Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diets on Gut Microbiota

The difference in gut microbiota composition between individuals following vegan or vegetarian diets and those following omnivorous diets is well documented. A plant-based diet appears to be beneficial for human health by promoting the development of more diverse and stable microbial systems. Additionally, vegans and vegetarians have significantly higher counts of certain Bacteroidetes-related operational taxonomic units compared to omnivores. Fibers (that is, non-digestible carbohydrates, found exclusively in plants) most consistently increase lactic acid bacteria, such as Ruminococcus, E. rectale, and Roseburia, and reduce Clostridium and Enterococcus species. Polyphenols, also abundant in plant foods, increase Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which provide anti-pathogenic and anti-inflammatory effects and cardiovascular protection. High fiber intake also encourages the growth of species that ferment fiber into metabolites as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate. The positive health effects of SCFAs are myriad, including improved immunity against pathogens, blood–brain barrier integrity, provision of energy substrates, and regulation of critical functions of the intestine. In conclusion, the available literature suggests that a vegetarian/vegan diet is effective in promoting a diverse ecosystem of beneficial bacteria to support both human gut microbiome and overall health. This review will focus on effects of different diets and nutrient contents, particularly plant-based diets, on the gut microbiota composition and production of microbial metabolites affecting the host health.
Ligand-Specific Nano-Contrast Agents Promote Enhanced Breast Cancer CT Detection at 0.5 mg Au

For many cancer types, being undetectable from early symptoms or blood tests, or often detected at late stages, medical imaging emerges as the most efficient tool for cancer screening. MRI, ultrasound, X-rays (mammography), and X-ray CT (CT) are currently used in hospitals with variable costs. Diagnostic materials that can detect breast tumors through molecular recognition and amplify the signal at the targeting site in combination with state-of-the-art CT techniques, such as dual-energy CT, could lead to a more precise detection and assist significantly in image-guided intervention. Herein, we have developed a ligand-specific X-ray contrast agent that recognizes α5β1 integrins overexpressed in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells for detection of triple (−) cancer, which proliferates very aggressively. In vitro studies show binding and internalization of our nanoprobes within those cells, towards uncoated nanoparticles (NPs) and saline. In vivo studies show high retention of ~3 nm ligand-PEG-S-AuNPs in breast tumors in mice (up to 21 days) and pronounced CT detection, with statistical significance from saline and iohexol, though only 0.5 mg of metal were utilized. In addition, accumulation of ligand-specific NPs is shown in tumors with minimal presence in other organs, relative to controls. The prolonged, low-metal, NP-enhanced spectral-CT detection of triple (−) breast cancer could lead to breakthrough advances in X-ray cancer diagnostics, nanotechnology, and medicine.
Physical Agent-Based Treatments for Overactive Bladder: A Review

Almost one-fifth of the people in the world experience a decrease in quality of life due to overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome. The main bothersome symptoms are urgency accompanied by urinary frequency and nocturia. This chronic, disabling condition is first managed by reducing fluid intake and pelvic floor muscle training, supplemented with antimuscarinic drugs, if necessary. However, refractory cases often still occur. In more severe cases, invasive surgical interventions can be considered; yet, the success rate is still inconsistent, and there is a high complication rate. This condition is frustrating for patients and challenging for the medical staff involved. Although its pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated, peripheral autonomic somatic and sensory afferent receptors are considered to be involved in this condition. Hence, currently, physical agent-based treatments such as neuromodulation have taken a significant place in the third-line therapy of OAB. The efficacy and safety profiles of electrical and magnetic stimulation continue to evolve. Physical-based agents provide an appealing option owing to their effectiveness and minimal side effects. In addition, more physical therapies using light and shock energy are currently being investigated. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of these modalities is an extremely important aspect to provide the most suitable modalities for patients.
Holomorphic principal bundles over elliptic curves

In this paper, the first of a series of three, we classify holomorphic principal G-bundles over an elliptic curve, where G is a reductive group. We also study the local and global properties of the moduli space of semistable G-bundles. We identify canonical representatives for each S-equivalence class of semistable G-bundles, and study their automorphism groups.
Political budget cycles at the municipal level in Slovakia: between structural dependence and electoral exhibitionism

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the strategic composition of Slovak municipalities’ revenues and expenditures and the role of political budget cycles. We found that Slovak municipalities tend to have significantly higher capital revenues and capital expenditures in periods close to municipal elections. We also found strategic management of current expenditures and revenues depending on the time of municipal elections. We have controlled these estimations with several dimensions identified in the literature, from socio-economic variables to political characteristics of the incumbent mayors.
Tribological Evaluation of Silica Nanoparticle Enhanced Bilayer Hydrogels as A Candidate for Cartilage Replacement

Polymeric hydrogels can be used as artificial replacement for lesioned cartilage. However, modulating the hydrogel formulation that mimics articular cartilage tissue with respect to mechanical and tribological properties has remained a challenge. This study encompasses the tribological evaluation of a silica nanoparticle (SNP) loaded bilayer nanocomposite hydrogel (NCH), synthesized using acrylamide, acrylic acid, and alginate via modulated free-radical polymerization. Multi-factor pin-on-plate sliding wear experiments were carried out with a steel ball counterface using a linear reciprocating tribometer. Tribological properties of NCHs with 0.6 wt% SNPs showed a significant improvement in the wear resistance of the lubricious layer and a low coefficient of friction (CoF). CoF of both non-reinforced hydrogel (NRH) and NCH at maximum contact pressure ranged from 0.006 to 0.008, which is in the order of the CoF of healthy articular cartilage. Interfacial surface energy was analysed according to Johnson, Kendall, and Robert’s theory, and NCHs showed superior mechanical properties and surface energy compared to NRHs. Lubrication regimes’ models were drawn based on the Stribeck chart parameters, and CoF results were highlighted in the elastoviscous transition regime.
Multifractal distribution of spike intervals for two neurons with unreliable synapses

Two neurons coupled by unreliable synapses are modeled by leaky integrate-and-fire neurons and stochastic on-off synapses. The dynamics is mapped to an iterated function system. Numerical calculations yield a multifractal distribution of interspike intervals. The Haussdorf, entropy and correlation dimensions are calculated as a function of synaptic strength and transmission probability.
The Detonation Phenomenon

1. Introduction 2. Gasdynamic theory 3. Dynamics of detonation products 4. Laminar structure of detonations 5. Unstable detonations: numerical 6. Unstable detonations: experimental 7. Influence of boundary conditions 8. Deflagration to detonation transition 9. Direct initiation of detonations Epilogue.
Immune functionalization of outer membrane proteins (OMPs) for enteropathogenic E.coli in vivo

This study aimed to reveal the susceptibility of Outer Membrane Proteins (OMPs) to Enteropathogenic E.coli (EPEC) after linking it to an immunosuppressant (from natural sources)to stimulate the immune system of laboratory animals as a primitive attempt to initiate the manufacture of a vaccine against the above bacteria and reduce of the fatalities that occur in children under the age of five when injuredRelying on some common methods, outer membrane proteins (OMPs) were separated from EPEC bacteria membrane in an amount of 200 mg / 20 L of culture medium.The molecular weight and purity of this protein were detected using Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide gel ( SDS-PAGE), as the outer membrane proteins OMP appeared in the form of a ladder containing successive bundles consisting of (9-13) bundles of polypeptides, whose molecular weight ranges between (15-125) kDa.The ability of EPEC bacteria, its outer membrane proteins (OMPs),the immune helper (olive oil), and the foreign protein complex with the immune helper to induce systemic immunity through changes in the antibody titer averages were studied.A significant increase in the titer of antibodies was observed in the treated mice (IgG and IgA) compared to the positive control group and those that appeared in the animals before treatment.
Robust Cross Validation Score

Consider the problem of estimating the underlying regression function from a set of noisy data which is contaminated by a long tailed error distribution. There exist several robust smoothing techniques and these are turned out to be very useful to reduce the influence of outlying observations. However, no matter what kind of robust smoother we use, we should choose the smoothing parameter and relatively less attention has been made for the robust bandwidth selection method. In this paper, we adopt the idea of robust location parameter estimation technique and propose the robust cross validation score functions.
Stability of the analytic solution and the partially truncated Euler–Maruyama method for a class of stochastic Volterra integro-differential equations with non-globally Lipschitz continuous coefficients

In this paper, we develop the partially truncated Euler–Maruyama method of a class of stochastic Volterra integro-differential equations with non-globally Lipschitz continuous coefficients. The mean-square exponential stability and the mean-square stability of the analytic solution and the partially truncated Euler–Maruyama method are investigated. Moreover, the theoretical results are illustrated by some numerical examples.
Picowatt-Power Analog Gain Stages in Super-Cutoff Region With Purely-Harvested Demonstration

In this work, gain stages with power down to the sub-pW/stage range are introduced to enable always-on mm-scale systems based on either pure harvesting across all practical environmental conditions, or micro-battery with near-shelf life lifetime (e.g., 20 years). The proposed circuit techniques suppress the need for supply voltage regulation, allowing direct harvesting (i.e., no intermediate dc–dc conversion). A CMOS 180-nm fully differential operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) is shown to consume 0.43–1.26 pW at 0.4–0.6 V as voltage harvested across all practical conditions from 2.16-mm2 solar cell down to 1 lux. The OTA shows 0.8-mV input offset and 18- $\mu \text{V}$ input-referred noise. As an example of its application, a pW-power human grip/touch detection system for always-on event monitoring is demonstrated at light-harvesting down to moonlight.
ARE DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND SOCIAL NETWORK ASSOCIATED WITH ILLICIT DRUG USE? - A MULTINOMIAL LOGISTIC REGRESSION ANALYSIS

Illicit drug use among adolescents, including the abuse of illegal drugs and/or the misuse of prescription medications or household substances, has become a public health concern. It is found that, by the 12 th grade, about half of adolescents have misused an illicit drug at least once. The most commonly used drug is marijuana. In this study, we categorized adolescent students’ drug use status into 3 levels: no drug use, use of marijuana only, and use of other illicit drugs. We aimed to explore if adolescents’ demographic characteristics and social network are associated with drug use, using data of a nationally representative sample from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). We found that older age, higher grade, female gender, and having negative social network are associated with higher risk of marijuana or other drugs. There are also racial/ethnic differences.
Research on the Topology and Control Strategy of a Novel Three-Port Converter

A novel three-port converter (TPC) is proposed to meet the diversity of demand for electrical equipment in this paper. It interfaces a single input power port and two output ports. The proposed TPC can be viewed as two bidirectional DC-DC converters. With a different operation mode, the proposed TPC can output two DC voltages or a single DC and a single AC voltage. The topology and operation principal of the TPC is analyzed in detail. Moreover, the mathematic model of the TPC is derived. Then, by considering the dynamic response and disturbance suppression, a step by step PI and PR controller design process for TPC is also presented. Both the simulation and the experimental results validate the proposed method.
Occult anterior uveal melanomas presenting as extrascleral extension

Objective To describe the management of patients with occult anterior uveal melanomas presenting with extrascleral extension. Methods and analysis Retrospective case series including five patients with small pigmented nodular mass on the episclera. Each lesion was documented by slit-lamp photography and measured with high-frequency ultrasound imaging (ultrasound biomicroscopy). Diagnosis of uveal melanoma was confirmed by biopsy with lamellar sclerectomy. Immediate scleral patch graft repair was performed. Later, each tumour was treated with palladium-103 ophthalmic plaque brachytherapy. The mean plaque diameter was 12 mm (median, 12; range, 10–14). A mean apex prescription dose of 87 Gy (median, 84.5; range, 82.3–99.2) to a tumour depth of 2 mm from the inner sclera delivered over 7 continuous days. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity, changes in tumour and scleral characteristics and complications. Results During each surgery, residual tumour was visualised within an emissary passageway at the deep plane of scleral resection. At a mean of 80 months (median, 57; range, 24–159) follow-up, no patients experienced graft infection, scleromalacia or rejection. Biopsy was required to establish the diagnosis, transillumination failed, and therefore ultrasound measurements were used to determine the plaque size required to treat the relatively occult intraocular component. Despite these challenges, there were no cases of local tumour recurrence, secondary enucleation or metastatic disease. Attributed to cataract surgery, visual acuities improved in three patients and two were stable. Conclusion Extrascleral uveal melanoma extension can occur with undetectable, occult intraocular tumours. In these cases, plaque radiation effectively induced local tumour control, preserved vision and prevented metastasis.
On a Deterministic Property of the Category of $k$-almost Primes: A Deterministic Structure Based on a Linear Function for Redefining the $k$-almost Primes ($\exists n\in {\rm N} $, $1{\le} k {\le}n$) in Certain Intervals

In this paper based on a sort of linear function, a deterministic and simple algorithm with an algebraic structure is presented for calculating all (and only) $k$-almost primes ($where$ $\exists n\in {\rm N} $, $1{\le} k {\le}n$) in certain interval. A theorem has been proven showing a new deterministic property of the category of $k$-almost primes. Through a linear function that we obtain, an equivalent redefinition of the $k$-almost primes with an algebraic characteristic is identified. Moreover, as an outcome of our function's property some relations which contain new information about the $k$-almost primes (including primes) are presented.
A High Capacity Reversible Watermarking Using Histogram Shifting

Reversible watermarking hides some information in a digital image in such a way that an authorized party could decode the hidden information and also restore the image to its original state. In this paper, a high capacity reversible watermarking method using histogram shifting is proposed. In order to increase embedding capacity, the proposed method divides the image into blocks and uses a paring(horizontal, vertical, diagonal) inside each block, then finds a maximum embedding bin which has the most frequent difference values among the parings. Also, the proposed method removes the overflow and underflow by using location map which including the maximum embedding bin and increases the embedding capacity by embedding iteratively. The experimental results show that the proposed method provides a high embedding capacity and good visual quality compared with the conventional reversible watermarking methods.
Leverage Structure Dynamics and Firm Value: Evidence From Bangladesh

The paper aims to examine the impact of leverage structure dynamics on firm value in Bangladesh. To this end, the panel techniques (GMM and PCSE) were used to control for serial correlation, heteroskedasticity, and cross-sectional difficulties in the panel data set. The paper found that leverage structure influences firm value. The result also supports the trade-off theory, which asserts that tax savings on interest expenses result in a lower total cost of capital and ultimately upturn firm value. Lastly, the paper highlights the significance of endogenous variables such as liquidity, profitability, tangibility, and tax rate on firm value in Bangladesh.
IRLM: Inductive Representation Learning Model for Personalized POI Recommendation

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things technology, the concept of smart cities that aims to help residents improve their quality of life has raised much attention in several application areas. In the context of smart cities, the provision of point of interest (POI) recommendations become an important requirement because a wide range of POIs are available for urban dwellers. Location-based social networks (LBSNs) such as Foursquare and Gowalla provide a massive volume of user check-in records that can assist users in choosing new POIs. However, user trajectories are mostly sparse in the real world. For example, users only check in a few POIs, and this makes it difficult to provide recommendations based on limited history trajectories. Though some attempts have adopted auxiliary geographical information to enhance POI recommendation, they still encounter the following problems: 1) the geographical trajectories of users are usually sparse in real-world datasets; 2) users may be more interested in the remote POIs; and 3) the previous models inherently perform transductive learning that cannot handle well the recommendation of unseen users and POIs. To address these problems, we propose an inductive representation learning model (IRLM) for location recommendation. IRLM contains two parts, namely geographic feature extraction and inductive representation learning. IRLM first captures global geographical influences among POIs through a standard Gaussian mixture model (GMM). Then IRLM adopts an attention neural network for the recommendation. Experimental results indicate that our proposed model can achieve superior performance over state-of-the-art models.
Ketogenic Diet Treatment of Defects in the Mitochondrial Malate Aspartate Shuttle and Pyruvate Carrier

The mitochondrial malate aspartate shuttle system (MAS) maintains the cytosolic NAD+/NADH redox balance, thereby sustaining cytosolic redox-dependent pathways, such as glycolysis and serine biosynthesis. Human disease has been associated with defects in four MAS-proteins (encoded by MDH1, MDH2, GOT2, SLC25A12) sharing a neurological/epileptic phenotype, as well as citrin deficiency (SLC25A13) with a complex hepatopathic-neuropsychiatric phenotype. Ketogenic diets (KD) are high-fat/low-carbohydrate diets, which decrease glycolysis thus bypassing the mentioned defects. The same holds for mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) 1 deficiency, which also presents neurological deficits. We here describe 40 (18 previously unreported) subjects with MAS-/MPC1-defects (32 neurological phenotypes, eight citrin deficiency), describe and discuss their phenotypes and genotypes (presenting 12 novel variants), and the efficacy of KD. Of 13 MAS/MPC1-individuals with a neurological phenotype treated with KD, 11 experienced benefits—mainly a striking effect against seizures. Two individuals with citrin deficiency deceased before the correct diagnosis was established, presumably due to high-carbohydrate treatment. Six citrin-deficient individuals received a carbohydrate-restricted/fat-enriched diet and showed normalisation of laboratory values/hepatopathy as well as age-adequate thriving. We conclude that patients with MAS-/MPC1-defects are amenable to dietary intervention and that early (genetic) diagnosis is key for initiation of proper treatment and can even be lifesaving.
Anti-tumor Activity of Gold nanoparticles by Use High Content Screening Technique (HCS)

DOI: 10.21608/jmals.2022. 256487 Abstract Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) act as less toxic and effective drug carriers with many specific properties that are particularly useful for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. The present study was conducted to determine the anti-tumor properties GNPs. The new preparation technique is quick and cost-effective. GNPs formation was confirmed using various characterization techniques including X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD, FES-EM, and TEM experiments have confirmed the formation of GNPs which shows that the prepared particles are spherical inform and have a smooth surface with an average size of 24.32 ± 1.32 nm. Multiparametric analysis of GNPs toxicity at the level of individual cells using flow cytometry and cellular imaging-based approaches such as High Content Screening (HCS) have played key roles in the detection of toxicity and classification of compounds based on observed patterns of reversible and irreversible cellular injury. The effect of GNPs on the MCF-7 cell line regarding cell viability, cell nucleus morphology, membrane permeability, potential mitochondrial permeability, and cytochrome C release was further confirmed using a High Content Screening array scan via multi-parametric kit. Results indicated that the viable count of MCF-7 cells was highly decreased by treated with GNPs. Nuclei stained with Hoechst blue appeared to be mostly condensed in response to the treatment with the GNPs (1.5fold increase in nuclear fluorescence intensity), with significant differences (p < 0.0263) as compared with untreated cells. Cell membrane permeability was significantly (p = 0.0019) upon GNPs showing an increase of 1.9-fold, as compared with the untreated MCF-7 cells. GNPs induce a significant (p = 0.0053) decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential by 32.7%, in comparison to the untreated cancer cells with significant induction of the release of cytochrome C (p = 0.0016) was recorded after exposure to the GNPs (0.43-fold increased mean intensity), The outcomes of the present study propose the high feasibility for using GNPs as a novel anticancer drug.