Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TLR9 and the NLRP3 inflammasome link acinar cell death with inflammation in acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Acute pancreatitis is characterized by early activation of intracellular proteases followed by acinar cell death and inflammation. Activation of damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) receptors and a cytosolic complex termed the inflammasome initiate forms of inflammation. In this study, we examined whether DAMP-receptors and the inflammasome provide the link between cell death and the initiation of inflammation in pancreatitis. METHODS Acute pancreatitis was induced by caerulein stimulation in wild-type mice and mice deficient in components of the inflammasome (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain [ASC], NLRP3, caspase-1), Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), or the purinergic receptor P2X(7). Resident and infiltrating immune cell populations and pro-interleukin-1β expression were characterized in control and caerulein-treated adult murine pancreas. TLR9 expression was quantified in pancreatic cell populations. Additionally, wild-type mice were pretreated with a TLR9 antagonist before induction of acute pancreatitis by caerulein or retrograde bile duct infusion of taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate. RESULTS Caspase-1, ASC, and NLRP3 were required for inflammation in acute pancreatitis. Genetic deletion of Tlr9 reduced pancreatic edema, inflammation, and pro-IL-1β expression in pancreatitis. TLR9 was expressed in resident immune cells of the pancreas, which are predominantly macrophages. Pretreatment with the TLR9 antagonist IRS954 reduced pancreatic edema, inflammatory infiltrate, and apoptosis. Pretreatment with IRS954 reduced pancreatic necrosis and lung inflammation in taurolithocholic acid 3-sulfate-induced acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS Components of the inflammasome, ASC, caspase-1, and NLRP3, are required for the development of inflammation in acute pancreatitis. TLR9 and P2X(7) are important DAMP receptors upstream of inflammasome activation, and their antagonism could provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating acute pancreatitis.
Twin deficits in Cambodia: Are there Reasons for Concern? An Empirical Study

This study examines the inter-linkages between Government budget balance, and external balance for a transition economy in South East Asia – Cambodia. The empirical results of the quarterly data between 1996 and 2006, support twin deficits hypothesis that is the budget deficits do cause external deficits, in the short run. These two macroeconomics variables are moving together in the long run. For implication, these findings provide an insight for the Cambodia’s policy design and formulation.
Comparison of Features Based on MFCCs and Eigen Values of Autocorrelation Matrix for Cross-Lingual Vocal Emotion Recognition in Five Languages of Assam

This work investigates whether vocal emotion expression of discrete emotion (i) can be recognized cross- lingually, (ii) of surprise, which is actually a cognitive component that could be present with any emotion, can also be recognized as a distinct emotion. This study will enable us to get more information regarding nature and function of emotion. Furthermore, this work will help in developing a generalized vocal emotion recognition system, which will increase the efficiency of human-machine interaction systems. In this work, an emotional speech database consisting of short sentences of five full-blown basic emotions, full-blown surprise emotion and 'no- emotion' (i.e. neutral) is created with 140 acted utterances per speaker of five native languages of Assam. This database is validated by a Listening Test. A new feature set is proposed based on Eigen Values of Autocorrelation Matrix (EVAM) of each frame of the speech signal. The Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) is used as the classifier. The performance of the proposed feature set is compared with Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) at sampling frequencies of 44.1 kHz and 8.1 kHz and with additive white noise of 5 db and 0 db Signal-to- Noise Ratios (SNRs) under matched noise condition.
Real-ear sound pressure level.

We would like to take this opportunity to respond to some comments made in an article recently published in JAAA by Valente et al (1994) . The following response is not a direct comment on the study presented but on a portion of the literature review, which does not correctly represent the goals and implications of our work . Valente et al (1994) referenced Zelisko et al (1992) as one of "several studies [that] have suggested that the real-ear SPL near the eardrum can be predicted from audiometric thresholds measured in hearing level (dB HL) using either conventional or insert earphones . by applying a set of average transformation values" (p . 390) . The purpose of the work cited in the article by Zelisko et al (1992a) was to describe our development of a system for obtaining in situ measures of hearing using a probe tube microphone system in order to provide a more accurate comparison with measures of in situ hearing aid performance. Results from Zelisko et al (1992) indicated that there was less across-session variability associated with the direct in situ measurements of ear canal SPL than the reported accuracy of approaches where ear canal SPL was predicted from audiometric data collected with conventional supra-aural earphones (p . 462) . Further, the findings of Zelisko et al (1992) were "generally consistent with the findings of previous investigations [e.g . , Feigin et al, 1989; Hawkins et al, 1990] and illustrate the degree of variation in RECD values that can be observed in a sample of school-age hearingimpaired subjects . Furthermore, the findings lend support to the position that whenever possible, this relevant acoustic variable should be measured . " It was not the intention of Zelisko et al (1992) to support the use of average transformations for predicting real-ear SPLs, but to recommend direct measures of ear canal SPLs whenever possible . Furthermore, when citing articles that supported the use of average transformations, Valente et al (1994) also cited Gagne et al (1991a, b) . These two studies applied a stimulus delivery/real-ear measurement system to measure thresholds and LDLs using a probe tube microphone system . Average transformations, or how they should be used, are not addressed in these references . Finally, Valente et al (1994) cited Seewald et al (1991) as suggesting that average transformations can be used to predict ear canal SPL thresholds . Seewald et al (1991) noted that "the following rank order reflects the compatibility of each with the DSL method ; 1 . insert earphone/probe-tube microphone (dB SPL in situ), 2. 3-A insert earphones (dB HL), 3. sound field loudspeaker (dB HL/SPL), and 4. supra-aural earphone (TDH 49/50 [dB HL])" (p . 37). While it is true that the Desired Sensation Level (1991) software system will use average transformations to predict real-ear SPLs, the authors do place an emphasis on obtaining direct in situ measures of ear canal SPL whenever possible . We hope that this response helps to clarify the positions of the above referenced .
lep operon proximal gene is not required for growth or secretion by Escherichia coli

Leader peptidase is an essential enzyme of Escherichia coli and is required for protein export. The structural gene for leader peptidase (lep) is separated from its promoter by an upstream gene of unknown function (lepA). The gene lepA was shown by the use of minicell analysis and overproduction to encode a protein of 74,000 daltons. To determine whether this 74,000-dalton protein functions in protein export, a mutant of E. coli H560 was constructed which has a 1.5-kilobase-pair deletion in the lepA gene. The lepA deletion mutant had no apparent defect for growth or protein export, indicating that lepA is nonessential and that the two cotranscribed genes lepA and lep probably have unrelated functions.
Bandpass sampling criteria for nonlinear systems

Sampling criteria for nonlinear systems with a band-pass input are developed in this paper. It is well known that nonlinear systems may produce an output signal with a larger bandwidth than that of their input signal. According to the Nyquist sampling theorem, the sampling rate needs to be at least twice the maximum frequency of the output signal; otherwise, the sampled output would be aliased. However, if the input is a bandpass signal, the spectrum of the output signal often occupies multiple frequency bands. In this case, it is possible, by using the bandpass sampling concept, to sample the output signal at a rate much lower than the Nyquist sampling frequency. In this paper, all conditions in which bandpass sampling can be achieved are derived for nonlinear systems up to the third order. Furthermore, for nonlinear systems higher than the third order, some conditions in which bandpass sampling can be guaranteed are derived. The result can be used to choose an appropriate sampling frequency for nonlinear systems of an arbitrary order.
A copy number gain of the 6p arm is linked with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: an array‐based comparative genomic hybridization study

In accordance with cancer progression, genomic aberrations accumulate in cancer cells in a stepwise fashion. However, whether there are genomic changes linked with tumour progression remains unclarified. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the relationship between genomic alterations and clinical stages in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A technology of array‐based CGH using DNA chips spotted with 1440 BAC clones was applied to 42 surgically removed HCCs to examine the DNA copy number aberrations. A frequent copy number gain was detected on chromosomal regions 1q, 8q and Xq. In particular, gains of 1q42.12, 1q43 and 8q24.3 were detected in more than 65% of tumours. A frequent copy number loss was detected on chromosomal regions 1p, 4q, 6q, 8p and 17p. Losses of 8p21 and 17p13 were detected in more than 55% of HCCs. However, the DNA copy number gains of clones on 6p and 8q24.12 were more frequent in stage III/IV tumours than in stage I/II tumours (p < 0.001). In particular, the gain of the whole 6p was virtually limited to advanced‐staged HCCs. The gain of the whole 6p is suggested to be a genomic marker for the late stages in HCCs. These observations therefore support the concept of genomic staging in HCC. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic analysis of drinking behavior in World War II veteran twins

The objective of the present study was to investigate longitudinal changes in drinking behaviors of adult male twins and model these changes as a function of genetic and environmental influences. Alcohol data available for World War II veteran twins, first surveyed in 1967–69 and followed up during 1983–85, were used to examine components of variability in measures of alcohol consumption. Multivariate biometric analyses of these data indicated 1) longitudinal stability of drinking behaviors in this cohort, 2) a significant contribution of genetic factors to the observed stability that accounted for more than 80% of the stable variation in frequency and in quantity of alcohol consumed per drinking occasion, and 3) evidence for a significant contribution of shared environmental influences to drinking of specific beverages (e.g., wine). The implications of these results for issues of health in the elderly are considered. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Population survey comparing older adults with hip versus knee pain in primary care.

BACKGROUND Knee pain is nearly twice as prevalent as hip pain in elderly people, yet knee replacement is far less common than hip replacement. AIM To investigate whether systematic differences in the primary care management of hip versus knee problems might explain the disparate rates of joint replacement. DESIGN OF STUDY Cross-sectional, population-based postal survey. SETTING Random sample of 5500 Oxfordshire residents aged 65 years and above. METHOD Screening questions were used to identify symptomatic individuals: "During the past 12 months, have you had pain in or around either of your hips/knees on most days for 1 month or longer? ". Standard (Lequesne) severity ratings were obtained for each hip and knee. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for "knee cases" versus "hip cases" for selected healthcare services and attitudes toward replacement. RESULTS Among 3341 responders, 212 hip cases and 612 knee cases were identified. Knee pain led to a GP consultation more often than hip pain (OR = 1.76, P = 0.04), but specialist referral was no more likely (OR = 0.85, P = 0.57). Similar percentages of hip and knee cases would agree to hip/knee replacement surgery if it was offered, but hip and knee cases differed in their views on the general success of joint replacement. CONCLUSIONS Some variations in primary care management for hip versus knee pain were apparent. People with hip pain were mostly positive about replacement outcomes, whereas people with knee pain were more uncertain about replacement. Attitudes appeared to be influenced by knowing someone who had undergone such surgery.
Advances in treatment of hyperkalemia in chronic kidney disease

Introduction: Hyperkalemia is a frequent electrolyte disorder associated with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Patients prone to hyperkalemia have chronic kidney disease (CKD) either alone or in conjunction with diabetes or heart failure (HF). Although agents inhibiting the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone–system (RAAS) are currently the first-line treatments toward cardio- and nephroprotection, their administration often leads to potassium elevation in such patients and results in high rates of treatment discontinuation. Areas covered: This article provides an overview of factors interfering with potassium homeostasis and discusses emerging potassium-lowering therapies for long-term management of hyperkalemia. Expert opinion: In recent randomized clinical studies, two new oral potassium-exchanging compounds, patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate, were shown to effectively normalize elevated serum potassium and chronically maintain potassium homeostasis in hyperkalemic patients treated with RAAS blockers. Both agents exhibit good tolerability and were not associated with serious adverse effects. Although additional research is required, these drugs are promising for lowering the risk of incident hyperkalemia associated with RAAS blockade use in people with diabetes or HF who have CKD. They also provide the opportunity to test whether patients who could not previously receive RAAS blockade may benefit from their cardio- and renoprotective effects.
Social neuroscience evidence for dehumanised perception

Dehumanisation describes perceiving a person as nonhuman in some ways, such as lacking a mind. Social psychology is beginning to understand cognitive and affective causes and mechanisms—the psychological how and why of dehumanisation. Social neuroscience research also can inform these questions. After background on social neural networks and on past dehumanisation research, the article contrasts (a) research on fully humanised person perception, reviewing studies on affective and cognitive factors, specifically mentalising (considering another's mind), with (b) dehumanised perception, proposing neural systems potentially involved. Finally, the conclusion suggests limitations of social neuroscience, future research directions, and real-world consequences of this all-too-human phenomenon.
High-Mobility and Good-Stability Thin-Film Transistors With Scandium-Substituted Indium Oxide Semiconductors

Thin-film transistors (TFTs) with the scandium (Sc) substituted indium oxide (ScxIn1-xO3, ScInO) semiconductor were fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering. The saturation field-effect mobilities for TFTs with the Sc concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 5% were 42.9, 30.8, and 25.4 cm2 V-1 s-1, respectively. Moreover, all the devices exhibited similar electrical stability under positive bias stress, but the TFTs with 5% Sc exhibited much better stability under negative bias stress. Detailed studies showed that the incorporation of Sc atoms had effects of suppressing oxygen vacancy formation and reducing the free carrier concentration, and thus improving the electrical stability.
Changes in the physicochemical and sensory characteristics in raw and grilled ovine meat.

BACKGROUND The effect of storage time on sensory attributes and physicochemical characteristics (pH, L*, a*, b* color parameters, protein solubility, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), texture profile analysis (TPA), proteolytic activity, moisture and peptide changes) were evaluated as indicators of ovine meat quality changes during refrigeration. Meat samples were stored for 14 days at 2 ± 1 °C. The samples were divided into two sections: one was analyzed raw and the other was grilled to 72 ± 2 °C prior to analysis. The data were examined using multivariate data analysis (principal component analysis). RESULTS Tenderness showed a positive relationship with pH (0.55), and brightness presented a high correlation with sarcoplasmic protein solubility (-0.83) and L* (0.85) in raw ovine meat. Variations during storage were observed; for instance, textural parameters had a maximum value on the third day of storage for raw and grilled meat and decreased over the following days. Conversely, days 7 and 14 were distinguished by higher L* and b* values and by a greasy and bloody odor in the raw ovine meat. On day 14, grilled meat was characterized by chewiness on TPA, an intense grilled-meat odor and intense flavor, which had a positive relationship with cytochrome c equivalents (0.89). Likewise, sensory hardness was highly correlated with WBSF in grilled meat (0.89). CONCLUSION This information may be useful for describing and predicting ovine meat quality for both consumers and processors. Therefore, vacuum-packaged ovine meat can be stored for 14 days without disagreeable color to the consumer, and the raw meat texture is tender.
‘Sticking to a healthy diet is easier for me when I exercise regularly’: Cognitive transfer between physical exercise and healthy nutrition

Objective: Long-term rehabilitation success depends on regular exercise and healthy nutrition. The present study introduces a new framework to explain this association on a psychosocial level. The exercise–nutrition relationship was investigated by exploring the sequential mediation of habit strength and transfer cognitions. Design: Analyses were performed at two measurement points in time (at 12 and 18 months after rehabilitation), involving 470 medical rehabilitation patients who participated in an exercise intervention. Main outcome measures: Patients filled in paper-pencil questionnaires assessing exercise (t1) and habit strength, transfer cognitions and healthy nutrition at follow-up (t2). Results: Habit strength and transfer cognitions mediated the relationship between exercise and nutrition. Conclusion: Findings suggest that habit strength and transfer cognitions are important factors underlying the relationship between exercise and nutrition.
Training multilayer perceptron classifiers based on a modified support vector method

In this paper we describe a training method for one hidden layer multilayer perceptron classifier which is based on the idea of support vector machines (SVM's). An upper bound on the Vapnik-Chervonenkis (VC) dimension is iteratively minimized over the interconnection matrix of the hidden layer and its bias vector. The output weights are determined according to the support vector method, but without making use of the classifier form which is related to Mercer's condition. The method is illustrated on a two-spiral classification problem.
Metabolic clearance and secretion rates of prolactin in the rat.

Rat prolactin 131I, prepared by a standard method for radioimmunoassay, was given intravenously by constant infusion or by a single injection into anesthetized (Na pentobarbital) intact male rats, and ovariectomized, hypophysectomized or intact female rats. Blood samples were collected at frequent intervals and the serum was assayed for immuno-precipitable prolactin and for total radioactivity. The disappearance curve after a single intravenous injection of rat prolactin in a pituitary homogenate, as measured by radioimmunoassay, was the same as that of the labeled prolactin, indicating that the latter was cleared from the blood in a manner identical to that of the endogenous hormone. The metabolic clearance rate (MCR), denned as the volume of blood cleared of prolactin per unit time, was 1.26 ± 0.08 ml/min by the constant infusion method and 1.2 to 1.46 ml/min by the single injection method. The half-life time for the first exponential (first 10 min after iv injection) of injected rat prolactin ranged fr.
Complications of Ultrasound-Guided Nephrostomy

In a 5-year period (January 1987 to December 1991) a total of 285 US-guided nephrostomy procedures were performed in 159 patients. All nephrostomies were performed with a 2.3 mm one-step trochar catheter without internal fixation. The hospital case records were reviewed retrospectively, and complications were registered. The overall success rate was 92%. The catheters were maintained for a median of 17 days (range 1–150 days). Thirty-three catheters slipped out unintentionally in the first 10 days. Haematuria through the catheter for more than 3 days occurred in 14 cases. Complications occurred in 19 (6.7%) of the procedures. One uraemic patient had cardiac arrest but was resuscitated. Two patients had severe haematuria and one of them had a nephrectomy. Seven patients developed septicaemia, and 6 had perirenal bleeding or urinary leakage. Three patients developed skin infection. Ultrasound-guided nephrostomy is a gentle procedure with only few major complications, but the risk of the procedure should still be weighed against the expected benefit.
WATER CONTROL AND CEREAL MANAGEMENT ON THE BRONZE AGE IBERIAN PENINSULA: LA MOTILLA DEL AZUER

Summary. Archaeological research conducted in the La Mancha region (central area of the Iberian Peninsula) has made it possible to identify motillas. This specific type of archaeological site consists of a central fortification surrounded by an inhabited area. They appear in high densities throughout the plains of this area, distributed at regular intervals and located in places where the phreatic level is closest to the surface and the water has low salinity. The strong relationship between sites and water has subsequently been supported by fieldwork, especially in the Motilla del Azuer settlement, where a complex well that was cut into the natural terrace to reach the phreatic level has been documented. Research has also demonstrated that the large-scale storage of cereals was another significant function. The quantity and capacity of the different storage systems documented in two large enclosures suggest that these sites were engaged in the control and management of cereals.