Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ascorbic acid deficiency and hepatic UDP-glucuronyltransferase.

The effect of dietary ascorbic acid on hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) activity towards p-aminophenol, bilirubin, and acetaminophen was investigated. Ascorbate deficiency produced a 33% reduction in the specific activity of UDPGT towards p-aminophenol, whereas there was no difference between microsomes from ascorbate-deficient and supplemented guinea pigs in the activity towards bilirubin and acetaminophen. This suggests that the effect of the vitamin is on a specific isozyme. This reduction was correlated with the reduced quantity of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450, which has been previously reported for ascorbate-deficient guinea pigs. No difference was found in the apparent affinity for the substrate, p-aminophenol, or the cofactor, UDP-glucuronic acid. Differences in microsomal UDPGT activity towards p-aminophenol occurred between the two groups with membrane-perturbing processes such as sonication and Triton X-100. Sonication and magnesium chloride were found to increase activity 329% in ascorbate-supplemented animals and 138% in the ascorbate-deficient group. The addition of ascorbate acid in vitro, or its analog d-isoascorbic acid, could protect against the detrimental effects of excess substrate by maintaining a linear enzymatic rate over a 30-min time period; there was no significant effect on the initial rate of hepatic microsomal UDPGT activity in the ascorbate-supplemented animals whereas there was a significant increase in the ascorbate-deficient group. Glutathione was as effective as ascorbic acid in protecting against the detrimental effects of excess substrate whereas cysteine and dimethyltetrapteridine were only partially effective. Ascorbyl-2-sulfate and alpha-tocopherol had no significant effect. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Testing the fading affect bias for healthy coping in the context of death

ABSTRACT Affect fades faster for unpleasant events than for pleasant events (e.g., Walker, Vogl, & Thompson, 1997), which is referred to as the fading affect bias (FAB; Walker, Skowronski, Gibbons, Vogl, & Thompson, 2003). Although research has generally shown that the FAB is a healthy coping mechanism, this same finding has not been demonstrated at a specific level of analysis accounting for particular event types and related individual differences (e.g., Gibbons et al., 2013). Given the strong unpleasant emotions associated with death (Rask, Kaunonen, & Paunonen-Ilmonen, 2002), the current study examined FAB in the context of death events and participant attitudes toward death. General healthy coping was shown by robust FAB across death and control (i.e., everyday) events and by a negative correlation between negative religious coping and FAB. Although healthy coping at a specific level of analysis was supported by increased FAB for participants who held accepting attitudes toward death when they recalled everyday events, it was not supported by decreased FAB for the same participants when they recalled death events. This effect was mediated by rehearsal ratings, not depression. Implications are discussed.
O ’ Keeffe and Donnelly Adding Value and Deepening Student Learning

In recent years, higher education has undoubtedly faced a sea-change. The landscape of the sector has shifted with changes in the student body, increased pressure from government on costs and procedures, and an array of curricular transformations. While much has been written about the use of learning technologies generally and about ePortfolios in particular, there has been a lack of robust evidence about their added value for enhancing student learning opportunities. A case study of the integration of ePortfolios into a professional development master’s program in a Higher Education Institution in Ireland is presented, and added value in terms of the creative learning process is explored. Findings from this study indicate that development of the awareness and understanding of creativity within the student cohort is necessary to nurture creative and critical thinking abilities.
Breath-hold coronary MR angiography with volume-targeted imaging.

PURPOSE To illustrate a new concept for fast coronary artery screening with breath-hold volume targeted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten volunteers and 25 patients were imaged at a field strength of 1.5 T with an MR system with phased-array-coil reception and capable of echo-planar imaging. End-expiration breath-hold volume localization of the entire heart was performed with three-dimensional (3D) multishot segmented echo-planar imaging in 16-22 heartbeats. Interaction with a multiplaner reformation platform provided the optimal double-oblique volumes necessary to target seven coronary artery segments. Each segment was evaluated with 24-mm-thick volumes and breath holds at end expiration and magnetization transfer-enhanced 3D turbo fast low-angle shot imaging in 21 heartbeats. An intravascular contrast agent was used in eight patients to improve blood-myocardium contrast for the heart volume localizer acquisitions. RESULTS The entire coronary tree was consistently covered in fewer than 13 breath holds. The scheme was successful in all volunteers and in 22 patients who could achieve adequate breath hold. With end-expiration acquisitions, the prescribed 24-mm-thick volumes were reproducible for all coronary segments in all cooperative subjects. CONCLUSION Despite its status as the indisputable standard of reference for the detection of coronary artery disease, conventional coronary angiography remains costly and highly invasive, with associated risks of major complications, including stroke and death. Breath-hold volume targeted acquisitions permit rapid localization and coverage of the entire coronary tree with adequate resolution for evaluating the coronary arteries.
Energy Aware Communication in the Smart Grid

Recently some countries have investigated the transformation of their existing power grid to the so-called Smart Grid. A Smart Grid adds a communication network, which is the integration of a monitoring and control network, to the power network. In this research we have developed and implemented a communication network architecture for the neighbourhood sub-Grid level of the electrical network where monitoring has not previously been deployed. Since energy efficiency has been identified as one of the major limitations of such networks we have utilized a number of different techniques to tackle this problem. As such, we analyse the optimal topology of network for collecting and transmitting data to the local control unit for applying finer-grained control. Also, we have developed a data reduction algorithm suitable for Smart Grid applications, which can significantly improve the energy efficiency of the communication network by minimizing the communication energy cost and optimizing the network resource consumption while maintaining the integrity and quality of data. To the best of our knowledge, our work is one of the very first efforts to propose an energy efficient ICT architecture, combining power grid objectives, real data characteristics, and application-aware considerations.
Prospective validation of renal function-based carboplatin dosing in children with cancer: A United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group Trial.

PURPOSE Carboplatin dosing in adults with cancer is based on renal function. The purpose of the current study was to validate a previously developed pediatric carboplatin-dosing formula. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-eight pediatric patients were randomized to receive a carboplatin dose calculated according to surface area or a renal function-based dosing formula. On the next course of therapy, the alternative dosing method was used for each patient. Carboplatin pharmacokinetics (based on free plasma platinum concentrations) were measured after both courses. RESULTS The mean observed areas under the carboplatin concentration-versus-time curve (AUCs) after renal function- and surface area-based dosing were 98% and 95% of the target AUCs, respectively. The variation in the observed AUC was significantly less after renal function-based dosing (F test, P =.02), such that 74% of courses had an observed AUC within +/- 20% of the target value, versus 49% for courses after dosing according to surface area. Only one of 22 courses at the center with the most experience with renal function-based dosing was associated with an AUC outside +/- 20% of the target value, versus nine of 22 courses after surface area-based dosing in the same center. There was a relationship (r(2) =. 71) between carboplatin AUC and thrombocytopenia in 10 neuroblastoma patients treated with a combination of carboplatin, vincristine, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide. CONCLUSION Renal function-based carboplatin dosing in children results in more consistent drug exposure than surface area-based drug administration.
Exercise intensity, but not electrolyte reposition, alters plasmatic cortisol and glucose levels of horses submitted to 30 and 60km distance endurance rides

This study was aimed at comparing cortisol and glucose plasmatic levels in a group of trained horses submitted to 30 and 60km endurance exercises, at the average speed of 10 and 15km h-1, respectively. The horses were randomly divided in two groups, one treated, orally, with a hypertonic electrolyte paste before, during and after the tasks and the other used as control. Cortisol data revealed significant increase in the first moment when the intensity of the exercise was higher (15km/h) or with the prolongation of it (30km long), in the second moment to all groups. Glucose data remained constant during 30km ride; however after 20km distance, in 60km ride, it revealed a significant increase in control group, returning to basal levels in the subsequent moment. Electrolyte replenishment has its importance in the maintenance of the hidroelectrolyte and acid-base status and, in this study, may have contributed to the homeostasis of glucose levels.
Model Selection Meta-learning for the Prognosis of Pancreatic Cancer

Machine learning predictive techniques have been shown to be useful in establishing cancer prognosis. However, no single machine learning technique provides the best results in all cases. This paper introduces an automated meta-learning technique that learns to predict the best performing machine learning technique for each patient. The individually selected machine learning technique is then used for prognosis for the given patient. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated over a database of retrospective records of pancreatic cancer resections.
The Effect of Childhood Maltreatment on Adult Criminality: A Tobit Regression Analysis

This article reports on the results of an analysis of a data set containing information on 667 nonmaltreated and 908 maltreated children. The data also contain information on whether the study subjects were arrested in early adulthood. Because adult arrests are an imperfect and censored measure of antisocial behavior, tobit regression analysis was used to examine the effect of the subjects’ experiences of child maltreatment on later arrests while controlling for those subjects’ demographic characteristics. The analysis finds that children’s age, race, and sex and experiences of child neglect all have an impact on subsequent adult arrests. However, physical abuse and sexual abuse do not emerge as statistically significant predictors of arrests in this model. The study also illustrates a method for the decomposition of tobit coefficients to extract more information from them.
Comparative clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of endovascular strategy v open repair for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: three year results of the IMPROVE randomised trial

Objective To assess the three year clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness of a strategy of endovascular repair (if aortic morphology is suitable, open repair if not) versus open repair for patients with suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting 30 vascular centres (29 in UK, one in Canada), 2009-16. Participants 613 eligible patients (480 men) with a clinical diagnosis of ruptured aneurysm, of whom 502 underwent emergency repair for rupture. Interventions 316 patients were randomised to an endovascular strategy (275 with confirmed rupture) and 297 to open repair (261 with confirmed rupture). Main outcome measures Mortality, with reinterventions after aneurysm repair, quality of life, and hospital costs to three years as secondary measures. Results The maximum follow-up for mortality was 7.1 years, with two patients in each group lost to follow-up by three years. After similar mortality by 90 days, in the mid-term (three months to three years) there were fewer deaths in the endovascular than the open repair group (hazard ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.36 to 0.90), leading to lower mortality at three years (48% v 56%), but by seven years mortality was about 60% in each group (hazard ratio 0.92, 0.75 to 1.13). Results for the 502 patients with repaired ruptures were more pronounced: three year mortality was lower in the endovascular strategy group (42% v 54%; odds ratio 0.62, 0.43 to 0.88), but after seven years there was no clear difference between the groups (hazard ratio 0.86, 0.68 to 1.08). Reintervention rates up to three years were not significantly different between the randomised groups (hazard ratio 1.02, 0.79 to 1.32); the initial rapid rate of reinterventions was followed by a much slower mid-term reintervention rate in both groups. The early higher average quality of life in the endovascular strategy versus open repair group, coupled with the lower mortality at three years, led to a gain in average quality adjusted life years (QALYs) at three years of 0.17 (95% confidence interval 0.00 to 0.33). The endovascular strategy group spent fewer days in hospital and had lower average costs of −£2605 (95% confidence interval −£5966 to £702) (about €2813; $3439). The probability that the endovascular strategy is cost effective was >90% at all levels of willingness to pay for a QALY gain. Conclusions At three years, compared with open repair, an endovascular strategy for suspected ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm was associated with a survival advantage, a gain in QALYs, similar levels of reintervention, and reduced costs, and this strategy was cost effective. These findings support the increasing use of an endovascular strategy, with wider availability of emergency endovascular repair. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN48334791; ClinicalTrials NCT00746122.
Cultural, Individual and Device-Specific Antecedents on Mobile Banking Adoption: A Cross-National Study

The objective of this paper is to examine antecedents of mobile banking adoption behavior. The role of national culture, socio-demographics, consumer-behavioral-specific characters and mobile phone specifics were examined. The authors develop hypotheses based on the earlier literature and test them on a data collected from 3582 bank customers in Finland and Portugal. The results show that individualism, long term orientation, and masculinity are the significant determinants of national culture in mobile banking adoption. In addition, gender, previous mobile service experience, type of mobile device, and country have a significant effect.
Genetic vulnerability interacts with parenting and early care and education to predict increasing externalizing behavior

The current study examined interactions among genetic influences and children’s early environments on the development of externalizing behaviors from 18 months to 6 years of age. Participants included 233 families linked through adoption (birth parents and adoptive families). Genetic influences were assessed by birth parent temperamental regulation. Early environments included both family (overreactive parenting) and out-of-home factors (center-based Early Care and Education; ECE). Overreactive parenting predicted more child externalizing behaviors. Attending center-based ECE was associated with increasing externalizing behaviors only for children with genetic liability for dysregulation. Additionally, children who were at risk for externalizing behaviors due to both genetic variability and exposure to center-based ECE were more sensitive to the effects of overreactive parenting on externalizing behavior than other children.
Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Wissenschaftliche Berichte FZKA 6932 A Compact Introduction to the Numerical Modeling of Multiphase Flows

This report represents the handouts of an eight hour lecture held on occasion of the ”International Summer School on Computational Modeling of Combustion & Multiphase Flows in Energy Systems”. This summer school took place in Neptun-Olimp, Romania, in the period of July 21 – 25, 2003. The purpose of this report is to give students that are already familiar with the physics and numerical computation of single phase flow a compact introduction into the computational modeling of multiphase flows. The report is restricted to the hydrodynamics of multiphase flow and does not consider heat transfer, mass transfer and phase change. The report gives first an insight in the fundamental hydrodynamical phenomena of multiphase flows. It then presents the most popular modeling concepts for multiphase flows and points out their achievements and limitations. It details the continuous or interpenetrating field formulation of two-phase flow based on a volume averaging procedure and presents the related models as there are the homogeneous model, the diffusion model and drift flux model, and the two-fluid model. The report also discusses the Euler-Lagrange approach for disperse flow as well as interface resolving simulation methods such as the volume-of-fluid method, the level-set method and the front-tracking method. Eine kompakte Einführung in die numerische Modellierung von Mehrphasenströmungen Zusammenfassung Der vorliegende Bericht stellt eine ergänzende schriftliche Unterlage zu einer acht Stunden umfassenden Vorlesung dar, die im Rahmen der ”International Summer School on Computational Modeling of Combustion & Multiphase Flows in Energy Systems” gehalten wurde. Die Sommer-Schule fand vom 21. –25. Juli 2003 in Neptun-Olimp, Rumänien, statt. Das Ziel dieses Berichtes ist es, Studenten, die bereits über Kenntnisse zur Physik und zur numerischen Berechnung einphasiger Strömungen verfügen, eine kompakte Einführung in die numerische Modellierung von Mehrphasenströmungen zu geben. Der Bericht beschränkt sich dabei auf die Hydrodynamik und behandelt nicht Wärmeübergang, Stoffübergang und Phasenübergang. Er gibt einen Überblick zu den grundlegenden hydrodynamischen Phänomenen in mehrphasigen Strömungen, stellt die am häufigsten verwendeten Modellierungskonzepte vor, und geht auf deren Errungenschaften und Einschränkungen ein. Das Konzept der Formulierung der Mehrphasenströmung als einander sich durchdringende Kontinua wird basierend auf einer Volumenmittelung hergeleitet. Als dazu in Beziehung stehende Modelle werden das homogene Modell, das Diffusionsund Drift-Strömungs-Modell und das Zwei-Fluid-Modell vorgestellt. Der Bericht behandelt weiter das Euler-Lagrange-Modell für disperse Strömung sowie Methoden zur detaillierten numerischen Beschreibung der Phasengrenzflächendynamik, wie die Volume-of-Fluid Methode, die Level-Set-Methode und die Front-Tracking-Methode.
In vivo tmRNA protection by SmpB and pre-ribosome binding conformation in solution

TmRNA is an abundant RNA in bacteria with tRNA and mRNA features. It is specialized in trans-translation, a translation rescuing system. We demonstrate that its partner protein SmpB binds the tRNA-like region (TLD) in vivo and chaperones the fold of the TLD-H2 region. We use an original approach combining the observation of tmRNA degradation pathways in a heterologous system, the analysis of the tmRNA digests by MS and NMR, and co-overproduction assays of tmRNA and SmpB. We study the conformation in solution of tmRNA alone or in complex with one SmpB before ribosome binding using SAXS. Our data show that Mg2+ drives compaction of the RNA structure and that, in the absence of Mg2+, SmpB has a similar effect albeit to a lesser extent. Our results show that tmRNA is intrinsically structured in solution with identical topology to that observed on complexes on ribosomes which should facilitate its subsequent recruitment by the 70S ribosome, free or preloaded with one SmpB molecule.
Glutathione transferases in bacteria

Bacterial glutathione transferases (GSTs) are part of a superfamily of enzymes that play a key role in cellular detoxification. GSTs are widely distributed in prokaryotes and are grouped into several classes. Bacterial GSTs are implicated in a variety of distinct processes such as the biodegradation of xenobiotics, protection against chemical and oxidative stresses and antimicrobial drug resistance. In addition to their role in detoxification, bacterial GSTs are also involved in a variety of distinct metabolic processes such as the biotransformation of dichloromethane, the degradation of lignin and atrazine, and the reductive dechlorination of pentachlorophenol. This review article summarizes the current status of knowledge regarding the functional and structural properties of bacterial GSTs.
Phase II trial of ifosfamide and mesna in leiomyosarcoma of the uterus: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of ifosfamide (isophosphamide) in patients with advanced or recurrent leiomyosarcoma not previously exposed to chemotherapy. STUDY DESIGN This is a phase II groupwide study of the Gynecologic Oncology Group. Thirty-five patients were treated with ifosfamide 1.5 gm/m2 daily intravenously for 5 days with mesna (mercaptoethane sodium sulfonate). Fifty-six patients had received prior abdominal hysterectomy and 15 prior radiotherapy. The dose was reduced to 1.2 gm/m2 daily in patients who had received prior radiotherapy. RESULTS Gynecologic Oncology Group grade III or IV granulocytopenia occurred in 4 (11%) patients, and none had grade IV thrombocytopenia. One (2.8%) patient had grade IV neurotoxicity. Partial responses were observed in 6 of 35 (17.2%) patients. The 95% confidence interval for response was 6.6% to 33.7%. CONCLUSION These results indicate that ifosfamide has modest activity in patients with advanced or recurrent leiomyosarcomas of the uterus.