Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IN VITRO AND IN VIVO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SAPONIN EXTRACTED FROM THE ROOT OF GARCINIA KOLA (BITTER KOLA) ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

At the present time, much attention is being paid to antioxidant substances because many pathological conditions are associated with oxidative stress. The antioxidant activities of saponin extracted from the root of Garcinia kola was investigated by in vitro and in vivo assays. The in vitro investigations includes the ability of the extract to scavenge free radicals such as 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO), superoxide anion (O2.-), hydroxyl radical (•OH) and its ferric reducing power was also investigated. The effect of saponin from the root of bitter kola in reducing oxidative stress was evaluated in diabetic Wistar albino rat’s tissues. Diabetes was induced in rats by single intraperitonial injection of alloxan (150mg/kg body weight). Three days after alloxan induction, the hyperglycemic rats were treated with 200mg/kg of metformin, a standard antidiabetic drug and saponin from the root of Garcinia kola orally at the dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 7 days. The result of the in vitro assay showed that the extract scavenge these free radicals in a concentration dependent manner. The in vivo antioxidant assay results showed that saponin at different concentrations significantly decrease the MDA level compared to metformin and the control group (p < 0.05), the activities of antioxidant enzymes; Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase of albino rats given saponin increases compared with the control group. These in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the saponin extract from the root of Garcinia kola have significant antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. In other words, it could be potentially used as a rich source of natural antioxidant.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

INTRODUCTION: The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is a tiny, aphidlike insect native to Asia, believed to have accidentally entered North America on imported nursery plants. It is now a serious pest of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) in the U.S. HWA were first reported on the west coast in the 1920’s, then near Richmond, VA, around 1950. Although west coast species of hemlocks appear resistant to HWA, eastern species have been ravaged by this pest. The potential ecological impacts of this pest are extensive. Eastern hemlock stands provide critical shelter and a unique habitat for many birds and wildlife, and are important in maintaining forest stream ecosystems. There is not an ecologically equivalent tree species that can take the place of eastern hemlock.
The impact of oxytocin on thiol/disulphide and malonyldialdehyde/glutathione homeostasis in stressed rats

Abstract We aimed to investigate the impact of oxytocin on serum thiol/disulphide and malonylyldialdehyde (MDA)/glutathione balance under acute stress (AS) and chronic stress (CS) exposure in rats. Animals were allocated into control (C), AS and CS groups, then the groups subdivided as intranasal oxytocin or saline applied groups, randomly. Animals in the AS or CS groups were exposed to combined cold-immobilisation stress. Salivary corticosterone levels and elevated plus maze (EPM) scores were used to assess stress response. MDA, glutathione, thiol-disulphide levels were measured in the serum samples. Oxytocin treatment attenuated stress response regardless of the stress duration verified by lower corticosterone level and favorable profile in EPM parameters measured. Furthermore, oxytocin modulated oxidant profile suggesting lowered oxidant stress with decreased serum MDA/glutathione and disulfide/native thiol ratios. Oxytocin improves the response of organism to stress via both its anxiolytic and antioxidant effects. That’s why it can be considered as a protective measure to employ methods to increase endogenous oxytocin and/or to apply exogenous oxytocin to prevent stress-induced increase in oxidant stress, which plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of various stress-related diseases.
A new tree frog of the genus Rhacophorus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from southern Vietnam

We describe a new species of rhacophorid frog from the Langbian Plateau in southern Vietnam. Rhacophorus vampyrus sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of: a pale tan to brick red dorsum; white throat, chest and belly; black flanks and anterior and posterior surface of thighs; grey to black webbing between fingers and toes; reduced finger webbing; and pointed projection at tibiotarsal articulation. At present, the new species is known from montane evergreen forest between 1470–2004 m elevation. Rhacophorus vampyrus sp. nov. is a phytotelm breeder, depositing eggs in foam nests in small tree-holes.
Inattentive, imprudent and inapt: discovering inadequacies of ICT during life-changing events through the lens of non-users

ABSTRACT Life-changing events (or LCEs) can alter a person's status quo and threaten well-being. Previous research investigated distinct LCEs, where participants already used technology routinely. This paper reports the results of two field studies through which we compared supports people refer to when experiencing different LCEs. Together with users of technology, our sampling included participants who specifically did not refer to online services and tools to seek help during their LCE. We found that popular services people refer to are inattentive to the needs of people experiencing an LCE as they do not allow forms of progressive engagement and disclosure within the service. We also found that popular services are imprudent as their design might expose users experiencing an LCE to more sources of stress. Finally, we found that these services are inapt to support these users as they do not provide direct forms of interactions with experts.
Effect of Cement Pollution on some Biochemical Parameters in the Blood Serum of Hamam AL-Alil Cement Factory Workers

Long time exposure to cement industry pollution leads to several health problems. This study was designed to investigate the effects on 55 workers which were divided into groups according to the departments of Hamam AL-Alil Cement Factory-Iraq. The biochemical parameters included in the study are: calcium, zinc, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutathione and malonaldehyde. The results showed that there was a significant increase in calcium, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and malonaldehyde in workers serum which increased with increasing exposure time. The results also showed a significant decrease in glutathione and zinc in workers serum which increased with increasing exposure time in all factory department. Key word: Cement Pollution, Ions, Enzymes, Glutathione, Malonaldehyde, Serum.
Macroeconomic impacts of non-resource revenue mobilization in CEMAC

ABSTRACT This letter investigates main macroeconomic impacts of enhanced non-resource revenue mobilization in Africa’s CEMAC region. Model simulations indicate that non-oil revenue mobilization reduces debt and increases non-resource output in the long term. The mobilization, however, triggers an output decline in the short run and carries undesirable distributional effects. Cash transfers targeting the most vulnerable perform better than untargeted public investments to mitigate such increased inequality.
Resilience and Meaning-Making Amid the COVID-19 Epidemic in China

The COVID-19 pandemic is a powerful border experience awakening us to our existential predicament. Such a predicament includes transience and impermanence, unpredictability, emptiness (existential vacuum), and the interdependence of life and death. The anxiety aroused by the pandemic can awaken us to an ontological mode of existence in which we are authentic, aware, responsible, and transcendent. The Chinese idiom reminds us that crises contain both danger and opportunity. Thus, this article explores how out of this awareness can emerge resilience, creativity, and meaning-making in the midst of confinement, isolation, and suffering.
Mediation effect of herpes zoster derived by statin use on cardiovascular disease risk

Background/Aims Although statins are widely used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) including stroke and myocardial infarction (MI), it is reported that statin use increases the incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) that is associated with increased risk of CVD. So, we evaluated the mediation effect of HZ caused by statin use on CVD. Methods We analyzed a prospective cohort from the National Health Insurance Service-database of South Korea. All individuals received a medical check-up and were followed-up from 2002 to 2013. Results A total of 275,382 individuals > 40 years old were followed up for 11 years from 2003. Of these, 11,415 people (4%) were classified as statin users and 263,967 (96%) as non-statin users. Those who used statins had significantly lower risks of cardiovascular events, stroke, and MI compared with non-statin users; the adjusted hazard ratios in the multivariate analysis were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82 to 0.98), 0.88 (95% CI, 0.80 to 0.98), and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.07), respectively. When we calculated the mediating effect of cardiovascular events by statin use through HZ, 11.6% of the total beneficial effect of cardiovascular events by statin use was mitigated through the occurrence of HZ caused by statin use. This mediating effect was higher in the younger age group (< 60 years). Conclusions This study showed that statin use reduced CVD by 10%, but the protective effect of statin use against CVD was mitigated by approximately 10% through the development of HZ caused by statin use.
Inertial Block Proximal Methods for Non-Convex Non-Smooth Optimization

We propose inertial versions of block coordinate descent methods for solving non-convex non-smooth composite optimization problems. Our methods possess three main advantages compared to current state-of-the-art accelerated first-order methods: (1) they allow using two different extrapolation points to evaluate the gradients and to add the inertial force (we will empirically show that it is more efficient than using a single extrapolation point), (2) they allow to randomly picking the block of variables to update, and (3) they do not require a restarting step. We prove the subsequential convergence of the generated sequence under mild assumptions, prove the global convergence under some additional assumptions, and provide convergence rates. We deploy the proposed methods to solve non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and show that they compete favorably with the state-of-the-art NMF algorithms. Additional experiments on non-negative approximate canonical polyadic decomposition, also known as non-negative tensor factorization, are also provided.
SENSE PROCESSES IN TOURISM BOOKLETS

This research tries to analyze the processes of sensing found in tourism booklets. Since the research only focuses on the processes of sensing, it is focused on the verbs. The data are collected from two booklets from Latvia ’s official tourism website. The method used is descriptive-qualitative. This analysis tries to answer three questions. They are the analyses of the sense processes, the types of sense processes, and the most and least sensing process verbs found from the analyses. From the analyses of the data, the emotive ‘like’ type verbs appear more than the other three sensing type verbs. The least finding is a desiderative verb , the verb wish.
Utilizing Behavioral Science to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing in Rural Urgent Care Settings

Background: The rate of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) is 45% among urgent care centers across the United States. To contribute to the US National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, which aims to decrease rates of inappropriate prescribing, we implemented 2 behavioral nudges using the evidence-based MITIGATE tool kit from urgent-care settings, at 3 high-volume, rural, urgent-care centers. Methods: An interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was conducted comparing a preintervention phase during the 2017–2018 influenza season (October through March) to the intervention phase during the 2018–2019 influenza season. We compared the rate of inappropriate or non–guideline-concordant antibiotic prescribing for ARTIs across 3 urgent-care locations. The 2 intervention behavioral nudges were (1) staff and patient education and (2) peer comparison. Provider education included presentations at staff meetings and grand rounds, and patient education print materials were distributed to the 3 locations coupled with news media and social media. We utilized the CDC “Be Antibiotics Aware” campaign materials, with our hospital’s logo added, and posted them in patient rooms and waiting areas. For the peer comparison behavioral intervention, providers were sent individual feedback e-mails with their prescribing data during the intervention period and a blinded ranking e-mail in which they were ranked in comparison to their peers. In the blinded ranking email, providers were placed into categories of “low prescribers,” those with a ≤23% inappropriate antibiotic prescribing rate based on the US National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistance Bacteria 2020 goal, or “high prescribers,” those with a rate greater than the national average (45%) of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for ARTI. Results: Our results show that fewer inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions were written during the intervention period (58.8%) than during the preintervention period (73.0%), resulting in a 14.5% absolute decrease in rates of inappropriate prescribing among urgent-care locations over a 6-month period (Fig. 1). The largest percentage decline in rates was seen in the month of April (−35.8%) when compared to April of the previous year. The ITS analysis revealed that the rate of inappropriate prescribing was statistically significantly different during the preintervention period compared to the intervention period (95% CI, −4.59 to −0.59; P = .0142). Conclusions: Using interventions outlined in the MITIGATE tool kit, we were able to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for ARTI in 3 rural, urgent-care locations. Funding: None Disclosures: Larissa May repo, Speaking honoraria-Cepheid Research grants-Roche Consultant-BioRad Advisory Board-Qvella Consultant-Nabriva
Computed Tomography Findings Predicting the Need for Surgery in Cases of Small Bowel Obstruction: Emphasis on Duodenal Distension.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to retrospectively evaluate the utility of computed tomography (CT) findings, especially newly defined duodenal distension, for predicting the need to operate on small bowel obstruction (SBO) cases. METHODS During a 51-month period, 228 patients (100 women and 128 men; mean age, 55 years) were included in this study, among 438 patients who were hospitalized with a prediagnosis of SBO. The final study population was then divided into 2 groups: a surgery group (n = 76) and a conservative group (n = 152). The CT findings of the SBO patients whose treatment decisions and outcomes were unknown were examined by 2 gastrointestinal radiologists with consensus. Statistical analyses were conducted using univariate and binary logistic regression analyses. RESULTS According to the univariate analysis, the degree of obstruction (P = 0.001), small bowel diameter (P = 0.014), and presence of mesenteric fluid (P < 0.001), intraperitoneal free fluid (P = 0.04), intra-abdominal free gas (P < 0.001), and duodenal distension (P < 0.001) showed statistically significant differences between the surgery and conservative groups. However, there were no statistically significant group differences regarding the presence of a transition point, small bowel feces or mesenteric congestion. According to the binary logistic regression analysis, the degree of obstruction (P = 0.012), presence of mesenteric fluid (P = 0.008), intra-abdominal free gas (P = 0.019), and duodenal distension (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of the need for surgery in SBO cases. CONCLUSIONS Duodenal distension as a CT finding predicted the need for surgery in SBO cases.
A Generic DC link Capacitor Sizing Methodology for Multi-phase Wide Bandgap Based Integrated Modular Motor Drives

In this paper, a generic comprehensive analytical design method for dc link capacitors for 3-phase and multiphase drives is proposed, applied on a case study and verified by static and dynamic simulations of the converter. The proposed method is applied on a 15-phase axial flux permanent magnet machine for all possible phase configurations (i.e. 3, 5, 15, (5*3), (3*5)) at sinusoidal and space vector pulse width modulation techniques. For ((5*3), (3*5)) configurations, the interleaving is employed to reduce the capacitor current stress and the design method is applied at the optimal interleaving angle. The results show that the (3,5,15) phase configurations result in the same frequency of the most dominant harmonic current. The most dominant harmonic current resulted is the 2nd harmonic. The 15-phase configuration requires the largest dc link capacitance value, almost the same ripple current stress and the smallest voltage stress. The ((5*3), (3*5)) configurations result in a different most dominant harmonic (i.e. the 5th harmonic at the optimal interleaving angle). The (5*3) configuration results in the smallest capacitance value, voltage and current stress requirements. The SPWM results in smaller dc link current stress and capacitance value compared to the SVPWM technique.
Historical droughts in the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) of China

Abstract. This study presents a new epistemological analysis of drought chronology through a well-defined methodology for reconstructing past drought series, as well as series of other associated ecological and societal impact variables. Instead of building a grading system based on mixed criteria, this method facilitates transparency in the reconstruction process and enables the statistical examination of all variables when building series. The data for the present study are derived mainly from the REACHES (Reconstructed East Asian Climate Historical Encoded Series) database; however, other archival documentary and index data from independent sources are also applied to understand drought narratives and to cross-check and validate the analysis derived from REACHES. From the time series analysis, six severe drought periods are identified in the Qing dynasty, and then a spatial analysis is performed to demonstrate the spatial distribution of drought and other variables in the six periods, as well as a social network analysis to reveal connections between drought and other ecological and societal variables. Research results clearly illustrate the role of human intervention in influencing the impacts of drought and their societal consequences. Particularly, the correlation between drought and socioeconomic turmoil is not strong; crop failure and famine are important intermediate factors, while ecological factors such as locust and disaster relief measures are all imperative to intervene between crop production and famine. Implications of the study on drought impact are provided, as well as the significance of drought on historical climate reconstruction studies.
Does disturbance favour weak competitors? Mechanisms of changing plant abundance after flooding

Abstract Question: Does disturbance reduce competition intensity and thus favour weak competitors that are presumably less affected by disturbance than strong competitors? Methods: We used a single flooding event with increasing duration to simulate disturbance with increasing intensity. Six flood-plain grass species, typical of different flood regimes were grown in monocultures and in an additive species mixture. Flooding took place early in the first growing season and changes were monitored until the end of the second growing season. Results: Longer flooding durations initially decreased competition, but only a single species (Agrostis) increased its abundance in mixtures after flooding. The two weakest competitors in our selection (Poa trivialis and Elytrigia repens) failed to benefit from flooding because direct losses from flooding exceeded gains from reduced competition. Accordingly, we found no trade-off between flooding tolerance and competitive ability indicating that floods affect strong and weak competitors equally, although some species tolerated floods better than others. Conclusions: Since competition is only temporarily weakened after disturbance, increased competitive ability relative to other species may provide a more effective strategy for persistence in flood-disturbed sites. Above-ground runners seem an important prerequisite for enhanced competitive ability of clonal species in flood-disturbed sites. Nomenclature: van der Meijden (1996). Abbreviations: lnRR = natural log of the response ratio; LT50 = number of days (‘lethal time’) after which 50% of individuals had died.
A Comprehensive View of Translesion Synthesis in Escherichia coli

The lesion bypass pathway, translesion synthesis (TLS), exists in essentially all organisms and is considered a pathway for postreplicative gap repair and, at the same time, for lesion tolerance. As with the saying “a trip is not over until you get back home,” studying TLS only at the site of the lesion is not enough to understand the whole process of TLS. Recently, a genetic study uncovered that polymerase V (Pol V), a poorly expressed Escherichia coli TLS polymerase, is not only involved in the TLS step per se but also participates in the gap-filling reaction over several hundred nucleotides. SUMMARY The lesion bypass pathway, translesion synthesis (TLS), exists in essentially all organisms and is considered a pathway for postreplicative gap repair and, at the same time, for lesion tolerance. As with the saying “a trip is not over until you get back home,” studying TLS only at the site of the lesion is not enough to understand the whole process of TLS. Recently, a genetic study uncovered that polymerase V (Pol V), a poorly expressed Escherichia coli TLS polymerase, is not only involved in the TLS step per se but also participates in the gap-filling reaction over several hundred nucleotides. The same study revealed that in contrast, Pol IV, another highly expressed TLS polymerase, essentially stays away from the gap-filling reaction. These observations imply fundamentally different ways these polymerases are recruited to DNA in cells. While access of Pol IV appears to be governed by mass action, efficient recruitment of Pol V involves a chaperone-like action of the RecA filament. We present a model of Pol V activation: the 3′ tip of the RecA filament initially stabilizes Pol V to allow stable complex formation with a sliding β-clamp, followed by the capture of the terminal RecA monomer by Pol V, thus forming a functional Pol V complex. This activation process likely determines higher accessibility of Pol V than of Pol IV to normal DNA. Finally, we discuss the biological significance of TLS polymerases during gap-filling reactions: error-prone gap-filling synthesis may contribute as a driving force for genetic diversity, adaptive mutation, and evolution.