Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of supplemental fat to low metabolizable energy diets on cholesterol and triglyceride contents of broiler meat.

Problem statement: Modern diets high in Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA) and low in Monounsaturated (MUFA) and Polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids are mostly blamed for the increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Since dietary fatty acids are absorbed by monogastric animals and deposited in their tissues without significant modification, considerable potential exists for the manipulation of the fatty acid profile of poultry meat and eggs. In the present study, effects of different sources and levels of supplemental fat to low energy diets on energy and protein intake and efficiency during grower and finisher periods and cholesterol and Triglyceride (TG) contents of breast and thigh meat of broiler chicks were investigated. Approach: One hundred and eighty 1 day old Ross 308 broiler chicks of both sexes were used for 42 days. The chicks were randomly allocated to 15 pens containing 12 chicks each with 3 replicates and assigned to receive one of the 5 dietary treatments of 2 sources (soybean oil and beef tallow) and 2 levels of fat (20 and 40 g kg-1) in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement. There was also a control treatment (without supplemental fat) in this experiment. All chicks were fed with a commercial starter diet from 1-10 day, where-after fed with isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Results: There were significant differences in energy and protein intake and energy and protein efficiency among treatments in all phases of the experiment (p<0.05). Energy and protein intake was significantly higher in the chicks fed with 40 g kg-1 soybean oil that compared to other groups. The effect of different sources and levels of supplemental fat on cholesterol and TG contents of thigh and breast meat of broiler chicks in 42 day of age was significant (p<0.05). Adding 20 g kg-1 soybean oil significantly decrease levels of cholesterol in thigh and breast meat (p<0.05). The highest TG value of breast meat was observed in control chicks compared with other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation of broiler diets with 20 g kg-1 soybean oil improved energy efficiency, decreased cholesterol content of breast and thigh meat of broiler chicks in comparison with other groups.
Contact dermatitis in children

168 children, 14 years of age or younger, were patch tested with the Standard Series of the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) over a 5‐year period, 77 of the children had 1 or more positive reactions: relevant test results were found in 80% of them.
In search of a metatheory for cognitive development (or, Piaget is dead and I don't feel so good myself).

With the waning of influence of Piaget's theory and the shortcomings of information-processing perspectives of cognitive growth, cognitive developmentalists lack a common set of broad, overarching principles and assumptions--a metatheory--to guide their research. Developmental biology is suggested as metatheory for cognitive development. Although it is important for developmentalists to understand proximal biological causes (e.g., brain development), most important for such a metatheory is an evolutionary perspective. Some basic principles of evolutionary psychology are introduced, and examples of contemporary research and theory consistent with these ideas are provided.
A survey of adaptive applications in mobile computing

Mobile computing is gaining wide acceptance due to the rapid enhancement in wireless communications technologies. This has led to an increase in the demand for mobile information access. However, most mobile computing environments are very limited in resources, hence introducing new requirements and challenges for the software developer and engineer. To address these challenges applications have to be adaptive. We describe mobile computing and its constraints. We describe adaptation spaces as a common framework for understanding the state-of-the-art in adaptive applications. A number of projects are reviewed and discussed. Then, a new rising paradigm in building adaptive applications is introduced based on a component-based architecture. We believe this new approach will provide a more flexible environment for building mobile applications.
Multiple, diverse senile plaque–associated proteins are ligands of an apolipoprotein e receptor, the α2‐macroglobulin receptor/low‐density‐lipoprotein receptor—related protein

Both apolipoprotein E and its receptor, the low‐density‐lipoprotein receptor‐related protein (LRP), are associated with senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease. We examined the relationship of other LRP‐related molecules to senile plaques. LRP is a multifunctional receptor that blinds and rapidly internalizes at least seven ligands: apolipoprotein E, activated α2‐macroglobulin, tissue and urokinase‐type plasminogen activators, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, lipoprotein lipase, and lactoferrin. Using immunohistochemistry, we showed that all of these ligands, representing a diverse group of otherwise apparently unrelated proteins, accumulate on senile plaques. We also studied expression of the receptor‐associated protein, a physiological inhibitor of LRP, in the hippocampal formation from normal subjects and Alzheimer's disease patients. Receptor‐associated protein colocalizes with LRP on neuronal soma, but not on neuronal processes or reactive astrocytes. It is not present on senile plaques. These results suggest that senile plaque‐associated LRP can bind its ligands, but clearance of these compounds may be impaired in the vicinity of senile plaques.
Increasing survey engagement through gamification and the use of mobile devices

The quest to fully engage survey respondents, ensuring higher quality data and increased participation has become a priority for survey designers. This is especially in light of the reputation that online surveys are 'dull'. Exploration of this subject has revealed an emerging trend: the 'gamification' of surveys. Gamification is thought to tap into a deeply entrenched human culture involving games and game playing, which therefore increases the engagement of survey respondents. Examining peer-reviewed and published literature, this paper discusses both gamification in web surveys as well as options for designing surveys for mobile devices.
Self‐monitoring of blood glucose in children and teens with diabetes

Abstract: Improved metabolic control has unequivocally been demonstrated to delay the onset and slow the progression of microvascular complications in adolescents and adults with diabetes mellitus. Growing evidence also supports the association of tighter glucose control and more frequent blood glucose monitoring. Therefore, self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has become a fundamental part of diabetes care in children. Here, we review recent advances and ongoing trends in glucose monitoring in children with diabetes. Technologies have been developed to improve patient compliance with recommended monitoring, requiring less blood, involving less pain, and providing results more quickly. Alternate‐site testing (AST) is also a potential means of improving patient compliance with SMBG by avoiding the sensitive fingertip area. The Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) and the GlucoWatch® Biographer are two recent tools that can track glucose levels continuously. However, inconsistency in their accuracy and precision remain challenges when using these technologies to guide management.
Primary and adaptive changes of A-type K 1 currents in sympathetic neurons from hypertensive rats

Primary and adaptive changes of A-type K 1 currents in sympathetic neurons from hypertensive rats. Am. J. Physiol. 276 ( Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 45): R1758–R1765, 1999. —The A-type K 1 current ( I A ) of superior cervical ganglion neurons acutely isolated from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats was compared under whole cell voltage clamp. Activation parameters were similar in each strain. Steady-state inactivation was shifted approximately 2 6 mV in SHR, where one-half inactivation occurred at 2 81 mV vs. 2 75 mV in WKY rats. The shift was not present in prehypertensive SHR but remained in adult enalapril-treated SHR and, therefore, may represent a primary alteration of I A properties. I A amplitudes evoked from physiological potentials were similar, despite inactivation of a greater fraction of the current in the SHR. Comparing maximal I A densities revealed that current density is elevated in the SHR, which compensates for the inactivation shift. Current density decreased with age in WKY neurons but did not signiﬁcantly decline in SHR neurons unless hypertension was prevented with enalapril. Thus adult SHR neurons may retain a high I A density as an adaptive response to offset potential hyperexcitability resulting from the hyperpolarized I A inactivation.
Halothane Attenuates Calcium Sensitization in Airway Smooth Muscle by Inhibiting G‐proteins

Background Halothane directly relaxes airway smooth muscle partly by decreasing the Ca2+ sensitivity. In smooth muscle, receptor stimulation is thought to increase Ca2+ sensitivity via a cascade of heterotrimeric and small monomeric guanine nucleotide‐binding proteins (G‐proteins). Whether this model is applicable in the airway and where halothane acts in this pathway were investigated. Methods A [small beta, Greek]‐escin‐permeabilized canine tracheal smooth muscle preparation was used. Exoenzyme C3 of Clostridium botulinum, which inactivates Rho monomeric G‐proteins, was used to evaluate the involvement of this protein in the Ca2+ sensitization pathway. The effects of halothane on different stimulants acting at different levels of signal transduction were compared: acetylcholine on the muscarinic receptor, aluminum fluoride (AIF4‐) on heterotrimeric G‐proteins, and guanosine 5'‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate) (GTP sub [small gamma, Greek] S) on all G‐proteins. Results Exoenzyme C3 equally attenuated acetylcholine‐ and AIF4 (‐) ‐induced Ca2+ sensitization, suggesting that these pathways are both mediated by Rho. Halothane applied before stimulation equally attenuated acetylcholine‐ and AIF4‐ ‐induced Ca2+ sensitization. However, when added after Ca2+ sensitization was established, the effect of halothane was greater during Ca2+ sensitization induced by acetylcholine compared with AIF4‐, which, along with the previous result, suggests that halothane may interfere with dissociation of heterotrimeric G‐proteins. Halothane applied during GTP sub [small gamma, Greek] S‐induced Ca2+ sensitization had no significant effect on force, suggesting that halothane has no effect downstream from monomeric G‐proteins. Conclusion Halothane inhibits increases in Ca2+ sensitivity of canine tracheal smooth muscle primarily by interfering with the activation of heterotrimeric G‐proteins, probably by inhibiting their dissociation.
Inhibitory effects of Hwang-Ryun-Hae-Dok-Tang on cytochrome P450 in human liver microsomes

Abstract 1. The herb–drug interaction potential of Hwang-Ryun-Hae-Dok-Tang (HR) extracts mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition was determined using human liver microsomes. 2. HR strongly inhibited CYP1A2 and moderately inhibited CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 (testosterone) but not CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 (midazolam). 3. The enzyme kinetic results suggest that CYP1A2 inhibition is competitively reversible (Ki, 13.4 ± 1.8 μg/ml), and CYP2D6 inhibition is quasi-irreversible (KI, 0.234 ± 0.138 μg/ml; kinact, 0.067 ± 0.006 min−1). 4. Fermentation using Lactobacillus acidophilus attenuated the HR-induced inhibition of CYP2D6, but not the other isoforms. 5. Neither CYP1A2 nor CYP3A4 was markedly inhibited by berberine, palmatine, and geniposide—major components in HR—and CYP2D6 was inhibited by berberine (IC50, 13.8 μg/ml) in a metabolism-dependent manner. 6. The results suggest the possibility of HR–drug interaction through inhibition of CYP—particularly CYP2D6—which may be attenuated by fermentation using L. acidophilus.
Effects of a Classroom Curriculum on Physical Activity and its Psychological Predictors in High School Students

Recent research indicates that recommended amounts of physical activity suggested for health benefits are rarely met in high-school–age adolescents. A pilot study was conducted to investigate the effects of a classroom health-education–based curriculum intervention on the physical activity of high school students. A within-group research design was used on data from a sample of ninth grade boys and girls (N = 104) who received six classroom health education lessons over 5 weeks based on social cognitive theory. The lessons focused on improvements in the theory-based psychological variables of mood, body satisfaction, physical self-concept, and exercise self-efficacy. Mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVAs indicated an overall statistically significant increase in physical activity, with no significant difference by sex. There were no statistically significant changes found in mood, body satisfaction, physical self-concept, or exercise self-efficacy. Results from a multiple regression analysis indicated that changes in the psychological variables tested explained 6% of the variance in physical activity change, which was not statistically significant. Results from this study may help researchers, school administrators, classroom health teachers, and developers of curricula better understand the role of the psychological factors of mood, body satisfaction, physical self-concept, and exercise self-efficacy in adolescent physical activity behavior and assist in the design of future school-based interventions.
The seduction of death.

The Difference Between Fast Seduction and Slow Seduction. A. Fast Seduction . escalation, Amogging, fractionation (which is related to the push-pull or. Sweet Seduction Serenade. Sweet Seduction Shadow. Sweet Seduction Surrender (Late 2013). Elemental Awakening Series. The Tempting Touch Of Fire (Late e-mail from a man who had obviously taken a Neuro Linguistic. Programming course on seduction. His words were straight out of a seduction technique book. dating/seduction/pickup community including why most guys are still struggling and it empowers 10 Minute Seduction Technique (The Pheromone Kid).
Conflict-free data access of arrays and trees in parallel memory systems

Mapping the nodes of a data structure to a given set of memory modules so that different sets of nodes (called templates) can be accessed in parallel without conflicts is an important problem. We consider two useful data structures, namely trees and arrays. The most commonly used templates of a tree are the subtrees of a given height or the nodes in any given level. We present a recursive memory module assignment algorithm for complete k-ary trees, allowing conflict-free access to any complete subtree of height h. Our scheme uses k/sup h-1/-1/k-1 memory modules which is the same as the number of nodes in the subtree and hence the memory utilization is optimal. The number of conflicts in accessing nodes in different levels or subtrees of different heights for these schemes are presented. For accessing arrays, the templates of interest are rows, columns, diagonals, different subblocks, distributed blocks and so on. We propose a new scheme for conflict-free access to all of these templates with the help of quasigroups. The multiplication table of a quasigroup will be used to map the array elements to different memory modules. <<ETX>>
The influence of exendin and GLP-1 on VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 production in endothelium stimulated by TNF-α and glycated albumin

A growing body of evidence indicates that incretins may have pleiotropic beneficial effects beyond lowering glucose blood concentration. The effect of GLP-1 and exendin-4 on coronary arteries endothelium in diabetic and obese individuals has been studied widely. TNF-a is one of adipocytokines. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of glycated albumin (GlyAlb; 100; 500 and 1000 mg/L) and proinflammatory cytokine, TNF-α (2.5 and 10 ng/mL), on expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in cultured human endothelial cells derived from coronary arteries. The next goal of the study was to evaluate the influence of GLP-1 (10 nM and 100 nM) and its analogue, exendin-4 (1 nM and 10 nM), on the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in these cell line. TNF-a statistically significantly increased VCAM-1 production by endothelial cells, whereas GlyAlb statistically significantly augmented the expression of both tested adhesion mole- cules. Exendin-4 and GLP-1 statistically significantly reduced the expression of VCAM-1 in endothelial cells stimulated by GlyAlb in dose-de- pendent manner. When TNF-a was used as the stimulant only exendin-4 in the concentration of 10 nM statistically significantly reduced the expression of VCAM-1. Studied incretins in their both concentrations statistically significantly reduced the expression of ICAM-1 in endothelial cells stimulated by GlyAlb. The influence of TNF- a on the expression of ICAM-1 was statistically significantly reduced by both concentrations of exendin-4 but only by the higher concentration of GLP-1. The results of our present study indicate that incretins may present a group of agents developing pleiotropic effects beyond the reduction of blood glucose concentration. Their vaso-protective and cardioprotective action may be of importance in diabetic and obese individuals.
Effects of Convective Heating on Movement and Vertical Coupling of Tropical Cyclones: A Numerical Study*

Abstract The influence of convective heating on movement and vertical coupling of tropical cyclones (TCs) is investigated using a hurricane model with different environmental flows. The authors identify two processes by which convective heating may affect TC motion. One is the advection of symmetric potential vorticity (PV) by heating-induced asymmetric flow. The other is the direct generation of a positive PV tendency by asymmetric heating, which acts to shift a TC to the region of maximum downward gradient of asymmetric heating. A steering level exists that is located at the level where the direct influence of asymmetric heating vanishes, normally in the lower troposphere. At that level, a TC moves with the asymmetric flow averaged within a radius of 200 km, because the influence of asymmetric flows on TC motion is weighted by the horizontal PV gradient that is primarily confined within the TC core. Although the vertical shear in the asymmetric flow (including environmental and heating-induced flows) co.
Glucocorticoid receptor but not mineralocorticoid receptor mediates the activation of ERK pathway and CREB during morphine withdrawal

Recent research suggests that glucocorticoids are involved in the development of addiction to drugs of abuse. They share this role with dopamine (DA), and with different signalling pathways and/or transcription factors such as extracellular‐signal regulated kinases (ERK) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). However, the relation between them is not completely elucidated. In this report, we further characterize the role of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor (GR and MR) signalling in DA turnover at the Nacc, and in opiate withdrawal‐induced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, ERK and CREB phosphorylation (activation) in the nucleus of tractus solitarius (NTS‐A2). The role of GR and MR signalling was assessed with the selective GR antagonist, mifepristone or the MR antagonist, spironolactone (i.p.). Rats were implanted two morphine (or placebo) pellets. Six days later rats were pretreated with mifepristone, spironolactone or vehicle 30 min before naloxone, and DA turnover, TH expression, ERK and CREB phosphorylation, were measured using HPLC and immunoblotting. Glucocorticoid receptor blockade attenuated ERK and CREB phosphorylation and the TH expression induced by morphine withdrawal. In contrast, no changes were seen after MR blockade. Finally, GR and MR blockade did not alter the morphine withdrawal‐induced increase seen both in DA turnover and DA metabolite production, in the NAcc. These results show that not only ERK and CREB phosphorylation but also TH expression in the NTS is modulated by GR signalling. The present results suggest that GR is a therapeutic target to improve aversive events associated with opiate withdrawal.
Antiretroviral Therapy With Heart

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has resulted in a substantial improvement in the morbidity and mortality associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. As this population ages, cardiovascular disease is becoming an increasingly important health burden. It is clear that many factors are involved in the development of this problem, with traditional risk factors (smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes, family history, hypertension) the main contributors. ART and HIV infection itself can modify the risk of cardiovascular disease. Not only does this increased risk seem to be mediated through effects on traditional cardiovascular risk factors, namely dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, but there is also some evidence that HIV and ART may be associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Current data are conflicting and further investigation into this area is needed. Drugs from both nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and protease inhibitor classes have been demonstrated to increase cardiovascular risk; however these effects are variable not only between classes but also between drugs in the same class. As newer therapies become available (in existing and new drug classes), the cardiovascular impact of these will need careful evaluation. Currently published guidelines suggest regular monitoring of cardiovascular risks (both before and after commencing ART) and pre-emptive treatment. Existing risk assessment tools have not been fully validated in an HIV setting and need to be used with caution. Lifestyle modification, in the first instance, and pharmacological intervention to reduce traditional risk factors are important management strategies. Initiating, or switching to, ART with a lower potential for metabolic derangement should also be considered.
Quality of life and functional impairment in obsessive–compulsive disorder: a comparison of patients with and without comorbidity, patients in remission, and healthy controls

Background: Several studies have demonstrated that obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with interference in quality of life (QOL) and functional impairment. However, these studies did not compare individuals in remission to individuals who continue to have the disorder, predominantly used comparisons with norms and not with a matched normal sample, and did not always consider the impact of comorbidity. Methods: We administered multiple measures that assess QOL and functional impairment to 66 OCD patients who had previously consented for a clinical trial and to 36 age and sex matched individuals who denied any psychiatric history. Results: Results confirm that OCD was associated with significantly lower QOL and functional impairment compared to healthy controls (HCs) in areas of work, social life, and family life. Individuals with OCD and other comorbid psychiatric diagnoses showed the poorest QOL and functioning, with comorbid depression accounting for much of the variance. The levels of QOL and functioning in individuals in remission tended to lie in between HCs and individuals with current OCD: their QOL or functioning did not differ significantly from HCs nor did they consistently differ significantly from those who had current OCD. Conclusion: These results suggest that individuals who are in remission have improved levels of QOL and functioning, whereas individuals with OCD are significantly impaired, and individuals with OCD and comorbid disorders are the most impaired. Treatment strategies should be focused on achieving remission of all symptoms to have the greatest impact on functioning and QOL. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.