Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indirect Flow-Injection Spectrophotometric Determination of Meloxicam, Tenoxicam and Piroxicam in Pharmaceutical Formulations

A simple and sensitive indirect spectrophotometric method for the assay of meloxicam (MX), tenoxicam (TX) and piroxicam (PX) in pure and in pharmaceutical formulations by flow injection analysis (FIA) has been proposed. The method is based on the oxidation of these drugs by a known excess of A-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in an acidic medium, followed by a reaction of excess oxidant with chloranilic acid (CAA) to bleach its purple color. The absorbance values increased linearly with increasing concentrations of the drugs. Variables, such as the acidity, reagent concentrations, flow rate of reagents and other FI parameters were optimized to produce the most sensitive and reproducible results. The system obeyed Beer’s low over concentration ranges of 10- 160, 20-200 and 10- 160 pg/ml for MX, TX and PX, respectively. The common excipients and additives did not interfere with their determinations. The method was successfully applied to the determinations of MX, TX and PX in various pharmaceutical preparations. The results obtained by the proposed method were found to be in good agreement with those found by the official HPLC methods.
Surveying the Aftermath of the Storm: Changes in Family Finances from 2007 to 2009

In 2009, the Federal Reserve Board implemented a survey of families that participated in the 2007 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) to gain detailed information on the effects of the recent recession on all types of households. Using data from the 2007-09 SCF panel, we highlight the variation in households' financial experiences by examining the distribution of changes in families' balance sheets. Further, we use information on changes in families' saving, investing, and spending behavior to consider the potential longer-term consequences of the current recession on households' finances and decisions. ; Most families experienced a decline in wealth between 2007 and 2009, but many families saw only small changes on net, and others saw substantial increases in their wealth. This pattern of gains and losses typically holds within demographic groups. Changes in families' wealth over the period appear to reflect changes in asset values (particularly the value of homes, stocks, and businesses) rather than changes in the level of ownership of assets and debts or in the amount of debt held. On the whole, families appear more cautious in 2009 than in 2007, as most families reported greater desired buffer savings, and many expressed concern over future income and employment.
Novel Secretory Vesicle Proteins Essential for Membrane Fusion Display Extracellular‐Matrix Domains

Exocytotic mutants can be obtained in Paramecium that affect the organization of the fusion machinery, visible by electron microscopy. The site of action of the genes in the plasma membrane, cytosol or secretory compartment can easily be determined in such mutants. Functional complementation cloning of exocytotic mutants specifically affected in the secretory compartment, nd2‐1 and nd169‐1, reported here, and the previously studied nd7‐1, led to the discovery of a set of novel proteins that display PSI and EGF domains, normally found in extracellular matrix proteins and involved in transmembrane signaling. The structure of one of these proteins, Nd2p, and of the product of a paralog found in the genome Nd22p, corresponds to that of type I membrane receptors, generally involved in protein and vesicle sorting. Our characterization suggests that the proteins we have identified are required to indicate the presence of a mature secretory vesicle to the plasma membrane, to prepare the machinery for fusion. We propose to name this novel subclass of receptors VEMIF, for Vesicular Extracellular‐Matrix‐like proteins Involved in preparing membrane Fusion.
A review of features and outcomes of the Hong Kong Child Development Fund

Highlighting the policy background and programme innovations of the HKD 300 million Child Development Fund Pioneer Projects, this article presents results from a quasi-experimental study of 750 adolescents in the first-batch projects. The projects combine a matched-savings programme, a mentorship programme and personal development plans. These features demonstrate the impact of financial and non-financial assets developed over a three-year period, so that participating children are more likely to leave poverty in the long term. Findings are largely positive, showing a high rate of saving completions and identifying programme effects on life-goal planning. Reciprocal and mutual trust between mentor and mentee are associated with adolescent psychosocial development. Furthermore, the community becomes more prepared to use an asset-building approach to alleviate intergenerational poverty. Nevertheless, the results suggest that training and support for mentors and financial literacy for parents need to be strengthened to increase the programme's influence.
Accurately measuring gold mutual fund performance

Since the price of gold began climbing dramatically over a decade ago, gold-related industries have received a great deal of attention from investors. Moreover, investing in gold mutual funds has become a promising alternative to investing in gold directly because of the inherent difficulties involved in purchasing the commodity. However, gold’s insensitivity to market factors requires a novel benchmark to adjust the returns of gold funds to risk. In the absence of this risk correction, gold mutual fund managers appear to perform systematically better than equity fund managers, although incorporating the new benchmark shows that this appearance is deceptive.
Bureaucratic Effects: `Weberian' State Agencies and Poverty Reduction

Evans and Rauch (1999) have demonstrated that there is a strong relationship between the `Weberianness' of a national state's bureaucratic capacities and its record on economic growth. Using their data set and the best available data sets on the incidence of income poverty, this article investigates whether there is a relationship between a Weberian notion of effective bureaucratic capacities and the state's ability to reduce poverty. Using the same time frame as Evans and Rauch (1970—90) and analysing data for 29 developing and middle income countries, the article concludes that, in general, there does indeed seem to be a relationship between states with effective `Weberian' public institutions and their ability to reduce poverty.
Effect of sildenafil on the anticonvulsant action of classical and second‐generation antiepileptic drugs in maximal electroshock‐induced seizures in mice

Purpose: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effects of sildenafil on the threshold for electrically induced seizures in mice. In addition, interactions between sildenafil and classical and second‐generation antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), that is, carbamazepine (CBZ), phenobarbital (PB), phenytoin (PHT), valproate (VPA), lamotrigine (LTG), topiramate (TPM), and oxcarbazepine (OXC) were evaluated.
Pantophysin Is a Phosphoprotein Component of Adipocyte Transport Vesicles and Associates with GLUT4-containing Vesicles*

Pantophysin, a protein related to the neuroendocrine-specific synaptophysin, recently has been identified in non-neuronal tissues. In the present study, Northern blots showed that pantophysin mRNA was abundant in adipose tissue and increased during adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. Immunoblot analysis of subcellular fractions showed pantophysin present exclusively in membrane fractions and relatively evenly distributed in the plasma membrane and internal membrane fractions. Sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation demonstrated that pantophysin and GLUT4 exhibited overlapping distribution profiles. Furthermore, immunopurified GLUT4 vesicles contained pantophysin, and both GLUT4 and pantophysin were depleted from this vesicle population following treatment with insulin. Additionally, a subpopulation of immunopurified pantophysin vesicles contained insulin-responsive GLUT4. Consistent with the interaction of synaptophysin with vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 in neuroendocrine tissues, pantophysin associated with vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 in adipocytes. Furthermore, in [32P]orthophosphate-labeled cells, pantophysin was phosphorylated in the basal state. This phosphorylation was unchanged in response to insulin; however, insulin stimulated the phosphorylation of a 77-kDa protein associated with α-pantophysin immunoprecipitates. Although the functional role of pantophysin in vesicle trafficking is unclear, its presence on GLUT4 vesicles is consistent with the emerging role of solubleN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive protein receptor (SNARE) factor complex and related proteins in regulated vesicle transport in adipocytes. In addition, pantophysin may provide a marker for the analysis of other vesicles in adipocytes.
Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, together with enterobacterial species, i.e. Enterobacter spp. , Serratia marcescens, Citrobacter freundii, Morganella morganii and Yersinia enterocolitica possess a naturally-occurring cephalosporinase This enzyme when expressed at a low level confers resistance to aminopenicillins. first-generation cephalosporins, such as cephalothin, and cephamycins such as cefoxitin. This AmpC β-lactamase (commonly called cephalosporinase) is not inhibited by the currently available β-lactam inhibitors, clavulanic acid, sulbactam and tazobactam, therefore additionally conferring resistance to antibiotic combinations such as co-amoxiclav or ampicillin/sulbactam. P. aeruginosa is, however, naturally susceptible to ureido- and carboxypenicillins, aztreonam and third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftazidime. Its intermediate susceptibility towards some other third-generation cephalosporins (cefotaxime or ceftriaxone) results either from its intrinsic low outer-membrane permeability (one-hundredth of that of Escherichia coli) 3 or from antibiotic efflux.
Human resource management practices in Indian hospitality enterprises: an empirical analysis

The study has a two-fold purpose: to investigate the importance of human resource management (HRM) practices and to investigate whether this set of HRM practices in the Indian hospitality enterprises depends on the demographic characteristics. A structured instrument was developed to examine the HRM practices (Jyothi and Venkatesh, 2006; Cho et al., 2006; Kandula, 2004; Jameson, 2000; Guest et al., 2000; Wood, 1999; Hoque, 1996). Based on a survey of 57 hospitality managers' perceptions on HRM, practices were assessed by a 27 HRM practices and 5 demographic variables. Factor analysis was performed to identify HRM practices, and one-way ANOVA was employed to test the association of the demographic variables with HRM practices. Results indicated that the set of harmonized terms and conditions, formal manpower planning, flexible job description, formal system of induction, production/service staff responsible for their service, social appreciation and recognition may constitute the most important HRM practices in the Indian hospitality enterprises. Further, the results revealed that there is a positive relationship between HRM practice variables and category and type of sample enterprises, but there is no relationship between HRM practice variables and age and size (capital or employees). The study makes a modest attempt to add information to the very little empirical knowledge available referring to the HRM practices in the Indian hospitality industry.
Shaping the emerging paradigm of agent-orientation: Special issue on agent-oriented software development methodologies

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word methodology as ‘the branch of knowledge that deals with method generally or with the methods of a particular discipline or field of study’. Subsequently, the word methodolgy also refers to ‘the study of the suitability of the techniques employed in it’. For software development methodology, the discipline or the field of study is, of course, software development. Thus, it is a branch of knowledge that deals with a method or methods of software development and the study of the suitability of the techniques employed in it. There is no doubt that methodology plays a significant role in scientific study in almost all disciplines. However, the quest for science has often led to a largely futile battle of methodologies in answer to the question: How should we do it? Unfortunately, the study of software development is no exception. The recent rapid development in web technology as well as other computer hardware and communication network technologies provides a computation planform that has never been so powerful before. How to develop software systems that effectively and efficiently utilise such a powerful platform has imposed a challenge to software development methods. The past few years has seen a rapid growth in the research on new software development methods. Agent-orientation is one of the most active and promising among them. A great amount of work has been reported in the literature on software engineering of agent-based systems. A number of methodologies of software development have been proposed and investigated based on the concept of agent, such as Gaia [1], Tropos [2], and CAMLE [3], just to mention a few. Numerous workshops on this topic have been held at various conferences; see, for example [4,5]. A new international journal on Agent-Oriented Software Engineering has also been launched [6]. However, many fundamental questions concerning agent-orientation remain open and few general consensuses on the basic issues have achieved among researchers. The current state of the research on agent-oriented software engineering is very much a battle field. This special issue is a direct result of research efforts on agent-oriented software development. In July 2005, the First International Workshop on Agent-Oriented Software Development Methodologies (AOSDM’2005) was successfully held at the 17th International Conference on Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering (SEKE’05) in Taipei. Five papers were presented at the workshop, which attracted more than 30 attendants with lively discussions after each presentation. There are also more than 20 other papers on related topics presented at the SEKE’05 and
The use of toxicity bioassays to monitor the recovery of oiled wetland sediments

Six toxicity assays were compared to determine their efficacy in assessing toxicity dynamics during a wetland bioremediation study. The toxicity bioassays used were the Microtox® 100% elutriate test, Microtox Solid Phase Test (SPT), amphipod assay, P450 reporter gene system, Toxi‐ChromoPad™ test and a Salmonella/microsome assay. Oiled sediments were analyzed for toxicity in the petroleum biostimulation experiment conducted along the San Jacinto River, near Houston (TX, USA). The bioassays were evaluated for their ability to measure acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, and the mutagenic potential of amended oiled plots as compared to oiled and unoiled control plots. Amendments were diammonium phosphate alone or in combination with potassium nitrate, which served as an alternate electron acceptor. With exception of the Toxi‐ChromoPad and Salmonella tests, the bioassays exhibited a significant increase in toxicity after oil application. Microtox bioassays detected significant sediment toxicity up to 29 d after oil and amendment application. The Microtox solid phase test results correlated strongly with gas chromatographymass spectrometry analyses of total target saturate and aromatic hydrocarbons. The amphipod assay detected initial toxicity with a decline to day 70, followed by a significant increase in toxicity on day 140 in plots receiving nutrient amendments, which may be in response to excessive nutrient application. Low levels of enzyme induction were observed with the P450 reporter gene system assay in all oiled sediments throughout the study, suggesting low but persistent levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Of the six tests, the two Microtox tests and the amphipod test showed the most potential in evaluating petroleum toxicity in wetland sediments.
Bulbar involvement in patients with antiganglioside antibodies against NeuNAc(α2–3)Gal

Background Reactivity against terminal NeuNAc(α2–3)Gal, common to several gangliosides such as GD1a, GT1b and GM3, has rarely been reported. The authors recently described a patient with a clinical picture of acute relapsing sensory ataxic neuropathy and bulbar involvement in whom they demonstrated concomitant reactivity against NeuNAc(α2–3)Gal and disialosyl epitopes. The authors suggested a correlation between NeuNAc(α2–3)Gal reactivity and bulbar involvement. Aim To determine the frequency of reactivity against terminal NeuNAc(α2–3)Gal in acute and chronic immune-mediated disorders, and its possible correlation with bulbar involvement. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed reactivity in the serum of more than 3000 consecutive patients with acute and chronic disorders in which antiganglioside antibodies were studied. The authors selected those patients who were simultaneously positive, by ELISA or thin-layer chromatography, for IgG or IgM antibodies anti-GM3, GD1a and GT1b, and reviewed their clinical features. Results Reactivity against NeuNAc(α2–3)Gal, shared by GM3, GD1a and GT1b gangliosides, was detected in 10 patients: isolated in one patient, and concomitant with reactivity against other gangliosides in the remaining patients. Reactivity against NeuNAc(α2–3)Gal was frequently associated (8/10) with symptoms suggestive of bulbar involvement, such as dysphagia, dysarthria or dysphonia. Severe respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation was observed in four patients. Conclusions Reactivity against the NeuNAc(α2–3)Gal epitope is rare and is generally found in association with reactivity against the disialosyl epitope. It can be detected in patients with acute or chronic disorders and could be a serological marker of clinical bulbar involvement and, to a lesser extent, associated with the development of severe respiratory failure.
Bollywood travels : culture, diaspora and border crossings in popular Hindi cinema

1. Studies in Bollywood Travels 2. Borders and Border Crossings in Main Hoon Na and Veer Zaara 3. Dance Baby Dance: Diaspora, Place and Aesthetics in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom 4. The Secret Politics Are Out? The Pleasures of Gender and Sexuality in Dostana 5. Haptic Urban Ethnoscapes and Bollywood Popular Cultures in the Diaspora 6. Performing Bollywood: Hindi Cinema Entertainment Shows 7. Conclusion
The study of mammary carcinoma by mammography and whole organ sectioning early observations

The first 38 specimens in a series of carcinomas of the breast studied by correlated mammography and subserial whole organ sectioning are reported. Three specific patterns of tumor growth have been identified and their mammographic appearances described. Intramammary spread of carcinoma has been observed to occur both intraductally and by way of periductal lymphatics. Extensive neoplastic transformation of ductal epithelium and multiplicity of invasive sites have been found frequently. Diffuse or multiple origin has been clearly demonstrated in three fourths of the specimens. The skin thickening which is often noted mammographically in association with carcinoma has been shown to be the result of an increase in dermal collagen, whether or not dilatation of dermal lymphatics is also present. An increase in the collagen of stroma of the breast has also been encountered regularly and is often visible in mammograms. Three specimens containing metastases from previously removed contralateral primaries have permitted observations of the distribution of intramammary lymphatic vessels.
Effects of Repeated Concussions and Sex on Early Processing of Emotional Facial Expressions as Revealed by Electrophysiology

Abstract Objectives: Concussions affect the processing of emotional stimuli. This study aimed to investigate how sex interacts with concussion effects on early event-related brain potentials (ERP) measures (P1, N1) of emotional facial expressions (EFE) processing in asymptomatic, multi-concussion athletes during an EFE identification task. Methods: Forty control athletes (20 females and 20 males) and 43 multi-concussed athletes (22 females and 21 males), recruited more than 3 months after their last concussion, were tested. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory II, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale, and an Emotional Facial Expression Identification Task. Pictures of male and female faces expressing neutral, angry, and happy emotions were randomly presented and the emotion depicted had to be identified as fast as possible during EEG acquisition. Results: Relative to controls, concussed athletes of both sex exhibited a significant suppression of P1 amplitude recorded from the dominant right hemisphere while performing the emotional face expression identification task. The present study also highlighted a sex-specific suppression of the N1 component amplitude after concussion which affected male athletes. Conclusions: These findings suggest that repeated concussions alter the typical pattern of right-hemisphere response dominance to EFE in early stages of EFE processing and that the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the processing of emotional stimuli are distinctively affected across sex. (JINS, 2018, 24, 1–11)