Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FACTORS AFFECTING MEDICAL SPECIALTY PREFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED GENDER DIFFERENCES IN FOURTH YEAR MBBS STUDENTS

Objective: To identify factors affecting medical specialty preferences and associated gender differences in Fourth Year MBBS students. Material and Methods: This was a Cross-sectional survey conducted on fourth year MBBS students of Lahore Medical and Dental College through a Preformed Structured questionnaire by non probability sampling technique. The student were told that the survey was voluntary and were given a choice of refusal but fortunately all the students in the class participated in the survey (n=120). Data was collected during January 2009. Data was analyzed using SPSS v. 16.0. Descriptive statistics were computed, and the relationship between specialty preference and categorical variables (gender, reasons for choosing a particular specialty) were evaluated using Pearson Chi square test. A calculated p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Our study revealed that students selected surgery [40(33%)] as the most preferred post graduate specialty followed by medicine [17(14%)] and Obstetrics/Gynecology [16(13%)] respectively. Female medical students picked Obstetrics /Gynecology [16(24%)] while male medical students opted for Surgery as their most preferred specialty [28 (51%)]. This gender difference in specialty preference was statistically significant with a p value of < 0.00. The most common reasons for choosing a particular specialty were reputation (general perception among people) of the specialty [46(38%)] and anticipated income [22(18%)]. Conclusion: The most common reasons cited by students for choosing a particular specialty was reputation of the specialty followed by anticipated income and advice from parents. Gender differences were found in career preferences.
The Relationship between Personality Traits and Behavioral Problems among Adolescents in Malaysia

The increased rates of behavioral problems among adolescents are alarming in Malaysia. Previous studies indicated that individuals’ personality traits may contribute to the engagement of behavioral problems among adolescents. However, there are still limited published researches in Malaysia context. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of personality traits on internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems among adolescents in Malaysia. There were 480 school-going adolescents aged between 13 to 17 years old, recruited by using multistage cluster sampling method from Selangor, Perak and Kedah states of Malaysia. Two instruments used in this study were Big Five Inventory (BFI), and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The results of the study showed that the higher the level of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness and the lower the level of neuroticism were linked to the low tendency in the engagement of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems among adolescents in Malaysia. Regression analyses indicated that personality traits of neuroticism appeared to be the strongest predictor for both adolescents’ internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems. Findings of the study stressed the importance of understanding adolescents’ personality traits when studying on adolescents’ internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems. Hence, the provision of social skills and coping strategies among adolescents are necessary to promote better human development.
Seismic anisotropy in the crystalline upper crust: observations and modelling from the Outokumpu scientific borehole, Finland

SUMMARY Seismic velocity anisotropy measurements are made of a fractured metamorphic formation from the 2.5-km-deep International Continental Scientific Drilling Programme (ICDP) borehole in Outokumpu, Finland. Three component walk-away vertical seismic profile (VSP) measurements are made along two source-line azimuths at three receiver depths (1000, 1750 and 2500 m) and incidence angle-dependent qP- and qS-wave velocities are extracted with a τ–p method. The highest qP-wave anisotropy, 13.6 per cent (vfast= 6160 m s−1, vslow= 5370 m s−1), is measured between 1000- and 1750-m depth, with anisotropy of up to 9.4 per cent (vfast= 6090 m s−1, vslow= 5540 m s−1) measured between 1750 and 2500 m depth. The top ∼1300 m of the region is composed of a homogeneous, strongly intrinsically anisotropic biotite-rich schist, and is sampled by the shallowest walk-away profile. Anisotropy of up to 11.1 per cent (vfast= 5950 m s−1, vslow= 5320 m s−1) is measured by the walk-away VSP between 50 and 1000 m depth, along with shear wave splitting averaging 5 per cent (180 m s−1). Laboratory-derived intrinsic anisotropy of the schist cannot by itself explain the degree or orientation of the anisotropy measured in the walk-away VSPs, however, a model which modifies the intrinsic stiffnesses by the inclusion of a single set of dipping, aligned cracks allows the observed in situ velocities to be reproduced. Forward modelling of the qP-wave walk-away VSP measurements from 50 to 1000 m depth is undertaken using an effective medium model to develop a 3-D velocity model of this region. An orthorhombic medium is used to represent the intrinsic anisotropy of the biotite-rich schist, and a single set of aligned cracks is added to give a bulk elastic stiffness. The resulting model predicts the schist to have an overall anisotropy of 16.8 per cent, with qP-wave velocities of up to 6315 m s−1. The accuracy of the model is assessed through its fit to the walk-away VSP measurements as well as a comparison to known geology of the region.
Effects of Rice Blast Fungus (Pyricularia grisea) on Phenolics, Flavonoids, Antioxidant Capacity in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice blast fungus (Pyricularia grisea) is one of the most problematic pathogen to significantly reduce rice production worldwide. In this study, after being inoculated with P. grisea, changes in phenolic components and antioxidant capacity and correlation with the resistant level against rice blast fungus were investigated. Among screened rice cultivars, AV-3 was the strongest resistant, whereas BII-3 was the most susceptible. It was found that although total contents of phenolics and flavonoids, and antioxidant capacities varied among studied varieties, no significant coefficient with the resistance against P. grisea was observed. After rice was affected by rice blast fungus, total phenolics and flavonoids were markedly reduced, but in contrast, the DPPH scavenging activities of only the susceptible rice cultivars was reduced. Among the 11 phenolic acids detected, catechol was found only in the tolerant cultivar AV-3, whereas the amount of cinnamic acid was increased after infection. Quantity of vanillin was also promoted, except in the susceptible cultivar BII-3 that was significantly reduced. Findings of this study showed that the resistant level against P. grisea was proportionally correlated to the antioxidant capacity. Catechol, cinnamic acid, and vanillin may play a role but it needs further elaboration. Observations of this study suggested that the infection of blast disease by reducing amount of phenolics and flavonoids that may weaken the resistance of rice against this detrimental fungus.
The Heteromeric Organic Solute Transporter α-β, Ostα-Ostβ, Is an Ileal Basolateral Bile Acid Transporter*

Bile acids are transported across the ileal enterocyte brush border membrane by the well characterized apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (Asbt) Slc10a2; however, the carrier(s) responsible for transporting bile acids across the ileocyte basolateral membrane into the portal circulation have not been fully identified. Transcriptional profiling of wild type and Slc10a2 null mice was employed to identify a new candidate basolateral bile acid carrier, the heteromeric organic solute transporter (Ost)α-Ostβ. By Northern blot analysis, Ostα and Ostβ mRNA was detected only in mouse kidney and intestine, mirroring the horizontal gradient of expression of Asbt in the gastrointestinal tract. Analysis of Ostα and Ostβ protein expression by immunohistochemistry localized both subunits to the basolateral surface of the mouse ileal enterocyte. The transport properties of Ostα-Ostβ were analyzed in stably transfected Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Co-expression of mouse Ostα-Ostβ, but not the individual subunits, stimulated Na+-independent bile acid uptake and the apical-to-basolateral transport of taurocholate. In contrast, basolateral-to-apical transport was not affected by Ostα-Ostβ expression. Co-expression of Ostα and Ostβ was required to convert the Ostα subunit to a mature glycosylated endoglycosidase H-resistant form, suggesting that co-expression facilitates the trafficking of Ostα through the Golgi apparatus. Immunolocalization studies showed that co-expression was necessary for plasma membrane expression of both Ostα and Ostβ. These results demonstrate that the mouse Ostα-Ostβ heteromeric transporter is a basolateral bile acid carrier and may be responsible for bile acid efflux in ileum and other ASBT-expressing tissues.
BIOMASS YIELD OF CROTALARIA JUNCEA AFTER THINNING AND AT VARIED SOWING DENSITIES IN THE COASTAL PLATEAU OF PIAUÍ STATE, BRAZIL

The northern region of Piaui state is an important center of irrigated organic fruit farming, wherein sandy soils with low organic matter content are predominant, besides climate with high temperatures, long periods of water deficit and constant wind. Given this situation, it becomes necessary to investigate alternative management options able to meet the challenges of agricultural productivity. In this context, green manuring becomes an important practice, mainly when using fast-growing species and with great potential for biomass production. Thus, a study was carried out at Embrapa Meio-Norte to measure Crotalaria juncea biomass yield after thinning and at various sowing densities. The evaluated parameters were plant height, stem diameter, number of branches per plant, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots. The results showed that sowing density had no influence on plant height; however, unthinned plants reached greater heights, which might have been due to reduced competition for light. Thinning had no effect on diameters of plant stem base; on the other hand, lower planting densities promoted larger diameters also due to less competition. Likewise, the number of branches per plant was not affected by thinning, being greater at lower planting densities on account of less competition. Thinned plants achieved higher averages of fresh shoot weight. Nevertheless, shoot dry biomass was greater at higher planting densities. Furthermore, both fresh and dry weight of roots were not influenced by any of the adopted treatments.
The Cognitive-Affective-Conative Model of Destination Image: A Confirmatory Analysis

ABSTRACT Destination image influences tourist behavior before, during, and after travel, as it is an important instrument which contributes to tourists’ loyalty. Although Gartner (1993) advocates that the cognitive, affective, and conative dimensions of destination image are hierarchically interrelated, there is no empirical evidence to support the complete model. This study aims to test the hierarchical nature of the relationship between the dimensions of destination image. The results of structural equation modeling confirm Gartner's theoretical model, validating the theory that the influence of the cognitive component on the conative dimension is higher when mediated by the affective component, raising managerial implications.
Comparative study between cervical vertebrae and hand-wrist maturation for the assessment of skeletal age

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the cervical vertebrae maturity, using a lateral cephalogram,which is routinely taken before orthodontic treatment and is included as a part of the patient’srecord, with hand-wrist maturation method. Materials and methods: The study group comprised ofsixty subjects of Bangalore, Indian, origin, aged between 9-18 years. Hand wrist radiograph and lateralcephalograms were taken for these subjects. Assessment of skeletal maturation was done using SkeletalMaturity Indicators (SMI’s) from hand-wrist radiograph and Cervical Vertebrae Maturity Indicators(CVMI’s) from lateral cephalogram. A pair wise comparison for skeletal age assessment stages was doneusing Wilcoxon sign rank test and proportions was compared using Chi-Square test for statistical analysis.Results: Skeletal maturity assessed using the cervical vertebrae maturation index (CVMI) method andhand-wrist skeletal maturational index (SMI) method showed no statistical signifi cant difference for malesand females. However, females showed maturation at an early age as compared to males. Conclusions:Since properly utilized cervical vertebrae assessment provided a reliable assessment of pubertal growthspurt, it would be benefi cial to use a lateral cephalogram for skeletal maturity assessment and thereby eliminate the need for an additional radiograph (hand-wrist radiograph). This is cost effective and will alsoreduce the radiation exposure to the patient.
Adaptive Numerical Designs for the Calibration of Computer Codes

Making good predictions of a physical system using a computer code requires the inputs to be carefully specified. Some of these inputs, called control variables, reproduce physical conditions, whereas other inputs, called parameters, are specific to the computer code and most often uncertain. The goal of statistical calibration consists in reducing their uncertainty with the help of a statistical model which links the code outputs with the field measurements. In a Bayesian setting, the posterior distribution of these parameters is typically sampled using Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. However, they are impractical when the code runs are highly time-consuming. A way to circumvent this issue consists of replacing the computer code with a Gaussian process emulator, then sampling a surrogate posterior distribution based on it. Doing so, calibration is subject to an error which strongly depends on the numerical design of experiments used to fit the emulator. Under the assumption that there is no code discre.
The strong correlation between post-starburst fraction and environment

We examine a magnitude limited (M_B< -18.7) sample of post-starburst (PSB) galaxies at 0.03<z<0.11 in the different environments from the spectroscopic data set of the Padova Millennium Galaxy Group Catalog and compare their incidence and properties with those of passive (PAS) and emission line galaxies (EML). PSB galaxies have a quite precise life-time (<1-1.5 Gyr), and they hold important clues for understanding galaxy evolution. While the properties (stellar mass, absolute magnitude, color) of PSBs do not depend on environment, their frequency increases going from single galaxies to binary systems to groups, both considering the incidence with respect to the global number of galaxies and to the number of currently+recently star-forming galaxies. Including in our analysis the sample of cluster PSBs drawn from the WIde-field Nearby Galaxy-cluster Survey presented in Paccagnella et al., we extend the halo mass range covered and present a coherent picture of the effect of the environment on galaxy transformations. We find that the PSB/(PSB+EML) fraction steadily increases with halo mass going from 1% in 10^{11} M_sun$ haloes to ~15% in the most massive haloes (10^{15.5} M_sun). This provides evidence that processes specific to the densest environments, such as ram pressure stripping, are responsible for a large fraction of PSB galaxies in dense environments. These processes act on a larger fraction of galaxies than alternative processes leading to PSB galaxies in the sparsest environments, such as galaxy interactions.
General theory for the mechanics of confined microtubule asters

In cells, dynamic microtubules organize into asters or spindles to assist positioning of organelles. Two types of forces are suggested to contribute to the positioning process: (i) microtubule-growth based pushing forces; and (ii) motor protein mediated pulling forces. In this paper, we present a general theory to account for aster positioning in a confinement of arbitrary shape. The theory takes account of microtubule nucleation, growth, catastrophe, slipping, as well as interaction with cortical force generators. We calculate microtubule distributions and forces acting on microtubule organizing centers in a sphere and in an ellipsoid. Positioning mechanisms based on both pushing forces and pulling forces can be distinguished in our theory for different parameter regimes or in different geometries. In addition, we investigate positioning of microtubule asters in the case of asymmetric distribution of motors. This analysis enables us to characterize situations relevant for Caenorrhabditis elegans embryos.
Peer Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility

We investigate how firms react to their peers’ commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), using a regression discontinuity design that relies on the passing or failing of CSR proposals by a small margin of votes during shareholder meetings. We find the passage of a close-call CSR proposal is followed by the adoption of similar CSR practices by peer firms, especially those with similar products and followed by more financial analysts. Stock returns around the voting dates are lower for peers with higher financial constraints in a competing relationship, but higher for peers in an alliance partnership with the voting firm.
The Use of Information and Communication Technology in Physical Education in the United States

Title: The Use of Information and Communication Technology in Physical Education in the United States. Abstract The integration of technology in learning has seen different Information Communication Technology techniques being used in various subjects. However, the use of technology in Physical Education has not been given much attention as compared to the other subjects, especially in elementary schools. When the picture is narrowed down to the elementary level, then the question regarding how quality and effectiveness could be guaranteed emerges. The objective of this research was to determine how ICT is used in PE in elementary schools in the United States.
Analysis of the Result of Korean Medicine Treatment for Female Subfertility Using Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture and Moxibustion Treatment

Objectives: To report on the result of infertility treatment with Korean medicine in clinical settings. Methods: This study was single arm, retrospective observational study. Analysis of the medical records on thirty four infertile women who were treated by acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine(Jokyungjongoktang-gagambang, Sutaehwan-gagambang). Pregnancy rate(PR) and Live birth rate(LBR) were analyzed as the primary outcomes. Changes of AMH, FSH, LH, E2, P4, endometrial thickness, fat mass, and BMI were also analyzed as the secondary outcomes. Results: A total of 34 patients were treated in the traditional Korean medical clinic. Nine patients were dropped, and 25 subjects completed the final examination at the end of this treatment schedule. Five of 25 subjects conceived during treatment, reaching 20% PR and LBR was also 20%. Except for FSH level, the results of the remaining outcome measures, including LFT, showed no significant changes. No serious adverse event has been reported. Conclusion: Although no significant changes in bio-markers were observed, complex treatment using Korean medicine has shown effectiveness on women"s infertility. In addition, the safety of the treatment has been verified.
Fabrication of Annealed Proton-Exchanged Waveguides for Vertical Integration

Fabrication of Annealed Proton-Exchanged Waveguides for Vertical Integration. (May 2011) Jacob Douglas Webb, B.S., Texas A&M University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Christi K. Madsen Dr. Ohannes Eknoyan There is a drive for improving the surface uniformity of optical waveguide devices in the photonics lab. This report focuses on the exploration of annealed proton exchange (APE) waveguide fabrication on lithium niobate crystal as a method of producing optical waveguides. These waveguides aim to have little variation in step height or surface roughness in the transition area from the waveguide location to that of the bulk crystal, providing a uniform surface amenable to vertical device integration. This is a substantial improvement over the titanium diffused waveguide process, which can have surface variations in excess of 100nm. It is anticipated that the smoother surface will enable light to couple more easily into photonic devices, such as ring resonators, as compared to the current Ti diffused waveguide process. This work explores the design and fabrication aspects of annealed proton exchange waveguides. A review of literature on modeling hydrogen diffusion into lithium niobate is presented, as well as computer models for simulating the bidimensional fractional hydrogen proton concentration distribution. This is used to determine the change in refractive index of the waveguide needed to simulate the mode propagation and profile in the device. Fabrication processes involved in proton exchange waveguide formation are outlined, and measurements for working devices are presented. Best case loss for current devices are 0.5 dB/cm. These samples exhibit smooth surfaces with only +-60A in variation of surface uniformity. Concluding remarks present ideas to further the work by lowering propagation losses, improving mode matching to single mode fiber, and improving the consistency of fabrication conditions.
Unusual sexual behaviour associated with female depression

Females have a higher prevalence of depression and more atypical depressive symptoms than men. Depressive disorder and antidepressant therapy is characte-ristically associated with sexual dysfunction, but less so in women than men. Reports of heightened sexual desire during depression are uncommonly reported. Here we describe two Sri Lankan females presenting with unusual sexual behaviour associated with depression. First is a middle-aged woman who complained of recent onset voyeuristic behaviour. Second is a young girl, who was brought by her parents after she went repeatedly missing from her home. She had been trying to seek an intimate relationship with a young man. In both patients, the heightened arousal subsided with the remission of depression. Further studies are required to explore this unusual presentation.