Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Births: final data for 2005.

OBJECTIVES This report presents 2005 data on U.S. births according to a wide variety of characteristics. Data are presented for maternal demographic characteristics including age, live-birth order, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, and educational attainment; maternal lifestyle and health characteristics (medical risk factors, weight gain, and tobacco use); medical care utilization by pregnant women (prenatal care, obstetric procedures, characteristics of labor and/or delivery, attendant at birth, and method of delivery); and infant characteristics (period of gestation, birthweight, Apgar score, congenital anomalies, and multiple births). Also presented are birth and fertility rates by age, live-birth order, race, Hispanic origin, and marital status. Selected data by mother's state of residence are shown, as well as data on month and day of birth, sex ratio, and age of father. Trends in fertility patterns and maternal and infant characteristics are described and interpreted. METHODS Descriptive tabulations of data reported on the birth certificates of the 4.1 million births that occurred in 2005 are presented. Denominators for population-based rates are postcensal estimates derived from the U.S. 2000 census. RESULTS In 2005, 4,138,349 births were registered in the United States, 1 percent more than in 2004. The 2005 crude birth rate was 14.0, unchanged from the previous year; the general fertility rate increased slightly to 66.7. Teenage childbearing continued to decline, dropping to the lowest levels recorded. Rates for women aged 20-29 were fairly stable, whereas childbearing among women 30 years of age and older increased. All measures of unmarried childbearing rose substantially in 2005. Smoking during pregnancy continued to decline. No improvement was seen in the timely initiation of prenatal care. The cesarean delivery rate climbed to more than 30 percent of all births, another all-time high. Preterm and low birthweight rates also continued to rise; the twin birth rate was unchanged and the rate of triplet and higher order multiple births declined for the 7th consecutive year.
Relationship between skeletal muscle-specific calpain and tenderness of conditioned porcine longissimus muscle.

Tenderization of skeletal muscle in meat animals has been closely linked to the postmortem activity of the calpain proteolytic enzyme system, which includes the specific inhibitor calpastatin. Increased understanding of the skeletal muscle-specific calpain isoform p94 has prompted suggestions as to whether it too could have a role in the tenderization process. In this study, two groups of pigs were identified in which shear force measurements after 8 d of conditioning indicated a large variation in the tenderness of longissimus muscle. The quantity of p94 in the muscle was monitored by immunoblotting, using a porcine-specific polyclonal antibody raised against a recombinant peptide fragment generated as a fusion protein. The antiserum recognized a 94-kDa protein associated with myofibrils in skeletal but not cardiac muscle, as expected for this calpain isoform, although it could not be tested with the native protein because of the extreme instability of p94. In the first experiment, the mean shear force for the tough group was 6.71 +/- . 28 kg (n = 12, SEM) and that of the tender group was 3.87 +/- . 12 kg (n = 12), but there was no difference in the normalized absorbance of the immunopositive 94 kDa band on Western blots from samples collected at approximately 40 min postmortem. In the second experiment, the stability of p94 in chilled carcasses was investigated over 24 h, using a further two groups of 10 tough and 10 tender pigs of mean shear force values 5.36 +/- . 14 kg and 2.81 +/- . 15 kg, respectively. In tough and tender animals, there was a decline (P < .05) in the 94-kDa immunostaining material of mean half-lives of 13.8 and 12.9 h, respectively, although there was considerable variability. Despite this variability in half lives and shear force values, no correlation was seen between these factors. Thus, in porcine longissimus muscle, the variability in tenderness after 8 d of conditioning cannot be attributed to an underlying variability in p94.
Rapid Trimming of Cell Surface Polysialic Acid (PolySia) by Exovesicular Sialidase Triggers Release of Preexisting Surface Neurotrophin*

Background: Although polySia is known to retain neurotrophins, their releasing mechanism remains unknown. Results: PolySia present on the cell surface of microglia is rapidly cleared by Neu1 sialidase on exovesicles secreted upon inflammatory stimulus, leading to neurotrophin release. Conclusion: Exovesicular Neu1 regulates rapid turnover of polySia and concomitant neurotrophin function. Significance: First demonstration of on-site turnover of polySia and its physiological significance. As acidic glycocalyx on primary mouse microglial cells and a mouse microglial cell line Ra2, expression of polysialic acid (polySia/PSA), a polymer of the sialic acid Neu5Ac (N-acetylneuraminic acid), was demonstrated. PolySia is known to modulate cell adhesion, migration, and localization of neurotrophins mainly on neural cells. PolySia on Ra2 cells disappeared very rapidly after an inflammatory stimulus. Results of knockdown and inhibitor studies indicated that rapid surface clearance of polySia was achieved by secretion of endogenous sialidase Neu1 as an exovesicular component. Neu1-mediated polySia turnover was accompanied by the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor normally retained by polySia molecules. Introduction of a single oxygen atom change into polySia by exogenous feeding of the non-neural sialic acid Neu5Gc (N-glycolylneuraminic acid) caused resistance to Neu1-induced polySia turnover and also inhibited the associated release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. These results indicate the importance of rapid turnover of the polySia glycocalyx by exovesicular sialidases in neurotrophin regulation.
Characterization of T cell surface glycoproteins T1 and T3 present on all human peripheral T lymphocytes and functionally mature thymocytes

The monoclonal antibodies, anti‐T1 and anti‐T3, both react with all human peripheral thymus‐derived lymphocytes and with 10% of thymocytes; each, however, recognizes different cell surface structures. It was determined that the target antigen of anti‐T1 is a 69000 molecular weight cell surface glycoprotein and that the T3 antigen is a 19000 mol. wt. glycoprotein.
High prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) infection in south Texas children

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus, is etiologically associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and other rare malignancies. HHV‐8 infection is common in certain areas of Africa and Italy, but occurs in only 0–15% of populations in North America and Europe. The epidemiology and prevalence of HHV‐8 infection among children in the United States has not been determined, but is assumed to be low based on limited studies. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and possible risk factors of HHV‐8 infection in children living in south Texas. Questionnaire data were collected and HHV‐8 serologic tests were performed from a consecutive, non‐probability sample of 123 healthy children (ages 4–13 years) attending general pediatric clinics in south Texas. Serum was tested for HHV‐8 antibodies by latent immunofluorescence assay and ORF65 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay confirmed by immunoblot. HHV‐8 prevalence and 95 percent confidence intervals were calculated using standard epidemiologic methods. Logistic regression was used to assess independent risk factors associated with HHV‐8 seropositivity. The overall prevalence of HHV‐8 infection was 26%. No statistically significant associations were exhibited between HHV‐8 prevalence and the variables under study. The prevalence of HHV‐8 infection among children in south Texas, particularly among those under the age of 12 years, indicates that non‐sexual transmission of this virus is likely to occur among this population. Future investigations of larger study samples will be necessary to develop an understanding of specific routes and risk factors of HHV‐8 transmission among children in south Texas. J. Med. Virol. 67:542–548, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coupling Sap Flow Velocity and Amino Acid Concentrations as an Alternative Method to 15N Labeling for Quantifying Nitrogen Remobilization by Walnut Trees1

The temporal dynamics of N remobilization was studied in walnut (Juglans nigra × regia) trees growing in sand culture. Trees were fed with labeled N (15N) during 1999 and unlabeled N in 2000. Total N and15N contents in different tree compartments were measured during 80 d after bud burst and were used to estimate N remobilization for spring growth. The seasonal (and occasionally diurnal) dynamics of the concentration and 15N enrichment of the major amino acids in xylem sap were determined concurrently. Sap flow velocity was also measured for sample trees. A new approach coupling amino acid concentrations to sap flow velocity for quantifying N remobilization was tested. A decrease of the labeled N contents of medium roots, tap roots, and trunk was observed concurrently to the increase in the labeled N content of new shoots. Remobilized N represented from previous year storage 54% of N recovered in new shoots. Arginine, citruline, γ-amino butyric acid, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid always represented around 80% of total amino acid and amide N in xylem sap and exhibited specific seasonal trends and significant diurnal trends. N translocation was mainly insured by arginine during the first 15 d after bud burst, and then by glutamic acid and citruline. The pattern of N remobilization estimated by the new approach was consistent with that measured by the classical labeling technique. Implications for quantifying N remobilization for large, field-growing trees are discussed.
Public service motivation and organizational citizenship

This paper investigates the relationship between public service motivation (PSM) and employee performance by adopting a notion of performance which incorporates extra-role behaviours, such as the propensity to engage in unpaid overtime, organizational citizenship behaviours, absenteeism and organizational deviance. It does so in an underexplored part of the public sector, namely prisons. As well as providing new explanatory mechanisms for understanding the outcomes of PSM behaviour and exposing the dark side of PSM, this paper contributes to debates about the significance of PSM and the consequences of its absence.
Early left ventricular gene expression profile in response to increase in blood pressure

The heart adapts to increased pressure overload by hypertrophic growth of terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes. At the genetic level, the hypertrophic response is characterized by the reprogramming of gene expression, i.e. upregulation of immediate early genes, natriuretic peptide genes and genes encoding structural proteins. In the present study, we characterized the early changes in gene expression with cDNA expression arrays in response to increase in blood pressure produced by arginine8–vasopressin infusion (0.05 µg/kg/min, i.v.) for 30 min and 4 h in conscious normotensive rats. Expression profiling revealed differential expression of 14 genes in the left ventricle, and several novel factors of immediate early genetic response to pressure overload were identified, such as growth arrest and DNA damage inducible protein 45 (GADD45α), epidermal fatty acid‐binding protein (E‐FABP) and Bcl‐X. Administration of angiotensin II (Ang II) for 6 h by osmotic minipumps also increased left ventricular GADD45α, E‐FABP and Bcl‐X gene expression. Furthermore, the induction of GADD45α and Bcl‐X gene expression by Ang II was blocked by angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan. In summary, our analysis provided new insights into the pathogenesis of pressure overload‐induced hypertrophy by suggesting the existence of novel regulators of the immediate early gene expression program.
Immune (gamma) interferon production by a murine T cell lymphoma: requirements for macromolecular synthesis and lack of relationship with cell cycle

Macromolecular synthesis of immune interferon (IFN-gamma) by the L12-R4 T cell lymphoma, stimulated by phorbol myristic acetate, was studied by using reversible inhibitors of protein synthesis, puromycin and cycloheximide, and an irreversible inhibitor of RNA synthesis, actinomycin D. Reversible inhibition of protein synthesis during the first 3 h of stimulation had no effect on IFN-gamma production. The same treatment, performed 4 h after stimulation and maintained for an additional 5 h, decreased significantly the capability of L12-R4 cells to produce IFN-gamma. When the inhibitors of protein synthesis were left in the cultures, a complete block of IFN-gamma production was observed. Irreversible inhibitors of RNA synthesis at the beginning of stimulation did block IFN-gamma production by L12-R4 cells, but the same treatment was ineffective if performed 6 h after stimulation. These data suggest that continued protein synthesis is needed for IFN-gamma production, whereas the RNA seems to be completely synthesized within 4 to 6 h of stimulation. The relationship between IFN-gamma production and cell cycle phases was studied with the aid of a reversible drug, aphidicolin, that arrests cells at the G1/S border. Phorbol myristic acetate stimulation of L12-R4 cells after aphidicolin removal induced comparable levels of IFN-gamma at each different point of stimulation, indicating that IFN-gamma production by stimulated cells is not related to a particular phase but is continuously inducible during the cell cycle.
Multidimensional Well‐Being and Regional Disparities in Europe

Using data from the OECD Regional Well-Being Index - a set of quality-of-life indicators measured at the sub-national level, we construct a set of composite well-being indices. We analyse the extent to which the choice of five alternative aggregation methods affects the well-being ranking of regions. We find that regional inequality in these composite measures is lower than regional inequality in gross-domestic product (GDP) per capita. For most aggregation methods, the rank correlation across regions appears to be quite high. It is also shown that using alternative indicators instead of GDP per capita would only have a small effect on the set of regions eligible for aid from EU Structural Funds. The exception appears to be an aggregation based on how individual dimensions of welfare relate to average life satisfaction across regions, which would substantially change both the ranking of regions and which regions would receive EU funds.
Modeling and simulation of ultrasound fields generated by 2D phased array transducers for medical applications

Modern ultrasound imaging instrumentation for clinical applications allows real-time volumetric scanning of the patients' body. 4D imaging has been made possible thanks to the development of new echographic probes which consist in 2D phased arrays of piezoelectric transducers. In these new devices it is the system electronics which properly drives the matrix elements and focuses the beam in order to obtain a sequence of volumetric images. This paper introduces an ultrasound field simulator based on the Spatial Impulse Response method which is being properly developed to analyze the characteristics of the ultrasound field generated by a 2D phased array of transducers. Thanks to its high configurability by the user, it will represent a very useful tool for electronics designers in developing 4D ultrasound imaging systems components.
Subjective Cognitive Decline from a Phenomenological Perspective: A Review of the Qualitative Literature.

BACKGROUND Subjective cognitive decline is related to greater risk of dementia and biological markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but researchers are yet to characterize the phenomenological perspective of cognitive decline in those with and without a diagnosis of AD. OBJECTIVE To collate and synthesize studies measuring the subjective experience of cognitive change or decline in healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment and AD. METHODS We reviewed 58 peer-reviewed articles that were found to directly or indirectly refer to the subjective experience of cognitive decline. RESULTS We extracted eight central themes, dealing with cognitive changes experienced by each diagnostic group, and also related to issues of changing self-identity, the causal attribution of cognitive decline, the anxiety and concern related to perceived decline, the negative perceptions attached to a diagnosis of dementia, changing levels of insight, and perception of well-being in aging. CONCLUSION This review is the first step toward characterizing phenomenological profiles of cognitive change in both non-demented and demented older adults. Developing a clearer understanding of subjective cognitive decline, particularly at the earliest stages of AD, will augment the sensitivity of detection of individuals at greater risk of future dementia.
Legal Issues Associated with Emerging Social Interaction Technologies

This chapter focuses on legal issues that may arise from the increasing use of two specific types of social interaction technologies: blogs and social networking sites. These two Web 2.0 applications are emphasized due to a particular paradox: while there has been tremendous growth of blogs and social networking sites during the first part of the twenty-first century, rules of law develop slowly. Within this gap, laws regulating online conduct are continuing to evolve, leaving the exact status of certain activities in limbo.
Openness to Experience: Its Lower Level Structure, Measurement, and Cross-Cultural Equivalence

Openness to Experience is an important but relatively poorly understood personality construct. Advances in openness research require further construct clarification as well as establishment of a common framework for conceptualizing and measuring the lower level structure of the construct. In this article, we present data from 3 studies to address this research need. In Study 1, we identify 6 facets of Openness to Experience—intellectual efficiency, ingenuity, curiosity, aesthetics, tolerance, and depth—based on a factor analysis of 36 existing Openness-related scales. In Study 2, we present further validity evidence for the 6-facet structure based on a newly developed measure of Openness. Data from this study also suggest the presence of 2 intermediate-level factors (i.e., aspects) of Openness: intellect and culture. In Study 3, we present a short form of the newly developed measure, retaining items that showed the highest internal consistency and measurement invariance across 3 samples: U.S. undergraduates, Chinese MBA students, and Chinese undergraduates. Together these 3 studies offer a more nuanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of the Openness construct.
Capacity of multiple beamformed spatial stream transmission in millimetre-wave communication channels

This study deals with the study on the performance of the hybrid transmission scheme combining both beamforming and spatial multiplexing for multiple spatial streams. The capacity of the hybrid scheme is evaluated and compared with that of the beamforming scheme for a single spatial stream in both line-of-sight and multi-path channels. Two kinds of hybrid schemes are considered: the shared antenna architecture, where each antenna processes all spatial streams and the split antenna architecture, where each antenna processes only one spatial stream. The effects of the channel parameters, such as the antenna spacing, the existence of reflected paths etc. On the capacity and the optimal beams and powers are examined. The frequency-selective property of the capacity and optimal beams and powers are also investigated. In this study, a scenario is assumed, where the same analogue radio frequency (RF) beamforming vector (or matrix) is applied to all subcarriers whereas the digital baseband power allocation is executed individually at each subcarrier.
Notochord and floor plate stimulate oligodendrocyte differentiation in cultures of the chick dorsal neural tube

The regionalization of oligodendrocyte potentialities and the cellular interactions leading to the expression of the oligodendrocyte phenotype have been analyzed in the embryonic chick spinal cord. Dorsal and ventral regions of the spinal cord of 4‐day‐old embryos (E4) were cultivated separately. Oligodendrocyte differentiation was monitored at various times after explantation, using specific oligodendrocyte markers. After 2 weeks, several hundreds of differentiated oligodendrocytes were invariably observed in ventral cultures whereas significant numbers of oligodendrocytes failed to develop in dorsal spinal cord cultures. However, the E7 dorsal spinal cord was found to produce large numbers of oligodendrocytes, indicating that the ventral restriction of oligodendrocyte potentialities is transient. To test whether ventrally derived signals might influence oligodendrocyte differentiation, E4 dorsal spinal cord microexplants were cocultivated with notochord segments or with floor plate tissue. Numerous oligodendrocytes were found in dorsal explants associated with either tissue, notochord or floor plate, but not in dorsal explants cultivated alone, indicating that cells competent to be induced along the oligodendrocyte phenotype exist in the dorsal spinal cord. These results show that oligodendrocyte differentiation potentialities are initially restricted to the ventral spinal cord and suggest that ventrally derived signals from notochord and floor plate influence oligodendrocyte differentiation in the embryonic spinal cord. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional outcomes following blunt cerebrovascular injury

BACKGROUND There has been much debate on whom to screen, how to screen, and how to treat blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI), but there has been little published on long-term functional outcomes following diagnosis and treatment of BCVI. This study was conducted to address those long-term outcomes. METHODS Patients with BCVI during a 53-month period ending June 2009 were identified. Charts were reviewed for demographics, associated injuries, treatments, strokes, and in-hospital mortality. Posthospital discharge follow-up was conducted. A structured telephone interview was performed using a functional independence measurement–functional activity measurement questionnaire consisting of 30 questions in seven categories (self-care, sphincter control, mobility, locomotion, communication, psychosocial, and cognitive). Each question was scored from 1 (requires full assistance) to 7 (fully independent). Outcomes were compared by type of BCVI, associated injuries, and stroke. RESULTS Two hundred twenty-two patients with BCVI were identified. Twenty-four patients died during their initial hospitalization, and an additional 11 patient died after hospital discharge. The 68 patients who completed the interview constituted our study population. Mean follow-up was 35 months. Of a possible 210 points, the mean total score on functional independence measurement and functional activity measurement was 186, 185, and 188 for all patients, carotid artery injuries, and vertebral arteries injuries, respectively. A significant difference was seen when comparing patients with and without strokes (173 and 189, respectively). CONCLUSION This is the first report of functional outcomes following BCVI. We found that carotid and vertebral artery injuries have similar functional outcomes. As would be expected, the development of stroke led to worse outcomes. This underscores the importance of early diagnosis and initiation of therapy. Prevention of stroke in patients with BCVI leads to near-normal functional outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic/prognostic study, level III.