Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological Functioning in Children with Non-Syndromic Cleft of the Lip and/or Palate

Objective: Evaluate neuropsychological functioning in children with non-syndromic cleft of the lip and/or palate (NSCL/P) through profile variance within type of cleft and comparisons to controls. Methods: Children ages 7 to 17 years participated; 66 had a diagnosis of NSCL/P and 87 were healthy controls. Neuropsychological tests of language, visual-perceptual, executive functioning, and memory skills were administered. Between- and within-group differences were assessed. Results: Within cleft types, children with NSCLP had an even profile with equal Verbal and Performance IQ (VIQ and PIQ, respectively). Children with non-syndromic cleft palate only (NSCP) had significantly lower VIQ than PIQ, while children with non-syndromic cleft lip only (NSCL) showed a nonsignificant trend for higher VIQ than PIQ. Overall, subjects with NSCL/P performed lower on measures of expressive language and verbal memory than controls. Conclusions: While deficits in verbal and memory skills for children with NSCL/P remain apparent, there is still uncertainty around the possible influence of cleft type on the pattern of deficits.
Somatotype and indicators of metabolic fitness in youth

The relationship between physique and metabolic fitness was examined in a sample of 413 boys and 343 girls 9–18 years of age from Phase I of the Québec Family Study. Physique was assessed using the Heath‐Carter anthropometric somatotype. Indicators of metabolic fitness were plasma triglyceride levels (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and blood glucose levels (GLY). The sample was divided into three age groups, 9–12, 13–15, and 16–18 years of age. A partial canonical correlation analysis was used to quantify the relationship between the standardized somatotype and metabolic fitness variables (z‐transformed) with age as the covariate. In both boys and girls the first canonical correlation is significant (P ⩽ 0.001) and indicates a relationship between the physique and metabolic fitness variables. By age group, the 16–18 year old boys, and the 9–12, 13–15, 16–18 year old girls demonstrate significant canonical correlations (P ⩽ 0.03). Overall, 8% to 19% of the variance in metabolic fitness can be explained by the Heath‐Carter anthropometric somatotype. The makeup of the canonical variates is similar for all age groups. Generally, the physique domain is characterized by a positive loading for ectomorphy and negative loadings for endomorphy and mesomorphy. The metabolic fitness domain has a positive loading for HDL‐C and negative loadings for TG, LDL‐C, and GLY. The results suggest that in youth 9–18 years, a physique characterized by high endomorphy and mesomorphy is associated with higher levels of TG, LDL‐C, and GLY, and lower levels of HDL‐C. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:341–350, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Israeli Products in the Eyes of Palestinians

The effects of consumer ethnocentrism, animosity and product judgments on Palestinian consumer intention to purchase Israeli products was analyzed. To do so, a questionnaire was built, tested and distributed to a sample of 1550 Palestinian consumers in three main cities. Factor as well as multiple regression techniques were then applied. Results indicate that both ethnocentrism and animosity are positively related to consumer reluctance to buy Israeli goods. Findings also suggest that product judgment negatively impacts the reluctance of Palestinian consumers to purchase Israeli products. Furthermore, results show that education is the only personal characteristics variable that affects Palestinian purchase intention.
Optimization of Real-Time PCR Assay for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Eubacterial 16S Ribosomal DNA in Platelet Concentrates

ABSTRACT A real-time PCR assay was developed for rapid detection of eubacterial 16S ribosomal DNA in platelet concentrates. The sensitivity of this assay can be hampered by contaminating DNA in the PCR reagents. Digestion of the PCR reagents with Sau3AI prior to PCR amplification was effective in eliminating this contaminating DNA without affecting the sensitivity of the assay.
Utilization of modified NFL combine testing to identify functional deficits in athletes following ACL reconstruction.

STUDY DESIGN Case control. OBJECTIVES To use modified NFL Combine testing methodology to test for functional deficits in athletes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction following return to sport. BACKGROUND There is a need to develop objective, performance-based, on-field assessment methods designed to identify potential lower extremity performance deficits and related impairments in this population. METHODS Eighteen patients (mean ± SD age, 16.9 ± 2.1 years; height, 170.0 ± 8.7 cm; body mass, 71.9 ± 21.8 kg) who returned to their sport within a year following ACL reconstruction (95% CI: 7.8 to 11.9 months from surgery) participated (ACLR group). These individuals were asked to bring 1 or 2 teammates to serve as control participants, who were matched for sex, sport, and age (n = 20; mean ± SD age, 16.9 ± 1.1 years; height, 169.7 ± 8.4 cm; body mass, 70.1 ± 20.7 kg). Functional performance was tested using the broad jump, vertical jump, modified long shuttle, modified pro shuttle, modified agility T-test, timed hop, triple hop, single hop, and crossover hop tests. A 1-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to evaluate group differences for dependent performance variables. RESULTS The functional performance measurements of skills requiring bilateral involvement of both lower extremities showed no group differences between the ACLR and control groups (P>.05). An overall group difference (P = .006) was observed for the combined limb symmetry index (LSI) measures. However, the modified double-limb performance tasks (long shuttle, modified agility T-test, and pro shuttle) were not, independently, sufficiently sensitive to detect limb deficits in individuals with ACL reconstruction. Conversely, the LSI on the distance measures of the single-limb performance tasks all provided moderate to large effect sizes to differentiate between the ACLR and control groups, as the individuals who had ACL reconstruction demonstrated involved limb deficits on all measures (P<.05). Finally, the LSI for the timed hop test was not different between groups (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that, while unilateral deficits are present in individuals following ACL reconstruction, they may not be evident during bipedal performance or during modified versions of double-limb performance activities. Isolation of the involved limb with unilateral hopping tasks should be used to identify deficits in performance.
Phenotypic, Functional, and Kinetic Parameters Associated with Apparent T-Cell Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Replication in Individuals with and without Antiretroviral Treatment

ABSTRACT The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-mediated immune response may be beneficial or harmful, depending on the balance between expansion of HIV-specific T cells and the level of generalized immune activation. The current study utilizes multicolor cytokine flow cytometry to study HIV-specific T cells and T-cell activation in 179 chronically infected individuals at various stages of HIV disease, including those with low-level viremia in the absence of therapy (“controllers”), low-level drug-resistant viremia in the presence of therapy (partial controllers on antiretroviral therapy [PCAT]), and high-level viremia (“noncontrollers”). Compared to noncontrollers, controllers exhibited higher frequencies of HIV-specific interleukin-2-positive gamma interferon-positive (IL-2+ IFN-γ+) CD4+ T cells. The presence of HIV-specific CD4+ IL-2+ T cells was associated with low levels of proliferating T cells within the less-differentiated T-cell subpopulations (defined by CD45RA, CCR7, CD27, and CD28). Despite prior history of progressive disease, PCAT patients exhibited many immunologic characteristics seen in controllers, including high frequencies of IL-2+ IFN-γ+ CD4+ T cells. Measures of immune activation were lower in all CD8+ T-cell subsets in controllers and PCAT compared to noncontrollers. Thus, control of HIV replication is associated with high levels of HIV-specific IL-2+ and IFN-γ+ CD4+ T cells and low levels of T-cell activation. This immunologic state is one where the host responds to HIV by expanding but not exhausting HIV-specific T cells while maintaining a relatively quiescent immune system. Despite a history of advanced HIV disease, a subset of individuals with multidrug-resistant HIV exhibit an immunologic profile comparable to that of controllers, suggesting that functional immunity can be reconstituted with partially suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline levels in normal pregnancy and in pregnancy‐induced hypertension

Summary. Plasma concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline were measured serially during normal pregnancy in 52 women who remained normotensive and in nine who developed pregnancy‐induced hypertension but were otherwise normal. There was a significant fall in both noradrenaline (P<0.005) and adrenaline (P<0.05) levels during normal pregnancy. Throughout pregnancy the mean levels of both catecholamines were lower in the patients who developed pregnancy‐induced hypertension than in the normotensive patients. There was no evidence of increased sympathetic nervous system activity in the women who developed pregnancy‐induced hypertension.
Neural architecture of the primary gustatory center of Drosophila melanogaster visualized with GAL4 and LexA enhancer‐trap systems

Gustatory information is essential for animals to select edible foods and avoid poisons. Whereas mammals detect tastants with their taste receptor cells, which convey gustatory signals to the brain indirectly via the taste sensory neurons, insect gustatory receptor neurons (GRNs) send their axons directly to the primary gustatory center in the suboesophageal ganglion (SOG). In spite of this relatively simple architecture, the precise structure of the insect primary gustatory center has not been revealed in enough detail. To obtain comprehensive anatomical knowledge about this brain area, we screened the Drosophila melanogaster GAL4 enhancer‐trap strains that visualize specific subsets of the gustatory neurons as well as putative mechanosensory neurons associated with the taste pegs. Terminals of these neurons form three branches in the SOG. To map the positions of their arborization areas precisely, we screened newly established LexA::VP16 enhancer‐trap strains and obtained a driver line that labels a large subset of peripheral sensory neurons. By double‐labeling specific and landmark neurons with GAL4 and LexA strains, we were able to distinguish 11 zones in the primary gustatory center, among which 5 zones were identified newly in this study. Arborization areas of various known GRNs on the labellum, oesophagus, and legs were also mapped in this framework. The putative mechanosensory neurons terminate exclusively in three zones of these areas, supporting the notion of segregated primary centers that are specialized for chemosensory and mechanosensory signals associated with gustatory sensation. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:4147–4181, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Post-Enlargement Migration and the Great Recession in the E(M)U: Lessons and policy implications

This paper summarises key results from our research about post-enlargement mobility in the EU. We clarify its scope, composition and effects; labour market situation of mobile workers; the role of labour mobility as a vehicle of economic stabilisation; as well as brain circulation and return migration. We also outline a policy agenda for a labour mobility model for a vibrant EU, enabling Europe to cope with labour market imbalances and asymmetric economic shocks, and providing for a more prosperous, cohesive and equal EU.
Mucinous versus nonmucinous rectal carcinomas: differentiation with MR imaging.

PURPOSE To determine if quantitative and qualitative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging measures can help differentiation of mucinous from nonmucinous rectal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 26 patients with pathologically proved mucinous (n = 9) and nonmucinous (n = 17) rectal tumors, MR imaging was performed with T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) and T2-weighted fast SE sequences in all patients and with a gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted sequence in 18. With use of the signal intensity (SI) measurements in the tumors and reference tissues, tumor-to-muscle, tumor-to-fat, and tumor-to-urine SI ratios were calculated. In addition, the SI and contrast-enhancement patterns in the tumors were assessed qualitatively by three blinded readers. RESULTS Mucinous tumors had a much higher SI on the T2-weighted fast SE images. Tumor-to-muscle, tumor-to-fat, and tumor-to-urine SI ratios were significantly higher in the mucinous compared with the nonmucinous tumors (P = .0004, P = .0008, and P = .00002, respectively). Qualitative evaluation of the SI correlated well between readers 1 and 2 (r = 0.93), readers 1 and 3 (r = 0.94), and readers 2 and 3 (r = 0.91). Agreement for the contrast-enhancement patterns was 67%, 72%, and 67%, respectively, with most mucinous tumors having predominantly high SI and a peripheral contrast-enhancement pattern. CONCLUSION Mucinous and nonmucinous rectal tumors can be differentiated with MR imaging because mucinous tumors show high SI on T2-weighted fast SE images.
Convolutional Neural Networks for Large-Scale Remote-Sensing Image Classification

We propose an end-to-end framework for the dense, pixelwise classification of satellite imagery with convolutional neural networks (CNNs). In our framework, CNNs are directly trained to produce classification maps out of the input images. We first devise a fully convolutional architecture and demonstrate its relevance to the dense classification problem. We then address the issue of imperfect training data through a two-step training approach: CNNs are first initialized by using a large amount of possibly inaccurate reference data, and then refined on a small amount of accurately labeled data. To complete our framework, we design a multiscale neuron module that alleviates the common tradeoff between recognition and precise localization. A series of experiments show that our networks consider a large amount of context to provide fine-grained classification maps.
Local stimulation of proteoglycan synthesis in articular cartilage explants by dynamic compression in vitro

Cultured bovine articular cartilage was subjected to 50 ms, 0.5–1.0 MPa compressions repeated at intervals of 2–60 s for 1.5 h and simultaneously labeled with 35SO4. The compression was delivered with a 4‐mm‐diameter nonporous loading head on an 8‐mm‐diameter cartilage explant. This method created directly compressed (central) and uncompressed (border) areas within the tissue. Analysis of the whole explant under a 0.5 MPa load showed significantly increased 35SO4 incorporation by compression repeated at 2‐ and 4‐s but not at 20‐ and 60‐s intervals. When the incorporation was studied separately in the border and central areas, a statistically significant stimulation was noticed in the central area with a 4‐s cycle, while the border area was stimulated with a 2‐s cycle. Autoradiography of the central area showed that the stimulation with 0.5 MPa and a 4‐s cycle occurred through the whole depth of the cartilage, while raising the pressure to 1 MPa or the frequency to 2 s reduced the stimulation, particularly in the superficial cartilage. In the border area the stimulation with 0.5 MPa and a 2‐s cycle was noted in the superficial zone only. The stimulation of proteoglycan synthesis is thus limited to certain loading frequencies and pressures and occurs in specific areas under and around the loaded site. Its rapid appearance suggests enhanced glycosylation or sulfation of core proteins or enhanced speed of posttranslational processing.
Determining impacts and factors in ventilator-associated pneumonia bundle.

Objective: Assessing the determining impacts and factors in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) bundle. Method: descriptive retrospective longitudinal study, with quantitative approach, held at a public teaching hospital. Collection held between May 2014 and April 2015. Patients of the ICU with VAP participated in the research. For organizing data, the Microsoft Excel 2010 program was used. A critical analysis between the data collected and infection rates was performed. The survey was approved under no. 566,136. Results: an increase in the incidence of VAP after implementing the bundle was observed; the prevalent pathogens were gram-negative bacteria. Deaths were equal to or greater than 50%. Changes of professionals and lack of supplies were determining factors. Conclusion: in this context, the need for permanent qualification of the team is emphasized, with the purpose of promoting the adherence to the protocol and preventing VAP.
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Axial Low Back Pain: A Prospective Controlled Trial Comparing 16‐Contact Insulated Electrodes with 4‐Contact Percutaneous Electrodes

Use of multicontact electrodes and programmable implanted pulse generators has increased the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation for pain. Some investigators find dual column electrodes advantageous for difficult‐to‐treat axial low back pain, but we have reported significantly improved measures with a single percutaneous midline electrode vs. dual percutaneous electrodes and even better results with an insulated, 1 × 4, midline electrode. In this study, 10 patients provided computerized, quantitative parameter measures for a temporary percutaneous 1 × 4 electrode and for a permanent insulated 2 × 8 electrode. Compared with the 2 × 8, the 1 × 4 resulted in marginally better patient‐rated (109%, p = 0.06) and computer‐calculated pain/paresthesia overlap (107%, p = 0.17); higher scaled amplitude to cover the low back (106%, NS); and significantly lower voltage (78%, p = 0.0004), increased extraneous coverage (141%, p = 0.0000), and improved symmetry (25%, p = 0.001). Thus, we observed no significant technical advantage for the insulated 2 × 8 in treating axial low back pain.
A potent analog of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 selectively induces bone formation

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] is a principal regulator of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis through actions on intestine, kidney, and bone. 1,25(OH)2D3 is not considered to play a significant role in bone formation, except for its role in supporting mineralization. We report here on the properties of 2-methylene-19-nor-(20S)-1α,25(OH)2D3 (2MD), a highly potent analog of 1,25(OH)2D3 that induces bone formation both in vitro and in vivo. Selectivity for bone was first demonstrated through the observation that 2MD is at least 30-fold more effective than 1,25(OH)2D3 in stimulating osteoblast-mediated bone calcium mobilization while being only slightly more potent in supporting intestinal calcium transport. 2MD is also highly potent in promoting osteoblast-mediated osteoclast formation in vitro, a process essential to both bone resorption and formation. Most significantly, 2MD at concentrations as low as 10−12 M causes primary cultures of osteoblasts to produce bone in vitro. This effect is not found with 1,25(OH)2D3 even at 10−8 M, suggesting that 2MD might be osteogenic in vivo. Indeed, 2MD (7 pmol/day) causes a substantial increase (9%) in total body bone mass in ovariectomized rats over a 23-week period. 1,25(OH)2D3 (500 pmol three times a week) only prevented the bone loss associated with ovariectomy and did not increase bone mass. These results indicate that 2MD is a potent bone-selective analog of 1,25(OH)2D3 potentially effective in treating bone loss diseases.
Cervical shedding of herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus throughout the menstrual cycle in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to evaluate the frequency and patterns of the shedding of herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus in the female genital tract throughout the menstrual cycle. STUDY DESIGN Seventeen women, all seropositive for herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1, underwent daily evaluation of cervical viral shedding for the duration of 1 menstrual cycle (21-31 visits per woman). Serum estradiol and progesterone levels were monitored 3 times weekly. RESULTS Overall, herpes simplex virus deoxyribonucleic acid was detected in 43 (10%) of 450 cervical swabs, and cytomegalovirus deoxyribonucleic acid was detected in 232 (52%) of 450 cervical swabs. For individual women there was considerable variability in the percentage of days on which virus was detected, ranging from 0% to 33% for herpes simplex virus and from 20% to 97% for cytomegalovirus. Shedding of herpes simplex virus did not vary significantly with menstrual cycle; however, shedding of cytomegalovirus was significantly more frequent in the luteal phase (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.4). A CD4(+) lymphocyte count <200/microL was associated with increased frequency of the detection of herpes simplex virus (odds ratio, 5.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-29.4). CONCLUSIONS Asymptomatic cervical shedding of both herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus occurs very frequently in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1. The risk of transmitting these viruses to sexual partners and neonates may be higher than previously recognized.
International winter tourism entrepreneurs in northern Sweden: understanding migration, lifestyle, and business motivations

ABSTRACT This paper examines the migration, lifestyle, and business motivations of international winter tourism entrepreneurs who have moved to a “low-amenity” rural area in northern Sweden. Low-amenity areas are characterised by economic decline, outmigration, and limited tourism development. Based on qualitative interviews, the research applied a multi-dimensional framework to the study of migrant tourism entrepreneurship, considering personal migration drivers, the value of location-specific amenities, desired consumptive experiences, previous familiarity with the destination, business-related goals, as well as temporal and technological dimensions of mobility and self-employment. The findings suggest that the northern winter and the undeveloped low-amenity character of the place were key factors in migration choices. Consumptive lifestyle interests around counter-urban living and winter outdoor hobbies were prominent, yet there was diversity in terms of business aspirations and considerable seasonal lifestyle–business balancing. Despite noticeable contributions to winter tourism development in the low-amenity north, the study also identified a sense of temporariness and expected onward migration among migrants, raising questions about the longevity of this development.