Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
170 Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Postoperative Pain after Inguinal Hernia Repair : A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is widely used for pain management in various clinical conditions. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we investigated the effect of TENS on postoperative pain, analgesic requirements and serum cortisol level (SCL) after inguinal hernia repair. Materials and Methods: Sixty-seven patients, who underwent a standard surgical hernia repair using the Lichtenstein principles with a wound infiltration anesthetic technique, were randomly chosen to receive either active TENS (conventional TENS at 100 Hz, with a pulse width of 120 microseconds and a perceptible tingling sensation) or placebo TENS treatment. Both active and placebo TENS treatments were applied for 30 minutes, twice daily for 5 consecutive days using two electrodes placed parallel to the incision. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and SCL measured on 5 consecutive postoperative days (PODs), respectively. Follow-up assessment of pain intensity was performed at 30 days postoperatively. Results: Baseline parameters were similar between the groups. Pain intensity in the active TENS group significantly decreased at POD1 (p<0.04), POD2 (p<0.027), POD3 (p<0.026), POD4 (p<0.0006), and POD5 (p<0.0006), and after one month compared with the placebo group. Postoperative SCL was decreased in the active TENS group compared with placebo TENS (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that TENS is beneficial for postoperative pain relief following inguinal hernia repair. No side effects were observed, and its pain-reducing effect lasted for one month postoperatively. Consequently, the routine use of TENS after inguinal hernia repair is recommended for its short-and long–term effectiveness for decreasing pain, analgesic requirement and SCL. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2010;56:170-6.
Comprehensive Tissue-Specific Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Distinct Regulatory Programs during Early Tomato Fruit Development1[OPEN]

Distinct transcriptional programs and hormonal pathways underlie the ovary-to-fruit transition. Fruit formation and early development involve a range of physiological and morphological transformations of the various constituent tissues of the ovary. These developmental changes vary considerably according to tissue type, but molecular analyses at an organ-wide level inevitably obscure many tissue-specific phenomena. We used laser-capture microdissection coupled to high-throughput RNA sequencing to analyze the transcriptome of ovaries and fruit tissues of the wild tomato species Solanum pimpinellifolium. This laser-capture microdissection-high-throughput RNA sequencing approach allowed quantitative global profiling of gene expression at previously unobtainable levels of spatial resolution, revealing numerous contrasting transcriptome profiles and uncovering rare and cell type-specific transcripts. Coexpressed gene clusters linked specific tissues and stages to major transcriptional changes underlying the ovary-to-fruit transition and provided evidence of regulatory modules related to cell division, photosynthesis, and auxin transport in internal fruit tissues, together with parallel specialization of the pericarp transcriptome in stress responses and secondary metabolism. Analysis of transcription factor expression and regulatory motifs indicated putative gene regulatory modules that may regulate the development of different tissues and hormonal processes. Major alterations in the expression of hormone metabolic and signaling components illustrate the complex hormonal control underpinning fruit formation, with intricate spatiotemporal variations suggesting separate regulatory programs.
Effectiveness of Rhythmic Movement Therapy for Disordered Eating Behaviors and Obesity

The aims of the present study were: a) to examine associations between pre-treatment BMI, body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, alexithymia, and restraint, emotional and external eating behaviour in obese patients; b) to analyze the impact of the pre-treatment measures in psychological variables on the outcome of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program; c) to test the effectiveness of rhythmic movement therapy (RMT) in the treatment of disordered eating behaviors and obesity with the CBT non-responders. At the first stage of treatment a total of 104 patients (32 males and 72 females, mean age was 37.6±6.7 years) self-referred or referred by professionals to CBT weight management program were selected at random. At the second stage 58 obese CBT-non-responders were randomly divided among the continuing CBT individual treatment group and RMT group. Control group was included. Results revealed that: a) significant associations existed between pre-treatment BMI, external eating and two dimensions of perfectionism, as well as between emotional and external eating and all dimensions of perfectionism, alexithymia and body image dissatisfaction; b) pre-treatment means of psychological variables significantly impacted the CBT program outcome; c). the efficacy of RMT approach for weight reduction as well as for the improvement of psychological status for CBT-non-responders was confirmed. El estudio plantea: a) examinar relaciones entre IMC pretratamiento e insatisfacción corporal, perfeccionismo, alexitimia, y restricciones; así como patrones de conducta alimentaria emocional y externa en pacientes obesos; b) analizar la influencia de las medidas pretratamiento sobre estas variables psicológicas después de una terapia cognitivo-conductual (TCC); c) probar la eficacia de la terapia de movimientos rítmicos (TMR) en el tratamiento de los desórdenes de conducta alimentaria y obesidad con los participantes que no respondían a la TCC. En la primera fase del tratamiento, participaron 104 pacientes escogidas al azar (32 hombres y 72 mujeres, con una media de edad de 37, 6 ± 6.7 años) autodiagnosticadas o derivadas por profesionales a TCC en un programa de manejo del peso. En la segunda fase, 58 participantes obsesos que no habían respondido a TCC, fueron divididos en dos grupos, unos siguieron TCC individual y otros TMR. Los resultados indicaron: a) relaciones significativas entre el IMC pretratamiento, alimentación externa y dos dimensiones de perfeccionismo, así como entre la conducta alimentaria externa e interna y todas las dimensiones de perfeccionismo, alexitimia e insatisfacción con la imagen corporal; b) modificación significativa de las consecuencias de la TCC en función de las variables psicológicas pretratamiento; c) confirmación de la eficacia de la TMR tanto en la reducción de peso como en la mejora del estado psicológico de los participantes que no respondían a TCC.
Effects of super-hydrophobic coatings on free falling spheres

The present work deals with a joint experimental investigation of free falling super-hydrophobic spheres in pure water at rest. The results derive from a collaboration between the University of Orléans (France) and the Monash University (Australia). The super-hydrophobic coatings have the ability, once immersed into water, to reduce the contact area between the liquid and the solid surface by entrapping an air layer in the surface roughness. We thus investigate a possible effect of this feature on the hydrodynamic drag of spheres, focusing on the terminal velocity region. Surprisingly, the hydrodynamic performance of super-hydrophobic coatings depends on the analysed Reynolds number regime. The drag increase evidenced for the small diameter spheres tends progressively to turn into a drag attenuation for the largest diameters spheres. A possible connection between the hydrodynamic performance and the deformation of the air layer encapsulating the coated spheres is proposed.
Evaluation of HiaureusTM Coagulase Confirmation Kit in Identification of Staphylococcus aureus.

INTRODUCTION Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative anaerobic Gram positive coccal bacterium whose incidence ranges to different infections. It is a cause of various uncomplicated skin infections, abscesses, septicaemia/bacteraemia, gastroenteritis, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome and food intoxications. Various methods with varied time, sensitivities, specificities and costs are available, but may not be used as a reliable test for the identification and differentiation of S. aureus. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate newer tests. AIM To compare the conventional tests with a commercial available kit for reliable, cost effective identification and confirmation of S. aureus. MATERIALS AND METHODS The current prospective study was conducted in the Department of Clinical Pathology, Haffkine Institute for a period of six months. A total of 341 clinical isolates of staphylococci isolated from pus, urine, blood culture and sterile body fluids were subjected to conventional tests like Tube Coagulase Test (TCT) using Rabbit Plasma (RP) and Human Plasma (HP), culture media such as Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) and Deoxyribonuclease (DNase) media in parallel to HiaureusTM Coagulase Confirmation Kit (HACCK), a commercially available kit for identification of S. aureus. Amplification of the femA gene was used as a comparative reference point test to calculate the sensitivity, specificity and concordance values of the conventional tests. RESULTS Amongst the coagulase based tests, HACCK was 100% sensitive and specific. The TCT using RP was 98.58% sensitive while TCT using HP was less sensitive (95.37%). A total of 100% specificity was observed for TCT using RP while TCT using HP was 96.68% specific. The MSA and DNase media were 97.86% vs 96.44% and 96.67% vs 91.67% sensitive and specific respectively. The combination tests had varying sensitivity and specificity ranges. The HACCK demonstrated 100% concordance with femA amplification and was labelled as an ideal perfect test (κ=1) with MSA as an alternative test for S. aureus identification. CONCLUSION The HACCK can be used as an exclusive, reliable and cost effective test for identification of S. aureus. Alternatively, in view of the cost factor MSA either as a single test or in combination with TCT using HP could be used as screening tests and confirm discordant results with HACCK.
LAMBORGHINI “ FORGED COMPOSITE ® ” TECHNOLOGY FOR THE SUSPENSION ARMS OF THE SESTO ELEMENTO

Recent composite technology research and development efforts have focused on new outof-autoclave material forms, and automated processes that can markedly increase production efficiencies. In a fashion similar to the aviation industry, manufacturers of high performance automobiles are moving away from costly manufacturing processes based on manual lay-up of prepreg and autoclave cure. Since 2007, the research and development efforts at Lamborghini have aimed at reducing composite part cost and increasing production rate. This effort has culminated in the development of Forged Composite® technology, which is an advanced compression molding technique that utilizes carbon fiber sheet molding compounds. This publication constitutes the first public technical disclosure of both Forged Composite® and of the control arms manufactured using this technology. The process, which uses high pressures but conventional temperatures, is used to manufacture parts with complex geometries and subject to combined loadings, which were typically manufactured as aluminum and titanium forgings. This technology was used to manufacture the inner monocoque and the suspension control arms of the Sesto Elemento, a multi-million dollar composite technology demonstrator vehicle unveiled in September 2010 at the Paris Autoshow. This paper focuses on the development of the suspension control arms, which aim at a 30% weight reduction, as well as a cost and cycle time reduction with respect to the baseline forged aluminum construction.
Mirroring and recognizing emotions through facial expressions for a RoboKind platform

The face embodies a large portion of the human emotionally expressive behaviour. Moreover, facial expressions are used to display emotional states and to manage interactions, being one of the most important channels of non-verbal communication. Although the process of recognition and displaying emotions is an easy task for the majority of humans, it is a very difficult task for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The present paper is a summary of a work developed under a Master Thesis on Industrial Electronics Engineering and Computers from the University of Minho, Portugal. The main goal of the work was the development and application of interactive and assistive technologies to support and promote new adaptive teaching/learning approaches for children with ASD. Therefore, it was proposed a system that uses the recent Intel RealSense 3D sensor to promote imitation and recognition of facial expressions, using a RoboKind Zeno R50 robot (ZECA) as a mediator in social activities. The system was first validated in the research laboratory and then tested in school environment with typically developing children and children with ASD.
Measuring Prosocial Personality 1 Measuring The Prosocial Personality

Louis A. Penner University of South Florida Tampa, Florida Barbara A. Fritzsche Psychological Assessment Resources Inc. Tampa, Florida J. Philip Craiger Navy Personnel Research and Development Center San Diego, California and Tamara S. Freifeld University of South Florida Tampa, Florida Penner, L. A. , Fritzsche, B. A. , Craiger, J. P., & Freifeld, T. R. (1995) Measuring the prosocial personality. In J. Butcher & C. D. Spielberger (Eds.) Advances in personality assessment. (Vol. 10). Hillsdale, NJ: LEA.
Adolescent pre‐treatment with oxytocin protects against adult methamphetamine‐seeking behavior in female rats

The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT), given acutely, reduces self‐administration of the psychostimulant drug methamphetamine (METH). Additionally, chronic OT administration to adolescent rats reduces levels of alcohol consumption in adulthood, suggesting developmental neuroplasticity in the OT system relevant to addiction‐related behaviors. Here, we examined whether OT exposure during adolescence might subsequently inhibit METH self‐administration in adulthood. Female Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered vehicle or OT (1 mg/kg, i.p.) once daily from postnatal days (PND) 28 to 37 (adolescence). At PND 62 (adulthood), rats were trained to self‐administer METH (intravenous, i.v.) in daily 2‐hour sessions for 10 days under a fixed ratio 1 (FR1) reinforcement schedule, followed by determination of dose‐response functions (0.01–0.3 mg/kg/infusion, i.v.) under both FR1 and progressive ratio (PR) schedules of reinforcement. Responding was then extinguished, and relapse to METH‐seeking behavior assessed following priming doses of non‐contingent METH (0.1–1 mg/kg, i.p.). Finally, plasma was collected to determine pre‐treatment effects on OT and corticosterone levels. Results showed that OT pre‐treatment did not significantly inhibit the acquisition of METH self‐administration or FR1 responding. However, rats pre‐treated with OT responded significantly less for METH under a PR reinforcement schedule, and showed reduced METH‐primed reinstatement with the 1 mg/kg prime. Plasma OT levels were also significantly higher in OT pre‐treated rats. These results confirm earlier observations that adolescent OT exposure can subtly, yet significantly, inhibit addiction‐relevant behaviors in adulthood.
Early Events in Peripheral Regulatory T Cell Induction via the Nasal Mucosa

Nasal application of soluble Ags leads to Ag-specific suppression of systemic immune responses. This tolerance can be transferred to naive mice by CD4+ regulatory T cells (TR cells) from the spleen, but little is known about the induction of mucosal TR cells in vivo. To investigate the induction of TR cells in the nose-draining cervical lymph node (CLN), CD4+ T cells from DO11.10 OVA TCR transgenic mice were transferred to BALB/c recipients. Within 48 h after nasal OVA application, CD4+ DO11.10 T cells in CLN, but not in the peripheral lymph node, had divided. Similarly, nonmucosal (i.m.) OVA application also induced CD4+ DO11.10 T cells to proliferate in the draining inguinal lymph node (ILN), yet more vigorously and with different kinetics than the CD4+ DO11.10 T cells in CLN. Functional analysis revealed that only proliferating CD4+ DO11.10 T cells from CLN, and not ILN, could transfer tolerance to naive recipients. CD4+ DO11.10 T cells from CLN were phenotypically similar to CD4+ DO11.10 T cells from ILN, however, in CLN a higher percentage of CD25+ proliferating CD4+ DO11.10 T cells were detected compared with ILN. CD25 is not a discriminative marker for mucosal TR cells because both CD25+ and CD25− CD4+ DO11.10 T cells from the CLN could suppress delayed type hypersensitivity responses in adoptive transfer. These findings demonstrate that although striking similarities exist between the differentiation of TR and effector T cells, this does not include their function. We are the first to demonstrate that functional TR cells, which reside within both CD25+ and CD25− subsets, can be isolated from CLN as early as 3 days after nasal OVA application.
Nonlinear wave diffraction and radiation around a ship-shaped FPSO in oblique seas

Greenwater on deck is a complex phenomenon that involves highly nonlinear wave-floating vessel interactions. It is one of the most important design and operational considerations for the cost effective and safe use of ship-shaped FPSOs [1]. Even accurate prediction of the freeboard exceedance, the first stage of greenwater overtopping, is a challenging task due to its inherent complexity associated with nonlinear hydrodynamics [2]. Yet accurate predictions are necessary to assess greenwater susceptibility and ultimately to provide reliable estimates of greenwater loading.
Incidental gallbladder cancer diagnosed during or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in members of the Turkish population with gallstone disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Gallbladder cancer is a rare neoplasm. We report our experience with gallbladder cancer that was incidentally diagnosed during or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed for gallstone disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study included all laparoscopic cholecystectomies due to gallstone disease undertaken from May 1999 to June 2010. Exclusion criteria were suspicion of malignancy and/or existence of gallbladder polyps detected with ultrasonography preoperatively. Patients with incidentally diagnosed gallbladder cancer were recorded, and the clinical and demographic characteristics of these patients were reviewed. RESULTS Of 5,382 patients in whom laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted, 5,164 were included in this study. Incidental gallbladder cancer was found in five patients, with a mean age of 66.2 years. The histological tumor stages were adenocarcinoma in situ in one patient, pT1b in one patient, pT2 in one patient, and pT3 in two patients. Two patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy alone underwent no additional surgery because of the low stage of the tumors. The three remaining patients, whose laparoscopic cholecystectomies were converted to open surgeries, underwent cholecystectomy, excision of the liver bed and lymph node dissection. The overall median survival time was 32 months. CONCLUSION The incidence of incidental gallbladder cancer has been reported to vary, up to 2.85%. In this single-center study, the rate of incidental gallbladder cancer was found to be 0.09%. Female gender and advanced age are demographic risk factors for gallbladder carcinoma. Although gallbladder cancer is well known for its poor prognosis, tumors that are incidentally diagnosed are often found at an early stage and have a better prognosis.
Mental Health and Psychological Well-being Among the Old and the Very Old Living at Home

Using four brief assessment scales, profiles of mental health and psychological well-being were obtained from 507 old (aged 65–74 years) and 535 very old (aged 75 +) individuals randomly sampled from the community. Assessments of dementia and depression were subsequently validated against diagnostic ratings made by experienced psycho-geriatricians. Levels of agreement between psychometric and clinical ratings of dementia x = 0.83) and depression (x = 0.66) were satisfactory. The old and very old groups reported similar levels of anxiety and personal disturbance, and showed a similar prevalence of depression. However, those aged 75+ showed higher levels of dementia and significantly lower levels of social involvement and morale.
DYNAMIC OF GROWTH AND QUALITY OF ARIZONA CYPRESS ( CUPRESSUS ARIZONICA GREENE ) SEEDLINGS FROM THREE CONTAINER TYPES

The aim of this study was to investigate dynamics of development and morphological features of 1+0 (20 weeks old) Arizona Cypress seedlings raised in containers Yukosad (YS; hard plastic, 75cm 3 , 610 seedlings·m -2 ), Paperpot (PP; FH 508, 122 cm 3 ,614 seedlings·m -2 ) and Siset (SS; gray cardboard with white coating, 120 cm 3 , 589 seedlings·m -2 ). The seeds were sown into containers in four replications. After seed germination, every 15 days, i.e. 10 times during the vegetation season, 10 seedlings of each of 4 replications, i.e. 40 seedlings of each container were analyzed. Following features were measured: height (SH), root collar diameter (RCD), dry shoot weight (SDW), number, length and dry weight of I, II and III order lateral roots (FOLR, SOLR and TOLR) and of central root (CR). Quality indexes and ratios were calculated. Coefficients of correlation and determination as well as regression equations to express the dynamics of growth of selected features during the vegetation season were calculated. Seedlings grown in containers YS had the highest values of all measured traits (SH, RCD, SDW, number, length and dry weight of FOLR, SOLR and TOLR), while seedlings grown in PP had the smallest values. However, PP seedlings had most favorable values of quality indexes and ratios (SQ, DQI, SDW/RDW and RDW/SDW ratio), while YS seedlings had the smallest values. SS seedlings were in the middle by their features. Coefficients of correlation between all analyzed traits reflect generally medium to strong dependence. Polynomial trend lines of dynamics of growth show that SH and RCD of the seedlings increase more or less linearly, while SDW, total number, length and weight of the roots increase most intensively in the second half of the growing season.
Perceived Partner Adaptation and Psychosocial Outcomes for Newly Diagnosed Stage I and Stage II Breast Cancer Patients

The current study examines the relationship between a woman's perception of her partner's emotional, behavioral, and intimate adaptation to her breast cancer and her levels of distress, well-being, and social support. Sixty-six women diagnosed with Stage I or II breast cancer within the previous year completed distress, well-being and social support measures and answered open-ended questions describing their partners’ adaptation to their cancer. Women whose partners’ intimate adaptation is positive had significantly lower distress, and positive emotional and intimate adaptation was related to higher well-being and social support. These results suggest that efforts to address women's psychosocial needs during their initial treatment of breast cancer should include a focus on their relationships and, possibly, interventions aimed at assisting the adjustment of their spouse or significant other.