Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle explain the educational inequalities in mortality from ischaemic heart disease and from other heart diseases? 26 year follow up of 50 000 Norwegian men and women

Objective: Investigate the degree to which smoking, physical activity, marital status, BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol explain the association between educational level and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality and other forms of cardiovascular mortality, with main focus on IHD mortality. Design: Prospective health examination survey study conducted in the period 1974–78. Setting: Oppland, Sogn og Fjordane, and Finnmark counties in Norway. Participants: The sample comprised 22 712 men and 21 972 women, aged 35–49 at screening. The subjects were followed up with respect to mortality throughout year 2000. Main results: 4342 men and 2164 women died during the follow up, 1343 men and 258 women of IHD. IHD mortality risk was higher for people with low education compared with people with high education, and people with low education had more adverse risk factors. After adjustment for smoking the IHD mortality relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence limits, in the low educational group decreased from 1.33 (1.18 to 1.50) to 1.16 (1.03 to 1.31) for men, and from 1.72 (1.23 to 2.41) to 1.58 (1.13 to 2.22) for women. Further adjustment for physical activity, marital status, BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol reduced the RR to 1.03 (0.91 to 1.17) for men and 1.24 (0.88 to 1.75) for women. Conclusions: Unfavourable cardiovascular risk factors and high IHD mortality are more prevalent among less educated than their highly educated peers. After simultaneous adjustment for all recorded risk factors, the excess IHD mortality in the low educational groups was reduced by 91% for men and 67% for women.
Isolation and Characterization of Acyl Coenzyme A Carboxylases from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis, Which Produce Multiple Methyl-Branched Mycocerosic Acids

Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra and M. bovis BCG produce multiple methyl-branched fatty acids called mycocerosic acids, presumably from methyl-malonyl coenzyme A (CoA). An acyl-CoA carboxylase was isolated from these organisms at a 30 to 50% yield by a purification procedure involving ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration, and affinity chromatography with a monomeric avidin–Sepharose 4B-CL gel with d-biotin as the eluant. Sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis and avidin binding indicate that each enzyme is probably composed of two dissimilar subunits with a covalently bound biotin in the larger subunit. The enzyme preparations from H37Ra and BCG had specific activities of 2.1 and 5.5 μmol min−1 mg−1, respectively, when propionyl-CoA was the substrate. The enzymes from the two species displayed striking similarities in their kinetic parameters. They showed maximal activity at pH 8.0 when propionyl-CoA was the substrate, but displayed a relatively broad pH-activity profile when acetyl-CoA was the substrate. With both substrates, potassium phosphate buffer gave maximal activity. Apparent Km values for propionyl-CoA, ATP, Mg2+, and NaHCO3 were 70 μM, 100 μM, 5.4 mM, and 2.2 mM, respectively. The enzyme also carboxylated acetyl-CoA and butyryl-CoA, and high-performance liquid chromatography showed the expected products of carboxylation. However, with these substrates, the Km was higher and the Vmax was lower than those of propionyl-CoA. The enzyme was shown to be stereospecific, synthesizing exclusively (S)-methylmalonyl-CoA from propionyl-CoA. No other acyl-CoA carboxylase was observed during the purification procedure, indicating that the present carboxylase may provide malonyl-CoA for the synthesis of n-fatty acids as well as methylmalonyl-CoA for the synthesis of mycocerosic acids.
When sex becomes a duty

Previous research has shown that in 4 out of 10 Norwegian married or cohabiting couples, either the woman, the man or both suffer from distressing reduced sexual desire. How does distressing reduced sexual desire influence the self-perception of men and women? How do those experiencing distressing reduced sexual desire understand the causes of their condition? To answer these questions, 22 heterosexual persons (18 women and four men) aged 22–53 years were recruited by advertisements in regional newspapers in March 2006, for a 1- to 3-hour in-depth interview. A narrative approach was chosen. The interviews were carried out using an open interview guide. The results show that both male and female informants with distressing reduced sexual desire expressed feeling inadequate as a partner. The perceived causes of distressing reduced sexual desire ranged from being medical/biological or relational, to stemming from sexual abuse. All informants expressed feeling socially and sexually incompetent. Among those wi.
Dangerous Omissions: Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage School-Based Sexuality Education and the Betrayal of LGBTQ Youth

To gain an understanding of how abstinence-only-until-marriage school-based sexuality education has been exclusionary, it is important to explore how heteronormativity has been endorsed, played out, and reproduced ever since school-based sexuality education has been offered in the United States. Such an exploration reveals glaring evidence that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) issues and individuals have been left out. It is likely that this has had negative repercussions on LGBTQ youth and heterosexually identified youth alike. The majority of this article deals with how sexuality education, particularly since so many abstinence-only-until-marriage-until marriage programs have received federal funding since 1996, has discriminated against sexual others (those who do not identify as heterosexual). We provide an analysis of school climate and the consequences of the lack of positive attention to LGBTQ issues and individuals in schools. While we point out that historically these preferential practices and discourses and their resulting negative consequences have always been the case in U.S. schooling, they have been reified and reproduced as a direct result of the federally backed abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Among other issues, we discuss risk factors LGBTQ youth face as well as the notion of resiliency, and the tension between these two perspectives when addressing the fallout of exclusionary sexuality education. The entire school culture has been, and continues to be, negatively affected by this kind of exclusion, and the situation is much more complicated than heterosexuals versus sexual and gender “minorities. ” Ultimately, we provide ideas about how school-based sexuality education could be offered in a more just and responsible manner to make it more equitable and safe for all students.
Cleavage of the ADAMTS13 Propeptide Is Not Required for Protease Activity*

ADAMTS13 belongs to the “a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin repeats” family, and cleaves von Willebrand factor multimers into smaller forms. For several related proteases, normal folding and enzymatic latency depend on an NH2-terminal propeptide that is removed by proteolytic processing during biosynthesis. However, the ADAMTS13 propeptide is unusually short and poorly conserved, suggesting it may not perform these functions. ADAMTS13 was secreted from transfected HeLa cells with a half-time of 7 h and the rate-limiting step was exported from the endoplasmic reticulum. Deletion of the propeptide did not impair the secretion of active ADAMTS13, indicating that the propeptide is dispensable for folding. Furin was shown to be sufficient for ADAMTS13 propeptide processing in two ways. First, mutation of the furin consensus recognition site prevented propeptide cleavage in HeLa cells and resulted in secretion of pro-ADAMTS13. Second, furin-deficient LoVo cells secreted ADAMTS13 with the propeptide intact, and cotransfection with furin restored propeptide cleavage. In both cell lines, secreted pro-ADAMTS13 had normal proteolytic activity toward von Willebrand factor. In cells coexpressing both ADAMTS13 and von Willebrand factor, pro-ADAMTS13 cleaved pro-von Willebrand factor intracellularly. Therefore, the ADAMTS13 propeptide is not required for folding or secretion, and does not perform the common function of maintaining enzyme latency.
Properties of choroid and ciliary neurons in the avian ciliary ganglion and evidence for substance P as a neurotransmitter

Intracellular recordings were made from identified choroid and ciliary neurons in the ciliary ganglion of the embryonic chick. Choroid neurons, which were innervated by multiple preganglionic fibers, frequently displayed noncholinergic slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) following repetitive stimulation of the preganglionic nerve trunk. These slow potentials were blocked by high Mg2+/low Ca2+ buffer and were closely mimicked by bath application of substance P, which is known to be present within both populations of preganglionic nerve terminals. Substance P-induced depolarizations desensitized during prolonged exposure, at which time it was no longer possible to evoke slow synaptic potentials. Following manual voltage clamp to resting membrane potential, parallel increases in input resistance were seen during the slow EPSP and the response to substance P, suggesting that the two responses share common mechanisms. Ciliary neurons, which were innervated by a single preganglionic fiber and displayed dual electrical-chemical synapses, did not exhibit slow synaptic potentials and were unaffected by bath application of substance P. The magnitude and time course of fast nicotinic EPSPs elicited in ciliary neurons by 0.5 Hz presynaptic stimulation were also unchanged in the presence of 1 to 3 microM substance P. Although the ciliary and choroid neurons share a common embryological origin in the neural crest, they are specialized for quite different physiological roles. Integration of multiple presynaptic inputs occurs at choroid synapses, mediated by the presence of both subthreshold fast nicotinic EPSPs and the slow EPSP. In contrast, synapses on ciliary neurons have specializations which preclude any integrative function, including single innervation, a high quantal content, electrical coupling potentials, and a lack of slow synaptic potentials.
The Influence of Sex, Physical Attractiveness, Sex Role, and Occupational Sex‐Linkage on Perceptions of Occupational Suitability

The effects of sex role and physical attractiveness stereotypes on subjects' perceptions of a stimulus person were examined in a field study of their influence on occupational suitability ratings. The present research distinguished the biological sex from the sex role of a hypothetical job applicant. A sample of personnel consultant subjects evaluated a male or female stimulus applicant, who was attractive or unattractive, for masculine, feminine, and sex-neutral occupations. The stimulus applicant was either masculine, feminine, or androgynous in hisher sex role. Consistent with the experimental hypothesis, masculine and androgynous persons were preferred to feminine persons for the masculine occupations while feminine and androgynous persons were preferred to masculine persons for the feminine occupations, regardless of biological sex or attractiveness. Also consistent with predictions, attractiveness influenced ratings for the sex-neutral occupations. Results are discussed in terms of the influence of individuating information about a stimulus person in eliminating the effects of stereotypes on judgments of individuals. Possible implications for personnel decision making are also considered.
The Effects of Listening Support on the Listening Performance of EFL Learners

Listening comprehension is a difficult skill for foreign language learners to develop and for their teachers to assess. In designing suitable listening tests, teachers can provide various forms of support to reduce the demands of the task for the test takers. This study investigated the effects of four types of listening support: previewing the test questions, repetition of the input, providing background knowledge about the topic, and vocabulary instruction. The research involved a classroom-based experiment with 160 students enrolled in a required English listening course at a college in Taiwan. The results showed that the most effective type of support overall was providing information about the topic, followed by repetition of the input. The learners' level of listening proficiency had a significant interaction effect, particularly in the case of question preview. Vocabulary instruction was the least useful form of support, regardless of proficiency level. The findings are generally consistent with the results of the small number of previous studies in this area but there is certainly scope for further investigation.
The lack of discretion in high policing

Based on primary empirical data obtained on the UK's Integrated Special Branch (ISB), the article examines the amount of discretion lower ranking operational officers have in conducting high policing investigations. The investigations studied were counterterrorist investigations carried out over the research period of 2000–2007 using the research method of covert participant observation. During the research period, I was a detective sergeant in a UK police force's ISB department. This is the first type of study carried out on an agency involved in policing national security. The main submission is that compared to their lower ranking colleagues in low policing, such as the uniform department, operational officers in high policing have little or no opportunity to apply discretion when applying the law during their investigations.
Establishing the Victim–Offender Relationship of Initially Unsolved Homicides

This analysis examines the extent to which homicides initially reported as unknown offender in end-of-year reports, once cleared, are more likely to have been perpetrated by strangers than other cleared homicides. Using solved and unsolved homicides in Indianapolis (N = 829), we determined victim–offender relationships in homicides reported as unsolved in year-end reports, when solved, were not significantly different from homicides reported as having a suspect in year-end reports. Indianapolis homicides were classified disproportionately as acquaintances. Findings help negate the ongoing myth that unsolved homicides are disproportionately stranger homicides. Results suggest decreased homicide clearance rates are not due to increased stranger homicides.
The Division of Family Roles.

In this paper, we analyze the marital role division between 1,212 couples taken from a probability sample of the Philadelphia urbanized area. We concentrate on the division of household tasks, of child care, and of paid employment. Using log linear techniques, we examine the effects of a variety of variables measuring social networks and the relative status of husband and wife. Data show support for a marital power model with husband's income negatively related to shared roles and with wife's education positively related to shared roles. Black couples are more likely to share household tasks than white couples.
Selection Interview: A Review of Validity Evidence, Adverse Impact and Applicant Reactions

This article is focused on the evidence related to the criterion and construct validity of interview, its adverse impact on minority groups and the applicant reactions. Based on the content of the questions included in personnel interview, two types of interview made by found: conventional structured interview and behavioural structured interview. With regard to criterion validity, evidence shows that, in general, interviews may be used to predict job performance and, specifically, behavioural structured interviews show the highest validity coefficients. Although construct validity was less well investigated, there is currently a number of studies carried out in order to clarify what constructs are assessed by interviews. It was shown that conventional structured interviews and behavioural structured interviews clearly measure different constructs. With regard to group differences, interviews show only a small adverse impact, but this impact decreases if behavioural structured interviews are used. In connection with applicant reactions, more negative applicant reactions appear with behavioural structured interviews than conventional structured interviews. Practical implications and future lines of research are suggested.
Homicides in Southern Denmark During 25 Years

The purpose of this investigation was to provide an analysis of the 166 homicidal deaths that occurred in Southern Denmark during 25 years.The inspiration came from increased press coverage of certain homicides that I as a forensic pathologist felt did not mirror the real situation. Extensive press coverage of a few serious cases has left the public with the impression that the number of homicides was escalating, and this has been cause for public concern, and has prompted various harsh legislative steps. A lot of public interest has been focused on knife homicides, on honor killings among Muslims, on gang homicides and on homicides committed by psychotic individuals. The political response to public opinion has to some degree been focused on increased punishment for violence. With this in mind, the aim of the investigation was to answer the following research questions: : Research Question 1: What was the homicide rate in the study area, and has it changed during the 25-year study period? Research Question 2: How were the homicides distributed according to motive? Research Question 3: How often was the homicide motivated by a psychosis? Research Question 4: Has the ratio between intra- and extra-family homicides changed? Research Question 5: How often were weapons used? Research Question 6: Is it possible to identify some important social factors characterizing homicide victims? Research Question 7: Has the homicide pattern described changed over time? Research Question 8: What are the implications of this study for homicide prevention strategies?
Effects of a Computer Feedback Treatment and Behavioral Support Protocol on Drop out from a Newly Initiated Exercise Program

Drop out from newly initiated exercise regimens is problematic. Three treatments intended to support new exercise programs (standard exercise counseling, computer feedback, and behavioral support) were tested to estimate their association with drop out over the initial 3 and 6 mo. Data from a total of 1,336 adults (44% men; Mage = 41.9 yrs., SD = 9.8) initiating exercise programs at 18 community exercise facilities (six in each of the three treatment groups) were aggregated by facility on a measure of drop out and were then contrasted both within and between groups. After a mixed model repeated-measures analysis of variance was significant overall, planned contrasts were conducted using the Tukey-Kramer test. Significantly less drop out was found at Month 3 for both the computer support (27%) and behavioral support (17%) groups, when contrasted with the standard exercise counseling group (38%). Behavioral support had significantly less drop out than computer feedback at Month 3. The behavioral support group showed significantly less drop out at Month 6 (33%) when contrasted with both the standard exercise counseling (58%) and computer feedback (52%) groups, which did not significantly differ from one another. Limitations and the need to evaluate and extend research on interventions for reducing drop out from exercise programs were discussed.
Comparison of melanoma guidelines in the U.S.A., Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand: a critical appraisal and comprehensive review

There are several well‐established guidelines for the staging of melanoma and the size of excisional margins, along with recommendations for sentinel lymph node biopsy. Guidelines have been proposed in the U.S.A. (National Comprehensive Cancer Network), Canada (Cancer Care Ontario and Canadian Medical Association), Europe (European Society for Medical Oncology) and Australia and New Zealand (Australian Cancer Network). The guidelines set by these groups are largely based on current evidence, or expert panel consensus where evidence is lacking. The recommendations are more controversial and varying where there is a lack of level‐one evidence in the literature (e.g. screening, adjuvant therapy, follow‐up intensity). We review the evidence and available literature for the management of melanoma worldwide.
The Impact of Surface Preparation on Shear Bond Strength of Metallic Orthodontic Brackets Bonded with a Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement

Aim The aim of this study was to assess the effects of four enamel preparation techniques on shear bond strength (SBS) of brackets bonded with a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) and enamel surface roughness (Ra) were also investigated after cement removal. Materials and methods One hundred and forty-four human premolars were divided into four groups (n = 36 in each group) as follows: Group 1, 37% phosphoric acid (i.e. conventional); Group 2, sandblasting; Group 3, sodium hypochlorite and 37% phosphoric acid; and Group 4, sodium hypochlorite and sandblasting. Twenty-four hours after bonding, the brackets were debonded with an Instron machine using a crosshead speed of 1·0 mm/min; the ARI was evaluated by an image analyser system; the Ra was measured by profilometry; and the morphology of the tooth enamel surface was observed by scanning electron microscope evaluation. Data were submitted to ANOVA and the Kruskal–Wallis test (α = 0·05). Results Mean SBS values for Groups 1–4 were 13·86, 9·08, 17 and 9·63 MPa, respectively. Mean ARI for Groups 1–4 were 11·16, 2·06, 20·66 and 3·73%. The SBS and ARI showed statistically significant differences between the four groups (P<0·001). The Ra (μm) showed no significant differences between groups. Conclusions Bracket bonding using RMGIC showed adequate adhesion for clinical use, and the type of enamel preparation had a significant influence.
EFFECTS OF PLYOMETRIC TRAINING ON MAXIMAL POWER OUTPUT AND JUMPING ABILITY

Purpose. The study aims to determine the effect of plyometric exercises performed with minimum ground contact time on the maximal power output of the legs and jumping ability. Basic procedures. This study sample comprised 44 non-training students of physical education. Following randomization, the experimental group performed plyometric exercises for six weeks, whereas the control group participated only in lectures. The subjects performed counter movement jumps (CMJ), depth jumps (DJ) and a five-hop test. Main findings. After the completion of plyometric training, an increase in the relative maximal power output (p 0.001) in CMJ and DJ was observed, whereas the center of mass elevation and the five-hop test distance length did not change significantly (p > 0.05). Additionally, the rebound time in DJ was significantly shorter and the range of counter movement in the knee decreased (p 0.01). Conclusions. Depending on the aim of programme, plyometric training should determine the ways of performing exercises. Methodological guidelines in plyometric training aimed at increasing the maximal power output may be different from indications concerning jumping ability.
Circulating tumor DNA for triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive disease characterized by a high number of relapses and poor overall survival. The heterogeneity of the disease and the limited treatment options compared to other breast cancer subtypes mainly explain these clinical outcomes. New biomarkers are urgently needed to improve the management of TNBC. Circulating tumor DNA, identified by tumor-related molecular alterations, could be used in the context of non-invasive “liquid biopsy” and help in TNBC diagnosis and treatment decisions. In this review, we discuss the key issues related to the potential of circulating tumor DNA to improve the management of this disease and the future steps to overcome before its implementation into clinical routine within the next 5 years.