Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time-Dependent Disruption of Oviduct Pacemaker Cells by Chlamydia Infection in Mice1

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most commonly reported infectious disease in the United States. In women, this infection can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and cause ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility. Oviduct interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-OVI) have been identified as pacemakers, responsible for generating slow waves that underlie myosalpinx contractions that are critical for egg transport. ICC-OVI are damaged in mice by the host inflammatory response to Chlamydia, leading to loss of pacemaker activity and associated contractions. However the inflammatory mediator(s) that causes this damage has not been identified. Mice resolve C. muridarum 3–4 wk postinfection but it remains unexplored whether ICC-OVI and pacemaker activity recovers. We have investigated the time dependence of C. muridarum infection with respect to ICC-OVI loss and examined the inflammatory mediator(s) that may be responsible for this damage. Intracellular recordings from the myosalpinx were made at 1, 2, 4 and 7 wk postinfection with Chlamydia. Immunohistochemistry was performed at similar time points to examine changes in ICC-OVI networks and expression of nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) and prostaglandin synthase 2 (PTGS2). Chlamydia-induced expression of NOS2 occurred in stellate-shaped, macrophage-like cells, and damage to ICC-OVI and pacemaker activity occurred as NOS2 expression increased. Immunohistochemistry revealed that macrophages were in close proximity to ICC-OVI. Changes to ICC-OVI were not correlated with PTGS2 expression. These data suggest that ICC-OVI networks and pacemaker activity may be damaged by nitric oxide produced in NOS2-expressing macrophages in response to C. muridarum infection. As the infection resolves, NOS2 expression decreases, ICC-OVI networks recover, and pacemaker activity resumes.
Exposure pattern influences the degree of drug-seeking behaviour after withdrawal

Objectives The occurrence of a relapse during abstinence is an important issue that must be addressed during treatment for drug addiction. We investigated the influence of drug exposure pattern on morphine-seeking behaviour following withdrawal. We also studied the role of the hippocampus in this process to confirm its involvement in drug relapse. Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats that were trained to self-administer morphine (1.0 mg/kg) using 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 h daily sessions underwent withdrawal in their home cages and were re-exposed to the operant chamber to evaluate morphine-seeking behaviour. During the relapse session, rats were intravenously injected with morphine (0.25 mg/kg) or saline before re-exposure to the chamber. In the second experiment, rats were administered a microinjection of saline or cobalt chloride (CoCl2, 1 mM), a synaptic blocker, into the CA1 of the hippocampus prior to the relapse test. Results In the first experiment, more morphine-seeking behaviour was observed in the 2 h group (animals trained to self-administer morphine during a 2 h daily session spread over 21 days) during the relapse session, despite all groups being exposed to similar amounts of morphine during the training period before withdrawal. In the second experiment, pretreatment with CoCl2 markedly reduced morphine-seeking behaviour in the 2 h group. Conclusions The present findings suggest that the exposure pattern influences the degree of relapse and that control of memorisation is important for prevention of relapse.
Laboratory Paradigms of Impulsivity and Alcohol Dependence: A Review

Impulsivity can be defined as choosing a smaller, immediate reward over a larger, delayed reward. From this perspective, addictive behaviors such as substance abuse and pathological gambling reflect a series of impulsive choices. However, impulsivity is not a homogeneous construct. Laboratory measures of impulsivity reflect two types of processes. The first is related to behavioral inhibition and refers to an individual’s ability to appropriately inhibit thoughts or actions. The second is the delay of reward dimension, namely the degree to which immediate (rewarding) consequences have more control over an individual’s behavior than consequences that are delayed. In this review, we describe how alcohol is associated with significant impairments in these paradigms. We also suggest that they may have a role in the development of alcohol dependence. These results are in agreement with a model in which delay of gratification might be a marker for early use and/or abuse of alcohol, whereas impairment in behavioral inhibition might be a marker for maintained use in time and, therefore, for progression towards alcohol dependence.
A Distance-Based Approach to Entity Reconciliation in Heterogeneous Databases

In modern organizations, decision makers must often be able to quickly access information from diverse sources in order to make timely decisions. A critical problem facing many such organizations is the inability to easily reconcile the information contained in heterogeneous data sources. To overcome this limitation, an organization must resolve several types of heterogeneity problems that may exist across different sources. We examine one such problem called the entity heterogeneity problem, which arises when the same real-world entity type is represented using different identifiers in different applications. A decision-theoretic model to resolve the problem is proposed. Our model uses a distance measure to express the similarity between two entity instances. We have implemented the model and tested it on real-world data. The results indicate that the model performs quite well in terms of its ability to predict whether two entity instances should be matched or not. The model is shown to be computationally efficient. It also scales well to large relations from the perspective of the accuracy of prediction. Overall, the test results imply that this is certainly a viable approach in practical situations.
Cervical cytology of atypical squamous cells–cannot exclude high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC‐H)

The 2001 Bethesda System category of atypical squamous cells (ASC) denotes changes suggestive, but inconclusive for, a squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). ASC is subcategorized as: 1) “undetermined significance (ASC‐US),” when changes suggest low‐grade or indeterminate‐grade SIL and 2) “cannot exclude high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC‐H),” when a cancer precursor is suspected.
ADAPTATION, CONSTRAINT, AND COMPROMISE IN AVIAN POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT

1. This paper discusses factors that influence the evolution of growth rate and determine its variation among species of birds. Growth rate is related to evolutionary fitness through the use of time, energy, and nutrients. In addition, balances between factors favouring rapid growth and those favouring slow growth may be investigated directly by experiment and by comparative observation.
Changes in CEO Stock Option Grants: A Look at the Numbers

We study changes in CEO stock option grants. Unlike most of the literature, we focus on the number rather than the value of options granted. We first provide a detailed description of the main aggregate trends in CEO stock option grants. We then consider the cross-sectional heterogeneity in option-granting activity. We find that CEOs who either overinvest or underinvest subsequently receive fewer stock options as part of their compensation packages. CEOs who hold exercisable deeply-in-the-money options (overconfident CEOs) also receive fewer stock options in subsequent periods. Our findings provide insights into the dynamics of CEO compensation contracts.
A Contingency View of Porter's “Generic Strategies”

According to Porter, cost leadership and product differentiation can be pursued simultaneously only under rare conditions: It is also unclear how these strategies can be implemented. In this article Porter's generic strategies are linked to external preconditions. This approach shows that the generic strategies are not mutually exclusive and that each strategy may be linked to a variety of strategic means. The implications that these results have for structuring organizations are discussed.
Chronoepidemiological search for circannual changes in the sexual activity of human males.

Indirect evidence of circannual (about 1-year) rhythms in the sexual activity of human males was examined utilizing the data of reported rapes in Paris, France, for 1972-78, and Houston, Texas, for 1974-75. In addition, data were available for nearly a 10-year span from Houston, Texas, as the monthly detections of the sexually transmitted diseases (STD) of syphilis and gonorrhea. The results of conventional and cosinor techniques revealed circannual rhythms in the occurrence of rape in both Paris and Houston. With regard to the former sample of 836 reported rapes, cosinor analysis revealed a circannual 0 of July 1, with the 95% CI extending from June 10 to July 20. For Houston, based upon a sample of 1,133 reported rapes, the circannual 0 occurred slightly later, around September 1, with the 95% CI extending from August 15 to September 15. Even though the overall yearly totals of reported rape differed by 4-fold between the 2 cities, the A of the circannual rhythms when expressed relative to the respective M were nearly identical, being 21.6% for Paris and 21.4% for Houston. The data on STD (3,024 cases of primary syphilis and 179,064 cases of gonorrhea), when analyzed by cosinor analysis, also revealed circannual rhythmicity. For gonorrhea, a circannual 0 of October 5, with the 95% CI from July 6 to September 4, was found; for primary syphilis the circannual 0 was somewhat delayed, occurring on November 11, with the 95% CI between October 10 and December 3. These findings, considered together with the reported observations by others of circannual rhythms in plasma testosterone and sexual activity in males as well as the sales of over-the-counter contraceptives, etc., imply that man may be regarded as a seasonal breeder, becoming more sexually active when the photoperiod becomes reduced, i.e. in the autumn. These observations provide new insight into the (chrono)epidemiology of rape and STD.
Visfatin and ghrelin: can they be forthcoming biomarkers or new drug targets for asthma?

BACKGROUND & AIM Asthma represents chronic inflammation of the airways and is associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. A novel adipokine visfatin and an appetite-modulating hormone ghrelin play a role in several diseases related with inflammation. Although visfatin is a pro-inflammatory adipokine, ghrelin mainly exerts anti-inflammatory effects. However, very little is known about the role of visfatin and ghrelin in asthma. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of visfatin and ghrelin in asthma by evaluating their serum levels in asthmatic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was performed on 27 asthma and 23 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected in tubes without EDTA. Serum levels of visfatin and ghrelin were measured by human ELISA assay kits. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 16.0 package program and differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS Serum levels of visfatin and ghrelin were significantly higher in asthma group (respectively; p = 0.001, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION While visfatin has a pro-inflammatory role, ghrelin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in asthma. Therefore, visfatin can be a forthcoming biomarker and ghrelin may be a new anti-inflammatory drug target to diagnose and treat asthmatic patients.
Beliefs, attitudes and behaviour towards Web advertising

To examine Web users' beliefs, attitudes and behaviour towards Web advertising, Pollay and Mittal's (1993) belief model is tested via structural equation modelling. The results suggest the model is a robust Web advertising effectiveness measurement tool. Underlying the study are the hypotheses that Web users' attitudes towards Web advertising are a function of several belief factors and influence users' behavioural intention. Results indicate the belief factors—product information, hedonic pleasure, and social role and image—related positively to subjects' attitudes towards Web advertising. Web users' beliefs about materialism, falsity/no sense and value corruption related negatively to their attitudes towards Web advertising. Web advertising attitudes impacted on reported behaviour towards Web advertising such that the more positive Web users' attitudes were towards Web advertising, the greater the likelihood that they would respond favourably to Web ads. In addition, the higher the respondents' income and education, the more negative their reported behaviour towards Web advertising.
Impact of Accounting Information Systems on Profitability of Small Scale Businesses: A Case of Kampala City in Uganda

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of accounting information systems on profitability level of small scale businesses in Kampala city. Uganda, East Africa. The Major problem identified was that, most small scale businesses do not have accounting information systems which result into continuous low performance levels. Descriptive method was used where qualitative data was collected. Secondary data was collected to analyze the impact of accounting information systems on profitability level of small scale businesses. Research findings revealed that most small scale businesses do not apply accounting information systems which result into low profits. In addition to that, the findings show that there is a positive relationship between accounting information systems and profitability level of small scale businesses. Accounting plays an important role in our economic and social systems especially in its management and great work it does in facilitating management decision making process. This study therefore recommends that small scale businesses should adopt these systems in their business management. The Government and policy makers should come up with policies and guidelines that will facilitate the implementation of these systems in the business environment. Such policies could include tax waivers or tax reductions on equipment to be used in these systems.
Thymic re‐entry of mature activated T cells and increased negative selection in vascularized allograft recipients

Transplantation tolerance is a dynamic state that involves several homeostatic mechanisms intrinsic to the host. One of these mechanisms is activation‐induced T cell death (AICD). However, it is unclear where AICD takes place during alloreactive responses. Since activated T cells can re‐enter the thymus, we hypothesized that mature T cells activated by an allograft could be deleted upon re‐entry into the thymus. To test this hypothesis, we used wild‐type or 2C TCR transgenic mice receiving syngeneic or allogeneic heterotopic, vascularized heart grafts. First, we demonstrated that ex vivo CFSE‐labelled T cells re‐entered the thymus when transferred into allograft recipients but not when transferred into isograft recipients. Next, we compared the changes in cell subset numbers and incidence of apoptosis in the thymi and spleens of allograft or isograft recipients. Seven days after transplantation, at a time in which all the allografts were undergoing rejection, cells expressing donor‐MHC class II molecules had migrated to the thymus and to the spleen. In the thymus of allograft recipients, overall cellularity was significantly reduced by 40% and associated with an increase in the number of double negative (CD4−CD8−) thymocytes and a decrease in double positive (CD4+CD8+) thymocytes, consistent with increased negative selection of thymocytes. Additionally, thymi of allograft recipients showed an increase in the number of recently activated, mature T cells (TCRhi, CD25+, CD44+) and a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells, especially in the thymic medulla, that involved mature T cells as indicated by the TCRhi, CD44+, CD4 or CD8 single positive phenotype. Spleens of allograft recipients were increased in size and cellularity but did not show any of the changes in cell subsets seen in the thymi. Our data show that after allografting there is an increase in apoptotic cell death that is associated with negative selection of developing thymocytes as well as of alloreactive mature T cells that have re‐entered the thymus upon activation in the periphery. This may occur upon migration of graft‐derived antigen‐presenting cells to the thymus.
Some observations on the fine structure of the pancreatic islet of rabbits, with special reference to B cell alteration in the hypoglycemic state induced by alloxan treatment.

As to the fine structure of the pancreatic islet, numerous papers have been published since the works of LACY (1957 a, b) and FERREIRA (1957). However, there are still some problems concerning the production and extrusion mechanisms of the secretory granules of islet cells, though beautiful schemata have been represented in a few reports. The present authors observed several features showing the meschanism of production and release of the secretory granules in A and B cells. It is well known that the striking hypoglycemia, sometimes the hypoglycemic shock is induced several hours after alloxan treatment. Though several papers have already been published on the fine structure of B cells in alloxan-diabetic animals (WILLIAMSON and LACY 1959, FALKMER and OLSSON 1962, MERLINI and CARAMIA 1965, BURTON and VENSEL 1966 and so on), the relationship between the alloxanhypoglycemia and the fine structural alteration of the cell has not yet been clarified. We have obtained numerous pictures giving some suggestions to solve this problem.
The role of executive function in children's competent adjustment to middle school

Executive function (EF) skills play an important role in children's cognitive and social functioning. These skills develop throughout childhood, concurrently with a number of developmental transitions and challenges. One of these challenges is the transition from elementary into middle-level schools, which has the potential to significantly disrupt children's academic and social trajectories. However, little is known about the role of EF in children's adjustment during this transition. This study investigated the relation between children's EF skills, assessed both before and during elementary school, and sixth grade academic and social competence. In addition, the influences of the type of school setting attended in sixth grade on children's academic and behavioral outcomes were examined. EF assessed prior to and during elementary school significantly predicted sixth grade competence, as rated by teachers and parents, in both academic and social domains, after controlling for background characteristics. The interactions between type of school setting and EF skills were significant: Parents tended to report more behavioral problems and less regulatory control in children with weaker EF skills who were attending middle school. In contrast, teachers reported greater academic and behavioral difficulty in students with poorer EF attending elementary school settings. In conclusion, children's performance-based EF skills significantly affect adjustment to the academic and behavioral demands of sixth grade, with parent report suggesting greater difficulty for children with poorer EF in settings where children are provided with less external supports (e.g., middle school).
THE INFLUENCE OF BRAND IMAGE AND CUSTOMER PERCEIVED VALUE TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND REVISIT INTENTION IN ECO GREEN PARK, BATU, EAST JAVA

The purpose of this study is to measure the influence of brand image and consumer perceived value on customer satisfaction and revisit intention in Eco Green Park, Batu, East Java. The use of variables is able to solve problems that arise in Eco Green Park. The sample in this research is the consumer who has ever visited the Eco Green Park, Batu, East Java. Convenience sampling technique using sampling with 150 respondents. Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis is applied to analyze the data using the model outer and inner models. The results showed that brand image has a significant relationship to customer satisfaction and intentions to come back, while the consumer perceived value also has a significant influence on consumer satisfaction and revisit intention. Consumer satisfaction itself has a significant influence on the revisit intention. K e ywords : brand image, perceived value, customer satisfaction, revisit Intention, Eco Green Park.
The Effect of Community Pharmacy–Based Interventions on Patient Health Outcomes

Many studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects that pharmacist-provided patient care services can have on patient health outcomes. However, the effectiveness of patient care services delivered by pharmacists in community pharmacy settings, where organizational barriers may affect service implementation or limit effectiveness, remains unclear. The authors systematically reviewed the literature on the effectiveness of pharmacist-delivered patient care services in community pharmacy settings in the United States. Of the 749 articles retrieved, 21 were eligible for inclusion in the review. Information concerning 134 outcomes was extracted from the included articles. Of these, 50 (37.3%) demonstrated statistically significant, beneficial intervention effects. The percentage of studies reporting favorable findings ranged from 50% for blood pressure to 0% for lipids, safety outcomes, and quality of life. Our findings suggest that evidence supporting the effectiveness of pharmacist-provided direct patient care services delivered in the community pharmacy setting is more limited than in other settings.
The ‘Catch 22’ of communicating CSR: Findings from a Danish study

This research explored the apparent ‘Catch 22’ of communicating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Although companies are regularly encouraged to engage in CSR, they are simultaneously discouraged to communicate about this engagement. We contribute with two models that may help to explain how companies can best communicate about their CSR initiatives. Based on a reputation survey and two case studies of Danish corporate CSR frontrunners, first we develop an ‘inside‐out approach’ to suggest how managers can manage their CSR activities to achieve favourable CSR reputation in a ‘Catch 22’ context. Employees appear as a key component in building trustworthiness as CSR communication is shown to evolve when taking an ‘inside‐out approach’. Second, we develop a CSR communication model with two CSR communication processes targeting different stakeholder groups: ‘the expert CSR communication process’ and ‘the endorsed CSR communication process’. Integrating these models and processes may help companies strategically capture reputational advantage from their CSR initiatives.