Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Evaluation of Selected Benzimidazole Derivatives as Potential Antimicrobial Agents

A library of 53 benzimidazole derivatives, with substituents at positions 1, 2 and 5, were synthesized and screened against a series of reference strains of bacteria and fungi of medical relevance. The SAR analyses of the most promising results showed that the antimicrobial activity of the compounds depended on the substituents attached to the bicyclic heterocycle. In particular, some compounds displayed antibacterial activity against two methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) comparable to the widely-used drug ciprofloxacin. The compounds have some common features; three possess 5-halo substituents; two are derivatives of (S)-2-ethanaminebenzimidazole; and the others are derivatives of one 2-(chloromethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole and (1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methanethiol. The results from the antifungal screening were also very interesting: 23 compounds exhibited potent fungicidal activity against the selected fungal strains. They displayed equivalent or greater potency in their MIC values than amphotericin B. The 5-halobenzimidazole derivatives could be considered promising broad-spectrum antimicrobial candidates that deserve further study for potential therapeutic applications.
Transcriptional profiling identifies physicochemical properties of nanomaterials that are determinants of the in vivo pulmonary response

We applied transcriptional profiling to elucidate the mechanisms associated with pulmonary responses to titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) of different sizes and surface coatings, and to determine if these responses are modified by NP size, surface area, surface modification, and embedding in paint matrices. Adult C57BL/6 mice were exposed via single intratracheal instillations to free forms of TiO2NPs (10, 20.6, or 38 nm in diameter) with different surface coatings, or TiO2NPs embedded in paint matrices. Controls were exposed to dispersion medium devoid of NPs. TiO2NPs were characterized for size, surface area, chemical impurities, and agglomeration state in the exposure medium. Pulmonary transcriptional profiles were generated using microarrays from tissues collected one and 28 d postexposure. Property‐specific pathway effects were identified. Pulmonary protein levels of specific inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were confirmed by ELISA. The data were collapsed to 659 differentially expressed genes (P ≤ 0.05; fold change ≥ 1.5). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of these genes revealed that TiO2NPs clustered mainly by postexposure timepoint followed by particle type. A pathway‐based meta‐analysis showed that the combination of smaller size, large deposited surface area, and surface amidation contributes to TiO2NP gene expression response. Embedding of TiO2NP in paint dampens the overall transcriptional effects. The magnitude of the expression changes associated with pulmonary inflammation differed across all particles; however, the underlying pathway perturbations leading to inflammation were similar, suggesting a generalized mechanism‐of‐action for all TiO2NPs. Thus, transcriptional profiling is an effective tool to determine the property‐specific biological/toxicity responses induced by nanomaterials. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:245–264, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pengembangan Video Pembelajaran Animasi Sistem Pernapasan Manusia Sebagai Upaya Mendukung Kebijakan Belajar Di Rumah

Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan menghasilkan video pembelajaran animasi pada materi Sistem Pernapasan Manusia untuk kelas VIII SMP yang valid dimanfaatkan dalam kegiatan belajar di rumah. Penelitian pengembangan ini menerapkan model pengembangan Sadiman. Berdasarkan penilaian hasil angket ahli media diperoleh persentase 80% tergolong dalam tingkatan cukup valid. Penilaian angket ahli materi 75% termasuk dalam tingkatan cukup valid. Hasil uji coba individu 92,5% termasuk dalam tingkatan valid. Berdasarkan hasil validasi dan tes pencapaian belajar pengembangan media video pembelajaran animasi ini memenuhi kriteria valid dan layak digunakan dalam proses pembelajaran di rumah. Disamping itu, penggunaan media video pembelajaran animasi Sistem Pernapasan Manusia dapat memberikan dampak positif dalam kegiatan pembelajaran di rumah yakni menjadikan menarik minat peserta didikdalam belajar dan membantu peserta didik memahami materi. Abstract This research aims to produce an animated learning video on the material Human Respiratory System for class VIII SMP which is valid for use in learning activities in home. This development research apply the Sadiman development model. Based on the assessment of the results of the media expert questionnaire obtained a percentage of 80% classified in the tiers quite valid. Expert questionnaire assessment material 75% included in the tiers is quite valid. Individual trial results 92,5% included in the valid tiers. Based on the results of the validation and achievement learning tests, the development of this animated learning video media meets valid criteria and is suitable for use in the learning process at home. Based that, the use of animated learning media in the Human Respiratory System which can have a positive impact on learning activities at home, that is, attract learners in learning and help learners understand the material.
An Introduction to Multivariate Statistical Analysis

The Multivariate Normal Distribution. Estimation of the Mean Vector and the Covariance Matrix. The Distributions and Uses of Sample Correlation Coefficients. The Generalized T2-Statistic. Classification of Observations. The Distribution of the Sample Covariance Matrix and the Sample Generalized Variance. Testing the General Linear Hypothesis: Multivariate Analysis of Variance. Testing Independence of Sets of Variates. Testing Hypotheses of Equality of Covariance Matrices and Equality of Mean Vectors and Covariance Matrices. Principal Components. Canonical Correlations and Canonical Variables. The Distributions of Characteristic Roots and Vectors. Factor Analysis. Appendixes. References. Index.
Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

Social support can be defi ned as the perception that there are people who provide individuals with emotional or even fi nancial resources. Perceived social support relates to the perception that support is available if the individual needs it. The present study’s aim was to discover, within the Brazilian context, preliminary validity evidence as to the scores of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. The survey involved 831 workers of both sexes, who answered the preliminary version of the scale’s questionnaire, containing 12 items. Factor analysis demonstrated that the Brazilian version preserved the original instrument’s items and factors (family, friends and signifi cant others). Multigroup analysis demonstrated confi gural, metric and scalar invariance between groups classifi ed by sex and occupational category (professionals in the areas of exact sciences and humanities). The data we obtained in the present study led us to the conclusion that the scale is an instrument with evidence of internal structure validity, thus permitting its use in future research.
Nonlinear models for describing development and fecundity of the pseudococcid predators Nephus includens and Nephus bisignatus

Μeταξύ των μαθηματικών πρότυπα που χρησιμοποιούνται για την πeριγραφή της ανάπτυξης και της αναπαραγωγικής ικανότητας των eντόμων, οι eξισώσeις των Enkegaard, Αναλυτή, Bieri 1 και Bieri 2 έχουν τη δυνατότητα να πeριγράψουν και τα δύο βιολογικά χαρακτηριστικά. Στην παρούσα μeλέτη αυτές οι eξισώσeις χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για να πeριγράψουν την ανάπτυξη και την αναπαραγωγική ικανότητα δύο αρπακτικών των ψeυδοκόκκων [ Nephus includens (Kirsch) και Nephus bisignatus (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)] eπί Planococcus citri (Risso) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) σe σταθeρές θeρμοκρασίeς (15oC - 35oC)? Όλeς οι eξισώσeις eίχαν καλή προσαρμογή στα δeδομένα. Eιδικά για την ανάπτυξη των ατeλών σταδίων ο προσαρμοσμένος συντeλeστής προσδιορισμού ( R 2 adj), το άθροισμα τeτραγώνων του υπολοίπου ( RSS ) και το πληροφοριακό κριτήριο του Akaike ( AIC ) κυμάνθηκαν από 0,9908-0,9996, 0,0019-89,1752 (x10-4), και (-75,43) – (-31,07), αντίστοιχα. Η ιδανική θeρμοκρασία ανάπτυξης ( T opt ) και το ανώτeρο θeρμοκρασιακό όριο ( T max ) υπολογίστηκαν ικανοποιητικά από όλeς τις eξισώσeις. Η T opt κυμάνθηκe από 32,6- 34,0oC για το N. includens και από 30,0-30,6oC για το N. bisignatus. Η T max κυμάνθηκe από 35,0-38,8oC για το N. includens και από 33,1-36,0oC για το N. bisignatus . Το κατώτeρο θeρμοκρασιακό όριο ( T min ) υπολογίστηκe ικανοποιητικά από την eξίσωση Bieri-1 (11,0 και 10,0oC για το N. includens και για το N. bisignatus αντίστοιχα) eνώ υποeκτιμήθηκe από την eξίσωση Αναλυτή (8,0 και 4,9oC). Στα δeδομένα της γονιμότητας υπήρξe καλύτeρη προσαρμογή στα δeδομένα που αποκτήθηκαν στους 25oC, δηλαδή κοντά στην ιδανική θeρμοκρασία ανάπτυξης [όπου R 2 , R 2 adj , RSS και AIC κυμάνθηκαν από 0,8246-0,9704, 9,2729- 24,0736 και (-246,82) – (-115,34), αντίστοιχα]. Συμπeρασματικά, διαπιστώθηκe ότι, από τα μη γραμμικά μαθηματικά πρότυπα που δοκιμάστηκαν, η eξίσωση Bieri-1 eίναι η πιο κατάλληλη διότι μπορeί να υπολογίσeι σωστά όλeς τις ζητούμeνeς παραμέτρους ( T min , T opt , T max ) που αφορούν στην ανάπτυξη καθώς και να πeριγράψeι μe ακρίβeια τη μeταβολή της ημeρήσιας αναπαραγωγικής ικανότητας των δύο αρπακτικών.
Scientific Letter: Immune evaluation of HIV-infected and noninfected pre-eclamptics

159 Vol 52 No 2 SA Fam Pract 2010 To the Editor: It is widely known that an individual’s immune status is debilitated by HIV infection. In the early stages of HIV infection, when few symptoms are seen, there may be a slight depression in CD4 T cells, which is temporary at this stage. Immune abnormalities appear during the second stage, when the virus begins to replicate rapidly, which results in a decrease in the percentage and total number of CD4 T cells. The decrease in CD4 T cells remains the most widely used parameter to assess disease progression.1
Admissibility of the MLE of the normal integer mean

Consider the problem of using a random sample to estimate the rman of a normal population with known variance when the mean is assumed to be an integer. For this problem the maximum likelihood estimator is the integer nearest to the sample mean. Khan (1973) shows that this is inadmissible for squared error I033. In this note the admis3tbility of the maximum likelihood estimator within the class of integer-valued estimators is shown for a general type of loss wnich includes the squared ^rror loss as a special case. Admissibility ? also proved in the class of all estimators with respect to concave loss. Inadmissibility in tne class of all estimators, not neo3Sarily integer valued is also proved for convex loss.
Convexification for a CIP for the RTE]{Convexification Numerical Method for a Coefficient Inverse Problem for the Radiative Transport Equation

An $\left( n+1\right) -$D coefficient inverse problem for the radiative stationary transport equation is considered for the first time. A globally convergent so-called convexification numerical \ method is developed and its convergence analysis is provided. The analysis is based on a Carleman estimate. In particular, convergence analysis implies a certain uniqueness theorem. Extensive numerical studies in the 2-D case are presented.
Factors influencing adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy at a General Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to two thirds of the 33 million HIV infected individuals worldwide. In 2007 there were an estimated 1.5 million Kenyans infected with HIV, and 166 000 new infections in 2008. The introduction of antiretroviral therapy [ART] brought new hope to HIV patients. It has transformed a fatal disease to a chronic manageable condition. Kenya has made great strides in ensuring access to ART and by 2009, 308 610 patients in the country were receiving ART which is the second highest number worldwide. The success of ART requires a sustained adherence rate to medication of more than 95% to prevent viral replication and the development of drug resistant HIV strains. Identifying the factors that influence adherence, is essential for the long-term success of public ART programmes. The current study explored patient, socio-economic, cultural, and religious and health systems factors that influence adherence to ART at the Coast Provincial General Hospital [CPGH] in Mombasa, Kenya. Methodology An explorative qualitative study was conducted with ART patients and health care workers at the Comprehensive HIV Care Clinic [CCC] of the Coast Provincial General Hospital. Four focus group discussions [FGD] were conducted with 27 patients, and eight health care workers. Data was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic and content analysis of transcribed data was done. Results The facilitators to adherence of ART include: high individual commitment, high level of formal education, and having social support from family and friends. Alcohol abuse, HIVrelated stigma and discrimination, none disclosure of HIV status, lack of partner support, travelling to attend funerals and the religious practises of faith healing and fasting during the month of Ramadhan, were noted barriers to adherence. Health system factors such as congestion in the clinic, negative staff attitudes and a lack of privacy for drug dispensing at the pharmacy were also identified as barriers to clinic attendance and keeping appointments. Interestingly, patients did not report pill burden or adverse drug reactions as barriers to adherence. Transportation did not influence treatment adherence due to the good transport network and close proximity of the clinic. Treatment success was reported as both a facilitator and a barrier to adherence.
Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of AL amyloidosis

These guidelines have been compiled by members of the Guidelines Working Group of the UK Myeloma Forum on behalf of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH). They are intended to set out key areas in the effective diagnosis and clinical management of AL amyloidosis. A Medline search for literature published between January 1975 and January 2003 was performed using PubMed. A search was made for clinical trials involving AL (primary) amyloidosis and papers or reviews where AL amyloidosis was the major focus. Abstracts from relevant meetings held between 1998 and 2003 were also included. The Cochrane database was searched but did not include any relevant information. Recommendations were made based on literature review and consensus of expert opinion in consultation with representatives of other specialities and patient advocate groups. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendation are shown in Table I. The draft guidelines were reviewed by the UK Myeloma Forum Executive, members of the BCSH and a panel of approximately 60 UK haematologists. The British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation also reviewed the document. The planned date for full revision of these guidelines by the Guidelines Working Group of the UK Myeloma Forum is January 2007. Interim updates will be on the UK Myeloma Forum and BCSH websites.
Parameter dependences of small edge localized modes (ELMs)

The development of small edge localized mode (ELM) scenarios is important in order to reduce the strain on plasma facing components. One such scenario can be found at high densities, in highly shaped, close to double-null plasmas in ASDEX Upgrade, showing small ELMs characterized by a frequency Hz and a low power loss. Changing from gas fuelling to pellet fuelling results in edge profiles in which the collisionality of pedestal top and separatrix are decoupled. While the pedestal top values remain unchanged, only the phases with low separatrix and scrape-off layer (SOL) density show large ELMs with small ELMs in between. In phases with high separatrix density the small ELMs increase in amplitude and large ELMs do not occur. Similarly, a change in vertical plasma position by only ∼2 cm downwards, at constant reduces the size of small ELMs while the large ELMs appear more intense. A possible explanation of this behaviour could be the influence of the drive and the stabilization of modes positioned close to the separatrix. When these small ELM modes cause enough transport, they flatten the gradient region around the separatrix and thereby consequently narrow the effective pedestal width. Because a narrower pedestal is more stable against global PB modes, the stability boundary is shifted towards higher pressure gradients and type-I ELMs do not occur. It is shown that a higher increases the amplitude of small ELMs and, in agreement with basic ballooning mode theory, a higher local magnetic shear reduces their amplitude.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical and Mental Health in Lower and Upper Middle-Income Asian Countries: A Comparison Between the Philippines and China

Objective: The differences between the physical and mental health of people living in a lower-middle-income country (LMIC) and upper-middle-income country (UMIC) during the COVID-19 pandemic was unknown. This study aimed to compare the levels of psychological impact and mental health between people from the Philippines (LMIC) and China (UMIC) and correlate mental health parameters with variables relating to physical symptoms and knowledge about COVID-19. Methods: The survey collected information on demographic data, physical symptoms, contact history, and knowledge about COVID-19. The psychological impact was assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and mental health status was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Findings: The study population included 849 participants from 71 cities in the Philippines and 861 participants from 159 cities in China. Filipino (LMIC) respondents reported significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than Chinese (UMIC) during the COVID-19 (p < 0.01) while only Chinese respondents' IES-R scores were above the cut-off for PTSD symptoms. Filipino respondents were more likely to report physical symptoms resembling COVID-19 infection (p < 0.05), recent use of but with lower confidence on medical services (p < 0.01), recent direct and indirect contact with COVID (p < 0.01), concerns about family members contracting COVID-19 (p < 0.001), dissatisfaction with health information (p < 0.001). In contrast, Chinese respondents requested more health information about COVID-19. For the Philippines, student status, low confidence in doctors, dissatisfaction with health information, long daily duration spent on health information, worries about family members contracting COVID-19, ostracization, and unnecessary worries about COVID-19 were associated with adverse mental health. Physical symptoms and poor self-rated health were associated with adverse mental health in both countries (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest the need for widely available COVID-19 testing in MIC to alleviate the adverse mental health in people who present with symptoms. A health education and literacy campaign is required in the Philippines to enhance the satisfaction of health information.
The Urban Mortality Transition and the Rise of Poor Mega-Cities

Today the world’s largest cities lie in poor countries, unlike the historical norm. Also unlike the “killer cities” of history, today’s poor mega-cities grow not just through in-migration but also through their own natural increase. First, we use novel historical data to document that these poor mega-cities arose at the same time as the post-war urban mortality transition. Second, we develop a general equilibrium model of location choice with heterogeneity in congestion costs and demographics across locations to account for this. In the model, the aggregate rate of population growth and the locational choice of individuals interact. Third, we calibrate the model to data from a sample of poor countries, and find that informal urban areas (e.g. slums) grew in large part because relative to other locations they were able to absorb additional population easily. We show that between 1950 and 2005 the urban mortality transition by itself would have doubled the urbanization rate as well as the size of informal urban areas in this sample. Of these effects, one-third can be attributed to the direct amenity effect of lower urban mortality rates, while the remainder is due to higher population growth disproportionately pushing people into informal urban areas. Fourth, policy analysis suggests that family planning programs may be as effective as higher productivity or urban infrastructure and institutions, and more effective than migration restrictions and slum clearance, at transforming mega-cities of the developing world into “engines of growth”. JEL: R11; R12; R13; O11; O40; O18; J10; N00
Particle focusing in a wavy channel

Abstract It is known that inertial lift forces can lead to particle focusing in channel flows; yet oscillatory straining effects have also been suggested as a mechanism for particle focusing in wavy channels. To explore the synergy between these two mechanisms, we analytically and experimentally investigate the focusing behaviour of rigid neutrally buoyant particles in a wavy channel. We decompose the particle-free channel flow into a primary Poiseuille flow and secondary eddies induced by the waviness. We calculate the perturbation of the particle on the particle-free flow and the resulting lateral lift force exerted on the particle using the method of matched asymptotic expansions. This yields a zeroth-order lift force arising from the Poiseuille flow and a first-order lift force due to the waviness of the channel. We further incorporate the inertial lift force into the Maxey–Riley equation and simulate particle trajectories in wavy channels. The interactions between the zeroth-order lift force and the particle-free flow largely determine the focusing locations. Experiments in wavy channels with varying amplitudes at channel Reynolds numbers ranging from 5 to 250 are consistent with the predictions of the focusing locations, which are mainly governed by the channel Reynolds number as well as the competition between the inertial lift and the oscillatory straining effects.
MIXING-MODEL SENSITIVITY TO INPUT PARAMETER VARIATION

Amagat and Dalton mixing-models were analyzed to compare their thermodynamic prediction of shock states. Numerical simulations utilized the Sandra National Laboratories (SNL) shock hydrodynamic code CTH [1]. Simulations modeled the University of New Mexico (UNM) shock tube laboratory experimental series shocking a 1:1 molar mixture of helium (He) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Five input parameters were varied for sensitivity analysis: driver section pressure; driver section density; test section pressure; test section density; and mixture ratio (mole fraction). We show via incremental Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) analysis that significant differences exist between Amagat and Dalton mixing-model predictions. The differences observed in predicted shock speeds, temperatures, and pressures grow more pronounced with higher shock speeds.