Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The phytochemical composition and biological activities of different types of extracts of Achillea ageratifolia subsp. serbica

Achillea ageratifolia subsp. serbica is a poorly investigated endemic of the Balkan area and there are almost no data about the potential application of this plant. The purpose of this study was the investigation of the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm activity of its water, acetone, and ethyl acetate extracts. The phenolic composition and flavonoids were established using high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) analysis, while the chemical composition of the ethyl acetate extracts of the aerial parts of the plant was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC and GC-MS). Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, as well as the inhibition ability of biofilm formation on Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 biofilms, were also investigated. The total phenolic content ranged from 18.61 mgGAE/g to 43.78 mgGAE/g of extract. The total flavonoid content ranged from 10.79 mgRUE/g to 34.02 mgRUE/g. The acetone and ethyl acetate extracts of the aerial parts contained chlorogenic acid, myricetin, apigenin, and luteolin. Analysis of the volatile specialized metabolites in the ethyl acetate extract of the aerial parts allowed for the identification of thirty-two constituents. The highest antioxidant activity was detected in the water extract of the aerial parts of the plant (IC50 = 641.06 ? g/ml) and in the ethyl acetate extract of the root (IC50 = 675.33 ? g/ml). Bacillus subtilis and S. aureus showed higher sensitivity to the tested extracts, while the antifungal activity of the marked extracts was significant. All extracts showed a moderate inhibitory effect on the ability of biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853, while only the ethyl acetate inflorescence extract showed an effect on the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The tested extracts showed the potential for further investigation and possible application as biofungicides.
Mechanisms of Protein Stability in Lyophilized Samples

Xu, Yemin (Ph.D., Biochemistry) Mechanisms of Protein Stability in Lyophilized Samples Thesis directed by Professor Theodore W. Randolph Lyophilization is often the choice for therapeutic proteins when an aqueous formulation is not sufficiently stable to achieve the desired shelf life. Lyophilization incorporates molecules in rigid and inert glassy matrices by added excipients, where proteins generally exhibit slower degradation kinetics. Unfortunately, both physical and chemical degradations may still occur at unacceptable rates, and the factors that control the rates of these degradations are not well understood. There are a few properties often considered critical to the stability of proteins: a) the extent of native structural retention during lyophilization, b) the dynamic properties of the glassy matrix, c) phase separation, and d) protein adsorption onto glass-air interface. In this work, we investigated the mechanisms of protein stability in lyophilized sample using two model proteins: recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and keratinocyte growth factor-2 (KGF-2). First, we examined formulations of rhGH (helix dominant protein) combined with disaccharides (sucrose or trehalose) and various amounts of hydroxyethyl starch (HES), which upon lyophilization yielded glasses with a wide range of retention of native protein structure and glass transition temperatures, inverse mean square displacements <u2>-1 for hydrogen atoms (fast β relaxation), and the relaxation time τβ, which correlates with relaxation due to fast
Perceived Impact of Social Media on Higher Secondary School Students

Social media has exploded as a category of online discourse where people create content, share it, bookmark it and network at a prodigious rate. Because of its ease use, speed and reach, social media is fast changing the public discourse in society and setting trends and agenda in topics that range from the environment and politics to technology and the entertainment industry (Asur and Huberman, 2010). In the last ten years, the online world has changed dramatically; young men and women now exchange the ideas, feelings, personal information, pictures and videos at truly astonishing rate (Oberst, 2010). In a study conducted by Madden et al., (2013) around the world more than eighty five per cent youth spending large amount of time on internet. According to Kaur and Bashir (2015) positive as well as negative impact of social media is that to make users getting addicted and affect their academic performance. Positive effects include Social media has exploded as a category of online discourse where people create content, share it, bookmark it and network at a prodigious rate. The comparative study was conducted between four rural v/s urban schools (two private and two government higher secondary schools) of Hisar district of Haryana. The results highlighted the facts that rural parents and teachers had unfavorable attitude towards social media whereas teachers had favorable attitude towards social media. In case of urban area majority of parents and teachers both had favorable attitude towards social media. Relationship between dependent and independent variables showed age was positively correlated with physical and social health of the students whereas education was positively correlated with all the three parameters viz; mental, physical and social health of the students. This showed that young and educated person is more conscious and vigilant regarding the mental, physical and social health of their children. Most common constraints felt by the students were; parents disapproval, non-availability of net facilities and perceived internet as a costly affair. Hence in order to solve the above mentioned problems it is recommended that parents should themselves equipped with computer skill so that they can guide their children properly in terms of how, when and what type of social media they should use in order to show the right path to their children. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 10 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Corporate Governance and Cash Holding: New Insights from Concentrated and Competitive Industries

The present study empirically investigates the effect of corporate governance on the value of cash holding, usage of excess cash, and firm performance in concentrated and competitive industries in the context of less developed countries. The empirical analysis was conducted in the panel data setting using Pakistan as a case study. Our findings suggest a strong relationship between the value of cash holding and corporate governance, and the complementary effect of product market competition for corporate governance. This suggests that the external market discipline is also needed, in addition to good governance, to resolve agency problems in less developed countries. This is because less developed countries are usually characterized by lower competition, poor mechanisms for shareholder protection, and weak legal systems. Consequently, agency problems are greater in less developed countries compared to developed countries. Our findings also indicate that firms with good governance dissipate less excess cash on internal investment, dividends and diversification in competitive industries. Moreover, the significant positive relationship between the lagged excess cash and corporate governance dummy interaction with the dividend supports the dividend outcome model, particularly in the concentrated industries. Finally, our results suggest that the efficient utilization of excess cash, induced by good governance, leads to better corporate performance in less developed countries.
Diffusion mechanism of Co2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Cs+, and Pb2+ ions in the particles of polyaniline silicotitanate

ABSTRACT The kinetic behavior of Co2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Cs+, and Pb2+ in the H-form of polyaniline silicotitanate composite as cation exchanger was studied as a function of particle size, concentration of the exchanging ions, reaction temperature, and drying temperature. The exchange rate was controlled by particle diffusion mechanism as a limited batch technique and is confirmed from the straight lines of B versus 1/r2 plots. The values of diffusion coefficients, activation energy, and entropy of activation were calculated and their significance was discussed. The data obtained have been compared with that reported for other organic and inorganic exchangers.
Determinants of mortality and intensive care requirement in pediatric thoracoabdominal injuries

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Thoracoabdominal injuries (TAI) are an important cause of trauma-related morbidity in children. Early and correct intervention is essential to reduce mortality. We aimed to determine factors associated with mortality and the need for intensive care in TAI. METHODS: The children admitted to the pediatric emergency department of a tertiary care hospital with TAI in a 6-year-period were enrolled. Demographic data; mechanism of injuries; clinical, laboratory and imaging findings; length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay; invasive procedures and medical treatments; surgical interventions; and survival outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: The median age of the 136 children was 9 (IQR: 5–14) years and 72.8% were male. The vast majority of injuries were caused by blunt trauma (92.7%). Pulmonary contusion, pneumothorax, splenic, and liver injuries were the most common diagnoses. Motor vehicle accidents were seen in more than half of the cases (52.2%). The median length of hospital stay was 5 (IQR: 2–8) days; 21 patients were hospitalized in the ICU (15.4%). The need for intensive care was higher in patients with lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and lower Pediatric Trauma Scores (PTSs), in the presence of multiple injuries, pulmonary contusion, and pneumothorax (p<0.001). Mortality was seen in nine patients, eight of whom had multiple injuries. The mortality rate was higher in patients with pulmonary contusion and pneumothorax (p=0.002 and p=0.003, respectively). The PTS and GCS were found to be lower in patients who died in hospital (p<0.001). Prolongation of coagulation parameters and hyperglycemia was more common in the non-survivor group (p=0.005 and p=0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although thoracoabdominal trauma is not common in childhood, it is an important part of trauma-associated mortality. Multiple injuries, pulmonary contusion, pneumothorax, lower GCS, and PTSs can be a sign of serious injuries to which physicians must be alert.
Some topics in vector optimization via image space analysis

In this paper, we outline the main features of the image space analysis applied to a vector optimization problem. By means of separation arguments in the image space associated with a vector optimization problem, several theoretical aspects can be developed: in particular, we focus our attention on saddle point and ﬁrst order optimality conditions, regularity and constraint qualiﬁcations
Melting curve of NaCl to 20 GPa from electrical measurements of capacitive current

Abstract Using an in situ electrical method and the multi-anvil apparatus, we determined the melting curve of sodium chloride (NaC1) up to ~20 GPa, with an estimated uncertainty of ±40 K. Our results agree well with the existing data up to 6.5 GPa. At higher pressures, the melting temperatures from this study are as much as 200 K higher than those from an experimental study using the diamond-anvil cell (DAC), and are up to 500 K lower than those from theoretical studies using molecular dynamics (MD). The discrepancies may originate from surface melting in the DAC measurements, which underestimate the melting temperature, and from superheating in MD calculations, which over-predict the melting temperature. Fitting our results to the Simon equation yield (T/T0)4.5 = (P - P0)/0.6 + 1, where T and T0 are the melting temperatures at P and P0, respectively, with T0 = 1073.6 K, T in K and P in GPa. The Simon equation fits the experimental data within uncertainties and therefore can be used to interpolate the melting curve. Using the equation of state (EoS) of NaCl at 300 K, the results are fitted to the Kraut-Kennedy equation in the form of T/T0 = (V0 - V)/V0·4.37 + 1, where T (in K) and T0 (= 1073.6 K) are the melting temperatures at V and V0 (at 0.0001 GPa), respectively. At pressures above 14 GPa, the experimental data deviate from the Kraut-Kennedy equation fit toward lower temperatures, probably because the volume dependence of the Grüneisen parameter was ignored in the equation. The Gilvarry-Lindemann equation Tm ~ 1.689·f2·Θ02·(V0/V)2(γ-1/3) provides a satisfactory fit to the melting curve of NaCl between 0 and 19 GPa if the exponent q in the volume dependence of the Grüneisen parameter γ = γ0·(V/V0)q is allowed to deviate from one. Given that the melting curve of NaCl up to 6.5 GPa is well established, monitoring the melting of NaCl offers an efficient alternative for pressure calibration of large-volume high-pressure apparatus for Earth science applications.
Late Relapses of Membranous Nephropathy: A Case Series

Visual Abstract Abstract Key Points Primary membranous nephropathy can relapse after >5 years of achieving remission. Late relapse can occur even 36 years after initial manifestation. It has a favorable prognosis. Acknowledgment of this under-recognized form of membranous nephropathy may lead to early diagnosis of relapse, avoiding unnecessary workup. Background Relapse of the nephrotic syndrome is co mmon among patients with primary membranous nephropathy (MN). Relapses of MN typically occur within a few years of achieving disease remission. There is limited description, to date, regarding patients with MN who have late relapse of MN, i.e., after >5 years of sustained disease remission. The objective of this case series was to report the clinical course of patients with MN who experience late relapse. Methods We analyzed the patient database of the Glomerular Kidney Disease Center at Columbia University to identify patients seen at our center who had relapse of biopsy specimen–proven MN at least 5 years after achieving sustained disease remission. Results We identified 16 patients with late relapse of MN. The median time in sustained remission before relapse was 10.2 (range, 7–29.0) years. Ten patients (63%) were diagnosed with late relapse on the basis of laboratory monitoring alone, without clinical symptoms of the nephrotic syndrome. Fourteen patients (88%) received immunosuppression during their initial presentation and late relapse. Patients had favorable long-term renal outcomes over a median 21 (range, 12–56) year follow-up period, with 14 patients (88%) in remission at study conclusion and a median decline in eGFR per year of −0.63 (range, −6.3 to 17.5) ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year. Conclusions This case series highlights a previously underappreciated, and likely rare, outcome of MN, namely, late relapse. Patients who experience late relapse, and who thus have a longer time in sustained remission, may have a more favorable long-term renal outcome.
Pilot Assignment for Cell Free Massive MIMO Systems Using a Weighted Graphic Framework

Pilot contamination resulting from pilot reuse seriously restricts the communication performance of the cell-free massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) networks. To deal with this problem, an efficient pilot assignment scheme using a weighted graphic framework is proposed in this correspondence paper. Specifically, a novel metric is first introduced for capturing the severity of potential mutual pilot contamination in cell-free topology. On this basis, the weighted pilot contamination graph is constructed to depict the dynamic interference relationship corresponding to the network. Then, the pilot assignment optimization is mapped to the Max k-Cut problem, and a heuristic algorithm is exploited to realize pilot decontamination. Numerical simulation results reveal the superior performance of the proposed scheme, which is capable of achieving a significant improvement in throughput with low complexity.
Carcass Characteristics of Indigenous Geese Reared Under Backyard System

Nowadays, there is an increasing demand for food products obtained by organic production systems, especially for poultry and their products. It was well documented by Kirmizibayrak et al., (2011) that the meat quality of local poultry breeds produced under traditional conditions are highly valued by the consumers. In this context, it was observed that almost all the indigenous geese in Assam are maintained in free ranging scavenging The present study was conducted to determine the slaughter and carcass traits of indigenous geese reared in backyard system in some of the districts of Assam. A total of 12 geese (6 male and 6 female) which were 18-20 months of age were utilized for the investigation. The mean weights (g) of slaughter, hot carcass, cold carcass, neck, wings, back, breast and drumstick were found to be 4182.50, 3266.50, 3150.00, 178.00, 321.50, 666.00, 696.50 and 359.50 respectively. The mean weight (g) of giblet, head, blood, shank and inedible parts were found to be 229, 147.50, 156.50, 112 and 378.50 respectively. In the current study the carcass yield (%) in male and female was 78.75 and 79.57 respectively and average yield was 78.16%. The average yield (%) of cut up parts i.e., neck, wings, back, breast and drumstick were 4.23, 7.65, 15.84, 16.63 and 8.63 respectively. The mean yield (%) of abdominal fat, giblet, blood and inedible parts were found to be 5.13, 5.49, 3.74 and 9.07 respectively. The average abdominal fat weight in females was more in the present study (276g as compared to 146g in males). The meat to bone ratio was approximately found to be 1:2. There was nil or negligible odour in the geese meat which may result in higher preference for the meat among the consumers. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 9 Number 12 (2020) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
The Evaluation of a Surgical Task-Sharing Program in South Sudan

Five billion people lack access to surgery, with the highest burden being in sub-Saharan Africa. As the surgical workforce is crucial in closing this gap, the University of British Columbia collaborated with Médecins Sans Frontières to create and launch the Essential Surgical Skills (ESS) task-sharing program, which consists of online learning modules and hands-on surgical training. Our study aimed to evaluate this pilot program. This is a mixed-method prospective cohort study to evaluate the effectiveness of the ESS program in South Sudan. Quantitative data included patient outcomes (complications, re-operation, and mortality), surgical proficiency of the trainees (quiz, entrustable professional activity (EPA), and logbook data), and electronic surveys. We used semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data. From July 2019 to February 2021, three trainees performed 385 operations. The most common procedures were skin graft (14.8%) and abscess drainage (9.6%). A total of 172 EPAs were completed, of which 136 (79%) demonstrated the independence of the trainees. During the training, surgical mortality (0.56% vs. 0.13%, p = 0.0541) and morbidity (17% vs. 12%, p = 0.1767) remained unchanged from the pretraining phase. Interviews and surveys revealed that surgical knowledge and interprofessional teamwork improved throughout the training. The program empowered trainees to develop surgical career paths and increased their local acceptance among patients and other healthcare providers. This study confirmed the feasibility of a surgical task-sharing program in South Sudan. This program evaluation will hopefully inform Ministries of Health and their partners for the development of a training pillar of National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plans in the sub-Saharan African region.
COX-1/EP1R Inhibition Ameliorate Deficits in Adult Neurogenesis and Social Interaction via Alleviating NLRP3/ IL-1β Activation During Hypobaric Hypoxia

BackgroundLow oxygen environments like hypobaric hypoxia (HH) are common nodes to various diseases: characterized by neuroinflammation, which is detrimental to the structural and functional aspects of hippocampal circuitry. Various hypoxic conditions also lead to elevation of NLRP3 mediated neuroinflammation that may contribute to cognitive deficits. Components of neurogenic niches like microglia and astrocyte are largely affected by neuroinflammation; however, a systematic investigation of the impact of NLRP3 mediated neuroinflammation on components of neurogenic niche during hypoxia (HH) remains elusive. MethodsIn this study, we simulated cerebral hypoxia via decreasing partial pressure of oxygen(HH). The effect of hypobaric hypoxic (1, 3 and 7 day at 25000 ft) on social memory, anxiety, adult neurogenesis change in the inflammatory milieu in DG was explored in detail. We explored the efficacy of COX-1 inhibitor (Valery salicylate, 5mg/kg/day,i.p), and EP1R antagonist (SC19220, 1mg/kg/day,i.p) on NLRP3 mediated neuroinflammation and associated maladies during HH. ResultsWe observed that HH exposure induced alteration in social and anxiety-like behavior post 7 day exposure along with perturbation in levels of BDNF, Serotonin and adult neurogenesis in the DG right from day 1. Moreover, significant elevated NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β levels are observed during HH from day 1. Concomitantly, a notable increase in the COX-1/EP1 pathway in both activated microglia and astrocyte in DG was evident after 3HH exposure. Pharmacological COX-1 inhibitor and EP1 antagonist counteract the detrimental effects of HH exposure on social memory, adult neurogenesis, and NLRP3 inflammasome induction. ConclusionsThus, our data showed induction of the COX-1/EP1 pathway in glial cells is detrimental to adult neurogenesis and social memory, raising possibility that the COX-1/EP1 pathway as a plausible target for inflammasome related neurogenesis impairment.
Deep Brain Stimulation – Therapeutic Possibilities in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, and represents a significant cause of cognitive decline, disability, and mortality. Ongoing clinical trials continue to investigate β-amyloid targeted therapy with unclear benefit, and we are currently limited to symptomatic treatment. Therefore, there is a salient need for the development of novel, potentially disease-modifying therapeutic strategies such as deep brain stimulation. This manuscript reviews Deep Brain Stimulation in Alzheimer’s Disease, describing the pathophysiology of the disease in terms of disordered neural circuitry, and a detailed discussion on trails of stimulation of the fornix, the nucleus basalis of Meynert and the ventral striatum/ventral capsule for the treatment of this dementia.