Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Premenstrual symptomatology, alcohol consumption, and family history of alcoholism in women with premenstrual syndrome.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among family history of alcoholism (FH), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, and alcohol consumption in women with a PMS diagnosis. METHOD Participants (N = 46) were predominantly white (73%) women, of whom 17 (37%) reported multigenerational alcoholism on the paternal side (FH positive [FH+]) using the Family Alcohol and Drug Survey. Subjects recorded alcohol consumption and PMS symptoms using a daily record form for 3 consecutive months. RESULTS Demographics and alcohol consumption during the follicular phase (FOL) and premenstrual phase (PREM) of the menstrual cycle did not differ by FH; however, change in drinking from FOL to PREM was greater in FH+ (mean change = 2.78 drinks/week) versus FH negative (FH-; mean change = -0.72 drinks/week) women. During PREM, FH- women reported more PMS symptomatology compared with FH+ women, and alcohol consumption during PREM was positively correlated with ratings of bloating, craving for alcohol, craving for food, and low energy in FH- but not FH+ women. CONCLUSIONS Although FH+ women increased their drinking premenstrually, such use was unrelated to PMS symptom severity.
Resourcing resilience: social protection for HIV prevention amongst children and adolescents in Eastern and Southern Africa

Adolescents are the only age group with growing AIDS-related morbidity and mortality in Eastern and Southern Africa, making HIV prevention research among this population an urgent priority. Structural deprivations are key drivers of adolescent HIV infection in this region. Biomedical interventions must be combined with behavioural and social interventions to alleviate the socio-structural determinants of HIV infection. There is growing evidence that social protection has the potential to reduce the risk of HIV infection among children and adolescents. This research combined expert consultations with a rigorous review of academic and policy literature on the effectiveness of social protection for HIV prevention among children and adolescents, including prevention for those already HIV-positive. The study had three goals: (i) assess the evidence on the effectiveness of social protection for HIV prevention, (ii) consider key challenges to implementing social protection programmes that promote HIV prevention, and (iii) identify critical research gaps in social protection and HIV prevention, in Eastern and Southern Africa. Causal pathways of inequality, poverty, gender and HIV risk require flexible and responsive social protection mechanisms. Results confirmed that HIV-inclusive child-and adolescent-sensitive social protection has the potential to interrupt risk pathways to HIV infection and foster resilience. In particular, empirical evidence (literature and expert feedback) detailed the effectiveness of combination social protection particularly cash/in-kind components combined with “care” and “capability” among children and adolescents. Social protection programmes should be dynamic and flexible, and consider age, gender, HIV-related stigma, and context, including cultural norms, which offer opportunities to improve programmatic coverage, reach and uptake. Effective HIV prevention also requires integrated social protection policies, developed through strong national government ownership and leadership. Future research should explore which combinations of social protection work for sub-groups of children and adolescents, particularly those living with HIV.
Structural Differences in Economic Growth

This paper addresses heterogeneity in determinants of economic growth in a data-driven way. Instead of defining groups of countries with different growth characteristics a priori, based on, for example, geographical location, we use a finite mixture panel model and endogenous clustering to examine cross-country differences and similarities in the effects of growth determinants. Applying this approach to an annual unbalanced panel of 59 countries in Asia, Latin and Middle America and Africa for the period 1971-2000, we can identify two groups of countries in terms of distinct growth structures. The structural differences between the country groups mainly stem from different effects of investment, openness measures and government share in the economy. Furthermore, the detected segmentation of countries does not match with conventional classifications in the literature.
Mammary growth pattern in goats during pregnancy and lactation.

Nine groups of five dairy goats from four breeds, with each breed represented at least once in each group, were in our experiment to measure mammary gland growth. Groups were virgins, days 90 to 100 pregnancy, 5 days prepartum (145 days pregnancy), 1 or 2 days prepartum, and 1 or 2, 5, 10, 15, and 30 days in lactation. Virgins were 19 mo old while all others had one pregnancy and lactation prior to experiment. Indices of mammary growth included untrimmed and trimmed wet weights of udders, dried fat-free tissue weights, deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid contents. Each index was in a regression equation best to describe the pattern of mammary growth. These included linear, quadratic, cubic, and exponential model Y = AebX in which Y was the index of mammary growth and X was the day of pregnancy. Total deoxyribonucleic acid was the best index of mammary growth with a correlation of . 95 in the exponential model. The predictive equation for total deoxyribonucleic acid in milligram was Y = 167e.019X on a daily basis, and the rate of growth on a monthly basis was . 57. Mammary growth in goats continued into early lactation, peaking at day 5. Ribonucleic acid doubled on the day after parturition, which reflected the rapid increase in protein synthesis at this time.
Surgical management of cerebral metastases from melanoma: outcome in 147 patients treated at a single institution over two decades.

OBJECT The aim of this study was to review the outcome of patients who underwent surgery for treatment of cerebral metastatic melanoma. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed in 147 patients with cerebral metastases from melanoma who were treated surgically at a single institution between 1979 and 1999. Almost all patients underwent postoperative wholebrain radiation therapy. The mean patient age was 53 years (range 17-76 years); 69% of patients were male. A single cerebral metastasis was identified in 84% of patients, although 56% had synchronous extracranial metastases. The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 2% and neurological symptoms resolved or improved in 78% of patients. Recurrence of intracerebral disease was seen in 55% of patients and 26% died of intracerebral metastases. Twenty-four patients underwent reoperation for recurrent cerebral disease. The median survival duration from the time of surgery for all patients was 8.5 months; the 3- and 5-year survival rates were 9% and 5%, respectively. Factors that significantly influenced survival on univariate analysis were the number of cerebral metastases (p = 0.015), a macroscopically complete excision (p < 0.05), and reoperation for recurrence (p = 0.02). The presence of extracranial metastases did not significantly influence survival. On multivariate analysis only the number of cerebral metastases significantly affected survival (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS For the majority of patients with cerebral metastases from melanoma, surgery with adjuvant radiation therapy is a treatment option that improves neurological symptoms and produces minimal morbidity. Long-term survival (> 3 years) most likely occurs in patients with a single cerebral metastasis and no demonstrable extracranial disease. Reoperation for recurrent cerebral disease may be appropriate in selected cases.
Real Earnings and Human Migration in the United States

"The present article offers an alternative [to Rabianski's] empirical analysis of the migration impact of living cost differentials and deals with net (as opposed to gross) [U.S.] migration to some 25 (as opposed to just 11) SMSAs over the 1960-70 rather than the 1955-60 time period. The results.indicate that.living cost differentials do significantly affect geographic mobility, i.e., improve the regression results. "
Phase contrast and operation regimes in multifrequency atomic force microscopy

In amplitude modulation atomic force microscopy the attractive and the repulsive force regimes induce phase shifts above and below 90°, respectively. In the more recent multifrequency approach, however, multiple operation regimes have been reported and the theory should be revisited. Here, a theory of phase contrast in multifrequency atomic force microscopy is developed and discussed in terms of energy transfer between modes, energy dissipation and the kinetic energy and energy transfer associated with externally driven harmonics. The single frequency virial that controls the phase shift might undergo transitions in sign while the average force (modal virial) remains positive (negative).
Electron microscopic evidence of Nariva virus structure.

Nariva virus was first isolated in 1962 by Tikasingh et al. (1966) from Trinidadian rodents Zygodontomys b. brevicauda and was originally thought to be an arbovirus. It contains RNA, is ether-sensitive and haemadsorbs guinea-pig erythrocytes (Karbatsos, Buckley & Ardoin, 1969). Few of its properties are known, and since its structure and morphogenesis are also unknown, its taxonomic position is uncertain. We describe here observations on the structure and morphogenesis of Nariva virus propagated in BHK 21 cell cultures, thus providing some evidence for its classification. Monolayers of BHK 21 cells were grown in EM/TPB medium as described previously by (Macpherson & Stoker, 1962) and maintained in equal parts of EM/TPB and Basal medium Eagle (Eagle, 1955) with 3% foetal bovine serum, 0.05% of 2 m-tris and antibiotics; kanamycin and tylosin tartrate was additionally added. Nariva virus (prototype strain trvl-42520, 4th mouse brain passage) was obtained from Dr L. Spence (Trinidad Regional Virus Laboratory, Trinidad).
Calculation of contraction patterns in rat skin flap model

abstract Introduction: In this study rat abdominal skin flaps were observed daily to explain their contraction behavior and a mathematical formula has been developed. Methods: 24 male rats were used for the study. Abdominal skin flaps based on the inferior epigastric neurovascular bundles were raised. In the first group all flaps were sutured to their donor area without any extra physical or chemical interference. In the second groups steroid was applied under the flaps to change the contraction rate. Results: Contraction rate was significantly higher in necrotic tissues in both groups. A formula was used to correct for the contraction. The corrected results for the seventh day necrotic area percentage measurements were significantly higher than actual measurements. (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: By using the mathematical formula developed in this study, pre-contraction value of the experimental skin flaps can be achieved and the results can be interpreted more accurately.
Clinical experience with THC:CBD oromucosal spray in patients with multiple sclerosis-related spasticity

This detailed medical charts’ data collection study conducted at a multiple sclerosis (MS) clinic in Germany evaluated the effectiveness of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray in patients with resistant MS spasticity. Over a 15-month timeframe, THC:CBD spray was initiated in 166 patients. Mean follow-up was 9 months. In all, 120 patients remained on treatment for a response rate of 72%. THC:CBD spray was used as add-on therapy in 95 patients and as monotherapy in 25 patients to achieve best-possible therapeutic results. Among responders, the mean spasticity 0–10 numerical rating scale (NRS) score decreased by 57%, from 7.0 before treatment to 3.0 within 10 days of starting THC:CBD spray. The mean dosage was 4 sprays/day. Most patients who withdrew from treatment (40/46) had been receiving THC:CBD spray for less than 60 days. Main reasons for treatment discontinuation were: adverse drug reactions, mainly dizziness, fatigue and oral discomfort (23 patients; 13.9%); lack of efficacy (14 patients; 8.4%); or need for a baclofen pump (9 patients; 5.4%). No new safety signals were noted with THC:CBD spray during the evaluation period. In this routine clinical practice setting at an MS clinic in Germany, THC:CBD spray was effective and well tolerated as add-on therapy or as monotherapy in a relevant proportion of patients with resistant MS spasticity.
Determination of the Ligand-Binding Specificities of the &agr;2&bgr;1 and &agr;1&bgr;1 Integrins in a Novel 3-Dimensional In Vitro Model of Pancreatic Cancer

Objectives: Pancreatic cancer cells express 2 known collagen-binding integrins, &agr;2&bgr;1 and &agr;1&bgr;1. The ligand-binding specificity of &agr;1&bgr;1 and the integrin/s responsible for mediating the malignant phenotype on type I collagen in the 3-dimensional (3D) tumor microenvironment have not been determined in pancreatic cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine the ligand-binding specificities of the &agr;2&bgr;1 and &agr;1&bgr;1 integrins using a novel 3D in vitro model of pancreatic cancer. Methods: We used 3D type I collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffolds in adhesion and proliferation assays with pancreatic cancer cell lines, as well as affinity chromatography and inhibition of adhesion assays. Results: We demonstrate for the first time that CFPAC, BxPC-3, Colo-357, FG, and Panc-1 cells attach to 3D type I collagen scaffolds in an &agr;2&bgr;1-specific manner and that this integrin-specific adhesion is required for subsequent cell proliferation. MiaPaCa-2 cells, which do not express the &agr;2&bgr;1 or &agr;1&bgr;1 integrins, do not attach or proliferate on 3D type I collagen scaffolds. We also demonstrate the novel finding that the &agr;1&bgr;1 integrin is a type IV collagen receptor in pancreatic cancer cells. Conclusions: These data indicate that targeting &agr;2&bgr;1 integrin-specific type I collagen adhesion may have therapeutic value in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Differential Involvement of Ca2+ and Actin Filament in Leukocyte Shape Change

At the sites of inflammation, leukocytes are confronted with mediators which induce different cellular responses like chemotaxis, degranulation and respiratory burst. Morphologically, these responses are accompanied by changes in the cells’ shape. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the actin cytoskeleton and Ca2+ in the shape change responses of human eosinophils and neutrophils to chemoattractants and correlated the obtained findings to degranulation and respiratory burst using flow cytometry. Shape change was recorded as an increase in forward scatter. Degranulation was measured as the cell surface upregulation of the granule-associated marker CD63. Respiratory burst was determined fluorimetrically as the oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123. The involvement of actin filaments and phospholipase C (PLC) was investigated with the actin inhibitor cytochalasin B and the selective PLC inhibitor U-73122, respectively. The data that we obtained demonstrated that granulocytes exhibit 2 distinct types of shape change responses when stimulated with chemoattractants: (i) one type is induced by chemokines like eotaxin and interleukin 8, which are poor degranulators, and also by classical chemoattractants, C5a and formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine; this shape change depends on the activation of PLC and functional actin filaments, but does not require Ca2+ influx from outside; (ii) the second type of shape change is not stimulated by chemokines, but can be seen with classical chemoattractants which are also potent inducers of degranulation and respiratory burst. This type of shape change does not require any functional actin filaments, but appears to be a consequence of degranulation and depends essentially on the activation of PLC and Ca2+ influx from the extracellular space.
Experimental use of a free pericardial patch in the repair of a defect in the esophagus of dogs.

This paper discusses the feasibility of using a free pericardial patch in repairing defects of the esophagus. The experimental model used is the dog. A piece of the side wall of the esophagus is first excised. This defect in the esophagus is then covered with a free patch of pericardium. The animals are then sacrificed at sequential dates and the grafted site submitted for microscopic examination. The results show that a free graft of pericardium when used as a patch can prevent leakage of esophageal contents and allow healing of the defect without gross narrowingof the lumen.
Trend of HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care Unit of Bishoftu Hospital, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND HIV prevalence data from prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (PMTCT) programs are being utilized to monitor the trend of HIV epidemics that helps policy makers to take appropriate action. OBJECTIVE To determine the trend of HIV among pregnant women attending the antenatal care unit of Bishoftu Hospital from January 2006 to June 2010. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women attending the ANC unit of Bishoftu Hospital. Data were analyzed for descriptive statistics and Chi-square for trends using SPSS Version 15.0. P-values < or = 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS A total of 7887 pregnant women were registered in the ANC unit of Bishoftu Hospital from January 2006 to June 2010. The overall HIV prevalence rate was 5.4%. High prevalence rates were observed in those aged between 25-45 years. There was a decline in HIV prevalence from 8.3% in 2006 to 4.3% in 2010. A total of 1247 pregnant women were tested together with their partner. Of these, in 3.1% of the cases, both partners tested positive and 4.9% were discordant couples where 2.4% were female positive and male negative while 2.5% were male positive and female negative. CONCLUSIONS A remarkable decline in HIV prevalence was observed during the five years period The study also revealed that relatively higher proportions of HIV infected persons are living in a serodiscordant partnership. The involvement of male partners in HIV counseling and testing and preventive interventions targeted at HIV-negative individuals with discordant partnerships are urgently needed.
Short communication: STOX1 gene in pre‐eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction

The STOX1 gene, identified as a candidate gene for pre‐eclampsia in Dutch women, is placentally expressed and subject to imprinting with preferential transmission of the maternal allele. In our study, STOX1‐Y153H frequencies were similar in 157 women with pre‐eclampsia (65%) and in 157 controls (64%) from the general Dutch population. In an isolated Dutch population, a distortion could not be demonstrated in the transmission of STOX1‐Y153H variation from heterozygous mothers to offspring in 50 and 56 families with pregnancies complicated by pre‐eclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction, respectively. Our findings do not confirm previous suggestions that STOX1 plays a major role in Dutch women with pre‐eclampsia.
Quantitative Three‐Dimensional Analysis of Embryonic Chick Morphogenesis Via Microcomputed Tomography

Embryonic development is a remarkably complex and rapidly evolving morphogenetic process. Although many of the early patterning events have been well described, understanding the anatomical changes at later stages where clinically relevant malformations are more likely to be survivable has been limited by the lack of quantitative 3D imaging tools. Microcomputed tomography (Micro‐CT) has emerged as a powerful tool for embryonic imaging, but a quantitative analysis of organ and tissue growth has not been conducted. In this study, we present a simple method for acquiring highly detailed, quantitative 3D datasets of embryonic chicks with Micro‐CT. Embryos between 4 and 12 days (HH23 and HH40) were labeled with osmium tetroxide (OT), which revealed highly detailed soft tissue anatomy when scanned at 25 μm resolution. We demonstrate tissue boundary and inter‐tissue contrast fidelity in virtual 2D sections are quantitatively and qualitatively similar to those of histological sections. We then establish mathematical relationships for the volumetric growth of heart, limb, eye, and brain during this period of development. We show that some organs exhibit constant exponential growth (eye and heart), whereas others contained multiple phases of growth (forebrain and limb). Furthermore, we show that cardiac myocardial volumetric growth differs in a time and chamber specific manner. These results demonstrate Micro‐CT is a powerful technique for quantitative imaging of embryonic growth. The data presented here establish baselines from which to compare the effects of genetic or experimental perturbations. Quantifying subtle differences in morphogenesis is increasingly important as research focuses on localized and conditional effects. Anat Rec,, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Capillary damping of inviscid surface waves in a circular cylinder

We consider the effect of a wetting condition at the moving contact line on the frequency and damping of surface waves on an inviscid liquid in a circular cylinder. The velocity potential φ and the free surface elevation η are sought as complex eigenfunction expansions. The φ eigenvalues are the classical ones whereas the η eigenvalues are unknown and have to be computed so as to satisfy the wetting condition on the contact line and the other free surface conditions – these turn out to be complex in general. A projection of the latter conditions on to an appropriate basis leads to an eigenvalue problem, for the complex frequency Ω, which has to be solved iteratively with the wetting condition. The variation of Ω with liquid depth h, Bond number Bo, capillary coefficient λ and static contact angle θc0 is explored for the (1, 0),(2, 0),(0, 1),(3, 0) and (4, 0) modes. The damping vanishes for λ = 0 (pinned-end edge condition) and λ = ∞ (free-end edge condition) with a maximum in the interior while the frequency decreases with increasing λ, approaching limiting values at the endpoints. A comparison with the analytic results of Miles (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 222, 1991, p. 197) for the no-meniscus case and the experimental results of Cocciaro, Faetti, & Festa (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 246, 1993, p. 43), where a meniscus is present, is good. The study provides a simple procedure for calculating the inviscid capillary damping associated with the moving contact line in a circular cylinder of finite depth with meniscus effects also being considered.
"Constructing the users" in open source software development: An interpretive case study of user participation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report findings from an interpretive case study on user participation in the open source software (OSS) development context.Design/methodology/approach – Through an empirical, interpretive case study and a literature review utilising the metaphor of text in the analysis, this paper provides a refined conceptualisation of user participation in OSS development.Findings – The paper reveals that different kinds of meanings have been attached to users and to their participation. User participation is both direct and indirect in the OSS development context. Some user groups actively take part in OSS development, while others are merely represented in it. Different kinds of intermediaries “representing the users” are identified.Research limitations/implications – The research is based on one case study on a small but active OSS project with an interest in users. Other kinds of OSS projects should be analysed. The analysis was focused on a discussion forum, but users can .