Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Relationship between the exposure to ozone in Seoul and the childhood asthma-related hospital admissions according to the socioeconomic status].

BACKGROUND A number of studies have reported associations between the ambient air pollution concentrations and various health outcomes. Especially, ozone is well known for primary risk factor of asthma attacks. The results of a recent study indicate that the size of the effect on health outcomes due to air pollution varied according to several conditions, including age, gender, race and the socioeconomic status. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the associations of ozone with the childhood asthma hospitalizations as stratified by the socioeconomic status (SES) at the community level in Seoul, Korea, 2002. METHODS SES at aggregated levels was measured on the basis of average regional health-insurance rate per citizen in the area. We applied the generalized additive model to analyze the effect of ozone on asthma after controlling for the potential confounding variables that were capable of influencing the results. RESULTS Our analysis showed that the number of children who were hospitalized for asthma increased as the SES of the residence area decreased. The estimated relative risks of hospitalization for asthma, as stratified by the SES of the community level, were 1.12 (95% confidence interval 1.00-1.25) in districts with the highest SES levels, 1.24 (95% CI=1.08-1.43) within the moderate SES levels, and 1.32 (95% CI=1.11-1.58) in the districts with the lowest SES levels. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis showed that exposure to air pollution did not equally affect the health status of individuals. This suggests that not only the biological-sensitivity markers, but also the SES of the subjects should be considered as potentially confounding factors.
Randomised clinical trial of parenteral selenium supplementation in preterm infants.

AIM: To determine whether selenium supplementation of parenteral nutrition with 3 micrograms/kg/day of selenious acid is safe and effective in improving the selenium status of preterm infants. METHODS: Thirty eight preterm infants with mean (SEM) birthweight of 1171 (38) g and gestational age 29 (0.3) weeks were randomly allocated to a non-supplemented (PN-selenium, n = 19) or supplemented (PN+selenium, n = 19) group. The study began at 2.8 (0.2) (range 1-5) days of age. Term breastfed (n = 23) and formula fed (n = 8) infants were used as a reference group. RESULTS: Initially there was no difference between the preterm groups in plasma or erythrocyte selenium or glutathione peroxidase activity. Plasma selenium declined by a mean (SEM) of -13.3 (3.2) micrograms/l from 28 (4) to 16 (3) micrograms/l over the first three weeks in the PN-selenium group, but there was no fall in the supplemented infants and no net change in either group over six weeks. Over six weeks, there was a net decline in erythrocyte selenium of -106 (27) ng/g haemoglobin in the PN-selenium group, but no change in the PN+selenium group, such that at week 6 erythrocyte selenium was lower in the PN-selenium group (401 (17) ng/g haemoglobin) than the PN+selenium group (493 (25) ng/g haemoglobin). Urinary selenium was substantially higher in the PN+selenium group at each week. Initially term and preterm plasma selenium concentrations were similar, but they increased in term breastfed infants (+17 (2) micrograms/l), with both groups of preterm infants having lower plasma selenium concentrations at week 6 compared with term breastfed infants (PN-selenium 22 (3) micrograms/l; PN+selenium 23 (4) micrograms/l and term breastfed 49 (2) micrograms/l). CONCLUSIONS: Selenium supplementation of PN at 3 g/kg/day prevented depletion in newborns, but was inadequate to achieve selenium concentrations equivalent to those of breastfed term infants. Whether higher doses are more effective remains to be determined, particularly in light of the high urinary selenium secretion in supplemented infants. Selenium supplementation of both parenteral nutrition and formulas is recommended, but the optimal form and dose remain unclear.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of tacrine in patients with Alzheimer's disease using SPET

Background: the effect of single-dose and long-term cholinergic enhancement with tacrine on regional cerebral perfusion was examined in patients with Alzheimer's disease using single-photon emission tomography (SPET). Method: 23 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (DSM-III-R and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria) were scanned before and after a single oral dose of tacrine at the start of the study and again after 12 weeks of randomized, double-blind treatment with tacrine or placebo, using high resolution 99mTc-Exametazime SPET. Patients also underwent neuropsychological testing with the CAMCOG, the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results: occipital count ratios in all regions of interest declined by 3% over 12 weeks, indicating a progression of the disease. Acute tacrine challenge resulted in a 16% increase in the superior frontal and a 11% decrease in the anterior temporal cortex. The acute effects of tacrine were modified by 12 weeks of treatment, particularly in the medial frontal (cingulate) cortex where active treatment was associated with a reduced acute tacrine response. There were no changes in cognitive function associated with active treatment. Conclusion: the study demonstrates the sensitivity of cerebral perfusion measures to changes during acute and medium-term tacrine treatment.
MAYA COASTAL PRODUCTION, EXCHANGE, LIFE STYLE, AND POPULATION MOBILITY: A VIEW FROM THE PORT OF XCAMBO, YUCATAN, MEXICO

Abstract Anchored in archaeological, bioarchaeological, and chemical research conducted at the coastal enclave of Xcambo, this paper examines Classic period Maya coastal saline economic production and exchange, along with the lifestyle, ethnicity, and mobility of the traders. Nestled in the coastal marshlands of the northern Yucatan, Mexico, Xcambo functioned as a salt production center and port during its occupation, maintaining long-reaching ties with other parts of the Maya world and Veracruz. Considered together, the different data sets document a reorientation in Xcambo's exchange routes and connections, which are echoed by increasingly diverse cultural affiliations and an increasing geographic mobility of Xcambo's merchants. This new information confirms the known pattern of gradually intensifying, though still relatively independent, trade dynamics along the Maya coast in the centuries leading up to the so-called “Maya collapse” and the rise of a new merchant league under the control of Chichen Itza. It was this new order that probably led to the swift end of Xcambo soon after a.d. 700.
EVALUATION OF CONSTRUCT ELICITATION AS A RESEARCH METHOD TO OBTAIN DESIGN-RELEVANT DATA FROM CHILDREN

Understanding user requirements is a very important input in design process. Innovative designs derive from experiential and generative research methods in order to reveal tacit user knowledge instead of predicating on assumptions about the user. This is a more critical issue in design research with children. First of all, the way young users interact with products are different than that of adults. Second, user research methodologies devised for adult users fall short of meeting the needs of children, which effects reliability of data gathered during design research. A variety of research methodologies have been utilized to enable children better articulate the dimensions of their experience with products, as well as helping designers to have a better comprehension of user requirements. However; communication of gathered user knowledge with designers is also a challenging task. Designers need a holistic understanding of user space, and to be able to investigate the various dimensions and layers of user experience throughout design process. Hence, the need of a well-structured, child-friendly research methodology becomes evident for eliciting design-relevant data from young users. The aim of this study is to explore the potential of a construct elicitation method based on George Kelly’s ‘Repertory Grid Technique’ (RGT) in order to elicit design-relevant constructs from children. A study about perceived qualities of mobile phones was conducted with first grade and second grade primary school children (n=44) by utilizing a revised version of RGT in accordance with children’s needs as a tool to reveal personal constructs of children to inform design process. Results show that RGT is a useful tool for design researchers to gather information from children by demonstrating the relationship of product attributes and attached meanings, and models of user-product interaction in a multidimensional and multi-layered manner. Keywords: Design for children, design knowledge, repertory grid technique, user experience, user models
Autism and Schizophrenia: Intestinal Disorders

We examined Dohan's hypothesis that schizophrenia is associated with the absorption of “exorphins” contained in gluten and casein. In addition, because of the work of Reichelt et al. (Reichelt, K.L., Saelid, G., Lindback, J. and Orbeck, H. (1986) Biological Psychiatry 21:1279–1290) and Rodriguez et al. (Rodriguez, Trav, A.L., Barreiro Marin, R, Galvez, Borrero, I.M., del Olmo Romero-Nieva, F. and Diaz Alvarez, A. (1994) Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease Aug; 182(8): 478–479), we carried out similar studies on a group of children with autism. In both syndromes we found similar patterns of peptide containing peaks (Ninhydrin positive) after molecular screening with Sephadex G-15. Immunoglobulin assay of IgA and IgG against gliadin and casein in serum was done. High titer IgG antibodies to gliadin were found in 87% of autistic and 86% of schizophrenic patients and high titer IgG antibodies to bovine casein were found in 90% of autistic and in 93% of schizophrenic patients. High titer IgA antibodies to gluten or casein were found in 30% of children with autism while in schizophrenic patients 86% had elevated IgA antibodies to gluten and 67% to casein; some normal children and adults have these antibodies but only in trace amounts. When schizophrenic patients were treated with dialysis or a gluten-casein free diet, or both (Cade, R., Wagemaker, H., Privette, R.M., Fregly, M., Rogers, J. and Orlando, J. (1990) Psychiatry: A World Prespective 1: 494–500) peptiduria and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scores fell while abnormal behavior diminished. A gluten-casein free diet was accompanied by improvement in 81% of autistic children within 3 months in most of the behavior categories. Our data provide support for the proposal that many patients with schizophrenia or autism suffer due to absorption of exorphins formed in the intestine from incomplete digestion of gluten and casein.
Effects of Bienzyme Complex Formation of Cysteine Synthetase from Escherichia coli on Some Properties and Kinetics

Some properties and kinetics of the free and bound serine acetyltransferases (SATs) and O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase-As (OASS-As) from Escherichia coli were investigated. In some cases, SATΔC20, deleting 20 amino acid residues from the C-terminus of the wild-type SAT (Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 63, 168-179 (1999)) was tested for comparison. The optimum pH and stability against some reagents for the free and bound wild-type SATs were similar except for the resistance to cold inactivation. The kinetics for the wild-type SAT and SATΔC20 followed a Ping-Pong Bi Bi mechanism with a mixed-type inhibition by L-cysteine. The kinetics and kinetic constants for the wild-type SAT were not changed by the complex formation with OASS-A. The optimum pH for OASS-A was shifted towards an alkaline pH by the complex formation. Thermal stability and stability against some reagents for the free and bound OASS-As were almost the same. On the other hand, the maximum velocity for OASS-A was lowered and dissociation constants for the substrates and products were increased by forming the complex with the wild-type SAT, although the kinetics for the free and bound enzymes followed the same Ping-Pong Bi Bi mechanism. From comparisons of computed courses of L-cysteine formation from L-serine using SAT (wild-type SAT and SATΔC20) and OASS-A with the experimental results and changes in the stability of the wild-type SAT by the complex formation, we discuss the role and significance of a complex formation for the cysteine synthetase.
Structure and function of the Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 protein

Five DNA-binding sites for the Epstein-Barr virus BZLF1 protein have been identified within three of the early viral promoters, and four of these binding sites contain a consensus AP-1 site. The part of the BZLF1 protein required for sequence-specific DNA binding to one of these AP-1-like sites was identified by deletion mapping. Site-directed mutagenesis of this DNA target suggests that BZLF1 may work partly by overcoming a cellular repressor of viral transcription.
Qualitative assessment of natural apatite in vitro and in vivo.

Among the natural and synthetic materials investigated as bone graft substitutes, much interest has been focused on natural apatite obtained from low temperature heat-deproteinated compact bone. Previous research demonstrates that, when treated at a temperature below 500 degrees C, this material maintains its characteristic ultrastructural features, with a high surface/volume ratio, while as an implant material, it offers the host tissue a large surface of interaction. In vitro and in vivo tests showed that natural apatite is well tolerated and is a good osteoconducing material. The present in vivo study in rabbits was carried out to first investigate the behavior and capacity of natural apatite implants to stimulate bone ingrowth, and then to analyze the cells located at the bone/material interface. Synthetic hydroxyapatite was used as a control material. In a parallel in vitro study, we investigated the activity of differentiated osteoblasts and periosteal cells obtained from rats and new-born rabbits, incubated with natural apatite and synthetic hydroxyapatite. The in vivo study showed that natural apatite allows osteoblasts to form new bone tissue, adhering to the implant with ingrowth into the implant structure. In the presence of synthetic hydroxyapatite, a less pronounced osteoblastic activity was observed. In agreement with these observations, the in vitro study showed that natural apatite is more effective in attracting cells, favoring their proliferation and stimulating alkaline phosphatase activity. These findings suggest that natural apatite is more suitable for bone filling or bone regeneration than synthetic hydroxyapatite.
Parathyroid hormone stimulates circulating osteogenic cells in hypoparathyroidism.

CONTEXT The osteoanabolic properties of PTH may be due to increases in the number and maturity of circulating osteogenic cells. Hypoparathyroidism is a useful clinical model because this hypothesis can be tested by administering PTH. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to characterize circulating osteogenic cells in hypoparathyroid subjects during 12 months of PTH (1-84) administration. DESIGN Osteogenic cells were characterized using flow cytometry and antibodies against osteocalcin, an osteoblast-specific protein product, and stem cell markers CD34 and CD146. Changes in bone formation from biochemical markers and quadruple-labeled transiliac crest bone biopsies (0 and 3 month time points) were correlated with measurements of circulating osteogenic cells. SETTING The study was conducted at a clinical research center. PATIENTS Nineteen control and 19 hypoparathyroid patients were included in the study. INTERVENTION Intervention included the administration of PTH (1-84). RESULTS Osteocalcin-positive cells were lower in hypoparathyroid subjects than controls (0.7 ± 0.1 vs. 2.0 ± 0.1%; P < 0.0001), with greater coexpression of the early cell markers CD34 and CD146 among the osteocalcin-positive cells in the hypoparathyroid subjects (11.0 ± 1.0 vs. 5.6 ± 0.7%; P < 0.001). With PTH (1-84) administration, the number of osteogenic cells increased 3-fold (P < 0.0001), whereas the coexpression of the early cell markers CD34 and CD146 decreased. Increases in osteogenic cells correlated with circulating and histomorphometric indices of osteoblast function: N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (R(2) = 0.4, P ≤ 0.001), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (R(2) = 0.3, P < 0.001), osteocalcin (R(2) = 0.4, P < 0.001), mineralized perimeter (R(2) = 0.5, P < 0.001), mineral apposition rate (R(2) = 0.4, P = 0.003), and bone formation rate (R(2) = 0.5, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS It is likely that PTH stimulates bone formation by stimulating osteoblast development and maturation. Correlations between circulating osteogenic cells and histomorphometric indices of bone formation establish that osteoblast activity is being identified by this methodology.
Automatic register banking for low-power clock trees

We present an automatic register placement technique that enables the synthesis of low-power clock trees for low-power ICs. On 7 industrial designs, comparing to (1) a commercial base flow and (2) the power-aware placement technique in [2], the technique respectively reduced clock-tree power by 19.0% and 14.9%, total power by 15.3% and 5.2% and WNS under on-chip variation (±10%) by 1.8% and 1.5% on average.
Health and social conditions in Norwegian polio survivors: A 20-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE To explore the physical and social situation of the Norwegian polio population in 2014, and to compare the status of this population in 2014 with the results of a similar survey carried out 20 years previously, in 1994. DESIGN The study was based on a questionnaire covering demographics, polio history, and current medical, psychological and social conditions. SUBJECTS The questionnaire was prepared in cooperation with the National Society of Polio Survivors and others with known polio (n = 1,968). A total of 1,408 persons responded (72%), mean age 70 years (range 28-98 years). RESULTS The most frequent health problems reported were muscle and joint pain, cold intolerance and insomnia. New muscle weakness and loss of muscle volume were reported more frequently in 2014 than in the 1994 study. The use of orthopaedic aids, assistive devices, ventilators and other respiratory aids had increased significantly, but 83% reported that they still had no home care or nursing services support. The 2014 polio population reported only minor subjective worsening of health and well-being compared with the 1994 cohort. CONCLUSION The present study indicates that the elderly polio population are experiencing new muscle weakness and increasing health problems, but that the deterioration occurs slowly and with fewer consequences for the subjective experience of general health and well-being, indicating that the patients are adapting to their life situation. However, subgroups of the elderly polio population are in need of special care.
Effect of smoking on cardiovascular autonomic function test and nerve conduction velocity : Cross sectional study in Indian population

Introduction: In recent years, study of cardiac autonomic modulation as well as nerve conduction studies has been greatly facilitated by the development of various computer based methods. Present work was planned to study the correlation between smoking and cardiovascular autonomic functions and nerve conduction velocity among smokers. Material & Methods: 100 male subjects in the age group 25 years to 40 years comprising of 50 smokers and 50 nonsmokers as control group were selected for present study. Cardiovascular autonomic function tests were assessed by using Canwin autonomic analyser. Median nerve conduction velocities were measured by using clarity Medicare’s octopus2 Channel EMG Machine. Observations & Results: After applying ‘Z’ test of difference between two sample means , it was observed that there is a highly significant difference between mean values of autonomic function tests in the smokers and non-smokers group. It was also found that there is highly significant difference between mean values of sensory nerve conduction velocity in the smokers as compared to non-smokers group. However no significant difference was observed in the motor nerve conduction velocity in smokers as compared to nonsmokers. Conclusion: From present study we present evidence that the relative involvement of large and small nerve fiber damage due to smoking is not uniform.
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Infantile Nystagmus Syndrome (INS)

The successful treatment of infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) depends primarily on accurate and repeatable diagnosis of the type(s) of nystagmus present as well as their variation with gaze and convergence angles or fixating eye. Research over the past 40 years has demonstrated that the only way to achieve both is by making and analyzing ocular motility recordings. Determination of the direct effects of peripheral and central INS therapies can only be made by pre- and post-therapy comparisons of the nystagmus characteristics, specifically of the quality of the foveation periods within each cycle. If one is only interested in cosmetic improvements, diminution of the nystagmus amplitude is all that need be measured. However, if improvement of visual function is the primary goal of therapy, then measurement of the pre- and post-therapy foveation quality must be made, both in primary position and over a broad range of gaze angles. The use of the eXpanded Nystagmus Acuity Function (NAFX) on nystagmus data yields both an accurate measure of foveation quality and a prediction of maximum potential acuity for the patient's waveform. When used with the patient's measured, pre-therapy visual acuity, the NAFX demonstrates the amount of visual acuity loss that is due to sensory abnormalities, demonstrates the amount due to the nystagmus waveform, and estimates the measured post-therapy acuity for all values of improved NAFX and gaze angles measured. The ability to predict visual acuity improvement was not possible before the use of the NAFX. The failure to incorporate accurate measures of nystagmus waveform and foveation quality into their diagnostic evaluation continues to deprive patients of the best possible standard of care and results in mistaken diagnoses as well as inappropriate and, in some cases, unneeded multiple surgeries.
A personal reflection on researching and writing my dissertation: "The effect of homelessness on information access, identity formation and social interaction".

This is a brief account of research undertaken for a dissertation, The effect of homelessness on information access, identity formation and social interaction, submitted to the University of Strathclyde in 2010 for the degree of M.Sc. Information and Library Studies. The dissertation aimed to add to the information science literature on homelessness, which often focuses on practical information needs, by considering access to information sources – specifically newspapers, television, radio, books and the internet – that may affect ‘higher-level’ needs. The findings contradicted initial expectations regarding the extent to which homelessness would restrict access to these information sources, but the decision to address higher-level information needs proved well-founded, since participants clearly pursued these alongside more basic physiological needs. The research has implications for the provision of information and services within both organisations serving the homeless and public libraries. This paper presents the research and its findings from a personal perspective.