Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Friend in Need

This study examined friendship quality as a possible moderator of risk factors in predicting peer victimization and bullying. Children (50 boys and 49 girls, ages 10 to 13 years) reported on the quality of their best friendship, as well as their bullying and victimization tendencies. Parents reported on their child’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors, in addition to bullying and victimization tendencies. Results indicated that externalizing problems were related to bullying behavior; however, friendship quality moderated this relation such that among children with externalizing behaviors, a high-quality friendship significantly attenuated bullying behavior. Internalizing problems and low friendship quality were significantly related to victimization; however, friendship quality did not moderate the relation between internalizing problems and victimization. Implications for interventions based on these findings are discussed.
Macrolide therapy of group A streptococcal pharyngitis: 10 days of macrolide therapy (clarithromycin) is more effective in streptococcal eradication than 5 days (azithromycin).

We compared recommended doses of 2 oral macrolide antibiotics (10 days of clarithromycin, 5 days of azithromycin) for eradicating group A streptococci from the throats of individuals aged > or = 12 years with symptomatic pharyngitis and a positive throat culture. Patients received either clarithromycin (250 mg b.i.d. for 10 days [n=260]) or azythromycin (500 mg on day 1, followed by 250 mg q.d. for 4 days [n=265]). Follow-up throat cultures were obtained both at 13--19 days and at 28--38 days. We evaluated 392 patients (median age, 26 years; clarithromycin, 194 patients; azyithromycin, 198 patients). Ten days of clarithromycin therapy was more effective than 5 days of azithromycin therapy in eradicating the organism (91% [176/194] vs. 82% [162/198]; P=.012). More than 97% of all streptococcal isolates were macrolide-sensitive. Whether these bacteriologic eradication rates were the result of the 2 macrolides compared or were due to differences in duration of therapy could not be determined, but the statistically significant difference in eradication of group A streptococci does raise additional questions about shortened courses of macrolide therapy for this common infection.
Persistent secondary hyperalgesia after gastrocnemius incision in the rat

Secondary hyperalgesia, an exaggerated response to stimuli applied to undamaged tissue surrounding an injury, is a common consequence of tissue injury and inflammation. It is well established that the etiology of secondary hyperalgesia is sensitization of central neurons but the exact mechanism and its role in certain clinical pain states is unclear. In the present experiments, we studied responses to punctate and non‐punctate mechanical stimuli and to heat applied to the plantar aspect of the hindpaw remote to an incision in the gastrocnemius region of the rat hindlimb. Median withdrawal thresholds to von Frey filaments were reduced 2 h after incision of skin, fascia and muscle (gastrocnemius incision, n = 9) and remained reduced through postoperative day 6 (p < 0.05 vs sham). Only a transient reduction in withdrawal threshold occurred after incision of skin and fascia (skin incision, n = 10). No enhanced responsiveness to blunt mechanical stimulation or reduction in withdrawal latency to heat was present after gastrocnemius incision (p > 0.05 vs sham, n = 9 each group). Reduced withdrawal thresholds were blocked by i.t. administration of morphine and by local anesthetic injection at the test site 2 h and 2 days after gastrocnemius incision. These pharmacological data provide evidence that reduced withdrawal thresholds after gastrocnemius incision are nociceptive behaviors indicating persistent secondary hyperalgesia. Because the behaviors have a similar time course to secondary hyperalgesia in postoperative patients, the model will be useful to evaluate the mechanisms for secondary mechanical hyperalgesia after incision, its pharmacological characteristics and its potential role in persistent postoperative pain. © 2002 European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Spray‐dried insulin particles retain biological activity in rapid in‐vitro assay

The purpose of this study was to rapidly determine, without the use of extensive animal studies, whether biological activity is retained after spray drying insulin with two excipients, lactose and xanthan gum. This was achieved by the detection of protein kinase B (PKB), which is activated by phosphorylation in response to insulin binding to cellular receptors. A myeloid cell line was cultured and stimulated with the reconstituted insulin powders. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) was then utilised to allow in‐vitro detection of phosphorylated PKB using an anti‐phospho‐PKB antibody. A single band specific to phosphorylated PKB was found on the Western blots, indicating that the active conformation of insulin was retained when spray dried in combination with lactose and with xanthan gum over the spray‐drying inlet temperature range of 110–170°C. Evidence of inactivation/denaturation was observed when insulin was spray dried at an inlet temperature of 200°C. The assay may be of use as a more rapid and economic means to screen insulin formulations for inhalation and other purposes as opposed to conventional monitoring of blood glucose levels in animals.
Energy Metabolism During Larval Development of Green and White Abalone, Haliotis fulgens and H. sorenseni

An understanding of the biochemical and physiological energetics of lecithotrophic development is useful for interpreting patterns of larval development, dispersal potential, and life-history evolution. This study investigated the metabolic rates and use of biochemical reserves in two species of abalone, Haliotis fulgens (the green abalone) and H. sorenseni (the white abalone). Larvae of H. fulgens utilized triacylglycerol as a primary source of endogenous energy reserves for development (∼50% depletion from egg to metamorphic competence). Amounts of phospholipid remained constant, and protein dropped by about 30%. After embryogenesis, larvae of H. fulgens had oxygen consumption rates of 81.7 ± 5.9 (SE) pmol larva−1 h−1 at 15 °C through subsequent development. The loss of biochemical reserves fully met the needs of metabolism, as measured by oxygen consumption. Larvae of H. sorenseni were examined during later larval development and were metabolically and biochemically similar to H. fulgens larvae at a comparable stage. Metabolic rates of both species were very similar to previous data for a congener, H. rufescens, suggesting that larval metabolism and energy utilization may be conserved among closely related species that also share similar developmental morphology and feeding modes.
Demand Assignment Multiple Access Schemes in Broadcast Bus Local Area Networks

Local area communications networks based on packet broadcasting techniques provide simple architectures and efficient and flexible operation. Various ring systems and CSMA contention bus systems have been in operation for several years. More recently, a number of distributed demand assignment multiple access (DAMA) schemes suitable for broadcast bus networks have emerged which provide conflict-free broadcast communications by means of various scheduling techniques. Among these schemes, the Token-Passing Bus Access method uses explicit tokens, i.e., control messages, to provide the required scheduling. Others use implicit tokens, whereby stations in the network rely on information deduced from the activity on the bus to schedule their transmissions. In this paper we present many implicit-token DAMA schemes in a unified manner grouped according to their basic access mechanisms, and compare them in terms of performance and other important attributes.
Design of linear Doherty power amplifier for handset application

The ideal Doherty power amplifier (PA) can be linear because the uneven powers from the carrier and peaking amplifiers are combined perfectly, providing the flat AM-AM characteristic. But transistor responses are different for the class AB and C biases and the nonlinear responses should be corrected to get the linear response. The nature choice for linearization of the Doherty PA is to compensate the gain compression of the carrier amplifier and the gain expansion of the peaking amplifier. For the purpose the peaking amplifier should be turned on early and the third-order intermodulation (IM3) of the two amplifiers should be adjusted properly. Proper harmonic load conditions can further improve the linearity. The detailed design process will be introduced.
Veloplasty Using the Wave-Line Technique versus Classic Intravelar Veloplasty

Objective A well-known problem in primary surgery of the soft palate is its shortness and the deficit of local soft tissue. This article introduces a modification of the primary intravelar veloplasty, allowing lengthening of the soft palate, and compares this alternative technique to the classic intravelar veloplasty. Method The soft palate wave-line technique adds a wavy incision at the velar cleft margins to the intravelar veloplasty. In 24 patients with complete clefts of the palate, either the newly developed or classic technique was performed. Four years following primary surgery, speech performance and type of breathing were analyzed. Results Even in wide clefts of the soft palate, repair was easily accomplished using the wave-line technique. Complete closure of the nasal, muscular, and oral layers was achieved, and no postoperative fistula was observed. An average lengthening of the soft palate of 56% (range 24% to 83%) was observed immediately following velar repair with the wave-line technique. Speech was significantly better in the wave-line group (p < .05). Furthermore, physiological breathing was observed more often in these patients. Conclusion Primary repair of clefts of the soft palate using the wave-line technique is straightforward, safe, and easy. On the basis of the present results, this technique seems superior to the classic intravelar veloplasty.
Bit-Level Parallel Array Algorithms of Vector-Vector and Matrix-Matrix Multiplication

Based on Horner' rule and Baugh-Wooley algorithm, this paper presents two novel bit-level parallel array algorithms of 2's complement multiplication, and the algorithms have been mapped to systolic arrays by using linear mapping techniques. We propose two efficient systolic arrays of multiply and accumulate (MAC) operation and we also describe the vector-vector and matrix-matrix multiplication that can be efficiently implemented by using the MAC arrays. The two systolic arrays have high performance (low time complexity, space complexity and latency) and consume smaller gate-area in comparison to other architectures. It is suitable for VLSI implementation for its regularity and modularity
Fluoride-Induced Immunotoxicity in Adult Male Albino Rat: A Correlative Approach to Oxidative Stress

Fluoride pollution in drinking water is an international problem as the fluoride present is often at levels above acceptable limits. In the studies reported here, sodium fluoride (NaF) treatment of rats by gavage for 28 days resulted in the induction of oxidative stress and immunotoxicity. It was shown here that NaF treatment lowered cellular immunity in the rats as illustrated by a significant diminution in peripheral blood lymphocyte, monocyte and neutrophil counts in conjunction with a reduction in splenocyte counts. Effects of NaF treatment on humoral immunity were reflected here in a lowering of the levels of plasma IgG specific to a test antigen (i.e., bovine serum albumin). Disorganization in the histoarchitecture was also noted in the host spleen and thymus after NaF treatment. To determine if oxidative stress was among the potential possible causes for the observed induced immunotoxicities, catalase and peroxidase activities along with malondialdehyde (MDA, product of free radical damage to cells) levels in the spleen and peripheral blood packed cells were also measured. The results indicated that there was a significant diminution in the activities of both the enzymes along with an elevation in MDA levels in both the tissues in treated rats. This report highlights the proposition that chronic exposure to fluoride contaminated drinking water is likely to result in immunotoxicity and, furthermore, that the damage to primary immune organs is due to an induction of oxidative stress.
Diversified parallel design: contrasting design approaches

Three leading user interface designers were asked to design interfaces for a given problem. Each designer was asked to optimize the design for certain usage conditions, making this panel into a case study of diversified parallel design. The panel will feature a lively discussion of the designers’ various approaches and solutions, including a discussion of their preliminary design solutions and their design process. Furthermore, in preparation for the panel, the designs have been made available to a usability specialist who will critique them and point out possible usability problems inherent in the designs.
Periplasmic Domains Define Holin-Antiholin Interactions in T4 Lysis Inhibition

ABSTRACT Bacteriophage T4 effects host lysis with a holin, T, and an endolysin, E. T and E accumulate in the membrane and cytoplasm, respectively, throughout the period of late gene expression. At an allele-specific time, T triggers to disrupt the membrane, allowing E to enter the periplasm and attack the peptidoglycan. T triggering can be blocked by secondary infections, leading to the state of lysis inhibition (LIN). LIN requires the T4 antiholin, RI, and is sensitive to the addition of energy poisons. T is unusual among holins in having a large C-terminal periplasmic domain. The rI gene encodes a polypeptide of 97 residues, of which 72 are predicted to be a periplasmic domain. Here, we show that the periplasmic domain of RI is necessary and sufficient to block T-mediated lysis. Moreover, when overexpressed, the periplasmic domain of T (TCTD) was found to abolish LIN in T4 infections and to convert wild-type (wt) T4 plaques from small and fuzzy edged to the classic “r” large, sharp-edged plaque morphology. Although RI could be detected in whole cells, attempts to monitor it during subcellular fractionation were unsuccessful, presumably because RI is a highly unstable protein. However, fusing green fluorescence protein (GFP) to the N terminus of RI created a more stable chimera that could be demonstrated to form complexes with wild-type TCTD and also with its LIN-defective T75I variant. These results suggest that the function of the unusual periplasmic domain of T is to transduce environmental information for the real-time control of lysis timing.
Education and Economic Growth Nexus: Does Proxy Matter

This study tests whether education-economic growth nexus is sensitive to proxy used for education. Three broad proxies were identified in the literature, expenditure on education which is an input, school enrolment, which is a flow and education attainment which is a stock. While attainment is the most reliable of the three, expenditures on education is the least reliable. However for African countries, expenditure on education is the most available, while education attainment is hardly available. Using annual data for gross enrolment in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, for Nigeria between 1970—2009 as the first proxy for education, and total capital and recurrent expenditures on education for the same period as an alternative proxy. The study finds that education is not associated with economic growth with both proxies in growth empirics.
Anisakid Parasites of Fishes Caught on the African Shelf

Abstract Anisakids of Scomber japonicus, Trachyrincus scabrus, Sardina pilchardus, Merluccius polli, Trachurus trachurus, and Hoplostethus cadenati from African shelf are reported. Parasites were extensively studied with respect to their morphology and sequence analysis of the rDNA fragment (containing internal transcribed spacer [ITS]-1, 5.8S subunit and ITS-2); all of them are approximately 1,000 base pairs. Digestion of the amplified region and its sequencing revealed the presence of a sibling species (A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii). Still other sequences represented closely related, but not sibling, species, i.e., Anisakis brevispiculata, A. ziphidarum, and A. physeteris; there were also 2 undescribed anisakid species. These species were temporarily described as Anisakis sp. HC-2005 and Anisakis sp. MP-2005 (found, respectively, in Hoplostethus cadenati and Merluccius polli). The study shows that the parasitic fauna of fishes reflects not only the geographic range of anisakid nematodes but also the feeding behavior of the hosts serving as links in the parasites' life cycles.
When doctors share visit notes with patients: a study of patient and doctor perceptions of documentation errors, safety opportunities and the patient–doctor relationship

Background Patient advocates and safety experts encourage adoption of transparent health records, but sceptics worry that shared notes may offend patients, erode trust or promote defensive medicine. As electronic health records disseminate, such disparate views fuel policy debates about risks and benefits of sharing visit notes with patients through portals. Methods Presurveys and postsurveys from 99 volunteer doctors at three US sites who participated in OpenNotes and postsurveys from 4592 patients who read at least one note and submitted a survey. Results Patients read notes to be better informed and because they were curious; about a third read them to check accuracy. In total, 7% (331) of patients reported contacting their doctor's office about their note. Of these, 29% perceived an error, and 85% were satisfied with its resolution. Nearly all patients reported feeling better (37%) or the same (62%) about their doctor. Patients who were older (>63), male, non-white, had fair/poor self-reported health or had less formal education were more likely to report feeling better about their doctor. Among doctors, 26% anticipated documentation errors, and 44% thought patients would disagree with notes. After a year, 53% believed patient satisfaction increased, and 51% thought patients trusted them more. None reported ordering more tests or referrals. Conclusions Despite concerns about errors, offending language or defensive practice, transparent notes overall did not harm the patient–doctor relationship. Rather, doctors and patients perceived relational benefits. Traditionally more vulnerable populations—non-white, those with poorer self-reported health and those with fewer years of formal education—may be particularly likely to feel better about their doctor after reading their notes. Further informing debate about OpenNotes, the findings suggest transparent records may improve patient satisfaction, trust and safety.
A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Anal Cancer Screening in HIV-Positive Women

Objective Anal cancer rates have increased in HIV+ patients. The prevalence of anal intraepithelial neoplasias (AINs) and progression to anal cancer in HIV+ men who have sex with men has been well described, and screening is cost-effective. Our objective was to determine whether anal cancer screening in HIV+ women is cost-effective. Materials and Methods A Markov model analysis of 100 HIV+ women was constructed. All women had a CD4 count less than 200 and were assumed to be on antiretrovirals. Rates of AIN were based on previous studies. Progression rates were extrapolated from previous data on HIV+ men who have sex with men. The 5-year model included 3 screening approaches: none, annual, and biennial. Anoscopy and biopsy were performed after an abnormal cytologic result. Low-grade AIN was followed with repeat cytology, and high-grade AIN was treated surgically. Anal cancer was treated surgically followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Sensitivity analyses (SAs) were performed to account for variable rates of AIN progression, anal cancer mortality, and anal cancer and HIV quality-adjusted life years. Results The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of biennial anal cancer screening compared to no screening was $34,763. Cost-effectiveness was maintained across all assumptions in SA except for decreased progression rate of high-grade AIN to anal cancer. Conclusions Biennial anal cancer screening in HIV+ women with CD4 counts less than 200 is cost-effective. Annual screening was not cost-effective, likely because of the slow progression of AIN to anal cancer. Further data on rates of AIN progression in HIV+ women based on CD4 count are needed to determine whether screening is cost-effective in women with higher CD4 counts.
Electronic driver without electrolytic capacitor for dimming High Brightness LEDs

This paper presents a full ballast for driving an assembly of High Brightness LEDs, based on a new dc to dc converter. The converter provides a constant current waveform to the load parting from a DC bus voltage. The converter, operating with a peak current control, keeps the current through the LEDs constant independently of the bus voltage. This is carried out internally by self-adjusting the switching frequency of the converter. Thus, the requirements of the capacitance of the bus capacitor are greatly diminished, allowing the avoidance of electrolytic technology. Also, low frequency PWM dimming can be carried out easily. The present work shows the design procedure and the experimental results obtained after building a prototype of a full ballast for HB LEDs.
Fuzzy Solutions to Partial Differential Equations: Adaptive Approach

A new technique using an adaptive fuzzy algorithm to obtain the solutions to a class of partial differential equations (PDEs) is presented. The design objective is to find a fuzzy solution to satisfy precisely the PDEs with boundary conditions. According to the adaptive scheme of fuzzy logic systems, a fuzzy solution with adjustable parameters for the PDE is first described. Then, a set of adaptive laws for tuning the free parameters in the consequent part is derived from minimizing an appropriate error function. In addition, an elegant approximated error bound between the exact solution and the proposed fuzzy solution with respect to the number of fuzzy rules and solution errors has also been derived. Furthermore, the convergence of error equations in mesh points is also discussed from the energy perspective. In this paper, we show that the proposed method can solve a variety of PDEs encountered in engineering. Comparisons are also made with solutions obtained by the finite-element method.