Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Superparamagnetic nanoparticle-inclusion microbubbles for ultrasound contrast agents

We have developed a new type of ultrasound (US) contrast agent, consisting of a gas core, a layer of superparamagnetic iron oxide Fe3O4 nanoparticles (SPIO) and an oil in water outermost layer. The newly developed US contrast agent microbubbles have a mean diameter of 760 nm with a polydisperity index (PI) of 0.699. Our in vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that they have the following advantages compared to gas-encapsulated microbbubbles without SPIO inclusion: (1) they provide better contrast for US images; (2) the SPIO-inclusion microbubbles generate a higher backscattering signal; the mean grey scale is 97.9, which is 38.6 higher than that of microbubbles without SPIO; and (3) since SPIO can also serve as a contrast agent of magnetic resonance images (MRI) in vitro, they can be potentially used as contrast agents for double-modality (MRI and US) clinical studies.
Leader-member exchange and its relationship with career adaptability and job satisfaction among employees in public sector

Career adaptability has found a special place among the predictive variables of job satisfaction in the recent decade. In fact, the effect of adaptability in different situations may be different depending on factors such as leader-member exchange. In this study, the mediating role of leader-member exchange in the effect of career adaptability was studied using Hayes’s fourth model (2013) and collecting 167 samples from the employees of public sector in Ardabil. First, confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the dimensions of career adaptability and leader-member exchange and only two questions of career adaptability questions were removed from the questionnaire due to undesired factor loading. According to the results, job satisfaction and leader-member exchange had the highest correlation with control (one of the dimensions of career adaptability). Moreover, career adaptability and leader-member exchange had the predictive role in job satisfaction (B= 0.29 and 0.55, respectively). The analysis of the mediating role of leader-member exchange was significant (0.162), which indicates that managers of public sector must pay considerable attention to leader-member exchange, so that they can moderate the effect of career adaptability on job satisfaction even if career adaptability is not satisfactory.
The prediction of the residual life of electromechanical equipment based on the artificial neural network

This article is devoted to the prediction of the residual life based on an estimate of the technical state of the induction motor. The proposed system allows to increase the accuracy and completeness of diagnostics by using an artificial neural network (ANN), and also identify and predict faulty states of an electrical equipment in dynamics. The results of the proposed system for estimation the technical condition are probability technical state diagrams and a quantitative evaluation of the residual life, taking into account electrical, vibrational, indirect parameters and detected defects. Based on the evaluation of the technical condition and the prediction of the residual life, a decision is made to change the control of the operating and maintenance modes of the electric motors.
Adaptability and yield stability of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties studied using GGE-biplot analysis in the highland environments of South-western Ethiopia

The objectives of this study were to evaluate released Ethiopian bread wheat varieties for yield stability using the GGE biplot method and identify well adapted and high-yielding genotypes for the highland environments of South-western Ethiopia. Twenty five varieties were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Dedo and Gomma during the main cropping season of 2016 and at Dedo, Bedelle, Gomma and Manna during the main cropping season of 2017, generating a total of six environments in location-by-year combinations. Combined analyses of variance for grain yield indicated highly significant (p<0.001) mean squares due to environments, genotypes and genotype-by-environment interaction. Yield data were also analyzed using the GGE (that is, G, genotype + GEI, genotype-by-environment interaction) biplot method. Environment explained 73.2% of the total sum of squares, and genotype and genotype X environment interaction explained 7.16 and 15.8%, correspondingly. The first 2 principal components (PC1 and PC2) were used to create a 2-dimensional GGE biplot and explained 63.88 and 15.71% of GGE sum of squares, respectively. The GGE biplot identified two wheat growing mega-environments. The first mega environment consisted of environments E1 (Gomma-2016), E2 (Dedo-2016), E3 (Bedele-2017), E4 (Manna-2017) and E5 (Gomma-2017) with G6 (Ogolcho) as a vertex genotype. The second mega environment consisted of E6 (Dedo-2017) with G8(Hulluka) as its vertex genotype. Genotypes (G10) Mekelle-4, (G7) Hoggana, (G16) Danda’a and (G14) Ga’ambo did not fit in any of the mega-environments. Genotypes (G5) Hidasse, (G15) Kakaba, (G21) Sofumar, (G11) Shorima, (G20) Tay, (G14) Ga'ambo, (G17) Gassay and (G4) Millan were found to be the most stable genotypes with mean grain yield exceeding the grand mean. Genotypes (G14) Ga'ambo and (G20) Tay were found to be benchmarks/ideal genotypes and could be used as checks to evaluate the performance of other genotypes and also can be recommended for wider cultivation in the highland environments of South-western Ethiopia. However, bread wheat breeding research should be started to identify higher yielding genotypes for these environments with testing sites established at Bedelle and Dedo to address the two mega environments. Key words: GGE biplot, GXE interaction, Ideal genotypes/environments, mega-environments.
ASPECTS OF THE BIOLOGY OF Sarotherodon melanotheron And Tilapia guineensis ( PERCIFORMES : CICHLIDAE ) IN BUGUMA CREEK , RIVERS STATE , NIGERIA

oribhaborblessjuls@yahoo.com 2 African Regional Aquaculture Centre/Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (ARAC/NIOMR), P.M. B. 5122, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Assessment of stomach contents for food and gastrointestinal helminths, determination of sex ratio and morphometric features of fecund females of Sarotherodon melanotheron and Tilapia guineeensis was conducted between August and December, 2005 for Buguma Creek, Rivers State, Nigeria. Four hundred and forty-three fish samples comprising three hundred and six for S. melanotherodon and one hundred and thirty-seven for T. guineensis were analyzed. The food items of the two species were dominated by mud, with S. melanotheron having more diversity of food items than T. guineensis. There was absence of gastrointestinal helminthes in the fish samples observed. The two species had overall sex ratio of 1:1. The weight range of fecund females (g) were 8.5 – 48.2 and 31 – 117.9 for S. melanotheron and T. guineensis respectively.
Study of a Semi Active Electromagnetic Regenerative Suspension

The main objective of this work is the theoretical and numerical study of a device that allows recovering energy from an automobile suspension. In place of the viscous damper, which dissipates the kinetic energy of the vehicle due to rough roads or more marked obstacles, an electromagnetic damper performs the functions of the viscous shock absorber with a recovery of electric energy. The damper has permanent magnets and its working is based on the electromagnetic induction. The used ferromagnetic material is the Supermendur, which has very good ferromagnetic properties, but is expensive and difficult to found, so that the choice of different material is useful to reduce the costs. The mathematical model describes the operation of the damper, restoring the values of the electrical and mechanical magnitudes versus the relative speed between the stem and the stator. Several finite element analyses, conducted in ANSYS Workbench Magnetostatic, confirm both the magnetic field and flux values obtained through the theoretical analysis. A calculation example of the energy recovery is done considering an electric minicar transiting on a bumpy road (IRI=3); the recovered power has a total value of 280W about; at last a comparison with similar devices proves the excellent quality of the design also if the comparison should be done with uniformity of the parameters. Key-Words: -Suspension; Regenerative damper; Energy harvesting; Electromagnetic shock absorber; FE analysis.
Regulation of Tattooing in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota: Tattooists' Attitudes and Relationship between Regulation and Practice

Objective. This study investigated tattooists' attitudes regarding government regulation and the relationship between existing tattooing regulation and tattooists' knowledge and practice of infection control. Methods. Self-reported and observational data were collected in a cross-sectional study of professional tattooists. A written survey was used to investigate knowledge and practice of infection control and attitudes toward government regulation. Infection control practice was also examined through direct observation of tattooing. Rating scales were used to compare tattoo artists subject to local tattooing ordinances with those in areas without ordinances. Results. Sixty-one tattooists (45 regulated, 16 unregulated) completed surveys and 25 (17 regulated, 8 unregulated) were observed. Attitudes toward regulation were generally positive. Most participants supported health department inspections and training requirements. The presence of local tattooing ordinances was not associated with tattooists' knowledge (p=0.53), but was associated with self-reported practices (p=0.05). A more positive attitude toward regulation was associated with the use of more self-reported infection control procedures (p<0.01). Conclusions. Tattoo artists in areas with local tattooing ordinances may implement more bloodborne pathogen precautions than those in areas without ordinances, despite working from a similar knowledge base. Tattooists most in need of improvement may be difficult to reach due to opposition to government intrusion. Federal guidelines, clarification of OSHA rules applying to tattooists, and statewide regulation are needed. Tattooists should be involved in the development of regulations.
Effects of Phikud Navakot Extract on Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

BACKGROUND Phikud Navakot (PN) is a set of nine medicinal plants and the main ingredient of "Yahom Navakot", a traditional Thai herbal formula for treatment of cardiovascular symptoms. OBJECTIVE To investigate the cardioprotective effects of PN on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IR) in male Sprague Dawley rats. MATERIAL AND METHOD Rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: sham, IR, and IR orally pretreated with PN (10, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg B W)for 7 days. After treatment, IR induction was performed by left coronary artery (LCA) ligation for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 24 h. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected for hematological and biochemical parameters, and hearts were immediately removed for histopathological examination and Western blot analysis. RESULTS IR induction caused ST elevation in the electrocardiogram and an increase in serum troponin I (TnI), confirming myocardial damage. In addition, histopathological changes of ischemic myocardium showed inflammation, infiltration, and edema. Oral administration of PN (10, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW) for 7 days prior to IR simulation showed no change on serum TnI and histopathology ofcardiac tissues, when compared to IR group. However Western blot analysis showed that IR rats pretreated with PN (10 mg/kg BW) significantly increased (p < 0.05) pERK/ERK ratio, meanwhile pretreated with PN (50-200 mg/kg BW) up-regulated (p < 0.05) the protein expression of HO-1, when compared with IR group. CONCLUSION The present study implied that 7-day pretreatment of PN failed to protect cardiac tissues against IR injury induced by LCA ligation. Investigation at molecular level found however that PN up-regulated the expression of protective proteins pERK/ERK ratio and HO-1 in cardiac tissues, suggesting molecular mechanism of PN in cardioprotection against IR injury.
Biofilm production by staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcus epidermidis: an evaluation of three different screening methods

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of biofilm production by S.aureus and S.epidermidis isolated from different clinical specimens. Methods: Quantitation of biofilm formation by staphylococci was carried out using three in vitro methods namely tissue culture plate (TCP), tube method (TM), and congo red agar (CRA) method. Results: Out of 237 (94.8%) S.aureus isolates tested, 25 strains were found to form biofilm, out of these one (0.42%) was strong biofilm producer and 24 (10.12%) were moderate biofilm producers. In TM and CRA method 20 (8.43%) and 10 (4.2%) strains were moderate biofilm producers, rest were considered as weak or non-biofilm producers. All the 25 biofilm positive strains were S.aureus. Conclusion: The TCP method is more sensitive to detect biofilm formation by S.aureus when compare to tube method (TM), and congo red agar (CRA) method.
Effects of Acute Caffeine Ingestion on Anaerobic Cycling Performance in Recreationally Active Men

Cakir-Atabek, H. Effects of Acute Caffeine Ingestion on Anaerobic Cycling Performance in Recreationally Active Men. JEPonline 2017; 20(1):47-58. Caffeine increases aerobic performance, but research findings are mixed regarding anaerobic performance (AnP). Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute caffeine ingestion on high-intensity cycling anaerobic exercise in 14 healthy and physically active non-habitual caffeine users (mean age: 20.93 ± 1.73 yrs). After the subjects were familarized with the Wingate Anaerobic test (WAnT) intensity (on a separate date), placebo or caffeine treatments were performed. Both treatments were separated by 1 wk in a randomized, double-blind manner. One hr before the WAnT, the subjects ingested a drink mixture of water, lemonade, and Sprite as a placebo (PLA) or containing caffeine (CAF, 5 mg·kg); both drinks were equal in calories. The WAnT was performed for 30 sec with the resistance set at 7.5% of the subject’s body mass. Peak power, mean power, and fatigue index were determined. A paired sample t-test was used to compare the AnP variables between treatments. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), blood lactate (LA), and glucose (GLU) levels were analyzed with a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. The results showed no significant effect of caffeine on AnP (P>0.05). Increases in HR, BP, and blood LA levels were independent of treatments (P>0.05). However, blood GLU levels significantly differed between the treatments (P<0.05). The findings indicate that a single dose of CAF was insufficient to elicit an ergogenic effect on AnP in unaccustomed and non-habitual caffeine users.
Experimental and numerical study towards a deformation-based seismic assessment of substandard exterior R . C . beam-column joints

In reinforced concrete framed structures under seismic excitations the beam-column joint cores are arguably one of the most vulnerable zone. Experimental tests have shown that the structural behavior of poorly detailed joints is decisive for the structural response of older frame buildings. Due to inadequate shear reinforcement in the joint, poor bond properties of longitudinal reinforcement and deficiencies in the anchorage of reinforcement, a brittle failure mechanism can be expected. In the numerical analysis of r.c. moment resisting frames the joint core is usually considered as rigid and all the plastic rotations are assumed to take place in the beams and/or columns. Although this assumption is reasonable for structures subjected mainly to gravity loads, it may be highly misleading for structures subjected to seismic loads. In the literature several methods to assess the shear resistance of beam-column connections were proposed, but the deformation capacity of joints was not deeply investigated yet. In this study exterior beam-column joints designed for gravity only (or mainly) loads as typical of old code provisions are considered. Experimental investigations were conducted in the laboratory of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai. Three exterior beamcolumn joints characterized by lack of shear reinforcement in the joint panel and by different anchorage solutions commonly used in the construction practice until the beginning of the 1970s were tested. Numerical analyses were carried out with the finite element (FE) Code MASA, developed at the University of Stuttgart and capable of three-dimensional (3D) nonlinear analysis of quasi-brittle materials, like concrete, based on the microplane material model. In both experimental and numerical investigations particular attention was given to the evaluation of the deformation capacity of the joint. The capability to numerically reproduce the joint behavior was discussed and the influence of several parameters such as bond of longitudinal reinforcement of beam and column and shape of the anchored bars were investigated. The results were compared with the available data described in the literature and found in the tests.
Update to the Multiplex PCR Strategy for Assignment of mec Element Types in Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing is important for the identification and definition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clones, and for routine purposes, multiplex PCR assays are the most adequate for SCCmec typing. Here, we describe an update to the multiplex PCR strategy for SCCmec typing that we described in 2002 so that SCCmec types IV and V may be properly identified.
The efficacy of couples‐based interventions for panic disorder with agoraphobia

From this systematic literature review it was concluded that panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) can sometimes occur in conjunction with marital problems. Couples-based treatments for PDA – partner-assisted exposure and marital therapy – can be an effective treatment for the condition. It is as effective as individually based cognitive behaviour therapy. Involving partners of people with PDA in therapy may be appropriate in some cases, particularly those in which there are marital difficulties. Couple-focused interventions may enhance the maintenance of treatment gains by facilitating interactions that positively reinforce and perpetuate attempts by people with PDA to enter feared situations and cope with these effectively. People with PDA who have good marital relationships show a better response to both individual and couplesbased treatment programmes. In some instances effective couples-based treatment leads to improvement in marital adjustment as well as in PDA symptomatology.
Combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy vs. uterine curettage in the uterine artery embolization-based management of cesarean scar pregnancy: a cohort study.

AIM To evaluate the efficacy of combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy compared with traditional uterine curettage in removing the ectopic conceptus and repairing the tissue defect following uterine artery embolization (UAE) management of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). DESIGN A prospective cohort study. SETTING Three large obstetrics and gynecology centers in Shanghai, China. SAMPLE CSP patients diagnosed between March 2009 and August 2010 who had received no prior treatments, were hemodynamically stable, and had no contraindications for UAE were enrolled. METHODS Patients were divided into two cohorts to undergo the intra-arterial methotrexate (MTX), UAE, and one of the following treatments: combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy (research group, 25 cases) and uterine curettage (control group, 33 cases). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The conceptus removal rate, the severity of intra- and postoperative complications, surgical time, and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS The single-surgery conceptus removal rate reached 100% in the research group, which was significantly higher than the 82% (P=0.024) observed in the control group (with one hysterectomy). The average volume of intraoperative blood loss was 78.0 mL in the research group, which was much less than the 258.5 mL (P=0.004) in the control group. Moreover, the research group had significantly shorter hospital stays and β-hCG regression times, as well as lower rates of postoperative abdominal pain, uterine bleeding and menstruation abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS Combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy is much safer and more effective than uterine curettage as a supplementary measure following UAE.
Analysis of Sequence Variation at Two Helicobacter pylori Genetic Loci Potentially involved in Virulence

PAGE Helicobacter pylori colonizes the gastric mucosa of nearly half the world’s population and is a well documented etiologic agent of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and a significant risk factor for the development of gastric cancer. The majority of H. pylori isolates that have been linked to peptic ulcer disease share a common genetic element known as the cag Pathogenicity Island (cag PAI). Recent studies comparing the genomes of more virulent and less virulent strains have revealed the presence of numerous pathogen-specific genes that may have been introduced to the more virulent, cag PAI positive H. pylori strains by horizontal gene transfer. In addition to the acquisition of virulence associated genes, it has been shown that gene loss also plays an important role in the development of numerous pathogens, although to date this avenue of research has been relatively unexplored in H. pylori. In this study, we show that HP1079 and HP1078, two genes of unknown function and currently lacking any orthologs in other sequenced bacterial species, exist as a covarying locus with the cag PAI. In addition, we show that HP1079 has the potential to undergo phase variation and that HP1078 exists in two distinct allelic forms that are present in relatively equal frequencies in our study set of clinical isolates of H. pylori from North America. While a proposed role for HP1079 and HP1078 in virulence must await animal model studies, we hypothesize that this locus is a potentially novel virulence associated locus based upon its association with cag PAI positive H. pylori strains, the fact that it is subject to phase variable expression, and that one gene in this locus exhibits allelic variation. We also characterize another genetic locus, currently annotated as HP0937 and HP0938, and show that this locus appears to be actively undergoing genetic decay. The patterns of pseudogenesis are so dissimilar between isolates that we hypothesize that the selective pressure on the locus occurred subsequent to the divergence of these strains from their last common ancestor.
Exposed Column-Base Plate Connections Bending About Weak Axis : I . Numerical Parametric Study

An extensive numerical parametric study was conducted to evaluate the Drake and Elkin’s method for the design of exposedtype column-base plate connections bending about weak axis and to investigate effects of the relative strength ratio among the connection elements (i.e., column, base plate, and anchor bolts) on the connection behavior under large column lateral displacements. For this numerical study, a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model which could effectively simulate force transfer at major contact interfaces in the connection was developed and a total of 43 three-dimensional FEA meshes that have different base plate thicknesses, anchor bolt sizes (stiffnesses), and grout compressive strengths were configured and analyzed. The study revealed several possible limitations of the D&E method in its basic assumptions and subsequent design calculations and concurrently, pointed to several important design considerations needed to develop rational and reliable design methods. Major findings from the numerical parametric study are mainly discussed in this paper.