Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Once Daily Sustained-Release Matrix Tablet of Naproxen: Formulation and In Vitro Evaluation

The objective of the present study was to develop once-daily sustained-release matrix tablets of naproxen, one of the most potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents used in the treatment of arthritic pain. The tablets were prepared by direct compression method using hydrophilic matrix materials like Methocel ® K4M CR and Methocel ® K15M CR. The tablets were subjected to measurement of thickness, diameter, weight variation, drug content, hardness and friability, the results of which were within compendial specification range. In vitro release studies were carried out by the USP basket method and were carried out at pH 7.4 buffer for ten hours. The results of dissolution studies indicated that higher polymer content in the matrix (40%) decreased the release rate of the drug as shown in formulation NMK4MF6 and NMK15MF6 (where lactose content is zero). The most successful formulations of the study, exhibited satisfactory drug release which was very close to the theoretical release profile. All the formulations exhibited diffusion-dominated drug release. Key words: Naproxen; Methocel ® K4M CR; Methocel ® K15M CR; Sustained release; Matrix tablets DOI: 10.3329/dujps.v9i1. 7429 Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 9 (1): 47-52 2010 (June)
CSF hypocretin‐1 (orexin‐A) concentrations in narcolepsy with and without cataplexy and idiopathic hypersomnia

We measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypocretin‐1 levels in 11 patients with narcolepsy–cataplexy, five with narcolepsy without cataplexy and 12 with idiopathic hypersomnia (IHS). All patients were Japanese. As reported in Caucasian patients, undetectable or very low hypocretin‐1 levels were observed in most (9 out of 11) Japanese narcolepsy–cataplexy patients. Our hypocretin‐deficient narcoleptics included three prepubertal cases within few months after the disease onset. All nine hypocretin‐deficient patients were human leuckocyte antigen (HLA) DR2 positive, while two who had normal CSF hypocretin‐1 levels were HLA DR2 negative. In contrast, none of the narcolepsy without cataplexy and IHS subjects had undetectable low levels. Low CSF hypocretin‐1 is therefore very specific for HLA DR2 positive narcolepsy–cataplexy, and the deficiency is likely to be established at the early stage of the disease.
‘Passive stabilization’ of striatal extracellular dopamine across the lesion spectrum encompassing the presymptomatic phase of Parkinson's disease: a voltammetric study in the 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rat

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease do not present until the degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons is nearly complete. Maintenance of dopaminergic tone governing striatal efferents is postulated to preserve motor control during the presymptomatic phase, but the neuroadaptation responsible for normalization is not completely understood. In particular, the prevailing view that surviving dopaminergic neurons compensate by up‐regulating release has been difficult to demonstrate directly. Here we investigate dopaminergic neurotransmission in the hemiparkinsonian rat using fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry at carbon‐fiber microelectrodes. Electrical stimulation was used to elicit extracellular dopamine levels mimicking the steady‐state dynamics of tonic dopaminergic signaling. In agreement with microdialysis studies, evoked steady‐state dopamine levels remained constant over the entire lesion spectrum (0 to ∼85%) observed during the presymptomatic stage. Kinetic analysis of the voltammetric recordings demonstrated that evoked dopamine concentrations were normalized without plasticity of dopamine release and uptake, suggesting that the primary mechanisms controlling ambient levels of extracellular dopamine were not actively altered. In the present study, we formalize this neuroadaptation as ‘passive stabilization’. We further propose that passive stabilization is mediated by the simple physical principles of diffusion and steady state, is predicated on extrasynaptic transmission, and forms the basis for a new compensation model of preclinical parkinsonism.
Sylvatic Dengue Virus Type 2 Activity in Humans, Nigeria, 1966

Using phylogenetic analysis of complete virus genomes from human isolates obtained in Nigeria in 1966, we identified sylvatic dengue virus (DENV) strains from 3 febrile patients. This finding extends current understanding of the role of sylvatic DENV in febrile disease and documents another focus of sylvatic DENV transmission in West Africa.
WRN helicase promotes repair of DNA double-strand breaks caused by aberrant mismatch repair of chromium-DNA adducts

Recent studies in yeast have found that processing of DNA-double strand breaks (DSB) for recombination repair involves Sgs1 helicase. Human cells have five Sgs1 homologues with unknown selectivity and significance for repair of different DSB types. Here we examined the importance of WRN helicase in repair of G2-specific DSB caused by abnormal mismatch repair (MMR) of ternary Cr-DNA adducts. We found that Cr(VI) induced a rapid dispersal of WRN from the nucleolus resulting in its prolonged retention in the nucleoplasm. The loss of MSH2 or MLH1 MMR proteins abolished the long-term but not the initial WRN relocalization. WRN-deficient fibroblasts were hypersensitive to Cr(VI)-induced clonogenic death and contained high levels of persistent DSB detected by γ-H2AX/53BP1 foci and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. WRN was involved in recombination repair of Cr-induced DNA damage, as evidenced by WRN-RAD51 colocalization and defective formation of RAD51 foci in the absence of WRN. The accumulation of unrepaired DSB in WRN-depleted cells was rescued by the inactivation of MMR, indicating that MMR-generated DSB were a key substrate for WRN action in Cr(VI)-treated cells. Competition for the limited amounts of WRN in primary cells between G2 processes of telomere rebuilding and recombinational repair is expected to increase persistence of Cr-induced DSB and may cause telomeric abnormalities in tissues of chronically chromate-exposed workers. Our work provides the first demonstration of the major importance of WRN in repair of the specific class of DSB in human cells.
E-campus: The “sustainabilization” of engineering Bovisa Campus

Urban mobility is one of the toughest challenges that cities face today together with the environmental, social and economic sustainability. In this context, many activities promote the incremental improvement in fuel efficiency and vehicle emissions control, promoting also the migration from fossil-based to renewable-based vehicles. The paper presents the project of a sustainable University Campus, where the use of different kinds of electric vehicles charged through the solar energy available in the Campus lets the reinforcement of the public transport system.
Private assisted house for smart living

The increasing number of elderly people and chronic diseases asks for innovative care models enabled by technology. Considering house as the place where most of people spend their daily routine, we believe that smart house development and diffusion could lead to such innovation. In this paper we propose a smart house solution aiming to support the daily life of people by means of a multi-dimensional care model. The care model is enabled by an IT infrastructure, called PAss integration platform, suitable to monitor and to actuate the environment via Smart Objects. It consists in a common platform able to solve compatibility issue due to the proliferation of standard and to avoid lock-in introduced by vendors solutions. The Smart Objects interact with the PAss integration platform improving number, types and quality of input data.
Noise-Induced Resistance Broadening in Resistive Switching Memory—Part II: Array Statistics

Noise in resistive switching memory (RRAM) is among the main concerns due to its impact on the reliability of single-bit and multilevel cell devices. Although noise in typical RRAM cells is understood fairly well, the statistics of noise and the presence and impact of statistical tails in the current fluctuation is what mostly affects the RRAM reliability at the array level. This paper addresses current noise in RRAM arrays, focusing on high-resistance state distribution and its broadening with time. We highlight two main contributions to the tail behavior, namely, random walk (RW) and random telegraph noise (RTN) with random start and stop. We provide evidence for a time decay of RW amplitude with time, which we explain by time-dependent stabilization of defects. We finally develop a statistical Monte Carlo model for noise, which is capable of explaining the broadening of the resistance distribution based on a physical description of RW and RTN components.
The Mechanics of the Grammatical Framework

Grammatical Framework (GF) is a well known theoretical framework and a mature programming language for the description of natural languages. The GF community is growing rapidly and the range of applications is expanding. Within the framework, there are computational resources for 26 languages created from different people in different organizations. The coverage of the different resources varies but there are complete morphologies and grammars for at least 20 languages. This advancement would not be possible without the continuous development of the GF compiler and interpreter. The demand for efficient and portable execution model for GF has led to major changes in both the compiler and the interpreter. We developed a new low-level representation called Portable Grammar Format (PGF) which is simple enough for an efficient interpretation. Since it was already known that a major fragment of GF is equivalent to Parallel Multiple Context-Free Grammar (PMCFG), we designed PGF as an extension that adds to PMCFG distinctive features of GF such as multilingualism, higher-order abstract syntax, dependent types, etc. In the process we developed novel algorithms for parsing and linearization with PMCFG and a framework for logical reasoning in first-order type theory where the proof search can be constrained by the parse chart. This monograph is the detailed description of the engine for efficient interpretation of PGF and is intended as a reference for building alternative implementations and as a foundation for the future development of PGF.
Clinical Risk Factors for Fracture in Postmenopausal Osteoporotic Women: A Review of the Recent Literature

Objective: To review recent literature regarding relationships among age, weight or body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), maternal history of fracture, or personal prior history of fracture and fragility fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). Data Sources: A MEDLINE database search (1995–June 30, 2007) was conducted to identify literature related to risk factors of interest for PMO-related fractures. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Cohort studies, case—control studies, and meta-analyses that reported fracture outcomes were included if they provided an estimate of relative risk for at least 1 of the 5 selected clinical risk factors (CRFs) and studied women with PMO or stratified risk estimates by age and sex. Of 313 identified studies that evaluated fractures as an endpoint, 245 did not report risk estimates for a CRF of interest and/or did not report data for a PMO population. Data Synthesis: In the 68 included articles, the risks associated with the evaluated CRFs were high and significant. Prior fracture was a strong predictor of fracture and increased risk up to 18 times. Each standard deviation below the referent mean for BMD was associated with an increased fracture risk of up to 4.0 times; maternal fracture history increased risk 1.3–2.9 times. Age (per 5 year increment) increased risk by 1.2–5.0 times; low weight or BMI inconsistently showed a 0.5–3.0 times greater risk. Conclusions: Low BMD is widely used as a diagnostic indicator for osteoporosis; however, other CRFs play an important role in determining fracture risk among women with PMO.
Australasian ( ACIS ) 2011 Rethinking the Tenets of Business-IT Alignment

The issue of Business-IT Alignment has been a high-ranking topic in almost every survey of executives’ concerns since the inception of such surveys. However, despite extensive research, and numerous explanations and recommendations, it would appear that, the concern about Business-IT Alignment still remains, at least in the minds of executives. This position paper explores ideas regarding information and system, as an alternative to the behavioural and governance streams of inquiry which dominate Business-IT Alignment research. It argues that while progress in the alignment realm has been made in respect of favourable behavioural factors within and between Business and IT organisations, as well as governance of IT interventions, the concerns have persisted because, IT interventions continue to focus attention on closed application and computer systems whose ascribed purpose are the mode and medium of interaction respectively. This is at the expense of an information system – the means of interaction – which is open, ongoing and subsumes both of these systems.
Hydraulic Fracturing and Seismicity in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

The development of most unconventional oil and gas resources relies upon subsurface injection of very large volumes of fluids, which can induce earthquakes by activating slip on a nearby fault. During the last 5 years, accelerated oilfield fluid injection has led to a sharp increase in the rate of earthquakes in some parts of North America. In the central United States, most induced seismicity is linked to deep disposal of coproduced wastewater from oil and gas extraction. In contrast, in western Canada most recent cases of induced seismicity are highly correlated in time and space with hydraulic fracturing, during which fluids are injected under high pressure during well completion to induce localized fracturing of rock. Furthermore, it appears that the maximum-observed magnitude of events associated with hydraulic fracturing may exceed the predictions of an often-cited relationship between the volume of injected fluid and the maximum expected magnitude. These findings have far-reaching implications for assessment of inducedseismicity hazards.
Octimibate, a potent non‐prostanoid inhibitor of platelet aggregation, acts via the prostacyclin receptor

1 Octimibate, 8‐[(1,4,5‐triphenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)oxy]octanoic acid, is reported to have antithrombotic properties. This is in addition to its antihyperlipidaemic effects which are due to inhibition of acyl‐CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the antithrombotic effect of octimibate, and to determine whether the effects of octimibate are mediated through prostacyclin receptors. 2 In suspensions of washed (plasma‐free) human platelets, octimibate is a potent inhibitor of aggregation; its IC50 is approx. 10 nm for inhibition of aggregation stimulated by several different agonists, including U46619 and ADP. The inhibitory effects of octimibate on aggregation are not competitive with the stimulatory agonist; the maximal response is suppressed but there is no obvious shift in potency of the agonist. In platelet‐rich plasma, octimibate inhibits agonist‐stimulated aggregation with an IC50 of approx. 200 nm. 3 Octimibate also inhibits agonist‐stimulated rises in the cytosolic free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, in platelets. Both Ca2+ influx and release from intracellular stores are inhibited. The effects of octimibate on aggregation and [Ca2+]i are typical of agents that act via elevation of adenosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP). Similar effects are seen with forskolin, prostacyclin (PG12) and iloprost (a stable PG12 mimetic). 4 Octimibate increases cyclic AMP concentrations in platelets and increases the cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase activity ratio. Octimibate stimulates adenylyl cyclase activity in human platelet membranes, with an EC50 of 200 nm. The maximal achievable activation of adenylyl cyclase by octimibate is 60% of that obtainable with iloprost. Octimibate has no effect on the cyclic GMP‐inhibited phosphodiesterase (phosphodiesterase‐III), which is the major cyclic AMP‐degrading enzyme in human platelets. 5 Octimibate inhibits, apparently competitively, the binding of [3H]‐iloprost (a stable PG12 mimetic) to platelet membranes; the estimated Ki is 150 nm. 6 The platelets of different species show considerable differences in the apparent potency of their inhibition of aggregation by octimibate; platelets from cynomolgus monkeys are 3 fold more sensitive than those from humans, while rat, cat and cow platelets are 50, 100, and 250 fold less sensitive than human platelets. The sensitivity of these different species to iloprost, however, varies over a range of only 10 fold with no obvious difference between primates and non‐primates. 7 Octimibate appears to be a potent agonist (aggregation), or partial agonist (adenylyl cyclase), at prostacyclin receptors and is the first non‐prostanoid agent of this type to be identified. The species differences in relative potency of octimibate and iloprost may reflect the existence of receptor subtypes.
The influence of laccase modifications of lignin on the properties of biocomposites from natural-fiber material with lignins as binder

A biocomposite made of natural fibers compounded with laccase-modified or non-modified lignins was manufactured in an injection molding process. Physical and mechanical properties of the material were examined and compared to typical high density hardboard. It was shown that the enzymatic modification only slightly affected mechanical performance of biocomposites, while their hydrophilicity strongly increased.
Trajectory tracking optimal control with backstepping method for quadrotor helicopter

This paper propose a trajectory tracking control method for the quadrotor helicopter based on backstepping technique. To avoid the increasing complexity of analytically and improve the stability of controllers, the control system is divided into inner and outer loop, named attitude control and position control. The outer is designed as a full-driver controller and the inner is underactuated one. Although the underactuated system isn't commonly stable enough, the backstepping method used in this paper can solve this problem well. The outputs of position controller are regarded as novel inputs and sent to the inner control loop. The control inputs are obtained by the backstepping method. The stability of the control system is ensured by the Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the effectiveness and stability of the controller is demonstrated through various track simulations.
MEROCYANINE DYES: EFFECT OF STRUCTURAL MODIFICATIONS ON PHOTOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract Merocyanine derivatives were prepared by structural alterations at the barbituric acid or chalcogenazole moieties. The photophysical properties of the dyes were markedly influenced by the presence of selenium rather than sulfur as a substituent at position 2 of the barbiturate. In methanol, quantum yields of both triplet state (φτ) and singlet oxygen sensitization (φΔ) were increased by over an order of magnitude, with a concomitant decrease in fluorescence, when selenium was present in the molecule. Photoisomerization, one of the dominant deactivation pathways in the sulfur‐ or oxygen‐containing analogues, was completely absent in the selenium‐containing derivatives. Efficient triplet state formation was observed for selenium‐containing derivatives incorporated into L1210 cells by diffuse reflectance laser flash photolysis. Cytotoxicity studies, camed out using clonogenic assays on L1210 leukemia cells, showed a good correlation with φτ and φΔ, measured in solution. Experimental evidence provided by this paper supports a triplet state‐, and probably singlet oxygen‐, mediated phototoxic mechanism. Photoisomerization or singlet state mechanisms can be discounted.
Use of the Critical Decision Method to Elicit Expert Knowledge: A Case Study in the Methodology of Cognitive Task Analysis

The Critical Decision Method (CDM) is an approach to cognitive task analysis. The method involves multiple-pass event retrospection guided by probe questions. The CDM has been used in the elicitation of expert knowledge in diverse domains and for applications including system development and instructional design. The CDM research illustrates the sorts of knowledge representation products that can arise from cognitive task analysis (e.g., Situation Assessment Records, time lines, decision requirements). The research also shows how one can approach methodological issues surrounding cognitive task analysis, including questions about data quality and method reliability, efficiency, and utility. As cognitive task analysis is used more widely in the elicitation, preservation, and dissemination of expert knowledge and is used more widely as the basis for the design of complex cognitive systems, and as projects move into even more field applications and real-world settings, the issues we discuss become increasingly critical.
Improving the evaluation of therapeutic interventions in multiple sclerosis: the role of new psychometric methods.

OBJECTIVES In this monograph we examine the added value of new psychometric methods (Rasch measurement and Item Response Theory) over traditional psychometric approaches by comparing and contrasting their psychometric evaluations of existing sets of rating scale data. We have concentrated on Rasch measurement rather than Item Response Theory because we believe that it is the more advantageous method for health measurement from a conceptual, theoretical and practical perspective. Our intention is to provide an authoritative document that describes the principles of Rasch measurement and the practice of Rasch analysis in a clear, detailed, non-technical form that is accurate and accessible to clinicians and researchers in health measurement. REVIEW METHODS A comparison was undertaken of traditional and new psychometric methods in five large sets of rating scale data: (1) evaluation of the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) in data from 666 participants in the Cannabis in Multiple Sclerosis (CAMS) study; (2) evaluation of the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) in data from 1725 people with multiple sclerosis; (3) evaluation of test-retest reliability of MSIS-29 in data from 150 people with multiple sclerosis; (4) examination of the use of Rasch analysis to equate scales purporting to measure the same health construct in 585 people with multiple sclerosis; and (5) comparison of relative responsiveness of the Barthel Index and Functional Independence Measure in data from 1400 people undergoing neurorehabilitation. RESULTS Both Rasch measurement and Item Response Theory are conceptually and theoretically superior to traditional psychometric methods. Findings from each of the five studies show that Rasch analysis is empirically superior to traditional psychometric methods for evaluating rating scales, developing rating scales, analysing rating scale data, understanding and measuring stability and change, and understanding the health constructs we seek to quantify. CONCLUSIONS There is considerable added value in using Rasch analysis rather than traditional psychometric methods in health measurement. Future research directions include the need to reproduce our findings in a range of clinical populations, detailed head-to-head comparisons of Rasch analysis and Item Response Theory, and the application of Rasch analysis to clinical practice.