Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Betaine supplementation fails to improve body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Previous studies evaluating the effects of betaine supplementation on body composition offer contradictory findings. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effects of betaine supplementation on body composition indices (body mass (BM), BMI, body fat percentage (BFP), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM)), and dietary intakes. Studies examining the effects of betaine supplementation on body composition and dietary intakes published up to August 2021 were identified through PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, SCOPUS and Ovid databases. Betaine supplementation failed to significantly affect BM ((weighted mean difference (WMD): −0·40 kg, 95 % CI −1·46, 0·64), P = 0·447), BMI ((WMD: −0·05 kg/m2, 95 % CI −0·36, 0·25), P = 0·719), BFP ((WMD: 0·26 %, 95 % CI −0·82, 1·36), P = 0·663), FM ((WMD: −0·57 kg, 95 % CI −2·14, 0·99), P = 0·473) and FFM ((WMD: 0·61 kg, 95 % CI −1·27, 2·49), P = 0·527). Subgroup analyses based on participant’s age (< 40 and > 40 years), sex, BMI, trial duration (< 8 and ≥ 8 weeks), betaine supplementation dosage (< 4 and ≥ 4 g) and health status (healthy or unhealthy) demonstrated similar results. Other than a potential negligible increase in protein intake (WMD: 3·56 g, 95 % CI 0·24, 6·88, P = 0·035), no changes in dietary intakes were observed following betaine supplementation compared with control. The present systematic review and meta-analysis does not show any beneficial effects of betaine supplementation on body composition indices (BM, BMI, FM and FFM).
Pongamia pinnata: A Candidate Tree for Biodiesel Feedstock

Biodiesel growth from non-food feedstock is gaining attention around the world. Great emphasis is being given to the production of biodiesel in view of its enormous economic, social, and environmental benefits. Biodiesel is a fast-developing alternative fuel in many developed and developing countries of the world. The biodiesel production from vegetable oils during 2004–2005 was estimated to be 2.36 million tonnes globally. Of this, EU countries accounted for about 82% and the USA about 6%. Global bio-diesel production is set to reach some 24 billion liters by 2017. Shortage of edible oil for human consumption in developing countries does not favor its use for biodiesel production. Hence, in India, the focus on tree borne oilseeds as the source of feedstock for biodiesel production has highlighted the role of Pongamia pinnata (L.). The tree is valued for shade, ornamental value, seed oil, fodder, and green manure. In recent times, the interest in this tree is mainly focused on the use of its seed oil as biodiesel, which is environmentally safe, nontoxic, and biodegradable.
A digital technique for precise measurement of capacitor differences, with application to capacitive integrated sensors

'-:hnique for measurement of capacitor differences has been developed that has its origins in charge redistribution analog-to-digital converters. Effects of parasitic capacitance and MOS switch charge injection are canceled. The capacitance difference can be obtained as a voltage in both digital and analog form with no additional circuitry needed. This makes it ideally suited for digital signal processing. Since the technique can be made relatively insensitive to parasitic capacitance, differences in small capacitances such as capacitive integrated sensors can be measured. It is shown that measurements on 20 to 100 femtofarad capacitors are possible using this method. Effects of junction leakage, capacitor and transistor hysteresis, comparator offset, MOS switch charge injection, and voltage and temperature coefficients are taken into account. Noise from the comparator, MOS switch, power supplies and clock feedthrough are considered as sources of error and dictate the minimum resolution. Extensive measurements are made from test chips fabricated in 3 im CMOS technology. Detection of percent differences of less than 0.5% on 20 to 100 femtofarad capacitors has been successfully demonstrated. Thesis Supervisors: Hae-Seung Lee and Roger T. Howe Titles: Assistant Professors of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
A case study of the construction and civil engineering industry

The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate if there are opportunities for a Scandinavian company on the Vietnamese market for construction and civil engineering. A qualitative case study has been made in three steps to reach the purpose, namely an environmental analysis of Vietnam, an analysis of the Vietnamese construction and civil engineering industry, and an identification of the relevant strategies towards the Vietnamese government that can provide a company with competitive advantages. Vietnam is a country that is in a transition from a centrally planned economy to a market economy, and although there have been many radical changes there is a great need for further reforms in order to make the country investor friendly. The largest obstacles are the bureaucracy and corruption, the insufficient banking system and legal framework, and lacking infrastructure that works as a bottleneck for further economic growth. Once the industrial growth accelerates, there will be a significant increase in demand for infrastructure, which provides great opportunities for Scandinavian construction and civil engineering companies. The industry is highly competitive, and it is difficult for companies to differentiate themselves. In order to obtain competitive advantages, a company has to establish a network of trustful relations with key persons in the government which can lead to a favourable position in the negotiations for large infrastructure projects.
Test-Case Minimization Technique for Large Scale Software using Link-Matrix

In today’s software development environment, testing commences just after the finalization of systems requirements. Testing process is executed to make the underlying software error free, to enhance and assure the development of reliable and quality software product. This paper explores and analyses some of black-box as well as white-box testing methods according to their key findings, measures and metrics and considerations of testing factors. Further this paper proposes an efficient test case minimization technique. This technique uses Link-Matrix to identify the number of actual parameters used between components. We have used Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) method to compute the count of tests cases for individual modules or components. We have compared the proposed technique with all three cases of Boundary Value Analysis method including normal case, robust case and worst case. Results achieved during comparison shows that this proposed technique is effective to minimize the total count of test-cases especially in case of robust and worst scenarios.
Role of dietary antioxidants and vitamins intake in semen quality parameters: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Infertility had an increasing trend among couples in Iran. Several factors such as lifestyle, physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits and stress are associated with production of ROS in seminal fluid. The aim of this study was to identify the role of dietary antioxidants and vitamins intake on semen quality parameters, among Iranian infertile men. METHODS This cross-sectional study was performed on 400 newly diagnosed infertile men in Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute from July 2019 to December 2019. The presence of infertility was confirmed by an expert andrologist, based on WHO criteria. Dietary antioxidants and vitamins intake were assessed using a 168 items semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). RESULTS We found an association between total motility and β-Cryptoxanthin dietary intake in the full adjusted model (P = 0.03). Although a significant relationship was observed between β-Cryptoxanthin and normal morphology in the crude model, the association became non-significant after controlling for confounders. No further significant association was detected between antioxidant and nutrients, and fertility-related parameters. CONCLUSIONS Present study suggests that dietary intake of β-Cryptoxanthin might be associated with an improvement in sperm motility. However, more research is needed to confirm these relations and provide the evidence needed to exert these findings into clinical practice.
EWSR1-NFATC2 and FUS-NFATC2 Gene Fusion-Associated Mesenchymal Tumors: Clinicopathologic Correlation and Literature Review

The spectrum of mesenchymal tumors associated with rearrangements of the EWSR1 gene has been growing in recent years due to progress in molecular detection techniques. Originally identified as the gene involved in the pathogenesis of Ewing sarcoma, the EWSR1 gene is now known to be rearranged in diverse clinical and histopathological entities. The NFATC2 gene is one of the many translocation partners of EWSR1 in gene fusions in a morphologically typical, albeit rare, subgroup of mesenchymal tumors. Little is known about the clinical characteristics of tumors containing NFATC2 gene rearrangements since most of the few reports published describe molecular rather than clinical aspects. In the current study, we report three patients with tumors carrying the EWSR1-NFATC2 gene translocation, including one rare primary tumor of soft tissues. Another patient with a benign-appearing bone tumor with a unique FUS-NFATC2 gene translocation is described. In various mesenchymal tumors (e.g., myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, or angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma), the FUS gene, as a member of the TET family, may be alternatively rearranged instead of the EWSR1 gene without any noticeable influence on the microscopical appearance or clinical outcome. This fact seems not to apply to mesenchymal tumors with the involvement of the NFATC2 gene because both in our experience and according to the extensive literature review, they have different properties on the morphological and molecular level. Both ESWSR1-NFATC2 and FUS-NFATC2 fusion-carrying tumors do not show microscopical or clinical features of Ewing sarcoma.
Identifying large truck hot spots using crash counts and PDOEs

Large trucks are involved in a disproportionately small fraction of the total crashes but a disproportionately large fraction of fatal crashes. Large truck crashes often result in significant congestion due to their large physical dimensions and from difficulties in clearing crash scenes. Consequently, preventing large truck crashes is critical to improving highway safety and operations. This study identifies high risk sites (hot spots) for large truck crashes in Arizona and examines potential risk factors related to the design and operation of the high risk sites. High risk sites were identified using both state of the practice methods (accident reduction potential using negative binomial regression with long crash histories) and a newly proposed method using Property Damage Only Equivalents (PDOE). The hot spots identified via the count model generally exhibited low fatalities and major injuries but large minor injuries and PDOs, while the opposite trend was observed using the PDOE methodology. The hot spots based on the count model exhibited large AADTs, whereas those based on the PDOE showed relatively small AADTs but large fractions of trucks and high posted speed limits. Documented site investigations of hot spots revealed numerous potential risk factors, including weaving activities near freeway junctions and ramps, absence of acceleration lanes near on-ramps, small shoulders to accommodate large trucks, narrow lane widths, inadequate signage, and poor lighting conditions within a tunnel.
Strength Behaviour of Hot Die Steel with Respect to its Heat Treatment

The surface temperature of hot die steel reaches typically up to 550ºC or above during processes like hot extrusion and casting non-ferrous material. The present paper explores the impact of austenitizing temperature as well as tempering temperature on the tensile strength of hot die steel. Heat treatment is done at three different austenitizing temperatures of 1010ºC, 1030ºC, and 1050ºC, followed by tempering done at two different temperatures of 540ºC and 580°C. Tempering is done twice for two hours. Metallographic grinding, polishing, and then etching using 2% Nital is done to investigate the microstructure of hot die steel with respect to its heat treatment. It is found that the grain size of hot die steel increases with an increase in austenitizing temperature. The impact on tensile strength of hot die steel for its heat treatment is examined by conducting the uniaxial tensile test to fracture. And investigation of the morphology of the fracture surface produced after the tensile test is done. It was found that hot die steel with large grain size exhibits lesser tensile strength. Whereas, the one having smaller grain has higher tensile strength that is found to be in accordance with the Hall-Patch equation
Intestinal Organoids as a Novel Complementary Model to Dissect Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) include colitis ulcerosa and Crohn's disease, besides the rare microscopic colitis. Both diseases show a long-lasting, relapsing-remitting, or even chronic active course with tremendous impact on quality of life. IBDs frequently cause disability, surgical interventions, and high costs; as in other autoimmune diseases, their prevalent occurrence at an early phase of life raises the burden on health care systems. Unfortunately, our understanding of the pathogenesis is still incomplete and treatment therefore largely focuses on suppressing the resulting excessive inflammation. One obstacle for deciphering the causative processes is the scarcity of models that parallel the development of the disease, since intestinal inflammation is mostly induced artificially; moreover, the intestinal epithelium, which strongly contributes to IBD pathogenesis, is difficult to assess. Recently, the development of intestinal epithelial organoids has overcome many of those problems. Here, we give an overview on the current understanding of the pathogenesis of IBDs with reference to the limitations of previous well-established experimental models. We highlight the advantages and detriments of recent organoid-based experimental setups within the IBD field and suggest possible future applications.
Going Critical: The First North Korean Nuclear Crisis

A decade before being proclaimed part of the "axis of evil," North Korea raised alarms in Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo as the pace of its clandestine nuclear weapons program mounted. When confronted by evidence of its deception in 1993, Pyongyang abruptly announced its intention to become the first nation ever to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, defying its earlier commitments to submit its nuclear activities to full international inspections. U.S. intelligence had revealed evidence of a robust plutonium production program. Unconstrained, North Korea's nuclear factory would soon be capable of building about thirty Nagasaki-sized nuclear weapons annually. The resulting arsenal would directly threaten the security of the United States and its allies, while tempting cash-starved North Korea to export its deadly wares to America's most bitter adversaries. In Going Critical , three former U.S. officials who played key roles in the nuclear crisis trace the intense efforts that led North Korea to freeze --and pledge ultimately to dismantle --its dangerous plutonium production program under international inspection, while the storm clouds of a second Korean War gathered. Drawing on international government documents, memoranda, cables, and notes, the authors chronicle the complex web of diplomacy--from Seoul, Tokyo, and Beijing to Geneva, Moscow, and Vienna and back again --that led to the negotiation of the 1994 Agreed Framework intended to resolve this nuclear standoff. They also explore the challenge of weaving together the military, economic, and diplomatic instruments employed to persuade North Korea to accept significant constraints on its nuclear activities, while deterring rather than provoking a violent North Korean response. Some ten years after these intense negotiations, the Agreed Framework lies abandoned. North Korea claims to possess some nuclear weapons, while threatening to produce even more. The story of the 1994 confrontation provides important lessons for the United States as it grapples once again with a nuclear crisis on a peninsula that half a century ago claimed more than 50,000 American lives and today bristles with arms along the last frontier of the cold war: the De-Militarized Zone separating North and South Korea.
Force measurement of hand and fingers

Objective: To determine forces of hand and fi ngers in model situations. Methods: Subjects were 16 university students (males). Dyna-8 force measuring system was used, which is equipped with transducers making the measurement of handgrip strength and forces of fi ngers possible. The maximum force value is displayed digitally and simultaneously, the complete force diagram is shown on the computer monitor. Results: Right and left hand strengths and forces of all fi ngers were recorded, and descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and t-test were executed. Forces of right and left hand strengths correlate, but differ signifi cantly when their means are compared. Forces of the same fi ngers on the right and left hand correlate signifi cantly with the exception of the middle and index fi ngers. Conclusion: Hand and fi nger force data are used in numerous sport types, industrial design, ergonomics, and rehabilitation. DOI: 10.17489/biohun/2010/1/07
New Topology LNA Architecture using Inductive Drain Feedback Technique for Wireless Application

This paper presents a design of a single LNA cascaded with double stage cascoded LNA amplifiers using an inductive drain feedback technique. The amplifier it is implemented using superHEMT FHX76LP transistor devices. The designed circuit is simulated with Ansoft Designer SV. The LNA was designed using inductive drain feedback, inductive generation to the source, and the T-network as a matching technique was used at the input and output terminal. The low noise amplifier (LNA) provides a gain (S 21 ) of 68.94 dB and the noise figure (NF) of 0.64 dB. The return loss (S 12 ) output reflection (S 22 ) and input reflection (S 11 ) are -88.39,-17.37 and –15.77 dB respectively. The measurement shows a 3-dB bandwidth of 1.72 GHz and stability are 4.54 more than 1 has been achieved. The input sensitivity is -92 dBm exceeded the standards required by IEEE 802.16.
Effects of changes in culture conditions on the virulence and antifungal susceptibility of dairy cow mastitis fungal isolates

Background: In recent years, the number of incidences of dairy cow mastitis caused by non-albicans Candida (NAC) have increased owing to the virulence factors, including cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and phospholipase activity, of the causative agents, namely, Candida krusei and Candida parasitica. Temperature and pH changes in the cow's udder after fungal infection and unreasonable medication can affect the antifungal susceptibility of Candida spp. and their expression of virulence factors. Methods: In this study, the effects of different temperatures and pH on the virulence of NAC strains were tested, and the in vitro susceptibility of the fungal strains to Cu2+ and antibacterial agents were examined. Besides, the changes in the virulence factors of Candida spp. , including biphasicity, hemolytic activity, CSH, and phospholipase activity under these test conditions were investigated, and the internal relationship between these factors was analyzed. Results: The results showed that the virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility of Candida spp. could be altered through changes in various physiological conditions. Both temperature and pH were noted to be important factors affecting Candida growth, antifungal susceptibility, and expression of virulence factors. Cu2+ inhibited the growth and virulence factors expression of Candida spp. , whereas antibacterial agents directly promoted the growth of Candida spp. , making them resistant, which is one of the reasons for breast inflammation symptoms in cows. Conclusions: These results on virulence factors, antifungal susceptibility, and physiological characteristics of NAC provide a theoretical basis for understanding and treating dairy cow mastitis caused by NAC.
Downhill running increases bone mass accumulation and bone tissue morphology through TGF- β /Smad pathway in mice

Background: Compelling evidence has demonstrated that impact exercise can help to accumulate more bone mass. However, the cellular mechanism is less clear. The current study aimed to examine the effects of downhill running on osteoblast formation and the ability of mineralization in mice. The expression of transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b)/Smad pathway molecules was also determined. Methods: Twenty-eight 4-week-old C57BL/6 female mice were randomly assigned to either downhill running group (DG) or control group (CG). DG mice received a daily forty-minute downhill training on a decline treadmill (9 o decline) for 8 weeks. Eight weeks later, all mice were killed. Bone marrow stromal cells were collected and cultured for assessment of osteoblastic differentiation and the capacity of osteoblastic mineralization. We determined the protein (Western Blot) and mRNA (RT-PCR) expression of TGF-b, p-Smad2/3/4, and Runx2 in bone tissue. The bone mineral density (BMD) and histomorphological changes were also examined. Results: Eight-week training significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD) and enhanced the expression of alkaline phosphatase positive (ALP + ) osteoblasts in tibia epiphysis. Downhill running also promoted bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), while it decreased the trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). Additionally, the numbers of alkaline phosphatase positive colony forming units-fibroblastic (ALP ＋ CFU-f) cells and the area of mineralized nodule formation were significantly higher in training group compared with the control group. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of TGF-b, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4 and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) were significantly elevated by downhill training, and the protein expression of p-Smad2, p-Smad3, p-Smad4 and Runx2 also increased in exercise group. Conclusion: The findings suggested that downhill running enhanced bone accrual in mice mainly by promoting osteoblastic differentiation and the ability of mineralization. The beneficial changes partly be regulated by TGF-b/Smad signaling pathway.