Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dilemmas in Rescue and Reintegration: A critical assessment of India’s policies for children trafficked for labour exploitation

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the Indian government’s efforts to combat pervasive child trafficking for labour exploitation through rescue and reintegration of affected children. It evaluates the extensive policy and legal frameworks against on-the-ground realities in the states of Bihar and Rajasthan, using empirical findings from a qualitative study carried out by the FXB Center for Health & Human Rights at Harvard University. The results demonstrate that current practices fail to adhere to human rights norms or protect rescued children from risk of future exploitation. They underscore important challenges in the rescue and reintegration of trafficked children, and call into question the singular focus on this category of post-harm response over preventative interventions. The findings point to a critical need for future research, sustained multi-stakeholder discussion and concrete reforms.
Pathogenesis of emerging severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in C57/BL6 mouse model

The discovery of an emerging viral disease, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV), has prompted the need to understand pathogenesis of SFTSV. We are unique in establishing an infectious model of SFTS in C57/BL6 mice, resulting in hallmark symptoms of thrombocytopenia and leukocytopenia. Viral RNA and histopathological changes were identified in the spleen, liver, and kidney. However, viral replication was only found in the spleen, which suggested the spleen to be the principle target organ of SFTSV. Moreover, the number of macrophages and platelets were largely increased in the spleen, and SFTSV colocalized with platelets in cytoplasm of macrophages in the red pulp of the spleen. In vitro cellular assays further revealed that SFTSV adhered to mouse platelets and facilitated the phagocytosis of platelets by mouse primary macrophages, which in combination with in vivo findings, suggests that SFTSV-induced thrombocytopenia is caused by clearance of circulating virus-bound platelets by splenic macrophages. Thus, this study has elucidated the pathogenic mechanisms of thrombocytopenia in a mouse model resembling human SFTS disease.
Social and emotional skills for student success and well-being: Conceptual framework for the OECD study on social and emotional skills

In an increasingly fast-changing, complex and diverse world, social and emotional skills are becoming ever more important. In this paper we present an overview of literature on social and emotional skills, describing the nature and structure of these skills, their development, malleability and factors that influence them, their cross-cultural comparability and their relevance for a wide range of educational, economic and life outcomes. The paper also represents a conceptual framework for the OECD’s new Study on Social and Emotional Skills, an international survey that assesses 10- and 15-year-old students in a number of cities and countries around the world. We focus on the underlying skills within and outside of the widely researched Big Five model that are found to be more predictive and policy relevant. We examine the relationships of these skills with a variety of indicators of individual and societal well-being such as education, employment and income, health, and personal well-being. The paper discusses the structure of child’s social and emotional skills and the developmental trajectories of these skills across a lifetime. It presents the evidence of malleability of these skills as well as their relevance across a wide range of cultural contexts.
Principles and challenges in scaling up CLTS: experiences from Madhya Pradesh, India

India is the largest contributor in pulling down the MDG targets around sanitation. Within India, Madhya Pradesh is one of the poorer performing states in terms of sanitation coverage. The scale is huge and the government is trying out several approaches to meet this challenge. The success of CLTS in Bangladesh has led different state governments to attempt CLTS at scale in India. This paper discusses the challenge being faced in adopting CLTS in parts and how it contravenes some of the principles of this approach. On the other hand the state of Madhya Pradesh already has some very effective mechanisms for people led and people centric planning through Panchayats and Gram Sabhas. The paper recommends strengthening existing mechanisms to meet the huge sanitation challenge. This would help the state in effectively engage communities in planning, implementing and sustaining sanitation services in the villages and making it truly community led.
The verbal fluency index: Dutch normative data for cognitive testing in ALS

Abstract Objective: Executive dysfunction occurs in 30–50% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and is most frequently assessed with the verbal fluency test. The verbal fluency index (VFI) has been developed to correct for slowness of speech in ALS, and reflects the average thinking time per word. However, its use as a marker of cognitive impairment is hindered by the absence of valid norm scores. Therefore, we provide normative data for the VFI. Methods: Dutch volunteers were demographically matched to the Dutch ALS population and completed the verbal fluency index (one-minute and three-minute spoken letter fluency). Multiple stepwise linear regression was performed to assess the influence of demographic variables, past medical history and medication use. Results: 273 volunteers participated in this study. Educational level was negatively correlated to one-minute and three-minute VFI performance (r = –0.3 and r = –0.4, p < 0.001, respectively). No correlations for age, gender, medication and past medical history were found. A formula for standardized z-scores, corrected for educational level, for the one-minute and three-minute VFI was calculated. Conclusions: We provide Dutch normative data for the spoken verbal fluency index, which can be used internationally, but validation in other languages is recommended. The findings illustrate the importance of valid disease-specific norm scores for time-dependent cognitive tests in ALS.
Addressing the paradox – the divergence between smallholders’ preference and actual adoption of agricultural innovations

ABSTRACT Experiences in smallholder contexts indicate frequent mismatches between technologies introduced and needs of farmers who must make complex decisions in reallocating their limited resources under highly risky ecological and market contexts. This study proposes a cost- and time-effective, easy-to-implement approach to identify farmers’ priorities and critical intervention areas, and presents its application in guiding an agroforestry strategy in Rwanda. It was found that different tree species have distinctive enabling vs. constraining conditions under different agroecological contexts in the perspective of smallholder farmers. Tree species preferred by farmers were not necessarily widely adopted if multitudes of conditions were not enabling. The essential conditions for sustainable adoption include: quality materials/inputs are available; technologies are compatible with existing local farming systems; they are resilient to climate risks/resistant to pests-diseases; management is not complicated; and, there is guaranteed access to markets. The results show that there will not be a silver bullet national strategy to scale up agroforestry. Instead a matrix kind of strategies -to promote enabling conditions and address constraining conditions for priority species in specific agroecologies- will be required. The proposed concept should be further refined for wider agricultural technology transfer debates to break the myths of low uptakes by smallholders.
Characterization of the Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium ydcI Gene, Which Encodes a Conserved DNA Binding Protein Required for Full Acid Stress Resistance

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium possesses a stimulon of genes that are differentially regulated in response to conditions of low fluid shear force that increase bacterial virulence and alter other phenotypes. In this study, we show that a previously uncharacterized member of this stimulon, ydcI or STM1625, encodes a highly conserved DNA binding protein with related homologs present in a range of Gram-negative bacterial genera. Gene expression analysis shows that ydcI is expressed in different bacterial genera and is involved in its autoregulation in S. Typhimurium. We demonstrate that purified YdcI protein specifically binds a DNA probe consisting of its own promoter sequence. We constructed an S. Typhimurium ΔydcI mutant strain and show that this strain is more sensitive to both organic and inorganic acid stress than is an isogenic WT strain, and this defect is complemented in trans. Moreover, our data indicate that ydcI is part of the rpoS regulon related to stress resistance. The S. Typhimurium ΔydcI mutant was able to invade cultured cells to the same degree as the WT strain, but a strain in which ydcI expression is induced invaded cells at a level 2.8 times higher than that of the WT. In addition, induction of ydcI expression in S. Typhimurium resulted in the formation of a biofilm in stationary-phase cultures. These data indicate the ydcI gene encodes a conserved DNA binding protein involved with aspects of prokaryotic biology related to stress resistance and possibly virulence.
Reconciling subjective memory complaints with objective memory performance in the menopausal transition

Objective The overall aim of this study was to examine the relationship between subjective memory complaints and objective cognitive performance in perimenopausal women. The specific aims were to determine (1) if subjective complaints of memory problems relate to objective performance on memory tests, (2) if subjective complaints of memory problems relate to other domains of cognitive function, and (3) if subjective memory complaints relate to other noncognitive factors, such as depression, anxiety, and sleep quality. Methods Seventy-five perimenopausal women completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery, which included measures of attention, working memory, verbal memory, verbal fluency, visuospatial skill, and fine motor dexterity; completed self-report inventories of their perceived memory and menopausal symptoms; and provided serum levels of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone. Results Memory complaints were not associated with verbal learning or verbal memory but were associated with working memory and complex attention/vigilance. Memory complaints were also associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, and sleep disturbance. Regression analyses revealed that memory complaints were best predicted by depressive symptoms, somatic complaints, and working memory performance. Conclusions Memory complaints in the menopausal transition may reflect true difficulties with attentionally mediated cognitive processes. Memory complaints may also be associated with other menopausal-related symptoms.
Minor contribution of small thaw ponds to the pools of carbon and methane in the inland waters of the permafrost-affected part of the Western Siberian Lowland

Despite the potential importance of small (< 1000 m2) thaw ponds and thermokarst lakes in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from inland waters of high latitude and boreal regions, these features have not been fully inventoried and the volume of GHG and carbon in thermokarst lakes remains poorly constrained. This is especially true for the vast Western Siberia Lowland (WSL) which is subject to strong thermokarst activity. We assessed the number of thermokarst lakes and their size distribution for the permafrost-affected WSL territory based on a combination of medium-resolution Landsat-8 images and high-resolution Kanopus-V scenes on 78 test sites across the WSL in a wide range of lake sizes (from 20 to 2 × 108 m2). The results were in fair agreement with other published data for world lakes including those in circum-polar regions. Based on available measurements of CH4, CO2, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in thermokarst lakes and thaw ponds of the permafrost-affected part of the WSL, we found an inverse relationship between lake size and concentration, with concentrations of GHGs and DOC being highest in small thaw ponds. However, since these small ponds represent only a tiny fraction of the landscape (i.e. ~1.5% of the total lake area), their contribution to the total pool of GHG and DOC in inland lentic water of the permafrost-affected part of the WSL is less than 2%. As such, despite high concentrations of DOC and GHG in small ponds, their role in overall C storage can be negated. Ongoing lake drainage due to climate warming and permafrost thaw in the WSL may lead to a decrease in GHG emission potential from inland waters and DOC release from lakes to rivers.
The Youth Olympic Games as an arena for Olympic education: An evaluation of the school program, “Dream Day”

The promotion of Olympic education through Olympic events has received increased attention among researchers. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) as an arena for Olympic education based on the perceptions of the pupils participating in the school programme “Dream Day” during the YOG 2016 in Lillehammer, a former Olympic city in Norway. Didactical principles for Olympic education (Naul, 2008) are adopted as an analytical framework. This is a qualitative case study using interviews, observations and personal essays of participating pupils as the main sources. Based on the findings in this paper, we argue that the YOG have significant potential as an arena for Olympic education. However, this potential is not yet utilized, and the following implications for future practices are presented. First, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) needs to put more effort into the implementation of Olympic education programmes. Second, the implementation of Olympic education programmes should be a collaboration between different groups and disciplines, including youth representatives. Third, corroborating Naul’s (2008), the pupils’ socio-cultural backgrounds have to be taken into account in order to meet the needs of the participating youth. Finally, the Olympic education programme should have a long-term perspective where the Games are used to increase the educational effect.
Decreased hepatic iron in response to alcohol may contribute to alcohol-induced suppression of hepcidin

Abstract Hepatic Fe overload has often been reported in patients with advanced alcoholic liver disease. However, it is not known clearly whether it is the effect of alcohol that is responsible for such overload. To address this lacuna, a time-course study was carried out in mice in order to determine the effect of alcohol on Fe homoeostasis. Male Swiss albino mice were pair-fed Lieber–DeCarli alcohol diet (20 % of total energy provided as alcohol) for 2, 4, 8 or 12 weeks. Expression levels of duodenal and hepatic Fe-related proteins were determined by quantitative PCR and Western blotting, as were Fe levels and parameters of oxidative stress in the liver. Alcohol induced cytochrome P4502E1 and oxidative stress in the liver. Hepatic Fe levels and ferritin protein expression dropped to significantly lower levels after 12 weeks of alcohol feeding, with no significant effects at earlier time points. This was associated, at 12 weeks, with significantly decreased liver hepcidin expression and serum hepcidin levels. Protein expressions of duodenal ferroportin (at 8 and 12 weeks) and divalent metal transporter 1 (at 8 weeks) were increased. Serum Fe levels rose progressively to significantly higher levels at 12 weeks. Histopathological examination of the liver showed mild steatosis, but no stainable Fe in mice fed alcohol for up to 12 weeks. In summary, alcohol ingestion by mice in this study affected several Fe-related parameters, but produced no hepatic Fe accumulation. On the contrary, alcohol-induced decreases in hepatic Fe levels were seen and may contribute to alcohol-induced suppression of hepcidin.
In vivo patch‐clamp recording from locus coeruleus neurones in the rat brainstem

Abstract Locus coeruleus (LC) neurones extend noradrenergic projections throughout the neuroaxis and are involved in homeostatic functions such as pain modulation, arousal and cardio‐respiratory control. To address the cellular mechanisms underlying pain modulation we have developed a patch‐clamp recording technique from LC neurones in anaesthetized rats. These recordings showed LC discharge in vivo to be driven by both spontaneous membrane potential oscillations and CNQX‐sensitive EPSCs opposed by bicuculine‐sensitive IPSCs. Hindlimb pinch evoked a biphasic action potential response underpinned by a slow monophasic excitatory current. This approach allows detailed characterisation of the synaptic and integrative mechanisms of LC responses to naturalistic stimulation.
Specificity of siderophore receptors in membrane vesicles of Bacillus megaterium

Membrane vesicles of Bacillus megaterium strains SK11 and Ard1 bound the ferrischizokinen and ferriferrioxamine B siderhores (iron transport cofactors). An approximately equimolar uptake of both labels of [3H, 59Fe]ferrischizokinen indicated binding of the intact chelate. Binding reached equilibrium in 2 to 5 min, was temperature independent, and was unaltered by the addition of several energy sources. A 91% dissociation of bound [Fe]ferrischizokinen was achieved in 60 s by the addition of excess ferrischizokinen. Ferriaerobactin, a siderophore which is structurally related to ferrischizokinen, caused no detectable release of bound [59Fe]ferrischizokinen. Of several other ferrigydroxamates tested, only ferriferrichrome A achieved the release (11%) of [Fe]ferrischizokinen. Rapid dissociation (92%) of bound [59Fe]ferriferrioxamine B by the addition of ferriferrioxamine B was observed, and a 67% release of [59Fe]ferriferrioxamine B was caused by ferriA2265, its structural relative. Ferrischizokinen, ferriferrichrome A, and ferrirhodotorulic acid produced a 6, 25, and 29% dissociation, respectively, of [59Fe]ferriferrioxamine B; ferriaerobactin caused no dissociation. [59Fe]ferriaerobactin was bound by the membranes, but its dissociation was not effected by unlabeled ferriaerobactin, suggesting no specific receptors for this chelate. The respective binding affinity constants and maximal binding capacities of membrane vesicles of strain SK11 were 2 x 10(7) M-1 and 280 pmol per mg of protein for ferrischizokinen and 7 x 10(7) M-1 and 37 pmol per mg of protein for ferriferrioxamine B. These values in strain Ard1 were, respectively, 1.4 x 10(7) M-1 and 186 pmol per mg of protein for ferrischizokinen and 11 x 10(7) M-1 and 23 pmol per mg of protein for ferriferrioxamine B. Separate, specific binding sites (receptors) for ferrischizokinen and ferriferrioxamine B exist on the vesicles. The ferrischizokinen receptors have a lower affinity but a higher binding capacity (eightfold) than that shown by the ferriferrioxamine B receptor. These receptors may be components of independent transport systems.
Body mass index, adipokines and insulin resistance in asthmatic children and adolescents

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to describe the body mass index, insulin resistance, levels of adipokines and inflammatory markers in Brazilian asthmatic children and adolescents and to investigate their possible association with the severity and control of asthma. Methods: Cross-sectional study (n = 92; age: 3–18 years). Assessed data: Body weight and height, used to calculate the body mass index (BMIZ) and height-for-age (HAZ). Laboratory measurements: Lipid profile; glycemia and insulin for homeostasis model assessment (HOMA); adipokines; tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1); total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and specific IgE against aeroallergens. Results: The median age was 9.6 years (3.0–16.6); most participants were male (n = 52, 56.5%), pre-pubertal (n = 54, 58.6%) and had atopic asthma (n = 85, 92.4%). Overweight/obesity (38%) showed an inverse correlation with age (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.781; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–0.92) and a direct correlation with the leptin concentration (adjusted OR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.04–1.22). Insulin concentration was independently associated with moderated persistent asthma (adjusted OR = 1.31; 95% CI 1.09–1.52). HOMA showed a direct correlation with the leptin (β = 0.475; 95% CI 0.117–0.268) and total IgE (β = 0.197; 95% CI 0.002–0.096) levels and an inverse correlation with the TNF-α levels (β = −0.255; 95% CI;−0.366–0.055). Conclusions: Asthma was associated with insulin resistance and a systemic inflammatory response possibly mediated by adipokines, with leptin levels standing out among the participants with excess weight.
Additive and Multiplicative Hazards Regression Models In Competing Risks Analysis: Application To The Canadian Heart Health Survey

Background: In survival analysis, an event whose occurrence influences the occurrence of another event is termed a competing risk event. The Cox hazards model is applicable in standard survival analysis with a single event. To correctly assess covariate effects in competing risks analysis, the Fine & Gray (F-G) subdistribution hazards and the Cox causespecific hazards models are appropriate. Equally, additive hazards models can be used to examine the covariate effects in a competing risks framework. Objectives: (i) To examine the additive and multiplicative hazards models in the competing risks setting by applying the said models to the Canadian Heart Health Survey data; (ii) To determine the risk factors for cardiovascular disease using the competing risks approach; (iii) To compare the risk factors identified by the additive and multiplicative hazards models in the context of competing risks. Methods: The observational Canadian Heart Health Survey database collected between 1986 and 1995 is the baseline data used in this study. Two competing outcomes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and non-CVD-related deaths, are analyzed with the Cox causespecific and the F-G multiplicative hazards models. Similarly, the additive hazards models of Aalen and that of Lin & Ying (L-Y) are modeled for the outcomes using the competing risks approach. Results: There were 13,996 eligible subjects in the data, and 7,071 (50.5%) of them were women. After a median follow-up time of 15 years (interquartile range = 5.52 years), a total of 1,536 deaths were observed, and 549 (35.7%) of these were CVD related deaths. Factors like male gender, old age, and alcohol abstinence significantly increased the risk of CVD mortality in the additive and multiplicative hazards models. Former alcohol users compared to current alcohol users have a 53% (P-value= 0.002) and a 55% (P-value= 0.001) increased risk of CVD mortality in the Cox cause-specific and the F-G models, respectively. In the L-Y additive model, former alcohol users compared to current users increased CVD mortality by adding 16 new cases per 10,000 person-years (P-value = 0.008). Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that covariate effects in the Cox