Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological responses of the eustigmatophycean Nannochloropsis salina to aqueous diesel fuel pollution

The marine eustigmatophycean microalga Nannochloropsis (Monallantus) salina Hibberd was cultivated in a batch culture in the presence of various concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) of an aqueous extract of diesel fuel oil in order to assess the influence of the pollutant on the growth and certain physiological responses of the microalga. The growth data revealed a significant negative effect of the various pollutant concentrations on the algal cell number (p≤ 0.05). However, at the midlogarithmic growth phase (day 8), the algal cells were analysed for chlorophylla, β-glucan, amino acid pool, C/N ratio and elemental composition. According to our results, N. salina was significantly affected by the pollution with regard to the different physiological parameters examined, and this significance may be negative, positive or variable. The effect of the pollutant on cellular β-glucan and the total The complete text of the paper is available at http://www.iopan. gda.pl/oceanologia/ 76 N.G. Mohammady, Y.C. Chen, A.A. El-Mahdy, R.F. Mohammad amount of amino acids was negative; however, the composition of the cellular amino acid pool remained unaffected. A positive effect of the pollutant on cellular chla and the C/N ratio was observed. In addition, the pollutant showed variable effects on the composition of different elements, as shown by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Also, an existence correlation between different elements was statistically reported.
Gastric Acid Suppression and the Risk of Enteric Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Objective Peritonitis caused by enteric organisms in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is associated with greater morbidity and mortality than peritonitis with non-enteric organisms. One reported risk factor for enteric peritonitis (EP) is gastric acid suppression, with two small studies providing conflicting results. The objective of this study was to determine, using a larger patient population, whether gastric acid suppressants are associated with an increased risk of EP. Patients and Methods Using a single-center case-control design, information on episodes of EP occurring between 2003 and 2006 was collected. Control episodes were all non-enteric episodes of peritonitis that occurred during the same time interval. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or H2-blocker (H2B) use prior to development of peritonitis was documented. Results A total of 228 peritonitis episodes among 137 patients met inclusion criteria. In 32% of episodes, the causative organism was enteric. Gastric acid suppressant use was documented in 46% of episodes, with the majority on PPIs. Overall, gastric acid suppression was not associated with a higher EP risk (p = 0.17). In a post hoc analysis, PPIs were not associated with EP [odds ratio (OR) 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7 – 2.4; p = 0.42], whereas H2Bs were associated with a higher risk of EP (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1 – 7.7; p = 0.04), although the number of patients on H2Bs was small. Conclusion Overall, gastric acid suppression was not associated with an increased risk of peritonitis with enteric organisms. While PPI use appears to be safe for PD patients with appropriate indications, the potential risk of EP with H2Bs requires further investigation.
“Otis”: A Case Study of an Online Attempt to Purchase Children for Sex

ABSTRACT The researchers analyzed court documents to develop a case study of an individual convicted of buying sexual services from exploited children. Findings indicate that the subject deviates from preexisting victim selection processes and demonstrates characteristics inconsistent with existing sexual offender typologies that likens offender behaviors to the hunting techniques and behaviors of predatory animals. As evidenced in the case study, the individual perceived the victims solely as a means of deviant sexual satiation and did not participate in traditionally established victim acquisition techniques. In addition, the researchers propose adopting terminology that adheres to the term consumer rather than buyer as it better represents some offenders’ disconnect and lack of empathy in the victim acquisition process.
Thalamic input to inferior area 6 and area 4 in the macaque monkey

Recent cytoarchitectonic, histochemical, and hodological studies in primates have shown that area 6 is formed by three main sectors: the supplementary motor area, superior area 6, which lies medial to the spur of the arcuate sulcus, and inferior area 6, which is located lateral to it. Inferior area 6 has been further subdivided into two histochemical areas: area F5, located along the inferior limb of the arcuate sulcus, and area F4, located between area F5 and area 4 (area F1).
Population Pharmacokinetics and Individualized Dosage Prediction of Cyclosporine in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Background:Cyclosporine (CsA), a potent immunosuppressive agent used to prevent rejection, is characterized by large individual variability. The purpose of this study was to explore the pharmacokinetic characteristics of CsA and establish a CsA population pharmacokinetic model that could be used for personalized therapy in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) patients. Methods:Clinical data were obtained from 117 allo-HSCT patients. The data analysis was performed using NONMEM software. A first-order conditional estimation with interaction (FOCE-I) method within NONMEM was used to estimate the parameters. The covariates, including demographics, hematological indices, biochemical levels, concurrent drugs, and genetic polymorphisms of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and ABCB1, were evaluated quantitatively. The stability of the final model was validated by a nonparametric bootstrap procedure. Results:A total of 1,571 observed concentrations were collected. A 1-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination adequately described the pharmacokinetics of CsA. The typical values for clearance (CL), volume of distribution (V), and bioavailability were 29.6 L/hr, 605 L, and 0.619, respectively. The interindividual variability of these parameters was 20.4, 66.1, and 30.4%, respectively. The residual error was 31.4% and 23.7 ng/mL. The duration of CsA therapy, hematocrit, antifungal agent administration, triglycerides, and weight were identified as the main covariates that influenced CL, and hematocrit had a significant effect on V. The internal validation showed that the final model was stable and accurate. Conclusions:This study established a population pharmacokinetic model of CsA in allo-HSCT patients that could provide the foundation for personalized use of CsA in the clinic.
Semantic Image Segmentation using Canny-Edge Detector

Semantic Image Segmentation (SIM) is one of the most important areas of image processing. It is used in different fields like robotics, satellite imaging, Biometric verification etc. Image segmentation system depends mainly on two processes, i.e. image feature extraction and object class learning. Some of the researchers have exploited image feature like Texton-Feature, by the help of Texton feature edge, color and position of an object can be detected precisely. Due to this extraordinary quality of texton, we use it for features extraction to get accurate results about objects. Both features extraction and object class learning are essential for precise segmentation of objects. In this work, we have only focused on feature extraction phase to provide best results comparative to all state-of-the-art works. Therefore, we have applied some processes to the image to improve the feature extraction phase. We used Canny-Edge filters/detector (C-EF) to detect the potential shapes and edges parameters for objects. Using C-EF all the results we have achieved are quite satisfactory and have outstep state-of-the-art work.
Identification of factor VIII gene mutations in patients with severe haemophilia A in Venezuela: identification of seven novel mutations

Summary. Haemophilia A is caused by mutations in the gene encoding coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). In severe Haemophilia A (sHA), two inversions are responsible for approximately 50% of the genetic alterations (intron 22 and intron 1 inversions). The other mutations are extremely diverse and each affected family generally has its own mutation. Our aim was to detect the genetic alterations present in the FVIII gene (F8) in 54 unrelated male patients with sHA in Venezuela. We initially detected the presence of the intron 22 inversion by performing inverse PCR, and the negative patients for this inversion were analysed for the intron 1 inversion by PCR. Patients negative for both inversions were analysed using Conformation Sensitive Gel Electrophoresis for mutations in all exons, promoter region and 3′‐UTR. sHA causative mutations were identified in 49 patients. Intron‐22 and ‐1 inversions were detected in 41% and 0% of patients respectively. Besides these two mutations, 25 different mutations were identified, including nine nonsense, four small deletions, two small insertions, four missense, three splicing mutations and three large deletions. Seven novel mutations were identified, including two nonsense mutations, two small deletions, one small insertion, one missense mutation and one splicing mutation. Thirty one percent of the patients with identified mutations developed inhibitors against exogenous FVIII. This is the first report of F8 mutations in patients with sHA in Venezuela; the data from this study suggests that the spectrum of gene defects found in these patients is as heterogeneous as reported previously for other populations.
Conséquences de la sédentarisation de l'élevage pastoral au Sahel. Etude comparée de trois systèmes agropastoraux dans la région de Filingué (Niger)

Leconomie des familles de la region de Filingue est dominee par la production animale. L'elevage pastoral mobile est le systeme le plus adapte aux variations de l'environnement mais il consomme beaucoup d'espace. Le developpement de la zone pastorale doit etre envisage au travers d'une association de systemes agricoles extensifs stabilises (au niveau fertilite et erosion) avec un elevage pastoral a mobilite limitee. La mise en place des organisations communautaires, formees des populations de cultivateurs et d'eleveur doit coordonner le developpement parallele des deux activites, a l'echelle d'un ou d'un ensemble de villages
Hepatitis G virus RNA and its relation to hepatitis C infection in adult haemophilic patients

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA were studied in 50 adult haemophilic patients who had received commercial clotting factors prior to 1980. HGV RNA was detectable in 6/50 patients (12%); 49/50 (98%) had antibody to HCV and 40/49 (82%) of these were viraemic with detectable HCV RNA; 5/6 patients with detectable HGV RNA had co‐existing HCV infection and viraemia. The HGV PCR products from all six patients were directly sequenced and all were shown to be similar to that of HGV but more diverse from that of GB virus C. One patient who had persistent abnormal liver function tests had detectable HGV RNA but no evidence of hepatitis B or C. The presence of HGV RNA in the absence of hepatitis B and C infection indicates that this virus is capable of independent transmission. Independent response to interferon was demonstrated in one patient with co‐infection who lost HGV but not HCV after interferon therapy.
Comparing some neural network models for software development effort prediction

Software development effort estimation is one of the most major activities in software project management. A number of models have been proposed to make software effort estimations but still no single model can predict the effort accurately. The need for accurate effort estimation in software industry is still a challenge. Artificial Neural Network models can be used for carrying out the effort estimations for developing a software project & this field of Soft Computing is suitable in effort estimations. The present paper is concerned with comparing the results of various artificial neural network models for predicting the software development effort estimation. The neural network models available in MATLAB neural network tools were used and the standard dataset as compiled by Lorenz et.al. was used in the present study. The results were analyzed using four different criterions MRE, MMRE, BRE and Pred. It is observed that the Generalised Regression Neural Network model provided better results.
Development of retrospective quantitative and qualitative job-exposure matrices for exposures at a beryllium processing facility

Objectives To construct a job-exposure matrix (JEM) for an Ohio beryllium processing facility between 1953 and 2006 and to evaluate temporal changes in airborne beryllium exposures. Methods Quantitative area- and breathing-zone-based exposure measurements of airborne beryllium were made between 1953 and 2006 and used by plant personnel to estimate daily weighted average (DWA) exposure concentrations for sampled departments and operations. These DWA measurements were used to create a JEM with 18 exposure metrics, which was linked to the plant cohort consisting of 18 568 unique job, department and year combinations. The exposure metrics ranged from quantitative metrics (annual arithmetic/geometric average DWA exposures, maximum DWA and peak exposures) to descriptive qualitative metrics (chemical beryllium species and physical form) to qualitative assignment of exposure to other risk factors (yes/no). Twelve collapsed job titles with long-term consistent industrial hygiene samples were evaluated using regression analysis for time trends in DWA estimates. Results Annual arithmetic mean DWA estimates (overall plant-wide exposures including administration, non-production, and production estimates) for the data by decade ranged from a high of 1.39 μg/m3 in the 1950s to a low of 0.33 μg/m3 in the 2000s. Of the 12 jobs evaluated for temporal trend, the average arithmetic DWA mean was 2.46 μg/m3 and the average geometric mean DWA was 1.53 μg/m3. After the DWA calculations were log-transformed, 11 of the 12 had a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in reported exposure over time. Conclusions The constructed JEM successfully differentiated beryllium exposures across jobs and over time. This is the only quantitative JEM containing exposure estimates (average and peak) for the entire plant history.
Effect of a regular exercise programme on pelvic girdle and low back pain in previously inactive pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether participation in a group fitness class for pregnant women can prevent and treat pelvic girdle pain and low back pain. DESIGN An observer-blinded randomized controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS A total of 105 sedentary, nulliparous pregnant women, mean age 30.7 years (standard deviation (SD) 4.0), mean pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) 23.8 (SD 4.3), were assigned to either control or exercise groups at mean gestation week 17.7 (SD 4.2). METHODS The exercise intervention followed the guidelines of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and included a 60 min general fitness class, with 40 min of endurance training and 20 min of strength training including stretching, performed at least twice per week for a minimum of 12 weeks. Outcome measures were number of women reporting pelvic girdle pain and low back pain after the intervention (mean pregnancy week 36.6 (SD 0.9)) and postpartum (mean 7.7 (SD 1.7)). RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the exercisers and controls in numbers reporting the 2 conditions after the intervention (pelvic girdle pain: odds ratio (OR) = 1.34, CI = 0.56-3.20 or low back pain: OR = 1.10, CI = 0.47-2.60) or postpartum (pelvic girdle pain: OR = 0.38, CI = 0.13-1.10 or low back pain: OR = 1.45, CI = 0.54-3.94). A comparison of the women who had attended at least 80% of the weekly exercise classes with the control participants did not change the results. CONCLUSION Participation in regular group fitness classes during pregnancy did not alter the proportion of women reporting pelvic girdle pain or low back pain during pregnancy or after childbirth.
Evaluation of the effect of temperature and nutrients on the survival of Campylobacter spp. in water microcosms

Batch microcosms containing various water types (de‐ionized and river water with or without sediment), incubated at a range of temperatures (5–37 °C), were used to facilitate a comparative evaluation of the significance of such variables and their interactions upon the collective and individual survival of four species of thermophilic Campylobacter. All variables significantly influenced (P < = 0·031) population decay rates. Minimal decay for the group was identified at low temperatures (5 °C) in river water, i.e. nutrient‐containing microcosms. Collective decay rates within river water microcosms were significantly decreased (P = 0·03) from those observed in de‐ionized water, particularly at environmental temperatures (5 and 15 °C). However, the increased nutrient levels observed in sediment‐containing microcosms did not significantly (P = 0·41) reduce population decay rates. Overall, Camp. jejuni populations demonstrated the most resilience to the environmental stressors evaluated, with the exception of 15 °C where Camp. lari was the most persistent. Campylobacter coli and Camp. upsaliensis demonstrated comparable survival characteristics but were less resilient than Camp. jejuni and Camp. lari. These observations identify the suitability of water systems as a reservoir and medium for Campylobacter infection, and potentially identifies Camp. jejuni and Camp. lari as the main protagonists of water‐mediated campylobacteriosis.
Association between transfusion with human herpesvirus 8 antibody-positive blood and subsequent mortality.

BACKGROUND Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is endemic in Uganda and transmissible by blood. We evaluated mortality following transfusion of HHV-8 antibody-positive blood. METHODS In a hospital-based, observational, prospective cohort study with a 6-month follow-up, we examined the effect of HHV-8 antibody-positive blood on transfusion recipients surviving at least 7 days. RESULTS Of 1092 recipients, 471 (43.1%) were transfused with HHV-8 antibody-positive blood. Median age was 1.8 years (range, 0.1-78); 111 (10.2%) died during follow-up. After adjusting for confounders (increasing age, human immunodeficiency virus infection, illness other than malaria, receipt of multiple transfusions), recipients of HHV-8 antibody-positive blood stored ≤4 days ("short-stored") were more likely to die than recipients of HHV-8 antibody-negative blood (adjusted hazards ratio [AHR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-3.05; P = .01). The AHR of the effect of each additional short-stored HHV-8 antibody-positive transfusion was 1.79 (95% CI, 1.33-2.41; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS Transfusion with short-stored HHV-8 antibody-positive blood was associated with an increased risk of death. Further research is warranted to determine if a causal pathway exists and to verify the observed association between acute HHV-8 infection and premature mortality.
Perceived value of advanced mobile messaging services: A cross-cultural comparison of Greek and Spanish users

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the role of perceived value on post-acceptance behaviour for users of advanced mobile messaging services (AMMS). The paper also compares differences in the influence of perceived value on satisfaction and of satisfaction on loyalty to AMMS in Spain and Greece, to test the moderating effect of culture. ,Partial least squares path modelling is used to test the model. Perceived value is modelled as a multidimensional reflective construct with four dimensions. Culture is studied at a national level. Differences between countries are tested using the multigroup analysis approach proposed by Henseler et al. (2009). ,Perceived value contributes significantly to satisfaction. Satisfaction also has a significant effect on loyalty. Regarding the moderating effect of culture, the influence of perceived value on satisfaction is higher in Greece than in Spain. The authors report similar findings for the effect of satisfaction on loyalty, demonstrating the relevant moderating role of cultures with different degrees of masculinity, uncertainty avoidance and collectivism. ,This cross-cultural comparison enables mobile phone companies to understand how to provide the greatest value with AMMS in each country in order to increase user satisfaction and loyalty to the service. ,This is one of the first studies that develops cross-cultural research to analyse the post-acceptance of mobile services. It analyses the effect of perceived value and satisfaction, making an original comparison of two countries generally considered too similar to be compared.
Localization of CaMKIIalpha in rat primary sensory neurons: increase in inflammation.

This study investigates Ca(2+)/calmodulin kinase IIalpha (CaMKIIalpha) in primary sensory neurons. Immunohistochemical staining with a CaMKIIalpha antibody demonstrates 28% of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells are positively stained and have a diameter of 27 +/- 2.4 microm (mean +/- S.D.). Placement of tight ligatures around the sciatic nerve demonstrates a build up of immunoreaction product proximal to the ligatures indicating that CaMKIIalpha is transported into the peripheral processes of DRG cells. Immunostaining of lumbar dorsal roots at the electron microscopic level demonstrates reaction product in 15.4 +/- 2.1% of unmyelinated and 2.4 +/- 1.0% of myelinated axons, indicating that CaMKIIalpha is transported into the central processes of DRG cells. Electron microscopic analysis of normal digital nerves demonstrates CaMKIIalpha labeling in 3.3 +/- 0.3% of unmyelinated and 2.0 +/- 1.1% of myelinated cutaneous axons. These percentages increase significantly to 14.1 +/- 2.3% for unmyelinated and 5.1 +/- 1.4% for myelinated axons 48 h after complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammation of the hindpaw. The data indicate that CaMKIIalpha is present in small diameter primary sensory neurons, that it is transported into the peripheral and central processes of these cells and may play a role in processing noxious input, particularly in the inflamed state.