Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ginkgo biloba affords dose‐dependent protection against 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced parkinsonism in rats: neurobehavioural, neurochemical and immunohistochemical evidences

Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb), a potent antioxidant and monoamine oxidase B (MAO‐B) inhibitor, was evaluated for its anti‐parkinsonian effects in a 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) rat model of the disease. Rats were treated with 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg EGb for 3 weeks. On day 21, 2 µL 6‐OHDA (10 µg in 0.1% ascorbic acid saline) was injected into the right striatum, while the sham‐operated group received 2 µL of vehicle. Three weeks after 6‐OHDA injection, rats were tested for rotational behaviour, locomotor activity, and muscular coordination. After 6 weeks, they were killed to estimate the generation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) content, to measure activities of glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and to quantify catecholamines, dopamine (DA) D2 receptor binding, and tyrosine hydroxylase‐immunoreactive (TH‐IR) fibre density. The increase in drug‐induced rotations and deficits in locomotor activity and muscular coordination due to 6‐OHDA injections were significantly and dose‐dependently restored by EGb. The lesion was followed by an increased generation of TBARS and significant depletion of GSH content in substantia nigra, which was gradually restored with EGb treatment. EGb also dose‐dependently restored the activities of glutathione‐dependent enzymes, catalase, and SOD in striatum, which had reduced significantly by lesioning. A significant decrease in the level of DA and its metabolites and an increase in the number of dopaminergic D2 receptors in striatum were observed after 6‐OHDA injection, both of which were significantly recovered following EGb treatment. Finally, all of these results were exhibited by an increase in the density of TH‐IR fibers in the ipsilateral substantia nigra of the lesioned group following treatment with EGb; the lesioning had induced almost a complete loss of TH‐IR fibers. Considering our behavioural studies, biochemical analysis, and immunohistochemical observation, we conclude that EGb can be used as a therapeutic approach to check the neuronal loss following parkinsonism.
Financial Literacy and Retirement Planning: Evidence from Israel

Increasing life expectancy together with reforms in the retirement savings market and changes in the job market pose significant challenges for Israelis, who today find themselves confronted with the need to carefully plan for future retirement. Financial literacy is critical to retirement planning, particularly in wake of the increasingly wide array of long-term financial products, schemes and services marketed to individual investors. Our research focuses on financial literacy as it relates to financial planning for retirement (“retirement literacy”). It surveys and documents two aspects of financial literacy: financial knowledge and financial decision-making behavior. The findings indicate that the activities of searching for financial information and monitoring household expenses are positively correlated with retirement literacy, even after controlling for various demographic and behavioral variables. Surprisingly, no significant correlation was found between retirement literacy and financial knowledge or numeracy skills, when controlling for other variables. Financial literacy regarding retirement savings increases with an individual’s tendency to meticulously check bills and periodic account statements, while financial expertise does not necessarily translate into higher levels of retirement literacy.
Using Annual Report Sentiment as a Proxy for Financial Distress in U.S. Banks

abstract Current measures of bank distress find marginal value in predictive variables beyond a capital adequacy ratio and tend to miss extreme events impacting the entire sector. The authors advocate a new proxy for bank distress: sentiment measures from banks’ annual reports. After controlling for popular forecasting variables used in the literature, they find that more negative sentiment in the annual report is associated with larger delisting probabilities, lower odds of paying subsequent dividends, higher subsequent loan loss provisions, and lower future return on assets. The findings suggest that regulators could augment current early warning systems for banks and the banking sector—where the measures are based exclusively on financial statement data—by using the frequency of negative words in banks’ annual reports.
State-space relaxation procedures for the computation of bounds to routing problems

It is well-known that few combinatorial optimization problems can be solved effectively by dynamic programming alone, since the number of vertices of the state space graph is enormous. What we are proposing here is a general relaxation procedure whereby the state-space associated with a given dynamic programming recursion is relaxed in such a way that the solution to the relaxed recursion provides a bound which could be embedded in general branch and bound schemes for the solution of the problem. This state space relaxation method is analogous to Langrangian relaxation in integer programming. This paper gives a survey of this new methodology, and gives, as examples, applications to the traveling salesman problem (TSP), the timeconstrained TSP and the vehicle routing problem (VRP). Valid state space relaxations are discussed for these problems and several bounds are derived in each case. Subgradient optimization and “state space ascent” are discussed as methods of maximizing the resulting lower bounds. More details of the procedures surveyed in this paper can be found in [2 ,3 ,41.
Effects of School-based Interventions Targeting Obesity-Related Behaviors and Body Weight Change: A Systematic Umbrella Review

This umbrella review analyzed the effectiveness of school-based interventions, applying body weight or behavioral outcomes. Twelve systematic reviews and five meta-analyses (examining 196 trials) were included. Results indicated that the effectiveness was usually referred to body weight or BMI change, with 1/3 of trials (per review) indicating significant changes in BMI or obesity prevalence. Meta-analyses yielded mixed effects (three showed significant changes in weight, BMI, or obesity). Interventions were more effective if they aimed at a reduction of sedentary behaviors, incorporated moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and parental involvement. The inclusion of a nutrition component moderated the long-term effects of interventions. More efficient interventions lasted at least 3 months, did not aim solely at environmental changes, and were implemented in general population. Female and younger participants may benefit more from the interventions. The role of psychological theories and behavioral or cognitive mediators was rarely investigated.
Regional pay? The public/private sector pay differential

ABSTRACT Regional pay? The public/private sector pay differential. Regional Studies. This paper extends the debate on making public sector wages more responsive to those in the private sector. The way in which the public/private sector wage differential is calculated dramatically alters conclusions, and far from there being substantial regional disparity in wages offered to public sector workers, any differences are predominantly concentrated in London and the South East where public sector workers are significantly disadvantaged relative to private sector workers. This has implications for staff recruitment and retention. Such findings question the need for regional market-facing pay, but highlight the necessity to revisit the London-weighting offered to public sector workers.
Authentic ELT Materials in the Language Classroom: An Overview

The importance of materials in language teaching and learning has been extensively acknowledged (McGrath, 2013). Teaching materials are a key instrument in most language courses. Language teaching throughout the world today could not be more successful without the extensive use of commercial materials (Richards, 2001). This paper gives an overview about material design and the use of authentic materials in the English as a second/foreign language classroom and their significance for language learners. It also looks for the sustaining theories which support the efforts in developing culture sensitive ELT materials in a view to improving classroom teaching. Recently, the necessity of culturally acceptable authentic material has been felt more intensely. It is found from this study that authentic and culturally appropriate materials play a vital role in teaching a foreign/second language. They enrich the traditional lessons and can be very interesting to the learners.
Emerging drugs for partial-onset epilepsy: a review of brivaracetam

There are more than 12 new antiepileptic drugs approved in the last 2 decades. Even with these newer agents, seizure remission is still unachievable in around 30% of patients with partial-onset seizures (POS). Brivaracetam (BRV) is chemically related to levetiracetam (LEV) and possesses a strong binding affinity for the synaptic vesicle protein 2A tenfold above that of LEV, and other possible modes of antiepileptic actions. BRV is now under Phase III development for POS, but data from one Phase III trial also suggested its potential efficacy for primary generalized seizures. The purpose of this review is to provide updated information on the mechanisms of action of the available antiepileptic drugs, with a focus on BRV to assess its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability in patients with uncontrolled POS. To date, six Phase IIb and III clinical trials have been performed to investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of BRV as an adjunctive treatment for patients with POS. Generally, BRV was well tolerated and did not show significant difference in safety profile, compared to placebo. The efficacy outcomes of BRV, although not consistent across trials, did indicate that BRV was a promising add-on therapy for patients with POS. In conclusion, the many favorable attributes of BRV, like its high oral efficacy, good tolerability, dosing regimen, and minimal drug interaction, make it a promising antiepileptic therapy for patients with uncontrolled partial-onset epilepsy.
In vitro study of the influence of the type of connection on the fracture load of zirconia abutments with internal and external implant-abutment connections.

PURPOSE To determine whether zirconia abutments with an internal connection exhibit similar fracture load as zirconia abutments with an external connection. MATERIALS AND METHODS The following zirconia abutments were divided into four groups of 20 each: StraumannCARES abutments on Straumann implants (group A), Procera abutments on Branemark implants (group B), Procera abutments on NobelReplace implants (group C), and Zirabut SynOcta prototype abutments on Straumann implants (group D). The abutments were fixed on their respective implants either internally via a secondary abutment (A) or a metallic coupling (C) (two-piece) or directly externally (B) and internally (D) (one-piece). In each group, 10 abutments were left unrestored (A1 to D1). Ten received glass-ceramic crowns (A2 to D2). Static loading was performed according to the ISO norm 14801 until failure. The bending moment was calculated for comparison of the groups and subjected to statistical analysis (Student t test). RESULTS The mean bending moments of the unrestored abutments were 371.5 +/- 142.3 Ncm (A1), 276.5 +/- 47.6 Ncm (B1), 434.9 +/- 124.8 Ncm (C1), and 182.5 +/- 136.5 Ncm (D1). Two-piece internally connected abutments exhibited higher bending moments than one-piece internally (C1 versus D1 P = .003, A1 versus D1 P = .03) or externally (C1 versus B1 P = .004) connected abutments. The groups with restorations did not show different bending moments than those without restorations. The mean bending moments of the restored abutments were 283.3 +/- 44.8 Ncm (A2), 291.5 +/- 31.7 Ncm (B2), 351.5 +/- 58 Ncm (C2), and 184.3 +/- 77.7 Ncm (D2). Group C2 exhibited the highest bending moment (P < .05). Internally connected one-piece abutments (D2) were weaker than all other groups (D2 versus A2 P = .002; D2 versus B2 P = .001; D2 versus C2 P = .0003). CONCLUSIONS The type of connection significantly influenced the strength of zirconia abutments. Superior strength was achieved by means of internal connection via a secondary metallic component.
University of Birmingham Predictors of human PBDE body burdens for a UK cohort

16 Human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) was investigated in a 17 cohort of 20 UK adults along with their anthropometric covariates and relevant 18 properties such as room surveys, lifestyle, diet and activity details. Selected PBDE 19 congeners were measured in matched samples of indoor dust, (n=41), vehicles (n=8), 20 duplicate diet (n=24), serum (n=24) and breast milk (n=6). 21 Combined exposure estimates via dust and diet revealed total PBDE intakes of 104 to 22 1,440 pg kg -1 bw d -1 for ΣBDEs 3-7 and 1,170 to 17,000 pg kg -1 bw d -1 for BDE-209. These 23 adult intakes are well within health reference doses suggested by the European Food 24 Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US EPA. Diet was the primary source of intake of BDE 3-7 25 congeners for the majority of the cohort, with dust the primary source of BDE-209. 26 Primary sources of PBDE exposure vary between countries and regions with differing 27 fire prevention regulations. Estimated infant exposures (ages 1.5 to 4.5 years) showed 28 that BDE-99 intake for one of the households did not meet EFSA’s recommended 29 margin of exposure, a further two households were borderline for high level dust and 30 diet intake. 31 mean intake estimates of BDEs-47, -99, -100, -153 and -154 for the omnivores in this study were significantly lower than those measured by Harrad et al. (2004) for duplicate diet samples collected in the West Midlands of the UK in 2002 (p=0.01). The 2002 lower bound mean intakes were within the maximum intakes estimated by this study for BDEs -47, -100, -153 and -154 and upper bound intakes for BDEs - 409 47, -100, and -154. These findings indicate a reduction in dietary exposure during the 10 years between the two studies, with the greatest reductions being for BDE- 411 99 then BDE-153.
Cardiovascular risk prevention and all‐cause mortality in primary care patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Perioperative mortality is low for patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, but long‐term survival remains poor. Although patients diagnosed with AAA have a significant burden of cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors, there is limited understanding of the contribution of cardiovascular risk management to long‐term survival.
Sources of variance in immunological traits: evidence of congruent latitudinal trends across species

ABSTRACT Among-population differences in immunological traits allow assessment of both evolutionary and plastic changes in organisms' resistance to pathogens. Such knowledge also provides information necessary to predict responses of such traits to environmental changes. Studies on latitudinal trends in insect immunity have so far yielded contradictory results, suggesting that multispecies approaches with highly standardised experimental conditions are needed. Here, we studied among-population differences of two parameters reflecting constitutive immunity–phenoloxidase (PO) and lytic activity, using common-garden design on three distantly related moth species represented by populations ranging from northern Finland to Georgia (Caucasus). The larvae were reared at different temperatures and on different host plants under a crossed factors experimental design. Haemolymph samples for measurement of immune status were taken from the larvae strictly synchronously. Clear among-population differences could be shown only for PO activity in one species (elevated activity in the northern populations). There was some indication that the cases of total absence of lytic activity were more common in southern populations. The effects of temperature, host and sex on the immunological traits studied remained highly species specific. Some evidence was found that lytic activity may be involved in mediating trade-offs between immunity and larval growth performance. In contrast, PO activity rarely covaried with fitness-related traits, and neither were the values of PO and lytic activity correlated with each other. The relatively inconsistent nature of the detected patterns suggests that studies on geographic differences in immunological traits should involve multiple species, and rely on several immunological indices if general trends are a point of interest. Summary: Geographic variability of immune responses in moths is species specific and suggests trade-offs with life-history traits.
Candidaemia in patients of a tertiary health care hospital from north India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Candidaemia is an important cause of mortality in hospital settings. Limited information is available from India on nosocomial candidaemia. The objective of the present study was to isolate and identify yeasts from patients suspected to have nosocomial bloodstream infection (BSI) and to determine the carriage rate of Candida species, risk factors for acquisition of infection and mortality in this group of patients. METHODS Blood samples from 4871 patients suspected to have BSI at least 48 h after admission were cultured following standard protocol to isolate and identify the pathogens. Clinical details, possible risk factors and outcome of all candidaemic patients were recorded and analysed. Samples of hand washings and throat gargles from these patients were also cultured to determine the carriage rate. Candida albicans isolated from patients and their carriage sites were genotyped by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis to study strain relatedness. RESULTS Twenty one patients with candidaemia were detected with mortality of 55 per cent. Candidaemia per 1000 admissions was 1.61. Isolation of non-C. albicans Candida species was significantly higher than C. albicans (14/21 vs 7/21: P < 0.05). Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics (43%), gastrointestinal surgery (23%), immunosuppressive therapy (23%), protein calorie malnutrition with parenteral hyperalimentation (23%) and neutropaenia (14%) were identified as probable risk factors. The seven C. albicans strains isolated from patients with BSI were typed into 6 genotypes. Yeast carriage rate among the patients was 71.4 per cent. C. albicans isolated from the hand, throat and blood of two patients had identical genotype. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION BSI due to non-C. albicans Candida species is more common than C. albicans in our patients and candidaemia is associated with high mortality. RAPD appears to be a simple method to study strain relatedness for C. albicans. There is a need for early diagnosis and systematic surveillance to meet the challenges of nosocomial candidaemia.
Eco-innovation and financial performance at companies established in Brazil

This survey explored 132 sustainability reports, certified by the Global Reporting Initiative, of companies established in Brazil with the objective of analysing the influence of eco-innovation results on financial performance in the 2010/2012 period. Considering the theoretical model used to stratify eco-innovation in environmental innovations and in social innovations, a relevant sample of 48 companies was obtained. The method comprised the combined use of the multivariate techniques of factor analysis and multiple linear regression. The study results indicate that the most representative eco-innovative variables are geared towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of water consumption and reuse of solid waste. In particular, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions was the only one with significant and positive influence on the return on sales (ROS). The results of social innovations did not reflect improvements for more than 50% of the sample, and its results did not produce a significant impact on the financial performance variables. The eco-innovative results of the sample showed high heterogeneity, which suggests differences in management and the difficulty of associating investments in eco-innovation with organisational strategy.
Chemotaxonomic Features Associated with Flavonoids of Cannabinoid-Free Cannabis (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa L.) in Relation to hops (Humulus Lupulus L.)

The major flavonoids present in the leaves and flowers of the cannabinoid-free cannabis (Cannabis sativa subsp. sativa L.) cultivars Felina and Futura are orientin (1), vitexin (2), luteolin-7-O-g-D-glucuronide (3), and apigenin-7-O-g-D-glucuronide (4), while prenylated flavonoids, to which the potent estrogenicity of hops (Humilus lupulus L.) is associated, are absent. The different composition of flavonoids has chemotaxonomic value.
A stereo matching algorithm with an adaptive window: theory and experiment

An iterative stereo matching algorithm is presented which selects a window adaptively for each pixel. The selected window is optimal in the sense that it produces the disparity estimate having the least uncertainty after evaluating both the intensity and the disparity variations within a window. The algorithm employs a statistical model that represents uncertainty of disparity of points over the window; the uncertainty is assumed to increase with the distance of the point from the center point. The algorithm is completely local and does not include any global optimization. Also, the algorithm does not use any post-processing smoothing, but smooth surfaces are recovered as smooth while sharp disparity edges are retained. Experimental results have demonstrated a clear advantage of this algorithm over algorithms with a fixed-size window, for both synthetic and real images. <<ETX>>