Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Faecal Concentrations and Production Rates of Short Chain Fatty Acids in Normal Neonates

ABSTRACT. Changes in intestinal microbial flora are reflected in the faecal concentrations and production rates of short chain fatty acids. However, since no data on the latter are available in neonates, the aim of this study is to provide information on short chain fatty acids in faeces from normal neonates. Faecal samples were collected immediately after birth (meconium) and on the 4th day of life in 13 healthy, full‐term neonates. The production capacity was evaluated by a faecal incubation system. Concentrations of short chain fatty acids were low in meconium (11.2+3.9 mmol/l (mean±SD)), equivalent to about 10% of the adult level (p<0.01), but increased significantly during the first 4 days of life to 28.4±20.1 mmol/l (p<0.05). The fermentation pattern (i.e. relative composition of different acids) showed differences between adults and neonates, primarily due to a higher proportion of acetate found in the latter. The ratio acetate/propionate/butyrate/other acids was 89/5/5/1 in 4‐day‐old neonates compared to 65/18/11/6 in adults (p<0.001). Our findings correlate well with the postnatal microbial colonization of neonatal colon.
Functional Equivalence in Pigeons

Functional equivalences form the basis for semantics, an important component of human language. Among other things, they allow us to learn about objects or actions in their absence. There is good evidence that animals, such as pigeons, can acquire functional equivalences as well. The most studied procedure for establishing functional equivalences in pigeons involves many-to-one matching-to-sample training in which two samples are associated with the same correct comparison stimulus. The evidence for the development of simple functional equivalences when two sample stimuli are associated with a common comparison stimulus comes from several sources. The most convincing procedure for demonstrating functional equivalences in pigeons is the transfer of training design in which a new association acquired by one member of a presumed equivalence set results in an emergent relation with the other member of the set. Further, research suggests that the stimuli that comprise an equivalence set are represented by one of those samples. Finally, two other procedures used with pigeons have been shown to result in functional equivalences. One of these involves symmetry training in which two stimuli are presented successively in both orders. The other involves discriminations in which there are multiple successive reversals. Alice, a three year old, has learned that dogs are playful animals that lick your face and wag their tail. She looks happy when she sees a dog or when someone tells her about a dog. However, one day, when out for a walk, she passes a yard with a fenced in dog that barks loudly and lunges at her. When she gets home her mother tells he that her friend Jimmy has a new dog and they are going to go to Jimmy’s house to see it. Alice now shows some anxiety and isn’t sure that she wants to visit Jimmy. Alice has transferred some of the experience she had with the unfriendly dog to hearing about Jimmy’s dog without having had an unpleasant experience with the word dog. When objects and symbols for those objects take on similar meaning, emergent relations often develop between them such that a change in the meaning of one results in the change in the meaning of the other. These functional equivalences form the basis for an important component of human language, semantics, and allow us to learn about the attributes of objects or actions in their absence. The admonition, “Don’t drive to work on Main Street. There is a major traffic jam. ” is likely to produce a change in behavior without actually experiencing the problem. Several years ago Peter Urcuioli and I embarked on a program of research to determine if animals, in particular pigeons, have the ability to form functional equivalences that would allow them to acquire relations between stimuli without specific prior experience with them. We used an approach that produced convergent evidence that pigeons do in fact have this ability. We also investigated the nature of the functional equivalences and found convergent evidence that not unlike words for humans; one of the functionally equivalent stimuli had become represented as the other.
Review article: Paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures: Emergency assessment and management

Supracondylar humeral fractures in children are common presentations to the ED but might be challenging to both diagnose and assess clinically. The ED has a critical role in accurately assessing the child, the limb's neurovascular status and initiating treatment. A specific approach to the clinical assessment of such a child is required as failure to detect neurovascular compromise can delay appropriate treatment and result in serious consequences. Most children can be investigated with X‐ray radiograph alone with further treatment directed by severity of the fracture, commonly described using the Gartland classification. Our review article provides an overview of supracondylar humeral fractures and a suggested clinical approach to leave the emergency physician better equipped to assess and manage these fractures.
Distribution of L-values in gray-mapped M2-QAM: closed-form approximations and applications

In this paper we develop closed form approximations for the probability density function (PDF) of the reliability metrics (L-values) in bit-interleaved coded modulation (BICM). The expressions are valid for M2-ary quadrature amplitude modulations (M2-QAM) with binary reflected Gray mapping when the metrics are calculated using the so-called max-log approximation. Based on the developed expressions, we also propose two simple Gaussian mixture approximations that are analytically tractable. We apply our developments to efficiently calculate the BICM capacity, and to develop bounds on the coded bit-error rate when a convolutional code is used. The coded performance of a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) based on constellation rearrangement is also evaluated.
Evidence for the effectiveness of electrophysical modalities for treatment of medial and lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review

Background Several treatments are available to treat epicondylitis. Among these are instrumental electrophysical modalities, ranging from ultrasound, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to laser therapy, commonly used to treat epicondylitis. Objectives To present an evidence-based overview of the effectiveness of electrophysical modality treatments for both medial and lateral epicondylitis (LE). Methods Searches in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and Pedro were performed to identify relevant randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality. A best-evidence synthesis was used to summarise the results. Results A total of 2 reviews and 20 RCTs were included, all of which concerned LE. Different electrophysical regimes were evaluated: ultrasound, laser, electrotherapy, ESWT, TENS and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. Moderate evidence was found for the effectiveness of ultrasound versus placebo on mid-term follow-up. Ultrasound plus friction massage showed moderate evidence of effectiveness versus laser therapy on short-term follow-up. On the contrary, moderate evidence was found in favour of laser therapy over plyometric exercises on short-term follow-up. For all other modalities only limited/conflicting evidence for effectiveness or evidence of no difference in effect was found. Conclusions Potential effectiveness of ultrasound and laser for the management of LE was found. To draw more definite conclusions high-quality RCTs examining different intensities are needed as well as studies focusing on long-term follow-up results.
Teachers' Level of Moral Reasoning and Their Understanding of Classroom Rules and Roles

This study examined the relation between 8 teachers' levels of moral development and their understanding of rules and teacher/student roles in their classrooms. Interviews and discussions of classroom videotapes with teachers showed that 4 teachers who had relatively high scores (above 33) on the Defining Issues Test of moral development shared similar understandings that contrasted with those of 4 teachers with relatively low scores (below 23). In particular, teachers with high development had a more democratic view of teacher and student roles and saw rules as protecting individual students' as well as the group's rights. Questions for further research and implications for teacher education are discussed.
Familiarity breeds content: The impact of exposure to change on employee openness and well-being.

This article describes a longitudinal study of how openness to change, job satisfaction, anxiety and depression are affected by exposure to a change situation - in this case, the implementation of new technology and work practices. Measures were taken before the change was fully implemented and again several months later. Employees fell into two groups: those with high exposure to the change and those with low exposure. Longitudinal analysis revealed that greater exposure was directly related to subsequent improvements in openness to change for operational employees, but not for managers and engineers. Exposure was associated with improvements in job satisfaction and depression, irrespective of job type. The effect on job satisfaction, however, could be accounted for by the increased job complexity experienced on the new technology rather than exposure to change per se. Although the impact of exposure on depression became non-significant after controlling for job complexity, the result was marginal. Implications of the role of exposure in the management of change are discussed.
FEVER OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN: A REPORT FROM CHINA OF 208 CASES

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a clinical dilemma in western countries and in China. To investigate the causes and prognosis of FUO, 208 patients with FUO admitted to a large university hospital in China were investigated. The final diagnoses established in 158 cases (75.96%) were: infectious disease in 66 cases (31.73%), collagen vascular disease in 46 patients (22.11%), neoplasm in 35 cases (16.83%), and other disease in 11 patients (5.29%). In 66 cases with infectious disease, tuberculosis, septicaemia and typhoid fever were the principal causes. SLE and adult Still's disease were the most important causes among collagen vascular disease. Lymphoma and malignant histiocytosis were mostly associated with FUO among neoplasms. In 50 cases (24.04%), the cause of fever was not found. On discharge from hospital, fever had subsided in 133 cases (63.94%), and had persisted in 63 cases (30.29%); 12 patients (5.87%) died. In China, infectious disease, collagen vascular disease and neoplasm are the main causes of FUO. While most patients recover, there are some differences in the distribution of causes between the West and China, and there are relatively more deaths than in previous reports.
Selection Effects in the United Kingdom Individual Annuities Market

This paper explores adverse selection in the voluntary and compulsory individual annuity markets in the United Kingdom. Two empirical regularities support standard models of adverse selection. First, annuitants are longer-lived than non-annuitants. These mortality differences are more pronounced in the voluntary than in the compulsory annuity market. We estimate that the amount of adverse selection in the compulsory market is about one half of that in the voluntary market. Second, the pricing of different types of annuity products within each annuity market is consistent with individuals selecting products based, in part, on private information about their mortality prospects.
Towards interactive robots in autism therapy: background, motivation and challenges

This article discusses the potential of using interactive environments in autism therapy. We specifically address issues relevant to the Aurora project, which studies the possible role of autonomous, mobile robots as therapeutic tools for children with autism. Theories of mindreading, social cognition and imitation that informed the Aurora project are discussed and their relevance to the project is outlined. Our approach is put in the broader context of socially intelligent agents and interactive environments. We summarise results from trials with a particular mobile robot. Finally, we draw some comparisons to research on interactive virtual environments in the context of autism therapy and education. We conclude by discussing future directions and open issues.
Premotor Neurons Encode Torsional Eye Velocity during Smooth-Pursuit Eye Movements

Responses to horizontal and vertical ocular pursuit and head and body rotation in multiple planes were recorded in eye movement-sensitive neurons in the rostral vestibular nuclei (VN) of two rhesus monkeys. When tested during pursuit through primary eye position, the majority of the cells preferred either horizontal or vertical target motion. During pursuit of targets that moved horizontally at different vertical eccentricities or vertically at different horizontal eccentricities, eye angular velocity has been shown to include a torsional component the amplitude of which is proportional to half the gaze angle (“half-angle rule” of Listing's law). Approximately half of the neurons, the majority of which were characterized as “vertical” during pursuit through primary position, exhibited significant changes in their response gain and/or phase as a function of gaze eccentricity during pursuit, as if they were also sensitive to torsional eye velocity. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant contribution of torsional eye movement sensitivity to the responsiveness of the cells. These findings suggest that many VN neurons encode three-dimensional angular velocity, rather than the two-dimensional derivative of eye position, during smooth-pursuit eye movements. Although no clear clustering of pursuit preferred-direction vectors along the semicircular canal axes was observed, the sensitivity of VN neurons to torsional eye movements might reflect a preservation of similar premotor coding of visual and vestibular-driven slow eye movements for both lateral-eyed and foveate species.
Alcohol-related violence and disorder

This paper presents critical perspectives into alcohol-related violence and disorder. In doing so, we advance writing by geographers challenging ontological and epistemological orthodoxies which dominate ‘alcohol studies’. By engaging with work focused on playful or ludic urbanism, and literature considering emotions, embodiment and affect, we address an impasse between medical and social sciences approaches in order to better understand and tackle alcohol-related violence and disorder. We conclude with theoretical and policy-relevant insights.
Ubiquitin–Proteasome-Dependent Regulation of Bidirectional Communication between Plastids and the Nucleus

Plastids are DNA-containing organelles and can have unique differentiation states depending on age, tissue, and environment. Plastid biogenesis is optimized by bidirectional communication between plastids and the nucleus. Import of nuclear-encoded proteins into plastids serves as anterograde signals and vice versa, plastids themselves send retrograde signals to the nucleus, thereby controlling de novo synthesis of nuclear-encoded plastid proteins. Recently, it has become increasingly evident that the ubiquitin–proteasome system regulates both the import of anterograde plastid proteins and retrograde signaling from plastids to the nucleus. Targets of ubiquitin–proteasome regulation include unimported chloroplast precursor proteins in the cytosol, protein translocation machinery at the chloroplast surface, and transcription factors in the nucleus. This review will focus on the mechanism through which the ubiquitin–proteasome system optimizes plastid biogenesis and plant development through the regulation of nuclear–plastid interactions.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Mixed Hematopoietic Chimerism: Immune Tolerance in Canine Model of Lung Transplantation

Long‐term survival after lung transplantation is limited by acute and chronic graft rejection. Induction of immune tolerance by first establishing mixed hematopoietic chimerism (MC) is a promising strategy to improve outcomes. In a preclinical canine model, stable MC was established in recipients after reduced‐intensity conditioning and hematopoietic cell transplantation from a DLA‐identical donor. Delayed lung transplantation was performed from the stem cell donor without pharmacological immunosuppression. Lung graft survival without loss of function was prolonged in chimeric (n = 5) vs. nonchimeric (n = 7) recipients (p ≤ 0.05, Fisher's test). There were histological changes consistent with low‐grade rejection in 3/5 of the lung grafts in chimeric recipients at ≥1 year. Chimeric recipients after lung transplantation had a normal immune response to a T‐dependent antigen. Compared to normal dogs, there were significant increases of CD4+INFγ+, CD4+IL‐4+ and CD8+ INFγ+ T‐cell subsets in the blood (p < 0.0001 for each of the three T‐cell subsets). Markers for regulatory T‐cell subsets including foxP3, IL10 and TGFβ were also increased in CD3+ T cells from the blood and peripheral tissues of chimeric recipients after lung transplantation. Establishing MC is immunomodulatory and observed changes were consistent with activation of both the effector and regulatory immune response.
Article Omission Across Child Languages

Article omission is known to be a feature of early grammar, although it does not affect all child languages to the same extent. In this article we analyze the production of articles by 12 children, 4 speakers of Catalan, 4 speakers of Italian, and 4 speakers of Dutch. We consider the results in the light of (i) the adult input the children are exposed to, (ii) the prosodic properties of articles in the three languages, and (iii) the properties of the syntax-semantics mapping of nouns in the languages under consideration. We show that the proportion of bare nouns (grammatical or ungrammatical) in the adult input does not bear any systematic relation to child production/omission of articles and that the full developmental pattern observed can be explained by appealing to the role of the nominal mapping parameter (NMP) in guiding acquisition, in conjunction with prosodic properties of articles and with discourse conditions.
Reviewing molecular adaptations of Lyme borreliosis spirochetes in the context of reproductive fitness in natural transmission cycles

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is caused by a group of pathogenic spirochetes – most often Borrelia burgdorferi, B. afzelii, and B. garinii – that are vectored by hard ticks in the Ixodes ricinus-persulcatus complex, which feed on a variety of mammals, birds, and lizards. Although LB is one of the best-studied vector-borne zoonoses, the annual incidence in North America and Europe leads other vector-borne diseases and continues to increase. What factors make the LB system so successful, and how can researchers hope to reduce disease risk – either through vaccinating humans or reducing the risk of contacting infected ticks in nature? Discoveries of molecular interactions involved in the transmission of LB spirochetes have accelerated recently, revealing complex interactions among the spirochete-tick-vertebrate triad. These interactions involve multiple, and often redundant, pathways that reflect the evolution of general and specific mechanisms by which the spirochetes survive and reproduce. Previous reviews have focused on the molecular interactions or population biology of the system. Here molecular interactions among the LB spirochete, its vector, and vertebrate hosts are reviewed in the context of natural maintenance cycles, which represent the ecological and evolutionary contexts that shape these interactions. This holistic system approach may help researchers develop additional testable hypotheses about transmission processes, interpret laboratory results, and guide development of future LB control measures and management.
Implicit Theories of Organizational Power and Priming Effects on Managerial Power‐Sharing Decisions: An Experimental Study1

Over 60 years of research on participative leadership has documented the many benefits of power sharing in organizations. However, a common obstacle to power sharing is the unwillingness of those with power to share it. An experimental study is presented that investigated the effects of managers' implicit theories of power in organizations on their willingness to share power with subordinates. The study proposed that chronic differences in implicit power theories (the degree of competitive vs. cooperative beliefs and ideals regarding organizational power relations) would affect managers' decisions to share or withhold power. Subliminal priming was predicted to temporarily enhance the accessibility of these differences in implicit power theories, thereby fostering or inhibiting spontaneous decisions to share power. Results indicate that the subliminal priming of competitive theories of organizational power negatively influenced managers' immediate, spontaneous decisions to share power, whereas chronic differences in their implicit theories similarly affected their more systematic decisions to share power. The theoretical and applied contributions of the study are discussed.
Reducing malignant ascites accumulation by repeated intraperitoneal administrations of a Viscum album extract.

BACKGROUND Malignant ascites is a major problem in the management of advanced stages of certain malignancies. The possibility of reducing the accumulation of ascites by intraperitoneal injections of a Viscum album extract (Iscador M) was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-three patients, with end-stage malignancies of varying histology, requiring repeated peritoneal punctures, were eligible for analysis. The time-interval between the first two punctures was measured and defined as the baseline. Following each subsequent puncture, Iscador M 10 mg was injected intraperitoneally. The intervals between later punctures were compared to previous intervals. RESULTS Following the first injection, the median time-interval between injections increased from 7 to 12 days, reaching 13 days after the second injection. No toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION This phase II study suggests that installation of Iscador M into the peritoneal cavity may reduce the need for repeated punctures. A randomized trial is needed to confirm these promising preliminary results.