Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial Activity of Ritchiea albersii Gilg and Cynoglossum amplifolium Leaves Extracts against Selected Bacteria

Background: The increase in antimicrobial resistance worldwide has necessitated the search for alternative therapeutic agents. The leaf extracts of Ritchiea albersii and Cynoglossum amplifolium have been used as traditional medicine for the management of eye, ear and wound infections in Ethiopia. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of R. albersii and C. amplifolium against three common bacteria. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the antimicrobial properties of 80% methanol, chloroform and acetone extracts of R. albersii and C. amplifolium were evaluated against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619) and one Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922) using the agar-well diffusion method. Ciprofloxacin 0.05 mg/disc was used as a positive control. Furthermore, a preliminary phytochemical study was carried out. Results: The zones of inhibition shown by all extracts of the two plants against the tested bacteria were significantly lesser (P < 0.05) than the standard drug. E. coli and S. aureus were the most susceptible strains for most extracts studied. The acetone extract of R. albersii exhibited a higher inhibitory effect (P < 0.05) against S. pneumoniae (16 mm) and E. coli (19 mm) compared with its methanol extract. The chloroform extract of R. albersii was more effective than its methanol extract (P < 0.05) against all tested bacteria. The acetone extract of C. amplifolium displayed a higher inhibitory effect (20 mm) against E. coli than its methanol and chloroform extracts. Conclusions: The leaf extracts of R. albersii and C. amplifolium exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, highlighting their potential as phytotherapeutic drugs in preventing and treating infections caused by S. aureus, S. pneumoniae and E. coli. Further investigations for isolating specific compounds and elucidating mechanisms are required to address the need for novel antibacterial drugs.
In vitro comparative evaluation of antifungal efficacy of three endodontic sealers with and without incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles against Candida albicans

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the antifungal efficacy of three endodontic sealers (AH Plus, Apexit Plus, and MTA Fillapex) with and without the incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles against Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out by the Kirby–Bauer method. C. albicans were cultured in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar plates. Filter papers (n = 10) were placed in the cultured Petri dishes and the sealers were mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and placed on the top of the filter papers. Group division of sealers is as follows: Group I – AH Plus, Group II – Apexit Plus, and Group III – MTA Fillapex. Group IC, Group IIC, and Group IIIC were the addition of 2% chitosan nanoparticles with respective sealers. Plates were incubated for 18 h, and the zone of inhibition was measured with a measuring scale and values (in millimeter) were recorded. Statistical analysis was done by one-way analysis of variance followed by post hoc multiple pair-wise comparisons. Results: All the tested groups showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) from each other. Two percent chitosan-incorporated groups showed superior zone of inhibition compared to sealers used alone. Group IC (16.35 ± 0.71 mm) had the highest zone of inhibition followed by Group I (13.8 ± 0.86 mm). For the remaining groups, the zone of inhibition was in the following order: Group IIC > Group II > Group IIIC > Group III. Conclusion: AH Plus sealer mixed with 2% chitosan showed significantly higher antifungal property. Mixing of 2% chitosan with endodontic sealer provides an added advantage so that endodontic re-infections can be minimized and will be helpful in retreatment cases.
Distribution and Determinants of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology: A Brief Overview

Globally, 33187000 DALYs and 956000 deaths are attributed to chronic kidney disease (CKD) every year. Diabetes and hypertension are the two most common causes of CKD. Another category of CKD without any known common causes, chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is also increasingly reported from different regions of the world such as Central America, Sri Lanka, and India. They are predominately observed in agricultural communities where crops such as sugarcane and coconut are commonly cultivated. Young adults and males are at higher risk of developing CKDu. It mainly affects individuals belonging to lower socioeconomic status. Exposure to silica, arsenic, and fluoride might be associated with increased prevalence of CKDu. The role of heat stress in contributing to CKD through dehydration is unclear but cannot be ruled out. Mycotoxins such as aflatoxins and ochratoxins are also found to be associated with CKDu in some settings. Several studies have reported that CKDu has a significant positive association with pesticides used in agriculture such as HCH, Endosulfan, Alachlor, and Pendimethalin. There is also a possible role of infections by Hantavirus and Leptospirosis in acute febrile phase of CKDu. However, there is no conclusive evidence from studies conducted on CKDu regarding its causes and risk factors. Therefore, large-scale studies with better methodology need to be conducted to study the etiology and pathogenesis of CKDu in various settings.
The shared socio-economic pathway (SSP) greenhouse gas concentrations and their extensions to 2500

Abstract. Anthropogenic increases in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are the main driver of current and future climate change. The integrated assessment community has quantified anthropogenic emissions for the shared socio-economic pathway (SSP) scenarios, each of which represents a different future socio-economic projection and political environment. Here, we provide the greenhouse gas concentrations for these SSP scenarios – using the reduced-complexity climate–carbon-cycle model MAGICC7.0. We extend historical, observationally based concentration data with SSP concentration projections from 2015 to 2500 for 43 greenhouse gases with monthly and latitudinal resolution. CO2 concentrations by 2100 range from 393 to 1135 ppm for the lowest (SSP1-1.9) and highest (SSP5-8.5) emission scenarios, respectively. We also provide the concentration extensions beyond 2100 based on assumptions regarding the trajectories of fossil fuels and land use change emissions, net negative emissions, and the fraction of non-CO2 emissions. By 2150, CO2 concentrations in the lowest emission scenario are approximately 350 ppm and approximately plateau at that level until 2500, whereas the highest fossil-fuel-driven scenario projects CO2 concentrations of 1737 ppm and reaches concentrations beyond 2000 ppm by 2250. We estimate that the share of CO2 in the total radiative forcing contribution of all considered 43 long-lived greenhouse gases increases from 66 % for the present day to roughly 68 % to 85 % by the time of maximum forcing in the 21st century. For this estimation, we updated simple radiative forcing parameterizations that reflect the Oslo Line-By-Line model results. In comparison to the representative concentration pathways (RCPs), the five main SSPs (SSP1-1.9, SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) are more evenly spaced and extend to lower 2100 radiative forcing and temperatures. Performing two pairs of six-member historical ensembles with CESM1.2. 2, we estimate the effect on surface air temperatures of applying latitudinally and seasonally resolved GHG concentrations. We find that the ensemble differences in the March–April–May (MAM) season provide a regional warming in higher northern latitudes of up to 0.4 K over the historical period, latitudinally averaged of about 0.1 K, which we estimate to be comparable to the upper bound (∼5 % level) of natural variability. In comparison to the comparatively straight line of the last 2000 years, the greenhouse gas concentrations since the onset of the industrial period and this studies' projections over the next 100 to 500 years unequivocally depict a “hockey-stick” upwards shape. The SSP concentration time series derived in this study provide a harmonized set of input assumptions for long-term climate science analysis; they also provide an indication of the wide set of futures that societal developments and policy implementations can lead to – ranging from multiple degrees of future warming on the one side to approximately 1.5 ∘C warming on the other.
Logarithmic Mean and the Difference Calculus

A logarithmic mean (log-mean) has very useful properties and has been applied over a broad range of fields. Nevertheless, there are more interesting and important areas to solve using this log-mean. The main discussions revolve around two areas. One is the decomposition of a difference or ratio of a function between two periods into two forms: an additive decomposition (AD) and a multiplicative decomposition (MD). To derive an AD and/or an MD for the function; our method (difference calculus) employs a log-mean. Using this method, we derive the ADs and MDs for many functions and compare some results with those derived by the finite-difference calculus (conventional calculus) and the differential calculus. The other area of focus is to show the close correspondences between a difference quotient derived by the difference calculus and a differential quotient, generally called a derivative. From these discussions, we demonstrate three points: our difference calculus has many advantages over the conventional one, some of the results obtained by our calculus can/cannot be used as discrete approximations to those obtained by the differential calculus, and some expressions produced by the difference quotients can/cannot be used as discrete approximations to the differential equations.
Rank-based transcriptional signatures

We have developed a method for the definition and the analysis of gene expression signatures for diagnostic purposes. Our approach relies on construction of a reference map of transcriptional signatures, from both healthy controls and affected patients, using the respective mRNA or miRNA profiles. Subsequently, disease diagnosis can be performed by determining the relative map position of an individual’s transcriptional signature. Our approach addresses simultaneously the scarce repeatability issue and the high sensitivity of expression profiling methods to protocol variations, thereby providing a novel approach to RNA signature definition and analysis. Specifically, our method requires only that the relative position of RNA species be accurate in a ranking by value, not their absolute values. Furthermore, our method makes no assumptions on which RNA species must be included in the signature and, by considering a large subset (or even the whole set) of known RNAs, our approach can tolerate a moderate number of erroneous inversions in the ranking. The diagnostic power of our method has been convincingly demonstrated in an open scientific competition (sbv IMPROVER Diagnostic Signature Challenge), scoring second place overall, and first place in one sub-challenge. In addition, we report the application of our method to published miRNA expression profile data sets, quantifying its performance in terms of predictive capability and robustness to batch effects, compared with current state-of-the-art methods.
Least Terns Nesting on Natural and Artificial Habitats in Georgia, USA

-Although increasing numbers of Least Terns (Sterna antillarum) are nesting on artificial substrates such as dredged-material and roofs, it is not known if these colonies are successfully fledging young. Aspects of Least Tern nesting ecology were studied in 1996 and 1997 along Georgia's coast. Numbers of nests, eggs, chicks, and fledglings at beach, dredged-material, and roof colonies were surveyed using walk-through counts from late April to mid-July. Numbers of nests ranged from 6 to 929 and they did not differ between years or among habitat types. Percent hatching success ranged from 0 to 53.4% and did not differ between years or among habitat types when the data were compared among colonies. High within-habitat type variability due to catastrophic colony failures masked differences in hatching success among habitat types. Causes of mortality included tidal flooding and human disturbance on beaches; extreme temperatures, predation by raccoons, dogs, cats, birds, and fire ants on dredged-material islands; and extreme temperatures, flooding, avian predation, and falling off roofs on buildings. More than 70% of Least Terns in Georgia are nesting with -30% hatching success on flat, gravel-covered roofs. These roofs could provide better refugia and nesting habitat if they continued to be gravel-covered rather than vinyl-covered, if drains were screened, and if -30 cm parapets were constructed around the perimeter. Received 4 May 1998, resubmitted 3 March 1999, accepted 14 April 1999.
The Influence of Shoot Competition on Fruit Retention and Cropping of Apple Trees

SummaryFruit set was increased by removing all shoots 5 days after full bloom and at weekly intervals thereafter from trees of Sunset and Laxton’s Fortune, but removing shoots from Fortune trees 25 days after full bloom produced no beneficial effect on fruit retention. All treatments resulted in a heavier rate of fruit shedding during the ‘June drop’ period than occurred from control trees, and at harvest the trees without shoots had fewer fruits, and lower yields, than the controls. In a comparison of shoot removal and shoot tip removal starting 15 days after full bloom on Fortune trees, both treatments improved set, but whereas shoot removal caused a heavier ‘June drop’ compared with untreated trees, shoot tip removal increased the number of fruits retained to harvest and produced a yield increase. The difference between the two treatments in their influence on fruit retention, during and after the ‘June drop’, is accounted for by the beneficial effect of a relatively small number of leaves on each tipp.
THE ESTIMATION OF FITNESSES FROM GENOTYPIC FREQUENCIES

The purpose of this note is to examine a method in current use for estimating fitnesses in experimental populations. This method had been used by Polivanov (1964) and evidently by Jain and Allard (1960). The procedure involves comparing the frequencies of genotypes in one generation with the frequencies of the same genotypes at the same stage of development in the next generation. The objective is to estimate the set of fitnesses which brought about the change. In what follows, it will be shown that even though these genotypes are counted one generation apart at exactly the same stage of the life cycle, it is not possible to obtain estimates of net fitness unless very special and unlikely conditions hold. The difficulties arise from the fact that the selection process may be only partially completed at the stage of development when the genotypic frequencies are determined within each of the two generations. In order to investigate such a situation, a model was constructed which has an arbitrary stage of incomplete selection inserted between the time of fertilization and the time when selection is finished. The case of two alleles at one locus with random mating will be examined in detail. However, the conclusions derived probably apply in a general way to non-random mating systems and to genotypes formed by segregation at several loci. The model which permits the investigation is set forth in Table 1. This model divides the life cycle within one generation into three stages: (1) a preselection stage when the genotypes are in Hardy-Weinberg proportions due to the random mating of their parents; (2) a partially selected stage when there has been some differential survival which is measured by the "early" fitness components El, and E22; and (3) a post-selection stage when selection is completed. The "late" fitness components, L1i and L22, operate between the last two stages. Net fitnesses W1l and W22 will be defined in terms of the early and late components as follows:
Is Learning Involved in Predator Recognition? A Preliminary Study of the Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen

Four groups of Australian Magpies Gymnorhina tibicen were presented with two model snakes (one naturalistic and the other conspicuous in colouring). The Magpies’ responses were scored, and the responses of the adults and juveniles were compared. Each group was also presented with a model Magpie to test whether territorial ‘intrusions’ of a familiar stimulus resulted in similar responses or whether a model of a potential predator was treated differently. The responses of the Magpies to the model Magpie were distinctly different from those to the model snakes: there was little change in the number of foraging events during the presentation of the model Magpie but foraging ceased almost completely when the snake stimuli were presented. The results also showed that responses to the snake stimuli differed between adults and juveniles: adults were more likely to retreat whereas juveniles tended to approach the stimuli, which suggests that learning may be involved in anti-predator responses to snakes.
Reducing pollution and health impacts through fiscal policies – A selection of good practices

Pollution is one of the major challenges of our time, affecting human health, damaging the environment and leading to significant socio-economic costs. Preventing and addressing pollution and associated health impacts is central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and is reflected in several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 3.9 which strives to reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals, air, water and soil pollution and SDG 12.4 which seeks to achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes.
MDRP: An Energy-Efficient Multi-Disjoint Routing protocol in WSNs for Smart Grids

Abstract Rapid increase in sensor electronics has expanded the call for sensor networks in IoT-based devices. Smart grid is a part of IoT framework, which can be used to screen and manage traffic congestion, electricity influxes, extreme weather, and so on. This is done through a network of transmission lines, smart sensors, and smart meters. It is required to distribute and accumulate information remotely on timely basis from different stages of the grid. The periodic data from the smart meters are transferred to MDMS through WSN’s. In WSN’s, depletion of energy due to unequal load on the sensors is a serious issue, which is to be addressed as it affects the operations of the entire network. To assist these traffic requirements and to boost the network lifetime, asynchronous work sleep cycle approach can be used to create node connections. In this article, an energy-efficient adaptive fuzzy-based multi-disjoint routing protocol in WSN’s for smart grids abbreviated as (MDRP) is proposed, where the next hop node is decided through fuzzy logic. Once the subsequent node is decided, a spanning tree is constructed with the sink node as its root, which calculates the optimal path cost, to transmit the collected data. Furthermore, the simulation results show that the proposed MDRP performs better in terms of network lifetime, packet delivery ratio, total energy consumption, etc.
Resminostat | MedChemExpress

In Vitro Resminostat (RAS2410; 4SC-201; 5 μM) induces histone acetylation in myeloma cells. Resminostat hydrochloride displays a substrate competitive binding mode with a mean Ki value of 27 nM. Resminostat hydrochloride (5 μM) induces histone hyperacetylation in myeloma cells. Resminostat inhibits cell growth, induces apoptosis and inhibits MM cell proliferation. Resminostat (5 μM) also modulates expression of bcl-2 family proteins and inhibits Akt pathway signalling downstream of Akt. Resminostat exerts synergistic activity against myeloma cells when combined with common and new anti-myeloma agents[1]. Resminostat inhibits cell growth in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, with IC50s ranging from 0.775 μ M to 1.572 μM (IC50 for SCC25: 0.775 μM; CAL27: 1.572 μM; and FaDu: 0.899 μM). Resminostat (1.25 and 2.5 μM) has a synergistic effect with irradiation on HNSCC cell lines. Resminostat in combination with cisplatin induces a downregulation of survivin. However, Resminostat shows no effect on Mcl-1 and p-AKT expression[2]. Resminostat reduces viability of HCC cells with the co-treatment of AZD-2014, with IC50s ranging from 0.89 ± 0.12 μ M to 0.07 ± 0.01 μM[3].
Theoretical lies of the World Bank

A new form of decolonization is urgently required to get out of the predicament in which the IFI and their main shareholders have entrapped the world in general. New international institutions must be established. This new series of articles by Éric Toussaint retraces the development of the World Bank and the IMF since they were founded in 1944. The articles are taken from the book The World Bank: a neverending coup d’état. The hidden agenda of the Washington Consensus (Mumbai: Vikas Adhyayan Kendra, 2007), or The World Bank: A critical Primer (Pluto, 2007).
Construction de plongements de concepts médicaux sans textes (Embedding medical concepts without texts)

Dans le domaine médical, beaucoup d’outils du TAL reposent désormais sur des plongements de concepts issus de l’UMLS. Les approches existantes pour générer ces plongements nécessitent de grandes quantités de documents médicaux. Au contraire des ces approches, nous proposons dans cet article de nous appuyer sur les traductions en japonais, plus précisément en kanjis, disponibles dans l’UMLS pour générer ces plongements. Testée sur différents jeux d’évaluation proposés dans la littérature, notre approche, qui ne requiert donc aucun texte, donne de bons résultats comparativement à l’état-de-l’art. De plus, nous montrons qu’il est intéressant de les combiner avec les plongements – contextuels – existants.
Segmentation de texte non-supervisée pour la détection de thématiques à l’aide de plongements lexicaux (Unsupervised text segmentation for topic detection using embeddings )

Cet article présente les principales méthodes de segmentation automatique de documents textuels spécifiques. La tâche de segmentation thématique de texte consiste à analyser un document pour en extraire des sections cohérentes. Les méthodes de segmentation non supervisées cherchent à optimiser une fonction de probabilité de segmentation ou une fonction de similarité qui peut être calculée entre les blocs ou au sein des blocs. Elles sont réparties en trois catégories : les méthodes statistiques, les méthodes à base de graphes et les approches neuronales. Parmi les approches neuronales utilisées, nous nous intéressons tout particulièrement à celles qui utilisent des plongements lexicaux pour représenter des phrases et définir des segments thématiques. Tout d’abord, nous montrons que les plongements lexicaux permettent une amélioration nette des performances par rapport à des méthodes statistiques. Ensuite, nous évaluons l’impact du choix de la représentation vectorielle des phrases pour cette tâche de segmentation non supervisée.