Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hemoglobin detection using curcumin nanoparticles as a colorimetric chemosensor

This article presents a simple and efficient measurement system for quantitative sensing of blood hemoglobin (Hgb) using curcumin nanoparticles (CURNs). The Hgb monitoring is based on CURNs aggregation in the presence of Hgb, which leads to a decrease in the absorption intensity of CURNs. In this study the analytical signal for the measurement of blood Hgb concentration was defined as the difference in absorption intensity of the CURNs in the absence and presence of Hgb. The method was optimized to enhance the selectivity and sensitivity of the method by investigating the effect of variables such as pH of the sample solution, buffer concentration, required amount of CURNs, equilibrium time and tolerance limit of various probable interferences. Under optimum conditions, the difference in absorption intensity of the CURNs was linearly proportional to the concentration of Hgb in two ranges 1–40 μg mL−1 and 150–1200 μg mL−1 with a detection limit of 0.1 μg mL−1. The relative standard deviation for ten replicate measurements of 20 μg mL−1 and 600 μg mL−1 of Hgb was 3.6% and 3.1% respectively. The sensing method was successfully applied for the measurement of Hgb in human blood with satisfactory results.
Determinants of Hedging Foreign Currency Risk in Kenya: A Survey of Tea Exporting Companies in Mombasa County

: This research project sought to establish the factors affecting the decision to hedge foreign currency risk in Kenya with a focus on tea exporting companies in Mombasa County. The general objective was to establish the determinants of hedging foreign currency risk. The independent variables under consideration were: firm size, firm liquidity, degree of leverage and the cost of hedging. These independent variables created the basis for the specific objectives under review as follows: to find out how the firm size influences the decision to hedge foreign currency risk; to establish how the degree of financial leverage influences the decision of firms to hedge foreign currency risk; to find out how firm liquidity affects the decision to hedge foreign currency risk; and to find out how the cost of hedging influences the decision to hedge foreign currency risk. The theories under review in this research were the interest rate parity theory that was developed by Keynes in 1930 and it applies the law of one price. The other theory under review was the international Fisher effect theory that states that differences in interest rates in different markets can cause a flow of funds from markets with low interest rates to markets with high interest rates. A descriptive research design was used in this research. The target population was 42 tea exporting companies in Mombasa and a random sample of 10 companies was drawn from the 42 companies. The research findings were that the cost of hedging is the major factor affecting the decision to hedge while the size of the firm and firm liquidity also had an above average influence on the decision to hedge. The degree of leverage by the firm had the least impact on the decision to hedge since most of these tea exporting companies are not highly leveraged.
Design and analysis of charge-pump based buck converter

In this paper a charge pump based buck converter is proposed and its suitability for constant load voltage applications is investigated. Steady-state time-domain analysis is established and then proved that this converter gives bucking feature like conventional buck converter voltage transformation. State-space analysis, discrete-time models are formulated and then discrete-time transfer functions required for digital controller design are obtained. A single-loop digital direct duty ratio controller is designed. A 42 to 28 V, 100 W prototype converter is used to predetermine the proposed converter performance in simulation environment. Simulation studies demonstrated the bucking as well as load voltage regulation feature. Analytical investigations and simulations are validated through experimental measurement.
Socialization Tactics, Employee Proactivity, and Person-Organization Fit

This study examined the linkage between organizational socialization tactics and person-organization (P-O) fit and examined the moderating influence of employees' proactivity behaviors. Results from a sample of 279 employee-supervisor pairs from 7 organizations in South Korea revealed a positive relationship between institutionalized socialization tactics and P-O fit perceptions. However, the association between firms' socialization tactics and P-O fit was facilitated or negated by several proactive behaviors that employees used to gain control over their environment. For example, employees' positive framing harmonized with institutional tactics to create higher P-O fit, whereas employees who proactively developed strong relationships with their supervisors essentially replaced institutionalized socialization tactics.
Isolation and determination of anthocyanins in seed coats of black soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.).

Anthocyanin pigments in seed coats of black soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) were extracted with 1% HCl-CH(3)OH, and the crude anthocyanin extract was purified by Shepadex LH-20 and Lichroprep RP-18 open-column chromatography. Three major anthocyanins were isolated, and their chemical structures were identified by spectroscopic methods (UV-visible, FABMS, (1)H and (13)C NMR, and by TLC). The complete structures of these anthocyanins were elucidated as delphinidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and petunidin-3-glucoside. Among them, petunidin-3-glucoside was identified as a new anthocyanin in black soybeans. On the basis of RP-HPLC with a UV-vis detector, the contents of delphinidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, petunidin-3-glucoside, and total anthocyanins in seed coats of 10 black soybeans were found in the ranges of 0-3.71, 0.94-15.98, 0-1.41, and 1.58-20.18 mg/g, respectively. The results obtained in this study imply that the seed coats of black soybean can be used as a good source for cyanidin-3-glucoside and delphinidin-3-glucoside.
When is a maternal effect adaptive

Maternal effects have become an important field of study in evolutionary ecology and there is an ongoing debate regarding their adaptive significance. Some maternal effects can act to increase offspring fitness and are called 'adaptive maternal effects'. However, other maternal effects decrease offspring fitness and there is confusion regarding whether certain maternal effects are indeed adaptive or merely physiological inevitabilities. Here we suggest that the focus on the consequences of maternal effects for offspring fitness only and the use of 'snapshot' estimates of fitness have misdirected our effort to understand the evolution of maternal effects. We suggest that selection typically acts on maternal effects to maximise maternal rather than (or in addition to) offspring fitness. We highlight the importance of considering how maternal effects influence maternal fitness across a mother's lifetime and describe four broad types of maternal effects using an outcome-based approach. Overall, we suggest that many maternal effects will have an adaptive basis for mothers, regardless of whether these effects increase or decrease survival or reproductive success of individual offspring.
Functional mapping-guided resection of low-grade gliomas in eloquent areas of the brain: improvement of long-term survival. Clinical article.

OBJECT Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) frequently infiltrate highly functional or "eloquent" brain areas. Given the lack of long-term survival data, the prognostic significance of eloquent brain tumor location and the role of functional mapping during resective surgery in presumed eloquent brain regions are unknown. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of 281 cases involving adults who underwent resection of a supratentorial LGG at a brain tumor referral center. Preoperative MR images were evaluated blindly for involvement of eloquent brain areas, including the sensorimotor and language cortices, and specific subcortical structures. For high-risk tumors located in presumed eloquent brain areas, long-term survival estimates were evaluated for patients who underwent intraoperative functional mapping with electrocortical stimulation and for those who did not. RESULTS One hundred and seventy-four patients (62%) had high-risk LGGs that were located in presumed eloquent areas. Adjusting for other known prognostic factors, patients with tumors in areas presumed to be eloquent had worse overall and progression-free survival (OS, hazard ratio [HR] 6.1, 95% CI 2.6-14.1; PFS, HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-2.9; Cox proportional hazards). Confirmation of tumor overlapping functional areas during intraoperative mapping was strongly associated with shorter survival (OS, HR 9.6, 95% CI 3.6-25.9). In contrast, when mapping revealed that tumor spared true eloquent areas, patients had significantly longer survival, nearly comparable to patients with tumors that clearly involved only noneloquent areas, as demonstrated by preoperative imaging (OS, HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.0-8.5). CONCLUSIONS Presumed eloquent location of LGGs is an important but modifiable risk factor predicting disease progression and death. Delineation of true functional and nonfunctional areas by intraoperative mapping in high-risk patients to maximize tumor resection can dramatically improve long-term survival.
Muscle lactate metabolism in recovery from intense exhaustive exercise: impact of light exercise.

This study examined the effect of low-intensity exercise on lactate metabolism during the first 10 min of recovery from high-intensity exercise. Subjects exercised (61.0 +/- 5.4 W) one leg to exhaustion (approximately 3.5 min), and after 1 h of rest they performed the same exhaustive exercise with the other leg. For one leg the intense exercise was followed by rest [passive (P) leg], and for the other leg the exercise was followed by a 10-min period with low-intensity exercise at a work rate of 10 W [active (A) leg]. The muscle lactate concentration after the intense exercise was the same in the P and A legs, but after 10 min of recovery, the lactate concentration and the arterial blood lactate level were higher for the P leg than for the A leg (both P < 0.05). During the recovery, the mean blood flow was lower for the P leg than for the A leg (P < 0.05), whereas the mean lactate efflux was not significantly different. During the 10 min of recovery, lactate release accounted for approximately 60% of the change in muscle lactate for either leg. The leg excess postexercise O2 consumption during 10 min of recovery was 440 and 750 ml for the P and A legs, respectively. The present data suggest that a lowered blood lactate level during active recovery is due to an elevated muscle lactate metabolism and is not caused by a transient higher release of lactate from the exercising muscles coupled with greater uptake in other tissues. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Oil and oil dispersant do not cause synergistic toxicity to fish embryos

Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) embryos were exposed to water accommodated fractions (WAFs; oil dissolved in water) and chemically enhanced water accommodated fractions (CEWAFs; oil dispersed in water with Corexit 9500A) of Medium South American (MESA) crude oil. The CEWAF was approximately 100‐fold more toxic than WAF based on nominal loadings of test solutions (% v/v). In contrast, the ratio of WAF and CEWAF toxicity expressed as measured oil concentrations approximated 1.0, indicating that the higher toxicity of CEWAFs was caused by an increase in exposure to hydrocarbons with chemical dispersion. In a second experiment, the chronic toxicity of Corexit 9500A and chemically dispersed heavy fuel oil 7102 (HFO 7102) to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) embryos was compared to chemically dispersed Nujol, a nontoxic mineral oil. Dispersant alone was toxic, but caused different signs of toxicity than HFO 7102. Nujol at a dispersant‐to‐oil ratio of 1:20 was nontoxic, suggesting that dispersant was sequestered by oil and not present at toxic concentrations. In contrast, the same nominal loadings of dispersed HFO 7102 caused concentration‐dependent increases in toxicity. Both experiments suggest that chemically dispersed oil was more toxic to fish embryos than solutions created by mechanical mixing due to the increased exposure of fish to petroleum hydrocarbons and not to changes in hydrocarbon toxicity. The Nujol control discriminated between the toxicity of oil and chemical dispersant and would be a practical addition to programs of dispersant testing. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:107–114. © 2013 SETAC
Under Market Economy System Liangshan Yi Nationality,Common Law and Yi Area Social Order Question Research——Lives Together the County Take the Yi Nationality MeiGu ZhaoJue BuTuo as the Example

Since reform and open policy,Liangshan Yi nationality area family meeting not only frequent,moreover the scale is big,family gathers the numerous beating,smashing and looting case to assume the trend of escalation,has affected the Yi area social stability;The civil dispute all carries on the mediation by the folk mediation according to the traditional common law,the common law frequency of use is high,thus its negative effect also obviously day by day.The article to the Yi area social order question which because the family,the common law caused carries on has analyzed and proposed the countermeasure.
Feeding Patterns of Full-Term and Preterm Infants at Forty Weeks Postconceptional Age

ABSTRACT. Little research exists that addresses the differences in feeding skills between preterm (PT) infants at term and full-term (FT) infants. The purpose of this study was to quantify and examine the differences in sucking abilities of PT infants when measured at 40 weeks postconceptional age (PCA) and newly born FT infants. The sample consisted of 213 infants who were divided into three groups on the basis of their gestational age at birth (24–29 wk, 30–32 wk, and 38–42 wk). The Kron Nutritive Sucking Apparatus (KNSA) was used to examine the microstructure of sucking and feeding behaviors. There were significant differences among the three groups in several of the sucking variables: number of bursts (p = .005), intersuck interval (p = .0212), sucks per burst (p = .0003), suck width (p < .0001), intersuck width (p < .0001), mean maximum pressure (p < .0001), and intersuck width/interburst width (p = .02). The findings from this study demonstrate the importance of both maturation at birth and experience as factors influencing feeding behaviors.
Blistering Dactylitis Caused by Group B Streptococci

Abstract: A 6‐month‐old girl had blisters on her volar index finger and palm. Bacterial culture grew group B streptococcl. Group B streptococci (in addition to group A streptococci) can be a cause of blistering dactylitis.
Regulation of the expression of cathepsin B in Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh fly) at the translational level during metamorphosis.

Previously, we reported that cathepsin B of pupal hemocytes participates in dissociation of the fat body of Sarcophaga larvae at metamorphosis. In this study, we demonstrated that the amount of cathepsin B in hemocytes was controlled at the translational level, i.e. larval hemocytes stored a significant amount of untranslated cathepsin B mRNA. When the larvae pupated, translation of the mRNA commenced, resulting in accumulation of cathepsin B. Our results indicate that the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of this mRNA is necessary for the repression of its translation in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. We detected the 3'-UTR binding protein in the lysate of larval hemocytes, but not in the pupal hemocytes. The role of this protein in the translation of cathepsin B mRNA is discussed.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy

With increasing emphasis on reducing the volume of radiation therapy fields while maintaining or improving precision of treatment and reducing radiation-related normal tissue toxicity, treatment position verification and correction before delivering radiotherapy had gained major importance. A variety of techniques have been developed that can accomplish this goal with aplomb, albeit each with its own set of limitations. The best method that eliminates uncertainties in treatment without a huge cost remains to be defined, but it is clear that carrying out “high precision radiotherapy” without periodic image guidance is as accurate as shooting in a dark room. This review discusses the concept of image guidance in radiotherapy, various techniques available along with expected benefits and pitfalls of these systems.
The Self-Defeating Endogenous Growth Theory

This paper proves that the endogenous attempt to derive unlimited growth leads to bankrupting business. Endogenous growth requires increasing returns to scale, but its mathematical solution does not exist. Using Euler’s theorem, this paper confirms that such theory ruins both the production operation and the theory itself. The graphic presentation even confirms that endogenous growth means bankruptcy.
Soft tissue tumours: the genetic basis of development.

Les derniers developpements concernant les tumeurs des tissus nous sont presentes dans cet article en mettant l'accent sur la base genetique de cette tumorigenese. Les translocations chromosomiques et les alterations au niveau des oncogenes dominants et des genes suppresseurs de tumeurs responsables de ces neoplasmes ainsi que l'existence d'une predispositions genetiques sont exposees
The Human Genome Project: Lessons from Large-Scale Biology

The Human Genome Project has been the first major foray of the biological and medical research communities into “big science. ” In this Viewpoint, we present some of our experiences in organizing and managing such a complicated, publicly funded, international effort. We believe that many of the lessons we learned will be applicable to future large-scale projects in biology.
Identification of Novel CERT Ligands as Potential Ceramide Trafficking Inhibitors

A highly compartmentalized enzymatic network regulates the pro‐apoptotic and proliferative effects of sphingolipids. Over‐conversion of ceramide (Cer) correlates with insensitivity to apoptosis signaling (in response to chemotherapy) and to drug resistance of cancer cells. De novo sphingomyelin biosynthesis relies on non‐vesicular ceramide trafficking by the CERT (CERamide Transfer) protein. Therefore, blocking CERT transfer, thus leading to increased intracellular ceramide availability, represents a potential anticancer strategy. Our study is based on the implementation of an in vitro binding assay, supported by in silico molecular docking. It constitutes the first attempt to explore at the molecular level for the identification of novel CERT ligands. This approach is the first step toward in silico design and optimization of CERT inhibitor candidates, potentially relevant as innovative ceramide‐transfer‐targeting therapeutic agents.
Local antibiotic lock for the treatment of infections related to central catheters in parenteral nutrition in children.

BACKGROUND Central venous catheter-related (CVC) infections represent the most common complication of parenteral nutrition. These infections are usually treated by means of long-term systemic antibiotic treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of combining a local antibiotic lock with a short systemic double antibiotic to treat CVC-related staphylococci infections. METHODS Any child with coagulase-negative staphylococci or Staphylococcus aureus septicemia, confirmed by a positive blood culture, was included in the study. A double antibiotic systemic treatment composed of amikacin and teicoplanin was started and continued for 5 days. The antibiotic treatment was combined from the first day (D0) with a local teicoplanin lock, which was left for 12 hours a day in the catheter for 15 days. Parenteral nutrition was continued on a nocturnal cyclic mode during antibiotic treatment. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by clinical (body temperature), biologic [C-reactive protein levels (CRP)], and bacteriologic (blood culture) measures. RESULTS Twenty CVC-related infection episodes in 13 patients were analyzed for the study. In the initial biologic test, CRP varied from 2 to 130 mg/L (mean 43 mg/L). After 3 days of treatment, CRP varied from 2 to 61 mg/L (mean 12 mg/L). The median time until normalization of temperature and CRP levels after the beginning of antibiotic treatment was 3.2 days (range 1 to 14 days) and 6.2 days (range 2 to 19 days), respectively. All blood cultures were negative for infection 48 hours after stopping the treatment. Only 1 therapeutic failure was observed during the treatment. The patient had persistent signs of clinical septicemia that required removal of the CVC. Two catheter-related infection recurrences were observed in the month after termination of the local antibiotic lock, which also required removal of the CVC. The central venous catheter was maintained in the other cases. CONCLUSIONS Teicoplanin antibiotic locks, combined with a short conventional systemic antibiotic treatment and continuation of cyclic parenteral nutrition, seem effective and well-tolerated treatments for CVC infections.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF WHITE-TAILED DEER IN THE EPIZOOTIOLOGY OF ANAPLASMOSIS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

The role of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the epizootiology of anaplasmosis in the southeastern United States was examined through retrospective and prospective serosurveys and by experimental infection studies. No serum antibody reactive to Anaplasma marginale was detected with an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay from any of 1,376 free-ranging deer sampled from 1968 through 1990 from 13 states and Puerto Rico. Thirty-one additional deer from three bovine anaplasmosis enzootic premises also were negative by IFA and Giemsa-stained blood films. Three captive deer given A. marginale intravenously developed antibodies 38 to 41 days post-inoculation (DPI) and remained seropositive for the duration of the study (161 to 287 DPI). At 42 DPI, rickettsemias of approximately 0.0001% infected erythrocytes were observed in all three deer using a DNA probe; low rickettsemias (maximum 0.01%) persisted through 56, 63, and 87 DPI, respectively. One deer had a recrudescent infection from 126 to 146 DPI (maximum rickettsemia 0.001%). We believe that white-tailed deer in the southeastern United States, even though susceptible to A. marginale infection, are not exposed naturally, even at enzootic sites. Furthermore, white-tailed deer did not develop rickettsemias sufficient to support mechanical transmission by biting flies, which is believed to be the primary means of anaplasmosis transmission in this region.
Sleep Quality and Body Mass Index in College Students: The Role of Sleep Disturbances

Abstract Objective: Obesity and its comorbidities have emerged as a leading public health concern. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sleep patterns, including duration and disturbances. Methods: A convenience sample of 515 college students completed an online survey consisting of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and self-reported height and weight to calculate BMI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using components of the PSQI as predictors of overweight (BMI ≥ 25). Results: One-third of the participants had BMI ≥ 25, and 51% were poor-quality sleepers (PSQI > 5). Controlling for age and sex, only sleep disturbances were associated with overweight (odds ratio = 1.66, 95% confidence interval [1.08, 2.57]). Conclusions: Sleep disturbances, rather than sleep duration, predicted overweight among young adults; this is consistent with the most recent evidence in the literature. These findings support expanding the scope of wellness programs to promote healthy sleep among students.