Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
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This qualitative pilot study explored perspectives, needs, and concerns relating to advance care planning among older homeless adults. Twenty-one older adults residing at a transitional housing facility in an urban area of the West coast were interviewed in person. Key emergent themes included discomfort with the topic trust in God’s decisions, physicians preferred as decision makers, and planning is important but not an immediate concern. Further, people who are homeless want to be approached with sensitivity. Instead of simply eliciting life-sustaining treatment preferences of homeless people, health care professionals should assess their unique concerns and needs regarding death and dying, prepare them to consider their possible end-of-life situation, and assist them to plan in accordance with their needs.
Evaluation of Beta2-Microglobulin as a Possible Biomarker for Assessment of Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Chronic Kidney Disease

2 Abstract: This study presents a prospective analysis to investigate the pivotal role of beta2-microglobulin ( 2m) as a serum marker that may potentially help in assessment of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study involved a total of 70 patients; 30 patients with SLE and 40 patients with CKD compared to 42 healthy volunteers as control. Levels of 2m, anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-double strand DNA (anti-dsDNA), C-reactive protein (CRP), urea and creatinine were measured. 2m mean level of male patients was significantly (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05) higher than females patients with SLE in stage 1 and 2 respectively. In contrast, CKD females showed a higher significant (P < 0.05) 2m level regards to males in stage 4. In SLE, ANA and 2m levels in males revealed the highest relation with SLE stages among other markers. In CKD, serum urea, CRP concentration and 2m levels in male patients exhibited higher relation with disease stages than female patients. 2m estimation may be a useful tracing marker but is correlated with gender being more related with males than females.
Mechanistically-based Human Hazard Assessment of Peroxisome Proliferator-induced Hepatocarcinogenesis

In this review we have evaluated the relationship between peroxisome proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis. To do so, we identified all chemicals known to produce peroxisome proliferation and selected those for which there are data (on peroxisome proliferation and hepatocarcinogenesis) which meet certain criteria chosen to facilitate comparison of these phenomena. The summarised data and definition of the methodology used has been collected in appendices. These comparisons enabled us to evaluate the relationship between these phenomena using reliable data. As there is a good correlation between them, we further explored the mechanisms of action that have been proposed (direct genotoxic activity, production of hydrogen peroxide, cell proliferation and receptor activation). The relationship between these events in other species, including humans, was also reviewed and finally an overview of the assessment of human hazard is presented in section IX. Some of the first chemicals which were shown to produce peroxisome proliferation were also hepatocarcinogens whose carcinogenicity could not be readily explained by genotoxic activity. This raised the suggestion that the unusual phenomenon of peroxisome proliferation was intricately linked to the carcinogenic activity of these agents. Three questions have exercised the attention of regulatory, industrial and academic toxicology since then; are chemicals which elicit peroxisome proliferation in the liver actually a coherent class of chemical carcinogens? ; does the early biological phenomenon of peroxisome proliferation have real predictive value for and mechanistic association with rodent carcinogenesis? ; and what hazard/risk do these agents pose to humans that may be exposed to them? Whether peroxisome proliferators are indeed a discrete class of rodent carcinogens would appear to be the single, most important question. If so, then the assumptions and procedures relevant to human hazard and risk assessment should be applied to the class and should be essentially generic; if not, each chemical should be considered independently. Our critical analysis of the published data for over 70 agents which have been shown to possess intrinsic ability to induce peroxisome proliferation in the livers of rodents has led to the conclusion that there exists a strong correlation between peroxisome proliferation as n early effect in the liver and hepatocarcinogenicity in chronic exposure studies. An almost perfect correlation was observed between the induction of peroxisomes in the rodent liver and the eventual appearance of tumours following chronic exposure The few exceptions to this were largely explainable (section II). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Incremental Granular Ranking Algorithm Based on Rough Sets

Based on the original granular ranking algorithm proposed by the author, this paper proposes a granularity set combination algorithm with the time complexity of O(mn), thus constructs an incremental granular ranking algorithm. The computation result of new algorithm is in the form of ranked list, which can avoid many disadvantages in traditional data mining techniques, and can be applied for the investigation of targeted marketing in large-scale datasets, identifying potential market values of customers or products. The experiment result also shows that the accuracy of computation result can be improved obviously by adding new training datasets.
Advanced DC Bias Suppression Strategy Based on Finite DC Blocking Devices

The ground return current of a high voltage direct current system will intrude the transformers adjacent to the grounding electrode in the case of monopole operation, leading to the half-cycle saturation of transformers. To mitigate the adverse effect, placing dc blocking devices (BDs) in transformer neutrals is popularly advocated. The conventional switching method of BDs may redirect the dc flow from one transformer with a BD to neighboring transformers without BDs. In this case, the dc currents through the neutrals of those transformers may possibly exceed the threshold undesirably. This problem is due to the lack of guidance for dc current distribution from the global view by means of finite BDs. Thus, this paper presents an optimization approach for the switching of BDs based on the gravitational search algorithm. A mathematical model for investigating the dc global distribution is established with the equivalent resistive network of an ac system, the location distribution of substations and grounding electrodes. Then, an optimal switching scheme to minimize the adverse impact of dc bias is presented, and the principle and the concrete implementation process are detailed. The feasibility and the advantage of the proposed scheme are demonstrated by numerous comparative case studies.
Characterization of Mouse Embryonic Cells Deficient in the Ctr1 High Affinity Copper Transporter

The trace metal copper is an essential cofactor for a number of enzymes that have critical roles in biological processes, but it is highly toxic when allowed to accumulate in excess of cellular needs. Consequently, homeostatic copper metabolism is maintained by molecules involved in copper uptake, distribution, excretion, and incorporation into copper-requiring enzymes. Previously, we reported that overexpression of the human or mouse Ctr1 copper transporter stimulates copper uptake in mammalian cells, and deletion of one Ctr1 allele in mice gives rise to tissue-specific defects in copper accumulation and in the activities of copper-dependent enzymes. To investigate the physiological roles for mammalian Ctr1 protein in cellular copper metabolism, we characterized wild type, Ctr1 heterozygous, and Ctr1 homozygous knock-out cells isolated from embryos obtained by the inter-cross of Ctr1 heterozygous mice. Ctr1-deficient mouse embryonic cells are viable but exhibit significant defects in copper uptake and accumulation and in copper-dependent enzyme activities. Interestingly, Ctr1-deficient cells exhibit ∼30% residual copper transport activity that is saturable, with a K m of ∼10 μm, with biochemical features distinct from that of Ctr1. These observations demonstrate that, although Ctr1 is critical for both cellular copper uptake and embryonic development, mammals possess additional biochemically distinct functional copper transport activities.
Is the CCK2 receptor essential for normal regulation of body weight and adiposity?

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a gastrointestinal satiety signal released from the duodenum to terminate feeding, via CCK1 receptors. CCK2 receptors are considered to be involved in anxiety. CCK2 receptor knockout mice have increased body weight and food intake. Little is known regarding the effects of CCK2 receptor deficiency on adipose distribution and hypothalamic feeding regulators such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), a powerful stimulator of feeding. Adult (10 week) CCK2 receptor knockout and wild‐type mice were anaesthetized and killed by decapitation. Brain sections, organs and fat tissue were dissected. Plasma leptin, insulin and brain NPY content were measured by radioimmunoassay. Female CCK2 receptor knockout mice weighed more than control mice (22.0 ± 0.2 vs. 19.9 ± 0.4 g, P < 0.05), with this difference being less marked in male mice (26.4 ± 0.4 vs. 25.6 ± 0.6 g). Fat masses in all locations sampled were significantly smaller in CCK2 receptor knockout mice of both genders (P < 0.05), resulting in lower plasma leptin and insulin levels. NPY concentrations were significantly increased in arcuate nucleus and anterior hypothalamus in both male and female CCK2 receptor knockout mice, and total hypothalamic NPY content was increased by 7 and 9% in males and females, respectively (P < 0.05). CCK2 receptor deletion was associated with increased body weight and hypothalamic NPY content, but reduced fat masses and plasma leptin and insulin. Increased NPY might contribute to increased food intake in CCK2 receptor knockout mice. Further work needs to focus on the metabolic changes.
LONG‐TERM EFFECTS OF A SINGLE DOSE OF ULTRAVIOLET‐B ON ALBINO RABBIT CORNEA–II. DETURGESCENCE and FLUID PUMP ASSESSED in vitro

Abstract— Both eyes of female albino rabbits (1.9 kg;9–10 wk old) were exposed to a single dose of UV‐B (300 ± 9 nm; 0.125 J/cm2 total dose) between 13.30 and 15.00 h. At various time periods thereafter (every 12 h for 3 days, 6, 7, 14, 28, 42, 56, 112, 224 and 336 days post‐irradiation), animals were sacrificed, samples of aqueous humor taken for analysis and stroma‐endothelium preparations obtained from the corneas. Following such threshold irradiation, small increases in aqueous humor tonicity and protein levels were observed. The preparations were mounted in a specular microscope assembly (for measuring the rate and magnitude of corneal deturgesccnce) or between two half chambers (for measuring fluid pump) and equilibrated for 2 h with a CO2‐equilibrated glucose‐adenosine‐glutathione‐supplemented Ringer solution at 37°C and a hydrostatic pressure of 20 cm H2O. After equilibration the stromal thickness showed large variation with large reductions in both the rate and amplitude of deturgescence function observed by 36 h. Large reductions in fluid pump activity were also observed by 36 h. The magnitude of the effects on fluid pump were somewhat greater than the effects on deturgescence. Both functions recovered to pre‐irradiation levels by 112 days post‐irradiation.
Performance and quality assessment of R-tree based nearest neighbour search in the scalar field mapping technique

Energy efficiency became more relevant recently. This also includes the construction of energy efficient buildings in terms of heat conservation and dissipation. For analysing the energy efficiency several mapping algorithms are proposed that map indoor environments with added thermal information. Also, several algorithms that generate virtual 3D models are recently presented. One of the main parts of these algoritms are nearest neighbour searching techniques. There are several algorithms that enables the use of nearest neighbour (NN) search. In this paper we present the assessment of R-tree based NN queries in the problem of scalar field mapping that maps a measured temperatures onto reconstructed 3D-mesh of indoor environment. The mesh is reconstructed from the point cloud recorded with 3D laser scanner and thermal imaging camera. We present the performance analysis of the R-tree based NN search with different R-tree types. Also, we present the quality of the scalar field mapping produced with employed R-tree based NN search techniques.
Dendritic Targeting of mRNAs for Plasticity Genes in Experimental Models of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: To analyze whether the subcellular localization of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) coding for the neurotrophin brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its receptor TrkB, and the α and β subunits of calcium‐calmodulin–dependent kinase II (CaMKII) are modified after pilocarpine and kindled seizures.
E-Services and the Digital Divide: The Role of Tertiary Education in Improving Public Engagement and Trust in E-Delivery of Services

E-government or public e-services offer ways for governments to engage with their citizens and for the citizens to find information and potentially to interact with and even direct government. Globally, governments have recognized the importance of this and numerous projects to develop e-government facilities have been developed; for example, within the U.K. the move to make 100% of public services available online (HMSO, 2002). This chapter considers these issues in the global context whilst a number of the examples ABSTRACT
Carcinoma of the Hypopharynx and Cervical Esophagus in Young Adults

Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus usually presents in the late-middle-aged and elderly. When diagnosed in young adults, the disease process is often thought to be more aggressive and have a worse long-term outcome. Four hundred ninety patients presented to the Christie Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary between 1981 and 1990 with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus. Of this group, 24 patients (5%) received their diagnosis before the age of 45. A comparison is made with a control group of 156 (32%) patients who presented between the ages of 60 and 69 years. Analysis of tumor and nodal staging at presentation demonstrates no statistically significant difference between the 2 age groups. There is a higher incidence of a combination of smoking and alcohol abuse in the older age group, but it is of no statistical significance. There is no difference in 5-year survival results between the 2 groups. We conclude that patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus who receive their diagnosis under the age of 45 show no difference in tumor stage or long-term outcome when compared with a control group encompassing the mean age of presentation.
KvDB; mining and mapping sequence variants in voltage‐gated potassium channels

We have created KvDB: a voltage‐gated potassium (Kv) channel‐specific database that houses natural and experimental variant data and includes highly curated multiple sequence alignments and additional analytical tools, such as structural variant mapping and transmembrane segment prediction. KvDB is available at www.bioinformatics. leeds.ac. uk/KvDB. Analyzing the characterized gene variants in terms of topological location revealed the following. The S4, S4–S5, S5, S5–S6, and S6 segments are most likely to house disease‐causing variants. Neurological disorders are more likely to be caused by variants affecting voltage sensing, whereas cardiac disorders are more likely to be caused by variants in the pore. Long QT Syndrome 2 (LQT2) is more often caused by N‐terminus variation, a region containing a domain that affects deactivation, suggesting a potential disease mechanism. Conversely, a higher proportion of LQT1‐causing variants reside in S4–S5, suggesting communication of voltage‐sensing to the pore as a disease mechanism. By structurally mapping functionally characterized variants, we also provide mechanistic insight into Kv channel function; identifying an intersubunit interaction that may be partly responsible for setting activation voltage. Investigating phenotypically characterized variants that map to the same position as functionally characterized ones indicates only weak association between locations that cause disease and those that alter electrophysiological properties. Hum Mutat 31:1–10, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assimilation of cholesterol by Lactobacillus acidophilus

Considerable variation was found among strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus isolated from the fecal flora of pigs with regard to the ability to grow well in the presence of bile and to assimilate cholesterol from a laboratory growth medium. The uptake of cholesterol occurred only when the culture(s) was growing in the presence of bile under anaerobic conditions. Consumption of L. acidophilus RP32, which was selected for its ability to grow well in the presence of bile and to assimilate cholesterol from the laboratory medium, significantly inhibited increases in serum cholesterol levels of pigs (P less than 0.05) fed a high-cholesterol diet. Consumption of L. acidophilus P47, which was selected for its ability to grow in the presence of bile and lack of ability to remove cholesterol from the growth medium, failed to have a similar effect. This indicates that certain strains of L. acidophilus act directly on cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract, and thus may be beneficial in reducing serum cholesterol levels.
Double impact: natural molluscicide for schistosomiasis vector control also impedes development of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae into adult parasites

Background Schistosomiasis has been reported in 78 endemic countries and affects 240 million people worldwide. The digenetic parasite Schistosoma mansoni needs fresh water to compete its life cycle. There, it is susceptible to soluble compounds that can affect directly and/or indirectly the parasite’s biology. The cercariae stage is one of the key points in which the parasite is vulnerable to different soluble compounds that can significantly alter the parasite’s life cycle. Molluscicides are recommended by the World Health Organization for the control of schistosomiasis transmission and Euphorbia milii latex is effective against snails intermediate hosts. Methodology/Principal findings We used parasitological tools and electron microscopy to verify the effects of cercariae exposure to natural molluscicide (Euphorbia milii latex) on morphology, physiology and fitness of adult parasite worms. In order to generate insights into key metabolic pathways that lead to the observed phenotypes we used comparative transcriptomics and proteomics. Conclusions/Significance We describe here that the effect of latex on the adult is not due to direct toxicity but it triggers an early change in developmental trajectory and perturbs cell memory, mobility, energy metabolism and other key pathways. We conclude that latex has not only an effect on the vector but applies also long lasting schistosomastatic action. We believe that these results are of interest not only to parasitologists since it shows that natural compounds, presumably without side effects, can have an impact that occurred unexpectedly on developmental processes. Such collateral damage is in this case positive, since it impacts the true target of the treatment campaign. This type of treatment could also provide a rational for the control of other pests. Our results will contribute to enforce the use of E. milii latex in Brazil and other endemic countries as cheap alternative or complement to mass drug treatment with Praziquantel, the only available drug to cure the patients (without preventing re-infection).
Facial attractiveness, symmetry and cues of good genes

Cues of phenotypic condition should be among those used by women in their choice of mates. One marker of better phenotypic condition is thought to be symmetrical bilateral body and facial features. However, it is not clear whether women use symmetry as the primary cue in assessing the phenotypic quality of potential mates or whether symmetry is correlated with other facial markers affecting physical attractiveness. Using photographs of men's faces, for which facial symmetry had been measured, we found a relationship between women's attractiveness ratings of these faces and symmetry, but the subjects could not rate facial symmetry accurately. Moreover, the relationship between facial attractiveness and symmetry was still observed, even when symmetry cues were removed by presenting only the left or right half of faces. These results suggest that attractive features other than symmetry can be used to assess phenotypic condition. We identified one such cue, facial masculinity (cheek–bone prominence and a relatively longer lower face), which was related to both symmetry and full– and half–face attractiveness.
An Inclusion Principle for Dynamic Systems

The purpose of this paper is to present a detailed study of the inclusion concept in dynamic systems, which is a suitable mathematical framework for comparing systems with different dimensions. The framework offers immediate results in reduced-order modeling and the overlapping decentralized control of complex systems. The presentation, which is limited to linear constant systems, relies on both the matrix algebra (computations) and the geometric elements (structure) to provide a balanced view of the issues involved in the concept of inclusion. The framework is quite broad, and has been used to consider nonlinear and time-varying systems, as well as systems with hereditary and stochastic effects.
An iterative CFO estimator for QO-STBC uplink MC-CDMA MIMO systems

In the present paper, we propose an iterative blind CFO estimator for the hybrid quasi-orthogonal space-time block coding (QO-STBC) [3] MC-CDMA system with four transmit antennas. The design of the proposed scheme started with the development of a multiply constrained minimum output energy (MCMOE)-based blind detector, in which a set of correlators is constructed to collect each multipath signal from the user-of-interest and suppress multiple access interference (MAI). The CFO estimate can be determined by minimizing the output power of the MCMOE detector, which approximates to a quadratic function in terms of CFO by using the first-order Taylor series expansion. To reduce the computational complexity, we find the solution to the quadratic function as the CFO estimate, instead of searching the peak location of the output power spectrum of the MCMOE detector. Finally, further performance enhancement is achieved by using an iterative scheme in which the CFO-compensated data is sent to the MCMOE detector as the input of the next iteration. Numerical results have been conducted to verify that the proposed blind estimator can achieve the precise CFO estimation with a few iterations.