Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF THREE MEDICINAL PLANTS (ARTEMISIA INDICA, MEDICAGO FALCATA AND TECOMA STANS)

Background: Artemisia indica, Medicago falcata and Tecoma stans are traditionally being use for medicinal purposes in Pakistan. Present study was designed to check in-vitro efficacy of these plants against selected bacterial and fungal strains. Methodology: Chloroform, butanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts of these plants were used for antimicrobial screening. Antibacterial activity was tested against four pathogenic bacterial strains i.e. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus while antifungal activity was tested against four fungal strains i.e. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Fusarium solani. Results: Chloroform, butanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Artemisia indica, Medicago falcata and Tecoma stans showed high inhibitory activities (between 15-20 mm) against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. However, all extracts of Artemisia indica showed inhibitory activities (12-14 mm) against Salmonella typhi. As antifungal activities, the n-Hexane and chloroform extracts of Artemisia indica have completely inhibited the growth of Aspergillus flavus and Fusariun solani, respectively. Ethyl acetate and butanol extract of Medicago falcata completely inhibited Fusarium solani and Aspergillus fumigates, respectively. The n-hexane extract of Tecoma stan completely inhibited Fusarium solani, while its ethyl acetate extract shows excellent activity against Aspergillus niger. Conclusions: These findings provide scientific evidence of traditional use of medicinal plants and also indicate the potential of these plants for the development of antimicrobial agents.
Vaccines Expressing the Innate Immune Modulator EAT-2 Elicit Potent Effector Memory T Lymphocyte Responses despite Pre-Existing Vaccine Immunity

The mixed results from recent vaccine clinical trials targeting HIV-1 justify the need to enhance the potency of HIV-1 vaccine platforms in general. Use of first-generation recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (rAd5) platforms failed to protect vaccinees from HIV-1 infection. One hypothesis is that the rAd5-based vaccine failed due to the presence of pre-existing Ad5 immunity in many vaccines. We recently confirmed that EAT-2–expressing rAd5 vectors uniquely activate the innate immune system and improve cellular immune responses against rAd5-expressed Ags, inclusive of HIV/Gag. In this study, we report that use of the rAd5-EAT-2 vaccine can also induce potent cellular immune responses to HIV-1 Ags despite the presence of Ad5-specific immunity. Compared to controls expressing a mutant SH2 domain form of EAT-2, Ad5 immune mice vaccinated with an rAd5-wild-type EAT-2 HIV/Gag-specific vaccine formulation significantly facilitated the induction of several arms of the innate immune system. These responses positively correlated with an improved ability of the vaccine to induce stronger effector memory T cell-biased, cellular immune responses to a coexpressed Ag despite pre-existing anti-Ad5 immunity. Moreover, inclusion of EAT-2 in the vaccine mixture improves the generation of polyfunctional cytolytic CD8+ T cell responses as characterized by enhanced production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, cytotoxic degranulation, and increased in vivo cytolytic activity. These data suggest a new approach whereby inclusion of EAT-2 expression in stringent human vaccination applications can provide a more effective vaccine against HIV-1 specifically in Ad5 immune subjects.
Quantum Programming Languages Survey and Bibliography

The field of quantum programming languages is developing rapidly and there is a surprisingly large literature. Research in this area includes the design of programming languages for quantum computing, the application of established semantic and logical techniques to the foundations of quantum mechanics, and the design of compilers for quantum programming languages. This article justifies the study of quantum programming languages, presents the basics of quantum computing, surveys the literature in quantum programming languages, and indicates directions for future research.
Phosphorylation of β-arrestin2 at Thr383 by MEK underlies β-arrestin-dependent activation of Erk1/2 by GPCRs

In addition to their role in desensitization and internalization of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), β-arrestins are essential scaffolds linking GPCRs to Erk1/2 signaling. However, their role in GPCR-operated Erk1/2 activation differs between GPCRs and the underlying mechanism remains poorly characterized. Here, we show that activation of serotonin 5-HT2C receptors, which engage Erk1/2 pathway via a β-arrestin-dependent mechanism, promotes MEK-dependent β-arrestin2 phosphorylation at Thr383, a necessary step for Erk recruitment to the receptor/β-arrestin complex and Erk activation. Likewise, Thr383 phosphorylation is involved in β-arrestin-dependent Erk1/2 stimulation elicited by other GPCRs such as β2-adrenergic, FSH and CXCR4 receptors, but does not affect the β-arrestin-independent Erk1/2 activation by 5-HT4 receptor. Collectively, these data show that β-arrestin2 phosphorylation at Thr383 underlies β-arrestin-dependent Erk1/2 activation by GPCRs. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.23777. 001
Obesity prevention in English primary schools: headteacher perspectives

Schools are seen as important contributors to obesity prevention, yet face barriers in fulfilling this function. This qualitative study investigates headteacher views on the primary school role in preventing obesity. Semi-structured interviews were held with 22 headteachers from ethnically and socio-economically diverse schools in the West Midlands, UK. Data analysis was conducted using the framework approach. Two over-arching categories were identified: 'School roles and responsibilities' and 'Influencing factors'. Participants agreed that although schools contribute towards obesity prevention in many ways, a moral responsibility to support children's holistic development was the principal motivator, rather than preventing obesity per se. The perceived impact on learning was a key driver for promoting health. Parents were believed to have the main responsibility for preventing obesity, but barriers were identified. Whilst headteachers recognized the advantageous position of schools in offering support to parents, opinion varied on the degree to which schools could and should take on this role. Headteachers serving more deprived areas reported adopting certain responsibilities that elsewhere were fulfilled by parents, and were more likely to view working with families on healthy lifestyles as an important school function. Several factors were perceived as barriers to schools doing more to prevent obesity, including academic pressure, access to expert support and space. In conclusion, school leaders need more support, through resources and government policy, to enable them to maximize their role in obesity prevention. Additionally, school-based obesity prevention should be an integral part of the education agenda rather than bolt-on initiatives.
The Role of Learning Styles in the Acceptance of Web-based Learning Tools

Web-based learning tools have been widely adopted by tertiary educational institutions. As a consequence, much research has been devoted to examining factors that influence the level of acceptance of these tools amongst learners. Fewer studies have investigated antecedents of these factors. In this paper it is posited that learning styles are an important antecedent that will indirectly affect acceptance through factors having a direct impact. A web-based quiz tool was the specific focus of attention, as in many institutions these tools are used for assessment without understanding how individual learner attributes affect their acceptance and use. Data was collected from a cohort of students studying a first year course in Information Systems. A key finding was that a strong relationship exists between learning styles and self-efficacy a factor that in turn influenced the level of acceptance. The implications of this and other findings are discussed further in the paper.
First-Pass Contrast-Enhanced MRA for Pretherapeutic Diagnosis of Spinal Epidural Arteriovenous Fistulas with Intradural Venous Reflux

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spinal epidural AVFs are rare spinal vascular malformations. When there is associated intradural venous reflux, they may mimic the more common spinal dural AVFs. Correct diagnosis and localization before conventional angiography is beneficial to facilitate treatment. We hypothesize that first-pass contrast-enhanced MRA can diagnose and localize spinal epidural AVFs with intradural venous reflux and distinguish them from other spinal AVFs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two consecutive patients with a clinical and/or radiologic suspicion of spinal AVF underwent MR imaging, first-pass contrast-enhanced MRA, and DSA at a single institute (2000–2015). MR imaging/MRA and DSA studies were reviewed by 2 independent blinded observers. DSA was used as the reference standard. RESULTS: On MRA, all 7 spinal epidural AVFs with intradural venous reflux were correctly diagnosed and localized with no interobserver disagreement. The key diagnostic feature was arterialized filling of an epidural venous pouch with a refluxing radicular vein arising from the arterialized epidural venous system. CONCLUSIONS: First-pass contrast-enhanced MRA is a reliable and useful technique for the initial diagnosis and localization of spinal epidural AVFs with intradural venous reflux and can distinguish these lesions from other spinal AVFs.
From star clusters to dwarf galaxies: the properties of dynamically hot stellar systems

Objects with radii of 10pc to 100pc and masses in the range from 10 6 M⊙ to 10 8 M⊙ have been discovered during the past decade. These so-called ultra compact dwarf galaxies (UCDs) constitute a transition between classical star clusters and elliptical galaxies in terms of radii, relaxation times and V -band mass-to-light ratios. Using new data, the increase of typical radii with mass for compact objects more massive than 10 6 M⊙ can be confirmed. There is a continuous transition to the typical, massindependent radii of globular clusters (GCs). It can be concluded from the different relations between mass and radius of GCs and UCDs that at least their evolution must have proceeded differently, while the continuous transition could indicate a common formation scenario. The strong increase of the characteristic radii also implies a strong increase of the median two-body relaxation time, trel, which becomes longer than a Hubble time, τH, in the mass interval between 10 6 M⊙ and 10 7 M⊙. This is also the mass interval where the highest stellar densities are reached. The mass-to-light ratios of UCDs are clearly higher than the ones of GCs, and the departure from mass-tolight ratios typical for GCs happens again at a mass of � 10 6 M⊙. Dwarf spheroidal galaxies turn out to be total outliers compared to all other dynamically hot stellar systems regarding their dynamical mass-to-light ratios. Stellar population models were consulted in order to compare the mass-to-light ratios of the UCDs with theoretical predictions for dynamically unevolved simple stellar populations (SSPs), which are probably a good approximation to the actual stellar populations in the UCDs. The SSP models also allow to account for the effects of metallicity on the mass-to-light ratio. It is found that the UCDs, if taken as a sample, have a tendency to higher mass-to-light ratios than it would be expected from the SSP models assuming that the initial stellar mass function in the UCDs is the same as in resolved stellar populations. This can be interpreted in several ways: As a failure of state-of-the-art stellar evolution and stellar population modelling, as a presence of dark matter in UCDs or as stellar populations which formed with initial stellar mass functions different to the canonical one for resolved populations. But it is noteworthy that evidence for dark matter emerges only in systems with trel ? τH.
Physical therapy education and provision in Cambodia: A framework for choice of systems for development projects

Purpose. Rehabilitation agencies, policy makers and donors are faced with the choice of the level of rehabilitation provider to promote in developing countries. This is particularly the case after conflict when new systems are considered and the need for rehabilitation becomes a priority. The complete decimation of medical services in Cambodia highlights the effects of both social change and development agency impact on the establishment of rehabilitation services. This paper discusses the factors that led to the development of four types of physical therapy provider levels in Cambodia with the goal of providing a framework for these decisions. Methods. Case study analysis utilizing interviews, site analysis and literature review. Results. There are four levels of physical therapy provider systems that were initiated at different stages of the rebuilding of the country. Rehabilitation workers were trained during the war in refugee camps and afterwards in rehabilitation centers, professional physical therapists were trained in a university programme after the conflict ceased and community follow-up workers and community-based rehabilitation workers were trained to address some of the geographic accessibility issues. Factors that affected the different systems include the post-conflict development agency philosophy, instructor availability and training, financial support, high school education standards, geographic and rural/urban distribution and cost and time for training. The community-based rehabilitation and community follow-up models also address referral systems and social and vocational support. Conclusions. The comparison of the different types of provider and the initiating or driving forces that led to development of these systems are discussed in order to provide agencies which are planning to implement training of rehabilitation providers in developing countries with a decision-making framework. A combined system is the optimal approach; however, the choice of which type of provider level to promote will differ according to political stability, stage of development, presence of trained educators, rural vs. urban need, funding agency philosophy and educational standards in the country.
Meaning of Caring from Critical Care Nurses Perspective: A Phenomenological Study

Background: Caring has been known as the inner core and the essence of nursing profession. It seems that critical condition of patients and presence of various and complex technological equipments in critical care units gives different meaning to caring and its priorities. Aim: The present study was aimed at explaining lived experiences of critical care nurses from caring in a technological environment. Method: In a hermeneutic phenomenological design, data was gathered using semi structured in-depth interviews which were conducted with 12 intensive care nurses working in the critical care units of hospitals of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Interview texts transcribed and analysed using modified version of Dickelmanns’ method. Findings: Analysis of interviews revealed 4 relational themes: 1) technological environment as a web of paradoxes 2) vigilance in the challenging context: management of caring in a technological environment 3) behind the wires: management of communication in a technological environment; and 4) toward culmination: promoting the quality of technological care. The constitutional pattern which relate the relational themes was interpreted as “flying intelligently, with the wings of science and art, over the foggy sky” which was representative of the lived experiences of critical care nurses of caring in technological environment. Conclusion: Caring in an intensive environment is a holistic process which needs nurses’ vigilance regarding all aspects of patients’ needs and striving to meet them, while at the same time, being competent and expert in working with advanced technical tools.
Barriers to Implementation of Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs in Ohio

Background Nationally, overdose fatalities have reached epidemic proportions. Ohio has one of the highest overdose death rates in the country, as well as high rates of prescription opioid trafficking. Methods A cross-sectional self-report survey of opioid overdose prevention programs (OOPPs) in Ohio was conducted between August and October 2014 to characterize programs and ascertain barriers to successful implementation. A 91% response rate was achieved with 18 programs participating in the study. Results The first Ohio OOPP opened in August 2012, a second program opened in 2013, and the remaining programs began in 2014. All of the programs distribute nasal naloxone and provide overdose prevention education, and 89% (n = 16) provide overdose kits for free. Six OOPPs are funded by the Ohio Department of Health, 3 programs are funded by a local health foundation, and several other public and private funding sources were reported. The OOPPs have funding to distribute a combined total of 8,670 overdose kits and had distributed 1998 kits by October 2014. The OOPPs reported 149 overdose reversals. Fifteen programs (83%) reported implementation barriers that were categorized as stigma-, cost-, staffing-, legal, regulatory, and client-related problems. Legislative changes aimed at removing some of the obstacles to distribution and lay administration of naloxone have recently been enacted in Ohio. Conclusions OOPPs have rapidly expanded in Ohio during the past 3 years. Although recent legislative changes have addressed some of the reported implementation barriers, stigma and the cost of naloxone remain significant problems.
Recent trends in the low-flow variability in Romania

– Recent trends in the low-flow variability in Romania In the context of climate changes, knowing the low-flow trends is very important for establishing appropriate measures for water resources management, in order to ensure their sustainability. This paper focuses on Romanian rivers and aims to identify the recent trends (during the period 1980-2013) in the low-flow variability. The analysis is based on discharges data series (daily and monthly) recorded at 54 gauging stations, with a quasi-natural flow regime. The significance of trends for annual, monthly and seasonal low-flow in the analyzed period has been established using the nonparametric Mann-Kendall test. The variability of the lowest annual values of the mean daily and monthly discharges showed positive trends at gauging stations located mainly in the Carpathian area, while negative trends were found in lowland regions (plains and tablelands). During the winter there were identified positive low-flow trends, while negative trends were found in summer and spring. Increases in the minimum monthly flow were particularly evident in February, March and December, and negative trends were identified especially in the summer (July, June and August) and the autumn months (September and October).
Percutaneous balloon versus surgical closed and open mitral commissurotomy: seven-year follow-up results of a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy (BMC) has been proposed as an alternative to surgical closed mitral commissurotomy (CMC) and open mitral commissurotomy (OMC) for the management of rheumatic mitral valve stenosis (MS). METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a prospective, randomized trial comparing the results of the 3 procedures in 90 patients (30 patients in each group) with severe pliable MS. Cardiac catheterization was performed in all patients before and at 6 months after each procedure. All patients had clinical and echocardiographic evaluation initially and throughout the 7-year follow-up period. Gorlin mitral valve area (MVA) increased much more after BMC (from 0.9+/-0.16 to 2.2+/-0.4 cm2) and OMC (from 0.9+/-0.2 to 2.2+/-0.4 cm2) than after CMC (from 0.9+/-0.2 to 1.6+/-0.4 cm2). Residual MS (MVA <1.5 cm2) was 0% after BMC or OMC and 27% after CMC. There was no early or late mortality or thromboembolism among the three groups. At 7-year follow-up, echocardiographic MVA was similar and greater after BMC and OMC (1.8+/-0.4 cm2) than after CMC (1.3+/-0.3 cm2; P<.00l). Restenosis (MVA <1.5 cm2) rate was 6.6% after BMC or OMC versus 37% after CMC. Residual atrial septal defect was present in 2 patients and severe grade 3 mitral regurgitation was present in 1 patient in the BMC group. Eighty-seven percent of patients after BMC and 90% of patients after OMC were in New York Heart Association functional class I versus 33% (P<.0001) after CMC. Freedom from reintervention was 90% after BMC, 93% after OMC, and 50% after CMC. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to surgical CMC, BMC and OMC produce excellent and comparable early hemodynamic improvement and are associated with a lower rate of residual stenosis and restenosis and need for reintervention. However, the good results, lower cost, and elimination of drawbacks of thoracotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass indicate that BMC should be the treatment of choice for patients with tight pliable rheumatic MS.
Niche Product Retrieval in Top-N Recommendation

A challenge for personalised recommender systems is to target products in the long tail. That is, to recommend products that the end-user likes, but that are not generally popular. To achieve this goal, in this paper we propose two strategies to identify relevant but niche products. The first strategy computes an inverse item popularity and applies it during the steps of top-N recommendation. Given a prior probability distribution of relevance based on item popularity, and a user-specific relevance probability, the other strategy uses a number of scores based on distance measures between these two distributions. We emphasize that the problem is to recommend relevant items from the user's broader range of tastes. Hence, in evaluation a concentration index is calculated to measure the extent to which the recommendation is spread to the user's niche tastes in conjunction with the standard precision metric which measures the overall relevance of the recommended set. The methods are evaluated empirically using the Movielens dataset and show a strong performance in niche item retrieval at the cost of a small reduction in precision.
New criteria for the differentiation between transudates and exudates.

AIMS To investigate whether cholesterol and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurements in fluids are more sensitive and specific markers for differentiating between exudates and transudates, as confirmed clinically, than the measurement of fluid total protein concentrations alone. PATIENTS/METHODS Serum, pleural fluid, and ascitic fluid from 61 unselected patients were analysed retrospectively for LDH, cholesterol, and total protein. Clinical classification of transudate or exudate was reached independently by reviewing clinical details and laboratory data. RESULTS Of 54 samples (40 pleural fluid and 14 ascitic fluid), 30 were classified clinically as exudates and 24 as transudates. Fluid LDH and fluid to serum protein ratio measurements were equally good at differentiating between exudates and transudates, with a sensitivity of 90%, a specificity of 79%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 84%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 86%. A combination of these parameters improved sensitivity to 100% and NPV to 100%, but lowered the specificity to 71% and PPV to 81%. This combination achieved a higher efficiency than Light's criteria. CONCLUSION Routine measurement of fluid LDH values and the calculation of fluid to serum total protein ratios will aid in differentiating exudates from transudates.