Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nicotiana tabacum a prospective mosquitocide in the management of Anopheles gambiae (Giles)

The mosquitocidal potential of leaf and seed extract of Nicotiana tabacum in the management of larvae, pupae and adults of Anopheles gambiae was assessed at five different concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4% and 0.5%) at ambient temperature (28±2 0C) and relative humidity (75±5%). Larvicidal and pupacidal activity of both extracts was assessed after 24 h while adulticidal activity was recorded at 3 h post-treatment. Results showed that both extracts of N. tabacum elicited 100% mortality in larvae, pupae and adults of An. gambiae at the highest experimental concentration. Regardless of the stage of An. gambiae, LC50 values revealed that leaf extract showed more toxicity than the seed extract. The LC50 values of leaf and seed extract of N. tabacum also increased with the developmental stages of the mosquitoes with the lowest and highest observed in larval (leaf: 0.153µg/ml; seed: 0.188µg/ml) and adult (leaf: 0.219 µg/ml; seed: 0.290 µg/ml) stage respectively. Median LC50 values were however observed in pupae of An. gambiae (leaf: 0.176 µg/ml; seed: 0.213µg/ml). Various results obtained from this study therefore showed that N. tabacum extract could serve as a means of controlling mosquitoes causing malaria disease in Nigeria.
Condensate retention of water-ethanol mixture on horizontal enhanced condensing tubes

Condensate retention has been found an important parameter for heat transfer on horizontal enhanced condensing tubes. In this research, five pin-fin (varying in circumferential pin spacing) and three integral-fin horizontal tubes are investigated for condensate retention angle (which is measured from the top of tooth to the fully flooded flank) using water-ethanol mixture. An attempt was made to find the optimum concentration of ethanol in water for maximum retention angle. Concentration of ethanol was varied in between 0.5% to 1.5% by weight. Data revealed the importance of integral-fin tube over pin-fin tube as significant increase in retention angle was observed for integral-fin tube ((having same longitudinal spacing, tooth thickness, tooth height, inner and outer diameter) while retention angle for pin-fin tubes remain unchanged. Optimum ethanol concentration was observed to be 0.75%.
A histopathological analysis of prevalence of various heart diseases: an autopsy study

Background: Objective was to study the histopathological spectrum of heart diseases in autopsy specimens, that play a major role as cause of death. Methods: During the period from October 2015 to October 2017. Total 170 medicolegal autopsies were received during this period. Out of 170, specimens of heart were 150. Nine specimens were autolyzed. So, 141 specimen of heart were included in the study. Gross and microscopic findings on H and E stained sections were studied. Results: out of 141 cases, 78 cases showed atherosclerosis, 20 cases showed features of myocardial infarction, myocardial hypertrophy was found in 10 cases, 5 cases revealed myocarditis, pericarditis in 4 cases and one case each of infective endocarditis and aortic stenosis. In 22 cases, there was no identifiable cause of death even after complete gross and microscopic autopsy was performed. Conclusions: Myocardial infarction due to atherosclerosis is probably the commonest finding in death cases subjected to medicolegal autopsies.
Clinical safety of blood flow restricted training? A comprehensive review of altered muscle metaboreflex in cardiovascular disease during ischemic exercise.

Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is an increasingly widespread method of exercise that involves imposed restriction of blood flow to the exercising muscle. Blood flow restriction is achieved by inflating a pneumatic pressure cuff (or a tourniquet) positioned proximal to the exercising muscle prior to, and during, the bout of exercise (i.e., ischemic exercise). Low-intensity BFRT with resistance training promotes comparable increases in muscle mass and strength observed during high-intensity exercise without blood flow restriction. BFRT has expanded into the clinical research setting as a potential therapeutic approach to treat functionally-impaired individuals, such as the elderly, and patients with orthopedic and cardiovascular disease/conditions. However, questions regarding the safety of BFRT must be fully examined and addressed prior to the implementation of this exercise methodology in the clinical setting. In this respect, there is a general concern that BFRT may generate abnormal reflex-mediated cardiovascular responses. Indeed, the muscle metaboreflex is an ischemia-induced, sympathoexcitatory pressor reflex originating in skeletal muscle, and the present review synthesize evidence that BFRT may elicit abnormal cardiovascular responses resulting from increased metaboreflex activation. Importantly, abnormal cardiovascular responses are more clearly evidenced in populations with increased cardiovascular risk (e.g., elderly and individuals with cardiovascular disease). The evidence provided in the present review draws into question the cardiovascular safety of BFRT, which clearly needs to be further investigated in future studies. This information will be paramount for the consideration of BFRT exercise implementation in clinical populations.
The interplay of type 2 immunity, helminth infection and the microbiota in regulating metabolism

Type 2 immunity has recently emerged as a critical player in metabolic status, with numerous studies investigating the role of type 2 immune cells within adipose tissue. Metabolic dysfunction is often characterised as a low‐grade or chronic inflammatory state within tissues, and type 2 immunity may facilitate a return to metabolic homeostasis. A complex network of type 2 resident cells including M2 macrophages, eosinophils and ILC2s has been identified within adipose tissue. Although the effector cells in this equilibrium have not been clearly identified, any alteration of the type 2 microenvironment resulted in an altered metabolic state. Historically, the type 2 immune response has been associated with helminth infection. The type 2 immune response drives host resistance and plays an important role in promoting tissue repair following the migration of helminth larvae through tissues. Although helminths are largely eradicated in developed countries, infection rates remain high in poor communities within the developing world. Interestingly, there is strong evidence that helminth infection is inversely correlated with autoimmune or inflammatory disorders. Recently, an increasing amount of epidemiological and field studies suggest that it could be the same for obesity and metabolic syndrome. In the current review, we summarise the literature linking type 2 immunity to improved adipose tissue function. We then discuss more recent evidence indicating that helminth infection can provide protection against metabolic syndrome. Lastly, we explore the possible contributions of altered nutrient uptake, adipose tissue function and/or the intestinal microbiota with the ability of helminths to alter metabolic status.
Effect of Nanocrystalline Diamond Films Deflection on Wear Observed in Reciprocating Sliding Tests

The present study deals with the tribological behavior of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films. The diamond films were deposited by microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) in methane/hydrogen/air plasma on the Si(100) substrates. The tribological properties were studied by reciprocal sliding tests against Si 3 N 4 balls. The depth profiles and surface morphology of the wear scars were investigated by means of mechanical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Various adaptation processes occur between contacting surfaces including asperity polishing, formation of carbonaceous tribolayer and ripple patterns on the wear scar surfaces. The film deflection is the specific form of adaptation decreasing contact pressure and, therefore, the damage (including wear) of both counter bodies. The deflection of NCD films in sliding tests can be related with the effect of fatigue.
Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Thermophilic Campylobacter Species Isolated From Cattle in Plateau State , Nigeria

A study was designed to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter species isolated from cattle in Plateau state, Nigeria. From April, 2008 – March, 2009, 352 rectal swab samples were randomly taken from cattle in 18 herds in Plateau State, Nigeria and analyzed for the presence of Campylobacter species. Out of the 352 samples tested, 65 (18.5%) were identified as Campylobacter species using biochemical tests; with 52 (80%) as C. jejuni and 13 (20%) as C. coli. Of the 65 isolates, 63 (97%) were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 18 cattle herds tested, 12 (66.7%) were positive. The results of the study also showed that the prevalence was significantly (p<0.05) higher in calves (25%) than in adults (12.2%).
Investigating Performance in a Strenuous Physical Task from the Perspective of Self-Control

It has been proposed that one reason physical effort is perceived as costly is because of the self-control demands that are necessary to persist in a physically demanding task. The application of control has been conceptualized as a value-based decision, that hinges on an optimization of the costs of control and available reward. Here, we drew on labor supply theory to investigate the effects of an Income Compensated Wage Decrease (ICWD) on persistence in a strenuous physical task. Research has shown that an ICWD reduced the amount of self-control participants are willing to apply, and we expected this to translate to a performance decrement in a strenuous physical task. Contrary to our expectations, participants in the ICWD group outperformed the control group in terms of persistence, without incurring higher levels of muscle fatigue or ratings of perceived exertion. Improved performance was accompanied by increases in task efficiency and a lesser increase in oxygenation of the prefrontal cortex, an area of relevance for the application of self-control. These results suggest that the relationship between the regulation of physical effort and self-control is less straightforward than initially assumed: less top-down self-control might allow for more efficient execution of motor tasks, thereby allowing for improved performance. Moreover, these findings indicate that psychological manipulations can affect physical performance, not by modulating how much one is willing to deplete limited physical resources, but by altering how tasks are executed.
Rift Valley fever virus in small ruminants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic viral disease caused by the RVF phlebovirus (RVFV) that infects a variety of animal species including sheep and goats. Sera (n = 893) collected between 2013 and 2015 from randomly selected indigenous sheep and goats in seven provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were tested for the presence of specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM) against RVFV, using two commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was also used to detect RVFV nucleic acid. There was significant variation in true seroprevalence of RVFV for both sheep and goats between the seven provinces investigated. Values ranged from 0.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.0–6.55) to 23.81 (95% CI 12.03–41.76) for goat and 0.0 (95% CI 0.0–7.56) to 37.11 (95% CI 15.48–65.94) for sheep, respectively. One serum (1.85%) out of 54 that tested positive for IgG was found to be IgM-positive. This same sample was also positive by RT-PCR indicating an active or recent infection. These findings report the presence of RVFV in small ruminants in the DRC for the first time and indicate variations in exposure to the virus in different parts of the country.
Challenges for nurses when communicating with people who have life-limiting illness and their families A focus group study

nurses communicating with people who have life-limiting illness and their families: a focus group study. ABSTRACT Aims and objectives: The proposed study aimed to answer the following question: What communication issues do nurses find challenging when caring for people with life-limiting illness? Background: Evidence suggests that attitudes, skills and knowledge about how nurses communicate effectively with patients and their families could be improved. However, the literature predominantly focuses on nurses working in oncology and the medical profession. Design: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Methods: Focus groups were conducted with 39 nurses from three wards within a regional healthcare organisation in Victoria, Australia. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The COREQ checklist was used to document reporting of the study. Results: In their view, nurses have the potential to develop a strong bond with patients and their families. Three key themes were identified: 1) Feeling unskilled to have difficult conversations with patients who have life limiting illness; 2) Interacting with family members adds complexity to care of patients who have life-limiting illness; 3) Organisational factors impede nurses’ capacity to have meaningful conve rsations with patients and their families. Conclusions: Caring for individuals with life limiting illness is complex, and often occurs in an emotionally charged environment. However, nurses report being hampered by time restraints and lack of information a bout the patient’s condition and goals of care . Limitations in conversation structure and a comprehensive range of core communication skills affects their ability to confidently engage in conversations, particularly when they are responding to prognostic questions. confidence to deal with difficult questions. Specific training may increase nurses’ confidence and efficiency when communicating with patients and their families.
Human Papillomavirus Infection in Pregnant Adolescentes: Is There an Association Between Genital and Mouth Infection?

C l i n M e d International Library Citation: Cavalcanti, Silva, Ferreira, Neves, Vanderborght, et al. (2016) Human Papillomavirus Infection in Pregnant Adolescentes: Is There an Association Between Genital and Mouth Infection? Int J Oral Dent Health 2:037 Received: October 30, 2016: Accepted: December 10, 2016: Published: December 12, 2016 Copyright: © 2016 Cavalcanti, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Silva et al. Int J Oral Dent Health 2016, 2:037
Design and Implementation of Controlled Zeta Converter Power Supply

This work includes Zeta voltage converter controller design and implementation. The mathematical model of the zeta converter circuit operating in the continuous conduction mode in state-space form is presented. Fuzzy Logic controller and hybrid Fuzzy Logic controller/ particle swarm optimization techniques are used to designed controller. Analysis and comparison between simulation and practical responses of open loop, close loop fuzzy logic controller and hybrid fuzzy logic/particle swarm optimization controller results are performed for different, working conditions such as sudden changes in the load resistance and reference voltages. The results show that there are significant improvement in the results for the proposed hybrid FLC/PSO control technique.
Immunocytochemical Analysis of Calretinin in the Frontal Cortex of Chinchilla

Abstract The aim of the study was to define morphology and distribution of calretinin (CR) positive neurons in the frontal cortex of adult chinchilla males and intracellular localisation of the protein in this area. The brains of 5 adult chinchilla males were used in the study. CR immunoreactive neurons were shown with peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunohistochemical reaction using a specific monoclonal antibody. Intensive CR immunoreactivity was demonstrated mainly in few polymorphic neurons of II, III, and V layers. Cytoplasmic and nuclear reaction product in most CR positive neurons was diffuse and in some neurons of layer V in the form of granules localised peripherally. In a few cells more intensive staining was observed in the nuclei than in the cytoplasm. The results indicate the presence of heteromorphic CR positive neurons in specific layers of the frontal cortex. Nuclear localisation of CR in neurons suggests passive transport of this protein, which may affect the nuclear genes. This protein is a neuroprotector maintaining appropriate level of calcium, modulating neuronal activity, and synaptic conduction in the frontal cortex of chinchilla.
Transformation of Psoralen and Isopsoralen by Human Intestinal Microbial In Vitro, and the Biological Activities of Its Metabolites

Psoralen (P) and isopsoralen (IP) are the main active ingredients in the dried fruit of Psoralen corylifolia L. (PC), with a wide range of pharmacology activities. The intestinal bacteria biotransformation plays a central role in the metabolism of the complex ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Our study aimed to investigated the metabolic profile of P and IP in the intestinal condition, co-cultured with human fecal bacteria anaerobically. Four bio-transforming products were obtained, including 6,7-furano-hydrocoumaric acid (P-1) and 6,7-furano-hydro- coumaric acid methyl ester (P-2), which transformed from P, and 5,6-furano-hydrocoumaric acid (IP-1) and 5,6-furano-hydrocoumaric acid methyl ester (IP-2), which were transformed from IP. It is worth mentioning that IP-2 is a new compound that has not been published. Their structures were analyzed based on their spectroscopic data. Moreover, a highly sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was used to characterize the metabolic pathways of P, IP, and their bio-transforming products in the reaction samples. In addition, the dampening effects against the oxidative stress of P, IP, and their bio-transforming products by human intestinal flora were estimated in vitro via the human colorectal cells (HCT116) and heterogeneous human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) cell lines. The results showed that the metabolites have stronger activity than P and IP, which possibly provides a basis for elucidating the treating mechanisms of PC extract against inflammatory bowel disease.
Science-Industry Cooperation in Slovenia: Determinants of Success

Paper analyses barriers to science-industry cooperation in Slovenia through three detailed case studies. Each case tackles both sides, industry (firms) and science (university/research institute). Case studies confirm our assumption that it is the lack of companies with in-house R&D activities which is the main structural deficit for more science-industry cooperation. Strengthening of firms’ in-house R&D departments and staff, and clustering of firms around the most propulsive ones is the precondition for more science-industry cooperation. Successful science-industry cooperation can only be developed gradually, most often on the basis of previous personal contacts between main actors on both sides. Case studies reflect no impact of the intermediary institutions on science-industry cooperation.
The Alanine World Model for the Development of the Amino Acid Repertoire in Protein Biosynthesis

A central question in the evolution of the modern translation machinery is the origin and chemical ethology of the amino acids prescribed by the genetic code. The RNA World hypothesis postulates that templated protein synthesis has emerged in the transition from RNA to the Protein World. The sequence of these events and principles behind the acquisition of amino acids to this process remain elusive. Here we describe a model for this process by following the scheme previously proposed by Hartman and Smith, which suggests gradual expansion of the coding space as GC–GCA–GCAU genetic code. We point out a correlation of this scheme with the hierarchy of the protein folding. The model follows the sequence of steps in the process of the amino acid recruitment and fits well with the co-evolution and coenzyme handle theories. While the starting set (GC-phase) was responsible for the nucleotide biosynthesis processes, in the second phase alanine-based amino acids (GCA-phase) were recruited from the core metabolism, thereby providing a standard secondary structure, the α-helix. In the final phase (GCAU-phase), the amino acids were appended to the already existing architecture, enabling tertiary fold and membrane interactions. The whole scheme indicates strongly that the choice for the alanine core was done at the GCA-phase, while glycine and proline remained rudiments from the GC-phase. We suggest that the Protein World should rather be considered the Alanine World, as it predominantly relies on the alanine as the core chemical scaffold.
Unsupervised fuzzy neural networks for damage detection of structures

This work presents an artificial neural network (ANN) approach for detecting structural damage. In place of the commonly used supervised neural network, this work adopts an unsupervised neural network which incorporates the fuzzy concept (named the unsupervised fuzzy neural network, UFN) to detect localized damage. The structural damage is assumed to take the form of reduced elemental stiffness. The damage site is demonstrated to correlate with the changes in the modal parameters of the structure. Therefore, a feature representing the damage location, termed the damage localization feature (DLF) is presented. When the structure experiences damage or change in the structural member, the measured DLF is obtained by analyzing the recorded dynamic responses of the structure. The location of the structural damage then can be identified using the UFN according to the measured DLF information. This study verifies the proposed model using an example involving a five‐storey frame building. Both single‐ and multiple‐damaged sites are considered. The effects of measured noise and the use of incomplete modal data are introduced to inspect the capability of the proposed detection approach. Additionally, the simulation results of well‐known back‐propagation network (BPN) and UFN are compared. The analysis results indicated that the use of fuzzy relationship in UFN made the detection of structural damage more robust and flexible than the BPN. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some Consumer Surplus Estimates for North Carolina Beaches

We estimate consumer surplus of a beach day using the single-site travel cost method. Onsite visitation data for seven North Carolina beaches were collected between July and November of 2003. Two pooled count data models, corrected for endogenous stratification and truncation, are estimated to account for bias stemming from onsite sampling. One model pertains to beach visitors that make single day trips to the beach, while the other is for visitors that stay onsite overnight. In each model, we allow for heterogeneity across sites through intercept-shifting and demand slope-shifting dummy variables. Depending upon the site, the estimated net benefits of a day at a beach in North Carolina range between $11 and $80 for those users making day trips and between $11 and $41 for those users that stay onsite overnight. These estimates are of the same order of magnitude as the results from earlier studies using travel cost methods but are considerably larger than the previous findings based upon stated preference methods.