Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative effects of sevoflurane and propofol based general anaesthesia for elective surgery on memory

Introduction Unconscious processing of words during general anaesthesia has been suggested. We used the process dissociation procedure (PDP) to test memory performance during sevoflurane and propofol anaesthesia in relation to hypnotic depth. Material and methods One hundred participants anaesthetised for elective surgery (50 with propofol and 50 with sevoflurane) and 50 non-anaesthetized listened to a list of words. The bispectral index (BIS) of the anaesthetised patients was recorded. Within 36 h after word presentation, memory was assessed using a word stem completion task, based on Buchner's model applied on the PDP. Results There was evidence of memory for words presented during light (BIS 61-80) (p = 0.001) and adequate (BIS 41-60) (p = 0.008) but not deep anaesthesia (BIS 21-40) (p = 0.09). The PDP showed a significant implicit but not explicit memory contribution (mean total explicit memory scores: 0.04 ±0.07 in all BIS categories; mean implicit memory scores: 0.01 ±0.04, 0.1 ±0.08, and 0.05 ±0.09 at BIS = 21-40, 41-60, and 61-80, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference between the mean implicit memory score (I) of the propofol and sevoflurane group in the BIS category 41-60 in general (p = 0.016), and after incision (IA.I.) (p = 0.005) in particular, with propofol depressing I more than sevoflurane in both cases. Memory performance of nonanaesthetized participants was better, with a higher contribution of explicit and a comparable contribution of implicit memory. Conclusions During general anaesthesia, implicit memory persists even in adequate hypnotic states. Sevoflurane affects the implicit memory of adequately anaesthetised subjects less than propofol.
Metagenomic Analysis of a Complex Community Present in Pond Sediment

The metagenomic profiling of complex communities is gaining immense interest across the scientific community. A complex community present in the pond sediment of a water body located close to a hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) production site of the Indian Pesticide Limited (IPL) (Chinhat, Lucknow) was selected in an attempt to identify and analyze the unique microbial diversity and functional profile of the site. In this study, we supplement the metagenomic study of pond sediment with a variety of binning approaches along with an in depth functional analysis. Our results improve the understanding of ecology, in terms of community dynamics. The findings are crucial with respect to the mechanisms such as those involving the lin group of genes that are known to be implicated in the HCH degradation pathway or the Type VI secretory system (T6SS) and its effector molecules. Metagenomic studies using the comparative genomics approach involving the isolates from adjacent HCH contaminated soils have contributed significantly towards improving our understanding of unexplored concepts, while simultaneously uncovering the novel mechanisms of microbial ecology.
Distributionally Robust Stochastic Optimization with Dependence Structure

Distributionally robust stochastic optimization (DRSO) is a framework for decision-making problems under certainty, which finds solutions that perform well for a chosen set of probability distributions. Many different approaches for specifying a set of distributions have been proposed. The choice matters, because it affects the results, and the relative performance of different choices depend on the characteristics of the problems. In this paper, we consider problems in which different random variables exhibit some form of dependence, but the exact values of the parameters that represent the dependence are not known. We consider various sets of distributions that incorporate the dependence structure, and we study the corresponding DRSO problems. In the first part of the paper, we consider problems with linear dependence between random variables. We consider sets of distributions that are within a specified Wasserstein distance of a nominal distribution, and that satisfy a second-order moment constraint. We obtain a tractable dual reformulation of the corresponding DRSO problem. This approach is compared with the traditional moment-based DRSO and Wasserstein-based DRSO with no moment constraints. Numerical experiments suggest that our new formulation has superior out-of-sample performance. In the second part of the paper, we consider problems with various types of rank dependence between random variables, including rank dependence measured by Spearman's footrule distance between empirical rankings, comonotonic distributions, box uncertainty for individual observations, and Wasserstein distance between copulas associated with continuous distributions. We also obtain a dual reformulation of the DRSO problem. A desirable byproduct of the formulation is that it also avoids an issue associated with the one-sided moment constraints in moment-based DRSO problems.
A Study of the Impact of a School-Based, Job-Embedded Professional Development Program on Elementary and Middle School Teacher Efficacy for Technology Integration.

ii DEDICATION iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS iv LIST OF TABLES viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 Background 5 Problem Statement 8 Research Questions 9 Operational Definitions 10 Significance of the Study 11 Delimitations of the Study 12 Organization of the Study 12 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE 13 Technology Integration 13 Professional Development 24 Effective Professional Development 25 Professional Development in Technology Integration 27 Efficacy 34 Teacher Efficacy 34 Individual Teacher Efficacy and Professional Development 39 Collective Teacher Efficacy and Professional Development 43 Summary 51 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS 54 Research Design 54 Population 54 Instrumentation 55 Validity and Reliability 57 Intervention 59 Data Collection Procedures 60 Data Analysis Procedures 61 Limitations of the Study 62 Summary 63
Tense as Discourse Anaphor

In this paper, I consider a range of English expressions and show that their context-dependency can be characterized in terms of two properties:1. They specify entities in an evolving model of the discourse that the listener is constructing;2. The particular entity specified depends on another entity in that part of the evolving "discourse model" that the listener is currently attending to.Such expressions have been called anaphors. I show how tensed clauses share these characteristics, usually just attributed to anaphoric noun phrases. This not only allows us to capture in a simple way the oft-stated but difficult-to-prove intuition that tense is anaphoric, but also contributes to our knowledge of what is needed for understanding narrative text.
NEDD9 Stabilizes Focal Adhesions, Increases Binding to the Extra-Cellular Matrix and Differentially Effects 2D versus 3D Cell Migration

The speed of cell migration on 2-dimensional (2D) surfaces is determined by the rate of assembly and disassembly of clustered integrin receptors known as focal adhesions. Different modes of cell migration that have been described in 3D environments are distinguished by their dependence on integrin-mediated interactions with the extra-cellular matrix. In particular, the mesenchymal invasion mode is the most dependent on focal adhesion dynamics. The focal adhesion protein NEDD9 is a key signalling intermediary in mesenchymal cell migration, however whether NEDD9 plays a role in regulating focal adhesion dynamics has not previously been reported. As NEDD9 effects on 2D migration speed appear to depend on the cell type examined, in the present study we have used mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) from mice in which the NEDD9 gene has been depleted (NEDD9 −/− MEFs). This allows comparison with effects of other focal adhesion proteins that have previously been demonstrated using MEFs. We show that focal adhesion disassembly rates are increased in the absence of NEDD9 expression and this is correlated with increased paxillin phosphorylation at focal adhesions. NEDD9−/− MEFs have increased rates of migration on 2D surfaces, but conversely, migration of these cells is significantly reduced in 3D collagen gels. Importantly we show that myosin light chain kinase is activated in 3D in the absence of NEDD9 and is conversely inhibited in 2D cultures. Measurement of adhesion strength reveals that NEDD9−/− MEFs have decreased adhesion to fibronectin, despite upregulated α5β1 fibronectin receptor expression. We find that β1 integrin activation is significantly suppressed in the NEDD9−/−, suggesting that in the absence of NEDD9 there is decreased integrin receptor activation. Collectively our data suggest that NEDD9 may promote 3D cell migration by slowing focal adhesion disassembly, promoting integrin receptor activation and increasing adhesion force to the ECM.
Effects of adenine nucleotides on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced calcium release in vascular smooth muscle cells

Effects of adenine nucleotides on the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-induced Ca release (IICR) mechanism were studied in smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig portal vein. A microfluorometry method of fura- 2 was used to measure Ca release from saponin-skinned thin muscle strips (width approximately 200 microns, thickness 50-70 microns, length 2-3 mm). About 80% of ionomycin-releasable Ca store was sensitive to IP3, of which approximately 20% was also sensitive to caffeine. The rate of Ca release by 0.1 microM IP3 depended biphasically on ATP concentration in the absence of Mg2+; it was dose- dependently enhanced by ATP up to approximately 0.5 mM, and above this concentration the enhancement became smaller. However, the decline of enhancement of the IICR at the higher ATP concentrations was absent at IP3 concentrations greater than 1 microM. This suggests competitive antagonism between IP3 and ATP. Clear effects of ATP were observed not only at pCa 7 or 8, where the Ca-induced Ca release was not activated, but after a ryanodine treatment to excise the functional compartment that possessed the Ca-induced Ca release mechanism. ATP had no effect on the rate of Ca leakage in the absence of IP3 even at pCa 5.5 after the ryanodine treatment. Therefore, ATP has direct biphasic effects on the IP3-induced Ca release mechanism. The Ca release induced by 0.1 microM IP3 at pCa 7 was potentiated not only by ATP, but by 0.5 mM ADP, AMP, or beta, gamma-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate. 0.5 mM GTP had only a little effect on the IP3-induced Ca release. These results extend the functional similarities between Ca- and IP3-induced Ca release mechanisms in that adenine nucleotides enhance Ca release. Millimolar concentration of ATP, which is present physiologically, will shift the dose-response relation of IP3 toward the higher IP3 concentration and enhance the maximal effect of IP3. Thus, ATP is expected to assist the Ca release by higher concentrations of IP3 while having less effect on the Ca release by low levels of IP3. These effects of ATP may be important in the switching of Ca release from the intracellular Ca store by IP3.
Some Graph-Colouring Theorems with Applications to Generalized Connection Networks

With the aid of a new graph-colouring theorem, we give a simple explicit construction for generalized n-connectors with $2k - 1$ stages and $O ( n^{1 + 1 / k} ( \log n )^{( k - 1 )/ 2} )$ edges. This is asymptotically the best explicit construction known for generalized connectors.
How to Optimize the Quality of Sensor Data Streams

Present data stream management systems allow the automatic recording and processing of huge data volumes to guide any kind of process control or business decision. However, a crucial problem is posed by data quality deficiencies due to imprecise sensors, environmental influences, transfer failures, etc. If not handled carefully, they lead to misguided decisions and inappropriate actions. In this paper, we present the quality-driven optimization of stream processing to improve the resulting quality of data and service. First, we present the optimization objectives and discuss the parameterization of stream processing operators to define the underlying optimization problem. We develop the generic optimization framework and present the quality-driven evolution strategy (QES). Finally, we show that the designed optimization scales very well with regard to processing complexity and reduces numerical errors in the contact lens production monitoring.
Serum albumin level as a predictor of ischemic stroke outcome.

Serum Albumin Level as a Predictor of Ischemic Stroke Outcome To the Editor: We read with great interest the recent article by Dr Dziedzic et al1 on the relationship between serum albumin level and ischemic stroke outcome. Even though low serum albumin has been associated with an increased incidence of stroke in epidemiologic studies,2 a high serum albumin level in acute stroke patients was described, for the first time, to decrease the risk of poor outcome among hospitalized patients. The neuroprotective effects of endogenous albumin on the capillary microcirculation in the early reperfusion phase were proposed to explain the cellular mechanism of this association, and the role of exogenous albumin therapy in stroke recovery was briefly reviewed. It is important to recognize the role of serum albumin as a marker of clinical outcomes in vascular disease. Apart from stroke, serum albumin has been associated with adverse vascular events in patients with cardiac3 and renal4 diseases. Among hospitalized patients, hypoalbuminemia was found to be associated with frequent hospitalizations, higher mortality, and readmission,5 and an independent prognostic factor for all deaths among healthy middle-aged individuals in population studies.6 Serum albumin is regulated by factors influencing protein synthesis, breakdown, leakage to the extravascular space, and food intake. In clinical practice, serum albumin is often considered a marker of nutritional status and a negative phase protein that decreases in concentration during injury and sepsis.7 There has been conflicting evidence in the literature on albumin therapy in treating patients with hypoalbuminemia from an underlying vascular disease. Albumin has a molecular weight of about 66 kDa, thus preventing it from passing through the blood–brain barrier by diffusion or by carrier systems through these membranes. Local redistribution, crystalloid dilution, and changes in the metabolism of albumin, which result in ineffective delivery and concentration within the central nervous system, frustrate therapeutic interventions. In septic patients, albumin therapy was not associated with a rise in serum albumin. Instead, a fall in serum albumin was observed and this was hypothesized to be secondary to capillary leakage.8 Until these important questions on albumin therapy are answered in randomized controlled studies, therapeutic options in patients with hypoalbuminemia should be directed toward treating the underlying cause, avoiding or treating salt and water overload, instituting prompt medical and surgical treatment of inflammation and sepsis, and providing appropriate nutritional support to enhance recovery in patients with ischemic strokes.
Nonagricultural Family Enterprises in Cote D'Ivoire: A Descriptive Analysis

Non-agricultural self-employment is an important part of the economy in Cote d'Ivoire. About one third of the households, one fourth of all male workers and more than one half of all female workers are self-employed and engaged in non-agricultural self-employment. A good understanding of the impact of public policy is therefore not possible without an analysis of nonfarm family enterprises. Studies on the income generated by non-agricultural enterprises are scarce in comparison to analyses of wage earnings and farm production. Also, without sufficient empirical support, family enterprises are usually considered a part of the so-called informal sector, the lower segment of a segmented economy, where one finds undesirable jobs with low pay and little prospect of advancement. This paper describes family enterprises in CBte d'Ivoire in the light of this issue. Family enterprises have indeed some characteristics that are usually associated with the informal sector: They are quite transitory; they are small; they use a labor-intensive mode of production; and the family workers employed by them are uneducated. However, to classify all family enterprises as being in the informal sector does injustice to some large, productive, profitable, and capital intensive enterprises. Moreover, family enterprises are not typically operated by low-income households, and the isolation that one would associate with a segmented economy is contradicted by the fact that many self-employed workers reside in households where other members hold a wage job or operate a farm. Further evidence suggests that capital is in shortage. In particular, few enterprises use large capital items such as vehicles and buildings. However, to subsidize these items will likely benefit only the largest enterprises. There is a al lack of education among self-employed workers. Only one fourth is reported to be literate. Given this, even basic education is likely to be beneficial. The relative prevalence of apprenticeship training among the non-agricultural self-employed suggests a demand for vocational skills, which, if provided in conjunction with the basic curriculum, may encourage students to become entrepreneurs rather than wage employees as seems to be the case at present. Since low-income households are not the only ones to operate family enterprises, policies directed at family enterprises to alleviate poverty need to be especially targeted at the poor.
Optimal Base Station Sleeping in Green Cellular Networks: A Distributed Cooperative Framework Based on Game Theory

This paper proposes a distributed cooperative framework for improving the energy efficiency of green cellular networks. Based on the traffic load, neighboring base stations (BSs) cooperate to optimize the BS switching (sleeping) strategies so as to maximize the energy saving while guaranteeing users' minimal service requirements. The inter-BS cooperation is formulated following the principle of ecological self-organization. An interaction graph is defined to capture the network impact of the BS switching operation. Then, we formulate the problem of energy saving as a constrained graphical game, where each BS acts as a game player with the constraint of traffic load. The constrained graphical game is proved to be an exact constrained potential game. Furthermore, we prove the existence of a generalized Nash equilibrium (GNE), and the best GNE coincides with the optimal solution of total energy consumption minimization. Accordingly, we design a decentralized iterative algorithm to find the best GNE (i.e., the global optimum), where only local information exchange among the neighboring BSs is needed. Theoretical analysis and simulation results finally illustrate the convergence and optimality of the proposed algorithm.
Chronic TrkB agonist treatment in old age does not mitigate diaphragm neuromuscular dysfunction

Previously, we found that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling through the high‐affinity tropomyosin‐related kinase receptor subtype B (TrkB) enhances neuromuscular transmission in the diaphragm muscle. However, there is an age‐related loss of this effect of BDNF/TrkB signaling that may contribute to diaphragm muscle sarcopenia (atrophy and force loss). We hypothesized that chronic treatment with 7,8‐dihydroxyflavone (7,8‐DHF), a small molecule BDNF analog and TrkB agonist, will mitigate age‐related diaphragm neuromuscular transmission failure and sarcopenia in old mice. Adult male TrkBF616A mice (n = 32) were randomized to the following 6‐month treatment groups: vehicle‐control, 7,8‐DHF, and 7,8‐DHF and 1NMPP1 (an inhibitor of TrkB kinase activity in TrkBF616A mice) cotreatment, beginning at 18 months of age. At 24 months of age, diaphragm neuromuscular transmission failure, muscle‐specific force, and fiber cross‐sectional areas were compared across treatment groups. The results did not support our hypothesis in that chronic 7,8‐DHF treatment did not improve diaphragm neuromuscular transmission or mitigate diaphragm muscle sarcopenia. Taken together, these results do not exclude a role for BDNF/TrkB signaling in aging‐related changes in the diaphragm muscle, but they do not support the use of 7,8‐DHF as a therapeutic agent to mitigate age‐related neuromuscular dysfunction.
Community Knowledge and Attitudes and Health Workers' Practices regarding Non-malaria Febrile Illnesses in Eastern Tanzania

Introduction Although malaria has been the leading cause of fever for many years, with improved control regimes malaria transmission, morbidity and mortality have decreased. Recent studies have increasingly demonstrated the importance of non-malaria fevers, which have significantly improved our understanding of etiologies of febrile illnesses. A number of non-malaria febrile illnesses including Rift Valley Fever, dengue fever, Chikungunya virus infection, leptospirosis, tick-borne relapsing fever and Q-fever have been reported in Tanzania. This study aimed at assessing the awareness of communities and practices of health workers on non-malaria febrile illnesses. Methods Twelve focus group discussions with members of communities and 14 in-depth interviews with health workers were conducted in Kilosa district, Tanzania. Transcripts were coded into different groups using MaxQDA software and analyzed through thematic content analysis. Results The study revealed that the awareness of the study participants on non-malaria febrile illnesses was low and many community members believed that most instances of fever are due to malaria. In addition, the majority had inappropriate beliefs about the possible causes of fever. In most cases, non-malaria febrile illnesses were considered following a negative Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) result or persistent fevers after completion of anti-malaria dosage. Therefore, in the absence of mRDTs, there is over diagnosis of malaria and under diagnosis of non-malaria illnesses. Shortages of diagnostic facilities for febrile illnesses including mRDTs were repeatedly reported as a major barrier to proper diagnosis and treatment of febrile patients. Conclusion Our results emphasize the need for creating community awareness on other causes of fever apart from malaria. Based on our study, appropriate treatment of febrile patients will require inputs geared towards strengthening of diagnostic facilities, drugs availability and optimal staffing of health facilities.
Huygens' odd Sympathy Experiment Revisited

We repeat Huygens' experiment using real pendulum clocks in the same way as it was done originally, i.e. we hang two clocks on the same beam and observe the behavior of the pendulums. The clocks in the experiment have been selected in such a way so as to be as identical as possible. It has been observed that when the beam is allowed to move horizontally, the clocks can synchronize both in-phase and anti-phase. We perform computer simulations of the clocks' behavior to answer the question how the nonidentity of the clocks influences the synchronization process. We show that even the clocks with significantly different periods of oscillations can synchronize, but their periods are modified by the beam motion so they are no more accurate.