Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tracheobronchomalacia and air trapping after mustard gas exposure.

RATIONALE Mustard gas primarily affects the eyes, skin, and particularly the respiratory tract. Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) and air trapping are often observed in high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) scans of the chest of mustard gas-exposed patients. OBJECTIVES To examine the frequency and severity of TBM in a group of Iranian wartime mustard gas-exposed victims, and to investigate the correlation between TBM and air trapping in these cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Chest HRCT films obtained from 300 randomly selected subjects who had been exposed to mustard gas 15.5 yr previously were reviewed to determine the existence of TBM and air trapping. The HRCT films of a healthy control group were also analyzed for comparison. RESULTS Out of 300 reviewed cases, 13 had TBM. From these 13 TBM cases, 11 (85%) showed air trapping with mean score of 5.5. In the control group, 5 (25%) of 20 subjects showed air trapping, with mean score of 0.6. The total air trapping was significantly higher in the TBM group (p < 0.001). There was an association between the severity of tracheomalacia and air trapping in the TBM group (p = 0.01, r = 0.69), but no association was observed between severity of bronchomalacia and air trapping. CONCLUSION The results show that air trapping and TBM are correlated, both as long-term sequelae in mustard gas-exposed cases. Because air trapping is highly suggestive of bronchiolitis obliterans, we conclude that both bronchiolitis obliterans and TBM are caused by a single underlying process affecting small and large airways, respectively, in this group of patients.
Zebrafish Model of Cognitive Dysfunction

Cognitive dysfunction is an impairment in one or more of the six cognitive domains (com- plex attention, executive function, learning and memory, language, perceptual motor and social cognition). The effect of pharmacological interventions can be studied using animal models of cognitive dysfunction, which are typically split into pharmacological , developmental and genetic models. Rodents are the most commonly used animal spe- cies for modelling cognitive dysfunction, although multiple models and test locations are often recommended to improve validity. Researchers thus unfortunately need to balance the validity of their experimental designs with financial, logistical and cost constraints. Zebrafish could be the answer to this conundrum as one of their many advantages over rodents is their high breeding rate which makes high-throughput screening more feasible and thus increases cost-effectiveness. The popularity of zebrafish has been increasing in recent times, as measured by the increasing number of zebrafish research publications. It is thus unsurprising that several zebrafish models of cognitive dysfunction have already been developed, together with zebrafish tests designed to measure zebrafish cognitive performance. Future research will undoubtedly lead to the development of new zebraf - ish models of cognitive dysfunction, as well as validate current ones to pave the way for widespread adoption.
Galactic Globular Cluster Relative Ages

We present accurate relative ages for a sample of 55 Galactic globular clusters. The ages have been obtained by measuring the difference between the horizontal branch and the turnoff in two internally photometrically homogeneous databases. The mutual consistency of the two data sets has been assessed by comparing the ages of 16 globular clusters in common between the two databases. We have also investigated the consistency of our relative age determination within the recent stellar model framework. All clusters with [Fe/H] < -1.7 are found to be old and coeval, with the possible exception of two objects, which are marginally younger. The age dispersion for the metal-poor clusters is 0.6 Gyr (rms), consistent with a null age dispersion. Intermediate-metallicity clusters (-1.7 < [Fe/H] < -0.8) are on average 1.5 Gyr younger than the metal-poor ones, with an age dispersion of 1.0 Gyr (rms) and a total age range of ∼3 Gyr. About 15% of the intermediate-metallicity clusters are coeval with the oldest clusters. All the clusters with [Fe/H] > -0.8 are ∼1 Gyr younger than the most metal-poor ones, with a relatively small age dispersion, although the metal-rich sample is still too small to allow firmer conclusions. There is no correlation of the cluster age with the galactocentric distance. We briefly discuss the implication of these observational results for the formation history of the Galaxy.
Access to awareness is improved by affective learning

Increasing evidence has indicated that emotional information, and particularly threatening visual input, elicits faster behavioral responses than non-threatening stimuli. This superior processing of threatening information is also found under conditions where consciousness is absent. However, recent studies have found that faster unconscious detection of emotion-associated stimuli than neutral stimuli may be due to their unmatched physical characteristics, rather than by their emotional content. Thus, it is necessary to test whether emotional stimuli still have the processing advantage over neutral ones in unconscious conditions when low-level visual properties are matched. In order to investigate whether the unconsciously prioritized processing still occurred with emotion-associated stimuli which are physically identical, we used the conditioning paradigm to manipulate the affective significance of Gabor patches. Participants performed two challenging visual detection tasks under the breaking Continuous Flash Suppression (b-CFS) paradigm. In Experiment 1, differently oriented Gabor patches (45° and 135°) were used as materials. uring an initial learning phase, one oriented Gabor patch (e.g., 45°) was paired with an alarm sound (CS+), whereas the other was never paired with the alarm sound (CS−). The emotional rating indicated that negative emotion could be elicited by the alarm sound in the participants. The orientation of CS+ Gabor patches was counterbalanced across the participants. In the subsequent testing phase, the participants were required to discriminate the location of the Gabor patch relative to the central fixation as quickly and accurately as possible. In this phase, Gabor patches were suppressed by dynamic noise using b-CFS. The procedure in Experiment 2 was the same with that in Experiment 1, except that the color of the Gabor patches was also varied, between red and green. In Experiment 1, there was no difference in the accuracy between CS+ stimuli and CS− stimuli (99% vs. 99%). The suppression time results showed that the CS+ stimuli emerged from suppression faster than the CS− ones. In Experiment 2, there was no difference in the accuracy for different learning conditions. For the analysis of suppression time, the “learning effect” was computed to represent difference between experimental conditions and control condition. The integrated learning showed a significant learning effect, while there was no remarkable learning effect in orientation learning or in color learning condition. These findings revealed an unconscious processing advantage for aversive conditioned stimuli. Furthermore, the learning effect was specific to the conditioned stimuli and could not generalize to other similar objects. Taken together, this study provided further evidence for the optimized processing of affectively significant visual stimuli in unconscious conditions.
Multiple Objectives and Central Bank Tradeoffs Under Flexible Inflation Targeting

Many inflation targeting central banks are facing calls to expand their list of policy goals. I discuss how recent research provides new insights into the goals of policy and the tradeoffs presented by multiple goals. I focus particular attention on the role of unemployment and labor market frictions, but I also discuss the role of currency misalignment in affecting policy objectives in open economies. Current models often find that price stability is close to the optimal policy, even when, in theory, the central bank should care about multiple goals. I offer some ideas about why this might be the case.
Uniqueness and global exponential stability of almost periodic solution for Hematopoiesis model on time scales

This paper deals with almost periodic Hematopoiesis dynamic equation on time scales. By applying a novel method based on the fixed point theorem of decreasing operator, we establish sufficient conditions for the existence of unique almost periodic positive solution. Particularly, we give iterative sequence which converges to the almost periodic positive solution. Moreover, we investigate global exponential stability of the almost periodic positive solution by means of Gronwall inequality. c ©2015 All rights reserved.
Selective Amplification of prt, tyv and invA Genes by Multiplex PCR for Rapid Detection of Salmonella typhi

A multiplex PCR-based assay was developed for detection of Salmonella typhi and identification of other salmonella serotypes. Three primer-sets were selected from different genomic sequences, malo2F/malo2-Ra primers from invasion gene, Parat-s/Parat-as as well as tyv-s/tyv-as primers from Oantigen gene cluster of the genus Salmonella. This method differentiated Salmonella spp. , based on size and number of amplified fragments. The Salmonella para typhi A and B yielded two bands of 373 bp and 285 bp, respectively, and the other species including S. paratyphi C, S. infantis and S. havana yielded only one 373 bp band. The PCR products of S. typhi and S. enteritidis were 373, 285 and 615 bp. In testing the specificity of the assay, no amplification was observed in non-Salmonella species such as Shigella, Kelebsiella, E. coli, Proteus, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. The sensitivity of the method was evaluated about 2.5 × 10 2 CFU/ml, that could be detected by the PCR assay. Iran. Biomed.
Rex1p deficiency leads to accumulation of precursor initiator tRNAMet and polyadenylation of substrate RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A synthetic genetic array was used to identify lethal and slow-growth phenotypes produced when a mutation in TRM6, which encodes a tRNA modification enzyme subunit, was combined with the deletion of any non-essential gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that deletion of the REX1 gene resulted in a slow-growth phenotype in the trm6-504 strain. Previously, REX1 was shown to be involved in processing the 3′ ends of 5S rRNA and the dimeric tRNAArg-tRNAAsp. In this study, we have discovered a requirement for Rex1p in processing the 3′ end of tRNAiMet precursors and show that precursor tRNAiMet accumulates in a trm6-504 rex1Δ strain. Loss of Rex1p results in polyadenylation of its substrates, including tRNAiMet, suggesting that defects in 3′ end processing can activate the nuclear surveillance pathway. Finally, purified Rex1p displays Mg2+-dependent ribonuclease activity in vitro, and the enzyme is inactivated by mutation of two highly conserved amino acids.
REG-ICA: A new hybrid method for EOG Artifact Rejection

The plethora of Artifact Rejection (AR) techniques proposed for removing electrooculographic (EOG) artifacts from electroencephalographic (EEG) signals can be separated into two main categories. The first category is composed of regression - based methods, while the second one consists of Blind Source Separation (BSS) - methods. A major disadvantage of BSS - based methodology is that the artifactual components include also neural activity, thus their rejection leads to the distortion of the underlying cerebral activity. The current study tries to solve the aforementioned problem by proposing a new hybrid algorithm for EOG AR. According to this automatic approach, called REG-ICA, Independent Component Analysis (ICA) is used to decompose EEG signals into spatial independent components (ICs). Then an adaptive filter, based on a stable Version of the Recursive Least Square (sRLS) algorithm, is applied to ICs so as to remove only EOG artifacts and maintain the neural signals intact. Then the cleaned ICs are projected back, reconstructing the artifact - free EEG signals. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed technique, REG-ICA has been compared with the Least Mean Square (LMS) approach, in simulated EEG data. Two criteria were used for the comparison: how successfully algorithms remove eye blinking artifacts, and how much the EEG signals are distorted. Results support the argument that REG-ICA removes successfully EOG activity, while it minimizes the distortion of the underlying cerebral activity in contrast to LMS.
Predicting Extra-Role Behaviour: Organisational Support And Role Breadth Self-Efficacy As Predictors

The main objectives of the study are twofold: first, to examine the predictive effect of perceived organisational support and role breadth self-efficacy on organisational citizenship behaviour directed towards individuals and organisational citizenship behaviour directed towards organisations, and second, to examine the mediating role of role breadth self-efficacy in such relationships. Social Exchange theory and Conservation of Resources theory were used to explain the proposed relationships in the study. To test the hypotheses, PLS-SEM statistical technique was employed to analyze the survey data collected from 353 gazetted police officers in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The result showed a positive relationship between perceived organisational support and both dimensions of citizenship behaviour, and a significant mediating role of role breadth self-efficacy in the relationships between the variables. Theoretically, the present study contributes to knowledge by providing support for the importance of role breadth self-efficacy as a mechanism explaining the relationship between perceived support and organisational citizenship behaviour in a single model.
Inherited Variation in Vitamin D Genes and Type 1 Diabetes Predisposition

The etiology and pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes remain largely elusive with no established concepts for a causal therapy. Efforts to clarify genetic susceptibility and screening for environmental factors have identified the vitamin D system as a contributory pathway that is potentially correctable. This review aims at compiling all genetic studies addressing the vitamin D system in type 1 diabetes. Herein, association studies with case control cohorts are presented as well as family investigations with transmission tests, meta-analyses and intervention trials. Additionally, rare examples of inborn errors of vitamin D metabolism manifesting with type 1 diabetes and their immune status are discussed. We find a majority of association studies confirming a predisposing role for vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms and those of the vitamin D metabolism, particularly the CYP27B1 gene encoding the main enzyme for vitamin D activation. Associations, however, are tenuous in relation to the ethnic background of the studied populations. Intervention trials identify the specific requirements of adequate vitamin D doses to achieve vitamin D sufficiency. Preliminary evidence suggests that doses may need to be individualized in order to achieve target effects due to pharmacogenomic variation.
Paragangliomas and paraganglioma syndromes

Paragangliomas are rare tumors of neural crest origin. They are benign in the majority of cases and are characterized by a strong vascularisation. In the head and neck region they most commonly occur as carotid body tumors. Jugulotympanic and especially vagal paragangliomas are seen less frequently. Complete surgical resection represents the only curative treatment option even though resection of locally advanced tumors regularly results in lesions of the lower cranial nerves and major vessels. Appoximately 30% of all head and neck paragangliomas (HNPs) are hereditary and associated with different tumor syndromes. The paraganglioma syndromes 1, 3 and 4 (PGL 1, 3 and 4) make up the majority of those familial cases. PGL 1 is associated with mutations of the succinate dehydrogenase subunit D (SDHD) gene, PGL 3 is caused by SDHC and PGL 4 by SDHB gene mutations. Multiple HNPs and the occurance of HNPs together with pheochromocytomas are seen in SDHD as well as SDHB mutation carriers. In patients with SDHB mutations the risk for the development of malignant paraganglial tumors is significantly higher compared to SDHC and SDHD patients as well as patients with sporadic tumors. SDHC mutation carriers almost exclusively present with benign HNP that are unifocal in the majority of cases. The role of transmission is autosomal dominant for all three symptoms. Interestingly, there is a “parent-of-origin-dependent-inheritance” in subjects with SDHD gene mutations. This means that the disease phenotype may only become present if the mutation is inherited through the paternal line. We recommend screening for mutations of the genes SDHB, SDHC and SDHD in patients with HNPs. Certain clinical parameters can help to set up the order in which the three genes should be tested.
‘He failed to find his place in this school’ – re-examining the role of teachers in bullying in a Finnish comprehensive school

ABSTRACT Bullying has been conceptualised as a phenomenon that focuses mainly on individuals and individual behaviour. We seek to broaden the discussion on bullying by describing and defining how teachers participate in and/or enable bullying, and to thus expand the notion of bullying as individual behaviour to include actors, norms and processes. This study is based on ethnographic observation and interview data that were gathered in 2013–2016 in one high school in the metropolitan area of Finland. We found that teachers ignored and excluded a student who was labelled ‘not-normal’. We use the concept of recognition and redefine it according to the context of bullying, and state that the individual in our study was not recognised as a student because he broke the norms of the school and was thus excluded. We suggest that bullying should be seen as a structural issue and should not be limited to individuals’ behaviour.
Factors related to late stage diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Aims: To identify factors related to advanced-stage diagnosis of oral cancer to disclose high-risk groups and facilitate early detection strategies. Study design: An ambispective cohort study on 88 consecutive patients treated from January 1998 to December 2003. Inclusion criteria: pathological diagnosis of OSCC (primary tumour) at any oral site and suffering from a tumour at any TNM stage. Variables considered: age, gender, smoking history, alcohol usage, tumour site, macroscopic pattern of the lesion, co-existing precancerous lesion, degree of differentiation, diagnostic delay and TNM stage. Results: A total of 88 patients (mean age 60±11.3; 65.9% males) entered the study. Most patients (54.5%) suffered no delayed diagnosis and 45.5% of the carcinomas were diagnosed at early stages (I-II). The most frequent clinical lesions were ulcers (70.5%). Most cases were well- and moderately-differentiated (91%). Univariate analyses revealed strong associations between advanced stages and moderate-poor differentiation (OR=4.2; 95%CI=1.6-10.9) or tumour site (floor of the mouth (OR=3.6; 95%CI=1.2-11.1); gingivae (OR=8.8; 95%CI=2.0-38.2); and retromolar trigone (OR=8.8; 95%CI=1.5-49.1)). Regression analysis recognised the site of the tumour and the degree of differentiation as significantly associated to high risk of late-stage diagnosis. Conclusions: Screening programmes designed to detect asymptomatic oral cancers should be prioritized. Educational interventions on the population and on the professionals should include a sound knowledge of the disease presentation, specifically on sites like floor of the mouth, gingivae and retromolar trigone. More studies are needed in order to analyse the part of tumour biology on the extension of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Key words: Oral cancer, advanced-stage, diagnosis, cohort study.
Contributions from specific and general factors to unique deficits: two cases of mathematics learning difficulties

Mathematics learning difficulties are a highly comorbid and heterogeneous set of disorders linked to several dissociable mechanisms and endophenotypes. Two of these endophenotypes consist of primary deficits in number sense and verbal numerical representations. However, currently acknowledged endophenotypes are underspecified regarding the role of automatic vs. controlled information processing, and their description should be complemented. Two children with specific deficits in number sense and verbal numerical representations and normal or above-normal intelligence and preserved visuospatial cognition illustrate this point. Child H.V. exhibited deficits in number sense and fact retrieval. Child G.A. presented severe deficits in orally presented problems and transcoding tasks. A partial confirmation of the two endophenotypes that relate to the number sense and verbal processing was obtained, but a much more clear differentiation between the deficits presented by H.V. and G.A. can be reached by looking at differential impairments in modes of processing. H.V. is notably competent in the use of controlled processing but has problems with more automatic processes, such as nonsymbolic magnitude processing, speeded counting and fact retrieval. In contrast, G.A. can retrieve facts and process nonsymbolic magnitudes but exhibits severe impairment in recruiting executive functions and the concentration that is necessary to accomplish transcoding tasks and word problem solving. These results indicate that typical endophenotypes might be insufficient to describe accurately the deficits that are observed in children with mathematics learning abilities. However, by incorporating domain-specificity and modes of processing into the assessment of the endophenotypes, individual deficit profiles can be much more accurately described. This process calls for further specification of the endophenotypes in mathematics learning difficulties.
Dynamic alternation between load sharing algorithms

Load sharing algorithms can use sender-initiated, receiver-initiated, or symmetrically-initiated schemes to improve performance in distributed systems. The relative performance of these schemes has been shown to depend on the system load. The author proposes an adaptive symmetrically-initiated scheme where all nodes alternate between a sender-initiated and a receiver-initiated algorithm depending on the current system load. Simulations show that the mean job response times for the proposed scheme are superior to the best attained by its two algorithms used separately and simultaneously. The alternating scheme performs best at intermediate and high loads, when the job arrival process is bursty, and when it is costly to find complementary nodes. <<ETX>>