Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Performance of Three Silicone Hydrogel Daily Disposable Lenses

Purpose To determine the clinical performance of DAILIES TOTAL1 (DT1), Clariti 1Day (C1D), and 1-DAY ACUVUE TruEye (AVTE) silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact lenses (SiHy DDCLs). Methods Eligible participants, subdivided into asymptomatic and symptomatic groups, wore each SiHy DDCLs for three consecutive days. Each participant attended three visits (on day 1 at 0 hours; on days 1 and 3 after 8 hours of wear) per lens type. The order of lens wear was randomized, with at least 1 day washout between lenses. Lens-related performance was evaluated by assessing lens surface deposits, wettability, pre-lens noninvasive tear breakup time, lens movement, and centration; ocular response assessments included conjunctival redness, corneal staining, and conjunctival staining and indentation. Results Fifty-one asymptomatic and 53 symptomatic participants completed the study. For all visits, the mean noninvasive tear breakup time was about 1 second longer with DT1 than with C1D and AVTE (p < 0.01). Overall, the wettability of all three lenses was good; however, DT1 was graded marginally better than the other lenses (both p < 0.01). On day 3, eyes wearing AVTE had significantly more dehydration-induced corneal staining compared with DT1 (AVTE, 24%; DT1, 11%; p < 0.01). After 8 hours, conjunctival staining was different between lenses (greatest with C1D and least with DT1; all p < 0.01). Conjunctival indentation was more prevalent with the C1D lenses (n = 70) compared with DT1 (n = 1; p < 0.01) and AVTE (n = 11; p < 0.01). There were no differences between asymptomatic and symptomatic lens wearers for any of the clinical parameters (all p > 0.05). Conclusions Each of the three SiHy DDCLs performed well. Noninvasive tear breakup time was longest and wettability was greater with DT1. C1D had the most conjunctival staining conjunctival indentation. There was no difference between asymptomatic and symptomatic wearers with regard to ocular response and contact lens–related parameters. These results suggest that SiHy DDCLs may be an excellent contact lens modality for the symptomatic patient.
A computer attitude scale for computer science freshmen and its educational implications

The successful integration of computers in educational environments depends, to a great extent, on students' attitudes towards them. Widely used computer attitude scales (CASs) focus on the beliefs of typical computer users and do not reveal the more refined attitudes of groups that use computers extensively and develop unique relations with them. This study presents the development and validation of a CAS especially designed for computer science freshmen (CASF). The scale consists of five factors, namely, self-confidence in previous knowledge, hardware usage anxiety, computer engagement, fears of long-lasting negative consequences of computer use and evaluation of positive consequences of computers in personal and social life. Using an analytic computer experience construct, the scale's components were related to multiple aspects of students' computer experience. CASF responses can inform a variety of instructional decisions and classroom management strategies for the first phase of the students' studies.
An Experience Report on Teaching Programming and Computational Thinking to Elementary Level Children Using Lego Robotics Education Kit

We present our approach and experiences in teaching computational thinking, problem solving, team-work and project management skills to several elementary level children using Lego Mindstorms EV3 robotics education kit. We taught students how to design, construct and program robots using components such as motors, sensors, wheels, axles, beams, connectors and gears. Students also gained knowledge on basic programming constructs such as control flow, loops, branches and conditions using a visual programming environment. We carefully observed how students performed various tasks and solved problems. We present experimental results which demonstrates that our teaching methodology consisting of both the course content and pedagogy was useful in imparting the desired skills and knowledge to elementary level children.
Engineered Regulatory T Cells Coexpressing MHC Class II:Peptide Complexes Are Efficient Inhibitors of Autoimmune T Cell Function and Prevent the Development of Autoimmune Arthritis

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical homeostatic components in preventing the development of autoimmunity, and are a major focus for their therapeutic potential for autoimmune diseases. To enhance the efficacy of Tregs in adoptive therapy, we developed a strategy for generating engineered Tregs that have the capacity to target autoimmune T cells in an Ag-specific manner. Using a retroviral expression system encoding Foxp3 and HLA-DR1 covalently linked to the immunodominant peptide of the autoantigen type II collagen (DR1-CII), naive T cells were engineered to become Tregs that express DR1-CII complexes on their surface. When these cells were tested for their ability to prevent the development of collagen induced arthritis, both the engineered DR1-CII-Foxp3 and Foxp3 only Tregs significantly reduced the severity and incidence of disease. However, the mechanism by which these two populations of Tregs inhibited disease differed significantly. Disease inhibition by the DR1-CII-Foxp3 Tregs was accompanied by significantly lower numbers of autoimmune CII-specific T cells in vivo and lower levels of autoantibodies in comparison with engineered Tregs expressing Foxp3 alone. In addition, the numbers of IFN-γ– and IL-17–expressing T cells in mice treated with DR1-CII-Foxp3 Tregs were also significantly reduced in comparison with mice treated with Foxp3 engineered Tregs or vector control cells. These data indicate that the coexpression of class II autoantigen–peptide complexes on Tregs provides these cells with a distinct capacity to regulate autoimmune T cell responses that differs from that used by conventional Tregs.
James's will-to-believe doctrine : a heretical view

In 1896 William James published an essay entitled The Will to Believe, in which he defended the legitimacy of religious faith against the attacks of such champions of scientific method as W.K. Clifford and Thomas Huxley. James's work quickly became one of the most important writings in the philosophy of religious belief. James Wernham analyses James's arguments, discusses his relation to Pascal and Renouvier, and considers the interpretations, and misinterpretations, of James's major critics. Wernham shows convincingly that James was unaware of many destructive ambiguitities in his own doctrines and arguments, although clear and consistent in his view that our obligation to believe in theism is not a moral but a prudential obligation -- a foolish-not-to-believe doctrine, rather than a not-immoral-to-believe one. Wernham also shows that the doctrine is best read as affirming the wisdom of gambling that God exists, a notion which James failed to distinguish from believing and which, among other things, he explicitly identified with faith. James's pragmatism, a theory concerning the meaning of truth, is shown to be quite distinct from the doctrine of The Will to Believe. In concentrating on a careful analysis of this doctrine of the will-to-believe, Wernham not only makes a major contribution to understanding James's philosophy, but also clarifies issues in the philosophy of religion and in the analysis of belief and faith.
Biogenesis of RNA Polymerases II and III Requires the Conserved GPN Small GTPases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The GPN proteins are a poorly characterized and deeply evolutionarily conserved family of three paralogous small GTPases, Gpn1, 2, and 3. The founding member, GPN1/NPA3/XAB1, is proposed to function in nuclear import of RNA polymerase II along with a recently described protein called Iwr1. Here we show that the previously uncharacterized protein Gpn2 binds both Gpn3 and Npa3/Gpn1 and that temperature-sensitive alleles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae GPN2 and GPN3 exhibit genetic interactions with RNA polymerase II mutants, hypersensitivity to transcription inhibition, and defects in RNA polymerase II nuclear localization. Importantly, we identify previously unrecognized RNA polymerase III localization defects in GPN2, GPN3, and IWR1 mutant backgrounds but find no localization defects of unrelated nuclear proteins or of RNA polymerase I. Previously, it was unclear whether the GPN proteins and Iwr1 had overlapping function in RNA polymerase II assembly or import. In this study, we show that the nuclear import defect of iwr1Δ, but not the GPN2 or GPN3 mutant defects, is partially suppressed by fusion of a nuclear localization signal to the RNA polymerase II subunit Rpb3. These data, combined with strong genetic interactions between GPN2 and IWR1, suggest that the GPN proteins function upstream of Iwr1 in RNA polymerase II and III biogenesis. We propose that the three GPN proteins execute a common, and likely essential, function in RNA polymerase assembly and transport.
Pharmacological difficulties in the treatment of asthma in pregnant women

ABSTRACT Introduction: This is a review of the diagnosis and management of asthma in the pregnant patient. Asthma may adversely affect both maternal quality of life and, perinatal outcomes. Optimal management of asthma is thus important for both mother and baby. Areas covered: Special attention is paid to the challenges in diagnosis and management of asthma during pregnancy. Expert commentary: This article reviews the safety of asthma medications commonly used during pregnancy.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Induced Apoptosis Involves Mitochondria and Stress-Activated Protein Kinases

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram-negative facultative pathogen, causes severe infections in immunocompromised and cystic fibrosis patients. However, the molecular details of the interaction between P. aeruginosa and mammalian cells are still largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that infection of human conjunctiva epithelial Chang cells with the well-characterized P. aeruginosa strain PAO-I results in rapid induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis was mediated by mitochondrial alterations, in particular mitochondrial depolarization, synthesis of reactive oxygen intermediates, and release of cytochrome c, as well as an activation of Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK). Stimulation of these events was dependent on upregulation of CD95 on infected cells, and a deficiency of CD95 or the CD95 ligand prevented mitochondrial changes, JNK activation, and apoptosis upon infection. Further, efficient apoptosis of Chang epithelial cells required infection with liveP. aeruginosa, adhesion but not invasion of the bacteria, and expression of the type III secretion system in PAO-I. The data indicate a type III secretion system-dependent, sequential activation of several signaling pathways by P. aeruginosa PAO-I, resulting in apoptosis of the infected cell.
Surgery Combined with LPRF in Denosumab Os teonec ros

(LPRF) combined with bone resection did not result in complete tissue response in the treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). It has been recently described in patients receiving subcutaneous administration of RANK-inhibitors, such as Denosumab, and anti-angiogenic drugs, such as Bevacizumab, as observed in our cases. Due to promising results in recent studies, more patients will receive these medications in order to avoid skeletal complications due to metastatic bone disease and, therefore, this scenario has a potential to become a comparable challenge to the bisphosphonateinduced jaw necrosis in the area of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. No convincing surgical technique has been described to overcome the non-healing mucosal lesions with exposed bone due to RANK-inhibitor therapy. Based on the findings in the literature and in both cases described herein can be concluded that the use of LPRF should be considered in the treatment of patients with DRONJ. Surgery Combined with LPRF in Denosumab Os teonec ros i s o f t h e J a w : C a s e R e p o r t
Assessing clients’ satisfaction with the service quality of construction consultants in Lagos, Nigeria

The service quality of consultants plays an important role in enhancing the success of construction projects. The study aims to determine the gaps between the clients’ observed and expected service quality of construction consultants. The 20-service quality (SERVQUAL) criteria of consultants used in this study were compiled from studies on service quality in the construction industry. Quantitative (survey) research design was used for the study and the population consisted of public and private clients in the construction industry. The random sampling technique was used for the study. The data collected were analysed with descriptive statistics. The results indicate that the clients’ order of satisfaction with consultants’ services is: willingness to provide service; courtesy; knowledge and confidence in clients; etc. However, the services provided are in the order of: keeping clients informed of the progress of the projects; provision of skilled personnel to handle projects; etc. The study established that gaps exist between the expected and observed service quality of consultants in 8 out of the 20 areas that were investigated. T-test statistics revealed that there are significant differences in the observed and expected service quality of consultants by private and public clients. Hence, consultants’ services are yet to reach clients’ expectations.
Investigation and Control of an Outbreak of Enterobacter aerogenes Bloodstream Infection in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Fiji

Ten neonates developed blood stream infection with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacter aerogenes in a neonatal intensive care unit in Fiji. The source of the outbreak was traced to a bag of contaminated normal saline in the ward, which was used for multiple patients. All isolates recovered from patients were indistinguishable from the bacteria recovered from the normal saline by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The outbreak was controlled using simple infection control practices such as reinforcement of strict hand hygiene policy, provision of single use vials of normal saline, and strict aseptic technique for injections.
Analysis of Expert System Investment Technology Based on Banking Sector

With the winning ratio, annual return rate and net profit rate as the management goals, the practicality of the RSI and MA expert systems for the banking sector is analyzed. The winning rate of the RSI expert system is 85.19%, 1.47 times that of the MA expert system. The annual return rate and net profit rate of the RSI expert systems are 16.62% and 15.23% respectively, 2.13 times that of the MA expert system. The annual transactions of the RSI expert system are 0.87 times that of the MA expert system. Frequent trading of the MA expert system is the main reason for its cost increase. This results show that the RSI expert system is significantly superior to the MA expert system. Therefore, it is a system that investors can rely on.
Observation of suppressed interface state relaxation under positive gate biasing of the ultrathin oxynitride gate p-MOSFET subjected to negative-bias temperature stressing

The impact of a positive gate relaxation voltage on the recovery of an ultrathin oxynitride gate p-MOSFET subjected to negative-bias temperature stressing is investigated. Apart from reaffirming previous observations on the accelerated threshold voltage recovery due primarily to positive field-induced discharge of positive SiO/sub 2/ bulk states, the results also unambiguously show that the relaxation of Si/SiO/sub 2/ interface states (N/sub it/) is suppressed. The observed suppression of N/sub it/ relaxation poses an important challenge to the existing viewpoint of increased N/sub it/ relaxation under positive gate biasing.
Identification and Validation of Novel Adipokines Released from Primary Human Adipocytes*

Adipose tissue is a major endocrine organ, releasing signaling and mediator proteins, termed adipokines, via which adipose tissue communicates with other organs. Expansion of adipose tissue in obesity alters adipokine secretion, which may contribute to the development of metabolic diseases. Although recent profiling studies have identified numerous adipokines, the amount of overlap from these studies indicates that the adipokinome is still incompletely characterized. Therefore, we conducted a complementary protein profiling on concentrated conditioned medium derived from primary human adipocytes. SDS-PAGE/liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem MS and two-dimensional SDS-PAGE/matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight MS identified 347 proteins, 263 of which were predicted to be secreted. Fourty-four proteins were identified as novel adipokines. Furthermore, we validated the regulation and release of selected adipokines in primary human adipocytes and in serum and adipose tissue biopsies from morbidly obese patients and normal-weight controls. Validation experiments conducted for complement factor H, αB-crystallin, cartilage intermediate-layer protein, and heme oxygenase-1 show that the release and expression of these factors in adipocytes is regulated by differentiation and stimuli, which affect insulin sensitivity, as well as by obesity. Heme oxygenase-1 especially reveals to be a novel adipokine of interest. In vivo, circulating levels and adipose tissue expression of heme oxygenase-1 are significantly increased in obese subjects compared with lean controls. Collectively, our profiling study of the human adipokinome expands the list of adipokines and further highlights the pivotal role of adipokines in the regulation of multiple biological processes within adipose tissue and their potential dysregulation in obesity.
The Relationship between Age and Fever Magnitude

Background: Infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in older people; however, they are often difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms of infection in older people are frequently atypical. Fever, one of the most important signs of infection, is a case in point. Preliminary evidence suggests that the febrile response in older persons is blunted, leading to the clinical maxim, “the older, the colder. ” The objective of this study was to assess the effect of age on the febrile response to moderate‐to‐severe pneumonia in hospitalized patients adjusted for the effect of anatomic site at which the temperature was measured. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 320 hospitalized patients with moderate‐to‐severe pneumonia. The study was designed to assess the effect of age on the febrile response to moderate‐to‐severe pneumonia in hospitalized patients, adjusting for the effect of the anatomic location of the temperature measurement. The highest temperature of each day and the anatomic sites at which temperatures were taken (axillary, oral, rectal, or other) on days 1 and 2 of infection and at hospital discharge. Baseline demographic information, including age, were obtained for each patient. Results: There were 320 patients (median age, 64 years; range, 18–97 years). Using a linear regression model, significant inverse correlations were found between age and the temperature for patients on the first and second days of hospitalization (P<0.001). For each decade increase in age, the average temperature on the first 3 days of infection was lower by 0.15°C. Temperature at discharge, a surrogate for baseline temperature, also decreased at an equal rate with age. Conclusion: In this study, the febrile response to infections was reduced with increasing age and baseline temperatures were generally lower in older patients.
Cyberbullying and adolescent mental health: systematic review

Cyberbullying is a new form of violence that is expressed through electronic media and has given rise to concern for parents, educators and researchers. In this paper, an association between cyberbullying and adolescent mental health will be assessed through a systematic review of two databases: PubMed and Virtual Health Library (BVS). The prevalence of cyberbullying ranged from 6.5% to 35.4%. Previous or current experiences of traditional bullying were associated with victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying. Daily use of three or more hours of Internet, web camera, text messages, posting personal information and harassing others online were associated with cyberbullying. Cybervictims and cyberbullies had more emotional and psychosomatic problems, social difficulties and did not feel safe and cared for in school. Cyberbullying was associated with moderate to severe depressive symptoms, substance use, ideation and suicide attempts. Health professionals should be aware of the violent nature of interactions occurring in the virtual environment and its harm to the mental health of adolescents.
Effect of quiescence on integrin alpha5beta1 expression in human retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is differentiated and mitotically inactive in the normal eye, but several pathologies such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) cause RPE cells to dedifferentiate and resume proliferation. Integrins, a family of cell surface glycoproteins that mediate cell proliferation and differentiation, are thought to play fundamental roles in PVR. The aim of this study was to evaluate protein expression and gene regulation of the integrin alpha5 subunit in proliferating and quiescent RPE cells. METHODS Protein expression was studied in situ by immunohistochemistry and in vitro at different cell confluences by immunoprecipitation. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and transient transfections were used to determine whether increasing cell confluence also affected alpha5 subunit mRNA levels and promoter activity, respectively. RESULTS We demonstrated that the integrin alpha5 subunit is present at the RPE cell surface both in situ and in vitro, and that alpha5 protein level is influenced by confluence. Levels of integrin alpha5 transcripts are similar for sub-confluent and confluent cells, and a small increase in the promoter activity was observed between sub-confluent and confluent cells. However, both the integrin alpha5 subunit transcript and the alpha5 promoter activity decreased when cells reached post-confluence. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that cell confluence affected protein and gene expression of the integrin alpha5 subunit. Proliferating RPE cells expressed high levels of both the alpha5 protein and mRNA transcripts and showed a high promoter activity. However, when cells reached quiescence, alpha5 gene expression was substantially reduced and RPE cells expressed little alpha5 protein at their cell surface.