Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of ocular dominance columns and patchy callosal connections on binocularity in lateral striate cortex: Long Evans versus albino rats

In albino rats, it has been reported that lateral striate cortex (V1) is highly binocular, and that input from the ipsilateral eye to this region comes through the callosum. In contrast, in Long Evans rats, this region is nearly exclusively dominated by the contralateral eye even though it is richly innervated by the callosum (Laing, Turecek, Takahata, & Olavarria, 2015). We hypothesized that the inability of callosal connections to relay ipsilateral eye input to lateral V1 in Long Evans rats is a consequence of the existence of ocular dominance columns (ODCs), and of callosal patches in register with ipsilateral ODCs in the binocular region of V1 (Laing et al., 2015). We therefore predicted that in albino rats input from both eyes intermix in the binocular region, without segregating into ODCs, and that callosal connections are not patchy. Confirming our predictions, we found that inputs from both eyes, studied with the transneuronal tracer WGA‐HRP, are intermixed in the binocular zone of albinos, without segregating into ODCs. Similarly, we found that callosal connections in albino rats are not patchy but instead are distributed homogeneously throughout the callosal region in V1. We propose that these changes allow the transcallosal passage of ipsilateral eye input to lateral striate cortex, increasing its binocularity. Thus, the binocular region in V1 of albino rats includes lateral striate cortex, being therefore about 25% larger in area than the binocular region in Long Evans rats. Our findings provide insight on the role of callosal connections in generating binocular cells.
Effectiveness and Safety of Hydroxyurea in the Treatment of Sickle Cell Anaemia Children in Jos, North Central Nigeria

Abstract Background Hydroxyurea has been shown to positively modify sickle cell disease pathogenesis, but its use is low among Nigerian sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients because of effectiveness and safety concerns. Methods We conducted a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of hydroxyurea in 54 SCA children aged 4–17 years. Clinical and haematological parameters were compared at baseline and 12 months after hydroxyurea therapy. The participants were monitored for adverse events. The parameters were compared using relative risk and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test. Results The number of subjects who had more than two episodes of painful crises reduced from 27 (50%) to 2 (2.7%) (p < 0.001), while those who had acute chest syndrome reduced from 6 (11.1%) to 0 (0.0%; p < 0.001). The risk of being transfused more than once was 0.11 times the risk in the 12 months period preceding therapy (95% CI = 0.02–0.85; p = 0.016). Similarly, the risk of hospital stay >7 days was 0.08 times the risk at the baseline (95% CI = 0.02–0.24; p < 0.0001). The median haematocrit and percentage foetal haemoglobin increased from 26 to 28% and 7.8 to 14%, respectively (p < 0.0001). A dose-dependent but reversible leucopenia was observed among six children (11.1%), otherwise, hydroxyurea was safe in the study population. Conclusion Hydroxyurea is effective and safe in SCA children in Jos, Nigeria. The findings could strengthen educational programme aimed at improving the utilization of hydroxyurea among SCA children.
An explorative study on energy balance in patients with head and neck cancer

Abstract Background: Involuntary body weight loss in head and neck cancer is common. Fundamental for weight loss is an energy imbalance where total energy expenditure exceeds energy intake. Aim: To map energy intake and parameters of energy expenditure at the start of and after radiotherapy, and their relation to weight change, body mass index, and immune markers in patients with head and neck cancer. Materials and Methods: Data from 20 patients on energy intake (24-hour dietary intake recalls), total energy expenditure (SenseWear Armband Pro3), resting energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry), body weight, body mass index, and immune markers in serum (C-reactive protein and Interleukin-6) were collected at the start of and after radiotherapy (median 8 mo, range 5–13). Results: No statistical significance was shown between the two measurement points for energy intake or for the different parameters of energy expenditure. Median values for energy balance were 0.93 and 0.96 for the start of treatment and follow-up, respectively. Twelve and 13 patients had a negative energy balance at the start of radiotherapy and at follow-up, respectively. Conclusion: A negative energy balance was seen for the majority of patients, which stresses the importance of nutritional treatment at the start of and after radiotherapy.
Number 2 , December 2009 INFLATION COSTS , UNCERTAINTY COSTS AND EMERGING MARKETS

Given the costs to real output that inflation uncertainty has been shown to impose, two recent papers have investigated the interaction of inflation and uncertainty for a group of emerging market nations. Both papers find that an increase in inflation almost invariably increases uncertainty in developing countries. This finding accords with the Friedman hypothesis and with most results for industrialized countries. However, there is both theoretical and some tentative empirical evidence suggesting that, when inflation is high, and thus costly, an increase in inflation can spur greater investment in predicting the path of prices, and actually reduce rather than increase uncertainty. This possibility is particularly relevant for emerging markets, some of which have histories of high inflation. Using a somewhat different empirical methodology than previous authors, we find that inflation does indeed lower uncertainty at some horizons, and, as per theory, does so predominantly in those countries in our sample with the higher rates of inflation.
My Turn to Make a Difference: Efficacy Trends among Induction Physical Educators

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study provides a longitudinal examination of the influences enhancing or constraining the development of efficacy in ten induction physical educators. Method: Over a span of three years, data from structured interviews and responses to the Physical Education Teaching Efficacy Scale were collected at seven time points. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data were analyzed for qualitative themes and quantitative trends through the lens of various factors known to influence the career cycle. Results: In the personal environment, the presence of positive individual dispositions, the ability to balance competing demands, and high levels of perceived support emerged as constructive enhancers of efficacy. In the organizational environment, positive influences included the ability to meet the expectations of stakeholders and perceived confidence related to the tasks of teaching. Over time, significant differences existed for the survey categories measuring efficacy in content knowledge, accommodating skill level differences, teaching students with special needs, and instruction. Furthermore, significant differences also occurred related to gender, geographical location/setting, and school classification. Conclusion: Efficacy levels in beginning physical educators are highly dynamic and context-specific, but the presence of high levels of perceived support, both personally and organizationally, can positively enhance the efficacy of induction teachers related to balancing demands both inside and outside the classroom. Implications include the necessity for authentic and thorough preservice training and upon employment, access to adequate resources.
Title Anterior Lamina Cribrosa Insertion in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients and Healthy Subjects

Purpose: To determine using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SSOCT) whether there are differences in the location of the anterior lamina cribrosa insertion (ALI) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and healthy subjects. Methods: Fifty three eyes from 53 patients with POAG, and 53 eyes from 53 agematched healthy subjects were included prospectively in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Twelve radial line B-scans centered on the optic disc in every half-clock-hour meridian were acquired using SS-OCT. The ALI position was assessed by measuring two parameters: (1) ALI distance (ALID)—the distance from the anterior scleral canal opening (ASCO) to the ALI; and (2) marginal anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth (mALCSD)—the perpendicular distance from the ASCO plane to the anterior lamina cribrosa surface. These parameters were compared between the two groups for each meridian. Results: Both ALID (256¡54 vs. 209¡37 mm, mean ¡ SD, p,0.001) and mALCSD (232¡63 vs. 187¡40 mm, p,0.001) were significantly greater in the POAG group than in the normal group. The largest difference was observed at the 6.5 o9clock and 11.5 o9clock meridians for both ALID and mALCSD. Multiple regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between age and both ALID and mALCSD in the control group, and a negative correlation between mean deviation of the visual field test and both ALID and mALCSD in the POAG group. Conclusions: The ALI was displaced posteriorly in eyes with POAG compared to those of healthy controls. This finding suggests that the posteriorly located lamina OPEN ACCESS Citation: Lee KM, Kim T-W, Weinreb RN, Lee EJ, Girard MJA, et al. (2014) Anterior Lamina Cribrosa Insertion in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients and Healthy Subjects. PLoS ONE 9(12): e114935. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0114935 Editor: Bang V. Bui, University of Melbourne, Australia Received: July 15, 2014 Accepted: November 16, 2014 Published: December 22, 2014 Copyright: 2014 Lee et al. This is an openaccess article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Data Availability: The authors confirm that all data underlying the findings are fully available without restriction. All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files. Funding: The work was supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Korean Government (no. 2013R1A1A1A05004781) and an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness (New York, NY). The funding organizations had no role in the design or conduct of this research. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone. 0114935 December 22, 2014 1 / 17 cribrosa insertion is an important component of glaucomatous optic nerve excavation.
Zoledronate rescues immunosuppressed monocytes in sepsis patients

Severe sepsis is often accompanied by a transient immune paralysis, which is associated with enhanced susceptibility to secondary infections and poor clinical outcomes. The functional impairment of antigen‐presenting cells is considered to be a major hallmark of this septic immunosuppression, with reduced HLA‐DR expression on circulating monocytes serving as predictor of mortality. Unconventional lymphocytes like γδ T‐cells have the potential to restore immune defects in a variety of pathologies including cancer, but their use to rescue sepsis‐induced immunosuppression has not been investigated. Our own previous work showed that Vγ9/Vδ2+ γδ T‐cells are potent activators of monocytes from healthy volunteers in vitro, and in individuals with osteoporosis after first‐time administration of the anti‐bone resorption drug zoledronate in vivo. We show here that zoledronate readily induces upregulation of HLA‐DR, CD40 and CD64 on monocytes from both healthy controls and sepsis patients, which could be abrogated by neutralising the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)‐γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in the cultures. In healthy controls, the upregulation of HLA‐DR on monocytes was proportional to the baseline percentage of Vγ9/Vδ2 T‐cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell population. Of note, a proportion of sepsis patients studied here did not show a demonstrable response to zoledronate, predominantly patients with microbiologically confirmed bloodstream infections, compared with sepsis patients with more localised infections marked by negative blood cultures. Taken together, our results suggest that zoledronate can, at least in some individuals, rescue immunosuppressed monocytes during acute sepsis and thus may help improve clinical outcomes during severe infection.
The effects of first programming language on college students’ computing attitude and achievement: a comparison of graphical and textual languages

ABSTRACT Background and Context: The relationship between novices’ first programming language and their future achievement has drawn increasing interest owing to recent efforts to expand K–12 computing education. This article contributes to this topic by analyzing data from a retrospective study of more than 10,000 undergraduates enrolled in introductory computer science courses at 118 U.S. institutions of higher education. Objective: We explored the relationship between students’ first programming languages and both their final grades in an introductory computer science course and their attitudes about programming. Method: Multiple matching techniques compared those whose first language was graphical (e.g., Scratch), textual (e.g., Java), or absent prior to college. Findings: Having any prior programming experience had positive effects on both attitudes about programming and grades in introductory computer science courses. Importantly, students whose first language was graphical had higher grades than did students whose first language was textual, when the languages were introduced in or before early adolescent years. Implications: Learning any computer language is better than learning none. If programming is to be taught to students before early adolescence, it is advised to start with a graphical language. Future work should investigate the transition between different types of programming languages.
SFB 823 tscount : An R package for analysis of count time series following generalized linear models

The R package tscount provides likelihood-based estimation methods for analysis and modelling of count time series following generalized linear models. This is a flexible class of models which can describe serial correlation in a parsimonious way. The conditional mean of the process is linked to its past values, to past observations and to potential covariate effects. The package allows for models with the identity and with the logarithmic link function. The conditional distribution can be Poisson or Negative Binomial. An important special case of this class is the so-called INGARCH model and its log-linear extension. The package includes methods for model fitting and assessment, prediction and intervention analysis. This paper summarizes the theoretical background of these methods with references to the literature for further details. It gives details on the implementation of the package and provides simulation results for models which have not been studied theoretically before. The usage of the package is demonstrated by two data examples.
Study on reasons of dropout of immunization in children in selected slum area of Dhaka city , Bangladesh

The Expanded Programme on Immunization is one of the most cost-effective, powerful and safe public health interventions. This cross-sectional study carried out at a selected slum in Dhaka city, Bangladesh to examine the reasons of dropout of immunization in children. Mothers having children 11-23 months with history of EPI dropout were included in the study. A total of 128 mothers were interviewed. Out of 128 respondents 32.8% were in the age of 26 -30 yrs; 96.9% were married, 65.7% were housewife, 62.5% had 4-6 members in the family, 50.78% had primary education & rest 10.15% had secondary level education. Approximately 53.1% of the husbands of the respondents were day laborers, and 57.8% of the family had a monthly income in range of Tk. 2001-3000. Out of 128 dropout children, 31.2% were in the age group 11-13 moths and 28.2% were in the age group 20 months and above. During the interview, respondents were able to show the EPI Card of their children. The main reasons for dropping out were a lack of awareness to complete the vaccination schedule (25%), and illness of child (21.9%). The other reasons were fear of reaction (9.4%) and business of the mother (9.4%). There is a need to intensify efforts to increase access for immunization, strengthen surveillance and promote health education to reduce the drop-outs in slum areas.
Learning from a Master Teacher Using a Tripartite Structure Framework

The purpose of the study described in this paper was to investigate a master string teacher’s teaching occurring in one-on-one, group and ensemble settings. This study used a tripartite structure as a framework to identify the master teacher’s subject matter knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge that contribute to his teaching success. This study employed the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as the research methodology to explore a master string teacher who is one of the most renowned violinists and string pedagogues in Australia. The following question guided this study: What are the distinguishing features of the master teacher’s one-on-one teaching, group teaching and ensemble directing? The findings of this research indicated that a teacher’s teaching manner, instructional skill, leadership and teaching philosophy have powerful influence on students. The master teacher offers a model to assist other string teachers.
Development of QSAAR and QAAR models for predicting fish early-life stage toxicity with a focus on industrial chemicals

ABSTRACT We developed models for predicting fish early-life stage (ELS) toxicities oriented to industrial chemicals. The training set was constructed without data from the Office of Pesticide Programs Pesticide Ecotoxicity Database, the main source for the pesticide-biased training set used in our previous work (SAR QSAR Environ. Res. 29:9, 725–742). In addition to the descriptors from the previous study, we also used water solubility to develop the new models, which were evaluated against the test set used in our previous study so that we could focus on the effects of the different training set and the additional descriptor. The statistics for the new models were hardly better than those for the previous models, which suggests, contrary to our expectations, that pesticide-biased data can successfully be used to develop models for predicting the fish ELS toxicities oriented to industrial chemicals. Acute Daphnia magna toxicity was important for the predictive QSAARs in both studies. A distance-based method for defining the applicability domains indicated that water solubility was a key indicator for detecting underestimated chemicals. The comparison of fish ELS toxicities for chemicals presented in different literatures revealed the uncertainty of the experimental data, which may lead to the low predictivity.
carotid artery kinking — actual incidence , indications for surgical treatment and long-term results based on ultrasound evaluation

Background: Clinical assessment of the consequences of internal carotid artery elongation remains controversial. Nevertheless, the coexistence of neurological symptoms in some of the patients with this pathology inclines some vascular centers to qualify a number of patients for surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to present our own experience in US diagnosis and treatment of internal carotid artery elongation. Material and methods: We analyzed the frequency of ICA elongation among patients diagnosed by our Vascular Examination Lab (period between 1998–2002), and consequently presented treatment results of patients qualified for surgery because of symptomatic ICA elongation. In this 5 year period, 76 patients Grzegorz Madycki et al. Internal carotid artery kinking Polish Surgery 2004, 6, 4 186 were operated on and during surgery the patients where monitored using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), transcranial Doppler (TCD) and neurological assessment. In 73 out of 76 patients reimplantation and ICA dilatation was performed. In the perioperative assessment, changes in the flow in the ICA (Vmax and PS ICA/CCA index changes) were analyzed. In the follow up (> 12 months from surgery) the operated vessels were assessed ultrasonographically for restenosis. The authors paid special attention to the techniques of ultrasound examination and surgery. Results: The frequency of ICA elongation phenomenon was assessed on the basis of 4903 ultrasound examinations in about 29.6% (1452 patients). 76 patients were deemed qualified for operative treatment. Early results (postoperative complications) as well as long term (hyperplasia and restenosis phenomena) were judged as very good. Conclusions: Kinkings of ICAs occur more frequently than one may think according to common ultrasound examinations. Because of this during every ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries the entire extracranial section of the ICA (40–50 mm) should be visualized. Surgical treatment should not only be limited to vessel re-implantation, but should also consist of mechanical intravascular dilatation of the artery. The long term results of reimplantation are good and special attention should be drawn to the lack or presence of minimal hyperplasia in the anastomosis after ICA elongation surgery.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ARE IMPORTANT INFLUENCES ON THE RECRUITMENT OF NORTH PACIFIC ALBACORE TUNA

The effects of changing climate on numerous comme rcially and ecologically important fish species including the South Pacific albacore tuna, Thunnus alalunga have been documented over the past decades. The objective of this study was to explore and elucidate the relationship of environmental variables with the stock parameters of albacore tun a. The relationship of the North Pacific albacore t una recruitment (R), female spawning stock biomass (SSB ) and recruits per spawning biomass (RPS) from 1970 to 2012 with the environmental factors of sea urface temperature (SST), Pacific decadal oscillat ion (PDO) and El Niño southern oscillation (ENSO) was c onstrued. SST and PDO were used as independent variables with SSB to construct stock reproduction models for R and RPS as they showed most significant relationship with the dependent variabl es. Model selections were based on Akaike Informati on Criterion (AIC) with the condition of significant p arameter estimates at p<0.05. Models with single independent variables of SST, PDO and ENSO were als o constructed to illuminate their individual effect on albacore R and RPS. From the results it can be s tat d that SST and PDO resulted in the most significant models for reproducing North Pacific al b core tuna R and RPS time series.
CTR Predictions and Literature References

Many billions of dollars a year are spent on web advertising. In search engines, after a user enters his/her query, targeted ads are shown in response to the query. Figure 1 shows an example for Google. Web search ads align incentives. This is because search engines only get paid if the user clicks on the ad. This is not a perfect proxy for relevant ads, but it is good-enough to say that clicked ads are relevant. So search engines like to show relevant ads. On the other hand, users also like relevant ads more. In order to satisfy these, the key ingredient is predicting the probability of a click for a specific ad in response to a specific query. The most important features for this task are search phrases and ad text. Figure 2 shows the system overview of a prediction system for click probability. The data including ads, features and labels are streaming and we do not know the dimensionality in advance. There are some challenges in systems for training massive models on massive data with minimum resources. These systems should be able to handle