Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diet selection in pigs: dietary choices made by growing pigs following a period of underfeeding with protein

Forty pigs (half each of females and entire males) were used in an ad libitum feeding experiment from weaning to 33 kg live weight (LW). In period 1 to 16 kg LW, the pigs had either food L (134 g crude protein (CP) per kg) or food H (278 g CP per kg) alone. The aim was to delay the growth of pigs on L and create two groups of pigs with different body compositions. At 16 kg LW, eight pigs were killed and their empty bodies chemically analysed. The pigs given L had 1·06 (s.e. 0·08) kg more lipid and a lower protein: ash ratio in their empty body than pigs on H; growth rates, from 9 to 16 kg LW, were 386 (L) and 591 (H) (s.e.d. 17)g/day. Both aims were thus achieved. In period 2 the pigs previously given L (no. = 16) or H (no. = 16) in period 1, were given L alone (no. = 4), H alone (no. = 4) or a choice between L and H (no. = 8) to 33 kg LW when the choice-fed pigs were killed and their empty bodies chemically analysed. The objective of the experiment was to test the idea that pigs previously given a food deficient in CP, when given a choice between foods, one of high and one of low, protein content will select a diet of a composition that allows them to correct the effects of the previous mis-feeding. The pigs given L alone in period 2 grew more slowly, and ate more per day, than those given H alone, with no effect of the food given in period 1. Of those given H alone in period 2, the pigs previously given L grew faster, and were more efficient, than those previously given H. The protein contents (g CP per kg food) of the diets selected by the choice-fed pigs were significantly affected by both sex (228 for males v. 181 for females; s.e.d. 15) and the food given in period 1 (233 for L and 175 for H; s.e.d. 15) with no significant interaction between these factors. The pigs from L grew faster (1039 v. 780 (s.e.d. 70) g/day) had a higher daily food intake (1420 v. 1319 (s.e.d. 71) g/day) and were more efficient (0·736 v. 0·595 (s.e.d. 0·034) g gain per g food) than those from H. At 33 kg LW lipid weights were similar for the two period 1 treatments (L had 0·40 (s.e. 0·54) kg more lipid than H); females had 1·79 (s.e. 0·54) kg more lipid than males. It is concluded that, where pigs are given a choice between foods of low and high protein contents, they will select a diet of a composition such that the effects of previous mis-feeding are corrected. Giving pigs a choice between an appropriate pair of foods allows them to select a diet of a composition suitable for their needs.
Back extensor training increases muscle strength in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, kyphosis and vertebral fractures

Abstract We determined the efficacy of a back muscle extensor strengthening program on the back muscle extensor strength, kyphosis, height and thoracic expansion in women with at least one vertebral fracture, kyphosis and osteoporosis. Thirty-six patients were included and randomized to a control or a training group. The training focused on back muscle extensor strengthening program for 1 h, twice a week for 4 months and was performed by a physiotherapist. The main outcome measure was the back muscle extensor strength. In an intention-to-treat analysis no significant effects on back muscle strength in the training group vs. controls could be seen (p = 0.74). In a per-protocol analysis (n = 28), the training group increased back muscle strength from 290 ± 87 to 331 ± 89 N while the control group showed no improvement. After adjusting for the strength at baseline, a significant effect of training could be demonstrated (p = 0.029). When comparing the heights between the groups a significant group × time interaction was observed (p = 0.012) where the training women increased their mean height with 0.3 cm (p = 0.101) and controls decreased 0.44 cm (p = 0.045). The training group improved their thoracic expansion compared with baseline (p = 0.03). No effect of training on kyphosis was seen. In conclusion, a 4-months back extensor training program can improve back strength and seems to maintain height and thoracic expansion.
Detección de blancos moleculares en la ruta de señalización del fosfatidil-inositol en Leishmania spp. mediante herramientas bioinformáticas y de modelado matemático

Introduccion. La leishmaniasis es una enfermedad de gran impacto en la salud publica. La Organizacion Mundial de la Salud considera prioritaria la investigacion orientada al desarrollo de medicamentos para su tratamiento. La exploracion de la ruta del fosfatidil-inositol es interesante, ya que esta implicada en la supervivencia del parasito mediante el control de la osmorregulacion, el transporte a traves de las membranas y la activacion de diversos factores de transcripcion. Objetivo. Proponer blancos para el desarrollo de medicamentos contra la leishmaniasis mediante el analisis bioinformatico y el modelado matematico de esta ruta. Materiales y metodos. Se caracterizaron las proteinas pertenecientes a la ruta del fosfatidil-inositol en las bases de datos TriTrypDB y Pfam. Posteriormente, se hizo un analisis de similitud con las proteinas humanas mediante las herramientas InParanoid7 y OrthoMCL. Finalmente, se propuso un modelo booleano de la ruta, utilizando los programas PROMOT y CellNetAnalyzer. Resultados. Se reconstruyo y se describio la ruta de senalizacion del fosfatidil-inositol en Leishmania spp. El analisis de similitud con proteinas humanas determino la viabilidad de las proteinas pertenecientes a la ruta del fosfatidil-inositol como potenciales blancos moleculares. Los modelos matematicos permitieron integrar los elementos de la ruta y predecir un efecto inhibidor. Se propusieron los siguientes blancos para el desarrollo de medicamentos: inositol-3-fosfato-5-fosfatasa, fosfatidil-inositol-4-cinasa, fosfatidil-inositol-3,4,5-trisfosfato-3-fosfatasa, e inositol-polifosfato1P-fosfatasa. Conclusiones. La ruta de senalizacion del fosfatidil-inositol aparece como una alternativa solida desde el punto de vista del modelo cualitativo y a partir de las proteinas encontradas. Se identificaron posibles blancos de medicamentos contra la leishmaniasis. Posteriormente, se buscaran medicamentos contra las proteinas detectadas y se hara la validacion experimental.
Tracing ridges on B-Spline surfaces

Ridges are characteristic curves of a surface that mark salient intrinsic features of its shape and are therefore valuable for shape matching, surface quality control, visualization and various other applications. Ridges are loci of points on a surface where either of the principal curvatures attain a critical value in its respective principal direction. These curves have complex behavior near umbilics on a surface, and may also pass through certain turning points causing added complexity for ridge computation. We present a new algorithm for numerically tracing ridges on B-Spline surfaces that also accurately captures ridge behavior at umbilics and ridge turning points. The algorithm traverses ridge segments by detecting ridge points while advancing and sliding in principal directions on a surface in a novel manner, thereby computing connected curves of ridge points. The output of the algorithm is a set of curve segments, some or all of which, may be selected for other applications such as those mentioned above. The results of our technique are validated by comparison with results from previous research and with a brute-force domain sampling technique.
Pre-teenage children's strategies for avoiding situations in which they might be exposed to drugs

This paper explores the ways in which pre-teenage children try to avoid coming into contact with illegal drugs and then examines the factors and circumstances that facilitate or impede their efforts to achieve this. Their main strategy of avoiding certain groups or individuals was complicated by the fluid nature of young people's social groups and the unpredictable nature of their activities. Children who lived in areas in which illegal drugs were prevalent found it especially difficult to avoid coming into contact with them. While it was relatively easy for a child to avoid making friends with someone who was using drugs, the situation in which an existing friend started to use illegal drugs was much more difficult to deal with. The paper concludes that, while children should be encouraged to avoid certain groups and situations as their first line of defence, the problematic nature of this activity means that it is also essential that they continue to be provided with the skills necessary to deal effectively with situations in which illegal drugs are available.
Understanding access to drug and alcohol treatment services in Europe: A multi-country service users’ perspective

Aims: The IATPAD (Improvement in Access to Treatment for People with Alcohol and Drug Related Problems) study explored barriers and facilitators to accessing alcohol and drug treatment services in eight European countries. Methods: Results from individual interviews and focus group discussions with 246 service users who had experienced alcohol and drug treatment in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Scotland are described. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. Results: The study identified a number of consistent facilitating factors and barriers across all eight European countries, despite different health care systems. The results suggest that five main factors were implicated in the help-seeking behaviour of the service users interviewed. These were: information, service organisation, staff attitudes, significant others and personal disposition. All these factors could be viewed as both facilitators and barriers. Conclusions: To enhance access to alcohol and drug treatment, local, non-stigmatising and available services are required alongside support from significant others which should increase motivation and skills of potential service users.
Cognitive evaluation of video games: players' perceptions

Video games were evaluated by players very familiar with them, along five cognitive dimensions drawn from the PASS model. These 233 gamers evaluated up to three games each which were then placed into genres defined by GameSpot.com and compared in terms of their perceived cognitive components. Game genre, for which there was sufficient number of evaluations, differed along each cognitive dimension.
Expression of p53 and Mdm2 in Human Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a malignant tumor of the developing retina. Retinoblastomas arise within the retina to form soft white tumor masses that expand within the vitreous cavity of the eye, and if untreated, mostly invade through the sclera, or along the optic nerve, or hematogenously via the choroids, in turn posing a risk for metastasis. However, it is an uncommon tumor accounting for 3% of all childhood malignancies in developed countries. Very few studies on p53 expression in retinoblastoma patient’s inspite of its crucial role in tumorigenesis are officially recorded. Therefore, we detected the expression of p53 and mdm2 in retinoblastoma by immunohistochemistry, analyzed their relationships with clinicopathological parameters and then investigated the influence on the biological activity of retinoblastoma.
Direct disk diffusion test using European Clinical Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing breakpoints provides reliable results compared with the standard method.

Sepsis represents a life-threatening infection requiring the immediate start of antibacterial treatment to reduce morbidity. Thus, laboratories use direct antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) to rapidly generate preliminary results from positive blood cultures. As the direct AST has not yet been published to be evaluated with EUCAST breakpoints, the purpose of the study was to investigate the reliability of the direct agar diffusion test to correctly produce AST results from positive monobacterial blood cultures compared with the VITEK2-based definitive AST, when current EUCAST breakpoints were used. A total of 428 isolates from unselected monobacterial routine blood cultures and 110 challenge strains were included. Direct agar diffusion-based and standard VITEK2-based AST of 2803 bacterium-drug combinations yielded a total clinical category agreement of 95.47% with 1.28% very major errors and 3.42% combined major and minor errors. On the species level, very major errors were observed in the species-drug combinations Enterococcus spp. -high-level gentamicin (10.87%) and Staphylococcus spp. -rifampicin (5%), only. No very major errors occurred with Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In most species-drug combinations, the direct agar diffusion test using EUCAST breakpoints precisely predicted the result of the definitive antibiotic susceptibility test and, thus, it can be used to optimize empiric antibiotic therapy until definitive results are available.
Detection of sleep apnoea from frequency analysis of heart rate variability

Sleep apnoea is a clinical condition associated with a number of serious clinical and other problems. Patients who suffer from sleep apnoea have recurrent nocturnal apnoeas. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of an automated computer algorithm to detect sleep apnoea from the characteristic pattern of its recurrence, using RR interval data. Data from 35 training and 35 test subjects supplied by PhysioNet were analysed. To produce an algorithm which did not require highly accurate QRS detection, the QRS information supplied by PhysioNet were used without checking for artifactual data. Each subject's data were converted to a sequence of beat intervals, which was then analysed by Fourier transform. The study period varied from less than 7 hours to more than 10 hours. Patients with sleep apnoea tended to have a spectral peak lying between 0.01 and 0.05 cycles/beat, with the width of the peak indicating variability in the recurrence rate of the apnoea. In most subjects the frequency spectrum immediately below that containing the apnoea peak was relatively flat. The first visual analysis of the single computed spectrum from each subject led to a correct classification score of 28/30 (93%). The ratio of the content of the two spectral regions was obtained by dividing the area under the spectral curve between 0.01 and 0.05 cycles/beat by the area between 0.005 and 0.01 cycles/beat, and then a fixed threshold (3.15) was used to classify, the subjects automatically. The automated score for the training set was 27/30 (90%), 17/20 Apnoea (A), 10/10 Normal (C). The automated score for the test set was also 27/30 (90%).
A complex uncertainty: women on health, hope and living with HIV in Australia

Introduction This report is the second from the Living with HIV program that specifically addresses the status of women with HIV/AIDS in Australia. The report comes, as did its predecessor Standing on shifting sand, from a national survey of Australian PLWHA. The HIV Futures II survey is a core component of a broader program of research concerned with the social and psychological experience of living with HIV.
Impacto del Entrenamiento del Balance a través de Realidad Virtual en una Población de Adultos Mayores

La tercera edad tanto en Chile como en el mundo es una poblacion creciente, que se caracteriza por que sus habilidades motoras sufren un deterioro progresivo y natural, destaca la perdida del balance como una mas afectadas; facilitando las caidas y por consiguiente lesiones traumaticas graves, como es la fractura de cadera. Este trabajo persigue reeducar el balance y control postural en los adultos mayores a traves del uso de realidad virtual. El estudio se llevo a cabo en el Laboratorio de Biomecanica de la Universidad de Talca. Participaron 20 sujetos adultos mayores (edad promedio 69 anos). Se utilizo un modelo de intervencion de 8 semanas con una frecuencia de 3 veces a la semana, 20 minutos cada sesion. Se evaluo el balance y control postural a partir de una plataforma posturografica estatica (Estandar y Tandem) antes de comenzar la intervencion, a las 3, 6 y 8 semanas de tratamiento. El area y velocidad promedio disminuyeron de manera significativa en la fase de vista al frente en la prueba de apoyo Bipodal o Estandar lo que representa una disminucion del 30% respecto de los valores iniciales. La velocidad promedio se redujo un 4% respecto al inicio (p<0,01). En la prueba Tandem, el area de desplazamiento del centro de presion (COP) disminuyo de manera significativa en la fase de vista al frente, lo que significa una disminucion progresiva del 28% (p<0,01). El entrenamiento con RV (Nintendo Wii Fit) contribuye de manera significativa en mejorar el balance y el control postural en los adultos mayores. Aspectos observados en la variables posturograficas tales como: area de desplazamiento del COP en vista al frente para la prueba Estandar y Tandem, en la velocidad promedio de excursion del COP para la fase de vista al frente en la prueba Estandar y ojos cerrados para Tandem.
National water footprint accounts: the green, blue and grey water footprint of production and consumption

This study quantifies and maps the water footprints of nations from both a production and consumption perspective and estimates international virtual water flows and national and global water savings as a result of trade. The entire estimate includes a breakdown of water footprints, virtual water flows and water savings into their green, blue and grey components.
WINNING THE RECRUITING CHALLENGE: HIRING DIVERSE AND TALENTED IS FACULTY MEMBERS

Serving on an IS recruiting committee can be a challenge to most faculty members. In addition to standard committee responsibilities, the IS search committee is strategically important to the department’s mission. Hiring a diverse faculty group provides even more challenges to an already difficult task. Particularly in IS, where qualified women and minority applicants may be difficult to find, the task of the search committee is challenging. This paper provides an overview of the IS search committee process, focusing on strategies for recruiting diverse and talented faculty members. Specific strategies include providing relevant training for the committee members, developing appropriate advertising strategies for the position, including diverse faculty in the composition of the committee, removal of any gender or minority identifiable material before review, and courting the candidate to accept the position. These strategies should lead to an increase in recruiting diverse and qualified IS faculty.
[Possible role of selected IGR and SLC22A4/SLC22A5 loci in development of inflammatory bowel diseases].

UNLABELLED The IBD5 locus (MIM#606348) on chromosome 5q31 has been demonstrated to confer increased risk for inflammatory bowel disease. Controversial reports have been published about the significance of individual loci located in this region. Here we investigated the possible genetic association of inflammatory bowel diseases with C1672T of SLC22A4 and G-207C SLC22A5 alleles, and with IGR2096a_1 (rs12521868) and IGR2198a_1 (rs11739135) susceptibility variants of the IBD5 region located on chromosome 5q31. PATIENTS AND METHODS Total of 440 patients, 206 with Crohn's disease, 234 with ulcerative colitis, and 279 controls were studied by PCR-RFLP methods. RESULTS Neither the C1672T, and G-207C alleles, nor the TC haplotype were found to confer risk for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. By contrast, both of the minor allele frequencies of IGR2096a_1 T (48.1%) and IGR2198a_1 C (46.1%) were increased in Crohn's disease subjects as compared with the controls (38.5% and 38.4%, respectively; p<0.05). Using regression analysis adjusted to age and gender these alleles were found to confer risk for Crohn's disease (OR=1.694, 95% CI: 1.137-2.522; p=0.010 for T allele, OR=1.644, 95% CI=1.103-2.449; p=0.015 for C allele of IGRs). In UC no such associations were found. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed the susceptibility nature of the examined IGR minor alleles in Hungarians, which nation differs historically from the surrounding Caucasian populations in origin of the founders of the state.
Prevalence of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and metabolic syndrome among female Orang Asli community in Peninsular Malaysia.

Background: Orang Asli (OA) are the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia. Although majority of the people still live in remote and rural areas, others have been relocated, have undergone acculturation and have adopted urbanized lifestyle and unhealthy dietary habits. As a result, there has been an increasing prevalence of obesity, hypertension and diabetes seen among the OA. The crude prevalence rate of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance determined in 1993 among the resettled OA were reported to be 1.3 and 10.7%, respectively. Aim: This study was undertaken to determine the current status of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) among the OA living in four rural resettlement areas. Materials and Methods: A total of 119 female OA, aged ≥18 years were studied. The subjects underwent physical examination, and fasting blood samples were collected for plasma glucose and lipid profile. A cohort of 76 subjects was followed up for 2 years. Results: Prevalence of diabetes, IFG and MetS was 8.4, 16.8 and 22.7%, respectively, where a significant number of people were below 40 years old and were either overweight or obese. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. MannWhitney U and paired t-test were used to compare the differences between groups and between visits, respectively. Results were reported as percentages and mean ± SD. Conclusions: Prevalence of diabetes and IFG among the OA has increased significantly over the last decade. Unless immediate steps are taken to contain the increasing prevalence of obesity, diabetes, IFG and MetS, the health care costs for OA with chronic diseases will pose an enormous financial burden to the country.
The dietary intake of homeless males sleeping rough in Central London

Data concerning the food and beverage intake (including alcohol) of 79 males, aged 19–50 years, sleeping rough in Central London, who did not appear to be under the influence of drink, drugs or suffering from mental illness were collected by prompted 24-h recall and food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The source of food was noted and the subjects were asked about food availability and food needs. The group had intakes significantly lower than Dietary Reference Values (DRV) for the UK for energy, carbohydrate, non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), folate, zinc and magnesium. Significantly higher values were seen for protein, fat, vitamin B12, calcium and iron. Alcohol intake was higher than that assumed to approximate current intakes of the UK population. Mean macronutrient intakes for the group were similar to means for British adult men (OPCS, 1990), only protein and NSP were significantly lower. The FFQ showed very low consumption/week of fruit, vegetables, salad, fruit juice and wholewheat/brown products. Organized charities provided the major source of food energy for the group as a whole. Self-supplied sources provided the major source of total energy. It is suggested that the group may benefit from an increase in dietary fibre and energy, with an increase in the proportion of energy supplied by carbohydrate and a reduction in energy from fat and alcohol. A varied supply of food and hot meals during weekends as well as during the week may benefit the group both aesthetically and nutritionally. It may be advisable to increase the supply of wholemeal/brown bread, fruits, vegetables and salad foods without decreasing the energy content of the food available.