Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Sustainability of the Iodine-Deficiency Disorders Control Program in Lesotho

Background Evaluation of the sustainability of iodine-deficiency disorders control programs guarantees successful and sustained virtual elimination of iodine deficiency. The Lesotho universal salt iodization legislation was enacted in 2000 as an iodine-deficiency disorders control program and has never been evaluated. Objectives To assess the sustainability of the salt iodization program in Lesotho, 2 years after promulgation of the universal salt iodization legislation. Methods The proportion to population size method of sampling was used in 2002 to select 31 clusters in all ecological zones and districts of Lesotho. In each cluster, 30 women were selected to give urine and salt samples and 30 schoolchildren to give urine samples. The salt samples were analyzed by the iodometric titration method, and the ammonium persulfate method was used to analyze the urine samples. The chairperson of the iodine-deficiency disorders control program was interviewed on programmatic indicators of sustainability. SAS software was used for statistical analysis of the data. Results The urinary iodine concentrations of very few children (10.1% and 21.5%) and women (9.8% and 17.9%) were lower than 50 μg/L and 100 μg/L, respectively. At the household level, 86.9% of the households used adequately iodized salt. Only four indicators of sustainability have been attained by the salt iodization program in Lesotho. Conclusions Iodine-deficiency disorders have been eliminated as a public health problem in Lesotho, but this elimination is not sustainable. Effective regular monitoring of salt iodine content at all levels, with special attention to iodization of coarse salt, is recommended, together with periodic evaluation of the iodization program.
Intercomparison of Geophysical Parameters From SARAL/AltiKa and Jason-2 Altimeters

SARAL/AltiKa (AltiKa), a Ka-band altimeter is a joint Indo-French satellite mission launched on 25th February, 2013 by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). During the calibration/validation phase of the mission, it is essential to calibrate this altimeter and evaluate its performance for further use by the oceanographers' community. With this objective, geophysical parameters namely significant wave height (SWH), wind speed (WS), and sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) from Jason-2 are used to assess the performance of AltiKa quantitatively. Additionally, certain supporting direct and indirect measurements from altimeters and radiometers onboard the two missions like normalized backscatter coefficient (Sigma0), brightness temperature (TB), water vapor (WV), and corresponding ionospheric corrections (IC) have also been analyzed. Global analyses show that the various parameters obtained from the two missions are in good agreement with each other even at 95% confidence level. Furthermore, ocean-wise regional analysis reveals that SWH from AltiKa is consistent with those from Jason-2. SSHA from AltiKa and Jason-2 shows a better agreement over the Indian Ocean with correlation coefficient (R) of 0.90 as compared to the Pacific or the Atlantic Oceans. Statistical analyses of other supporting parameters namely TB and WV from radiometers and IC from global ionosphere maps (GIM) model reveal that values for AltiKa and Jason-2 also compare well with bias [root-mean-square error (RMSE)] of 2.94 K (3.17 K), 0.65 kg/m2 (1.72 kg/m2), and 0.04 m (0.0008 m), respectively. The overall statistics are quite encouraging and envisage the great potential of AltiKa observations for oceanographic applications.
AC 2011-343: STUDENT SATISFACTION WITH ASEE ACTIVITIES AND ITS IMPACT ON ASEE STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

The number of students participating in engineering education research, reform, and practice has been steadily growing, as seen by the increased student membership of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) within the last decade. A possible source for this increased involvement includes the creation of graduate programs awarding engineering education degrees, but according to a 2010 needs analysis of ASEE student members, other sources may exist including the emergence of student-focused activities associated with ASEE. The number of student chapters, student members, and the Student Constituent Committee (SCC) members show evidence of significant and consistent growth encouraging continual development of student-focused activities. The purpose of this study is to build upon the 2010 student member needs analysis by assessing the impact of ASEE student-focused activities. An online survey was distributed to ASEE student members, aimed at examining why the current student members joined ASEE and whether or not their involvement in the student-centered activities, i.e. SCC or student chapters, had any bearing on their participation. Results indicate the importance of professors and classmates in the recruitment of student members to ASEE. Involvement in ASEE student chapters has increased overall; yet, almost half of the sample attended an institution with no student chapter. Even though 20 percent of the participants have never attend an ASEE event, of those who had, opportunities to network and learn about academic careers were well-received by the participants. These findings illustrate the high likelihood that student representation within ASEE will continue to increase for years to come and student-centered events and activities, such as the SCC and student chapters have and could continue to have a positive impact on students.
Control of DNA Rereplication via Cdc2 Phosphorylation Sites in the Origin Recognition Complex

ABSTRACT Cdc2 kinase is a master regulator of cell cycle progression in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Our data indicate that Cdc2 phosphorylates replication factor Orp2, a subunit of the origin recognition complex (ORC). Cdc2 phosphorylation of Orp2 appears to be one of multiple mechanisms by which Cdc2 prevents DNA rereplication in a single cell cycle. Cdc2 phosphorylation of Orp2 is not required for Cdc2 to activate DNA replication initiation. Phosphorylation of Orp2 appears first in S phase and becomes maximal in G2 and M when Cdc2 kinase activity is required to prevent reinitiation of DNA replication. A mutant lacking Cdc2 phosphorylation sites in Orp2 (orp2-T4A) allowed greater rereplication of DNA than congenic orp2 wild-type strains when the limiting replication initiation factor Cdc18 was deregulated. Thus, Cdc2 phosphorylation of Orp2 may be redundant with regulation of Cdc18 for preventing reinitiation of DNA synthesis. Since Cdc2 phosphorylation sites are present in Orp2 (also known as Orc2) from yeasts to metazoans, we propose that cell cycle-regulated phosphorylation of the ORC provides a safety net to prevent DNA rereplication and resulting genetic instability.
Tibial Nerve Decompression in Patients with Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Pressures in the Tarsal, Medial Plantar, and Lateral Plantar Tunnels

Background: The anatomical basis for the surgical techniques used to treat tarsal tunnel syndrome is not well studied. The authors sought to evaluate their hypotheses that (1) pronation and pronation with plantar flexion of the intact foot would have higher pressures than the intact foot in other positions; (2) decompression surgery would significantly lower the pressure in all three tunnels in all foot positions, and roof incision plus septum excision would lower the pressure further in some positions; and (3) the pressures in symptomatic patients would be significantly higher than those in an analogous cadaver study. Methods: In 10 patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome, the authors intraoperatively measured pressures in the tarsal, medial plantar, and lateral plantar tunnels in multiple foot positions before and after excision of the tunnel roofs and intertunnel septum. Results: The authors found that (1) pronation and plantar flexion significantly increased pressures in the medial and lateral plantar tunnels, to levels sufficient to cause chronic nerve compression; (2) tunnel release and septum excision significantly decreased those pressures; and (3) compared with cadaver pressures, patients had similar tarsal tunnel pressures but higher lateral plantar tunnel pressures in some positions. Conclusions: Many surgeons operating on patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome do not decompress the respective medial plantar and lateral plantar nerves and excise the septum. The authors’ study validates the hypotheses that patients who are clinically suspected of having chronic compression of the tibial nerve and its branches at the ankle have higher tunnel pressures and that releasing these structures decreases the pressures.
Remodeling Functional Connectivity in Multiple Sclerosis: A Challenging Therapeutic Approach

Neurons in the central nervous system are organized in functional units interconnected to form complex networks. Acute and chronic brain damage disrupts brain connectivity producing neurological signs and/or symptoms. In several neurological diseases, particularly in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), structural imaging studies cannot always demonstrate a clear association between lesion site and clinical disability, originating the “clinico-radiological paradox. ” The discrepancy between structural damage and disability can be explained by a complex network perspective. Both brain networks architecture and synaptic plasticity may play important roles in modulating brain networks efficiency after brain damage. In particular, long-term potentiation (LTP) may occur in surviving neurons to compensate network disconnection. In MS, inflammatory cytokines dramatically interfere with synaptic transmission and plasticity. Importantly, in addition to acute and chronic structural damage, inflammation could contribute to reduce brain networks efficiency in MS leading to worse clinical recovery after a relapse and worse disease progression. These evidence suggest that removing inflammation should represent the main therapeutic target in MS; moreover, as synaptic plasticity is particularly altered by inflammation, specific strategies aimed at promoting LTP mechanisms could be effective for enhancing clinical recovery. Modulation of plasticity with different non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques has been used to promote recovery of MS symptoms. Better knowledge of features inducing brain disconnection in MS is crucial to design specific strategies to promote recovery and use NIBS with an increasingly tailored approach.
Ankle Fusion Attributable to Posttraumatic Arthrosis: A Long-Term Followup of 48 Patients

The subjective, clinical, functional, and radiologic long-term results of 48 patients after tibiotalar arthrodesis done for posttraumatic and isolated arthrosis of the ankle are reported. After an average followup of 9.3 years, good and very good results were achieved in 92% for subjective parameters and in 73% for clinical and functional parameters as reflected in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle and hindfoot score. Fusion of the ankle in a position greater than 5° plantar flexion was correlated with a worse late clinical outcome monitored by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle and hindfoot score. At the followup, average tarsal mobility in the surgically treated foot was reduced to 54% of the contralateral side and that loss of tarsal mobility led to a poorer clinical outcome. However, a high incidence of subsequent arthrosis in the adjacent joints of the foot seems not to be completely avoidable in the long-term. The subtalar joint had moderate and severe arthrosis in 47% of patients. Long-term outcome was worse in these patients compared with patients with mild or without degenerative changes in this joint. The current study justifies the value of ankle fusion as a surgical treatment option in patients with end-stage arthrosis in the ankle, provided precise intraoperative positioning of the arthrodesis and the importance of the subtalar joint, are given due consideration.
Molecular weight-gyration radius relation of globular proteins: a comparison of light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering and structure-based data.

The molecular weight-gyration radius relation for a number of globular proteins based on experimental light scattering data is compared with small-angle X-ray scattering data recently published by Mylonas & Svergun [J. Appl. Cryst. (2007 ▸), 40, s245-s249]. In addition, other recent experimental data and theoretical calculations are reviewed. It is found that the MW-Rg relation for the globular proteins is well represented by a power law with an exponent of 0.37 (2).
Vitamin C inhibits the growth of a bacterial risk factor for gastric carcinoma: Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori infection is a risk factor for gastric carcinogenesis. High dietary vitamin C intake appears to protect against gastric carcinoma. It has been suggested that vitamin C exerts the protective effect by scavenging free radicals that may be enhanced by H. pylori. However, vitamin C has not been investigated in relation to the direct action on H. pylori. In this study, the authors attempted to clarify this possibility both in vitro and in vivo.
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 attenuates spontaneous liver fibrosis resolution in the transgenic mouse

It has been suggested that the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1) is involved in spontaneous resolution of liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether TIMP‐1 altered spontaneous resolution of liver fibrosis in conjunction with matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) inhibition and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. The livers of liver‐targeted TIMP‐1 transgenic (TIMP‐Tg) and control hybrid (Cont) mice were harvested at 0, 3, 7, and 28 days following spontaneous recovery from CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis. The extent of fibrosis resolution, MMP expression, α‐smooth‐muscle actin (α‐SMA) positive cells, and procollagen‐(I) messenger RNA (mRNA) in the liver were assessed at the respective periods in both groups. We also examined the effect of TIMP‐1 on HSC apoptosis. The TIMP‐Tg mice showed significantly attenuated resolution of spontaneous liver fibrosis compared with the Cont mice. The hydroxyproline content, number of α‐SMA positive cells, and procollagen‐(I) mRNA rapidly decreased with time in the Cont mice, whereas these markers were little changed in TIMP‐Tg mice. The level of the active form of metalloproteinases‐2 (MMP‐2) in the TIMP‐Tg mice was less than that in the Cont mice. TIMP‐1 markedly decreased the nonparenchyma apoptotic cells in the liver fibrosis resolution model, and it also inhibited HSC apoptosis associated with suppression of caspase‐3 activity in vitro. In conclusion, TIMP‐1 significantly attenuated spontaneous resolution of liver fibrosis by the combination of a net reduction of the MMP activity and suppression of apoptosis in HSC.
Results of surgical techniques for re-innervation of the triceps as additional procedures for patients with upper root injuries

Patients with injuries restricted to the upper and middle trunks of the brachial plexus may obtain recovery of elbow extension via the lower trunk, which makes it difficult to assess the real effect of interventions to restore the triceps function in such cases. This study aimed to determine the impact of surgical strategies for re-innervation of the triceps in individuals with partial injuries of the brachial plexus. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 21 participants in whom the surgery included one technique for re-innervation of elbow extension. In this group, six different extra- or intra-plexal donors were targeted to one of the motor branches of the triceps muscle. Group 2 was composed of 24 controls in which the reconstruction did not include any intervention for recovering triceps function. The individuals who underwent intervention for re-innervation of the triceps obtained significantly better outcomes for elbow extension than the controls.
Expatriation in the Age of Austerity: An Analysis of Capital Mobilization Strategies of Self-Initiated Expatriates

Drawing on Bourdieu’s concept of capital this study deploys a relational perspective to examine capital mobilization strategies of skilled migrants from recession ravaged Westernand impoverished EasternEuropean member states when navigating their way through structural constraints that affect their career choices. It is a multilevel approach that allows overcoming the individual (micro) emphasis in the self-initiated expatriation literature, organizational (meso) and contextual (macro) focus in the skilled migration studies. Based on qualitative research involving self-initiated expatriates from the European Union (EU) in Edinburgh the study extends our understanding beyond the narrow discourse of human capital and offers a more holistic picture of skilled migration in the age of austerity. The study also exposes that EU citizenship is not enough to undertake successful career mobility. Finally, it highlights the need of proactive and purposeful policies to retain the brain while not imposing any draconian on free movement of human capital.
Adding Delayed Recall to the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale is Useful in Studies of Mild Cognitive Impairment But Not Alzheimer Disease

ObjectiveTo determine if the addition of delayed recall (DR) assessment adds sensitivity to the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog) in clinical trials in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer Disease (AD). BackgroundMemory, particularly DR, is the most sensitive test for early detection of AD and MCI. However, it is not clear that assessment of DR adds benefit for measuring change over time after a diagnosis is made or in clinical trials. The ADAS-cog is the most commonly used tool to assess treatment efficacy in AD clinical trials. In an attempt to improve sensitivity to change, assessment of DR after the 3-trial, 10-word list was added to the standard 11-item ADAS-cog. We examined the added value of the DR in participants with MCI and AD followed for at least 1 year. Design/MethodsData from 111 subjects with AD and 259 subjects with MCI who were randomly assigned to the placebo arm of 2 clinical trials were included. Participants with AD had Mini-Mental State Examination scores of 13 to 27 and those with MCI had 24 to 30. We calculated the ADAS-cog11 score based on the original 11 items (range: best to worse, 0 to 70), the DR item score (range: 0 to 10 words not recalled), and the ADAS-cog12 (range: 0 to 80). We assessed the rate of missing items for DR over time, the change scores, the association between scores and baseline performance, and used longitudinal mixed effects regression models to examine the rate of change. ResultsAt baseline AD subjects were near floor on DR (8.93±1.6 SD) and showed little change over 1 year (0.12±1.34); the MCI subjects baseline DR was 6.2±2.2 with 1-year change of 0.20±1.7. We compared standardized change (change/SD) for ADAS-cog11, and 12 in MCI and found a 10% improvement with ADAS-cog12; there was no improvement in the AD group. In a subset of MCI and AD cases with matching Mini-Mental State Examination (23 to 27), the ADAS-cog12 provided an 18% improvement in standardized change in MCI subjects, with no benefit in the AD cohort, primarily owing to increased variance. Conclusions/RelevanceThe addition of DR to the ADAS-cog score increased the ability to detect change in subjects with MCI over 1 year compared with the ADAS-cog11 but increased the variance in subjects with AD, even in those with mild impairment These findings speak to the need to tailor outcome measures to the specific study population and diagnosis for maximal efficiency and economy when conducting clinical trials.
On Fruitful and Futile Tests of the Relationship between Search and Price Dispersion

We exploit cross-sectional and temporal differences in search intensity in order to examine the relationship between search costs and price dispersion using a hand-collected panel data set from Jerusalem's Shuk Mahane Yehuda outdoor market. We present empirical evidence that price dispersion increases with the cost of search using several different measures of price dispersion; however, our interpretation of this finding is sensitive to the search proxy in question. We also address several acute difficulties facing empiricists seeking to test theoretical price-dispersion models in which consumers are heterogeneous in their search behavior. (JEL L11, L13)
Activation of the parabrachio‐amygdaloid pathway by immune challenge or spinal nociceptive input: A quantitative study in the rat using Fos immunohistochemistry and retrograde tract tracing

Peripheral nociceptive stimulation results in activation of neurons in the pontine parabrachial nucleus (PB) of rats. Electrophysiological studies have suggested that noxiously activated PB neurons project to the amygdala, constituting a potential pathway for emotional aspects of pain. In the present study we examined this hypothesis by combining retrograde tract tracing with Fos immunohistochemistry. Cholera toxin subunit B was injected into the amygdala of rats. After a minimum of 48 hours the rats were given a subcutaneous injection of 100 μl of 5% formalin into one hindpaw and killed 60–90 minutes later. A dense aggregation of retrogradely labeled neurons was seen in the external lateral PB. Fos‐expressing neurons were present preferentially in the central, dorsal, and superior lateral subnuclei as well as in the lateral crescent area, as described previously. There was little overlap between the retrogradely labeled and Fos‐expressing populations and double‐labeled neurons were rare. In contrast, systemic immune challenge by intravenous injection of bacterial wall lipopolysaccharide resulted in a Fos expression that overlapped the retrograde labeling in the external lateral PB, and many double‐labeled neurons were seen. While these data provide direct functional anatomical evidence that nociceptive information from the hindlimb is relayed to the amygdala via the parabrachial nucleus, the number of parabrachio‐amygdaloid neurons involved is small. Considering the widespread activation of parabrachio‐amygdaloid neurons by a variety of visceral and humoral stimuli, the parabrachio‐amygdaloid pathway thus appears to be more involved in the mediation of information related to viscerally and humorally elicited activity than in transmission of spinal nociceptive inputs. J. Comp. Neurol. 481:210–219, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Inflammatory Arthritis in Primary Care: A Cross-sectional Observation

Objective. To compare the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with inflammatory arthritis and control subjects registered in primary care. Methods. Conditional logistic regression analyses were used to compare the CVD prevalence in patients and controls, aged 50–75 years. Results. Overall, the CVD prevalence was 66.1 per 1000 patients in inflammatory arthritis and 37.3 per 1000 patients in controls, resulting in an odds ratio of 1.83 (95% confidence interval 1.33–2.51). Conclusion. Inflammatory arthritis patients registered in primary care are associated with an increased cardiovascular burden, which emphasizes the need for cardiovascular risk management in the primary care setting.