Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimized Power Allocation in Nonlinear Sensor Networks via Semidefinite Programming

This paper presents an efficient technique for power allocation to the sensor nodes in a nonlinear sensor network (NSN). We minimize mean square error of the estimation of a random scalar parameter subject to a constraint on total amount of power consumed by the sensor nodes. This estimation is carried out at fusion center (FC) which receives the local observations from the sensors located at different positions. We convert the optimization problem into a convex one, and then use semidefinite programming to find the global optimal solution. The simulation results show that our approach outperforms the previous work both for the channel with white noise and the one with colored noise. The proposed strategy also gives better results in case of nonlinear model when compared to the strategy of assigning equal power to sensor nodes.
Efficacy of Non pharmacological technique on Chemotherapy Induced Nausea , Vomiting and Retching among Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Despite the development of effective antiemetic drugs, nausea, vomiting and retching remain the main side effects of chemotherapy. Acupressure is a noninvasive type of massage therapy that may affect pain, stress, nausea, vomiting, promote wellness and treat disease. Aim: The purpose of the current study is to examine the efficacy of P6 (Nei-Guan) acupoint acupressure as a non pharmacological technique on chemotherapy induced nausea , vomiting and retching among breast cancer patients as a part of nursing care in reducing nausea , vomiting and retching (during the first day) and delayed nausea , vomiting and retching (2-5 days) following chemotherapy. Subjects and Methods: Design. The current study utilized quasi-experimental design to achieve the aim of the study. Setting. The current study was conducted in outpatient clinics of Clinical Oncology Department of Menoufia University Hospital. Subjects. The subjects were divided into study group and control group (50 for each group). Both groups received regular antiemtic medications but the study group received P6 acupoint acupressure and was instructed to perform the finger acupressure maneuver for 6 minutes on P6 point bilaterally, every 2 hours / day. Tools. Tool one, Structured interview questionnaire schedule. Tool two: the Index of Nausea, Vomiting and Retching (INVR) Results: The results showed that there were significantly low mean score for study group rather than control group in acute and delayed NVR regarding to nausea, vomiting and retching experience. Conclusion: So the current study suggests that stimulation on P6 acupoint acupressure as a non pharmacological technique appears to be an effective adjunct maneuver in control of nausea, vomiting and retching among breast cancer patients.
Improved Electrochemical Performance of Fe-Substituted NaNi0.5Mn0.5O2 Cathode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

A series of O3-phase NaFe(x)(Ni0.5Mn0.5)(1-x)O2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 1) samples with different Fe contents was prepared and investigated as high-capacity cathodic hosts of Na-ion batteries. The partial substitution of Ni and Mn with Fe in the O3-phase lattice can greatly improve the electrochemical performance and the structural stability. A NaFe0.2Mn0.4Ni0.4O2 cathode with an optimized Fe content of x = 0.2 can deliver an initial reversible capacity of 131 mAh g(-1), a reversible capacity greater than 95% over 30 cycles, and a high rate capacity of 86 mAh g(-1) at 10 C in a voltage range of 2.0-4.0 V. The structural characterizations reveal that pristine NaMn0.5Ni0. 5O2 and Fe-substituted NaFe0.2Mn0.4Ni0.4O2 lattices underwent different phase transformations from P3 to P3″ and from P3 to OP2 phases, respectively, at high voltage interval. The as-resulted OP2 phase by Fe substitution has smaller interslab distance (5.13 Å) than the P3″ phase (5.72 Å), which suppresses the co-insertion of the solvent molecules, the electrolyte anions, or both and therefore enhances the cycling stability in the high voltage charge. This finding suggests a new strategy for creating cycle-stable transition-metal oxide cathodes for high-performance Na-ion batteries.
Functionally Divergent Alleles and Duplicated Loci Encoding an Acyltransferase Contribute to Acylsugar Metabolite Diversity in Solanum Trichomes[OPEN]

ASAT3 is a trichome-specific BAHD-type acyltransferase that adds aliphatic acyl chains to acylsucroses and contributes to phenotypic diversity of acylsugars among the Solanum tomato species. Glandular trichomes from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and other species in the Solanaceae produce and secrete a mixture of O-acylsugars (aliphatic esters of sucrose and glucose) that contribute to insect defense. Despite their phylogenetic distribution and diversity, relatively little is known about how these specialized metabolites are synthesized. Mass spectrometric profiling of acylsugars in the S. lycopersicum x Solanum pennellii introgression lines identified a chromosome 11 locus containing a cluster of BAHD acyltransferases with one gene (named Sl-ASAT3) expressed in tip cells of type I trichomes where acylsugars are made. Sl-ASAT3 was shown to encode an acyl-CoA-dependent acyltransferase that catalyzes the transfer of short (four to five carbons) branched acyl chains to the furanose ring of di-acylsucrose acceptors to produce tri-acylsucroses, which can be further acetylated by Sl-ASAT4 (previously Sl-AT2). Among the wild tomatoes, diversity in furanose ring acyl chains on acylsucroses was most striking in Solanum habrochaites. S. habrochaites accessions from Ecuador and northern Peru produced acylsucroses with short (≤C5) or no acyl chains on the furanose ring. Accessions from central and southern Peru had the ability to add short or long (up to C12) acyl chains to the furanose ring. Multiple ASAT3-like sequences were found in most accessions, and their in vitro activities correlated with observed geographical diversity in acylsugar profiles.
CcpA regulates biofilm formation and competence in Streptococcus gordonii.

Streptococcus gordonii is an important member of the oral biofilm community. As an oral commensal streptococcus, S. gordonii is considered beneficial in promoting biofilm homeostasis. CcpA is known as the central regulator of carbon catabolite repression in Gram-positive bacteria and is also involved in the control of virulence gene expression. To further establish the role of CcpA as central regulator in S. gordonii, the effect of CcpA on biofilm formation and natural competence of S. gordonii was investigated. These phenotypic traits have been suggested to be important to oral streptococci in coping with environmental stress. Here we demonstrate that a CcpA mutant was severely impaired in its biofilm-forming ability, showed a defect in extracellular polysaccharide production and reduced competence. The data suggest that CcpA is involved in the regulation of biofilm formation and competence development in S. gordonii.
Work-Family Conflict: An Investigation on Job Involvement, Role Ambiguity and Job Demand: Moderated by Social Support

There are many predictors that determine the work-family conflict among employees and one of the significant predictor is related to the organization. There exist fewer studies that focus on influence of job involvement, role ambiguity, job demand and social support towards the work-family conflict. The present study fill in the gap by investigating the relationship between job involvement, role ambiguity, job demand, social support and work-family conflict among the administrative staff in University Utara Malaysia (UUM), Kedah, Malaysia. Two hundred (200) questionnaires were administered to administrative staff in the University. The regression analysis was used to analyze the data and the results show that Work-Family Conflict is negative and significantly influence Job involvement and Social Support, while positively related with Job demand. However, moderating effect of social support was found to be significant among Job involvement, Role ambiguity and Job demand. The practical implications of the finding include the basic understanding of the causal factors which influence administration staff’s with work-family conflict to leave has important practical insinuation for the management and the university administration and among others also. Moreover, this research can help the people to prepare themselves with appropriate manageable conflict ways.
Utilization of Basil Extract as a Radioprotector in Male Rats

Man is exposed to natural radiations from cosmic or terrestrial origins. Furthermore, it is well known that the gamma irradiation-induced biochemical alteration depends mostly on oxidative stress. Basil or sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is known to have numerous pharmacological activities. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the radioprotective activity of basil in albino rats. The effect of basil aqueous extract (BAE) was evaluated on hepatic marker enzymes, sex hormones, lipid profile and antioxidant status. The results showed that ? - rays caused a significant increase in serum level of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (ALT, AST, ALP & ? GT), cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C & VLDL-C) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). A significant decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum was observe d, compared with control group. Moreover, ? - rays induced a significant drop in the serum sex hormones levels testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The BAE administered orally to rats has significantly modulated all the radiation-induced biochemical alterations. These findings showed that basil would exert a radioprotectiv e properties.
Mast cell stabilization with sodium cromoglycate modulates pulmonary vessel wall remodeling during four-day hypoxia in rats

ABSTRACT Aim of the study: In rats, the environment with low content of oxygen induces hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Remodeling of pulmonary resistance arteries is particularly triggered by the mast cell degranulation products, e.g., rodent-like interstitial collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase 13). Administration of sodium cromoglycate leads to stabilization of mast cell granules, and thus to the modified remodeling process. Materials and Methods: During four-day hypoxia, we treated rats with sodium cromoglycate. Pulmonary vascular remodeling was assessed as well as counts of periarterial pulmonary mast cells, both total and matrix metalloproteinase 13-positive ones. Results: Four-day hypoxia induced remodeling of both resistance arteries and large conduit arteries. We have found increase in the tunica media thickness of resistance arteries. Tunica adventitia thickness of both resistance arteries and large conduit arteries with a diameter of over 300 μm increased as well; the latter ones revealed increase in the number of vasa vasorum in their walls. Mast cell stabilization suppressed hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling in resistance pulmonary arteries. Four-day hypoxia led to changes in distribution of toluidine blue-detected and MMP-13 positive periarterial mast cells; this redistribution was also influenced by the administration of sodium cromoglycate. Conclusions: The number of pulmonary periarterial mast cells seemingly decreases during hypoxia due to their degranulation, which disables their identification. Large conduit arteries do not affect final blood pressure in the pulmonary vascular bed; however, their structure changes substantially under hypoxia. Such remodeling changes are not mediated by mast cell products only since they have occurred in spite of stabilization of mast cell granules.
Retrieved implants from irradiated sites in humans: a histologic/histomorphometric investigation of oral and craniofacial implants.

PURPOSE The aim of this report was to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the tissue response to bone-anchored implants retrieved from irradiated sites in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The material consists of 23 consecutively received Brånemark implants (Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden) placed in pre- or postoperatively irradiated sites. Twenty-two of the 23 implants were suitable for histologic evaluation of undecalcified sections in the light microscope. RESULTS The oral implants with shorter time in situ demonstrated sparse bone to implant contact with mainly dense connective tissue in the interface. However, for implants with longer time in situ, high amounts of bone-implant contact and bone fill of threads were noted. The mean values of bone-implant contact and bone area within the thread were calculated to 40% (16-94) and 70% (13-96), respectively. The craniofacial implants, with the exception of two implants lined with a capsular formation, demonstrated mature and newly formed bone at the bone-implant interface. The mean value for bone-metal contact was calculated to 45 and 53% for two specimens. The mean value for bone area within the thread ranged from 65 to 88% for three specimens. CONCLUSION; The possibility to achieve bone anchorage of implants in irradiated tissue was supported by the findings in this study. However, due to limited material, conclusions with regard to radiation dose and bone tissue response to implants cannot be stated.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in acute brain trauma

Summary Aim: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of intravenously transplanted rat bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) in an acute brain trauma model using serial 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in rat models. Animals, methods: Trauma models were made using a controlled cortical impact injury device. The stem cell treatment group was treated with intravenous injections of BMSCs, and models without stem cell therapy comprised the control group. Serial 18F-FDG PET images were obtained 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after trauma. The difference in 18F-FDG uptake between day 1 and each time point after trauma was analyzed with SPM2 (uncorrected p < 0.005). Results: The stem cell treatment group demonstrated significantly higher 18F-FDG uptake in the right parietal region at 14 days after trauma than at 1 day after trauma. An increase in glucose metabolism in the right parietal cortex appeared on days 21 and 28 after trauma in the group without stem cell treatment. The 18F-FDG uptake in the brain was improved over a broader area, including the right parietal and right primary somatosensory cortex, on days 21 and 28 after trauma in the stem cell treatment group compared with the group without stem cell treatment. Conclusion: BMSC therapy in trauma models led to improved glucose metabolism. This result might support the therapeutic effect of stem cells in brain trauma.
Default Prediction Around the World : International Evidence on the Role of Corporate Transparency and Market Frictions

We document significant heterogeneity across countries in the ability to assess a firm’s likelihood of default using marketand accounting-based sources of default risk information. Surprisingly, for some countries, we find that a default prediction model based solely on public financial reporting information outperforms a model based solely on market variables. Our evidence suggests that variation in the predictive ability of market-based variables across countries is primarily attributable to the existence of capital market frictions, such as short sale constraints, which prevent the incorporation of information into prices, rather than the availability of information. Finally, we document that direct incorporation of accounting information into the default prediction model largely offsets the loss in overall predictive accuracy created by market frictions, especially in countries with high corporate transparency. _______________________________ Financial support from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the University of Rochester Simon School of Business is gratefully acknowledged. We are grateful for comments received from Bill Beaver, Mike Minnis, Shiva Rajgopal, and workshop participants at Emory University. * Corresponding author. Tel. : +17737029656; mark.maffett@chicagobooth.edu.
Insights into mucosal innate responses to Escherichia coli O157 : H7 colonization of cattle by mathematical modelling of excretion dynamics

Mathematical model-based statistical inference applied to within-host dynamics of infectious diseases can help dissect complex interactions between hosts and microbes. This work has applied advances in model-based inference to understand colonization of cattle by enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 : H7 at the terminal rectum. A mathematical model was developed based on niche replication and transition rates at this site. A nested-model comparison, applied to excretion curves from 25 calves, was used to reduce complexity while maintaining integrity. We conclude that, 5–9 days post inoculation, the innate immune response negates bacterial replication on the epithelium and either reduces attachment to or increases detachment from the epithelium of the terminal rectum. Thus, we provide a broadly applicable model that gives novel insights into bacterial replication rates in vivo and the timing and impact of host responses.
Der Wald und seine Bedeutung bei Naturgefahren geologischen Ursprungs

Verschiedene Arbeiten zeigen die gunstigen Wirkungen der Vegetation beim Schutz vor Naturgefahren geologischen Ursprungs. Sie machen aber auch die Grenzen dieser Wirkungen deutlich, beispielsweise bei tiefgrundigen Kriechbewegungen im Bodenmaterial oder im Fall von hohen Auftreffenergien bei Steinschlag. Die Frage, ob und wie die Vegetation in einem gegebenen Fall Schutz bietet, lasst sich nur durch den Vergleich zwischen den gefahrlichen Einwirkungen und den mobilisierbaren (Schutz-) Wirkungen der Vegetation beantworten. Der Einbezug von Vegetationswirkungen in die Konzepte des modernen Risikomanagements setzt gute Kenntnisse der Naturgefahrenprozesse einerseits und ein fundiertes Wissen uber die Vegetationswirkungen andererseits voraus. Im Zentrum des vorliegenden Beitrages stehen die Wirkungen der Vegetation.
Ethnic variation in type of genital herpes simplex virus infection in a South London genitourinary medicine clinic

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 in the study population and correlate the results with clinical and demographic details. Consecutive HSV isolates from 334 clinic attendees were typed by immunofluorescence. Patient information was collected from the case notes. Overall, HSV‐1 was isolated from 48 and HSV‐2 from 287 samples, respectively. There was no significant difference in isolation rates according to gender. However, 33% of white patients' isolates typed as HSV‐1, while only 6% of the isolates from the black population were HSV‐1 (P < 0.001). Initial infections were seen in 81% of HSV‐1 infections and 48% of HSV‐2 infections, respectively. A wide discrepancy was observed in the prevalence of HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 infections between the ethnic groups in this population, which was not explained in terms of gender or age. This may reflect different exposure to HSV‐1 in childhood or different sexual practices. The increased prevalence in genital HSV‐1 reported in recent studies was not seen in this population. However, the differing proportions of primary and first episode infections may reflect a changing epidemiology. J. Med. Virol. 69:108–110, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cortical Neuromagnetic Fields Evoked by Voluntary and Passive Hand Movements in Healthy Adults

Summary Neuromagnetic fields were recorded from the left cerebral hemisphere of six healthy right-handed subjects under three different conditions: (1) externally triggered rapid voluntary extension and flexion of the right hand, (2) passive extension and flexion of the right hand, and (3) stimulation of the skin of the right index finger by means of air pressure. Location analysis using the current density analysis did not reveal any differences between motor evoked field I (MEF I) in active and passive movements, and met the maximum of cerebral activation in the contralateral precentral region. In contrast, the sensory evoked field was located clearly in the contralateral postcentral region. Additionally, a significantly shorter latency of MEF I (with respect to movement onset) was observed in flexion compared with extension in both passive and active movements. These results support the assumption that MEF I is generated by cortical activation resulting from proprioceptive, probably muscle spindle, input. The current density analysis has proved to be an appropriate method for investigating movement-related fields. Furthermore, the described method seems to be appropriate for evaluating the processes of cortical reorganization and the influence of neurorehabilitation within longitudinal studies in patients with lesions in motor centers of the brain.
Levels of the Oxidative Stress Marker γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase at Different Stages of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated oxidative stress in the liver, by determining hepatic expression and serum levels of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in different stages of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and assessed whether GGT can differentiate between the various stages of NAFLD. METHODS: Expression of GGT and 8-OHdG was examined in biopsy specimens by immunohistochemistry, and serum GGT and 8-OHdG levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in patients with simple fatty liver (n = 10), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH; n = 10) and, as a control, in alcoholic liver disease (ALD; n = 10). RESULTS: Hepatic tissue expression of GGT and 8-OHdG was seen in ALD, NASH and fatty liver patients. The percentage of hepatocytes positive for 8-OHdG expression and serum 8-OHdG levels was significantly higher in patients with NASH than simple fatty liver. Serum GGT levels were increased in all cases with ALD, NASH and fatty liver, and correlated significantly with serum levels of 8-OHdG in ALD and NASH, but not in simple fatty liver. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of GGT in fatty liver patients may compensate for mild oxidative stress by repressing 8-OHdG levels and preventing progression to NASH; however further oxidative stress leads to increased levels of 8-OHdG and the development of NASH.
Accounting for Scotland's Excess Mortality: Towards a Synthesis

Accounting for Scotland's Excess Mortality: Towards a Synthesis seeks to explain two distinct developments over the last century: first, the disparity between Scottish mortality and death rates across the rest of the UK and Europe which emerged in the 1950s, and second, the weakening causal link between deprivation and life expectancy from 1980 onwards. The report relies on Bradford-Hill’s criteria for causation in epidemiology to evaluate multiple hypotheses concerning each of these ongoing imbalances, before reaching a conclusion synthesised from arguments across the various candidate explanations. The report’s authors stress the need for further research into likely causal explanations and how these can be integrated and synthesised, as well as further policy work to improve Scotland's health.