Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lymphatic absorption of α-linolenic acid in rats fed flaxseed oil-based emulsion

The bioavailability of α-linolenic acid (ALA) from flaxseed oil in an emulsified form v. a non-emulsified form was investigated by using two complementary approaches: the first one dealt with the characterisation of the flaxseed oil emulsion in in vitro gastrointestinal-like conditions; the second one compared the intestinal absorption of ALA in rats fed the two forms of the oil. The in vitro study on emulsified flaxseed oil showed that decreasing the pH from 7·3 to 1·5 at the physiological temperature (37°C) induced instantaneous oil globule coalescence. Some phase separation was observed under acidic conditions that vanished after further neutralisation. The lecithin used to stabilise the emulsions inhibited TAG hydrolysis by pancreatic lipase. In contrast, lipid solubilisation by bile salts (after lipase and phospholipase hydrolysis) was favoured by preliminary oil emulsification. The in vivo absorption of ALA in thoracic lymph duct-cannulated rats fed flaxseed oil, emulsified or non-emulsified, was quantified. Oil emulsification significantly favoured the rate and extent of ALA recovery as measured by the maximum ALA concentration in the lymph (Cmax = 14 mg/ml at 3 h in the emulsion group v. 9 mg/ml at 5 h in the oil group; P < 0·05). Likewise, the area under the curve of the kinetics was significantly higher in the emulsion group (48 mg × h/ml for rats fed emulsion v. 26 mg × h/ml for rats fed oil; P < 0·05). On the whole, ALA bioavailability was improved with flaxseed oil ingested in an emulsified state. Data obtained from the in vitro studies helped to partly interpret the physiological results.
On the treeing characteristics in the interface of FRP

Electrical treeing characteristics of fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) have been investigated on a set of specially made samples with a single-core glass fibre. It is pointed out that the direction of a glass fibre at an angle of /spl Theta/ with the electric field and the diameter of a glass fibre have significant effects on the initiation and propagation of tree in the interface of FRP. The morphology of tree and mechanism of treeing in samples were discussed. <<ETX>>
ALMI: An Application Level Multicast Infrastructure

The IP multicast model allows scalable and efficient multi-party communication, particularly for groups of large size. However, deployment of IP multicast requires substantial infrastructure modifications and is hampered by a host of unresolved open problems. To circumvent this situation, we have designed and implemented ALMI, and application level group communication middleware, which allows accelerated application deployment and simplified network configuration, without the need of network infrastructure support. ALMI is tailored toward support of multicast groups of relatively small size (several 10s of members) with many to many semantics. Session participants are connected via a virtual multicast tree, which consists of unicast connections between end hosts and is formed as a minimum spanning tree (MST) using application-specific performance metric. Using simulation, we show that the performance penalties, introducted by this shift of multicast to end systems, is a relatively small increase in traffic load and that ALMI multicast trees approach the efficiency of IP multicast trees. We have also implemented ALMI as a Java based middleware package and performed experiments over the Internet. Experimental results show that ALMI is able to cope with network dynamics and keep the multicast tree efficient.
Sensitivity analysis using type-based constraints

Function sensitivity --- how much the result of a function can change with respect to linear changes in the input --- is a key concept in many research areas. For instance, in differential privacy, one of the most common mechanisms for turning a (possibly privacy-leaking) query into a differentially private one involves establishing a boundon its sensitivity. One approach to sensitivity analysis is to use a type-based approach, extending the Hindley-Milner type system with functional types capturing statically the sensitivity of a functional expression. This approach --- based on affine logic --- has been used in Fuzz, a language for differentially private queries. We describe an automatic typed-based analysis that infers and checks the sensitivity annotations for simple functional programs. We have implemented a prototype in Fuzz's compiler. The first component of the analysis extends the typechecker to generate nonlinear constraints over the positive real numbers extended with infinity, which are then checked by the Z3 SMT solver; a solution for them will provide an upper bound on the sensitivity annotations and ensure the correctness of the annotations. We also present a simple sensitivity minimization procedure and demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach by analyzing several examples.
In Vitro Morphogenesis of Arabidopsis to Search for Novel Endophytic Fungi Modulating Plant Growth

Fungal endophytes have shown to affect plant growth and to confer stress tolerance to the host; however, effects of endophytes isolated from water plants have been poorly investigated. In this study, fungi isolated from stems (stem-E) and roots (root-E) of Mentha aquatica L. (water mint) were identified, and their morphogenetic properties analysed on in vitro cultured Arabidopsis (L.) Heynh. , 14 and 21 days after inoculation (DAI). Nineteen fungi were analysed and, based on ITS analysis, 17 isolates showed to be genetically distinct. The overall effect of water mint endophytes on Arabidopsis fresh (FW) and dry weight (DW) was neutral and positive, respectively, and the increased DW, mainly occurring 14 DAI, was possibly related to plant defence mechanism. Only three fungi increased both FW and DW of Arabidopsis at 14 and 21 DAI, thus behaving as plant growth promoting (PGP) fungi. E-treatment caused a reduction of root depth and primary root length in most cases and inhibition-to-promotion of root area and lateral root length, from 14 DAI. Only Phoma macrostoma, among the water mint PGP fungi, increased both root area and depth, 21 DAI. Root depth and area 14 DAI were shown to influence DWs, indicating that the extension of the root system, and thus nutrient uptake, was an important determinant of plant dry biomass. Reduction of Arabidopsis root depth occurred to a great extent when plants where treated with stem-E while root area decreased or increased under the effects of stem-E and root-E, respectively, pointing to an influence of the endophyte origin on root extension. M. aquatica and many other perennial hydrophytes have growing worldwide application in water pollution remediation. The present study provided a model for directed screening of endophytes able to modulate plant growth in the perspective of future field applications of these fungi.
Studies on the role of the metK gene product of Escherichia coli K‐12

We show here that the metK gene is essential to the growth of Escherichia coli K‐12 and can be deleted only in the presence of a rescue plasmid carrying a functional metK gene. When metK expression was limited, genomic DNA methylation decreased and cell division was hampered. Through primer extension, the transcription start site of metK was located at 140 bp upstream of the translation start site. The frequently used metK84 mutant has been shown to carry an A(r)G transition in the −10 region of the metK promoter. This accounts for its low level of S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthetase and SAM deficiency.
Transient elastohydrodynamic analysis of elliptical contacts. Part 3: Non-Newtonian lubricant solution under isothermal and thermal conditions

Abstract Transient non-Newtonian elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) of elliptical point contacts was investigated numerically under both thermal and isothermal conditions. The multi-level technique used in Parts 1 and 2 of this series of papers for determining pressure and film thickness and the column-by-column relaxation technique used in Part 2 for temperature calculation were used again in this study. However, both Newtonian and non-Newtonian lubricant properties were considered, with the Ree-Eyring model being adopted in the latter case. The entrainment direction was assumed to be along the minor axis of the contact ellipse. A simplified numerical scheme for the evaluation of the equivalent shear stress and viscosity of the non-Newtonian lubricant was proposed and verified by comparing the steady-state thermal solutions without the simplification. The computing time required for a transient thermal and non-Newtonian case was typically ∼14 h on a personal computer with a 2.8 GHz central processing unit. For a steel-steel contact, the responses of the EHL films to a transient load impulse were determined for the non-Newtonian lubricant under both isothermal and thermal conditions. The isothermal non-Newtonian results were compared with those in Part 1, and the thermal results were compared with those presented in Part 2. A similar investigation for a glass-steel contact is also reported.
Factor structure of the Wechsler memory scale-revised in relation to age and educational level.

The factor structure of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised was examined for 3 age groups (<or=39, 40-55, >or= 56) and three educational levels (< 12, 12. > 12) in a large group of patients (n = 434) referred for examination at two large medical centers. The subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale Revised were subjected to principal components factor analyses. A separate set of analyses were performed that included the Verbal IQ and Performance IQ scores from the WAIS-R. Consistent with previous reports of age related changes in spatial function there appeared to be somewhat greater loading of nonverbal memory tests on verbal factors with increasing age. Inclusion of IQ scores appeared to have an affect on the content and relative prominence of the various factors in those subgroups formed on the basis of educational level. The results are discussed in regard to clinical use of the WMS-R and directions for future research.
GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC PATIENTS IN THE HEALTH CENTERS OF SAUDI ARABIA

This paper presents general guidelines for the management of diabetic patients within the primary health care (PHC) system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It intends to enhance PHC physicians’ knowledge and improve clinical practice to ensure better management of people with diabetes mellitus. A stepwise (Algorithm) management approach for different categories of diabetic patients, including diet, exercise, and drugs, is suggested. The peculiarities of Family Medicine, e.g., adopting the biopsychosocial model, the holistic approach, and relations with the hospital are considered.
Nurses' views on ethical codes: a focus group study.

AIM This paper reports a study exploring nurses' views on the 'potential' content and functions of an ethical code for nurses in Belgium. The term 'potential' is used, because Belgian nurses do not have experience with an ethical code. BACKGROUND Ethical codes have been developed to guide nurses' practice and to improve their professional status. Little empirical research, however, has been undertaken to determine nurses' views on the content and functions of these codes. The available quantitative studies merely give some information on nurses' (lack of) knowledge and use of their ethical code. No nursing ethical code currently exists in Belgium. Qualitative research exploring nurses' views, therefore, was needed in order to find out which functions an ethical code could fulfil and what the code's content could be. METHOD Eight focus groups were conducted with 50 nurses in different healthcare settings in Belgium. Data were generated during 2003. FINDINGS According to participants, an ethical code could fulfil several functions, including supporting their professional nursing identity (external function) and giving guidelines for nursing practice (internal function). In addition, some aspects of content were mentioned, including nurses' responsibilities in a relational context: particular attention should be paid to the personality of the nurse and to the specificity of nursing as a relational activity. Most agreement was reached on the 'ethical' function of the code, namely guiding nurses' professional moral practice. Regarding disciplinary use and the need for legalization of the ethical code, on the contrary, opinions were divergent. CONCLUSIONS It is of utmost importance to take into account nurses' views when developing an ethical code for their profession. This study gave a first picture of the views of nurses themselves. These initial findings should be completed with nurses' views on the formulation, dissemination and promotion of the ethical code. Such evidence-based development of an ethical code will probably give more guarantees that the code will meet nurses' expectations and will function optimally.
Progenitor cells in pulmonary vascular remodeling

Pulmonary hypertension is characterized by cellular and structural changes in the walls of pulmonary arteries. Intimal thickening and fibrosis, medial hypertrophy and fibroproliferative changes in the adventitia are commonly observed, as is the extension of smooth muscle into the previously non-muscularized vessels. A majority of these changes are associated with the enhanced presence of a-SM-actin+ cells and inflammatory cells. Atypical abundances of functionally distinct endothelial cells, particularly in the intima (plexiform lesions), and also in the perivascular regions, are also described. At present, neither the origin(s) of these cells nor the molecular mechanisms responsible for their accumulation, in any of the three compartments of the vessel wall, have been fully elucidated. The possibility that they arise from either resident vascular progenitors or bone marrow-derived progenitor cells is now well established. Resident vascular progenitor cells have been demonstrated to exist within the vessel wall, and in response to certain stimuli, to expand and express myofibroblastic, endothelial or even hematopoietic markers. Bone marrow–derived or circulating progenitor cells have also been shown to be recruited to sites of vascular injury and to assume both endothelial and SM-like phenotypes. Here, we review the data supporting the contributory role of vascular progenitors (including endothelial progenitor cells, smooth muscle progenitor cells, pericytes, and fibrocytes) in vascular remodeling. A more complete understanding of the processes by which progenitor cells modulate pulmonary vascular remodeling will undoubtedly herald a renaissance of therapies extending beyond the control of vascular tonicity and reduction of pulmonary artery pressure.
Adult‐derived neural precursors transplanted into multiple regions in the adult brain

Neural stem cells persist in the adult brain subventricular zone (SVZ). These cells generate a large number of new neurons that migrate to the olfactory bulb, where they complete their differentiation. Here, we transplanted cells carrying β‐galactosidase under the control of neuron‐specific enolase promoter (NSE::LacZ) from the SVZ of adult mice into the striatum cortex and olfactory bulb, with or without an excitotoxin lesion. Between 2 and 8 weeks after transplantation, grafted cells were present in the recipient regions, but extensive migration and differentiation into mature neurons of grafted cells were only observed in the olfactory bulb. Clusters of graft‐derived neuroblasts forming chain‐like structures were observed within or close to the grated sites in the cortex and striatum; electron microscopy confirmed that graft‐derived cells in the olfactory bulb and a small number in the striatum were neurons. Surprisingly, most of the cells expressing NSE::LacZ outside the olfactory bulb were astrocytes. We conclude that primary precursors from the SVZ migrate and differentiate effectively only within the environment of the olfactory bulb. Only limited survival and differentiation were observed in other brain regions studied
Relations between the statistical regularities of natural images and the response properties of the early visual system

Natural images are not random; instead, they ex- hibit statistical regularities. Assuming that our vision is designed for tasks on natural images, computation in the visual system should be optimized for such regularities. Recent theoretical investigations along this line have provided many insights into the visual response properties in the early visual system. In this article we review both the known statistical regularities of natural images, the extent to which low-level vision might be adapted to them, and the recent development in theoretical models to explain this relationship. Natural images are highly variable. When we look at the texture of natural surfaces like tree bark, we immediately recognize it as such in spite of large variations in the actual images that fall on our retina. In order to accomplish this feat, our visual system must be able to pool the natural range of variability and to recognize an image as an instance of the same image type. Thus an important part of vision involves capturing the statistical variation of natural images. At the same time, natural images are very specific. We know how different they are from random images. The characteri- zation of their statistical regularities has been an important research topic in science and engineering fields. We can state its ultimate goal as developing a probability model that generates images indistinguishable from natural images. We are still far from this goal, although our knowledge of natural images has been increasing. An important motivation of such an investigation is to better understand how our visual system codes visual information. Information theory states that the most statistically efficient codes are those that best capture the statistical regularities of the data. Because biological systems are under strong evolutionary pressure, it is hypothesized that the codes they use are highly efficient. Furthermore, knowledge of the statistical regularities of the data allows the system to perform important visual tasks such as finding interesting features and filling in missing information. More generally, the questions we need to answer are: what are the computational objectives of the early visual system, what are the computationally relevant biological constraints, and to what extent can the response properties be explained in relation to the statistical regularities of their input. In this article we address side by side what we know about the statistical regularities of natural images and how the early visual system (low-level vision) can be explained in terms of them (recent reviews on this subject can be found
Modeling the Emergence of Language as an Embodied Collective Cognitive Activity

Two decades of attempts to model the emergence of language as a collective cognitive activity have demonstrated a number of principles that might have been part of the historical process that led to language. Several models have demonstrated the emergence of structure in a symbolic medium, but none has demonstrated the emergence of the capacity for symbolic representation. The current shift in cognitive science toward theoretical frameworks based on embodiment is already furnishing computational models with additional mechanisms relevant to the emergence of symbolic language. An analysis of embodied interaction among captive, but not human-enculturated, bonobo chimpanzees reveals a number of additional features of embodiment that are relevant to the emergence of symbolic language, but that have not yet been explored in computational simulation models; for example, complementarity of action in addition to imitation, iconic in addition to indexical gesture, coordination among multiple sensory and perceptual modalities, and the orchestration of intra- and inter-individual motor coordination. The bonobos provide an evolutionarily plausible intermediate stage in the development of symbolic expression that can inform efforts to model the emergence of symbolic language.
Texture synthesis and prediction error filtering

The spectrum of a prediction-error filter(PEF) tends toward the inverse spectrum of the data from which it is estimated. I compute 2-D PEF’s from known “training images” and use them to synthesize similar-looking textures from random numbers via helix deconvolution. Compared to a similar technique employing Fourier transforms, the PEF-based method is generally more fle xible, due to its ability to handle missing data, a fact which I illustrate with an example. Applying PEF-based texture synthesis to a stacked 2-D seismic section, I note that the residual error in the PEF estimation forms the basis for “coherenc y” analysis by highlighting discontinuities in the data, and may also serve as a measure of the quality of a given migration velocity model. Last, I relate the notion of texture synthesis to missing data interpolation and show an example.
Effectiveness of Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion Varies with the Physical Properties of Demineralized Bone Matrix Strip

Study Design A randomized, controlled animal study. Purpose To investigate the effectiveness of fusion and new bone formation induced by demineralized bone matrix (DBM) strips with jelly strengths. Overview of Literature The form of the DBM can make a difference to the outcome. The effect of different jelly strengths on the ability of DBM to form new bone is not known. Methods Forty-eight rabbits were randomized into a control group and two experimental groups. In the control group (group 1), 1.4 g of autologous iliac crest bone was placed bilaterally. In the experimental groups, a high jelly strength DBM-hyaluronic acid (HA)-gelatin strip (group 2) and a low jelly strength DBM-HA-gelatin strip (group 3) were used. The fusion was assessed with manual manipulation and radiographs. The volume of the fusion mass was determined from computed tomographic images. Results The fusion rates as determined by manual palpation were 37.5%, 93.8% and 50.0% in group 1, group 2, and group 3, respectively (p<0.05). By radiography, the fusion rate of High jelly strength DBM strip was statistically significantly greater than that of the other alternatives (p<0.05). The mean bone volume of the fusion mass as determined by computed tomography was 2,142.2±318.5 mm3, 3,132.9±632.1 mm3, and 2,741.5±380.4 mm3 in group 1, group 2, and group 3, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusions These results indicate that differences in the structural and mechanical properties of gelatin that are associated with jelly strength influenced cellular responses such as cell viability and bony tissue ingrowth, facilitating greater bone fusion around high jelly strength implants.
Rate Region of the Quadratic Gaussian Two-Terminal Source-Coding Problem

We consider a problem in which two encoders each observe one component of a memoryless Gaussian vector-valued source. The encoders separately communicate with a decoder, which attempts to reproduce the vector-valued source subject to constraints on the expected squared error of each component. We determine the minimum sum rate needed to meet a pair of target distortions and thereby complete the determination of the rate region for this problem. The proof involves coupling the problem to a quadratic Gaussian “CEO problem. ”