Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time trends of upper gastrointestinal diseases in Nigeria

Background The changing epidemiology of a disease often provides valuable insight into possible etiopathogenic mechanisms. There have been significant changes over the last several decades in disease manifestations of the foregut in Western Europe, North America and Asia. This time trend analysis was carried out to determine if any changes have occurred in the prevalence of diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract in Nigeria. Method Records of patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during two time periods (1995 to 1999 and 2006 to 2010) in Enugu, South-East Nigeria were analyzed with regard to biodata of patients, indications for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic findings. Results During the two time periods, 1,365 patients had upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (575 patients in the period 1995-1999 and 790 in the period 2006-2010). Dyspepsia was the commonest indication for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for both periods (81.9% and 72.9%, respectively; p= 0.9052). Heartburn and dysphagia were more frequent during the second time period (p<0.0001). Duodenal ulcer was more common in the first time period (p<0.0001), while esophagitis, gastric ulcer and bile reflux were significantly more common in the second period (p<0.0001, p=0.0007 and p=0.0019, respectively). Conclusion Over the 15-year period, the prevalence of duodenal ulcer has declined while that of gastric ulcer has increased. There has also been an increase in the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Putative explanations for this trend may include widespread availability and use of very potent acid suppressant drugs, increasing use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, change towards western diet and increasing obesity.
The effect of neuraminidase (3:2:1:18) on the aggregation of cells dissociated from embryonic chick muscle tissue.

Embryonic chick muscle cells were used to investigate the effect of removing cell-surface sialic acids on cell aggregation in vitro . Single cell suspensions were prepared by dissociating skeletal muscle tissue of 9-day-old chick embryos with either crystalline or crude trypsin. Cell aggregation was quantitatively estimated by turbidimetric and gyratory shaker methods. Cells dissociated with crude trypsin and suspended in Hanks9s balanced salts solution (BSS) containing 25u. /ml neuraminidase (NANase) only aggregated for 2h when rotated in an absorptiometer. The inhibitory effect of the enzyme was more pronounced with increasing concentration up to 25u. /ml. Cells dissociated with crystalline trypsin and treated with 100u. /ml NANase immediately exhibited a reduced aggregative competence when gyrated in Eagle9s minimum essential medium (MEM) containing 25u. /ml NANase, compared with the controls which were not exposed to NANase. The aggregation rate of muscle cells pretreated with 100u. /ml NANase and suspended in Eagle9s MEM was similar to that of the untreated controls. Cell counts showed that under all three experimental conditions cells were not added to aggregates after the 12-h stage. Aggregates formed in Eagle9s MEM (the controls) joined together to form larger aggregates after 12 h, but those rotating in the presence of NANase did not display this property. Lissamine green viability tests showed that cells remained alive throughout the 24-h period in the presence of NANase. Determinations of oxygen uptake, protein synthesis and mitotic index confirmed that general cellular viability was not affected by NANase. Fluorescent-labelled NANase was not taken up by the cells. Treatment of crystalline trypsin-dissociated muscle cells with 100u. /ml NANase for 30 min at 37°C significantly reduced their negative electrophoretic mobility. This diminution closely corresponded to the removal of cell-surface sialic acids, as measured by colorimetric tests. Interpretation of the results in the light of current theories of cell adhesion failed to give support to the concept of adhesion by physical forces. The mechanism by which cellular deformability could influence cellular adhesiveness is modified in the knowledge of the present results.
Detecting local environmental change: the role of experience in shaping risk judgments about global warming

Abstract Anthropogenic climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events (e.g. flooding, heat waves, and wildfires). As a result, it is often reasoned that as more individuals experience unusual weather patterns that are consistent with changing climate conditions, the more their concern about global warming will increase, and the more motivated they will become to respond and address the problem effectively. Social science research evaluating the relationships between personal experiences with and risk perceptions of climate change, however, show mixed results. Here, we analyze a representative statewide survey of Floridians and compare their risk perceptions of five-year trends in climate change with local weather station data from the five years preceding the survey. The results show that Floridians are unable to detect five-year increases in temperature, but some can detect changes in precipitation. Despite an inability to detect the correct direction of change, respondents were significantly more likely than not to correctly identify the season in which most change occurred. Nevertheless, compared to local experience, risk perceptions of climate change were more strongly predicted by subjective experiences of environmental change, personal beliefs about climate change, and political ideology. Results from the study suggest that long-term changes in climate patterns and extreme weather events need to be interpreted by weather and climate experts within the context of climate change; individuals cannot be expected to detect or comprehend such complex linkages directly.
Action Recognition based on Multi-level Representation of 3D Shape

A novel algorithm has been proposed for recognizing human actions using a combination of shape descriptors. Every human action is considered as a 3D space time shape and the shape descriptors based on the 3D Euclidean distance transform and the Radon transform are used for its representation. The Euclidean distance transform gives a suitable internal representation where the interior values correspond to the action performed. By taking the gradient of this distance transform, the space time shape is divided into different number of levels with each level representating a coarser version of the original space time shape. Then, at each level and at each frame, the Radon transform is applied from where action features are extracted. The action features are the R-Transform feature set which gives the posture variations of the human body with respect to time and the R-Translation vector set which gives the translatory variation. The combination of these action features is used in a nearest neighbour classifier for action recognition.
Finding transactive contributions in whole group classroom discussions

Automatic analysis of discussion logs from studies of computer supported collaborative learning has become more prevalent as technology for machine learning and text mining have become more powerful and usable. We extend this effort to analysis of transcripts of whole group classroom discussions. We argue in favor of adapting a transactivity based framework developed for analysis of collaborative learning discussions for use in the context of whole class discussions. Results from an evaluation of this technology applied to transcripts from 3 class periods of middle school math demonstrate promising results, specifically Cohen's Kappa of . 69 in comparison with human annotators for identifying transactive contributions and . 68 for identifying which prior utterance a transactive contribution relates to. Potential applications for teacher professional development, automatic assessment of learning processes, and real time support for classroom discussion facilitators is discussed. Implications for theory building related to learning in classroom discussions is also addressed.
“Further education, future prosperity? The Implications of Marketisation on Further Education Working Practices”

Abstract This paper examines how the marketised funding system of vocational further education is affecting lecturers’ working practices and professional integrity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a number of lecturing staff and managers within two vocational areas at an English FE college to examine the implications of working under the current funding regime. The conclusions drawn reflect the complexity of working within FE showing how lecturers are frequently placed in a professional dilemma between securing future funding (by ensuring high levels of retention and achievement) and compromising their professional integrity and working practices in order to do so. A key finding here was the inherent tension between professional integrity and funding requirements apparently directly opposing ‘good’ practice. This means FE professionals experience what Whitehead called ‘a living contradiction’ in their working lives, increasing stress levels and diminishing their sense of professionalism.
Hyperhomocysteinemia disrupts retinal pigment epithelial structure and function with features of age-related macular degeneration

The disruption of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) function and the degeneration of photoreceptors are cardinal features of age related macular degeneration (AMD); however there are still gaps in our understanding of underlying biological processes. Excess homocysteine (Hcy) has been reported to be elevated in plasma of patients with AMD. This study aimed to evaluate the direct effect of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) on structure and function of RPE. Initial studies in a mouse model of HHcy, in which cystathionine-β-synthase (cbs) was deficient, revealed abnormal RPE cell morphology with features similar to that of AMD upon optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), histological, and electron microscopic examinations. These features include atrophy, vacuolization, hypopigmentation, thickened basal laminar membrane, hyporeflective lucency, choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and disturbed RPE–photoreceptor relationship. Furthermore, intravitreal injection of Hcy per se in normal wild type (WT) mice resulted in diffuse hyper-fluorescence, albumin leakage, and CNV in the area of RPE. In vitro experiments on ARPE-19 showed that Hcy dose-dependently reduced tight junction protein expression, increased FITC dextran leakage, decreased transcellular electrical resistance, and impaired phagocytic activity. Collectively, our results demonstrated unreported effects of excess Hcy levels on RPE structure and function that lead to the development of AMD-like features.
Worldwide Spread of Dengue Virus Type 1

Background DENV-1 is one of the four viral serotypes that causes Dengue, the most common mosquito-borne viral disease of humans. The prevalence of these viruses has grown in recent decades and is now present in more than 100 countries. Limited studies document the spread of DENV-1 over the world despite its importance for human health. Methodology/Principal Findings We used representative DENV-1 envelope gene sequences to unravel the dynamics of viral diffusion under a Bayesian phylogeographic approach. Data included strains from 45 distinct geographic locations isolated from 1944 to 2009. The estimated mean rate of nucleotide substitution was 6.56×10−4 substitutions/site/year. The larger genotypes (I, IV and V) had a distinctive phylogenetic structure and since 1990 they experienced effective population size oscillations. Thailand and Indonesia represented the main sources of strains for neighboring countries. Besides, Asia broadcast lineages into the Americas and the Pacific region that diverged in isolation. Also, a transmission network analysis revealed the pivotal role of Indochina in the global diffusion of DENV-1 and of the Caribbean in the diffusion over the Americas. Conclusions/Significance The study summarizes the spatiotemporal DENV-1 worldwide spread that may help disease control.
Multinomial Modeling and the Measurement of Cognitive Processes

This article presents a detailed discussion and application of a methodology, called multinomial modeling, that can be used to measure and study cognitive processes. Multinomial modeling is a statistically based technique that involves estimating hypothetical parameters that represent the probabilities of unobservable cognitive events. Models in this class provide a statistical methodology that is compatible with computational theories of cognition. Multinomial models are relatively uncomplicated, do not require advanced mathematical techniques, and have certain advantages over other, more traditional methods for studying cognitive processes. The statistical methodology behind multinomial modeling is briefly discussed, including procedures for data collection, model development, parameter estimation, and hypothesis testing. Three substantive examples of multinomial modeling are presented. Each example, taken from a different area within the field of human memory, involves the development ofa multinomial model and its application to a specific experiment. It is shown how multinomial models facilitate the interpretation of the experiments. The conclusion discusses the general advantages of multinomial models and their potential application as research tools for the study of cognitive processes.
C O ] 3 N ov 2 01 3 Covering Paths and Trees for Planar Grids

Given a set of points in the plane, a covering path is a polygonal path that visits all the points. In this paper we consider covering paths of the vertices of an n × m grid. We show that the minimal number of segments of such a path is 2min(n,m) − 1 except when we allow crossings and n = m ≥ 3, in which case the minimal number of segments of such a path is 2min(n,m)− 2, i.e., in this case we can save one segment. In fact we show that these are true even if we consider covering trees instead of paths. These results extend previous works on axis-aligned covering paths of n × m grids and complement the recent study of covering paths for points in general position, in which case the problem becomes significantly harder and is still open.
Realistic models of pion-exchange three-nucleon interactions

We present realistic models of pion-exchange three-nucleon interactions obtained by fitting the energies of all the 17 bound or narrow states of 3{<=}A{<=}8 nucleons, calculated with less than 2% error using the Green's function Monte Carlo method. The models contain two-pion-exchange terms due to {pi}N scattering in S and P waves, three-pion-exchange terms due to ring diagrams with one {Delta} in the intermediate states, and a phenomenological repulsive term to take into account relativistic effects, the suppression of the two-pion-exchange two-nucleon interaction by the third nucleon, and other effects. The models have five parameters, consisting of the strength of the four interactions and the short-range cutoff. The 17 fitted energies are insufficient to determine all of them uniquely. We consider five models, each having three adjustable parameters and assumed values for the other two. They reproduce the observed energies with an rms error <1% when used together with the Argonne v{sub 18} two-nucleon interaction. In one of the models the {pi}N S-wave scattering interaction is set to zero; in all others it is assumed to have the strength suggested by chiral effective-field theory. One of the models also assumes that the {pi}N P-wave scattering interaction has the strength suggested bymore » effective-field theories, and the cutoff is adjusted to fit the data. In all other models the cutoff is taken to be the same as in the v{sub 18} interaction. The effect of relativistic boost correction to the two-nucleon interaction on the strength of the repulsive three-nucleon interaction is estimated. Many calculated properties of A{<=}8 nuclei, including radii, magnetic dipole, and electric quadrupole moments, isobaric analog energy differences, etc., are tabulated. Results obtained with only Argonne v{sub 8}' and v{sub 18} interactions are also reported. In addition, we present results for seven- and eight-body neutron drops in external potential wells. « less
Bioenergetic properties and viability of alkalophilic Bacillus firmus RAB as a function of pH and Na+ contents of the incubation medium

The bioenergetic properties and viability of obligately alkalophilic Bacillus firmus RAB have been examined upon incubation in alkaline and neutral buffers in the presence or absence of added Na+. At pH 10.5, cells incubated in the absence of Na+ exhibited an immediate rise in cytoplasmic pH from less than 9.5 to 10.5, and they lost viability very rapidly. Viability experiments in the presence or absence of an energy source further suggested that the Na+-dependent mechanism for pH homeostasis is an energy-requiring function. The Na+/H+ antiporter, which catalyzes the vital proton accumulation at alkaline pH, was only slightly operational at pH 7.0; both whole cells and vesicles exhibited net proton extrusion even in the presence of Na+. Moreover, cells incubated in buffer at pH 7.0 were actually more viable in the presence of Na+ than in its absence. Thus, the inability of B. firmus RAB to grow at neutral pH is not due to excessive acidification of the cytoplasm. Rather, the transmembrane electrical potential, delta psi, generated at pH 7.0 was found to be much lower than at alkaline pH. The very low delta psi compromised several cell functions, e.g., Na+/solute symport and motility, which in this and other alkalophiles specifically depend upon delta psi and Na+.
Spatial frequency adaptation can enhance contrast sensitivity.

A~~ct-Adaptation to a high-contr~t sinusoid& ium~nan~ grating produces a temporary, bandlimited loss in sensitivity centered around the adaptation frequency. The decrease appears to be both narrower and more symmetrical than earlier reports suggest. The effect falls to zero by f f 1 octave and is not reliably present from f f 1 octave to f k 2 octaves. Enhancement of contrast sensitivity occurs for frequencies further removed. peaking at about f + 2f to 3 octaves. This suggests mutual inhibitory interactions among spatial-frequency-selective units of varying filter characteristics. Longterm practice produces significantly higber contrast sensitivity functions and narrower bandwidths of the a~p~tional ~n~ti~ty loss.
Using Signals of Human Interest to Enhance Single-document Summarization

As the amount of information on the Web grows, the ability to retrieve relevant information quickly and easily is necessary. The combination of ample news sources on the Web, little time to browse news, and smaller mobile devices motivates the development of automatic highlight extraction from single news articles. Our system, NetSum, is the first system to produce highlights of an article and significantly outperform the baseline. Our approach uses novel information sources to exploit human interest for highlight extraction. In this paper, we briefly describe the novelties of NetSum, originally presented at EMNLP 2007, and embed our work in the AI context.
Antioxidant Effects of Cranberry Powder in Lipopolysaccharide Treated Hypercholesterolemic Rats

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cranberry power on antioxidant defense system in rats fed an atherogenic diet and injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following 5 groups: normal diet+saline (NS), atherogenic diet+saline (AS), atherogenic diet+LPS (AL), atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry powder+LPS (AL-C5), and atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry powder+LPS (AL-C10). Total antioxidant status measured by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) was significantly reduced by LPS injection (24%) and was restored by the cranberry powder treatment (P<0.05). In addition, the mean level of plasma total phenolics was significantly decreased by LPS injection (P<0.05) and tended to be increased when cranberry powder was incorporated in to the diet. Activity of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) tended to be lowered by LPS injection and declined further in cranberry powder fortified groups. Overall results indicate that dietary cranberry powder may provide appropriate antioxidants to counter the diminished antioxidant status induced by exposing hypercholesterolemic rats to LPS.
Theoretical characterization of a model of aragonite crystal orientation in red abalone nacre

Nacre, commonly known as mother-of-pearl, is a remarkable biomineral that in red abalone consists of layers of 400 nm thick aragonite crystalline tablets confined by organic matrix sheets, with the [0 0 1] crystal axes of the aragonite tablets oriented to within ±12° from the normal to the layer planes. Recent experiments demonstrate that greater orientational order develops over a distance of tens of layers from the prismatic boundary at which nacre formation begins. Our previous simulations of a model in which the order develops because of differential tablet growth rates (oriented tablets growing faster than misoriented ones) yield patterns of tablets that agree qualitatively and quantitatively with the experimental measurements. This paper presents an analytical treatment of this model, focusing on how the dynamical development and eventual degree of order depend on model parameters. Dynamical equations for the probability distributions governing tablet orientations are introduced whose form can be determined from symmetry considerations and for which substantial analytic progress can be made. Numerical simulations are performed to relate the parameters used in the analytic theory to those in the microscopic growth model. The analytic theory demonstrates that the dynamical mechanism is able to achieve a much higher degree of order than naive estimates would indicate.
In search of multipolar order on the Penrose tiling

We use Monte Carlo calculations to analyse multipolar ordering on the Penrose tiling, relevant for two-dimensional molecular adsorbates on quasicrystalline surfaces and for nanomagnetic arrays. Our initial investigations are restricted to multipolar rotors of rank one through four–described by spherical harmonics Y lm with l = 1, …, 4 and restricted to m = 0–positioned on the vertices of the rhombic Penrose tiling. At first sight, the ground states of odd-parity multipoles seem to exhibit long-range order, in agreement with previous investigations of dipolar systems. Yet, careful analysis performed here establishes that, despite earlier claims, long-range order is absent for all types of rotors, and only short-range order exists. Nevertheless, we show here that short-range order suffices to yield a superstructure in the form of the decagonal Hexagon–Boat–Star tiling. Our results should be taken as a warning for any future analysis of order in either real or simulated arrangements of multipoles on quasiperiodic templates.