Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic study of nitroaromatic-smectite sorption mechanisms.

Sorption mechanisms of 1,3- and 1,4-dinitrobenzene, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB), dinitro-o-creasol, and 6-sec-butyl-2,4-dinitrophenol (DINOSEB) on smectite were investigated using FTIR spectroscopy and HPLC methods. A quantitative method was developed that established a direct link between the HPLC and the FTIR data. Freundlich sorption values ranged from 47 (L g(-1)) for 1,3,5-TNB to 3.7 for DINOSEB and showed that the extent of nitroaromatic compounds (NAC) sorption was strongly dependent on the number and position of the nitro substituents as well as other substituents and steric effects. The amount of 1,3,5-TNB sorbed to smectite was strongly influenced by the nature of the exchangeable cation. Furthermore, the exchangeable cation significantly influenced the positions and relative intensities of the vibrational modes of the -NO2 groups. The strongest perturbations were observed for cations with lower enthalpies of hydration (e.g., K+) and included a red shift of the v(asym)(NO) band, a concomitant blue shift of the v(sym)(NO) band. These changes were accompanied by a 2-fold increase in the relative intensity of the v(asym)(NO) band relative to the intensity of the v(sym) (NO) band. Molecular quantum mechanics calculations were used to rationalize frequency shifts in terms of nitroaromatic interactions with interlayer cations. Results indicate that the sorption of NACs to smectite surfaces is controlled largely by the hydration characteristics of the exchangeable cation, which regulates both cation-nitroaromatic complexation and swelling of the smectite.
Improving Services for Problem Learners

The proposed merger of special and regular education is analyzed relative to two issues: the reality of conditions of mild handicap, and the capability of the regular education system to serve all pupils effectively. It is argued that study of individual differences, one major component of a needed research agenda, must be directed at determining the nature and expression of instructionally relevant individual differences within and across conditions of problem and nonproblem learning. Similarly, study of program models must address efficacy across conditions and sites. It is concluded that conditions necessary for restructuring include a stable and coherent policy of support for research and evaluation, the study of programs as well as of individuals, and recognition of the need for multiple and competing program models.
Comparison of Acoustic Respiration Rate, Impedance Pneumography and Capnometry Monitors for Respiration Rate Accuracy and Apnea Detection during GI Endoscopy Anesthesia

Study Objective: To assess the accuracy of respiration rate measurements and the ability to detect apnea by capnometry, impedance pneumography and a new method, acoustic respiration rate monitoring, in anesthetized patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Endoscopy procedures laboratory. Patients: 98 patients scheduled for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with propofol-based anesthesia. Interventions: Patients were monitored for respiration rate with acoustic respiration rate monitoring, capnometry and impedance pneumography and values were compared to the manual counting of breaths by observation of chest wall movements. Additionally, when any respiration rate monitor indicated a cessation of breathing for 30 seconds or greater, the presumed apnea was confirmed by direct observation of the patient for absence of chest wall movements. Measurements and Main Results: Bias and precision for respiration rate measurement was 0 ± 1.0 bpm for acoustic monitoring, 4.8 ± 15.1 bpm for capnometry and 0.4 ± 5.9 bpm for impedance pneumography. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of apnea was 73% and 93% for acoustic monitoring, 73% and 12% for capnometry and 45% and 93% for impedance pneumography. Conclusions: Acoustic respiration rate monitoring was found to be accurate for assessment of respiration rate and to have similar or better sensitivity and specificity for detection of apnea compared to capnometry and impedance pneumography in the setting of upper GI endoscopy.
Preliminary report of hepatitis B virus genotype prevalence in Iran.

AIM To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Iranian hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, chronic hepatitis B and cirrhotic patients. METHODS A total of 109 HBsAg-positive patients were included in this study. HBV genotypes were determined by using INNO-LiPA methodology which is based on the reverse hybridization principle. RESULTS The distribution of patients with different stages of liver disease was as follows: 95(86.4%) chronic hepatitis, 11(10%) liver cirrhosis, and 3(2.7%) inactive carrier. Of the chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis patients, 26.4% were HBeAg-positive while 70% were HBeAg-negative. Genotype D was the only detected type found in all patients. CONCLUSION Classifying HBV into genotypes has to be cost-effective and clinically relevant. Our study indicates that HBV genotype D prevails in the Mediterranean area, Near and Middle East, and South Asia. Continued efforts for understanding HBV genotype through international co-operation will reveal further virological differences of the genotypes and their clinical relevance.
The efficacy of caudal ropivacaine 1, 2 and 3 mg·ml−1 for postoperative analgesia in children

Background: The aim of this double blind, randomized, comparative study was to assess the analgesic efficacy and incidence of motor block after caudal block using three different concentrations of ropivacaine, 1, 2 and 3 mg·ml–1, in children 4–12‐year‐old.
Duodenal intraepithelial T lymphocytes in patients with functional dyspepsia.

AIM To quantify the intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and to document the membrane expression of CD4, CD8, TCRgamma delta and adhesion and/or activation-associated molecules (CD103, CD28, CD44, CD69, HLA-DR, CD95/Fas) in the duodenal mucosa of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) in order to provide arguments for an immunological process in FD. METHODS Twenty-six FD patients according to Rome II criteria (20 were H pylori negative) were studied and compared to 12 healthy adults. IELs were isolated from five duodenal biopsy samples, then quantified by microscopy and flow cytometry while the membrane phenotypes were determined by cytofluorometry. RESULTS Duodenal histological examination was normal. In H pylori negative patients, the number of IELs was not different from that in healthy controls. Median percentage expression of CD4, CD8, or TCRgamma delta and CD103, CD44, CD28, CD69 on CD3+ IELs, among the adhesion/activation associated molecules tested, was not different from that in healthy controls. In contrast, the median percentage expression of CD95/Fas [22 (9-65) vs 45 (19-88), P=0.03] and HLA-DR expressing CD3+ IELs [4 (0-30) vs 13 (4-42), P=0.04] was significantly lower in the H pylori negative FD group than in healthy controls, respectively. The number of IELs was significantly greater in H pylori positive FD patients than in healthy controls [median ratio for 100 enterocytes 27.5 (6.7-62.5) vs 10.8 (3-33.3), P=0.02] due to a higher number of CD8+ CD3+ IELs. CONCLUSION In H pylori negative FD patients, the phenotypic characterization of IELs suggests that we cannot exclude a role of IELs in FD.
Highly Birefringent Slot-Microfiber

We propose a possible approach to realize a highly birefringent slot microfiber by postprocessing a circular microfiber (CMF). The shape can be fabricated with very high repeatability, reliability, and accuracy. Light field can be enhanced and confined in the nanometer-wide low index slot, and the birefringence achieves as high as 4 × 10-2. The slot-microfiber has the advantages both of a microfiber and a slot waveguide. It is perfect for miniature fiberized polarization manipulation devices and its unique geometry can also greatly enhance the refractive index sensitivity (nearly ten times higher than that of CMFs) for evanescent-field-based gas sensors.
An Intelligent DDoS Attack Detection System Using Packet Analysis and Support Vector Machine

Nowadays, many companies and/or governments require a secure system and/or an accurate intrusion detection system (IDS) to defend their network services and the user’s private information. In network security, developing an accurate detection system for distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks is one of challenging tasks. DDoS attacks jam the network service of the target using multiple bots hijacked by crackers and send numerous packets to the target server. Servers of many companies and/or governments have been victims of the attacks. In such an attack, detecting the crackers is extremely difficult, because they only send a command by multiple bots from another network and then leave the bots quickly after command execute. The proposed strategy is to develop an intelligent detection system for DDoS attacks by detecting patterns of DDoS attack using network packet analysis and utilizing machine learning techniques to study the patterns of DDoS attacks. In this study, we analyzed large numbers of network packets provided by the Center for Applied Internet Data Analysis and implemented the detection system using a support vector machine with the radial basis function (Gaussian) kernel. The detection system is accurate in detecting DDoS attacks.
Recognition mechanisms of the minus‐strand origin of phage f1 by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase

Background: The primer RNA for the synthesis of the minus strand of filamentous coliphages is produced by host RNA polymerase at a specific site on the plus strand template. The mechanism used by the enzyme in recognizing the origin is unknown, but minus strand replication requires the holoenzyme form of RNA polymerase. The origin contains two inverted repeats which can form hairpins.
Synthetic Lethality with the dut Defect in Escherichia coli Reveals Layers of DNA Damage of Increasing Complexity Due to Uracil Incorporation

ABSTRACT Synthetic lethality is inviability of a double-mutant combination of two fully viable single mutants, commonly interpreted as redundancy at an essential metabolic step. The dut-1 defect in Escherichia coli inactivates dUTPase, causing increased uracil incorporation in DNA and known synthetic lethalities [SL(dut) mutations]. According to the redundancy logic, most of these SL(dut) mutations should affect nucleotide metabolism. After a systematic search for SL(dut) mutants, we did identify a single defect in the DNA precursor metabolism, inactivating thymidine kinase (tdk), that confirmed the redundancy explanation of synthetic lethality. However, we found that the bulk of mutations interacting genetically with dut are in DNA repair, revealing layers of damage of increasing complexity that uracil-DNA incorporation sends through the chromosomal metabolism. Thus, we isolated mutants in functions involved in (i) uracil-DNA excision (ung, polA, and xthA); (ii) double-strand DNA break repair (recA, recBC, and ruvABC); and (iii) chromosomal-dimer resolution (xerC, xerD, and ftsK). These mutants in various DNA repair transactions cannot be redundant with dUTPase and instead reveal “defect-damage-repair” cycles linking unrelated metabolic pathways. In addition, two SL(dut) inserts (phoU and degP) identify functions that could act to support the weakened activity of the Dut-1 mutant enzyme, suggesting the “compensation” explanation for this synthetic lethality. We conclude that genetic interactions with dut can be explained by redundancy, by defect-damage-repair cycles, or as compensation.
Relative Efficacy of Sildenafil Compared to Other Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction

>Objective. We examined and compared the efficacy of sildenafil in patients previously using other agents or devices for erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment. >Methods. We identified 47 patients with organic ED who had tried other therapies (intracavernosal injection therapy [ICIT], intraurethral prostaglandin suppositories [IPS], vacuum erection devices [VEDs], or yohimbine) before using sildenafil. Comparisons of the efficacy of sildenafil to the previously used agent or device were assessed by telephone questionnaire. Responses were compared using nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum and analysis of variance testing. >Results. Sildenafil therapy was no more effective than ICIT or VEDs but was more effective than IPS. No significant difference occurred in response to sildenafil with age. Of 22 patients achieving erections adequate for intercourse with their previous therapy, 14 (63%) achieved equal or improved erections with sildenafil. Of the remaining 18 patients who had erections inadequate for intercourse with previous therapy, 5 (27%) had adequate erections with sildenafil. Conclusions. Oral sildenafil therapy provides results comparable to those of other available ED treatment modalities. A trial of this drug in this patient population is warranted.
ErbB2 Stabilizes Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Expression via Erk and Sprouty2 in Extracellular Matrix-detached Cells*♦

Epithelial cells are dependent on extracellular matrix (ECM) attachment for maintenance of metabolic activity and suppression of apoptosis. Here we show that loss of ECM attachment causes down-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and β1 integrin protein and mRNA expression and that ErbB2, which is amplified in 25% of breast tumors, reverses these effects of ECM deprivation. ErbB2 rescue of β1 integrin mRNA and protein in suspended cells is dependent on EGFR, however, the rescue of EGFR expression does not require β1 integrin. We show that there is a significant decrease in the stability of EGFR in ECM-detached cells that is reversed by ErbB2 overexpression. Rescue of both EGFR and β1 integrin protein by ErbB2 is dependent on Erk activity and induction of its downstream target Sprouty2, a protein known to regulate EGFR protein stability. Interestingly, expression of EGFR and β1 integrin protein is more dependent on Erk/Sprouty2 in ECM-detached ErbB2-overexpressing cells when compared with ECM-attached cells. These results provide further insight into the ErbB2-driven anchorage independence of tumor cells and provide a new mechanism for regulation of EGFR and β1 integrin expression in ECM-detached cells.
Overexpression of phosphorylated STAT-1alpha in the labial salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To clarify the molecular mechanisms of Sjögren's syndrome (SS), we analyzed the functional role of the STAT-1 gene, one of the interferon-gamma (IFNgamma)-inducible genes, in labial salivary glands (LSGs) from SS patients. METHODS The expression of STAT-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, and the phosphorylation of STAT-1 protein (Tyr(701) and Ser(727) pSTAT-1) was investigated by Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. The expression of IFNgamma-inducible 10-kd protein (IP-10), IFN regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), and Fas was also examined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS STAT-1alpha and STAT-1beta mRNA were highly expressed in LSGs from SS patients. The level of STAT-1alpha protein in SS LSGs was higher than that in 3 control LSGs, whereas STAT-1beta protein was not clearly detected by Western blot analysis. Moreover, Tyr(701) and Ser(727) pSTAT-1alpha proteins were specifically detected in SS LSGs. Immunohistochemical analysis showed localization of Tyr(701) pSTAT-1 in infiltrating lymphocytes and the adjacent ductal epithelium from SS patients. Ser(727) pSTAT-1 was localized only in the ductal epithelium of SS LSGs. The STAT-1-inducible genes IP-10 and IRF-1 and the Fas genes were highly expressed in SS LSGs and were colocalized with Ser(727) pSTAT-1-positive, but not Tyr(701) pSTAT-1-positive, cells. CONCLUSION We found evidence of the up-regulation of STAT-1alpha mRNA and protein in LSGs from SS patients, as well as the presence of pSTAT-1alpha in ductal epithelium from SS patients. Our findings suggest that STAT-1alpha, especially Ser(727) pSTAT-1, may function as a key molecule in the pathogenesis of SS.
Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Quality of Life in Nursing Home Residents: A Feasibility Study

Background: With demographic change, the number of elderly people is increasing. The aging process and associated stress diminishes their quality of life. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been claimed to reduce stress and alleviate suffering. It might be a useful approach to improve the condition in the elderly. Patients and Methods: To examine feasibility and potential effects of MBSR on nursing home residents in Germany, a non-randomized feasibility study was conducted including 22 participants; 15 of them participated in an 8-week MBSR course, 7 served as untreated comparison group. Health-related quality of life (SF-12), depressive symptoms (GDS-12R), cognitive impairment (MMST), activities of daily living (Barthel Index), satisfaction with life, physical pain and major complaints were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: 9 out of 15 course participants completed the course (60%). They showed a significant increase in the SF-12 physical health score (p = 0.017). Depressive symptoms (GDS-12R) significantly declined within the meditation group (p = 0.04) and as compared to the untreated group (p = 0.011). In the comparison group, a significant decrease in major complaints (p = 0.011) and an increase in the SF-12 mental health score were found. The meditation group yielded positive changes in the SF-12 mental health score, in satisfaction with life and in pain intensity. Conclusions: In view of the setting, the completion rate of 60% appears to be acceptable. Significant results suggest that MBSR may help improve health-related quality of life and reduce symptoms of depression. Yet, as participants did not meet the requirement to practice independently, feasibility of conducting MBSR with elderly who live in a nursing home has to be questioned.
The Neuropeptide Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Generates Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells1

Tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in maintaining peripheral tolerance through the induction/activation of regulatory T cells (Treg). Endogenous factors contribute to the functional development of tolerogenic DCs. In this report, we present evidence that two known immunosuppressive neuropeptides, the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), contribute to the development of bone marrow-derived tolerogenic DCs in vitro and in vivo. The VIP/PACAP-generated DCs are CD11clowCD45RBhigh, do not up-regulate CD80, CD86, and CD40 following LPS stimulation, and secrete high amounts of IL-10. The induction of tolerogenic DCs is mediated through the VPAC1 receptor and protein kinase A, and correlates with the inhibition of IκB phosphorylation and of NF-κBp65 nuclear translocation. The VIP/PACAP-generated DCs induce functional Treg in vitro and in vivo. The VIP/DC-induced Treg resemble the previously described Tr1 in terms of phenotype and cytokine profile, suppress primarily Th1 responses including delayed-type hypersensitivity, and transfer suppression to naive hosts. The effect of VIP/PACAP on the DC-Treg axis represents an additional mechanism for their general anti-inflammatory role, particularly in anatomical sites which exhibit immune deviation or privilege.
The fundamental group of a locally finite graph with ends: a hyperfinite approach

The end compactification |\Gamma| of the locally finite graph \Gamma is the union of the graph and its ends, endowed with a suitable topology. We show that \pi_1(|\Gamma|) embeds into a nonstandard free group with hyperfinitely many generators, i.e. an ultraproduct of finitely generated free groups, and that the embedding we construct factors through an embedding into an inverse limit of free groups, recovering a result of Diestel and Spr\"ussel.
Oxygen uptake during exercise in patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome.

OBJECTIVE Muscle ischemia has been postulated as a causative factor in pain and disability in patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome (PFS) and previous studies have demonstrated that patients with PFS have reduced maximum oxygen uptake (VO2). Our objective was to examine the level and pattern of VO2 in response to graded exercise and defined levels of constant work rate exercise in patients with PFS. METHODS Unmedicated patients fulfilling modified Yunus' criteria for the diagnosis of PFS and healthy control subjects performed upright cycle ergometry exercise with measurements of respiratory gas exchange and grading of pain using visual analog scores. RESULTS Patients, but not controls, had significantly higher levels of pain after graded exercise than before exercise. Although peak VO2 did not differ between the 2 groups, effort dependent variables of exercise function were more variable in the patients than in control subjects. The onset of muscle anaerobiosis as reflected in respiratory gas exchange, the relationship between VO2 and work rate throughout the range of exercise work rates, and the mean response time for the increase in VO2 to the exercise level in response to a constant work rate of exercise were not different for patients compared to controls. CONCLUSION Despite the subjective reports of pain, our studies demonstrate no abnormality in the overall rate and pattern of utilization of oxygen during muscular exercise in patients with PFS.
Histopathological Alterations in some Body Organs of Adult Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Exposed to 4-Nonylphenol

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) include synthetic and naturally occurring chemicals that affect the balance of normal functions in animals (Razia et al. 2006). It has been found that exposure to natural and synthetic estrogenic chemicals may adversely affect wildlife and human health (Colborn et al. 1993). In vitro exposures (Soto et al. 1992; Soto et al. 1994; Toomey et al. 1999) have confirmed the effects of EDCs on tissue structure and cellular processes. Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) are EDCs which are used globally in the production of plastics, pesticides, and cleaning products and are present in sewage effluents around the world (Talmage, 1994). It has been reported that NP is the most important degradation product of NPEs because of its enhanced resistance towards biodegradation, toxicity, ability to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms, and estrogenicity (Ahel et al. 1994). NP is found in surface waters, aquatic sediments, and ground water (Bennie, 1999; Talmage, 1994) and it is estrogenic in various aquatic animals (Nimrod and Benson, 1996; Talmage, 1994; Servos, 1999).
On the artifact of a subvoxel susceptibility deviation in spoiled gradient‐echo imaging

In MRI, susceptibility‐based negative contrast amplifies the effect of objects that are too small to be detected by water displacement or intrinsic contrast properties. In this work, a simplified description of the susceptibility artifact of a subvoxel object in spoiled gradient‐echo imaging is presented that focuses on the elimination of signal in its vicinity: the dephased‐volume. The size and position of the dephased‐volume are investigated using 3D time‐domain simulations and in vitro experiments in which scan parameters and object magnetic moment are systematically varied. Overall signal loss is found to be linearly related to a dephasing parameter that contains the susceptibility difference with tissue, object volume, and echo time (TE), and thus allows the magnetic moment of the object to be assessed. Gradient strength, in‐plane resolution, fractional echo, and slice orientation have limited influence. For the settings used, the center of mass of the artifact was always within 0.5 mm of the object's in‐plane position. Magn Reson Med 50:400–404, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.