Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thymoquinone as a natural spermostatic substance in reproductive medicine: An experimental study

Background: Nonoxynol-9 a nonionic surfactant is widely used for its spermicidal effects. Finding new sperm immobilizing agents is necessary because Nonoxynol-9 damages the tissues of female reproductive system. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Thymoquinone (TQ) as a potential spermostatic compound on the motility and viability of human spermatozoa. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the effects of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 µg/ml, 1 and 10 mg/ml of TQ on normozoospermic semen samples were investigated. Sperm motility and viability were compared between untreated and TQ-treated aliquots of each semen sample. To evaluate the effects of TQ on the alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), 32 semen samples were examined using 50 µg/ml of TQ. Flow cytometric analysis was performed after staining of spermatozoa with JC-1. Results: Doses above 20 µg/ml of TQ could eventually immobilize all spermatozoa in culture medium. Adding 50 µg/ml of TQ did not significantly diminish the percentage of viable spermatozoa and flow cytometry results revealed that this amount of TQ could decrease sperm MMP. Conclusion: TQ could discontinue the movement of sperm cells in medium without reducing the population of live spermatozoa. It is more likely that TQ exerts its spermostatic action by mitigating the MMP of spermatozoa. Therefore, TQ could be considered as a potential new natural spermostatic chemical.
Polyurethane gel liner usage in the Oxford Prosthetic Service

The objective was to investigate which lower limb amputees are using Alpha polyurethane gel liners and the effects of these on comfort and suspension of their prosthesis. A retrospective study was carried out of case records of all patients issued with Alpha cushion and locking liners between 1997 and the end of January 1999. The type of liner used was compared with age, sex, level and cause of amputation, time since amputation, comfort and suspension. Modified Stanmore/Harold-Wood mobility grades; duration of use and number of liners issued per patient were recorded. Sixteen (16) patients were identified who had been prescribed Alpha cushion liners. Improved comfort was reported by all. Forty (40) patients were identified who had been prescribed Alpha locking liners. Twenty (20) of these reported improved comfort and 10 improved suspension. The average time since amputation was 18.5 years for those using cushion liners and 14.1 years for locking liner users. Fifty-two (52) of all 56 patients using Alpha cushion and locking liners had mobility grades of 4 or more. Trauma was the most common cause of amputation. This group is a relatively mobile group of amputees. All those using cushion liners reported improved comfort. Some of the locking liner users reported improved comfort and suspension but this was not universally the case.
Transformations de l’agriculture et reconfiguration des terroirs au Sud-Mali : une “pression démographique” à relativiser

Malgre la baisse des precipitations et une forte croissance demographique, l’agriculture du Sud-Mali a fait l’objet de transformations considerables au cours des trois dernieres decennies. Ces modifications sont a mettre a l’actif des paysans a qui la Compagnie Malienne Des Textiles (CMDT) a fourni une assistance technique et des credits gages sur la production cotonniere. Grâce a l’acquisition d’animaux et d’equipements atteles, de nombreux agriculteurs ont ete en mesure de remplacer leurs anciens systemes d’agriculture sur abattis-brulis par un systeme dans lequel les champs cultives le sont tous les ans, sans periode de retour a la friche (jachere). Ces parcelles sont situees sur un ager plus ou moins abondamment fertilise par des apports de matieres organiques en provenance des aires reservees a la pâture des animaux (saltus). Ces changements sont alles de pair avec une diversification accrue des systemes de production agricole. Les familles les plus fortunees se detournent aujourd’hui progressivement de la culture cotonniere, au profit d’autres productions commerciales (mais, bananes, mangues, noix de cajou, animaux sur pieds, etc.). Mais lorsque leur niveau d’equipement est insuffisant, les paysans ont bien du mal a vivre de leurs exploitations et dependent des opportunites de revenus extra-agricoles. Les transformations de l’agriculture et de l’espace rural seront aussi fonction de la facon dont certaines familles tentent de s’approprier les bas-fonds pour y etablir des plantations perennes ou des cultures maraicheres encloses, et des nouvelles relations que les agriculteurs sedentaires parviendront a etablir avec les eleveurs transhumants.
Streptococcus bovis Bacteremia from a Venous Access Port in a Patient with AIDS

We report the first case of S. bovis bacteremia related to endoluminal colonization of a venous access port in a setting of advanced HIV infection, neutropenia and co-infection with HBV. The patient had no bowel abnormalities. The clinical picture was mild and was resolved by removal of the device.
Group II phospholipase A2 in sera of febrile patients with microbiologically or clinically documented infections.

Group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2-II) is an inflammatory enzyme, which has been shown to be an acute-phase protein and to correlate with the severity of sepsis. In a prospective study, the concentration of PLA2-II in the sera of 46 patients with sepsis and nonseptic bacterial and viral infections was measured by a fluoroimmunoassay. The serum concentration of PLA2-II in patients with infections (median, 164.5 micrograms/L; range, 5.07-1,740 micrograms/L) was elevated 46-fold above normal concentrations (median, 3.61 micrograms/L; range, 1.32-25.25 micrograms/L). The concentration of PLA2-II was higher in patients with sepsis (median, 284.5 micrograms/L; range, 12.95-1,574 micrograms/L) and nonseptic bacterial infections (median, 210.6 micrograms/L; range, 5.07-1,740 micrograms/L) than in those with viral infections (median, 46.78 micrograms/L; range 11.46-275.9 micrograms/L) (P = .0042). The concentration of PLA2-II correlated well with the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = .613, P = .0001) but not with the concentration of pancreatic PLA2 (r = .089, P = .365). Measuring the serum concentration of PLA2-II is useful as an adjunct to the determination of CRP concentrations for differentiating bacterial from viral infection.
A GaN HEMT Structure Allowing Self-Terminated, Plasma-Free Etching for High-Uniformity, High-Mobility Enhancement-Mode Devices

In this letter, a plasma-free etch stop structure is developed for GaN HEMT toward enhancement-mode operation. The self-terminated precision gate recess is realized by inserting a thin AlN/GaN bilayer in the AlGaN barrier layer. The gate recess is stopped automatically at the GaN insertion layer after high-temperature oxidation and wet etch, leaving a thin AlGaN barrier to maintain a quantum well channel that is normally pinched off. With addition of an Al2O3 gate dielectric, quasi normally OFF GaN MOSHEMTs have been fabricated with high threshold uniformity and low ON-resistance comparable with the normally ON devices on the same wafer. A high channel mobility of 1400 cm2/V·s was obtained due to the preservation of the high electron mobility in the quantum-well channel under the gate.
A Novel Cableless Magnetic Actuator Capable of Reversible Motion in a Thin Pipe

This paper proposes a new type of a cableless magnetic actuator that exhibits a high speed locomotion and considers reversible motion of the cableless actuator due to control of a magnetic field by using coils outside a pipe. This actuator contains a mechanical inverter that directly transforms dc from button batteries into ac. The mechanical dc-ac inverter incorporates a mass-spring system and a curved beam with a concentrated mass that switches under an electromagnetic force. The actuator is moved by inertia force of the mass-spring system due to mechanical resonance energy. Experimental result shows that the actuator is able to move upward at a speed of 16.5 mm/s by using 10 button batteries when pulling 10 g load mass. The results hold great promise for the creation of highly mobile actuator capable of moving in pipes with diameters of under 8 mm.
Incidence and prognosis of Krukenberg tumour in Northern Ireland

The case notes of 15 patients with Krukenberg tumours were studied to determine the incidence, presentation, clinical findings and prognosis of the disease in Northern Ireland. Patients tended to be young and premenopausal. A short history of abdominal pain was the most frequent presenting complaint, abdominal swelling being second. Menstrual irregularities occurred infrequently and no patient was virilized. Tumours tended to be large, bilateral and associated with ascites. The stomach was the commonest primary site. The overall prognosis was poor, especially if the primary tumour remained covert at the time of diagnosis. The prognosis was unaffected by subsequent discovery of the primary source; extensive investigation is inconvenient for the patient and wasteful of resources. The incidence of the tumour in Northern Ireland was 0.16 per 100,000 per annum: it will be rarely encountered by general surgeons.
Graded change in the treatment of the behaviour of autistic children.

SUMMARY A method of introducing slight and gradual changes into the autistic child's environment is discussed. Two case histories are given where this technique has been used to reduce the attachment to objects, at the same time working on increasing sociability and attachment to people. The theoretical implications of such attachments are discussed together with more general applications of such a treatment technique.
Calponin is expressed by fibroblasts and meningeal cells but not olfactory ensheathing cells in the adult peripheral olfactory system

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), the principal glial cells of the peripheral olfactory system, have many phenotypic similarities with Schwann cells of the peripheral nervous system. This makes reliably distinguishing these two cells types difficult, especially following transplantation into areas of injury in the central nervous system. In an attempt to identify markers by which these two cells types can be distinguished, a recent proteomic analysis of fetal OECs and adult Schwann cells identified the actin‐binding protein calponin as a potential marker expressed by OECs but not Schwann cells. Since many studies designed with the translational goal of autologous transplantation in mind have used adult OECs, this study examined the expression of calponin by adult OECs, both in vivo within the peripheral olfactory system and in vitro. Calponin colocalized with strongly fibronectin positive fibroblasts in the olfactory mucosa (OM) and meningeal cells in the olfactory bulb (OB) but not with S100β or neuropeptide‐Y positive OECs. In tissue culture, calponin was strongly expressed by fibronectin‐expressing fibroblasts from OM, sciatic nerve and skin and by meningeal cells from the OB, but not by p75NTR‐ and S100β‐expressing OECs. These data, supported by Western blotting, indicate that calponin can not be used to distinguish adult OECs and Schwann cells. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee, Tea Intake, and Risk of Renal Cell Cancer

The relation between coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and tea intake and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk was analyzed in a case-control study conducted in Italy between 1992 and 2004. Cases were 767 subjects with incident histologically confirmed RCC and controls were 1,534 patients in hospital for acute non neoplastic conditions. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for RCC were computed by multiple logistic regression models, conditioned on study center, sex, and age. Coffee intake (mostly espresso and mocha) was not associated with RCC risk, with an OR of 1.02 (95% CI 0.73–1.43) in drinkers of ≥ 4 cups/day compared with drinkers of < 1 cup/day. The corresponding ORs were 1.34 (95% CI 0.87–2.07) in men and 0.67 (95% CI 0.38–1.18) in women, 1.91 (95% CI 0.85-4.31) in current smokers and 0.74 (95% CI 0.41–1.31) in never smokers, with no trend in risk with dose. No relation was observed with decaffeinated coffee (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 0.94–2.03 for drinkers compared with nondrinkers) and tea intake (OR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.59–1.05 for drinkers of ≥ 1 cup/day compared with nondrinkers). No significant heterogeneity was found for coffee intake across strata of age, education, body mass index, and consumption of sugar. This study, based on a large dataset, provides further evidence that coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and tea consumption are not related to RCC risk.
Metabotropic Modulation of Motoneurons by Scratch-Like Spinal Network Activity

Glutamate is the main excitatory transmitter in the spinal motor network. The excitation is to a large extent mediated by ionotropic receptors, but glutamate also activates metabotropic receptors. In motoneurons in spinal cord slices the activation of group I metabotropic glutamate (mGlu1) receptors leads to facilitation of CaV1.3 L-type calcium channels. Here we investigate whether this pathway is activated by motor network activity induced by natural sensory stimuli. The lumbar carapace and spinal cord were isolated from adult turtles. In this preparation, mechanical stimulation in the receptive field for the scratch reflex induced episodes of rhythmic motor network activity. During an episode the excitability of coactivated motoneurons increased. This increase was associated with an increased persistent inward current and was abolished by local blockade of either mGlu1 receptors or CaV1.3 L-type calcium channels near the recording site. We conclude that glutamate released during spinal motor network activity excites motoneurons by parallel activation of ionotropic and mGlu1 receptors. The metabotropic facilitation of L-type calcium channels contributes significantly to this excitation. Our findings establish intrinsic modulation as an active component in the spinal motor network for limb movements.
Reading and Writing in Al-Masarrat Wa'L-Awjā by Fu'Ād Al-Takarlī

In Fu'ād al-Takarlī's first novel, Basqa fī wajh al-hayāt (Cologne 2000, but written 1948), and more particularly in his latest novel, al-Masarrāt wa'l-awjā' (Damascus 1998), there are many allusions to the acts of reading and writing. This meta fictional element re flects a tension present in al-Takarlī's work between a genuine scepticism about the value of fiction and a profound belief in its importance, particularly in the context of modern Iraq. Al-Takarlī's recurrent questioning of the processes of fiction, and his varied dramatisations of the reader's contribution to making the text, link him to other post-Mahfuzian writers, while the subversive attitudes underlying his meta fiction are distinctive.
Numerical Implementation of the QuEST Function

This paper deals with certain estimation problems involving the covariance matrix in large dimensions. Due to the breakdown of finite-dimensional asymptotic theory when the dimension is not negligible with respect to the sample size, it is necessary to resort to an alternative framework known as large-dimensional asymptotics. Recently, Ledoit and Wolf (2015) have proposed an estimator of the eigenvalues of the population covariance matrix that is consistent according to a mean-square criterion under large-dimensional asymptotics. It requires numerical inversion of a multivariate nonrandom function which they call the QuEST function. The present paper explains how to numerically implement the QuEST function in practice through a series of six successive steps. It also provides an algorithm to compute the Jacobian analytically, which is necessary for numerical inversion by a nonlinear optimizer. Monte Carlo simulations document the effectiveness of the code.
Adequacy of Medicare ’ s Managed Care Payments After the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 ( A-1400-00212 )

Attached are two copies of our final report entitled “Adequacy of Medicare’s Managed Care Payments After the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. ” The objective of this report was to analyze the impact on managed care organizations (MCO) of payment changes brought about by the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997 and the Balanced Budget Refinement Act (BBRA) of 1999 and the assertions by the industry that MC0 payments are inadequate.
Genital Autocleaning in the Male Cricket Gryllus bimaculatus (1): Structure and Function of the Genital Membrane

We found that the genitalia of the male cricket Gryllus bimaculatus are equipped with an autocleaning system. The cricket keeps its genitalia clean by removing foreign matter and endogenous waste. Morphological study showed that the membrane complex consists of a median pouch and a genital chamber floor covered by small scales, each of which has a base of approximately 10 µm in width and a fringe with 5–10 spines 3–20 µm in length. The scales are arranged symmetrically about the midline, curving gradually in the lateral direction and continuing to the lateral pouch serving as a trash container. Observation of cleaning revealed that a small piece of artificial dirt placed on the membrane complex was conveyed over a distance of 1.3 mm to the lateral pouch in 12 minutes. Inspection of the dorsal pouch just after spermatophore extrusion in the mating stage revealed that there were patchy remnants of spermatophore material on the inner surface of the pouch, but that these were evacuated in a few minutes. Surgical elimination of the median pouch caused the formation of abnormal spermatophores with the sperm tube and attachment plate being deformed. These results suggest that genital autocleaning is indispensable for the production of a normal spermatophore in the male cricket.
Abnormal Glucose Homeostasis and Pancreatic Islet Function in Mice with Inactivation of the Fem1b Gene

ABSTRACT Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disorder of glucose homeostasis involving complex gene and environmental interactions that are incompletely understood. Mammalian homologs of nematode sex determination genes have recently been implicated in glucose homeostasis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. These are the Hedgehog receptor Patched and Calpain-10, which have homology to the nematode tra-2 and tra-3 sex determination genes, respectively. Here, we have developed Fem1b knockout (Fem1b-KO) mice, with targeted inactivation of Fem1b, a homolog of the nematode fem-1 sex determination gene. We show that the Fem1b-KO mice display abnormal glucose tolerance and that this is due predominantly to defective glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Arginine-stimulated insulin secretion is also affected. The Fem1b gene is expressed in pancreatic islets, within both β cells and non-β cells, and is highly expressed in INS-1E cells, a pancreatic β-cell line. In conclusion, these data implicate Fem1b in pancreatic islet function and insulin secretion, strengthening evidence that a genetic pathway homologous to nematode sex determination may be involved in glucose homeostasis and suggesting novel genes and processes as potential candidates in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.
Tobacco smoking habits, beliefs, and attitudes among medical students in Tirana, Albania.

BACKGROUND Many surveys throughout the world have evaluated the smoking behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes of medical students, but no information is available from Albania. METHOD A cross-sectional survey in classroom settings using a self-administered questionnaire was performed at the University of Tirana during October 2000. RESULTS In the first and fifth years of medical school, 149 (68.5% women) and 185 (55% women) students, respectively, completed the questionnaire, with overall response rates of 82 and 92%. Tobacco smoking prevailed among males. The smoking rates among first-year medical students were 34% among men and 5% among women. Among fifth-year students, 55% of the men and 34% of the women smoked. The percentages of occasional smokers were 29 and 49%, respectively, among the first- and fifth-year students who smoked. Most medical students reported knowing the health hazards of tobacco. Most students in both groups believed that smoking should be restricted in hospitals. Slightly more than half of the students stated that they will regularly advise smokers against smoking in their future jobs. CONCLUSION Tobacco smoking is common among medical students in Albania. Targeted antismoking training should be mandatory for medical students in Albania.
Population, Warfare, and the Male Supremacist Complex

A demographic analysis of 561 local band and village populations fro m 112 societies found that male-supremacy social patterns were overwhelmingly predominant and that this male supremacy complex leads to both overt and covert female infanticide. Patrilocal or virilocal residence patterns were found in 48% compared with 22% matrilocal or uxorilocal and 19% bilocal. Polygyny was found in 84.8% compared with . 6% for polyandry and 14.6% for monogamy. This practice may actually provide a defense for female children because they are needed to supply multiple wives. Brideprice is found in 57% while no corresponding groomprice is found in any society. Demographic analysis of 160 band and village populations censused prior to modern contact and while they still practiced warfare showed average sex ratio in age group 14 and und er of 128 boys to 100 girls indicating postpartum selection. Many cultures with markedly skewed ratios deny they practice any infanticide at all indicating such covert selection as clandestine aggression and various forms of malign and/or benign neglect. It is hypothesized that the perpetuation of warfare in band and village society and its interaction with selective female infanticide is a response to the need to regulate population growth in the absence of effective or less costly alternatives. In these same societies after tribal warfare had been suppressed for 26 years or more male: female ratios approached a more b iological normal. A hypothesis following this is that any sudden shift from high-protein low-calorie diets to low-protein high-calorie diets among less developed peoples may produce a spurt of population growth followed by an increase in female infanticide and intensification of warfare. This hypothesis has yet to be tested.
The Subtilisin-Like Serine Protease SDD1 Mediates Cell-to-Cell Signaling during Arabidopsis Stomatal Development Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at www.plantcell.org/cgi/doi/10.1105/tpc.001016.

Wild-type stomata are distributed nonrandomly, and their density is controlled by endogenous and exogenous factors. In the Arabidopsis mutant stomatal density and distribution1-1 (sdd1-1), the establishment of the stomatal pattern is disrupted, resulting in stomata clustering and twofold to fourfold increases in stomatal density. The SDD1 gene that encodes a subtilisin-like Ser protease is expressed strongly in stomatal precursor cells (meristemoids and guard mother cells), and the SDD1 promoter is controlled negatively by a feedback mechanism. The encoded protein is exported to the apoplast and probably is associated with the plasma membrane. SDD1 overexpression in the wild type leads to a phenotype opposite to that caused by the sdd1-1 mutation, with a twofold to threefold decrease in stomatal density and the formation of arrested stomata. While SDD1 overexpression was effective in the flp mutant, the tmm mutation acted epistatically. Thus, we propose that SDD1 generates an extracellular signal by meristemoids/guard mother cells and demonstrate that the function of SDD1 is dependent on TMM activity.