Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
English and Black Walnut Phenolic Antioxidant Activity in vitro and Following Human Nut Consumption

Background: Walnut consumption may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by providing antioxidant protection to low density lipoproteins (LDL). Aim: This study compared the phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of English versus black walnuts. Methods: Nuts were extracted in methanol or acetone prior to analysis with HPLC/LC-MS-MS for phenolic identification and quantitation. The ability to prevent oxidation of LDL was examined in vitro using walnut extracts and ex vivo after walnut consumption for 28 days. Results: Flavonoids identified/quantified with HPLC/LCMS-MS included the phenolic acids 5-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid (black walnut only), 4-caffeoylquinic acid, and the flavonol glycosides quercetin-3-rutinoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-pentoside, quercetin-3arabinoside, quercetin-3-rhamnoside, and the aglycone quercetin (English walnut only). Total phenolic yield of acetone extracts were 166.1 and 24.2 µg/g for English and black walnut respectively, and yield for methanol extracts were 147.6 and 4.1 µg/g for English and black walnut respectively. In vitro LDL oxidation by Cu ++ with English walnut extracts significantly extended oxidation lag-time (A234) in a dose dependent manner at 1.0 and 0.1 µg/ml and reduced TBARS formation (1.0 µg/ml). Black walnut extracts reduced TBARS significantly but had no effect on A234. Human consumption of English or black walnuts (30 g nuts/day) for 28 days resulted in no differences in LDL antioxidant capacity (A234) between groups or within groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that the English walnuts have a phenolic profile and in vitro antioxidant capacity that is better than black walnuts, but that walnut consumption for 28 days does not improve LDL resistance to oxidation.
Evidence for Inverted-Spectrum 20 GHz Emission in the Galactic Plane

A comparison of a 19 GHz full-sky map with the WMAP satellite K-band (23 GHz) map indicates that the bulk of the 20 GHz emission within 7° of the Galactic plane has an inverted (rising) spectrum with an average spectral index α = 0.21 ± 0.05. While such a spectrum is inconsistent with steep-spectrum synchrotron (α ~ -0.7) and flat-spectrum free-free (α ~ -0.1) emission, it is consistent with various models of electric dipole emission from thermally excited spinning dust grains, as well as models of magnetic dipole emission from ferromagnetic dust grains. Several regions in the plane, e.g., near the Cygnus arm, have spectra with even larger α. While the low signal-to-noise ratio of the 19 GHz data precludes a detailed map of the spectral index, especially off the Galactic plane, it appears that the bulk of the emission in the plane is correlated with the morphology of dust. Regions with higher 23 GHz flux tend to have harder spectra. Off the plane, at Galactic latitudes 7° < |b| < 20°, the spectrum steepens to α = -0.16 ± 0.15.
A flexible organic resistance memory device for wearable biomedical applications

Parylene is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved material which can be safely used within the human body and it is also offers chemically inert and flexible merits. Here, we present a flexible parylene-based organic resistive random access memory (RRAM) device suitable for wearable biomedical application. The proposed device is fabricated through standard lithography and pattern processes at room temperature, exhibiting the feasibility of integration with CMOS circuits. This organic RRAM device offers a high storage window (>104), superior retention ability and immunity to disturbing. In addition, brilliant mechanical and electrical stabilities of this device are demonstrated when under harsh bending (bending cycle >500, bending radius <10 mm). Finally, the underlying mechanism for resistance switching of this kind of device is discussed, and metallic conducting filament formation and annihilation related to oxidization/redox of Al and Al anions migrating in the parylene layer can be attributed to resistance switching in this device. These advantages reveal the significant potential of parylene-based flexible RRAM devices for wearable biomedical applications.
Genetic epidemiology of hereditary non‐polyposis colorectal cancer syndromes in Modena, Italy: results of a complex segregation analysis

Complex segregation analysis was conducted in a series of patients with hereditary non‐polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) ascertained through probands registered in the Cancer Registry of the Health Care District of Modena in Northern Italy. Altogether there were 71 nuclear families segregating for HNPCC in 28 pedigrees. The analysis favoured the two‐loci model, in which the segregation at the major locus is compatible with codominant transmission with a frequency of 0·0044 for the high‐risk allele for HNPCC and a lifetime penetrance of 0·728 for heterozygotes.
Clinical experience of prophylactic mastectomy followed by immediate breast reconstruction in women at hereditary risk of breast cancer (HB(O)C) or a proven BRCA1 and BRCA2 germ-line mutation.

AIM Women with a proven BRCA1 or BRCA2 germ-line mutation or with a 50% risk of carrying the mutation, have an increased risk of breast cancer. Regular surveillance, chemoprevention or prophylactic mastectomy (PM) are options to detect breast cancer at an early stage or to reduce the risk. We describe the management of women who have opted for PM, the postoperative complications of PM, especially in combination with immediate breast reconstruction (IBR), and the oncological follow-up. METHODS The medical records of all women who underwent a PM from December 1993 to December 1999 have been reviewed with respect to management, patient characteristics, complications and oncological follow-up. RESULTS During the study period 112 women with a median age of 38.8 years opted for a PM: 76 were germline mutation carriers. After PM, 79 women without breast or ovarian cancer in their medical history, were free of disease after 2.5 years (median). Before PM, 29 women had been treated for breast cancer, 3.9 years (median) previously; 5 of these women had developed metastatic disease by the last consultation. Before PM, 2 patients had been treated for DCIS and 2 patients for ovarian cancer. Four DCIS were found; none of these women had evidence of disease 4.0 years (median) after PM. In 59 women laparoscopic prophylactic bilateral oophorectomy (PBO) was performed; 36 simultaneously with PM and 23 separately. A total of 103 women (92%) opted for IBR. After PM, the complication rate for IBR was 21%: 11% within 6 weeks and 10% at long-term follow-up (median 3.5) after PM, including the removal of 10 prostheses. CONCLUSIONS Women with an increased risk of breast cancer due to a genetic predisposition should be adequately informed about the different treatment options in the setting of a multidisciplinary approach. PM can simultaneously be combined with PBO and IBR. IBR can facilitate the decision to undergo a PM. PM followed by IBR has an acceptable complication rate.
Reorienting Driver Attention with Dynamic Tactile Cues

A series of three experiments was designed to investigate whether the presentation of moving tactile warning signals that are presented in a particular spatiotemporal configuration may be particularly effective in terms of facilitating a driver's response to a target event. In the experiments reported here, participants' visual attention was manipulated such that they were either attending to the frontal object that might occasionally approach them on a collision course, or else they were distracted by a color discrimination task presented from behind. We measured how rapidly participants were able to initiate a braking response to a looming visual target following the onset of vibrotactile warning signals presented from around their waist. The vibrotactile warning signals consisted of single, double, and triple upward moving cues (Experiment 1), triple upward and downward moving cues (Experiment 2), and triple random cues (Experiment 3). The results demonstrated a significant performance advantage following the presentation of dynamic triple cues over the static single tactile cues, regardless of the specific configuration of the triple cues. These findings point to the potential benefits of embedding dynamic information in warning signals for dynamic target events. These findings have important implications for the design of future vibrotactile warning signals.
Engineers and the Work That People Do

The phenomenon which I wish to discuss in this paper can be illustrated by a plant which was making electric light bulbs in 1979. Production was 800 bulbs an hour, of the type having a metallized reflector, and the components of the glass envelope were made elsewhere. They traveled on a chain conveyor around the plant, which occupied an area about 30 feet by 10 feet and was quite new. It was noisy, and the large room which housed it was drab, but conditions otherwise were not unpleasant.
Lattice-based double-authentication-preventing ring signature for security and privacy in vehicular Ad-Hoc networks

: Amidst the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), Vehicular Ad-Hoc NETwork (VANET), a typical IoT application, are bringing an ever-larger number of intelligent and convenient services to the daily lives of individuals. However, there remain challenges for VANETs in preserving privacy and security. In this paper, we propose the ﬁrst lattice-based Double-Authentication-Preventing Ring Signature (DAPRS) and adopt it to propose a novel privacy-preserving authentication scheme for VANETs, offering the potential for security against quantum computers. The new construction is proven secure against chosen message attacks. Our scheme is more efﬁcient than other ring signature in terms of the time cost of the message signing phase and veriﬁcation phase, and also in terms of signature length. Analyses of security and efﬁciency demonstrate that our proposed scheme is provably secure and efﬁcient in the application.
Usefulness, length and content of alcohol-related discussions in primary health care: the exit poll survey.

AIMS To evaluate patients' opinions of the usefulness of alcohol-related discussions with general practitioners (GPs), the time used for the discussion and its main content. METHODS Exit poll survey to 2000 consecutive patients right after GP consultations. RESULTS The response rate was 60.2% (1203/2000). Of the patients 11.6% (139/1203) reported that they were asked and/or advised about alcohol during the consultation. The time used for discussion about alcohol was mostly <4 min; longer for heavy than for non-heavy drinkers. Main topics of the discussion dealt with quantities consumed and harm caused by alcohol. The majority of the patients (81%) reported that discussions concerning alcohol were useful. In that respect heavy drinkers did not differ from non-heavy drinkers. CONCLUSIONS Discussions about alcohol in primary health care were rare and short, but patients' opinions about their usefulness were mainly positive.
Peritumoral stromal neutrophils are essential for c-Met-elicited metastasis in human hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT Inflammation is a component of tumor progression mechanisms. Neutrophils are a common inflammatory infiltrate in many tumors, but their regulation and functions in neoplasia are not understood. Here, we showed, in detailed studies of c-Met molecule in 225 untreated patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), that high infiltration of neutrophils in HCC tissues determined malignant cell c-Met-associated clinical outcome of patients. High infiltration of neutrophils in HCCs determined malignant cell c-Met-associated clinical outcome of patients. Neutrophils were enriched predominantly in invading tumor edge of HCCs; the accumulated neutrophils were the major source of c-Met ligand HGF in HCCs. Exposure to HCC environments resulted in neutrophil activation and the following HGF production. Inhibiting the activities of Erk1/2, p38, and NF-κB, but not the phosphorylation of AKT or JNK, successfully attenuated the neutrophil HGF production induced by HCC environments. Further investigation revealed that GM-CSF was an important determinant in malignant cell-elicited neutrophil HGF production in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we demonstrated that tumor neutrophils, via HGF/c-Met interaction, actively enhanced the metastasis of malignant cells in vitro and in vivo. These data provide direct evidence supporting the critical role of neutrophils in human tumor progression and reveal a fine-tuned collaborative action between cancer cells and immune cells in tumor milieu, which reroutes the immune activation into a tumor-promoting direction.
An exercise protocol designed to control energy expenditure for long-term space missions.

INTRODUCTION Astronauts experience weight loss during spaceflight. Future space missions require a more efficient exercise program not only to maintain work efficiency, but also to control increased energy expenditure (EE). When discussing issues concerning EE incurred through exercise, excess post-exercise energy expenditure (EPEE) must also be considered. The aim of this study was to compare the total EE, including EPEE, induced by two types of interval cycling protocols with the total EE of a traditional, continuous cycling protocol. METHODS There were 10 healthy men, ages 20 to 31 yr, who completed 3 exercise sessions: sprint interval training (SIT) consisting of 7 sets of 30-s cycling at 120% VO2max with a 15-s rest between each bout; high-intensity interval aerobic training (HIAT) consisting of 3 sets of 3-min cycling at 80-90% VO2max with a 2-min active rest at 50% VO2max; and continuous aerobic training (CAT) consisting of 40 min of cycling at 60-65% VO2max. During each session, resting metabolic rate, exercise EE, and a 180-min post-exercise EE were measured. RESULTS The EPEEs during the SIT, HIAT, and CAT averaged 32 +/- 19, 21 +/- 16, and 13 +/- 13 kcal, and the total EE for an entire exercise/ rest session averaged 109 +/- 20, 182 +/- 17, and 363 +/- 45 kcal, respectively. While the EPEE after the CAT was significantly less than after the SIT, the total EE with the CAT was the greatest of the three. DISCUSSION The SIT and HIAT would be potential protocols to control energy expenditure for long space missions.
Risk Factors for Ischaemic Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in western populations, with up to 40% of survivors not expected to recover independence from severe disabilities. This equates to an immense financial burden on health systems worldwide. Hence further education is required to inform individuals of the risks to promote secondary prevention strategies in future generations. Stroke is a heterogeneous, multifactorial disease regulated by modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. Modifiable factors include a history of high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. Nonmodifiable factors include age, sex and race. Other less-well documented risk factors include geographic location, socioeconomic status and alcoholism. Approximately 80% of stroke events could be reduced by making simple lifestyle modifications. Further studies are required to clarify the role and interplay of the risk factors outlined to give a more comprehensive understanding of stroke and to aid and drive the development of more effective stroke prevention programs, in high risk groups.
Aftereffect of Induced Rotation: Separation of Inducing and Static Areas, and Monocular Component

The present investigation shows that the aftereffect of induced rotation is observable when there is a large separation of inducing and static areas; it also has a substantial monocular component. These points are consistent with the possible involvement of lateral inhibition in movement detectors, (a) A recent study shows the importance of a peripheral inducing stimulus, and therefore presumably peripheral movement detectors; other psychophysical evidence shows that such detectors have large receptive fields and inhibitory surrounds. (b) Other effects probably involving lateral inhibition in movement detectors have a large monocular component.
Wide geographic spread of diverse acquired AmpC beta-lactamases among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. in the UK and Ireland.

OBJECTIVES To determine the distribution of acquired AmpC beta-lactamases in 173 isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. submitted to the UK's national reference laboratory for antibiotic resistance. METHODS MICs were determined and interpreted according to BSAC guidelines. Candidate isolates were those resistant to cefotaxime and/or ceftazidime, irrespective of addition of clavulanic acid. Genes encoding six phylogenetic groups of acquired AmpC enzymes were sought by PCR. Selected isolates were compared by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and one bla(AmpC) amplicon was sequenced. RESULTS Genes encoding acquired AmpC enzymes were detected in 67 (49%) candidate E. coli and 21 (55%) Klebsiella spp. Sixty isolates produced CIT-type enzymes, 14 had ACC types, 11 had FOX types and 3 had DHA enzymes. The low-level cephalosporin resistance of the remaining isolates (n = 85; 49%) was inferred to result from reduced permeability or, in E. coli, from hyperexpression of chromosomal ampC. Twenty-four E. coli isolates from one hospital produced a CIT-type enzyme, with 20 of these additionally producing a group 1 CTX-M extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. PFGE indicated that these isolates belonged to UK epidemic strain A, which normally produces CTX-M-15, but no acquired AmpC. Sequencing a representative bla(AmpC) amplicon indicated that in one centre this strain had acquired a novel CMY-2 variant, designated CMY-23. CONCLUSIONS Diverse acquired AmpC enzymes occur in E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates in the UK and Ireland, with CIT types the most common. Producers are geographically scattered, but with some local outbreaks. Acquisition of a CMY-2-like enzyme by E. coli epidemic strain A suggests that these enzymes may be poised to become an important public health issue.
Experimental periodontitis in the beagle dog.

The purpose of the present investigation was to study the sequential stages in the development of a periodontal lesion starting from a healthy periodontium. Twenty inbred Beagle dogs 10 months of age and weighing 10–12 kilos were used. The animals were equally divided into one experimental and one control group. Throughout the experiment all dogs were given a diet containing 400 gm pellets and 25 gm soya flower. From day zero the teeth (in the left jaws) of the control dogs were twice dally subjected to a careful but gentle brushing with tooth brush and dentifrice. The teeth of the experimental group animals were not cleaned. The dogs were examined at regular intervals during an 18 month period. The results show that it is possible in young dogs to induce gingivitis which gradually develops into periodontitis simply by allowing plaque to accumulate on teeth. The cleaned teeth did not show signs of gingivitis or periodontitis during the entire experiment. It is proposed that in the Beagle dog the progression of the lesion during an 18 month period may occur in three stages: I) subclinical gingivitis, II) clinical gingivitis and III) periodontal breakdown. Subclinical gingivitis was characterized by a rapidly increasing gingival exudation and migration of crevicular leukocytes, i. e. signs off acute inflammation. Clinical gingivitis was characterized by changes in gingival colour, texture and bleeding tendency but only minor alterations of the number of crevicular leukocytes. Periodontal breakdown, characterized by loss of subgingival fiber attachment, occurred only in areas of clinical gingivitis.
Impact of movement on cardiorespiratory coordination in conscious rats

In this study we assessed the impact of movement on the interaction between the heart rhythm and respiration in rats while they were conscious and freely moving. In eight male adult Sprague-Dawley (SD, n=4) and Hooded Wistar (HW, n=4) rats, we recorded respiratory rate using whole-body plethysmography with a piezoelectric sensor attached to simultaneously monitor body movement. Heart rate was recorded using a radio-telemetry transmitter. For the assessment of cardiorespiratory coordination, we analysed the phase-locking between heart rate and respiration, estimating the instantaneous phases using Hilbert transform. For statistical analysis, the piezoelectric signal was dichotomized into low-intensity (LIm) and high-intensity (HIm) movement. The R-R intervals, respiratory intervals and cardiorespiratory coordination between LIm and HIm of each rat were assessed with Student's t-test. A significant decrease in the mean values for respiratory interval (0.34±0.1 vs. 0.23±0.1 s, p<0.01 in HW rats) and R-R interval (0.19±0.01 vs. 0.17±0.01 s, p<0.001 in SD rats) was observed during HIm. The phase-locking between the cardiac and respiratory signals also decreased significantly during HIm (overall coordination during LIm vs. HIm: 89.3±3.3% vs. 8.7±1.7%, p<0.001). In conclusion the interaction between the cardiac and respiratory oscillators is affected by voluntary movements in rats.
Examinations of the Stomach Contents of Two Fish Species (Clarias Gariepinus and Oreochromis Niloticus) in Lake Alau, North – Eastern Nigeria

This study was conducted on the examinations of the stomach contents of two commercially important fish species of Catfish and Tilapia fish (Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus) known as “Tarwada” and “Karfasa” in Hausa language, determined from Lake Alau, North – Eastern Nigeria, using frequency of occurrence and volumetric methods between June to December, 2013. Gill nets and Malian traps were used to catch the fish every fortnight. Three hundred and fifty (350) individual fish of each species obtained and their stomach contents examined. The results obtained expressed in mean percentage indicated that out of the three hundred and fifty (350) individual fish of each species examined, 121 (35%) fish had an empty stomach contents in Clarias gariepinus, and out of the 350 samples examined, 145 fish had an empty stomach content in Oreochromis niloticus representing 41%. The stomach contents of Clarias gariepinus consisted of animal and plant materials, planktons, (zooplanktons and phytoplankton) and others. Fish prey was the dominant animal material (51%) with mean contribution of 32% by volume, and plant material consisted of leaves and offal (6% by volume). The stomach content of Oreochromis niloticus consisted mainly of animal and plant materials, planktons and detritus. Algae represented by Chlorella, Volvox, Scenedesmus, Pediastrum, and Spirogyra species accounted for 66% by volume followed by detritus and mud with 20 %, zooplankton represented by Daphnia and Moina species represented the low food content by volume with 8 %. The study reveals the importance of algae, fish, insects and plant materials as food for fish in Lake Alau, and zooplanktons form important items in the diet of the species examined. Both species are omnivorous and occupy the same ecological niche; hence, there is the need to control pollution into the lake to prevent eutrophication.