Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of crocin and safranal as protective agents against genotoxic stress induced by gamma radiation, urethane and procarbazine in mice

Crocin (CRO) and safranal (SAF) are bioactive constituents of saffron (dried stigma of Crocus sativus flower), an expensive spice with medicinal properties. Aqueous extract of saffron is known for its antigenotoxic effect against environmental genotoxins/carcinogens. However, there is need to identify saffron constituents responsible for this antigenotoxic effect. The aim of our investigation was to ascertain the role of CRO and SAF as inhibitors of in vivo genotoxic stress. For this purpose, Swiss albino mice were pretreated with CRO (50-mg/kg body weight (bw))/SAF (0.025- and 0.25-ml/kg bw) by gavage for 2 days. Thereafter, the pretreated mice were exposed to the genotoxic agents: (1) gamma radiation (GR; 2 Gy), (2) urethane (URE; 800 mg/kg) and (3) procarbazine (PCB; 60 mg/kg). In addition, CRO (50 mg/kg) was co-administered with the nitrosation reaction mixture of methylurea (MU; 300-mg/kg bw) + sodium nitrite (15 mg/kg) which can form N-nitroso-N-MU in the stomach. Genotoxic damage was measured by performing the bone marrow micronucleus test. Results obtained demonstrated significant reductions in the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the bone marrow of mice pretreated with CRO/SAF before exposure to the above DNA damaging agents, GR, URE and PCB. Co-administration of CRO with the nitrosation reaction mixture led to significant decrease in genotoxicity when compared to nitrosation reaction mixture alone. Histopathological studies revealed that these saffron constituents reduced testicular cell damage induced by the test genotoxins. The cell-free DNA-nicking assay using pBR322 DNA showed significant protective effects of CRO against hydroxyl radical-induced strand breaks.
Potential New Non-Invasive Therapy Using Artificial Oxygen Carriers for Pre-Eclampsia

The molecular mechanisms of pre-eclampsia are being increasingly clarified in animals and humans. With the uncovering of these mechanisms, preventive therapy strategies using chronic infusion of adrenomedullin, vascular endothelial growth factor-121 (VEGF-121), losartan, and sildenafil have been proposed to block narrow spiral artery formation in the placenta by suppressing related possible factors for pre-eclampsia. However, although such preventive treatments have been partly successful, they have failed in ameliorating fetal growth restriction and carry the risk of possible side-effects of drugs on pregnant mothers. In this study, we attempted to develop a new symptomatic treatment for pre-eclampsia by directly rescuing placental ischemia with artificial oxygen carriers (hemoglobin vesicles: HbV) since previous data indicate that placental ischemia/hypoxia may alone be sufficient to lead to pre-eclampsia through up-regulation of sFlt-1, one of the main candidate molecules for the cause of pre-eclampsia. Using a rat model, the present study demonstrated that a simple treatment using hemoglobin vesicles for placental ischemia rescues placental and fetal hypoxia, leading to appropriate fetal growth. The present study is the first to demonstrate hemoglobin vesicles successfully decreasing maternal plasma levels of sFlt-1 and ameliorating fetal growth restriction in the pre-eclampsia rat model (p < 0.05, one-way ANOVA). In future, chronic infusion of hemoglobin vesicles could be a potential effective and noninvasive therapy for delaying or even alleviating the need for Caesarean sections in pre-eclampsia.
Towards Effective Photothermal/Photodynamic Treatment Using Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of different size and shape are widely used as photosensitizers for cancer diagnostics and plasmonic photothermal (PPT)/photodynamic (PDT) therapy, as nanocarriers for drug delivery and laser-mediated pathogen killing, even the underlying mechanisms of treatment effects remain poorly understood. There is a need in analyzing and improving the ways to increase accumulation of AuNP in tumors and other crucial steps in interaction of AuNPs with laser light and tissues. In this review, we summarize our recent theoretical, experimental, and pre-clinical results on light activated interaction of AuNPs with tissues and cells. Specifically, we discuss a combined PPT/PDT treatment of tumors and killing of pathogen bacteria with gold-based nanocomposites and atomic clusters, cell optoporation, and theoretical simulations of nanoparticle-mediated laser heating of tissues and cells.
Covert Speech Behavior during a Silent Language Recitation Task

This study tested the prediction that covert speech behavior measured electromyographically from the lips is significantly more prominent during a brief silent-language recitation task than a brief nonlanguage visualization task. Subjects were 20 right-handed, adult volunteers who agreed to participate. Subjects were tested in a multiple-baseline reversal design following an ARAB procedure whereby A1 and A2 were 30–sec. rest periods. B1 and B2 were alternatively assigned 30–sec. silent-language recitation and visualization-test periods, respectively. Subjects' dorsal lips and nondominant forearm EMG measures were taken during resting baseline and testing conditions. In addition, subjects' skin surface temperature and heartrate were measured during the rest and test conditions. For the silent-language task, subjects were asked to recite ‘mentally’ the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Subjects were instructed to ‘imagine seeing’ the American flag for the visualization task. Subjects' mean lip EMG activity increased significantly from rest to the silent-language recitation task, while no significant change in mean lip EMG was observed from rest to the visualization condition.
Children’s perception of their influence over purchases: the role of parental communication patterns

Socialisation by children is seen as taking place within a socio‐cultural environment where family patterns of communication play a pivotal role. The socio‐ and concept‐orientation are two predominant parental communication styles that are likely to affect the perceived influence that children believe they hold. This study focuses on the perceived influence of children resulting from the communication pattern adopted by parents. Research is conducted among a dyad consisting of parent and child that visit a recreational site. Results are reported, conclusions are drawn and recommendations for future research are made.
Neighborhood Evaluations by City and Suburban Children

Abstract A consistent finding in research on housing choice and residential satisfaction has been the preference of parents for suburbs as child-rearing environments. Children themselves though, have rarely been asked about different types of neighborhoods as places to live. The present study is an attempt to address this gap. This article discusses some reasons for the paucity of child-oriented research and develops from the literature a picture of children's own perceptions of city and suburban neighborhoods. The results of an empirical study are then reported. A comparison of the neighborhood evaluations of 148 city and suburban teenagers suggests that both city and suburban children recognize positive as well as negative aspects of their neighborhoods; however, city and suburban neighborhoods do appear to differ in the particular characteristics that are viewed as being positive or negative. Furthermore, using detailed information on each of the individual home environments, differences in children's .
Corporate Environmental Responsiveness Strategies

This article analyzes the environmental responsiveness strategies of seven companies in the Canadian oil industry over a 15-year period, during which environmental issues gained increasing public and regulatory attention. These within-industry corporate case comparisons serve as the basis for developing an understanding of corporate environmental responsiveness that centers on the relationships between issue interpretations and strategic responses as well as the role of antecedent organizational context elements.
Enhanced sensitivity of pituitary beta-endorphin to ethanol in subjects at high risk of alcoholism.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have demonstrated that a moderate dose of ethanol induced a significant increase in the plasma beta-endorphin content of subjects from families with a history of alcoholism (high risk (HR)), but not subjects from families without a history of alcoholism (low risk (LR)). The objective of this study was to examine the response of the pituitary beta-endorphin and adrenal cortisol systems to various concentrations of ethanol in male and female subjects at high and low risk of the future development of alcoholism. METHODS All subjects participated in four experimental sessions. In each session the subjects were given a drink containing one of the following doses of ethanol: 0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 g of ethanol per kilogram of body weight (for a 60- to 70-kg individual). Blood samples were taken at 0 minutes and at 15, 45, 120, and 180 minutes after the drink for estimation of the blood alcohol, plasma beta-endorphin, and plasma cortisol levels. RESULTS The concentration of alcohol in the blood at various intervals after the drink was similar among the subjects, regardless of the risk group. Ethanol increased the plasma level of beta-endorphin-related peptides of the HR but not of the LR subjects in a dose-dependent manner. All subjects showed a small decrease in plasma cortisol level with time, but ethanol ingestion did not significantly alter the plasma cortisol levels. CONCLUSION This study indicates that the pituitary beta-endorphin system, but not the adrenal cortisol system, of the HR subjects shows an enhanced sensitivity to ethanol, which may be an important factor in controlling ethanol consumption.
Series expansions for three-flavor neutrino oscillation probabilities in matter

We present a number of complete sets of series expansion formulas for neutrino oscillation probabilities in matter of constant density for three flavors. In particular, we study expansions in the mass hierarchy parameter α≡Δm212/Δm312 and mixing parameter s13≡sin θ13 up to second order and expansions only in α and only in s13 up to first order. For each type of expansion we also present the corresponding formulas for neutrino oscillations in vacuum. We perform a detailed analysis of the accuracy of the different sets of series expansion formulas and investigate which type of expansion is most accurate in different regions of the parameter space spanned by the neutrino energy E, the baseline length L, and the expansion parameters α and s13. We also present the formulas for series expansions in α and in s13 up to first order for the case of arbitrary matter density profiles. Furthermore, it is shown that in general all the 18 neutrino and antineutrino oscillation probabilities can be expressed through just two independent probabilities.
Simplification of Toffoli networks via templates

Reversible logic functions can be realized as networks of Toffoli gates. The synthesis of Toffoli networks can be divided into two steps. First, find a network that realizes the desired junction. Second, transform the network such that it uses fewer gates, while realizing the same function. This paper addresses the second step. Transformations are accomplished via template matching. The basis for a template is a network with m gates that realizes the identity function. If a sequence in the network to be synthesized matches more than half of a template, then a transformation reducing the gate count can be applied. All templates for m/spl les/7 are described in this paper.
Descriptive and Prescriptive Definitions of Emotion

Izard (2010) did not seek a descriptive definition of emotion—one that describes the concept as it is used by ordinary folk. Instead, he surveyed scientists’ prescriptive definitions—ones that prescribe how the concept should be used in theories of emotion. That survey showed a lack of agreement today and thus raised doubts about emotion as a useful scientific concept.
Stored-Product Insects Associated with Eight Feed Mills in the Midwestern United States

Abstract Commercial food- and pheromone-baited pitfall traps and pheromone-baited sticky traps were used during 2003 to survey stored-product insect adults in eight participating feed mills in the midwestern United States. Across the eight feed mills, 27 species of beetles (Coleoptera) and three species of moths (Lepidoptera) were captured in commercial traps. The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), was the most abundant insect species captured inside the eight mills. The warehouse beetle, Trogoderma variabile (Ballion), was the most abundant insect species outside the mill and in the mill load-out area. The Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), was the most abundant moth species inside the mill and in the mill receiving area. The Simpson’s index of species diversity among mills ranged from 0.39 (low diversity) to 0.81 (high diversity). The types of species found among mills were different, as indicated by a Morisita’s index of <0.7, for the majority of mills. The differences in the types and numbers of insect species captured inside, outside, in receiving, and in load-out areas could be related to differences in the types of animal feeds produced and the degree of sanitation and pest management practiced.
Levels of methamphetamine use and addiction among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men

Methamphetamine (MA) and poly-drug use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) may be linked to risky sexual behaviors and the subsequent transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. The goal of this analysis was to examine, quantify, and describe lifetime use of MA as well as MA use in the past year in relation to other substances by means of a standardized diagnostic tool, and along key socio-demographic variables. Data for this analysis were gathered from the screening assessment of a larger cross-sectional study examining MA use and psychosocial states in a sample of 215 MSM in New York City. Based on criteria set forth by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Inventory, clinical dependence to MA was shown in 78% of participants. Of this group, over 70% were codependent on other substances, including cocaine and Ecstasy. Further, 95% of Black MSM reported MA use in the past year, of which 97% were classified as dependent. These findings suggest that MA continues to be used at significant rates among MSM and often in conjunction with other substances, and is increasingly used and abused by ethnic and racial minority MSM. Findings suggest the need for programs to address multiple drug dependence and in relation to co-occurring health problems.
Racial Discrimination in Housing Markets during the 1980s: A Review of the Audit Evidence

Seventy-one fair housing audits em ploying interracial teams of matched investigators who posed as home seekers are reviewed. The audits re veal that racial discrimination con tinues to be a dominant feature of metropolitan housing markets in the 1980s. Black auditors seeking homes for sale faced a one-in-five chance, blacks seeking rental dwellings faced a one-in-two chance, and Hispanics seeking rental dwellings faced a one- in-three chance, on average, of being discriminated against.
Factors in the development of modern Arabic usage

In its long documented history, the Arabic language has demonstrated a great capacity to adjust itself to the demands of new cultural trends. During the Abbasid period (when it came into contact with Hellenistic and Persian literate civilizations), Arabic responded well and had developed, by the 13th Century, into a great language of culture and learning. During the period of the decline of the Arab Islamic Empire from the 14th to 19th centuries, the language passed through a corresponding period of Stagnation. This was the period when the major national languages of Europe were on the ascendant, culminating in their development äs great vehicles of science, technology, and culture by the 19th Century. This phenomenal language development is directly attributable to the sociocultural, economic, and psychological stages Europe has gone through in the last six centuries, including the Voyages of Discovery, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Industrial Revolution, the Enlightenment, and the modern technological revolution. With the Arab nahda or reawakening, beginning in the 19th Century, triggered by contact with Western European languages and culture, Arabic again showed much resilience. Further, it showed remarkable response to this new linguistic and cultural Stimulus and struggled to establish itself äs a vehicle of modern expression in all spheres of human endeavor. This paper will discuss some of the sociocultural, literary, linguistic, and psychological factors involved in the modernization of Arabic, and also the new patterns of usage arising therefrom. Attention will be focused on trends in Egypt and the Arabic-speaking Fertile Crescent countries.
The planning and control process of refurbishment projects

This study examines the planning and control process of refurbishment projects. The methods of achieving integration in the process is the main focus of this study. The integrative mechanisms employed by refurbishment project organisations and their influence on planning performance were analysed. The integrative mechanisms include the involvement of the key participants in decision-making, lateral relations, planning and control procedures, communication skills and knowledge and information technology. This study also highlights the influence of the complexity and uncertainty of the refurbishment projects on the integrative mechanisms used in the process. In addition, this study examined how the organisation structure of the construction firms influences the extent to which the integrative mechanisms were used in the planning and control process. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used in this study. A preliminary questionnaire survey was initially conducted, followed by semi-structured interviews with planning and control managers of refurbishment contractors. A final postal questionnaire, developed and then refined from the interview data, was distributed to the planning and control managers of refurbishment contractors. A total of 67 completed questionnaires formed the data base for the quantitative analysis. This study concludes that the choice of the integrative mechanisms to be used in the planning and control process should be based on the nature of the complexity and uncertainty of refurbishment projects, the organisation structure of construction firm and the levels of planning performance required.
Genome-Wide Identification, Localization, and Expression Analysis of Proanthocyanidin-Associated Genes in Brassica

Proanthocyanidins (PA) is a type of prominent flavonoid compound deposited in seed coats which controls the pigmentation in all Brassica species. Annotation of Brassica juncea genome survey sequences showed 72 PA genes; however, a functional description of these genes, especially how their interactions regulate seed pigmentation, remains elusive. In the present study, we designed 19 primer pairs to screen a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of B. juncea. A total of 284 BAC clones were identified and sequenced. Alignment of the sequences confirmed that 55 genes were cloned, with every Arabidopsis PA gene having 2–7 homologs in B. juncea. BLAST analysis using the recently released B. rapa or B. napus genome database identified 31 and 58 homologous genes, respectively. Mapping and phylogenetic analysis indicated that 30 B. juncea PA genes are located in the A-genome chromosomes except A04, whereas the remaining 25 genes are mapped to the B-genome chromosomes except B05 and B07. RNA-seq data and Fragments Per Kilobase of a transcript per Million mapped reads (FPKM) analysis showed that most of the PA genes were expressed in the seed coat of B. juncea and B. napus, and that BjuTT3, BjuTT18, BjuANR, BjuTT4-2, BjuTT4-3, BjuTT19-1, and BjuTT19-3 are transcriptionally regulated, and not expressed or downregulated in yellow-seeded testa. Importantly, our study facilitates in better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying Brassica PA profiles and accumulation, as well as in further characterization of PA genes.
Dynamic Encoding of Movement Direction in Motor Cortical Neurons

When we perform a skilled movement such as reaching for an object, we can make use of prior information, for example about the location of the object in space. This helps us to prepare the movement, and we gain improved accuracy and speed during movement execution. Here, we investigate how prior information affects the motor cortical representation of movements during preparation and execution. We trained two monkeys in a delayed reaching task and provided a varying degree of prior information about the final target location. We decoded movement direction from multiple single-unit activity recorded from M1 (primary motor cortex) in one monkey and from PMd (dorsal premotor cortex) in a second monkey. Our results demonstrate that motor cortical cells in both areas exhibit individual encoding characteristics that change dynamically in time and dependent on prior information. On the population level, the information about movement direction is at any point in time accurately represented in a neuronal ensemble of time-varying composition. We conclude that movement representation in the motor cortex is not a static one, but one in which neurons dynamically allocate their computational resources to meet the demands defined by the movement task and the context of the movement. Consequently, we find that the decoding accuracy decreases if the precise task time, or the previous information that was available to the monkey, were disregarded in the decoding process. An optimal strategy for the readout of movement parameters from motor cortex should therefore take into account time and contextual parameters.
RULES, TECHNIQUE, AND PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE: A WITTGENSTEINIAN EXPLORATION OF VOCATIONAL LEARNING

In this essay, Christopher Winch explores the relevance of Ludwig Wittgenstein’s account of rule-following to vocational education with particular reference to the often-made claim that any account of an activity in terms of rule-following implies rigidity and inflexibility. He argues that most rule-following is only successful when it involves a degree of flexibility. For instance, most technical work that involves rule-following requires flexibility and situational awareness for success. Technical education that fails to take account of the need to apply rules in a way that accounts for a wide variety of situations is likely to be unsuccessful. Winch offers an account of professional judgment based on Stephen Toulmin’s theory of argumentation and discusses progression from novice to expert in terms of Toulmin’s analysis. He also considers the relation between vocational education and other practices in the context of the wider civic implications of occupational practice.