Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Declining Participation in Research Studies

researchers quickly mentioned ‘above 90%’, ‘80%’ or ‘60%’ as the target participation rate for recruitment. From this admittedly convenience sample, it appears that informal standards are being used. On the one hand, a selected number has the same drawback as using p = 0.05 to determine statistical significance. With 80% as the arbitrary target, 80.1% would be deemed scientifically acceptable and 79.9% would be rejected. Picking such a magical number would mean that people would invent, and have invented, ways to inflate their participation rate to reach an ‘acceptable’ rate. Due to this creativity, it is critical that the calculation of the participation rates for recruitment and for follow-up, when applicable, are reported. This transparency is reflected in the CONSORT requirement of presenting the flow of participants throughout a clinical trial. The second drawback to identifying a participation rate as acceptable is more insidious. As anything short of 100% participation in any kind of study has the potential of bias, it is vital to the interpretation of findings that the pattern of nonparticipation, like the pattern of missing values when selecting analytical strategies, be examined for bias. The US census has a high participation using a mixed mode of data collection (postal survey followed by in person interviews) but systematically misses disadvantaged people. In contrast, the ongoing telephone-administered US Behavioral Risk Factor Survey has a participation rate below 60% but no evidence of bias. Examining for bias can involve multiple steps. For studies with follow-up, the analysis includes contrasting who was lost to follow-up (and why) to those for whom the researcher has data. For recruitment, the approach is more difficult. Galea and Tracy [1] highlight increased Introduction
Utility of hemoglobin-A1C in nondiabetic women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE Hemoglobin A1c (A1C) ≥5.7% is now accepted as a biomarker for identifying individuals at risk for diabetes. Compared to the general population, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a higher risk for diabetes. Our goal was to determine what glucose homeostasis abnormalities can be identified by A1C ≥5.7% in women with PCOS. METHODS In a cross-sectional study, nondiabetic women with PCOS (according to the National Institutes of Health [NIH] criteria) were divided into 2 groups based on A1C (<5.7% [n = 23] and ≥5.7% [n = 25]). Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (FS-IVGTT) were conducted, and body composition, cardiovascular risk factors, and sex steroid levels were assessed. RESULTS Compared to women with A1C <5.7%, those with A1C ≥5.7% were older (35.1 ± 1.1 years vs. 31.1 ± 1.1 years; P = .04), had higher glucose levels at fasting and during OGTT, and had a lower insulin sensitivity index (SI: 2.0 ± 0.2 vs. 4.2 ± 0.6; P = .0195) and disposition index (DI: 1,014 ± 82 vs. 1,901 ± 217; P = .011) during FS-IVGTT. They also had higher triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) levels. There was no difference in serum androgen levels. CONCLUSION A1C ≥5.7% identified the subgroup of PCOS patients with higher insulin resistance, inadequate compensatory insulin response, impaired glucose disposition, and increased cardiovascular risk factors. Thus, A1C represents an inexpensive and informative biomarker to identify PCOS patients at risk for metabolic abnormalities.
Treatment of endotoxemic mice with anti-interleukin-6 antibody paradoxically increases interleukin-6 levels and stimulates mucosal protein synthesis.

OBJECTIVE To test the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the regulation of mucosal protein synthesis during endotoxemia. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Three series of experiments were performed: (1) mice were injected with different doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and protein synthesis was measured in jejunal mucosa at various time points up to 24 hours after injection of LPS; (2) mice were pretreated with anti-IL-6 antibody before injection of LPS; and (3) mice were injected with recombinant IL-6 and mucosal protein synthesis was measured 24 hours later. RESULTS Treatment of mice with LPS resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in mucosal protein synthesis. Pretreatment of endotoxemic mice with anti-IL-6 antibody resulted in a paradoxical increase in plasma and tissue levels of IL-6 and a further increase in mucosal protein synthesis. Administration of IL-6 to normal mice resulted in increased mucosal protein synthesis. CONCLUSION The increase in mucosal protein synthesis seen during endotoxemia may be regulated at least in part by IL-6.
Does Gender Predict Medical Students’ Stress in Mansoura, Egypt?

Abstract Background: Medical education is perceived as being stressful with negative effects on students’ mental health. However, few studies have addressed the influence of gender on stress in medical students. Aim: To compare male and female medical students in Egypt on sources of stress, perception of stress, anxiety, depression, physical symptomatology, and personality profile. Methods: Data were collected through an anonymous self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic data, stressors, perceived stress scale, physical wellbeing factors, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale as well as neuroticism and extraversion subscales of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Results: Stressors were reported by 94.5% of the total sample with equal gender proportions. Univariate analysis indicated that female students scored higher than males on depression and neu-roticism scales while male and female medical students were similar on level of perceived stress, number of stressors, clinical anxiety, physical well-being factors and the extraversion scale. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the independent predictors of a high stress level were the presence of more than five stressors, clinical anxiety and depression, and increased scores on the global sickness index and on the extraversion and neuroticism sub-scales. Conclusion: Despite there being no significant difference in perceived stress according to gender, females were less likely to cite relationship problems with teachers and substance abuse as sources of stress. Moreover, females scored significantly higher than males on depression and neuroticism scales.
TARS: Trusted Adaptive Routing Strategy with Back-Off Observing Mechanism

Mobile ad-hoc networks (MANET) have a wide array of military and commercial applications. Many traditional protocols can not meet various increasing requirements in efficiency and security yet. In this paper, we propose a novel solution in a different perspective. First we present a more appropriate definition to the measurement of network condition, in order to reform a more precise two-dimensional criterion. Second we propose a Back-off Observing Mechanism (BOM) to improve efficiency by considering the network context. Third we take full advantage of trusted computing technology to design a secure scheme, which could protect users against various attacks. Combining all three components, we form Trusted Adaptive Routing Strategy (TARS) with BOM. At last, we give a performance analysis of our scheme, which shows that TARS with BOM outperforms previous work in both efficiency and security, and we experimentally prove this conclusion.
Query forwarding in geographically distributed search engines

Query forwarding is an important technique for preserving the result quality in distributed search engines where the index is geographically partitioned over multiple search sites. The key component in query forwarding is the thresholding algorithm by which the forwarding decisions are given. In this paper, we propose a linear-programming-based thresholding algorithm that significantly outperforms the current state-of-the-art in terms of achieved search efficiency values. Moreover, we evaluate a greedy heuristic for partial index replication and investigate the impact of result cache freshness on query forwarding performance. Finally, we present some optimizations that improve the performance further, under certain conditions. We evaluate the proposed techniques by simulations over a real-life setting, using a large query log and a document collection obtained from Yahoo!
Sky status: A local analysis of ground based digital images

Cloud coverage obscures the sunlight, it can be identified as the major factor that significantly decreases the total irradiance received by photovoltaic panels, and then the power generation is intermittent. In this paper, and in order to predict the energy production by a solar installation, we analyze the acquired ground based images of the sky to extract its actual status (clear, partially cloudy, or totally cloudy). An embedded system is dedicated to simultaneously capture images and estimate the power generation. The accurate sky status is determined by comparing the brightness of the sun zone in the digital image to its surrounding area. The experimental results are promising and shows that the developed techniques can be easily embedded in solar plants to accurately predict the short time energy production.
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV-resistant [D-Ala(2)]glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) improves glucose tolerance in normal and obese diabetic rats.

The therapeutic potential of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) for improving glycemic control has largely gone unstudied. A series of synthetic GIP peptides modified at the NH(2)-terminus were screened in vitro for resistance to dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) degradation and potency to stimulate cyclic AMP and affinity for the transfected rat GIP receptor. In vitro experiments indicated that [D-Ala(2)]GIP possessed the greatest resistance to enzymatic degradation, combined with minimal effects on efficacy at the receptor. Thus, [D-Ala(2)]GIP(1--42) was selected for further testing in the perfused rat pancreas and bioassay in conscious Wistar and Zucker rats. When injected subcutaneously in normal Wistar, Fa/? , or fa/fa Vancouver Diabetic Fatty (VDF) Zucker rats, both GIP and [D-Ala(2)]GIP significantly reduced glycemic excursions during a concurrent oral glucose tolerance test via stimulation of insulin release. The latter peptide displayed greater in vivo effectiveness, likely because of resistance to enzymatic degradation. Hence, despite reduced bioactivity in diabetic models at physiological concentrations, GIP and analogs with improved plasma stability still improve glucose tolerance when given in supraphysiological doses, and thus may prove useful in the treatment of diabetic states.
Inflammatory markers are associated with risk of colorectal cancer and chemopreventive response to anti-inflammatory drugs.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lower the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We investigated whether plasma inflammatory markers were associated with risk of CRC and if use of anti-inflammatory drugs was differentially associated with risk of CRC according to levels of inflammatory markers. METHODS We measured levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, and the soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR-2) in blood samples from 32,826 women, collected from 1989 to 1990. Through 2004, we documented 280 cases of incident CRC; each case was matched for age to 2 randomly selected participants without cancer (controls). Information on anti-inflammatory drug (aspirin and NSAIDs) use was collected biennially. RESULTS Compared with women in the lowest quartile of plasma levels of sTNFR-2, women in the highest quartile had an increased risk of CRC (multivariate relative risk [RR], 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-2.68; P for trend = .03). Among women with high baseline levels of sTNFR-2, those who initiated aspirin/NSAID use after blood collection had significant reductions in subsequent risk of CRC (multivariate RR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.18-0.86). In contrast, among women with low baseline levels of sTNFR-2, initiation of aspirin/NSAID use was not associated with significant risk reduction (multivariate RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.41-1.79). Plasma levels of CRP and IL-6 were not significantly associated with CRC risk. CONCLUSIONS Plasma levels of sTNFR-2, but not CRP or IL-6, are associated with an increased risk of CRC. Anti-inflammatory drugs appear to reduce risk of CRC among women with high, but not low, baseline levels of sTNFR-2. Certain subsets of the population, defined by inflammatory markers, may obtain different benefits from anti-inflammatory drugs.
Form and distribution of neurons in rat cingulate cortex: Areas 32, 24, and 29

The cytoarchitecture of rat cingulate cortex is described. This includes the topographical distribution and layering patterns of Brodmann's areas 25, 32, 24, and 29a, b, c, and d. Area 24 is subdivided into a ventral area 24a and a dorsal area 24b, but an area 23 could not be identified between areas 24 and 29
A current perspective on stereotactic body radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a formidable malignancy with poor outcomes. The majority of patients are unable to undergo resection, which remains the only potentially curative treatment option. The management of locally advanced (unresectable) pancreatic cancer is controversial; however, treatment with either chemotherapy or chemoradiation is associated with high rates of local tumor progression and metastases development, resulting in low survival rates. An emerging local modality is stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which uses image-guided, conformal, high-dose radiation. SBRT has demonstrated promising local control rates and resultant quality of life with acceptable rates of toxicity. Over the past decade, increasing clinical experience and data have supported SBRT as a local treatment modality. Nevertheless, additional research is required to further evaluate the role of SBRT and improve upon the persistently poor outcomes associated with pancreatic cancer. This review discusses the existing clinical experience and technical implementation of SBRT for pancreatic cancer and highlights the directions for ongoing and future studies.
Brain glucose concentrations in patients with type 1 diabetes and hypoglycemia unawareness

Although it is well established that recurrent hypoglycemia leads to hypoglycemia unawareness, the mechanisms responsible for this are unknown. One hypothesis is that recurrent hypoglycemia alters brain glucose transport or metabolism. We measured steady‐state brain glucose concentrations during a glucose clamp to determine whether subjects with type 1 diabetes and hypoglycemia unawareness may have altered cerebral glucose transport or metabolism after exposure to recurrent hypoglycemia. We compared 14 subjects with diabetes and hypoglycemia unawareness to 27 healthy control subjects. Brain glucose concentrations were measured under similar metabolic conditions using in vivo 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy at 4 Tesla during a hyperglycemic clamp (plasma glucose = 16.7 mmol/l) with somatostatin and insulin. Subjects with type 1 diabetes and hypoglycemia unawareness had significantly higher brain glucose concentrations compared to that in controls under the same conditions (5.5 ± 0.3 vs. 4.7 ± 0.1 μmol/g wet weight, P = 0.016). These data suggest that changes in brain glucose transport or metabolism may occur as a result of recurrent hypoglycemia. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intra‐ and Extracellular Potassium Activities, Acetylcholine and Resting Potential in Guinea Pig Atria

Intracellular potassium activity in guinea pig left atria was measured using potassium ion-selective microelectrodes and conventional microelectrodes. The effects of extracellular potassium concentration and acetylcholine on both intracellular potassium activity and the relationship between the resting membrane potential and the potassium equilibrium potential were investigated. Intracellular potassium activity was 102.1 mM in bathing media with a potassium concentration of 5 mM. Neither increasing extracellular potassium concentration to 10 mM nor exposure to acetylcholine (2 ± 10−6 to 10−3 M) significantly altered intracellular potassium activity. In contrast, intracellular potassium activity decreased to 92.9 mw in 2.5 mM potassium concentration solutions. Resting membrane potential was 18.6, 9.6, and 7.3 mV positive to the potassium equilibrium potential in 2.5, 5, and 10 mM potassium, respectively. Acetylcholine caused a significant hyperpolarization at each extracellular potassium activity, confirming that resting membrane potential was positive to the potassium equilibrium potential. Even after exposure to 10−3 M acetylcholine, the resting membrane potential apparently remained positive to the potassium equilibrium potential. If potassium accumulates in extracellular clefts during acetylcholine exposure, the calculated potassium equilibrium potentials are too negative, and the resting membrane potential might closely approximate the potassium equilibrium potential under these conditions. Fading of the acetylcholine-induced hyperpolarization and overshoot of the resting membrane potential on washout of acetylcholine were observed and are consistent with an accumulation of potassium during exposure to acetylcholine. In 5.0 mM potassium bathing solution, preparation-to-preparation variability of resting membrane potential can largely be explained by variability of intracellular potassium activity. The resting membrane potential is dependent on the logarithm of the intracellular potassium activity with a slope of −54.2 mV/10- fold increase in the intracellular potassium activity (r = −0.869). For fibers suprafused with 2.5 mM extracellular potassium, this relationship has a slope of −28.5 mV/10-fold increase in intracellular potassium activity (r = −0.454), and other factors must be invoked to explain the variability of the resting membrane potential.
Endocannabinoid signal in the gut controls dietary fat intake

Oral sensory signals drive dietary fat intake, but the neural mechanisms underlying this process are largely unknown. The endocannabinoid system has gained recent attention for its central and peripheral roles in regulating food intake, energy balance, and reward. Here, we used a sham-feeding paradigm, which isolates orosensory from postingestive influences of foods, to examine whether endocannabinoid signaling participates in the positive feedback control of fat intake. Sham feeding a lipid-based meal stimulated endocannabinoid mobilization in the rat proximal small intestine by altering enzymatic activities that control endocannabinoid metabolism. This effect was abolished by surgical transection of the vagus nerve and was not observed in other peripheral organs or in brain regions that control feeding. Sham feeding of a nutritionally complete liquid meal produced a similar response to that of fat, whereas protein or carbohydrate alone had no such effect. Local infusion of the CB1-cannabinoid receptor antagonist, rimonabant, into the duodenum markedly reduced fat sham feeding. Similarly to rimonabant, systemic administration of the peripherally restricted CB1-receptor antagonist, URB 447, attenuated sham feeding of lipid. Collectively, the results suggest that the endocannabinoid system in the gut exerts a powerful regulatory control over fat intake and might be a target for antiobesity drugs.
Court Control and Grievance Accounts

and pointing to a common predicament resulted in the judge siding with the demands of the powerful groups. SUBSTANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS : A SUMMARY AND IRONY The physical setting of the courtroom subordinated defendants by altering their normal relationship to the social environment. Courtroom interaction was characterized by distancing, a socialization process which subjugated defendants, rigidity, rapidity and a routinized bureaucratic structure. The overriding function was to control the situation in order that the inherent threat of grievance would be contained. Grievance strategies utilized by defendants included excuses, which attempted to convince the judge that the grievance was plausible, and justifications which attempted to solicit and appeal to the judge’s moral sensibilities. Defendants had to be careful not to offend court integrity with their accounts and thus incur the wrath of the judge while at the same time stretching their accounts in order to gain as much compensation as possible. In cooling-out the grievers, the judge had effectively to manage grievances by convincing defendants that justice had prevailed while maintaining court integrity in situations of threat. In situations of over-extended girevances the judge utilized dramaturgical strategies to terminate such deviations. In considering that grievance accounts allowed for individual initiative in what was otherwise an impersonalized and oppressive situation, the judge, nonetheless, had to utilize strategies of facilitating comfort in order to allow for initiative and personalize the encounter. 2 Lastly, the judge’s management t of intrarole conflict temporarily alleviated the demands for loyalties from
Delay guarantee and bandwidth allocation for network services

This paper presents a packet scheduling scheme for ensuring delay and bandwidth as a quality of service (QoS) requirement. For customers, rightful service is given while optimizing revenue of the network service provider. A gradient and fixed point type algorithms for updating the weights of a packet scheduler are derived from a revenue-based optimization problem. In the linear pricing scenario, algorithms are simple to implement. We compared algorithms with optimal brute-force method. Especially fixed point algorithm converges very fast to the optimal solution, typically in one iteration and about 40 operations, when number of classes is three. The weight updating procedures are independent on the assumption of the connections' statistical behavior, and therefore they are robust against erroneous estimates of statistics. Also, a call admission control (CAC) is implemented in context of our scenario.