Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physico-Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Stagnant Surface Water Bodies (Ponds and Lakes) Used for Drinking and Domestic Purposes in Niger Delta, Nigeria

The surface water quality of some stagnant water bodies (ponds and lakes—Obi Lake, Usede pond, Oguta lake, Omuku pond, Ugheghe pond, Karabodone lake, Abua lake, Ikarama lake, Tenmako lake, and Adiegbe lake) in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria have been investigated experimentally by analysing the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of the surface water samples. Results show: pH (5.10 - 7.40), temperature (26.4°C - 31.0°C), turbidity (7.83 - 27.7NTU), electrical conductivity (13.5 - 34.8 μS/cm), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (1.07 - 19.5 mg/l), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (1.90 - 21.5 mg/l), suspended solids (SS) (9.70 - 37.3 mg/l), dissolved oxygen (DO) (2.7 - 8.7 mg/l), total dissolved solids (TDS) (33.8 - 187.0 mg/l), total phosphorus (0.73 - 2.47 mg/l), ammoniacal nitrogen (AN) (0.018 - 4.70 mg/l) and total fecal coliform count (TFCC) (nil - 2175 cfu/ml). Results on the water quality using Malaysian Water Quality Index (WQI) show that Usede pond and Obi Lake belong to Class II with values that are 75.24 and 76.73 respectively. The WQI of Oguta lake, Omuku pond, Ugheghe pond, Karabodone lake and Abua lake are 67.46, 65.64, 65.87, 50.77, and 67.01 respectively and belongs to class III. The WQI of Ikarama lake, Tenmako lake, and Adiegbe lake are 43.38, 37.60, and 41.40, respectively and belongs to class IV and is described as fair.
The effect of interleukin‐12 in ex‐vivo expansion of human haemopoietic progenitors

Summary. We evaluated progenitor cell proliferation in cultures supplemented by different cytokine combinations in the presence or absence of IL‐12. In cultures of low density cells, cytokine combinations including IL‐12 were associated to a greater proliferation (up to 6.7 ± 2.5 CFU‐GM fold expansion). However, in cultures of purified CD34+ cells the more efficient cytokine combination (147 ± 49 CFU‐GM fold expansion) was SCF, IL‐3, IL‐11 and MlP‐la, and the addition of IL‐12 did not further enhance expansion of progenitors.
FIBRIN-TYPE FIBRINOID IN HUMAN PLACENTA: A STEREOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ITS ASSOCIATION WITH INTERVILLOUS VOLUME AND VILLOUS SURFACE AREA

Stereological methods were used to examine fibrin -type fibrinoid deposition in the intervillous spaces of human placentas collected during gestation (12 -41 weeks) and from term pregnancies at low (400 m) and high (3.6 km) altitude. The main aim was to test predictions about the relationships between fibrinoid deposits and either the volume of intervillous space or the surface area of (intermediate + terminal) villi. Fields of view on Masson trichrome-stained paraffin sect ions were selected as part of a systematic sampling design which randomised section location and orientation. Relative and absolute volumes were estimated by test point counting and surfaces by intersection counting. Apparent differences were tested by ana lyses of variance and relationships by correlation and regression analysis. Fibrinoid volume increased during gestation and correlated positively with intervillous volume and villous surface area. However, relative to intervillous volume, the main increase in fibrinoid occurred towards term (36-41 weeks). At high altitude, placentas contained more intervillous space but less fibrinoid. At both altitudes, there were significant correlations between fibrinoid volume and villous surface area. In all cases, cha nges in fibrinoid volume were commensurate with changes in villous surface area. Whilst findings lend support to the notion that fibrinoid deposition during normal gestation is influenced by the quality of vascular perfusion, they also emphasise that the extent of the villous surface is a more generally important factor. The villous surface may influence the steady state between coagulation and fibrinolysis since some pro -coagulatory events operate at the trophoblastic epithelium. They occur notably at site s of trophoblast de-epithelialisation and these arise following trauma or during the extrusion phase of normal epithelial turnover.
Experience from replicating empirical studies on prediction models

When conducting empirical studies, replications are important contributors to investigating the generality of the studies. By replicating a study in another context, we investigate what impact the specific environment has, related to the effect of the studied object. In this paper, we define different levels of replication to characterise the similarities and differences between an original study and a replication, with particular focus on prediction models for the identification of fault-prone software components. Further, we derive a set of issues and concerns which are important in order to enable replication of an empirical study and to enable practitioners to use the results. To illustrate the importance of the issues raised, a replication case study is presented in the domain of prediction models for fault-prone software components. It is concluded that the results are very divergent, depending on how different parameters are chosen, which demonstrates the need for well-documented empirical studies to enable replication and use.
Interphonologie et représentations orthographiques. Du rôle de l'écrit dans l'enseignement / apprentissage du français oral chez des étudiants japonais

L'objectif de cette these est de proposer une analyse de la problematique de l'utilisation de l'ecrit dans l'enseignement/apprentissage de l'oral en langue etrangere, illustree par le cas d'apprenants japonais de francais en milieu universitaire au Japon. Il s'agit d'une these de didactique des langues et des cultures, qui, dans une approche implicationniste, etablit une perspective de recherche didactique vis-a-vis du rapport entre multimodalite des supports (visuel/orthographique et auditif) et apprentissage de l'oral (en perception et en production), plus particulierement celui du systeme phonetico-phonologique du francais. Les domaines didactique, phonetico-phonologique et psycholinguistique sont des lors sollicites pour rendre compte du rapport entre interphonologie et representations orthographiques chez ces apprenants. La these s'articule en six grandes parties : 1) une introduction didactique (presentation des problematiques initiales a partir d'observations de terrain) ; 2) une partie linguistique (comparaison des systemes phonetico-phonologique et phonographemique francais (L2) et japonais (L1)) ; 3) une partie psycholinguistique (description du fonctionnement cognitif des apprenants, en tenant compte de leurs specificites vis-a-vis des processus de perception de la parole et de l'ecrit) ; 4) une partie « problematiques » (reformulation des problematiques initiales et elaboration d'un protocole d'investigation quasi-experimental) ; 5) une partie experimentale (description des tests, resultats et interpretation, les tests etant axes sur la perception des segments /b, v, r, l/ et des groupes biconsonantiques /CC/) ; 6) une partie didactique conclusive (implications pour la recherche et pour les pratiques de classe, vis-a-vis de l'utilisation de la modalite visuelle dans l'enseignement/apprentissage de l'oral en L2). Il apparait que si l'on souhaite faire apprendre le systeme phonetico-phonologique d'une L2, il conviendrait de prendre davantage en compte la dimension phonographemique d'un tel apprentissage.
Analgesic Effects of Gabapentin after Spinal Surgery

BackgroundA combination of opioid and nonopioid analgesic drugs may improve the quality of postoperative analgesia as well as reduce opioid requirements and their associated side effects. Studies have shown synergism between gabapentin and morphine in animal and human experiments and in the treatment of incisional pain. Therefore, the authors investigated, in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, the effects of gabapentin on acute postoperative pain and morphine consumption in patients undergoing spinal surgery. MethodsAfter standard premedication, 25 patients in the control group received oral placebo, and 25 patients in the gabapentin group received 1,200 mg of gabapentin, 1 h before surgery in a randomized fashion. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and cisatracurium and was maintained with sevoflurane and remifentanil. The total intraoperative remifentanil consumption by each patient was noted. All patients postoperatively received patient-controlled analgesia with morphine (1 mg/ml) with an incremental dose of 2 mg, a lockout interval of 10 min, and a 4-h limit of 40 mg. The incremental dose was increased to 3 mg, and the 4-h limit to 50 mg, if analgesia was inadequate after 1 h. Patients were questioned for the first 1 h in the PACU and were later evaluated in the ward at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h. Pain scores, heart rate, oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry, mean blood pressure, respiratory rate, sedation, morphine use, and total dose of morphine were recorded. ResultsOverall, pain scores at 1, 2, and 4 h were significantly lower in the gabapentin group when compared with the placebo group. Total morphine consumption in the gabapentin group was 16.3 ± 8.9 mg (mean ± SD) versus 42.8 ± 10.9 mg in the placebo patients. The incidence of vomiting and urinary retention was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the placebo group, but there was no difference in incidence of other adverse effects between the groups. ConclusionsPreoperative oral gabapentin decreased pain scores in the early postoperative period and postoperative morphine consumption in spinal surgery patients while decreasing some morphine-associated side effects.
Relative charaterisitics of MR angiography and competing vascular imaging modalities

This article reviews the general characteristics of several vascular imaging modalities with the purpose of identifying the distinguishing features of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Brief discussions of conventional x‐ray film angiography, intravenous and intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA), duplex and color Doppler flow ultrasound (US), computed tomographic (CT) angiography, transesophageal and intravascular US, angioscopy, and MR angiography are presented. The advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. The general attributes and image quality features of MR angiography, intraarterial DSA, CT angiography, and US are compared. It is concluded that no single imaging modality will presently suffice for all purposes. Because of its noninvasiveness, rapidly improving image quality, and ability to directly provide velocity information, MR angiography is likely to play a role in an increasing number of clinical applications.
Methotrexate versus cyclophosphamide for remission maintenance in ANCA-associated vasculitis: A randomised trial

Objectives The treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is based on remission-induction and remission-maintenance. Methotrexate is a widely used immunosuppressant but only a few studies explored its role for maintenance in AAV. This trial investigated the efficacy and safety of methotrexate as maintenance therapy for AAV. Methods In this single-centre, open-label, randomised trial we compared methotrexate and cyclophosphamide for maintenance in AAV. We enrolled patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), the latter with poor-prognosis factors and/or peripheral neuropathy. Remission was induced with cyclophosphamide. At remission, the patients were randomised to receive methotrexate or to continue with cyclophosphamide for 12 months; after treatment, they were followed for another 12 months. The primary end-point was relapse; secondary end-points included renal outcomes and treatment-related toxicity. Results Of the 94 enrolled patients, 23 were excluded during remission-induction or did not achieve remission; the remaining 71 were randomised to cyclophosphamide (n = 33) or methotrexate (n = 38). Relapse frequencies at months 12 and 24 after randomisation were not different between the two groups (p = 1.00 and 1.00). Relapse-free survival was also comparable (log-rank test p = 0.99). No differences in relapses were detected between the two treatments when GPA+MPA and EGPA were analysed separately. There were no differences in eGFR at months 12 and 24; proteinuria declined significantly (from diagnosis to month 24) only in the cyclophosphamide group (p = 0.0007). No significant differences in adverse event frequencies were observed. Conclusions MTX may be effective and safe for remission-maintenance in AAV. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT00751517
CEREBRAL METABOLIC CHANGES DURING PROLONGED EPILEPTIC SEIZURES IN RATS

Abstract— Sustained epileptic seizures were induced in paralysed, artificially ventilated and anaesthetized (70% N2O) rats by means of intravenous bicuculline (1.2mgkg−1), and cerebral cortical tissue was frozen in situ after periods varying between 10 s and 2 h for analyses of labile phosphates, glycolytic metabolites, citric acid cycle intermediates, and associated amino acids and ammonia, using enzymic fluorometric techniques. Body temperature was kept at 37°C, and arterial hypotension, arterial hypoxaemia and hypoglycaemia were prevented.
Platelet activation: ultrastructure and morphometry in platelet-rich plasma of horses

O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a capacidade de ativacao do plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP) por substâncias farmacologicas, assim como verificar a necessidade ou nao dessa ativacao para uso terapeutico. O PRP foi obtido de quatro equinos mesticos higidos, machos castrados, com 13 a 16 anos (15±1anos) de idade, e processado para observacao e quantificacao da morfologia plaquetaria mediante a utilizacao da microscopia eletronica de transmissao. Todas as amostras de PRP foram ativadas com cloreto de calcio (CaCl2) a 10%, trombina bovina pura ou associada a CaCl2. O controle (PRP puro) nao foi ativado farmacologicamente. Nas amostras de PRP puro, 49% das plaquetas foram classificadas como ativacao incerta, 41% em repouso, 9% totalmente ativada e 1% com dano irreversivel. O tratamento com CaCl2 a 10% proporcionou uma distribuicao de 54% de plaquetas com ativacao incerta, 24% totalmente ativada, 20% em repouso, e 2% como com dano irreversivel. Amostras tratadas com trombina bovina apresentaram morfologia plaquetaria que nao se enquadraram na classificacao adotada, apresentando forma irregular com emissao de grandes pseudopodes filamentosos, aspecto de rompimento e grânulos inteiros no citoplasma remanescente e meio extracelular. Houve efeito do tratamento sobre a morfologia plaquetaria (P=0,03). O CaCl2 a 10% e um adequado agente ativador de plaquetas. Entretanto, nos casos onde se faz necessario o uso de PRP na forma mais liquida, recomenda-se o uso do PRP puro, que alem de apresentar uma adequada porcentagem de plaquetas totalmente ativadas, tambem possui importante quantidade do tipo em repouso, que pode ser ativado por substâncias presentes no tecido lesionado.
Influence of the BRAF V600E mutation on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in papillary thyroid cancer.

CONTEXT The BRAF mutation may influence the expression patterns of molecular markers that are related to the development and progression of thyroid cancer. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of the BRAF V600E mutation on expression of galectin-3, cyclooxygenase-2, cyclin D1, p53, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS One hundred sixty-three PTC and 28 nodular hyperplasia patients were selected retrospectively. The presence of the BRAF V600E mutation and the level of expression of the molecular markers were determined. RESULTS Of 161 PTC patients, 102 patients (63.4%) were BRAF V600E(+), and these cases had significantly larger tumor sizes (P = 0.01), compared with V600E(-) cases (n = 59, 36.6%). Although PTC tissues had higher expression levels of the selected molecular markers than nodular hyperplasia tissues, expression levels of several molecular markers in BRAF V600E(+) PTC were not significantly different from those of BRAF V600E(-) PTC. But VEGF was significantly up-regulated in BRAF V600E(+) PTC, compared with BRAF V600E(-) PTC. VEGF expression levels were strongly positively correlated to tumor size (P < 0.001), extrathyroidal invasion (P = 0.02), and tumor stage (P = 0.04). Multivariate analysis clearly showed that VEGF expression was up-regulated in BRAF V600E(+) PTC (odds ratio 2.5, confidence interval 1.1-5.6; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS BRAF V600E(+) PTC tended to have larger tumor volumes and higher expression of VEGF. The level of VEGF expression was closely correlated with tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, and stage. The relatively high levels of VEGF expression may be related to poorer clinical outcomes and recurrences in BRAF V600E(+) PTC.
The Use of Umbelliferone in the Synthesis of New Heterocyclic Compounds

New coumarin derivatives, namely 7-[(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)methoxy]-2H-chromen-2-one (4), 5-[(2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yloxy)methyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-one (5), 2-[2-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-7-yloxy)acetyl]-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (7), 7-[(5-(phenylamino)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)methoxy]-2H-chromen-2-one (8) and 7-[(5-mercapto-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)methoxy]-2H-chromen-2-one (9) were prepared starting from the natural compound umbelliferone (1). The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and spectral studies (IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR).
The use of recovery methods post‐exercise

Competitive soccer engages many of the body's systems to a major extent. The musculoskeletal, nervous, immune and metabolic systems are stressed to a point where recovery strategies post‐exercise become influential in preparing for the next match. Intense activity at a 7-day training camp causes participants to experience lowered concentrations of non-killer cells and T-helper cells. Two consecutive games in 24 h produce disturbances in the testosterone – cortisol ratio. When competitive schedules are congested, the recovery process should be optimized for performance capabilities to be restored to normal as soon as possible. There is evidence that glycogen stores are reduced near to depletion at the end of a soccer game and that a diet high in carbohydrates can aid recovery. Water alone is not the best means of restoring body fluids, since carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks display better intestinal absorption and reduce urine output. Some relief from muscle soreness may be achieved by means of a warm-down. Deep-water running regimens can replace conventional physical training in the days after competition. Massage, cryotherapy and alternative therapies have not been shown to be consistently effective. It is concluded that optimizing recovery post‐exercise depends on a combination of factors that incorporate a consideration of individual differences and lifestyle factors. The procedures to facilitate recovery processes should start immediately the game or training finishes. Match administrators and tournament planners should consider the stressful consequences for players in periods of congested fixtures and alleviate the physiological strain as far as possible by allowing 72 h between competitive games. This frequency of competition is unlikely to be sustainable in the long term.
Molecular Changes in the Degenerated Goat Intervertebral Disc

Study Design. Caprine lumbar intervertebral discs (IVD) were collected from previous studies and categorized as normal, mildly, or severely degenerated. The biochemical composition and the RNA profiles present in both the nucleus pulposus (NP) and the anulus fibrosus (AF) were analyzed. Objective. To determine the molecular changes occurring in a disc degeneration model, evaluating the mechanism through which the degeneration develops in this model. Summary of Background Data. Recently we described an IVD degeneration model in the goat by injecting chondroitinase ABC. This results in mild progressive disc degeneration. Methods. One hundred nine caprine IVDs were assigned to 3 classes: no degeneration, mild, or severe degeneration. Collagen content, collagen cross-links (hydroxylysyl pyridinoline) and the ratio between the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and hydroxyprolines (Hyp) (GAG/Hyp ratio) in the NP and AF samples were studied. Furthermore, the gene expression of collagen type I, type II, and aggrecan as well as a desintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTIS)-2, ADAMTS-14, and matrix metalloproteinases-13 were studied. Results. Collagen content was increased in severely degenerated NPs and decreased in severely degenerated AFs. Collagen cross-links were decreased in the severely degenerated NPs indicating de novo deposition of immature, reducible cross-linked collagens. The GAG/Hyp ratio found in none-degenerate goat discs was comparable to human ratios and decreased in degenerated discs, similar as in humans. The ADAMTS genes were increasingly detectable in the degenerated discs. The matrix metalloproteinases-13 gene increased significantly in degenerated discs. The expression of collagen type I increased in degenerated discs while aggrecan decreased. Conclusion. Changes in the GAG/Hyp ratio of chemically induced degeneration in goat IVD resemble the changes seen in humans. Gene expression profiles match the pattern of degeneration, suggesting that the injection of chondroitinase ABC might mimic the onset of human disc degeneration.
A 3 GHz Fractional All-Digital PLL With a 1.8 MHz Bandwidth Implementing Spur Reduction Techniques

Digital implementation of analog functions is becoming attractive in CMOS ICs, given the low supply voltage of ultra-scaled processes. Particularly, all-digital PLLs are being considered for RF frequency synthesis. However, they suffer from intrinsic deficiencies making them inferior to traditional analog solutions. The investigation in this paper shows that in-band output spurs, the major shortcoming of wideband divider-less ADPLLs with respect to analog fractional PLLs, are intrinsic and due to the finite resolution of the time-to-digital converter (TDC), even assuming perfect quantization and linearity. Moreover, even if the conceptual spur level is arbitrarily reduced by increasing the TDC resolution, TDC nonlinearities can cause a significant spur re-growth. This paper proposes two techniques to reduce the gap between all-digital and analog implementations of wideband fractional PLLs. These techniques have been applied to a 3 GHz ADPLL, whose bandwidth is programmable from 300 kHz to 1.8 MHz, operating from a 25 MHz reference signal. The test chip features more than 10 dB of worst in-band spur reduction when both corrections are active, for a worst-case in-band spur of -45 dBc at a bandwidth of 1.8 MHz and an in-band noise floor of -101 dBc/Hz. The chip core occupies 0.4 mm2 in 65 nm CMOS technology, and consumes less than 10 mW from a 1.2 V supply.
Brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) in patients with transplant-naive relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract Only limited data are available on the role of brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) in transplant-naive relapsed or refractory patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). We thus retrospectively analyzed 14 patients with primary refractory or relapsed HL who were treated with brentuximab vedotin as single agent in a named patient program, who had not received prior high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) due to refractory disease (n = 9), comorbidity (n = 4) and unknown reasons (n = 1). Brentuximab vedotin resulted in an overall response rate of 71% (10/14) with five complete responses (CRs). Five of those patients with refractory disease and four patients with relevant comorbidity responded. Consolidating ASCT (n = 4) or allogeneic SCT (n = 1) was performed in five patients. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 9 months and the median overall survival (OS) was not reached. These data indicate the therapeutic efficacy of brentuximab vedotin in chemotherapy-refractory transplant-naive patients with HL.