Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Echis pyramidum Snake Venom on Hepatic and Renal Antioxidant Enzymes and Lipid Peroxidation in Rats

The effects of Echis pyramidum venom (EPV) (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mg/kg) on activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and total thiols (T‐SH) in liver and kidneys of rats were investigated. EPV significantly and dose dependently decreased the activities of SOD and CAT in livers. Although the kidney SOD and CAT activities were not affected by low and medium doses of EPV, the high dose significantly reduced the activities of these enzymes. Liver and kidney TBARS levels were not affected by the low and medium doses of EPV, whereas the high dose significantly increased the TBARS after 6 h postdosing. There was a significant depletion of T‐SH in liver and kidneys of rats exposed to a high dose of EPV. The acute phase oxidative stress due to an EPV injection points toward the importance of an early antioxidant therapy for the management of snake bites.
Design methods of the spherical quadrupole magnets and sextupole magnets

In high-energy physics, medical treatments, and space detections, quadrupole field distributions and sextupole field distributions are often required over a large spherical volume. Traditionally, these fields can be generated with cylindrical magnets. In comparison with cylindrical magnets, the spherical magnets have the advantages of smaller values of inductances, lower energy storage, and less magnetic flux leakage. To satisfy these special fields requirements, this paper describes the design methods of spherical magnets. The basic method derives from the target field approach that has been used to solve many of the inverse electromagnetic problems. Applying this approach, this paper has accomplished the design of spherical quadrupole magnets and sextupole magnets. In engineering and manufacture, the above calculation results are hard to utilize directly because of the complex magnet structures and, thus, high fabrication costs. After redesign and optimization on the above calculation results, this paper has also completed the construction of a modified spherical quadrupole magnet that has constant current distributions. This novel type of quadrupole magnet can generate nearly linear gradient fields and is easy to fabricate in engineering. Simulation and test results of this magnet are also presented
Survey of Attacks and Defenses on P2PSIP Communications

As with any other emerging system, the analysis of the security of Peer-to-Peer Session Initiation Protocol systems is of crucial importance for its secure development and future standardization. In this survey, we analyze the security of these systems by studying the attacks that can be launched against them. After an overview of the services that conform its architecture (access control, bootstrap, routing, storage and communication) we present the different attacks that can be launched against each of the services described. Also, for each presented attack, we review the defense mechanisms that can be used to prevent the attack, summarizing their advantages and drawbacks. This analysis presents a clear picture of the new security challenges which must be considered for the development of a Peer-to-Peer Session Initialization Protocol system and a revision of the security mechanisms that can be used to secure them.
G protein coupled receptors as allosteric proteins and the role of allosteric modulators

Seven transmembrane receptors (7TMRs) are proteins that convey signals through changes in conformation. These conformations are stabilized by external molecules (i.e. agonists, antagonists, modulators) and act upon other bodies (termed ‘guests’) which can be other molecules in the extracellular space, or proteins along the plane of the membrane (receptor oligomerization) or signaling proteins in the cytosol (i.e. G protein, β-arrestin). These elements comprise allosteric systems and a great deal of 7TMR pharmacology can be considered in terms of allosteric behavior. Allosteric ligands acting on 7TMRs possess four unique behaviors that can be valuable therapeutically; (1) the ability to alter the interaction of very large proteins, (2) probe dependence, (3) saturable effect, and (4) induction of separate changes in affinity and efficacy of other ligands. Two of these behaviors (namely probe dependence for CCR5-based HIV-1 entry inhibitors and functional selectivity for biased agonism) will be highlighted with examples.
Finite-Element Model-Based Design Synthesis of Axial Flux PMBLDC Motors

This paper discusses the design synthesis of a permanent-magnet brushless dc (PMBLDC) machine using a finite-element (FE) model. This work differentiates itself from the past studies by following a synthesis approach, in which many designs that satisfy the performance criteria are considered instead of a unique solution. The designer can later select a design, based on comparing parameters of the designs, which are critical to the application that the motor will be used for. The presented approach makes it easier to define constraints for a design synthesis problem. A detailed description of the setting up of an FE-based design synthesis problem, starting from the definition of design variables, the FE model of the machine, how the design synthesis is carried out, and to how a design is finalized from a set of designs that satisfy the performance criteria, is included in this paper. The proposed synthesis program is demonstrated by designing a segmented axial torus PMBLDC motor for an electric two-wheeler.
Freeze-cast hydroxyapatite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

Freeze casting of aqueous suspensions was investigated as a method for preparing porous hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds for eventual application to bone tissue engineering. Suspensions of HA particles (10–20 volume percent) were frozen unidirectionally in a cylindrical mold placed on a cold steel substrate (−20 °C). After sublimation of the ice, sintering for 3 h at 1350 °C produced constructs with dense HA lamellae, with porosity of ∼50%, and inter-lamellar pore widths of 5–30 µm. These constructs had compressive strengths of 12 ± 1 MPa and 5 ± 1 MPa in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the freezing direction, respectively. Manipulation of the microstructure was achieved by modifying the solvent composition of the suspension used for freeze casting. The use of water–glycerol mixtures (20 wt% glycerol) resulted in the production of constructs with finer pores (1–10 µm) and a larger number of dendritic growth connecting the HA lamellae, and higher strength. On the other hand, the use of water–dioxane mixtures (60 wt% dioxane) resulted in a cellular-type microstructure with larger pores (90–110 µm). The mechanical response showed high strain tolerance (5–10% at the maximum stress), high strain for failure (>20%) and sensitivity to the loading rate. The favorable mechanical behavior of the porous constructs, coupled with the ability to modify their microstructure, indicates the potential of the present freeze casting route for the production of porous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
Japan and a new world economic order

The oil supply cutback by the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries since October 1973 has had a profound impact on the Japanese economy. It over-reacted too seriously at first, since it depends almost entirely (up to 99.7 per cent) upon imported oil of which 81 per cent comes from the Middle East (and 40 per cent from the OAPEC countries). Japan's successful economic growth, especially rapid heavy and chemical industrialization, since the War has been sustained by access to a stable and cheap source of petroleum. Petroleum has been so much more economical and efficient than coal both ,as an energy source and a raw material, that Japan has reduced production of fuel coal to a negligible amount. By now (March 1974) the panic reaction has calmed down. It has become obvious that the physical shortage of petroleum is only a short term phenomenon and that, in the long term, the price problem (with the posted price of crude rising four times the price in 1972, to $ I l. 651 per barrel and the producing country government take to $ 7) will be more difficult to solve. The abrupt rise of crude oil price is now bringing about a general inflation, first in the oil-related products, electricity, then other manufactured goods. This is compounded by a rise in wages. The Japanese economy has experienced a chaotic price-rise for the last few months since November 1973. It is inevitable that various prices be shifted to a higher level but it is hoped that an equilibrium price system will be established and then stabilized at that level within a few months. It is crucially important for all oil-importing countries to try hard to reduce the oil-price to a more reasonable level (say 7-8 dollars at market price) in order to make payments for ,oil manageable. This is essential in order to avoid excessive strain on the balance of payments and disorder in exchange rates, in the international financial market, and in the international trading system (as will be touched upon later). How can a reduction in oil-price be realized ? An excessively high price is brought about by the strengthened bargaining position of oil-producing countries in a seller's market. Their bargaining power should be softened or reversed. Developed oil-importing countries, including Japan, should economize on the use of oil as a short-run as well as a long-run measure: 10 to 20 per cent saving is not impossible. Some of the oil producers may then sell more oil at a more reasonable, Iower price. It should be remembered that even the huge price rise of primary products at the time of the Korean War was curbed
Supply chain leading models of building charging stations: Leaders, subsidy policies, and cost sharing

ABSTRACT Consumer willingness to pay for electric vehicles (EVs) is severely limited by their driving range. The expansion of a charging network could alleviate this dilemma. This paper focuses on determining whether the manufacturer or the dealer is more suitable to extend charging network. In scenario 1 (wholesale price is exogenous), M-Investing (the manufacturer invests on charging stations) better facilitates EV adoption at the early stage of EV market. By contrast, D-Investing (the dealer invests on charging stations) better facilitates the EV adoption when the market becomes mature. However, neither of the two investors have an incentive to offer building investment. In scenario 2 (wholesale price is a decision made by the manufacturer), M-Investing is consistently better than D-Investing in terms of facilitating EV adoption. The manufacturer is voluntary even with high building costs. In addition, we address two subsidy policies: producer subsidy and consumer subsidy, to determine which is more effective in facilitating EV adoption in M-Investing and D-Investing, respectively. Moreover, we extend our model by allowing cost sharing between the manufacturer and the dealer. We observe some cases in which the profit and the EV adoption level are improved.
Quantifying the Effects of Prior Acetyl-Salicylic Acid on Sepsis-Related Deaths: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis Using Propensity Matching*

Objective: The primary objective was to conduct a meta-analysis on published observational cohort data describing the association between acetyl-salicylic acid (aspirin) use prior to the onset of sepsis and mortality in hospitalized patients. Study Selection: Studies that reported mortality in patients on aspirin with sepsis with a comparison group of patients with sepsis not on prior aspirin therapy were included. Data Sources: Fifteen studies described hospital-based cohorts (n = 17,065), whereas one was a large insurance-based database (n = 683,421). Individual-level patient data were incorporated from all selected studies. Data Extraction: Propensity analyses with 1:1 propensity score matching at the study level were performed, using the most consistently available covariates judged to be associated with aspirin. Meta-analyses were performed to estimate the pooled average treatment effect of aspirin on sepsis-related mortality. Data Synthesis: Use of aspirin was associated with a 7% (95% CI, 2–12%; p = 0.005) reduction in the risk of death as shown by meta-analysis with considerable statistical heterogeneity (I2 = 61.6%). Conclusions: These results are consistent with effects ranging from a 2% to 12% reduction in mortality risk in patients taking aspirin prior to sepsis onset. This association anticipates results of definitive studies of the use of low-dose aspirin as a strategy for reduction of deaths in patients with sepsis.
Proteomic analysis of the herpes simplex virus 1 virion protein 16 transactivator protein in infected cells

The herpes simplex virus 1 virion protein 16 (VP16) tegument protein forms a transactivation complex with the cellular proteins host cell factor 1 (HCF‐1) and octamer‐binding transcription factor 1 (Oct‐1) upon entry into the host cell. VP16 has also been shown to interact with a number of virion tegument proteins and viral glycoprotein H to promote viral assembly, but no comprehensive study of the VP16 proteome has been performed at early times postinfection. We therefore performed a proteomic analysis of VP16‐interacting proteins at 3 h postinfection. We confirmed the interaction of VP16 with HCF‐1 and a large number of cellular Mediator complex proteins, but most surprisingly, we found that the major viral protein associating with VP16 is the infected cell protein 4 (ICP4) immediate‐early (IE) transactivator protein. These results raise the potential for a new function for VP16 in associating with the IE ICP4 and playing a role in transactivation of early and late gene expression, in addition to its well‐documented function in transactivation of IE gene expression.
DEVELOPMENT OF CONSOLIDATED SLEEP AND WAKEFUL PERIODS IN RELATION TO THE DAV/NIGHT CYCLE IN INFANCY

Periods of sustained sleep were analyzed to assess the development of sleep‐state organization and structure during the first six months of life. Infants first establish consolidated sleep and wakeful periods, which then become oriented to the 24‐hour day/night cycle. As infants mature they gradually show greater sleep ‘efficiency’, and at onset of sleep, REM periods become less likely. The longest sleep period progressively becomes associated with the dark period of the 24‐hour cycle. This study also assessed the sequences of NREM‐REM sleep‐cycle organization during the first six months of life. Although individual infants may have a significant correlation between duration of sleep and latency at onset of sleep, the over‐all direction is not constant, nor is an ‘age effect’ apparent during the first six months. The data support the hypothesis that states of alterness, which develop independently in the perinatal period, become integrated in early infancy.
The effects of remoxipride and chlorpromazine on eye movements and psychomotor performance in healthy volunteers

Fifteen healthy male volunteers received single doses of 100 mg immediate release remoxipride (IR), 150 mg controlled release remoxipride (CR), 50 mg chlorpromazine (CPZ), 2 mg lorazepam (LZ), and placebo in a randomised, five-period cross-over study. Both saccadic (SEM) and smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM) as well as a battery of psychomotor performance tests were assessed at 1.5-h intervals over 9 h following drug administration. The areas under the response-time curves and the maximum effect during the study period were analysed by analysis of variance. The most consistent impairments were produced by LZ. The neuroleptics caused impairments to SEM, and tended to impair critical flicker fusion, continuous attention and both paced and unpaced versions of the digit-symbol substitution test as well as subjective measures of sedation. Only LZ impaired SPEM. Neither paced nor unpaced psychomotor tests distinguished between neuroleptics and benzodiazepines. The low therapeutic doses of IR and CR produced similar impairments to a sub-therapeutic dose of CPZ. Selectivity of pharmacological action does not appear to predict selectivity of effect on psychomotor function.
Survival of the AGC total knee arthroplasty is similar for arthrosis and rheumatoid arthritis

We report the survival of AGC knee endoprosthesis from the Finnish Arthroplasty Register for 2 indications, osteoarthrosis (OA, 6 306 knees) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 2 161 knees) during 1985- 1999. Survivorship analysis was performed with revision as an endpoint. We found similar survival rates. In the OA group, survival after 5 years was 97% and it was 94% after 10 years. In the RA group the corresponding figures were 97% and 96%, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival whether or not cement was used for fixation. The revision rates were higher in men and in younger patients.
Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the Short Form of the Affective Lability Scale in Adult Patients With ADHD

Objective: Affective lability is an important dimension of adult ADHD, associated with marked impairments and worse outcomes. A valid and quick tool to measure affective lability may therefore be of interest. Method: In 187 adult ADHD patients, we explored psychometric properties of the Affective Lability Scale–Short Form (ALS-18 items). We analyzed the construct validity and the external validity of the scale. Patients were compared with 48 healthy adult controls. Results: The three-factor structure of the ALS-18 presented a good fit and a good internal consistency. The correlations between the ALS-18 and ADHD symptoms and other psychological dimensions were, respectively, low and moderate. ALS-18 scores were higher in patients than in healthy adults. Conclusion: ALS-18 showed good psychometric properties in ADHD adult patients, allowing us to recommend the implementation of ALS-18 in assessing affective lability for clinical and research purposes. Use of ALS-18 should improve the clinical assessment of affective lability in adult ADHD patients.
The Use of Demineralized Bone Matrix for Mastoid Cavity Obliteration

Objective To evaluate the use of demineralized bone matrix as a graft material for mastoid cavity obliteration in the treatment and prevention of problematic mastoid cavities. Study Design The study is a retrospective review of patients identified using a computerized otology database. Setting Tertiary care referral center. Patients Patients were included in this study if they underwent mastoid obliteration using demineralized bone matrix. Intervention Mastoid obliteration was performed for revision of a problematic mastoid cavity (n = 8) or primarily after canal wall down mastoidectomy for recurrent cholesteatoma (n = 3). Main Outcome Measures Data were collected to evaluate the ability to achieve a dry ear canal. Postoperative healing time and hearing results were also assessed. Results A dry ear canal was achieved in all patients with a follow-up of 6 to 20 months (average, 14.5 mo). Eight patients (73%) had a well-healed, dry ear canal by their first postoperative visit (9 wk). One patient required 12.5 weeks to heal. Two patients (18%) had more prolonged granulation at the ear canal incision, which resolved in 17 and 28 weeks, respectively. The average preoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap was 47 ± 14.9 dB (mean ± SD), compared with postoperative values of 27.6 ± 12.8 dB (p = 0.0033; paired t test). This represents an average pure-tone average air-bone gap closure of 20 dB. Conclusion The use of demineralized bone matrix as a graft extender in mastoid obliteration allowed creation of a dry, smooth-contoured canal in all patients studied. A significant improvement in hearing was also obtained. Demineralized bone matrix is an acceptable graft alternative for mastoid obliteration.
[Double blinded randomized and controlled study on treatment of chronic heart failure by nuanxin capsule].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect and safety of Nuanxin Capsule (NXC) in treating patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS Adopting the randomized, positive controlled, double-blinded design, 150 CHF patients were assigned to the treatment group and the control group equally, they were treated with optimal western medical therapeutic scheme in combining respectively with NXC and placebo for 24 weeks. The indices for effectiveness and safety evaluation, such as Chinese medicine syndrome, grade of heart function, myocardial contraction, as well as the re-hospitalization rate and mortality, were observed. RESULTS The total effective rate on heart function in the treatment group and the control group was 78.87% and 64.38% respectively, that on Chinese medicine syndrome was 85.9% and 63.0% respectively, comparisons of the two indices between the two groups all showed significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). And a better efficacy for improving patients' cardiac contraction function and quality of life was shown in the treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The re-hospitalization rates in them were 23.9% and 53.4% respectively (P < 0.05), and 22.54% and 42.5% of the re-hospitalized patients had attack of acute heart failure, a significant difference was found between the two groups (P < 0.05). The mortality in them was 2.90% and 8.95% respectively, showing no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05). No obvious adverse effect was found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS NXC could improve the heart function of patients, it has obvious curative effect and good safety in treating chronic heart failure.
Development of endothermy and concomitant increases in cardiac and skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration in the precocial Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica)

ABSTRACT Attaining endothermic homeothermy occurs at different times post-hatching in birds and is associated with maturation of metabolic and aerobic capacity. Simultaneous measurements at the organism, organ and cellular levels during the transition to endothermy reveal means by which this change in phenotype occurs. We examined development of endothermy in precocial Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) by measuring whole-animal O2 consumption (V̇O2) as animals cooled from 35 to 15°C. We measured heart ventricle mass, an indicator of O2 delivery capacity, and mitochondrial respiration in permeabilized skeletal and cardiac muscle to elucidate associated changes in mitochondrial capacities at the cellular level. We examined animals on day 24 of incubation through 7 days post-hatching. V̇O2 of embryos decreased when cooling from 35 to 15°C; V̇O2 of hatchlings, beginning on day 0 post-hatching, increased during cooling with a lower critical temperature of 32°C. Yolk-free body mass did not change between internal pipping and hatching, but the heart and thigh skeletal muscle grew at faster rates than the rest of the body as the animals transitioned from an externally pipped paranate to a hatchling. Large changes in oxidative phosphorylation capacity occurred during ontogeny in both thigh muscles, the primary site of shivering, and cardiac ventricles. Thus, increased metabolic capacity necessary to attain endothermy was associated with augmented metabolic capacity of the tissue and augmented increasing O2 delivery capacity, both of which were attained rapidly at hatching. Summary: Noteworthy increases in cardiac ventricle mass and in skeletal and cardiac muscle oxidative phosphorylation capacity arise when Pekin ducks hatch and attain an endothermic metabolic phenotype.