Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymmetrical Historical Comparison: the Case of the German Sonderweg

Frequently, historical comparisons are asymmetrical in the sense that they investigate one case carefully while limiting themselves to a mere sketch of the other case(s) which serve(s) as comparative reference point(s). The debate on the German Sonderweg (special path) and the rich historical literature originating from this debate can serve as examples. This article reconstructs the pros and cons within this controversial debate, reports its results and puts it into a broader historical context. It analyzes the comparative logic implied by the Sonderweg thesis and argues that the interpretation of modern German history in the sense of a Sonderweg can only be maintained if related to the question why Germany turned fascist and totalitarian in the interwar period while other (comparable) societies did not, and if Western countries are selected as units of comparison. The choice of comparative reference points turns out to be decisive and partly dependent on normative priorities and conventions. The article points to dangers and opportunities inherent in asymmetrical comparison.
Sériation chronologique de la céramique mégalithique sénégambienne (Sénégal, Gambie), 700 cal BC - 1700 cal AD

Les recherches sur les megalithes senegambiens sont dominees par les travaux de Guy Thilmans et Cyr Descamps a qui l'on doit une excellente connaissance de la taphonomie de ces monuments funeraires. Le mobilier decouvert lors de ces fouilles, en particulier la ceramique, n'a par contre jamais fait l'objet d'une etude systematique. Cet article propose une premiere seriation chronologique de la ceramique associee aux sepultures megalithiques senegambiennes. Cette ordination se fonde essentiellement sur les materiaux recoltes dans la partie occidentale de la zone megalithique correspondant aux bassins du Bao Bolon et du Nianila, deux affluents de la Gambie. Elle concerne notamment la ceramique des fouilles que nous avions entreprises en 1980-81 sur le site de Mbolob Tobe a Santhiou Kohel et sur la stratigraphie mise en evidence en 2002 et 2003 dans le cercle n.27 de Sine Ngayene (Senegal) par Augustin Holl et Hamady Bocoum. On propose une sequence en trois phases suivies d'une phase postmegalithique. Les phases Megalithique 1 et Megalithique 2 sont confirmees par la sequence statigraphique du double cercle n.27 de Sine Ngayene. La distinction entre les phases 2 et 3 ne repose par contre que sur des considerations d'ordre topographique : tumulus situes en peripherie des zones occupees par les cercles megalithiques dans les necropoles mixtes. Elle demande a etre confirmee ou infirmee par des datations C14. Cette distinction pourrait en effet relever de productions de castes distinctes plus ou moins contemporaines, une question qui renvoie au contexte economique, social et politique des societes precoloniales ouest-africaines.
The Dynamics of Reciprocity , Accountability , and Credibility 1

Do public opinion dynamics play an important role in understanding conflict trajectories between democratic governments and other rival groups? We interpret several theories of opinion dynamics as competing clusters of contemporaneous causal links connoting reciprocity, accountability and credibility. We then translate these clusters into four distinct Bayesian structural time series models. The models are fit to events data from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with variables for U.S. intervention and Jewish public opinion about the prospects for peace. We find that a credibility model, which allows Jewish public opinion to influence U.S., Palestinian, and Israeli behavior within a given month, fits the data best. For the credibility model there is evidence that more pacific Israeli opinion leads to more immediate hostility by the Palestinians toward the Israelis. The direction of this response suggests a negative feedback mechanism in which low level conflict is maintained and momentum toward either all out war or dramatic peace is slowed. In addition, a forecasting model that includes Jewish public opinion is shown to forecast ex ante better than a model that ignores this variable.
Changes in depressive symptoms over 0-9 months postpartum.

OBJECTIVE To investigate mothers' changes in prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms over 0-9 months postpartum and determine which symptoms best distinguish depressed from nondepressed women. METHODS This was a prospective study of English-literate mothers of newborns, recruited from four family medicine clinics and three pediatric clinics. Mothers completed surveys at 0-1, 2, 4, 6, and 9 months postpartum, and surveys included demographic characteristics, a two-question depression screen, the 9-Item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and other health and work characteristics. RESULTS There were 506 participants (33% response rate), and 112 (22.1%) had a positive PHQ-9 (score ≥10) at some time within the first 9 months after delivery. The proportion of women with a positive PHQ-9 was greatest at 0-1 month (12.5%), then fell to between 5.0% and 7.1% at 2-6 months, and rose again to 10.2% at 9 months postpartum. Most of the PHQ-9 symptoms differentiated well between depressed and nondepressed women; items that were less discriminating were abnormal sleep, abnormal appetite/eating, and fatigue. Assessment of possible predictors of a change from negative to positive PHQ-9 between 6 and 9 months postpartum revealed only one significant predictor: prior history of depression. CONCLUSIONS Depressive symptoms in this sample were most frequent at 0-1 month and 9 months postpartum. Most PHQ-9 items differentiated well between depressed and nondepressed mothers; these findings support the use of the PHQ-9 for PPD screening. Future research is needed to confirm our observed secondary peak in depressive symptoms at 9 months postpartum and to investigate possible causes.
Air Pollution and Hospital Admissions for Asthma in a Tropical City: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

This study was undertaken to determine whether there is an association between air pollutants levels and hospital admissions for asthma in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for asthma and ambient air pollution data for Kaohsiung were obtained for the period from 1996 through 2003. The relative risk of hospital admission was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. In the single-pollutant models, on warm days (≥ 25°C) statistically significant positive associations were found in all pollutants except sulfur dioxide (SO2). On cool days (≤ 25°C) all pollutants were significantly associated with asthma admissions For the two pollutant models, CO and O3 were significant in combination with each of the other four pollutants on warm days. On cool days NO2 remained statistically significant in all the two-pollutant models. This study provides evidence that higher levels of ambient pollutants increase the risk of hospital admissions for asthma.
Anti-hyperglycemic Effect of Stephania Glabra Tubers in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Mice

Different doses of ethanolic extract of Stephania glabra tuber were evaluated for antihyperglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic mice. The oral administration of 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight showed significant hypoglycemic activity. Glibenclamide (oral hypoglycemic agent, 25 mg/kg, p.o.) has been used as standard. Key words: Stephania glabra , Menispermaceae, hydroxypalmatine, alloxan, glibenclamide, hypoglycemic activity DOI:10.3329/jom.v11i1. 4262 J Medicine 2010: 11: 17-19
Country of Origin and Race/Ethnicity: Impact on Breastfeeding Intentions

This article reports on breastfeeding intentions of Hispanic and black women by country of origin (continental US born or foreign born) in a low-income population that has experienced demographic shifts. Data were derived from prenatal interviews with 382 women from 2 community clinics. Primary outcome measures were intentions to formula feed, breastfeed, or formula and breastfeed. Foreign-born women were significantly more likely to intend to only breastfeed (42% vs 24% for continental US born, P < .05). In multivariate analyses, country of origin and having breastfed a previous child were the only significant predictors of breastfeeding intention. In contrast to previous work, black (non-Hispanic) and Hispanic women’s breastfeeding plans were similar. This finding coincides with dramatic increases in the numbers of blacks from West Indian countries—where breastfeeding is the norm—in the study locale.
Caractérisation morphométrique de l’abeille Apis mellifera adansonii au Nord-Est du Bénin

L’etude des caracteres morphometriques des abeilles est l’une des etapes d’un programme de conservation de leur diversite. L’objectif de cette etude est de determiner les caracteristiques morphometriques d’Apis mellifera adansonii au Nord-Est du Benin afin d’etablir la purete des colonies d’abeilles. Des echantillons d’un minimum de 120 abeilles par localite et par ruche sont collectes dans 18 ruches installees dans les Communes de Parakou, de N’Dali et de Tchaourou. Les mesures relatives aux caracteres morphometriques des ouvrieres, a l’indice cubital et a la transgression discoidale sont effectuees avec un microscope muni d’oculaires gradues. Les longueurs des abeilles ont varie significativement (P de 10,86 ± 0,69 mm pour les abeilles de petite taille a 11,97 ± 0,30 mm pour les abeilles de grande taille. L’analyse des indices cubitaux a montre qu’en dehors des abeilles de Dabou qui avaient une valeur moyenne de 2,28 ± 0,35, les abeilles de toutes les autres localites avaient des indices inferieurs a 2,10. Les resultats ont montre que les abeilles peuvent etre classees selon la valeur de leur indice cubital, en trois groupes assez distincts. Cette etude ayant revele une variation significative dans les caracteres morphometriques de l’abeille au Nord-Est du Benin, il importe d’adopter des strategies appropriees pour la conservation de leur diversite.
Using the repertory grid and laddering technique to determine the user's evaluative model of search engines

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to explore a method for the determination of users' representations of search engines, formed during their interaction with these systems. Determines the extent to which these elicited “mental models” indicate the system aspects of importance to the user and from this their evaluative view of these tools.Design/methodology/approach – The repertory grid technique is used to elicit a set of constructs that define facets within the mental model of an individual. A related technique of laddering then considers each of the user's constructs to determine the reasons for its importance within the user's mental model.Findings – The model derived from the qualitative data comprises three hierarchical strata and conveys the interrelations between basic system description, evaluative description, and the key evaluations of ease, efficiency, effort and effectiveness. Two additional layers relating to the perceived process and the experience of emotion are also discussed.Resea.
A GCN‐like response in Candida albicans.

The control of amino acid and purine biosynthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by the transcriptional activator GCN4. We previously identified the presence of two putative GCN4 responsive elements (GCREs) in the promoter sequence of the Candida albicans ARO3 gene, which encodes an enzyme in the aromatic amino acid pathway. We now show that amino acid deprivation results in a dramatic rise in the steady‐state level of ARO3‐specific mRNA, indicative of a GCN‐like pathway in C. albicans.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Parenting and Children's Goals on Child Aggression

This study tested a dual-mediation model of the relations among harsh parenting, hostile social information processing, and level of child aggression in a sample of 239 (150 male, 89 female) 2nd- to 4th-grade children. The theoretical model posited that harsh parenting has both direct and indirect effects on child level of aggression, with the indirect effects mediated through children's social goals. The model further posited that the impact of social goals on aggression is mediated through other social cognitive processes (i.e., attributions of hostile intent, hostile solution generation, and positive outcome expectancies for aggression). We tested the dual-mediation model with structural equation modeling and found it to be a good fit to the data. Results were consistent with the view that parenting affects children's goal orientation and that children's goal orientation affects their behavior via online processing in social situations.
A low-mass cut-off near the hydrogen burning limit for Salpeter-like initial mass functions in early-type galaxies

We conduct a detailed investigation of the properties of the stellar initial mass function (IMF) in two massive early-type lens galaxies with velocity dispersions of sigma similar or equal to 245 and 325 km s(-1), for which both Hubble Space Telescope imaging and X-Shooter spectra are available. We compare the inferences obtained from two fully independent methods: (i) a combined gravitational lensing and stellar dynamics (L&D) analysis of the data sets employing self-consistent axisymmetric models and (ii) a spectroscopic simple stellar population (SSP) analysis of optical line-strength indices, assuming single power-law IMFs. The results from the two approaches are found to be in agreement within the 1 sigma uncertainties. Both galaxies are consistent with having a Salpeter IMF (power-law slope of x = 2.35), which is strongly favoured over a Chabrier IMF (x = 1.8), with probabilities inferred from the joint analysis of 89 and 99 per cent, respectively. Bottom-heavy IMFs significantly steeper than Salpeter (x >= 3.0) are ruled out with decisive evidence (Bayes factor B > 1000) for both galaxies, as they exceed the total mass derived from the L&D constraints. Our analysis allows, for the first time, the inference of the low-mass cut-off of the IMF (M-low). Combining the joint L&D and SSP analyses of both galaxies, we infer an IMF slope of x = 2.22 +/- 0.14, consistent with Salpeter IMF and a low-mass limit M-low = 0.13 +/- 0.03 M-circle dot, just above the hydrogen burning limit.
A Review of Asthma and Scuba Diving

An increasing number of asthmatics participate in recreational scuba diving. This activity presents unique physical and physiological challenges to the respiratory system. This review addresses the susceptibility of divers with asthma to diving accidents, acute asthmatic attacks, and long-term exacerbation of their disease. Recommendations on fitness to dive with asthma and airway hyperresponsiveness are provided.
Renal Artery Stenosis in Transplant Patients

Although hypertension appears not infrequently among recipients of kidney transplants, renal artery stenosis is relatively rare as a causative factor. A 23-year experience of patients receiving kidney grafts at the Brigham and Women's Hospital was reviewed to ascertain the incidence of renal artery stenosis and its surgical management. Risk factors leading to the condition and selection of patients for operation are emphasized. The incidence of arterial stenosis severe enough to require operation was 2.7% of 914 kidney transplants; the overall incidence in these patients is unknown, although operated patients comprise about one-half of those undergoing arteriography to diagnose hypertension. The mean time for development of the condition was 21.4 months from date of engraftment. A successful outcome as measured by fall in blood pressure and/or serum creatinine was achieved in 14 of 21 patients (67%) in whom surgical repair of the effected artery was undertaken. Reparative surgery was unsuccessful in seven patients, although hypertension was improved in one of these individuals following transplant nephrectomy. Surgery was never undertaken in four patients because of chronic rejection noted on biopsy. There was no mortality. Operative repair should be offered to patients with renal artery stenosis leading to unmanageable hypertension or renal dysfunction, but withheld from those with documented chronic rejection regardless of major arterial compromise.
New Information on the Cranial Morphology of Avimimus (Theropoda: Oviraptorosauria)

ABSTRACT The cranial morphology of the oviraptorosaurian Avimimus portentosus is described based on a new specimen, one that includes bones such as the nasal and the jugal, which had not been available or only incompletely preserved previously. The left and right nasals are fused together as in oviraptorids. Morphology of the jugal, which is not fused with the quadratojugal, and the postorbital indicate that the infratemporal fenestra is completely separate from the orbit, not confluent with the latter, as inferred previously. The left and right dentaries are fused together without a trace of suture. Such newly available information indicates that the skull of Avimimus is not as ‘avian’-like as inferred in previous studies. Rather, it shows a mixture of plesiomorphic and derived character states observed in Oviraptorosauria, consistent with an intermediate phylogenetic position of this dinosaur between Early Cretaceous basal oviraptorosaurians and the diverse clade of Caenagnathoidea.
Zero Sets for Spaces of Analytic Functions

We show that under mild conditions, a Gaussian analytic function $\boldsymbol F$ that a.s. does not belong to a given weighted Bergman space or Bargmann-Fock space has the property that a.s. no non-zero function in that space vanishes where $\boldsymbol F$ does. This establishes a conjecture of Shapiro (1979) on Bergman spaces and allows us to resolve a question of Zhu (1993) on Bargmann-Fock spaces. We also give a similar result on the union of two (or more) such zero sets, thereby establishing another conjecture of Shapiro (1979) on Bergman spaces and allowing us to strengthen a result of Zhu (1993) on Bargmann-Fock spaces.
Home visits by commissioned welfare volunteers and psychological distress: a population‐based study of 11,312 community‐dwelling older people in Japan

Novel countermeasures to increase healthcare expenditures should be explored in rapidly aging societies, including Japan. Social support is a resource for the older people that effectively reduces psychological distress, with or without specialized health service provision. This cross‐sectional study was conducted to determine whether home visits by commissioned welfare volunteers (organizations of community residents assigned by national or local governments) are associated with a lower risk of psychological distress among the older people.
Age-Associated Changes in Hearts of Male Fischer 344 / Brown Norway F 1 Rats

Aging is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, dilatation, and fibrosis of the heart. The Fischer 344/Brown Norway F1 (F344/BNF1) rat is recommended for age-related studies by the National Institutes on Aging because this hybrid rat lives longer and has a lower rate of pathological conditions than inbred rats. However, little is known about age-associated changes in cardiac and aortic function and structure in this model. This study evaluated age-related cardiac changes in male F344/BNF1 rats using ECHO, gross, and microscopic examinations. Rats aged 6-, 30-, and 36-mo were anesthetized and twodimensional ECHO measurements, two-dimensional guided M-mode, Doppler M-mode, and other recordings from parasternal longand short-axis views were obtained using a Phillips 5500 ECHO system with a 12 megahertz transducer. Hearts and aortas from sacrificed rats were evaluated grossly and microscopically. The ECHO studies revealed persistent cardiac arrhythmias (chiefly PVCs) in 72% (13/18) of 36-mo rats, 10% (1/10) of 30-mo rats, and none in 6-mo rats (0/16). Gross and microscopic studies showed left ventricular (LV) dilatation, borderline to mild hypertrophy, and areas of fibrosis that were common in 36-mo rats, less evident in 30-mo rats, and absent in 6-mo rats. Aging was associated with mild to moderate decreases of LV diastolic and systolic function. Thus, male F344/BN F1 rats demonstrated progressive age-related (a) decline in cardiac function (diastolic and systolic indices), (b) LV structural changes (chamber dimensions, volumes, and wall thicknesses), and (c) persistent arrhythmias. These changes are consistent with those in humans. The noninvasive ECHO technique offers a means to monitor serial age-related cardiac failure and therapeutic responses in the same rats over designated time intervals.
AMR 1 , an Arabidopsis Gene That Coordinately and Negatively Regulates the Mannose / L-Galactose Ascorbic Acid Biosynthetic Pathway 1 [ OA ]

Ascorbic acid (AsA) biosynthesis in plants occurs through a complex, interconnected network with mannose (Man), myoinositol, and galacturonic acid as principal entry points. Regulation within and between pathways in the network is largely uncharacterized. A gene that regulates the Man/L-galactose (L-Gal) AsA pathway, AMR1 (for ascorbic acid mannose pathway regulator 1), was identified in an activation-tagged Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ozone-sensitive mutant that had 60% less leaf AsA than wild-type plants. In contrast, two independent T-DNA knockout lines disrupting AMR1 accumulated 2to 3-fold greater foliar AsA and were more ozone tolerant than wild-type controls. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of steady-state transcripts of genes involved in AsA biosynthesis showed that AMR1 negatively affected the expression of GDP-Man pyrophosphorylase, GDP-L-Gal phosphorylase, L-Gal-1-phosphate phosphatase, GDP-Man-3#,5#epimerase, L-Gal dehydrogenase, and L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase, early and late enzymes of the Man/L-Gal pathway to AsA. AMR1 expression appears to be developmentally and environmentally controlled. As leaves aged, AMR1 transcripts accumulated with a concomitant decrease in AsA. AMR1 transcripts also decreased with increased light intensity. Thus, AMR1 appears to play an important role in modulating AsA levels in Arabidopsis by regulating the expression of major pathway genes in response to developmental and environmental cues.
Insulin Prevention of Altered Muscarinic Receptor–G Protein Coupling in Diabetic Rat Atria

Right atria from rats rendered diabetic by injection of streptozocin (STZ-D) for 8–10 wk are supersensitive to the negative chronotropic effects of muscarinic agonists but have decreased levels of muscarinic receptors and acetylcholinesterase activity. Insulin treatment completely prevents the development of these changes. The proportion of atrial muscarinic receptors displaying high-affinity agonist binding is lower in STZ-D rats; however, the sensitivity of high-affinity agonist binding to regulation by a guanine nucleotide (5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate) is greater in atria from diabetic rats. Again, insulin treatment eliminates these differences. These findings indicate that alterations in atrial muscarinic systems in STZ-D rats are a consequence of the elaboration of the diabetic state and suggest that an alteration of functional muscarinic receptor–G protein coupling contributes to the altered physiological responsiveness of the heart in diabetes.