Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Magnesium, Memantine and Combination of Magnesium and Memantine on Blood Brain Barrier Permeability and Brain Oedema After Experimental Traumatic Diffuse Brain Injury

✔ Objective: It has been shown that excess amount of glutamate released after primary neuronal injury by head trauma causes secondary injuries in the adult brain. Aiming to prevent this secondary injury a wide range of N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist drugs have been investigated in experimental studies. Magnesium sulphate and memantine are pharmacological agents widely used clinically for this specific indication; prevention of secondary neural injury. According to current literature although these two drugs have been used alone or in combination with different drugs, they have not been tried together in combination before. This experimental study is aimed to investigate the effect of magnesium, memantine and the combination of two agents on the permeability of blood brain barrier (BBB) and the quantity of diffuse cerebral oedema after experimentally induced traumatic brain injury. Methods: A standard traumatic brain injury was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by a controlled impact device using a mass free falling from a certain height. Animals were introduced one of the following drugs of the same amount, intraperitoneally 30 minutes after traumatic brain injury; saline (1 ml/kg), magnesium sulphate (270 mg/kg), memantine (10 mg/kg), and magnesium sulphate plus memantine (270 mg/kg+10 mg/kg). To determine the brain oedema, the specific gravity of the injured brain tissue was evaluated. The changes in permeability of the BBB were investigated by Evans Blue dye that is known to bind to serum albumin. Results: In treatment groups, the specific gravity values significantly increased when compared with the control group. Evans blue dye content in the brain tissue was significantly reduced with respect to the control group. Conclusion: In preventing the secondary insult occurring after traumatic brain injury, NMDA receptor antagonists: Magnesium sulphate, memantine and combination of magnesium sulphate and memantine are shown to be effective by decreasing diffuse cerebral oedema and restoring the BBB.
Increased Antibody Response to Fucosylated Oligosaccharides and Fucose-Carrying Bacteroides Species in Crohn’s Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with intestinal dysbiosis and with elevated antibody production toward microbial epitopes. The underlying processes linking the gut microbiota with inflammation are still unclear. Considering the constant induction of antibodies by gut microbial glycans, the aim of this study was to address whether the repertoire of carbohydrate-specific antibodies is altered in Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. IgG and IgM reactivities to oligosaccharides representative of mucosal glycans were tested in blood serum from 20 healthy control subjects, 17 ulcerative colitis patients, and 23 Crohn’s disease patients using glycan arrays. An increased IgG and IgM reactivity toward fucosylated oligosaccharides was detected in Crohn’s disease but not in ulcerative colitis. To address the antibody reactivity to the gut microbiota, IgG binding to members of a complex intestinal microbiota was measured and observed to be increased in sera of patients with Crohn’s disease. Based on the elevated reactivity to fucosylated oligosaccharides, gut bacteria were tested for recognition by the fucose-binding Aleuria aurantia lectin. Bacteroides stercoris was detected in IgG- and lectin-positive fractions and reactivity of A. aurantia lectin was demonstrated for additional Bacteroides species. IgG reactivity to these Bacteroides species was significantly increased in inflammatory bowel disease patients, indicating that the increased reactivity to fucosylated oligosaccharides detected in Crohn’s disease may be induced by fucose-carrying intestinal bacteria. Enhanced antibody response to fucosylated epitopes may have systemic effects by altering the binding of circulating antibodies to endogenous glycoproteins.
Attenuation of some subjective effects of amphetamine following tyrosine depletion

Fifteen healthy volunteers received d-amphetamine (20mg orally) 2 h after ingesting either a nutritionally balanced amino acid mixture or one lacking the catecholamine precursors, tyrosine and phenylalanine (TYRfree). Plasma tyrosine levels were significantly lowered in subjects who received the TYR-free mixture but mean plasma amphetamine levels were higher. Despite this, the TYR-free mixture appeared to decrease the subjective psychostimulant effects of amphetamine, as determined by visual analogue scales. In contrast, the TYR-free mixture failed to lower the subjective anorectic effect of amphetamine. These findings are consistent with animal experimental studies indicating that tyrosine depletion attenuates the release of dopamine produced by amphetamine but not the release of noradrenaline.
The UP-TECH project, an intervention to support caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients in Italy: preliminary findings on recruitment and caregiving burden in the baseline population

Objectives: The paper describes recruitment results and characteristics of the UP-TECH clinical trial sample, including level of care services use, informal caregiver burden and its determinants. Methods: UP-TECH is designed to test innovative care solutions for community-dwelling patients with moderate stage Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers in Italy. Four hundred and fifty patient–caregiver dyads were randomized into three arms receiving different combinations of services, composed of case management interventions, nurse visits, assistive technology and educational brochures. The research nurses administered a questionnaire comprising an in-depth socio-demographic assessment and several clinical scales, such as Novak's Caregiver Burden Inventory. Analyses of baseline data were conducted using uni- and bi-variate statistics. Linear regressions were computed to identify de-confounded correlates of caregiver burden. Results: Four hundred and thirty-eight patient–caregiver dyads were recruited and randomized. In our sample, patients are predominantly women (71.5%), with an average age of 81.5 years and a mean Mini-Mental State Examination score of 16.2. Caregivers are mostly women (66.2%) and offspring (55.7%), with a mean caregiver burden score of 27.6. They provide more than 50 hours of care per week, while receiving an almost negligible support from public services. Factors associated with caregiver burden are female gender, kinship and the patient's behavioral disturbances. The most important factor associated with lower burden is the employment of a live-in care worker. Conclusion: The paper provides a comprehensive description of moderate stage Alzheimer's disease patients and their caregivers, suggesting useful markers of caregiver burden. The well-balanced randomization assures the reliability of the study data-set for prospective evaluation of care strategies.
Impact of Diverse Annual Forage Mixtures on Weed Control in a Semiarid Environment

Intercropping with different crop species and different spatial patterns is suggested to lead to increased competition with weeds and reduced weed abundance and biomass. In this study, our objective was to explore the ability of multi-species annual forage crop mixtures to control weeds while providing productive forage. We utilized field and greenhouse trials to evaluate the impact of different crop mixtures and row spacing on weed control in the semi-arid Brown soil region of southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. Seven different mixtures of up to eight annual forage crops were grown with row spacing of 15 or 30 cm in a replicated field trial. Weed abundance and biomass were significantly affected by crop species mixtures. Crop mixtures that contained radish and barley generally had higher weed suppression. Row spacing did not significantly impact weed abundance or biomass across the treatments. Results were similar over both years in spite of drastically different precipitation conditions. Forage production was significantly different between cropping mixtures in July in both years. The barley-radish mixture had the highest crop biomass in July, and this early crop production was linked to weed suppression because crop biomass had a significant effect on weed abundance and biomass in July, but not August. A greenhouse experiment was used to further evaluate the crops (i.e., barley and radish) that demonstrated the highest weed suppressive activity in the field trial. Crop identity and row spacing were both significant factors affecting weed and crop biomass production. Radish exhibited stronger control of common lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album) compared to barley, but the binary mixture of the two species produced the highest crop biomass and equivalent weed control compared to the radish monoculture. This research suggests that cropping with multiple species (particularly forage radish) may be an effective way to control weeds in semiarid environments.
Research progress in signalling pathway in diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy, a lethal diabetic complication, is a leading cause of end‐stage renal disease, which is pathologically characterized by thickened tubular basal and glomerular membranes, accumulated extracellular matrix, and progressive mesangial hypertrophy. Growing evidence indicates that diabetic nephropathy is induced by multiple conditions, such as glucose metabolism disorder, oxidative stress, numerous inflammatory factors and cytokines, and haemodynamic changes that lead to the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy based on genetic susceptibility. A variety of abnormalities in the signalling pathway may interact to produce these pathologic processes. Research has aimed to highlight the signalling pathway mechanisms that lead to diabetic nephropathy so that preventative strategies and effective therapies might be developed. In this review, important pathways that appear to be involved in driving these processes are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors Affecting Teacher Adoption of Mobile Learning in Teachersr Educational Technology Ability Training: A Case Study in a Pharmaceutical University

In the "Internet plus education" era, university teachers’ educational technology training courses in China need to be updated and improved. Under the guidance of "National University Teachers’ Educational Technology Ability Guidance", and combined with the actual demand, the authors developed a new curriculum content system for the training course in a pharmaceutical university in Guangdong province in China, and implemented the training courses based on Lanmoyun class platform. Then carried out an investigation research(N=153,Cronbach's Alpha= 0.961) to explore the factors affecting teacher adoption of mobile learning in the teachers’ educational technology ability training, an extended version of model was developed based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which was estimated using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM).
A neural network based classifier and biofeedback device for improving clarinet tone-quality

This paper describes an automated tool for classifying tone quality (a quality related to timbre). This tool provides real-time visual feedback to players of clarinet to help improve tone production technique. A neural network architecture is employed to build a graphical biofeedback device that allows the user to immediately "see" what changes in technique lead to better tone-quality. The tone is also classified and probability estimates are shown in a bar graph, giving quantitative feedback to the user.
Web Based Services Provided by University Libraries of BRICS Nations: A Comparative Study

The developments in information and communication technologies (ICT) and their subsequent absorption in library and information science (LIS) have forced information professionals to change the way they are functioning at present. Because of their popularity with the users, an overwhelming attention is being given to the web-based information services in libraries . The web 2.0 technologies have rapidly gained huge popularity and as such, the university libraries, being the heart of the highest seats of learning, need to equip themselves with all the possible web based, i.e. web 2.0 and allied services. The present study made an endeavour to study the various web 2.0 and allied web based services offered by select university libraries of BRICS nations. This study shows that the web based services in the university libraries of BRICS nations are quite better. The findings show that India and china universities are far behind as compared to Brazil, Russia and South Africa in employability of web 2.0 tools in libraries.
Comparative analysis of maximum power point tracking techniques for PV applications

In the wake of the growing energy requirements the use of Photovoltaic (PV) systems is increasing around the world. PV systems are not linear in nature therefore special methods are used to extract the maximum available power. The non linear characteristic of the IV curve of PV module has a unique single point of maximum power. In order to operate at that power point power electronic converters are used. These power electronic converters are controlled with the help of algorithms known as Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques. Various unique algorithms are found in the literature with their specific advantages and drawbacks. Keeping in view that an efficient tracking of Maximum Power Point (MPP) can increase the usability of a PV system by many folds, in this paper we present a comparison of four widely used MPPT techniques i.e 1) Fractional Short Circuit Current (FSCC), 2) Fractional Open Circuit Voltage (FOCV), 3) Perturb & Observe (P&O) and 4) Incremental Conductance (IC) MPPTs are discussed. The comparative analysis provides the pros and cons of each MPPT with a resistive load. The analysis is about the time required for each algorithm to track the maximum power and the system efficiencies.
Application of Whole Genome Sequencing and Pan-Family Multi-Locus Sequence Analysis to Characterize Relationships Within the Family Brucellaceae

The bacterial family Brucellaceae is currently composed of seven genera, including species of the genus Brucella, a number of which are significant veterinary and zoonotic pathogens. The bacteriological identification of pathogenic Brucella spp. may be hindered by their close phenotypic similarity to other members of the Brucellaceae, particularly of the genus Ochrobactrum. Additionally, a number of novel atypical Brucella taxa have recently been identified, which exhibit greater genetic diversity than observed within the previously described species, and which share genomic features with organisms outside of the genus. Furthermore, previous work has indicated that the genus Ochrobactrum is polyphyletic, raising further questions regarding the relationship between the genus Brucella and wider Brucellaceae. We have applied whole genome sequencing (WGS) and pan-family multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) approaches to a comprehensive panel of Brucellaceae type strains, in order to characterize relationships within the family. Phylogenies based on WGS core genome alignments were able to resolve phylogenetic relationships of 31 non-Brucella spp. type strains from within the family, alongside type strains of twelve Brucella species. A phylogeny based on concatenated pan-family MLSA data was largely consistent with WGS based analyses. Notably, recently described atypical Brucella isolates were consistently placed in a single clade with existing species, clearly distinct from all members of the genus Ochrobactrum and wider family. Both WGS and MLSA methods closely grouped Brucella spp. with a sub-set of Ochrobactrum species. However, results also confirmed that the genus Ochrobactrum is polyphyletic, with seven species forming a separate grouping. The pan-family MLSA scheme was subsequently applied to a panel of 50 field strains of the family Brucellaceae, isolated from a wide variety of sources. This analysis confirmed the utility of the pan-Brucellaceae MLSA scheme in placing field isolates in relation to recognized type strains. However, a significant number of these isolates did not cluster with currently identified type strains, suggesting the existence of additional taxonomic diversity within some members of the Brucellaceae. The WGS and pan-family MLSA approaches applied here provide valuable tools for resolving the identity and phylogenetic relationships of isolates from an expanding bacterial family containing a number of important pathogens.
Breaking Out The XML MisMatch Trap

In keyword search, when user cannot get what she wants, query refinement is needed and reason can be various. We first give a thorough categorization of the reason, then focus on solving one category of query refinement problem in the context of XML keyword search, where what user searches for does not exist in the data. We refer to it as the MisMatch problem in this paper. Then we propose a practical way to detect the MisMatch problem and generate helpful suggestions to users. Our approach can be viewed as a post-processing job of query evaluation, and has three main features: (1) it adopts both the suggested queries and their sample results as the output to user, helping user judge whether the MisMatch problem is solved without consuming all query results; (2) it is portable in the sense that it can work with any LCA-based matching semantics and orthogonal to the choice of result retrieval method adopted; (3) it is lightweight in the way that it occupies a very small proportion of the whole query evaluation time. Extensive experiments on three real datasets verify the effectiveness, efficiency and scalability of our approach. An online XML keyword search engine called XClear that embeds the MisMatch problem detector and suggester has been built.
Angina Pectoris and Blood Lactate Concentration During Graded Exercise

Nineteen patients with angina pectoris referred for preoperative evaluation were studied by psychophysical scaling of the chest pain according to Borg and blood lactate determination at rest and during a graded exercise test. The exercise tests consisted of stepwise increments of 10 W every min. Anginal pain, systolic blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and blood lactate concentration were determined at the end of each work load. The exercise test was interrupted at a rated anginal pain level (RAP) of 5-6/9 ("strong"), and this load was referred to as Wmax. The patients were divided into three groups: A with a Wmax less than or equal to 74 W, B 75-124 W, and C greater than or equal to 125 W. At submaximal loads HR was almost identical at the same absolute work load in all three groups. The heart rate at Wmax varied, however, and averaged 98 (A), 118 (B), and 136 (C), respectively. Corresponding peak values for RAP were 3.8, 4.5, and 4.8. Blood lactate at rest ranged from 1.0-1.6 mmol X 1-1 and increased curvilinearly with intensity, which was also the case for RAP. RAP was almost linearly related to blood lactate in all three groups suggesting a causal relationship between these two parameters.
Assessment of the relationship between leverage and performance: An empirical study of unlisted banks in Ghana

This study contrasts empirical studies which had focused on listed bank at the detriment of unlisted banks. In other to enhance public confidence in the banking sector and ensure financial inclusion, this study examined the relationship between leverage and performance of unlisted banks in Ghana. This study examined the relationship between leverage, other moderating variables and bank performance by collecting data from fifteen unlisted universal banks in Ghana from 2006 to 2016. The cross sectional time series research design with the quantitative research approach was adopted for the study. The fixed effect panel regression was used to analysis the variables from the data collected. The outcome of the study showed that unlisted banks in Ghana are highly leveraged with more debt to equity. The results also indicated that the level of gearing for unlisted banks has a positive relationship with the bank performance variables which are return on asset, return on equity and rate of profit. This is attributed to the cost of debt and type of debts that are contracted by the unlisted banks coupled with the efficiency in transforming such debts into less risky asset. The correlation and regression result showed a significant positive relation between firm size and bank performance. The study recommends that stakeholders of the banking industry must be concerned with the utilization of debts effectively and efficiently to enhance an optimal leverage ratio that could stand the risk of highly geared bank in a more integrated financial system. To achieve this, the regulators of the banking industry in Ghana must develop policies that seek to inject more equity funds in the operation of banks; guides in asset management and effective cost control in relation to leverage. This will boast the efficiency of the banking industry in their intermediation role. Key words: Leverage, unlisted banks, bank performance, cross sectional time series, Basel I, II, III accord.
Does Entrepreneurial Orientation Matter in Entrepreneurial Intention, Effectual Behavior, and Entrepreneurial Outcomes of Japanese SMEs?

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation (EO), entrepreneurial intention (EI), effectual behavior, and entrepreneurial outcomes in Japanese B-to-B smalland medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), such as parts suppliers in the manufacturing industry. We conducted a questionnaire for SMEs in Japan using NIKKEI data. Based on a sample of 117 SMEs, our findings show that EO is significantly related to entrepreneurial intention in domestic and foreign market cultivation, specifically in terms of new customer acquisition, but is not related to the development of relationships with existing customers in Japan. Our results also show that EO has a significant impact on effectual behaviors. This is the first research in the existing literature on Japanese SMEs that focuses on the relationship between EO and effectuation (Mthanti and Urban, 2014).