Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of a sex education programme in terms of knowledge, attitudes and sexual behaviour among adolescents in Asturias (Spain)

Sex education in schools is an adolescents’ right, and can have health benefits, such as improved knowledge or increased condom use. In Asturias, a secondary school programme called Neither Ogres Nor Princesses educates pupils for four years with trained teaching staff and external workshops. This study examined whether this programme (a) improved adolescents’ sexuality knowledge, attitudes and skills, and (b) increased condoms use. A quasi-experimental survey was conducted, with comparison arm, with a pre-test in the first year of secondary school (12- to 13-year-olds), and two post-tests: after the intervention (15- to 16-year-olds) and two years later (17- to 18-year-olds). A questionnaire with socio-demographic, knowledge, attitude, skill and sexual behaviour variables was used. The impact was evaluated with ‘difference-indifferences’ analyses. There was a greater increase of knowledge in the intervention arm in both post-tests, and an increase in skills in the first post-test. Girls in the intervention arm reported less practices with penetration and greater condom use the first time, this also among boys. However, the impact was limited in time. Interventions that aim to increase sex education in curricula with quality and fidelity are a priority to guarantee children’s rights and their health.
Assessing Neural Compensation With Visuospatial Working Memory Load Using Near-Infrared Imaging

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the progressive deterioration of cognitive abilities particularly working memory while mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents its prodrome. It is generally believed that neural compensation is intact in MCI but absent in Alzheimer’s disease. This study investigated the effects of increasing task load as a means to induce neural compensation through a novel visual working memory (VSWM) task using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) was explored due to its relevance in VSWM and neural compensation. A total of 31 healthy controls (HC), 12 patients with MCI and 18 patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (mAD) were recruited. Although all groups showed sensitivity in terms of behavioral performance (i.e. score) towards increasing task load (level 1 to 3), only in MCI load effect on cortical response (as measured by fNIRS) was significant. At lower task load, bilateral PFC activation did not differ between MCI and HC. Neural compensation in the form of hyperactivation was only noticeable in MCI with a moderate task load. Lack of hyperactivation in mAD, coupled with significantly poorer task performance across task loads, suggested the inability to compensate due to a greater degree of neurodegeneration. Our findings provided an insight into the interaction of cognitive load theory and neural compensatory mechanisms. The experiment results demonstrated the feasibility of inducing neural compensation with the proposed VSWM task at the right amount of cognitive load. This may provide a promising avenue to develop an effective cognitive training and rehabilitation for dementia population.
Basic Life-Support Learning in Undergraduate Students of Sports Sciences: Efficacy of 150 Minutes of Training and Retention after Eight Months

Several professional groups, which are not health professionals, are more likely to witness situations requiring basic life support (BLS) due to the nature of their job. The aim of this study was to assess BLS learning after 150 min of training in undergraduate students of sports science and their retention after eight months. Participants trained on BLS (150-min session: 30 theory, 120 practice). After training (T1) and after 8 months (T2), we evaluated their performance of the BLS sequence and two minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). At T1, the 23 participants presented a mean score of 72.5 ± 21.0% in the quality of the CPRs (compressions: 78.6 ± 25.9%, ventilation: 69.9 ± 30.1%). More than 90% of the participants acted correctly in each step of the BLS sequence. At T2, although the overall quality of the CPR performed did not decrease, significant decreases were observed for: correct hand position (T1: 98.2 ± 8.8, T2: 77.2 ± 39.7%), compression depth (T1: 51.4 ± 7.9, T2: 56.0 ± 5.7 mm), and compression rate. They worsened opening the airway and checking for breathing. In conclusions, participants learned BLS and good-quality CPR after the 150-min training session. At eight months they had good retention of the BLS sequence and CPR skills. Training on airway management and the position of the hands during CPR should be reinforced.
Statistical methods for studying the frequency of monitoring chronic conditions

Evidence for the timing and frequency of monitoring chronic conditions in primary care is often of low quality or absent. Recently, a methodology based upon repeated measures of monitoring tests has been developed to evaluate monitoring strategies which differ by frequency and the length of interval. In studies using this approach, it has been shown that there is potential for substantial over-detection and over-treatment through routine monitoring. The aim of this thesis was to extend the existing methodology to outcomes with highly skewed distributions and tests that are interpreted as dichotomous or categorical states. These methods were applied to find evidence for the intervals of monitoring for microalbuminuria in people with type 1 diabetes and screening for diabetic retinopathy. Statistical models were used to describe the progression of albuminuria and retinopathy and estimate the rates of false positive and false negative tests over time. Simulation was then used to create hypothetical cohorts of people being monitored and screening at different frequencies and for different baseline risk. The impact of changing the timing of tests within the programme was measured and evaluated. The basic framework of the methodology can be usefully extended to tests that have categorical outcome or highly skewed distributions. More frequent monitoring of microalbuminuria in people with type 1 diabetes, and more frequent screening of diabetic retinopathy leads to disproportionate numbers of false positive results and potential over -treatment or referral to specialist services. As with any other clinical intervention, monitoring and screening intervals should be based upon solid evidence. Monitoring for microalbuminuria and screening for diabetic retinopathy less frequently would reduce the rates of false positives tests but the implications of less surveillance need further investigation.
Analysis of Centranthera grandiflora Benth Transcriptome Explores Genes of Catalpol, Acteoside and Azafrin Biosynthesis

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major cause of health loss in the world. Prevention and treatment of this disease by traditional Chinese medicine is a promising method. Centranthera grandiflora Benth is a high-value medicinal herb in the prevention and treatment of CVDs; its main medicinal components include iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, and azafrin in roots. However, biosynthetic pathways of these components and their regulatory mechanisms are unknown. Furthermore, there are no genomic resources of this herb. In this article, we provide sequence and transcript abundance data for the root, stem, and leaf transcriptome of C. grandiflora Benth obtained by the Illumina Hiseq2000. More than 438 million clean reads were obtained from root, stem, and leaf libraries, which produced 153,198 unigenes. Based on databases annotation, a total of 557, 213, and 161 unigenes were annotated to catalpol, acteoside, and azafrin biosynthetic pathways, respectively. Differentially expressed gene analysis identified 14,875 unigenes differentially enriched between leaf and root with 8,054 upregulated genes and 6,821 downregulated genes. Candidate MYB transcription factors involved in catalpol, acteoside, and azafrin biosynthesis were also predicated. This work is the first transcriptome analysis in C. grandiflora Benth which will aid the deciphering of biosynthesis pathways and regulatory mechanisms of active components.
Pulmonary Function Tests in Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle

Progesterone is implicated in the exacerbation of symptoms of asthma in the premenstrual period. We analyzed pulmonary function tests in 100 female volunteers within the age group of 18 to 30 years having regular menstrual cycles of 28+3 days. Pulmonary function tests comprising of FVC, FEV1, FEF25-75%, FEF200-1200%, PEFR were performed using vitalograph spirometer and mini-Wright peak-flow meter. We found all the pulmonary functions reflect better values in secretory phase and lowest values during menstrual phase. The study findings reaffirm and suggest a possible beneficial role of progesterone on respiratory system in secretory phase of menstrual cycle.
Bipolar I and II Disorders in a Random and Representative Australian Population

Objective: To assess the prevalence of bipolar I and II disorders in an Australian population. Method: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) was administered to 3015 respondents in a random and representative sample in South Australia. Health status, quality of life and demographic data were also collected. Results: There was a 2.5% lifetime prevalence of bipolar I and II disorders delineated by the MDQ. Those people had a significantly greater use of services and a poorer health status and quality of life than those who were MDQ-negative. Conclusions: These results in an Australian population are consistent with other international studies showing a greater prevalence of bipolar disorders than hitherto appreciated.
Somatoform Dissociation Discriminates Among Diagnostic Categories Over and Above General Psychopathology

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that somatoform dissociation would differentiate among specific diagnostic categories after controlling for general psychopathology. Method: The Somatoform Dissocation Questionnaire (SDQ-20), the Dissociative Experiences Scale, and the Symptom Checklist-90-R were completed by patients with DSM-IV diagnoses of dissociative disorders (n = 44), somatoform disorders (n = 47), eating disorders (n = 50), bipolar mood disorder (n = 23), and a group of consecutive psychiatric outpatients with other psychiatric disorders (n = 45), mainly including anxiety disorders, depression, and adjustment disorder. Results: The SDQ-20 significantly differentiated among diagnostic groups in the hypothesised order of increasing somatoform dissociation, both before and after statistically controlling for general psychopathology. Somatoform dissociation was extreme in dissociative identity disorder, high in dissociative disorder, not otherwise specified, and increased in somatoform disorders, as well as in a subgroup of patients with eating disorders. In contrast with somatoform dissociation, psychological dissociation did not discriminate between bipolar mood disorder and somato form disorders. Conclusions: Somatoform dissociation is a unique construct that discriminates among diagnostic categories. It is highly characteristic of dissociative disorder patients, a core feature in many patients with somatoform disorders, and an important symptom cluster in a subgroup of patients with eating disorders. , dissociation
Similarities and Differences Between Aggressive and Delinquent Children and Adolescents in a National Sample

Objective: To examine differences in the correlates, comorbidity and use of services between aggressive and delinquent children and adolescents. Method: An Australian representative sample (n = 4083) of parents of children and adolescents were administered a psychiatric diagnostic interview, the Child Behaviour Checklist, and other instruments to measure service use. The characteristics of children with high scores (top 5%) in the aggressive and delinquent syndromes or both were then examined. Results: The proportion of aggressive children decreased with increasing age while that of delinquents increased. The aggressive group was specifically associated with the impulsivehyperactive subtype of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (OR = 12.63; 95% CI = 5.97–26.74). Comorbidity between ADHD, aggression and delinquency was less frequent among adolescents than in children, with the exception of the inattentive subtype in which comorbidity was higher. Both aggressive and delinquent groups had a considerable overlap with conduct disorder. Aggressive and delinquent youths used services more often, but parents perceived aggressive children as more in need of help than delinquent ones. Living in a sole parent family was specifically associated with the delinquent group (OR = 3.34; 95% CI = 2.25–4.96). Conclusions: The results suggest that these empirically derived syndromes while sharing many features also differ in important ways, highlighting the need for further convergence between categorical and dimensional classifications. Their differential association with the subtypes of ADHD requires further examination and may help to understand the relationship between ADHD and conduct problems. The importance of aggressive behaviour in children should not be underestimated since it is associated with significant psychopathology, parental distress and use of services.
‘Kindling Theory’ in Arson: How Dangerous are Firesetters?

Objective: This article aims to review the literature on firesetters particularly looking at recidivism rates. The early literature described firesetters as dangerous individuals. This article reviews the more recent empirical data to examine if it supports the early literature. Method: A literature review was performed examining papers which described firesetters with any reference to recidivism. These were divided into three broad categories based on where studies have been performed, namely in forensic psychiatric settings, the criminal justice system and general and psychiatric hospitals. Results: The literature has been poorly focused and provides little help when assessing an individual firesetter. Risk factors associated with general criminology have been cited. Conclusions: The empirical literature cannot support the hypothesis that firesetters are inherently dangerous. More research should target different groups of firesetters and examining individual risk within that group with an aim of researching treatment for the different groups.
Modifiable Risk Factors for Hospitalization Among People with Psychosis: Evidence from the National Study of Low Prevalence (Psychotic) Disorders

Objective: Relatively little has been published on dynamic, that is, modifiable, as opposed to static risk factors for hospitalization in the research literature on risk factors for hospitalization in serious mental illness. The aim of this study was to develop a model to determine modifiable predictors of hospitalization using data from the Australian National Study of Low Prevalence (Psychotic) Disorders. Method: The Study of Low Prevalence Disorders used a two-phase design to estimate the prevalence of psychoses and identify characteristics of people with psychotic illness. This paper compares people hospitalized at the time of census and those using outpatient services. Logistic regression was used to examine the relative impact of dynamic characteristics including service utilization, symptom profile and risky behaviours on a base model for risk of hospitalization. Results: In the base model, course of disorder and age but not type of psychosis were significantly associated with hospitalization. Among symptoms, delusions (but not hallucinations) and negative symptoms significantly increased the odds of hospitalization. Service utilization, especially case management, reduced the odds significantly and substantially. Results for risky behaviours (e.g. substance abuse, offending) were ambiguous. Conclusions: The results highlight the impact of dynamic factors, particularly case management, over and above static factors in reducing the risk of hospitalization in psychosis, and point to a potential for targeted interventions to avert some of the burden, both emotional and financial, associated with the hospitalization of people with psychotic disorders. These findings have important clinical and policy implications.
A Genetic Approach to the Study of Simple Cognitive Abilities in Animals

One of the urgent problems in cognitive studies and in neurobiology as a whole is to delineate the impact of genetic factors in the variability of animal cognitive abilities. The concept of animal cognition is frequently used in a broad sense to include all phenomena with behavioral manifestations of neural plasticity. The variable phenomena related to animal cognition could be subdivided into two main categories, although only the first of them will be analyzed in this paper. The first category is represented by “basal” cognitive abilities, which embrace spatial cognitive behavior and elementary reasoning (simple logic task solutions). The second one mainly concerns more complex cognitive abilities including tool manufacturing in new situations, generalization up to the level of pre-verbal concept formation, symbolization, etc. The genetic influence on cognitive processes in animals may be investigated only in the domain of basal cognitive abilities. Studies are conducted mainly in rodents using different experimental models. However, performance has been typically compared in individual animals which are presumably different in genotype (e.g., selected animals and mutants). In this paper, a short review of such studies is followed by the description of original data on rodents’ elementary logic task solutions obtained in our experiments. The experiments used unique genetic models and an extrapolation task that addresses a relatively simple basal cognitive trait. Our experiment on selection for high extrapolation ability scores was performed for the first time, and inter-strain differences which emerged in these animals are described. Correspondence: Inga Poletaeva, ingapoletaeva@mail.ru, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234, GSP-1, Vorob’evy Gory, 1, corp. 12, Moscow, Russia
Financial Risk, Inventory Decision and Process Improvement for A Firm with Random Capacity

Companies strive to maximize their value on the financial market and tailor their inventory decisions to achieve this goal. In this paper, we consider a company aiming to maximize its firm value in a newsvendor setting with a randomly capacitated supplier and a stochastic demand correlated with the market return. We employ the Capital Asset Pricing Model to evaluate firm value. We demonstrate that while the optimal order quantity is independent of the supplier’s random capacity, firm value is not. Building on this firm-value/random-capacity dependence, we next explore the impact of capacity process improvements on firm value and establish when and how such improvements will contribute to firm value the most. We also identify several factors that moderate the impact of capacity process improvements on firm value. Our research results should help managers to select suppliers who would contribute to firm value maximization.
Biological vs chemically induced hepatitis-A comparative study of oxidative stress parameters

The liver has a critical role in the metabolism, digestion, detoxification and elimination of substances from the body. The liver diseases are most prevalent and produce Reactive oxygen species which may lead to further progression of disease. This study is done to compare the oxidative stress parameters in hepatitis B virus infected patients and alcoholic hepatitis patients. The study was conducted in 3 groups with 50 individuals in each. First group comprised of normal healthy individuals, second group consisted alcoholic hepatitis patients and a third group made up of hepatitis B patients. When compared to controls, Erythrocyte MDA was significantly high and erythrocyte GSH was significantly low in both the groups of cases where as Plasma Ascorbic Acid levels were low along with Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase activities in both the groups of patients. When compared between alcoholic and hepatitis B patients, except superoxide dismutase and ascorbic acid, MDA, GSH and Catalase showed no significance. The liver enzymes were also significantly raised in both forms of Hepatitis, when compared to the controls. The AST/ALT ratio was reversed (>1) in Alcoholic Hepatitis patients as compared to Hepatitis B patients and normal individuals (<1). There was a significant correlation seen on comparison between oxidative stress parameters and liver enzymes in both chemically and biologically induced hepatitis. It is suggested that GSH, MDA in erythrocyte, SOD, Catalase and Plasma Ascorbic Acid can be made an effective tool in assessing the progression of the liver disease for timely intervention.
Beyond the eye-catchers: A large-scale study of social movement organizations’ involvement in online protests

Existing studies of social movement organizations (SMOs) commonly focus only on a small number of well-known SMOs or SMOs that belong to a single social movement industry (SMI). This is partially because current methods for identifying SMOs are labor-intensive. In contrast to these manual approaches, in our article, we use Twitter data pertaining to BlackLivesMatter and Women’s movements and employ crowdsourcing and nested supervised learning methods to identify more than 50K SMOs. Our results reveal that the behavior and influence of SMOs vary significantly, with half having little influence and behaving in similar ways to an average individual. Furthermore, we show that collectively, small SMOs contributed to the sharing of more diverse information. However, on average, large SMOs were significantly more committed to movements and decidedly more successful at recruiting. Finally, we also observe that a large number of SMOs from an extensive set of SMIs, including Occupy Wall Street, participated in solidarity or even as leaders in BlackLivesMatter. In comparison, few SMIs participated in Women’s movement.
Evidence of Genetic Moderation

Context: Two recent meta-analyses assessed the set of studies exploring the interaction between a serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and stress in the development of depression and concluded that the evidence did not support the presence of the interaction. However, even the larger of the meta-analyses included only 14 of the 56 studies that have assessed the relationship between 5-HTTLPR, stress, and depression.
Extraction of top quark mass using single top and top quark pair production at the LHC

In this project, the xFitter open source QCD analysis framework was interfaced to the calculations of single top quark production at NLO in pole mass and MS mass schemes. As an example of possible analysis, the top quark mass is extracted for the first time using the measured cross section of single top production in t-channel at the LHC.
Evaluation of the efficacy of commonly used antimicrobial interventions on Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli serotypes O26, O103, O111, O145, and O157 Final report

Conclusions: A study was conducted to determine whether antimicrobial compounds currently used by the meat industry are effective against non-O157 STEC serogroups O26, O103, O111 and O145 compared to E. coli O157:H7. Six antimicrobial compounds used were acidified sodium hypochlorite, peroxyacetic acid, FreshFx, lactic acid, activated hydrobromic acid, and hot water. Based on these findings, all antimicrobial compounds used by meat industry appear to be effect against non-O157 STEC and the reductions of these pathogens on inoculated fresh beef were equally effective against E. coli O157:H7. The degree of effectiveness depended on the antimicrobial compounds used. In the present study, hot water was the most effective in reducing pathogens tested followed by lactic acid. Acidified sodium chlorite and activated hydrobromic acid showed less immediate effect, but increased effectiveness after chilling for 48 h at 4C.