Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A social learning perspective: a model of parenting styles, self-regulation, perceived drinking control, and alcohol use and problems.

BACKGROUND This investigation sought to determine how different parenting styles are related to general self-regulatory processes that are linked to alcohol use and abuse. Self-regulation and, more specifically, thoughts of control over drinking are forms of positive self-control mechanisms. Parenting styles are known determinants of both negative and positive self-control mechanisms in offspring. According to social learning theory, stronger relationships between parenting style and self-regulatory processes would be expected from the parent who is the same sex as the respondent. METHODS A total of 144 female and 107 male college students currently using alcohol were administered a questionnaire on their alcohol use and problems, perceived style of parenting (authoritarian, permissive, or authoritative) of their parents, self-regulation, and perceived control of drinking. A model linking parenting styles, self-regulatory processes, and control over drinking with alcohol use and alcohol problems was tested across sex groups by using structural equation modeling. RESULTS In general, the parenting style of the parent of the same sex as the respondent's was found to be significantly related to self-regulation, which is known to be protective against alcohol use and abuse. A permissive parent of the same sex as the respondent was negatively associated with good self-regulatory processes for both men and women. Having an authoritative mother was also shown to be related to higher levels of self-regulation for women. CONCLUSIONS Self-regulation mediated the pathway from a permissive parenting style to perceived drinking control, which, in turn, mediated the pathway from self-regulation to alcohol use and problems. Finally, self-regulation mediated the positive pathway from an authoritative mother to perceived control over drinking for women.
Neurotoxic Effects of Lipopolysaccharide on Nigral Dopaminergic Neurons Are Mediated by Microglial Activation, Interleukin-1β, and Expression of Caspase-11 in Mice*

The endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of the Gram-negative bacterial cell wall, selectively induces degeneration of substantia nigral (SN) dopaminergic neurons via activation of microglial cells in rats and mice. Caspase-11 plays a crucial role in LPS-induced septic shock in mice. We examined the mechanism of LPS neurotoxicity on SN dopaminergic neurons in C57BL/6 mice and caspase-11 knockout mice. Mice were stereotaxically injected with LPS into the SN on one side and vehicle into the SN of the other side. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reverse transcriptase-PCR were performed to evaluate damage of SN dopaminergic neurons and activation of microglial cells. Intranigral injection of LPS at 1 or 3 μg/μl/site decreased tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons and increased microglial cells in the SN compared with the contralateral side injected with vehicle at days 7 and 14 post-injection in C57BL/6 mice. Intranigral injection of LPS at 3 μg/μl/site induced the expression of caspase-11 mRNA in the ventral midbrain at 6, 8, and 12 h post-injection, and the expression of caspase-11-positive cells in the SN at 8 and 12 h post-injection. Moreover, LPS at 3 μg/μl/site increased interleukin-1β content in the ventral midbrain at 12 and 24 h post-injection. LPS failed to elicit these responses in caspase-11 knockout mice. Our results indicate that the neurotoxic effects of LPS on nigral dopaminergic neurons are mediated by microglial activation, interleukin-1β, and caspase-11 expression in mice.
Modification of cerebral laser-Doppler flow oscillations by halothane, PCO2, and nitric oxide synthase blockade.

We investigated whether nitric oxide (NO) played a role in the generation of cerebrocortical flow oscillations and their modification by hypocapnia, hypercapnia, and halothane administration. Parietal cortical laser-Doppler flow (LDF) was monitored transcranially in anesthetized (barbiturate + 0-1.0% halothane), artificially ventilated, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Thirty minutes after infusion of N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 20 mg/kg i.v.) mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased from 105 +/- 10 to 132 +/- 15 mmHg (P < 0.02), while mean LDF decreased from 159 +/- 36 to 135 +/- 30 perfusion units (PU, P < 0.05). Oscillations in LDF at a frequency of 6.3-7.8 cycles/min and amplitude of 10% were induced or augmented by L-NAME but not by D-NAME or indomethacin (2 mg/kg i.p.). L-arginine (200 mg/kg) abolished the oscillations post-L-NAME at constant MAP. Sodium nitroprusside infusion (10(-5) M, 5-50 microliters/min) reversed the L-NAME-induced increase in MAP and decrease in mean LDF but did not attenuate the flow oscillations. Hypocapnia post-L-NAME decreased LDF to 110 +/- 20 PU (P < 0.001) and augmented the flow oscillations (amplitude: 11-31%). Hypercapnia (5% CO2) or halothane (0.4-1.0%) suspended the oscillations in the presence of L-NAME. The results suggest that NO synthase activity inhibits cerebrocortical flow oscillations, and NO is not an obligatory mediator of the effects of halothane, hypocapnia, and hypercapnia on oscillatory activity.
Selection of vehicle configuration: Based on weight and performance constraints

As part of the electrification of transportation sector, electric vehicles were the first to be developed, followed by the hybrid electric vehicles. The current study analyses the weights and performances of vehicles, with component sizes optimized to meet a common set of performance indexes. The battery pack in electric vehicles is observed to be 2-20 times heavier than the lightest vehicle of the same class. This paper finally presents a flowchart for general selection of vehicle configuration. The validity of the proposed algorithm is ascertained by analysing the performance and vehicle configurations of some vehicles already existing in the market.
Preoperative and Postoperative Intracranial Complications of Acute Mastoiditis

Objectives: We determined the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of an unusual cluster of intracranial complications seen in acute mastoiditis (AM). Methods: We performed a retrospective review of pediatric patients treated for AM in a tertiary care hospital from March 2006 to March 2007. Results: Eleven children, 6 months to 10 years of age (mean age, 3.8 years), were treated for AM confirmed by computed tomography, which identified asymptomatic intracranial complications in 8 of the 11 patients: These were sigmoid sinus thrombosis (4 patients), epidural abscess (4), perisigmoid abscess or bony erosion (2), and tegmen mastoideum dehiscence (1). All patients required operative intervention with tympanomastoidectomy, although only 2 patients required neurosurgical intervention, consisting of evacuation of epidural abscess and sigmoid sinus thrombosis, respectively. Cultures yielded routine organisms and 1 multidrug-resistant strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae. One patient developed reaccumulation of the subperiosteal abscess that required revision mastoidectomy, and another patient developed postoperative sigmoid sinus thrombosis. Conclusions: Although uncommon, intracranial complications of AM may present without clinical signs or symptoms. Computed tomography of the temporal bone with contrast is essential for identifying asymptomatic complications. Mastoidectomy remains the mainstay of surgical treatment. Neurosurgical intervention and anticoagulation may be avoided with protracted postoperative intravenous antibiotics. Postoperative vigilance is crucial, as complications may evolve despite aggressive therapy.
Size of mamillary bodies in health and disease: useful measurements in neuroradiological diagnosis of Wernicke's encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND As the resolution of noninvasive neuroimaging techniques improves, small structures such as the mamillary bodies can be visualized and measured. The mamillary bodies are pathologically small in a number of neurological disorders, the most common and important is chronic Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE), or the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), as it is often called. This disorder is caused by vitamin B1 deficiency (thiamin) and is seen most commonly in people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol. The disorder is easily preventable by using oral or parenteral thiamin. The aim of this study was to establish a range for the volume of the mamillary bodies in normal and in various disease states, particularly WE. METHODS Brains were taken from 2212 sequential autopsies performed at the New South Wales Institute of Forensic Medicine from 1996 through 1997. After fixation in 10% formalin, the brains were sectioned coronally and a block containing the mamillary bodies was dissected. The maximum vertical and transverse diameters of the mamillary bodies were measured using Mitutoyo vernier callipers and the volume calculated (V = 4/3 (a2b), where a and b are the vertical and transverse radii, respectively). RESULTS There were 164 cases with significant pathological changes in the mamillary bodies. These included cases with WE (25), Alzheimer's discase (10), infarction (11), and trauma (55). All but two of the WE cases were chronic or acute on chronic. The mean volume of the mamillary bodies was reduced by 60% in cases with chronic WE and by 25% in cases with Alzheimer's disease. In normal cases, there was a significant age-related reduction in volume, and males had larger mamillary bodies than females. Cases with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver had normal mamillary body volumes. CONCLUSIONS There is a gross shrinkage of the mamillary bodies in cases of chronic WE, but clinicians need to consider other diagnoses, such as Alzheimer's disease, which can also result in shrinkage. These quantitative data will be helpful in the neuroradiological diagnosis of some of these disorders, particularly WE.
Investigation of power differential concept for line protection

In this paper, investigation of a novel fault detection concept for line protection is presented. In this concept, the difference and average quantities for phase active and reactive power entering and leaving the line are compared. Performance of the developed detector is computed under sampling misalignment as compared with conventional current differential approach. This computation is carried out via simulating a tie line connecting two power system networks using the Electromagnetic Transient Program (EMTP). The detector sensitivity for internal fault and stability for external fault are examined for wide range of fault resistance and operating conditions. The test results show distinguished performance of the proposed power differential concept in detecting high impedance faults and remarkable stability during system severe power swings.
Virtually Unprepared: Examining the Preparation of K-12 Online Teachers

At present, there are very few examples of the preparation of teachers for the online environment in teacher education. Even more unfortunate is that less than 40% of all online teachers in the United States reported receiving any professional development before they began teaching online. While some virtual schools provide some training to their own teachers, in most instances, no such training is provided to the school-based personnel. This is unfortunate, as K-12 student success in online learning environments require support from both the online teacher and the local school-based teacher. Clearly, there is a need for teacher education programs to equip all teachers with initial training in how to design, deliver, and – in particular – support K-12 online learning. This chapter begins with an examination of the act of teaching online and how that differs from teaching in a face-to-face environment. Next, the chapter describes existing teacher education initiatives targeted to pre-service teachers (i.e., undergraduate students) and then in-service teachers (i.e., graduate students). This is followed by an evaluation of current state-based initiatives to formalize online teaching as an endorsement area. Finally, a summary of the unique aspects of teaching online and how some initiatives have attempted to address these unique skills, before outlining a course of action that all teacher education programs should consider adopting. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-1906-7.ch004
The Relationship between Job Demands and Employees’ Counterproductive Work Behaviors: The Mediating Effect of Psychological Detachment and Job Anxiety

This study aims to explore the relation between job demands and counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs). A cross-sectional sample of 439 coal miners completed a self-report questionnaire that assessed their job demands, psychological detachment, job anxiety, and CWBs in a Chinese context. The conceptual model, based on the stressor-detachment model, was examined using structural equation modeling. The results suggest that psychological detachment mediates not only the relation between job demands and job anxiety but also that between job demands and CWBs. Furthermore, the relation between job demands and CWBs is sequentially mediated by psychological detachment and job anxiety. Our findings validate the effectiveness of the stressor-detachment model. Moreover, we demonstrate that the underlying mechanism of the relation between job demands and CWBs can be explained by psychological detachment and job anxiety.
Hypertriglyceridemic Pancreatitis Caused by the Oral Contraceptive Agent Estrostep

Norethindrone acetate/ethinyl estradiol (Estrostep; Warner Chilcott, Rockaway, New Jersey) is an “estrophasic” type of oral contraceptive, which combines a continuous low progestin dose with a gradually increasing estrogen dose. In clinical trials, this medication failed to produce clinically significant changes in serum lipid levels. We report a case of severe hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis in a 24-year-old woman caused by Estrostep, occurring nearly 10 years after she began using the drug. The patient was admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) for aggressive volume resuscitation and management of severe electrolyte abnormalities. Laboratory studies obtained on admission indicated severe hypertriglyceridemia (2,200 mg/dL), hyponatremia (120 mEq/L), and hypocalcemia (0.78 mmol/L). Amylase and lipase levels were also elevated (193 and 200 U/L, respectively). Ranson score calculated after 48 hours of admission was 4, and her Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) IV score was 35. Treatment included an insulin infusion, ω-3 fatty acid esters, and gemfibrozil. The insulin infusion reduced serum triglyceride levels by 50% after 1 day of treatment and to 355 mg/dL by day 7 of her ICU course. We believe that this is the first reported case of severe, acute hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis caused by this medication.
Molecular structure of bacterial endotoxin (Escherichia coli Re lipopolysaccharide): implications for formation of a novel heterogeneous lattice structure

Analyses of crystals of Escherichia coli Re lipopolysaccharide (LPS) formed after storage in 1% triethylamine indicate that the LPS molecules are assembled to form a monolayered structure consisting of a novel heterogeneous lattice structure, the greater part of which is occupied by one kind of lattice (lattice I), corresponding to the acyl chain portion of lipid A, and the remainder is occupied by the other kind of lattice (lattice II), corresponding to the 3‐deoxy‐dmanno‐octulosonic acid (dOclA) dimer and the N‐acetylglucosamine disaccharide of lipid A. X‐ray diffraction reveals that the type of cell is monoclinic (a = 5.53 Å, b = 27.2 Å, c = 6.47 Å , α = 90°, β = 125.8°, γ = 90°). Atomic force microscopy shows that crystals consist of multiple layers; the thickness of a layer corresponds to the b‐axis value, and two types of surface topographies are visualized. One, regarded as the view onto the acyl chain ends, is two‐dimensional arrays of oval bodies that constitute the lattice, with the lattice constants corresponding to the a‐ and c‐axes and the angle of β (lattice I). The other, regarded as the view onto the dOclA dimers, is two‐dimensional arrays of dromedary‐back‐like bodies that constitute the lattice with axes of 9.0 and 10.7 Å and the angle of 65° formed by both axes (lattice II). Based on these results, we present the molecular model of E. coli Re LPS.
Endemic infection with human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type IIB in Argentinean and Paraguayan Indians: epidemiology and molecular characterization.

Human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus (HTLV-II) type II infection was detected by polymerase chain reaction or serologic analyses (or both) in 22% of 697 Indians of six different ethnic back-grounds inhabiting the Argentinean and Paraguayan Gran Chaco. None was infected with HTLV-I. The prevalence of HTLV-II increased with age (14% in those < 13 years and 23% in those > or = 13 years). HTLV-II infection was found in all 20 Gran Chaco communities studied, but marked differences (44%-4%) in the rate of infection were observed even in communities separated by only a few miles. These variations correlated closely with ethnicity. In the high-incidence communities, infection clustered within families, with evidence for both sexual and perinatal transmission, primarily via breast-feeding. By contrast, only 2% of 94 Mapuche Indians from southern Argentina were positive for HTLV-II. Analyses of pol and long terminal repeat sequences from 15 Gran Chaco HTLV-II strains indicated that they constitute a highly conserved branch of the HTLV-IIB substrain.
Persistence of anti-HBs antibody and immunological memory in children vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine at birth.

BACKGROUND Vaccination with the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) induces protective levels of antibody (anti-HBs = 10 IU/L) in majority of vaccinees. It has been shown that the levels of anti-HBs antibody do wane after vaccination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the persistence of anti-HBs antibodies in healthy Iranian children at 10 years after primary vaccination and the response to a booster dose using recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. METHODS Blood samples were collected from 146 healthy 10-11 years old children who received primary course of Hepatitis B vaccine at 0, 1.5 and 9 months of age. The sera were tested for anti-HBs, antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and HBsAg by ELISA technique. A single booster dose of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine was administered intramuscularly to a total of 94 children, whose anti-HBs antibody was less than 50 IU/L (70 children with anti-HBs < 10 IU/L and 24 subjects with anti-HBs 10-50 IU/L). The sera of children were re-tested for anti-HBs antibody levels at 4 weeks after booster vaccination. RESULTS At 10 years after primary vaccination 70/146 (47.9%) of children had protective levels of antibody with geometric mean titer (GMT) of 68.12 IU/ml. All children were negative for HBsAg, although anti-HBc antibody was positive in 11 (7.5%) of children. In the 94 subjects who received the booster dose the seroprotection and the GMT of anti-HBs antibody were 25.5% and 9.58 IU/L at pre-booster time and rose to 95.75% and 575.6 IU/L after the booster vaccination, respectively. Seroprotection rates and mean titer of antibody similarly expressed in males and females. CONCLUSION The results of present study showed that at 10 years after primary vaccination with recombinant HB vaccine, 47.9% of the children had protective levels of anti-HBs antibody. Moreover we have demonstrated an anamnestic response to booster vaccination that confirms the persistence of an effective immunological memory in vaccinees.
Analgesic interaction between ondansetron and acetaminophen after tonsillectomy in children: The Paratron randomized, controlled trial

The mechanism of action of acetaminophen remains unclear. One hypothesis involves an interaction with the serotoninergic system. Antagonists to serotonin (5‐HT)3 receptors (setrons) have antiemetic properties. Therefore, co‐administration of acetaminophen and a setron could lead to a decrease or a loss of acetaminophen analgesic effects. The aim of this study was to demonstrate such an interaction.
The effect of growth hormone treatment on height in children with idiopathic short stature

Abstract Background: Idiopathic short stature (ISS) is short stature of unknown cause. In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of growth hormone (GH) for ISS. Several studies have evaluated the effect of GH in children with ISS, in whom improved growth velocities and height standard deviation scores (SDS) have been reported. However, clinical variables influence the height improvement. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GH treatment on ISS and to analyze clinical factors associated with growth velocity. Materials and methods: This study was conducted retrospectively. Subjects diagnosed with ISS at Ajou University Hospital were divided into two groups, an ISS with GH-treatment group (n=34) and an ISS control group (n=36). All children were prepubertal, and aged <10 years. We reviewed their auxological data, laboratory findings, and bone age. Results: Growth velocity of the GH-treatment group exceeded that of controls by 3.37 cm/year (95% CI, 2.78–3.95). At baseline, the mean SDS for height in the treatment and control groups were equivalent (–2.25±0.29 and –2.22±0.31, respectively). However, after 1 year, the height of the GH-treated group exceeded that of the control group by 0.73 SDS (95% CI, 0.57–0.88). A negative correlation was found between age and growth velocity in the GH-treatment group. Conclusion: GH treatment increased short-term growth velocity and height SDS of Korean children with ISS. Age was identified as the single most important factor correlated with growth velocity in GH treatment.
Viral hemorrhagic fever in Pakistan: awareness among health care personnel.

OBJECTIVE To assess the level of knowledge regarding viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) among healthcare personnel at two largest tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS A cross sectional convenience survey was conducted in February 2001 among doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and janitors/orderlies of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Civil Hospital, Karachi. The questionnaire included demographic information with their designation and knowledge level regarding VHF management, spread and prevention. Frequencies of the answers to each question were calculated for all questions and scores were assigned. The frequencies were also calculated on the basis of the designation of the respondent so that each group could be examined separately. RESULTS A total of 187 healthcare personnel (121 doctors, 31 nurses, 19 laboratory technicians and 16 janitors/orderlies) were interviewed. Forty three percent (81) respondents were males and 57% (106) were females. By designation 90% doctors, 71% nurses, 32% laboratory technicians and 6% janitors knew about VHF. Only 57% doctors (69) knew the common signs and symptoms of VHF. Isolation for affected patients was suggested by 65% nurses and 6% janitors. Knowledge regarding burial procedure of dead patients was low in all groups. CONCLUSION Differences in knowledge of different groups is obvious but it is essential to raise the knowledge regarding VHF at all levels including the housekeeping staff. There is also a need for continuing medical education (CME) for all health care personnel for the emerging health problems in Pakistan.