Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of a saliva pipeline procedure on adolescent self-reported smoking behavior and youth smoking prevention outcomes.

BACKGROUND Two strategies to resolve the problem of under- or overreporting of tobacco use among adolescents have been utilized: (a) objective measures for validating self-reports and (b) procedures for improving validity of self-reports, such as the pipeline procedure. The objectives of this article are to investigate the hypothesis that reporting biases may be related to intervention status and to examine what effect such biases would have on interpretation of treatment effects. METHOD A two-by-two factorial design was used, with the first factor a pipeline manipulation consisting of pipeline versus control condition, and the second factor treatment status, consisting of treatment versus reference schools. Within each of the schools, half of the 9th-grade classrooms were randomly assigned to a pipeline condition and half served as controls. Analysis was conducted with school as the unit of analysis. RESULTS The main effect for pipeline condition and the significant interaction between treatment and pipeline conditions were not significant. However, the pipeline manipulation did have an effect on the difference detected between treatment and reference schools; 4.3% difference between treatment and reference schools in the control condition versus 9.9% difference in the pipeline condition, both in the direction of a treatment effect. Using saliva thiocyanate as an objective measure of smoking status suggested differential false negative reporting where students in the reference community falsely claimed to be nonsmokers more frequently than in the treatment community (10.04% versus 5.96%). CONCLUSIONS The reporting bias assessed by the pipeline procedure alone appears to have masked treatment outcome effects. Adjusting the smoking-dependent variable for false negatives seems to have increased the treatment outcome effects even further. This result is contrary to the expectation that the treatment community would experience greater demand pressures to underreport their smoking behavior. Further investigation to address response biases in intervention studies is warranted.
Identification of proteolytic cleavage sites within the gag‐analogue protein of Ty1 virus‐like particles

Like retroviruses, the yeast retrotransposon Ty1 produces its proteins as precursors that are subsequently cleaved by a protease encoded by the element. These cleavage events are essential for transposition as they release the active reverse transcriptase and integrase and they modify the structure of the virus‐like particles in a way that is analogous to the morphological changes that occur during retrovirus core maturation. Using a combination of epitope tagging, amino acid analysis and mutagenesis, we have identified the major cleavage sites for the Ty1 protease within the particle‐forming protein, p1, at 407S/408N. In addition, we present evidence indicating that the Ty1 protease may be a 17 kDa protein.
Association between Sub-Threshold Affective Symptoms and Prefrontal Activation in Non-Clinical Population―An NIRS Study

Only a few studies have examined the relationship between self-assessment of affective symptoms and brain activation in a non-clinical population. The aim of the present study was to assess this relationship and examine the underlying cortical mechanisms in a non-clinical population. Seventy-nine healthy male volunteers were assessed for affective symptoms using the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), for apathy using the Apathy Scale (AS), and for feelings of stress using the Stress Arousal Checklist (SACL). Participants also performed a serial arithmetic task according to the Uchida-Kraepelin performance test while hemoglobin concentration changes were assessed on the surface of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) using 32-channel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The activity on the right side of PFC had a significant negative correlation with the SDS score. The AS and SACL scores were positively correlated with the SDS score. Furthermore, in a multiple regression analysis, SDS scores were predicted by the activity of the right PFC, AS scores, and SACL scores. These results suggest that the association between the cortical activation changes, apathy, and feelings of stress may objectively identify individuals with sub-threshold affective symptoms.
Association between posttraumatic stress and acceptance of social changes: Findings from a general population study and proposal of a new concept

Background: There is a growing understanding of the importance of the social factors of posttraumatic stress disorder. Aims: This study expands research on association between posttraumatic stress and social factors by introducing the measure of the acceptance of social changes and evaluating possible links between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and acceptance of social changes. Methods: A general population sample (n = 778) aged from 18 to 89 years (M = 40.2) from Lithuania participated in our study, of whom 68% reported exposure to traumatic events. Posttraumatic stress reactions were measured with the Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R), and acceptance of social changes was measured with the Acceptance of Social Changes Instrument (SOCHI) developed by the authors of this study. Results: About 8% of the participants had a potential posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. Acceptance of social changes was negatively associated with posttraumatic stress. PTSD was related to lower acceptance of social changes (d = .61). Structural equation model (SEM) revealed the mediating role of PTSD for acceptance of social changes following trauma exposure. Conclusion: Findings of our study indicate that the acceptance of social changes might be an important psychosocial factor of PTSD.
Expression of active hormone and DNA‐binding domains of the chicken progesterone receptor in E. coli.

Bacterially‐expressed fusion proteins containing the DNA‐(region C) or hormone‐binding (region E) domains of the chicken progesterone receptor (cPR) fused to the C terminus of Escherichia coli beta‐galactosidase were analysed for the specificity of interaction with natural and synthetic hormone‐responsive elements (HREs) and progestins, respectively. The purified fusion protein containing the progestin‐binding domain bound progesterone with an apparent Kd of 1.0‐1.5 nM and was specifically photocross‐linked with the synthetic progestin R5020 in crude bacterial lysates. Labelling of intact bacterial cells with [3H]R5020 revealed that the majority, if not all, of the bacterially produced hormone‐binding domain was active. No differences in the binding to a synthetic palindromic glucocorticoid/progestin‐responsive element (GRE/PRE) were found when the bacterially produced cPR DNA‐binding domain was compared in methylation interference assays with the full‐length chicken progesterone receptor form A expressed in eukaryotic cells. The study of dissociation kinetics, however, revealed differences in the half‐life of the complexes formed between the palindromic GRE/PRE and either the receptor form A or the fusion protein containing the cPR DNA‐binding domain. DNase I protection experiments demonstrated that the bacterially produced region C of the cPR generated specific ‘footprints’ on the mouse mammary tumour virus long terminal repeat (MMTV‐LTR) which were nearly identical to those previously reported for the rat glucocorticoid receptor.
The Need for Antibacterial Approaches to Improve Caries Control

The author declares no conflict of interest. Although the use of fluoride schemes has been successful, effective antimicrobial therapies would broaden the arsenal of caries-preventive products, and make prevention less dependent on fluoride. Caries is caused by bacterial metabolites, and reducing the amount and virulence of dental plaque could work synergistically with fluoride. New paradigms on caries etiology focus on ecological factors and multiple bacterial species, rather than just on the traditional caries pathogens. Moreover, dental plaque has been shown to have the properties of a biofilm, with bacteria growing on a surface and embedded in a polysaccharide matrix. This has opened promising new methodologies for study of the etiology of dental caries. Also, findings on other environmental biofilms and their reduction might be applicable to the development of oral biofilm remedies. It is concluded that the study of antimicrobials in this new perspective could lead to more effective caries-preventive agents.
Occurrence of Emerging Arcobacter in Dogs and Cats and its Public Health Implications : A Review

| Arcobacter has emerged as one of the leading cause of gastro-enteritis in humans as well as animals, therefore posing a significant public health risk. The most important of the species in associated with human and animal infection is A. butzleri. This is because of the emergence of highly pathogenic and multi-drug resistant Arcobacter strains worldwide. Dogs and cats are considered as a major source of transmission to man, thus facilitating easy transmission of the Arcobacter infection. Stray dogs and cats are the important reservoirs compared to pets which are also implicated in the transmission to humans. Molecular techniques such as Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multi-locus Sequence Typing Scheme (MLST) has been found to be one of the most robust, accurate and sensitive technique for the detection and characterization of Arcobacter species in dogs and cats. This review focuses on the occurrence and associated risk factors as well as public health significance of Arcobacter in dogs and cats.
Enamel defects in children with coeliac disease.

AIM This was to investigate the prevalence of enamel developmental defects in a group of children with a history of coeliac disease. METHODS A study group of children attending the Dept. Paediatrics (Leeds General Infirmary), born between 1985 and 1986 and subsequently diagnosed and treated for coeliac disease (CD) were recruited. A group of age/sex-matched children attending the Paediatric Dentistry department were used as a control group (Cont). Examinations were carried out for enamel defects and opacities (DDE index), dmf, dmfs, DMF and DMFS (BASCD method), and a full medical and dental history were obtained. RESULTS Significantly more children in the CD group had a greater number of enamel defects than controls for both primary (p=<0.02) and permanent (p=<0.001) dentitions. Opacities in both primary and permanent teeth were statistically significantly greater in the CD group than controls (p=<0.04 and p=<0.001 respectively). Dental caries in both primary and permanent dentitions was less in the CD group compared with the control group of children. CONCLUSION Coeliac disease was associated with an increased prevalence of developmental enamel defects.
Insertion torque and orthodontic mini-implants: A systematic review of the artificial bone literature

This article systematically reviewed the literature to (1) identify variables that were associated with maximum insertion torque values during the insertion of orthodontic mini-implants into artificial bone, (2) quantify such associations and (3) assess adverse effects of this procedure. Computerized and manual searches were conducted up to 24 February 2012. Selection criteria included studies that (1) recorded maximum insertion torque during the insertion of orthodontic mini-implants into artificial bone, (2) used sample sizes of five screws or more, (3) assessed maximum insertion torque with electronic torque sensors, and (4) used orthodontic mini-implants with a diameter smaller than 2.5 mm. ASTM Standards F543-07ε1 and F1839-08ε1 and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews were used as guidelines for this systematic review. Quality assessments were rated according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A total of 23 studies were selected, many of which were multiple publications of the same study. Many domains in the risk of bias assessments were scored as “high” or “unclear” risk of bias. A wide variety of implant, test block, and insertion procedure–related associations with maximum insertion torque were recorded. The quality of most outcomes was classified as “moderate. ” Outcomes could not be combined in a meta-analysis because of high risk of bias, poor standardization, high heterogeneity, or inconsistency in direction of outcomes within or between studies. Adverse effects were only assessed in one study. Future studies should control publication bias, consult existing standards for conducting torque tests, and focus on transparent reporting.
[The significance of Th1/Th2 function imbalance in patients with post-infarction cardiac insufficiency].

OBJECTIVE To study the significance of Th1/Th2 function imbalance in patients with post-infarction cardiac insufficiency. METHODS Forty-three MI (myocardial infarction) patients were divided into 2 groups one month after the onset according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification system: group MI 1 (I, II) 25 patients and group MI 2 (III, IV) 18 patients. At the same time, the heart function was evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from these patients. Cytokine-producing CD4 + T cells were quantified by 3-color flow cytometry after being stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin. After being stimulated with PHA, the levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. RESULTS The frequencies of IFN-gamma-producing T cells were found to be significantly higher in group MI 2 (16.8%) than that in group MI 1 (13.1%). There was no significant difference on the frequencies of IL-4-producing peripheral T cells between the two groups. The IFN-gamma level and the ratios of IFN-gamma/IL-4 in group MI 2 were significantly higher than those in group MI 1, while there was no significant difference in IL-4 levels between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS The Th-cell function was associated with heart function in post MI patients. The up-regulation of Th1 cell function was consistent with poor heart function, suggesting that Th1/Th2 cell function imbalance may participate in ventricular remodelling after MI.
Health Care–Associated Hepatitis C Virus Infections Attributed to Narcotic Diversion

BACKGROUND Three cases of genetically related hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection that were unattributable to infection control breaches were identified at a health care facility. OBJECTIVE To investigate HCV transmission from an HCV-infected health care worker to patients through drug diversion. DESIGN Cluster and look-back investigations. SETTING Acute care hospital and affiliated multispecialty clinic. PATIENTS Inpatients and outpatients during the period of HCV transmission. MEASUREMENTS Employee work and narcotic dispensing records, blood testing for HCV antibody and RNA, and sequencing of the NS5B gene and the hypervariable region 1 of the E2 gene. RESULTS 21 employees were recorded as being at work or as retrieving a narcotic from an automated dispensing cabinet in an area where a narcotic was administered to each of the 3 case patients; all employees provided blood samples for HCV testing. One employee was infected with HCV that had more than 95% NS5B sequence homology with the HCV strains of the 3 case patients. Quasi-species analysis showed close genetic relatedness with variants from each of the case patients and more than 97.9% nucleotide identity. The employee acknowledged parenteral opiate diversion. An investigation identified 6132 patients at risk for exposure to HCV because of the drug diversion. Of the 3929 living patients, 3444 (87.7%) were screened for infection. Two additional cases of genetically related HCV infection attributable to the employee were identified. LIMITATION Of the living patients at risk for HCV exposure, 12.3% were not tested. CONCLUSION Five cases of HCV infection occurring over 3 to 4 years were attributed to drug diversion by an HCV-infected health care worker. Studies of drug diversion and assessments of strategies to prevent narcotics tampering in all health care settings are needed. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE None.
Stable polynomial gait of a biped robot with Toe joint

This paper presents a trajectory generation algorithm for human like walk of a biped robot with movable foot and active toe. A neural network approach is used for solving inverse kinematics so that the biped follows the ankle and hip trajectory in plane surface. In the dynamic stability investigation part, Zero Moment Point (ZMP) stability with respect to the upper body movement in transverse plane has been studied. The developed algorithm is implemented in the simulation of a biped walking using Matlab software.
Factors Affecting Graft Survival After Liver Transplantation from Donation After Cardiac Death Donors

Background. Liver transplantation from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors is an increasingly common approach for expansion of the donor organ supply. However, transplantation with DCD livers results in inferior graft survival. In this study, we examined donor and recipient characteristics that are associated with poor allograft outcomes and present a set of criteria that permit allograft survival that is comparable to that of donation after brain death (DBD) grafts in both low- and high-risk recipients. Methods. The United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Liver Transplantation Registry between January 1996 and March 2006 was investigated. Adult DCD liver transplants (n=874) were included. Results. A DCD risk index was developed using the statistically significant factors from a multivariate Cox model: history of previous transplantation, life support status at transplantation, donor age, donor warm ischemia time (DWIT), and cold ischemia time (CIT). Favorable DCD donor criteria were donor age ≤45 years, DWIT ≤15 min, and CIT ≤10 hr. Four risk groups were developed based upon index scores that showed different graft survival. Graft survival of the favorable DCD group (84.9% at 1 year, 75.2% at 3 years, and 69.4% at 5 years) was comparable to that for DBD liver transplantation irrespective of recipient condition. Increasing donor age was more highly predictive of poor outcomes in DCD compared to DBD, especially in recipients in poor preoperative condition. Conclusions. DCD livers from young donors with short DWIT and CIT should be given greater consideration in order to expand the number of available donor organs.
Experiences Impacting the Quality of Life of Mothers of Children With Autism and Intellectual Disability

In order to identify factors affecting the quality of life of mothers of children with both autism and intellectual disability, the first author interviewed sixteen mothers of affected 11-24 year olds and transcribed audio recordings of the interviews. The first two authors analysed the resulting texts using a hermeneutical phenomenological approach. Mothers described living with their child's challenging behaviors, adapting to the increased demands and resultant isolation as lowering their quality of life. They described how surviving had strong negative impacts on their health and relationships. A majority of mothers described rewards associated with their children. Quality of life is a concept describing overall well-being and results from a complex interaction of health, independence, relationships, goals and standards in the context of a person's environment . Autism represents a group of severe, chronic, lifelong, neurodevelopmental disorders which are diagnosed by impairments in the areas of social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors or interests . Intellectual disability is characterized by an intelligence quotient of less than 70 and limitations in adaptive skill which are manifest before 18 years . About 70% of persons with autism also have_intellectual disability . Since the 1980s, the prevalence of autism diagnosis has been increasing both internationally (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012) and in Australia . Parents of children with autism have been reported to have poorer physical and mental health and quality of life than other parents. Furthermore, mothers of children with autism have been shown to have more compromised health than fathers , mothers of healthy children and the mothers of children with other developmental disabilities . Reasons for the impaired quality of life of mothers of children with autism are likely to be complex. Some have postulated_a genetic basis for the increased prevalence of mental disorders . However, there are many external factors why mothers might have a lower quality of life. Children with autism have more challenging behaviors than healthy children and_challenging behaviors_are associated with lower maternal quality of life . * Acknowledgments: We gratefully thank the Autism Association of Western Australia and the mothers who participated in this
Fusion leadership: A transcultural interpretation and application

This article introduces a new perspective that challenges well-known leadership styles that have flourished in hitherto stable environments. ‘Fusion leadership’ integrates Eastern and Western values and mindsets to establish an approach that may more effectively respond to the challenges and dilemmas of leadership and organizational issues in contemporary situations in the context of globalization. Our approach contributes to the literature on leadership by providing skills, techniques and practical wisdom for leaders to consider and develop their leadership values, styles and practices to respond to cross-cultural challenges.
Evidence for Segment-Nonspecific Packaging of the Influenza A Virus Genome

ABSTRACT The influenza A virus genome is composed of eight negative-sense RNA segments (called vRNAs), all of which must be packaged to produce an infectious virion. It is not clear whether individual vRNAs are packaged specifically or at random, however, and the total vRNA capacity of the virion is unknown. We have created modified forms of the viral nucleoprotein (NP), neuraminidase (NA), and nonstructural (NS) vRNAs that encode green or yellow fluorescent proteins and studied the efficiency with which these are packaged by using a plasmid-based influenza A virus assembly system. Packaging was assessed precisely and quantitatively by scoring transduction of the fluorescent markers in a single-round infectivity assay with a flow cytometer. We found that, under conditions in which virions are limiting, pairs of alternatively tagged vRNAs compete for packaging but do so in a nonspecific manner. Reporters representing different vRNAs were not packaged additively, as would be expected under specific packaging, but instead appeared to compete for a common niche in the virion. Moreover, 3 to 5% of transduction-competent viruses were found to incorporate two alternative reporters, regardless of whether those reporters represented the same or different vRNAs — a finding compatible with random, but not with specific, packaging. Probabilistic estimates suggest that in order to achieve this level of dual transduction by chance alone, each influenza A virus virion must package an average of 9 to 11 vRNAs.
A hands-on introduction to collaborative filtering (tutorial session)(abstract only)

Goals and content: The moring session will introduce the concepts of information filtering, develop a taxonomy of the techniques used, and take a detailed look at present and historical applications of collaborative filtering technology. The afternoon session will investigate design issues including algorithms for making recommendations, obtaining user ratings, privacy, communications, and data storage.