Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myeloid-Specific Deletion of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor Reduces Infarct Volume and Alters Inflammation During Cerebral Ischemia

Background and Purpose— Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists have protective effects in rodent models of ischemic stroke, but the cell type-specific actions of these drugs are unknown. In the present study, we examined the contribution of myeloid cell MR during focal cerebral ischemia using myeloid-specific MR knockout mice. Methods— Myeloid-specific MR knockout mice were subjected to transient (90 minutes) middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 24 hours reperfusion (n=5 to 7 per group). Ischemic cerebral infarcts were identified by hematoxylin and eosin staining and quantified with image analysis software. Immunohistochemical localization of microglia and macrophages was performed using Iba1 staining, and the expression of inflammatory markers was measured after 24 hours of reperfusion by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results— Myeloid-specific MR knockout resulted in a 65% reduction in infarct volume (P=0.005) after middle cerebral artery occlusion. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in activated microglia and macrophages in the ischemic core. Furthermore, myeloid-specific MR knockout suppressed classically activated M1 macrophage markers tumor necrosis factor-&agr;, interleukin-1&bgr;, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1&agr;, and interleukin-6 at the same time as partially preserving the induction of alternatively activated, M2, markers Arg1, and Ym1. Conclusions— These data demonstrate that myeloid MR activation exacerbates stroke and identify myeloid MR as a critical target for MR antagonists. Furthermore, these data indicate that MR activation has an important role in controlling immune cell function during the inflammatory response to stroke.
Seismic studies of the northern Cascadia accretionary prism: sediment consolidation and gas hydrates

T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s . v L is t OF T a b l e s . via L ist OF FIGURES . ix A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s . xii C h a p t e r 1 In t r o d u c t i o n . i 1.1 Summary of Geological and Geophysical Investigations in the Region of Northern Cascadia Subduction Margin off Vancouver Island Margin . I 1.2 Regional Plate Tectonic Setting of the Northern Cascadia Subduction M argin. 5 1.3 Structure of the Continental Shelf and Terrane Accretion.c 1.4 Previous Studies of Fluid Expulsion and Sediment Consolidation in Accretionary Prism Sediments and Gas Hydrates in Saturated Porous Sediments. 8 1.4. 1 Studies of fluid Expulsion and Sediment Consolidation. ^ 1.4. 2 Studies of Bottom-Simulating Reflector Associated with Gas Hydrates . 10 C h a p t e r 2 S e is m ic V e l o c i t y S t u d ie s o f T h e A c c r e t i o n a r y P r ism . 14 2.1 Multichannel Reflection D a ta . 14 2.2 Velocity Analysis of the Basin and Wedge Sediments. 18 2.2.1 Procedure of the Velocity Analysis. 18 2.2.2 Estimate of Velocity Errors.19 2.2.3 Seismic Velocity Structure on L89-04 . 22 2.2. 4 Seismic Velocity Structure on L89-07 . 25 2.2. 5 Constraints on the Velocities in the Slope Region . 28 2.3 Sediment porosity Variations of the Accretionary P rism . 33
Nurses Knowledge regarding Blood transfusion in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar

Background: Blood transfusion is a critical and life-saving procedure in medical practice, necessitating high levels of knowledge and competency among healthcare providers, particularly nurses, to ensure patient safety and minimize risks associated with transfusion. Despite its importance, gaps in knowledge and training among nursing professionals can significantly impact the quality of care and patient outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of nurses regarding blood transfusion practices at a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar and to identify educational gaps that could be addressed to improve the safety and efficacy of transfusion services. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among Registered Nurses working at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. A total of 206 nurses were recruited using convenience sampling. The blood transfusion knowledge questionnaire, adapted from previous studies with modifications to include demographic questions and specific queries related to blood transfusion, was used for data collection. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, focusing on calculating means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages. Results: The study found that 63.60% of the participants were female, and the majority (52.4%) were aged between 31 to 40 years. Regarding blood transfusion practices, 89.3% correctly identified the use of a blood transport box for transporting blood from the blood bank to the ward. Furthermore, 90.77% acknowledged checking the details on the bag label and blood request form as the first step in collecting a blood bag. However, the study highlighted a moderate level of overall knowledge about blood transfusion among nurses, with significant gaps in training and education noted. Conclusion: The findings suggest that while nurses at the tertiary care hospital in Peshawar have a reasonable understanding of some aspects of blood transfusion practices, there is a clear need for enhanced training programs and the inclusion of comprehensive transfusion medicine education in nursing curricula. Addressing these gaps is essential for improving patient safety and the overall quality of care in transfusion services.
Correction: Whole Genome Comparisons Suggest Random Distribution of Mycobacterium ulcerans Genotypes in a Buruli Ulcer Endemic Region of Ghana

Efforts to control the spread of Buruli ulcer – an emerging ulcerative skin infection caused byMycobacterium ulcerans have been hampered by our poor understanding of reservoirs and transmission. To help address this issue, we compared whole genomes from 18 clinical M. ulcerans isolates from a 30km region within the Asante Akim North District, Ashanti region, Ghana, with 15 otherM. ulcerans isolates from elsewhere in Ghana and the surrounding countries of Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. Contrary to our expectations of finding minor DNA sequence variations among isolates representing a singleM. ulcerans circulating genotype, we found instead two distinct genotypes. One genotype was closely related to isolates from neighbouring regions of Amansie West and Densu, consistent with the predicted local endemic clone, but the second genotype (separated by 138 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] from other Ghanaian strains) most closely matchedM. ulcerans from Nigeria, suggesting another introduction ofM. ulcerans to Ghana, perhaps from that country. Both the exotic genotype and the local Ghanaian genotype displayed highly restricted intra-strain genetic variation, with less than 50 SNP differences across a 5.2Mbp core genome within each genotype. Interestingly, there was no discernible spatial clustering of genotypes at the local village scale. Interviews revealed no obvious epidemiological links among BU patients who had been infected with identicalM. ulcerans genotypes but lived in geographically separate villages. We conclude thatM. ulcerans is spread widely across the region, with multiple genotypes present in any one area. These data give us new perspectives on the behaviour of possible reservoirs and subsequent transmission mechanisms of M. ulcerans. These observations also show for the first time thatM. ulcerans can be mobilized, introduced to a new area and then spread within a population. Potential reservoirs of PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases | DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd. 0003681 March 31, 2015 1 / 14 a11111
Ionogels Based on Poly(methyl methacrylate) and Metal-Containing Ionic Liquids: Correlation between Structure and Mechanical and Electrical Properties

Ionogels (IGs) based on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and the metal-containing ionic liquids (ILs) bis-1-butyl-3-methlimidazolium tetrachloridocuprate(II), tetrachloride cobaltate(II), and tetrachlorido manganate(II) have been synthesized and their mechanical and electrical properties have been correlated with their microstructure. Unlike many previous examples, the current IGs show a decreasing stability in stress-strain experiments on increasing IL fractions. The conductivities of the current IGs are lower than those observed in similar examples in the literature. Both effects are caused by a two-phase structure with micrometer-sized IL-rich domains homogeneously dispersed an IL-deficient continuous PMMA phase. This study demonstrates that the IL-polymer miscibility and the morphology of the IGs are key parameters to control the (macroscopic) properties of IGs.
Business Strategy and Leadership Style: Impact on Organizational Performance in the Manufacturing Sector of Ghana

This study sought to investigate the impact of leadership styles and business strategy on the organizational performance of small medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector of Ghana. This had become necessary due to the fact that available literature on the subject matter lacked precision in terms of the specific leadership style and strategy which could better be employed to improve performance in the chosen area of study. A field survey (by means of questionnaires) was conducted in Accra, involving 60 CEOs and senior managers drawn from 10 organizations, which were randomly sampled for the study. In addition, a time series data from 2008 to 2013 on sales, profits before tax and employment from the 10 organizations were collected to develop performance indices for the organizations. Regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were then run to examine the relationship between leadership, strategy and organizational performance. The study revealed that leadership and business strategy statistically and significantly impacted on organizational performance but strategy had greater influence. Again, transformational leadership style and cost leadership significantly influenced organizational behaviour (p = 0.000 < 0.01) but transactioanal leadership style, differentiation and focus strategies did not. The study recommends that SMEs should take advantage of transformational leadership style and cost leadership to enhance growth and induce greater organizational performance.
A framework of software process tailoring for small and medium size IT companies

Global software development has brought a number of revolutionary changes in the existing software development practices. Project outsourcing and agile based methodologies have emerged as the new generation of processes and practices. As a result of project outsourcing, small and medium sized software development companies have increased in large number. Due to the limitations of resources these companies are unable to follow traditional heavyweight software engineering approaches and thus follow lightweight agile methodologies. Creating a new process from the scratch in also not possible for them and they prefer to adapt a software process according to their own requirements. The existing works on software process tailoring are very general and superficial and do not provide guidelines to small and medium sized software development companies. This research addresses this issue and presents a process tailoring framework which is based on the critical elements of agile methodologies. Both case study of real projects and survey questionnaires have been used to validate the framework. The initial results show that the framework completely identifies the important elements of projects in small and medium sized companies and derives the schema of process tailoring. The outcome of the research is the lightweight process tailoring framework which generates a process tailoring schema for small and medium sized (SMEs) software development companies.
Systemic and neurologic autoimmune disorders associated with seizures or epilepsy

In this article, we review the incidence and significance of seizures in well‐established autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes mellitus, celiac disease, thyroid disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The five following presentations discuss the incidence and possible pathogenesis of epilepsies that are found in these well‐known autoimmune conditions. There is a large body of evidence describing the clinical presentation of seizures with MS and SLE, and showing that refractory epilepsy can complicate these already challenging disorders. However, the mechanisms involved are complex and generally not well understood. Neurologic syndromes, including seizure disorders, can also be a feature of celiac disease (CD) or subclinical CD, sometimes associated with cerebral calcification. The association between type‐1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and epilepsy is unclear and requires more definitive epidemiologic analysis, despite the fact that antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase may provide a link between the two conditions. The association between thyroid disorders and encephalopathies, often termed Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, is well known but the pathogenic significance of antithyroid antibodies in this condition is still debated. In general, the relationships between autoimmune mechanisms and seizures in these conditions are unclear; the seizures are likely to be caused by a variety of mechanisms, including ischemia, neuronal damage, and specific and nonspecific immunity.
Development and validation of the Perceived Food Environment Questionnaire in a French-Canadian population

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire assessing perceived food environment in a French-Canadian population. Design A questionnaire, the Perceived Food Environment Questionnaire, was developed assessing perceived accessibility to healthy (nine items) and unhealthy foods (three items). A pre-test sample was recruited for a pilot testing of the questionnaire. For the validation study, another sample was recruited and completed the questionnaire twice. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the items to assess the number of factors (subscales). Cronbach’s α was used to measure internal consistency reliability. Test–retest reliability was assessed with Pearson correlations. Setting Online survey. Subjects Men and women from the Québec City area (n 31 in the pre-test sample; n 150 in the validation study sample). Results The pilot testing did not lead to any change in the questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-subscale structure. The first subscale is composed of six items assessing accessibility to healthy foods and the second includes three items related to accessibility to unhealthy foods. Three items were removed from the questionnaire due to low loading on the two subscales. The subscales demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0·77 for healthy foods and 0·62 for unhealthy foods) and test–retest reliability (r=0·59 and 0·60, respectively; both P<0·0001). Conclusions The Perceived Food Environment Questionnaire was developed for a French-Canadian population and demonstrated good psychometric properties. Further validation is recommended if the questionnaire is to be used in other populations.
Prevalence and Intensity of Water Hyacinth Infestation in the Water Bodies of Rift Valley, Ethiopia

This assessment was accomplished with the objective of mapping and identifying the infestation of water hyacinth in order to lay ground for any type of management practices or intervention planned. Accordingly, survey on the prevalence and intensity of water hyacinth infestation was made in some water bodies having connection with the Awash River including Abasamuel Dam, Koka Dam, Lake Ellen, Wonji Sugar Estate and Awash River near Koka Town. As a result, summarized data on prevalence of water hyacinth in the assessed water bodies indicated that the value that ranged from 17 -100% was observed. Moreover, the highest water hyacinth prevalence was recorded in Ellen (100%), Melka Hida (100%), Dodo wedera (98%) and Tere (96%), while the lowest (<20%) was recorded at Wonji-Shoa. Furthermore, the highest water hyacinth count [308 plants per quadrat (m 2 )] was recorded at Koka Dam, whereas the lowest [12.00 plants per quadrat (m 2 )] was found in Wonji-Shoa. Generally, the distribution map also confirmed that there was high degree of variability among water bodies in their infestation with water hyacinth that ranged from free to high. The result clearly revealed that the infestation of weed was increasing from time to time causing enormous negative effect by making the water inaccessible for utilization and by affecting the livelihood of the community directly and indirectly. Hence, integrated effort of community, governmental and non-governmental organization in reducing the disastrous effect of the weed on the society was mandatory.
Physical and sexual lifetime violence: prevalence and influence on fear of childbirth before, during and after delivery

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of self-reported lifetime violence and to assess whether women exposed to any physical violence or sexual violence (SEV) had a higher risk of having fear of childbirth (FOC) before, during or after delivery compared with women without such history. Methods. FOC was measured at three time points in this Danish multicentre cohort study. Data were based on two self-administered questionnaires filled in by 2638 obstetrically low-risk nulliparous women together with data collected during labour. The women were grouped according to severity: never experienced violence (NEV), moderate physical violence (MPV), severe physical violence (SPV) and SEV. Results. In total, 426 women (16.1%) reported experience of MPV as the most vehement type of violence, another 262 women (9.9%) had experienced SPV and further 244 women (9.2%) had experienced SEV. Experience of SEV was associated with an increased risk of severe FOC after delivery compared with women from NEV, odds ratio 1.5 (95% confidence intervals: 1.02–2.27). Conclusions. Women with a lifetime experience of SEV appeared with severe FOC only after delivery. Hence, healthcare personnel may need to consider women without obvious FOC during pregnancy but at increased risk, as seen in women exposed to SEV.
Equine herpesvirus type 1 tegument protein VP22 is not essential for pathogenicity in a hamster model, but is required for efficient viral growth in cultured cells

VP22 is a major tegument protein of Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) that is a conserved protein among alphaherpesviruses. However, the roles of VP22 differ among each virus, and the roles of EHV-1 VP22 are still unclear. Here, we constructed an EHV-1 VP22 deletion mutant and a revertant virus to clarify the role of VP22. We found that EHV-1 VP22 was required for efficient viral growth in cultured cells, but not for virulence in a hamster model.
Ca2+ triggers massive exocytosis in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

We have tracked the cell surface area of CHO cells by measuring the membrane capacitance, Cm. An increase in cytosolic [Ca2+], [Ca2+]i, increased the cell surface area by 20–30%. At micromolar [Ca2+]i the increase occurred in minutes, while at 20 microM or higher [Ca2+]i it occurred in seconds and was transient. GTPgammaS caused a 3% increase even at 0.1 microM [Ca2+]i. We conclude that CHO cells, previously thought capable only of constitutive exocytosis, can perform Ca2+‐triggered exocytosis that is both massive and rapid. Ca2+‐triggered exocytosis was also observed in 3T3 fibroblasts. Our findings add evidence to the view that Ca induces exocytosis in cells other than known secretory cells.
SHREC'10 Track: Large Scale Retrieval

This paper is a report on the 3D Shape Retrieval Constest 2010 (SHREC'10) track on large scale retrieval. This benchmark allows evaluating how wel retrieval algorithms scale up to large collections of 3D models. The task was to perform 40 queries in a dataset of 10000 shapes. We describe the methods used and discuss the results and signifiance analysis.
Predicting human gaze using low-level saliency combined with face detection

Under natural viewing conditions, human observers shift their gaze to allocate processing resources to subsets of the visual input. Many computational models try to predict such voluntary eye and attentional shifts. Although the important role of high level stimulus properties (e.g., semantic information) in search stands undisputed, most models are based on low-level image properties. We here demonstrate that a combined model of face detection and low-level saliency significantly outperforms a low-level model in predicting locations humans fixate on, based on eye-movement recordings of humans observing photographs of natural scenes, most of which contained at least one person. Observers, even when not instructed to look for anything particular, fixate on a face with a probability of over 80% within their first two fixations; furthermore, they exhibit more similar scan-paths when faces are present. Remarkably, our model's predictive performance in images that do not contain faces is not impaired, and is even improved in some cases by spurious face detector responses.
Estimating pasture biomass with active optical sensors

We investigated relationship between pasture biomass and measures of height and NDVI (normalised difference vegetation index). The pastures were tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea ), perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ), and phalaris ( Phalaris aquatica ) located in Tasmania, Victoria and in the Northern Tablelands of NSW, Australia. Using the Trimble® GreenSeeker® Handheld active optical sensor (AOS) to measure NDVI, and a rising plate meter, the optimal model to estimate green dry biomass (GDM) during two years was a combination of NDVI and falling plate height index. The combined index was significantly correlated with GDM in each region during winter and spring (r 2 =0.62–0.77, P
Beyond boundaries? Activism, academia, reflexivity and research

Summary In this paper, I draw on my own experiences to question some of the boundaries constructed around notions of activism and academia. Firstly, I introduce activism as a discursively produced concept with potential both to challenge and to support social exclusion. I propose an inclusive, reflexive view of activism that places us all as ‘activists’. Using this understanding of activism and the work of feminist and other critical geographers, I consider the role of reflexivity within research and other activist projects. Drawing on my own experiences of activism, I then explore some of the boundaries that reproduce the academic-activist binary. I suggest such boundaries are actively constructed and may compromise the liberatory potential of academic research. I conclude the article by suggesting that a reflexivity grounded in the contingency of our lives can support activism within the academy and beyond.
Directed lattice animals in 2 dimensions : numerical and exact results

We study several models of directed animals (branched polymers) on a square lattice. We present a transfer matrix method for calculating the properties of these directed animals when the lattice is a strip of finite width. Using the phenomenological renormalization, we obtain accurate predictions for the connective constants and for the exponents describing the length and the width of large animals (03BD~ = 9/11 and 03BD = 1/2). For a parti- cular model of site animals, we present and prove some exact results that we discovered numerically concerning the connective constant and the eigenvector of the transfer matrix when the eigenvalue is one. We also propose a conjecture for the number of animals which generalizes the expression guessed by Dhar, Phani and Barma.