Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of breed and dietary experience on juniper consumption by goats.

Low nutritional quality and high levels of essential oils result in low consumption of juniper by goats. In this study we examined: (1) if juniper consumption could be increased by exposing goats to essential oils early in life; (2) if goat breeds (Spanish vs Angora) differed in juniper consumption; (3) if differences in juniper consumption were related to detoxification abilities of goats; and, (4) if differences in digestibility and nitrogen or energy balance could explain juniper consumption patterns. In the first experiment, Spanish and Angora goats 6-7 weeks old, were bolused every other day for 1 month with essential oils distilled from redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii Sudw.), while control animals received empty capsules. Goats were then offered redberry juniper branches in a 5-day acceptance trial. Spanish goats consumed more (1 < 0.01) juniper during the trial than Angoras. Goats previously dosed with essential oils ingested marginally less (0 < 0.086) juniper than controls. Liver-specific enzymes in blood serum (aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase) were compared before and after acceptance testing to examine potential liver damage. Spanish goats apparently experienced less tissue damage in response to juniper consumption than Angora goats. A second experiment examined the digestion and metabolism of juniper. Spanish goats consumed more (0 < 0.01) juniper than Angora goats though Angoras digested juniper more completely; probably a result of their lower consumption. The metabolic fate of dietary nitrogen and energy was similar for both breeds and unaffected by exposure to essential oils early in life.
Secretory Unit of Islet in Transplantation (SUIT) and Engrafted Islet Rate (EIR) Indexes Are Useful for Evaluating Single Islet Transplantation

The evaluation of engraftment is important to assess the success of islet transplantation, but it is complex because islet transplantation usually requires two or more donors to achieve euglycemia. Islet transplantation from NHBDs was evaluated using new assessment forms for the secretory unit of islet in transplantation (SUIT) and engrafted islet rate (EIR) indexes. Insulin independence was obtained when the SUIT index was more than 28, which might indicate that 28% of the β-cell mass of a normal subject is required for insulin independence. Because the average EIR for a single transplantation is about 30, the percentage of engrafted islets following one transplantation is about 30%, assuming that a normal subject has 1 million islet equivalents. Although few cultured islet transplants have been performed, the increase of the SUIT and EIR indexes in patients who received cultured islets was significantly lower than in patients who received fresh islets, suggesting that fresh islets may be more effective than cultured islets. The SUIT and EIR indexes are thus considered to be useful values for evaluating islet transplantation, especially for single islet transplantation.
Parallel imaging in cardiovascular MRI: methods and applications

Cardiovascular MR imaging (CVMR) has become a valuable modality for the non‐invasive detection and characterization of cardiovascular diseases. CVMR requires high imaging speed and efficiency, which is fundamentally limited in conventional cardiovascular MRI studies. With the introduction of parallel imaging, alternative means for increasing acquisition speed beyond these limits have become available. In parallel imaging some image data are acquired simultaneously, using RF detector coil sensitivities to encode simultaneous spatial information that complements the information gleaned from sequential application of magnetic field gradients. The resulting improvements in imaging speed can be used in various ways, including shortening long examinations, improving spatial resolution and/or anatomic coverage, improving temporal resolution, enhancing image quality, overcoming physiological constraints, detecting and correcting for physiologic motion, and streamlining work flow. Examples of each of these strategies will be provided in this review. First, basic principles and key concepts of parallel MR are described. Second, practical considerations such as coil array design, coil sensitivity calibrations, customized pulse sequences and tailored imaging parameters are outlined. Next, cardiovascular applications of parallel MR are reviewed, ranging from cardiac anatomical and functional assessment to myocardial perfusion and viability to MR angiography of the coronary arteries and the large vessels. Finally, current trends and future directions in parallel CVMR are considered. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Circulating Biomarkers of Dairy Fat and Risk of Incident Diabetes Mellitus Among Men and Women in the United States in Two Large Prospective Cohorts

Background— In prospective studies, the relationship of self-reported consumption of dairy foods with risk of diabetes mellitus is inconsistent. Few studies have assessed dairy fat, using circulating biomarkers, and incident diabetes mellitus. We tested the hypothesis that circulating fatty acid biomarkers of dairy fat, 15:0, 17:0, and t-16:1n-7, are associated with lower incident diabetes mellitus. Methods and Results— Among 3333 adults aged 30 to 75 years and free of prevalent diabetes mellitus at baseline, total plasma and erythrocyte fatty acids were measured in blood collected in 1989 to 1990 (Nurses’ Health Study) and 1993 to 1994 (Health Professionals Follow-Up Study). Incident diabetes mellitus through 2010 was confirmed by a validated supplementary questionnaire based on symptoms, diagnostic tests, and medications. Risk was assessed by using Cox proportional hazards, with cohort findings combined by meta-analysis. During mean±standard deviation follow-up of 15.2±5.6 years, 277 new cases of diabetes mellitus were diagnosed. In pooled multivariate analyses adjusting for demographics, metabolic risk factors, lifestyle, diet, and other circulating fatty acids, individuals with higher plasma 15:0 had a 44% lower risk of diabetes mellitus (quartiles 4 versus 1, hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.37–0.86; P-trend=0.01); higher plasma 17:0, 43% lower risk (hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.39–0.83; P-trend=0.01); and higher t-16:1n-7, 52% lower risk (hazard ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.33–0.70; P-trend <0.001). Findings were similar for erythrocyte 15:0, 17:0, and t-16:1n-7, although with broader confidence intervals that only achieved statistical significance for 17:0. Conclusions— In 2 prospective cohorts, higher plasma dairy fatty acid concentrations were associated with lower incident diabetes mellitus. Results were similar for erythrocyte 17:0. Our findings highlight the need to better understand the potential health effects of dairy fat, and the dietary and metabolic determinants of these fatty acids.
BTBD3 Controls Dendrite Orientation Toward Active Axons in Mammalian Neocortex

Neuronal Activity and Dendrite Development How does the developing brain establish the correct connections? Matsui et al. (p. 1114, published online 31 October) discovered an activity-dependent transcription mechanism during mouse and ferret visual cortex development that controls the direction of dendrite orientation, allowing dendrites to steer toward active axons and away from inactive axons. This mechanism enables the construction of polarized neuronal shapes for integration into neural circuits with the required finescale architecture to process subtle activity patterns, a property underlying complex behavior. High-acuity sensory function may be achieved by the tuning of subcellular polarity to sources of high sensory activity. Experience-dependent structural changes in the developing brain are fundamental for proper neural circuit formation. Here, we show that during the development of the sensory cortex, dendritic field orientation is controlled by the BTB/POZ domain–containing 3 (BTBD3). In developing mouse somatosensory cortex, endogenous Btbd3 translocated to the cell nucleus in response to neuronal activity and oriented primary dendrites toward active axons in the barrel hollow. Btbd3 also directed dendrites toward active axon terminals when ectopically expressed in mouse visual cortex or normally expressed in ferret visual cortex. BTBD3 regulation of dendrite orientation is conserved across species and cortical areas and shows how high-acuity sensory function may be achieved by the tuning of subcellular polarity to sources of high sensory activity.
Social Stratification and Luxury Consumption Value: Classifying Complaint Types of Korean Luxury Consumers

The purpose of this ethnographic study is to explore Korean luxury consumers’ hidden and fundamental complaining intentions, which were constructed by socially symbolic luxury consumption values based on the hierarchically divided social contexts. To allocate individual consumers by stratus, the researcher originated 2X2 matrix utilizing the distinctive 2 levels of economic and cultural capital, that Bourdiue(1986) articulated as the major basis of social classes. Observations and in-depth interviews with twentyfour cases of Korean luxury clothing complainers were carried out from March, 2010 to June, 2011. The classified 4 groups were named as (1) ‘high class elite’, (2) ‘parvenus’ (3) ‘low income cultural elite’, and (4) ‘low class luxury seeker’. Complaint motivations influenced by their luxury consumption values were characterized repectively as(1) uniqueness of design, special services, (2) social recognitions, (3) design-related dissatisfaction, (4) exchange, refunds, and compensations. Complaint types of 4 groups were determined by their motivations, and classified as (1) expressing their opinion mildly on their ways to shop (2) direct aggressive voice complaint (3) complaint with preparations, taking plans to do actions, (4) website posting, negative word of mouth, and sabotage.
2,2′-Methylenebis (6-tert-butyl 4-methylphenol) enhances the antitumor efficacy of belotecan, a derivative of camptothecin, by inducing autophagy

Autophagy regulation is important for tumor cell survival. Activation and inhibition of autophagy can sensitize tumor cells to anticancer drugs. However, few autophagy-regulating small molecules are available to increase the efficacy of anticancer drugs. Here, we report that 2,2′-methylenebis (6-tert-butyl 4-methylphenol), hereafter referred to as methylenebis, is a novel autophagy-regulating small molecule that sensitizes tumor cells to belotecan, which is a derivative of camptothecin, a topoisomerase I inhibitor. Methylenebis activates autophagic flux by increasing the level of LC3-II and forming autolysosome puncta. Moreover, methylenebis enhances the antitumor efficacy of belotecan by activating both autophagy and apoptosis. Interestingly, methylenebis increased the level of LC3-II and belotecan independently decreased the level of p62, suggesting that methylenebis and belotecan target different steps of autophagy. Finally, we searched for compounds that are structurally similar to methylenebis. Our results imply that the specific structure of methylenebis contributes to its ability to activate autophagy.
Employee Retention and Engagement in Indian IT Companies

Employee engagement is the process through which employees develop a deep attachment with their organization, driving them to work more actively towards organizational goals. The present study examines engagement levels of employees across gender, age, functional domains, and experience levels in Indian IT companies and their impact on retention. It was found that the critical dimensions of employee engagement were: performance evaluation and development, manager's support, and effective leadership. Also, it was found that employee engagement levels follow a life cycle. Thus, IT companies should design their employee engagement programs to offer mentoring for less-experienced employees and autonomy and participation in decision-making for more-experienced employees.
Specific packaging of nodaviral RNA2 requires the N-terminus of the capsid protein.

Flock house virus (FHV), a member of the family Nodaviridae, is a nonenveloped, icosahedral insect virus whose capsids are assembled from 180 copies of a single type of coat protein. The viral genome is split between two segments of single-stranded positive-sense RNA, RNA1 and RNA2, which are packaged into a single virion. We previously demonstrated that synthesis of FHV coat protein in the baculovirus expression system results in assembly of virus-like particles whose capsids are indistinguishable from those of native virions, although the encapsidated RNA represents primarily cellular RNA. In contrast, expression of a deletion mutant lacking N-terminal residues 2-31 results in formation of multiple types of particles which differ in size, shape, and RNA contents. We postulated that the polymorphism was imposed by the type of RNA that the coat protein selected for packaging. In the current study we tested this hypothesis by analyzing the assembly of the mutant coat protein in Drosophila cells in the presence of replicating FHV RNAs. As anticipated, the resulting particles had the same shape and dimensions as wt virions. Surprisingly, however, they contained little RNA2 while packaging of RNA1 was not affected. Small amounts of defective interfering RNAs, which emerged rapidly in the presence of the mutant coat protein, were also detected. Taken together, these observations confirm our earlier hypothesis that selection of nonviral RNAs for packaging can significantly alter the assembly process. In addition, they demonstrate that the N-terminus of the FHV coat protein contains important determinants for recognition and packaging of RNA2. Our results provide the first evidence that encapsidation of the two genomic RNAs occurs independently and that the coat protein uses different regions for the recognition of RNA1 and RNA2.
XORs in the Air: Practical Wireless Network Coding

This paper proposes COPE, a new architecture for wireless mesh networks. In addition to forwarding packets, routers mix (i.e., code) packets from different sources to increase the information content of each transmission. We show that intelligently mixing packets increases network throughput. Our design is rooted in the theory of network coding. Prior work on network coding is mainly theoretical and focuses on multicast traffic. This paper aims to bridge theory with practice; it addresses the common case of unicast traffic, dynamic and potentially bursty flows, and practical issues facing the integration of network coding in the current network stack. We evaluate our design on a 20-node wireless network, and discuss the results of the first testbed deployment of wireless network coding. The results show that using COPE at the forwarding layer, without modifying routing and higher layers, increases network throughput. The gains vary from a few percent to several folds depending on the traffic pattern, congestion level, and transport protocol.
An evidence‐based staging system for orbital infections from acute rhinosinusitis

INTRODUCTION There is widespread inconsistency in the nomenclature used to describe infections of the orbital region as a complication of acute rhinosinusitis. Moreover, currently used staging systems for these infections are anatomically inconsistent, predating contemporary imaging techniques and management options. In view of these issues, the objective of our study was to systematically review the literature pertaining to orbital infections as a complication of acute rhinosinusitis and to evaluate how various manifestations relate to disease progression and management. We herein propose a novel, evidence-based staging system for this condition that would be helpful to clinicians in prognostication and treatment planning and would also be used in future research.
Further Evidence That Psychological Reactance Can Be Modeled as a Combination of Anger and Negative Cognitions

The primary objective of this investigation was to validate the recent operationalization of state reactance as a latent construct comprised of both affective and cognitive components. In addition to testing the operationalization of reactance, the authors tested the conceptual coherence of this construct by examining its association with threat-to-choice perceptions and ad persuasiveness of condom ads. Across seven condom television ads, the authors found evidence in support of treating reactance as a latent variable comprised of negative cognitions and state anger. An invariance test demonstrated that both of these variables loaded on reactance equivalently across all seven ads. In addition, results indicate that threat-to-choice perceptions are positively associated with reactance, thus providing conceptual consistency of this operationalization with Brehm's explication of reactance. Furthermore, the authors found evidence suggesting a negative association between ad persuasiveness with reactance and threat-to-choice perceptions.
Relation between chemical indices of soil and earthworm abundance under chemical fertilization.

The study intended to establish how the dynamics of earthworms (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae) changes in soil (abundance, biomass), under conditions of mineral fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorous in four different doses, in a 33-year experimental placement in the west of Romania, in wheat-soybean-maize-barley rotation. The soil indices taken into study were: pH, humus, total nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Statistical connections between the studied factors were realized using the dispersion analysis ANOVA and the SPSS Software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The study showed an increase of earthworm abundance and biomass under condi tions of chemical fertilization with nitrogen and phosphorous. The highest number of earthworms was recorded in the treatment with the largest dose of nitrogen fertilizer (by 85.85% higher compared to the control treatment). The greatest positive influence on earthworm abundance and biomass was manifested in humus and total nitrogen. The greatest negative influence on earthworm abundance was found in pH factor, while phosphorous content of soil ex erted the greatest negative influence on earthworm biomass.
A survey and task-based quality assessment of static 2D colormaps

Color is one of the most important visual variables since it can be combined with any other visual mapping to encode information without using additional space on the display. Encoding one or two dimensions with color is widely explored and discussed in the field. Also mapping multi-dimensional data to color is applied in a vast number of applications, either to indicate similar, or to discriminate between different elements or (multi-dimensional) structures on the screen. A variety of 2D colormaps exists in literature, covering a large variance with respect to different perceptual aspects. Many of the colormaps have a different perspective on the underlying data structure as a consequence of the various analysis tasks that exist for multivariate data. Thus, a large design space for 2D colormaps exists which makes the development and use of 2D colormaps cumbersome. According to our literature research, 2D colormaps have not been subject of in-depth quality assessment. Therefore, we present a survey of static 2D colormaps as applied for information visualization and related fields. In addition, we map seven devised quality assessment measures for 2D colormaps to seven relevant tasks for multivariate data analysis. Finally, we present the quality assessment results of the 2D colormaps with respect to the seven analysis tasks, and contribute guidelines about which colormaps to select or create for each analysis task.
Strategies for thirst relief: integrative literature review.

Objective: to analyze the strategies used to relieve the thirst of hospitalized patients. Method: an integrative review, for which the databases PubMed, LILACS, CINAHL and the group of references organized by the Group for Study and Research of Thirst were selected for the search of primary studies, with the keywords: thirst, ice, cold, intervention, nursing care, artificial saliva. Results: the review sample was composed of ten primary studies. The strategies found were: low temperature using frozen gauze, ice chips, and cold water, menthol associated with cold strategies, chewing gum, acupressure, and the use of a thin straw, substitute saliva, and early fluid ingestion. Conclusion: the temperature was presented as a predominant and effective strategy to relieve the thirst for surgical patients in intensive care and hemodialysis treatment.
Major Surface Protein 2 of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Facilitates Adherence to Granulocytes

ABSTRACT Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects myeloid cells in the mammalian host. Msp2 (p44) is the major immunodominant outer-membrane protein of these bacteria. We hypothesized that Msp2 acts as an adhesin for A. phagocytophilum entry into granulocytes. This potential role was investigated by blocking binding with Msp2 monoclonal antibodies and by antagonizing binding and propagation with recombinant Msp2 (rMsp2) in vitro. With HL-60 cells, fresh human peripheral blood neutrophils, and a cell line devoid of the fucosylated platelet selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) receptor for A. phagocytophilum or one that was transfected to express this ligand, Msp2 monoclonal antibody and rMsp2 used as the antagonist caused concentration-dependent reductions in bacterial adhesion (P < 0.007 and P < 0.02, respectively) and propagation (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001), although inhibition of adhesion or propagation was moderate and incomplete. Likewise, rMsp2 bound to surfaces of the transfected cell at a level similar to that of extracellular A. phagocytophilum and significantly (P < 0.05) beyond that of nontransfected cells. Moreover, a dose-dependent reduction (P < 0.019) in PSGL-1 monoclonal antibody binding to HL-60 cells was elicited with rMsp2. We conclude that Msp2s of A. phagocytophilum are involved in bacterial adhesion to ligands on host myeloid cells before intracellular infection.
On wireless communication in tunnels

We review recent research work on wireless communication in straight and curved tunnels. Modal theory of fields in a circular tunnel excited by a linear source is given in detail. Closed form expressions for the propagation parameters of the dominant modes in circular and rectangular straight tunnels in the high frequencies are derived. We present field measurements in tunnels and interpret them in terms of the mode theory. The main characteristics of the dominant modes in a curved tunnel are studied.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Heteroresistant Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in a Tertiary Care Center

ABSTRACT Infections with S. aureus with heterogeneous intermediate resistance to vancomycin (hVISA) are occurring more frequently. The detection of these infections, their prevalence, clinical characteristics, and significance are controversial. During 2003 and 2004, all blood culture isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (264 patients) at the Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel, were assessed for hVISA by using the Etest macromethod. A total of 16 patients (6%) were positive for hVISA. Resistance to teicoplanin alone and to vancomycin alone using the Etest macromethod was found in 14 and 10 patients, respectively. Standard MICs to vancomycin were between 1 to 4 mg/ml. Most of these isolates (12 of 16 [75%]) would have been missed without specific testing. The median number of bacteremic days was 4. Seven patients had positive blood cultures for more than 5 days. Twelve patients died, and for eight of these the deaths were directly related to hVISA sepsis. We found that hVISA bacteremia was prevalent in our institution, and we suggest seeking hVISA in patients with persistent S. aureus bacteremia.