Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of a Radioimmunoassay for Thyrotropin in Cattle

In mammals, thyrotropin, or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), assay is used for the diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is the most common type of thyroid disorder in cattle. The aim of this study was to develop and validate, under physiologic and pathologic conditions, a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for bovine TSH (bTSH). Double RIA was performed with purified bTSH and specific bovine antiserum. Laboratory validation included research of minimal detection limit, accuracy, and reproducibility. The physiologic validation included a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) challenge performed on euthyroid cows and a follow-up of bTSH concentration over a 24-hour period. Furthermore, bTSH concentration was assayed in a large population of healthy dairy and beef cows to define reference interval. The pathologic validation was made by assaying bTSH and thyroid hormones on healthy and goitrous newborn calves. The minimum detection limit (MDL) for bTSH assay was 1.3 μU/ml. The recovery was 101% to 106%. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation (CVs) ranged from 5% to 11% and 11% to 15%, respectively. The RIA covered the whole range of physiologic bTSH values, as shown by bTSH values induced by TRH-challenge. A pulsatile secretion of bTSH was observed, accompanied by a diurnal variation with lower night values than day values. Reference intervals of bTSH ranged from 1.3 to 13.0 μU/ml for beef and dairy breeds. Finally, bTSH easily discriminated goitrous newborn calves from healthy ones, leading to the definition of a cutoff value of 35 μU/ml. The bTSH assay positively reacted to physiologic and pathologic conditions. The accuracy and precision of the RIA were satisfying.
A Load Balancing Optimization Algorithm for Context-Aware Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Fuzzy Neural Networks

In wireless sensor networks, the load imbalance will seriously affect the performance of the whole networks, such as local traffic overload, congestion, idle resources and other problems. In this paper, a novel fuzzy neural network algorithm is proposed to solve the problem. First, the problem of load balancing in context-aware wireless sensor networks is analyzed, and the mathematical model is built up. Second, a load balancing optimization algorithm is brought combing neural network and fuzzy theory, and the whole process is also illustrated including learning, association, recognition and information processing. Third, through analyzing and studying a case, a load balancing problem is solved by simulation and comparison to show the potential of the proposed method. Last, some interesting conclusions and future work are indicated at the end of the paper.
Treatment of mental slowness: How to evaluate treatment effects. A systematic review of outcome measures

Brain-damaged patients with slow mental processes may be taught compensatory strategies that might enable them to minimise disabilities and participation problems in daily life. The effects of the application of compensatory strategies should be measured in these domains of functioning. We systematically reviewed existing outcome measures used to evaluate the consequences of mental slowness. We classified measures into four categories: (1) standardised neuropsychological tests; (2) tests or questionnaires measuring general cognitive impairment; (3) measures of general everyday functioning; and (4) measures of everyday consequences of mental slowness. The majority of measures for mental slowness focus on performance in specific cognitive tasks. We found seven studies that used nine measures which focused on task-related or perceived limitations in everyday functioning. We discuss a series of reasons why measures of the perception of slowness (including the perceived consequences of slowness) and the performance in everyday activities should be used. Such measures may be more likely to detect change or differences in performance and are certainly more relevant to patients.
A study of cultural cognitive and physical competencies in 4 -year -old African American children

A STUDY OF CULTURAL PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE COMPETENCIES IN 4-YEAR-OLD AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN FEBRUARY 2000 BEVERLYN CAIN, B.A., FINDLAY COLLEGE M.Ed., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Ed.D. , UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Ernest D. Washington The purpose of this research project is to expand Harter and Pike's Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance to include physical and cognitive competencies that are specific to African American children. Two pictorial tests were administered to a group of African American preschoolers (n=30) (Harter and Pike's Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance and Boykin and Allen Revised Afro-cultural dimensions). Observations of seven of the children during structured and unstructured periods of the day were formulated into mini case studies of "acting up or "acting out behavior" (Boykin's 1992 Prescriptive Pedagogy for African American children). Parent interviews explored African American child-rearing practices. Teacher questionnaires provided teacher perspective on children's physical and cognitive competencies. The results of the study suggest that Harter and Pike's Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance Scale can be combined with the Boykin and Allen Revised Scale to create a culturally appropriate scale. Mean and standard deviations in both instruments indicate that children in this study feel competent. The subscales attained v adequate reliability using Cronbach’s alpha level . 79. Multiple regression findings reveal spirituality as the significant predictor strongly correlated on the cognitive subscale (Harter & Pike). The spirituality and movement expression subscales from the Boykin and Allen Revised Scale were moderately correlated with the physical subscale from Harter and Pike. The teacher/child correlations showed weak agreement between tested behavior of children and teachers assessment of children's cognitive development. The physical domain from Harter and Pike showed agreement between tested behavior and teachers assessment. The seven mini-cases showed four steps of teacher interventions in "acting up" or "acting out" behaviors in young children: verbal and or physical guidance, ignoring inappropriate behavior, time out, and removal of child to another classroom for part of the day. Movement expression, verve, communalism, and spirituality are concepts to include when assessing African-American children’s competence development.
Assessment of Heart Rate Variability Thresholds from Incremental Treadmill Tests in Five Cross-Country Skiing Techniques

The assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) thresholds (HRVTs) as an alternative of Ventilatory thresholds (VTs) is a relatively new approach with increasing popularity which has not been conducted in cross-country (XC) skiing yet. The main purpose of the present study was to assess HRVTs in the five main XC skiing-related techniques, double poling (DP), diagonal striding (DS), Nordic walking (NW), V1 skating (V1), and V2 skating (V2). Ten competitive skiers completed these incremental treadmill tests until exhaustion with a minimum of one to two recovery days in between each test. Ventilatory gases, HRV and poling frequencies were measured. The first HRV threshold (HRVT1) was assessed using two time-domain analysis methods, and the second HRV threshold (HRVT2) was assessed using two non-time varying frequency-domain analysis methods. HRVT1 was assessed by plotting the mean successive difference (MSD) and standard deviation (SD) of normalized R-R intervals to workload. HRVT1 was assessed by plotting high frequency power (HFP) and the HFP relative to respiratory sinus arrhythmia (HFPRSA) with workload. HRVTs were named after their methods (HRVT1-SD; HRVT1-MSD; HRVT2-HFP; HRVT2-HFP-RSA). The results showed that the only cases where the proposed HRVTs were good assessors of VTs were the HRVT1-SD of the DS test, the HRVT1-MSD of the DS and V2 tests, and the HRVT2-HFP-RSA of the NW test. The lack of a wider success of the assessment of HRVTs was reasoned to be mostly due to the high entrainment between the breathing and poling frequencies. As secondary finding, a novel Cardiolocomotor coupling mode was observed in the NW test. This new Cardiolocoomtor coupling mode corresponded to the whole bilateral poling cycle instead of corresponding to each poling action as it was reported to the date by the existing literature.
Online Appendix

Section I presents a detailed analysis of whether MBAs who consented to the study in 2006 vary systematically from MBAs who did not. Section II presents a similar analysis of whether MBAs who answered the survey in 2015 vary systematically from those who did not. Section III describes in detail the numerous robustness checks reported in the paper but not fully described there due to space constraints. Section IV describes the procedures used to conduct the experiment and survey, including a sample of the instructions used to elicit preferences for competition. Lastly, Section V describes the additional variables used in the robustness checks.
Preserving residual renal function in dialysis patients: an update on evidence to assist clinical decision making

It has been documented that preservation of residual renal function in dialysis patients improves quality of life as well as survival. Clinical trials on strategies to preserve residual renal function are clearly lacking. While waiting for more results from clinical trials, patients will benefit from clinicians being aware of available knowledge. The aim of this review was to offer an update on current evidence assisting doctors in clinical practice.
Role of the Lateral Paragigantocellular Nucleus in the Network of Paradoxical (REM) Sleep: An Electrophysiological and Anatomical Study in the Rat

The lateral paragigantocellular nucleus (LPGi) is located in the ventrolateral medulla and is known as a sympathoexcitatory area involved in the control of blood pressure. In recent experiments, we showed that the LPGi contains a large number of neurons activated during PS hypersomnia following a selective deprivation. Among these neurons, more than two-thirds are GABAergic and more than one fourth send efferent fibers to the wake-active locus coeruleus nucleus. To get more insight into the role of the LPGi in PS regulation, we combined an electrophysiological and anatomical approach in the rat, using extracellular recordings in the head-restrained model and injections of tracers followed by the immunohistochemical detection of Fos in control, PS-deprived and PS-recovery animals. With the head-restrained preparation, we showed that the LPGi contains neurons specifically active during PS (PS-On neurons), neurons inactive during PS (PS-Off neurons) and neurons indifferent to the sleep-waking cycle. After injection of CTb in the facial nucleus, the neurons of which are hyperpolarized during PS, the largest population of Fos/CTb neurons visualized in the medulla in the PS-recovery condition was observed in the LPGi. After injection of CTb in the LPGi itself and PS-recovery, the nucleus containing the highest number of Fos/CTb neurons, moreover bilaterally, was the sublaterodorsal nucleus (SLD). The SLD is known as the pontine executive PS area and triggers PS through glutamatergic neurons. We propose that, during PS, the LPGi is strongly excited by the SLD and hyperpolarizes the motoneurons of the facial nucleus in addition to local and locus coeruleus PS-Off neurons, and by this means contributes to PS genesis.
Use of a Staphylococcus aureus conjugate vaccine in patients receiving hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND In patients with decreased resistance to infection, Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of bacteremia and its complications. The capsular polysaccharides are essential for the pathogenesis of and immunity to S. aureus infection and are targets for vaccines. METHODS In a double-blind trial involving patients with end-stage renal disease who were receiving hemodialysis, we evaluated the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of a vaccine with S. aureus type 5 and 8 capsular polysaccharides conjugated to nontoxic recombinant Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. Between April 1998 and August 1999, 1804 adult patients at 73 hemodialysis centers were randomly assigned to receive a single intramuscular injection of either vaccine or saline. IgG antibodies to S. aureus type 5 and 8 capsular polysaccharides were measured for up to two years, and episodes of S. aureus bacteremia were recorded. Efficacy was estimated by comparing the incidence of S. aureus bacteremia in the patients who received the vaccine with the incidence in the control patients. RESULTS Reactions to the vaccine were generally mild to moderate, and most resolved within two days. The capsular polysaccharides elicited an antibody response of at least 80 microg per milliliter (the estimated minimal level conferring protection) in 80 percent of patients for type 5 and in 75 percent of patients for type 8. The efficacy during weeks 3 to 54 was only 26 percent (P=0.23). However, between weeks 3 and 40 after vaccination, S. aureus bacteremia developed in 11 of 892 patients in the vaccine group who could be evaluated for bacteremia, as compared with 26 of 906 patients in the control group (estimate of efficacy, 57 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 10 to 81 percent; nominal P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS In patients receiving hemodialysis, a conjugate vaccine can confer partial immunity against S. aureus bacteremia for approximately 40 weeks, after which protection wanes as antibody levels decrease.
Identification of bloodmeals in haematophagous Diptera by cytochrome B heteroduplex analysis

We developed a DNA assay for bloodmeal identification in haematophagous insects. Specific host cytochrome B gene sequences were amplified by PCR and classified on the basis of their mobility in a heteroduplex assay. In the blackfly Simulium damnosum s.l. (Diptera: Simuliidae), human cytochrome B DNA sequences were identifiable up to 3 days following ingestion of the bloodmeal. In the tsetse Glossina palpalis (Diptera: Glossinidae) collected from tsetse traps in Ivory Coast, bloodmeals were identified as taken from domestic pigs on the basis of their heteroduplex pattern and DNA sequence. Evidently the cytochrome B sequence shows sufficient interspecific variation to distinguish between mammalian host samples, while exhibiting minimal intraspecific variation. The stability of DNA in bloodmeals, for several days post‐ingestion by haematophagous insects, allows PCR‐HDA assays to be used reliably for host identification.
An Assessment of Change in Risk Perception and Optimistic Bias for Hurricanes Among Gulf Coast Residents

This study focuses on levels of concern for hurricanes among individuals living along the Gulf Coast during the quiescent two‐year period following the exceptionally destructive 2005 hurricane season. A small study of risk perception and optimistic bias was conducted immediately following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Two years later, a follow‐up was done in which respondents were recontacted. This provided an opportunity to examine changes, and potential causal ordering, in risk perception and optimistic bias. The analysis uses 201 panel respondents who were matched across the two mail surveys. Measures included hurricane risk perception, optimistic bias for hurricane evacuation, past hurricane experience, and a small set of demographic variables (age, sex, income, and education). Paired t‐tests were used to compare scores across time. Hurricane risk perception declined and optimistic bias increased. Cross‐lagged correlations were used to test the potential causal ordering between risk perception and optimistic bias, with a weak effect suggesting the former affects the latter. Additional cross‐lagged analysis using structural equation modeling was used to look more closely at the components of optimistic bias (risk to self vs. risk to others). A significant and stronger potentially causal effect from risk perception to optimistic bias was found. Analysis of the experience and demographic variables’ effects on risk perception and optimistic bias, and their change, provided mixed results. The lessening of risk perception and increase in optimistic bias over the period of quiescence suggest that risk communicators and emergency managers should direct attention toward reversing these trends to increase disaster preparedness.
Detection of Cardiac Hypertrophy in the Fetus by Approximation of the Current Dipole Using Magnetocardiography

To determine the developmental changes in the myocardial current during fetal life, and to evaluate the clinical usefulness of magnetocardiography for prenatal diagnosis of cardiac hypertrophy or enlargement, we approximated the magnitude of the one-current dipole of the fetal heart using fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG). A total of 95 fetuses with gestational age of 20–40 wk were included in this study. fMCG was recorded with a nine-channel superconducting quantum interference device system in a magnetically shielded room. The magnitude of the dipole (Q) was calculated using an equation based on the fMCG amplitude obtained on the maternal abdomen and the distance between the maternal surface and fetal heart measured ultrasonographically. In uncomplicated pregnancies, the Q value correlated significantly with gestational age, reflecting an increase in the amount of myocardial current, i.e. myocardial mass. Moreover, the Q values in fetuses with cardiomegaly caused by various cardiovascular abnormalities tended to be higher than the normal values. Although there are some limitations of the methodology based on the half-space model, and fetal orientation may influence the magnitude of the dipole, making it smaller, fMCG recorded with a multichannel superconducting quantum interference device system is a clinically useful tool for noninvasive, prenatal, and electrical evaluation of fetal cardiac hypertrophy.
From Bedside to Graveside: Increased Stress among Healthcare Chaplains

The authors conducted a survey of Baylor Health Care System chaplains in an attempt to understand the stress they experience when leading funeral services of staff, staff family members, and patients. The intensity of stress experienced by these chaplains appears to be related to the cause of death, the deceased's age, and the relationship the deceased had with the chaplain. Further research is needed to corroborate these findings as well as to investigate how chaplains manage their own grief when they are involved in the grief experiences of patients and families.
The effects of burnout and supervisory social support on the relationship between work-family conflict and intention to leave: a study of Australian cancer workers.

PURPOSE The aim of this paper is to examine the effects of burnout and supervisory social support on the relationship between work-family conflict, and intention to leave of cancer workers in an Australian health care setting. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Data collected from a public hospital of 114 cancer workers were used to test a model of the consequences of work-family conflict. The strength of the indirect effects of work-family conflict on intention to leave via burnout will depend on supervisor support was tested by conducting a moderated mediation analysis. FINDINGS Path analytic tests of moderated mediation supported the hypothesis that burnout mediates the relationship between work-family conflict (i.e., work-in-family conflict and family-in-work) and intention to leave the organisation and that the mediation framework is stronger in the presence of higher social supervisory support. Implications are drawn for theory, research and practice. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This study applies the innovative statistical technique of moderated mediation analysis to demonstrate that burnout mediates the relationship between work-family conflict and intention to leave the organisation and that the mediation framework is stronger in the presence of lower social supervisory support. In the context of the continued shortage of many clinician groups theses results shed further light on the appropriate course of action for hospital management.
Monocarboxylate transport inhibition alters retinal function and cellular amino acid levels

We assessed the effect of the in vivo application of monocarboxylate transport inhibitors on retinal function and amino acid immunocytochemistry. We wanted to determine the impact that altered aerobic metabolite availability has on retinal function and the characteristics of amino acid shunting into metabolic pools. Electroretinograms were collected from anaesthetized rats at various times after intravitreal injection of the monocarboxylate transport inhibitors α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamate (4‐CIN; 2 µL, 0.1–10 mm) or p‐(dipropylsulphamoyl)benzoic acid (probenecid; 1–10 mm). Changes in retinal function were compared with quantitative amino acid immunocytochemical changes in retinas harvested 20 and 40 min after either 4‐CIN or vehicle treatment. The injection of 4‐CIN resulted in a dose‐dependent reduction of the ON‐bipolar cell P2 wave amplitude (20–80%) and delay in its implicit time. The phototransduction sensitivity was mildly reduced whereas the ON‐bipolar cell P2 sensitivity was unaffected. Probenecid induced functional changes similar to those observed with 4‐CIN. We also mapped the amino acid alterations within specific cell classes induced by 4‐CIN application. All neurones displayed a reduced glutamate content averaging 48%; reduced GABA (31%) and glycine (28%) were found within amacrine cells and glutamine was reduced in all cell classes except photoreceptor and Müller cells. All cell classes in the retina demonstrated increases in aspartate (57%), whereas leucine (24%) and ornithine (21%) were only significantly increased in photoreceptor and bipolar cells. The reduction in glutamate immunolabelling in specific retinal cell classes was mirrored by an increase in aspartate levels at these locations. In addition, attenuated glutamine immunolabelling also closely matched the spatial pattern observed for glutamate. Our immunocytochemical analysis provides evidence that monocarboxylate transport inhibition induces a shift in the equilibrium of glutamate transamination reactions involving aspartate throughout the retina whereas photoreceptor and bipolar cells also use glutamate transamination reactions involving ornithine and leucine. The distribution pattern of glutamine secondary to monocarboxylate inhibition suggests that this amino acid is a major precursor for glutamate throughout the retina.