Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HIV and AIDS Stigma Violates Human Rights in Five African Countries

The situation and human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS were explored through focus groups in five African countries (Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland and Tanzania). A descriptive qualitative research design was used. The 251 informants were people living with HIV and AIDS, and nurse managers and nurse clinicians from urban and rural settings. NVivo™ software was used to identify specific incidents related to human rights, which were compared with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The findings revealed that the human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS were violated in a variety of ways, including denial of access to adequate or no health care/services, and denial of home care, termination or refusal of employment, and denial of the right to earn an income, produce food or obtain loans. The informants living with HIV and AIDS were also abused verbally and physically. Country governments and health professionals need to address these issues to ensure the human rights of all people.
Characteristics of Cutaneous Lymphomas in Osaka, Japan (1988–1999) Based on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Classification

Based on accumulating information, European investigators proposed a new classification for primary cutaneous lymphomas known as the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) classification. The clinical utility of this classification in Japanese cases has not been evaluated. Material from 65 patients with cutaneous lymphomas (48 with primary disease and 17 with secondary disease) who were admitted to Osaka University Hospital during the period 1988 through 1999 was reviewed. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed in all cases. Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) comprised mycosis fungoides (15 cases), Sézary syndrome (1 case), lymphomatoid papulosis (5 cases), large cell CTCL (13 cases), pleomorphic small-or medium-sized CTCL (2 cases), and cutaneous natural killer /T-cell lymphoma (4 cases). B-cell lymphomas comprised 7 cases of follicle center cell lymphoma and 1 case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the leg. Each category of disease in the EORTC scheme showed its characteristic features in our series. Five of 13 large cell CTCL cases were positive for CD30, and 5 were negative. The 5-year survival rate of patients with large cell CTCL CD30+ disease was 100% and that of patients with CD30− disease was 0%. (p > 0.1). Only 1 of 7 CTCL cases expressing CD30 was ALK-1+, and all 7 cases showed a favorable clinical course. The EORTC classification is effective in dealing with Japanese cases of cutaneous lymphomas.
The brain opioid theory of social attachment: a review of the evidence

The psychology of close human relationships is increasingly well understood and our understanding of the neurobiology of the onset of pairbonding behaviour in a range of species has benefited from the use of rodent-based models. However, the human literature has suffered from a lack of focus upon the unique nature of primate social bonds and has so far failed to adequately identify the neurobiological and behavioural mechanisms which maintain these complex, diverse and enduring social networks. One neurobiological mechanism that has been overlooked is the endogenous opioid system. Though less explicitly researched than the more familiar oxytocin/vasopressin system, there is considerable evidence that the opioids play a fundamental role in sociality, especially in the primates. This review summarises our current understanding of the evidence for the role of this system in prosocial behaviour in non-primate mammals, nonhuman primates and humans. An important conclusion is that the opioid system may play a more central role in sociality in primates (including humans) than in other mammalian taxa. © 2011 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden.
Association of personality, neighbourhood, and civic participation with the level of perceived social support: The HUNT study, a cross-sectional survey

Aim: The aim of the current study was to examine the association of personality, neighbourhood, and civic participation with the level of perceived social support if needed. Methods: The sample consists of a total of 35,797 men (16,035) and women (19,762) drawn from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study 3 (HUNT3), aged 20–89, with a fully completed short version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) including a complete response to questions regarding perceived social support. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between the three-category outcomes (high, medium, and low) of perceived social support. Results: The Chi-square test detected a significant (p < 0.001) association between personality, sense of community, civic participation, self-rated health, living arrangement, age groups, gender, and perceived social support, except between perceived social support and loss of social network, in which no significance was found. The crude and adjusted multinomial logistic regression models show a relation between medium and low scores on perceived social support, personality, and sources of social support. Interactions were observed between gender and self-rated health. Conclusions: There is an association between the level of perceived social support and personality, sense of community in the neighbourhood, and civic participation. Even if the interaction between men and self-reported health decreases the odds for low and medium social support, health professionals should be aware of men with poor health and their lack of social support.
Influence of supplementary fibrolytic enzymes on the fermentation of corn and grass silages by mixed ruminal microorganisms in vitro.

This study was done to determine the effectiveness of supplementary enzymes at increasing the fiber digestion by ruminal microorganisms and to assess whether enzyme activity limits the rate of fiber digestion in ruminal digesta. In vitro comparisons of enzyme activities in two feed enzyme preparations (A and B) with enzyme activities extracted from ruminal fluid indicated that the addition of fibrolytic enzymes at the application rates recommended by the manufacturers would not be expected to increase significantly glycanase and polysaccharidase activities in ruminal fluid. Preparations A and B both increased (P < 0.001) the rate of gas production from freeze-dried corn and grass silages in in vitro incubations with ruminal fluid, but only at concentrations much higher than recommended application rates. Autoclaved controls had little or no effect. Ultrafiltration of enzyme B indicated that most stimulation was due to components >100 kDa, which is consistent with the cause of the stimulation being enzyme activity. Fibrolytic enzymes from other sources were also able to stimulate gas production: increased rates of gas production were observed in seven out of eight combinations of "cellulase" and corn or grass silage (P < 0.05). The comparison of glycanase and polysaccharidase activities with gas-stimulatory activity in the different enzyme preparations indicated that the highest correlation was between increased gas production and enzyme activity against microgranular cellulose (P < 0.05). In a wider range of fibrolytic enzyme preparations, those with endo-(beta-1,4)- or exo-(beta-1,4)-xylanase activity equal to that of preparation A did not produce similar increased rates of fermentation of corn silage when glucanase activity was low (P > 0.05). In contrast, preparations with glucanase activity similar to enzyme A gave at least as great (P < 0.05) an improvement in gas production than enzyme A, irrespective of xylanase activity. It was concluded that enzyme activity, probably a type of endo-(beta-1,4)-glucanase activity, limits the rate of fermentation of corn and grass silage in the rumen. Enzyme supplements of the type used in these experiments are unlikely to possess sufficient activity to overcome this limitation by direct application to ruminal digesta, implying that treatment of the ration prefeeding will be key to harnessing the potential of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes in ruminant nutrition.
An evaluation of the use of digital study models in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the diagnostic and treatment planning value of digital models when compared with plaster study casts. In addition, the level of orthodontic experience of the examiner was assessed to determine whether this would have an influence on the decision-making process. Thirty randomly selected orthodontic patients from the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Alabama were selected for the study. From the 30 record sets, seven were selected attempting to mirror cases required for presentation to the American Board of Orthodontics. The seven evaluators were divided into two groups on the basis of their level of orthodontic experience. Initially, each evaluator assessed each patient record. Each evaluator was given a standardized questionnaire which recorded the evaluator's diagnosis based on use of the digital study models (T1). Regardless of whether the evaluator requested a review of the plaster study casts, the evaluator was given the plaster study casts. The evaluator then, using the plaster casts, filled out another identical questionnaire (T2). A chi-square test was used to determine any group differences in the frequency of changed diagnostic characteristics, treatment mechanical procedures, or proposed treatment plans after evaluating plaster study models. The statistical significance selected was P = . 05 level of significance. The results showed that 12.8% of diagnostic characteristics, 12% of treatment mechanic procedures, and 6% of proposed treatment plans changed after T2. The results of the present study indicate that in the vast majority of situations digital models can be successfully used for orthodontic records.
Staining of the ILM in macular surgery

We read with interest the article by Li and colleagues about trypan blue staining of the vitreomacular interface during vitrectomy.1 We congratulate the authors on their work. In particular, we appreciate their critical approach of testing trypan blue for staining of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) as well as their comments on potential untoward effects of indocyanine green (ICG) in macular surgery. We would like to comment on two remarks concerning the ultrastructural findings on the retinal side of the ILM following ILM removal with and without the use of ICG. We agree with Li and colleagues that fragments of glial cells are commonly found in ILM specimens. Ultrastructurally, they appear as tiny fragments of Muller cell membranes adherent to and enclosed within the undulations of the retinal side of the ILM. These glial structures had been described in detail by Eckhardt and colleagues, and are in accordance with previous work of our group, in an investigation of the ultrastructure of the vitreomacular interface …
Predictors of metabolic energy expenditure from body acceleration and mechanical energies in new generation active computer games

The following paper is an original research project which uses state of the art sport science physiological and biomechanical approaches to gain information about active computer games. This project is found to be particular relevant for the field of computer science in sport, since biomechanical and physiological knowledge is required to model, track and understand human motion during computer game play.
The inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus paracasei isolated from yoghurt on the growth and enterotoxin A gene expression of S. aureus

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcal foodborne intoxication is the most common cause of foodborne illnesses by Staphylococcus aureus strains and most are caused by the enterotoxins of S. aureus. Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is the most frequently responsible for staphylococcal food poisoning outbreaks. From a food safety and human health point of view, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may provide a promising strategy in the fight against S. aureus.OBJECTIVES: Increasing product shelf life, and enhancing the safety of food and human health using natural microflora are the aims of this study. METHODS: In this study we evaluate the inhibitory effects of three lactobacillus strains isolated from yoghurt, namely lactobacillus acidophilus, lactobacillus fermentum and lactobacillus paracasei, on the growth and enterotoxin production of Staphylococcus aureus by co-incubating each strain with enterotoxigenic S. aureus at two temperatures: 25 and 35°C. Expression of the SEA gene of S. aureus was assessed by real-time PCR. RESULTS: All the strains decreased the bacterial count at both temperatures compared to the control. This effect was greater at 25°°C than at 35°C. The production of SEA, SEC and SEE was inhibited by all the isolates tested. Furthermore, expression of the sea gene was significantly suppressed in S. aureus co-cultured with the lactobacillus isolates and the greatest impact was on Lactobacillus acidophilus at 35 ° C. CONCLUSINS: This research highlights the potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional foods for use as natural preservatives in foodstuffs and suggests a new approach for biocontrol of Staphylococcus aureus.
Alterations of platelet biochemical and functional properties in newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes: a role in cardiovascular risk?

The involvement of platelets in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications is supported by several studies. Type 1 diabetic (T1D) platelets show increased adhesiveness and aggregation related to a modification of nitric oxide synthase activity. Moreover, different cell types from diabetic patients showed a decreased membrane Na+/K+‐ATPase activity, which might be involved in diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate whether T1D at onset is able to induce alterations of platelet physicochemical and functional properties and whether these changes are affected by hyperglycaemia.
Obstructive Primary Bladder Neck Disease: Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of α1-Blockers

Objective: The efficacy and safety of using α1-adrenergic blockers for treating primary bladder neck obstruction in young and middle-aged men was assessed as the first therapeutic step, before surgery, in a symptomatic non-neurogenic selected group of patients. Materials and Methods: From January 1995 to December 2001, primary bladder neck obstruction was diagnosed in 41 men whose average age was 43 years. All of them were evaluated by a complete clinical history, American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score index, physical examination, uroflowmetry, transabdominal ultrasound prostatic volume determination, ultrasound post-void residual determination, videourodynamics including pressure-flow analysis and upper urinary tract screening with renal ultrasound or an excretory urogram. A full daily dose of α1-adrenergic blockers (alfuzosin or tamsulosin) was administered for at least 6 months. Successful treatment was defined as improved symptoms, voiding diary, maximum flow rate and pressure-flow parameters. Patients who did not gain improvement of symptoms with pharmacological treatment were offered surgery. Results: Overall, pharmacological treatment was successful in 29/41 patients (70.7%) whereas bladder neck endoscopic incision was mandatory in 12/41 (29.3%). Conclusions: α1-Blockers were effective and safe for treating young and middle-aged men with symptomatic bladder neck obstruction.
The Link Between Firm Level Innovation and Aggregate Productivity Growth

This paper investigates whether failure in innovation at the firm level can account for cross-country heterogeneity in manufacturing productivity growth. There is no strong evidence in the literature on the existence of such link. Our work, however, differs in a number of ways from much of the previous cross-country comparisons on the relationship between innovation and productivity using firm-level data. First, a broader definition of innovation input is used in which research and development is one of several sources of innovation. Second, a quantitative innovation output measure is used in the analysis. Third, the analysis is based on larger and more representative samples of firms including small firms. Finally, an econometric framework based on the knowledge production function accounting for both selectivity and simultaneity bias is employed. The results from Nordic countries show that given difficulties in pooling the data, it is important to specify country-specific models accounting for country-specific effects and differences in the countries national innovation systems.
Regulating function of methyl group in strength of CH...O hydrogen bond: a high-level ab initio study.

An ab initio computational study of the regulating function of the methyl group in the strength of the CH.O hydrogen bond (HB) with XCC-H (X = H, CH3, F) as a HB donor and HOY (Y = H, CH3, Cl) as a HB acceptor has been carried out at the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ and MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ levels. The bond lengths, interaction energies, and stretching frequencies are compared in the gas phase. The results indicate that the methyl substitution of the proton acceptor strengthens the CH.O HB, whereas that of the proton donor weakens the CH.O HB. NBO analysis demonstrates that the methyl group of the proton acceptor is electron-withdrawing and that of the proton donor is electron-donating in the formation of the CH.O HB. The electron-donation of the methyl group in the proton acceptor plays a positive contribution to the formation of the CH.O HB, whereas the electron-withdrawing action of the methyl group in the proton donor plays a negative contribution to the formation of the CH.O HB. The positive contribution of methyl group in the proton acceptor is larger than the negative contribution of methyl group in the proton donor.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor increases MMP-2 activity in DU-145 prostate cells.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine expressed by a number of different cell types and has been detected in prostatic glandular epithelial cells by immunohistochemistry. The goal of this study was to determine if in vitro cultured prostate cells produce this protein and some of the effects of MIF on these cells. Proliferation of normal prostate cells, the BPH-1 and DU-145 established cell lines in the presence of MIF were assessed. ELISA was used to screen conditioned medium for the production of MIF, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). Zymogram electrophoresis gels determined the activities of secreted MMP-2. The amount of MIF in the conditioned medium detected after 72 h of growth in normal, BPH-1 and DU-145 cells was 2.9, 5.2 and 10.2 ng/ml/10(6)cells respectively. Exogenous addition of MIF (25 ng/ml) to cells cultured in vitro stimulated proliferation of all the cell types tested. MIF addition to proliferating DU-145 cells resulted in a two-fold increase in the relative amount of active MMP-2 as determined by zymogram gel analysis of conditioned medium.
Review Article: Feasibility study of a V-shaped pipe for passive aeration composting

A V-shaped (Vs) pipe was improvised for composting of chicken litter in passive aeration piles. Three piles, equipped with horizontal (Ho), vertical (Ve) and Vs pipes were set up. The three treatments were replicated thrice. The effects of the aeration pipe on the physico-chemical properties of chicken litter and air distribution within the composting piles were investigated during composting. The properties monitored were temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content, total carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Moisture level in the piles was replenished fortnightly to 60% during composting. The results of the study showed that all the piles attained the optimum temperature range (40-65°C) for effective composting and satisfied the requirements for sanitation. The non-significant (p > 0.05) temperature difference within the piles with Ve and Vs pipes indicated that these pipes were effective for uniform air distribution within the pile. The aeration pipe had significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on pile temperature, pre-replenishment moisture content, pH and total phosphorus. In conclusion, the study showed that the Vs pipe is feasible and effective for passive aeration composting.
Seeking Abundance: Consumption as a Motivating Factor in Cities Past and Present

Purpose – This paper utilizes the perspective of abundance, rather than scarcity, to understand economies of cities. It also proposes that the earliest urban centers were attractive places of settlement because they represented a greater variety of jobs and objects compared to the rural countryside. Design/methodology/approach – The evolutionary trajectory of our species indicates that humans sought out abundance in their natural environments as early as a million years ago. People also deliberately replicated conditions of abundance through the manufacture and discard of large quantities of repetitive objects, and through the “waste” of usable goods. The development of urban centers 6,000 years ago provided new opportunities for both production and consumption and an abundance of diverse goods and services. These processes are analogous to contemporary economists’ views of abundance as a desirable principle and Chris Anderson's view of the Long Tail as the explanatory mechanism for the production and consumption of goods when greater distribution becomes possible. Social implications – Today, cities are growing very rapidly despite objectively deleterious conditions such as crowding, pollution, competition, and disease transmission. By recognizing the “pull” factors of consumption and opportunity, researchers can expend their energies to mitigate the negative effects of cities’ inevitable growth. Originality/value – Prior archaeological and contemporary analyses of cities have focused on the role of the upper echelons of the political and economic hierarchy; in contrast, this “bottom-up” approach addresses the attractions of cities from the perspective of ordinary inhabitants.
Effect of loss distribution on uncorrelated spatial points and frequency steps in reverberation chambers

The inclusion of losses in FDTD codes allows a reliable simulation of actual reverberation chambers. The using of equivalent volumetric losses makes simulations faster than the adoption of equivalent wall losses. In particular, in the case of wall losses the effect of considering a variable wall surface impedance is also analyzed. These different ways to manage RC losses in simulations are compared by analyzing their effects on uncorrelated spatial points and frequency steps. The uncorrelation degree is checked by a multivariate approach based on Pearson's correlation matrix. Results highlight that the volumetric and wall loss methods return similar values for the investigated quantities, so that the more simpler volumetric approach can be successfully applied.