Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What is new in therapy?

Has the new millennium been accompanied by the anticipated medical progress? Molecular medicine has advanced and the human genome has been mapped, but perhaps the true measure of progress is to assess the latest developments in drug therapy, arguably the most important indicators of progress. The rigour of clinical trials conducted according to good clinical practice guidelines is stronger than ever and licensing requirements are more stringent. If we are to practise evidence-based medicine, trials need to be of large numbers and have sufficient power. This puts the onus on the pharmaceutical industry to be the innovators. However, for many of the rarer, less profitable dermatoses, small pilot studies undertaken by innovative dermatologists remain our only evidence. With this in mind, I have tried to select the best from all manner of clinical trials published in 2000 and up to July 2001. This is not a systematic review and is not exhaustive.
Semantic Image Profiling for Historic Events: Linking Images to Phrases

Automatically generating image profiles for historic events is desired for history knowledge preservation and curation. However, a simple profile with groups of related images lacks explicit semantic information, such as which images correspond to which aspects of the event. In this paper, we propose to add explicit semantic information to image profiling by linking images in the profile with related phrases in the event description. We measure the relevance of an image-phrase pair via a real-valued matching score. We exploit instance-wise ranking loss function to learn the matching score and we deal with two challenges: 1) how to automatically generate labeled positive data: we leverage out-of-domain labeled datasets to generate pseudo positive in-domain labels and propose a new algorithm (WIL4PPL) to robustly learn the model from the noisy pseudo positive labels; 2) how to automatically generate negative data: we propose a negative set generation algorithm to guide the model in learning which phrases and images to distinguish. We compare our model to three baselines and conduct detailed analysis and case studies to verify the quality of learnt semantic information. The extensive experiment results show the effectiveness of our proposed algorithms which significantly outperform the baselines.
The Rich Get Richer: Preferential Attachment in the Task Allocation of Cooperative Networked Multiagent Systems With Resource Caching

In networked multiagent systems (NMASs) with resource caching, resource replicas are cached in favor of the agents who accessed such resources most recently and frequently. Task execution in NMASs is described through agents' operations when accessing necessary resources distributed in the networks, and thus, agents with richer experiences executing tasks will have higher access to resources. To optimize tasks' resource access time, we investigate two types of preferential attachments in the task allocation of NMASs with resource caching: history and present preferential attachments, in which an agent has higher access to a resource if that agent has richer history (or present) accessing experiences for that resource. Therefore, agents that were (or are) heavily burdened by tasks may have certain preferential rights to new tasks in the future. Our experiments found that preferential attachment in task allocation can effectively reduce tasks' execution time, particularly when the network context is considered and the number of tasks is high. In addition, we discovered two interesting phenomena: (1) Compromise between preferential attachment and load balancing can achieve better performance than single preferential attachment when there are too many tasks waiting, and (2) the integration of history and present preferential attachments can outperform either history or present preferential attachment alone in task allocation.
AIDS-Risk among Street Children and Youth: Implications for Intervention

With the co-operation of staff and volunteers from non-governmental programmes in nine South African cities, focus group discussions were held with 141 street children and youth, 79 of whom were enrolled in shelter programmes while 62 were still living independently on the streets. The group discussions focused on knowledge about transmission and prevention, attitudes towards AIDS and people with AIDS, and sexual and other behaviours related to AIDS risk. Both quantitative and qualitative information on the topics covered was extracted from the transcriptions of the discussions. The results indicated that, on a superficial level, South African street youth possessed relatively good knowledge about transmission and prevention. However, a more critical analysis showed that knowledge is obscured by moral imputations. In addition, street youth disclosed extremely negative attitudes to condoms and to people with AIDS. Accounts of sexual behaviour confirmed that street children and youth engage in a number of high-risk behaviours. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for intervention and, in particular, the inadequacies of the Health Belief Model and related theories, as the sole theoretical foundation for the design of intervention programmes.
X-Ray Constraints on the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium

Three observational constraints can be placed on a warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM) using ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter pointed observations and survey data: the emission strength, the energy spectrum, and the fluctuation spectrum. The upper limit to the emission strength of the WHIM is 7.5 ± 1.0 keV s-1 cm-2 sr-1 keV-1 in the keV band, an unknown portion of which value may be due to our own Galactic halo. The spectral shape of the WHIM emission can be described as thermal emission with log T = 6.42, although the true spectrum is more likely to come from a range of temperatures. The values of the emission strength and spectral shape are in reasonable agreement with hydrodynamical cosmological models. The autocorrelation function in the 0.44 keV < E < 1.21 keV band range, w(θ), for the extragalactic soft X-ray background (SXRB), which includes both the WHIM and the contributions due to point sources, is ≲0.002 for 10′ < θ < 20′ in the keV band. This value is lower than the Croft et al. cosmological model by a factor of ~5 but is still not inconsistent with cosmological models. It is also found that the normalization of the extragalactic power-law component of the SXRB spectrum must be 9.5 ± 0.9 keV s-1 cm-2 sr-1 keV-1 to be consistent with the ROSAT All-Sky Survey.
The effects of compound 45/80, morphine, and mast cell depletion on electroshock seizure in mice

AIM The effects of compound 48/80 (C48/80), morphine, and mast cell depletion on maximal electroshock seizure (MES) were studied in Swiss albino mice. EXPERIMENTAL An electrical current (60Hz, 0.2 msec) inducing convulsions in 50% of the animals (CC50) was assessed as 46 mA. Compound 48/80 (5 mg/kg) and morphine (100mg/kg) were administered subcutaneously. CC50 was applied separately to electroshock-unexposed animal groups at 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min after the onset of the experiment. In untreated controls, the percent of seizure induced by CC50 and percent of death among mice having convulsions were 50 and 20, respectively. RESULTS After C48/80, a significant increase in rates of seizure at 60th and 120th min and death beyond 60th min (p < .0001) indicates a pro-convulsive action of the drug, probably caused by a reduction in MES threshold. In contrast, rate of seizure tended to decrease following mast-cell depletion, which was readily reversed by C48/80 at the 60th min (p < .0001). Mast-cell depletion, alone or plus morphine, significantly increased the death percentage of convulsions. Morphine alone reduced the percentage of seizure induced by the application of CC50 in the mast-cell depleted animals (anticonvulsive action) but increased the percent of dying animals by as much as 100% at the 30th and 60th min (p < .0001). Combined morphine + C48/80 not only augmented the anticonvulsive effect of morphine at the 30th min but also nullified the rate of death among mice having convulsions. CONCLUSION We concluded that compound 48/80 (1) penetrates into the central nervous system to produce a central effect; (2) acts as pro-convulsive, and (3) paradoxically augments the anticonvulsive action of morphine, likely caused by the ability of the compound to increase the permeability of blood-brain barrier for morphine or by the release of histamine from mast cells in the brain, acting as anticonvulsant through the stimulation of H1 receptors or both. The precise mechanism of the increased death rate by C48/80 or morphine in intact and in mast-cell-depleted mice appears to involve pro-convulsive effects, cardiovascular impairment, and respiratory depression. The nullification of morphine-induced lethal toxicity by C48/80 could be due to the antagonistic interaction of the drug with opiate receptors in the brain.
Functional analyses of the C-terminal half of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad52 protein

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad52 protein is essential for efficient homologous recombination (HR). An important role of Rad52 in HR is the loading of Rad51 onto replication protein A-coated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), which is referred to as the recombination mediator activity. In vitro, Rad52 displays additional activities, including self-association, DNA binding and ssDNA annealing. Although Rad52 has been a subject of extensive genetic, biochemical and structural studies, the mechanisms by which these activities are coordinated in the various roles of Rad52 in HR remain largely unknown. In the present study, we found that an isolated C-terminal half of Rad52 disrupted the Rad51 oligomer and formed a heterodimeric complex with Rad51. The Rad52 fragment inhibited the binding of Rad51 to double-stranded DNA, but not to ssDNA. The phenylalanine-349 and tyrosine-409 residues present in the C-terminal half of Rad52 were critical for the interaction with Rad51, the disruption of Rad51 oligomers, the mediator activity of the full-length protein and for DNA repair in vivo in the presence of methyl methanesulfonate. Our studies suggested that phenylalanine-349 and tyrosine-409 are key residues in the C-terminal half of Rad52 and probably play an important role in the mediator activity.
Personality Trait Development During the Transition to Parenthood

Social investment theory (SIT) proposes that the transition to parenthood triggers positive personality trait change in early adulthood. Using data from a representative sample of first-time parents compared to nonparents, the results of rigorous tests do not support the propositions of SIT. Specifically, we found no evidence for the proposition that parents show more pronounced mean-level increases in emotional stability, agreeableness, and conscientiousness compared to nonparents. We did find that agreeableness and openness changed depending on how long someone was in the parent role. Finally, our results suggest that high extraversion and low openness in both genders and high conscientiousness in females predict the likelihood to enter into parenthood. Discussion focuses on why this transition seems to be unrelated to mean-level personality trait change and the implications of these results for SIT.
Flexible 3D searching: The directed tweak technique

published in Advance ACS Abstracts, January 15, 1994. 0095-2338/94/ 1634-01 90$04.50/0 mations themselves are then discarded. The conformations are regenerated using the same technique after the hits are found. The problem with these approaches is that the number of conformations required to span conformational space is extremely large. In active analog studies using the systematic search technique, it is often found that millions of conformations are required to span conformational space? In 3D searching, the same will be true unless the query has very large tolerances. If in addition, only conformations which are energy minimized are generated, another problem is seen. Often, the bound conformation is not an energy minimal conformation. In fact, the receptor often activates the structure by placing it in a more energetic conformation.1° Thus, using only a handful of energy-minimal conformations for 3D searching will bypass many relevant conformations. A better approach is to investigate the flexibility of the molecule at search-time, using the query to direct the conformation changes needed to find a match to the query. We call this “query-directed conformational exploration”. Many techniques have been investigated. These techniques include systematic search (from SYBYL”), random search, distance geometry, genetic algorithm, and directed tweak. The results of these investigations are reported by Willett and Clark. ’* This paper reports the details of the directed tweak technique, which is the method of choice from among those investigated. Directed tweak is a torsional space minimizer, in which the rotatable bonds of the structures are adjusted at search time to produce a conformation which matches the 3D query as closely as possible. This involves the use of analytical derivatives and, because of this, is a very fast technique. This method is applicable when the queries contain distance constraints only. The flexibility of the ring systems can also be investigated with this technique. The conformations of the structures that match the query must not be extremely high in energy. To this end, thedirected tweak technique also can address the van der Waals interactions between the atoms of the database structure, thus producing energy-accessible conformers which present the query geometry. HISTQRY The directed tweak method for 3D searching is based on the random tweak method used for protein loop searching reported by Levinthal et d . 1 3 and uses torsional space Q 1994 American Chemical Society THE DIRECTED TWEAK TECHNIQUE IN 3D SEARCHING Angles Required position Closure Structurally Conserved Region of Protein Figure 1. Random tweak technique for protein loop generation.
Biliverdin Administration Prevents the Formation of Intimal Hyperplasia Induced by Vascular Injury

Background—Autologous vein grafts and balloon angioplasty are still commonly used for arterial reconstructive procedures. Their success is limited by the development of intimal hyperplasia (IH). Biliverdin (BVD), one of the by-products of heme degradation, has been shown to have potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. We hypothesized that BVD administration would protect vascular tissue against vascular injury. Methods and Results—The effects of BVD administration against IH after vascular injury were analyzed in an arterialized vein graft model and a balloon injury model in rats. BVD treatment significantly suppressed the development of IH in both models compared with those without BVD. The mechanisms by which BVD treatment inhibits IH development might include decreasing c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase activation and preventing apoptosis of endothelial cells. BVD also suppressed vascular smooth muscle cell migration in vitro. Conclusions—BVD administration prevented IH associated with arterialized vein graft vasculopathy or balloon angioplasty-induced vessel injury. These results suggest that a treatment regimen with exogenous BVD administration could provide an effective therapeutic adjunct to facilitate transfer of experimental treatments for vascular injury to the clinic.
Extracellular potassium dependency of block of HERG by quinidine and cisapride is primarily determined by the permeant ion and not by inactivation.

Drug induced Long QT syndrome results primarily from block of the cardiac potassium channel HERG (human-ether-a-go-go related gene). In some cases prolongation of the QT interval can result in the lethal arrhythmia torsade de pointes, an arrhythmia characterized by a rapid heart rate and severely compromised cardiac output. Many patients requiring medication present with abnormal serum electrolyte levels due to a variety of conditions including gastrointestinal dysfunction, renal and endocrine disorders, diuretic use, alcoholism, and aging. Extracellular cations have significant influence on HERG channel gating and in some instances they have been shown to alter drug block of HERG. However, the mechanisms by which drug block is altered in different extracellular cation solutions are not well understood. In this study, HERG block by quinidine and cisapride was assessed in extracellular solutions of calcium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, and tetraethylammonium (TEA) using two-electrode voltage clamping of Xenopus oocytes. Consistent with previous reports we show that increases in extracellular potassium reduce HERG block by quinidine and cisapride. We also show that increasing extracellular rubidium and cesium reduced HERG block by quinidine and cisapride whereas increasing extracellular calcium and extracellular TEA did not alter HERG block by quinidine and cisapride. These results demonstrate that at lower extracellular potassium concentrations, the permeant ion is almost exclusively responsible for the reduction in quinidine and cisapride block of HERG due to increases in extracellular potassium.
Energy-optimal mobile application execution: Taming resource-poor mobile devices with cloud clones

In this paper, we propose to leverage cloud computing to tame resource-poor mobile devices. Specifically, mobile applications can be executed in the mobile device (known as mobile execution) or offloaded to the cloud clone for execution (known as cloud execution), with an objective to conserve energy for mobile device. The energy-optimal execution policy is obtained by solving two constrained optimization problems, i.e., how to optimally configure the clock frequency to complete CPU cycles for mobile execution, and how to optimally schedule the data transmission for cloud execution in order to achieve the minimal energy within time delay. Closed-form solutions are obtained for both cases and applied to decide the optimal condition under whether the local execution or the remote execution is more energy-efficient for the mobile device. Moreover, numerical results illustrate that a significant amount of energy (e.g., up to 13 times for a typical mobile application profile) can be saved by optimally offloading the mobile application to the cloud clone.
Abundances for globular cluster giants: I. homogeneous metallicities for 24 clusters

We have obtained high resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio CCD echelle spectra of 10 bright red giants in 3 globular clusters (47 Tuc, NGC 6752 and NGC 6397) roughly spanning the whole range of metallicities of the galactic globular cluster system. The analysis of this newly acquired material reveals no significant evidence of star-to-star variation of the [Fe/H] ratio in these three clusters. Moreover, a large set of high quality literature data (equivalent widths from high dispersion CCD spectra) was re-analyzed in an homogeneous and self-consistent way to integrate our observations and derive new metal abundances for more than 160 bright red giants in 24 globular clusters (i.e. about 16% of the known population of galactic globulars). This set was then used to define a new metallicity scale for globular clusters which is the result of high quality, direct spectroscopic data, of new and updated model atmospheres from the grid of Kurucz(1992), and of a careful fine abundance analysis; this last, in turn, is based on a common set of both atomic and atmospheric parameters for all the stars examined. Given the very high degree of internal homogeneity, our new scale supersedes the offsets and discrepancies existing in previous attempts to obtain a metallicity scale. The internal uncertainty in [Fe/H] is very small: 0.06 dex (24 clusters) on average, and can be interpreted also as the mean precision of the cluster ranking. Compared to our system, metallicities on the widely used Zinn and West's scale are about 0.10 dex higher for [Fe/H], 0.23 dex lower for [Fe/H] and 0.11 dex too high for [Fe/H]. The non-linearity of the Zinn and West's scale is significant even at 3σ level. A quadratic transformation is given to correct older values to the new scale in the range of our calibrating clusters ([Fe/H]). A minor disagreement is found at low metallicities between the metallicity scale based on field and cluster RR Lyrae variables (via a new calibration of the index) and our new cluster metallicities. It could be tentatively ascribed to non-linearity in the [Fe/H] relationship. The impact of new metallicities on major astrophysical problems is exemplified through a simple exercise on the Oosterhoff effect in the classical pair M 3 and M 15.
Are supervisors using theoretical perspectives in their work? A descriptive survey among Swedish-approved clinical supervisors.

AIM The aim of the study was to explore the theoretical perspectives in use by approved clinical nursing supervisors in Sweden. BACKGROUND For the time being, we know little of the theoretical perspectives in use on a daily basis by the clinical nursing supervisors in Sweden. METHODS A questionnaire (n = 49) and follow-up telephone interviews (n = 14) were used. Data analysis was made by descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The result from the questionnaire showed that the supervisors often used and combined different theoretical perspectives with origins in nursing, education and psychology. Surprisingly, one-fourth of the respondents did not state any nursing theoretical perspective in use during clinical nursing supervision. The result from the interviews revealed that the theory of Katie Eriksson (1987) was the most commonly used nursing perspective. CONCLUSION As the overall aim for clinical nursing supervision is to improve nursing for the patient/family, the supervisor's competence in nursing is essential. Given this fact, and that only three-quarters of the approved clinical nursing supervisors stated a use of theoretical nursing perspective when supervising, there is obviously a need for further investigations in this area. In addition, there is also a need for approved Swedish clinical nursing supervisors, to further become aware of the theoretical perspective in use that supports their clinical nursing supervision. Clinical nursing supervision is a multifaceted activity that needs to be supported by different nursing theoretical perspectives including physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual as well as socio-cultural aspects.