Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pedagogical Aspects of Socializing Processes in Children's Play

Igra nije samo otkrivanje svijeta, vec predstavlja radost druženja i ostvarivanja međusobnih kontakata djeteta ponajprije s drugom djecom, prijateljima, lutkama ili likovima iz maste. Promatrajuci dijete u igri, vrlo lako se može uociti da su njegovo imitiranje, zamisljanje i dramatiziranje zapravo karakteristicna ponasanja kojima dijete prezentira ili proživljava svoja iskustva koristeci se razlicitim simbolima, primjerice emocionalnim iskustvima, govorom ili socijalnim vjestinama. Ucenje i uvježbavanje socijalnih vjestina na adekvatan i proaktivan nacin, kao i njihovo prakticiranje u igri s drugom djecom, iznimno je važno u ranom razvoju i odgoju djeteta. Da bi se u tome uspjelo, ponajprije odgojitelj treba razumjeti proces ucenja djece kako bi mogao podržavati i poticati razvoj njihovih socijalnih vjestina primjerenim intervencijama. Za potrebe ovog istraživanja oblikovan je anketni Upitnik o igri djece koji je primijenjen na uzorku od 197 djece polaznika predskolskih ustanova. U radu se razmatraju prakticne implikacije dobivenih rezultata u smjeru poticanja razvoja pojedinih socijalizacijskih procesa u igri djece s obzirom na njihovu ukljucenost u homogene ili heterogene odgojne skupine.
A 3p21.3 region is preferentially eliminated from human chromosome 3/mouse microcell hybrids during tumor growth in SCID mice

We have previously shown that four markers spanning the 3p24‐p21.3 region, THRB, AP20R, D3S1029, and D3S32, were regularly eliminated from three human chromosome 3 (chr3)/mouse microcell hybrids (MCHs) during tumor growth in SCID mice. In an attempt to narrow down the eliminated region, we have studied 22 new SCID mouse tumors derived from 5 MCH lines carrying human chr3. They were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), Southern blotting, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MCHs that carried human chr1, chr8, chr13, and chr17 were examined as controls. We could identify a common eliminated region (CER) at 3p21.3, bordered distally by D3S1260 and proximally by D3S643/D3F15S2. Eight of 53 chr3‐specific PCR markers, AP20R, D3S966, D3S3559, D3S1029, Wl‐7947, D3S2354, AFMb362wb9, and D3S32, were localized within the CER. This finding is consistent with the notion that a tumor suppressor gene may be located in this area, as suggested by frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) within this region observed in several types of solid tumors. Genes Chromosom. Cancer 18:200–211, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Measuring income related inequality in health: standardisation and the partial concentration index.

The partial concentration index (PCI) is commonly used as a measure of income related inequality in health after removing the effects of standardising variables such as age and gender which affect health, are correlated with income, but not amenable to policy. Both direct and indirect standardisation have been used to remove the effects of standardising variables. The paper shows that with individual level data direct standardisation is possible using the coefficients from a linear regression of health on income and the standardising variables and yields a consistent estimate of the PCI. Indirect standardisation estimates the effects of the standardising variables on health from a health regression which excludes income. The coefficients on the standardising variables include some of the effects of income on health if income is correlated with the standardising variables. Using these coefficients to remove the effects of the standardising variables also removes some of the effect of income on health and leads to an inconsistent estimate of the PCI. Indirect standardisation underestimates the PCI irrespective of the signs of the correlations of standardising variables and income with each other and with health. An adaptation of the PCI when the marginal effect of income on health depends on the standardising variables is also proposed.
Prevalence of scoliosis in women with visual deficiency.

UNLABELLED Whether visual impairment influences the prevalence of scoliosis in humans or not remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of scoliosis in blind women in a Mediterranean region. MATERIAL AND METHOD A total of 26 blind women aged 40 years (median, range 20 - 67) were screened for scoliosis. The existence of a possible trunk hump was measured by the forward bending test using the Pruijis Scoliometer. Reading of an Angle of Trunk Inclination (ATI) greater or equal to 7 degrees was used as a cut-off criterion for radiological examination. Standing postero-anterior and lateral spinal radiographs were obtained. Menarche and circadian rhythm was recorded. RESULTS 11 out of 26 women had a scoliosis with an average Cobb angle of 19 degrees (range 12 - 28). The average ATI was 8 degrees. Thoracolumbar was the most common type of curve identified (9 out of 11, 6 were to the right and 3 to the left). The median age of menarche was 13 years (range, 11 - 15). None of the blind women reported any difficulty sleeping and had a circadian rhythm related to a 24-hour day. DISCUSSION The prevalence of scoliosis was 42.3%, while the prevalence in the general population in the same regime is 2.9%. Blind women had a later age of menarche (13 versus 12.58 yrs) compared with normal girls. The postural etiology of scoliosis in blind people has been reported. The possible role of light in association to melatonin production, age at menarche and high prevalence of scoliosis in blind women is presented and discussed.
Reduced Macrophage-Dependent Inflammation Improves Endothelin-1–Induced Vascular Injury

Transgenic mice with endothelium-specific endothelin-1 (ET-1) overexpression exhibit endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling, oxidative stress, and inflammation. We previously observed that monocytes/macrophages play a role in angiotensin II, aldosterone, and deoxycorticosterone acetate/salt-induced vascular remodeling, oxidative stress, and inflammation using a model with reduced monocytes/macrophages, the osteopetrotic (Op) mouse, which has a mutation in the macrophage colony stimulating factor (Csf1) gene. However, it is unknown whether monocytes/macrophages are implicated in adverse vascular effects of ET-1. We hypothesized that reduction in monocytes/macrophages would blunt ET-1–induced vascular injury. We performed a study on 4- to 6-month-old male mice with endothelium-specific ET-1 overexpression (eET-1), reduction in CSF1 (Csf1Op/+), or both (eET-1/Csf1Op/+), and their wild-type littermate control mice. There was no difference in systolic blood pressure between groups. Endothelial function and vascular structure were determined on a pressurized myograph. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine was similar in eET-1 and eET-1/Csf1Op/+ mice. Media:lumen ratio and media cross-sectional area were ≈1.5-fold greater in eET-1 than in wild-type mice (P<0.05), which was not observed in mice deficient in CSF1. ET-1–induced oxidative stress measured by dihydroethidium staining (P<0.05) and NADPH oxidase activity assessed with lucigenin chemiluminescence (P<0.05) were blunted by CSF1 deficiency. ET-1 caused a 2.5-fold increase in monocyte/macrophage infiltration compared with wild-type mice (P<0.001), which was blunted in the mice deficient in CSF1. Reduction of monocyte/macrophage-dependent inflammation in mice overexpressing ET-1 in endothelium results in reduced vascular remodeling and oxidative stress, providing evidence for a role of monocytes/macrophages and innate immunity in ET-1–induced vascular injury.
On The Marginal Function in Nonlinear Programming

For several types of finite or infinite dimensional optimization problems the marginal function or optimal value function is characterized by different local approximations such as generalized gradients, generalized directional derivatives, directional Hadamard or Dini derivatives. We give estimates for these terms which are determined by multipliers satisfying necessary optimality conditions. When the functions which define the optimization problem are more than once continuously differentiable, then higher order necessary conditions are employed to obtain refined estimates for the marginal function. As a by-product we give a new equivalent formulation of Clarke's multiplier rule for nonsmooth optimization problems. This shows that the set of all multipliers satisfying these necessary conditions is the union of a finite number of closed convex cones.
Self-Organizing Maps in the Design of Anti-spam Filters - A Proposal based on Thematic Categories

Spam, or unsolicited messages sent massively, is one of the threats that affects email and other media. Its high volume generates substantial time and economic losses. A solution to this problem is presented: a hybrid anti-spam filter based on unsupervised Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). It consists of two steps, preprocessing and processing, both based on different computation models: programmed and neural (using Kohonen SOM). This system has been optimized using, as a data corpus, ham from “Enron Email” and spam from two different sources: traditional (user’s inbox) and spamtrap-honeypot. It has been proved that thematic categories can be found both in spam and ham words. 1260 system configurations were analyzed, comparing their quality and performance with the most used metrics. All of them achieved AUC > 0.90 and the best 204 AUC > 0.95, despite just using 13 attributes for the input vectors of the SOM, one for each thematic category. Results were similar to other researchers’ over the same corpus, though they make use of different Machine Learning (ML) methods and a number of attributes several orders of magnitude greater. It was further tested with datasets not utilized during design, obtaining 0.77 < AUC < 0.96 with normalized data.
Historic drought puts the brakes on earthflows in Northern California

California's ongoing, unprecedented drought is having profound impacts on the state's resources. Here we assess its impact on 98 deep‐seated, slow‐moving landslides in Northern California. We used aerial photograph analysis, satellite interferometry, and satellite pixel tracking to measure earthflow velocities spanning 1944–2015 and compared these trends with the Palmer Drought Severity Index, a proxy for soil moisture and pore pressure that governs landslide motion. We find that earthflow velocities reached a historical low in the 2012–2015 drought, but that their deceleration began at the turn of the century in response to a longer‐term moisture deficit. Our analysis implies depth‐dependent sensitivity of earthflows to climate forcing, with thicker earthflows reflecting longer‐term climate trends and thinner earthflows exhibiting less systematic velocity variations. These findings have implications for mechanical‐hydrologic interactions that link landslide movement with climate change as well as sediment delivery in the region.
Removal of Encroaching Conifers to Regenerate Degraded Aspen Stands in the Sierra Nevada

Aspen is considered a keystone species, and aspen communities are critical for maintaining biodiversity in western landscapes. Inventories of aspen stand health across the Eagle Lake Ranger District (ELRD), Lassen National Forest, California, U.S.A. , indicate that 77% of stands are in decline and at risk of loss as defined by almost complete loss of mature aspen with little or no regeneration. This decline is due to competition from conifers establishing within aspen stands as a result of modification of natural fire regimes coupled with excessive browsing by livestock. Restoration treatments were implemented in four aspen stands in 1999 using mechanical equipment to remove competing conifers to enhance the growth environment for aspen. Recruitment and establishment of aspen stems were measured in treated stands (removal of competing conifers) and non‐treated stands (control) immediately prior to treatment and 2 and 4 years post‐treatment. There was a significant increase in total aspen stem density and in two of three aspen regeneration size classes for treated stands compared to controls. Pre‐treatment total aspen density was positively associated with total aspen density and density in all size classes of aspen (p < 0.001). The results demonstrate that mechanical removal of conifers is an effective treatment for restoring aspen.
Longitudinal monitoring of the dynamics of infections due to Bartonella species in UK woodland rodents

Blood samples were repeatedly collected from 12 sympatric woodland rodents over a 12-month period and DNA extracts from each were incorporated into a bartonella-specific PCR targeting a fragment of the 16S/23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR). The composition of each amplicon was analysed using restriction enzyme analysis (REA) and base sequence comparison. Bartonella DNA was detected in 70 of 109 samples. Eleven samples contained DNA derived from more than one strain. Sequence analysis of 62 samples found 12 sequence variants (ISR genotypes) that were provisionally assigned to 5 different species, 2 of which were newly recognized. Up to five different species were detected in each animal. On about two-thirds of occasions, a species detected 1 month was not there the next, but never was a genotype superseded by another of the same species. However, a genotype could be re-encountered months later in the same animal, even if interim samples contained other genotypes. Our results suggest that although most animals are bacteraemic most of the time, specific infections are often superseded and that a complex and dynamic epidemiology of bartonella bacteraemias exists in woodland rodents.
Violent Criminal Behavior and Perspectives on Treatment of Criminality in Opiate Treatment

Purpose This study describes and compares the characteristics of patients within a VA Opiate Substitution Therapy Program (OSTP) who report arrests for non-violent and violent crimes and describes patients’ attitudes and preferences of criminal treatment within an OSTP. Methods An anonymous survey was distributed to all veterans at one VA-OSTP. Analyses were conducted to describe the sample characteristics and their associations with prior violent and non-violent criminal behavior. Results A majority of participants were Caucasian, male, middle-aged, unemployed, and had a history of injection drug use. Participants reported arrests for violent (44%), non-violent (47%), and unspecified crimes (16%). There were few significant differences on demographic and drug use characteristics between participants who reported arrests for any violent and only non-violent crimes, and no arrests. Slightly fewer than half the subjects were satisfied with their ability to access treatment for past criminal behavior within or outside of the VA treatment settings. More veterans reporting violent arrests were satisfied with services addressing criminal behavior within the VA-OSTP than were veterans reporting only nonviolent arrests. Nearly equal proportions of veterans reporting violent (45%) and non-violent (44%) arrests reported dissatisfaction with such services received outside of the VA-OSTP. Conclusions Prior violent criminal behavior is common among participants of a VA-OSTP. Many individuals with criminal histories seek treatment for criminality within VA-OSTP.
Effect of various commercial buffers on sperm viability and capacitation

Abstract A wide variety of sperm preparation protocols are currently available for assisted conception. They include density gradient separation and washing methods. Both aim at isolating and capacitating as much motile sperm as possible for subsequent oocyte fertilization. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of four commercial sperm washing buffers on sperm viability and capacitation. Semen samples from 48 healthy donors (normal values of sperm count, motility, morphology, and volume) were analyzed. After separation (density gradient 40/80%), sperm were incubated in various buffers then analysed for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, viability, tyrosine phosphorylation (Tyr-P), cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) labeling, and the acrosome reaction (AR). The buffers affected ROS generation in various ways resulting either in rapid cell degeneration (when the amount of ROS was too high for cell survival) or the inability of the cells to maintain correct functioning (when ROS were too few). Only when the correct ROS generation curve was maintained, suitable membrane reorganization, evidenced by CTB labeling was achieved, leading to the highest percentages of both Tyr-P- and acrosome-reacted-cells. Distinguishing each particular pathological state of the sperm sample would be helpful to select the preferred buffer treatment since both ROS production and membrane reorganization can be significantly altered by commercial buffers.
Elevation of interleukin 8 in cerebrospinal fluid in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective: We investigated the levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) interleukin 8 (IL-8) in neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (NP-SLE). Methods: CSF samples were obtained from 48 SLE patients (35 patients with diffuse psychiatric/ neuropsychological syndromes [diffuse NP-SLE] and 13 patients with neurologic syndromes or peripheral neuropathy [focal NP-SLE]) as well as from 20 patients with noninflammatory neurological diseases. CSF IL-6 and IL-8 levels were determined using MH60.BSF2 cells or by ELISA (enzymelinked immunosorbent assay). Results: CSF IL-8 levels were significantly elevated in focal NP-SLE as well as in diffuse NP-SLE compared with control patients. There were no significant differences in CSF IL-8 levels between diffuse and focal NP-SLE. CSF IL-8 levels were significantly higher in patients diagnosed with acute confusional state than in those with other diffuse NP-SLE. CSF IL-8 levels were significantly correlated with CSF IL-6 levels in NP-SLE. Conclusions: These results indicate that CSF IL-8 is involved in the development of NP-SLE. These data also suggest that the common mechanism might be involved in the elevation of IL-6 and IL-8 in CSF in NP-SLE.
Innate Defense of the Ocular Surface

Purpose. The mucosal surface of the eye interfaces with the environment and can detect the presence of pathogens and irritants. The mucosal cells respond by up-regulating genes whose products either directly attack the contaminant or recruit leukocytes through the release of cytokines. Mucin, an epithelial glycoprotein, traps contaminants and aids in their removal through normal tear clearance mechanisms. Methods and Results. Using Northern analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we have found that MUC1, a membrane-bound ocular surface mucin, is up-regulated following exposure to the products of both bacteria and activated lymphocytes. Consistent with this, MUC1 gene expression is also up-regulated in corneal epithelial cells exposed to precorneal tear film collected from two rigid contact lens wearers. Conclusion. The changes in MUC1 gene expression during exposure to potential ocular irritants suggest that analysis of the molecular mechanisms mediating these changes may reveal control points amenable to drug therapy.
Comparison between Live and Photographed Slit Lamp Grading of Corneal Staining

Purpose To compare live and photographic (still) grades of corneal staining of the same eyes and the repeatability of grading between two investigators. Methods Thirty patients were recruited to participate in a contact lens study, and their level of corneal staining was graded by two investigators in situ (live images), using slit lamp biomicroscopy. Digital still images of the corneal staining were also captured during the study visits. An independent observer selected 105 of the still images graded by investigator 1 and another 105 images graded by investigator 2 and presented them to the original investigator in a random order, on three separate occasions. Grading was performed at the time of the live grading and the three still image sessions, using the Centre for Contact Lens Research corneal staining scale that combines grades of both extent and type to provide an overall “global staining score” from 0 to 10,000 for corneal staining. A comparison was made between live and still grades as well as the intrainvestigator repeatability for the multiple grading of the still images. Results The mean (±SD) of corneal staining grades recorded for the same eyes examined live and then later on three occasions was 1795 (±1083) and 714 (±974), respectively, for participants examined by investigator 1 (p < 0.001) and 1854 (±1075) and 461 (±411) for those examined by investigator 2 (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference over the three repeated still grading sessions for each investigator (p < 0.001), although there was a high degree of consistency among the three still grading sessions for each of the investigators: the intraclass correlation for investigator 1 was 0.91 (confidence interval, 0.87 to 0.93) and that for investigator 2 was 0.82 (confidence interval, 0.77 to 0.87). Discussion Digital still image grading of corneal staining significantly underrepresented the amount of corneal staining observed through a slit lamp. Clinical investigators graded corneal staining with a high degree of consistency.
Mycophenolate mofetil for myasthenia gravis: An open-label pilot study

In an open-label study, 12 patients with refractory MG or who were taking only corticosteroids and required additional immunosuppression received mycophenolate mofetil 1 g twice daily for 6 months. A reduction of three points in a quantified MG score and two points in a manual muscle test or a reduction of 50% in corticosteroid dose defined efficacy. Eight patients improved, beginning after 2 weeks to 2 months. No major side effects were observed.
Imaging of forward light-scatter by opacified posterior capsules isolated from pseudophakic donor eyes.

PURPOSE Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) degrades visual function by reducing visual acuity, but also by increasing intraocular light-scatter. An in vitro model was used to elucidate the effect of PCO-morphology on light-scatter and its functional aspect, as can be assessed with straylight measurement. METHODS Forward PCO-scatter by opacified capsular bags was recorded with a goniometer and camera. The camera position mimicked the anatomic position of retinal photoreceptors; the camera recorded the scattered light that the photoreceptors would sense in an in vivo situation. Scattered light was recorded at different wavelengths and scatter angles, which were divided into a near (1° < θ ≤ 7°) and far (θ > 7°) large-angle domain. Using scattered light, the camera produced grayscale PCO images. The nature of the angular dependence of PCO-scatter was compared with that of scatter in the normal eye, by rescaling PCO images relative to the normal eye's point-spread function. RESULTS The scattered light images closely followed PCO severity. The angular dependence of PCO-scatter resembled that of scatter in the normal eye, irrespective of severity and PCO type. PCO shows the type of wavelength dependence that is normal for small particles: monotonically decreasing with increasing wavelength. At the near large-angle domain, the angular dependence of PCO scatter resembled the angular dependence of scatter in the normal eye less closely. CONCLUSIONS Surprisingly, PCO scatter and scatter in the normal eye have similar underlying scattering processes. However, data obtained at the near large-angle domain demonstrates that, apart from scatter, PCO may also have a refractile component, which is most pronounced in pearl-type PCO.
Adverse events associated with ribavirin in sofosbuvir‐based therapies for patients with chronic hepatitis C: A community practice experience

Due to high sustained virological response (SVR) rates, sofosbuvir‐based regimens are currently a mainstay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies. The addition of pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin impacts patients' quality of life during treatment. This study aimed to compare severe adverse events (SAEs) amongst therapeutic combinations for HCV in a community clinic setting.