Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physico-chemical Properties of Inulin Produced from Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers on Bench and Pilot Plant Scale

Phyisco-chemical properties of inulin produced from Jerusalem artichoke tubers were studied. Inulin was light gray powder, natural taste, pH 6.0, soluble in water and low viscosity in solution. Water oil absorption index of inulin powder considered a good indicator for excellent oil absorption. Foam capacity (FC) and (FS) stability have been studied, at 120 min under pH 6.0, the foams of inulin in their maximum stabilities on bench or pilot plant scale, respectively. Emulsion capacity has been investigated and should high value at pH 6.0. The produced inulin has the following ingredients. The reducing sugars (4.90 - 5.21%), total carbohydrates (94.27-96.18%) and inulin content (90.97 & 89.47%). Inulin contains a high level of micro-elements: Zn, Fe and Mn, macro-elements: K, Ca, Na and P. Functional groups of inulin were known by FT-IR Spectrum. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace elements in the inulin powder by X-ray Fluorescence were studied.
An integrated application for geostatistical analysis of sea outfall discharges based on R software

This paper describes an integrated application that performs a geostatistical analysis of data acquired by an AUV in monitoring missions to sewage outfalls. This comes as an effort for automating the procedures of a monitoring campaign from data acquisition to data processing. This application is based on the R statistical software and uses the Gstat package for the geostatistical prediction. R is a console based application that uses software packages developed by the community. The application interfaces with R guiding the user through several steps that perform the geostatistical analysis. It was not our intention to cover all geostatistical procedures but only the ones that are needed for the data processing concerned. The major advantage of this application is that the user does not need to be familiar with methods and data structures associated with the base software, allowing the processing and analysis to be more simple, fast and efficient which is particularly important for routine monitoring. This software application also enables us to give a quicker response in case of contamination to near-by beaches.
Assessment of hip development in the early period in patients who underwent dega osteotomy due to developmental dysplasia of the hip

Objective: To examine hip development in a patient who underwent Dega osteotomy due to developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) by means of radiography. Materials and Methods: Dega osteotomy was performed on 43 hips (7 were bilateral) of 36 patients with DDH. In preoperative and final follow-up; the acetabular index (AI), acetabular depth ratio (ADR) and Wiberg's center-edge angle (CEA) were measured in anteroposterior pelvic radiographs. Hips were classified in accordance with TA¶nnis classification system. Radiological findings were evaluated in accordance with Severin classification system. Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the hips were evaluated according to Kalamchi-MacEwen classification system. Results: The mean age was 87 months (48-130 months), mean follow-up period was 30.5 months (15-62 months). The mean preoperative and final follow-up values of AI were 43Â° (28Â°to 60Â°) and 19Â° (6Â° to 34Â°), respectively. The mean preoperative and final follow-up values of ADR were detected as 14 (8 to 24) and 26 (18 to 42), respectively.The mean CEA was found as 38Â° (18Â° to 61Â°) at the final follow-up. Of the hips, 37 were TA¶nnis type 4 and 6 were Type 3. Totally 10 hips had AVN; of those, 6 were Type 1, 2 were Type 2 and 2 were Type 3 hips. According to Severin classification, 11 hips were Type 1a, 3 were Type 1b, 22 were Type 2a, 5 were Type 2b and 2 were Type 3. Conclusion: In patients who underwent Dega osteotomy, hip development can be detected radiographically with satisfactory levels.
Retinal Sequelae in Adults Treated With Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity.

PURPOSE Cryotherapy, introduced in the mid-1980s, was the first treatment of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and resulted in ablation of larger retinal areas than did its later substitute, laser treatment. We defined the characteristics of the retinal structure and assessed visual function, in adult ex-preterms treated with cryotherapy. METHODS A total of 28 ex-preterms, included in a prospective study of infants born in Stockholm between September 1988 and March 1993, were treated with cryotherapy because of severe ROP. Of these individuals, 14 took part in this follow-up study and underwent ophthalmologic assessment including visual acuity, fundus photography, perimetry, and retinal imaging using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in their third decade of life. Their gestational ages were 24 to 28 (median 25) weeks at birth. RESULTS The ex-preterms had reduced foveal depth (P < 0.0001) and increased thickness of the temporal retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL; P > 0.001). A thicker temporal RNFL was not correlated with a thicker ganglion cell layer (P = 0.41, r = 0.29) as in controls (P = 0.0015, r = 0.78). Extreme thickening was seen in patients with pronounced retinal dragging. CONCLUSIONS In their third decade of life, ex-preterm adults treated with cryotherapy for ROP have major microstructural retinal abnormalities in terms of reduced foveal depth and an altered distribution of the peripapillary RNFL. The main contributors seem to be gestational age and ROP rather than the cryotherapy. The possibility to evaluate the retinal structure in these individuals, with today's conventional OCT, is limited by those anatomic deviations.
The Function of the Cranial Crest and Jaws of a Unique Pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil

The discovery of a previously undescribed pterosaur, Thalassodromeus sethi, yields information on the function of cranial crests and the feeding strategy developed by these extinct flying reptiles. The material consists of a large skull (length: 1420 millimeters, including the crest) with a huge bony crest that was well irrigated by blood vessels and may have been used for regulation of its body temperature. The rostrum consists of two bladelike laminae, the arrangement of which is analogous to the condition found in the bird Rynchops, which skims over the water to catch food, indicating that T. sethialso may have been a skimmer.
Prevalence of gallstone disease in a Swedish population sample. Relations to occupation, childbirth, health status, life style, medications, and blood lipids.

BACKGROUND There are only a few Swedish studies on the prevalence of gallstone disease in selected age groups, and none including possible risk factors. METHODS Of a population sample of 1200 individuals (age, 35-85 years), 857 participated in the study. The study subjects were asked to answer a questionnaire about potential risk factors (occupation, childbirth, life style, and so forth), symptoms, and quality of life. Cholecystectomy had previously been done in 115 subjects, leaving 742 for ultrasound examination of the gallbladder. RESULTS The prevalence of gallstone disease increased with age, and at 75 years or more, 53% of the women and 32% of the men either had gallstones or had previously undergone cholecystectomy (32% and 13%, respectively). When comparing subjects with and without gallstones, there were no differences with regard to any variable, including blood lipid levels. The odds ratio of previous cholecystectomy was increased in subjects with an occupation requiring no specific education and reduced in subjects using wine or spirits every week. The odds ratio of abdominal pain was increased after previous cholecystectomy. Women in this group also experienced a lower quality of life. CONCLUSIONS The age and sex distribution of gallstone disease was in the order of the magnitude seen in other Scandinavian countries. None of the studied variables differed between subjects with and without gallstones. Subjects previously operated on with cholecystectomy did worse with regard to symptoms and quality of life.
Sensitivity analysis and comparison of two methods of using heart rate to represent energy expenditure during walking.

BACKGROUND Heart rate is an accurate and easy to use method to represent the energy expenditure during walking, based on physiological cost index (PCI). However, in some conditions the heart rate during walking does not reach to a steady state. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the energy expenditure by use of the PCI index. The total heart beat index (THBI) is a new method to solve the aforementioned problem. OBJECTIVE The aim of this research project was to find the sensitivity of both the physiological cost index (PCI) and total heart beat index (THBI). METHOD Fifteen normal subjects and ten patients with flatfoot disorder and two subjects with spinal cord injury were recruited in this research project. The PCI and THBI indexes were determined by use of heart beats with respect to walking speed and total distance walked, respectively. RESULTS The sensitivity of PCI was more than that of THBI index in the three groups of subjects. CONCLUSION Although the PCI and THBI indexes are easy to use and reliable parameters to represent the energy expenditure during walking, their sensitivity is not high to detect the influence of some orthotic interventions, such as use of insoles or using shoes on energy expenditure during walking.
Sexual Function in Women With Overactive Bladder

Objectives: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a major cause of suffering in many patients, requiring long-term therapy to maintain symptoms relief. Incontinence or even the fear of leaking urine interferes with sexual function. However, studies evaluating the burden of OAB on female sexual function are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among women with OAB compared with healthy controls. Methods: A total of 112 female patients with clinical and urodynamically proven OAB and 165 healthy controls, free from urinary symptoms were included in our study. Women younger than 18 or sexually inactive were excluded, while the 2 groups were matched to age, parity, and menopause status. All women were investigated in accordance with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) which contains 19 questions and categorizes sexual dysfunction in 6 domains. Results: According to FSFI, and using as a cut off score, the value of 26.5, sexual dysfunction was diagnosed in 47% of urge incontinent women compared with 22% among healthy controls. We noticed that from the incontinent women with FSFI score lower than 26.5, 47% reported sexual pain disorders, 34% hypoactive sexual desire, 25% sexual arousal disorders, 25% lubrication disorder, and 22% complained of orgasmic deficiency. Furthermore 6 of 10 women with sexual arousal disorders and 10 of 15 with sexual pain disorders also complained for recurrent bacterial cystitis. The FSFI median values in both groups scored as follows (patients vs. controls: median value): desire: 2.9 versus 4.4; arousal: 2.9 versus 4.5; lubrication: 3.3 versus 4.6; orgasm: 3.5 versus 4.3; sexual satisfaction: 2.9 versus 4.4; sexual pain: 2.8 versus 4.3 and full scale 18.3 versus 26.5 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Women with OAB reported sexual dysfunction in a considerably higher number than a general, healthy female population without urinary symptoms.
Coping with Work-Related Stress through Guided Imagery and Music (GIM): Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND Long-term stress-related sick leave constitutes a serious health threat and an economic burden on both the single worker and the society. Effective interventions for the rehabilitation and facilitation of return to work are needed. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to examine the effects of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), a psychotherapy intervention including relaxation, music listening, and imagery, on biopsychosocial measures of work-related stress. METHODS Twenty Danish workers on sick leave were randomized to music therapy versus wait-list control. Data collection was carried out at an occupational health ward in the period 2008-2010. Changes in salivary cortisol, testosterone, and melatonin were explored, and self-reported data on psychological stress symptoms (perceived stress, mood disturbance, sleep quality, physical distress symptoms, work readiness, well-being, anxiety, depression, immediate stress) were collected. Data regarding sick leave situation and job return were collected from participants throughout the study. RESULTS Significant beneficial effects of GIM compared to wait-list after nine weeks with large effect sizes were found in well-being, mood disturbance, and physical distress, and in cortisol concentrations with a medium effect size. A comparison between early and late intervention as related to the onset of sick leave showed faster job return and significantly improved perceived stress, well-being, mood disturbance, depression, anxiety, and physical distress symptoms in favor of early intervention. In the whole sample, 83% of the participants had returned to work at nine weeks' follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that GIM is a promising treatment for work-related chronic stress, and further studies are recommended.
Postinduction turnoff of beta-interferon gene expression

Viral induction of the human beta-interferon (IFN-beta) gene leads to a transient accumulation of high levels of IFN-beta mRNA. Previous studies have shown that the increase in IFN-beta mRNA levels after induction is due to an increase in the rate of IFN-beta gene transcription. In this paper, we show that the rapid postinduction decrease in the level of IFN-beta mRNA is due to a combination of transcriptional repression and rapid turnover of the mRNA. This transcriptional repression can be blocked with cycloheximide, suggesting that the synthesis of a virus-inducible repressor is necessary for the postinduction turnoff of the IFN-beta gene. Analysis of the sequence requirements for IFN-beta mRNA instability revealed two regions capable of destabilizing a heterologous mRNA. One destabilizer is an AU-rich sequence in the 3' untranslated region, and the other is located 5' to the translation stop codon.
Australasian ( ACIS ) 1-1-2011 Determinants of Continuance Intention of RFID in Australian Livestock Industry : An Empirical Study

The purpose of this study is to develop and refine a theoretical framework to examine the continuance intention of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in Australian livestock industry. A mixed-method research approach, consisting qualitative and quantitative, has been taken for this study. The findings of this study show that the continued RFID usage intention is influenced by satisfaction from current use, and confirmation of expectations. As a practical contribution, the findings of this study can be addressed by the Australian agricultural agencies as an acid-test of its current and future mandatory RFID policy. Policymakers can compare their experience with the findings of this study, evaluate the past, and reassess the future. As a theoretical contribution, this study is a first of its kind considering and incorporating ‘adoption’ in a confirmation-satisfaction framework to examine the continued usage behaviour of RFID.
IL-15 Amplifies the Pathogenic Properties of CD4+CD28− T Cells in Multiple Sclerosis

CD4+CD28− T cells arise through repeated antigenic stimulation and are present in diseased tissues of patients with various autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). These cells are believed to have cytotoxic properties that contribute to the pathogenic damaging of the target organ. Endogenous cues that are increased in the diseased tissue may amplify the activity of CD4+CD28− T cells. In this study, we focused on IL-15, a cytotoxicity-promoting cytokine that is increased in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients. Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that IL-15 is mainly produced by astrocytes and infiltrating macrophages in inflammatory lesions of MS patients. Moreover, in vitro transmigration studies reveal that IL-15 selectively attracts CD4+CD28− T cells of MS patients, but not of healthy individuals. IL-15 further induces the expression of chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules on CD4+CD28− T cells, as investigated using flow cytometry, resulting in enhanced migration over a monolayer of human brain endothelial cells. Finally, flow cytometric analyses revealed that IL-15 increases the proliferation and production of GM-CSF, expression of cytotoxic molecules (NKG2D, perforin, and granzyme B), and degranulation capacity of CD4+CD28− T cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that increased peripheral and local levels of IL-15 amplify the pathogenic potential of CD4+CD28− T cells, thus contributing to tissue damage in MS brain lesions.
Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: patterns of spread, the importance of hepatic resection for curative operation, and a presurgical clinical staging system.

OBJECTIVES To determine the resectability rate for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, to analyze reasons for unresectability, and to devise a presurgical clinical T-staging system. METHODS Ninety patients with hilar cholangiocarcinomas seen between March 1, 1991, and April 1, 1997, were evaluated. Accurate patterns of disease progression and therapy were evaluable. Disease was staged in 87 patients using extent of ductal tumor involvement, portal vein compromise, and liver atrophy. RESULTS In 21 patients, disease was deemed unresectable for cure at presentation. In 39 patients, disease was found to be unresectable at laparotomy, 23 secondary to nodal (N2) or distant metastases. Unresectability was the result of metastases in 52% and of locally advanced disease in 28%. Thirty patients (33%) had resection of all gross disease, and 25 of these (83%) had negative histologic margins. Twenty-two patients underwent partial hepatectomy. The 30-day mortality rate was 7%. Projected survival is greater than 60 months in those with a negative histologic margin, with a median follow-up of 26 months. A presurgical T-staging system allows presurgical selection for therapy, predicts partial hepatectomy, and offers an index of prognosis. CONCLUSIONS In half the patients, unresectability is mainly the result of intraabdominal metastases. Presurgical imaging predicts unresectability based on local extension but is poor for assessing nodal metastases. In one third of patients, disease can be resected for cure with a long median survival. Curative resection depends on negative margins, and hepatic resection is necessary to achieve this. The T-staging system correlates with resectability, the need for hepatectomy, and overall survival.
The Heparin/Heparan Sulfate-binding Site on Apo-serum Amyloid A

Serum amyloid A isoforms, apoSAA1 and apoSAA2, are apolipoproteins of unknown function that become major components of high density lipoprotein (HDL) during the acute phase of an inflammatory response. ApoSAA is also the precursor of inflammation-associated amyloid, and there is strong evidence that the formation of inflammation-associated and other types of amyloid is promoted by heparan sulfate (HS). Data presented herein demonstrate that both mouse and human apoSAA contain binding sites that are specific for heparin and HS, with no binding for the other major glycosaminoglycans detected. Cyanogen bromide-generated peptides of mouse apoSAA1 and apoSAA2 were screened for heparin binding activity. Two peptides, an apoSAA1-derived 80-mer (residues 24–103) and a smaller carboxyl-terminal 27-mer peptide of apoSAA2 (residues 77–103), were retained by a heparin column. A synthetic peptide corresponding to the CNBr-generated 27-mer also bound heparin, and by substituting or deleting one or more of its six basic residues (Arg-83, His-84, Arg-86, Lys-89, Arg-95, and Lys-102), their relative importance for heparin and HS binding was determined. The Lys-102 residue appeared to be required only for HS binding. The residues Arg-86, Lys-89, Arg-95, and Lys-102 are phylogenetically conserved suggesting that the heparin/HS binding activity may be an important aspect of the function of apoSAA. HS linked by its carboxyl groups to an Affi-Gel column or treated with carbodiimide to block its carboxyl groups lost the ability to bind apoSAA. HDL-apoSAA did not bind to heparin; however, it did bind to HS, an interaction to which apoA-I contributed. Results from binding experiments with Congo Red-Sepharose 4B columns support the conclusions of a recent structural study which found that heparin binding domains have a common spatial distance of about 20 Å between their two outer basic residues. Our present work provides direct evidence that apoSAA can associate with HS (and heparin) and that the occupation of its binding site by HS, and HS analogs, likely caused the previously reported increase in amyloidogenic conformation (β-sheet) of apoSAA2 (McCubbin, W. D., Kay, C. M., Narindrasorasak, S., and Kisilevsky, R. (1988) Biochem. J. 256, 775–783) and their amyloid-suppressing effects in vivo (Kisilevsky, R., Lemieux, L. J., Fraser, P. E., Kong, X., Hultin, P. G., and Szarek, W. A. (1995) Nat. Med. 1, 143–147), respectively.
Comparison between the European and North American protocols for diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia susceptibility in humans.

UNLABELLED We compared the diagnostic outcome of in vitro contracture tests for diagnosis of malignant hyperthermia susceptibility performed according to the European Malignant Hyperthermia Group protocol and the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Group protocol. The aim of the study was to compare the two major diagnostic tests of malignant hyperthermia susceptibility to have basic data for a common worldwide protocol. We evaluated 156 patients and 17 control individuals. The accordance in diagnostic outcome was 87%. The diverging outcomes between the two protocols were found in a group of patients reacting in few muscle strips and close to the cutoff limits. A 100% accordance in diagnostic outcome was found in individuals with contractures in at least five of six tested muscle strips. In both protocols, contractures close to the cutoff limits in a few muscle strips in scientific studies should be considered as unknown results. IMPLICATIONS We compared the two major protocols for investigating malignant hyperthermia susceptibility. There was 87% accordance in diagnostic outcome. The diverging outcomes were seen in individuals with less reproducible test results near the cutoff limits. In scientific studies, such results should be considered as unknown.