Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Canadian Research Alliance for Community Innovation and Networking (CRACIN): A Research Partnership and Agenda for Community Networking in Canada

The Canadian Research Alliance for Community Innovation and Networking (CRACIN) is a collaborative partnership amongst academic researchers in Canada, international researchers in Community Informatics, the three principal federal government departments promoting the Connecting Canadians agenda, and community networking practitioners in Canada. CRACINs substantive goal is to review the progress of community-based information and communications technology (ICT) development in the context of Canadian government programs promoting the development and public accessibility of Internet services. Central issues to be explored include the sustainability of community networking initiatives, along with an examination of how the Canadian community-based initiatives contribute to: the amelioration of digital divides; the enhancement of economic, social, political and cultural capabilities; the creation, provision, and use of community-oriented learning opportunities; and the development of community-oriented cultural content, open source software, learning tools and broadband infrastructures. The over-arching goal of our research is to begin the systematic documentation and assessment of the development of community-oriented ICT capacity and services contributing to local learning, to the strengthening of relations in and between communities, and more generally to community-focused social and economic development in Canada.
Constructive modelling and design basic research within the European QMIPS-project

The main objectives of the Quantitative Modelling in Parallel Systems (QMIPS) project, a research activity on quantitative modeling of parallel and distributed systems, are summarized. Elements of a constructive modeling and design methodology are discussed, and stochastic process algebras are emphasized as an interesting base for it. <<ETX>>
The FISDeT software: Application to beer style classification

This paper presents FISDeT, a Python tool that enables the design of a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) based on the standard language FCL. FISDeT includes a GUI that enables the user to easily define and update the rule base of a FIS. Given a FIS, the tool can perform the inference of fuzzy rules. To show the main features of FISDeT, in this paper we employ the tool to develop fuzzy rule-based systems that can solve the problem of beer style classification. The integrated testing facilities of FISDeT enable a comparison among the created classifiers.
The clinical effectiveness of chokeberry: a systematic review

Products derived from the black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa, are claimed to be beneficial in disorders or diseases associated with oxidative stress. The claims are based on evidence from in vitro studies and animal experiments. The active principle – a mixture of procyanidins, anthocyanins and phenolic acids – constitutes one of the most potent natural antioxidants. A systematic review was carried out of the quality of the clinical trials on chokeberry products that had been published up to December 2009, and conventionally established criteria were used to assess the strength of the evidence for their clinical effectiveness. Thirteen studies were identified. The quality of most of the trials and, correspondingly, the evidence of effectiveness for Aronia products is poor. Though laboratory and clinical data indicate that chokeberry products may well be useful as ‘functional food’ for disorders or diseases related to oxidative stress, these promising indications need to be confirmed in more rigorous studies before putative therapeutic uses can be confidently recommended for chokeberry products. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE TIME COURSE OF EXPRESSION OF GENES INVOLVED IN SPECIFIC PATHWAYS IN NORMAL HUMAN BRONCHIAL EPITHELIAL CELLS FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO CIGARETTE SMOKE

This study was conducted to determine the time course of gene expression associated with specific signaling pathways in normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells after exposure to 2 concentrations of 2R4F tobacco mainstream smoke (MSS). Expression of 84 genes representing 18 signal transduction pathways was quantitated in MSS- and air-exposed cultures using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays at 1, 4, and 24 hours following exposure. A confidence score, calculated based on statistical analysis of the degree and reproducibility of expression changes, was used to identify potential biologically significant changes in gene expression. Stimulation of NIAP, an apoptosis inhibitor, suppression of NFKB1 and MYC, representing pro-apoptotic activity, and down-regulation of TCF7 and up-regulation of KLK2, representing anti-/pro-inflammatory responses, were altered 1 hour after exposure to the high concentration of MSS. At the 4-hour time point, the pattern had changed such that 10 different genes were now up-regulated and an additional gene was now down-regulated. Significant changes included genes involved in inflammatory response (LTA, SELPLG, and IL8), repair and wound-healing activity (MMP10), and growth activity (GREB1, EGR1), suggesting repair in this period. By 24 hours, the only up-regulated genes in common with the 4-hour profile were SELPLG and IL8, suggesting continued inflammatory signaling. These results suggest that identification of specific gene expression–based biomarkers of MSS toxicity is promising for investigating specific mechanisms of cellular damage. As expected, the expressed signals were dependent on the concentration of MSS and the postexposure times.
In vivo and in vitro degradation of peptide YY 3 – 36 to inactive peptide YY 3 – 34 in humans

Signe Toräng, Kirstine Nyvold Bojsen-Møller, Maria Saur Svane, Bolette Hartmann, Mette Marie Rosenkilde, Sten Madsbad, and Jens Juul Holst Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Endocrinology, Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegårds Allé, Hvidovre, Denmark; and Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Density of Langerhans cells in the keratocystic odontogenic tumor

INTRODUCTION: Keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KOTs) are distinct odontogenic lesions commonly affecting the mandible bones. Langerhans cells (LCs) are specialized dendritic cells responsible for the presentation of antigens to T lymphocytes in mucosal and cutaneous surfaces. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of LCs in KOTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen cases of KOTs were studied using the anti-CD1a marker. Results: LCs were observed in all 15 cases analyzed. They were found to be concentrated in areas of cystic epithelial hyperplasia, mainly in those areas presenting higher concentration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, a significant association between the number of LCs and areas of cystic epithelium presenting hyperplasia (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.0223) was observed. The shape and location of these cells in KOTs epithelium were variable. CONCLUSION: The lower number of LCs observed on atrophic cystic epithelium of KOTs may be due to decreased epithelial immunosurveillance and this may result in locally aggressive invasiveness.
Batch Auditing for Multi-client Dynamic Data in Multi-cloud Storage

Cloud storage introduces many challenges due to the security and integrity threats toward user’s outsourced data. Many auditing protocols have been proposed, but the majority of them could only serve in single cloud environment. This paper proposes an efficient auditing protocol, which supports batch auditing for multiple data files in multi-cloud environment. By utilizing the bilinear map, the proposed protocol achieves full stateless and transparent verification. By constructing a Merkle Hash Tree, the proposed protocol can resist the replace attack and support dynamic operation of data. In addition, our protocol protects the position information of the data blocks by generating fake data blocks to confuse the organizer. The performance analysis demonstrates the efficiency of the protocol.
Query-by-example approach towards on-demand multidimensional analysis

A formal query approach called Hypergraph Query-by-Example (HQBE) is presented that can be applied in for large-scale data analysis, deliberating the user from the knowledge on specific query language details or even the database structure. The query construction of HQBE makes use of the hypergraph-based multidimensional artifacts and relations between them as the unifying data representation. Since the construction of a query is supported by a semantic discovery process and a traversal of relationship structures and data elements, the query hypergraph patterns could support the flexible on-demand analysis for obtaining the desired results.
COMPARISON OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF TOPICAL ANTISEPTIC CREAMS ON CANINE WOUNDS (PRELIMINARY COMMUNICATION)

bacterial organisms/mL eluted and diluted swab specimen), and the rate of pus discharge were assessed and compared statistically. There were statistically significantly (P<0.05) lower values for the topical antiseptics used in the study compared to controls. Dettol® antiseptic cream that proved to be more effective than others showed a marked mean reduction in bacterial colonies, and by day 21 bacterial counts were reduced to below ×10 5 bacterial organisms/mL (0.0±0.0, P<0.05). The findings suggest that the use of topical antiseptic creams for the initial treatment of full-thickness skin wounds in companion animals was beneficial from a clinical point of view. The sticking of wound dressing which is common to aqueous preparations was not observed in this study, thus making bandage change easier.
Pre‐ and postsynaptic sites for serotonin modulation of GABA‐containing neurons in the shell region of the rat nucleus accumbens

The shell of the nucleus accumbens receives a dense serotonergic innervation and contains abundant gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐immunoreactive neurons. Moreover, serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine: 5‐HT) and GABA have been implicated in a variety of common motivational and motor‐related functions partially ascribed to this brain area. We used immunoelectron microscopy of antisera directed against 5‐HT and GABA in the same section of tissue to examine whether there were cellular substrates that might indicate more specific sites for functional interactions involving these transmitters in the shell region of the rat nucleus accumbens. Immunogold‐silver labeling for GABA was localized to perikarya, dendrites, axons and axon terminals, whereas immunoperoxidase labeling for 5‐HT was restricted to axons and axon terminals. Approximately half (187/366) of the 5‐HT‐immunoreactive axon terminals apposed or formed synaptic junctions with postsynaptic neurons. These junctions were mainly of the symmetric‐type (83/187) characteristic of inhibitory transmitters, and were equally prevalent on dendrites with and without detectable gold‐silver labeling for GABA. Of the 187 5‐HT‐labeled axon terminals with recognized synaptic contacts, 36% also showed convergence on a common dendrite with a GABA‐labeled axon terminal. In addition, 5‐HT‐ and GABA‐immunoreactive axon terminals were commonly (83/366) identified in direct apposition to one another. Within a single plane of section, 41% of the apposed GABA‐immunoreactive axon terminals formed symmetric‐type junctions with dendrites or somata, whereas, the apposed 5‐HT‐labeled axon terminals rarely showed postsynaptic contacts. These results indicate that 5‐HT‐containing axon terminals may postsynaptically inhibit GABAergic neurons and their targets within the shell of the rat nucleus accumbens. Additionally, our results strongly suggest that, in this brain region, appositions between 5‐HT and GABA axons and axon terminals may facilitate presynaptic interactions between these transmitter systems. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphological characteristics of erythrocytes at undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia in children

Examination of 73 children of 8–12 years of age was conducted in order to study morphological characteristics of erythrocytes at undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia (UCTD). Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant alterations of surface architectonics of red blood cells, characterized by reduction in the number of discocytes and increase in the number of transformed and degenerative cell forms in the group of children with UCTD without development of anemic syndrome. The most intensive morphological presentation disorders of red blood cells were registered in children with UCTD and anemic syndrome. The article shows that structural inferiority of erythrocyte membranes is a pathogenetic anemia development factor in children with connective tissue dysplasia.
Evaluation of Outcomes in Patients Following Surgical Treatment of Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome in the Leg

ObjectiveTo evaluate outcomes in patients who had a fasciotomy performed on their leg(s) for chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). DesignA retrospective descriptive cohort study. SettingTertiary care sport medicine referral practice. PatientsA consecutive series of 62 patients surgically treated for CECS from January 1991 to December 1997. Main Outcome MeasuresA questionnaire was designed and developed to assess pain (using a 100 mm visual analogue scale), level of improvement, level of maximum activity, satisfaction level, and the occurrence of reoperations. ResultsFifty patients had anterior/lateral compartment involvement, 8 patients had deep posterior compartment involvement, and 4 patients had anterior/lateral/deep posterior compartment involvement. The demographics of the 39 respondents and 23 nonrespondents were similar. The mean percent pain relief of respondents was 68% (95% CI [confidence interval] = 54% to 82%). There was no relationship between percent pain relief and the documented immediate post exercise compartment pressures. A clinically significant improvement was reported by 26 of 32 (81%) anterior/lateral compartment patients and 3 of 6 (50%) patients with deep posterior compartment involvement. Patient level of activity after fasciotomy was classified as equal to or higher than before the operation with a lesser degree of pain by 28 of 36 (78%) patients, while 8 of 36 (22%) patients reported lower activity levels than before the operation. Of the patients reporting lower activity, seven were due to exercise related pain in the post operative leg(s) and one was due to lifestyle changes. Thirty of 38 patients (79%) were satisfied with the outcome of the operation. Four of 62 patients (6%) failed the initial surgical procedure and required revision surgery for exercise-induced pain. In addition, one of these individuals also had a sympathectomy and another had a neurolysis performed at the time of revision surgery. Three of the 62 (5%) patients had subsequent operations for exercise-induced pain on different compartments than the initial surgical procedure. One individual had an unsuccessful operative repair of a posttraumatic neuroma. Postoperative complications were reported by 5 of 39 (13%) patients in the additional comments section of the questionnaire. ConclusionsThe majority of patients surgically treated for CECS experience a high level of pain relief and are satisfied with the results of their operation. The level of pain relief experienced by patients is not related to the magnitude of the immediate post exercise compartment pressures. Despite the possibility that some patients have less favorable outcomes, experience complications, or need subsequent operations, fasciotomy is recommended for patients with CECS as there is no other treatment for this condition.
Infant mortality of the Spanish surname population.

This paper examines the infant mortality rate of the Spanish surname population living in El Paso County Texas. Relative to Anglos and Blacks the Spanish surname infant mortality rate is much lower than one would predict given their low socioeconomic status.Analysis. of birth weights neonatal mortality and post-neonatal mortality indicates that Spanish surname infant mortality rates are not substantially higher than those for Anglos. The data do not support the hypothesis that the Spanish surname infant mortality rates are substantially biased downward because of underregistration. The authors suggest that "the relatively low Spanish surname infant mortality rates may be due to genetics more fetal deaths better prenatal nutrition low rates of smoking and alcohol consumption among pregnant women or the salience of parental roles. " (EXCERPT)
Forest Islands and Castaway Communities: REDD+ and Forest Restoration in Prey Lang Forest

Climate Change policies are playing an ever-increasing role in global development strategies and their implementation gives rise to often-unforeseen social conflicts and environmental degradations. A landscape approach to analyzing forest-based Climate Change Mitigation policies (CCM) and land grabs in the Prey Lang Forest landscape, Cambodia revealed two Korea-Cambodia partnership projects designed to increase forest cover that are juxtaposed in this paper. Case study data revealed a REDD+ project with little negative impact or social conflict in the project area and an Afforestation/Reforestation (A/R) project that created both social and ecological conflicts. The study concludes that forest-based CCM policies can reduce conflict through efforts at minimal transformation of local livelihoods, maximal attention to the tenure rights, responsibilities, and authority of citizens, and by improving, not degrading, the project landscapes. The paper presents the circumstances under which these guidelines are sidestepped by the A/R project, and importantly reveals that dramatic forest and livelihood transformation had already affected the community and environment in the REDD+ project site. There are deep contradictions at the heart of climate change policies toward which attention must be given, lest we leave our future generations with nothing but forest islands and castaway communities.
Effect of Agent's Action Domain Representation Method in Agent-Based Electricity Market Simulation

Bid format is a crucial feature of electricity market mechanism. Correspondingly, in agent based electricity market simulation, how to model agent's bid format and represent action domain is also an important aspect to construct a valid learning method. In this paper, two methods to generator agents' action domains are presented and their effects to the simulation result are analyzed on a 4-generator system. The result shows that in agent-based simulation, agent action domain representation can strongly affect the simulation result. With all other parameters the same, different action domain generating methods lead to different average clearing prices which means different capability of executing market power.
Helping Primary Care Physicians Lower Pharmaceutical Expenses: An Academic Medical Center's Experience

• Objective: To address steadily rising pharmaceutical expenses under global capitation, our physicianhospital organization (PHO) implemented a drug substitution program that supports primary care physicians (PCPs) in making prescription changes. • Program description: PCPs review pharmaceutical claims data, approve standard changes to more cost-effective alternative medications with lower patient copayments, and sign computer-generated prescriptions and letters to patients. The program was designed to enhance the effectiveness of the insurers’ simultaneous increase in copayment for expensive brand medications. We focused on medications used chronically: cholesterol-lowering agents, nonsedating antihistamines, and oral contraceptives. • Results: In the first 8 months of the program, PCPs mailed 477 prescriptions to selected patients in our capitated panel of 9046. Use of high-cost medications by our panel decreased by 22%, a significant change compared to our baseline experience. This decrease was greater than the one experienced by the rest of our integrated delivery network (IDN), which did not employ a drug substitution program (P < 0.001). Increased utilization of more costeffective drugs was also significant in our PHO compared with baseline and significantly greater than increases in the rest of our IDN (P < 0.001). Approximate annualized pharmaceutical savings were $103,635, while the cost of the program (including 1-time start-up development costs) was $35,000. • Conclusion: The complementary effects of a physician-sponsored, drug substitution program along with physician education and enhanced patient cost-sharing through tiered copayments can help to significantly limit pharmaceutical expenses.
Peripheral opioid receptors mediating antinociception in inflammation. Evidence for involvement of mu, delta and kappa receptors.

This study examined a possible peripheral site of action of opioids in the modulation of the response to noxious pressure on inflamed tissue. Rats developed a unilateral localized inflammation upon injection of Freund's complete adjuvant into one hindpaw. 4-6 days after inoculation, intraplantar administration of mu, delta and kappa selective agonists [D-Ala2,N-methyl-Phe4,Gly-ol5]-en-kephalin (1 micrograms), [D-Pen2,5]-enkephalin (40 micrograms) and U-50, 488H (50 micrograms) produced marked antinociceptive effects in inflamed but not noninflamed paws. Equivalent doses applied systemically (s.c. and i.v.) were without effect. Dose dependency and stereospecificity of these effects were demonstrated using (-)- and (+)-morphine and (-)- and (+)-tifluadom. Furthermore, by use of (-)- and (+)-naloxone, dose-dependent and stereospecific antagonism was shown. Lastly, reversal of effects of [D-Ala2,N-methyl-Phe4,Gly-Ol5]-enkephalin, [D-Pen2,5]-enkephalin and U-50,488H by mu, delta and kappa selective antagonists D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2, ICI 174,864 and nor-BNI, respectively, indicated that these agents interact with discriminable populations of receptors. These observations suggest that several selective opioid agonists can modulate responses to noxious pressure through a peripheral opioid receptor-specific site of action in inflammation and that these receptors possess distinguishable pharmacological characteristics resembling those of mu, delta and kappa receptors.
Enumeration of Carnobacterium divergens V41, Carnobacterium piscicola V1 and Lactobacillus brevis LB62 by in situ hybridization–flow cytometry

The specific detection and enumeration of Lactobacillus brevis LB62, Carnobacterium divergens V14 and Carnobacterium piscicola VI were studied by in situ hybridization–flow cytometry. The method was performed on the exponential growth phase with three probes targeting 16S rRNA labelled with fluorescein isothicyanate (FITC) : EUB338 probe universal for Eubacteria, Lb probe specific for Lact. brevis and Cb probe specific for the genus Carnobacterium. EUB338 was used to determine the permeabilization and hybridization conditions for the cells. The Lb probe gave no hybridization signal whereas the Cb probe allowed the detection and quantification by flow cytometry at 520 nm of the two Carnobacterium strains in pure culture or in mixtures with Listeria innocua F.