Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Typology of secondary cyanobacterial metabolites from minimum spanning tree analysis

Recently, two main events have spurred a rapid increase in cyanobacteria chemical, toxicological, and ecological research. The first deals with the interest in isolating compounds from these organisms as source of active products with potential therapeutic applications. The second pertains the crucial problem of harmful cyanobacterial blooms in the aquatic environments. In this context, 594 secondary metabolites belonging to more than 30 genera of cyanobacteria were retrieved from literature. In order to perform their typology, they were first associated with 87 different molecular archetypes and two orphan classes. These 89 groups of molecular structures were then confronted to minimum spanning tree analysis. Attempts were made to graphically derive chemotaxonomical relationships. The interest of QSAR models for estimating the potential pharmacological interest of the cyanobacterial secondary metabolites was also discussed.
Color: A Motion-Contingent Aftereffect

After human observers alternately view green stripes moving up and red stripes moving down for periods of 1/2 to 4 hours, they see a pink aftereffect when white stripes move up and a green aftereffect when white stripes move down. Longer exposures produce aftereffects which are visible 20 hours after stimulation. Thus, experience which pairs simple attributes (color and motion) of visual stimulation can result in a lasting modification of perception.
Expression of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization therapy on plasma vascular endothelial growth factor level.

AIM To investigate the expression level of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (P-VEGF) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relationship with the clinicopathologic characteristics, and to examine the changes of P-VEGF in the course of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS Peripheral blood samples were taken from 45 HCC patients before and 1, 3, 7 d, and 1 mo after TACE. Plasma VEGF level was measured with the quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Twenty patients with benign liver lesions and 17 healthy control subjects were also included in this study. RESULTS Plasma VEGF levels in HCC patients were significantly elevated as compared to those in patients with benign liver lesions (P = 0.006) and in the normal controls (P = 0.003). Significant differences were observed when P-VEGF was categorized by tumor size (P = 0.006), portal vein thrombosis (P = 0.011), distant metastasis (P = 0.017), arterial-portal vein shunting (P = 0.026), and International Union Against Cancer (UICC) TNM stage (P = 0.044). There was no correlation between plasma level of VEGF and the level of alpha fetoprotein (alpha-FP) (r = 0.068, P = 0.658) and weakly correlated with the number of platelets (r = 0.312, P = 0.038). P-VEGF levels increased significantly and reached the peak value on the first day after TACE, and then decreased gradually. The change rate of P-VEGF concentration (one month post-TACE/pre-TACEX100%) was correlated with the retention rate of lipiodol oil (r s = 0.494, P = 0.001) and the tumor volume change (r s = 0.340, P = 0.034). The patients who achieved a partial or complete response to TACE therapy showed significantly less pre-treatment P-VEGF than those nonresponders (P = 0.025). A high pre-therapeutic P-VEGF level was associated with poor response to treatment (P = 0.018). CONCLUSION A high pre-treatment P-VEGF level is a useful marker for tumor progression, especially for vascular invasion. TACE increases the level of P-VEGF only temporarily which may be associated with tumor ischemia. P-VEGF may be useful in predicting treatment response, monitoring disease course after TACE and judging the effect of different TACE regimens.
The labour force experiences of refugees in Britain : the case of refugees from Vietnam

This thesis examines the labour force experiences of refugees living in Britain. By describing and exploring the employment, unemployment, training and job-search experiences of refugees from Vietnam it seeks to fill gaps in the existing literature. The literature currently recognises the importance of employment in the resettlement process, but fails to provide much insight into the long term experiences of refugees. Further, this thesis presents a new conceptual framework for understanding refugee labour force experiences. Literature from a wide range of disciplines informs a theoretical framework which stresses the complex and diverse nature of influences on refugee labour force experiences. The review of the experiences of refugees from Vietnam, draws on existing literature and novel quantitative analysis of the 1991 census, before giving a voice to the refugees themselves. Workers at 27 Vietnamese Community Associations around Britain describe labour force experiences in the areas they serve, while half also detail their own individual labour force careers. Throughout, emphasis is placed on the refugees' own interpretations of what has influenced their labour force experiences, and their reactions to those experiences. This thesis confirms that the refugees from Vietnam are spatially concentrated in locations which are characterised by high unemployment and a high ethnic Chinese population. This is reflected in their labour force experiences, which are dominated by unemployment or manual employment, particularly within the ethnic sector. Employment remains a minority experience for Vietnam refugees living in the majority of locations, although location specific differences in labour force experiences are identified. Self-reliance within the community of refugees from Vietnam is strong, as is the significance of access to labour force opportunities with the ethnic Chinese population. Both factors, do however have benefits and drawbacks. The evidence presented in this thesis supports the proposed framework for understanding refugee labour force experiences. Accordingly, this thesis argues for a refugee policy which recognises both the importance of employment in the resettlement process, and the complexity of factors which influence labour force experiences. A comprehensive programme of intervention is recommended to improve refugee labour force experiences, and community development is seen as a key element of this. A call for a permanent refugee resettlement organisation is also made.
Bandwidth and Directivity Enhancement of Loop Antenna by Nonperiodic Distribution of Mu-Negative Metamaterial Unit Cells

The theory, design, analysis, and verification of a wideband and unidirectional loop antenna loaded with mu-negative (MNG) metamaterial unit cells is presented. It is shown that by nonperiodic positioning of MNG unit cells on the loop structure, the amplitude of the surface current can be modified in a desired section of the loop, and hence, unidirectional radiation is achievable at the mu-zero resonance frequency. Moreover, it is demonstrated that as a result of the capacitive MNG loading, a 90° phase difference occurs between the vertical arms of the loop. Therefore, its radiation mechanism can be characterized as an array of two dipole antennas positioned a quarter wavelength apart, thus creating unidirectional radiation. To further improve the performance of the antennas, a quarter-wavelength strip is located in the vicinity of the loop to act as a resonator and director at higher frequencies. With the proposed structure, the final design is at least 50% smaller, in terms of the occupied area, than recent antenna designs of conventional loops, MNG loaded loops, and loop-dipole composite antennas. It also achieves a wide fractional bandwidth of 52% from 0.64 to 1.1 GHz, which is 50% wider than recent MNG metamaterial unit cell loaded loops, with a measured peak front-to-back-ratio and gain of 13 dB and 4.8 dBi, respectively.
Structural Optimization of Pinning Sites for High Density Integration of the Domain Wall Based Devices

The geometrical structure of the T-shaped pinning site has been numerically optimized for high density integration of the domain wall based devices. Micromagnetic simulation demonstrates the bit by bit propagation between the pinning sites with 120 nm period, arraigned along a ferromagnetic nanowire with 40 nm-width and 10 nm-thickness. The practical amplitude margin for pulsed fields for bit propagation (60% of the mid value) and the sufficient potential energy well, an order of larger than the ambient thermal energy, are confirmed in the optimized structure.
Iterative B-spline channel estimation for space-time block coded systems in fast flat fading channels

A novel iterative B-spline channel estimation technique for space-time block coded (STBC) systems over fast flat fading channels is proposed. The optimal linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) channel estimator can be decoupled into a simplified maximum likelihood (ML) estimator over a block period, by taking advantage of the orthogonal property in the STBC, and a subsequent Wiener filter. The Wiener filter can then be replaced by a B-spline estimator for complexity reduction. Both local linear and parabolic splines are considered. Comparisons between the Wiener filtering and B-spline approaches in mean square error (MSE), bit error rate (BER) and complexity are given. The BER performance of the iterative receiver with the B-spline estimators is nearly the same as that of the Wiener filter for a fast fading channel. However, the complexity of the proposed estimators is much lower than that of the Wiener filter.
Prevalence, correlates, disability, and comorbidity of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in the United States: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

CONTEXT Epidemiologic information is important to inform etiological research and service delivery planning. However, current information on the epidemiology of alcohol use disorders in the United States is lacking. OBJECTIVES To present nationally representative findings on the prevalence, correlates, psychiatric comorbidity, and treatment of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Face-to-face interviews with a representative US adult sample (N = 43 093). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Lifetime and 12-month DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence. RESULTS Prevalence of lifetime and 12-month alcohol abuse was 17.8% and 4.7%; prevalence of lifetime and 12-month alcohol dependence was 12.5% and 3.8%. Alcohol dependence was significantly more prevalent among men, whites, Native Americans, younger and unmarried adults, and those with lower incomes. Current alcohol abuse was more prevalent among men, whites, and younger and unmarried individuals while lifetime rates were highest among middle-aged Americans. Significant disability was particularly associated with alcohol dependence. Only 24.1% of those with alcohol dependence were ever treated, slightly less than the treatment rate found 10 years earlier. Strong associations between other substance use disorders and alcohol use disorders (odds ratios, 2.0-18.7) were lower but remained strong and significant (odds ratios, 1.8-7.5) when controlling for other comorbidity. Significant associations between mood, anxiety, and personality disorders and alcohol dependence (odds ratios, 2.1-4.8) were reduced in number and magnitude (odds ratios, 1.5-2.0) when controlling for other comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol abuse and dependence remain highly prevalent and disabling. Comorbidity of alcohol dependence with other substance disorders appears due in part to unique factors underlying etiology for each pair of disorders studied while comorbidity of alcohol dependence with mood, anxiety, and personality disorders appears more attributable to factors shared among these other disorders. Persistent low treatment rates given the availability of effective treatments indicate the need for vigorous education efforts for the public and professionals.
Dietary fat, fatty acid composition in plasma and the metabolic syndrome

Purpose of review The metabolic syndrome, a cluster of disorders often including abdominal obesity, is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. Insulin resistance is a key feature of the metabolic syndrome. Observational studies have indicated that the type of fat in the diet may be related to the development of insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome, also independent of possible effects on body weight. Dietary surveys are often imprecise. One way to monitor the type of fat in the diet is to record the fatty acid composition in plasma. This review summarizes recent data on the relationships between fatty acid composition in plasma and insulin resistance, diabetes and other disorders related to the metabolic syndrome. Recent findings Insulin resistance and insulin resistant states are often associated with the fatty acid pattern in plasma, characterized by an increased proportion of palmitic (16:0) and a low proportion of linoleic (18:2 n-6) acids, with a distribution of other fatty acids indicating an increased activity of delta-9 and delta-6 desaturase. This shows that there may be a causal relationship between the type of fat in the diet and insulin action, an assumption supported by recent dietary intervention studies. Summary In a public health perspective these results, from both observational and intervention studies, underline the importance of fat quality in the diet for the development of a number of prevalent diseases. Taken together with several earlier studies and recent epidemiological findings, they give strong support to present dietary guidelines.
Development of a sensitive enzyme immunoassay for anti‐Müllerian hormone and the evaluation of potential clinical applications in males and females

Background and objective Recent studies have found anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) to be a potentially important marker for the assessment of ovarian reserve and prediction of the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The objectives of this study were to develop a sensitive and specific assay for AMH and to evaluate the potential application of the assay. This assay will be then available to our collaborators in the UK and overseas.
Organization of projections from the medial nucleus of the amygdala: A PHAL study in the rat

The organization of axonal projections from the four recognized parts of the medial amygdalar nucleus (MEA) were characterized with the Phaesolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHAL) method in male rats. The results indicate that the MEA consists of two major divisions, ventral and dorsal, and that the former may also consist of rostral and caudal regions. As a whole, the MEA generates centrifugal projections to several parts of the accessory and main olfactory sensory pathways, and projections to (a) several parts of the intrahippocampal circuit (ventrally); (b) the ventral striatum, ventral pallidum, and bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (BST) in the basal telencephaon; (c) many parts of the hypothalamus; (d) midline and medial parts of the thalamus; and (e) the periaqueductal gray, ventral tegmental area, and midbrain raphé. The dorsal division of the MEA (the posterodorsal part) is characterized by projections to the principal nucleus of the BST, and to the anteroventral periventricular, medial, and central parts of the medial preoptic, and ventral premammillary hypothalamic nuclei. These hypothalamic nuclei project heavily to neuroendocrine and autonomic‐related parts of the hypothalamic periventricular zone. The ventral division of the MEA (the anterodorsal, anteroventral, and posteroventral parts) is characterized by dense projections to the transverse and interfascicular nuclei of the BST, and to the lateral part of the medial preoptic, anterior hypothalamic, and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei. However, dorsal regions of the ventral division provide rather dense inputs to the medial preoptic region and capsule of the ventromedial nucleus, whereas ventral regions of the ventral division preferentially innervate the anterior hypotha lamic, dorsomeclial, and ventral parts of the ventromedial nuclei. Functional evidence suggests that circuits associated with dorsal regions of the ventral division may deal with reproductive behavior, whereas circuits associated with ventral regions of the ventral division may deal preferentially with agonistic behavior. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Listening habits of iPod users.

PURPOSE To estimate real-environment iPod listening levels for listeners in 4 environments to gain insight into whether average listeners receive dosages exceeding occupational noise exposure guidelines as a result of their listening habits. METHOD The earbud outputs of iPods were connected directly into the inputs of a digital recorder to make recordings of listening levels. These recordings were used to estimate listening levels using reference recordings made in a real ear. Recordings were made in 4 environments with a wide range of background noises: (a) a library, (b) a student center, (c) busy streets, and (d) the subway. RESULTS None of the 64 listeners were estimated to exceed allowable occupational dosages, with a maximum dose of 7.57% based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA; 1998) methods and 10.83% based on National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH; 1998) methods. CONCLUSIONS All of the listeners surveyed were exposed to dosages well below OSHA and NIOSH occupational regulations. Although this does not guarantee individual safety, the results do not support the widespread concern regarding the safety of common iPod usage. However, measurements made in this study agree with the finding that iPod output can exceed safe levels and further support recommendations to monitor and limit listening volume and listening duration.
A Relaying Scheme for MIMO Wireless Networks with Multiple Source and Destination Pairs

A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) relay network is composed of source, relay, and destination nodes, each of which is equipped with multiple antennas. Network information theory has shown that the use of multiple relay nodes in source and destination (S-D) communication makes the capacity of the S-D system logarithmically increase with the number of relay nodes. In [13], we proposed a MIMO relay scheme for a relay network with single source and destination pair; each of the multiple relay nodes performs QR decomposition of backward and forward channels in conjunction with phase control (QR-P-QR). In this paper, we extend this scheme to the MIMO relay network with multiple source and destination pairs. For this aim, we use the group nulling approach to decompose the multiple S-D MIMO relay channel to parallel independent S-D MIMO relay channels, and apply the QR-P-QR scheme in each of the decomposed MIMO relay links. Numerical examples show that the proposed relay scheme offers higher capacity than the existing zero-forcing (ZF) relaying scheme
Modifiable and Nonmodifiable Risk Factors for Falls After Traumatic Brain Injury: An Exploratory Investigation With Implications for Medication Use

Purpose: Falls are a challenge for rehabilitation nurses, facilities, families, and individuals. Studies related to the causes of falls and potential strategies for risk management have been conducted across disability groups and with the elderly. Still, a focus on individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), specifically, has been limited. This paper presents a brief review of relevant research and the results of a preliminary investigation. Methods: This study was a retrospective study of 125 individuals with TBI in residential treatment. Specific risk factors for falls in this population were identified. Findings: Results indicate that age, injury severity, medical complications, specific medications and polypharmacy are significantly linked to falls in individuals with brain injuries. Specifically, the use of anticholinergic medications was associated with falls in this study. Conclusions: The results of this study are limited both by the use of a convenience sample and the fact that it is an initial exploratory step to future multicenter research. Still, the resulting fall risk profile that emerged is an important consideration for rehabilitation practitioners working in brain injury. Clinical Relevance: Identifying those individuals with TBI most at risk for falling and taking appropriate measures to prevent falling, including consideration of both number and type of medication used, are important measures for rehabilitation teams working with this population to take.
Income Inequality in East Europe

This study examines certain aspects of income inequality in East Europe. Studies on income inequality in East Europe have been attempted earlier, such as, Kiuranov (1974), Michal (1973 and 1974), Wiles and Markowski (1971) and Debroy and Kulkarni (1984). Of these, the Kiuranov paper is devoted exclusively to Bulgaria, while the Wiles and Markowski study singles out Poland. Debroy and Kulkarni also consider Poland alone. Michal's papers cover a number of socialist countries of East Europe. All of these studies basically concentrate on computing inequality coefficients for wage and salary and/or per capita income distributions. As shall become apparent, our intention is to go a bit further. A second intention is to make use of the data for recent years, since the afore-mentioned studies, with the exception of the Debroy and Kulkarni one, only use data available up to the early 1970s.
A comparison of 2 circuit exercise training techniques for eliciting matched metabolic responses in persons with paraplegia.

OBJECTIVE To test whether acute metabolic (VO(2)), chronotropic (heart rate), and perceptual (rating of perceived exertion; RPE) responses to exercise by persons with paraplegia differ when the exercise is on a multistation isoinertial exercise system (MultiGym) or on a customized system of Thera-Band resistance bands (ElasticGym). DESIGN Within-subjects comparison of 2 treatments. SETTING Academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS Sixteen men and 1 woman with complete paraplegia (T4-L1), as defined by the American Spinal Injury Association. INTERVENTIONS A circuit resistance training (CRT) program for persons with paraplegia was adapted to both a MultiGym and a customized ElasticGym. Exercises used for training and testing used 6 resistance maneuvers at 50% of the 1-repetition maximum (1-RM), with interposed rapid arm spinning. Subjects were habituated to both conditions for 2 weeks before testing on randomized nonconsecutive days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES VO(2) (L/min) was measured by portable spirometry, heart rate (beats/min) by a chest strap monitor, and RPE by the Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion (6-20). RESULTS No significant effects of test condition on average VO(2) or heart rate were observed, with differences between conditions reflecting only . 08L/min and 6.4 beats/min, respectively. Average RPE was significantly higher in testing under the ElasticGym condition (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS CRT on a customized ElasticGym system elicited acute metabolic and chronotropic responses that did not differ from responses to exercise on a MultiGym, though RPE was greater with the ElasticGym.