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Abstract Introduction Earlier studies reported inconsistent findings for the association of childhood obesity with the risk of dental caries. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to summarize earlier studies on the association of overweight and obesity with risk of dental caries in children. Methods Relevant studies published up to December 2023 were identified through searches in PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, using suitable keywords. All observational studies, including cross-sectional or cohort or case-control studies, about the association of each obesity index with risk of dental caries in children which reported odds ratio (OR), hazard ratio (HR), or relative risk (RR) and 95% CIs, were included. Studies involving adults, randomized clinical trials, studies on animals or pregnant women, and studies on other dental disorders were excluded. Risk of bias was assessed using standard methods for observational studies. A total of 22 studies including 40673 participants were included. Studies were pooled using the random-effect model, and results were synthesized with subgroup analyses and assessments of heterogeneity. Limitations included potential publication bias and heterogeneity among study designs. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS). Results Children at the highest category of BMI were 44% more likely to have early childhood caries (ECC) than those at the bottom (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.78). Moreover, combined analysis also showed no significant association between waist circumference (WC) and risk of dental caries in children. However, significant linear and non-linear associations were found between BMI and risk of childhood dental caries. No publication bias was found for the relationship between BMI and the risk of ECC based on visual inspection of a funnel plot and Egger's test. Conclusions This study showed a significant direct association between BMI and the risk of dental caries in children. Non-linear analysis showed higher risk of dental caries in children with higher BMI and also among underweight children. Further prospective studies are required to expand current knowledge in this issue. Impact statement The findings of this study have significant implications for public health and dental care, suggesting association between BMI and the risk of dental caries in children. This comprehensive meta-analysis is among the first to summarize earlier publications on the association of obesity with risk of dental caries in children, highlighting the need for more accurate methods of obesity assessment and further research to understand this relationship better. These findings can help inform public health policies and interventions to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and dental caries.

Abstract [11C]Carfentanil ([11C]CFN) is the only selective carbon-11 labeled radiotracer currently available for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of mu opioid receptors (MORs). Though used extensively in clinical research, [11C]CFN has not been thoroughly characterized as a tool for preclinical PET imaging. As we were occasionally observing severe vital sign instability in rat [11C]CFN studies, we set out to investigate physiological effects of CFN mass and to explore its influence on MOR quantification. In anesthetized rats (n = 15), significant dose-dependent PCO2 increases and heart rate decreases were observed at a conventional tracer dose range (IV, > 100 ng/kg). Next, we conducted baseline and retest [11C]CFN PET scans over a wide range of molar activities. Baseline [11C]CFN PET studies (n = 27) found that nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND) in the thalamus was positively correlated to CFN injected mass, demonstrating increase of MOR availability at higher injected CFN mass. Consistently, when CFN injected mass was constrained

Establishing connections between ecosystems and agricultural mechanization can help address erroneous decision-making in agricultural management and prevent further harm to ecosystems. It is essential for authorities and decision-makers in the agricultural sector to understand ecosystem dynamics and influencing factors to develop appropriate policies for sustainable development. This study focuses on identifying optimal conditions for determining crop patterns and input allocation in Ilam province's agricultural practices, considering technical and energy parameters. Cultivating one hectare of wheat and barley in the region requires an average energy consumption of 1.79 GJ from various sources, with an estimated energy output of 38.04 GJ ha−1 for these crops. The research involved farmers cultivating wheat, barley, fodder maize, and canola in the southern region of Ilam province, covering cities like Abdanan, Dareshahr, and Dehloran. The study suggests adjustments to cropping patterns, including reducing wheat cultivation and increasing irrigated fodder maize cultivation under optimal conditions. It also recommends exploring rainfed cultivation or enhancing the yield of rainfed wheat to offset the reduced wheat cultivation. The goal planning model indicates a shift towards sustainability, with changes in cropping patterns focusing on wheat, barley, fodder maize, and canola crops, including expanding the cultivation areas of irrigated wheat, barley, and fodder maize. Efforts aim to enhance the productivity of irrigated crops to promote sustainability and improve agricultural practices in the province for long-term sustainability goals.

Energy is one of the primary factors in production and simultaneously one of the principal commodities. In recent years, the significance of strategic planning in optimizing energy consumption has increased. By examining energy indicators and the impact of various economic policies on them, it is possible to attain a comprehension of past conditions and a picture of the future in different energy sectors. The data spanning from 1947 to 2019 were used through a Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) for analyzing non-linear effects of policy instability on energy indicators in the agricultural sector of Iran. The results indicated an association among the variables, wherein positive fluctuations in agricultural value-added, with a coefficient of 0.13, and conversely negative fluctuations with a coefficient of -0.09, significantly affected long-term energy consumption. It is notable that the second coefficient lacked statistical significance. Additionally, the asymmetrical effects of other variables on energy consumption and productivity in agricultural practices was confirmed.

In order to improve almond and walnut production, a study was conducted in Shahrekord city, Iran, focusing on the rural agricultural lands. Shahrekord city exhibits a diverse climate, which facilitates the cultivation of various agricultural and horticultural products across different areas. The study aimed to enhance the production of almond and walnut crops in this region. Selecting similar gardeners with comparable characteristics and production histories ensured a reliable research sample. One of the main production challenges encountered was the labor-intensive manual harvesting process prevalent in the region. To gather data for the study, questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were employed. Additionally, energy consumption was assessed by calculating the inputs utilized. The study determined that the total energy consumption for almonds and walnuts amounted to 29,430.56 MJ ha-1 and 15,309.28 MJ ha-1, respectively. According to the LCA results, the resource category had the highest environmental impact, whereas human health had the lowest. Previous research on almond and walnut production indicated that almond production had higher greenhouse gas emissions than walnut production. Additionally, the resources category had a greater impact on almond production than on walnut production in terms of pollutants. These findings highlight the importance of carefully evaluating the environmental impact of different agricultural practices and identifying ways to reduce their impact to promote sustainable agriculture.

This study investigated of energy use efficiency, environmental effects and cumulative exergy demand. Controlling various factors and improving ecological conditions in greenhouse crops is associated with the high energy consumption required. After performing the analysis, the results of energy consumption showed the energy use was 405405.75 and 412911.99 MJ ha −1, respectively. Among the inputs diesel fuel had the most significant contribution more than 60% share of energy consumption. Also, the output energy is 104982.94 and 228281.37 MJ ha −1 in cucumber and tomato, respectively. The results of energy indices in greenhouse cucumber and tomato production showed the energy use efficiency of tomato (0.55) was higher than cucumber (0.26). The life cycle assessment (LCA) results showed that carbon dioxide is the highest among 18 air pollutants, carbon dioxide in cucumber and tomato (18836.81 and 338.28) kg respectively. The main for higher emissions of carbon dioxide is attributed to diesel fuel consumption as the source of environmental pollutants. ReCiPe 2016 method was used in this study for classifications of damage assessment, the results of human health category for cucumber and tomato is 0.012 and 0.004 DALY, respectively. Resources have a significant amount for cucumber (25.35 USD2013), also, releases are more relevant than the other categories. According to results, On-greenhouse emissions had the highest impact on human health classification, with 82% and 78% for cucumber and tomato, respectively. Non-renewable, fossil form has the highest energy produced for cucumber (2802.88 MJ ton −1) and tomato (1301.14 MJ ton −1). Also, renewable, biomass, and water forms were in the second and third orders. The non-renewable primary form had the lowest energy, equal to 18.70 MJ ton −1 and 8.12 MJ ton −1 for cucumber and tomato, respectively. In general, results clearly showed that tomato production is more suitable than cucumber in terms of energy consumption and environmental effects. In addition, it is essential to provide the design principles, structure, location, common coverings in greenhouses, and the necessary solutions to reduce energy consumption for each area. Furthermore, the design of greenhouse systems with high production capacity, minimum energy consumption, and reduction of chemical fertilizers should be considered.

We explored how teacher and child talk-turns were related to children's subsequent comprehension responses during read-alouds. Data included three kindergarten teachers' interactive read-alouds (736 talk-turns across six video-recorded and transcribed sessions). Talk-turns were coded using a priori and emergent codes. Statistical discourse analysis, which analyzes how previous talk-turns in a conversation are related to later talk-turns in the conversation, was used to identify how specific teacher and child talk-turns within a read-aloud were related to a child's later comprehension expressions during that same read-aloud. Findings show how specific talk-turns in which teachers mediate children's behavior by (a) promoting particular child actions related to the read-aloud content or (b) restricting or expanding ways that children can participate, predict children's subsequent comprehension responses during the read-aloud. Further, findings show how children's talk-turns that mediate other children's action related to the read-aloud content predict those children's subsequent comprehension responses. These findings suggest new and more fine-grained ways that teachers and children can support children's listening comprehension and vocabulary responses during read-aloud discussions.

We explored (a) emergent bilingual students' talk-turns during read-alouds, (b) how earlier talk-turns were related to later talk-turns, and (c) how talk-turns varied across more versus less culturally relevant books. One teacher and her four students' read-alouds across two sessions each were video-recorded and transcribed. Emergent coding was used to identify talk-turn codes. Codes were categorized using Zone Theory constructs (Zone of Free Movement, Zone of Promoted Action, Zone of Proximal Development, Zone of Actual Development). Statistical discourse analysis showed that several Zone of Free Movement mediations (book/lesson/off-task) predicted comprehension talk-turns (developed connections/comparisons/contrasts). Zone of Promoted Action mediations predicted subsequent talk-turns: (a) reiteration/modeling were related to children expressing developed factual knowledge, (b) clarification/extension were related to children expressing developed opinions, (c) clarification/agreement were related to children expressing developed inferences, and (d) 11 talk-turns supported children expressing vocabulary knowledge.

Objectives: Curcumin has antioxidant properties and has been proposed as a potential treatment for NAFLD. The aim of current systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate previous findings for the effect of curcumin supplementation on glycaemic indices, lipid profile, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, and anthropometric measurements of NAFLD patients. Methods: Relevant studies published up to January 2024 were searched systematically using the following databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, WOS, Science Direct, Ovid and Cochrane. The systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. The quality of the papers was assessed the using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using a random-effects model and reported as the WMD and 95% CI. Also, subgroup analyses were done to find probable sources of heterogeneity among studies. Results: Out of 21010 records initially identified, 21 eligible RCTs were selected for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Overall, 1191 participants of both genders, 600 in the intervention and 591 in the control group with NAFLD were included. There are several limitations in the studies that were included, for instance, the results are weakened substantially by potential bias or failure to account for potential adulteration (with pharmaceuticals) or contamination (with other herbs) of the curcumin supplements that were tested. However, previous studies have reported curcumin to be a safe complementary therapy for several conditions. Our study indicated that curcumin supplementation in doses of 50−3000 mg/day was associated with significant change in FBG [WMD: −2.83; 95% CI: −4.61, −1.06), I2 = 51.3%], HOMA-IR [WMD: −0.52; 95% CI: −0.84, −0.20), I2= 82.8%], TG [WMD: −10.31; 95% CI: −20.00, −0.61), I2 = 84.5%], TC [WMD: −11.81; 95% CI: −19.65, −3.96), I2 = 94.6%], LDL [WMD: −8.01; 95% CI: −15.79, −0.24), I2 = 96.1%], weight [WMD: −0.81; 95% CI: −1.28, −0.35), I2= 0.0%] and BMI [WMD: −0.35; 95% CI: −0.57, −0.13), I2= 0.0%] in adults with NAFLD. There was no significant change in HbA1C, plasma insulin, QUICKI, HDL, SBP, DBP, CRP, TNF-α and WC after curcumin therapy. Subgroup analysis suggested a significant changes in serum FBG, TG, SBP, WC in RCTs for intervention durations of ≥ 8 weeks, and SBP, TG, LDL, HDL, BMI, WC in RCTs with sample size > 55 participants. Conclusion: Curcumin supplementation in doses of 50−3000 mg/day over 8–12 weeks was associated with significant reductions in levels of FBG, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, LDL, weight and BMI in patients with NAFLD. Previous studies have reported curcumin as a safe complementary therapy for several diseases. We would suggest that should curcumin supplements be used clinically in specific conditions, it should be used with caution. Also, difference in grades of NAFLD may effect the evaluated outcomes, so it is suggested that future studies be conducted with an analyses on subgroups according to their NAFLD grade. Furthermore, because of the failure to conduct independent biochemical assessment of the turmeric/curcumin product used in most studies as well as potential sources of bias, results should be interpreted with caution.

The title complex, [Au(NCO)(C27H36N2)], was synthesized by ligand metathesis from [1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]gold(I) chloride and sodium cyanate in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran and crystallized from toluene at 233 K in the orthorhombic space group P212121, as a neutral complex with the central Au atom di-coordinated by an N-heterocyclic carbene [Au—C = 1.963 (2) Å] and an isocyanate [Au—N 1.999 (2) Å] ligands, with a linear CAuNCO moiety. The crystal packing is consolidated by C—H...O hydrogen bonds.

Higher utilization of existing resources and facilities in order to increase efficiency and profitability is always one of the basic challenges for parallel processing systems and environments, and this challenge becomes more complicated when the system resources are heterogeneous. One way to achieve high efficiency and profitability of heterogeneous parallel systems is to schedule tasks optimally. In this paper, an extended tabu search-based scheduling algorithm (ESTS) is presented to improve the profitability of heterogeneous parallel systems, which can achieve suitable solutions in a short computational time. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed solution, due to the lack of a suitable criterion to evaluate this problem, the obtained results are compared with both the results of an extended scheduling based on a genetic algorithm (ESGA) with a large number of chromosomes and a high number of generations, as well as an extended scheduling based on a simulated annealing algorithm (ESSA) with a linear temperature reduction. The benchmark files of different sizes were tested under the same conditions, and the comparison of results shows the superiority of the proposed solution in terms of profitability and computational time.

A study was conducted in Shahrekord city, Iran, focusing on improving the production of almond and walnut crops on rural agricultural lands. The gardeners selected for the study shared similar characteristics and production histories. One of the major challenges in producing these crops was the manual harvesting process, which required a significant amount of human labor in the region. To collect data, questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were conducted. The study used machine learning models, specifically artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models, to predict energy use efficiency and environmental impacts in almond and walnut production. Among the models used, the ANFIS model with a three-level topology was found to be the most accurate in predicting output energy generation and environmental impacts in both almond and walnut production. The R2 values for the testing stage ranged from 0.969 to 0.996 for output energy generation and 0.994 to 0.997 for environmental impacts. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of using machine learning models like ANN and ANFIS in predicting energy use efficiency and environmental impacts in almond and walnut production, which can aid in planning and managing these crops more sustainably and efficiently in the future.

This study aimed to analyze stability and mechanization patterns in small-scale farms in Khuzestan province, Iran, and their implications for productivity and profitability. The objectives were to assess the sustainability level of farmers, determine the stability level of the farms, identify the optimal mechanization pattern, and evaluate the implications of moving towards sustainability. To achieve these objectives, the research employed multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods, which allowed for the assessment of multiple criteria and the evaluation of various alternatives. The study focused on farmers and operators managing small farms below 5 ha in Karoon and Behbahan counties, with a sample size of 48 farmers. The findings of the study indicated that the majority of farmers (75.7%) fell into the “very little” sustainability group, indicating significant challenges in terms of stability and mechanization. Only a small percentage of farmers (0.5%) were classified as having a “high” sustainability level. The average stability level among the sample was 18.09, with a range from 7.98 to 79.89. The study also identified the optimal mechanization pattern for the study region, which required an increase in the availability of necessary tools. The ideal planning model suggested that moving towards sustainability would involve specializing in specific products that align with the region's facilities. This specialization would reduce tool variety and eliminate some tools from the current model. Additionally, the study found that implementing the optimal mechanization pattern would result in a gross return of 4.2 billion Rials, indicating increased productivity and profitability. In conclusion, small-scale farms in Khuzestan province face various obstacles that affect their productivity and profitability. By analyzing stability and mechanization patterns using MCDM methods, this study highlighted the need for increased sustainability and identified the optimal mechanization pattern for the region. The implications of moving towards sustainability include reduced tool variety, specialization in specific products, and increased gross returns. These findings can guide policymakers and farmers in improving the productivity and profitability of small-scale farms.

Functional beverages are expanding in the world and since fruits are valuable food sources and are known as sources of antioxidant and phenolic compounds, their extracts and juices in these beverages can be used in different forms. The aim was to protect jujube extract by encapsulating it in the beads to enrich the beverage with phenolic compounds. On the other, gellan and alginate are known as stabilizers and suspend the particles in beverages and make fluid gel and trap particles in their structures. Gellan and sodium alginate were used to suspend alginate beads in antioxidant beverages. Four groups of samples were prepared with 0.15% and 0.3% sodium alginate concentrations and 0.05% and 0.31% gellan concentrations. The results showed that bead suspension were observed appropriately in C (0.3% alginate, 0.05% gellan gum) and D treatments (0.3% alginate, 1% gellan gum). The best sensory properties (overall acceptability= 4) were observed in C treatment (0.3% alginate, 0.05% gellan gum). On the first day of the assay, the highest pH was related to D treatment (3.83) and the lowest was related B treatment (3.57). Increasing of gellan and alginate into the beverage changed the viscosity behavior which led to show highest viscosity (417 cp in D beverage, 30 rpm) and inhibited the beads sedimentation (C and D beverages).

Astragalus fasciculifolius belongs to the genus Astragalus and the legume family. The distribution of this plant is in Southwest Asia. So far, no detailed studies have been conducted on this plant. This study tried to extract different parts of Astragalus fasciculifolius (gum, aerial parts, and roots) using two solvents of water and methanol. The extracts' content of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds and antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABST, CUPRAC, PMB, and FRAP) were evaluated, and the correlation between total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity or Pearson test was investigated. The results showed that the methanolic gum extract had the highest antioxidant activity as well as the highest content of total phenol (22.30±1.30 mg GAEs/g extract) and total flavonoids (11.30±0.87 mg Routine (RUE)/g), which was significantly different from the other parts extracts (P≤0.05), and the correlation between total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity was also significant (P≤0.05). According to the results, it was found that methanolic gum extract has antimicrobial activity and the MIC and MBC of Clostridium perfringens were lower than Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Based on the findings of this study, Astragalus fasciculifolius gum has the potential to be used in food, pharmaceutical, and health industries.

Abstract The continuous rise in opioid overdoses in the United States is predominantly driven by very potent synthetic opioids, mostly fentanyl and its derivatives (fentanyls). Although naloxone (NLX) has been shown to effectively reverse overdoses by conventional opioids, there may be a need for higher or repeated doses of NLX to revert overdoses from highly potent fentanyls. Here, we used positron emission tomography (PET) to assess NLX’s dose-dependence on both its rate of displacement of [11C]carfentanil ([11C]CFN) binding and its duration of mu opioid receptor (MOR) occupancy in the male rat brain. We showed that clinically relevant doses of intravenously (IV) administered NLX (0.035 mg/kg, Human Equivalent Dose (HED) 0.4 mg; 0.17 mg/kg, HED 2 mg) rapidly displaced the specific binding of [11C]CFN in the thalamus in a dose-dependent manner. Brain MOR occupancy by IV NLX was greater than 90% at 5 min after NLX administration for both doses, but at 27.3 min after 0.035 mg/kg dose and at 85 min after 0.17 mg/kg NLX, only 50% occupancy remained. This indicates that the duration of NLX occupancy at MORs is short-lived. Overall, these results show that clinically relevant doses of IV NLX can promptly displace fentanyls at brain MORs, but repeated or higher NLX doses may be required to prevent re-narcotization following overdoses with long-acting fentanyls.

The selection and employment of proper methods in water distribution causes an increase in water productivity and the level of satisfaction of water users. It is faced with more difficulties in aged irrigation projects due to temporal changes such as changes in the crop patterns, development of the command area and destruction of canals and hydraulic structures. The plan of operation methods have some hydraulic and social complexities and therefore is usually simplified or implemented experimentally. This research investigates the best options for water distribution to the paddy fields in a subunit of Sefidroud irrigation scheme based on field survey, recording real data and hydraulic simulation with the employment of a SOBEK hydrodynamic model. Different operation scenarios were defined and then simulated in the current physical state of the scheme through replacing the exhausted intake structures with sluice gates. Finally, improved operation scenarios during the irrigation season were suggested based on the distribution indices. The results show that in spite of the current situation, water loss could reach the minimum by employing modification scenarios and indices of adequacy and equity of water distribution improve. HIGHLIGHTS Using Hydraulic-Numerical models to assess the operation and rehabilitation phase of an irrigation scheme.; Proposing and planning for the best operation scenarios based on the hydraulic modeling and practicability.; Investigation of re-designing some hydraulic structures and their impacts in an aged irrigation scheme using modelling.; With precise planning while less water is consumed, water distribution indices improve.;

AbstractNeuropathic pain, a nerve damage consequence, presents symptoms such as dysesthesia, hyperalgesia, and allodynia. This study aimed to evaluate the alleviating potential of artichoke leaf extract in neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve in male rats. The hydroethanolic extract of artichoke leaf was administered via gavage at doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg for 21 days. Behavioural tests were conducted on days 1, 4, 7, 14, and 21 post-surgeries. Only the dose of 800 mg/kg significantly reduced thermal hyperalgesia and allodynia from day 14 and mechanical allodynia from day 7, and the other doses did not affect behaviours. Biochemical analysis showed that artichoke extract decreased lipid peroxidation and restored antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and GPx) in the sciatic nerve tissue. In conclusion, artichoke leaf extract administration diminishes neuropathic pain-related behaviours by enhancing antioxidant capacity and reducing oxidative stress in the rats’ sciatic nerve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of modification of sodium alginate on the beads properties was investigated and compared with unmodified alginate beads. The effect of storage conditions on the shelf life of the beads was determined. The modification of sodium alginate was achieved with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA). Antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds of the jujube extract was evaluated. Some physical and structural properties yield and encapsulation efficiency of the beads were measured. The encapsulation yield of the beads was significantly affected by modification of sodium alginate. The highest yield was observed in the alginate stored at ambient temperature on the day 14th which was 35.21%. The average beads size of alginate was 5.10 and 4.68 mm in modified and unmodified alginate beads, respectively. Modification also had a significant effect on the hardness of the beads. Higher Tg which ensures good product stability in thermal process was clearly seen in the modified beads maintained at ambient temperature. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed the existence of OH groups in the extract-loaded beads. These findings have important implications on designing preservation and delivery systems of soluble bioactive compounds of jujube extract to apply in development of new functional foods and drinks.

According to consumers trend for using natural conservator compounds, the efforts for finding new herbal resources replaced with synthetic antioxidant has increased. Anzarut is a medicinal plant with Astragalus fasciculifolius Boiss and belongs to the Astragalus genus and Fabaceae family. This research aimed to study the effect of two methods of extraction (supercritical fluid and maceration by methanol as solvent) on impressive composition in Astragalus fasciculifolius Boiss, also examining antioxidant activities and finding correlation coefficient between phenol and flavonoid content and capacity of antioxidant. The result showed phenol and flavonoid content in gum extract by supercritical fluid was more than extracts by maceration, and this difference was significant (p < /em>>0.05). Most of the antioxidant activity in all methods include 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2 Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazloine-6-sulfonic acid) (ABST), Cupric ion reducing activity (CUPRAC), Phospho molybdenum (PMB), ferric ion reduction capacity (FRAP) was observed in gum extract by supercritical fluid, but only the increase in the DPPH method was found significant. Correlation findings that resulted in coefficients were significant (p < /em>≤0.05), and there was a good relation between antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds. Citing our findings, using supercritical fluid at 100Mp, 35 °C, and 30 min did not significantly affect antioxidant activity compared with maceration. According to the high cost of extraction by supercritical fluid, this method must be optimized.

Following a suggestion by Poehner [2008. Dynamic Assessment: A Vygotskian Approach to Understanding and Promoting Second Language Development. Berlin: Springer] about the possible merger between group dynamic assessment (GDA) rooted in Vygotskian sociocultural theory (SCT) and computer testing, this study has decided to test the feasibility of computerized-group dynamic assessment (C-GDA) by means of a tailor-made computer software in the context of L2 reading comprehension. The software was programmed to present five reading comprehension texts alongside a range of prefabricated, implicit to explicit, mediations to measure and expand a group of students' zone of proximal development (ZPD). After presenting the text on the board, the mediator (teacher) began a series of interactions with the group to find out their ZPD level. When the students failed to reach the correct answer in each text, the computer offered a range of textual and visual mediations to assist him/her as the primary interactant and, then, the group as the secondary interactants. The results indicated the feasibility and applicability of employing C-GDA to the benefit of a group of students in the classroom context