Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards decentralized recommender systems

Automated recommender systems make product suggestions that are tailored to the individual needs of the user and represent powerful means to combat information glut. However, their practical applicability has been largely confined to scenarios where information relevant for recommendation making is kept in one single, authoritative node. Recently, novel distributed infrastructures are emerging, e.g., peer-to-peer networks and the Semantic Web, which could likewise benefit from recommender system services, leading to a paradigm shift towards decentralized recommender systems. In this book, we investigate the challenges that decentralized recommenders bring up and propose techniques to cope with those issues. The spectrum ranges from the use of product classification taxonomies, alleviating the sparsity problem, to trust propagation mechanisms designed to address the scalability issue. Empirical investigations on the correlation of interpersonal trust and interest similarity provide the component glue that melds these results. The book is geared towards academic readers and practitioners alike, with a focus on both implementable algorithms as well as new socio-psychological insights.
INFORMAL MICROFINANCE AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OF RURAL DWELLERS IN KWARA SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF NIGERIA

Rural areas, like urban areas have increasing demand for credit because such credit reduces the impact of seasonality on incomes. However, formal financial institutions have maintained low presence in the rural areas. This has affected the rural dwellers’ access to deposit savings and credits that can improve their economic activities. This study examined the influence of informal microfinance on economic activities of rural dwellers in the selected rural areas of Kwara South Senatorial District. Using a multiple regression analysis, six hundred (600) questionnaire was administered on members of informal microfinance institution in the study area, the study found that fund provided as credit facilities for transaction purposes, funds for housing and combating diseases have significant influence on the economic activities of the rural areas. The study recommends group savings and group lending in order to increase savings and credits to the rural dwellers. Government should also provide improved infrastructural facilities that would enable rural dwellers have more access to their economic activities
Topical phenytoin nanostructured lipid carriers: design and development

Abstract Phenytoin (PHT) is an antiepileptic drug that was reported to exhibit high wound healing activity. Nevertheless, its limited solubility, bioavailability, and inefficient distribution during topical administration limit its use. Therefore, this study aims to develop, characterize nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), and evaluate their potential in topical delivery of PHT to improve the drug entrapment efficiency and sustained release. The NLCs were prepared by hot homogenization followed by ultra sonication method using 23 factorial design. NLC formulations were characterized regarding their particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency percent (%EE), surface morphology, physicochemical stability, and in vitro release studies. The optimized NLC (F7) was further incorporated in 1%w/v carbopol gel and then characterized for appearance, pH, viscosity, stability, and in vitro drug release. The prepared NLCs were spherical in shape and possessed an average PS of 121.4–258.2 nm, ZP of (−15.4)–(–32.2) mV, and 55.24–88.80 %EE. Solid-state characterization revealed that the drug is dispersed in an amorphous state with hydrogen bond interaction between the drug and the NLC components. NLC formulations were found to be stable at 25 °C for six months. The stored F7-hydrogel showed insignificant changes in viscosity and drug content (p>.05) up to six months at 25 °C that pave a way for industrial fabrication of efficient PHT products. In vitro release studies showed a sustained release from NLC up to 48 h at pH 7.4 following non-Fickian Higuchi kinetics model. These promising findings encourage the potential use of phenytoin loaded lipid nanoparticles for future topical application.
Glutathione Peroxidase 3 Delivered by hiPSC-MSCs Ameliorated Hepatic IR Injury via Inhibition of Hepatic Senescence

Background and Aims: Down-regulation of GPx3 accelerated hepatic senescence, which further caused overwhelming inflammation and severe liver graft injury. MSCs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-MSCs) have been developed as more efficient delivery vehicle with the property of injury tropism. Here, we aimed to explore the suppressive role of GPx3 in hepatic IR injury using novel delivery system of hiPSC-MSCs. Methods: The mice IR injury model with partial hepatectomy was established. The engineered hiPSC-MSCs delivering GPx3 was constructed. All the mice were segregated into three groups. hiPSC-MSC-GPx3, hiPSC-MSC-pCDH (vector control) or PBS were injected via portal vein after reperfusion. Liver injury was evaluated by histological and serological test. Hepatic apoptosis was detected by Tunel staining and remnant liver regeneration was assessed by Ki67 staining. The role of hepatic senescence in liver graft injury was evaluated in rat orthotopic liver transplantation model. The suppressive effect of GPx3 on hepatic senescence was examined in mice IR injury model and confirmed in vitro. Hepatic senescence was detected by SA-β-Gal and P16/ink4a staining. Results: GPx3 can be successfully delivered by hiPSC-MSCs into liver tissues. Histological examination showed that hiPSC-MSC-GPx3 treatment significantly ameliorated hepatic IR injury post-operation. Significantly lower LDH (891.43±98.45 mU/mL, P<0.05) and AST (305.77±36.22 IU/L, P<0.01) were observed in hiPSC-MSC-GPx3 group compared with control groups. Less apoptotic hepatocytes were observed and the remnant liver regeneration was more active in hiPSC-MSC-GPx3 group. In rat orthotopic liver transplantation model, more senescent hepatocytes were observed in small-for-size liver graft, in which GPx3 expression was significantly compromised. In mice IR injury model, hiPSC-MSC-GPx3 significantly suppressed hepatic senescence. In addition, rGPx3 inhibited cellular senescence of liver cells in a dose dependent manner. Four candidate genes (CD44, Nox4, IFNG, SERPERINB2) were identified to be responsible for suppressive effect of GPx3 on hepatic senescence. Conclusion: Engineered hiPSC-MSCs delivering GPx3 ameliorated hepatic IR injury via inhibition of hepatic senescence.
Rational modeling by pencil-of-functions method

Pole-zero modeling of low-pass signals, such as an electromagnetic-scatterer response, is considered in this paper. It is shown by use of pencil-of-functions theorem that (a) the true parameters can be recovered in the ideal case (where the signal is the impulse response of a rational function H(z)), and (b) the parameters are optimal in the generalized least-squares sense when the observed data are corrupted by additive noise or by systematic error. Although the computations are more involved than in all-pole modeling, they are considerably less than those required in iterative schemes of pole-zero modeling. The advantages of the method are demonstrated by simulation example and through application to the electromagnetic response ofa scatterer. The paper also includes very recent and tantalizing results on a new approach to noise correction. In contradistinction with spectral subtraction techniques, where only amplitude information is emphasized (and phase is ignored), we propose a method that (a) estimates the sample variance for the particular data frame, and then performs the subtraction from the Gram matrix.
The Integration of Depressive Behaviors and Cardiac Dysfunction During an Operational Measure of Depression: Investigating the Role of Negative Social Experiences in an Animal Model

Objective There is a bidirectional association between depression and cardiovascular disease. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying this association may involve an inability to cope with disrupted social bonds. This study investigated in an animal model the integration of depressive behaviors and cardiac dysfunction after a disrupted social bond and during an operational measure of depression, relative to the protective effects of intact social bonds. Methods Depressive behaviors in the forced swim test and continuous electrocardiographic parameters were measured in 14 adult, female socially monogamous prairie voles (rodents), after 4 weeks of social pairing or isolation. Results After social isolation, animals exhibited (all values are mean ± standard error of the mean; isolated versus paired, respectively) increased heart rate (416 ± 14 versus 370 ± 14 bpm, p < .05) and reduced heart rate variability (3.3 ± 0.2 versus 3.9 ± 0.2 ln(ms2)). During the forced swim test, isolated animals exhibited greater helpless behavior (immobility = 106 ± 11 versus 63 ± 11 seconds, p < .05), increased heart rate (530 ± 22 versus 447 ± 15 bpm, p < .05), reduced heart rate variability (1.8 ± 0.4 versus 2.7 ± 0.2 ln(ms2), p < . 05), and increased arrhythmias (arrhythmic burden score = 181 ± 46 versus 28 ± 12, p < .05). Conclusions The display of depressive behaviors during an operational measure of depression is coupled with increased heart rate, reduced heart rate variability, and increased arrhythmias, indicative of dysfunctional behavioral and physiological stress coping abilities as a function of social isolation. In contrast, social pairing with a sibling is behaviorally protective and cardioprotective. The present results can provide insight into a possible social mechanism underlying the association between depression and cardiovascular disease in humans. Abbreviations ANOVA = analysis of variance DSI = Data Sciences International ECG = electrocardiographic FST = forced swim test HR = heart rate RSA = respiratory sinus arrhythmia SDNN = standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals SEM = standard error of the mean
Clinical impact of metastatic lymph node ratio in advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND We examined the prognostic value of metastatic lymph node ratio (the ratio of the number of metastatic lymph nodes to the number of lymph nodes removed) after curative resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS The results of surgery on 758 patients were assessed by uni-and multi-variate analysis by classifying the metastatic lymph node ratio into 4 categories: 0, <0.1, >0.1 <0.2, >0.2. Furthermore, the rationality and prognostic significance of the lymph node ratio classification as a nodal staging system was compared with the UICC/TNM classification. RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that operative method, location of tumor, macroscopic appearance, tumor diameter, depth of invasion, metastatic lymph node ratio, lymphatic invasion and venous invasion significantly affected prognosis. A Cox proportional regression hazard model revealed that macroscopic appearance, tumor diameter, depth of invasion and metastatic lymph node ratio independently influenced prognosis. Among patients with pN2 by the UICC/TNM classification, survival in those with a metastatic lymph node ratio less than 0.1 was significantly better than in those with a higher metastatic lymph node ratio. CONCLUSIONS The metastatic lymph node ratio is an independent prognostic factor. Extended lymphadenectomy could increase survival of patients with pN2 gastric cancer by decreasing the metastatic lymph node ratio below 0.1.
Antiretrovirals and the kidney in current clinical practice: renal pharmacokinetics, alterations of renal function and renal toxicity

Assessment of renal function in HIV-positive patients is of increasing importance in the context of ageing and associated comorbidities. Exposure to nephrotoxic medications is widespread, and several commonly used antiretroviral drugs have nephrotoxic potential. Moreover, specific antiretrovirals inhibit renal tubular transporters resulting in the potential for drug–drug interactions as well as increases in serum creatinine concentrations, which affect estimates of glomerular filtration rate in the absence of changes in actual glomerular filtration rate. This review explores the effects of antiretroviral therapy on the kidney and offers an understanding of mechanisms that lead to apparent and real changes in renal function.
The Process of Change: Listening to Transformation in Meaning Perspectives of Adults in Arthritis Health Education Groups

Purpose. This study explored client experiences in two different arthritis education groups to develop an understanding of meaningful group experiences in the process of change leading to desired health outcomes. Method. A qualitative framework with an inductive, descriptive, phenomenological method guided the study. Ten participants with rheumatoid or inflammatory arthritis were recruited. Individual and focus group interviews provided descriptions of experiences. Results. Arthritis education group experiences led to improved client perceptions of ability to cope with chronic disease through a process of change in feelings, values and beliefs known as meaning perspectives. The change in meaning perspectives occurred through perceptions about disease, self and illness. Practice Implications. This study provides important insights into the client's process of change in meaning perspectives that can lead to health behaviors and desired health outcomes. The study demonstrates the use of the group context as a tool to enable the process of change.
Viral IL-10 Gene Transfer Decreases Inflammation and Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression in a Rat Model of Venous Thrombosis1 2

Post-thrombotic inflammation probably contributes to chronic venous insufficiency, and little effective treatment exists. IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that previously has been shown to decrease perithrombotic inflammation and thrombosis. We investigated in a rat model whether local expression of viral IL-10 (vIL-10) in a segment of vein that undergoes thrombosis would confer an anti-inflammatory effect and how this effect might be mediated. Rats underwent inferior vena cava isolation, cannulation, and instillation of saline or adenovirus encoding either β-galactosidase or vIL-10. Two days after transfection, thrombosis was induced, 2 days after this the rats underwent gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced magnetic resonance venography exam, and the vein segments were harvested. Tissue transfection was confirmed by either RT-PCR of vIL-10 or positive 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl β-d-galactopyranoside (X-Gal) staining. vIL-10 significantly decreased both leukocyte vein wall extravasation and area of Gd enhancement compared with those in controls, suggesting decreased inflammation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated decreased endothelial border staining of P- and E-selectin, while ELISA of vein tissue homogenates revealed significantly decreased P- and E-selectin and ICAM-1 levels in the vIL-10 group compared with those in controls. Importantly, native cellular IL-10 was not significantly different between the groups. However, neither clot weight nor coagulation indexes, including tissue factor activity, tissue factor Ag, or von Willebrand factor levels, were significantly affected by local vIL-10 expression. These data suggest that local transfection of vIL-10 decreases venous thrombosis-associated inflammation and cell adhesion molecule expression, but does not directly affect local procoagulant activity.
Antimicrobial Activity of Some Salvia Species Essential Oils from Iran

The aerial parts of Salvia multicaulis, S. sclarea and S. verticillata were collected at full flowering stage. The essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed by combination of capillary GC and GC-MS. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oils were studied against eight Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumulis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and three fungi (Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus niger). The results of antibacterial activity tests of the essential oils according to the disc diffusion method and MIC values indicated that all the samples have moderate to high inhibitory activity against the tested bacteria except for P. aeruginosa which was totally resistant. In contrast to antibacterial activity, the oils exhibited no or slight antifungal property, in which only the oil of S. multicaulis showed weak activity against two tested yeasts, C. albicans and S. cerevisiae
Interleukin-8: an important neutrophil chemotaxin in some cases of exudative pleural effusions.

It was hypothesized that IL-8, a neutrophil chemotaxin, contributes to the influx of neutrophils into the pleural cavity of patients with pleural effusions. Pleural fluids were collected from 57 patients including 13 with effusions due to congestive heart failure, 28 with pleural involvement by carcinoma, 5 with empyema, 4 with parapneumonic effusions complicating bacterial pneumonia, 3 with hemothorax, 3 with tuberculosis, and 1 with rheumatoid arthritis. All exudate groups had significantly higher IL-8 concentrations than the CHF group (p < .001). In 18 of the exudate fluids, the concentrations of IL-8 was equal to or in excess of the optimal concentration of IL-8 which causes neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro. Between 20 and 90% of the chemotactic activity in the fluids was removed by absorbing the IL-8 with an IL-8 affinity column. These data showed that IL-8 is a major chemotaxin in the fluid. The percentage of neutrophils in the fluids was not correlated with the IL-8 concentration. Although TNF alpha, a potent stimulator of IL-8 production, is present in some pleural effusions, no correlation was found between the concentrations of IL-8 and TNF alpha in the fluids. The data suggest that IL-8 contributes to the neutrophil influx into the pleural space of patients with pleural exudates in conjunction with other chemoattractants. It is unlikely that TNF alpha is the sole stimulus for the IL-8 production in pleural disease states.
Age-Dependent Differences in Attentional Processes in ADHD and Disruptive Behavior Disorder

The aim of this study was to analyze age-dependent differences in attentional performance in subjects aged 8–16 years with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with or without disruptive behavior disorders (DBD). Age effects were investigated in three different groups (ADHD [N = 118], ADHD + DBD [N = 105], and controls [N = 105]) on a sustained attention and a Go-No-Go paradigm. Attentional competencies increased with age and children in the two clinical groups performed worse than control children on both tasks. However, these group differences between ADHD, ADHD + DBD, and controls decreased with increasing age. Thus, age-related differences must be considered in neuropsychological studies.
Qlaira®: a ‘natural’ change of direction

©FSRH J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2009: 35(3) Background There is no doubt that the combined oral contraceptive pill (COC) has revolutionised and changed women’s lives for the better. With the discovery of progestogens in the 1940s/1950s, and the realisation that the accidental addition of synthetic estrogen [mestranol – the inactive precursor of ethinylestradiol (EE)] improved bleeding patterns, the contraceptive pill was born. Ever since, work has been ongoing to reduce its dose, its health risks and its side effects. In the last 50 years, doses of synthetic estrogen have fallen from 150 μg mestranol to just 15 μg EE (Mircette® containing desogestrel and Minesse® containing gestodene – neither pill is currently available in the UK). These ‘ultra low-dose pills’ maintain efficacy when modern progestogens are used,1 but the cost is cycle control: only 72% of women report ‘normal cycles’. 2 In addition, these pills still produce small changes in lipid metabolism, coagulation factors and glucose regulation.1 Could a ‘new pill’ formulation using 17β-estradiol or one of its esters offer a ‘safer option’?
Using model systems to address the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning process

Declines in biodiversity resulting from anthropogenic disturbance to ecosystems have focused attention on the role of biodiversity in ecosystem functioning. However, the high level of complexity of ecosystems has made this a difficult topic to investigate. Much simpler model systems incorporating small-scale, spatially delimited, artificial assemblages of species have been widely used recently to address the link between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF). Their simplicity lends tractability to these systems, but has also resulted in much criticism in the literature over their relevance. Here, we examine the strengths and limitations of model systems and examine how useful these systems might be in addressing several issues that are likely to represent future challenges to understanding BEF: spatial scale, multiple trophic levels, variation, environmental stochasticity and the choice of representative combinations of species. We find that model systems have already played an important role in enhancing our understanding of BEF and are likely to con- tinue this role in the future. However, they do have important limitations, and it is essential to take these into account when putting results into the broader context of ecosystems and to improve the level of integration of results with those from other methodologies.
Asymmetric control of cycle period by the spinal locomotor rhythm generator in the adult cat

During walking, a change in speed is accomplished by varying the duration of the stance phase, while the swing phase remains relatively invariant. To determine if this asymmetry in the control of locomotor cycles is an inherent property of the spinal central pattern generator (CPG), we recorded episodes of fictive locomotion in decerebrate cats with or without a complete spinal transection (acute or chronic). During fictive locomotion, stance and swing phases typically correspond to extension and flexion phases, respectively. The extension and flexion phases were determined by measuring the duration of extensor and flexor bursts, respectively. In the vast majority of locomotor episodes, cycle period varied more with the extension phase. This was found without phasic sensory feedback, supraspinal structures, pharmacology or sustained stimulation. We conclude that the control of walking speed is governed by an asymmetry within the organization of the spinal CPG, which can be modified by extraneous factors.