Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Degradation of Municipal Solid Waste in Aerobic Bioreactor Landfills

The biodegradation of municipal solid waste (MSW) was investigated in simulated bioreactor landfills under aerobic conditions. The bioreactors were operated to determine the amount of leachate recirculation and municipal wastewater sludge addition required to optimize waste degradation. The leachate generated was recycled over 47 weeks, leachate samples were collected on a weekly basis and analyzed for pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N). The temperature of the MSW in the bioreactors was measured on a daily basis. Leachate and sludge were added at the rates of 5 l wk−1 to 15 l wk−1 and 0.5 l wk−1 to 1.5 l wk−1, respectively. Within 27 weeks enhanced MSW degradation was observed at a leachate recirculation rate of 15 l wk−1 (855 mg l−1 of MSW d−1) and sludge addition rate of 1.5 l wk−1 (85 mg l−1 of MSW d−1). During this period, the COD concentration in the leachate dropped significantly. A reduction in the leachate recirculation and sludge addition rate increased the waste stabilization period up to 45 weeks.
POTASSIUM AND RENAL AMMONIA PRODUCTION 1179 Experimental Protocols Alterations of potassium homeostasis in vivo

TANNEN,RICHARD L. , AND JOHN MCGILL. InfZuence ofpotassium on renal ammonia production. Am. J. Physiol. 231(4): 1178-1184. 1976. -The influence of potassium homeostasis on ammonia production was investigated with both cortical and medullary slices from rat kidney. Renal cortical slices from rats depleted of potassium by dietary restriction produced 31% more NH, than slices from pair-fed controls. A high-potassium diet for 1 wk diminished ammonia production in cortical slices by 5% in comparison with rats pair fed a normal diet (161 vs. 169 pmol/90 min per g wet wt; P < 0.05). Pair feeding did not introduce an experimental artifact, since animals ingesting similar K+ diets showed no difference in NH,, production. In contrast to cortex, NH, production by outer medullary slices from K+-depleted animals was similar to pair-fed controls. Medulla from potassium-loaded rats exhibited an impressive inhibition in NH, production averaging 36%. These striking differences between cortex and medulla suggest that specific alterations in potassium homeostasis may influence NH, production selectively at different tubular sites. In vitro manipulation of K+ homeostasis produced by varying bathing media K+ from 0 to 144 mM, with concomitant changes in intracellular K+ from 30 to 130 mM, had no detectable influence on NH, production by cortical slices. Hence altered cortical ammoniagenesis is not the direct result of acute changes in extracellular or intracellular cortical fluid K+ or in the transcellular gradient for K+. Although the specific cellular mechanisms whereby K+ alters ammoniagenesis remains undefined, the observation that K+ loading diminishes while K+ depletion enhances NH, production supports the supposition that K+ and NH, are linked in a physiologic control system.
Prevalence of insomnia in a survey of 12 778 adults in France

This study was an epidemiological questionnaire survey of a representative sample of the French population that included 12 778 individuals and in which adapted DSM‐IV criteria for the definition of insomnia were used. Our goals were not only to assess the prevalence of ‘insomnia’ using these criteria, but also to compare the results obtained with those of prior studies using different definitions of ‘insomnia’. The aim of this study was also to identify where areas of agreement and disaggreement existed, as we believe that it is important to emphasize these points because DSM‐IV recommendations are supposedly reflected in clinical practice. Seventy‐three per cent of the individuals surveyed complained of a nocturnal sleep problem, but only 29% reported at least one sleep problem three times per week for a month, and 19% (2428 subjects) had at least one sleep problem three times per week for a month and complained of daytime consequences (DSM‐IV criteria). Only 9% had two or more nocturnal sleep problems with daytime consequences and were classified as ‘severe insomniacs’. Our study indicates that if DSM‐IV criteria are used, the diagnosis of ‘insomnia’ is lower than in other epidemiological studies. The DSM criteria have an advantage in that they emphasize the daytime consequences of nocturnal sleep disturbances, which seem to be responsible for the most important socio‐economic costs of the problem.
Stem cells and regeneration in

1. Abstract 2. Stem cells and regeneration 2.1. Stem cells 2.2. Regeneration across the animal kingdom 2.3. Making use of regeneration 3. Planaria, a real regenerating model system 3.1. Historical overview 3.2. Planarian anatomy 3.3. Planarian biology 4. Regeneration in planarians 4.1. The process 4.1. 1. Wound healing 4.1. 2. Blastema formation 4.1. 3. Patterning 4.2. The key: Neoblasts 4.2.1. Neoblast structure 4.2.2. Neoblast distribution and subpopulations 4.2.3. Neoblast division and differentiation 4.2. 4. In search of unique neoblasts markers 4.3 Regeneration versus development 4.3.1. Neoblasts versus blastomeres 5 . What can we do with planarians? 5.1. Current knowledge 5.2. Available tools 6. Perspectives 7. Acknowledgements 8.References
Antisera to Glutathione: Characterization and Immunocytochemical Application to the Rat Cerebellum

Rabbits were immunized with reduced glutathione (γ‐glutamyl‐cysteinyl‐glycine) coupled to bovine serum albumin by glutaraldehyde or a mixture of glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde. The antisera that were formed were tested qualitatively, by screening them against more than 50 amino acids and peptide conjugates that had been immobilized on cellulose discs (spot test), and quantitatively, by immunogold analysis of test conjugates that had been embedded in an epoxy resin. It was shown that the antisera selectively recognized the reduced and oxidized forms of glutathione and that they did not exhibit any significant crossreactivity with glutamate, cysteine, glycine, γ‐glutamyl‐cysteine or cysteinyl‐glycine. Immunocytochemistry of Vibratome sections of rat cerebellum suggested that glutathione occurs in glial cells as well as in neurons. This was confirmed by electron microscopic, immunogold cytochemistry of tissue from rat cerebellum that had been freeze‐substituted and embedded in Lowicryl under low temperature. Gold particles were concentrated over Golgi epithelial cells and perivascular glial processes, but also occurred over several types of neuronal profile including Purkinje and granule cell bodies, and mossy fibre terminals. At the subcellular level, glutathione‐like immunoreactivity was found in the cytoplasmic matrix, mitochondria and nuclei. The immunolabelling intensity was strongly reduced in animals that had been pretreated with buthionine sulphoximine, which is known to depress the level of glutathione by inhibiting γ‐glutamyl‐cysteine synthetase. The availability of antisera to glutathione is likely to further our understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of this tripeptide.
A Dynamic Panel Analysis of the Financial Determinants of CSR in Bangladeshi Banking Industry

Studies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) across the world mainly focus on the impact of CSR on a firm’s financial performance. However, there are hardly enough empirical evidences on the firm’s financial determinants of CSR expenditure. Therefore working with panel data from Bangladeshi banking industry over a period of 2002-2011, this study aims at augmenting the financial determinants of CSR expenditures in Bangladeshi banking industry. Results from panel ARDL model for 30 private commercial banks confirm that several financial determinants including total investment, no. of branch, and no. of employees have significant long run impact on the level of bank’s CSR expenditure and thereupon fulfilling firm’s commitment towards the greater society as a corporate citizen.
Composition of mare's colostrum and milk: I. Fat content, fatty acid composition and vitamin contents.

Changes in the fat content, fatty acid composition and vitamin contents of mare’s colostrum and milk during the first 45 days of lactation were studied. Milk samples (300–800 ml) from 29 lactating mares, were collected daily at the beginning of the lactation and weekly from 5 to 45 days postpartum. Colostrum and early milk samples were obtained by hand, without oxytocin administration, while the foal nursed. Later milk samples were from mixed milk of the totally-milked udder. Each sample was analysed for total solids, fat content, fatty acid
The Development of Lesions in the Glomerular Basement Membrane and Mesangium After Transplantation of Normal Kidneys to Diabetic Patients

Renal allograft biopsies at the time of transplantation (baseline) and 2 yr later were obtained in 6 type 1 diabetic and 12 nondiabetic patients and studied for glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and mesangial changes. Diabetic patients had significantly greater GBM thickness compared with nondiabetics at 2 yr (P = 0.05, rank sum test), and the increase in GBM thickness comparing baseline and 2-yr biopsies was greater in the diabetic compared with nondiabetic patients (P = 0.005, rank sum test). Similarly, diabetic patients developed significant mesangial thickening by light microscopy while no changes were observed in nondiabetic patients (P = 0.001). Electron microscopic morphometric analysis of the percentage of total mesangium was not different on comparing diabetic and nondiabetic patients at 2 yr. There was an increase in the matrix component of the mesangium in the diabetics at this time, although this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.06). In addition, the surface density of the peripheral glomerular capillary wall, presumably reflecting mesangial expansion, was decreased in the diabetic and unchanged in the nondiabetic patients (P = 0.005). These studies document, for the first time, the development of GBM and mesangial lesions of diabetic nephropathy in normal living related donor and cadaver kidneys transplanted into diabetic patients and support the hypothesis that these lesions are secondary to the diabetic state.
Soluble HLA-I/Peptide Monomers Mediate Antigen-Specific CD8 T Cell Activation through Passive Peptide Exchange with Cell-Bound HLA-I Molecules

Accumulating evidence that serum levels of soluble class I HLA molecules (sHLA-I) can, under various pathological conditions, correlate with disease stage and/or patient survival, has stimulated interest in defining whether sHLA-I can exert immunological functions. However, despite a mounting number of publications suggesting the ability of sHLA-I to affect immune effectors in vitro, the precise underlying mechanism still remains controversial. In this article, we address potential functions of both classical and nonclassical sHLA-I, using soluble recombinant HLA-I/peptide monomers, and clearly demonstrate their ability to trigger Ag-specific activation of CD8 T cells in vitro. Furthermore, we provide strong evidence that this behavior results from the passive transfer of peptides from monomers to T cell–bound HLA-I molecules, allowing for fratricide representation and activation. Hence, we proposed a unifying model of T cell activation by HLA-I/peptide monomers, reappraising the potential involvement of sHLA-I molecules in the immune response.
Impact evaluation of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) on electric distribution networks

Evaluating the possible impact on electric distribution networks of a large number of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) is becoming of great interest. In fact, during battery charging, PEVs are a widely spread load of significant magnitude and somewhat unpredictable. On the contrary PEV batteries may constitute a significant reserve and may be used to provide storage capability for cheap energy produced by renewable sources and to supply auxiliary services to the grid.
Adjusting the frequency of continuation and maintenance electroconvulsive therapy to prevent relapse of catatonic schizophrenia in middle‐aged and elderly patients who are relapse‐prone

Abstract The purpose of the present paper was to study the effect of continuation electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on the prevention of relapse in middle‐aged and elderly patients with intractable catatonic schizophrenia. It was found that continuation ECT is efficacious to sustain remission for patients who suffer relapse after response to acute ECT despite continuation neuroleptics. However, three patients suffered relapse during continuation ECT, therefore the effect of adjusting the frequency of continuation ECT and maintenance ECT was investigated in these patients with catatonic schizophrenia who relapsed during continuation ECT. These patients with DSM‐IV catatonic schizophrenia who relapsed during continuation ECT were treated with more frequent continuation ECT and subsequent maintenance ECT after response to acute ECT. The patients’ Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores were prospectively evaluated until relapse. Patients were considered to be relapsers if they had a BPRS score ≥37 for 3 consecutive days. The three patients with catatonic schizophrenia who relapsed during continuation ECT were treated successfully with more frequent continuation ECT and subsequent maintenance ECT. No patient experienced a severe adverse effect from continuation or maintenance ECT. More frequent continuation ECT and maintenance ECT deserves consideration in middle‐aged and elderly patients with intractable catatonic schizophrenia who suffer relapse during continuation ECT. Large‐scale systematic studies are warranted to investigate the optimum use of continuation and maintenance ECT in patients with catatonic schizophrenia.
Factors contributing to adoption and use of information and communication technologies within research collaborations in Kenya

Use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support research work is becoming increasingly common. This study set out to establish how ICTs are being used to support collaborative research in Kenya, and identify factors within the ICT ecosystem that contribute to their adoption and use. A mixed methods research design, involving 248 academic scientists in 4 disciplines across 4 major Kenyan universities, was employed. We find little diversity in forms of ICTs used to support collaborative research within the studied population. Several factors affect adoption and use practices, including availability and access to ICT resources, nature of the work, national and institutional ICT and research environments and the social cultural practices of researchers. We explain our findings using Venkatesh et al.’s Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model, which identifies four main constructs that affect adoption of technology such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and social influence.
Use of interferon-alpha in laryngeal papillomatosis: eight years of the Cuban national programme.

Laryngeal papillomatosis is one of the first diseases where interferon (IFN) was found to be effective. In 1983, a programme for the treatment of all such cases started in Cuba. Up to December 1991, 125 patients (92 children, 33 adults) have been treated: 102 with leucocyte IFN-alpha, 12 with recombinant IFN-alpha-2b, and 11 have received both preparations. Case management consisted of surgical removal of the lesions followed by an IFN schedule starting with 10(5) IU/kg of weight in children or 6 x 10(6) IU in adults, i.m. daily. The dose was progressively reduced, as long as no relapses occurred. At the end of the one-year schedule the doses were reduced to 5 x 10(4) IU/kg in children or 3 x 10(6) IU in adults, weekly. If there was a relapse, it was removed surgically and the patient returned to a higher dose level. Most cases (89; 71 per cent) have not relapsed after the treatment; 60 of them have been followed for more than three years. In those with relapses, the frequency of recurrence decreased in all but four patients. The treatment seemed to be more effective if initiated less than three months after the disease onset. The tracheostomy could be removed in five out of seven patients who needed it before the IFN treatment and was necessary in only three new cases during IFN treatment. In two of these, decannulation was possible later on. In a total of 14 patients relapses persisted after several cycles of IFN treatment. They were considered resistant to such treatment. No severe side effects were reported. The most frequent ones were fever, drowsiness, increased bronchial secretion, chills and headache. The establishment of this programme has maintained the disease under control in Cuba.
[Probiotics in acute pancreatitis--a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study].

INTRODUCTION Infections accompanying pancreatitis, particularly pancreatic necroses, represent a serious complication associated with worsening of the disease prognosis. The aim of our study was to explore whether this complication could be prevented by administering a probiotic. METHODS The probiotic was administered to 7 patients and placebo to 15. The study was discontinued early following the release of the Propatria study results. RESULTS There was no death in our patient sample and there was no difference between the two groups in microbial colonisation or the length of hospitalization. However, a reduction in endotoxin levels on day 7 and 10 of the hospitalization was observed in the probiotic-treated group. CONCLUSION Based on the current knowledge, administration of probiotics in this indication is contraindicated. Nonetheless, reduction in endotoxin levels suggests a positive effect of probiotics on bacterial translocation, the importance of which should be evaluated in the future.
CsrA post‐transcriptionally represses pgaABCD, responsible for synthesis of a biofilm polysaccharide adhesin of Escherichia coli

The RNA‐binding protein CsrA represses biofilm formation, while the non‐coding RNAs CsrB and CsrC activate this process by sequestering CsrA. We now provide evidence that the pgaABCD transcript, required for the synthesis of the polysaccharide adhesin PGA (poly‐β‐1,6‐N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine) of Escherichia coli, is the key target of biofilm regulation by CsrA. csrA disruption causes an approximately threefold increase in PGA production and an approximately sevenfold increase in expression of a pgaA′–′lacZ translational fusion. A ΔcsrBΔcsrC mutant exhibits a modest decrease in pgaA′–′lacZ expression, while the response regulator UvrY, a transcriptional activator of csrB and csrC, stimulates this expression. Biofilm formation is not regulated by csrA, csrB or uvrY in a ΔpgaC mutant, which cannot synthesize PGA. Gel mobility shift and toeprint analyses demonstrate that CsrA binds cooperatively to pgaA mRNA and competes with 30S ribosome subunit for binding. CsrA destabilizes the pgaA transcript in vivo. RNA footprinting and boundary analyses identify six apparent CsrA binding sites in the pgaA mRNA leader, the most extensive arrangement of such sites in any mRNA examined to date. Substitution mutations in CsrA binding sites overlapping the Shine–Dalgarno sequence and initiation codon partially relieve repression by CsrA. These studies define the crucial mechanisms, though not the only means, by which the Csr system influences biofilm formation.
Primary pulmonary ganglioneuroblastoma in an adult: maturation, involution and the immune response

The features of a primary pulmonary ganglioneuroblastoma occurring in an adult are presented. The tumour showed evidence of both maturation and involution. Maturation appeared to be occurring in a centrifugal manner, a rim of mature ganglioneuromatous tissue enclosing the primitive neuroblastoma. Necrosis of the neuroblastomatous element was widespread and associated with deposition in the walls of numerous small vessels of an amorphous eosinophilic amyloid‐like material. Accumulation of this material had led to occlusion of some vessels with resultant necrosis of related tumour. A collarette of lymphocytes surrounded the tumour, and lymphocytic aggregates were prominent at the interface between neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma. Despite widespread vascular invasion, the patient remains well and apparently tumour‐free, 25 years post‐resection. The appearances may represent a combined cellular and humoral host response, and a possible relationship of this response to tumour maturation is suggested. The potential role of immunostimulation in the treatment of neuroblastoma is discussed.
Typhoid fever: successful therapy with cefoperazone.

We compared cefoperazone with chloramphenicol in a randomized trial involving the treatment of 25 children with severe typhoid fever. The clinical characteristics of the two treatment groups were comparable on entry into the study. Four patients died (three receiving chloramphenicol, one cefoperazone), and an additional two patients received dexamethasone (one per group). Excluding these six patients, the response of the cefoperazone group was comparable or superior to that of the chloramphenicol group in terms of the number of days from initiation of therapy to becoming afebrile (P less than .055) and the number of days until negative blood cultures were obtained (P less than .19). There were no relapses or treatment failures in either group. We conclude that cefoperazone is as effective as chloramphenicol in the treatment of severe typhoid fever.
Measuring social support in pregnancy: can it be simple and meaningful?

BACKGROUND It is important to determine the level of a woman's social support at the booking-in interview for prenatal care, but measurement tends to be ad hoc and nonquantifiable. The purpose of this study was to describe the Maternity Social Support Scale and the relationship between support scale ratings and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and other health and service use outcomes. METHODS Women (n = 901) who attended the antenatal clinic at the Royal Women's Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, were asked to complete a support scale as part of their booking-in interview. Participants were contacted at 16 weeks postpartum and invited to complete a follow-up questionnaire. Relationships between the scale and study outcomes were explored using analysis of variance and chi-square tests. RESULTS Women with low social support in pregnancy were more likely than well-supported women to report poorer health during pregnancy (p = 0.006) and postnatally (p < 0.001), to book later for prenatal care (p = 0.000), to seek medical help more frequently (p = 0.004), and to be more depressed postnatally (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION Social support during pregnancy can be measured in a meaningful and simple way through the use of a short questionnaire administered at the prenatal booking-in visit.