Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life after Laparoscopic and Open Resection of Colorectal Cancer

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) outcomes after colorectal surgery for cancer from a 6-month perspective at a single institution. Methods: Cohort study to prospectively assess postoperative QOL in patients who underwent elective colorectal resection at the University Hospital Ostrava. QOL was assessed using the validated Short Form 36 (SF-36v2™) questionnaire at fixed time points. Results: A total of 148 patients were enrolled in the study (83 and 65 patients underwent laparoscopic and open colorectal resection, respectively). Operative time was significantly longer (161 vs. 133 min; p = 0.0073) and length of hospital stay was significantly shorter (10.7 vs. 13.1 days; p = 0.0451) in the laparoscopic group. Overall 30-day morbidity rates were lower in the laparoscopic group, but the difference was not significant (27.7 vs. 33.8%; p = 0.2116). QOL scores were comparable in both study groups before surgery (p ≥ 0.05). QOL was statistically significantly lower 2 days and 1 week after open colorectal surgery compared with laparoscopic surgery. One month and 6 months after surgery, there were no statistically significant differences between groups. Conclusion: The present study suggests a higher postoperative QOL during the first month after laparoscopic colorectal resection could be one of the benefits of laparoscopy.
P-Components and the Homogeneous Decomposition of Graphs

In this paper we introduce and investigate the notion of p-connectedness. As it turns out, this concept leads naturally to a unique tree representation for arbitrary graphs: the leaves of this tree are the p-connected components along with weak vertices, that is, vertices of the graph that belong to no p-connected component. We then show how to refine this decomposition to obtain a new decomposition that extends the well-known modular decomposition.
Intake of mercury from fish, lipid peroxidation, and the risk of myocardial infarction and coronary, cardiovascular, and any death in eastern Finnish men.

BACKGROUND Even though previous studies have suggested an association between high fish intake and reduced coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality, men in Eastern Finland, who have a high fish intake, have an exceptionally high CHD mortality. We hypothesized that this paradox could be in part explained by high mercury content in fish. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied the relation of the dietary intake of fish and mercury, as well as hair content and urinary excretion of mercury, to the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and death from CHD, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and any cause in 1833 men aged 42 to 60 years who were free of clinical CHD, stroke, claudication, and cancer. Of these, 73 experienced an AMI in 2 to 7 years. Of the 78 decreased men, 18 died of CHD and 24 died of CVD. Men who had consumed local nonfatty fish species had elevated hair mercury contents. In Cox models with the major cardiovascular risk factors as covariates, dietary intakes of fish and mercury were associated with significantly increased risk of AMI and death from CHD, CVD, and any death. Men in the highest tertile (> or = 2.0 micrograms/g) of hair mercury content had a 2.0-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 3.1; P = .005) age- and CHD-adjusted risk of AMI and a 2.9-fold (95% CI, 1.2 to 6.6; P = .014) adjusted risk of cardiovascular death compared with those with a lower hair mercury content. In a nested case-control subsample, the 24-hour urinary mercury excretion had a significant (P = .042) independent association with the risk of AMI. Both the hair and urinary mercury associated significantly with titers of immune complexes containing oxidized LDL. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that a high intake of mercury from nonfatty freshwater fish and the consequent accumulation of mercury in the body are associated with an excess risk of AMI as well as death from CHD, CVD, and any cause in Eastern Finnish men and this increased risk may be due to the promotion of lipid peroxidation by mercury.
Young people with visual impairments and their social inclusion in secondary mainstream settings: exploring perspectives of the young people, their parents and key professionals

This research was concerned with exploring the views of children and young people with a visual impairment (CYPVI) about their experiences and perceptions of social inclusion in secondary mainstream settings in England. It also targeted parents and key professionals working with and around CYPVI in their school setting. The challenge for CYPVI in ‘becoming social and communicative’, particularly for those with the most limited vision, is well documented and it has been suggested that these young people are socially isolated in mainstream settings. The lifelong benefits that arise from successful social inclusion have also been reported, yet there exists a paucity of research regarding the socio-emotional experiences of CYPVI in mainstream settings, particularly those of a secondary age. The current study, conducted by a Trainee Educational Psychologist, who was herself visually impaired, adopted a qualitative methodology. Semi-structured interviews were used with 12 young people, with a severe visual impairment, drawn from five London Boroughs; short questionnaires were used to elicit parents’ and key professionals’ perspectives. Thematic analysis was conducted on the data and eight main themes identified which were interpreted and presented within a conceptual analysis framework. Although limited generalisability, owing to small sample size, was acknowledged, the findings indicate that CYPVI face many potential challenges to their successful social inclusion, particularly during the period of adolescence. Implications of the findings for future practice are discussed; the consideration given to the role of Educational Psychologists in understanding and supporting CYPVI was privileged.
The effects of product scarcity and consumers' need for uniqueness on purchase intention

Scarcity strategies are employed by marketers to influence consumer decision making. Many famous brands have been designed and produced for the purpose of as being marketed as limited-edition products to intensify consumer desire and intention to purchase them. However, very few studies have simultaneously integrated relevant constructs to explain the phenomenon of scarcity purchasing. To fill this void, this study develops a comprehensive research model in order to fully understand how scarcity affects consumer value perception and purchase intention. Simultaneously, two competing models are developed to compare the explanation power of Lynn's Scarcity–Expensiveness–Desirability (S-E-D) model and Synde and Fromkin's desire for uniqueness model. The results suggest that the effects of scarcity on purchase intention through perceived uniqueness, perceived sacrifice and perceived value are stronger than the scarcity effects through assumed expensiveness, perceived quality, perceived sacrifice and perceived value.
Improved Radiation Scheme in a Gcm Impact of an Improved Radiation Scheme in the Maecham5 General Circulation Model Acpd Improved Radiation Scheme in a Gcm

In order to improve the representation of the shortwave radiative transfer in the MAECHAM5 general circulation model, the spectral resolution of the shortwave radiation parameterization used in the model has been increased and extended in the UV-B and UV-C bands. The upgraded shortwave parameterization is first validated 5 offline with a 4 stream discrete-ordinate line-by-line model. Thereafter, two 20-years simulations with the MAECHAM5 middle atmosphere general circulation model are performed to evaluate the temperature changes and the dynamical feedbacks arising from the newly introduced parameterization. The offline clear-sky comparison of the standard and upgraded parameterizations with the discrete ordinate model shows 10 considerable improvement for the upgraded parameterization in terms of shortwave fluxes and heating rates. In the simulation with the upgraded ratiation parameteriza-tion, we report a significant warming of almost the entire atmosphere, largest at 1 hPa at the stratopause, and stronger zonal mean zonal winds in the middle atmosphere. The warming at the summer stratopause alleviates the cold bias present in the model 15 when the standard radiation scheme is used. The stronger zonal mean zonal winds induce a dynamical feedback that results in a dynamical warming (cooling) of the polar winter (summer) mesosphere, caused by an increased downward (upward)circulation in the winter (summer) hemisphere. In the troposphere, the changes in the spectral resolution and the associated changes in the cloud optical parameters introduce a rel-20 atively small warming and, consistenly, a moisteneing. The warming occurs mostly in the upper troposphere and can contribute to a possible improvement of the model temperature climatology.
Chronic Alcohol Exposure Alters Behavioral and Synaptic Plasticity of the Rodent Prefrontal Cortex

In the present study, we used a mouse model of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure to examine how CIE alters the plasticity of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). In acute slices obtained either immediately or 1-week after the last episode of alcohol exposure, voltage-clamp recording of excitatory post-synaptic currents (EPSCs) in mPFC layer V pyramidal neurons revealed that CIE exposure resulted in an increase in the NMDA/AMPA current ratio. This increase appeared to result from a selective increase in the NMDA component of the EPSC. Consistent with this, Western blot analysis of the postsynaptic density fraction showed that while there was no change in expression of the AMPA GluR1 subunit, NMDA NR1 and NRB subunits were significantly increased in CIE exposed mice when examined immediately after the last episode of alcohol exposure. Unexpectedly, this increase in NR1 and NR2B was no longer observed after 1-week of withdrawal in spite of a persistent increase in synaptic NMDA currents. Analysis of spines on the basal dendrites of layer V neurons revealed that while the total density of spines was not altered, there was a selective increase in the density of mushroom-type spines following CIE exposure. Examination of NMDA-receptor mediated spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) showed that CIE exposure was associated with altered expression of long-term potentiation (LTP). Lastly, behavioral studies using an attentional set-shifting task that depends upon the mPFC for optimal performance revealed deficits in cognitive flexibility in CIE exposed mice when tested up to 1-week after the last episode of alcohol exposure. Taken together, these observations are consistent with those in human alcoholics showing protracted deficits in executive function, and suggest these deficits may be associated with alterations in synaptic plasticity in the mPFC.
Creating new energy orders : Restrictions and opportunities for energy efficient behaviour

Technological development and regulations are gradually making buildings and appliances more energy efficient but household electricity use remains at relatively high levels and does not seem to be decreasing despite improvements in equipment. The point of departure in this paper is the potential for more energy efficient behaviour where household activities are concerned and how that can be studied. It focuses on public housing companies that have built passive houses, in which appliance use is an integral part of maintaining a comfortable indoor climate.The purpose of this paper is to introduce a model called energy orders for analysing household activities in passive houses and identifying restrictions and opportunities for energy efficient behaviour connected to laundry activities. Qualitative interviews have been conducted with public housing residents on their everyday activities and use of appliances.Results show that activities may be realised in very different ways, and they may result in more or less electricity use depending on the resources households use. However, households are affected by various restrictions that prevent them from making better choices energy wise. Also, opportunities for taking certain actions vary between households. While individual choices do matter the households are undoubtedly limited by restrictions shaped by housing companies and other organisations. Identifying the obstacles that deter households from acting more energy efficiently may increase the potential of the passive house to further reduce household electricity use. Housing companies need to provide more flexible solutions in order to create better opportunities for households to act in more energy efficient ways.
Anodisation Increases Integration of Unloaded Titanium Implants in Sheep Mandible

Spark discharge anodic oxidation forms porous TiO2 films on titanium implant surfaces. This increases surface roughness and concentration of calcium and phosphate ions and may enhance early osseointegration. To test this, forty 3.75 mm × 13 mm titanium implants (Megagen, Korea) were placed into healed mandibular postextraction ridges of 10 sheep. There were 10 implants per group: RBM surface (control), RBM + anodised, RBM + anodised + fluoride, and titanium alloy + anodised surface. Resonant frequency analysis (RFA) was measured in implant stability quotient (ISQ) at surgery and at sacrifice after 1-month unloaded healing. Mean bone-implant contact (% BIC) was measured in undemineralised ground sections for the best three consecutive threads. One of 40 implants showed evidence of failure. RFA differed between groups at surgery but not after 1 month. RFA values increased nonsignificantly for all implants after 1 month, except for controls. There was a marked difference in BIC after 1-month healing, with higher values for alloy implants, followed by anodised + fluoride and anodised implants. Anodisation increased early osseointegration of rough-surfaced implants by 50–80%. RFA testing lacked sufficient resolution to detect this improvement. Whether this gain in early bone-implant contact is clinically significant is the subject of future experiments.
Model-based management (MBM): a vital prerequisite for organizational viability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce and conceptualize the topic of Model‐based management (MBM) in organizations.Design/methodology/approach – The relevance of different types of models for management is elaborated, and a research agenda for this new topic is proposed.Findings – An analysis of the concept, role and function of models in the context of management and organization, as well as an outline for a new understanding of both the concept and role of models for management, grounded in system science is found.Practical implications – Ultimately, MBM can enhance the intelligence, adaptiveness and viability of organizations of any kind: private, public, non‐profit, large or small.Originality/value – Taking models as the pivot of a research project on general management is unconventional. The gain promised by such an innovative scope derives from its high potential: both theory and practice can benefit from the envisaged research. Theoretically speaking, advances in management and organi.
Numerical simulation of a nonuniform dielectric inclusion in a waveguide aimed at reconstructing its permittivity

We consider numerical determination of the dielectric media parameters of inclusions in a waveguide of rectangular cross-section from the transmission coefficient. We develop and apply computer codes implementing the FDTD algorithm for nonstationary Maxwell's equations with perfectly matched layer (PML) absorbing boundary conditions using the Berenger layout and estimate parameter ranges providing the prescribed accuracy for solving forward and inverse scattering problems for waveguides with inclusions.
Reduced ratio of male to female births in several industrial countries: a sentinel health indicator?

CONTEXT The sex ratio of 1.06:1, the ratio of male to female births, has declined over the past decades. Recent reports from a number of industrialized countries indicate that the proportion of males born has significantly decreased, while some male reproductive tract disorders have increased. OBJECTIVES To examine the evidence for declines in the male proportion at birth and suspected causes for this decline, and to determine whether altered sex ratio can be considered a sentinel health event. DATA SOURCES Birth records were analyzed from national statistical agencies. STUDY SELECTION Published analyses of trends in ratio of males to females at birth and studies of sex determinants evaluating epidemiological and endocrinological factors. DATA EXTRACTION Proportion of males born: 1950-1994 in Denmark; 1950-1994 in the Netherlands; 1970-1990 in Canada; and 1970-1990 in the United States. DATA SYNTHESIS Since 1950, significant declines in the proportion of males born have been reported in Denmark and the Netherlands. Similar declines have been reported for Canada and the United States since 1970 and parallel declines also have occurred in Sweden, Germany, Norway, and Finland. In Denmark, the proportion of males declined from 0.515 in 1950 to 0.513 in 1994. In the Netherlands, the proportion of males declined from 0.516 in 1950 to 0.513 in 1994. Similar declines in the proportion of males born in Canada and the United States are equivalent to a shift from male to female births of 8600 and 38000 births, respectively. Known and hypothesized risk factors for reduced sex ratio at birth cannot fully account for recent trends. CONCLUSION Patterns of reduced sex ratio need to be carefully assessed to determine whether they are occurring more generally, whether temporal or spatial variations are evident, and whether they constitute a sentinel health event.
Working with Emotional Intelligence

The secret of success is not what they taught you in school. What matters most is not IQ, not a business school degree, not even technical know-how or years of expertise. The single most important factor in job performance and advancement is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is actually a set of skills that anyone can acquire, and in this practical guide, Daniel Goleman identifies them, explains their importance, and shows how they can be fostered.
The annotation: a track of reader's personality traits on paper

In this paper we analyze the influence of the personality traits on the annotator annotation practices, by focusing on the study of the correlation between readers personalities and such features of their annotative activities such as the total number of annotation acts, average number of annotation acts, number of textual annotation acts, number of graphical annotation acts, number of referential annotation acts and number of compounding annotation acts. The analysis presented is based on a dataset of 120 volunteers who provided their annotated documents and the results of a psychometric test (The IPIP-NEO inventory. The proposed model uses the bivariate and the multivariate regression fits to show the correlation of the annotation activity to the reader pesonality traits. Our results show significant relationship between personality traits and such features of annotation practice. This significant relationship proves that annotations can be used to automatically and accurately predict such traits of the annotator personality. We give examples of possible application of our findings in different areas to ameliorate the personnalization process over web.
Decreases in evoked overflow of dopamine in rat striatum after neurotoxic doses of methamphetamine.

The repeated administration of methamphetamine (METH) can result in long-lasting decreases in dopamine (DA) levels, tyrosine hydroxylase activity and DA uptake sites in the striatum. However, whether these changes lead to functional alterations in the dynamics of DA release and uptake has not been extensively examined. The present study used in vivo electrochemistry and microdialysis to examine potassium- and amphetamine-evoked release of DA in the striatum and nucleus accumbens (NAc) of METH-treated rats. Male Fischer-344 rats were administered METH (5 mg/kg s.c.) or saline four times in 1 day, at 2-hr intervals. One week later the animals were anesthetized with urethane and prepared for in vivo electrochemical recordings. The METH treatment resulted in dramatic decreases in potassium-evoked release of DA and in the rate of DA clearance in the striatum, whereas the NAc was not significantly affected. In vivo microdialysis studies demonstrated significant decreases in basal DA levels and in potassium- and amphetamine-evoked overflow of DA in the striatum of METH-treated animals. Basal and evoked DA levels in the NAc were not altered. Post-mortem levels of tissue DA were decreased by 41 to 67% in the striatum and 25 to 31% in the NAc. These results indicate that the striatum is more sensitive than the NAc to the neurotoxic effects of METH, both in measures of functional dynamics of DA signaling and in tissue levels of DA. It remains to be determined whether these functional changes in DA release and uptake are permanent or tend to recover over time.
Cellular Protection Mechanisms against Extracellular Heme

Hemopexin protects cells lacking hemopexin receptors by tightly binding heme abrogating its deleterious effects and preventing nonspecific heme uptake, whereas cells with hemopexin receptors undergo a series of cellular events upon encountering heme-hemopexin. The biochemical responses to heme-hemopexin depend on its extracellular concentration and range from stimulation of cell growth at low levels to cell survival at otherwise toxic levels of heme. High (2–10 μm) but not low (0.01–1 μm) concentrations of heme-hemopexin increase, albeit transiently, the protein carbonyl content of mouse hepatoma (Hepa) cells. This is due to events associated with heme transport since cobalt-protoporphyrin IX-hemopexin, which binds to the receptor and activates signaling pathways without tetrapyrrole transport, does not increase carbonyl content. The N-terminal c-Jun kinase (JNK) is rapidly activated by 2–10 μm heme-hemopexin, yet the increased intracellular heme levels are neither toxic nor apoptotic. After 24 h exposure to 10 μm heme-hemopexin, Hepa cells become refractory to the growth stimulation seen with 0.1–0.75 μm heme-hemopexin but HO-1 remains responsive to induction by heme-hemopexin. Since free heme does not induce JNK, the signaling events, like phosphorylation of c-Jun via activation of JNK as well as the nuclear translocation of NFκB, G2/M arrest, and increased expression of p53 and of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 WAF1/CIP1/SDI1 generated by heme-hemopexin appear to be of paramount importance in cellular protection by heme-hemopexin.