Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Young womens experiences of forced sex within marriage: evidence from India.

This chapter has focused on India because among developing countries characterized by a high prevalence of early marriage among girls forced sex among married adolescents appears to have been most widely studied in this country. In this overview we have gathered evidence from several types of studies including both qualitative and quantitative published and unpublished. These include the few - largely small-scale - studies that were specifically designed to explore the nature of both young and adult womens sexual lives and report in that context on experiences of forced sex in the early stages of marriage and/or at the time of interview. They also include studies of married men reporting perpetration of forced sex on their wives. Where appropriate and available we have also included insights from other countries including national-level estimates of the experience of forced sex within marriage from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS).
The affected sib method. V. Testing the assumptions

The affected sib methods, which are used to make inferences about the genetic components of HLA associated diseases, have many underlying assumptions which may not always be realistic. These include no selective disadvantage of affected individuals, little or no recombination between the marker loci and the ‘disease’ locus, a single panmictic population, Mendelian segregation of the disease locus alleles and random distribution of individuals over environments. The effects of breaking these assumptions have been investigated. We have explicitly derived the haplotype sharing identity by descent (IBD) expectations for the cases of selection against affected individuals and recombination between the HLA marker loci and the ‘disease’ predisposing locus for affected sib trios (as was previously done for affected sib pairs). We have also derived, for both affected sib pairs and trios, the haplotype sharing expectations for non‐random mating (positive assortative), admixture, meiotic drive (of disease allele carrying haplotypes), and a random versus shared environmental component for sibs. In order to assess the sensitivity of the affected sib methods to perturbations in the assumptions, the expectation spaces of haplotype sharing in affected sib pairs and sib trios under the single diallelic locus model with varying penetrances and allele frequencies are fully described. The effects on haplotype sharing and subsequent disease parameter estimation are different for each of the factors we have considered. The affected sib methods are found to be robust in many situations.
A milk-borne outbreak due to Salmonella dublin

SUMMARY Salmonella dublin is primarily adapted to bovines and is a relatively rare cause of human illness. An outbreak is described in which it was estimated that at least 700 persons were infected from milk which had not been subjected to heat treatment. Although the organism was isolated from retail samples of milk, investigations at the dairy farm were inconclusive and a number of questions are posed. Attention is drawn to the value of inter-disciplinary cooperation in the investigation of the outbreak.
The translation initiation factor eIF-4E binds to a common motif shared by the translation factor eIF-4 gamma and the translational repressors 4E-binding proteins

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF-4E), which possesses cap-binding activity, functions in the recruitment of mRNA to polysomes as part of a three-subunit complex, eIF-4F (cap-binding complex). eIF-4E is the least abundant of all translation initiation factors and a target of growth regulatory pathways. Recently, two human cDNAs encoding novel eIF-4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs) which function as repressors of cap-dependent translation have been cloned. Their interaction with eIF-4E is negatively regulated by phosphorylation in response to cell treatment with insulin or growth factors. The present study aimed to characterize the molecular interactions between eIF-4E and the other subunits of eIF-4F and to similarly characterize the molecular interactions between eIF-4E and the 4E-BPs. A 49-amino-acid region of eIF-4 gamma, located in the N-terminal side of the site of cleavage by Picornaviridae protease 2A, was found to be sufficient for interacting with eIF-4E. Analysis of deletion mutants in this region led to the identification of a 12-amino-acid sequence conserved between mammals and Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is critical for the interaction with eIF-4E. A similar motif is found in the amino acid sequence of the 4E-BPs, and point mutations in this motif abolish the interaction with eIF-4E. These results shed light on the mechanisms of eIF-4F assembly and on the translational regulation by insulin and growth factors.
The Uniformity Illusion

Vision in the fovea, the center of the visual field, is much more accurate and detailed than vision in the periphery. This is not in line with the rich phenomenology of peripheral vision. Here, we investigated a visual illusion that shows that detailed peripheral visual experience is partially based on a reconstruction of reality. Participants fixated on the center of a visual display in which central stimuli differed from peripheral stimuli. Over time, participants perceived that the peripheral stimuli changed to match the central stimuli, so that the display seemed uniform. We showed that a wide range of visual features, including shape, orientation, motion, luminance, pattern, and identity, are susceptible to this uniformity illusion. We argue that the uniformity illusion is the result of a reconstruction of sparse visual information (from the periphery) based on more readily available detailed visual information (from the fovea), which gives rise to a rich, but illusory, experience of peripheral vision.
Neoplastic Meningitis as the Presentation of Occult Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors

Seven children and young adults initially presented with subacute meningitis and/or increased intracranial pressure. The diagnosis of neoplastic meningitis secondary to a primitive neuroectodermal neoplasm was delayed by the absence of an obvious primary tumor. The neuroradiologic appearance was that of a basimeningeal infiltrative process, complicated by communicating hydrocephalus or "pseudotumor cerebri. " Myelography was important in the diagnosis of disseminated meningeal malignancy in four cases. Cerebrospinal fluid cytologic diagnosis was insensitive but ultimately confirmed in five cases. All seven patients experienced progressive disease despite neuraxis radiotherapy and intensive chemotherapy; six have died. Systemic dissemination to bone and/or peritoneum occurred in three patients while on therapy. In two, a primary parenchymal brain or spinal cord tumor could not be identified at postmortem examination. The presentation of a primitive neuroectodermal tumor as subacute meningitis without an evident primary tumor heralds an aggressive and refractory neoplasm. (J Child Neurol 1993;8:306-312).
Sendai Virus Gene Start Signals Are Not Equivalent in Reinitiation Capacity: Moderation at the Fusion Protein Gene

ABSTRACT In paramyxovirus transcription, viral RNA polymerase synthesizes each monocistronic mRNA by recognizing the gene start (S) and end (E) signals flanking each gene. These signal sequences are well conserved in the virus family; nevertheless, they do exhibit some variations even within a virus species. In Sendai virus (SeV) Z strain, the E signals are identical for all six genes but there are four (N, P/M/HN, F, and L) different S signals with one or two nucleotide variations. The significance of these variations for in vitro and in vivo replication has been unknown. We addressed this issue by SeV reverse genetics. The luciferase gene was placed between the N and P gene so that recombinant SeVs expressed luciferase under the control of each of the four different S signals. The S signal for the F gene was found to drive a lower level of transcription than that of the other three, which exhibited comparable reinitiation capacities. The polar attenuation of SeV transcription thus appeared to be not linear but biphasic. Then, a mutant SeV whose F gene S signal was replaced with that used for the P, M, and HN genes was created, and its replication capability was examined. The mutant produced a larger amount of F protein and downstream gene-encoded proteins and replicated faster than wild-type SeV in cultured cells and in embryonated eggs. Compared with the wild type, the mutant virus also replicated faster in mice and was more virulent, requiring a dose 20 times lower to kill 50% of mice. On the other hand, the unique F start sequence as well as the other start sequences are perfectly conserved in all SeV isolates sequenced to date, including highly virulent fresh isolates as well as egg-adapted strains, with a virulence several magnitudes lower than that of the fresh isolates. This moderation of transcription at the F gene may therefore be relevant to viral fitness in nature.
Elevation of Survivin Levels by Hematopoietic Growth Factors Occurs in Quiescent CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Before Cell Cycle Entry

Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family that is over-expressed during G2/M phase in most cancer cells. In contrast, we previously reported that Survivin is expressed throughout the cell cycle in normal CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells stimulated by the combination of Thrombopoietin (Tpo), Stem Cell Factor (SCF) and Flt3 ligand (FL). In order to address whether Survivin expression is specifically up-regulated by hematopoietic growth factors before cell cycle entry, we isolated quiescent CD34+ cells and investigated Survivin expression in response to growth factor stimulation. Survivin is up-regulated in CD34+ cells with 2N DNA content following growth factor addition, suggesting it becomes elevated during G0/G1. Survivin is barely detectable in freshly isolated umbilical cord blood (UCB) Ki-67negative and Cyclin Dnegative CD34+ cells, however incubation with Tpo, SCF and FL for 20 hrs results in up-regulation without entry of cells into cell cycle. Culture of G0 CD34+ cells isolated based on Hoechst 33342/PyroninY staining with Tpo, SCF and FL for 48 hrs, results in significantly elevated Survivin mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, labeling of fresh G0 CD34+ cells with 5-(and 6-) carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) before culture with growth factors for up to 72 hrs, revealed that Survivin expression was elevated in CFSEbright G0 CD34+ cells, indicating that up-regulation occurred before entry into G1. These results suggest that up-regulation of Survivin expression in CD34+ cells is an early event in cell cycle entry that is regulated by hematopoietic growth factors and does not simply reflect cell cycle progression and cell division. Key Words: Survivin, Cord blood, CD34+ cells, Cell cycle
A sustainability index for small island developing states

ABSTRACT This paper proposes a novel approach to measuring the progress of small island developing states (SIDS) towards sustainable development (SD) as set by the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Currently, these goals do not provide adequate guidance on how countries might measure their progress towards sustainability. We use these goals and a subset of their targets to develop an index with concrete targets, through the use of pertinent sustainability indicators, that SIDS should aim to achieve a sustainable society. In addition to the three categorical pillars of SD (social, economic and environmental), we included the category Climate Change and Disaster Management (incorporating Disaster Risk Reduction). The basis of our decision is that the UN and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have both recognized the vulnerability of SIDS to both environmental hazards. Our index scores a total 70 individual indicators for the four categories to track the progress of a SIDS towards a sustainable society. Using the Caribbean nation, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as our SIDS case study, we report the average of the scores for each category to illustrate its progress towards sustainability. Overall Trinidad and Tobago is slowly progressing towards a more sustainably developed society. Our results show that the nation is only moderately successful regarding progress in three traditional pillars of SD, social, economic and environmental. However, Trinidad and Tobago scores poorly in the Climate Change and Disaster Management category and needs to improve in this area especially due to its vulnerability.
The E6-E7 region of human papillomavirus type 18 is sufficient for transformation of NIH 3T3 and rat-1 cells

Plasmids containing the E6 and E7 open reading frames of human papillomavirus type 18 expressed from an autologous transcriptional control region were sufficient for transformation of NIH 3T3 and Rat-1 cells. Transformation by these sequences did not always involve morphological alterations even though anchorage-independent growth occurred at a high frequency. In these cells, the efficiency of transformation by the E6 and E7 construct was equivalent to or, in most cases, better than that observed with the entire viral genome. These data indicate that a major human papillomavirus type 18 transforming function is localized in either the E6 or E7 gene products or both.
[Phoning study about postoperative practice and application of non-invasive ventilation].

OBJECTIVES Incidence and management of positive pressure non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in intensive care unit (ICU) in the postoperative period. STUDY DESIGN Phoning study performed on September 2001 in 60 ICU of south of France (public: 47, private: 13, medical: 11, surgical: 20, medical-surgical: 29), which were randomized from a national list. RESULTS NIV was used currently on 55% and casually on 35% of the units. Ten percent of ICU, which never use NIV, were surgical on 83% with a lower number of bed (7 +/- 3 vs. 12 +/- 5). The most often humidification device used was a Heat and Moisture Exchanger (HME) (52%), a Heated Humidifier (HH) (26%), either (4%) and none device (19%). ICU that never used a humidification device used a home ventilator in 30%. Ventilators used were more often heavy ICU ventilators (80%) with a facial mask (89%). NIV was performed exclusively by physicians in 15% of cases and in collaboration after the first application in 71% of cases. Sixty-nine % of intensivists used NIV as a first choice for the treatment of acute postoperative respiratory failure and 54% of intensivists for the treatment of postoperative atelectasis. CONCLUSION Use of NIV increases in ICU, particularly in surgical units. Practices are different between ICU. An HME is the most frequently humidification device used.
Durable Expenditure Dynamics under Time-Varying Income Risk

We explore the relationship between fluctuations in income risk and expenditures on durable goods. First, we study the effect of fluctuations in income risk in a tractable partial equilibrium model of durable expenditure decisions featuring non-convex adjustment costs. Non-convex adjustment costs imply that households follow an Ss-type decision rule. In this setting, temporary increases in income risk raise the option value of postponing purchases. With a mean-preserving income process calibrated to match the US business cycle swings in income risk, the fall in durable expenditures upon entering a recession is three times as large as in the same model without adjustment costs. Second, we investigate the relationship empirically. Using micro level data from the Italian Household Survey of Income and Wealth, we estimate the effect of fluctuations in unemployment risk on durable and non-durable expenditures. We find that durables respond strongly to an increase in unemployment risk, while the effect is negligible and statistically insignificant for non-durable expenditures. We also provide evidence using US time series data.
Symptomatic post-discectomy pseudocyst after endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of symptomatic postdiscectomy pseudocyst (PP) after endoscopic discectomy and to compare the results of surgical and conservative management of them. METHODS Initial study participants were 1,503 cases (1,406 patients) receiving endoscopic lumbar discectomy by 23-member board of neurosurgeons from March 2003 to October 2008. All patients' postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were evaluated. On the postoperative MRI, cystic lesion of T2W high and T1W low at discectomy site was regarded as PP. Reviews of medical records and radiological findings were done. The PP patients were divided into two groups, surgical and conservative management by treatment modality after PP detection. We compared the results of the two groups using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for low back pain (LBP), VAS for leg pain (LP) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). RESULTS Among 1,503 cases of all male soldiers, the MRIs showed that pseudocysts formed in 15 patients, about 1.0% of the initial cases. The mean postoperative interval from surgery to PP detection was 53.7 days. Interlaminar approach was correlated with PP formation compared with transforaminal approach (p=0.001). The mean VAS for LBP and LP in the surgical group improved from 6.5 and 4.8 to 2.0 and 2.3, respectively. The mean VAS for LBP and LP in the conservative group improved from 4.4 and 4.4 to 3.9 and 2.3, respectively. There was no difference in treatment outcome between surgical and conservative management of symptomatic PP. CONCLUSION Although this study was done in limited environment, symptomatic PP was detected at two months' postoperative period in about 1% of cases. Interlaminar approach seems to be more related with PP compared with transforaminal approach.
Panama's Growth Prospects: Determinants and Sectoral Perspectives

This paper estimates medium-term potential growth for a country undergoing significant structural and secular changes. Our forward-looking framework, incorporating three analytical approaches for examining economic prospects, constitutes an important complement to typical backward-looking methods that filter or extrapolate historical data. In particular, the opening of the expanded Panama Canal in 2016 highlights significant structural changes underway in the Panamanian economy. We first analyze growth determinants and find that Panama is well-placed to maintain its business model, with improvements in education and governance important to support growth. Second, the current pipeline of investment projects can help sustain investment-led growth, although at a more moderate pace. Third, further development of the logistics and tourism sectors holds promise to further build on Panama’s comparative advantage.
Patent Examination Reforms

We note that industry no longer relies on the chance discoveries of gifted individuals working at random but follows a plotted course, i.e., a strategically planned program of creating inventions to fit specific business needs. In light of this, we briefly comment on current examination practices of the USPTO related to patent grant and suggest reforms that we hope will better align the patent system with the socio-economic needs of the post-industrial era. Our suggestions bear in mind that the post-industrial economy is driven by disruptive technologies and innovative business practices on a scale never seen before. A distinctive feature of the post-industrial era is that patentable inventions come not from artisans but from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educated university graduates in an environment where STEM knowledge and STEM-driven technology is advancing at an exponentially accelerated pace. We have limited our suggestions to some urgently needed reforms that have a bearing on patent examination. They are aimed at stream-lining the patent system, reducing patent application examination time, and ensuring that patent validity and its monopoly scope is established before a patent is legally used in commerce or litigated in courts. We expect our suggested reforms will have fewer adverse effects on the public interest.
Magnetic excitations in the heavy-fermion superconductor URu2Si2.

Antiferromagnetic order and fluctuations in the heavy-fermion superconductor URu{sub 2}Si{sub 2} have been studied by magnetic neutron scattering. Below {ital T}{sub {ital N}}=17.5 K, URu{sub 2}Si{sub 2} is a type-I antiferromagnet with an anomalously small ordered moment of (0.04{plus minus}0.01){mu}{sub {ital B}} polarized along the tetragonal {ital c} axis. Dispersive resonant excitations exist in the ordered state with a zone-center gap of 0.43 THz. The excitations are polarized along the ordered moment and have a large dipolar matrix element, which suggests that they are coupled transitions between singlet crystal-field-like states. For energy transfer above 3 THz, peaks have not been identified in the magnetic excitation spectra, but instead a continuous spectrum of scattering peaked around the ordering wave vector indicates the presence of overdamped antiferromagnetically correlated spin fluctuations. Upon heating above {ital T}{sub {ital N}}, the resonant excitations abruptly become heavily damped but the magnetic scattering at higher energies does not change at {ital T}{sub {ital N}}. Instead, the disappearance of the antiferromagnetic modulation of the higher-energy scattering coincides with the maximum in the resistivity of URu{sub 2}Si{sub 2}.
Genetic diversity in water frog hybrids (Pelophylax esculentus) varies with population structure and geographic location

Pelophylax esculentus is a hybridogenetic frog originating from matings between P. ridibundus (RR) and P. lessonae (LL). Typically, diploid hybrids (LR) live in sympatry with one of their parental species, upon which they depend for successful reproduction. In parts of their range, however, pure hybrid populations can be found. These hybrid populations have achieved reproductive independence from their parental species by using triploid hybrids (LLR, LRR) rather than LL and RR as their sexual hosts. These different breeding systems also entail differences in reproduction (clonal versus sexual) and hence offer the opportunity to study how genetic diversity is affected by reproductive mode, population structure and geographic location. We investigated 33 populations in the Scania region (South Sweden) and 18 additional populations from Northern and Central Europe. Within both genomes (L, R), genetic variability increases with the potential for recombination and declines from the main species distribution area southeast of the Baltic Sea to the fringe populations northwest of the Baltic Sea. Within the main study area in Scania, genetic diversity is low and decreases from a core area to the periphery. Genetic differentiation between Scania populations is small but significant and best explained by ‘isolation by distance’. Despite the low genetic variability within the discrete genomes, all‐hybrid P. esculentus populations in southern Sweden are apparently not suffering from direct negative fitness effects. This is probably because of its somatic hybrid status, which increases diversity through the combination of genomes from two species.