Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Agri-Food Waste from Apple, Pear, and Sugar Beet as a Source of Protective Bioactive Molecules for Endothelial Dysfunction and Its Major Complications

Endothelial damage is recognized as the initial step that precedes several cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. It has been demonstrated that the best treatment for CVD is prevention, and, in the frame of a healthy lifestyle, the consumption of vegetables, rich in bioactive molecules, appears effective at reducing the risk of CVD. In this context, the large amount of agri-food industry waste, considered a global problem due to its environmental and economic impact, represents an unexplored source of bioactive compounds. This review provides a summary regarding the possible exploitation of waste or by-products derived by the processing of three traditional Italian crops—apple, pear, and sugar beet—as a source of bioactive molecules to protect endothelial function. Particular attention has been given to the bioactive chemical profile of these pomaces and their efficacy in various pathological conditions related to endothelial dysfunction. The waste matrices of apple, pear, and sugar beet crops can represent promising starting material for producing “upcycled” products with functional applications, such as the prevention of endothelial dysfunction linked to cardiovascular diseases.
Development and validation of a new prognostic tool for impacted maxillary canines, ‘Easy box’: A cone-beam computed tomographic study

Objective: To develop a tool to facilitate simple, easy and rapid assessment of the level of difficulty in disimpaction of an impacted canine using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: A panel of four experienced orthodontists formulated a questionnaire capable of portraying the limits of a three-dimensional (3D) area around impacted maxillary canines on CBCT images, which would determine the disimpaction difficulty level. In total, 14 experienced orthodontists graded each item in the questionnaire and assigned scores in the range of 0–5. Average scores obtained outlined the limits of a 3D area, within which an impaction was deemed favourable. This area was termed ‘Easy box’. The disimpaction difficulty level of 170 impacted maxillary canines was then assessed using ‘Easy box’ and the existing tool KPG index for convergent validation. Results: Perfect inter-examiner agreement was obtained as evidenced by Fleiss kappa value of 0.984 for the tool ‘Easy box’ and 0.948 for the KPG index. There was also perfect agreement between the two methods of assessment (Cohen weighted kappa, k>0.86). The average time taken for assessment using ‘Easy box’ was 3.3 min compared to 8.8 min for the KPG index. Conclusion: ‘Easy box’ proves to be a simple, accurate and rapid assessment tool for the prognostic evaluation of impacted canines, using CBCT images. Impacted maxillary canines with cusp tips that lie beyond the limits of the 3D ‘Easy box’ area with a beta angle greater than 45°, were rated to be more difficult to align.
Comment on "Optimum Quantum Error Recovery using Semidefinite Programming"

In a recent paper ([1]=quant-ph/0606035) it is shown how the optimal recovery operation in an error correction scheme can be considered as a semidefinite program. As a possible future improvement it is noted that still better error correction might be obtained by optimizing the encoding as well. In this note we present the result of such an improvement, specifically for the four-bit correction of an amplitude damping channel considered in [1]. We get a strict improvement for almost all values of the damping parameter. The method (and the computer code) is taken from our earlier study of such correction schemes (quant-ph/0307138).
Antiestrogenic and toxicological evaluation of methanolic extract of Saraca asoca and Cynometra travancorica

: Saraca asoca, a member of the Caesalpinaceae sub-family, is a native plant utilized extensively in ayurvedic medicine . Excessive menstrual bleeding, bleeding hemorrhoids, bleeding ulcers, and hemorrhagic dysentery can all be treated with the tannins found in the bark of S. asoca . Due to the scarcity of S. asoca , the ayurvedic formulation business was forced to use barks of comparable origin. Until recently, the pharmacological potential of frequently substituted Cynometra travancorica was unknown. The purpose of this research is to investigate and evaluate the antiestrogenic and toxicological effects of two Caesalpiniaceae members, S. asoca and C. travancorica , on Wistar female rats. Methanolic bark extract of both plants (600 mg/kg) was shown to be significantly effective in reducing the elevated estrogen (20 µ g/animal) levels in Wistar female rats. The C. travancorica treated group showed an 85.63 ± 11.38 pg/ml reduction. In the toxicological evaluation, even at high concentrations of 800 mg/kg, neither of the extracts was fatal to Swiss albino mice. Food and water consumption, body weight, and the weight of organs such as the liver, kidney, spleen, heart, and lungs did not change significantly. The hematological parameters also stagnated. The study concluded that C. travancorica had shown a substantial and comparable anti-estrogenic effect to S. asoca in Wistar female rats and, similarly, the toxicological evaluation of the former plant was analogous to the latter. As a result, C. travancorica has a comparable therapeutic and safety profile in a wide range of ayurvedic formulations.
The effect of rice straw mulch and cow urine on growth, yield, quality on
sweet corn and pest population density

Organic matter such as paddy straw mulch and cow urine could be used to improve the soil structure. The study aims to determine the effect of rice straw mulch and cow urine application on growth, yield, quality, and population of sweet corn pests. This study used a 2 x 4 factorial randomized block design with three replications. The first factor is rice straw mulch consisting of 2 levels, namely, with mulch and without mulch, and the second factor is the concentration of cattle urine composed of 4 levels, namely 2.5 ml L -1 , 5.0 ml L -1 , 7,5 ml L -1 , 10.0 ml L -1 . The results showed that rice straw mulch and cow urine increased sweet corn's growth, yield, and quality. The maximum yield of 17.87 t ha -1 was achieved in the treatment of straw mulch accompanied by cattle urine 10.0 ml L -1 . In comparison, the results of 15.33 t ha -1 were achieved in the treatment without rice straw mulch accompanied by 10.0 ml L -1 cow urine. The intensity of corn planthopper pests (Delphacidae family) ranged from 40-40.4% in 7 WAP and between 44.5 - 51.1% in 8 WAP and was not consistently affected by mulch treatment or the level of concentration of cattle urine.
Formulation and Evaluation of Aripiprazole Oral Disintegrating Tablets

Aim: This work aims to develop oral disintegrating tablets from solid dispersion of aripiprazole that are capable of enhancing solubility. Methodology: Aripiprazole an antipsychotic is a BCS class IV drug with Oral bioavailability of 87%. To enhance the solubility of this drug the solid dispersions were prepared by using a combination of β-Cyclodextrin and PVP K30 in 1:1, 1:2 by using a physical mixture and solvent evaporation method. The prepared solid dispersions were analyzed for all the physical parameters and drug excipient interactions. The solid dispersion was optimized for the preparation of oral disintegrating tablets by direct compression technique using different concentrations of various natural super disintegrants namely Tapioca starch, Amorphophallus campanulactus, and synthetic super disintegrants namely Sodium starch glycolate, crospovidone. Results: FTIR showed that the drug and excipients are compatible with each other. Among all the solid dispersion formulations SCD6 (Drug: β-cyclodextrin) shows a high percentage of drug release i.e., 98.58±0.28% for 45 min, and solubility was found to be 0.954±0.32mg/ml. Percentage practical yield was found to be 98.36±0.14% and drug content was found to be 97.31±0.04%. SCD6 formulation was optimized for the preparation of oral disintegrating tablets. The post-compression parameters of all the prepared tablets were within the limits. Among all, F3 formulations containing tapioca starch, 7.5% were found to possess a better disintegration time (28±1.52sec) and in-vitro dissolution (98.64±0.29% for 45min). Conclusion: It can be concluded that solid dispersions of Aripiprazole incorporated in oral disintegrating tablets are a very useful approach for better release of Aripiprazole in an efficient manner.
Fractal Shaped Antennas: A Review

The combination of fractal geometry with electromagnetic theory opens an interesting window for research to find new antenna designs and applications. Fractal technology applications can be divided into six main groups: (1) multifrequency antenna elements, frequency-selective surfaces, and arrays; (2) electrically small antennas; (3) high-directivity radiating elements; (4) low-sidelobe arrays; (5) undersampled arrays; and (6) fast computational methods. This article reviews most of the work done in the fractal technology field covering the last six fields. Keywords: fractal; antennas; multifrequency; arrays; small antennas; arrays; microstrip antennas; broadband; high-directivity
The Table Maker's Dilemma

The Table Maker(cid:6)s Dilemmais the problem of always getting correctly rounded results when computing the elementary functions(cid:0) After a brief presentation of this problem(cid:7) we present new developments that have helped us to solve this problem for the double(cid:4)precision exponential function in a small domain(cid:0) These new results show that this problem can be solved(cid:7) at least for the double(cid:4) precision format(cid:7) for the most usual functions(cid:0)
Understanding public perspectives on fracking in the United States using social media big data

ABSTRACT People’s attitudes towards hydraulic fracturing (fracking) can be shaped by socio-demographics, economic development, social equity and politics, environmental impacts, and fracking-related information. Existing research typically conducts surveys and interviews to study public attitudes towards fracking among a small group of individuals in a specific geographic area, where limited samples may introduce bias. Here, we compiled geo-referenced social media big data from Twitter during 2018–2019 for the entire United States to present a more holistic picture of people’s attitudes towards fracking. We used a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) to investigate county-level relationships between the aforementioned factors and percentages of negative tweets concerning fracking. Results indicate spatial heterogeneity and varying scales of those associations. Counties with higher median household income, larger African American populations, and/or lower educational level are less likely to oppose fracking, and these associations show global stationarity in all contiguous US counties. Eastern and Central US counties with higher unemployment rates, counties east of the Great Plains with less fracking sites nearby, and Western and Gulf Coast region counties with higher health insurance enrolments are more likely to oppose fracking activities. These three variables show clear East-West geographical divides in influencing public perspective on fracking. In counties across the southern Great Plains, negative attitudes towards fracking are less often vocalized on Twitter as the share of Republican voters increases. These findings have implications for both predicting public perspectives and needed policy adjustments. The methodology can also be conveniently applied to investigate public perspectives on other controversial topics.
In Silico Maturation of a Nanomolar Antibody against the Human CXCR2

The steady increase in computational power in the last 50 years is opening unprecedented opportunities in biology, as computer simulations of biological systems have become more accessible and can reproduce experimental results more accurately. Here, we wanted to test the ability of computer simulations to replace experiments in the limited but practically useful scope of improving the biochemical characteristics of the abN48 antibody, a nanomolar antagonist of the CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) that was initially selected from a combinatorial antibody library. Our results showed a good correlation between the computed binding energies of the antibody to the peptide target and the experimental binding affinities. Moreover, we showed that it is possible to design new antibody sequences in silico with a higher affinity to the desired target using a Monte Carlo Metropolis algorithm. The newly designed sequences had an affinity comparable to the best ones obtained using in vitro affinity maturation and could be obtained within a similar timeframe. The methodology proposed here could represent a valid alternative for improving antibodies in cases in which experiments are too expensive or technically tricky and could open an opportunity for designing antibodies for targets that have been elusive so far.
Scientific Case for Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change to Protect Young People and Nature

Global warming due to human-made gases, mainly CO2, is already 0.8{\deg}C and deleterious climate impacts are growing worldwide. More warming is 'in the pipeline' because Earth is out of energy balance, with absorbed solar energy exceeding planetary heat radiation. Maintaining a climate that resembles the Holocene, the world of stable shorelines in which civilization developed, requires rapidly reducing fossil fuel CO2 emissions. Such a scenario is economically sensible and has multiple benefits for humanity and other species. Yet fossil fuel extraction is expanding, including highly carbon-intensive sources that can push the climate system beyond tipping points such that amplifying feedbacks drive further climate change that is practically out of humanity's control. This situation raises profound moral issues as young people, future generations, and nature, with no possibility of protecting their future well-being, will bear the principal consequences of actions and inactions of today's adults.
The Different Effects of Firm Resources on Firm Performance under Volatility: An Examination Using Big Data

According to the resource-based view, research and development (R&D) and advertising are critical resources firms use to improve their performance. This study aims to clarify the different effects of R&D and advertising on firm performance using distinct criteria—firm value and firm profitability. It also verifies whether the effects of R&D and advertising apply in a volatile environment. We run panel data regression models with a big data sample of manufacturing firms publicly listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index over an extended period of 27 years. We find that R&D has more positive effects on firm value than advertising, while advertising has more positive effects on firm profitability than R&D; these relationships are consistent even when volatility is considered. This suggests that firms should mix and match their investments between R&D and advertising resources for improved effectiveness and efficiency, and these resources should be accumulated and exploited consistently regardless of environmental dynamics.
Employing the London Atlas in the Age Estimation of a Select South African Population

Dental age estimation in the living and deceased is a fundamental aspect of forensic sciences, civil cases, medico-legal proceedings and clinical dentistry. Accordingly, this study aimed to validate the accuracy and reproducibility of the London Atlas in a select South African sample of KwaZulu-Natal. In this cross-sectional study, 760 digital panoramic radiographs (n = 760) aged between 5.00 and 23.99 years were retrospectively reviewed through consecutive sampling. Each radiograph was assessed and assigned a dental age in accordance with the London Atlas of Human Tooth Development and Eruption by AlQahtani et al. (2010). The London Atlas overestimated age with a mean difference of −0.85 to −1.26 years in the selected South African sample of KwaZulu-Natal. A statistically significant difference between the chronological and estimated dental ages was recorded. Furthermore, the South African Black and Indian males had a higher overestimation of age than their female counterparts, with a mean difference of 0.13 and 0.07 years, respectively. This overestimation was less in the South African Indian population in comparison to the SA Black population. This outcome resulted in the creation of the KZN population- and sex-specific charts and atlases for the two selected cohorts of KwaZulu-Natal. The KZN Atlases were found to be more accurate in the selected sample, with a mean absolute error of 0.57 years and no statistically significant differences between the chronological and estimated dental ages.
Effects of semidry-milling on the properties of highland barley flour and the quality of highland barley bread.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the effects of semidry-milling on the quality attributes of highland barley flour and highland barley bread. Highland barley flours were prepared from dry, semidry and wet milling methods, which were named DBF, SBF and WBF, respectively. The properties of different highland barley flours were analyzed, and highland barley breads made from different highland barley flours were evaluated. RESULTS The results showed that WBF had the lowest damaged starch content (15.2 g/kg), and the contents of damaged starch in SBF-35 and SBF-40 (43.5 g/kg and 24.1 g/kg) were lower than that of DBF (87.6 g/kg). And SBF-35 and SBF-40 with large particles exhibited low hydration performance. In addition, SBF-35 and SBF-40 had higher pasting viscosity, pasting temperature, ΔH and relative crystallinity, consequently resulting in better gel properties than other highland barley flours. These properties could help SBF-35 and SBF-40 develop high-quality bread with large specific volume, superior crumb structure and texture, which was similar to the bread with WBF. CONCLUSION Overall, semidry milling could not only improve the characteristics of HBF, but also avoid high starch damage by dry milling and water wasting by wet milling. What's more, highland barley breads with SBF-35 and SBF-40 had preferable appearance and crumb texture. Therefore, semidry milling could be regarded as a feasible way to produce highland barley flour. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Effects of Low Temperature on Antioxidant and Heat Shock Protein Expression Profiles and Transcriptomic Responses in Crayfish (Cherax destructor)

Low temperature is a critical factor restricting the growth and survival of aquatic animals, but research on the mechanism of response to low temperature in Cherax destructor is limited. C. destructor is one of the most important freshwater crustaceans with strong adaptability in Australia, and it has been commercialized gradually in recent years. Here, growth indicators, antioxidant parameters, anti-stress gene expression, and transcriptome sequencing were used on crayfish following 8 weeks of low-temperature acclimation. The results showed that weight gain, length gain, and molting rates decreased as the temperature decreased. The activity of antioxidant enzymes decreased, while the content of antioxidant substances and the expression of anti-stress genes increased. Transcriptome sequencing identified 589 differentially expressed genes, 279 of which were upregulated and 310 downregulated. The gene functions and pathways for endocrine disorders, glucose metabolism, antioxidant defense, and immune responses were identified. In conclusion, although low-temperature acclimation inhibited the basal metabolism and immune ability of crayfish, it also increased the antioxidant substance content and anti-stress-gene expression to protect the organism from low-temperature damage. This study provided molecular insights into the study of low-temperature responses of low-temperature-tolerant crustacean species.
Cost-Effectiveness of Intranasal Live-Attenuated Influenza Vaccine for Children: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The public health burden of seasonal influenza is significant, and influenza vaccination is the most effective preventive strategy. Nonetheless, the recommendation of influenza immunization in the pediatric population is still underrepresented. Our work aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of pediatric influenza vaccination with the intranasal live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). Methods: We performed a systematic review of publications from PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus, covering the period from 1 January 2000 to 30 April 2022. We searched for economic evaluations that studied the impacts of LAIV among children or the pediatric population. Studies that considered incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), in terms of cost per gain in life years, quality adjusted life years, or disability-adjusted life years, were covered. The Consensus Health Economic Criteria (CHEC) Extended Checklist was adopted to check the quality of the included studies. Results: Thirteen studies were included for the final review that were of good or excellent quality. The implementation of influenza vaccination with intranasal LAIV in the pediatric population was cost-effective when compared to the immunization strategies for the elderly and the high-risk groups alone or with no vaccination. The efficacy of LAIV for children, vaccination coverage, and the vaccine price were significant factors to the cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination for children. Another significant contribution to the cost-effectiveness was the herd immunity arising from pediatric immunization against influenza. Conclusions: The implementation of influenza vaccination in the pediatric population with LAIV is cost-effective. Policymakers and health authorities may consider the evidence on the development of the pediatric influenza vaccination in their immunization schedules.
The higher infinite : large cardinals in set theory from their beginnings

The theory of large cardinals is currently a broad mainstream of modern set theory, the main area of investigation for the analysis of the relative consistency of mathematical propositions and possible new axioms for mathematics. The first of a projected multi-volume series, this book provides a comprehensive account of the theory of large cardinals from its beginnings and some of the direct outgrowths leading to the frontiers of contemporary research. A "genetic" approach is taken, presenting the subject in the context of its historical development. With hindsight the consequential avenues are pursued and the most elegant or accessible expositions given. With open questions and speculations provided throughout the reader should not only come to appreciate the scope and coherence of the overall enterprise but also become prepared to pursue research in several specific areas by studying the relevant sections.