Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Facebook in higher education promotes social but not academic engagement.

Although there is evidence that academically successful students are engaged with their studies, it has proved difficult to define student engagement clearly. Student engagement is commonly construed as having two dimensions, social and academic. The rapid adoption of social media and digital technologies has ensured increasing interest in using them for improving student engagement. This paper examines Facebook usage among a first year psychology student cohort and reports that although the majority of students (94%) had Facebook accounts and spent an average of one hour per day on Facebook, usage was found to be predominantly social. Personality factors influenced usage patterns, with more conscientious students tending to use Facebook less than less conscientious students. This paper argues that, rather than promoting social engagement in a way that might increase academic engagement, it appears that Facebook is more likely to operate as a distracting influence.
Wanted: dead or alive? Isotopic analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of Pygoscelis penguin chick tissues supports opportunistic sampling.

RATIONALE Physiological stress and starvation have been shown to affect δ(13)C and δ(15)N isotope values and, given that animals often die from starvation, the cause of death may be an important factor to consider in stable isotope analyses of opportunistically collected samples. METHODS We addressed this issue by comparing tissue stable isotope values of living and deceased Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and Chinstrap Penguin (P. antarctica) chicks collected from the same respective populations. RESULTS No significant difference was found between living and deceased penguin chick feather, down, and toenail isotope values and both groups displayed similar isotopic trends between tissue types. In addition, similar relationships were observed between both species and across several seasons. Furthermore, sub-dermal adiposity and cause of death (starvation and/or predation) had no significant effect on the δ(13)C and δ(15)N values. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that tissues from deceased penguins can be isotopically representative of tissues obtained from the living population, despite the cause of death, and support the use of opportunistic sampling in stable isotope analyses.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Part II: Prospective multicenter study of the effect of treatment on outcome.

BACKGROUND The treatment of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease has been based on uncontrolled retrospective studies with relatively small numbers of patients. This large, controlled, prospective, multicenter study was designed to determine the effect of treatment and other risk factors on the outcome in patients with this disorder. METHODS We enrolled 438 patients with 451 affected hips in a prospective multicenter study in which each investigator applied the same treatment method to each of his or her patients. The five treatment groups consisted of no treatment, brace treatment, range-of-motion exercises, femoral osteotomy, and innominate osteotomy. All patients were between 6.0 and 12.0 years of age at the onset of the disease, and none had had prior treatment. Three hundred and forty-five hips in 337 patients were available for follow-up at skeletal maturity. All hips were classified with the modified lateral pillar classification and the system of Stulberg et al. RESULTS There were no differences in outcome among the hips with no treatment, those treated with bracing, and those treated with range-of-motion therapy. There were also no differences between the hips treated with a femoral varus osteotomy and those treated with an innominate osteotomy. Treatment did not have a significant effect on children who had a chronologic age of 8.0 years or less or a skeletal age of 6.0 years or less at the onset of the disease. In the lateral pillar B group and B/C border group, the outcomes of surgical treatment were significantly better than those of nonoperative treatment in children over the age of 8.0 years at the onset of the disease (p < or = 0.05). Patients who were 8.0 years old or less at the onset of the disease in lateral pillar group B did equally well with nonoperative and operative treatment. Hips in lateral pillar group C had the least favorable outcomes, with no differences between the operative and nonoperative groups. The lateral pillar classification (p < 0.0001) and the age at the onset of the disease (p = 0.0001) were both strong prognostic factors. Female patients did significantly worse than male patients if they were over the age of 8.0 years at the onset of the disease (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS The lateral pillar classification and age at the time of onset of the disease strongly correlate with outcome in patients with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Patients who are over the age of 8.0 years at the time of onset and have a hip in the lateral pillar B group or B/C border group have a better outcome with surgical treatment than they do with nonoperative treatment. Group-B hips in children who are less than 8.0 years of age at the time of onset have very favorable outcomes unrelated to treatment, whereas group-C hips in children of all ages frequently have poor outcomes, which also appear to be unrelated to treatment.
Effect of carbohydrate feedings during high-intensity exercise.

To determine the upper limits of steady-state exercise performance and carbohydrate oxidation late in exercise, seven trained men were studied on two occasions during prolonged cycling that alternated every 15 min between approximately 60% and approximately 85% of VO2max. When fed a sweet placebo throughout exercise, plasma glucose and respiratory exchange ratio (R) declined (P less than 0.05) from 5.0 +/- 0.1 mM and 0.91 +/- 0.01 after 30 min (i.e., at 85% VO2max) to 3.7 +/- 0.3 mM and 0.79 +/- 0.01 at fatigue (i.e., when the subjects were unable to continue exercise at 60% VO2max). Carbohydrate feeding throughout exercise (1 g/kg at 10 min, then 0.6 g/kg every 30 min) increased plasma glucose to approximately 6 mM and partially prevented this decline in carbohydrate oxidation, allowing the men to perform 19% more work (2.74 +/- 0.13 vs. 2.29 +/- 0.09 MJ, P less than 0.05) before fatiguing. Even when fed carbohydrate, however, by the 3rd h of exercise, R had fallen from 0.92 to 0.87, accompanied by a reduction in exercise intensity from approximately 85% to approximately 75% VO2max (both P less than 0.05). These data indicate that carbohydrate feedings enable trained cyclists to exercise at up to 75% VO2max and to oxidize carbohydrate at up to 2 g/min during the later stages of prolonged intense exercise.
Heuristic algorithm for minimizing the electricity cost of air conditioners on a smart grid

This paper investigates using heuristic algorithms to solve Multi-Objective Optimization Problem (MOOP). The primary goal is to minimize the electricity cost for a set of air conditioners in residential or commercial buildings. The second objective is to minimize the discomfort factor. The algorithm, also, enhances the utilization of local renewable power. This allocation problem can be formulated using a static technique such as Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP), but solving MILP-based MOOP could be impracticable in heavy problems due to the hardness of the problem. Accordingly, a trade-off between cost and runtime is required. Our algorithm uses an MILP-based heuristic algorithm and LP relaxation and an innovative rounding technique called, Minimum Deviation Rounding (MDR) to get a sub-optimal solution. The result reveals that our algorithm can solve a massive problem in few seconds and gives a superb sub-optimal solution.
Children Having Spinal Surgery to Correct Scoliosis

In order to assist parents to cope with the stress of their child undergoing major spinal surgery, health professionals need an understanding of what the key stressors are. In this study, 13 interviews and questionnaires from parents in the UK and USA were carried out and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Five themes emerged: ‘Information’; ‘Parenting role’; ‘Confidence in professionals’; ‘Pain’; and ‘Effect on life’. Findings suggested that parents need appropriate information and support from health professionals throughout their experience to help minimize uncertainty and distress and that pain management is a major source of stress to parents.
Modulation by nitric oxide and prostaglandin of the renal vascular response to angiotensin II (3–8)

1 The aim of this study was to investigate the renal vascular response to angiotensin II (3–8) (AIV). The effect of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) or the cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin on the AIV‐induced response was examined in anaesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar‐Kyoto rats (WKY). 2 Intrarenal infusion of AIV produced a biphasic vasoconstrictor response. The vasoconstriction developed rapidly to reach a maximum followed by a partial recovery to a sustained lesser level of vasoconstriction. The initial maximum response was enhanced by L‐NAME but not affected by indomethacin treatment. The simultaneous administration of L‐NAME and indomethacin prevented the partial recovery resulting in a greater sustained level of constriction. 3 A stable vasoconstriction of relatively constant magnitude was observed with angiotensin II (AII) infusion. The AII vasoconstriction was enhanced by L‐NAME but not changed by indomethacin. The combination of these inhibitors further enhanced the AII‐induced vasoconstriction in WKY, but not in SHR. 4 Pretreatment with the AII receptor antagonist, losartan, inhibited the vasoconstriction induced by AIV and AII. 5 These results suggest that nitric oxide and prostaglandins may modulate the renal vascular response to AIV.
Predicting fault-proneness using OO metrics. An industrial case study

Software quality is an important external software attribute that is difficult to measure objectively. In this case study, we empirically validate a set of object-oriented metrics in terms of their usefulness in predicting fault-proneness, an important software quality indicator We use a set of ten software product metrics that relate to the following software attributes: the size of the software, coupling, cohesion, inheritance, and reuse. Eight hypotheses on the correlations of the metrics with fault-proneness are given. These hypotheses are empirically tested in a case study, in which the client side of a large network service management system is studied. The subject system is written in Java and it consists of 123 classes. The validation is carried out using two data analysis techniques: regression analysis and discriminant analysis.
Tissue microstructure, physicochemical properties, and bioactive compound locations in different sweet pepper types

This article focuses on the location and content of some bioactive compounds in three different California sweet pepper types (red, green and yellow). The location was studied using different microscopic techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy at low temperatures (cryo-SEM) and light microscopy. Several physicochemical properties of the samples (carotenoid content, total soluble phenol content, antioxidant activity, dietary fibre content, total soluble solids content, pH and textural properties) were also examined. The degree of compaction and structuring of the cell wall was found to be indirectly related to solute transport at the cellular level and directly related to total dietary fibre content. The three types of pepper displayed formation and accumulation of phenolic aggregates and an active circulation of solutes. Yellow pepper tissue had the most labile cell walls and the highest transport of solutes. Red peppers could be suitable for obtaining extracts rich in carotenoid compounds, yellow peppers for obtaining phenolic compounds with a high antioxidant activity and green peppers for extracts with high dietary fibre content.
Molecular mechanisms regulating bovine ovarian follicular selection

Transcription profiling of ovarian follicles. Understanding the mechanisms by which a single follicle is selected for further ovulation is important to control fertility in mammals. However, development of new treatments is limited by our poor understanding of molecular mechanisms regulating follicular selection. Our hypothesis is that genes involved in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis are differentially regulated during follicular selection. Our objective was to identify these new genes. Bovine follicles were collected and gene expression levels were measured using microarrays. First, follicles were allocated to three groups, according to the time spent from the initiation of follicular wave to surgery (24 H, 36 H, and 48–60 H). Fifty‐seven genes are differentially expressed at a false discovery rate of 5%. These genes are involved in the control of lipid metabolism (P‐value = 0.0005), cell proliferation (0.007), cell death (0.003), cell morphology (0.003), and immune response (0.003). Follicles were also grouped into four categories, according to the expected time of deviation (early deviation; 8 mm, mid‐deviation; 8.5 mm, late deviation; 9 mm, dominant follicles; ≥10 mm). One hundred and twenty eight genes are differentially expressed between these four groups, including genes involved in cell proliferation (0.00002), cell death (0.0006), cell‐to‐cell signaling (0.003), cell morphology (0.003), lipid metabolism (0.0004), and immune response (0.00007). The expression levels of 10 genes were confirmed using quantitative real time PCR. As expected, we identified new differentially regulated genes involved in the control of cell growth and apoptosis. We also discovered a potential role for immune cells, and in particular macrophages, in follicular selection. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 351–366, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of Lysine Succinylation Substrates and the Succinylation Regulatory Enzyme CobB in Escherichia coli*

Lysine succinylation is a newly identified protein post-translational modification pathway present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. However, succinylation substrates and regulatory enzyme(s) remain largely unknown, hindering the biological study of this modification. Here we report the identification of 2,580 bacterial lysine succinylation sites in 670 proteins and 2,803 lysine acetylation (Kac) sites in 782 proteins, representing the first lysine succinylation dataset and the largest Kac dataset in wild-type E. coli. We quantified dynamic changes of the lysine succinylation and Kac substrates in response to high glucose. Our data showed that high-glucose conditions led to more lysine-succinylated proteins and enhanced the abundance of succinyllysine peptides more significantly than Kac peptides, suggesting that glucose has a more profound effect on succinylation than on acetylation. We further identified CobB, a known Sir2-like bacterial lysine deacetylase, as the first prokaryotic desuccinylation enzyme. The identification of bacterial CobB as a bifunctional enzyme with lysine desuccinylation and deacetylation activities suggests that the eukaryotic Kac-regulatory enzymes may have enzymatic activities on various lysine acylations with very different structures. In addition, it is highly likely that lysine succinylation could have unique and more profound regulatory roles in cellular metabolism relative to lysine acetylation under some physiological conditions.
Comparative tests of tape dielectrics impregnated with liquid nitrogen

Superconducting power cables with so-called "cold dielectric" insulation system normally use tape dielectrics impregnated with pressurized liquid nitrogen (LN2). The AC and lightning impulse (LI) dielectric strength of four commercially available dielectrics have been measured under nitrogen pressures in the range 0.15-0.35 MPa, absolute. A planar test cell is used, and slits were made in the dielectric sheets to simulate butt gaps. Polypropylene laminated paper (PPLPreg) and mica filled polyamide based paper (Nomexreg 418) show AC and LI breakdown field in the range 50-80 kV/mm and 130-160 kV/mm, respectively, whereas Kraft paper and polyethylene paper (Tyvekreg) are found to have a significantly lower dielectric strength. Most of the results are reasonably consistent with previous studies. However, as opposed to other investigations, the dielectric strength for PPLPreg and Nomexreg is not found to increase with increasing nitrogen pressure
A Compact Circularly Polarized Cross-Shaped Slotted Microstrip Antenna

A compact cross-shaped slotted microstrip patch antenna is proposed for circularly polarized (CP) radiation. A symmetric, cross shaped slot is embedded along one of the diagonal axes of the square patch for CP radiation and antenna size reduction. The structure is asymmetric (unbalanced) along the diagonal axes. The overall size of the antenna with CP radiation can be reduced by increasing the perimeter of the symmetric cross-shaped slot within the first patch quadrant of the square patch. The performance of the CP radiation is also studied by varying the size and angle variation of the cross-shaped slot. A measured 3-dB axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth of around 6.0 MHz is achieved with the CP cross-shaped slotted microstrip antenna, with an 18.0 MHz 10-dB return-loss bandwidth. The measured boresight gain is more than 3.8 dBic over the operating band, while the overall antenna volume is 0. 273λo × 0. 273λo × 0. 013λo (λο operating wavelength at 910 MHz).
Antitumor activity of Listeria monocytogenes on a guinea pig fibrosarcoma

Listeria monocytogenes-mediated tumor inhibition was studied in strain 13 guinea pigs by using a methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma (MCA-1). Mixtures of Listeria and tumor cells in ratios of 1:100, 1:200, or 1:400 (Listeria:MCA-1 cells) led to significant suppression of tumor growth. Intralesional injection of tumors on day 6 posttransplantation led to the regression of a highly significant number of tumors. Animals receiving injections of Listeria, either in a mixture with tumor cells or intralesionally, displayed enhanced skin test reactivity to a tumor extract. Tumor regressors were resistant for at least 2 to 3 months after the initial transplant to rechallenge with MCA-1 cells. Thus, with this particular tumor-host system, Listeria was successfully employed as an antitumor agent with no visibly detrimental side effects to the host.
Managing persistent wound leakage after total knee and hip arthroplasty. Results of a nationwide survey among Dutch orthopaedic surgeons

Background: Persistent wound leakage after joint arthroplasty is a scantily investigated topic, despite the claimed relation with a higher risk of periprosthetic joint infection. This results in a lack of evidence-based clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of persistent wound leakage after joint arthroplasty. Without such guideline, clinical practice in orthopaedic hospitals varies widely. In preparation of a nationwide multicenter randomized controlled trial on the optimal treatment of persistent wound leakage, we evaluated current Dutch orthopaedic care for persistent wound leakage after joint arthroplasty. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based online survey among all 700 members of the Netherlands Orthopaedic Association, consisting of 23 questions on the definition, classification, diagnosis and treatment of persistent wound leakage after joint arthroplasty. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 127 respondents, representing 68% of the Dutch hospitals that perform orthopaedic surgery. The results showed wide variation in the classification, definition, diagnosis and treatment of persistent wound leakage among Dutch orthopaedic surgeons. 56.7% of the respondents used a protocol for diagnosis and treatment of persistent wound leakage, but only 26.8% utilized the protocol in every patient. Most respondents (59.1%) reported a maximum period of persistent wound leakage before starting non-surgical treatment of 3 to 7 days after index surgery and 44.1% of respondents reported a maximum period of wound leakage of 10 days before converting to surgical treatment. Conclusions: The wide variety in clinical practice underscores the importance of developing an evidence-based clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of persistent wound leakage after joint arthroplasty. To this end, a nationwide multicenter randomized controlled trial will be conducted in the Netherlands, which may provide evidence on this important and poorly understood topic.
Molecular epidemiological survey of Treponema pallidum in pregnant women in the Zhabei District of Shanghai

Purpose. To evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of syphilis, such as incidence, vertical transmission and genotypes, in pregnant women in the Zhabei District of Shanghai. In addition, the changes in genotypes and the efficiency of genotyping were evaluated. Methodology. We screened 3022 pregnant women for syphilis in the Shanghai Zhabei Central Hospital. Whole blood, plasma, earlobe blood and specimens from genital ulcers or skin/mucosal lesions were collected from syphilis‐positive patients. Samples were genotyped by analysing a combination of three genes: tpr, arp and tp0548 (the tpr/arp/tp0548 genotype). Clinical data were further collected to evaluate disease incidence, maternal‐neonatal transmission and social factors. Results. Out of 3022 pregnant women screened for syphilis, 41 were syphilis‐positive. Of these, 43.9% showed vertical transmission (18/41). The prevalence of syphilis in pregnant women was 1.32%, higher than that in other districts in Shanghai in 2014. Genotyping was performed in 10/11 (90.9%) samples of syphilis lesions, 8/41 (19.5%) blood samples, 12/41 (29.3%) plasma samples, and 20/39 (48.7%) earlobe blood samples. The predominant genotype was 14d/f, followed by 15d/f, 13a/f, 13d/f and 9o/c. Genotype 13a/f was reported for the first time in the Shanghai area since 2010. Conclusion. The prevalence of syphilis in pregnant women in the Zhabei District was higher than that in other areas in Shanghai and the genotype is variable.
Erythrocyte: Bacteria Killer and Bacteria Pray

Erythrocyte is human blood main bactericidal cell. During movement in blood stream erythrocytes are triboelectrically charged by rubbing to each other and vessel walls and this charge automatically attracts and keeps bacteria on erythrocyte surface. Bacteria fixation on erythrocyte membrane activates the receptors of the membrane and stimulates trans membrane releasing of oxygen from oxyhemoglobin that causes bacteria oxidation and killing. If bacteria survive oxidation and enter erythrocyte they are exposed to higher concentration of oxygen (oxygen reactive species). Very few bacteria survive inside erythrocytes, but some can survive because of lack of oxygen inside erythrocyte and/or bacteria resistance to oxygen reactive species. Killed inside erythrocyte bacteria are released back to plasma and are digested in liver and spleen by local macrophages. Erythrocytes that are injured by bacteria and/or contain killed or living bacteria are destroyed in spleen. Erythrocytes out of bloodstream (in case of hemorrhage, extravasation in lobar pneumonia, etc.) after bacteria engulfment can’t kill bacteria because of lack of oxyhemoglobin and become bacteria container providing both nutrients (protein, iron, carbohydrates, etc.) for bacteria growth and some defense against phagocytes and antibodies. In bloodstream erythrocyte is bacteria killer, out of bloodstream it is bacteria pray.