Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Once-Daily Amikacin Dosing in Burn Patients Treated with Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration

ABSTRACT Amikacin clearance can be increased in burn injury, which is often complicated by renal insufficiency. Little is known about the impact of renal replacement therapies, such as continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH), on amikacin pharmacokinetics. We retrospectively examined the clinical pharmacokinetics, bacteriology, and clinical outcomes of 60 burn patients given 15 mg/kg of body weight of amikacin in single daily doses. Twelve were treated with concurrent CVVH therapy, and 48 were not. The pharmacodynamic target of ≥10 for the maximum concentration of drug in serum divided by the MIC (Cmax/MIC) was achieved in only 8.5% of patients, with a small reduction of Cmax in patients receiving CVVH and no difference in amikacin clearance. Mortality and burn size were greater in patients who received CVVH. Overall, 172 Gram-negative isolates were recovered from the blood cultures of 39 patients, with amikacin MIC data available for 82 isolates from 24 patients. A 10,000-patient Monte Carlo simulation was conducted incorporating pharmacokinetic and MIC data from these patients. The cumulative fraction of response (CFR) was similar in CVVH and non-CVVH patients. The CFR rates were not significantly improved by a theoretical 20 mg/kg amikacin dose. Overall, CVVH did not appear to have a major impact on amikacin serum concentrations. The low pharmacodynamic target attainment appears to be primarily due to higher amikacin MICs rather than more rapid clearance of amikacin related to CVVH therapy.
Understanding the gendered effects of war on women: impact on resilience and identity in African cultures

Chapter one examines literature on the prevalence and effects of gender-based violence during war on women and men. Research indicates that physical, psychological and socio-cultural consequences of gender-based and sexual violence are fundamentally linked and have a differential impact on men and women's identities. Despite research demonstrating psychological symptoms of post traumatic stress as a result of these experiences, it is argued that applying a western medical model to survivors from non-western countries may not be the most comprehensive way of understanding their experiences. A model that accounts for the cultural context, gendered differences and identity impact is proposed. Very few studies reviewed addressed resilience and coping in survivors of gender based violence indicating a gap in the psychological literature. Chapter two explores African women's experiences of violence during conflict and seeks to identify its impact on mental health. It also provides an understanding of the roles of resilience, coping and identity in African refugee women. Results identified a complex relationship between resilience, access to rights and support and identity in African refugees living in the United Kingdom. It also recognised cultural and societal influences in Africa and experiences in the UK as influential factors. Results from the study support the move toward an holistic model of understanding refugee women's experiences. The study also reveals the importance of support services assisting women to utilise a resilience framework to assist rebuilding their identities in order to maintain resilience. Chapter three provides personal reflections on the research journey and process. Methodological and ethical issues related to conducting research with refugees are discussed. The paper also draws on emerging themes from a reflective journal, which highlights the challenges and positive experiences of the researcher whilst volunteering for a local refugee centre. It also makes suggestions about further considerations of these issues by Clinical Psychologists within research supervision processes.
Physicochemical Characterization of Berberine Chloride: A Perspective in the Development of a Solution Dosage Form for Oral Delivery

The objective of the present research was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of berberine chloride and to assess the complexation of drug with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), a first step towards solution dosage form development. The parameters such as log P value were determined experimentally and compared with predicted values. The pH-dependent aqueous solubility and stability were investigated following standard protocols at 25°C and 37°C. Drug solubility enhancement was attempted utilizing both surfactants and cyclodextrins (CDs), and the drug/CD complexation was studied employing various techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental log P value suggested that the compound is fairly hydrophilic. Berberine chloride was found to be very stable up to 6 months at all pH and temperature conditions tested. Aqueous solubility of the drug was temperature dependent and exhibited highest solubility of 4.05 ± 0.09 mM in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) at 25°C, demonstrating the effect of buffer salts on drug solubility. Decreased drug solubility was observed with increasing concentrations of ionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide. Phase solubility studies demonstrated the formation of berberine chloride–HPβCD inclusion complex with 1:1 stoichiometry, and the aqueous solubility of the drug improved almost 4.5-fold in the presence of 20% HPβCD. The complexation efficiency values indicated that the drug has at least threefold greater affinity for hydroxypropyl-β-CD compared to randomly methylated-β-CD. The characterization techniques confirmed inclusion complex formation between berberine chloride and HPβCD and demonstrated the feasibility of developing an oral solution dosage form of the drug.
Two Decades of Unsupervised POS Induction: How Far Have We Come?

Part-of-speech (POS) induction is one of the most popular tasks in research on unsupervised NLP. Many different methods have been proposed, yet comparisons are difficult to make since there is little consensus on evaluation framework, and many papers evaluate against only one or two competitor systems. Here we evaluate seven different POS induction systems spanning nearly 20 years of work, using a variety of measures. We show that some of the oldest (and simplest) systems stand up surprisingly well against more recent approaches. Since most of these systems were developed and tested using data from the WSJ corpus, we compare their generalization abilities by testing on both WSJ and the multilingual Multext-East corpus. Finally, we introduce the idea of evaluating systems based on their ability to produce cluster prototypes that are useful as input to a prototype-driven learner. In most cases, the prototype-driven learner outperforms the unsupervised system used to initialize it, yielding state-of-the-art results on WSJ and improvements on non-English corpora.
Assessment of Culturable Tea Rhizobacteria Isolated from Tea Estates of Assam, India for Growth Promotion in Commercial Tea Cultivars

In the present study, 217 rhizobacterial isolates were obtained from six different tea estates of Assam, India and subjected to preliminary in vitro plant growth promotion (PGP) screening for indole acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production and ammonia production. Fifty isolates showed all the PGP traits and five isolates did not exhibit any PGP traits. These 50 potential isolates were further analyzed for quantitative estimation of the PGP traits along with the aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, protease and cellulose production. After several rounds of screening, four rhizobacteria were selected based on their maximum ability to produce in vitro PGP traits and their partial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that they belong to Enterobacter lignolyticus strain TG1, Burkholderia sp. stain TT6, Bacillus pseudomycoides strain SN29 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain KH45. To evaluate the efficacy of these four rhizobacteria as plant growth promoters, three different commercially important tea clones TV1, TV19, and TV20 plants were inoculated with these rhizobacteria in greenhouse condition and compared to the uninoculated control plants. Though, all the rhizobacterial treatments showed an increase in plant growth compared to control but the multivariate PCA analysis confirmed more growth promotion by TG1 and SN29 strains than the other treatments in all three clones. To validate this result, the fold change analysis was performed and it revealed that the tea clone TV19 plants inoculated with the E. lignolyticus strain TG1 showed maximum root biomass production with an increase in 4.3-fold, shoot biomass with increase in 3.1-fold, root length by 2.2-fold and shoot length by 1.6-fold. Moreover, two way ANOVA analysis also revealed that rhizobacterial treatment in different tea clones showed the significant increase (P < 0.05) in growth promotion compared to the control. Thus, this study indicates that the potential of these indigenous plant growth promoting rhizobacteria isolates to use as microbial inoculation or biofertilizer for growth promotion of tea crops.
Comparison of haemodynamic responses to intubation: Flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope versus bonfils rigid intubation endoscope

Background: The flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope and bonfils rigid intubation endoscope are being widely used for difficult intubations. Methods: The haemodynamic response to intubation under general anaesthesia was studied in 60 adult female patients who were intubated using either flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope or bonfils rigid intubation endoscope (30 in each group). Non-invasive blood pressure and heart rate (HR) was recorded before induction of anaesthesia, immediately after induction, at the time of intubation and, thereafter, every minute for the next 5 min. The product of HR and systolic blood pressure (rate pressure product) at every point of time was also calculated. Statistical Analyses: Graph pad prism, 5.0 statistical software, independent t test and repeated measure ANOVA test were used. Results: Both bonfils rigid intubation endoscope and flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope required a similar time (less than 1 min) for orotracheal intubation. After intubation, there was a significant increase in HR, blood pressure and rate pressure product (P<0.001) in both the groups compared with the baseline and post-induction values. There was no significant difference in HR, blood pressure and rate pressure product at any of the measuring points or in their maximum values during observation between the two groups. The time required for recovery of systolic blood pressure and HR to post-induction value (±10%) was not significantly different between the two groups (more than 2 min). Conclusion: In female adults under general anaesthesia, bonfils rigid intubation endoscope and flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope require a similar time for successful orotracheal intubation and cause a similar magnitude of haemodynamic response.
Interaction between baseline and early worsening of renal function and efficacy of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system blockade in patients with heart failure: insights from the Val‐HeFT study

We evaluated the effect of (dual) renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade with valsartan and an ACE inhibitor [92.7% of patients were treated with an ACE inhibitor in the Valsartan in Heart Failure Trial (Val‐HeFT)] in patients with NYHA class II–IV heart failure (HF) and reduced EF on cardiovascular (CV) death and HF hospitalization by subgroups and by presence of early worsening of renal function (EWRF) and according to baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
The Perception of Political Advertising During an Election Campaign: A Measure of Cognitive and Emotional Effects

Scientific interest in political ads has been growing in recent years and has fuelled an important body of research, focusing mostly on the United States. Yet many issues associated with the impacts and contents of electoral ads remain unexplored, especially within the Canadian context. This article investigates the immediate and simultaneous effects of positive, negative, and mixed-content electoral ads. It presents data drawn from a series of pre-tests of an experimental design carried out with 31 voters during the Canadian federal election of 2011. Participants viewed ads selected for their argumentative content and nonverbal components. The impacts of the ads were tested using an innovative multimethod approach combining physiological and cognitive measures. Among its contributions, this novel method helped generate a more nuanced and precise evaluation of the effects of negative advertising on viewers. Bien que le nombre d’etudes portant sur la publicite electorale—pour la plupart americaines—se soit considerablement accru ces derniere sannees, plusieurs aspects restent inexplores, particulierement eu egard aux campagnes canadiennes. L’objectif de cette etude est d’evaluer l’impact immediat et simultane de publicites electorales televisees (negatives, positives et mixtes). Ces publicites ont ete analysees en tenant compte du contenu argumentaire, mais aussi des elements non-verbaux qui leur sont inherents. Une approche pluri-methodologique combinant des mesures physiologiques et cognitives dans un contexte experimental a notamment permis de mettre en exergue l’importance des mesures combinees pour une comprehension plus nuancee des effets de la publicite electorale negative. Les resultats presentes dans cet article sont issus des pre-tests menes aupres de 31 electeurs durant la derniere campagne electorale federale canadienne de 2011.
Relation of Domestic Violence to Health Status among Hispanic Women

Little research has addressed the association of domestic violence (DV) with physical and mental health in Hispanic women. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 146 Hispanic women patients in 2002 at an urban family medicine practice. Twenty-one percent of the women were identified as current victims of DV. Two-fifths of victims (41.9%) experienced physical and/or sexual abuse. Approximately two-thirds (64.5%) had depressive symptoms. Poorer mental health was associated with all forms of abuse. Relatively low socioeconomic status and acculturation level may lead to disparities in obtaining services for DV intervention. Culturally appropriate protocols are needed in primary care settings to prevent and intervene among Hispanic women at risk for DV.
Astrocytes Modulate the Polarization of CD4+ T Cells to Th1 Cells

T-cell characteristics are dynamic and influenced by multiple factors. To test whether cells and the environment in the central nervous system (CNS) can influence T-cells, we tested if culturing mouse CD4+ T-cells on mouse primary astrocytes, compared with standard feeder cells, modified T-cell polarization to Th1 and Treg subtypes. Astrocytes supported the production of Th1 cells and Tregs, which was diminished by inflammatory activation of astrocytes, and glutamate accumulation that may result from impaired glutamate uptake by astrocytes strongly promoted Th1 production. These results demonstrate that astrocytes and the environment in the CNS have the capacity to regulate T-cell characteristics.
DDR1 signaling is essential to sustain Stat5 function during lactogenesis

Postnatal development of the mammary gland is achieved by an interplay of endocrine and extracellular matrix‐derived signals. Despite intense research, a comprehensive understanding of the temporal and spatial coordination of these hormonal and basement membrane stimuli is still lacking. Here, we address the role of the collagen‐receptor DDR1 in integrating extracellular matrix‐derived signaling with the lactogenic pathway initiated by the prolactin receptor. We found that stimulation of DDR1‐overexpressing mammary epithelial HC11 cells with collagen and prolactin resulted in stronger and more sustained induction of Stat5 phosphorylation as compared to control cells. Enhanced Stat5 activity in HC11‐DDR1 cells correlated with increased beta‐casein gene expression. In contrast, cells derived from DDR1‐null mice showed reduced Stat5 activation upon lactogenic stimulation and completely failed to induce beta‐casein expression. The cell‐autonomous role of DDR1 in controlling ductal branching and alveologenesis prior to the onset of lactogenesis was corroborated by mammary tissue transplantation experiments. Our results show that aside from hormone‐ and cytokine receptors, DDR1 signaling establishes a third matrix‐derived pathway vital to maintain mammary gland function. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Helicobacter-associated gastritis in SCID mice

Immunodeficient (SCID) and immunocompetent mice were infected with Helicobacter felis to address the role of autoimmunity in Helicobacter-associated gastritis. The extents of inflammation were equivalent in the two groups. The numbers of H. felis organisms were marginally increased in the SCID mice but did not achieve statistical significance. These results indicate that autoimmunity is not necessary to induce disease and that the presence of an adaptive immune system does not significantly affect H. felis colonization.
Polysaccharide properties probed with atomic force microscopy

In recent years, polysaccharides have been extensively studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Owing to its high lateral and vertical resolutions and ability to measure interaction forces in liquids at pico‐ or nano‐Newton level, the AFM is an excellent tool for characterizing biopolymers. The first imaging studies showed the morphology of polysaccharides, but gradually more quantitative image analysis techniques were developed as the AFM grew easier to use in aqueous liquids and in non‐contact modes. Recently, AFM has been used to stretch polysaccharides and characterize their physicochemical properties by application of appropriate polymer stretching models, using a technique called single‐molecule force spectroscopy. From application of such models as the wormlike chain, freely jointed chain, extensible‐freely jointed chain, etc., properties such as the contour length, persistence length and segment elasticity or spring constant can be calculated for polysaccharides. The adhesion between polysaccharides and surfaces has been quantified with AFM, and this application is particularly useful for studying polysaccharides on microbial and other types of cells, because their adhesion is controlled by biopolymer characteristics. This review presents a synthesis of the theory and techniques currently in use to probe the physicochemical properties of polysaccharides with AFM.
Ethics in Large Law Firms: The Principle of Pragmatism

Ethics in Large Law Firms: the Principle of Pragmatism reports on the first phase of an empirical study investigating the role large law firms play in shaping the ethics of the lawyers who work in them. The study concludes that work in large law firm bureaucracies shapes lawyers' habits of mind in distinct ways. Because the norms in use in large law firms vary over time and among the powerful lawyers within a firm, lawyers working in today's large law firms employ a characteristic "choice of norm" rule to guide them. This choice of norm rule identifies the norms a lawyer should follow in a particular situation if he or she wants to act in accord with the logic of the firm. The large firm lawyers' choice of norm rule directs a lawyer to follow the norms (whether they are style norms, business generation norms or ethical norms) of the people the lawyer is working for and with at the time. Because large-firm lawyers' success depends on their ability to "read their colleagues", they focus on the task of discerning the relevant norms, rather than evaluating the norms themselves. In other words, the large-firm lawyers' habit of mind is to discern the norm "appropriate" to the situation, not to judge the merits of any given norm. The article suggests that this habit of mind likely shapes large-firm lawyers' ethical consciousness and behavior as well.
An Explanatory Study of MBA Students with Regards to Sustainability and Ethics Commitment

(1) Background: The consequences of the recent economic crisis have shown the need for promoting certain key skills in future entrepreneurs to create enterprises that are capable of producing added value, generating employment and remaining solvent or growing in a competitive and highly volatile environment. Therefore, the issue is not simply a matter of creating more businesses, but rather, a model based on organizations with strong sustainable values in the long term. (2) Methods: The originality and new approach of this article is to establish, through an empirical approach, the link between the entrepreneurial skills and environmental and social commitment in times of crisis. Based on the analysis of a questionnaire answered by MBA students and using structural equation modelling, the relation between entrepreneurial skills, social and environment commitment are tested. (3) Results: The statistical analysis proved the existence of a positive relation between entrepreneurs’ skills and environmental and social commitment pointing out the importance of sustainability commitment as a source of high added value activities. (4) Conclusion: The paper demonstrates that investing in the promotion of entrepreneurial skills in education systems has positive effects on how future entrepreneurs will manage their firms. Therefore, this sustainably depends on the present education policies.
A formal approach to the scheduling problem in high level synthesis

An integer linear programming (ILP) model for the scheduling problem in high-level synthesis is presented. In addition to time-constrained scheduling and resource-constrained scheduling, a scheduling problem called feasible scheduling, which provides a paradigm for exploring the solution space, is constructed. Extensive consideration is given to the following applications: scheduling with chaining, multicycle operations by nonpipelined function units, and multicycle operations by pipelined function units; functional pipelining; loop folding; mutually exclusive operations; scheduling under bus constraint; and minimizing lifetimes of variables. The complexity of the number of variables in the formulation is O(s*n) where s and n are the number of control steps and operations, respectively. Since the as soon as possible (ASAP), as late as possible (ALAP), and list scheduling techniques are used to reduce the solution space, the formulation becomes very efficient. A solution to a practical problem, such as the fifth-order filter, can be found optimally in a few seconds. >
EFFECT OF PHENYLMETHYLSULFONYL FLUORIDE - AN INHIBITOR OF PROTEASES, ON THE GROWTH AND POLYPEPTIDE PROFILE OF EXCISED COTYLEDONS OF CUCURBITA PEPO L. (ZUCCHINI) AFTER TREATMENT WITH BENZYLADENINE

Summary. Treatment of excised marrow (Cucurbita pepo L., zucchini) cotyledons in darkness with 45 µM BA caused a marked stimulation of the growth accompanied by a strong decrease in cotyledons relative dry weight. PMSF – a well known inhibitor of both thiol- and serine-type proteases, present in the aqueous solutions either alone or with the cytokinin, inhibited significantly the growth of cotyledons and hindered the decrease in cotyledons dry weight in all treatments. SDS-PAGE analysis of the protein profiles showed that PMSF suppressed the gradual decline in the quantity of the 20– 2 kDa polypeptide group and the low-molecular-weight polypeptide bands (below 15 kDa) both in the control and BA-treated cotyledons. On the other hand, the polypeptide bands migrating in the higher molecular weight zone of the profiles including the 97.4-kDa polypeptide and the LSU of Rubisco (55 kDa) decreased in quantity in the presence of PMSF. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of PMSF on the breakdown of storage proteins in the excised marrow cotyledons may be due to an inhibition only of certain PMSF-sensitive proteases taking part in this process during germination.