Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Severe Steatosis Increases Hepatocellular Injury and Impairs Liver Regeneration in a Rat Model of Partial Hepatectomy

Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the influence of severe steatosis with inflammation on hepatocellular recovery after 70% hepatectomy in a rat model of diet-induced steatosis. Background:Patients with steatosis have an increased risk of inflammatory complications after liver resection. This might be attributable to Kupffer cell-mediated inflammation in steatotic livers causing progressive injury. Methods:Male Wistar rats were fed a standard methionine- and choline-deficient diet for 1 or 5 weeks. A 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) was performed, after which rats were killed at 24, 48, or 72 hours. The extent of steatosis and inflammation was determined by assessment of hepatic triglycerides, cytokine content, and histopathology. Outcome parameters were: liver regeneration (MIB-5 proliferation rate, mitotic index, and regenerating liver mass), hepatocellular injury (plasma aminotransferases, lipid peroxidation, histopathology, and apoptosis), Kupffer cell-mediated proinflammatory response (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 in plasma and liver) and antioxidant content (total glutathione). Results:Methionine- and choline-deficient diet induced uncomplicated steatosis after 1 week (<30% hepatocytes affected without inflammation) and severe steatosis after 5 weeks (>60% hepatocytes affected, including prominent inflammation) as confirmed by histopathology. After PH, liver regeneration was impaired at all time points in the severe steatosis group as compared with the mild and control groups (P < 0.05). Hepatocellular injury was significantly increased in the severe steatosis group at all time points (P < 0.05). Kupffer cell-mediated inflammatory responses were aggravated in the severe steatosis group along with decreased antioxidant content (P < 0.05). Necrosis was the main type of cell death in severe steatotic livers compared with mainly apoptotic cell death in mild steatotic and normal livers. Conclusion:Steatosis with prominent inflammation impaired liver regeneration probably because of increased hepatocellular lipid peroxidation and damage in concert with Kupffer cell-mediated proinflammatory responses. These results suggest an increased risk of performing extensive liver resection in the presence of severe steatosis.
Pre-Service EFL Teachers’ Attitudes towards ‘Language Acquisition Courses’

This study discusses the attitudes of pre-service English language teachers towards „Language Acquisition Courses‟ in English Language Teacher Education Programs. The data have been collected through a developed questionnaire of 20 questions given to 324 students in the department of Pre-service English Language Teacher Education at Ondokuz Mayis University. SPSS has been used for the evaluation of the data. The results indicate that the pre-service teachers of English believe in the importance of language acquisition courses for their career. However, they think that they need some preliminary courses on linguistics before they take “Language Acquisition Courses”. Otherwise, since they may not have any background knowledge in linguistics, they may have some problems in the comprehension competence.
Electromagnetic and mechanical AC loss of an ITER TF model coil conductor (DP4) under transverse cyclic loading

Energising a coil results in a transverse force on the strands pushing the cable towards one side of the jacket. This load causes a transverse compressive strain in strands and in particular in strand crossover points. Besides this, contact surfaces interfere by micro-sliding resulting in friction and anomalous contact resistance behaviour versus force. Two Central Solenoid Model Coil conductors have been tested previously in a cryogenic press and now the experimental results are presented for the Toroidal Field Model Coil (TFMC) conductor (DP4). The press can transmit a variable (cyclic) force of at least 650 kN/m directly to a cable section of 400 mm at 4.2 K. The magnetisation of the conductor and the interstrand resistance (R/sub c/) between various strands inside the cable can be measured by varying pressure. The force on the cable and the displacement are monitored simultaneously in order to determine the effective cable Young's modulus and the mechanical heat generation due to friction and deformation. The mechanical heat generation, the coupling loss time constant n/spl tau/ and the R/sub c/ of the full-size ITER TFMC conductor have been studied under load up to 40 full loading cycles. The evolution of R/sub c/ is comparable to the behaviour found for the CS Model Coil type of conductors. A significant decrease of the cable coupling current time constant, n/spl tau/ and mechanical heat generation after cyclic loading is found.
A new algorithm to correct fish-eye- and strong wide-angle-lens-distortion from single images

The use of super-wide angle and fish-eye lenses causes strong distortions in the resulting images. A methodology for the correction of distortions in these cases using only single images and linearity of imaged objects is presented. Contrary to most former algorithms, the algorithm discussed here does not depend on information about the real world co-ordinates of matching points. Moreover reference points determination and camera calibration is not required in this case. The algorithm is based on circle fitting. It requires only the possibility of the extraction of distorted image points from straight lines in the 3D scene. Further, the actual distortion must approximately fit the chosen distortion model. For most fish-eye lenses appropriate distortion correction results can be obtained.
The reading profile of a child with autism: theoretical implications

The present study examined the utility of the simple view of reading (Gough & Tunmer, 1986) in explaining the reading profile in one case of autism. A case study design was employed to describe reading decoding, reading comprehension, and oral language comprehension using parent interviews, direct observations, and standardized and experimental measures. A twelve year-old girl with autism, CG, relied on a visual approach when decoding rather than a phonological or semantic approach. She demonstrated the greatest ease with literal and vocabulary-based comprehension. Syntactic knowledge and cohesive inferential comprehension were also well developed. CG was able to integrate real world knowledge only when the requirements were explicit. She had the most difficulty with pragmatic language and evaluative inferences. While the simple view was consistent with CG‟s case, this model was not helpful in understanding her reading profile due to its broader skill focus as opposed to a component skill
CHANGE IN VISUAL EXPERIENCE IMPAIRS RAT’S SPATIAL LEARNING IN MORRIS WATER MAZE

Background: Proper structure and function of mammalâ€™s central nervous system (CNS) is based on inborn neuronal function. Sensory experience-based development deeply affects these processes in the critical period. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of change in visual experience in critical period of brain development on ratâ€™s spatial learning and memory using Morris water maze (MWM). Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 30 Wistar male rats at 45 days old randomly distributed in 3 groups (n=10 for each group); the CO (Control) group was in 12 h light/12 h dark cycle through birth to the end of the study; the LR (Light Reared) group was in complete light (24 hours) and the DR (Dark Reared) group was in complete darkness. Using MWM, the animals learned to find a hidden platform for 4 trials/day at 5 days. After removing platform, spatial memory was tested at day 5 in one trial. The spent time and distance in the correct quadrant measured and analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA test. Findings: In the learning stage, the CO rats spent less time and distance to find the hidden platform than the other groups (P < 0.0001). There was no difference between all groups in probe trial. Conclusion: Change in visual experience impairs rat's spatial learning and spatial memory formation would not been influenced. Key words: Sensory experience, Spatial learning, Spatial memory, Morris water maze, Rat.
Profile analysis of hepatic porcine and murine brain tissue slices obtained with a vibratome

This study is aimed at characterizing soft tissue slices using a vibratome. In particular, the effect of two sectioning parameters (i.e., step size and sectioning speed) on resultant slice thickness was investigated for fresh porcine liver as well as for paraformaldehyde-fixed (PFA-fixed) and fresh murine brain. A simple framework for embedding, sectioning and imaging the slices was established to derive their thickness, which was evaluated through a purposely developed graphical user interface. Sectioning speed and step size had little effect on the thickness of fresh liver slices. Conversely, the thickness of PFA-fixed murine brain slices was found to be dependent on the step size, but not on the sectioning speed. In view of these results, fresh brain tissue was sliced varying the step size only, which was found to have a significant effect on resultant slice thickness. Although precision-cut slices (i.e., with regular thickness) were obtained for all the tissues, slice accuracy (defined as the match between the nominal step size chosen and the actual slice thickness obtained) was found to increase with tissue stiffness from fresh liver to PFA-fixed brain. This quantitative investigation can be very helpful for establishing the most suitable slicing setup for a given tissue.
Factors Affecting the Use of Information Technology in Thai Agricultural Cooperatives: A Work in Progress

This paper describes work in progress studying factors affecting the use of information technology in Thai agricultural cooperatives. Factors in the internal and external environment of organizations are considered. Factors from the internal environment are divided into 2 groups: characteristics of managers of Thai agricultural cooperatives (i.e. attitude towards adoption of IT, IT knowledge, and innovation), and organizational characteristics (i.e. business size, organizational structure, and organizational culture). General factors from the external environment are political, economic, social, and infrastructure. Methodology and its development are also described.
A Design Science Approach to Collective Intelligence Systems

The inverse problem of collective intelligence is the problem of designing a collective intelligence system that is fit to overcome a given challenge. In this paper we propose a design science approach to this problem. We carry out the first steps of the design science research process showing the relevance of the problem and the objectives of a tool supporting the solution. While this can be seen as progress towards an agenda and methodology for long-termed research, as an immediate result we also present a conceptual model of the collective intelligence domain which provides new insight into the ontology of collective intelligence. The conceptual model may inform the design of collective intelligence systems independent of the supporting tool. It also illustrates the difference between collective intelligence systems and traditional information systems.
Association of Air Pollution and Hospital Admission for Cardiovascular Disease: A Case Study in Kermanshah, Iran

1. MSc of Environmental Health Engineering, Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran 2. Department of Epidemiology, Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health, Faculty of Public Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran 3. Department of Climatology, Payam-e-Noor University of Harsin, Kermanshah, Iran
Student Athlete Wellness Gender Perspectives

A study of wellness aspects among college student athletes at a mid-sized, church-related, undergraduate, liberal arts college in the upper Midwest was conducted during the 2006-2007 school year. The students were asked by their coaches and team leaders to complete the Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle tool online. The study sample consisted of 273 college athletes, of which 131 were female and 142 were male. Female college athletes had the highest scores in the following areas: exercise, friendship, and love. The lowest areas were: spirituality, stress Management, nutrition and total wellness. The female athletes scored lower in 14 out of the 20 wellness behavior categories than the male athletes. In the areas of sense of worth, leisure and stress management, female athletes scored significantly lower than the male athletes. Male athletes scored the highest in the areas of exercise, sense of worth and friendship. Male athletes recorded their lowest scores in spirituality, nutrition, work and total wellnes.
Assessment of Effective Renal Plasma Flow, Enzymuria, and Cytokine Release in Healthy Volunteers Receiving a Single Dose of Amphotericin B Desoxycholate

ABSTRACT The present study assessed potential subclinical markers of amphotericin B (AmB)-related nephrotoxicity and infusion-related reactions (IRR). Subjects were pretreated with diphenhydramine and acetaminophen and received a 500-ml bolus infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride prior to each effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) assessment. ERPF was measured before and after administration of a single 0.25-mg/kg intravenous AmB dose using technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine. Blood was collected before and 3 h after AmB infusion for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) plasma concentrations. Overnight 12-h urine collections were performed before administration of AmB and for 2 nights after administration of AmB and analyzed for α and π glutathione-S-transferases (GSTα and GSTπ, respectively) and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG). Six men and six women with mean ± standard deviation (SD) ages of 24.8 ± 5.3 and 28.0 ± 8.5 years, respectively, were studied. Baseline serum creatinine values were within the normal range and were unaltered after administration of AmB. The mean ± SD decrease in ERPF after administration of AmB was significant (P < 0.05) in males (15.7 ± 8.1%) but not females (9.5 ± 14.0%). The GSTπ and GSTα indices increased significantly (P < 0.05) by two to fourfold and returned to baseline in males but were unaltered in females. NAG indices were unaffected by AmB. Six patients experienced an IRR that was associated with increased TNF-α (P < 0.05) but not IL-1β (P = 0.09). These results suggest a potential sex-related difference in AmB-induced nephrotoxicity and provide a rationale for use of ERPF, urine GST, and TNF-α as subclinical markers of polyene-induced toxicity.
The Genetics of Language and Farming Spread in India

Most maternal lineages of present-day Indians derive from a common ancestor in mtDNA haplogroup M that split into Indian, eastern Asian, Papuan, and Australian subsets 40,000-60,000 mtDNA-years ago. The second major component in Indian maternal heredity lines traces back to the split of haplogroup U into Indian, western Eurasian and northern African variants approximately at the same time. The variation in these two ancient Indian-specific sets of lineages is the main modifier in the heterogeneity landscape of Indian populations, defining the genetic differences between caste groups and geographic regions in the sub-continent. The difference between regional caste groups is accentuated furthermore by the presence of a northwest to south decline of a minor package of lineages of western Asian or European origin. In contrast, the majority of Indian paternal line-ages do not share recent ancestors with eastern Asian populations but stem from haplogroups common to (eastern) European or western Asian populations. This finding has recently been interpreted in favour of the classical Indo-Aryan invasion hypothesis. Here, we show that this interpretation is probably caused by a phylogeographically-limited view of the Indian Y-chromosome pool, amplified because of current inconsistencies in the interpretation of the temporal scale of the variability in the non-recombining part of the Y chromosome (NRY). It appears to us that the high variability of STRs in the background of NRY variants in India is consistent with the view of largely autochthonous pre-Holocene genetic diversification-a conclusion reached earlier for the Indian maternal lineages (Kivisild et al. 1999a). While interpreting the genetic aspects of farm-ing/language dispersal in the Indian context, it is easy to get lost in its 'multitude of endogamous pock-ets' (Cavalli-Sforza et al. 1994). Yet a forest can hopefully be seen behind the trees, provided that the conclusions to be drawn derive from a phylogeo-graphically representative analysis of the people of the sub-continent. Perhaps new ideas, analogous to the recently introduced 'SPIWA' model for Europe (see Renfrew this volume), are needed when developing new farmingl/anguage dispersal models for India. The earliest 'agricultural package' in the Indian subcontinent-a combined presence of wheat, barley , cattle, sheep and goat domestication-is found in Mehrgarh, Baluchistan, and dates to about 9000 years before present (BP). It spread first into an area extending from the Punjab in the northwest to Uttar Pradesh in the east and to Gujarat in the south. It took another 4000 years before it eventually reached southern Peninsular India …
Low genetic diversity and local adaptive divergence of Dracaena cambodiana (Liliaceae) populations associated with historical population bottlenecks and natural selection: an endangered long-lived tree endemic to Hainan Island, China.

Historical population bottlenecks and natural selection have important effects on the current genetic diversity and structure of long-lived trees. Dracaena cambodiana is an endangered, long-lived tree endemic to Hainan Island, China. Our field investigations showed that only 10 populations remain on Hainan Island and that almost all have been seriously isolated and grow in distinct habitats. A considerable amount of genetic variation at the species level, but little variation at the population level, and a high level of genetic differentiation among the populations with limited gene flow in D. cambodiana were detected using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses. No significant correlation was found between genetic diversity and actual population size, as the genetic diversities were similar regardless of population size. The Mantel test revealed that there was no correlation between genetic and geographic distances among the 10 populations. The UPGMA, PCoA and Bayesian analyses showed that local adaptive divergence has occurred among the D. cambodiana populations, which was further supported by habitat-private fragments. We suggest that the current genetic diversity and population differentiation of D. cambodiana resulted from historical population bottlenecks and natural selection followed by historical isolation. However, the lack of natural regeneration of D. cambodiana indicates that former local adaptations with low genetic diversity may have been genetically weak and are unable to adapt to the current ecological environments.
What Predicts Support for Antler Point Restrictions?

Although considerable research has focused on satisfaction with recreation experiences, limited work has examined factors related to regulatory support. In 2005, an antler point restriction (APR) regulation was introduced for hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Minnesota’s Itasca State Park. Hunter surveys were conducted following the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 seasons. We modeled how (a) satisfaction with the deer seen, (b) type of deer pursued, (c) agency trust, and (d) years of deer-hunting experience, influenced support for the APR, and compared the model over the four survey years. Type of deer pursued and agency trust were the strongest predictors of APR support, followed by satisfaction with deer seen, and years of hunting experience. Hunters who targeted big bucks, had more trust in the agency, and expressed more satisfaction with deer seen in the field, were more supportive of the APR. Hunters who had more deer-hunting experience were less supportive.
Management of strangulated abdominal wall hernias with mesh; early results

OBJECTIVE: Surgery for abdominal wall hernias is a common procedure in general surgery practice. The main causes of delay for the operation are comorbid problems and patient unwillingness, which eventually, means that some patients are admitted to emergency clinics with strangulated hernias. In this report, patients who admitted to the emergency department with strangulated adominal wall hernias are presented together with their clinical management. METHODS: Patients who admitted to our clinic between January 2009 and November 2011 and underwent emergency operation were included in the study retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, hernia type, length of hospital stay, surgical treatment and complications were assessed. RESULTS: A total 81 patients (37 female, 44 male) with a mean age of 52.1±17.64 years were included in the study. Inguinal, femoral, umbilical and incisional hernias were detected in 40, 26, 9 and 6 patients respectively. Polypropylene mesh was used in 75 patients for repair. Primary repair without mesh was used in six patients. Small bowel (n=10; 12.34%), omentum (n=19; 23.45%), appendix (n=1; 1.2%) and Meckel’s diverticulum (n=1; 1.2%) were resected. Median length of hospital stay was 2 (1–7) days. Surgical site infection was detected in five (6.2%) patients. No significant difference was detected for length of hospital stay and surgical site infection in patients who had mesh repair (p=0.232 and 0.326 respectively). CONCLUSION: The need for bowel resection is common in strangulated abdominal wall hernias which undergo emergency operation. In the present study, an increase of morbidity was seen in patients who underwent bowel resection. No morbidity was detected related to the usage of prosthetic materials in repair of hernias. Hence, we believe that prosthetic materials can be used safely in emergency cases.
Paper FSRs and Latex/Fabric Traction Sensors: Methods for the Development of Home-Made Touch Sensors

This paper presents the development of novel "home-made" touch sensors using conductive pigments and various substrate materials. We show that it is possible to build one's own position, pressure and bend sensors with various electrical characteristics, sizes and shapes, and this for a very competitive price. We give examples and provide results from experimental tests of such developments.
The Role of the Eyes and Mouth in Facial Emotions Revisited

Faces expressing happiness, sadness, fear, and anger were presented in a Stroop-like paradigm. There were three word conditions and four face conditions (full, eyes removed, mouth removed, hairline removed). Incongruent trials produced longer RTs than congruent trials with the longest RTs occurring in incongruent trials with the eyes removed.
Differential Effect of Features of Autism on IQs Reported Using Wechsler Scales

Many children with autistic disorder, or autism, are described as having low intelligence quotients. These descriptions are partially based on use of various editions of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), the most widely used intelligence test for children with autism. An important question is whether task demands of the Wechsler scales are sensitive to unique characteristics of children with autism that might affect test performance. Another question relates to how changes in the newest edition of the WISC have affected its sensitivity for the population of individuals with autism. The administration guidelines and task demands of the third (WISC-III) and fourth (WISC-IV) editions were examined to determine appropriateness when measuring intelligence of children with autism. Implications related to use of these instruments with children with autism are discussed.