Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypolactasia & lactose intolerance among three ethnic groups in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Prevalence of adult-type hypolactasia is known to vary among different countries and in different ethnic populations in the same country. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of hypolactasia and lactose intolerance in three different ethnic populations living in similar environmental conditions in Malaysia. The correlation between different symptoms and lactose intolerance test was also studied. METHODS A total of 300 Malaysian subjects from three different ethnic populations: Malays, Chinese and Indians (100 volunteers in each group, 18-49 yr old working or studying in a University) were included. Urine galactose excretion and gastrointestinal symptoms were measured after lactose intake (50 g). RESULTS Based on galactose excretion, 88 per cent of the Malays, 91 per cent of the Chinese and 83 per cent of the Indians were hypolactasic. The differences were statistically not significant. When the symptoms were also considered, prevalence of lactose intolerance appeared to be significantly lowest among the Indians. When the subjects were divided into low, middle and high galactose excretion groups some correlation was found between the symptoms and galactose excretion. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION There was no clear association between hypolactasia and gastrointestinal symptoms in all the study groups. However, the lactose intolerance was high in all the study groups indicating the increasing demand for low lactose dairy products in the Asian countries.
Systemic theory applied to ecology, geography and spatial planning

Starting from a critical comparative analysis of how the systemic conception is applied in geography, ecology and spatial planning, with a particular focus on the new concept of ‘territorial system’, the book demonstrates the hypothesis according to which the transfer of statistical methods currently used to study ecological systems toward the analysis of territorial systems is not only possible, but also beneficial based on theoretical foundations and six case studies developed at several spatial scales. The methodological import shapes both a hierarchy of the methods (by analogy with biostatistics) based on the goal and needs related to the manner of interpreting the results, and an algorithm for applying these instruments. People from the academia and research, both theoreticians and practitioners of the three fields (geography, ecology and territorial planning) can find a useful tool in their teaching and research activities. Nevertheless, in a more general sense the book looks at the very essence of more disciplines, and philosophers of science could be interested too.
Unleashing Potential: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over the Right Posterior Parietal Cortex Improves Change Detection in Low-Performing Individuals

The limits of human visual short-term memory (VSTM) have been well documented, and recent neuroscientific studies suggest that VSTM performance is associated with activity in the posterior parietal cortex. Here we show that artificially elevating parietal activity via positively charged electric current through the skull can rapidly and effortlessly improve people's VSTM performance. This artificial improvement, however, comes with an interesting twist: it interacts with people's natural VSTM capability such that low performers who tend to remember less information benefitted from the stimulation, whereas high performers did not. This behavioral dichotomy is explained by event-related potentials around the parietal regions: low performers showed increased waveforms in N2pc and contralateral delay activity (CDA), which implies improvement in attention deployment and memory access in the current paradigm, respectively. Interestingly, these components are found during the presentation of the test array instead of the retention interval, from the parietal sites ipsilateral to the target location, thus suggesting that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was mainly improving one's ability to suppress no-change distractors located on the irrelevant side of the display during the comparison stage. The high performers, however, did not benefit from tDCS as they showed equally large waveforms in N2pc and CDA, or SPCN (sustained parietal contralateral negativity), before and after the stimulation such that electrical stimulation could not help any further, which also accurately accounts for our behavioral observations. Together, these results suggest that there is indeed a fixed upper limit in VSTM, but the low performers can benefit from neurostimulation to reach that maximum via enhanced comparison processes, and such behavioral improvement can be directly quantified and visualized by the magnitude of its associated electrophysiological waveforms.
Board Forum Crawling: A Web Crawling Method for Web Forum

We present a new method of board forum crawling to crawl Web forum. This method exploits the organized characteristics of the Web forum sites and simulates human behavior of visiting Web forums. The method starts crawling from the homepage, and then enters each board of the site, and then crawls all the posts of the site directly. Board forum crawling can crawl most meaningful information of a Web forum site efficiently and simply. We experimentally evaluated the effectiveness of the method on real Web forum sites by comparing with the traditional breadth-first crawling. We also used this method in a real project, and 12000 Web forum sites have been crawled successfully. These results show the effectiveness of our method
Restitution analysis of alternans using dynamic pacing and its comparison with S1S2 restitution in heptanol-treated, hypokalaemic Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts

Action potential duration (APD) and conduction velocity restitution explain the dependence of these parameters on the previous diastolic interval (DI). It is considered to be an adaptive mechanism for preserving diastole at fast heart rates. Hypokalaemia is known to induce ventricular arrhythmias that could be prevented by heptanol, the gap junction uncoupler, mediated through increases in ventricular refractory period (VERP) without alterations in APDs. The present study investigated alternans and restitution properties during normokalaemia, hypokalaemia alone or hypokalaemia with heptanol (0.1 mM) in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts using a dynamic pacing protocol. APD90 alternans were elicited in the epicardium and endocardium during normokalaemia. Hypokalaemia increased the amplitudes of epicardial APD90 alternans when basic cycle lengths (BCLs) were ≤65 msec, which was associated with increases in maximum APD90 restitution gradients, critical DIs and APD90 heterogeneity. Heptanol (0.1 mM) did not exacerbate or reduce the APD90 alternans or alter these restitution parameters further. By contrast, endocardial APD90 alternans did not show increases in amplitudes during hypokalaemia at short BCLs studied, and restitution parameters were also unchanged. This was true whether in the presence or absence of 0.1 mM heptanol. The study demonstrates that anti-arrhythmic effects of heptanol exerted during hypokalaemia occurred despite exacerbation of APD90 alternans. This would suggest that even in the presence of arrhythmogenic APD90 alternans, arrhythmias could still be prevented by influencing VERP alone. Restitution data obtained here by dynamic pacing were compared to previous data from S1S2 pacing.
Mode Selection, Resource Allocation, and Power Control for D2D-Enabled Two-Tier Cellular Network

This paper proposes a centralized decision making framework at the macro base station (MBS) for device-to-device (D2D) communication underlaying a two-tier cellular network. We consider a D2D pair in the presence of an MBS and a femto access point, each serving a user, with quality of service constraints for all users. Our proposed solution encompasses mode selection (choosing between cellular or reuse or dedicated mode), resource allocation (in cellular and dedicated mode), and power control (in reuse mode) within a single framework. The framework prioritizes D2D dedicated mode if the D2D pair is close to each other and orthogonal resources are available. Otherwise, it allows D2D reuse mode if the D2D satisfies both the maximum distance and an additional interference criteria. For reuse mode, we present a geometric vertex search approach to solve the power allocation problem. We analytically prove the validity of this approach and show that it achieves near optimal performance. For cellular and dedicated modes, we show that frequency sharing maximizes sum rate and solve the resource allocation problem in a closed form. Our simulations demonstrate the advantages of the proposed framework in terms of the performance gains achieved in the D2D mode.
FLUOROSIS RISKS TO RESIDENT HISPID COTTON RATS ON LAND-TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR PETROCHEMICAL WASTES

Land-treatment of petroleum wastes is a widely used industrial practice, yet there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the long-term risks to human or terrestrial ecosystems from such practices. We evaluated cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) populations on three sites in Oklahoma (USA) that historically used land-treatment for disposal of various petroleum wastes (July 1995–March 1997). Average concentrations of fluoride in soil from these sites ranged from 878 to 4317 mg/kg. A census of resident cotton rats on land-treatment sites revealed a high incidence (40% overall) of dental lesions compared to reference populations (<1% dental lesions). During winter there was a 34% to 65% increase compared to summer in frequency of dental lesions in cotton rats on two of the three land-treatment sites. Incidence of dental lesions on two land-treatment sites was greater (9–16%) in female cotton rats compared to males. Cotton rats from land-treatment sites had higher concentrations of fluoride in bone and greater severity of dental lesions compared to reference animals. Dental lesions were considered to be most consistent with dental fluorosis because of elevated fluoride in bone. Neither concentration of fluoride in soil nor level of fluoride in bone was a good predictor of severity of dental lesions in cotton rats on land-treatment sites.
Adaptive Signature Design: An Adaptive Clinical Trial Design for Generating and Prospectively Testing A Gene Expression Signature for Sensitive Patients

Purpose: A new generation of molecularly targeted agents is entering the definitive stage of clinical evaluation. Many of these drugs benefit only a subset of treated patients and may be overlooked by the traditional, broad-eligibility approach to randomized clinical trials. Thus, there is a need for development of novel statistical methodology for rapid evaluation of these agents. Experimental Design: We propose a new adaptive design for randomized clinical trials of targeted agents in settings where an assay or signature that identifies sensitive patients is not available at the outset of the study. The design combines prospective development of a gene expression–based classifier to select sensitive patients with a properly powered test for overall effect. Results: Performance of the adaptive design, relative to the more traditional design, is evaluated in a simulation study. It is shown that when the proportion of patients sensitive to the new drug is low, the adaptive design substantially reduces the chance of false rejection of effective new treatments. When the new treatment is broadly effective, the adaptive design has power to detect the overall effect similar to the traditional design. Formulas are provided to determine the situations in which the new design is advantageous. Conclusion: Development of a gene expression–based classifier to identify the subset of sensitive patients can be prospectively incorporated into a randomized phase III design without compromising the ability to detect an overall effect.
SAR650984, A Novel Humanized CD38-Targeting Antibody, Demonstrates Potent Antitumor Activity in Models of Multiple Myeloma and Other CD38+ Hematologic Malignancies

Purpose: The CD38 cell surface antigen is expressed in diverse hematologic malignancies including multiple myeloma, B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and T-cell ALL. Here, we assessed the antitumor activity of the anti-CD38 antibody SAR650984. Experimental Design: Activity of SAR650984 was examined on lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma cell lines, primary multiple myeloma samples, and multiple myeloma xenograft models in immunodeficient mice. Results: We identified a humanized anti-CD38 antibody with strong proapoptotic activity independent of cross-linking agents, and potent effector functions including complement-dependent cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), equivalent in vitro to rituximab in CD20+ and CD38+ models. This unique antibody, termed SAR650984, inhibited the ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity of CD38, likely through an allosteric antagonism as suggested by 3D structure analysis of the complex. In vivo, SAR650984 was active in diverse NHL, ALL, and multiple myeloma CD38+ tumor xenograft models. SAR650984 demonstrated single-agent activity comparable with rituximab or cyclophosphamide in Daudi or SU-DHL-8 lymphoma xenograft models with induction of the proapoptotic marker cleaved capase-7. In addition, SAR650984 had more potent antitumor activity than bortezomib in NCI-H929 and Molp-8 multiple myeloma xenograft studies. Consistent with its mode of action, SAR650984 demonstrated potent proapoptotic activity against CD38+ human primary multiple myeloma cells. Conclusion: These results validate CD38 as a therapeutic target and support the current evaluation of this unique CD38-targeting functional antibody in phase I clinical trials in patients with CD38+ B-cell malignancies. Clin Cancer Res; 20(17); 4574–83. ©2014 AACR.
Rat models of post‐irradiation recovery of spermatogenesis: interstrain differences

Recently, we reported large differences between rat strains in spermatogenesis recovery at 10 weeks after 5‐Gy irradiation suggesting that there are interstrain as well as interspecies differences in testicular radiation response. To determine whether these interstrain differences in sensitivity might be a result of the particular dose and time‐point chosen, we performed dose–response and time–course studies on sensitive Brown‐Norway (BN) and more resistant spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. Type A spermatogonia were observed in atrophic tubules at 10 weeks after irradiation in all strains indicating that tubular atrophy was caused by a block in their differentiation, but the doses to produce the block ranged from 4.0 Gy in BN to 10 Gy in SD rats. Although the numbers of type A spermatogonial were unaffected at doses below 6 Gy, higher doses reduced their number, indicating that stem cell killing also contributed to the failure of recovery. After 10 weeks, there was no further recovery and even a decline in spermatogonial differentiation in BN rats, but in SHR rats, sperm production returned to control levels by 20 weeks after 5.0 Gy and, after 7.5 Gy, differentiation resumed in 60% of tubules by 30 weeks. Suppression of testosterone and gonadotropins after irradiation restored production of differentiated cells in nearly all tubules in BN rats and in all tubules in SHR rats. Thus, the differences in recovery of spermatogenesis between strains were a result of both quantitative differences in their sensitivities to a radiation‐induced, hormone‐dependent block of spermatogonial differentiation and qualitative interstrain differences in the progression of post‐irradiation recovery. The progression of recovery in SHR rats was similar to the prolonged delays in recovery of human spermatogenesis after cytotoxic agent exposure and thus may be a system for investigating a phenomenon also observed in men.
Clinical significance of early smoking withdrawal effects and their relationships with nicotine metabolism: preliminary results from a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION Although the early time course of smoking withdrawal effects has been characterized, the clinical significance of early withdrawal symptoms and their predictors are unknown. This study evaluated the relationships of early smoking withdrawal effects with quit attempt outcomes and the rate of nicotine metabolism. METHODS Eleven treatment-seeking smokers abstained from smoking for 4 hr in the laboratory before a quit attempt. Withdrawal measures included heart rate, sustained attention, and self-report. Following baseline assessment, withdrawal measures were administered every 30 min. At the conclusion of the 4-hr early withdrawal session, participants received a brief smoking cessation intervention and then returned 1 week and 12 weeks later for outcome assessments that included biochemically confirmed smoking abstinence, cigarettes smoked in the past 24hr, and self-reported withdrawal symptoms. The rate of nicotine metabolism was estimated at intake with the nicotine metabolite ratio (trans-3'-hydroxycotinine/cotinine) measured in saliva. RESULTS Greater self-reported negative affect and concentration difficulty during early withdrawal, most notably anxiety, were related with poorer quit attempt outcomes. There was some indication that although a faster increase in craving and greater hunger during early withdrawal were associated with more favorable outcomes, a greater decrease in heart rate during this time was associated with poorer outcomes. Faster nicotine metabolism was related to a faster increase in anxiety but a slower increase in craving during early withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS These findings lend support to the clinical significance of early smoking withdrawal effects. The rate of nicotine metabolism may be a useful predictor of early withdrawal symptoms.
Hydrogen and helium line formation in OB dwarfs and giants - A hybrid non-LTE approach

Aims. Hydrogen and helium line spectra are crucial diagnostic features for the quantitative analysis of OB stars. Hybrid non-LTE line-formation calculations for these elements have not been discussed thoroughly so far, despite their wide use for analyses of metal line spectra. We compute synthetic spectra based on a hybrid non-LTE approach in order to test the ability of these models to reproduce high-resolution and high-S/N spectra of dwarf and giant stars and also to compare them with published grids of non-LTE (OSTAR2002) and LTE (Padova) models. Methods. Our approach solves the restricted non-LTE problem based on classical line-blanketed LTE model atmospheres. State-of-the-art model atoms and line-broadening theories are employed to model the H and He i$/$ii spectra over the entire optical range and in the near-IR. Results. A comparison with published line-blanketed non-LTE models validates the suitability of the LTE approximation for modelling the atmospheric structure of late O to early B-type dwarf and giant stars at metallicities down to (at least) 1/5$\times$solar. Our hybrid non-LTE synthetic spectra simultaneously match almost all measurable hydrogen and helium lines observed in six test stars over a wide spectral range from the Balmer limit to the near-IR, except for only a few well-understood cases. A robust starting point for studies of the metal spectra is thus established. Our approach reproduces other published non-LTE calculations, but avoids inconsistencies in the modelling of the He i singlets. These have recently been discussed in the literature in the context of O-type stars and we show that they persist in the early B-types. Our approach improves on published pure LTE models – widely applied for OB star analyses – in many aspects: non-LTE strengthening and the use of improved line-broadening data result in significant differences in the line profiles and equivalent widths of the Balmer and helium lines. Where possible, systematic effects on the stellar parameter determination are quantified, e.g. gravities derived from the H γ wings may be overestimated by up to ~0.2 dex for dwarfs at our upper temperature boundary of 35 000 K in LTE.
CHIP is a chaperone‐dependent E3 ligase that ubiquitylates unfolded protein

The ubiquitin–proteasome system catalyses the immediate destruction of misfolded or impaired proteins generated in cells, but how this proteolytic machinery recognizes abnormality of cellular proteins for selective elimination remains elusive. Here, we report that the C‐terminus of Hsc70‐interacting protein (CHIP) with a U‐box domain is an E3 ubiquitin‐ligase collaborating with molecular chaperones Hsp90 and Hsc70. Thermally denatured firefly luciferase was multiubiquitylated by CHIP in the presence of E1 and E2 (Ubc4 or UbcH5c) in vitro, only when the unfolded substrate was captured by Hsp90 or Hsc70 and Hsp40. No ubiquitylating activity was detected in CHIP lacking the U‐box region. CHIP efficiently ubiquitylated denatured luciferase trapped by the C‐terminal region of Hsp90, which contains a CHIP binding site. CHIP also showed self‐ubiquitylating activity independent of target ubiquitylation. Our results indicate that CHIP can be regarded as ‘a quality‐control E3’ that selectively ubiquitylates unfolded protein(s) by collaborating with molecular chaperones.
Learning physics through computer games

Physics today is not taught in a way that is easy to understand and it is because of this that students lose interest in physics and eventually drop out of the subject. As physics is involved in everything in life; engineering, electronics, medicine, and space being some examples, it is vital that the basic concepts can be understood and explained. Fortunately, modern technology has the means to inject some much needed interest into the subject, and allows for multiple new formats of learning. Technology influences most of everyday life and therefore it provides an exciting solution to the problems faced within physics education. This paper aims to provide an alternative platform for physics education in a format that appeals to users. As computer games are becoming ever-increasingly popular, their role in education becomes more and more vital. In this work, a prototype was developed to teach physics concepts and could potentially be used to supplement traditional teaching methods. As a result of this work, a series of short games displaying physics principles were developed and the results of testing and evaluation suggest that video games can be a viable educational medium and could be applied to a wide range of areas.