Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF A SLOW-RELEASE FORMULATION OF ZUCLOPENTHIXOL ACETATE (ACUNIL®) ON CAPTIVE BLUE WILDEBEEST (CONNOCHAETES TAURINUS) BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE

Abstract The study investigated the effect of a slow-release formulation of zuclopenthixol acetate (Acunil®) on blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) in captivity. Two groups of trials were conducted using either Acunil or a placebo (control). Animals (Acunil: n = 17; placebo: n = 12) were observed for a 12-hr period before the administration of Acunil or the placebo (pretreatment). After 24 hr, animals were administered Acunil (1.5 mg/kg) or a placebo (1.0–3.0 ml of sterile water) and observed again for 12 hr (posttreatment). During both treatments, animals were stimulated every 2 hr for 1 min by a person entering the enclosure (referred to as periods of stimulation). Behavioral observations and continuous heart rate, respiration rate, and motion measurements were taken throughout. Animals treated with Acunil spent more time lying with their heads folded back, eating and standing with their heads down, and less time being vigilant and exploring while walking around. Animals treated with the placebo also spent less time being vigilant and more time lying with heads up. Animals treated with Acunil groomed less while standing and performed less head shaking; no such changes were observed in the control group. Neither Acunil nor the placebo had any effect (P > 0.05) on heart rate. However, overall mean respiration rate was lowered (P = 0.02) when animals were treated with Acunil (pretreatment: 14.5 ± 0.82 breaths/min; posttreatment: 12.5 ± 0.83 breaths/min). Acunil also caused a lowered (P < 0.05) respiration rate during periods when animals were stimulated (pretreatment: 16.2 ± 0.87 breaths/min; posttreatment: 13.7 ± 0.87 breaths/min) and when animals were trotting and being vigilant. No such changes were observed with the placebo. Both placebo- and Acunil-treated animals spent more time being stationary during periods of stimulation. However, Acunil-treated animals also spent less time moving fast when they were stimulated.
A Novel UWB Out-of-Phase Four-Way Power Divider

─ A novel ultra-wideband (UWB) out-ofphase four-way power divider is presented. To achieve a division over a large frequency range, Tjunctions formed by slotlines and microstrip lines are utilized. Based on the transmission-line equivalent-circuit method, we derive the design equations of the proposed power divider. Furthermore, all measured results are in good agreement with the predicted design equations and simulations. In addition, based on the power divider, a completely novel feed network is proposed to improve the narrow band property of microstrip antenna array. Index Terms ─ Four-way, microstrip, power divider, slotline, ultra-wideband (UWB).
Autonomic Nervous System Activity and Decline as Prognostic Indicators of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events: The ‘PROOF’ Study

Background: Transversal studies have underlined the association between the decline in autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity and all-cause mortality. However, the predictive value of ANS has never been prospectively assessed in a general population-based cohort. Method: The PROOF (PROgnostic indicator OF cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events) cohort study was designed to prospectively assess the predictive value of ANS activity level in the general population, with regard to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and death. This predictive power will be compared with the usual and newly discovered risk factors for the purposes of developing a risk model. Results: A prospective cohort of elderly subjects aged 65 years upon study entry were recruited from the electoral list of the city of Saint-Etienne, France. Three initial 2-year examination programs were scheduled for 7 years (2001–2007), followed by late events monitoring. At each examination, ANS activity was assessed along with clinical and biological cardiovascular risk factors, brain MRI, neuropsychological evaluation, physical activity profile, and sleep-related breathing disorders. The main study outcomes are stroke, myocardial infarction and death from any cause. A cohort consisting of 1,011 subjects aged 65.6 (0.8) years was constituted. Conclusion: Despite other selective characteristics, the associations between ANS activity and events will be applicable to other populations.
Structure-preserving dynamical model and distributed stabilisation of electricity infrastructures with renewable energy resources

This paper introduces a module-based approach to modelling and controlling electricity infrastructure with a high penetration of distributed renewable energy resources. Each energy-converting component is defined as a module and is represented in terms of its local variables and the interaction variables between the module and the transmission network. The structure of the electricity infrastructure is preserved in the proposed dynamical model. Therefore, it is possible to specify the performance subobjectives of each module for a given range of variations in interaction variables and to ensure that the local subobjectives are met through multidirectional distributed sensing and actuation. This approach provides a systematic means of analysing the infrastructure dynamics with increasing penetration of distributed renewable energy resources such as wind and solar. Sufficient conditions on modules and network specifications are derived under which the system-wide dynamics are stabilised. Based on these conditions, an interactive communication protocol between the modules and system operator could be implemented for distributed stabilisation. An IEEE 14 bus system is used to illustrate the concepts put forward.
Fertility Intent and Contraceptive Decision-Making Among HIV Positive and Negative Antenatal Clinic Attendees in Durban, South Africa

We explored contraceptive decision-making among South African antenatal clinic attendees, fertility intent post-HIV diagnosis, and women's experiences at government health facilities. Data are from in-depth interviews with HIV negative and HIV positive women. We interviewed women in Zulu; interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated. We conducted qualitative analyses of interviews. Women were the dominant decisionmakers about contraceptive use, whether they involved their partners or not. A majority of women obtained a contraceptive method at a government facility; however, several women were unable to attain sterilizations. Women were presented with limited contraceptive options and were not always able to access services.
Game-based modeling of node cooperation in Ad Hoc networks

In Ad Hoc network, all the network functions count on node cooperation. Forwarding packets of other nodes is a basic example of such cooperation. However, nodes may not be interested in forwarding the requesting packets due to selfish or malicious reasons, which significantly degrades the network performance. Therefore, in respect of node forwarding process, we propose a global punishment-based repeated-game model and investigate equilibrium conditions of packet forwarding strategies when the whole network is in a cooperative state. This model takes node rationales into consideration. Moreover, in order to reduce the selfish nodes' future payoff to stimulate cooperation, metamodel is utilized to design forwarding strategies. Simulation results show that proposed game model with punishment mechanism can promote node forwarding probability.
Geant4 Analysis of n-Si Nuclear Reactions From Different Sources of Neutrons and Its Implication on Soft-Error Rate

This work examines nuclear events resulting from the interaction of atmospheric neutrons at ground level and different atmospheric-like sources with a silicon layer. Using extensive Geant4 simulations and in-depth data analysis, this study provides a detailed comparison between several facilities and natural environment in terms of nuclear processes, secondary ion production and fragment energy distribution. The different computed databases have been used in a second part of this work to estimate the Soft-Error Rate (SER) of a widely characterized 65 nm SRAM test circuit with the Tool suIte for rAdiation Reliability Assessment (TIARA Monte-Carlo simulation code). A detailed analysis is conducted to clarify the mechanisms leading to single and multiple cell upsets and to estimate the SER of a broad spectrum source from values obtained with monoenergetic simulations.
Technology and Organization: Essays in Honour of Joan Woodward

It is now 35 years since the death of Professor Joan Woodward, one of the founding figures of organization studies. Professor Woodward died in 1971 at the age of 54 after a relatively brief but highly distinguished career as a management researcher and teacher, and just six years after the publication of her landmark book "Industrial Organization". At the time of her death, Professor Woodward was the Chair in Industrial Sociology at Imperial College London, having been elected as only the second women professor at the College in 1970. She joined the Production Engineering and Management Section of Imperial in 1958 and the majority of her most important work was published during this period. Prior to this she had spent a number of years at the South East Essex College of Technology where she conducted much of the empirical work that informed her significant contributions to the field.
Making public health interventions more evidence based

TREND statement for non-randomised designs will make a difference The movement towards evidence based public health policy has been gaining momentum over the past decade. It takes an important step forward with the recent publication of the TREND statement (transparent reporting of evaluations with non-randomised designs). 1 Its aim is to improve the quality of reporting of non-randomised evaluations so that the conduct and findings of such research are transparent and information that is critical for research synthesis is not missing, and to do for public health evaluations what the CONSORT statement has done for randomised controlled trials.2 The publication of the TREND statement reflects the increasing recognition that successful evaluation of public health interventions will necessarily entail the use of research designs other than controlled trials3–5 and various types of evidence, often in combination.4 6 The reasons for using such interventions include the following. Firstly, the intervention is already well established or its …
Comparison of Several Regression Procedures for Method Comparison Studies and Determination of Sample Sizes Application of linear regression procedures for method comparison studies in Clinical Chemistry, Part II

In part I of this series (H. Passing & W. Bablok (1983), J. Clin. Chem. Clin. Biochem. 21, 709-720) we described a new biometrical procedure for the evaluation of method comparison studies. In part II we now discuss its properties and compare them with those of other established procedures by means of a simulation study. We demonstrate that the reliability of the results not only depends on the sample size but also on the sampling distribution, the precision of the methods, and the concentration range covered by the samples. Linear regression and principal component procedures are either inadequate or not as reliable as our new procedure. The appropriate sample size is discussed and recommendations are given.
Identifying the location of epidermal growth factor‐responsive element involved in the regulation of type IIb sodium‐phosphate cotransporter expression in porcine intestinal epithelial cells

Phosphate is an important mineral nutrient for both human and animals in growth and physiological functions; thus, much effort in the past has been made to clarify the mechanisms governing its absorption. Previous studies have found that epidermal growth factor (EGF) inhibits phosphate absorption in human intestinal cells via modulating the interaction of transcriptional factor c-myb with sodium-phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIb) gene promoter. This finding provoked our interest in determining the effect of EGF on NaPi-IIb gene expression in intestinal cells of pigs and the location of EGF-responsive element in the gene promoter. Using quantitative PCR, it was observed that EGF significantly reduced NaPi-IIb gene expression in porcine intestinal epithelial IPEC-J2 cells. Transfection with a series of constructs that contain different lengths of the 5'-flanking promoter region of the NaPi-IIb gene manifested that EGF-responsive element is located in the -1200 to -800 region. Further, c-myb was extracted from the cell nucleus of IPEC cells that were exposed to EGF or not via immunoprecipitation. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed a specific binding of transcription factor c-myb to labelled probes encompassing DNA sequence from -1092 to -1085 (-TCCAGTTG-). This protein-DNA complex was decreased with cells exposed to EGF and abrogated when c-myb was pre-incubated with excessive unlabelled competitive probes. Results from mutagenesis studies demonstrated that the c-myb-binding site is the EGF-responsive element involved in the regulation of NaPi-IIb expression. Identifying the location of EGF-responsive element contributes to understanding mechanisms underlying EGF down-regulated NaPi-IIb gene expression and provides a foundation for further investigating EGF-regulatory functions in phosphate absorption in pig intestine.
Arithmetic Algorithms for Error-Coded Operands

A set of arithmetic algorithms is described for operands that are encoded in the ``AN'' error-detecting code with the low-cost check modulus A = 2a - 1. The set includes addition additive inverse (complementation), multiplication, division, roundoff, and two auxiliary algorithms: ``multiply by 2a - 1,'' and ``divide by 2a - 1. '' The design of a serial radix-16 processor is presented in which these algorithms are implemented for the low-cost AN code with A = 15. This processor has been constructed for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory STAR computer. The adaptation of ``two's complement'' arithmetic for an inverse-residue code is also described.
Determination of Some Cephalosporins in Pharmaceutical Formulations by a Simple and Sensitive Spectrofluorimetric Method

Background: Cephalosporins are among the safest and the most effective broad-spectrum bactericidal antimicrobial agents which have been prescribed by the clinician as antibiotics. Thus, the developing of simple, sensitive and rapid analytical methods for their determination can be attractive and desirable. Methods: A simple, rapid and sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of cefixime, cefalexin and ceftriaxone in pharmaceutical formulations. Proposed method is based on the oxidation of these cephalosporins with cerium (IV) to produce cerium (III), and its fluorescence was monitored at 356 ± 3 nm after excitation at 254 ± 3 nm. Results: The variables effecting oxidation of each cephalosporin with cerum (IV) were studied and optimized. Under the experimental conditions used, the calibration graphs were linear over the range 0.1-4 µg/mL. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were in the range 0.031-0.054 and 0.102-0.172 µg/mL, respectively. Intra- and inter-day assay precisions, expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD), were lower than 5.6 and 6.8%, respectively. Conclusion: The proposed method was applied to the determination of studied cephalosporins in pharmaceutical formulations by good recoveries in the range 91-110%.
Increased Protein Expression of the PTEN Tumor Suppressor in the Presence of Constitutively Active Notch-1

Mammalian Notch-1 is part of an evolutionarily conserved family of transmembrane receptorsbest known for involvement in cell fate decisions. Mutations that result in Notch-1 activation result inT-lineage oncogenesis. In other cell lineages, however, studies have indicated that cooperation withcellular signaling pathways, such as Ras, is necessary for Notch-mediated oncogenesis and in somesettings, Notch-1 has been reported to function as a tumor suppressor. In order to test the hypothesisthat the Notch-1 pathway exhibits cross-talk with Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, the constitutively activecytoplasmic portion of Notch-1 was introduced into 293 HEK fibroblasts via retroviral transduction.ERK-1,-2 activation was markedly increased in cells expressing constitutively active Notch-1. Thesecells exhibited a more rounded morphology as compared to 293 cells transduced with an empty vectoror parental 293 cells. These observations correlated with decreased total and phosphorylated focaladhesion kinase protein (FAK). Subsequent examination of phosphatase and tensin homolog deletedon chromosome 10 (PTEN) revealed that total and phosphorylated PTEN protein was elevated in cellsexpressing constitutively active Notch-1. Loss of Akt phosphorylation was also observed in cellsbearing activated Notch-1. Two potential binding sites for the Notch effector CBF-1 were identified inthe human PTEN promoter sequence. A PTEN promoter luciferase reporter exhibited increasedactivity in the presence of Notch-1 signaling. These data indicate that Notch-1 can participate incross-talk with other signaling pathways such as Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK through the regulation of thePTEN tumor suppressor.
Toward detection of DNA‐bound proteins using solid‐state nanopores: Insights from computer simulations

Through all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations, we explore the use of nanopores in thin synthetic membranes for detection and identification of DNA binding proteins. Reproducing the setup of a typical experiment, we simulate electric field driven transport of DNA‐bound proteins through nanopores smaller in diameter than the proteins. As model systems, we use restriction enzymes EcoRI and BamHI specifically and nonspecifically bound to a fragment of dsDNA, and streptavidin and NeutrAvidin proteins bound to dsDNA and ssDNA via a biotin linker. Our simulations elucidate the molecular mechanics of nanopore‐induced rupture of a protein–DNA complex, the effective force applied to the DNA–protein bond by the electrophoretic force in a nanopore, and the role of DNA–surface interactions in the rupture process. We evaluate the ability of the nanopore ionic current and the local electrostatic potential measured by an embedded electrode to report capture of DNA, capture of a DNA‐bound protein, and rupture of the DNA–protein bond. We find that changes in the strain on dsDNA can reveal the rupture of a protein–DNA complex by altering both the nanopore ionic current and the potential of the embedded electrode. Based on the results of our simulations, we suggest a new method for detection of DNA binding proteins that utilizes peeling of a nicked double strand under the electrophoretic force in a nanopore.
Chronic 17β‐estradiol or cholesterol prevents stress‐induced hippocampal CA3 dendritic retraction in ovariectomized female rats: Possible correspondence between CA1 spine properties and spatial acquisition

Chronic stress may have different effects on hippocampal CA3 and CA1 neuronal morphology and function depending upon hormonal status, but rarely are manipulations of stress and gonadal steroids combined. Experiment 1 investigated the effects of chronic restraint and 17β‐estradiol replacement on CA3 and CA1 dendritic morphology and spatial learning in ovariectomized (OVX) female Sprague–Dawley rats. OVX rats were implanted with 25% 17β‐estradiol, 100% cholesterol, or blank silastic capsules and then chronically restrained (6h/d/21d) or kept in home cages. 17β‐Estradiol or cholesterol prevented stress‐induced CA3 dendritic retraction, increased CA1 apical spine density, and altered CA1 spine shape. The combination of chronic stress and 17β‐estradiol facilitated water maze acquisition compared to chronic stress + blank implants and nonstressed controls + 17β‐estradiol. To further investigate the interaction between 17β‐estradiol and stress on hippocampal morphology, experiment 2 was conducted on gonadally intact, cycling female rats that were chronically restrained (6h/d/21d), and then euthanized at proestrus (high ovarian hormones) or estrus (low ovarian hormones). Cycling female rats failed to show chronic stress‐induced CA3 dendritic retraction at either estrous phase. Chronic stress enhanced the ratio of CA1 basal spine heads to headless spines as found in experiment 1. In addition, proestrous rats displayed increased CA1 spine density regardless of stress history. These results show that 17β‐estradiol or cholesterol protect against chronic stress‐induced CA3 dendritic retraction in females. These stress‐ and 17β‐estradiol‐induced morphological changes may provide insight into how dendritic complexity and spine properties contribute to spatial ability. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electromagnetic properties of liquids at GHz frequencies for medical tasks and metamaterial applications

Dielectric properties of fluids are of interest in modern radio physics and medicine. The dispersion characteristics of fluids in the GHz frequency range are required to characterize properties of metamaterials with fluid-filled unit cells. The same dispersion properties also play an important role in such important medical applications as diagnosis of the state of a biological object. This work is devoted to study of electromagnetic properties of liquids in the ultra-high frequency range (UHF).
Percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency lesioning for trigeminal neuralgia: determination of minimum clinically important difference in pain improvement for patient-reported outcomes.

BACKGROUND The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Scale (BNI-PS) are 2 patient-reported outcome (PRO) tools frequently used to rate pain from trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Outcomes studies often use these patient-reported outcomes to assess treatment effectiveness, but it is unknown exactly what degree of change in the numerical scores constitutes the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). MCID remains uninvestigated for percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency lesioning (RFL), a common surgical procedure for TN. OBJECTIVE To determine MCID values for the VAS and BNI-PS in patients undergoing RFL. METHODS Forty-three consecutive patients with TN who underwent RFL by a single surgeon were prospectively assessed with the VAS and BNI-PS preoperatively and 3 years postoperatively. Three anchors were used to assign each patient's outcome: satisfaction, willingness to have the surgery again, and Health Transition Index. We then used 3 well-established, anchor-based methods to calculate MCID: average change, minimum detectable change, and change difference. RESULTS Patients experienced substantial improvement in both VAS (9.81 vs 3.35; P < .001) and BNI-PS (4.95 vs 2.44; P < .001) after RFL. The 3 MCID calculation methods generated a range of MCID values for each of the PROs (VAS, 4.13-8.20; BNI-PS, 1.03-3.30). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was greater for BNI-PS compared with VAS for all 3 anchors, indicating that BNI-PS is probably better suited for calculating MCID. CONCLUSION RFL-specific MCID is variable on the basis of the calculation technique. With the use of the minimum detectable change calculation method with the Health Transition Index anchor, the minimum clinically important difference is 4.49 for VAS and 1.16 for BNI-PS after RFL for TN. ABBREVIATIONS AUC, area under the receiver-operating characteristic curveBNI-PS, Barrow Neurological Institute Pain ScaleHTI, Health Transition IndexMCID, minimum clinically important differenceMDC, minimum detectable changePRO, patient-reported outcomeRFL, percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency lesioningTN, trigeminal neuralgiaVAS, Visual Analog Scale.