Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular and Cellular Basis of Autosomal Recessive Primary Microcephaly

Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a rare hereditary neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a marked reduction in brain size and intellectual disability. MCPH is genetically heterogeneous and can exhibit additional clinical features that overlap with related disorders including Seckel syndrome, Meier-Gorlin syndrome, and microcephalic osteodysplastic dwarfism. In this review, we discuss the key proteins mutated in MCPH. To date, MCPH-causing mutations have been identified in twelve different genes, many of which encode proteins that are involved in cell cycle regulation or are present at the centrosome, an organelle crucial for mitotic spindle assembly and cell division. We highlight recent findings on MCPH proteins with regard to their role in cell cycle progression, centrosome function, and early brain development.
Neither decline nor sclerosis: The organisational structure of the German environmental movement

The conventional view of the life‐course of social movements is that they institutionalise, develop hierarchical structures and, as a consequence, de‐radicalise. This article assesses this image by examining the recent history of the German environmental movement, using two surveys of national and Berlin‐based environmental groups. The analysis suggests that there are no indications of a decline or sclerosis in the movement. Contrary to what some observers have claimed, we find at least a stable number of groups, an increase in the size of their membership and other resources, as well as the maintenance of a decentralised movement structure. Moreover, empirical evidence does not lend support to the idea that the movement, at the aggregate level, has been pacified in terms of its protest.
Automatic Change Detection Method for an Indoor Environment

------------------------------------------------------------------- ABSTRACT -------------------------------------------------------------- Detecting changed regions in multiple images of the same scene taken at different times is of great interest due to a large number of applications in diverse disciplines, including remote sensing, surveillance, medical diagnosis and treatment, civil infrastructure, and underwater sensing. The goal is to identify the set of pixels that are significantly different between the last image of the sequence and the previous images. This paper presents a study of an automatic change detection method for multiple images of the same scene acquired by a mobile-camera from different positions with no illumination changes. The proposed method used for this study consists of three steps: (1) automatic image registration, (2) temporal differencing and (3) unimportant changes removal. The results in this paper show that the presented method successfully detects new objects in the scene from the multiple images.
Investing time in health: do socioeconomically disadvantaged patients spend more or less extra time on diabetes self-care?

BACKGROUND Research on self-care for chronic disease has not examined time requirements. Translating Research into Action for Diabetes (TRIAD), a multi-site study of managed care patients with diabetes, is among the first to assess self-care time. OBJECTIVE To examine associations between socioeconomic position and extra time patients spend on foot care, shopping/cooking, and exercise due to diabetes. DATA Eleven thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven patient surveys from 2000 to 2001. METHODS Bayesian two-part models were used to estimate associations of self-reported extra time spent on self-care with race/ethnicity, education, and income, controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS Proportions of patients spending no extra time on foot care, shopping/cooking, and exercise were, respectively, 37, 52, and 31%. Extra time spent on foot care and shopping/cooking was greater among racial/ethnic minorities, less-educated and lower-income patients. For example, African-Americans were about 10 percentage points more likely to report spending extra time on foot care than whites and extra time spent was about 3 min more per day. DISCUSSION Extra time spent on self-care was greater for socioeconomically disadvantaged patients than for advantaged patients, perhaps because their perceived opportunity cost of time is lower or they cannot afford substitutes. Our findings suggest that poorly controlled diabetes risk factors among disadvantaged populations may not be attributable to self-care practices.
A virtual reality tooth drilling simulator

A virtual teeth drilling system whose basic aim is to be used for the training of dental students in the handling of drilling instruments is presented in this paper. A 3D model of the face and the oral cavity is utilized by the application. This model can be adapted to the characteristics of a specific person and animated. Drilling is performed within the oral cavity, on realistic teeth models constructed from real data. A haptic device can be used to control the drilling operation. Results as well as intermediate steps of the drilling procedure can be saved for future use.
Interleukin-10 gene polymorphisms are associated with freedom from treatment failure for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.

BACKGROUND Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a lymphoid malignancy characterized by the production of various cytokines possibly involved in immune deregulation. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) serum levels have been associated with clinical outcome in patients with HL. Because host genetic variations are known to alter the expression and function of cytokines and their receptors, we investigated whether genetic variations influence clinical outcome of patients with HL. METHODS A total of 301 patients with HL who were treated within randomized trials by the German Hodgkin Study Group were included in this exploratory retrospective study. Gene variations of IL-10 (IL-10(-597AC), rs1800872; IL-10(-824CT), rs1800871; IL-10(-1087AG), rs1800896; IL-10(-3538AT), rs1800890; IL-10(-6208CG), rs10494879; IL-10(-6752AT), rs6676671; IL-10(-7400InDel)), IL-13 (IL-13(-1069CT), rs1800925; IL-13(Q144R), rs20541), and IL-4R (IL-4R(I75V), rs1805010; IL-4R(Q576R), rs1801275) were genotyped. RESULTS Inferior freedom from treatment failure (FFTF) was found in patients harboring the IL-10(-597AA), IL-10(-824TT), or the IL-10(-1087AA) genotype. In contrast, the IL-10(-1087G-824C-597C) haplotype present in about 48% of analyzed HL patients is nominally significant for a better FFTF in a Cox-Regression model accounting for stage and treatment. No associations were observed between the other IL-10 gene variations, IL-13(-1069CT), IL-13(Q144R), IL-4R(I75V), IL-4R(Q576R) and the clinical outcome of patients with HL. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides further evidence that proximal IL-10 promoter gene variations are associated with clinical course of patients with HL. However, treatment success and survival rates are already at a very high rate, supporting the need to design studies focusing on identification of predictors to reduce the side effects of therapy.
Investigation of Road-Traffic Noise and Annoyance in Beijing: A Cross-Sectional Study of 4th Ring Road

The authors aimed to evaluate traffic noise level and noise annoyance in Beijing and the impact of the noise on the quality of life of the residences. The authors performed a cross-sectional study in a 12-floor college dormitory near 4th Ring Road in Beijing, China. The north-side rooms of the building were noisy and had windows facing the road. The authors measured both indoor and outdoor noise. Using both a 5-item verbal scale and a 0-10 numerical scale, they questioned a sample of 1,293 college students living in the dormitory about road-traffic noise annoyance. The results showed that the average outdoor day-to-night noise level was 79.2 dB(A) in the noisy rooms and 64.0 dB(A) in the quiet rooms. Nearly 39% of the respondents living in the noisy rooms indicated that they were highly annoyed by traffic noise according to the response on the verbal scale, and 50% of the respondents living in the noisy rooms were highly annoyed according to the numerical scale.
DYNAMICAL PATTERNS IN CLAPPING BEHAVIOR

A nonlinear dynamics framework that has been applied successfully to several laboratory idealizations of rhythmic behaviors was applied to a more naturally occurring behavior, clapping. Inertial loading of limbs and frequency of oscillation were manipulated. Displacement of relative phase from perfectly in phase and the variability of relative phase, both of which are used as indexes of coordination dynamics, increased with greater inertial imbalance between limbs. Increasing frequency exaggerated these effects. These hallmark properties of coupled oscillator dynamics appeared whether or not the hands contacted, albeit with the latter condition revealing a significant asymmetry in the dynamics. Results highlight the generality of the coupled oscillator regime in interlimb coordination as well as its appropriateness for characterizing behaviors that involve contact of limb surfaces and suggest one way in which perceptual information may tune the dynamical regime.
Hypotony and retinal detachment

Abstract The present work has been based on the assumption that the decreased intraocular pressure in eyes with retinal detachment is due to an abnormal posterior aqueous outflow, in addition to the normal anterior pathways. Subretinal fluid may leak out either through the peri‐optic connective tissue or across the retinal pigment epithelium. In order to test the validity of these alternatives against clinical observations, a fluid dynamic model has been developed to calculate intraocular pressure‐drop versus detached area in both cases. In contrast to the choroidal alternative, the numerical results from the peri‐optic route exhibit qualitative agreement with clinical observations. It is concluded that both clinical and theoretical findings lend support to the hypothesis that the intraocular pressure‐drop in eyes with retinal detachment is due to drainage of subretinal fluid via the peri‐optic tissue.
PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF QUERCETIN ON THE MORPH STREPTOZOTOCIN-TREATED DIABETIC RATS

This study was undertaken to investigate the protective ef pancreatic β-cells against diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress e treatment in Wistar rats. Fifty male and female Wistar rats (2 experimental groups (i. e., control, STZ-treated, and STZ + Querce diabetic groups (B and C) of animals, by a single intraperitoneal inj in the ‘control’ group received equal volume of citrate buffer (pH quercetin (QCT, 25 mg/kg/day i. p.) was injected daily for 3 days p continued until the end of the study period (30 days). Diabetes melli Elite and compatible blood glucose test strips. The rats were sacr (after 30 days). The pancreases of the sacrificed rats were excised a and biochemical assays for antioxidant enzymes [such as glutathio (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum nitric cells of STZ-treated group B rats histologically demonstrated vesiculation in the central β-cells, nuclear shrinkage, and lysis morphology of QCT-treated rats’ pancreases showed viable cellu significantly decreased (p<0.05) GSHPx, SOD, CAT and pancre increased blood glucose concentrations, MDA and serum NO. significant decrease (p<0.05) in elevated blood glucose, MDA and increased (p<0.05) antioxidant enzymes’ activities, as well as treatment protected and preserved pancreatic β-cell architecture a present experimental animal study indicate that QCT treatment has to STZ-induced oxidative stress by directly quenching lipid per endogenous antioxidants.
Supposed beneficiaries’ opinions of anti‐discrimination legislation in Hong Kong – Women’s and the physically handicapped’s viewpoint

Conducts two studies, one among working women and one among the employed physically handicapped, to assess their feelings about the recent introduction of equal opportunity legislation in Hong Kong. Provides some background statistics on Hong Kong and outlines the development of anti‐discrimination legislation. Asks 78 women and 10 physically handicapped people if they thought discrimination was serious in Hong Kong and if the anti‐discrimination legislation and the Equal Opportunities Commission were effective in combating discrimination. Describes the methodology used and discusses the results. Reveals that both groups surveyed were ambivalent about discrimination, stating that legislation enforces behavioural changes but that they are only skin deep. Points out also that it is difficult to quantify discriminatory practices. Notes similarities between east and west, particularly with research suggesting that the only way forward in promoting equality is to reduce status distinctions for everyone and to make organizations much more democratic.
Changes in lipid profile and liver enzymes in HIV infection and AIDS Patients

This study was designed to find the correlation between changes in lipid profile and liver marker enzymes in HIV-infected and AIDS patients. The study population consisted of 150 subjects, age and sex-matched and divided into three groups [control subjects (n=50), HIV infected (n=50) and AIDS patients (n=50)]. Serum levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were found to be decreased significantly in HIV/AIDS patients when compared with normal counterparts. On the other hand, the levels of triglyceride (TG) and very lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were markedly elevated in HIV/AIDS patients compared to normal subjects. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) observed in HIV/AIDS patients were significantly higher than in the control group. Further, the above mentioned biochemical variables were found to be affected more significantly in AIDS patients when compared with HIV infected subjects. Hence, it may be concluded that lipid profile and liver enzymes can be a good index of disease progression in HIV infection and AIDS patients.
Effects of adjuvants for human use in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐prone (New Zealand black/New Zealand white) F1 mice

The safety of four different adjuvants was assessed in lupus‐prone New Zealand black/New Zealand white (BW)F1 mice. Four groups of mice were injected intraperitoneally with incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), squalene (SQU) or aluminium hydroxide (ALU). An additional group received plain phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) (UNT group). Mice were primed at week 9 and boosted every other week up to week 15. Proteinuria became detectable at weeks 17 (IFA group), 24 (CFA group), 28 (SQU and ALU groups) and 32 (UNT group). Different mean values were obtained among the groups from weeks 17 to 21 [week 17: one‐way analysis of variance (anova) P = 0·016; weeks 18 and 19: P = 0·048; weeks 20 and 21: P = 0·013] being higher in the IFA group than the others [Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) post‐test P < 0·05]. No differences in anti‐DNA antibody levels were observed among groups. Anti‐RNP/Sm antibody developed at week 19 in only one CFA‐treated mouse. Mean mouse weight at week 18 was lower in the ALU group than the IFA (Tukey's HSD post‐test P = 0·04), CFA (P = 0·01) and SQU (P < 0·0001) groups, while the mean weight in the SQU group was higher than in the IFA (P = 0·009), CFA (P = 0·013) and UNT (P = 0·005) groups. The ALU group weight decreased by almost half between weeks 29 and 31, indicating some toxic effect of ALU in the late post‐immunization period. Thus, SQU was the least toxic adjuvant as it did not (i) accelerate proteinuria onset compared to IFA; (ii) induce toxicity compared to ALU or (iii) elicit anti‐RNP/Sm autoantibody, as occurred in the CFA group.
Body Norms and Fat Stigma in Global Perspective

While slim-body ideals have spread globally in the last several decades, we know comparatively little of any concurrent proliferation of fat-stigmatizing beliefs. Using cultural surveys and body mass estimates collected from 680 adults from urban areas in 10 countries and territories, we test for cultural variation in how people conceptualize and stigmatize excess weight and obesity. Using consensus analysis of belief statements about obese and fat bodies, we find evidence of a shared model of obesity that transcends populations and includes traditionally fat-positive societies. Elements include the recognition of obesity as a disease, the role of individual responsibility in weight gain and loss, and the social undesirability of fat but also the inappropriateness of open prejudice against fat. Focusing on statements about fat that are explicitly stigmatizing, we find most of these expressed in the middle-income and developing-country samples. Results suggest a profound global diffusion of negative ideas about obesity. Given the moral attributions embedded in these now shared ideas about fat bodies, a globalization of body norms and fat stigma, not just of obesity itself, appears to be well under way, and it has the potential to proliferate associated prejudice and suffering.
Molecular epidemiology and genotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in a cohort of young asymptomatic sexually active women (18-25 years) in Milan, Italy

Summary Introduction. Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common bacterial cause of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and is associated with severe long-term sequelae in female populations. In Italy Ct infections are not submitted to a screening programme, and its epidemiological profile is understudied. Even scarcer information is available about the genetic diversity on ompA gene, whose sequence defines 18 different genovars. This study aims at evaluating the prevalence of Ct infection in young sexually active asymptomatic women aged 18-25, and characterizing the molecular epidemiology of the different circulating genovars in this population. Methods. Cervical samples collected from 909 sexually-activeyoung women (mean age 21.5 years) were analyzed through molecular assay for the detection of Ct infection. Phylogenetic analysis on the ompA gene was performed on Ct positive samples to identify the circulating genovars. Results. The overall prevalence of Ct-infection was 4.4% (95%CI: 3.2-5.9%): 5.3% among women aged 18-21 years and 3.5% among those aged 22-25 years. Phylogenetic analysis has identified 5 different genovars: D, E, F, G, and H. The most common genovar was the E (46%), followed by genovar F and G (18.9% each), D (13.5%), and H (2.7%). Conclusions. This study underlines the high prevalence of asymptomatic Ct-infections among young women. Overall, about half of the asymptomatic infections is sustained by genovar E. The introduction in Italy of a systematic screening program should be considered to allow a better understanding of Ct spreading and providing women with an opportunity for early treatment to protect their sexual and reproductive health.
Book Review : Statistical Models in Psychological and Educational Testing

test theory and its applications for an audience of research workers and advanced students in educational and psychological measurement. &dquo; (p. v). If one measures the accomplished result with these ambitious aims, one can hardly help being somewhat disappointed. The authors actually deal with a great variety of different approaches ranging from classical test theory to modem item response theory (IRT) and its applications, and they include a long list of valuable references. However, the greater part of the chapters of the book are relatively independent without forming a really coherent and integrated treatment of the central questions of mental
Function and manipulation tool knowledge in apraxia: Knowing ‘what for’ but not ‘how’

Abstract Several accounts of the semantic system posit that function information plays a critical role in the representations of man-made objects. Alternative possibilities are that man-made objects such as tools are organized according to manner of manipulation, or that both function and manipulation information figure importantly and distinctly in man-made object representations. An agnosic patient, FB, reported by Sirigu et al. (Brain 1991; 114: 727-41) provides support for the latter view. FB was able to demonstrate how to manipulate objects whose function he did not recognize. We now report two severely apraxic patients whose performance, together with that of FBI indicates that function and manipulation information may doubly dissociate. On ‘declarative’ semantic tests not requiring gesture production, our subjects demonstrate severely impaired manipulation knowledge in the context of relatively intact (and, in one subject, perfectly unimpaired) function knowledge. The double dissociation provides further support for the notion that function and manipulation knowledge are critical and distinct features of the representations of manipulable man-made objects.
The case identification of dementia in the community: A comparison of methods

Few studies have compared methods of case identification in dementia in detail. In this epidemiological study of cognitive function and dementia, scales and clinical diagnoses were compared in 365 women aged between 70 and 79. The women were interviewed using CAMDEX (Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly), which includes established and new scales of cognitive function and behaviour. In addition, the information/orientation subscale of the Clifton Assessment Procedure for the Elderly was recorded. The proportions of the population identified by various recommended cutpoints for these scales were calculated. Sensitivities and specificities for these were compared, using CAMDEX clinical diagnosis as the standard. Large differences were found in these according to both the cutpoint set and the level of dementia examined. Each subject was rated by her own general practitioner and a random 10% of the sample was seen using the Geriatric Mental State Examination in addition to CAMDEX. The different diagnoses were compared and considerable variation found.
Hq-learning: Discovering Markovian Subgoals for Non-markovian Reinforcement Learning

To solve partially observable Markov decision problems, we introduce HQ-learning, a hierarchical extension of Q-learning. HQ-learning is based on an ordered sequence of subagents, each learning to identify and solve a Markovian subtask of the total task. Each agent learns (1) an appropriate subgoal (though there is no intermediate, external reinforcement for \good" subgoals), and (2) a Markovian policy, given a particular subgoal. Our experiments demonstrate: (a) The system can easily solve tasks standard Q-learning cannot solve at all. (b) It can solve partially observable mazes with more states than those used in most previous POMDP work. (c) It can quickly solve complex tasks that require manipulation of the environment to free a blocked path to the goal.