Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro antiprotozoal activity of poly(rhodanine)-coated zinc oxide nanoparticles against Trichomonas gallinae

Abstract Recently utilization of nanoparticles in biological application has been increased due to their enhanced performance in drug delivery, anti-microbial and antiparasitic application. Researchers who work on developing new functional materials by antiparasitic properties are suffering from the lack of specific protocols for in-vitro investigation. In addition, investigation of nanoparticles performance by SEM & TEM could help us to assess their mechanism of action. Most of researchers have problem in preparing biological samples for SEM & TEM analysis. In the present study, pure ZnO nanoparticles and poly(rhodanine)-coated ZnO nanoparticles were truly synthesized and characterized. The antiparasitic activities of both nanoparticles were tested against Trichomonas gallinae parasite in vitro. The average sizes of uncoated and poly(rhodanine)-coated ZnO nanoparticles were 66.1 and 161.9 nm, respectively and a significant reduction for viability (p < 0.01) was observed for poly(rhodanine)-coated ZnO nanoparticles against Trichomonas gallinae. Moreover, the inhibitory concentration for 2 hours (IC50-2h) of pure ZnO nanoparticles and poly(rhodanine)-coated ZnO nanoparticles for this parasite was 2.5 and 10 mg/mL, respectively. Accordingly, these NPs could be suggested as a new nanoagent for safe and effective treatment of Trichomonas gallinae parasites. In addition SEM analysis was utilized to investigate the interaction of Trichomonas gallinae cell and poly(rhodanine)-coated ZnO nanoparticles. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
IP/ATM QoS Solutions for VoIP Traffic

Transmitting voice through IP data network can provide significant cost savings. However if not managed properly, voice quality can degrade due to data network congestion. This paper presents solutions to the IP/ATM QoS problems in the AARNet VoIP project. The network architecture is IP/VoIP at the edge and ATM carriers at the core. We propose solutions that can guarantee the quality of service (QoS) of voice traffic and at the same time maintain 100% bandwidth utilization for the combined traffic
Global communication algorithms for Cayley graphs

We discuss several combinatorial problems that arise when one looks at computational algorithms for highly symmetric networks of processors. More specifically, we are interested in minimal times associated with four communication tasks (defined more precisely below): universal broadcast, every processor has a vector that it wishes to broadcast to all the others; universal accumulation, every processor wishes to receive the sum of all the vectors being sent to it by all the other processors; universal exchange, every processor wishes to exchange a vector with each other processor; and global summation, every processor wants the sum of the vectors in all the processors
hXRCC2 Enhances ADP/ATP Processing and Strand Exchange by hRAD51*

The assembly of bacterial RecA, and its human homolog hRAD51, into an operational ADP/ATP-regulated DNA-protein (nucleoprotein) filament is essential for homologous recombination repair (HRR). Yet hRAD51 lacks the coordinated ADP/ATP processing exhibited by RecA and is less efficient in HRR reactions in vitro. In this study, we demonstrate that hXRCC2, one of five other poorly understood non-redundant human mitotic RecA homologs (hRAD51B, hRAD51C, hRAD51D, hXRCC2, and hXRCC3), stimulates hRAD51 ATP processing. hXRCC2 also increases hRAD51-mediated DNA unwinding and strand exchange activities that are integral for HRR. Although there does not seem to be a long-lived interaction between hXRCC2 and hRAD51, we detail a strong adenosine nucleotide-regulated interaction between the hXRCC2-hRAD51D heterodimer and hRAD51. These observations begin to elucidate the separate and specialized functions of the human mitotic RecA homologs that enable an efficient nucleoprotein filament required for HRR.
Learning temporal rules to forecast instability in continuously monitored patients

Inductive machine learning, and in particular extraction of association rules from data, has been successfully used in multiple application domains, such as market basket analysis, disease prognosis, fraud detection, and protein sequencing. The appeal of rule extraction techniques stems from their ability to handle intricate problems yet produce models based on rules that can be comprehended by humans, and are therefore more transparent. Human comprehension is a factor that may improve adoption and use of data-driven decision support systems clinically via face validity. In this work, we explore whether we can reliably and informatively forecast cardiorespiratory instability (CRI) in step-down unit (SDU) patients utilizing data from continuous monitoring of physiologic vital sign (VS) measurements. We use a temporal association rule extraction technique in conjunction with a rule fusion protocol to learn how to forecast CRI in continuously monitored patients. We detail our approach and present and discuss encouraging empirical results obtained using continuous multivariate VS data from the bedside monitors of 297 SDU patients spanning 29 346 hours (3.35 patient-years) of observation. We present example rules that have been learned from data to illustrate potential benefits of comprehensibility of the extracted models, and we analyze the empirical utility of each VS as a potential leading indicator of an impending CRI event.
On Incentive-Based Ancillary Service Markets for Incorporation of Renewable Energy Sources and Demand Response

An increasing share of renewable energy production and demand side participation call for progress in the design of electricity markets. Broadly, market designs must ensure the accord of short-term efficiency, which means that the products with the highest demand are produced and traded with a correct price, and long-term efficiency, which means that investments are done and markets evolve to a changing environment. In this thesis the focus lies on the design of ancillary service markets. Ancillary services are necessary to ensure a reliable and secure operation of the power system and are in liberalized markets supplementary traded to energy. The importance of ancillary service markets will likely rise in the future due to the challenges previously described. However, current ancillary service market designs have several shortcomings. In particular, there do not exist financial incentives to avoid the reservation and deployment of ancillary services due to the socialization of costs. Further, demand side participation in ancillary service markets requires the establishment of a proper market framework, which enables fast and simple control of flexibility of the demand side, and simultaneously takes into account possible technical limitations and privacy considerations. In the first part of the thesis, market frameworks for different wholesale platforms are presented, which ensure that ancillary services are procured based on the individual valuation of it. This enables the creation of financial incentives to abate the reservation of backup capacity. The main issue is that reliable electricity supply, and thus backup reserves for reliable system operation, can be seen as a public good. Therefore, market designs have to ensure that they are safe from being gamed by market participants. The proposed models are tested with regards to the
A Pragmatic Test for Detecting Association between a Dichotomous Trait and the Genotypes of Affected Families, Controls and Independent Cases

The efficient analysis of hybrid designs [e.g., affected families, controls, and (optionally) independent cases] is attractive because it should have increased power to detect associations between genetic variants and disease. However, the computational complexity of such an analysis is not trivial, especially when the data contain pedigrees of arbitrary size and structure. To address this concern, we developed a pragmatic test of association that summarizes all of the available evidence in certain hybrid designs, irrespective of pedigree size or structure. Under the null hypothesis of no association, our proposed test statistic (POPFAM+) is the quadratic form of two correlated tests: a population-based test (e.g., wQLS), and a family-based test (e.g., PDT). We use the parametric bootstrap in conjunction with an estimate of the correlation to compute p-values, and we illustrate the potential for increased power when (1) the heritability of the trait is high; and, (2) the marker-specific association is driven by the over-representation of risk alleles in cases, and by the preferential transmission of risk alleles from heterozygous parents to their affected offspring. Based on simulation, we show that type I error is controlled, and that POPFAM+ is more powerful than wQLS or PDT alone. In a real data application, we used POPFAM+ to analyze 43 genes of a hybrid epilepsy study containing 85 affected families, 80 independent cases, 234 controls, and 118 reference samples from the International HapMap Project. The results of our analysis identified a promising epilepsy candidate gene for follow-up sequencing: malic enzyme 2 (ME2; min p < 0.0084).
Antiretroviral Therapy: Level of Adherence and Its Determinants AmongPatients on Treatment in Different Health Facilities. A Cross SectionalStudy in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Background: HIV/AIDS pandemic is the world’s most deadly disease that has killed more than 25 million people so far. Appropriate antiretroviral viral treatment (ART) reduces mortality and morbidity and enhances quality of life. Adherence to both follow up clinics and drugs is crucial to this effect. Objective: To assess level of adherence to antiretroviral treatment and its determinants among patients on ART in Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. Methods: Cross-sectional study design was used. For the study purpose, the region was divided into four strata so that different socioeconomic characteristics of the study population will be represented. List of health facilities that had a case load of >500 patients across the strata was used as sampling frame and health facilities were randomly selected. The Sample size was proportionally assigned to health facilities and every other patient visiting the selected health facility was included and a total of 1632 study participants (age 15 years and above) were interviewed. The patients’ follow up chart was used to extract baseline clinical data. Epi Info 7 was used for data entry and analyzed using SPSS 20. Descriptive statistics were used to determine sociodemographic characteristics and level of adherence. Logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of adherence. Results: Ninety seven percent of patients had good adherence to ART. Factors associated with better adherence were housewives (AOR, 5.10; 95% CI, 1.30, 19.98), baseline CD4 count <350 cells/ml (AOR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.13, 4.34) and patients free of addictive substances (AOR: 7.42; 95% CI: 1.46, 37.81). Significant proportions of patients believe that worshiping and holy water (“Tsebel”) can cure HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: The vast majority (97%) of the respondents were in optimum adherence to the treatment. Various factors were associated with optimum adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Knowledge and attitude of PLWHA towards ART should be addressed carefully.
The glass transition temperature concept in rice drying and tempering : Effect on milling quality

Research on rice drying and tempering has shown that high drying temperatures (up to 60 ³ C) and high moisture removal rates (up to 6 percentage points moisture content) can be used without reducing milling quality as long as sufficient tempering at a temperature above the glass transition temperature (Tg) is allowed between drying passes. Using drying air temperatures above the Tg of the rice significantly reduces drying and tempering durations since kernel moisture diffusivity is much higher above Tg. Understanding the effects of glass transition is important in optimizing the drying and tempering processes in terms of overall required drying durations to achieve given moisture removals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Tg on drying rates when using drying air temperatures above and below Tg. Both medium–grain and long–grain rice was harvested during 2000 and dried under various air conditions above and below the Tg of the rice. Results showed that rice dried significantly faster above Tg than below Tg. In addition, high temperature/low relative humidity drying air conditions, which result in a low equilibrium moisture content, apparently caused the surface of the kernel to transition from a rubbery to a glassy state and reduced the drying rate.
Optimized Design of High-Speed Induction Motors in Respect of the Electrical Steel Grade

This paper presents the design of highly efficient high-speed induction motors with optimally exploited magnetic materials. First, new combined numerical-analytical design methods are presented and validated, which closely relate to the classical way of machine design but allow the designer to precisely account for material properties. Second, it is shown how two optimized 20-kW 30 000-r/min induction machines have been realized, i.e., one incorporating cobalt-iron alloy, and the other one using siliconized steel. Finally, the influence of the electrical steel grade on their performance is evaluated on the basis of electrical, thermal, vibrational, and noise measurements.
Efeitos das Intervenções Cambiais sobre a Taxa de Câmbio Futura no Brasil

Este artigo estima os efeitos das intervencoes cambiais do Banco Central do Brasil sobre o retorno e volatilidade da taxa de câmbio futura BRL/USD usando dados intradiarios de outubro de 2011 a marco de 2015. Os resultados mostram que as intervencoes nao antecipadas pelo mercado impactam de modo persistente o nivel da taxa de câmbio e os efeitos variam com o tamanho das intervencoes. Volumes negociados mais elevados impactam a taxa de câmbio mais fortemente que intervencoes menores. Por fim, nao encontramos evidencias de que as intervencoes cambiais reduzem de maneira significativa a volatilidade cambial no curto prazo.
Factors Associated With Hypertension Awareness, Treatment, and Control in a Representative Sample of the Chinese Population

Abstract—We studied factors associated with awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension (systolic/diastolic blood pressure measurements ≥140/90 mm Hg, respectively, and/or current drug treatment for hypertension) in a representative sample of the Chinese population (n=15 838). Awareness, treatment, and control were defined by self-report of a hypertension diagnosis, self-report of current antihypertensive medication use, and a systolic and diastolic blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg, respectively. Higher awareness (OR; 95% CI) was noted for persons who were married (1.43; 1.09, 1.88) and had their blood pressure measured in 1 year (47.4; 31.7, 70.4) or 1 to 5 years (11.4; 7.09, 18.2) preceding their study visit; lower awareness was found among men (0.62; 0.52, 0.74) and current smokers (0.79; 0.63, 0.99). Among those aware of their hypertension, treatment was more common (OR; 95% CI) at higher income (1.24 [0.87, 1.75], 1.46 [1.01, 2.12] and 1.58 [1.06, 2.37] for increasing versus the lowest quartile of income) and for participants who had their blood pressure measured during the preceding year (3.87; 1.89, 7.93) and was less common among men (0.76; 0.59, 0.98). Controlled hypertension was more common (OR; 95% CI) among persons whose blood pressure had been measured 1 year (4.93; 1.51, 16.1) and 1 to 5 years (14.8; 3.63, 60.5) prior to their study visit and, among persons aware of their hypertension diagnosis, those who undertook lifestyle modification (1.59; 1.11, 2.27). These data identify potential methods for improving blood pressure control in China through the identification, follow-up, and lifestyle modification of persons with high blood pressure.
Regional anesthesia for carotid endarterectomy: a comparison between ropivacaine and levobupivacaine.

BACKGROUND This study compares ropivacaine and levobupivacaine when administered for cervical plexus block. The authors therefore compared the arterial pressure profile and the incidence of hypotension between drugs. METHODS Forty-eight patients scheduled for carotid artery surgery (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] 2-3) were randomly assigned to receive levobupivacaine or ropivacaine (24 patients each). Neurological status, arterial pressure profile and control of postoperative pain were the main observed parameters. All patients had severe carotid stenosis (>80%) and/or had suffered transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or preoperative strokes. The same team performed anesthesia and surgery for carotid endarterectomy; the cervical block was performed according to Moore's technique.Arterial pressure, heart rate and S(a)O(2p) were monitored continuously with particular regard to T0 (baseline), T1 (immediately before carotid clamping), T2 (immediately before declamping) and T3 (at the end of the procedure). Hypotension was defined as the fall of arterial systolic pressure 30% below baseline or less than 100 mmHg. RESULTS Arterial pressure fell significantly in both groups at T1 with respect to T0 (P<0.0001). Levobupivacaine patients showed higher mean arterial pressure on T0 (112+/-12 mmHg versus 103+/-7 mmHg; P<0.05), thus suggesting a more pronounced vasodilator effect, as confirmed by the larger drop of arterial diastolic pressure (P=0.007). An absolute 6% difference of hypotension-related drug was recorded with levobupivacaine (19%) as compared with ropivacaine (13%) (P=0.28). CONCLUSIONS Levobupivacaine has a greater vasodilatory effect than ropivacaine. Its higher incidence of hypotension, although not statistically significant, suggests ropivacaine as the drug of choice for cervical plexus block.
Financial challenges in higher education: community college leadership style and ranking

ABSTRACT A large number of new community college presidents will be hired in the next 5 years due to vacancies. New leaders must be prepared to lead their institutions through the challenges facing community colleges. Forty-one community college presidents in North Carolina participated in our research (70.7% response rate). We found that community college presidents’ perceptions of their management styles all fall within the “team management” orientation according to the Blake and Mouton Managerial Grid (Blake & Mouton, 1964). We then examined the financial management challenges faced by community college presidents and found empirical evidence regarding how community college presidents rank six of the most critical financial challenges identified in the literature. Presidents’ rankings of the six most critical financial challenges showed that the three most pressing concerns are maintaining student access during times of increasing educational costs, managing enrollment during times of decreasing state funding, and lowering costs without damaging academic quality.
Use of site-directed mutagenesis to destabilize native apomyoglobin relative to folding intermediates.

Site-directed mutagenesis has been used to study the effect on the stability of human apomyoglobin (apoMb) of modifying the size, hydrophobicity, and charge of a central residue in the G.B helix-helix packing interface. Some stability measurements have also been made on the corresponding holomyoglobins (heme present). Cys-110, a central helix pairing residue in the G helix, has been changed to Ala, Ser, Asp, and Leu. Stability to low-pH-induced unfolding has been measured for both native apoMb and the compact folding intermediate discovered by Griko et al. [Griko, Y. V. , Privalov, P. L. , Venyaminov, S. Y. , & Kutyshenko, V. P. (1988) J. Mol. Biol. 202, 127-138]. As judged by its circular dichroism spectrum, this intermediate has a substantial helix content (about 35%). Whether or not this inferred helical structure is closely related to the myoglobin structure is not yet known. The mutational evidence shows that integrity of G.B helix pairing is important for the stability of apoMb as well as of myoglobin and that this helix pairing site is very sensitive to both steric and electrostatic disruption. Our results also suggest that G.B helix pairing does not stabilize the compact intermediate; hence, disrupting this site destabilizes the native protein relative to the compact intermediate. Such selective destabilization of the native state relative to equilibrium folding intermediates is not restricted to acid denaturation: urea denaturation of the Leu mutant appears to display at least one stable intermediate, while wild-type and the remaining mutant apoMbs undergo two-state urea unfolding transitions.
A retrospective cohort study of vasectomy and prostate cancer in US men.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between vasectomy and prostate cancer. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Husbands of nurses in 11 large states in the United States. PARTICIPANTS In questionnaires administered in 1976 and 1978, 14,607 married female participants of the Nurses' Health Study reported vasectomy as the couple's form of contraception. In 1989, we contacted these 14,607 women and 14,607 age-matched participants whose husbands had not had a vasectomy prior to 1978 to ascertain their husband's disease status between 1976 and 1989. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Diagnosis of prostate cancer. RESULTS During the study period, from 1976 through 1989, 96 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in the cohort. Vasectomy was associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer (age-adjusted relative risk, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 2.37; P = .04). The relative risk of prostate cancer increased over time since vasectomy. Among men who had their vasectomy 20 or more years in the past, the relative risk of prostate cancer was 1.89 (95% confidence interval, 1.14 to 3.14; P = .005), and after excluding stage A and B cases, the relative risk was 2.06 (95% confidence interval, 0.95 to 4.43; P = .07). This elevated risk of prostate cancer among vasectomized men persisted when we adjusted for smoking, alcohol consumption, educational level, body mass index, and geographical area of residence. CONCLUSIONS These results support evidence from other epidemiologic studies that vasectomy increases risk of prostate cancer. A biological mechanism whereby vasectomy influences the rate of prostate cancer may be related to a diminished secretory rate of prostatic fluid following vasectomy, or, alternatively, to the postvasectomy immune response to sperm antigens, which may cross-react with tumor-associated antigens and suppress tumor immunosurveillance mechanisms.