Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abortion, law reform and the context of decision-making

Three recent books provide an opportunity to consider some current issues in the legal approach to abortion and how those grappling with law reform in Australia might learn from approaches elsewhere: Rebecca J Cook et al (2014), Erin L Nelson (2013), and Ronli Sifris (2014). In Australia there is currently discussion around the need for consistency in abortion law and, in some States, there are calls for significant abortion law reform. It is helpful to consider the legal approaches taken and the challenges confronted in other jurisdictions and legal systems when contemplating any future reform of Australian abortion laws. Transnational analysis and understanding the intersecting social and legal issues that are relevant to abortion allow for the consideration of abortion law through the lenses of women’s rights, citizenship, gender, and autonomy. However, it is arguably human rights litigation and analysis that had the most impact to date on abortion law reform globally. While sometimes such litigation has produced unexpected consequences, human rights litigation and language have provided a helpful toolkit for the assessment of abortion laws in a number of countries and helped to explore apparently competing interests. Of course, while law reform is an important aspect of ensuring women’s access to abortion, changes to the law are insufficient by themselves. In order to facilitate truly effective provision and access to abortion, both women and service providers also need to have knowledge and understanding of the legal grounds and the
Targeted Memory Reactivation during Sleep Adaptively Promotes the Strengthening or Weakening of Overlapping Memories

System memory consolidation is conceptualized as an active process whereby newly encoded memory representations are strengthened through selective memory reactivation during sleep. However, our learning experience is highly overlapping in content (i.e., shares common elements), and memories of these events are organized in an intricate network of overlapping associated events. It remains to be explored whether and how selective memory reactivation during sleep has an impact on these overlapping memories acquired during awake time. Here, we test in a group of adult women and men the prediction that selective memory reactivation during sleep entails the reactivation of associated events and that this may lead the brain to adaptively regulate whether these associated memories are strengthened or pruned from memory networks on the basis of their relative associative strength with the shared element. Our findings demonstrate the existence of efficient regulatory neural mechanisms governing how complex memory networks are shaped during sleep as a function of their associative memory strength. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Numerous studies have demonstrated that system memory consolidation is an active, selective, and sleep-dependent process in which only subsets of new memories become stabilized through their reactivation. However, the learning experience is highly overlapping in content and thus events are encoded in an intricate network of related memories. It remains to be explored whether and how memory reactivation has an impact on overlapping memories acquired during awake time. Here, we show that sleep memory reactivation promotes strengthening and weakening of overlapping memories based on their associative memory strength. These results suggest the existence of an efficient regulatory neural mechanism that avoids the formation of cluttered memory representation of multiple events and promotes stabilization of complex memory networks.
The longitudinal relationship between acceptance and anxiety and depression in people who have had a stroke

ABSTRACT Objectives: The role that acceptance may play in anxiety and depression has received little attention in stroke, unlike other chronic conditions. This study aimed to clarify whether acceptance of a stroke is related to anxiety and depression post-stroke when controlling for social support. Design: A longitudinal design was employed with 35 participants completing measures at two time points: three-month and nine-month post-stroke. Methods: Forty-one stroke patients, who were three-month post-stroke, were recruited from a stroke service register. Participants completed measures of anxiety, depression, social support and acceptance at two time points, six months apart. Results: Acceptance was moderately and negatively correlated with anxiety and depression at three- and nine-month post-stroke. Acceptance showed a moderate and positive correlation with emotional and practical social support at Time 1 but not at Time 2. Acceptance at Time 1 was a stronger predictor of both anxiety and depression at Time 2 than emotional or practical social support. Conclusions: Acceptance is an important area to consider in relation to rehabilitation and adjustment following a stroke.
Identification of Golli and myelin basic proteins in human brain during early development

The myelin basic protein gene (Mbp) encodes for the major myelin structural proteins and it is included in the Golli–Mbp gene complex. Previously, we observed MBP‐like proteins in the human central nervous system (CNS) at developmental stages preceding myelination. In an effort to distinguish between Golli (HOG5 and HOG7) and MBP mRNAs and to determine their spatiotemporal distribution, we performed in situ hybridization using two human Golli specific probes: one corresponding to exon 5a absent from all MBP transcripts, and the other corresponding to exon 5c specific for HOG5. HOG7 transcript was observed first, in 5 gestational week‐old embryos, whereas both Golli transcripts were detected at 6–7 weeks gestation in the proliferative zones of the entire CNS. Golli proteins immunoreactivity was observed in microglia and early neurons of the developing telencephalon. During midgestation (17–22 weeks gestation), at the onset of myelination, MBP and Golli mRNAs were observed in the telencephalic subventricular zone and occasionally in the future cerebral cortex. Developmental expression of the human Golli–Mbp indicates that the two Golli proteins have different onset of expression, distribution and possibly function. These results support the hypothesis that at least one of them, HOG7, may be involved in the regulation of early neurogenesis, while both may have additional, still undefined function at the onset of myelination. GLIA 37:219–228, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The types and timing of the degenerative changes seen in the cysts during and after benzimidazole treatment of cystic echinococcosis

Abstract In a large-scale Bulgarian study, 122 patients with abdominal and/or lung echinococcosis were randomly selected for treatment with albendazole or mebendazole. The main aims were to evaluate the effect of each drug on the hydatid cysts, to follow the changes in cyst morphology during and after treatment, and to determine how quickly each drug produced the first, detectable, degenerative changes in the cysts. Follow-up was based on periodic ultrasonography, chest radiography and computed tomography. The abdominal cysts were categorised as small (<5 cm in diameter) or large. As albendazole treatment had effects that were almost identical to those of mebendazole treatment, the results for the two drugs were combined. In the lungs and, particularly, in the abdomen, the size of the cysts being treated influenced the character and timing of the degenerative changes seen in them. The initial change seen in each abdominal cyst was detachment of the endocyst, which occurred 1–3 months (small cysts) or 2–5 months (large cysts) after the initiation of treatment (P<0.05). The abdominal cysts then developed a hyper-echoic/hyper-dense appearance, became smaller, and finally disappeared 3.3–9.3 months (small cysts) or 5.6–13.9 months (large cysts) after treatment began (P<0.05). The first degenerative change noted in the lung cysts was cyst rupture, which occurred as early as day 10 of therapy but was generally observed 1 or 2 months after treatment began. After their complete evacuation, the ruptured lung cysts shrank and became deformed, some disappearing within 5–9 months of the initiation of treatment. The degenerative changes recorded, which began significantly earlier in the lung cysts than in abdominal cysts, indicate serious damage to the cysts and the parasiticidal, curative effect of each of the two benzimidazoles employed.
Attitudes of Preservice Teachers Toward Issues in Multicultural Education

This study reports the attitudes of preservice teachers toward issues in multicultural education. Forty-eight respondents from the Master of Arts in Teaching program in the department of curriculum and instruction participated. The Multicultural Attitude Survey was administered to preservice teachers to determine their attitudes toward issues in multicultural education. The interventions of a seminar on multicultural issues and a teaching internship significantly affected preservice teacher attitudes. The analyses of the open-ended responses showed that some of the preservice teachers had included issues in multicultural education in teaching content, some increased their awareness about various cultural groups and also of their students, and a few had not incorporated issues in multicultural education in their teaching.
Performance of Sudanese native Dwarf and Bare Neck Chicken raised under improved traditional production system

A total of 300 indigenous pullets of various ecotypes were used for phenotypic characterization of the native chicken of Sudan. This study aimed at evaluating production performance, egg characteristics and clutch traits of dwarf (Betwil) and Bare Neck ecotypes. Laying rate, average egg weight and egg components weights (albumen, yolk and shell) were significantly lower (P<0.05) in dwarf (Betwil) than in Bare Neck. However yolk : albumen ratio and relative yolk weight were higher in dwarf (Betwil) than in Bare Neck. There were high and positive correlations between egg weight and egg components weights (albumen, yolk and shell) in both ecotypes, whereas the correlation between egg weight and shell thickness was low. The average number of egg per clutch, average clutch length and the number of clutch per year for dwarf (Betwil) were 9.89 eggs, 14.44 days and 5 clutches whereas the corresponding results for Bare Neck were 13.52 eggs, 20.04 days and 4 clutches. Hatchability from fertile eggs using natural incubation for dwarf (Betwil) and Bare Neck were 65.6 and 59.09 percent respectively. The observed oviposition patterns in both ecotypes seemed to be irregular with pauses ranging from 1-3 days and most of the eggs were laid during the day period from 10 am to 2 pm.
Noninvasive Monitoring of Reproductive Activity Based on Fecal Progestagen Profiles and Sexual Behavior in Koalas, Phascolarctos cinereus1

Studies on the reproductive endocrinology of koalas have been performed mainly by using blood samples; however, in practice it is difficult to collect blood periodically because koalas are easily stressed. The purposes of the present study were to establish a noninvasive endocrine monitoring technique and to investigate the reproductive physiology of female koalas. Feces were collected from female northern and southern koalas, and progestagen was extracted from lyophilized fecal samples and determined by enzyme immunoassay. In nonpregnant northern and southern koalas, fecal progestagen markedly increased after copulation and remained high for 36.3 ± 2.5 days and 38.9 ± 1.4 days (luteal phase, mean ± SEM), respectively. Mean (±SEM) progestagen levels (6.34 ± 0.49 μg/g) during the luteal phase in northern koalas were significantly higher than in southern koalas (4.19 ± 0.24 μg/g). Fecal progestagen in parturient northern koalas remained high for 36.2 ± 1.9 days (gestation period, 34.1 ± 0.3 days). In northern koalas, the mean levels and profiles of progestagen during pregnancy (6.44 ± 0.37 μg/g) were consistent with those during nonpregnancy after copulation (6.34 ± 0.49 μg/g). The duration of behavioral estrus in northern koalas was 13.5 ± 0.9 days without copulation. In contrast, when estrous females mated, the estrous sign disappeared just after copulation. The mean (±SEM) length of the estrous cycle in northern koalas, as determined by behavioral estrus intervals, was 33.5 ± 2.2 days without the luteal phase and 69.2 ± 7.6 days with the luteal phase. Fecal progestagen analysis is a helpful and noninvasive tool to monitor ovulatory activity in northern and southern koalas and could help us to understand the reproductive activity of koalas by the combination approach with behavioral estrus.
Near-optimal power allocation with PSO algorithm for MIMO cognitive networks using multiple AF two-way relays

In this paper, the problem of power allocation for a multiple-input multiple-output two-way system is investigated in underlay Cognitive Radio (CR) set-up. In the CR underlay mode, secondary users are allowed to exploit the spectrum allocated to primary users in an opportunistic manner by respecting a tolerated temperature limit. The secondary networks employ an amplify-and-forward two-way relaying technique in order to maximize the sum rate under power budget and interference constraints. In this context, we formulate an optimization problem that is solved in two steps. First, we derive a closed-form expression of the optimal power allocated to terminals. Then, we employ a strong optimization tool based on particle swarm optimization algorithm to find the power allocated to secondary relays. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed solution and analyze the impact of some system parameters on the achieved performance.
Comparison of 2 wound volume measurement methods.

OBJECTIVE To compare 2 wound volume measurement techniques, the Kundin device and stereophotogrammetry, on 2 wound shapes. DESIGN Using 2 wound measurement techniques, the interrater and intrarater reliability and the bias and standard error of measurement of an L-shaped and a pear-shaped plaster of paris wound model were assessed. SETTING A clinical laboratory of a school of nursing. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-four raters, all but 2 being registered nurses, measured each of the wounds using both techniques. INTERVENTIONS Each rater measured each wound twice using each method in a randomly assigned order defined on a card that was drawn from a box. Measurements were recorded on a researcher-designed data collection form, which included some demographic data related to each participant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The study hypothesis was that there would be no significant difference in accuracy between the 2 wound volume measurement methods. RESULTS The least biased and most accurate technique was stereophotogrammetry, with the smallest standard of error of measurement. Interrater reliability of average ratings was identical for both methods at 0.98. For single ratings, stereophotogrammetry was slightly higher than the Kundin device. Intrarater reliability was higher on the pear-shaped wound for the Kundin device, which had lower interrater reliability, suggesting that nurses were consistent in the direction and size of personal error. Intrarater reliability for stereophotogrammetry was identical to that of the Kundin device for the L-shaped wound and lower for the pear-shaped wound. CONCLUSIONS Although both techniques have acceptable accuracy, stereophotogrammetry is more accurate and has more clinical applications.
Enhanced Exhalation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 in Patients with COPD Exacerbation: A Prospective Study

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitor tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) are involved in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, no study so far has addressed their value as noninvasive biomarkers of airways inflammation. Objective: To evaluate MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of patients with stable COPD and also during the exacerbation episode. Methods: EBC and serum samples were collected in 17 stable-phase COPD patients who were current smokers as well as during their first exacerbation episode, and in 22 asymptomatic smokers. EBC and serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were measured with ELISA kit. Results: Mean EBC MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were higher in patients with stable COPD than in asymptomatic smokers. Exacerbation of COPD increased 2-fold the exhalation of MMP-9 (18.5 ± 10.1 ng/ml vs. 8.9 ± 6.2 ng/ml, p = 0.01) and TIMP-1 (to 41.1 ± 20.4 ng/ml vs. 16.4 ± 6.8 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Both, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in EBC correlated negatively with FEV1 (% predicted) at baseline (r = –0.78, p < 0.001 and r = –0.73, p < 0.001) and during the exacerbation episode (r = –0.57, p = 0.02 and r = –0.65, p = 0.005). Similar negative correlations were noted with FVC (% predicted), except for MMP-9 in EBC at exacerbation. Exhaled MMP-9 and TIMP-1 did not correlate with serum concentrations in COPD patients, either at baseline or during exacerbation. Conclusion: Exhaled MMP-9 and TIMP-1 increased during COPD exacerbation and was negatively correlated with spirometric variables, which suggests the usefulness of their measurement in EBC for the monitoring of airways inflammation. However, to better assess their diagnostic or prognostic value larger studies are necessary.
High HIV Prevalence Detected in 2006 and 2007 Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China's Largest Municipality: An Alarming Epidemic in Chongqing, China

Background:Data from many large cities in China show HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) increasing dramatically over the recent years, making HIV transmission among MSM in China a growing concern. To facilitate targeted HIV prevention among MSM in Chongqing, surveys were conducted to examine HIV prevalence and its associated factors in 2006 and in 2007. Methods:Surveys were conducted in 2006 and 2007 in 3 districts of Chongqing at venues and cruising areas where MSM frequent. Univariate and bivariate analysis were conducted on demographic, behavioral, and biological data. Results:HIV prevalence was 19.7% in 2006 and 26.5% in 2007 among recruitees from bathhouses and saunas, more than 2 times higher than recruitees from other venues for both years. HIV prevalence increased from 10.4% in 2006 to 12.5% in 2007. HIV prevalence was more than 20% among those older than 40 years of age, much higher than HIV prevalence in younger age groups. HIV prevalence among married MSM was 15.9% in 2006 and 20.9% in 2007, compared with nonmarried MSM at 7.6% in 2006 and 9.2% in 2007. Discussion:Urgent attention for prevention services is required to address the overall high HIV prevalence among MSM in the city, with special focus on subgroups as older, married MSM, and those recruited from bathhouses and saunas.
Impact of Fiscal Decentralization on Economic Growth: The Case of Pakistan

This study examines the effects of Fiscal Decentralization on Economic Growth in the context of Pakistan. The current structure of fiscal arrangements i n Pakistan consists of three tiers, federal, provincial and local. Resources are distributed among these tiers through National Finance Commission (NFC) and Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) awards. Besides, local governments also receive random transfers including special/development grants, discretionary funds of parliamentarians and executives, etc. Empirical theorists postulate that Fiscal Decentralization may have positive effects on economic growth due to its efficiency advantages. However, it may have negative effects on economic growth and brings macroeconomic instability when it is not accompanied by enhancing the skill of local government apparatus and by better political accountability. Following Barro (1990) and Davoodi & Zou (1998) theoretical models of fiscal decentralization, the study in hand has developed a model and within the framework of a simple endogenous growth model, Johansen’s cointegration technique is used to estimate the effects of fiscal decentralization on economic growth in Pakistan for the period from 1972 to 2010. The study uses expenditures and revenues as indicators of fiscal decentralization and a set of control variables in the analysis. However, due to paucity of data at local level, it is assumed that over the time, public spending and revenue generation is done by two tiers of government i.e federal and provincial. Empirical results show that fiscal decentralization has positive effect on economic growth in the long run but it is statistically insignificant in case of Pakistan for short run.
Advances in venous arterial thrombosis Expert Commentary on Advances in the Prevention , Diagnosis , and Treatment of Venous and Arterial Thrombosis

Acute Coronary Syndromes . 56 Cancer and Thrombosis . 58 Post-Thrombotic Syndrome . 60 Management and Treatment . 62 Pregnancy . 65 Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation . 66 Diagnosis and Assessment . 67 Risk Stratification . 68 Stent Thrombosis . 70
The Price of Wine

We examine the impact of aging on wine prices and the performance of wine as a long-term investment, using a unique historical database for five long-established Bordeaux wines that we construct from auction and dealer prices. We estimate the life-cycle price patterns with a regression model that avoids multicollinearity between age, vintage year, and time by replacing the vintage effects with annual data on production yields and weather quality. In line with the predictions of an illustrative model, we observe the highest rates of appreciation for young high-quality wines that are still maturing. The findings suggest that the non-financial “psychic return” to holding wines that are substantially beyond maturity is at least 1%. Using an arithmetic repeat-sales regression, we estimate an annualized return to wine investments (net of insurance and storage costs) of 4.1%, in real GBP terms, between 1900 and 2012. Wine underperforms equities over this period, but outperforms government bonds, art, and stamps. Wine and equity returns are positively correlated.
The impact of abuse and mood on bowel symptoms and health‐related quality of life in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common abdominal pain disorder without an organic explanation. Abuse histories (physical, sexual, emotional) are prevalent in IBS. While abuse relates to mood disorders (depression and anxiety) also common in IBS, the influence of abuse on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and its independence from psychological symptom comorbidity has not been studied.
A Targeted Mutation Identified through pKa Measurements Indicates a Postrecruitment Role for Fis1 in Yeast Mitochondrial Fission*

The tail-anchored protein Fis1 is implicated as a passive tether in yeast mitochondrial fission. We probed the functional role of Fis1 Glu-78, whose elevated side chain pKa suggests participation in protein interactions. Fis1 binds partners Mdv1 or Dnm1 tightly, but mutation E78A weakens Fis1 interaction with Mdv1, alters mitochondrial morphology, and abolishes fission in a growth assay. In fis1Δ rescue experiments, Fis1-E78A causes a novel localization pattern in which Dnm1 uniformly coats the mitochondria. By contrast, Fis1-E78A at lower expression levels recruits Dnm1 into mitochondrial punctate structures but fails to support normal fission. Thus, Fis1 makes multiple interactions that support Dnm1 puncta formation and may be essential after this step, supporting a revised model for assembly of the mitochondrial fission machinery. The insights gained by mutating a residue with a perturbed pKa suggest that side chain pKa values inferred from routine NMR sample pH optimization could provide useful leads for functional investigations.