Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bit-parallel coprocessor for standard ECC-GF(2m) on FPGA

This paper presents the design of a high-speed coprocessor for Elliptic Curve Cryptography over binary Galois Field (ECC-GF (2)). The purpose of our coprocessor is to accelerate the scalar multiplication performed over elliptic curve points represented by affine coordinates in polynomial basis. Our method consists of using elliptic curve parameters over GF (2163) in accordance Received: April 7, 2013 c © 2013 Academic Publications Correspondence author 242 M.A. Dias, M.R. A. Gouveia, J.R. de Oliveira, I.B. Munoz with international security requirements to implement a bit-parallel coprocessor on field-programmable gate-array (FPGA). Our coprocessor performs modular inversion by using a process based on the Stein’s algorithm. Results are presented and compared to results of other related works. We conclude that our coprocessor is suitable for comparing with any other ECC-hardware proposal, since its speed is comparable to projective coordinate designs. AMS Subject Classification: 14H52, 94A60, 97P60
Identification of two species within the Anopheles minimus complex in northern Vietnam and their behavioural divergences

Summary Elucidating the complex taxonomic status of the major malaria vector taxa and characterising the individual species within each complex is important for understanding the complexity of the vector system in the south‐east Asian region and will allow to estimate the impact of vector control measures. This applies to countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam that spend about 60% of their malaria control budget on implementing vector control activities. We used isozyme electrophoresis to clarify the Anopheles minimus s.l. species composition in northern Vietnam and identify behavioural divergences of individual species. Using different collection methods, adult mosquitoes were caught at monthly intervals from June to November 1995 in four villages. An. minimus s.l. could be distinguished from closely related species, An. aconitus and An. jeyporiensis, at the Octanol dehydrogenase (Odh) enzyme locus. Significant positive Fis values gave clear evidence of nonrandom mating within the An. minimus s.l. population. The highest heterozygote deficiency was observed at locus Odh, which was diagnostic for 2 sympatric An. minimus species in Vietnam similar to the An. minimus A and C species known from Thailand. We found no evidence for restricted gene flow between monthly samples, villages, or collection methods in either of the two An. minimus species. They occurred in sympatry, but in different proportions depending on the collection site, and had dissimilar resting and biting behaviours. Thus a vector control strategy will have a nonuniform effect on the various components of this diverse vector system.
Haematological, hepatic and renal alterations after repeated oral or intraperitoneal administration of monoisoamyl DMSA. I. Changes in male rats

Monoisoamyl 2,3‐dimercaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA), a vicinal thiol chelator, is gaining recognition recently as a better chelator than meso 2,3‐dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) in decreasing heavy metal burden in tissues because of its lipophilic character. There is, however, little information available on the toxicological properties of this chelator after repeated administration in animals. In the present study, we investigated the dose‐dependent effect of MiADMSA on various biochemical parameters suggestive of alterations in haem biosynthesis and hepatic, renal and brain oxidative stress after 21 days of repeated intraperitoneal (i.p.) or oral (p.o.) administration to rats. The concentration of essential metals in blood and soft tissues was determined along with histopathological observations of hepatic and renal tissues.
Population‐Based Validation of the 2014 ISUP Gleason Grade Groups in Patients Treated With Radical Prostatectomy, Brachytherapy, External Beam Radiation, or no Local Treatment

To test discriminant ability of the 2014 ISUP Gleason grade groups (GGG) for prediction of prostate cancer specific mortality (PCSM) after radical prostatectomy (RP), brachytherapy (BT), external beam radiation (EBRT) or no local treatment (NLT) relative to traditional Gleason grading (TGG).
Influence of Different Substrates in Detoxification Activity of Adult Rat Hepatocytes in Long-Term Culture: Implications for Transplantation

Substrates used to immobilize hepatocytes for transplantation govern attachment and long-term metabolic activity of these cells. The choice of these substrates is based on the familiarity with proteinaceous materials that are constituents of the extracellular matrix. The use of substrates that recognize carbohydrates on the cell surface may provide an alternative method to attach adult mammalian hepatocytes. In this study, immobilized lectins on tissue culture plasticware were used to support hepatocyte attachment. Long-term cultures with these substrates were compared with control cultures seeded on a mixture of collagen types I and III (Vitrogen). To evaluate the attachment efficiency and long-term maintenance of diazepam metabolic activity of hepatocytes seeded on different commercially available plasticware, four different types of polymers (supplied as 60-mm dishes) were tested. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine metabolized by the P450 intracytoplasmic pathway, is associated with a synaptic receptor (GABA-benzodiazepine receptor) which plays an important role in hepatic coma. Polymethylpentene, a derivative of polypropylene treated by plasma discharge, was the best polymer to maintain P450 phenotypic expression, although other polymers provided similar cell attachment efficiencies. The amounts of adsorbed concanavalin A, Arachis hypogaea (peanut), Lens culinaris, and Pisum sativum agglutinin correlate with the percentage values of hepatocyte attachment. Cell attachment to wheat germ agglutinin increased with increased lectin concentrations in spite of constant amounts of adsorbed lectin, whereas hepatocyte attachment to Bandieraea simplicifolia agglutinin was lower and did not change at different lectin concentrations. Long-term cultures of hepatocytes seeded on Vitrogen, concanavalin A, or wheat germ agglutinin showed similar diazepam metabolic activities up to the 10th day, but by day 25, cells seeded on Vitrogen metabolized diazepam at higher values. This study showed that a polymer used for the manufacture of tissue culture plasticware, which permits a better exchange of gases, contributes to the long-term expression of P450 activity. Lectins proved to be nontoxic for hepatocyte survival, maintained hepatocyte viability, and can be used as an alternative substrate to immobilize hepatocytes to be transplanted in animal models of acute or chronic liver failure.
Macrophage and retinal pigment epithelium expression of angiogenic cytokines in choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE To determine the expression of angiogenic cytokines in macrophages and retinal pigment epithelium cells in choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS Ten surgically-excised subfoveal CNV specimens and ten eye bank eyes with subfoveal CNV were routinely processed, serially sectioned, and immunostained for factor VIII (F8), CD68 (KP1), cytokeratin 18 (CK18), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tissue factor (TF), and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP). The CNV was classified as "inflammatory active" (more inflammation than fibrosis) or "inflammatory inactive" (morefibrosis than inflammation). The immunostaining was graded as none, mild (+), moderate (++), or heavy (+++). Five additional surgically-excised CNV specimens were dual labeled with CK18/MCP or CD68/TF and confocal scanning laser microscopy was performed. RESULTS Vascular endothelium, macrophages, and RPE expressed F8, KP1, and CK18 respectively. Macrophages expressed + to ++ VEGF and ++ to +++ TF; RPE expressed ++ to +++ VEGF and ++ to +++ MCP. Staining for angiogenic cytokines was stronger in inflammatory active versus inflammatory inactive CNV. RPE dual labeled for CK18/MCP and macrophages dual labeled for CD68/TF. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that RPE cells express MCP, a cytokine involved with macrophage recruitment, and that macrophages express TF in CNV. Macrophages and RPE express VEGF, thus perpetuating angiogenesis. TF is involved with fibrin formation and provides a scaffold effect for growth of the CNV complex. CNV likely represents a dynamic process with inflammatory active and inflammatory inactive (involutional) stages.
Supplementation with Watermelon Extract Reduces Total Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol in Adults with Dyslipidemia under the Influence of the MTHFR C677T Polymorphism

Dyslipidemia and genetic polymorphisms are associated with increased risk for developing cardiovascular diseases, and watermelon appears to have the potential to improve hyperlipidemia due to the presence of nutrients such as arginine and citrulline. Objective: To test the hypolipidemic effect of watermelon extract (Citrullus lanatus) and the influence of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotype (MTHFR C677T) on supplementation response. Methods: This is an experimental clinical phase II randomized and double-blind study. Forty-three subjects with dyslipidemia were randomly divided into 2 groups: experimental (n = 22) and control (n = 21) groups. The subjects were supplemented daily for 42 days with 6 g of watermelon extract or a mixture of carbohydrates (sucrose/glucose/fructose). Results: The use of watermelon extract reduced plasma total cholesterol (p < 0.05) and low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.01) without modifying triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein values. Only carriers of the T allele (MTHFR C677T) showed decreasing concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.01). No changes in anthropometric parameters analyzed were observed. This is the first study to demonstrate the beneficial effect of the consumption of watermelon extract in reducing plasma levels of lipids in humans. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism did not affect the plasma lipid concentration but made individuals more responsive to treatment with watermelon. Conclusions: The consumption of this functional food represents an alternative therapy in the combined treatment of patients with dyslipidemia, promoting health and minimizing the development of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
The Role of Familiarity in a Face Classification Task Using Thatcherized Faces

Two experiments are reported to test the proposition that facial familiarity influences processing on a face classification task. Thatcherization was used to generate distorted versions of familiar and unfamiliar individuals. Using both a 2AFC (which is “odd”? ) task to pairs of images (Experiment 1) and an “odd/normal” task to single images (Experiment 2), results were consistent and indicated that familiarity with the target face facilitated the face classification decision. These results accord with the proposal that familiarity influences the early visual processing of faces. Results are evaluated with respect to four theoretical developments of Valentine's (1991) face-space model, and can be accommodated with the two models that assume familiarity to be encoded within a region of face space.
Peer Effects in the Workplace: Evidence from Random Groupings in Professional Golf Tournaments

This paper uses random assignment in professional golf tournaments to test for peer effects in the workplace. We find no evidence that playing partners' ability affects performance, contrary to recent evidence on peer effects in the workplace from laboratory experiments, grocery scanners, and soft-fruit pickers. In our preferred specification we can rule out peer effects larger than 0.043 strokes for a one stroke increase in playing partners' ability. Our results complement existing studies on workplace peer effects and are useful in explaining how social effects vary across labor markets, across individuals, and with the form of incentives faced.
Comparison on DNA Patterns of Different Ecotypes of European Corn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) in Hungary

For a molecular genetic study on Hungarian populations of European corn borer L_5 stage larvae were collected from 14 places of three different regions of the country (uni- and bivoltine ecotypes). Additionally, the study included larvae from Egypt, too (multivoltine ecotype). Molecular examinations of European corn borer larvae using the study of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) revealed that by single strand conformation polimorphism (SSCP) the populations found in Hungary represented the same haplotype. Even the Egyptian sample showed no genetic divergence. Some minor deviatons were found in the case of a sample from Székkutas, but that did not prove the genetic divergence of the bivoltine ecotype either, since the other samples of South-East Hungary did not display this kind of genetic variation. On the basis of our investigations it can be said that the univoltine and bivoltine generations, have uniform genetic complements.
Pharmacokinetics and distribution of ceftazidime to milk after intravenous and intramuscular administration to lactating female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius).

OBJECTIVE To determine the plasma disposition kinetics, absolute bioavailability, and milk concentrations of ceftazidime in healthy lactating female dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) following IV and IM administration of a single dose of 10 mg/kg (4.5 mg/lb). DESIGN Prospective crossover study. ANIMALS 8 healthy adult lactating female dromedary camels. PROCEDURES Camels received ceftazidime (10 mg/kg) IV and IM in a crossover study design with a 15-day washout period between treatments. Plasma and milk samples were collected at predetermined times for 48 hours after drug administration and analyzed by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS A 2-compartment open model best represented the plasma concentration-versus-time data after IV and IM administration of ceftazidime to camels. Plasma ceftazidime concentrations decreased biexponentially after IV administration with mean distribution and elimination half-lives of 0.3 hours and 2.85 hours, respectively. After IM administration, the mean maximum plasma concentration of ceftazidime was 32.43 μg/mL (1.21 hours after administration), mean elimination half-life was 3.20 hours, mean residence time was 4.84 hours, and mean systemic bioavailability was 93.72%. Distribution of ceftazidime from plasma to milk was rapid and extensive as indicated by the ratio of the area under the milk concentration-versus-time curve to the area under the plasma concentration-versus-time curve and the ratio of the maximum milk concentration to the maximum plasma concentration of ceftazidime after IV and IM administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that ceftazidime may be a useful treatment for female camels with mastitis caused by susceptible microorganisms.
Antibacterial Activity of Extracts from Some Bryophytes

The antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of 11 Bryophyta species and 9 Marchantiophyta species collected in Latvia was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. The extract of Lophocolea heterophylla inhibited the growth of B. cereus, but none of the tested extracts inhibited the growth of E. coli. 70% of bryophyte species demonstrated certain activity in relation to S. aureus. In general, 73% of ethanolic extracts and 39% of aqueous extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus. The highest degree of antibacterial activity against S. aureus was shown by the ethanolic extract of Dicranum scoparium and aqueous extracts of Atrichum undulatum and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. The bactericidal action was not ascertained. For the first time antimicrobial activity has been proved for three moss species—Eurhynchium angustirete, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Rhodobryum roseum, and for two liverwort species Frullania dilatata and Lophocolea heterophylla. Qualitative and quantitative differences of plant extracts were evaluated by FT-IR spectra.
Subgenotypes of hepatitis B virus genotype C in Taiwan.

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Marking the Turn: Obligation, Engagement, and Alienation in Group Discussions

In group conversations, not speaking is the state of affairs experienced by most people most of the time; I refer to this as ‘‘conversational latency. ’’ Hypothesizing that conversational latency affects one’s discursive options, I analyze the association between latency (operationalized as the number of turns that elapsed since the current speaker last spoke) and turn-initial words (e.g., but, oh) in twenty-nine experimental task groups, taking turn-initial words as indicators of the type of content a speaker proposes to produce. The findings suggest a model of group conversation in which conversational obligations weigh heaviest on the shoulders of the most recent contributors; those who contributed somewhat less recently remain engaged but have more latitude to take discordant positions; and those who have been quiet for longer periods are susceptible to ‘‘alienation from topic,’’ as a result of which reentry is often accompanied by an attempt to change the topic.
Fracture and fatigue behavior of cement carbides:3D focused ion beam tomography of crack-microstructure interactions

The fracture and fatigue phenomena in WC-cobalt cemented carbides (hard-metals) have been subjects extensively investigated in the last 30 years. From these studies, it is well established that the metallic binder phase plays a key role as the toughening and fatigue-susceptible agent in these materials, as its effective ductility is critical for defining crack-growth resistance and cyclic-induced degradation. However, experimental proof of the role of toughening and fatigue micromechanisms has usually been presented on the basis of post-failure fractographic examination. In this work, the fracture and fatigue behavior of WC-cobalt is investigated and a 3D characterization of crack microstructure interaction during stable crack growth in hardmetals is carried out in order to gain a better understanding of the failure processes in cemented carbides under monotonic and cyclic loads. In doing so, focused ion beam/field emission scanning electron microscopy (FIB/FESE114), 3D tomography, and imaging reconstruction are combined with systematic mechanical and indentation protocols for assessing crack-extension behavior of cemented carbides. Experimental findings clearly highlight existing differences regarding failure mechanisms operative under monotonic and cyclic loads, and provide new and interesting insights for understanding them.
The mediating effects of psychological empowerment on leadership style and employee satisfaction in hospitals

This research was aimed at examining psychological empowerment in mediating the relation between transformational leadership and employee satisfaction. With the method of questionnaire, 1252 medical staffs in Shanghai were investigated and data analysis tools were SPSS 16.0 and AMOS 17.0. The results indicated that, to some extent, psychological empowerment mediated the relation between transformational leadership and employee satisfaction. Meaning, competence and impact mediated the relation between visionary motivation and employee satisfaction, while only meaning between moral modeling and employee satisfaction.