Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visitor effects on zoo animals

It is extremely useful to know if the presence of visitors has an effect on zoo animals and what that might be (Hosey, 2000). The three foremost reasons for this being, firstly, as an instrument to ensure welfare, secondly to apply the insight when providing a positive ‘zoo experience’ for guests and lastly, so that any research conducted within a zoo can be accurately assessed (Hosey, 2005). When confronted with the knowledge that approximately 26 billion animals, covering ten thousand species, are held in captivity (Mason, 2010) it becomes especially important. The first studies performed in order to appreciate this relationship were carried out in the 1970’s and by the late 1980’s a collection of studies had emerged which discovered that zoo visitors did have an influence on the activities of captive animals to greater degree than was once imagined (Davey, 2007). Hosey (2000) identified three different possible consequences of a ‘visitor effect’, that a human audience can be stressful (negative), enriching (positive) or of no effect. Many different species have been observed to show an assortment of reactions to unknown people (Claxton, 2011), however, one study by Hosey (2008) suggests that an animal showing no signs of disturbance may just not be expressing it through changes in their actions so caution must be given when considering results. Discussed below are.
Probabilistic anchor models approach for speaker verification

This paper presents a probabilistic approach for representing a speaker using the anchor modelling technique and discusses the relation between this new approach and the deterministic approach. In the ﬁrst part, the technique of anchor modelling is presented. Then the new approach, which modelizes the various utterances of a speaker by a normal distribution in the anchor models space, is presented. A study of the relation between the two approaches (deterministic and probabilistic) leads to the deﬁnition of a combined approach. All these approaches are evaluated on the NIST 2000 database and results show improved performance of the combined approach over the deterministic and the probabilistic one.
Ultrastructure of the ciliated cells of the free‐swimming larva, and sessile stages, of the marine sponge Haliclona indistincta (Demospongiae: haplosclerida)

We provide a detailed, comparative study of the ciliated cells of the marine haplosclerid sponge Haliclona indistincta, in order to make data available for future phylogenetic comparisons at the ultrastructural level. Our study focuses on the description and analysis of the larval epithelial cells, and choanocytes of the metamorphosed juvenile sponge. The ultrastructure of the two cell types is sufficiently different to prevent our ability to conclusively determine the origin of the choanocytes from the larval ciliated cells. However, ciliated, epithelial cells were observed in a migratory position within the inner cell mass of the larval stages. Some cilia were observed within the cell's cytoplasm, which is indicative of the ciliated epithelial cell undergoing transdifferentiation into a choanocyte; while traces of other ciliated epithelial cells were contained within phagosomes, suggesting they are phagocytosed. We compared our data with other species described in the literature. However, any phylogenetic inference must wait until further detailed comparisons can be made with species whose phylogenetic position has been determined by other means, such as phylogenomics, in order to more closely link genomic, and morphological information. J. Morphol. 274:1263–1276, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of Prevention of Oxidative and Nitro-Oxidative Stress on Experimental Rat Colon Anastomosis using Acetylcysteine, Ebselen and 1400w

Abstract Oxygen radicals and radicals derived from nitrogen metabolism are important in wound and anostomotic healing. In particular, nitrous oxide, originating from induced nitrous oxide synthetase, retards the wound healing process by producing peroxynitride. Therefore induced nitric oxide synthase (INOS) inhibitors and peroxynitride cleansing agents seem helpful in promoting healing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine (antioxidant), ebselen (peroxynitride cleansing agent) and 1400w (INOS inhibitor) on experimental colonic anastomot-ic wound healing. Material and methods: 45 randomized Sprague-Dawley rats received colonic anastomosis, and all animals were treated for four days with drugs specific for each group except for the sham and control groups. All rats were given a relaparatomy on the fifth day of the study and evaluated for study parameters indicating anastomotic healing, burst pressure, tissue malondialdehit (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and hydroxyproline (OH-proline). Results: when compared to the control group, increased (p < 0.01) burst pressure, OH-proline and decreased MDA, and SOD levels were noted in the 1400w group. Furthermore, the GPx levels were higher (p < 0.05) in rats given NAC therapy. Conclusions: the positive results of selective INOS inhibition using 1400w in this study confirm the adverse effects of the INOS enzyme on anastomotic wound healing. Therefore, we have concluded that 1400w may be helpful in promoting anastomotic healing.
Effects of acute alcohol consumption in older and younger adults: perceived impairment versus psychomotor performance.

OBJECTIVE Perceived impairment and psychomotor performance following acute alcohol administration in older (ages 50-74, n=42; 22 male) and younger (ages 25-35, n=26; 12 male) adults were investigated in this study. METHOD Double-blind, placebo-controlled alcohol administration techniques were designed to produce peak levels of breath alcohol concentration consistent with an episode of social drinking (40 mg/100 ml). Behavioral measures (Trail Making Test, Forms A and B), as well as measures of self-reported perceived intoxication and impairment, were administered on the ascending and descending limbs at common time points after beverage ingestion. RESULTS Results indicated that psychomotor performance differences did not parallel self-reported levels of perceived impairment. Relative to younger adults, older adults exhibited performance deficits on the ascending limb while simultaneously reporting less perceived impairment. Conversely, on the descending limb, older adults who received alcohol reported more perceived impairment than did those who received placebo, although psychomotor performance between these two groups of older drinkers did not differ. For younger participants, a moderate dose of alcohol facilitated performance on the ascending limb; however, these differences were not reflected on the descending limb. CONCLUSIONS These results reinforce the common knowledge that self-reported measures may not provide an accurate reflection of performance outcomes and, importantly, that older adults may be impaired even under a moderate dose of alcohol, although they may not be aware (i.e., report) of this impairment.
Axotomy‐dependent and ‐independent synapse elimination in organ cultures of Wlds mutant mouse skeletal muscle

Progressive “dying back” neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating due to loss of connectivity after nerve terminal and axonal withdrawal, which impairs peripheral nerve function and leads ultimately to neuronal cell death. The mutant mouse (Wallerian degeneration slow; Wlds) provides an accessible model system to understand orthograde and retrograde degeneration, because in these mice axotomy induces slow, progressive withdrawal of nerve terminals from motor endplates. Axon degeneration itself is about 10 times slower than in wild‐type mice. We describe an organ culture paradigm that permits direct observation of the progressive changes in morphology of neuromuscular junctions in Wlds mutant mice. Normal nerve terminal and motor endplate morphology were maintained at most Wlds neuromuscular junctions for up to 72 hr in vitro. At others, synaptic boutons were removed from postsynaptic junctional folds in piecemeal fashion, as observed in adults in vivo. By contrast, nerve terminals degenerated rapidly and synchronously in wild‐type muscle cultures, resembling Wallerian degeneration in vivo. These observations confirm that in Wlds mice, axotomy triggers a mechanism of nerve‐terminal withdrawal that seems qualitatively different from that in wild‐type animals. The piecemeal dismantling of presynaptic terminals resembles that occurring during neonatal synapse elimination. Organ cultures of neonatal Wlds muscle maintained for 1–2 days in vitro also showed no evidence of synaptic terminal degeneration, but elimination of polyneuronal innervation progressed in vitro at approximately the same rate as in vivo. Taken together, the data suggest that both natural and axotomy‐induced forms of synapse withdrawal may be accessible to continuous observation and analysis, in organ‐cultures of WldS mouse muscles. This offers several advantages over repeated visualization of synaptic remodeling that has thus far been possible only in vivo. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MARKET SANITATION: A CASE STUDY OF OREGBENI MARKET BENIN - CITY EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Poor market sanitation is an intractable problem in Nigeria and has contributed to the spread of infectious diseases and environmental degradation. This study was undertaken to determine the awareness and practice of solid waste management in market places among market users. It involved 180 store owners and customers recruited from Oregbeni market in Benin City, Nigeria. They were administered questionnaires while an in depth interview was conducted with the waste managers in the market. Checklist was used to carry out observation of the market place sanitation status. The data obtained was then analyzed and compared using SPSS. The results showed that a high proportion of respondents were aware of improper waste management (133; 62.8%) and agreed (174; 96.7%) that it is associated with many risks. Despite this high level of awareness, the practice of open dumping of waste was prevalent (108; 60.0%). Interestingly, 96.1% expressed willingness to pay for an improved waste disposal system while 55.6% rated the existing system as poor. Our findings suggest therefore that there is an urgent needs to improve waste collection, and disposal at market places. Keywords : Market sanitation, Solid Waste Management, Health hazards, Environmental degradation.
Association of RAMP1 rs7590387 With the Risk of Migraine Transformation Into Medication Overuse Headache

We herein investigated the role of polymorphisms in calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP)‐related genes looking at the association of rs3781719 (T > C) in the calcitonin gene‐related polypeptide‐alpha (CALCA) gene and of rs3754701 (T > A) and rs7590387 (C > G) at the receptor activity modifying 1 (RAMP1) locus with triptan response in patients with migraine without aura (MwoA). In addition, their role was evaluated as risk factors for transformation of episodic migraine into medication overuse headache (MOH). The CGRP has a central role in the pathogenesis of migraine; however, little information is currently available concerning the role of polymorphisms in CGRP‐related genes as determinants of clinical response to anti‐migraine drugs or as risk factors for migraine chronification.
Effects of GM‐CSF and ordinary supplements on the ramification of microglia in culture: A morphometrical study

Microglia transform from ameboid to ramified cells during development and display an ameboid appearance again under certain pathological conditions. Some cytokines produced by astrocytes may be responsible for the microglial transformation. In the present study, we compared the effects of cytokines, granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF), and interleukin‐3 (IL‐3) on the morphology of rat cultured microglia. For quantitative evaluation, we employed “transformation index” as calculated by (perimeter of cell)2/4 π (cell area). GM‐CSF facilitated the ramification of cultured rat microglia, which was effectively induced in a serum‐free medium. However, M‐CSF and IL‐3 did not induce the ramification. A certain serum adhesion protein (possibly vitronectin) as well as other high molecular weight substances in fetal calf serum inhibited the GM‐CSF‐induced microglial ramification. Among ordinary supplements for a chemically defined medium, progesterone, insulin, and a high concentration of glucose suppressed the ramification. These findings suggest that GM‐CSF may be involved in microglial ramification and that many kinds of supplements that are added to culture media profoundly affect the morphology of microglial cells. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diffusion-weighted MRI versus 18F-FDG PET/CT: performance as predictors of tumor treatment response and patient survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving chemoradiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare the predictive capabilities of diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and 18F-FDG PET/CT for tumor response to therapy and survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving chemoradiotherapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study included 64 patients with NSCLC diagnosed as stage III who underwent pretherapeutic DWI and FDG PET/CT and were treated with chemoradiotherapy. For quantitative prediction, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for DWI and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) for PET/CT were measured at all targeted lesions and averaged to obtain final values for each patient. To evaluate the predictive capability of either index for distinguishing partial response and nonresponse (stable or progressive disease) groups, receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed, and sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the two modalities were compared using the McNemar test. Finally, overall and progression-free survival curves divided by the corresponding threshold value were compared by means of the log-rank test. RESULTS The area under the curve (Az) for ADC (Az=0.84) was significantly larger than that for SUVmax (Az=0.64, p<0.05). The application of feasible threshold values resulted in specificity (44.4%) and accuracy (76.6%) of DWI becoming significantly higher than those of PET/CT (specificity, 11.1%; p<0.05 and accuracy, 67.2%, p<0.05). In addition, only overall survival and progression-free survival of the two groups divided by ADC at 2.1×10(-3) mm2/s and SUVmax at 10 showed a significant difference (p<0.05). CONCLUSION DWI may have better potential than FDG PET/CT for prediction of tumor response to therapy in NSCLC patients before chemoradiotherapy.
Co-dependency and Relationship Satisfaction among Spouses of Alcohol Abusers

the present study aimed to investigate the relationship of co-dependency and relationship satisfaction among spouse of alcohol abusers. It was hypothesized that there is significant relationship between codependency ad interpersonal satisfaction among spouse of alcohol abuser. It was also hypothesized that higher the denial, selfesteem, control and compliance will predict lower interpersonal satisfaction among spouse of alcohol abuser. A sample of seventy female spouse acquired through addiction treatment centre’s of lahore city. The data was collected through purposive sampling technique. Am i co-dependent scale and relationship satisfaction survey was administered. Correlation and regression analysis was used to find out the relationship of co-dependency and relationship satisfaction of spouse among alcohol abusers. Results shows that there is significant relationship between the variables.
Morphometric changes of gray matter in Parkinson's disease with depression: A voxel‐based morphometry study

The origin of the high rate of depression in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is unknown. We applied voxel‐based morphometry (VBM), as a sensitive tool in detection of gray matter MR density alterations, to find differences in depressed and nondepressed PD patients. Patients with idiopathic PD were classified into depressed (DPD) and nondepressed (NDPD) groups based on the Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Subsequently, a group comparisons were performed between depressed PD (n = 23), nondepressed PD (n = 27) and normal healthy controls (NC, n = 16). There was no difference in gray matter density comparing healthy controls to any PD groups. However, when NDPD and DPD cohorts were compared, density alteration of the bilateral orbitofrontal, bilateral rectal gyrus, and also the right superior temporal pole was detected in the depressed subgroup. Exploratory analyses revealed an inverse correlation of MADRS scores and severity of VBM alteration in these regions beside the right medial temporal gyrus, anterior and medial cingular gyrus, and parahippocampal gyrus. These results suggest that depression in PD is related to gray matter decrease in the bilateral orbitofrontal and right temporal regions as well as the limbic system. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Coefficient inequalities for certain analytic functions

For real α( α >1), we introduce subclasses M(α)and N(α)of analytic functions f( z)with f( 0) = 0a ndf � (0) = 1i nU. The object of the present paper is to consider the coefficient inequalities for functions f( z)to be in the classes M(α) and N(α). Further, the bounds of α for functions f( z)to be starlike in U are considered.
Spastic paresis, glaucoma and mental retardation ‐ a probable autosomal recessive syndrome?

A syndrome of spastic paresis, mental retardation and glaucoma has been described only once previously (Heijbel & Jagell 1981). We describe three brothers, products of a marriage between first cousins once‐removed, who appear to have the same syndrome. The brothers are not dysmorphic but they have slowly progressive spastic diparesis, moderate mental retardation and glaucoma with secondary cataracts. Documentation of a second consanguineous kindred with this triad of features supports the view that this is a distinct entity with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.
Dopamine D2 Receptor Modulation of Human Response Inhibition and Error Awareness

Response inhibition, comprising action cancellation and action restraint, and error awareness are executive functions of considerable clinical relevance to neuropsychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, our understanding of their underlying catecholamine mechanisms, particularly regarding dopamine, is limited. Here, we used the dopamine D2 agonist cabergoline to study its ability to improve inhibitory control and modulate awareness of performance errors. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design with a single dose of cabergoline (1.25 mg) and placebo (dextrose) was employed in 25 healthy participants. They each performed the stop-signal task, a well-validated measure of action cancellation, and the Error Awareness Task, a go/no-go measure of action restraint and error awareness, under each drug condition. Cabergoline was able to selectively reduce stop-signal RT, compared with placebo, indicative of enhanced action cancellation (p < .05). This enhancement occurred without concomitant changes in overall response speed or RT variability and was not seen for errors of commission on the Error Awareness Task. Awareness of performance errors on the go/no-go task was, however, significantly improved by cabergoline compared with placebo (p < .05). Our results contribute to growing evidence for the dopaminergic control of distinct aspects of human executive ability, namely, action cancellation and error awareness. The findings may aid the development of new, or the repurposing of existing, pharmacotherapy that targets the cognitive dysfunction of psychiatric and neurological disorders. They also provide further evidence that specific cognitive paradigms have correspondingly specific neurochemical bases.
PDCD5 promotes cisplatin-induced apoptosis of glioma cells via activating mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

Glioma is one of the most common primary brain tumors. Despite surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the prognosis of patients with malignant glioma remains poor. Programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) is a newly described pro-apoptotic protein. Our previous study showed that PDCD5 downregulation in gliomas was associated with higher pathological grade. Here, we investigated the effect of PDCD5 on chemosensitivity of glioma cells and its mechanism. We demonstrated that overexpression or knockdown of PDCD5 had no significant effect on the proliferation of glioma cell lines (U87, U251, and T98G) in the absence of chemotherapeutic agents. However, PDCD5 overexpression effectively sensitized U87 cells to chemotherapeutic drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin, and vincristine) in a concentration-dependent manner, while its knockdown resulted in decreased chemosensitivity in U251, T98G, and U87 cells. Importantly, expression of PDCD5 also markedly inhibited tumor cell proliferation and colony formation in the presence of low doses of cisplatin. Furthermore, we found that PDCD5 expression promoted cisplatin-induced apoptosis, increased markedly the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and decreased significantly the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax proteins, but had no effect on the activation of caspase-8. Taken together, our findings indicate that PDCD5 promotes chemosensitivity by activating mitochondria-related apoptotic pathway, and that the combination of PDCD5 and chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin, is expected to be an effective therapeutic strategy for the malignant glioma.
A mixed finite element method for a strongly nonlinear second-order elliptic problem

The approximation of the solution of the first boundary value problem for a strongly nonlinear second-order elliptic problem in divergence form by the mixed finite element method is considered. Existence and uniqueness of the approximation are proved and optimal error estimates in L 2 are established for both the scalar and vector functions approximated by the method. Error estimates are also derived in L q , 2 ≤ q ≤ +∞.
The role of health economics in Vietnam: a tentative research agenda

Little health economics research has been done in developing countries, reflecting the fact that 10% of the world's health research is devoted to 90% of the world's health problems. Healthcare in developing countries relies more on market mechanisms than healthcare in developed countries. From a health economist's point of view, there are reasons to suspect that healthcare systems in many developing countries are both inefficient and inequitable. The public healthcare model in Europe offers better solutions to the problems in developing countries than the private health care model in the USA. In this article aspects of the health economics situation in Vietnam are discussed and some important health economics research questions identified.