Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation, characterization, and quantification of curcuminoids and their comparative effects in cerebral ischemia

ABSTRACT The study reports a rapid and short analytical technique for separation, characterization, and quantitation along with comparative pharmacological effect of curcuminoids in cerebral ischemia. Flash chromatography, using silica and diol columns along with gradient mobile phase, was utilized to separate three curcuminoids, i.e., curcumin (Cur), demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) for the first time. The separated peaks were monitored at 200–360 nm, whereas the purity of compounds (96.2–97.6%) was determined through qualitative analysis such as infrared and 1H and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), and differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) for curcuminoids were prepared and characterized through zeta sizer, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The developed ultra performance of liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS) method showed simplified automation and shorter run time for Combi flash over conventional separation techniques. The CS-NPs for all the three curcuminoids and combined-curcuminoids (CCr) (combined and administered together for a synergistic effect), following intranasal administration in middle cerebral artery–occluded rats were evaluated for grip strength, locomotor activity, and histopathological examination where the anti-ischemic activity was observed, in terms of potency, for all three CS-NPs and CCr as CCr>Cur>DMC>>BDMC. Cur-CS-NPs exhibited more potency among Cur, DMC, and BDMC, whereas CCr was the more potent anti-ischemic drug compared to Cur, DMC, and BDMC. For Cur the characteristic activity is proposed because of the presence of methoxy group on the phenyl ring whereas for CCr it is synergistic effect of curcuminoids. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Adsorption characteristics of graphene oxide nanosheets on cement

Modifying cement with graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets tremendously improves its mechanical properties but decreases its fluidity. The adsorption characteristics between GO and cement play a pivotal role in the influence on fluidity. In this paper, the adsorption characteristics of graphene oxide nanosheets on cement were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), total organic carbon (TOC), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) and XPS analyses. The results show that GO nanosheets have a strong adsorption ability on the cement surface. The adsorption data was best fitted with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model and described by a pseudo-second order kinetics model. The adsorption process includes a chemical reaction where the –COOH groups on the edge of the GO nanosheets react with metal cations. The adsorption layer thickness of the GO nanosheets on the cement was about 10.16 nm.
Drug Utilization Pattern of Antihypertensive Drugs at Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Hypertension represents a major health problem primarily because of its role in contributing to the initiation and progression of major cardiovascular diseases. This cross-sectional observational study aims at analysing the utilization pattern of antihypertensives used for the treatment of hypertension at a tertiary care hospital in perspective of standard treatment guidelines. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective, cross sectional and observational study carried out in the outpatient of Department of General Medicine of NC Medical College and Hospital. All patients with proven hypertension and put on antihypertensive medications were recruited from the Department of Medicine. The total duration of the study was 1 year i.e. December 2019 to November 2020. Results: In our study, the mean systolic blood pressure (mean±S.D) of the patients was 154.34±9.43 and the median was 153. Test of proportion showed most of the patients 53 (44.1%) were significantly higher systolic blood pressure ranging from 160-179 mmHg. The mean diastolic blood pressure (mean±S.D) of the patients was 98.32±8.43. Test of proportion showed most of the patients 51 (42.5%) were significantly higher diastolic blood pressure ranging from 100-119 mmHg. Test of proportion showed most of the patients 62 (51.6%) were on Mono therapy significantly higher than dual therapy, triple therapy and poly therapy, 34 (26.6%), 13 (10.8%), 11 (9.1%) respectively. Causality assessment of ADRs was done using WHOUMC scale which categorizes ADRs as “certain”, “probable”, “possible” and “unlikely”. Table 8 shows that type of reactions and their percentage are as certain (9.6%), Probable/ Likely (67.7%), Possible (19.3%), and Unlikely (3.2%). Conclusions: In this study usage of anti-hypertensive drugs were prescribed rationally in tertiary care hospital. The study emphasizes that need for effective continuing medical education and also preventive measures in hypertensive individuals.
Influence of antibrowning solutions, air exposure, and ultrasound on color changes in fresh-cut apples during storage

This study identified optimal apple cultivars and antibrowning treatments with/without ultrasound for fresh-cut processing with minimal color changes observed during storage. Color changes ( ΔEa,b∗) were evaluated for various apple cultivars (Idared, Golden Delicious, Gala, Gloster, Cripps Pink, Braeburn, and Fuji) treated with different antibrowning solutions (ascorbic + citric acid; ascorbic acid + NaCl; NaCl, citric acid, and Ca-ascorbate) with/without ultrasound during storage of 24 hr. Also, sensory evaluation was conducted to assess the acceptability of treated apples. The effectiveness of antibrowning treatments with or without ultrasound were determined as negative effect on ΔEa,b∗ and browning index over the storage. The best apples were Cripps Pink and Golden Delicious, and solutions were Ca-ascorbate and ascorbic + citric acid. In combination with ultrasound, the best solution was Ca-ascorbate. Exposure to ultrasound confirmed the best suitability of Ca-ascorbate and Cripps Pink for fresh-cut, while implying that longer periods of exposure might be beneficial for prevention of browning in fresh-cut apples. Practical applications Fresh-cut processing is a significant segment of the worldwide food markets, with fresh-cut apples being one of the most important foods for such production. Fresh-cut apples have short shelf-life that is mainly reduced by browning. Since, profit margin in fresh-cut industry is spread over the short periods of time (largely due to short shelf-life) it is crucial for such industrial processing to identify apples and antibrowning treatments that will extend preservation to longest possible time while assuring consumer acceptance of such products. Simultaneously, it is important to detect advanced nonthermal treatments able to reduce or prevent browning in fresh produce with minimal loss in nutritive value and addition of additives, due to consumers’ tendency to demand such foods.
Suppressing cation segregation on lanthanum-based perovskite oxides to enhance the stability of solid oxide fuel cell cathodes

The slow rate of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode side has been considered as a scientific challenge to improve the overall performance of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Unfortunately, dopant cation enrichment on the surface of perovskite-type cathode materials often leads directly to the reduction in activity and stability of ORR. For this reason, we quantitatively assessed the main driving force of dopant segregation on LaBO3(001) surfaces (B = Cr0.50Mn0.50, Mn, Fe, Co0.25Fe0.75, Co, and Ni) using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Based on our findings, the minimization of elastic energy, which is closely related to the size of both A-site and B-site cations, plays an important role on the A-site dopant segregation. The degree of dopant segregation can be controlled by the proper choice of cations contained in LaBO3-type perovskite oxides. We therefore suggest a valuable principle that can be applied to design high performance cathode materials by suppressing the dopant cation enrichment at the surface.
Etude phytochimique et activités biologiques de Diplotaxis sp. : application à l'étude des cellules souches coliques pathologiques

Les plantes medicinales Diplotaxis harra et Diplotaxis simplex occupent une place importante dans la pharmacopee traditionnelle grâce a leurs compositions variees en metabolites secondaires tels que les flavonoides. Ces derniers jouent un role important dans plusieurs activites biologiques, notamment anti-inflammatoires et anti-cancereuses. Dans ce contexte, et a la recherche de molecules bioactives dans D. harra et D. simplex, nous avons mis au point un nouveau modele d'etude in vitro des cellules souches a l'origine des pathologies inflammatoires et cancereuses coliques ou leur survie depend de l'activation de la Glycogene Synthase Kinase 3beta (GSK3beta) en aval du recepteur de proteases inflammatoires PAR2. Ce modele a permis la purification bioguidee de glucoflavonoides a partir d'un extrait methanolique des fleurs de D. harra capables d'inhiber GSK3beta via la voie PKC. Ainsi, l'Isorhamnetine-3,7-di-O-glucoside s'est revele cytotoxique vis a vis des cellules inflammatoires ou cancereuses coliques tout en epargnant les cellules normales. D'autre part, en raison de l'interet grandissant porte aux fractions volatiles en therapeutique, nous avons etudie les compositions chimiques et les activites antioxydantes des fractions volatiles des feuilles et des fleurs de D. simplex. En se basant sur la technique chromatographique en phase gazeuse couplee a la spectrometrie de masse (GC-MS), nous avons montre que les deux fractions volatiles contiennent des quantites importantes de composes soufres/azotes, parmi lesquels le 5-methylthiopentanenitrile et le 1-isothiocyanatobutane pourraient etre impliques dans l'effet antioxydant des fleurs de D. simplex. En conclusion, nos travaux ont permis de reveler l'axe PAR2/GSK3beta comme une nouvelle voie de survie des cellules souches coliques et l'interet therapeutique des glucoflavonoides et des fractions volatiles de l'espece Diplotaxis.
An overview of its progress and achievements

ASEAN Power Grid (APG) is one of the six programme areas initially identified in the first ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) series, APAEC 1999-2004. It is an initiative to ensure security and sustainability of energy in the region, particularly the electricity. In each series, the APG objectives, strategies and actions are revised and updated to reflect its current state and progress. It has been twenty years since the first APAEC series and a lot of APG strategies and actions have been implemented to achieve the stated objectives. It is therefore timely to review the current state of its implementation to gain insight on its progress. In this paper, the action plans are presented and their current states of implementation are reviewed with the aim to determine their progress and achievements to date. Most of the information needed for this study was obtained from the official APAEC reports, related documents and news cuttings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever work that comprehensively review the progress and achievement of the APG to date. Existing reports are usually written per timeframe rather than per programme area, making it difficult to delve deeper into a specific programme area. Among others, findings from the review show that most of the implemented actions were focusing on the physical interconnections of the power grid and a lot still need to be done with regards to the trading. However, encouraging progress with regards to trading is also seen lately. Findings from this study would provide useful insight on the current state of the APG implementation, particularly when the relevant committees are currently drafting the second phase of the APAEC 2016-2025 that will cover the period from 2021 to 2025.
Diversity study among Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus Jacq.) (Poales: Poaceae) genotypes and development of a core germplasm set

Abstract Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus Jacq.) is an important forage species in vast rangelands/grasslands of India and several tropical countries owing to its high biomass yield, good nutritional quality and wide adaptation. Evaluation of the existing natural variation and selection of desirable genotypes is the most plausible breeding method for this apomictic and polyploid grass. Developing a core sub-set to narrow down the number of germplasm required for future genetic studies is also pertinent. The present study involved characterization of 152 diverse M. maximus germplasm representing collections from different agro-ecological zones of India as well as those procured from Africa and Brazil; and development of a core sub-set. Nineteen metric, seven non-metric and nine nutritive traits together established the presence of wide variability among the genotypes. Clustering of the genotypes resulted in eight distinct clusters. The largest cluster included genotypes from Ethiopia, north India, north-western India, south India and north-eastern hill region, thus represented the highest diversity. Eleven of the total 26 Ethiopian genotypes clustered together. Non-metric morphological traits effectively differentiated the genotypes, and were associated with nutritional quality also. Genotypes which flowered once in a year showed slightly better crude protein and digestibility. The clusters were further sub-clustered and representatives were selected to develop the core sub-set of 23 genotypes comprising 20 indigenous and three exotic accessions. Comparison of the range of diversity and mean value for traits as obtained in the core sub-set and that in the total germplasm indicated successful capturing of maximum diversity in the core sub-set.
Impact of the Four Quality "Training, Service, Information System and Information" on the Use of Information System in an Information-Intensive Sector

— Today, information is crucial and the flow of information is becoming more and more numerous, so their management is delicate, hence the need to use an information system that supports all production systems, and the majority of competitive advantages is achieved through the intelligent use of these information systems. It is in this context of disrupted information that the use of information systems is necessary in organizations, as they have greatly influenced the ways of work and management. For this purpose, they allow easy access to relevant information in quantity and in real time, the rapidity of analyzing this information and the possibilities for dissemination and exchange between the partners, without forgetting the possibilities for storage and archiving in a more secure way than human intervention could. The study examines the impact of quality of training, service quality, information system quality and information quality on the use of an information system. A quantitative study is conducted to test these effects, the findings of this research are mainly comprised by three facts: (1) the use of information systems is obligatory in the context of intensive information. (2) Voluntary or mandatory use status must be specified in the analysis, (3) there is no specific antecedent to the act of use of IS in the retail sector
Eudragit ® FS 30 D polymeric films containing chondroitin sulfate as candidates for use in coating seeking modified delivery of drugs

Polymeric films associating different concentrations of Eudragit(r) FS 30 D (EFS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) were produced by casting for the development of a new target-specific site material. Formed films kept a final polymer mass of 4% (w/v) in the following proportions: EFS 100:00 CS (control), EFS 95:05 CS, EFS 90:10 CS and EFS 80:20 CS. They were analyzed for physical and chemical characteristics using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, they were characterized by their water vapor permeability and degree of hydration at different conditions simulating the gastrointestinal tract. No chemical interactions were observed between CS and EFS, suggesting only a physical interaction between them in the different combinations tested. The results suggest that EFS and CS, when combined, may form films that are candidates for coating processes seeking a modified drug delivery, especially due to the synergism between pH dependency and specific biodegradability properties by the colonic microbiota. EFS 90:10 CS proved to be the most suitable for this purpose considering hydration and permeability characteristics of different associations analyzed.
Planning, Communication and Active Methodologies: Online Assessment of the Software Engineering Subject during the COVID-19 Crisis

La pandemia de coronavirus ha tenido un alto impacto a nivel mundial. La crisis sanitaria no solo ha tenido un impacto en la propia salud de las personas y en los sistemas de salud, sino que ha afectado a otros ambitos. En el contexto educativo, las medidas de confinamiento implementadas por los diferentes gobiernos han supuesto un reto para el ecosistema de aprendizaje. En el caso de la educacion superior en Espana, con un fuerte componente presencial en la mayoria de las universidades publicas, se interrumpieron las clases presenciales un mes despues del inicio del segundo cuatrimestre, finalizando el curso academico en modalidad online. Este cambio ha supuesto un gran esfuerzo por parte de los docentes para transformar la ensenanza presencial al enfoque online, lo que en muchos casos ha supuesto un rediseno casi integral de la asignatura, cambiando el proceso de evaluacion y las metodologias utilizadas. El presente trabajo presenta un caso de exito de evaluacion online desarrollado en la asignatura Ingenieria de Software I del Grado en Ingenieria Informatica de la Universidad de Salamanca. El objetivo es sustentar como el uso previo de metodologias activas y la integracion de tecnologias educativas en la docencia presencial facilita la transformacion de la evaluacion a un enfoque online o mixto, a la par que mantiene un alto grado de implicacion y satisfaccion por parte de los estudiantes. Para ello, tras presentar una comparativa entre el enfoque presencial y la adaptacion al enfoque online, se realiza un analisis de los resultados de aprendizaje y la satisfaccion de los estudiantes respecto a los cursos academicos previos. Los resultados muestran que el cambio de enfoque no ha mermado los resultados de satisfaccion obtenidos en los cursos anteriores. En cuanto a los resultados de aprendizaje, hay un aumento general de las calificaciones obtenidas por los estudiantes en todos los items de evaluacion.
Immediate versus Delayed Physiotherapy Protocol after the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis by Conservative Gap Arthroplasty

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of immediate and delayed physiotherapy protocol on the maximum interincisal opening (MIO), pain magnitude during physiotherapy, and rate of re-ankylosis, following the release of temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMJa) by conservative gap arthroplasty. Subjects and methods: Twenty four patients with TMJa were treated with conservative gap arthroplasty. They were divided into two equal groups: In group 1, physiotherapy was started 24 hours after surgery. In group 2, physiotherapy was initiated after one week postoperative. MIO, pain magnitude by visual analogue scale (VAS), and rate of re-ankylosis were recorded. The values of MIO and VAS of both groups were compared by paired sample t-test. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in MIO. At one week and one month postoperative, MIO showed significant difference between the two groups (P-value ≤ 0.05). At the remaining follow-up period, no significant difference was observed. By comparing the VAS of the two groups, it was significant only at the first day of physiotherapy and at two weeks (P-value ≤ 0.05). The rate of re-ankylosis was non-significant between the two groups. Conclusion: Maintenance of MIO is less dependent on the starting time of physiotherapy and more indebted to the patient cooperation with a regular physiotherapy protocol. The reduction in the VAS encourages the patients to perform more comfortable TMJ exercises.
Effect of high temperature on the mechanical behavior of cement-bonded wood composite produced with wood waste

The increase in the population day by day and urbanization has led to a rapid increase in the construction sector. With the increase in demand in construction, the product types of building materials are increasing. It is seen that wastes are formed during and after the production of the materials used in the building. This highlights studies on waste management and recycling of waste. After construction activities, wastes are recycled or converted to secondary products. One of these is wood waste, a traditional building material. In addition to the production of wood furniture, it is used in various areas from the beginning of construction to the end of the building. In this study, sawdust, which is the waste of a woodworking company, was used. Utilizing the advantages of wood, recyclable and sustainable cement bonded wood composite production practices have been explored. It is aimed to produce nature and environment friendly, ecological and economic and durable composite materials. In this research, it is aimed to determine the optimum ratio by using different ratios of sawdust-cement while keeping the water-cement ratio constant in production. The specimens taken from the production were exposed to high temperature after gaining strength. The strength results, unit weights and ultrasonic pulse velocity results of cement bonded wood composite samples exposed to high temperature were examined. Although cement bonded wood composites are exposed to high temperatures such as 400°C, it has been observed that strength is achieved. With this study, an alternative area was proposed for the evaluation of these wastes. A R T I C L E I N F O
ANTIBACTERIAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING FROM LEAF AND FRUIT EXTRACTS OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA

Momordica charantia is a well known plant in Asia including India which posses wide range of pharmacological activities. These drugs have been used in India as folk remedy in the form of decoctions and infusions to treat bacterial infections and also claimed to be an effective against variety of skin conditions like psoriasis, acne, wounds etc. The present investigation is carried out to study the antibacterial activity and the presence of various phytochemicals of different parts of Momordica charantia extracts with different solvents on three microorganisms by disk diffusion method. Methanolic, ethanolic, hexane and aqueous extract of leaves, and fruits of the plant were evaluated for antibacterial activity using the disk diffusion method on three microorganisms (Bacillus subtilus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi). Zone of inhibition was calculated. Results indicate that the different concentrations of various extracts under study exhibit antibacterial activity and among the various extracts, fruit extracts have shown better activity as compared to leaf parts of extracts. Among the various extracts, methanol extracts have shown better antibacterial activity.