Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tear secretion and tear film function in insulin dependent diabetics

BACKGROUND Diabetic patients often complain of dry eye symptoms, such as burning and/or foreign body sensation. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether diabetes mellitus is correlated with tear film dysfunction and/or tear hyposecretion. METHODS In 86 consecutive insulin dependent diabetics with retinopathy and 84 non-diabetic controls (age and sex matched) we performed fluorophotometry of tear secretion, the Schirmer test, and impression cytology of the conjunctival epithelium and determined the tear film break up time. RESULTS When compared with the healthy control group diabetics showed decreased Schirmer test readings (−37%, p <0.001) and significantly more frequent and pronounced signs of conjunctival metaplasia. None of the other values differed between groups. CONCLUSION In insulin dependent diabetics, reflex tearing was demonstrated to be significantly decreased. In contrast, unstimulated basal tear flow and tear film break up time were found to be normal. However, a majority of insulin dependent diabetics shows distinct signs of conjunctival surface disease.
A Review on palm wine

Palm wine is the fermented sap of various palm trees especially Palmyra, silverdatepalm and coconut palms Palm wine can be obtained from the young inflorescence either male (or) female ones palm wine is alcoholic beverage that are made by fermenting the sugary sap from various palm plants. It is collected by tapping the top of the trunk by felling the palm tree and boring a hole into the trunk it is a cloudy whitish beverage with a sweet alcoholic taste and very short shelf life of only one day, the wine is consumed in a variety of flavors varying foam sweet unfermented to sour ,fermented and vinegary there are many various of the products and no individuals method or recipe palm wine is particularly common in parts of Africa, South India , Mayanmar and Mexico some of the local names for the product include emu and ogogoro in Nigeria and Nsafufuo in Ghana, kallu in south India and tuba in Mexico.
The influence of immaturity on hypoxic‐ischemic brain damage in the rat

Brain damage in the Levine preparation (unilateral common carotid artery ligation with hypoxia) consists of ischemic neuronal alterations in the ipsilateral forebrain. As the model has been restricted to adult animals, unilateral common carotid artery ligation was carried out in 7‐day‐postnatal rats. Four to 8 hours later the 25 pups were exposed to 8% oxygen at 37°C for 3.5 hours. Controls consisted of littermates subjected to carotid ligation without subsequent hypoxia, hypoxia without prior ligation, and neither ligation nor hypoxia. After hypoxia the animals were returned to their dams and appeared normal for up to 50 hours. All pups were then killed by perfusion‐fixation.
Radiation Therapy Preparation by a Multidisciplinary Team for Childhood Cancer Patients Aged 3½ to 6 Years

Approximately 50% to 60% of children with cancer require radiation therapy. Radiation is one modality of treatment for pediatric malignancies and is used as complementary, palliative, emergency, or sole treatment. The goal of this program was to provide the child and family with coping strategies and minimize the necessity for anesthesia during radiation treatment. Since the beginning of the project, 55 children have participated in the preparation program. The developers of the program have found it worthwhile for the program to be flexible and matched to each child's and family's specific needs and capabilities. It has been found that the radiation therapy preparation program minimizes anxiety and increases satisfaction with care among the child, family, and staff involved.
Green Supply Chain Management Practices' Effect on the Performance of Turkish Business Relationships

This paper provides a first-hand understanding about the procedures taken by Turkish business firms and their logistics providers and supply chain business firms to operate in an environmentally friendly supply chain. The main point of the study is to examine the influence of both external and internal parties on green supply chain management (GSCM) practices in business firms. The result of this research is very important to promote performance of Turkish business relations in their green perspectives. In order to find the correct answers, comprehensive questionnaire forms were designed. We collected data from 2014 May to 2015 July through Turkish companies. More than 180 companies contributed in this extensive research. Then the derived data were analyzed using statistical methods. One of the important inferred results is that the third party logistics service providers influence firms to have a proactive green behavior.
The effect of group aerobic exercise and t'ai chi on functional outcomes and quality of life for persons living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the usefulness of two interventions in a group rehabilitation medicine setting to determine strategies and exercise guidelines for long-term care of the HIV/AIDS population with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). DESIGN This was a randomized clinical trial investigating the effects of tai chi (TC) and aerobic exercise (EX) on functional outcomes and quality of life (QOL) in patients with AIDS. SETTING Two outpatient infectious disease clinics in a mid-atlantic state were the setting. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTION Thirty-eight (38) subjects with advanced HIV (AIDS) were randomized to one of three groups: TC, EX, or control. Experimental groups exercised twice weekly for 8 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcomes included QOL as measured by the Medical Outcomes Short Form (MOS-HIV) and Spirituality Well-Being Scale (SWB). Functional measures included the functional reach (FR) for balance, sit and reach (SR) for flexibility, and sit-up (SU) test for endurance. The physical performance test (PPT) was used to determine overall function, and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) was used to evaluate psychologic changes. To consider the patients' explanations for these measurements, qualitative data were collected from subjects' journals, focus groups, and nonparticipant observation. RESULTS Thirty-eight (38) subjects were included in data analysis: 13 in the TC group, 13 in the EX group, and 12 in the control group. Results of analysis of covariance showed significant changes in the exercise groups in overall functional measures (p < 0.001). The MOS-HIV showed a significant difference on the subscale of overall health (p = 0.04). The POMS showed significant main effect for time in confusion-bewilderment (p = 0.000) and tension-anxiety (p = 0.005). Three dominant themes emerged from the qualitative data, including: positive physical changes, enhanced psychologic coping, and improved social interactions. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that TC and EX improve physiologic parameters, functional outcomes, and QOL. Group intervention provides a socialization context for management of chronic HIV disease. This study supports the need for more research investigating the effect of other types of group exercise for this population. This study sets the stage for a larger randomized controlled trial to examine the potential short- and long-term effects of group exercise that may prove beneficial in the management of advanced HIV disease. Further research is warranted to evaluate additional exercise interventions that are accessible, safe, and cost-effective for the HIV population.
Impact of Nutrition Education on Dietary Habits of Female High School Students

ii Dedication iii Acknowledgements iv Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Chapter 2: Review of Literature 3 Nutritional Requirements of Teenage Girls 3 Food Intake Patterns of American Teenage Girls 4 Outcomes of Poor Dietary Choices 5 Impact of Nutrition Education On Nutritional Intake 6 Chapter 3: Methodology 10 Subjects 10 Teaching Methods 10 Research Design 10 Anthropometric Measurements 11 Food Diary 11 Statistical Analysis 12 Chapter 4: Results 13 Anthropometric Measurements 13 Macronutrients 13 Micronutrients 14 Fat Soluble Vitamins 14
Effects that Previous Employment Experiences Had on Organizational Commitment of an Hourly Workforce

Effects that Previous Employment Experiences Had on Organizational Commitment of an Hourly Workforce Charles August Bartocci Old Dominion University, 2011 Director: Dr. John M. Ritz A committed workforce is critical to the success of any organization. While there was a great deal of debate on how to best describe commitment, one model that attracted a significant following is the Three Component Model (TCM) developed by Meyer and Allen (1988). While it may be argued that the model is a mixed model combining attitudinal and behavioral measures, researchers have largely agreed that the scale that measures affective commitment is both valid and reliable. How commitment is developed in a workforce is of considerable interest. A minority of researchers have considered a variety of antecedents that contribute to the formation of organizational commitment (Cohen, 1993). One aspect of the employment experience is that of an involuntary job loss. It was unclear whether job loss would affect commitment. This study evaluated a population of individuals who were selected from an area that had experienced significant employment losses. All the subjects were part of a uniform preemployment class prior to gaining employment in the same organization. This study demonstrated that individuals who have lost employment have similar levels of commitment compared to individuals who have not suffered a job loss. Employee demographics and union membership were found to be insignificant in the formation of affective commitment.
The Duration of the Inhibitory Effects with Static Stretching on Quadriceps Peak Torque Production

Although several studies have investigated the acute effect of static stretching exercises, the duration of exercises that negatively affects performance has not been ascertained. This study was conducted to determine the acute effect of different static stretching durations on quadriceps isometric and isokinetic peak torque production. The 50 participants were randomly allocated into five equivalent sized groups and were asked to perform a stretching exercise of different duration (no stretch, 10-second stretch, 20-second stretch, 30-second stretch, and 60-second stretch). The knee flexion range of motion and the isometric and concentric isokinetic peak torques of the quadriceps were measured before and after a static stretching exercise in the four experimental groups. The same parameters were examined in the control group (no stretch) without stretching, before and after a 5-minute passive rest. There were no significant differences among groups before the experimentation regarding their physical characteristics and performances (P > 0.05). These results reflect the different groups' homogeneity. Significant knee joint flexibility increases (P < 0.001) and significant isometric and isokinetic peak torque reductions (P < 0.05-0.001) have been shown to occur only after 30 and 60 seconds of quadriceps static stretching. Stretching reduced isometric peak torque by 8.5% and 16.0%, respectively. Concerning isokinetic peak torque after 30 and 60 seconds of stretching, it was reduced by 5.5% vs. 11.6% at 60°/s and by 5.8% vs. 10.0% at 180°/s. We suggest that torque decrements are related to changes of muscle neuromechanical properties. It is recommended that static stretching exercises of a muscle group for more than 30 seconds of duration be avoided before performances requiring maximal strength.
Anticipated Emotions and Personal Experience for Predicting Behavioral Intentions and Behavioral Expectations

We tested how anticipated emotions interact with personal experience in risk behavior to improve predictions from TPB on behavioral intention (BI) and behavioral expectation (BE) for sex without condom (Study 1) and excessive drinking (Study 2). In the moderate-high experience group, anticipated emotional profiles (AEPs) improve TPB prediction from 28% to 45% in the case of BI and from 19% to 40% in that of BE in relation to sexual risk behavior (Study 1), and from 23% to 36% in the case of BI and from 17% to 31% in that of BE in relation to binge drinking (Study 2). However, in the low-experience group (Study 2) AEPs improve TPB predictions for BI (12% to 34%) but not for BE, showing that in less experienced people BI and BE are not equivalent: anticipated emotions have different relevance in their prediction. These results were replicated using a general negative anticipated emotion index (averaging emotional categories). Hemos puesto a prueba como interactúan las emociones anticipadas y la experiencia personal en la conducta de riesgo para mejorar las predicciones hechas desde la Teoría de la Conducta Planeada (TPB) sobre las intenciones (BI) y expectativas conductuales (BE), tanto para el sexo sin preservativo (Estudio 1), como para la ingesta puntual de alcohol en exceso (Estudio 2). En el grupo con experiencia personal moderada-alta, los perfiles de emociones anticipadas (AEPs) mejoraron las predicciones hechas desde la TPB del 28% al 45% en el caso de intenciones conductuales (BI) y del 19% al 40% sobre expectativas conductuales (BE) en relación con la conducta sexual de riesgo (Estudio 1); y del 23% al 36% en el caso de intención conductual y del 17% al 31% sobre las expectativas conductuales de beber alcohol en exceso (Estudio 2). Sin embargo, en el grupo de baja experiencia personal (Estudio 2) los perfiles de emociones anticipadas (AEPs) mejoraron las predicciones hechas sobre intenciones conductuales (del 12% al 34%) pero no sobre las expectativas conductuales, mostrando que en las personas con baja experiencia personal en la conducta, las intenciones conductuales no son equivalentes a las expectativas conductuales: las emociones anticipadas tienen diferente relevancia en su predicción. Estos resultados fueron replicados usando un índice general de emociones negativas anticipadas (calculado a partir de la media de las categorías emocionales informadas).
Impact of donor age on survival and fibrosis progression in patients with hepatitis C undergoing liver transplantation using HCV+ allografts

Studies have suggested that the use of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐positive (HCV+) donor allografts has no impact on survival. However, no studies have examined the effect that HCV+ donor histology has upon recipient and graft survival. We evaluated the clinical outcome and impact of histological features in HCV patients transplanted using HCV+ livers. We reviewed all patients transplanted for HCV at our institution from 1988 to 2004; 39 received HCV+ allografts and 580 received HCV‐negative (HCV−) allografts. Survival curves compared graft and patient survival. Each HCV+ allograft was stringently matched to a control of HCV− graft recipients. No significant difference in survival was noted between recipients of HCV+ livers and controls. Patients receiving HCV+ allografts from older donors (age ≥50 yr) had higher rates of graft failure (hazard ratio, 2.74) and death rates (hazard ratio, 2.63) compared to HCV− allograft recipients receiving similarly‐aged older donor livers. Matched case‐control analysis revealed that recipients of HCV+ allografts had more severe fibrosis post‐liver transplantation than recipients of HCV− livers (P = 0.008). More advanced fibrosis was observed in HCV+ grafts from older donors compared to HCV+ grafts from younger donors (P = 0.012). In conclusion, recipients of HCV+ grafts from older donors have higher rates of death and graft failure, and develop more extensive fibrosis than HCV− graft recipients from older donors. Recipients of HCV+ grafts, regardless of donor age, develop more advanced liver fibrosis than recipients of HCV− grafts. Liver Transpl 12:1496‐1503, 2006. © 2006 AASLD.
Improved stage at diagnosis of cervical cancer with increased cancer awareness in a rural Indian population

As part of its strategy to identify cancer cases in a rural population, the cancer registry of Barshi, India, has developed a methodology which includes education of the population about likely symptoms of cancer, and motivation of symptomatic individuals to undergo medical investigation. Patients with cervical cancer from the registry area who attended Barshi Cancer Hospital (84% of the total) showed a significant improvement in stage at diagnosis between 1988–1989 (38% in stages I and II) and 1990–1992 (51% in stages I and II). No change was observed in those attending the same hospital from a control area (38% vs. 34%). Among a random sample of the population of the registry area, 76% of women were aware of the symptoms of cervical cancer, compared with 25% of the population of control areas. It is suggested that action to raise awareness of symptoms of cancer, and to encourage medical consultation, should form an important initial component of cervical‐cancer control programmes.
Is the Residential Combined (Psychotherapy Plus Medication) Treatment of Patients With Severe Personality Disorder Effective in Terms of Suicidality and Impulsivity?

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of combined treatment—medication plus psychodynamic psychotherapy—and psychodynamic psychotherapy alone on the outcome variables of suicidality and impulsivity in a population of adult inpatients with severe personality disorder (SPD). This is a naturalistic-empirical (observational) study under the conditions of clinical practice (an intensive specialized inpatient psychotherapeutic program [SIPP]). The sample consisted of 33 inpatients with SPD who were allocated to two subgroups (groups A and B). The patients in group A received psychodynamic psychotherapy and adjunctive pharmacotherapy, whereas the patients in group B received multimodal psychodynamic psychotherapy only. A statistically significant reduction in suicidality score was observed in the patients in group A, whereas a tendency for significant reduction in impulsivity score was observed in group B after the SIPP termination. Pharmacotherapy combined with multimodal psychodynamic psychotherapy, always within the SIPP, seems more effective in the case of suicidality rather than impulsivity.
Parameters of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Syrian hamsters

An animal model for evaluating the potency of Mycoplasma pneumoniae vaccines was developed with hamsters. Factors that influence hamster infection by M. pneumoniae were defined, and parameters for assessment of intensity of pulmonary disease were established. Colonization of hamster lungs was determined by culture, and intensity of lung disease was assessed histopathologically and expressed numerically as a lung pathological score. Intratracheal inoculation of the challenge was superior to the intranasal or aerosol route for inducing a consistent degree of lung disease. A challenge dose of 10(6) CFU inoculated intratracheally produced lung colonization and significant reproducible lung pathological scores in essentially all unvaccinated animals. The peak of infection, as determined by these criteria, was at about 2 weeks after challenge. Animals over 6 weeks of age were preferable for the test, since younger animals exhibited a lower lung pathological score even though they showed the same degree of lung colonization. The hamster assay developed provides a dependable experimental system for testing the protective potency of M. pneumoniae vaccines.
Exploratory Factor Analysis of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition, Criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract One change to the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) nomenclature highlighted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Edition (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) is the conceptualization of PTSD as a diagnostic category with four distinct symptom clusters. This article presents exploratory factor analysis to test the structural validity of the DSM-5 conceptualization of PTSD via an online survey that included the PTSD Checklist-5. The study utilized a sample of 113 college students from a large Midwestern university and 177 Amazon Mechanical Turk users. Participants were primarily female, Caucasian, single, and heterosexual with an average age of 32 years. Approximately 30% to 35% of participants met diagnostic criteria for PTSD based on two different scoring criteria. Results of the exploratory factor analysis revealed five distinct symptom clusters. The implications for the classification of PTSD are discussed.
The Effect of Private Equity Ownership on Firm- Level Productivity *

In this paper, we examine the effect of private equity ownership on target firm productivity, where productivity is measured in terms of total factor productivity and labor productivity. This is investigated by performing an event study on 80 Swedish investments during the years 2004 to 2013. We find abnormal productivity growth in private equity owned firms by approximately 10 percent during the investment holding period. The productivity growth seems to mainly derive from a transitory, albeit sustainable, effect, combined with a positively altered productivity growth path. Furthermore, the abnormal growth appears to be the result of two effects. Firstly, the first two years post buyout, target firms seem to increase output more than the counterfactual while maintaining inputs in line with the counterfactual. Secondly, year three post buyout and forward, we see indications of more efficient capital spending than the counterfactual.
Environmental Impacts of Three Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Manufacturing Processes

This work investigates the environmental impacts of three manufacturing processes for a promising biodegradable polymeric material: polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The processes studied are microbial PHA manufacturing using glucose as the carbon substrate, microbial PHA manufacturing using cheese whey as the carbon substrate, and microbial PHA manufacturing using genetically engineered plants. A lifecycle model is established for each of the processes, and the Eco-indicator 99 methodology is used in the study. Results with 10 indicators under human health, ecosystem quality, and resources are obtained and compared. Because the processes are still largely under development, many lifecycle data are rare and insufficient. A number of reference sources and reasonable assumptions are used in the calculations. The study has identified the major contributors to environmental impacts, and can quantitatively explain how each impact indicator is affected by a particular process. The study provides the information for technical decision-making for the development of environmentally-friendly PHA manufacturing processes.