Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of dietary energy level on body weight, testicular development and semen quality of local barred chicken of the western highlands of Cameroon

This study was designed to examine the effects of dietary energy levels on some growth and reproductive parameters of local barred chickens in Cameroon. For this purpose, One hundred and forty four day-old barred male chicks, weighing 28.33 g in average were randomly divided into 12 groups of 12 chicks each. Three feeding programs (FP) comprising each a starter diet from day old to 12 weeks (S0: 2800 Kcal/Kg; S1: 2900 Kcal/Kg; S2: 3000 Kcal/Kg) and grower diet from 13 to 20 weeks (G0: 2900 Kcal/Kg; G1: 3000 Kcal/ Kg; G2: 3100 Kcal/Kg) were used and designated FP1, FP2 and FP3 respectively. Each of the FP was randomly allotted of 4 groups of 12 birds in a completely randomized design. Throughout experiment (1 day old to 20 weeks), body weight was recovered every 2 weeks. At 20 weeks of age, roosters were sacrificed; semen characteristic was analyzed and testes were characterized. Between 2 to 10 weeks old, body weight of cocks fed with FP3 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) as compared to others FP. Inversely, from 12 to 20 weeks, body weight of cocks receiving FP1 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of cocks receiving feeding programs 2 and 3. At 20 weeks, 100% of cocks fed on FP3 produced semen versus 66.66% and 16.66% respectively for those on FP1 and FP2. Semen volume and mass motility of cocks fed on FP3 or FP1 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than FP2. It was concluded that FP1 had more suitable dietary energy levels for growth and reproduction of local barred cocks.
Effect of P 6 acustimulation on post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background Non-pharmacologic techniques such as electrical acustimulation may mitigate post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acustimulation on attenuating PONV. Moreover, we tested whether a preor a post-induction application of acustimulation results in differences in PONV reduction. Methods In this prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, we studied 200 patients undergoing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy during propofol (induction) fentanyl/isoflurane/atracurium (maintenance) anaesthesia. In the acustimulation group (n 5 101), subdivided into groups with pre-induction (n 5 57) and post-induction (n 5 44) acustimulation, an active ReliefBand s device was placed at the P6 acupoint. In the sham group (n 5 99), also subdivided into pre-induction (n 5 55) or post-induction (n 5 44) groups, an inactive device was applied instead. The ReliefBand s remained in place for 24 h after surgery. Nausea and vomiting/retching were recorded at 2, 6, and 24 h post-operatively. Results The incidence of early nausea (up to 2 h) was significantly lower in the acustimulation than in the sham group (29% vs. 42%; P 5 0.043). No significant effect could be detected for retching/vomiting. Moreover, acustimulation showed no effect on PONV after 6 and 24 h. Risk factor analysis (female gender, non-smoker, history of PONV/ motion sickness, and post-operative morphine usage) revealed a relative reduction in risk of 40% for nausea (P 5 0.021) and 55% for retching/vomiting (P 5 0.048) in patients with three or four risk factors present. The timing of (prevs. post-induction) acustimulation had no significant effect on PONV reduction. Conclusion Acustimulation at the P6 acupoint reduces early nausea, but not vomiting, after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, irrespective of its preor post-induction application.
Tissue Transglutaminase Modulates Vascular Stiffness and Function Through Crosslinking‐Dependent and Crosslinking‐Independent Functions

Background The structural elements of the vascular wall, namely, extracellular matrix and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), contribute to the overall stiffness of the vessel. In this study, we examined the crosslinking‐dependent and crosslinking‐independent roles of tissue transglutaminase (TG2) in vascular function and stiffness. Methods and Results SMCs were isolated from the aortae of TG2−/− and wild‐type (WT) mice. Cell adhesion was examined by using electrical cell–substrate impedance sensing and PicoGreen assay. Cell motility was examined using a Boyden chamber assay. Cell proliferation was examined by electrical cell–substrate impedance sensing and EdU incorporation assays. Cell micromechanics were studied using magnetic torsion cytometry and spontaneous nanobead tracer motions. Aortic mechanics were examined by tensile testing. Vasoreactivity was studied by wire myography. SMCs from TG2−/− mice had delayed adhesion, reduced motility, and accelerated de‐adhesion and proliferation rates compared with those from WT. TG2−/− SMCs were stiffer and displayed fewer cytoskeletal remodeling events than WT. Collagen assembly was delayed in TG2−/− SMCs and recovered with adenoviral transduction of TG2. Aortic rings from TG2−/− mice were less stiff than those from WT; stiffness was partly recovered by incubation with guinea pig liver TG2 independent of crosslinking function. TG2−/− rings showed augmented response to phenylephrine‐mediated vasoconstriction when compared with WT. In human coronary arteries, vascular media and plaque, high abundance of fibronectin expression, and colocalization with TG2 were observed. Conclusions TG2 modulates vascular function/tone by altering SMC contractility independent of its crosslinking function and contributes to vascular stiffness by regulating SMC proliferation and matrix remodeling.
Follow‐up to determine unplanned hospitalization and complications after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Studies of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)‐related complications are inconsistent and sometimes have insufficient patient follow‐up. The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for ERCP‐related events, leading to hospitalization in the case of outpatients and prolonged hospital stay in the case of inpatients, using assiduous follow‐up and contemporaneous recording of data.
Episodic simulation and episodic memory can increase intentions to help others

Significance Humans are readily willing to help individuals in need, in part because they can adopt the thoughts and feelings of others. Here, we provide evidence of an additional mechanism facilitating empathic responses. Our experiments revealed that, when presented with a situation depicting another person’s plight, participants who imagined an event in which they help the person (episodic simulation) or remembered a related past event of actually helping others (episodic memory) showed increased prosocial intentions. The findings reported here provide a starting point for research that could be used to develop new strategies targeted at episodic mechanisms for promoting empathy, as well as to guide research that attempts to characterize and improve empathic deficits in patient populations. Empathy plays an important role in human social interaction. A multifaceted construct, empathy includes a prosocial motivation or intention to help others in need. Although humans are often willing to help others in need, at times (e.g., during intergroup conflict), empathic responses are diminished or absent. Research examining the cognitive mechanisms underlying prosocial tendencies has focused on the facilitating roles of perspective taking and emotion sharing but has not previously elucidated the contributions of episodic simulation and memory to facilitating prosocial intentions. Here, we investigated whether humans’ ability to construct episodes by vividly imagining (episodic simulation) or remembering (episodic memory) specific events also supports a willingness to help others. Three experiments provide evidence that, when participants were presented with a situation depicting another person’s plight, the act of imagining an event of helping the person or remembering a related past event of helping others increased prosocial intentions to help the present person in need, compared with various control conditions. We also report evidence suggesting that the vividness of constructed episodes—rather than simply heightened emotional reactions or degree of perspective taking—supports this effect. Our results shed light on a role that episodic simulation and memory can play in fostering empathy and begin to offer insight into the underlying mechanisms.
An integrated, structure- and energy-based view of the genetic code

The principles of mRNA decoding are conserved among all extant life forms. We present an integrative view of all the interaction networks between mRNA, tRNA and rRNA: the intrinsic stability of codon–anticodon duplex, the conformation of the anticodon hairpin, the presence of modified nucleotides, the occurrence of non-Watson–Crick pairs in the codon–anticodon helix and the interactions with bases of rRNA at the A-site decoding site. We derive a more information-rich, alternative representation of the genetic code, that is circular with an unsymmetrical distribution of codons leading to a clear segregation between GC-rich 4-codon boxes and AU-rich 2:2-codon and 3:1-codon boxes. All tRNA sequence variations can be visualized, within an internal structural and energy framework, for each organism, and each anticodon of the sense codons. The multiplicity and complexity of nucleotide modifications at positions 34 and 37 of the anticodon loop segregate meaningfully, and correlate well with the necessity to stabilize AU-rich codon–anticodon pairs and to avoid miscoding in split codon boxes. The evolution and expansion of the genetic code is viewed as being originally based on GC content with progressive introduction of A/U together with tRNA modifications. The representation we present should help the engineering of the genetic code to include non-natural amino acids.
The Safety and Feasibility of Image-Guided BrainPath-Mediated Transsulcul Hematoma Evacuation: A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND Subcortical injury resulting from conventional surgical management of intracranial hemorrhage may counteract the potential benefits of hematoma evacuation. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and potential benefits of a novel, minimally invasive approach for clot evacuation in a multicenter study. METHODS The integrated approach incorporates 5 competencies: (1) image interpretation and trajectory planning, (2) dynamic navigation, (3) atraumatic access system (BrainPath, NICO Corp, Indianapolis, Indiana), (4) extracorporeal optics, and (5) automated atraumatic resection. Twelve neurosurgeons from 11 centers were trained to use this approach through a continuing medical education-accredited course. Demographical, clinical, and radiological data of patients treated over 2 years were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS Thirty-nine consecutive patients were identified. The median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at presentation was 10 (range, 5-15). The thalamus/basal ganglion regions were involved in 46% of the cases. The median hematoma volume and depth were 36 mL (interquartile range [IQR], 27-65 mL) and 1.4 cm (IQR, 0.3-2.9 cm), respectively. The median time from ictus to surgery was 24.5 hours (IQR, 16-66 hours). The degree of hematoma evacuation was ≥90%, 75% to 89%, and 50% to 74% in 72%, 23%, and 5.0% of the patients, respectively. The median GCS score at discharge was 14 (range, 8-15). The improvement in GCS score was statistically significant ( P < .001). Modified Rankin Scale data were available for 35 patients. Fifty-two percent of those patients had a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2. There were no mortalities. CONCLUSION The approach was safely performed in all patients with a relatively high rate of clot evacuation and functional independence.
Cortical GABA in Subjects at Ultra-High Risk of Psychosis: Relationship to Negative Prodromal Symptoms

Abstract Background Whilst robust preclinical and postmortem evidence suggests that altered GABAergic function is central to the development of psychosis, little is known about whether it is altered in subjects at ultra-high risk of psychosis, or its relationship to prodromal symptoms. Methods Twenty-one antipsychotic naïve ultra-high risk individuals and 20 healthy volunteers underwent proton magnetic resonance imaging at 3T. Gamma-aminobutyric acid levels were obtained from the medial prefrontal cortex using MEGA-PRESS and expressed as peak-area ratios relative to the synchronously acquired creatine signal. Gamma-aminobutyric acid levels were then related to severity of positive and negative symptoms as measured with the Community Assessment of At-Risk Mental States. Results Whilst we found no significant difference in gamma-aminobutyric acid levels between ultra-high risk subjects and healthy controls (P=.130), in ultra-high risk individuals, medial prefrontal cortex GABA levels were negatively correlated with the severity of negative symptoms (P=.013). Conclusion These findings suggest that gamma-aminobutyric acidergic neurotransmission may be involved in the neurobiology of negative symptoms in the ultra-high risk state.
Multi-Constrained Graph Pattern Matching in large-scale contextual social graphs

Graph Pattern Matching (GPM) plays a significant role in social network analysis, which has been widely used in, for example, experts finding, social community mining and social position detection. Given a pattern graph GQ and a data graph GD, a GPM algorithm finds those subgraphs, GM, that match GQ in GD. However, the existing GPM methods do not consider the multiple constraints on edges in GQ, which are commonly exist in various applications such as, crowdsourcing travel, social network based e-commerce and study group selection, etc. In this paper, we first conceptually extend Bounded Simulation to Multi-Constrained Simulation (MCS), and propose a novel NP-Complete Multi-Constrained Graph Pattern Matching (MC-GPM) problem. Then, to address the efficiency issue in large-scale MC-GPM, we propose a new concept called Strong Social Component (SSC), consisting of participants with strong social connections. We also propose an approach to identify SSCs, and propose a novel index method and a graph compression method for SSC. Moreover, we devise a heuristic algorithm to identify MC-GPM results effectively and efficiently without decompressing graphs. An extensive empirical study on five real-world large-scale social graphs has demonstrated the effectiveness, efficiency and scalability of our approach.
Characteristics of tendon derived stem cells according to different factors to induce the tendinopathy

Tendon derived stem cells (TDSCs) have been used as a therapeutic agent and as a healing marker. However, there has been no study about the characteristics of TDSCs extracted from tendinopathic tendon tissues. The aim of this study was to find the different characteristics of TDSCs according to the factors to induce the tendinopathy. Five‐ and fifteen‐week old Sprague Dawley rats were used for this study and chemically‐induced and injury‐induced tendinopathy models were made depending on the age of the animal for different types of tendinopathy. TDSCs from chemically‐induced tendinopathy showed markedly low proliferation compared to those from age‐matched normal control and injury‐induced tendinopathy. In addition, TDSCs from chemically‐induced tendinopathy progressed to osteogenesis under an osteogenic differentiation environment more than those from other groups. In contrast, TDSCs from injury‐induced tendinopathy showed markedly high proliferation and high expression of type III collagen and α‐SMA compared to other groups. Adipogenic potentials in TDSCs from injury‐induced tendinopathy were also higher. These different characteristics might be helpful in the development new therapeutic agents for tendon regeneration according to different factors to induce the tendinopathy.
A system of evolutionary problems driven by a system of hemivariational inequalities

In this paper, we introduce the differential system obtained by mixing a system of evolution equations and a system of hemivariational inequalities ((SEESHVI), for short). We prove the superpositional measurability and upper semicontinuity for the solution set of a general system of hemivariational inequalities, and establish the non-emptiness and compactness of the solution set of (SEESHVI).
Children's understanding of the pretence–reality distinction: a review of current theory and evidence

This paper provides an update on the current status of theory and evidence relating to children's understanding of the pretence–reality distinction. The paper starts by highlighting the striking paradox between children's early competence in pretence and their experiences of pretence–reality confusions as late as middle childhood. This is followed by a detailed review of various theories that have been offered to explain this phenomenon. Specifically, theories attributing the paradoxical findings to methodological differences between studies are reviewed and dismissed before considering the transmigration and availability hypotheses (Harris, Brown, Marriott, Whittall & Harmer, 1991; Johnson & Harris, 1994), the role of context and the child's emotional involvement in the pretence, and the pretence continuation account (Golomb & Galasso, 1995). It is argued that none of these theories alone can explain pretence–reality confusions and that these are best explained in terms of the combined influences of cognitive availability, empirical evidence of reality, context, affect and individual differences. Further research is necessary to fully explore the nature, cause and developmental trajectory of individual differences in this domain.
Ammonia oxidisers in a non‐nitrifying Brazilian savanna soil

ABSTRACT Low nitrification rates in Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) soils have puzzled researchers for decades. Potential mechanisms include biological inhibitors, low pH, low microbial abundance and low soil moisture content, which hinders microbial activity, including ammonia oxidation. Two approaches were used to evaluate these potential mechanisms: (i) manipulation of soil moisture and pH in microcosms containing Cerrado soil and (ii) assessment of nitrification inhibition in slurries containing mixtures of Cerrado soil and an actively nitrifying agricultural soil. Despite high ammonium concentration in Cerrado soil microcosms, little NO3− accumulation was observed with increasing moisture or pH, but in some Cerrado soil slurries, ammonia‐oxidising archaea (AOA) amoA transcripts were detected after 14 days. In mixed soil slurries, the final NO3− concentration reflected the initial proportions of agricultural and Cerrado soils in the mixture, providing no evidence of nitrification inhibitors in Cerrado soil. AOA community denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles were similar in the mixed and nitrifying soils. These results suggest that nitrification in Cerrado soils is not constrained by water availability, ammonium availability, low pH or biological inhibitors, and alternative potential explanations for low nitrification levels are discussed.
Burden of salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and listeriosis: a time series analysis, Belgium, 2012 to 2020

Salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and listeriosis are food-borne diseases. We estimated and forecasted the number of cases of these three diseases in Belgium from 2012 to 2020, and calculated the corresponding number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The salmonellosis time series was fitted with a Bai and Perron two-breakpoint model, while a dynamic linear model was used for campylobacteriosis and a Poisson autoregressive model for listeriosis. The average monthly number of cases of salmonellosis was 264 (standard deviation (SD): 86) in 2012 and predicted to be 212 (SD: 87) in 2020; campylobacteriosis case numbers were 633 (SD: 81) and 1,081 (SD: 311); listeriosis case numbers were 5 (SD: 2) in 2012 and 6 (SD: 3) in 2014. After applying correction factors, the estimated DALYs for salmonellosis were 102 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 8–376) in 2012 and predicted to be 82 (95% UI: 6–310) in 2020; campylobacteriosis DALYs were 1,019 (95% UI: 137–3,181) and 1,736 (95% UI: 178–5,874); listeriosis DALYs were 208 (95% UI: 192–226) in 2012 and 252 (95% UI: 200–307) in 2014. New actions are needed to reduce the risk of food-borne infection with Campylobacter spp. because campylobacteriosis incidence may almost double through 2020.
Predictors of employment status among adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

BACKGROUND In the United States, adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience high rates of unemployment and underemployment in relation to adults with other disabilities and the general population. Yet there is little research examining their employment experiences and the predictors of employment status. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the employment characteristics and histories of both employed and unemployed adults with ASD, and the factors that contributed to their employment status. METHODS This cross-sectional study used an online survey and the Short Effort Reward Imbalance (ERI) Scale to gather data. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine predictors of employment status and self-reported health. RESULTS Of the 254 adults with ASD who participated in this study, 61.42% were employed and 38.58% were unemployed. Over half of the participants reported job imbalance on the Short ERI Scale and the vast majority did not receive any job assistance. Participants who disclosed their ASD diagnosis to their employer were more than three times as likely to be employed than those who did not disclose. Education level was also a significant predictor of employment status. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests disability disclosure and education level are factors that contribute to employment status.
The influence of the crutch setup on stability and weight-bearing parameters in post total hip replacement surgery patients during quiet standing

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the crutch setup on standing, in post total hip replacement (THR) surgery patients. Materials and methods: Thirty patients after THR were randomly assigned to walking with the elbow flexed (EF) or elbow straight (ES) crutch setup. Subjects were asked to stand on a force platform in a comfortable position with the crutch positioned on the unaffected side, facing forward for 10 seconds. Centre of pressure total path and maximal excursion were evaluated in both medio-lateral and anterior–posterior planes. Difference in the asymmetry of left/right acromial height, measured with and without the crutch, was calculated (ACdiff). Percentage of body weight borne by the crutch (Fcr), symmetry (SIload) between operated and healthy limbs loading during the trial, together with shoulder forces and moments were measured. Results: No significant differences between the two groups (p > .05) were found for stability parameters. ACdiff, Fcr and shoulder load increased significantly (p < .05) in EF group compared to ES group. In addition leg loading symmetry was significantly reduced in the EF group. Conclusions: The present study showed that the ES setup reduced the force borne by the crutch, the load on the shoulder joint and it minimized postural and loading asymmetries when compared to EF setup. Conversely, postural stability was not influenced by the crutch setup. Implications for Rehabilitation Static posture and weight-bearing parameters are influenced by crutch setup during quiet standing. Crutch setup does not influence postural stability. Adjusting the crutch according to the elbow straight setup reduces the force borne by the crutch and the asymmetry in lower limbs loading. Forces and moments at the shoulder joint were reduced for the elbow straight setup group.