Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
K-ras and p53 Mutations in Colonic Lavage Fluid of Patients with Colorectal Neoplasias

Background: The adenoma-carcinoma sequence has its molecular basis in several gene mutations of which K-ras and p53 are of paramount importance. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether these genetic alterations can be detected in colonic lavage fluid from patients with colorectal adenomas and carcinomas. Methods: In 45 patients with adenomas, 20 patients with colorectal carcinomas and 38 patients with non-neoplastic and noninflammatory diseases of the colon p53 and K-ras mutations were evaluated in colonic lavage fluid employing single-strand confirmation polymorphism analysis and dot-blot hybridization, respectively. Results: Mutations of the K-ras and the p53 gene were found in 15.6% (p = 0.065) of patients with adenomas, in 25.0 % (p = 0.016) of patients with carcinomas and in 2.6% in the control group. Conclusion: Genetic alterations in the colonic lavage fluid could be an additional diagnostic tool for the surveillance of patients with colorectal neoplasias.
Epidemiology of travelers' diarrhea: details of a global survey.

BACKGROUND Recent epidemiologic data on travelers' diarrhea (TD) are essential for the evaluation of conventional and future prophylactic and therapeutic measures. METHODS To determine the epidemiology, including risk factors, impact and quality-of-life evaluation of TD, a cross-sectional survey was conducted over 12 months at the airports of Mombasa (Kenya), Goa (India), Montego Bay (Jamaica) and Fortaleza (Brazil) by distributing questionnaires to visitors just prior to their flying home. The study period was March 1996 to July 1998. RESULTS Overall, 73,630 short-term visitors completed a questionnaire. The total diarrhea attack rate varied between a high of 54.6% in Mombasa and a low of 13.6% in Fortaleza, but only between 31.5% and 5.4% of all travelers had classic TD. The 14-day incidence rates varied between 19.5% and 65.7%. Few travelers meticulously avoided potentially dangerous food items, although in India and Kenya most travelers avoided those considered most dangerous. Risk factors were stays exceeding 1 week, age between 15 and 30 years, and residence in the UK. The impact, measured as incapacity or quality-of-life scores, was very considerable. CONCLUSIONS TD continues to affect vacationers and business travelers as frequently as it did some 20 years ago. Compliance with recommendations to reduce exposure to pathogens by avoiding dangerous food items is poor among travelers from all countries. Implementation of food safety education programs may be difficult to achieve.
Assessing Interviewer Observations in the NHIS

Face-to-face surveys provide interviewers the opportunity to gather information beyond the scope of the survey. These observational paradata may prove useful for streamlining the data collection process and enhancing post collection weighting adjustments, both improving the quality of survey estimates. However, interviewer observations can be error-prone especially when the observation requires a judgment based on limited information. This research uses survey paradata to evaluate new interviewer observations made during the collection of the 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Multilevel models discern the variation in compliance with the new task attributable to interviewers, finding that the characteristics of the case, not the interviewer, reduced variation in compliance. We then examine variation in the observations by whether contact was made when recording the observations, finding inferential but not factual observations vary based on making contact during the observation. When interacted with contact, 11 of the 15 observations are predictive of either the number of contact attempts made on the case or the odds of refusal—two measures of level of effort.
POPULATION BIOLOGY OF SEABOB-SHRIMP Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller, 1862) CAPTURED ON THE SOUTH COAST OF PERNAMBUCO STATE, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Este trabalho tem por objetivo descrever a dinâmica populacional e avaliar o estoque do camarao sete-barbas Xiphopenaeus kroyeri do litoral de Pernambuco. As coletas foram realizadas entre os meses de agosto/2011 a julho/2012 em Sirinhaem, litoral sul de Pernambuco. Foram analisados 1201 exemplares, sendo 673 femeas e 528 machos. Comprimento total (CT) das femeas variou de 4,5 a 13,5 cm enquanto o CT dos machos variou entre 4,0 e 11,0 cm. As relacoes entre o CT e comprimento da carapaca e o CT e peso total apresentaram alometria negativa (machos, femeas e sexos agrupados). O declive da curva "b" foi estatisticamente diferente entre machos e femeas para ambas relacoes. Femeas maturam com 8,90cm. O comprimento assintotico L∞ foi menor para os machos do que para as femeas (10,72-11,5 e 12,26-14,79 cm respectivamente), o K foi similar entre sexos (1,00-2,04 e 1,00-2,63cm/ano-1 respectivamente) assim como a longevidade e tamanho de 1a captura (1,50-1,97anos e 7,9 - 8,9 cm para machos e femeas, respectivamente). Os resultados indicam que o estoque de X. kroyeri na regiao nao se encontra sobreexplorada para os machos, entretanto considerando as femeas e sexos agrupados o recurso se encontra proximo do limite maximo de exploracao.
The impact of Rater's individualism/collectivism on discomfort with peer performance evaluation

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between rater's individualism/collectivism, discomfort with a peer evaluation system, and rater leniency. It was hypothesized that collectivism would be positively related to discomfort with evaluating a peer, while the relationship would be negative in the case of individualism and discomfort. This study also attempted to corroborate previous findings establishing a positive relationship between discomfort and rater leniency. In order to test the hypotheses, the Discomfort with Peer Evaluation scale (DPE) was developed. One hundred and five undergraduate students participated in this research. The data supported a positive relationship between collectivism and discomfort. Contrary to what was expected, data supported a positive relationship between individualism and discomfort. The data collected confirmed the existence of a positive relationship between discomfort and rater leniency. These results highlight the impact of cultural background on performance appraisals. Further research is needed to determine why both collectivism and individualism are positively related to discomfort.
Seven‐year review of paediatric bacteraemias diagnosed in a Spanish university hospital

This study analysed the clinical and bacteriological patterns of paediatric bacteraemia in a university hospital, by a review of 213 episodes over a period of 7 y. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequent aetiological agent after the neonatal period and Streptococcus agalactiae in neonatal sepsis. Almost half of pneumococci and meningococci were penicillin non‐susceptible. Four neonatal deaths attributed to bacteraemia were recorded.
A quantitative examination of user experience as an antecedent to student perception in technology acceptance modeling

Internet-enabled mobile devices have increased the accessibility of learning content for students. Given the ubiquitous nature of mobile computing technology, a thorough understanding of the acceptance factors that impact a learner’s intention to use mobile technology as an augment to their studies is warranted. Student acceptance of mobile learning is critical to the success implementation of the mobile learning component of non-traditional learning environments such as hybrid and fully online courses. This study investigates the impact of students’ prior experience using mobile technology on their intention to use mobile technology to facilitate learning in a blended environment. In a study of 152 community college students, the intention to use mobile technology for hybrid learning was measured and it was found that students’ intention to use mobile technology was highly correlated with their perceptions of the utility and ease of use of the technology. As an antecedent to perceived utility, prior experience was shown to be positively correlated. In contrast, the results of this study found prior experience to be negatively correlated with perceived ease of use. These results suggest a need for further research in this area with practical significance for evaluating the efficacy of mobile technology for learning while providing guidance for its implementation as a learning platform.
Modular verification of timed circuits using automatic abstraction

The major barrier that prevents the application of formal verification to large designs is state explosion. This paper presents a new approach for verification of timed circuits using automatic abstraction. This approach partitions the design into modules, each with constrained complexity. Before verification is applied to each individual module, irrelevant information to the behavior of the selected module is abstracted away. This approach converts a verification problem with big exponential complexity to a set of subproblems, each with small exponential complexity. Experimental results are promising in that they indicate that our approach has the potential of completing much faster while using less memory than traditional flat analysis.
The development and validation of the online learning climate scale (OLCS)

ABSTRACT With the increasing popularity of online learning in higher education comes a need to examine students’ perceptions about classroom climate in these environments. This two-part study proposes the online learning climate scale (OLCS) for doing so. Informed by both instructional communication and education, the scale consists of several variables related to teacher role(s) and behaviors, student characteristics, and course-specific structural issues to explain how students perceive climate within a computer-mediated classroom. Ultimately, this two-part study (a) constructed the OLCS and (b) established its factor structure and convergent validity.
Self-Adaptive Strategy Based on Fuzzy Control Systems for Improving Performance in Wireless Sensors Networks

The solutions to cope with new challenges that societies have to face nowadays involve providing smarter daily systems. To achieve this, technology has to evolve and leverage physical systems automatic interactions, with less human intervention. Technological paradigms like Internet of Things (IoT) and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) are providing reference models, architectures, approaches and tools that are to support cross-domain solutions. Thus, CPS based solutions will be applied in different application domains like e-Health, Smart Grid, Smart Transportation and so on, to assure the expected response from a complex system that relies on the smooth interaction and cooperation of diverse networked physical systems. The Wireless Sensors Networks (WSN) are a well-known wireless technology that are part of large CPS. The WSN aims at monitoring a physical system, object, (e.g., the environmental condition of a cargo container), and relaying data to the targeted processing element. The WSN communication reliability, as well as a restrained energy consumption, are expected features in a WSN. This paper shows the results obtained in a real WSN deployment, based on SunSPOT nodes, which carries out a fuzzy based control strategy to improve energy consumption while keeping communication reliability and computational resources usage among boundaries.
Loud Noise Exposure Produces DNA, Neurotransmitter and Morphological Damage within Specific Brain Areas

Exposure to loud noise is a major environmental threat to public health. Loud noise exposure, apart from affecting the inner ear, is deleterious for cardiovascular, endocrine and nervous systems and it is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study we investigated DNA, neurotransmitters and immune-histochemical alterations induced by exposure to loud noise in three major brain areas (cerebellum, hippocampus, striatum) of Wistar rats. Rats were exposed to loud noise (100 dBA) for 12 h. The effects of noise on DNA integrity in all three brain areas were evaluated by using Comet assay. In parallel studies, brain monoamine levels and morphology of nigrostriatal pathways, hippocampus and cerebellum were analyzed at different time intervals (24 h and 7 days) after noise exposure. Loud noise produced a sudden increase in DNA damage in all the brain areas under investigation. Monoamine levels detected at 7 days following exposure were differently affected depending on the specific brain area. Namely, striatal but not hippocampal dopamine (DA) significantly decreased, whereas hippocampal and cerebellar noradrenaline (NA) was significantly reduced. This is in line with pathological findings within striatum and hippocampus consisting of a decrease in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) combined with increased Bax and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Loud noise exposure lasting 12 h causes immediate DNA, and long-lasting neurotransmitter and immune-histochemical alterations within specific brain areas of the rat. These alterations may suggest an anatomical and functional link to explain the neurobiology of diseases which prevail in human subjects exposed to environmental noise.
A Construct Validity Study of Employment Readiness in Persons with Severe Mental Illness

This archival study examined the construct validity of rehabilitation readiness in the employment domain. Rehabilitation readiness in the employment domain is a measure of one's intent to seek employment rather than one's ability to work. A multitrait-multimethod matrix design for construct validation was used to support an inference of construct validity augmented by predictive validity assessments. Participants were 111 unemployed adults with serious psychiatric illnesses newly enrolled in supported employment programs in New Jersey who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected on demographics, readiness, and symptoms at baseline, as well as on employment activities on a monthly basis for up to 6 months. Participants were enrolled on an ongoing basis, and not all participants reached the 6-month point before the study ended. Two methods of data collection were used: interviewer ratings and client self-report. The resultant pattern of coefficients within the multitrait-multimethod matrix supported an inference of construct validity. Additionally, baseline measures of readiness were found to be related to employment activity and/or job acquisition at 3 and 6 months. An understanding of the factors that influence an individual's willingness to pursue employment may contribute to service providers' effectiveness in helping to resolve the ambivalence that creates barriers to employment and lead to many more people setting and achieving employment goals. Rather than being used to screen out individuals from employment services, readiness assessment should be used to identify which services will be most helpful in moving people toward successful employment.
Criterion-related validity of toe-touch test for estimating hamstring extensibility: A meta- analysis

Mayorga-Vega, D. , Viciana, J., Cocca, A. , & Merino-Marban, R. (2014). Criterion-related validity of toe- touch test for estimating hamstring extensibility: A meta-analysis J. Hum. Sport Exerc. , 9(1), pp. 188-200. The main purpose of the present meta-analysis was to examine the scientific literature on the criterion- related validity of the toe-touch test for estimating hamstring extensibility. For this purpose relevant studies were searched from five electronic databases dated up through September 2012. Primary outcomes of criterion-related validity were Pearsons zero-order correlation coefficients (r) between the toe-touch test and hamstring extensibility criterion measure. Then, from the included studies, the Hunter-Schmidts psychometric meta-analysis approach was conducted to estimate population criterion-related validity of the toe-touch test. Firstly, the corrected correlation mean (r p ), unaffected by sampling error and measurement error, was calculated. Subsequently, the three potential moderator variables (sex of participants, age of participants, and level of hamstring extensibility) were examined by a partially hierarchical analysis. Of the six studies included in the present meta-analysis, 12 correlations values were retrieved. The overall results showed that the toe-touch test have a moderate mean criterion-related validity for estimating hamstring extensibility (r p = 0.66, 0.54-0.79). Generally, females, children and individuals with high levels of hamstring extensibility seem to have greater mean values of criterion-related validity for estimating hamstring extensibility. However, due to the low number of r values found, the fact that almost all the 95% CIs of mean correlation coefficients were overlapped, and that criterion-related validity of the toe-touch test within each category was still heterogeneous, we should be cautious with the results of the present meta-analysis. When the use of the angular tests is limited, the toe-touch test seems to be a useful alternative to estimate
Flotillin 2 is distinct from epidermal surface antigen (ESA) and is associated with filopodia formation

ECS‐1, a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) raised to cultured human keratinocytes, stains the intercellular glycocalyx with a pemphigus‐like pattern and recognizes a 35‐kDa epidermal surface antigen (ESA) on Western blotting of keratinocyte extracts. When ECS‐1 MoAb was used to screen a keratinocyte expression library, a unique cDNA was identified that predicted a 42‐kDa globular protein of unknown function. This putative ESA was conserved between mice and humans and was encoded by a gene on chromosome 17q11–12 in linkage with neurofibromin. Homology between the cDNA sequence has been reported with flotillin 1, a caveolae associated protein, as well as Reggie 1 and 2, neuronal proteins expressed during axonal regeneration present in activated GPI‐anchored cell adhesion molecules in non‐caveolar‐associated micropatches. In order to determine whether the cDNA predicted protein and ECS‐1 antigen were identical, we compared ECS‐1 with the immunoreactivity of a new antibody raised to the cDNA fusion protein in epidermis and cultured cells. The cDNA fusion protein was expressed in bacteria and in cos cells with his, FLAG, and EGFP reporter tags and by stable transfection as an EGFP fusion protein. The fusion protein and native protein of 42 kDa were detected by the new antibody, but not by the original ECS‐1. Thus, the ECS‐1 antigen, ESA (35 kDa), is clearly distinct from the protein predicted by the cDNA (renamed flotillin 2). Stable transfection of ESA/flotillin 2 fusion protein in cos cells induced filopodia formation and changed epithelial cells to a neuronal appearance. Thus, the function of flotillin 2 may resemble that of the goldfish optic nerve neuronal regeneration proteins, Reggie 1 and 2. J. Cell. Biochem. 75:147–159, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Semantic Loss in the Holy Qur’an Translation With Special Reference to Surah Al-WaqiAAa (Chapter of The Event Inevitable)

Semantic loss, which refers to over-, under-, or mistranslation of a source text (ST), may result in partial or complete loss of meaning in the target text (TT). This phenomenon is prevalent in the translations of an ST, especially translations of the Holy Qur’an due to factors such as the lack of equivalence of some cultural words in the target language (TL). In relation to this, translators of this holy book have been critiqued for their inability to completely convey the true and accurate meanings of the Holy Qur’an. This study attempted to investigate the semantic loss in the translation of the Surah al-WaqiAAa by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. It also examined the frequency and causes of such losses. This research, which is qualitative in nature, utilized descriptive content analysis of the Surah. The translation of the ayat [verses] related to the problem of the research has been extracted from the work of Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur’an: Text and Translation. The meanings of the translated verses were verified by two Arabic language experts who had mastered English as well. The causes of losses were identified according to Baker’s typology. The findings showed frequent partial and complete semantic loss of meanings mostly due to mistranslations, semantic complexity of the vocabularies, and culture.
Evaluation of Levodopa Dose and Magnitude of Dopamine Depletion as Risk Factors for Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease

Levodopa dose and severity of Parkinson's disease (PD) are recognized risk factors for levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) in humans. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ability of these variables to predict severity of LID in a rat model of PD. Varied concentrations of 6-hydroxy-dopamine were injected into the midbrain to produce wide ranges of dopamine depletion in striatum. Three weeks later, rats were given daily injections of levodopa (2–10 mg/kg i.p.) plus benserazide (12.5 mg/kg i.p.) for 15 days. Abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) were measured for limb, axial, orolingual, and rotatory movements. Dose-response analysis for total AIM scores yielded a levodopa ED50 value of 3.2 mg/kg on treatment day 15. There were strong interrelated correlations between individual AIM categories (ρ > 0.7) and for each AIM category in regard to total AIM score (ρ > 0.7). In rats that received levodopa doses that were greater than the ED50, rates of amphetamine-induced rotation were significantly correlated with total AIM scores (ρ = 0.413). However, of those rotating >5 times/min, 34% had relatively low AIM scores (<8). Likewise, there was a significant correlation between percentages of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) loss and total AIM scores (ρ = 0.388). However, in those rats that had >85% TH loss, 30% had AIM scores <8. Our results show that given an adequate dose and magnitude of striatal dopamine depletion, levodopa produces dyskinesia with a continuous spectrum of severity. Although levodopa dose and level of dopamine depletion are significant risk factors for LID, we conclude that other factors must contribute to LID susceptibility.