Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arsenic Bioremediation by Biogenic Iron Oxides and Sulfides

Microcosms containing sediment from an aquifer in Cambodia with naturally elevated levels of arsenic in the associated groundwater were used to evaluate the effectiveness of microbially mediated production of iron minerals for in situ As remediation. The microcosms were first incubated without amendments for 28 days, and the release of As and other geogenic chemicals from the sediments into the aqueous phase was monitored. Nitrate or a mixture of sulfate and lactate was then added to stimulate biological Fe(II) oxidation or sulfate reduction, respectively. Without treatment, soluble As concentrations reached 3.9 ï¿½ 0.9 μM at the end of the 143-day experiment. However, in the nitrate- and sulfate-plus-lactate-amended microcosms, soluble As levels decreased to 0.01 and 0.41 ï¿½ 0.13 μM, respectively, by the end of the experiment. Analyses using a range of biogeochemical and mineralogical tools indicated that sorption onto freshly formed hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) and iron sulfide mineral phases are the likely mechanisms for As removal in the respective treatments. Incorporation of the experimental results into a one-dimensional transport-reaction model suggests that, under conditions representative of the Cambodian aquifer, the in situ precipitation of HFO would be effective in bringing groundwater into compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) provisional guideline value for As (10 ppb or 0.13 μM), although soluble Mn release accompanying microbial Fe(II) oxidation presents a potential health concern. In contrast, production of biogenic iron sulfide minerals would not remediate the groundwater As concentration below the recommended WHO limit.
VERBAL BEHAVIOR OF SCHIZOPHRENIC AND NORMAL SUBJECTS *

I n t h e b e g i n n i n g w a s t h e Word, a n d i t m u s t h a v e b e e n p o s i t i v e l y r e i n f o r c e d , b e c a u s e man h a s b e e n t a l k i n g i n c e s s a n t l y e v e r s i n c e . I t comes a s no s u r p r i s e , t h e r e f o r e , t h a t s t u d e n t s o f p s y c h o p a t h o l o g y s p e n d so much o f t h e i r t i m e a n d e n e r g y i n e x a m i n i n g t h e l a n g u a g e o f abnormal p e o p l e . S c h i z o p h r e n i c s p e e c h i n p a r t i c u l a r h a s g i v e n r i s e to many s t u d i e s a n d t h e o r i e s . I t h a s b e e n d e s c r i b e d a s “word s a l a d , ” a s too pers o n a l a n d a s t o o i m p e r s o n a l , a s n o n c o m m u n i c a t i v e , i d i o s y n c r a t i c , r e p e t i t i v e , d i s s o c i a t i v e a n d as o v e r l y g e n e r a l i z e d a n d , o f c o u r s e , o v e r l y c o n c r e t e . In t h e f a c e of t h i s o v e r f l o w o f t h e o r i e s a n d c o n t r a d i c t i o n of f a c t s , w e d e c i d e d to s t u d y some of t h e c o n d i t i o n s u n d e r w h i c h s c h i z o p h r e n i c s p e e c h s a m p l e s a r e c o l l e c t e d a n d to e v a l u a t e a t least some of t h e v a r i a b l e s w h i c h m i g h t i n f l u e n c e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f s c h i z o p h r e n i c s p e e c h . W e c h o s e a s o u r f i r s t s u b j e c t of s t u d y t h e s i t u a t i o n i n w h i c h d a t a a b o u t s c h i z o p h r e n i c v e r b a l b e h a v i o r is most o f t e n c o l l e c t e d , n a m e l y , t h e i n t e r v i e w . In a d i f f e r e n t c o n t e x t (Sa lz inger , 1959a) w e c o n c e p t u a l i z e d w h a t h a p p e n s to t h e d a t a a f t e r t h e y h a v e b e e n coll e c t e d i n a n i n t e r v i e w i n t e r m s of a c o m m u n i c a t i o n t h e o r y model . T h e i n t e r v i e w e r i n t e r v i e w e e i n t e r a c t i o n c o n s t i t u t e s t h e o r i g i n a l m e s sage t h e i n p u t w h i c h p a s s e s through a s e r i e s o f f i l t e r s a n d n o i s e g e n e r a t o r s c o n s i s t i n g o f t h e i n t e r v i e w e r ’ s p o w e r s of o b s e r v a t i o n a n d memory, h i s s e l e c t i v e r e c o r d i n g t e c h n i q u e s , h i s m e t h o d s of a n a l y s i s of t h e d a t a , a n d h i s s u m m a r i z i n e m e a s u r e ; o n l y a f t e r t h e i n f o r m a t i o n h a s b e e n par t ly lost a n d par t ly d i s t o r t e d is t h e r e a n o u t p u t w h i c h c o n s i s t s o f t h e c l i n i c i a n ’ s j u d g m e n t of d i a g n o s i s , p rogn o s i s , t y p e of t h o u g h t d i s o r d e r , o r w h a t h a v e you. Al though t h i s model g i v e s r i s e to a s e r i e s of i d e a s for r e s e a r c h , as , for e x a m p l e , how m u c h informat ion i s l o s t a t e a c h f i l t e r , i t is a model a b o u t the
The Meaning of Health for Women with Physical Disabilities: A Qualitative Analysis

Researchers used qualitative research methods to explore determinants of and barriers to the health of women with physical disabilities. Semistructured, open-ended interviews were conducted with one focus group (n = 9) and 9 individual women with various physical disabilities. Participants: (1) defined physical health as a correlate of functional capacity; (2) noted the importance of a positive mental state; (3) recognized the effect of having or lacking social support; (4) described the role of health behaviors in health promotion, as adapted to their functional limitations; and (5) described problems with their medical practitioners' lack of knowledge. Barriers included certain disability characteristics, stress, inadequate social support, societal attitudes, and lack of resources.
Protozoal Digestion of Coat-Defective Bacillus subtilis Spores Produces “Rinds” Composed of Insoluble Coat Protein

ABSTRACT The Bacillus subtilis spore coat is a multilayer, proteinaceous structure that consists of more than 50 proteins. Located on the surface of the spore, the coat provides resistance to potentially toxic molecules as well as to predation by the protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. When coat-defective spores are fed to Tetrahymena, the spores are readily digested. However, a residue termed a “rind” that looks like coat material remains. As observed with a phase-contrast microscope, the rinds are spherical or hemispherical structures that appear to be devoid of internal contents. Atomic force microscopy and chemical analyses showed that (i) the rinds are composed of insoluble protein largely derived from both outer and inner spore coat layers, (ii) the amorphous layer of the outer coat is largely responsible for providing spore resistance to protozoal digestion, and (iii) the rinds and intact spores do not contain significant levels of silicon.
Prolonged QTc Interval Is an Electrophysiological Hallmark of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy is a relatively ill-characterized condition, which is often under-diagnosed due to absence of defined diagnostic criteria. ECG showing corrected QT Interval prolongation is the most suitable available option for diagnosis of this condition. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of corrected QT interval prolongation in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODOLOGY: Patients (n = 166) with confirmed cirrhosis, 30 years or older, presented in the outpatient and emergency department of medicine at Capital Hospital Islamabad between 1 October 2011 and 30 September 2012, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study after taking consent. ECG was done using calibrated ECG machine, and the QT Interval was measured. Corrected QT was calculated using Bazett’s formula and a QTc of more than 0.44 seconds was considered as being prolonged. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 57.05 ± 12.03 years. The corrected QT Interval varied from 337 ms to 560 ms. The mean QTc Interval was 429.92 ms ± 45.11. QTc was prolonged in 41 out of 166 patients (24.7%). Frequency of QTc prolongation was 4.5% in Child Pugh Grade A, 23.2% in Child Pugh Grade B, and 32.0% in Child Pugh Grade C. Association of Child Pugh Scoring with QTc prolongation was determined and found to be statistically significant (P
Cultural-Level Influences on Substance Use & Misuse

This presentation discusses potential associations between dimensions of culture and patterns of substance use. Several well-known frameworks for organizing cultural values and orientations are presented. As an illustration, one framework () is examined for its relevance in understanding national-level variations in patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use. Two of four cultural dimensions examined, individualism-collectivism and uncertainty avoidance, are found to be independently associated with one or more substance use measures in a diverse sample of 64 nations. Future multi-level analyses that integrate cultural values and orientations into empirical studies will enable more systematic assessments of the role of socio-cultural contexts in substance use epidemiology.
An improved voting analytic hierarchy process–data envelopment analysis methodology for suppliers selection

Selecting an appropriate supplier is now one of the most important decisions of the purchasing department. Liu and Hai (Liu, F.H.F. and Hai, H.L., 2005. The voting analytic hierarchy process method for selecting supplier. International Journal of Production Economics, 97, 308–317) proposed a voting analytic hierarchy process method for selecting suppliers. Despite its many advantages, Liu and Hai's model (LH-model) has some shortcomings. In this article, the authors present an extended version of the LH-model for multi-criteria supplier selection problem. An illustrative example is presented to compare the authors' model and the LH-model.
TLR2-induced cytokine responses may characterize HIV-infected patients experiencing mycobacterial immune restoration disease

Objectives:Most HIV patients who experience Mycobacterium tuberculosis-associated immune restoration disease (TB IRD) display elevated interferon-gamma (IFN&ggr;) responses against mycobacterial antigens, but these can occur without an IRD. Recognition of mycobacteria-associated molecular patterns through toll-like receptors (TLRs) on dendritic cells and monocytes induces cytokine production. Here, we investigate TLR-induced responses in IRD. Design:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected at approximately weeks 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 after antiretroviral therapy from five patients experiencing TB IRD, nine matched non-IRD patients and 15 healthy controls. Methods:IFN&ggr; production by PBMC stimulated with protein purified derivative (PPD) was assessed by ELISpot. TLR2 expression on myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and monocytes was assessed by flow cytometry. TNF&agr;, IL-12p40 and IL-10 were measured by ELISA in 24-h cultures of PBMC with lipomannan (mycobacteria-derived TLR2 agonist). Results:TLR2 expression on mDC and monocytes was higher in patients than controls at baseline (P < 0.005). TLR2 expression decreased to normal levels on mDC by week 12, but remained higher on monocytes at week 24 (P = 0.02). At week 24, IRD patients showed higher IFN&ggr; responses to PPD (P = 0.02), TLR2 expression on monocytes (P = 0.006) and lipomannan-induced TNF&agr; production (P = 0.016) than non-IRD patients. Lipomannan-induced TNF&agr; and IL-12p40 responses paralleled TB IRD in the patients with high TLR2 expression. IL-10 levels did not associate with IRD. Conclusion:TLR2-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines by dendritic cells or monocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of mycobacterial IRD.
Singing as a Form of Vocal Imitation: Mechanisms and Deficits

There has been a recent upsurge of interest in the neural and cognitive bases of inaccurate singing, commonly referred to as “tone deafness. ” Explanations of this deficit have commonly focused on perceptual and motor functions. It is clear, however, that neither of these mechanisms can fully account for deficits in singing. We summarize the results of several studies concerning inaccurate, or “poor pitch” singing. Taken together, the results of these studies argue that the basis for singing-related deficits lies in the link between perception and action, rather than strictly motoric or perceptual factors. Moreover, singing deficits may involve general purpose vocal imitation mechanisms, rather than mechanisms that are specific to music.
Hyperpotentiation by Synthetic Double-Stranded RNA of Antibody Responses to Influenza Virus Vaccine in Adjuvant 65

Summary Immunologic adjuvant 65 caused a strong enhancement of antibody response to influenza virus antigens in tests in animals. Complexed synthetic polynucleotides Poly I:C (rI:rC) and Poly A:U (rA:rU) produced comparatively weak potentiation of antibody response to these antigens and in certain instances, Poly A:U was inhibitory. Immunologic adjuvant 65 combined with the Poly I:C or Poly A:U acted synergistically to cause a hyperpotentiation of antibody response which greatly exceeded the additive effects of adjuvant and complexed polynucleotides tested singly. Such potentiation did not occur when the complexed polynucleotides were tested with alum adjuvant or when Poly I or Poly C was added alone. Poly I:C was generally more effective than Poly A:U. Maximal potentiation was demonstrated at 26 μg/ml of Poly I:C and there was no further enhancement when the concentration was raised to 260 μg/ml. Use of adjuvant 65 combined with complexed polynucleotides promises to contribute a new magnitude of immunizing capability to be obtained when used with influenza and other killed antigen preparations.
Irisin: ‘fat’ or artefact

Soon after the discovery of the muscle‐derived factor irisin, a great controversy arose in the literature regarding certain inconsistencies in the regulation of the fibronectin type III domain containing 5 protein (FNDC5/irisin) after exercise, as well as the unpredicted association of circulating irisin levels with parameters of adiposity in humans. Due to these questionable findings, doubts as to the identity of the soluble portion of FNDC5 as well as the real role of irisin and its possible therapeutic applications in the treatment of obesity and diabetes have proliferated. We recently postulated that FNDC5/irisin is an adipokine expressed and secreted by white adipose tissue in rats and humans. Its circulating concentration correlates with adiposity in humans among independent cohorts of patients. Further analysis, focused on obesity‐related metabolic disorders, has shown that irisin could play a role in promoting insulin resistance or act as an adaptive response to counteract disturbances in glucose and lipid homoeostasis in obesity. Overall, this leads us to raise the question whether the new factor, increased in circulation of obese patients, is really irisin‐reflecting fat mass or it is an artefact. Therefore, the current review is focused on the potential participation of adipose tissue in irisin circulating levels, and the role of irisin in metabolic pathologies associated with obesity in an attempt to clarify the controversy generated by these recently published reports.
Missing Babies : Does Privatizing Medicaid Widen Infant Health Disparities ? ∗

Capitated Medicaid managed care plans have an incentive to discourage births from high-cost groups. Under competition, they also have an incentive to appear unattractive to high-cost while competing over low-cost groups, and thus outcomes for high(low-) cost groups should relatively deteriorate (improve). We show that after Texas switched from FFS to private, capitated Medicaid plans: (1) black births—which are fifty percent more costly than Hispanics, the other main demographic group covered by Medicaid—fall significantly and (2) black birth outcomes deteriorate, whereas outcomes for Hispanics generally improve, increasing health disparities.
Atoms

Paediatric and Accident and Emergency trainees are frequently faced with a child who may have been poisoned by an ingested drug or household product. This month we present a five part symposium on poisoning which we hope will help them decide upon the best course of action. Readers may wish to broadcast the symposium throughout their institution or incorporate it within their own departmental guidelines. We are grateful to the team from Birmingham Children’s Hospital who put together the information. See pages 391–409
The Language of Death: Euphemism and Conceptual Metaphorization in Victorian Obituaries

Some experiences are too intimate and vulnerable to be discussed without linguistic safeguards. One of them is undoubtedly death, a timeless taboo in which psychological, religious and social interdictions coexist. It is the aim of this paper to explore the euphemistic language on obituary pages from the mid-nineteenth century, a time when the sentimentalization of death provided a fertile soil for the flowering of euphemism. Given the pervasiveness of metaphor to refer to human mortality, the present study proceeds to trace an account of the different conceptual metaphors aiming at substituting the notions of death and dying in Irish early Victorian newspapers within the framework of the well-known Conceptual Metaphor Theory initiated by Lakoff and Johnson (1980). The results obtained support the idea that there was a tendency to present sentimental obituaries in which the taboo of death can be accounted for by various conceptual metaphors, most of which view death as a desirable event under the influence of Christian beliefs.
Most Latino smokers in California are low-frequency smokers.

AIMS We examine the phenomenon of low-frequency smoking (non-daily smoking or smoking </= 5 cigarettes daily) among California Latinos and address its implications for addiction theory and population tobacco control. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Data gathered in 2001 and 2003 through the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), the largest general health survey in California. The present study focused on Latino current smokers (n = 1254 for CHIS 2001; n = 946 for CHIS 2003). MEASUREMENT Latino smokers reporting either non-daily smoking or smoking </=5 cigarettes daily were identified and grouped into one category: low-frequency smokers. FINDINGS Weighted by population parameters, more than 70% of Latino smokers in California were found to be low-frequency smokers [70.7% (CI = 67.2%, 73.9%) in 2001 and 70.8% (CI = 67.1%-74.2%) in 2003]. This high proportion cut across all demographic dimensions in both surveys, suggesting pervasiveness and reliability of this phenomenon. Proportions for non-daily smokers and low-rate daily smokers were 48.6% and 22.1% in 2001 and 54.9% and 15.9% in 2003. In both surveys, more than 80% of non-daily smokers consumed </= 5 cigarettes on their smoking days. CONCLUSIONS The fact that most Latino smokers are low-frequency smokers calls for a new theoretical framework--beyond withdrawal-based theories--to account for the prevalence of this behavior on the population level. It also calls into question the harm-reduction approach as a tobacco control strategy for California Latino populations. Strategies emphasizing that every cigarette can hurt, and encouraging complete cessation, seem more fitting for this group of smokers.
Safety and efficacy of low anterior en bloc resection as part of cytoreductive surgery for patients with ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE To examine the feasibility and safety of a low anterior resection of the rectosigmoid plus adjacent pelvic tumour as part of primary cytoreduction for ovarian cancer. METHODS This study included 65 consecutive patients with primary ovarian cancer who had debulking surgery from 1996 through 2000. All patients underwent an en bloc resection of ovarian cancer and a rectosigmoid resection followed by an end-to-end anastomosis. Parameters for safety and efficacy were considered as primary statistical endpoints for the aim of this analysis. RESULTS Postoperative residual tumour was nil, <1 cm, and >1 cm in 14, 34, and 14 patients, respectively. The median postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (range, 6 to 50 days). Intraoperative complications included an injury to the urinary bladder in one patient. Postoperative complications included wound complications (n = 14, 21.5%), septicemia (n = 9, 13.8%), cardiac complications (n = 7, 10.8%), thromboembolic complications (n = 5, 7.7%), ileus (n = 2, 3.1%), anastomotic leak (n = 2, 3.1%), and fistula (n = 1, 1.5%). Reasons for a reoperation during the same admission included repair of an anastomotic leak (n = 1), postoperative hemorrhage (n = 1), and wound debridement (n = 1). Wound complications, septicemia, and anastomotic leak formation were more frequent in patients who had a serum albumin level of < or =30 g/L preoperatively. There was one surgically related mortality in a patient who died from a cerebral vascular accident 2 days postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS An en bloc resection as part of primary cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer is effective and its morbidity is acceptably low.
Anal sphincter tears at spontaneous delivery: A comparison of five hospitals in Norway

Objective. To analyze circumstances relating to severe anal sphincter tears occurring at spontaneous delivery, in view of reported differences in practice regarding manual perineal protection during delivery. Design. Cohort study of midwife‐conducted non‐operative vaginal deliveries. Setting. Five Norwegian hospitals with 12,438 consecutive deliveries during a 12‐month period. Methods. Data from 357 women sustaining third and fourth grade anal sphincter tears (2.9%) were analyzed. Main outcome measures. Different incidence of major perineal tears. Results. Sphincter tear incidence varied significantly between the five hospitals, from 1.3 to 4.7% (p <0.001, RR=3.14 (CI: 2.38–5.56)). There was no significant difference between the five hospitals when other risk variables were compared. Use of oxytocin in the second phase of labor and of epidural analgesia was significantly more often applied in the hospital with the lowest rate of sphincter tears. The midwives’ perception of having applied perineal support was not significantly different between the two hospitals with the highest and the lowest incidence of sphincter tear. Conclusion. The observed difference in incidence of sphincter tear between the hospitals remains unexplained, but could be due to different perineal protection handling techniques.
Effect of weight loss on body fat distribution in obese children

The intra‐abdominal visceral fat to subcutaneous fat ratio (V/S ratio) has been reported to be strongly related to disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, and hypertension. It is a matter of concern as to whether weight loss causes an improvement of the V/S ratio or not in obese children. Changes in body fat distribution during weight loss in 23 obese children were quantified by weight, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and computed tomography (CT scan of the abdomen). Twenty‐three patients were divided into two groups; six were in the inpatient group and 17 were in the outpatient group. Bodyweight, body fat percentage, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat were significantly higher in the inpatient group than in the outpatient group before weight loss. Whereas the V/S ratio was almost equal between the two groups before weight loss. Bodyweight, body fat percentage, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat were found to decrease significantly during weight loss in the two groups. The V/S ratio of the outpatient group did not change after weight loss. In contrast, the V/S ratio of the inpatient group decreased significantly during weight loss. These preliminary findings suggest that a large amount of body fat and a high obesity rate are not always accompanied by a high V/S ratio in obese children. The fat pattern changes during weight loss with strict dietary therapy and therapeutic exercise. A larger sample of obese children should be studied to test this conjecture.