Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity of Hydroethanolic Extract from Jacaranda decurrens Leaves

Background and Purpose Leaves of Jacaranda decurrens are used in traditional Brazilian medicine to treat metabolic diseases related to increased reactive oxygen species. The present study evaluated the antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of hydroethanolic extract from the leaves of Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata. Experimental Approach Phenolic compounds, flavonoids and saponins were evaluated in an ethanol∶water (80∶20, v/v) extract from the leaves of Jacaranda decurrens subsp. symmetrifoliolata (E-Jds). The antioxidant activity of E-Jds was investigated by assessing the following: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity; protection against 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced hemolysis of erythrocytes; in vitro and in vivo malondialdehyde dosage; and the ability to activate antioxidant enzymes. K562 leukemia cells were used for the cytotoxic evaluation of E-Jds and for the assessment of the cell death profile through flow cytometry. Key Results Phenolic and flavonoid compounds were quantified as 14.38% and 2.15%, respectively, of E-Jds. These phenolic and flavonoid compounds proved to be able to scavenge DPPH free radicals with an IC50 of 9.3±3.3 µg/mL, to protect up to 50% of erythrocytes against AAPH-induced hemolysis and to reduce in vitro and in vivo malondialdehyde levels up to 84% and 22%, respectively. E-Jds also increased glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity, with a concomitant decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, and exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic activity on K562 erythroleukemia cells with cell death occurring via both late apoptosis and necrosis. Conclusions E-Jds exhibits in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential, which may be the mechanism mediating the metabolic activities reported in folk medicine. Furthermore, the cytotoxic activity identified in this study contributes with the knowledge of antiproliferative activities that have been described in the literature for the genus Jacaranda.
Politicking Online: The Transformation of Election Campaign Communications

Of the many groundbreaking developments in the 2008 presidential election, the most important may well be the use of the Internet. In Politicking Online contributors explorethe impact of technology for electioneering purposes, from running campaigns andincreasing representation to ultimately strengthening democracy. The book reveals how social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook are used in campaigns along withe-mail, SMS text messaging, and mobile phones to help inform, target, mobilize, and communicate with voters.While the Internet may have transformed the landscape of modern political campaigns throughout the world, Costas Panagopoulos reminds readers that officials and campaign workers need to adapt to changing circumstances, know the limits of their methods, and combine new technologies with more traditional techniques to achieve an overall balance.
Peripheral markers of brain damage and blood-brain barrier dysfunction.

PURPOSE Occurrence of brain damage is frequently associated with abnormal blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Two brain-specific proteins, S100beta and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) are released systemically in a variety of neurological diseases, but S100beta levels sometimes rise in the absence of neuronal damage, suggesting that S100beta is a marker of BBB rather than neuronal damage. METHODS We measured both proteins in the serum of patients undergoing iatrogenic BBB disruption with intrarterial mannitol, followed by chemotherapy. RESULTS Serum S100beta increased significantly after mannitol infusion (p<0.05) while NSE did not. Furthermore, in a model of intracerebral hemorrhage, S100beta increases in CSF did not lead to serum changes at a time when the BBB was intact. Modeling of S100beta release from the CNS suggested that low (<0.34 ng/ml) serum levels of S100beta are consistent with BBB opening without CNS damage, while larger increases imply synthesis and release from presumable damaged glia. CONCLUSIONS Thus, S100beta in serum is an early marker of BBB openings that may precede neuronal damage and may influence therapeutic strategies. Secondary, massive elevations in S100beta are indicators of prior brain damage and bear clinical significance as predictors of poor outcome or diagnostic means to differentiate extensive damage from minor, transient impairment.
Stage at Diagnosis and Delay in Seeking Medical Care Among Women With Breast Cancer, Delhi, India

Background: Patients with cancer often delay seeking medical advice in developing countries. It can adversely influence the outcome of disease. Objectives: The present study was performed to determine the stage at diagnosis and delay in seeking medical care among women with breast cancer in Delhi, India. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on a census (case series) approach to reach all women (172) diagnosed with primary breast cancer “detected in surgery Out Patient Department (OPD) from January 2007 to December 2009” at Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi, India. Patients were interviewed using a self-structure questionnaire. Seeking behavior variables were awareness of problem, first consultation, followed physician's advice, detection of problem, system of medicine and gap between knowing the problem and consultation (patient delay). Statistical Analysis was performed using the Microsoft SPSS-pc version 14.0 statistical program. The analytic methods were used (mean, standard deviation, X2, Fisher's Exact Test, K-S, Kruskal-Wallis) for variables. All statistical tests were performed at a significance level of 5% (P < 0.05). Results: the mean age of women was 46.99 years. 38.4% of women were ≤ 40 years. 61% of women were in stage IV of cancer at the time of diagnosis. The mean duration of gap between knowing the problem and consulting a physician (patients delay) was 10.90 months. There was no significant association between stage of cancer and consultation gap. A significant association was found between the stage of breast cancer and income; women with lower income had a higher stage of breast cancer (P < 005). Conclusions: A significant association was found between ages of women with their delays in consultation. Delay is still prevalent amongst women with breast cancer. It seems necessary to design educating programs for women in both clinical and community settings, about breast cancer and early detection practices.
An internet-of-things system architecture based on services and events

Most modern building automation systems use closed, proprietary networking protocols and control systems. They are difficult to program, do not respond well to component failures, and are not easily expandable. This paper proposes an open system architecture based on modern networking middleware and service Oriented Architectures. An Event-Condition-Action framework for describing system behaviour is also proposed and explored.
Early childhood sexual abuse increases suicidal intent

Childhood sexual abuse has been consistently associated with suicidal behavior. We studied suicide attempt features in depressed individuals sexually abused as children. On average, sexual abuse started before age 9. It frequently coexisted with physical abuse. Suicide attempters more often had personality disorders and had endured abuse for longer, but did not differ in terms of other clinical characteristics from non‐attempters. Earlier onset of sexual abuse and its duration were associated with more suicide attempts. However, when personality disorders were included in the regression model, only these disorders predicted number of attempts. The severity of sexual abuse and the coexistence of physical abuse were correlated with age at first suicide attempt. However, only severity of sexual abuse was marginally associated with age at first suicide attempt in the regression model. Finally, the earlier the age of onset of sexual abuse, the higher the intent, even after controlling for age, sex and personality disorders. This suggests that the characteristics of childhood sexual abuse, especially age of onset, should be considered when studying the risk for suicidal behavior in abused populations.
GEOGRAPHICAL AND INDUSTRY DIFFERENCES ON REMUNERATION GAP-ENHANCED LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY LEVELS IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY: SOUTH AFRICA AS A CASE STUDY

The aim of the article was to determine the geographic and industry differences for employee-remuneration gap-enhanced labour productivity levels in a developing economy. The Winter-Ebmer and Zweimuller model was used to estimate the signs and magnitudes of the employee-remuneration gap-enhanced labour productivity levels for the different industries in the different geographical areas. The estimation results for all three industries indicated a significant difference between the higher gross geographical product (GGP) provinces and the lower GGP provinces in terms of the employee-remuneration gap-enhanced labour productivity indicator coefficients (ERGLP indicator coefficients). The negative sign of the ERGLP indicator coefficients for the industries of some of the lower GGP provinces relates to the non-existence of any possible positive labour productivity effects that might stem from employee-remuneration gaps. The introduction of business uncertainty resulted in smaller ERGLP indicator coefficients across all industries and geographical areas. The impact was much more severe in the case of the lower GGP provinces
Assessing the Effects of Military Expenditure on Growth

Military spending is an expenditure by governments that has influence beyond the resources it takes up, especially when it leads to or facilitates conflicts. This chapter provides an overview of the issues involved in analysing the effects of military spending on growth. It considers the alternative general economic theories that inform the development of models to undertake empirical analyses, and estimation issues in undertaking those analyses. The Feder-Ram model, the modified Solow and the endogenous growth models, are discussed in detail, before being estimated to illustrate the issues involved in estimating the models and to compare their performance.
The Impact of Analyst Following on Stock Prices and the Implications for Firms' Disclosure Policies

This paper shows that there is a positive relation between the number of analysts following a firm and the firm's expected share price. This relation is a direct consequence of market participants' inability to observe the number of informed traders in the market. It is further shown that a firm's manager can have an impact on analyst following by varying the precision of the private information analysts obtain about the firm. In equilibrium, the manager will choose a precision level greater than that which maximizes analyst following, but, in many cases, less than its largest possible value.
The Effect of the Hemochromatosis (HFE) Genotype on Lead Load and Iron Metabolism among Lead Smelter Workers

Background Both an excess of toxic lead (Pb) and an essential iron disorder have been implicated in many diseases and public health problems. Iron metabolism genes, such as the hemochromatosis (HFE) gene, have been reported to be modifiers for lead absorption and storage. However, the HFE gene studies among the Asian population with occupationally high lead exposure are lacking. Objectives To explore the modifying effects of the HFE genotype (wild-type, H63D variant and C282Y variant) on the Pb load and iron metabolism among Asian Pb-workers with high occupational exposure. Methods Seven hundred and seventy-one employees from a lead smelter manufacturing company were tested to determine their Pb intoxication parameters, iron metabolic indexes and identify the HFE genotype. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results Forty-five H63D variant carriers and no C282Y variant carrier were found among the 771 subjects. Compared with subjects with the wild-type genotype, H63D variant carriers had higher blood lead levels, even after controlling for factors such as age, sex, marriage, education, smoking and lead exposure levels. Multivariate analyses also showed that the H63D genotype modifies the associations between the blood lead levels and the body iron burden/transferrin. Conclusions No C282Y variant was found in this Asian population. The H63D genotype modified the association between the lead and iron metabolism such that increased blood lead is associated with a higher body iron content or a lower transferrin in the H63D variant. It is indicated that H63D variant carriers may be a potentially highly vulnerable sub-population if they are exposed to high lead levels occupationally.
A case study of Troika short-term study abroad program model in community colleges

This case study examined the phenomenon, through a basic interpretive approach, of 13 students who participated in a short-term study abroad program at a community college. Participants shared experiences from their programs that provided meaning to their lives and how that meaning has shaped their life socially, academically, professionally, and personally. The goal of the study was to describe their experiences of community college students who participate in a short-term study abroad program, describe how a short-term study abroad program at a community college impacts a student’s life, understand how short-term study abroad programs in community colleges are moving toward the outcomes of long-term programs, and determine the impact this study will have on senior level administrators from Community Colleges for International Development and other government agencies affiliated with study abroad programs. Data were collected from 13 participants via interviews, travel journals, trip reports, and photographs taken while the students were studying abroad. The themes identified in the data were: International experiences encourage participants to study abroad; student perception of faculty leading the study abroad program is key to study abroad participation; expanded worldview through human interaction; studying abroad produces a desire to travel internationally; participants earn intellectual, social, professional, and personal capital as a result of studying abroad. These themes suggest that short-term study abroad programs that use the Troika model produced a significant impact on students who participate in them.
The Global Effects of U.S. Fiscal Policy

The author examines the global impact of U.S. fiscal policy using the Bank of Canada's Global Economy Model (Lalonde and Muir 2007). In particular, she examines the global macroeconomic implications of the expiration of major tax cuts in the United States and of expected increases in U.S. entitlement program expenditures. The results of her analysis suggest that the expiration of previously enacted tax cuts in the United States will impose short-run costs on the U.S. economy. However, the rest of the world will benefit from an associated decline in the world real interest rate and from a redistribution of wealth linked to a partial reversal of global current account imbalances as U.S. government debt declines. The author's analysis of the expected increase in U.S. entitlement program expenditures, financed through debt, suggests that entitlement program expenditures will crowd out economic growth in the United States and the rest of the world.
PLANETARY CANDIDATES OBSERVED BY KEPLER. III. ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST 16 MONTHS OF DATA

New transiting planet candidates are identified in 16 months (2009 May–2010 September) of data from the Kepler spacecraft. Nearly 5000 periodic transit-like signals are vetted against astrophysical and instrumental false positives yielding 1108 viable new planet candidates, bringing the total count up to over 2300. Improved vetting metrics are employed, contributing to higher catalog reliability. Most notable is the noise-weighted robust averaging of multi-quarter photo-center offsets derived from difference image analysis that identifies likely background eclipsing binaries. Twenty-two months of photometry are used for the purpose of characterizing each of the candidates. Ephemerides (transit epoch, T0, and orbital period, P) are tabulated as well as the products of light curve modeling: reduced radius (RP/R⋆), reduced semimajor axis (d/R⋆), and impact parameter (b). The largest fractional increases are seen for the smallest planet candidates (201% for candidates smaller than 2 R⊕ compared to 53% for candidates larger than 2 R⊕) and those at longer orbital periods (124% for candidates outside of 50 day orbits versus 86% for candidates inside of 50 day orbits). The gains are larger than expected from increasing the observing window from 13 months (Quarters 1–5) to 16 months (Quarters 1–6) even in regions of parameter space where one would have expected the previous catalogs to be complete. Analyses of planet frequencies based on previous catalogs will be affected by such incompleteness. The fraction of all planet candidate host stars with multiple candidates has grown from 17% to 20%, and the paucity of short-period giant planets in multiple systems is still evident. The progression toward smaller planets at longer orbital periods with each new catalog release suggests that Earth-size planets in the habitable zone are forthcoming if, indeed, such planets are abundant.
Planning Education in and After Emergencies. Fundamentals of Educational Planning.

Cooperation Agency (Sida) has provided financial assistance for the publication of this bookle The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has provided financial assistance for the publication of this series. 54. Functional analysis (management audits) of the organization of ministries of education, R. Sack and M. Saïdi 55. Reducing repetition: issues and strategies, Thomas Owen Eisemon 56. Increasing girls and women's participation in basic education, Nelly P. Stromquist 57. Physical facilities for education: what planners need to know, John Beynon 58. Planning learner-centred adult literacy programmes, Susan E. Malone and Robert F. Arnove 59. Training teachers to work in schools considered difficult, Jean-Louis Auduc 60. Evaluating higher education, Jeanne Lamoure Rontopoulou 61. The shadow education system: private tutoring and its implication for planners, Mark Bray 62. School-based management, Ibtisam Abu-Duhou 63. Globalization and educational reform: what planners need to know, Martin Carnoy 64. Decentralization of education: why, when, what and how? , N. McGinn and T. Welsh 65. Early childhood education: need and opportunity, D. Weikart 66. Planning for education in the context of HIV/AIDS, Michael J. Kelly 67. Legal aspects of educational planning and administration, Claude Durand-Prinborgne 68. Improving school effectiveness, Jaap Scheerens 69. Reviewing quantitative research to inform policy processes, Steven J. Hite 70. National strategies for e-learning in post-secondary education and training, Tony Bates 71. Using assessment to improve the quality of education, Thomas Kellaghan, Vincent Greaney 72. Demographic aspects of educational planning, Ta-Ngoc Châu * Also published in French. Other titles to appear. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has provided financial assistance for the publication of this series. The booklets in this series are written primarily for two types of clientele: those engaged in educational planning and administration, in developing as well as developed countries; and others, less specialized, such as senior government officials and policy-makers who seek a more general understanding of educational planning and of how it is related to overall national development. They are intended to be of use either for private study or in formal training programmes. Since this series was launched in 1967 practices and concepts of educational planning have undergone substantial change. Many of the assumptions which underlay earlier attempts to rationalize the process of educational development have been criticized or abandoned. Even if rigid mandatory centralized planning has now clearly proven to be inappropriate, this does not mean that all forms of planning have been dispensed with. On …
Inflation Derivatives Under Inflation Target Regimes

Inflation targeting -- the central bank practice of attempting to keep inflation levels within fixed bounds around a quantitative target -- has been adopted by more than twenty economies. Such practice has an important impact on the stochastic nature of inflation and, consequently, on the pricing of inflation derivatives. We develop a flexible model of inflation targeting in which the central bank's intervention to steer inflation towards the target depends on past deviations and the policymaker's ability or will to enforce the target. We use our model to price inflation derivatives and demonstrate the impact of inflation targeting on derivative pricing.
An Orthopedic-, Surgical-, and Epidemiological-Based Investigation of Leprosy, in the Tamil Nadu State of India

No other research paper has ever been written about leprosy in this manner. The orthopedic and surgical implications, as well as the functional debility caused by the disease, have not been previously explained by past research as they have in such a comprehensive manner in this paper. The results of this study have regional and global implications as they pertain to disease pathology, risk factor recognition/disease prevention, and treatment. This paper is a unique, in that it also serves as a combination of a review of the current medical literature, as well as an epidemiological survey of the disease in a region of the world which has never been researched in the past. Clinical data points to the possibility of a new strain of the disease. This information is of significance because it effects prevention and improved treatment of the disease, which leads to devastating sequela. This was a cross-sectional study involving subjects diagnosed with leprosy in the Chengalpet region of the Kancheepuram District, of the Tamil Nadu state of India. The study was performed at the Tamil Nadu Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center. This study included various physical examinations, observation and survey of lesions, questionnaires in regard the debilitating orthopedic and medical effects of the disease, as well as treatment options.
Architectural Knowledge: The Idea of a Profession

Part1: 1945 - 1979 The discipline of architecture Ideology and methodology in a planned economy. Architects and the social sciences. Petrified typologies. Office design and organizations. Buildings that never lie. Systems thinking. Burolandschaft 58-78. Part 2: 1979-1991 The practice of architecture. The profession in the marketplace. Office buildings and society. Organizations, buildings and information technology. Changing role of the architect. Responding to change. A case for more collaboration. Architectural practice. The professional in the built environment. Part3: 1992 - 1997 The profession of architecture. Partnership in an intelligent market. Knowledge - defining the professional. Fighting deregulation. Keeping faith with our professional concerns. Liberalizing professional services. The way forward. Index.