Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in Insured Swedish Cats in Relation to Age, Breed and Sex

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in cats. Most affected cats suffer from a type of diabetes similar to type 2 diabetes in humans. An increasing prevalence has been described in cats, as in humans, related to obesity and other lifestyle factors. Objectives To describe the incidence of DM in insured Swedish cats and the association of DM with demographic risk factors, such as age, breed and sex. Animals A cohort of 504,688 individual cats accounting for 1,229,699 cat‐years at risk (CYAR) insured by a Swedish insurance company from 2009 to 2013. Methods We used reimbursed insurance claims for the diagnosis of DM. Overall incidence rates and incidence rates stratified on year, age, breed, and sex were estimated. Results The overall incidence rate of DM in the cohort was 11.6 cases (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.0–12.2) per 10,000 CYAR. Male cats had twice as high incidence rate (15.4; 95% CI, 14.4–16.4) as females (7.6; 95% CI, 6.9–8.3). Domestic cats were at higher risk compared to purebred cats. A significant association with breed was seen, with the Burmese, Russian Blue, Norwegian Forest cat, and Abyssinian breeds at a higher risk compared to other cats. No sex predisposition was found among Burmese cats. Several breeds with a lower risk of DM were identified. Conclusions and clinical importance Our results verify that the Burmese breed is at increased risk of developing DM. We also identified several previously unreported breeds with increased or decreased risk of DM.
Convergence and Modernization Revisited

In an 80-country panel since the 1960s, the convergence rate for per capita GDP is around 1.7% per year. This "beta convergence" is conditional on an array of explanatory variables that hold constant countries' long-run characteristics. The introduction of country fixed effects generates a much higher-and, I argue, misleading-convergence rate. In a much longer time frame-34 countries with GDP data starting between 1870 and 1896-estimation with country fixed effects is more appropriate, and the estimated convergence rate is around 2.4% per year. Combining the point estimates from the post-1960s and post-1870 panels suggests that the conditional convergence rate is between 1.7% and 2.4% per year, an interval that contains the "iron-law" rate of 2%. In the post-1960s panel, estimation without country fixed effects supports the modernization hypothesis, in the form of positive effects of per capita GDP and schooling on democracy and maintenance of law and order. The long-term panel with country fixed effects also supports modernization, in the sense of positive effects of per capita GDP and schooling on the Polity indicator for democracy. A measure of dispersion-the standard deviation of the log of per capita GDP across 25 countries-is reasonably stable since 1870. This lack of "sigma convergence" is consistent with the presence of beta convergence. For 34 countries-including China and India-observed since 1896, the dispersion of per capita GDP declines since the late 1970s, especially when the country data are weighted by population. This sigma convergence reflects particularly the incorporation of China and India into the world market economy. For 29 countries since 1919, the levels and trends in cross-country dispersion are similar for consumption and GDP.
Ion Current Rectification, Limiting and Overlimiting Conductances in Nanopores

Previous reports on Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) simulations of solid-state nanopores have focused on steady state behaviour under simplified boundary conditions. These are Neumann boundary conditions for the voltage at the pore walls, and in some cases also Donnan equilibrium boundary conditions for concentrations and voltages at both entrances of the nanopore. In this paper, we report time-dependent and steady state PNP simulations under less restrictive boundary conditions, including Neumann boundary conditions applied throughout the membrane relatively far away from the nanopore. We simulated ion currents through cylindrical and conical nanopores with several surface charge configurations, studying the spatial and temporal dependence of the currents contributed by each ion species. This revealed that, due to slow co-diffusion of oppositely charged ions, steady state is generally not reached in simulations or in practice. Furthermore, it is shown that ion concentration polarization is responsible for the observed limiting conductances and ion current rectification in nanopores with asymmetric surface charges or shapes. Hence, after more than a decade of collective research attempting to understand the nature of ion current rectification in solid-state nanopores, a relatively intuitive model is retrieved. Moreover, we measured and simulated current-voltage characteristics of rectifying silicon nitride nanopores presenting overlimiting conductances. The similarity between measurement and simulation shows that overlimiting conductances can result from the increased conductance of the electric double-layer at the membrane surface at the depletion side due to voltage-induced polarization charges. The MATLAB source code of the simulation software is available via the website http://micr.vub. ac.be.
Non-barrier contraceptive use and relation to condom use behaviour by partner type among female sex workers in Andhra Pradesh, India

Objective The study assessed non-barrier contraceptive use among female sex workers (FSW) in Andhra Pradesh, India and relation to inconsistent condom use among commercial and non-commercial male sexual partners. Methods FSW at least 18 years of age (n=2338) were recruited through respondent-driven sampling for an HIV risk survey. Analysis was restricted to women of childbearing age (n=2197). Crude and adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess non-barrier contraceptive use and relation to inconsistent condom use with husbands or regular male partners (i.e. non-clients), regular clients and occasional clients. Results Non-barrier methods of contraception included contraceptive pills (3.8%) and sterilisation (68.4%). In logistic regression models adjusted for relevant demographics, FSW using contraceptive pills were more likely to report inconsistent condom use with a regular client (past week) [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–4.0] and with an occasional client (past week) (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6–5.3), as well as accepting more money for sex without a condom (past 30 days) (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5–4.3). No significant associations were found between pill use and inconsistent condom use among women's non-client partners, potentially related to small sample sizes within these subgroups. Reporting sterilisation, which was more common among FSW who were older in age, was not associated with inconsistent condom use with client or non-client sexual partners. Conclusions Findings document potential unmet need for modern, spacing contraceptives (i.e. pill, intrauterine device), but also indicate the importance for family planning services, particularly those promoting modern contraceptive methods to be provided alongside HIV prevention among FSW in Andhra Pradesh, India.
Bacteriological and Physical Quality of Locally Packaged Drinking Water in Kampala, Uganda

Objective. To assess the bacteriological and physical quality of locally packaged drinking water sold for public consumption. Methods. This was cross-sectional study where a total of 60 samples of bottled water from 10 brands and 30 samples of sachet water from 15 brands purchased randomly were analyzed for bacteriological contamination (total coliform and faecal coliform per 100 mL) using membrane filtrate method and reported in terms of cfu/100 mL. Results. Both bottled water and sachet water were not contaminated with faecal coliform. Majority (70%, 21/30) of the sachet water analyzed exceeded acceptable limits of 0 total coliforms per 100 mL set by WHO and the national drinking water standards. The physical quality (turbidity and pH) of all the packaged water brands analyzed was within the acceptable limits. There was statistically significant difference between the median count of total coliform in both sachet water and bottled water brands (U(24) = 37.0, p = 0.027). Conclusion. Both bottled water and sachet water were not contaminated with faecal coliforms; majority of sachet water was contaminated with total coliform above acceptable limits. Government and other stakeholders should consider intensifying surveillance activities and enforcing strict hygienic measures in this rapidly expanding industry to improve packaged water quality.
Starcounts Redivivus II: Deep Starcounts with Keck and HST and the Luminosity Function of the Galactic Halo

We have combined deep starcount data with Galaxy model predictions to investigate how effectively such measurements probe the faint end of the halo luminosity function. We have tested a number of star/galaxy classification techniques using images taken in 0.5 arcsecond seeing with LRIS on the Keck telescope, and we find that different combinations of these techniques can produce variations of 10 \% in the inferred starcounts at R=22.5 and 30 \% at R=24.5 magnitudes. The decreasing average angular size of galaxies with fainter magnitude effectively limits ground-based work to R $ 10$ in the derived luminosity function is a result of contributions from disk stars at fainter absolute magnitudes and does not provide evidence for an upturn in the halo subdwarf mass function. Indeed, starcount data alone are {\it not} an effective method of probing the shape of the halo luminosity function close to the hydrogen-burning limit. Finally, we examine how the Hubble Deep Field observations can be used to constrain the contribution of various stellar components to the dark-matter halo.
Evaluating universities using simple scientometric research-output metrics: total citation counts per university for a retrospective seven-year rolling sample

We advocate a scientometric, top-down and institution-based research-assessment methodology that is based on total citations accumulated from all publications associated with a specific university during the survey period. The exercise could be done every year using a rolling seven-year retrospective sample and should be performed by at least two independent auditors. Identification of elite ‘revolutionary-science’ institutions could be accomplished using a metric derived from the distribution of science Nobel Prizes. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
Responses of Human Anterior Cingulate Cortex Microdomains to Error Detection, Conflict Monitoring, Stimulus-Response Mapping, Familiarity, and Orienting

Human anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activity modulation has been observed in numerous tasks, consistent with a wide variety of functions. However, previous recordings have not had sufficient spatial resolution to determine whether microdomains (approximately one to two columns) are involved in multiple tasks, how activity is distributed across cortical layers, or indeed whether modulation reflected neuronal excitation, inhibition, or both. In this study, linear arrays of 24 microelectrodes were used to estimate population synaptic currents and neuronal firing in different layers of ACC during simple/choice reaction time, delayed word recognition, rhyming, auditory oddball, and cued conditional letter-discrimination tasks. Responses to all tasks, with differential responses to errors, familiarity, difficulty, and orienting, were recorded in single microdomains. The strongest responses occurred ∼300-800 ms after stimulus onset and were usually a current source with inhibited firing, strongly suggesting active inhibition in superficial layers during the behavioral response period. This was usually followed by a sink from ∼800 to 1400 ms, consistent with postresponse rebound activation. Transient phase locking of task-related theta activity in superficial cingulate layers suggested extended interactions with medial and lateral frontal and temporal sites. These data suggest that each anterior cingulate microdomain participates in a multilobar cortical network after behavioral responses in a variety of tasks.
Co-designing an mHealth tool in the New Zealand Māori community with a “Kaupapa Māori” approach

Obesity rates in Aotearoa/New Zealand continue to rise, and there is an urgent need for effective interventions. However, interventions designed for the general population tend to be less effective for Māori communities and may contribute to increased health inequities. We describe the integration of co-design and kaupapa Māori research approaches to design a mobile-phone delivered (mHealth) healthy lifestyle app that supports the health aspirations of Māori communities. The co-design approach empowered our communities to take an active role in the research. They described a holistic vision of health centred on family well-being and maintaining connections to people and place. Our resultant prototype app, OL@-OR@, includes content that would not have been readily envisaged by academic researchers used to adapting international research on behaviour change techniques to develop health interventions. We argue that this research approach should be considered best practice for developing health interventions targeting Māori communities in future.
First impressions online: The inclusion of transgender and gender nonconforming identities and services in mental healthcare providers' online materials in the USA

ABSTRACT Background: When accessing mental healthcare services, transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals face systemic barriers to gender-affirmative care. Initial points of contact, like intake forms, may show limited consideration for the heterogeneity of TGNC identities and can lead to negative consequences prior to face-to-face interaction with providers. Aims: The first aim was to mimic a likely pathway a TGNC individual may follow to seek mental healthcare services in the USA and to describe the extent to which they may encounter enacted stigma or affirmative messages that may impede or facilitate access to care. The second aim was to determine if a positive State legal climate for TGNC people was associated with more affirmative provider materials. Methods: Content analysis was used to examine a national sample of websites and intake forms of mental healthcare providers who advertise online as working with TGNC clients. Intake forms were coded for usage of affirmative language in gender/sex questions and including questions for a client's pronouns and preferred name. Websites were coded for mentioning a variety of services or resources for TGNC clients. Results: While provider websites were found through Google searches for a “gender therapist,” only 56.6% of websites stated a provider specialty to work with TGNC clients and 32.1% of websites had no mention of services or resources for TGNC people. Additionally, a significantly larger proportion of intake forms from States with legal protections for TGNC people used affirmative language in gender/sex questions and asked for a client's pronouns than intake forms from States without legal protections. Discussion: Barriers to affirmative healthcare for TGNC people within patient and provider interactions have been identified in previous research and these data show TGNC individuals may face enacted stigma even in their search for a provider, particularly those TGNC people living in States without legal protections.
A Focus on Recent Developments and Trends in Underwater Imaging

Underwater optical imaging advances from 2005 to the present are reviewed. Research and technical innovations are synopsized and organized much as the previous report (Kocak and Caimi, 2005) was. Examples of several recent novel system applications are given, as are brief summaries of emerging underwater imaging research and development trends.
Gender and social conformity: Do men and women respond differently to social pressure to vote?

Abstract In this paper, we re-analyze data from a large-scale field experiment (N = 344,084) on voter turnout in order to determine whether men and women respond differently to social pressure aimed at voter mobilization. To date, there have been mixed results regarding the interaction between a person’s gender and receptivity to social influence. On the whole, our analyses confirm prior findings that social pressure increases voter turnout but uncover little to no evidence of gender differences in receptivity to social pressure cues in the context of political participation.
On a capacity equivalence between network and index coding and the edge removal problem

In recent work by Effros, El Rouayheb, and Langberg, an equivalence of code feasibility between network and index coding is derived. The authors ask whether the capacity region of a network coding problem can be obtained by solving the capacity region of an index coding problem. We answer in the affirmative for the linear coding case. While the question is still open for the general case, we show that it is related to the edge removal problem, which has been studied recently.
Callous-Unemotional Traits in Children and Adolescents: Psychometric Properties of the Portuguese Version of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits

The Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits (ICU) was developed to measure callous-unemotional (CU) psychopathic traits in children and adolescents. Studies that have examined the factor structure of ICU showed considerable controversy. The aim of this study was to examine the factor structure and psychometric proprieties of the Portuguese translation of the ICU. A total of 1,011 children and adolescents (495 boys and 516 girls), mean age of 13.36 years, participated in this study. Exploratory factor analysis produced two factors: uncaring and callousness; Cronbach’s &agr; for each of the factor was . 83 and . 79 for the total score. Significant main gender and interaction between gender and age effects were found; girls reported lower CU traits than boys; children reported higher CU traits compared to preadolescents and adolescents, particularly in boys. CU also correlated with emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and psychosocial impairment. Furthermore, CU traits related to conduct problems both in boys and in girls, although this relationship was higher for boys. To conclude, findings of the present study showed that the Portuguese version of the ICU seems to be a reliable and valid instrument to assess CU traits among children and adolescents in Portugal. However, the original 3-factor model was not supported.
Using Randomization to Break the Curse of Dimensionality

This paper introduces random versions of successive approximations and multigrid algorithms for computing approximate solutions to a class of finite and infinite horizon Markovian decision problems. The author proves that these algorithms succeed in breaking the 'curse of dimensionality' for a subclass of Markovian decision problems known as discrete decision processes.
Author's Personal Copy Behavioural Brain Research Dopaminergic Modulation of the Updating of Stimulus–response Episodes in Parkinson's Disease

In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: Keywords: Parkinson's disease Event file Dopamine Dorsal striatum a b s t r a c t Increasing evidence suggests that the control of retrieval of episodic feature bindings is modulated by the striatal dopaminergic pathway. The present study investigated whether this may reflect a contribution from the ventral or the dorsal part of the striatum. Along the lines of the overdose hypothesis in Parkinson's disease (PD), functions known to rely on the dorsal striatum are enhanced with dopamin-ergic medication, while operations relying on the ventral circuitry are impaired. We found that partial mismatches between present and previous stimulus–response relations are, compared to control participants , abnormally low OFF DA medication and normalized ON DA medication. The results suggest that the dorsal striatum, but not (or not so much) the ventral striatum, is driving the flexible control of retrieval of stimulus–response episodes.
Effect of cancer-related and drug-induced alterations in surface carbohydrates on the invasive capacity of mouse and rat cells.

The effect of alterations in cell surface carbohydrates on invasion of mouse and rat cells into embryonic chick heart fragments in organ culture was studied. Matching pairs of malignant and nonmalignant cells, including all categories of carcinogenic induction (i.e., viral, chemical, or oncogenic), were compared for their alterations in cell surface carbohydrates and invasive behavior. Glycopeptides derived from the surface of malignant cells expressed cancer-related changes in carbohydrate composition, demonstrated by gel filtration chromatography as a shift in size distribution in comparison with those from nonmalignant counterparts. This phenotypic property strictly correlated with the acquisition of the invasive capacity. Morphological transformation of cells without simultaneous alteration in surface carbohydrates was, however, insufficient for invasion. To test the possible mechanistic role of altered surface carbohydrates in the invasive capacity of cells, the surface molecules of noninvasive cells were modified by incubation with an alkyl-lysophospholipid (racemic 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl glycero-3-phosphocholine). Alkyl-lysophospholipid induced an increase in surface sialylation resembling the changes found in malignant and invasive cells. After pretreatment with alkyl-lysophospholipid, morphologically transformed but nonmalignant and noninvasive cells became able to invade chick heart tissue. These findings indicate that alterations in cell surface carbohydrates, induced by entirely different mechanisms, endowed cells with invasive capacity.
Leadership in bronze: democratising Bilbao’s public space

One bust and one statue located in close distance to each other in the centre of Bilbao ‒ the bust being that of the second President of the United States, John Adams, the statue that of José Antonio Aguirre, the first democratically elected first minister (lehendakari) of the Basque Country ‒ are visual representations not only of two charismatic statesmen and patriots but also reminders of what it practically entails to fight for independence and the survival of new polities under difficult circumstances. This paper does three things. First, it establishes the historical nexus between the two figures in terms of a rarely discussed transatlantic intellectual undercurrent, which stretches for a time period of roughly one and a half centuries from the American Revolution to the fall of Bilbao in the Spanish Civil War and the beginning of the Basque government in exile. Second, it discusses various aspects of the charismatic leadership of the two distinguished leaders which the two monuments and their proximity might evoke. Third, it points to the contemporary symbolic struggle for remembrance, particularly in the context of Bilbao’s urban renewal and the Basque Country’s attempt to define the modern political contours of its raison d’être.