Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Output and Shunt during Voluntary Activity at Different Temperatures in the Turtle, Trachemys scripta

Red‐eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) were chronically instrumented with blood flow probes for a long‐term study of voluntary behavior in an enriched laboratory setting. Cardiovascular measures consisting of total cardiac output (Q̇tot), pulmonary blood flow (Q̇pul), systemic blood flow (Q̇sys), net cardiac shunt (Q̇shunt), heart rate (HR), and stroke volume (SV) were obtained during spontaneous activity at a constant body temperature (Tb = 20°C) and at unstable (variable) Tb's ranging from 19° to 37°C. The effects of temperature and activity differed between the pulmonary and systemic circuits, with increases in Q̇sys due to HR alone, while both HR and SV contributed to gains in Q̇pul. At stable 20°C, cardiovascular responses during diving, submerged swimming, and walking were qualitatively similar, and increases in Q̇tot during activity (∼2 × resting levels) were due to greater gains in Q̇pul than Q̇sys. At unstable Tb's and in general, net Q̇shunt while active depended on the integration of individual physiological influences such as heating, cooling, and initial behavioral state acting on the cardiovascular system. During activity, net left‐to‐right (L‐R) shunts predominated at constant Tb of 20°C (mean shunt fraction ∼30%–40%), while both net L‐R and right‐to‐left (R‐L) shunts of varying size were found at unstable Tb's (19°–37°C).
A Systematic Approach to Software Evolution

We present an approach to adjust existing software to new or changed requirements in an systematic way. The approach relies on a set of intermediate artifacts linked by mappings that bridge the gap between requirements and code. Those artifacts and the links between them can be constructed and maintained with reasonable effort. Additional support is supplied by bookkeeping and validation concepts. We demonstrate the usefulness of our approach by performing our method on a real-life application.
In vivo conversion of 18- and 20-C essential fatty acids in rats using the multiple simultaneous stable isotope method Published, JLR Papers in Press, June 1, 2005. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M500127-JLR200

An important question for mammalian nutrition is the relative efficiency of C18 versus C20 essential fatty acids (EFAs) for supporting the tissue composition of n-3 and n-6 pathway end products. One specific question is whether C22 EFAs are made available to tissues more effectively by dietary α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) and linoleic acid (18:2n-6) or by dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (20:3n-6). To address this question in a direct manner, four stable isotope compounds were given simultaneously in a novel paradigm. A single oral dose of a mixture of 2H5-18:3n-3, 13C-U-20:5n-3, 13C-U-18:2n-6, and 2H5-20:3n-6 was administered to rats given a defined diet. There was a preferential in vivo conversion of arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) to docosatetraenoic acid (22:4n-6) and of 22:4n-6 to n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-6) when the substrates originated from the C18 precursors. However, when the end products docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) or 22:5n-6 were expressed as the total amount in the plasma compartment divided by the dosage, this parameter was 11-fold greater for 20:5n-3 than for 18:3n-3 and 14-fold greater for 20:3n-6 than for 18:2n-6. Thus, on a per dosage basis, the total amounts of n-3 and n-6 end products accreted in plasma were considerably greater for C20 EFA precursors relative to C18.
Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of alpha2-adrenergic agonists, beta-adrenergic antagonists, and topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors with prostaglandin analogs.

OBJECTIVE To perform a meta-analysis to estimate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy and safety of alpha(2)-adrenergic agonists (AAs), beta-adrenergic antagonists (BBs), and topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (TCAIs) when used in combination with a prostaglandin analog (PGA). METHODS MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were systematically searched for relevant articles in April 2009. Ten observer-masked randomized clinical trials that reported baseline IOP while receiving PGA monotherapy and follow-up IOP while receiving combination therapy were identified. The pooled IOP-lowering efficacy achieved with each class of adjunctive agent was calculated using random-effects models. The frequencies of adverse events were pooled across studies and compared using Fisher exact test. RESULTS Mean diurnal IOP reduction achieved in all 3 groups was statistically similar (P = .22). At trough, IOP reduction was greater in the TCAI (P < .001) and BB (P < .001) groups than in the AA group. Peak IOP reduction was similar in the 3 groups (P = .66). Eye or eyelid pain or burning and xerostomia were significantly more common in the AA group. Fatigue, weakness, or dizziness was more common in the AA and BB groups compared with the TCAI group. Taste disturbance was significantly more common in the TCAI group. CONCLUSIONS All 3 classes are similarly effective in lowering mean diurnal IOP when used in combination with PGAs. The AA class is statistically significantly less effective in reducing IOP at trough compared with BBs and TCAIs. The types of adverse events that were identified varied among the different classes of adjunctive therapies.
How Do Toddler Eating Problems Relate to Their Eating Behavior, Food Preferences, and Growth?

OBJECTIVES. Eating problems are a common cause of concern for the parents of toddlers, but few studies have examined the correlates of eating problems or the growth patterns associated with them in a large population-based sample. Our goal was to examine the distribution of eating behaviors in a large representative sample of toddlers and their mothers' approach to feeding. In addition, we describe the prevalence of parentally perceived eating problems and how they relate to specific behaviors, food preferences, and growth in the child. METHODS. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from a United Kingdom population-based birth cohort, the Gateshead Millennium Baby Study, which included 455 questionnaires completed by parents when their children were aged 30 months. RESULTS. Eating was perceived to be a problem by 89 (20%) parents. Eating a limited variety (79 [17%]) and preferring drinks to food (57 [13%]) were the most prevalent problem behaviors. Thirty-seven children (8%) were described by parents as definitely “faddy” (picky), and these children liked fewer foods and had higher eating restriction scores than those described as not faddy. Children who were described as having an eating problem gained less weight over the first 2 years; 11.1% had weight faltering compared with 3.5% in children not described as having an eating problem. Being faddy was only weakly associated with poor growth, and simply eating a limited variety was unrelated to growth. High milk consumption was associated with lower appetite but not with poor growth. CONCLUSIONS. Eating problems are common in toddlers and in the majority are associated with normal growth, although weight faltering is more common in such children. Excessive milk-drinking may be a cause of low appetite at meal times.
Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits microglial nitric oxide production in a stimulus‐specific manner

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid that circulates in abundance in the form of a sulfated reserve (DHEA‐S). The levels of DHEA decline with age and further in age‐related neuropathologies, including Alzheimer disease. Because of their reported anti‐inflammatory effects, we tested the actions of these compounds on microglia. At concentrations of 3−9 to 1−6 M, DHEA and DHEA‐S inhibited the production of nitrite and morphological changes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide. DHEA and DHEA‐S also inhibited LPS induction of iNOS protein, but neither inhibited LPS‐induced iNOS mRNA or the activation of NF‐κB. These data suggest that the hormone regulates nitrite production through a post‐transcriptional mechanism. Interestingly, microglial nitrite production in response to a secreted form of the β‐amyloid precursor protein (sAPP) was unaffected by DHEA. Another Alzheimer‐related factor, amyloid β‐peptide, also stimulated microglial nitrite production but in a manner dependent on the co‐stimulus interferon‐γ. DHEA was found to inhibit only the interferon‐γ component of the microglial response. These data add to a growing body of evidence for differences in the profiles of mononuclear phagocytes activated by distinct stimuli. J. Neurosci. Res. 62:503–509, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of Micrometastases in Histologically Negative Lymph Nodes of Early-Stage Cervical Cancer Patients

OBJECTIVE: Despite histologically negative lymph nodes, approximately 15% of patients with early-stage cervical cancer will develop recurrence. Micrometastases have been shown to be important in staging and treatment of breast cancers and melanoma and have been identified by polymerase chain reaction analysis in cervical cancers. This study sought to estimate the frequency of micrometastases identified by immunohistochemistry in histologically negative lymph nodes and compare this to other known risk factors for recurrence of cervical cancer. METHODS: Early-stage (stages IA2, IB1, and IB2) cervical cancer patients of all histologic subtypes were identified from the surgical logs of the Los Angeles County–University of Southern California Medical Center for the period 1994–2000. One hundred thirty-two patients had histologically negative lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical assay was performed on 3,106 lymph nodes by using antibodies against cytokeratins AE-1 and CAM 5.2 in combination according to standard protocols. The stained nodes were then evaluated for the presence of micrometastases and compared against the respective clinicopathologic information in each case. RESULTS: Micrometastases were detected in 19 of 132 (15%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9%, 22%) patients, found in 29 of the 3,106 (0.9%) lymph nodes evaluated. Vascular space invasion was seen in 50 of 132 cases (38%, 95% CI 30%, 47%) and in 8 of 19 (42%, 95% CI 21%, 66%) cases with micrometastases. Surgical margins of the resected specimen were negative in 120 of 132 cases (91%, 95% CI 84%, 95%) and in 16 of 19 (84%, 95%CI 60%, 96%) of those cases with micrometastases. Micrometastases were seen most frequently in pelvic lymph nodes (25 of 29, 86%). Patients with more than 20 lymph nodes removed were more likely to demonstrate metastasis (P < .001). There was no statistically significant association between micrometastasis and vascular space invasion or tumor volume. CONCLUSION: Micrometastases are identifiable in histologically negative lymph nodes in 15% (95% CI 9%, 22%) of early-stage cancer patients, a frequency which approximates the recurrence rate for patients with negative nodes. In this series, patients with greater numbers of lymph nodes analyzed were more likely to have lymph node micrometastasis identified. There appears to be no relationship between tumor volume and the identification of micrometastases. Although micrometastases can be identified in histologically negative lymph nodes, their presence is not strongly associated with other known factors of cervical cancer recurrence. Further research is needed to determine whether the presence of lymph node micrometastases is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3
Going global: Functions of autobiographical remembering world tour

This special issue showcases research from around the world that takes a functional approach to autobiographical remembering. In doing so, it inspires researchers to reach out to new populations. This commentary begins with a brief history of the functional approach. Person–environment interactions, in this case how individuals use memory in their current cultural context, are at the core of that approach. Based on current theoretical thinking in this area, I review the papers in this issue with the aim of exploring: (1) where culture and function might fit in current conceptualisations of autobiographical memory, (2) the relation of culture to socio-structural variables such as gender and life phase in shaping the functions of memory and (3) differences in cultural tendencies to use autobiographical memory as a resource to fulfil universal human needs.
Regulation of shoot epidermal cell differentiation by a pair of homeodomain proteins in Arabidopsis

In higher plants, the outermost cell layer (L1) of the shoot apex gives rise to the epidermis of shoot organs. Our previous study demonstrated that an 8-bp motif named the L1 box functions as a cis-regulatory element for L1-specific gene expression in the shoot system of Arabidopsis. We show here that PROTODERMAL FACTOR2 (PDF2), a member of the HD-GL2 class of homeobox genes, is expressed exclusively in the L1 of shoot meristems and that recombinant PDF2 protein specifically binds to the L1 box in vitro. Although knockout mutants of PDF2 and ATML1, another L1-specific HD-GL2 class gene sharing the highest homology with PDF2, display normal shoot development, the double mutant results in severe defects in shoot epidermal cell differentiation. This suggests that PDF2 and ATML1 are functionally interchangeable and play a critical role in maintaining the identity of L1 cells, possibly by interacting with their L1 box and those of downstream target-gene promoters.
Efficacy of Intranasal Administration of a Modified Live Feline Herpesvirus 1 and Feline Calicivirus Vaccine against Disease Caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica after Experimental Challenge

Background Studies suggest that intranasal vaccination can stimulate nonspecific immunity against agents not contained within the vaccine, but this effect is not reported for cats. Hypothesis A modified live feline herpesvirus‐1 (FHV‐1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) intranasal vaccine will reduce clinical signs of disease caused by experimental infection with Bordetella bronchiseptica. Animals Twenty specific pathogen‐free 12‐week‐old kittens. Methods Experimental study. Cats were randomized into 2 groups of 10 cats each. The vaccinated group was administered a single intranasal dose of a commercially available vaccine containing modified live strains of FHV‐1 and FCV, and the control group remained unvaccinated. All 20 cats were administered B. bronchiseptica by nasal inoculation 7 days later and were observed daily for clinical signs of illness for 20 days. Results In the first 10 days after B. bronchiseptica challenge, vaccinated cats were less likely to be clinically ill than control cats with a median clinical score of 0/180 (range 0–5) versus 2/180 (range 0–8) (P = .01). Nine of 10 control cats and 2 of 10 vaccinated cats were recorded as sneezing during days 1–10 after challenge (P = .006). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Intranasal vaccination against FHV‐1 and FCV decreased signs of illness due to an infectious agent not contained in the vaccine. This nonspecific immunity could be beneficial for protection against organisms for which vaccines are not available and as protection before development of vaccine‐induced humoral immunity.
Identity, Legitimacy and the Dominant Research Paradigm: An Alternative Prescription for the IS Discipline: A Response to Benbasat and Zmud's Call for Returning to the IT Artifact

In this commentary, I respond to Benbasat and Zmud’s (2003) call for a new identity for the IS field. While agreeing with the need for change, I disagree with parts of their portrayal of our new identity and the means for achieving it. I first suggest that identity should be flexible and adaptable rather than inflexible and rigid. A flexible identity can be changed more easily when circumstances require. Second, I caution against promoting our own new identity too vigorously because self-promotion can produce the undesirable image of an insecure field concerned with its reputation. It would be better, in my opinion, to protect past accomplishments while responding to the pragmatic demands of immediate audiences through research that addresses their concerns. Third, we need to heed Benbasat and Zmud’s advice to establish our identity without severing ties with contributing disciplines. Finally, IS should avoid the lure of a dominant paradigm. Despite its potentially galvanizing effect, a dominant paradigm threatens the rich diversity that has characterized IS research since its inception.
Detection of West Nile virus in the tissues of specific pathogen free chickens and serological response to laboratory infection: a comparative study

Using an isolate of West Nile virus (WNV) from lineage 1 (Goose/Israel 1998), groups of specific pathogen free chickens were experimentally infected via the subcutaneous or intravenous routes. To evaluate the relative efficiency of detecting the virus in the infected chickens, samples from a range of tissues and organs were examined by virus isolation tests in tissue culture, including Vero, primary chicken embryo liver and fibroblast cells, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. Additionally, in order to investigate the serological response of the chickens and produce WNV monospecific antibodies, serum samples were collected from the birds during the trial and analysed for antibodies by virus neutralization (VN) and the plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT). No clinical signs or gross pathological changes were seen in any of the inoculated chickens throughout the study. The nested PCR used in the study appeared to be significantly more sensitive at detecting the presence of the virus in both the tissues and the inoculated Vero cell cultures compared with the detection of gross cytopathic changes as observed in infected Vero cell culture. No cytopathic changes were seen in the inoculated avian cell cultures. Following primary inoculation of the chickens there was a weak antibody response 15 days post-inoculation. However, following re-inoculation with inactivated WNV and adjuvant there was a substantial increase in the neutralizing antibody titres when tested 2 weeks later. The results obtained suggested that the PRNT was more sensitive than the conventional VN test. Based on detection of virus and serology there was no evidence of viral transmission to the close contact controls. It can be concluded that the PCR used in this study was more sensitive than virus isolation for the detection of WNV while the PRNT also appeared more sensitive than the conventional VN test.
SpermBlue®: A new universal stain for human and animal sperm which is also amenable to automated sperm morphology analysis

Abstract Our study was aimed at exploring a simple procedure to stain differentially the acrosome, head, midpiece, and flagellum of human and animal sperm. A further prerequisite was that sperm morphology of the stained samples could be analyzed using automated sperm morphology analysis (ASMA). We developed a new staining process using SpermBlue® fixative and SpermBlue® stain, which are iso-osmotic in relation to semen. The entire fixation and staining processes requires only 25 min. Three main steps are required. First, a routine sperm smear is made by either using semen or sperm in a diluting medium. The smear is allowed to air dry at room temperature. Second, the smear is fixed for 10 min by either placing the slide with the dried smear in a staining tray containing SpermBlue® fixative or by adding 1 ml SpermBlue® fixative to the slide. Third, the fixed smear is stained for 15 min by either immersing the slide in a staining tray containing SpermBlue® stain or adding four drops of SpermBlue® stain to the fixed smear. The stained slide is dipped gently in distilled water followed by air drying and mounting in DPX® or an equivalent medium. The method is simple and suitable for field conditions. Sperm of human, three monkey species, horse, boar, bull, ram, mouse, rat, domestic chicken, fish, and invertebrate species were stained successfully using the SpermBlue® staining process. SpermBlue® stains human and animal sperm different hues or intensities of blue. It is possible to distinguish clearly the acrosome, sperm head, midpiece, principal piece of the tail, and even the short end piece. The Sperm Class Analyzer® ASMA system was used successfully to quantify sperm head and midpiece measurements automatically at either 600 × or 1000 × magnification for most of the species studied.
The welfare racket: conditionality and marketised activation in street-level welfare-to-work services

This thesis investigates everyday encounters between benefit recipients and street-level welfare agencies in an era of behavioural conditionality, marketised ‘activation’, and neoliberal paternalism. Central to this thesis is a concern with the relational dynamics that policies of ‘behavioural conditionality’ and ‘mandatory activation’ produce, explored through reflexive analysis of the researcher’s own experiences as a street-level activation worker, and thirty in-depth interviews with former colleagues, other street-level staff, and benefit recipients. Informed by relational and psychosocial theorisations of both the subject and street-level welfare organisations, the thesis looks at the interactions between symbolic/ideological representation, individual agency, and street-level organisation. Arguing that attention to the dynamic, libidinal investments of street-level employees casts familiar street-level practices in a new light, the thesis draws attention to a dynamic of illusio-disillusionment (Bourdieu, 2000) among street-level staff, re-rendering familiar practices of ‘creaming and parking’ in terms of punishment and protection. Similarly, it is argued that specific instances of support, indifference, and/or sanction do not exist as discrete experiences in the life of claimants, but as ongoing possibilities, producing a situation of ever-present surveillance and threat. In this way, conditional activation services come to resemble a protection racket, in which both the threat and means of defence are produced simultaneously. These dynamic materialisations of behavioural conditionality are situated with respect to the ideology of neoliberal paternalism, which at street-level takes the form of magical voluntarism, and the enforcement of an anti-sociological imaginary which, it is argued, results in the denial and effective privatisation of the troubles, difficulties, and needs that bring people to welfare services in the first place.