Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Natural occurrence of Aflatoxins in commercial pepper in Iran

ABSTRACT During the period from September to November 2014, occurrences of Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2 (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) were determined in 76 pepper samples consisting black pepper (n = 40) and red pepper (n = 36) obtained from local markets of Isfahan province, Iran. Aflatoxins' (AFs') analyses were carried out by using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. AFB1 levels in 32 (88.9%) of 36 red pepper samples were higher than the Iranian and European maximum permitted level (>5 µg/kg). Total AFs were detected in 41 out of 76 samples (53.9%) while 25 pepper samples (32.9%) had levels of the toxin above the Iranian and European permitted level, that is, 10 μg/kg. This study shows that incidence of AFs' contamination in red pepper in Iran was significantly higher than black pepper (p < .05) and indicates a serious hazard for human health.
Vegan Diet and the Gut Microbiota Composition in Healthy Adults

The human gut microbiota are the microorganisms (generally bacteria and archaea) that live in the digestive tracts of humans. Due to their numerous functions, the gut microbiota can be considered a virtual organ of the body, playing a pivotal role in health maintenance. Dietary habits contribute to gut microbiota composition, and evidence from observational and intervention studies suggest that vegan diets may promote health, potentially through affecting the diverse ecosystem of beneficial bacteria in the gut. A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus to identify studies investigating the microbiota composition in vegans. Vegans are defined as people excluding food products that are derived from animals from their diet. Nine observational studies were identified. The main outcome of the systematic review was an increase in Bacteroidetes on the phylum level and a higher abundance of Prevotella on the genus level. In conclusion, the present systematic literature review highlighted some benefits of a vegan diet but also demonstrated the complexity of evaluating results from gut microbiota research. The available evidence only consisted of cross-sectional studies, therefore suggesting the need for well-designed randomised controlled trials. Furthermore, the quality assessment of the studies included in the review suggested a lack of standardised and validated methods for participant selection as well as for faecal sampling and faecal analysis.
Assessment of Anthropic Activity in Rio Guaraguaçú (Pontal do Paraná, Paraná)

In this paper are present the results of spectrophotometric tests performed on water samples taken from the Guaraguacu River located on the coast of Parana State, Brazil. These tests were conducted to quantify the element phosphorus by the blue molybdenum method and the element nitrogen by Griess and indophenol methods. With these results it was possible to assess that this river has been suffering with anthropic activity in your surroundings. The results of phosphate are above the levels established in Resolution 357/2005 of CONAMA, and these results compared with those obtained in other river in the region are similar, hence we observe that this fact is not caused by human activity. Since the results of the concentrations of ammonium, nitrate and nitrite indicate that the values ​​obtained are below the maximums established by that resolution, then we denote that the presence of the latter two ions in surface water occurs where anthropic activity is expanding.
Successful Eradication of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea in an Enzootically Infected Farm: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has negatively affected the welfare of animals and their productivity in South Korea for three decades. A shortage of effective control measures has led to the virus becoming endemic in domestic pig populations. This study aimed to describe how our intervention measures were implemented for PEDV elimination in an enzootically infected farm. We operated a risk assessment model of PEDV recurrence to obtain information about the virus itself, herd immunity, virus circulation, and biosecurity at the farm. Next, we conducted a four-pillar-based two-track strategy to heighten sow immunity and eradicate the virus, with longitudinal monitoring of immunity and virus circulation, involving strict biosecurity, prime-boost pre-farrow L/K/K immunization, all-in-all-out and disinfection practices in farrowing houses, and disinfection and gilt management in wean-to-finish barns. In particular, we observed a high prevalence and long-term survival of PEDV in slurries, posing a critical challenge to PED eradication and highlighting the necessity for consecutive testing of barn slurry samples and for the management of infected manure to control PEDV. Genetic analysis of PEDVs in this farm indicated that genetic drift continued in the spike gene, with a substitution rate of 1.683 × 10−4 substitutions/site/year. Our study underlines the need for active monitoring and surveillance of PEDV in herds and their environments, along with the coordinated means, to eliminate the virus and maintain a negative herd. The tools described in this study will serve as a framework for regional and national PED eradication programs.
Mutual Absorption of Water and Essential Oils Vapours by Lignocellulosic Material - Verification of Measured Data

Competitive absorption process, i.e. condensation, of water and essential oils (EO) are predominantly controlled by extent of condensation of diffusing water and EO molecules with marginal influence of porous lignocellulosic matter and a sort of EO. With increase of absorption the diffusion is depressed and vice versa. Diffusion of water molecules through porous system is usually slower in comparison with other molecules. It was discovered, a presence of EO decreases paper web humidity with increasing influence in environment with high relative air humidity. Evaluation of measured values using mathematical growth models, offers an infinite number of solutions for the ratio of water vapour and EO vapour absorption capacities, which in total gives the overall measured absorption capacity. It is necessary to find the right solution. One possibility is e.g. the measurement of water content in the sample after the experiment, or using the methodology described in this paper.
Fe-Supported SBA-16 Type Cagelike Mesoporous Silica with Enhanced Catalytic Activity for Direct Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenol

In this work, an Fe-supported cagelike mesoporous silica type SBA-16 catalyst (Fe/SBA-16) was successfully synthesized using iron nitrate as the precursor through a simple impregnation method. Results of X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption–desorption, transmission electron microscopy, and elemental mapping analysis showed that the mesoporous structure of the support was retained during catalyst preparation and that iron nanoparticles were dispersed on the SBA-16 surface. Moreover, ultraviolet–visible and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies revealed that the iron(III) oxidation state was dominant in the Fe-supported cagelike mesoporous silica. It was found that the Fe/SBA-16 was an appropriate catalyst for the benzene hydroxylation to phenol using H2O2 as the oxidant. The effects on the catalytic performance of operating parameters such as the amount of H2O2, reaction temperature, reaction time, and catalyst dosage were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, 11.7% phenol yield and 96.4% selectivi.
On the correlation of morphology and growth parameters in ZnO nanowires

The growth of ZnO nanowires as a function of the thickness of Au thin layers, deposition temprature and surface properties through simple carbothermal evaporation method is studied. Investigations by X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed the (002) plane as the preferred plane for the growth of ZnO nanowires. Our experiments indicated that the temperature range of 800-900 °C under flow of 100 sccm N2 gas with Au catalyst layer, is the suitable condition for producing the most aligned nanowires. The Vepour – Liquid - Solid (VLS) mechanism more than other mechanisms is dominant for growth process.
Law & Economics Methodology and Epistemology

This is a presentation of Law & Economics (L&E) tradition within a civil law context legal epistemology. Starting from a review of the modern legal paradigms in Brazil, L&E is historically and epistemologically contextualized. The main objective of the paper is to offer a first approach for lawyers and economists to comprehend L&E’s approach by stressing its usefulness and limitations. Once L&E is contextualized within the law, some economics methodological tools, hence L&E’s, are presented and analyzed in terms of compatibility with modern legal paradigms. The result is a first approach to L&E in a civil law system and a demonstration on how it fits within modern legal framework.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) Nanocomposites with Platinum Particles

Fine platinum (Pt) particles-dispersed lead zirconate titanate, Pb (Zr, Ti)O3 (PZT) nanocomposites were prepared by an electroless plating method which enabled to obtain a PZT nanocomposites homogeneously dispersed with fine platinum particles. Platinum particles with the size up to a few tens nanometer were precipitated on the surface of the PZT matrix. According to transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations, both the size and dispersion of the platinum particles may depend on the pH value of the aqueous platinum solution during electroless plating. After sintering, the platinum particles were found to be homogeneously dispersed in the PZT matrix. Fracture strength and toughness of the PZT nanocomposites were improved with retaining their electrical properties. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations revealed that the fracture mode of the PZT/platinum nanocomposites was transgranlar, in contrast with the intergranular fracture mode of the monolithic PZT. This result suggests that the grain boundary structure of the PZT nanocomposites may be modified by the platinum, leading to improved mechanical properties.
A wideband InP Gilbert-cell mixer using capacitive degeneration and current bleeding technique

This letter presents a wideband and high conversion gain mixer based on Gilbert-cell in InP DHBT process. Capacitive degeneration is introduced to increase the bandwidth of the mixer with no voltage drop and few cost of area. Current bleeding technique is employed to improve conversion gain. Utilization of device f t is analyzed to achieve 0.919. The measurement demonstrates a conversion gain of 14.5 dB at 26 GHz with -3 dB bandwidth of 49 GHz. BW/ f t of 0.306 and GBP of 260 GHz are obtained, which are believed to be among the best compared to mixers fabricated with the same size process.
Sugar, fat, saturated and trans fatty acid contents in Iranian cereal-based baked products

Sweet bakery products are among the world’s most popular foods owing to their favorable sensory attributes and long shelf life (Pinto et al., 2019). Fats and oils such as shortening, margarine, butter, and vegetable oils have been incorporated blended or alone at various ratios in formulations of bakery products due to their favorable effects such as improving flavor and structure, aiding the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and supplying energy (37 kJ/g fat) (Hercegová et al., 2019; Omeroglu & Ozdal, 2020). At the same time, these fats and oils are primary sources of trans-fatty acids (TFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) in bakery products. For instance, crackers, cake, and cookies account for 40% of TFA intake (O’Fallon et al., 2007). High intake of TFA can cause violations in high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) (Albuquerque et al., 2018; Priego-Capote et al., 2007; Richter et al., 2009; Stanner & Spiro, 2020). Therefore, excessive TFA intake and SFA are correlated to a higher risk of diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), breast cancer, obesity, and sudden death (Alioğlu & Özülkü, 2020; Belc et al., 2019; Mozaffarian et al., 2007; Trattner et al., 2015). Similarly, higher sugar intake is directly connected to increased body weight, a severe risk factor for cancer and diabetes (Pușcaș et al., 2020). To prevent these adverse effects, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested that the daily intake of total fat, SFA, and TFA should not exceed 30%, 10%, and 1% of total calories, respectively (Saghafi et al., 2018). Besides, WHO recommends that the daily intake of simple sugars should be reduced to 10% of total energy, and according to their reports, reducing sugar intake to less than 5% of total energy can lead to even more health-beneficial influences (World Health Organization, 2015). In the same vein, reducing TFA consumption and SFA consumption is another significant step suggested by WHO to be taken by different countries to minimize non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (Albuquerque et al., 2018; Arcand et al., 2014). The effect of reducing fat intake to less than 30% of the total daily energy on weight gain prevention among adults has been wellestablished (Albuquerque et al., 2018; Colón-Ramos et al., 2014; Hooper et al., 2012; Zuchowska-Grzywacz & Kowalska, 2019). In addition to the overall fat intake, TFA and SFA intakes are influential in studying NCDs’ risk factors (O’Sullivan, 2020; World Health Organization, 2003). In this regard, different strategies, including new formulation, labelling, enacting legislation, and education, have been adopted throughout the world that provide nutritional needs as well as health advantages (Albuquerque et al., 2018; ColónRamos et al., 2014; Dordevic et al., 2020; (Albuquerque et al., 2018; Colón-Ramos et al., 2014; Dordevic et al., 2020; FuentesArismendy et al., 2021; Lucas et al., 2020; Sarifudin et al., 2021).
Optimization of Extraction Technology of Free Anthraquinones from Rheum

Objective To study the optimum extraction technology of free anthraquinones from Rheum by thermal reflux with dichloromethane.Methods The L9(34) orthogonal table was employed to optimize the extraction technology with the yields of rhein,archen and aloe-emodin as evaluation indexes.The influence factors including extraction time,the amount and concentration of sulfuric acid was investigated.Results The optimum extraction conditions for archen were as follows: Rheum powder 100 g,reflux for 2.5 h,150 mL sulfuric acid of 20 %. Conclusion Rhein,archen and aloe-emodin can be successfully extracted by this method and the cost and toxicity in extraction process both are reduced,so this method can be used for the extraction of anthraquinones from Rheum in laboratory.
Leadership Within Organizations

To understand leadership, it is necessary to understand the purpose of an organization. Organizations are hierarchies with leaders at the top. Why do we have leaders instead of an algorithm making decisions? The theory of the firm recognizes benefits to centralizing authority but these organizational benefits from hierarchy have not been clearly separated from the specific contributions of leaders. Leadership is the ability to successfully manage transaction costs of an organization. Prominent amongst organizational transaction costs are agency and coordination costs. The balance between these two types of costs depends on the purpose of the organization. We hypothesize that changing leaders is likely to have a larger effect within organizations with relatively lower scope or scale of purpose because of the way in which decision rights tend to be relatively concentrated in such organizations. We test our hypotheses with data on NFL coaches, and deans of business and law schools.
Can Morphometric Analysis of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Be a Tool for Surgical Outcome Prediction?

ABSTRACT Background: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is one of the leading causes of degenerative cervical myelopathy and the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in the elderly worldwide. Although there is emerging evidence that most patients improve after surgery, the key clinical and imaging factors predicting outcome remain uncertain. Our purpose is to evaluate preoperative and postoperative morphometric parameters on magnetic resonance imaging and their relation with neurological outcome at discharge and at 12-month follow-up. Methods: Morphometric features (volume, area, and antero-posterior diameter of the major stenotic section) were acquired by manual segmentation of the spinal canal using OsiriX open-source software and confronted with neurological outcome (at discharge and 12 months after surgery) using Nurick's scale. Results: Fifty-five patients (21 females and 34 males) with a mean age of 64.89 ± 11.95 years were analyzed. Recovery ratio was 2.44% ± 2.40% at discharge and 11.74% ± 2.50% at follow-up. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (P < .001) between Nurick's scale at admission versus discharge, at discharge versus follow-up at 1 year, and between admission and follow-up at 1 year. Morphometric changes (difference and ratio) between preoperative and postoperative measurements were also statistically significant (P < .001, paired samples t test). When linear regression was applied, volume difference was shown to have an influence on clinical improvement (P < .05; R = 0.519). Linear regression was also applied using recovery ratio at discharge and follow-up as dependent variables, with the same conclusion: volume difference between preoperative and postoperative measurements correlates with outcome improvement at 1 year after surgery. Conclusions: Acquisition of morphometric features might be useful in predicting surgical outcome in patients with CSM. This information can be used to inform patients of their long-term postoperative prognosis in the future with more accurate and standardized measurements.
MHY1485 enhances X-irradiation-induced apoptosis and senescence in tumor cells

Abstract The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a sensor of nutrient status and plays an important role in cell growth and metabolism. Although inhibition of mTOR signaling promotes tumor cell death and several mTOR inhibitors have been used clinically, recent reports have shown that co-treatment with MHY1485, an mTOR activator, enhances the anti-cancer effects of anti-PD-1 antibody and 5-fluorouracil. However, it remains unclear whether MHY1485 treatment alters the effects of radiation on tumor cells. In this study, the radiosensitizing effects of MHY1485 were investigated using murine CT26 and LLC cell lines. We examined mTOR signaling, tumor cell growth, colony formation, apoptosis, senescence, oxidative stress, p21 accumulation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress levels in cells treated with MHY1485 and radiation, either alone or together. We found that MHY1485 treatment inhibited growth and colony formation in both cell lines under irradiation and no-irradiation conditions, results that were not fully consistent with MHY1485’s known role in activating mTOR signaling. Furthermore, we found that combined treatment with MHY1485 and radiation significantly increased apoptosis and senescence in tumor cells in association with oxidative stress, ER stress and p21 stabilization, compared to radiation treatment alone. Our results suggested that MHY1485 enhances the radiosensitivity of tumor cells by a mechanism that may differ from MHY1485’s role in mTOR activation.
Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 in Europe in 2020: a quasi-experimental non-equivalent group and time series design study

Introduction The current pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is unparalleled in recent history as are the social distancing interventions that have led to a considerable halt on the economic and social life of so many countries. Aim We aimed to generate empirical evidence about which social distancing measures had the most impact in reducing case counts and mortality. Methods We report a quasi-experimental (observational) study of the impact of various interventions for control of the outbreak through 24 April 2020. Chronological data on case numbers and deaths were taken from the daily published figures by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and dates of initiation of various control strategies from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation website and published sources. Our complementary analyses were modelled in R using Bayesian generalised additive mixed models and in STATA using multilevel mixed-effects regression models. Results From both sets of modelling, we found that closure of education facilities, prohibiting mass gatherings and closure of some non-essential businesses were associated with reduced incidence whereas stay-at-home orders and closure of additional non-essential businesses was not associated with any independent additional impact. Conclusions Our findings are that schools and some non-essential businesses operating ‘as normal’ as well as allowing mass gatherings were incompatible with suppressing disease spread. Closure of all businesses and stay at home orders are less likely to be required to keep disease incidence low. Our results help identify what were the most effective non-pharmaceutical interventions in this period.
A novel model of home-based, patient-tailored and mobile application-guided cardiac telerehabilitation in patients with atrial fibrillation: A randomised controlled trial

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of tele-monitored cardiac rehabilitation in patients who have undergone ablation for atrial fibrillation. Design: Single-centre, prospective, assessment-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Setting: Domiciliary rehabilitation with support from a tertiary care hospital. Subjects: One hundred patients who underwent ablation for atrial fibrillation were recruited. Interventions: Participants were randomly allocated to a 12-week standard rehabilitation treatment (control group) or a comprehensive, domiciliary, mobile application-guided and tele-monitored cardiac rehabilitation program (intervention group) in a 1:1 fashion. Main outcome measures: The primary endpoint was the improvement in VO2peak. The secondary outcomes included adherence, physical activity, beliefs related to cardiovascular disease and exercise self-efficacy. Results: Ninety-seven patients completed follow-up. The mean VO2peak increased significantly in both the intervention group (n = 49) (baseline vs 12 weeks: 19.1 ± 4.7 vs 27.3 ± 5.6 ml/(min kg), P < 0.01) and the control group (n = 48) (baseline vs 12 weeks: 18.7 ± 4.9 vs 22.9 ± 6.3 ml/(min kg), P < 0.01). The results of the between-group analysis of aerobic capacity were significantly in favour of the intervention group. During the 12-week program, patients in the intervention group exhibited better adherence than those in the control group. Moreover, self-reported physical activity improved more in the intervention group than in the control group, as did the beliefs related to cardiovascular disease and exercise self-efficacy (all P < 0.01). Conclusions: Our domiciliary, mobile application-guided and tele-monitored cardiac rehabilitation program could lead to a more significant improvements in physical fitness, adherence and health beliefs than standard cardiac rehabilitation in patients who have undergone ablation for atrial fibrillation.