Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trustworthy Distributed Search and Retrieval over the Internet

This paper describes iTrust, a novel distributed search and retrieval system that provides trustworthy acce ss to information over the Internet. iTrust involves distribu tion of metadata and requests, matching of requests and metadata , and retrieval of information corresponding to metadata. Nodes with information to distribute transmit their metadata to n odes that are selected at random from a set of participating nodes . Similarly, nodes seeking information distribute their requests to nodes that are selected at random from the set of participati ng nodes. When a node receives a request, the node tries to match the metadata in the request with the metadata that it holds. I f the node has a match, it supplies a URL for the information to the requesting node, which then retrieves the information from the source node. This paper provides a performance evaluation of iTrust, based on both analysis and simulation using our implementation of iTrust. Distribution of metadata and requests to relatively few nodes suffices to achieve a hig probability of a match. Keywords-information distribution and retrieval; distributed search and retrieval; trustworthy information access
Mechanical Evolution of Lime Mortars during the Carbonation Process

Lime mortar is one of the most ancient and durable building materials. It is characterized by a slow carbonation during which Ca(OH)2 reacts with CO2 present in air and forms calcite, giving rise to a stronger and more compact material. This process takes place from the surface to the interior of the material and it is strongly affected by the reaction conditions. The aim of this study is to quantify the increase in strength and elasticity of different lime mortars according to their carbonation degree. For that, six types of mortars were elaborated, with different lime/aggregate proportions and aggregate mineralogy and grading. Mineralogical and textural studies were carried out to follow the carbonation process. Each mortar was tested in a uniaxial compression press after 15, 28, 60 days from the elaboration. In order to differentiate the mechanical behaviour of the external and internal parts of the mortars, two micro-samples (10×10×10 mm) were obtained from the first 10 mm and from the core of each prism. Results show that an increase in strength and especially in the elastic modulus is associated to the carbonation process, but it is different depending on the composition and compactness of the mortars.
Blood Pressure and NaCl-Sensitive Hypertension Are Influenced by Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene Expression in Transgenic Mice

ACE plays an important role in the regulation of arterial pressure; however, a linear relationship between ACE expression and arterial pressure has not been demonstrated. The present study employed telemetric monitoring in female transgenic mice to determine the influence of partial and complete deletion of the ACE gene on basal arterial pressure and arterial pressure responses to a high-NaCl diet. On the basal NaCl diet, 24-hour mean arterial pressure was significantly correlated with the number of functional copies of the ACE gene; ie, arterial pressure was lowest in 0-copy (80±1 mm Hg), intermediate in 1-copy (100±1 mm Hg), and highest in 2-copy (113±1 mm Hg) ACE mice. The high-NaCl diet significantly increased mean arterial pressure in 0-copy (99±1 mm Hg) and 1-copy (108±1 mm Hg) mice but not in 2-copy mice (114±1 mm Hg). These results demonstrate a copy-dependent relationship between ACE gene expression and both basal arterial pressure and arterial pressure responses to a high-NaCl diet, suggesting that either partial or complete reduction in the ACE gene can alter arterial pressure.
Mobile family learning in the science museum

This paper presents the development and evaluation of a mobile app for families visiting a science museum in Thailand. The app was designed to help adults in family groups to support children's learning during the visit while learning about new science concepts and ideas themselves. The design of the app was based on a family learning needs analysis study. The evaluation focused on the impacts of the app on family learning outcomes and on family engagement with exhibits. Findings suggest that the app (a) significantly increased family dwell time, (b) provided an additional platform for family interactions, and (c) amplified learning outcomes.
Uptake of natural and anthropogenic carbon by the Labrador Sea

We apply to Classical Labrador Sea Water (CLSW) the transit‐time distribution (TTD) method to estimate the inventory and uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (Cant). A model of TTDs representing bulk‐advection and diffusive mixing is constrained with CFC11 data. The constrained TTDs are used to propagate Cant into CLSW, allowing the air‐sea disequilibrium to evolve consistently. Cant in the Labrador Sea (LS) surface waters cannot keep pace with increasing atmospheric CO2 and is highly undersaturated. Our best estimate for 2001 is an anthropogenic inventory of 1.0 Gt C and an uptake of 0.02 Gt C/year. By additionally using the constraint of present‐day CO2 measurements, we estimate that the preindustrial LS was neutral or a weak source of CO2 to the atmosphere. Our estimates are subject to possible error due to the assumption of steady‐state transport and carbon biochemistry.
Assessment of the Environmental Effects on the Performance of FRP Repaired Steel Pipes Subjected to Internal Pressure

The use of composite materials for repair and rehabilitation of corroded steel pipes has been increasingly growing in the oil and gas industry. However, there exists a noticeable gap in the literature on the long term performance of composite repaired pipes, especially those subjected to large internal pressure magnitudes. This work is an attempt toward filing the gap by gaining a better understanding of the effects of environmental conditions on the long term performance of composite repaired pipes subjected to large internal pressures. Finite element method (FEM) is used to simulate typical composite warp-repaired gouged steel pipes, conditioned in various environments and subsequently subjected to internal pressure. The influence of the resulting degradation in composite’s mechanical properties on the performance of the system was evaluated. To validate the results, an experimental program was designed and carried out. Repaired specimens were conditioned in an environmental chamber under certain thermal and moisture conditions; then, the specimens were tested to failure subject to internal pressure. Good correlation was obtained after fine tuning of FEM model’s material data through the use of the experimentally obtained data.
Eukaryotic Penelope-Like Retroelements Encode Hammerhead Ribozyme Motifs

Small self-cleaving RNAs, such as the paradigmatic Hammerhead ribozyme (HHR), have been recently found widespread in DNA genomes across all kingdoms of life. In this work, we found that new HHR variants are preserved in the ancient family of Penelope-like elements (PLEs), a group of eukaryotic retrotransposons regarded as exceptional for encoding telomerase-like retrotranscriptases and spliceosomal introns. Our bioinformatic analysis revealed not only the presence of minimalist HHRs in the two flanking repeats of PLEs but also their massive and widespread occurrence in metazoan genomes. The architecture of these ribozymes indicates that they may work as dimers, although their low self-cleavage activity in vitro suggests the requirement of other factors in vivo. In plants, however, PLEs show canonical HHRs, whereas fungi and protist PLEs encode ribozyme variants with a stable active conformation as monomers. Overall, our data confirm the connection of self-cleaving RNAs with eukaryotic retroelements and unveil these motifs as a significant fraction of the encoded information in eukaryotic genomes.
Pathway for Phloem-Dependent Movement of Pepper Mottle Potyvirus in the Stem of Capsicum annuum.

ABSTRACT Phloem-dependent movement of pepper mottle potyvirus (PepMoV) through Capsicum annuum occurs in a defined pattern through the stem and into uninoculated leaves. The route of movement of PepMoV through the stem of C. annuum 'Early Calwonder' was tracked using immunotissue blot analysis and immunomicroscopy. Virus was shown to move from the inoculated leaf down the stem toward the roots via the external phloem. At some location between the cotyledonary node and the roots, PepMoV entered the internal phloem through which it rapidly spread upward the length of the stem to the young tissues. Translocation of PepMoV through the stem occurred in an asymmetric fashion, i.e., virus remained on the side of the stem to which the inoculated leaf was attached as it translocated the length of the stem. Spread and accumulation of PepMoV into uninoculated leaves appeared to occur in a source-to-sink pattern similar to that described for the flow of photoassimilates and similar to other virus and viroid-host systems.
Effect of sodium chloride and pH on the rate of neutralization of Cypridina luciferase by specific antibody.

The effect of sodium chloride concentration and pH on the kinetics of the neutralization of Cypridina luciferase by antiluciferase γ-globulin has been investigated. Determination of the rate of neutralization in the presence of excess γ-globulin showed that approximately 60% of the initial activity was neutralized according to pseudo-first order kinetics. The rate of neutralization increased on lowering the sodium chloride concentration and decreased on increasing the salt concentration. The rate also increased in going from pH 7.0 to 5.4 at low salt concentrations, but was insensitive to variation in hydrogen ion concentration at high salt concentrations. At low ionic strengths, the observed results conformed to the predictions of the Brönsted theory of the primary salt effect on reaction kinetics. Consequently, the rate changes observed in the presence of sodium and chloride ions were considered as being due to their effect on the “activity” of an intermediate “activated complex. ” Alternatively, the effect of salt and hydrogen ion concentration on reaction rate was also considered in terms of a modified diffuse double layer affecting the collision frequency of the molecules. Determination of the rate constants at varying hydrogen ion concentrations, and subsequent analysis of the data in terms of an interaction between a single ionic species of luciferase and antibody, indicated the involvement of active groups possessing pK1 = pK2 = pK3 = 5 and pK4 ≧ 8.
Comparison between the nutritional quality of flour obtained from raw, roasted and fermented sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seed grown in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND The most common form of utilization of sesame seed is its roasting, which supplies nutrients to the diet. Therefore, in view of the nutritional values of sesame seeds, the present study aimed at investigating the effect of roasting and fermentation 011 the nutritional quality of sesame flour. MATERIAL AND METHODS Nigeria grown white sesame seeds (NC'RI-98-60) were collected from National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI). Badegi. Nigeria. The seeds were divided into three portions, and treated as raw. roasted and fermented sesame seeds respectively. Each of the samples was milled, sieved and analysed for chemical composition using standard methods. Animal studies were used to evaluate the raw and processed sesame in terms of nutritional and histopathological qualities. RESULTS The ranges of proximate contents from sesame were: protein 15.4-26.5 g/100 g. fat 52.4-62.8 g/100 g, crude fibre 3.34-3.89 g/100 g. ash 3.93-6.78 g/100 g. carbohydrate 11.7-13.4 g/100 g and energy value 550.7-593.7 kcal/g. Among the minerals, calcium was highest (464-567 mg/100 g) followed by phosphorus (442-508 mg/100 g). magnesium (399-455 mg/100 g) and potassium (336-489 mg/100 g). Total essential amino acid was within the range of 26.66-32.73 mg/100 g and these values were higher than FAO/WHO dietary requirement for infant and adult. Fatty acid profiles of raw. roasted and fermented sesame showed a predominance of oleic acid (46.43%, 44.20%, and 43.16%, respectively) followed by linoleic acid (36.76%. 39.02%, and 39.67%); while the least was behenic acid. The unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio ranges between 5.01-5.13. Phytate and oxalate concentrations of fermented sesame were significantly reduced than other food samples. In general, fermented sesame was found to have to have better nutritional quality as indicated by rat growth response. Correspondingly, the Food Efficiency Ratio (FER) value of 0.16 was higher than raw and roasted sesame respectively. Significantly higher Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) value was also obtained for fermented sesame. The organ to body ratios of the test animals were influenced by treatments as recorded on heart, kidney, spleen, liver and pancreas. CONCLUSION The present study investigated the effect of roasting and fermentation 011 the nutritional quality of sesame flour. The findings showed that roasting and fermentation could enhance the nutritional quality of sesame seeds without detrimental effect 011 human.
Towards a Novel Molecular Classification of IBD

Classifying IBD patients is important for decisions on the intensity of follow-up, therapy and mode of delivery. The most recent classification of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the Montreal classification, is based on clinical grounds: for CD, the age at diagnosis and disease location and behavior and for UC, the age at diagnosis and the extent of disease. During the Working Party in 2005 in Montreal, it was judged by the panel of experts that a molecular reclassification using serology and/or genetic markers was too premature and not yet justified. In the meanwhile, the number of genes associated with IBD has increased to >100 and more antimicrobial peptides have also been identified. We recently showed that genetic variants enable the classification of CD patients in distinct clusters, which is different from clusters seen in healthy individuals. Furthermore, there was a poor relationship between the genetic-based subgroups and the clinical subphenotypes being used. The promising role for molecular markers lies most likely in disease stratification, the prediction of prognosis at the time of diagnosis and the prediction of therapy outcome. The behavior of CD and UC varies between patients, and the characteristic transmural inflammation in CD – when untreated – will often progress and lead to stricture or fistula formation over time. Predicting which patients are at risk for progression to complications and how fast this occurs could have therapeutic implications, as more aggressive treatment strategies could become defendable in the appropriate patient. Genetic factors are definitively more appealing for risk stratification on more solid grounds. Molecular markers may also better explain changes in disease behavior from a pathogenic standpoint, and by combining several markers this strategy can approach clinical utility. Before starting to apply molecular markers to predict disease behaviors, tools should be made available to score disease progression. Only then could the value of molecular markers to predict the speed of progression be fully explored in prospective studies.
Racial/Ethnic and gender prevalences in reported common pains in a national sample.

AIMS To compare prevalences of self-reported temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJMD)-type pain, headaches, and neck and back pains in the 2000 to 2005 US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) by gender and age for non-Hispanic Whites (Whites), Hispanics, and non-Hispanic Blacks (Blacks). METHODS Data from the 2000 to 2005 NHIS included information on gender, age, race, ethnicity, and different common types of pain specifically: TMJMD-type pain, severe headaches/migraine, neck, and low back pains. RESULTS A total of 189,992 people were included: 52% female and 48% male, 73% White, 12% Hispanic, 11% Black, and 4% "Other. " The overall prevalence of TMJMD-type pain was 4.6%; severe headaches/migraine was 15.4%; neck, 14.9%; and low back, 28.0%. Survey logistic regression models estimating race-specific, age-adjusted curves revealed race by age pain differences. For TMJMD-type pain, White females presented the highest prevalence at younger ages, decreasing after age 40. Prevalences for Hispanic and Black females, although lower at younger ages, increased up to age 60 and remained higher than Whites. Males showed less racial/ethnic and age variation. Severe headaches/migraines presented an age pattern similar to TMJMD-type pain for White females and little overall variation for males, but without racial differences. Neck pain showed some similarities to TMJMD-type pain: higher in Whites at younger ages, lower at older ages, with Hispanics having the highest rates after their 60's. For low back pain, the rates peaked around the sixth decade for all racial/ethnic groups. CONCLUSION The patterns of TMJMD-type pain varied greatly within and across racial/ethnic groups by gender and across the adult lifespan. Similarities and differences for the other pains were noted.
microRNAs in the Regulation of Adipogenesis and Obesity

Worldwide obesity is a growing health problem, associated with increased risk of chronic disease. Understanding the molecular basis of adipogenesis and fat cell development in obesity is essential to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the development of anti-obesity drugs. microRNAs (miRNAs) appear to play regulatory roles in many biological processes associated with obesity, including adipocyte differentiation, insulin action and fat metabolism. Recent studies show miRNAs are dysregulated in obese adipose tissue. During adipogenesis miRNAs can accelerate or inhibit adipocyte differentiation and hence regulate fat cell development. In addition miRNAs may regulate adipogenic lineage commitment in multipotent stem cells and hence govern fat cell numbers. Recent findings suggest miR-519d may be associated with human obesity, but larger case-control studies are needed. Few miRNA targets have been experimentally validated in adipocytes but interestingly both miR-27 and miR-519d target PPAR family members, which are well established regulators of fat cell development. In this review recent advances in our understanding of the role of miRNAs in fat cell development and obesity are discussed. The potential of miRNA based therapeutics targeting obesity is highlighted as well as recommendations for future research which could lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of obesity.
Endothelin receptor antagonism does not prevent the development of in vivo glyceryl trinitrate tolerance in the rat.

There is evidence that increased endothelial production of endothelin-1 (ET-1) may contribute to glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) tolerance. We used the competitive ET(A) receptor antagonist ZD2574 to determine whether chronic ET(A) receptor blockade affected the biochemical and functional responses to GTN during the development of GTN tolerance in vivo. Tolerance induced using transdermal GTN patches resulted in a 5.3 +/- 1.2-fold increase in the EC(50) value for GTN relaxation in isolated aorta from GTN-tolerant rats. Coadministration of ZD2574 (100 mg kg(-1) t.i. d. for 3 days) during tolerance induction had no effect on GTN-induced relaxation. This dose of ZD2574 markedly blunted the pressor response to ET-1, indicating effective blockade of ET(A) receptors, and also abolished the initial transient depressor response to ET-1, indicating that blockade of endothelial ET(B) receptors also occurred using this dosage regimen for ZD2574. Consistent with the relaxation data, coadministration of ZD2574 had no effect on the decrease in GTN-induced cGMP accumulation or on the decrease in GTN biotransformation that occurred in aortae from GTN-tolerant animals. Radioimmunoassay data indicated that the GTN tolerance induction protocol caused a 2.3 +/- 0.4-fold and a 2.2 +/- 0.5-fold increase in total tissue ET-1 levels in tolerant aorta and vena cava, respectively. These data suggest that chronic inhibition of ET receptors by ZD2574 was not sufficient to prevent or diminish the tolerance-inducing effects of GTN, and that the increase in ET-1 levels observed in tolerant tissues may occur as a consequence of the vascular changes that occur during chronic GTN exposure.
Compensatory investment in zebra finches: females lay larger eggs when paired to sexually unattractive males

The classical version of the differential allocation hypothesis states that, when females reproduce over their lifetime with partners that differ in their genetic quality, they should invest more in reproduction with high-quality males. However, in species with lifetime monogamy, such as the zebra finch, partner quality will typically remain the same. In this case, the compensatory investment (CI) hypothesis predicts higher investment for low-quality males, because low genetic quality offspring are more dependent on maternal resources. Here, we show that female zebra finches invested more resources, both in terms of egg volume and yolk carotenoid content, when paired to a low genetic quality male, as judged from his previous ability to obtain extra-pair paternity in aviary colonies. We also found that females deposited slightly larger amounts of testosterone into eggs when paired to a low parental quality male, as judging from his previous success in rearing offspring. This is, to our knowledge, the first experimental support for the CI hypothesis in a species with lifetime monogamy. We stress that in more promiscuous species, the benefits of classical differential allocation may partly be neutralized by the supposed benefits of CI.
The role of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced small intestinal injury

Abstract Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been implemented in clinical settings for a long time for their anti-inflammatory effects. With the number of NSAID users increasing, gastroenterological physicians and researchers have worked hard to prevent and treat NSAID-induced gastric mucosal injury, an effort that has for the large part being successful. However, the struggle against NSAID-induced mucosal damage has taken on a new urgency due to the discovery of NSAID-induced small intestinal mucosal injury. Although the main mechanism by which NSAIDs induce small intestinal mucosal injury has been thought to depend on the inhibitory effect of NSAIDs on cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, recent studies have revealed the importance of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which occurs independently of COX-inhibition. ROS production is an especially important factor in the increase of small intestinal epithelial cell permeability, an early stage in the process of small intestinal mucosal injury. By clarifying the precise mechanism, together with its clinical features using novel endoscopy, effective strategies for preventing NSAID-induced small intestinal damage, especially targeting mitochondria-derived ROS production, may be developed.