Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fenproporex and Amphetamine Pharmacokinetics in Oral Fluid After Controlled Oral Administration of Fenproporex

Background: Fenproporex hydrochloride (FEN) is an anorectic drug used in the treatment of obesity, and its major metabolite is amphetamine (AMP), another central nervous system stimulant. The concentration versus time profile of FEN and its metabolite AMP has been described in classic biological matrices such as plasma and urine; however, there are no reports of such data in oral fluid. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the pharmacokinetics of FEN and AMP in oral fluid after intake of FEN. Methods: Twenty-five milligrams of FEN (1 capsule of Desobesi-m) was orally administered to 6 male volunteers, and oral fluid samples were collected with a Quantisal device during 24.00 hours after drug ingestion. These samples were submitted to solid-phase microextraction before analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in the selected-ion-monitoring mode, using deuterium-labeled AMP as internal standard. Results: After FEN administration, both analytes could be detected in oral fluid of all volunteers with an initial detection time varying from 0.50 to 1.00 hour. FEN peak concentrations occurred between 1.00 and 1.50 hours after administration and were between 70.7 and 227.5 &mgr;g/L. For AMP, peak concentration occurred between 1.50 and 4.00 hours, reaching 33.0–150.9 &mgr;g/L. Conclusion: The authors observed that oral administration of FEN resulted in significant amounts of FEN and AMP in oral fluid, showing that oral fluid could be a biological matrix suitable for pharmacokinetic studies for both analytes. Using a compartmental approach, FEN data were best fitted by 1-compartment model with first-order input and output, whereas AMP followed a 2-compartment model with first-order input and output.
Ethiopia commodity exchange: Marketing prospects and challenges in focus

The purpose of this paper is to identify the commodity market opportunities and contests of Ethiopia Commodity Exchange market (ECX). The Ethiopian commodity exchange market plays a paramount role to alter Ethiopian agriculture commodity market history and transform the economy through a dynamic, efficient and transparent marketing system. To do this, data were collected in a survey questioners and an interview guided questionnaires employed for both permanent and intermediate members of the commodity exchange together with a deep projective interview. Properly implemented and regulated, commodity exchanges can contribute greatly to the achievement of a country’s economic and developmental issues. Hence the overall objective of this study is to assess the challenges faced and growth prospects. The challenges associated with commodity marketing include the potential for market abuse, increased cost of trading, liquidity issues, quality problem and unfair competition among traders. Key words: Commodity exchange, market opportunities, ECX
Student-teacher connection: a place of possibility.

AIM This paper expands the understanding of student-teacher connection and offers direction for educators in supporting connection as a place of possibility. BACKGROUND The evolution of a humanistic paradigm in nursing education is evident in research exploring student-teacher relationships. Connection is described within humanistic student-teacher relationships, reported as part of experiences of students, educators and clinicians within emancipatory curricula, and emerged as a central metaphor in a metasynthesis of caring in nursing education. Additionally, student-teacher connection in clinical nursing education has been reported as creating positive outcomes for students' learning experiences and professional socialization. DISCUSSION In this paper, student-teacher connection is envisioned as having a value beyond these tangible outcomes - a value that arises from the essence of connection itself. The qualities inherent in the essence of connection - knowing, trust, respect and mutuality - create a transformative space in which students are affirmed, gain insight into their potential, and grow toward fulfilling personal and professional capacities: student-teacher connection emerges as a place of possibility. The possibilities that exist for students and teachers in a connected relationship are exemplified as connection is proposed as a cornerstone in supporting students at risk of failing a clinical nursing course. CONCLUSION Acknowledging student-teacher connection as a place of possibility highlights the importance of student-teacher relationship to students' learning and raises implications for preparation and evaluation of educators, and educational practice within the international nursing arena. Of note is the need for the preparation of educators to include a focus of developing relational competence as well as evaluation processes that consider the teacher-in-relationship. Regardless of the educational setting, educators are challenged to consider their beliefs and actions and the influence these exert on relationships with students. Further research exploring specific possibilities within connection is required.
Kinetics study of fermentative hydrogen production from liquid swine manure supplemented with glucose under controlled pH

Kinetics of H2 production from liquid swine manure supplemented with glucose by mixed anaerobic cultures was investigated using batch experiments under four different pH conditions (4.4, 5.0, 5.6, and uncontrolled). The temperature for the experiments was controlled at 37 ± 1°C and the length of experiments varied between 50 and 120 hours, depending upon the time needed for completion of each individual experiment. The modified Gompertz model was evaluated for its suitability for describing the H2 production potential, H2 production rate, and substrate consumption rate for all the experiments. The results showed that the Gompertz model could adequately fit the experimental results. The effect of pH was significant on all kinetic parameters for H2 production including yield, production rate and lag time, and the substrate utilization rate. The optimal pH was found to be 5.0, at which a maximum H2 production rate (0.64 L H2/h) was obtained, and deviation from the optimal pH could result in substantial reductions in H2 production rate (0.32 L H2/h for pH 4.0 and 0.43 L H2/h for pH 5.6). The results also showed that if pH was not controlled for the batch fermentation process, the substrate utilization efficiency could steeply decrease from 98.8% to 33.7%.
Elevated pretreatment serum lactate dehydrogenase level predicts inferior overall survival and disease-free survival after resection of thymic carcinoma.

Background The prognostic significance of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level in thymic carcinoma (TC) remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the role of pretreatment serum LDH level in the prognosis for TC in this study. Methods Sixty consecutive surgical patients were analyzed in this study with pathologic confirmed TC in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from June 1996 to June 2014. Results The cut-off value of LDH was 210.50 IU/L. In both univariate analysis and multivariable analysis, only pretreatment serum LDH level (P=0.027) and pathological Masaoka stage (P=0.041) were associated with overall survival (OS). In univariate analysis, pretreatment serum LDH level, tumor size, postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) and pathological Masaoka stage were associated with disease-free survival (DFS) (all P<0.050). Multivariable analysis showed that LDH level (P=0.001), PORT (P=0.001) and pathological Masaoka stage (P=0.038) were independently prognostic factors of DFS. This study also revealed that male patients and larger tumor size had a significantly higher rate of elevated pretreatment serum LDH level than in the other groups. Conclusions In conclusion, pretreatment serum LDH level was an independent prognosis factor of OS and DFS for patients with TC.
Tree roots detection based on circular survey using GPR

A circular survey using GPR is employed for tree roots detection in field measurement. A new 3D imaging algorithm is also proposed for implementing the 3D reconstruction of the subsurface targets in cylindrical coordinate system. The proposed algorithm can avoid the spatial interpolation of the acquired data between coordinate systems and employs the wave equation extrapolation technique to implement the 3D imaging efficiently. A practical GPR device for the circular survey using 400 MHz bow-tie antenna was developed for the tree root measurement. Finally, the simulated and experimental results confirmed the efficiency of the proposed circular survey and the imaging algorithm for the tree roots detection.
Regulation of arterial diameter and wall [Ca2+] in cerebral arteries of rat by membrane potential and intravascular pressure

1 The regulation of intracellular [Ca2+] in the smooth muscle cells in the wall of small pressurized cerebral arteries (100‐200 μm) of rat was studied using simultaneous digital fluorescence video imaging of arterial diameter and wall [Ca2+], combined with microelectrode measurements of arterial membrane potential. 2 Elevation of intravascular pressure (from 10 to 100 mmHg) caused a membrane depolarization from ‐63 ± 1 to ‐36 ± 2 mV, increased arterial wall [Ca2+] from 119 ± 10 to 245 ± 9 nM, and constricted the arteries from 208 ± 10 μm (fully dilated, Ca2+ free) to 116 ± 7 μm or by 45 % (‘myogenic tone’). 3 Pressure‐induced increases in arterial wall [Ca2+] and vasoconstriction were blocked by inhibitors of voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels (diltiazem and nisoldipine) or to the same extent by removal of external Ca2+. 4 At a steady pressure (i.e. under isobaric conditions at 60 mmHg), the membrane potential was stable at ‐45 ± 1 mV, intracellular [Ca2+] was 190 ± 10 nM, and arteries were constricted by 41 % (to 115 ± 7 μm from 196 ± 8 μm fully dilated). Under this condition of ‐45 ± 5 mV at 60 mmHg, the voltage sensitivity of wall [Ca2+] and diameter were 7.5 nM mV−1 and 7.5 μm mV−1, respectively, resulting in a Ca2+ sensitivity of diameter of 1 μm nM−1. 5 Membrane potential depolarization from ‐58 to ‐23 mV caused pressurized arteries (to 60 mmHg) to constrict over their entire working range, i.e. from maximally dilated to constricted. This depolarization was associated with an elevation of arterial wall [Ca2+] from 124 ± 7 to 347 ± 12 nM. These increases in arterial wall [Ca2+] and vasoconstriction were blocked by L‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channel inhibitors. 6 The relationship between arterial wall [Ca2+] and membrane potential was not significantly different under isobaric (60 mmHg) and non‐isobaric conditions (10‐100 mmHg), suggesting that intravascular pressure regulates arterial wall [Ca2+] through changes in membrane potential. 7 The results are consistent with the idea that intravascular pressure causes membrane potential depolarization, which opens voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels, acting as ‘voltage sensors’, thus increasing Ca2+ entry and arterial wall [Ca2+], which leads to vasoconstriction.
Quantitative proteomics of a B12‐dependent alga grown in coculture with bacteria reveals metabolic tradeoffs required for mutualism

Summary The unicellular green alga Lobomonas rostrata requires an external supply of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) for growth, which it can obtain in stable laboratory cultures from the soil bacterium Mesorhizobium loti in exchange for photosynthate. We investigated changes in protein expression in the alga that allow it to engage in this mutualism. We used quantitative isobaric tagging (iTRAQ) proteomics to determine the L. rostrata proteome grown axenically with B12 supplementation or in coculture with M. loti. Data are available via ProteomeXchange (PXD005046). Using the related Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a reference genome, 588 algal proteins could be identified. Enzymes of amino acid biosynthesis were higher in coculture than in axenic culture, and this was reflected in increased amounts of total cellular protein and several free amino acids. A number of heat shock proteins were also elevated. Conversely, photosynthetic proteins and those of chloroplast protein synthesis were significantly lower in L. rostrata cells in coculture. These observations were confirmed by measurement of electron transfer rates in cells grown under the two conditions. The results indicate that, despite the stability of the mutualism, L. rostrata experiences stress in coculture with M. loti, and must adjust its metabolism accordingly.
Prevalence and associated harm of engagement in self-asphyxial behaviours (‘choking game’) in young people: a systematic review

Objective To assess the prevalence of engagement in self-asphyxial (risk-taking) behaviour (SAB) (‘choking game’) and associated morbidity and mortality in children and young people up to age 20. Design Systematic literature review. Search strategy Electronic database search of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, BIOSIS citation index and the Cochrane register with no language or date limits applied. References of key papers were reviewed, and experts were contacted to identify additional relevant papers. Eligibility criteria Systematic reviews, cross-sectional, cohort and case–control studies, and case reports examining SAB with regard to individuals aged 0–20 years, without explicitly stated autoerotic, suicidal or self-harm intentions were included. Results Thirty-six relevant studies were identified, and SAB was reported in 10 countries. In North America, France and Colombia, awareness of SAB ranged from 36% to 91% across studies/settings, and the median lifetime prevalence of engagement in SAB was 7.4%. Six studies identified the potential for SAB to be associated with engagement in other risk behaviours. Ninety-nine fatal cases were reported. Of the 24 cases described in detail, most occurred when individuals engaged in SAB alone and used a ligature. Conclusions The current evidence on SAB among young people is limited, and stems predominantly from North America and France. Awareness of SAB among young people is high, and engagement varies by setting. Further research is needed to understand the level of risk and harm associated with SAB, and to determine the appropriate public health response.
The Mixing method: coordinate descent for low-rank semidefinite programming

In this paper, we propose a coordinate descent approach to low-rank structured semidefinite programming. The approach, which we call the Mixing method, is extremely simple to implement, has no free parameters, and typically attains an order of magnitude or better improvement in optimization performance over the current state of the art. We show that for certain problems, the method is strictly decreasing and guaranteed to converge to a critical point. We then apply the algorithm to three separate domains: solving the maximum cut semidefinite relaxation, solving a (novel) maximum satisfiability relaxation, and solving the GloVe word embedding optimization problem. In all settings, we demonstrate improvement over the existing state of the art along various dimensions. In total, this work substantially expands the scope and scale of problems that can be solved using semidefinite programming methods.
Post-laryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula – a still unresolved problem

Abstract Fifty-six total laryngectomy cases are presented with special reference to post-operative fistula formation. All these patients were operated upon at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Bnai Zion Medical Centre by one surgeon over a 16-year period, from 1976–1992. The incidence of fistula was 12.5 percent. This paper could not verify reports that any specific factors were significantly related to fistula formation, although there was a preponderance of fistulas in patients presenting with late stage tumours. No relationship was found with rate of infection, age, or between previous neck irradiation (ranging from 5500 to 7000 cGy) and fistula formation in the patient population. If a fistula occurs, the administration of oral solid food keeping the nasogastric tube in place for administration of fluids may lead to spontaneous closure of the fistula, with no need for secondary surgical repair.
A Self T Cell Epitope Induces Autoantibody Response: Mechanism for Production of Antibodies to Diverse Glomerular Basement Membrane Antigens1

The anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) Ab has been regarded as a prototypical example of pathogenic autoantibodies. However, the mechanism for elicitation of this Ab remains unknown. In the present paper, we report that the Ab to diverse GBM Ags was induced by a single nephritogenic T cell epitope in a rat model. The T cell epitope pCol28–40 of noncollagen domain 1 of collagen type IV α3 chain not only uniformly induced severe glomerulonephritis but also elicited anti-GBM Ab in 76% of the immunized rats after prominent glomerular injury. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the anti-GBM Ab was not related to the peptidic B cell epitope nested in pCol28–40; that is, 1) elimination of the B cell epitope, either by substitution of the critical residues of the B cell epitope or by truncation, failed to abrogate anti-GBM Ab production, and 2) the anti-GBM Ab, eluted from the diseased kidneys, reacted only with native GBM, but not with pCol28–40. Confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation further demonstrated that the eluted anti-GBM Ab recognized conformational B cell epitope(s) of multiple native GBM proteins. We conclude that autoantibody response to diverse native GBM Ags was induced by a single nephritogenic T cell epitope. Thus, anti-GBM Ab may actually be a consequence of T cell-mediated glomerulonephritis.
Norm Diusion in IGO Networks: The Case of Gay Rights and Women's Rights 1

In recent years a large number of states have taken significant steps towards protecting the rights of women, and, to a lesser extent, the rights of gays and lesbians. This study uses panel data for over 130 states to test the hypothesis that states’ decisions to adopt more progressive policies in these issue areas are influenced by the decisions of their peers. Specifically, I find that after controlling for a number of external and internal variables, states’ policies with respect to women’s rights and gay rights tend to be heavily influenced by those of the states with whom they share membership in intergovernmental organizations (IGOs). What is particularly interesting is that in spite of the fact that women’s rights and gay rights differ significantly in the extent to which they are encoded in international human rights law, the two types of policy appear to diffuse with similar ease through IGO networks. These results appear to be robust to alternative specifications of the model that take account of differences in the characteristics of the member states of the IGOs as well as differences in the characteristics of the IGOs themselves. These results lend further weight to the argument that IGOs play an important role in promoting norm diffusion among states through a process of inter-state socialization, even in areas that are entirely unrelated to the official mandates of these organizations.
Potentiation of Inhaled Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B-Induced Toxicity by Lipopolysaccharide in Mice

Nonhuman primates are the established model for evaluating toxic responses to staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs), as they react similarly to humans. Rodents are generally considered unresponsive to SEs. Binding affinities and T-cell reactivity suggest that SE binds more efficiently to primate major histocompatability complex class II receptors than to mouse receptors. We investigated the potentiation of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) inhalation toxicity by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BALB/c mice. Lethality occurred only when SEB was potentiated by LPS. Neither SEB nor LPS produced lethal effects alone. Temporal responses of interleukin 1α, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 2, and interferon-γ evoked by inhaled SEB were enhanced by LPS. By 24 hr after intoxication, serum cytokines decreased to baseline levels, and consistent pulmonary perivascular leukocytic infiltrates were evident histologically. Histologic lesions induced by inhalation exposure to SEB by mice, with or without potentiation by LPS, were similar to those in the rhesus monkey. Predominant pulmonary lesions included severe, diffuse interstitial and alveolar pulmonary edema, leukocytic infiltrates, mild perivascular edema, and alveolar fibrin deposition. Although the mechanism of aerosolized SEB-induced toxicity has not been completely resolved, similarities in histologic lesions, cytokine responses, and acute dose-response suggest the LPS-potentiated mouse model may be a credible alternative to the nonhuman primate model.
Benefits of Colonoscopic Surveillance After Curative Resection of Colorectal Cancer

ObjectiveThe authors determined the usefulness of routine colonoscopy after colorectal cancer surgery. Summary Background DataSome studies suggest benefit to colonoscopy in the routine follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer who are resected for cure, whereas other studies show no benefit. MethodsChart review was conducted for 290 patients who underwent curative resection for colorectal cancer between 1967 and 1991 at a colorectal surgeon's practice. Colonoscopy was performed every 6 months during the first year, then every 1 to 2 years, or when intercurrent symptoms appeared. ResultsOverall, 31 patients (10.7%) developed recurrent disease, which increased as a function of stage (C2 > B2 > A), with a median time to diagnosis of 20 months. Of these 31 recurrences, 14 (45.2%) were solely local (of whom 12 were asymptomatic); 17 (54.8%) involved distant disease. Nine locally recurrent patients were able to undergo curative resection. Of 19 symptomatic patients, only 3 (15.8%) were amenable to curative resection. Six patients (2.1%) developed a metachronous second primary colorectal cancer, of whom four (66.7%) were asymptomatic, and five (83.3%) were able to undergo curative resection. Overall, because of surveillance colonoscopies, 13 asymptomatic patients (4.5%) had curative resection for localized recurrent disease or a metachronous second primary cancer. ConclusionsColonoscopy is a useful modality in the early detection of recurrent and metachronous disease after colorectal cancer, increasing the potential for curative resection and improved survival.
Predicting Extents of Mercury Oxidation in Coal-Derived Flue Gases

Abstract The proposed mercury (Hg) oxidation mechanism consists of a 168-step gas phase mechanism that accounts for interaction among all important flue gas species and a heterogeneous oxidation mechanism on unburned carbon (UBC) particles, similar to established chemistry for dioxin production under comparable conditions. The mechanism was incorporated into a gas cleaning system simulator to predict the proportions of elemental and oxidized Hg species in the flue gases, given relevant coal properties (C/H/O/N/S/Cl/Hg), flue gas composition (O2, H2O, HCl), emissions (NOX, SOX, CO), the recovery of fly ash, fly ash loss-on-ignition (LOI), and a thermal history. Predictions are validated without parameter adjustments against datasets from lab-scale and from pilot-scale coal furnaces at 1 and 29 MWt. Collectively, the evaluations cover 16 coals representing ranks from sub-bituminous through high-volatile bituminous, including cases with Cl2 and CaCl2 injection. The predictions are, therefore, validated over virtually the entire domain of Cl-species concentrations and UBC levels of commercial interest. Additional predictions identify the most important operating conditions in the furnace and gas cleaning system, including stoichiometric ratio, NOX, LOI, and residence time, as well as the most important coal properties, including coal-Cl.