Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response of Hypothalamic NPY mRNAs to a Negative Energy Balance Is Less Sensitive in Cachectic Mice Bearing Human Tumor Cells

We selected three human cancer cell lines [human melanoma (SEKI), human melanoma (G361), and human neuroepithelioma (NAGAI)] that have an ability to develop cancer cachexia syndrome with and without accompanying anorexia and examined the hypothalamic levels of mRNAs for neuropeptide Y (NPY), melanin-concentrating hormone, and orexin. The body weight of sham-operated mice continued to increase, while mice of all tumor-bearing groups lost weight. Competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that, regardless of feeding status, NPY mRNA levels were elevated in all tumor-bearing mice compared with sham-operated mice, although to a lesser degree than weight-matched pair-weight mice. Melanin-concentrating hormone and orexin mRNA in the hypothalamus followed the same pattern as NPY, although most of the differences did not reach statistical significance. These results support the notion that the response of NPY mRNA to a negative energy balance is less sensitive in these rodent models of cancer cachexia.
Biodegradability of metronidazole, olaquindox, and tylosin and formation of tylosin degradation products in aerobic soil--manure slurries.

The use of veterinary drugs (primarily antibiotics) in animal husbandry harbors the risk that these compounds end up in the farmland when manure is used as fertilizer. The biodegradability of three compounds, olaquindox (OLA), metronidazole (MET), and tylosin (TYL), was simulated in soil--manure slurries with 50 g of soil per liter. Supplemental batch sorption tests revealed that insignificant amounts of OLA and MET were located in the soil phase, whereas only 0.1 to 10% of the added amounts of TYL remained in the liquid phase. This may reduce the bioavailability and thus biodegradation rates of TYL. Unidentified metabolites of OLA and TYL and four known TYL metabolites were detected using HPLC. However, none of these substances were seen to persist in the biodegradation experiments, indicating that OLA and TYL most likely were mineralized in the experiments. Neither the use of sandy or clayey soil nor the use of 0, 1, or 10% (V/V) of manure added to these soils had a significant effect on the degradation rates. Degradation half-lives for the primary degradation were 3.3--8.1 days for TYL, 5.8--8.8 days for OLA, and 13.1--26.9 days for MET. Based on comparisons of results obtained with the benchmark chemical aniline and degradation half-lives of this compound in nature, it was assessed that results obtained with the current test method slightly overestimate real-world biodegradation rates.
Studies on the mechanism of estrogen biosynthesis. 8. The development of inhibitors of the enzyme system in human placenta.

Structural features of over 100 steroids and some non—steroids were evaluated systematically as inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis in human placental microsomes. The microsomes were preincubated with and without potential inhibitors, and then were incubated with [4–14C] androst–4–ene–3,17–dione or [4–14C]3P—hydroxyandrost— S—en—17–one (DHA) and an NADPH generating system. After adding tritiated estrogens as recovery markers, the estrogens were isolated by thin—layer chromatography and were assayed using dual—label scintillation counting to determine percent conversion and inhibition produced. C10 A4–3–keto compounds were better inhibitors than the corresponding ring A reduced (5<x or 5P) compounds or A4–3–keto 19–nor compounds. Further conjugation with the A4—3–keto system was also beneficial so that A1.4'6–3–one, A4–6–3–one and A4– 3,6–dione compounds were effective. The 17–keto was superior to the 17P—hydroxy group in providing inhibitory properties in all cases, while the 17P—acetate and formate group.
A shared cache-aware Task scheduling strategy for multi-core systems

In the past few years, multi-core processors incorporating four, six, eight, or more cores on a single die have become ubiquitous. Those cores, having their own private caches, often share a higher level cache memory, which leads to compete among different tasks. This can seriously affect the average performance of multi-core systems as the probability of cache hit could be lowered. In realizing this, we study the problem of scheduling bag-of-tasks (BoT) applications with shared cache constraint on multi-core systems. We first use cache space isolation techniques to divide shared caches into partitions. Then, we give a motivational example and outline the shared cache aware scheduling problem of multi-core systems. Finally, to provide an optimum solution for this problem, we propose a heuristic shared cache contention aware scheduling (SCAS) algorithm on multi-core systems. Our extensive simulation performance evaluation study clearly demonstrate that our proposed SCAS algorithm outperforms the existing traditional scheduling algorithm Min-min and the modified algorithm MSCAS in terms of schedule length and average response time.
Distinct kinetics of cloned T‐type Ca2 +  channels lead to differential Ca2 +  entry and frequency‐dependence during mock action potentials

Voltage‐dependent activity around the resting potential is determinant in neuronal physiology and participates in the definition of the firing pattern. Low‐voltage‐activated T‐type Ca2 + channels directly affect the membrane potential and control a number of secondary Ca2 + ‐dependent permeabilities. We have studied the ability of the cloned T‐type channels (α1G,H,I) to carry Ca2 + currents in response to mock action potentials. The relationship between the spike duration and the current amplitude is specific for each of the T‐type channels, reflecting their individual kinetic properties. Typically the charge transfer increases with spike broadening, but the total Ca2 + entry saturates at different spike durations according to the channel type: 4 ms for α1G; 7 ms for α1H; and > 10 ms for α1I channels. During bursts, currents are inhibited and/or transiently potentiated according to the α1 channel type, with larger effects at higher frequency. The inhibition may be induced by voltage‐independent transitions toward inactivated states and/or channel inactivation through intermediate closed states. The potentiation is explained by an acceleration in the channel activation kinetics. Relatively fast inactivation and slow recovery limit the ability of α1G and α1H channels to respond to high frequency stimulation ( > 20 Hz). In contrast, the slow inactivation of α1I subunits allows these channels to continue participating in high frequency bursts (100 Hz). The biophysical properties of α1G, H and I channels will therefore dramatically modulate the effect of neuronal activities on Ca2 + signalling.
The impact of programs to increase contraceptive use among adult women: a review of experimental and quasi-experimental studies.

CONTEXT Because rates of unintended pregnancy, abortion and unintended birth are very high among adult women in the United States, it is important to identify interventions that can increase contraceptive use in this population. METHODS PubMed, PsycINFO and POPLINE were searched for experimental or quasi-experimental studies published between 1990 and 2005 that evaluated policies or programs designed to increase contraceptive use or reduce pregnancy among adult women in the United States. In addition, relevant journals were searched, experts were asked to provide further citations and several subsequently published articles were included. RESULTS Only 11 studies that assessed programs, and none that assessed policies, were found. The evaluated interventions offered pregnancy and STD prevention counseling (one study); provided contraceptives in settings other than family planning clinics (two studies); had women initiate contraceptive use during the medical visit (two studies); provided advance supplies of emergency contraception (four studies); or implemented systems to remind injectable contraceptive users about their next injection (two studies). The interventions generally had positive, albeit short-term, effects on contraceptive use; none reduced pregnancy rates. Programs that gave women a contraceptive during the visit were the most effective at increasing method use. Advance provision of emergency contraception increased the likelihood of its use and did not affect regular contraceptive use. CONCLUSIONS Very few studies have evaluated interventions to increase contraceptive use among adult women. A research plan that rigorously assesses the impact of different approaches to increasing contraceptive use among adult women should be an integral part of any long-term effort to prevent unintended pregnancy in the United States.
Supporting Institutional Awareness and Academic Advising using Clustered Study Profiles

The purpose of academic advising is to help students with developing educational plans that support their academic career and personal goals, and to provide information and guidance on studies. Planning and management of the students’ study path is the main joint activity in advising. Based on a study log of passed courses, we propose to use robust, prototype-based clustering to identify a set of actual study path profiles. Such profiles identify groups of students with similar progress of studies, whose analysis and interpretation can be used for better institutional awareness and to support evidence-based academic advising. A model of automated academic advising system utilizing the possibility to determine the study profiles is proposed.
Human peripheral blood leukocytes transplanted on CB17 scid‐scid mice are transferred to their offspring

Severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mice are deficient in functional T cells and B cells. Hence, scid mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood leukocytes (scid‐huPBL) provide an excellent model for analysis of the human immune response under in vivo conditions. We have investigated this model further by analyzing human immune responses in the progeny of scid‐huPBL (termed scid‐humo). We find markedly elevated levels of human immunoglobulins (Ig) in the serum of scid‐humo for more than 12 weeks indicating materno‐fetal transfer of human B lymphocytes. Consistent with this finding we obtained evidence for the existence of human lymphocytes in scid‐humo. Murine Ig levels in scid‐humo were also elevated and surface Ig‐expressing cells (probably B cells) were demonstrable. In this respect scid‐humo resembled “leaky” scid. In contrast to “leaky” scid, scid‐humo accepted transfer of human blood leukocytes. Not only leukocytes from autologous but also those from heterologous donors were accepted. Human Ig levels in scid‐humo increased more rapidly as compared to normal scid mice. Thus, despite these increased B cell activities in scid‐humo, transferred human leukocytes were not affected indicating that materno‐fetal transfer of human cells had caused tolerization or conditioning. This is in contrast to scid mice in which elevated Ig levels correlate with increased failure rates of reconstitution with human blood leukocytes. We propose that scid‐humo provide an improved model for studying the human immune responses in an in vivo setting.
Outbreaks in susceptible-infected-removed epidemics with multiple seeds

We study a susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model with multiple seeds on a regular random graph. Many researchers have studied the epidemic threshold of epidemic models above which a global outbreak can occur, starting from an infinitesimal fraction of seeds. However, there have been few studies of epidemic models with finite fractions of seeds. The aim of this paper is to clarify what happens in phase transitions in such cases. The SIR model in networks exhibits two percolation transitions. We derive the percolation transition points for the SIR model with multiple seeds to show that as the infection rate increases epidemic clusters generated from each seed percolate before a single seed can induce a global outbreak.
Web-supported course partnerships: bringing industry and academia together

Virtually every university in the U.S. and overseas has seen a significant increase in demand for IT courses and programs in the last five years [4, 6, 8] to satisfy an evergrowing need for qualified IT professionals both in and outside of technology industries [1, 2, 9, 10]. In spite of this, the gap between industry and IT academia seems to be widening [5, 7]. Students complain about their lack of real world IT experience when they graduate. Industry representatives say universities do not prepare students for the challenges and complexity of corporate IT management. Faculty members are teaching topics far removed from the daily reality faced by IT professionals. Such unpleasant realities highlight the need for connectivity between industry and academia. This article summarizes a successful course partnership, a fairly uncommon type of industry–university partnership, which gravitates around a university course rather than a research project or program. In this type of partnership, the industry partner agrees to sponsor one or more courses in which the students apply concepts and theory learned in class to solve some of the industry partner’s key problems. This differs from the more common research partnership, in which funding from the industry partner is received in exchange for “intellectual horsepower” in the form of research services and technology transfer. Very little has been published about course partnerships and related success factors. Here we describe our course partnership experience, including our lessons learned, our key success factors, and highlighting our use of the Web as an enabling tool. After this experience, it became clear to us that similar course partnerships involving universities and companies can help bridge the IT gap between industry and academia, and we hope to persuade universities and companies to implement similar course partnerships in the future.
Evaluation of a New Immunoassay for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Tacrolimus in Adult Liver Transplant Recipients

Therapeutic drug monitoring is necessary when using tacrolimus (FK) due to the associated side effects. The aim of this study was to compare the chemiluminescent assay (CMIA) system with the previously established Abbott IMx Tacrolimus II microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) in liver transplant recipients and evaluate its accuracy. Between March and June 2008, all blood samples from the liver transplant recipients at the hospital were tested for FK trough level using 2 different methods, CMIA and MEIA. The posttransplant time, hematocrit, and other clinical parameters during the study period were recorded. FK trough level was analyzed in 398 samples from 57 liver transplant recipients by CMIA and MEIA. The correlation in FK level between the 2 methods was excellent (r2 = 0.941). However, the FK level was underestimated in MEIA by more than 23% in samples with an FK level of less than 3.5 ng/mL and by 6.8% in those with an FK level between 3.5 and 5 ng/mL. CMIA is superior to MEIA in measuring low FK level, allowing the FK level to be maintained at less than 5 ng/mL in selected liver transplant recipients. The effects of maintaining low levels of FK should be evaluated in liver transplant recipients.
Epidemiology and management of Buruli ulcer

Buruli ulcer (Mycobacterium ulcerans infection) is a neglected tropical disease of skin and subcutaneous tissue that can result in long-term cosmetic and functional disability. It is a geographically restricted infection but transmission has been reported in endemic areas in more than 30 countries worldwide. The heaviest burden of disease lies in West and Sub-Saharan Africa where it affects children and adults in subsistence agricultural communities. Mycobacterium ulcerans infection is probably acquired via inoculation of the skin either directly from the environment or indirectly via insect bites. The environmental reservoir and exact route of transmission are not completely understood. It may be that the mode of acquisition varies in different parts of the world. Because of this uncertainty it has been nicknamed the ‘mysterious disease’. The therapeutic approach has evolved in the past decade from aggressive surgical resection alone, to a greater focus on antibiotic therapy combined with adjunctive surgery.
Impact of Sewage Sludge Spreading on Soil and Crop quality - Results from a French thorough Survey

Summary Th e spreading of urban sewage sludge is a constant cause of controversy, in particular as this practice is known to supply amounts of potentially toxic trace metals to the soil, particularly cadmium. In order to clarify some parts of this debate, this article presents a synthesis of the results of many studies carried out in France on the impact of sewage sludge spreading: old experiments as well as more recent trials. Th is paper deals mainly with cadmium but sometimes some interesting results relating to other trace metals are reported. Presented data are relative to: i) the soil quality such as total trace metal contents and results of partial extraction aimed at determining the most phytoavailable fractions; ii) the composition of cereal grain, chiefl y wheat. Depending upon the period, the experiments were completely diff erent as far as the tonnages of sludge applied and the quantities of cadmium involved. Th ree categories of trials stand out: 1) During the 1970s and 80s, sludges with a high trace metal content, especially cadmium, were spread at one experimental farm on sandy soils and in the Vexin area on silty topsoils. In all cases, a notable long-lasting impact was found on the total Cd content of the topsoil and the composition of cereal grains. Th e quantities of applied Cd were very high, from 3,600 g ha-1 to 641,000 g ha-1. 2) Sludges containing high amounts of industrial Ca were spread on acid soils in the Limoges region for more than 20 years. Increases of the cadmium content in the topsoil were only measured in fi elds where the cadmium input was the highest, of 300 to 600 g per ha. A clear increase in the Cd content of cereal grains has been noted as well. 3) During the 1990s and 2000s, numerous experiments with sewage sludge applications compatible with the French regulations were implemented. Local authorities launched many, relatively light, experiments in diverse areas and on diverse soil types. Research institutions carried out other, more exacting, trials. Th e quantities of Cd input varied from 0.6 to 270 g ha-1. In these cases, no impact was measurable on the composition of cereal grains.
Detection of Plaque Neovascularization by Optical Coherence Tomography: Ex Vivo Feasibility Study and In Vivo Observation in Patients With Angina Pectoris.

OBJECTIVES The purposes of this study were: (1) to assess the feasibility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for detecting neovascularization; and (2) to clarify the impact of plaque neovascularization on coronary vessel behavior over time. BACKGROUND Plaque neovascularization may be related to plaque vulnerability. METHODS In an ex vivo study, a total of 55 coronary plaques from 31 human cadavers were examined by OCT. Plaque neovascularization was diagnosed based on the presence or absence of microchannels (MCs) by OCT. In an in vivo study, we explored 83 major coronary arteries from 42 patients with angina pectoris. A total of 56 coronary plaques were selected from non-culprit (non-stented) lesions with plaque burden >40% by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). These plaques were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of MC by OCT. RESULTS In the ex vivo study, the sensitivity and specificity of OCT to detect plaque neovascularization were 52% and 68%, respectively. In the in vivo study, MC was detected in 25 plaques (44.6%). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower in the MC group vs the non-MC group (42.7 ± 7.8 mg/dL vs 51.6 ± 14.4 mg/dL; P=.02). Percent change in lumen volume index (VI) in the MC group was significantly greater vs the non-MC group (P=.01). Percent change in lumen VI correlated significantly with percent change in external elastic membrane VI (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS OCT was feasible for detecting neovascularization of coronary plaques. Serial OCT examinations revealed that coronary plaques with neovascularization showed greater luminal narrowing as a result of inadequate adaptive vessel remodeling.
S UBMODULAR OPTIMZATION VIA REINFORCEMENT LEARNING

We propose a method for learning how to solve classes of submodular maximisation problems. We give a precise formulation of this task in terms of maximising the expected performance of our optimiser over the domain interest, and then show how we can treat this as a problem in reinforcement learning. Our method has shown some preliminary empirical success when applied to small synthetic sensor placement problems.
Compensated cirrhosis: Natural history and prognostic factors

To investigate the natural history of compensated cirrhosis, 293 consecutive patients without previous major complications (ascites, jaundice, encephalopathy or gastrointestinal hemorrhage) were studied in terms of morbidity (probability of developing decompensated cirrhosis during follow‐up) and survival. Patients were diagnosed by liver histology between 1968 and 1980. Median follow‐up was 63 months. Decompensation of cirrhosis was considered when a patient first developed one of the major complications of the disease. Ten years after diagnosis, the probability of developing decompensated cirrhosis and the survival probability rate were 58 and 47%, respectively. A multivariate survival analysis (Cox's regression model) using clinical, biochemical and histological data obtained at diagnosis disclosed seven factors that predicted prognosis: serum bilirubin; serum γ‐globulin concentration; hepatic stigmata; prothrombin time; sex; age, and alkaline phosphatase. According to the contribution of each one of these factors to the final model, a prognostic index was constructed that allows calculation of the estimated survival probability. The predicting value of this index was validated by a split sample testing technique.
Multi Level Relational Mapping Algorithm Based Dependency Rule Generation for Query Optimization

The problem of query optimization has been approached in several methods but suffers with the problem of accuracy. To overcome this issue and to improve the performance of our previous solution, we propose a multi level relational mapping algorithm in this paper. The method first identifies the relational objects and generates relational maps. From the relational maps the method identifies the objects and entity of query. Based on the above the method generates different rules to perform the query and computes the dependency measure for each part of the query. The use of relational map helps to identify the query dependency according to the object and to compute the dependency measure for each of the rule being produced. Finally a subset of dependency rule is produced as a result and the method improve the performance of rule generation and improves the performance of query optimization by scheduling the execution of query parts efficiently.