Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Actical accelerometer sedentary activity thresholds for adults.

BACKGROUND Actical accelerometer thresholds have been derived to enable objective measurement of time spent performing sedentary activity in children and adolescents, but not adults. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine Actical accelerometer sedentary activity thresholds for adults. METHODS Data were available from 3187 participants aged 6 to 79 years from a preliminary partial dataset of the Canadian Health Measures Survey, who wore an Actical for 7 days. Step count data were used to evaluate the use of 50, 100, and 800 counts per min (cpm) as sedentary activity thresholds. Minutes when no steps were recorded were considered minutes of sedentary activity. RESULTS The use of higher cpm thresholds resulted in a greater percentage of sedentary minutes being correctly classified as sedentary. The percentage of minutes that were incorrectly classified as sedentary was substantially higher when using a threshold of 800 cpm compared with 50 or 100 cpm. Results were similar for children, adolescents, and adults. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that a threshold of 100 cpm is appropriate for classifying sedentary activity of adults when using the Actical. As such, wear periods with minutes registering less than 100 cpm would be classified as time spent performing sedentary activity.
Growth Intentions and Board Composition in High‐Growth Firms

This paper examines the influence of board composition on growth intentions of high‐growth firms. We hypothesize that gender diversity and a high proportion of independent directors on the board will reduce a firm's growth intentions, whereas founder duality will increase a firm's growth intentions. Using survey data from 773 high‐growth Norwegian firms, we find that gender diversity has a negative effect on growth intentions. A high proportion of independent directors do not facilitate further growth in high‐growth firms. Furthermore, our results indicate that the founder's presence in the decision‐making group increases a firm's growth intentions.
The Slippery Slope: Lubricant Use and Rectal Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Newly Identified Risk

Background: Use of lubricant products is extremely common during receptive anal intercourse (RAI) yet has not been assessed as a risk for acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods: Between 2006 and 2008, a rectal health and behavior study was conducted in Baltimore and Los Angeles as part of the University of California, Los Angeles Microbicide Development Program (NIAID IPCP# #0606414). Participants completed questionnaires, and rectal swabs were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis with the Aptima Combo 2 assay, and blood was tested for syphilis (for RPR and TPHA with titer) and HIV. Of those reporting lubricant use and RAI, STI results were available for 380 participants. Univariate and multivariate regressions assessed associations of lubricant use in the past month during RAI with prevalent STIs. Results: Consistent lubricant use during RAI in the past month was reported by 36% (137/380) of participants. Consistent past month lubricant users had a higher prevalence of STI than inconsistent users (9.5% vs. 2.9%; P = 0.006). In a multivariable logistic regression model, testing positive for STI was associated with consistent use of lubricant during RAI in the past month (adjusted odds ratio: 2.98 95% confidence interval: 1.09, 8.15) after controlling for age, gender, study location, HIV status, and numbers of RAI partners in the past month. Conclusions: Findings suggest some lubricant products may increase vulnerability to STIs. Because of wide use of lubricants and their potential as carrier vehicles for microbicides, further research is essential to clarify if lubricant use poses a public health risk.
Skin bleaching: highlighting the misuse of cutaneous depigmenting agents

Hydroquinone and other cutaneous depigmenting agents are widely used by dermatologists to treat pigmentary disorders. On 29 August 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a monograph in the US Federal Register proposing to ban all hydroquinone products that have not been approved via a New Drug Application process. Reports in the scientific literature on the occurrence of exogenous ochronosis, in relation to the use of hydroquinone, was one of the concerns expressed by the FDA in relation to this agent. However, a review of the English‐language scientific literature reveals that most of the reported cases of hydroquinone‐induced exogenous ochronosis occurs in Africa, where the cultural practice of skin bleaching is highly prevalent. Skin bleaching is the practice of applying hydroquinone and/or other depigmenting agents to specific or widespread areas of the body, the primary function being to lighten normally dark skin. This practice typically occurs in men and women with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes IV to VI. It is a dangerous practice associated with a diverse range of side‐effects, including mercury poisoning. Thus, this current discussion within the dermatological community on the safety of hydroquinone provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness about skin bleaching.
The Effectiveness of Yoga for Depression: A Critical Literature Review

In the United States, the prevalence of depression is quite high—9% in the general population—with women, young adults, and seniors particularly vulnerable. In recent years, increasing numbers of people are turning to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for relief from depression and other mental health problems. One form of CAM, yoga, has been growing in popularity; this rise in popularity has, in part, been driven by interest in how this practice, with its mindfulness and meditation aspects, may decrease depression. This critical literature review examines six recent studies on yoga as an intervention; specifically, this review focuses on yoga styles in which the practice of yoga poses, called asanas, is the core component. Although the significant positive findings are promising, the studies had methodological limitations; identification of these limitations can inform future studies.
Founder Competence, the Environment, and Venture Performance

This research presents a parsimonious model of venture performance that incorporates individual founder, firm, and environmental characteristics. Specifically, It examines the moderating effect of founder competencies on venture performance in a sample of 155 manufacturing firms in northwestern Pennsylvania. In support of our hypotheses, the results indicate that individual level competencies moderate the relationships between the quality of the opportunity and firm performance and access to resource-based capabilities and firm performance.
Serum antibodies from epileptic patients react, at high prevalence, with simian virus 40 mimotopes

It has been demonstrated that inflammation may contribute to epileptogenesis and cause neuronal injury in epilepsy. In this study, the prevalence of antibodies to simian virus 40 (SV40), a kidney and neurotropic polyomavirus, was investigated in serum samples from 88 epileptic children/adolescents/young adults.
Financial liberalisation, stock markets and economic development

The paper concentrates on the role of the stock markets in the liberalisation process in DCs in the 1980s and 1990s, and explores, among other things, their effects on the financing of corporate growth. The observed financing patterns will be seen to contradict the predictions of most economic models, and are therefore surprising not just for the M.S, but also for other economists. At the macro-economic level, the paper considers foreign portfolio f1ows, the interactions between the stock and the currency markets, and their implications for the stability of the real economy and its long-term growth.
Combining EEG and fMRI: A multimodal tool for epilepsy research

Patients with epilepsy often present in their electroencephalogram (EEG) short electrical potentials (spikes or spike‐wave bursts) that are not accompanied by clinical manifestations but are of important diagnostic significance. They result from a population of abnormally hyperactive and hypersynchronous neurons. It is not easy to determine the location of the cerebral generators and the other brain regions that may be involved as a result of this abnormal activity. The possibility to combine EEG recording with functional MRI (fMRI) scanning opens the opportunity to uncover the regions of the brain showing changes in the fMRI signal in response to epileptic spikes seen in the EEG. These regions are presumably involved in the abnormal neuronal activity at the origin of epileptic discharges. This paper reviews the methodology involved in performing such studies, particularly the challenge of recording a good quality EEG inside the MR scanner while scanning is taking place, and the methods required for the statistical analysis of the combined EEG and fMRI time series. We review the results obtained in patients with different types of epileptic disorders and discuss the difficult theoretical problems raised by the interpretation of an increase (activation) and decrease (deactivation) in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal, both frequently seen in response to spikes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epicardial adipose tissue in patients with end-stage renal disease on haemodialysis

Purpose of reviewEpicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is the visceral fat of the heart, sharing many of the pathophysiological properties of other visceral fat depots. EAT is a metabolically active paracrine and vasocrine organ that causes local cardiac inflammation and is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. This article highlights the findings of recent observational studies in patients on haemodialysis that link the quantity of EAT to increased rates of cardiovascular and coronary artery disease and review the proposed methods of pathogenesis and the possible role of EAT quantification to improve cardiovascular risk assessment. Recent findingsIncreasing volumes of EAT in patients on haemodialysis correlate with increased inflammatory mediators, higher rates of cardiovascular disease and coronary artery calcification, independent of general adiposity. EAT is an independent predictor of mortality and a potentially modifiable target for therapeutic interventions. SummaryEAT is likely to play a central role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in patients on haemodialysis, adds incrementally to conventional cardiovascular risk stratification models and is a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Amplified fragment length polymorphism versus random amplified polymorphic DNA markers: clonal diversity in Saxifraga cernua

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers are sensitive to changes in reaction conditions and may express polymorphisms of nongenetic origin. Taxa with variable chromosome numbers are particularly challenging cases, as differences in DNA content may also influence marker reproducibility. We addressed these problems by comparing RAPD and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses of clonal identity and relationships in a chromosomally variable arctic plant, the polyploid Saxifraga cernua, which has been thought to be monoclonal over large geographical distances. Fifty‐seven plants from four Greenland populations were analysed using a conservative scoring approach. In total, 26 AFLP and 32 RAPD multilocus phenotypes (putative clones) were identified, of which 21 were identical and each of the remaining five AFLP clones was split into two to three very similar RAPD clones. This minor difference can be explained by sampling error and stochastic variation. The pattern observed in Greenland corroborates our previous results from Svalbard, suggesting that rare sexual events in S. cernua are sufficient to maintain high levels of clonal diversity even at small spatial scales. We conclude that although AFLP analysis is superior in terms of efficiency, RAPDs may still be used as reliable markers in small low‐tech laboratories.
Burden and marital and sexual satisfaction in the partners of bipolar patients.

OBJECTIVES Bipolar disorder can be traumatic for both patients and patients' partners. Hence, partners' stress, burden, marital and sexual satisfactions are important areas to investigate. However, there have been problems with past attempts to identify the determinants of marital satisfaction in bipolar patients and their partners. The present study aimed to address these issues and provide an accurate description of relationship functioning in these couples. METHODS The sample involved 37 partners of bipolar patients. A semi-structured interview assessed the impact of bipolar disorder on aspects of everyday functioning and partners' attributions for patients' disturbing behaviour. Standardized instruments assessed partners' sexual and marital satisfaction across the different affective states. RESULTS Despite couples staying together, significant numbers of partners reported strain as a result of socioeconomic and household changes. More male partners reported premature ejaculation and female partners reported sexual infrequency when patients were depressed. Overall, partners were less sexually satisfied when the patient was ill. Marital disharmony was greater when patients were ill and worse during manic than depressed phases. Marital disharmony was also more likely when partners believed the patient could control their illness; they had increased domestic responsibilities; or were sexually dissatisfied. CONCLUSION Reductions in sexual satisfaction during affective episodes may be the result of illness-related changes in sexual interest, responsiveness and affection. Partners who attribute control for the illness to the patient may use strategies to influence behaviour that disrupt marital harmony. Interventions involving education, problem-solving strategies and sex therapy components may help to reduce marital dissatisfaction.
Combat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Substance Use Disorders, and Traumatic Brain Injury

Among both civilian and veteran populations, substance use disorders (SUDs) and anxiety disorders frequently co-occur. One of the most common comorbid anxiety disorder is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition which may develop after exposure to traumatic events, such as military combat. In comparison with the general population, rates of both SUDs and PTSD are elevated among veterans. Recent data show that soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan demonstrate high rates of co-occurring SUDs, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury. Careful assessment of these conditions is critical and may be complicated by symptom overlap. More research targeting integrated interventions for these conditions is needed to establish optimal treatments.
Public Engagement, Local Policies, and Citizens’ Participation: An Italian Case Study of Civic Collaboration

Since the 1990s, the theme of participation has come to the fore in international debates regarding at least three critical issues: the relationship between representative democracy and deliberative democracy and the possibility of citizens’ empowerment through their involvement in policy making; the role of communication and of digital media in promoting new forms of participation; the feeling of disaffection toward politics and of democratic deficit. What we observe is a proliferation of experiences of both bottom-up and top-down enhanced forms of civic engagement. Our article focuses on “public engagement. ” We analyze the civic collaboration policy promoted by the Municipality of Bologna (Italy) in the frame of “collaborative governance” of the commons, based on civic involvement and governance transparency. Civic collaboration is characterized by a mixed communication ecology. We focus on the inclusiveness of this form of public engagement with local policies and on the role of digital media in supporting citizen’s engagement. Civic collaboration emerges as a new, interesting frontier in top-down enhanced participation in local policies. We are currently witnessing some promising changes in the boundaries of participation, in civic practices and competencies. In conclusion, we argue that the concreteness of the projects of civic collaboration can enhance citizens’ trust in the municipal administration, but we wonder whether it is likely to become a substitute for fuller citizen participation in local governance and whether it could also foster a removal of the controversial dimension of the political.
Contribution of Residue 192 in Factor Xa to Enzyme Specificity and Function (*)

Mutation of residue 192 (chymotrypsin numbering) from Glu to Gln in thrombin and activated protein C has been shown to dramatically alter substrate and inhibitor specificity, in large part by allowing these enzymes to accept substrates with acidic residues in the P3 and/or P3′ positions. In factor Xa, residue 192 is already a Gln. We now compare the properties of a Q192E mutant of Gla-domainless factor X (GDFX). Kinetic analysis of prothrombin activation indicates similar affinity of factor Va for GDFXa and GDFXa Q192E (K = 3.6 and 3.7 μM, respectively). Prothrombin activation rates are similar for both enzymes with factor Va, but are 10-fold slower for the Q192E mutant without factor Va. This defect is in the activation of prethrombin 2 and is corrected by factor Va only in the presence of fragment 2. Without factor Va, fragment 2 has no influence on bovine prethrombin 2 activation by GDFXa, but fragment 2 enhances prethrombin 2 activation by the Q192E mutant at least 10-fold. These results indicate that the fragment 2 domain of prothrombin probably alters the conformation of the prethrombin 2 domain, selectively improving its presentation to GDFXa Q192E. With respect to inhibition, tissue factor pathway inhibitor and bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor are ≥30 times poorer inhibitors of GDFXa Q192E than of GDFXa, but these enzymes are inhibited at comparable rates by antithrombin. These results indicate that Gln-192 in factor Xa is a key determinant of substrate/inhibitor specificity.
Migração interestadual de retorno e autosseleção: evidências para o Brasil

The main goal of this paper is to analyze the impacts of interstate migration on the earnings of workers driven to Brazilian’s states of birth. In this intend, we use data from PNAD of 2007 and an empirical model of joint determination of migration and earnings. The finds indicates that return migrants are negatively selected compared to permanent migrants. However, we observed that return migrants with high level of education earns more in the state of birth, probably due a specific human capital accumulation in the state of destination.
Effects of an anti-exospore monoclonal antibody on microsporidial development in vitro

In this study we evaluated the effects of the anti-microsporidial exospore monoclonal antibody 3B6, recognizing 3 Encephalitozoon species, Encephalitozoon intestinalis (Syn. Septata intestinalis), Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and Encephalitozoon hellem on microsporidial growth in vitro. Pre-treatment of spores for 24 h with mAb 3B6 resulted in 21–29% fewer infected host cells 4 days after inoculation of the cultures compared to cultures pre-treated with medium or an irrelevant isotype control mAb (P<0·001). Fewer intracellular spores (1·2±0·2) in infected cells were found when mAb 3B6 was present in cultures compared to cultures with medium alone (4·3±0·8) or an irrelevant isotype control mAb (4·2±0·9; P<0·001). This decrease appeared not to be dependent on time of exposure, mAb concentration, or presence of complement. It is concluded that antibodies, particularly those directed to potential neutralizing-sensitive epitopes on spores, may have a role in the control of microsporidial growth in vitro.
Influence of fluoride-containing acidic artificial saliva on the mechanical properties of Nickel-Titanium orthodontics wires.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the influence of fluoride and an acidic environment on the mechanical properties of NiTi orthodontic wires (NiTiW) in artificial saliva. DESIGN A prospective laboratory investigation. SETTING Department of Stomatology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. MATERIALS AND METHODS Commercial, round 0.016-inch NiTiW were immersed in 0% or 0.05% Natrium-Fluoride-containing artificial saliva at a pH of 4 or 6 for one or three days, respectively. NiTiW were examined with a three-point bending test, Vickers' microhardness tests and surface morphology observation (SEM). RESULTS A pH of 4 increased microhardness and decreased the three-point bending strength significantly (P≤0.05), whereas immersion time and fluoride concentration had no significant influence on the microhardness or on the three-point bending strength (P>0.05). When examining the test group NiTiWs after three days of immersion at a pH of 4 the SEM revealed a rough surface morphology, a damaged oxide layer and signs of corrosion. CONCLUSIONS The most influential factor for decreasing the unloading force and increasing the hardness seems to be the pH value, whereas immersion time and NaF addition do not have a major influence.
Pheno-morphological variation, genetic diversity and population structure of Tunisian Echinus Medic (Medicago ciliaris L.).

Medicago ciliaris L. , considered as a valuable genetic resource, is a good candidate for the improvement of marginal or degraded lands with low fertility or high salinity. In this study, the pheno-morphological and genetic diversity were investigated in 14 Tunisian populations of M. ciliaris for the first time. Fourteen morphological traits showed significant differentiation between populations and high levels of diversity. Two amplified fragment length polymorphism primer combinations (E-AGC/M-CAA; E-AAG/M-CTG) were analyzed using an automated capillary electrophoresis system. A total of 528 loci were generated, of which 54% were polymorphic. Allelic polymorphism ranged from 0.02 to 0.5. Significant variation between populations was found for gene diversity, mean number of alleles per locus and Shannon index for which mean values were 0.17, 0.26, and 1.57, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance revealed a high rate of genetic variation within populations. Principal component analysis and genotypic clustering discriminated M. ciliaris populations according to their geographical origin. M. ciliaris clustered into three main groups. The first group was associated with high inland and cold areas, the second was defined by low areas with mild winters while the third described low coastal areas. Similarity of morphological and molecular results indicated that either markers could be used for the study of genetic diversity in this species.
Performance of M-PSK with GSC and EGC with Gaussian weighting errors

Using a moment-generating function (MGF)-based approach, we study the performance of M-ary phase-shift keying (M-PSK) with generalized selection combining (GSC) and equal gain combining (EGC) in fading channels (including Rayleigh, Rician, Nakagami-m, and Nakagami-q fading) with independent and identically distributed (i.i.d) branches. Analytical expressions for the error and outage probabilities, the signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) statistics, and the channel capacity of M-PSK diversity receivers are derived, taking into account the effects of Gaussian weighting errors and all relevant system and channel parameters. Unlike the case of perfect channel-state information (CSI), the outage probability for the case of imperfect channel estimation (ICE) is not only a function of the normalized SNR with respect to the SNR threshold, but also a function of the operating SNR itself. The SNR loss of the M-PSK GSC and EGC receivers due to ICE and the relation between the receiver input and output SNRs for ICE are derived. Our results show that, even with ICE, GSC and EGC are effective in improving the output SNR and significantly reduce the error floor and the channel-capacity loss caused by ICE.