Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Chemopreventive Effects of Acanthus ilicifolius against Azoxymethane-Induced Aberrant Crypt Foci in the Rat Colon

Background Acanthus ilicifolius, a mangrove medicinal plant, is traditionally used to treat a variety of diseases. The aim of this research is to assess the chemoprotective outcomes of A. ilicifolius ethanolic extract against azoxymethane (AOM) induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats. Methodology/Principal Findings In our study, rats were arranged in to five groups. Rats in the normal control group were given subcutaneous injections of normal saline once weekly for 2 weeks. The AOM control, reference and treatment groups were given subcutaneous injection of AOM, 15 mg/kg body weight, once weekly for 2 weeks each. The reference group was treated with 35 mg/kg 5-Fluorouracil via intraperitoneal injection once weekly for 8 weeks, and the treatment groups were administered by gavage with 250 and 500 mg/kg A. ilicifolius extract daily for 8 weeks. Both normal and AOM control groups received the vehicle; 10% Tween-20 only. Rats treated with 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of A. ilicifolius extracts showed a decrease in the mean number of ACF by 65% and 53%, respectively. Those fed with A. ilicifolius showed significantly decreased multiplicity of ACF formations when compared with the results from the AOM control group. The 250 mg/kg A. ilicifolius treatment group showed significant decreases in lipid peroxidation MDA levels when compared with the AOM control group. In immunohistochemistry staining, the proliferating nuclear cell antigen (PCNA)-positive cells were significantly higher in the AOM control group than in the A. ilicifolius-treated groups. RT-PCR showed that A. ilicifolius caused a change in the regulation of apoptosis-related genes expression. Conclusion/Significance The results of the current study show that AOM-treated rats receiving oral exposure to A. ilicifolius demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of ACF in the colon when compared to AOM-treated rats receiving vehicle only. A ilicifolius may be an effective herbal approach for the prevention of AOM-induced ACF in the rat colon.
Students’ perceptions of the learner attributes required for (and resulting from) heutagogical learning

Heutagogy, a form of self-determined learning, is a learner-centred approach to learning and teaching, grounded in constructivist principles. This case study explores final year undergraduate students’ perceptions of the learner attributes required for (and resulting from) heutagogical learning. As part of a larger research study, data were collected at two UK universities, using an online survey that was intended to elicit their perceptions and experiences of a module designed using heutagogical principles. Results indicate that foundational knowledge, skills and attitude are a requirement for, and an outcome of, heutagogical learning. Potential implications for the use of heutagogical approaches to learning and teaching are discussed.
Recalling Holistic Information for Semantic Segmentation

Semantic segmentation requires a detailed labeling of image pixels by object category. Information derived from local image patches is necessary to describe the detailed shape of individual objects. However, this information is ambiguous and can result in noisy labels. Global inference of image content can instead capture the general semantic concepts present. We advocate that high-recall holistic inference of image concepts provides valuable information for detailed pixel labeling. We build a two-stream neural network architecture that facilitates information flow from holistic information to local pixels, while keeping common image features shared among the low-level layers of both the holistic analysis and segmentation branches. We empirically evaluate our network on four standard semantic segmentation datasets. Our network obtains state-of-the-art performance on PASCAL-Context and NYUDv2, and ablation studies verify its effectiveness on ADE20K and SIFT-Flow.
Motivation and self‐regulation: The role of want‐to motivation in the processes underlying self‐regulation and self‐control

Research on self-regulation has largely focused on the idea of effortful self-control, which assumes that exerting willpower will lead to greater success. However, in recent years, research has challenged this perspective and instead proposes that effortless self-regulation is more adaptive for long-term goal pursuit. Taking into consideration the burgeoning literature on effortless self-regulation, here we propose that motivation – or the reasons why we pursue our goals – plays an integral role in this process. The objective of the present paper is thus to highlight how motivation can play a role in how self-regulation unfolds. Specifically, we propose that pursuing goals because you want-to (vs. have-to) is associated with better goal attainment as a function of experiencing less temptations and obstacles. While the reason why want-to motivation relates to experiencing fewer obstacles has yet to be thoroughly explored, here we propose some potential mechanisms drawing from recent research on self-regulation. We also provide recommendations for future research, highlighting the importance of considering motivation in the study of self-regulatory processes.
INTERACTION CROSS SECTIONS AND SURVIVAL RATES FOR PROPOSED SOLAR SYSTEM MEMBER PLANET NINE

Motivated by the report of a possible new planetary member of the solar system, this work calculates cross sections for interactions between passing stars and this proposed Planet Nine. Evidence for the new planet is provided by the orbital alignment of Kuiper belt objects, and other solar system properties, which suggest a Neptune-mass object on an eccentric orbit with a semimajor axis a 9 ≈ 400–1500 au. With such a wide orbit, Planet Nine has a large interaction cross section and is susceptible to disruption by passing stars. Using a large ensemble of numerical simulations (several million) and Monte Carlo sampling, we calculate the cross sections for different classes of orbit-altering events: (A) scattering the planet into its proposed orbit from a smaller orbit, (B) ejecting it from the solar system from its current orbit, (C) capturing the planet from another system, and (D) capturing a free-floating planet. Results are presented for a range of orbital elements with planetary mass m 9 = 10 M⊕. Removing Planet Nine from the solar system is the most likely outcome. Specifically, we obtain ejection cross sections σ int ∼ 5 × 106 au2 (5 × 104 au2) for environments corresponding to the birth cluster (field). With these cross sections, Planet Nine is likely to be ejected if the Sun resides within its birth cluster longer than Δt ≳ 100 Myr. The probability of ejecting Planet Nine due to passing field stars is ≲3% over the age of the Sun. Probabilities for producing the inferred Planet Nine orbit are low (≲5%).
Iterative land proxy based reconstruction of SST for the simulation of terrestrial Holocene climate

Abstract. Sea surface temperature (SST) is the main driver of simulated climate in coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation models. A reliable reconstruction of past SST is necessary to simulate past climate realistically. We here present a novel method for reconstructing SST on the basis of terrestrial Holocene palaeothermometer data such that a climate model is able to represent the climate mean state in the land temperature time series. For our study, we use the Earth system model of intermediate complexity Planet Simulator (PlaSim). The land climate is represented by the high-resolution and long-term palaeothermometer time series from Lake Ammersee (Southern Germany), where the temperature is derived from the stable δ18O isotope in ostracod valves. To provide a climate simulation which reflects the proxy-derived climate during the Holocene, we (i) determine the sensitivities of the terrestrial PlaSim climate with respect to SST anomalies for present day conditions; (ii) define the inverse of these sensitivities to find the SST conditions necessary for representing past land proxy climate; and (iii) reapply the climate model to this newly reconstructed SST. We iterate over steps (ii) and (iii) until the mean model and proxy climate converge. We demonstrate the applicability of this new method to reconstruct past climate by comparing the simulated land temperatures to an independent (pollen derived) proxy data set of land temperatures for Europe. The implementation of a wider range of terrestrial palaeotemperature information from proxy archives analogous to our method will foreseeably yield better reconstructions of past SST. These can, for example, be used to overcome many models' difficulties with simulations extending to the time before 8500 yr before present, when the North American (Laurentide) ice sheet caused a no-analogue climate.
Stationary optimal control problems with pointwise state constraints

First order optimality conditions for stationary pointwise state constrained optimal control problems are considered. It is shown that the Lagrange multiplier associated with the pointwise inequality state constraint is a regular Borel measure only, in general. In case of sufficiently smooth data and under a regularity assumption on the active set, the Lagrange multiplier can be decomposed into a regular L2-part concentrated on the active set and a singular part, which is concentrated on the interface between the active and the inactive set. In a second part of the paper numerical solution strategies are reviewed. These methods fall into two classes: the first class which includes interior-point methods as well as active set strategies is purely finite dimensional. The second class, however, admits an analysis in function space. The latter methods typically rely on regularization. In this respect, MoreauYosida-based and Lavrentiev-based techniques are discussed. The paper ends by a numerical comparison of the presented solution algorithms. Date: October 4, 2006. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. 49M15,49M37,65K05,90C33.
RhlR Expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Is Modulated by the Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal via PhoB-Dependent and -Independent Pathways

ABSTRACT The expression of virulence determinants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is coordinately regulated in response to both the social environment—commonly referred to as quorum sensing—and to environmental cues. In this study we have dissected the various independent regulation levels for pyocyanin production, which is influenced by the homoserine lactone- and Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS)-mediated quorum-sensing systems as well as by iron and phosphate availability. We demonstrate that the phosphate regulon is involved in the transcriptional activation of rhlR and the augmentation of PQS and pyocyanin production under phosphate limitation. However, we also observed an enhancement of rhlR transcription under low-iron medium conditions and after the addition of PQS that was independent of the phosphate regulon. These results highlight the complexity of secondary metabolite production in P. aeruginosa via environmental cues and the quorum-sensing system.
The Joint Determinants of Capital Structure and Stock Rate of Return: A LISREL Model Approach

We develop a simultaneous determination model of capital structure and stock returns. Specifically, we incorporate the managerial investment autonomy theory into the structural equation modeling with confirmatory factor analysis to jointly determine the capital structure and stock return. Besides attributes introduced in previous studies, we introduce indicators affecting a firm’s financing decision, such as managerial entrenchment, macroeconomic factors, government financial policy, and pricing factors. Empirical results show that stock returns, asset structure, growth, industry classification, uniqueness, volatility, financial rating, profitability, government financial policy, and managerial entrenchment are major factors of the capital structure.
Visual and haptic integration in the estimation of softness of deformable objects

Softness perception intrinsically relies on haptic information. However, through everyday experiences we learn correspondences between felt softness and the visual effects of exploratory movements that are executed to feel softness. Here, we studied how visual and haptic information is integrated to assess the softness of deformable objects. Participants discriminated between the softness of two softer or two harder objects using only-visual, only-haptic or both visual and haptic information. We assessed the reliabilities of the softness judgments using the method of constant stimuli. In visuo-haptic trials, discrepancies between the two senses' information allowed us to measure the contribution of the individual senses to the judgments. Visual information (finger movement and object deformation) was simulated using computer graphics; input in visual trials was taken from previous visuo-haptic trials. Participants were able to infer softness from vision alone, and vision considerably contributed to bisensory judgments (∼35%). The visual contribution was higher than predicted from models of optimal integration (senses are weighted according to their reliabilities). Bisensory judgments were less reliable than predicted from optimal integration. We conclude that the visuo-haptic integration of softness information is biased toward vision, rather than being optimal, and might even be guided by a fixed weighting scheme.
A Bivariate Chebyshev Spectral Collocation Quasilinearization Method for Nonlinear Evolution Parabolic Equations

This paper presents a new method for solving higher order nonlinear evolution partial differential equations (NPDEs). The method combines quasilinearisation, the Chebyshev spectral collocation method, and bivariate Lagrange interpolation. In this paper, we use the method to solve several nonlinear evolution equations, such as the modified KdV-Burgers equation, highly nonlinear modified KdV equation, Fisher's equation, Burgers-Fisher equation, Burgers-Huxley equation, and the Fitzhugh-Nagumo equation. The results are compared with known exact analytical solutions from literature to confirm accuracy, convergence, and effectiveness of the method. There is congruence between the numerical results and the exact solutions to a high order of accuracy. Tables were generated to present the order of accuracy of the method; convergence graphs to verify convergence of the method and error graphs are presented to show the excellent agreement between the results from this study and the known results from literature.
Pneumococcal Antibody Concentrations of Subjects in Communities Fully or Partially Vaccinated with a Seven-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

Background A recent trial with PCV-7 in a rural Gambian community showed reduced vaccine-type pneumococcal carriage in fully vaccinated compared with control communities. We measured pneumococcal polysaccharide antibody concentrations in this trial to understand further the mechanisms underlying the observed changes. Methods A single-blind, cluster-randomized (by village) trial was conducted in 21 Gambian villages. In 11 villages, all residents received PCV-7 (Vaccine group); in 10 control villages only children <30 months old or those born during the study received PCV-7. Subjects over the age of 30 months resident in vaccine villages received a single dose of PCV-7 whilst those in control villages received a single dose of a serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Serum antibody concentrations against specific pneumococcal polysaccharides were measured in approximately 200 age-stratified subjects before, 4–6, 12 and 24 months following vaccination. Results Baseline pneumococcal antibody concentrations were generally high and increased with age up to 10 years. One dose of PCV-7 increased geometric mean antibody concentrations (GMC) in vaccinated versus control villages for vaccine serotypes 6B and 18C, and 4 and 18C, in the young (under 5 years) and older age groups (5+ years) respectively. There were significantly higher proportions of subjects in the vaccinated than in the control communities with an antibody concentration believed to protect against carriage (>5.0 µg/mL) for all but serotype 9V of the PCV-7 serotypes in the older group, but not in the younger age group. Conclusion Higher antibodies in vaccinated communities provide an explanation for the lower pneumococcal carriage rates in fully vaccinated compared to control communities. Trial Registration Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN51695599 51695599.
Taught not caught: exploring male adolescent experiences of explicitly transferring life skills from the sports hall into the classroom

ABSTRACT Using sport domains to teach young people a wide range of life skills is not new, however there has been a recent emergence of research on life skills transfer, particularly from a sport environment into other life domains (e.g. school or work). As research in this field is still in its infancy, how younger adolescents effectively learn life skills or transfer skills into other life domains is still not fully understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the life skill learning and transfer experiences of 20 male participants (12–13 years of age) in a school context. The Transfer-Ability Programme (TAP) was delivered in a state funded secondary school in London, UK, where the participants attended the programme directly after teaching hours, once weekly, for one academic year. The programme was a multi-faceted intervention, which sought to explicitly teach male participants life skills through sporting activities and facilitate transfer opportunities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants, one parent and one teacher at the end of programme and analysed using a thematic approach. Findings suggest that the use of explicit strategies and group discussions aid the learning and transfer of life skills. However, school-based, life skills programmes of a similar nature should consider increasing participant autonomy during the programme development stage in order to maximise the personal value and relevance placed on the life skills. Partnerships across the whole school environment also need to be evident in order to provide frequent opportunities for skill transfer.
The burden of chronic disorders on hospital admissions prompts the need for new modalities of care: a cross-sectional analysis in a tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND Chronic disorders constitute a primary concern because of their burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Integrated care strategies enhancing the interface between tertiary care and primary care are pivotal to improve chronic care. AIM To asses the prevalence of chronic disorders on hospital discharges and their impact on unplanned admissions and mortality. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of discharge information over 1 year (2004) in one University hospital. METHODS Adoption of an operational definition of chronic disorder based on the WHO. MAIN OUTCOME co-morbid conditions, emergency room and hospital admissions, outpatient consultations and mortality. RESULTS Fifty-eight percent of patients presented at least one chronic condition (19 192 patients, 53% males, 63 +/- 18 years) as primary (12 526 patients, 38%) or secondary diagnosis. The Charlson index was 2 +/- 3. Each chronic condition was associated with a 30% increase of having had an admission in the previous year. Up to 9% (1 656) of chronic patients showed multiple admissions in the previous year: two (917 patients, 55%), three (360, 22%) and four or beyond (379, 23%), being mostly unscheduled hospitalizations. The three most prevalent chronic disorders were cancer, cardiovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The rate of admissions was associated with co-morbidity (P < 0.001) and mortality (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The study shows a high impact of cancer on planned hospitalizations whereas cardiovascular diseases and COPD generates a high percentage of unscheduled admissions. We conclude that integrated care services including patient-oriented guidelines are strongly needed to enhance both health and managerial outcomes.
Cardiovascular disease and the role of oral bacteria

Abstract In terms of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) the focus has traditionally been on dyslipidemia. Over the decades our understanding of the pathogenesis of CVD has increased, and infections, including those caused by oral bacteria, are more likely involved in CVD progression than previously thought. While many studies have now shown an association between periodontal disease and CVD, the mechanisms underpinning this relationship remain unclear. This review gives a brief overview of the host-bacterial interactions in periodontal disease and virulence factors of oral bacteria before discussing the proposed mechanisms by which oral bacterial may facilitate the progression of CVD.
Biased Information and Effort

We study the impact of information manipulation by a principal on the agent's effort. In a context of asymmetric information at the principal's advantage, we test experimentally the principal's willingness to bias (overestimate or under-estimate) the information she gives to her agent on his ability in order to motivate him to exert more effort. We find that i) principals do bias information, ii) agents trust the cheap-talk messages they receive and adjust their effort accordingly. Therefore, biased messages improve both the agent's performance and thus the principal's profit. This, however, does not increase efficiency. We also find that over-estimation occurs much more often than under-estimation. Making the signal costly in an additional treatment reduces this effect.
Capturing Citizens’ Values: On the Role of Narratives and Emotions in Digital Participation

Abstract This paper argues that social and political problems currently addressed by local governments through new forms of digital participation can be considered wicked problems, because they cannot be tackled through factual information alone. Addressing such problems means connecting diverse citizens’ values to empirically based and logically based arguments. The paper addresses the question of which role citizens’ personal narratives and emotions play in digital participation and how narratives and emotions articulate personal and social values. This line of inquiry is illustrated by two examples of digital participation on the local and regional level of democracy. The examples show that citizens’ narratives and emotional expressions articulate diverse values and value conflicts (e.g., security vs. universalism). Finally, the paper develops some preliminary ideas about how online argument mapping tools could be combined with value mapping.