Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESTIMATION OF ANTISPASMODIC POTENCY OF DICYCLOMINE IN COMPARISON TO ATROPINE ON ISOLATED RAT COLON

Pain from a spastic viscus occurs in the form of cramps, with the pain increasing to a high degree of severity and then subsiding. This process continues intermittently, once every few minutes. The intermittent cycles result from periods of contraction of smooth muscle. For instance, each time a peristaltic wave travels along an overly excitable spastic gut, a cramp occurs. Anti-cholinergic agents like atropine are administered for relief of the abdominal colic but it often produces side effects like palpitation, dry mouth, urinary retention, mydriasis. Drug like dicyclomine are preferred in the treatment of intestinal spasm, which is not producing severe type of side effect due to blockade of muscarinic receptors. Dicyclomine is a competitive antagonist at muscarinic cholinergic neurons. Rats were divided into two groups (N=6), fasted for 24-hours before the experiment but water was supplied ad libitum, were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The abdomen of the rat was opened; the part of colon was dissected out which was fixed to stand and the tension adjusted such that is gives maximum contractions. All the drug containing solutions were freshly prepared before the experiments Dicyclomine, Atropine and Acetylcholine respectively. Muscarinic receptor blocker Atropine was added to the biophase in addition to selected sub maximal dose and the contraction of muscle till the 70-80% of inhibition was produced and the difference from selected dose contractions was recorded. Same procedure repeated with Dicyclomine. The dose of dicyclomine that caused half-maximal acetylcholine-induced isolated rat colonic smooth muscle contraction was 0.30 ± 0.17 µg, while that of atropine it was found to be 31. 48 ±22.73 µg. There is highly significant difference (P < 0.01). Atropine was 103.87 times more potent as an antispasmdic drug than dicyclomine.
Streamlining antibiotic therapy with procalcitonin protocols: consensus and controversies

Accumulating evidence supports procalcitonin (PCT) as an accurate surrogate biomarker for likelihood and severity of bacterial infections. In community-acquired pneumonia and other respiratory infections, PCT-guided antibiotic therapy algorithms resulted in reduced antibiotic exposure while maintaining a similar or even better level of safety compared with standard care. Reductions in antibiotic use translate into lower treatment costs, decreased risk of side effects and decreased bacterial multiresistance. This is especially important, as acute respiratory infections represent the most frequent reason for antibiotic prescriptions worldwide. Still, there is some controversy about the benefits of PCT measurement in sepsis patients in the intensive care unit and for nonrespiratory infections. Highly sensitive PCT assays are readily available in many hospitals today, and point-of-care assays with high enough sensitivity for antibiotic guidance are expected to be available soon. Herein, the authors provide an overview of recent studies evaluating PCT in different clinical situations and an outlook of currently enrolling or upcoming interventional trials.
Examination of the activities of 43 chemotherapeutic agents against Neospora caninum tachyzoites in cultured cells.

Neospora caninum causes serious disease in dogs, and it, or a similar parasite, is a major cause of abortion in cattle. Little is known about the susceptibility of this protozoan to antimicrobial agents. We studied several antimicrobial agents to determine which classes might have activity against this parasite. We also determined whether activity of such agents was coccidiocidal or coccidiostatic. A 2-day of treatment, monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay and a 5-day of treatment, cell culture flask (CCF), lesion-based assay were developed to examine the ability of test agents to inhibit tachyzoite multiplication. Seven sulfonamides were examined, with the following activities observed: sulfathiazole > or = sulfamethoxazole > sulfadiazine > sulfaquinoxaline > or = sulfamethazine > sulfadimethoxine > sulfamerazine. Dapsone, a sulfone, had little activity. Six dihydrofolate reductase/thymidylate synthase inhibitors were examined, with the following activities observed: piritrexim > pyrimethamine > ormetoprim > trimethoprim = diaveridine > methotrexate. Six ionophorous antibiotics were examined; lasalocid, maduramicin, monensin, narasin, and salinomycin had equivalent activities, but alborixin was toxic for host cells at the lowest concentration examined. Three macrolide antibiotics--azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin--were examined and had equivalent activities. Two tetracycline antibiotics, doxycycline and minocycline, were examined and had equivalent activities. Three lincosamide antibiotics were examined, with the following activities observed: clindamycin hydrochloride > clindamycin phosphate > lincomycin hydrochloride. Pentamidine and 6 of its analogs were examined, and only hexamidine and 1,4-Di[4-(2-imidazolinyl)-2-methoxy-phenoxy]butane had activity. Eight miscellaneous antiprotozoal agents were examined for activity. Amprolium, metronidazole, paromomycin, and roxarsone had little activity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Proximity effects in superconductor-ferromagnet structures

In Kapitel "Alternativer Mechanismus des Vorzeicheneffektes in SFS Josephson-Kontakten" betrachten wir ein einfaches Model des Multi-Domanen S/F/S Systems. Antiparallele Orientierung der Magnetisierung in den Domanen fuhrt zu der raumlichen Modulation der Phasendifferenz. Wegen dieser Modulation kann der kritische Josephson Strom verschiedene Vorzeichen haben. In Kapitel "Ungerade Komponente der Triplet-Supraleitung in einer S/F Struktur mit rotierender Magnetisierung" analysieren wir ein S/F System mit rotierender Magnetisierung in dem Ferromagneten. Wir kalkulieren die weitreichende Triplet-Komponente der Supraleitung, die in den Ferromagneten auf lange Distanzen eindringt. In Kapitel "Kollektive Moden in Zwei-Band Supraleitern" haben wir gezeigt, dass diese Moden bei jeder Temperatur unter Tc existieren, wenn die Frequenz der Moden groser als unelastische Streuungsfrequenz und kleiner als die Energielucken ist.
Production of Catechol from Benzoate by the Wild Strain Ralstonia Species Ba-0323 and Characterization of Its Catechol 1,2-Dioxygenase

Ralstonia sp. Ba-0323, a wild strain isolated from soil, produced catechol from benzoate and accumulated it outside the cells. The bacterium produced a maximal amount of catechol (1.6 mg/ml) from 3 mg/ml of sodium benzoate in a 20-h growing culture. The conversion rate of benzoate to catechol was 70% on a molar basis. The catechol production by the resting cells increased in the presence of glycerol, and the maximal amount of catechol produced from 3 mg/ml of sodium benzoate reached 1.9 mg/ml at the conversion rate of 83% after 8 h of incubation. Catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, which catalyzed the ring cleavage of catechol, was purified to homogeneity from a cell extract of Ralstonia sp. Ba-0323 growing on benzoate and characterized. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was much lower than those of the dioxygenases from other microorganisms reported. The Km for catechol of the purified enzyme was much higher than those of other dioxygenases. In addition, the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was less similar to the other catechol 1,2-dioxygenases than they are to each other.
Renal cysts and diabetes syndrome resulting from mutations in hepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta.

Mutations in the gene encoding the transcription factorhepatocyte nuclear factor(HNF)-1bhave recently beendescribed in association with a variety of abnormali-ties of renal development. The most consistent clinicalfeature is the presence of renal cysts and most affectedsubjects also have early-onset diabetes. The associationofrenal cystsanddiabetes withanHNF-1b mutation istermed the renal cysts and diabetes (RCAD) syndrome[1–3]. As more families have been described with HNF-1b mutations it has become apparent that there areadditionalphenotypic featuresinsomesubjects, includ-ing genital tract malformations [4–6], hyperuricaemia,young-onset gout [7], deranged liver function tests [8]and pancreatic atrophy [9]. Mutations in the HNF-1bgene may, therefore, be considered to cause a multi-system disorder. This article reviews the background tothe discovery of HNF-1b mutations as a cause of renaldisease, describes the variable phenotype and considerssome of the possible mechanisms whereby HNF-1bmutations lead to disease.
Opioid modulators for alcohol dependence

Introduction: Studies have shown that opioid antagonists like naltrexone are efficient in reducing heavy drinking. The neurobiological mechanism by which opioid modulators affect drinking behavior is based on the strong connection between the endogenous opioid system, the dopamine system and the influence of the CNS stress response. Areas covered: This review provides an overview of the pathophysiological role of the opioid system in alcohol dependence and the neurobiological mechanisms of possible pharmacological interventions. An extensive Medline and Internet research was performed to retrieve information on existing and currently investigated opioid modulators. The findings were assessed critically and interpreted with regard to an individualized therapy for alcohol dependence. Expert opinion: The opioid system is of crucial importance in the genesis and maintenance of alcohol dependence. Naltrexone – and to a lesser extent nalmefene – is an agent that modulates opioidergic transmission in the CNS and it shows a limited but well-studied efficacy in treating alcohol dependence. Several agents (LY2196044, ALKS-29, ALKS-33) that are currently undergoing Phase II and Phase III studies are of interest but first their efficacy must be proved in clinical practice.
Lodestones and Leylines : Designing Locomotion in a Personal File System

We report on an exercise intended to help articulate constraints on locomotion and their implications for design. The assumption that locomotion is in service of navigation leads us to consider both cognitive and mechanical constraints. The exercise is to design support for accessing files in a hierarchical file system in the course of ordinary computer-based work. Characterizing the design situation in terms of four possible sources of locomotional constraints (the navigator, the task, the environment and the circumstances) leads to an abstract design of a dynamic locomotional mechanism that provides rapid accurate access to a small set of files. Applying this abstract design in Microsoft WindowsTM and Jazz yields two quite different specific designs. The exercise results in a broad organization of the factors that constrain locomotion into three categories: Locomotional mechanism, Navigational resources and Navigational effect.
The use of multimodal interaction for supporting the production of location-based information

Despite the increasingly volume of location-based information systems, it is a common practice to develop these technological resources aiming for the usage by professional content providers. Non-experts users appear as an important alternative of impartial contributions in this scenario. In this manner, multimodal interaction - particularly, gestures recognition and voice commands - can open further opportunities for support the usage by common users. This paper therefore aims to analyze the contributions on the use of multimodal interaction for supporting the production of location-based information. Its research methodology is based on a conceptual framework as well as usability analysis with real users. The results revealed that non-experts users often take a while before becoming confident with new kinds of interaction. It also shown that voice commands were rather more useful than gestures according to the users. Furthermore, even with long years of research in the field, technological resources still need improvements for the speech and gesture recognitions, mainly due to the idiosyncrasies presented on this interaction. Although additional research is still necessary in this area, it can be concluded that multimodal interactions have a great potential for supporting the production of location-based information.
Network Stochastic Optimization for Large Virtual Environment

The competitive landscape in the simulation domain is expecting network providers to improve scalability, lower latency and higher performance. In this paper, a backbone network infrastructure, Generic Blackboard (GBB), implemented by ST Electronics (Training & Simulation System) Pte Ltd, described on how a better interconnectivity can be achieved, providing optimum avenues for exchange of information. One of the outstanding abilities is that it allowed diverse networks example HLA, DIS to tie together. Generic Blackboard [9] is similar to agent-based systems that allow autonomous software riding and cooperation within a backbone environment. An agent sitting along GBB can be viewed as a self-contained, concurrently executing thread of control that encapsulates different states and communicate with other agents.
New boost-active clamp one-stage soft switching PWM high frequency inverter using trench-gate IGBTs

This paper presents a novel soft-switching PWM utility frequency AC to high frequency AC power conversion circuit incorporating boost-half-bridge inverter topology, which is more suitable and acceptable for cost effective consumer induction heating applications. The operating principle and the operation modes are described using the equivalent circuits with the operating voltage and current waveforms. The operating performances are illustrated and evaluated, including the power regulation and power conversion efficiency versus duty cycle characteristics based on the power dissipation as compared with those of the previously developed high-frequency inverter. The power converter practical effectiveness is substantially proved based on experimental results from practical design example
Dielectric properties of glucose solutions in the millimetre-wave range and control of glucose content in blood

The measurement of the dielectric properties of sugar solutions, as well as blood imitators and blood, in the millimetre-wave range allows one to obtain valuable information on the possibility of real-time control of glucose concentration in blood. These measurements are also of interest for other applications, for example in the wine industry and for the determination of water content in oil, oil products and other liquids.
Parents' Worries About Children Compared to Actual Risks

To investigate the concerns of parents, questionnaires were given to the "first 100" parents waiting for their child's pediatric appointment in four different medical settings. They were asked to rate whether they worry "frequently," "occasionally," or "not at all" about 17 physical health issues, 16 psychosocial problems, 7 possible injuries, 4 instances of victimization, and 4 questions about parents' ability to provide discipline, affection, values and financial support. The response rate was 94% ; 89% were completed adequately for analysis. Parental concerns were compared to data from the National Center for Health Statistics about the statistical likelihood of the risks occurring. Ear infections (65%) were the most common health concern, followed by reaction to immunization (57%), common colds (51%), and cancer (50%). The greatest psychosocial concern was about children watching too much television (53%), followed by concerns about the quality of day care (50%). Three-quarters of parents worry about car accidents and 72% worry about abduction of their children. Parents worry significantly about their own contribution to their child's welfare: appropriate discipline (73%), affection (56%), values and being a role model (55%), and financial support (66%). Parents who had not completed high school worried more than parents who had more than a high school education (P < 0.03).
Nonequilibrium critical behavior in unidirectionally coupled stochastic processes.

Phase transitions from an active into an absorbing, inactive state are generically described by the critical exponents of directed percolation (DP), with upper critical dimension d(c)=4. In the framework of single-species reaction-diffusion systems, this universality class is realized by the combined processes A-->A+A, A+A-->A, and A-->0. We study a hierarchy of such DP processes for particle species A,B,. , unidirectionally coupled via the reactions A-->B, . (with rates mu(AB),. ). When the DP critical points at all levels coincide, multicritical behavior emerges, with density exponents beta(i) which are markedly reduced at each hierarchy level i> or =2. This scenario can be understood on the basis of the mean-field rate equations, which yield beta(i)=1/2(i-1) at the multicritical point. Using field-theoretic renormalization-group techniques in d=4-epsilon dimensions, we identify a new crossover exponent phi, and compute phi=1+O(epsilon(2)) in the multicritical regime (for small mu(AB)) of the second hierarchy level. In the active phase, we calculate the fluctuation correction to the density exponent on the second hierarchy level, beta(2)=1/2-epsilon/8+O(epsilon(2)). Outside the multicritical region, we discuss the crossover to ordinary DP behavior, with the density exponent beta(1)=1-epsilon/6+O(epsilon(2)). Monte Carlo simulations are then employed to confirm the crossover scenario, and to determine the values for the new scaling exponents in dimensions d< or =3, including the critical initial slip exponent. Our theory is connected to specific classes of growth processes and to certain cellular automata, and the above ideas are also applied to unidirectionally coupled pair annihilation processes. We also discuss some technical as well as conceptual problems of the loop expansion, and suggest some possible interpretations of these difficulties.
4 Neuropsychological Functions and SPECT Neuroimaging in Parkinson ’ s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by motor and non-motor signs. It was Charcot, who first in 1875 pointed out that ‘psychic faculties are definitely impaired’ and that ‘the mind becomes clouded and the memory is lost’. Most patients with PD experience some degree of cognitive impairment, ranging from mild selective deficits to Parkinson’s disease dementia (Dubois & Pillon, 1997). PD patients may also spend several years in a transition state called Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which is now recognized as one of the cardinal non-motor manifestations of PD. It is a major cause of disability, and has been shown to be an important predictor for quality of life (Karlsen et al., 1998). Recent studies have reported a 21% prevalence rate of MCI in a large PD population and consider MCI as a risk factor for developing Parkinson’s disease Dementia (PDD) (Caviness et al., 2007; Janvin et al., 2006; Levin et al., 1992). The neuropathophysiological basis of cognitive deficits in PD is complicated and includes degeneration of dopaminergic neurons mainly of the nigrostriatal pathway and to a lesser degree the mesocortical and mesolimbic pathways. The striatum is closely interrelated to cortical areas mainly to the frontal lobes. The neuropathophysiological puzzle is further complicated by multiple neurotransmitter deficits including noradrenalin, serotonin and acetylcholine pathway as well as Lewy bodytype degeneration in cortical and limbic structures (Mandir & Vaughan, 2000). The direct dopaminergic connections between the ventral tegmental area and the prefrontal cortex may also influence changes in cognition (Cools 2006; Mattay et al., 2002). The pattern of cognitive impairment seen even in early PD mainly resembles that produced by frontal lobe damage, as the basal ganglia and prefrontal cortex are closely interrelated through anatomofunctional circuits (Alexander et al., 1986; Bondi et al., 1993) and include deficits mainly in cognitive flexibility, planning, working memory and learning. Perfusion brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) provides a wellestablished means of studying regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) which is known to reflect cortical function. On the other hand Dopamine Transporter (DAT) SPECT imaging can be used as a marker for the degree of loss of dopaminergic nerve endings. It is well known that SPECT Neuroimaging can assist in the differential diagnosis of parkinsonian and dementia
Localization in Virtual Acoustic Displays

This paper discusses the development of a particular spatial display medium, the virtual acoustic display. Although the technology can stand alone, it is envisioned ultimately to be a component of a larger multisensory environment and will no doubt find its greatest utility in that context. A general philosophy of the project has been that the development of advanced computer interfaces should be driven first by an understanding of human perceptual requirements, and secondarily by technological capabilities or constraints. In expanding on this view, the paper addresses why virtual acoustic displays are useful, characterizes the abilities of such displays, reviews some recent approaches to their implementation and application, describes the research project at NASA Ames in some detail, and finally outlines some critical research issues for the future.
A comparison of total intravenous anaesthesia using propofol with sevoflurane or desflurane in ambulatory surgery: systematic review and meta‐analysis

With the popularity of ambulatory surgery ever increasing, we carried out a systematic review and meta‐analysis to determine whether the type of anaesthesia used had any bearing on patient outcomes. Total intravenous propofol anaesthesia was compared with two of the newer inhalational agents, sevoflurane and desflurane. In total, 18 trials were identified; only trials where nitrous oxide was administered to, or omitted from, both groups were included. A total of 1621 patients were randomly assigned to either propofol (685 patients) or inhalational anaesthesia (936 patients). If surgical causes of unplanned admissions were excluded, there was no difference in unplanned admission to hospital between propofol and inhalational anaesthesia (1.0% vs 2.9%, respectively; p = 0.13). The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was lower with propofol than with inhalational agents (13.8% vs 29.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). However, no difference was noted in post‐discharge nausea and vomiting (23.9% vs 20.8%, respectively; p = 0.26). Length of hospital stay was shorter with propofol, but the difference was only 14 min on average. The use of propofol was also more expensive, with a mean (95% CI) difference of £6.72 (£5.13–£8.31 (€8.16 (€6.23−€10.09); $11.29 ($8.62–$13.96))) per patient‐anaesthetic episode (p < 0.001). Therefore, based on the published evidence to date, maintenance of anaesthesia using propofol appeared to have no bearing on the incidence of unplanned admission to hospital and was more expensive, but was associated with a decreased incidence of early postoperative nausea and vomiting compared with sevoflurane or desflurane in patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.