Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship-specific alcohol expectancies and gender moderate the effects of relationship drinking contexts on daily relationship functioning.

OBJECTIVE Research shows that drinking with one's partner in romantic relationships is associated with positive relationship functioning (e.g., increased intimacy), whereas drinking apart from one's partner is associated with negative relationship functioning (e.g., increased negative behaviors/events). Relationship-specific alcohol expectancies (RSAE) may moderate these associations and illuminate for whom these processes are more positive or negative. The current study tested RSAE as a moderator of the time-lagged daily associations between relationship drinking contexts and next-day relationship functioning in a sample of mostly adult, married, moderate-drinking couples. METHOD Both members of 118 couples completed daily diary reports of drinking episodes and positive and negative relationship functioning for up to 56 days. Multilevel models predicted next-day relationship functioning from time-lagged relationship drinking contexts and between-person differences in RSAE and gender. RESULTS The results replicate previous research showing decreased negative and increased positive relationship functioning following drinking with (vs. apart from) one's partner. RSAE interacted with gender to moderate the association between drinking-with-partner and next-day positive relationship functioning. Men high in social expectancies and women high in intimacy expectancies reported significantly greater next-day positive relationship functioning following drinking-with-partner. In addition, both men and women high in intimacy expectancies reported significantly greater next-day negative relationship functioning following drinking-apart-from-partner. No effects were found for other RSAE domains. CONCLUSIONS These results support and extend prior research showing that women's relationship drinking is associated with intimacy enhancement, whereas among men it is associated with social effects. The current study has implications for future research and theory on relationship-motivated drinking processes.
Liver Abscesses in Children: A Single Center Experience in the Developed World

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiologic features, predisposing risk factors, and complications of children with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) referred to a tertiary pediatric hepatology center. Methods: We analyzed our database of all children referred to our unit over a 10 year period and performed a case note review of all patients with a radiologically proven PLA. Results: PLA was diagnosed in 15 children (7 boys), 0.5% of all referrals. They presented at a median age of 10 years (range 2 months-15 years). In three children (2 boys), PLA was the first manifestation of chronic granulomatous disease. Among the others, five had radiologic evidence of other intra-abdominal pathology (1 with subsequently proven appendicitis), and four developed portal vein thrombosis with portal hypertension. The commonest isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus. Combined treatment with guided aspiration and prolonged intravenous antibiotics was successful in all patients. Conclusion: PLA is a rare diagnosis in children in the developed world. It may be caused by primary neutrophil disorders even in the absence of a previous history of infection. Co-existent appendicitis, intra-abdominal sepsis, and ascending pylephlebitis must be sought because these children are at risk of developing portal vein obstruction and portal hypertension. Prolonged intravenous antibiotic treatment guided by microbiologic sensitivities is highly effective.
Hydrogen rate manipulation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack using feedback control system

Control system design of PEMFC systems has been focused mostly on the electrical power side, where auxiliary battery or supercapacitor are connected either by direct parallel integration or with single, multiple or multi-input single output DC-DC converters, with the PEMFC left running at constant predetermined hydrogen flow rates. The control strategy is simply adapted to balance the voltage and power between the PEMFC stack and auxiliary power during start-ups and sudden power demands and the PEMFC stack is effectively left out of the control loop or in open loop. Peak power above the rated PEMFC power cannot be supplied on demand because of the inherent inability to supply more hydrogen fuel to the PEMFC stack. This paper presents a study on the design of the control system of an open cathode PEMFC stack that closes the loop of the feedback process control of the PEMFC by manipulating hydrogen flow rate to produce the required peak power and to reduce fuel wastage during low power demand. The Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) feedback control systems are implemented using National Instrument (NI) Data Acquisition (DAQ) devices powered by Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW) because of their simplicity and customization flexibility for measuring, processing and recording of data. Test results on the control of a small PEMFC system show that the new control system performs better and reduce wastage compare to the previous open loop system.
Violent video games, empathy and indirect aggression in primary school

Violent video gaming has received considerable attention in news headlines recently describing the negative associations with increased aggression and negative social consequences. In consideration of the bias in reporting the negative consequences of violent video gaming, and the understanding that children are engaging in playing violent games at an earlier age than appropriate, this study examines the associations between video game violence, empathy and indirect aggression in primary school children aged 9 to 12 years. Results of analysis from quantitative self-report measures (N=90), found that playing violent video games is negatively associated with lower levels of empathy and higher levels of indirect aggression. Gender differences were found, with males playing more violent video games and spending more time playing than females.
Moral Reasoning and Achievement Motivation in Sport: A Qualitative Inquiry

This study examined the relationship between moral reasoning and achievement motivation in sport. Eight male under-21 year old rugby union players were interviewed three times across a six-month rugby season. During these interviews individuals were presented with a series of four moral dilemmas and were asked open-ended questions with regard to their moral reasoning and achievement goals in each dilemma. Results revealed that an individual achievement goal orientation profile appeared to influence the level of moral reasoning used. Individuals whose goal profiles were dominated by an ego orientation tended to use a less mature level of moral reasoning that was influenced by self-centeredness and a win-at-all-costs attitude. In contrast, individuals whose goal profiles consisted of a combination of task and ego goal orientations tended to use more mature levels of moral reasoning. Their moral reasoning was characterized by a concern for all the people involved in the moral dilemma. However, all participants' moral reasoning was influenced by situational variables such as significant others. The results of this study complement previous quantitative research and indicate that future research should more fully explore the interactions between individual differences (i.e., goal profiles) and situational factors (i.e., motivational climate) on moral reasoning in sport.
Mesenchymal stem cells deliver synthetic microRNA mimics to glioma cells and glioma stem cells and inhibit their cell migration and self-renewal

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as potential cancer therapeutics; however, their clinical use is hindered by lack of effective delivery mechanisms to tumor sites. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to migrate to experimental glioma and to exert anti-tumor effects by delivering cytotoxic compounds. Here, we examined the ability of MSCs derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue, placenta and umbilical cord to deliver synthetic miRNA mimics to glioma cells and glioma stem cells (GSCs). We examined the delivery of miR-124 and miR-145 mimics as glioma cells and GSCs express very low levels of these miRNAs. Using fluorescently labeled miRNA mimics and in situ hybridization, we demonstrated that all the MSCs examined delivered miR-124 and miR-145 mimics to co-cultured glioma cells and GSCs via gap junction–dependent and independent processes. The delivered miR-124 and miR-145 mimics significantly decreased the luciferase activity of their respected reporter target genes, SCP-1 and Sox2, and decreased the migration of glioma cells and the self-renewal of GSCs. Moreover, MSCs delivered Cy3-miR-124 mimic to glioma xenografts when administered intracranially. These results suggest that MSCs can deliver synthetic exogenous miRNA mimics to glioma cells and GSCs and may provide an efficient route of therapeutic miRNA delivery in vivo.
Gender and future role choice: a study of black adolescent girls

The life world of black adolescent girls in schools in the Gauteng area is considered with reference to their future aspirations. Gilligan's ethnographic methods ("Listenings") are used to show how these girls have high aspirations and a sense of control over their future, but are constrained and silenced, although the effects of gender subordination are attenuated higher up on the social pyramid. Life chances are generally enhanced by attending school, but are severely limited by the patriarchal underpinnings of life at home and the local community. Guarding independence, while forming careers and relationships at the same time, is a major dilemma faced by these girls. Results suggest that educational and social planning needs to focus on promoting more equitable gender regimes.
Alcohol effects on cerebral blood flow in subjects with low and high responses to alcohol.

BACKGROUND Although there are multiple indications that alcohol can alter many physiological brain functions, including cerebral blood flow (CBF), studies of the latter have generally used small- or modest-sized samples. Few investigations have yet evaluated how CBF changes after alcohol relate to subsets of subjects with elevated alcoholism risks, such as those with lower levels of response (LR) to alcohol. This study used arterial spin labeling (ASL) after alcohol administration to evaluate a large sample of healthy young men and women with low and high alcohol responses, and, thus, varying risks for alcohol use disorders (AUD). METHODS Healthy young adult social drinkers with low and high LR (N=88, 50% women) matched on demography and drinking histories were imaged with whole-brain resting ASL ~1 hour after ingesting ~3 drinks of ethanol and after a placebo beverage (i.e., 178 ASL sessions). The relationships of CBF changes from placebo to alcohol for subjects with low and high LR were evaluated. RESULTS CBF increased after alcohol when compared to placebo in 5 frontal brain regions. Despite identical blood alcohol concentrations, these increases with alcohol were less prominent in individuals who required more drinks to experience alcohol-related effects (i.e., had a lower LR to alcohol). The LR group differences remained significant after covarying for recent drinking quantities. CONCLUSIONS The results confirm that alcohol intake is associated with acute increases in CBF, particularly in frontal regions. Less intense CBF changes were seen in subjects with a genetically influenced characteristic, a low LR to alcohol, that relates to the future risk of heavy drinking and alcohol problems.
Long-Term English Learners Writing Their Stories

High school teacher C. Lynn Jacobs noted that the long-term English language learners in her class had improved in reading comprehension but still lacked writing skills. Inspired by a state humanities project, she worked with the students to publish a collection of stories and poems. Writing about their lives provided the motivation, and writing from models of published texts provided the necessary structure for students’ success. She offers step-by-step suggestions for teachers interested in helping English language learners “write better, with more confidence. ”
Ablation of Toll-like receptor 4 mitigates central blood pressure response during hyperhomocysteinemia

Objective: The objective of this study was to define the mechanisms of homocysteine-induced effects on the aortic wall that promote vascular remodeling and hypertension as well as explore the role of Toll-like receptor 4 in homocysteine-induced effects. Method: Five strains of mice were utilized in this study: C57BL/6J, C3H/HeOuJ, CBS+/−, C3H/HeJ and CBS+/−/C3H. Aorta, heart and blood were collected at the end of the experiments. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded using noninvasive tail cuff method. To determinate effects of vasoactive agent and endothelial-dependent vasodilator on aorta contractility, we performed vascular function measurements. In addition, the expression of mitochondrial fusion and fission proteins, antioxidant markers and collagen fragments were assessed. Results: BP measurements demonstrated a significant increase in SBP and DBPs in CBS+/− mice compared with other groups. CBS+/− mice aorta had lower response to phenylephrine and acetylcholine compared with other groups; however, CBS+/−/C3H mice response was improved. Dynamin-related protein 1 protein expression was significantly upregulated in CBS+/− mice, whereas C3H mice showed downregulation. In addition, CBS+/− mice showed increased oxidative stress, inflammation and decreased nitric oxide. These effects were normalized in CBS+/−/C3H mice. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the dominance of endothelial cell mitochondrial fission over mitochondrial fusion in hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress. This may explain the endothelial cell loss and dysfunction that follows collagen deposition, which contributes to inward aorta remodeling in hypertension.
Flow cytometric analysis of mitochondria from CA1 and CA3 regions of rat hippocampus reveals differences in permeability transition pore activation

Mitochondria are important in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative diseases, and mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), membrane depolarization, permeability changes and release of apoptogenic proteins are involved in these processes. Following brain insults, cell death often occurs in discrete regions of the brain, such as the subregions of the hippocampus. To analyse mitochondrial structure and function in such subregions, only small amounts of mitochondria are available. We developed a protocol for flow cytometric analysis of very small samples of isolated brain mitochondria, and analysed mitochondrial swelling and formation of ROS in mitochondria from the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. Calcium‐induced mitochondrial swelling was measured, and fluorescent probes were used to selectively stain mitochondria (nonyl acridine orange), to measure membrane potential (tetramethylrhodamine‐methyl‐ester, 1,1′,3,3,3′,3′‐hexamethylindodicarbocyanine‐iodide) and to measure production of ROS (2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein‐diacetate). We found that formation of ROS and mitochondrial permeability transition pore activation were higher in mitochondria from the CA1 than from the CA3 region, and propose that differences in mitochondrial properties partly underlie the selective vulnerability of the CA1 region to brain insults. We also conclude that flow cytometry is a useful tool to analyse the role of mitochondria in cell death processes.
Functional classification of mitochondrion-rich cells in euryhaline Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) embryos, by means of triple immunofluorescence staining for Na+/K+-ATPase, Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter and CFTR anion channel

SUMMARY Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus embryos were transferred from freshwater to seawater and vice versa, and short-term changes in the localization of three major ion transport proteins, Na+/K+-ATPase, Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter (NKCC) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) were examined within mitochondrion-rich cells (MRCs) in the embryonic yolk-sac membrane. Triple-color immunofluorescence staining allowed us to classify MRCs into four types: type I, showing only basolateral Na+/K+-ATPase staining; type II, basolateral Na+/K+-ATPase and apical NKCC; type III, basolateral Na+/K+-ATPase and basolateral NKCC; type IV, basolateral Na+/K+-ATPase, basolateral NKCC and apical CFTR. In freshwater, type-I, type-II and type-III cells were observed. Following transfer from freshwater to seawater, type-IV cells appeared at 12 h and showed a remarkable increase in number between 24 h and 48 h, whereas type-III cells disappeared. When transferred from seawater back to freshwater, type-IV cells decreased and disappeared at 48 h, type-III cells increased, and type-II cells, which were not found in seawater, appeared at 12 h and increased in number thereafter. Type-I cells existed consistently irrespective of salinity changes. These results suggest that type I is an immature MRC, type II is a freshwater-type ion absorptive cell, type III is a dormant type-IV cell and/or an ion absorptive cell (with a different mechanism from type II), and type IV is a seawater-type ion secretory cell. The intracellular localization of the three ion transport proteins in type-IV cells is completely consistent with a widely accepted model for ion secretion by MRCs. A new model for ion absorption is proposed based on type-II cells possessing apical NKCC.
Prediction of Bank Failures Using Combined Micro and Macro Data

Despite increasing evidence that banking crises are brought about by changes in both micro factors and the macro environment. Few researchers have conducted empirical studies which systematically examine the concurrent contributions of these changes. This research combines micro and macro approaches, thus devising a modified early warning system it possible to monitor the individual banking distress of five severely crisis-hit Asian countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea and the Philippines. Actual data on distressed banks are collected from existing literature, albeit little, and from web sites. Subsequently, the robust macro and micro prudential indicators as well as the fragile indicators are re-examined. Since researchers have recently found that ownership is an important factor affecting business performance, the structure of ownership—divided into two variables-- is also considered. First, ownership structure is considered with state-owned banks being expected to have a higher tendency to default. Next, connected and independent banks are differentiated to identify the moral hazard.
Boundary corrections in fractal analysis of galaxy surveys

The analysis of redshift surveys with fractal tools requires one to apply some form of statistical correction for galaxies lying near the geometric boundary of the sample. In this paper we compare three different methods of applying such a correction to estimates of the correlation integral in order to assess the extent to which estimates may be biased by boundary terms. We apply the corrections to illustrative examples, including a simple fractal set (Levy flight), a random β-model, and a subset of the CfA2 Southern Cap survey. This study shows that the new ‘angular’ correction method we present is more generally applicable than the other methods used to date: the conventional ‘capacity’ correction imposes a bias towards homogeneity, and the ‘deflation’ method discards large-scale information, and consequently reduces the statistical usefulness of data sets. The ‘angular’ correction method is effective at recovering true fractal dimensions, although the extent to which boundary corrections are important depends on the form of fractal distribution assumed as well as the details of the survey geometry. We also show that the CfA2 Southern sample does not show any real evidence of a transition to homogeneity. We then revisit the IRAS PSCz survey and ‘mock’ PSCz catalogues made using N-body simulations of two different cosmologies. The results we obtain from the PSCz survey are not significantly affected by the form of boundary correction used, confirming that the transition from fractal to homogeneous behaviour reported by Pan & Coles is real.
Research at Grass Roots : For the social sciences and human services professions, A.S. de Vos, (ed), H. Strydom, C.B. Fouche and C.S.L. Delport : book review

Extracted from text . BOOK REVIEW 100 Reviewed By: Mike Greyling School of Human and Community Development University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Book Details: De Vos, A.S. (ed), Strydom, H. , Fouche, C.B. & Delport, C.S. L. (2002). Research at Grass Roots: For the social sciences and human services professions. Published by Van Schaik Publishers, Pretoria The contributors to this text have produced a volume of almost staggering scope given the relatively small size of the text. The text covers most of the content of an advanced course in research design, and deals with both qualitative and quantitative approaches to research in a reasonably equivalent . Extracted from text . BOOK REVIEW 100 Reviewed By: Mike Greyling School of Human and Community Development University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Book Details: De Vos, A.S. (ed), Strydom, H. , Fouche, C.B. & Delport, C.S. L. (2002). Research at Grass Roots: For the social sciences and human services professions. Published by Van Schaik Publishers, Pretoria The contributors to this text have produced a volume of almost staggering scope given the relatively small size of the text. The text covers most of the content of an advanced course in research design, and deals with both qualitative and quantitative approaches to research in a reasonably equivalent .
Muscarinic receptor subtypes in cilia-driven transport and airway epithelial development

Ciliary beating of airway epithelial cells drives the removal of mucus and particles from the airways. Mucociliary transport and possibly airway epithelial development are governed by muscarinic acetylcholine receptors but the precise roles of the subtypes involved are unknown. This issue was addressed by determining cilia-driven particle transport, ciliary beat frequency, and the composition and ultrastructural morphology of the tracheal epithelium in M1–M5 muscarinic receptor gene-deficient mice. Knockout of M3 muscarinic receptors prevented an increase in particle transport speed and ciliary beat frequency in response to muscarine. Furthermore, the ATP response after application of muscarine was blunted. Pretreatment with atropine before application of muscarine restored the response to ATP. Additional knockout of the M2 receptor in these mice partially restored the muscarine effect, most likely through the M1 receptor, and normalised the ATP response. M1, M4 and M5 receptor-deficient mice exhibited normal responses to muscarine. None of the investigated mutant mouse strains had any impairment of epithelial cellular structure or composition. In conclusion, M3 receptors stimulate whereas M2 receptors inhibit cilia-driven particle transport. The M1 receptor increases cilia-driven particle transport if the M3 and M2 receptors are missing. None of the receptors is necessary for epithelial development.