Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The cochlear nuclei in the common porpoise, Phocaena phocaena

The structure of the primary cochlear nuclei in three specimens of the common porpoise, Phocaena phocaena, has been studied in transverse and sagittal sections stained for cells (Nissl) and myelin sheaths. A rudimental dorsal cochlear nucleus and a very large ventral cochlear nucleus were found. The large cochlear nerve (nine tenths of the entire VIII nerve) enters the rostral pole of the ventral cochlear nucleus within which it fans out to form ascending and descending fibers. Five subdivisions were distinguished in the ventral nucleus, viz., the anterior part, the posterior part, the dorsolateral part, the dorsomedial part, and the interstitial part.
MORPHOLOGICAL REACTION OF SPERMATOZOA IN THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE TRACT OF THE RABBIT.

Summary. A study of rabbit ejaculate and epididymal spermatozoa, and of spermatozoa recovered from various regions of the female tract, has revealed some consistent morphological differences in the state of the acrosome between these groups. Few acrosomes were missing or changed in epididymal or ejaculate spermatozoa. On the other hand, the acrosome was absent in spermatozoa released from the perivitelline space of fertilized ova. Uterine and tubal spermatozoa recovered 9 to 11 hr after insemination of ejaculates into oestrous or pseudopregnant females showed change or loss of the acrosome in a variable percentage (8 to 58 %). The percentage acrosome loss from uterine samples taken after insemination of aliquots from the same ejaculate into pairs of females was closely similar within each pair, though variation occurred between pairs. Consistently higher acrosome losses (mean, 33 %) were found following insemination of ejaculates collected after 1 month's sexual rest than were found after insemination of the third ejaculate from each of the same males (mean, 17\m=.\2%). Considerably fewer acrosomes were missing from uterine spermatozoa recovered after insemination of epididymal spermatozoa (mean, 5 %) compared to the loss after insemination of ejaculate spermatozoa (mean, 27\m=.\4%) taken previously from the same males. Fertility trials with ejaculate and epididymal spermatozoa showed no difference in fertilization rate, or in numbers of supplementary spermatozoa, in favour of the ejaculate samples, i.e. those which showed the greater percentage acrosome changes. In suggested the quantitative variation in acrosome reaction between samples of
The use of table and cooking salt in a sample of Australian adults.

BACKGROUND Dietary sodium, the major source being salt, is associated with hypertension. Australian adults consume more than the recommended amount of salt and approximately 15% of dietary sodium comes from salt added at the table and during cooking. OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of and the demographic characteristics associated with discretionary salt use. DESIGN A cross sectional survey conducted in shopping centres within Metropolitan Melbourne. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing discretionary salt use and attitudes to salt intake. OUTCOMES Four hundred and seventy four surveys were collected (65% female, 77% Caucasian, 64% holding a university qualification). Eighty nine percent of respondents were classified as salt users and 11% as non-salt users. Of the salt users 52% reported that they always or sometimes add salt during cooking and at the table. Those of Asian descent and younger respondents aged 18-24 years were more likely to be salt users (chi2=12.3, df=2, p<0.001; chi2=19.2, df=5, p<0.01). CONCLUSION Discretionary salt use remains high. To successfully reduce population dietary salt intake public health campaigns are urgently required and need to include consumer advice to reduce discretionary salt use, whilst reducing the salt added to processed foods. Such campaigns should include younger age groups and should be appropriate for all ethnic backgrounds to raise the awareness of the risks of a high salt diet on health.
Effect of resistance training regimens on treadmill running and neuromuscular performance in recreational endurance runners

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of heavy resistance, explosive resistance, and muscle endurance training on neuromuscular, endurance, and high-intensity running performance in recreational endurance runners. Twenty-seven male runners were divided into one of three groups: heavy resistance, explosive resistance or muscle endurance training. After 6 weeks of preparatory training, the groups underwent an 8-week resistance training programme as a supplement to endurance training. Before and after the 8-week training period, maximal strength (one-repetition maximum), electromyographic activity of the leg extensors, countermovement jump height, maximal speed in the maximal anaerobic running test, maximal endurance performance, maximal oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2max), and running economy were assessed. Maximal strength improved in the heavy (P = 0.034, effect size ES = 0.38) and explosive resistance training groups (P = 0.003, ES = 0.67) with increases in leg muscle activation (heavy: P = 0.032, ES = 0.38; explosive: P = 0.002, ES = 0.77). Only the heavy resistance training group improved maximal running speed in the maximal anaerobic running test (P = 0.012, ES = 0.52) and jump height (P = 0.006, ES = 0.59). Maximal endurance running performance was improved in all groups (heavy: P = 0.005, ES = 0.56; explosive: P = 0.034, ES = 0.39; muscle endurance: P = 0.001, ES = 0.94), with small though not statistically significant improvements in [Vdot]O2max (heavy: ES = 0.08; explosive: ES = 0.29; muscle endurance: ES = 0.65) and running economy (ES in all groups < 0.08). All three modes of strength training used concurrently with endurance training were effective in improving treadmill running endurance performance. However, both heavy and explosive strength training were beneficial in improving neuromuscular characteristics, and heavy resistance training in particular contributed to improvements in high-intensity running characteristics. Thus, endurance runners should include heavy resistance training in their training programmes to enhance endurance performance, such as improving sprinting ability at the end of a race.
Configural Coding, Expertise, and the Right Hemisphere Advantage for Face Recognition

Expertise in recognizing faces is associated with configural coding and configural coding is associated with a right hemisphere advantage for face recognition. Therefore one would expect the orientation-specific LVF (left visual field) advantage for face recognition to be moderated by expertise. The present experiments examined the effect of expertise with face ethnicity on the LVF advantage. In Experiment 1 subjects showed expertise-related use of configural coding, but no orientation-specific LVF advantage. In Experiment 2 subjects with high hemispheric arousal asymmetry showed an orientation-specific LVF advantage, but no expertise-related use of configural coding. Low arousal asymmetry subjects showed the opposite pattern. These results suggest that different kinds of configural coding may underlie ethnicity-related expertise effects and laterality effects in face recognition.
Anglers Tagging and Marking Fish: Provincial and State Fishery Agency Views

Abstract In recent years, the involvement of anglers in fish tagging programs has begun to capture the interest of managers. I conducted a mail survey of provincial and state fishery agencies to discern where anglers could legally tag, mark, or attach telemetry devices to fish. In addition, I documented current provincial and state agency views toward fish tagging or marking by anglers. Anglers were allowed to tag or mark fish in most provinces and states; however, more restrictions were placed on marking and telemetering fish than on tagging. Of the issues covered in this survey, respondents indicated that fish mortality and fish injury were the most serious problems associated with fish tagging or marking by anglers; the next most serious problem was interference with agency studies. Provincial and state agencies in charge of saltwaters tended to agree that valuable data are obtained from angler-based fish tagging or marking activities and that these activities promoted positive public relations; agenci.
Comparison of electron device models based on operation-specific metrics

In the context of the European Union TARGET Network of Excellence (NoE) a specific interest has been oriented to the comparison of different electron device models in order to choose the most suitable for a particular application (e.g. highly linear amplifiers, low phase noise oscillators). To this purpose different metrics have been defined to compare the models behavior under different operating conditions (i.e. dc, ac small-and large-signal). In this paper we apply different metrics proposed under the TARGET NoE in order to compare two models, the nonlinear discrete convolution (NDC) model, based on a table-based black-box approach, and the EEHEMT1 model, based on the classic equivalent circuit approach. The goal is to provide a set of practical criteria for carrying on reliable model comparisons.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Association with Autistic Behavior Domains and Coexisting Psychopathology

Background: Symptoms as in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are frequent among individuals with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity on the clinical phenotype of children and adolescents with PDD. Sampling and Methods: A total of 182 subjects (41 females) diagnosed as having PDD were split into a high (PDD+) and a lower (PDD) attention problem group using the median of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) syndrome scale ‘attention problems’ (median T score = 75). The groups were compared with regard to the degree of coexisting psychopathology, as measured by the remaining 7 CBCL subscales, and autistic core features assessed by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule using a multivariate analysis of covariance adjusted for age, IQ and socioeconomic status. Results: The PDD+ subjects exhibited a significantly higher degree of general psychopathology than the subjects in the PDD subgroup, regarding both internalizing and externalizing symptoms. In addition, the PDD+ subgroup tended to exhibit more impairments on the social interaction scale of the ADI-R. Conclusions: Clinicians should adjust treatment plans to ensure comprehensive and effective treatment for both PDD and associated ADHD. A dual diagnosis may be essential to the implementation of effective treatments.
Radioautographic investigation of gliogenesis in the corpus callosum of young rats II. Origin of microglial cells

Microglial cells are absent from the corpus callosum of newborn rats. In the hope of finding out when and how microglial cells appear with age, 3H‐thymidine was given intraperitoneally as single or three shortly spaced injections to 5‐day‐old rats weighing about 15 g; and these animals were sacrificed at various time intervals from 2 hours to 35 days later. Pieces of corpus callosum were taken near the superior lateral angle of the lateral ventricles; and semithin sections were radioautographed and stained with toluidine blue.
Inducible expression of stem cell associated intermediate filament nestin reveals an important role in glioblastoma carcinogenesis

The intermediate filament nestin is transiently expressed in neural stem/progenitor cells during the development of central nervous system. Recently, increasing evidence has shown that upregulation of nestin is related to malignancy of several cancers, especially glioblastoma. However, the function of nestin in carcinogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of nestin in glioblastoma carcinogenesis by comparing subclones of rat C6 glioblastoma cells that were either high or low for nestin expression. We found that while nestin expression did not influence the in vitro proliferation of glioblastoma cells, subclones characterized by high levels of nestin formed tumors in vivo at significantly faster rates than subclones with low expression. Importantly, C6 subclones that expressed nestin at low levels in vitro were also found to give rise to tumors highly positive for the protein, suggesting that induction of nestin plays an important role in glioblastoma carcinogenesis. Derivation of nestin positive tumors from nestin negative human U87 glioblastoma cells in immunodeficient mice further confirmed that a switch to positive expression of nestin is fundamental to the course of glioblastoma development. Blocking the expression of nestin in glioblastoma tumors via intratumor injection of shRNA significantly slowed tumor growth and volume. These results demonstrated that nestin plays a crucial role in development of glioblastoma and may potentially be targeted for treatment of the disease.
Social harms in injecting drug users participating in the first phase III HIV vaccine trial in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE To study related social harms due to identification with a group of participants in an HIV-1 vaccine trial who are potentially high risk for HIV/AIDS. MATERIAL AND METHOD Two thousand five hundred forty six injecting drug users (IDU) were enrolled in a 36-month vaccine trial. Volunteers received education and risk reduction counseling at every six-month study visit. Social harms were not actively solicited, but volunteers were encouraged to report any during the process of counseling at every six-month visit. If a social harm was reported, a questionnaire was administered and the harm was tracked If necessary, clinic staff assisted in resolving the social harm. RESULTS Thirty-nine social harms were reported by 37 participants; 33 (84.6%) were disturbances in personal relationships, three (7.7%) in employment, one (2.6%) was medically related, one (2.6%) was related to admission in the military and one (2.6%) was related with misbelieve about the vaccine. The most common reason for disturbances in personal relationships was suspicion of HIV infection (n=20). The impact of these harms on quality of life was characterized as minimal by 31 (79.5%) participants, as moderate by seven (17.9%), and as major by one (2.6%). All social harms were documented to be resolved by the end of the study. CONCLUSION A few participants reported study-related social harms during the course of the trial. Most harm had minimal impact and all could be resolved by the end of the present study.
Norovirus infection in immunocompromised children and children with hospital‐acquired acute gastroenteritis

Norovirus (NoV) is a leading cause of acute viral gastroenteritis among children, yet its burden of disease among immunocompromised hosts and its role in hospital acquired infections (HAI) is not well characterized. To determine the prevalence, genotypes, and NoV loads among immunocompromised children and children with HAI, residual stool samples, and clinical data were collected at two major pediatric hospitals in metropolitan Atlanta from 92 children that were immunocompromised and/or had a hospital acquired acute gastroenteritis. NoV was identified in 16.3% (15/92) of all stool specimens; 23.4% (11/47) in immunocompromised only children, and 13.3% (4/30) in children with HAI. All NoV positive cases were genogroup II (GII), and GII.4 was the predominant strain followed by GII.3, GII.12, and GII.13. The average NoV load for immunocompromised patients was 6.3 ± 1.4 log genome equivalent copies (GEC) per gram of stool compared to 5.8 ± 1.1 log GEC among patients with HAI. NoV infections are common among immunocompromised children and children with hospital‐acquired gastroenteritis, underscoring the urgent need for rapid NoV detection system, and highlighting the importance of strict hospital hygiene practices. J. Med. Virol. 86:1203–1209, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A DNA-activated protein kinase from HeLa cell nuclei

A DNA-activated protein kinase (DNA-PK) was purified from nuclei of HeLa cells. Activity was associated with a single high-molecular-mass (approximately-300,000 Da) polypeptide when analyzed by gel filtration, denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and Western immunoblotting using a monoclonal antibody that also inhibits enzyme activity. Nuclear localization was indicated by subcellular fractionation and confirmed by immunofluorescence on whole cells. Double-stranded DNA stimulated phosphorylation of the 300-kDa polypeptide in purified preparations as well as phosphorylation of the exogenous substrates alpha-casein, simian virus 40 large T antigen, and the human heat shock protein hsp90. Autophosphorylation led to inactivation of the enzyme. The phosphorylation of casein was stimulated over 30-fold by DNA and was specific for serine and threonine residues. Bovine serum albumin and histone H1 were poor substrates for DNA-PK, and no phosphorylation of immunoglobulin G or histones other than H1 was observed. Supercoiled or heat-denatured DNA and synthetic double-stranded RNA or RNA-DNA copolymers did not stimulate casein phosphorylation by DNA-PK. Interaction of the enzyme with DNA in the absence of exogenous substrates was demonstrated by thermal inactivation and gel mobility shifts. These characteristics identify DNA-PK as distinct from other protein kinases described in the literature and suggest that activation by DNA is an important feature of the enzyme's in vivo function.
Koppelman Formulas on Affine Cones Over Smooth Projective Complete Intersections

In the present paper, we study regularity of the Andersson-Samuelsson Koppelman integral operator on affine cones over smooth projective complete intersections. Particularly, we prove L-p- and C-alpha-estimates, and compactness of the operator, when the degree is sufficiently small. As applications, we obtain homotopy formulas for different partial derivative-operators acting on L-p-spaces of forms, including the case p = 2 if the varieties have canonical singularities. We also prove that the A-forms introduced by Andersson-Samuelsson are C-alpha for alpha < 1.
Issues concerning the on-going care of patients with comorbidities in acute care and post-discharge in Australia: a literature review.

BACKGROUND Advances in medical science and improved lifestyles have reduced mortality rates in Australia and most western countries. This has resulted in an ageing population with a concomitant growth in the number of people who are living with chronic illnesses. Indeed a significant number of younger people experience more than one chronic illness. Large numbers of these may require repeated admissions to hospital for acute or episodic care that is superimposed upon the needs of their chronic conditions. AIM To explore the issues that circumscribe the complexities of caring for people with concurrent chronic illnesses, or comorbidities, in the acute care setting and postdischarge. METHODS A literature review to examine the issues that impact upon the provision of comprehensive care to patients with comorbidities in the acute care setting and postdischarge. FINDINGS Few studies have investigated this subject. From an Australian perspective, it is evident that the structure of the current health care environment has made it difficult to meet the needs of patients with comorbidities in the acute care setting and postdischarge. This is of major concern for nurses attempting to provide comprehensive care to an increasingly prevalent group of chronically ill people. CONCLUSION Further research is necessary to explore how episodic care is integrated into the on-going management of patients with comorbidities and how nurse clinicians can better use an episode of acute illness as an opportunity to review their overall management.
Effects of Programming Threshold and Maplaw Settings on Acoustic Thresholds and Speech Discrimination with the MED-EL COMBI 40+ Cochlear Implant

Objectives: The principal task in the programming of a cochlear implant (CI) speech processor is the setting of the electrical dynamic range (output) for each electrode, to ensure that a comfortable loudness percept is obtained for a range of input levels. This typically involves separate psychophysical measurement of electrical threshold (&thgr; e) and upper tolerance levels using short current bursts generated by the fitting software. Anecdotal clinical experience and some experimental studies suggest that the measurement of &thgr;e is relatively unimportant and that the setting of upper tolerance limits is more critical for processor programming. The present study aims to test this hypothesis and examines in detail how acoustic thresholds and speech recognition are affected by setting of the lower limit of the output (“Programming threshold” or “PT”) to understand better the influence of this parameter and how it interacts with certain other programming parameters. Design: Test programs (maps) were generated with PT set to artificially high and low values and tested on users of the MED-EL COMBI 40+ CI system. Acoustic thresholds and speech recognition scores (sentence tests) were measured for each of the test maps. Acoustic thresholds were also measured using maps with a range of output compression functions (“maplaws”). In addition, subjective reports were recorded regarding the presence of “background threshold stimulation” which is occasionally reported by CI users if PT is set to relatively high values when using the CIS strategy. Results: Manipulation of PT was found to have very little effect. Setting PT to minimum produced a mean 5 dB (S.D. = 6.25) increase in acoustic thresholds, relative to thresholds with PT set normally, and had no statistically significant effect on speech recognition scores on a sentence test. On the other hand, maplaw setting was found to have a significant effect on acoustic thresholds (raised as maplaw is made more linear), which provides some theoretical explanation as to why PT has little effect when using the default maplaw of c = 500. Subjective reports of background threshold stimulation showed that most users could perceive a relatively loud auditory percept, in the absence of microphone input, when PT was set to double the behaviorally measured electrical thresholds (&thgr;e), but that this produced little intrusion when microphone input was present. Conclusions: The results of these investigations have direct clinical relevance, showing that setting of PT is indeed relatively unimportant in terms of speech discrimination, but that it is worth ensuring that PT is not set excessively high, as this can produce distracting background stimulation. Indeed, it may even be set to minimum values without deleterious effect.
Outcomes from a respiratory coordinated care program (RCCP) providing community-based interventions for COPD patients from 1998 to 2006

The Respiratory Coordinated Care Program (RCCP) based at St George Hospital, is a specialised community program designed to assist people with advanced COPD (DRG groupings E65A/E65B) to live optimally well at home. The aim of the program is to reduce hospital admission rates, readmission rates, and hospital length of stay (LOS). Additional components of RCCP include a Pulmonary Rehabilitation program and an early discharge service. An improvement in patient outcomes over subsequent years 1998–2006, is demonstrated when compared to the national peer DRG with regards to LOS, readmission rates and hospital admissions per patient per year, pre and post recruitment to the RCCP. The chronic long term component of the RCCP shows that the mean LOS and the number of hospital admissions was significantly lower when compared to the national DRG average. Since its inception, the RCCP has consistently demonstrated a cost effective reduction in hospital admission rates, LOS and reduced readmission.