Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discovery of common urinary biomarkers for hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride, acetaminophen and methotrexate by mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics

Liver toxicity represents an important healthcare issue because it causes significant morbidity and mortality and can be difficult to predict before symptoms appear owing to drug therapy or exposure to toxicants. Using metabolomic techniques, we discovered common biomarkers for the prediction of hepatotoxicity in rat urine using mass spectrometry. For this purpose, liver toxicity was induced by 5 days of oral administration of carbon tetrachloride (1 ml kg−1 per day), acetaminophen (1000 mg kg−1 per day) and methotrexate (50 mg kg−1 per day). Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and histopathology in liver tissue were then checked to demonstrate liver toxicity. Global metabolic profiling with UPLC‐TOF‐MS (ultraperformance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry), multivariate analysis (partial least square‐discriminant analysis, hierarchical analysis) and database searching were performed to discover common biomarkers for liver toxicity induced by these three compounds. Urinary concentrations of the newly discovered biomarkers were then quantified to confirm them as biomarkers of hepatotoxicity with targeted metabolic profiling using GC (gas chromatography)–MS and CE (capillary electrophoresis)–MS. In the results, steroids, amino acids and bile acids were metabolically changed between the control and drug‐treated groups in global metabolic profiling; 11β‐hydroxyandrosterone, epiandrosterone, estrone, 11‐dehydrocorticosterone, glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, dl‐ornithine, 3‐methylhistidine, cholic acid and lithocholic acid were selected as liver toxicity biomarkers after performing targeted metabolic profiling. In conclusion, we discovered metabolite biomarkers belonging to three different metabolic pathways to check for liver toxicity with mass spectrometry from a metabolomics study that could be used to evaluate hepatotoxicity induced by drugs or other toxic compounds. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural and functional analysis reveals that human OASL binds dsRNA to enhance RIG-I signaling

The oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) enzymes are cytoplasmic dsRNA sensors belonging to the antiviral innate immune system. Upon binding to viral dsRNA, the OAS enzymes synthesize 2′-5′ linked oligoadenylates (2-5As) that initiate an RNA decay pathway to impair viral replication. The human OAS-like (OASL) protein, however, does not harbor the catalytic activity required for synthesizing 2-5As and differs from the other human OAS family members by having two C-terminal ubiquitin-like domains. In spite of its lack of enzymatic activity, human OASL possesses antiviral activity. It was recently demonstrated that the ubiquitin-like domains of OASL could substitute for K63-linked poly-ubiquitin and interact with the CARDs of RIG-I and thereby enhance RIG-I signaling. However, the role of the OAS-like domain of OASL remains unclear. Here we present the crystal structure of the OAS-like domain, which shows a striking similarity with activated OAS1. Furthermore, the structure of the OAS-like domain shows that OASL has a dsRNA binding groove. We demonstrate that the OAS-like domain can bind dsRNA and that mutating key residues in the dsRNA binding site is detrimental to the RIG-I signaling enhancement. Hence, binding to dsRNA is an important feature of OASL that is required for enhancing RIG-I signaling.
Arthroscopic-Assisted Broström-Gould for Chronic Ankle Instability

Background: Lateral ankle sprains account for 85% of ankle lesions. Hypothesis: Combined open and arthroscopic procedures could improve the diagnosis and management of intra-articular lesions and allow surgeons to perform minimally invasive anatomic reconstruction of the lateral ligament complex. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Forty consecutive patients underwent ankle arthroscopy for recurrent (2 or more episodes) lateral ankle instability unresponsive to nonoperative measures. The clinical diagnosis of mechanical instability was confirmed at imaging (plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) and arthroscopic assessment. All patients underwent arthroscopic Broström-Gould repair for management of lateral ankle instability; secondary lesions were also managed. Postoperatively, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was administered to assess the functional status; clinical examination and conventional radiographs were performed in all patients. Results: Thirty-eight patients were reviewed at an average postoperative follow-up of 9.8 years. The mean AOFAS score was 90 (range, 44-100) at the last follow-up. No significantly different outcomes were found in patients who had undergone microfractures for management of grade III to IV cartilage lesions compared with patients with no cartilage lesions. Postoperative AOFAS scores were graded as excellent and good in almost all patients (94.7%). Concerning failure rate, 2 patients (5.3%) reported a low AOFAS score: one patient underwent soft tissue removal for anterior impingement, and one received simultaneous medial ankle instability repair. Conclusion: The arthroscopic Broström-Gould–assisted technique could be a viable alternative to the gold-standard Broström-Gould procedure for anatomic repair of chronic lateral ankle instability and management of intra-articular lesions. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed.
The Cost of Inexpressiveness in Advertisement Auctions

A key trend in (electronic) commerce is a demand for higher levels of expressiveness in the mechanisms that mediate interactions. Recent results indicate the increase in expressiveness tends to lead to increased efficiency. Online advertisement (ad) auctions account for tens of billions of dollars in revenue annually and are some of the fastest growing mechanisms on the Internet. However, the most frequent variant of these mechanisms does not allow bidders (agents) to offer a separate bid for each ad position, and is thus inexpressive on a fundamental level. In this paper we attempt to characterize the cost of this inexpressiveness. We adapt a theoretical framework to show that the commonly used generalized second price (GSP) mechanism is arbitrarily inefficient for some distributions over agent preferences. We then describe a search technique that computes an upper bound on the expected efficiency of the GSP mechanism for a given distribution over agent preferences. We report the results of running our search technique on synthetic preference distributions. Our results demonstrate that the cost of inexpressiveness is most severe when agents have diverse preferences and relatively low profit margins. Our results also show that designating one or more positions as “premium” and soliciting an extra bid for these positions eliminates almost all of the inefficiency.
The influence of training and athletic performance on the neural and mechanical determinants of muscular rate of force development

Neuromuscular explosive strength (defined as rate of force development; RFD) is considered important during explosive functional human movements; however this association has been poorly documented. It is also unclear how different variants of strength training may influence RFD and its neuromuscular determinants. Furthermore, RFD has typically been measured in isometric situations, but how it is influenced by the types of contraction (isometric, concentric, eccentric) is unknown. This thesis compared neuromuscular function in explosive power athletes (athletes) and untrained controls, and assessed the relationship between RFD in isometric squats with sprint and jump performance. The athletes achieved a greater RFD normalised to maximum strength (+74%) during the initial phase of explosive contractions, due to greater agonist activation (+71%) in this time. Furthermore, there were strong correlations (r2 = 0.39) between normalised RFD in the initial phase of explosive squats and sprint performance, and between later phase absolute explosive force and jump height (r2 = 0.37), confirming an association between explosive athletic performance and RFD. This thesis also assessed the differential effects of short-term (4 weeks) training for maximum vs. explosive strength, and whilst the former increased maximum strength (+20%) it had no effect on RFD. In contrast explosive strength training improved explosive force production over short (first 50 ms; +70%) and long (>50 ms; +15%) time periods, due to improved agonist activation (+65%) and maximum strength (+11%), respectively. Explosive strength training therefore appears to have greater functional benefits than maximum strength training. Finally, the influence of contraction type on RFD was assessed, and the results provided unique evidence that explosive concentric contractions are 60% more effective at utilising the available force capacity of the muscle, that was explained by superior agonist activation. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of the association between athletic performance and RFD, the differential effects of maximum vs. explosive strength training, and the influence of contraction type on the capacity for RFD.
Dental plaque removal with two battery-powered toothbrushes.

PURPOSE To compare the plaque removal efficacy of a positive control power toothbrush (Colgate Actibrush) to an experimental power toothbrush (Crest SpinBrush) following a single use. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was a randomized, controlled, examiner-blind, 4-period crossover design which examined plaque removal with the two toothbrushes following a single use in 39 completed subjects. Plaque was scored before and after brushing using the Turesky Modification of the Quigley-Hein Index. RESULTS Baseline plaque scores averaged 2.18 and 2.16 for the experimental toothbrush and control toothbrush treatment groups, respectively. With respect to all surfaces examined, the experimental toothbrush delivered an adjusted (via analysis of covariance) mean difference between baseline and post-brushing plaque scores of 0.66 while the control toothbrush delivered an adjusted mean difference of 0.43. This represents an increase of 55% plaque removal relative to the control power toothbrush. The difference between brushes was statistically significant (P < 0.001). With respect to buccal and lingual surfaces, the experimental toothbrush delivered very consistent results relative to the control toothbrush. The differences between brushes were also statistically significant (P < 0.001).
An Object-Oriented Random-Number Package with Many Long Streams and Substreams

Multiple independent streams of random numbers are often required in simulation studies, for instance, to facilitate synchronization for variance-reduction purposes, and for making independent replications. A portable set of software utilities is described for uniform random-number generation. It provides for multiple generators streams running simultaneously, and each generator stream has its sequence of numbers partitioned into many long disjoint contiguous substreams. The basic underlying generator for this implementation is a combined multiple-recursive generator with period length of approximately 2191, proposed by L'Ecuyer 1999a. A C++ interface is described here. Portable implementations are available in C, C++, and Java as supplemental material at http://dx.doi. org/10.1287/opre.50. 6.1073. 358
Effect of dietary energy and protein content on growth and carcass traits of Pekin ducks

A study was conducted to determine the influence of dietary energy and protein concentrations on growth performance and carcass traits of Pekin ducks from 15 to 35 d of age. In experiment 1, 14-d-old ducks were randomly assigned to 3 dietary metabolizable energy (11.8, 12.8, and 13.8 MJ/kg) and 3 crude protein concentrations (15, 17, and 19%) in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement (6 replicate pens; 66 ducks/pen). Carcass characteristics were evaluated on d 28, 32, and 35. In Experiment 2, 15-d-old ducks (6 replicate cages; 6 ducks/cage) were randomly allotted to the 9 diets that were remixed with 0.5% chromic oxide. Excreta were collected from d 17 to 19, and ileal digesta was collected on d 19 to determine AMEn and amino acid digestibility. In Experiment 1, there were interactions (P < 0.05) between dietary metabolizable energy and crude protein (CP) on body weight (BW) gain and feed intake, wherein BW gain increased more to increasing dietary CP as dietary metabolizable energy increased. However, feed intake was only influenced by dietary crude protein at 11.8 MJ ME/kg and not 12.8 or 13.8 MJ/kg. As dietary CP increased from 15 to 19%, breast meat yield increased by 10.8% on d 35 (P < 0.01). Conversely, increasing metabolizable energy from 11.8 to 13.8 MJ/kg increased dressing percentage, breast skin, and subcutaneous fat, but decreased breast meat yield (% but not weight) on d 35 (P < 0.01). In Experiment 2, the determined AMEn for diets formulated to contain 11.8, 12.8, or 13.8 MJ ME/kg were 11.66, 12.68, and 13.75 MJ/kg, respectively; determined standardized ileal digestible Lys was 0.95, 1.00, and 1.21% for diets formulated to contain 15, 17, or 19% crude protein, respectively. The best body weight gain and feed conversion ratio was obtained when ducks were fed a high dietary AMEn (13.75 MJ/kg) and high CP (19%, 1.21% SID Lys). These results provide a framework for subsequent modeling of amino acid and energy inputs and the corresponding outputs of growth performance and carcass components.
Regulated expression and release of the IL-1 decoy receptor in human mononuclear phagocytes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and release of the IL-1 type II decoy receptor (R) in mononuclear phagocytes, which play a central role in immune and chronic inflammatory reactions. Human monocytes expressed both type I and type II R transcripts, the latter being two- to threefold more represented. By cross-linking and Ab blocking, the predominant surface IL-1-binding molecule was the decoy RII. IL-4, IL-13, and dexamethasone induced RI and RII transcripts and augmented the number of IL-1-binding sites with no modification of Kd values. The induced surface receptor was identified as the decoy RII. These stimuli induced the release of a soluble R with a m.w. of approximately 60 kDa, of which N-glycosylation contributed 22 kDa compared with 45 kDa released from polymorphonuclear leukocytes, of which N-glycosylation contributed 15 kDa. IL-13 and dexamethasone induced a release of 24 ng/ml/2 x 10(7) cells (from 8.7 to 43.2 ng/ml) and 25.6 ng/ml/2 x 10(7) cells (from 9.7 to 36.8 ng/ml) of decoy RII in 18 h, respectively (six donors). Thus, for instance, IL-13-treated (18 h) cells expressed 3.5 x 10(3) sites/cell and released 12 x 10(3) decoy RII/cell. The released decoy RII from monocytes bound IL-1apha and IL-1 receptor antagonist 30- and 2-fold less avidly than IL-1beta, respectively. In vitro-matured, monocyte-derived macrophages showed higher levels of surface expression and release of the IL-1 decoy RII. The results show that, on exposure to diverse molecules with anti-inflammatory properties, mononuclear phagocytes express and release copious amounts of a novel version of the soluble IL-1 decoy RII.
Natural Pragmatics and Natural Codes

Grice (1957) drew a famous distinction between natural(N) and non-natural(NN) meaning, where what is meant(NN) is broadly equivalent to what is intentionally communicated. This paper argues that Grice’s dichotomy overlooks the fact that spontaneously occurring natural signs may be intentionally shown, and hence used in intentional communication. It also argues that some naturally occurring behaviours have a signalling function, and that the existence of such natural codes provides further evidence that Grice’s original distinction was not exhaustive. The question of what kind of information, in cognitive terms, these signals encode is also examined.
An all-digital phase-locked loop for high-speed clock generation

An all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) for high-speed clock generation is presented in this paper. The proposed ADPLL architecture can be implemented with standard cells. And the ADPLL implemented in a 0.35 /spl mu/m 1P4M CMOS process can operate from 40 MHz to 540 MHz. The p-p jitter of the output clock is less than /spl plusmn/170 ps, and the rms jitter of the output clock is less than 39 ps. A systematic way to design the ADPLL with specified standard cell library is also introduced. The proposed ADPLL can easily be ported to different processes in a short time. Thus it can reduce the design time and design complexity of ADPLL, making it very suitable for System-On-Chip (SoC) applications.
THE LINKS BETWEEN THE ADOLESCENT DISSOCIATIVE EXPERIENCES SCALE (A-DES), FANTASY PRONENESS, AND ANXIETY SYMPTOMS

The purpose of this study was to further examine the psychometric properties of the Adolescent Dissociative Experiences Scale (A-DES). A sample of normal adolescents (N = 331) aged 12 to 18 years completed the A-DES and questionnaires measuring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, other anxiety disorder symptoms, and fantasy proneness. Factor analysis indicated that the A-DES, at least in nonreferred youths, is assessing a single dimension of dissociation. Furthermore, A-DES scores are not only significantly related to PTSD symptoms but also to other anxiety disorder symptoms (i.e., generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder) and fantasy proneness. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are briefly discussed.
Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Performance during the Running Based Anaerobic Sprint Test in Trained Youth and Recreationally Active Male Football Players

It was observed previously that New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract reduced slowing of the maximal 15 m sprint speed during the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test. We examined the effect of NZBC extract on the performance of the Running Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST, 6 × 35-m sprints with 10 seconds passive recovery) in trained youth and recreationally active football players. Fifteen recreationally active (University team) (age: 20 ± 1 years, height: 174 ± 19 cm, body mass: 80 ± 13 kg) and nine trained youth players (English professional club) (age: 17 ± 0 years, height: 178 ± 8 cm, body mass: 69 ± 9 kg, mean ± SD) participated in three testing sessions. Prior to the RASTs, participants consumed two capsules of NZBC extract (600 mg∙day−1 CurraNZ®) or placebo (P) for 7 days (double blind, randomised, cross-over design, wash-out at least 14 days). Ability difference between groups was shown by sprint 1 time. In the placebo condition, trained youth players had faster times for sprint 1 (5.00 ± 0.05 s) than recreationally active players (5.42 ± 0.08 s) (p < 0.01). In trained youth players, there was a trend for an effect of NZBC extract (p = 0.10) on the slowing of the sprint 1 time. NZBC extract reduced slowing of the sprint 5 time (P: 0.56 ± 0.22 s; NZBC: 0.35 ± 0.25, p = 0.02) and this was not observed in recreationally active players (P: 0.57 ± 0.48 s; NZBC: 0.56 ± 0.33, p = 0.90). For fatigue index, expressed as a % change in fastest sprint time, there was a strong trend to be lower in both trained youth and recreationally active players combined by NZBC extract (P: −13 ± 7%; NZBC: −11 ± 6%, p = 0.06) with 12 participants (five trained youth) experiencing less fatigue. New Zealand blackcurrant extract seems to benefit repeated sprint performance only in trained football players.
The effect of stress on memory : eyewitness performance in juveniles and young adults

An experimental design was used to investigate the relationship between stress and eyewitness memory in adolescents (Experiment 1) and young adults (Experiment 2). Psychosocial stress was induced using a public speaking task. As eyewitness outcome measures, participants were asked to provide a physical description and to make a lineup identification of a) a research assistant with whom they had interacted under stressful circumstances (prior to public speaking), and b) a research assistant with whom they had interacted under neutral circumstances. Participants also responded to questions that tested their memory for central and peripheral details of the interactions. As validity checks on the stress manipulation, participants' heart rate and skin conductance levels were measured using an Ambulatory Monitoring System and anxiety ratings were obtained using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. In the adolescent study (n = 26), inferior performance on target descriptions, detail recollection and lineup identification was generally associated with the stress condition, but this finding was not strongly supported. In the young adult study (n = 22), arousal had no effect on the quality of target descriptions or the accuracy of lineup identifications, but seemed to enhance memory for both central and peripheral details. Future research is called for, particularly with regard to juvenile witnesses. Understanding whether stress impairs eyewitness memory, and subsequently compromises reliability, can assist in preventing misidentifications-the single greatest threat to the delivery of justice. Un ive rsi ty of Ca pe To wn
Future advanced windows for zero-energy homes

Over the past 15 years, low-emissivity and other technological improvements have significantly improved the energy efficiency of windows sold in the United States. However,as interest increases in the concept of zero-energy homes--buildings that do not consume any non-renewable or net energy from the utility grid--even today's highest-performance window products will not be sufficient. This simulation study compares today's typical residential windows, today's most efficient residential windows, and several options for advanced window technologies including both products with improved fixed or static properties and products with dynamic solar heat gain properties. Nine representative window products are examined in eight representative US climates. Annual energy and peak demand impacts are investigated. We conclude that a new generation of window products is necessary for zero-energy homes if windows are not to be an energy drain on these homes. Windows with dynamic solar heat gain properties are found to offer significant potentials to reduce energy use and peak demands in northern and central climates while windows with very low (static) solar heat gain properties offer the most potential in southern climates.