Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ameliorative effect of Aegle marmelos leaf extract on early stage alloxan-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats

Objective: The pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is complex, and the therapeutic options available to treat DCM are limited. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (Rutaceae) leaf extract on early stage DCM in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats (150–200 g) by injecting alloxan (150 mg kg−1; i.p.). Ethanol extract of A. marmelos leaves was administered at varying doses (100, 200, and 400 mg kg−1) and tolbutamide (100 mg kg−1) as standard. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) were determined by standard methods. Results: A. marmelos extract (AME) was found to decrease the levels of FBG, total cholesterol, TBARS, LDH and CK, and increase the levels of GSH, CAT and SOD dose dependently as compared to diabetic control groups. The maximum dose-dependent decrease in TBARS (63.46%), LDH (34.04%), CK (53.14%), and increase in GSH (64.91%), CAT (59.34%), SOD (69.65%) was evident at an optimum dose of 200 mg kg−1. Histopathological studies revealed salvage in the morphological derangements as indicated by absence of necrosis and marked decrease in inflammatory cells in AME-treated groups as compared to diabetic control. Conclusions: The present investigations conclude that treatment with AME attenuates the severity and improves the myocardium in the early stages of alloxan-induced DCM at a dose of 200 mg kg−1.
Of mice and men: genetic determinants of iron status

Fe homeostasis is maintained by regulation of Fe absorption to balance largely unregulated body Fe losses. The majority of human subjects maintain relatively constant Fe stores; however, Fe deficiency and Fe overload are common conditions. Fe overload is frequently associated with mutations in genes of Fe metabolism. The present paper summarises present knowledge of these mutations as well as indicating other genes that animal studies have implicated as candidates for influencing body Fe stores.
Market Provision of Public Goods: The Case of Broadcasting

This paper studies the market provision of a specific type of public good: radio and television broadcasts. Its main focus is to explore the ability of the market to provide broadcasting efficiently in a world in which broadcasters earn revenues by selling time to advertisers and advertisements provide information to consumers about new products. The paper shows that market provided broadcasts may feature too few or too many commercials, depending on the relative sizes of their social benefit and their nuisance cost to viewers. In addition, the market may provide too few or too many types of programs, depending on the relative size of viewing benefits and the benefits to advertisers from contacting viewers. The possibility of both under and over-provision of advertisements and programming, means that there are ranges of the parameters for which the market provides broadcasting close to efficiently. The paper also considers whether the market performs better under monopoly or competition and studies how the ability to charge viewers subscription prices impacts market performance.
A 65 nm 32 b Subthreshold Processor With 9T Multi-Vt SRAM and Adaptive Supply Voltage Control

An energy-efficient SoC with 32 b subthreshold RISC processor cores, 32 kB conventional cache memory, and 9T ultra-low voltage (ULV) SRAM based on a flexible and extensible architecture was fabricated on a 2.7 mm2 test chip in 65 nm low power CMOS. The processor cores are based on a custom standard cell library that was designed using a multiobjective approach to optimize noise margins, switching energy, and propagation delay simultaneously. The cores operate over a supply voltage range from 200 mV (best samples) to 1.2 V with clock frequencies from 10 kHz to 94 MHz at room temperature. The lowest energy consumption per cycle of 9.94 pJ is observed at 325 mV and 133 kHz. A 2 kb ULV SRAM macro achieves minimum energy per operation at averages of 321 mV (0.030 σ/μ), 567 fJ (0.037 σ/μ), and 730 kHz (0.184 σ/μ), for equal number of 32 b read/write operations. The off-chip performance and power management subsystem provides dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) combined with an adaptive supply voltage generation for dynamic PVT compensation.
The econometrics of inequality and poverty Lecture 4 : Lorenz curves and parametric distributions

2 General notions 2 2.1 Distributions . 2 2.2 Densities . 3 2.3 Quantiles . 4 2.4 Summary measures . 4 2.5 Some useful math results . 5 2.6 Truncated distributions and moments . 5 2.7 Incidence curves, poverty deficit curves . 6
Design and Performance Evaluation of a Distributed OFDMA-Based MAC Protocol for MANETs

In this paper, we propose a distributed MAC protocol for OFDMA-based wireless mobile ad hoc multihop networks, in which the resource reservation and data transmission procedures are operated in a distributed manner. A frame format is designed considering the characteristics of OFDMA that each node can transmit or receive data to or from multiple nodes simultaneously. Under this frame structure, we propose a distributed resource management method including network state estimation and resource reservation processes. We categorize five types of logical errors according to their root causes and show that two of the logical errors are inevitable while three of them are avoided under the proposed distributed MAC protocol. In addition, we provide a systematic method to determine the advertisement period of each node by presenting a clear relation between the accuracy of estimated network states and the signaling overhead. We evaluate the performance of the proposed protocol in respect of the reservation success rate and the success rate of data transmission. Since our method focuses on avoiding logical errors, it could be easily placed on top of the other resource allocation methods focusing on the physical layer issues of the resource management problem and interworked with them.
Interaction and communication resources in collaborative e-democratic environments: The democratic citizenship community

Social networks change the way users relate on the Web. One type of social network is the virtual community, which has a social structure that connects citizens and the government. Integrating consultation and deliberative environments for popular participation in democratic issues and creating virtual communities to enhance member relationships makes it possible to model decision-making processes. This was behind the development, testing and analyzing of the Democratic Citizenship Community (DCC). The DCC has interaction and communication resources such as citizens' profiles, debate, voting, an information library, a social space and users' help. An experimental analysis generated discussion about and suggestions for improving the interaction and communication resources.
Benthic microbial fuel cells: long-term power sources for wireless marine sensor networks

Wireless marine sensor networks support an assortment of services in industries ranging from national security and defense to communications and environmental stewardship. Expansion of marine sensor networks has been inhibited by the limited availability and high cost of long-term power sources. Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells (BMFCs) are a novel form of energy harvesting for marine environments. Through research conducted in-lab and by academic collaborators, Trophos Energy has developed a series of novel BMFC architectures to improve power generation capability and overall system robustness. When integrated with Trophos' power management electronics, BMFCs offer a robust, long-term power solution for a variety of remote marine applications. The discussions provided in this paper outline the architectural evolution of BMFC technology to date, recent experimental results that will govern future BMFC designs, and the present and future applicability of BMFC systems as power sources for wireless marine sensor networks.
Poster: Evaluation of a 3D UI with different input technologies

We present two studies of navigation and object manipulation in a virtual supermarket. The first study compared a mouse and keyboard setup to a game hardware setup using a Wii Remote, Wii Balance Board and a dancemat. The second study used more game-like software interfaces for both conditions and used only the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in the game-hardware setup. The mouse setup was around 36% faster in both studies. In the first study the mouse setup was 98% more accurate; no difference in accuracy was found in the second study.
On the information-theoretic limits of graphical model selection for Gaussian time series

We consider the problem of inferring the conditional independence graph (CIG) of a multivariate stationary dicrete-time Gaussian random process based on a finite length observation. Using information-theoretic methods, we derive a lower bound on the error probability of any learning scheme for the underlying process CIG. This bound, in turn, yields a minimum required sample-size which is necessary for any algorithm regardless of its computational complexity, to reliably select the true underlying CIG. Furthermore, by analysis of a simple selection scheme, we show that the information-theoretic limits can be achieved for a subclass of processes having sparse CIG. We do not assume a parametric model for the observed process, but require it to have a sufficiently smooth spectral density matrix (SDM).
An O(n2) bound for the relaxation time of a Markov chain on cladograms

A cladogram is an unrooted tree with labeled leaves and unlabeled internal branchpoints of degree 3. Aldous has studied a Markov chain on the set of n‐leaf cladograms in which each transition consists of removing a random leaf and its incident edge from the tree and then reattaching the leaf to a random edge of the remaining tree. Using coupling methods, Aldous showed that the relaxation time (i.e., the inverse of the spectral gap) for this chain is O(n3). Here, we use a method based on distinguished paths to prove an O(n2) bound for the relaxation time, establishing a conjecture of Aldous. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 20, 59–70, 2002
Acute hyperglycemia impairs functional improvement after spinal cord injury in mice and humans

Acute hyperglycemia exacerbates poor functional outcomes after spinal cord injury through overactivation of microglia in mice and in a human cohort. Treating Hyperglycemia After Spinal Cord Injury Spinal cord injury is a devastating disorder for which the identification of exacerbating factors is urgently needed. Kobayakawa et al. now report that acute hyperglycemia after spinal cord injury is an independent risk factor for poor functional outcome. They demonstrate that resident immune cells called microglia become overactivated after spinal cord injury when blood glucose concentrations are too high. This resulted in exacerbation of the inflammatory response and poor pathological and functional outcomes in mice and in humans with spinal cord injury. In contrast, manipulating blood glucose concentrations rescued poor functional outcomes after acute spinal cord injury in mice. These results suggest that glycemic control may be needed to improve recovery after acute spinal cord injury in human patients. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disorder for which the identification of exacerbating factors is urgently needed. We demonstrate that transient hyperglycemia during acute SCI is a detrimental factor that impairs functional improvement in mice and human patients after acute SCI. Under hyperglycemic conditions, both in vivo and in vitro, inflammation was enhanced through promotion of the nuclear translocation of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) transcription factor in microglial cells. During acute SCI, hyperglycemic mice exhibited progressive neural damage, with more severe motor deficits than those observed in normoglycemic mice. Consistent with the animal study findings, a Pearson χ2 analysis of data for 528 patients with SCI indicated that hyperglycemia on admission (glucose concentration ≥126 mg/dl) was a significant risk predictor of poor functional outcome. Moreover, a multiple linear regression analysis showed hyperglycemia at admission to be a powerful independent risk factor for a poor motor outcome, even after excluding patients with diabetes mellitus with chronic hyperglycemia (regression coefficient, −1.37; 95% confidence interval, −2.65 to −0.10; P < 0.05). Manipulating blood glucose during acute SCI in hyperglycemic mice rescued the exacerbation of pathophysiology and improved motor functional outcomes. Our findings suggest that hyperglycemia during acute SCI may be a useful prognostic factor with a negative impact on motor function, highlighting the importance of achieving tight glycemic control after central nervous system injury.
Pharmacotherapeutic Analysis and Prescription Pattern of Antihypertensive Drugs Dispensed at Community Pharmacies in Palestine

The objective of this study is to explore the influence of current therapeutic recommendations on the prescribing trends of anti-hypertensive drugs in general medical practice in Palestine. Five hundred and seventy four anti-hypertensive prescriptions were analyzed. The percentage of mono-therapy prescriptions was 48.25% and that for combinational therapy prescriptions was 51.75%. Among the mono-therapy prescriptions, b- blockers were the most commonly prescribed, while diuretics were under-utilized. Inappropriate dose strength of atenolol was seen in mono-therapy prescriptions. Expensive and newer angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor drugs (ACE-I) and calcium channel blocking drugs (CCB) were frequently seen in mono therapy prescriptions. Among the combinational therapy, the b-blockers / diuretics was most common. Irrational combinational therapy of b-blockers / ACE-I was noticed. Use of modern and new CCB, ACE-I and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (AT1-RA) was seen in both mono therapy and combinational therapy. The overuse of nonprefered drugs and the under-use of prefered medications is indicative that education of JNC VI guidelines for physicians and health professionals in Palestine is needed.
Optimizing k-means for Scalability

Proposed decades ago, k-means is still the most popular algorithm for clustering. Despite the drawbacks of k-means, its advantages make it most attractive. Several researches have been conducted to alleviate the problems of k-means. We suggest here some simple modifications to optimize kmeans for scalability without much sacrifice in the precision. Current shift in emphasis of data mining towards Big Data requires fast algorithms that can scale well. We propose an idea how time-tested techniques can be adapted to changing needs. The implementation results demonstrate the impact simple modifications can bring General Terms Clstering, k-means
MODELING TECHNIQUES FOR SIMULATION-BASED PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF MOBILITY MANAGEMENT SCHEMES

Mobility management is a crucial technology for the seamless access of wireless networks and mobile ser vices. The goal of this paper is to study the basic theory f the performance evaluation of mobility management schemes, emphasizing the modeling techniques of simulation-based evaluation method. Target communication system modeling issues and workload modeling methods are discussed. As the core part of the workload modeling process, an in-depth discussion o n user behavior modeling techniques, including both mobility modeling and traffic modeling, are present ed in the paper. Performance evaluation metrics are also specified and analyzed.
"Tail-Splitting" to Predict Failing Software Modules - with a Case Study on an Operating Systems Product

"Tail-splitting" is a new technique to identify defect prone modules by enhancing the focus of the Pareto distribution by a development process factor. The simple yet powerful influence of a varying tail membership as a function of development process phases is captured by the tail-split-string which tags each module. The case studies on an operating systems product demonstrate that the tail-split-string identifies a small set of modules with a high probability of field failure. The tail-boundary in the algorithm provides for a natural tuning parameter to control the size of the identified set to suit the resources available for rework. Release managers have found that the method is particularly useful to sift modules, with low false positive, for late stage rework
Remyelination following viral‐induced demyelination: Ferric ion—ferrocyanide staining of nodes of ranvier within the CNS

Ferric ion‐ferrocyanide (Fe‐FeCN) staining was used to stain nodes of Ranvier in remyelinating central nervous system (CNS) axons following viral‐induced demyelination. As at normal nodes, Fe‐FeCN staining was observed on the cytoplasmic surface of the nodal axolemma of remyelinated fibers. These fibers were identified on the basis of inappropriately short internode lengths and thin myelin sheaths. Thus, newly formed nodes along remyelinated CNS axons recapitulate at least one normal nodal membrane property.
Please Scroll down for Article Journal of Addictive Diseases Alcoholics Anonymous Effectiveness: Faith Meets Science Alcoholics Anonymous Effectiveness: Faith Meets Science

This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material. ABSTRACT. Research on the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is controversial and subject to widely divergent interpretations. The goal of this article is to provide a focused review of the literature on AA effectiveness that will allow readers to judge the evidence effectiveness of AA for themselves. The review organizes the research on AA effectiveness according to six criterion required for establishing causation: (1) magnitude of effect; (2) dose response effect; (3) consistent effect; (4) temporally accurate effects; (5) specific effects; (6) plausibility. The evidence for criteria 1-4 and 6 is strong: rates of abstinence are about twice as high among those who attend AA (criteria 1, magnitude); higher levels of attendance are related to higher rates of abstinence (criteria 2, dose-response); these relationships are found for different samples and follow-up periods (criteria 3, consistency); prior AA attendance is predictive of subsequent abstinence (criteria 4, temporal); and mechanisms of action predicted by theories of behavior change are present in AA (criteria 6, plausibility). However, rigorous experimental evidence establishing the specificity of an effect for AA or Twelve Step Facilitation/TSF (criteria 5) is mixed, with 2 trials finding a positive effect for AA, 1 trial finding a negative effect for AA, and 1 trial finding a null effect. Studies addressing specificity using statistical approaches have had two contradictory findings, and two that reported significant effects for AA after adjusting for potential confounders such as motivation to change.
Nonlinear channel equalization with maximum covariance initialized cascade-correlation learning

In this paper we have studied maximum covariance initialization scheme and cascade-correlation learning to improve the performance of a multilayer perceptron network equalizer in nonlinear channel environment. The initialization scheme enables faster convergence and the cascade-correlation learning provides adaptive network size. These methods are compared to a traditional MLP network equalizer and to a simple linear equalizer.
Spatiotemporal interactions in retinal prosthesis subjects.

PURPOSE Vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa affects an estimated 15 million people worldwide. Through collaboration between Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., and the Doheny Eye Institute, six blind human subjects underwent implantation with epiretinal 4 x 4 electrode arrays designed to directly stimulate the remaining cells of the retina, with the goal of restoring functional vision by applying spatiotemporal patterns of stimulation. To better understand spatiotemporal interactions between electrodes during synchronous and asynchronous stimulation, the authors investigated how percepts changed as a function of pulse timing across the electrodes. METHODS Pulse trains (20, 40, 80, and 160 Hz) were presented on groups of electrodes with 800, 1600, or 2400 microm center-to-center separation. Stimulation was either synchronous (pulses were presented simultaneously across electrodes) or asynchronous (pulses were phase shifted). Using a same-different discrimination task, the authors were able to evaluate how the perceptual quality of the stimuli changed as a function of phase shifts across multiple electrodes. RESULTS Even after controlling for electric field interactions, subjects could discriminate between spatiotemporal pulse train patterns based on differences of phase across electrodes as small as 3 ms. These findings suggest that the quality of the percept is affected not only by electric field interactions but also by spatiotemporal interactions at the neural level. CONCLUSIONS During multielectrode stimulation, interactions between electrodes have a significant influence on the quality of the percept. Understanding how these spatiotemporal interactions at the neural level influence percepts during multielectrode stimulation is fundamental to the successful design of a retinal prosthesis.
Demonstration of CRISPR/Cas9/sgRNA-mediated targeted gene modification in Arabidopsis, tobacco, sorghum and rice

The type II CRISPR/Cas system from Streptococcus pyogenes and its simplified derivative, the Cas9/single guide RNA (sgRNA) system, have emerged as potent new tools for targeted gene knockout in bacteria, yeast, fruit fly, zebrafish and human cells. Here, we describe adaptations of these systems leading to successful expression of the Cas9/sgRNA system in two dicot plant species, Arabidopsis and tobacco, and two monocot crop species, rice and sorghum. Agrobacterium tumefaciens was used for delivery of genes encoding Cas9, sgRNA and a non-fuctional, mutant green fluorescence protein (GFP) to Arabidopsis and tobacco. The mutant GFP gene contained target sites in its 5′ coding regions that were successfully cleaved by a CAS9/sgRNA complex that, along with error-prone DNA repair, resulted in creation of functional GFP genes. DNA sequencing confirmed Cas9/sgRNA-mediated mutagenesis at the target site. Rice protoplast cells transformed with Cas9/sgRNA constructs targeting the promoter region of the bacterial blight susceptibility genes, OsSWEET14 and OsSWEET11, were confirmed by DNA sequencing to contain mutated DNA sequences at the target sites. Successful demonstration of the Cas9/sgRNA system in model plant and crop species bodes well for its near-term use as a facile and powerful means of plant genetic engineering for scientific and agricultural applications.