Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of old age and of renal failure on hepatic glucuronidation in the rat [proceedings].

al, 1978) or mediated through a prejunctional a-adrenoceptor (Hurst, Marshall & Nasmyth, 1979). We have investigated the effects of dopamine on the vasoconstrictor responses in the perfused rat mesenteric artery preparation (McGregor, 1965). The perfusion fluid contained cocaine (100 gM) and the periarterial nerves were stimulated for 30 s, every 5 min (10 or 20 Hz; 1 ms; 20 V). Doses of noradrenaline (0.1 to 20 pg) were injected into the perfusion. Infusion of dopamine (0.1-1 tM) resulted in immediate depression of the vasoconstrictor responses to nerve stimulation (Table 1). The results with concentrations of dopamine higher than 1 ±M are not included because they inhibited the responses to exogenous noradrenaline, suggesting an additional postsynaptic effect. This inhibition was slow in onset and difficult to wash off. The dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol, in concentrations (0.1-0.5 pm) that had no effect on responses to nerve stimulation or to noradrenaline, reduced the depressant effect of dopamine on neuronally mediated vasoconstriction (Table 1). Yohimbine (10 pM) produced a 10 to 15% increase in the response to nerve stimulation, but did not alter the inhibitory effect of dopamine (Table 1). It is suggested that dopamine inhibition of vasoconstrictor responses to nerve stimulation in rat mesentric artery may be mediated by a specific inhibitory dopamine receptor and not via presynaptic a-adrenoceptors. The mechanism of the slow dopamine inhibition of noradrenaline responses has not yet been defined.
Increase activity of serum total and prostatic acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase and testosterone level in rats exposed to gasoline vapours.

In this study, changes in the activities of serum total and prostatic acid phosphatase (TACP and PACP, respectively), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma()-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and testosterone level were assessed in male rats exposed wholly to 17.8±2.6cm 3 hr -1 kg -1m -3 day -1 of gasoline vapours (8 hours daily, 6 days/week) for 20 weeks in exposure chambers. The results showed that exposure to gasoline vapours caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in serum TACP, PACP, ALP, GGT and testosterone levels, by 74.12 ± 4.71, 74.00 ± 2.80, 53.00 ± 3.6, 87.17 ± 2.5 and 83.42 ± 5.2 percents, respectively, in male rats. Increase in serum acid and alkaline phosphatases,  - glutamyltransferase and testosterone levels, observed in this study to be associated with exposure of male rats to gasoline vapours, is known to be implicated in various prostatic clinical conditions, including prostatic cancer.
EPR Spectra of Cr in CdTe Crystals

The EPR studies of CdTe:Cr were performed on X-band (9.6 GHz) spectrometer at room temperature. Single CdTe crystals were doped by chromium Cr in the synthesis process. The spectra observed were resolved into two spectra. The first one consisted of very broad line (∆B = 100 mT) and the second one showed a typical fine structure. The complete angular dependence measurements were obtained. The fine structure of Cr or Cr ions was assumed and simulated. It follows from the theoretical analysis of the obtained spectra that degree of ionization of the chromium Cr dopant is 3+.
The genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum reflects its adaptation to the human gastrointestinal tract

Bifidobacteria are Gram-positive prokaryotes that naturally colonize the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and vagina. Although not numerically dominant in the complex intestinal microflora, they are considered as key commensals that promote a healthy GIT. We determined the 2.26-Mb genome sequence of an infant-derived strain of Bifidobacterium longum, and identified 1,730 possible coding sequences organized in a 60%–GC circular chromosome. Bioinformatic analysis revealed several physiological traits that could partially explain the successful adaptation of this bacteria to the colon. An unexpectedly large number of the predicted proteins appeared to be specialized for catabolism of a variety of oligosaccharides, some possibly released by rare or novel glycosyl hydrolases acting on “nondigestible” plant polymers or host-derived glycoproteins and glycoconjugates. This ability to scavenge from a large variety of nutrients likely contributes to the competitiveness and persistence of bifidobacteria in the colon. Many genes for oligosaccharide metabolism were found in self-regulated modules that appear to have arisen in part from gene duplication or horizontal acquisition. Complete pathways for all amino acids, nucleotides, and some key vitamins were identified; however, routes for Asp and Cys were atypical. More importantly, genome analysis provided insights into the reciprocal interactions of bifidobacteria with their hosts. We identified polypeptides that showed homology to most major proteins needed for production of glycoprotein-binding fimbriae, structures that could possibly be important for adhesion and persistence in the GIT. We also found a eukaryotic-type serine protease inhibitor (serpin) possibly involved in the reported immunomodulatory activity of bifidobacteria.
The Road to Recovery: Where Are We Going and How Do We Get There? Empirically Driven Conclusions and Future Directions for Service Development and Research

The term “recovery” is often used in the addiction field. However, we have thus far failed to define the term, to delineate its dimensions, or to elucidate the prerequisite conditions to this outcome. This has hindered service development and evaluation as well as changes in policy. This paper: 1. Reviews empirical findings about how “recovery” is defined and experienced by individuals engaged in the process; 2. Examines factors associated with recovery initiation, maintenance, and sustained lifestyle, and review obstacles to recovery; and 3. Discusses implications for services and research; implications include the need to adopt a long-term, wellness-centered approach to addressing substance use related problems, the importance for society to address the stigma of former addiction and to offer attractive viable opportunities to promote making significant life changes toward recovery from substance use.
Low immunogenicity of tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective Subcutaneous (SC) and intravenous formulations of tocilizumab (TCZ) are available for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), based on the efficacy and safety observed in clinical trials. Anti-TCZ antibody development and its impact on safety and efficacy were evaluated in adult patients with RA treated with intravenous TCZ (TCZ-IV) or TCZ-SC as monotherapy or in combination with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). Methods Data from 5 TCZ-SC and 8 TCZ-IV phase III clinical trials and 1 TCZ-IV clinical pharmacology safety study (>50 000 samples) were pooled to assess the immunogenicity profile of TCZ-SC and TCZ-IV (8974 total patients). The analysis included antidrug antibody (ADA) measurement following TCZ-SC or TCZ-IV treatment as monotherapy or in combination with csDMARDs, after dosing interruptions or in TCZ-washout samples, and the correlation of ADAs with clinical response, adverse events or pharmacokinetics (PK). Results The proportion of patients who developed ADAs following TCZ-SC or TCZ-IV treatment was 1.5% and 1.2%, respectively. ADA development was also comparable between patients who received TCZ monotherapy and those who received concomitant csDMARDs (0.7–2.0%). ADA development did not correlate with PK or safety events, including anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity or injection-site reactions, and no patients who developed ADAs had loss of efficacy. Conclusions The immunogenicity risk of TCZ-SC and TCZ-IV treatment was low, either as monotherapy or in combination with csDMARDs. Anti-TCZ antibodies developed among the small proportion of patients had no evident impact on PK, efficacy or safety.
High prevalence of serum antibodies reacting with simian virus 40 capsid protein mimotopes in patients affected by malignant pleural mesothelioma

Human malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is considered a rare tumor, but recent estimations indicate that one-quarter million people will die of this neoplasm in Europe in the next three decades. The mineral asbestos is considered the main causative agent of this neoplasm. MPM is largely unresponsive to conventional chemotherapy/radiotherapy. In addition to asbestos exposure, genetic predisposition to asbestos carcinogenesis and to simian virus (SV)40 infection has also been suggested. SV40 is a DNA tumor virus found in some studies to be associated at high prevalence with MPM. SV40 sequences have also been detected, although at a lower prevalence than in MPM, in blood specimens from healthy donors. However, some studies have failed to reveal SV40 footprints in MPM and its association with this neoplasm. These conflicting results indicate the need for further investigations with new approaches. We report on the presence of antibodies in serum samples from patients affected by MPM that specifically react with two different SV40 mimotopes. The two SV40 peptides used in indirect ELISAs correspond to viral capsid proteins. ELISA with the two SV40 mimotopes gave overlapping results. Our data indicate that in serum samples from MPM-affected patients (n = 97), the prevalence of antibodies against SV40 viral capsid protein antigens is significantly higher (26%, P = 0.043) than in the control group (15%) represented by healthy subjects (n = 168) with the same median age (66 y) and sex. Our results suggest that SV40 is associated with a subset of MPM and circulates in humans.
Comparing the Education Gradient in Chronic Disease Incidence among the Elderly in Six OECD Countries

Inequalities in health by educational attainment are persistent both over time and across countries. However, their magnitudes, evolution, and main drivers are not necessarily consistent across jurisdictions. We examine the health-education gradient among older adults in the United States, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy, including how it changes over time between 2004 and 2010. Using longitudinal survey data, we assess how rates of incident poor health, incident difficulties with activities of daily living, and incident chronic conditions vary by educational attainment across countries. We also examine how potential confounders, including demographic characteristics, income, health care utilisation and health behaviours, affect the health-education gradient within countries over time. We find systematic differences in disease incidence, as well as in the health-education gradients, across countries. We also demonstrate that while adjusting for confounders generally diminishes the health-education gradient, the impacts of these variables vary somewhat across countries.
Implementing CAESAR candidate Prøst on ARM11

Prøst is a contestant in the Caesar competition for Authenticated Encryption. This thesis shows how Prøst was optimised for the arm11 microprocessor architecture. By implementing Prøst in assembly, a performance gain of 28% to 48% was achieved. We also present a new implementation of MixSlices, one of the sub-operations in Prøst’s permute function. This new implementation has 33% fewer arithmetic operations than the original version.
Factors predicting progression of gastric intestinal metaplasia: results of a randomised trial on Helicobacter pylori eradication

Background and aim: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) is generally considered to be a precancerous lesion in the gastric carcinogenesis cascade. This study identified the risk factors associated with progression of IM in a randomised control study. Subjects and methods: A total of 587 Helicobacter pylori infected subjects were randomised to receive a one week course of anti-Helicobacter therapy (omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin (OAC)) or placebo. Subjects underwent endoscopy with biopsy at baseline and at five years. Severity of IM was graded according to the updated Sydney classification and progression was defined as worsening of IM scores at five years in either the antrum or corpus, or development of neoplasia. Backward stepwise multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors associated with IM progression. Results: Of 435 subjects (220 in the OAC and 215 in the placebo group) available for analysis, 10 developed gastric cancer and three had dysplasia. Overall progression of IM was noted in 52.9% of subjects. Univariate analysis showed that persistent H pylori infection, age >45 years, male subjects, alcohol use, and drinking water from a well were significantly associated with IM progression. Duodenal ulcer and OAC treatment were associated with a reduced risk of histological progression. Progression of IM was more frequent in those with more extensive and more severe IM at baseline. With multiple logistic regression, duodenal ulcer (odds ratio (OR) 0.23 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09–0.58)) was found to be an independent protective factor against IM progression. Conversely, persistent H pylori infection (OR 2.13 (95% CI 1.41–3.24)), age >45 years (OR 1.92 (95% CI 1.18–3.11)), alcohol use (OR 1.67 (95% CI 1.07–2.62)), and drinking water from a well (OR 1.74 (95% CI 1.13–2.67)) were independent risk factors associated with IM progression. Conclusion: Eradication of H pylori is protective against progression of premalignant gastric lesions.
Origen y Formacion de Creencias Sobre la Resolucion de Problemas. Estudio de un Grupo de Alumnos que Comienzan la Educacion Secundaria

Alolargo de la escolaridad los alumnos se van forjando una idea de lo que es lamatem´atica y de lo que signiﬁca “hacer matem´aticas”. Pero las investigacionessobre las creencias de los alumnos nos muestran que la visi´on de la matem´aticaque predomina es la de una ciencia r´igida, aburrida, mec´anica, dif´icil, un tor-mento para algunos, que poco o nada tiene que ver con la creatividad, la bellezaoeljuego.Aunque socialmente se considera que esta materia es importante para laformaci´on y el desarrollo personal y social, y con frecuencia se advierte la preo-cupaci´on por el bajo rendimiento de los alumnos, sin embargo no se ponen losmedios para presentar, a trav´es de los medios de comunicaci´on, en la educaci´onformal o en otros ´ambitos formativos, sus vertientes est´etica, l´udica o experi-mental; no se proporciona a la mayor´ia de los j´ovenes experiencias inolvidables,como la de demostrar que hay inﬁnitos n´umeros primos aunque no se tenga unaf´ormula para obtenerlos y que adem´as, aunque parezca imposible, hay tantosn´umeros primos como naturales a pesar de que los primos son un subconjuntode los naturales; o no se les propone verdaderos problemas en los que traba-jen intensamente, con inter´es y motivaci´on, tratando de resolverlos y tengan elplacer de comprobar de que en un instante se puede producir la iluminaci´on quecompense grandes esfuerzos.Por otra parte la realidad del d´ia a d´ia en el aula nos muestra una am-plia e inabordable casu´istica de diﬁcultades, bloqueos y errores cometidos y/oobservados en el alumnado al resolver problemas de matem´aticas. Y nos pre-guntamos: ? Por qu´eseproducen estos errores de forma tan generalizada? Porqu´e algunos alumnos especialmente capacitados a veces dan respuestas pobreso ingenuas?
Investigating Aggressive Driving Behavior in Reducing Traffic Congestion on Bandung City

Traffic congestion reflects waste of time and energy that must be eliminated. Many methods have been employed by past studies to solve this problem. The approach utilized by those studies is mostly macroscopic that consider vehicles and drivers in aggregate. This study argues that a more microscopic approach is also required to depict and solve the congestion problem. Hence, agent-based simulation is brought forward to help identify the cause of congestion problem. In this study, drivers are assumed to have their own motives that might drive them to resort to aggressive behaviors that ultimately lead to traffic congestion. As a preliminary investigation, this study aims to discover type of aggressive driving behavior on Bandung City. The results demonstrate that aggressive dirivng behaviors on Bandung City can be categorized into five factors namely improper speed, inattentiveness, display of hostility, impatience, and disobedience of traffic sign/signals. This study also found that different composition of driving behaviors leads to different degree of congestion. Impatience behavior is found to be the factor that must be eliminate to remedy congestion on Bandung City.
Orthogonal Dual-Triggered Shape-Memory DNA-Based Hydrogels.

DNA-based shape-memory hydrogels revealing switchable shape recovery in the presence of two orthogonal triggers are described. In one system, a shaped DNA/acrylamide hydrogel is stabilized by duplex nucleic acids and pH-responsive cytosine-rich, i-motif, bridges. Separation of the i-motif bridges at pH 7.4 transforms the hydrogel into a quasi-liquid, shapeless state, that includes the duplex bridges as permanent shape-memory elements. Subjecting the quasi-liquid state to pH 5.0 or Ag(+) ions recovers the hydrogel shape, due to the stabilization of the hydrogel by i-motif or C-Ag(+) -C bridged i-motif. The cysteamine-induced transformation of the duplex/C-Ag(+) -C bridged i-motif hydrogel into a quasi-liquid shapeless state results in the recovery of the shaped hydrogel in the presence of H(+) or Ag(+) ions as triggers. In a second system, a shaped DNA/acrylamide hydrogel is generated by DNA duplexes and bridging Pb(2+) or Sr(2+) ions-stabilized G-quadruplex subunits. Subjecting the shaped hydrogel to the DOTA or KP ligands eliminates the Pb(2+) or Sr(2+) ions from the respective hydrogels, leading to shapeless, memory-containing, quasi-liquid states that restore the original shapes with Pb(2+) or Sr(2+) ions.
Applications of a Novel SEM Technique for the Analysis of Hydrated Samples

This article describes a novel electron microscope methodology that enables high-resolution imaging of fully hydrated samples. This technique involves separation of the sample from the vacuum by an electrontransparent yet robust membrane. Imaging is based on detection of backscattered electrons resulting in the capability to see a defined sample volume proximal to the membrane. Consequently, unsectioned samples can be used, allowing simultaneous viewing of global and local structures. As there is no requirement for sectioning, sample preparation is both simple and rapid, making this technique suitable for economic, high-throughput research in the materials, medical and biological sciences. Examples of medical and biological applications of this technology are described here.
Simulation Model of Transport Traceability System for Transit Customs Goods within the EEU

Abstract This article reviews the transport traceability system for customs goods within the Eurasian Economic Union, which is the automated data system used to control integrity and movement of cargo section of a carrier vehicle by means of satellite navigation system, mobile cellular communication system and satellite communication system. Article is dedicated to the development of a model that simulates functions of transport traceability system for customs goods, which are being transported using the international transit transport corridors, and this model would be also used for assessment of a demand on electronic seals by seal installation stations, and for determination of correspondence between simulated transport route and actual travel time. Simulation model was already used in a test project, where it was integrated into “EVAC Transit” transport traceability system, and it has proven it’s operability and efficiency.
Implementation of cascade testing for the detection of familial hypercholesterolaemia

Purpose of review Cascade testing is an important method for identifying individuals at risk of a genetic condition. Recent advances in its application to familial hypercholesterolaemia are reviewed to identify potential problems impeding its application and the extent to which current data address these concerns. Recent findings Different paradigms for cascade testing are being applied in national programmes. Current data demonstrates cost-effectiveness, and an increased uptake of preventive measures. The relationship between molecular and clinical diagnostic methods is discussed. Psychological impacts of a diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia are in line with the risks associated with the disorder. The efficacy of statins in improving vascular function of children with familial hypercholesterolaemia has been demonstrated, but extensive safety data are lacking. Ethical arguments support that it is equally acceptable for relatives of familial hypercholesterolaemia patients to be contacted by healthcare workers as by family members, but the former is likely to be more efficient. Concerns about increased life insurance premiums are valid but insurance companies are assessing risk realistically, so this should not be a barrier to cascade testing. Summary Current data support the implementation of cascade testing for familial hypercholesterolaemia as being feasible and cost-effective, but national implementation is limited to a small number of countries. Funding and the infrastructure to support it may be the major stumbling blocks in implementing this technique in many countries. Concerns about the ethics of carrying out cascade testing, and the potential psychological damage of DNA testing, appear to have been largely addressed for familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Soft-decision Reed-Solomon decoding on partial response channels

We compare the performance of list-type soft-decision Reed-Solomon (RS) decoding algorithms to that of classical hard-decision RS decoding on partial response (PR) channels. The two soft-decision RS decoding approaches that we consider, the list-GMD and the Koetter-Vardy (see Proc. IEEE Int. Symp. Information Theory, (Sorrento, Italy), IEEE, June 2000) algorithm, are both based on Sudan's (1997) (polynomial) interpolation approach to polynomial-time list-decoding. The soft-decision RS decoders take as input symbol-based reliabilities which can be provided by a symbol-based BCJR algorithm. The symbol-based BCJR algorithm is an extension of the original BCJR algorithm and calculates the a posteriori probability (APP) of a block of l-bits. The complexity of the algorithm can be reduced when applied to a PR channel. We present a hybrid Viterbi-BCJR approach that can be used when only the reliability of the most-likely symbol is desired. The hybrid approach calculates the APP of the most reliable symbol without the need to run the complete forward and backward algorithm. We demonstrate through simulations that soft-decision RS decoding will lead to a lower probability of decoding error. Moreover, we show that using the symbol-based APPs will yield a lower symbol error rate (SER) than using the measures obtained by multiplying the bit reliabilities.