Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compartmental and noncompartmental modeling of ¹³C-lycopene absorption, isomerization, and distribution kinetics in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND Lycopene, which is a red carotenoid in tomatoes, has been hypothesized to mediate disease-preventive effects associated with tomato consumption. Lycopene is consumed primarily as the all-trans geometric isomer in foods, whereas human plasma and tissues show greater proportions of cis isomers. OBJECTIVE With the use of compartmental modeling and stable isotope technology, we determined whether endogenous all-trans-to-cis-lycopene isomerization or isomeric-bioavailability differences underlie the greater proportion of lycopene cis isomers in human tissues than in tomato foods. DESIGN Healthy men (n = 4) and women (n = 4) consumed (13)C-lycopene (10.2 mg; 82% all-trans and 18% cis), and plasma was collected over 28 d. Unlabeled and (13)C-labeled total lycopene and lycopene-isomer plasma concentrations, which were measured with the use of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, were fit to a 7-compartment model. RESULTS Subjects absorbed a mean ± SEM of 23% ± 6% of the lycopene. The proportion of plasma cis-(13)C-lycopene isomers increased over time, and all-trans had a shorter half-life than that of cis isomers (5.3 ± 0.3 and 8.8 ± 0.6 d, respectively; P < 0.001) and an earlier time to reach maximal plasma concentration than that of cis isomers (28 ± 7 and 48 ± 9 h, respectively). A compartmental model that allowed for interindividual differences in cis- and all-trans-lycopene bioavailability and endogenous trans-to-cis-lycopene isomerization was predictive of plasma (13)C and unlabeled cis- and all-trans-lycopene concentrations. Although the bioavailability of cis (24.5% ± 6%) and all-trans (23.2% ± 8%) isomers did not differ, endogenous isomerization (0.97 ± 0.25 μmol/d in the fast-turnover tissue lycopene pool) drove tissue and plasma isomeric profiles. CONCLUSION (13)C-Lycopene combined with physiologic compartmental modeling provides a strategy for following complex in vivo metabolic processes in humans and reveals that postabsorptive trans-to-cis-lycopene isomerization, and not the differential bioavailability of isomers, drives tissue and plasma enrichment of cis-lycopene. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01692340.
Integration of Selectively Transparent and Conducting Photonic Crystals (STCPCs) in Tandem Silicon Photovoltaics

A proof-of-concept integration of the Selectively Transparent and Conducting Photonic Crystal (STCPC) as a spectrally tunable intermediate reflector (IR) is reported for an amorphous-silicon (a-Si:H)/crystalline-silicon heterojunction (c-Si HJ) tandem solar cell. Optical and electrical studies present the simulation, fabrication, and testing of the tandem cells with no IR, Zinc Oxide IR (ZIR), and STCPC IR. The STCPC IR showed current-density (JSC) increases of up to 17.1% over no IR, and 13.2% over the ZIR. A small relative efficiency decrease of 10% in the STCPC case relative to the ZIR case was observed from the lack of optimal interface layers. Additionally, the effect of varying STCPC reflection band centre peak positions (480, 530, 580 and 630 nm) was examined. External quantum efficiency and JSC enhancements were observed in these cases, though these structures require electrical interface optimization to completely avail the benefits of STCPC integration in tandem silicon/other material photovoltaic systems.
Finite element modelling of concrete beams reinforced with hybrid fiber reinforced bars

Concrete is a heterogeneous composite material made up of cement, sand, coarse aggregate and water mixed in a desired proportion to obtain the required strength. Plain concrete does not with stand tension as compared to compression. In order to compensate this drawback steel reinforcement are provided in concrete. Now a day, for improving the properties of concrete and also to take up tension combination of steel and glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars promises favourable strength, serviceability, and durability. To verify its promise and support design concrete structures with hybrid type of reinforcement, this study have investigated the load-deflection behaviour of concrete beams reinforced with hybrid GFRP and steel bars by using ATENA software. Fourteen beams, including six control beams reinforced with only steel or only GFRP bars, were analysed. The ratio and the ordinate of GFRP to steel were the main parameters investigated. The behaviour of these beams was investigated via the load-deflection characteristics, cracking behaviour and mode of failure. Hybrid GFRP-Steel reinforced concrete beam showed the improvement in both ultimate capacity and deflection concomitant to the steel reinforced concrete beam. On the other hand, finite element (FE) modelling which is ATENA were validated with previous experiment and promising the good result to be used for further analyses and development in the field of present study.
Monetary Policy Rules and Macroeconomic Stability: Evidence and Some Theory

We estimate a forward-looking monetary policy reaction function for the postwar United States economy, before and after Volcker’s appointment as Fed Chairman in 1979. Our results point to substantial differences in the estimated rule across periods. In particular, interest rate policy in the Volcker-Greenspan period appears to have been much more sensitive to changes in expected ineation than in the pre-Volcker period. We then compare some of the implications of the estimated rules for the equilibrium properties of ineation and output, using a simple macroeconomic model, and show that the Volcker-Greenspan rule is stabilizing.
Providing external memory aids in haptic visualisations for blind computer users

Haptic force feedback devices can be used to allow visually impaired computer users to explore visualisations of numerical data using their sense of touch. However, exploration can often be time consuming and laborious due to the “point interaction” nature of most force feedback devices, which constrains interaction to the tip of a probe used to explore the haptic virtual environment. When exploring large or complex visualisations, this can place considerable demands on short term memory usage. In this respect, a fundamental problem faced by blind users is that there is no way to mark points of interest or to harness external memory, in a similar way in which a sighted person may mark a graph or table at a point of interest, or leave a note in a margin. This paper describes the design, implementation and evaluation of external memory aids for exploring haptic graphs. The memory aids are “beacons” which can be used to mark, and subsequently return to, a point of interest on the graph. Qualitative evaluation by visually impaired users showed that external memory aids are a potentially useful tool. The most commonly reported problem was that of using the keyboard to control placing of the beacons. Suggestions for subsequent re-design of the beacons in light of the participants’ comments are considered.
Physical and Physiological Attributes of Wrestlers: An Update

Abstract Chaabene, H, Negra, Y, Bouguezzi, R, Mkaouer, B, Franchini, E, Julio, U, and Hachana, Y. Physical and physiological profile of wrestler athletes: a short review. J Strength Cond Res 31(5): 1411–1442, 2017—Wrestling is one of the oldest combat sports, disputed since the ancient Greek Olympic Games. This combat sport discipline has caught the attention of scientists since 1943 which is the date that matches the appearance of the first scientific research dealing with wrestling. The current short review aimed to summarize and critically analyze the scientific literature related to wrestling's physical and physiological attributes and to provide practical recommendations for testing/training together with new perspective and areas of future scientific research. Regardless of sex and wrestling styles, an optimal level of cardiorespiratory fitness is important to help sustaining effort throughout the duration of the match and to stimulate the recovery process between periods. With regard to the anaerobic power and capacity, the available studies were in agreement about their critical importance toward reaching high-level wrestling success since these variables have discriminated well between successful and less-successful wrestlers regardless of age, weight classes, and wrestling styles. Physical fitness parameters such as maximal dynamic strength, isometric strength, explosive strength, and strength endurance are closely related to high-level wrestling performance. However, flexibility level seems not to be one of the key fitness variables that help to reach high-level wrestling success. Overall, to achieve high-level wrestling performance, training should be directed to develop anaerobic power and capacity, aerobic power, maximal dynamic and isometric strength, explosive strength, and strength endurance.
Hallucinosis in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease

BACKGROUND Hallucinosis is a complication of the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease commonly thought to afflict older, chronically medicated, cognitively impaired patients. However, patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease of short duration experiencing hallucinosis on relatively low doses of dopaminergic medication have been found. The aim, therefore, was to investigate the homogeneity of a population of patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and hallucinosis. METHODS The clinical, demographic, and cognitive correlates of hallucinosis were investigated in a sample of 129 patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. RESULTS There were two subgroups of patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease experiencing hallucinosis. In patients with a disease duration of five years or less, hallucinosis was associated with rapid progression of the motor component of the disease but not cognitive impairment. In patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease of longer than five years duration, hallucinosis was associated with postural instability, global cognitive impairment, and lack of depressive affect. In all patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, hallucinosis was more prevalent when they were treated with a direct acting dopamine receptor agonist. Hallucinosis was not associated with age at onset of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease or dosage of dopaminergic medication. CONCLUSION Hallucinosis in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease is heterogeneous, falling into two groups. The difference in the pathophysiological basis of hallucinosis in these two groups of patients is discussed.
Phosphatidylethanolamine Is the Precursor of the Ethanolamine Phosphoglycerol Moiety Bound to Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1A*

In addition to its conventional role during protein synthesis, eukaryotic elongation factor 1A is involved in other cellular processes. Several regions of interaction between eukaryotic elongation factor 1A and the translational apparatus or the cytoskeleton have been identified, yet the roles of the different post-translational modifications of eukaryotic elongation factor 1A are completely unknown. One amino acid modification, which so far has only been found in eukaryotic elongation factor 1A, consists of ethanolamine-phosphoglycerol attached to two glutamate residues that are conserved between mammals and plants. We now report that ethanolamine-phosphoglycerol is also present in eukaryotic elongation factor 1A of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, indicating that this unique protein modification is of ancient origin. In addition, using RNA-mediated gene silencing against enzymes of the Kennedy pathway, we demonstrate that phosphatidylethanolamine is a direct precursor of the ethanolamine-phosphoglycerol moiety. Down-regulation of the expression of ethanolamine kinase and ethanolamine-phosphate cytidylyltransferase results in inhibition of phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis in T. brucei procyclic forms and, concomitantly, in a block in glycosylphosphatidylinositol attachment to procyclins and ethanolamine-phosphoglycerol modification of eukaryotic elongation factor 1A.
Reviewing Literature in Bioethics Research: Increasing Rigour in Non‐Systematic Reviews

The recent interest in systematic review methods in bioethics has highlighted the need for greater transparency in all literature review processes undertaken in bioethics projects. In this article, I articulate features of a good bioethics literature review that does not aim to be systematic, but rather to capture and analyse the key ideas relevant to a research question. I call this a critical interpretive literature review. I begin by sketching and comparing three different types of literature review conducted in bioethics scholarship. Then, drawing on Dixon-Wood's concept of critical interpretive synthesis, I put forward six features of a good critical interpretive literature review in bioethics: answering a research question, capturing the key ideas relevant to the research question, analysing the literature as a whole, generating theory, not excluding papers based on rigid quality assessment criteria, and reporting the search strategy.
Mortality and loss to follow-up among tuberculosis and HIV co-infected patients in rural southwestern Uganda.

BACKGROUND We describe the presentation and outcome of care among patients with tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection from a prospective observational cohort in Uganda. METHODS We analysed basic demographics, CD4+ counts, time of initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART), clinical and haematological parameters and outcome of care of 386 patients enrolled between February 2007 and March 2010. RESULTS At presentation, 56.7% of the patients were sputum-positive, 89.9% had new TB infection, 62.7% had wasting, 78.7% were anaemic, 72.1% had a CD4+ count of <200 cells/mm(3), 20.2% had pneumonia, 50.3% had oral thrush and 1.3% had Kaposi's sarcoma. Patients developing TB within 3 months of starting ART were less likely to have wasting, to be anaemic or to have a CD4+ count of <100 cells/mm(3). The cure, default and death rates were respectively 54.3%, 24% and 16%. At 8 months, 53 (13.7%) were confirmed dead, 119 (30.8%) were lost to follow-up, 28 (7.3%) were transferred out and 1 (0.3%) had treatment failure. Mortality and loss to follow-up were associated with failure to start ART and having a CD4+ count of <200 cells/mm(3). CONCLUSION In Uganda, TB-HIV patients present with severe immune suppression and are at increased risk of death and loss to follow-up, particularly those not on ART. There is need for early identification and improved follow-up of TB-HIV co-infected patients.
Measuring Cultural Awareness of Nursing Students

This pilot study was designed to measure nursing students' level of cultural awareness. It replicated phase II of Rew, Becker, Cookston, Khosropour, & Martinez's (2003) methodological study that developed and tested a Cultural Awareness Scale (CAS). Using a cross-sectional design, the CAS was distributed to nursing students in three nursing programs' (bachelor's, master's, doctoral) beginning and end courses. Cronbach's alpha for the CAS Total instrument was 0.869, with subscale scores ranging from 0.687 to 0.902, comparable to the findings of Rew et al. Given the limitations of this study, results must be viewed with a degree of caution. Recommendations include further educational research in the form of psychometric testing of the CAS among nursing students, including refinement of both the CAS instrument and the demographic tool. The authors also recommend that studies be conducted to determine the validity and reliability of the CAS with nurses in the health care arena.
Differential effects of fornix and caudate nucleus lesions on two radial maze tasks: evidence for multiple memory systems

The present experiments were designed to examine the hypothesis that the mammalian brain contains anatomically distinct memory systems. Rats with bilateral lesions of caudate nucleus or fimbria-fornix and a control group were tested postoperatively on 1 of 2 versions of the radial maze task. In a standard win-shift version, each of the 8 arms of the maze was baited once, and the number of errors (revisits) in the first 8 choices of each trial was recorded. Fimbria-fornix rats were impaired in choice accuracy, while caudate animals were unimpaired relative to controls. Different groups of rats with similar lesions were tested on a newly developed win-stay version of the radial maze, in which the location of 4 randomly selected baited arms was signaled by a light at the entrance to each arm, and which required rats to revisit arms in which reinforcement had been previously acquired within a trial. Rats with fimbria-fornix lesions were superior to controls in choice accuracy on the win-stay radial maze task, while caudate animals were impaired relative to controls. The results demonstrate a double dissociation of the mnemonic functions of the hippocampus and caudate nucleus. Some implications of the presence of 2 memory systems in the mammalian brain are discussed.
Understanding the Sparse Vector Technique for Differential Privacy

The Sparse Vector Technique (SVT) is a fundamental technique for satisfying differential privacy and has the unique quality that one can output some query answers without apparently paying any privacy cost. SVT has been used in both the interactive setting, where one tries to answer a sequence of queries that are not known ahead of the time, and in the non-interactive setting, where all queries are known. Because of the potential savings on privacy budget, many variants for SVT have been proposed and employed in privacy-preserving data mining and publishing. However, most variants of SVT are actually not private. In this paper, we analyze these errors and identify the misunderstandings that likely contribute to them. We also propose a new version of SVT that provides better utility, and introduce an effective technique to improve the performance of SVT. These enhancements can be applied to improve utility in the interactive setting. Through both analytical and experimental comparisons, we show that, in the non-interactive setting (but not the interactive setting), the SVT technique is unnecessary, as it can be replaced by the Exponential Mechanism (EM) with better accuracy.
A novel common-subexpression-elimination method for synthesizing fixed-point FIR filters

We propose a common-subexpression-elimination (CSE) method for the synthesis of fixed-point finite-impulse response (FIR) filters. The proposed CSE algorithm considers both the redundancy among the canonic-signed-digit (CSD) filter coefficients and the length of the critical path in the multiplier block of a transposed-form FIR filter. Therefore, the proposed CSE method can perform tradeoff designs between complexity and the throughput rate. The number of adders synthesized by our method is commensurate with that by the graph-dependence algorithms. On the other hand, our method can synthesize a high-order complicated FIR filter in a few seconds.
Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration of Major Salivary Gland Masses and Adjacent Lymph Nodes

Ultrasound has an established role in the detection of masses in the major salivary glands and potentially malignant adjacent lymph nodes. Because there is overlap in their sonographic features, tissue diagnosis plays an important role in management. This review assesses ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy as a diagnostic tool in the characterization of these lesions. The literature, and the authors' experience, suggests that ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is a safe and accurate technique, with definable implications for management, when performed in conjunction with cytopathologic expertise.
Early responses of the STAT3 pathway to platinum drugs are associated with cisplatin resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer

Cisplatin resistance remains one of the major obstacles when treating epithelial ovarian cancer. Because oxaliplatin and nedaplatin are effective against cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer in clinical trials and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is associated with cisplatin resistance, we investigated whether overcoming cisplatin resistance by oxaliplatin and nedaplatin was associated with the STAT3 pathway in ovarian cancer. Alamar blue, clonogenic, and wound healing assays, and Western blot analysis were used to compare the effects of platinum drugs in SKOV-3 cells. At an equitoxic dose, oxaliplatin and nedaplatin exhibited similar inhibitory effects on colony-forming ability and greater inhibition on cell motility than cisplatin in ovarian cancer. Early in the time course of drug administration, cisplatin increased the expression of pSTAT3 (Tyr705), STAT3α, VEGF, survivin, and Bcl-XL, while oxaliplatin and nedaplatin exhibited the opposite effects, and upregulated pSTAT3 (Ser727) and STAT3β. The STAT3 pathway responded early to platinum drugs associated with cisplatin resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer and provided a rationale for new therapeutic strategies to reverse cisplatin resistance.
Thymoglobulin – new approaches to optimal outcomes

Thymoglobulin has a proven safety and efficacy profile both as treatment of acute rejection and as induction therapy in organ transplantation. The most common adverse events associated with Thymoglobulin are cytokine release syndrome, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia. Results of early studies showed an increased rate of cytomegalovirus disease associated with Thymoglobulin treatment, but recent studies indicate that routine administration of modern antiviral prophylaxis can reduce this risk. More research comparing Thymoglobulin with basiliximab will help individualize regimens by matching the choice of induction agent with the risk profile of each transplant recipient. The proven efficacy and safety profile of Thymoglobulin provides an excellent starting point for future investigations. [50] Horse ATG (hATG) or Thymoglobulin + Cyclosporine are an efficacious treatment for aplastic anemia. Due to its higher potency Thymoglobulin may be superior to hATG, but further studies are required for confirmation. [38] GvHD prophylaxis with Thymoglobulin may result in less acute and chronic GvHD, lower TRM, improved survival and quality of life in myeloablative or reduced intensity conditioning protocols in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cells from related or unrelated donors. Attributable to its polyclonal nature, Thymoglobulin provides multifaceted immunomodulation suggesting that its use should be included in the immunosuppressant therapeutic armamentarium to help reduce the incidence of organ rejection and GvHD,[5] and for treatment of aplastic anemia.
Multifrequency emission of wheat: Modeling and applications

The microwave brightness temperatures of a wheat field were measured in 1993, during the whole growth cycle by the six-frequency PORTOS radiometer, at two polarizations and several angles. In this paper, the emissivities measured at L-, C-, X-, and K-band are compared with those simulated by a discrete multiple scattering model based on the radiative transfer theory. The agreement between experimental and simulated data is generally good at all frequencies, although a unique set of input parameters has been used. It is demonstrated that the model simulations lead to a reliable identification of the radiometric configurations most sensitive to ground variables. Moreover, they aid the development of a soil moisture inversion algorithm that performs well even with soils covered by developed vegetation.