Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Horticultural therapy: a pilot study on modulating cortisol levels and indices of substance craving, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and quality of life in veterans.

CONTEXT Horticultural therapy (HT) is a subgroup of occupational therapy (OT). Both HT and OT have been successful as adjunctive treatment modalities in substance abuse treatment. Studies have indicated that gardening promotes neuroendocrine and affective restoration from stress. OBJECTIVES The study intended to assess the effect of HT versus nonhorticultural OT on cortisol levels, depression, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol cravings, and quality of life. METHODS The research team designed a randomized pilot study. SETTING The study was open for participation from July 2012-October 2012. It took place during multiple occurrences of a 28-d treatment programs for substance use disorder at a Veterans Affairs medical center. Participants • Participants were 49 veterans, averaging 46.4 y old (SD = 11.9); the dropout rate was 37%. INTERVENTION Participants were randomly assigned to the HT or the OT group. They attended supervised HT and OT groups 5 h/d for 3 wk. Outcome Measures • Pre- and posttreatment, participants completed the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF), the Alcohol Craving Questionnaire (ACQ-NOW), the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Civilian Version (PCLC), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Salivary cortisol samples were taken at wk 1, 2, and 3. RESULTS A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (F2,20 = 0.878) revealed that the HT performed was associated with a 12% reduction in salivary cortisol levels from wk 1 to wk 3, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .43). Separate 1-way analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) revealed no statistically significant differences in the self-administered tests, although both the Q-LES-Q-SF and CES-D showed a trend toward improving quality of life and depressive symptoms in the HT group compared with the OT group. Additional analysis of the nonbiologic tests suggests that most participants in the HT and OT had some benefit from the programmed activities. CONCLUSIONS The trends suggest that HT may modulate stress in veterans, as evidenced by decreased cortisol levels and depressive symptoms, and may improve quality of life more than the programs in which the OT group participated. Further investigation with larger samples, including a nontreatment control group, is needed to determine whether the observed trends are treatment effects or due to abstinence.
Increased natural cytotoxicity receptor expression and relevant IL‐10 production in NK cells from chronically infected viremic HCV patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) readily establishes high‐level lifelong persistent infection in the majority of immunocompetent adults with failure of HCV‐specific CD8+ CTL to clear viral replication. Virus‐induced conditioning of innate immune responses is a possible mechanism that may contribute to the impairment of virus‐specific CD8+ CTL responses. Here, we analyzed whether triggering of NK cell receptor expression and function is affected during chronic viremic HCV infection. Flow cytometric analysis of purified resting peripheral NK cells showed no evidence of NK cell activation, while analysis of natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR) showed that NK cells from HCV‐infected patients had selective increased expression of NKp30 and NKp46. NK cells had corresponding conserved cytotoxic activity against all targets with the exception of HepG2 hepatoma cells. Freshly separated NK cells from HCV patients showed significant production of IL‐10 and normal concentrations of IFN‐γ upon cell‐mediated triggering. Thus, increased expression of NKp30 during HCV infection with increased IL‐10 production could contribute, once NK cells localize in the liver, to a NK‐DC crosstalk leading to skewing of subsequent adaptive immune responses and lack of virus control.
Wide band asymmetric coupled-transmission-line magic-T and sum-difference circuit

A novel broadband 3-dB/0/spl deg//180/spl deg/ coupler and a novel sum-difference /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ circuit, consisting of a coupled-line multi-section asymmetric 3-dB directional coupler and a coupled-line multi-section phase compensation network, are comprehensively theoretically and experimentally reviewed. The multi-octave bandwidth of such networks can be achieved by increasing the number of coupled-line sections of both the asymmetric 3-dB coupler and the phase compensation network. An approximate computational procedure for designing such a network is proposed. Tables are given with example computational results for two and three section magic-T networks. An ultra-broadband (with bandwidth BW=10:1) magic-T has been designed manufactured and measured. The measured results are in a good agreement with the theoretical ones.
Neuronal deamination of endogenous and exogenous noradrenaline in the mesenteric artery of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

The noradrenaline (NA) content of the mesenteric arteries from spontaneously‐hypertensive rats (SHR) are greater than those in arteries from normotensive Kyoto Wistar rats (WKY). The possibility that impaired neuronal monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in mesenteric arteries from SHR rats was responsible for the differences in NA content was explored. The in‐vitro formation of dihydroxyphenylethylene glycol (DOPEG) by intact segments of mesenteric arteries was used as an index of neuronal MAO activity. There were no differences in the production of DOPEG from endogenous NA by arteries from normotensive and hypertensive rats. Moreover, the formation of DOPEG from exogenous NA was similar in arteries from SHR and WKY rats. The neuronal uptake of NA was indistinguishable between mesenteric arteries from SHR and WKY rats. The results argue against an impairment of neuronal MAO in contributing to the enhanced content of NA in the mesenteric artery of the SHR rat.
THE C120 MAGNUM WITH PAN TRIGGER: A HUMANE TRAP FOR MINK (MUSTELA VISON)

The C120 Magnum trap, equipped with a 66 × 69 mm pan trigger, which favored double strikes in the neck and thorax regions, successfully killed nine of nine wild mink (Mustela vison) in simulated natural conditions. Average times to loss of consciousness and heartbeat were estimated at <72 (±24) sec and 158 (±48) sec, respectively, after firing of the trap. This study confirmed that the C120 Magnum trap can be expected to render >79% of all captured mink unconscious in ≤3 min (P < 0.05). This is the first mink kill trap to meet the requisites of the Canadian General Standards Board regarding killing traps.
Interaction between Oral Alpha-Streptococci and Group a Streptococci in Patients with Tonsillitis

The incidence of oral α-streptococci with inhibitory activity against group A streptococci, as a defense mechanism against bacterial infection in the oral cavity, was investigated in 141 patients with streptococcal tonsillitis. The study population included both children (n = 79) and adults (n = 62). Infection by group A streptococci appeared to be more common in children than in adults, as the detection rates of inhibitory α-streptococci in healthy children (29.7%), as well as pediatric patients with tonsillitis (14.9%), were lower than those in adults (63.0%; p < .01). It is possible to consider oral α-streptococci with inhibitory activity to be among the indications for tonsillectomy in patients with streptococcal tonsillitis, since the detection rate of inhibitory α-streptococci in surgical cases (10.9%) was significantly lower than that in nonsurgical cases (31.1 %; p < .01). The high detection rate of these strains during the postoperative state supported the observation that the incidence of group A streptococcal infection was decreased postoperatively. Accordingly, it is useful to investigate bacterial interference between oral α-streptococci and group A streptococci in patients scheduled for tonsillectomy.
Detection of influenza antibody in animal sera from Kassala region, Sudan, by agar gel diffusion test.

Le test d’immunodiffusion en gélose (I.D.G.) a été utilisé pour la recherche d’anticorps anti-virus grippal du type A dans des sérums d’animaux apparemment sains. Ces anticorps ont été effectivement mis en évidence avec le pourcentage le plus élevé chez les moutons. Une proportion significative de positifs a été trouvée chez les dromadaires. Tandis que tous les sérums de chevaux se sont révélés négatifs. Bien que l’isolement du virus n’ait pas été tenté, le résultat de cette étude préliminaire peut être le départ d’autres recherches sur l’épidémiologie de cette infection.
Mobile TV Receiver Technology with special emphasis on DVB‐SH

DVB‐SH is one of the most recent video broadcast standards to come from the DVB consortium. It is a hybrid satellite and terrestrial system, which will enable mobile DTV services over vast geographical areas similar to the DTH fixed satellite systems that are commonplace today. A comparison between DTH and DVB‐SH has also shown, thanks to the terrestrial network part, that DVB‐SH is more efficient for indoor and city center reception. The technology available today to support DVB‐SH is based on a long line of technological advances in signal processing and materials processes used in DVB‐T and DVB‐H. These advances have allowed more powerful chipsets to become available in smaller form‐factors using less power, critical for integration into mobile and portable devices. Through the use of advanced DVB‐SH chipsets like the DiBcom DIB29098, DVB‐SH handheld and automotive terminals can be designed and offered at competitive and attractive prices for both OEM and After‐Market applications. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smart Energy Efficient Buildings - A Living Lab Approach

In this paper we provide an overview of current research trends, challenges and issues in the domain of smart energy efficient buildings. Based on current research and literature we discuss topics like technology integra- tion, semantic interoperability, automation, and the importance of considering user needs. Furthermore, we introduce a living lab approach, which allows us to conduct research on these topics in a real smart building environment. This living lab actually is a system for enabling smart energy efficient building applications, based on a middleware approach. We describe the software design and the real-world deployment of this system in ten rooms of a university and eight rooms of an office building.
Lateralization of high frequencies based on interaural time differences.

Sensitivity to interaural time differences at high frequencies is demonstrated in a number of experiments. Two types of waveforms are used—bands of noise and two‐tone complexes. Variables studied are rate and depth of fluctuation of the envelope, overall intensity, and additivity of interaural time information across frequency regions. In many conditions of listening, sensitivity to interaural time differences at high frequencies compares favorably with sensitivity at low frequencies—good performace requires only tens of microseconds of interaural time delay.Subject Classification: [43]65.62, [43]65.68.
Identification with Normalized Coprime Factorization

In this paper, we study discrete time system identifi­ cation with fractional representation of rational function . The e quation error method, which is well known as such an identifi cation, does not agree with modern robust con· trol theory, because of non properness of its error function. On the other hand, Hoo identifications in the fractional representation approach have been actively investigated in mnnection with graph topology. In thi, paper, we reo consider the equation error method and point out its prob. lems, and propose several new methods. The evaluated functions of these methods are the errors of the coprime factors of a plant and its model and they are related to graph metric or gap metric. We give numerical examples and show that the proposed methods can sensitively dis­ tinguish the series of functions which are not continuous in the sense of the graph topology.
Hepatic microvascular dysfunction during evolution of dietary steatohepatitis in mice

In alcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatic microvascular changes have pathogenic significance for hepatocellular function, perisinusoidal fibrosis, and portal hypertension. It is unclear whether similar changes occur in other forms of steatohepatitis. We therefore examined whether hepatic microvascular dysfunction occurs in fibrosing steatohepatitis induced by feeding mice a high‐fat methionine‐ and choline‐deficient (MCD) diet. Using in vivo microscopic—as well as histological and electron microscopic—methods, together with measurements of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lipid content, and oxidative stress, hepatic microvascular structure and function were studied in relation to inflammatory and fibrotic changes during evolution of steatohepatitis. At 3 weeks of MCD diet intake, serum ALT was elevated and hepatic steatosis was pronounced. By 5 weeks, necroinflammatory change was noteworthy, and by 8 weeks perisinusoidal fibrosis was established. Compared with mice receiving the high‐fat diet supplemented with methionine and choline (controls), levels of hepatic lipid and lipoperoxides were elevated at 3 weeks and beyond. The numbers of perfused sinusoids were significantly reduced at each time point. Enlarged, fat‐laden hepatocytes together with perivascular fibrosis narrowed sinusoidal lumens, making vessels tortuous and impairing sinusoidal perfusion. At 3 and 5 weeks, MCD diet caused significant increases in phagocytic activity of macrophages in centrilobular regions. By 8 weeks, macrophage activity was less striking, but the number of leukocytes adherent to the sinusoidal lining had increased 5‐fold compared with controls. In conclusion, these results are consistent with a dysfunctional hepatic microvasculature. Thus, microvascular changes may contribute to progressive liver injury in metabolic and toxic forms of steatohepatitis. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;40:386–393.)
Functional impairment trajectories among persons with HIV disease: a hierarchical linear models approach.

OBJECTIVE This study investigates the level, time course, and stability of functional impairment in a population of persons with symptomatic HIV disease, and illustrates the application of hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to trajectories of functional status in unbalanced longitudinal data. STUDY POPULATION We utilized longitudinal interview data on a demographically diverse cohort of 246 individuals participating in New Jersey's Medicaid waiver program for persons with AIDS or symptomatic HIV disease, with a mean of nine repeated observations per individual. MEASURES AND STATISTICAL METHODS: Impairment in ability to perform 16 activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was assessed at monthly intervals. To achieve unbiased, efficient estimation of the level and within-individual rate of change of functional status utilizing all observations for each individual, hierarchical linear models were used. Time slopes were compared to those from a single-level model estimated on the pooled observations. Stability of functional status within individuals was also evaluated. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A single-level pooled model showed no significant time trend in functional impairment, while the multilevel models did indicate such a trend. In the final HLM model, functional impairment was estimated to increase at a rate of . 32 tasks per month. Female gender was associated with impairment in an additional 1.88 tasks and AIDS diagnosis with an additional 1.35 tasks. There was substantial variability within individuals over time, most of which was not explained by time trend. CONCLUSIONS The multilevel models indicated a significant month-to-month worsening of functional status that was masked in the single-level model by between-person variation. Impairment was found to increase over time, but followed a variable and episodic course rather than a steady or consistent decline. Women appeared to experience special problems in performing ADL and IADL tasks. RELEVANCE/IMPACT Results demonstrate the need for flexible and responsive systems for authorizing and managing in-home services for persons with HIV disease, systems that can respond to frequent changes in the functional status and level of care needs of these individuals. They suggest further attention to special care needs that may be experienced by women with HIV disease. They illustrate that hierarchical linear modeling can be an important tool in understanding change in functional status over time, providing a multilevel model that disaggregates within-individual and between-individual variation in functional status. This approach can be generalized to a wide variety of problems in health services research in which outcomes are observed over time with unbalanced longitudinal data.
Strawberry As a Functional Food: An Evidence-Based Review

Emerging research provides substantial evidence to classify strawberries as a functional food with several preventive and therapeutic health benefits. Strawberries, a rich source of phytochemicals (ellagic acid, anthocyanins, quercetin, and catechin) and vitamins (ascorbic acid and folic acid), have been highly ranked among dietary sources of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity. It should however be noted that these bioactive factors can be significantly affected by differences in strawberry cultivars, agricultural practices, storage, and processing methods: freezing versus dry heat has been associated with maximum retention of strawberry bioactives in several studies. Nutritional epidemiology shows inverse association between strawberry consumption and incidence of hypertension or serum C-reactive protein; controlled feeding studies have identified the ability of strawberries to attenuate high-fat diet induced postprandial oxidative stress and inflammation, or postprandial hyperglycemia, or hyperlipidemia in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors. Mechanistic studies have elucidated specific biochemical pathways that might confer these protective effects of strawberries: upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, downregulation of NF-kB activity and subsequent inflammation, or inhibitions of carbohydrate digestive enzymes. These health effects may be attributed to the synergistic effects of nutrients and phytochemicals in strawberries. Further studies are needed to define the optimal dose and duration of strawberry intake in affecting levels of biomarkers or pathways related to chronic diseases.
Viridans streptococcal shock in bone marrow transplantation patients

We have recognized a rapidly progressive, often fatal shock syndrome associated with viridans streptococcal sepsis following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Of 832 patients receiving a marrow transplant at the University of Minnesota between 1976 and 1988, including 123 with viridans streptococcal bacteremia, 10 patients (8%) developed clinical shock within an average of 2 days (range 0–4 days) of their first positive blood culture. Viridans streptococcal shock occurred in patients early in the transplantation course, between 1 and 28 (median 6) days following BMT when all 10 patients were neutropenic. Six of the 10 patients died as a consequence of their shock or from subsequent complications. The most frequent (6 of 10 patients) viridans streptococcal species isolated in the shock patients was Streptococcus mitis. Of multiple factors analyzed for increased risk of developing viridans streptococcal shock, only younger patient age was significantly associated with the development of shock. Although 58% of BMT recipients with viridans streptococcal bacteremia were younger than 15 years, all 10 patients comprising the shock population were <15 years of age (P < 0.02). We speculate that certain streptococcal strains may trigger fulminant shock in the immunocompromised BMT patient. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Achieving Viral Suppression in 90% of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Antiretroviral Therapy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

Although significant progress has been made, the latest data from low- and middle-income countries show substantial gaps in reaching the third "90%" (viral suppression) of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals, especially among vulnerable and key populations. This article discusses critical gaps and promising, evidence-based solutions. There is no simple and/or single approach to achieve the last 90%. This will require multifaceted, scalable strategies that engage people living with human immunodeficiency virus, motivate long-term treatment adherence, and are community-entrenched and ‑supported, cost-effective, and tailored to a wide range of global communities.
Soil freezing effects on sources of nitrogen and carbon leached during snowmelt

Soil freezing in winter has been shown to enhance growing season losses of C and N in northern forests. However, less is known about effects of soil freezing on C and N retention during snowmelt and the sources of C and N leached, which is important because losses to stream water are greatest during this period. Organic horizon soils (Oi + Oe + Oa) from the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, United States were placed in columns in a laboratory experiment and subjected to one of three different temperature treatments (+5.0, -0.5, and -15.0°C) before they were covered with snow and placed in a +5.0¯C cold room to induce snowmelt. Results for all temperature treatments showed that fluxes of all forms of C and N declined over snowmelt, indicating flushing of a limited soil pool. The quality of dissolved organic matter (DOM) became increasingly aromatic, while d15N-NO3- declined, indicating that as labile organic matter and N become less available during snowmelt, a greater proportion of N is cycled through the microbial pool. Mild soil freezing had little effect on C and N processing; however, severe soil freezing resulted in delayed leaching and a flush of labile DOM. The severely frozen soils also leached significantly less dissolved inorganic N (DIN; NH4+ and NO3-), likely due to the inhibitory effect of extremely cold soil temperatures on microbial production. These results highlight the importance of winter climate in regulating fluxes and sources of C and N leached during snowmelt, having implications for stream water quality.
Development of Alginate/Chitosan Microparticles for Dust Mite Allergen

Purpose : To develop chitosan/alginate microparticles for the mucosal delivery of allergen from dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus). Methods : Chitosan/alginate microparticles were prepared by ionotropic gelation. The effects of polymer content, crosslinking agent, and preparation method on the physicochemical characteristics of the microparticles as well as their in vitro cytotoxicity were investigated. Results: The microparticles were small (1 - 17 µm) and spherical in shape. The highest allergen content (0.30 ± 0.07 mg/g) was obtained with 2.5 % initial allergen loading in chitosan- triphosphate (CS-TPP) microparticles. Sustained allergen release (approx. 50 % over 24 h) was observed from alginate-coated chitosan microparticles. Allergen incorporation method and initial drug-loading could be varied to obtain optimum particle size with high allergen-loading and sustained release. The cytotoxicity of various microparticle formulations did not differ significantly (p > 0.05 ), as cell viability values were close to 100 %. Conclusion: This study indicates that alginate and alginate-coated chitosan microparticles are safe and can be further developed for mucosal allergen delivery.