Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
About renegades and outgroup-haters: Modelling the link between social influence and intergroup attitudes

Polarization between groups is a major topic of contemporary societal debate and research. Formal models of opinion dynamics try to explain how intergroup polarization arises from simple first principles of social interaction. In existing models, intergroup attitudes affect social influence in the form of homophily or xenophobia, fixed tendencies of individuals to be more open to influence from ingroup members or distance themselves from attitudes of outgroup members. These models generate polarization between groups, but they neglect a central insight from empirical research. Intergroup attitudes are themselves subject to social influence in interactions with both in- and outgroup members. A model is proposed in which the attitude which is subject to social influence is also an intergroup attitude. It affects in turn the influence process itself. Furthermore, it is shown how this changes model predictions about process and conditions of polarization between groups. More complex patterns of intergroup relations emerge than in a model with fixed xenophobia. Especially, a renegade minority (‘outgroup lovers’) is found to have a key role in avoiding mutually negative intergroup relations and even elicit reversed polarization, resulting in a majority of individuals developing a negative attitude towards their ingroup and a positive one for the outgroup.
Anatomic evaluation of maxillary sinus septa: Surgery and radiology

The anatomical structure of the maxillary sinus is fundamental to maxillofacial surgery. The presence of septa, located at the inner surface of the maxillary sinus, increases the risk of sinus membrane perforation during sinus elevation for dental implant surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomy of maxillary sinus septa.Data in this study was obtained from a total of 205 cases. One hundred and seventy‐seven patients were partially edentulous (PE) whereas 28 patients had no teeth. Dental computerized tomography (dental CT) was used in the assessment of 410 sinus segments (205 left and 205 right segments). The prevalence of sinus segments with septa was found to be 145/410. Septa were detected in 91 of the 177 PE cases. There were a total of 26 septa in 18 of the 28 completely edentulous (CE) cases. A total of 165 septa were detected in these segments. The prevalence of septa was 46.4% (26/56) in the CE, and 39.2% (139/354) in the PE segments. Thirty septa were found in the anterior, 110 in the middle and 25 in the posterior region. All detected septa were located mediolateral direction. Their relative position: lateral, middle or medial were also noted. The height measurements of the septa varied amongst the different positions. In view of the fact that septa of various heights and courses can develop in all parts of the maxillary sinus, timely and adequate assessment of the inner aspect of the maxillary sinus is essential to avoid complications during sinus augmentation procedures. Clin. Anat. 22:563–570, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of novel secreted proteases during extracellular proteolysis by dermatophytes at acidic pH

The dermatophytes are a group of closely related fungi which are responsible for the great majority of superficial mycoses in humans and animals. Among various potential virulence factors, their secreted proteolytic activity attracts a lot of attention. Most dermatophyte‐secreted proteases which have so far been isolated in vitro are neutral or alkaline enzymes. However, inspection of the recently decoded dermatophyte genomes revealed many other hypothetical secreted proteases, in particular acidic proteases similar to those characterized in Aspergillus spp. The validation of such genome predictions instigated the present study on two dermatophyte species, Microsporum canis and Arthroderma benhamiae. Both fungi were found to grow well in a protein medium at acidic pH, accompanied by extracellular proteolysis. Shotgun MS analysis of secreted protein revealed fundamentally different protease profiles during fungal growth in acidic versus neutral pH conditions. Most notably, novel dermatophyte‐secreted proteases were identified at acidic pH such as pepsins, sedolisins and acidic carboxypeptidases. Therefore, our results not only support genome predictions, but demonstrate for the first time the secretion of acidic proteases by dermatophytes. Our findings also suggest the existence of different pathways of protein degradation into amino acids and short peptides in these highly specialized pathogenic fungi.
Viable Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolated from calf milk replacer

When advising farmers on how to control Johne’s disease in an infected herd, one of the main recom-mendations is to avoid feeding waste milk to calves and instead feed calf milk replacer (CMR). This advice is based on the assumption that CMR is free of viable Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) cells, an assumption that has not previously been challenged. We tested commercial CMR products (n = 83) obtained from dairy farms around the United States by the peptide-mediated magnetic separation (PMS)-phage assay, PMS followed by liquid culture (PMS-culture), and direct IS 900 quantitative PCR (qPCR). Conventional microbiological analyses for total mesophilic bacterial counts, coliforms, Salmonella , coagulase-negative staphylococci, streptococci, nonhemolytic Corynebacterium spp. , and Bacillus spp. were also performed to assess the overall microbiological quality of the CMR. Twenty-six (31.3%) of the 83 CMR samples showed evidence of the presence of MAP. Seventeen (20.5%) tested positive for viable MAP by the PMS-phage assay, with plaque counts ranging from 6 to 1,212 pfu/50 mL of reconstituted CMR (average 248.5 pfu/50 mL). Twelve (14.5%) CMR samples tested positive for viable MAP by PMS-culture; isolates from all 12 of these samples were subsequently confirmed by whole-genome sequencing to be different cattle strains of MAP. Seven (8.4%) CMR samples tested positive for MAP DNA by IS 900 qPCR. Four CMR samples tested positive by both PMS-based tests and 5 CMR samples tested positive by IS 900 qPCR plus one or other of the PMS-based tests, but only one CMR sample tested positive by all 3 MAP detection tests applied. All conventional microbiology results were within current standards for whole milk powders. A significant association existed between higher total bacterial counts and presence of viable MAP indicated by either of the PMS-based as-says. This represents the first published report of the isolation of viable MAP from CMR. Our findings raise concerns about the potential ability of MAP to survive manufacture of dried milk-based products.
Pattern of attendance to dentists and hygienists in the County of Göteborgs and Bohus län during 1990-1992.

AIM To describe the dental care consumption in a random sample of the population of a Swedish county 1990-1992 and to compare this with results from other Swedish studies, especially those using different self-reporting methods. SUBJECTS One sixtieth of all adult inhabitants in the County of Göteborgs and Bohus län (all individuals born on the 17th day of an odd month) formed the sample. DESIGN All insurance claims sent from both public and private dentists to the local insurance offices were registered in a data base. Thus every treatment registration was collected into this data base, independently, whether it was made in a private clinic or in the Public Dental Service and whether or not by a dental hygienist or other grade. Since almost all dental care in Sweden was performed within the dental insurance system, these registrations could be regarded as very near to the total dental care consumption of this group. The registrations were related to the age of the patient, the type of care (acute/regular), regularity, dental hygienist treatment and other factors. RESULTS It was found that the youngest and the oldest patients visited a dentist less often, that approximately a quarter received hygienist care, that many received emergency treatment sometime during the observation period but that a majority also had regular dental care. Studies using a self-reporting technique reported a systematically higher level of consumption than those using insurance claim registration. CONCLUSIONS Dental care consumption studies using self-reporting methods will probably overestimate the actual consumption. Emergency treatment is frequent even among patients who go to a dentist regularly.
Co-occurring severe mental illness and substance use disorders: a review of recent research.

OBJECTIVE Understanding the complex diagnostic and treatment issues posed by the co-occurrence of severe mental illness and substance use disorders has become a necessary exercise in current psychiatric practice. The authors reviewed research studies from the past six years that have contributed to our knowledge about effective assessment, diagnosis, course of illness, and treatment approaches. Research on special populations, including women, persons infected with HIV, and violent patients, is highlighted. METHODS PsycINFO, Silver Platter, and MEDLINE were used to search for English-language studies published in the United States and other countries. To augment the search, selected bibliographies were reviewed with a focus on clinical standards. Information was sought on epidemiology, screening and assessment strategies, course of illness, models of treatment delivery, and cost of care. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Although estimates of the prevalence of substance use disorders vary by population, a higher prevalence among persons with severe mental illness has been confirmed. Routine screening for and assessment of substance use disorders among persons with severe mental illness has become the accepted standard of care. The course of severe mental illness is negatively influenced by a substance use disorder, and an integrated approach to the treatment of both disorders is generally accepted to be the most promising treatment strategy. Components of this strategy include harm reduction, treatment in stages, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and modified 12-step self-help groups.
Characterization of complement C6 deficiency in a PVG/c rat strain

Complement C6 plays an important role in the effector phase of complement‐mediated cell lysis. Recently, a PVG/c rat strain deficient in haemolytic C6 activity was discovered. In the present study we show that these rats lack both antigenic and functional C6, and that repetitive immunization of these rats with PVG/c+ serum results in generation of specific anti‐rat C6 antibodies. The observed absence of rat C6 was further investigated at the genomic and transcriptional level using a 492‐bp cDNA of rat C6, cloned from a rat liver cDNA library using full length human C6 as a probe. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of C6 mRNA in livers of both PVG/c− and PVG/c+ rats, corresponding to a size of ≈ 3.3 kb, although the level of C6 mRNA expression was ≈ 100‐fold less in PVG/c− rats. In addition, using rat C6‐specific primers, positive signals were obtained in kidneys of both rat strains by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. Southern blot analysis of digested genomic DNA did not reveal evidence for large C6 gene deletions. We conclude that the lack of C6 protein in the PVG/c− rat strain is not due to a (large) C6 gene deletion, but presumably is caused by an unstable mRNA or a point mutation in the C6 gene resulting in an aberrant transcription of the C6 gene. Alternatively, a gene coding for a product involved in C6 biosynthesis that acts in trans may carry a mutation.
Simultaneous aberrations of single CDKN2A network components and a high Rb phosphorylation status can differentiate subgroups of primary cutaneous B‐cell lymphomas

Abstract: The cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) gene on chromosome 9p21 encodes p16 (INK4A), the inhibitor of the CDK4/retinoblastoma (Rb) cell proliferation pathway, as well as p14 (ARF), which controls p53‐dependent pathways. Inactivation of p16 has previously been associated with the prognostically unfavourable primary cutaneous diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, leg type (PCLBCL, LT). In this work, we analysed 22 tumors [nine primary cutaneous follicle centre lymphomas (PCFCL), seven primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphomas (PCMZL) and six PCLBCL, LT] not only for alterations of the p16 gene but also for p14, p53 and Rb by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry. In most PCLBCL, LT (4/6) alterations of CDKN2A (two biallelic deletions, one monoallelic deletion and one trisomy 9) and in addition the highest frequency of deletions of p53 (3/6) and Rb (3/6) were detected. p16 was not expressed but very high levels of phosphorylated Rb, indicating a functional effect of genomic CDKN2A alterations on the protein level in PCLBCL, LT. Regarding the p14/p53 axis, PCLBCL, LT showed a variable expression. Neither PCFCL nor PCMZL showed alterations of CDKN2A and also deletions of p53 or Rb were extremely rare in these subtypes. Exclusively in PCMZL, p53 protein was consistently lacking. In conclusion, only PCLBCL, LT is characterized by a high frequency of aberrations of the CDKN2A network components in both important tumor suppressor pathways regulated by the CDKN2A gene. Moreover, PCLBCL, LT appears to be distinguishable from PCMZL not only by its level of p53 expression but also by its stage of Rb phosphorylation. The latter may also apply to a subgroup of PCFCL.
The nature of transfer experience for students leaving compulsory secondary schooling to continue further education : a comparison of ethnic minority and ethnic majority experience

THE NATURE OF TRANSFER EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS LEAVING COMPULSORY SECONDARY SCHOOLING TO CONTINUE FURTHER EDUCATION. A COMPARISON OF ETHNIC MINORITY AND ETHNIC MAJORITY EXPERIENCE. This thesis outlines contemporary transfer experience for students continuing education at sixteen, subsequent to experience of full-time compulsory education. There is a special concern to contrast experience along lines of ethnicity. This thesis utilises research evidence gained between 1997-1998 as well as enlisting support from other studies and theoretical models. Questionnaire responses of 315 Year 11 school students and 210 college students are used to develop the picture of transfer experience. More detail is gained from interviews involving college students and teaching staff. Evidence is considered in relation to two dominant themes; Student Orientation and Student Identity. Student Orientation discusses motivations for choices, peer relationships, tutor relationships, adjustment and satisfaction. Student identity explores the importance of ethnic identity, self-esteem and locus of control within the transfer context. Overall, a period of adjustment and evaluation is involved in this phase of transfer and the experience is positive for most. However, exploration of peer contact reveals a greater sense of isolation among minority ethnic groups. Students from minority ethnic groups also tend to attach more importance to ethnicity. Conversely, various configurations emerge concerning self-esteem and locus of control. However, no single ethnic group demonstrates any propensity to positive or negative extremes. A review of research and theoretical models has led to the conclusion that ethnic identity, self-esteem and locus of control are flexible, inter-related and often contingent upon social context. An appreciation of these characteristics assists in explaining inconsistent results that emerged. This thesis aims to highlight similarities as well as differences in experience and promotes an understanding of this inconsistency in relation to flexible notions. Consequently, a strong challenge is made against essentialist and stereotypical philosophies.
DO DOUBLED-UP FAMILIES MINIMIZE HOUSEHOLD-LEVEL TAX BURDEN?

This paper examines households with children and at least two related tax filers to determine whether the household lowers income tax liability by optimally reassigning dependents among filers. Using a simulation strategy, we examine the dependent claiming that leads to the lowest income tax liability for a household, and ask whether multifamily households claim optimally. We find that taxpayers in multifamily households reassign dependents to filers as the payoff to doing so — in terms of either tax minimization or EITC benefit — increases; and that the propensity to reassign dependents is greater for EITC-eligible filers.
Gain enhancement of a multilayer microstrip patch antenna by means of a truncated planar periodic structure

In this paper we have investigated the gain enhancement mechanism produced by the introduction of a truncated periodic structure, in a multilayer configuration, in the substrate of a the patch. We analyse the characteristics of the antenna design related to the coupling of energy between the patch and the metallic elements of the periodic structure, which are embedded in a high permittivity layer surrounding the antenna. By adjusting their size and geometry it is possible to control the electromagnetic fields in the close region of the patch, providing an increase on the impedance bandwidth and a higher radiation gain.
Changes of steroid hormone receptor content by chemotherapy and/or endocrine therapy in advanced breast cancer

In several sequences during the progression of cancer, the authors assayed estrogen receptors(ER) in 940 breast cancers and progesterone receptors(PgR) in 773 cancers. The percentages of ER+ and PgR+ cancers diminished according to the progression of malignancy. Sequential assays of ER and PgR were carried out in primary tumors and in the metastatic tumors at the first recurrence in 42 patients. During the disease‐free interval, 10 (37%) of 27 ER+ tumors changed to ER‐ and all 15 ER‐ tumors remained negative. The hormone receptors were assayed before the treatments and after the tumor relapsed following regression or after the progression of cancer. The changes of ER and PgR in 99 patients with advanced breast cancer were studied according to the type of systemic treatments. Through endocrine therapy, marked changes from ER+ to ER‐, were noted (by antiestrogens, 47% [7/15]; by adreno‐oophorectomy, 61% [11/18]). Almost no breast cancers changed from ER‐ to Er+ during the endocrine therapy (by antiestrogen, 1/6; by adreno‐oophorectomy, 0/10). All of six PgR+ tumors changed to PgR‐ after therapy. By chemotherapy treatment, 44% (4/9) ER+ cancers became ER‐, while 19% (3/16) ER‐ tumors changed to ER+. After the simultaneous combination of chemotherapy and endocrine therapy, 67% (10/15) of ER+ cancers changed to ER‐, and 20% (2/10) of ER‐ tumors changed to ER+. Through the intervention of more than two kinds of chemotherapy and/or endocrine therapy between the first treatment and the last therapy, 79% (19/24) ER+ breast cancers changed to ER‐. Thus, ER and PgR contents of breast cancer gradually became negative as the malignancy progressed, and with some kinds of treatments particularly including endocrine therapy. The significance of changes in hormone receptors after therapy was discussed.
Gold: an old drug still working in refractory pemphigus

Background The mainstay of treatment for pemphigus is systemic corticosteroids. Different adjuvants have been used to reduce side‐effects of long‐term corticotherapy. Gold is an anti‐inflammatory drug used in autoimmune diseases, whose use has waned with the advent of new immunosuppressive agents.
The Differential Influence of Culture Change Models on Long-Term Care Staff Empowerment and Provision of Individualized Care*

RÉSUMÉ La présente étude vise à déterminer si des différences existent entre les divers modèles de changement de culture (MCC) relativement à la perception du personnel soignant agréé à l’égard de l’accès aux structures d’habilitation et des prestations connues de soins individualisés. Nous avons embauché des employés qui travaillent dans des établissements ayant mis en œuvre les modèles sociaux de soins Eden Alternative, GentleCare ou Facility Specific ou n’ayant pas implanté de MCC. Nous avons effectué des analyses de variance multidimensionnelles de chacun des trois groupes de personnel soignant (infirmières autorisées, infirmières auxiliaires autorisées et aides-soignants) en fonction de chaque CCM. Les résultats indiquent qu’il existe des différences considérables entre le personnel soignant agréé et entre chacun des MCC. Plus le personnel soignant côtoie quotidiennement les patients, plus l’influence des MCC semble affecter l’autonomisation perçue et les prestations connues de soins individualisés. Des recherches suggèrent que les employés travaillant dans des établissements ayant mis en œuvre un des modèles sociaux de soins mentionnés ci-dessus profitent des meilleures conditions de travail. Inversement, parmi les établissements ayant implanté un de ces modèles, seul le personnel d’un établissement a fourni des réponses différentes de celles des employés travaillant dans des établissements sans MCC. ABSTRACT With this study we set out to determine if differences exist across culture change models (CCM) in relation to formal caregivers’ perceived access to empowerment structures and reported provision of individualized care. We recruited staff working in facilities that had implemented the Eden Alternative, GentleCare, Facility Specific Social Models of Care (FSSMOC), or no CCM. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) compared these constructs by CCM for each of three caregiver groups (Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and care aides). Results suggest that considerable differences exist between formal caregivers and by CCM. The greater caregivers’ day-to-day contact with residents, the more CCMs appear to affect perceived empowerment and reported provision of individualized care. Findings suggest the greatest benefits existed for staff working in facilities with a FSSMOC. Conversely, in only one instance did responses from staff in Eden Alternative facilities differ from those in facilities with no CCM.