Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of Tear Production and Intraocular Pressure With Rebound Tonometry in Wild Humboldt Penguins (Spheniscus humboldti)

Abstract Tear production and intraocular pressures (IOPs) were determined in 38 and 102 wild Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti), respectively, from the Punta San Juan Marine Protected Area in Ica, Peru. Tear production was measured by Schirmer tear test, and IOP was measured with a TonoVet rebound tonometer. Adult (n = 90) and chick (n = 12) penguins were sampled from 2 different beaches (north and south facing) during 2 sampling years (2010 and 2011). Results showed a mean ± SD (range) of 9 ± 4 (2–20) mm/min for tear production and 28 ± 9 (3–49) mm Hg for IOP. Tear production in penguins differed between beach and sex, whereas IOP differed between age, year, and beach. The IOPs were negatively correlated with packed cell volume. Tear production and IOP values had greater variation in this population than it has in other avian species. Previous investigations of IOP and tear production in Spheniscus species were conducted with birds housed under professional care in artificial marine and freshwater environments. This is the first study, to our knowledge, investigating tear production and IOP in wild penguins and establishes valuable reference intervals for this species.
Ribosomal operon intergenic sequence region (ISR) heterogeneity in Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni

Aims: The intergenic sequence regions (ISR) between the 16S and 23S genes of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are markedly different for each species. However, in the genomic sequence for Camp. coliRM2228, two rRNA operons have an ISR that is characteristic of Camp. coli, and the third operon is characteristic of Camp. jejuni. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ISR heterogeneity in these organisms.
A Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme Implies Population Structure and Reveals Several Putative Novel Achromobacter Species

ABSTRACT The genus Achromobacter currently is comprised of seven species, including Achromobacter xylosoxidans, an opportunistic and nosocomial pathogen that displays broad-spectrum antimicrobial resistance and is recognized as causing chronic respiratory tract infection in persons with cystic fibrosis (CF). To enable strain typing for global epidemiologic investigations, to clarify the taxonomy of “Achromobacter-like” strains, and to elucidate the population structure of this genus, we developed a genus-level multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme. We employed in silico analyses of whole-genome sequences of several phylogenetically related genera, including Bordetella, Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, Herminiimonas, Janthinobacterium, Methylibium, and Ralstonia, for selecting loci and designing PCR primers. Using this MLST scheme, we analyzed 107 genetically diverse Achromobacter isolates cultured from biologic specimens from CF and non-CF patients, 1 isolate recovered from sludge, and an additional 39 strains obtained from culture collections. Sequence data from these 147 strains, plus three recently genome-sequenced Achromobacter strains, were assigned to 129 sequence types based on seven loci. Calculation of the nucleotide divergence of concatenated locus sequences within and between MLST clusters confirmed the seven previously named Achromobacter species and revealed 14 additional genogroups. Indices of association showed significant linkage disequilibrium in all of the species/genogroups able to be tested, indicating that each group has a clonal population structure. No clear segregation of species/genogroups between CF and non-CF sources was found.
Student Characteristics and Academic Variables Associated with STEM Transfer Students from Community College

The Obama administration has been investing and promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. In the federal 5-year STEM strategic plan, community colleges are proposed to play a key role in recruiting and preparing future scientists and engineers, especially among students from traditionally underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. Through a grant from the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Education Grants Program, the STEM Center was established at a community college in Northern California. The STEM Center integrated all STEM student support services within STEM academic study. Through leveraging multiple grants, the STEM Center provides a set of comprehensive student support services, including study groups, tutoring, STEM-specific academic counseling and career exploration, and information on internships and scholarships. The STEM support services are strategically planned and provided with the goal of increasing the number of STEM students at the college, and preparing them for transferring to 4-year institutions. This paper presents results from an exploratory examination of the impact that the STEM Center has had on increasing the number of STEM students who are transfer-ready and who transferred to a 4-year institution over a 5year period (from 2009-10 to 2014-15 academic years). The results indicated that Cañada has increased the number of transfer-ready STEM students, particularly of minority students, male students, and students ages 18-24. In addition, results from three logistic regression analyses examining which specific academic and student support services were important in getting a student to transfer, indicated that transfer-ready STEM students who were younger, have earned transferable credits between 60 and 90, and have accessed some level of STEM-specific support services were more likely to transfer to a 4-year institution within a reasonable time frame.
Desmoplasia and its relevance to colorectal tumour invasion

Some invasive tumours characteristically have an abundant stroma rich in collagen, the production of which is termed the desmoplastic response. It has been suggested that this response may have a protective effect, and act to limit the process of tumour invasion. To investigate this possibility, we have examined various colorectal tumours for inter‐ and intra‐tumoural variations in the desmoplastic response. As markers of this response, the distributions of collagen‐I protein and myofibroblasts have been demonstrated by immunocytochemistry, while collagen‐I messenger RNA has been demonstrated by in situ hybridization (ISH). Evidence of a desmoplastic response was obvious in carcinomas, but not in non‐invasive adenomas. In carcinomas, we found that the response was marked in the tumour centre, where morphological features of active invasion have been reported to be absent. By contrast, we found little evidence of a desmoplastic response at the invasive edge of these carcinomas, where features suggestive of active invasion are prominent: in this location, collagen‐I immunostaining was limited and myofibroblasts were sparsely distributed or absent. While our ISH results suggested active collagen‐I synthesis in the tumour centre, there was little evidence of collagen‐I synthesis in host tissues ahead of the invasion front. On the basis of these and other reported findings, we suggest that, while the desmoplastic response may reduce the invasive activity of neoplastic cells in the tumour centre, it fails to prevent the spread of colorectal cancer because of its deficiency at the invasive edge.
Financial independence of regencies and cities in Central Java

This research aims to identify and to map the financial independence of the local government. This research uses ratio analysis to identify the financial independent analysis and typology to map the local government financial level. The research indicates that the financial independence tends to increase in all regions. Based on the financial independent analysis, Semarang and Tegal have lower financial dependence with the consultative relationship pattern rather than 33 other regions that have higher financial dependent level with the instructive relationship pattern. The mapping results of financial independence are in the following: ten cities or regencies have self-financial dependency below the average toward the central government, seven regencies have self-sufficient above the average toward the central government, and eighteen regencies have self-sufficient below the average toward the central government.
Strengthening a Learning-Centered College/University Classroom in Ethiopia: Current Wisdom in Teacher Professional Development

The purpose of this article is to show increased concern in the new ways of structuring schooling in college/university classroom to address the learning needs of students. Accordingly, the cognitive view of motivation serves as a conceptual framework to understand students’ learning. In the past decade, we have seen the Higher Diploma Programme (HDP), which was developed as a result of the study into the quality and effectiveness of teacher education in Ethiopia focused on teaching techniques in Ethiopian college/university classrooms, a movement that emphasizes active learning, practicum, action research, reflection, and managing learning. Relatively little emphasis was paid on student´s motivational beliefs that are presumed to occur in instructional settings. The reform seemed to reflect time-worn assumptions about learners and learning that may limit teacher´s ways of thinking about the role of the college/university student in the classroom (refer appendix). Fortunately, this state of concern is very much similar with the state of classroom learning in the early 1980s. This intensive focus on teaching techniques, but largely ignoring students’ motivational beliefs that occur in instructional settings may lead teachers to the conclusion that a focus merely on instruction is one-sided. Hence, efforts must be made to strengthen a more balanced discourse that emphasizes the subtle nuances and complexities of learning within any discussion of teaching. One change that could begin to maximize students` learning would strengthen “learning-centered" classroom. To strengthen “learning-centered” classroom the theoretical review focuses on how students’ motivational beliefs and teachers’ behavior/instructional factors influence students’ motivation to learn. The review concluded that a learning-centered perspective regards the classroom as a dynamic setting where pedagogical practices and learners’ motivational beliefs meet and where the quality of this interaction influences the learning needs of students that are presumed to occur in college classrooms. Presumably if the next generation of teachers designed their classroom environments to be in accord with these recommendations, future generations of university/college students would be much more motivated than the current one. Hence to achieve this expectation, a continuous professional development programme for college/university teachers which focuses on student motivational beliefs is urgently needed. Action to strengthened learning-centred classroom is vital to improve the quality of teacher professional development in Ethiopia. Finally, the review has implication concerns voiced the current wisdom about teacher professional development in Ethiopia.
Racial Gerrymandering of Municipal Borders: Direct Democracy, Participatory Democracy, and Voting Rights in the United States

As cities expand their jurisdictional borders via the process of municipal annexation, they sometimes leave low-income and minority enclaves perpetually excluded on the urban fringe, a process known as municipal underbounding. Despite a number of small-scale studies documenting the gerrymandering of municipal borders, robust empirical evidence of its extent is limited and little is known about the institutional factors that facilitate or stymie efforts to underbound poor and minority communities. In this article, a metropolitan area matching design is used to measure the effect of state annexation laws and federal protection of voting rights under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act on municipal underbounding between 1990 and 2010 in the United States. The analysis finds that laws that facilitate participation by city residents in annexation decisions lead to the underbounding of black neighborhoods, whereas those that provide third-party oversight of annexation decisions or expand opportunities for participation by residents living on the fringe lead to the inclusion of black neighborhoods. There is little evidence that such patterns of underbounding are driven by economic or fiscal considerations. In light of the 2013 invalidation by the Supreme Court of Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, there is likely a nascent return to racial gerrymandering of municipal borders occurring in the South, particularly in states where city residents are granted some measure of influence over annexation. The results suggest the need for renewed attention to local government boundary changes and their role in facilitating and exacerbating racial discrimination.
Moderate influenza vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation with A(H3N2) and A(H1N1) influenza in 2013–14: Results from the InNHOVE network

ABSTRACT We conducted a multicentre test negative case control study to estimate the 2013–14 influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against hospitalised laboratory confirmed influenza in 12 hospitals in France, Italy and Spain. We included all ≥18 years hospitalised patients targeted by local influenza vaccination campaign reporting an influenza-like illness within 7 days before admission. We defined as cases patients RT-PCR positive for influenza and as controls those negative for all influenza virus. We used a logistic regression to calculate IVE adjusted for country, month of onset, chronic diseases and age. We included 104 A(H1N1)pdm09, 157 A(H3N2) cases and 585 controls. The adjusted IVE was 42.8% (95%CI: 6.3;65;0) against A(H1N1)pdm09. It was respectively 61.4% (95%CI: −1.9;85.4), 39.4% (95%CI: −32.2;72.2) and 19.7% (95%CI:-148.1;74.0) among patients aged 18–64, 65–79 and ≥80 years. The adjusted IVE against A(H3N2) was 38.1% (95%CI: 8.3;58.2) overall. It was respectively 7.8% (95%CI: −145.3;65.4), 25.6% (95%CI: −36.0;59.2) and 55.2% (95%CI: 15.4;76.3) among patients aged 18–64, 65–79 and ≥80 years. These results suggest a moderate and age varying effectiveness of the 2013–14 influenza vaccine to prevent hospitalised laboratory-confirmed influenza. While vaccination remains the most effective prevention measure, developing more immunogenic influenza vaccines is needed to prevent severe outcomes among target groups.
Cerebrospinal fluid monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in alcoholics: support for a neuroinflammatory model of chronic alcoholism.

BACKGROUND Liver inflammation in alcoholism has been hypothesized to influence the development of a neuroinflammatory process in the brain characterized by neurodegeneration and altered cognitive function. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (MCP-1/CCL2) elevations have been noted in the alcoholic brain at autopsy and may have a role in this process. METHODS We studied cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of MCP-1 as well as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α in 13 healthy volunteers and 28 alcoholics during weeks 1 and 4 following detoxification. Serum liver enzymes were obtained as markers of alcohol-related liver inflammation. RESULTS Compared to healthy volunteers, MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in alcoholics both on day 4 and day 25 (p < 0.0001). Using multiple regression analysis, we found that MCP-1 concentrations were positively associated with the liver enzymes gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT; p = 0.03) and aspartate aminotransferase/glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (AST/GOT; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary findings are consistent with the hypothesis that neuroinflammation as indexed by CSF MCP-1 is associated with alcohol-induced liver inflammation, as defined by peripheral concentrations of GGT and AST/GOT.
Single Event Susceptibility Analysis in CBRAM Resistive Memory Arrays

Ion-strike-induced single event transients in a type of nonvolatile resistive memory known as conductive bridge resistive memory (CBRAM) are investigated. Experimental data demonstrating bit upsets in 1T-1R devices under heavy ion strike are presented which show evidence of transitions from not only high to low resistance states but also from low to high resistance states. This is reported for such devices here for the first time. Device and circuit level simulations performed under various bias conditions are used to analyze possible upset modes. A crossbar CBRAM architecture without transistor selectors that offers higher density is also analyzed and shown to be susceptible to multiple bit upsets unlike 1T-1R array. Susceptibility of a 256 ×256 crossbar array to strike induced transients under two different bias schemes is simulated.
Mechanisms dependent on tryptophan catabolism regulate immune responses in primary Sjögren's syndrome

To investigate the possible role of tryptophan metabolism in immune regulation of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) the serum concentrations of tryptophan and its metabolite kynurenine were measured by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 103 patients with pSS, 56 patients with sicca symptoms and 309 healthy blood donors. The kynurenine per tryptophan ratio (kyn/trp), which reflects the activity of the indoleamine‐pyrrole 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme involved in tryptophan catabolism, was calculated. Both female and male patients with pSS had significantly higher serum kynurenine concentrations and kyn/trp than subjects with sicca symptoms or healthy blood donors. The median (quartile range) concentration of kynurenine in female patients with pSS was 2·41 µmol/l (1·86–3·26) compared with 1·85 µmol/l (1·58–2·38, P < 0·0001) in subjects with sicca symptoms and 1·96 µmol/l (1·65–2·27, P < 0·0001) in healthy blood donors. Their kyn/trp × 1000 was 34·0 (25·1–44·3) compared with 25·3 (21·1–31·5, P < 0·0001) in subjects with sicca symptoms and 24·3 (21·0–28·9, P < 0·0001) in healthy blood donors. Female pSS patients with high IDO activity (kyn/trp × 1000 ≥ 34·0) had significantly higher ESR, serum C‐reactive protein, serum IgA and serum beta‐2 microglobulin concentrations as well as higher serum creatinine levels, and they had positive antinuclear antibodies more frequently and presented with more American‐European consensus group criteria than those with low IDO activity (kyn/trp × 1000 < 34·0). These data suggest that mechanisms dependent on tryptophan catabolism regulate immune responses in pSS. Tryptophan degradation is enhanced in patients with pSS, and high IDO activity is associated with severity of pSS.
Addison's disease in women is a risk factor for an adverse pregnancy outcome.

CONTEXT Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) tends to affect young and middle-aged women. It is not known whether the existence of undiagnosed or diagnosed AAD influences the outcome of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to compare the number of children and pregnancy outcomes in individuals with AAD and controls. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted a population-based historical cohort study in Sweden. PATIENTS Through the Swedish National Patient Register and the Total Population Register, we identified 1,188 women with AAD and 11,879 age-matched controls who delivered infants between 1973 and 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We measured parity and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for infants born to mothers with deliveries 3 yr or less before the diagnosis of AAD were 2.40 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27-4.53] for preterm birth (≤37 wk), 3.50 (95% CI, 1.83-6.67) for low birth weight (<2500 g), and 1.74 (95% CI, 1.02-2.96) for cesarean section. Compared to controls, women who gave birth after their AAD diagnosis were at increased risk of both cesarean delivery (adjusted OR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.68-3.27) and preterm delivery (adjusted OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.69-4.05). Stratifying by isolated AAD and concomitant type 1 diabetes and/or autoimmune thyroid disease in the mother did not essentially influence these risks. There were no differences in risks of congenital malformations or infant death. Women with AAD had a reduced overall parity compared to controls (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Clinically undiagnosed and diagnosed AAD both entail increased risks of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. AAD also influences the number of childbirths.
Effectiveness of Reduced Radioiodine Activity for Thyroid Remnant Ablation after Total Thyroidectomy in Patients with Low to Intermediate Risk Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma

Summary Aim: To compare the success rates of radioiodine therapy (RIT) for thyroid remnant ablation (TRA) after the administration of a high-standard activity (3700 MBq; 100 mCi) to a lower-activity regimen of 2000 MBq (54 mCi) I-131 in a cohort of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients (papillary, follicular, mixed, pT1a(m) – pT3, N0 – NX, R0). Methods: 135 patients received approx. 2000 MBq I-131 (54 mCi) for thyroid remnant ablation after total thyroidectomy for DTC, 137 patients received approx. 3700 MBq (100 mCi) I-131. Ablation success was defined as thyroglobulin (TG) levels < 0.5 ng/ml after stimulation, negative I-131 whole-body scan and inconspicuous results on neck ultrasonography approximately 6 months after initial RIT. Results: In the follow-up 84.4 % of patients in the reduced-activity group and 87.6 % of the patients in the standard-activity group did not show any relevant residual I-131 uptake in the thyroid bed (p = 0.454). 90 % in the reduced-activity group and 91 % in the standard-activity group demonstrated a stimulated TG level < 0.5 ng/ml (p = 0.969). All patients were unre-markable in cervical ultrasonography. The success rate was comparable in both groups (81.5 % in the reduced-activity group vs. 83.9 % in the standard-activity group, p = 0.592). No re-therapy was required in 85.2 % of the patients in the low-activity group as compared to 87.6 % of the patients in the standard-activity group (p = 0.563). Conclusions: We could demonstrate that irrespective of the activity administered, the patients had comparable success rates with regard to TRA as defined by our criteria. We thus consider the use of a reduced-activity regimen for TRA safe and feasible in the patient cohort examined in this study.
Impact of Early Nasal Obstruction in Histological Development of and Physiological State

Introduction: Nasal obstruction is a risk factor in sleep-disordered breathing with a negative Methods: The rats were killed at specific time points after surgery. Plasma samples were taken for biochemical analyses, and histological measurements were performed. Shortly after nasal obstruction, the volumes of external plexiform (CPE), internal plexiform (CGI), and granule cell (CGr) was measured in both sexes of test rats compared with controls. Results and Conclusion: Reversible nasal obstruction was further associated with reduced dimensions of the volumes of CPE (male: 55%; female: 37%), CGI (male: 49%; female: 34%) and CGr (male: 70%; female: 47%). Basal corticosterone levels had increased in female rats, however, we observed the lower level of thyroid hormone, especially in male experimental group.
Population ageing and future labour market challenges

The chapter provides an overview of the labour market challenges posed by a fast ageing global population. It shows that, while the ratio of potential retirees per person participating in the labour market is expected to increase markedly by 2030, the average age of those in the labour force is also set to gradually increase over the same period. These dynamics pose the dual challenge of keeping retirees out of poverty while promoting decent work outcomes for the growing share of older workers in the labour force. The chapter concludes by highlighting a number of policy options to tackle these challenges.