Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of a home-based neurodevelopmental screening tool for under 2-year-old children in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND Home-based screening to identify young children at risk for neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs) is needed to guide the targeting of child neurodevelopmental intervention services in Bangladesh. This study aimed to validate such a tool for children under age 2 years. METHODS A Developmental Screening Questionnaire was administered to mothers of children aged 0-<2 years in an urban community. Inter-rater reliability among the interviewers, who were high school graduates, was determined. All children who were screen positive and a proportion of screen negatives were subsequently assessed for NDIs by professionals. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated by comparing screening with assessment results. RESULTS Mean kappa coefficient of agreement among interviewers was 0.95. A total of 197 children were screened, of whom 17% screened positive. Fifty-one children, including 24 screen negatives, were assessed for NDIs. Screen-positivity was significantly different between income groups (P = 0.019), and higher in stunted children (odds ratio = 5.76, 95% confidence interval = 1.72-19.28), indicating good discriminant validity Specificity was excellent (84-100%) for all developmental domains. Sensitivity was 100% for vision and hearing; 70% for speech; and 63%, 53%, 48%, and 45% for gross motor, behaviour, fine motor and cognitive impairments, respectively. CONCLUSION A tool for screening <2-year-old children at risk for NDIs showed high specificity; and was able to identify all children at risk for vision and hearing impairments, nearly three-fourths with speech impairments, two-thirds with gross motor impairments, and about half with behavioural, cognitive and fine motor impairments. The Developmental Screening Questionnaire tool has potential for use by frontline workers to screen large populations and to link to definitive assessment as well as intervention services.
In situ study of the relevance of bacterial adherence to feed particles for the contamination and accuracy of rumen degradability estimates for feeds of vegetable origin

An in situ study was conducted on four rumen-cannulated wethers to determine (using 15N infusion techniques) the microbial contamination (mg bacterial DM or crude protein (CP)/100mg DM or CP) and the associated error on the effective degradability of fourteen feeds: barley and maize grains, soyabean and sunflower meals, full-fat soyabean, maize gluten feed, soyabean hulls, brewers dried grains, sugarbeet pulp, wheat bran, lucerne and vetch-oat hays, and barley and lentil straws. The DM or CP contamination in residues (M) fitted to single exponential or sigmoid curves. A general model (M=m (1−e−ft)j) was proposed to match this fit. Asymptotic values (m) varied from 2·84% to 13·3% and from 2·85% to 80·9% for DM and CP, respectively. Uncorrected results underestimated the effective degradability of both DM (P<0·05) and CP (P<0·01). For CP, this underestimation varied from 0·59% to 13·1%, with a higher but unascertainable error for barley straw. Excluding maize grain, the microbial contamination of both DM and CP, and the associated underestimation of the effective degradability of CP, were positively related to the cellulose content of the feed. The error in the effective degradability of CP was also negatively related to the CP content and its apparent effective degradability (R2 0·867). This equation allows easier and more accurate estimates of effective degradability, needed to improve protein-rationing systems.
Methylphenidate modifies the motion of the circadian clock Lamotrigine in mood disorders and cocaine dependence Cortical glutamate in postpartum depression Impact of Tryptophan Depletion on Executive System Function during Menopause is Moderated by Childhood Adversity

235 words Manuscript: 4,177 words Number of Tables: 1 Number of Figures: 3 References: 50 Impact of Tryptophan Depletion on Executive System Function during Menopause is Moderated by Childhood Adversity Sheila Shanmugan, B.A. James Loughead, Ph.D. Wen Cao, M.A. Mary D. Sammel, Sc.D. Theodore D. Satterthwaite, M.D., M.A. Kosha Ruparel, M.A. Ruben C. Gur, Ph.D. C. Neill Epperson, M.D. a Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA b Penn PROMOTES Research on Sex and Gender in Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA c Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA d Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA Running title: Early adversity effects on 5-HT and executive function *Corresponding Author: C. Neill Epperson, 3535 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. cepp@mail.med.upenn.edu. Telephone: (215) 573-8871. Fax: (215) 573-8881. © 2017 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.
Moxifloxacin versus ethambutol in the first 2 months of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis.

RATIONALE Moxifloxacin has promising preclinical activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but has not been evaluated in multidrug treatment of tuberculosis in humans. OBJECTIVE To compare the impact of moxifloxacin versus ethambutol, both in combination with isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide, on sputum culture conversion at 2 mo as a measure of the potential sterilizing activity of alternate induction regimens. METHODS Adults with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were randomized in a factorial design to receive moxifloxacin (400 mg) versus ethambutol given 5 d/wk versus 3 d/wk (after 2 wk of daily therapy). All doses were directly observed. MEASUREMENTS The primary endpoint was sputum culture status at 2 mo of treatment. RESULTS Of 336 patients enrolled, 277 (82%) were eligible for the efficacy analysis, 186 (67%) were male, 175 (63%) were enrolled at African sites, 206 (74%) had cavitation on chest radiograph, and 60 (22%) had HIV infection. Two-month cultures were negative in 71% of patients (99 of 139) treated with moxifloxacin versus 71% (98 of 138) treated with ethambutol (p = 0.97). Patients receiving moxifloxacin, however, more often had negative cultures after 4 wk of treatment. Patients treated with moxifloxacin more often reported nausea (22 vs. 9%, p = 0.002), but similar proportions completed study treatment (88 vs. 89%). Dosing frequency had little effect on 2-mo culture status or tolerability of therapy. CONCLUSIONS The addition of moxifloxacin to isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide did not affect 2-mo sputum culture status but did show increased activity at earlier time points.
The perceived importance of family-friendly policies to childbirth decision among Hong Kong women

Wong C-K, Tang K-L, Ye S. The perceived importance of family-friendly policies to childbirth decision among Hong Kong women Int J Soc Welfare 2011: 20: 381–392 © 2010 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare. Declining fertility is a problem in many advanced industrialised countries, calling for government action. While positive findings have been established between family policies and fertility levels in European countries, empirical studies on family-friendly policies and their impact on fertility levels have been few and far between in East Asia. Based on a random telephone survey of 645 young women, this study examined the perceived importance of family-friendly policies to childbirth among Hong Kong women of childbearing age. Also investigated was whether public policies could have an impact on the decision to have a child. The findings give support to both the risk-society theory and the rationality theory; family-friendly policies such as tax credits, extended childcare and flexitime enhance the risk management capacity of women and reduce the cost of child rearing. The study also found that demographic factors such as age, education, and having children or not are significant to the intent to bear children.
Complementary vascular and matrix regulatory pathways underlie the beneficial mechanism of action of sorafenib in liver fibrosis

Paracrine signaling between hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and liver endothelial cells (LECs) modulates fibrogenesis, angiogenesis, and portal hypertension. However, mechanisms regulating these processes are not fully defined. Sorafenib is a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks growth factor signaling in tumor cells but also displays important and not yet fully characterized effects on liver nonparenchymal cells including HSCs and LECs. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that sorafenib influences paracrine signaling between HSCs and LECs and thereby regulates matrix and vascular changes associated with chronic liver injury. Complementary magnetic resonance elastography, micro–computed tomography, and histochemical analyses indicate that sorafenib attenuates the changes in both matrix and vascular compartments that occur in response to bile duct ligation–induced liver injury in rats. Cell biology studies demonstrate that sorafenib markedly reduces cell–cell apposition and junctional complexes, thus reducing the proximity typically observed between these sinusoidal barrier cells. At the molecular level, sorafenib down‐regulates angiopoietin‐1 and fibronectin, both released by HSCs in a manner dependent on the transcription factor Kruppel‐like factor 6 , suggesting that this pathway underlies both matrix and vascular changes associated with chronic liver disease. Conclusion: Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate that sorafenib inhibits both matrix restructuring and vascular remodeling that accompany chronic liver diseases and characterize cell and molecular mechanisms underlying this effect. These data may help to refine future therapies for advanced gastrointestinal and liver diseases characterized by abundant fibrosis and neovascularization. (HEPATOLOGY 2011;)
Distinct expression patterns of inwardly rectifying potassium currents in developing cerebellar granule cells of the hemispheres and the vermis

G‐protein‐coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels play a crucial role during the migration and maturation of cerebellar granule cells (GCs) in the vermis. In the cerebellar hemispheres, however, only minor effects on the development of GCs are observed in mice with GIRK channel impairment. This regional difference may reflect distinct ontogenetic expression patterns of GIRK channels. Therefore, inwardly rectifying responses in mice were characterized at different stages of development in the vermis and the hemispheres. In the vermis, GCs in the premigratory zone (PMZ) at P7–P15 exhibit GIRK current but not constitutive inwardly rectifying potassium (CIRK) current, and are relatively depolarized at rest. In contrast, premigratory GCs in the hemispheres express only CIRK channels, which accounts for their more hyperpolarized resting membrane potential. Furthermore, the pattern of voltage‐dependent inward currents in the PMZ GCs of cerebellar hemispheres is consistent with a more mature stage of development than the corresponding GCs in the vermis, resulting in robust firing properties mediated by sodium channels. Later in development (P21–P22), CIRK current is then observed in the majority of vermis GCs. This developmental pattern, revealed by electrophysiological recordings, was confirmed by immunohistological experiments that showed greater reactivity for GIRK2 in the PMZ of the vermis than in the hemispheres during development (P7–P15). These findings suggest that regional differences in development are responsible for the differential expression of inwardly rectifying potassium channels in the vermis and in the hemispheres.
Codon optimality controls differential mRNA translation during amino acid starvation

It is common wisdom that codon usage bias has evolved in the selection for efficient translation, in which highly expressed genes are encoded predominantly by optimal codons. However, a growing body of evidence suggests regulatory roles for non-optimal codons in translation dynamics. Here we report that in mammalian cells, non-optimal codons play a critical role in promoting selective mRNA translation during amino acid starvation. During starvation, in contrast to genes encoding ribosomal proteins whose translation is highly sensitive to amino acid deprivation, translation of genes involved in the cellular protein degradation pathways remains unaffected. We found that these two gene groups bear different codon composition, with non-optimal codons being highly enriched in genes encoding the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Supporting the selective tRNA charging model originally proposed in Escherichia coli, we demonstrated that tRNA isoacceptors decoding rare codons are maintained in translating ribosomes under amino acid starvation. Finally, using luciferase reporters fused with endogenous gene-derived sequences, we show that codon optimality contributes to differential mRNA translation in response to amino acid starvation. These results highlight the physiological significance of codon usage bias in cellular adaptation to stress.
β‐actin knock‐out mouse embryonic fibroblasts show increased expression of LIM‐, CH‐, EFh‐domain containing proteins with predicted common upstream regulators

β‐actin depletion from mouse embryonic fibroblasts results in an altered transcriptional response rendering these cells a myofibroblast like phenotype. The proteins and upstream regulatory factors responsible for this acquired phenotype, with prominent focal adhesions and stress fibres, are unknown. Data‐mining of the changed proteome revealed that actin binding proteins associated with stress fiber or focal adhesion formation are overexpressed in the β‐actin knock‐out cells and that many of these contain CH‐, LIM‐ or EFh‐ domains. Furthermore in silico analysis predicts potential common upstream regulators that may, at least partly, coordinate the altered transcriptional response. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Real-Time Feedback Impacts on Eco-Driving Behavior and Influential Variables in Fuel Consumption in a Lisbon Urban Bus Operator

The main purposes of this research were, in a first stage, to assess the impacts of real-time feedback on the driving behavior of bus drivers, considering vehicle age and type and drivers experience and, in a second stage, to identify the main influential variables in fuel consumption. Data was collected with an on-board device used by a Portuguese urban bus transport operator. Significant increases in the performance of undesirable events were observed without real-time feedback, followed by decreases with the restart of real-time feedback. Higher increases (between 6% and 170%) were observed when driving Mini vehicles in comparison with other bus types, particularly in extreme accelerations, excess rpm, extreme braking, and hard starts. Furthermore, a General Linear Model was applied to assess the most influential variables on fuel consumption. Vehicle type and age are the most influential variables on fuel consumption, with minibuses presenting higher increases when compared with standard buses. Increases up to 3% were observed leading to an extra 3769 liters of fuel consumed when feedback was not provided. Decreases in fuel consumption between 0.3% and 2% were observed with real-time feedback, avoiding the consumption of 4280 L of fuel. The results obtained in this paper provide bus companies with insightful information for the development of future operational strategies and training programs.
The donor line break cannula: effect on the donation process, blood component quality and transfusion microbiology testing of an important new blood bag safety feature

The use of blood packs with an integral sampling system can result in anti‐coagulant from the main bag reaching the sample pouch via the donor line, causing delayed coagulation of blood samples. In NHS Blood and Transplant, this has prevented the use of serum, the preferred matrix for transfusion microbiology (TM) testing, which has led to an increased false positive rate with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma. There is also a remote possibility of false negative results owing to sample dilution. Manufacturers have responded by offering packs with a donor line break cannula (DLBC) to prevent these adverse effects.
Stereotactic Radiation in Primary Brain Tumors in Children and Adolescents

To evaluate treatment outcome and morbidity of stereotactic external-beam irradiation (SEBI) in pediatric patients, we reviewed 14 children treated with SEBI, using a 10-MV isocentric linear accelerator at McGill University between 1988 and 1994. The median follow-up was 46 months (range 6–82 months). The median age was 14 years. There were 8 low-grade astrocytomas, 3 neuromas and 4 other histologies. Twelve patients received fractionated treatments. The median collimator diameter was 2.5 cm (range 1–5 cm). The median biological effective dose delivered to the entire tumor volume was 57 Gy for astrocytomas and 43 Gy for the other histologies. The overall actuarial survival rate and disease-free survival rate at 5 years were 83 and 62%, respectively. For the patients with low-grade astrocytomas, the 5-year survival and disease-free survival rates were 100 and 60%, respectively. Four children had recurrence at a median of 37 months. Four patients developed treatment-related complications: 1 had edema alone, 2 had necrosis and 1 had edema associated with necrosis. Neither the physical nor radiobiological parameters were predictive of the treatment outcome or the treatment complications. Stereotactic irradiation is a valid option for progressive nonresectable tumors in children.
The Issues Influencing of Environmental Accounting Information Systems: An Empirical Investigation of SMEs in Indonesia

Recognizing the limitations in corporate environmental accounting systems, the present study examines the critical issues in the usefulness of Environmental Accounting Information Systems (EAIS). In this regard, the study investigates the impact of perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU), sophistication of information technology (ITS) and measuring errors in environmental cost (EEC) on EAIS alignment in Indonesian SMEs. The findings of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) lead to conclude that the conceptual model fulfills the goodness of fit criteria. Furthermore, the results of Structural Equation Modeling establish that sophistication of IT, measuring errors in environmental cost and perceived environmental uncertainty have significant impact in influencing the Alignment of Environment Accounting Information System in Indonesia.
The C5a receptor is expressed in normal renal proximal tubular but not in normal pulmonary or hepatic epithelial cells

C5a, a 74 amino acid peptide cleaved from the complement protein C5, is an extremely potent anaphylatoxin. Expression of the receptor for the anaphylatoxin C5a (C5aR) has been thought to be restricted to cells of myeloid origin. However, recent evidence suggests that the C5aR is also expressed in hepatocytes as well as in pulmonary epithelial, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. In the present study, we investigated the tissue distribution of C5aR by immunohistochemistry in normal human lung, liver, intestine and kidney using well‐defined monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the extracellular N‐terminus of the receptor. In all tissues examined, macrophages displayed an abundant expression of C5aR protein. However, in the normal human lung, C5aR expression was not detectable in bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells or in vascular smooth muscle or endothelial cells. In the normal human liver, no C5aR protein was detected in hepatocytes, whereas Kupffer cells strongly expressed the C5aR. In normal human kidney, the C5aR was detectable only in proximal tubular cells. C5aR gene transcription in Kupffer cells and proximal tubular cells was confirmed by in situ hybridization. Thus, our results point to an as yet unknown role of the C5aR in normal renal physiology. In the normal lung and liver, however, previous evidence for the ubiquitous expression of C5aR in epithelial, endothelial and smooth muscle cells in situ should be re‐evaluated.
Ionospheric Correction of L-Band SAR Offset Measurements for the Precise Observation of Glacier Velocity Variations on Novaya Zemlya

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) offset tracking method has been widely used for multitemporal analysis of fast glacier movements in the polar region. However, it can be severely distorted, particularly in the case of L-band SAR systems mainly due to a frequent occurrence of ionospheric effects in the polar region. In this study, we developed an efficient method to extract and correct the ionospheric contribution from SAR offset tracking measurements. The method exploits an iterative directional filtering approach, which is based on the pattern and directionality of ionospheric streaks. The measurement performance of the proposed method was evaluated by using three L-band advanced land observing satellite phased array type L-band synthetic aperture radar pairs. Our results showed that the proposed correction achieved the improved measurement accuracies from 4.68–23.88 to 1.03–1.51 m/yr. It means that the accuracies of corrected measurements were about 5–16 times better than those of the original measurements. From the results, we concluded that our correction technique is highly suitable for the precise measurement of the glacier displacements even in the presence of strong ionospheric effects. Using the proposed method, the variations of glacier velocities were measured in the Vylki, Shury, and Kropotnika glaciers on Novaya Zemlya, which is located in the Russian Arctic Ocean, and the grounding zones were detected from the measurements in the Shury and Kropotnika glaciers. It further confirmed that the proposed correction method is allowed for the precise monitoring of glacier movements. However, in cases of severe ionosphere-distorted measurements, the proposed method may be limitedly applied.
Speed of Adjustment to Macroeconomic Information: Evidence from Ghanaian Stock Market (GSE)

This study examines the speed of adjustment of stock prices to macroeconomic information using monthly Databank stock Index (DSI) from November 1990 to December 2007. We use Granger-Causality test to show unidirectional causality from macroeconomic information to stock prices. Our findings suggest slow adjustment of stock prices to macroeconomic information with exchange rate being the slowest. We argue that the speed of adjustment of exchange rate reflects the behaviour of foreign investors.
Screening Measure for Early Detection of Depressive Symptoms

Nearly 10% of American adults experience depressive symptoms each year. Negative thought patterns associated with risk for depression can be identified using a psychometrically sound measure, such as the Depressive Cognition Scale (DCS). However, no meaningful cutoff score has been established for the DCS. This study used a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to establish a DCS cutoff score for risk for depression, using the Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) as the gold standard measure. In a national nondepressed sample of 629 adults, the ROC showed that the DCS accurately discriminated between participants with and without serious depressive thinking in 80% of cases and established an optimum balance of sensitivity (73.9-76.6%) and specificity (69.0-75.3%) at a score of 7. Although findings indicate that the DCS may overidentify risk for clinical depression, the instrument is useful for screening and assessment, with possible initiation of psychological treatment to prevent clinical depression.