Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Men’s Experiences of Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Qualitative Study

Background. The majority of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are male, although potential gender differences have not been investigated in relation to disease management. Moreover, men’s perceptions of experiencing AS have not been reported in the literature. Aims. This study sought to develop an understanding of how men experience AS and the challenges related to living with AS as a chronic disease. Methods. A purposive sample of 13 men diagnosed with AS, with a median age of 44 years (range 32–58) was recruited from a rheumatology outpatient clinic. The median duration of disease was 12 years (range 0.3–28 years), and the median time from the first symptom to final diagnosis was seven years (range 2–20 years). Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide, and the interviews were analysed using content analysis inspired by Graneheim qualitative methodology. Results. The analysis revealed four categories: (1) ‘Approaching a diagnosis’; (2) ‘Ill in a social context’; (3) ‘Challenged as a man’; and (4) ‘The importance of remaining physically well’. Based on these categories, the overall category of ‘An invisible companion for life’ emerged, which captures the experience of living with an invisible, life-long disease. Conclusions. These findings demonstrate that AS impacts men’s perceptions of themselves as men, relationships as a partner and father, social lives, and masculine identity. Physical activity was highlighted as an important part of being a man, and not being able to exercise challenged the men’s masculine identity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transfer Behavior within the Family: Results from the Asset and Health Dynamics Survey

When individuals fall on hard times, can they rely on their family for financial support? In view of proposed reductions in public assistance programs, it is important to understand the mechanisms through which families provide support for their members. In this article we provide evidence that intrafamily transfers are compensatory, directed disproportionately to less well-off members. In a given year, adult children in the lowest income category are 50 percent more likely to receive a financial transfer from their parents, and on average they receive over $300 more than their siblings who are in the highest income category. The dataset used in the new Asset and Health Dynamics (AHEAD) study contains information on all children in the family; therefore, we are able to estimate models that control for unobserved differences across families. Our results are robust to these specifications. In addition, we do not find evidence that parents provide financial assistance to their children in exchange for caregiving.
Corneal Nerve Morphology, Sensitivity, and Tear Neuropeptides in Contact Lens Wear.

PURPOSE To determine tear neuropeptide levels in contact lens wearers and non-wearers, and to examine relationships with indices of corneal innervation, tear function, and ocular discomfort. METHODS A cross-sectional, single-visit, investigator-masked pilot study. Assessments included Ocular Comfort Index (OCI), central and mid-peripheral corneal nerve density and morphology (HRT-Rostock), corneal sensitivity (Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer), tear Substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) concentration (ELISA), in situ tear osmolarity (TearLab), tear secretion (Phenol Red Thread), and noninvasive tear break-up time (NITBUT; Keeler Tearscope). Groups were compared using independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, and regional differences assessed using paired t-tests. Associations were analyzed using Pearson or Spearman correlation. Significance was determined at P < . 05. RESULTS Twenty contact lens wearers (7M:13F, 32 ± 5 years) and 20 non-wearers (7M:13F, 31 ± 5 years) completed the study. OCI score was numerically higher in lens wearers (32.27 ± 5.33) than non-wearers (27.66 ± 9.94). Tear osmolarity was higher [298.0 (IQR 291.0-309.8) vs. 288.5 (282.3-298.3) mOsmol/L; P = . 01] whereas NITBUT was lower (9.8 ± 3.4 vs. 13.8 ± 5.6 s; P = .01) in lens wearers compared with non-wearers. Tear neuropeptide concentrations were not different between groups [Substance P 4.29 ng/ml (IQR 1.57-6.05), CGRP 14.89 ng/ml (5.08-59.26)], and there were no differences in nerve morphology or ocular surface sensitivity. Higher nerve density, interconnections, and tortuosity were observed in the central cornea than mid-peripherally (P < .05). OCI score was moderately associated with nerve tortuosity (r = 0.42, P = .01). CGRP was associated with central nerve density (ρ = 0.38, P = .02), as was tear secretion (r = -0.37, P = .02). Nerve interconnections were strongly associated with corneal sensitivity (ρ = 0.64, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Relationships were demonstrated between nerve density, tear CGRP, and corneal sensitivity. Markers of corneal neurobiology and sensory function do not appear to be altered in contact lens wear despite worse tear function (osmolarity and stability) in lens wearers. This suggests that mechanisms other than overt changes in corneal innervation regulate tear function during lens wear. The relationship between nerve tortuosity and ocular discomfort requires elucidation.
Analysis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in EEG using wavelet transform and self organizing maps

This paper presents our preliminary study EEG brain signals of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in order to support a computer assisted diagnostic system. The EEG signals were recorded from 13 children including normal and children diagnosed with ADHD. We analyzed the signals with multilevel discrete wavelet decompositions in order to extract brain signal power spectrum features. A wavelet thresholding technique was employed to further improve the data quality by denoising the artifacts. In order to discriminate the attention level in electrical brain activity of ADHD children, we used a standard Self-Organizing Map clustering technique with wavelet coefficient input features. Clustering results varied depending on the wavelet feature extraction stage, particularly it was noticed that accuracy was dependent on the type of the used wavelet function. The clustering results demonstrate that `sym7' wavelet function provides better input feature localization to provide the accurate separation of normal and disordered children's brain activity.
Production traits of artificially and naturally hatched geese in intensive and free-range systems: I. Growth traits

ABSTRACT 1. This study investigated the effect of incubation type and production system on geese growth traits. 2. A total of 216 geese were either naturally (114) or artificially (102) hatched and reared in intensive or free-range production systems (4 replicates each) until 18 weeks of age. 3. Weights of naturally hatched goslings (NHG) were significantly higher than artificially hatched goslings (AHG) at 2 weeks (644 vs. 536 g); however, weights of AHG were significantly higher than NHG at both 6 weeks (3245 vs. 3010 g) and 18 weeks (5212 vs. 4353 g). 4. AHG had better feed conversion ratios (FCRs) than NHG (6.21 vs. 6.46 at 18 weeks). Feed consumption of naturally hatched geese was found higher in first 4 weeks when compared to artificially hatched geese and artificially hatched geese consumed more feed than naturally hatched geese after 8 weeks. 5. Production system had insignificant effects on feed consumption, FCRs, viability and mutilation rates. 6. Slipped wings were more frequent in NHG than AHG (8.32% vs. 1.68% at 6 weeks; 23.84% vs. 5.12% between 7 and 18 weeks) and in free-range production when compared to intensive production (17.88% vs. 11.08% over the course of the production period). 7. The study results indicate that both artificially and NHG can be reared in free-range production systems without any loss in performance and in deference to animal welfare.
Bilateral variation in limb articular surface dimensions

Joint form is frequently used to interpret locomotor and manipulative adaptations and infer physical behavioral patterns in past humans, yet the precise genetic and environmental determinants of joint size are incompletely understood. The aim of this research is to assess the plasticity of limb articular dimension through the use of directional asymmetry as an indicator of mechanical stress during skeletal development. Directional asymmetry is largely attributable to differential mechanical loading during bone growth related to handedness. Because the large majority of individuals are right‐handed, it is hypothesized that joint dimensions will be significantly larger in the upper right limb and lower left limb in the crossed symmetry pattern that is typically exhibited in bone lengths. Patterns of bilateral variation were explored by sex and skeletal location. Significant levels of directional asymmetry (P < 0.05) suggest that limb articular surfaces are adapted to the mechanical environment. Biomechanical factors are important in the development and maintenance of articular morphology. Further research, however, is needed to establish the exact relationship between joint size and the mechanical environment. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 16:328–333, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Low Traffic Overhead Transmission Power Control for Wireless Body Area Networks

Wireless body area networks are being deployed for an ever increasing number of applications. The main research challenges are still related to the quality of the communication link and to the energy consumption. Since WBAN on-body communication channels’ quality varies over time, it is not appropriate to use a static and pre-defined transmission power level (TPL). Nowadays, the vast majority of WBANs use transmission power control (TPC) mechanisms aiming to minimize energy waste during on-body communications, radio interferences, and the energy specific absorption rate (SAR). These goals are achieved by continuously adjusting and updating the TPL. This paper proposes a novel TPC mechanism that employs a hybrid operation principle (closed-loop control together with posture and motion detection) targeting resource constrained devices. This mechanism uses the on-body communication RSSI values to approximate the fading signal during the user’s gait cycle and, simultaneously, the acceleration signal (from inertial sensors) is used to determine the position within the gait cycle. Experimental results shows that the proposed TPC mechanism is capable to achieve up to 35% energy save per packet transmitted compared with the transmissions performed at maximum TPL. Furthermore, the additional traffic overhead is significantly smaller than those verified in other TPCs addressed in the literature. This research shows that all WBAN application requirements identified by IEEE 802.15. 6 TG can be ensured in an energy-efficient way without sacrificing reliability and latency.
Integrating mutation data and structural analysis of the TP53 tumor‐suppressor protein

TP53 encodes p53, which is a nuclear phosphoprotein with cancer‐inhibiting properties. In response to DNA damage, p53 is activated and mediates a set of antiproliferative responses including cell‐cycle arrest and apoptosis. Mutations in the TP53 gene are associated with more than 50% of human cancers, and 90% of these affect p53‐DNA interactions, resulting in a partial or complete loss of transactivation functions. These mutations affect the structural integrity and/or p53‐DNA interactions, leading to the partial or complete loss of the protein’s function. We report here the results of a systematic automated analysis of the effects of p53 mutations on the structure of the core domain of the protein. We found that 304 of the 882 (34.4%) distinct mutations reported in the core domain can be explained in structural terms by their predicted effects on protein folding or on protein‐DNA contacts. The proportion of “explained” mutations increased to 55.6% when substitutions of evolutionary conserved amino acids were included. The automated method of structural analysis developed here may be applied to other frequently mutated gene mutations such as dystrophin, BRCA1, and G6PD. Hum Mutat 19:149–164, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biomarker Evidence for Widespread Anaerobic Methane Oxidation in Mediterranean Sediments by a Consortium of Methanogenic Archaea and Bacteria

ABSTRACT Although abundant geochemical data indicate that anaerobic methane oxidation occurs in marine sediments, the linkage to specific microorganisms remains unclear. In order to examine processes of methane consumption and oxidation, sediment samples from mud volcanoes at two distinct sites on the Mediterranean Ridge were collected via the submersible Nautile. Geochemical data strongly indicate that methane is oxidized under anaerobic conditions, and compound-specific carbon isotope analyses indicate that this reaction is facilitated by a consortium of archaea and bacteria. Specifically, these methane-rich sediments contain high abundances of methanogen-specific biomarkers that are significantly depleted in13C (δ13C values are as low as −95‰). Biomarkers inferred to derive from sulfate-reducing bacteria and other heterotrophic bacteria are similarly depleted. Consistent with previous work, such depletion can be explained by consumption of13C-depleted methane by methanogens operating in reverse and as part a consortium of organisms in which sulfate serves as the terminal electron acceptor. Moreover, our results indicate that this process is widespread in Mediterranean mud volcanoes and in some localized settings is the predominant microbiological process.
C terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP)-mediated degradation of hippocampal estrogen receptor-α and the critical period hypothesis of estrogen neuroprotection

Recent work suggests that timing of 17β-estradiol (E2) therapy may be critical for observing a beneficial neural effect. Along these lines, E2 neuroprotection, but not its uterotropic effect, was shown to be lost following long-term E2 deprivation (LTED), and this effect was associated with a significant decrease of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) in the hippocampus but not the uterus. The purpose of the current study was to determine the mechanism underlying the ERα decrease and to determine whether aging leads to a similar loss of hippocampal ERα and E2 sensitivity. The results of the study show that ERα in the rat hippocampal CA1 region but not the uterus undergoes enhanced interaction with the E3 ubiquitin ligase C terminus of heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70)-interacting protein (CHIP) that leads to its ubiquitination/proteasomal degradation following LTED (10-wk ovariectomy). E2 treatment initiated before but not after LTED prevented the enhanced ERα-CHIP interaction and ERα ubiquitination/degradation and was fully neuroprotective against global cerebral ischemia. Administration of a proteasomal inhibitor or CHIP antisense oligonucleotides to knock down CHIP reversed the LTED-induced down-regulation of ERα. Further work showed that these observations extended to natural aging, because aged rats showed enhanced CHIP interaction; ubiquitination and degradation of both hippocampal ERα and ERβ; and, importantly, a correlated loss of E2 neuroprotection against global cerebral ischemia. In contrast, E2 administration to middle-aged rats was still capable of exerting neuroprotection. As a whole, the study provides support for a “critical period” for E2 neuroprotection of the hippocampus and provides important insight into the mechanism underlying the critical period.
Head regeneration in wild-type hydra requires de novo neurogenesis

Because head regeneration occurs in nerve-free hydra mutants, neurogenesis was regarded as dispensable for this process. Here, in wild-type hydra, we tested the function of the ParaHox gsx homolog gene, cnox-2, which is a specific marker for bipotent neuronal progenitors, expressed in cycling interstitial cells that give rise to apical neurons and gastric nematoblasts (i.e. sensory mechanoreceptor precursors). cnox-2 RNAi silencing leads to a dramatic downregulation of hyZic, prdl-a, gsc and cnASH, whereas hyCOUP-TF is upregulated. cnox-2 indeed acts as an upstream regulator of the neuronal and nematocyte differentiation pathways, as cnox-2(-) hydra display a drastic reduction in apical neurons and gastric nematoblasts, a disorganized apical nervous system and a decreased body size. During head regeneration, the locally restricted de novo neurogenesis that precedes head formation is cnox-2 dependent: cnox-2 expression is induced in neuronal precursors and differentiating neurons that appear in the regenerating tip; cnox-2 RNAi silencing reduces this de novo neurogenesis and delays head formation. Similarly, the disappearance of cnox-2+ cells in sf-1 mutants also correlates with head regeneration blockade. Hence in wild-type hydra, head regeneration requires the cnox-2 neurogenic function. When neurogenesis is missing, an alternative, slower and less efficient, head developmental program is possibly activated.
Did the Arab Spring reduce MENA countries’ growth?

ABSTRACT This paper examines the economic ramifications of the recent political reconfigurations that the MENA region witnessed, commonly known as the Arab Spring, utilizing MENA countries’ data for the period 2005–2016. Using the Arellano-Bond dynamic panel estimation, the paper estimates a growth model using the difference in the log of GDPC between periods t and t + 1. Buttressed by sufficient empirical evidence, the paper’s findings corroborate that the Arab Spring had been negatively associated with growth.
Tuberculosis pharmacotherapy: strategies to optimize patient care

Introduction: The treatment of tuberculosis (TB) is a mature discipline, with more than 60 years of clinical experience accrued across the globe. The requisite Multi-drug treatment of drug-susceptible TB, however, lasts 6 months and has never been optimized according to current standards. Multi-drug resistant TB and TB in individuals coinfected with HIV present additional treatment challenges. Objective: This article reviews the role that existing drugs and new compounds could have in shortening or improving treatment for TB. The key to treatment shortening seems to be sterilizing activity, or the ability of drugs to kill mycobacteria that persist after the initial days of multi-drug treatment. Results: Among existing anti-TB drugs, the rifamycins hold the greatest potential for shortening treatment and improving outcomes, in both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected populations, without dramatic increases in toxicity. Clinical studies underway or being planned, are supported by in vitro , animal and human evidence of increased sterilizing activity - without significant increases in toxicity - at elevated daily doses. Fluoroquinolones also seem to have significant sterilizing activity. At present, at least two class members are being evaluated for treatment shortening with different combinations of first-line drugs. However, in light of apparent rapid selection for fluoroquinolone-resistant mutants, relative frequency of serious adverse events and a perceived need to ‘reserve’ fluoroquinolones for the treatment of drug-resistant TB, their exact role in TB treatment remains to be determined. Other possible improvements may come from inhaled delivery or split dosing (linezolid) of anti-TB drugs for which toxicity (ethionamide) or lack of absorption (aminoglycosides and polypeptides) precludes delivery of maximally effective, oral doses, once daily. New classes of drugs with novel mechanisms of action, nitroimidazopyrans and a diarylquinoline, among others, may soon provide opportunities for improving treatment of drug-resistant TB or shortening treatment of drug-susceptible TB. Conclusion: More potential options for improved TB treatment currently exist than at any other time in the last 30 years. The challenge in TB pharmacotherapy is to devise well-tolerated, efficacious, short-duration regimens that can be used successfully against drug-resistant and drug-resistant TB in a heterogeneous population of patients
Serum Bile Acid Levels in Children With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Objective: Because the prevalence of obesity in children is increasing, the frequency of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is growing. A reliable noninvasive biomarker for monitoring progression of liver fibrosis would be useful. In cirrhotic persons serum bile acid (BA) levels are significantly elevated. We hypothesized that BA levels and composition in pediatric NAFLD vary depending on the stage of fibrosis. Methods: Children with NAFLD were compared with controls and classified by stages of fibrosis (NAFLD-F0, n = 27; NAFLD-F≥1, n = 65) based on liver-biopsy findings. Fasted metabolic and cholestasis status was assessed by several blood tests. BA profiles were measured by tandem mass spectrometry and compared with healthy controls (n = 105). Results: Compared with controls, all of the NAFLD patients were overweight and showed significantly elevated glucose, insulin, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase levels. Total serum BAs were lower in nonfibrotic NAFLD children than in a control cohort (1.73 vs 3.6 &mgr;mol/L) because low glycine-conjugated BA levels were incompletely compensated by increases in taurine-conjugated or unconjugated BA. In patients with fibrotic NAFLD, BA levels were lower than in controls (2.45 vs 3.6 &mgr;mol/L) but higher than in nonfibrotic patients (2.45 vs 1.73 &mgr;mol/L), and the BA pattern resembled that of healthy controls. Fibroblast growth factor 19 levels were significantly lower in both NAFLD groups than in controls (P ⩽ 0.001) and were positively correlated with ursodeoxycholic acid levels. Conclusions: Our data indicate that serum BA levels decrease in early NAFLD and increase during progression to fibrosis. Given that BA levels are increased in cirrhotic adults, we postulate a continuous rise as NAFLD advances. BA may have a value as a noninvasive biomarker in pediatric NAFLD progression.
Performance Analysis of Bidirectional Private Policy Matching Protocol Based on Additively Homomorphic Encryption Systems

Automated Trust Negotiation (ATN) is a mechanism to establish mutual trust between service providers and users in an open network environment like the Internet. In this paper, we propose Bidirectional Private Policy Matching based on Additively Homomorphic Encryption Systems(BPPM/AHES) as an ATN negotiation protocol where uni-directional private policy matching based on additively homomorphic encryption systems is repeated. In this protocol, there is no disclosure of credentials before the negotiation succeeds. Because there is no unnecessary disclosure of policies except for policies which can be inferred the negotiation outcome, the amount of the unnecessary disclosure of policies decreases compared to existing protocols.
Unsuccessful Cochlear Implantation in Two Patients With Superficial Siderosis of the Central Nervous System

Objective: To highlight the potential adverse outcomes with cochlear implantation (CI) in patients with superficial siderosis. Patients: Two patients with superficial siderosis of the central nervous system with secondary sensorineural hearing loss. Intervention: Cochlear implantation. Main Outcome Measure: Postimplantation speech discrimination scores. Results: In both cases, initial results after implantation were promising. However, in 1 case, their ability to use the CI rapidly declined after 1 week because of major difficulties adapting to electrical stimulation. For the other case, hearing rapidly declined over a 6-month period. Conclusion: The 2 patients reported did not benefit from CI in superficial siderosis that is in contrast to several previously published cases. Adequate counseling of patients with superficial siderosis is important when considering cochlear implantation as results are variable.