Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flow cytometric analysis of Pig‐a gene mutation and chromosomal damage induced by procarbazine hydrochloride in CD‐1 mice

Procarbazine is a genotoxic carcinogen whose DNA‐damaging activities are not reliably detected in vitro. We evaluated the in vivo genotoxic effects of procarbazine on hematopoietic cells of male CD‐1 mice using a multi‐endpoint study design that scored micronucleated reticulocyte (MN‐RET) frequency and gene mutation at the Pig‐a locus. CD‐1 mice were treated for 3 days with procarbazine, up to 150 mg/kg/day. Blood samples collected on Day 3 exhibited robust induction of MN‐RETs, with the high dose group exhibiting a mean 29‐fold increase. Blood collected 15 and 30 days after treatment began was analyzed for Pig‐a mutation with a dual labeling method that facilitated mutant cell frequency measurements in both total erythrocytes and the reticulocyte subpopulation. Procarbazine significantly increased mutant reticulocyte frequencies by Day 15. Mutant erythrocyte responses were also apparent, with a peak incidence observed for the high dose group on Day 30. These results demonstrate that the complex metabolism and resulting genotoxicity of procarbazine is best evaluated in intact animal models, and show that the flow cytometric methods employed offer a means to efficiently monitor both in vivo chromosomal damage and mutation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 54:294–298, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PHARMACOKINETICS AND METABOLISM OF A SELECTIVE ANDROGEN RECEPTOR MODULATOR IN RATS: IMPLICATION OF MOLECULAR PROPERTIES AND INTENSIVE METABOLIC PROFILE TO INVESTIGATE IDEAL PHARMACOKINETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROPANAMIDE IN PRECLINICAL STUDY

S-1 [3-(4-fluorophenoxy)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-propanamide] is one member of a series of potent selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) that are being explored and developed for androgen-dependent diseases. Recent studies showed that S-1 holds great promise as a novel therapeutic agent for benign hyperplasia [W. Gao, J. D. Kearbey, V. A. Nair, K. Chung, A. F. Parlow, D. D. Miller, and J. T. Dalton (2004) Endocrinology 145:5420–5428]. We examined the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of S-1 in rats as a component of our preclinical development of this compound and continued interest in structure-activation relationships for SARM action. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to treatment groups and received either an i.v. or a p.o. dose of S-1 at a dose level of 0.1, 1, 10, or 30 mg/kg. S-1 demonstrated a low clearance (range, 3.6–5.2 ml/min/kg), a moderate volume of distribution (range, 1460–1560 ml/kg), and a terminal half-life ranging from 3.6 to 5.2 h after i.v. doses. The oral bioavailability of S-1 ranged from 55% to 60%. Forty phase I and phase II metabolites of S-1 were identified in the urine and feces of male Sprague-Dawley rats dosed at 50 mg/kg via the i.v. route. The two major urinary metabolites of S-1 were a carboxylic acid and a sulfate-conjugate of 4-nitro-3-trifluoromethylphenylamine. Phase I metabolites arising from A-ring nitro reduction to an aromatic amine and B-ring hydroxylation were also identified in the urinary and fecal samples of rats. Furthermore, a variety of phase II metabolites through sulfation, glucuronidation, and methylation were also found. These studies demonstrate that S-1 is rapidly absorbed, slowly cleared, moderately distributed, and extensively metabolized in rats.
A new model for equitable and efficient resource allocation to schools: the Israeli case

This paper sets out a new budget allocation formula for schools, designed to achieve a more equitable distribution of educational achievement. In addition to needs-based elements, the suggested composite allocation formula includes an improvement component, whereby schools receive budgetary allocations based on a new incentive measure developed in this paper: Improvement in the Educational Achievement Distribution. The development of the budget allocation formula is demonstrated utilizing Israeli data. Large-scale, nationwide datasets relating students’ academic achievement to student background variables, teacher profiles, and school characteristics were analyzed to identify appropriate needs-based formula components and to estimate their weights. The results are compared with the funding formulas currently used in Israel.
Stratum lacunosum-moleculare interneurons of hippocampal CA1 region. I. Intracellular response characteristics, synaptic responses, and morphology

Stable intracellular recordings were obtained from nonpyramidal cells (interneurons) in stratum lacunosum-moleculare (L-M) of the CA1 region of guinea pig hippocampal slices. The intracellular response characteristics of these interneurons were distinctly different from responses of pyramidal cells and of other interneurons (basket cells and oriens-alveus interneurons). L-M interneurons had a high resting membrane potential (-58 mV), a high input resistance (64 M omega), and a large amplitude (60 mV), relatively long duration (2 msec) action potential. A large afterhyperpolarization (11 mV, 34 msec) followed a single action potential. Most L-M interneurons did not display any spontaneous firing. Lucifer yellow (LY)-filled L-M interneurons showed nonpyramidal morphology. Cells were generally fusiform or multipolar, with aspinous, beaded dendritic processes ramifying in stratum lacunosum-moleculare, radiatum, and (sometimes) oriens. The varicose axon originated from a primary dendrite, projected along stratum lacunosum-moleculare, branched profusely in stratum radiatum, and coursed toward and into stratum pyramidale and occasionally into oriens. Processes of cells with somata in the L-M region of CA1 were not restricted to the CA1 region. The dendritic and axonal processes of some L-M interneurons were seen ascending in stratum lacunosum- moleculare, crossing the hippocampal fissure, and coursing in stratum moleculare of the dentate gyrus. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs and IPSPs) were evoked in L-M interneurons from stimulation of major hippocampal afferents. EPSPs were most effectively elicited by stimulation of fiber pathways in transverse slices, whereas IPSPs were predominantly evoked when major pathways were stimulated in longitudinal slices. We have identified a population of interneurons with intracellular response characteristics and morphology distinctly different from previously described pyramidal and nonpyramidal neurons of CA1 region. The possible role of these interneurons in hippocampal circuitry is discussed.
Catechins and Their Therapeutic Benefits to Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Catechins are natural polyphenolic phytochemicals that exist in food and medicinal plants, such as tea, legume and rubiaceae. An increasing number of studies have associated the intake of catechins-rich foods with the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases in humans, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some studies have demonstrated that catechins could significantly inhibit the excessive oxidative stress through direct or indirect antioxidant effects and promote the activation of the antioxidative substances such as glutathione peroxidases (GPO) and glutathione (GSH), reducing the oxidative damages to the colon. In addition, catechins can also regulate the infiltration and proliferation of immune related-cells, such as neutrophils, colonic epithelial cells, macrophages, and T lymphocytes, helping reduce the inflammatory relations and provide benefits to IBD. Perhaps catechins can further inhibit the deterioration of intestinal lesions through regulating the cell gap junctions. Furthermore, catechins can exert their significant anti-inflammatory properties by regulating the activation or deactivation of inflammation-related oxidative stress-related cell signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), signal transducer and the activator of transcription 1/3 (STAT1/3) pathways. Finally, catechins can also stabilize the structure of the gastrointestinal micro-ecological environment via promoting the proliferation of beneficial intestinal bacteria and regulating the balance of intestinal flora, so as to relieve the IBD. Furthermore, catechins may regulate the tight junctions (TJ) in the epithelium. This paper elaborates the currently known possible molecular mechanisms of catechins in favor of IBD.
DBSCAN Revisited, Revisited

At SIGMOD 2015, an article was presented with the title “DBSCAN Revisited: Mis-Claim, Un-Fixability, and Approximation” that won the conference’s best paper award. In this technical correspondence, we want to point out some inaccuracies in the way DBSCAN was represented, and why the criticism should have been directed at the assumption about the performance of spatial index structures such as R-trees and not at an algorithm that can use such indexes. We will also discuss the relationship of DBSCAN performance and the indexability of the dataset, and discuss some heuristics for choosing appropriate DBSCAN parameters. Some indicators of bad parameters will be proposed to help guide future users of this algorithm in choosing parameters such as to obtain both meaningful results and good performance. In new experiments, we show that the new SIGMOD 2015 methods do not appear to offer practical benefits if the DBSCAN parameters are well chosen and thus they are primarily of theoretical interest. In conclusion, the original DBSCAN algorithm with effective indexes and reasonably chosen parameter values performs competitively compared to the method proposed by Gan and Tao.
Long-term follow-up of autotransplantation trials for multiple myeloma: update of protocols conducted by the intergroupe francophone du myelome, southwest oncology group, and university of arkansas for medical sciences.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to update outcomes of autotransplantation trials for myeloma conducted by the Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome (IFM), the Southwest Oncology Group, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (Total Therapy [TT]). METHODS IFM90 (N = 194), IFM04 (N = 402), IFM9902 (N = 692), IFM9904 (N = 197), S9321 (N = 817), TT1 (N = 231), TT2 (N = 668), and TT3 (N = 303) were updated, and results were compared with original reports. RESULTS Superior survival with single transplantation versus standard therapy in IFM90 was confirmed (P = .004), and a trend in favor of tandem versus single transplantation was maintained in IFM94 (P = .08). S9321 data were validated, with comparable survival in single transplantation and standard treatment arms (P = .35). A survival benefit from thalidomide maintenance in IFM9902 was not confirmed (P = .39) but emerged for the thalidomide arm of TT2 (P = .04). On multivariate analysis, survival was superior in TT2, TT3, and IFM9902 (all P < .001); tandem transplantations were superior to both single transplantations and standard therapies (P < .001), as were tandem transplantations with added thalidomide versus trials without thalidomide (P < .001). Postrelapse survival (PRS) was superior when initial event-free survival (EFS) exceeded 1280 days and when tandem transplantations had been administered, whereas PRS was shorter when EFS lasted 803 days or less and when trials had included thalidomide and bortezomib. CONCLUSION These long-term follow-up data of transplantation trials provide a crucial framework of reference for outcome reporting of novel agent-based trials reportedly exhibiting remarkable short-term efficacy approaching high-dose therapy results.
Effect of Adrenomedullin on the Cerebral Circulation: Relevance to Primary Headache Disorders

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is closely related to calcitonin gene-related peptide, which has a known causative role in migraine. Animal studies have strongly suggested that ADM has a vasodilatory effect within the cerebral circulation. For these reasons, ADM is also likely to be involved in migraine. However, the hypothetical migraine-inducing property and effect on human cerebral circulation of ADM have not previously been investigated. Human ADM (0.08 µg kg−1 min−1) or placebo (saline 0.9%) was administered as a 20-min intravenous infusion to 12 patients suffering from migraine without aura in a crossover double-blind study. The occurrence of headache and associated symptoms were registered regularly 24 h post infusion. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by 133Xenon single-photon emission computed tomography, mean blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (VMCA) by transcranial Doppler and the diameter of peripheral arteries by transdermal ultrasound (C-scan). ADM did not induce significantly more headache or migraine compared with placebo (P = 0.58). CBF was unaffected by ADM infusion (global CBF, P = 0.32 and rCBFMCA, P = 0.38) and the same applied for the VMCA (P = 0.18). The superficial temporal artery dilated compared with placebo (P < 0.001), and facial flushing was seen after ADM administration (P = 0.001). In conclusion, intravenous ADM is not a mediator of migraine headache and does not dilate intracranial arteries.
Audio quality in lossy networks for media‐specific forward error correction schemes

A media‐specific forward error correction (FEC) is used to prevent the loss of audio packets due to noise or interference in the transmission and buffer overflow in the router. In this FEC scheme, for nth packet, the redundant data are added in (n + ϕ)th packet where ϕ is called the offset. In this paper, we consider an M/M/1/K queueing system and derive some simple expressions for calculating the audio qualities of the aforementioned schemes. We analytically and numerically show some counter‐examples and characteristics for these FEC schemes by using our analytical model. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temporal Segregation between Dung-Inhabiting Beetle and Fly Species

The coexistence of ecologically similar species (i.e. species utilizing the same resource) is a major topic in ecology. Communities are assembled either through the biotic interactions of ecologically similar species, e.g. competition, or by the abiotic separation of species along gradients of environmental conditions. Here, we investigated the temporal segregation, succession and seasonality of dung-inhabiting Coleoptera and Diptera that utilize an identical resource in exactly the same way. The data were collected from two temperate pastures, one in the United Kingdom and the second in the Czech Republic. There was no evident temporal separation between ecologically similar coleopterous or dipterous taxa during succession. In contrast, these two orders were almost perfectly separated seasonally in both combined and site-specific datasets. Flies were most abundant in the summer, and beetles were more abundant in the spring and autumn. Ecologically similar beetles and flies also displayed seasonal separation in both combined and site-specific data. Analyses within site-specific data sets revealed such a separation at both the order and species level. Season is therefore the main temporal axis separating ecologically similar species of dung-inhabiting insects in temperate habitats, while succession aggregates species that may have similar environmental tolerances (to e.g. dung moisture). This separation between ecologically similar taxa of beetles and flies may be attributable to either competition-based niche separation or to temperature tolerance-based habitat filtering, since flies have peak activity in warmer months while beetles have peak activity in cooler months.
Lesion Activity on Brain MRI in a Chinese Population with Unilateral Optic Neuritis

Longitudinal studies have shown that brain white matter lesions are strong predictors of the conversion of unilateral optic neuritis to multiple sclerosis (MS) in Caucasian populations. Consequently brain MRI criteria have been developed to improve the prediction of the development of clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS). In Asian populations, optic neuritis may be the first sign of classical or optic-spinal MS. These signs add to the uncertainty regarding brain MRI changes with respect to the course of unilateral optic neuritis. The aim of this study was to examine the association between brain lesion activity and conversion to CDMS in Chinese patients with unilateral optic neuritis. A small prospective cohort study of 40 consecutive Chinese patients who presented with unilateral optic neuritis was conducted. Brain lesion activity was recorded as the incidence of Gd-enhanced lesions and new T2 lesions. Brain lesions on MRI that were characteristic of MS were defined according to the 2010 revisions of the McDonald criteria. The primary endpoint was the development of CDMS. We found that nineteen patients (48%) had brain lesions that were characteristic of MS on the initial scan. One of these patients (3%) had Gd-enhanced brain lesions. A significantly lower percentage of the patients (10%, p<0.001) presented with new T2 brain lesions on the second scan. During a median of 5 years of follow-up, seven patients (18%) developed CDMS. There was no significant difference in the conversion rate to CDMS between patients with and without brain lesions that were characteristic of MS (4/19 and 3/21, respectively; Fisher exact test, one-sided, p = 0.44). We conclude that brain lesions characteristic of MS are common in Chinese patients with unilateral optic neuritis; however, these patients exhibit low lesion activity. The predictive value of brain lesion activity for CDMS requires investigation in additional patients.
Tensile behavior of hybrid composites of carbon fibers—steel wire mesh reinforced polymer

Abstract Tensile behavior of hybrid composites made with carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polymer and stainless steel wire mesh (SM) was investigated through tensile tests using three different types of SM and two different CF orientations. Also, four different layers of CF and three different layers of SM were used as an auxiliary parameter. The use of SM could increase the initial stiffness, peak load, and ultimate strain. These were also increased by increasing the number of CF layers. Finally, an analytical model for predicting the load–strain curves of the hybrid composites was proposed and showed good agreement with the experimental results.
Queen ' s University Belfast-Research Portal On the MIMO Capacity with Residual Transceiver Hardware Impairments

Radio-frequency (RF) impairments in the transceiver hardware of communication systems (e.g., phase noise (PN), high power amplifier (HPA) nonlinearities, or inphase/quadrature-phase (I/Q) imbalance) can severely degrade the performance of traditional multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. Although calibration algorithms can partially compensate these impairments, the remaining distortion still has substantial impact. Despite this, most prior works have not analyzed this type of distortion. In this paper, we investigate the impact of residual transceiver hardware impairments on the MIMO system performance. In particular, we consider a transceiver impairment model, which has been experimentally validated, and derive analytical ergodic capacity expressions for both exact and high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). We demonstrate that the capacity saturates in the high-SNR regime, thereby creating a finite capacity ceiling. We also present a linear approximation for the ergodic capacity in the low-SNR regime, and show that impairments have only a second-order impact on the capacity. Furthermore, we analyze the effect of transceiver impairments on large-scale MIMO systems; interestingly, we prove that if one increases the number of antennas at one side only, the capacity behaves similar to the finite-dimensional case. On the contrary, if the number of antennas on both sides increases with a fixed ratio, the capacity ceiling vanishes; thus, impairments cause only a bounded offset in the capacity compared to the ideal transceiver hardware case.
Corpus callosal thickness in alcoholics.

Summary The coronal thickness of the corpus callosum in alcoholics and age- and sex-matched controls was measured in a postmortem study. The alcoholics were found to have a significantly (p <0.001) reduced corpus callosal thickness (3.19 mm) when compared to the controls (4.02 mm). This adds weight to the previous pathological finding of reduced white matter volume in alcoholics, which presumably correlates with brain shrinkage seen on CT scans. A significant linear relationship exists between age and the corpus callosal thickness in controls and the white matter volume and corpus callosal thickness in alcoholics.
Relevance of information quality studies in information systems education in Australia

Tertiary degrees in Information Systems offered in Australian Universities seem to align in favor of advertised job requirements. The advertisements themselves are influenced by the understanding and awareness of the actual requirements of the job by the advertisement writer/ publisher. Often, replicated from other websites or old documents, these advertisements may offer misleading insights into the actual requirements of long term employment in a particular Information Systems related field. This research aims to investigate the requirement for Information Quality skills in Information System related jobs. This will ultimately assist Information Systems curriculum developers to update existing Information Systems course structures to meet Information Quality technical skill demands in long term Information Systems employment.
Brain electrical source imaging in manic and depressive episodes of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (BD) electroencephalographic (EEG) studies have reported varying results. The present study compared EEG in BD during manic and depressive episodes, using brain electrical source imaging [standardized low‐resolution electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA)] to assess the cortical spatial distribution of the sources of EEG oscillation frequencies.
Don’t want to show fellow students my naughty bits: Medical students’ anxieties about peer examination of intimate body regions at six schools across UK, Australasia and Far-East Asia

Background: Although recent quantitative research suggests that medical students are reluctant to engage in peer physical examination (PPE) of intimate body regions, we do not know why. Aim: This article explores first-year medical students’ anxieties about PPE of intimate body regions at six schools. Methods: Using the Examining Fellow Students (EFS) questionnaire, we collected qualitative data from students in five countries (UK; Australia; New Zealand; Japan; Hong Kong) between 2005 and 2007. Results: Our framework analysis of 617 (78.7%) students’ qualitative comments yielded three themes: present and future benefits of PPE; possible barriers to PPE; and student stipulations for successful PPE. This article focuses on several sub-themes relating to students’ anxieties about PPE of intimate body regions and their associated sexual, gender, cultural and religious concerns. By exploring students’ euphemisms about intimate areas, our findings reveal further insights into the relationship between students’ anxieties, gender and culture. Conclusion: First-year students are anxious about examining intimate body regions, so a staged approach starting with manikins is recommended. Further qualitative research is needed employing interviews to explore in depth students’ anxieties about examinations of intimate body regions and how their views are shaped by interactions with peers, patients and doctors.