Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective Effects of Flavonoids Contained in the Red Vine Leaf on Venular Endothelium against the Attack of Activated Blood Components in vitro

Summary New methods are described that allow the selective isolation of venular endothelial cells and their cultivation on porous filters to confluent monolayers. These filters with the attached endothelial cell layer can be mounted in a specially adapted apparatus allowing not only blood filtration studies, but now also the continuous registration of hydraulic conductivity (Lp) of tissue layers. This preparation responds dramatically to certain release products from simultaneously activated blood platelets and polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) with a rise in Lp that, in situ, would lead rapidly to local oedema, arteriolar constriction and venular thrombosis. Selectively activated PMN alone induced only a modest increase in endothelial Lp that could be prevented by uric acid, an antioxidant. ASA prevented the activation of the blood cells, but not the effect of the release products per se, implying that the release products are probably eicosanoids. A standardized extract from red vine leaves (AS 195, active ingredient of Antistax® Venenkapseln), containing in particular the flavonoids quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide and isoquercitrin (quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside), not only prevented the deleterious effect of the release products on the venular endothelial monolayers but, applied promptly to an endothelium damaged by prior exposure to these release products, resulted in the repair of the endothelium. These findings identify for the first time the venular endothelium as a possible important therapeutic target in certain vascular diseases, chronic venous insufficiency being perhaps the most prominent example.
An acoustic-phonetic feature-based system for the automatic recognition of fricative consonants

The acoustic-phonetic characteristics and the automatic recognition of the American English fricatives are investigated. The acoustic features that exist in the literature are evaluated and new features are proposed. To test the value of the extracted features, a knowledge-based acoustic-phonetic system for the automatic recognition of fricatives, in speaker independent continuous speech, is proposed. The system uses an auditory-based front-end processing and incorporates new algorithms for the extraction and manipulation of the acoustic-phonetic features that proved to be rich in their information content. Several features, which describe the relative amplitude, location of the most dominant peak, spectral shape and duration of unvoiced portion, are combined in the recognition process. A recognition accuracy of 95% for voicing detection and 93% for place of articulation detection are obtained for TIMIT database continuous speech of 22 speakers from 5 different dialect regions.
Minimizing Regret in Discounted-Sum Games

In this paper, we study the problem of minimizing regret in discounted-sum games played on weighted game graphs. We give algorithms for the general problem of computing the minimal regret of the controller (Eve) as well as several variants depending on which strategies the environment (Adam) is permitted to use. We also consider the problem of synthesizing regret-free strategies for Eve in each of these scenarios.
Lack of association of Toll-like receptor 9 polymorphisms with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus in an Asian population: a meta-analysis

The association of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) gene polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) risk remains controversial and ambiguous. To more precisely estimate the relationship between TLR9 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to SLE, a meta-analysis was performed. A total of seven independent studies were involved in this analysis. Meta-analysis was performed for three TLR9 gene polymorphisms (rs187084, rs352139, and rs352140). We have compared allele or genotype frequencies of the polymorphisms in SLE patients and controls. When available studies were pooled into the meta-analysis, there was no evidence showing a significant association between rs187084 and SLE risk in an Asian population (for C vs. T: OR = 0.81, P = 0.117; for CC vs. TT: OR = 0.71, P = 0.158; for CT vs. TT: OR = 0.86, P = 0.085; for CC + CT vs. TT: OR = 0.78, P = 0.093; for CC vs. CT + TT: OR = 0.81, P = 0.285). Similar results were found between rs352139 and SLE. No significant association was detected in any genetic model in the Asian population either (for G vs. A: OR = 1.11, P = 0.095; for GG vs. AA: OR = 1.32, P = 0.238; for GA vs. AA: OR = 1.17, P = 0.084; for GG + GA vs. AA: OR = 1.17, P = 0.073; for GG vs. GA + AA: OR = 1.17, P = 0.404). We found no association between TLR9 gene rs352140 polymorphism and SLE in the Asian population (for A vs. G: OR = 1.02, P = 0.728). In conclusion, there is still not enough evidence to indicate an association between TLR9 gene rs187084, rs352139, and rs352140 polymorphisms and the development of SLE in the Asian population.
Tackling the combined effects of reverberation and masking noise using ideal channel selection.

PURPOSE In this article, a new signal-processing algorithm is proposed and evaluated for the suppression of the combined effects of reverberation and noise. METHOD The proposed algorithm decomposes, on a short-term basis (every 20 ms), the reverberant stimuli into a number of channels and retains only a subset of the channels satisfying a signal-to-reverberant ratio (SRR) criterion. The construction of this criterion assumes access to a priori knowledge of the target (anechoic) signal, and the aim of this study was to assess the full potential of the proposed channel-selection algorithm, assuming that this criterion could be estimated accurately. Listening tests with normal-hearing listeners were conducted to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm in highly reverberant conditions (T(60) = 1.0 s), which included additive noise at 0 and 5 dB signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). RESULTS A substantial gain in intelligibility was obtained in both reverberant and combined reverberant and noise conditions. The mean intelligibility scores improved by 44 and 33 percentage points at 0 and 5 dB SNR reverberation + noise conditions. Feature analysis of the consonant confusion matrices revealed that the transmission of voicing information was most negatively affected, followed by manner and place of articulation. CONCLUSIONS The proposed algorithm produced substantial gains in intelligibility, and this benefit was attributed to the ability of the proposed SRR criterion to detect accurately voiced or unvoiced boundaries. It was postulated that detection of those boundaries is critical for better perception of voicing information and manner of articulation.
Model checking graph representation of precise boolean inter-procedural flow analysis

A new representation for inter-procedural analysis is presented. The representation only uses regular graph theory with guarded edges and variables for easy integration with model checkers but is limited to binary lattice inter-procedural analysis only. A simple inter-procedural problem is presented here with a description of the control flow graph associated. Construction of the graph automaton for model checking is described using graph rewriting rules applied on the control flow graph. Further research and possible extensions are reported.
Relation of Useful Field of View and other Screening Tests to on-Road Driving Performance

The purpose of this study was to examine the value of a clinical driving assessment battery in predicting performance on an on-road driving test. 43 participants referred to the Bryn Mawr Rehab Adapted Driving Program for evaluation of driving ability underwent an evaluation consisting of a predriver screening and an on-road driving test. The predriver screening included a vision screening, a reaction time task, a split-attention task, the Hooper Visual Organization Test, verbal and symbolic sign recognition, and assessment of Useful Field of View. Logistic regression analyses were applied to identify which predriver screening variables could be used to predict outcome on the on-road driving test (pass/fail); UFO® was that best single predictor. The addition of screening tests beyond UFOV® alone did not increase predictive validity. These findings suggest that UFOV® may serve as an indicator of the need for further driving assessment.
Design of Access-Tube TDR Sensor for Soil Water Content: Theory

Soil water measurement is important in water management for irrigation and hydrologic sciences. The purpose of this paper is to describe the design of a cylindrical access-tube mounted waveguide for use in time-domain reflectometry (TDR) for in-situ soil water content sensing. In order to optimize the design with respect to sampling volume and losses, we derived the electromagnetic fields produced by a TDR sensor with this geometry. Using this analytical derivation, the effects on sampling area, waveform shape, and losses while varying design and soil water content were examined. It was found that when the soil and tube substrate have identical dielectrics, then sampling area has a local extremum. Tube radius has the largest impact of any geometrical parameter on sampling area with increases in radius causing increases in sampling area. Increasing electrode separation angle increases the sampling area slightly. The effects on TDR waveform are greatest for soil water content, tube dielectric, and tube radius: where increasing any of these increase delay and dispersion.
Cyclops‐independent floor plate differentiation in zebrafish embryos

In zebrafish, development of the ventral neural tube depends on the Nodal‐related signal Cyclops (Cyc). One‐day‐old cyc mutant embryos lack the medial floor plate (MFP). We show here that cells expressing MFP marker genes differentiate gradually in cyc mutant embryos in a delayed manner during the second day of development. This late differentiation is restricted to the hindbrain and spinal cord and depends on an intact Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway. Cells expressing MFP marker genes in cyc mutant embryos appear to be derived from lateral floor plate (LFP) cells as they coexpress LFP and MFP marker genes. This finding suggests that the correct temporal development of the MFP is required for the distinction of LFP and MFP cells in wild‐type embryos. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Four alternative models of online purchase behavior in the Asia-Pacific Region: a lesson of gender difference from South Korea

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to model the development of e‐purchasing behavior by examining the simultaneous effects of information, web interactivity, satisfaction and positive attitude (PA) on purchase intentions (PIs). Design/methodology/approach – Development and testing of four competing models from surveys of 402 consumers.Findings – The results highlight the appropriateness of the multiple mediation model (MMM). The findings also indicate that both the dual mediating role of PA and the simple mediating role of positive emotional bond (PEB) in the model significantly improve the explanation of e‐purchasing model process. Particularly, path coefficients for two groups (male vs female) are significantly different. Female consumers have a tendency to accept valuable information and to participate in interactivity.Originality/value – In this study, Armstrong et al.'s notion is adopted to show that the role of the scientist is changed from advocating a single hypothesis to evaluating a number of.
Genomic Expression Libraries for the Identification of Cross-Reactive Orthopoxvirus Antigens

Increasing numbers of human cowpox virus infections that are being observed and that particularly affect young non-vaccinated persons have renewed interest in this zoonotic disease. Usually causing a self-limiting local infection, human cowpox can in fact be fatal for immunocompromised individuals. Conventional smallpox vaccination presumably protects an individual from infections with other Orthopoxviruses, including cowpox virus. However, available live vaccines are causing severe adverse reactions especially in individuals with impaired immunity. Because of a decrease in protective immunity against Orthopoxviruses and a coincident increase in the proportion of immunodeficient individuals in today's population, safer vaccines need to be developed. Recombinant subunit vaccines containing cross-reactive antigens are promising candidates, which avoid the application of infectious virus. However, subunit vaccines should contain carefully selected antigens to confer a solid cross-protection against different Orthopoxvirus species. Little is known about the cross-reactivity of antibodies elicited to cowpox virus proteins. Here, we first identified 21 immunogenic proteins of cowpox and vaccinia virus by serological screenings of genomic Orthopoxvirus expression libraries. Screenings were performed using sera from vaccinated humans and animals as well as clinical sera from patients and animals with a naturally acquired cowpox virus infection. We further analyzed the cross-reactivity of the identified immunogenic proteins. Out of 21 identified proteins 16 were found to be cross-reactive between cowpox and vaccinia virus. The presented findings provide important indications for the design of new-generation recombinant subunit vaccines.
Xenopus laevis RIC-3 enhances the functional expression of the C. elegans homomeric nicotinic receptor, ACR-16, in Xenopus oocytes

RIC‐3 enhances the functional expression of certain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in vertebrates and invertebrates and increases the availability of functional receptors in cultured cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes. Maximal activity of RIC‐3 may be cell‐type dependent, so neither mammalian nor invertebrate proteins is optimal in amphibian oocytes. We cloned the X. laevis ric‐3 cDNA and tested the frog protein in oocyte expression studies. X. laevis RIC‐3 shares 52% amino acid identity with human RIC‐3 and only 17% with that of Caenorhabditis elegans. We used the C. elegans nicotinic receptor, ACR‐16, to compare the ability of RIC‐3 from three species to enhance receptor expression. In the absence of RIC‐3, the proportion of oocytes expressing detectable nAChRs was greatly reduced. Varying the ratio of acr‐16 to X. laevis ric‐3 cRNAs injected into oocytes had little impact on the total cell current. When X. laevis, human or C. elegans ric‐3 cRNAs were co‐injected with acr‐16 cRNA (1 : 1 ratio), 100 μM acetylcholine induced larger currents in oocytes expressing X. laevis RIC‐3 compared with its orthologues. This provides further evidence for a species‐specific component of RIC‐3 activity, and suggests that X. laevis RIC‐3 is useful for enhancing the expression of invertebrate nAChRs in X. laevis oocytes.
Modeling Tritium Transport in PbLi Breeder Blankets under Steady State

Abstract Tritium behavior in the breeder/coolant plays a crucial role in keeping the tritium loss under an allowable limit and realizing high tritium recovery efficiency. In this paper, progress toward the development of a comprehensive 3D predictive capability is discussed and presented. The sequence of transport processes leading to tritium release includes diffusion and convection through the PbLi, transfer across the liquid/solid interface, diffusion of atomic tritium through the structure, and dissolution-recombination at the solid/gas interface. Numerical simulation of the coupled individual physics phenomena of tritium transport is performed for DCLL/HCLL type breeder blankets under realistic reactor-like conditions in this paper. Tritium concentration and permeation are presented and the MHD effects are evaluated. Preliminary results shows that the MHD velocity profile has the significant effect in preventing tritium permeation due to the higher convection effects near the wall.
Opiniones e intenciones del profesorado sobre la participación social en ciencia y tecnología. El caso de la biotecnología

La finalidad de la alfabetizacion cientifico-tecnologica es la participacion social en la toma de decisiones tecnocientificas, lo cual requiere de una ciudadania informada. Para ello se promueven nuevos curricula y un numero creciente de acciones de divulgacion social de Ciencia y Tecnologia. Sin embargo, no conocemos datos sobre la predisposicion de los ciudadanos hacia la participacion social en la toma de decisiones en estos temas ni sobre los canales de participacion preferidos. En el presente trabajo aportamos datos empiricos sobre profesorado de la ciudad de Melilla con relacion a las opiniones e intenciones sobre participacion social en la toma de decisiones basandose en la Teoria de Accion Razonada/Planificada. Asimismo, apuntamos posibles implicaciones educativas y para la investigacion, en el marco de una orientacion Ciencia-Tecnologia-Sociedad (CTS). Palabras Clave: Participacion social, Toma de decisiones, Teoria de Accion Razonada/Planificada, Educacion CTS. Opinions and intentions of teachers about social participation in Science and Technology. The case of Biotechnology The aim of the scientific-technological literacy is the social participation in the techno scientific decision making, which it requires of an informed citizenship. New curricula and an increasing number of actions of social spreading of Science and Technology are being promoted. Nevertheless, we do not know data on the predisposition of citizens towards the social participation in the decision making in these subjects or on the favourite channels of participation. In the present work we contribute to empirical data on teachers of the city of Melilla in relation to the opinions and intentions on social participation in the decision making on the basis of the Theory of Reasoned/ Planned Action. We also aim at possible educational implications and for the investigation, in the frame of a Science-Technology-Society orientation (STS). Key Words: Social participation; Decision making; Theory of Reasoned/Planned Action; STS Education.
Long-Term Secondary Care Costs of Endometrial Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study Nested within the United Kingdom Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS)

Background There is limited evidence on the costs of Endometrial Cancer (EC) by stage of disease. We estimated the long-term secondary care costs of EC according to stage at diagnosis in an English population-based cohort. Methods Women participating in UKCTOCS and diagnosed with EC following enrolment (2001–2005) and prior to 31st Dec 2009 were identified to have EC through multiple sources. Survival was calculated through data linkage to death registry. Costs estimates were derived from hospital records accessed from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) with additional patient level covariates derived from case notes and patient questionnaires. Missing and censored data was imputed using Multiple Imputation. Regression analysis of cost and survival was undertaken. Results 491 of 641 women with EC were included. Five year total costs were strongly dependent on stage, ranging from £9,475 (diagnosis at stage IA/IB) to £26,080 (diagnosis at stage III). Stage, grade and BMI were the strongest predictors of costs. The majority of costs for stage I/II EC were incurred in the first six months after diagnosis while for stage III / IV considerable costs accrued after the first six months. Conclusions In addition to survival advantages, there are significant cost savings if patients with EC are detected earlier.
Motherhood and entrepreneurship: the mumpreneur phenomenon

Women entrepreneurs play a significant role in contributing to the growth of the global and local economy. Many of the contributions come from a strong emerging trend of so called "Mumpreneurs", which describes mothers involved in entrepreneurial activities. In this chapter, the authors study the new phenomenon of integrating motherhood and entrepreneurship; about their underlying desire to create a better environment for their family and overall community. The uniqueness of being a Mumpreneur is about balancing work and life, sense of achievement and satisfaction with oneself, increasing income, gaining respect to equalize gender imbalance, and becoming independent. There are however challenges facing Mumpreneurs. These include starting ventures with lack of appropriate knowledge, resource constraints, stereotypes, balancing work and life, and limited networking opportunities. To encounter these challenges, the authors select three mini case studies, based on Australian Mumpreneurs to explore their strategies of overcoming such challenges and barriers. Ultimately, recommendations are introduced for newcomer or nascent Mumpreneurs, raising their new ventures in addition to their motherhood duties. Global and domestic economic prosperity will be maximised and sustained only when women have the equal footing with males. This calls for a change in the business environment, more effective programs from social institutions and government, to better support women being amongst others, Mumpreneurs.
Ischemic Preconditioning Suppresses Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias After Myocardial Revascularization

Background—Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and tachycardia (VT) are the common and potential life-threatening complications after CABG. Ischemic preconditioning (IP) has been proved effective in reducing ischemia reperfusion arrhythmia in animals and humans. Whether IP is effective in suppressing postoperative VF/VT in patients with CABG has not been studied. Methods and Results—Eighty-six patients with CABG with stable and unstable 3-vessel disease were equally randomly assigned into an IP and a control group. The patients who received IP received 2 periods of 2-minute ischemia followed by 3-minute reperfusion. Twenty-four-hour electrocardiographic data were collected. IP resulted in fewer cases of VF after declamping (48.8% versus 79.1% in IP and control, P =0.004) and a shorter VF period (2.28±0.44 versus 4.41±0.51 minutes, P =0.002). The episodes of VT were significantly reduced in patients in the IP group during early reperfusion and 24 hours after reperfusion (0.65±0.16 versus 3.71±0.46, P =0.000 and 0.07±0.04 versus 2.12±1.41, P =0.002, respectively). De novo sustained VT occurred in 3 control patients as against none in the IP group after surgery. As a result, IP significantly curtailed the mechanical ventilation period and reduced the need for inotropes. Conclusions—IP significantly reduced postoperative VF/VT in patients with CABG with 3-vessel disease. Suppression of VT during early reperfusion and 24 hours after reperfusion suggests early and delayed IP phenomena in patients undergoing CABG surgery.
Bateria para avaliação neuropsicológica de adultos com epilepsia

A observacao neuropsicologica faz parte da avaliacao do doente epileptico. O objectivo deste trabalho e a normalizacao de uma bateria de avaliacao para doentes com epilepsia focal de origem temporal ou frontal. Cento e sessenta individuos, sem patologia neurologica, ou psiquiatrica, foram submetidos a avaliacao neuropsicologica, atraves de um conjunto de testes com reconhecida capacidade de deteccao de disfuncoes focais de natureza comicial. Os resultados sao apresentados de acordo com os grupos etarios e graus de escolaridade. Verifica-se que existem diferencas no desempenho nas provas verbais e nao verbais, relacionadas com as caracteristicas demograficas: escolaridade, idade e sexo. Assim, e demonstrada a importância da normalizacao de qualquer bateria. Testes que, na nossa populacao, sensiveis as diferencas de sexos e estratos etarios e culturais. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.17575/rpsicol.v16i1. 470