Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Health Among Methamphetamine-Using Women in Los Angeles: A Qualitative Pilot Study

Abstract Among women, methamphetamine (meth) use has been associated with intimate partner violence (IPV); however, few studies have looked at the context of IPV. This qualitative pilot study explored the experiences of meth-using women in Los Angeles County regarding: (1) IPV in their most recent primary relationship; (2) use of contraception and reproductive health services; and (3) meth use during pregnancy. Participants (n=30) were recruited through community advertising and at three addiction treatment centers to participate in 15-20 minute, semi-structured interviews recorded with handwritten transcripts. The team analyzed transcripts for key themes. Participants reported IPV (n=19, 63%) as recipients (50%), perpetrators (40%), and/or both (27%), occurring mainly during active meth use or withdrawal. While most (n=25) continued meth use during at least one pregnancy, some (n=5, 17%) identified pregnancy as a motivation to quit or reduce use, suggesting an opportunity for intervention. Though most women knew about free and low-cost reproductive health services, few accessed them, with 33% citing aspects of meth use itself as a barrier. One-third (45/133) of reported pregnancies were terminated by abortion. Most women (67%) began using before age 18, suggesting need for screening and intervention among adolescents.
In vitro evaluation and pharmacokinetics in dogs of guar gum and Eudragit FS30D-coated colon-targeted pellets of indomethacin

A pH- and enzyme-dependent colon-targeted multi-unit delivery system of indomethacin was developed by coating guar gum and Eudragit FS30D sequentially onto drug-loaded pellets in a fluidized bed coater. In vitro studies showed that smaller coating weight gain of guar gum resulted in reduced release lag time t10 (10% release time), but favored degradation by enzymes (galactomannanase). A cumulative weight gain (CWG) of 44% provided sufficient enzymatic sensitivity and protection of the core. Under gradient pH conditions (pH = 1.2, 6.8, 7.4 and 6.5 for 2, 2, 1 and 15 h, respectively), indomethacin was released from Eudragit FS30D-coated pellets quickly after changing pH to 7.4. For guar gum/Eudragit FS30D double-coated pellets, only about 5% of the drug was released after another 1 h, showing retarding effect by guar gum coating. After changing pH to 6.5 and addition of galactomannanase, enzyme-dependent drug release was observed. Pharmacokinetic study in beagle dogs showed that fastest absorption with the smallest Tmax and Tlag was observed for uncoated pellets. The Tmax and Tlag of Eudragit FS30D-coated pellets were postponed to about 2.5 and 1 h, respectively. After a further guar gum coating, Tlag was further postponed to about 2.8 h, about 2 h of additional lag time on the basis of Eudragit FS30D coating. It is indicated that the guar gum/Eudragit FS30D-coated system has potential to be used to deliver drugs to the colon.
Effect of epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and keratinocyte growth factor, on proliferation, motility and differentiation of human corneal epithelial cells.

We sought to determine the effects of exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF), heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), single-chain precursor hepatocyte growth factor (SC-HGF), double-chain mature HGF (DC-HGF), and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) on proliferation, motility, and differentiation of first passage cultures of human corneal epithelial cells in serum-free chemically defined medium. The effect of EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha, SC-HGF, DC-HGF, KGF or combinations of the growth factors on proliferation was measured by counting cells present after 3 weeks of culture and by immunostaining for the cell-cycle-specific nuclear proliferation antigen Ki-67. The effect of the factors on epithelial cell motility was assessed by morphometric analysis of photographs of cells migrating from confluent islands of cells. The effect of growth factors on differentiation of epithelial cells were determined by immunostaining epithelial cell islands for the keratin K3 and by Western blotting for keratin K3. EGF, alone or in combination with KGF and SC-HGF, significantly stimulated motility of epithelial cells at the periphery of confluent islands of cells and induced an elongated cell morphology. TGF-alpha, HB-EGF and DC-HGF produced motility effects similar to EGF. There was diminished proliferation of the migrating cells in response to EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha or DC-HGF, while non-migrating epithelial cells in the center of confluent islands continued to proliferate in response to the growth factors. EGF, HB-EGF, TGF alpha or DC-HGF inhibited expression of the differentiation-related marker keratin K3 in epithelial cells, both at the edge and at the center of the islands. KGF stimulated proliferation of corneal epithelial cells at low density and in confluent islands of cells. KGF did not affect expression of keratin K3 or migration of epithelial cells. SC-HGF had no effect on corneal epithelial cells. These results indicate that the effects of EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha and DC-HGF on corneal epithelial cell proliferation, motility and differentiation vary from those of KGF and SC-HGF. EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha and DC-HGF induced changes in epithelial cell morphology and motility in cells plated at low cell density or in cells located at the edge of a confluent island. Thus, these effects appear to be dependent on the extent of cell-cell contact. The inhibitory effect of EGF, HB-EGF, TGF-alpha or DC-HGF on corneal epithelial cell differentiation, however, is independent of cell density. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Experimental myopia in chickens induced by corneal astigmatism

Abstract Astigmatism has been suggested to be an important factor in the production and/or progression of myopia. Chickens have been used as a myopic animal model for several years. In the present investigation our aim was to evaluate the importance of surgically induced corneal astigmatism by peripheral corneal incision with compression suture in one eye, the right, of 3‐day‐old chicks. Vertical incision (2 mm) with compression suture (nylon 9‐0, one stitch) induces against‐the‐rule astigmatism, horizontal incision with compression induces with‐the‐rule astigmatism. Four groups were studied 1) with one vertical cut, 2) one horizontal cut, 3) two vertical cuts, 4) two horizontal cuts. The eyes were measured by caliper after 8 weeks. Eye enlargements were induced in all groups, however, less by one cut (astigmatism around 5 diopters) than by two cuts (astigmatism 10 diopters, or more). In the latter groups the pattern of equatorial eye enlargement dependend on the axis of the induced astigmatism, the greater elongation being associated with the strongest refracting corneal meridian. All considered, the results suggest that significant corneal astigmatism could be another factor in the production of myopia, possibly acting by way of optical degradation of retinal image quality.
Antimicrobial resistance pattern and plasmid profile of diarrheal salmonallae and shigallae bacteria isolated from clinical samples in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria

Salmonallaeand Shigellae bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae has been implicated as the causal agent of many gastro-intestinal disorders in man and animal. To determine the antimicrobial resistant pattern and plasmid profile of different resistant Salmonellae and Shigellae bacteria in Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna state, Nigeria, a total of fifty eight (58) isolates of clinical were collected randomly from diarrheal patients in the metropolis and tested against ten (10) commonly used antimicrobial agents using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Plasmid DNA was extracted using FosmidMAX DNA purification kit and separated by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results indicated a varying degree of resistance to the different drugs tested, however, all Salmonella and Shigella isolates were found to be sensitive to at least one of the ten (10) drugs tested. Augmentin, Amoxicillin and streptomycin were found to be most resisted with no effect on any of the isolates while Chloramphenicol was the most effective with 25mm±1.00 and 23mm±1.00 against Salmonella and Shigella respectively. Plasmid profile revealed 31% success, suggesting no correlation between presence of plasmid and antibiotic resistance in the isolates. It was concluded that isolates might have harboured the presence of multi-drug resistance in their chromosomal genes rather than in plasmids.
Robust 3D multi-camera tracking from 2D mono-camera tracks by Bayesian association

Visual tracking of people is essential automatic scene understanding and surveillance of areas of interest. Monocular 2D tracking has been largely studied, but it usually provides inadequate information for event interpretation, and also proves insufficiently robust, due to view-point limitations (occlusions, etc.). In this paper, we present a light but automatic and robust 3D tracking method using multiple calibrated cameras. It is based on off-the-shelf 2D tracking systems running independently in each camera of the system, combined using Bayesian association of the monocular tracks. The proposed system shows excellent results even in challenging situations, proving itself able to automatically boost and recover from possible errors.
Rapid method for culturing embryonic neuron–glial cell cocultures

A streamlined, simple technique for primary cell culture from E17 rat tissue is presented. In an attempt to standardize culturing methods for all neuronal cell types in the embryo, we evaluated a commercial medium without serum and used similar times for trypsinization and tested different surfaces for plating. In 1 day, using one method and a single medium, it is possible to produce robust E17 cultures of dorsal root ganglia (DRG), cerebellum, and enteric plexi. Allowing the endogenous glial cells to repopulate the cultures saves time compared with existing techniques, in which glial cells are added to cultures first treated with antimitotic agents. It also ensures that all the cells present in vivo will be present in the culture. Myelination commences after approximately 2 weeks in culture for dissociated DRG and 3–4 weeks in cerebellar cultures. In enteric cultures, glial wrapping of the enteric neurons is seen after 3 weeks (2 weeks in ascorbic acid), suggesting that basal lamina production is important even for glial ensheathment in the enteric nervous system. No overgrowth of fibroblasts or other nonneuronal cells was noted in any cultures, and myelination of the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system cultures was very robust. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Climate Co-benefits of Obesity Reduction

Rising obesity rates may contribute to greenhouse gas emissions both directly through increased food production and indirectly through higher passenger weights and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Using panel data for the fifty US states over the period 1997 to 2011 we examine the relationship between the obesity rate and carbon dioxide emissions from energy use. Results indicate a positive and significant relationship, holding population, affluence, sectoral composition, and other factors constant. Specifically, we find that reversion to 1997 obesity rates (from 2013 levels) nationwide could reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions from energy use by 143 million metric tons, or approximately 2.8 percent of annual US emissions. This reduction yields annual climate benefits of between $5.7 and $8.9 billion using EPA estimates of the social cost of carbon. We suggest that policies directed toward obesity reduction have the potential to generate significant climate co-benefits alongside the well-known health benefits. JEL Classifications: Q54, I12,
An Evaluation of the Biological and Toxicological Properties of Aloe Barbadensis (Miller), Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis (Miller), Aloe vera, has a long history of use as a topical and oral therapeutic. The plant is the source of two products, gel and latex, which are obtained from its fleshy leaves. Aloe vera products contain multiple constituents with potential biological and toxicological activities, yet the active components elude definition. Ingestion of Aloe vera is associated with diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, kidney dysfunction, and conventional drug interactions; episodes of contact dermatitis, erythema, and phototoxicity have been reported from topical applications. This review examines the botany, physical and chemical properties, and biological activities of the Aloe vera plant.
Fetal lung volume in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: association of prenatal MR imaging findings with postnatal chronic lung disease.

PURPOSE To assess whether chronic lung disease (CLD) in surviving infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with lung hypoplasia on the basis of the results of antenatal observed-to-expected fetal lung volume (FLV) ratio measurement at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study received approval from the institutional review board, with waiver of informed consent for this retrospective review from patients who had previously given informed consent for prospective studies. The ratio of observed to expected FLV at MR imaging was calculated in 172 fetuses with CDH. At postpartum day 28, the need for supplemental oxygen implicated the diagnosis of CLD. At day 56, patients with CLD were assigned to one of three groups-those with mild, moderate, or severe CLD-according to their demand for oxygen. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the prognostic value of the individual observed-to-expected FLV ratio for association with postnatal development of CLD. RESULTS Children with CLD were found to have significantly smaller observed-to-expected FLV ratios at MR imaging than infants without CLD (P < .001). Grading of CLD revealed significant differences in observed-to-expected FLV ratio between patients with mild CLD and those with moderate (P = .012) or severe (P = .007) CLD. For an observed-to-expected FLV ratio of 5%, 99% of patients with CDH developed CLD, compared with less than 5% of fetuses with an observed-to-expected FLV ratio of 50%. Perinatally, development and grade of CLD were further influenced by the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (P < .001) and gestational age at delivery (P = .009). CONCLUSION Manifestation of CLD in surviving infants with CDH is associated with the prenatally determined observed-to-expected FLV ratio. Early neonatal therapeutic decisions can additionally be based on this ratio. Perinatally, ECMO requirement and gestational age at delivery are useful in further improving the estimated probability of CLD.
Sensory and movement‐related cortical potentials in nociceptive and auditory reaction time tasks

The processing of a sensory stimulus leading to a simple motor command was studied with scalp‐recorded long latency cortical potentials in humans. Two sensory modalities were tested in their ability to activate descending motor pathways: auditory stimuli and painful cutaneous stimuli produced by a CO2 laser. Subjects were asked to react to stimuli with voluntary index finger movements. The stimulus‐related and movement‐related cortical potentials were recorded simultaneously with five midline electrodes on the scalp. The auditory reaction time, measured from the stimulus to the onset of electromyogram (EMG), was faster (150 ms) than the laser reaction time (350 ms). The onset of EMG of finger movements occurred only after the first negative components following auditory or laser stimuli but before the positive components. The latency from the auditory negativity to the onset of EMG was about 50 ms and the latency from the laser negativity to the onset of EMG was about 110 ms. This finding indicates that not only the peripheral afferent conduction but also central processing takes longer in a pain‐related somatosensory task than in an auditory task. The frontal peak of Motor Potential (fpMP), a cortical potential related to the sensory feedback from movement, occurred with a constant latency after the onset of EMG (100 ms) and was unaffected by the task.
CloudA Balancer Language Tomcat Name : ram Domain : integer Value : 128 MongoDB

Configuration and customization choices arise due to the heterogeneous and scalable aspect of the cloud computing paradigm. To avoid being restricted to a given cloud and ensure application requirements, using several clouds to deploy a multi-cloud configuration is recommended but introduces several challenges due to the amount of providers and their intrinsic variability. In this paper, we present a modeldriven approach based on Feature Models (fms) originating from Software Product Lines (spl) to handle cloud variability and then manage and create cloud configurations. We combine it with ontologies, used to model the various semantics of cloud systems. The approach takes into consideration application technical requirements as well as non-functional ones to provide a set of valid cloud or multi-cloud configurations and is implemented in a framework named Saloon.
The dual origins of the olivocochlear bundle in the albino rat

Recent studies of the origins and terminations of the olivocochlear bundle (OCB) in the cat provide evidence that separate efferent systems differentially innervate the two types of hair cells in the organ of Corti. To begin to test the generality of these separate olivocochlear systems, the cells of origin of the OCB were determined in the albino rat by using axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. Our findings are that, as in the cat, two classes of olivocochlear (OC) neurons project to the cochlea. These neurons could be dichotomized according to their location in the superior olivary complex (lateral or medial), their size (small or large), and their preferred side of projection (ipsilateral or contralateral). All labeled OC neurons also exhibited a positive reaction for acetylcholinesterase. In the rat, however, lateral and medial OC neurons are each restricted to a single nucleus, and, furthermore, the lateral OC neurons project only ipsilaterally. The rat also has significantly fewer mean totals of both lateral (240vs. 710)and medial (240 vs. 520) OC neurons than the cat. The present methods also demonstrated the course of axons of the OCB and axon collaterals entering the cochlear nuclear complex. Vestibular efferent neurons were also labeled bilaterally medial and lateral to the facial genu. Our results suggest that the general organizational plan of OC neurons in the rat may offer advantages over the situation in the cat for studies of connectional neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and behavioral functions of the two olivocochlear systems.
Contribution Behaviors in Distributed Environments

In this paper, we develop a framework for understanding contribution behaviors, which we define as voluntary acts of helping others by providing information. Our focus is on why and how people make contributions in geographically distributed organizations where contributions occur primarily through information technologies. We develop a model of contribution behaviors that delineates three mediating mechanisms: (1) awareness; (2) searching and matching; and (3) formulation and delivery. We specify the cognitive and motivational elements involved in these mechanisms and the role of information technology in facilitating contributions. We discuss the implications of our framework for developing theory and for designing technology to support contribution behaviors.
Reversal of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism by Phosphate Restriction Restores Parathyroid Calcium‐Sensing Receptor Expression and Function

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (2° HPT), a common disorder in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients, is characterized by hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), parathyroid hyperplasia, and decreased expression of the calcium‐sensing receptor (CaR). Dietary phosphate loading promotes 2° HPT, and phosphate restriction prevents and arrests 2° HPT in CRF. This study examined the ability of phosphate restriction to restore parathyroid CaR expression and function. Uremic rats fed a 1.2% P diet for 2 weeks developed 2° HPT with down‐regulated CaR expression. Continuation on the 1.2% P diet for 2 more weeks worsened the 2° HPT and further decreased CaR, but switching the rats to a 0.2% P diet for 2 weeks normalized PTH, arrested parathyroid hyperplasia, and restored CaR expression to normal. The calcium‐PTH relationship was abnormal in uremic rats fed a high phosphate (HP) diet with a right‐shifted calcium set point but was corrected by 2 weeks of phosphate restriction. A time course revealed that following the switch to a low phosphate diet, PTH levels were normalized by day 1, and growth was arrested by day 2, but CaR expression was restored between days 7 and 14. We conclude that although phosphate restriction restores CaR expression and function in parathyroid glands of uremic rats, it is a late event and not involved in the arrest of 2° HPT.
Study of p 53 , Pcna , Ki 67 and Micronuclei Related to Genotoxic Damage for Risk Categorization in PreMalignant Oral Lesions

In this prospective study, search for high risk cases of premalignant oral lesions were attempted through evaluation of oncoprotein expression, cell proliferation and micronuclei. Materials and methods: A total 50 cases of oral leukoplakia were diagnosed and adequate controls along with detailed history were included in this study. Study of tumour markers like p53, PCNA and Ki-67 were done immunohistochemically on tissue sections. Study of micronuclei was performed by feulgen staining method. Results: The mean age of the 50 cases were 44.48 ± 9.76 and median age was 50 years. There were 45 male cases (90%) and 5 female cases (10%). There were 26 non dysplastic (52%) and 24 dysplastic cases (48%). The smokers consist of 25 cases (50%) and other addictions (betel quid chewers, ghutka, khaini, alcohol etc.) had 24 cases (48%) and 1 case was non addict (2%). Out of 25 cases of smokers, 20 (80%) were positive in case of p53, 19 (76%) were positive in case of PCNA and 17 (68%) were positive in case of Ki67. Out of 24 cases of other addictions, 16 (66.67%) cases were positive in case of p53, 13 (54.17%) positive cases in case of PCNA and16 cases (66.67%) were positive in case of Ki67.The smokers had 0.51 ± 0.21 micronuclei frequency whereas other addiction groups had 0.24 ± 0.10. Conclusion: The histopathological risk assessment of these cases is inconclusive and thus p53, PCNA, Ki67 and micronuclei evaluation are needed for risk categorization.