Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spinal Bupivacaine-Dexmedetomidine versus Bupivacaine-Fentanyl for lower Limb Amputation Surgery. Effects on Early Stump and Phantom Pain

Background: in neuroaxial anesthesia, there was many adjuvants used with the purpose of increasing anesthesia duration and reduction of postoperative analgesia. Objective: comparison between dexmedetomidine and fentanyl when added to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine, for lower limb amputation on early stump and phantom pain after spinal anaesthesia. Patients and Methods: Ninety patient arranged for lower limb amputation surgery were randomly allocated into three groups (each 30 patients). Each patient received 2 ml of hyperbaric bupivacaine (0.5%) plus 0.5 ml normal saline in control group (Group B) or 5µ dexmedetomidine diluted in 0.5 ml normal saline in BD group or 25 µ fentanyl diluted in 0.5 ml normal saline in BF group. Anesthesia, analgesia, sedation, hemodynamic changes, adverse effects and post-operative pain up to one month were recorded. Results: The studied groups showed no significant differences regarding demographic characteristics and hemodynamic (heart rate and mean arterial pressure). Patients in group BD had significant increase of sensory and motor block time compared to BF B groups. Post-operatively, there was a significant decrease of pain in BD group in the first 24 hours when compared to control or BF group. The postoperative mean total consumption of analgesics during the first day was significantly decreased in BD when compared to BF and control groups. Conclusions: dexmedetomidine (5μg) represents a good alternative to fentanyl (25μg) as a spinal adjuvant to bupivacaine in surgery for the lower limb.
Fingerprinting of some Egyptian rice genotypes using Intron-exon Splice Junctions (ISJ) markers

DNA fingerprinting has become an important tool for diversity assessment and varietal identification in plant breeding programs. Semi- random PCR primers targeting intron-exon splice junctions (ISJ) were used to evaluate the potential of these markers in identification and classification of rice genotypes. A total of 12 ISJ primers were used for screening fourteen Egyptian rice genotypes, including six Japonica, four Indica and four Indica/Japonica rice genotypes. A total of 117 amplified fragments were generated among which 76 fragments were polymorphic revealing average polymorphic ratio of 58.9%. Number of amplified fragments per genotype across the primers ranged from 65 in Japonica rice variety Sakha101 to 85 in Indica/Japonica rice variety Giza179. Number of polymorphic amplified fragments ranged from 3 for primer ISJ-1 to 24 for primer ISJ-2. The average numbers of amplified bands per primer per genotype were 16.71 and 10.24, respectively. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.289 for ISJ-9 to 0.480 for ISJ-1 with an average of 0.375. The coefficient of similarities based on semi-random data among the studied genotypes ranged from 0.53 to 0.9 with an average of 0.66. All genotypes clearly grouped into two major clusters in the dendrogram at 58% similarity based on Jaccard’s similarity index. The first cluster represents the Indica and Indica/Japonica rice genotypes, while the second cluster represents the Japonica genotypes. These results indicate that fingerprinting using semi-specific DNA markers may be an efficient tool for varietal identification and assessing genetic diversity in rice. The results highlight the existing diversity among the studied genotypes and hence their potential use in breeding programs. The simplicity and reproducibility of ISJ markers indicates the potential utilization for molecular characterization, identification and purity assessment of rice genotypes.
SCATTERING-PARAMETERS DETERMINATION USING FEM, VNA AND NRW METHODS AT X BAND FREQUENCY

The development and simulation of a rectangular wave guide with FEM for transmission/reflection (T/R) coefficient analysis has been described. T/R coefficient calculated using Finite Element Method (FEM), Vector network analyzer (VNA) and Nicholson Ross Weir (NRW) techniques were compared. In this work, a 30 mm PTFE and 50 mm PTFE samples were used as materials under test (MUT). The result obtained from calculation and measurement of the two samples showed that the result from the FEM calculation was closer to the measured value than NRW. A mean relative error analysis was carried out which confirmed that the relative error associated to FEM with respect to the 30 mm thick PTFE sample was 0.062 and 0.078 for S21 and S11 respectively whereas the NRW had a relative error of 0. 086 and 0.114 for S21 and S11 for the same PTFE sample respectively.
Fructose-Induced Intestinal Microbiota Shift Following Two Types of Short-Term High-Fructose Dietary Phases

High consumption of fructose and high-fructose corn syrup is related to the development of obesity-associated metabolic diseases, which have become the most relevant diet-induced diseases. However, the influences of a high-fructose diet on gut microbiota are still largely unknown. We therefore examined the effect of short-term high-fructose consumption on the human intestinal microbiota. Twelve healthy adult women were enrolled in a pilot intervention study. All study participants consecutively followed four different diets, first a low fructose diet (< 10 g/day fructose), then a fruit-rich diet (100 g/day fructose) followed by a low fructose diet (10 g/day fructose) and at last a high-fructose syrup (HFS) supplemented diet (100 g/day fructose). Fecal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. A high-fructose fruit diet significantly shifted the human gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of the phylum Firmicutes, in which beneficial butyrate producing bacteria such as Faecalibacterium, Anareostipes and Erysipelatoclostridium were elevated, and decreasing the abundance of the phylum Bacteroidetes including the genus Parabacteroides. An HFS diet induced substantial differences in microbiota composition compared to the fruit-rich diet leading to a lower Firmicutes and a higher Bacteroidetes abundance as well as reduced abundance of the genus Ruminococcus. Compared to a low-fructose diet we observed a decrease of Faecalibacterium and Erysipelatoclostridium after the HFS diet. Abundance of Bacteroidetes positively correlated with plasma cholesterol and LDL level, whereas abundance of Firmicutes was negatively correlated. Different formulations of high-fructose diets induce distinct alterations in gut microbiota composition. High-fructose intake by HFS causes a reduction of beneficial butyrate producing bacteria and a gut microbiota profile that may affect unfavorably host lipid metabolism whereas high consumption of fructose from fruit seems to modulate the composition of the gut microbiota in a beneficial way supporting digestive health and counteracting harmful effects of excessive fructose.
Understanding the Southern Italian commons: polycentric governance on the mountains of Sila

In this article, I examine patterns of collective action in the South of Italy, a region where commons scholarship presents several challenges, mainly due to its feudal heritage. In analysing the history of Southern Italian commons, Elinor Ostrom's theories on polycentric governance are adopted. I propose a case study on the mountains of Sila, where collective action was institutionalised through a municipal organisation known as universitas casalium, consisting of the city of Cosenza and its hamlets. This institution collaborated with the royal government, creating a polycentric governance system where institutional functions contentiously intermingled, generating conflicting relations, but also unique governmental arrangements. Yet how did previous historical interpretations miss this point? Documentary evidence provides a clear answer: while the institutional recognition of the universitas casalium can be traced back as far as the twelfth century, a series of institutional reforms initiated in the mid-fifteenth century led to the progressive decline of the local institution and accordingly of the commons economy related to it. This loss of legitimacy derived from the emergence of feudal barons and later of landowners from the middle class, leading to the progressive dissolution of collective action in Sila as Italy moved towards Italian unification in 1861. L'obiettivo di questa ricerca è contribuire allo studio dei beni comuni nell'Italia meridionale attraverso l'indagine delle relazioni tra pratiche collettive e feudalesimo. Nell'analizzare la storia dei beni comuni nel Mezzogiorno e ponendo attenzione critica sulla governance di carattere policentrico sono state assunte le teorie di E Ostrom. Nello specifico, si propone un caso-studio condotto sull'altopiano Silano, dove i beni comuni furono istituzionalizzati attraverso la formazione dell'Universitas Casalium, organo (o organizzazione) municipale che raccoglieva la città di Cosenza e i suoi casali. L'esistenza di relazioni continue tra questo istituto e il governo reale portò alla nascita di un sistema policentrico di governance in cu diverse funzioni istituzionali si contaminavano in maniera controversa, generando conflitti, ma anche interessanti soluzioni. Considerata la produttività di tale sistema, suscita un certo stupore l'assenza da parte delle interpretazioni storiche precedenti di un approfondimento di questa situazione organizzativa. Le fonti documentarie analizzate in questa sede suppliscono a tale mancanza: se il riconoscimento istituzionale dell’universitas casalium può essere ricondotto al XII secolo, una serie di riforme istituzionali iniziate a partire dal XV secolo dalla corona reale determinarono un progressivo declino di questa istituzione e delle economie che da essa dipendevano. Questa perdita di legittimità corrispose all'emergere di una classe di baroni feudali e successivamente di possidenti notabili, determinando la fine dei commons in Sila, in corrispondenza all'unificazione nazionale del 1861.
Suboptimal stimulation by weak agonist epitope variants does not drive dysfunction of HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones.

OBJECTIVE To assess whether weakly recognized epitope variants induce anergy in HIV-1-specific CD8 T lymphocyte (CTL) clones as a mechanism of dysfunction. DESIGN HIV-1-specific CTL clones were exposed to suboptimally recognized epitope variants, and screened for anergy and other T-cell dysfunction markers, and subsequent capability to kill target cells bearing index epitope. METHODS In addition to the optimally recognized index epitope, two suboptimally recognized epitope variants were selected based on titration curves for killing of peptide-labeled target cells by three HIV-1-specific CTL clones targeting the epitopes SLYNTVATL (Gag 77-85, A02-restricted), RPAEPVPLQL (Rev 66-75, B07-restricted), and KRWIIMGLNK (Gag 263-272, B27-restricted). Consequences of suboptimal stimulation were assessed by cytokine secretion, gene expression, and capacity to kill index epitope-labeled target cells upon rechallenge. RESULTS Suboptimal recognition of epitope variants reduced cytokine production by CTL similarly to reduction in killing of target cells. Gene expression profiles after suboptimal stimulation demonstrated no patterns consistent with T-cell dysfunction due to anergy, exhaustion, or apoptosis. Preexposure of CTL to epitope variants had no discernable impact on their subsequent capacity to kill index epitope-bearing target cells. CONCLUSION Our data explore the hypothesis that poorly recognized epitope variants not only facilitate HIV-1 evasion of CTL recognition, but also induce CTL dysfunction through suboptimal signaling causing anergy. However, the results do not suggest that suboptimal signaling induces anergy (or exhaustion or apoptosis), indicating that the major role of CTL epitope variation is likely viral escape.
Participant Outcomes of Biodiversity Citizen Science Projects: A Systematic Literature Review

Citizen science is becoming increasingly popular as a format in environmental and sustainability education. Citizen science not only allows researchers to gather large amounts of biodiversity-related data, it also has the potential to engage the public in biodiversity research. Numerous citizen science projects have emerged that assume that participation in the project affects participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. We investigated what evidence really exists about the outcomes of biodiversity citizen science projects on the side of the individual participants. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed research articles published up to and including 2017. We found evidence for various individual participant outcomes. The outcome reported most often was a gain in knowledge. Other outcomes, found in several articles, referred to changes in behavior or attitudes. Outcomes reported less often were new skills, increased self-efficacy and interest, and a variety of other personal outcomes. We discuss the research design and methods used in the reviewed studies und formulate specific recommendations for future research. We conclude that citizen science is a promising option for environmental and sustainability education focusing on biodiversity. Partnerships between natural and social scientists in the design and evaluation of projects would allow future biodiversity citizen science projects to utilize their full educational potential.
Influence of torrefaction after densification on the fuel characteristics and the inherited gasification kinetics of Erianthus arundinaceus energy grass

In this study, a mixture of breeding lines of Erianthus arundinaceus energy grass was pretreated prior to gasification. Although biomass torrefaction and subsequent pelletizing of torrefied biomass (TOP process) have been studied in details, the torrefaction of pellets (TAP process) still in its infancy. Therefore, samples prepared by TAP, torrefaction‐only and pelletizing‐only were compared in terms of fuel characteristics and gasification kinetics. Results showed that the mass yield decreased with increasing torrefaction temperature, whereas the higher heating value (HHV) continued to increase with temperature, which can be seen in the evolution of O/C and H/C atomic ratios. Tradeoff between mass yield and HHV points to 250°C as the optimum torrefaction temperature, as mass yield above 76% could be achieved. TAP process was superior not only in terms of producing fuel with higher energy density, but also the gasification reactivity was higher than that of torrefied‐only or densified‐only samples, suggesting TAP is promising to be employed within the gasification process. Yet, conducting TAP under higher torrefaction temperatures may weaken the reactivity due to the more release of potassium during pyrolysis. Lastly, gasification kinetics data revealed that the pretreated samples exhibited slightly higher activation energy.
The Effectiveness of Miracle Questions on Students' Rational Problem-Solving Skill

The aim of the study was to discover the effectiveness of miracle questions technique on rational problem-solving skill. The method employed in the study was pre-experimental with single-subject experimental design. The subject of the study was five managers of HIMA PPB FIP UNY consisting of three males and two females. The present study was conducted in 3 (three) phases namely pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment. The data were collected using problem-solving scale and miracle questions technique counseling guide. The data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical analysis namely wilcoxon test. The result of the study exhibited that miracle questions technique was effective on rational problem-solving skill ( Asymp sig. (2-tailed 0,043<0,05) With 5% of level of significance. Therefore, miracle questions technique is effective to improve the rational problem-solving skill of the student organizer of HIMA PPB FIP UNY. The result of the study can be used as consideration to applying miracle questions technique in broader scope for counselor.
QSAR modeling of PTP1B inhibitor by using Genetic algorithm-Neural network methods

Type-2 diabetes mellitus is an epidemic disease that is characterized by the chronic increase of glucose level. The insulin hormone is known to correspond to this disease, while PTP1B involved in the regulation of this hormone. Hence, PTP1B has become the primary target of drug development to treat this disease. In this study, we aim to develop QSAR model to predict PTP1B inhibitor by using a neural network method. Genetic algorithm (GA) method was used to select the set of the molecular descriptor. We improved the performance of the models by performing a hyperparameter tuning procedure. From the results of validation analysis, we found that the model 2 containing 5 descriptors as the best model. This confirms by the value of MCC (0.68) and AUC (0.89) of this model that is higher than the others. Also, the additional y-scrambled analysis confirms that this model does not correspond to coincidental correlation, indicated by a very low value of MCC of the scrambled model.
Effect of Digital Drugs Educational Program on Nursing Students' Knowledge and Attitudes at Benha University

Background: Digital drug abuse has recently been approached as an urging topic endangering Middle Eastern teenager through different media channels. This approach raised a lot of discussion and speculations among health practitioners, especially toxicologists, psychiatrists and community health practitioners. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of digital drugs educational program on nursing students' knowledge and attitude at Benha University. A Quasi-experimental design was used to conduct this study, at Faculty of Nursing Benha University during the period from October 2017 to December 2017 then from March 2018 to May 2018. Subjects: A purposive sample of 313 students selected according to study formula based on the total number of students during the academic year 2017-2018. Tools: Two tools were utilized for data collection. The Tool I- A Self-administrated Questionnaire was developed. Tool II- A Likert scale to assess nursing student’s attitude regarding digital drugs. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the mean students’ knowledge scores and attitude of pre-program and post-program(P<0.001). Also, a highly statistically significant positive association was found among the studied students’ knowledge and attitude pre and post-program. Conclusion: The result showed the effectiveness of an educational program on improving students’ knowledge and attitude regarding the digital drug. Recommendation: There was an urgent need for educational programs for all nursing undergraduate as well as teenagers to prepare them to oversee their awareness around the digital drug.
Adoption of Web 2.0 Applications for Education by Students in Nigeria

This study entailed the survey of the use of Web 2.0 for educational purposes by the students in Nigeria. The sample of the study constituted of students from seven faculties and one center which were purposively selected. The study used a questionnaire as its instrument of data collection. Four hundred copies of the questionnaire were distributed among the sample, out of which 380 were returned and found usable. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the collected data. Statistical methods used for the analyses of the data were frequency distribution, cross tabulation, T-test, One-way ANOVA and Regression. The study revealed that majority of the students of the University of Ibadan is already familiar with the term “Web 2.0” and are using it for educational purposes. The students indicated that the Internet was their source of information about the term “Web 2.0”. Also, course mates/ friends, lecturers and newspapers/magazines were sources of information. In exploring the group of students that use Web 2.0 for education purposes, it was discovered that the students in higher levels use Web 2.0 tools more than their counterparts in lower levels and majority of these students are in IT-related departments like computer science, library, archival and information studies. Keywords: Web 2.0, Education, Blogs, Nigeria
Elliptical generalized Maxwell fish-eye lens using conformal mapping

A circular graded index lens is conformally transformed to an elliptical shape using a closed-form transformation. The proposed transformation is then employed to compress a Maxwell fish-eye and its generalized version. Since the transformation is conformal, the electromagnetic properties of the device are perfectly preserved after the transformation with fully isotropic and dielectric-only materials. Ray-tracing and full-wave simulations are carried out for several cases to verify the functionality of the optically transformed lenses in geometrical optics and wave optics regimes.
Loss of interplay: Frontoparietal dynamics underlie working memory deficits in multiple sclerosis

Abstract Multiple sclerosis is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that provokes motor, cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Cognitive symptoms are a core feature of the disease, affecting everyday life functioning in 40 to 70% of patients. Working Memory impairment is one of the most common cognitive deficits, crucially affecting goal-directed behavior. However, evidence of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these impairments is scarce. To address this issue, we investigated a working memory task concomitantly with electroencephalographic records in twenty patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who had minimal clinical cognitive alteration, and in twenty healthy control subjects. Participants first watched a memory set of two, four, or six consonants that had to be memorized and, after a black screen that was shown for two seconds, a target stimulus was displayed. We correlated both time-frequency and functional brain connectivity with memory load and behavioral performance. We found that patients and healthy controls presented similar accuracy rates. For high memory loads, patients demonstrated longer reaction times for incorrect responses when the probe was part of the memory set, revealing an increase in cognitive effort. We then evaluated the single trial correlation between the power of the oscillatory activity and the memory load. The healthy control group showed an increase of left frontal and parietal theta activity, while the patient group did not show this increase. The analysis of the successful memory performances demonstrated that controls presented a greater medial theta activity during the maintenance stage; whereas, the patient group showed a decrease in this activity. Interestingly, cortical connectivity analyses using Granger Causality revealed that healthy controls presented a load-modulated progression of the frontal-to-parietal connectivity that indicated successful memory performance, while the patients did not show this pattern. Consistently, phase-amplitude coupling analyses showed that this connectivity was carried out by frontal delta/theta phase to parietal gamma amplitude modulation. Frontal-to-parietal connectivity correlated with working memory capacity in patients measure by Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test. These results indicate that patients with multiple sclerosis present alterations in their capacity to sustain oscillatory dynamics that maintain information in working memory. Thus, differences in brain oscillations and connectivity could be useful for early detection and to study working memory alterations in multiple sclerosis, as well as to implement new therapeutic interventions using non-invasive brain stimulation.