Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of different rack systems on the breeding performance of DBA/2 mice

Housing systems for laboratory animals have been developed over a long time. Micro-environmental systems such as positive, individually ventilated caging systems and forced-air-ventilated systems are increasingly used by many researchers to reduce cross contamination between cages. There have been many investigations of the impact of these systems on the health of animals, the light intensity, the relative humidity and temperature of cages, the concentration of ammonia and CO2, and other factors in the cages. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of different rack systems and to understand the influence of environmental enrichment on the breeding performance of mice. Sixty DBA/2 breeding pairs were used for this experiment. Animals were kept in three rack systems: a ventilated cabinet, a normal open rack and an individually ventilated cage rack (IVC rack) with enriched or non-enriched type II elongated Makrolon cages. Reproduction performance was recorded from 10 to 40 weeks of age. In all three rack systems there was a similar breeding index (pups/dam/week) in non-enriched groups during the long-term breeding period, but the coefficients of variation in the IVC rack were higher for most parameters. This type of enrichment seems to lead to a decrease in the number of pups born, especially in the IVC group. However, there was no significant difference in breeding index (young weaned/female/week).
New Firm Formation by Industry over Space and Time: A Multi-Level Analysis

We apply a multi-level approach to analyze simultaneously the effects of three groups of determinants on new firm formation: industry, location and change over time. The data is for West Germany and covers the 1983-97 period. Our analysis indicates that innovation activities and the technological regime play a significant role in new firm formation processes. There are some differences with regard to the impact of a number of variables on start-ups in manufacturing and the service sector. Changes in demand are conducive to new firm formation while a high level of unemployment in a region obviously creates a relatively uncomfortable environment for setting up new businesses. Wir untersuchen den Einfluss von Branchenmerkmalen, Standort und Veranderungen im Zeitablauf auf Neugrundungen von Betrieben mit einem Mehr- Ebenen-Ansatz. Die Analyse bezieht sich auf Westdeutschland im Zeitraum 1983- 1997. Innovationsaktivitaten und die Auspragung des technologischen Regimes haben offenbar einen wesentlichen Einfluss auf Grundungsaktivitaten. Es bestehen erhebliche Unterschiede zwischen dem Industrie- und dem Dienstleistungssektor hinsichtlich der Bedeutung der verschiedenen Faktoren fur das Grundungsgeschehen. Expandierende Nachfrage stimuliert Grundungsaktivitaten wahrend sich ein hohes Niveau an regionaler Arbeitslosigkeit offenbar ungunstig auswirkt.
Foreign Body Ingestion in Iranian Children: a 4 Years Observational Study

Objective – Foreign body ingestion is common in children due to playing with everything. This study was done to identify type, site, and complication, as well as knowledge about the state of foreign body ingestion in children in Kerman/Iran. Methods – In this prospective study, during 4 years, 85 children less than 14 years old presented to the Emergency Department of Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman were studied. All children, regardless of their clinical symptoms, underwent total radiography (from neck to Pelvic) within the first hour of admission. In symptomatic patients, or sharp, long objects, and narcotic substances ingestion, prompt endoscopy was performed and in the case of foreign body lodging in the subglottic area, the patient was being referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist. For asymptomatic patients or far‐access foreign body; lactulose, polyethylene glycol solution and high‐fiber substances (for ingestion of diskette batteries, heroine and sharp objects respectively) were administered as medical treatments. Asymptomatic subjects who had ingested sharp objects or narcotic substances were hospitalized and observed, but other cases were followed out patiently (by phone call or face to face observation). Results – Mean age of subjects was 3.7 years with no significant difference between the two sexes. Mean age was 3.7 year. The most frequent ingested foreign body was diskette battery (28.2%) followed by coin (21.2%). The majority of subjects had no symptom (67%). the most frequent endoscopic location (21.8%) was subglot. Most complications occurred after battery ingestion. Endoscopic intervention was required in 31.8% that mostly in cases with ingestion of organic substances (77.8%) and coin (61.1%). There was a significant relationship between age and the type of foreign body (p=0.033) and its location (p= 0.012). Medical treatment was completely successful in 68.2%. There was no mortality. Conclusion – Manufacturing clockwork toys instead of operated toys, minting smaller coins and applying medical treatment in the cases that foreign body is not in the access of endoscope are recommended. Cite as Amini‐Ranjbar S. Foreign body ingestion in Iranian children: a 4 years observational study. Introduction Foreign body ingestion is a common problem in children [1] specially in preschool ages [2, 3]. The most frequent ingested foreign body reported all over the world is coin [1, 2, 4‐7]. About 25‐57% of the cases had no complaint, (as most of the time history of ingestion is given by caretakers), therefore in these cases getting a precise history and physician's …
Balance training and exercise in geriatric patients.

Objective measures of gait and balance which meet the criteria of reliability and validity are required as a basis for exercise regimens. We established reference values of clinically relevant locomotor and balance performances for geriatric patients. We are using these data for evaluating the effects of different therapeutic approaches to locomotor and balance disorders. Reference values for chair rising. We administered a battery of five tests concerning neuromuscular function, locomotion and balance to a sample of 212 participants without apparent locomotor deficits (139 women, 73 men, mean age 70,5 years, SD 6,78 , median 70 years, range 60 to 90 years, recruited by public announcements). The test battery comprised the 'chair rising test' for measuring lower extremity neuromuscular function (five repetitions of rising from a chair as quickly as possible with arms crossed over the chest). The test has been proven reliable, valid, sensible and predictive for falls and future locomotor status and ADL-status. Chair rising [sec/5x], Range: 5.4-19.4, Mean: 9.1 (women:9.2, men:9.0), SD: 1.97, Median: 8.9. Training of balance and muscle power with Galileo 2000 - preliminary results. Galileo is a device for whole body vibration/oscillatory muscle stimulation. The subject stands with bended knees and hips on a rocking platform with a sagittal axle, which thrusts alternatively the right and left leg 7-14 mm upwards with a frequency of 27 Hz, thereby lengthening the extensor muscles of the lower extremities. The reflexive reaction of the neuromuscular system is a chain of rapid muscle contractions. We conducted a randomized controlled trial, n=34 (age: mean 67y, range 61-85, 11 female), cross-over design, intervention group 2 months training program three times a week (each session 3x2 minutes), performance tests of all participants every two weeks). The first 19 subjects have finished the intervention period. They reached mean performance gains in chair rising of 18%, strikingly different to the constant values of the controls! We interpret the findings as improvements in muscle power by the oscillative muscle stimulation.
Tear film dynamics in floppy eyelid syndrome.

PURPOSE Floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) presents nonspecific ocular surface irritation. The hypothesis for the current study was that one contributing factor is the abnormality in tear film dynamics. METHODS Sixteen patients with FES were consecutively examined. Tear film dynamics were evaluated by kinetic tear interference images, infrared thermometry, water evaporation rate, tear break-up time, and fluorescein clearance test. Data showing evaporation rate and thermometry were compared with those of 10 normal subjects. RESULTS There was a high correlation between the eye with the worse symptoms and the eyes with the more severe floppy lids (P < 0.01) and with ocular surface evaporation rate (P = 0.02). Except for one patient, all others showed abnormal tear film, with an average tear break-up time of 2.9 +/- 3.7 seconds. Kinetic analysis of tear interference images revealed that lipid spread in a vertical or mixed pattern in 18 eyes (75%) with a delayed spread time (P = 0.0007), indicating that most of the patients had lipid tear deficiency. The ocular skin temperature and water evaporation rate were higher in the FES group (P = 0.0003 and 0.026, respectively). Nearly all patients with FES showed eyelid hyperpigmentation. The ocular surface evaporation rate in the FES group was also higher than that of the normal subjects (P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis showed that a vertical pattern of lipid spread had a significant influence on ocular surface evaporation rate (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Tear film abnormality is prevalent in patients with FES and is characterized by lipid tear deficiency, leading to rapid tear evaporation. The FES lid skin is also characterized by high temperature, high water evaporation rate, and hyperpigmentation. Studies directed to investigating the linkage of lid changes and meibomian gland dysfunction may shed new lights on the pathogenesis of FES.
Active Elements for Analog Signal Processing: Classification, Review, and New Proposals

In the paper, an analysis of the state-of-the-art of active elements for analog signal processing is presented which support - in contrast to the conven tional operational amplifiers - not only the voltage-mode but also the current- and mixed-mode operations. Several pro blems are addressed which are associated with the utiliza tion of these elements in linear applications, particularly in frequency filters. A methodology is proposed which generates a number of fundamentally new active elem ents with their potential utilization in various areas o f signal processing.
Voxel-based morphometry reveals gray matter network atrophy in refractory medial temporal lobe epilepsy.

BACKGROUND Conventional volumetric studies have shown that brain structures functionally and anatomically related to the hippocampus are smaller in patients with drug-refractory medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). OBJECTIVES To determine the extent of gray matter atrophy in the brains of patients with MTLE and to examine the pattern of atrophy. DESIGN We performed a voxel-based morphometric study of 43 consecutive patients with unilateral drug-refractory MTLE (21 patients with right-sided MTLE and 22 patients with left-sided MTLE) whose magnetic resonance images showed signs of unilateral hippocampal atrophy. The data from the patients with MTLE were compared with the data from 49 healthy control subjects to identify differences between groups in gray matter concentration (GMC). SETTING Academic hospital's epilepsy clinic. RESULTS We observed that patients with left- and right-sided MTLE exhibited GMC reduction in the hippocampus ipsilateral to the seizure origin. In addition, we found GMC reduction in the ipsilateral parahippocampal and isocortical temporal regions. Patients with MTLE also showed GMC reduction in subcortical nuclei such as the thalamus and caudate, in the cerebellum, in the midbrain, and in parieto-occipital regions. CONCLUSIONS Patients with MTLE exhibit a reduction in GMC in regions outside the temporal lobe, specifically in areas that are connected to the hippocampus and parahippocampal region, suggesting an anatomical route for atrophy.
HEMODOSE: A Biodosimetry Tool Based on Multi-type Blood Cell Counts

AbstractPeripheral blood cell counts are important biomarkers of radiation exposure. In this work, a simplified compartmental modeling approach is applied to simulate the perturbation of the hematopoiesis system in humans after radiation exposure, and HemoDose software is reported to estimate individuals’ absorbed doses based on multi-type blood cell counts. Testing with patient data in some historical accidents indicates that either single or serial granulocyte, lymphocyte, leukocyte, and platelet counts after exposure can be robust indicators of the absorbed doses. In addition, such correlation exists not only in the early time window (1 or 2 d) but also in the late phase (up to 4 wk) after exposure, when the four types of cell counts are combined for analysis. These demonstrate the capability of HemoDose as a rapid point-of-care diagnostic or centralized high-throughput assay system for personnel exposed to unintended high doses of radiation, especially in large-scale nuclear/radiological disaster scenarios involving mass casualties.
Bromelain Inhibits Allergic Sensitization and Murine Asthma via Modulation of Dendritic Cells

The incidence of atopic conditions has increased in industrialized countries. Persisting symptoms and concern for drug side-effects lead patients toward adjunctive treatments such as phytotherapy. Previously, we have shown that Bromelain (sBr), a mixture of cysteine proteases from pineapple, Ananas comosus, inhibits ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine model of allergic airway disease (AAD). However, sBr's effect on development of AAD when treatment is administered throughout OVA-alum sensitization was unknown and is the aim of the present study. C57BL/6J mice were sensitized with OVA/alum and challenged with 7 days OVA aerosol. sBr 6 mg/kg/0.5 ml or PBS vehicle were administered throughout sensitization. Lung, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), spleen, and lymph nodes were processed for flow cytometry and OVA-specific IgE was determined via ELISA. sBr treatment throughout OVA-alum sensitization significantly reduced the development of AAD (BAL eosinophils and lymphocytes). OVA-specific IgE and OVA TET+ cells were decreased. sBr reduced CD11c+ dendritic cell subsets, and in vitro treatment of DCs significantly reduced CD44, a key receptor in both cell trafficking and activation. sBr was shown to reduce allergic sensitization and the generation of AAD upon antigen challenge. These results provide additional insight into sBr's anti-inflammatory and antiallergic properties and rationale for translation into the clinical arena.
Chronotype and time-of-day effects on mood during school day

Existing evidence suggests an association between mood, time-of-day and morningness–eveningness (M-E). Since few studies have been carried out among adolescents, in this study daily mood fluctuations were analyzed in the naturalistic school context during 2 d in order to test how chronotype and time-of-day are related to mood during the school schedule period and check if sleep length is involved in the above relation. A sample of 655 adolescents (12–16 years) reported mood levels (current level of pleasantness) three times during school day (8:10–8:30 h, 10:20–11:40 h, 13:50–14:10 h). They also reported M-E preference and time in bed. Neither age nor sex were related to mood. However, the results indicated that regardless of chronotype mood increased throughout the school day from the lowest morning levels. Moreover, morning types showed better mood compared to other chronotypes, while evening types exhibited the lowest mood. Evening-oriented students slept less than other chronotypes, but time in bed was not involved in the relationship between chronotype and mood. These results suggest that it is not shortened sleep duration responsible for decreased mood in evening-oriented students.
The cell biology of malaria infection of mosquito: advances and opportunities

Recent reviews (Feachem et al.; Alonso et al.) have concluded that in order to have a sustainable impact on the global burden of malaria, it is essential that we knowingly reduce the global incidence of infected persons. To achieve this we must reduce the basic reproductive rate of the parasites to < 1 in diverse epidemiological settings. This can be achieved by impacting combinations of the following parameters: the number of mosquitoes relative to the number of persons, the mosquito/human biting rate, the proportion of mosquitoes carrying infectious sporozoites, the daily survival rate of the infectious mosquito and the ability of malaria‐infected persons to infect mosquito vectors.
FINITE DIMENSIONAL FUZZY NORMED LINEAR SPACES

In this paper we consider general t-norm in the definition of fuzzy normed linear space which is introduced by the authors in an earlier paper. It is proved that if t-norm is chosen other than " min " then decomposition theorem of a fuzzy norm into a family of crisp norms may not hold. We study some basic results on finite dimensional fuzzy normed linear spaces in general t-norm setting.
The role of thematic and concept texture in scientific text : comparing native and non-native writers of English *

This paper explores two types of text structure in scientific research articles written by native and non-native writers of English. We use a textlinguistic analysis to study thematic progression in these texts. We compare these results to the study of a new type of texture found in texts: that is, the texture formed by concept identification using scientific methods from Text Mining approaches. Our conclusions point out some of the specific difficulties that non-native writers face in managing the structure of their texts. We also look toward developing an automatic aide for non-native writers.
Delivery Method: Does it Matter? A Study of the North Carolina Developmental Mathematics Redesign

ABSTRACT In 2009, the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) began the process of redesigning developmental mathematics (DMA) courses. The first classes were offered in 2012 with final state implementation in fall 2013. The purpose of this study was to examine the subsequent gateway course success rates achieved by former DMA students in relation to the delivery method (i.e., teacher-centered, student-centered, and computer-centered) used in the redesigned North Carolina DMA courses. Students included in this study took a gateway math course and a developmental math course during the same or previous academic year. Students who participated in student-centered and computer-centered instruction in their DMA course had a statistically significant pass rate in subsequent gateway courses compared with students receiving teacher-centered instruction. Along with the findings, this paper discusses considerations for redesign, including the choice of delivery methods and instructional techniques, and recommendations for further research.
Tutor Training and Services for Multilingual Graduate Writers: A Reconsideration

Multilingual graduate writers make few appearances in writing center discussions. These students live, work, and write at the intersection of two subjectivities—graduate writer and multilingual writer—neither of which is the core population of native-English-speaking undergraduates with whom most writing centers have traditionally worked. Writers who are multilingual or “ESL”1 have received frequent attention (e.g. Blau and Hall; Bruce and Rafoth, Myers; Harris and Silva), and a handful of scholars have considered the challenges of tutoring graduate students (e.g. Pemberton; Powers; Gillespie; Snively). However, the research tells us little about how to work effectively with students who are both multilingual and graduate writers (hereafter, MGWs). In this essay, I place interviews with MGWs in conversation with a survey of writing center practices with MGW student populations. Based on the experiences of the MGWs I interviewed, I suggest that writing centers could better meet MGWs’ needs by adopting a more holistic approach to the writing process that is more disciplinarily informed and that resists creating false dichotomies between global and sentence-level concerns. I argue that for MGWs, sentence-level problems—even those that tutors might judge to be minor or moderate—may have serious implications for their professional advancement.
Token merging in language model-based confusible disambiguation

In the context of confusible disambiguation (spelling correction that requires context), the synchronous back-off strategy combined with traditional n-gram language models performs well. However, when alternatives consist of a different number of tokens, this classification technique cannot be applied directly, because the computation of the probabilities is skewed. Previous work already showed that probabilities based on different order n-grams should not be compared directly. In this article, we propose new probability metrics in which the size of the n is varied according to the number of tokens of the confusible alternative. This requires access to n-grams of variable length. Results show that the synchronous back-off method is extremely robust. We discuss the use of suffix trees as a technique to store variable length n-gram information efficiently.
Predicting Cyberbullying Behavior From Attitudes: A 3-Year Longitudinal Cross-Lagged Analysis of Singaporean Youth

There is a paucity of research testing (a) the longitudinal stability in positive cyberbullying attitudes, (b) whether any change in positive cyberbullying attitudes over time predict subsequent cyberbullying perpetration, and (c) the cross-lagged relations between positive attitudes toward cyberbullying attitudes and behavior over time. The current study focused on empirically testing these theoretical gaps and sampled over 3,000 Singaporean youth participants (at Wave 1) who completed measures of cyberbullying behavior and positive attitudes consecutively for 3 years. Correlations and path analyses showed modest stability in positive cyberbullying attitudes and perpetration over time. Also, latent class analysis classified participants into either stable high attitudes, stable low attitudes, increasing attitudes, or decreasing attitudes. Results using this classification showed that changes in positive cyberbullying attitudes across Waves 1 and 2 predicted Wave 3 cyberbullying, such that those who endorsed cyberbullying attitudes were more likely to cyberbully than those who did not advocate such attitudes. Finally, path analysis results showed significant longitudinal cross-lags between positive attitudes toward cyberbullying and behaviors.