Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hormonal Control of Pancreatic Secretion by Intrajejunal HCl: Studies in Dogs with an Autotransplanted Entire Jejunoileum

To elucidate the role of hormones in the control of pancreatic secretion, we developed, in seven dogs, a model of total extrinsic denervation of the jejunoileum by autotransplanting this segment of bowel. A Thomas-like cannula was placed into the stomach, the duodenum (to collect pure pancreatic juice), and the proximal part of the jejunum. Thus, intestinal stimulants could only stimulate the pancreas via release of humoral (= hormonal) mediators. Seven control dogs received only the three fistulas. After recovery, dose-response curves of pancreatic bicarbonate and protein response to perfusion of the extrinsically denervated or innervated jejunoileum with HC1 (1.5 to 48 mmol h−1) were performed with and without atropine (14 nmol kg−1 h−1 i.v.). Plasma levels of secretin were determined by radioimmunoassay. The maximal bicarbonate output occurred in response to 24 mmol h−1 of HC1 and was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in intact as compared to denervated animals. Atropine only significantly depressed the bicarbonate response to HC1 in dogs with a denervated jejunoileum. HC1 caused a dose-dependent increase in plasma levels of secretin, which was not altered by denervation and/or atropine. Irrespective of the innervation of the small bowel, pancreatic protein output was only significantly stimulated above basal when high loads (12–48 mmol h−1) of HC1 were given. Atropine significantly reduced these responses. We conclude that (a) intrajejunal HC1 stimulates pancreatic bicarbonate and protein secretion via release of hormones; (b) extrinsic denervation of the jejunoileum lowers the maximal pancreatic bicarbonate response to intrajejunal HC1; (c) cholinergic extrinsic nerves of the jejunoileum are probably not involved in the control of pancreatic bicarbonate response to HC1; (d) release of secretin by HC1 does not depend on the extrinsic and intrinsic cholinergic nerves of the jejunoileum; and (e) high loads of HC1 stimulate pancreatic protein output by an atropine-sensitive mechanism that is independent of the integrity of the extrinsic nerves of the jejunoileum.
Phytochemical Screening and Polyphenolic Antioxidant Activity of Aqueous Crude Leaf Extract of Helichrysum pedunculatum

We evaluated the in vitro antioxidant property and phytochemical constituents of the aqueous crude leaf extract of Helichrysum pedunculatum. The scavenging activity on superoxide anions, DPPH, H2O2, NO and ABTS; and the reducing power were determined, as well as the flavonoid, proanthocyanidin and phenolic contents of the extract. The extract exhibited scavenging activity towards all radicals tested due to the presence of relatively high total phenol and flavonoids contents. Our findings suggest that H. pedunculatum is endowed with antioxidant phytochemicals and could serve as a base for future drugs.
Nonspecific Factors in Resistance of Mice to Experimental Tuberculosis

Youmans, Guy P. (Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.), and Anne S. Youmans. Nonspecific factors in resistance of mice to experimental tuberculosis. J. Bacteriol. 90:1675–1681. 1965. —In contrast to viable attenuated mycobacterial cells, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not produce an acute pulmonary granulomatous response in mice, did not decrease the tolerance of mice to early subsequent intravenous injections of viable attenuated mycobacterial cells, nor did it increase susceptibility to tuberculous infection when injected simultaneously with virulent mycobacterial cells. When the injection of E. coli LPS was followed by the intravenous injection of virulent mycobacterial cells, there was a moderate increase in resistance to tuberculous infection which was maximal 7 to 14 days after the LPS injection. The degree of increased resistance to tuberculous infection was approximately the same as that produced by nearly maximal tolerated doses of heat-killed attenuated mycobacterial cells, and to that produced by a trichloroacetic acid extract of heat-killed attenuated mycobacterial cells. It is suggested that the major, if not entire, immunizing component of heat-killed attenuated mycobacterial cells resides in a heat-stable “nonspecific” component. A “multiple response” theory of immunity to tuberculosis is proposed.
PENERAPAN PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS MASALAH UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN PENALARAN MATEMATIS DAN SELF CONFIDENCE

This research aimed to know the increasing of studentâ€™s mathematical reasoning skill and self-confidence which was taught by problem based learning compared to the conventional learning. The design of this research was pretest posttest control group design. The population of this research was all students of grade 8 th of SMPN 12 Bandarlampung in academic year of 2013/2014 that was distributed into nine classes. The samples of this research were students of VIII H and VIII I class who were taken by purposive sampling technique. The research data were obtained by test of mathematical reasoning skill and self-confidence scale. The conclusion of this research was the problem based learning could increase the studentâ€™s mathematical reasoning skill, but it couldnâ€™t increase the studentâ€™s self confidence . Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui peningkatan kemampuan penalaran matematis dan self-confidence siswa yang mengikuti pembelajaran berbasis masalah dibandingkan pembelajaran konvensional. Desain penelitian ini adalah pretest posttest control group design . Populasi penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas VIII di SMPN 12 Bandarlampung tahun pelajaran 2013/2014 yang terdistribusi dalam sembilan kelas. Sampel penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas VIII H dan VIII I yang diambil dengan teknik purposive sampling . Data penelitian diperoleh melalui tes kemampuan penalaran matematis dan skala self-confidence . Kesimpulan penelitian ini adalah pembelajaran berbasis masalah dapat meningkatkan kemampuan penalaran matematis siswa, namun tidak dapat meningkatkan self-confidence siswa. Kata kunci : kemampuan penalaran matematis, pembelajaran berbasis masalah , self-confidence
Evaluation of Osseointegration around Tibial Implants in Rats by Ibandronate-Treated Nanotubular Ti-32Nb-5Zr Alloy

Materials with differing surfaces have been developed for clinical implant therapy in dentistry and orthopedics. This study was designed to evaluate bone response to titanium alloy containing Ti-32Nb-5Zr with nanostructure, anodic oxidation, heat treatment, and ibandronate coating. Rats were randomly assigned to two groups for implantation of titanium alloy (untreated) as the control group and titanium alloy group coated with ibandronate as the experimental group. Then, the implants were inserted in both tibiae of the rats for four weeks. After implantation, bone implant interface, trabecular microstructure, mechanical fixation was evaluated by histology, micro-computed tomography (μCT) and the push-out test, respectively. We found that the anodized, heat-treated and ibandronate-coated titanium alloy triggered pronounced bone implant integration and early bone formation. Ibandronate-coated implants showed elevated values for removal torque and a higher level of BV/TV, trabecular thickness and separation upon analysis with μCT and mechanical testing. Similarly, higher bone contact and a larger percentage bone area were observed via histology compared to untreated alloy. Furthermore, well coating of ibandronate with alloy was observed by vitro releasing experiment. Our study provided evidences that the coating of bisphosphonate onto the anodized and heat-treated nanostructure of titanium alloy had a positive effect on implant fixation.
Poorer phonetic perceivers show greater benefit in phonetic-phonological speech learning.

PURPOSE Previous research has demonstrated that native English speakers can learn lexical tones in word context (pitch-to-word learning), to an extent. However, learning success depends on learners' pre-training sensitivity to pitch patterns. The aim of this study was to determine whether lexical pitch-pattern training given before lexical training could improve learning and whether or not the extent of improvement depends on pre-training pitch-pattern sensitivity. METHOD Learners with high and low pitch-pattern sensitivity were given training on lexical pitch patterns before lexical training. RESULTS It was found that such training resulted in better learning than lexical training alone, primarily in learners with low pre-training pitch-pattern sensitivity. CONCLUSION These data support the importance of considering individual aptitudes when developing training and also the notion of phonetic-phonological-lexical continuity in word learning.
Leadership development : the role of developmental readiness, personality dispositions,and individual values.

Increased awareness of the crucial role of leadership as a competitive advantage for organisations (McCall, 1998; Petrick, Scherer, Brodzinski, Quinn, & Ainina, 1999) has led to billions spent on leadership development programmes and training (Avolio & Hannah, 2008). However, research reports confusing and contradictory evidence regarding return on investment and developmental outcomes, and a lot of variance has been observed across studies (Avolio, Reichard, Hannah, Walumbwa, & Chan, 2009). The purpose of this thesis is to understand the mechanisms underlying this variability in leadership development. Of the many factors at play in the process, such as programme design and delivery, organisational support, and perceptions of relevance (Mabey, 2002; Day, Harrison, & Halpin, 2009), individual differences and characteristics stand out. One way in which individuals differ is in their Developmental Readiness (DR), a concept recently introduced in the literature that may well explain this variance and which has been proposed to accelerate development (Avolio & Hannah, 2008, 2009). Building on previous work, DR is introduced and conceptualised somewhat differently. In this study, DR is construed of self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-motivation, proposed by Day (2000) to be the backbones of leadership development. DR is suggested to moderate the developmental process. Furthermore, personality dispositions and individual values are proposed to be precursors of DR. The empirical research conducted uses a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental design. Before conducting the study, though, both a measure of Developmental Readiness and a competency profiling measure are tested in two pilot studies. Results do not find evidence of a direct effect of leadership development programmes on development, but do support an interactive effect between DR and leadership development programmes. Personality dispositions Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience and value orientations Conservation, Open, and Closed Orientation are found to significantly predict DR. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications of findings are discussed.
Using the PRECEDE Model in Understanding Determinants of Quality of Life Among Iranian Male Addicts

Quality of Life (QOL) in opiate-addicted patients who are receiving methadone maintenance therapy is one of the important issues to be considered in the treatment of addiction. To determine a needs assessment using the PRECEDE model to find out factors related to QOL among Iranian male opiate addicts. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kermanshah, Iran in 2013. A total of 762 male opiate addicts, who were referred to addiction treatment centers for receiving methadone maintenance treatment, were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study. SF-12, predisposing factors, enabling factors, reinforcement factors, and methadone maintenance treatment intention were used to find the related factors. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software (ver. 21.0) using the t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), bivariate correlations, and linear regression at 95% significant level. Linear regression analysis showed the determinant variable accounted for 17% of the variation in QOL. Our findings suggest, providing social support for addicts could be beneficial results for the increasing quality of life among them.
Influence of Biosurfactants from Probiotic Bacteria on Formation of Biofilms on Voice Prostheses

ABSTRACT Biofilms were grown on preconditioned voice prostheses with biosurfactants obtained from probiotic bacteria Lactococcus lactis 53 and Streptococcus thermophilus A in an artificial throat model. Both biosurfactants greatly reduced microbial numbers on prostheses and also induced a decrease in the airflow resistance that occurs on voice prostheses after biofilm formation. This study presents a promising strategy for prolonging the lifespan of voice prostheses.
A Haplotype-Based Case-Control Study Examining Human Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase Gene and Essential Hypertension

It has been reported that oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension (EH), which is a multifactorial disorder. Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) protects the human body from oxidative stress by converting the toxic superoxide anion (O2−) into less toxic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In EC-SOD knockout mice, blood pressure was reported to be significantly higher than that seen in wild-type mice. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the relationship between EH and the human EC-SOD gene by using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a haplotype-based case-control study. We selected 6 SNPs within the human EC-SOD gene (rs13306703, rs699473, rs699474, rs17881426, rs2536512 and rs1799895), and then performed case-control studies in 243 EH patients and 251 age-matched normotensive (NT) subjects. In Japanese subjects, no heterogeneity was found for rs699474, and no significant differences were observed between the EH and NT groups for the overall distribution of the genotypes or the alleles for each of the SNPs. However, in the haplotype-based case-control study that used rs13306703 and rs2536512, significant differences were observed in the overall distribution (x 2 = 14.26, p =0.003). The frequency of the T-A haplotype was significantly higher in the EH group than in the NT group (2.4% vs 0.0 %, p <0.001). Based on the results of our haplotype-based case-control study, the T-A haplotype may be a genetic marker for EH, and thus the EC-SOD gene might be a susceptibility gene for EH.
A Novel Spectrum Sharing Technique Based on Channel Occupancy Rate Information

This paper proposes a novel spectrum sharing technique for an existing wireless local area network (LAN) system (primary user) based on IEEE 802.11a, and a new system (secondary user) equipped with the proposed spectrum sharing technique. Both systems are assumed to behave according to carrier sense multiple accesses with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) protocol. An objective of spectrum sharing techniques is to achieve higher secondary user's throughput while the primary user's throughput is maintained. We utilize one key parameter, the channel occupancy rate (COR), which is the channel usage rate of the primary or secondary system. The proposed spectrum sharing technique is the minimum CW size selection (MCWSS) for secondary users to control the COR of secondary system. We set an alternative objective which is to maximize the COR for secondary system while COR of the primary system is maintained. By computer simulations, we show that by the MCWSS secondary user can maintain the constraint for the primary system and achieve the target COR performance and it leads to the higher secondary user's throughput performance, while maintaining the primary user's throughput performance.
Rationale for targeting the Wnt signalling modulator Dickkopf‐1 for oncology

Wnt signalling is a fundamental pathway involved in embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. Mutations in the pathway frequently lead to developmental defects and cancer. As such, therapeutic intervention of this pathway has generated tremendous interest. Dickkopf‐1 (DKK1) is a secreted inhibitor of β‐catenin‐dependent Wnt signalling and was originally characterized as a tumour suppressor based on the prevailing view that Wnt signalling promotes cancer pathogenesis. However, DKK1 appears to increase tumour growth and metastasis in preclinical models and its elevated expression correlates with a poor prognosis in a range of cancers, indicating that DKK1 has more complex cellular and biological functions than originally appreciated. Here, we review current evidence for the cancer‐promoting activity of DKK1 and recent insights into the effects of DKK1 on signalling pathways in both cancer and immune cells. We discuss the rationale and promise of targeting DKK1 for oncology.
School-Based Behavioral Assessment: Informing Intervention and Instruction. The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series.

Introduction to School-based Behavioral Assessment. Behavioral Assessment within the Context of the Whole School. Using Extant Data in Behavioral Assessment. Systematic Direct Observation. Direct Behavior Ratings. Behavior Rating Scales. Putting it all Together: Selecting Behavioral Assessment Tools. Appendix: Guidelines for Summarizing and Interpreting Behavioral Data.
Predicting product adoption in large-scale social networks

Online social networks offer opportunities to analyze user behavior and social connectivity and leverage resulting insights for effective online advertising. We study the adoption of a paid product by members of a large and well-connected Instant Messenger (IM) network. This product is important to the business and poses unique challenges to advertising due to its low baseline adoption rate. We find that adoption by highly connected individuals is correlated with their social connections (friends) adopting after them. However, there is little evidence of social influence by these high degree individuals. Further, the spread of adoption remains mostly local to first-adopters and their immediate friends. We observe strong evidence of peer pressure wherein future adoption by an individual is more likely if the product has been widely adopted by the individual's friends. Social neighborhoods rich in adoptions also continue to add more new adoptions compared to those neighborhoods that are poor in adoption. Using these insights we build predictive models to identify individuals most suited for two types of marketing campaigns - direct marketing where individuals with highest propensity for future adoption are targeted with suitable ads and social neighborhood marketing which involves messaging to members of the social network who are most effective in using the power of their network to convince their friends to adopt. We identify the most desirable features for predicting future adoption of the PC To Phone product which can in turn be leveraged to effectively promote its adoption. Offline analysis shows that building predictive models for direct marketing and social neighborhood marketing outperforms several widely accepted marketing heuristics. Further, these models are able to effectively combine user features and social features to predict adoption better than using either user features or social features in isolation.
Selective upregulation of platelet-derived growth factor alpha receptors by transforming growth factor beta in scleroderma fibroblasts

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), a multifunctional cytokine, is an indirect mitogen for human fibroblasts through platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), particularly the A ligand-alpha receptor arm of that system. TGF-beta effects on PDGF alpha receptor expression were studied in vitro using ligand binding techniques in three human dermal fibroblast strains: newborn foreskin, adult skin, and scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc). Each cell strain responded differently to TGF-beta. In newborn foreskin fibroblasts, PDGF alpha receptor number decreased in a dose-dependent manner after exposure to low concentrations of TGF-beta (0.1-1 ng/ml). Responses of normal skin fibroblasts were varied, and mean net receptor number was unchanged. Increases in PDGF alpha receptor number by TGF-beta occurred consistently with SSc fibroblasts and low concentrations of TGF-beta (0.1-1 ng/ml) were particularly stimulatory. Increased surface expression of alpha receptor subunit by TGF-beta in SSc fibroblasts correlated with increased new PDGF alpha receptor synthesis as demonstrated by radioimmunoprecipitation analysis of metabolically labeled cells and with increased steady-state levels of corresponding mRNAs. In normal adult skin fibroblasts, TGF-beta had no effect on either synthesis or mRNA expression of alpha receptor subunits. Proliferative responses to PDGF-AA after pretreatment with TGF-beta correlated positively with effects of TGF-beta on expression of alpha receptor subunit. Decreased mitogenic responses to PDGF-AA were observed in foreskin fibroblasts, small changes in responses in adult fibroblasts, and significant increases in SSc fibroblasts. Thus, costimulation with PDGF-AA and TGF-beta selectively enhanced proliferation of fibroblasts with the SSc phenotype. Immunohistochemical examination of SSc and control skin biopsies revealed the presence of PDGF-AA in SSc skin. Data obtained by ligand binding, immunoprecipitation, mRNA, and mitogenic techniques are consistent with the hypothesis that activation of the PDGF-AA ligand/alpha receptor pathway is a characteristic of the SSc fibroblast and may contribute to the expansion of fibroblasts in SSc.
Joint Transmission with Limited Backhaul Connectivity

Downlink beamforming techniques with low signaling overhead are proposed for joint processing coordinated (JP) multi-point transmission. The objective is to maximize the weighted sum rate within joint transmission clusters. As the considered weighted sum rate maximization is a non-convex problem, successive convex approximation techniques, based on weighted mean-squared error minimization, are applied to devise algorithms with tractable computational complexity. Decentralized algorithms are proposed to enable JP even with limited backhaul connectivity. These algorithms rely provide a variety of alternatives for signaling overhead, computational complexity and convergence behavior. Time division duplexing is exploited to design transceiver training techniques for two scenarios: stream specific estimation and direct estimation. In the stream specific estimation, the base station and user equipment estimate all of the stream specific precoded pilots individually and construct the transmit/receive covariance matrices based on these pilot estimates. With the direct estimation, only the intended transmission is separately estimated and the covariance matrices constructed directly from the aggregate system-wide pilots. The impact of feedback/backhaul signaling quantization is considered, in order to further reduce the signaling overhead. Also, user admission is being considered for time-correlated channels. The enhanced transceiver convergence rate enables periodic beamformer reinitialization, which greatly improves the achieved system performance in dense networks.
On test conditions for the detection of open defects

The impact of test conditions on the detectability of open defects is investigated. We performed an inductive fault analysis on representative standard gates. The simulation results show that open-like defects result in a wide range of different voltage-delay dependencies, ranging from a strongly increasing to a strongly decreasing delay as a function of voltage. The behaviour is not only determined by the defect location but also by the test pattern. Knowing the expected behaviour of a certain defect location helps failure localisation. The detectability of a defect is strongly determined by the behaviour of the affected path as well as that of the longest path. Our simulations and measurements show that in general elevated supply voltages give a better detectability of open-like defects