Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flipping pharmacoepidemiology classes in a Saudi Doctor of Pharmacy program

Purpose: To examine student perceptions towards the flipped classroom approach and its impact on their learning and their course evaluation when compared to the traditional classroom method.Methods: Five classes of the pharmacoepidemiology course were delivered using the flipped classroom approach. Student perception towards the flipped teaching method was measured using a satisfaction survey. Measuring the impact of the flipped classroom on student learning and the student course evaluation was achieved by comparing the midterm grades and the results of the standard endof- course evaluations with the previous semester's cohort.Results: Students’ perceptions of the flipped classroom were mostly favourable. The course and its various components were viewed more favourably in the second semester than in the first semester. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the perception of the topics covered in the course (p = 0.045), fairness of the grade assessment (p = 0.004), and perception of course feedback (p = 0.021). No statistical difference was noted between the midterm examination scores of the first semester cohort (24.53 ± 3.80) and the second semester cohort (25.15 ± 3.00); [t (22.54) = 0.53, p =0.3]. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that using the flipped classroom approach for teaching pharmacoepidemiology can improve student satisfaction, as well as maintain their academic performance. Keywords: Flipped classroom, Pharmacy education, Blended learning
Determination of Removal Efficiencies for Escherichia coli, Clostridial Spores, and F-Specific Coliphages in Unit Processes of Surface Waterworks for QMRA Applications

The removal efficiencies of bacteria, bacterial spores, and viruses after a change in source water and water pH in coagulation were studied at pilot scale in coagulation with flotation, rapid sand filtration, and disinfection with UV and chlorine. The results were compared to the treatment efficiencies of full-scale waterworks and data from literature. A quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA)-method was applied to estimate the numbers of illness cases caused by Campylobacter and norovirus after simulation of six operational malfunction scenarios. Coagulation with flotation and disinfection were more efficient in removing Clostridium spp. spores and MS2 coliphages than sand filtration in the pilot scale experiments (p < 0.001–0.008). The removal of E. coli was more efficient in sand filtration and in disinfection compared to coagulation with flotation (p = 0.006 and 0.01). Source water or pH change in coagulation had not significant effects on the removal efficiency of microbes. In QMRA, when disinfection was not in use, an increase in the number of illness cases compared to the normal situation was noticed. The variability in the number of illness cases demonstrated the importance of site-specific data in QMRA. This study provides new information on applying QMRA in both pilot and full-scale waterworks.
Prospects of using Avocado oil for attenuating quorum sensing regulated virulence, bio-filming formation and its antibacterial and antioxidant activities

Quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) is considered as an attractive strategy for the development of anti-pathogenic agents, mainly for drug resistant bacteria. The anti-quorum sensing activity was investigated by biosensor bioassay using Chromobacterium violaceum CVO26 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Quorum sensing is a key regulator of virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa such as bio-film formation, motility, productions of proteases, hemolysin, and Pyocyanin production. Additionally, the GC/MS technique was employed to detect the essential components of avocado oil. Avocado oil inhibits quorum system-mediated virulence factor production such as violacein in C. Violaceum CVO26 and elastase, Pyocyanin production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Additionally, the use of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of avocado oil significantly inhibits the quorum system-mediated biofilm formation, exopolysaccride production (EPS) and swarming motility. Furthermore, this study concerned the potent activity of avocado oil antibacterial and antioxidant agent. Moreover, a total of 23 components was identified in avocado oil by GC/MS.Avocado oil could be exploited as a natural source of anti-pathogenic, where the pathogenicity is mediated through quorum sensing, antibacterial as well as antioxidant agents. Graphical Abstract
Developments in mycotoxin analysis: an update for 2014-2015

This review summarises developments in the determination of mycotoxins over a period between mid-2014 and mid-2015. In tradition with previous articles of this series, analytical methods to determine aflatoxins, Alternaria toxins, ergot alkaloids, fumonisins, ochratoxins, patulin, trichothecenes and zearalenone are covered in individual sections. Advances in proper sampling strategies are discussed in a dedicated section, as are new methods used to analyse botanicals and spices and newly developed LC-MS based multi-mycotoxin methods. The critical review aims to briefly discuss the most important developments and trends in mycotoxin determination as well as to address shortcomings of current methodologies.
Comparison of Backbones for Semantic Segmentation Network

As for the classification network that is constantly emerging with each passing day, different classification network as the backbone of the semantic segmentation network may show different performance. This paper selected the road extraction data set of CVPR DeepGlobe, and compared the performance differences of VGG-16 as the backbone of Unet, ResNet34, ResNet101 and Xception as the backbone of AD-LinkNet. When VGG-16 is used as the backbone of the semantic segmentation network, it performs better in the face of long and wide road extraction. As the backbone of the semantic segmentation network, ResNet has a higher ability to extract small roads. When Xception is used as the backbone of the semantic segmentation network, it not only retains the characteristics of ResNet34, but also can effectively deal with the complex situation of extracting target covered by occlusions.
Effects of Different External Loads on the Activities of the Gluteus Maximus and Biceps Femoris during Prone Hip Extension in Healthy Young Men

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of different external loads on the muscle activities around the hip during prone hip extension with knee flexion (PHEKF) exercise in healthy young men. METHODS: Sixteen healthy adult males participated in the study. A pressure biofeedback unit was used to provide feedback to the participants during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) with PHEKF. Sandbags (0 kg, 1 kg, 2 kg, and 3 kg) were used to provide external resistance. The quadriceps was contracted to maintain knee flexion 90° against resistance. Each resistance condition using a sandbag weight was given in random order. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to measure the electrical activity of the gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, and erector spinae during PHEKF. RESULTS: The muscle activity of the gluteus maximus was highest with the 3 kg resistance and lowest with 0 kg (F = 128.46, P = .00). The muscle activities of the biceps femoris and erector spinae were highest with 0 kg and lowest with 3 kg (F = 29.49, P = .00). The muscle activity rate of the gluteus maximus/biceps femoris was highest with 3 kg and lowest with 0 kg (F = 37.49, P = .00). CONCLUSION: The activity of the gluteus maximus was increased using a higher external weight load during PHEKF, while the activity of the biceps femoris decreased. These findings suggest that an external weight is needed during hip extensor exercise to strengthen the gluteus maximus and inhibit the biceps femoris.
Occurrence and Severity of Oral Mucositis in Brazilian Pediatric Cancer Patients

Objective: To determine the occurrence and severity of oral mucositis (OM) and the factors associated with the onset of severe oral mucositis (SOM) in pediatric cancer patients. Material and Methods: This was a longitudinal and prospective study with 85 children and adolescents (aged 0 to 19 years) admitted to the Pediatric Oncology Sector of Napoleao Laureano Hospital between November 2016 and July 2019. The patients’ sociodemographic and epidemiological information, as well as hematological and biochemical parameters, were obtained from their medical charts. The oral mucosa of study participants was assessed through the modified Oral Assessment Guide (OAG) at baseline and after the 2nd, 5th and 10th week of antineoplastic treatment. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of SOM (p<0.05) . Results: The occurrence of OM was more frequent in the 2nd (60%), 5th (40.9%) and 10th week (43.2%) of antineoplastic treatment. During the follow-up period, SOM was more frequent in the 5th week (34.7%), followed by the 2nd (32.3%) and 10th weeks (29.7%). There was no association between the occurrence of SOM and the patient's age, type of tumor, chemotherapy regimen, and hematological and biochemical parameters . Conclusion: The occurrence of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients was significant, especially in the 2nd week of antineoplastic treatment. Severe oral mucositis was more prevalent in the 5th week of treatment and was not associated with any of the study variables.
Ultraviolet absorption cross sections of chlorine oxide (Cl2O2) between 210 and 410 nm

The ultraviolet and infrared absorption cross sections of Cl{sub 2}O{sub 2} have been measured. The transient Cl{sub 2}O{sub 2} molecule was produced by using the gas-phase reaction ClO + ClO + M {yields} Cl{sub 2}O{sub 2} + M. Three independent ClO radical source reactions were used in this study: Cl + O{sub 3}, Cl + Cl{sub 2}O, and Cl + OClO. The Cl{sub 2}O{sub 2} UV absorption spectrum was recorded over the range 200-450 nm with a diode array spectrometer over the temperature range 205-250 K. The Cl{sub 2}O{sub 2} infrared absorption spectrum was recorded with a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer over the range 500-2,000 cm{sup {minus}1}. Both spectrometers were optically coupled to a fast flow multipass absorption cell. The UV absorption spectrum of Cl{sub 2}O{sub 2} is a structureless continuum with a peak at 245 nm. The measurable absorption extends out to 410 nm. The UV absorption cross section at the peak of the spectrum, 245 nm, was measured to be (6.5{sub {minus}0.5}{sup +0.8}) {times} 10{sup {minus}18} cm{sup 2}. Infrared absorption features centered at 560, 653, and 750 cm{sup {minus}1} have been assigned to the Cl{sub 2}O{sub 2} molecule. The present results are compared with other reported UV andmore » IR measurements and the sources of discrepancies are discussed. The role of Cl{sub 2}O{sub 2} in atmospheric chemistry and in particular the Antarctic ozone hole are discussed. « less
Redescription of the cervical vertebrae of the Mamenchisaurid Sauropod Xinjiangtitan shanshanesis Wu et al. 2013

ABSTRACT Xinjiangtitan shanshanesis was originally reported based on the last two cervical vertebrae, complete dorsal and sacral vertebrae, two anterior caudal vertebrae, a partial pelvic girdle and partial hind limb bones from one individual specimen. However, the original description was brief and problematic. The ongoing excavation and further preparation of the holotype have revealed a complete cervical vertebral series. Herein, we provide a full redescription of the old and new materials of the cervical column of Xinjiangtitan shanshanesis and revised the diagnostic features of this taxon.
Investigation of frequent somatic mutations of MTND5 gene in gastric cancer cell lines and tissues

Abstract The present study investigated the single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of 13 paired gastric cancer tissue samples and seven gastric cancer cell lines using direct sequencing analysis of the MTND5 region. Results showed that nuclear mitochondrial pseudogenes (NUMTs) and mitochondrial copy number affected the detection of the SNV frequency in gastric cancer tissue and cell line samples using high-throughput sequencing technique. The heteroplasmic point mutation C12474T and G12835A happened in AGS and BGC823 cell lines, respectively. A total of seven SNVs were found in three paired gastric cancer tissue samples, including five heteroplasmic point mutations (A12406G, C12705T, T12882C, G12501A, and A12584G) and two homoplasmic point mutations (G12561A and C13590T). Gastric cancer tissue sample 16 exhibited the highest SNVs frequency with four SNVs (np 12406, np 12705, np 12882, and np 12501), whereas no SNVs or SNPs were detected in the tissue sample 4. SNP 12705 turned out to be an SNV in gastric cancer tissue sample 16. SNV 12338 detected by exome sequencing approach appeared to be an SNP in this study.
Effect of Carum copticum nano-essence against Saprolegnia and Fusarium, and the Use of Multiplex PCR Assay for the Detection of These Organisms in Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

This study aimed to investigate the fungal species isolation and confirmation by the Multiplex PCR method in aquatic fish. Evaluation of the inhibitory effect of nano-essential oils of Carum copticum on isolated fungal species was also conducted in this study. The PCR results showed that 3 out of 5 samples were diagnosed with Fusarium solani, and two of them were positive for Saprolegnia. Moreover, in 0.1% of the females' nanoparticles, one peak appeared that showed a particle with an average diameter of 360 nm, and two nanoparticles showed a peak with a mean diameter of 242 nm. The results of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) showed that 0.01% nano essential oil had 0.08 and 0.07 mg/ml MIC values against Fusarium solani and Saprolegnia, respectively. Gram/ml was on the growth of Fusarium solani species. The essential oils of female plants had an MIC of 0.07 in 0.1% essential oil and 0.03 mg/ml in 0.01% essential oil in Saprolegnia. Furthermore, in the case of 0.1% nano essential oil, the results showed the MIC values of 0.04 and 0.03 mg/ml against Fusarium solani and Saprolegnia, respectively. The MFC values of 0.1% nano essential oil were 0.1 and 0.07 mg/ml against Fusarium solani and Saprolegnia, respectively. It was not found on Fusarium and Saprolegnia. Overall, the results of this study using PCR for direct detection showed that 70% and 50% of the samples were Fusarium solani and Saprolegnia positive, respectively; therefore, the PCR was an efficient method for the detection of fungi. According to the results of nano-essential oil (0.1%) of females, this nano-essence had a strong inhibitory effect on Fusarium solani and Saprolegnia.
Self-similarity in the breakup of very dilute viscoelastic solutions

Abstract When pushed out of a syringe, polymer solutions form droplets attached by long and slender cylindrical filaments whose diameter decreases exponentially with time before eventually breaking. In the last stages of this process, a striking feature is the self-similarity of the interface shape near the end of the filament. This means that shapes at different times, if properly rescaled, collapse onto a single universal shape. A theoretical description based on the Oldroyd-B model was recently shown to disagree with existing experimental results. By revisiting these measurements and analysing the interface profiles of very diluted polyethylene oxide solutions at high temporal and spatial resolution, we show that they are very well described by the model.
DWPF GC FILTER ASSEMBLY SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS

On March 18, 2009 a Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) GC Line Filter Assembly was received at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL). This filter assembly was removed from operation following the completion of Sludge Batch 4 processing in the DWPF. Work on this sample was requested in a Technical Assistance Request. This document reports the pictures, observations, samples collected, and analytical results for the assembly. The assembly arrived at SRNL separated into its three component filters: high efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-1, HEPA-2, and a high efficiency mist evaporator (HEME). Each stage of the assembly's media was sampled and examined visually and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Solids built up in the filter housing following the first stage HEME, were dissolved in dilute nitric acid and analyzed by ICP-AES and the undissolved white solids were analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD). The vast majority of the material in each of the three stages of the DWPF GC Line Filter Assembly appears to be contaminated with a Hg compound that is {approx}59 wt% Hg on a total solids basis. The Hg species was identified by XRD analysis to contain a mixture of Hg{sub 4}(OH)(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} and Hg{sub 10}(OH){sub 4}(NO{sub 3}){sub 6}. more » Only in the core sample of the second stage HEPA, did this material appear to be completely covering portions of the filter media, possibly explaining the pressure drops observed by DWPF. The fact that the material migrates through the HEME filter and both HEPA filters, and that it was seen collecting on the outlet side of the HEME filter, would seem to indicate that these filters are not efficient at removing this material. Further SRAT off-gas system modeling should help determine the extent of Hg breakthrough past the Mercury Water Wash Tank (MWWT). The SRAT off-gas system has not been modeled since startup of the facility. Improvements to the efficiency of Hg stripping prior to the ammonia scrubber would seem to be the only way to prevent/mitigate the formation of the compounds found in the GC Line Filter Assembly filters and therefore prevent pluggage of this filter assembly. « less
Development of Cobalt based Nanocatalysts for Energy and Environment

There is a rising concern about energy and environment for future. Transition from current fossil fuels to green fuels and building of cleaner environment to lead sustainable life is at enormous task. Hydrogen gas is recognized as a clean fuel and may be a sustainable solution. Hydrogen can be directly used as clean fuel in fuel cells with no harmful by-products. Chemical hydrides with high hydrogen storage capacity in terms of gravimetric and volumetric efficiencies are the most promising candidates to supply pure hydrogen at room temperature. Among them, Ammonia Borane (NH3BH3, AB) and Sodium borohydride (NaBH4, SBH) have drawn a lot of interest as they are stable, non-flammable, and nontoxic. Large amount of pure hydrogen gas is released during the hydrolysis of these hydrides in presence of certain catalysts and the by-products are non-toxic, environmentally safe and can be recycled. Co based catalysts are considered as good candidates for catalyzed hydrolysis owing to their good catalytic activity, low cost and effortless synthesis. In favor of environmental concern, especially the air pollution (conversion of CO to CO2) and water pollutions (organic pollutants) are vital problems and there is a serious need to mitigate these problems. Cobalt (Co) based materials are with high catalytic activity for hydrolysis, organic pollutants degradation and CO oxidation. So, a single Co based catalysts as powders and as immobilized coatings prepared by chemical reduction method and pulsed laser deposition (PLD) were studied for hydrogen production by hydrolysis of AB and SBH and thin film coatings Co3O4 were studied for CO oxidation and organic pollutants degradation. On the basis of characterization results, the role of catalyst to enhance catalytic activity is discussed in hydrolysis, CO oxidation and pollutants degradation reactions. The stability and re-usability of these catalysts have also been investigated.
Shotgun proteomics analysis of nanoparticle-synthesising Desulfovibrio alaskensis in response to platinum and palladium

Platinum and palladium are much sought-after metals of global critical importance in terms of abundance and availability. At the nano-scale these metals are of even higher value due to their catalytic abilities for industrial applications. Desulfovibrio alaskensis is able to capture ionic forms of both of these metals, reduce them, and synthesize elemental nanoparticles. Despite this ability very little is known about the biological pathways involved in the formation of these nanoparticles. Proteomic analysis of D. alaskensis in response to platinum and palladium has highlighted those proteins involved in both the reductive pathways and the wider stress-response system. A core set of 13 proteins was found in both treatments and consisted of proteins involved in metal transport and reduction. There were also 7 proteins specific to either platinum or palladium. Over-expression of one of these platinum-specific genes, a NiFe hydrogenase small subunit (Dde_2137), resulted in the formation of larger nanoparticles. This study improves our understanding of the pathways involved in the metal resistance mechanism of Desulfovibrio and informs how we can tailor the bacterium for nanoparticle production, enhancing its application as a bioremediation tool and as way to capture contaminant metals from the environment. Importance Bacteria, in particularly D. alaskensis, represent a biological and greener way to capture high value metals such as platinum group metals from environmental and industrial waste streams. The recovery of these metals in nanoparticle forms adds extra value to this process as they can be used in a variety of different industrial applications as they have exceptional catalytic capabilities. D. alaskensis ability to do this, has been widely reported, though very little is understood about the underlying protein and genetic components. It is by understanding the biological basis of this capability that we can further improve and adapt this bacterium to be better at bioremediation and to control its ability to do so.
Trophic consistency of supraspecific taxa in below-ground invertebrate communities: Comparison across lineages and taxonomic ranks

1. Animals that have similar morphological traits are expected to share similar eco logical niches. This statement applies to individual animals within a species and thus species often serve as the functional units in ecological studies. Species are further grouped into higher-ranked taxonomic units based on their morphological similarity and thus are also expected to be ecologically similar. On the other hand, theory predicts that strong competition between closely related species may re sult in differentiation of ecological niches. Due to high diversity and limited taxo nomic expertise, soil food webs are often resolved using supraspecific taxa such as families, orders or even classes as functional units. 2. Here, we tested the trophic differentiation and consistency of supraspecific taxa across major lineages of temperate forest soil invertebrates: Annelida, Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea and Hexapoda. Published data on stable isotope composi tions of carbon and nitrogen were used to