Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to Phthalate Esters and Asthma: A 9-Year Follow-Up Study of a Taiwanese Birth Cohort

Previous studies have shown that phthalate exposure in childhood is associated with the development of respiratory problems. However, few studies have assessed the relative impact of prenatal and postnatal exposure to phthalates on the development of asthma later in childhood. Therefore, we assessed the impact of prenatal and postnatal phthalate exposure on the development of asthma and wheezing using a Taiwanese birth cohort. A total of 430 pregnant women were recruited, and 171 (39.8%) of them had their children followed when they were aged 2, 5, and 8 years. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to assess asthma and wheezing symptoms and serum total immunoglobulin E levels were measured at 8 years of age. Urine samples were obtained from 136 women during their third trimester of pregnancy, 99 children at 2 years of age, and 110 children at 5 years. Four common phthalate monoester metabolites in maternal and children’s urine were measured using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. Maternal urinary mono-benzyl phthalate [MBzP] concentrations were associated with an increased occurrence of wheezing in boys at 8 years of age (odds ratio [OR] = 4.95 (95% CI 1.08–22.63)), for upper quintile compared to the others) after controlling for parental allergies and family members' smoking status. Urinary mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate [MEHP] levels over the quintile at 2-year-old were associated with increased asthma occurrence (adjusted OR = 6.14 (1.17–32.13)) in boys. Similarly, the sum of di-2-ethyl-hexyl phthalate [DEHP] metabolites at 5 years was associated with asthma in boys (adjusted OR = 4.36 (1.01–18.86)). Urinary MEHP in maternal and 5-year-old children urine were significantly associated with increased IgE in allergic children at 8 years. Prenatal and postnatal exposure to phthalate was associated with the occurrence of asthma in children, particularly for boys.
Psychological Factors as Predictors of Suicidal Ideation among Adolescents in Malaysia

Background There has been a drastic increase in the rate of suicides over the past 45 years in Malaysia. The statistics show that adolescents aged between 16 and 19 years old are at high risk of committing suicide. This could be attributed to issues relating to the developmental stage of adolescents. During this stage, adolescents face challenges and are exposed to various stressful experiences and risk factors relating to suicide. Method The present study examined psychological factors (i.e., depression, anxiety and stress) as predictors for suicidal ideation among adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 190 students (103 males and 87 females), aged 15 to 19 years old from two different schools in Kuala Lumpur. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21-item version (DASS-21) was used to measure depression, anxiety and stress among the students, and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS) to measure suicidal ideation. The data were analysed using Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results The results show that 11.10%, 10.00%, and 9.50% of the students reported that they were experiencing severe depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. There were significant correlations between depression, anxiety, and stress with suicidal ideation. However, only depression was identified as a predictor for suicidal ideation. Conclusion Hence, this study extends the role of depression in predicting suicidal ideation among adolescents in the Malaysian context. The findings imply that teenagers should be assisted in strengthening their positive coping strategies in managing distress to reduce depression and suicidal ideation.
Treatment of Dairy Effluents in Biological Fluidized-Bed Reactors using Oyster Shells as Ecological Garnishing

We investigated the effectiveness of a new ecological garnishing of natural origins in MBBR reactors: The shells of oysters, used for the biological treatment of dairy effluents, in the presence of fungi Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum . The abatement performance of organic matter was compared with the same bioreactor design in the presence of a common reference support (Kaldnes K3), conventionally used on an industrial scale. Pollution parameter monitoring results (Chemical Oxygen Demand COD, total nitrogen soluble NKT, phosphorus P, suspended matter SM and biochemical oxygen demand BOD5) obtained using oyster shells as garnishing media, are favorable after only 24 h of biological treatment. Organic matter removal efficiencies are comparable sometimes even better than K3 media. All the results show that oyster shells can provide an ecological support for biofilm colonization in MBBR reactors and allow for a satisfactory pollution abatement rate.
Design of variable linear phase FIR filters based on second order frequency transformations and coefficient decimation

This paper presents the design of a variable linear phase finite impulse response filter based on second order frequency transformations and coefficient decimation. The design of variable digital filters (VDFs) using first and second order frequency transformations have been proposed in literature. The VDF using second order transformation has better cut-off slope characteristics compared to the VDF using first order transformation. However, the former has the drawback of limited range (approximately 25% of the half of the sampling frequency) over which the cut-off frequency, fc, can be varied. It also fails to provide variable lowpass, highpass, bandpass or bandstop responses from a fixed-coefficient lowpass filter using the same architecture. The architecture proposed here overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages using coefficient decimation technique. The design example shows that the range over which fc can be varied is 2.65 times wider in the proposed VDF than the VDF in [7] and for a given frequency range, the proposed VDF offers a total gate count saving of 33% and 41% over the VDF in [11] and [7] respectively. Also, the proposed architecture provides variable lowpass, highpass, bandpass or bandstop responses from a fixed coefficient lowpass filter.
Retinoic acid treatment of human leiomyoma cells transformed the cell phenotype to one strongly resembling myometrial cells

Background Uterine leiomyomas are clinically significant tumours that may develop due to an altered differentiation pathway. We have previously identified a dysregulated retinoic acid (RA) pathway that reduced retinoic exposure in human leiomyoma surgical specimens, and have shown that the leiomyoma phenotype was characterized by excessive and disorganized extracellular matrix (ECM).
Bile duct strictures after hepatobiliary surgery: assessment with MR cholangiography.

PURPOSE To establish the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiography for diagnosis of postsurgical bile duct strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-seven patients suspected of having bile duct strictures after liver transplantation (n = 54), cholecystectomy (n = 8), hepatic resection (n = 4), or pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 1) underwent MR cholangiography. Thick-slab single-shot fast spin-echo (repetition time msec/echo time msec, 4,500/940) imaging was performed in the coronal through sagittal planes with rotation in 10 degrees increments, and contiguous thin-section images were obtained in the transverse and the optimal coronal oblique planes by using half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (1,900/96). Three blinded observers independently reviewed the MR images and recorded diagnostic features including presence of biliary stricture by using a five-point confidence scale. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to measure the accuracy of MR cholangiography. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. Final diagnosis was established at surgery (n = 29) and direct cholangiography (23 of 29) or at direct cholangiography, liver biopsy, and/or serial liver function tests (n = 38). RESULTS Thirty-three of 67 patients had strictures confirmed with the reference standard. MR cholangiography enabled correct diagnosis and depicted the site of strictures in all cases. Findings of stricture at MR cholangiography were false-positive in five patients with moderate duct dilatation and caliber change at the level of the anastomosis. Mean accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 94%, 97%, 74%, 86%, and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSION MR cholangiography is as sensitive as direct cholangiography for the assessment of bile duct strictures after hepatobiliary surgery but may lead to overestimation of the importance of duct dilatation and caliber change.
Effects of frequency of supplementation on dry matter intake and net portal and hepatic flux of nutrients in mature ewes that consume low-quality forage.

Our objective was to determine the effects of frequency of soybean meal (SBM) supplementation on forage intake and net portal-drained viscera (PDV) and hepatic flux of nutrients in ewes that consume low-quality forage. Six Polled Dorset ewes (BW+/-SD = 82+/-9 kg) fitted with hepatic venous, hepatic portal, abdominal aortic, and mesenteric venous catheters were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Ewes consumed bromegrass hay (7.5% CP; DM basis). Treatments were no supplement (control), SBM fed once every 24 h, or SBM fed once every 72 h. In the SBM treatments, SBM was fed to provide 80 g/d of CP. Blood flow and net flux measurements were made on the 3rd d of each period so that ewes supplemented every 72 h were sampled the day of, the day after, and 2 d after supplementation. Arterial concentrations of alpha-amino N (AAN) and ammonia N were lower (P < .01) when SBM was fed, whereas arterial concentrations of urea N and oxygen were higher (P < .01). Feeding SBM increased net PDV release of AAN and ammonia N, net PDV removal of urea N, and oxygen consumption. A SBM x sampling day interaction (P < .05) occurred and resulted in greater net PDV absorption of AAN and ammonia N on the day after SBM supplementation when ewes were fed SBM on a 72-h interval. Net hepatic removal of AAN, ammonia N, and oxygen, and net hepatic release of urea N were greater (P < .01) with feeding SBM. The results indicate that the interval of SBM supplementation may affect the pattern of absorption without affecting the net absorption of nutrients.
Microbiological Property Evaluation of Natural Essential Oils Used in Green Cosmetic Industry

This study was designed to investigate antimicrobial properties of natural essential oils including; citronella, cinnamon, palmarosa, niaouli, clove, lavender, bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, petitgrain, peppermint, tea tree and eucalyptus from different oil sources. Datas taken from the disk diffusion assay indicate that cinnamon, niaouli, lavender, petitgrain and the tea tree oils have the most intense antibacterial effects on related microorganisms at the concentration %100 (direct usage). Endpoints confirm results reported in the past studies including the MIC assays on the related natural oils. Overall, natural oils have been used safely for many decades on the cosmetic formulations and this experiment emphasizes one more time the importance of the natural oils usage in industry
Dual Sensory Loss and Depressive Symptoms: The Importance of Hearing, Daily Functioning, and Activity Engagement

Background: The association between dual sensory loss (DSL) and mental health has been well established. However, most studies have relied on self-report data and lacked measures that would enable researchers to examine causal pathways between DSL and depression. This study seeks to extend this research by examining the effects of DSL on mental health, and identify factors that explain the longitudinal associations between sensory loss and depressive symptoms. Methods: Piecewise linear-mixed models were used to analyze 16-years of longitudinal data collected on up to five occasions from 1611 adults (51% men) aged between 65 and 103 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D). Vision loss (VL) was defined by corrected visual acuity >0.3 logMAR in the better eye, blindness, or glaucoma. Hearing loss (HL) was defined by pure-tone average (PTA) >25 dB in the better hearing ear. Analyses were adjusted for socio-demographics, medical conditions, lifestyle behaviors, activities of daily living (ADLs), cognitive function, and social engagement. Results: Unadjusted models indicated that higher levels of depressive symptoms were associated with HL (B = 1.16, SE = 0.33) and DSL (B = 2.15, SE = 0.39) but not VL. Greater rates of change in depressive symptoms were also evident after the onset of HL (B = 0.16, SE = 0.06, p < 0.01) and DSL (B = 0.30, SE = 0.09, p < 0.01). The associations between depressive symptoms and sensory loss were explained by difficulties with ADLs, and social engagement. Conclusion: Vision and HL are highly prevalent among older adults and their co-occurrence may compound their respective impacts on health, functioning, and activity engagement, thereby exerting strong effects on the mental health and wellbeing of those affected. There is therefore a need for rehabilitation programs to be sensitive to the combined effects of sensory loss on individuals.
Variation in Corn Stover Yield and Fuel Quality with Harvest Time

The objective of this investigate is to evaluate the variation in yield and fuel quality of corn stover under different harvest time and to determine appropriate harvest time. Using Zhengdan 958 as research material, the effect of harvest time on yield and fuel quality of corn stover was studied under field conditions in Baicheng Academy of Agricultural Sciences, during 2007-2008. Results showed that with the delayed harvest time, yield of corn stover decreased, and the proportion of leaves reduced gradually, reduction of leaf biomass was the main reason for lower yield. With the delayed harvest time, moisture, ash, and mineral elements contents of corn stover significantly decreased, cellulose and lignin contents increased, but hemicellulose content decreased. Heating value of corn stover was maximum at filling stage and minimum at maturity, it was slightly higher after maturity. Heating value was significantly correlated with cellulose and lignin contents; ash content was significantly positively correlated with mineral elements contents, and was significantly negatively correlated with Si/K ratio. Delayed harvest reduced the yield of corn stover, but significantly improved its fuel quality. Fuel quality of corn stover was better when harvested in winter and spring.
Chemical Compositions and Physico-Chemical Properties of Malted Sorghum Flour and Characteristics of Gluten Free Bread

This study investigated the effect of germination on chemical compositions, physio-chemical properties of malted (germinated) red sorghum flours and evaluated characteristics of gluten free breads from sorghum flour. Results showed that germinated sorghum flour had higher amylase activity, swelling power and solubility at 95°C, but lower in the peak, break down, final and set back viscosities than ungerminated sample (p≤0.05). Five gluten free breads made from sorghum flour blends, with different ratios of ungerminated and germinated sorghum flour, were compared for the physical properties with those made from wheat flour. Crumb hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness of sorghum breads were found significantly higher than those of wheat bread. With increasing of ungerminated flour proportion, the bread hardness increased while the cohesiveness declined. Sorghum breads appeared red to human eyes with a*values of 10.41-15.77. Their crust and crumb colors differed significantly from those of wheat bread. Keywords—Flour, Germination, Gluten free bread, Sorghum
Performance tradeoffs in wireless scheduling with flow aggregration

We develop Markov models for various schedulers in order to evaluate their performance tradeoffs at wireless links. While FIFO scheduling aggregates flows into a single flow just prior to the wireless link, channel-state dependent (or CSD) schedulers maintain a queue for each flow, and use predicted channel information to make scheduling decisions. We present results of tradeoffs in terms of overall throughput and per-flow QoS performance obtained with each scheduler under different channel conditions.
Channel estimation and symbol detection for block transmission using data-dependent superimposed training

We address the problem of frequency-selective channel estimation and symbol detection using superimposed training. The superimposed training consists of the sum of a known sequence and a data-dependent sequence that is unknown to the receiver. The data-dependent sequence cancels the effects of the unknown data on channel estimation. The performance of the proposed approach is shown to significantly outperform existing methods based on superimposed training (ST).
MTF-1-Mediated Repression of the Zinc Transporter Zip10 Is Alleviated by Zinc Restriction

The regulation of cellular zinc uptake is a key process in the overall mechanism governing mammalian zinc homeostasis and how zinc participates in cellular functions. We analyzed the zinc transporters of the Zip family in both the brain and liver of zinc-deficient animals and found a large, significant increase in Zip10 expression. Additionally, Zip10 expression decreased in response to zinc repletion. Moreover, isolated mouse hepatocytes, AML12 hepatocytes, and Neuro 2A cells also respond differentially to zinc availability in vitro. Measurement of Zip10 hnRNA and actinomycin D inhibition studies indicate that Zip10 was transcriptionally regulated by zinc deficiency. Through luciferase promoter constructs and ChIP analysis, binding of MTF-1 to a metal response element located 17 bp downstream of the transcription start site was shown to be necessary for zinc-induced repression of Zip10. Furthermore, zinc-activated MTF-1 causes down-regulation of Zip10 transcription by physically blocking Pol II movement through the gene. Lastly, ZIP10 is localized to the plasma membrane of hepatocytes and neuro 2A cells. Collectively, these results reveal a novel repressive role for MTF-1 in the regulation of the Zip10 zinc transporter expression by pausing Pol II transcription. ZIP10 may have roles in control of zinc homeostasis in specific sites particularly those of the brain and liver. Within that context ZIP10 may act as an important survival mechanism during periods of zinc inadequacy.
Regional convergence across the Finnish provinces and subregions, 1960-94

This paper analyses the convergence of regional products in Finland using two different data sets. Firstly, β- and σ-convergence was estimated for the 12 Finnish provinces during 1960–94. Convergence was found to be strong in 1960–80, but after 1980 regional disparities started growing again. Secondly, a similar study was conducted for the 88 small-scale subregions in 1988–94. As with the provinces, the subregions’ relative growth performance and cross-sectional convergence dynamics were evaluated using Markov chain transition matrices. No clear evidence for σ- or β-convergence was found here, but the dynamic analysis revealed a rapidly evolving distribution of gross regional products. Thus the type of regional classification and method used can markedly affect the results obtained in a convergence study.
How accurate are maternal symptoms in predicting impending complications in women with preeclampsia? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background. Maternal symptoms such as severe headache, nausea and vomiting, visual disturbances and epigastric pain have been associated with complications in women with preeclampsia. Objective. To determine the accuracy of maternal symptoms in predicting complications in women with preeclampsia by systematic review. Data Sources. We searched MEDLINE (1951–2010), EMBASE (1980–2010), the Cochrane Library (2009) and the MEDION database. Methods of Study Selection. Studies which evaluated the accuracy of symptoms in women with preeclampsia for predicting complications were selected in a two‐stage process. Information was extracted by two independent reviewers. We summarized accuracy with a bivariate model estimating sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve. Results. Six primary articles with 2573 women were included. The area under the curve for predicting complications for headache, epigastric pain and visual disturbances was 0.58 (95%CI 0.24–0.86), 0.70 (95%CI 0.30–0.93) and 0.74 (95%CI 0.33–0.94). The sensitivity and specificity of the symptoms in predicting adverse maternal outcomes were respectively as follows: headache 0.54 (95%CI 0.27–0.79) and 0.59 (95%CI 0.38–0.76); epigastric pain 0.34 (95%CI 0.22–0.5) and 0.83 (95%CI 0.76–0.89); visual disturbances 0.27 (95%CI 0.07–0.65) and 0.81 (95%CI 0.71, 0.88); nausea and vomiting 0.24 (95%CI 0.21, 0.27) and 0.87 (95%CI 0.85, 0.89). Conclusion. The presence of symptoms is more useful in predicting complications in preeclampsia compared to their absence in excluding adverse events.
Cortical GABA, Striatal Dopamine and Midbrain Serotonin as the Key Players in Compulsive and Anxiety Disorders - Results from In Vivo Imaging Studies

Various factors are discussed in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders, including dysfunctions of the (DA)ergic, serotonin (5-HT)ergic and GABAergic system. We assessed the contribution of the individual synaptic constituents by subjecting all available in vivo imaging studies on patients with anxiety disorders to a retrospective analysis. On a total of 504 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder (PD), phobia, or posttraumatic stress-disorder (PTSD) and 593 controls, investigations of VMAT2, DAT, SERT, D1, D2, 5-HTIA, 5-HT2A, GABA(A), and NK1 receptor binding in neostriatum, ventral striatum, thalamus, neocortex, limbic system, cingulate, midbrain/ pons or cerebellum were performed using either PET or SPECT. Separate analyses of the individual disorders showed significant decreases of striatal D2 receptors in OCD (-18%), mesencephalic SERT in OCD (-13%), frontocortical GABAA receptors in PD (-13%) and temporocortical GABAA receptors in GAD (-16%). Pooling of all disorders yielded a significant reduction of mesencephalic SERT (-13%), mesencephalic (-27%) as well as cingulate 5-HT1A receptors (-18%), striatal D2 receptors (-21%) and frontal (-14%), temporal (-14%), occipital (-13%) and cingulate GABAA receptors (-15%). The results show that DA, 5-HT, and GABA play a major role in all subtypes of anxiety disorders. In particular, the findings imply that the regulation state of DA as modulated by GABA and 5-HT may be crucial for the development of anxiety- and compulsion-related disorders. As GABA and 5-HT inhibit DAergic neurotransmission, the reductions of GABAA, 5-HT1A and SERT can be assumed to result in an enhanced activity of the mesolimbic DAergic system. This notion is also reflected by the decrease of striatal D2 receptor binding, which is indicative of an increased availability of synaptic DA.