Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tinnitus as a prognostic factor of sudden deafness

Conclusions. The ‘tinnitus-rare’ group had a poorer prognosis for hearing than the ‘tinnitus-often’ group in all sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), although the ‘shorter duration’ group had better prognosis than the ‘longer duration’ when restricted to SSNHL accompanied by tinnitus. This indicates that tinnitus itself may not be a sign for poor hearing prognosis but might be an essential sound for the initiation of repair of a damaged auditory system. Objectives. We examined the hearing improvement rate (HIR) and tinnitus at the onset of SSNHL to elucidate the prognostic value of tinnitus accompanying SSNHL. Patients and methods. Fifty patients with SSNHL were treated with systemic administration of steroids. Hearing recovery was determined by comparing the hearing levels before and after treatment. Tinnitus was subjectively evaluated by the tinnitus scoring questionnaire. The score for the five-step evaluation of the subjective tinnitus feelings ‘loudness’, ‘duration’ and ‘annoyance’ was obtained at the onset. Results. In terms of ‘duration’, when we divided all the cases into ‘tinnitus-rare’ group and ‘tinnitus-often’ group, HIR in the ‘tinnitus-rare’ group was significantly lower than that in ‘tinnitus-often’ group. When restricted to the ‘tinnitus-often’ group, HIR for ‘shorter duration’ was significantly higher than that for ‘longer duration’.
The undrained shear strength of soft clay reinforced with group encapsulated lime bottom ash columns

This research was aimed to investigate the role of group encapsulated lime bottom ash columns in improving the shear strength by using laboratory scale model. Kaolin was being used as soil sample and lime bottom ash as the reinforced columns. The reinforc ed kaolin samples were tested by using Unconfined Compression Test (UCT). A total 7 batches of kaolin sample had been tested and each batch consist of 3 specimens represent sample without lime bottom ash column, partially penetration and fully penetration for group lime bottom ash columns. The specimen used was 50 mm i n diameter and 100 mm in height . The height of the group columns was 60 mm, 80 mm and 100 mm with 10 mm and 16 mm column diameter . The group encapsulated lime bottom ash columns was installed in the triangular pattern, as it was much easier to maintain the location of installed columns and the spacing in between the columns. The improvement of shear strength of group encapsulated lime bottom ash columns with area replacement ratio of 12.00 % (1 0 mm column diameter) and 30.72 % (16 mm column diameter) was 29.00 %, 44.17 %, 29.75 % and 1.00 %, 3.92 %, 7.33 % at sample penetration ratio, H c /H s of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 respectively. It can be concluded that the shear strength of soft clay could be improv ed by the installation of group encapsulated lime bottom ash columns. However, the improvement of shear strength of 10 mm group encapsulated lime bottom ash columns was increased more significant compared to 16 mm group encapsulated lime bottom ash columns .
Relation between premorbid personality and patterns of emotion expression in mid‐ to late‐stage dementia

Twenty‐seven nursing home patients with mid‐ to late‐stage dementia participated in a study of the relation between preillness personality, as indexed by attachment and emotion regulation style, and current emotional behavior. Preillness measures were completed by family members and current assessments of emotion were supplied by nursing home aides and family members; in addition, emotion was coded during a family visit using an objective coding system for facial emotion expressions. Attachment style was found to be related to the expression of positive affect, with securely attached individuals displaying more positive affect than avoidantly attached individuals. In addition, high ratings on premorbid hostility were associated with higher rates of negative affect and lower rates of positive affect. These findings indicate that premorbid aspects of personality show continuity over time, even in mid‐ to late‐stage dementia. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Doing the laundry with agents: a field trial of a future smart energy system in the home

Future energy systems that rely on renewable energy may bring about a radical shift in how we use energy in our homes. We developed and prototyped a future scenario with highly variable, real-time electricity prices due to a grid that mainly relies on renewables. We designed and deployed an agent-based interactive system that enables users to effectively operate the washing machine in this scenario. The system is used to book timeslots of washing machine use so that the agent can help to minimize the cost of a wash by charging a battery at times when electricity is cheap. We carried out a deployment in 10 households in order to uncover the socio-technical challenges around integrating new technologies into everyday routines. The findings reveal tensions that arise when deploying a rationalistic system to manage contingently and socially organized domestic practices. We discuss the trade-offs between utility and convenience inherent in smart grid applications; and illustrate how certain design choices position applications along this spectrum.
Corticosterone induces steroidogenic lesion in cultured adult rat leydig cells by reducing the expression of star protein and steroidogenic enzymes

The present study was designed to investigate the dose‐dependent direct effect of corticosterone on adult rat Leydig cell steroidogenesis in vitro. Leydig cells were isolated from the testis of normal adult male albino rats, purified on discontinuous Percoll gradient and plated in culture plates/flasks overnight at 34°C in a CO2 incubator under 95% air and 5% CO2 using DME/F12 medium containing 1% fetal bovine serum. After the attachment of cells, serum‐containing medium was removed and cells were exposed to different doses (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 nM) of corticosterone using serum‐free fresh medium for 24 h at 34°C. At the end of exposure period, cells were utilized for assessment of the activities and mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes (cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme, 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and cytochrome P450 aromatase) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene expression. Testosterone and estradiol production were also quantified. Activities of cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme, 3β‐ and 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were declined significantly in a dose‐dependent manner after corticosterone exposure, while their mRNA expression were significantly reduced at higher doses of corticosterone exposure. The activity and mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 aromatase registered a significant increase at 100 nM dose of corticosterone whereas at 200–800 nM doses both the activity as well as the mRNA levels was significantly reduced below the basal level. StAR protein gene expression was significantly inhibited by higher doses of corticosterone employed. At all doses employed, corticosterone significantly reduced the production of testosterone by Leydig cells, while estradiol level registered a significant increase at 50 and 100 nM doses but at higher doses, it registered a significant decrease when compared to basal level. It is concluded from the present in vitro study that the molecular mechanism by which corticosterone reduces the production of Leydig cell testosterone is by reducing the activities and mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 1472–1487, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DVD-based stories of people with developmental disabilities as resources for inter-professional education

Purpose. The use of DVD stories about people with developmental disabilities within inter-professional education (IPE) across healthcare disciplines was evaluated. Methods. First year healthcare students (n == 241) from an IPE unit responded to an attitude scale before and after viewing and discussing a DVD portraying the life and healthcare needs of an adult with cerebral palsy; a third round of data collection occurred later. Qualitative data were obtained from four first year and six second year tutors who discussed student reactions to the DVD. Six first year and four second year students participated in focus groups following viewing of a second DVD, about a young girl with developmental disabilities and complex health needs. Results. ANOVA of the attitude scores did not show significant differences from pre- to post-viewing and discussion of the DVD, nor at a third round of data collection. Qualitative analysis revealed that the DVDs did cause students to shift assumptions, perceptions and understanding of the disabilities depicted, and to learn about their own and other professions. Conclusions. DVD scenarios of real people with developmental disabilities in real settings offer a means of providing IPE opportunities. The data also point to the need and directions for the development of a new attitudinal measure.
A 25-Year Follow-Up Study of Drug Addicts Hospitalised for Acute Hepatitis: Present and Past Morbidity

The aim of the study was to investigate present and past morbidity in drug addicts, 25 years after hospitalisation for acute hepatitis B or hepatitis nonA-nonB. The hospital records for 214 consecutively admitted patients were analysed, and a follow-up study on 66 of the 144 patients still alive was performed. At follow-up, 1 of 54 (1.8%) hepatitis B patients was still HBsAg positive. Twelve patients originally diagnosed as hepatitis nonA-nonB were all among 54 found to be anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) positive, and the total anti-HCV prevalence was 81.8%. Twelve (22.2%) of the HCV cases were unknown before the follow-up examination. Four (6.1%) participants were anti-human immunodeficiency virus positive, only 1 was on antiretroviral therapy, and none had developed AIDS. Other chronic somatic diseases were a minor problem, whereas drug users reported skin infections as a frequent complication. Forty-three patients (65%) had abandoned addictive drugs since the hospital stay. Serious mental disorders were reported by 19 patients (28.8%), and 17 (25.8%) regarded themselves as present (9) and former (8) compulsive alcohol drinkers. A large proportion of the participants were granted disability pension (39%), a majority because of psychiatric disorders, drug and alcohol abuse.
Ontology-Based High-Level Context Inference for Human Behavior Identification

Recent years have witnessed a huge progress in the automatic identification of individual primitives of human behavior, such as activities or locations. However, the complex nature of human behavior demands more abstract contextual information for its analysis. This work presents an ontology-based method that combines low-level primitives of behavior, namely activity, locations and emotions, unprecedented to date, to intelligently derive more meaningful high-level context information. The paper contributes with a new open ontology describing both low-level and high-level context information, as well as their relationships. Furthermore, a framework building on the developed ontology and reasoning models is presented and evaluated. The proposed method proves to be robust while identifying high-level contexts even in the event of erroneously-detected low-level contexts. Despite reasonable inference times being obtained for a relevant set of users and instances, additional work is required to scale to long-term scenarios with a large number of users.
Formaldehyde column density measurements as a suitable pathway to estimate near‐surface ozone tendencies from space

In support of future satellite missions that aim to address the current shortcomings in measuring air quality from space, NASA's Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from Column and Vertically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER‐AQ) field campaign was designed to enable exploration of relationships between column measurements of trace species relevant to air quality at high spatial and temporal resolution. In the DISCOVER‐AQ data set, a modest correlation (r2 = 0.45) between ozone (O3) and formaldehyde (CH2O) column densities was observed. Further analysis revealed regional variability in the O3‐CH2O relationship, with Maryland having a strong relationship when data were viewed temporally and Houston having a strong relationship when data were viewed spatially. These differences in regional behavior are attributed to differences in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. In Maryland, biogenic VOCs were responsible for ~28% of CH2O formation within the boundary layer column, causing CH2O to, in general, increase monotonically throughout the day. In Houston, persistent anthropogenic emissions dominated the local hydrocarbon environment, and no discernable diurnal trend in CH2O was observed. Box model simulations suggested that ambient CH2O mixing ratios have a weak diurnal trend (±20% throughout the day) due to photochemical effects, and that larger diurnal trends are associated with changes in hydrocarbon precursors. Finally, mathematical relationships were developed from first principles and were able to replicate the different behaviors seen in Maryland and Houston. While studies would be necessary to validate these results and determine the regional applicability of the O3‐CH2O relationship, the results presented here provide compelling insight into the ability of future satellite missions to aid in monitoring near‐surface air quality.
Genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease

Genetic factors are important in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Familial AD can result from rare mutations in some genes. Other genes, such as the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE), operate as risk factors for late‐onset sporadic AD. On a background of advances in the genetics of AD we suggest a way in which genetic information may be used in the diagnosis of AD.
Evaluating commercial biological and foliar fertilizers potentials in cowpea nutrient uptake and yield in Sahel savanna of Niger Republic.

Many Rhizobium, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma based inoculants on one hand, and foliar fertilizers on the other hand are commercially produced, mostly in developed countries, and available in sub-Saharan African markets. However, studies on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) responses to these microbial and chemical products in the Sahel savanna agroecological zone do somewhat not exist. RACA6 (Bradyrhizobium sp.), Rhizatech (Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) and Eco-T (Trichoderma harzianum) were the microbial inoculants used either in single or combined application with two foliar fertilizers (Agroleaf high P and Agrolyser). The response of cowpea to rhizobial inoculant was not significant for shoot dry weight. T. harzianum slightly increased while Rhizatech and RACA6 decreased the shoot dry weight. P uptake was significantly improved by the biological and foliar fertilizers application. Direct application of P increased grain yield more than biofertilization. This study was aimed at getting an insight of microbiological fertilizer in cowpea production. Further attention could be given to how rapid and effective soil microbes could be selected.
Association of upregulated activity of KATP channels with impaired insulin secretion in UCP1‐expressing insulinoma cells

Insulin‐secreting MIN6 cells overexpressing uncoupling protein‐1 (UCP1) were studied regarding insulin secretion in response to various secretagogues. Overexpression of UCP1 prevented an increase of cytosolic ATP levels induced by glucose. In contrast, glucose utilization was not affected, nor was glycerol phosphate flux. The UCP1‐expressing cells showed an inability to increase cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in response to glucose or α ketoisocaproate and this resulted in less insulin secretion, whereas initial reduction in [Ca2+]i occurring upon either nutrient addition was not affected. Moreover, the effectiveness of tolbutamide on [Ca2+]i increase was reduced and the dose‐response relations for insulin secretion induced by the agent was shifted toward the right in the UCP1‐expressing cells. The resting membrane potential of the UCP1‐expressing cells was significantly hyperpolarized by 6.2 mV compared with control cells. In the perforated and conventional whole‐cell patch‐clamp configurations, the conductance density of ATP‐sensitive K+ (KATP) channels of the UCP1‐expressing cells was 6‐fold and 1.7‐fold greater than that of the control cells, respectively. The sensitivity of KATP channels for tolbutamide was not different between two groups, indicating that in intact cells more than 6‐fold higher concentrations of tolbutamide were required to reduce the KATP channel currents of UCP1‐expressing cells to the same levels as of the control cells. The current density of the voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels was not influenced. In conclusion, UCP1‐expressing cells showed a refractoriness to respond to tolbutamide as well as nutrients. An upregulated activity of KATP channels was associated with unresponsiveness to the agent in the cells with impaired mitochondrial function.
The use of non-timber forest products in Lao P.D.R.

Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) techniques were developed to study the use of NTFP's in 28 villages in Lao PDR. Main use of NTFP's is for subsistence: bamboo-shoots, fish, vegetables, wildlife are considered by local people as the most important products from the forest. Women tend to collect more plant food products. men more animal products. NTFP's also provide on average 55% of family cash income. Roth wealthy and poor families collect NTFP's such as cardamom (Amomum spp.), fish, wildlife. damar resin (from Shorea spp.) and bambooshoots to sell. Poorer families who often need cash to buy rice depend often on NTFP's as their only source of cash income. The quantities and prices of exported NTFP's from Lao PDR have increased dramatically in the last 3 years. Typical export products are (1) cardamom, (2) damar resin(3) sugar palm fruits (Arenga saccharifera),(4) bong bark (Notaphoebe umbelliflora), (5) broom-grass (Thysanolaema maxima), (6) orchids stems (mainly Dendrobium spp.), (7) rattan canes (Calamus spp), (8) paper mulberry bark (Broussonetia payrifera), (9) dried lizards (Gekko spp.), (10) yang oil, an oleoresin tappedfrom Dipterocarpus alatus and (11) malva nuts (Sterculia lychnophora). The main issues threatening the sustainable use of NTFP's are the general state of poverty among rural people, rapid deforestation, market pressure from outsiders, unstable prices, difficult transport, lack of processing capacity, lack of access to information, uncertainty on forest access rights giving little incentives for communities to manage forests. The project pursues a participatory planning process (PRA) with user groups in pilot villages to design and carry out village-level experiments on planting NTFP's as a cash crop, sustainable harvesting, processing/quality control, marketing, land allocation and community based forest management. Research on specific topics (e.g. role of NTFP's in nutrition, gender analysis. feasibility studies for processing/marketing), training of staff/user groups and monitoring and evaluation are continuing to feed into the on-going PRA process.
Vascular Risk Factors and Alzheimer's Disease

Objective: We aim to summarise the recent and accumulating epidemiological research which suggests that cardiovascular disease and vascular risk factors play an important role as risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in later life. Method: The epidemiological literature is summarised in considering the evidence for such an association, focusing on optimally designed population-based studies. Potential mechanisms of association are considered, drawing on relevant findings from neuroscience. Results: Cardiovascular disease and vascular risk disorders appear to be important factors in the aetiology of AD. However, there is a paucity of prospective studies with an adequate duration of follow-up to investigate the apparent age- and time-dependent nature of these associations. Conclusions: Vascular disorders represent potentially preventable risk factors with an important population impact due to their high prevalence in developed countries. The concept of AD and vascular dementia as clearly distinguishable disorders clinically or aetiologically is becoming increasingly tenuous. A better understanding of the relationship between AD and vascular disorders will depend on a more flexible diagnostic and conceptual framework.
Long-Term Inhibition of the Glucagon Receptor with a Monoclonal Antibody in Mice Causes Sustained Improvement in Glycemic Control, with Reversible α-Cell Hyperplasia and Hyperglucagonemia

Uncontrolled hepatic glucose output (HGO) contributes significantly to the pathological hyperglycemic state of patients with type 2 diabetes. Glucagon, through action on its receptor, stimulates HGO, thereby leading to increased glycemia. Antagonizing the glucagon signaling pathway represents an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We previously reported the generation and characterization of several high-affinity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the glucagon receptor (GCGR). In the present study, we demonstrate that a 5-week treatment of diet-induced obese mice with mAb effectively normalized nonfasting blood glucose. Similar treatment also reduced fasting blood glucose without inducing hypoglycemia or other undesirable metabolic perturbations. In addition, no hypoglycemia was found in db/db mice that were treated with a combination of insulin and mAb. Long-term treatment with the mAb caused dose-dependent hyperglucagonemia and minimal to mild α-cell hyperplasia in lean mice. There was no evidence of pancreatic α-cell neoplastic transformation in mice treated with mAb for as long as 18 weeks. Treatment-induced hyperglucagonemia and α-cell hyperplasia were reversible after treatment withdrawal for periods of 4 and 10 weeks, respectively. It is noteworthy that pancreatic β-cell function was preserved, as demonstrated by improved glucose tolerance throughout the 18-week treatment period. Our studies further support the concept that long-term inhibition of GCGR signaling by a mAb could be an effective approach for controlling diabetic hyperglycemia.