Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of calcium supplementation on milk production and hypocalcaemia

A dairy farmlet trial carried out in Central Taranaki in 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 examined the effects of calcium (Ca) supplementation (110-180 g/cow of fine limeflour drenched daily between calving in August and mid-mating in December) on serum Ca, incidence of milk fever and milksolids (MS) production at stocking rates of 2.5, 3.2, 3.7 and 4.2 Jersey cows/ha. Pasture Ca contents in spring were around 0.4% in both years and in the marginal to adequate range for dairy cow requirements. However, average blood serum Ca concentrations of 2.4 mmol/l were moderate and only 5% of non-Ca-treated cows occasionally had serum Ca less than 2 mmol/l, within the range for sub-clinical hypocalcaemia. Incidence of clinical milk fever was negligible (0-1%) in milking cows, with no treatment differences. There was no significant effect of Ca supplementation on MS production, although there was a consistent trend (all farmlets in both years) for a small response (3-4%) at the first herd testing.
Control of Dkk-1 ameliorates chondrocyte apoptosis, cartilage destruction, and subchondral bone deterioration in osteoarthritic knees.

OBJECTIVE Perturbation of Wnt signaling components reportedly regulates chondrocyte fate and joint disorders. The Wnt inhibitor Dkk-1 mediates remodeling of various tissue types. We undertook this study to examine whether control of Dkk-1 expression prevents joint deterioration in osteoarthritic (OA) knees. METHODS Anterior cruciate ligament transection-and collagenase-induced OA in rat knees was treated with end-capped phosphorothioate Dkk-1 antisense oligonucleotide (Dkk-1-AS). Articular cartilage destruction, cartilage degradation markers, bone mineral density (BMD), and subchondral trabecular bone volume of injured knee joints were measured using Mankin scoring, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, dual x-ray absorptiometry, and histomorphometry. Dkk-1-responsive molecule expression and apoptotic cells in knee tissue were detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and TUNEL staining. RESULTS Up-regulated Dkk-1 expression was associated with increased Mankin score and with increased serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) during OA development. Dkk-1-AS treatment alleviated OA-associated increases in Dkk-1 expression, Mankin score, cartilage fibrillation, and serum cartilage degradation markers. Dkk-1-AS also alleviated epiphyseal BMD loss and subchondral bone exposure associated with altered serum levels of osteocalcin and CTX-I. The treatment abrogated chondrocyte/osteoblast apoptosis and subchondral trabecular bone remodeling in OA. Dkk-1 knockdown increased levels of nuclear beta-catenin and phosphorylated Ser(473)-Akt but attenuated expression of inflammatory factors (Toll-like receptor 4 [TLR-4], TLR-9, interleukin-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha), the apoptosis regulator Bax, matrix metalloproteinase 3, and RANKL in OA knee joints. CONCLUSION Interference with the cartilage- and bone-deleterious actions of Dkk-1 provides therapeutic potential for alleviating cartilage destruction and subchondral bone damage in OA knee joints.
[An analysis of coping in a middle-aged community sample].

This study analyzes the ways 100 community-residing men and women aged 45 to 64 coped with the stressful events of daily living during one year. Lazarus's cognitive-phenomenological analysis of psychological stress provides the theoreticalframework. Information about recently experienced stressful encounters was elicited through monthly interviews and self-report questionnaires completed between interviews. At the end of each interview and questionnaire, the participant indicated on a 68-item Ways of Coping checklist those coping thoughts and actions used in the specific encounter. A mean of 13.3 episodes was reported by each participant. Two functions of coping, problem-focused and emotion-focused, are analyzed with separate measures. Both problemand emotion-focused coping were used in 98% of the 1,332 episodes, emphasizing that coping conceptualized in either defensive or problem-solving terms is incomplete-both functions are usually involved. Intraindividual analyses show that people are more variable than consistent in their coping patterns. The context of an event, who is involved, how it is appraised, age, and gender are examined as potential influences on coping. Context and how the event is appraised are the most potent factors. Work contexts favor problem-focused coping, and health contexts favor emotionfocused coping. Situations in which the person thinks something constructive can be done or that are appraised as requiring more information favor problem-focused coping, whereas those having to be acceptedfavor emotion-focused coping. There are no effects associated with age, and gender differences emerge only in problem-focused coping: Men use more problem-focused coping than women at work and in situations having to be accepted and requiring more information. Contrary to the cultural stereotype, there are no gender differences in emotionfocused coping.
Stories of change: the text analysis of handovers in an Italian psychiatric residential care home

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT? : There is a growing emphasis on communication as a result of the move towards the more inclusive approach associated with the community-based rehabilitation model. Therefore, more importance is attached to handovers. Besides ensuring transfer of information, handovers enhance group cohesion, socialize staff members to the practices of the service and capture its organizational culture. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE? : While handovers are mainly used for information transfer and to manage the services' daily routine, this paper offers an insight on how handovers can be conceived as valuable instruments to document cultural and organizational change. Only a limited amount of studies has focused on handovers in mental healthcare settings, and most of them only consider the perspectives of psychiatric nurses, while embracing a broader perspective, this paper provides valuable insights into the perspectives of various service providers. The overcoming of the dichotomy deficit-based vs. recovery-oriented model is possible if professionals use handovers to reflect upon their practice and the ways in which their cultural models are affected by the environmental context. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE? : Handovers are valuable instruments to document organizational change. It would be important for psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities to keep track of the handover records over time as they may provide insightful information about cultural change and the transformations in the core values and beliefs held by professionals. ABSTRACT Handovers assure a timely and correct information transfer while socializing workers to the service's culture; however, no study describes them as instruments to document organizational change and only a few have focused on psychiatric settings. Aim To investigate the change in the culture of an Italian psychiatric residential care home as perceived by its mental health workers (MHWs) over the course of two decades. Method Emotional text analysis (ETA) was used to analyse the MHWs' handovers completed from 1990 to 2011. Results The analysis generated four clusters and three main factors illustrating the change in the MHWs' representations of the residential care home and its occupants. The factors showed: (1) the shift from an individualistic, problem-focused view to an inclusive, community-based approach; (2) the presence of a descriptive as well as a specialized language; and (3) the presence of a double focus: on patients and professionals. Conclusions Handovers transcripts document the following changes: (1) a shift from a symptom-based to a recovery-oriented approach; (2) a modification of the MHWs values towards an holistic view of the patient; (3) a growing importance assigned to accountability, services integration and teamwork. The paper shows that handovers can be used diachronically to document organizational change.
Effect of production variables on microbiological removal in locally-produced ceramic filters for household water treatment

Diarrhoeal diseases cause an estimated 1.87 million child deaths per year. Point-of-use filtration using locally made ceramic filters improves microbiological quality of stored drinking water and prevents diarrhoeal disease. Scaling-up ceramic filtration is inhibited by lack of universal quality control standards. We investigated filter production variables to determine their affect on microbiological removal during 5–6 weeks of simulated normal use. Decreases in the clay:sawdust ratio and changes in the burnable decreased effectiveness of the filter. Method of silver application and shape of filter did not impact filter effectiveness. A maximum flow rate of 1.7 l−hr was established as a potential quality control measure for one particular filter to ensure 99% (2- log10) removal of total coliforms. Further research is indicated to determine additional production variables associated with filter effectiveness and develop standardized filter production procedures prior to scaling-up.
Molecular profiling identifies prognostic subgroups of pediatric glioblastoma and shows increased YB-1 expression in tumors.

PURPOSE Pediatric glioblastoma (pGBM) is a rare, but devastating brain tumor. In contrast to GBM in adults (aGBM), little is known about the mechanisms underlying its development. Our aim is to gain insight into the molecular pathways of pGBM. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two pGBM and seven aGBM samples were investigated using biochemical and transcriptional profiling. Ras and Akt pathway activation was assessed through the phosphorylation of downstream effectors, and gene expression profiles were generated using the University Health Network Human 19K cDNA arrays. Results were validated using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry and compared with existing data sets on aGBM. RESULTS There are at least two subsets of pGBM. One subset, associated with Ras and Akt pathway activation, has very poor prognosis and exhibits increased expression of genes related to proliferation and to a neural stem-cell phenotype, similar to findings in aggressive aGBM. This subset was still molecularly distinguishable from aGBM after unsupervised and supervised analysis of expression profiles. A second subset, with better prognosis, is not associated with activation of Akt and Ras pathways, may originate from astroglial progenitors, and does not express gene signatures and markers shown to be associated with long-term survival in aGBM. Both subsets of pGBM show overexpression of Y-box-protein-1 that may help drive oncogenesis in this tumor. CONCLUSION Our work, the first study of gene expression profiles in pGBM, provides valuable insight into active pathways and targets in a cancer with minimal survival, and suggests that these tumors cannot be understood exclusively through studies of aGBM.
Contrast sensitivity in amblyopia I. Changes during CAM treatment

Abstract Contrast sensitivity of 29 children (mean age 8 years) was measured at the beginning, at the end, and during the follow‐up of CAM treatment. The deficiency in contrast sensitivity of amblyopic eyes was most notable at high spatial frequencies, but in some cases it also occurred at intermediate and low spatial frequencies. Individually no distinct association was noticed between various CSF‐types and different groups of amblyopia, but on average in anisometropia the deficiency at low spatial frequencies was more pronounced than in purely strabismic cases. During treatment contrast sensitivity improved significantly, most notably at high frequencies. Correlation between visual acuity and contrast sensitivity was poor. During follow‐up visual acuity deteriorated in most cases, but contrast sensitivity remained on the level where it was at the end of the treatment. Our modification of measuring contrast sensitivity was tested in two samples of normal subjects. Between 1–11 c/deg contrast sensitivity was statistically significantly better in the adults (n = 25) than in the children (n = 20).
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ’ TYPES OF IDENTIFICATION FOR PARALLELOGRAM : UNDERSPECIFICATION AND OVERGENERALIZATION

The aim of this study is to reveal middle school students’ identification types for parallelogram and to determine their limitations and errors in this process. In line with the purpose, one to one clinical interviews were conducted with eighteen students who were at different achievement levels. In the clinical interviews, students were asked to define parallelogram, construct three different parallelogram examples and to identify parallelograms among figures having examples and nonexamples of parallelogram, respectively. The data was analyzed under four main themes that were generated based on the detailed analysis of previous studies. Results revealed that there is a strong influence of non-hierarchical or partial hierarchical and prototypical examples on students’ example spaces related to parallelogram. Under this influence, students treated examples of parallelogram as non-examples, which indicated underspecification error. Another remarkable result was that students treated non-examples of parallelogram as examples of that. Hence, students exhibited overgeneralization errors.
Diagnosis of Atrial Undersensing in Dual Chamber Pacemakers: Impact of Autodiagnostic Features

Atrial undersensing occurs in a considerable number of patients, both with single lead VDD pacemakers and with DDD devices. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of electrocardiographic methods and autodiagnostic pacemaker features to detect atrial sensing dysfunction. Two hundred and thirty‐one patients with AV block received single lead VDD pacemakers or DDD devices. Atrial sensitivity was programmed to 0.1 or 0.18 in VDD devices and to 0.5 mV in DDD devices; the rate limits were set to 40 and 160 beats/min. Twelve‐lead ECG recording for 1 minute during deep respiration and change of body position, 24‐hour Holter ECG recording, and treadmill exercise were performed 2 weeks and 15 months after pacemaker implantation. AV synchrony and, if available, P wave amplitude histogram were sampled by autodiagnostic pacemaker features and compared to electrocardiographic findings. Atrial undersensing was assumed, if AV synchrony was below 100% or if minimal P wave amplitude (PWA) was equal to the programmed atrial sensitivity. Intermittent atrial undersensing occurred in 20.7% of patients. The diagnostic sensitivities of the various methods used to detect atrial sensing failures were: 24‐hour Holter monitoring 97.5%, P wave amplitude histogram 90.0%, stored AV synchrony 68.0% without significant difference between the various devices, treadmill exercise testing 58.8%, and 12‐lead ECG recording 21.3%. In one patient, atrial undersensing was exclusively detected by exercise testing. In conclusion, autodiagnostic pacemaker features facilitate the evaluation of atrial sensing performance. However, to exclude intermittent atrial malsensing, routine Holter monitoring and treadmill exercise are still needed.
Recovery of TES-MEPs During Surgical Decompression of the Spine: A Case Series of Eight Patients

Purpose: This study aimed to illustrate the recovery of transcranial electrical stimulation motor evoked potentials during surgical decompression of the spinal cord in patients with impaired motor function preoperatively. Specific attention was paid to the duration of neurologic symptoms before surgery and the postoperative clinical recovery. Methods: A case series of eight patients was selected from a cohort of 74 patients that underwent spine surgery. The selected patients initially had low or absent transcranial electrical stimulation motor evoked potentials followed by a significant increase after surgical decompression of the spinal cord. Results: A significant intraoperative increase in amplitude of motor evoked potentials was detected after decompression of the spinal cord or cauda equina in patients suffering from spinal canal stenosis (n = 2), extradural meningioma (n = 3), or a herniated nucleus polposus (n = 3). This was related to an enhanced neurologic outcome only if patients (n = 6) had a short onset (less than ½ year) of neurologic impairment before surgery. Conclusions: In patients with a short onset of neurologic impairment because of compression of the spinal cord or caudal fibers, an intraoperative recovery of transcranial electrical stimulation motor evoked potentials can indicate an improvement of motor function postoperatively. Therefore, transcranial electrical stimulation motor evoked potentials can be considered as a useful tool to the surgeon to monitor the quality of decompression of the spinal cord.
Determinants of Tuberculosis Infection Control–Related Behaviors Among Healthcare Workers in the Country of Georgia

OBJECTIVE To better understand tuberculosis (TB) infection control (IC) in healthcare facilities (HCFs) in Georgia. DESIGN A cross-sectional evaluation of healthcare worker (HCW) knowledge, beliefs and behaviors toward TB IC measures including latent TB infection (LTBI) screening and treatment of HCWs. SETTING Georgia, a high-burden multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) country. PARTICIPANTS HCWs from the National TB Program and affiliated HCFs. METHODS An anonymous self-administered 55-question survey developed based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) conceptual framework. RESULTS In total, 240 HCWs (48% physicians; 39% nurses) completed the survey. The overall average TB knowledge score was 61%. Only 60% of HCWs reported frequent use of respirators when in contact with TB patients. Only 52% of HCWs were willing to undergo annual LTBI screening; 48% were willing to undergo LTBI treatment. In multivariate analysis, HCWs who worried about acquiring MDR-TB infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28–2.25), who thought screening contacts of TB cases is important (aOR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.35–8.65), and who were physicians (aOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.08–2.60) were more likely to accept annual LTBI screening. With regard to LTBI treatment, HCWs who worked in an outpatient TB facility (aOR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.11–0.58) or perceived a high personal risk of TB reinfection (aOR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.37–0.64) were less likely to accept LTBI treatment. CONCLUSION The concern about TB reinfection is a major barrier to HCW acceptance of LTBI treatment. TB IC measures must be strengthened in parallel with or prior to the introduction of LTBI screening and treatment of HCWs. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;00(0): 1–7
Comparing Hunting Lease Prices : A Price Decomposition Approach

Landowners in the coastal and Delta regions of Mississippi were surveyed to determine hunting lease prices in each region. Lease prices in the Delta averaged $2,317 more than lease prices in the coastal region, a 60% difference. Hedonic hunting lease price equations were used to decompose this price difference into differences due to the characteristics of the lease and differences due to the valuation of the characteristics. Both components explain a portion of the price difference. Hunting leases are, on average, 25% larger in the coastal region; however, per acre values for agricultural, forested, and other acres were all substantially higher in the Delta. In contrast, landowner expenditures on wildlife habitat increased landowner revenues and profits in the coastal counties but did not affect lease prices in the Delta.
Arbitrary Coupling Ratio Multimode Interference Couplers in Silicon-on-Insulator

In this paper, we present the design, manufacturing, characterization, and analysis of the coupling ratio spectral response for multimode interference couplers in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology. The couplers were designed using a Si rib waveguide with SiO2 cladding, on a regular 220 nm film and 2μm buried oxide SOI wafer. A set of eight different designs, three canonical and five using a widened/narrowed coupler body, have been subject of study, with coupling ratios 50:50, 85:15, and 72:28 for the former, and 95:05, 85:15, 75:25, 65:35, and 55:45 for the latter. Two wafers of devices were fabricated, using two different etch depths for the rib waveguides. A set of six dies, three per wafer, whose line metrology matched the design, were retained for characterization. The coupling ratios obtained in the experimental results match, with little deviations, the design targets for a wavelength range between 1525 and 1575 nm, as inferred from spectral measurements and statistical analyses. Excess loss for all the devices is conservatively estimated to be approximately 0.6 dB in average. All the design parameters, body width and length, input/output positions and widths, and tapers dimensions are disclosed for reference.
Eosinophil inflammation in asthma.

Eosinophils were considered for many years to be cells protect­ ing against allergic inflammation because they release histamin­ ase or arylsulfatase that can counteract the effects of some dele­ terious mediators released by other cells of allergic inflammation. However, since 1975, studies in parasitic inflammation have led to investigations of the pathogenic role of eosinophils in asthma. Eosinophils have been found in increased numbers in bron­ chial biopsies, especially when specimens were examined byelec­ tron microscopy or immunohistochemistry using monoclonal an­ tibodies against eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and/or major basic protein (MBP). These cells are usually in an activated state and release cationic proteins. Although most asthmatics, includ­ ing those with mild asthma, have eosinophils in their bronchi, there is a significant correlation between bronchial eosinophilic inflam­ mation and the severity of asthma. However, bronchial eosinophilia is not specific to asthma. Eosinophils appear to play a major deleterious role in asthma by the release of highly toxic products (MBP, ECp, eosinophil­ derived neurotoxin [EDN], or EPX, oxygen free radicals) and it is suggested that eosinophils play a role in the shedding of the epithelium. However, the role of eosinophils in asthma cannot be restricted to their toxic effects. Other properties of eosinophils have to be examined.
Predicting Drug‐Induced QT Prolongation and Torsades de Pointes: A Review of Preclinical Endpoint Measures

Compound‐induced prolongation of the cardiac QT interval is a major concern in drug development and this unit discusses approaches that can predict QT effects prior to undertaking clinical trials. The majority of compounds that prolong the QT interval block the cardiac rapid delayed rectifier potassium current, IKr (hERG). Described in this overview are different ways to measure hERG, from recent advances in automated electrophysiology to the quantification of channel protein trafficking and binding. The contribution of other cardiac ion channels to hERG data interpretation is also discussed. In addition, endpoint measures of the integrated activity of cardiac ion channels at the single‐cell, tissue, and whole‐animal level, including for example the well‐established action potential to the more recent beat‐to‐beat variability, transmural dispersion of repolarization, and field potential duration, are described in the context of their ability to predict QT prolongation and torsadogenicity in humans. Curr. Protoc. Pharmacol. 61:10.16. 1‐10.16. 19 © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.