Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computational Studies of Free Radical-Scavenging Properties of Phenolic Compounds

For more than half a century free radical-induced alterations at cellular and organ levels have been investigated as a probable underlying mechanism of a number of adverse health conditions. Consequently, significant research efforts have been spent for discovering more effective and potent antioxidants / free radical scavengers for treatment of these adverse conditions. Being by far the most used antioxidants among natural and synthetic compounds, mono- and polyphenols have been the focus of both experimental and computational research on mechanisms of free radical scavenging. Quantum chemical studies have provided a significant amount of data on mechanisms of reactions between phenolic compounds and free radicals outlining a number of properties with a key role for the radical scavenging activity and capacity of phenolics. The obtained quantum chemical parameters together with other molecular descriptors have been used in quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analyses for the design of new more effective phenolic antioxidants and for identification of the most useful natural antioxidant phenolics. This review aims at presenting the state of the art in quantum chemical and QSAR studies of phenolic antioxidants and at analysing the trends observed in the field in the last decade.
Single stress liner for both NMOS and PMOS current enhancement by a novel ultimate spacer process

For the first time, 75% and 7% drive current improvement is simultaneously achieved in both N/PMOS by adopting ultimate spacer process (USP) with a single stress liner. High out-of-plane stress in the channel accounts for the simultaneously enhanced drive current in N/PMOS. A 15% speed enhancement without compromising yield and product qualification in field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) confirms immediate manufacturing feasibility of USP. This process provides a unique approach to significantly enhance device performance for 65nm CMOS technology and beyond. Extreme current increase of 25% in NMOS and 35% in PMOS can be achieved by applying additional strain enhancement methods
Impact of Maternal Education, and Socioeconomic Status on Maternal Nutritional Knowledge and Practices Regarding Iron Rich Foods and Iron Supplements

Results: A significant relationship (p<0.001) was observed between nutritional awareness and educational status of the respondents. However, the practice was solely dependent on monthly income (p<0.001), irrespective of the awareness. Parity and gestational age bore no relationship with nutritional knowledge and practices. Knowledge regarding the benefits of supplements was also significantly related to the educational status of the women (P<0.001). Conclusion: There is an urgent need to boost maternal awareness regarding nutrition before, during and after pregnancy.
Yeast involved in fermentation of Coffea arabica in East Africa determined by genotyping and by direct denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis

Samples of Coffea arabica were collected during the different stages of the fermentation from two production sites in Tanzania. The yeasts community was identified by genotyping using ITS–PCR and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene. For confirmation, denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR‐amplified 26S rRNA gene was performed to detect yeast directly from coffee samples without cultivation. Yeast counts were in the range 4.0 × 104 − 5.0 × 107 CFU/g with an increase during fermentation. Three yeasts species were dominant. The predominant yeast found during fermentation and drying was Pichia kluyveri. Pichia anomala was found in high numbers during drying of coffee beans. Hanseniaspora uvarum was the predominant yeast during fermentation but decreased during drying. Kluyveromyces marxianus, Candida pseudointermedia, Issatchenkia orientalis, Pichia ohmeri and Torulaspora delbrueckii occurred in concentrations of 103 CFU/g or below in coffee samples. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida xestobii were not isolated by cultivation, but by the DGGE technique. A good agreement was found between the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA gene and sequencing of the DGGE bands. Sequences of yeast isolates determined in this study have been deposited in the GenBank database under Accession Nos AY305664–AY305669 and AY305672–AY305683. Sequences of DGGE bands have also been deposited in the GenBank database under Accession Nos AY314789–AY314802. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Green Liquid Membrane: Development and Challenges

Wastewaters are a potential source of pollutants causing serious problems to the environment. Liquid membrane is able to remove contaminants in wastewaters [1], among other techniques such as chemical precipitation, coagulation–flocculation, flotation, ion exchange, electro-oxidation and adsorption [2,3]. It has been given considerable attention by researchers due to its outstanding characteristics such as simultaneous pollutants removal and materials recovery in a single unit, non-equilibrium mass transfer, high selectivity, high fluxes, reusability and low energy consumption [4]. Liquid membrane is a process that involves the transport of a solute from an aqueous phase through an immiscible organic phase to another aqueous phase [5]. Organic phase used are usually composed of a carrier and a diluent [6].
Cascade neural networks in variational methods for boundary value problems

This paper is devoted to the case studies of function approximation capabilities of neural networks, treated as variational trial solutions of the boundary and initial value problems for the systems of partial differential equations. Two approaches are considered: common self-differentiable feedforward nets and incrementally grown cascade nets. It is also pointed out that neural networks may be useful for robust and flexible approximations of numerical solutions obtained by finite difference methods.
Gonadotropin suppression of apoptosis in cultured preovulatory follicles: mediatory role of endogenous insulin-like growth factor I.

Although the majority of ovarian follicles undergo atresia through a mechanism involving apoptotic cell death, in vivo studies concerning the hormonal regulation of atresia have been difficult due to the presence of heterogeneous population of follicles in the ovary. In the present study, the regulation of follicle apoptosis by gonadotropins, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) was examined using a serum-free culture of preovulatory follicles. Immature rats at 26 days of age received a single dose of PMSG. Two days later, the largest preovulatory follicles were collected for in vitro culture with or without hormones. After 24 h of culture, follicular apoptotic DNA fragmentation was analyzed by autoradiography of size-fractionated DNA labeled at 3'-ends by [32P]dideoxy-ATP. A spontaneous increase in apoptotic DNA fragmentation occurred after 24 h of culture in the absence of hormones, whereas treatment with human CG (hCG) or FSH suppressed follicular apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, with 0.1 microgram/ml causing maximal suppression by 60-62%. Cotreatment with hCG and FSH had no additional effect. Like gonadotropins, treatment with IGF-I and insulin also suppressed the spontaneous onset of apoptosis, with IGF-I being more effective than insulin. Cotreatment with IGFBP-3 and hCG dose-dependently reversed the suppressive effect of hCG on apoptosis by 42%, suggesting a mediatory role of endogenously produced IGF-I. The addition of IGFBP-3 also blocked the suppressive action of IGF-I by 49%, whereas it did not affect the suppressive action of an IGF-I agonist or insulin. Treatment with IGFBP-3 alone had no effect on apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Estrogen and progesterone production by the cultured follicles were also analyzed by RIA. Gonadotropin treatment resulted in a marked stimulation of the production of both steroid productions. In contrast, treatment with IGF-I caused a small increase in estrogen but decreased progesterone production. Although treatment with IGFBP-3 alone decreased both estrogen and progesterone production, cotreatment with IGFBP-3 and hCG resulted in a slight decrease in estrogen production but an increase in progesterone production. Furthermore, IGFBP-3 did not affect IGF-I action on steroid production. To further substantiate the hypothesis that IGFBP-3 blocks the suppressive effect of hCG on apoptosis by neutralizing endogenously produced IGF-I, solution hybridization analysis was performed, and hCG treatment was shown to increase IGF-I messenger RNA levels in cultured follicles by 1.9-fold. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The MAPK pathway is required for depolarization‐induced “promiscuous” immediate‐early gene expression but not for depolarization‐restricted immediate‐early gene expression in neurons

Depolarization, growth factors, neurotrophins, and other stimuli induce expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) in neurons. We identified a subset of IEGs, IPD‐IEGs, which are induced preferentially by depolarization, but not by neurotrophins or growth factors, in PC12 cells. The “promiscuous” IEGs Egr1 and c‐fos, induced by growth factors and neurotrophins, in addition to depolarization, require activation of the MAP kinase signaling pathway for induction in response to KCl depolarization in PC12 cells; MEK1/2 inhibitors block KCl‐induced Egr1 and c‐fos expression. In contrast, MEK1/2 inhibition has no effect on KCl‐induced expression of the known IPD‐IEGs in PC12 cells. Additional “candidate” IDP‐IEGs were identified by a microarray comparison of genes induced by KCl in the presence vs. the absence of an MEK1/2 inhibitor in PC12 cells. Northern blot analyses demonstrated that representative newly identified candidate IPD‐IEGs, as with the known IPD‐IEGs, are also induced by a MAP kinase‐ independent pathway in response to depolarization, both in PC12 cells and in rat primary cortical neurons. Nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor are unable to induce the expression of the Crem/Icer, Nur77, Nor1, Rgs2, Dusp1 (Mkp1), and Dscr1 genes in PC12 cells, validating their identification as IPD‐IEGs. Inhibiting calcium/calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (CaMKII), calcineurin, or protein kinase A (PKA) activity prevents KCl‐induced IPD‐IEG mRNA accumulation, suggesting that the IPD‐IEG genes are induced by depolarization in neurons via a combination of calcineurin/PKA‐ and CaMKII‐dependent pathways. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
FOLFOX alternated with FOLFIRI as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), irinotecan, and oxaliplatin are the most active drugs in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC), and survival is improved with patient exposure to all of them. The efficacy and safety of an alternating schedule of continuous-infusion 5-FU with leucovorin (LV) plus oxaliplatin (ie, FOLFOX regimen) or irinotecan (ie, FOLFIRI regimen) was assessed in the first-line setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-nine patients with previously untreated, unresectable CRC were included. Treatment consisted of 5-FU/LV (de Gramont schedule) plus oxaliplatin (85 mg/m2) alternated biweekly with the same 5-FU/LV regimen plus irinotecan (180 mg/m2). Treatment was maintained until tumor progression or unacceptable toxicity was noted. RESULTS Median age was 62 years. Performance status was 0/1 in 91% of patients, 63% had 1 organ involved, and 80% had liver metastases. A median of 6 courses per patient (range, 1-9) and a total of 952 infusions were given. The most frequent grade 3/4 toxic events were neutropenia (32%), diarrhea (26%), and asthenia (7%). Grade 1/2 neurotoxicity was seen in 59% of cases, but no grade 3/4 neurotoxicity was observed. There were no toxic deaths. An objective response rate of 54% (4 complete responses plus 39 partial responses) was attained. Median time to progression and overall survival were 13 months and 18 months, respectively. CONCLUSION This alternating schedule is active, with efficacy results similar to those seen with sequential protocols, the advantages of less toxicity, and 100% patient exposure to irinotecan and oxaliplatin.
Investigation of EMI reduction in buck converter by using external chaos generator

DC-DC converters widely employed in various electrical and electronic appliances, release electromagnetic emissions and thus form prominent sources of Electromagnetic interference due to their inherent fast switching. By operating the converters in chaotic mode EMI can be reduced without adding any filters. In this paper, voltage controlled buck converter is analyzed by FFT for EMI reduction under chaotic mode operation is proposed. The chaos is induced externally into the buck converter by using Wien bridge oscillator as its exhibits various forms of chaotic behaviour when operated in oscillatory mode. Simulations are performed using PSpice for observing chaos for the variation of input voltage. EMI reduction is observed for both conventional model of buck converter operating in chaotic mode for certain voltage range and proposed model of buck converter using FFT by spreading the spectra of the output signals over the whole frequency band. A protype model has been tested and hardware results shows the significant reduction of EMI in chaotic mode operation of buck converter.
Occupational Exposures and Gastrointestinal Cancers Among Finnish Women

A cohort including all female workers born 1906 through 1945 (n = 413,877) in Finland was identified through the Population Census of Finland of 1970. Incident cases of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract were explored during 1971 to 1995. Job titles in census records were converted to exposures of 31 occupational agents through a job-exposure matrix. For each agent, the product of level and probability of exposures was calculated and subdivided in three categories: zero, low and medium/high. Poisson regression models estimated relative risks (RR) for each agent, standardized for birth cohort, follow-up period, and socioeconomic status. Adjustment at job title level was done for alcohol use for cancers of the esophagus and liver and smoking for pancreatic cancer. The results showing either statistically significant RR at the medium/high level of exposure (RRH) or statistically significant trend (P < 0.05) over the exposure categories were considered as positive findings. Colon cancer risk (2009 cases) was positively associated with sedentary work (RRH 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1–1.6;P trend 0.001) and negatively associated with perceived workload (P trend = 0.007). For stomach cancer (1881 cases), we observed an association with exposure to electromagnetic fields (RRH 1.44, 95% CI = 1.01–2.05) and man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF) (p trend 0.03). Rectal cancer (1323 cases) showed an association with chromium (RRH 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2–3.1) and oil mist (RR 2.0; 95% CI = 1.0–3.9). For pancreas cancer (1302 cases) we found associations with exposure to chromium (RRH 1.8; 95% CI = 1.0–3.1;P trend 0.01), electromagnetic fields (RRH 1.8; 95% CI = 1.2–2.8;P trend 0.02), and sedentary work (RRH 1.3; 95% CI = 1.0–1.7;P trend 0.05). We found no significant associations between any FINJEM agents and cancers of the esophagus (389 cases), liver (389 cases), and gallbladder (651 cases). Having examined the associations between seven cancer sites and over 30 exposures there exists the real possibility that some of the associations detected are chance findings. Therefore, the associations observed should need to be confirmed in other studies.
Expression of multiple leukemic stem cell markers is associated with poor prognosis in de novo acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) play a crucial role in chemotherapy resistance in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although the association between the expression of individual LSC markers and poor prognosis has been reported, few studies have evaluated the prognostic effect of multiple LSC markers in patients with AML. Herein, we examined three LSC markers (CD25, CD96, and CD123) and the combined effect of their expression on clinical outcome. We retrospectively analyzed 80 adult patients with de novo AML who received intensive chemotherapy. Multiple LSC marker expression was significantly associated with shorter three-year overall survival (OS), compared with single or no LSC marker expression (18.2 vs. 65.0%, p < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that the expression of multiple LSC markers remained significant in terms of three-year OS (hazard ratio: 3.80, p = .001). Therefore, the combined evaluation of several LSC markers can predict the clinical outcome in patients with AML.
In vivo Micromechanical Measurements of the Organ of Corti in the Basal Cochlear Turn

Cochlear mechanical measurements of organ of Corti motion are generally accomplished in the apical or basal turn as in vivo or in vitro studies. In the apex it is possible to observe and measure tectorial membrane vibration as well as vibrations of structures such as the reticular lamina or the basilar membrane (BM). However, compared to the basal turn, cochlear amplification and nonlinearity are not strong in the apex. Basal turn studies have typically been limited to point location measurements of the BM but improved technology for laser interferometry is now making possible the spatial mapping of BM motion. The ‘complexity’ of BM motion in the radial direction (particularly the phase variation) is important to new models of cochlear wave amplification. In future work it may be possible to learn about vibration of structures within the organ of Corti.
Totally Endoscopic Ablation of Left Atrium via Left Chest for Lone Atrial Fibrillation

Surgical treatment is effective and less invasive for lone atrial fibrillation because of the emergence of the endoscopic technology and the adoption of new type of energy. On the basis of these improvements, we developed a new surgical ablation procedure by endoscopy for lone atrial fibrillation. The procedure enrolls only three ports on the left chest wall, which can provide pulmonary vein isolation, resection of the left atrial appendage, ganglionic plexus ablation, and make ablation of left atrium with direct vision. A total of 45 procedures were successfully performed. We reported the technique and result of the procedure.
Evaluating contrast agent waste and costs of weight-based CT contrast bolus protocols using single- or multiple-dose packaging.

OBJECTIVE Although weight-based contrast agent injection protocols can improve contrast-enhanced CT, one disadvantage is waste caused by differences between the amount of contrast material required for a weight-based algorithm and full-package protocols used with single-use packaging of contrast material. The availability of 500-mL multiple-use packaging of contrast material should facilitate the implementation of weight-based contrast bolus protocols for CT because arbitrary volumes of contrast agent can be loaded without significant waste. Our hypothesis was that multiple-use packaging when used with a weight-based contrast bolus protocol would reduce costs compared with single-use packaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Contrast agent volume loaded and volume actually delivered to 1304 patients undergoing abdominal and pelvic CT were recorded. Model 1 used volume loaded to estimate contrast material cost, model 2 used volume delivered, and model 3 assumed that patients received either 100 or 150 mL from a single-use package, depending on weight. RESULTS Model 1 required 368 packages of 500 mL contrast material ($23,000). Model 2 required 353 packages of 500 mL contrast material ($22,062.50). Model 3 required 863 and 478 packages of 100 and 150 mL contrast material, respectively ($22,120). CONCLUSION Cost containment can be realized while improving the quality of contrast opacification by employing 500-mL multiple-use packaging of contrast materials. Care must be taken by the technologists to load only the volume of contrast agent that is needed, or the resulting contrast agent waste will negate the savings and even result in cost increases.
Construct validity of behavioral models of anxiety: where experimental psychopathology meets ecology and evolution

psychopathology, construct validity is usually enhanced by addressing theories from other fields in its nomological network. In the field of anxiety research, this construct is related to antipredator behavior, conserved across phylogeny in its functions and neural basis, but not necessarily on its topography. Even though the relations between behavioral models of anxiety and statements from behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology are commonly made in anxiety research, these are rarely tested, at least explicitly. However, in order to increase construct validity in experimental anxiety, testing predictions from those theories is highly desirable. This article discusses these questions, suggesting a few ways in which behavioral ecological and evolutionary hypotheses of anxiety-like behavior may be tested. Keywords: construct validity, animal models of anxiety, evolution, psychopathology.
Observations on aciduric (acidophilic) Bacteria.

diet in protein, easily fermentable carbohydrates, by an extension of the habitat of the liquefying bacteria, and usually by an increase of the aerogenic bacilli (B. coli) while the growth of the acidophilic (aciduric) bacteria is restricted. In such instances there is usually a decided aug-mentation of the gas volume above that characteristic of a mixed diet; the sediments show increased numbers of subtiloid bacilli and aerogenic organisms, while the acidophils are relatively poorly represented. A carbohydrate rich diet, on the other hand (particularly if the carbo-hydrates are easily fermentable sugars rather than starches), results in a limitation of the liquefying bacteria, and a more or less marked restric-tion of the development of the aerogenic forms accompanied by a decided increase in the acidophiles. The gas volume is decreased and in the sediments are seen the acidophilic bacteria prominently represented, while the other types are suppressed to a considerable or lesser extent.
A new approach to develop entrepreneurship of the industry using fuzzy DEMATEL

Article history: Received October 1, 2011 Received in Revised form November, 14, 2011 Accepted 15 February 2012 Available online 23 February 2012 Today, development of economic activity and employment is known as an effective strategy for economical and social development of the countries. Entrepreneurship in Iran is also as the most executive and practical strategy to exit the economical and social deadlock and problems. However, entrepreneurship development needs identifying and removing existed obstacles and problems. There are a lot of researches about obstacles and restrictions on entrepreneurship but, to the best of our knowledge, there is no research to identify vital factors and degree of their effect on the network of factors . In this paper using DEMATEL technique, the entrepreneurial barriers in the industry of Iran are categorized in 2 groups of cause and effect. We also use fuzzy concept to handle any ambiguity on the feedbacks gathered from decision makers. To achieve this purpose, at first using views of professors and active managers in the field of entrepreneurial and also related books and using Delphi technique, 9 vital factors are identified and they are analyzed in two groups of internal and external obstacles in the industrial sector of Iran . The research chooses 100 most active companies in one of the industrial poles of Iran for the proposed study of this paper. Furthermore, questionnaires are distributed among the top managers of these companies, to analyze the barriers in entrepreneurship in the industry. The results show that two factors of "kind of management" and "organizational structure" are the most important factors. In addition, “legal obstacles" and" optimum use of financial resources” are at the highest degree of impression on business units. © 2012 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.