Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of cell proliferation by chronic wound fluid

It has been proposed that occlusive wound dressings may enhance chronic wound repair by the stimulatory action of the fluid accumulating beneath the dressings. In this report, we investigated the in vitro proliferative effects of chronic wound fluid obtained from under a polyurethane membrane applied for 24 hours to venous ulcers in the ambulatory setting. By measuring cell counts and DNA synthesis, we found that chronic wound fluid inhibited the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts (p = 0.008) and failed to stimulate the proliferation of microvascular endothelial cells (p = 0.03) and keratinocytes (p = 0.03). The inhibitory activity of chronic wound fluid on fibroblast proliferation was blocked after the fluid was heated to 100° C, but not 56° C, and was mainly restricted to a fraction of chronic wound fluid enriched in components less than 30 kd in molecular weight (p = 0.028). At concentrations ranging from 1% to 4% and in the presence of serum, chronic wound fluid decreased the viability of fibroblasts, as shown by a decreased ability of the cells to exclude trypan blue (p = 0.02), and the viability of endothelial cells, as shown by an increased release of tritiated adenine (p = 0.03). We conclude that the wound fluid obtained from beneath occlusive dressings applied to chronic wounds inhibits cell proliferation.
Regional cerebral brain metabolism correlates of neuroticism and extraversion

Factor‐analytic approaches to human personality have consistently identified several core personality traits, such as Extraversion/Introversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Consciousness, and Openness. There is an increasing recognition that certain personality traits may render individuals vulnerable to psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders and depression. Our purpose in this study was to explore correlates between the personality dimensions neuroticism and extraversion as assessed by the NEO Five‐Factor Inventory (NEO‐FFI) and resting regional cerebral glucose metabolism (rCMRglu) in healthy control subjects. Based on the anxiety and depression literatures, we predicted correlations with a network of brain structures, including ventral and medial prefrontal cortex (encompassing anterior cingulate cortex and orbitofrontal cortex), insular cortex, anterior temporal pole, ventral striatum, and the amygdala. Twenty healthy women completed an 18FFDG (18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose) positron emission tomography (PET) scan at rest and the NEO‐FFI inventory. We investigated correlations between scores on NEO‐FFI Neuroticism and Extraversion and rCMRglu using statistical parametric mapping (SPM99). Within a priori search territories, we found significant negative correlations between Neuroticism and rCMRglu in the insular cortex and positive correlations between Extraversion and rCMRglu in the orbitofrontal cortex. No significant correlations were found involving anterior cingulate, amygdala, or ventral striatum. Neuroticism and Extraversion are associated with activity in insular cortex and orbitofrontal cortex, respectively. Depression and Anxiety 23:133–138, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of longitudinal binary data from behavioral medicine

of “Analysis of Longitudinal Binary Data from Behavioral Medicine,” by Shira Dunsiger, Ph.D., Brown University, May 2009 This thesis work is motivated by the specific challenges in analyzing data from clinical trials in behavioral medicine. Specifically, smoking cessation and physical activity trials. Typically, the data are binary and longitudinal with an appreciable amount of missing responses. Here, we propose methodology to address questions of behavior change, treatment efficacy and mediation. Although these methods are applied to behavioral data, they are applicable in other clinical trial settings as well. The first part of this thesis examines a method for identifying distinct patterns of behavior change amongst participants in a smoking cessation trial. A latent class model is proposed which allows for a degenerate class of responses. A mean model is used to identify behavior change based on both an initial intensity and slope function. Further subdivision based on first order correlation is also proposed. This model finds classes of responses that are both clinically meaningful and informative. The second part of the thesis examines the challenges in estimating treatment efficacy in smoking cessation trials, which are often subject to non-compliance. The G-computation algorithm is used to estimate the effect of receiving treatment. This method is first demonstrated in a hypothetical scenario and later applied to real data. The G-computation algorithm is a tool that is both computationally efficient and particularly well-suited to smoking cessation trials. The third part of the thesis examines methods for establishing mediation in a clinical trial from behavioral medicine. A critique of standard regression methods is provided as well as a summary of key statistical papers. A multiple imputation approach is used to estimate the descriptive direct effect of treatment and consequently, the mediated effect of treatment on outcome. A case study is provided in which this estimator is applied to data from a physical activity trial with a binary mediator. Extensions of this method are highlighted as are the advantages of using a causal method instead of a regression-based approach.
Modelling sarcomeric cardiomyopathies in the dish: from human heart samples to iPSC cardiomyocytes

One of the obstacles to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of human cardiomyopathies has been poor availability of heart-tissue samples at early stages of disease development. This has possibly changed by the advent of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) from which cardiomyocytes can be derived in vitro. The main promise of hiPSC technology is that by capturing the effects of thousands of individual gene variants, the phenotype of differentiated derivatives of these cells will provide more information on a particular disease than simple genotyping. This article summarizes what is known about the ‘human cardiomyopathy or heart failure phenotype in vitro’, which constitutes the reference for modelling sarcomeric cardiomyopathies in hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. The current techniques for hiPSC generation and cardiac myocyte differentiation are briefly reviewed and the few published reports of hiPSC models of sarcomeric cardiomyopathies described. A discussion of promises and challenges of hiPSC-modelling of sarcomeric cardiomyopathies and individualized approaches is followed by a number of questions that, in the view of the authors, need to be answered before the true potential of this technology can be evaluated.
Molecular Tools for the Detection and Deduction of Azole Antifungal Drug Resistance Phenotypes in Aspergillus Species

SUMMARY The incidence of azole resistance in Aspergillus species has increased over the past years, most importantly for Aspergillus fumigatus. This is partially attributable to the global spread of only a few resistance alleles through the environment. Secondary resistance is a significant clinical concern, as invasive aspergillosis with drug-susceptible strains is already difficult to treat, and exclusion of azole-based antifungals from prophylaxis or first-line treatment of invasive aspergillosis in high-risk patients would dramatically limit drug choices, thus increasing mortality rates for immunocompromised patients. Management options for invasive aspergillosis caused by azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains were recently reevaluated by an international expert panel, which concluded that drug resistance testing of cultured isolates is highly indicated when antifungal therapy is intended. In geographical regions with a high environmental prevalence of azole-resistant strains, initial therapy should be guided by such analyses. More environmental and clinical screening studies are therefore needed to generate the local epidemiologic data if such measures are to be implemented on a sound basis. Here we propose a first workflow for evaluating isolates from screening studies, and we compile the MIC values correlating with individual amino acid substitutions in the products of cyp51 genes for interpretation of DNA sequencing data, especially in the absence of cultured isolates.
An immune algorithm based fuzzy predictive modeling mechanism using variable length coding and multi-objective optimization allied to engineering materials processing

In this paper, a systematic multi-objective fuzzy modeling approach is proposed, which can be regarded as a three-stage modeling procedure. In the first stage, an evolutionary based clustering algorithm is developed to extract an initial fuzzy rule base from the data. Based on this model, a back-propagation algorithm with momentum terms is used to refine the initial fuzzy model. The refined model is then used to seed the initial population of an immune inspired multi-objective optimization algorithm in the third stage to obtain a set of fuzzy models with improved transparency. To tackle the problem of simultaneously optimizing the structure and parameters, a variable length coding scheme is adopted to improve the efficiency of the search. The proposed modeling approach is applied to a real data set from the steel industry. Results show that the proposed approach is capable of eliciting not only accurate but also transparent fuzzy models.
Brokering dialogue between secondary students and teachers to co-construct appropriate pedagogy in reduced-size classes

This study focuses on how two teachers working in reduced-size secondary classes of the same grade adapted their pedagogy as a result of a brokered dialogue between myself as researcher and 43 grade 10 students from the teachers’ classes. Research was carried out over the course of one academic year. First, students’ perspectives on studying in a reduced-size class were elicited before they were invited to suggest ways of improving the teaching and learning. These interviews were transcribed and given to the teachers of these classes. Next, these teachers were interviewed to gauge their opinions on what the students had reported in the earlier interviews. At a later stage, their teaching was observed to determine whether, and to what extent, the two teachers had attempted to incorporate changes based on the feedback from pupils. The study showed that the pupil voice is a very powerful and constructive trigger for enacting teachers’ pedagogical change and developing our understanding of students’ learning processes. Findings demonstrate that teachers responded positively to their students’ perspectives despite initial apprehensions. Implications for professional development and good practices in reduced-size classes are also presented.
Strengths use and work engagement: a weekly diary study

The present study among 65 civil engineers investigates the impact of organizational support for strengths use on weekly work engagement and proactive behaviour. Positive psychology postulates that strengths use makes people feel authentic and efficacious. We argue that employees use these positive psychological states as resources that fuel work engagement and proactive work behaviour. Participants completed a general questionnaire regarding strengths use support, and a weekly quantitative diary questionnaire regarding their strengths use, self-efficacy, work engagement, and proactive behaviour over a period of five consecutive workweeks. In line with the hypotheses, the results of multilevel structural equation analyses showed that organizational strengths use support was positively related to weekly strengths use. Furthermore, the results indicated that weekly strengths use was positively related to weekly work engagement and proactive behaviour, through weekly self-efficacy (sequential mediation). Although strengths use support contributed indirectly to work engagement (mediated by strengths use and self-efficacy), there was no significant indirect relationship with proactive behaviour. Our study indicates that strengths use is associated with employees’ levels of self-efficacy, work engagement, and proactive behaviour and that organizations can help employees to use their strengths more often by giving them the opportunity to do what they are good at.
Crinophagy in Thyroid Follicular and Parafollicular Cells of Male Obese Zucker Rat*

Abstract Comparison between lean (Fa/? ) and obese (fa/fa) young adult male Zucker rat thyroids reveals that obese rats display larger clusters of parafollicular cells than the lean ones with a lesser blood supply. Fa/? thyroid typically shows single or “twin” C cells in follicles; fa/fa parafollicular cells appear with three functional aspects. Crinophagy is found in the fa/fa C cells amassing numerous aberrant calcitonin-containing vesicles among which lysosomes build these autophagic bodies by capturing vesicle contents, other organelles and, fusing with each other, increase their size. Other C cells contain many secretory vesicles but show few or no crinophagic structures. Another parafollicular cell type is revealed with scant organelles and highly contrasted secretory vesicles, different from calcitonin. Hypercalcemia of fa/fa rats corresponds to increased C cells population with accrued calcitonin production but a low calcitonin plasma level – verified by others – is likely caused by crinophagy of the altered vesicles. In addition, the T thyrocytes of fa/fa rats exhibit crinophagy bodies; this can confirm their hypothyroidism. Possibly, the known leptin mutation along with other unknown paracrine secretions alter both T and C thyrocytes’ functions of the fa/fa rats, allowing high intracellular calcium and lower pH favoring autophagocytosis. Other longitudinal, interdisciplinary studies should further clarify the complex paracrine interactions existing between these endocrine structures because this animal model could be useful to understand human defects, such as the metabolic syndrome that involves obesity, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), hypothyroidism defects, as well as the etiology of thyroid medullary tumors.
Undesirable Student Behaviors Faced by Classroom Teachers and Ways of Coping With

The aim of this research is to determine the undesirable student behaviors faced by the classroom teachers and the solutions they apply to these behaviors. The population of the research comprises of the class teachers who worked in the Elazığ Province Central Elementary Schools during the 2010-2011 fall semester. The sample of the research was carried out on the 60 class teachers who were selected randomly among the population and who were interviewed face to face. The data written in the interview forms which were answered by the 38 teachers among the teachers who were interviewed face to face was evaluated with the “Nvivo 7” qualitative data analysis program. “Being irrelevant to the course”, “cheating”, “physical or verbal violence”, “being disrespectful to the teacher”, refusing responsibility”, “disturbing the order in the class” and “grouping” are among the undesirable student behaviors frequently faced by the teachers. The short or long run solution suggestions such as “guidance-counseling”, “confrontation”, * Yrd. Doç. Dr., Mevlana Ü. Eğt. Fak. Eğt. Bil. Böl. El-mek: ihcankaya@hotmail.com
Analysis of chromosomal aneuploidies in sperm of infertile males by using FISH technique

Male factors leading to infertility account for at least half of all cases of infertility worldwide. In this study, we used multicolor fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) probes for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y to evaluate the aneuploidy incidence in sperm cells. The study group included 12 males with infertility and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OATs). FISH revealed a significantly higher incidence of sperm aneuploidies compared with controls. By comparing the incidence of the disomy in the OAT group, the highest incidence was the sex chromosome disomy, followed by the disomy of chromosomes 13, 21 and then 18. The nulisomy incidence in the OAT group was higher for sex chromosomes, followed by the nulisomy of autosomes 13, then 21 and 18. In conclusion FISH may be considered as an additional assay for the evaluation of spermatozoa beside standard analysis, thus playing an important role during proper diagnosis and treatment of infertility. As in these days, for patients with OAT, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is frequently used, it is important to inform the patients if they might have an increased risk of aneuploidies in embryos.
Migration of styrene and ethylbenzene from virgin and recycled expanded polystyrene containers and discrimination of these two kinds of polystyrene by principal component analysis

ABSTRACT The migration of styrene and ethylbenzene from virgin and recycled expanded polystyrene (EPS) containers into isooctane was investigated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). EPS containers were in two-sided contact with isooctane at temperatures of 25 and 40°C. It was shown that recycled EPS gave greater migration ratios compared with virgin EPS, which indicated that styrene and ethylbenzene migrated more easily from recycled EPS. In addition, an analytical method to distinguish between virgin and recycled EPS containers was established by GC-MS followed by principal component analysis (PCA). The relative peak area of the identified compounds was used as input data for PCA. Distinct separation between virgin and recycled EPS was achieved on a score plot. Extension of this method to other plastics may be of great interest for recycled plastics identification. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
DTMC modeling for performance evaluation of DW-MAC in wireless sensor networks

Synchronized duty cycling (DC) aligns sensor nodes to wake up at the same time in order to reduce idle listening for medium access control (MAC) in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Demand wakeup MAC (DW-MAC) is a popular synchronous DC MAC protocol which allows nodes to compete and transmit multiple packets in one operational cycle. This multiple packet transmission (MPT) feature makes DW-MAC more energy efficient when comparing with other existing single time competition based protocols such as sensor MAC (S-MAC). In the literature, no analytical model exists to evaluate the performance of DW-MAC. In this paper, we develop two associated discrete time Markov chain (DTMC) models and incorporate them with each other for performance evaluation of DW-MAC with MPT. Using the proposed models, energy consumption and network lifetime are calculated. Furthermore, the proposed models are validated through discrete-event simulations.
Development of the gametophyte of the fern Schizaea pusilla

Schizaea pusilla is a pteridophyte with several unique developmental characteristics. In contrast to most other fern species, S. pusilla gametophytes remain filamentous throughout their development, and the gametophytes are associated with an endophytic fungus which appears to be mycorrhizal. In terms of tropistic responses, apical filament cells of young gametophytes are negatively phototropic compared with germ filaments of other ferns which exhibit positive phototropism. Cryofixation (propane jet freezing and high‐pressure freezing) in conjunction with freeze substitution electron microscopy was used to study young gametophytes. The results demonstrate that apical filament cells have a distinctive structural polarity and that rhizoids also can be successfully frozen by these methods. The cytoskeleton and endomembrane system were particularly well preserved in cryofixed cells. In addition, Schizaea gametophytes were used as a test system to evaluate potential artifacts of propane jet freezing and high pressure freezing. There was little apparent difference in ultrastructure between cells cryofixed by either freezing method. These gametophytes will be useful in determining the effectiveness of cryofixation techniques and as a model system in tip growth studies.
Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Autonomic Nervous Mechanism and Modulation

Background The mechanisms of atrial fibrillation (AF) induced by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are not completely understood. This study investigated the roles of the intrinsic and extrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system in OSA‐induced AF and provided noninvasive autonomic nervous modulation for the suppression of OSA‐induced AF by using low‐level transcutaneous electrical stimulation (LL‐TS) of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve at the tragus. Methods and Results Eighteen dogs received tracheostomy under general anesthesia and were randomly divided into 3 groups: the OSA group (OSA was simulated via clamping of the endotracheal tube at end expiration for 1.5 minutes every 10 minutes, n=6), the LL‐TS + OSA group (simulated OSA plus LL‐TS, at 80% of the slowing sinus rate, n=6), and the control group (sham surgery without stimulation, n=6). The effective refractory period was significantly shortened after 1 hour of simulated OSA, and the window of vulnerability and plasma norepinephrine levels were both markedly increased in the OSA group. OSA dramatically increased the neural function and activity of the intrinsic and extrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system, including the superior left ganglionated plexus, the left stellate ganglion, and the left renal sympathetic nerve. OSA also significantly upregulated the expression levels of c‐fos and nerve growth factor in the superior left ganglionated plexus and the left stellate ganglion. However, LL‐TS markedly improved these parameters. Conclusions These findings suggest that the intrinsic and extrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system plays crucial roles in the acute stage of OSA‐induced AF. Noninvasive LL‐TS suppressed shortening of atrial refractoriness and autonomic remodeling, which prevented OSA‐induced AF.
MULTI-BEAM LASER HEATING OF STEEL: TEMPERATURE AND THERMAL STRESS ANALYSIS

Laser multi-beam heating of steel sheet surface is considered. The irradiated laser spots are located along an arc to increase heated surface area during laser scanning at a constant speed. Temperature and stress fields are predicted for various number of spots along the arc. It is found that temperature and stress fields in the irradiated substrate can be controlled through proper selection of the number of irradiated spots along the arc. Increasing number of irradiated spots results in development of almost uniform high temperature and high stress fields around the arc; however, local heating and discontinuous stress field giving rise to large differences in von Mises stress occurring for reduced number of spots in the arc.