Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serology and PCR for bovine leptospirosis: herd and individual approaches

LEPTOSPIROSIS is an important zoonotic bacterial infection of livestock that causes abortions, stillbirths, infertility and reduction of milk production, determining economic hazards. Cattle act as the maintenance host of serovar Hardjo (serogroup serjoe), which is the most common strain of Leptospira in many rural regions (Hernandez-Rodriguez and others 2011). The standard serological diagnosis of leptospirosis is the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), which is recommended for use on a herd-screening basis (Lilenbaum and others 2009). Since leptospiral cultivation is laborious and time-consuming, other methods have been applied for the direct identification of leptospires (Marianelli and others 2007). PCR is increasingly being reported as a rapid and definitive diagnostic tool in many species, such as buffaloes (Marianelli and others 2007), small ruminants (Lilenbaum and others 2009) and cattle (Hernandez-Rodriguez and others 2011). The aim of the present study was to compare the use of MAT and PCR for the diagnosis of leptospirosis in cattle. Three dairy herds (A, B and C) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with high levels of reproductive failure, …
The Role of Injection Cues in the Associative Control of the US Pre-Exposure Effect in Flavour Aversion Learning

Two experiments, using rats as subjects, examined the role of contextual cues in producing the unconditioned stimulus (US) pre-exposure effect in conditioned taste aversion. Experiment 1 showed a significant US pre-exposure effect, when the pre-exposure was conducted in a familiar context, and that a change of context between the pre-exposure and conditioning phases did not attenuate this effect. Experiment 2 demonstrated that extinction of injection-related cues after the pre-exposure stage attenuated the US pre-exposure effect, when the pre-exposure was conducted in either a familiar or a novel context. Taken together, these results support the associative explanation of the US pre-exposure effect in terms of blocking, incorporating a role for injection-related cues in the context blocking analysis of the US pre-exposure effect.
Comparison of Consumer Derived Evidence with an Omaha System Evidence-Based Practice Guideline for Community Dwelling Older Adults

Consumer involvement in healthcare is critical to support continuity of care for consumers to manage their health while transitioning from one care setting to another. Validation of evidence-based practice (EBP) guideline by consumers is essential to achieving consumer health goals over time that is consistent with their needs and preferences. The purpose of this study was to compare an Omaha System EBP guideline for community dwelling older adults with consumer-derived evidence of their ongoing needs, resources, and strategies after home care discharge. All identified problems were relevant for all patients except for Neglect and Substance use. Ten additional problems were identified from the interviews, five of which affected at least 10% of the participants. Consumer derived evidence both validated and expanded EBP guidelines; thus further emphasizing the importance of consumer involvement in the delivery of home healthcare.
In Vivo Imaging of Prostate Cancer Using [68Ga]-Labeled Bombesin Analog BAY86-7548

Purpose: A novel [68Ga]-labeled DOTA-4-amino-1-carboxymethyl-piperidine-D-Phe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Sta-Leu-NH2 peptide (BAY86-7548) having high affinity to bombesin receptor subtype II to detect primary and metastatic prostate carcinoma using positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was synthesized and evaluated for prostate cancer. Experimental Design: In this first human study with BAY86-7548, 14 men scheduled for radical prostatectomy (n = 11) or with biochemical recurrence after surgery or hormonal therapy (n = 3) were enrolled. The patients received an intravenous injection of BAY86-7548 followed by over 60-minute dynamic imaging of prostate gland (n = 10) and/or subsequent whole-body imaging (n = 14). The visual assessment of PET/CT images included evaluation of intraprostatic (12 subsextants) and pelvic nodal uptake of BAY86-7548 in 11 surgical patients and detection of potential metastatic foci in all patients. In patients with biochemical recurrence, results were compared with those of either [11C]-acetate (n = 2) or [18F]-fluoromethylcholine (n = 1) PET/CT. Results: We found a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 88%, 81% and 83%, respectively, for detection of primary PCa and sensitivity of 70% for metastatic lymph nodes using histology as gold standard. BAY86-7548 correctly detected local recurrence in prostate bed and showed nodal relapse in accordance with [11C]-acetate PET/CT in 2 patients with biochemical relapse. In the third hormone refractory patient, BAY86-7548 failed to show multiple bone metastases evident on [18F]-fluoromethylcholine PET/CT. Conclusion: BAY86-7548 PET/CT is a promising molecular imaging technique for detecting intraprostatic prostate cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 19(19); 5434–43. ©2013 AACR.
Interleukin 12 and Th1 responses in inflammatory bowel disease

Immune phenomena are believed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of tissue damage in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.1 2 Although some of the immunological perturbations seem to be shared by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, there are important distinguishing features, possibly reflecting different pathways of immune mediated intestinal inflammation. Evidence indicates that macrophage and T cell derived cytokines play a key role in the amplification and perpetuation of the inflammatory response in both disorders.3 No aberrant cytokine secretion has been documented in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and no convincing evidence has as yet been provided that cytokine changes occur as a result of disease specific immune activation. However, a number of quantitative changes in the secretion and/or activity of both proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines have been reported in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Based on variation in the magnitude of these changes there seem to be different cytokine profiles into which the inflammatory process may fall during the course of the disease. Studies from murine models indicate that two T lymphocyte subsets may be defined depending on their cytokine secretion profiles: Th1 lymphocytes producing interleukin (IL) 2 and interferon γ (IFN-γ), and Th2 lymphocytes producing IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10. When taken together all available data from both …
INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE LOWERING EFFECT OF DEEP SCLERECTOMY WITH MITOMYCIN C AND LOOSE SCLERAL FLAP SUTURE IN OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA

Purpose: There are controversial reports regarding the long-term intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect of non-penetrating glaucoma surgery (NPGS). The reported complete success rates from studies in different populations around the world are 13% to 77%. This prospective study was aimed to evaluate the IOP lowering effect of deep sclerectomy with Mitomycin C (DSMMC) in a group of Iranian patients with open angle glaucoma. Methods: Ninety eyes of 87 patients with medically uncontrolled primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) were consecutively enrolled in this prospective study and were surgically treated by DSMMC. All patients had complete eye examination before and at regular intervals after the operation. Surgical success was considered for IOP of ≤21 mmHg. Results: The mean age was 64±12 years; the mean follow-up was 33±22 months. The mean preoperative IOP of 42±13 mmHg was significantly decreased to the mean final IOP of 22±11 mmHg (P<0.001). The IOP lowering effect of surgery reduced by time (P<0.001). Cystic bleb was developed in 13.3% of eyes. The probability for an IOP≤21 mmHg was 35% without the use of antiglaucoma drops and 71% with or without the use of antiglaucoma drops. Conclusion: DSMMC could effectively reduce IOP in eyes with POAG and was accompanied by few operative complications. Most of the patients needed to continue using antiglaucoma drops after the operation. This procedure is not fair whenever low target IOPs are required.
A Novel Firefly Algorithm Based Ant Colony Optimization for Solving Combinatorial Optimization Problems

Inspired by ant colony optimization algorithm, a new firefly optimization algorithm is presented which we call firefly colony optimization algorithm (FCO). Unlike the standard firefly algorithm, the proposed approach is a distributed, and constructive greedy metaheuristic which uses the positive feedback to construct greedily good solutions, and to avoid a premature convergence to low quality solutions. We have assessed the performance of the proposed methodology on the bin packing problem (BPP). The results found show clearly the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Rheological Behaviour and Model for Porous Rocks Under Air-Dried and Water-Saturated Conditions

Most rocks exhibit viscoelastic properties or time-dependent behavior during deformation. For example, peak strength and Young's modulus increase with loading rate in uniaxial compression tests. In the creep test, strain increases over time even though stress is maintained at a predetermined value. Such viscoelastic behavior is especially notable in porous rocks such as tuff and weathered rocks. In this study, we first present a brief review of the viscoelastic properties of porous rocks, and then propose a new rheological model based on constitutive equations previously proposed by the authors. The model consists of a spring and a dashpot. We assume that the constitutive equation described in a previous study can be applied to the spring. The viscosity of the dashpot is low prior to loading, and increases gradually with progressive loading. In creep testing at low stress levels, strain of the dashpot corresponds to creep strain because the spring constant does not decrease significantly at low stress levels. Experimental analysis of muddy sandstone, Oya tuff, Tage tuff and Kawazu tuff is compared with theoretical predictions. The measured and theoretical stress-strain curves are in good agreement. The increase in peak strength and Young's modulus with loading rate is well simulated by the model. The most important result of this study is that even at low stress conditions, strain of the dashpot is considerably larger than considered in previous studies. Our model provides a sound simulation of the difference in Young's moduli between air-dried and water-saturated conditions, where the difference is assumed to reflect the partitioning of strain into the dashpot. In water-saturated conditions, strain of the dashpot increases more rapidly than in air-dried conditions, and Young's modulus is consequently relatively small.
COX-2 in the neurodegenerative process of Parkinson's disease

The enzyme cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), responsible for the first committed step in the synthesis of several important mediators which are involved in both initiation and resolution of inflammation, and the subsequent generation of prostaglandins (PGs) upon activation has been shown to participate in the neurodegenerative processes of a variety of diseases. This review looks particular at the role of COX‐2 in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, involving the generation of PGs and the role of the two different parts of the cyclooxygenase—cyclooxygenase and peroxidase activity. © 2012 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Nurses' and nursing students' attitudes towards late abortions.

AIM The aim of the present study is to compare the attitudes of nursing students and nurses working in maternity wards towards late abortions performed after the 16th week of pregnancy and to identify the factors influencing their attitudes. METHODS A quantitative design was employed in this descriptive study, using two convenience samples: 100 nurses working in the maternity ward of a large hospital and 100 nursing students from a nursing school in Israel. The self-report questionnaire was specially designed for purposes of this study. FINDINGS Results showed that the nurses had less prejudicial attitudes towards late abortions than the nursing students. Overall, the participants had a more positive attitude towards late abortions in the following cases: (1) risk of malformation or developmental disability, (2) pregnancy as a result of rape, and (3) danger to the life of the mother. There was a weak negative connection between the participants' number of children and their attitudes towards late abortions. In addition, there was a significant relationship found between the level of religious observance and attitudes towards late abortions, as negative attitudes increased with higher religious observance. Indeed, the level of religious observance was found to be the most significant predictor of the participants' attitudes towards late abortions. CONCLUSION Differences in attitudes were found between nursing students and nurses providing care to patients undergoing late abortions. Their personal religious beliefs, as well as the reason for the abortion, were found to be influential in determining their attitudes.
Visuo-Motor Coordination Deficits and Motor Impairments in Parkinson's Disease

Background Visuo-motor coordination (VMC) requires normal cognitive executive functionality, an ability to transform visual inputs into movement plans and motor-execution skills, all of which are known to be impaired in Parkinson's disease (PD). Not surprisingly, a VMC deficit in PD is well documented. Still, it is not known how this deficit relates to motor symptoms that are assessed routinely in the neurological clinic. Such relationship should reveal how particular motor dysfunctions combine with cognitive and sensory–motor impairments to produce a complex behavioral disability. Methods and Findings Thirty nine early/moderate PD patients were routinely evaluated, including motor Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) based assessment, A VMC testing battery in which the subjects had to track a target moving on screen along 3 different paths, and to freely trace these paths followed. Detailed kinematic analysis of tracking/tracing performance was done. Statistical analysis of the correlations between measures depicting various aspects of VMC control and UPDRS items was performed. The VMC measures which correlated most strongly with clinical symptoms represent the ability to organize tracking movements and program their direction, rather than measures representing motor-execution skills of the hand. The strong correlations of these VMC measures with total UPDRS score were weakened when the UPDRS hand-motor part was considered specifically, and were insignificant in relation to tremor of the hand. In contrast, all correlations of VMC measures with the gait/posture part of the UPDRS were found to be strongest. Conclusions Our apparently counterintuitive findings suggest that the VMC deficit pertains more strongly to a PD related change in cognitive-executive control, than to a reduction in motor capabilities. The recently demonstrated relationship between gait/posture impairment and a cognitive decline, as found in PD, concords with this suggestion and may explain the strong correlation between VMC dysfunction and gait/posture impairment. Accordingly, we propose that what appears to reflect a motor deficit in fact represents a multisystem failure, dominated by a cognitive decline.
Calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol remains a viable and important test for screening and targeting therapy

Abstract Background: Most clinical laboratories use calculated (C) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) for measurement. Some studies have questioned the linearity of CLDL-C in the clinically useful low range. Moreover, it is generally believed that calculation leads to poor precision such that variation in CLDL-C is greater than the 4% guideline since the calculation is dependent on three primary variables. Actually, the degree of variability of a calculated value will be small if the variability of each primary value is small as compared to its contribution to the calculated value. When LDL-C is low, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), that has poorer precision, becomes more important in defining the precision of CLDL-C. New homogeneous (direct) HDL-C (dHDL) methods show better precision than the older heterogeneous methods. We hypothesized that a direct homogeneous HDL-C method would substantially improve the low range precision of LDL-C as compared to older heterogeneous HDL-C methods. Methods: We compared CLDL-C to a standardized electrophoretic method that shows very high precision. We also compared the precision of CLDL-C calculated using a homogeneous dHDL and a heterogeneous indirect method. Results: We found good linearity for CLDL-C down to 500 mg/L (×0.002586). The main source of CLDL-C variation was HDL-C. Precision was within guidelines when the dHDL method was used. Using our automated methods for lipoprotein lipids, assuming our reference method is accurate, the formula that calculated CLDL-C (mg/dL) using triglyceride (mg/dL) (×0.001129) ×0.2 suggested by some gave more accurate results than the formula using triglyceride (mg/dL) ×0.16 suggested by others. Conclusions: Given the potential for CLDL-C to meet the precision guidelines, until direct LDL-C methods can be refined, CLDL-C should continue to be the primary test used for assessing LDL-C clinically. Standardized testing for CLDL-C for manufacturers should be available so that the formula used for each instrument can provide well-defined accuracy. Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1319–25.
Effect of methods of analysis and heat treatment on viscosity of wheat , barley and oats

The purpose of this work was to study variation in viscosity of different grain samples using different extraction methods, and to study effect of heat treatment on viscosity. A total of 80 samples of wheat, oats and barley harvested at two locations were analysed for physical appearance, ®bre content, and in vitro viscosity using water (WEV), acidic buffer (AEV), HCl/NaHCO3 buffer with pepsin and pancreatin added (IDV) or the Avicheck method (FFV). A transformation where the natural logarithm of the relative viscosity value was divided by the concentration of the sample in liquid was shown to give stable values over a wide range of sample concentrations in liquid for WEV and IDV. Barley and oats had similar viscosities although there was considerable variation between samples, while viscosity was much lower and with less variation between samples for wheat. Heat treatment in an autoclave at 1008C for 5 min increased WEV for all samples, but IDV increased for oats only as a consequence of heat treatment. Although WEV was much lower than IDV, the correlation between these two viscosities was high (0.95, P < 0:05) for barley and moderate (0.68 and 0.69, P < 0:05) for wheat and oats. A moderate to high signi®cant correlation existed between viscosity and soluble ®bre content for barley. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Survive Another Day: Using Changes in the Composition of Investments to Measure the Cost of Credit Constraints

Abstract We introduce a novel empirical strategy to measure the size of credit shocks. Theoretically, we show that credit shocks reduce the value of long-term relative to short-term investments. Empirically, we can therefore compare the reduction of long-term relative to short-term investments within firms, allowing for firm-times-year fixed effects. Using Spanish firm-level data, we estimate the credit crunch to be equivalent to an additional tax rate of around 11% on the longest-lived capital. To pin down credit constraints as the underlying cause, we apply triple-differences strategies using foreign ownership or precrisis debt maturity.
Recovery of Glucose from Residual Starch of Sago Hampas for Bioethanol Production

Lower concentration of glucose was often obtained from enzymatic hydrolysis process of agricultural residue due to complexity of the biomass structure and properties. High substrate load feed into the hydrolysis system might solve this problem but has several other drawbacks such as low rate of reaction. In the present study, we have attempted to enhance glucose recovery from agricultural waste, namely, “sago hampas,” through three cycles of enzymatic hydrolysis process. The substrate load at 7% (w/v) was seen to be suitable for the hydrolysis process with respect to the gelatinization reaction as well as sufficient mixture of the suspension for saccharification process. However, this study was focused on hydrolyzing starch of sago hampas, and thus to enhance concentration of glucose from 7% substrate load would be impossible. Thus, an alternative method termed as cycles I, II, and III which involved reusing the hydrolysate for subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis process was introduced. Greater improvement of glucose concentration (138.45 g/L) and better conversion yield (52.72%) were achieved with the completion of three cycles of hydrolysis. In comparison, cycle I and cycle II had glucose concentration of 27.79 g/L and 73.00 g/L, respectively. The glucose obtained was subsequently tested as substrate for bioethanol production using commercial baker's yeast. The fermentation process produced 40.30 g/L of ethanol after 16 h, which was equivalent to 93.29% of theoretical yield based on total glucose existing in fermentation media.
Two Methods of Teaching Drawing Skills

This essay is a discussion of two areas of personal interest: one is a fascination with the question of how drawing skill is acquired by elementary age children; the other is a concern with the philosophical question of how categories of thought develop. Do our thought categories antedate our experience of the world or do mental categories emerge from experience of the man-made and natural world? In terms of drawing, the epistemological question of how categories of thought arise, can be narrowed down to the question of how the categories of graphic representation develop in each culture. There seem to be two basic questions; are the graphic forms used in visual expression derived mainly from our direct sensory contact with the world or are graphic forms canonicalgiven to us by our culture and applied according to convention? Clearly, if it were possible to answer either question, one would go about the business of teaching drawing in markedly different ways. It is equally clear that, stated in this way, neither question is easily tested.