Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of toxicity of subacute treatment of some plant growth regulators on rats

The effects of some plant growth regulators (PGRs), 2,3,5‐triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA), Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 2,4‐Dichlorofenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D), at sublethal concentrations on antioxidant defense system [glutathione peroxidases (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT)], immune potential enzymes [adenosine deaminase (ADA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO)], and lipid peroxidation content [Malondialdehyde, (MDA)] were investigated in lung and speen tissues of rats. Sprague‐Dawley albino rats were exposed to 0, 50, or 100 ppm (parts per million) TIBA, NAA, or 2,4‐D in drinking water ad libitum for 25 days continuously. According to the results, MDA concentration significantly increased in the tissues treated with 100 ppm dosage of NAA or 2,4‐D without any change in the tissues of rats treated with both dosage of TIBA. The GSH depletion in the spleen tissue of rats treated with both the dosage of NAA and 2,4‐D were found to be significant. Also, GSH level in the spleen was significantly reduced with 100 ppm of 2,4‐D and NAA. The activity of antioxidant enzymes were also seriously affected by PGRs; GPx significantly decreased in the lung of rats treated with both dosages of the PGRs, whereas GPx activity in the spleen were significantly increased with 100 ppm dosage of 2,4‐D and NAA. On the other hand, CAT activity significantly decreased in the lung of rats treated with both dosages of NAA, 100 ppm of 2,4‐D and 50 ppm of TIBA, and also in the spleen treated with 50 ppm NAA and 2,4‐D. The ancillary enzyme GR activity significantly decreased in the spleen with both doses of the PGRs, also in the lung treated with both dosages of 2,4‐D, 50 ppm of NAA and 100 ppm of TIBA. The drug metabolizing enzyme GST activity significantly reduced in the lung of rats treated with both dosages of the PGRs and also in the spleen treated with 100 ppm dosage of 2,4‐D and TIBA and 50 ppm of NAA. Meanwhile, immune potential enzyme MPO activity significantly increased in the spleen of rats treated with both doses of NAA and TIBA whereas ADA activity significantly decreased in the spleen of rats treated with 100 ppm dose of NAA and TIBA. The observations presented led us to conclude that the administrations of subacute NAA, 2,4‐D, and TIBA promote MDA content, inhibit the antioxidative defense system and activate or inhibit immune potential enzymes in the rat's spleen and lung tissues. These data suggest that PGRs produced substantial organ toxicity in the lung and spleen during the period of a 25‐day subacute exposure. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 613–619, 2007.
Solving satisfiability problems using logic synthesis and reconfigurable hardware

This paper presents new results on an approach for solving satisfiability problems (SAT), i.e. creating a logic circuit that is specialized to solve each problem instance on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). This approach becomes feasible due to the advances in FPGAs and high-level logic synthesis. In this approach, each SAT problem is automatically analyzed and implemented on FPGAs. We have developed an algorithm which is suitable for implementation on a logic circuit. This algorithm is equivalent to the Davis-Putnam (1960) procedure with a powerful dynamic variable ordering heuristic. The algorithm does not have a large memory structure like a stack, thus sequential accesses to the memory do not become a bottleneck in algorithm execution. Simulation results show that this method can solve a hard random 3-SAT problem with 400 variables within 20 minutes at a clock rate of 1 MHz.
Climate Change, Tropospheric Ozone and Particulate Matter, and Health Impacts

Objective Because the state of the atmosphere determines the development, transport, dispersion, and deposition of air pollutants, there is concern that climate change could affect morbidity and mortality associated with elevated concentrations of these gases and fine particles. We review how climate change could affect future concentrations of tropospheric ozone and particulate matter (PM), and what changing concentrations could mean for population health. Data sources We review studies projecting the impacts of climate change on air quality and studies projecting the impacts of these changes on morbidity and mortality. Data synthesis Climate change could affect local to regional air quality through changes in chemical reaction rates, boundary layer heights that affect vertical mixing of pollutants, and changes in synoptic airflow patterns that govern pollutant transport. Sources of uncertainty include the degree of future climate change, future emissions of air pollutants and their precursors, and how population vulnerability may change in the future. Given these uncertainties, projections suggest that climate change will increase concentrations of tropospheric ozone, at least in high-income countries when precursor emissions are held constant, which would increase morbidity and mortality. Few projections are available for low- and middle-income countries. The evidence is less robust for PM, primarily because few studies have been conducted. Conclusions Additional research is needed to better understand the possible impacts of climate change on air pollution–related health impacts. If improved models continue to project higher ozone concentrations with climate change, then reducing greenhouse gas emissions would enhance the health of current and future generations.
Optimal Taxation of Risky Human Capital BAS JACOBS DIRK SCHINDLER

In a model with ex-ante homogenous households, earnings risk and a general earnings function, we derive the optimal linear labor tax rate and optimal linear education subsidies. The optimal income tax trades off social insurance against incentives to work and to invest in human capital. Education subsidies are not used for social insurance, but are only targeted at off-setting the distortions of the labor tax and internalizing a fiscal externality. Both optimal education subsidies and tax rates increase if labor and education are more complementary, since education subsidies indirectly lower labor tax distortions by stimulating labor supply. Optimal education subsidies (taxes) also correct non-tax distortions arising from missing insurance markets. Education subsidies internalize a positive (negative) fiscal externality if there is underinvestment (overinvestment) in education due to risk. Education policy unambiguously allows for more social insurance if education is a risky activity. However, if education hedges against labor market risk, optimal tax rates could be lower than without education subsidies. JEL Code: H21, I2, J2.
Prejudice, Exclusion, and Economic Disadvantage: A Theory

A central hypothesis about discrimination is that prejudice forces the stigmatized into low paying, undesirable jobs. Prejudice clearly leads to exclusion. But surprisingly, evidence linking exclusion to disadvantage is mixed. We address this issue theoretically, providing a formal rational choice model combining arguments from sociology (on prejudice) and economics (on competition). Our theory suggests that economic organization is crucial. In economies dominated by monopoly, oligarchy, tradition, or government, prejudice may reduce some workers' pay and a disadvantageous secondary labor market may emerge. By contrast in competitive free markets, exclusionary discrimination often occurs but does not reduce workers' pay, nor does it induce a disadvantageous secondary labor market. Our theory suggests the conventional analytic approach to discrimination is misguided: exclusion does not necessarily imply disadvantage; a shortfall in pay does not necessarily imply that the lower paid worker is disadvantaged; and analysis should focus on the overall subjective well-being or utility derived from a job, not on pay alone.
Full and Broad-Spectrum In Vivo Eradication of Catheter-Associated Biofilms Using Gentamicin-EDTA Antibiotic Lock Therapy

ABSTRACT Biofilms that develop on indwelling devices are a major concern in clinical settings. While removal of colonized devices remains the most frequent strategy for avoiding device-related complications, antibiotic lock therapy constitutes an adjunct therapy for catheter-related infection. However, currently used antibiotic lock solutions are not fully effective against biofilms, thus warranting a search for new antibiotic locks. Metal-binding chelators have emerged as potential adjuvants due to their dual anticoagulant/antibiofilm activities, but studies investigating their efficiency were mainly in vitro or else focused on their effects in prevention of infection. To assess the ability of such chelators to eradicate mature biofilms, we used an in vivo model of a totally implantable venous access port inserted in rats and colonized by either Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We demonstrate that use of tetrasodium EDTA (30 mg/ml) as a supplement to the gentamicin (5 mg/ml) antibiotic lock solution associated with systemic antibiotics completely eradicated Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial biofilms developed in totally implantable venous access ports. Gentamicin-EDTA lock was able to eliminate biofilms with a single instillation, thus reducing length of treatment. Moreover, we show that this combination was effective for immunosuppressed rats. Lastly, we demonstrate that a gentamicin-EDTA lock is able to eradicate the biofilm formed by a gentamicin-resistant strain of methicillin-resistant S. aureus. This in vivo study demonstrates the potential of EDTA as an efficient antibiotic adjuvant to eradicate catheter-associated biofilms of major bacterial pathogens and thus provides a promising new lock solution.
The patient with Parkinson’s disease: Part I–Treating the motor symptoms; Part II–Treating the nonmotor symptoms

Purpose: This two‐part article provides the nurse practitioner (NP) with information on the developments in the pathophysiology and expanded treatment options in the motor and nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The discussion provides treatment strategies that may offer improved ability to manage the disabling symptoms of this neurodegenerative disorder. Data sources: Review of scientific literature from PubMed search for English language articles on PD from 1998 to 2005 and books or chapters in textbooks published on the disease in the same time frame provided the data source for this article. The content reflects our clinical judgments and experience from clinical practice in the Movement Disorder Clinic at Mayo Clinic Arizona. Conclusions: The high prevalence of the disease and important advances in its management means that the NP needs to have knowledge of the disorder and the combination of multiple treatment options available for both the motor and the nonmotor symptoms. Implications for practice: PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting 1% of persons over the age of 60 in the United States. As prevalence increases with age, so does the need for early accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of the PD by the clinician. Advances in the treatment for the motor and nonmotor symptoms of PD provide the clinician with increased options to improve the patient’s quality of life.
PHENOTYPIC EVOLUTION, CONSTANT COVARIANCES, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF ADDITIVE VARIANCE

Theoretical work in evolutionary quantitative genetics concentrates on two problems: phenotypic evolution (including speciation) and the maintenance of the heritable variation on which evolution depends. I will argue that these problems are decoupled in practice, because detailed genetic models do not make useful predictions concerning the dynamics of the critical variance and covariance parameters that enter the evolution equations for means
In vitro susceptibility of 545 isolates of Candida spp. to four antifungal agents

Summary. The in vitro susceptibility to amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole of 545 Candida strains from patients treated at the University Hospital of the Canaries was determined by means of a microdilution test. The distribution of the species was as follows: Candida albicans (342), Candida tropicalis (70), Candida glabrata (68), Candida parapsilosis (65). Of Candida albicans isolates, 8.5% and 7.6% showed resistance to itraconazole and fluconazole respectively. Of C. tropicalis isolates 34.3%, 27.1% and 2.9% were resistant to itraconazole, fluconazole and ketaconazole respectively. For C. glabrata, 10.3% and 4.4% of the isolates under study demonstrated resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole respectively. Only 4.6% and 1.5% of C. parapsilosis isolates demonstrated resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole respectively. C. tropicalis was the most resistant strain and C. parapsilosis the most sensitive. The greatest percentages of resistance in vitro were seen with the triazoles.
Altered Frequency Dynamics of Cervical and Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Patients With Ménière’s Disease

Objective To measure the frequency dynamics of cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in healthy subjects and patients with Ménière’s disease. Study Design A prospective cohort study. Setting A university teaching hospital. Subjects Eight healthy volunteers (16 ears) and 12 adult patients with unilateral Ménière’s disease (8 with definite disease and 4 with probable disease) by American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery diagnostic criteria. Interventions Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials generated by tone bursts at 250, 500, 750, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 Hz were measured in both groups. Main Outcome Measures The frequency sensitivity of both the cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, as evaluated by p13-n23 and n10 amplitudes in healthy ears and in ears affected and not affected by Ménière’s disease. Results Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were present in all ears tested. In the healthy volunteers, the acoustic stimulus frequency at which the response amplitudes were largest was 500 Hz. This shifted to higher frequencies in patients with definite Ménière’s disease for both measurements, with the effect being more pronounced for ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials. The shift was less marked in the probable Ménière’s group and was absent in the unaffected ears of the Ménière’s patients. Conclusion Ménière’s ears display alterations in cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials tuning responses with changes in the latter being more prominent. These findings indicate that the disease process affects both the otolith organs but may have an enhanced effect on the utricle. We propose that this more dominant affect may relate to the anatomical configuration of the utricle.
How to personalize ovarian stimulation in clinical practice

Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles is the starting point from which couple’s prognosis depends. Individualization in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) starting dose and protocol used is based on ovarian response prediction, which depends on ovarian reserve. Anti-Müllerian hormone levels and the antral follicle count are considered the most accurate and reliable markers of ovarian reserve. A literature search was performed for studies that addressed the ability of ovarian reserve markers to predict poor and high ovarian response in assisted reproductive technology cycles. According to the predicted response to ovarian stimulation (poor- normal- or high- response), it is possible to counsel couples before treatment about the prognosis, and also to individualize ovarian stimulation protocols, choosing among GnRH-agonists or antagonists for endogenous FSH suppression, and the FSH starting dose in order to decrease the risk of cycle cancellation and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. In this review we discuss how to choose the best COS therapy, based on ovarian reserve markers, in order to enhance chances in IVF.
Nation-Level Moderators of the Extent to Which Self-Efficacy and Relationship Harmony Predict Students’ Depression and Life Satisfaction

Previous two-nation comparisons have provided evidence that self-efficacy may be a protective factor against depression in individualist cultures, whereas relationship harmony may be a stronger protective factor in collectivist cultures. However, wider sampling and more specific measures of cultural difference are required to test these conclusions. Student ratings of depression and life satisfaction were surveyed in 10 samples drawn from nine nations. Culture-level individualism positively moderated the relationship of self-efficacy to low depression. However, culture-level collectivism negatively moderated the linkage of relationship harmony to depression. To better understand these effects, four separate nation-level predictors derived from dimensions of self-construal were employed. Effects of self-efficacy were strongest where cultural models of selfhood emphasized self-direction (vs. receptiveness to influence); effects of relationship harmony were strongest where cultural models of selfhood emphasized dependence on others (vs. self-reliance). These results illustrate the value of unpackaging the diffusely defined concept of individualism-collectivism.
Retinal and Cerebral Microvascular Signs and Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—Diabetes increases the risk for microvascular disease. The retina and the brain both have intricate microvascular systems that are developmentally similar. We sought to examine whether microvascular lesions in the retina and in the brain are associated and whether this association differs among people with and without diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The analysis included 4,218 participants of the Icelandic population-based Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study who were born in 1907–1935 and who were previously followed as a part of the Reykjavik Study. Retinal focal arteriolar narrowing, arteriovenous (AV) nicking, and microaneurysms/hemorrhages were evaluated on digital retinal images of both eyes. Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) were evaluated from magnetic resonance images. Data were analyzed with logistic and multinomial logistic regression models controlling for demographics, major cardiovascular risk factors, cerebral infarcts, and white matter lesions. RESULTS—Evidence of brain microbleeds was found in 485 (11.5%) people, including 192 with multiple (≥2) microbleeds. Subjects with signs of retinal microvascular lesions were at a significantly increased likelihood for having multiple CMBs. People with diabetes in combination with the presence of either retinal AV nicking (odds ratio [OR] 2.47 [95% CI 1.42–4.31]) or retinal microaneurysms/hemorrhages (2.28 [1.24–4.18]) were significantly more likely to have multiple CMBs. CONCLUSIONS—Retinal microvascular abnormalities and brain microbleeds may occur together in older adults. People with both diabetes and signs of retinal microvascular lesions (AV nicking and microaneurysms/hemorrhages) are more likely to have multiple microbleeds in the brain. Microvascular disease in diabetes extends to the brain.
Nucleosynthesis of Zinc and Iron Peak Elements in Population III Type II Supernovae: Comparison with Abundances of Very Metal Poor Halo Stars

We calculate nucleosynthesis in core collapse explosions of massive Population III stars and compare the results with abundances of metal-poor halo stars to constrain the parameters of Population III supernovae. We focus on iron peak elements, and, in particular, we try to reproduce the large [Zn/Fe] observed in extremely metal-poor stars. The interesting trends of the observed ratios [Zn, Co, Mn, Cr, V/Fe] can be related to the variation of the relative mass of the complete and incomplete Si-burning regions in supernova ejecta. We find that [Zn/Fe] is larger for deeper mass cuts, smaller neutron excess, and larger explosion energies. The large [Zn/Fe] and [O/Fe] observed in the very metal-poor halo stars suggest deep mixing of complete Si-burning material and a significant amount of fallback in Type II supernovae. Furthermore, large explosion energies (E51 ≳ 2 for M ~ 13 M☉ and E51 ≳ 20 for M ≳ 20 M☉) are required to reproduce [Zn/Fe] ~ 0.5. The observed trends of the abundance ratios among the iron peak elements are better explained with this high-energy ("hypernova") model than with the simple "deep" mass cut effect because the overabundance of Ni can be avoided in the hypernova models. We also present the yields of pair instability supernova explosions of M ≃ 130-300 M☉ stars and discuss that the abundance features of very metal-poor stars cannot be explained by pair instability supernovae.
Psychotherapy without the Self: A Buddhist Perspective

Immersed in Buddhist psychology prior to studying Western psychiatry, Dr. Mark Epstein first viewed Western therapeutic approaches through the lens of the East. 'This posed something of a challenge', he observes. 'The central tenet of Buddha's wisdom is the notion of no-self, while the central focus of Western psychotherapy is the self. Yet both systems promise liberation through self-awareness'. This book, which includes writings from the past twenty-five years, wrestles with the complex relationship between Buddhism and psychotherapy and offers nuanced reflections on therapy, meditation, and psychological and spiritual development. A bestselling author and popular speaker, Epstein has long been at the forefront of the effort to introduce Buddhist psychology to the West. His unique background enables him to serve as a bridge between the two traditions, which he has found to be more compatible than at first thought. Engaging with the teachings of the Buddha as well as those of Freud and Winnicott, he offers a compelling look at desire, anger, and insight and helps reinterpret the Buddha's Four Noble Truths and central concepts such as egolessness and emptiness in the psychoanalytic language of our time.
Invasion of intestinal epithelia in vitro by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis

Studies of nematode establishment in intestinal niches has been hindered by the lack of a readily manipulated in vitro assay. In this report, experiments are described wherein the larval stage of the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis was shown to invade epithelial cell monolayers in vitro. Larvae penetrated cells and migrated through them, leaving trails of dead cells in their wake. Cells derived from five different species were susceptible to invasion, reflecting the broad host range of T. spiralis in vivo. Epithelial cells derived from large and small intestines and kidneys were susceptible. Fibroblast and muscle cells were resistant. Larvae deposited glycoprotein antigens in the cells they invaded. Although the function of these antigens is unknown, they are targeted by rat antibodies that cause T. spiralis to be expelled from the intestine. The model system described provides the means to further investigate this process as well as the mechanisms by which this parasitic nematode establishes its intestinal niche.