Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insulin therapy in burn patients does not contribute to hepatic triglyceride production.

Lipid kinetics were studied in six severely burned patients who were treated with a high dose of exogenous insulin plus glucose to promote protein metabolism. The patients were 20+/-2-yr-old (SD) with 63+/-8% total body surface area burned. They were studied in a randomized order (a) in the fed state on the seventh day of a control period (C) of continuous high-carbohydrate enteral feeding alone, and (b) on the seventh day of enteral feeding plus exogenous insulin (200 pmol/h = 28 U/h) with extra glucose given as needed to avoid hypoglycemia (I+G). Despite a glucose delivery rate approximately 100% in excess of energy requirements, the following lipid parameters were unchanged: (a) total hepatic VLDL triglyceride (TG) secretion rate (0.165+/-0.138 [C] vs. 0.154+/- 0.138 mmol/kg . d-1 [I+G]), (b) plasma TG concentration (1.58+/-0.66 [C] vs. 1. 36+/-0.41 mmol/liter [I+G]), and (c) plasma VLDL TG concentration (0. 68+/-0.79 [C] vs. 0.67+/- 0.63 mmol/liter [I+G]). Instead, the high-carbohydrate delivery in conjunction with insulin therapy increased the proportion of de novo-synthesized palmitate in VLDL TG from 13+/-5% (C) to 34+/-14% (I+G), with a corresponding decreased amount of palmitate from lipolysis. In association with the doubling of the secretion rate of de novo-synthesized fatty acid (FA) in VLDL TG during insulin therapy (P > 0.5), the relative amount of palmitate and stearate increased from 35+/-5 to 44+/-8% and 4+/-1 to 7+/-2%, respectively, in VLDL TG, while the relative concentration of oleate and linoleate decreased from 43+/-5 to 37+/-6% and 8+/-4% to 2+/-2%, respectively. A 15-fold increase in plasma insulin concentration did not change the rate of release of FA into plasma (8.22+/-2.86 [C] vs. 8.72+/-6.68 mmol/kg.d-1 [I+G]. The peripheral release of FA represents a far greater potential for hepatic lipid accumulation in burn patients than the endogenous hepatic fat synthesis, even during excessive carbohydrate intake in conjunction with insulin therapy.
Application of vector quantized hidden Markov modeling to telephone network based connected digit recognition

Connected digit speech recognition in the telephone network is becoming increasingly more important as the demand for speech technology becomes widespread. In the past few years, several highly successful techniques for recognizing spoken connected digit strings have been proposed. Although these techniques have been applied to non-telephone based speech [e.g. Texas Instruments database], they have produced high recognition performance. Further, similar levels of performances have been demonstrated using discrete density and continuous density based hidden Markov models (HMMs). The success of the vector quantized (VQ) modeling approach, in particular, is encouraging and rather important from the viewpoint of computational efficiency. This paper presents a study of connected digit recognition on telephone network based data using VQ HMMs. We investigate several factors affecting the error rate of VQ HMMs-such as maximum mutual information (MMI) training, sender modeling, and codebook size-and measure their contributions to recognition accuracy. The model architecture, number of states and transitions, is also optimized and its contribution to overall performance discussed. <<ETX>>
Role of potassium channels in coronary vasodilation

K+ channels in coronary arterial smooth muscle cells (CASMC) determine the resting membrane potential (E m) and serve as targets of endogenous and therapeutic vasodilators. E m in CASMC is in the voltage range for activation of L-type Ca2+ channels; therefore, when K+ channel activity changes, Ca2+ influx and arterial tone change. This is why both Ca2+ channel blockers and K+ channel openers have such profound effects on coronary blood flow; the former directly inhibits Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, while the latter indirectly inhibits Ca2+ influx by hyperpolarizing E m and reducing Ca2+ channel activity. K+ channels in CASMC play important roles in vasodilation to endothelial, ischemic and metabolic stimuli. The purpose of this article is to review the types of K+ channels expressed in CASMC, discuss the regulation of their activity by physiological mechanisms and examine impairments related to cardiovascular disease.
Carbon and Acyl Chain Flux during Stress-induced Triglyceride Accumulation by Stable Isotopic Labeling of the Polar Microalga Coccomyxa subellipsoidea C169*

Deriving biofuels and other lipoid products from algae is a promising future technology directly addressing global issues of atmospheric CO2 balance. To better understand the metabolism of triglyceride synthesis in algae, we examined their metabolic origins in the model species, Coccomyxa subellipsoidea C169, using stable isotopic labeling. Labeling patterns arising from [U-13C]glucose, 13CO2, or D2O supplementation were analyzed by GC-MS and/or LC-MS over time courses during nitrogen starvation to address the roles of catabolic carbon recycling, acyl chain redistribution, and de novo fatty acid (FA) synthesis during the expansion of the lipid bodies. The metabolic origin of stress-induced triglyceride was found to be a continuous 8:2 ratio between de novo synthesized FA and acyl chain transfer from pre-stressed membrane lipids with little input from lipid remodeling. Membrane lipids were continually synthesized with associated acyl chain editing during nitrogen stress, in contrast to an overall decrease in total membrane lipid. The incorporation rates of de novo synthesized FA into lipid classes were measured over a time course of nitrogen starvation. The synthesis of triglycerides, phospholipids, and galactolipids followed a two-stage pattern where nitrogen starvation resulted in a 2.5-fold increase followed by a gradual decline. Acyl chain flux into membrane lipids was dominant in the first stage followed by triglycerides. These data indicate that the level of metabolic control that determines acyl chain flux between membrane lipids and triglycerides during nitrogen stress relies primarily on the Kennedy pathway and de novo FA synthesis with limited, defined input from acyl editing reactions.
Cholestasis is associated with hepatic microvascular dysfunction and aberrant energy metabolism before and during ischemia-reperfusion.

AIMS The aim was to investigate the impact of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) on intrahepatic oxidative stress, oxidative phosphorylation, and nucleotide metabolism in relation to liver damage and inflammation in cholestatic rats to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for post-I/R pathogenesis during cholestasis. RESULTS Pre-I/R cholestatic livers exhibited mild hepatopathology in the form of oxidative/nitrosative stress, perfusion defects, necrosis and apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Plasma bilirubin concentration in cholestatic livers was 190 μM. I/R in cholestatic livers exacerbated hepatocellular damage and leukocyte infiltration. However, myeloperoxidase activity in neutrophils at 6 h reperfusion was not elevated in cholestatic livers compared to pre-I/R levels and to control (Ctrl) livers. At 6 h reperfusion, cholestatic livers exhibited severe histological damage, which was absent in Ctrl livers. Despite a lower antioxidative capacity after I/R, no cardiolipin peroxidation and equivalent reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratios and Hsp70 levels were found in cholestatic livers versus Ctrls. Bilirubin acted as a potent and protective antioxidant. Postischemic resumption of oxidative phosphorylation in Ctrl livers proceeded rapidly and encompassed reactive hyperemia, which was significantly impaired in cholestatic livers owing to extensive vasoconstriction and perfusion defects. Normalization of intrahepatic energy status and nucleotide-based metabolic cofactors was delayed in cholestatic livers during reperfusion. Innovation and CONCLUSIONS Cholestatic livers possess sufficient antioxidative capacity to ameliorate radical-mediated damage during I/R. I/R-induced damage in cholestatic livers is predominantly caused by microvascular perfusion defects rather than exuberant oxidative/nitrosative stress. The forestalled rate of oxidative phophorylation and recovery of bioenergetic and possibly metabolic parameters during the early reperfusion phase are responsible for extensive liver damage.
Survey on binaural beats and background music for increased focus and relaxation

Modern lifestyle requires an individual to do a plethora of tasks with utmost efficiency for longer periods of time. This becomes increasingly difficult to achieve due to a number of distractions available in today's environment. Our brains contain different brainwaves which influence our behavior. These brainwaves can be manipulated to encourage certain kinds of behavior. The objective of this paper is to provide a method of manipulating these brainwaves to achieve a greater degree of focus and relaxation for longer periods of time. The method proposed in this paper makes use of a phenomenon called Binaural beats. Binaural beats happen when two different frequencies which are sinusoidal in nature are introduced to the two ears. The ‘beat’ effect of binaural beats is caused due to the difference between the two frequencies presented to each ear. Usually the difference between these frequencies is relatively small. This difference in the frequencies presented to each of the ear is actually the frequency of the Binaural beats. The method proposed in this paper combines short bursts and continuous stimulus of binaural beats to increase focus and relaxation among the users by reducing habituation.
Recurrent early pregnancy loss and antiphospholipid antibodies: where do we stand?

Evidence from basic science studies supports a causative relationship between antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and recurrent early miscarriage (REM) (prior to 10 weeks of gestation). However, human studies have not consistently found a relationship between aPL and REM. Members of the Obstetric Task Force of the 14th International Congress on Antiphospholipid Antibodies performed a literature review of the association of aPL and REM and searched for clinical trials in women with REM who tested positive for aPL. Of the 46 studies that investigated the relationship between aPL and REM, 27 found a positive association, seven found no association, and the remaining 12 papers could not report an association (lack of control group). The main identified problems for such conflicting results were varying definitions of REM (two or three abortions, not necessarily consecutive; different gestational age at which pregnancy losses occurred); analysis of patients with previous fetal death (>10 weeks) in the same group of REM; and different definitions of “positive aPL” (cutoffs not following international recommendations; small number of studies confirmed persistence of positive aPL after six to 12 weeks). The 10 identified randomized trials with proposed treatments for women with REM who test positive for aPL also had heterogeneous inclusion criteria, with only one trial limited to subjects who would meet the current criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) by both clinical and laboratory criteria. Against this background, we conclude that the association between REM and aPL remains inconclusive and that the findings of treatment trials are at best inconsistent and at worst misleading. More convincing data are critically needed. Studies that identify, or at least stratify, according to international consensus criteria and include standardized core laboratory testing results are crucial if we are to establish an evidence-based association between aPL and REM and treatment recommendations.
Does ownership type matter for corporate social responsibility disclosure: Evidence from China

The evidence of the effect of ownership structure on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is relatively sparse especially in the emerging economies. This paper seeks to address this situation to comprehensively examine the link between different types of shareholders and CSR disclosure in the context of China. Our findings reveal that different owners have differential impact on the CSR. The firms controlled by the state are more likely to disclose CSR information and their CSR reports’ quality is better compared with non-SOEs. Interestingly, firms with more shares held by mutual funds, foreign investors or other corporations are significantly better at CSR disclosure. The study also discloses that firm size, profitability, and leverage affect CSR in China. Overall the study contributes to the literature on CSR practices in emerging countries and point to some policy suggestions.
Termination of the Activating NK Cell Immunological Synapse Is an Active and Regulated Process

Cellular cytotoxicity is essential for the elimination of virus-infected and cancerous cells by NK cells. It requires a direct cellular contact through the establishment of an immunological synapse (IS) between the NK cell and the target cell. In this article, we show that not only the establishment of the IS, but also its maintenance is a highly regulated process. Ongoing receptor-proximal signaling events from activating NK cell receptors and actin dynamics were necessary to maintain a stable contact in an energy-dependent fashion, even after the IS was formed successfully. More importantly, the initiation of a contact to a new susceptible target cell resulted in accelerated detachment from an old target cell. We propose that the maintenance of an existing IS is a dynamic and regulated process to allow for effective serial killing of NK cells.
KATP channels process nucleotide signals in muscle thermogenic response

Uniquely gated by intracellular adenine nucleotides, sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels have been typically assigned to protective cellular responses under severe energy insults. More recently, KATP channels have been instituted in the continuous control of muscle energy expenditure under non-stressed, physiological states. These advances raised the question of how KATP channels can process trends in cellular energetics within a milieu where each metabolic system is set to buffer nucleotide pools. Unveiling the mechanistic basis of the KATP channel-driven thermogenic response in muscles thus invites the concepts of intracellular compartmentalization of energy and proteins, along with nucleotide signaling over diffusion barriers. Furthermore, it requires gaining insight into the properties of reversibility of intrinsic ATPase activity associated with KATP channel complexes. Notwithstanding the operational paradigm, the homeostatic role of sarcolemmal KATP channels can be now broadened to a wider range of environmental cues affecting metabolic well-being. In this way, under conditions of energy deficit such as ischemic insult or adrenergic stress, the operation of KATP channel complexes would result in protective energy saving, safeguarding muscle performance and integrity. Under energy surplus, downregulation of KATP channel function may find potential implications in conditions of energy imbalance linked to obesity, cold intolerance and associated metabolic disorders.
Takaful Business Models: A Review, a Comparison

As an alternate to the general insurance, the Islamic insurance (Takaful) system is based on some rules and regulation. These rules and regulations define the criteria to collect the funds from the participants and invest these funds into investment avenues permissible under Shariah. Presently, several Takaful models have been evolved over time to satisfy the Shariah compliant and needs of the customers. The present article is basically a review article that explains and reviews different Takaful business models, after exploring the available literature. The article focuses on four Takaful business models and they are the Mudaraba, Wakala, Ta’awun and Wakal-Waqf models. Moreover, a brief comparison of these models has also been provided.
AVA: visual analysis of gene expression microarray data

SUMMARY AVA (Array Visual Analyzer) is a Java program that provides a graphical environment for visualization and analysis of gene expression microarray data. Together with its interactive visualization tools and a variety of built-in data analysis and filtration methods, AVA effectively integrates microarray data normalization, quality assessment, and data mining into one application. AVAILABILITY The software is freely available for academic users on request from the authors.
High-Current-Gain InAlP/AlGaAsSb/InP HBTs with a Compositionally-Graded AlGaAsSb Base Grown by MOCVD

We propose InAlP/AlGaAsSb/InP HBTs with a compositionally-graded Al content in the base for the acceleration of minority carriers. We found that the C-doped AlGaAsSb has good characteristics as a material for compositionally-graded structures. The compositionally-graded AlGaAsSb-base HBT provides more than 1.5 times the current gain of the uniform GaAsSb-base HBT. The proposed structure is very effective for improving the current gain of HBTs based on the GaAsSb/InP material system.
Epidemiology of ocular involvement in autoimmune diseases.

UNLABELLED The main objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of ocular manifestations in Romanian rheumatic patients admitted in a specialized rheumatology clinic since January 2006 till June 2007. The secondary outcome was the occurrence of adverse visual events associated with systemic therapy. METHODS Information regarding rheumatic and ocular diseases was extracted from medical records system available in "I. Cantacuzino" Clinical Hospital in Bucharest. The prevalence of ocular involvement reported passively by rheumatologists (retrospective descriptive study of 375 different cases of rheumatic patients) was compared with the literature data. RESULTS There were 29 cases of ocular manifestations. Ocular manifestation included keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), anterior uveitis, conjunctivitis, retinal vasculitis and optic neuritis. Complications clearly related to steroid therapy were cataracts and glaucoma. One case with typical "bull's eye" maculopathy due to Hydroxychloroquine treatment was detected. CONCLUSIONS The main conclusion of our study is that the rheumatic patients need to be referred to an ophthalmologist for a precocious diagnosis of ocular involvement and an optimal treatment of eye manifestations.
Monosaccharide transport across microvillous membrane of human placenta.

Transport through the microvillous membrane of the syncytium is the first step in placental transfer of nutrients. We have therefore studied glucose transport by isolated microvillous membrane vesicles. Transport occurred by selective and rapid facilitated diffusion, which was inhibited by phloridzin, phloretin, cytochalasin B, and HgCl2. Nonmediated diffusion of the substrate was found by three independent methods to be very slow. Competition studies showed that aldohexoses in the C-1 chair conformation were the preferred substrates. Transport was independent of sodium gradients and was not modulated by insulin. However, several steroids inhibited transport including estriol and progesterone, which are abundant in utero. Kinetic analysis by equilibrium exchange demonstrated a Km of 31 mM and a Vmax of 120 nmol . s-1 . mg protein-1. The Km and Vmax suggest a large capacity in relation to calculated fetal needs. In consequence of this capacity, intrasyncytial concentrations of glucose are probably maintained near those of maternal blood. Augmentation of transport at this membrane by hormones or other agents is unlikely to increase fetal supply of glucose, but down regulation by steroids may serve a regulatory function.
Factors Influencing Corporate Disclosure Transparency in the Active Share Trading Firms: An Explanatory study

Purpose – This study examines the factors influencing Corporate disclosure transparency as measured by the level of voluntary disclosure (VD) in the annual reports of the active share trading firms in Egypt. Design/methodology/approach – The design and research method are empirical using archival data to collect information on the dependent variable (VD) and independent variables (corporate governance characteristics and company characteristics). A transformed multiple ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model was used to test the association between the dependent variable of VD and the independent variables. Findings – The findings indicate that the extent of VD is affected by the highly secretive Egyptian culture. This implies that the introduction of a new corporate governance code has not improved information symmetry as the overall level of VD is very low at just 19.38%. In addition, several corporate governance and company characteristics variables were found significant in explaining levels of VD by the sample companies. Research limitations – The findings have generalizability limitations as the study focuses only on the actively traded companies operating in the Egyptian stock market. Practical implications – The results of this study should alarm the regulators and financial investors from the quality of financial information being provided in the Egyptian market. These results are more alarming since the investigated companies are the top 30 actively traded companies on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX). It is logically expected that the status of disclosure would be lower in the other less actively traded companies on EGX. Originality/value – This study provides evidence regarding three variables, for the first time in Egypt, namely “ownership structure” and “number of independent directors on the board” and “existence of audit committees” as explanatory variables of the level of VD. This research study will stimulate further research in understanding the importance of the role of corporate governance in promoting more transparency in other emerging economies and the need to build models that include country level factors to explain the level of VD.
Behavioral Measurement of Trust in Automation

Stating that one trusts a system is markedly different from demonstrating that trust. To investigate trust in automation, we introduce the trust fall: a two-stage behavioral test of trust. In the trust fall paradigm, first the one learns the capabilities of the system, and in the second phase, the ‘fall,’ one’s choices demonstrate trust or distrust. Our first studies using this method suggest the value of measuring behaviors that demonstrate trust, compared with self-reports of one’s trust. Designing interfaces that encourage appropriate trust in automation will be critical for the safe and successful deployment of partially automated vehicles, and this will rely on a solid understanding of whether these interfaces actually inspire trust and encourage supervision.
Correlation Decay and Tractability of CSPs

The algebraic dichotomy conjecture of Bulatov, Krokhin and Jeavons yields an elegant characterization of the complexity of constraint satisfaction problems. Roughly speaking, the characterization asserts that a CSP L is tractable if and only if there exist certain non-trivial operations known as polymorphisms to combine solutions to L to create new ones. In this work, we study the dynamical system associated with repeated applications of a polymorphism to a distribution over assignments. Specifically, we exhibit a correlation decay phenomenon that makes two variables or groups of variables that are not perfectly correlated become independent after repeated applications of a polymorphism. We show that this correlation decay phenomenon can be utilized in designing algorithms for CSPs by exhibiting two applications: 1. A simple randomized algorithm to solve linear equations over a prime field, whose analysis crucially relies on correlation decay. 2. A sufficient condition for the simple linear programming relaxation for a 2-CSP to be sound (have no integrality gap) on a given instance.