Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-synchronizing Huffman codes

A problem associated with the use of variable-length source codes is that loss of synchronization may lead to extended errors in the decoded text. In this correspondence it is shown that some binary Huffman codes contain a codeword that resynchronizes the decoder regardless of the synchronization slippage preceding that codeword. Such codes are self-synchronizing in a probabilistic sense, yet require no additional system overhead. Some sufficient conditions are found for the existence or nonexistence of self-synchronizing Huffman codes for many classes of source probabilities. One of our results shows that many common languages can be encoded with self-synchronizing Huffman codes.
Medical Ethics Education: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract This paper examines undergraduate medical ethics education in the United States during its 25‐year history. Included is a brief description of early efforts in medical ethics education and a discussion of the traditional model of ethics teaching, which emphasizes the knowledge and cognitive skills necessary for ethical decision making. The authors also discuss alternatives to the traditional model that focus more directly on student's personal values, attitudes, and behavior. Current areas of consensus in the field are then explored. Finally, the authors identify three incipient trends in medical ethics education — toward increased emphasis on everyday ethics, student ethics, and macroethics. Throughout the paper, examples of specific courses and curricula are used to illustrate the modes and trends described. Acad. Med. 70(1995): 761–769.
Rosenbergs selvfølelsesskala: Validering av en norsk oversettelse

Selvfolelse kan defineres som den folelsesmessige vurdering av a vaere verdifull og viktig. Derfor kan selvfolelse konseptualiseres som den vurderingsmessige og affektive delen av en bredere selvrepresentasjon, som ofte betegnes som selvkonseptet (Blascovich & Tomaka, 1991). Selvfolelse er et sentralt begrep innen psykologisk forskning, og det er utbredt enighet om stabilitet over tid innen personer [Blascovich & Tomaka, 1991). Et stort antall forskjellige skalaer er blitt brukt for a male selvfolelse, men den internasjonalt mest brukte er Rosenbergs selvfolelsesskala (Rosenbergs SelfEsteem Scale, RSES; Rosenberg, 1965). Skalaen inneholder ti ledd som er konstruert for a male generell selvfolelse, hvor fem av leddene er positivt og fem er negativt formulert.
Gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyltryptamine and beta-carboline alkaloids in ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage.

INTRODUCTION Ayahuasca is obtained by infusing the pounded stems of Banisteriopsis caapi in combination with the leaves of Psychotria viridis. P. viridis is rich in the psychedelic indole N,N-dimethyltryptamine, whereas B. caapi contains substantial amounts of beta-carboline alkaloids, mainly harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which are monoamine-oxidase inhibitors. Because of differences in composition in ayahuasca preparations, a method to measure their main active constituents is needed. OBJECTIVE To develop a gas chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of dimethyltryptamine and the main beta-carbolines found in ayahuasca preparations. METHODOLOGY The alkaloids were extracted by means of solid phase extraction (C(18)) and detected by gas chromatography with nitrogen/phosphorous detector. RESULTS The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.02 mg/mL for all analytes. The calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 0.02-4.0 mg/mL (r(2 )> 0.99). The method was also precise (RSD < 10%). CONCLUSION A simple gas chromatographic method to determine the main alkaloids found in ayahuasca was developed and validated. The method can be useful to estimate administered doses in animals and humans for further pharmacological and toxicological investigations of ayahuasca.
Circoviruses: Immunosuppressive threats to avian species: A review

Circoviruses are small, non-enveloped, icosahedral viruses that are unique among animal viruses in having circular, single-stranded DNA genomes. Their genomes are also the smallest possessed by animal viruses. The circovirus family currently comprises three members, chicken anaemia virus, porcine circovirus, and psittacine beak and feather disease virus, with pigeon circovirus being classified as a tentative member. Infections with each of the four circoviruses are associated with potentially fatal diseases in which virus-induced damage to lymphoid tissue and immunosuppression are common features. Experience with other animal virus families suggests that additional animal species will be infected by, as yet undiscovered, circoviruses and that these may display similar tissue tropism and disease-causing potential. Recent reports describing the association of circovirus-like viruses with immunodeficiency-related diseases of geese and southern black-backed gulls suggest that circovirus infections of avian species may be more common than previously recognized, and prompt the question of whether novel circoviruses infect poultry to cause clinical and/or subclinical diseases that may be economically important. This review has three purposes. First, it is designed to summarize the currently available information about the classified circoviruses and viruses that are regarded as circovirus-like. Second, it aims to alert the readership to the possibility that other avian species, including commercial poultry, may be infected with novel circoviruses. Finally, possible methods for discovering novel circoviruses and for controlling infections by such viruses are suggested.
Classical complement pathway activation by antipneumococcal antibodies leads to covalent binding of C3b to antibody molecules

We have examined whether or not a physical relationship exists between antipneumococcal antibodies (Ab) and C3b when Ab activate the classical complement pathway on the surface of pneumococci (Pn). After sensitization with 125I-labeled Ab, Pn were sequentially incubated with purified C1, C4, C2, and biotinylated C3. Ab molecules were then eluted from Pn, and C3b-associated molecules were purified on avidin-Sepharose. Both 125I-labeled immunoglobulin G (IgG) and [125I]IgM bound to C3b; the association was stable to incubation in 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate at 37 degrees C. The association was only partially reversed by incubation in 1 M hydroxylamine-0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate (pH 10.5), implying that Ab and C3b were linked by amide as well as ester bonds. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of dithiothreitol and NH2OH eluates from the avidin-Sepharose showed that C3b bound to both heavy and light chains of the Ab. Moreover, the ability to bind to erythrocyte C3b receptors could be transferred to unsensitized Pn by eluates from Pn on which Ab had activated the classical pathway. These covalent complexes of Ab and C3b may be especially important in the opsonization of Pn by Ab and complement.
Are Bats Really “Special” as Viral Reservoirs? What We Know and Need to Know

The notion that bats are “special” or “unique” as reservoir hosts for viral pathogens has recently become in vogue in both the media and scientific literature (Dobson, 2005; Wang et al., 2011; Olival et al., 2012; Luis et al., 2013; O’Shea et al., 2014). This was initially based on the relatively recent finding that a number of high‐profile zoonotic viruses (such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV), Ebola and Marburg viruses, and Hendra and Nipah viruses) have bat origins. It has been further developed through the hypothesis that the life history traits of bats compared to other mammals may make them unique and exceptional hosts for viruses (Luis et al., 2013; O’Shea et al., 2014), and with the finding that they harbor more viruses than some other groups of mammals (Luis et al., 2013). However, claims of bats being “special” as viral reservoirs are often made in isolation, without a proper comparative approach that includes data from a wide array of animal taxonomic groups. In this chapter, we extend our previously published preliminary analysis of this issue (Olival et al., 2012), and take a critical and objective look at what may, or may not, make bats “special” as disease reservoirs. ARE BATS REALLY “SPECIAL” AS VIRAL RESERVOIRS? WHAT WE KNOW AND NEED TO KNOW
Twins: a test of the equal environments assumption

We asked a sample of 343 adult same‐sex twin pairs a number of questions about the similarity of their social environment during childhood and early adolescence. A factor analysis of their responses indicated that their common environment was derived from two sources, one being similar treatment “imposed” upon them by their parents, the other being “elicited” by the twins’ similar interests and behavior. Monozygotic (MZ) twins reported experiencing more similar “imposed” and “elicited” environments than dizygotic (DZ) twins. The extent of imposed similar treatment received during childhood and early adolescence was unrelated to either MZ or DZ twins’ current behavioral similarity, as indicated by absolute intrapair differences in their Neuroticism, Anxiety, and Depression scores. Similar treatment imposed upon MZ twins on the basis of their zygosity alone is therefore not a threat to the validity of the twin method. ;
2. EARLY PHASE OF THE CHARACTERIZATION OF NEUROSERPIN 2.1. Isolation and initial characterization of neuroserpin Neuroserpin was isolated in a screen for neuronal proteins involved in axonal growth and synapse formation

1. Abstract 2. Early phase of the characterization of neuroserpin 2.1. Isolation and initial characterization of neuroserpin 2.2. The neuroserpin gene 2.3. The neuroserpin mRNA 2.4. Structural aspects of neuroserpin 3. Expression of neuroserpin 3.1. Regulation of neuroserpin expression 3.2. Expression of neuroserpin during development 3.3. Expression of neuroserpin in the adult 3.4. Investigation of neuroserpin expression using DNA microarray analysis 4. Physiological function of neuroserpin 4.1. In vitro complex formation 4.2. Neuroserpin function in the neuroendocrine tissue 4.3. Role of neuroserpin in the regulation of the emotional state 4.4. Role in synaptic plasticity 4.5. Neuroserpin catabolism 5. Pathological functions of neuroserpin 5.1. Neuroprotective role of neuroserpin in stroke 5.2. Neuroprotective role of neuroserpin in seizures 5.3. Is neuroserpin a cancer-associated gene? 5.4. Familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies 5.4.1. Inclusion body distribution 5.4.2. Characterization of the accumulated neuroserpin 5.4.3. Mechanism of polymerization 5.4.4. Comparison of the four variants 5.4.5. Is the absence of neuroserpin or its accumulation responsible for the neurodegeneration? 6. References
Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of Inula cappa roots (Compositae)

Abstract Background The medicinal properties of Inula cappa, a perennial shrub, are ascribed to its roots. In this article, we study the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of I. cappa root extracts based on its utilization in traditional medicine-treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, menoxenia, fever, jaundice and many others. Methods Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities of I. cappa extracts were studied. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet-induced granulation method while the immunomodulatory activity was estimated by phagocytic assay method, hemagglutinating antibody (HA) titer assay, delayed-type hypersensitivity assay method, plaque forming cell assay and determination of immunoprophylatic activity. Results The methanolic extract showed maximum reduction in the rat paw edema and showed significant inhibition of the cotton pellet-induced granulomas in rats. The methanolic extract also showed potential immunomodulatory activity in all the assays performed. Two sesquiterpenes, isoalantolactone and germacranolide were also isolated from the methanolic extract. Conclusions The present study supports the evidence that the roots of I. cappa can be used as a potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agent.
Mucin core protein expression in extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma is associated with metastases to the liver and poor prognosis

Curative resection does not guarantee long term survival for the patient with extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma because of the possibility of metastases to the liver (LM). Expression of mucin core protein‐1 (MUC1), sialyl‐Lex, and sialosyl‐Tn in bile duct carcinoma was determined and compared with LM and prognosis.
On the List-Decodability of Random Linear Rank-Metric Codes

The list-decodability of random linear rank-metric codes is shown to match that of random rank-metric codes. Specifically, an <tex>$\mathbb{F}_{q}$</tex> -linear rank-metric code over <tex>$\mathbb{F}_{q}^{m\times n}$</tex> of rate <tex>$R=(1-\rho)(1-\frac{n}{m}\rho)-\varepsilon$</tex> is shown to be (with high probability) list-decodable up to fractional radius <tex>$\rho\in(0,1)$</tex> with lists of size at most <tex>$\frac{C_{p,q}}{\varepsilon}$</tex>, where <tex>$C_{\rho,q}$</tex> is a constant depending only on <tex>$\rho$</tex> and <tex>$q$</tex>. This matches the bound for random rank-metric codes (up to constant factors). The proof adapts the approach of Guruswami, Håstad, Kopparty (STOC 2010), who established a similar result for the Hamming metric case, to the rank-metric setting. A full version of this paper is accessible at https://arxiv.org/abs/1710.11516
Change of redox status and modulation by thiol replenishment in retinal photooxidative damage.

PURPOSE Cellular or tissue reduction-oxidation (redox) is crucial in various diseases. The present study was conducted to analyze how tissue redox status is affected by photooxidative stress and whether the exogenous thiol antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) affects photooxidative stress-induced retinal damage. METHODS Mice were intraperitoneally injected with either NAC (250 mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and exposed to white fluorescent light (8000 lux) for 2 hours. Levels of thioredoxin (TRX), glutaredoxin (GRX), and glutathione (GSH), endogenous regulators of redox; 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)-modified protein, a marker of lipid peroxidation; and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, a redox-sensitive transcription factor in retinal samples, was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot or enzymatic recycling assay. Light-induced retinal damage estimated by electroretinography and quantitative immunohistochemistry for 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG index), a marker of oxidative stress-induced DNA damage, was compared in NAC- and PBS-treated mice. RESULTS Upregulation of TRX and HNE-modified protein, decrease of GSH, and nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB were noted after light exposure in PBS-treated mice. These changes were suppressed in NAC-treated mice compared with PBS-treated mice. GRX was not upregulated after light exposure in any mice. The a- and b-wave amplitudes were significantly higher, and the 8OHdG index was significantly lower after light exposure in NAC-treated mice than in PBS-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS Retinal redox status is altered by intense light and is normalized partially by the effect of NAC on TRX and GSH tissue levels. Manipulation of the tissue redox state by exogenous thiol replenishment may be a useful strategy to prevent retinal photooxidative damage.
A Comparison of Public Attitudes in Britain and Saudi Arabia Towards Auditory Hallucinations

Background. The successful introduction of community interventions is partly dependent on public beliefs about the aetiology and treatment of psychiatric difficulties and tolerance of community integration. Method. This study examined community attitudes towards auditory hallucinations in Saudi Arabia (SA) and the United Kingdom (UK) concerning (a) causes of auditory hallucinations, (b) the efficacy of interventions and (c) levels of social rejection. Results. Responses from 281 patients attending their general practitioners indicated that those living in Saudi Arabia were most likely to believe that hallucinations are caused by Satan or due to magic, while the UK sample were more likely to cite schizophrenia or brain damage. While the Saudi sample believed that religious assistance would be most effective, the UK sample supported medication and psychological therapies. Beliefs about aetiology and treatment were unrelated to educational attainment. There was a greater degree of social rejection of patients in Saudi Arabia, but here educational attainment was of significance. Conclusions. These results suggest that beliefs about aetiology are related to treatment recommendations and social distancing, and thus have implications for the care of Arabic patients living in Western countries as well as for the use of Western interventions in non- Western cultures.
Risk factors for cytomegalovirus disease in seropositive renal transplant recipients; a single-center case-controlled study

Background: Risk factors for cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in renal transplant recipients have been evaluated in industrialized countries with relatively low CMV seroprevalence. Objectives: We aimed to determine which factors are related to this illness in a high CMV seroprevalence country. Patients and Methods: A case-control study was performed with data from a 5-year follow-up of 260 kidney transplant recipients at our center. Odds ratios were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method. Results: A total of 25 cases of CMV disease occurred during the study period. Recipient age greater than 55 years old (odds ratio: 4.95, 95% CI: 1.44–17.0) and use of thymoglobulin (odds ratio: 4.84; 95% CI: 1.10–21.39) were the only independent predictors for CMV disease. There was not any relationship between the previous serologic status of both donor and receptor and the occurrence of CMV disease. We did not observe any association between the immunosuppressive regimens and CMV disease, except for thymoglobulin. Conclusions: Only recipient age and thymoglobulin administration were related to CMV disease. Further studies are needed to determine if prophylactic treatment confers clinical benefit in this subset of patients.
Rapid screening for peripheral neuropathy

The modified Optacon, a simple battery-powered device that measures fingertip vibration sensation, was used by para-professionals to screen 257 acrylamide-exposed individuals. Consistent data were obtained on repeated testing of individuals, and there was an age-related linear decrease in vibration sensitivity within the population. Subclinical peripheral neuropathy was detected in two individuals, one acrylamide-related and the other nutritional-alcoholic. This study establishes the use of the modified Optacon as a screening device for some types of peripheral nerve dysfunction.
Expression patterns of Nedd4 isoforms and SGK1 in the rat cochlea

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there exists a Na+ transport system in the cochlea consisting of SGK1, Nedd4 isoforms and ENaC, which may work in concert to transport Na+ and to maintain homeostasis in the inner ear as they do in other tight epithelia. Objectives: It has been well demonstrated that the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) plays important roles in regulation of Na+ reabsorption in the tight epithelia of kidney, colon and lung. Recent studies have provided multiple evidence that the serum glucocorticoid-inducible kinase1(SGK1) and the ubiquitin-protein ligase neural precursor cell-expressed, developmentally downregulated isoforms Nedd4 are involved in ENaC regulation in response to hormones such as aldosterone, vasopressin and insulin. The authors aimed to investigate the cellular localization of Nedd4 isoforms, Nedd4-1/2 and Nedd4-2, and SGK1 in the rat cochlea. Materials and Methods: The expression patterns of Nedd4-1/2, Nedd4-2 and SGK1 in the rat cochlea were studied by immunohistochemistry with the specific polyclonal rabbit antibodies against the rat Nedd4-1/2, Nedd4-2 and SGK1. Results: All three proteins were extensively expressed in various regions of the rat cochlea. They were found in the stria vascularis, spiral ligament, organ of Corti, spiral limbus, spiral ganglion and Reissner's membrane.
A case study on dual forms of malnutrition among selected households in District 1, Tondo, Manila.

The co-existence of under-and overnutrition in developing countries might be the resultant factor of a marked shift in dietary and lifestyle practices of people, especially in urban areas. The eating of high fat, high caloric diets, the presence of inactive entertainment devices and mechanized labour influence patterns of food demand and physical activity. This study identified factors associated with the occurrence of under/overweight or normal/normal nutritional status of child-mother pairs in one household. This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was a survey of 376 child-mother pairs. The children aged 33-83 months were attending classes in government day care centres. Anthropometric indices: weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) < or = -2SD was used to classify underweight in children. WAZ+1 to -1SD was used to indicate normal nutritional status in children, specifically for this study, in order to establish a more homogenous group. Body mass index (BMI) > or = 25 kg/m2 was used to measure overweight among mothers. Results showed that about 59% of the child-mother pairs were suffering from two different types of malnutrition. From this, 31 (8.2%) child-mother pairs in the same household were experiencing underweight/overweight: the child was underweight and the mother was overweight. The second phase of the study was an in-depth study of these 31 under/overweight child-mother pairs and 30 randomly selected normal/normal pairs. Pre-tested questionnaires were used to gather socio-economic-demographic data; 3 day 24-h food recall for dietary intake and 24-h activity recall for physical activity. Results showed that the different factors associated with the existence of underweight child/overweight mother (UC/OM) or normal child/normal mother (NC/NM) in this study were: mother's educational level, mother's occupation, and number of children in the household; energy intake, the preference of meats, sweets and sugars among children or meats and fried foods among mothers; and mother's perception on body size. Physical activity of both mothers and children was higher in the UC/OM than in the NC/NM group. The problem of undernutrition and overnutrition in one household poses enormous challenges. Although this study cannot make an inference to the whole population, the results indicate that there is a need to consider whether public health programs should focus on healthy diet and lifestyle patterns that will lead to optimal health outcomes at both ends of the spectrum of nutritional status.
Antihypertensive medication-taking. Investigation of a simple regimen.

In search of strategies to improve compliance, we assessed medication-taking behavior among 19 ambulatory hypertensives, using both pill counts and electronic monitoring. The regimen consisted of one pill each day for < or = 63 weeks with return visits at 1 to 4 week intervals. The study population was 79% male, 68% white, and 16% black with mean (+/- SEM) age 58.4 +/- 2.5 years. Only 51% of the intervisit intervals displayed > or = 80% of vial openings within the desirable range (24 +/- 6 h). Pill counts detected only 2% of suboptimal interdosing intervals identified by electronic monitoring. Early changes in compliance correlated well with later changes (r = 0.83, P = .002). A few of the subjects exhibited a large deviation from the prescription, uncorrectable with drugs having a long duration of action. We conclude that (a) pill counts tend to overestimate patients' compliance rates; (b) changes in medication-taking behavior early in therapy may predict subsequent compliance rates; and (c) prolonging drug action may compensate for some imperfect medication-taking behavior.