Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of sodium valproate

The pharmacokinetics of the antiepileptic drug, sodium valproate (VPA), was investigated in 6 healthy volunteers after a single intravenous dose of 400 mg, as well as a solution and enteric‐coated tablets. The bioavailability of the enteric‐coated tablets was compared with that of normal tablets in 3 of these subjects. The bioavailability studies demonstrated that the solution was rapidly and almost completely (86% to 100%) absorbed. Peak plasma levels (66 to 196 µg/ml) were reached within 0.5 to 2 hr. Tablets had comparable bioavailabilities which varied in the different persons (68% to 100%). In some subjects VPA was found in plasma only after a lag time of 1 to 4 hr and the peak plasma concentrations of 46 to 88 µg/ml developed after 3 to 7 hr. After the intravenous dose, plasma levels declined biexponentially. The pharmacokinetic parameters were computed according to the two‐compartment open model. The half‐life of the initial phase, t½(α), could be calculated to 1.0 ± 0.86 hr (mean ± SD) and the terminal half‐life, t½(β), varied independently of the route of administration between 8.7 and 21.5 hr (12.2 ± 3.7 hr). The distribution space of the central compartment (V1) was 0.065 ± 0.010 Llkg, and both the apparent volume of distribution at steady‐state (VdSS) and Vdβ had similar values of 0.13 ± 0.04 L/kg and 0.14 ± 0.05 L/kg, respectively. These small volumes indicate that VPA distributes mainly into the extracellular space. The total plasma or blood clearance (Cl) ranged from 4.3 to 10.5 ml/min (7.8 ± 2.4 ml! min) and from 11.9 to 44.3 ml/min (30.1 ± 11.9), respectively. Therapeutic concentrations of VPA (80 µg/ml) revealed relatively strong plasma protein binding between 80% and 94%. The bloodlplasma concentration ratio ranged about 0.28 ± 0.06. Since the calculated hepatic extraction ratio of 0.02 is smaller than the free fraction, it is concluded that clearance of VPA is independent of liver blood flow and of the restrictive type. No measurable amounts of unchanged VPA were excreted during the 2 days of observation. Approximately 10% to 30% of a single dose was eliminated as VPA conjugates which could be hydrolyzed by 2 N HCl and β‐glucuronidase/aryl‐sulfatase.
DNA barcoding detected improper labelling and supersession of crab food served by restaurants in India.

BACKGROUND Detection of improper labelling of raw and processed seafood is of global importance for reducing commercial fraud and enhancing food safety. Crabs are crustaceans with intricate morphological as well as genetic divergence among species and are popular as seafood in restaurants. Owing to the high number of crab species available, it can be difficult to identify those included in particular food dishes, thus increasing the chance of supersession. DNA barcoding is an advanced technology for detecting improper food labelling and has been used successfully to authenticate seafood. RESULTS This study identified 11 edible crab species from India by classical taxonomy and developed molecular barcodes with the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. These barcodes were used as reference barcodes for detecting any improper labelling of 50 restaurant crab samples. Neighbour-joining tree analysis with COI barcodes showed distinct clusters of restaurant samples with respective reference species. The study demonstrated 100% improper labelling of restaurant samples to cover up acts of inferior crab supersession. CONCLUSION DNA barcoding successfully identified 11 edible crabs in accordance with classical taxonomy and discerned improper crab food labelling in restaurants of India.
Evaluation of Carbon Dioxide Absorbed in Para Rubber Biomass to the Valuation of the Contracts on Carbon Credits in Voluntary Markets.

Prospective imbalances between supply and demand have been indicated in the rubber market resulting in a continuous plunge in rubber prices. At its lowest average price in 2014, rubber prices dropped 54.84% from their 2011 high due to the direct impact of the costs of rubber planters, especially in new areas of para rubber plantations such as Huai Thalaeng District in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. There is the possibility of offsetting these low prices by evaluation of carbon dioxide absorbed in the production of para rubber to the valuation of the contracts on carbon credits in voluntary markets. Carbon storage in para rubber biomass was assessed in allometric equations of biomass to determine the carbon dioxide that was absorbed from the atmosphere. The results of the study found that in the seven years prior to latex tapping, rubber plantations had average biomass accumulations of 0.027, 0.200, 0.641, 1.454, 3.343, 8.078 and 15.213 Mg ha-1 respectively. This translates to an average biomass carbon storage of 0.014, 0.099, 0.321, 0.727, 1.671, 4.039 and 7.607 Mg ha-1, respectively. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide was absorbed from the atmosphere at levels of 0.051, 0.363, 1.177, 2.666, 6.127, 14.810 and 27.892 Mg ha-1, respectively, during these seven years. Subsequently, the net income from contracts equals US$578.637 ha-1 from the carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere in the case of trading for carbon credits in the voluntary market. Additionally, rubber trees are an essential tree species that absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in its biomass. With this, rubber plantations can act as carbon sinks. Therefore, Thailand and especially Huai Thalaeng, has potential for rubber plantations and mitigated greenhouse gases in the atmosphere through carbon trapping by rubber plantations.
Exploring brain circuitry with neurotropic viruses: New horizons in neuroanatomy

There have been substantial advances in methods for defining connections among neurons over the past quarter century. However, most tracers have been limited in their ability to define populations of functionally related neurons that contribute to a multisynaptic circuit because they are not transported across synapses. As a result, the large body of literature that has employed these tracers has established regional associations between regions that must be further explored with electron microscopy and electrophysiological methods to define the synaptic relations among constituent neurons. Recently, neurotropic alpha herpesviruses have been used to visualize ensembles of neurons that contribute to polysynaptic networks. These pathogens invade permissive cells, replicate, and pass transynaptically to infect other neurons. In effect, the viruses become self‐amplifying tracers whose natural tropism and invasiveness define populations of functionally related neurons. The recent increase in the use of this experimental approach has emerged from advances in our understanding of the life cycle of these viruses and the resulting evidence in support of specific transynaptic passage of progeny virus rather than infection by lytic release into the extracellular space. This article reviews the advances that have made this a viable experimental approach and considers ways in which this method has been creatively used to illuminate aspects of nervous system circuit organization that could not be defined with conventional tracers. Anat. Rec. (New Anat.) 253:176–185, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Hurdles to Greater Adoption of Anaerobic Digesters

Design of government policies that seek greater adoption of anaerobic digesters can benefit from a greater understanding of the motivations for adoption. Using a nationwide survey of U.S. dairy and swine producers, this study seeks to determine how policies, peer group influences, environmental beliefs, and farm characteristics affect the decision to adopt a digester. Results suggest that neighborhood effects, farm type and size, and nonmarket benefits of anaerobic digestion are important for predicting whether or not a producer will consider this technology for manure management. However, the decision to actually adopt is more dependent on government policies and economic considerations.
Factors Influencing Employee’s Performance in Hotel Industry

The success of any organization generally relies on an employee performance. Poor performance will harmful for the organization, and great performance is beneficial for the success and growth of an organization. It is very important for any organization to identify those factors that affect employee performance in hotel industry to increase productivity as well as smooth functioning of the organization which results profitability in the organization. Nowadays, employers ought to concern regarding the factors that influencing employee performance because of it will impact on the whole organization as well. A successful organization should focus on how an employee performs their job, and what factors will influence an employee performance in hotel industry. The study aims to examine the factors that influence employee’s performance in hotel industry and to know how to improve their performance.
Methodology for Translating Enlisted Veterans' Nontechnical Skills into Civilian Employers' Terms

Civilian employers may not appreciate the full value veterans can bring to their organizations, because military and civilian workplace cultures and languages can seem radically different from one another. To address this, the authors of this report developed prototype toolkits that veterans, especially those in Army and Marine Corps enlisted combat arms occupations, can use to help describe their skills to potential civilian employers and that civilian employers can use to understand veteran job applicants' skills. In this report, the authors describe their methodology for developing the toolkits. In the first phase of the study, the authors developed a list of essential workplace skills, then created materials that show how these skills are developed through formal military training and education courses. In the second phase, they added to the list of essential workplace skills and expanded the materials to include vignettes illustrating how these skills are developed through military service members' on-the-job experience. The authors offer a number of insights on how the method could be improved and how it could be potentially applied to develop similar materials for broader groups of veterans.
Generalization of the Modeling Analysis of Optical Bistability in Quasi-Three-Level Lasers

In this paper, we generalize a previously developed model describing the behavior of optical bistability in the operation of a quasi-three-level laser by taking into account a Gaussian transverse distribution for the laser mode and including inhomogeneous line broadening for the laser medium. The results show that apart from some quantitative modifications, the primary characteristics of bistability predicted by the simplified model remain correct; in particular, the fundamental condition for the existence of bistability, f <; xa/(xa+1), turns out to hold universally. It is also revealed that in comparison with the results obtained in the simplified model, the intensities at the up- and down-threshold will be increased, whereas the bistability range will be reduced.
Modeling Volcanic Processes: Dynamics of magma ascent in the volcanic conduit

Overview This chapter presents the various mechanisms and processes that come into play within the volcanic conduit for a broad range of effusive and dry explosive volcanic eruptions. Decompression during magma ascent causes volatiles to exsolve and form bubbles containing a supercritical fluid phase. Viscous magmas, such as rhyolite or crystal-rich magmas, do not allow bubbles to ascend buoyantly and may also hinder bubble growth. This can lead to significant gas overpressure and brittle magma fragmentation. During fragmentation in vulcanian, subplinian, and plinian eruptions, gas is released explosively into the atmosphere, carrying with it magma fragments. Alternatively, high viscosity may slow ascent to where permeable outgassing through the vesicular and perhaps fractured magma results in lava effusion to produce domes and flows. In low-viscosity magmas, typically basalts, bubbles may ascend buoyantly, allowing efficient magma outgassing and relatively quiescent magma effusion. Alternatively, bubbles may coalesce and accumulate to form meter-size gas slugs that rupture at the surface during strombolian eruptions. At fast magma ascent rates, even in low-viscosity magmas, melt and exsolved gas remain coupled, allowing for rapid acceleration and hydrodynamic fragmentation in hawaiian eruptions. Introduction In the broadest sense, volcanic eruptions are either effusive or explosive. During explosive eruptions magma fragments and eruption intensity is ultimately related to the fragmentation mechanism and associated energy expenditure (Zimanowski et al ., 2003). If the cause of fragmentation is the interaction of hot magma with external water, the ensuing eruption is called phreatomagmatic. Eruptions that do not involve external water are called “dry,” in which case the abundance and fate of magmatic volatiles, predominantly H 2 O and CO 2 , as well as magma rheology and eruption rate, are the dominant controls on eruption style. Eruption styles are often correlated with magma composition and to some extent this relationship reflects differences in tectonic setting, which also influence magmatic volatile content and magma supply rate.
The predictors of distress in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Background It is well recognised that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience clinically significant levels of stress and depression. This study examined which ASD characteristic best predicted parental distress. Method Parents of 109 children aged between 4 and 12 (M age = 7.89, SD = 2.43) completed self-report measures of anxiety, depression, stress, and parenting-specific stress. They also completed rating scales regarding their child's ASD characteristics. Results This study found that the child's behavioural and emotional impairments predicted the parents’ overall levels of distress (i.e., stress/tension, anxiety, and depression), but not the stress associated with parenting. Instead, the child's social impairment severity was found to predict parenting-specific stress. Conclusion This study highlights the pervasive influence of ASD symptomatology on the mental wellbeing of the parents and the importance of assisting parents to cope with the behavioural and social impairments of their child.
Person-Specific Face Detection in a Scene with Optimum Composite Filtering and Colour-Shape Information

Face detection and recognition have wide applications in robot vision and intelligent surveillance. However, face identification at a distance is very challenging because long-distance images are often degraded by low resolution, blurring and noise. This paper introduces a person-specific face detection method that uses a nonlinear optimum composite filter and subsequent verification stages. The filter's optimum criterion minimizes the sum of the output energy generated by the input noise and the input image. The composite filter is trained with several training images under long-distance modelling. The candidate facial regions are provided by the filter's outputs of the input scene. False alarms are eliminated by subsequent testing stages, which comprise skin colour and edge mask filtering tests. In the experiments, images captured by a webcam and a CCTV camera are processed to show the effectiveness of the person-specific face detection system at a long distance.
[The usefulness of timed motor tests in assessing Parkinson's disease].

INTRODUCTION At present, the evaluation of Parkinson's disease (PD) relies on clinical scales, mainly Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS); however, other objective methods have been considered including timed tests. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied the motor performance of 53 patients with PD (34 male, 19 female; age 61.9 +/- 8.9 years; age at onset 51.9 +/- 11 years, clinical stage: 2.6 +/- 0.73). Motor evaluation comprised UPDRS and CAPIT timed tests including pronation-supination, finger dexterity, movement between two points or tapping, and walking test. Clinical evaluation was performed in baseline conditions (twelve hours off their medication) and in their best on state, after a standard dose of 200 mg of levodopa. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS All CAPIT timed tests, especially tapping, maintained an excellent correlation with UPDRS in both off and on state. Tapping seems to be the best CAPIT timed test for objective motor evaluation of PD.
The Cloning of Two Tomato Lipoxygenase Genes and Their Differential Expression during Fruit Ripening

A membrane-associated lipoxygenase from breaker-stage fruit of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) was purified and partially sequenced. Using degenerate oligonucleotides corresponding to portions of this sequence, a cDNA was amplified by PCR and used to screen a breaker fruit cDNA library. Two clones, tomloxA and tomloxB, were isolated and one of these (tomloxA) corresponded to the isolated protein. Genomic clones were isolated and sequence data from these were used to obtain the 5[prime] ends of the cDNAs. The 2.8-kb cDNAs encode proteins that are similar in size and sequence to each other and to other plant lipoxygenases. DNA blot analysis indicated that tomato contains three or more genes that encode lipoxygenase. RNA blot analysis showed that tomloxA is expressed in germinating seeds as well as in ripening fruit, where it reached its peak during breaker stage. tomloxB appears to be fruit specific and is at its highest level in ripe fruit.
New Venture Growth: Current Findings and Future Challenges

New venture growth is one of the foundational topics in entrepreneurship research. We review the current research and divide it into three research streams: (1) high-growth firms, (2) antecedents of growth and (3) growth process. High-growth firms contribute disproportionally to new job creation, are mostly young, and are not necessarily high-tech. Most firms cannot sustain high growth for extended periods. The research on antecedents of growth examines how various factors (e.g., human capital, networks, financial capital, strategy, external environment, etc.) influence the rate of growth while most of the growth process research is conducted within the stages-of-growth paradigm. We also discuss how to measure growth, which is an important question in itself as it influences research results. We conclude with future research directions.
Innovation Diffusion in the Supply Chain

Professional literature has not devoted too much attention to innovation diffusion in the supply chain. Specificity of innovation in supply chains also lacks relevant classification. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap by suggesting classification of innovation adjusted to specificity of supply chains and to describe the model of innovation diffusion in the supply chain. In order to verify the model of innovation diffusion in the supply chain, the following research methods were used: literature research, case description and instrumental case study. These are qualitative methods, often applied in theories of management. There were presented two instrumental descriptions of cases, being an effect of literature research and four descriptions of cases, being based on descriptions of innovative solutions in the logistics, submitted to the Polish contest titled "Innovative Solutions for the Logistics" in 2011. The research hypothesis, which is the model of innovation diffusion in the supply chain, has only been partly validated. As a result, the model of innovation diffusion in the supply chain requires further research, with the aim of the confirmation or the falsification. Paper type: Research Paper Published online: 30 June 2015 Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 287-297 ISSN 2083-4942 (Print) ISSN 2083-4950 (Online) © 2015 Poznan University of Technology. All rights reserved.
Vasopressin response in collecting ducts of rats resistant to mineralocorticoid hypertension.

In previous studies we found that vasopressin stimulation of both cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation in cortical collecting tubules (CCT) and sodium reabsorption in isolated perfused kidneys was markedly exaggerated in rats with mineralocorticoid hypertension. In the present study, we tested the response (cAMP accumulation) of cortical and outer medullary collecting tubules (OMCT) to vasopressin in two rat models that are resistant to deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertension, the Wistar-Furth strain and NaCl-deficient rats. The blood pressure of normal outbred Wistar rats rose to hypertensive levels (systolic pressure more than 165 mm Hg) during a 5-week treatment with DOCA (10 mg/week) and 1% saline to drink. Significant hypertrophy of the heart and kidneys was also observed. Vasopressin (10(-8) M)-induced cAMP formation was enhanced 3.4-fold in the CCT (OMCT unchanged) of hypertensive rats compared with normotensive controls. Significant hypertrophy (as indexed by tubule diameter) of the CCT but not the OMCT was also observed in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Restriction of dietary NaCl (0.13% in chow, tap water to drink) completely prevented DOCA-induced hypertension, organ and CCT hypertrophy, and enhancement of vasopressin-stimulated cAMP formation in the CCT. In Wistar-Furth rats, DOCA-salt treatment did not alter blood pressure or cause significant organ hypertrophy. However, DOCA-salt treatment enhanced vasopressin-stimulated cAMP formation by 4.1-fold in CCT of Wistar-Furth rats, with significant tubular hypertrophy in the CCT but not the OMCT. We conclude that DOCA-induced hypertension and changes in CCT function are dependent on excess dietary NaCl. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sources of Pertussis Infection in Young Babies From SÃo Paulo State, Brazil

Household contacts are important sources of Bordetella pertussis in infants. A total of 353 household contacts of 97 index cases were evaluated for pertussis by culture and polymerase chain reaction. Twenty eight contacts were positive (8.0%). The presence of symptoms did not influence the rate of diagnosed bacteriologic pertussis in communicants. We conclude that contacts with an index case can be positive for B. pertussis independently of the presence of symptoms.
Preadmission predictors of PharmD graduates' performance on the NAPLEX.

OBJECTIVES To identify prepharmacy variables that predicted graduate performance on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) test. METHODS Undergraduate and pharmacy school transcripts for 424 students admitted to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) Doctor of Pharmacy program from the fall of 1996 to the fall of 2001 were reviewed. NAPLEX scores were provided by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, 11.5. RESULTS Grade point average, composite Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) score, and California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) score were each positively correlated with NAPLEX score (p < 0.001 for each). Type of school where organic chemistry was completed; age; advanced courses taken in chemistry, biology, and math; and attainment of a BS, BA, or MS degree were not significantly correlated with NAPLEX score (p > 0.05). When comparing students who successfully graduated and passed the NAPLEX with students who were academically suspended or who failed the NAPLEX, there were significant differences in mean PCAT scores, CCTST score, and age (p < 0.05 for all). Stepwise regression analysis applying all admission variables except PCAT subscores revealed a correlation between predictors (composite PCAT, prepharmacy GPA, and age) and NAPLEX score (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Composite PCAT score was the strongest predictor of success and failure on the NAPLEX. However, the combined predictive ability of PCAT and CCTST scores, prepharmacy GPA, and age was relatively low. Thus, a full review of each candidate's application is justified.