Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Audiometric testing and hearing protection training through multimedia technology

The purpose of this paper is to present the development process of a computer-based audiometric testing and tailored intervention program, and assess its feasibility by obtaining users’ feedback. The program was implemented for 397 operating engineers at their union training center, and its feasibility was evaluated by obtaining quantitative and qualitative feedback from the participants through a survey and focus group. Over 96% of the participants indicated they liked receiving a hearing test by computer; the computer-based test worked smoothly; and the computer-based training was well organized, effective and held their interests. Almost all (more than 99%) said they would recommend this program to other workers. This project is considered as one of the first ones incorporating multimedia computer technology with self-administered audiometric testing and tailored training. Participants’ favorable feedback strongly supported the continued utilization of this approach for designing and developing health screening and intervention to promote healthy behaviors.
The Maintenance of Stability in the Newly Born*

Thermal stability, which is one of the hall marks of mammalian efficiency, must always be associated with metabolism and chemical stability, for the production of heat depends largely on biological oxidations and these in turn depend upon the supply of oxygen. Anything which interferes with this constitutes an immediate threat both to chemical stability and thermal stability, but the temperature of the body also plays a vital part in regulating the metabolic rate and hence the demand for oxygen, so that each reacts upon the other.
Are non-native species more likely to become pests? Influence of biogeographic origin on the impacts of freshwater organisms3

Some ecologists have claimed that non-native species are no more likely to cause ecological or economic harm than native species. We evaluated this claim by testing whether the pest status of a species is independent of its origin, using data on freshwater plants and animals established in North America and Europe. Pests were defined as those whose presence resulted in socioeconomic damage. All species were classified on the basis of whether they were native to the continent, transplanted beyond their native range within the continent (transplant invaders), or non-native to the continent (foreign invaders). Non-native species comprised the majority (60%) of aquatic pests in North America and Europe and were six times as likely to be pests as compared with native species. The incidence of pest species was greatest among foreign invaders. These results counter the assertion that the potential for a species to cause socioeconomic damage is independent of its biogeographic origin.
TEN‐YEAR CONSISTENCY IN NEUROLOGICAL TEST PERFORMANCE OF CHILDREN WITHOUT FOCAL NEUROLOGICAL DEFICIT

To assess ‘soft‐sign’ persistence and its correlates outside a referred sample, 159 members of a local birth cohort of the United States National Collaborative Perinatal Project were traced and their performance on six neurological test scales was measured at age 17 by examiners blind to their status at age seven. A comparison group was also formed, who had been ‘sign’‐free at age seven. On four of the six tests (dysdiadochokinesis, mirror movements, dysgraphesthesia and motor slowness) index boys did significantly worse than the comparison boys; by contrast, index girls scored significantly worse than comparisons only on motor slowness.
Neurotensin phase‐shifts the firing rate rhythm of neurons in the rat suprachiasmatic nuclei in vitro

The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus house the main mammalian circadian pacemaker. Cell bodies in the rat SCN contain the neuropeptide neurotensin (NT), and two NT receptor types, NTS1 and nts2. Because the role of NT in the circadian rhythm processes is unknown, we studied the phase‐shifting effects of NT on the firing rate rhythm of rat SCN neurons in vitro. Additionally, the NT receptor antagonists SR142948a and SR48692 were used to try and block any NT‐induced phase shifts. To elucidate the second messenger pathway responsible for mediating the phase‐resetting actions of NT, we utilized the phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors U‐73122 and KT5720, respectively. Application of NT during the projected day resulted in a large advance in the time of peak in FRR, whereas treatments during the projected night had no effect. Both NT receptor antagonists blocked the NT‐induced phase shifts, as did the PLC inhibitor U‐73122. The PKA inhibitor KT5720 had no influence on the magnitude of the phase shift caused by NT during the middle of the projected day. These results provide the first evidence that NT may play a role in regulating the rat circadian pacemaker, using NTS1 and nts2 receptors presumably coupled to PLC.
17-Allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin and Herbimycin A Induce Cell Death by Modulating β-Catenin and PI3K/AKT Signaling in FRO Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Cells.

AIM The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) and herbimycin A (HMA) on survival of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Antitumor activities of 17-AAG and HMA were investigated in FRO ATC cells. RESULTS In FRO ATC cells, 17-AAG and HMA caused cell death with concomitant changes in the expression of HSP90 client proteins, increased β-catenin protein levels, and inhibited PI3K/AKT signaling. The inactivation of β-catenin by β-catenin siRNA transfection and the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling by p110α plasmid transfection abrogated cell death caused by 17-AAG and HMA. CONCLUSION 17-AAG and HMA have cytotoxic activities accompanied by regulation of HSP90 client proteins, and cytotoxicity is associated with overexpression of β-catenin and suppression of PI3K/AKT signaling in FRO ATC cells.
The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in children with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura

The outcome of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is classified as acute or chronic depending on whether platelet count returns to normal. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection increases with age and is independent of gender. We investigated the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Chinese children from Northern Taiwan and analyzed the association between H. pylori infection and acute ITP. Our prospective cohort studies found no statistically significant relation between H. pylori infection and acute ITP. There is therefore no indication to screen children with presumed acute ITP for H. pylori infection. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects and mechanism of the selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, on rat colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the action of celecoxib (a selective COX-2 inhibitor) in a rat model of colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). METHODS Rats were randomized into four groups. Colitis was induced in groups 1 and 2 by intracolonic administration of TNBS (25 mg/mL) in 50% ethanol (0.25 mL). The rats in group 1 received oral celecoxib (1.25 mg/kg) and those in group 2 received distilled water (1 mL/0.3 kg), beginning 3 h before induction of colitis and continuing twice daily thereafter for up to 7 days. The rats in group 4 received oral celecoxib (1.25 mg/kg) twice daily for 7 days and those in group 3 were healthy controls. All rats that survived 7 days were killed and both the severity of colonic mucosal damage and the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations of the colonic mucosa were assessed. RESULTS The colonic mucosal damage scores for groups 1 and 2 were 11.15 +/- 3.30 and 8.50 +/- 2.82, respectively, both of which were significantly higher than the score for the healthy controls (0.62 +/- 0.09; P < 0.01, P < 0.01). The score of group 1 was significantly higher than that of group 2 (P < 0.05). No difference was found between the scores of groups 3 and 4. The mucosal concentrations of PGE2 in groups 1 and 2 were 12.00 +/- 4.33 pg/microg and 17.20 +/- 9.62 pg/microg, respectively, both of which were significantly higher than the concentration in the healthy controls (6.02 +/- 3.39 pg/microg; P < 0.05, both). The PGE2 concentration of group 1 was decreased significantly compared with that of group 2 (P < 0.05). No difference was found between groups 3 and 4. CONCLUSION The results suggest that treatment with celecoxib exacerbates inflammation-associated colonic injury in experimental colitis induced by TNBS. This preliminary study shows that the mechanism is related to suppression by the COX-2 inhibitor of the PG derived from COX-2, but further study is needed to identify if there are other related mechanisms.
Borderline personality pathology and insomnia symptoms in community-dwelling older adults.

Prior research has associated BPD with sleep problems, but the relationship has been explored primarily in small clinical samples of younger adults. Findings from our lab have demonstrated that borderline symptoms remain present in later middle age and are associated with several negative life outcomes. A representative community sample of older adults (N = 633, Mage = 62.3) was obtained from the St Louis area, and interviewer-reports, self-reports, and informant-reports of personality pathology were completed along with an insomnia symptoms questionnaire. Cross-sectional analyses revealed that symptoms from all 10 DSM-IV personality disorders were significantly correlated with insomnia symptoms. However, after statistically controlling for major depression, body-mass index, race and gender, only borderline personality pathology remained significantly associated with insomnia symptoms. Our results demonstrate that in addition to other negative health outcomes, borderline personality pathology is uniquely associated with sleep problems in later middle-aged adults in the community.
Designing personal grief rituals: An analysis of symbolic objects and actions

ABSTRACT Personal grief rituals are beneficial in dealing with complicated grief, but challenging to design, as they require symbolic objects and actions meeting clients’ emotional needs. The authors reported interviews with 10 therapists with expertise in both grief therapy and grief rituals. Findings indicate three types of rituals supporting honoring, letting go, and self transformation, with the latter being particularly complex. Outcomes also point to a taxonomy of ritual objects for framing and remembering ritual experience, and for capturing and processing grief. Besides symbolic possessions, the authors identified other types of ritual objects including transformational and future-oriented ones. Symbolic actions include creative craft of ritual objects, respectful handling, disposal, and symbolic play. They conclude with theoretical implications of these findings, and a reflection on their value for tailored, creative co-design of grief rituals. In particular, several implications for designing grief rituals were identified that include accounting for the client’s need, selecting (or creating) the most appropriate objects and actions from the identified types, integrating principles of both grief and art/drama therapy, exploring clients’ affinity for the ancient elements as medium of disposal in letting go rituals, and the value of technology for recording and reflecting on ritual experience.
Broadening of Inhibitory Tuning Underlies Contrast-Dependent Sharpening of Orientation Selectivity in Mouse Visual Cortex

Orientation selectivity (OS) in the visual cortex has been found to be invariant to increases in stimulus contrast, a finding that cannot be accounted for by the original, purely excitatory Hubel and Wiesel model. This property of OS may be important for preserving the quality of perceived stimulus across a range of stimulus intensity. The synaptic mechanisms that can prevent a broadening of OS caused by contrast-dependent strengthening of excitatory inputs to cortical neurons remain unknown. Using in vivo loose-patch recordings, we found in excitatory neurons in layer 4 of mouse primary visual cortex (V1) that the spike response to the preferred orientation was elevated as contrast increased while that to the orthogonal orientation remained unchanged, resulting in an overall sharpening rather than a weakening of OS. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings further revealed that contrast increases resulted in a scaling up of excitatory conductance at all stimulus orientations. Inhibitory conductance was enhanced at a similar level as excitation for the preferred orientation, but at a significantly higher level for the orthogonal orientation. Modeling revealed that the resulting broadening of inhibitory tuning is critical for maintaining and sharpening OS at high contrast. Finally, two-photon imaging guided recordings from parvalbumin-positive (PV) inhibitory neurons revealed that the broadening of inhibition can be attributed to a contrast-dependent broadening of spike-response tuning of PV neurons. Together our results suggest that modulation of synaptic inhibition in the mouse V1 cortical circuit preserves the sharpness of response selectivity during changes of stimulus strength.
Presumed Versus Actual Organizational Culture: Managerial Implications for Implementation of Information Systems

This paper builds on Markus and Rohey's four-level framework of analyzing resistance to implementation of information systems. The four levels of analysis pertain to the user, the organizational structure, the political power and the environment. We suggest adding a complementary fifth level pertaining to the organizational culture. The paper proceeds from a definition of culture to an explanation of its dimensions, in line with the management and control approach to culture. A case study of an attempt to implement an information system is presented and the five levels of analysis are used to explain the implementation failure
Finite element modeling and experimentation of bone drilling forces

Bone drilling is an essential part of many orthopaedic surgery procedures, including those for internal fixation and for attaching prosthetics. Estimation and control of bone drilling forces are critical to prevent drill breakthrough, excessive heat generation, and mechanical damage to the bone. This paper presents a 3D finite element (FE) model for prediction of thrust forces experienced during bone drilling. The model incorporates the dynamic characteristics involved in the process along with the accurate geometrical considerations. The average critical thrust forces and torques obtained using FE analysis, for set of machining parameters are found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.
Continuous infusion of propofol in dogs premedicated with methotrimeprazine.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cardiopulmonary and clinical effects of three different infusion rates of propofol in dogs premedicated with methotrimeprazine. STUDY DESIGN Randomized experimental trial. ANIMALS Ten healthy adult mixed-breed male and female dogs, weighing from 14 to 20 kg. METHODS Dogs were premedicated with methotrimeprazine [1 mg kg-1 intravenously (IV)] followed by induction of anesthesia with 4.5 mg kg-1 of propofol IV and maintenance with propofol for 60 minutes as follows: T1, 0.2 mg kg-1 minute-1; T2, 0.3 mg kg-1minute-1; and T3, 0.4 mg kg-1minute-1. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2), arterial hemoglobin O2 saturation, arterial blood gases, and pedal and cutaneous reflexes were measured before and 5, 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the beginning of the propofol infusion. Statistical analysis was performed using an anova. RESULTS Heart rate increased during anesthesia in all cases and arterial blood pressure decreased only in dogs in the T3 category. Respiratory depression was proportional to the infusion rate of propofol. Muscle relaxation was satisfactory, but analgesia was inadequate in the three treatments. CONCLUSIONS The infusion of 0.2-0.4 mg kg-1 minute-1 of propofol produced a dose-dependent respiratory depression. The presence of a pedal withdrawal reflex and marked cardiovascular responses to this noxious stimulus suggests that anesthesia may not be of sufficient depth for surgery to be carried out. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although several studies have been performed using propofol in animals, few studies have investigated the cardiopulmonary and analgesic effects with different doses. The determination of an adequate propofol infusion rate is necessary for the routine use of this intravenous anesthetic for the maintenance of anesthesia during major surgical procedures in dogs.
Psychological Aftermath of the King's Cross Fire

The King's Cross fire occurred at the end of the evening rush hour, on 18 November 1987. King's Cross station is within the department's health district and we felt a responsibility to respond to the psychological aftermath. The unique features of our intervention were the degree of inter agency coordination, the use of a systematic outreach and screening programme, the collection of psychotherapy outcome measures and the development of an ongoing clinic. The work represents a sustained attempt to assess the nature and prevalence of post-traumatic reactions and the most medically and economically effective form of intervention. In this paper we describe the way our team responded to the high level of psychological distress that we found, we present some preliminary results, outline two therapeutic trials, and refer to the long-term consequences for the work of our department.
Camellia sinensis in asymptomatic hyperuricemia: A meta-analysis of tea or tea extract effects on uric acid levels

ABSTRACT Flavanols of Camellia sinensis exhibit uric acid (UA) lowering effect, through the modulation of both xanthine oxidase and urate excretion. In order to investigate the potential benefit of Camellia Sinenis products in asymptomatic hyperuricemia, a meta-analysis of long-term Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) with tea or tea extract has been conducted. From 20 human intervention studies selected only 5 RCT (13 interventions) were suitable for meta-analysis (n = 472). The current “normal” range set for hyperuricemia fails to identify patients with potential metabolic disorders. Therefore on the basis of the literature data, we fixed cut-off limits for UA baseline levels of 4.5 mg/dl for women, 6.1 mg/dl for men, and 5.5 mg/dl for studies involving mixed populations. Statistically significant effects were not found, but subgroup analysis revealed that the Pooled Estimate effect was different in subjects with baseline levels under [MD (95% CI): 0.1078 (−0.0528 to 0.2684)] and over the cut-off [MD (95% CI): −0.0239 (0.3311 to 0.2833)]. However, due to the low number of RCT and to the lack of data on bioavailability, it is difficult to draw any firm conclusion and more studies are needed to establish if tea flavanols could be useful in asymptomatic hyperuricemia treatment.
Measures of capillary permeability in acute falciparum malaria: relation to severity of infection and treatment.

Capillary permeability was investigated in 32 Thai patients aged 14-49 years who had acute falciparum malaria with use of three distinct techniques: quantitation of the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), estimation of the transcapillary escape rate of radiolabeled albumin (TER), and retinal photography/fluorescein angiography. Fourteen patients had uncomplicated infections and 18 were severe cases. The severely ill patients had significantly higher ACRs (median, 4.8 mg/mmol; 95% confidence limits, 2.4-19.9 mg/mmol) and TERs (median, 8.3%/h; 95% confidence limits, 6.2-13.2%/h) than the uncomplicated cases (ACR: median, 2.1 mg/mmol; 95% confidence limits, 6.2-13.2%/h) than the uncomplicated cases (ACR: median, 2.1 mg/mmol; 95% confidence limits, 1.0-8.8 mg/mmol; TER: median, 5.9%/h; 95% confidence limits, 3.8-10.6%/h; P = .014 and .042). Both variables were significantly associated with biochemical indices of disease severity including total serum bilirubin levels (rs greater than or equal to 0.398, P less than .025 in each case), but there were no significant differences between ACRs and TERs among comatose and noncomatose patients with severe infections (P greater than or equal to .08). Retinopathy (hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, capillary nonperfusion, and/or extravasation of fluorescein) was found in eight severely ill patients and in two uncomplicated cases. Fluorescein leakage was evident in six patients. Although fluorescein leakage had the strongest parametric correlation with the presence of coma relative to both ACR and TER in the full patient series (r = 0.58, P less than .01), multiple linear regression analysis indicated that concentrations of plasma lactate (t = 2.998, P = .006) and serum creatinine (t = 2.200, P = .036) were the factors responsible for this association. These data do not support a role for tissue edema in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria but reveal an association between markers of disease severity and a generalized increase in systemic capillary permeability.
Effects of secular variation in seawater Mg/Ca ratio (calcite–aragonite seas) on CaCO3 sediment production by the calcareous algae Halimeda, Penicillus and Udotea– evidence from recent experiments and the geological record

Independent lines of geological evidence suggest that fluctuations in the Mg/Ca ratio of seawater between 1.0 and 5.2 have caused the oceans to alternate between favouring the precipitation of the aragonite and high‐Mg calcite polymorphs of calcium carbonate (mMg/Ca > 2; aragonite seas) and the low‐Mg calcite polymorph (mMg/Ca < 2; calcite seas) throughout Phanerozoic time. The rise of aragonite‐secreting bryopsidalean algae as major producers of carbonate sediments in middle Palaeogene time, a role that they maintained through to the present, has been attributed to a transition from calcite‐to‐aragonite seas in early Cenozoic time. Recent experiments on the modern, carbonate‐sediment‐producing bryopsidales Halimeda, Penicillus and Udotea reveal that their rates of calcification, linear extension and primary production decline when reared in experimental calcite seawaters (mMg/Ca < 2). These normally aragonite‐secreting algae also began producing at least one‐quarter of their CaCO3 as calcite under calcite sea conditions, indicating that their biomineralogical control can be partially overridden by ambient seawater chemistry. The observation that primary production and linear extension declined along with calcification in the mineralogically unfavourable seawater suggests that photosynthesis within these algae is enhanced by calcification via liberation of CO2 and/or H+. Thus, the reduced fitness of these algae associated with their low rates of calcification in calcite seas may have been exacerbated by concomitant reductions in tissue mass and algal height.
Experimental Yersinia infection of human synovial cells: persistence of live bacteria and generation of bacterial antigen deposits including "ghosts," nucleic acid-free bacterial rods

Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 was maintained in primary cultures of human synovial cells for 6 weeks as cultivable organisms and thereafter for 2 more weeks as antigen aggregates containing specific lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Some seemingly intact bacteria were "ghosts," bacterial rods possessing LPS but not DNA. The prolonged persistence of yersiniae, and consequently of Yersinia antigens, in synovial cells may be the cause of the maintenance of the inflammatory host responses in the joints of patients with reactive arthritis due to Yersinia infection.