Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Mass-Independent Fractionation of Oxygen: A Novel Isotope Effect and Its Possible Cosmochemical Implications

Experimental evidence is presented which demonstrates a chemically produced, mass-independent isotopic fractionation of oxygen. The effect is thought to result from self-shielding by the major isotopic species 16O2, but other possible mechanisms such as molecular symmetry cannot be ruled out. In a three-isotope plot, the experimentally produced fractionation line is essentially equal in slope to the observed carbonaceous chondrite mixing line. The implications for the early history of the solar system are discussed.
A Public Health Approach to Intimate Partner Violence Prevention in Uganda

Research from Rakai, Uganda, suggests intimate partner violence (IPV) is common and attitudes condoning it are widespread. We used a public health approach to develop and implement an evidence-based IPV prevention intervention named the Safe Homes and Respect for Everyone (SHARE) Project. SHARE was designed on the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change and adapted IPV prevention strategies from Raising Voices and Stepping Stones. SHARE was implemented in four regions of Rakai. This article describes the design and implementation of SHARE, provides details on strategies and activities used, discusses challenges and lessons learned, and provides recommendations for other violence prevention programmers.
The role of investigations for term stillbirths

The aim of the study was to document the role of laboratory investigations for unexpected stillbirths at term. It was a retrospective casenote review of 75 unexpected stillbirths at term from 1995 to 1999, at the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Investigations performed included blood tests, chromosomal analysis, autopsy and placental histology. Perinatal autopsy was the most informative investigation with positive findings in 49% of cases. There were positive placental findings in 37% of cases. Six of the 26 cases showed abnormal karyotyping. Of the blood tests performed, the Kleihauer – Betke test was most informative, revealing a feto-maternal haemorrhage in 8% of cases and anticardiolipin antibodies were positive in 4% of cases. FBC, TORCH and glycosylated Hb were negative in all 75 patients. Despite thorough investigations 32 of cases (43%) remained unexplained.
Ionic Coulomb blockade in nanopores

An understanding of the dynamics of ions in nanopores is essential for applications ranging from single-molecule detection to DNA sequencing. We show both analytically and by means of molecular dynamics simulations that under specific conditions ion–ion interactions in nanopores lead to the phenomenon of ionic Coulomb blockade, namely the build up of ions inside a nanopore with specific capacitance impeding the flow of additional ions due to Coulomb repulsion. This is the counterpart of electronic Coulomb blockade observed in mesoscopic systems. We discuss the analogies with and differences from the electronic case as well as experimental situations in which this phenomenon could be detected.
[Safety and effectiveness of single-lead VDD pacing].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Single-lead VDD pacing provides the physiological benefits of atrioventricular synchrony with the convenience of a single-lead system. However, concern remains about the method's safety and effectiveness. METHOD In total, 700 patients with single-lead VDD pacemakers were evaluated retrospectively. The following parameters were recorded: age, sex, etiology, the symptoms and electrocardiographic diagnosis that justified pacemaker implantation, the venous access route used for implantation, atrial sensing at implantation, atrial undersensing at follow-up, the occurrence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, and final pacing mode. RESULTS Third-degree atrioventricular block was the main indication for pacemaker implantation (66.4%). The most commonly used venous access route was via the right cephalic vein (49.1%). At implantation, the mean atrial signal was 1.8 (4 1.15) mV. During follow-up, significant atrial undersensing occurred in 7.7% of patients; in 1.9%, it could not be corrected by device reprogramming. Uncontrollable supraventricular arrhythmias were observed in 6.4% of patients. Symptomatic sinus node disease was rare. By the end of follow-up, 91.4% of patients were still on VDD pacing, while, in 8.3%, the pacemaker had to be reprogrammed to the VVI mode. Only 0.3% required atrial lead implantation for DDD pacing. Left-side venous access during implantation was a independent predictora of atrial undersensing at follow-up. Low values of atrial detection at implant did not reach statistical signification although it showed a remarkable trend. CONCLUSIONS Single-lead VDD pacing seems to be safe and effective when appropriately indicated. Our findings are consistent with those of previously published studies.
Churg–Strauss syndrome associated with elevated levels of serum interleukin-5 and T cell receptor-Cβ gene rearrangement

A 58-year-old woman was diagnosed with Churg–Strauss syndrome (CSS) based on the symptoms of bronchial asthma, eosinophilia, mononeuritis multiplex and histological examination of the right sural nerve. Prior to treatment, the serum interleukin (IL)-5 level was high, and rearrangement of the T cell receptor (TCR) gene was identified. This is the first report of TCR gene rearrangement in a patient with CSS. The expanded T cell clone may be responsible for the overproduction of IL-5. Further studies are warranted to disclose a prevalence of TCR gene rearrangement in CSS patients and its pathophysiological roles in the development of this disease.
An acute bout of static stretching: effects on force and jumping performance.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE The objectives of this study were to examine whether a static stretching (SS) routine decreased isometric force, muscle activation, and jump power while improving range of motion (ROM). Second, the study attempted to compare the duration of the dependent variable changes with the duration of the change in ROM. METHODS Twelve participants were tested pre- and post- (POST, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min) SS of the quadriceps and plantar flexors (PF) or a similar period of no stretch (control). Measurements during isometric contractions included maximal voluntary force (MVC), evoked contractile properties (peak twitch and tetanus), surface integrated electromyographic (iEMG) activity of the agonist and antagonistic muscle groups, and muscle inactivation as measured by the interpolated twitch technique (ITT). Vertical jump (VJ) measurements included unilateral concentric-only (no countermovement) jump height as well as drop jump height and contact time. ROM associated with seated hip flexion, prone hip extension, and plantar flexion-dorsiflexion was also recorded. RESULTS After SS, there were significant overall 9.5% and 5.4% decrements in the torque or force of the quadriceps for MVC and ITT, respectively. Force remained significantly decreased for 120 min (10.4%), paralleling significant percentage increases (6%) in sit and reach ROM (120 min). After SS, there were no significant changes in jump performance or PF measures. CONCLUSION The parallel duration of changes in ROM and quadriceps isometric force might suggest an association between stretch-induced changes in muscle compliance and isometric force output.
Loud Music Exposure and Cochlear Synaptopathy in Young Adults: Isolated Auditory Brainstem Response Effects but No Perceptual Consequences

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that listeners with frequent exposure to loud music exhibit deficits in suprathreshold auditory performance consistent with cochlear synaptopathy. Young adults with normal audiograms were recruited who either did (n = 31) or did not (n = 30) have a history of frequent attendance at loud music venues where the typical sound levels could be expected to result in temporary threshold shifts. A test battery was administered that comprised three sets of procedures: (a) electrophysiological tests including distortion product otoacoustic emissions, auditory brainstem responses, envelope following responses, and the acoustic change complex evoked by an interaural phase inversion; (b) psychoacoustic tests including temporal modulation detection, spectral modulation detection, and sensitivity to interaural phase; and (c) speech tests including filtered phoneme recognition and speech-in-noise recognition. The results demonstrated that a history of loud music exposure can lead to a profile of peripheral auditory function that is consistent with an interpretation of cochlear synaptopathy in humans, namely, modestly abnormal auditory brainstem response Wave I/Wave V ratios in the presence of normal distortion product otoacoustic emissions and normal audiometric thresholds. However, there were no other electrophysiological, psychophysical, or speech perception effects. The absence of any behavioral effects in suprathreshold sound processing indicated that, even if cochlear synaptopathy is a valid pathophysiological condition in humans, its perceptual sequelae are either too diffuse or too inconsequential to permit a simple differential diagnosis of hidden hearing loss.
Prepartum body condition and weight influences on reproductive performance of first-calf beef cows.

Data were collected on 476 spring-calving, primiparous cows at six locations in Louisiana over a 2-yr period. Objectives of the study were to evaluate changes in prepartum body condition score (BCS) and BW of heifers when fed varying energy levels and to determine the influences of prepartum BCS and BW changes and BCS at calving on postpartum traits. Heifers were allocated to one of three energy levels from approximately 90 d prepartum to parturition. The diets were formulated to provide low, recommended, and high energy levels based on TDN requirements. After calving, cows were placed on annual ryegrass pasture and managed similarly at each location. Weight and BCS at calving were greater (P < .05) for females with higher BCS at 90 d prepartum (IBCS) and for those assigned to higher energy levels. Calving and calf growth traits were not affected (P > .05) by IBCS, energy level, prepartum changes in BCS and BW, or BCS at calving. Prepartum changes in BCS and BW regulated by varying energy levels had no effect (P > .05) on postpartum reproduction; however, BCS at calving influenced (P < .03) pregnancy rate and days to pregnancy. Cows with BCS 6 and 7 at calving had higher (P < .05) pregnancy rates (87.0 and 90.7%) than those with BCS 4 and 5 (64.9 and 71.4%). Interval to pregnancy for cows with BCS 4 at calving was 10 to 18 d longer (P < .05) than for those with BCS > or = 5. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sero-epidemiology of Toxocara canis infection among aboriginal schoolchildren in the mountainous areas of north–eastern Taiwan

Abstract A sero-epidemiological study of Toxocara canis infection was conducted among Atayal schoolchildren (aged 7–12 years) residing in the mountainous areas of north–eastern Taiwan. The 73 children investigated were each checked for anti-Toxocara IgG, in ELISA based on the larval excretory–secretory antigens of T. canis larvae. A short, self-administered questionnaire was then used to collect relevant information from each subject, including data on the keeping of dogs, playing in soil, eating raw vegetables, and whether the subjects normally washed their hands before eating. Once the seropositive children had been identified, odds ratios (OR), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) and P-values, were calculated for each potential risk factor. When diluted 1:64, sera from 42 (57.5%) of the children gave a positive result in the ELISA, indicating that these 42 children were seropositive for T. canis infection. Seropositivity did not appear to be associated with the age or gender of the subject, the eating of raw vegetables, or the regular failure to wash hands prior to a meal. Compared with the other subjects, however, those who admitted living in a household where dogs were kept (OR = 3.79; CI = 1.23–11.69; P=0.02) or playing in soil (OR = 3.00; CI = 1.10–8.16; P=0.03) appeared at increased risk of seropositivity.
Ribosomal protein L24 defect in Belly spot and tail (Bst), a mouse Minute

Ribosomal protein mutations, termed Minutes, have been instrumental in studying the coordination of cell and tissue growth in Drosophila. Although abundant in flies, equivalent defects in mammals are relatively unknown. Belly spot and tail (Bst) is a semidominant mouse mutation that disrupts pigmentation, somitogenesis and retinal cell fate determination. Here, we identify Bst as a deletion within the Rpl24 riboprotein gene. Bst significantly impairs Rpl24 splicing and ribosome biogenesis. Bst/+ cells have decreased rates of protein synthesis and proliferation, and are outcompeted by wild-type cells in C57BLKS↔ROSA26 chimeras. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and cDNA transgenes correct the mutant phenotypes. Our findings establish Bst as a mouse Minute and provide the first detailed characterization of a mammalian ribosomal protein mutation.
Who Bears the Burden of U.S. Nontariff Measures?

This article provides evidence on the incidence of U.S. nontariff measures (NTMs) by investigating the relationship between per capita income and various indicators of NTM use. Collectively, NTMs are found to bear heavily on products of export interest to the poorer countries. Antidumping duty actions and voluntary export restraint agreements primarily target newly industrializing and industrial nations in the middle third of the income scale. The overall protection pattern suggests poorer countries will find it difficult to escape NTMs by attaining higher levels of economic development. Results also provide insight into country and industry-level determinants of NTM use. "("JEL "F0, F1)" Copyright 2006 Western Economic Association International.
What is Person-Centred Care in Dementia?

The term person-centred care has become all-pervasive on the UK dementia care scene. It has been suggested that it has become synonymous with good quality care. It seems that any new approach in dementia care has to claim to be pc (person-centred) in order to be P.C. (politically correct). The term is used frequently in the aims and objectives for dementia care services and provision in the UK and the US, although what lies behind the rhetoric in terms of practice may be questionable.
Forensic Age Estimation in Unaccompanied Minors and Young Living Adults

1.1 FAE a need in nowadays everyday forensic practice Forensic Age Estimation (FAE) defines an expertise in forensic medicine which aims to define in the most accurate way the chronological age of person of an unknown age involved in judicial or legal proceedings. The term “estimation” defines more precisely than other as “diagnosis” the real limits inherent to this expertise. The state of the art in FAE is such that nowadays there is no medical test or a group of tests that absolutely and accurately let us know the exact chronological age of a human being (Ritz Timme et al., 2000). Nevertheless, in everyday practice, Justice Courts and other Public Institutions require this type of experts reports to forensic physicians and Legal Medicine Institutes. In this expertise it s needed a collaborative knowledge of very diverse disciplines like Forensic and Physical Anthropology, Odontology and even some general medical specialities like Radiology of Pediatrics all of them ideally centered in Legal Medicine Institutes. FAE is not at all a recent field of expertise in Forensic Sciences and Judiciary History. In old Roman Empire, the eruption of second molar indicated the moment in which a young male was considered for military service (Schmeling, 2008). During XIX century age estimation was mainly performed by dentists. In 1837, Edwing Saunders published “The Teeth a Test of Age” and British Parlament decided to teeth eruption as an accurate method to determine the age of kids. At those ages, minimum criminal age was 7 years old in Britain and also in 1883 minimum required age for mining workers was 9 years. Nevertheless, at that time, also some voices expressed their criticism with this practice for an age estimation. In 1846, Dr. Pedro Mata in his text book of Legal Medicine expressed his concern on assuring without any kind of a doubt an age estimation based solely on teeth eruption (Mata, 1846). In 1895, Rontgen discovered X rays. His discover opens a new dimension for age estimation in living subjects. The applications of his discovery in Legal Medicine were nearly
Women’s Decision on Contraceptive Use in Ethiopia: Multinomial Analysis of Evidence From Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey

Background: Women are left out of the conversation on contraceptive use due to a variety of reasons. One of the reasons women have reported for their nonuse of family planning method is that they do not decide to use or not to use it. This study aimed to assess the women’s decision-making on contraceptive use and identify its associated factors. Methods: Data for this study were extracted from the national representative 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. Data were collected using 2-stage cluster design, in which enumeration areas forming the first stage and households making the second stage. The analysis was done using multinomial logistic regression using STATA software version 14. Results: The study revealed that one-fourth (24.3%) 95% CI (23.7%-25.1%) decision was made by women. The multinomial analysis demonstrated women’s decision-making on contraceptive use was influenced by the age of women 15 to 19 years (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] = 0.327, 95% CI: 0.175-0.613), 20 to 24 years (AOR = 0.510, 95% CI: 0.390-0.666), and 25 to 29 (AOR = 0.557 95% CI: 0.460-0.675); place of residence (urban; AOR = 1.637, 95% CI: 1.331-2.015) and region in which the women dwell and husbands education; occupation of both woman and her husband; and number of children ever born were the factors significantly associated with the outcome variable. Conclusions: Women’s decision-making on contraceptive utilization was low. It was influenced by age, place of residence and region, education, occupation, and number of children ever born.
CYT003, a TLR9 agonist, in persistent allergic asthma – a randomized placebo‐controlled Phase 2b study

New treatment options are required for patients with asthma not sufficiently controlled with inhaled therapies. In a Phase 2a trial, CYT003, a Toll‐like receptor‐9 agonist immunomodulator, improved asthma control during inhaled glucocorticosteroid reduction in patients with allergic asthma. This double‐blind Phase 2b study assessed the efficacy and safety of CYT003 in patients with persistent moderate‐to‐severe allergic asthma not sufficiently controlled on standard inhaled glucocorticosteroid therapy with/without long‐acting beta‐agonists (LABAs).
Calcium Phosphates: What Is the Evidence?

A number of different calcium phosphate compounds such as calcium phosphate cements and solid β-tricalcium phosphate products have been introduced during the last decade. The chemical composition mimics the mineral phase of bone and as a result of this likeness, the materials seem to be remodeled as for normal bone through a cell-mediated process that involves osteoclastic activity. This is a major difference when compared with, for instance, calcium sulphate compounds that after implantation dissolve irrespective of the new bone formation rate. Calcium phosphates are highly biocompatible and in addition, they act as synthetic osteoconductive scaffolds after implantation in bone. When placed adjacent to bone, osteoid is formed directly on the surface of the calcium phosphate with no soft tissue interposed. Remodeling is slow and incomplete, but by adding more and larger pores, like in ultraporous β-tricalcium phosphate, complete or nearly complete resorption can be achieved. The indications explored so far include filling of metaphyseal fracture voids or bone cysts, a volume expander in conjunction with inductive products, and as a carrier for various growth factors and antibiotics. Calcium phosphate compounds such as calcium phosphate cement and β-tricalcium phosphate will most certainly be part of the future armamentarium when dealing with fracture treatment. It is reasonable to believe that we have so far only seen the beginning when it comes to clinical applications.
Reliability and validity of the Youth Self‐Report, Bangladesh version

The objectives of this study were to develop the Bangladesh version of the Youth Self‐Report (YSR), and assess its reliability and validity in an adolescent population in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. One‐hundred‐and‐eighty‐seven boys (mean age: 14.6 years, SD: 2.1) and 137 girls (mean age: 15.2 years, SD: 2.0) from residential areas, and 27 boys (mean age: 17.0, SD: 1.4) and 14 girls (mean age: 15.4, SD: 2.8) from a psychiatric hospital, all within the range of 11–18 years, were interviewed using a questionnaire that consisted of the Bangla translation of the YSR and other questions. Thirty‐eight randomly selected adolescents were administered the same questionnaire one week after the first administration. All the core scores and most of the subscales showed high internal consistency other than small item‐number subscales, and satisfactory test‐ retest reliability. Good discriminant validity was shown for most of the scale scores. This study showed that the Bangla translation of the YSR had sufficient reliability and validity for use in Bangladesh. The cutoff scores of the scales were higher for the Bangla version than for the original English version, and further studies exploring this point would be an asset. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Li+ in Bipolar Disorder – Possible Mechanisms of Its Pharmacological Mode of Action

Bipolar disorder is a severe psychiatric illness characterized by cyclic episodes of mania and depression that affects approximately 1 % of the world population, and has a great economic and social impact. Lithium (Li+), in the form of lithium salts, has been used for more than five decades and is still the drug of choice in the treatment of this pathology. The anticonvulsants carbamazepine and valproate, originally used to treat epileptic seizures, are alternative or adjunctive therapies to lithium, representing the first-line therapy for lithium-resistant or lithium intolerant patients. Bipolar disorder is associated with structural, functional and physiological alterations in the brain of bipolar patients, which reflect chemical, neurochemical and metabolic changes, specifically at the levels of brain metabolites and neurotransmitters, as already detected by different techniques (Silverstone et al., 2005). Abnormalities in signal transduction pathways, in particular G proteins, adenylate cyclase (AC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) signalling cascade, as well as protein kinase C (PKC) were related with the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (Berns & Nemeroff, 2003, Brunello & Tascedda, 2003; Manji et al., 2001; Manji & Lenox, 2000a, 2000b).