Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical Characterization of a New Crystal Form and Improvements in the Pharmaceutical Properties of the Poorly Water-Soluble Antiosteoporosis Drug 3,9-bis (N,N-Dimethylcarbamoy-loxy)- 5H-benzofuro[3,2-c]quinoline-6-one (KCA-098) by Solid Dispersion with Hydroxypropylcellulose

The present study was undertaken to improve the oral absorption of KCA-098, an antiosteoporosis drug. In this study, the form 2 of KCA-098 was used as a desirable crystal form for pharmaceutical formation among three kinds of crystal forms, 1, 2, and 3. Solid dispersions of KCA-098 with hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) or poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) were prepared by the solvent method. The physicopharmaceutical properties of the solid dispersions were characterized by powder x-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The powder x-ray diffractograms suggest that KCA-098 in the HPC-SL solid dispersion existed in a partial crystalline state as a new crystal form that could be produced by recrystallization from the solvent. Dissolution from the solid dispersions was markedly enhanced in comparison with that of the drug alone. The dissolution enhancement was observed to be greater for the solid dispersion with HPC-SL than for that with PVP. The KCA-098/HPC-SL (1:2) solid dispersion capsule showed a 3.5-fold increase in the initial concentration and 2.5-fold increase in initial concentration of dissolved drug after 60 min, compared with the values for a physical mixture of KCA-098 (form 2)/lactose (1:2). The in vivo absorption of the drug was investigated after oral administration of KCA-098 or its solid dispersion. The area under the plasma concentration curve of KCA-098 after oral administration of the KCA-098/HPC-SL (1:2) solid dispersion capsule was three-fold greater than that for the drug itself.
Methods for Separation, Recycling and Reuse of Biodegradation Products

Thousands of chemicals and materials with varied properties and functionalities are manufac‐ tured and used for commercial and day-to-day applications, whose ultimate fate in the environment may not be known. During their manufacture and use, these substances are often discharged into the environment through different routes in air, water and land. Creation of tremendous quantities of solid waste of all kind and its effective disposal has posed innumera‐ ble problems that need technological breakthroughs. Many of these substances degrade slowly and exert toxic effects on plants and animals, thus causing large scale environmental degrada‐ tion [1, 2]. Pollution by abandoned plastic articles is also a matter of great concern [3]. Industri‐ al wastewaters associated with the manufacture of organic chemicals are voluminous and characteristically have concentrations ranging from a few ppm to a thousands of ppm. Biodegra‐ dation of such dissolved pollutants is an area of immense interest to various sectors. Emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from various sources has detrimental effects on quality of air we breathe and on environmental phenomena. Biodegradation, either aerobic or anaero‐ bic, can be an approach to cleave big molecules through a series of steps in to smaller mole‐ cules from a mosaic of chemicals and materials and some of them can be valorized as pollution abatement strategy and source of energy through biogas generation [2]. Biogas can be pro‐ duced from nearly all kind of biomass, among which the primary agricultural sectors and various organic waste streams can be properly tapped as renewable source of energy. Untreated or poorly managed animal manure is a major source of air and water pollution. Nutrient leaching, mainly nitrogen and phosphorous, ammonia evaporation and pathogen contamination are some of the foremost threats [3]. A conservative estimate is provided by Steinfeld et al. [4] that the animal production sector is responsible for 18% of the overall green house gas emissions, measured in CO2 equivalent and for 37% of the anthropogenic methane, which has 23 times the global warming potential of CO2. Furthermore, 65% of anthropogenic nitrous oxide and 64% of anthropogenic
On the defect generation and low voltage extrapolation of Q/sub BD/ in SiO/sub 2//HfO/sub 2/ stacks

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that at least a part of the initially present traps is indistinguishable from the electrically generated traps favouring the first interpretation. With this interpretation, we observe on our stack a trap generation threshold below which no degradation occurs, resulting in a virtually infinite Q/sub BD/ at low voltage. This optimistic result is, however, countered by the fact that the pre-stress traps dominate I/sub G/ at low V/sub G/ and limit the yield.
Mouse Models of Human Familial Cancer Syndromes

As many as 5% of human cancers appear to be of hereditable etiology. Of the more than 50 characterized familial cancer syndromes, most involve disease affecting multiple organs and many can be traced to one or more abnormalities in specific genes. Studying these syndromes in humans is a difficult task, especially when it comes to genes that may manifest themselves early in gestation. It has been made somewhat easier with the development of genetically engineered mice (GEM) that phenotypically mimic many of these inheritable human cancers. The past 15 years has seen the establishment of mouse lines heterozygous or homozygous null for genes known or suspected of being involved in human cancer syndromes, including APC, ATM, BLM, BRCA1, BRCA2, LKB1, MEN1, MLH, MSH, NF1, TP53, PTEN, RB1, TSC1, TSC2, VHL, and XPA. These lines not only provide models for clinical disease and pathology, but also provide avenues to investigate molecular pathology, gene-gene and protein-tissue interaction, and, ultimately, therapeutic intervention. Possibly of even greater importance, they provide a means of looking at placental and fetal tissues, where genetic abnormalities are often first detected and where they may be most easily corrected. We will review these mouse models, examine their usefulness in medical research, and furnish sources of animals and references.
Statistical characterization of Zero-Forcing Coordinated Base Station Transmission for femtocell environments

In this work we consider the interference between femtocells in a high density scenario which is characterized by a low signal to interference plus noise ratio. Therefore, it is necessary to use novel interference schemes like Zero-Forcing Coordinated Base Station Transmission (ZF-CBST). This paper presents a statistical analysis of ZF-CBST parameters and rates achieved per user if the power is assigned to maximize the sum rate. Finally we propose a semi-analytical method to build up the probability density function (pdf) of these parameters, which provide optimal results if the number of users is less than the number of femtocells.
Diagnostik und Therapie von frontobasalen Liquorfisteln

Zusammenfassung Die frontobasale Liquorfistel ist unabhängig von ihrer Genese durch eine offene Verbindung des Liquorsystems mit der Außenwelt (normalerweise der Nase und den Nasennebenhöhlen) gekennzeichnet. Sie führt zu einem Verlust von Liquor cerebrospinalis und ist mit einem erheblichen Risiko für den Patienten verbunden, im Laufe seines Lebens an einer Meningitis zu erkranken. Die genaue Kenntnis der möglichen Ursachen, klinischen Symptome und aktuellen Konzepte in Diagnostik und Therapie sind essenziell für die Erkennung von frontobasalen Liquorfisteln durch den HNO-Arzt und die Voraussetzung für ein erfolgreiches Therapiemanagement. Der vorliegende Artikel gibt eine Übersicht über Ätiologie und klinische Zeichen einer frontobasalen Liquorfistel. Des Weiteren werden qualitative Nachweismethoden, die in der Liquordiagnostik bei der Analyse von aufgefangenen Flüssigkeiten zur Anwendung kommen, und radiologische sowie endoskopische Verfahren zur Lokalisation von Liquorfisteln vorgestellt. Schließlich werden die endonasalen chirurgischen Techniken der frontobasalen Liquorfistel erläutert.
Generalized and modified ant algorithm for solving robot path planning problem

The task of planning trajectories for a mobile robot has received considerable attention in the research literature. The problem involves computing a collision-free path between a start point and a target point in environment of known obstacles. In this paper, we introduced the generalized and modified ant algorithm for solving robot path planning, by the term generalized we mean ant can select either one of the 16, 24 or 32 neighbor points for its next movement as contrast to simple one in which only one of the eight neighborhoods can be selected by the ant. As per the general theory of the graph search algorithms, the increase in the number of neighborhood points make the solutions more optimal in terms of path length, but put a limitation on the execution time which increases drastically with an increase in the number of neighborhood points. Our simulation results show that there is a considerable decrease in the path length with the increase in the level of generalization, the time of execution however increases but the algorithm performance can be improved by modified ant algorithm in terms of execution time.
The efficacy of terazosin, finasteride, or both in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Study Group.

BACKGROUND Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia can be treated with alpha 1-adrenergic-antagonist drugs that relax prostatic smooth muscle or with drugs that inhibit 5 alpha-reductase and therefore reduce tissue androgen concentrations. However, the effects of the two types of drugs have not been compared. METHODS We compared the safety and efficacy of placebo, terazosin (10 mg daily), finasteride (5 mg daily), and the combination of both drugs in 1229 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. American Urological Association symptom scores and peak urinary-flow rates were determined at base line and periodically for one year. RESULTS The mean changes from base line in the symptom scores in the placebo, finasteride, terazosin, and combination-therapy groups at one year were decreases of 2.6, 3.2, 6.1, and 6.2 points, respectively (P<0.001 for the comparisons of both terazosin and combination therapy with finasteride and with placebo). The mean changes at one year in the peak urinary-flow rates were increases of 1.4, 1.6, 2.7, and 3.2 ml per second, respectively (P<0.001 for the comparisons of both terazosin and combination therapy with finasteride and with placebo). Finasteride had no more effect on either measure than placebo. In the placebo group, 1.6 percent of the men discontinued the study because of adverse effects, as did 4.8 to 7.8 percent of the men in the other three groups. CONCLUSIONS In men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, terazosin was effective therapy, whereas finasteride was not, and the combination of terazosin and finasteride was no more effective than terazosin alone.
A robust University-NGO partnership: Analysing school efficiencies in Bolivia with community-based management techniques

Community-based management research is a collaborative effort between management, academics and communities in need with the specific goal of achieving social change to foster social justice. Because it is designed to promote and validate joint methods of discovery and community-based sources of knowledge, community-based management research has several unique characteristics, which may affect its execution. This article describes the process of a community-based management research project which is descriptive in nature and uses quantitative techniques to examine school efficiencies in low-income communities in a developing country – Bolivia. The article describes the partnership between a US-based university and a Bolivian not-for-profit organisation, the research context and the history of the research project, including its various phases. It focuses on the (yet unpublished) process of the community-based research as opposed to its content (which has been published elsewhere). The article also makes the case that the robust partnership between the US-based university and the Bolivian NGO has been a determining factor in achieving positive results. Strengths and limitations are examined in the hope that the experience may be helpful to others conducting descriptive quantitative management research using community-engaged frameworks in cross-cultural settings. Keywords: international partnership, community-engaged scholarship, education efficiency, multicultural low-income education.
Multiscale Particle Filter through Contour Detection Framework

: We focus on the edgelets by detecting the algorithm by joining two small pieces of edges through contour detection. Bayesian modeling focus on multiscale edgelets which is embeds semi-local information. Prior and distributions can be seen offline with the help of shape database. One can see the following features online like integrate color and gradient information via local, textural, oriented, and profile gradient-based features for understanding and comparing.The underlying model is estimated using a sequential Monte Carlo approach, and the final soft contour detection map is retrieved from the approximated trajectory distribution. We also propose to extend the model to the interactive cut-out task. Experiments conducted on the Berkeley Segmentation data sets show that the proposed MultiScale Particle Filter Contour Detector method performs well compared to competing state-of-the-art methods.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the community - laboratory based study

Objective To determine the occurrence and antibiotic resistanceof community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcusaureus (MRSA) isolates. Methods used In 2003-2005,consecutive samples of nasal, throat, eye, ear and genitourinarytract swabs, swabs of wound infections and soft and skintissue infections and samples of sputum obtained from outpatientssubmitted to the Laboratory with clinical indicationswere analyzed for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. Thedisc diffusion method using Mueller-Hinton agar (Oxoid,Besingstoke, UK) was used to test against nine antimicrobials.Oxacillin-resistance was confirmed by E-test (AB Biodisc,Solna, Sweden). Results A total of 1583 (11.3%) nonduplicateS. aureus isolated from 13 937 samples. MRSA was detectedin 63 (4.1%) of S. aureus isolates. MRSA isolates more frequentlyfrom infected genitourinary tract and wounds thanother sites (p<0.0001). The patients in both age groups ≥65and 0-6 years of age were more frequently infected withMRSA than patients of other age groups (p=0.02). Statisticallysignificant differences in susceptibility rates betweenMSSA and MRSA isolates were found for all antibiotic tested(p=0.0053 to p<0.000). MRSA isolates were more frequentlymultidrug resistant (MDR) than MSSA isolates (p=0.0009). SCCmec type IV or V phenotype was detected in 30 (47.6%) ofMRSA isolates. Conclusion Although low MRSA prevalencewas noted, the presence of SCCmec type IV/V phenotypesin the community is of particular concern. Effective controlof dissemination of MRSA throughout the community willlikely require effective control and monitoring of nosocomialMRSA transmission
Development and Characterization of Inorganic Scintillating Fibers Made of LuAG:Ce and LYSO:Ce

Similar to the field of application of traditionally used fibers based on plastic scintillators, there is a growing interest to replace the materials by inorganic crystalline materials. They will provide significantly higher light yield, an efficient interaction with electromagnetic probes due to the content of high-Z elements, a wider range of emission wavelength to adapt to the appropriate photo sensors and remain more resistant to radiation damage for long-term applications in highly radioactive environments. The HP3-WP22 collaboration has focused on the optimization of the micro-pulling-down technique and the quality inspection of fibers made of LuAG:Ce and LYSO:Ce, respectively. In spite of the more challenging growing conditions, the ongoing R&D program has been directed towards fibers based on LYSO:Ce. The very radiation hard and bright scintillator material appears to be attractive for many applications in particular due to its very short radiation length. Fibers up to 2 mm in diameter and more than 100 mm in length were successfully produced and show a very promising performance. The paper will discuss in detail measurements of the achieved light output and attenuation in the fiber as well as the homogeneity of the produced samples. For further optimization of the technology, a comparison of the fiber quality and the growth parameters is given.
[Animal models of pulmonary arterial hypertension].

INTRODUCTION Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare syndrome of fatigue and dyspnoea, caused by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure without an identifiable pulmonary or cardiac cause. Despite important recent advances in treatment the condition remains incurable. BACKGROUND Experimental animal models of PAH rely on hypoxic or monocrotaline injected rodents, the creation of left to right shunts in lambs or piglets, ligation of the ductus arteriosus in newborn lambs, genetically manipulated rodents and tissue culture. Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension is usually only moderate and limited to medial hypertrophy with varying degrees of adventitial change, but may progress to extensive remodelling in some species. Monocrotaline induced pulmonary hypertension is severe with prominent medial hypertrophy, inflammatory adventitial remodelling and, initially, pulmonary oedema and endothelial apoptosis. Pulmonary hypertension induced by shunting remains the most realistic model of PAH but causes only moderate increase in vascular resistance due to medial hypertrophy. Pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is severe but largely vasospastic, with predominant medial hypertrophy. An increasing number of genetically manipulated rodents are becoming available for the investigation of specific signalling pathways. VIEWPOINT While none of the models has yet reproduced PAH each allows investigation of a specific hypothesis. Recent progress has resulted from genetic manipulation and molecular and cellular approaches. CONCLUSIONS Animal models of PAH share basic biological abnormalities which, together with the study of lung tissue from patients with severe disease should lead to better understanding of the pathology and therapeutic innovation.
Ganglionic blocking properties of 3-methylaminoisocamphane hydrochloride (mecamylamine): a secondary amine.

Certain pharmacologic properties of 3-methylaminoisocamphane (mecamylamine) have been reported. These studies indicate that this secondary amine possesses ganglionic blocking properties characterized by a high order of potency, specificity and a long duration of action. The ganglionic blocking nature of the compound was revealed by its ability to inhibit the contractions of the nictitating membrane in cats induced by preganglionic nerve stimulation, but not those due to injected epinephrine. Likewise, the ganglionic blocking activity was probably responsible for the blocking effect observed on nicotine vascular and respiratory responses in cats and dogs, as well as on the vascular responses to carotid occlusion and peripheral vagal stimulation. The prolonged vasodepressor effect and change in heart rate that followed its administration were most likely due to ganglionic blockade, although an additional central nervous system site of action has not been excluded. In comparison with two conventional quaternary ammonium ganglionic blocking agents (hexamethonium and pentolinium), no important qualitative differences have been revealed. Quantitatively, mecamylamine was found to be equipotent with hexamethonium and one-fourth as active as pentolinium in inhibiting preganglionically-induced contractions of the nictitating membrane of cats. On the other hand, mecamylamine and pentolinium were about equiactive with respect to inhibition of nicotine pressor responses and both were two to four times more active than hexamethonium in this respect. The duration of action of the non-quaternary ammonium blocking agent exceeded that of these quaternary ammonium derivatives by three to five or more times in all experiments in which direct comparisons were made. The relatively low ratio between the oral and intravenous LD509s, as determined in mice, indicated that mecamylamine was considerably better absorbed following oral administration. In this respect, the ratios for tetraethylammonium, pentolinium, hexamethonium and chlorisondamine were four to six times larger than the corresponding ratio for mecamylamine. Mecamylamine did not possess demonstrable adrenergic blocking, antihistaminic, atropine-like or surface local anesthetic properties. In common with hexamethonium and pentolinium, the non-quaternary ammonium agent was found to potentiate the vascular effects of pressor and depressor substances in the dog and to produce measurable, but weak, curare-like effects. This latter property of mecamylamine was insignificant as compared to its ganglionic blocking activity. These findings were interpreted to indicate a reasonably high degree of specificity and selectivity of ganglionic blocking action.
A low breakdown-voltage charge pump based on Cockcroft-Walton structure

A Cockcroft-Walton type charge pump circuit is proposed in this paper. Compared with Dickson type, each transistor and capacitor in the proposed circuit just stand against the voltage less than one Vdd, so that a low break-down voltage process can be applied to this kind of charge pump to reduce the chip area cost and break-down risk. By using the proposed structure, the performances of voltage boosting efficiency and power efficiency can reach 98.9% and 87%.
Help-Seeking Patterns of Older Spousal Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia

This qualitative, descriptive, secondary analysis of spousal caregivers (n = 20) examined similarities and differences in help-seeking patterns to understand the processes underlying decisions regarding resource use. Husbands were comfortable with letting others assume care or getting others to provide care while wives felt responsible for providing care. Both groups underutilized available services. Gender, role expectations, past coping, and family relationships contributed to differences between groups. An important implication is that services should be gender-specific. Understanding spousal help-seeking patterns may enable health professionals to better provide assistance for elder spousal caregivers so that they continue to provide care and reduce burden.