Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The expected value of possession in professional rugby league match-play

Abstract This study estimated the expected point value for starting possessions in different field locations during rugby league match-play and calculated the mean expected points for each subsequent play during the possession. It also examined the origin of tries scored according to the method of gaining possession. Play-by-play data were taken from all 768 regular-season National Rugby League (NRL) matches during 2010–2013. A probabilistic model estimated the expected point outcome based on the net difference in points scored by a team in possession in a given situation. An iterative method was used to approximate the value of each situation based on actual scoring outcomes. Possessions commencing close to the opposition’s goal-line had the highest expected point equity, which decreased as the location of the possession moved towards the team’s own goal-line. Possessions following an opposition error, penalty or goal-line dropout had the highest likelihood of a try being scored on the set subsequent to their occurrence. In contrast, possessions that follow an opposition completed set or a restart were least likely to result in a try. The expected point values framework from our model has applications for informing playing strategy and assessing individual and team performance in professional rugby league.
The distribution and accumulation of fucoxanthin and its metabolites after oral administration in mice

The pharmacokinetics of dietary fucoxanthin, one of the xanthophylls in brown sea algae, is little understood. In the present study, mice were orally administered fucoxanthin, and the distribution and accumulation of fucoxanthin and its metabolites fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A were measured in the plasma, erythrocytes, liver, lung, kidney, heart, spleen and adipose tissue. In a single oral administration of 160 nmol fucoxanthin, fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A were detectable in all specimens tested in the present study, but fucoxanthin was not. The time at maximum concentration (Tmax) of these metabolites in adipose tissue was 24 h, while the Tmax in the others was 4 h. The area under the curve to infinity (AUC∞) of fucoxanthinol in the liver was the highest value (4680 nmol/g × h) among the tissues tested in the present study, while the AUC∞ of amarouciaxanthin A in adipose tissue was the highest value (4630 nmol/g × h). In daily oral administration of 160 nmol fucoxanthin for 1 week, fucoxanthin was also detectable in the tissues even at a low concentration. The amount of fucoxanthinol was 123 nmol/g in the heart and 85·2 nmol/g in the liver. Amarouciaxanthin A in the adipose tissue was distributed at a concentration of 97·5 nmol/g. These results demonstrate that dietary fucoxanthin accumulates in the heart and liver as fucoxanthinol and in adipose tissue as amarouciaxanthin A.
Chemokine expression in IBD. Mucosal chemokine expression is unselectively increased in both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

Mucosal changes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are characterized by ulcerative lesions accompanied by prominent cellular infiltrates in the bowel wall. Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that are able to promote leukocyte migration to areas of inflammation and are also able to initiate cell activation events. They have recently been implicated in the pathophysiology of many disease states. The aim of this study was to detail the degree and distribution of specific chemokines, interleukin (IL)‐8, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1, ‐2, and ‐3, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α and ‐1β, in IBD mucosa. Thirty‐nine patients were included, ten controls, 20 ulcerative colitis (UC), and nine Crohn's disease (CD), with a range of disease activity. Colonic mucosal biopsies were collected from UC, CD, and control patients and embedded in glycol methacrylate. Two‐micrometre‐thick sections were cut and stained using immunohistochemistry for chemokine protein expression. Sections were analysed using a light microscope. Expression of all types of chemokine protein was detected in colonic mucosa from both control and IBD patients. Patterns of staining between IBD patients and controls differed significantly, but CD and UC patients demonstrated similar patterns of staining. Individual chemokine expression was found to be significantly up‐regulated in IBD when patients were compared with the non‐diseased group in all areas of the mucosal sections. Up‐regulated chemokine expression correlated with increasing activity of the disease. It is concluded that human colonic chemokine expression is non‐selectively up‐regulated in IBD. The results supported the hypothesis that the degree of local inflammation and tissue damage in UC and CD is dependent on local expression of specific chemokines within IBD tissues. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Female Sexual Victimization Among College Students

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between college women’s sexual victimization experiences, health risk behaviors, and sexual functioning. A sample of 309 college women at a mid-sized Midwestern university completed measures assessing sexual victimization, sexual risk taking, substance use behaviors, sexual desire, sexual functioning, prior sexual experiences, and social desirability. Severity of sexual victimization was measured using a multi-item, behaviorally specific, gender-neutral measure, which was divided into four categories based on severity (none, sexual contact, sexual coercion, rape). Within the sample, 72.8% (n = 225) of women reported at least one experience of sexual victimization since age 16. Results from MANCOVAs and a multinomial logistic regression, controlling for social desirability and prior sexual experience, revealed that sexual victimization among female students was related to increased drug use, problematic drinking behaviors, sexual risk taking, sexual dysfunction, and dyadic sexual desire. In addition, findings indicated that women exposed to more severe forms of sexual victimization (i.e., rape) were most likely to report these risk-taking behaviors and sexual functioning issues. Implications for sexual assault risk reduction programming and treatment are discussed.
Pharmacology of diferuloyl methane (curcumin), a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agent *

Some pharmacological actions of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) have been examined in rats, mice and cats. The compound possesses significant anti‐inflammatory activity in acute as well as in chronic models of inflammation. It is as potent as phenylbutazone in the carrageenan oedema test but only half as potent in chronic tests. Curcumin possesses a much lower ulcerogenic index than phenylbutazone. It prevents the inflammation induced increase in SGOT and SGPT levels. It lacks analgesic and antipyretic activity. It has no other significant pharmacological effects. The oral LD50 in mice is more than 2ṁ0 g kg−1.
Effects of Training Intensity on Locomotor Performance in Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Crossover Study

Background. Many physical interventions can improve locomotor function in individuals with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI), although the training parameters that maximize recovery are not clear. Previous studies in individuals with other neurologic injuries suggest the intensity of locomotor training (LT) may positively influence walking outcomes. However, the effects of intensity during training of individuals with iSCI have not been tested. Objective. The purpose of this pilot, blinded-assessor randomized trial was to evaluate the effects of LT intensity on walking outcomes in individuals with iSCI. Methods. Using a crossover design, ambulatory participants with iSCI >1 year duration performed either high- or low-intensity LT for ≤20 sessions over 4 to 6 weeks. Four weeks following completion, the training interventions were alternated. Targeted intensities focused on achieving specific ranges of heart rate (HR) or ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), with intensity manipulated by increasing speeds or applying loads. Results. Significantly greater increases in peak treadmill speeds (0.18 vs 0.02 m/s) and secondary measures of metabolic function and overground speed were observed following high- versus low-intensity training, with no effects of intervention order. Moderate to high correlations were observed between differences in walking speed or distances and differences in HRs or RPEs during high- versus low-intensity training. Conclusion. This pilot study provides the first evidence that the intensity of stepping practice may be an important determinant of LT outcomes in individuals with iSCI. Whether such training is feasible in larger patient populations and contributes to improved locomotor outcomes deserves further consideration.
Planar microwave circuits employing double vertical interconnects for analogue processing of ultrawideband signals

The paper presents the design of novel planar microwave circuits for analogue processing of ultrawideband (3.1 to 10.6 GHz) signals. The proposed structures include power dividers, phase shifters and 90° and 180° hybrid circuits. They are accomplished in single-layer dielectric substrate. Through the use of double wireless vertical interconnects, which utilize two conducting substrate sides, these components are compatible with ordinary microwave circuits making them suitable for easy integration of microwave front ends. The presented designs are verified using full-wave electromagnetic field analysis and experimental tests.
Kinetic limitations on cloud droplet formation and impact on cloud albedo

Under certain conditions mass transfer limitations on the growth of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) may have a significant impact on the number of droplets that can form in a cloud. The assumption that particles remain in equilibrium until activated may therefore not always be appropriate for aerosol populations existing in the atmosphere. This work identifies three mechanisms that lead to kinetic limitations, the effect of which on activated cloud droplet number and cloud albedo is assessed using a one-dimensional cloud parcel model with detailed microphysics for a variety of aerosol size distributions and updraft velocities. In assessing the effect of kinetic limitations, we have assumed as cloud droplets not only those that are strictly activated (as dictated by classical Köhler theory), but also unactivated drops large enough to have an impact on cloud optical properties. Aerosol number concentration is found to be the key parameter that controls the significance of kinetic effects. Simulations indicate that the equilibrium assumption leads to an overprediction of droplet number by less than 10% for marine aerosol; this overprediction can exceed 40% for urban type aerosol. Overall, the effect of kinetic limitations on cloud albedo can be considered important when equilibrium activation theory consistently overpredicts droplet number by more than 10%. The maximum change in cloud albedo as a result of kinetic limitations is less than 0.005 for cases such as marine aerosol; however albedo differences can exceed 0.1 under more polluted conditions. Kinetic limitations are thus not expected to be climatically significant on a global scale, but can regionally have a large impact on cloud albedo.
A Genetic Based Approach to Optimize The Fuzzy Clustering Spam Filters

Spam email, is the practice of frequently sending unwanted email messages, usually with commercial content, in large quantities to a set of indiscriminate email accounts. Effort has been put into solving the spam problem from many directions. We examine the use of an optimizing technique to detect the best value of the Fuzzy Clustering Parameters which are the number of clusters and the Fuzzifier value are experimentally set and have a noticeable influence on the success classification rate of the algorithm and considered in our Fuzzy Clustering spam classification as a spam fighting technique. Our results show that the Genetic algorithm can improve the performance of the Fuzzy C-mean algorithm. The optimized algorithm scores a total success rate of 94.9% on the tested data.
Reduced-Order Shape Optimization Using Offset Surfaces in Blender

The advance of 3D printers’ capabilities and their sinking costs led to a huge trend of personal and commercial fabrication. But those advances were restricted to the hardware side meaning that there was a lack of software to optimize the digital models before printing. This was necessary because physical properties like mass, center of mass or moments of inertia, were neglected in the design of digital 3D models. Those properties play an important role in the behavior of a real-world object. Examples of an objects behavior are the ability to stand in a specific pose, float in the water or stably rotate around a certain axis. In the last few years methods have been presented to optimize digital models by altering specific regions of their volume in order to change their physical properties and therefore to prepare them for printing. A recently presented method forms the basis of this thesis. Due to its flexibility and performance it is well suited to be integrated into current 3D modeling applications. The algorithm was implemented as a C/C++ library which can be integrated in almost every application. Afterwards this library was integrated into the open source 3D modeling application Blender as a modifier.
Improved microscopic identification of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus cells by combining in situ hybridization with immunofluorescence

An oligonucleotide probe was selected from the 16S rRNA gene of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus for specific in situ hybridization. The rhodamine‐labelled oligonucleotide probe was used in conjunction with an indirect immunofluorescence procedure based on a specific monoclonal antibody detected with a fluorescein‐labelled conjugate. Simultaneous labelling of bacterial cells with the oligonucleotide and antibody probes allows accurate microscopic identification of single cells when isolation and other methods of confirming bacterial identity are not possible.
Prolonged and enhanced secretion of glucagon‐like peptide 1 (7‐36 amide) after oral sucrose due to α‐glucosidase inhibition (acarbose) in Type 2 diabetic patients

GLP‐1, an incretin hormone of the enteroinsular axis with insulinotropic and glucagonostatic activity, is secreted after nutrient ingestion. GLP‐1 is mainly produced by intestinal L‐cells in the lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT); simple carbohydrates are absorbed in the upper GIT and α‐glucosidase inhibition leads to augmented and prolonged GLP‐1 release in normal subjects. In a cross‐over study, 100 mg acarbose or placebo was administered simultaneously with 100 g sucrose to 11 hyperglycaemic Type 2 diabetic patients poorly controlled with diet and sulphonylureas. Plasma levels of GLP‐1, insulin, C‐peptide, glugacon, GIP, glucose and H2‐exhalation were measured over 6 h. Differences in the integrated responses over the observation period were evaluated by repeated measurement analysis of variance with fasting values used as covariates. With acarbose, sucrose reached the colon 60–90 min after ingestion as indicated by a significant increment in breath hydrogen exhalation (p = 0.005). After an early GLP‐1 increment 15 min after sucrose under both conditions, GLP‐1 release was prolonged in the acarbose group (p = 0.001; significant from 210 to 360 min). Initially (0–150 min), glucose (p = 0.001), insulin (p = 0.001), and GIP (p<0.001) were suppressed by acarbose, whereas later there were no significant differences. Glucagon levels were higher with acarbose in the last 3 h of the 6 h observation period (p = 0.02). We conclude that in hyperglycaemic Type 2 diabetic patients, ingestion of acarbose with a sucrose load leads to elevated and prolonged GLP‐1 release. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
INSULIN BINDING TO RAT LIVER GOLGI FRACTIONS

Although Golgi elements were first obtained from rat liver homogenates as a single fraction (1, 2) a new procedure was recently developed (3) which yielded three fractions which accounted for all of the Golgi elements present in the microsomal fraction, as indicated by recovery of UDPgalactosyl transferasel (4) . Morphological analysis showed that the Golgi "light" and "intermediate" subfractions contained a large number of large and small vesicles filled with very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles, whereas in the Golgi "heavy" subfraction, flat cisternal elements derived from the cis face of the Golgi apparatus predominated (3, 5) . Low activities of enzymes (e .g ., glucose-6-phosphatase) associated with the microsomal fraction were detected, but all fractions possessed 5'-nucleotidase activity (4) . Cytochemical tests indicated that the presence of 5'nucleotidase (normally considered as a plasma-
Controlled trial of prophylactic versus therapeutic use of ganciclovir after liver transplantation in adults

The potential of prophylactic ganciclovir for the control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was evaluated in a prospective controlled trial of 65 patients after liver transplantation. A group of 33 patients received ganciclovir (10 mg/kg/day) during the third and fourth weeks after transplantation, while 32 patients were randomised to receive ganciclovir (10 mg/kg/day) only when clinical CMV disease was diagnosed. Eight patients (25%) in the latter group received ganciclovir and included the only death attributed to CMV infection in the study. Prophylactic ganciclovir was associated with a lower incidence of serologically diagnosed secondary infection and the development of the IgM anti‐CMV antibody. However, the frequency of clinical infections was similar in the two groups (9/33 vs. 11/32). Liver function tests during the second month after transplantation were not significantly better in the patients receiving prophylactic ganciclovir. Leucopaenia was not seen in patients receiving prophylactic ganciclovir. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Apo A-I Ratio in Arterial Diseases

Background: The apo B/apo A-I ratio represents the balance between atherogenic particles, rich in apo B, and the antiatherogenic ones, apo A-I rich. This study investigated the association between atherosclerotic diseases in different anatomical sites and apo B/apo A-I ratio. Methods: Lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins A-I and B were assessed in 30 subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD), 26 with ischemic stroke (IS), 30 with peripheral arterial obstructive disease (PAOD), and 38 healthy subjects (controls). Results: HDLc and Apo A-I were significantly lower in PAOD and CAD groups, respectively, than in other groups. Significantly higher levels of triglycerides were observed for CAD and PAOD groups than for controls. Apo B was significantly higher in IS group than in control and PAOD groups. The apo B/apo A-I ratio showed significantly higher in CAD and IS groups when compared to control and PAOD groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The apo B/apo A-I ratio was important for identifying an increased trend for coronary and cerebral atherosclerosis. In spite of the increased trend for apo B/apo A-I ratio in IS and CAD groups, the studied variables cannot be considered in an isolated way, given as those parameters were analyzed together by a binary logistic regression, no association has been demonstrated. (Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab 2007;51/7:1160-1165)
[Sensitivity of bacteria to antimicrobial drugs and interpretation of results].

INTRODUCTION The discovery of antimicrobial drugs was a turning point in the permanent conflict between the mankind and microorganisms. However, due to the wide use and misuse of antibiotics in therapy and prophylaxis of infections the mankind is threatened by an alarming rise in the resistance of bacteria to drugs. Will this phenomenon turn us back to the pre-antibiotic era? DISCUSSION The increasing resistance of bacteria has become a global public health problem: bacteria are showing a remarkable capacity to develop different mechanisms and avoid drug effect. Mechanisms of resistance are numerous and various: production of beta-lactamases (Ambler class A): TEM-I, TEM-2 and SHV-1 and mutants of classical enzymes with extended spectrum (ESBL) (e.g. in Klebsiella spp.) which results in the resistance to the 3rd generation cephalosporines and new metallo-beta-lactamases among Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter (resistance to carbapenems). The alteration of the target enzymes (PBP) leads to the Staphylococci resistance to methicillin and the responsible gene is mecA gene). The alteration of DNA gyrase due to the mutations of gyrA, gyrB, parC genes (accumulation of multiple mutations) results in the development of resistance to fluoroquinolones); and the active efflux system - "pumping out" of the drug from the bacterial cell leads to the resistance of a wide spectrum of different antibiotics. In order to choose the most efficient drug for therapy, it is necessary to investigate susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial agents. For that purpose, a disc-diffusion method according to CLSl standard procedure is performed. For invasive strains it is often necessary to determine minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antimicrobials. The methods that are in use are agar-dilution methods, E-test and automated MIC determination by VITEK 2 system. CONCLUSION By molecular-biological methods it is possible to identify the mechanisms of resistance and detect the specific genes behind it (mecA gene). The targeted therapy prevents compromising of antibiotics valuable in treatment of severe infections (carbapenems).
Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging May Underestimate Acute Ischemic Lesions: Cautions on Neglecting a Computed Tomography–Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Discrepancy

Background and Purpose— Diffusion-weighted imaging sometimes fails to detect early computed tomography (CT) ischemic lesions in acute ischemic stroke patients, which is termed reversed discrepancy (RD), but its clinical significance remains unclear. The incidence and factors associated with RD in acute ischemic stroke patients within 3 hours of onset were examined. Methods— A total of 164 consecutive patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke was enrolled. All patients underwent both magnetic resonance imaging and CT within 3 hours of onset and before treatment. Their early ischemic changes were evaluated with the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score. RD was defined as present when the early ischemic change detected on CT was not seen on diffusion-weighted imaging. Results— RD was found in 40 patients (24%). RD group patients were older (78.7±9.6 versus 74.1±12.1 years; P=0.03) and had a higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (median, 22 versus 11; P<0.01), higher rates of atrial fibrillation (75% versus 42%; P<0.01), a higher rate of internal carotid artery/middle cerebral artery proximal occlusion (55% versus 28%; P<0.01), and lower CT-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (median 5 versus 10; P<0.01) and diffusion-weighted imaging-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (7 versus 9; P<0.01) than patients in the non-RD group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that atrial fibrillation was independently associated with the presence of RD (odds ratio, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.05–6.12). Conclusions— RD is observed in a quarter of acute ischemic stroke patients. RD should be taken into consideration, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation, to prevent underestimating the extent of ischemic lesions.