Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Crude Aqueous, Ethanolic and Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Piper retrofractum Vahl. and Piper betle L.

Piper retrofractum and P. betle are commonly used as medicinal plants in the Philippines to treat several ailments including headache, fever, stomachache, cough, cuts and wounds. To determine how effective these plants are in treating microbial-caused ailments, this study was conducted. This primarily aimed to investigate the antibacterial activities of the crude aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of these two plants using disc-diffusion assay and resazurin-based microtiter broth dilution method. Antibacterial tests against Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus showed that ethanolic and methanolic leaf extracts of P. betle had the highest zone of inhibition (i.e., 17.67 mm) against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The same was exhibited by methanolic extract of P. retrofractum against S. aureus. Maximum antibacterial activity was then recorded for methanolic and ethanolic leaf extracts of P. betle against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively at a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 0.59 mg/mL. These results support the efficacy of these plants in treating skin and gastrointestinal diseases caused by S. aureus and E. coli, correspondingly.
Determination of n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and hopanes in atmospheric aerosol: evaluation and comparison of thermal desorption GC-MS and solvent extraction GC-MS approaches

Abstract. Organic aerosol (OA) constitutes a large fraction of fine particulate matter (PM) in the urban air. However, the chemical nature and sources of OA are not well constrained. Quantitative analysis of OA is essential for understanding the sources and atmospheric evolution of fine PM, which requires accurate quantification of some organic compounds (e.g., markers). In this study, two analytical approaches, i.e., thermal desorption (TD) gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and solvent extract (SE) GC-MS, were evaluated for the determination of n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and hopanes in ambient aerosol. For the SE approach, the recovery obtained is 89.3 %–101.5 %, the limits of detection (LODs) are 0.05–1.1 ng (1.5–33.9 ng m−3), repeatability is 3.5 %–14.5 % and reproducibility is 1.2 %–10.9 %. For the TD approach, the recovery is 57.2 %–109.8 %, the LODs are 0.1–1.9 ng (0.04–0.9 ng m−3), repeatability is 2.1 %–19.4 % and reproducibility is 1.1 %–12.9 %. Ambient aerosol samples were collected from Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai and Guangzhou during the winter of 2013 and were analyzed by the two methods. After considering the recoveries, the two methods show a good agreement with a high correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.98) and a slope close to unity. The concentrations of n-alkanes, PAHs and hopanes are found to be much higher in Beijing than those in Chengdu, Shanghai and Guangzhou, most likely due to emissions from traffic and/or coal combustion for wintertime heating in Beijing.
Mixed convective heat transfer analysis for the peristaltic transport of viscoplastic fluid: Perturbation and numerical study

Mixed convective peristaltic flow of incompressible viscoplastic fluid is investigated in a two-dimensional symmetric channel. The rheology of viscoplastic material is characterized by the constitutive equation for Bingham plastic model. The coupling between momentum and energy equations is achieved through Boussinesq approximation. The coupled nonlinear partial differential equations are transformed in wave frame using Galilean transformation and then simplified under realistic assumptions of long wavelength and low Reynolds number. Approximate solution is obtained using regular perturbation method which is restricted to the smaller values of Grashof and Bingham numbers. The validity of approximate solution is established by comparing it with the numerical solution obtained via Matlab built-in routine bvp4c. Based on the numerical solution an extensive analysis is performed in order to analyze the effects of various parameters of interest on flow characteristics, pumping and trapping phenomena. It is found that velocity decreases at the center by increasing Bingham number showing a boundary layer character for large values. However, it increases by increasing Brinkman and Grashof numbers. Moreover, pressure rise per wavelength increases with Bingham number, Brinkman number and Grashof number, in the pumping region. The result further indicate that larger values of Bingham number circumvent bolus growth.Mixed convective peristaltic flow of incompressible viscoplastic fluid is investigated in a two-dimensional symmetric channel. The rheology of viscoplastic material is characterized by the constitutive equation for Bingham plastic model. The coupling between momentum and energy equations is achieved through Boussinesq approximation. The coupled nonlinear partial differential equations are transformed in wave frame using Galilean transformation and then simplified under realistic assumptions of long wavelength and low Reynolds number. Approximate solution is obtained using regular perturbation method which is restricted to the smaller values of Grashof and Bingham numbers. The validity of approximate solution is established by comparing it with the numerical solution obtained via Matlab built-in routine bvp4c. Based on the numerical solution an extensive analysis is performed in order to analyze the effects of various parameters of interest on flow characteristics, pumping and trapping phenomena. It is fou.
Development of an improved two-sphere integration technique
for quantifying black carbon concentrations in the atmosphere
and seasonal snow

Abstract. An improved two-sphere integration (TSI) technique has been developed to quantify black carbon (BC) concentrations in the atmosphere and seasonal snow. The major advantage of this system is that it combines two distinct spheres to reduce the scattering effect due to light-absorbing particles, and thus provides accurate determinations of total light absorption from BC collected on Nuclepore filters. The TSI technique can be calibrated using a series of 15 filter samples of standard fullerene soot. This technique quantifies the mass of BC by separating the spectrally resolved total light absorption into BC and non-BC fractions. To assess the accuracy of the improved system, an empirical procedure for measuring BC concentrations by a two-step thermal–optical method is also applied. Laboratory results indicate that BC concentrations determined using the TSI technique and theoretical calculations are well correlated, whereas the thermal–optical method underestimates BC concentrations by 35 %–45 %. Assessments of the two methods for atmospheric and snow samples revealed excellent agreement, with least-squares regression lines with slopes of 1.72 (r2 = 0.67) and 0.84 (r2 = 0.93), respectively. However, the TSI technique is more accurate in quantifications of BC concentrations in both the atmosphere and seasonal snow, with an overall lower uncertainty. Using the improved TSI technique, we find that light absorption due to BC plays a dominant role, relative to non-BC light absorption, in both the atmosphere (68.5 %–95.9 % of total light absorption) and seasonal snow (52.3 %–93.3 %) over northern China.
The Charcot–Marie Tooth Disease Mutation R94Q in MFN2 Decreases ATP Production but Increases Mitochondrial Respiration under Conditions of Mild Oxidative Stress

Charcot–Marie tooth disease is a hereditary polyneuropathy caused by mutations in Mitofusin-2 (MFN2), a GTPase in the outer mitochondrial membrane involved in the regulation of mitochondrial fusion and bioenergetics. Autosomal-dominant inheritance of a R94Q mutation in MFN2 causes the axonal subtype 2A2A which is characterized by early onset and progressive atrophy of distal muscles caused by motoneuronal degeneration. Here, we studied mitochondrial shape, respiration, cytosolic, and mitochondrial ATP content as well as mitochondrial quality control in MFN2-deficient fibroblasts stably expressing wildtype or R94Q MFN2. Under normal culture conditions, R94Q cells had slightly more fragmented mitochondria but a similar mitochondrial oxygen consumption, membrane potential, and ATP production as wildtype cells. However, when inducing mild oxidative stress 24 h before analysis using 100 µM hydrogen peroxide, R94Q cells exhibited significantly increased respiration but decreased mitochondrial ATP production. This was accompanied by increased glucose uptake and an up-regulation of hexokinase 1 and pyruvate kinase M2, suggesting increased pyruvate shuttling into mitochondria. Interestingly, these changes coincided with decreased levels of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy in R94Q cells. We conclude that mitochondria harboring the disease-causing R94Q mutation in MFN2 are more susceptible to oxidative stress, which causes uncoupling of respiration and ATP production possibly by a less efficient mitochondrial quality control.
Does running exercise cause osteoarthritis

: Although numerous health benefits are associated with running, relatively little is known about long-term effects on the musculoskeletal system. Running places a great deal of repetitive stress on the joints and supporting structures of the lower extremities. Through animal and clinical studies, investigators have attempted to determine whether running exercise causes osteoarthritis. Available evidence indicates that moderate running in individuals without anatomical variances poses no increased risk for the development or acceleration of osteoarthritis. Runners with abnormal anatomy and those with significant previous injury are at increased risk for the development and progression of lower extremity osteoarthritis.
Evaluation of pesticide residues in wheat grains and its products from Algeria

ABSTRACT The presence of pesticide residues in wheat grains and its products produced and imported in Algeria was determined using QuEchERS extraction method and multi-residue analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Among the 80 wheat samples analysed, detectable residues were found in 62.5% of samples. The most often pesticide found was pirimiphos methyl in 46 samples (57.5%). A percentage of 5% of samples contained pesticide residues above Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) due to benalaxyl, chlorpyrifos and metalaxyl residues. Risk assessment for long-term exposure was done for all pesticides detected in wheat grains, the risk of exposure of Algerian consumers to pirimiphos methyl residues through wheat consumption was potentially high (EDI = 78%ADI). This risk was less important in the case of chlorpyrifos (EDI<9% ADI). For the others residues, EDIs were less than 1.5% of ADIs.
Silver nanoparticles, green synthesis: characterization, in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial study

Abstract The present study reports a rapid green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Skimmia laureola stem bark aqueous extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. When bark extract was mixed with AgNO3 solution, the color of the solution was changed from light pale yellow to dark brown, a sign of formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). UV-Visible spectra of AgNPs colloidal suspensions showed absorption peak from 422 to 461 nm that indicated the formation of AgNPs. The experimental results indicated that XRD pattern showed the crystalline nature and SEM images showed predominantly spherical shape of green synthesized AgNPs. FASS analysis showed rapid reduction of silver ions to AgNPs (almost 90% within 3 h) and FTIR analysis exhibited capping of AgNPs by bioactive compounds from S. laureola bark. Furthermore, AgNPs exhibited significant antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Significant antioxidant activity was also represented by AgNPs and stem bark aqueous extract.
THE INFLUENCE OF RACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ON ROUTINE SCREENING PRACTICES OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

OF DISSERTATION THE INFLUENCE OF RACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ON ROUTINE SCREENING PRACTICES OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS Health disparities in minorities and those of low socioeconomic status persist despite efforts to eliminate potential causes. Differences in the delivery of services can result in different healthcare outcomes and therefore, a health disparity. Some of this difference in care may attribute to discrimination resulting from clinical biases and stereotyping which may provide a possible source for the persistence of health disparities. Health disparities may occur because the delivery of services at some level is inadequate. Disparities resulting from the quality and quantity of care delivered by a practitioner result in differentiated delivery of healthcare, thus unequal health outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and identify potential disparities in routine screening practices of physician assistants. A randomized sample of practicing physician assistants in Kentucky were analyzed (N= 112) to determine if the race or socioeconomic status of a patient influenced their likelihood of offering different routine screening recommendations and screening test recommendations. Clinical vignettes were created with only the race and socioeconomic status of the patient modified, resulting in four separate vignettes. Through the use of a survey instrument, participants were randomly assigned to one of four written clinical vignettes. Statistical analysis using a MANOVA revealed that the race of a patient had a statistically significant multivariate effect on differences in screening recommendations and race and socioeconomic status had significant multivariate effects on screening test recommendations. Study results suggest that race and socioeconomic status continues to be a significant factor in the prevalence of healthcare disparities. More importantly, this study reveals that Physician Assistants may provide differentiated care based on a patient’s race. Limitations and future directions for this study may be used to examine PA educational curriculums for the inclusion of health disparities and possible continuing medical education opportunities for practicing PAs.
Dynamic Partial Sufficient Dimension Reduction.

Sufficient dimension reduction aims for reduction of dimensionality of a regression without loss of information by replacing the original predictor with its lower-dimensional subspace. Partial (sufficient) dimension reduction arises when the predictors naturally fall into two sets, X and W, and we seek dimension reduction on X alone while considering all predictors in the regression analysis. Though partial dimension reduction is a very general problem, only very few research results are available when W is continuous. To the best of our knowledge, these methods generally perform poorly when X and W are related, furthermore, none can deal with the situation where the reduced lower-dimensional subspace of X varies dynamically with W. In this paper, We develop a novel dynamic partial dimension reduction method, which could handle the dynamic dimension reduction issue and also allows the dependency of X on W. The asymptotic consistency of our method is investigated. Extensive numerical studies and real data analysis show that our {\it Dynamic Partial Dimension Reduction} method has superior performance comparing to the existing methods.
Set Functions for Time Series

Despite the eminent successes of deep neural networks, many architectures are often hard to transfer to irregularly-sampled and asynchronous time series that commonly occur in real-world datasets, especially in healthcare applications. This paper proposes a novel approach for classifying irregularly-sampled time series with unaligned measurements, focusing on high scalability and data efficiency. Our method SeFT (Set Functions for Time Series) is based on recent advances in differentiable set function learning, extremely parallelizable with a beneficial memory footprint, thus scaling well to large datasets of long time series and online monitoring scenarios. Furthermore, our approach permits quantifying per-observation contributions to the classification outcome. We extensively compare our method with existing algorithms on multiple healthcare time series datasets and demonstrate that it performs competitively whilst significantly reducing runtime.
Cross-field demagnetization of stacks of tapes: 3D modeling and measurements

Stacks of superconducting (SC) tapes can trap much higher magnetic fields than conventional magnets. This makes them very promising for motors and generators. However, ripple magnetic fields in these machines present a cross-field component that demagnetizes the stacks. At present, there is no quantitative agreement between measurements and modeling of cross-field demagnetization, mainly due to the need for a 3D model that takes the end effects and real micron-thick SC layer into account. This article presents 3D modeling and measurements of cross-field demagnetization in stacks of up to 5 tapes and initial magnetization modeling of stacks of up to 15 tapes. 3D modeling of the cross-field demagnetization explicitly shows that the critical current density, Jc, in the direction perpendicular to the tape surface does not play a role in cross-field demagnetization. When taking the measured anisotropic magnetic field dependence of Jc into account, 3D calculations agree with measurements with less than a 4% deviation, while the error of 2D modeling is much higher. Then, our 3D numerical methods can realistically predict cross-field demagnetization. Due to the force-free configuration of part of the current density, J, in the stack, better agreement with experiments will probably require measuring the Jc anisotropy for the whole solid angle range, including J parallel to the magnetic field.
Social network analysis for social neuroscientists

Abstract Although social neuroscience is concerned with understanding how the brain interacts with its social environment, prevailing research in the field has primarily considered the human brain in isolation, deprived of its rich social context. Emerging work in social neuroscience that leverages tools from network analysis has begun to advance knowledge of how the human brain influences and is influenced by the structures of its social environment. In this paper, we provide an overview of key theory and methods in network analysis (especially for social systems) as an introduction for social neuroscientists who are interested in relating individual cognition to the structures of an individual’s social environments. We also highlight some exciting new work as examples of how to productively use these tools to investigate questions of relevance to social neuroscientists. We include tutorials to help with practical implementations of the concepts that we discuss. We conclude by highlighting a broad range of exciting research opportunities for social neuroscientists who are interested in using network analysis to study social systems.
COPHY: Counterfactual Learning of Physical Dynamics

Understanding causes and effects in mechanical systems is an essential component of reasoning in the physical world. This work poses a new problem of counterfactual learning of object mechanics from visual input. We develop the CoPhy benchmark to assess the capacity of the state-of-the-art models for causal physical reasoning in a synthetic 3D environment and propose a model for learning the physical dynamics in a counterfactual setting. Having observed a mechanical experiment that involves, for example, a falling tower of blocks, a set of bouncing balls or colliding objects, we learn to predict how its outcome is affected by an arbitrary intervention on its initial conditions, such as displacing one of the objects in the scene. The alternative future is predicted given the altered past and a latent representation of the confounders learned by the model in an end-to-end fashion with no supervision. We compare against feedforward video prediction baselines and show how observing alternative experiences allows the network to capture latent physical properties of the environment, which results in significantly more accurate predictions at the level of super human performance.
Finiteness Properties of Pseudo-Hyperbolic Varieties

Motivated by Lang–Vojta’s conjecture, we show that the set of dominant rational self-maps of an algebraic variety over a number field with only finitely many rational points in any given number field is finite by combining Amerik’s theorem for dynamical systems of infinite order with properties of Prokhorov–Shramov’s notion of quasi-minimal models. We also prove a similar result in the geometric setting by using again not only Amerik’s theorem and Prokhorov–Shramov’s notion of quasi-minimal model but also Weil’s regularization theorem for birational self-maps and properties of dynamical degrees. Furthermore, in the geometric setting, we obtain an analogue of Kobayashi–Ochiai’s finiteness result for varieties of general type and thereby generalize Noguchi’s theorem (formerly Lang’s conjecture).
Compact manifolds of dimension $n\geq 12$ with positive isotropic curvature

We prove the following result: Let $(M,g_0)$ be a compact manifold of dimension $n\geq 12$ with positive isotropic curvature. Then $M$ is diffeomorphic to a spherical space form, or a compact quotient manifold of $\mathbb{S}^{n-1} \times \mathbb{R}$ by diffeomorphisms, or a connected sum of a finite number of such manifolds. This extends a recent work of Brendle, and implies a conjecture of Schoen in dimensions $n\geq 12$. The proof uses Ricci flow with surgery on compact orbifolds with isolated singularities.
Exploring Registered Nurses' Attitudes Towards Post Graduate Education in Australia: A Pilot Study

The transfer of Australian postgraduate specialty nursing education from hospitals to the tertiary (higher education) sector took place in the late-90s (Chaboyer, Dunn, & Najman, 2000). Postgraduate education in nursing has continued to grow over the years but the benefits to students, employers, patients and overall impact on practice remains unclear (Gijbels et al., 2010; Griscti & Jacono, 2006; Pelletier, Donoghue, & Duffield, 2005). Valid instruments that monitor and evaluate nurses concerns are a central component in planning effective education, and are currently unavailable.
String Indexing with Compressed Patterns

Given a string S of length n, the classic string indexing problem is to preprocess S into a compact data structure that supports efficient subsequent pattern queries. In this article, we consider the basic variant where the pattern is given in compressed form and the goal is to achieve query time that is fast in terms of the compressed size of the pattern. This captures the common client-server scenario, where a client submits a query and communicates it in compressed form to a server. Instead of the server decompressing the query before processing it, we consider how to efficiently process the compressed query directly. Our main result is a novel linear space data structure that achieves near-optimal query time for patterns compressed with the classic Lempel-Ziv 1977 (LZ77) compression scheme. Along the way, we develop several data structural techniques of independent interest, including a novel data structure that compactly encodes all LZ77 compressed suffixes of a string in linear space and a general decomposition of tries that reduces the search time from logarithmic in the size of the trie to logarithmic in the length of the pattern.