Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Maternal Characteristics in a Sample of Schoolchildren from a Rural Province of Croatia

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a congenital syndrome caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and is entirely preventable by abstinence from alcohol drinking during this time. Little is known about the prevalence of FAS and maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy in Western countries. We present the results of FAS/partial fetal alcohol syndrome (PFAS) prevalence study and maternal characteristics in a sample of schoolchildren from a rural province of Croatia. This study involved seven elementary schools with 1,110 enrolled children attending 1st to 4th grade and their mothers. We used an active case ascertainment method with passive parental consent and Clarified IOM criteria. The investigation protocol involved maternal data collection and clinical examination of children. Out of 1,110 mothers, 917 (82.6%) answered the questionnaire. Alcohol exposure during pregnancy was admitted by 11.5%, regular drinking by 4.0% and binge drinking by 1.4% of questioned mothers. Clinical examination involved 824 (74.2%) schoolchildren and disclosed 14 (1.7%) with clinical signs of FAS and 41 (5.0%) of PFAS. The observed FAS prevalence, based on 74.2% participation rate, was 16.9, PFAS 49.7 and combined prevalence was 66.7/1,000 examined schoolchildren. This is the first FAS prevalence study based on active ascertainment among schoolchildren and pregnancy alcohol drinking analysis performed in a rural community of Croatia and Europe. High prevalence of FAS/PFAS and pregnancy alcohol consumption observed in this study revealed that FAS is serious health problem in rural regions as well as a need to develop future studies and preventive measures for pregnancy alcohol drinking and FASD.
Differential expression of trkB.T1 and trkB.T2, truncated trkC, and p75NGFR in the cochlea prior to hearing function

Prior to the onset of hearing, synchronous cellular, neuronal, and morphogenetic processes participate in the development of a functional cochlea. We have studied the expression of different splice forms of trkB and trkC as well as p75NGFR in rat and mouse cochlea within this critical developmental period, using in situ hybridization, PCR, Northern blotting, and immunohistochemical analyses. An antibody to full‐length trkB receptors proved to detect full‐length trkB receptors as well as truncated trkB.T2 but not trkB.T1 isoforms. Full‐length trkB and trkC isoforms as well as trkB.T2 but not trkB.T1 receptors were noted in cochlear neurons. A transient expression of trkB.T1 and trkB.T2 was observed at the epithelial–mesenchymal border of the spiral ligament during this time. A sequential appearance of trkB.T1, the low‐affinity neurotrophin receptor p75NGFR, and trkB.T2 in epithelial cochlear cells correlated with the formation of the inner sulcus of the organ. A differential expression of presumptive trkB.T2 in hair and supporting cells was observed concomitant with the maturation of the distinct innervation pattern of these cells. A gradual shift from p75NGFR to truncated trkC receptors in Pillar cells occurred during the formation of the tunnel of Corti. A distinct expression of full‐length trkC correlated with the time of differentiation of the stria vascularis. Finally, an expression of trkB.T1 and trkB.T2 in oligodendrocytes, full‐length trkB and trkC in nerve fibers, and p75NGFR in Schwann cells was noted at the glial interface of the VIIIth nerve during the establishment of the glial transition zone. These various transitory neurotrophin receptor expression patterns, which were related to final maturation processes of the cochlea, may provide new insights into the as yet obscure role of neurotrophin receptors in nonneuronal tissue. J. Comp. Neurol. 414:33–49, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vitamin D and estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms in type 2 diabetes mellitus and in android type obesity.

OBJECTIVE We studied the significance of BsmI restriction enzyme polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and the XbaI and PvuII polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor (ER) gene in patients with type 2 diabetes (n=49), android type obesity with normal carbohydrate metabolism (n=29) and healthy controls (n=138). METHODS The distribution of genotypes in the study groups, as well as their relationship to fasting and 1 h postprandial serum C-peptide levels were analyzed. RESULTS Postprandial serum C-peptide levels of BB genotypes were significantly higher in the diabetes and obese groups (6.18+/-5.09 ng/ml) compared with other genotypes (2.71+/-2.45 vs. 1.72+/-1.97 ng/ml, respectively, P=0.05). Among patients with type 2 diabetes and obese subjects, the XX allelic variant of the ER gene was more frequent (P=0.00015). Postprandial C-peptide levels of subjects exhibiting XX genotype were significantly lower compared with those with Xx genotype (1.67+/-2.16 vs. 3.8+/-3.72 ng/ml, P=0.021). The BBXx allelic combination of the VDR/ER receptor genes was less frequent in diabetic patients than in healthy subjects or in obese patients. The BBXx genotype was associated with significantly elevated postprandial C-peptide levels in all subjects compared with other combinations (9.65+/-3.14 vs. 1.35+/-2.82 ng/ml, P=0.003). No difference was found in the distribution of the PvuII polymorphism of the ER gene or in the association with the C-peptide levels among study groups. CONCLUSION Polymorphisms of the VDR/ER receptor genes might play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes by influencing the secretory capacity of beta-cells.
Inhaled silica-coated TiO2 nanoparticles induced airway irritation, airflow limitation and inflammation in mice

Abstract The wide use of nanotechnology is here to stay. However, the knowledge on the health effects of different engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) is lacking. In this study, irritation and inflammation potential of commercially available silica-coated TiO2 ENMs (10 × 40 nm, rutile) were studied. Single exposure (30 min) at mass concentrations 5, 10, 20 and 30 mg/m3, and repeated exposure (altogether 16 h, 1 h/day, 4 days/week for 4 weeks) at mass concentration of 30 mg/m3 to silica-coated TiO2 induced first phase of pulmonary irritation (P1), which was seen as rapid, shallow breathing. During repeated exposures, P1 effect was partly evolved into more intense pulmonary irritation. Also sensory irritation was observed at the beginning of both single and repeated exposure periods, and the effect intensified during repeated exposures. Airflow limitation started to develop during repeated exposures. Repeated exposure to silica-coated TiO2 ENMs induced also pulmonary inflammation: inflammatory cells infiltrated in peribronchial and perivascular areas of the lungs, neutrophils were found in BAL fluids, and the number of CD3 and CD4 positive T cells increased significantly. In line with these results, pulmonary mRNA expression of chemokines CXCL1, CXCL5 and CXCL9 was enhanced. Also expression of mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 was elevated after repeated exposures. Taken together, these results indicated that silica-coated TiO2 ENMs induce pulmonary and sensory irritation after single and repeated exposure, and airflow limitation and pulmonary inflammation after repeated exposure.
Learning Force-Based Robot Skills from Haptic Demonstration

Locally weighted as well as Gaussian mixtures learning algorithms are suitable strategies for trajectory learning and skill acquisition, in the context of programming by demonstration. Input streams other than visual information, as used in most applications up to date, reveal themselves as quite useful in trajectory learning experiments where visual sources are not available. For the first time, force/torque feedback through a haptic device has been used for teaching a teleoperated robot to empty a rigid container. The memory-based LWPLS and the non-memory-based LWPR algorithms [1,2,3], as well as both the batch and the incremental versions of GMM/GMR [4,5] were implemented, their comparison leading to very similar results, with the same pattern as regards to both the involved robot joints and the different initial experimental conditions. Tests where the teacher was instructed to follow a strategy compared to others where he was not lead to useful conclusions that permit devising the new research stages, where the taught motion will be refined by autonomous robot rehearsal through reinforcement learning.
Revisiting Narrative Elaboration Training with an Ecologically Relevant Event

A problematic issue for forensic interviewers is that young children provide limited information in response to open-ended recall questions. Although quantity of information is greater if children are asked more focused prompts and closed question types such as yes/no or forced choice questions, the quality of their responses is potentially problematic for a number of reasons. Consequently, a key goal of forensic interviewers is to maximize how much information children provide in open-ended recall. In the current study, 52 3–7-year-old children (mean age 5;2) were interviewed about a highly stressful real-life event, specifically an injury requiring hospital emergency room treatment. Half were given Narrative Elaboration (NE) training prior to the interview. Such training involves cue cards that encourage information about participants, setting, actions, and conversations/cognitions/affective states—all of which is important in forensic interviews. NE-trained children not only provided more information in open-ended recall but they also provided longer, more emotionally evaluated, more descriptive and more coherent open-ended recall than did controls. This is the first study of NE when real life, emotionally charged events are used, as well as the first examining NE-facilitated improvements in the quality of memory reports in terms of coherence and credibility variables. Forensic implications are discussed.
Studying Obduracy in the City: Toward a Productive Fusion between Technology Studies and Urban Studies

This article draws the city into the limelight of social studies of technology. Considering that cities consist of a wide range of technologies, it is remarkable that cities as an object of research have so far have been relatively neglected in the field of technology studies. This article focuses on the role of obduracy in urban sociotechnical change, an issue that, it is argued, has considerable importance for both students of the cities and the daily practice of town planners and architects, and, at the same time, forms an important theoretical debate in science, technology, and society (STS) studies. The article provides an overview of theoretical conceptions of obduracy in both technology studies and urban studies and proposes a heuristic model for the analysis of this phenomenon. In this way, this article aims to contribute to the establishment of a common interdisciplinary playground for these disciplines.
The impact of peer mentoring on pupils’ emotional literacy competencies

Research suggests that peer mentoring can positively impact on emotional literacy competencies. This study explored the effects of peer mentoring on the emotional literacy competencies of Year 7 peer mentees using a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test control group design. Results supported the hypothesis that peer mentoring has a positive impact on the emotional literacy competencies of mentees with low to average levels of emotional literacy at pre-intervention. Results also showed a significant negative correlation between attendance at sessions and perceived Conduct Problems. Unexpectedly, results indicated adverse effects of reading mentoring on the emotional literacy competencies of control participants.
The Impact of Urinary Incontinence in Working Women: A Study in a Production Facility

ABSTRACT Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify the impact of self-reported UI on working women, to describe urine loss symptoms, strategies used to control urine loss, and help-seeking behavior among full-time women working in a rural production facility. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used and questionnaires were distributed to 500 women (response rate, 54%). Items elicited information on demographics, health, parity, symptoms and duration of urine loss, strategies to manage urine loss, effects of UI on work activities, level of knowledge about UI and treatment options, perceived importance of getting professional help, and actual help seeking behavior. Results: Twenty-nine percent (n = 78) reported UI at least monthly. Incontinent women were older (44.8 years vs. 38.1 years) than continent women (t = −5.22, p < .001) and incontinent women had a significantly higher average body mass index (BMI) than continent women (t = −4.3, p < .001). More women reported urine loss with coughing, lifting, bending, and when hands were in water, and were more likely to use pads at work to control urine loss. Few women had reported UI to a health care provider (36%) and most wanted more information about UI (85%). Conclusions: UI is a prevalent problem for working women. Workplace programs designed to assist women with prevention, treatment, and management of UI are crucial.
Students’ interpretations of the meanings of questionnaire items in the National Student Survey

In many countries the outputs from university student satisfaction surveys are used for a variety of educational management purposes. Within the United Kingdom, the main instrument employed by state authorities to measure student satisfaction is the National Student Survey (NSS). The issue investigated by the current research related to whether students with different personal characteristics might ascribe disparate meanings to the wordings of particular items designed to measure certain dimensions of the NSS (for example, what is meant by ‘prompt’ feedback or by ‘fair’ marking). A sample of 319 business studies students in a UK university completed questionnaires concerning their learning orientations, levels of engagement with their courses, study skills and family backgrounds and their interpretations of the meanings of key dimensions of the NSS. A conjoint analysis methodology was applied to identify variations in interpretations. The results suggest that students with different kinds of learning orientation and different levels of engagement may hold disparate views on the meanings of key NSS dimensions. This brings into question the utility of employing overall average values of students’ assessments of these matters for educational management and decision-making purposes. Within the present sample, disparities between the all-sample outcomes and the results for individuals who exhibited low levels of engagement with their programmes were especially pronounced.
Adolescent inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa: a qualitative study exploring young adults' retrospective views of treatment and discharge

Objective To explore young adults' views regarding: the inpatient treatment they received for anorexia nervosa during their adolescences; their experiences of discharge; and the impact their admission had on issues of control and low self-esteem. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven young adults treated in general adolescent psychiatric units. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results Four super-ordinate themes emerged from participants' accounts: (1) Removal from normality versus connecting with the outside world; (2) Treated as another anorexic versus a unique individual in distress; (3) Control and collaboration; (4) The importance of peer relationships. Discussion Findings unique to this study concerned a sense of feeling removed and disconnected from ‘normality’; a feeling that one's developmental needs were not always addressed; and the importance placed on supportive relationships with fellow patients. It was also found that authoritarian approaches may compound patients' feelings of ineffectiveness, worthlessness and isolation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Grandparents Caring for their Grandchildren

Introducing findings from the 2004 Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), this research complements the large number of recent U.S. studies on the role of grandparents in caring for their grandchildren. For 10 continental European countries, the authors investigate cross-national variations in grandparent-provided child care as well as differences in characteristics of the providers and recipients of care. Although they find strong involvement of grandparents in their grandchildren's care across all countries, they also identify significant variations in the prevalence and intensity of care along the geographic lines of different child care and (maternal or female) employment regimes in Europe. Rooted in long-standing family cultures, the observed patterns suggest a complex interaction between welfare state—provided services and intergenerational family support in shaping the work—family nexus for younger parents. The authors conclude with a brief discussion of possible consequences of grandmothers' increasing labor force participation for child care arrangements.
Perceptual and cognitive responses during exercise: Relationships with metamotivational state and dominance

Abstract In this study, we examined ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and attentional focus during exercise in relation to telic and paratelic metamotivational dominance and state. Thirty regular exercisers (11 females, 19 males), of whom 10 were telic dominant (mean Paratelic Dominance Scale score=6.2±2.9), 10 paratelic dominant (mean PDS score=23.8±1.4), and 10 non-dominant (mean PDS score=15.4±0.7) completed two exercise trials. In the first trial, the participants completed a maximal ramped exercise test on a motorized treadmill to determine their gas exchange threshold (the speed at which determined exercise intensity of the subsequent trial). Throughout the second trial (a 30-min treadmill run), the participants reported their metamotivational state, RPE, and attentional focus (associative or dissociative) at 5-min intervals. Heart rate was recorded at 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, and 28 min and expired air was analysed for oxygen consumption (VO2) between 1–3, 6–8, 11–13, 16–18, 21–23, and 26–28 min. There was no main effect of dominance or dominance×time interaction on any variables (P >0.05). Oxygen consumption did not differ between states but RPE was higher in the telic than paratelic state at 25 and 30 min (t 28=2.87, P <0.05; t 26.77=3.88, P <0.05, respectively). Attentional focus was more associative in the telic than paratelic state at 20, 25, and 30 min (t 28=− 3.73, P <0.05; t 28=− 4.85, P <0.01; t 28=− 5.15, P <0.05, respectively) and heart rate was higher at 23 min in the telic state (t 27=3.40, P <0.05). During the latter stages of exercise, the telic metamotivational state, not dominance, was related to a more associative attentional focus and higher RPE. Our results support the use of reversal theory (Apter, 2001) to understand perceptual and cognitive responses during aerobic exercise, but an experimental design in which state is manipulated is needed to examine the effects of metamotivational dominance and state on perceptual and cognitive responses.
Cancer Therapy : Preclinical Darinaparsin : Solid Tumor Hypoxic Cytotoxin and Radiosensitizer

Purpose:Hypoxia is an important characteristic of the solid tumor microenvironment and constitutes a barrier for effective radiotherapy. Here, we studied the effects of darinaparsin (an arsenic cytotoxin) on survival and radiosensitivity of tumor cells in vitro under normoxia and hypoxia and in vivo using xenograft models, compared to effects on normal tissues. ExperimentalDesign:The cytotoxicity and radiosensitization of darinaparsinwere first tested in vitro in a variety of solid tumor cell lines under bothnormoxia andhypoxia and comparedwith arsenic trioxide (ATO, an arsenical with reported cytotoxic and radiosensitizing activities on tumor cells). The effects were then tested inmousemodels of xenograft tumors derived from tumor cell lines and clinical tumor specimens. The potential mechanisms of darinaparsin effects, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, cellular damage, and changes in global gene expression, were also investigated. Results: In comparison with ATO, darinaparsin had significantly higher in vitro cytotoxic and radiosensitizing activities against solid tumor cells under both normoxia and hypoxia. In vivo experiments confirmed these activities at doses that had no systemic toxicities. Importantly, darinaparsin did not radiosensitize normal bonemarrow and actually radioprotected normal intestinal crypts. The darinaparsinmediated antitumor effects under hypoxia were not dependent on ROS generation and oxidative damage, but were associated with inhibition of oncogene (RAS and MYC)-dependent gene expression. Conclusion:Darinaparsin has significant and preferential cytotoxic and radiosensitizing effects on solid tumors as compared with normal cells. Darinaparsin may therefore increase the therapeutic index of radiation therapy and has near term translational potential. Clin Cancer Res; 1–11. 2012 AACR.
The cultural authority of science: Public trust and acceptance of organized science

Using the National Science Foundation’s 2006 Science Indicators Survey, this study explores three distinct explanations of public attitudes. First, the knowledge–attitudes model refers to a well tested relationship between public knowledge of science and more favorable attitudes toward science. Second, the alienation model hypothesizes that public disassociation with science is a symptom of a general disenchantment with late modernity, mainly, the limitations associated with codified expertise, rational bureaucracy, and institutional authority. A third approach emphasizes the cultural meaning of science: how various public beliefs about “what science is” relate to acceptance or reservations about science. The Science Indicators Survey shows that US adults view science (what it is or should be) in three distinct ways: 1) in terms of having a systematic method, 2) in terms of social location (i.e., takes place in a university or a laboratory), and 3) in terms of knowledge that should accord with commonsense and tradition. The findings in this study indicate that the knowledge–attitudes, alienation, and cultural meanings models are all valuable for understanding the cultural authority of science. However, the strength of these explanations depends on the type of attitude analyzed.