Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Establishing a Multidimensional Interaction in Science Instruction: Usage of Mobile Technology.

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of mobile technology use in university science instruction on students’ academic achievement and self-regulation skills. An experimental study is conducted to test the use of mobile in-class interaction system (M-CIS) and to determine the change in students’ academic achievement and self-regulation skills in a science class. Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaires, Academic Achievement Tests and Semi-structured interview forms are used as data collection instruments. In the data analysis process, descriptive statistics, covariance analysis (ANCOVA), Mann- Whitney U test and content analysis are used. At the end of the study, it is found that the use of mobile technology in science instruction sustained to be effective in increasing students’ academic achievement. Besides, the M-CIS provided significant changes in teaching, instruction and learning atmosphere, as well as students’ and teachers’ affective outcomes.
Basal Glutathionylation of Na,K-ATPase α-Subunit Depends on Redox Status of Cells during the Enzyme Biosynthesis

Many viruses induce oxidative stress and cause S-glutathionylation of Cys residues of the host and viral proteins. Changes in cell functioning during viral infection may be associated with glutathionylation of a number of key proteins including Na,K-ATPase which creates a gradient of sodium and potassium ions. It was found that Na,K-ATPase α-subunit has a basal glutathionylation which is not abrogated by reducing agent. We have shown that acute hypoxia leads to increase of total glutathionylation level of Na,K-ATPase α-subunit; however, basal glutathionylation of α-subunit increases under prolonged hypoxia only. The role of basal glutathionylation in Na,K-ATPase function remains unclear. Understanding significance of basal glutathionylation is complicated by the fact that there are no X-ray structures of Na,K-ATPase with the identified glutathione molecules. We have analyzed all X-ray structures of the Na,K-ATPase α-subunit from pig kidney and found that there are a number of isolated cavities with unresolved electron density close to the relevant cysteine residues. Analysis of the structures showed that this unresolved density in the structure can be occupied by glutathione associated with cysteine residues. Here, we discuss the role of basal glutathionylation of Na,K-ATPase α-subunit and provide evidence supporting the view that this modification is cotranslational.
MIV-150/Zinc Acetate Gel Inhibits Cell-Associated Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Reverse Transcriptase Infection in a Macaque Vaginal Explant Model

ABSTRACT The transmission of both cell-free and cell-associated immunodeficiency viruses has been demonstrated directly in multiple animal species and possibly occurs in humans, as suggested by genotyping of the infecting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in acutely infected women and in semen from their partners. Therefore, a microbicide may need to block both mechanisms of HIV transmission to achieve maximum efficacy. To date, most of the preclinical evaluation of candidate microbicides has been performed using cell-free HIV. New models of mucosal transmission of cell-associated HIV are needed to evaluate candidate microbicide performance. The MIV-150/zinc acetate/carrageenan (MZC) gel protects Depo-Provera-treated macaques against cell-free simian-human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase (SHIV-RT) infection when applied vaginally up to 8 h before challenge. We recently demonstrated the potent activity of MZC gel against cell-free SHIV-RT in macaque vaginal explants. In the current study, we established a cell-associated SHIV-RT infection model of macaque vaginal tissues and tested the activity of MZC gel in this model. MZC gel protected tissues against cell-associated SHIV-RT infection when present at the time of viral exposure or when applied up to 4 days prior to viral challenge. These data support clinical testing of the MZC gel. Overall, our ex vivo model of cell-associated SHIV-RT infection in macaque vaginal mucosa complements the cell-free infection models, providing tools for prioritization of products that block both modes of HIV transmission.
Ashwagandha Leaf Derived Withanone Protects Normal Human Cells Against the Toxicity of Methoxyacetic Acid, a Major Industrial Metabolite

The present day lifestyle heavily depends on industrial chemicals in the form of agriculture, cosmetics, textiles and medical products. Since the toxicity of the industrial chemicals has been a concern to human health, the need for alternative non-toxic natural products or adjuvants that serve as antidotes are in high demand. We have investigated the effects of Ayurvedic herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) leaf extract on methoxyacetic acid (MAA) induced toxicity. MAA is a major metabolite of ester phthalates that are commonly used in industry as gelling, viscosity and stabilizer reagents. We report that the MAA cause premature senescence of normal human cells by mechanisms that involve ROS generation, DNA and mitochondrial damage. Withanone protects cells from MAA-induced toxicity by suppressing the ROS levels, DNA and mitochondrial damage, and induction of cell defense signaling pathways including Nrf2 and proteasomal degradation. These findings warrant further basic and clinical studies that may promote the use of withanone as a health adjuvant in a variety of consumer products where the toxicity has been a concern because of the use of ester phthalates.
Hepatic cytoreduction followed by a novel long-acting somatostatin analog: a paradigm for intractable neuroendocrine tumors metastatic to the liver.

BACKGROUND Optimal management of symptomatic neuroendocrine tumors that metastasize to the liver is controversial. We investigated aggressive hepatic cytoreduction and postoperative administration of octreotide long-acting release (LAR), a long-acting somatostatin analog. METHODS Between December 1992 and August 2000, 31 patients underwent hepatic surgical cytoreduction (20 carcinoid, 10 islet cell, and 1 medullary). All patients had progressive symptoms refractory to conventional therapy. RESULTS Hepatic cytoreduction (resection, cryosurgery, and/or radiofrequency ablation) eliminated symptoms in 27 patients (87%) and decreased secretion of hormones by an overall mean of 59%. When minor symptoms returned and/or hormonal levels increased during follow-up, adjuvant therapy was started. Ten patients received adjuvant octreotide LAR once a month, and 21 received other adjuvants. At a median postoperative follow-up of 26 months, 16 patients had progressive/recurrent disease, 13 had died of their disease, and 2 remained free of disease. Median symptom-free interval was 60 months (95% confidence interval, 48-72) with octreotide LAR and 16 months (95% confidence interval, 10-29) with other adjuvants (P = .0007). Two-year symptom-free survival rate was 100% with octreotide LAR and 33% with other adjuvants. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic surgical cytoreduction can palliate progressive symptoms associated with liver metastases from intractable neuroendocrine tumors. Postoperative adjuvant therapy with octreotide LAR can prolong symptom-free survival.
The frequency of brain lesion on CT scan in traumatic pediatric that referred to Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital of Kermanshah 2011

Abstract: Background: Brain trauma (BT) is the most common cause of death among children worldwide. In traumatic patient, the skull is the most common involved part. The importance of computed tomography (CT) scan in diagnosis of BT is well established. CT scan is actually a common option for evaluation of patients with cranial trauma. Considering the importance of CT scan in the diagnosis of brain lesions, the present study was aimed to survey the results of brain CT scan in traumatic patient attending the Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital (Kermanshah, Iran) during 2011. Methods: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study brain CT scan results of 365 patients with head trauma attending the CT scan department of Taleghani Hospital (Kermanshah) during 2011 was evaluated. For data collection, pre-prepared tables containing demographic data, cerebral results, lesion and location of fractures were used. Finally the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The results show that of 907 patients, 557 were male and 350 female. In this study we performed CT scans on 365 traumatic patients, 326(89.31%) cases of 365 patients had normal brain CT scan and 39(10.69%) cases had positive finding including: 3 cases (7.69%) of brain contusion, 5 cases (12.82%) of epidural hematoma, 4 cases (10.26%) of subdural hematoma, 3 cases(7.69%) of subarachnoid hemorrhage, 2 cases (5.13%) of intracranial hemorrhage, 2 cases (5.13%) of intraventricel hemorrhage, and finally 20 cases (51.28%) of skull fracture. Conclusions: Because of the high percentages of normal CT scan with no clinical indication in this study, it is necessary for clinical physicians to pay enough attention and rethink about performing a brain CT scan in a patient, particularly when they are not sure about the necessity of a performing CT scan. Furthermore, there is a need for further studies managing the current trend among physicians in which brain CT scan is going to be a routine application. Keywords: Brain CT scan, Pediatric, Trauma, Computed tomography
Systemic Activation of Defensive Enzymes and Protection in Tobacco Plantlets against Phytophthora nicotianae Induced by Oligosaccharins

Oligosaccharins are potent biomolecules which activate defense responses and resistance in tobacco plants. However, it is not known the systemic behavior of defensive enzymes activated by these elicitors. In this work, the dynamic behavior of key defensive enzymes was evaluated in tobacco plant leaves previously treated through the roots with chitosan polymer (CH), chitosan (COS) and pectic (OGAS) oligosaccharides and Spermine (Sp). All macromolecules tested activated protein levels and defense enzymatic activity in tobacco leaves but with different response dynamics among them and depending on the biochemical variable evaluated. Defense response above control levels were detected since 12 hours after treatments and it consisted in a biphasic behavior with two peaks for PAL (EC 4.3.1.5) and β 1 - 3 glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) enzymatic activities. The highest enzymatic levels for these enzymes were achieved at 48 hours in plantlets elicited with COS and at 72 hours for those plants treated with chitosan polymer, while the highest POD (EC 1.11.1.6) activity was detected with CH between 48 and 72 hours. These results demonstrated systemic defense activation by oligosaccharins in tobacco whose dynamic of defense response is affected by the kind of oligosaccharins tested. When applying OGAS by foliar spray on tobacco, systemic resistance against Phytoththora nicotianae was induced and plantlets were protected with the low concentration tested by 46% under the bioassays conditions performed. Moreover, enzymatic determinations on roots and leaves previous to plant-pathogen interaction showed increments above 30% of control levels for PAL and POD activities. It means that oligosaccharins activate local and systemic defense responses in plants in the absent of pathogen infection.
Survey of retail cheeses, dairy processing environments and raw milk for Escherichia coli O157 : H7

Escherichia coli was isolated from 58% (11/19) of retail soft and semi‐soft cheeses tested, but E. coli O157 : H7 was not detected. The presence of E. coli in retail cheeses and the lack of baseline data on the prevalence of serotype O157 : H7 strains prompted us to survey ingredients and the environment in 15 cheese and dairy plants. Escherichia coli O157 : H7 was not detected in any of the 1104 samples tested, including 42 raw milk samples. These results suggest that serotype O157 : H7 is not prevalent within dairy product ingredients and processing environments.
A Characterization of Entropy in Terms of Information Loss

There are numerous characterizations of Shannon entropy and Tsallis entropy as measures of information obeying certain properties. Using work by Faddeev and Furuichi, we derive a very simple characterization. Instead of focusing on the entropy of a probability measure on a finite set, this characterization focuses on the `information loss', or change in entropy, associated with a measure-preserving function. Information loss is a special case of conditional entropy: namely, it is the entropy of a random variable conditioned on some function of that variable. We show that Shannon entropy gives the only concept of information loss that is functorial, convex-linear and continuous. This characterization naturally generalizes to Tsallis entropy as well.
Predicting Big Five Personality Traits of Microblog Users

Personality can be defined as a set of characteristics which makes a person unique. The study of personality is of central importance in psychology. Conventional personality assessment is performed by self-report inventory, which costs much manual efforts and cannot be done in real time. To solve these problems, this research aims to measure the Big-Five personality from the usages of Sina Microblog objectively. By conducting a user study with 444 users, this paper proposes multi-task regression and incremental regression algorithms to predict the Big-Five personality from online behaviors. The results indicate that personality can be predicted with a high accuracy through online Microblog usage.
Shifting Trends in Bacterial Keratitis in Taiwan: A 10-Year Review in a Tertiary-Care Hospital.

To the Editor: We commend Hsiao et al for an excellent study. However, a few points need further clarification. First, the term “middle to deep corneal infiltrates” used by the authors encompasses what depth of the cornea? Second, what could be the reason for the low bacterial culture positivity rate of 49.3%? Third, could the increase in the oxacillin susceptibility rate be attributed to the increase in methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)? Fourth, in vitro susceptibility testing was done only for ciprofloxacin. Why was it not done for the fourth-generation fluoroquinolones? Fifth, what could be the reason for the increased ciprofloxacin sensitivity of S. aureus, including MRSA strains in Taiwan, even though several studies have reported a significantly increasing trend of ciprofloxacin resistance (approximately 30%) among corneal pathogens, particularly in S. aureus? Sixth, the authors need to clarify how many patients were treatment naive? Was any washout period given before the scrapings were done?
Improving the Physico-Mechanical Properties of Eco-Friendly Composite Made from Bamboo

This research focused on physical and mechanical properties of biocomposite made from bamboo and citric acid as natural binder. Bamboo particles was mixed with citric acid at 0 – 40 wt% resin content based on air-dried particles and each mixture was hot pressed at 180 °C for 10 min. The result showed that addition of citric acid could improve significantly the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard. The thickness swelling was 50 % for bamboo binderless particleboard (0 wt%), whereas it decreased to 7 % under a resin content of 10 wt%. The optimum resin content in this study was 30 wt%, while the modulus of rupture dan the modulus of elasticity were 14 MPa and 4.5 GPa, respectively. The ester linkages were detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, indicating that carboxyl groups from citric acid reacted with hydroxyl groups from bamboo to produce better properties of particleboard, especially its dimensional stability. Based on these results, it was concluded that citric acid could be as a potential natural binder for bamboo particleboard.
BML-111 Protected LPS/D-GalN-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Rats

Lipoxins (LXs) display unique pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory functions in a variety of inflammatory conditions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of BML-111 (5(S),6(R),7-trihydroxyheptanoic acid methyl ester), the agonist of lipoxin A4 receptor, in a model of Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and d-Galactosamine (d-GalN) induced acute liver injury, and to explore the mechanisms. Histopathological analyses were carried out to quantify liver injury degree. The activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) were examined to evaluate the levels of neutrophil infiltration. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum were detected to evaluate the functions of the liver. The amounts of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were examined using Western blotting. The antioxidant capacity, the activities of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were analyzed with the kits via biochemical analysis. We established the model of acute liver injury with lipopolysaccharide and d-Galactosamine (LPS/d-GalN): (1) histopathological results and MPO activities, with the activities of AST and ALT in serum, consistently demonstrated LPS and d-GalN challenge could cause severe liver damage, but BML-111 could prevent pathological changes, inhibit neutrophil infiltration, and improve the hepatic function; (2) LPS/d-GalN increased TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2, and IL-10, while decreasing TGF-β1. However, BML-111 could repress LPS/d-GalN -induced TNF-α, IL-1β and COX-2, meanwhile increasing the expression levels of TGF-β1 and IL-10; (3) LPS/d-GalN inhibited the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and hydroxyl radical-scavenging ability, simultaneously increasing the levels of MDA and NO, so also the activity of iNOS. Otherwise, BML-111 could reverse all the phenomena. In a word, BML-111 played a protective role in acute liver injury induced by LPS and d-GalN in rats, through improving antioxidant capacity and regulating the balance of inflammatory cytokines.
Choline metabolism, proliferation, and angiogenesis in nonenhancing grades 2 and 3 astrocytoma

To study choline metabolism in biopsies from nonenhancing Grade 2 (AS2) and Grade 3 (AS3) astrocytomas to determine whether (1) phosphocholine (PC) dominates in AS3, and (2) PC is associated with proliferation or angiogenesis. PC and glycerophosphocholine (GPC) are involved in phospholipid metabolism that accompanies mitosis. PC is the predominant peak in Grade 4 astrocytoma (GBM) while GPC dominates in AS2.
Activation of the Rcs Signal Transduction System Is Responsible for the Thermosensitive Growth Defect of an Escherichia coli Mutant Lacking Phosphatidylglycerol and Cardiolipin

ABSTRACT The lethal effect of an Escherichia coli pgsA null mutation, which causes a complete lack of the major acidic phospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin, is alleviated by a lack of the major outer membrane lipoprotein encoded by the lpp gene, but an lpp pgsA strain shows a thermosensitive growth defect. Using transposon mutagenesis, we found that this thermosensitivity was suppressed by disruption of the rcsC, rcsF, and yojN genes, which code for a sensor kinase, accessory positive factor, and phosphotransmitter, respectively, of the Rcs phosphorelay signal transduction system initially identified as regulating the capsular polysaccharide synthesis (cps) genes. Disruption of the rcsB gene coding for the response regulator of the system also suppressed the thermosensitivity, whereas disruption of cpsE did not. By monitoring the expression of a cpsB′-lac fusion, we showed that the Rcs system is activated in the pgsA mutant and is reverted to a wild-type level by the rcs mutations. These results indicate that envelope stress due to an acidic phospholipid deficiency activates the Rcs phosphorelay system and thereby causes the thermosensitive growth defect independent of the activation of capsule synthesis.
Global distribution and conservation of marine mammals

We identified 20 global key conservation sites for all marine (123) and freshwater (6) mammal species based on their geographic ranges. We created geographic range maps for all 129 species and a Geographic Information System database for a 46,184 1° x 1° grid-cells, ∼10,000-km2. Patterns of species richness, endemism, and risk were variable among all species and species groups. Interestingly, marine mammal species richness was correlated strongly with areas of human impact across the oceans. Key conservation sites in the global geographic grid were determined either by their species richness or by their irreplaceability or uniqueness, because of the presence of endemic species. Nine key conservation sites, comprising the 2.5% of the grid cells with the highest species richness, were found, mostly in temperate latitudes, and hold 84% of marine mammal species. In addition, we identified 11 irreplaceable key conservation sites, six of which were found in freshwater bodies and five in marine regions. These key conservation sites represent critical areas of conservation value at a global level and can serve as a first step for adopting global strategies with explicit geographic conservation targets for Marine Protected Areas.
How Good Can It Get? Analysing and Improving OCR Accuracy in Large Scale Historic Newspaper Digitisation Programs

This article details the work undertaken by the National Library of Australia Newspaper Digitisation Program on identifying and testing solutions to improve OCR accuracy in large scale newspaper digitisation programs. In 2007 and 2008 several different solutions were identified, applied and tested on digitised material now available in the Australian Newspapers Digitisation Program beta service http://ndpbeta.nla. gov.au/ndp/del/home. This article gives a state of the art overview of how OCR software works on newspapers, factors that effect OCR accuracy, methods of measuring accuracy, methods of improving accuracy, and testing methods and results for specific solutions that were considered viable for large scale text digitisation projects.
Speed control of dc motor using artificial bee colony optimization technique

The aim of this work is to design a speed controller of a DC motor by selection of PID parameters using bio-inspired optimization technique of Artificial Bee Colony Optimization (ABC). Here, model of a DC motor is considered as a second order system for speed control. In this work bio-inspired optimization technique in controllers and their advantages over conventional methods is discussed using MATLAB/Simulink. This proposed optimization methods could be applied for higher order system also to provide better system performance with minimum errors. The main aim is to apply ABC technique to design and tune parameters of PID controller to get an output with better dynamic and static performance. The application of ABC to the PID controller imparts it the ability of tuning itself automatically in an on-line process while the application of optimization algorithm to the PID controller makes it to give an optimum output by searching for the best set of solutions for the PID parameters.