Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Numerical Simulation of Peristaltic motion in the Ureter Using Fluid Structure Interactions

An axisymmetric model with fluid-structure interactions (FSI) is introduced and solved to perform ureter flow and stress analysis. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved for the fluid and a linear elastic model for ureter is used. The finite element equations for both the structure and the fluid were solved by the Newton-Raphson iterative method. Our results indicated that shear stresses were high around the throat of moving contracted wall. The pressure gradient magnitude along the ureter wall and the symmetry line had the maximum value around the throat of moving contracted wall which decreased as the peristalsis propagates toward the bladder. The flow rate at the ureter outlet at the end of the peristaltic motion was about 650 mm3/s. During propagation of the peristalsis toward the bladder, the inlet backward flow region was limited to the areas near symmetry line but the inner ureter backward flow regions extended to the whole ureter contraction part. The backward flow was vanished after 1.5 seconds of peristalsis propagation start up and after that time the urine flow was forward in the whole ureter length, so reflux is more probable to be present at the beginning of the wall peristaltic motion.
Perioperative Assessment of Myocardial Deformation

Evaluation of left ventricular performance improves risk assessment and guides anesthetic decisions. However, the most common echocardiographic measure of myocardial function, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), has important limitations. LVEF is limited by subjective interpretation that reduces accuracy and reproducibility, and LVEF assesses global function without characterizing regional myocardial abnormalities. An alternative objective echocardiographic measure of myocardial function is thus needed. Myocardial deformation analysis, which performs quantitative assessment of global and regional myocardial function, may be useful for perioperative care of surgical patients. Myocardial deformation analysis evaluates left ventricular mechanics by quantifying strain and strain rate. Strain describes percent change in myocardial length in the longitudinal (from base to apex) and circumferential (encircling the short-axis of the ventricle) direction and change in thickness in the radial direction. Segmental strain describes regional myocardial function. Strain is a negative number when the ventricle shortens longitudinally or circumferentially and is positive with radial thickening. Reference values for normal longitudinal strain from a recent meta-analysis by using transthoracic echocardiography are (mean ± SD) −19.7% ± 0.4%, while radial and circumferential strain are 47.3% ± 1.9% and −23.3% ± 0.7%, respectively. The speed of myocardial deformation is also important and is characterized by strain rate. Longitudinal systolic strain rate in healthy subjects averages −1.10 ± 0.16 s−1. Assessment of myocardial deformation requires consideration of both strain (change in deformation), which correlates with LVEF, and strain rate (speed of deformation), which correlates with rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt). Myocardial deformation analysis also evaluates ventricular relaxation, twist, and untwist, providing new and noninvasive methods to assess components of myocardial systolic and diastolic function. Myocardial deformation analysis is based on either Doppler or a non-Doppler technique, called speckle-tracking echocardiography. Myocardial deformation analysis provides quantitative measures of global and regional myocardial function for use in the perioperative care of the surgical patient. For example, coronary graft occlusion after coronary artery bypass grafting is detected by an acute reduction in strain in the affected coronary artery territory. In addition, assessment of left ventricular mechanics detects underlying myocardial pathology before abnormalities become apparent on conventional echocardiography. Certainly, patients with aortic regurgitation demonstrate reduced longitudinal strain before reduction in LVEF occurs, which allows detection of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction and predicts increased risk for heart failure and impaired myocardial function after surgical repair. In this review, we describe the principles, techniques, and clinical application of myocardial deformation analysis.
People like me are never promoted! Plurality in hierarchical tournaments for promotion and compensation

A central tenet of tournament theory is that interhierarchical pay dispersion promotes effort and performance among employees—regardless of who ends up winning the tournament—because all employees seek to win and thereby receive the large pay raise. However, drawing from social identity theory, we propose that plurality in labor pools has important implications for tournament theory. Specifically, we posit that the performance benefits from interhierarchical pay dispersion are especially large when employees perceive previous promotees as similar to themselves, but minimal when they perceive dissimilarity. Dissimilarity to past tournament winners reduces the perceived probability of success and enhances the perception of injustice in response to interhierarchical pay dispersion, resulting in reduced performance and increased organizational deviance and turnover. Moreover, the influence of perceived demographic similarity on tournament effectiveness is strengthened by social creativity strategies and identity salience but weakened by social mobility strategies. Thus, in some contexts, interhierarchical pay dispersion will not only fail to promote performance, but will backfire and instead promote negative outcomes.
Has serum CA 125 assay at the time of relapse a prognostic relevance for patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma after primary cytoreduction and platinum- and paclitaxel-based chemotherapy?

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION To correlate serum CA125 at relapse with survival in ovarian cancer patients who achieved a complete response after primary cytoreduction and paclitaxel- and platinum-based chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted in 104 patients. RESULTS The 25%, 50%, and 75% quantiles of CA125 levels at relapse were 46, 118, and 190 U/ml. By log-rank test, survival after recurrence was related to consolidation treatment (p = 0.046), platinum-free interval (PFI) (p < 0.000005), number of recurrence sites (p = 0.03), treatment at recurrence (p = 0.002), and serum CA125 taking 118 U/ml as cut-off (p = 0.013). On multivariate analysis, consolidation treatment (p = 0.007), PFI (p = 0.0001), treatment at recurrence (p = 0.01), and serum CA125 taking 118 U/ml as cut-off (p = 0.04) were independent prognostic variables for survival. CONCLUSIONS Serum CA125 at relapse was an independent prognostic variable. Patients with serum CA125 > 118 U/m had 1.943 higher risk of death than those with lower antigen value.
Relationship Matters: Duo-narrating a Graduate Student/Supervisor Journey

The student/supervisor relationship may be one of the most important aspects of graduate student success; yet, few academics receive any training in student supervision. Students may not know what qualities and capacities to consider when choosing a supervisor. The purpose of this paper is to duo-narrate the story of our experiences with a Social Justice and Equity Studies master’s thesis project at a Canadian University focusing on student/supervisor relationship-building. In this collaborative endeavor we share stories of our experiences in an effort to communicate the centrality of “relationship” in the student/supervisor collaboration. We provide personal and literature-based insights into graduate supervision, including lessons learned and advice(s) for both faculty and students about: 1) relationship matters; 2) the value of communication; and 3) the importance of culture and context.
Use of videotape to assess mobility in a controlled randomized crossover trial of physiotherapy in chronic multiple sclerosis

Objectives: To determine to what degree assessment of mobility based on comparison of videotape recordings before and after courses of physiotherapy in patients with chronic multiple sclerosis (MS) is reliable, correlates with ‘live’ assessments and indicates benefit. Design: Prospective data collection within a randomized crossover controlled trial of physiotherapy at home, as an outpatient, or ‘no therapy’ in 40 patients. Setting: Hospital outpatients: outpatient and home physiotherapy. Outcomes: Mobility change based on a comparison of short video recordings before and after each treatment period was scored independently by two physiotherapists blinded to therapy type and other measures of outcome. Scores were compared with changes in the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and other indices assessed by a physiotherapist in the patient's home. Results: The two video observers agreed substantially on patient outcome. Changes in walking based on video correlated with RMI for home treatment (r = 0.41, p = 0.008) but not for hospital or no treatment periods (r = 0.14 and 0.15): video changes correlated with the ‘live’ assessor's global change score inconsistently (‘no therapy’r = 0.48, p = 0.002, hospital r = 0.30, p = 0.06 and home r = 0.17, p = 0.30 treatment periods). Based on video data alone, improved mobility was evident following home therapy for only one observer but not for the other or the averaged scores of both. Conclusion: There was substantial agreement between two observers deciding on change in mobility based on independent blinded evaluation of short video sequences. However the correlations of these with ‘live’ assessments were variable. Physiotherapy had a less clear benefit on mobility based on video analysis alone compared with ‘live’ assessments. The study highlights the need for more objective measures of habitual mobility over longer periods.
Changes in high-school students' competence beliefs, utility value and achievement goals in mathematics.

BACKGROUND Many studies have revealed that there is a significant decrease over time in high-school students' attitudes towards mathematics learning. Some authors conclude that motivation in mathematics stabilizes or improves around grade 9; others propose that the decline is continuous. It is unclear if girls or boys are more affected by this phenomenon. AIMS The present study aims to further examine changes in competence beliefs, utility value and achievement goals in mathematics during high school, taking gender and period of the academic year into account. SAMPLE 1,130 participants from 18 secondary schools, distributed in two cohorts (grades 7 and 9). METHOD Attitudinal scales designed to measure competence beliefs, utility value and achievement goals in mathematics were administered at the beginning and end of three academic years in a longitudinal cohort-sequential research design using two sequential cohorts. Hierarchical linear modelling was used to analyse the data. RESULTS Results showed an ongoing reduction of most of the variables measured. This was the case for both cohorts and genders. However, boys were more affected than girls. Furthermore, for all variables, motivation tended to be lower at the end of the academic year than at the beginning. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis of a regular decline of motivation in mathematics during high school, accentuated between grades 9 and 11. Moreover, our results illustrate gender convergence in mathematics rather than gender differentiation. Finally, the gradual drop in motivation in mathematics appears to be a two-step phenomenon: a decrease between and within grade levels.
Menaquinol-nitrate oxidoreductase of Bacillus halodenitrificans

When grown anaerobically on nitrate-containing medium, Bacillus halodenitrificans exhibited a membrane-bound nitrate reductase (NR) that was solubilized by 2% Triton X-100 but not by 1% cholate or deoxycholate. Purification on columns of DE-52, hydroxylapatite, and Sephacryl S-300 yielded reduced methyl viologen NR (MVH-NR) with specific activities of 20 to 35 U/mg of protein that was stable when stored in 40% sucrose at -20 degrees C for 6 weeks. 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxypropone-1-sulfonat e (CHAPSO) and dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside stimulated enzyme activity three- to fourfold. Membrane extractions yielded purified NR that separated after electrophoresis into a 145-kDa alpha subunit, a 58-kDa beta subunit, and a 23-kDa gamma subunit. The electronic spectrum of dithionite-reduced, purified NR displayed peaks at 424.6, 527, and 557 nm, indicative of the presence of a cytochrome b, an interpretation consistent with the pyridine hemochrome spectrum formed. Analyses revealed a molybdenum-heme-non-heme iron ratio of 1:1:8 for the NR and the presence of molybdopterin. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals characteristic of iron-sulfur centers were detected at low temperature. EPR also revealed a minor signal centered in the g = 2 region of the spectra. Upon reduction with dithionite, the enzyme displayed signals at g = 2.064, 2.026, 1.906, and 1.888, indicative of the presence of low-potential iron-sulfur centers, which resolve most probably as two [4Fe-4S]+1 clusters. With menadiol as the substrate for nitrate reduction, the Km for nitrate was 50-fold less than that seen when MVH was the electron donor. The cytochrome b557-containing enzyme from B. halodenitrificans is characterized as a menaquinol-nitrate:oxidoreductase.
Risk factors for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and prevention practices among US heterosexual adults: changes from 1990 to 1992.

OBJECTIVES The National AIDS Behavioral Survey (1990-1992) of heterosexual adults (18-49 years) measured human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk factors, condom use, and HIV antibody testing, with a focus on major "high-risk" cities. METHODS A longitudinal survey was conducted. RESULTS There was little reduction in the overall prevalence of HIV risk factors in the national or high-risk cities cohorts over time. Despite this picture of stability, approximately 39% of the population at risk for HIV because of multiple sexual partners turns over annually. There was little change in HIV test-seeking or in consistent condom use with primary sexual partners. Although the majority of at-risk respondents used condoms sporadically or not at all (65%), a significant increase in condom use was found among those reporting multiple sexual partners in both waves, particularly among Black heterosexuals. Data from other surveys and condom sales nationally support the findings. CONCLUSIONS There is a need for a series of surveys in this area to assess the reliability of the present findings and to monitor the general US population's response to prevention programs.
Assessment of nociceptive system in vegetative and minimally conscious state by using laser evoked potentials

Abstract Primary objective: The aim of this study is to assess if laser evoked potentials (LEPs) examination should be considered as an objective evidence of potential or residual pain perception capacity in vegetative (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) patients and if it could be a feasible methodology in order to differentiate these two clinical entities. Research design: This is a cross-sectional observational study focusing on the role of LEP examination, which is an easy and objective neurophysiological approach of the nociceptive system. Methods and procedures: Thirteen VS and 10 MCS patients were enrolled. All subjects were evaluated clinically by using validated behavioural scales and underwent to upper and lower limbs LEP recording. Main outcomes and results: Intra-group LEPs analysis in VS patients highlighted significant differences for N2P2 latency (p = 0.036) and amplitude (p = 0.018). Inter-group LEPs analysis showed significant differences in post-anoxic condition for N2P2 latency (p = 0.034), amplitude (p = 0.034) and a trend in N2P2 latency in brain trauma (p = 0.07). Interestingly, correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between N2P2 amplitude and Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scoring in the post-traumatic VS (r = 0.823, p = 0.044). Conclusions: The findings lead to detection of potential markers of conscious pain perception in patients with DOC, with important impact on therapeutic and rehabilitative management, and provide new information that may allow a better differential diagnosis.
Studies on the physicochemical and bacteriological properties of some semi-public Swimming pools in Makurdi, Nigeria

Recreational waters are routes of transmission for most water-related illnesses. In this study, the water quality of five selected swimming pools (SP) was examined after disinfection prior to bathing and after bathing by swimmers. SP sampling was carried out weekly for 4 weeks between August and September in Makurdi, Nigeria. Bacterial loads and physicochemical parameters were determined using standard and standard analytical methods, respectively. Most of the physicochemical parameters analyzed were within recommended limit except for residual chlorine, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and total dissolved solids exceeding the permissible limit in some SPs before and after bath. Total heterotrophic count before bath ranged from 2.1 × 107 to 10.9 × 107 cfu/ml and 4.2 × 107 to 17.6 × 107 cfu/ml after bath. Some SPs revealed Salmonella-Shigella spp. contamination before and after bath. Total coliforms (TC) ranged from 0-27 MPN/100 ml and 0-43 MPN/100 ml before and after bath respectively, while faecal coliforms (FC) ranged from 0-9 MPN/100 ml before bath and 0-21 MPN/100 ml after bath. Two of the studied SPs significantly increase in TC (150 and 86%) and FC (105 and 22%) after bath. The results suggest that the possible routes for pools contamination include source of water, inadequate disinfection process, faecal discharge and bather density. Key words: Swimming pool, bacterial count, bath; physicochemical, standards, Makurdi, coliforms.
The Significance of the Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex for Pitch Memory in Non-musicians Depends on Baseline Pitch Memory Abilities

Pitch memory is a resource which is shared by music and language. Neuroimaging studies have shown that the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is activated during pitch memory processes. The present study investigated the causal significance of this brain area for pitch memory in non-musicians by applying cathodal and sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right DLPFC and examining the impact on offline pitch and visual memory span performances. On the overall sample (N = 22) no significant modulation effect of cathodal stimulation on the pitch span task was found. However, when dividing the sample by means of a median split of pre-test pitch memory abilities into a high and low performing group, a selective effect of significantly impaired pitch memory after cathodal tDCS in good performers was revealed. The visual control task was not affected by the stimulation in either group. The results support previous neuroimaging studies that the right DLPFC is involved in pitch memory processes in non-musicians and highlights the importance of baseline pitch memory abilities for the modulatory effect of tDCS.
Influence of Metabolic Syndrome, Viral Genotype and Antiviral Therapy on Superimposed Fatty Liver Disease in Chronic Hepatitis C

Background/aims The prevalence and clinical implications of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C remain unknown in Taiwan. Methods We addressed the relevant issues by analysing 95 naive Taiwanese patients infected with either hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 (n=57) or 2 (n=38), receiving interferon alone (n=41) or in combination with ribavirin (n=54) therapy. A single pathologist scored steatosis and steatohepatitis at baseline and 24 weeks after antiviral treatment. Results At baseline, steatosis and steatohepatitis were present in 44 (46%) and four (4%) patients, respectively. Variables associated with steatosis in logistical regression were hyperglycaemia (P=0.01), hypertriglyceridaemia (P=004) and body mass index ≥27 (P=0.009), but not HCV genotype or viral load. The grade of steatosis correlated well with the number of metabolic syndrome parameters (P=0.018). Interferon monotherapy, advanced age and HCV genotype 1, but not steatosis, correlated with lower sustained response rate. After treatment, steatosis improved in 19 and worsened in nine, which also did not correlate with HCV genotype (P=0.850) or sustained response to antiviral therapy (P=0.246). Conclusions Hepatic steatosis in Taiwanese patients with chronic hepatitis C was associated with features of the metabolic syndrome, but did not correlate with HCV genotype, advanced fibrosis or the response to antiviral therapy.
Treatment of Helicobacter pylori in surgical practice: a randomised trial of triple versus quadruple therapy in a rural district general hospital.

AIM To compare a lansoprazole-based triple versus quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) eradication with emphasis on side effect profile, patient compliance and eradication rate at a rural district general hospital in Wales, United Kingdom. METHODS One hundred one patients with H pylori infection were included in the study. Patients were randomised to receive triple therapy comprising of lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxycillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg, all b.d. (LAC), or quadruple therapy comprising of lansoprazole 30 mg b.d. , metronidazole 500 mg t.d. s. , bismuth subcitrate 240 mg b.d. , and tetracycline chloride 500 mg q.d. s. (LMBT). Cure was defined as a negative (13)C urea breath test 2 mo after treatment. RESULTS Seven patients were withdrawn after randomisation. Fifty patients were assigned to LAC group and 44 to LMBT group. The intention-to-treat cure rates were 92% and 91%, whereas the per-protocol cure rates were 92% and 97%, respectively. Side effects were common, with 56% experiencing moderate to severe symptoms in the LAC group and 59% in the LMBT group. Symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea and black stools were significantly more common in the LMBT group. Patient compliance was 100% for triple therapy and 86% for quadruple therapy (P < 0.01). One-third of patients in both groups were still taking acid-reducing medications at six-month follow-up. CONCLUSION One-week triple and quadruple therapies have similar intention-to-treat eradication rates. Certain side effects are more common with quadruple therapy, which can compromise patient compliance. Patient education or modifications to the regimen are alternative options to improve compliance of the quadruple regimen.