Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aminoglycoside research 1975-1985: prospects for development of improved agents

Following the synthesis of amikacin and the discovery of its unique properties in 1972 (16, 36), there were high expectations that even more potent and broader-spectrum aminoglycosides (AGs) could be synthesized or identified in soil-organism screens. Consequently, existing research programs were scaled up, and some new ones were initiated. Such efforts were surely justified, because AGs had proven over the preceding decade to be the principal weapon in the armamentarium available for the treatment of seriously ill patients. This key role evolved because, as a class, AGs possess many of the properties considered by infectious disease specialists to be inherently associated with an ideal antibacterial agent. Prominent among their desirable characteristics are (i) potent activity against gram-negative bacilli, (ii) inhibitory action that is relatively unaffected by a large bacterial inoculum, (iii) rapid and essentially complete bactericidal activity, (iv) predictable and dose-proportionate pharmacokinetics, and (v) ability to interact synergistically with beta-lactam and other cell-wall-active antibiotics. If these were the only properties possessed by AGs, the extent of their usage might have been even greater than has been the case. Unfortunately, all of them also possess the following characteristics: (i) weak activity against grampositive organisms, (ii) little or no activity against isolates the produce certain AG-modifying enzymes or that have an AG transport system that is impaired or absent, and (iii) an inherent potential to cause ototoxicity or nephrotoxicity, usually in a small percentage of those patients considered to be at risk due to suboptimal renal function. Nevertheless, because this potential has reduced the extent of AG usage, researchers have given high priority to finding safer members of the class. In this minireview, the results of the last 10 years of AG research are reviewed to ascertain whether there is a likelihood that superior AG derivatives will reach the marketplace and to consider the extent to which AG antibiotics will be used in the future. (Part of this work was presented at the 25th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Minneapolis, Minn., 29 September to 2 October 1985.)
Local PWV and Other Hemodynamic Parameters Assessment - Validation of a New Optical Technique in an Healthy Population

Presently the interest in non-invasive devices for monitoring the cardiovascular system has increased in importance, especially in the diagnosis of some pathologies. The proposed optical device reveals an attractive instrumental solution for local pulse wave velocity (PWV) assessment and other hemodynamic parameters analysis, such as Augmentation Index (AIx), Subendocardial Viability Ratio (SEVR), Maximum Rate of Pressure Change (dP/dtmax) and Ejection Time Index (ETI). These parameters allow a better knowledge on the cardiovascular condition and management of many disease states. Two studies were performed in order to validate this technology. Firstly, a comparative test between the optical system and a gold-standard in PWV assessment was carried out. Afterwards, a large study was performed in 131 young subjects to establish carotid PWV reference values as well as other hemodynamic parameters and to find correlations between these and the population characteristics. The results allowed the use of this new technique as a reliable method to determine these parameters. For the total of subjects values for carotid PWV vary between 3-7.69 m s a clear correlation with age and smoking status was found out. The Aix varies between -6.15% and 11.46% and exhibit a negative correlation with heart, and dP/dtmax parameter shows a significant decrease with age.
Multiple description video transcoding with temporal drift control

This paper proposes a multiple description (MD) transcoding scheme capable of preventing drift by distortion accumulation in temporally predicted motion compensated slices. Drift compensation is achieved by generating a controlled amount of side information to be used for decoding whenever a description fails to reach the end user terminal. The side information is generated by re-encoding the transcoding residue with an independent quantisation parameter which also controls redundancy. A simplified architecture is devised to reduce transcoding complexity in regard to the number of processing functions and buffer requirements. The experimental results show that temporally predicted frames do not suffer from drift and their quality is significantly improved at reduced redundancy cost in comparison with a classic MD transcoding scheme.
The Neural Basis of Inhibition in Cognitive Control

The concept of “inhibition” is widely used in synaptic, circuit, and systems neuroscience, where it has a clear meaning because it is clearly observable. The concept is also ubiquitous in psychology. One common use is to connote an active/willed process underlying cognitive control. Many authors claim that subjects execute cognitive control over unwanted stimuli, task sets, responses, memories, and emotions by inhibiting them, and that frontal lobe damage induces distractibility, impulsivity, and perseveration because of damage to an inhibitory mechanism. However, with the exception of the motor domain, the notion of an active inhibitory process underlying cognitive control has been heavily challenged. Alternative explanations have been provided that explain cognitive control without recourse to inhibition as concept, mechanism, or theory. This article examines the role that neuroscience can play when examining whether the psychological concept of active inhibition can be meaningfully applied in cognitive control research. NEUROSCIENTIST 13(3):214—228, 2007.
Implementation of evidence into practice: complex, multi-faceted and multi-layered.

During the last two decades, academics, healthcare providers and funders, policy makers and those who access our health services have acknowledged the need to ensure healthcare organizations, systems and practices are evidence-based. Drivers for evidence-based practice quite rightly highlight that implementation of care which is clinically and cost effective could reduce variation in healthcare outcomes, make better use of finite healthcare resources, and support healthcare systems in which clinicians and patients reach shareddecisions about management informed by best evidence.
Attenuation in the evolution of experimental spinal cord trauma by treatment with melatonin

Abstract: Melatonin is the principal secretory product of the pineal gland and its role as an immumo‐modulator is well established. Recent evidence shows that melatonin is a scavenger of oxyradicals and peroxynitrite and exerts protective effects in septic shock, hemorrhagic shock and inflammation. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of melatonin treatment, in a model of spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI was induced by the application of vascular clips (force of 50 g) to the dura via a four‐level T5‐T8 laminectomy. SCI in rats resulted in severe trauma characterized by edema, neutrophil infiltration and apoptosis (measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end‐labeling staining). Infiltration of spinal cord tissue with neutrophils (measured as increase in myeloperoxidase activity) was associated with enhanced lipid peroxidation (increased tissue levels of malondialdehyde). Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated a marked increase in immunoreactivity for nitrotyrosine and Poly(ADP‐ribose) (PAR) in the spinal cord tissue. In contrast, the degree of (a) spinal cord inflammation and tissue injury (histological score), (b) nitrotyrosine and PAR formation, (c) neutrophils infiltration and (d) apoptosis was markedly reduced in spinal cord tissue obtained from rats treated with melatonin (50 mg/kg i.p., 30 min before SCI, 30 min, 6 hr, 12 hr and 24 hr after SCI). In a separate set of experiment we have clearly demonstrated that melatonin treatment significantly ameliorated the recovery of limb function (evaluated by motor recovery score). Taken together, our results demonstrate that treatment with melatonin reduces the development of inflammation and tissue injury events associated with spinal cord trauma.
Muscle damage and systemic inflammation Systemic inflammatory responses to maximal versus submaximal lengthening contractions of the elbow flexors . Muscle damage and systemic inflammation

We compared changes in markers of muscle damage and systemic inflammation after submaximal and maximal lengthening muscle contractions of the elbow flexors. Using a cross-over design, 10 healthy young men not involved in resistance training completed a submaximal trial (10 sets of 60 lengthening contractions at 10 % maximum isometric strength, 1 min rest between sets), followed by a maximal trial (10 sets of three lengthening contractions at 100 % maximum isometric strength, 3 min rest between sets). Lengthening contractions were performed on an isokinetic dynamometer. Opposite arms were used for the submaximal and maximal trials, and the trials were separated by a minimum of two weeks. Blood was sampled before, immediately after, 1 h, 3 h, and 1-4 d after each trial. Total leukocyte and neutrophil numbers, and the serum concentration of soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 1 were elevated after both trials (Ρ<0.01), but there were no differences between the trials. Serum IL-6 concentration was elevated 3 h after the submaximal contractions (Ρ<0.01). The concentrations of serum tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-10, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and plasma C-reactive protein remained unchanged following both trials. Maximum isometric strength and range of motion decreased significantly (Ρ<0.001) after both trials, and were lower from 1–4 days after the maximal contractions compared to the submaximal contractions. Plasma myoglobin concentration and creatine kinase activity, muscle soreness and upper arm circumference all increased after both trials (Ρ<0.01), but were not significantly different between the trials. Therefore, there were no differences in markers of systemic Address Correspondence to: Jonathan Peake, School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Tel: +61 7 3365-3401, Fax: +61 7 3365-6877, E-mail: jpeake@hms.uq. edu.au inflammation, despite evidence of greater muscle damage following maximal versus submaximal lengthening contractions of the elbow flexors. (Exerc. Immunol. Rev. 12, 2006: 72-85)
Climatological determinants of woody cover in Africa

Determining the factors that influence the distribution of woody vegetation cover and resolving the sensitivity of woody vegetation cover to shifts in environmental forcing are critical steps necessary to predict continental-scale responses of dryland ecosystems to climate change. We use a 6-year satellite data record of fractional woody vegetation cover and an 11-year daily precipitation record to investigate the climatological controls on woody vegetation cover across the African continent. We find that—as opposed to a relationship with only mean annual rainfall—the upper limit of fractional woody vegetation cover is strongly influenced by both the quantity and intensity of rainfall events. Using a set of statistics derived from the seasonal distribution of rainfall, we show that areas with similar seasonal rainfall totals have higher fractional woody cover if the local rainfall climatology consists of frequent, less intense precipitation events. Based on these observations, we develop a generalized response surface between rainfall climatology and maximum woody vegetation cover across the African continent. The normalized local gradient of this response surface is used as an estimator of ecosystem vegetation sensitivity to climatological variation. A comparison between predicted climate sensitivity patterns and observed shifts in both rainfall and vegetation during 2009 reveals both the importance of rainfall climatology in governing how ecosystems respond to interannual fluctuations in climate and the utility of our framework as a means to forecast continental-scale patterns of vegetation shifts in response to future climate change.
Application of Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) based short term load forecasting in South African power networks

Accurate short term load forecasting (STLF) is a prerequisite for proper generation scheduling and reliable operation of power utilities. Conventional methods of STLF, suffer from the disadvantages such as lack of ability to accurately model the weather parameters affecting the load, lack of robustness for representing weekends and public holidays and of being computation intensive. Application of intelligent techniques like the Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) which combines the low-level computation power of neural networks with the high-level reasoning capability of a fuzzy inference systems, helps to alleviate these problems by defining the STLF problem with linguistic variables from historical load data. This paper reports on the development and application of ANFIS-based STLF model for South African power networks considering temperature and humidity as the main weather parameters affecting the load. The model is tested and validated with real time load data obtained from South African networks.
Periodontal Breakdown in the Dmp1 Null Mouse Model of Hypophosphatemic Rickets

Dentin Matrix Protein 1 (DMP1) is highly expressed in alveolar bone and cementum, which are important components of the periodontium. Therefore, we hypothesized that Dmp1 is critical for the integrity of the periodontium, and that deletion may lead to increased susceptibility to disease. An early-onset periodontal defect was observed in the Dmp1 null mouse, a mouse model of hypophosphatemic rickets. The alveolar bone is porous, with increased proteoglycan expression. The cementum is also defective, as characterized by irregular, punctate fluorochrome labeling and elevated proteoglycan. The osteocyte and cementocyte lacuno-canalicular system of both alveolar bone and cementum is abnormal, with irregular lacunar walls and fewer canaliculi. As a consequence, there is significant interproximal alveolar bone loss, combined with detachment between the periodontal ligament (PDL) and cementum. We propose that defective alveolar bone and cementum may account for the periodontal breakdown and increased susceptibility to bacterial infection in Dmp1 null mice.
Geodynamics of collision and collapse at the Africa–Arabia–Eurasia subduction zone – an introduction

DOUWE J. J. VAN HINSBERGEN1*, MICHAEL A. EDWARDS2 & ROB GOVERS3 Paleomagnetic Laboratory ‘Fort Hoofddijk’, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 17, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands Structural Processes Group, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, Vienna A-1090, Austria Tectonophysics Group, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands
ASSESSMENT OF ADVERTISING EFFECTIVENESS : A SCALE VALIDATION EXERCISE

The purpose of this research is to construct a scale to assess the efficacy of advertising effectiveness in Indian market. There is a shortage of marketing scales in India and the scales developed in other countries are not necessarily appropriate for use in India. Advertising effectiveness is a strategy by which advertisers gain their stated advertising objectives. This research closely follows the procedure for developing better measure given by Churchill (1979). Psychometrics of the scale is tested with the help of data collected over two rounds of data collection. Drawing on previous literature a seventeen item scale is constructed at pilot study. After checking the various psychometrics of the scale, the scale is reduced to thirteen items for the final study. The analytical tools used are cronbach alpha, item to total correlation and exploratory factor analysis. This scale has the desirable reliability and validity properties. Thus, this scale could be used by the aspiring researchers.
Oxidative stress and anti-oxidant status in diabetic rat liver: Effect of plant polyphenols

Increased evidence in role of oxidative stress and grape seed extract (GSE) in diabetes and its complication led us to investigate the changes of oxidative stress and anti-oxidant defence in liver tissue of diabetic rats and possible effects of GSE. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Seven days after STZ injection four groups were formed: Control, GSE-supplemented control, diabetic and GSE-supplemented diabetic and GSE was given for 6 weeks. Malondialdehyde levels and xanthine oxidase activities were not different among the groups. However, nitric oxide (NO) levels were higher in diabetic and GSE supplemented groups compared with non-diabetic and non-supplemented groups, respectively. Total anti-oxidant activity (TAA) was lower in diabetic groups compared with their non-diabetic controls and it was not affected by GSE. In conclusion, GSE supplementation has limited protective effect in liver tissue of diabetic rats via affecting NO levels and was not affecting TAA.
Anthocyanin phytochemical profiles and anti-oxidant activities of Vitis candicans and Vitis doaniana.

INTRODUCTION Grapes are one of the most important fruit crops in the world. The quality of red grape berries greatly depends on skin colour, mainly due to the anthocyanin profile. Today, the American Vitis species have the greatest potential for breeding work. They have multiple resistance properties in comparison with Vitis vinifera but little is known about their anthocyanin content. OBJECTIVE To determine the anti-oxidant properties and anthocyanin profile of two American species, Vitis candicans and Vitis doaniana, by using LC-MS(n) and LC-NMR. METHODS Grape extracts were prepared by extraction of berry skins with acidified methanol. The complete structure elucidation of the individual anthocyanins was performed with LC-MS(n) , LC-NMR and NMR experiments. Individual anthocyanins in the extracts were quantified by using malvidin glucoside as external standard. The anti-oxidant activities of grape skin extracts were evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radical scavenging and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. RESULTS By using LC-MS(n) and LC-NMR experiments, 30 anthocyanins were identified and quantified in the two Vitis species, including two new cis-p-coumaroyl derivatives. Vitis candicans and V. doaniana showed significant differences in their anthocyanin profile. These two Vitis species possess low-to-medium anti-oxidant activities in comparison with V. vinifera. CONCLUSION The profiles of 30 anthocyanins were established unambiguously in two American Vitis species.
Partner Effects of Mexican Cultural Values: The Couple and Parenting Relationships

In this investigation, the authors explored the impact of individuals' cultural values on their partners' relationship adjustment and perceptions of their parenting relationship. The authors examined Mexican cultural values of simpatia (i.e., harmonious interpersonal relationships) and respeto (i.e., respect for authority figures) using a sample of 50 Mexican-origin couples in southern Arizona. Congruent with their hypotheses, results supported the proposition that fathers' simpatia is positively associated with both relationship adjustment and the parenting relationship as reported by mothers, whereas fathers' respeto is negatively associated with both relationship adjustment and the parenting relationship as reported by mothers. However, the authors found little evidence of a contribution of mothers' cultural values to fathers' perceptions of either relationship adjustment or the parenting relationship. They interpret these findings to suggest that mothers' relationship adjustment and parenting relationship are more sensitive to and dependent on fathers' degree of traditional cultural values among Mexican-origin families.
Megalencephaly-capillary malformation polymicrogyria: A review and complex pediatric case report

ABSTRACT Megalencephaly-Capillary Malformation Polymicrogyria (M-CAP) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a spectrum of anomalies including macrocephaly and neurovascular malformations. Although developmental delays have been identified, research is devoid of neuropsychological data. This case report presents the neuropsychological profile of a 7-year-old, identified with M-CAP. Neuropsychological evaluation was completed subsequent to medical diagnosis. Reports from both parents and teachers included cognitive regression; specifically in the recall of learned material, reading, and information sequencing. Direct testing revealed a WISC-IV GAI at <1st percentile, a diverse range of scores across the battery, and a splinter skill strength of average to above on visual memory tests. Performance included below grade level reading and writing, reduced adaptive functioning, and reported executive dysfunction. Her strong visual memory skills were recommended as a medium to enhance learning. Neurocognitive deficits revealed diverse, multisystem and multifocal impairments. The neuropsychological evaluation also showed significant decline from the previous evaluation and prompted a neurologic consult and corrective surgical procedure.
Auxin-Induced Growth Inhibition a Natural Consequence of Two-Point Attachment.

It is characteristic of a great number of biologically active substances that the responses which they elicit are twofold, low concentrations of the material promoting a particular activity, and higher concentrations inhibiting it. This is the case with the auxin-induced growth responses of plants. An active auxin such as indole acetic acid (IAA) brings about and is essential to growth in length of stems, hypocotyls and other plant organs including the Avena coleoptile.
Acid infusion does not affect intraesophageal balloon distention-induced sensory and pain thresholds.

OBJECTIVE We sought to evaluate the potential interaction between acid-sensitive chemoreceptors and pressure-sensitive mechanoreceptors. METHODS Twenty-one normal control subjects underwent esophageal balloon distention with a commercially produced combined-manometry, acid-infusion, balloon-distention catheter. The intraesophageal balloon was localized 10 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter. With a mechanical pump, sensory and pain thresholds were determined by using sequentially increasing balloon volumes (range 0-23 cc, increment 1 cc). A 15-min acid infusion (0.1 N HCl at 6-8 cc/min) or a 0.9 N saline infusion was then applied just proximal to the distending balloon, followed by a second determination of sensory and pain thresholds. The results of the trials before and after acid and placebo were compared. RESULTS All subjects tolerated the procedure. The initial mean volume-to-sensory threshold was 9.1 ml (range 5-16), decreasing to 6.2 (range 4-11) after acid infusion (p < 0.005). The sensory threshold also decreased from 9.8 ml (range 6-16) to 6.8 ml (range 4-14) after saline infusion (p = 0.06). The mean volume-to-pain threshold was 16.0 (range 14-21) before and 15.2 (range 11-23) after acid infusion and 15.8 (range 12-20) before and 14.0 (range 10-20) after saline infusion (NS). CONCLUSION We conclude that infused acid has no effect on pain threshold and has a nonspecific effect on sensory threshold induced by esophageal balloon distention.