Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of varenicline on abstinence and smoking reward following a programmed lapse.

INTRODUCTION Varenicline (Chantix®) is an efficacious first-line medication for smoking cessation. Studies suggest that one mechanism by which varenicline facilitates sustained smoking abstinence is by reducing the likelihood of relapse to smoking when a lapse, or slip, occurs during a quit attempt. The present study extends this line of research by conducting a prospective laboratory study to examine the relapse prevention effects of varenicline following a programmed lapse. METHODS Daily smokers (N = 47) completed a 5-week outpatient study in which they were randomized to receive varenicline or placebo. The first week was a medication induction period that was immediately followed by a 4-week quit attempt. A programmed lapse (2 cigarettes smoked in the laboratory) occurred on the second day of the quit attempt. RESULTS Participants receiving varenicline were slower to relapse and had greater total abstinence rates following lapse exposure. Participants in the varenicline group rated lapse cigarettes lower on measures of reward and intoxication and showed increased behavioral economic demand elasticity for cigarettes (reduced cigarette purchasing at higher prices) compared with those receiving placebo. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate a relapse prevention effect of varenicline following smoking lapse exposure and suggest that an attenuation of reward from smoking and the blunting of subjective effects of smoking may underlie and/or contribute to this effect.
The Role of PSO Meter Placement in Distribution State Estimation

Optimal meter placement with state estimation plays a major role in monitoring and controlling of Distribution System. The objective of this work is to optimize the number of necessary measurements and Remote Terminal Units, subject to the constraints of the system observability requirements for best voltage estimation. A global optimization algorithm and Particle Swam Optimization is proposed to fulfil the requirement. The parameter values are estimated using the Hybrid Artificial Neural Network based state estimation technique of injecting pseudo measurements at un-metered buses. The algorithm is simulated for IEEE and Indian standard bus distribution systems and the results are presented. The effectiveness and flexibility of PSO are demonstrated by validating the results with Mathematical techniques and the effectiveness of estimator. Key-Words: -Branch and Bound technique, Meter Placement, Particle Swarm Optimization, Power Distribution Systems, State Estimation.
Neuromuscular recovery in ACL reconstruction with Bone-Tendon-Patellar-Bone and Semitendinosus-Gracilis autograft

Objective: Several different types of grafts have been used in ACL rupture. The purpose of the study was to compare the recovery of lower limbs muscle strength and proprioception in athletes, who underwent ACL reconstruction with Bone-Patellar-Tendon-Bone (BPTB) versus semitendinosus and gracilis (HS) autografts. Methods: We enrolled 30 male amateur athletes. Each patient was evaluated by isokinetic test, triaxial accelerometer test and balance test with stabilometric platform. Isokinetic test evaluated quadriceps and hamstrings Peak Torque. Accelerometer test evaluated squat jump test (SJT) and stiffness test (ST). The recording on the balance platform was performed with open and closed eyes and evaluated medio-lateral and anterior-posterior pathways. Results:30 patients were selected (15 in group BPTB and 15 in group HS). In SJT we noticed a statistically significant difference in height of jump in the involved side in favour of Group BPTB (p=0.037) and not significant difference in the other parameters. In the ST, we did not observe significant statistical differences in the parameters of the test. The stabilometric platform data and isokinetic peak torque parameters did not show a significant difference. Discussion: Little high quality researches are available to help determine when patients can safely return to full activity and sport. Included evaluation criteria were a combination of factors regarding knee motion, muscles strength and neuromuscular function. Conclusion: In our study, despite a not full recovery of explosive strength in HS group , the balance and the other parameters after one year are comparable between the two graft. In our findings there isn’t clinical difference between the two grafts. We suggest that the evaluation of explosive strength and proprioception are the priority parameters in neuromuscular recovery after ACL reconstruction. (www.actabiomedica.it)
Prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety disorder in a sample of inmates in a Nigerian prison

Background to the study Prisoners tend to be marginalized and deprived of the rights and privileges that other citizens in the community enjoy. Their separation from families, adverse effects on health of prison environment, and the uncertainty about the future place a great psychological burden on them which can lead to the development of mental illness. Aims and objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity (depression and anxiety) and the associated factors among a sample of the prison inmates. Materials and method The study was descriptive and cross-sectional in design; it was conducted in a medium security prison in Benin City, Nigeria. Participants were interviewed with the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. Two hundred and fifty-two prisoners who were selected by systematic sampling techniques participated in the study and the data were analyzed using the 16th version of the SPSS with the statistical level of significance set at p < 0.05. Data were presented in tables; frequencies and percentages were calculated. Chi-square and logistic regression statistical tests were performed to determine variables that have relationship with psychiatric morbidity. Results The mean age of the respondents was 33.6 years (SD ± 9.29), and the majority of the respondents (43.7%) were in the age range 21–30 years. The prevalence of general psychiatric morbidity (SRQ-20 caseness) was 80.6%, while 72.6% and 77.8% were found to be positive for depression and anxiety symptoms respectively on the HADS. Overall, 84.5% of the respondents had at least one type of psychiatric morbidity. Age, marital status, self-reported physical and mental health, previous mental illness, imprisonment status, prison accommodation, prison meal, and health care services were found to be significantly associated with depression, anxiety or general psychiatric morbidity. Self-reported poor current mental health was the only variable that predicted all the three types of psychiatric morbidity. Conclusion Prisoners in this study, and as in previous reports, had high prevalence rates of psychiatric morbidity. Thus, prisoners have a need for regular psychiatric screening and treatment. The consequences of untreated psychiatric morbidity and the need for improved health care services and infrastructure in the prison were discussed.
Generating Bovine Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells for Experimental and Clinical Applications Using Commercially Available Serum-Free Medium

Advances in fundamental and applied immunology research often originate from pilot studies utilizing animal models. While cattle represent an ideal model for disease pathogenesis and vaccinology research for a number of human disease, optimized bovine culture models have yet to be fully established. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC) are critical in activating adaptive immunity and are an attractive subset for experimental and clinical applications. The use of serum-supplemented culture medium in this ex vivo approach is undesirable as serum contains unknown quantities of immune-modulating components and may induce unwanted immune responses if not autologous. Here, we describe a standardized protocol for generating bovine MoDC in serum-free medium (AIM-V) and detail the MoDC phenotype, cytokine profile, and metabolic signature achieved using this culture methodology. MoDC generated from adult, barren cattle were used for a series of experiments that evaluated the following culture conditions: medium type, method of monocyte enrichment, culture duration, and concentration of differentiation additives. Viability and yield were assessed using flow cytometric propidium iodide staining and manual hemocytometer counting, respectively. MoDC phenotype and T cell activation and proliferation were assessed by flow cytometric analysis of surface markers (MHC class II, CD86, CD14, and CD205), and CD25 and CFSE respectively. Cytokine secretion was quantified using a multiplex bovine cytokine panel (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, TNF-α, and IL-4). Changes in cell metabolism following stimulation were analyzed using an Extracellular Flux (XFe96) Seahorse Analyzer. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA. Immature MoDC generated in serum-free medium using magnetic-activated cell sorting with plate adhesion to enrich monocytes and cultured for 4 days have the following phenotypic profile: MHC class II+++, CD86+, CD205++, and CD14-. These MoDC can be matured with PMA and ionomycin as noted by increased CD86 and CD40 expression, increased cytokine secretion (IL-1α, IL-10, MIP-1α, and IL-17A), a metabolic switch to aerobic glycolysis, and induction of T cell activation and proliferation following maturation. Cultivation of bovine MoDC utilizing our well-defined culture protocol offers a serum-free approach to mechanistically investigate mechanisms of diseases and the safety and efficacy of novel therapeutics for both humans and cattle alike.
Response to ECT in major depression: are there differences between unipolar and bipolar depression?

Grunhaus L, Schreiber S, Dolberg OT, Hirshman S, Dannon PN. Response to ECT in major depression: are there differences between unipolar and bipolar depression? Bipolar Disord 2002: 4(Suppl. 1): 91–93. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002
Systolic and diastolic hypertension impair endothelial vasodilatory function in different types of vessels in the elderly: the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study

Background Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) is known to be impaired in middle-aged hypertensive individuals, but less is known regarding hypertension in the elderly. Objective In the Prospective Study of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study, different techniques to evaluate EDV in resistance and conduit arteries were applied in elderly subjects and were related to the type of hypertension. Design and methods In this population-based study, 1016 subjects aged 70 years were evaluated by the invasive forearm technique with acetylcholine (EDV), brachial artery ultrasound to assess flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and pulse wave analysis with a beta-2 receptor agonist challenge, terbutaline. Those without antihypertensive treatment were divided into three groups: normotensive individuals (n = 256), and those with isolated systolic hypertension (n = 309) or combined systolic/diastolic hypertension (n = 79). Results Compared with normotensive individuals, EDV was reduced in those with combined systolic/diastolic hypertension only (P = 0.0019), whereas FMD was mainly reduced in those with isolated systolic hypertension (P = 0.013). Furthermore, in regression analysis, EDV was related to diastolic blood pressure only (r = −0.10, P = 0.017), whereas FMD was mainly related to systolic blood pressure (r = −0.13, P = 0.0023). The pulse wave-based method to analyse vasoreactivity was not consistently affected by hypertension. Conclusions In elderly subjects, systolic hypertension mainly impairs conduit artery endothelial vasodilatory function, whereas diastolic hypertension mainly induces dysfunction in resistance arteries.
Compression Tests of ABS Specimens for UAV Components Produced via the FDM Technique

Additive manufacturing has introduced a great step in the manufacturing process of consumer goods. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and in particular 3D printers for home desktop applications are employed in the construction of prototypes, models and in general in non-structural objects. The aim of this new work is to characterize this process in order to apply this technology in the construction of aeronautical structural parts when stresses are not excessive. An example is the construction of the PoliDrone UAV, a multicopter patented, designed and realized by researchers at Politecnico di Torino. For this purpose, a statistical characterization of the mechanical properties of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) specimens in compression tests is proposed in analogy with the past authors’ work about the tensile characterization of ABS specimens. A desktop 3D printer, including ABS filaments as the material, has been employed. ASTM 625 has been considered as the reference normative. A capability analysis has also been used as a reference method to evaluate the boundaries of acceptance for both mechanical and dimensional performances. The statistical characterization and the capability analysis are here proposed in an extensive form in order to validate a general method that will be used for further tests in a wider context.
Leptin in relation to carcinoma In situ of the breast: A study of pre‐menopausal cases and controls

Leptin reflects the amount of energy stores, regulates energy balance and is associated with circulating levels of reproductive hormones and insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I). Breast cancer has also been associated with obesity, reproductive hormones and circulating IGF‐I levels. To determine whether leptin is involved in the etiology of breast cancer, we compared serum leptin levels in 83 cases of pre‐menopausal carcinoma in situ of the breast and 69 healthy controls recruited in Massachusetts. Serum leptin levels were 13.69 + 1.3 ng/ml in cases and 16.03 + 1.7 ng/ml in controls. Data were also analyzed using multiple logistic regression with adjustment for known risk factors for the development of breast cancer as well as anthropometric, demographic and hormonal variables, including estradiol, prolactin, IGF‐I and IGF‐binding protein‐3. Odds ratios were 1.75 (95% CI, 0.73–4.21) for the second control‐defined tertile and 1.54 (0.46–5.16 ) for the third control‐defined tertile relative to the first. Thus, leptin does not appear to increase the risk of pre‐menopausal breast cancer in situ substantially. Int. J. Cancer 80:523–526, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The logic of knowledge bases

The idea of knowledge bases lies at the heart of symbolic, or "traditional," artificial intelligence. A knowledge-based system decides how to act by running formal reasoning procedures over a body of explicitly represented knowledge -- a knowledge base. The system is not programmed for specific tasks; rather, it is told what it needs to know and expected to infer the rest. This book is about the logic of such knowledge bases. It describes in detail the relationship between symbolic representations of knowledge and abstract states of knowledge, exploring along the way the foundations of knowledge, knowledge bases, knowledge-based systems, and knowledge representation and reasoning. Assuming some familiarity with first-order predicate logic, the book offers a new mathematical model of knowledge that is general and expressive yet more workable in practice than previous models. The book presents a style of semantic argument and formal analysis that would be cumbersome or completely impractical with other approaches. It also shows how to treat a knowledge base as an abstract data type, completely specified in an abstract way by the knowledge-level operations defined over it.
Considering responsivity: a proposal for pragmatic analysis in autism spectrum.

PURPOSE To compare the pragmatic profile referring to the communicative initiatives and the bi-dimensional profile involving the aspects of initiative and responsivity. It also aimed to analyze the most common types of responses presented by the studied individuals. METHODS Thirty recorded samples of interaction between speech-language therapist and children with autism spectrum disorders (mean age: 9 years and 6 months) sessions were analyzed. The samples were transcribed and data analyzed about number of communicative acts, occupation of the communicative space, use of communicative means (verbal, vocal and gestural) and total number of participations (initiatives and responses). The responses were qualified as "non-answer", "adequate answer", "inadequate answer" and "pragmatically inappropriate answer". RESULTS Significant differences in the comparison of the numbers of initiatives and total participations and of occupation of communicative space and total number of communicative acts. There was also a significant difference in the number of "adequate answers". CONCLUSION Results show the need to consider the bi-dimensional communicative profile and qualify the answers in order to determine the child's communication abilities.
Possible anti‐atherogenic effect of kolaviron (a Garcinia kola seed extract) in hypercholesterolaemic rats

1. The hypolipidaemic effect of kolaviron, a mixture of Garcinia biflavonoid 1 (GB1), Garcinia biflavonoid 2 (GB2) and kolaflavanone, used in the treatment of various ailments in southern Nigeria, was investigated in rats. The ability of Questran (Bristol‐Myers Squibb, Hounslow, UK), a hypolipidaemic therapeutic drug, to attenuate hypercholesterolaemia in rats was also examined.
Electrophysiological investigation of the human cochlea. Recruitment, masking and adaptation.

Action potentials from the human cochlea in response to short-tone bursts of different frequencies were recorded by means of a transtympanic needle electrode placed on the promontory. The input-output relations for amplitude (AN1) and peak latency (τN1) of the N1 deflecetion have been studied in a large number of human cochleas and are compared with similar results obtained by round window recording in guinea pigs. The amplitude-intensity relation is qualitatively the same for normal human and guinea pig cochleas. At high stimulus intensities, the peak latencies are the same for human and guinea pig cochleas. At high stimulus intensities, the peak latencies are the same for human and guinea pig cochlear action potentials, but at threshold, the human τN1 is about 3 msec longer than for the guinea pig. In recruiting ears, the input-output relation have been measured for both AN1 and τN1 and compared to those obtained from guinea pig cochleas suffering a high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.On the basis.
Laser Plasma Generation in Liquids. Possible Perturbations of the Boundary Layer Dynamics in a Metallic Surface in a Cell Filled With Conducting Liquid

In the surrounding region of a metal immersed in an aqueous solution, a boundary layer with a complex structure is formed. When pulsed-laser-induced plasma is produced in the bulk of the liquid, galvanic pulses appear in the short term, while the pH, electrode potential, and temperature of the liquid (properties of the system related to the conduction mechanisms) vary in the long term. To prove that the plasma perturbs the dynamics of the boundary layer, via the shock wave resulting from the dielectric breakdown, the beam of a Nd+3:YAG laser was focused onto a cell containing a metal piece to create a plasma plume near its surface. To this end, the dependence of the galvanic pulse amplitude with both the distance from the plate to the plasma and the laser pulse energy was investigated. Moreover, the pH, the electrode potential of the metal, and the temperature variation of the solution along the duration of the experiments were systematically monitored. The results obtained suggest that the perturbation of the interface by the shock wave generated as a result of the laser-produced plasma is a reasonable hypothesis.
Dopexamine after cardiac surgery

After heart surgery there may be many hours in which cardiac output is reversibly depressed. Treatment is given to enhance output and to ensure an adequate blood supply to vital organs. Drugs used in this situation commonly include dopamine and dobutamine. Dopexamine (Dopacard-Speywood) is a dopamine analogue which in the UK is licensed only for the short-term treatment of patients with low cardiac output after heart surgery. The manufacturer claims that dopexamine is particularly effective in promoting renal and splanchnic blood flow. Is dopexamine an advance on dopamine and dobutamine?
Modelling and simulation of printed EBG structures

Printed surfaces like FSS (frequency selective surfaces) and EBG (electromagnetic band-gap) are normally characterised by their reflection properties. It is common practise to use a plane wave excitation, and compare the phase of the incident and the reflected waves to obtain the phase difference over the frequency. Yet, in most simulation cases only infinite size structures are considered using periodic boundary conditions. In this paper an FDTD-model (finite difference-time domain) is proposed for finite size substrates containing printed EBG cells, using a plane wave excitation.
Transvaginal color flow Doppler sonography in the assessment of gestational trophoblastic disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the blood flow characteristics of the uterine artery and intratumoral vessels in patients with GTD. Twelve patients with GTD were evaluated with TVS, and 11 also had CFD sonography performed. Spectral analysis of both uterine artery and samples intratumoral and intramyometrial vessels revealed systolic frequencies and PI that were significantly higher in the uterine artery than in sampled intratumoral vessels (P < 0.05). Uterine artery PI correlated significantly with age (P = 0.043), uterine size (P = 0.003), and beta‐HCG titer (P = 0.03). Intratumoral PI correlated significantly with uterine size (P = 0.05). Intratumoral PI did not correlate with patient age, the shape or orientation of the uterus, presence or absence of subendometrial halo, endometrial thickness or echogenicity, or impression of myometrial invasion. Regression analysis of beta‐HCG titers on uterine artery and intratumoral PI revealed a linear association. TVS and color flow Doppler sonography are useful in the assessment of patients with GTD. The PI is strongly associated with prognosis and correlates with beta‐HCG titers.