99% sequence similarity with Bacillus megaterium; NV11, 97% sequence similarity with Solibacillus silvestris and Lysinibacillus sphaericus; NV211, 97% sequence similarity with Enterococcus faecium and NV17, 96% sequence similarity with three species of Bacillus. The isolates identified as promising should be studied further for potential application in the removal of heavy metals in actual industrial wastewaters. Any emerging technology from such studies that would prove successful could lead to significantly lesser cost of heavy metal remediation.
Spatial Analysis of Climate Change Effects on Urbanized Delta Territories as a Tool for Planning: The Case of the Lower Parana Delta

This paper presents the spatial implication of climate change-related variables and the role of the representation and analysis of the data as a tool for the development of planning policies in urbanized deltas. The presentation illustrates some partial and preliminary results of a broader investigation regarding socio-economic variables too, in order to analyze the spatial impact of changes in deltaic systems. In the deltas’ territories, a complex relation between urban patterns and the natural environment takes place. In order to reach successful adaptation policies regarding climate change and urban growth, it is necessary to implement new methodologies to take into account the spatial impacts of each driver and prepare for possible future scenarios. The study is based on the territory of the Lower Parana Delta and the coast of Buenos Aires province, which are complex lands that are very vulnerable to extreme climate events. Specifically, the case study is the coastal Municipality of Tigre, which is being rapidly transformed by natural and urban drivers and suffers the pressures of the demographic growth of Buenos Aires’s Metropolitan Area and the deep consequences of climate events.
S2048679017000623jrv 1..8

Vegetarian diets have been associated with health benefits, but paradoxically are low in EPA and DHA which are important for development, particularly of the central nervous system, and for health. Humans have limited capacity for synthesis of EPA and DHA from α-linolenic acid, although this is greater in women than men. Oily fish and, to a lesser extent, dairy foods and meat are the primary sources of EPA and DHA in the diet. Exclusion of these foods from the diet by vegetarians is associated consistently with lower EPA and DHA status in vegetarian women compared with omnivores. The purpose of the present review was to assess the impact of low EPA and DHA status in vegetarian pregnancies on the development and health of children. EPA and DHA status was lower in breast milk and in infants of vegetarian mothers than those born to omnivore mothers, which suggests that in the absence of pre-formed dietary EPA and DHA, synthesis from α-linolenic acid is an important process in determining maternal EPA and DHA status in pregnancy. However, there have been no studies that have investigated the effect of low maternal DHA status in vegetarians on cognitive function in children. It is important to address this gap in knowledge in order to be confident that vegetarian and vegan diets during pregnancy are safe in the context of child development.
Factors Affecting the Performance of Membrane Osmotic Processes for Bioenergy Development

Forward osmosis (FO) and pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) have gained attention recently as potential processes to solve water and energy scarcity problems with advantages over pressure-driven membrane processes. These processes can be designed to produce bioenergy and clean water at the same time (i.e., wastewater treatment with power generation). Despite having significant technological advancement, these bioenergy processes are yet to be implemented in full scale and commercialized due to its relatively low performance. Hence, massive and extensive research has been carried out to evaluate the variables in FO and PRO processes such as osmotic membrane, feed solutions, draw solutions, and operating conditions in order to maximize the outcomes, which include water flux and power density. However, these research findings have not been summarized and properly reviewed. The key parts of this review are to discuss the factors influencing the performance of FO and PRO with respective resulting effects and to determine the research gaps in their optimization with the aim of further improving these bioenergy processes and commercializing them in various industrial applications.