Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A study on morbidity profile and associated risk factors in a rural area of dehradun.

BACKGROUND First few years of life is the most crucial period of life as this age is known for accelerated growth and development, warranting regular monitoring. During this period about 40% of physical growth and 80% of mental development occurs. Any adverse influences during this period may result in severe limitations in their development. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in the field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre. Mothers of children between 0-3 years of age were enquired about the morbidity in the past two months. RESULTS Diarrhea (47.9%) followed by ARI (22.21%), Pica (13%) and Worm Infestation (9.21%) were the commonest morbidities found in the study population. Morbidities were found to be common in males as compared to females. Amongst the nutritional deficiencies anaemia & Vitamin B deficiencies were the commonest. CONCLUSION There was considerable sickness load amongst the toddlers. Morbidity can be reduced by improvement in the health care system at peripheral level.
Par1b/MARK2 Phosphorylates Kinesin-Like Motor Protein GAKIN/KIF13B To Regulate Axon Formation

ABSTRACT Here we report that Par1b/MARK2 regulates axon formation via phosphorylation of a kinesin superfamily protein GAKIN/KIF13B. Accumulating evidence indicated the importance of the evolutionarily conserved kinase Par1b in the regulation of cell polarity. Using hippocampal neurons in culture, it has been shown that Par1b regulates axon specification, but the underlying mechanism remains uncharacterized. We identify GAKIN/KIF13B as a novel Par1b-binding protein and reveal that GAKIN/KIF13B is a physiological substrate for Par1b, and the phosphorylation sites are conserved from Drosophila. In hippocampal neurons, GAKIN/KIF13B accumulates at the distal part of the microtubules in the tips of axons, but not of dendrites. Overexpression of GAKIN/KIF13B by itself can induce the formation of extra axons, which is inhibited by the coexpression of Par1b in a manner dependent on its kinase activity. In contrast, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of GAKIN/KIF13B severely retards neurite extension and promotes the axonless phenotype. The extra axon phenotype caused by Par1b siRNA is suppressed by cointroduction of GAKIN/KIF13B siRNA, thus placing the GAKIN/KIF13B function downstream of Par1b. We also find that GAKIN/KIF13B acts downstream of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling via Par1b phosphorylation. These results reveal that GAKIN/KIF13B is a key intermediate linking Par1b to the regulation of axon formation.
The effect of past use of the injectable contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on bone mineral density in normal post‐menopausal women

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), an injectable progestogen, is a widely used contraceptive acting primarily by inhibiting secretion of pituitary gonadotrophins, thus producing oestrogen deficiency. Cross‐sectional and prospective studies in pre‐menopausal women have shown DMPA use to be associated with reduced bone density, but bone density increases following discontinuation of the drug. Because fracture rates are low in pre‐menopausal women, the principal concern arising from the effects of DMPA on bone is that there may be residual osteopenia in former users such that their post‐menopausal fracture risk is increased. The present study addresses this question.
Decentralized deadlock-free control for AGV systems

This paper proposes a decentralized control strategy to assign tasks to Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV) and coordinate their paths to avoid deadlock and collisions. We consider a zone-controlled guidepath network where a set of intelligent vehicles (agents) has to autonomously reach a consensus about the distribution of a set of tasks, i.e., a set of zones to be reached. To this aim the agents apply a discrete consensus algorithm in order to locally minimize the global cost for reaching the destination zone. Moreover, we present a decentralized coordination protocol that is based on a zone-controlled approach with the aim of avoiding deadlock and collisions.
"No-CPU" Chaotic Robots: From Classroom to Commerce

For more than a decade, chaotic signals have been adopted to generate gaits for robots via simple and effective chaotic circuits within or without CPUs. The signals are used to guide a robot to navigate chaotically. This type of robots is useful in many applications ranging from engineering education such as high school science projects to military de-mining tasks alike. Computer simulations using various choices of chaotic patterns reveal that the pattern of chaotic orbit generated by Chua's circuit is the best in the sense of wide area coverage, high availability of design documentation and easy circuit construction. Experimental results show that the chaotic robots described in this article are very promising for transforming several tasks in such devices as vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, de-mining vehicles, and so on. This cost-effective utilization can be simply done by embedding the chaotic circuits into the target applications without CPUs.
Association between combat stress and post-concussive symptom reporting in OEF/OIF service members with mild traumatic brain injuries

Objective: The relationship between combat stress and post-concussive symptoms in service members with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) is poorly understood. It was hypothesized that the co-occurrence of combat stress would have a significant effect on the severity of post-concussive complaints, specifically on emotional and cognitive symptoms. Methods: Four hundred and seventy-two combat-deployed service members with mTBI completed self-report inventories of post-traumatic stress and post-concussive symptoms. Two groups were formed based on post-traumatic stress symptoms (High Combat Stress and Low Combat Stress). Results: A 3–8-fold increase in post-concussive symptoms was observed when comparing the High and Low Combat Stress Groups. Elevations in post-concussive symptom reporting were not limited to emotional and/or cognitive symptoms, but rather were inclusive of all measured post-concussive symptoms. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that non-brain injury-related factors, such as high-levels of combat stress, may impact post-concussive symptom reporting in this population, further confounding the accuracy of the post-concussion syndrome (PCS) diagnosis. Considerable caution should be exercised in making the diagnosis of PCS in concussed service members with co-occurring combat-stress disorders.
World War II veterans, social support, and veterans' associations

Abstract People use many different coping strategies to deal with their traumatic recollections. Twenty-five British World War II veterans were interviewed regarding the ways they used social support both during the war and in the years afterwards. The findings demonstrate that social support is used in fundamentally different ways. During the war comradeship was particularly important and even fifty years after the war comrades are still a valuable resource for discussing war experiences, and dealing with the emotional content of traumatic recollections. Veterans rely on wives and families to help deal with the more physical and practical elements of coping, but tend not to discuss their traumatic memories with them. The findings show that social support is an important lifelong coping strategy for World War II veterans.
Effect of Hypoxic-Ischemic Insults on the Composition of Fatty Acids in the Brain of Neonatal Rats

Background: Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 n–3), comprise a major component of brain membrane phospholipids. The effect of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic insults on brain fatty acid composition is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate alterations in brain fatty acid composition during development and in response to hypoxic-ischemic insults in neonatal rats. Methods: Postnatal day 7 pups were randomly assigned to two experimental groups: a control group or a hypoxic-ischemic group in which hypoxia-ischemia was produced by left common carotid artery occlusion and exposure to 8% oxygen for 1.5 h. Various brain fatty acids were measured on postnatal days 8, 10 and 14. Results: On postnatal day 14, the ratio of DHA to total fatty acids increased in the control group, but not in the hypoxic-ischemic group (p < 0.05). We observed no significant differences in arachidonic acid content in the brain between the two groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that hypoxic-ischemic insults interfere with accumulation of brain DHA in developing rats. DHA supplementation may be beneficial for treating neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
Cell rearrangement in transplanted human islets

The major feature of the human pancreatic islet architecture is the organization of endocrine cells into clusters comprising central β cells and peripheral α cells surrounded by vasculature. To have an insight into the mechanisms that govern this unique islet architecture, islet cells were isolated, and reaggregation of α and β cells into islet‐like structures (pseudoislets) after culture or transplantation into mice was studied by immunohistology. The pseudoislets formed in culture displayed an unusual cell arrangement, contrasting with the transplanted pseudoislets, which exhibited a cell arrangement similar to that observed in native pancreatic islet subunits. The pattern of revascularization and the distribution of extracellular matrix around transplanted pseudoislets were alike to those observed in native pancreatic islets. This organization of transplanted pseudoislets occurred also when revascularization was abolished by treating mice with an anti‐VEGF antibody, but not when contact with extracellular matrix was prevented by encapsulation of pseudoislets within alginate hydrogel. These results indicate that the maintenance of islet cell arrangement is dependent on in vivo features such as extracellular matrix but independent of vascularization. —Lavallard, V. , Armanet, M. , Parnaud, G. , Meyer, J., Barbieux, C. , Montanari, E. , Meier, R. , Morel, P., Berney, T. , Bosco, D. Cell rearrangement in transplanted human islets. FASEB J. 30, 748–760 (2016). www.fasebj. org
Study of MgB2 Ultrathin Films in Submicron Size Bridges

We discuss a custom built hybrid physical chemical vapor deposition system for MgB<sub>2</sub> ultrathin film deposition: construction, deposition process development, and optimization. Achieved films on SiC substrates have a critical temperature (<italic>T<sub>c</sub></italic>) ranging from 35 K (10-nm-thick films) to 41 K (40-nm-thick films). The 20-nm-thick unpatterned film had a room temperature resistivity of 13 <italic>μ</italic> Ω·cm, whereas it becomes 50 <italic>μ</italic>Ω·cm in submicrometer size bridges with a critical current density <italic>J<sub>c</sub></italic> (4.2 K) up to 1.2 × 10<sup>8</sup> A/cm<sup>2</sup>. The lower value of resistivity corresponds to the higher of both <italic>T<sub>c</sub></italic> and <italic>J<sub>c </sub></italic>. The surface roughness, measured with an atomic force microscope, is approximately 1.5 nm.
Sunbed use and cutaneous melanoma in Norway

Aims: Incidence rates of cutaneous melanoma (CM) in light skinned people in Norway are among the highest in the world. Sunbed use has increased in Norway since 1980. We will try to elucidate whether there is any correlation between the increase in sunbed use and the CM incidence rates, whether the increase in CM risk is similar for all age groups, and whether the possible difference between young and old persons can inform future healthcare strategies. Methods: The frequency of sunbed use by different age groups in the time period 1980–2011 and incidence rates (1980–2009) of CM at different age groups in Norway were studied. Time in minutes per day spent in front of screen of computers or TVs for boys and girls was also analysed. Results: The number of sunbed sessions per year in Norway increased throughout the entire period. The number of men and women diagnosed with CM per year, all ages combined, also increased. Sunbed use increased at a similar rate for three age groups (0–19, 20–50, and >50 years old), while the age-adjusted CM incidence rate increased only for the oldest group. Time spent in front of the screen of computers or TVs increased from 1985 to 2005 and is still increasing. Conclusions: CM incidence is decreasing while sunbed use is increasing in younger age groups. The present data indicate that more work needs to be done before one can know whether the overall health effects of sunbed exposure are positive or negative.
A Virtual Reality Game for Chronic Pain Management: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study

Although Virtual Reality (VR) applications have been shown to reduce many forms of acute pain, such research of VR applications and their effects on chronic pain is still at its infancy. In this study, we designed a VR game Cryoslide, and examined its analgesic effect on chronic pain patients, its end users, in a clinical setting. In this randomized, controlled crossover clinical study of 20 chronic pain patients, Cryoslide significantly reduced perceived pain compared to the baseline and the control group. The results demonstrate that Cryoslide can be effectively used as an analgesic intervention for chronic pain management to lessen pain intensity during short-term symptom spikes.
Bayesian Audio-to-Score Alignment Based on Joint Inference of Timbre, Volume, Tempo, and Note Onset Timings

This article presents an offline method for aligning an audio signal to individual instrumental parts constituting a musical score. The proposed method is based on fitting multiple hidden semi-Markov models (HSMMs) to the observed audio signal. The emission probability of each state of the HSMM is described using latent harmonic allocation (LHA), a Bayesian model of a harmonic sound mixture. Each HSMM corresponds to one musical instrument’s part, and the state duration probability is conditioned on a linear dynamics system (LDS) tempo model. Variational Bayesian inference is used to jointly infer LHA, HSMM, and the LDS. We evaluate the capability of the method to align musical audio to its score, under reverberation, structural variations, and fluctuations in onset timing among different parts.
Validation of the MESSi among adult workers and young students: General health and personality correlates

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to provide validity for the Spanish version of the Morningness–Eveningness-Stability Scale – improved (MESSi), a novel evolved assessment of circadian typology which considers the subjective phase and amplitude by morning affect (MA), eveningness (EV) and distinctness (DI; subjective amplitude) sub-scales. Convergence validity of the MESSi with the reduced Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) and relationships with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and sensitivity to reward and punishment (SR and SP) were analyzed. Two different Spanish samples, young undergraduate students (n = 891, 18–30 years) and adult workers (n = 577, 31–65 years) participated in this study. Exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) of MESSi displayed acceptable fit of a three-factors measurement model. Percentiles of the MA, EV and DI sub-scales were obtained for students and adults. The MESSi showed good convergence validity with the rMEQ scores, with a higher correlation coefficient between MA, EV and lower with DI sub-scales. In both, young students and adult workers, MA was negatively related with the GHQ-12 and SP, but the percentage of explained variance (6% and 3%) was lower than the positive correlations between DI, the GHQ-12 and SP (20% and 13%). Morning types presented higher MA and lower EV scores than the other two typologies in both students and adult workers, whereas only differences in DI were found among students (lowest in evening type). Candidates to psychological symptoms and mental disorders (“true cases”), with the clinical cut-off criteria of the GHQ-12, showed lower MA and higher DI in students, whereas only DI was higher for “true cases” among adults. These results supported that subjective amplitude is a factor related to, but also differentiated of, morningness–eveningness (preferred time for a certain activity). The measure of amplitude might be more important than circadian phase in health consequences.
Production of Heparin Related Mucopolysaccharides by Mammalian Cells in Culture 1

Summary Radioactive mucopolysaccharides were isolated from HeLa, L, mouse embryo, and rat embryo cells grown in culture medium in the presence of radioactive inorganic sulfate, for 72 hr. The isolated mucopolysaccharides were submitted to mild acid hydrolysis as well as to the action of several mucopolysaccharidases and the degradation products were characterized by their migration in several chromatographic systems and on electrophoresis. It was demonstrated that part of these mucopolysaccharides are chondroitin sulfate A C and part N-sulfated-heparin-like compounds susceptible to hydrolysis by heparinases releasing glucosamine 2. 6-disulfate as the major amino sugar residue.
Renal ischemia/reperfusion leads to macrophage-mediated increase in pulmonary vascular permeability.

BACKGROUND Despite the advent of dialysis, survival with acute renal failure when associated with multiorgan failure is poor. The development of lung injury after shock or visceral ischemia has been shown; however, the effects of isolated renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) on the lungs are unclear. We hypothesized that isolated renal IRI could alter pulmonary vascular permeability (PVP) and that macrophages could be important mediators in this response. METHODS Rats (N = 5 per group) underwent renal ischemia for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion. Lung vascular permeability was evaluated by quantitation of Evans blue dye extravasation from vascular space to lung parenchyma at 1, 24, 48, or 96 hours after reperfusion. Serum was collected for blood urea nitrogen and creatinine at each time point. To examine the role of the macrophage, the macrophage pacifant CNI-1493, which inhibits the release of macrophage-derived inflammatory products, was administered in a blinded fashion during renal IRI. RESULTS PVP was significantly (P < 0.05) increased at 24 hours and peaked at 48 hours after IRI compared with shams as well as baseline levels. PVP after IRI became similar to shams after 96 hours. This correlated with increases in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine at similar time points. At 48 hours, CNI-1493 significantly abrogated the increase in PVP compared with IRI alone. However, CNI-1493 did not alter the course of the acute renal failure. Pulmonary histology demonstrated interstitial edema, alveolar hemorrhage, and red blood cell sludging after renal IRI, which was partially attenuated by CNI-1493. CONCLUSIONS Increased PVP develops after isolated renal IRI, and macrophage-derived products are mediators in this response. These findings have implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying respiratory dysfunction associated with acute renal failure.
The effects of guided imagery on comfort of women with early stage breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To measure the effectiveness of customized guided imagery for increasing comfort in women with early stage breast cancer. DESIGN Experimental longitudinal, random assignment to groups. SETTING Two urban radiation oncology departments. SAMPLE 53 women (26 in the experimental group, 27 in the control group) aged 37-81; 80% European and 10% African American with stage I or II breast cancer about to begin radiation therapy. METHODS The experimental group was to listen to a guided imagery audiotape once a day for the duration of the study. The Radiation Therapy Comfort Questionnaire was self-administered at three time points: prior to the introduction of intervention and the beginning of radiation therapy (Time 1), three weeks later (Time 2), and three weeks after completing radiation therapy (Time 3). The State Anxiety Inventory was administered at Time 1 only. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES The effect of use of guided imagery on comfort with anxiety as a control variable. FINDINGS Pooled data indicated a significant overall increase in differences in comfort between the treatment and control group, with the treatment group having higher comfort over time. The data also revealed a significant linear trend in differences between groups. No significant interaction of group and time existed. CONCLUSIONS Guided imagery is an effective intervention for enhancing comfort of women undergoing radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer. The intervention was especially salient in the first three weeks of therapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Guided imagery audiotapes specifically designed for this population were resource effective in terms of cost, personnel, and time.
Increased Mucosal Expression of Toll-like Receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 in Coeliac Disease

Objectives: The dysregulation of adaptive immunity is extensively investigated in celiac disease (CD). Recent data also suggest, however, the implication of innate immunity in CD. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a central role in the initiation or maintenance of innate immune responses. The aim of this study was to characterise the expression of TLR2, TLR3, and TLR4 in duodenal biopsy samples taken from children with CD and from controls. Patients and Methods: Duodenal biopsy specimens were collected from 16 children with untreated CD, 9 children with treated CD, and 10 controls. The mRNA expression of TLR2, TLR3, and TLR4 was determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Protein levels of TLRs were determined by Western blot. Results: We found higher TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA expression and protein levels in the duodenal mucosa of children with treated CD and untreated CD compared with controls. TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA expression and protein levels were even higher in the duodenal mucosa of children with treated CD than in untreated CD. TLR3 mRNA expression was increased in the duodenal mucosa of children with treated CD compared with untreated CD and controls. We were able to detect TLR3 protein only in the biopsy specimens of treated patients with CD. Conclusions: The alteration of TLR2 and TLR4 expression in the duodenal mucosa of patients with CD supports the potential implication of innate immune system in the pathomechanism of this disease.
Engagement and Arousal: Optimism’s Effects During a Brief Stressor

Optimism is usually associated with better psychological and physiological adjustment to stressors, but some contradictory findings exist. The purpose of this study was to investigate how optimism could result in negative immunological changes following difficult stressors. Because optimists are likely to see positive outcomes as attainable, they may invest greater effort to achieve their goals. It is proposed that such engagement would be more physiologically demanding when pursuing difficult goals. Participants (N = 54) worked on 11 difficult or insoluble anagrams. Optimism when combined with high self-awareness increased time spent working on the anagrams and skin conductance and salivary cortisol during the recovery period. The results support the notion that the increased engagement that arises from optimism may lead to short-term physiological costs.