Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Family networks and emerging adulthood: The modern extended family

Recent demographic shifts in the United States have substantially altered family structure. These shifts include an increase in the average life span, smaller family sizes, and changes in marriage patterns including individuals who never marry, divorce, remarry, and cohabitate (Silverstein & Giarruso, 2010; Wu, 2014). Taken together, these factors have resulted in increasingly complex family forms. These shifts in family structure have implications for family process including the quality of relationships across and within generations (Uhlenberg, 1996). Previous work has focused on examining relationship quality in the family of origin (e.g., parents and siblings). A potential consequence of focusing on families of origin is that researchers may overlook the role of other family systems including the extended family. Utilizing a population of 491 emerging adults (ages 18-25), I examined the association between characteristics of emerging adults (e.g., gender, closeness with family of origin, and romantic relationship status) and relationship quality (i.e., closeness and conflict) with extended family. I then evaluated how relationship quality (e.g., closeness and conflict) with extended family members is associated with emerging adults’ well-being (i.e., selfacceptance and loneliness). In both papers, two measures for each relationship quality variable were created (average closeness, highest closeness, average conflict, highest conflict). Highest closeness and highest conflict were included to capture the extremes found within family relationships, and average closeness and average conflict were created to capture an overall assessment of relationship quality across all extended family members.
Impact of E-government Development on the Level of Corruption: Measuring the Effects of Related Indices in Time and Dimensions

Abstract E-government is recognized as a tool for improving transparency and openness in the public sector and for combatting corruption. Understanding the relationship between e-government development and the level of corruption would allow for a more effective leveraging of related projects in anti-corruption efforts. This paper examines the impact of e-government development on the level of corruption in the context of economic perspective. In contrast to previous studies, this empirical relationship is measured across sub-indices (dimensions) of related indices between 2002 and 2016. The results show that higher levels of e-government development are related to lower levels of corruption. The three most important dimensions found are the environment sub-index, which assesses the extent to which a country’s market conditions and regulatory framework support entrepreneurship, innovation, and ICT development; the usage sub-index, which assesses the level of ICT adoption by a society’s main stakeholders; and the telecommunication infrastructure sub-index measuring a country’s ICT infrastructure capacity. Following these findings, certain ways of influencing of the level of corruption by a stimulation of concrete e-government development dimensions can be drawn. This is important especially in the time of a financial crisis and its consequences, which are also discussed in this paper.
Incorporating the Effects of Socioeconomic Uncertainty into Priority Setting for Conservation Investment

Abstract: Uncertainty in the implementation and outcomes of conservation actions that is not accounted for leaves conservation plans vulnerable to potential changes in future conditions. We used a decision‐theoretic approach to investigate the effects of two types of investment uncertainty on the optimal allocation of global conservation resources for land acquisition in the Mediterranean Basin. We considered uncertainty about (1) whether investment will continue and (2) whether the acquired biodiversity assets are secure, which we termed transaction uncertainty and performance uncertainty, respectively. We also developed and tested the robustness of different rules of thumb for guiding the allocation of conservation resources when these sources of uncertainty exist. In the presence of uncertainty in future investment ability (transaction uncertainty), the optimal strategy was opportunistic, meaning the investment priority should be to act where uncertainty is highest while investment remains possible. When there was a probability that investments would fail (performance uncertainty), the optimal solution became a complex trade‐off between the immediate biodiversity benefits of acting in a region and the perceived longevity of the investment. In general, regions were prioritized for investment when they had the greatest performance certainty, even if an alternative region was highly threatened or had higher biodiversity value. The improved performance of rules of thumb when accounting for uncertainty highlights the importance of explicitly incorporating sources of investment uncertainty and evaluating potential conservation investments in the context of their likely long‐term success.
Conserved sequence related to the 3'-terminal region of retrovirus RNA'S In normal cellular DNAs

The nucleotide sequences related to the 3'-terminal protion of retrovirus genomic RNA have been detected in the DNA of animals, including humans. The DNA complementary to the 400 to 700 nucleotides from the 3'-terminal end of retrovirus RNA (cDNA3'), which contains the enriched conserved region, was hybridized with DNA from a variety of animal cells. Under the conditions of annealing in 0.72 M NaCl at 67 degrees C and hydroxyapatite chromatography at 55 degrees C, 20 to 50% of the radioactivity of the cDNA3' prepared from two retroviruses, a murine Rauscher virus (RLV) and a baboon virus (M7), annealed with normal cellular DNA of animals, including human tissue. The thermal denaturation profile revealed considerable mismatching between the duplex of the cDNA3' and human DNA, cDNA3' of retroviruses is most homologous to cellular DNA of the host species of origin and is less homologous to cellular DNA of species that are distant in the phylogeny of the host species. The conservation and evolution of nucleotide sequences related to the 3' end of retrovirus genomes in animal DNAs, including humans, suggest that the sequences may have important functions.
No Clear Effect of Initiating Vaccination against Common Endemic Infections on the Amounts of Prescribed Antimicrobials for Danish Weaner and Finishing Pigs during 2007–2013

It is often stated that vaccines may help reduce antimicrobial use in swine production. However, limited evidence is available outside clinical trials. We studied the change in amounts of antimicrobials prescribed for weaners and finishers in herds following initiation of vaccination against five common endemic infections: Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, porcine circovirus type II, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, and Lawsonia intracellularis. Comparison was made to the change after a randomly selected date in herds not vaccinating against each of the infections. Danish sow herds initiating vaccination during 2007–2013 were included (69–334 herds, depending on the analysis). Danish sow herds with no use of the vaccine in question were included as non-exposed herds (130–570 herds, depending on the analysis). Antimicrobial prescriptions for weaners in sow herds and for finishers in receiving herds were extracted from the VetStat database for a period of 12 months before and 6–18 months after the first purchase of vaccine, or random date and quantified as average animal daily doses (ADDs) per 100 animals per day. The herd-level difference between ADD in the period after and before vaccination was the outcome in linear regression models for weaner pigs, and linear mixed-effects models for finishing pigs, taking into account sow herds delivering pigs to two or more finisher herds. Three plausible risk factors (Baseline ADD, purchase of specific vaccine, purchase of other vaccines) and five confounders (herd size, export and herd health status, year and season) were initially considered in all 10 models. The main significant effect in all models was the Baseline ADD; the higher the Baseline ADD was for weaner and finishing pigs, the larger the decrease in ADD was following vaccination (or random date for non-vaccinating herds). Regardless of vaccination status, almost equal proportions of herds experienced a decrease and an increase in ADD resulting in no overall Change in ADD. Furthermore, only minor effects were found, when vaccinations were used in combination. In conclusion, this study provided little support for the hypothesis that vaccination against five common endemic diseases provides a plausible general strategy to reduce antimicrobial use in Danish pig herds.
Response of the jejunal mucosa in adult coeliac disease to oral prednisolone

Five patients with adult coeliac disease were treated with prednisolone for four to five weeks while continuing a normal gluten-containing diet. A prompt histological, ultrastructural and enzymic recovery of the jejunal mucosa in all five was accompanied by an incomplete metabolic response in three of four patients tested. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible immunological pathogenesis of coeliac disease.
Why Are Heritage Interpreters Voiceless at the Trowel's Edge? A Plea for Rewriting the Archaeological Workflow

ABSTRACT “Heritage interpretation” is generally conceived as the development and presentation of knowledge about the past for public audiences. Most obviously evidenced in descriptive signs, guides, and related media installed on archaeological and cultural sites, heritage interpretation has more than a half century of theory and applied practice behind it, yet it continues to sit uncomfortably within the typical archaeological workflow. While the concept can be criticized on many fronts, of concern is the lack of recognition that it is of equal relevance to both nonexpert and expert audiences (as opposed to nonexpert audiences alone). Our profession appears to rest on an assumption that archaeologists do their own kind of interpretation—and, separately, nonexperts require a special approach that heritage interpreters must facilitate but that field specialists have no need for—or from which little obvious expert benefit can be derived. For this reason, it is rare to find heritage interpreters embedded in primary fieldwork teams. Here I call for a rethinking of the traditional workflow, with a view to integrating the heritage interpretation tool kit and heritage interpreters themselves into our basic field methodologies. Their direct involvement in disciplinary process from the outset has the potential to transform archaeological interpretation overall. La interpretación del patrimonio cultural generalmente se considera como el desarrollo y la presentación de conocimientos sobre el pasado para el público en general. Su mayor evidencia son los letreros descriptivos, guías y medios relacionados instalados en sitios arqueológicos y culturales. La interpretación del patrimonio cultural tiene más de medio siglo de teoría y práctica aplicada detrás de ella; sin embargo, permanece en una posición incómoda dentro del típico proceso de trabajo arqueológico. Si bien el concepto puede ser criticado desde muchos frentes, es preocupante la falta de reconocimiento que la interpretación del patrimonio cultural tiene la misma relevancia para el público de expertos que para el de no expertos. Nuestra profesión parece basarse en la suposición que los arqueólogos hacen su propio tipo de interpretación y que, por separado, los no expertos requieren un abordaje especial que los intérpretes del patrimonio cultural deben facilitar, pero que los especialistas de campo no necesitan, o que los beneficia de manera limitada. Por eso es raro encontrar intérpretes del patrimonio cultural integrados en equipos de campo primarios. Aquí se propone reconsiderar el flujo de trabajo arqueológico tradicional, con la intención de integrar los instrumentos de la interpretación del patrimonio cultural y los intérpretes mismos en nuestras metodologías de campo básicas. Su participación directa desde el comienzo del proceso de trabajo tiene el potencial de transformar la interpretación arqueológica en general.
Directed Differentiation of Dopaminergic Neuronal Subtypes from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

How dopamine (DA) neuronal subtypes are specified remains unknown. In this study we show a robust generation of functional DA neurons from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) through a specific sequence of application of fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8) and sonic hedgehog (SHH). Treatment of hESC‐derived Sox1+neuroepithelial cells with FGF8 and SHH resulted in production of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)–positive neurons that were mostly bipolar cells, coexpression with γ‐aminobutyric acid, and lack of midbrain marker engrailed 1 (En1) expression. However, FGF8 treatment of precursor cells before Sox1 expression led to the generation of a similar proportion of TH+ neurons characteristic of midbrain projection DA neurons with large cell bodies and complex processes and coexpression of En1. This suggests that one mechanism of generating neuronal subtypes is temporal availability of morphogens to a specific group of precursors. The in vitro–generated DA neurons were electrophysiologically active and released DA in an activity‐dependent manner. They may thus provide a renewable source of functional human DA neurons for drug screening and development of sustainable therapeutics for disorders affecting the DA system.
HIV in Transgender Communities: Syndemic Dynamics and a Need for Multicomponent Interventions

Transgender communities are among the groups at highest risk for HIV infection in the United States. Using syndemic theory, we examine how HIV risk in transgender communities is embedded in multiple co-occurring public health problems, including poor mental health, substance use, violence and victimization, discrimination, and economic hardship. Although safer sex counseling and testing programs are essential platforms for HIV intervention, these modalities alone may be insufficient in reducing new infections. Multicomponent interventions are necessary to respond to the complex interacting syndemic factors that cumulatively determine HIV vulnerability in transgender individuals.
Measurement of a slot antenna backed by a half cylindrical cavity made of conductive textiles

Reflection and radiation characteristics of a slot antenna backed by a half cylindrical cavity made of conductive textiles have been measured. Two conductive textile sheets and conductive threads configured a post-wall structure forming a cavity of a thin half-cylinder. The antenna was designed for the operation frequency around 2.45 GHz. The reflection and radiation characteristics were measured in the cases that it was planar and bent on a spherical surface, and they were compared with those of a rectangular cavity which has already been reported. As a result, the radiation characteristics did not change much by bending, and the operating band in the reflection characteristics was less shifted by bending than the slot antenna backed by a rectangular cavity. Its height was the same and its surface area decreased into 0.6 times of the rectangular cavity.
Severe periodontitis is associated with systemic inflammation and a dysmetabolic status: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM A cluster of metabolic factors defines a syndrome that predisposes to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Chronic infections such as periodontitis might alter these individual metabolic factors and the systemic inflammatory burden. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between severe periodontitis and increase in inflammatory and metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined 302 patients with severe periodontitis and 183 healthy controls, and we collected a blood sample from each subject in order to investigate differences in inflammatory (leukocyte numbers and differential counts) and metabolic markers (lipids and glucose). RESULTS After correcting for differences in age, gender, smoking and ethnicity, periodontitis subjects exhibited a low-grade systemic inflammation (increased white cell counts, 1.10+/-1.02 x 10(9)/l, 95%CI 1.05-1.15, p=0.0001), dyslipidemia [lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 1.14+/-1.03 mmol/l, 95%CI 1.08-1.20, p<0.0001 and higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 1.12+/-1.03, 95%CI 1.05-1.19, p<0.0001) and increased non-fasting serum glucose levels (1.04+/-1.01 mmol/l, 95%CI 1.02-1.06, p=0.01) when compared with controls. The associations were confirmed in a subpopulation of Caucasian non-smokers. A trend for a dose dependent effect of the number of periodontal pockets on the tested inflammatory and metabolic markers was observed. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest a possible link between severe generalized periodontitis, systemic inflammation and a dysmetabolic state in otherwise healthy individuals.
Network meta‐analysis of probiotics to prevent respiratory infections in children and adolescents

Probiotics have emerged as a promising intervention for the prevention of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children. Assess the effect of probiotics on prevention of RTIs in children and adolescents. MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, SCIELO, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. Key words: “respiratory tract infections” AND probiotics. Randomized controlled trials RCT assessing the effect of probiotics on RTIs in children and adolescents were included. Two reviewers, working independently, to identify studies that met the eligibility criteria. Main and secondary outcomes were RTIs and adverse effects, respectively. Twenty‐one trials with 6.603 participants were included. Pairwise meta‐analysis suggested that Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus (LCA) was the only effective probiotic to the rate of RTIs compared to placebo (RR0.38; Crl 0.19–0.45). Network analysis showed that the LCA exhibited 54.7% probability of being classified in first, while the probability of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 (LFC) being last in the ranking was 15.3%. LCA showed no better effect compared to other probiotic strains by indirect analysis. This systematic review found a lack of evidence to support the effect of probiotic on the incidence rate of respiratory infections in children and adolescents. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:833–843. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Usage of a Simplified and Jiles–Atherton Model When Accounting for the Hysteresis Losses Within a Welding Transformer

The proposed paper deals with a nonlinear dynamic model of a welding transformer, where the effects of hysteresis losses are accounted for by the simplified method and by the inverse form of the Jiles-Atherton hysteresis model. Both models have been modified in such a way that they can be used when the magnetically nonlinear characteristic of the entire device is determined experimentally. The aforementioned characteristics are given in the form of approximation polynomials. For defining magnetically nonlinear characteristic and both the Jiles-Atherton hysteresis model and the simplified model, an optimization procedure based on the differential evolution is applied for obtaining the parameters of applied approximation polynomials. The main goal of this paper is to evaluate both discussed models regarding their suitability to be included into dynamic model of a welding transformer used in the optimization of the entire resistance spot welding system. The evaluation focuses on achieved accuracy and computational effort required to implement the discussed models.
Cerebrovascular, Cardiovascular, and Mortality Events in New Users of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors: A Propensity Score-Matched Population-Based Study

Background Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are widely prescribed for mood and anxiety disorders. However, it is not clear whether SNRIs are more strongly associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events than SSRIs. Methods This was a propensity score–matched, population-based, cohort study of Manitobans who started an SSRI or SNRI between April 1, 1998, and March 31, 2014. The primary outcome was a composite of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, or cardiovascular-related hospitalization within 1 year of drug initiation. Each component of the primary outcome and death were analyzed separately in secondary analyses. Results A total of 225,504 and 54,635 patients initiated treatment on an SSRI and SNRI, respectively. After propensity score matching, a higher risk was observed for the primary outcome among SNRI users (weighted hazards ratio [HR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.21). Secondary analyses showed that the risk of nonfatal stroke was higher among SNRI users (weighted HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.08–1.33). The risk of death was higher among SNRI users without mood and/or anxiety disorders (weighted HR, 1.17; 95% CI; 1.03–1.32). No differences were observed in the risk of AMI or fatal stroke between SSRI and SNRI use. Conclusions New SNRI use was associated with a higher risk of nonfatal stroke relative to SSRI use. Further investigation is warranted regarding the higher risk of death observed in our subgroup analysis among incident SNRI users without mood and/or anxiety disorders.
Searching for the Reasons for Drop-Out from Peritoneal Dialysis: A Nationwide Survey in Japan

Purpose We wanted to clarify, in a large population, the reasons that peritoneal dialysis (PD) was interrupted and to propose appropriate strategies that might prolong the use of PD as a renal replacement therapy. Patients and Methods We enrolled 5 391 patients from 439 centers into the study. Each center used a worksheet to report details about patients who either transferred to hemodialysis (HD) or died on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) over a 6-month period from 1 April 2000, to 30 September 2000. Results We collected 252 drop-out cases from 141 centers. Of the 252 cases, 170 (67.5%) involved transfer to HD, and 82 (32.5%) involved death while on PD. Primary renal diseases were chronic nephritis (CN: 51.6%), diabetic nephropathy (DM: 26.6%), nephrosclerosis (4%), and unspecified or other condition (15.8%). Mean duration on PD in drop-out cases was 4.47 years. The age of patients at transfer to HD was younger (53.7 years) than the age of patients at death on PD (65.2 years). Patients with CN remained on PD significantly longer than did patients with DM (5 years vs 2.4 years). The three main reasons for PD discontinuation were overhydration because of ultrafiltration failure (UFF) or poor compliance with salt and fluid restrictions (34.1%); peritonitis (30.1%); and preference of the physician, patient, or family (6.5%). The proportional share represented by those three major reasons varied with the number of years since PD initiation (from 1 year to more than 8 years). Patients who had been on PD for a longer time were more likely to drop out because of UFF and less likely to drop out because of peritonitis. The three major causes of death on CAPD were cerebrovascular accident (22%), ischemic heart disease (14.6%), and sudden death (9.8%). Conclusion Approximately 10% of patients drop out from PD programs annually in Japan. To prolong PD treatment, new solutions that better preserve peritoneal function need to be developed, and patients and caregivers alike need to receive intensive education in preventing and treating peritonitis.