Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formal volunteering as a protector of health in the context of social losses

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine the effect of the death of a family member or friend on psychological well-being, specifically the moderating effects of first-time volunteering and social network. With the sample of 354 volunteers from the Experience Corps® (EC) programs, Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) estimated the differences in psychological well-being. Among volunteers who had experienced the death of a family member or friend, new volunteers showed significant improvement in positive affect compared to experienced volunteers. EC members gained additional social contacts through volunteering. Formal volunteering has a salutatory effect on older adults' health after the loss of family members.
A classifier approach to multi-screen switching based on low cost eye-trackers

During the past few years, research using eye movements has moved from controlled laboratory setup to the more complex natural task environments. In natural environments, the subjects will adopt to the dynamic environments, and this will involve head movements and various other pose interactions. Thus, in studies such as in visual perception, vigilance and fatigue the assessment paradigms should account for complex environments. The study presented in this paper addresses one such complex problem of using multiple low cost eye-trackers in a task using multiple computer screens. When using multiple screens in order to accurately record the eye tracking data the eye-trackers need to switch between eye-trackers depending on the head orientation with respect to the eye-trackers' field of view. Here, we present a classification-based switching mechanism for three eye-trackers. The proposed approach has given a higher accuracy of screen detection compared to the built-in switching mechanism of the eye-trackers under a natural task condition.
Prevention of the progression of renal injury in diabetic rodent models with preexisting renal disease with chronic endothelin A receptor blockade.

The endothelin (ET) system has emerged as a therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The present study examined whether chronic endothelin A (ETA) receptor blockade with atrasentan prevents the progression of renal injury in two models of DN with preexisting renal disease that exhibit an increased renal ET-1 system compared with nondiabetic rats: streptozotocin-treated Dahl salt-sensitive (STZ-SS) and type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) rats. Nine week-old SS rats were treated with (STZ; 50 mg/kg ip) to induce diabetes. After 3 wk of diabetes, proteinuria increased to 353 ± 34 mg/day. The rats were then separated into two groups: 1) vehicle and 2) atrasentan (5 mg·kg-1·day-1) via drinking water. After 6 wk of treatment with atrasentan, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and proteinuria decreased by 12 and 40%, respectively, in STZ-SS rats. The degree of glomerulosclerosis and renal fibrosis was significantly reduced in the kidneys of atrasentan-treated STZ-SS rats compared with vehicle STZ-SS rats. Interestingly, treatment with atrasentan did not affect GFR but significantly increased renal blood flow by 33% and prevented the elevations in filtration fraction and renal vascular resistance by 23 and 20%, respectively, in STZ-SS rats. In contrast to the STZ-SS study, atrasentan had no effect on MAP or proteinuria in T2DN rats. However, treatment with atrasentan significantly decreased glomerular injury and renal fibrosis and prevented the decline in renal function in T2DN rats. These data indicate that chronic ETA blockade produces advantageous changes in renal hemodynamics that slow the progression of renal disease and also reduces renal histopathology in the absence of reducing arterial pressure and proteinuria.
A General Recursive Construction for Schematic Resolution Derivations

Proof schemata provide an alternative formalism for handling inductive argumentation, while non-trivially extending Herbrand’s theorem to a fragment of arithmetic and thus allowing the construction of Herbrand sequents and expansion trees. Existing proof analysis methods for proof schemata extract an unsatisfiable characteristic formula representing the cut structure of the proof and from its refutation construct a Herbrand sequent. Unfortunately, constructing the refutation is a task which is highly non-trivial. An automated method for constructing such refutations exists, but it only works for a very weak fragment of arithmetic and is hard to use interactively. More expressive yet interactive methods for the formalization of recursive resolution refutation are complex, hard to work with, and still limited to an undesirably weak class of recursion. In this work we note a particular problem with previous methods, namely they mix the recursive structure with the calculus of refutation. Also we present a modular recursive structure independent of the resolution formalism and proof construction. We illustrate the expressive power of the so called finite saturated tree formalism by formalizing the Non-injectivity Assertion’s schematic refutation (a variant of the infinitary Pigeonhole principle). None of the previously developed formalism are able to formalize this refutation.
Risk factors for the expansion of cutaneous leishmaniasis by Leishmania tropica: Possible implications for control programmes

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica is emerging in new areas, initially as outbreaks and then establishing endemic foci. There is little evidence of the risk factors and effectiveness of existing control measures, what limits our ability to generalize in different epidemiological settings. The disease is described as anthroponotic; however, zoonotic outbreaks have been reported in some countries. Our aim was to identify risk factors in a recently reported endemic focus in Morocco in order to design more effective control programmes. A case-control study was conducted from September 2014 to October 2015 for epidemiological data collection from families with and without CL cases. Sandflies were captured and L. tropica infection determined. The presence of potential animal reservoirs was evaluated. 71 CL cases (44 diagnosed between 2013 and 2015) and 137 healthy people were surveyed. The average age of the new cases was 33.1 ± 22.3 years, and 69.0% were women. Phlebotomus sergenti was the most abundant species with a density of 4.27 sandflies/trap/night and differences between houses with and without CL cases were detected (p-value = 0.014). Overall, 2.7% female P. sergenti and 3.0% dogs were positive for L. tropica. Human, cat, rabbit and bird blood was detected in blood-fed P. sergenti females. 45% people used preventive measures that were not translated into a reduction in the individual risk of acquiring CL. Exposure to P. sergenti was the only risk factor found, and the reduction in its density could be achieved through the improvement of water wells management, organic fertilizers' disposal and dogs control. The lack of effectiveness of indoor residual spraying and treated nets are attributable to poor compliance and misuse of them. In addition, result optimization of the awareness campaigns on the public is possible by involving patients with CL to explain their own experience.
Biological Sex Differences in Depression: A Systematic Review

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and its prevalence is 2 times higher in women than in men. There is, however, a lack of data on sex-specific pathophysiology of this disorder. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify the biological sex differences found in major depressive disorder (MDD) in studies published in the last 10 years. We conducted a literature search using the Medline, PsycInfo, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, selecting English-language studies that included physiological measures compared by sex in addition to MDD. We identified 20 relevant studies, which consisted primarily of mixed methodology and samples. The reported physiological measures comprised a variety of serum biomarkers, gene mRNA expression, and brain activity. Findings suggest different biological patterns in those with MDD depending on sex. Specifically, women presented higher levels of inflammatory, neurotrophic, and serotonergic markers and a stronger correlation between levels of some inflammatory and neurotrophic factors and the severity of symptoms. This review provides information about possible different biological patterns for women and men with depressive disorder and may have important implications for treatment. Future research should include homogeneous samples; make comparisons based on sex, control sex hormone fluctuations and pharmacological treatment; and use consistent criteria for evaluating psychobiological changes in MDD.
Striatal Mutant Huntingtin Protein Levels Decline with Age in Homozygous Huntington’s Disease Knock-In Mouse Models

Background: Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with aging, caused by an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat within the Huntingtin (HTT) protein. In HD, degeneration of the striatum and atrophy of the cortex are observed while cerebellum is less affected. Objective: To test the hypothesis that HTT protein levels decline with age, which together with HTT mutation could influence disease progression. Methods: Using whole brain cell lysates, a unique method of SDS-PAGE and western analysis was used to quantitate HTT protein, which resolves as a monomer and as a high molecular weight species that is modulated by the presence of transglutaminase 2. HTT levels were measured in striatum, cortex and cerebellum in congenic homozygous Q140 and HdhQ150 knock-in mice and WT littermate controls. Results: Mutant HTT in both homozygous knock-in HD mouse models and WT HTT in control striatal and cortical tissues significantly declined in a progressive manner over time. Levels of mutant HTT in HD cerebellum remained high during aging. Conclusions: A general decline in mutant HTT levels in striatum and cortex is observed that may contribute to disease progression in homozygous knock-in HD mouse models through reduction of HTT function. In cerebellum, sustained levels of mutant HTT with aging may be protective to this tissue which is less overtly affected in HD.
[Effect of continuous and single shot adductor canal blocks for postoperative analgesia and early rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty].

Objective To compare the analgesia effect and clinical rehabilitation between continuous adductor canal block (ACB) and single shot ACB in total knee arthroplasty (TKA)．. Methods Between October 2016 and February 2017, 60 patients with severe knee osteoarthritis undergoing primary unilateral TKA were prospectively recruited in the study. All the patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups and received ultrasound-guided continuous ACB (group A, n=30) or single shot ACB (group B, n=30), respectively. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, nationality, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grading, and preoperative knee range of motion and quadriceps strength between 2 groups ( P>0.05). After operation, the tourniquet time, postoperative drainage volume, hospitalization time, and adverse events in 2 groups were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and during activity, the quadriceps strength, the knee range of motion, and the time of 90° knee flexion in 2 groups were also recorded and compared. Results There was no significant difference in tourniquet time, postoperative drainage volume, and incidence of adverse events between 2 groups ( P>0.05). But the hospitalization time was significant shorter in group A than in group B ( P<0.05). VAS scores at rest and during activity were lower in group A than in group B, with significant differences in VAS score at rest after 12 hours and in VAS score during activity after 8 hours between 2 groups ( P<0.05). The quadriceps strength was higher in group A than in group B, with significant difference at 24, 48, and 72 hours ( P<0.05). The knee range of motion was significantly better in group A than in group B at 24, 48, 72 hours and on discharge ( P<0.05). The time of 90° knee flexion was significantly shorter in group A than in group B ( t=-2.951, P=0.016). There were 4 patients in group A and 7 patients in group B requiring meperidine hydrochloride (50 mg/time) within 24 hours, and 3 patients in group A and 7 patients in group B at 24 to 48 hours, and 1 patient in group A and 3 patients in group B at 48 to 72 hours. Effusion in the catheter site occurred in 2 cases of group A, but no catheter extrusion occurred. Conclusion Continuous ACB is superior in analgesia both at rest and during activity and opioid consumption compared with single shot ACB after TKA. And the quadriceps strength could be reserved better in continuous ACB group, which can perform benefits in early rehabilitation.
Validation of a short cognitive battery to screen for fitness‐to‐drive of people with multiple sclerosis

Some symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) affect driving. In a recent study, performance on five cognitive tests predicted the on‐road test performance of individuals with relapsing‐remitting MS with 91% accuracy, 70% sensitivity and 97% specificity. However, the accuracy with which the battery will predict the driving performance of a different cohort that includes all types of MS is unknown.
Geographical and Cultivar Features Differentiate Grape Microbiota in Northern Italy and Spain Vineyards

Recent studies have highlighted the role of the grapevine microbiome in addressing a wide panel of features, ranging from the signature of field origin to wine quality. Although the influence of cultivar and vineyard environmental conditions in shaping the grape microbiome have already been ascertained, several aspects related to this topic, deserve to be further investigated. In this study, we selected three international diffused grapevine cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc) at three germplasm collections characterized by different climatic conditions [Northern Italy (NI), Italian Alps (AI), and Northern Spain (NS)]. The soil and grape microbiome was characterized by 16s rRNA High Throughput Sequencing (HTS), and the obtained results showed that all grape samples shared some bacterial taxa, regardless of sampling locality (e.g., Bacillus, Methylobacterium, Sphingomonas, and other genera belonging to Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria). However, some Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) could act as geographical signatures and in some cases as cultivar fingerprint. Concerning the origin of the grape microbiome, our study confirms that vineyard soil represents a primary reservoir for grape associated bacteria with almost 60% of genera shared between the soil and grape. At each locality, grapevine cultivars shared a core of bacterial genera belonging to the vineyard soil, as well as from other local biodiversity elements such as arthropods inhabiting or foraging in the vineyard. Finally, a machine learning analysis showed that it was possible to predict the geographical origin and cultivar of grape starting from its microbiome composition with a high accuracy (9 cases out of 12 tested samples). Overall, these findings open new perspectives for the development of more comprehensive and integrated research activities to test which environmental variables have an effective role in shaping the microbiome composition and dynamics of cultivated species over time and space.
Öğretmen Adaylarının Teknoloji Yeterlilikleri ile Teknolojiye Yönelik Tutumları Arasındaki İlişki

Bu calismanin amaci, ogretmen adaylarinin teknoloji yeterlilikleri ile teknolojiye yonelik tutumlari arasindaki iliskilerin arastirilmasidir. Calismada genel tarama modeli kullanilmis, calismanin arastirma grubunu Nigde Universitesi, Egitim Fakultesinde 2010-2011 ogretim yilinda ogrenim gormekte olan 642 ogretmen adayi olusturmustur. Veri toplama araclari olarak “Egitimciler Icin Temel Teknoloji Yeterlilikleri Olcegi” ile “Teknolojiye Yonelik Tutum Olcegi” kullanilmistir. Calismadan elde edilen bulgular isiginda, ogretmen adaylarinin orta duzeyde teknoloji yeterliligine sahip olduklari ve teknolojiye yonelik olumlu tutum icerisinde bulunduklari saptanmistir. Bununla birlikte teknoloji yeterliligi ve teknolojiye yonelik tutumlara iliskin olcek verilerinden elde edilen ortalamalar cesitli degiskenler acisindan karsilastirilmis ve degiskenler arasinda anlamli farkliliklar gorulmustur. Ayrica ogretmen adaylarinin teknoloji yeterlilikleri ve teknolojiye yonelik tutumlari arasinda orta duzeyde, pozitif yonde ve anlamli bir iliski oldugu sonucuna ulasilmistir
Allicin Inhibits Proliferation and Invasion in Vitro and in Vivo via SHP-1-Mediated STAT3 Signaling in Cholangiocarcinoma

Background/Aims: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumor that is resistant to chemotherapy, so new therapeutic agents are needed. Allicin which is rapidly converted from allin by allinase, is one of the most biologically active compounds in freshly crushed garlic and has been shown to have strong anti-tumor effects. Our aim was to explore the molecular mechanism by which allicin affects the cell proliferation and invasion of CCA. Methods: Cell viability and apoptosis were measured using the CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated by wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. The expression of several proteins involved in cell apoptosis and invasion were assessed by Western blot. The activation of STAT3 signaling was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The involvement of SHP-1 was determined using small interfering RNA (siRNA). Moreover, a nude mouse model of human CCA was established to assess the anti-tumor effects of allicin in vivo. Results: Allicin significantly suppressed CCA cell proliferation by activating the caspase cascade, inducing apoptosis, and reducing the expression of proteins downstream of STAT3, such as B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), while upregulating Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) protein. In addition, allicin inhibited the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CCA cells. Moreover, the protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was significantly downregulated in CCA cells treated with allicin compared with CCA cells treated with control. Mechanistic investigations indicated that allicin upregulated SHP-1 expression in CCA, and pervanadate treatment reversed the allicin-induced downregulation of STAT3. Moreover, suppression of SHP-1 by siRNA overturned the effect of allicin on the induction of SHP-1 and inhibition of STAT3 activation. Additionally, treatment with allicin attenuated tumor growth in the nude mouse model of CCA. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that allicin suppresses cell proliferation and invasion via STAT3 signaling and may be a potential therapeutic agent for CCA.
In Vitro Regeneration Studies in Brassica Napus with Response to Callus Induction Frequency and Regeneration Frequency

The present study entitled “In vitro Regeneration Studies in Brassica napus, variety GSL-1 and DGS-1 was carried out in the Biotechnology Laboratory, Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding SKUAST-J. Brassica napus, variety GSL 1 and DGS-1 were cultured on MS Media supplemented with different concentrations of growth regulators. The sterilization treatment with HgCl2 (0.1%) for 3 minutes resulted in highest per cent of aseptic seeds and survival of seedlings. Highest callus induction was observed in GSL-1. MS medium augmented with 2, 4-D at 2–2.5 mg/l. Different concentrations of growth regulators in media showed a significant difference in the callus induction frequency (CIF) and regeneration frequency (RF) for both the genotypes tested. MS medium supplemented with BAP (5.0 mg/l) and 2, 4-D (0.5 mg/l) showed highest shoot regeneration frequency in GSL-1.
Symmetry analysis of crystalline spin textures in dipolar spinor condensates

We study periodic crystalline spin textures in spinor condensates with dipolar interactions via a systematic symmetry analysis of the low-energy effective theory. By considering symmetry operations which combine real- and spin-space operations, we classify symmetry groups consistent with nontrivial experimental and theoretical constraints. Minimizing the energy within each symmetry class allows us to explore possible ground states.
Physical-Mechanical Properties and Micromorphology of Calcium Cements Exposed to Polyacrylic and Phosphoric Acids

Objective To evaluate if physical and mechanical properties of self-curing calcium hydroxide cements were affected by contact with polyacrylic and phosphoric acids. Materials and Methods Resin-containing (Life (LF)) and resin-free (Hydro C (HyC)) materials were subjected to polyacrylic acid conditioning and rinsing (POL); phosphoric acid conditioning and rinsing (PHO); rinsing only; and no treatment (n = 10). Water sorption/solubility, release of hydroxyl ions (pH), roughness (Ra), and impact resistance were evaluated. Additional samples (n = 1) were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the surface morphology. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test (P < 0.05). Results Water sorption was significantly higher for LF when in contact with PHO and lower for POL (P < 0.05). The mean solubility was higher with POL for both cements (P < 0.05). PHO increased the mean surface roughness for HyC (P < 0.01); a significant decrease was noted for LF after contact with both acids (P < 0.01). PHO promoted lower release of hydroxyl ions on both cements (P < 0.05). For LF, rinsing, PHO, and POL presented similar morphology, differing from the control group. For HyC, PHO and POL presented similar morphology, differing from the control group. Conclusions PHO had a negative effect on the physical properties of the cements tested, except for the solubility test. POL affected roughness and solubility of HyC cement. Clinical Relevance Clinical procedures that require polyacrylic and phosphoric acid conditioning must be done carefully on self-curing calcium hydroxide cements in order to avoid negative impact on their properties.
Adjuvant Therapy for Stage IB Germ Cell Tumors: One versus Two Cycles of BEP

Testicular germ cell tumours are the commonest tumours of young men and are broadly managed either as pure seminomas or as ‘nonseminomas'. The management of Stage 1 nonseminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCTs), beyond surgical removal of the primary tumour at orchidectomy, is somewhat controversial. Cancer-specific survival rates in these patients are in the order of 99% regardless of whether surveillance, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, or adjuvant chemotherapy is employed. However, the toxicities of these treatment modalities differ. Undertreating those destined to relapse exposes them to the potentially significant toxicities of 3-4 cycles of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy. Conversely, giving adjuvant chemotherapy to all patients following orchidectomy results in overtreatment of a significant proportion. Therefore, the challenge lies in delineating the patient population who require adjuvant chemotherapy and in determining how much chemotherapy to give to adequately reduce relapse risk. This chapter reviews the factors to be considered when adopting a risk-adapted strategy for giving adjuvant chemotherapy in Stage 1B NSGCT sand discusses the data regarding the number of BEP cycles to administer.