Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of mental health in primary prevention of sexual and gender-based violence

In this short communication, we assert that mental health has a crucial role in the primary prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). However, we found that most research and practice to date has focused on the role of mental health post-violence, and SGBV primary prevention is relying on public health models that do not explicitly include mental health. Yet, key concepts, processes, and competencies in the mental health field appear essential to successful SGBV primary prevention. For example, empathy, self-esteem, compassion, emotional regulation and resilience, stress management, relationship building, and challenging problematic social norms are crucial. Furthermore, competencies such as rapport building, group processing, emotional nurturing, modelling, and the prevention of vicarious trauma among staff are important for the successful implementation of SGBV primary prevention programmes. SGBV primary prevention work would benefit from increased collaboration with mental health professionals and integration of key mental health concepts, processes, and skills in SGBV research.
In Vitro Activities of Different Inhibitors of Bacterial Transcription against Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major cause of nosocomial infections because of its ability to form biofilms on the surface of medical devices. Only a few antibacterial agents are relatively active against biofilms, and rifampin, a transcription inhibitor, ranks among the most effective molecules against biofilm-related infections. Whether this efficacy is due to advantageous structural properties of rifampin or to the fact that the RNA polymerase is a favorable target remains unclear. In an attempt to answer this question, we investigated the action of different transcription inhibitors against S. epidermidis biofilm, including the newest synthetic transcription inhibitors. This comparison suggests that most of the antibiotics that target the RNA polymerase are active on S. epidermidis biofilms at concentrations close to their MICs. One of these compounds, CBR703, despite its high MIC ranks among the best antibiotics to eradicate biofilm-embedded bacteria.
Time to clozapine response in a standardized trial.

OBJECTIVE The authors sought to determine the time to clozapine response in treatment-refractory patients with schizophrenia. METHOD Antipsychotic response to a clozapine trial was examined in 50 treatment-refractory schizophrenic inpatients. Subjects were treated with clozapine for at least 12 months, regardless of response status, according to a standardized, increasing dose protocol. Behavioral changes were measured through monthly assessments with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. RESULTS Thirty-four subjects (68%) met clinical response criteria by the end of the trial. Response was achieved at a mean dose of 468 mg/day (SD = 168). The dose of 30 (88%) of the responding patients was 600 mg/day or less. The mean time to response was 82 days (SD = 100, range = 10-401). It took an average of 60 days (SD = 87) for subjects to reach the dose at which clozapine response was achieved. Once this dose was reached, the average response time was 17 days (SD = 14, range = 2-56). All 34 subjects who responded met criteria within 8 weeks of a clozapine dose escalation. No late response was found in the remaining 16 subjects despite a mean follow-up period of 75 weeks (SD = 50). CONCLUSIONS In this study, all patients who responded to clozapine did so within 8 weeks of a change in dose. Thus, there appears to be little clinical gain in prolonging exposure to clozapine beyond 8 weeks at any particular dose if no response is seen.
Overexpression of p53 and HER‐2/neu Proteins as Prognostic Markers in Early Stage Breast Cancer

ObjectiveOverexpression of the p53 and HER-2/neu oncogenes are the two most common genetic abnormalities associated with breast cancer. Shorter survival time has been reported in patients with tumors with p53 or HER-2/neu. This report analyzes a retrospective cohort of early stage breast cancers for both oncogenes and relates overexpression to clinicopathologic parameters and survival. MethodsImmunostaining for p53 and HER-2/neu was performed on 230 paraffin-embedded specimens of stage I and II breast cancers diagnosed and treated at Duke University Medical Center between 1984 and 1987. Positive staining for both p53 and HER-2/neu in paraffin-embedded tissues indicates an underlying genetic abnormality: point mutations in the p53 gene and amplification of the HER-2/neu gene. ResultsIn this cohort of patients, 24% were positive for p53 and 17% for HER-2/neu. Four per cent were positive for both oncogenes. Significant correlations were found between p53 immunostaining and increasing tumor size, stage, and low estrogen and progesterone receptor contents. Univariate analysis showed that p53 and HER-2/neu were indicators of overall and failure-free survival. An additive effect on survival was observed in patients with both oncogene abnormalities. Nodal status, HER-2/neu, and p53 all attained independent prognostic value in a multivariate analysis. ConclusionsThe p53 and HER-2/neu oncogenes have proven but limited prognostic value. An approach that combines several molecular genetic markers with established pathologic criteria may help physicians to make more accurate predictions of prognosis in patients with early stage breast cancer.
Technology management capability and new product development performance: The mediating role of absorptive capacity

New product development and technology management are both of significance in obtaining firms' competitive advantage. By proposing a conceptual outline for a general model that explains the relationship between technology management capability and new product development performance, we examine the impact of technology management capability on new product development performance, as well as the moderating effects of absorptive capacity on the relationship between technology management capability and new product development performance empirically. We argue that technology management capability can promote new product development performance more greatly with higher levels of absorptive capacity. We test this contention by making an empirical study based on a survey of 151 Chinese enterprises. The results show that technology management capability has a significantly positive impact on new product development performance, and absorptive capacity has a mediating effect on the relationship between technology management capability and new product development performance. These findings extend prior research by establishing the importance of the relationships among technology management capability, absorptive capacity, and new product development performance. And the managerial implications are discussed.
Border-regional resilience in EU internal and external border areas in Finland

ABSTRACT European border regions have witnessed a long history of remarkable mobility shocks stemming from complex ecological and economic changes and geopolitical events. The experience of near-continuous regional and global crisis has increased interest towards the idea of resilience, that is, the ability of communities and regions to adapt and cope with disturbances and transitions. Inspired by the literature of regional resilience and the evolutionary approach, this paper will examine the difference that borders and geopolitical conditions make from the perspective of regional resilience and especially ‘border-regional resilience’. Particular focus will be on irregular cross-border mobilities and consequent transitions in EU external and internal border towns, here the Finnish towns of Lappeenranta and Tornio. The study points out that the geopolitical environment and the openness of the border partly determine the regional development trajectories and the ways of coping with cross-border mobility-related changes. Although the border location entails some vulnerability, formal and informal cross-border institutions and relations of trust are of crucial importance from the perspective of border-regional resilience. The paper proposes a research agenda for studying border-regional resilience in the context of environmental, economic and social changes and geopolitical events.
MicroSAGE Analysis of 2,353 Expressed Genes in a Single Cell‐Derived Colony of Undifferentiated Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reveals mRNAs of Multiple Cell Lineages

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from the bone marrow of adult organisms are capable of differentiating into adipocytes, chondrocytes, myoblasts, osteoblasts, and hematopoiesis‐supporting stroma. We recently demonstrated that MSCs also adopt glial cell fates when transplanted into the developing central nervous system and hence can produce tissue elements derived from a separate embryonic layer. Despite these remarkable properties, it has been difficult to establish specific criteria to characterize MSCs. Using a modified protocol for micro‐serial analysis of gene expression, we cataloged 2,353 unique genes expressed by a single cell‐derived colony of undifferentiated human MSCs. This analysis revealed that the MSC colony simultaneously expressed transcripts characteristic of various mesenchymal cell lineages including chondrocytes, myoblasts, osteoblasts, and hematopoiesis‐supporting stroma. Therefore, the profile of expressed transcripts reflects the developmental potential of the cells. Additionally, the MSC colony expressed mRNAs characteristic of endothelial, epithelial and neuronal cell lineages, a combination that provides a unique molecular signature for the cells. Other expressed transcripts included various products involved in wound repair as well as several neurotrophic factors. A total of 268 novel transcripts were also identified, one of which is the most abundantly expressed mRNA in MSCs. This study represents the first extensive gene expression analysis of MSCs and as such reveals new insight into the biology, ontogeny, and in vivo function of the cells.
Effects of Initial Pain Treatment on Sedation Recovery Time in Pediatric Emergency Care

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the sedation recovery times of children receiving ketamine/midazolam (K/M) versus K/M and initial pain treatment (morphine or meperidine) in pediatric emergency care. Methods: Study method was a retrospective cross-sectional study of children receiving K/M for procedural sedation analgesia in an urban children's hospital pediatric emergency department (ED). A uniform data collection form was completed for each child. Results: During an 18-month period, 116 children received K/M for procedural sedation analgesia in the ED. For this study, 80 children met inclusion criteria: 33 patients received K/M only; 32 received K/M and morphine, and 15 received K/M and meperidine. In comparing the K/M only group with the K/M morphine and K/M meperidine groups, the mean ketamine and midazolam doses (mg/kg) were not significantly different. In comparing the recovery times (minutes) for the K/M only group (29.7; SD, 15.7) with the K/M morphine (41.1; SD, 22.4) and K/M meperidine (50.1; SD, 24.9) groups, there was a significant difference for both comparisons (95% confidence interval for difference between 2 means, −20.9 to −1.76 and −32.2 to −8.4, respectively). Conclusion: Sedation (K/M) recovery time is significantly greater for children receiving initial pain treatment (morphine or meperidine). Children receiving meperidine had the longest recovery time. Considering this prolonged recovery time and the unique adverse effects of meperidine compared with morphine, we recommend meperidine not be used for initial ED pain treatment of children.
Purification and characterization of a novel nitrile hydratase from Rhodococcus sp. RHA1

The microbial degradation of nitriles is of interest for bioremediation and green chemistry. We demonstrated that the soil bacterium Rhodococcus sp. RHA1 utilizes a range of nitriles, including acetonitrile, as growth substrates. Proteomic analysis identified 13 proteins that were more abundant in acetonitrile‐grown cells, including an aliphatic amidase and a protein with no known homologue. Purification of a nitrile hydratase (NHase) from acetonitrile‐grown cells identified the unknown protein as the β subunit of a two‐subunit NHase. Sequence analysis revealed that the genes encoding the amidase (anhC) and the NHase (anhAB) occur in a 12.8 kbp cluster located on plasmid pRHL2. The anh gene cluster also encodes an acetyl‐CoA hydrolase, transcriptional regulators, a putative cobalt transporter and a protein of unknown function. Striking features of the NHase include the amino acid sequence identity (32%) and large size (63 and 56 kDa) of the α and β subunits, as well as the enzyme's metal ion content (one cobalt, two copper and one zinc). The enzyme possessed similar specificities for acetonitrile and propionitrile (kcat/Km∼7 mM−1 s−1) followed by acrylonitrile and butyronitrile. We propose that this acetonitrile hydratase (ANHase) represents the first member of a previously unknown class of NHases.
Power parameters matching design of dual mechanical ports electric machine with clutch applied in hybrid electric vehicle

A dual mechanical ports electric machine (DMPM) with clutch is used as an electrical variable transmission (EVT) in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). In this paper, the working principle and advantages of this novel converter is explained. Then a method of power parameters matching design for DMPM with clutch considering the fuel economy and power performance based on driving cycle is presented and the simulation model is built in Matlab/Simulink. Based on the power and torque demands of DMPM with clutch in driving cycle, the rated torque and rated power of DMPM with clutch are matched. The results of parameters matching design are evaluated according to road performance and drivability. According to the analysis results, the methods presented in this paper can be served as the power parameters matching design of DMPM with clutch because it not only consider the fuel economy, but also meet the requirement of power performance.
Seasonality in Catastrophe Bonds and Market-Implied Arrival Frequencies

Catastrophe bonds are securities that transfer catastrophe risk from (re-)insurers or developing countries to capital markets. Based on secondary market data from 386 seasonality-affected cat bonds, we employ panel data regression models to explain seasonality in cat bond spreads. First, we show that the impact of seasonality on spreads depends on fluctuating arrival frequencies, the magnitude of the expected loss and the maturity of the cat bond. Second, we use modeled distributions of arrival frequencies of qualifying events to construct a measure of cat bond seasonality that captures these three effects. Up to 56% of all secondary market fluctuation in seasonality-affected bonds can be explained through this seasonality measure. Third, we establish a method to deduct market-implied distributions of arrival frequencies from secondary market spreads, reflecting a market-based assessment of catastrophe arrival frequencies.
Multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection associated with consumption of packaged spinach, August-September 2006: the Wisconsin investigation.

BACKGROUND Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection often causes hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. METHODS In 2006, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health and the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, in cooperation with other local, state, and federal partners, investigated an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infection. RESULTS In September 2006, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health and the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene were able to link geographically dispersed E. coli O157:H7 isolates recovered from the stool samples of ill persons, all of which had the same pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern (i.e., outbreak pattern). Investigators conducted a case-control study with control subjects (n = 86) matched to case patients (n = 49) by age, sex, and residential location. All case patients' onsets of illness occurred during the period from 20 August through 14 September 2006. Illness was associated with spinach consumption (matched odds ratio, 82.1; 95% confidence interval, 14.7 to >1000). Of the 49 case patients, 26 (53%) recalled eating brand A spinach. On multibrand analysis, only brand A was associated with illness (undefined matched odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 6.8-infinity). Wisconsin's agriculture laboratory isolated E. coli O157:H7 with the outbreak pattern from spinach in 2 brand A packages, both produced on 15 August 2006. CONCLUSIONS The rapid multijurisdictional epidemiologic and laboratory response, including timely pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern analysis and PulseNet posting, facilitated prompt voluntary recall of brand A spinach.
A novel seamless scanning leaky wave antenna in ridge gap waveguide technology

A novel seamless scanning leaky wave antenna in ridge gap waveguide technology is presented. The impedance matching technique is employed to suppress the open-stopband (OSB) which produces a discontinuity for a seamless scanning leaky wave antenna. Ridge gap waveguide proposed recently is used as the feeding structure. The antenna radiates from longitudinal slots of which the leaky constant is designed small to ensure a high directivity. The simulation results of full-wave analysis show that the proposed antenna bandwidth is from 12GHz to 18GHz covering the whole Ku-band while seamless scanning is achieved from backward to forward directions including broadside radiation. The scanning range is from −20° to 14° with an average gain of 18dB.
Long‐term follow‐up of impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease

Recent studies have linked dopamine agonist (DA) usage with the development of impulse control disorders (ICDs) in Parkinson's disease (PD). Little is known about optimal management strategies or the long‐term outcomes of affected patients. To report on the clinical interventions and long‐term outcomes of PD patients who developed an ICD after DA initiation. Subjects contacted by telephone for a follow‐up interview after a mean time period of 29.2 months. They were administered a modified Minnesota Impulse Disorder Interview for compulsive buying, gambling, and sexuality, and also self‐rated changes in their ICD symptomatology. Baseline and follow‐up dopamine replacement therapy use was recorded and verified by chart review. Of 18 subjects, 15 (83.3%) participated in the follow‐up interview. At follow‐up, patients were receiving a significantly lower DA levodopa equivalent daily dosage (LEDD) (Z = −3.1, P = 0.002) and a higher daily levodopa dosage (Z = −1.9, P = 0.05), but a similar total LEDD dosage (Z = −0.47, P = 0.64) with no changes in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score (Z = −1.3, P = 0.19). As part of ICD management, 12 (80.0%) patients discontinued or significantly decreased DA treatment, all of whom experienced full or partial remission of ICD symptoms by self‐report, and 10 (83.3%) of whom no longer met diagnostic criteria for an ICD. For PD patients who develop an ICD in the context of DA treatment, discontinuing or significantly decreasing DA exposure, even when offset by an increase in levodopa treatment, is associated with remission of or significant reduction in ICD behaviors without worsening in motor symptoms. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Some characteristics of a proteinase from a thermophilic Bacillus sp. expressed in Escherichia coli: comparison with the native enzyme and its processing in E. coli and in vitro

Proteinase Ak.1 was produced during the stationary phase of Bacillus sp. Ak.1 cultures. It is a serine proteinase with a pI of 4.0, and the molecular mass was estimated to be 36.9 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The enzyme was stable at 60 and 70 degrees C, with half-lives of 13 h and 19 min at 80 and 90 degrees C, respectively. Maximum proteolytic activity was observed at pH 7.5 with azocasein as a substrate, and the enzyme also cleaved the endoproteinase substrate Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-NH-Np (succinyl-alanyl-alanyl-prolyl-phenylalanine p-nitroanalide). Major cleavage sites of the insulin B chain were identified as Leu-15-Tyr-16, Gln-4-His-5, and Glu-13-Ala-14. The proteinase gene was cloned in Escherichia coli, and expression of the active enzyme was detected in the extracellular medium at 75 degrees C. The enzyme is expressed in E. coli as an inactive proproteinase at 37 degrees C and is converted to the mature enzyme by heating the cell-free media to 60 degrees C or above. The proproteinase was purified to homogeneity and had a pI of 4.3 and a molecular mass of 45 kDa. The NH2-terminal sequence was Ala-Ser-Asn-Asp-Gly-Val-Glu-, showing the exact signal peptide cleavage point. Heating the proenzyme resulted in the production of active proteinase with an NH2-terminal sequence identical to that of the native enzyme. The characteristics of the cloned proteinase were identical to those of the native enzyme. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The impact of reboxetine and mirtazapine on driving simulator performance and psychomotor function in depressed patients.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of reboxetine and mirtazapine on psychomotor functions related to driving skills and on driving simulator performance in depressed inpatients. METHOD Forty depressed inpatients diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria were randomly assigned to treatment with either reboxetine (N = 20) or mirtazapine (N = 20). To control for retest effects in psychomotor measures, a group of 10 healthy controls was examined on the same time schedule. Participants were tested once before pharmacologic treatment and twice after initiation of treatment (days 7 and 14) with computerized tests related to car-driving skills. Data were collected with the Act and React Testsystem ART-90 and the Wiener Testsystem, measuring visual perception, reactivity, stress tolerance, concentration, and vigilance. In addition, patients went through various risk simulations on a static driving simulator. Data were analyzed with nonparametric statistics and repeated-measures analysis of variance. The study was conducted from June 2004 through June 2006. RESULTS Before onset of treatment with antidepressants, about 65% of patients did not reach the threshold criterion according to the German guidelines for road and traffic safety. After 14 days of treatment with reboxetine or mirtazapine, patients improved in driving ability skills. Controlling for retest effects in psychomotor measures, data indicate that both patient groups significantly improved in tests measuring selective attention and reactivity (all p < .01). Furthermore, the frequency of accidents in the risk simulations markedly decreased in patients receiving mirtazapine and reboxetine (all p < .05). Statistically significant differences between treatment groups could not be shown. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that partially remitted depressed inpatients treated with reboxetine or mirtazapine show a better performance on tasks related to driving skills than do untreated depressives.