Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enrichment of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis ATCC 15697 within the human gut microbiota using alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate microencapsulation oral delivery system: an in vitro analysis using a computer-controlled dynamic human gastrointestinal model

Abstract This study evaluates alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis ATCC 15697-loaded microcapsules to enrich the human gut microbiota. The cell survival of alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate microencapsulated B. infantis ATCC 15697 in gastric acid, bile, and through human gastrointestinal transit was investigated, as well as the formulation’s effect on the gut microbiota. Results show that microencapsulation increases B. infantis ATCC 15697 cell survival at pH1.0 (33.54 ± 2.80% versus <1.00 ± 0.00%), pH1.5 (41.15 ± 2.06% versus <1.00 ± 0.00%), pH2.0 (60.88 ± 1.73% versus 36.01 ± 2.63%), pH3.0 (75.43 ± 1.23% versus 46.30 ± 1.43%), pH4.0 (71.40 ± 2.02% versus 47.75 ± 3.12%) and pH5.0 (73.88 ± 3.79% versus 58.93 ± 2.26%) (p < 0.05). In addition, microencapsulation increases cell survival at 0.5% (76.85 ± 0.80% versus 70.77 ± 0.64%), 1.0% (59.99 ± 0.97% versus 53.47 ± 0.58%) and 2.0% (53.10 ± 1.87% versus 44.59 ± 1.52%) (p < 0.05) (w/v) bile. Finally, daily administration of alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate microencapsulated B. infantis ATCC 15697 in a human gastrointestinal model induces a significant enrichment of B. infantis within the ascending (184.51 ± 17.30% versus 53.83 ± 17.82%; p < 0.05), transverse (174.79 ± 25.32% versus 73.17 ± 15.30%; p < 0.05) and descending (94.90 ± 25.22% versus 46.37 ± 18.93%; p > 0.05) colonic microbiota.
Lessons Learned: Parental Experience of Empathy and Power

Lessons Learned: Parental Experience of Empathy and Power Rhonda Ann Crawford Masters Thesis 2010 School of Social Work McMaster University The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of parents receiving child protection intervention. Taking a service user approach to the research, the purpose of the study was to consider the perspectives of service users to learn what could be included in child protection training programs to better prepare new child protection workers for their work with children and families. As a secondary analysis of a qualitative study five interview transcripts were included in the analysis of the research. Findings of this study afftrm previous research that highlight the significance of a worker communicating empathy to a parent receiving child protection intervention. Furthermore, the link between empathy and power and the impact of such on the relationship between a worker and client is a central theme of analysis. Finally, the value of service user theory as an approach to conducting research is validated as a finding of the study. Implications of this study are considered for child protection workers, the development of child protection training curriculum and its facilitation, child protection agencies, and researchers.
THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL-ECONOMICAL FACTORS ON THE MORPHOFUNCTIONAL GROWTH OF CHILDREN CONSIDERING THE URBANISATION FACTOR ASPECT

We tried to prove that living conditions have a significant influence on somatic and functional development of children in Poland. We examined 331 11-year-old children (boys and girls) from the small town of Polkowice and villages in south-west Poland. Basic somatic traits were examined: body height, body weight and body fat. Functional traits were examined through motor trials from Eurofit test: hand grip, standing jump, ball throw, shuttle run and a tapping test of the upper arm. Additionally, psychomotor trials were performed: reaction time and eye-movement coordination. Children from the town and villages were divided into two groups on the basis of a social-economic factors – “the number of children in the family”. Four groups of children (boys and girls separately) were compared: urban children from families with 1–2 children, urban children from families with 3 or more children, rural children from families with 1–2 children and rural children from families with 3 or more children. We tried to estimate a hierarchy and directions of this environmental factor’s influence on body dimensions, conditional abilities and coordinational abilities. We used cluster analysis as a statistical method towards fulfilling this aim. The results showed that both factors analysed in elaboration are significant modifiers of somatic and functional traits. Boys seem to be, as a sex, more ecosensitive than girls.
S32504, a Novel Naphtoxazine Agonist at Dopamine D3/D2 Receptors: III. Actions in Models of Potential Antidepressive and Anxiolytic Activity in Comparison with Ropinirole

In forced-swim tests in mice and rats, the novel D3/D2 receptor agonist S32504 [(+)-trans-3,4,4a,5,6,10b-hexahydro-9-carbamoyl-4-propyl-2H-naphth[1,2-b]-1,4-oxazine] dose-dependently (0.04–2.5 mg/kg) and stereospecifically suppressed immobility compared with its enantiomer S32601 [(-)-trans-3,4,4a,5,6,10b-hexahydro-9-carbamoyl-4-propyl-2H-naphth-[1,2-b]-1,4-oxazine]. Ropinirole was less potent than S32504 in this procedure, and it was likewise less potent than S32504 (0.04–2.5 mg/kg) in attenuating motor-suppressant properties of the α2-adrenoceptor agonist S18616 [(S)-spiro[(1-oxa-2-amino-3-azacyclopent-2-ene)-4,2′-(1′,2′,3′,4′-tetrahydronaphthalene)]]. In a learned helplessness paradigm, S32504 (0.08–2.5 mg/kg) suppressed escape failures. Furthermore, in a chronic mild stress model of anhedonia, S32504 (0.16–2.5 mg/kg) rapidly restored the suppression of sucrose consumption. S32504 inhibited marble-burying behavior in mice (0.04–0.16 mg/kg) and aggressive behavior in isolated mice (0.04–2.5 mg/kg): only higher doses of ropinirole mimicked these actions of S32504. In tests of anxiolytic activity, S32504 was more potent (0.0025–0.16 mg/kg) than ropinirole in suppressing fear-induced ultrasonic vocalizations, and S32601 was inactive. Furthermore, in contrast to ropinirole, S32504 modestly enhanced punished responses in a Vogel conflict procedure and increased open-arm entries in a plus-maze. At doses active in the above-described procedures, S32504 did not elicit hyperlocomotion. In the forced-swim, marble-burying, and ultrasonic vocalization models, actions of S32504 were blocked by the D2/D3 antagonists haloperidol and raclopride and by the D2 antagonist L741,626 [4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)piperidin-4-ol], but not by the D3 receptor antagonist S33084 [(3aR,9bS)-N-[4-(8-cyano-1,3a,4,9b-tetrahydro-3H-benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyrrole-2-yl)-butyl]-(4-phenyl)benzamide. Finally, chronic administration of S32504 did not, in contrast to venlafaxine, modify corticolimbic levels of serotonin2A receptors or brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In conclusion, S32504 displays a broad and distinctive profile of activity in models of potential antidepressive and anxiolytic properties. Its actions are more pronounced than those of ropinirole and principally involve engagement of D2 receptors.
Description and Prediction of the Intractable Inmate

The purpose of this study was to describe the intractable inmate and to determine the existence of factors predictive of intractability. The intractable inmate is defined as an inmate who presents a chronic disciplinary problem within the prison. To provide data on this type of inmate, fifty intractable and fifty tractable inmates at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility (SOCF) were selected by correctional and treatment officers at that institution. From the institutional files of both groups, extensive data were collected on person al, family, educational, vocational, military, criminal, confinement, prison ad justment, self-improvement program, and prison medical histories; psycho metric and personality test scores were collected for both groups. The data were analyzed to determine group differences and predictive factors. The important results revealed that, in comparison with the tractable group, the intractable inmates at SOCF were generally nonwhite, single, and not heavy users of alcohol, and they exhibited disciplinary problems before in carceration. They began their criminal history at an earlier age, more often used an alias, had a greater number of police contacts, and, once incarcerated, were confined longer. In prison, they were disobedient, created disturbances, possessed and manufactured weapons, threatened others, and destroyed prop erty. They had a higher incidence of sick calls, with tension as the primary complaint and tranquilizers as the primary prescribed medication. A number of useful predictive variables of intractability (before incarcera tion at SOCF) were statistically isolated; the primary variables were the fol lowing : Percent Adult Life Incarcerated (18 years and over; high scores associated with intractability). Extent of Alcohol Use (low use associated with intractability). MMPI Depression Scale Score (high scores associated with intrac tability). Minnesota Paper Form Board Score (low scores associated with intrac tability). Number of Police Contacts as a Juvenile (high scores associated with in tractability). Use of Alias (use associated with intractability). These six variables, properly weighted, correctly classified 78 percent of the inmates studied.
Substance use disorder genetic research: investigators and participants grapple with the ethical issues

Objective This qualitative research examined the ethical concerns regarding the psychosocial issues, research design and implementation, and application of psychiatric genetic research on substance use disorders (SUD) from multiple perspectives. Methods A literature review of the bioethics literature related to psychiatric genetics and focus groups explored the ethical implications of SUD genetic research. Twenty-six National Institute on Drug Abuse funded principal investigators in the field of psychiatric genetic research, nine adolescent patients in residential SUD treatment, and 10 relatives of patients participated in focus groups (held separately). The focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and the content was analyzed. The themes that emerged from the literature and the focus group transcripts were organized by using NVIVO7, a software package designed to manage, analyze, and compare narrative data. Results Investigators and the literature expressed similar concerns regarding the ethical concerns associated with psychiatric genetic research including violation of privacy, misunderstanding about psychiatric genetics, stigmatization, commercialization, discrimination, eugenics, consequences of research on illegal behavior, unforeseen consequences, altered notion of individual responsibility, and others. Patients and their relatives showed little familiarity with the ethical issues as identified by professionals and little concern regarding most of the potential risks. The exception was apprehension associated with potential criminal justice uses of stored genetic information, in particular enforced therapy and stigmatization, which elicited some concern from all perspectives. Conclusion The challenge for further research is to identify risks and benefits of SUD research that are germane in a behaviorally disinhibited population and devise effective tools to communicate information to participants through an improved informed consent process.
Genome-Wide Association Study with Targeted and Non-targeted NMR Metabolomics Identifies 15 Novel Loci of Urinary Human Metabolic Individuality

Genome-wide association studies with metabolic traits (mGWAS) uncovered many genetic variants that influence human metabolism. These genetically influenced metabotypes (GIMs) contribute to our metabolic individuality, our capacity to respond to environmental challenges, and our susceptibility to specific diseases. While metabolic homeostasis in blood is a well investigated topic in large mGWAS with over 150 known loci, metabolic detoxification through urinary excretion has only been addressed by few small mGWAS with only 11 associated loci so far. Here we report the largest mGWAS to date, combining targeted and non-targeted 1H NMR analysis of urine samples from 3,861 participants of the SHIP-0 cohort and 1,691 subjects of the KORA F4 cohort. We identified and replicated 22 loci with significant associations with urinary traits, 15 of which are new (HIBCH, CPS1, AGXT, XYLB, TKT, ETNPPL, SLC6A19, DMGDH, SLC36A2, GLDC, SLC6A13, ACSM3, SLC5A11, PNMT, SLC13A3). Two-thirds of the urinary loci also have a metabolite association in blood. For all but one of the 6 loci where significant associations target the same metabolite in blood and urine, the genetic effects have the same direction in both fluids. In contrast, for the SLC5A11 locus, we found increased levels of myo-inositol in urine whereas mGWAS in blood reported decreased levels for the same genetic variant. This might indicate less effective re-absorption of myo-inositol in the kidneys of carriers. In summary, our study more than doubles the number of known loci that influence urinary phenotypes. It thus allows novel insights into the relationship between blood homeostasis and its regulation through excretion. The newly discovered loci also include variants previously linked to chronic kidney disease (CPS1, SLC6A13), pulmonary hypertension (CPS1), and ischemic stroke (XYLB). By establishing connections from gene to disease via metabolic traits our results provide novel hypotheses about molecular mechanisms involved in the etiology of diseases.
Rethinking the Scope of Environmental Injustice: Perceptions of Health Hazards in a Rural Native American Community Exposed to Carbon Black.

Abstract We use in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis to examine perceptions of environmental health and justice among Native Americans in a rural Oklahoma community. Residents live near the Continental Carbon Company, which manufactures a rubber compound know as “carbon black. ” Ponca tribal members believe their respiratory problems and other health concerns are directly related to the black dust emanating from the facility, but they have been unable to validate their health claims through institutional channels. We examine how Native American respondents interpret the environmental pollution as a threat not only to their health and well-being but also to their sense of community. We address the perceived pattern of institutional denial and highlight the obstacles facing an impoverished Native American community attempting to validate their environmental health claims.
Quetiapine and long-term weight change: a comprehensive data review of patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND To assess the magnitude and pattern of weight change during long-term treatment with the atypical antipsychotic quetiapine. METHOD Data were collected from patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia treated with quetiapine in the AstraZeneca clinical trials program from July 1993 to May 1999. Weight changes in patients treated for 12, 52, and 104 weeks were analyzed; the primary parameter was the change in weight at week 52. RESULTS In total, 352 patients were treated with quetiapine for 52 weeks. The mean weight gain at this timepoint was 3.19 kg; median weight gain was 2.5 kg. Overall, 37% of patients gained >or= 7% of their baseline body weight; however, the degree of weight gain was inversely related to baseline body mass index in this cohort. In patients treated with < 200 mg/day of quetiapine, mean weight gain was 1.54 kg, compared with 4.08 kg for 200 to 399 mg/day, 1.89 kg for 400 to 599 mg/day, and 3.57 kg for >or= 600 mg/day; median weight gain was 0.95 kg, 3.40 kg, 2.00 kg, and 3.34 kg, respectively. Analysis of longitudinal weight changes indicated that most weight gain (> 60%) occurred within the first 12 weeks of quetiapine treatment, with modest changes after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Long-term treatment with quetiapine monotherapy is associated with moderate weight gain. Most weight gain occurs within the first 12 weeks of treatment and has no clear dose relationship.
Covert ephemeral communication in named data networking

In recent years, the growing belief that the current IP-based Internet is becoming obsolete prompted several research efforts that aim to design potential next-generation Internet architectures. Named Data Networking (NDN), an instantiation of the content-centric approach, is one such effort. In contrast with their IP counterparts, NDN routers maintain a significant amount of state information. In this paper, we investigate the use of this feature for covert ephemeral communication (CEC). CEC allows two or more parties to covertly exchange ephemeral messages, i.e., messages that become unavailable after a certain amount of time. Our techniques rely only on network-layer services. This makes our protocols robust, and stealthy communication -- difficult to detect. We show that users can build high-bandwidth CEC channels by exploiting features unique to NDN: in-network caches, routers' forwarding state and name matching rules. We assess feasibility and performance of identified CEC channels using a local setup and the official NDN testbed.
Attitudes towards robots suitability for various jobs as affected robot appearance

An opinion survey of 878 college students examined attitudes about the suitability of robots for various occupations in society and how these attitudes varied by the robots’ appearance. Factor analyses revealed three primary attitudes: Robot-Liking, Robotphobia and Cyber-Dystopianism, and three occupational niches: social-companionship, surveillance and personal assistants. Attitudes varied depending on subjects’ gender, religion, perceived competence with technologies and engagement with virtual reality environments and avatars. The analysis of relationships between subjects’ attitudes and perception of suitable occupations indicated that Robot-Liking is positively related with social companionship and surveillance occupations, whereas Robotphobia is negatively correlated with the three occupational niches.
Barriers to healthcare: Instrument development and comparison between autistic adults and adults with and without other disabilities

Our objective was to use a community-based participatory research approach to identify and compare barriers to healthcare experienced by autistic adults and adults with and without other disabilities. To do so, we developed a Long- and Short-Form instrument to assess barriers in clinical and research settings. Using the Barriers to Healthcare Checklist–Long Form, we surveyed 437 participants (209 autistic, 55 non-autistic with disabilities, and 173 non-autistic without disabilities). Autistic participants selected different and greater barriers to healthcare, particularly in areas related to emotional regulation, patient-provider communication, sensory sensitivity, and healthcare navigation. Top barriers were fear or anxiety (35% (n = 74)), not being able to process information fast enough to participate in real-time discussions about healthcare (32% (n = 67)), concern about cost (30% (n = 62)), facilities causing sensory issues 30% ((n = 62)), and difficulty communicating with providers (29% (n = 61)). The Long Form instrument exhibited good content and construct validity. The items combined to create the Short Form had predominantly high levels of correlation (range 0.2–0.8, p < 0.001) and showed responsiveness to change. We recommend healthcare providers, clinics, and others working in healthcare settings to be aware of these barriers, and urge more intervention research to explore means for removing them.
Conceptions and Beliefs About “Good Teaching”: An integration of contrasting research areas

Previous research on conceptions of teaching comes from three distinct areas. The first is based on interviews with students and staff in higher education, the second involves the investigation of the conceptions and beliefs of schoolteachers, while the third derives from more general consideration of the nature of conceptions themselves. The empirical study reported here drew on these differing research areas to distinguish between beliefs and conceptions about good teaching and to explore their possible origins. The data came from student teachers, but the findings contribute to current thinking about conceptions of teaching in higher education. Bringing the empirical findings together with the three areas of previous research enables a more complete concept map to be drawn to summarise what may underlie the notion of “good teaching”.
School-Church/Synagogue Partnerships: A Comparative Case Study of Religious Capital Enrichment

The context for this study is the increased focus on school-community partnerships in the United States. With limited research having been conducted on high-achieving schools, this is a case study of one of America’s top 100 high schools, a Jewish day school; this article reports on its school-synagogue partnership. Like most research on school-community partnerships, this study is based on the theories of capital reproduction. Yet, it is aligned with those claiming religious institutions as producers of capital, finding that these partnerships are effective at harnessing capital when explicitly designed for school members to experience the partnering institution’s religious life.
Schooling Quasi‐Markets: Reconciling Economic and Sociological Analyses

We provide an economic assessment of the operation of schooling quasi-markets, re-interpreting the findings of the mainly sociologically-based empirical research. We find that economic analysis is complementary to that of sociology, providing further explanations for the failure of greater competition to increase the diversity of provision and challenge traditional school hierarchies.
Pathologic fractures in children with acute Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND Osteomyelitis is a common pediatric musculoskeletal infection. This infection can weaken the normal bone structure, resulting in the risk of a pathologic fracture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for pathologic fracture in children with Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis. METHODS Seventeen children who were treated for a pathologic long-bone fracture secondary to Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis between January 2001 and January 2009 at a tertiary-care pediatric hospital were identified. These patients were compared with a control group consisting of forty-nine children with Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis without a fracture who were matched for age, sex, and methicillin susceptibility. A retrospective review of the clinical records, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, and microbiologic findings was performed. RESULTS Patients who developed a fracture presented with osteomyelitis at a mean age of 8.8 years (range, two to seventeen years). Fifteen of the seventeen patients had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates, and two had methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The mean time from disease onset to fracture was 72.1 days (range, twenty to 150 days). The duration of hospitalization, number of surgical procedures, duration of antibiotic treatment, and total number of complications differed significantly between the two groups. MRI studies at the time of admission demonstrated a significantly greater prevalence of subperiosteal abscess and greater circumferential size of such an abscess in the patients with a fracture. A sharp zone of abnormally diminished enhancement of the marrow was also more common in these patients. The USA300-0114 pulsotype was more commonly associated with an elevated likelihood of fracture. CONCLUSIONS Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis is a serious infection that may predispose children to pathologic fractures. Protected weight-bearing and activity restriction are recommended in children with Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis who have the risk factors demonstrated in this study.