Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The contribution of computer-based activities to understanding statistics

Psychology students often find statistical concepts difficult, and research has suggested that students can hold confusions about seemingly straightforward concepts, such as the mean. Although previous research has evaluated computer-based learning systems for statistics, there is little research that has looked specifically at whether particular computer-based learner activities contribute to students' understanding of introductory concepts in statistics. The study described in this paper was designed to investigate whether computer-based activities that provide multiple representations of concepts contribute to students' understanding of correlations and measures of central tendency. A pre-/post-test control group design was used involving 50 students who were studying psychology. It was found that activities involving the direct manipulation of data contributed to students' understanding of measures of central tendency as indicated by a significant improvement from pre- to post-test. However, findings indicated that computer-based activities of this kind did not necessarily contribute to students' understanding of correlations.
A Review of the Microcirculation of Adipose Tissue: Anatomic, Metabolic, and Angiogenic Perspectives

Adipose tissue microcirculation is unique within the vascular system because of a capacity for this tissue to grow throughout most of adult life. A review of the microcirculation of adipose tissue has included a historical review of the early studies, which served as a foundation for later investigations on this topic, including basic hemodynamic measurements in mammalian adipose tissue. The various methods for measuring blood flow in white and brown adipose tissue are discussed with respect to studies of transport of substrates involved in adipose tissue metabolism. The role of innervation and vascular adrenergic receptors and the effects of diet and exercise on adipose tissue blood flow are also included. An in‐depth analysis of the development of adipose tissue microvasculature indicates that angiogenesis often precedes adipogenesis. The clinical effects of hemodynamic adaptations to adipose tissue expansion are discussed in view of an epidemic increase in the prevalence of obesity and its co‐morbidities. The recent discovery of sites of nuclear regulation of adipocyte differentiation, together with the identification of growth factors in adipose tissue, is an indication of the progress that is being made in the further understanding of molecular and cellular events that affect adipose tissue growth and, ultimately, adipose tissue microcirculation.
Identification of Bacteroides forsythus in subgingival plaque from patients with advanced periodontitis

Bacteroides forsythus has been associated with destructive adult periodontitis. Up to now, detailed analysis by classical means was hampered by the fastidious nature of the organism. There is hope that the application of molecular detection methods such as indirect immunofluorescence or in situ hybridization (ISH) will allow for more rapid and accurate identification. Here we describe a B. forsythus-specific probe (BFV530), complementary to 16S rRNA, which correctly identified all B. forsythus isolates as confirmed by biochemical, protein, or fatty acid analysis. To assess whether this probe might be suitable for direct identification of B. forsythus in clinical specimens, a total of 92 subgingival plaque samples were analyzed. Fifty-five specimens were tested in parallel by culture, light microscopy, and filter hybridization. Unfortunately, the overall agreement between results of filter hybridization and conventional methods was 70.9% only. We therefore examined 37 new specimens by ISH and indirect immunofluorescence by using fluorescently labeled probe BFV530 or B. forsythus-specific monoclonal antibody 116BF1.2 (kindly provided by R. Gmür, Zurich, Switzerland), respectively. Agreement between these methods was 100%, indicating that ISH with probe BFV530 might be used to accurately identify B. forsythus directly in subgingival plaque samples.
FUNCTIONAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PHENOTYPE IN RELATION TO CELLULAR AGE OF DIFFERENTIATED NEUTROPHILS IN CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKAEMIA

Circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils from most patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) show a number of biochemical and functional defects. In addition to low alkaline phosphatase activities, prolonged intravascular circulation times (Athens et al, 1965; Galbraith, 1970; Meuret et al, 1973), subnormal adhesiveness to glass (Brandt, 1965; Penny et al, 1966) and nylon surfaces (Taub et aI, 1980), delayed emigration to extravascular sites (Perillie &Finch, 1960; Senn P t al, 1971; Banerjee et al, 1972), reduced phagocytic and bacterial killing activities (Brandt, 1967; Rosner et al, 1970; Olofsson et al, 1976) as well as subnormal contents of lactoferrin (Broxmeyer et al, 1977) and lysozyme (Odeberg et al, 1975) have been observed. The cause or causes of this variety of defects remains incompletely understood. The defects may be simple stigmata of the intrinsic leukaemic nature of the cells. Alternatively, the cells may be intrinsically normal and their phenotypic abnormalities due to alterations in the physiological environment which are secondary to the leukaemic condition. The intention of this Annotation is to discuss the various causal possibilities in the light of recent experimental observations. The possibility that a common cause underlies these phenotypic defects presupposes that they are mutually linked in some way or other. There is evidence that this is the case: the various functional and biochemical changes appear to develop together and to become most marked in the segmented forms, as shown by the following studies. CML neutrophils which have emigrated to an extravascular site of mechanical injury (‘skin window’ technique) are more active in phagocytosis (Tornyos, 1967) and show higher alkaline phosphatase activities (Perillie &Finch, 1961) than is observed in the corresponding circulating population. Brandt (1 965) investigated the relation between adhesiveness to glass beads and phagocytic uptake of carbonyl iron particles in two CML patients and found that the more adhesive cells were also the more active phagocytes. Release of lactoferrin from normal neutrophils promotes adherence to endothelial cells (Oseas et al, 1981), which suggests a link between low lactoferrin contents in CML neutrophils and reduced adhesiveness. Furthermore, phagocytic and alkaline phosphatase activities have been shown to be associated characteristics in CML neutrophils (Pedersen & Hayhoe, 19 71). Together, these studies suggest that adhesiveness, phagocytosis, alkaline phosphatase
One new flavanocoumarin from the thorns of Gleditsia sinensis

Abstract One new flavanocoumarin (1), as well as six known flavonoids (2–7), was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the thorns of Gleditsia sinensis. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic measurements and comparison with data reported in literatures. Cytotoxic activities of compounds 1–6 were evaluated against human liver cancer SK-hep-1 cells in vitro by the MTT method, with compound 1 displaying moderate activity (IC50 of 62.53 μM). Furthermore, compound 1 could increase the number of apoptosis cells in a concentration-dependent manner.
Quantifying Income-Related Inequality in Healthcare Delivery in the United States

BackgroundNumerous studies have found that high-income Americans use more medical care than their low-income counterparts, irrespective of medical “need. ” The methods employed in these studies, however, make it difficult to evaluate differences in the degree of income-related inequality in utilization across population subgroups. In this study, we derive a summary index to quantify income-related inequality in need-adjusted medical care expenditures and report values of the index for adults and children in the United States. MethodsWe used the summary index of income-related inequality in expenditures developed by Wagstaff et al. 1 The source of data for the study was the Household Component of the 1996–1998 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, which contains person-level data on medical care expenditures, demographic characteristics, household income, and a wide array of health status measures. We used multivariate regression analysis to predict need-adjusted annual medical care expenditures per person by income level and used the predictions to calculate the indices of inequality. Separate indices were calculated for all adults, working-age adults, seniors, and children ages 5 to 17. ResultsFor all age groups, predicted expenditures per person, adjusted for medical need, generally increased as income rose. The index of inequality for all adults was +0.087 (95% confidence interval, +0.035, +0.139); for working-age adults, +0.099 (+0.046, +0.152); for seniors, +0.147 (+0.059, +0.235); and for children, +0.067 (+0.006, +0.128). ConclusionsThere exists income-related inequality in medical care expenditures in the United States, and it favors the wealthy. The inequality is highest among seniors despite Medicare, intermediate among working-age adults, and lowest among children.
CBNAAT : a Novel Diagnostic Tool For Rapid And Specific Detection Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis In Pulmonary Samples

Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains to be one of the most significant causes of death from an infectious agent. Rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis and detection of Rifampicin (RIF) resistance are essential for effective disease management. CBNAAT (Cartridge Based Nucliec Acid Amplification Test) also known as Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay is a novel integrated diagnostic device for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and rapid detection of RIF resistance in clinical specimens. We determined the performance of the MTB/RIF assay for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis and detection of rifampin resistance in smear-positive and smear-negative pulmonary specimens obtained from possible tuberculosis patients. Aim of the study To assess diagnostic usefulness of Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay technique in management of tuberculosis. Material and Methods : This is an Observational study conducted in the department of pulmonary medicine Maharajah’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Vizianagaram between June 2012 and December 2013. Two hundred and five Sputum samples were obtained from Tuberculosis suspects. All samples were tested on Gene Xpert for MTB/RIF detection after AFB microscopy. Results : 108(52.68%) sputum samples were AFB smear positive and 96 (47.32%) were negative. In MTB/RIF assay 144 (70.24%) were MTB positive and 61 (29.76%) were negative. Chi-Square test was applied; P value is <0.001. All results are highly significant. The MTB/RIF assay also detected 4 RIF-resistant specimen and 140 RIF-susceptible specimens, and the results were confirmed by drug susceptibility testing. Conclusions: The MTB/RIF test is a simple method, and routine staff with minimal training can use the system. It helps to avoid injudicious use of anti-tuberculosis drug.
The Interferon‐α/β Responses of Mice to Herpes Simplex Virus Studied at the Blood and Tissue Level In Vitro and In Vivo

Murine mononuclear leucocytes from bone marrow, spleen, lymph node and blood stimulated in vitro by UV‐irradiated Herpes simplex type I virus (HSV) produced about equal proportions of IFN‐α and ‐β determined by immunoassay. Thymocytes produced only IFN‐α. The frequency of IFN‐α/β mRNA containing cells detected by in situ hybridization was highest with bone marrow (15 per 104 cells), followed by spleen (4/104), lymph node (2/104), blood (1/104) and thymus (0.2/104). Such IFN‐α/β producing cells (IPCs) were heavily labelled in autoradiographs, each producing about 0.4 U of IFN. After one intravenous injection of UV‐irradiated HSV in mice, high levels of IFN‐α and ‐β were present in blood at 3–9 h and little or none at 24 h or later. Frequent cells strongly positive for IFN‐α mRNA at in situ hybridization and for IFN‐α/β at immunohistochemical staining were found almost exclusively in the marginal zones of spleens. Occasional IPCs were detected in lymph nodes but not in bone marrow, liver and kidneys. The marginal zone IPCs may be the major source of IFN in blood, and high splenic levels of IFN‐α/β should have efficient antiviral and immunoregulatory functions.
Red wine and cardiovascular health.

There is strong epidemiological evidence that light-to-moderate consumption of alcoholic drinks, but neither zero nor more than moderate intake, reduces mortality from all causes and also diminishes cardiovascular risk.1 The lowest risk for coronary heart disease mortality is seen with 1 to 2 drinks (12.5–25g alcohol) per day. Article, see p 1065 Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and there is a clear inverse relationship between light-to-moderate alcohol intake and blood pressure. Thus, the reduced cardiovascular risk associated with moderate consumption of alcoholic drinks may be due, in part, to a reduction in blood pressure. The greatest blood pressure benefit seems to be obtained with 1 drink per day for women and with 2 drinks per day for men.2 In most published studies, red wine has been used as the alcoholic test beverage. Red wine produces concentration-dependent vasodilator effects in subcutaneous small resistance arteries obtained from patients with essential hypertension.3 In addition, red wine and dealcoholized red wine increase flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery in healthy subjects.4,5 Intake of red wine also counteracts endothelial dysfunction produced by high-fat diet in human volunteers,6 and red wine increases flow-mediated vasodilation and decreases blood pressure in adult cigarette smokers.7,8 With red wine, both the alcoholic and the polyphenolic components seem to contribute to its beneficial effects.9 The alcoholic component is known to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and to decrease fibrinogen concentrations.10 The polyphenols present in red wine have been shown …
Fine-scale landscape genomics helps explain the slow spread of Wolbachia through the Aedes aegypti population in Cairns, Australia

The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia suppresses the capacity for arboviral transmission in the mosquito Aedes aegypti, and can spread through wild mosquito populations following local introductions. Recent introductions in Cairns, Australia have demonstrated slower than expected spread, that could be due to: i) barriers to Ae. aegypti dispersal; ii) leptokurtically distributed dispersal distances; and iii) intergenerational loss of Wolbachia. We investigated these three potential causes using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and an assay for the Wolbachia infection wMel in 161 Ae. aegypti collected from Cairns in 2015. We observed a significant barrier effect of Cairns highways on Ae. aegypti dispersal using distance-based redundancy analysis and patch-based simulation analysis. We detected putative full-siblings in ovitraps 1312m apart, suggesting long-distance female movement likely mediated by human transport. Finally, we found a pair of full-siblings of different infection status, suggesting loss of Wolbachia in the field. While the long-distance movement and Wolbachia loss currently represent single observations, these findings together with the identified dispersal barriers can contribute to the slow spread of Wolbachia through the Ae. aegypti population in Cairns. Our landscape genomics approach can be extended to other host/symbiont systems that are being considered for biocontrol.
Detection of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species in skeletal muscle

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are usually identified with pathological states and mediators of cellular injury. However, over the last decade ROS and RNS have been identified in skeletal muscle under physiological conditions. Detection of ROS and RNS production by skeletal muscle cells is fundamental to the problem of differentiating between physiological and pathological levels. The goal of this paper is to review the techniques that have been used to detect ROS and RNS in skeletal muscle. Electron spin resonance, fluorescent assays, cyotchrome c reduction, chemiluminescence, hydroxylation of salicylate, and nitration of phenylalanine are some of the assay systems that have been used thus far. A large body of evidence now indicates that ROS and RNS are continually produced by many different skeletal muscle types studied in vivo, in situ, and in vitro. Under resting conditions, ROS and RNS are detectable in both intracellular and extracellular compartments. Production increases during both non‐fatiguing and fatiguing muscle contractions. In the absence of disease, the individual molecular species detected in skeletal muscle include parent radicals for the ROS and RNS cascades: superoxide anions and nitric oxide. Both are generated at rates estimated to range from pmol‐to‐nmol/mg muscle/minute. Evidence indicates that hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radicals, and peroxynitrite are also present under physiological conditions. However, the molecular species that mediate specific biological effects remains largely undetermined, as do the sources of ROS and RNS within muscle fibers. Eventual delineation of the mechanisms whereby ROS and RNS regulate cellular function will hinge on our understanding of the production and distribution of ROS and RNS within skeletal muscle. Microsc. Res. Tech. 55:236–248, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The influence of some metal ions and pH on the inactivation of vaccinia virus by heat.

SUMMARY The addition of metal ions to the suspending medium of vaccinia virus preparations made them more resistant to heat. Monovalent metals were more effective than divalent, but a mixture of the two kinds was the most effective. Heavy metals rapidly destroyed virus infectivity. The protective effect is probably due to the formation of metal-protein complexes with increased resistance to heat denaturation.
Changes in some electrocardiographic parameters amongst children with sickle cell anemia in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder affecting mostlyAfricans, Hispanics, Indians and people of Middle Easterndescent; involving major organs of which the heart is the mostfatal and commonest cause of morbidity and mortality. Thepresent study aims to determine some electrocardiographicparameters of sickle cell anemia children attending the sicklecell clinic at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt,Nigeria. A total of 118 subjects comprising of 55 sickle cell anemia (HbSS genotype) patients (Group A) and 63 normal controls consisting of 40 subjects (HbAA genotype) Group B and 23 subjects (HbAS genotype) Group C were recruited into the study. Control subjects were matched for weight and sex with sickle cell anemia (HbSS genotype) (Group A) patients. All subjects were aged between 2 and 15years. Height, weight, body mass index, hemoglobin concentration and heart rates were determined and a thorough physical examination conducted to exclude the presence of co-morbidities. Electrocardiographicparameters were subsequently determined usinga standard resting 12-lead electrocardiogram. Results were analyzed using Analysis of Variance; a P value less than 0.05 were considered significant.Results obtained showed no significant differences in age,body mass index and heart rate between patients with sickle cell anemia (HbSS genotype) and the control groups. However, control subjects had significantly higher haemoglobin concentration compared to sickle cell anemia (HbSS genotype) patients (p<0.05). Differences were also observed in some electrocardiographic parameters of sickle cell anemia (HbSS genotype) patients as compared to control subjects. For instance, higher percentages of left ventricular hypertrophy, ST segment depression, ischemic changesand axis deviation were observed amongst sickle cell anemia (HbSS genotype) patients compared to control subjects. Further, the QTc interval of Group A sickle cell anemia (HbSS genotype) patients was significantly higher than values for Group C (HbAS genotype) control subjects (p<0.05); however, the Paxis of Group A sickle cell anemia (HbSS genotype) patients was significantly lower than values for Group C (HbAS genotype) control subjects (p<0.05). Our study is of value and confirms suggestions that routineelectrocardiography amongst children with sickle cell anemia can help detect those prone to arrhythmia, ischaemic changes and sudden cardiac death and therefore enhance mortality and morbidity.
Mitochondrial genome of the Marbled goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata)

Abstract The marble goby is a carnivorous fish native to freshwater in Asia-Pacific region, and it is marketed as a high-valued fish in some Asia countries such as China, Thailand and Vietnam. This study presents the complete mitochondrial genome of O. marmorata, which is 16,525 bp length with the genome organization and gene order being identical to that of the typical vertebrate.
RSV vaccine use – the missing data

ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the most important cause of hospitalization in infants and is one of the leading global causes of infant mortality and as such its prevention through vaccination is a public health priority. While essential for the successful implementation of vaccine programs, there remains a paucity of data on the epidemiology of the virus in different settings and age groups and limited knowledge about virus transmission and the health-care costs of the disease. Such data are now needed to populate health economic models and to inform optimal approaches to disease control through vaccination.
N-H...O and O-H...O hydrogen-bonded supramolecular networks in 4-chloroanilinium, 2-hydroxyanilinium and 3-hydroxyanilinium hydrogen phthalates.

The title salts, 4-chloroanilinium hydrogen phthalate (PCAHP), C6H7ClN+. C8H5O4-, 2-hydroxyanilinium hydrogen phthalate (2HAHP), C6H8NO+. C8H5O4-, and 3-hydroxyanilinium hydrogen phthalate (3HAHP), C6H8NO+. C8H5O4-, all crystallize in the space group P2(1)/c. The asymmetric unit of 2HAHP contains two independent ion pairs. The hydrogen phthalate ions of 2HAHP and 3HAHP show a short intramolecular O-H.O hydrogen bond, with O.O distances ranging from 2.3832 (15) to 2.3860 (14) A. N-H.O and O-H.O hydrogen bonds, together with short C-H.O contacts in PCAHP and 3HAHP, generate extended hydrogen-bond networks. PCAHP forms a two-dimensional supramolecular sheet extending in the (100) plane, whereas 2HAHP has a supramolecular chain running parallel to the [100] direction and 3HAHP has a two-dimensional network extending parallel to the (001) plane.
Can Inoculation Withstand Multiple Attacks?

This investigation introduced multiple competitive attacks in order to assess the effectiveness of inoculation treatments in protecting established attitudes in a natural setting. A four-phase experiment was conducted involving 433 participants. The results revealed that the effectiveness of refutational inoculation messages dissipated some in the face of an additional attack. Still, refutational inoculation messages proved to be more effective than supportive, restoration, and control (no message) conditions in protecting established attitudes in the face of multiple attacks. The content of an additional attack (the same as the first attack or different) did not affect the capacity of inoculation refutational messages to confer resistance to competitive attacks.