Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crossing the Death Valley to Transfer Environmental Decision Support Systems to the Water Market

Environmental decision support systems (EDSSs) are attractive tools to cope with the complexity of environmental global challenges. Several thoughtful reviews have analyzed EDSSs to identify the key challenges and best practices for their development. One of the major criticisms is that a wide and generalized use of deployed EDSSs has not been observed. The paper briefly describes and compares four case studies of EDSSs applied to the water domain, where the key aspects involved in the initial conception and the use and transfer evolution that determine the final success or failure of these tools (i.e., market uptake) are identified. Those aspects that contribute to bridging the gap between the EDSS science and the EDSS market are highlighted in the manuscript. Experience suggests that the construction of a successful EDSS should focus significant efforts on crossing the death‐valley toward a general use implementation by society (the market) rather than on development.
Medical students on the value of role models for developing ‘soft skills’ - “That’s the way you do it”

Objective : The Soft Skills Project examined the professional development of medical students at the University of Pretoria, especially their doctor-patient interaction skills and professional socialisation. This paper reports on one of the findings of the project, namely the importance that medical students attach to role models in the development of soft skills. Methods : We used a qualitative method with symbolic interactionism and grounded theory as framework. Fourty two final-year students from the last cohort following the traditional curriculum at the University of Pretoria in 2001, and 49 final years from the first cohort following the reformed curriculum in 2002 were recruited. Data were collected by applying focus groups, in-depth, individual interviews, as well as autobiographical sketches. Data were captured by means of audio tape recordings, transcripts of the tapes, researchers' field notes, and written accounts by students, and were analysed by using a general inductive approach. Results : There were no striking differences between the comments of the two groups. Students considered registrars to be the most influential role models in the clinical teaching context, followed by specialist consultants. Their idea of a good role model was a clinically and academically competent doctor that cared about patients, had good interpersonal skills, and who could inspire students. Students needed and appreciated good role models to help them to develop their own soft skills. They expected guidance and behavioural examples from clinical teachers. Although there were competent role models, the students were exposed to poor role models. Poor role models mainly affect students negatively. Students tend to imitate and perpetuate unacceptable behaviour. Furthermore, poor role models have a negative emotional effect on students and are detrimental to their moral and learning environment. Sometimes, poor role models have a paradoxical positive effect in the sense that they inform students how not to behave. Conclusion : Medical schools and medical doctors working with medical students should be consciously aware of the importance of role models both when allocating clinical teachers to students, and while performing duties with students. It is especially necessary to realise that poor role modelling has important detrimental effects on students. Therefore, an attempt should be made to ensure that not only clinical examination skills, but also soft skills, are demonstrated at the bedside. Measures to ensure adequate exposure of students to positive role models could include: staff development; the identification of good role models to guide registrars; and a reallocation of tasks, where possible, to increase the exposure of students to the ‘natural' role models. Keywords : soft skills, role models, medical students, professionalism South African Psychiatry Review Vol. 9(1) 2006: 28-32
Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology MDC 1 Cleavage by Caspase-3 : A Novel Mechanism for Inactivating the DNA Damage Response during Apoptosis

Recently, we identified the "apoptotic ring," containing phosphorylated histone H2AX (g-H2AX), as an early chromatin modification during apoptosis. Because g-H2AX initiates the DNA damage response (DDR), we tested whether the apoptotic H2AX response leads to the full recruitment of the DDR factors that normally coordinate DNA repair and cell-cycle checkpoints. We show that the apoptotic H2AX response does not recruit the DDR factors because MDC1 (mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein 1), which normally binds to g-H2AX in response to DNA damage and amplifies the DDR, is cleaved by caspase-3. This cleavage separates the BRCT and FHA domains of MDC1 and constitutes a novel mechanism for the inactivation of DNA repair in apoptotic cells. Also, we show that downregulation of MDC1 increases the apoptotic response to TRAIL. Together, these results implicate MDC1 in the cellular apoptotic response. Cancer Res; 71(3); 1–8.
On Fathers in Norwegian History 1850-1920

Fathers have been a central part of Norwegian gender equality policy for the last two decades. But what about fathers in Norwegian history? This article is a study on the discourse of fatherhood found within conduct books, letters, autobiographies, journals, and to a certain degree novels and argues that fatherhood was seen as almost as important to the family and the home as the mother in the period 1850—1920 and that the father was split between a role for the family and a role in the family.
Evidence That Zymogen Granules Are Not a Physiologically Relevant Calcium Pool

A key event leading to exocytosis of pancreatic acinar cell zymogen granules is the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3)-mediated release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Studies using digital imaging microscopy and laser-scanning confocal microscopy have indicated that the initial release of Ca2+ is localized to the apical region of the acinar cell, an area of the cell dominated by secretory granules. Moreover, a recent study has shown that InsP3 is capable of releasing Ca2+ from a preparation enriched in secretory granules (Gerasimenko, O., Gerasimenko, J., Belan, P., and Petersen, O. H., (1996) Cell 84, 473-480). In the present study, we have investigated the possibility that zymogen granules express InsP3 receptors and are thus Ca2+ release sites. Immunofluorescence staining, obtained with antisera specific to types I, II, or III InsP3 receptors and analyzed by confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed that all InsP3 receptor types were present in acinar cells. The type II receptor localized exclusively to an area close to or at the luminal plasma membrane. While types I and III InsP3 receptors displayed a similar luminal distribution, these receptors were also present at low levels in nuclei. The localization of InsP3 receptor was in marked contrast to the distribution of amylase, a zymogen granule content protein. In a zymogen granule fraction prepared in an identical manner to the aforementioned report demonstrating InsP3-induced Ca2+ release, immunoblotting demonstrated the presence of types I, II, and III InsP3 receptors. Ca2+ release from this preparation in response to InsP3, but not thapsigargin, could also be demonstrated. In contrast, when the zymogen granules were further purified on a Percoll gradient, InsP3 receptors were undetectable, and InsP3 failed to release Ca2+. Transmission electron microscopy performed on both preparations showed that the Percoll-purified granule preparation consisted of essentially pure zymogen granules, whereas the granules prepared without this step were enriched in granules but also contained significant contamination by mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and nuclei. It is concluded that zymogen granules do not express InsP3 receptors and thus are not a site of Ca2+ release relevant to the secretory process in the pancreatic acinar cell.
A Note on the Spectra and Pseudospectra of Waveform Relaxation Operators for Linear Differential-Algebraic Equations

In this note, we derived the expressions of the spectra and pseudospectra of waveform relaxation operators for general linear differential-algebraic equations of index one. The expressions are generalizations of those of Lumsdaine and Wu (SIAM J. Sci. Comput., 18 (1997), pp. 286--304) and the derivation here is nontrivial. Numerical experiments are given to verify the theoretical results.
Brainwolk: a mobile technology mediated walking meeting concept for wellbeing and creativity at work

We present Brainwolk, a walking meeting concept that is mediated with the means of mobile technology. Brainwolk was developed to encourage physical activity in mostly sedentary knowledge work. It is meant for different work tasks, especially for creative work such as ideation and getting inspiration, reflecting on one's thoughts and discussing about work-related topics in relaxed atmosphere. Brainwolk enables knowledge workers to work while walking, thus bringing in several benefits for health and wellbeing, as well as creativity and social interaction. Here we present the Brainwolk concept and a summary of a series of the user experience studies where we have evaluated it during the years 2015--2016. The concept and findings contribute on HCI by bringing in design relevant knowledge and insights on the growing field of technology mediated, physically active ways of work, which belong to the blossoming area of persuasive wellness technologies.
Conservative interventions for treating middle third clavicle fractures in adolescents and adults.

BACKGROUND Clavicle fractures account for around 4% of all fractures. Treatment of these fractures is usually non-operative. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of different methods for conservative (non-operative) treatment for acute (treated soon after diagnosis) middle third clavicle fractures in adolescents and adults. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2008, Issue 4), MEDLINE (from 1966), EMBASE (from 1980), LILACS (from 1982), trial registers and reference lists of articles. No language or publication restrictions were applied. The date of last search was in December 2008. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials testing conservative interventions for treating adolescents and adults with acute middle third clavicle fractures were considered. The primary outcomes were pain, shoulder function, health-related quality of life and time to return to previous activities. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently selected eligible trials, assessed methodological quality and cross-checked data extraction. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for dichotomous variables, and mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for continuous variables. There was no pooling of data. MAIN RESULTS Three trials were included in this review. Two trials compared the figure-of-eight bandage with an arm sling in a total of 234 participants. Both trials were underpowered and compromised by poor methodology. One trial found slightly higher pain levels in the bandage group at 15 days (mean difference 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.34 to 1.26; visual analogue scale: 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain)), and the other trial reported greater discomfort during bandage wear. There were no significant differences in functional or other outcomes reported for either trial. The third trial, which evaluated therapeutic ultrasound in 120 participants, was also underpowered but had a low risk of bias. The trial found no statistically significant difference between low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and placebo in the time to clinical fracture healing (mean difference -0.32 days, 95% CI -5.85 to 5.21 days) nor in any of the other reported outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient evidence from randomised controlled trials to determine which methods of conservative treatment are the most appropriate for acute middle third clavicle fractures in adolescents and adults. Further research is warranted.
Rupert and the ‘three card trope’ – what you see ain’t necessarily what you get

Behind the faux candour of Murdoch senior, and the bland evasions of his son, lies a story in which democracy – not just in the UK but in the US and Australia and elsewhere – has been consistently and wilfully undermined in pursuit of profit but, far more corrosively, of power. For the past 30 years, the Murdoch Empire has sought to undermine and destablises elected governments and independent regulators in pursuit of a political agenda that, while hiding behind a smokescreen of free market orthodoxies, is in the end nothing less than a sophisticated attempt to optimise the power and influence of News Corporation and its populist, right wing agenda. (Lord (David) Puttnam Labour peer and chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Committee for the 2003 Communications Act)
The Protective Mechanism of Antioxidants in Cadmium-Induced Ototoxicity in Vitro and in Vivo

Background Several heavy metals have been shown to have toxic effects on the peripheral and central auditory system. Cadmium (Cd2+) is an environmental contaminant showing a variety of adverse effects. Given the current rate of release into the environment, the amount of Cd2+ present in the human body and the incidence of Cd2+-related diseases are expected to increase. Objective The overall aim of this study was to gain further insights into the mechanism of Cd2+-induced ototoxicity. Methods Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cytochrome c (cyt c), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK), caspases, morphologic change, and functional changes in HEI-OC1 cells, rat cochlear explants, and mouse cochlea after Cd2+ exposure were measured by flow cytometry, immunohistochemical staining, Western blot analysis, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) recording. Mechanisms underlying Cd2+ototoxicity were studied using inhibitors of different signaling pathways, caspases, and antioxidants. Results Cd2+ exposure caused cell death, ROS generation, MMP loss, cyt c release, activation of caspases, ERK activation, apoptosis, and finally auditory threshold shift. Cd2+ toxicity interfered with inhibitors of cellular signaling pathways, such as ERK and c-jun N-terminal kinase, and with caspase inhibitors, especially inhibitors of caspase-9 and caspase-3. The antioxidants N-acetyl-l-cysteine and ebselen showed a significant protective effect on the Cd2+ toxicity. Conlcusions Cd2+ is ototoxic with a complex underlying mechanism. However, ROS generation may be the cause of the toxicity, and application of antioxidants can prevent the toxic effect.
Math Disabilities: A Selective Meta-Analysis of the Literature

This article synthesizes published literature comparing the cognitive functioning of children who have math disabilities (MD) with that of (a) average-achieving children; (b) children who have reading disabilities (RD); and (c) children who have comorbid disabilities (MD+RD). Average achievers outperformed children with MD on measures of verbal problem solving, naming speed, verbal working memory (WM), visual-spatial WM, and long-term memory (LTM). Children with MD outperformed comorbid children on measures of literacy, visual-spatial problem solving, LTM, short-term memory (STM) for words, and verbal WM. Children with MD could be differentiated from children with RD only on naming speed and visual-spatial WM. Differences in cognitive functioning between children with MD and average achievers were related primarily to verbal WM when the effects of all other variables (e.g., age, IQ, and other domain categories) were partialed out.
Longevity and Developmental Stability in the Dung Fly Sepsis cynipsea, as Affected by the Ectoparasitic Mite, Pediculoides mesembrinae

Abstract Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a widely employed measure of developmental stability. It has been found to increase with many stressors including parasite infection. Associations between parasites and FA may exist for several reasons in addition to parasites being the direct cause of increased FA. Developmentally stable individuals may have superior immune systems, and be less susceptible to parasite infection, and/or may be less exposed to parasites than developmentally unstable ones. Mites negatively impact host fitness in a number of insects, and if FA is a reflection of general genetic quality, as has been proposed, associations between mite number and FA are predicted. Potential relationships were investigated between an ectoparasitic mite, Pediculoides mesembrinae (Canestrini) (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) and FA in the common dung fly Sepsis cynipsea (L.) (Diptera: Sepsidae). While it was found that mite infested flies died much faster than flies without mites, indicating that mites indeed stress their hosts, counter to expectations, no associations between mites and FA were found in any analyses. Additionally, FA in mite-infected flies generally did not differ from previously published FA data from uninfected S. cynipsea. Nevertheless, parasitized males tended to be somewhat less asymmetrical than non-parasitized males, but based on our data, it does not appear that mite infestation is generally associated with developmental stability in S. cynipsea.
“Sometimes we get it wrong but we keep on trying”: A cross-sectional study of coping with communication problems by informal carers of stroke survivors with aphasia

Background: The need to support carers of stroke survivors is widely recognised. However, research on which to base recommendations is scarce. Little research has focused on carers of stroke survivors with aphasia, and that which exists suffers from problems with sample size and methodology. More information is needed about methods used by carers to manage communication difficulties and about coping strategies that promote emotional wellbeing. Aims: To assess the coping strategies used by informal carers of stroke survivors with aphasia to manage communication problems, and their association with depressive symptoms. To assess whether a problem-specific coping inventory offers an advantage over a generic coping questionnaire for this purpose. Methods & Procedures: Questionnaires were completed by 150 informal caregivers of stroke survivors with aphasia. The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale measured depressive symptoms. Coping was assessed with the Brief COPE and a problem-specific questionnaire on coping with communication difficulties. Level of social support was also assessed. Multiple regression analysis explored associations between coping and depressive symptoms. Mediation analysis assessed the significance of the indirect effect of coping between the level of communication impairment in the stroke survivor and the degree of depressive symptoms in the carer. Outcomes & Results: Participants reported a wide range of coping strategies. Avoidant styles of coping were associated with increased depressive symptomatology. Coping by use of positive reframing was linked with fewer symptoms of depression. Anticipated level of social support was also associated with less depressive symptomology. The level of communication impairment of the stroke survivor was not predictive of depressive symptoms in carers after controlling for coping and social support. Limited support was found for a mediating model of coping. Inclusion of one subscale from the problem-specific questionnaire improved the amount of variance accounted for in depressive symptoms, above that explained by the Brief COPE. Conclusions: The results verify that the impairment of the stroke survivor has less effect on carers' psychosocial functioning compared to coping. Assessment of coping can help to identify carers presenting with increased risk of depression. A traditional coping inventory provides an adequate assessment of the coping strategies used to manage communication problems, and can be supplemented by specific questions about avoidance. Interventions that develop some emotion-focused coping strategies in carers may support adaptation. Interventions should also aim to decrease the use of unhelpful coping strategies rather than solely focusing on increasing problem-focused forms of coping.
Clinical usefulness of bone markers in prostate cancer with bone metastasis

Bone metastases occur in approximately 70% of patients with advanced prostate cancer. Skeletal‐related events have been correlated with reduced survival and quality of life of patients with prostate cancer. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism (e.g. bone formation, bone resorption, osteoclastogenesis) might meet an unmet need for useful, non‐invasive and sensitive surrogate information for following patients' skeletal health. Recently, zoledronic acid and denosumab have been proven to have the potential for preventing skeletal‐related events among prostate cancer patients with bone metastasis. An improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying bone metastasis has also led to the recognition of multiple molecular targets and advances in therapy. However, estimating the efficacy of these agents is difficult. A clinical trial for castration‐resistant prostate cancer is currently underway based on the definition of The Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Working Group, and bone turnover markers are being used as conventional end‐points for the clinical trial. Bone turnover markers are useful surrogate markers reflecting the effect of new therapeutic drugs and prognosis, as well as assessment of bone metastases. In particular, N‐terminal cross‐linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen and bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase are widely used bone metabolism markers, and offer reliable surrogate markers to detect bone metastatic spread and to predict prognosis for prostate cancer patients with bone metastases.
Muslim attitudes towards religion scale: Factors, validity and complexity of relationships with mental health in Iran

Iranian students responded to the 'Muslim Attitudes Towards Religion Scale' (MARS) along with measures of psychiatric symptoms, religious motivation, and mystical experience. The MARS contained three factors and these factors and the full scale were internally reliable. They also correlated positively with an extrinsic religious orientation, even more robustly with greater religious interest and an intrinsic religious orientation, and less consistently with slightly higher levels of self-reported mystical experience. The MARS failed to predict self-reported psychiatric symptoms, but partial correlations uncovered both direct and then inverse linkages with such symptoms after controlling for the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, respectively. Theology students with a concentration in Islamic philosophy displayed the highest MARS scores. The MARS, therefore, was a valid measure of Iranian religiosity, but in Iran, and perhaps in other Muslim societies as well, motivational factors may be critical in determining how the MARS correlates with mental health.