Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between alcohol problems, perceived risks and attitudes toward alcohol policy in Canada.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Approval of alcohol policies by the public in democratic countries is critical for instituting social change. With respect to alcohol policies, mounting research indicates that a higher price per unit of ethanol is an effective approach for reducing alcohol-related problems, yet surveys have found this approach is usually unpopular. The purpose of this paper is to assess the relationship between amount of drinking and support for various alcohol policies. DESIGN AND METHODS A secondary analysis was conducted on the Canadian Addictions Survey, a randomised telephone survey of over 10 000 Canadians. The relationship between the amounts of drinking reported by the respondents was examined in relation to the perceived seriousness of alcohol problems in their communities and the endorsement of several alcohol policies. RESULTS Increased amount of drinking was significantly related to lower perceptions of drinking-related risks. Furthermore, heavier consumers had less favourable attitudes than lighter drinkers and abstainers toward alcohol policies, such as increased taxation. Aggregated data across the 10 Canadian provinces showed a strong effect size (r = -0.515, P = 0.128) between endorsement of alcohol taxation and rates of hospital separations for alcohol. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Results from this study show that the more that people drink, the more they oppose taxation. The implications of these findings are that as alcohol problems in communities become worse, the population may become more resistant to effective alcohol policies. Strategies are suggested for implementing effective policies.
Social Connectedness, Academic, Non-Academic Behaviors Related to Self-Regulation among University Students in Saudi Arabia.

Studies dedicated to examination of self-regulation posit a bi-directional association between self-regulation and other variables including social connectedness, self-efficacy and self-control. However, to date, studies of this caliber have only evidenced that self-regulation is a predictor of other variables. In the present study, the factors that predict self-regulation are examined among 209 undergraduate students in their preparatory year in the University of Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Collection of data was conducted in the school year’s second semester. Based on the results, significant positive relations exist between social connectedness, self-efficacy and self-control, with self-regulation. Moreover, the results revealed that social connectedness and self-control are predictors of students’ self-regulation, but not self-efficacy. Added to this, the result revealed a significant difference in the relationship between self-control and self-regulation among female students, with the other variables insignificant for both genders. Hence, it can be stated that higher education practitioners and academicians may focus on the assessment and the development of the students’ skills in terms of self-regulation.
Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression by Human Alveolar Macrophages in Relation to Emphysema

An abnormal increase in proteolytic enzymes is thought to play a key role in pulmonary emphysema. Alveolar macrophage proteolytic enzymes include cathepsin L, cathepsin S, matrix metalloproteinase 1, 9, and 12, and a number of studies have implicated these proteinases in the alveolar destruction that characterizes emphysema. The aim of this study was to investigate cathepsin L, cathepsin S, matrix metalloproteinase 1, 9, and 12 mRNA expression in alveolar macrophages isolated from patients with varying degrees of emphysema and to correlate their level of expression with measures of emphysema. Alveolar macrophages were isolated from fifty-four patients who underwent surgical resection for lung carcinoma. The level of mRNA expression was determined using real-time PCR. Emphysema was quantified using high-resolution CT scans. Alveolar macrophages were also cultured for 24 h and 48 h; the effect of proinflammatory mediators and promoter polymorphisms on expression was analyzed. There was a significant correlation between matrix metalloproteinase 1 mRNA expression and emphysema. A higher level of matrix metalloproteinase 1 mRNA was associated with more severe emphysema. Matrix metalloproteinase 12 mRNA expression was increased in current smokers as compared with former smokers. Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between matrix metalloproteinase 12 gene expression and carbon monoxide diffusing capacity. The matrix metalloproteinase 9 C-1562T polymorphism significantly influenced matrix metalloproteinase 9 mRNA expression in alveolar macrophages. These results suggest that alveolar macrophage matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 12 may have a role in the lung structural changes leading to the development of emphysema. Furthermore, these data provide evidence to support the concept that multiple proteinases, causing both elastin and collagen degradation, are important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema.
Somatic Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from Cell Suspension Culture of Gymnema sylvestre ( Retz )

We have optimized a system for the somatic embryogenesis via embryogenic suspension cultures of Gymnema sylvestre. Callus cultures were induced on MS medium with growth regulators (2,4 -D 0.5 mg/l (or) NAA 1.0 mg/l) and 10% coconut water. They were transferred into MS liquid medium containing NAA 1.0 mg/l, BA 1.0 mg/l, 3.0% sucrose (w/v), 10% coconut water, citric acid 1 mg/l and glutamine 10 mg/l for somatic embryogenesis from callus. Globular, heart, torpedo and cotyledonary stage of embryos were observed in suspension cultures after 8 weeks. The maturation embryos were significantly affected by growth regulators and photoperiod. Five to seven percent of embryos formed plantlets on semisolid medium containing basal MS medium with B5 vitamin, 3.0% sucrose and 0.8% agar (w/v). All plantlets established in the field exhibited morphological characters similar to those of the mother plant.
Incidence, clinical course, and outcome in 217 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Objective To assess prospectively acute respiratory distress syndrome incidence, etiologies, physiologic and clinical features, and mortality and its predictors in four intensive care units in Argentina. Design Prospective inception cohort. Setting Four general intensive care units in teaching hospitals. Patients All consecutive adult patients admitted between January 3, 1999, and January 6, 2000, that met the criteria of the American-European Consensus Conference for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results A total of 235 patients developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, and 217 survived for >24 hrs; these were further analyzed. Main risk factors were: sepsis (44%, including 65 pneumonia cases), shock (15%), trauma (11%), gastric aspiration (10%), and other (34%). At admission, nonsurvivors had significantly higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment and McCabe scores, and lower oxygenation and pH. During the first week, Pao2/Fio2, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, pH, base excess, and driving pressure consistently discriminated between survivors and nonsurvivors. Hospital mortality was 58%. One third of patients died early. Main causes of death were multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, sepsis, and septic shock; refractory hypoxemia was uncommon. Factors independently associated with mortality were organ dysfunctions on day 3, Pao2/Fio2 on day 3, and McCabe score. Conclusions Acute respiratory distress syndrome was a frequent syndrome in this cohort. Sepsis was its leading cause, and pneumonia was the most common single diagnosis. Mortality was high but similar to most recent series that included serious comorbidities. Independent predictors of death 72 hrs after admission emphasize the importance of both extrapulmonary and pulmonary factors together with preexisting severe illnesses.
AGGRESSION AND MENTAL TOUGHNESS AMONG INDIAN UNIVERSITIES BASKETBALL PLAYERS : A COMPARATIVE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to compare the aggression and mental toughness of men and women basketball players of all India intervarsity. One hundred (50 men & 50 women) basketball players were randomly selected as the subjects. Aggression inventory constructed and standardized by Srivastava (1984), and Mental toughness questionnaire prepared by Goldberg (1995) was used to collect players responses on aggression and mental toughness, respectively. The data were analyzed by applying descriptive statistic i.e. mean, standard deviation and t-test. The significance level was set at 0.05. The findings of the study showed that there is no substantial significant difference in mental toughness and aggression between men and women all India universities basketball players.
Functional MRI of the Supplementary Motor Area: Comparison of Motor and Sensory Tasks

Purpose The purpose of this work was to assess the activation of the supplementary motor area (SMA) during simple motor, complex motor, hot sensory, and touch sensory tasks. Method Functional MRI (fMRI) was performed in eight right-handed healthy volunteers. There were four tasks: simple motor, complex motor, hot sensory, and touch sensory. The number of pixels and the average percentage change of signal intensity in the activated SMA were obtained during the four tasks and then compared. Results The SMA was consistently activated on fMRI during both motor and sensory tasks. The average number of activated pixels during the complex motor task was more than the number during the hot sensory task, but the difference was not statistically significant. The average number of activated pixels during the complex motor task was greater than during the simple motor task. The average number of activated pixels during the hot sensory task was greater than during the touch sensory task. The average percentage change of signal intensity was statistically significant between the simple motor and the complex motor task. The average percentage change of signal intensity was not statistically significant between the complex motor and the hot sensory task. Conclusion The SMA is activated in both motor and sensory tasks. The degree of activation of the SMA differs according to the type of task.
Noise pollution in the anaesthetic and intensive care environment

Noise in the operating theatre, recovery room and intensive care unit is above internationally recommended levels. The psychological and physiological effects of noise are reviewed. Equipment and conversation among the staff are major sources of noise in these areas. Equipment design, modification of nursing care procedures, and increased awareness of noise created by the staff may be effective in reducing noise pollution in these areas.
Gravity as Attractor E ff ect of Stability Nodes in Chain Systems of Harmonic Quantum Oscillators

Gravity has still a special place in physics as it is the only interaction that is not described by a quantum theory. Nevertheless, the big G is considered to be a fundamental constant of nature, involved in the calculation of gravitational effects in Newton’s law of universal gravitation and in Einstein’s general theory of relativity. The currently recommended [1] value is G = 6.67408(31) · 10−11 m3kg−1s−2 and it seems that we know G only to three significant figures. For several objects in the Solar System, the value of the standard gravitational parameter μ is known to greater accuracy than G. The value μ for the Sun is the heliocentric gravitational constant and equals 1.32712440042(1) · 1020 m3s−2. The geocentric gravitational constant equals 3.986004418(8)· · 1014 m3s−2 [2]. The precision is 10−8 because this quantity is derived from the movement of artificial satellites, which basically involves observations of the distances from the satellite to earth stations at different times, which can be obtained to high accuracy using radar or laser ranging. However, not the μ is directly measured, but the orbital elements of a natural or artificial satellite. For instance, the orbital elements of the Earth can be used to estimate the heliocentric gravitational constant. Already the basic solution for a circular orbit gives a good approximation:
PKMζ inhibition prevents the metaplastic change induced by conditioned taste aversion on insular cortex long-term potentiation in vivo

Abstract The activity history of a given neuron or pathway has been suggested to influence its future responses to synaptic inputs. In particular, training in several learning tasks produces a metaplastic change, that is, a change in the ability to induce subsequent synaptic plasticity. Experimental evidence shows that the maintenance of long-term memory and long-term potentiation (LTP) requires the persistent action of the atypical protein kinase C isoform, protein kinase Mζ (PKMζ). Recent work has demonstrated that the inactivation of PKMζ in the insular cortex (IC) abolishes conditioned taste aversion (CTA) long-term memory. Our previous studies in the IC have demonstrated that the induction of LTP in the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus (Bla)-IC projection previous to CTA training enhances the retention of this task. Moreover, recently, we have observed that CTA training blocks the subsequent induction of LTP in the Bla-IC projection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the participation of PKMζ on the CTA-dependent modification of the ability to induce subsequent LTP in the Bla-IC projection in vivo. Thus, we have delivered high-frequency stimulation in the Bla-IC projection in order to induce in vivo IC-LTP in the rats that underwent or did not have an impairment of CTA retention due to the intracortical administration of the selective PKMζ pseudosubstrate inhibitory peptide, ZIP. Our results show that the microinfusion of ZIP into the IC of the behaving rats impairs long-term memory of CTA and prevents its effects on IC-LTP. These results indicate that PKMζ is a key component of the cellular mechanisms necessary for the persistence of lasting memory traces as well as for those underlying metaplastic changes in neocortex, contributing to the persistence of aversive memories.
The truncation that generated the v‐cbl oncogene reveals an ability for nuclear transport, DNA binding and acute transformation.

The v‐cbl oncogene is the transforming gene of the murine Cas NS‐1 retrovirus which induces pre‐B cell lymphomas and myeloid leukaemias. Sequencing of c‐cbl has revealed that v‐cbl was generated by a large truncation that removed 60% of the C‐terminus of the corresponding protein. In this study we prepared antibodies to cbl and found that c‐cbl encodes a 120 kDa protein which is localized in the cytoplasm with a cytosolic and cytoskeletal distribution. Immunofluorescence studies show a striking pattern of brightly staining vesicles in mitotic cells similar to that observed with cytokeratin antibodies. In contrast to p120c‐cbl, which is exclusively cytoplasmic, the p100gag‐v‐cbl encoded by Cas NS‐1 is localized in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. This redistribution to the nucleus correlates with the ability of cbl to induce acute transformation. Furthermore the truncated protein encoded by v‐cbl can bind DNA, unlike the full‐length protein. These results suggest that the C‐terminus of cbl is involved in the retention of p120c‐cbl in the cytoplasm and the inhibition of DNA binding. The findings also suggest that a truncated protein encoded by c‐cbl exists in the nucleus of normal cells.
New therapeutic approaches New therapeutic approaches in atrial fibrillation

In patients with atrial fibrillation, a decision must be made whether to accept the arrhythmia (ratecontrol strategy) or to pursue restoration and subsequent maintenance of sinus rhythm (rhythm-control strategy). Previous randomized trials have shown no difference between these strategies with respect to morbidity, mortality, or quality of life. However, new non pharmacological rhythm-control treatment strategies have emerged and have improved the likelihood of long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm
A novel locus conferring fluoroquinolone resistance in Staphylococcus aureus

Fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin are potent antimicrobial agents that antagonize the A subunit of DNA gyrase. We selected and mapped a novel fluoroquinolone resistance gene on the Staphylococcus aureus chromosome. Resistant mutants were selected with ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin and were uniformly localized to the A fragment of chromosomal DNA digested with SmaI and arrayed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Several mutants (cfxB, ofxC) were genetically mapped between the thr and trp loci in the A fragment. A majority of A fragment fluoroquinolone resistance mutations were associated with reduced susceptibility to novobiocin, an antagonist of the B subunit of DNA gyrase. Two genes previously associated with fluoroquinolone resistance, the gyrA gene of DNA gyrase and the norA gene (associated with decreased drug accumulation), were localized to the G and D fragments, respectively. Thus, the fluoroquinolone resistance mutations in the A fragment are distinct from previously identified fluoroquinolone resistance mutations in gyrA and norA. Whether mutations in the A fragment after a second topoisomerase or another gene controlling supercoiling or affect drug permeation is unknown.
The Role of a Vivid and Challenging Personal Vision in Goal Hierarchies

ABSTRACT This study examines personal vision and its role in human motivation. It examines the concept of personal vision within goal hierarchies, describes the elements that constitute goal hierarchies, and examines the effect of students’ compelling personal vision on the quality of proximal goals. Asking participants to describe their expected or compelling personal vision did not influence the difficulty and vividness of such vision. Instead, individual differences overrode the manipulations with some students conceptualizing a more challenging and vivid personal vision compared with others. Students who naturally set a challenging and vivid personal vision also set more difficult and specific college goals. Students who conceptualized a vivid personal vision were more committed to their semester goals.
A Probiotic Beverage Made from Tiger-nut Extract and Milk Permeate.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Tiger-nut has long been recognized for its generous health benefits. Milk permeate as a by-product, contains lactose, soluble vitamins and salts. Probiotics are live micro-organisms that confer a benefit on the host. The aim of this work was to use a combination of tiger-nut aqueous extract (TNAE) and UF-milk permeate, fortified with probiotic bacteria, to produce a functional dairy beverage. Material s and Methods: Milk-permeate (65%), TNAE (30%) and sugar (5%) were the best portions used to produce permeate-tiger nut beverage. Three probiotic bacteria mixture including, L. plantarum and L. acidophilus culture (1:1), L. plantarum and B. breve culture (1:1) and L. plantarum with both L. acidophilus and B. breve culture (1:1:1) were added to create 3 permeate-tiger nut beverages namely T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The follow up of their bacteriological, physical and chemical characteristics/changes during a storage period of 10 days was evaluated. RESULTS No changes in the survival of the probiotics bacteria were observed throughout the storage period (10 days). Meanwhile, T3 has low pH value and acetaldehyde content but has high diacetyl content and antioxidant activity followed by T2 and T1. Permeate-tiger nut beverage fortified with probiotic bacteria exhibited higher lightness and lower redness and structure viscosity than the control from day 5 onwards. Also, T3 was less sensory acceptable compared to the others. CONCLUSION A mixture of UF-milk permeate (65%), tiger-nut aqueous extract (30%) and 5% sugar, fortified with 1% mixture of probiotic cultures produced a healthy stable beverage.
Quality Heterogeneity and Misallocation: The Welfare Benefits of Raising your Standards

Inefficient allocation of production across heterogeneous firms is a major source of welfare loss, but frameworks generally ignore policies that reduce the misallocation. We study the welfare effects of policies that target the selection of surviving firms. As an example of such policies, we focus on product standards that force the small, low-quality firms to exit the market. Using data from Chile, we find that more restrictive standards are associated with a reallocation of domestic sales from small to large firms. Guided by this evidence, we study the welfare effects of standards in a model with monopolistically competitive, heterogeneous firms, and a general demand system. The standard improves welfare if low-quality firms over-produce in the market allocation relative to the efficient allocation. We estimate our model across Chilean industries and find that in several instances the imposed standard is too restrictive relative to a theoretical upper bound. ​
A TOTAL MERIT INDEX FOR THE ITALIAN HAFLINGER HORSE USING BREEDING VALUES PREDICTED BY A MULTI-TRAIT ANIMAL MODEL

A total of 4582 records of height at withers, breed type, general harmony and gait from the Italian Haflinger horses were analysed. Variance components of the four traits were estimated by REML algorithm, using a multiple-trait animal model including herd group, classifier and year of scoring as fixed effects. The complete pedigree file, tracing back relationships to ancestors born at the beginning of the century, contained 21655 animals. Heritabilities were . 79, . 30, . 36 and . 26 for height at withers, breed type, general harmony and gait, respectively. Genetic correlations ranged from . 72 to . 93. Breeding values for the four traits were predicted with a multiple-trait animal model using the estimated variance components. A total merit index was developed multiplying each estimated breeding value by an index weight provided by the breed association. The total merit index has been already adopted by the Italian Haflinger Association as a selection criteria in the breeding scheme.
The High Cost of Jim Crow Institutions in the U.S.—Who Would Have Guessed?

Several reports document increased prevalence of attention deficit and hyperactivity (ADHD) and similar symptoms in incarcerated members of the community. Such conditions have been associated with employment, educational outcomes, and development of anti-social behaviour in the general population. Little is known about how these symptoms are related to education and work experience in incarcerated adults. A study among Norwegian prison inmates reveals that 60 % report signs of ADHD. In the present study a sample of 600 inmates incarcerated in Norway completed a questionnaire including the WURS-k (Wender Utah Rating Scale, short form) and questions to survey completed education level and work experience. A clear relationship was found between the WURS-k score and earlier job experience, with increased probability of ADHD associated with work experience from low socio-economic status jobs. The scale scores were also found to share variance with reported education history, as higher education reduces the probability of ADHD. Thus, the WURS-k could be a useful screening instrument in education assessment of incarcerated populations.