Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress stimulates IL‐4 and IL‐6 production in mast cells by an APE/Ref‐1‐dependent pathway

Mast cells are exposed to an oxidative environment in the course of allergic and inflammatory reactions. We have examined the effects of H2O2 stimulation in a primary rat basophilic leukemia cell line (RBL‐2H3) and compared with IgE‐dependent stimulation. Like IgE stimulation, H2O2 up‐regulates IL‐4 and IL‐6 gene expression and cytokine secretion, shows a little effect on IL‐5 but does not induce IL‐10 gene expression. Simultaneous H2O2 treatment and FcϵRI triggering of mast cells has additive effects on IL‐4 expression. In addition, we show that both stimuli induce the nuclear translocation of APE/Ref‐1, a bifunctional enzyme that stimulates the DNA‐binding activity of several transcription factors through the reduction of highly reactive cysteines. Conditional inactivation of APE/Ref‐1 expression abolishes H2O2‐induced IL‐4 and IL‐6 gene expression but does not affect that induced by FcϵRI stimulation. Our findings indicate that oxidative stress activates the gene expression of a specific cytokine pattern in mast cells through an APE/Ref‐1‐dependent pathway, which is distinct from theone that is activated by FcϵRI stimulation. Nonetheless, H2O2 and FcϵRI signalings are additive in augmenting IL‐4 production. Most importantly, oxidative stress can induce a pro‐type 2 inflammatory response from mast cells that is independent of FcϵRI stimulation.
Putting Information into Action: What Explains Follow-Up on Home Energy Audits?

Consumers often invest in information when faced with choices that have uncertain payoffs. Homeowners considering improvements or retrofits in order to lower their energy bills may decide to have a home energy audit, a professional assessment that identifies where a home is losing energy and recommends improvements that will lower energy use and costs. Follow-up on audit recommendations varies widely across households. We explore the reasons for these differences using data from a multistate survey of over 500 homeowners who have had energy audits. Our findings suggest that two sets of factors are important in explaining audit follow-up: factors related to the costs of retrofits and those related to the features and quality of the audits. Our findings have implications for policies to encourage the use of audits and suggest that the quality of the information and how it is delivered have important consequences for the role of audits in reducing energy consumption.
Generalized entropic uncertainty relations.

A new class of uncertainty relations is derived for pairs of observables in a finite-dimensional Hilbert space which do not have any common eigenvector. This class contains an ``entropic'' uncertainty relation which improves a previous result of Deutsch and confirms a recent conjecture by Kraus. Some comments are made on the extension of these relations to the case where the Hilbert space is infinite dimensional.
Is the Breadth of Individualized Ranges of Optimal Anxiety (IZOF) Equal for all Athletes? A Graphical Method for Establishing IZOF

Recall and direct methods to determine the individual zone of optimal functioning (IZOF) cannot account for potential individual differences in the span of optimal anxiety. Accordingly, an attempt was made to test a graphical technique that could establish the span of optimal anxiety ranges for individuals. State anxiety (STAI; Spielberger, Gorusch, & Lushene, 1970; and CSAI-2; Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump, & Smith, 1990) was assessed before competitions (10 to 20) in six Spanish golfers during a season. Performance in each match was determined using golf scores and self-ratings. Optimal anxiety ranges were established graphically by plotting individual scores of precompetition anxiety against individual performance values. Optimal ranges were also determined using Hanin's (1986, 1989) direct and recall methods. The efficacy of each method was contrasted by comparing performance between cases in which the golfers possessed optimal or non-optimal anxiety according to each method. More of the golfers performed better when competing within an IZOF established with the graphic procedures than with the other methods. Los métodos directo y retrospectivo para establecer la zona individual de óptimo funcionamiento (IZOF) no consideran las posibles diferencias individuales en la amplitud del rango de ansiedad óptima. Por este motivo se sometió a prueba un método gráfico que permitiera establecer la amplitud de los rangos de ansiedad óptima de forma individualizada. La ansiedad estado (STAI; Spielberger, Gorusch y Lushene, 1970; y CSAI-2; Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump y Smith, 1990) se evaluó antes de las competiciones (10 a 20) en seis jugadores de golf a lo largo de una temporada. El rendimiento de cada competición se estableció utilizando el número de golpes efectuados y autoinformes. Los rangos de ansiedad óptima se establecieron gráficamente, representando los niveles de ansiedad precompetitiva frente a los rendimientos de cada jugador. También se establecieron los rangos de ansiedad óptima, empleando los métodos directo y retrospectivo propuestos por Hanin (1986, 1989). La eficacia de cada método fue contrastada comparando el rendimiento de los casos en los que el nivel de ansiedad se situaba dentro o fuera de la zona establecida de óptimo funcionamiento. Comparando los tres métodos, la mayoría de los jugadores de golf rindieron mejor cuando competían dentro de su IZOF establecido con el procedimiento gráfico.
In vitro evaluation of a closed-bowel technique for one-layer hand-sewn inverting end-to-end jejunojejunosotomy in the horse.

OBJECTIVE To report a technique for closed-bowel 1-layer inverting end-to-end jejunojejunal anastomosis in horses. STUDY DESIGN Experimental study. SAMPLE POPULATION Fresh cadaveric jejunal segments from 12 horses. METHODS For each bowel segment a 1-layer closed and a 2-layer inverting end-to-end jejunojejunosotomy was created. Anastomosis construction time and anastomotic bursting pressure were measured and compared. RESULTS Closed-bowel anastomosis was significantly faster to create than a 2-layer technique. Luminal narrowing (<30%) was similar with both techniques and comparable with other inverting techniques. Bursting pressure was significantly higher for the 2-layer technique, although all anastomoses resisted pressures higher than those reported for other jejunojejunal anastomosis techniques. CONCLUSIONS A 1-layer hand-sewn, closed, inverting jejunojejunosotomy using a modified Doyen clamp was easy and faster to perform, and resulted in functional characteristics similar to, a 2-layer hand-sewn inverting technique. CLINICAL RELEVANCE A closed, 1-layer inverting technique could be considered for equine jejunal anastomosis but requires in vivo evaluation before recommendation for clinical use.
Intention to Continue Using Facebook Fan Pages from the Perspective of Social Capital Theory

Social network sites enable users to express themselves, establish ties, and develop and maintain social relationships. Recently, many companies have begun using social media identity (e.g., Facebook fan pages) to enhance brand attractiveness, and social network sites have evolved into social utility networks, thereby creating a number of promising business opportunities. To this end, the operators of fan pages need to be aware of the factors motivating users to continue their patronization of such pages. This study set out to identify these motivating factors from the point of view of social capital. This study employed structural equation modeling to investigate a research model based on a survey of 327 fan pages users. This study discovered that ties related to social interaction (structural dimension), shared values (cognitive dimension), and trust (relational dimension) play important roles in users' continued intention to use Facebook fan pages. Finally, this study discusses the implications of these findings and offers directions for future research.
Analysis of Current Guidelines for Intra-abdominal Infections

Abstract Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality. These infections can be caused by a wide variety of microorganisms, including both aerobes and anaerobes, and are often polymicrobial. Several studies have reported that mortality depends on initiating early appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The inappropriate choice of initial antibiotic therapy results in a longer hospital stay and higher costs of hospitalization compared with appropriate initial antibiotic therapy. The aim of this review is to summarize the recommendations of several guidelines on the management of IAIs.
Four Essays on Energy Prices and Resource Markets

The thesis at hand includes four essays that analyze issues related to the energy prices. In the first essay, the effects of oil prices on Turkish stock market activity is investigated by using vector autoregressive model (VAR). Speciﬁc attention is given to global liquidity conditions in order to consistently explain the causal relationship. We find that oil prices do not have significant effect on Turkish stock returns but rather the global liquidity is the most plausible explanation for the changes in both the oil prices and the stock market returns. The second essay the long-term effects of rising energy prices on economic growth for developed countries. We first derive the theoretical relation by employing a two-sector endogenous growth model and tested the findings empirically using panel ARDL approach on data for sixteen OECD countries. We find significant and negative long-term effects of energy prices on economic growth. In the third essay a resource duopoly model is studied in order to examine strategic firm behavior in exhaustible resource markets. As an extension to the literature, intertemporal capacity constraints are taken as endogenous to the model. With this setup we are able to show that the price decreases weakly over two periods. This result captures the short-term stylized characteristics of many exhaustible resource markets, in which occasional price drops are observed. In the fourth paper, we analyze the effects of the Commodity Futures Trading Comission’s (CFTC) regulations on US oil- and gas-related stock returns during 2008 credit crunch. The CFTC, as the main financial regulatory authority in US commodities markets, aimed to avoid high volatility in oil prices. In principle, decreasing volatility leads to decrease in riskiness in oil markets, which would have profound effects on oil-related stock returns. We employ event study methodology and find that during the peak of 2008 credit crunch, i.e. Lehman Brothers failure, the CFTC’s regulatory announcements had significant and mostly positive effects on stock returns.
The effects of isotonic contractions on the rate of fatigue development and the resting membrane potential in the sartorius muscle of the frog, Rana pipiens.

The goal of this study was to characterize how isotonic contractions affect the rate of fatigue development. Muscle bundles dissected from frog sartorius muscles were stimulated with 100-ms long train of pulses (0.5 ms, 6 V, 140 Hz). To measure the effect of the isotonic contractions, isometric tetanus were elicited at regular time intervals during the stimulation to fatigue. In general, isotonic contractions caused a faster decrease in tetanic force than isometric contractions. The difference in tetanic force between an isotonic and isometric fatigue increased gradually over a 20-min period to 7.9 and 13.5% at 0.04 and 0.1 trains/s (TPS), respectively. At 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 TPS, the decrease in tetanic force was also faster during an isotonic fatigue, which resulted in an initial difference in tetanic force between the two types of fatigue. The difference did not exceed 18.5% and did not persist throughout the stimulation period; i.e., the difference disappeared before the end of the fatigue stimulation. The half-relaxation time was prolonged during fatigue development, and the prolongation was greater during an isotonic fatigue, except at 0.04 TPS. The increases in the half-relaxation time at 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 TPS were followed by a decrease, and the decreases were especially pronounced during an isotonic fatigue at 0.5 and 1.0 TPS. The results showed for the first time that isotonic contractions cause a faster rate of fatigue development in frog sartorius muscles, and this effect depends on the frequency of stimulation.
Immunohistochemical study of osteopontin, Ki-67, and CD34 of psoriasis in Mansoura, Egypt.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyper-proliferation, abnormal differentiation, and inflammatory infiltration in epidermis and dermis. We planned this study to analyze probable associations between Osteopontin (OPN), Ki-67, CD34, and histopathological features in psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied OPN expression and its correlation with Ki-67 and CD34 expression in lesional, non-lesional skin, and normal skin. Immunoreactivity for OPN and Ki-67 was based on the level of epidermal staining. CD34 expression was scored as mild, moderate, and strong, according to the number of stained dermal capillaries. RESULTS Our results showed statistically significant differences in the expression of OPN, Ki-67, and CD34 between lesional and non-lesional skin as well as between non-lesional skin and control group (P ≤ 0.001). In addition, there was a significant difference in the expression of OPN, Ki-67, and CD34 between control and lesional group (P=0.02, P=0.02, and P=0.04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS OPN expression seems to be related to Ki-67 (proliferation index) and CD34 expression (angiogenesis marker) confirming its role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Then "anti- OPN and anti-angiogenesis" may eventually become a useful therapeutic approach in psoriasis.
Case Management Services for Work Related Upper Extremity Disorders

A case manager's ability to obtain worksite accommodations and engage workers in active problem solving may improve health and return to work outcomes for clients with work related upper extremity disorders (WRUEDs). This study examines the feasibility of a 2 day training seminar to help nurse case managers identify ergonomic risk factors, provide accommodation, and conduct problem solving skills training with workers' compensation claimants recovering from WRUEDs. Eight procedural steps to this case management approach were identified, translated into a training workshop format, and conveyed to 65 randomly selected case managers. Results indicate moderate to high self ratings of confidence to perform ergonomic assessments (mean = 7.5 of 10) and to provide problem solving skills training (mean = 7.2 of 10) after the seminar. This training format was suitable to experienced case managers and generated a moderate to high level of confidence to use this case management approach.
Stock-financed M&As of newly listed firms

Newly listed firms are increasingly active in mergers and acquisitions (M&As). The “stock as currency” motivation explains why firms engage in stock-financed acquisitions after their Initial Public Offering (IPO). We extend its implications by focusing on the role played by stock liquidity, which entails potential benefits not only for prospective acquirers, but also for targets. We find that 16.3 % of the population of 3433 firms going public in Europe from 1995 to 2009 become acquirers within 3 years of the IPO, while 16.8 % are targeted. Firms with more liquid stocks are more likely to acquire and complete a larger number of stock-financed acquisitions. More liquid firms are also more likely to be acquired, and at higher valuations. Our firm-level findings, supported by time-series regressions, imply that firms should time their IPO based on liquidity considerations to facilitate subsequent M&A activity as either acquirer or target.
A combined within-host and between-hosts modelling framework for the evolution of resistance to antimalarial drugs

The spread of drug resistance represents a significant challenge to many disease control efforts. The evolution of resistance is a complex process influenced by transmission dynamics between hosts as well as infection dynamics within these hosts. This study aims to investigate how these two processes combine to impact the evolution of resistance in malaria parasites. We introduce a stochastic modelling framework combining an epidemiological model of Plasmodium transmission and an explicit within-human infection model for two competing strains. Immunity, treatment and resistance costs are included in the within-host model. We show that the spread of resistance is generally less likely in areas of intense transmission, and therefore of increased competition between strains, an effect exacerbated when costs of resistance are higher. We also illustrate how treatment influences the spread of resistance, with a trade-off between slowing resistance and curbing disease incidence. We show that treatment coverage has a stronger impact on disease prevalence, whereas treatment efficacy primarily affects resistance spread, suggesting that coverage should constitute the primary focus of control efforts. Finally, we illustrate the importance of feedbacks between modelling scales. Overall, our results underline the importance of concomitantly modelling the evolution of resistance within and between hosts.
Students’ voices on spiritual care at a Higher Education Institution in the Western Cape

Background Nurses have a moral obligation to ensure holistic care of patients, inclusive of the spiritual dimension. However, there seems to be a void in the teaching and learning of spiritual care in nursing curricula. Despite the South African Nursing Council being in favour of holistic nursing, there are no measures in place to ensure implementation of spiritual care, hence its practice is not standardised in nursing education in South Africa. Currently, the undergraduate nursing curriculum does not provide clear direction on how spiritual care in nursing should be integrated and the reason for this is not clear. It appears that the lack of professional regulation, difficulties in definition and the personalised nature of spiritual practice are partly responsible for the practice being barely enforced and scarcely practised by students in clinical placements. The aim of the study was to develop a practice theory for teaching–learning of spiritual care in the undergraduate nursing programme. Objectives The study objective was to describe and explore the students’ experiencs of teaching–learning of spiritual care in the undergraduate nursing programme. Methods A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design with purposive sampling was used. The sample consisted of undergraduate nursing students at a University in the Western Cape Province. Measures for trustworthiness were applied. Results The findings indicated a need to provide support, a conducive learning environment and structure for teaching, learning and practice of spiritual care. Conclusion There is a need for formal education regarding spiritual care in nursing.
An Evaluation of the Plant Density Estimator the Point-Centred Quarter Method (PCQM) Using Monte Carlo Simulation

Background In the Point-Centred Quarter Method (PCQM), the mean distance of the first nearest plants in each quadrant of a number of random sample points is converted to plant density. It is a quick method for plant density estimation. In recent publications the estimator equations of simple PCQM (PCQM1) and higher order ones (PCQM2 and PCQM3, which uses the distance of the second and third nearest plants, respectively) show discrepancy. This study attempts to review PCQM estimators in order to find the most accurate equation form. We tested the accuracy of different PCQM equations using Monte Carlo Simulations in simulated (having ‘random’, ‘aggregated’ and ‘regular’ spatial patterns) plant populations and empirical ones. Principal Findings PCQM requires at least 50 sample points to ensure a desired level of accuracy. PCQM with a corrected estimator is more accurate than with a previously published estimator. The published PCQM versions (PCQM1, PCQM2 and PCQM3) show significant differences in accuracy of density estimation, i.e. the higher order PCQM provides higher accuracy. However, the corrected PCQM versions show no significant differences among them as tested in various spatial patterns except in plant assemblages with a strong repulsion (plant competition). If N is number of sample points and R is distance, the corrected estimator of PCQM1 is 4(4N − 1)/(π ∑ R2) but not 12N/(π ∑ R2), of PCQM2 is 4(8N − 1)/(π ∑ R2) but not 28N/(π ∑ R2) and of PCQM3 is 4(12N − 1)/(π ∑ R2) but not 44N/(π ∑ R2) as published. Significance If the spatial pattern of a plant association is random, PCQM1 with a corrected equation estimator and over 50 sample points would be sufficient to provide accurate density estimation. PCQM using just the nearest tree in each quadrant is therefore sufficient, which facilitates sampling of trees, particularly in areas with just a few hundred trees per hectare. PCQM3 provides the best density estimations for all types of plant assemblages including the repulsion process. Since in practice, the spatial pattern of a plant association remains unknown before starting a vegetation survey, for field applications the use of PCQM3 along with the corrected estimator is recommended. However, for sparse plant populations, where the use of PCQM3 may pose practical limitations, the PCQM2 or PCQM1 would be applied. During application of PCQM in the field, care should be taken to summarize the distance data based on ‘the inverse summation of squared distances’ but not ‘the summation of inverse squared distances’ as erroneously published.