Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of armed conflict on protected-area efficacy in Central Africa

What determines the vulnerability of protected areas, a fundamental component of biodiversity conservation, to political instability and warfare? We investigated the efficacy of park protection at Garamba National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo) before, during and after a period of armed conflict. Previous analysis has shown that bushmeat hunting in the park increased fivefold during the conflict, but then declined, in conjunction with changes in the sociopolitical structures (social institutions) that controlled the local bushmeat trade. We used park patrol records to investigate whether these changes were facilitated by a disruption to anti-poaching patrols. Contrary to expectation, anti-poaching patrols remained frequent during the conflict (as bushmeat offtake increased) and decreased afterwards (when bushmeat hunting also declined). These results indicate that bushmeat extraction was determined primarily by the social institutions. Although we found a demonstrable effect of anti-poaching patrols on hunting pressure, even a fourfold increase in patrol frequency would have been insufficient to cope with wartime poaching levels. Thus, anti-poaching patrols alone may not always be the most cost-effective means of managing protected areas, and protected-area efficacy might be enhanced by also working with those institutions that already play a role in regulating local natural-resource use.
Action potential processing in a detailed Purkinje cell model reveals a critical role for axonal compartmentalization

The Purkinje cell (PC) is among the most complex neurons in the brain and plays a critical role for cerebellar functioning. PCs operate as fast pacemakers modulated by synaptic inputs but can switch from simple spikes to complex bursts and, in some conditions, show bistability. In contrast to original works emphasizing dendritic Ca-dependent mechanisms, recent experiments have supported a primary role for axonal Na-dependent processing, which could effectively regulate spike generation and transmission to deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN). In order to account for the numerous ionic mechanisms involved (at present including Nav1.6, Cav2.1, Cav3.1, Cav3.2, Cav3.3, Kv1.1, Kv1.5, Kv3.3, Kv3.4, Kv4.3, KCa1.1, KCa2.2, KCa3.1, Kir2.x, HCN1), we have elaborated a multicompartmental model incorporating available knowledge on localization and gating of PC ionic channels. The axon, including initial segment (AIS) and Ranvier nodes (RNs), proved critical to obtain appropriate pacemaking and firing frequency modulation. Simple spikes initiated in the AIS and protracted discharges were stabilized in the soma through Na-dependent mechanisms, while somato-dendritic Ca channels contributed to sustain pacemaking and to generate complex bursting at high discharge regimes. Bistability occurred only following Na and Ca channel down-regulation. In addition, specific properties in RNs K currents were required to limit spike transmission frequency along the axon. The model showed how organized electroresponsive functions could emerge from the molecular complexity of PCs and showed that the axon is fundamental to complement ionic channel compartmentalization enabling action potential processing and transmission of specific spike patterns to DCN.
Ultraviolet-ozone irradiation of HPMC thin films: Structural and thermal properties

The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet-ozone (UV-O3) irradiation with different times on the structure and thermal properties of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) in the form of a thin film to be used as bioequivalent materials according to their important broad practical and medical applications. HPMC thin films were exposed to UV-O3 radiation in air at a wavelength of 184.9 nm.The beneficial effects of this treatment on the crystallinity and amorphousity regions were followed by X-ray diffraction technique and FTIR spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric and differntial thermal analyses were used in order to study the thermal properties of HPMC samples following the process of photodegradation. The obtained results indicated that the rate of degradation process was increased with increasing the exposure time. Variations in shape and area of the thermal peaks were observed which may be attributed to the different degrees of crystallinity after exposing the treated HPMC samples. This meant a change in the amorphousity of the treated samples, the oxidation of its chemical linkages on its surface and its bulk, and the formation of free radical species as well as bond formation.
Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems ( PACIS ) 2014 EXTENDING THE EXPECTATION-CONFIRMATION MODEL TO EVALUATE THE POST-ADOPTION BEHAVIOR OF IT CONTINUERS AND DISCONTINUERS

The expectation-confirmation model (ECM) has often been applied to investigate the satisfaction with and continued use of information technology (IT) after its adoption. This theory, which is based in social psychology, has already proven to be useful in the evaluation of IT post-adoption behavior. However, this project identifies a few important omissions that, if modified, could improve the ECM’s theoretical validity and applicability. First, we argue that the ECM has important missing variables that affect user satisfaction and continuance. These variables include users’ cognitive consonance/dissonance, a psychological state that arises in response to the confirmation or disconfirmation of their expectations about the services received; individual influences that moderate this relationship; and social influences, a psychological variable that can help explain why dissatisfied users choose to stay and satisfied users choose to leave. The inclusion of these variables in the ECM could better explain the psychological evolution from expectation confirmation to continuance. Additionally, the ECM has been validated in many studies using data from continuers, but it has been insufficiently explored in the context of discontinuers. In reality, continuers and discontinuers behave differently, opting for various decision alternatives after their IT adoption. Thus, research efforts should extend the capacity of the ECM to accommodate and explain the post-adoption behavior of both continuers and discontinuers.
Bmc Medical Informatics and Decision Making Features Predicting the Success of Computerized Decision Support for Prescribing: a Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Computerized decision support systems (CDSS) are believed to have the potential to improve the quality of health care delivery, although results from high quality studies have been mixed. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate whether certain features of prescribing decision support systems (RxCDSS) predict successful implementation, change in provider behaviour, and change in patient outcomes.
Opposite Effects of Bone Marrow-Derived Cells Transplantation in MPTP-rat Model of Parkinson's Disease: A Comparison Study of Mononuclear and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) animal model is a useful tool to study Parkinson's disease (PD) and was used in the present study to investigate the potential beneficial as well as deleterious effects of systemic bone-marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) or mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) transplantation. MPTP administration resulted in a breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and motor impairment in the open field test 24 h after surgery. Three and 7 days after receiving the lesion, the injured animals showed remaining motor impairment compared to the sham groups along with a significant loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir) cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). The MPTP-lesioned rats treated with BMMCs immediately after lesioning exhibited motor impairment similar to the MPTP-saline group, though they presented a significantly higher loss of TH-ir cells in the SNpc compared to the MPTP-saline group. This increased loss of TH-ir cells in the SNpc was not observed when BMMC transplantation was performed 24 h after MPTP administration. In contrast, in the MPTP animals treated early with systemic BM-MSCs, no loss of TH-ir cells was observed. BMMCs and BM-MSCs previously labeled with CM-DiI cell tracker were found in brain sections of all transplanted animals. In addition, cells expressing CD45, an inflammatory white blood cell marker, were found in all brain sections analyzed and were more abundant in the MPTP-BMMC animals. In these animals, Iba1+ microglial cells showed also marked morphological changes indicating increased microglial activation. These results show that systemic BMMC transplantation did not ameliorate or prevent the lesion induced by MPTP. Instead, BMMC transplantation in MPTP-lesioned rats accelerated dopaminergic neuronal damage and induced motor impairment and immobility behavior. These findings suggest that caution should be taken when considering cell therapy using BMMCs to treat PD. However, systemic BM-MSC transplantation that reaches the injury site and prevents neuronal damage after an MPTP infusion could be considered as a potential treatment for PD during the early stage of disease development.
Cyclosporin A in the treatment of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND Acute exacerbation (AE) of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is considered to be a nearly fatal condition during the clinical course of IPF, as it is unresponsive to most conventional therapies. SUBJECTS AND METHODS To evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporin A (CsA) for AE of IPF, we conducted a retrospective study on autopsied IPF cases who developed AE and were treated with corticosteroids (CS) combined with CsA. The subjects comprised 11 males with a mean age of 69.9 years. The clinical features and prognosis of the CsA-treated group was compared to a group of 11 autopsied IPF cases with a mean age of 68.7 years who developed AE and were treated with CS alone (non-CsA-treated group). RESULTS CS pulse therapy followed by CS maintenance treatment were conducted in all cases of AE. Patients in the CsA-treated group received in addition a low dosage of CsA (100-150 mg). Although 7 out of 11 patients in the CsA-treated group died of AE per se, 4 patients survived the AE. Only 2 patients died during the first episode of AE. In comparison, 7 out of 11 patients in the non-CsA-treated group died during the first episode of AE. The mean survival period after the first onset of AE was 285 days in the CsA-treated group and 60 days in the non-CsA-treated group. The prognosis of the CsA-treated group therefore was significantly better than that of non-CsA-treated group after AE of IPF. CONCLUSION Administration of CsA combined with CS may be efficacious in the treatment of AE of IPF.
Distinct changes of myocyte autophagy during myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure: association with oxidative stress

What is the central question of this study? We investigated the changes of myocyte autophagy during the stages of myocardial hypertrophy and failure and the relationship between autophagy and oxidative stress. What is the main findings and its importance? Myocyte autophagy is reduced during myocardial hypertrophy and increased during heart failure. Reduced autophagy is correlated with myocyte hypertrophy, and increased autophagy is correlated with myocyte apoptosis. The distinct alterations are associated with oxidative stress. Hydrogen peroxide causes distinct, concentration‐dependent changes in autophagy in cultured cardiomyocytes. Oxidative stress may mediate the distinct alterations of myocyte autophagy during cardiac hypertrophy and failure.
Facilitating collaboration in e-supply chain systems: an action learning-based approach

constructing long-term collaborative partnerships. Often firms introduce e-enabled systems to integrate strategic suppliers into collaborative networks. But in reality, many of these collaborative supply chain systems have underperformed or been terminated. Often these inter-organisational systems achieve gains in operational performance but fall short of relationship change. However to maximise the potential of an integrated system, participants need to learn ‘the art of collaboration’ with supply chain partners and manage a difficult change process. Achieving a successful implementation requires a formal intervention programme to improve integration in the group by facilitating behavioural as well as technical change. One intervention technique is “action learning”. This approach focuses on learning from experience in a practical organisational context to cultivate behavioural change and collaborative practice. In this paper, the authors identify the key elements of an action learning programme created to promote behavioural change in the implementation of an Internet-based collaborative supply chain system. Based upon empirical data from an EC-Funded Fifth Framework Project, the impact of this formal integration programme is assessed.
Weight loss significantly reduces serum lipocalin-2 levels in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Serum lipocalin-2 levels are elevated in obese patients. We assessed serum lipocalin-2 levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the effects of weight loss or metformin on these levels. Forty-seven overweight/obese patients with PCOS [body mass index (BMI) >27 kg/m2] were instructed to follow a low-calorie diet, to exercise and were given orlistat or sibutramine for 6 months. Twenty-five normal weight patients with PCOS (BMI <25 kg/m2) were treated with metformin for 6 months. Twenty-five normal weight and 25 overweight/obese healthy female volunteers comprised the control groups. Serum lipocalin-2 levels did not differ between overweight/obese patients with PCOS and overweight/obese controls (p = 0.258), or between normal weight patients with PCOS and normal weight controls (p = 0.878). Lipocalin-2 levels were higher in overweight/obese patients with PCOS than in normal weight patients with PCOS (p < 0.001). In overweight/obese patients with PCOS, weight loss resulted in a fall in lipocalin-2 levels (p < 0.001). In normal weight patients with PCOS, treatment with metformin did not affect lipocalin-2 levels (p = 0.484). In conclusion, PCOS per se is not associated with elevated lipocalin-2 levels. Weight loss induces a significant reduction in lipocalin-2 levels in overweight/obese patients with PCOS.
Rietveld refinement and electrical properties of LiTiFeO4

Nanoparticles of Ti4+ substituted lithium ferrite LiTiFeO4 were prepared by the sol-gel auto combustion method. The sintered sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction to study the structural properties. The crystallite size obtained by Scherrer formula using XRD data is 22nm. The Rietveld refinement of the obtained XRD pattern was carried out using full-proof program. The electrical measurements as DC electrical resistivity and I-V measurement were carried out by two-probe technique and I-V characteristics. The semiconducting behaviour of the investigated sample was observed. The Ohmic nature was revealed by I-V characteristic.Nanoparticles of Ti4+ substituted lithium ferrite LiTiFeO4 were prepared by the sol-gel auto combustion method. The sintered sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction to study the structural properties. The crystallite size obtained by Scherrer formula using XRD data is 22nm. The Rietveld refinement of the obtained XRD pattern was carried out using full-proof program. The electrical measurements as DC electrical resistivity and I-V measurement were carried out by two-probe technique and I-V characteristics. The semiconducting behaviour of the investigated sample was observed. The Ohmic nature was revealed by I-V characteristic.
Journal of Information Technology Education Predictors of Team Work Satisfaction Predictors of Team Work Satisfaction Literature Review

Executive Summary The ability to work in teams is an attribute highly valued by employers of information technology (IT) graduates. For IT students to effectively engage in team work tasks, the process of working in teams should be satisfying for the students. This work explored whether university students who were involved in compulsory team work were satisfied with their experience. The research was seeking predictors of satisfaction with team work which may lead to educators being able to plan interventions that improve students' experiences. Team work satisfaction was measured by asking students to reflect on their current team work experience while rating their level of agreement with statements relating to Global Satisfaction (e.g., Group members interact well with each other.) and Global Dissatisfaction (e.g., My group isn't very efficient). The statements were taken from a set generated by Keyton (1991) in her study of group work satisfaction in university level students. Potential predictors were also assessed by the survey and included: previous experience with team work; perceived usefulness of team work training; familiarity with team members; and gender mix within the team. Two cohorts of students were surveyed. The first consisted of 270 Database 1 (DB1) students working in teams of 3-4 students on a short duration project (5 weeks). Most of these students were at the beginning of their degrees and therefore relatively inexperienced in regards to team work. The second contained 100 Software Engineering Project (SEP) students who were in the final stages of their degree. These students had more experience with team work than the Database students, and were working on a longer project (8 months). It was found that self-reported previous team work experience had little bearing on current satisfaction for either cohort. This finding contradicted the conclusions of Drury, Kay, and Losberg (2003) and Wong, Shi, and Wilson (2004). However, the former reported results from a smaller cohort of older students and the latter measured group performance as an indicator of satisfaction which may account for the differences. For the DB1 students there was no correlation between perceived usefulness of the team work training and the satisfaction. However, there was a small significant correlation for the SEP students. This result may have been due to the nature of the training offered. The training for the DB1 students was of a passive self directed nature whereas the SEP students were offered a two-day workshop. There was …
Neuromuscular Economy, Strength, and Endurance in Healthy Elderly Men

Cadore, EL, Pinto, RS, Alberton, CL, Pinto, SS, Lhullier, FLR, Tartaruga, MP, Correa, CS, Almeida, APV, Silva, EM, Laitano, O, and Kruel, LFM. Neuromuscular economy, strength, and endurance in healthy elderly men. J Strength Cond Res 25(4): 997-1003, 2011-Declines in muscular strength resulting from reduced neural activity may influence the reduction in aerobic capacity in older men. However, there has been little investigation into the relationship between muscular strength and economy of movement during aerobic exercise in elderly subjects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between strength, aerobic performance, and neuromuscular economy in older men. Twenty-eight aged men (65 ± 4 years old) were evaluated in dynamic (1 repetition maximum test), isometric strength (maximal voluntary contraction), and rate of force development. Peak oxygen uptake, maximal workload, and ventilatory threshold were determined during a ramp protocol on a cycle ergometer. Throughout the same protocol, the neuromuscular economy (electromyographic signal) of the vastus lateralis was measured. Significant correlations were found between muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and neuromuscular economy (r = 0.43-0.64, p < 0.05). Our results suggest that cardiorespiratory capacity and economy of movement are associated with muscular strength during aging.
Opiate and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in form-deprivation myopia

Pharmacological studies have implicated retinal opiate pathways in the visual regulation of ocular growth. However, the effects of opiate receptor subtype-specific compounds on form-deprivation myopia (FDM) are inconsistent (Seltner et al., 1997), and may be mediated by non-opiate receptors. The purpose of this study was to test whether opiate receptor-inactive (D-) enantiomers elicit the same FDM-suppressing effect as their opiate receptor-active (L-) counterparts. Since some opiates are thought to act at NMDA receptors, we also tested whether NMDA receptor agonists and antagonists influence ocular growth or FDM. We found that both L- and D- enantiomers of morphine-like compounds (dextrorphanol and levorphanol, and D- and L-naloxone) were equally effective in blocking FDM. The NMDA receptor antagonists dextromethorphan, MK801, and AP5 also suppressed FDM. A single toxic dose of NMDA, that destroys many subtypes of amacrine cells (including those that synthesize the opioid peptide enkephalin), induced myopia and ocular enlargement in ungoggled eyes, and eliminated the ability of form-deprivation to enhance ocular growth. The NR-1 subunit of the NMDA receptor was localized to a narrowly stratified, intense stratum at approximately 50% depth in the inner plexiform layer, diffusely throughout the proximal inner plexiform layer, and to many somata in the amacrine and ganglion cell layers. These observations suggest that most effects of opiate receptor ligands on FDM in the chick are mediated by non-opiate receptors, which are likely to include NMDA receptors. NMDA as an excitotoxin transiently enhances ocular growth, but thereafter disables retinal mechanisms that promote emmetropization and FDM. These observations are consistent with a prominent role for pathways utilizing NMDA receptors in FDM and ocular growth-control.
A Hybrid Strategy for the Prevention of Cytomegalovirus-Related Complications in Pediatric Liver Transplantation Recipients

Background. This single center, retrospective study describes experience with a hybrid prevention strategy combining short-course antiviral prophylaxis and preemptive cytomegalovirus (CMV) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) monitoring. Methods. One hundred twenty-two pediatric liver transplantation recipients were followed up for a median of 2.3 years posttransplantation. Subjects received a minimum of 14 days of postoperative ganciclovir, followed by monthly CMV PCR monitoring. Results. Forty-three CMV seronegative recipients received seropositive grafts and were considered high risk for CMV; 79 subjects were routine risk. CMV was detected by PCR in the absence of symptoms in 34.4% of subjects and was more likely in high risk than in routine risk recipients (58.1% vs. 21.8%, P=0.0001). Twelve subjects (9.8%) developed CMV disease (8 high risk vs. 4 routine risk, P=0.03). Three subjects developed acute rejection in the 6 months after detection of CMV, but CMV was preceded by rejection in 13 subjects. There were no mortalities secondary to CMV. A total of 38.5% of subjects were spared antiviral medications beyond their initial postoperative prophylaxis. Conclusions. These results suggest that a hybrid preventative approach for CMV is a reasonable alternative to prolonged antiviral prophylaxis and may reduce unnecessary exposure to antiviral therapy. However, patients who receive intensified immunosuppression after acute rejection are at increased risk for CMV and may require extended prophylaxis and closer monitoring.