Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTING DIFFERENT SOURCES OF CHROMIUM TO DIET ON SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS OF BROILER CHICKENS

The experiment was conducted at the University of Ain Shams - Egypt, from January to March 2008, to study the effect and the comparison of chromium type that supplementation to diet, chromium chloride (CrCl3 ) ( inorganic chromium), chromium yeast (Cr yeast) and chromium picolinate ( Cr pico) ( organic chromium) , on some physiological traits of broiler chickens. A total of 480, one - day old chickens (unsexed) of Cobb strain were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments and each treatment consists of 120 birds (3 replicates each treatment). The treatments were control (A1) without chromium supplementation, (A2) 1 mg CrCl3/Kg diet, (A3) 1 mg Cr yeast/Kg diet, and (A4) 1 mg Cr Pico/Kg diet. The results indicated that Plasma glucose was lower significantly in A3 compared with control group A1, while plasma total protein and globulin were significantly (P≤0.05) higher in the groups that were supplemented with Cr yeast (A3) and Cr Pico (A4) compared with other group . Plasma total lipid was significantly (P≤0.05) lowered in A4 than the control group (A1), meanwhile broilers of (A2) and (A3) were numerically lower in total lipid than the control group . Plasma cholesterol was significantly (P≤0.05) lowered in the broilers that were supplemented with all chromium sources. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly (P≤0.05) lower in(A2) group, while other sources were numerically low in LDL as compared to the control (A1). Spleen percentage increased significantly while plasma phosphorus decreased significantly in A4 compared with control . Supplementing CrCl3 (A2) or Cr Pico (A4) resulted in significant (P≤0.05) increase of chromium in liver, muscle while plasma chromium increased only in A2 group .
Improved diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy in peripheral pulmonary lesions: combination of radial probe endobronchial ultrasound and rapid on-site evaluation.

BACKGROUND Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) of cytologic specimens is a useful ancillary technique in needle aspiration procedures of pulmonary/mediastinal lesions, but few reports had been carried out to confirm the utility in the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) by radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (R-EBUS). METHODS To evaluate the impact of ROSE on the diagnostic yield of R-EBUS for PPLs, we retrospectively analyzed the diagnostic yields of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) or brushing using R-EBUS for patients with PPLs in a tertiary university hospital from December 2012 to December 2014. RESULTS A total of 815 patients with PPLs were included. A definite diagnosis was made by R-EBUS-guided TBB or brushing for 627 patients (76.9%). A total of 279 patients (34.2%) were examined by a ROSE technique. The combination of R-EBUS guided TBB or brushing with ROSE raised the diagnostic yield in the diagnosis of PPLs, especially difficult cases: right apical and left apical-posterior segment locations, small PPLs <3 cm without bronchus signs on computed tomography (CT) scan, PPLs with pleural effusions, and the position of probe is not within. CONCLUSIONS ROSE can improve the PPLs diagnostic yield when using R-EBUS guided TBB or brushing.
Electron beam and pulsed corona processing of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides

Electrical discharge reactors are most suitable for processes requiring O radicals. For processes requiring copious amounts of electrons or N atoms, the use of electron beam reactors is generally the best way of minimizing the electrical energy consumption. For many of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) the authors have investigated, they found that electron beam processing is more energy efficient than pulsed corona processing. For VOCs (such as carbon tetrachloride) that require copious amounts of electrons for their decomposition, electron beam processing is remarkably more energy efficient. For some VOCs, the decomposition process is limited by their reaction rate with the plasma-produced radicals and/or by the occurrence of back reactions. In these cases, the energy consumption can be minimized by operating at high (but noncombusting) temperatures.
NARINGIN DOES NOT ALTER CAFFEINE PHARMACOKINETICS, ENERGY EXPENDITURE, OR CARDIOVASCULAR HAEMODYNAMICS IN HUMANS FOLLOWING CAFFEINE CONSUMPTION

1 Naringin, a grapefruit constituent interacts with many medications including caffeine, a popular weight loss supplement. The purpose of the current study was to identify changes in caffeine pharmacokinetics, resting energy expenditure (REE), oxygen consumption (VO2) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) after an acute dosage of caffeine and naringin. 2 Using a double‐blinded, counterbalanced design, REE, VO2, and RER were measured before and systematically for 8 h after a single dosage of caffeine (CAF, 200 mg) with and without naringin (100 mg (CN100) or 200 mg (CN200)) in 10 apparently healthy individuals. A standardized meal was provided following 240‐minute measurements (400 kcals; 35 g carbohydrate; 27 g protein; 7 g fat). 3 Caffeine, CN100, CN200 did not alter VO2 or VO2 area under the curve (137 301 ± 8318, 139 729 ± 9300, 134 297 ± 8318, mL/480 min). Resting energy expenditure (k/cals) was 10.0 ± 1.4% higher with CAF versus CN200 (6.0 ± 1.4%) and CN100 (6 ± 1.5%) at 240 min (P = 0.07) which was then negated following a standardized meal. Percent change in RER from pre to 240 min and pre to 480 min was not different between the CAF, CN100, or CN200 (–0.2 ± 1.7%, 1.7 ± 1.7%, –2.8 ± 1.9%). 4 Although caffeine alone suggests a trend of increased REE, the results of the present study indicate that concurrent consumption of caffeine with naringin in acute dosages does not affect RER, VO2, and prevents the increase of REE in adult humans. The results suggest that the interaction of grapefruit juice and caffeine may be due to constituents of grapefruit juice other than naringin or in addition to naringin.
Cohort Study of Incidence of Sudden Unexplained Death in Persons with Seizure Disorder Treated with Antiepileptic Drugs in Saskatchewan, Canada

Summary: To measure the incidence of sudden unexplained death in treated persons with epilepsy (SUDEP) and to identify risk factors for SUDEP, a cohort of 6,044 persons aged 15–49 years with more than four prescriptions for antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) was identified from the Saskatchewan Health prescription drug file. To exclude subjects whose sudden deaths (SUDs) might be misattributed to another chronic underlying disease, subjects with hospitalizations for cancer or heart problems were excluded. To exclude subjects without epilepsy, subjects with >2‐year AED treatment followed by AED‐free time and subjects receiving < 1 U/day were excluded. The final cohort consisted of 3,688 subjects. Follow‐up was started at the first AED prescription listed in the prescription drug file and ended at the earliest of the following: age 50 years, death, or last registration in the Saskatchewan Health. For 153 of 163 deaths occurring in the cohort, copies of anonymized death certificates were obtained and copies of anonymized autopsy reports of potential SUDEP cases were examined. There were 18 definite/probable SUDs and 21 possible SUDEPs, yielding a minimum incidence of 0.54 SUDEP per 1,000 person‐years and a maximum of 1.35 SUDEP per 1,000 person‐years. SUDEP incidence increased with male sex, number of AEDs ever prescribed, and prescription of psychotropic drugs and was highest in males with a history of treatment with three or more AEDs and four or more psychotropic drug prescriptions. Poisson regression showed a 1.7‐fold increase in risk of SUDEP for each increment in maximum number of AEDs administered, a likely surrogate for severity and persistence of seizures.
Multimodality imaging in heart failure patients

Purpose of review Imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis, assessment of cause and guiding treatment in heart failure. Several modalities are available that are of relevance in patients with heart failure, although echocardiography continues to be the method of choice due to widespread availability, good safety profile and low cost. Recent findings Echocardiography is appropriate in diagnosis of heart failure when placed in clinical context and supported by measurement of biomarkers. New methods of diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction are emerging. The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) continues to expand in assessing cause of heart failure, with simpler methods for assessment of myocardial deformation and extracellular fibrosis. These progressively supplant the use of cardiac catheterization, although the value of myocardial viability assessment is now questionable. As utilization of cardiac resynchronization therapy continues to grow, the role of dyssynchrony beyond the ECG is being re-evaluated. Summary Echocardiography remains at the forefront in heart failure, although CMR is complementary and the role of invasive cardiac catheterization may be diminishing.
Increased frequency of co-existing JAK2 exon-12 or MPL exon-10 mutations in patients with low JAK2V617F allelic burden

Abstract The frequency of co-existing JAK2V617F/MPL and JAK2V617F/JAK2 exon-12 mutations has not been previously investigated in MPNs. Poor survival was reported in primary myelofibrosis with low JAK2V617F allelic burden. However, mutational status of JAK2 exon-12 or MPL were not reported in these patients. This study developed a cost-effective multiplex high resolution melt assay that screens for mutations in JAK2 gene exons-12 and -14 (V617F) and MPL gene exon-10. Co-existing mutations with JAK2V617F were detected in 2.9% (6/208; two JAK2 exon-12 and four MPL exon-10) patient specimens with known JAK2V617F (allelic-burden range: 0.1–96.8%). Co-existing mutations were detected in specimens with < 12% JAK2V617F allelic burden. Current WHO guidelines do not recommend further testing once JAK2V617F mutation is detected in MPNs. The findings, however, indicate that quantification of JAK2V617F allele burden may be clinically relevant in MPNs and in those with low allelic burden additional testing for JAK2 exon-12 and MPL exon-10 mutation should be pursued.
Harmonic effect in street lighting

In this paper, several high power lighting networks based on high pressures sodium (HPS) lamps with rated lamp powers of 70, 150 and 250 W have been set up. They have also been tested with different levels of power using dimming for a 220 V power supply. These have been chosen because of they are used in public lighting. Each luminaire consists of sodium lamp with dimmable electronic ballast, which can dim the lamp output smoothly and uniformly. This paper focuses on the harmonic characterization of modern HPS lamps connected to dimmable electronic ballasts. Harmonics under full and reduced power for several HPS lamps have been measured. It presents an investigation on the attenuation effect and a proposal of an index called the equivalent lamp index to characterize this effect on HPS lamps. Also it is concluded that using a combination of HPS lamps can result in a reduction of the current distortion.
Mitigation of Fiber Nonlinearity Using a Digital Coherent Receiver

Coherent detection with receiver-based DSP has recently enabled the mitigation of fiber nonlinear effects. We investigate the performance benefits available from the backpropagation algorithm for polarization division multiplexed quadrature amplitude phase-shift keying (PDM-QPSK) and 16-state quadrature amplitude modulation (PDM-QAM16). The performance of the receiver using a digital backpropagation algorithm with varying nonlinear step size is characterized to determine an upper bound on the suppression of intrachannel nonlinearities in a single-channel system. The results show that for the system under investigation PDM-QPSK and PDM-QAM16 have maximum step sizes for optimal performance of 160 and 80 km, respectively. Whilst the optimal launch power is increased by 2 and 2.5 dB for PDM-QPSK and PDM-QAM16, respectively, the Q-factor is correspondingly increased by 1.6 and 1 dB, highlighting the importance of studying nonlinear compensation for higher level modulation formats.
Humans Can Taste Glucose Oligomers Independent of the hT1R2/hT1R3 Sweet Taste Receptor.

It is widely accepted that humans can taste mono- and disaccharides as sweet substances, but they cannot taste longer chain oligo- and polysaccharides. From the evolutionary standpoint, the ability to taste starch or its oligomeric hydrolysis products would be highly adaptive, given their nutritional value. Here, we report that humans can taste glucose oligomer preparations (average degree of polymerization 7 and 14) without any other sensorial cues. The same human subjects could not taste the corresponding glucose polymer preparation (average degree of polymerization 44). When the sweet taste receptor was blocked by lactisole, a known sweet inhibitor, subjects could not detect sweet substances (glucose, maltose, and sucralose), but they could still detect the glucose oligomers. This suggests that glucose oligomer detection is independent of the hT1R2/hT1R3 sweet taste receptor. Human subjects described the taste of glucose oligomers as "starchy," while they describe sugars as "sweet. " The dose-response function of glucose oligomer was also found to be indistinguishable from that of glucose on a molar basis.
The Isolation and Characterization of a cDNA Encoding Phospholipid-specific Inositol Polyphosphate 5-Phosphatase*

We report the cDNA cloning and characterization of a novel human inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase (5-phosphatase) that has substrate specificity unlike previously described members of this large gene family. All previously described members hydrolyze water soluble inositol phosphates. This enzyme hydrolyzes only lipid substrates, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. The cDNA isolated comprises 3110 base pairs and predicts a protein product of 644 amino acids and M r = 70,023. We designate this 5-phosphatase as type IV. It is a highly basic protein (pI = 8.8) and has the greatest affinity toward phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate of known 5-phosphatases. TheK m is 0.65 μm, 1/10 that of SHIP (5.95 μm), another 5-phosphatase that hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. The activity of 5-phosphatase type IV is sensitive to the presence of detergents in the in vitro assay. Thus the enzyme hydrolyzes lipid substrates in the absence of detergents or in the presence of n-octyl β-glucopyranoside or Triton X-100, but not in the presence of cetyltriethylammonium bromide, the detergent that has been used in other studies of the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Remarkably SHIP, a 5-phosphatase previously characterized as hydrolyzing only substrates with d-3 phosphates, also readily hydrolyzed phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in the presence of n-octyl β-glucopyranoside but not cetyltriethylammonium bromide. We used antibodies prepared against a peptide predicted by the cDNA to identify the 5-phosphatase type IV enzyme in human tissues and find that it is highly expressed in the brain as determined by Western blotting. We also performed Western blotting of mouse tissues and found high levels of expression in the brain, testes, and heart with lower levels of expression in other tissues. mRNA was detected in many tissues and cell lines as determined by Northern blotting.
Study on the influence of prior reliability for bayesian estimation

Bayesian method has been widely used for parameters evaluation and decision making. However, existing studies paid more attention on the construction of prior distribution and method engineering applications. The previous researches had fewer discourses on the reliability influence analysis of prior information or prior distribution. In this paper, based on the coherence analysis between prior information and field test results, the definition of prior reliability was presented, and the calculation process based on hypothesis testing theory was given. For normal distribution, to a numerical example, the influence analysis result was exhibited. Furthermore, the interval estimation method considering the influence of prior reliability was given.
Three-Dimensional Simulations of Seismic-Wave Propagation in the Taipei Basin with Realistic Topography Based upon the Spectral-Element Method

We use the spectral-element method to simulate strong ground motion throughout the Taipei metropolitan area. Mesh generation for the Taipei basin poses two main challenges: (1) the basin is surrounded by steep mountains, and (2) the city is located on top of a shallow, low-wave-speed sedimentary basin. To accommodate the steep and rapidly varying topography, we introduce a thin high-resolution mesh layer near the surface. The mesh for the shallow sedimentary basin is adjusted to honor its complex geometry and sharp lateral wave-speed contrasts. Variations in Moho thickness beneath Northern Taiwan are also incorporated in the mesh. Spectral-element simulations show that ground motion in the Taipei metropolitan region is strongly affected by the geometry of the basin and the surrounding mountains. The amplification of ground motion is mainly controlled by basin depth and shallow shear-wave speeds, although surface topography also serves to amplify and prolong seismic shaking.
Does locoregional radiation therapy improve survival in breast cancer? A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE Recent randomized trials in women with node-positive breast cancer who received systemic treatment report that locoregional radiation therapy improves survival. Previous trials failed to detect a difference in survival that results from its use. A systematic review of randomized trials that examine the effectiveness of locoregional radiation therapy in patients treated by definitive surgery and adjuvant systemic therapy was conducted. METHODS Randomized trials published between 1967 and 1999 were identified through MEDLINE database, CancerLit database, and reference lists of relevant articles. Relevant data was abstracted. The results of randomized trials were pooled using meta-analyses to estimate the effect of treatment on any recurrence, locoregional recurrence, and mortality. RESULTS Eighteen trials that involved a total of 6,367 patients were identified. Most trials included both pre- and postmenopausal women with node-positive breast cancer treated with modified radical mastectomy. The type of systemic therapy received, sites irradiated, techniques used, and doses of radiation delivered varied between trials. Data on toxicity were infrequently reported. Radiation was shown to reduce the risk of any recurrence (odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58 to 0.83), local recurrence (odds ratio, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.34), and mortality (odds ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.94). CONCLUSION Locoregional radiation after surgery in patients treated with systemic therapy reduced mortality. Several questions remain on how these results should be translated into current-day clinical practice.
Inpatient care of community-acquired pneumonia: the effect of antimicrobial guidelines on clinical outcomes and drug costs in Canadian teaching hospitals.

BACKGROUND Evidence supporting antibiotic treatment guidelines and respiratory quinolones (RQs) in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is limited. OBJECTIVE To study associations among guideline adherence, specific antibiotics, clinical outcomes and antibiotic costs. METHODS A retrospective cohort study in three tertiary care university teaching hospitals in Toronto, Ontario, studying CAP inpatients between November 1997 and June 2000. The period encompassed 12 months when an early version of empirical antibiotic guidelines was used (early cohort) and 18 months when recent guidelines (including RQs) were used (recent cohort). RESULTS Six hundred ninety-eight cases of CAP were reviewed, and 91% were guideline adherent. In multivariable analyses, no association was observed between guideline adherence and mortality or duration of hospitalization. Guideline-adherent cases received fewer antibiotics in both cohorts and 0.9 days less of intravenous antibiotics (P=0.04) in the recent cohort. There was no significant difference in antibiotic cost according to guideline adherence, but recent cohort guideline-adherent cases had lower drug costs than early cohort guideline-adherent cases. Antibiotic selection was associated with illness severity and was mirrored by clinical outcomes, despite controlling for the pneumonia severity index (PSI). Treatment with anaerobic agents (odds ratio 2.7, P=0.001) or cephalosporin plus macrolide (odds ratio 2.7, P=0.02) was associated with higher mortality. Treatment with RQ monotherapy was associated with a 2.3 day shorter duration of intravenous therapy (P<0.0001) and a 19.19 dollars lower total antibiotic cost (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION Findings support empirical treatment guidelines for CAP and their recommendations regarding RQs. The association between mortality and anaerobic coverage or combination therapy may reflect prognostic information available at presentation but not captured by the PSI.
Dendritic cells in acute promyelocytic leukaemia

Dendritic cell (DC) differentiation was investigated in samples from two acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) patients with classic translocation t(15;17)(q22;q21). After 18 d of culture in the presence of granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, interleukin 4 and tumour necrosis factor alpha, 10–15% of pathological promyelocytes had differentiated into DC‐like cells, as demonstrated by immunological and functional characteristics and by analysis of CD1a+ cells. In one patient, analysed at relapse and after developing a picture of secondary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), three different populations of DCs were demonstrated, two of which derived from pathological myeloid precursors (the APL and the MDS clones). This patient's DCs also presented abnormal dextran uptake. Our results demonstrated that pathological myeloid precursors in APL can differentiate into DC‐like elements and that different populations of pathological DCs may coexist in the same patient.
Perceptual study for emotional speech of Mandarin Chinese

This paper conducts a set of perceptual experiments together with an F0 acoustic analysis on emotional speech of Mandarin Chinese. Sixty utterances spoken by two actors in five basic emotions (i.e. happiness, fear, anger, sadness, and boredom) as well as in the neutral style served as stimuli. The perceptual experiments showed the following results: (1) For Mandarin Chinese, the rates of identification for five basic emotions differ significantly, ranking in Sadness > Happiness > Anger > Fear > Boredom. (2) Perceptual confusion occurs mainly between fear and sadness, and between boredom and anger. There is a perceptual boundary within each pair. The similarity coefficient is 0.16 for fear and sadness, and 0.22 for boredom and anger. (3) The accuracy in the perception of emotions varies with the linguistic background of the listener; non-native subjects show a degraded perception. Moreover, acoustic analysis implies that F0 feature is not the only cue for the perception of emotions in Mandarin Chinese.