Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of tick control on liveweight gain of cattle in central Zambia

ABSTRACT. Field trials were carried out during 1982‐86 in two different ecotypes in central Zambia to determine the impact of tick control on the liveweight gain (LWG) of cattle. During the first 2 years of the trial a diamidide acaricide (Amitraz) sprayed at weekly intervals caused periodic depression in LWG in young animals. Thereafter a pyrethroid acaricide (cypermethrin) was used. During the 1984‐85 tick season infestations of 50–120 adult Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius in untreated animals caused significant reductions in LWG. From the differences in LWG between treated and untreated cattle, the induced loss in LWG was estimated at 46–61 g per engorged female A. variegatum.
Impact Factors on Social TV Research in Real Elderly Persons' Households

There has been a lot of interactive/social TV research and a lot of projects argued before the tablet boom with the elderly person’s familiarity of TVs over PCs. However, not much research looked at appropriation processes of social/iTV prototypes from a holistic point of view, i.e. in the context of Living Lab research which includes reflection about socio-cultural issues in the realm of the TV watching practice. In this paper, we present research results and methodological reflections focussing on the interweaving of socio-cultural issues to social/iTV research with challenges in setting up and pursuing a long-term practice-based Living Lab project. We would like to sensitize other social/iTV researchers who do Living Lab research in real households of elderly people for possible obstacles and opportunities and open up a discussion on these practice-based social/iTV research issues.
The utility of delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging for identifying nonischemic myocardial fibrosis in asymptomatic patients with biopsy-proven systemic sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND The pathophysiology of sarcoidosis includes infiltrative inflammatory injury, as well as interstitial fibrosis formation. Delayed-enhancement (DE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have been shown to identify fibrotic tissue as areas of hyperenhancement. To test the hypothesis that DE-MRI can be used to identify myocardial fibrosis resulting from cardiac sarcoidosis, we assessed this method in asymptomatic patients with biopsy-proven systemic sarcoidosis. METHODS Thirty-one patients with biopsy-confirmed systemic sarcoidosis and no known history of heart disease or sarcoid cardiac involvement underwent DE-MRI after gadolinium-chelate administration. The location and extent of DE were quantified by 2 radiologists experienced at evaluating cardiovascular MRI images. RESULTS According to DE-MRI, 8 (26%) of the 31 patients had nonischemic fibrosis, as evidenced by abnormal DE patterns. Unlike characteristic ischemic injuries, most of the fibrosis was mid-myocardial, extending to the adjacent endocardium, epicardium, or both. The most frequent site of fibrosis was the basal inferoseptum, followed by the basal inferolateral wall. CONCLUSIONS In asymptomatic patients with systemic sarcoidosis, DE-MRI may provide a novel, noninvasive method for the early identification of myocardial fibrosis.
Central nervous system expression of the exon 9 skipping form of the glutamate transporter GLAST

We have raised antibodies that selectively recognize an exon 9 skipping form of GLAST. We demonstrate expression of this protein in brains of rats, cats, monkeys and humans. Immunolabelling was present in scattered populations of neurons, particularly in cerebral cortex and colliculi. Neurons were often present in small clusters and exhibited a range of morphologies, from apparently normal to highly degenerate. GLAST1b was also expressed by some glial cells. Cortical neurons expressing the exon 9 skipping form of GLAST also labelled with antibodies against the C- or N-terminal regions of GLAST. We suggest that alternate splicing of GLAST by subpopulations of neurons may indicate some dysfunction in these cells, and may be an indicator of inappropriate local excitation.
MANAGEMENT MISINFORMATION SYSTEMS*

Five asffumptioDS commonly made by designers of management information systems are identified. It is argued that these are not justified in many (if not most) cases and hence lead to major deficiencies in the resulting systems. These assumptions are: (1) the critical deficiency under which most managers operate is the lack of relevant information, (2) the manager needs the information he wants, (3) if a manager has the information he needs his decision milking will improve, (4) better communication between managers improves organizational performance, and (5) a manager does not have to understand how his information system works, only how to use it. To overcome these assumptions and the deficiencies which result from them, a management information sjrstem should be imbedded in a management control system. A procedure for designing such a system is proposed and an example is given of the type of control system which it produces.
Hemozoin Enhances Maturation of Murine Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages and Myeloid Dendritic Cells.

BACKGROUND Falciparum malaria is a severe health burden worldwide. Antigen presenting cells are reported to be affected by erythrocytic stage of the parasite. Malarial hemozoin (HZ), a metabolite of malaria parasite, has adjuvant properties and may play a role in the induction of immune response against the parasite. OBJECTIVE To determine the immunological impact of hemozoin on the capacity of innate immune cells maturation. METHODS Plasmodium falciparum (F32 strain) was cultured in O+ blood group up to 18% parasitemia. Natural hemozoin was extracted from infected red blood cells. Murine bone marrow derived macrophages and myeloid dendritic cells were stimulated with 4 μg/mL or 40 μg/mL of synthetic hemozoin (β-hematin) or natural hemozoin. We assessed the immunomodulatory role of synthetic or natural hemozoinin vitro by flowcytometric analysis. RESULTS The maturation markers MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 were significantly upregulated (p<0.05) on the surface of murine bone marrow derived macrophages or myeloid dendritic cells. Data confirmed the potential of macrophages or myeloid dendritic cells, through hemozoin activation, to establish an innate immune response against malaria parasites. CONCLUSION Both synthetic and natural hemozoin are potent inducers of cellular immunity against malaria infection. However, natural hemozoin is a stronger inducer as compared to synthetic hemozoin.
On the accuracy of glacier outlines derived from remote-sensing data

Abstract Deriving glacier outlines from satellite data has become increasingly popular in the past decade. In particular when glacier outlines are used as a base for change assessment, it is important to know how accurate they are. Calculating the accuracy correctly is challenging, as appropriate reference data (e.g. from higher-resolution sensors) are seldom available. Moreover, after the required manual correction of the raw outlines (e.g. for debris cover), such a comparison would only reveal the accuracy of the analyst rather than of the algorithm applied. Here we compare outlines for clean and debris-covered glaciers, as derived from single and multiple digitizing by different or the same analysts on very high- (1 m) and medium-resolution (30 m) remote-sensing data, against each other and to glacier outlines derived from automated classification of Landsat Thematic Mapper data. Results show a high variability in the interpretation of debris-covered glacier parts, largely independent of the spatial resolution (area differences were up to 30%), and an overall good agreement for clean ice with sufficient contrast to the surrounding terrain (differences ∼5%). The differences of the automatically derived outlines from a reference value are as small as the standard deviation of the manual digitizations from several analysts. Based on these results, we conclude that automated mapping of clean ice is preferable to manual digitization and recommend using the latter method only for required corrections of incorrectly mapped glacier parts (e.g. debris cover, shadow).
All-Optical Data Inverter Based on Free-Carrier Absorption Induced Cross-Gain Modulation in Si Quantum Dot Doped SiO$_{\bm x}$ Waveguide

The Si quantum dot (Si-QD) doped SiO x waveguide based all-optical cross-gain data inverter is demonstrated. The data inversion response of the probe at 1550 nm depends on the dispersed carrier lifetime in Si-QD, which is strongly correlated with the intensity of pulsed pump at wavelength of 405 nm. The free-carrier absorption cross-section of Si-QD is determined as 3.1 × 10-17cm 2 by fitting with four-level rate equations. Decreasing the pump power could maintain the band-filling effect in small Si-QDs and suppress the filling and scattering of excited free carriers to lower energy states in larger Si-QDs. This causes the carrier lifetime of Si-QD as well as the data inversion speed shortened from 35 to 19 μs by reducing pump power from 240 to 66 mW. Shrinking the Si-QD size and narrowing its size distribution is beneficial to the carrier lifetime shortening and dispersion by overlapping the electron-hole wave functions under strong quantum confinement. The modulation bandwidth can be enhanced by releasing the heating effect in Si-QDs, which further shortens the free carrier absorption induced data inversion response to 9 μs by shortening the pump duty-cycle from 10 to 0.5 μs. The all-optical SiOx:Si-QD waveguide cross-gain data inverter with a pulsed on-off keying data rate of 200 kbit/s is reported.
Changing Epidemiology: Does It Increase Our Understanding?

During the last decade there have been a number of reports using routinely collected health care administration data and from large cohort studies that have attempted to describe changes in the occurrence and identify risk factors for the development of the condition along with reporting its associated mortality. This article identified all studies reporting the occurrence and mortality associated with diverticulosis, diverticular disease and the complications of diverticular disease, notably, bleeding, perforation, fistula, stricture and abscess formation which show that there is strong evidence of an increasing health care burden associated with diverticular disease in terms of hospitalization. There is evidence of an increase in the incidence of some of the associated complications of diverticular disease, notably perforation. A number of risk factors such as body mass index, comorbidity, smoking and concurrent medications such as opiate analgesics and steroids may predispose to the development of complications. The mortality associated with hospital admission for diverticular disease is significant as is the excess mortality associated with a diagnosis of one of the complications of diverticular disease.
Free-Weight Augmentation With Elastic Bands Improves Bench Press Kinematics in Professional Rugby Players

Abstract García-López, D, Hernández-Sánchez, S, Martín, E, Marín, PJ, Zarzosa, F, and Herrero, AJ. Free-weight augmentation with elastic bands improves bench press kinematics in professional rugby players. J Strength Cond Res 30(9): 2493–2499, 2016—This study aimed to investigate the effects of combining elastic bands to free weight resistance (EB + FWR) on the acceleration-deceleration and velocity profiles of the bench press in professional rugby players and recreationally trained subjects. Sixteen male subjects (8 rugby players and 8 recreationally trained subjects) were randomly assigned to complete 2 experimental conditions in a crossover fashion: EB + FWR and FWR. In both conditions, subjects performed 1 bench press set to volitional exhaustion with a load equivalent to the 85% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). In the EB + FWR condition, the contribution of elastic resistance was approximately 20% of the selected load (85% 1RM). Results indicate that EB + FWR condition increased significantly the range of concentric movement in which the barbell is accelerated. This increase was significantly higher in rugby players (35%) in comparison with recreationally trained subjects (13%). Maximal velocity was also increased in EB + FWR (17%), when compared with FWR condition. These results suggest that when combined with variable resistance (i.e., EB), the external resistance seems to be more evenly distributed over the full range of motion, decreasing the need for dramatic deceleration at the end of the concentric phase. The present data also indicate that the kinematic benefits of an EB + FWR approach seems to be more prominent in athletes from modalities in which high level of strength and power are required (i.e., rugby players).
Altered microRNA Expression and Immunosuppressive Cytokine Production by Regulatory T Cells of Ulcerative Colitis Patients

ABSTRACT Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for maintenance of peripheral tolerance and prevention of autoimmune diseases in part by producing immunosuppressive cytokines. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have also been involved in autoimmune disorders, not least for their crucial role in the regulation of Treg biology and function. We simultaneously investigated the concentration of IL-35, IL-10, TGF-β, and sCD25 in supernatant of cell culture and the expression patterns of several miRNAs in CD4+CD25+ CD127−/low FoxP3+ Tregs of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Significantly lower levels of IL-10 and IL-35 were observed in Treg cultures of UC patients. miR-21, miR-146a, and miR-155 levels were downregulated and miR-31 level was upregulated in Tregs of patients. Our results suggest that microRNAs may serve as a novel regulator in function and homoeostasis of UC Treg cells, providing a key role for them in pathophysiology of UC.
Neurotensin excitation of rat ventral tegmental neurones.

1. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were made from ventral tegmental area neurones in rat midbrain slices in vitro. In principal cells, which are presumed to contain dopamine, neurotensin (< or = 1 microM) caused an inward current at ‐60 mV in thirty of forty‐seven neurones and had no effect on the remainder. In secondary neurones, neurotensin caused an inward current in twelve of thirty‐three cells. 2. The inward current evoked by neurotensin reached a maximum amplitude of about 80 pA, and declined over several minutes when the application was discontinued. The current was most commonly accompanied by a decrease in membrane conductance and reversed polarity at a strongly hyperpolarized potential; this reversal potential was less negative in a higher extracellular potassium concentration. Neurotensin also caused an inward current even in potassium‐free internal and external solutions; this current was accompanied by a conductance increase, reversed close to 0 mV and was inhibited by reduction of the extracellular sodium concentration (from 150 to 20 mM). 3. The inward current was associated with a large increase in noise; this persisted in calcium‐free solutions but was inhibited by low sodium concentration. The increase in noise was more prominent at hyperpolarized potentials. The amplitude of the unitary current underlying the increase in noise was estimated from the ratio of the variance to the mean as about 1.5 pA at ‐100 mV. 4. When the recording was made with an electrode containing guanosine 5'‐thio‐triphosphate, the steady inward current evoked by neurotensin did not reverse when the application was discontinued. When the recording electrode contained pertussis toxin, the action of neurotensin was not different although outward currents evoked by dopamine and baclofen declined with time. 5. It is concluded that neurotensin excites ventral tegmental area neurones by activating a pertussis toxin‐insensitive guanosine nucleotide‐binding protein. This leads to a reduction in membrane potassium conductance and an increase in membrane sodium conductance, the relative contribution of which varies from cell to cell.
Fruit quality of dog rose seedlings (Rosa canina L)

A dog rose (Rosa canina L) is one of the most widespread wild species of the genus Rosa in our country, and fairly represented in the natural, rural and even urban areas. Although in the world a dog roses are studied, cultivated and refined, in Croatia its cultivation almost does not exists. In nature you can see major differences between plants, especially considering the size of the fruit, often in very small habitats. The study was conducted at 8 rose dog bushes at about 1 ha of abandoned experimental field 'Jazbina' in Zagreb. From each plant, 120 fruits were randomly collected at a technological maturity. The average fresh fruit weight ranged from 1.88 to 2.96 g, the average fresh flesh portion from 65.4 to 74.7 % and the average dry flesh matter content (after drying at 105 °C), in relation to the fresh fruit weight, from 22.9 to 28.6 %. The length, width, thickness, and shape of the fruits were significantly different (P≤0.05). Since plants were grown in uniform climatic and edaphic conditions, it can be concluded that a relatively large phenotypic, and probably the genotypic variability of dog rose plants exists in such a small location. With the reasonable assumption that the Croatian territory has a lot of similar dog rose habitats, the results of this study indicate a rich genetic potential of dog rose, which could be used for initial selection of plants with superior characteristics intended to be introduced in cultivation.
Human Aggression and Enumerative Measures of Immunity

Objective A pattern of clinical, behavioral, and experimental findings suggests that individual differences in aggressive behavior may be related to immunologic processes. We evaluated two conflicting models of the relationship: 1) A positive association stems from an adaptive mechanism protecting aggressive individuals from increased exposure to immune stimuli and 2) a negative association is due to potential immunosuppressive effects of high testosterone levels. Methods We investigated the models using enumerative measures of cellular and humoral immunity in a sample of 4415 men aged 30 to 48 years who were interviewed and underwent a medical examination. Results Analysis revealed positive (and curvilinear) associations between aggressive behavior and enumerative measures of helper/inducer and suppressor/cytolytic T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. The aggression-immunity relationship was independent of testosterone level, age, current health status, and negative health behaviors and was most pronounced for helper/inducer T cells. There was no evidence of a negative association between testosterone and any immune measure. Conclusions In a large sample of men, individual differences in aggressive behavior were positively associated with enumerative measures of cellular immunity.
Hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic effect of aqueous extract of leaves of Annona squamosa (L.) in experimental animal

Natural remedies from medicinal plants are considered to be effective and safe alternative treatment for diabetes mellitus. Our aim was to demonstrate the hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activity of the water extract of Annona squamosa (custard apple) in diabetic animals with a view to explore its use for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in humans. Hot-water extract of the leaves of A. squamosa was prepared by boiling fresh and airdried leaves (25°C for 5 days) with water (20 ml/g) for 2 h and was tried by oral route in alloxan (80 mg/kg bw)-induced diabetic rabbits and streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg bw)-induced diabetic rats. The hot-water extract of leaves of A. squamosa at a dose 350 mg/kg bw reduced the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level slightly by 6.5% within 1 h and the peak blood glucose at 1 h during glucose tolerance test (GTT) was reduced by 15% in normal healthy rats. The same dose of water extract showed antidiabetic activity in two species of animals, namely rabbits and rats with induced diabetes. In the case of alloxan-induced diabetes in rabbits, a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in FBG by 24.4% and improvement in glucose tolerance as indicated by 36.8 and 40.5% fall in blood glucose at 1 h and 2 h during GTT was observed. In STZ diabetic rats also, there was 16.5% decrease in FBG, 24 and 67% reduction in blood glucose at 1 h and 2 h during GTT. After ten days of treatment of a group of STZ diabetic rats with 350 mg/kg bw of the water extract, there was 75.5% fall in FBG level and no sugar in fasting urine was observed. Treatment of alloxan-induced severely diabetic rabbits for 15 days with a dose of 350 mg/kg bw of extract reduced FBG by 48.7% and sugar in urine was reduced by 75%. It brought about fall in the levels of total cholesterol by 41.3% with increase of 29.14% in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and 70% fall in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, including 25% decrease in triglyceride (TG) levels. After 15 days of treatment, glycosylated haemoglobin level (HbA1c) was reduced by 30%, with a 10.8% increase of total haemoglobin. Extract enhanced the serum insulin level by 27.6% in diabetic animals during GTT and insulin release by 38.1% from isolated pancreatic islets. Water extract increases uptake of glucose in psoas muscles by 57% in the presence of insulin and inhibits glucose absorption by 18.1% through the isolated intestinal segments. Water extract inhibits the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase in isolated rat microsomes. No mortality was found up to 15 times the effective dose. The present study reveals that A. squamosa has both hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activity. It seems to act by enhancing insulin level from pancreatic islets, increased utilization of glucose in muscle and inhibited the glucose output from liver. It reverses the abnormal lipid profile seen in diabetic animals. Its margin of safety is high. Extract obtained from leaves of A. squamosa is useful in maintaining healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Nitrous oxide emissions from wastewater treatment processes

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from wastewater treatment plants vary substantially between plants, ranging from negligible to substantial (a few per cent of the total nitrogen load), probably because of different designs and operational conditions. In general, plants that achieve high levels of nitrogen removal emit less N2O, indicating that no compromise is required between high water quality and lower N2O emissions. N2O emissions primarily occur in aerated zones/compartments/periods owing to active stripping, and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, rather than heterotrophic denitrifiers, are the main contributors. However, the detailed mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated, despite strong evidence suggesting that both nitrifier denitrification and the chemical breakdown of intermediates of hydroxylamine oxidation are probably involved. With increased understanding of the fundamental reactions responsible for N2O production in wastewater treatment systems and the conditions that stimulate their occurrence, reduction of N2O emissions from wastewater treatment systems through improved plant design and operation will be achieved in the near future.
Regulation of growth cone behavior by calcium: new dynamics to earlier perspectives.

Guidance of axons to their targets is in part due to theability of motile growth cones to integrate signalsgenerated through coincident interactions with multi-ple extracellular cues and to translate those signalsinto proper behavioral changes. Although many newaxon guidance cues and their receptors have recentlybeen discovered (for review see Goodman andTessier-Lavigne, 1997), signaling through traditionalsecond-messenger systems continues to emerge as acrucial intermediary for guidance. For example,changes in intracellular calcium concentration([Ca