Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Apples and oranges: ethnography and the IRB

This article outlines the trials and tribulations encountered in negotiating institutional review board approval of ethnographic research among undercover police officers and recreational drug users in dance club settings. While Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and ethnographic research seek to protect the participants of research, they operate on two diametrically opposed paths. Ethnographers enter the research field with the goal of observing natural behavior, and taking steps to ensure they do not influence activity; anonymity is impossible, while confidentiality essential. IRBs, on the contrary, mandate an informed consent and oversight process that can compromise confidentiality. This has greatly affected contemporary ethnographic research and has had serious consequences for both the research participants and the production of knowledge.
Dose enhancement and cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles in colon cancer cells when irradiated with kilo‐ and mega‐voltage radiation

Abstract Despite major advances in the field of radiotherapy, healthy tissue damage continues to constrain the dose that can be prescribed in cancer therapy. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been proposed as a solution to minimize radiation‐associated toxicities by enhancing the radiation dose delivered locally to tumor cells. In the current study, we investigated the application of third‐generation GNPs in two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) cell cultures and whether there is synergy between the nanoparticles and kilo‐ or mega‐voltage radiation to cause augmented cytotoxicity. The 10‐nm GNPs were found to be nontoxic in both 2D and 3D in vitro cultures of colon cancer cells at concentrations of up to 10–25 µg/ml. There was a significant increase in cell survival fraction reduction following exposure to 1 Gy of kilo‐voltage (18.3%) and 2 Gy of mega‐voltage (35.3%) radiation when the cells were incubated with 50 µg/ml of GNPs. The biocompatibility of the GNPs combined with their substantial synergy with radiation encourages further investigations into their application in targeted cancer treatment.
A Kernel Two-Sample Test

We propose a framework for analyzing and comparing distributions, which we use to construct statistical tests to determine if two samples are drawn from different distributions. Our test statistic is the largest difference in expectations over functions in the unit ball of a reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS), and is called the maximum mean discrepancy (MMD). We present two distribution free tests based on large deviation bounds for the MMD, and a third test based on the asymptotic distribution of this statistic. The MMD can be computed in quadratic time, although efficient linear time approximations are available. Our statistic is an instance of an integral probability metric, and various classical metrics on distributions are obtained when alternative function classes are used in place of an RKHS. We apply our two-sample tests to a variety of problems, including attribute matching for databases using the Hungarian marriage method, where they perform strongly. Excellent performance is also obtained when comparing distributions over graphs, for which these are the first such tests.
Does Liposuction Improve Body Image and Symptoms of Eating Disorders?

Background: Unpleasant attention to unfavorable fat may have harmful psychological effects in terms of body dissatisfaction. As a consequence, this may cause abnormal eating regulation. It has been noted that women interested in liposuction self-report more eating problems. As far as we know, there are no prospective studies with standardized instruments providing sufficient data regarding the effects of aesthetic liposuction on various aspects of quality of life. Nevertheless, publications on the effects of eating habits are lacking. Methods: Sixty-one consecutive women underwent aesthetic liposuction. Three outcome measures were applied at baseline and at follow-up: the eating disorder inventory, Raitasalo's modification of the Beck depression inventory, and the 15-dimensional general quality of life questionnaire. Results: The mean age at baseline was 44 years, and the mean body mass index was 26.0. Thirty-six (59%) women completed all outcome measures with a mean follow-up time of 7 months. A significant improvement from baseline to follow-up was noted in women's body satisfaction, and their overall risk for developing an eating disorder decreased significantly. Conclusion: Aesthetic liposuction results in a significantly reduced overall risk for an eating disorder in combination with improved body satisfaction.
Where is the Learning in Smaller Learning Communities? Academic Press, Social Support for Learning, and Academic Engagement in Smaller Learning Community Classrooms

The extent to which smaller learning communities' (SLCs) focus on academic press and strong social relationships affects academic engagement among 9th graders in urban high schools was investigated. Data were collected through classroom observations, student questionnaires, and focus groups with teachers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and content analysis of focus group interviews. Results indicated moderate to low levels of academic press, social supports, and engagement. Students experiencing high levels of academic press were more academically engaged, but social support was not confirmed as a key factor in academic engagement. Focus group data indicated that much of the press and social support was attributable to the individual efforts of teachers, sometimes in spite of the SLC structure. Additionally, factors affecting engagement emerged, including teacher and student rapport, the relevance and complexity of the curriculum, and student ethnicity.
Pure persuasion: a case study of Nüshu or “women's script” discourses

This essay examines Kenneth Burke's puzzling work on pure persuasion to suggest that pure persuasion has four characteristics, that it is: (1) primarily consummatory in purpose or becomes instrumental or resistant indirectly or secondarily; (2) a near relation of dramatic performance, ritual, and prayer; (3) creates and maintains identity; and (4) relies on form—formal elements are essential to its enactment. This essay argues that an unusual body of discourse, Nüshu, an allegedly thousand‐year‐old phonetic transcription of Jiangyong dialect articulated in a variety of texts sung and chanted by rural women over their needlework on red cloth, handkerchiefs, and fans in a remote area of China, may be an exemplar of discourse with many characteristics of Burke's pure persuasion.
The Analgesic Effect of Tramadol After Intravenous Injection in Healthy Volunteers in Relation to CYP2D6

Tramadol analgesia results from a monoaminergic effect by tramadol itself and an opioid effect of its metabolite (+)-M1 formed by O-demethylation of tramadol by CYP2D6. In this study we sought to determine the impact of (+)-M1 on the analgesic effect of tramadol evaluated by experimental pain models. The effect of an IV injection of 100 mg tramadol on experimental pain was studied 15–90 min after dosing in volunteers, 10 extensive metabolizers with CYP2D6 and 10 poor metabolizers without CYP2D6 in 2 placebo-controlled trials. The pain tests included detection and tolerance threshold to single electrical sural nerve stimulation, pain summation threshold to repetitive electrical sural nerve stimulation (temporal summation), and the cold pressor test. In extensive metabolizers, tramadol reduced discomfort experienced during the cold pressor test (P = 0.002). In poor metabolizers, the pain tolerance thresholds to sural nerve stimulation were increased (P = 0.04). (+)-M1 could be detected in the serum samples from all extensive metabolizers except one, but (+)-M1 was below the limit of determination in all poor metabolizers. The opioid effect of (+)-M1 appears to contribute to the analgesic effect of tramadol, but the monoaminergic effect of tramadol itself seems to create an analgesic effect.
Title : Impact of Response Duration on Multisensory Integration

23 Multisensory neurons in the superior colliculus (SC) have been shown to have large 24 receptive fields that are heterogeneous in nature. These neurons have the capacity to 25 integrate their different sensory inputs, a process that has been shown to depend on the 26 physical characteristics of the stimuli that are combined (i.e., spatial and temporal 27 relationship and relative effectiveness). Recent work has highlighted the 28 interdependence of these factors in driving multisensory integration, adding a layer of 29 complexity to our understanding of multisensory processes. In the current study our 30 goal is to add to this understanding by characterizing how stimulus location impacts the 31 temporal dynamics of multisensory responses in cat SC neurons. The results illustrate 32 that locations within the spatial receptive fields (SRFs) of these neurons can be divided 33 into those showing short duration responses and long duration response profiles. Most 34 importantly, discharge duration appears to be a good determinant of multisensory 35 integration, such that short duration responses are typically associated with high 36 magnitude of multisensory integration (i.e., superadditive responses) while long duration 37 responses are typically associated with low integrative capacity. These results further 38 reinforce the complexity of the integrative features of SC neurons, and show that the 39 large SRFs of these neurons are characterized by vastly differing temporal dynamics; 40 dynamics that strongly shape the integrative capacity of these neurons. 41
Resilience in families in which a member has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

UNLABELLED Due to the extensive focus of the literature on the burden placed on families in which a member has been diagnosed with a mental illness such as schizophrenia, there is a need to identify factors that may help these families to be resilient and adapt to their crisis. The aim of this study was to identify family resilience qualities in families in which a member has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The study comprised 42 families, represented by 33 parents and 9 siblings of the diagnosed family member. Families were recruited from three support groups within the Cape Metropolitan area, Western Cape, South Africa. Qualitative data were obtained through an open-ended question and quantitative data were collected with seven self-report questionnaires. The following family resilience qualities were identified: family income; finding support in their community; family togetherness; family communication style during crises; affirming and supportive communication patterns; family hardiness; commitment to the family; reframing crises as a challenge; and an internal locus of control within the family. The findings may be used by professionals and support group facilitators to enhance the resilience and functioning of families living with a member with schizophrenia. ACCESSIBLE SUMMARY With approximately 1% of the world's population diagnosed with schizophrenia, it is clear that many families are affected when a member has been diagnosed. There is a need to identify factors that may help these families to be resilient. The aim of this study was to identify family resilience qualities in families in which a member has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The following family resilience qualities were identified as resources that helped them to adapt to the many challenges put to them: family income, finding support in their community, the availability of hospitals, churches and professionals, family togetherness, family communication, family hardiness, commitment to the family, reframing crises as a challenge, and an internal locus of control within the family. Due to the limited studies on resilience in families in which a member has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, we suggest that the current study may contribute to this literature and provide a more comprehensive look at resilience in these families. Furthermore, the current study may contribute to knowledge about factors and resources that are associated with resilience in families in which a member has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Finally, the findings of this study may be used in interventions to help families from different cultures and socio-economic statuses to adapt and hence be resilient.
VEGF/SDF-1 promotes cardiac stem cell mobilization and myocardial repair in the infarcted heart.

AIMS The objective of this study was to investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secreted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) improves myocardial survival and the engraftment of implanted MSC in infarcted hearts and promotes recruitment of stem cells through paracrine release of myocardial stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α). METHODS AND RESULTS VEGF-expressing MSC ((VEGF)MSC)-conditioned medium enhanced SDF-1α expression in heart slices and H9C2 cardiomyoblast cells via VEGF and the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). The (VEGF)MSC-conditioned medium markedly promoted cardiac stem cell (CSC) migration at least in part via the SDF-1α/CXCR4 pathway and involved binding to VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-3. In vivo, (VEGF)MSC-stimulated SDF-1α expression in infarcted hearts resulted in massive mobilization and homing of bone marrow stem cells and CSC. Moreover, VEGF-induced SDF-1α guided the exogenously introduced CSC in the atrioventricular groove to migrate to the infarcted area, leading to a reduction in infarct size. Functional studies showed that (VEGF)MSC transplantation stimulated extensive angiomyogenesis in infarcted hearts as indicated by the expression of cardiac troponin T, CD31, and von Willebrand factor and improved the left ventricular performance, whereas blockade of SDF-1α or its receptor by RNAi or antagonist significantly diminished the beneficial effects of (VEGF)MSC. CONCLUSION Exogenously expressed VEGF promotes myocardial repair at least in part through SDF-1α/CXCR4-mediated recruitment of CSC.
Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis with Continuous IV Infusion of LMWH: A Retrospective Study in 32 Children

Thirty-two consecutive children aged 0–18 years with VTE treated with LMWH administered as a continuous infusion (CI) were identified at the Children's University Hospital Brno. The treatment led to at least partial resolution of the thrombus within two weeks in 85% of patients. There were no adverse events or increased bleeding reported in any patients. No recurrences were observed during a followup period of 6 months. Although continuous infusion should not replace subcutaneous (SC) administration of LMWH, CI appeared to be safe and efficient and may provide an alternate method of administering LMWH in a subset of the paediatric population where SC administration may not be feasible. Further prospective studies are needed to support the promising findings of our pilot clinical observation.
Catathrenia (nocturnal groaning): an abnormal respiratory pattern during sleep

Catathrenia (nocturnal groaning) is a rare condition characterized by monotonous irregular groans occurring during sleep. Ten patients (five women; mean age: 27 ± 7.4 years, range: 15–41) with sleep‐related groaning persisting for years or decades and normal daytime fibreoptic laryngoscopy and respiratory function tests underwent videopolysomnographic recording (VPSG) analysing their respiratory patterns during sleep. After the VPSG, all patients were clinically followed up for a mean period of 4.9 ± 3.5 years. On VPSG, all patients showed nocturnal groaning during NREM sleep and particularly during REM sleep stages. Groaning was associated with disproportionate prolonged expiration causing reduced breathing rate without oxygen desaturation. The breathing pattern with prolonged expiration and sound production alternated with a normal respiratory pattern without groaning. Endoesophageal pressure during groaning showed mildly positive swings at the initial phase of expiration suggesting a partial mild expiratory upper airway obstruction. At the end of the follow‐up period, all patients reported persistent nocturnal groaning but no other clinical manifestations. Groaning confined to sleep alternating with normal breathing and the absence of long‐term clinical consequences suggest that catathrenia is because of an abnormality of the internal respiratory drive system, possibly related to persistence of a neonatal (vestigial) type of breathing pattern.
Dientamoeba fragilis DNA detection in Enterobius vermicularis eggs

Dientamoeba fragilis is an intestinal protozoan suspected of causing gastrointestinal symptoms, and its mode of transmission is unknown, although first described almost a century ago. A hypothesis is that Enterobius vermicularis is a vector for D. fragilis, and recently, D. fragilis DNA was detected within surface-sterilized eggs of E. vermicularis. Using real-time PCR, we detected D. fragilis DNA in 18 (85%) of 21 samples of E. vermicularis eggs collected from patients harbouring D. fragilis in faeces. This finding supports the hypothesis that E. vermicularis may have an important role in the transmission of D. fragilis. This paper describes a protocol to wash and surface-sterilize E. vermicularis eggs, with the aim of showing presence of both E. vermicularis and D. fragilis specific DNA within, and the results from 20 co-infected patients. The study has merit as a confirmatory study of the trials by Röser et al. (2013), and includes improvements of the protocol.
One Perspective on the Milan Systemic Approach: Part II. Description of Session Format, Interviewing Style and Interventions.

The Milan method of working with families includes a number of unique innovations. Among these are a pattern of creative teamwork that clearly separates the cognitive constructions of the therapist in contrast to the belief systems of the family, a style of interviewing that releases information latent in the family, and some novel interventions that facilitate the family's capacity to discover its own non-symptomatic solutions.
Immunocytochemical localization of transforming growth factors (TGFs) TGF-alpha and TGF-beta in human ovarian tissues.

Light microscopic immunocytochemical technique was utilized in order to elucidate the presence and cellular distribution of transforming growth factors alpha and beta (TGF-alpha and TGF-beta) in human ovarian tissues in different reproductive states using polyclonal antibodies to TGF-alpha and TGF-beta. The results indicated that the ovarian tissue immunostained for both TGF-alpha and TGF-beta. The immunostaining for TGF-alpha was associated with oocytes in the primary follicles, granulosa and theca cell layers, as well as small and large luteal cells. The granulosa cell layers in the small follicles were immunostained for TGF-alpha, but there was very little staining association to the theca cell layers. However, the immunostaining intensity increased in both granulosa and theca cell layers as the size of the follicles increased. The ovarian stroma cells always showed moderate immunostaining. In luteal tissue, both small and large luteal cells immunostained for TGF-alpha and the intensity was similar in both cell types. The immunostaining intensity was similar in both early and midluteal phases and was less than that seen in the granulosa-theca cell layers of the large follicles, and decreased in the late luteal phase. Both corpora albicans and ectopic pregnancy corpora lutea showed a weak immunostaining. Immunostaining of ovarian tissues for TGF-beta indicated that the oocytes of the small preantral follicles stained faintly in the cytoplasm; however, they stained strongly around the nuclear periphery. In small, medium, and large follicles granulosa and theca cell layers immunostained with similar intensity for TGF-beta and its intensity increased with follicular size. The ovarian stroma cells also immunostained for TGF-beta, but with a moderate to low intensity compared with other regions. In luteal tissue, both small and large luteal cells immunostained for TGF-beta and its intensity was similar in early and midluteal phases and reduced during the late luteal phase. This immunostaining was reduced as compared to the granulosa-theca cell layers of the follicles. Corpora albicans and ectopic pregnancy corpora lutea also immunostained for TGF-beta; however, the immunostaining intensity was lower than that seen in luteal tissues of early, mid, or late luteal phases. There was strong immunostaining of the luteal fibroblasts and, interestingly, in small and medium size arterioles; endothelial and smooth muscle cells also immunostained strongly for TGF-beta, whereas the large arterioles showed very little or no immunostaining. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
FISH analysis on day 5 post‐insemination of human arrested and blastocyst stage embryos

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is usually performed on cleavage stage embryos on day 3 post‐insemination. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) has revealed four groups of chromosome patterns in embryos at this stage: uniformly normal, uniformly abnormal, mosaic and chaotic. Recently, some in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics have started to perform blastocyst stage transfer. In blastocysts, conventional karyotyping has shown that all four groups of chromosome patterns are observed. In the present study, embryos were cultured to day 5 and were subject to a two‐round multicolour FISH procedure for chromosome analysis to ensure almost every nucleus was examined. Probes for chromosomes X, Y and 18 were used in the first round and those for chromosomes 13 and 21 in the second round. Twenty arrested embryos (274 cells) and 19 blastocyst stage embryos (1272 cells) were analysed. Four arrested embryos and two blastocysts were uniformly diploid. The remaining 33 embryos were mosaic, including 17 blastocysts. Most of the blastocysts had a high proportion of diploid cells while in the arrested embryos, this proportion varied widely. For PGD, this high prevalence of mosaicism persisting to the blastocyst stage may pose problems similar to mosaicism in cleavage stage embryos. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dick Tracy’s Cityscape

Landscape portrayal in film and in comics influences our understanding and perception of the world. The cityscape of the movie Dick Tracy (1990) is Warren Beatty’s interpretation of the cityscape portrayed in Chester Gould’s (1930) comic strip of the same name. Each rendition offers clues to the social milieu in which they were created. Both cityscapes are generic, reflect anti-urban sentiment, and offer a simplistic, moralistic view of reality.