Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DNA uptake sequences in Helicobacter pylori.

Most of us feel, from time to time, that other authors have not acknowledged the work of our own or other groups or have omitted to interpret important aspects of their own data. Perhaps we have observations that, although not sufficient to merit a full paper, add a further dimension to one published by others. In other instances we may have a useful piece of methodology that we would like to share.
Type 2 diabetes patients educated by other patients perform at least as well as patients trained by professionals

Diabetes education can improve the quality of care of people with diabetes, but many organizations are not equipped to manage its implementation. Involving people with diabetes in the education process can overcome the problem. Thus, we compared clinical, metabolic and psychological outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes 1 year after attending a structured diabetes education programme implemented by professional educators versus the same programme implemented by trained peers with diabetes that also provided ongoing peer support.
An interleukin-1 receptor antagonist blocks lipopolysaccharide-induced colony-stimulating factor production and early endotoxin tolerance

In this report, administration of a recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein to mice was found to inhibit induction of colony-stimulating factor as well as induction of early endotoxin tolerance by lipopolysaccharide. These findings provide direct evidence that interleukin-1 is an intermediate in these two lipopolysaccharide-induced phenomena.
Total body fat percentage and body mass index and the association with lower extremity injuries in children: a 2.5-year longitudinal study

Background Overweight youths are generally recognised as being at increased risk of sustaining lower extremity injuries in sports. However, previous studies are inconclusive and choices for measuring overweight are manifold. Objective To examine two different measures of overweight, body mass index (BMI) and total body fat percentage (TBF%), as risk factors for lower limb injuries in a school-based cohort. Study design A longitudinal cohort study. Methods A total of 632 school children, baseline age 7.7–12.0 years, were investigated. Whole body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans provided measures of TBF%. Measures of BMI were obtained by standard anthropometric methods. Musculoskeletal complaints were reported by parents answering weekly mobile phone text messages during 2.5 years. Injuries were diagnosed by clinicians. Leisure time sports participation was reported weekly using text messaging. Results During 2.5 years of follow-up, 673 lower extremity injuries were diagnosed. Children being overweight by both BMI and TBF% showed the highest risk of sustaining lower extremity injuries (IRR 1.38 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.81)). Children who were overweight using BMI and TBF% showed the highest risk of sustaining lower extremity injuries (IRR 1.38 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.81)). Conclusions The risk of lower extremity injuries appeared to be increased for overweight children. When comparing two different measures of overweight, overweight by TBF% is a higher risk factor than overweight by BMI. This suggests that a high proportion of adiposity is more predictive of lower extremity injuries, possibly due to a lower proportion of lean muscle mass.
Validation of an Objective Scoring System for Forme Fruste Keratoconus Detection and Post-LASIK Ectasia Risk Assessment in Asian Eyes

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of the SCORE Analyzer (Bausch+Lomb TechnoLas, Germany) in detecting forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC) in Asian eyes and validate its usefulness as a risk assessment system for post–laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) keratectasia. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated corneal topographies with the Orbscan IIz system and independently tested them with the SCORE Analyzer through masked investigators. Eyes were classified into 2 groups: (1) The FFKC group included clinically and topographically normal eyes with definite keratoconus in the contralateral eye. (2) The control group included normal preoperative topographies of patients with LASIK performed at least 4 years before with no resultant keratectasia. The main outcome measures were accuracy indicators: sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values. Parameters in the calculation of the SCORE including irregularity at 3 mm, thinnest pachymetry, the difference between central and thinnest pachymetry (CP − TP), vertical decentration of the thinnest point, maximum posterior elevation, and anterior elevation of the thinnest point were compared in both groups. Results: We analyzed 128 Orbscans of 128 Asian patients. There were 24 FFKC eyes and 104 control eyes. SCORE was negative in 7 eyes (false negative) in the FFKC group and was positive in 2 eyes in the control group (false positive). The sensitivity was 70.8%, specificity 98.1%, positive predictive value 89.5%, and negative predictive value 93.6%. Irregularity at 3 mm, thinnest pachymetry, CP − TP, thinnest point decentration, maximum posterior elevation, and anterior elevation of the thinnest point were significantly different in both groups. Conclusions: The SCORE Analyzer algorithm, developed and validated in eyes of white subjects, was found to be valid and consistent in Asian eyes, showing good sensitivity and specificity in FFKC detection, and to be useful in objectively identifying cases at risk of post-LASIK keratectasia.
Assessing Muscular Strength in Youth: Usefulness of Standing Long Jump as a General Index of Muscular Fitness

Castro-Piñero, J, Ortega, FB, Artero, EG, Girela-Rejón, MJ, Mora, J, Sjöström, M, and Ruiz, JR. Assessing muscular strength in youth: usefulness of standing long jump as a general index of muscular fitness. J Strength Cond Res 24(7): 1810-1817, 2010-The purpose of the present study was to examine the association among different measures of lower body muscular strength in children, and the association between measures of lower- and upper-body muscular strength. The study population comprises 94 (45 girls) healthy Caucasian children aged 6-17 years. Children performed several lower body explosive muscular strength tests (i.e., standing long jump [SLJ], vertical jump, squat jump, and countermovement jump) and upper body muscular strength tests (i.e., throw basketball, push-ups, and isometric strength exercises). The association among the study tests was analyzed by multiple regression. The SLJ was strongly associated with other lower body muscular strength tests (R2 = 0.829-0.864), and with upper body muscular strength tests (R2 = 0.694-0.851). The SLJ test might be therefore considered a general index of muscular fitness in youth. The SLJ test is practical, time efficient, and low in cost and equipment requirements.
Magnetic signature of indoor air pollution: Household dust study

The combination of magnetic and geochemical methods was used to determine the mineralogy, grain size and domain structure of magnetic particles in indoor dust collected in 195 sites in Warsaw, Poland. Data show an asymmetric distribution of magnetic susceptibility (χ) in the wide range of 20–1514 × 10−8 m3 kg−1. Comparison of magnetic parameters shows that the internal dust contains outside pollution characteristic for air and soil. More than 90% of indoor dust samples were characterized by roughly uniform magnetic mineralogy, typical for fine grained magnetite (diameter of 0.2–5 μm), and grain size between pseudo-single-domain and small multi-domain with small contribution of superpara-magnetic particles (∼10%). Samples with χ larger than 220 × 10−8 m3 kg−1 contain mainly magnetite and an anthropogenic metallic Fe with TC > 700°C. The indoor dust contains, characteristic for the urban areas, spherical magnetic particles originated from fossil fuel combustion processes and mixture of irregular angular iron-oxides grains containing other elements, including Na, Ca, Al, Si, K, S, Mn, Cl, and Mg.
Distribution and light microscopic features of granule cells in the cochlear nuclei of cat, rat, and mouse

In the present study the cytology and the topography of the cochlear granule cell domain (a comprehensive term introduced here for all granule cell‐containing regions of the cochlear nuclear complex) have been studied light microscopically in Nissl, Bielschowsky, and Golgi‐Del Rio‐Hortega material of cats, rats, and mice; in Golgi rapid material of 0–14‐day‐old kittens; and in sections of 6‐week‐old kittens following HRP injections in the superficial dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). The domain has been parcellated in seven subdivisions which, in spite of some species' differences, are easily identifiable in all of the included animals. The cochlear granule cells are considered as a particular class of neuron, which is slightly different from, but nevertheless principally similar to the cerebellar granule cells in both shape and mode of neuronal connections. The digitiform terminals of the cochlear granule cells differentiate after the first two weeks of extrauterine life. In several respects these cells show larger variation among species than do the cerebellar granules, the similarity between the two classes of granule cells being most conspicuous in the rodent. The silver, Golgi rapid, and HRP material suggest that all, or at least the majority, of the granule cell axons project to the molecular layer of the DCN, forming parallel fibers similar to those of the cerebellar cortex. Also, the cochlear parallel fibers traverse the spiny apical dendrites of principal neurons (the pyramidal cells) and the smoother dendrites of molecular layer stellate cells.
On the apparent permeability of porous media in rarefied gas flows

The apparent gas permeability of a porous medium is an important parameter in the prediction of unconventional gas production, which was first investigated systematically by Klinkenberg in 1941 and found to increase with the reciprocal mean gas pressure (or equivalently, the Knudsen number). Although the underlying rarefaction effects are well known, the reason that the correction factor in Klinkenberg’s famous equation decreases when the Knudsen number increases has not been fully understood. Most of the studies idealize the porous medium as a bundle of straight cylindrical tubes; however, according to the gas kinetic theory, this only results in an increase of the correction factor with the Knudsen number, which clearly contradicts Klinkenberg’s experimental observations. Here, by solving the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook equation in simplified (but not simple) porous media, we identify, for the first time, two key factors that can explain Klinkenberg’s experimental results: the tortuous flow path and the non-unitary tangential momentum accommodation coefficient for the gas–surface interaction. Moreover, we find that Klinkenberg’s results can only be observed when the ratio between the apparent and intrinsic permeabilities is ${\lesssim}30$ ; at large ratios (or Knudsen numbers) the correction factor increases with the Knudsen number. Our numerical results could also serve as benchmarking cases to assess the accuracy of macroscopic models and/or numerical schemes for the modelling/simulation of rarefied gas flows in complex geometries over a wide range of gas rarefaction. Specifically, we point out that the Navier–Stokes equations with the first-order velocity-slip boundary condition are often misused to predict the apparent gas permeability of the porous medium; that is, any nonlinear dependence of the apparent gas permeability with the Knudsen number, predicted from the Navier–Stokes equations, is not reliable. Worse still, for some types of gas–surface interactions, even the ‘filtered’ linear dependence of the apparent gas permeability with the Knudsen number is of no practical use since, compared to the numerical solution of the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook equation, it is only accurate when the ratio between the apparent and intrinsic permeabilities is ${\lesssim}1.5$ .
The effective slip length and vortex formation in laminar flow over a rough surface

The flow of viscous incompressible fluid over a periodically corrugated surface is investigated numerically by solving the Navier-Stokes equation with the local slip and no-slip boundary conditions. We consider the effective slip length which is defined with respect to the level of the mean height of the surface roughness. With increasing corrugation amplitude the effective no-slip boundary plane is shifted towards the bulk of the fluid, which implies a negative effective slip length. The analysis of the wall shear stress indicates that a flow circulation is developed in the grooves of the rough surface provided that the local boundary condition is no-slip. By applying a local slip boundary condition, the center of the vortex is displaced towards the bottom the grooves and the effective slip length increases. When the intrinsic slip length is larger than the corrugation amplitude, the flow streamlines near the surface are deformed to follow the boundary curvature, the vortex vanishes, and the effective slip length saturates to a constant value. Inertial effects promote vortex flow formation in the grooves and reduce the effective slip length.
Skippy

We introduce Skippy, a novel algorithm for 3D interactive curve modeling from a single view. While positing curves in space can be a tedious task, our rapid sketching algorithm allows users to draw curves in and around existing geometry in a controllable manner. The key insight behind our system is to automatically infer the 3D curve coordinates by enumerating a large set of potential curve trajectories. More specifically, we partition 2D strokes into continuous segments that land both on and off the geometry, duplicating segments that could be placed in front or behind, to form a directed graph. We use distance fields to estimate 3D coordinates for our curve segments and solve for an optimally smooth path that follows the curvature of the scene geometry while avoiding intersections. Using our curve design framework we present a collection of novel editing operations allowing artists to rapidly explore and refine the combinatorial space of solutions. Furthermore, we include the quick placement of transient geometry to aid in guiding the 3D curve. Finally we demonstrate our interactive design curve system on a variety of applications including geometric modeling, and camera motion path planning.
Laser Capture Microdissection with Genome-Wide Expression Profiling Displayed Gene Expression Signatures in Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer

This research determined genes contributing to the pathogenesis of endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). Eight pairs of microdissected EEC samples matched with normal glandular epithelium were analyzed using microarray. Unsupervised analysis identified 162 transcripts (58 up- and 104 down-regulated) that were differentially expressed (p < .01, fold change ≥ 1.5) between both groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) validated the genes of interest: SLC7A5, SATB1, H19, and ZAK (p < .05). Pathway analysis revealed genes involved in acid amino transport, translation, and chromatin remodeling (p < .05). Laser capture microdissection (LCM) followed by microarray enabled precise assessment of homogeneous cell population and identified putative genes for endometrial carcinogenesis.
Method Errors Recorded by Inexperienced Operators of the Reflex Microscope

The Reflex Microscope has become a standard instrument for the precision measurement of orthodontic record models. In this study, 31 individuals with no previous experience of the microscope were assessed for their precision at identifying well defined landmarks. Considerable initial variation existed in the precision of landmark identification, but despite only a limited training period, some of the novices tested achieved a high standard of precision. Mean errors were greatest in the z axis, i.e. along the axis of the eye, and astigmatism was common amongst those recording the greatest errors in this axis. A group of individuals who performed poorly initially, were retested after additional training and practice with the microscope. Method errors were significantly reduced for the majority of those retested, but the test apparatus identified two individuals for whom further measurement with the microscope would be inadvisable.
Study on the Link between Lead Exposure and Hematological, Psychological, and Memorial Parameters in Automobile Repair Workers

In the surrounding environment, lead (Pb) can be released by repairing some parts of automobile engine and radiators repair works. Lead is very well-known as a neurotoxicant as some links exist between blood lead level (BLL) and neurological outcomes. This cross sectional study was performed on 35 male workers who were 23 - 40 and worked in an automobile repair shop located in an industrial part of Tehran. Clinical evidences were recorded by a questionnaire. Subjects had given their blood samples between 7 and 8 a.m. before going to work. The levels of hematological parameters were measured and the amount of lead in plasma samples was determined by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The Iranian versions of mood state and Wechsler memory questionnaire were applied in order to evaluate mood and memory impairment. The association between variables was studied using Pearson correlation coefficient. A positive correlation was seen between workers’ history on one side and, urinary frequency and restlessness on the other side. There was not any meaningful relationship between worker history, blood parameters, and mood state. A negative meaningful relationship existed between the workers’ history and visual memory. Also a positive significant relationship was observed between BLL and epigastric pain and there was a negative relationship between BLL and repeat number. There was not a significant relationship between BLL, blood parameters, and mood state as well. It was concluded that work practices in the automobile repair shop seemed to increase the body burden of lead and may pose a health risk to the workers.
Role of stimulated neutrophils from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in disturbed immunoreactivity, with special reference to increased oxygen intermediates generated by the neutrophils.

Zymosan-stimulated neutrophils from 6 patients with untreated, active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), from patients with bacterial infections, and from healthy controls, were studied for production of oxygen intermediates (O-2, H2O2, OH . and chemiluminescence) and lysosomal enzymes. Oxygen intermediate production was highest in neutrophils from active SLE patients, while lysosomal enzyme release was highest in neutrophils from patients with bacterial infections. SLE neutrophils, upon culture with autologous or normal lymphocytes, markedly reduced the number of surviving OKT4+ cells and the proliferative response of the surviving cells to mitogens; a reduction was also observed amongst the surviving lymphocytes in the proportion of total T cells and OKT8+ cells, and in the generation of Con A induced suppressor activity. When superoxide dismutase and catalase were included in the neutrophil-lymphocyte co-cultures, the number of T- and OKT8+ cells, and the suppressor activity were restored but not completely (60-75%), the lymphocyte mitogenic response and number of OKT4+ cells were less well restored (40-50%). When lymphocytes were co-cultured with neutrophils from healthy or infected subjects, there was a mild decrease in mitogenic responses and OKT4+ cells, while the suppressor T-cell activity was markedly enhanced. These results were not affected by scavengers. These results suggest that in SLE, reduced T-lymphocyte subpopulations and altered immunoreactivity may be partially due to excessive production of oxygen intermediates and probably other factors by stimulated neutrophils; these results further suggest that in all the subjects, diseased or healthy, neutrophils generate unidentified factors other than oxygen intermediates that reduce the generation of OKT4+ cells and lymphocyte mitogenic responses, and that potentiate suppressor T-cell activity.
Relations Between Parental Psychological Control and Childhood Relational Aggression: Reciprocal in Nature?

Using a cross-lagged panel design, this study examined the directionality of relations between parental psychological control and child relational aggression. Data were collected from a proportionally stratified sample of 600 Flemish 8- to 10-year-old children at 3 measurement points with 1-year intervals. Reciprocal effects were evident in mother–child dyads. Maternal psychological control was positively related to child relational aggression 1 year later, and child relational aggression was positively related to maternal psychological control 1 year later. The father–child dyads were best represented by unidirectional parent effects. Paternal psychological control was positively related to child relational aggression 1 year later. Surprisingly, these effects emerged only for relational aggression as indexed by mother and father reports and not for relational aggression as indexed by teacher and peer measures.
Where’s the Mirror Principle?

The observation that morphological structure mirrors the derivation of associated syntactic operations (the Mirror Principle of Baker 1985) needs to be built into linguistic theory. This paper argues against a syntactic explanation of the Mirror Principle, that is, against assuming that morphological structure is the product of a syntactic derivation. Instead, it assumes that all morpheme combinations take place in the lexicon and explains the Mirror Principle by including some syntactic information in the lexical entries of affixes
Interview and translation strategies: coping with multilingual settings and data

Central Eastern Europe, the research area this paper is concerned with, is a region characterized by a high diversity of languages and cultures. It is, at the same time, an area where political, cultural and social conflicts have emerged over time, nowadays especially in border zones, where people of different ethnic, cultural or linguistic background live. In this context, it is important for us researchers to get balanced interview data, and consequently we very often have to conduct interviews in several different languages and within changing cultural contexts. In order to avoid "communication problems" or even conflictual (interview) situations, which might damage the outcome of the research, we are thus challenged to find appropriate communication strategies for any of these situations. This is especially difficult when we are confronted with language or culture-specific terminology or taboo expressions that carry political meaning(s). Once the interview data is collected and it comes to translating and analysing it, we face further challenges and new questions arise. First of all, we have to decide what a good translation strategy would be. Many words and phrases that exist in one language do not have an exact equivalent in another. Therefore we have to find a solution for translating these expressions and concepts in a way that their meanings do not get "lost by translation". In this paper I discuss and provide insights to these challenges by presenting and discussing numerous examples from the region in question. Specifically, I focus on the deconstruction of the meaning of geographical names and politically loaded expressions in order to show the sensitivities of language, the difficulties of research in multilingual settings and with multilingual data as well as the strategies or "ways out" of certain dilemmas.