Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voice-Activated Virtual Home Assistant Use and Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Adults: Mini Review

A lack of social connectedness is common among older adults due to living alone, loss of loved ones, reduced mobility, and, more recently, social distancing created by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Older adults are vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness, which pose significant health risks comparable to those of smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and high blood pressure. A lack of social connectedness is also correlated with higher mortality rates even when controlling for other factors such as age and comorbid conditions. The purpose of this mini review was to explore the emerging concepts of older adults' use of commercially available artificial intelligent virtual home assistants (VHAs; e.g., Amazon Echo, Google Nest), and its relationship to social isolation and loneliness. A secondary purpose was to identify potential areas for further research. Results suggest that VHAs are perceived by many older adult users as “companions” and improve social connectedness and reduce loneliness. Available studies are exploratory and descriptive and have limited generalizability due to small sample sizes, however, similar results were reported across several studies conducted in differing countries. Privacy concerns and other ethical issues and costs associated with VHA use were identified as potential risks to older adults' VHA adoption and use. Older adults who were using VHAs expressed the need and desire for more structured training on device use. Future research with stronger methods, including prospective, longitudinal, and randomized study designs are needed. Public education, industry standards, and regulatory oversight is required to mitigate potential risks associated with VHA use.
Mapping Function from Dynamics: Future Challenges for Network-Based Models of Protein Structures

Proteins fulfill complex and diverse biological functions through the controlled atomic motions of their structures (functional dynamics). The protein composition is given by its amino-acid sequence, which was assumed to encode the function. However, the discovery of functional sequence variants proved that the functional encoding does not come down to the sequence, otherwise a change in the sequence would mean a change of function. Likewise, the discovery that function is fulfilled by a set of structures and not by a unique structure showed that the functional encoding does not come down to the structure either. That leaves us with the possibility that a set of atomic motions, achievable by different sequences and different structures, encodes a specific function. Thanks to the exponential growth in annual depositions in the Protein Data Bank of protein tridimensional structures at atomic resolutions, network models using the Cartesian coordinates of atoms of a protein structure as input have been used over 20 years to investigate protein features. Combining networks with experimental measures or with Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and using typical or ad-hoc network measures is well suited to decipher the link between protein dynamics and function. One perspective is to consider static structures alone as alternatives to address the question and find network measures relevant to dynamics that can be subsequently used for mining and classification of dynamic sequence changes functionally robust, adaptable or faulty. This way the set of dynamics that fulfill a function over a diversity of sequences and structures will be determined.
Freeze dried quince (Cydonia oblonga) puree with the addition of different amounts of maltodextrin: physical and powder properties

This study aims to determine the drying behavior of quince puree and as an adverse effect powdered sugar added quince puree with the addition of maltodextrin. The addition of powdered sugar increases the drying time and the total amount of energy and the same time slightly decreases the moisture content and water activity values. The color values and the properties on these values changed both with the addition of maltodextrin and powdered sugar. The density values, flow properties and reconstitution properties are significantly affected by the amount of maltodextrin in plain or powdered sugar added samples. Keywords: quince, freeze-drying, maltodextrin, powder properties
Association between Cholesterol Homeostasis with Intestinal Proteins, Enzymes and Drugs in Absorption of Cholesterol and its Relationship with Vascular Diseases: A Review

The goal of this review is to discuss many aspects of cholesterol homeostasis in the body in order to presents the standards of cholesterol disposition and its levels, especially when several means might change the features of cholesterol synthesis and absorption and interrupt this equilibrium. With the detection of pathways of cholesterol absorption and the discovery of different compounds that amend cholesterol absorption, there is a series of cholesterol lowering drugs, which may decrease the level of serum cholesterol by altering its absorption. It is recognized that the effects of cholesterol lowering drugs as well as genetics of a person, loss of body weight, enzymes and proteins may increase the cholesterol altering effect, but the impact of these agents on the mechanism of cholesterol homeostasis are poorly understood. The disturbance of cholesterol homeostasis is also related with vascular changes associated with cardiac and kidney problems. Besides using different drugs and other means (plant sterol, enzyme, protein etc.), there is a need to improve the dietary pattern and life style. These may help to improve the cholesterol homeostasis.
Synthesis of Aldehyde-Silica Nanoparticle for Matrix Immobilization of Endo-β-1,4-D-xylanase

Synthesis of silica nanoparticles has been conducted by sol gel method using Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as precursor. Silica nanoparticle was prepared by varying the molar ratio of NH3 and TEOS i.e. 0.03, 0.06 and 0.12. Mixture of TEOS, ethanol, distilled water and NH3 as catalyst was stirred at temperature of 50 ± 2° C for 5 hours to produce sol. The sol was allowed to form gel for 48 hours. Gel of silica was kept at temperature of 70 °C to evaporate the solvent resulting in white powder of silica followed by calcination at 400°C for 8 hours. Characterization by means SEM revealed that the silica particle size was governed by the molar ratio of NH3 and TEOS. Higher NH3 concentration gave a bigger particle size i.e. 88.48, 271.31 and 473.52 nm respectively. Modification of the silica surface with glutaraldehyde was aimed to make the silica as immobilization matrix of endo-β-1,4-D-xylanase. Percentage of immobilized protein enzyme on silica 88.48, 271.31 and 473.52 nm were 30.49%, 15.05%, and 10.56% respectively.
Characteristics of Reduced-Fat Thai Pork Sausage with Inulin Addition

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentration of inulin as fat replacers on the chemical composition, physical properties, textural characteristics, and sensory acceptance of Thai style pork sausages. Six batches were prepared with added inulin from 0-60 % of fat content. The results showed that the addition of inulin increased moisture and fiber content while decreased fat content of the sausages. Color parameters and cooking yield were not significantly different, while the water activity were slightly increased. Cooking times were also reduced. Texture properties; hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness of inulin added sausages were slightly lower than those of the control sausages. The addition of inulin improved the sensory properties of reduced fat pork sausages. The sausages with 30 % of inulin replaced was the most acceptable due to their highest scores in all sensory attributes. Therefore, inulin can be used as a fat replacer in Thai pork sausage to obtain healthy and functional product. 
Propuesta de intervención para minimizar los síntomas del TDAH a través del Mindfulness

This Final Master Project aims to design an intervention proposal not implemented to minimize some of the central symptoms of ADHD, through the practice of Mindfulness, which has been designed for a classroom of the First Course of the First Cycle of Primary Education. A bibliographic review has been carried out with the aim of offering a definition of ADHD, gathering the characteristics of this disorder that is increasingly present in our society. As a result of this definition, an analysis of the treatments most used to treat ADHD is undertaken, seeking to focus on those therapies known as third-generation among which is Mindfulness, from which its main foundations and benefits, as well as the main experiences of this practice in the educational field.
How Well Do We Know Neonatal Stroke: A Literature Review

Neonatal stroke can be characterized as a cerebrovascular injury that happens between 20 weeks of fetal life and 28 days post-pregnancy life. The assessed frequency of neonatal stroke is between one of every 1600 and one out of 3000 live births which recommends that the neonatal period is the most engaged lifetime time of hazard for stroke. Utilizing the advances in neuroimaging which have assisted with characterizing explicit neonatal stroke sickness states, several topics consisting of pathophysiology, manifestation, diagnosis, and management of neonatal stroke are systematically reviewed in this study. The results confirm several points, namely: (1) Neonatal stroke is characterized as one of six explicit sickness states based on clinical show and neuroimaging discoveries. (2) Intense indicative assortments normally present with seizures, while assumed neonatal stroke assortments typically present with hemiparetic cerebral paralysis. (3) Across all types of neonatal stroke, causative systems are ineffectively perceived, featuring the requirement for extra investigations just as an alert in allotting causation.
Comparison of the Application of Different Fluoride Supplements on Enamel Demineralization Adjacent to Orthodontic Brackets: An In Vitro Study

Background: White spot lesion is considered as one of the main problems in the orthodontic treatment. Brackets used in ﬁxed orthodontic treatment create an environment that provides enamel demineralization. Objectives: Theobjectiveof thecurrentstudywastoperformaninvitrostudytocomparediﬀerentapplicationsof ﬂuoridesupple-mentsonenameldemineralizationadjacenttoorthodonticbracketsandﬁnallytounderstandthebestsupplementtorecommend the patients. Methods: One hundred and twenty extracted caries-free human premolar teeth were randomly assigned into six groups: group 1: Controlgroup,group2: Fluoridetoothpaste,group3: Fluoridetoothpaste/mouthrinse,group4: Fluoridetoothpaste/vanish,group 5: Fluoridetoothpaste/gelandgroup6: Fluoridetoothpaste/foam. Afterbondingthebracketstotheteeth,theﬂuoridesupplements were applied based on each group above, except the control group. Then all the specimens were cycled for 30 days in demineralization solution for 8 hours a day, rinsed, placed in artiﬁcial saliva for 4 hours a day, brushed (except the control group), and put back to artiﬁcial saliva for 12 hours. DIAGNOdent laser ﬂuorescence was used to quantify the demineralization changes. Results: Signiﬁcantdiﬀerencesexistedbetweenallﬂuoride-containinggroupsandcontrolgroup. Analysesof theresultsshoweda signiﬁcantdiﬀerencebetweencontrolgroupandtherest5treatmentgroups(P< 0.001). Othersigniﬁcantdiﬀerenceswerebetween groups 2/5, 3/5, 2/4 and 5/6 (P < 0.05). There was no signiﬁcant diﬀerence among the other groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Accordingtotheresults,allﬂuoridesupplementscouldbeusedduringorthodontictreatmenttodecreasetheenamel demineralization. It has been illustrated that ﬂuoride-containing toothpaste and mouth rinse is better than no ﬂuoride treatment but is not eﬀective as well as ﬂuoride gel and varnish.
A Modular Vaccine Platform Combining Self‐Assembled Peptide Cages and Immunogenic Peptides

Subunit vaccines use delivery platforms to present minimal antigenic components for immunization. The benefits of such systems include multivalency, self‐adjuvanting properties, and more specific immune responses. Previously, the design, synthesis, and characterization of self‐assembling peptide cages (SAGEs) have been reported. In these, de novo peptides are combined to make hubs that assemble into nanoparticles when mixed in aqueous solution. Here it is shown that SAGEs are nontoxic particles with potential as accessible synthetic peptide scaffolds for the delivery of immunogenic components. To this end, SAGEs functionalized with the model antigenic peptides tetanus toxoid632‐651 and ovalbumin323‐339 drive antigen‐specific responses both in vitro and in vivo, eliciting both CD4+ T cell and B cell responses. Additionally, SAGEs functionalized with the antigenic peptide hemagglutinin518‐526 from the influenza virus are also able to drive a CD8+ T cell response in vivo. This work demonstrates the potential of SAGEs to act as a modular scaffold for antigen delivery, capable of inducing and boosting specific and tailored immune responses.
Fortification of Ground Roasted Coffees with Iron, Zinc, and Calcium Salts: Evaluation of Minerals Recovery in Filtered and Espresso Brews

Micronutrient deficiencies are of great public health and socioeconomic importance. Food fortification has been widely used as a simple low-cost resource to increase mineral intake. Considering that coffee is the most consumed food product worldwide, in this study, C. arabica and C. canephora seeds were roasted, ground, and fortified with three salts of iron, zinc, and calcium as part of the selection of appropriate mineral vehicles for fortification. After ranking the performance through a test by a trained tasters’ panel, only two salts for each mineral remained. Mineral recoveries were evaluated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) in filtered (paper and nylon filters) and espresso brews. The best mean recoveries for each mineral in espresso brew prepared from fortified coffees were: 80.8% of iron as ferrous bisglycinate chelate, 75.4% of zinc as zinc lactate, and 72.1% of calcium as calcium lactate. These better ranked salts by the tasters’ panel. In filtered brews, mean recovery values of 51.1%, 47.6%, and 51.6% were obtained for the same mineral salts, respectively. No difference or very small differences were observed between species and types of filter. The results implications are discussed.
OXIDATIVE STRESS AND GENOTOXICITY AMONG WORKERS EXPOSED TO COPPER IN A FACTORY FOR NON-FERROUS INDUSTRY IN EGYPT

Introduction: Exposure to high levels of copper at the workplace results in many adverse health effects with possible genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Aim of work: To evaluate oxidative stress and detect the extent of DNA damage among workers at a copper processing factory. Materials and methods: The studied group is composed of 36 male workers from a copper processing factory and 34 male as a control group non-exposed to copper matched for age and socioeconomic status. Total antioxidant capacity was measured for all participants as an oxidative stress parameter, and urinary 8-OHdG was assayed by ELISA. Extent of DNA damage in leucocytes was also evaluated by comet assay as a biomarker of genotoxicity. Results: In the exposed workers, mean serum copper and urinary 8-OHdG were higher when compared to controls (155.1 ± 23 versus 77.9 ± 8.5 ug/dL and 9.7 ± 5 versus 4.1 ± 1.2 ng/mg creatinine, respectively; p<0.001 in each). T-AOC measured in exposed workers was significantly lower than that of the comparison group. There was significant DNA damage in leucocytes of exposed workers compared to the control group with mean comet tail length (9.5 ± 3.7 versus 5.7 ±1.4 mm; p < 0.001). T-AOC was negatively correlated with comet tail length; r=-0.64 and 8-OHdG showed positive correlation; r=0.71 (p < 0.001 for each). Linear regression models revealed that 8-OHdG is the significant predictor of DNA damage assayed by comet test whereas smoking, work duration and age had no significant effect on DNA damage. Conclusion: copper-exposed workers are at risk of oxidative stress with consequent DNA damage and potential genotoxic effect.
In vitro activity of Quercus brantii extracts against biofilm- producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Background: Biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious concern in treatment of diseases and medical industries. Natural products that originate in plants can inﬂuence microbial bioﬁlm formation. The effect of ethyl acetate, methanol and water- methanol extracts of Quercus brantii on biofilm formation and biofilm disruption of P. aeruginosa were investigated in this study. Methods: The effect of Q. brantii extracts on biofilm formation ability of P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and clinical isolates was tested using crystal violet (CV) staining assay. Minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of the extracts against pre-formed biofilms alone and in combination with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was also investigated. Results: Ethyl acetate extract of Q. brantii was the most effective extract and inhibited P. aeruginosa biofilm formation over 70%. It was followed by water-methanol extract (52% - 66% inhibition) and methanol extract (44% - 57% inhibition). Water-methanol extract of Q. brantii was more effective in eradication of P. aeruginosa pre-formed biofilms. The MBEC of Q. brantti extracts in combination with NAC was decreased in comparison to MBEC of Q. brantti extracts alone. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Q. brantii extracts had a good inhibitory effect on biofilm formation ability of P. aeruginosa and could eradicate preformed-biofilms in combination with NAC.
Pharmaceutical Potential of 2’,4’-Dichloro-4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxychalcone Synthesized from Vaniline

Chalcone is an intermediate compound as the main precursor for the biosynthesis of flavonoid in plants. Chalcone has been known to have variety of different pharmacological activities. The difference in chalcone activity is influenced by the differences of subtituents found in both aromatic rings on the chalcone stucture. This study performed the synthesis of 2',4'-dichloro-4-hydroxy-3-methoxychalcone compound from the raw material of 2,4-dichloro acetophenone and vanillin by Claisen-Schmidt reaction using conventional method by stirring. The yield of synthesized compound is 91.57% of purity. The synthesized compounds were characterized by structural elucidation methods using IR, MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. Toxicity and antioxidant activity tests were performed on the synthesized compound. Base on the test results obtained LC50 value of 20.04 ppm and IC50 26.10 ppm. It is better to describe the pharmaceutical potential of 2',4'-dichloro-4-hydroxy-3-methoxychalcone little bit further.
Estudio Espectroscópico de las Interacciones del Rojo Congo en su matriz de Alginato y Carboximetil Goma Guar

Fil: Chacon Villalba, Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Quimica Inorganica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Quimica Inorganica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; Argentina
Influence of Transition Metals on Animal and Human Health: A Review

Summary Niobium, osmium, scandium, tungsten and vanadium are transition metals naturally occuring in the environment, particularly in the Earth’s crust. Anthropogenic activities, primarily industrial technologies, have precipitated significant alternations in the concentration and distribution of these metals. Such a dramatic change resulted, by all means, in the bigger potential of the environmental exposure, which poses a threat not only to humans but to all biological systems. Certain elements naturally occur in the animal and human plasma and tissues, but their concentrations are sometimes too low to be detected using the existing modern technologies. In small amounts, such elements are not harmful and some of them have even been suggested to have a beneficial role in the human or animal physiology. However, exposure to excessive antropogenically elevated levels can exert serious negative effects on the environment, agriculture and health. The findings summarized in this paper provide a review of the current knowledge about the implications of the transition metals considered on the health, accentuating the insufficiency and need for more relevant data.
Engineering Perovskite Nanocrystal Surface Termination for Light‐Emitting Diodes with External Quantum Efficiency Exceeding 15%

Hybrid organic–inorganic metal halide perovskites are particularly promising for light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) due to their attractive optoelectronic properties such as wavelength tunability, narrow emission linewidth, defect tolerance, and high charge carrier mobility. However, the undercoordinated Pb and halide at the perovskite nanocrystal (NC) surface causes traps and nonradiative recombination. In this work, the external quantum efficiency of iodide‐based perovskite LEDs is boosted to greater than 15%, with an emission wavelength at 750 nm, by engineering the perovskite NC surface stoichiometry and chemical structure of bulky organoammonium ligands. To the stoichiometric precursor solution for the 3D bulk perovskite, 20% molar ratio of methylammonium iodide is added in addition to 20% excess bulky organoammonium iodide to ensure that the NC surface is organoammonium terminated as the crystal size is decreased to 5–10 nm. This combination ensures minimal undercoordinated Pb and halide on the surface, avoids 2D phases, and acts to provide nanosized perovskite grains which allow for smooth and pinhole‐free films. As a result of time‐resolved photoluminescence (PL) and PL quantum yield measurements, it is possible to demonstrate that this surface modification increases the radiative recombination rate while reducing the nonradiative rate.
pH, Ionic Strength, and Ion Competition Effect
on Cu(II) and Ni(II) Sorption by a Na-bentonite
Used as Liner Material

The potential of a Na-bentonite to be used as liner material for the adsorption of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions from mono, bi, and polycationic solutions was investigated by batch mode. pH and ionic strength effect on Cu(II) and Ni(II) sorption were evaluated. For isotherm sorption studies, metal solutions parameters (pH and ionic strength) were selected simulating common landfill leachate conditions in the acidogenic stage. The removal of these ions by the Na-bentonite is dominantly controlled by sorption (specifically, cation exchange) under acidic conditions, but it can be strongly enhanced by metal oxide/hydroxide precipitation under alkaline conditions. Adsorption equilibrium models for the single, binary, and multicomponent systems indicate that the Langmuir-type model can fit the experimental data very well for all of them. The co-presence of metals led to a decrease in the sorption of both metals due to competition for adsorption sites. Optimum conditions are obtained when the ionic strength of solution is low (<0.05 M), pH is higher than 6, and the metal concentration is lower than 20 mg/L. Adsorption rates indicate that in addition to its quality as a physical barrier this bentonite can also act as a chemical barrier, limiting the migration of heavy metals from security landfills.