Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of fenbendazole following intravenous and oral administration to pigs.

OBJECTIVE To determine pharmacokinetics and metabolic patterns of fenbendazole after IV and oral administration to pigs. ANIMALS 4 mixed-breed female pigs weighing 32 to 45 kg. PROCEDURE Fenbendazole was administered IV at a dose of 1 mg/kg. One week later, it was administered orally at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected for up to 72 hours after administration, and plasma concentrations of fenbendazole, oxfendazole, and fenbendazole sulfone were determined by use of high-pressure liquid chromatography. Plasma pharmacokinetics were determined by use of noncompartmental methods. RESULTS Body clearance of fenbendazole after IV administration was 1.36 L/h/kg, volume of distribution at steady state was 3.35 L/kg, and mean residence time was 2.63 hours. After oral administration, peak plasma concentration of fenbendazole was 0.07 microg/ml, time to peak plasma concentration was 3.75 hours, and mean residence time was 15.15 hours. Bioavailability of fenbendazole was 27.1%. Oxfendazole was the major plasma metabolite, accounting for two-thirds of the total area under the plasma concentration versus time curve after IV and oral administration. Fenbendazole accounted for 8.4% of the total AUC after IV administration and 4.5% after oral administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicate that fenbendazole was rapidly eliminated from plasma of pigs. The drug was rapidly absorbed after oral administration, but systemic bioavailability was low.
RecSys'09 workshop 3: workshop on context-aware recommender systems (CARS-2009)

1. WORKSHOP GOALS The importance of contextual information has been recognized by researchers and practitioners in many disciplines, including ecommerce personalization, information retrieval, ubiquitous and mobile computing, data mining, marketing, and management. While a substantial amount of research has already been performed in the area of recommender systems, the vast majority of existing approaches focuses on recommending the most relevant items to users and does not take into account any additional contextual information, such as time, location, weather, or the company of other people. Therefore, this workshop aims to bring together researchers with wide-ranging backgrounds to identify important research questions, to exchange ideas from different research disciplines, and, more generally, to facilitate discussion and innovation in the area of context-aware recommender systems (CARS).
Public Subsidies for Open Source? Some Economic Policy Issues of the Software Market

This Paper discusses the economic merits of direct or indirect governmental support for open source projects. Software markets differ from standard textbook markets in three important respects that may give rise to market failures: (i) large economies of scale, (ii) crucially important innovations, (iii) significant network effects and switching costs. We analyse the differences between proprietary software and open source software with respect to these market features and ask whether open source as an alternative to proprietary software can mitigate these problems. Then we discuss the implications of various forms of governmental support for open source.
EqualWrites: Reducing Intra-Set Write Variations for Enhancing Lifetime of Non-Volatile Caches

Driven by the trends of increasing core-count and bandwidth-wall problem, the size of last level caches has greatly increased, and hence the researchers have explored non-volatile memories (NVMs) that provide high density and consume low-leakage power. Since NVMs have low write endurance and the existing cache management policies are write variation (WV) unaware, effective wear-leveling techniques (WLTs) are required for achieving reasonable cache lifetimes using NVMs. We present EqualWrites, a technique for mitigating intra-set WV. Our technique works by recording the number of writes on a block and changing the cache-block location of a hot data item to redirect the future writes to a cold block to achieve wear leveling. Simulation experiments have been performed using an x86-64 simulator and benchmarks from SPEC06 and high-performance computing field. The results show that for single-, dual-, and quad-core system configurations, EqualWrites improves cache lifetime by 6.31× , 8.74×, and 10.54×, respectively. In addition, its implementation overhead is very small and it provides larger improvement in lifetime than three other intra-set WLTs and a cache replacement policy.
μABC: a systematic microsecond molecular dynamics study of tetranucleotide sequence effects in B-DNA

We present the results of microsecond molecular dynamics simulations carried out by the ABC group of laboratories on a set of B-DNA oligomers containing the 136 distinct tetranucleotide base sequences. We demonstrate that the resulting trajectories have extensively sampled the conformational space accessible to B-DNA at room temperature. We confirm that base sequence effects depend strongly not only on the specific base pair step, but also on the specific base pairs that flank each step. Beyond sequence effects on average helical parameters and conformational fluctuations, we also identify tetranucleotide sequences that oscillate between several distinct conformational substates. By analyzing the conformation of the phosphodiester backbones, it is possible to understand for which sequences these substates will arise, and what impact they will have on specific helical parameters.
CD4 T-Cell Subsets in Malaria: TH1/TH2 Revisited

CD4+ T-cells have been shown to play a central role in immune control of infection with Plasmodium parasites. At the erythrocytic stage of infection, IFN-γ production by CD4+ T-cells and CD4+ T-cell help for the B-cell response are required for control and elimination of infected red blood cells. CD4+ T-cells are also important for controlling Plasmodium pre-erythrocytic stages through the activation of parasite-specific CD8+ T-cells. However, excessive inflammatory responses triggered by the infection have been shown to drive pathology. Early classical experiments demonstrated a biphasic CD4+ T-cell response against erythrocytic stages in mice, in which T helper (Th)1 and antibody-helper CD4+ T-cells appear sequentially during a primary infection. While IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells do play a role in controlling acute infections, and they contribute to acute erythrocytic-stage pathology, it became apparent that a classical Th2 response producing IL-4 is not a critical feature of the CD4+ T-cell response during the chronic phase of infection. Rather, effective CD4+ T-cell help for B-cells, which can occur in the absence of IL-4, is required to control chronic parasitemia. IL-10, important to counterbalance inflammation and associated with protection from inflammatory-mediated severe malaria in both humans and experimental models, was originally considered be produced by CD4+ Th2 cells during infection. We review the interpretations of CD4+ T-cell responses during Plasmodium infection, proposed under the original Th1/Th2 paradigm, in light of more recent advances, including the identification of multifunctional T-cells such as Th1 cells co-expressing IFN-γ and IL-10, the identification of follicular helper T-cells (Tfh) as the predominant CD4+ T helper subset for B-cells, and the recognition of inherent plasticity in the fates of different CD4+ T-cells.
Viscum album Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effect by Selectively Inhibiting Cytokine-Induced Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2

Viscum album (VA) preparations are extensively used as complementary therapy in cancer and are shown to exert anti-tumor activities which involve the cytotoxic properties, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis and several other immunomodulatory mechanisms. In addition to their application in cancer therapy, VA preparations have also been successfully utilized in the treatment of several inflammatory pathologies. Owing to the intricate association of inflammation and cancer and in view of the fact that several anti-tumor phytotherapeutics also exert a potent anti-inflammatory effect, we hypothesized that VA exerts an anti-inflammatory effect that is responsible for its therapeutic benefit. Since, inflammatory cytokine-induced cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of VA on regulation of cyclo-oxygenase expression and PGE2 biosynthesis by using human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549 cells) as a model. A549 cells were stimulated with IL-1β and treated with VA preparation (VA Qu Spez) for 18 hours. PGE2 was analysed in the culture supernatants by enzyme immunoassay. Expression of COX-2 and COX-1 proteins was analyzed by immunoblotting and the expression of COX-2 mRNA was assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. We found that VA Qu Spez inhibit the secretion of IL-1β-induced PGE2 in a dose-dependent manner. Further, we also show that this inhibitory action was associated with a reduced expression of COX-2 without modulating the COX-1 expression. Together these results demonstrate a novel anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of VA preparations wherein VA exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting cytokine-induced PGE2 via selective inhibition of COX-2.
Towards resolving the Knautia arvensis agg. (Dipsacaceae) puzzle: primary and secondary contact zones and ploidy segregation at landscape and microgeographic scales.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Detailed knowledge of variations in ploidy levels and their geographic distributions is one of the key tasks faced in polyploid research in natural systems. Flow cytometry has greatly facilitated the field of cytogeography by allowing characterization of ploidy levels at both the regional and population scale, and at multiple stages of the life cycle. In the present study, flow cytometry was employed to investigate the patterns and dynamics of ploidy variation in the taxonomically challenging complex Knautia arvensis (Dipsacaceae) and some of its allies (K. dipsacifolia, K. slovaca) in Central Europe. METHODS DNA ploidy levels were estimated by DAPI flow cytometry in 5205 adult plants, 228 seedlings and 400 seeds collected from 292 Knautia populations in seven European countries. The flow cytometric data were supplemented with conventional chromosome counts. A subset of 79 accessions was subjected to estimation of the absolute genome size using propidium iodide flow cytometry. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Five different ploidy levels (from 2x to 6x) were found, with triploids of K. arvensis being recorded for the first time. The species also exhibited variation in the monoploid genome size, corresponding to the types of habitats occupied (grassland diploid populations had larger genome sizes than relict and subalpine diploid populations). Disregarding relict populations, the distribution of 2x and 4x cytotypes was largely parapatric, with a diffuse secondary contact zone running along the north-west margin of the Pannonian basin. Spatial segregation of the cytotypes was also observed on regional and microgeographic scales. The newly detected sympatric growth of diploids and tetraploids in isolated relict habitats most likely represents the primary zone of cytotype contact. Ploidy level was found to be a major determinant of the strength of inter-cytotype reproductive barriers. While mixed 2x + 4x populations virtually lacked the intermediate ploidy level at any ontogenetic stage, pentaploid hybrids were common in 4x +6x populations, despite the cytotypes representing different taxonomic entities.
OCT-4 expression is essential for the segregation of trophectoderm lineages in porcine preimplantation embryos

Oct-4, a member of the POU family of transcription factors, is a key factor that regulates the segregation of the inner cell mass (ICM) and the trophectoderm (TE) during the transition from morula to blastocyst in mice. However, little is known about its role in porcine early embryogenesis. To determine the function of OCT-4 in the ICM and TE segregation of porcine embryos, we studied the developmental morphology of porcine embryos using RNA interference technology. Our experiments demonstrated that when 1-cell stage embryos were co-injected with the small interfering RNA (siRNA)for targeted knockdown of OCT-4 (OCT-4-siRNA) and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC)-dextran conjugate (Dx), they failed to form blastocysts. Therefore, in this study, we constructed chimeric embryos comprising blastomeres that either expressed OCT-4 normally or showed downregulated OCT-4 expression by co-injection of OCT-4-siRNA and Dx into one blastomere in 2- to 4-cell stage embryos. In control embryos, which were co-injected with control siRNA and Dx, Dx-positive cells contributed to the TE lineage in almost all the blastocysts examined. In contrast, Dx-positive cells derived from a blastomere co-injected with OCT-4-siRNA and Dx were degenerated in almost half the blastocysts. This was probably due to the inability of these cells to differentiate into the TE lineage. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed no difference in the levels of SOX2, TEAD4, FGF4 and FGFR1-IIIc, all of which are known to be regulated by OCT-4, between the OCT-4-siRNA-injected morulae and the control ones. However, the level of CDX2, a molecule specifically expressed in the TE lineage, was significantly higher in the former than in the latter. Our results indicate that continuous expression of OCT-4 in blastomeres is essential for TE formation of porcine embryos.
Outsourcing and Price Competition: An Empirical Analysis of the Partnerships Between Legacy Carriers and Regional Airlines

Abstract This paper investigates the determinants and competitive effects of legacy carriers’ outsourcing decision with independent regional airlines. Legacy carriers allocate a larger share of their operations to an independent regional airline partner compared to their own fleet or a wholly owned regional airline on routes that experience stronger competition, particularly from low-cost carriers. Moreover, legacy carriers’ airfares are lower on routes that they outsource more prominently to an independent regional airline. The results suggest that increased route competition is a motivation for the growing use of independent regional airlines by legacy carriers.
The association between serum uric acid and metabolic syndrome among adolescents in northeast China.

PURPOSE Data about the association between serum uric acid and metabolic syndrome in healthy adolescents are sparse. This study examined this association and determined the optimal cutoffs for serum uric acid to predict metabolic syndrome among healthy adolescents. METHODS During 2010-2011, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 927 adolescents (53.0% boys) aged 11-16 years from junior and senior high schools in northeast China. All participants received a physical examination and gave venous blood samples. RESULTS Serum uric acid was positively associated with abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension in boys and with abdominal obesity and dyslipidemia in girls. For those with hyperurecemia, the odds ratios (95% CI) for metabolic syndrome were 7.67 (95% CI, 2.58~22.78) for boys and 4.77 (95% CI, 1.01~22.60) for girls. SUA was a better predictor of metabolic syndrome than fasting glucose, though not as good as waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS Among adolescents in China, serum uric acid level may be a useful predictor of metabolic syndrome.
Fear of falling and falls in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease

Cognitive impairment and fear of falling are risk factors for falls in older adults. Recurrent falls are more prevalent in older adults with cognitive impairment. We examined the number of previous falls, self-reported fear of falling, and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) in 104 older adults [26 with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 42 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 36 cognitively healthy]. Older adults with AD and MCI had a higher number of falls (1.1 ± 1.2 and 1.5 ± 1.5, respectively) compared to the control group (0.3 ± 0.5, P < .001). Older adults with MCI more often reported fear of falling (74%) than patients with AD (31%) (P ≤ .002) and scored higher on the FES-I (29.7 and 23.8, respectively, P ≤ .01). The prevalence of falls in older adults with MCI and AD is higher than in subjects cognitively healthy. Older adults with MCI and AD differ in terms of reported fear of falling and falls self-efficacy.
Building segmentation for densely built urban regions using aerial LIDAR data

We present a novel building segmentation system for densely built areas, containing thousands of buildings per square kilometer. We employ solely sparse LIDAR (Light/Laser Detection Ranging) 3D data, captured from an aerial platform, with resolution less than one point per square meter. The goal of our work is to create segmented and delineated buildings as well as structures on top of buildings without requiring scanning for the sides of buildings. Building segmentation is a critical component in many applications such as 3D visualization, robot navigation and cartography. LIDAR has emerged in recent years as a more robust alternative to 2D imagery because it acquires 3D structure directly, without the shortcomings of stereo in un- textured regions and at depth discontinuities. Our main technical contributions in this paper are: (i) a ground segmentation algorithm which can handle both rural regions, and heavily urbanized areas, where the ground is 20% or less of the data, (ii) a building segmentation technique, which is robust to buildings in close proximity to each other, sparse measurements and nearby structured vegetation clutter, and (Hi) an algorithm for estimating the orientation of a boundary contour of a building, based on minimizing the number of vertices in a rectilinear approximation to the building outline, which can cope with significant quantization noise in the outline measurements. We have applied the proposed building segmentation system to several urban regions with areas of hundreds of square kilometers each, obtaining average segmentation speeds of less than three minutes per km2 on a standard Pentium processor. Extensive qualitative results obtained by overlaying the 3D segmented regions onto 2D imagery indicate accurate performance of our system.
Membership Participation in a Printing Trade Union

The degree to which members of trade unions participate in the formulation and determination of their policies is recognised to be an important influence on industrial relaiioiu. The failure of the policy of individual unions to meet the needs of their members and of trade union ofiicers to interpret these needs adequately in the course of negotiations, resulting in a weakening of the loyalty of members to unions and the agreements into which they enter, has been attributed to the failure of rank and file members to panicipate fully in trade union life. In other instances the passivity of the majority of members of a union has been offered as an explanation d the type of officers to whom the direction of the affairs of the union is entrusted, a common view being that militants can the more easily gain control either of a union nationally or oi lower organs when the degree of membership participation measured in interest, attendance at branches and in voting, is low.
Prospective evaluation and comparison of the direct agglutination test and an rK39‐antigen‐based dipstick test for the diagnosis of suspected kala‐azar in Nepal

The diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (kala‐azar) remains difficult in rural endemic areas and practical and reliable tests are badly needed. Two serological tests, the Direct Agglutination Test (DAT) and an rK39‐antigen‐based dipstick test, were compared to parasitological diagnosis in a group of 184 patients presenting at a tertiary care centre in south‐eastern Nepal with a history of fever ≥14 days and splenomegaly; 139 patients had a parasitologically proven kala‐azar and 45 patients had a negative parasitological work‐up. The rK39 dipstick showed a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 71%. The DAT was up to 99% sensitive with a low cut‐off titre (1:400) but its specificity did not exceed 82% even with a high cut‐off titre (1:51 200). Both tests could be used for screening suspect patients in endemic areas. However, their use as confirmatory tests should be restricted to situations where the proportion of kala‐azar among clinical suspect patients is high. The rK39 dipstick is cheaper and easier to use than the DAT and could be used widely provided that both its performance and production remain stable.
Location privacy in urban sensing networks: research challenges and directions [Security and Privacy in Emerging Wireless Networks]

During the last few years there has been an increasing number of people-centric sensing projects. These combine location information with sensors available on mobile phones, giving birth to a different dimension in sensing our environment and providing us with new opportunities to create collective intelligence systems to address urban-scale problems such as air pollution, noise, and traffic. However, as people are directly involved in the collection process, they often inadvertently reveal information about themselves, raising new and important privacy concerns. While standard privacy enhancing technologies exist, they do not fully cover the many peculiarities of these new pervasive applications. The ubiquitous nature of the communication and the storage of location traces compose a complex set of threats on privacy, which we overview in this article. Then we go through the latest advances in security and privacy protection strategies, and discuss how they fit with this new paradigm of people-centric sensing applications. We hope this work will better highlight the need for privacy in urban sensing applications and spawn further research in this area.
Selection of Photos for Album Building Applications

In this work we propose a new algorithm for selection of high-quality photos for album building applications. We describe how to select features for detection well-exposed, sharp and artifact-free photos. We considered two approaches: the first, typical way when all features are used in single AdaBoost classifiers committee and the second way, when decision tree, including 3 committees. Careful analysis of features and decision tree construction allowed better outcomes to be reached.
Working with adults with personality disorder in the community: a multi-agency interview study

AIMS AND METHOD To explore the impact of adults with personality disorder on the professional groups that support them. Staff ( n =72) from five agencies participated in interviews focusing on reactions to short case vignettes representing the three personality disorder clusters. RESULTS Each presentation was relatively consistent in its impact on staff irrespective of the agency or setting. Several agency-specific themes were also identified, some illustrating areas of potential difficulty in inter-agency working. Many non-mental health workers reported considerable contact with this client group, although most felt dissatisfied with the training available and suggested solutions. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Findings from this study may help to match the content of training courses to need. Similar vignette-based surveys could be used to investigate the impact of staff training over time.