Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A gender-oriented comparison between the mental health profiles of Bulgarian immigrants forcibly migrated to Turkey and the native population 15 years after migration

Background. The considerable problem of the migration of people, mainly from developing or undeveloped countries to developed countries, is a worldwide issue. The aims of this study were to compare, according to gender, scores obtained pertaining to mental symptom distributions of Bulgarian immigrants arriving in one city of west Turkey in 1989 with those of native-born citizens, as well as to the scores obtained from the scales of anxiety, hopelessness, job and life satisfaction. Methods. During the period of study between 1 February and 31 April 2003, short symptom inventory, state and trait anxiety scales, and hopelessness, job, and life satisfaction scales were collected from 85 immigrants living in a district where immigrants are prevalent. The results of 98 of the native population living in the same district were also collected during the same period. Data were analyzed using chi-square, t, Mann–Whitney U-tests, and percent ratios. Results: Upon comparison of the scores of both immigrant women and native women, and immigrant men and native men, no differences were found between scores obtained from the subscales of short symptom inventory, state and trait anxiety scales, and hopelessness and job satisfaction scales (p>0.05). The only observable difference was between scores obtained from the life satisfaction scale (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). The depression subscale of the short symptom inventory revealed a difference in the scores of immigrant women compared to immigrant men, as did the somatization subscale for native-born women when compared to native men (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively). Conclusions: That both male and female immigrants had low scores for life satisfaction forces us to draw the conclusion that their expectations, necessities, desires and wishes were not entirely fulfilled. The reason for their being no observable differences between the other scale scores may be attributed to the fact that the immigrant women and men share not only the same ethnic origin, but also historical and cultural ties with those in Turkey. An alternative view could be that those entering the country may have adapted to the environment after the passage of 15 years. Furthermore, the significant difference seen between immigrant women and men, and native women and men in terms of symptoms of depression and somatization, respectively, may be explained through the notion that women perceived migration to be more different, and that native women more readily accepted the thought of physical illness according to mental disorders. Further studies are needed to better explain some of these results.
Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of glutamate in children with bacterial meningitis as a predictor of the development of seizures or other adverse outcomes*

Objective Evaluation of elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of glutamate in children with bacterial meningitis as a predictor of seizures or other adverse outcomes. Design Prospective cohort study with controls. Setting A 36-bed pediatric intensive care unit and primary pediatric referral center. Patients From 1999 to 2001, a total of 55 patients, between the ages of 0 and 18 yrs, with lumbar punctures performed for suspected meningitis. Measurements and Main Results A total of 23 patients had bacterial meningitis confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid/blood culture and elevated cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell counts, and 32 patients, who tested negative, were included as controls. The median age for the patients with meningitis was 1.0 yr (range, 0.0–15.2 yrs), and in the culture-negative group (control group), the median age was 0.3 yrs (range, 0.0–17.0 yrs). The average cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count was 2707 ± 3897 in the group with bacterial infection, whereas in the control group, the average was 148 ± 259 (p < .01). Patients with bacterial meningitis had a mean cerebrospinal fluid glutamate level of 60.5 ± 88.4 mol/L, whereas the mean cerebrospinal fluid glutamate level in the control group was 4.9 ± 11.0 mol/L (p < .01). However, only 10 of 23 children with bacterial meningitis had a second lumbar puncture performed during the study. There was no correlation between the cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count and cerebrospinal fluid glutamate levels in either the study or control patients. None of the control patients developed seizures or neurologic deficits, despite some patients having elevated glutamate levels. However, four patients with bacterial meningitis developed seizures after admission to the hospital, and ten were discharged with at least some neurologic sequelae attributable to their infection. Two out of the three who developed seizures and had a repeat lumbar puncture demonstrated persistent elevation of cerebrospinal fluid glutamate levels. In addition, 70% of patients (7 of 10) with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis developed neurologic complications (p = .04). Conclusions Bacterial meningitis in children causes an increase in cerebrospinal fluid glutamate that in many cases persists over time. However, in this limited study, neither higher nor persistent elevation of cerebrospinal fluid glutamate levels is predictive of which patients might develop seizures or other apparent immediate adverse outcomes after invasive infection. The responsible organism seems to have far more significance in predicting the development of adverse sequelae.
Physical and Functional Interactions between the Histone H3K4 Demethylase KDM5A and the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) Complex*

Background: Dynamic changes in histone modifications and chromatin structure are tightly linked to transcriptional regulation. Results: KDM5A, a histone H3K4 demethylase, physically interacts with the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex. Conclusion: KDM5A and the NuRD complex cooperatively function to control developmentally regulated genes. Significance: Elucidating the functional interplay between histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodeling machineries helps clarify development-related gene regulation. Histone H3K4 methylation has been linked to transcriptional activation. KDM5A (also known as RBP2 or JARID1A), a member of the KDM5 protein family, is an H3K4 demethylase, previously implicated in the regulation of transcription and differentiation. Here, we show that KDM5A is physically and functionally associated with two histone deacetylase complexes. Immunoaffinity purification of KDM5A confirmed a previously described association with the SIN3B-containing histone deacetylase complex and revealed an association with the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex. Sucrose density gradient and sequential immunoprecipitation analyses further confirmed the stable association of KDM5A with these two histone deacetylase complexes. KDM5A depletion led to changes in the expression of hundreds of genes, two-thirds of which were also controlled by CHD4, the NuRD catalytic subunit. Gene ontology analysis confirmed that the genes commonly regulated by both KDM5A and CHD4 were categorized as developmentally regulated genes. ChIP analyses suggested that CHD4 modulates H3K4 methylation levels at the promoter and coding regions of target genes. We further demonstrated that the Caenorhabditis elegans homologues of KDM5 and CHD4 function in the same pathway during vulva development. These results suggest that KDM5A and the NuRD complex cooperatively function to control developmentally regulated genes.
Distributed Bounding of Feasible Sets in Cooperative Wireless Network Positioning

Locations of target nodes in cooperative wireless sensor networks can be confined to a number of feasible sets in certain situations, e.g., when the estimated distances between sensors are larger than the actual distances. Quantifying feasible sets is often challenging in cooperative positioning. In this letter, we propose an iterative technique to cooperatively outer approximate the feasible sets containing the locations of the target nodes. We first outer approximate a feasible set including a target node location by an ellipsoid. Then, we extend the ellipsoid with the measured distances between sensor nodes and obtain larger ellipsoids. The larger ellipsoids are used to determine the intersections containing other targets. Simulation results show that the proposed technique converges after a small number of iterations.
Tumor stage after neoadjuvant chemotherapy determines survival after surgery for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction.

PURPOSE Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is established in the management of most resectable esophageal and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinomas. However, assessing the downstaging effects of chemotherapy and predicting response to treatment remain challenging, and the relative importance of tumor stage before and after chemotherapy is debatable. METHODS We analyzed consecutive resections for esophageal or esophagogastric junction adenocarcinomas performed at two high-volume cancer centers in London between 2000 and 2010. After standard investigations and multidisciplinary team consensus, all patients were allocated a clinical tumor stage before treatment, which was compared with pathologic stage after surgical resection. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS Among 584 included patients, 400 patients (68%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with downstaged tumors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy experienced improved survival compared with patients without response (P < .001), and such downstaging (hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.59) was the strongest independent predictor of survival after adjusting for patient age, tumor grade, clinical tumor stage, lymphovascular invasion, resection margin status, and surgical resection type. Patients downstaged by chemotherapy, compared with patients with no response, experienced lower rates of local recurrence (6% v. 13%, respectively; P = .030) and systemic recurrence (19% v. 29%, respectively; P = .027) and improved Mandard tumor regression scores (P = .001). Survival was strongly dictated by stage after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, rather than clinical stage at presentation. CONCLUSION The stage of esophageal or esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy determines prognosis rather than the clinical stage before neoadjuvant chemotherapy, indicating the importance of focusing on postchemotherapy staging to more accurately predict outcome and eligibility for surgery. Patients who are downstaged by neoadjuvant chemotherapy benefit from reduced rates of local and systemic recurrence.
Research Note - Customer Loyalty Programs: Are They Profitable?

Loyalty programs are very common in practice. Many researchers have worked at understanding the impact of loyalty programs on market competition and the mechanism behind it. Interestingly, almost all of the studies have explored a symmetric equilibrium where both of the competing firms offer a loyalty program. To our knowledge, the extant literature has not investigated in-depth whether asymmetric equilibrium can exist where only one firm chooses to offer a loyalty program and the other firm chooses to compete via lowering prices. Such a question is important because some markets do support such asymmetric equilibriums with respect to loyalty programs. Also, the existence of asymmetric equilibrium shows that a loyalty program need not be profitable for some firms. In this paper, we use a game-theoretic framework to investigate specific types of customer loyalty programs that provide benefit to loyal customers in the form of discount over market prices. The model considers consumer switching and includes two types of consumer heterogeneity. The first type of heterogeneity concerns the differences between customers with respect to their liking for loyalty programs, and the second type concerns the differences among the loyalty program members with respect to their ability to collect enough loyalty points to redeem loyalty rewards. By analyzing a duopoly market, we find that both symmetric equilibrium (i.e., where both competing firms offer the loyalty program) and asymmetric equilibrium (i.e., where one firm alone offers the loyalty program) can be sustained. The paper explores conditions for the existence of these two equilibriums.
Novel approaches to unravel the genesis of glomerulosclerosis by new methodologies in molecular biology and molecular genetics.

ﬁltration or glomerular hypertension, also promote Introduction glomerulosclerosis. In its genesis, angiotensin II, nitric oxide [4] and adhesion molecules such as intercellular Glomerulosclerosis is the common pathological feature adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) play an important role in most immunological and non-immunological renal [5]. For the depletion of the glomerular cells in sclerotic diseases and tightly related to the progression of renal lesions, the emerging role of apoptosis has also been failure. Although numerous attempts have been made recognized [6,7]. to elucidate its mechanism, the precise pathogenesis of The current estimate suggests that the human glomerulosclerosis still remains to be investigated. In genome encodes 80 000 transcripts, and only 10% of morphological studies, glomerulosclerosis is character-the genes that exist in the human genome have been ized by the depletion of glomerular cells and the cloned and identiﬁed so far. Thus, most molecular accumulation of extracellular matrix, including type I, biology studies on the mechanisms of glomerulo- III and IV collagen, ﬁbronectin, laminin and proteo-sclerosis addressed only known and functionally char- glycans [1]. Since transforming growth factor- b (TGF-acterized gene products. Recently, new techniques in b ) is implicated in the regulation of production and molecular biology and molecular genetics have been degradation of matrix glycoproteins, the role of TGF-introduced which promise to throw new light on this b was investigated extensively and has been well docu-issue. These studies deal with the isolation of glom- mented. These studies indicated that the mesangial erulosclerosis-related
Agoraphobia and the modern learner

Read/write social technologies enable rich pedagogies that centre on sharing and constructing content but have two notable weaknesses. Firstly, beyond the safe, nurturing environment of closed groups, students participating in more or less public network- or set-oriented communities may be insecure in their knowledge and skills, leading to resistance to disclosure. Secondly, it is hard to know who and what to trust in an open environment where others may be equally unskilled or, sometimes, malevolent. We present partial solutions to these problems through the use of collective intelligence, discretionary disclosure controls and mindful design.
A Reliability Model for Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon Thin-Film Transistors

We proposed here a reliability model that successfully introduces both the physical mechanisms of negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) and hot carrier stress (HCS) for p-channel low-temperature polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistors (LTPS TFTs). The proposed model is highly matched with the experimental results, in which the NBTI dominates the device reliability at small negative drain bias while the HCS dominates the degradation at large negative drain bias. In summary, the proposed model provides a comprehensive way to predict the lifetime of the p-channel LTPS TFTs, which is especially necessary for the system-on-panel circuitry design
Optimal horizon size for unbiased finite memory digital phase-locked loop

Digital phase locked-loop (DPLL) is a circuit system for frequency synchronization, and unbiased finite memory DPLL (UFMDPLL) is DPLL using a finite impulse response (FIR) filter for phase detection. This letter proposes a novel method for finding the optimal horizon size, which is a key design parameter of UFMDPLL, based on the minimization of the estimation error variance. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated in comparisons using the conventional Monte Carlo simulation method.
Developmental Toxicity of Aluminum from High Doses of AlCl3 in Mice

Aluminum (Al) has a significant toxic potential for humans.Although knowledge of Al toxicity has markedly improved in recent years,there is relatively little information regarding its embryotoxicity and teratogenic potential.The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of short-term exposure of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on the external abnormality of the fetuses of pregnant mice. Mature Naval medical research institute (NMRI) mice (24 to 33 g) were used in this study.Day 0 of gestation was defined as the day in which the vaginal plug was observed.Plug-positive mice were randomly divided in to six groups,each composed of 12 mice.To the first,second,and third groups,150 mg/kg of AlCl3 was injected intraperitoneally on the tenth,eleventh,and twelfth days of gestation,respectively. Normal saline (0.3 mL) was injected in the mice in the control groups on the same days of gestation.Mice were killed on day 18 of gestation.Live fetuses were weighed and examined for external
Cationic Liposomal Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG), a Potent Therapeutic Tool for Treatment of Infection by SSG-Sensitive and -Resistant Leishmania donovani

ABSTRACT Pentavalent antimonials have been the first-line treatment for leishmaniasis for decades. However, the development of resistance to sodium stibogluconate (SSG) has limited its use, especially for treating visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The present work aims to optimize a cationic liposomal formulation of SSG for the treatment of both SSG-sensitive (AG83) and SSG-resistant (GE1F8R and CK1R) Leishmania donovani infections. Parasite killing was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and microscopic counting of Giemsa-stained macrophages. Macrophage uptake studies were carried out by confocal microscopic imaging. Parasite-liposome interactions were visualized through transmission electron microscopy. Toxicity tests were performed using assay kits. Organ parasite burdens were determined by microscopic counting and limiting dilution assays. Cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and flow cytometry. Although all cationic liposomes studied demonstrated leishmanicidal activity, phosphatidylcholine (PC)-dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DDAB) vesicles were most effective, followed by PC-stearylamine (SA) liposomes. Since entrapment of SSG in PC-DDAB liposomes demonstrated enhanced ultrastructural alterations in promastigotes, PC-DDAB-SSG vesicles were further investigated in vitro and in vivo. PC-DDAB-SSG could effectively alleviate SSG-sensitive and SSG-resistant L. donovani infections in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow of BALB/c mice at a dose of SSG (3 mg/kg body weight) not reported previously. The parasiticidal activity of these vesicles was attributed to better interactions with the parasite membranes, resulting in direct killing, and generation of a strong host-protective environment, necessitating a very low dose of SSG for effective cures.
Structure of cuticular mechanoreceptors of arthropods.

Mechanoreception is the perception of mechanical distortion of the body caused by the external stimuli of touch and airor water-borne vibrations, or due to the internal forces generated by activities of the muscles. Mechanical stimuli are in­ volved in more behavioral activities than any other type of external stimulus. Among these are locomotion, posture, feeding, orientation, oviposition, and hearing. Arthropods with their rigid exoskeleton are particularly well suited for the detection of mechanical stimuli and have developed a number of specialized structures for this purpose. The sensilla for mechanoreception may be classified according to their function, such as auditory, tactile, stretch, and position receptors, or according to their structure. One structural type may have more than one function, e.g. hair sensilla, although usually tactile receptors, may also perceive air-borne vibrations. Two general groups of mechanoreceptors are known. Type I are those sensilla in which the dendrite of the bipolar neuron is associated with the cuticle or its invagi­ nation. Type II (commonly called stretch receptors) are sensilla with multipolar neurons which are associated with the walls of the alimentary canal, inner surface of the body wall, muscles, and connective tissues, but not the cuticle. Type I may be subdivided into (a) those sensilla which, although associated with the inner aspect of the cuticle, lack an external cuticular component, the scolopidial or chordotonal sensilla, and (b) those with an external cuticular portion, the cuticular mechanoreceptors, which are the subject of this review. For additional general information the reader is referred to Bullock & Horridge (15), Dethier (32), Hoffman (65), Sinoir (113), Slifer (114), Snodgrass (121, 122), and Schwartzkopff (110) on mechanoreceptors in general; to Howse (69) for chordo­ tonal organs; to Osborne (91) for stretch receptors; and to Finlayson (35), Hoffman (66), and Pringle (96) for proprioceptors. Numerous light microscope studies have determined the types and basic structure of cuticular mechanoreceptors. More recent application of electron microscopic
Black cumin seed essential oil, as a potent analgesic and antiinﬂammatory drug

The steam‐distilled essential oil of Iranian black cumin seed (Nigella sativa L.) was investigated for its composition and analgesic and antiinﬂammatory properties. After oil analysis by GC/MS, 20 compounds were identiﬁed in the oil, obtained in 0.4% (v/w) yield. Among them, para‐cymene (37.3%) and thymoquinone (13.7%) were the major components. Acetic acid‐induced writhing, formalin and light tail ﬂick tests were used for assessment of analgesic activity. Antiinﬂammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan‐induced paw oedema in rats and croton oil‐induced ear oedema in mice. Black cumin seed essential oil (BCSEO) was found to produce a signiﬁcant analgesic effect in acetic acid‐induced writhing, formalin and light tail ﬂick tests. Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, could not reverse the analgesic effect observed in the formalin test. Although oral administration of BCSEO at doses of 100, 200 and 400 µL/kg did not exert a signiﬁcant antiinﬂammatory effect in the carrageenan test, i.p. injection of the same doses signiﬁcantly (p < 0.001) inhibited carrageenan‐induced paw oedema. BCSEO at doses of 10 and 20 µL/ear could also reduce croton oil‐induced oedema. It seems that mechanism(s) other than opioid receptors is (are) involved in the analgesic effect of BCSEO since naloxone could not reverse this effect. Both systemic and local administration of BCSEO showed antiinﬂammatory activity. Thymoquinone, as one of the major components of BCSEO, probably has an important role in these pharmacological effects. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.