Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in glucose turnover parameters and improvement of glucose oxidation after 4-week magnesium administration in elderly noninsulin-dependent (type II) diabetic patients.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of magnesium supplementation on glucose uptake and substrate oxidation in noninsulin-dependent (type II) diabetic patients. Nine elderly non-obese noninsulin-dependent (type II) diabetic patients, treated by diet only, participated in the study, which was designed as randomized, double blind, and cross-over. Each patient was followed up for a prestudy period of 3 weeks before inviting him/her to receive placebo or magnesium supplementation (15.8 mmol/day) for 4 weeks. At the end of each treatment period, a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp with simultaneous D-[3-3H]glucose infusion and indirect calorimetry was performed. Magnesium supplementation resulted in significantly increased plasma and erythrocyte magnesium levels, whereas body weight and fasting plasma glucose did not change. In the last 60 min of the glucose clamp, insulin-mediated glucose disappearance, total body glucose disposal (24.5 +/- 0.4 vs. 28.2 +/- 0.7 mumol/kg.min; P < 0.005), and glucose oxidation (13.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 16.3 +/- 0.8 mumol/kg.min; P < 0.01) were increased after chronic magnesium supplementation. Endogenous glucose production, nonoxidative glucose disposal, lipid and protein oxidation, and insulin MCR were not affected. In conclusion, a 4-week magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity and glucose oxidation in the course of a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp in noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients. Long term studies are needed to determine whether magnesium supplementation is useful in the management of type II diabetes.
“Couchsurfing has made me a better person and the world a better place”: the transformative power of collaborative tourism experiences

ABSTRACT Presented as an alternative form of tourism, Couchsurfing is a predominantly non-commercial accommodation type where hosts offer a “couch” to travelers through a hospitality network. Couchsurfing.com is considered as an icon of the sharing economy and more specifically of shareable tourism. This article provides a deeper understanding of couchsurfers’ motivations and shared values. Through an empirical qualitative study, we discuss the transformative power of Couchsurfing experiences, the underlying transformational processes, conditions, and socio-psychological and behavioral consequences. We also discuss the findings’ implications for society, businesses, and tourism in general.
Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder With Second Generation Antipsychotics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Most individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) fail to achieve remission despite standard treatments. As a result, we examined the efficacy and tolerability of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) as (a) augmentation or (b) monotherapy for GAD. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, controlled trials databases, and the abstracts of scientific meetings for all trials of GAD treatment with SGAs in adults. Randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trials examining SGA augmentation and monotherapy were meta-analyzed. Five augmentation studies containing 912 adults with refractory GAD indicated that SGA augmentation was not more likely to produce clinical response or remission than placebo and was associated with an increased risk of all-cause discontinuation (relative risk [RR] = 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.96). There was no difference in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale on change from baseline or weight gain between groups. Four SGA monotherapy studies containing 1383 patients with GAD indicated that treatment with 150 mg of quetiapine was more likely to lead to a clinical response (RR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.20-1.44), remission (RR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.23-1.68), and a greater decrease in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score (−3.66; 95% CI, −5.13 to −2.19) than placebo. However, an increased risk of all-cause discontinuation (RR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.09-1.54) and weight gain (2.2 lb; 95% CI, 1.16-3.24) was observed. Existing data suggest that SGAs are not superior to placebo as augmentation for refractory GAD. Quetiapine monotherapy is more efficacious than placebo for uncomplicated GAD, but issues with adverse effects and tolerability may limit its use.
Birth Weight Rather Than Maternal Nutrition Influences Glucose Tolerance, Blood Pressure, and IGF-I Levels in Sheep

Both small size at birth in humans and maternal undernutrition in experimental animals are associated with impaired glucose tolerance and increased blood pressure in the adult offspring. However it is not clear whether maternal undernutrition in late gestation can influence postnatal phenotype, and whether this might occur independent of size at birth. We severely undernourished pregnant ewes for 10 d (UN10) or 20 d (UN20) from 105 d gestation (term = 146 d) and studied the offspring in comparison to those born to ad libitum fed ewes (AL20). Glucose tolerance tests and blood pressure recordings were performed at 5 mo of age and repeated at 30 mo together with insulin tolerance tests and GH challenges. UN20 lambs were lighter at birth (UN20, 4.9 ± 0.1 kg, n = 23; UN10, 5.3 ± 0.1 kg, n = 26; AL20, 5.6 ± 0.2 kg, n = 26) but not from weaning onward. Plasma glucose area under the curve at 5 mo and plasma insulin at 30 mo increased with current weight and decreased with increasing birth weight. Blood pressure also increased with current weight and decreased with increasing birth weight at 5 but not 30 mo. Plasma IGF-I concentrations increased with current weight at all ages and decreased with increasing birth weight at 30 mo. Plasma insulin response to GH challenge increased with current weight. Nutrition group was not related to any of the outcomes measured when birth weight and current weight were taken into account. These data suggest that size at birth is more closely related to processes that determine postnatal phenotype than is maternal nutrition in late gestation.
Relationship between oxidative stress, ferritin and insulin resistance in sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary hemoglobinopathy characterized by hemolytic anemia. The oxidative phenomena play a significant role in its pathophysiology. Blood transfusions are a therapeutic mainstay in SCD and repeated transfusions can result in iron overload. There is little direct information available to confirm the correlation between the oxidative stress, iron overload and insulin resistance in SCD patients. OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between iron overload, the disorders of antioxidants and insulin levels in blood of SCD patients and their matched controls. METHODS The antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), as well as the malondialdehyde (MDA, the membrane lipid peroxidation products) and carbonyl contents (the oxidative products of proteins) were estimated spectrophotometrically in erythrocytes of patients and control subjects of matched sex and ages. In addition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), ferritin and insulin levels were estimated in the sera of the same subjects. RESULTS The mean activity values of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px were significantly decreased, whereas the average values of MDA and carbonyl contents were significantly increased in erythrocytes of SCD patients in comparison to the corresponding values of the control subjects. The average levels of FBS, ferritin, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly elevated in the sera of SCD patients as compared to the controls. In addition, both serum ferritin, and oxidative products (expressed as MDA and carbonyl levels) were significantly correlated with blood glucose, insulin level, and HOMA-IR. CONCLUSION These findings may explain the role of elevated ferritin and oxidative products (i.e. MDA & carbonyl contents) in the development of insulin resistance and high glucose levels in SCD patients.
Risk Assessment and Spurious Seasonality

To determine the appropriate level of risk capital financial institutions are required to empirically estimate and predict specific risk measures. Although regulation commonly prescribes the forecasting horizon and the frequency with which risk assessments have to be reported, the scheme with which the underlying data are sampled typically remains unspecified. We show that, given assessment frequency and forecasting horizon, the choice of the sampling scheme can greatly affect the results of risk assessment procedures. Specifically, sequences of variance estimates are prone to exhibit spurious seasonality when the assessment frequency is higher than the sampling frequency of non-overlapping return data. We derive the autocorrelation function of such sequences for a general class of weak white noise processes and for a general class of variance estimators. To overcome the problem of spurious seasonality, we present a boundary-corrected exponentially-weighted moving-average version of the two-scales variance estimator introduced in the realized-volatility literature.
Adhesion measurements on the attachment devices of the jumping spider Evarcha arcuata

SUMMARY The feet of the jumping spider Evarcha arcuata attach to rough substrates using tarsal claws. On smooth surfaces, however, attachment is achieved by means of a claw tuft, the scopula. All eight feet bear a tarsal scopula, which is equipped with setae, these again being covered by numerous setules. In E. arcuata, an estimated 624 000 setules, with a mean contact area of 1.7×105 nm2, are present. The spider's entire contact area thus totals 1.06×1011 nm2. Adhesion to the substrate does not depend on the secretion of an adhesive fluid. Analysis via atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that a single setule can produce an adhesive force (Fa) of 38.12 nN perpendicular to a surface. Consequently, at a total Fa of 2.38×10–2 N and a mean body mass of 15.1 mg, a safety factor (SF; Fa/Fm, where Fm is weight) of 160 is achieved. Tenacity (τn; Fa/A, where A is area of contact) amounts to 2.24×105 N m-2.
Partnership with Malawian Farmers to Develop Organic Matter Technologies

One of the biggest challenges in the tropics is to develop organic matter technologies (OMT) which increase production, reduce risk and are taken up by farmers. An interdisciplinary team of researchers, extension staff and farmers addressed this challenge in southern Malawi. Two watersheds were identified as the primary unit of research, extension and development to test OMTs. This landscape-based approach provided the platform for interdisciplinary research and farmer-participatory, community based assessment of OMTs. The on-going process involves testing a menu of farmers' OMT recommendations and closely linked process research conducted in the field. The OMT with promise in the maize-dominated cropping system of the watersheds was relay intercropping of agroforestry species (Sesbania sesban and Tephrosia vogelii). Evaluation of OMT performance involved farmer assessment and biological evaluation. Farmer participatory methods included village group and individual semi-structured questionnaires, linear transect walks, and farmer-managed, researcher-designed trials. Biology included monitoring cropping system production, linked with soil nitrogen dynamics and watershed nutrient budgets to assess sustainability of OMTs. Nutrient budgets indicated that system productivity can be enhanced almost two-fold by addition of 30 N kg/ha N as an organic or inorganic source, and nutrient losses will be lowest with a combined OMT plus inorganic fertilizer technology. The poorest farmers with access to small, infertile fields tended to have sandy soils with low nitrate levels and limited growth of Sesbania. This reduced the benefit from relay OMT systems. These farmers may be candidates for more intensive use of grain legume intercrops and rotations, as benefits from the grain are needed by these food-insecure households, and will complement soil fertility amelioration.
A registry‐based, case–control investigation of Parkinson's disease with and without cognitive impairment

In approximately 40% of the patients, Parkinson's disease (PD) is complicated by cognitive impairment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of cognitive impairment on disease severity and motor function in idiopathic PD patients. Forty‐one PD patients with cognitive impairment (PD‐CI) (Mini‐Mental State Examination ≤24) and 41 PD patients without cognitive impairment (PD‐Control) matched for age at onset and duration of the disease were examined using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). PD patients with cognitive impairment had overall poorer motor function, worse rigidity (both axial and limb) and bradykinesia, as well as worse performance in activities of daily living compared with matched PD patients without cognitive impairment. This could either be attributed to a direct effect of cognitive impairment on parkinsonian symptoms or to decreased compliance of patients during clinical examination. PD patients should be routinely and carefully screened for dementia and caregivers should be aware of the effect of dementia on PD.
Designing a social work online self-coaching program: Integrated support and joint ownership

Abstract The paper explores critical success factors (CSFs) in relation to the support structure for an online self-coaching pilot project, by the Centre for Innovative Education and Communication Technologies of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa, in collaboration with UWC’s Social Work Department and the University of South Africa (Unisa). The CSFs focus on concepts of structure and agency. The research study is primarily qualitative but employs supporting quantitative data, and entails an interpretivist approach. The researchers highlight unfolding processes which led to an Instructional Designer (ID) taking on the role of an e-Coach within the pilot study. The importance of the creation of a well-designed environment to strengthen partnerships, and an effective learning pathway for student development is deliberated. The importance of the selection of appropriate eTools is emphasized in order to promote students’ personal learning and eSkills. Moreover, the pilot project is aligned to national imperatives within a South African context, namely student “access” and “success”. We recommend the expansion of online self-coaching programs to social work students to assist with their self-development and growth.
Revisiting the Employment Effects of Minimum Wages in Europe

Abstract The aim of this study is to estimate the relationship between the minimum wage and the employment rate of young individuals, taking into account potential non-linearity. In a cross-country setup of European countries, we find a significant nonlinear relationship between the minimum wages and employment rate of young individuals. Theoretically, while low minimum wages can indeed be positively associated with employment, after a certain level of the minimum wage, the relationship turns negative. This implies that there is an optimal level of minimum wages that maximizes the employment rate of young individuals. We additionally show that the negative relationship between minimum wages and employment of young workers is stronger if labor markets are otherwise strictly regulated and when workers are relatively unproductive. Using these results, we are able to calculate country-specific turning points and show that some European countries in our sample might in fact contribute to high unemployment rates among young individuals by setting minimum wages too high. However, in other European countries, especially the Eastern European countries, an increase in minimum wages (up to a certain level) might even lead to higher employment rates of young individuals.
The Burden of Public Debt in Neoclassical Growth Models: Do We Have to Worry About it?

This paper investigates the crowding-out effect of public debt and the related loss in the long-run output in the framework of neoclassical growth models. To accomplish this task, we incorporate the government sector into three basic neoclassical models, which differ only in their assumptions about the consumption behavior of households. First, we consider the crowding-out effect of public debt in the Ramsey-Cass-Koopmans (RCK) model with dynamic optimization and the altruistic intergenerational links of households. Then, we drop the assumption of intergenerational links in the Blanchard (1985) model and later the assumption of dynamic optimization as well in the Solow model. Our results show that, contrary to the RCK model, public debt reduces long-run output in the Blanchard model and the Solow model, although to a different extent: the crowding-out effect is marginal in the former, whereas it can be very large in the latter depending on the households’ saving rate and the population growth rate. However, we demonstrate that under the conditions of developed countries, even the upper limit of the output loss triggered by public debt is moderate at best. This conclusion holds even if the output loss resulting from distortionary taxes is taken into account. Our main policy contribution is that according to the neoclassical growth models, the long-run burden of public debt around the current 90 percent average debt-to-GDP ratio seems to be of minor importance in the Eurozone.
Investigation of spatial correlations of pre-breakdown emission sites and breakdowns of vacuum gaps under short-pulsed testing

Emission activity of the stainless steel surface under 200-kV, 100-ns dc voltage pulses was studied with the use of the 4-channel, 12-bit ICCD camera. The gap was formed by a bulk cathode and a thin-foil anode. Both the cathode and anode surfaces were cleaned and polished preliminary by means of electron-beam treatment in the mode of short-time melting in vacuum. Observations gave a ground to tell about pre-breakdown emission sites of two kinds that are stable emission sites (SES's) and unstable ones (UES's), which are different in behaviour and in ability to initiate breakdowns. SES's occurred on the cathode surface lead to breakdowns coinciding with SES's in location. Breakdown strength as high as 1 MV/cm and even higher is achieved only under condition of absence any SEC. Close to 1 MV/cm, UES's start to be recognized in images. An UES pattern is changed from shot to shot without breakdowns. As a rule, breakdowns occur in locations different from UES's, recorded in the previous frame just before the breakdown. The results obtained could be of interest in study of pre-breakdown phenomena at extremely high electric fields in vacuum.
The influence of patient's knowledge about stroke in Brazil: a cross sectional study.

UNLABELLED Little is known about stroke patients' awareness about the warning signs of stroke and its therapeutic time window in Brazil. METHOD We interviewed consecutive patients with acute stroke admitted to a terciary public hospital in Brazil. Data collected included demographics, mode of arrival, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and knowledge of stroke warning signs and therapeutic time window. Early arrival was defined as within 4.5 hours of symptoms onset. RESULTS Although 66.2% of patients knew the warning signs of stroke, only 7.8% reported to know that stroke had a limited therapeutic time window. Stroke severity measured by the NIHSS was independently associated with early arrival, but not knowledge of stroke signs and symptoms. CONCLUSION Knowledge about stroke symptoms was not a predictor of early arrival.
Studies of the Mechanism of Natural Killer (NK) Degranulation and Cytotoxicity

Exocytosis of cytotoxic granule contents towards bound target cells is thought to be of central importance in natural killer (NK) cell‐mediated killing. Although cellular cytotoxicity involving degranulation is thought to be calcium‐dependent, the biochemical mechanisms that mediate this granule mobilization are unknown. Inositol‐1,4,5‐tris‐phosphate (IP3), which acts to elevate internal calcium levels, and 1,2‐diacylglycerol (DAG), which activates protein kinase C, are potent second messengers that have been shown to synergistically mediate secretion in other cell types. Production of these products of inositol phospholipid metabolism has previously been demonstrated in a rat NK cell line RNK upon exposure to susceptible tumor targets. We therefore Investigated the role of IP3 and DAG in NK‐mediated cytotoxicity, specifically at the level of degranulation. Pretreatment of RNK cells with neomycin, a drug that interferes with the hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids and thus inhibits the formation of second messengers, inhibited RNK cytotoxicity against a susceptible tumor target and also inhibited RNK production of DAG in response to a similar target Natural killing exhibited by normal rat nylon wool‐nonadherent spienocytes was also inhibited by neomycin. Phorbol‐12‐myristate,13‐acetate (PMA), a phorbol ester that acts like DAG to activate protein kinase C, markedly enhanced lysis of a susceptible target cell by RNK. We evaluated whether modulation of lysis by these drugs was associated with effects on RNK degranulation by assaying the release of a granule‐specific serine esterase (BLTE) in response to PMA and the calcium ionophore A23187. These agents synergized to promote the release of BLTE, and the extent of release was dependent on the concentrations of both agents. D2O and cytochalasin B, which enhance secretion in other cells, both enhanced BLTE release from RNK cells, indicating that we were detecting BLTE released via granule secretion and not due to nonspecific causes such as cell lysis. Our findings lead us to propose that NK cells form IP3 and DAG in response to susceptible target cells and that a major function of these second messengers is to mediate the exocytosis of cytotoxic granules towards the bound target cells.
Rotational laser cooling of vibrationally and translationally cold molecular ions

Stationary molecules in well-defined internal states are of broad interest for both physics and chemistry. This includes tests of fundamental physics through metrology such as measurement of the electron electric dipole moment or the time evolution of the fine structure constant. Translationally and internally cold molecules are also considered promising candidates for qubits for use in quantum computing, yet this requires a cooling method that preserves internal state coherence, ruling out the otherwise popular approach of buffer gas cooling.