Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voluntary Work, Health and Subjective Wellbeing: a Resource for Active Ageing

The hypothesis that active community involvement is beneficial for health finds strong support in the medical literature and in most policy guidelines for active ageing in OECD countries. We testit empirically documenting that lagged voluntary work is significantly correlated with later changes in various aggregated and disaggregated health indicators. However, when controlling for panel attrition, endogeneity and reverse causality, the positive effect of voluntary work remains robust only for a limited number of indicators. We calculate the monetary equivalent of health-related subjective wellbeing benefits of volunteer work with the compensating variation approach and compare it with benefits in terms of the social value of increased longevity.
Examining Student Perceptions of Their Experience in a TBL Formatted Capstone Course

While shown to be less effective than active learning strategies, traditional methods of content delivery in post-secondary classrooms are the most prominent. Flipped classrooms, an example of an active learning approach, have been shown to be effective in long-term student outcomes. TeamBased Learning (TBL), a specific application of the flipped approach, has been linked to an increase in student performance, engagement, and satisfaction. TBL emphasizes the application of content knowledge through structured problem solving and decision making activities. The capstone farm management course at Iowa State University was recently restructured to implement TBL. This course revision sought to emphasize the development of skills necessary for success in an evolving workforce. The purpose of this study was to examine student perceptions concerning their attitudes and beliefs about learning, their motivation to learn, and their professional development through critical thinking. Pretest and posttest measures were compared and showed statistically significant increases across all three areas. These results offer valuable insight for the adoption of student-centered teaching methods, specifically TBL. Further examination of this teaching method compared to traditional teaching methods is warranted and recommended.
Factors influencing clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator

Background Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA) has gained international recognition, clinical outcomes following this thrombolytic therapy varied from patient to patient. Factors affecting clinical outcomes have not been well understood yet, so this retrospective case‐control study aimed to investigate factors that may influence clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous rt‐PA. Methods One hundred and one patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous rt‐PA thrombolysis within 4.5 hours from disease onset were included. Patients were divided into good or poor outcome group according to modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, good outcome group: mRS score of 0‐1; poor outcome group: mRS of 2‐6. Stroke characteristics were compared between the two groups. Factors for stroke outcomes were analyzed via univariate analysis and Logistic regression. Results Of the 101 patients studied, patients in good outcome group (n=55) were significantly younger than patients in poor outcome group (n=46, (62.82±14.25) vs. (68.81±9.85) years, P=0.029). Good outcome group had fewer patients with diabetic history (9.09% vs. 28.26%, P=0.012), fewer patients with leukoaraiosis (7.27% vs. 28.26%, P=0.005) and presented with lower blood glucose level ((5.72±1.76) vs. (6.72±1.32) mmol/L, P=0.012), lower systolic blood pressure level ((135.45±19.36) vs. (148.78±19.39) mmHg, P=0.003), lower baseline NIHSS score (12.02±5.26 vs. 15.78±4.98, P=0.002) and shorter onset‐to‐treatment time (OTT) ((2.38±1.21) vs. (2.57±1.03) hours, P=0.044) than poor outcome group. Logistic regression analysis showed that absence of diabetic history (odds ratio (OR) 0.968 (95% CI 0.941‐0.996)), absence of leukoaraiosis (OR 0.835 (95% CI 0.712‐0.980)), lower baseline NIHSS score (OR 0.885 (95% CI 0.793‐0.989)), lower pre‐thrombolysis systolic blood pressure (OR 0.962 (95% CI 0.929‐0.997)), and lower blood glucose level (OR 0.699 (95% CI 0.491‐0.994)) before thrombolysis were significantly associated with better outcome. Conclusion Patients with no history of diabetes, no leukoaraiosis, low blood glucose level, low systolic blood pressure level and low baseline NIHSS score before thrombolysis have a better outcome.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in migraine: What have we learned so far?

Objective: To summarize and evaluate proton (1H) and phosphorus (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) findings in migraine. Methods: A thorough review of 1H and/or 31P-MRS studies in any form of migraine published up to September 2011. Results: Some findings were consistent in all studies, such as a lack of ictal/interictal brain pH change and a disturbed energy metabolism, the latter of which is reflected in a drop in phosphocreatine content, both in the resting brain and in muscle following exercise. In a recent interictal study ATP was found to be significantly decreased in the occipital lobe of migraine with aura patients, reinforcing the concept of a mitochondrial component to the migraine threshold, at least in a subgroup of patients. In several studies a correlation between the extent of the energy disturbance and the clinical phenotype severity was apparent. Less consistent but still congruent with a disturbed energy metabolism is an observed lactate increase in the occipital cortex of several migraine subtypes (MwA, migraine with prolonged aura). No increases in brain glutamate levels were found. Conclusion: The combined abnormalities found in MRS studies imply a mitochondrial component in migraine neurobiology. This could be due to a primary mitochondrial dysfunction or be secondary to, for example, alterations in brain excitability. The extent of variation in the data can be attributed to both the variable clinical inclusion criteria used and the variation in applied methodology. Therefore it is necessary to continue to optimize MRS methodology to gain further insights, especially concerning lactate and glutamate.
Trends in Antihypertensive Medication Use and Blood Pressure Control Among Adults With Hypertension in Germany.

BACKGROUND Hypertension is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality, therefore its control is of great importance. In this study we compare the use of antihypertensive medication among adults with hypertension in Germany 1998 and 2008-2011 and determine factors associated with use and control. METHODS Data from German Health Examination Surveys (GNHIES98 1998, n = 7,124 and DEGS1 2008-2011 n = 7,988, age 18-79 years) including standardized blood pressure (BP) measurements and Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) medication codes were analyzed. RESULTS The use of antihypertensive medication among adults with hypertension in Germany increased from 54% to 72% in 1 decade. In 2008-2011, 67% of users were treated with polytherapy. The most commonly used antihypertensive class in 1998 was diuretics (43%) and in 2008-2011 beta-blockers (54%). Ramipril and metoprolol are currently the most commonly used monotherapy agents, while ramipril in combination with hydrochlorothiazide is the most frequent polytherapy. Being a woman, older age, having statutory health insurance, diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and obesity were positively associated with antihypertensive use. The control rate among treated increased from 42% to 72%. Young women (18-54 years) had better control compared to older women or to men. Having CHD or stroke was positively associated with BP control. CONCLUSIONS Increased and improved antihypertensive use might be a main contributor to the decrease in BP observed in Germany in the last decade. However, there are still socio-demographic and health disparities in hypertension treatment and control.
Lifelong physical activity prevents an age‐related reduction in arterial and skeletal muscle nitric oxide bioavailability in humans

• Ageing has been proposed to be associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that scavenge nitric oxide (NO), thereby decreasing the bioavailability of this potent vasodilator. • Here we show that NO bioavailability is compromised in the systemic circulation and in skeletal muscle of sedentary older humans as evidenced by an increase in NO metabolites after antioxidant infusion. • Lifelong physical activity opposes this effect within the trained musculature and in the arterial circulation. • The reduced blood flow to contracting leg muscles with ageing does not appear to be related to changes in NO bioavailability. • These findings expand our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the age‐related changes in vascular function and highlight the beneficial effect of exercise training throughout the lifespan.
Mass media and border securitization in Europe: Investigating the metropolitan “Mediapolis” in an era of right-wing populism

ABSTRACT Mass migration of non-Europeans into Schengen Europe and the terrorist attacks perpetrated in the name of Islam in various cities in the European Union have led to a series of mediated public debates on the control of the nation-state border over the past few years. Right-wing populist parties have been prominent in structuring these debates. However, can the urban media, and specifically the commercial ones often accused of sensationalism, be considered as tools that promote the securitization and progressive closure of the state border within Schengen Europe? Based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the representation of non-European migration and terrorism by a metropolitan commercial paper in borderland France, the current article shows that reporters can be instead instrumental in the definition of a “Mediapolis” that is a debordered, global, and moral space of mediated appearances helping to deal with international crises. The promotion of this Mediapolis is presented as the result of multiple spatial and temporal conditions in a series of interconnected cities contained in the French nation-state.
Microscopic and microbiological findings for evaluation of chronic prostatitis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the significance of different diagnostic methods for detecting prostatic inflammation/infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS A group of 233 with symptoms suggesting prostatitis without urethral discharge attending an outpatient Prostatitis Clinic was considered. All were evaluated by the same urologist according to a protocol comprising medical history, physical and transrectal ultrasound examination. Patients had a urethral swab for bacterial culture and additional swabs for identification of C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis, U. urealyticum, M. hominis and Candida spp. Patients also underwent a four-specimen study according to Meares and Stamey (first voided urine VB1, midstream urine VB2, expressed prostatic secretion EPS and urine after prostatic massage VB3) and culture of the seminal fluid. RESULTS Of 233 patients evaluated, 47% had a positive urethral culture, 35% a positive culture of the seminal fluid and only 13% a positive culture of one or more samples of the four-specimen localization test. A positive culture of VB1 or VB2 was very rarely associated with a negative swab culture respectively in 1% and 0.9%; on the contrary, a positive swab culture was frequently associated with negative VB1 and VB2 culture respectively in 90% and 91%. Of the patients with positive urethral culture only 8% and 2% had more than 10 leukocytes respectively in VB1 and VB2. A positive seminal culture was associated with negative EPS and VB3 culture respectively in 89% and 83% cases; on the contrary, a positive culture of EPS or VB3 was associated with a negative seminal fluid culture respectively in 67% and 27% cases. In 49% patients with positive culture of the seminal fluid, more than 10 leukocytes in VB3 were observed. Only in 9 of the 47 patients with positive culture of the seminal fluid EPS can be obtained and 3 of them (33%) had more than 10 leukocytes in EPS. CONCLUSIONS Culture and determination of leukocytes in first voided and midstream urine showed a low sensitivity in detection of urethral infection/inflammation compared to urethral swab culture. On the contrary, microscopic examination of urine after prostatic massage was confirmed as a useful indirect indicator in the diagnosis of prostatic inflammation and showed to be more feasible compared with the analysis of expressed prostatic secretion. In conclusion, urethral swab culture and post-massage urine culture and microscopic examination could be proposed as an alternative standard protocol in order to simplify the evaluation of prostatitis-like syndrome in the clinical practice.
Thermoelectric properties of Sn-based clathrates

Inorganic clathrates consisting in group-IV elements have crystal structures with large cages. Electronic structure and transport properties of Sn-based clathrate semiconductors have been studied by the ab-initio band structure calculating method. In this calculation the FLAPW method with the GGA is used and the Ga configuration of occupied sites is determined by the comparison of the total energy E/sub tot/ among various configurations. The band gap of the calculated electronic structure E/sub g/ is 0.16 eV, which agrees with the experimental result, estimated by the temperature dependence of the electric conductivity. However the band gap E/sub g/=0.16 eV does not explain the experimental Seebeck coefficient /spl alpha/. When we assume a lager band gap E/sub g/=0.45 eV and a carrier concentration n/sub e/=8/spl times/10/sup 18//cm/sup 3/, the calculated /spl alpha/ reasonably explains the experimental data.
Sexual selection for white tail spots in the barn swallow in relation to habitat choice by feather lice

Many bird species have white spots in their tails or wing feathers, and such characters have been hypothesized to be either reliable signals (handicaps) or amplifiers that facilitate the message of a signal. In barn swallows, Hirundo rustica, the size of the white spots in the tail feathers is sexually dimorphic and positively correlated with feather length. We tested whether such spots act as handicaps or amplifiers. These white spots affect sexual selection in barn swallows, as shown by an experiment in which we randomly subjected males to (1) a considerable reduction of the size of all the spots by the use of a black permanent marker pen, (2) a small reduction of the size of the spots, or (3) no reduction. There was a positive association between spot size and the number of offspring produced per season. The white tail spots were preferred by feather-eating Mallophaga as a feeding site: holes made by Mallophaga were more abundant in the white spots than expected by chance. A habitat choice experiment with Mallophaga on barn swallow tail feathers revealed that they preferred white spots over black parts of the tail feathers. We therefore expected long-tailed male barn swallows to have more Mallophaga than short-tailed males. However, the opposite relationship was observed, indicating that long-tailed males may reliably signal their quality by the presence of large white tail spots without parasite damage. Thus white tail spots in barn swallows appear to be a reliable signal of phenotypic quality. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Oxidative DNA damage in osteoarthritic porcine articular cartilage

Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species. This study investigated if increased oxidative DNA damage accumulates in OA articular cartilage compared with non‐OA articular cartilage from pigs with spontaneous OA. Additionally, the ability of nitric oxide (NO) or peroxynitrite (ONOO−) induced DNA damage in non‐OA chondrocytes to undergo endogenous repair was investigated. Porcine femoral condyles were graded for the stage of OA, macroscopically by the Collins Scale, and histologically by the modified Mankin Grade. Levels of DNA damage were determined in non‐OA and OA cartilage, using the comet assay. For calibration, DNA damage was measured by exposing non‐OA chondrocytes to 0–12 Gray (Gy) of X‐ray irradiation. Non‐OA articular chondrocytes were treated with 0–500 µM of NO donors (NOC‐18 or SIN‐1), and DNA damage assessed after treatment and 5 days recovery. A significant increase (P < 0.01) in oxidative DNA damage occurred in OA chondrocytes in joints with Mankin Grades 3 or greater, compared to non‐OA chondrocytes. The percentage of nuclei containing DNA damage increased significantly (P < 0.001) from early to late grades of OA. An increase of approximately 0.65–1.7 breaks/1,000 kb of DNA occurred in OA, compared to non‐OA nuclei. NOC‐18 or SIN‐1 caused significant DNA damage (P < 0.001) in non‐OA chondrocytes that did not undergo full endogenous repair after 5 days (P < 0.05). Our data suggest significant levels of oxidative DNA damage occur in OA chondrocytes that accumulates with OA progression. Additionally, DNA damage induced by NO and ONOO− in non‐OA chondrocytes does not undergo full endogenous repair. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 828–833, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chk1‐deficient tumour cells are viable but exhibit multiple checkpoint and survival defects

The conserved protein kinase Chk1 is believed to play an important role in checkpoint responses to aberrant DNA structures; however, genetic analysis of Chk1 functions in metazoans is complicated by lethality of Chk1‐deficient embryonic cells. We have used gene targeting to eliminate Chk1 function in somatic DT40 B‐lymphoma cells. We find that Chk1‐deficient DT40 cells are viable, but fail to arrest in G2/M in response to and are hypersensitive to killing by ionizing radiation. Chk1‐deficient cells also fail to maintain viable replication forks or suppress futile origin firing when DNA polymerase is inhibited, leading to incomplete genome duplication and diminished cell survival after release from replication arrest. In contrast to embryonic cells, however, Chk1 is not required to delay mitosis when DNA synthesis is inhibited. Thus, Chk1 is dispensable for normal cell division in somatic DT40 cells but is essential for DNA damage‐induced G2/M arrest and a subset of replication checkpoint responses. Furthermore, Chk1‐dependent processes promote tumour cell survival after perturbations of DNA structure or metabolism.
Enumeration in the Chevalley algebras

We consider the maximal nilpotent subalgebra NΦ(<i>K</i>) of the Chevalley algebra of the type Φ over an arbitrary field <i>K</i>. Our purpose is enumeration of ideals of NΦ(<i>K</i>) that are invariant under the subgroup <i>D</i> of all diagonal automorphisms. Connections between ideals of NΦ(<i>K</i>) and normal subgroups of the unipotent subgroup of the Chevalley group of the type Φ over <i>K</i> are used. Finally, we use methods of integral representation of sums and of listing lattice paths. We also discuss some other problems of the enumeration of ideals.
Adenoviral-mediated Gene Transfer to the Filtering Bleb in Rabbits

PurposeTo determine if genes can be transferred to fibroblasts in the filtering bleb using adenoviral vectors. Materials and MethodsTwelve New Zealand albino rabbits underwent bilateral full-thickness sclerostomies. On postoperative day 1 an adenoviral vector carrying a reporter gene (lacZ) was injected into the right-eye bleb and saline was injected into the left eye bleb of each rabbit. Three rabbits were euthanized on each of the after days (days 3, 7, 14, and 21). The eyes were enucleated and tissue samples from the filtering bleb were processed for &bgr;-galactosidase activity (a marker for lacZ gene expression) and expression of vimentin (a fibroblast marker). The median number of cells per high-power field with both &bgr;-galactosidase activity and vimentin expression on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 in the right and left eyes were counted to determine adenoviral-mediated gene expression in fibroblasts. ResultsIn the adenoviral vector-treated eyes, the median number of cells per high-power field with both &bgr;-galactosidase and vimentin expression on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 was 83,100, 1, and 0, respectively. No &bgr;-galactosidase activity was noted in the saline-treated eyes. ConclusionsAdenoviral vectors can transfer genes to fibroblasts in filtering blebs after glaucoma surgery. The peak efficiency of gene transfer to fibroblasts occurred 7 days after glaucoma surgery. These studies show a potential for genetic manipulation of fibroblast activity in filtering blebs after glaucoma surgery.
Z-matched active common-mode canceller for the suppression of common-mode current in an inverter system

In a vehicle, radiational noise generated by the common-mode current in an inverter system is the cause of electromagnetic problems of in-vehicle radio antennas. This paper proposes a new method ”Z-matched ACC” for suppressing the common-mode current at AM band. With this method, the freewheel current, which reduces the common-mode current suppression effect at AM band in conventional voltage-cancellation ACC, does not flow by setting the phase of the Z-matched circuit equal to that of the motor common line. Therefore, the Z-matched ACC can suppress the common-mode current at AM band. The suppression effect of the Z-matched ACC is superior to the conventional ACC from 100 kHz to 10MHz. In addition, the Z-matched ACC can reduce the size of the common-mode transformer over that for the conventional ACC by reducing the ET product applied to the common-mode transformer.
15 Years of Aqua MODIS on-orbit operation, calibration, and performance

Since launch on May 04, 2002, Aqua MODIS has successfully operated for 15 years and continuously produced from its observations many data products in support of a broad range of scientific research activities and applications. Its overall mission success has relied heavily on the dedicated efforts to operate and calibrate the instrument and to track and correct on-orbit changes in sensor responses. This paper provides an overview of Aqua MODIS instrument operation and calibration activities, algorithm improvements, and look-up-table (LUT) updates. Results derived from various on-orbit calibration targets are presented to demonstrate sensor long-term performance. Also discussed in this paper are challenging issues identified and future efforts to maintain instrument calibration and data quality.
An early cytoplasmic step of peptidoglycan synthesis is associated to MreB in Bacillus subtilis

MreB proteins play a major role during morphogenesis of rod‐shaped bacteria by organizing biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan cell wall. However, the mechanisms underlying this process are not well understood. In Bacillus subtilis, membrane‐associated MreB polymers have been shown to be associated to elongation‐specific complexes containing transmembrane morphogenetic factors and extracellular cell wall assembly proteins. We have now found that an early intracellular step of cell wall synthesis is also associated to MreB. We show that the previously uncharacterized protein YkuR (renamed DapI) is required for synthesis of meso‐diaminopimelate (m‐DAP), an essential constituent of the peptidoglycan precursor, and that it physically interacts with MreB. Highly inclined laminated optical sheet microscopy revealed that YkuR forms uniformly distributed foci that exhibit fast motion in the cytoplasm, and are not detected in cells lacking MreB. We propose a model in which soluble MreB organizes intracellular steps of peptidoglycan synthesis in the cytoplasm to feed the membrane‐associated cell wall synthesizing machineries.