Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of Simvastatin dissolution by surface solid dispersion: effect of carriers and wetting agents

Article history: The aim of this work was to improve the aqueous solubility of simvastatin using the surface solid dispersion (SSD) technique. Water soluble (mannitol and lactose) and insoluble (Avecil PH101) carriers were used. The effect of the addition of polymeric wetting agents (namely PEG6000, Pluronic F68, Myrj 52 and PVP K-30) to drug/carrier composite was also investigated. SSD was prepared by solvent evaporation technique. All formulations were studied regarding the dissolution behavior and solid state characterization (DSC, FT-IR and X- ray diffraction). Both water soluble and insoluble carriers improved dissolution behaviour compared to unprocessed drug, with the former showing the best results. Addition of wetting agent to the water insoluble carrier greatly improved drug dissolution, with PVP K-30 showing better dissolution parameters that was comparable to that of marketed product. Physical state characterization using DSC indicated the marked reduction in drug crystallinity. Xray diffraction confirmed drug amorphousness. The results indicated that SSD may serve as a successful strategy for enhancing solubility of poorly water soluble drugs by proper manipulation of the used additives.
Field Evaluation of A Wicking Assay for the Rapid Detection of Rift Valley Fever Viral Antigens In Mosquitoes1

Abstract Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) causes outbreaks of severe disease in domestic ungulates as well as humans in Africa. There is a concern that outbreaks of Rift Valley fever may continue and that this virus may spread into regions where it had not previously been detected. Surveillance and rapid detection are critical to the initiation of an effective disease control program. Here we report on the field evaluation in Kenya of the VectorTest® RVFV antigen assay, modeled on the VecTest® assay for West Nile virus. The dipsticks provided results in <20 min, were easy to use, and did not require a laboratory with containment facilities. Although none of the field-collected mosquitoes were infected with RVFV, the dipstick provided a clear positive result with pools of field-collected mosquitoes spiked with a single positive, irradiated (to inactivate any infectious virus) mosquito. Similarly, the dipstick was able to detect virus from pools of mosquitoes captured during the RVFV outbreak in 2007. The RVFV dipstick assay was highly specific with only a single weak false positive out of 266 pools tested (specificity > 99.6%). The RVFV assay can provide a rapid, safe, easy-to-use preliminary test to alert public health personnel to the presence of RVFV in mosquitoes in a given area. Results from this assay will allow for more rapid medical threat assessments and the focusing of vector control measures on high-risk areas.
Risks in estimating risk.

This editorial refers to ‘SCORE performance in Central and Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union: MONICA and HAPIEE results’[†][1], by O. Vikhireva et al. , on page 571 ‘Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future’(attributed to Niels Bohr) ‘I told you I was ill’(Spike Milligan's epitaph) The paper by Vikhireva and colleagues1 is a timely reminder that one size does not fit all when estimating the risk of cardiovascular death. The authors examined the performance of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimation system SCORE in the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia, using data from the mid 1980s (MONICA) and early 2000s (HAPIEE). Given acknowledged methodological limitations, the high-risk version of the SCORE chart estimated risk fairly well in the older cohorts, apart from underestimating it substantially in Russia. In the more recent cohorts, SCORE overestimated risk apart from in Russia. It was concluded that the low-risk version of SCORE might now be more appropriate for the Czech Republic and Poland. The fact that re-calibrated versions exist for these two countries was not discussed because it was felt that there was insufficient information on the methods used; it is not clear whether this information was sought. The estimation of CVD risk is not an exact science. The frequently used Cox's proportional hazard model uses regression coefficients to estimate risks relative to an absolute baseline risk. The coefficients are assumed to remain constant over time and in the context of different combinations of other risk factors. Explanatory variables are considered to act multiplicatively on the hazard function. At best, these assumptions may be regarded as usable approximations to ‘truth’. For example, different combinations of risk factors may interact in complex ways that are difficult to model. We have recently shown that beta coefficients … [1]: #fn-2
Rapid Identification of Sporothrix Species by T3B Fingerprinting

ABSTRACT This article describes PCR fingerprinting using the universal primer T3B to distinguish among species of the Sporothrix complex, S. brasiliensis, S. globosa, S. mexicana, and S. schenckii. This methodology generated distinct banding patterns, allowing the correct identification of all 35 clinical isolates at the species level, confirmed by partial calmodulin (CAL) gene sequence analyses. This methodology is simple, reliable, rapid, and cheap, making it an ideal routine identification system for clinical mycology laboratories.
Presence of lactose genes and insertion sequences in plasmids of minor species of the genus lactococcus

The type strains of all known species and biovars of the Lactococcus genus were tested for the presence of plasmids, lactose genes, and insertion sequences cloned from the lactose plasmid of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis. Only the biovar xylosus of this subspecies is plasmid free. The lactose plasmid is present only in lactose-positive strains except in Lactococcus plantarum. The distribution of insertion sequences varies within the type strains of the Lactococcus genus.
Integration Obstacles During ERP Development

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems have increasingly been developed and integrated with other internal and external systems. This paper contributes to the field of enterprise systems integration by clarifying the concept of integration in the context of ERP systems. We investigated integration obstacles during ERP development in 5 large organizations through theme-based interviews. Besides considering integration as purely technical challenge, our findings reveal the other perspectives of integration. In total 31 environmental, technical, managerial, and organizational integration obstacles were identified from empirical data and further mapped with 13 ERP challenge categories derived from the literature. Our findings reveal that integration barriers are related to all 13 categories of ERP challenges. This indicates that integration should not be a separate project from ERP development. Identifying the integration obstacles is necessary for practitioners to develop counteractions to enterprise integration problems.
Lrp5 Has a Wnt-Independent Role in Glucose Uptake and Growth for Mammary Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Lrp5 is typically described as a Wnt signaling receptor, albeit a less effective Wnt signaling receptor than the better-studied sister isoform, Lrp6. Here we show that Lrp5 is only a minor player in the response to Wnt3a-type ligands in mammary epithelial cells; instead, Lrp5 is required for glucose uptake, and glucose uptake regulates the growth rate of mammary epithelial cells in culture. Thus, a loss of Lrp5 leads to profound growth suppression, whether growth is induced by serum or by specific growth factors, and this inhibition is not due to a loss of Wnt signaling. Depletion of Lrp5 decreases glucose uptake, lactate secretion, and oxygen consumption rates; inhibition of glucose consumption phenocopies the loss of Lrp5 function. Both Lrp5 knockdown and low external glucose induce mitochondrial stress, as revealed by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activation of the ROS-sensitive checkpoint, p38α. In contrast, loss of function of Lrp6 reduces Wnt responsiveness but has little impact on growth. This highlights the distinct functions of these two Lrp receptors and an important Wnt ligand-independent role of Lrp5 in glucose uptake in mammary epithelial cells.
An examination of the planar nature of golf club motion in the swings of experienced players

Abstract The golf swing has been modelled as a planar movement, but recent findings suggest that the upper limbs and golf club do not move in a single plane. However, the idea that the club alone can be swung in a single inclined plane has not been investigated mathematically. The aims of this study were to determine whether a single plane could be fitted to club motion, and if this plane varied for different clubs. Ten golfers (handicap 1 – 5) performed repeated, consistent swings with three clubs (driver, 5-iron, and pitching wedge). The motion of each club during the downswing was fitted to a single plane. The fit of the plane varied between golfers and clubs (r 2 = 0.871 – 0.995, root mean square residual = 44.9 – 166.2 mm). Mean angles of the plane to the reference horizontal Z axis (driver: 125.5°, s = 3.0; 5-iron: 117.1°, s = 3.0; wedge: 113.6°, s = 2.7) and target line axis (driver: −7.8°, s = 5.9; 5-iron: −4.9°, s = 5.7; wedge: −5.9°, s = 6.0) were significantly (P < 0.05) different. Further analysis revealed a single plane was more appropriate for some participants than others, but that it might be neither desirable nor possible in some cases.
Interfacing Thin-Wire and Circuit Subcell Models in Unstructured Time-Domain Field Solvers

A method for driving and terminating Holland-Simpson based thin-wire models by arbitrary lumped-element circuits is proposed. The approach uses the fact that these thin-wire models result in modified Telegrapher's equations, and interfacing transmission lines and lumped-element circuits is straightforward. The thin-wire voltage and current at a circuit/wire junction can be written in terms of circuit nodal voltages and branch currents, permitting the circuit solution to act as a boundary condition for the thin-wire system. In this work, we provide the circuit/wire interfacing conditions and combine circuits with Edelvik's Holland-Simpson model that permits thin-wires to be arbitrarily oriented within an unstructured mesh. Edelvik's work, previously implemented for finite-difference and finite-element time-domain solvers is formulated for the finite-volume method. Numerical and experimental results for circuit-driven thin-wire antennas are provided to validate the method.
Do Emigrants Self-Select Along Cultural Traits? Evidence from the MENA Countries

This article empirically investigates whether emigrants from MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries self-select along two cultural traits: religiosity and gender-egalitarian attitudes. Using Gallup World Poll data on individual opinions and beliefs and migration aspirations, we find that individuals who intend to emigrate to high-income countries exhibit significantly lower levels of religiosity than the rest of the population. They also share more gender-egalitarian views, although this effect holds only among the young (aged 15 to 30), among single women, and in countries with a Sunni minority. For countries most affected by the Arab Spring, the intensity of cultural selection has decreased since 2011. Still, the aggregate effects of cultural selection should not be overestimated. Self-selection along cultural traits has statistically significant but limited effects on the cultural distance between people (i.e., between migrants and natives at destination or between non-migrants in origin and destination countries). Emigration could even reverse the selection effect and lead to cultural convergence if migrants abroad transfer more progressive norms and beliefs to their home country, a mechanism that deserves more attention in future research.
The zebrafish candyfloss mutant implicates extracellular matrix adhesion failure in laminin α2-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy

Mutations in the human laminin α2 (LAMA2) gene result in the most common form of congenital muscular dystrophy (MDC1A). There are currently three models for the molecular basis of cellular pathology in MDC1A: (i) lack of LAMA2 leads to sarcolemmal weakness and failure, followed by cellular necrosis, as is the case in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); (ii) loss of LAMA2-mediated signaling during the development and maintenance of muscle tissue results in myoblast proliferation and fusion defects; (iii) loss of LAMA2 from the basement membrane of the Schwann cells surrounding the peripheral nerves results in a lack of motor stimulation, leading to effective denervation atrophy. Here we show that the degenerative muscle phenotype in the zebrafish dystrophic mutant, candyfloss (caf) results from mutations in the laminin α2 (lama2) gene. In vivo time-lapse analysis of mechanically loaded fibers and membrane permeability assays suggest that, unlike DMD, fiber detachment is not initially associated with sarcolemmal rupture. Early muscle formation and myoblast fusion are normal, indicating that any deficiency in early Lama2 signaling does not lead to muscle pathology. In addition, innervation by the primary motor neurons is unaffected, and fiber detachment stems from muscle contraction, demonstrating that muscle atrophy through lack of motor neuron activity does not contribute to pathology in this system. Using these and other analyses, we present a model of lama2 function where fiber detachment external to the sarcolemma is mechanically induced, and retracted fibers with uncompromised membranes undergo subsequent apoptosis.
Hippocampal integrity and neurocognition in first-episode schizophrenia: A multidimensional study

Abstract Objectives. Impairments in memory and executive function are key components of schizophrenia. These disturbances have been linked to several subcortical and cortical networks. For example, anatomical and functional changes in the hippocampus have been linked to deficits in these cognitive domains. However, the association between hippocampal morphometry, neurochemistry and function is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between hippocampal anomalies and their functional relevance. Methods. Fifty-seven first-episode schizophrenia patients (FE-SZ) and 61 healthy control subjects (HC) participated in this study. Hippocampal volumes were investigated using structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and hippocampal neurochemistry was determined using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). Verbal memory was used as a hippocampus-dependent cognitive task whereas working memory and cognitive flexibility assessed frontal lobe function. Results. FE-SZ presented smaller volumes of the left hippocampus, with a significant correlation between left hippocampal volume and verbal memory performance (immediate recall). There was also an inverse correlation between neurochemical ratios (NAA/Cho and Cho/Cr) and verbal memory (delayed recognition). Tests of cognitive flexibility and working memory were not correlated with MRI and 1H MRS values. Compared to HC, FE-SZ demonstrated reduced performance in all of the assessed neurocognitive domains. Conclusions. These results point to a relationship between verbal memory and hippocampal integrity in schizophrenia patients which might be independent from deficits in other memory domains. Disturbed verbal memory functions in FE-SZ might be linked specifically to hippocampal function.
A novel carrier-based PWM strategy for hybrid multilevel inverters

The hybrid multilevel power conversion has achieved attention in resent years for minimizing the cascaded cells number for given output voltage levels. However, the equipment complexity is not really decreased due to the adopting of PWM rectifier and this restrains its industry utilization. In order to avoid using controlled rectifier, the hybrid frequency carrier-based PWM (HFPWM) control strategy adapted to hybrid power cells is presented in this paper. In comparison with the general scheme, this proposed strategy is able to make each cell of the hybrid inverter participate PWM modulation and have the same output voltage polarity. Thus the reverse current of the low-voltage cell is not present and this power cell can also be fed by diode rectifier. The hybrid multiply connecting approach of the transformer secondary windings feed for the three-phase diode rectifiers with different input voltages is illustrated in this paper. The driving approach of each power cell is derived from this strategy and realized on the hybrid seven-level adjustable-speed drive laboratory system. This control strategy will benefit the energy saving applications such as speed control of pumps and blowers.
Alginate gel electro-deposition for cell writing

In this paper, we presented electro deposition of calcium alginate for cell writing directly. The calcium alginate is generated on the surface of anode, which is immersed in mixed solution of sodium alginate and CaCO3 powder, when charged with electricity. The thickness of gel, which is produced on the anode surface, increases along with enlargement of current. At last, we mixed yeast cells in the sodium alginate solution (1%) with suspended CaCO3 particles (0.5%) to observe the growth situation of yeast cells.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Clinical Practice of Rheumatologists in Vaccination of the At-Risk Rheumatology Patient Population

BackgroundPatients with inflammatory arthritis are at increased risk of infection. Much of the burden of infection in this population is vaccine preventable. A number of international rheumatology organizations have published expert recommendations for vaccination in adult patients. Despite this, reported vaccination rates remain low among patients with inflammatory arthritis. ObjectivesWe sought to establish the knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice of rheumatologists with respect to vaccination. MethodsRheumatologists practicing in Ireland in 2009 were surveyed by postal questionnaire. Data collected was entered into Microsoft Excel and statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS18 software. ResultsEighty (100%) practicing rheumatologists were surveyed. Response rate was 55% (44/80). Of those surveyed, 57% (25/44) had no written departmental vaccination guidelines. Although 90% of those surveyed agreed that the responsibility for ensuring vaccine compliance rests with health professionals, only 5% considered that the rheumatology clinic was the best setting in which to accomplish this. Half (50%, n = 22) of practicing rheumatologists do not inquire about vaccination history in the clinic, with a minority (9%, n = 4) recording vaccination history in their clinical notes. A significant percentage of rheumatologists do not perform screening about prior vaccination before initiation of either anti–tumor necrosis factor (34%) or disease-modifying antirheumatic disease (42%) therapy. Moreover, 57% (n = 25) considered the responsibility for vaccination the domain of the patients’ general practitioners with the favored strategy to improve vaccine compliance being led by the primary care physicians (48%, n = 21). ConclusionsThe practice of Irish rheumatologists with regard to vaccination in this survey was suboptimal. Most neither recommend nor record vaccination history in their clinical notes, with the majority feeling that the rheumatology clinic is not the appropriate setting in which to target strategies to improve vaccine compliance. Although a more proactive role needs to be taken by rheumatologists as the principal prescribers of immunosuppressive therapy on this issue, our survey respondents suggest that strategies to improve vaccine uptake should be developed outside the rheumatology clinic and, in particular, involve primary care. The circulation of currently available international guidelines on vaccination specific for rheumatology patients to primary care physicians should be used to inform practices to ensure improved vaccine compliance.
Impact of String Pattern on the Threshold-Voltage Spread of Program-Inhibited Cell in NAND Flash

An anomalous threshold-voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{t} $ </tex-math></inline-formula>) spread of the program-inhibited cell is investigated for the first time in NAND flash memory. The program disturb characteristics are studied by applying the program-inhibited stress on the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${N}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>th cell of the unselected bitline with various string patterns for the 0th to (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N-1$ </tex-math></inline-formula>)th cell, using the global self-boosting method. Distinguishing features of the variance of the number of injected electrons (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\sigma _{n}^{2} $ </tex-math></inline-formula>) into the floating gate are observed. The variance is proportional to the mean value of injected electrons (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\bar {n}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) times 10. The other is proportional to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\bar {n}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> times 20 and occurs only when the (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N-1$ </tex-math></inline-formula>)th cell is programmed in a high <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$V_{t} $ </tex-math></inline-formula> level and the other cells are in the erased state. A 3-D TCAD simulation reveals that the former case is attributed to Fowler–Nordheim tunneling from the insufficiently boosting channel, and the latter is explained by hot-electron injection owing to the strong lateral electric field between the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${N}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>th and (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N-1$ </tex-math></inline-formula>)th cells.
A Study of Cultural Methods for the Quantitative Determination of Bacterial Populations of Distillery Mashes

Quantitative cultural data on bacterial contamination in a distillery are difficult to obtain because ordinary methods will not distinguish between yeast and bacteria. Direct counts are unreliable because of the large number of grain particles which are difficult to distinguish from bacteria. This investigation was begun, therefore, in order to find a reliable cultural method for counting bacteria in distillery mashes. A procedure which seemed worthy of investigation was the "tube count" method which has been used for many years by the Bureau of Dairy Industry of the United States Department of Agriculture in counting lactate-fermenting bacteria in Swiss cheese. Dr. W. C. Frazier of the University of Wisconsin suggested that the method had possibilities in routine work, and under his direction it was used extensively in research work on brick cheese (Garey et al., 1941).
The Design of the ARL‐Unbiased S2 Chart When the In‐Control Variance Is Estimated

The S2 chart has been known as a powerful tool to monitor the variability of the normal process. When the variance of the process is unknown, it needs to be estimated by Phase I samples. It is well known that there are serious effects of parameter estimation on the performance of the S2 chart based on known parameter assumption. If the effects of parameter estimation are not considered, it can lead to an increase in the number of false alarms and a reduction in the ability of the chart to detect process changes except for very small shifts in the variance. Based on the criterion of average run length (ARL) unbiased, a S2 control chart is developed when the in‐control variance is estimated. The performance of the proposed control chart is also evaluated in terms of the ARL and standard deviation of the run length. Finally, an example is used to illustrate the proposed control chart. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.