Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flow cytometric, phase-resolved fluorescence measurement of propidium iodide uptake in macrophages containing phagocytized fluorescent microspheres.

BACKGROUND Spectral interference (overlap) from phagocytosed green-yellow (GY) microspheres in the flow cytometric, red fluorescence emission measurement channel causes errors in quantifying damaged/dead alveolar macrophages by uptake of propidium iodide. METHODS Particle burdens of uniform GY fluorescent microspheres phagocytosed by rat alveolar macrophages and the discrimination of damaged/dead cells as indexed by propidium iodide uptake were assessed with conventional and phase-sensitive flow cytometry. RESULTS The fluorescence spectral emission from phagocytosed microspheres partly overlapped the propidium iodide red fluorescence emission and interfered with the measurement of damaged/dead cells when using conventional flow cytometry without subtractive compensation. This caused errors when estimating the percentage of nonviable, propidium iodide-positive, phagocytic macrophages. The interference was eliminated by employing phase-sensitive detection in the red fluorescence measurement channel based on differences in fluorescence lifetimes between the fluorescent microspheres and propidium iodide. Intrinsic cellular autofluorescence, whose fluorescence lifetime is approximately the same as that of the phagocytosed microspheres, also was eliminated in the phase-sensitive detection process. Because there was no detectable spectral interference of propidium iodide in the green fluorescence (phagocytosis) measurement channel, conventional fluorescence detection was employed. CONCLUSIONS Phase-resolved, red fluorescence emission measurement eliminates spectral overlap errors caused by autofluorescent phagocytes that contain fluorescent microspheres in the analyses of propidium iodide uptake. Cytometry 39:45-55, 2000. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Diversity and floristic composition of rural and sub-urban home garden in Wadera district of Oromia region, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Wadera district of Oromia region in Ethiopia, with the objective of quantifying the diversity and floristic composition of home garden agroforestry systems. A stratified random sampling design was used to select 132 sample home gardens and a detailed inspection was conducted on diversity and floristic composition of the plant species using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Pielou’s Evenness index. A total of 65 cultivated plant species belonging to 36 families were recorded with an average of 28 plant species per individual’s home garden. Rutaceae was the dominant family with 6 species followed by Lamiaceae and Solanaceae. Shannon’s diversity indexes of 1.63 to 2.06 were recorded at the village level with an overall mean diversity index (H’) of 1.85 and evenness index (E) of 0.58. The findings from this study may help government and other stakeholders in providing baseline information, supported with scientific evidence, which further can contribute to policy and decision making process. Key words: Agroforestry, home garden, diversity, floristic composition, Guji zone.
An improved reversible image watermarking algorithm based on difference expansion

To improve the visual quality and the embedding rate of the existing reversible image watermarking algorithm, an improved reversible image watermarking algorithm based on difference expansion is proposed. First, the watermark information is divided into groups, and the information value of each group is calculated. The watermark group number and the corresponding carrier image block number are mapped, and the corresponding coefficient position of each corresponding carrier block is identified according to the value of the watermark information in each group. Second, the identified location map is compressed and embedded in the original image through the difference expansion. Through circular searching the suitable pixel position, the embedding rate can be effectively improved without sacrificing any visual quality. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm not only has high embedding rate but also has a high visual quality and can achieve full recovery of the original image. Compared with other algorithms, the algorithm has certain advantages.
Downside Risk Aversion, Fixed Income Exposure, and the Value Premium Puzzle

The value premium is relatively small for investors with a material fixed-income exposure, such as insurance companies and pension funds, especially when they are downside-risk-averse. Value stocks are less attractive to these investors because they offer a relatively poor hedge against poor bond returns. This result arises for plausible, medium-term evaluation horizons of around one year. Our findings cast doubt on the practical relevance of the value premium for these investors and reiterate the importance of the choice of the relevant test portfolio, risk measure and investment horizon in empirical tests of market portfolio efficiency.
Finite element simulation of dislocation based plasticity and diffusion in multiphase materials at high temperature

A single-crystal plasticity model as well as a gradient crystal plasticity model are used to describe the creep behavior of directionally solidiﬁed NiAl based eutectic alloys. To consider the transition from theoretical to bulk strength, a hardening model was introduced to describe the strength of the reinforcing phases. Moreover, to account for microstructural changes due to material ﬂux, a coupled diffusional-mechanical simulation model was introduced.
Hypertension Association between 894 G > T Polymorphism in the Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene and Circadian Variation of Blood Pressure in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Background: Human essential hypertension has a genetic basis, and hypertension is associated with altered endothelial nitric oxide (NO) release. We hypothesized that functional alterations of the endothelium-derived NO pathway in the presence of the 894G>T polymorphism of the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene may be related to circadian variation of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Methods: A total of 101 ambulatory patients (49 men, 52 women) with essential hypertension were recruited in this study. Noninvasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and genotyping by polymerase chain reaction amplification of all subjects were performed. The patients were then classified into four groups according to their dipping status: extreme dippers, dippers, non-dippers, and risers. Chi-square test was used for comparison of the allelic and genotypic frequencies among different groups. Results: The frequencies of the genotypic and allelic frequencies in the study population were comparable to previous reports. There was a trend of increase of genotypic and allelic frequencies of the 894G>T polymorphism in the non-dipper group (non-dippers + risers; n = 52) as compared to the dipper group (dippers + extreme dippers; n = 49), although the difference was not statistically significant. However, a significant increase in the genotypic (p = 0.021) frequency and allelic frequency (p = 0.028) of the 894G>T variant in the risers (n = 8), compared to those of the dippers (n = 45) was noted. After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking status, the presence of 894G>T variant remained a significant predictor of risers (odds ratio 7.95; 95% C.I. = 1.36-46.4; p = 0.021). Conclusions: In this study, a significant association of the 894G>T variant with circadian variation of BP in patients with essential hypertension was demonstrated. These findings are clinically relevant and warrant further investigation in a larger study.
Use of metaphor in the discourse on cancer.

With this metaphoric deluge, the oncologist lost a prospective new patient. A few hours later, Lance Armstrong was on a plane to Indianapolis, where he would establish a successful therapeutic relationship with the oncology team from Indiana University. Armstrong would, of course, survive widely metastatic testicular cancer and go on to win six Tours de France. While this epigraph may represent a wellintentioned effort by an oncologist to prepare a young man with an advanced, lifethreatening malignancy for a long and immensely difficult course of treatment, the image of violence had a devastating and unintended effect. Armstrong himself, probably unconsciously mirroring the oncologist’s martial metaphor, described the reaction in the consultation room as “shell shock. ” The comments of both the physician and the patient are emblematic of the fact that metaphors—and especially martial metaphors— play a ubiquitous, but largely unrecognized role in medical and lay discourse. Indeed, as a reader of the Journal of Clinical Oncology recently noted, the “target” in the title of this section of the Journal is itself a military metaphor. And as the above comments suggest, metaphors can be more than mere rhetorical flourishes; they can have a powerful influence on the practice of medicine and the experience of illness. “The essence of metaphor is understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another. ” Lakoff and Johnson have demonstrated that our conceptual systems are wired to operate metaphorically; that is, most concepts, particularly those that are abstract or complex, are at least partially understood in terms of other, more familiar concepts. Metaphors, then, are vehicles for understanding, mediating what is known and what is unknown. Mabeck and Oleson go further, arguing that metaphors don’t merely describe similarities; they create them. When metaphors enter our conceptual system, they alter that system and the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors to which the system gives rise. For the physician, metaphors can be time-efficient tools for helping patients understand complex biologic processes. For patients, metaphors can impose order on a suddenly disordered world, helping them to understand, communicate, and thus symbolically control their illness. And for the therapeutic relationship, the language of metaphor can serve as the basis for the shared understanding of clinical reality. We will examine the use of metaphor in oncology. We will focus on the predominant metaphor, that of war, in terms of its strengths and limitations, in the contexts of the patientphysician relationship and the patient’s illness experience. Finally, we will briefly survey alternate metaphoric concepts.
Voluntary Financial Disclosure to Downward Stakeholders: An Empirical Examination of Chinese Nonprofits

Abstract Downward financial disclosure in the nonprofit sector is little scrutinized in the extant literature where most studies focus on financial disclosure “upward” to regulators, governing bodies, and donors. Analyzing a sample of 311 nonprofits collected in China, this article examines the determinants of nonprofits’ financial disclosure downward to their staff, beneficiaries, and the general public. The authors claim that in addition to the four sets of factors—organizational strategy, capacity, governance, and environment—organizational culture also affects nonprofits’ voluntary financial disclosure. In addition, there are different decision-making patterns of financial disclosure to the three downward stakeholders. While disclosure to staff is associated with strategy and internal governance, disclosure to beneficiaries is associated with internal governance, and disclosure to the general public is associated with strategy, capacity, and organizational culture.
The cosmic ray energy spectrum measured with the new Tibet hybrid experiment

We have upgraded the new Tibet ASgamma experiment in China since 2014 to measure the chemical composition of cosmic rays around the knee. This hybrid experiment consist of an air-shower-core detector array (YAC-II) to detect high energy electromagnetic component, the Tibet air-shower array (Tibet-III) and a large underground water-Cherenkov muon-detector array (MD). We have carried out a detailed air-shower Monte Carlo (MC) simulation to study the performance of the hybrid detectors by using CORSIKA (version 7.5000), which includes EPOS-LHC, QGSJETII-04, SIBYLL2.1 and SIBYLL2.3 hadronic interaction models. The preliminary results of the interaction model checking above 50 TeV energy region are reported in this paper, and the primary proton and helium spectra in the energy range 50 TeV to 1015 eV was derived from YAC-I data and is smoothly connected with direct observation data at lower energies and also with our previously reported works at higher energies within statistical errors. The knee of the (P+He) spectra is located around 400 TeV. The interaction model dependence in deriving the primary (P+He) spectra is found to be small (less than 25% in absolute intensity, 10% in position of the knee), and the composition model dependence is less than 10% in absolute intensity.
Nosocomial infections due to Acinetobacter species: Clinical findings, risk and prognostic factors.

PURPOSE Nosocomial infections caused by Acinetobacter species is of increasing concern in critically ill patients, and the risk factors for this infection are not well established. The present investigation was done to determine incidence of nosocomial Acinetobacter infections. Our study retrospectively attempts to find risk and prognostic factors for the nosocomial acquisition of Acinetobacter infection. METHODS The medical records of 43 patients with Acinetobacter infection during two-year period (Oct1998-Oct2000) were reviewed to find the factors involved in the nosocomial acquisition of Acinetobacter. Acinetobacter isolates that were obtained from these patients were phenotypically typed using carbon assimilation tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing results were noted from the microbiology records. RESULTS Acinetobacter baumannii accounted for 41.8% (n=18) of all the infections. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, only resistant antibiotype {(Ceftazidime- OR, 7.13 [95% CI, 1 to 46];p= 0.044); (Cefotaxime- OR, 6.09 [CI, 0.87 to 30];p = 0.045)} and mechanical ventilation (OR, 5.84 [CI, 0.83 to 31];p = 0.05) were found to be potential independent risk factors for mortality. Overall mortality rate was 33%. CONCLUSIONS Most of A. baumannii isolates were multidrug resistant in our set up and infections due to them were associated with high mortality. Prevention of Multiple drug resistant (MDR) A. baumannii infections was achieved after discontinuation of cefotaxime in ICU. Infection with resistant clones and mechanical ventilation were found to be potential independent risk factors for mortality.
Postprandial Adiponectin Levels Are Unlikely to Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Obesity in Prader-Willi Syndrome

Aim:To investigate fasting and postprandial adiponectin levels in PWS patients as compared to obese and lean subjects and whether they could contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity in this syndrome. Methods: We studied 7 patients with PWS, 16 obese patients and 42 lean subjects for the fasting study. From this group, we evaluated 7 patients with PWS, 7 age-sex-BMI-matched obese non-PWS patients and 7 age-sex-matched lean subjects before and after the administration of 3,139.5 kJ (750 kcal) of a standard liquid meal (53.2% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 16.7% protein) after an overnight fast. Blood samples were obtained every 15 min for the first hour and every 30 min thereafter until 6 h. Adiponectin, IGF-I, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and insulin were measured. Results:Fasting plasma adiponectin levels were lower in PWS than in lean subjects (5.24 ± 2.56 vs. 8.28 ± 4.63 µg/ml, p = 0.041) but higher than in obese patients (4.01 ± 1.27 µg/ml, p = 0.047). After the meal, adiponectin concentrations mildly decreased in PWS at time point 240 min, while in obese and lean subjects no changes were observed. However, 6-hour postprandial AUC for adiponectin was similar in all three groups. Conclusion: Fasting adiponectin levels are low in PWS, but they are so mildly modulated postprandially that these changes do not seem significant for the pathogenesis of obesity in this syndrome.
On the Heritability of Consumer Decision Making: An Exploratory Approach for Studying Genetic Effects on Judgment and Choice

While constructed preferences have received a great deal of attention, there has been virtually no research regarding the genetic basis of consumer judgment and choice. In this research, we examine a wide range of previously unexplored heritable effects on consumer choices and judgments. Moreover, whereas prior research on heritable traits has typically employed a piecemeal approach, demonstrating each heritable trait separately, we propose an alternative way to simultaneously explore common mechanisms and links among heritable traits and behaviors. Using a classic twins study design, we find a large heritable effect on preferences for (a) compromise (but not dominating) options, (b) sure gains, (c) an upcoming feasible, dull assignment, (d) maximizing, (e) utilitarian options, and (f) certain products. Conversely, we do not find significant heritable effects regarding judgment heuristics, discounting, and other decision problems. We tentatively propose that the pattern of findings might reflect a generic heritable individual difference relating to "prudence. " We discuss the implications of our research with respect to the determinants of preferences and future research on heritable aspects of judgment and choice.
Assessment of genetic diversity of nine hybrid combinations of canola using SDS-PAGE, RAPD and ISSR markers

Genetic variations of nine hybrid combinations of canola were determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker systems. The protein profile did not show any polymorphism. The RAPD and ISSR primers recorded a high degree of polymorphism among generations of the three canola hybrids. A maximum of 48 DNA bands were detected as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products for the six RAPD primers from which 42 were polymorphic with mean polymorphism percentage of 82.6%. The four ISSR primers produced 25 bands, of which 23 were polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphism using ISSR primers ranged from 66.6 to 100.0% with an average of 85%. Using cluster analysis, the 9 canola generations were categorized into single generation, F3 (P1 × P3) formed a separate operational taxonomic units (OTU) in cluster and one main cluster that was further divided into three sub clusters. The results show high variation within and among hybrids. Key words : Canola, generations, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), genetic diversity.
[Rupture of the pectoralis major muscle -- causes, diagnosis, treatment].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Between 01/02 and 01/03 four cases of ruptures of the pectoralis major muscle were treated in our hospital by suture. The data were retrospectively analysed, all patients underwent a follow up examination. We compared our results with the literature found by internet search. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 01/02 and 01/03 four male patients with a rupture of the pectoralis major muscle (PM) were treated surgically by suture. Three of them had an acute rupture (75%), in one case the injury was older (25%). In three cases patients underwent MRI examination. All patients were examined for a follow up by the Constant score and the score of McEntire. RESULTS The median age of the patients was 36.5 (min: 27; max: 51) years; in three cases the left side was injured, in one case the right. All cases of the acute injury happened during weight bearing. The older rupture (1.5 years ago) was caused by a motorcycle accident. The follow up examination was performed after 8.5 (min: 7; max: 13) months. According to the score of McEntire the functional and clinical result was in all cases good to very good. The median value of the Constant score on the injured side was 90 (min: 63; max: 96) compared to 99 (min: 95; max: 100) on the other side. CONCLUSION The rupture of the pectoralis major muscle is a rare entity and appears in young male patients. The most common reason for this injury is weight bearing or physical exercises, often in combination with anabolic steroids. Clinical and functional results after suture are good; patients normally reach the former level of activity and are able to practice their sports in the same way like they did before the trauma. According to our experiences, we recommend the surgical therapy.
Varicocele: Evaluation and treatment

Varicocele is the most common identifiable pathology in infertile men. It is present in 15% of the male population, in approximately 35% of men with primary infertility and in 50% to 80% of men with secondary infertility. It is generally accepted that varicocele exerts a negative influence on spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis, primarily by elevating testicular temperature. However, the effect of varicocelectomy on the restoration of testicular function and fertility in adults is the subject of ongoing controversy. Microsurgical varicocelectomy has been advocated as the ‘gold standard’ method, based on the low complication rate associated with this procedure. In the era of advanced assisted reproduction, varicocelectomy is a valuable tool in the management of infertile men.
International Data on Educational Attainment Updates and Implications

This paper presents a data set that improves the measurement of educational attainment for a broad group of countries. We extend our previous estimates of educational attainment for the population over age 15 and over age 25 up to 1995 and provide projections for 2000. We discuss the estimation method for the measures of educational attainment and relate our estimates to alternative international measures of human capital stocks.
Estabilidad del rendimiento de grano en híbridos trilineales androesteriles de maíz para Valles Altos de México

En la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlan (FESC- UNAM) y el Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP-CEVAMEX), se cuenta con hibridos trilineales de maiz (Zea mays L.), cuyas cruzas simples progenitoras poseen androesterilidad para facilitar la produccion de semillas, mantener su calidad genetica y para disminuir costos de produccion de semilla. Previo a la liberacion comercial de los hibridos para su uso extensivo, se requiere identificar los mejores genotipos, con base en rendimiento y estabilidad en diferentes ambientes de prueba. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar h´ibridos trilineales de maiz que presenten estabilidad del rendimiento de grano, utilizando los parametros de estabilidad de Eberhart y Russell y el modelo de interaccion multiplicativo y de efectos principales aditivos (AMMI, por sus siglas en ingles), asi como definir el modelo que mejor describa la interaccion genotipo por ambiente. Se evaluaron cuatro hibridos trilineales androesteriles y fertiles en experimentos establecidos en condiciones de punta de riego, en dos localidades en el ciclo primavera- verano 2012, y en cada una de dos fechas de siembra y dos densidades de poblacion. Se conformaron ocho diferentes ambientes de prueba, combinando localidades x fechas de siembra x densidades de poblacion. El modelo AMMI identifico como estables a los hibridos trilineales H-57 y Puma 1183 AEC2, mientras que el modelo de parametros de estabilidad identifico a los hibridos H-53, Puma 1183 AEC1, y Puma 1183 AEC2 como estables por sus coeficientes de regresion cercanos a la unidad y desviaciones de regresion proximas a cero. Los niveles de correspondencia entre ambos modelos fueron de 50% para los hibridos. Se concluye que ambos modelos identificaron por lo menos a un hibrido trilineal como estable, pero fue el modelo AMMI el que mejor describio la interaccion genotipo por ambiente.