Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of dietary level of ruminally protected choline on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers and on growth and serum metabolites in lambs.

Ruminally protected choline (RPC) was evaluated in two experiments. In Exp. 1, beef steers (n = 160; average initial BW = 350.9 kg) were fed a 90% concentrate diet with either 0, . 25, . 5, or 1.0% RPC (DM basis) for 112 to 140 d. Feeding . 25% RPC increased ADG 11.6% compared with 0% RPC, but responses diminished with increasing RPC level (cubic response, P < .10). Daily DMI was not affected by RPC level, but feed:gain was improved 6.8% with . 25% RPC compared with 0% RPC, and responses diminished with increasing RPC level (cubic response, P < .10). Carcass yield grade increased linearly (P < .10) as RPC level increased, but marbling score was lower for all three RPC-containing diets than for the 0% RPC diet (quadratic response, P < .05). In Exp. 2, 20 Suffolk lambs (initial BW = 29.8 kg) were fed an 80% concentrate diet for 56 d with the same RPC levels as in Exp. 1. Serum triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol (CLSTRL) were measured in weekly blood samples, and intensive blood samples were collected on d 28 and 56 to evaluate serum insulin (INS), GH, and NEFA. For the 56-d feeding period, ADG responded quadratically (P < .10) to RPC level, but DMI and feed:gain were not affected. Serum INS and NEFA concentrations increased linearly (P < .05) and serum GH responded cubically (P < .05) to RPC level on d 28, but no differences were noted on d 56. Serum TG concentrations in weekly samples increased linearly (P < .10) with RPC level, but, averaged over all weeks, serum CLSTRL concentrations did not differ (P > .10) among treatments. Quantities of carcass mesenteric (P < .05) and kidney fat (P < .10) increased linearly, but longissimus muscle and liver fat contents did not differ (P > .10) among RPC levels. Supplementing RPC in high-concentrate diets improved performance, but results were not consistent among RPC levels or between cattle and sheep. Potential effects of RPC might be mediated through alterations in fat metabolism and(or) metabolic hormones related to fat metabolism.
Patients with ulcerative colitis miss more days of work than the general population, even following colectomy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS It is unclear whether colectomy restores the ability of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) to work to precolectomy levels. We estimated the burden of sick leave and disability pension in a population-based cohort of patients with UC and the effects of colectomy. METHODS We performed a register-based cohort study using the Swedish National Patient Register and identified working-age patients with UC in 2005 (n = 19,714) and patients who underwent colectomies between 1998 and 2002 (n = 807). Sick leave and disability pension data were retrieved from Statistics Sweden (1995-2005). Data from each patient in the study were compared with those from 5 age-, sex-, education-, and county-matched individuals from the general population. RESULTS In 2005, 15% of patients with prevalent UC received a disability pension, compared with 11% of the general population, and 21% vs 13% had ≥1 sick leave episode (P < .001 for each comparison). The annual median work days lost was 0 in both groups, but patients with UC had higher mean (65 vs 45 days; difference, 20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18-22 days) and 75th percentile work days lost (37 vs 0 days; difference, 37; 95% CI, 36-38 days). Among patients who underwent colectomies, annual days lost increased from a mean of 40 (median, 0) days 3 years before surgery to 141 (median, 99) days during the year of surgery (P < .001). The number then decreased to a mean of 85 days 3 years after surgery (median, 0). The corresponding 75th percentile days were 17, 207, and 130, respectively. Three years after colectomy, 12% did not work at all compared with 7.2% of the general population (risk difference, 5.2%; 95% CI, 2.7%-7.7%) and compared with 5.9% 3 years before colectomy (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with UC miss more work days than the general population in Sweden. Although most patients had no registered work loss 3 years after colectomy, work loss was not restored to presurgery or general population levels in the group that underwent colectomy during several years of follow-up.
Pragmatic Reasoning With a Point of View

Abstract Cheng and Holyoak (1985) proposed that realistic reasoning in deontic contexts is based on pragmatic schemas such as those for assessing compliance with or violation of permission and obligation rules, and that the evocation of these schemas can facilitate performance in Wason's (1966) selection task. A number of investigators have since obtained evidence that the dominant pattern of selections for deontic rules can be reversed from the so-called “logical” pattern, p & not-q, to not-p & q, by manipulating subjects' perspective. We show that such selection reversals can be derived from the theory of pragmatic schemas given an analysis of the complementarity of rights (which underlie the permission schema) and duties (which underlie the obligation schema). The theory predicts that the not-p & q combination will be obtained equally often for two superficially different conditions: an ambiguous rule, nominally stated in the form if p then q, presented within a context that encourages mapping to a par.
Experience with pulmonary rehabilitation program in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE To present the experience with the first pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program in Saudi Arabia. METHODS The prospectively collected data of patients referred to PR program in Saudi Arabia over 30 months starting on July 2004, were reviewed. A standard outpatient PR was offered to those patients with chronic lung diseases. Those patients attended to were classified as adherent or non adherent. There data were analyzed, as well as, the reasons for non-adherence. RESULTS Out of 121 patients referred to the PR center during the study period, 89 (73.6%) attended PR program and 32 (26.4%) did not attend their initial appointment. Among 89 patients who attended the PR program, 51 (57.3%) were adherent, while 38 (42.7%) attended but were non-adherent. The demographic data and the basic physiological parameters of both groups were not significantly different. Reasons for non-adherence were: difficulties in transportation (34.2%), admission to the hospital (23.7%), and no specific reason (42.1%). Upon completion of the PR, the exercise parameters in the adherent group showed significant improvement in the 6 minutes walk distance, and the distance and time spent in the treadmill, arm ergometer, and bicycle. CONCLUSION Implementing a PR program in a tertiary care centre in Saudi Arabia was feasible and led to marked improvement in exercise performance and overall physical fitness.
Message Framing and Color Combination in the Perception of Medical Information

A 2 × 2 between-subjects design was used to examine the effects of message framing (gain vs loss) and color combination (red background with white characters vs white background with black characters) on 120 university students' perception of materials promoting the H1N1 flu vaccine and their willingness to receive the vaccine after they had read the materials. Each participant completed a 6-item questionnaire, and the results of an analysis of variance showed that participants rated vaccine information presented through loss-framed messages as having greater interest and leading to greater understanding. Loss-framed messages presented on a white background with black characters significantly increased the willingness of the participants to receive the vaccine.
Experimental tests of minimum viable population size

Fitness and rates of extinction were compared among populations of the housefly, Musca domestica L. , kept either at constant effective sizes of 50, 500 or 1500 or passed through extreme founder events reducing effective size to 5. Populations were maintained for 24 generations, which for small to medium‐sized mammals would be less than the 200 years suggested by Souléet al. (1986) as necessary for maintaining viable populations of endangered species. The results demonstrate that effective population sizes have to be greater than the 50 individuals suggested by Franklin (1980) to retain fitness and escape extinction, even in the short term. In contrast to populations of constant size that exhibited monotonic decreases in fitness through time, populations established with few founders rebounded from initial inbreeding depression. However, they were less adaptable to environmental stress than constant size populations, suggesting that populations founded with few numbers may do well within a single environment but may do far less well if they are reintroduced to natural environments or exposed to rapid environmental changes.
Morphology and distribution of antennal multiporous gustatory sensilla related to host recognition in some Trichogramma spp.

Abstract Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera Trichogrammatidae) are endoparasitic wasps that attack the eggs of mainly Lepidoptera spe-cies. The morphology of the antennal multiporous gustatory sensilla of five Trichogramma species is studied and compared: Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal, Trichogramma chilonis Ishii, Trichogramma dendrolimi Matsumura, Trichogramma turke-stanica Meyer, and Trichogramma sibericum Sorokina. Scanning electron microscopy of the female antennae shows the presence of numerous peculiar sensilla on the ventral apical side of the club, for which a gustatory function is hypothesized. These appear as multiporous sensilla, although the pores are not distributed all over the surface of the hair, as they are only on the ventral mar-gin. Also, these sensilla are located exclusively on antennal areas that come into contact with the substrate. Variations in the num-bers and distributions of the multiporous gustatory sensilla were found between the species examined, as well as within individu-als belonging to the same species. Functional aspects and variations in the distributions of these sensilla are discussed.
Locomotor muscle fatigue modifies central motor drive in healthy humans and imposes a limitation to exercise performance

We asked whether the central effects of fatiguing locomotor muscle fatigue exert an inhibitory influence on central motor drive to regulate the total degree of peripheral fatigue development. Eight cyclists performed constant‐workload prefatigue trials (a) to exhaustion (83% of peak power output (Wpeak), 10 ± 1 min; PFT83%), and (b) for an identical duration but at 67%Wpeak (PFT67%). Exercise‐induced peripheral quadriceps fatigue was assessed via changes in potentiated quadriceps twitch force (ΔQtw,pot) from pre‐ to post‐exercise in response to supra‐maximal femoral nerve stimulation (ΔQtw,pot). On different days, each subject randomly performed three 5 km time trials (TTs). First, subjects repeated PFT83% and the TT was started 4 min later with a known level of pre‐existing locomotor muscle fatigue (ΔQtw,pot−36%) (PFT83%‐TT). Second, subjects repeated PFT67% and the TT was started 4 min later with a known level of pre‐existing locomotor muscle fatigue (ΔQtw,pot−20%) (PFT67%‐TT). Finally, a control TT was performed without any pre‐existing level of fatigue. Central neural drive during the three TTs was estimated via quadriceps EMG. Increases in pre‐existing locomotor muscle fatigue from control TT to PFT83%‐TT resulted in significant dose‐dependent changes in central motor drive (−23%), power output (−14%), and performance time (+6%) during the TTs. However, the magnitude of locomotor muscle fatigue following various TTs was not different (ΔQtw,pot of −35 to −37%, P= 0.35). We suggest that feedback from fatiguing muscle plays an important role in the determination of central motor drive and force output, so that the development of peripheral muscle fatigue is confined to a certain level.
The C242T polymorphism of the p22phox component of NAD (P)H oxidase and vascular risk

Summary NAD(P)H oxidase is a prominent source of reactive oxygen species in the vasculature.Vascular NAD(P)H oxidase is comprised of several subunits, one of which, p22phox, is encoded by a gene exhibiting several allelic variants. Here the C242T nucleotide transition has been found to alter superoxide anion production and associated with an altered risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We assessed the role of this variant in two casecontrol studies, and performed a meta-analysis of previously reported investigations relating it to vascular risk. Population I was comprised of 492 subjects with type 2 diabetes, with or without macrovascular disease,matched for age,sex,and duration of diabetes. Population II was comprised of 158 subjects with or without either CAD or cerebro-vascular disease, and matched for age,sex,smoking status,weight category and the presence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. Our findings were metaanalyzed together with additional studies retrieved from the literature. The C242T polymorphism distribution did not differ between cases and controls in populations I and II both at univariate and multivariate analyses, and this was confirmed in a metaanalysis with || previously published populations. The metaanalysis, however, suggested a protective role of the T allele on CAD as an end point in Asian populations. In conclusion, these data suggest a significant heterogeneity for a modulating role of the T allele in the C242T polymorphism of p22-phox for the occurrence of CAD across ethnicities,with the absence of a significant effect in Caucasians.
Ileal brake failure in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat

Background: Diabetes mellitus frequently alters gastrointestinal function, but the pathophysiology of the diabetic gut has not been fully elucidated. Our aim was to characterize the enterogastric modulation of gastric emptying in an experimental model of diabetic rat and to determine the putative consequences of impaired regulation on glycaemic control. Methods: Studies were performed in streptozotozin‐induced diabetic and control groups of male Sprague‐Dawley rats. In rats fitted with chronic ileal cannulae, gastric emptying of a peptide meal was measured during ileal infusion of either lipids (ileal brake) or saline. The influence of the ileal brake mechanism on blood glucose levels after oral administration of a glucose solution was also evaluated. Results: Diabetic rats exhibited a precipitous gastric emptying (80% ± 3% versus 57% ± 3% in controls; P < 0.05). Ileal lipids delayed gastric emptying in control (38 ± 4%; P < 0.05 versus ileal saline) but not in diabetic animals (77 ± 5%; N.S. versus ileal saline). As the ileal brake contributes to the management of postprandial blood glucose levels (114 ± 4.9 mg/dL after ileal lipids versus 134 ± 7.8 mg/dL after ileal saline in control rats; P < 0.05), the failure of this mechanism in diabetic rats worsens glycaemic control after feeding (455 ± 20.4 mg/dL after ileal lipids versus 399 ± 8.7 mg/dL after ileal saline; P < 0.05). Conclusion: Experimental diabetes impairs the ileal brake mechanism and disturbs gastric emptying. These abnormalities may contribute to difficult glycaemic control.
Compassionate love for close others and humanity

A compassionate love scale was developed that can be used, in alternative forms, to assess compassionate or altruistic love for different targets (e.g., close others and all of humankind). Using three samples (total N= 529), the Compassionate Love scale was developed and piloted. Three studies (total N = 700) were then conducted to provide validation of the scale and to examine correlates of compassionate love. In support of our predictions, compassionate love was found to be associated positively with prosocial behavior, as directed both to close others and to all of humanity. Those who were more religious or spiritual experienced more compassionate love than those who were less religious or spiritual. Evidence was found that compassionate love is distinct from empathy. In the final study, we introduced a relationship-specific version of the Compassionate Love scale, and found that compassionate love for a specific close other was associated with the provision of social support for that person.
Macrophage ABCA1 reduces MyD88-dependent Toll-like receptor trafficking to lipid rafts by reduction of lipid raft cholesterol[S]

We previously showed that macrophages from macrophage-specific ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) knockout (Abca1-M/-M) mice had an enhanced proinflammatory response to the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 agonist, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), compared with wild-type (WT) mice. In the present study, we demonstrate a direct association between free cholesterol (FC), lipid raft content, and hyper-responsiveness of macrophages to LPS in WT mice. Abca1-M/-M macrophages were also hyper-responsive to specific agonists to TLR2, TLR7, and TLR9, but not TLR3, compared with WT macrophages. We hypothesized that ABCA1 regulates macrophage responsiveness to TLR agonists by modulation of lipid raft cholesterol and TLR mobilization to lipid rafts. We demonstrated that Abca1-M/-M vs. WT macrophages contained 23% more FC in isolated lipid rafts. Further, mass spectrometric analysis suggested raft phospholipid composition was unchanged. Although cell surface expression of TLR4 was similar between Abca1-M/-M and WT macrophages, significantly more TLR4 was distributed in membrane lipid rafts in Abca1-M/-M macrophages. Abca1-M/-M macrophages also exhibited increased trafficking of the predominantly intracellular TLR9 into lipid rafts in response to TLR9-specific agonist (CpG). Collectively, our data suggest that macrophage ABCA1 dampens inflammation by reducing MyD88-dependent TLRs trafficking to lipid rafts by selective reduction of FC content in lipid rafts.
Information theoretic considerations for coded modulation over fading channels

We compute the random coding error exponent for coded modulation transmitted over a flat, memoryless, Rayleigh fading channel. In addition, estimates of code lengths required to achieve a certain error probability are determined and compared to those required for the additive white Gaussian noise channel. Finally, the effect of receiver antenna diversity is also considered as a method to compensate for fading and is shown to have a significant, positive impact on the error exponent. The results we obtain represent an information theoretic view that complements the existing literature on the performance of coded modulation over fading channels with receiver diversity.
Chronic and acute stress and the prediction of major depression in women

Background: This study explored the relatively neglected role of chronic stress in major depression, examining the independent contributions of co‐occurring chronic and acute stress to depression, whether chronic stress predicts acute life events, and whether the two types of stress interact such that greater chronic stress confers greater sensitivity—or resistance—to the depressive effects of acute stressors. Methods: From a sample of 816 community women, those who had a major depression onset in the past 9 months and those without major depressive episodes (MDE) onset and with no history of current or recent dysthymic disorder were compared on interview‐based measures of antecedent acute and chronic stress. Chronic stress interviews rated objective stress in multiple everyday role domains, and acute stress was evaluated with contextual threat interviews. Results: MDE onset was significantly associated with both chronic and acute stress; chronic stress was also associated with the occurrence of acute events, and there was a trend suggesting that increased acute stress is more strongly associated with depression in those with high versus low chronic stress. Conclusions: Results suggest the importance of including assessment of chronic stress in fully understanding the extent and mechanisms of stress–depression relationships. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Designing video narratives to contextualize content for ESL learners: a design process case study

In this paper we discuss how the Brigham Young University Technology Assisted Language Learning Group (BYU TALL Group) develops video-based dramatic narratives to increase the amount of context we provide to English as a second language (ESL) learners. First, we discuss the problem of decontextualization in education, the contextualism alternative, and how narrative can provide crucial context. Next, using ESL instruction as a case study, we compare non-narrative video-based language models with narrative models and discuss some of the potential benefits of narrative models. We then discuss issues to consider when using narrative models, and outline a narrative-focused design and development process with particular attention to those aspects critical to creating narratives that are simultaneously pedagogically sound, aesthetically credible, and engaging for learners to watch.
External stimuli and intracellular signalling in the modification of the nematode surface during transition to the mammalian host environment

SUMMARY Previous work has shown that the surface of infective larvae of parasitic nematodes will not bind the fluorescent lipid analogue 5-N(octadecanoyl)aminofluorescein (AF18) until after exposure of the parasite to mammalian tissue-culture conditions. In this study, culture media which are permissive or non-permissive for the acquisition of lipophilicity for AF18 were altered in order to examine possible stimuli involved. This showed that external alkaline pH and high sodium ion concentration were highly stimulatory. The internal signalling pathways which may be involved in the surface alteration were then examined using agents which are known to affect intracellular signalling in mammalian cells. The results indicated that elevation of cGMP levels was stimulatory whereas inhibition of a putative Na+/H+ antiporter or calcium mobilization was inhibitory, and it is argued that high intracellular levels of cAMP may be inhibitory. Whilst the precise effects of the agents used on nematode cells remain to be established, these results provide a framework for the examination of the processes involved in the modification of the nematode surface which takes place immediately after the infection event.
Effect of antepartum meconium staining on perinatal and neonatal outcomes among pregnancies with gastroschisis

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between meconium staining and perinatal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies with gastroschisis. Methods: Retrospective analysis of infants with prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis born in two academic medical centers between 2008 and 2013. Neonatal outcomes of deliveries with and without meconium staining were compared. Primary outcome was defined as any of the following: neonatal sepsis, prolonged mechanical ventilation, bowel atresia or death. Secondary outcomes were preterm delivery, preterm-premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and prolonged hospital length of stay. Results: One hundred and eight infants with gastroschisis were included of which 56 (52%) had meconium staining at delivery. Infants with meconium staining had a lower gestational age at delivery (36.3 (±1.4) versus 37.0 (±1.2) weeks, p = 0.007), and a higher rate of PPROM (25% versus 8%, p = 0.03) than infants without meconium. Meconium staining was not significantly associated with the primary composite outcome or with any of its components. After adjustments, meconium staining remained significantly associated with preterm delivery at <36 weeks [odds ratio OR = 4.0, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.5–11.4] and PPROM (OR = 3.8, 95%CI: 1.2–14.5). Conclusions: Among infants with gastroschisis, meconium staining was associated with prematurity and PPROM. No significant increase in other adverse neonatal outcomes was seen among infants with meconium staining, suggesting a limited prognostic value of this finding.