Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Standard Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammation of the colon which may present with a range of mild to severe symptoms. The disease may be localized to the rectum or can be more extensive and involve the left side of the colon or the whole colon. Treatment in UC is directed towards inducing and maintaining remission of symptoms and mucosal inflammation. The key parameters to be assessed for the most appropriate treatment are the severity and extent of the inflammation. Meta-analyses of published trials have shown that topical treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is the treatment of choice in active distal mild-to-moderate UC. Oral aminosalicylates are effective in both distal and extensive mild-to-moderate disease, but in distal disease, the rates of remission are lower than those obtained with topical 5-ASA. New steroids, such as budesonide and beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), administered as enemas, constitute an alternative to 5-ASA therapy. In some studies, these have been shown to be as effective as conventional steroids but with significantly lower inhibition of plasma cortisol levels. Patients with unresponsive disease or those with more severe presentation will require oral corticosteroids and sometimes intravenous therapy. Approximately 10% of patients with unresponsive UC have severe attacks requiring hospitalization. Patients with severe disease should be managed jointly by a medical and surgical team, and intensive intravenous treatment should be started with high-dose steroids. Early recognition of failure of therapy will allow the introduction of immunosuppressive therapy with intravenous cyclosporine. Patients who respond are shifted to oral cyclosporine associated with azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine, whereas those who fail will require proctocolectomy. Oral aminosalicylates are the first-line therapy in maintenance of remission. Topical 5-ASA may play a role in distal disease. Patients who are steroid dependent can be started on azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine although it may take up to 3 months for the treatment to become effective. They may have reversible immediate side effects, such as pancreatitis or bone marrow suppression, which disappear upon discontinuation of therapy. Close monitoring of these hematologic and biochemical parameters will improve safety. The use of biologic therapy with infliximab in more severe disease has not been established.
On Evaluating and Optimizing Weights for Weighted Random Pattern Testing

Two problems in weighted random pattern testing are considered: 1) evaluating a set of input weights in terms of the amount of time required to generate a set of test patterns and 2) determining the optimal weights for a given test set. An exact expression for expected test length is derived as a function of input weights. Upper and lower bounds for expected test length are presented. Percentage error of approximation is expressed in terms of the bounds. Based on these results, algorithms are given for approximating expected test length. These algorithms allow the user to tradeoff accuracy and computational complexity. Experiments with some test sets are presented to illustrate the accuracy of the approximation technique. Expected test length is shown to be a convex function of input weights. A simple hill-climbing algorithm is defined to find optimal weights for a given set of test patterns. When hardware constraints, limiting the number of weights to be realized for each input bit, are also specified, a simple modification of the algorithm suffices in yielding optimal weights in the constrained space. Experiments with several circuits yield of the order of 96% to 99% reduction in expected test length over that achieved by current techniques.
The structure analysis of logistics enterprises competitive network based on complex networks

This paper constructs the annual competitive relationship complex models of Boolean network and weighted network among the logistics enterprises according to the data of the logistics enterprises' locate and turnover from the year 2006 to 2009 in Dongguan, China. Then, the author analyzes network structure properties each year with the different static indexes, and discusses the dynamic mechanism. The results shows that compared with Boolean network, weighted network appears to be more practical. The strength of nodes is subjected to scale-free distribution. The weighted network has weak assortativity and enterprises with high turnover display more competitive links and are more clustered.
Extramammary Paget Disease in a Retrorectal Dermoid Cyst: Report of a Unique Case

Retrorectal (presacral) dermoid cysts are rare entities, also described as mature cystic or monodermal teratomas. We present a unique case arising in a 64-year-old man, in which the lining squamous epithelium showed marked expansion by Paget disease of extramammary type, and discuss the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings.
Expression of the Hamster Sperm Protein P26h During Spermatogenesis1

Abstract P26h is a hamster sperm protein of 26 kDa that has been previously characterized as a surface protein covering the acrosome acquired during epididymal transit. P26h is involved in sperm-egg interactions. Recently, it has been shown that the P26h transcript is highly expressed in the testis, and the P26h cDNA has been cloned from a hamster testicular cDNA library. Herein we report the production of a fusion protein (maltose binding protein-P26h) with the whole P26h cDNA encoding sequence and the production of a polyclonal antiserum against it. In Western blots, this antiserum recognized both the P26h extracted from cauda epididymal spermatozoa and the MBP-P26h. We also determined the age of appearance of P26h and which germ cell types express P26h mRNA and its translational product. Northern blots and in situ hybridization analysis showed that P26h transcripts appear at 3 wk of age, within the first round of spermatogenesis in the golden hamster. In situ hybridization showed that P26h transcripts are expressed in spermatocytes and round spermatids, whereas immunostaining revealed the presence of P26h in the cytoplasm of round spermatids and elongated spermatids. P26h was undetectable in testicular spermatozoa. Both in situ hybridization and immunostaining showed P26h expression to be dependent of the testicular cell type and the epithelium cycle. The implications for P26h in sperm-egg interaction and the testicular origin of P26h are discussed.
Physicochemical parameters influencing coaggregation between the freshwater bacteria Sphingomonas natatoria 2.1 and Micrococcus luteus 2.13

The aim of this study was to explore the physicochemical parameters that influence coaggregation between the freshwater bacteria Sphingomonas natatoria 2.1 and Micrococcus luteus 2.13. Using visual coaggregation assays, the effect of different buffers, solutions of differing ionic strength, pH, temperature, and viscosity on the degree of coaggregation was assessed. Coaggregation occurred maximally in distilled water but was inhibited when coaggregates were suspended in a commonly-used oral bacterial coaggregation buffer, saline solutions, and Tris-Cl buffers. Coaggregation was weakly expressed in standard laboratory buffers. The ionic strength of inorganic salt solutions required to inhibit coaggregation depended upon the inorganic salt being tested. Coaggregation occurred at a pH of 3–10, between 5 and 80°C and was inhibited in solutions with a viscosity of 22.5 centipoises at 20°C. Inhibition of coaggregation with NaCl impaired biofilm development. When developing buffers to test for coaggregation, the natural liquid environment should be considered. Coaggregation between S. natatoria 2.1 and M. luteus 2.13 is only affected by physicochemical conditions beyond those typically found in natural freshwater ecosystems. Such a robust ability to coaggregate may enhance the ability of S. natatoria 2.1 and M. luteus 2.13 to develop a niche in freshwater biofilms.
Development of Serum Glycoproteomic Profiling Technique; Simultaneous Identification of Glycosylation Sites and Site-Specific Quantification of Glycan Structure Changes*

Characterization and interpretation of disease-associated alterations of protein glycosylation are the central aims of the emerging glycoproteomics projects, which are expected to lead to more sensitive and specific diagnosis and improve therapeutic outcomes for various diseases. Here we report a new approach to identify carbohydrate-targeting serum biomarkers, termed isotopic glycosidase elution and labeling on lectin-column chromatography (IGEL). This technology is based on glycan structure-specific enrichment of glycopeptides by lectin-column chromatography and site-directed tagging of N-glycosylation sites by 18O during the elution with N-glycosidase. The combination of IGEL with 8-plex isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) stable isotope labeling enabled us not only to identify N-glycosylation sites effectively but also to compare glycan structures on each glycosylation site quantitatively in a single LC/MS/MS analysis. We applied this method to eight sera from lung cancer patients and controls, and finally identified 107 glycopeptides in their sera, including A2GL_Asn151, A2GL_Asn290, CD14_Asn132, CO8A_Asn417, C163A_Asn64, TIMP1_Asn30, and TSP1_Asn1049 which showed the significant change of the affinity to Concanavalin A (ConA) lectin between the lung cancer samples and the controls (p < 0.05 and more than twofold change). These screening results were further confirmed by the conventional lectin-column chromatography and immunoblot analysis using additional serum samples. Our novel methodology, which should be valuable for diverse biomarker discoveries, can provide high-throughput and quantitative profiling of glycan structure alterations.
Induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress by the pro-apoptotic retinoid N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)retinamide via a reactive oxygen species-dependent mechanism in human head and neck cancer cells

N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR), which has shown efficacy in cancer chemoprevention and therapy, induces the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway via increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS is also known to be able to induce an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, which can contribute to apoptosis but may also antagonize it. Therefore, we used human head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) cells to determine whether 4HPR affects ER stress. Different experimental approaches have indicated that 4HPR induces ER stress response: electron microscopy, which showed extensive ER dilation; splicing of the X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1), a marker of unfolded protein response (UPR) activation; and quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting, which revealed the up-regulation of several ER-stress associated mRNAs and proteins, including the chaperone heat shock protein HSPA1A. Most of these effects of 4HPR were abrogated by co-treatment of cells with the antioxidant 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) indicating that they were downstream of the increase in ROS. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated silencing and chemical inhibition of HSPA1A, which exerts either pro- or anti-apoptotic effects, decreased 4HPR-induced apoptosis. These results demonstrate that 4HPR induces ER stress and uncovered a pro-apoptotic role for HSPA1A in 4HPR-induced apoptosis.
Fiber vibration sensing technologies based on draw-tower grating arrays

A distributed vibration sensing system with Michelson interferometer based on width-band ultra-weak fiber Bragg grating (UWFBG) arrays in Draw Tower Grating (DTG) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The precise of the space between adjacent UWFBG is less than 1mm, which is conducive to precise positioning and rapid demodulation. The system is capable of measuring vibrations of up to 1 kHz over 1.6 km with 2.5m spatial resolution.
The Third Wave in East Asia Comparative and Dynamic Perspectives

This article offers a comprehensive and dynamic account of democratization in East Asia over the past two decades. It first traces the history of democratic transitions in the region, and thereafter examines their contours, modes, and sources from a comparative perspective. It then considers the extent to which third-wave democracies have consolidated, by appraising the quality of their performances. Finally, it explores the prospect of democratic regime change in China and Singapore. Analyses of Freedom House and the World Bank data reveal that the East Asian region has been slow in responding to the surging wave of global democratization in terms of not only transforming authoritarian regimes into electoral democracies, but also consolidating electoral democracies into well-functioning liberal democracies. Analyses of the Asian Barometer surveys, on the other hand, suggest that the mass citizenries of China and Singapore endorse their current regime as a well-functioning democracy, and are not much in favor of democratic regime change in their respective countries.
Treatment for spasticity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease.

BACKGROUND Spasticity commonly affects patients with motor neuron disease and it is likely to contribute to worsening muscle dysfunction, increased difficulty with activities of daily living and deteriorating quality of life. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review is to systematically review all types of treatments for spasticity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as motor neuron disease. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group specialised trials register (searched January 2003), MEDLINE (January 1966 to January 2003), EMBASE (January 1980 to January 2003), CINAHL (January 1982 to January 2003), AMED (January 1985 to January 2003) and LILACS (January 1982 to January 2003) for randomized controlled trials. We reviewed the bibliographies of the randomized trials identified, and contacted trial authors and known experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA We included quasi-randomized or randomized controlled trials of participants with probable or definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis according to the El Escorial diagnostic criteria (or a revised version) or the Airlie House revision. We would have included trials of physical therapy, modalities, prescription medications, non-prescription medications, chemical neurolysis, surgical interventions, alternative therapies. Our primary outcome measure was reduction in spasticity at three months or greater as measured by Ashworth (or modified Ashworth) spasticity scale. Our secondary outcome measures were: validated measures based on history, physical examination, physiological measures, measures of function, measures of quality of life, serious adverse events, and measures of cost. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We identified only one randomized controlled trial that met the inclusion criteria for this review. Two authors extracted the data. We also contacted the author of the paper and obtained further information not available in the published article. MAIN RESULTS The included study was a trial of moderate intensity, endurance type exercise versus 'usual activities' in 25 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. At three months patients performing the 15 minute twice daily exercises had significantly less spasticity (mean reduction of 0.43 Ashworth grades versus an increase of 0.25 in controls), as measured by the Ashworth scale. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Individualized, moderate intensity, endurance type exercises for the trunk and limbs may help to reduce spasticity in motor neuron disease. No other medical, surgical or alternative treatment and therapy has been evaluated in a randomized fashion in this patient population.
Multislice computed tomography as an adjunct to the management of an in‐stent stenosis in an infant with congenital heart disease: Imaging for the future

The case report demonstrates the value of multslice computed tomography for stent imaging and detection of an in‐stent stenosis in an infant with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect after stent placement in the right pulmonary artery after biventricular repair. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
POSTMATING REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION BETWEEN CHRYSOPA QUADRIPUNCTATA AND CHRYSOPA SLOSSONAE: MECHANISMS AND GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION

In laboratory tests, Chrysopa quadripunctata showed geographic variation in a postmating, prezygotic barrier to interbreeding with its sister species, C. slossonae. When paired with C. slossonae males, C. quadripunctata females from populations that are sympatric with C. slossonae (i.e. from New York and Florida) had lower incidences of fertile oviposition than those from allopatric populations (i.e. from Kansas and California). Chrysopa quadripunctata females in all interspecific pairings were inseminated, but absence of fertile oviposition was associated with the lack of sperm transfer from the bursa copulatrix to the spermatheca. The C. quadripunctata females that failed to lay fertile eggs when crossed with C. slossonae males, invariably produced viable C. quadripunctata offspring (no hybrids) within one day after the heterospecific male was replaced with a conspecific one. Thus, the barrier to hybridization may involve the ability of females to (a) distinguish between heterospecific and conspecific sperm and (b) allow the transfer of only conspecific sperm to the spermatheca. When C. slossonae females were paired with C. quadripunctata males, the incidences of fertile oviposition were high and there was no apparent geographic variation in the degree of hybridization. As with C. quadripunctata females, unsuccessful hybridization of C. slossonae females was associated with retention of sperm in the bursa copulatrix. Hybrids did not differ from intraspecific offspring in their viability or sex ratios. However, hybrids whose parents originated from sympatric populations had low fertility; thus hybrid infertility may constitute an additional barrier to hybridization. The patterns of inter‐ and intraspecific variation in hybridization are consistent with the notions that C. quadripunctata harbors variation in the mechanism that controls sperm movement to the spermatheca and that the evolution of reproductive isolation between C. quadripunctata and C. slossonae may include natural selection for increased expression of this mechanism.
Human Resource Management in India: 'Where From' and 'Where To?'

India is being widely recognised as one of the most exciting emerging economics in the world. Besides becoming a global hub of outsourcing, Indian firms are spreading their wings globally through mergers and acquisitions. During the first four months of 1997, Indian companies have bought 34 foreign companies for about U.S. $11 billion dollars. This impressive development has been due to a growth in inputs (capital and labour) as well as factor productivity. By the year 2020, India is expected to add about 250 million to its labour pool at the rate of about 18 million a year, which is more than the entire labour force of Germany. This so called ‘demographic dividend’ has drawn a new interest in the Human Resource concepts and practices in India. This paper traces notable evidence of economic organisations and managerial ideas from ancient Indian sources with enduring traditions and considers them in the context of contemporary challenges.
Solution over-Fit Control in Evolutionary Multiobjective Optimization of Pattern Classification Systems

The optimization of many engineering systems is challenged by the solution over-fit to the data set used to evaluate potential solutions during the evolutionary process. The solution over-fit phenomenon is hard to detect and is especially prevalent in problems involving example-based training, such as pattern feature selection and pattern classi- fier design. For these applications, uncontrolled over-fit can lead to biased features being extracted and degraded classifier generalization abilities. This paper details the perfor- mance of a solution over-fit control strategy used in the multiobjective evolutionary optimization of a multileveled classification system. This control, embedded within a solution validation procedure, minimizes the over-fit effects without modifying the dom- inance relation used in the processing of candidate solutions. Extensive experimental analysis using multiobjective genetic and memetic algorithms demonstrates both the need and the efficiency of the proposed over-fit control for pattern classification systems optimization.
Evaluation of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for osteoarthritis.

Lameness, and more specifically, joint disease, causes significant loss of use of athletic horses and has a large economic impact on the horse industry. Despite numerous medical treatments, novel treatments are needed. Recent experimental evidence and anecdotal clinical impressions of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) have been reported.13 Unpublished clinical studies in dogs have shown promising results, as have anecdotal reports on treating shoulder, pastern, and coffin joint OA in horses. This information led to the completion of the current study comparing ESWT to Adequanma and sham treatments in horses.
The effect of computer experience on subjective and objective software usability measures

In the user-centered approach to software design and development, end-users act as evaluators in usability tests at various points during the development life-cycle. Some usability professionals argue that these usability tests simply reflect the preferences of the participants and should not be used in place of objective performance measures. In an attempt to strengthen the validity of the user-centered approach, the present study examined the association between subjective preference measures and objective performance measures in relation to the user’s hardware and software use and familiarity. The results suggest that not only do the subjective ratings of end-user evaluators often ditTer from objective performance measures, but also that this relationship is dependent on the user’s past computer experience.
Controllable Swarming and Assembly of Micro/Nanomachines

Motion is a common phenomenon in biological processes. Major advances have been made in designing various self-propelled micromachines that harvest different types of energies into mechanical movement to achieve biomedicine and biological applications. Inspired by fascinating self-organization motion of natural creatures, the swarming or assembly of synthetic micro/nanomachines (often referred to micro/nanoswimmers, micro/nanorobots, micro/nanomachines, or micro/nanomotors), are able to mimic these amazing natural systems to help humanity accomplishing complex biological tasks. This review described the fuel induced methods (enzyme, hydrogen peroxide, hydrazine, et al.) and fuel-free induced approaches (electric, ultrasound, light, and magnetic) that led to control the assembly and swarming of synthetic micro/nanomachines. Such behavior is of fundamental importance in improving our understanding of self-assembly processes that are occurring on molecular to macroscopic length scales.