Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sevoflurane Abolishes Oxygenation Impairment in a Long-Term Rat Model of Acute Lung Injury

BACKGROUND: Patients experiencing acute lung injury (ALI) often need mechanical ventilation for which sedation may be required. In such patients, usually the first choice an intravenously administered drug. However, growing evidence suggests that volatile anesthetics such as sevoflurane are a valuable alternative. In this study, we evaluate pulmonary and systemic effects of long-term (24-hour) sedation with sevoflurane compared with propofol in an in vivo animal model of ALI. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to ALI by intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) application, mechanically ventilated and sedated for varying intervals up to 24 hours with either sevoflurane or propofol. Vital parameters were monitored, and arterial blood gases were analyzed. Inflammation was assessed by the analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), cytokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1], cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant protein-1 [CINC-1], interleukin [IL-6], IL-12/12a, transforming growth factor-&bgr;, and IL-10) in blood and lung tissue and inflammatory cells. The alveolocapillary barrier was indirectly assessed by wet-to-dry ratio, albumin, and total protein content in BALF. Results are presented as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: After 9 hours of ventilation and sedation, oxygenation index was higher in the LPS/sevoflurane (LPS-S) than in the LPS/propofol group (LPS-P) and reached 400 ± 67 versus 262 ± 57 mm Hg after 24 hours (P < .001). Cell count in BALF in sevoflurane-treated animals was lower after 18 hours (P = .001) and 24 hours (P < .001) than in propofol controls. Peak values of CINC-1 and IL-6 in BALF were lower in LPS-S versus LPS-P animals (CINC-1: 2.7 ± 0.7 vs 4.0 ± 0.9 ng/mL; IL-6: 9.2 ± 2.3 vs 18.9 ± 7.1 pg/mL, both P < .001), whereas IL-10 and MCP-1 did not differ. Also messenger RNAs of CINC-1, IL-6, IL-12a, and IL-10 were significantly higher in LPS-P compared with LPS-S. MCP-1 and transforming growth factor-&bgr; showed no differences. Wet-to-dry ratio was lower in LPS-S (5.4 ± 0.2 vs 5.7 ± 0.2, P = .016). Total protein in BALF did not differ between P-LPS and S-LPS groups. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term sedation with sevoflurane compared with propofol improves oxygenation and attenuates the inflammatory response in LPS-induced ALI. Our findings suggest that sevoflurane may improve lung function when used for sedation in patients with ALI.
Curricular Choice and the Differential Prediction of the Tertiary-Academic Performance of Men and Women

American research findings suggest that the tertiary-academic performance of men and women is predicted differentially in the sense that for the same high-school and aptitude-test performance, the actual grades achieved by women are higher than those predicted for them, and that for men, the situation is reversed. In the present study, three hierarchical regressions were performed to predict the extent of differential prediction for 329 men and 470 women who registered as first-year students at the University of the Orange Free State in 1992. With the two scales of the GSAT, matriculation symbol point total (MSPT), and a combination of these two predictors, gender (intercept) differences accounted for 4.55%, 2.36% and 2.18% of variance in accumulated mean curriculum percentage marks (MCPMs) over a three-year period. Next, hierarchical multiple regressions, in which the categorical variable of curricular choice was specified to enter the equation ahead of gender, were performed to predict the deviations of students' predicted MCPMs from their actual MCPMs (as indices of differential prediction). When cur-ricular choice was controlled through this semi-partial correlational approach, the percentage of these indices' variance that was explained by gender was reduced by between 53% and 78%. In the process the percentage of variance explained by gender was virtually wiped out: When the index of differential prediction was based on MSPT and a combination of the GSAT and MSPT, gender explained less than one per cent of the variance of these indices.
The Covariance between Air Pollution Annoyance and Noise Annoyance, and Its Relationship with Health-Related Quality of Life

Air pollution originating from road traffic is a known risk factor of respiratory and cardiovascular disease (both in terms of chronic and acute effects). While adverse effects on cardiovascular health have also been linked with noise (after controlling for air pollution), noise exposure has been commonly linked to sleep impairment and negative emotional reactions. Health is multi-faceted, both conceptually and operationally; Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) is one of many measures capable of probing health. In this study, we examine pre-collected data from postal surveys probing HRQOL obtained from a variety of urban, suburban, and rural contexts across the North Island of New Zealand. Analyses focus on the covariance between air pollution annoyance and noise annoyances, and their independent and combined effects on HRQOL. Results indicate that the highest ratings of air pollution annoyance and noise annoyances were for residents living close to the motorway, while the lowest were for rural residents. Most of the city samples indicated no significant difference between air pollution- and noise-annoyance ratings, and of all of the correlations between air pollution- and noise-annoyance, the highest were found in the city samples. These findings suggest that annoyance is driven by exposure to environmental factors and not personality characteristics. Analysis of HRQOL indicated that air pollution annoyance predicts greater variability in the physical HRQOL domain while noise annoyance predicts greater variability in the psychological, social and environmental domains. The lack of an interaction effect between air pollution annoyance and noise annoyance suggests that air pollution and noise impact on health independently. These results echo those obtained from objective measures of health and suggest that mitigation of traffic effects should address both air and noise pollution.
Hanja (Ideogram) alexia and agraphia in patients with semantic dementia

Posterior fusiform gyrus (BA 37) is responsible for Hanja (ideogram) alexia in stroke patients. Patients with semantic dementia (SD) have lesions in the basal temporal area. The close proximity in these two lesions and the fact that reading ideograms requires holistic processing as is necessary in recognition of objects, suggests a possibility that ideogram alexia/agraphia may occur in patients with SD. We established and carried out Hanja and Hangul (phonogram) reading/writing tasks on six SD patients and nine Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients as control to see if these two patient groups show dissociation in the two sets of tests. SPM analysis was performed on the SD patients' PET images to look for any dysfunctions in the posterior fusiform gyrus. The SD patients manifested Hanja alexia/agraphia whereas Hangul reading/writing ability was relatively preserved. There were group differences between SD and AD in the Hanja tasks but not in the Hangul tasks. The SPM analysis revealed no hypometabolism in the posterior fusiform gyrus, but only in the middle and the anterior part of the temporal gyrus. Dysfunction in the middle temporal gyrus (BA 21) may have disrupted the temporal lobe connections preventing the function of the posterior fusiform gyrus.
Learning dynamics in the alliance development process

Purpose – The paper seeks to propose a framework for examining the dynamics of learning in the various stages of alliance development.Design/methodology/approach – The three kinds of learning in alliances are described – namely, content, partner‐specific, and alliance management – and the saliences and implications of particular types of learning in different alliance stages are discussed.Findings – The framework makes clear that alliance learning varies according to the stages of the alliance developmental process (formation, operation, outcome), and that different types of learning have different strategic implications.Practical implications – Briefly, content learning augments the collective strengths of the alliance, partner‐specific learning (i.e. learning about a partner as opposed to learning from a partner) is crucial in determining whether or not an alliance gets formed, and alliance management learning helps build the confidence of the alliance partners in managing alliances.Originality/value – .
Factor Structure, Construct Validity and Reliability of the Seeking of Noetic Goals (SONG) and Purpose in Life (PIL) Tests.

Examined the factor structure, construct validity, and reliability of the SONG and the PIL in a sample of 248 introductory psychology students. Ten interpretable independent dimensions of satisfaction with life were extracted, with 6 factors that loaded on the PIL and 4 that loaded on the SONG. These data support Crumbaugh's (1977) assertion that the SONG is a complementary scale to the PIL contributing factors that deal with the strength of motivation to find meaning and purpose in life. In addition, the SONG and the PIL were shown to be highly reliable and valid instruments. Further research that uses SONG-PIL factor scores and profile analysis is recommended.
Uncovering the links between brand choice and personal values among young British and Spanish girls

This paper presents empirical research which demonstrates how snacks brands can satisfy certain personal values for female 11–12 year-old British and Spanish consumers. The qualitative research design uses a means-end approach, based on a laddering technique, to uncover the links between brand choice and personal values. After reviewing the means-end model and other relevant theory, the research methodology and design are presented in detail. The findings reveal significant scope for positioning snacks brands using the values of well being and fun and enjoyment (UK and Spain), while the value of friendship and belonging emerges as an extra dimension for the British respondents. Copyright © 2001 Henry Stewart Publications.
Fifth graders' ideas about history expressed before and after their introduction to the subject

Prior to their first curriculum unit (on history and the work of historians) in a U.S. history course, three classes of fifth graders stated what they knew (or thought was true) about history and what they wanted to learn about it. After the unit, they reported what they had learned. In addition, a stratified sample of ten students was interviewed concerning the details of their thinking about several key subtopics. Following the unit, the students' knowledge and thinking about history had become notably more sophisticated. Even so, certain misconceptions still persisted in some of the students and all of them still had difficulty undertanding how they might use historical knowledge in their lives outside of school.
Analysis and Confirmation of 1,3-DMAA and 1,4-DMAA in Geranium Plants Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry at ng/g Concentrations

1,3-Dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA) is a stimulant commercially sold in a variety of dietary supplements as a chemical species derived from geranium plants (Pelargonium graveolens). Whether 1,3-DMAA naturally occurs in geranium plants or other dietary ingredients, it has important regulatory and commercial ramifications. However, the analysis of 1,3-DMAA in geranium plants is not trivial due to low concentrations and a complex environmental matrix, requiring high selectivity and sensitivity. An extraction method combined with high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry is used to determine 1,3-DMAA and 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA) concentrations in geranium plants with both external calibration and standard addition method. Samples from the Changzhou, Kunming, and Guiyang regions of China during both winter and summer were analyzed for 1,3-DMAA and 1,4-DMAA. The diastereomer ratios of the 1,3-DMAA stereoisomers of a racemic standard and the extracted plant were also quantified.
Homophily in voluntary organizations: Status distance and the composition of face-to-face groups.

Recent work on the organized sources of network ties and on the social structural determinants of association are synthesized to produce several hypotheses about homophily. These hypotheses are tested with data on 304 face-to-face groups from 10 communities. We find that friends are more similar on status dimensions than chance and that this homophily is produced both by the restricted opportunity structure offered by the group and by homophilous choices made within the group. Organizational heterogeneity leads to substantially greater dyadic status distance within the organization, while organization size consistently reduces dyadic status distance. At a given level of diversity, a larger group will permit more homophilous friendship pairing. However, correlated status dimensions create little reduction in dyadic social distance. In general, homogeneity within groups is the overwhelming determinant of homophily.
Characterization of the Scalability of Wireless Ad Hoc Networks under Channel Limitations

Determining the capacity of ad hoc networks is a challenging performance analysis issue. In this paper we employ a statistical method based on signal-to-interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) probability density function to explore the capacity problem. The channel parameters as path loss, shadowing, fading, etc. are considered in this technique. By implementing this method, we derive the exact value for the capacity of ad hoc networks for two network growth scenarios according to the physical resources allocated to the network. We show that independent from the network growth scenario, per node end to end capacity decreases with the increase in the mean number of active nodes. We also study the effect of variations in wireless channel parameters on the network capacity
An efficient nonviral gene-delivery vector based on hyperbranched cationic glycogen derivatives

Background The purpose of this study was to synthesize and evaluate hyperbranched cationic glycogen derivatives as an efficient nonviral gene-delivery vector. Methods A series of hyperbranched cationic glycogen derivatives conjugated with 3-(dimethylamino)-1-propylamine (DMAPA-Glyp) and 1-(2-aminoethyl) piperazine (AEPZ-Glyp) residues were synthesized and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared and hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Their buffer capacity was assessed by acid–base titration in aqueous NaCl solution. Plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (pDNA) condensation ability and protection against DNase I degradation of the glycogen derivatives were assessed using agarose gel electrophoresis. The zeta potentials and particle sizes of the glycogen derivative/pDNA complexes were measured, and the images of the complexes were observed using atomic force microscopy. Blood compatibility and cytotoxicity were evaluated by hemolysis assay and MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, respectively. pDNA transfection efficiency mediated by the cationic glycogen derivatives was evaluated by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy in the 293T (human embryonic kidney) and the CNE2 (human nasopharyngeal carcinoma) cell lines. In vivo delivery of pDNA in model animals (Sprague Dawley rats) was evaluated to identify the safety and transfection efficiency. Results The hyperbranched cationic glycogen derivatives conjugated with DMAPA and AEPZ residues were synthesized. They exhibited better blood compatibility and lower cytotoxicity when compared to branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI). They were able to bind and condense pDNA to form the complexes of 100–250 nm in size. The transfection efficiency of the DMAPA-Glyp/pDNA complexes was higher than those of the AEPZ-Glyp/pDNA complexes in both the 293T and CNE2 cells, and almost equal to those of bPEI. Furthermore, pDNA could be more safely delivered to the blood vessels in brain tissue of Sprague Dawley rats by the DMAPA-Glyp derivatives, and then expressed as green fluorescence protein, compared with the control group. Conclusion The hyperbranched cationic glycogen derivatives, especially the DMAPA-Glyp derivatives, showed high gene-transfection efficiency, good blood compatibility, and low cyto toxicity when transfected in vitro and in vivo, which are novel potential nonviral gene vectors.
Observed relationships between the El Niño-southern oscillation and the extratropical zonal-mean circulation

Abstract There is increasing evidence indicating that the climate response to variations in the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) includes not only thermally forced zonal wind anomalies in the subtropics but also eddy-driven zonal wind anomalies that extend into the mid–high latitudes of both hemispheres. In this study, new insights into the observed seasonally varying signature of ENSO in the extratropical zonal-mean circulation are provided and the associated linkages with the dominant patterns of extratropical variability are examined. The zonal-mean extratropical atmospheric response to ENSO is characterized by two principal features: an equivalent barotropic dipole in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) zonal-mean zonal flow with centers of action located near ∼40° and ∼60° during austral summer, and a weaker, but analogous, dipole in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) with centers of action located near ∼25° and ∼45° during early and late boreal winter. Both structures are accompanied by eddy momentum flux ano.
Barrett's esophagus is characterized by expression of gastric-type mucins (MUC5AC, MUC6) and TFF peptides (TFF1 and TFF2), but the risk of carcinoma development may be indicated by the intestinal-type mucin, MUC2.

Barrett's esophagus (BE) consists of metaplastic epithelium of the esophagus, generally diagnosed by mucin histochemistry. We aimed to determine which mucins were expressed in BE, and to relate their expression to BE pathology. Archival biopsies of 4 patient groups were selected, based on standard histochemistry: BE without inflammation, BE with inflammation, ulcerating BE, and BE with dysplasia. Sections were stained by immunohistochemistry for secretory mucins (MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC6), the proliferation marker Ki-67, and mucin-associated trefoil factor family (TFF) peptides (TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3). MUC5AC and TFF2 were expressed at similar high levels in each clinical group. Intestinal metaplasia (IM), detected both histochemically and by the intestinal mucin MUC2, was lowest in inflamed BE. The expression of the intestinal-type TFF3 did not differ among the groups. Ulcerating BE was distinguished by very low expression of MUC6 and MUC5B, but very high expression of TFF1. Proliferation was not different among the groups. In the total group of BE patients, H. pylori infection of the stomach correlated with decreased TFF2 expression in the BE epithelium. We conclude that BE is best characterized by the specific expression of the gastric-type markers, MUC5AC, MUC6, TFF1, and TFF2. Ulcerating BE constitutes the most distinguished group with respect to mucin and TFF expression. Of the intestinal markers, MUC2 is very specific for IM in BE, whereas TFF3 is not a marker for IM. The low occurrence of IM in inflamed BE suggests that these patients may have the lowest risk of developing carcinoma.
A Scalable Multicore Architecture With Heterogeneous Memory Structures for Dynamic Neuromorphic Asynchronous Processors (DYNAPs)

Neuromorphic computing systems comprise networks of neurons that use asynchronous events for both computation and communication. This type of representation offers several advantages in terms of bandwidth and power consumption in neuromorphic electronic systems. However, managing the traffic of asynchronous events in large scale systems is a daunting task, both in terms of circuit complexity and memory requirements. Here, we present a novel routing methodology that employs both hierarchical and mesh routing strategies and combines heterogeneous memory structures for minimizing both memory requirements and latency, while maximizing programming flexibility to support a wide range of event-based neural network architectures, through parameter configuration. We validated the proposed scheme in a prototype multicore neuromorphic processor chip that employs hybrid analog/digital circuits for emulating synapse and neuron dynamics together with asynchronous digital circuits for managing the address-event traffic. We present a theoretical analysis of the proposed connectivity scheme, describe the methods and circuits used to implement such scheme, and characterize the prototype chip. Finally, we demonstrate the use of the neuromorphic processor with a convolutional neural network for the real-time classification of visual symbols being flashed to a dynamic vision sensor (DVS) at high speed.
Social carrying capacity and user satisfaction: An experiential function

Social carrying capacity was explored through the hypothesis that forest users sought out areas based upon the satisfying experience those areas offered. Relative area density was held to be a discriminating factor which mitigated the experience. Further, it was held that experiences and preferences could be predicted and these predictions would compare favorably to actual user behavior. Six hundred sixty responses were analyzed in two 3 × 2 factorial multiple analyses of variance (MANOVA). The first MANOVA utilized a three level observed use density factor with the second factor being a day and overnight visitor breakdown. The second MANOVA reclassified the density zone factor into a three level predicted density factor based on an experiential preference regression model. Responses on 12 attitudinal statements were collected with polar extremes representing a user's primitive bias to outdoor comfort bias. The density zone factor in both analyses proved an effective method of discriminating between user'.
Expression of antitumor response role of attachment and viability of bacillus calmette—guérin to bladder cancer cells

Background. Antitumor effects of Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) against superficial urinary bladder cancer is known to be strong when BCG is directly infused into the bladder cavity. For expression of that effect, attachment of BCG to tumor cells is reported to be essential as the first step. Our study was conducted to elucidate the significance of attachment of BCG to tumor cells in inducing the antitumor effect.
Ensuring Beta-Availability in P2P Social Networks

Despite their tremendous success, centrally controlled cloud based solutions for social media networking have inherent issues related to privacy and user control. Alternatively, a decentralized approach can be used, but ensuring content availability will be the major challenge. In this work, we propose a time based user grouping and content replication protocol that exploits the cyclic diurnal pattern in user uptime behaviour to ensure content persistence with minimal replication overhead. We also introduce the concept of beta-availability, and propose a mechanism for ensuring the availability of at least beta members within a replication group at any given time. Simulation results show that a 2-availability grouping policy delivers high content persistence without incurring significant network and storage overheads.