Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Youth gangs, delinquency and drug use: a test of the selection, facilitation, and enhancement hypotheses.

BACKGROUND Three different explanations have been given for the observation that adolescent gang members report more delinquent behaviour than their counterparts who do not affiliate with gangs: a) adolescents who commit more crimes join gangs (selection hypothesis); b) gang membership facilitates deviant behaviour (facilitation hypothesis); c) selection and facilitation work interactively (enhancement hypothesis). The aim of this study was to test these hypotheses, while controlling for self-reported delinquency, friends' delinquency, and individual as well as family characteristics. METHOD The sample included 756 boys first assessed when they attended kindergarten in disadvantaged areas of Montreal. Gang membership was assessed at the ages of 14, 15 and 16 years. Delinquency and drug use data were collected from self-reports and court files at the same ages. RESULTS Gang members displayed far higher rates of delinquent behaviour and drug use than non-gang members. The results support the facilitation model for transient gang members (i.e., youths in a gang during only one of the three periods considered) and the enhancement model for stable gang members (i.e., youths in a gang for at least two of the periods considered), for person and property offences. The association between gang membership and delinquency persisted after introducing the control variables. Additional analyses showed that the effect associated with belonging to a gang was beyond that of simply having delinquent friends. CONCLUSION Preventing the creation and participation in such gangs should reduce the frequency of antisocial behaviour during adolescence.
A change from HCO3(‐)‐CO2‐ to hepes‐buffered medium modifies membrane properties of rat CA1 pyramidal neurones in vitro.

1. Intracellular recordings were obtained from CA1 pyramidal neurones in rat hippocampal slices. Perfusion with a HCO3(‐)‐CO2‐free, HEPES‐buffered medium at pH 7.4 produced a wide variety of reversible effects on neuronal excitability, compared to responses obtained under standard (21 mM‐HCO3‐, 5% CO2, pH 7.4) conditions. 2. Introduction of HCO3(‐)‐CO2‐free medium most commonly elicited, within 5‐20 min, a fall in resting membrane potential (Vm), a rise in threshold for Na(+)‐dependent action potential generation, and a reduction in input resistance. Anomalous inward rectification in the hyperpolarizing direction and subthreshold inward rectification were commonly reduced in HEPES‐buffered medium. More prolonged exposure (> or = 25 min) to HCO3(‐)‐CO2‐free medium produced, on occasion, Na+ spike inactivation. 3. The amplitudes of the fast and medium after‐hyperpolarizations (AHPs) following a single depolarizing current‐evoked action potential were attenuated during perfusion with HEPES‐buffered medium at pH 7.4, as was the composite AHP following a train of action potentials. 4. Perfusion with HEPES‐buffered medium at pH 7.4 reduced the degree of spike frequency adaptation and abolished depolarizing current‐evoked burst‐firing behaviour when this was present under standard conditions. 5. In tetrodotoxin (TTX)‐ and tetraethylammonium (TEA)‐poisoned neurones, perfusion with HCO3(‐)‐CO2‐free medium at pH 7.4 slightly raised the threshold for activation of Ca(2+)‐dependent potentials and slightly reduced their duration, compared to responses obtained in HCO3(‐)‐CO2‐buffered medium at the same pH. The AHP following the Ca2+ spike was, however, markedly attenuated. 6. Perfusion with a low‐pH HCO3(‐)‐CO2‐buffered medium (7 mM‐HCO3‐, 5% CO2, pH 6.9) produced changes qualitatively similar to those observed during perfusion with HEPES‐buffered medium at pH 7.4. Raising the pH of the HEPES‐buffered medium to 7.8 or 7.9 reversed inconsistently and then only in part the changes noted on the transition from a HCO3(‐)‐CO2‐ to a HEPES‐buffered medium at the same pH (7.4). 7. The effects noted are unlikely to be due to a direct action of HEPES itself on neuronal membrane conductances. Rather, I suggest that they are likely to be caused by intracellular acidosis consequent upon the omission of HCO3‐ and CO2 from the extracellular medium.
Nigeria and the Global Powers: Continuity and Change in Policy Perceptions

Since the end of military rule in May 1999, Nigeria’s foreign policy has been the subject of academic and policy interest. This is particularly in relation to its choice either continue or change the policies pursued by erstwhile military regimes. Also of interest has been the country’s ability to balance its obligations as a regional power, expectations as a continental leader and aspirations as a global actor. Although Nigeria continues to be active in regional and continental politics, its relations with major global powers, both traditional and emerging, have been equally important, especially as key domestic and external developments have received international attention. The paper examines Nigeria’s recent relations with global powers. It posits that these have been influenced more by domestic considerations than by the wider regional and continental pursuit of prestige that had hitherto formed the cornerstone of Nigeria’s foreign policy. While pursuing domestic political stability, the country has also recognised the need to develop its international diplomacy. Although its relations with global powers may continue to experience hiccups, Nigeria’s significant economic potential is likely to ensure that it remains of considerable importance to all global actors. A b o u t t h e A u t h o r Abiodun Alao is a senior research fellow at the Conflict, Security and Development Group at King’s College, London. He has written extensively on African security issues. His published books include Natural Resources and Conflict in Africa: The Tragedy of Endowment (Rochester: University of Rochester Press, 2007); The Mau-Mau Warrior (Oxford: Osprey Publishing Company, 2005); The Burden of Collective Goodwill: The International Involvement in the Liberian Civil War (Aldershot: Ashgate Publishers, 1996); Brothers at War: Dissidence and Rebellion in Southern Africa (London: British Academic Press, 1994); Peacekeepers, Politicians and Warlords: The Liberian Peace Process (Tokyo: United Nations University Press, 1999, co-authored with John Mackinlay and Funmi Olonisakin); and Africa After the Cold War: The Changing Perspective on Security (Trenton: African World Press, 1998, co-edited with Adebayo Oyebede).
Two Subtypes of Atypical Leiomyoma: Clinical, Histologic, and Molecular Analysis

Atypical leiomyoma (ALM) is a rare variant of uterine smooth muscle tumors. Several recent studies have suggested that ALM has distinct, but also heterogenous, histologic and molecular features, yet little is known about the biology and histogenesis of ALM. Some have even postulated whether the atypical histologic features represent true atypia or simply degenerative changes. In this study, we analyzed the cytologic features of 60 ALM cases and found that ALM could be further divided into 2 subtypes, type I and type II, based primarily on nuclear features. Type I ALM showed round or oval nuclei, distinct and smooth nuclear membranes, prominent nucleoli with perinucleolar halos, and open coarse chromatin. Type II ALM showed elongated or spindled nuclei, irregular nuclear membranes, pinpoint or no nucleoli, and dark smudgy chromatin. There were also architectural differences between type I and type II ALM. Type I ALM often showed diffuse atypia within the tumor, whereas the atypia in type II ALM was patchy, surrounded by usual-type leiomyoma. The 2 subtypes also differed when we compared the immunohistochemical and molecular patterns. Type II tumors showed significantly higher rates of immunoreactivity for p16, p53, and HMGA2 and showed MED12 mutations more frequently than the type I counterparts. Our findings suggest that the type I and type II subtypes of ALM may arise from 2 different pathways. Type I tumors may be related to fumarate hydratase mutations, whereas type II ALM appear to arise in a existing usual-type leiomyomas.
Reliability of clinical ICD-10 schizophrenia diagnoses

Concern has been expressed as to the reliability of clinical ICD-10 diagnosis of schizophrenia. This study was designed to assess the diagnostic reliability of the clinical ICD-10 diagnosis of schizophrenia in a random sample of Danish in- and outpatients with a history of psychosis. A sample of 100 subjects was assessed using the operational criteria OPCRIT checklist for psychotic and affective illness. The most recent principal and clinical ICD-10 diagnosis was compared with diagnoses generated by the OPCRIT instrument. Data documented very high sensitivity (93%) and positive predictive value (87%) of ICD-10 schizophrenia and an overall good agreement between clinical and OPCRIT-derived diagnoses (κ=0.60). An even higher positive predictive value was obtained when diagnoses were amalgamated into a diagnostic entity of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (98%). Near perfect agreement was seen between OPCRIT-derived ICD-10 and DSM-IV diagnoses (κ=0.87). Thus, this study demonstrates high reliability of the clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia and even more so of the diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder.
Diet, Food Intake, and Disturbed Physiology in the Pathogenesis of Symptoms in Functional Dyspepsia

Ut quod ali cibus estaliis fuat acre venenum“What is food to one manis bitter poison to others”Lucretius, 99 – 55 BCFunctional dyspepsia (FD) remains a relatively poorly characterized gastrointestinal disorder of unknown etiology that is frequently difficult to manage. A systematic review of the literature relating to food intake and FD is summarized here. Many patients with FD report symptoms after meal ingestion, including fullness, bloating, epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting, and this has been interpreted as indicative of an underlying “motor disorder of the stomach or small intestine. ” Such hypotheses are, however, still largely unsubstantiated, and the data that do exist are inconclusive, particularly as few studies have directly examined the temporal relationships between dyspeptic symptoms, meal ingestion, and disordered gastric motility. Moreover, studies attempting to relate symptoms to specific disturbances in gastric motor function have, in most cases, not evaluated symptoms concurrently with the function test, and/or have used suboptimal symptom scoring to quantify symptoms. Furthermore, the term “early satiety” has been used loosely as a symptom, rather than a quantitative measure of food intake. Currently, the most widely accepted mechanism underlying FD is visceral hypersensitivity, which may contribute to both enhanced motor and symptomatic responses to food ingestion. However, the possible contribution of food and dietary habits to the induction and/or exacerbation of dyspeptic symptoms represents a relatively new area—despite frequent reports by patients that their symptoms are often related to food ingestion; this association has not been formally assessed. Dietary assessments have frequently implicated fatty foods in symptom induction, and these findings are supported by laboratory-based studies, particularly the demonstration that FD patients more often experience symptoms after intraduodenal infusions of fat, than glucose. Further studies into the potential role of dietary factors in the induction of dyspeptic symptom are required to establish whether dietary therapies have any place in the management of FD.
Hyperintense Signal of the Posterior Pituitary on T1‐weighted MR Images: An Experimental Study

The origin of the hyperintense signal (HIS) of the pituitary gland posterior lobe (PL) on T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images was investigated. Six rabbits were imaged on a 1.5 T device before and after 2 weeks' feeding of hypertonic saline solution (phase I). Two were killed soon after the second imaging; the pituitary gland was examined histochemically for neuro-secretory granules containing antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The other four rabbits were given regular water for another 2 weeks (phase II) and then were again imaged. The plasma ADH level was monitored at each imaging session. In all subjects, the signal intensity of the PL decreased at the end of phase I, and the HIS reappeared at the end of phase II. The neurosecretory granules in the PL significantly diminished in number in phase I. Plasma ADH levels significantly increased in phase I and returned to their normal range in phase II. These clear correlations between MR findings and hormonal and histochemical results strongly suggest that the source of the HIS of the PL is the neurosecretory granules containing ADH.
Use of a dual priming oligonucleotide system to detect multiple sexually transmitted pathogens in clinical specimens

Aims: To evaluate a new dual priming oligonucleotide (DPO)‐based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detection of six sexually transmitted pathogens, including Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Trichomonas vaginalis.
Cardiovascular risk factors in adolescence: prevalence and familial aggregation.

BACKGROUND In the field of primary prevention there is an increasing interest in screening pediatric populations for cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to determine the overall prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP), obesity, and sedentariness in a population of adolescents. The presence of familial aggregation for these factors was also evaluated. METHODS The prevalence of HBP, obesity, and low physical activity was determined in 1413 adolescents ages 12-15 years (705 males, 698 females) randomly selected from Turin school children. The prevalence of HBP and obesity in parents was determined. RESULTS One risk factor was found in 40.9% of females (2.4% HBP, 8.6% obesity, and 29.9% sedentariness) and 39.6% of males (2.8% HBP, 16.4% obesity, and 20.4% sedentariness); the concomitance of two or three risk factors were present, respectively, in 9.9 and 2.7% of females and 10.9 and 1.1% of males with a strong association of obesity and HBP. A significant familial aggregation for obesity was found and no particular relationship was found for BP. CONCLUSION The ability to identify children developing a single or multiple risk factors is an important contribution to the prevention of serious cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.
Human coronavirus NL63: a clinically important virus?

Respiratory tract infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially among young children. Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have only recently been shown to cause both lower and upper respiratory tract infections. To date, five coronaviruses (HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, SARS-CoV, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV HKU-1) that infect humans have been identified, four of which (HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-HKU-1) circulate continuously in the human population. Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) was first isolated from the aspirate from a 7-month-old baby in early 2004. Infection with HCoV-NL63 has since been shown to be a common worldwide occurrence and has been associated with many clinical symptoms and diagnoses, including severe lower respiratory tract infection, croup and bronchiolitis. HCoV-NL63 causes disease in children, the elderly and the immunocompromised, and has been detected in 1.0–9.3% of respiratory tract infections in children. In this article, the current knowledge of human coronavirus HCoV-NL63, with special reference to the clinical features, prevalence and seasonal incidence, and coinfection with other respiratory viruses, will be discussed.
The FMR1 gene and fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome

The CGG‐repeat present in the 5′UTR of the FMR1 gene is unstable upon transmission to the next generation. The repeat is up to 55 CGGs long in the normal population. In fragile X patients, a repeat length exceeding 200 CGGs (full mutation: FM) generally leads to methylation of the repeat and the promoter region, which is accompanied by silencing of the FMR1 gene. The gene product FMRP is involved in regulation of transport and translation of certain mRNA in the dendrite, thereby affecting synaptic plasticity. This is central to learning and memory processes. The absence of FMRP seen in FM is the cause of the mental retardation seen in fragile X patients. The premutation (PM) is defined as 55–200 CGGs. Female PM carriers are at risk of developing primary ovarian insufficiency. Recently it was discovered that elderly PM carriers might develop a progressive neurodegenerative disorder called fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. Although arising from the mutations in the same gene, distinct mechanisms lead to fragile X syndrome (absence of FMRP) and FXTAS (toxic RNA gain of function). The pathogenic mechanisms thought to underlie these disorders are discussed, with a specific emphasis on FXTAS. This review gives insight on the implications of all possible repeat length categories seen in fragile X families. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Culture, Privacy Conception and Privacy Concern: Evidence from Europe before PRISM

This article analyses individuals’ online privacy concerns between cultural country groups. We use a dataset of more than 14 000 Internet users collected by the European Union in 2010 in 26 EU countries. We use a probit model to examine the variables associated with the probability of being concerned about privacy, in order to draw policy and regulatory implications. The results show that women and poor people are more concerned than their counterparts. People who often use Internet are not privacy concerned. Privacy concerned people are those who have heard bad privacy experience in the media, through word of mouth or have acquaintance who have bad privacy experience. Trusting Internet company leads to no privacy concern. Individuals in hierarchical and competitive countries are privacy concerned and those in countries characterized by equality, cooperation, and favorable for change are not privacy concerned. And finally, having a large view of information considered as personal leads to be privacy concerned.
Evaluation of urine protein content in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate urine protein content in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDHAC) and to determine the effect of mitotane administration on proteinuria in these dogs. DESIGN Prospective case series. ANIMALS 16 dogs with PDHAC were evaluated (age range, 7 to 14 years; mean age, 10 years; female-to-male ratio, 2.2:1). PROCEDURE Urine protein-to-creatinine (UPC) ratios and 24-hour urine protein excretion (24-hour UPE) values were measured before beginning treatment with mitotane and after establishing appropriate maintenance treatment. RESULTS Before treatment, UPC ratios ranged from 0.03 to 4.16 (16 dogs, median, 0.695; reference range value, UPC ratio < 0.5; questionable value, UPC ratio > 0.5 but < 1.0; high value, UPC ratio > 1.0). Seven dogs had proteinuria with UPC ratios > 1.0. Twenty-four-hour UPE values ranged from 0.67 to 61.7 mg/kg of body weight/d (0.30 to 28.0 mg/lb/d; 13 dogs, median, 9.7 mg/kg/d [4.4 mg/lb/d]; reference value, 24-hour UPE value, < 20 mg/kg/d [9.1 mg/lb/d]). Five dogs with high UPC ratios also had high values for 24-hour UPE. After establishment of maintenance treatment with mitotane (median, 7 weeks; mean, 7.3 weeks), UPC ratios ranged from 0.02 to 6.5 (16 dogs, median, 0.36). Five dogs continued to have high UPC ratios. Values of 24-hour UPE ranged from 0.47 to 122 mg/kg/d (0.21 to 55.5 mg/lb/d; 13 dogs, median, 5.1 mg/kg/d [2.3 mg/lb/d]). Three dogs continued to have high 24-hour UPE values. Significant differences were not found between dogs before and after treatment with mitotane in terms of UPC ratios or 24-hour UPE values. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS In dogs with PDHAC and proteinuria, UPC ratios should be monitored closely. Some dogs with PDHAC may have a decrease in urine protein content following treatment with mitotane. We suggest that renal biopsies be considered in those dogs with progressive increases in UPC ratios.
On the design of fractional slot T-LPMSMs: effect of the slot-pole combination

The paper deals with an approach aimed at the design of fractional-slot tubular-linear permanent magnet synchronous machines (T-LPMSMs) with emphasis on the effect of the slot-pole combination. Following the description of the T-LPMSM concept under study, the developed approach is initiated by a formulation of the air gap flux density, based on the resolution of the magnetic potential vector equation in the air gap and PM regions which enables the prediction of the cogging force and the phase back-EMFs. The effects of the slot-pole combination on these features is considered in the second part of the study which is achieved by the selection of an optimized slot per pole and per phase number that yields a high phase back-EMF amplitude and a low cogging force peak-to-peak value. A case study considering the optimized slot per pole and per phase number is treated where the analytically predicted results are validated by finite element analysis.
Service quality, experiential value and repurchase intention for medical cosmetology clinic: moderating effect of Generation

Love of beauty is human’s nature. The term anti-ageing has undoubtedly become the main stream of healthcare in the twenty-first century. However, the ultimate pursuit of medical cosmetology services/or procedures among Generations seems different. Different from consumer goods, medical cosmetic is a product of high involvement, risky invasive medical behaviour and professional skills. Therefore, lots of consumers would intuitively prefer a medical cosmetology clinic with its fine service quality, brand image or word-of-mouth. To any service firm, a long-term profitability is usually resulted from customer’s repurchase intention and experiential value is likely to produce repurchase intention. Based on 350 valid respondents from a sample clinic in Chu-Li City, this paper aims to explore the relationships among service quality, experiential value and repurchase intention with an adoption of structural equation model. The empirical findings show that service quality and experiential value both positively impact repurchase intention. Besides, there is only partial moderating effect of Generation on the relationships among service quality, experiential value and repurchase intention.
Response of popcorn (Zea mays everta) varieties to varying plant densities and fertility levels

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2013 and 2014 at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, to ascertain suitable popcorn (Zea mays everta) variety, its fertility level and plant density. Treatments consisted 3 popcorn varieties, (VL Amber Popcorn, Bajaura Popcorn and Amber Popcorn), 3 fertility levels, viz. (90 + 30 and 110 + 40 kg N + P O /ha) and site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) based 2 5 fertility level, viz. (134 + 52 kg N + P O /ha) and 2 plant densities, viz. (66,666 and 83,333 plants/ha). The soil of 2 5 experimental site was having medium fertility status. Pooled results indicated that highest values of growth, yield- attributing parameters, grain (1.62 t/ha), stover yield (2.47 t/ha), net returns ( 103 65.21/ha and benefit: cost ratio 3.29) were obtained with VL Amber Popcorn. Application of SSNM-based fertility level improved the growth, yield components and consequently the grain (1.68 t/ha), stover (2.65 t/ha) over rest of the fertility levels and proved economically beneficial with the highest net return (103 68.03/ha) and B:C ratio (3.34). Significantly highest grain (1.55 t/ha), stover (2.39 t/ha), net returns (103 61.51/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.09) recorded under 83,333 plants/ha, being significantly higher than those with 66,666 plants/ha. At harvesting experimental soil with VL Amber Popcorn had significantly lower N and P status; however, K status of soil did not vary significantly. At