Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analyses of rat Pneumocystis carinii antigens recognized by human and rat antibodies by using western immunoblotting

The major Pneumocystis carinii antigens inducing antibody responses in infected hosts were identified by Western immunoblotting techniques. The biochemical nature of these antigens was also elucidated. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by protein staining revealed a major component with a molecular weight (MW) of greater than 205,000. This major component disappeared and a new major protein staining component of approximately 110,000 to 116,000 MW appeared when electrophoresis was done in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol. Periodic acid-Schiff staining revealed that this major component contains carbohydrate moieties. A major component in the 55,000- to 60,000-MW region was visible with periodic acid-Schiff stain, but not with a protein stain, after electrophoresis in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol. The majority of sera tested from humans with diagnosed pneumocystosis and from rats allowed to recover from steroid-induced pneumocystosis reacted strongly with 110,000- to 116,000-, and 55,000- to 60,000-MW components. These sera often, but not always, detected antigens with MWs of approximately 170,000, 125,000, and 30,000 to 32,000. The data suggest that the antigenic composition of P. carinii is relatively complex and that rat and human P. carinii probably share antigenic determinants. Competitive studies between infection-derived human and rat antisera for the major rat P. carinii components revealed competition; rat antisera appeared to recognize a greater range of antigenic epitopes than did human antisera. Protease treatment of the antigenic components that had been immobilized on nitrocellulose paper destroyed their antigenic reactivity with rat antibody. Treatment with sodium periodate decreased reactivity of this 110,000- to 116,000-MW component and completely destroyed the reactivity of the 55,000- to 60,000-MW component with rat antibody.
Peromyscus leucopus mice: a potential animal model for haematological studies

Peromyscus leucopus mice share physical similarities with laboratory mice Mus musculus (MM) but have higher agility and longer lifespan. We compared domesticated P. leucopus linville (PLL) and M. musculus C57BL/6 (MMB6) mice for cellular composition of peripheral blood (PB), bone marrow (BM) and spleen. PLL mice had significantly fewer platelets and significantly more monocytes in the blood, and notably fewer megakaryocytes in the BM. Spleens of PLL mice were significantly smaller, with 50% fewer cells and reduced ‘red pulp’. There was no obvious haematological change in PLL mice between 2–8 and 16–26 months of age, except for a significant increase in blood monocytes. Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content showed no change with age but differed significantly between different cell types. Treating two to eight month‐old PLL mice with antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine in drinking water for three months did not affect cellular ROS content, but increased blood leucocytes especially the concentration of monocytes. The low platelets, low megakaryocytes, high monocytes and low splenic erythropoiesis in PLL mice resemble human measurements better than the values seen in MMB6.
BRANCHED AND CROSSLINKED RESORBABLE POLYMERS BASED ON LACTIC ACID, LACTIDE AND ε-CAPROLACTONE

Branched and crosslinked degradable polyesters based on lactic acid, lactide and ecaprolactone were prepared by utilizing different polymerization methods. Chain linking of hydroxyl telechelic lactic acid oligomers with 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) as a chain extender, yielded lactic acid based poly(ester-urethanes). When an excess of HMDI was used, polymers with broader molecular weight distribution and long-chain branching were obtained. Long-chain branching was confirmed by NMR and was seen in high shear thinning and melt strength in rheological measurements. Ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide, L-lactide and e-caprolactone in the presence of stannous octoate and a co-initiator was employed as a method to prepare polyesters with controlled molecular structure. The initiation activity of different hydroxyl containing compounds was evaluated and new co-initiator compounds, polyglycerines, were shown to yield polylactides with up to 8 arms. Furthermore, by increasing the number of hydroxyls in the co-initiator, the polymerization rate increased and polylactides with higher molecular weight were obtained. Crosslinked polymers with controlled molecular structure were prepared from end functionalized linear and branched polyester precursors. The effect of molecular architecture, i.e. branching, molecular weight and different monomer units in the precursors, on the curing and properties of the final networks was studied. Triethoxysilane and methacrylic double bond functionalization and polymerization of these moieties were utilized in the preparation of hydrolytically degradable networks with different properties. High strength was obtained with DLLA based networks, whereas the use of flexible CL/DLLA copolymers as network precursors yielded highly elastic crosslinked polymers with creep resistance. In addition to the preparation and characterization, the degradability of the crosslinked polymers was evaluated. The polyester networks exhibited degradation similar to the corresponding thermoplastic polyesters. In general, the degradation occurred through bulk degradation where the mechanical properties of the polyesters deteriorated first and the mass loss followed. The degradation of the networks was enhanced by introducing labile anhydride bonds as weak linkages into the polyester network structure. This approach led to very rapidly degrading, crosslinked poly(ester-anhydrides) based on PCL, PDLLA, and PLLA. When a short PCL based precursor was used, the network showed characteristics of surface-erosion: the poly(ester-anhydride) network lost its mass and the dimensions of the specimen decreased at a steady rate over two days.
Olfactory ensheathing cells for spinal cord repair: crucial differences between subpopulations of the glia

OECs for spinal cord repair: Is repairing the injured spinal cord by olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation possible? A recent human trial in which a paralysed man regained some function after transplantation of partially purified OECs suggests that this therapy may be a successful approach (Tabakow et al., 2014). In another human trial in which olfactory mucosa lamina propria was transplanted, patients recovered some motor and sensory function (Wang et al., 2015). While these results show promise, it is clear that improvements are needed to provide patients with increased functional output. Strategies to improve the therapeutic use of OECs may include improving the purification of the OECs used for transplantation, using them in combination with growth factors to combat the inhibitory environment and improve axon growth, the use of nerve bridges, advanced physiotherapy and the use of exoskeleton robotics to reinforce functional connections. Of all these approaches, it is probably crucial that the purity of OECs is primarily addressed to ensure consistency in outcomes.
Comparison of Essential Oils and Relaxing Music on Reducing Anxiety

The purpose of this research is to identify any significant difference between two forms of alternative medicine (aromatherapy and music therapy) and the body’s ability to relax unaided, in an attempt to discern if one has greater efficacy. We hypothesized that aromatherapy would be more effective than music therapy at reducing biomarker levels which correlate to anxiety. Ten students (five male and five female) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Physiology 435 class volunteered to take part in this study. Measurements of participants’ heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and respiratory rate (RR) were recorded after exercise induced anxiety. During the post-exercise relaxation period, participants were exposed to three forms of experimental stimuli in three separate trials: no stimuli (control), lavender (aromatherapy), and “Weightless” by Marconi Union (music therapy). Measurements of HR, BP, and RR were then taken again. Statistical analysis of the experimental data compared the three trials to each other in four categories: systolic BP, diastolic BP, HR, and RR. Between each comparison no significant difference was found between any of the trials. These findings conclude that our initial hypothesis was incorrect and there is no greater efficacy between either stimuli. While many studies have found these alternative treatments to be effective in lowering anxiety, this may be due to a placebo effect or differences in methodology. In an attempt to resolve this, we suggest that future research should focus on quantifying the effect that a subject’s expectations may have on their levels of relaxation, as well as altering methodology.
Default mode network abnormalities in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: A study combining fMRI and DTI

Studies of in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) have reported reductions in both functional and structural connectivity between hippocampal structures and adjacent brain regions. However, little is known about the connectivity among the default mode network (DMN) in mTLE. Here, we hypothesized that both functional and structural connectivity within the DMN were disturbed in mTLE. To test this hypothesis, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were applied to examine the DMN connectivity of 20 mTLE patients, and 20 gender‐ and age‐matched healthy controls. Combining these two techniques, we explored the changes in functional (temporal correlation coefficient derived from fMRI) and structural (path length and connection density derived from DTI tractography) connectivity of the DMN. Compared to the controls, we found that both functional and structural connectivity were significantly decreased between the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)/precuneus (PCUN) and bilateral mesial temporal lobes (mTLs) in patients. No significant between‐group difference was found between the PCC/PCUN and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). In addition, functional connectivity was found to be correlated with structural connectivity in two pairwise regions, namely between the PCC/PCUN and bilateral mTLs, respectively. Our results suggest that the decreased functional connectivity within the DMN in mTLE may be a consequence of the decreased connection density underpinning the degeneration of structural connectivity. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Large Area Screen Printed N-Type MC-SI Solar cells With B-Emitter: Efficiencies Close to 15% and Innovative Module Interconnection

In this paper we present n-type Si solar cells on large area mc-Si wafers with a boron diffused emitter at the front side. The focus of our studies is mainly related to the front surface of the solar cell. We have optimised BBr3-diffusion and in-situ oxidation with respect to the homogeneity of the sheet resistance and substrate degradation. After diffusion even a slight improvement of the minority charge carrier lifetime was measured, which can be related to B-gettering. The emitter is contacted by AgAl-paste and passivated by thermal SiO2. The development and optimisation of all processes led to solar cells with efficiencies of 14.7% on mc-Si and 17.1% on Cz-Si substrates. In addition to this we present an innovative interconnection of modules using our developed cell (patent pending). We show an alternate serial interconnection of p- and n-type solar cells resulting in easier module processing
Improving sentiment analysis with Part-of-Speech weighting

Sentiment Analysis is concerned with classifying the opinions in a piece of text. We present a term weighting scheme which takes into account Part-of-Speech categories to improve machine learning-based classification of sentiment in product reviews. We experimentally find optimal strengths for each Part-of-Speech category and show that using this weighting method improves overall sentiment classification.
Z-transform PML algorithm for truncating metamaterial FDTD domains

Efficient and simple formulations of the Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) are presented for truncating metamaterial Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) grids. The formulations are based on incorporating the Z-transform theory into the FDTD algorithm to model the frequency dependence property of the metamaterials. Numerical example carried out in one dimensional metamaterial domain is included to validate the proposed formulations.
Seroprevalence of salmonellosis in layer chickens with isolation, identification and antibiogram study of their causal agents

Mozaffor 11.6568 Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:. 0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Salmonellosis is a common problem in poultry farms of our country. Indiscriminate use of antibiotic to control the disease results drug resistance and limits the therapeutic possibilities in the treatment of the disease. This study was conducted during the period from January to May 2006 at Gobindapur of Dinajpur district. The present study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of salmonellosis in layer flocks and antibiogram study following isolation of Salmonella e. A total of 225 Star cross 579 brown chickens were studied with rapid serum plate agglutination test. Liver of 200 dead birds was studied for isolation and identification of Salmonella e. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity test of isolated Salmonella e was performed with commercial sensitivity discs. The overall seroprevalence was recorded 23.11%. The prevalence was varied from age to age. The highest rate was 28% in above 20 weeks of age. The antibiogram study revealed that the isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin (80%), nitrofurantoin (100%), sulphamethoxazole/ trimeoprim and amoxycillin (50%), tetracycline (60%) but resistant to penicillin-G and erythromycin. Further studies should be conducted on serotyping of the isolated Salmonella e, isolation and identification of Salmonella e from different feed and environmental sample. Key words: Salmonellosis, seroprevalence, antibiogram, layer chickens DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v5i1. 1307 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2007). 5 (1 & 2): 39-42
Mental Health Services: Critical Component of Integrated Primary Care and Substance Abuse Treatment

The documented high incidence of mental health disorders among individuals in substance abuse treatment argues for the importance of studying the provision of mental health services to this population. This survey documents how the Linkage Programs assembled an array of mental health services based on the assessed health care needs of clients. Specialty and nonspecialty personnel addressed the extensive mental health needs of ethnically diverse, multiproblem clients with substance abuse problems. The innovative use of nonconventional providers, however, did not eliminate the shortfall between the number of clients with mental health problems and the number who were referred to and received mental health services; nor did it enable all Linkage Programs to address the mental health needs of the most severely ill clients. There is a continuing need to forge relationships between mental health providers and integrated providers of primary care and substance abuse treatment.
The Development of a Teachers- Self-Efficacy Instrument for High School Physical Education Teacher

The purpose of this study was to develop a “teacher s’ self-efficacy scale for high school physical educat ion teachers (TSES-HSPET)” in Taiwan. This scale is based on the self-efficacy theory of Bandura [1], [2]. This study used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to test the reliabilit y and validity. The participants were high school physical education te ach rs in Taiwan. Both stratified random sampling and cluster samplin g were used to sample participants for the study. 350 teachers wer e sampled in the first stage and 234 valid scales (male 133, female 101) returned. During the second stage, 350 teachers were sampled and 257 valid scales (male 143, female 110, 4 did not indicate ge nder) returned. The exploratory factor analysis was used in the first s tage, and it got 60.77% of total variance for construct validity. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of internal consistency was 0.91 for su m cale, and subscales were 0.84 and 0.90. In the second stage, confirmatory factor analysis was used to test construct validity. The r esult showed that the fit index could be accepted ( χ (75) =167.94, p <. 05, RMSEA =0.07, SRMR=0.05, GFI=0.92, NNFI=0.97, CFI=0.98, PNFI=0.79 ) Average variance extracted of latent variables were 0.43 an d 0.53, which composite reliability are 0.78 and 0.90. It is conc luded that the TSES-HSPET is a well-considered measurement instrum ent with acceptable validity and reliability. It may be used to estimate teachers’ self-efficacy for high school physical education te achers. Keywords—teaching in physical education, teacher’s self-effi cacy, teacher’s belief
High frequency ventilation in neonatology: twenty years later.

that the administration of surfactants improves pulmonary compliance but, at the same time, it is a great alveolar “recruiter,” and that positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) contributes to stabilizing the functional residual capacity by maintaining a constant lung volume. We have also learnt that, with traditional ventilation modes, the lungs stabilize after reaching an optimal lung volume, which is then maintained to a large extent by an adequate PEEP, while with HFOV continuous distension pressure plays such role. Trying to optimize lung volume entails moving along the pressure-volume loop, in that narrow area between a collapse (atelectasis) and overdistension and, once alveolar recruitment is achieved, staying in the zone of underinflation leads to a better gas exchange in association with improved respiratory stability. It is critical to keep such constant volume, and closed aspiration systems and the administration of surfactants are of great help. It is essential to take into account the concept of “silent recruitment”, a phenomenon that continues after achieving an optimal lung volume, in order to prevent overdistension and the resulting reduction in venous return and patient hemodynamic impairment. An excessive lung volume should be noticed through radiology, the movement (vibration) of the chest, the so-called “insufficient ultrasound window” (not seeing the heart), or signs indicative of a compromised venous return. Correctly adjusting parameters and adapting them according to the patient’s course are a constant challenge. Modern ventilators with flow sensors allow to synchronize and control tidal volume delivery and help to reduce lung injuries to a minimum. In addition, flow-volume loops allow to identify situations that call for special attention. However, not even the most advanced technological systems can replace a highly trained individual who is committed to providing patients with a continuum of care. The hope to find in HFOV an option capable of reducing lung injuries in very low birth weight newborn infants and, consequently, the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, was not reflected in the different studies that looked to demonstrate such benefits. Although these studies confirmed that HFOV was safe, a long time had to elapse High frequency ventilation in neonatology:twenty years later
Discharge variability within the Amazon basin.

The discharge data of 80 stations (1981-2002) located in the Amazon basin are analysed in relation to the SST in the tropical Pacific and Atlantic oceans, using composite analysis. A wavelet analysis is performed on the 100-year discharge series at Obidos (downstream Amazon). Discharge is lower than normal during El Nino except in the western rivers (Solimoes, upper Negro, and Japura) and in the southernmost regions (upper Madeira, Tapajos and Xingu basins). During La Nina, discharge is higher than normal in the northeastern basin and, in contrast, lower than normal in the Madeira basin. However, the ENSO signal is not stationary at Obidos during the 20th century, when considering high flow and mean discharge. High discharges in a vast central region of the Amazon basin are associated with cold SST over the Northern Tropical Atlantic (NATL) during the low-flow season. Furthermore, a common, though not permanent, near-decadal signal is observed in Obidos low flow and NATL SST. The discharge of the southernmost Amazonian rivers is related to the south Atlantic SST; however, these signals are space and time dependent.
Determinants of the Acceptance of Sustainable Production Strategies in Conventional and Organic Dairying in Europe: An Empirical Analysis

The goal of the study was to assess the farmers’ acceptance of three sustainable production strategies, namely ‘Agro-forestry’, ‘Alternative protein source’ and ‘Prolonged maternal feeding’. Data on the acceptance of these strategies were collected by a survey of dairy farmers in six EU countries (AT, BE, DK, FI, IT, UK). An extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was applied by means of Structural Equation Modelling to testing various hypotheses on attitudes and intentions of dairy farmers towards these novel production strategies, as well as the influence of organic practices and collaborative behaviours along the supply chain. We found that the most preferred strategy across all countries was soy substitution by alternative protein sources. We also found that the intention to adopt a sustainable production strategy may derive from the influence of opinions (and behaviours) of relevant others, showing the role of interactions among farmers and other stakeholders in the adoption of innovations. Finally, the perceived usefulness of all investigated strategies is higher for organic farmers, while collaborative patterns reduce the impact of subjective norm on usefulness and overall acceptance. Our findings should encourage policy makers to consider the important role of supply chain management practices, including collaboration, to enhance the sustainability of dairy farming systems.