Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of exposure rate on radon-induced lung cancer in rats.

A new series of experiments was carried out to investigate specifically the influence of exposure rate on lung cancer induction in rats at relatively low cumulative exposures of about 100 WLM, and at potential alpha energy concentrations (PAECs) ranging from 13 to 150 WL. The results indicate that at relatively low cumulative exposures comparable to lifetime exposures in high-radon houses or current underground mining exposures, the risk of lung cancer in rats decreases with decreasing PAECs, i.e. exposure rates. They confirm the results of previous experiments conducted at lower cumulative exposure, showing that for a similar cumulative exposure of 25 WLM, the risk of lung cancer decreases with decreasing exposure rates. These data suggest that the induction of lung cancer results from a complex interplay between cumulative exposure and exposure rate, with an optimal combination of these two parameters, i.e. a combination of cumulative dose and dose rate that results in a maximum risk of lung tumour induction. They support the hypothesis that, at low doses, the risk of lung cancer is governed by the rate at which the dose is delivered, and not by the total cumulative dose alone. These data are also consistent with that of underground uranium miners showing an inverse dose-rate effect at high cumulative exposures, but a diminution of this effect at cumulative exposures lower than 50 WLM.
The Importance of Stimulation Cycle in Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Drug-Resistant Epilepsies- Our Experience and Literature Review

The impact of stimulation cycle on the outcome of patients submitted to vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been only marginally investigated in the literature. Nonetheless this is an important factor in term of tolerability of side effects, duration of generator and costs of therapy. Here the role of this parameter was evaluated on 21 patients who underwent to VNS implant at our Institution from January 1994 to February 2011 and responded to VNS (they reported a stable decrease of seizure number at least of 50%). We studied 3 stimulation cycles: slow (30’’on-5’off), intermediate (30’’on-3’off), fast (7’’on-20’’off). Each cycle was 1 year in duration. The stimulation cycle was recorded at the latest available follow-up (FU) for each patient (mean FU was 80.42 ± 54.01 months). Our protocol was to start with the slow cycle, to switch to the fast cycle and then to the intermediate one. The mean seizure frequencies before VNS and at latest FU were 26.08 ± 29.73 and 7.54 ± 10.22, respectively (p<0.0001; Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test). At latest FU, 11 cases (52.38%) were using the slow cycle and 8 (38.09%) the intermediate one. Among patient with a FU longer than 3 years (n=16), 15 of them (93.75%) were using slow or intermediate cycles. When considering the subgroup of patients with a 75% of reduction of number of crisis (n=12) nobody was using the fast cycle. Our results indicate that in patients responding to VNS the slow and intermediate cycles maintain the benefit of stimulation. If there is no response with these two cycles the probability of become a responder with the fast cycle is low.
The mediating role of customer commitment in explaining word-of-mouth and repurchase intention

th May, 2012 The purpose of this paper is to examine a new model to investigate the impacts of some factors on word-of- mouth and repurchase intention in e-shopping context. Data from a survey of 485 online consumers were used to test the research model. The respondents who had made at least one online LG television purchase were considered qualified for analysis. The questions used in this study were taken from the relevant literature, contained 26 questions addressing all the variables. Each variable was measured using 7-point Likert-scale: pleasure (4 items), customer satisfaction (4 items), attitude (3 items), trust (3items), commitment (4 items), word-of-mouth (5 items) and repurchase intentions (3 items). Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model, and the structural equation modelling technique was used to test the research model. Goodness of fit for the structural models of hypothesized model shows promising findings. The analytical results reveal that pleasure has a positive effect on customer satisfaction (38%) and trust (25%). Besides, attitude is positively related to customer satisfaction (36%) and trust (29%). This study shows that the main factor influences commitment is customer satisfaction (48%) and trust has less influence (40%). Finally, the findings illustrate that the most impacts of commitment are on word-of-mouth (44%) and repurchase intention (37%).
The Prism of Migration: Dissimilarities Between Return and Onward Movers

This study explores the premise that particular sequences of migration select particular types of persons whose decisions to move are colored by a spectrum of motives personal capabilities and information sources. Longitudinal micro data are used to demonstrate that migrants who venture out and promptly return are distinctively different from other migrants. They are comparatively less educated and less skilled recently unemployed and less inclined to plan ahead or avoid taking risks. The data are from the University of Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics for the years 1968-1975 and concern 5725 U.S. families. The authors attempt to "broaden a traditional demographic perspective on migration by emphasizing the diversity of purposes that may operate depending on where a particular move falls in a sequence of migration. " (EXCERPT)
Coordination and Collective Mind in Software Requirements Development

The purpose of this study was to understand how the group processes of teams of software requirements analysts led to problems and to suggest possible solutions. Requirements definition is important to establish the framework for a development project. Researchers have proposed numerous requirements development techniques, but less has been done on managing teams of requirements analysts. To learn more about group processes within such teams, we studied two teams of analysts developing requirements for large, complex real-time systems. These teams had problems ensuring that requirements documents were complete, consistent, and correct; fixing those problems required additional time and effort. To identify sources of problems, we applied two theories of collective action, coordination theory and collective mind theory. Coordination theory suggests that a key problem in requirement analysis is identifying and managing dependencies between requirements and among tasks. Most requirements methods and tools reflect this perspective, focusing on better representation and communication of requirements. The collective mind perspective complements these suggestions by explaining how individuals come to understand how their work contributes to the work of the group. This perspective suggests that deficiencies in actors' representations of the process and subordination to collective goals limit the value of their contributions.
Orthogonal Time Frequency Space Modulation

A new two-dimensional modulation technique called Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS) modulation designed in the delay-Doppler domain is introduced. Through this design, which exploits full diversity over time and frequency, OTFS coupled with equalization converts the fading, time-varying wireless channel experienced by modulated signals such as OFDM into a time-independent channel with a complex channel gain that is roughly constant for all symbols. Thus, transmitter adaptation is not needed. This extraction of the full channel diversity allows OTFS to greatly simplify system operation and significantly improves performance, particular in systems with high Doppler, short packets, and large antenna arrays. Simulation results indicate at least several dB of block error rate performance improvement for OTFS over OFDM in all of these settings. In addition these results show that even at very high Dopplers (500 km#x002F;h), OTFS approaches channel capacity through linear scaling of throughput with the MIMO order, whereas the performance of OFDM under typical design parameters breaks down completely.
Hemagglutinin Receptor Binding of a Human Isolate of Influenza A ( H 10 N 8 ) Virus

H infections with avian influenza A(H10N8) virus were reported in China during the 2013–14 winter influenza season. The first patient, a 73-year old woman, became ill in November 2013 a few days after visiting a live poultry market in Jiangxi Province (1). Two additional patients, a 55-year-old woman and a 75-year-old man, were admitted to hospitals in the same province in January 2014 (2). Severe pneumonia and subsequent acute respiratory distress syndrome developed in all 3 patients; 2 of the patients died, 5 and 6 days after admission (2). Epithelial cells of the human upper respiratory tract contain mostly α2,6-linked sialic acids (SAα2,6) and low levels of α2,3-linked sialic acids (SAα2,3) (3). Hemagglutinin (HA) of avian influenza virus strains shows preferential binding to SAα2,3 receptors, which partially accounts for the reduced ability of avian influenza strains to establish infections in humans (3). Interaction with SAα2,6 receptors is one of the requirements for efficient replication in the human upper respiratory tract. In addition, reduced binding to SAα2,3 facilitates respiratory droplet-based transmission in ferrets (4). Therefore, emerging avian influenza viruses with increased binding to SAα2,6 and reduced binding to SAα2,3 pose a major pandemic threat, and active research and surveillance to detect animal viruses with modified receptor binding are warranted.
Forgiveness as Human Strength: Theory, Measurement, and Links to Well-Being

Forgiving promotes continuity in interpersonal relationships by mending the inevitable injuries and transgressions that occur in social interaction. This article presents a conceptual model positing that forgiveness is prosocial change in the motivations to avoid or to seek revenge against a transgressor. Social-psychological factors that are correlates and determinants of forgiving are reviewed. Also reviewed is the current measurement technology for assessing forgiveness constructs at the offense-specific level, the relationship-specific level, and the dispositional level. The links between forgiveness and human health and well-being are also explored. The article concludes with recommendations for future research on forgiving.
Synaptic connections of cholinergic antennal lobe relay neurons innervating the lateral horn neuropile in the brain of Drosophila melanogaster

Presumed cholinergic projection neurons (PNs) in the brain of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, immunoreactive to choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), convey olfactory information between the primary sensory antennal lobe neuropile and the mushroom body calyces, and finally terminate in the lateral horn (LH) neuropile. The texture and synaptic connections of ChAT PNs in the LH and, comparatively, in the smaller mushroom body calyces were investigated by immuno light and electron microscopy. The ChAT PN fibers of the massive inner antennocerebral tract (iACT) extend into all portions of the LH, distributing in a nonrandom fashion. Immunoreactive boutons accumulate in the lateral margins of the LH, whereas the more proximal LH exhibits less intense immunolabeling. Boutons with divergent presynaptic sites, unlabeled as well as ChAT‐immunoreactive, appear to be the preponderant mode of synaptic input throughout the LH. Synapses of ChAT‐labeled fibers appear predominantly as divergent synaptic boutons (diameters 1–3 μm), connected to unlabeled postsynaptic profiles, or alternatively as a minority of tiny postsynaptic spines (diameters 0.05–0.5 μm) among unlabeled profiles. Together these spines encircle unidentified presynaptic boutons of interneurons which occupy large areas of the LH. Thus, synaptic circuits in the LH differ profoundly from those of the PNs in the mushroom body calyx, where ChAT spines have not been encountered. Synaptic contacts between LH ChAT elements were not observed. The synaptic LH neuropile may serve as an output area for terminals of the ChAT PNs, their presynaptic boutons providing input to noncholinergic relay neurons. The significance of the postsynaptic neurites of the ChAT PNs is discussed; either local or other interneurons might connect the ChAT PNs within the LH, or PNs might receive inputs arising from outside the LH. J. Comp. Neurol. 466:299–315, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Socioeconomic Characteristics of the Community and Importance of Camel and other Livestock Species in Tahitay-Adiyabo District, Tigray Region in the Northern Periphery of Ethiopia

The study was undertaken in the northern periphery of the country, Tigray region, north-west Tigray zone, Tahitay Adiyabo district from February to March, 2017. For this study, four Kebeles were selected purposively based on the presence of two major community groups (Tigrayans and Kunama) and presence of camel species and other livestock species. Seventy-two (72) households per district, of which 38 households from two kebeles for Kunama community and 34 households from two kebeles for Tigrayan community groups were selected randomly. A software package of SAS (2008) was employed to generate descriptive statistics for qualitative and quantitative data. As the study revealed, three-fifth and two-fifth of the respondents in the study area were illiterate and attended primary education respectively. The two community groups were significantly (P < 0.05) different on educational status and Tigriyans respondents were more educated than the other counterpart. More than 2/3 children (7 - 17 years of age) of the respondents in the study area were attended school. Exceptionally, more than 75% of the children for Tigriyan community group in the district were attended school whereas 3/5th of Kunama community children were attended school education. Average family size per household in the study area was 6.22 ± 0.45 and significant (P < 0.05) difference was observed in the two community groups which was higher in Tigriyan community (7.23). Livestock husbandry practices (breeding objectives, herding, milking and marketing) were decided entirely by husband or both and the decision by wife alone was reported to be non-existent in the study area. From all respondents of Kunama community, more than a quarter of them produce household income majorly from their livestock and secondarily from crop. Livelihood diversification (off-farm activities) was almost non-existent in the study area. The study shows that majority of the respondents own ruminant animals and camel. Surprisingly, in the current study, all of the respondents own camel species but camel milk marketing was the main problem of Kunama community. From the Kunama community group, quarter of the respondents own camel and goat only. This study suggested that attention should be given for child education in Kunama community and absence of camel milk marketing may affect the utilization of the species and as a consequence, it would extinct. Hence, in order to conserve this species, camel milk market problem should be solved. Besides, in the study area, camel is the important species for all the communities and attention should be given to improve camel productivity.
Infection Dynamics on Small-World Networks

The use of network models to describe the impact of local spatial structure on the spread of infections is discussed. In particular, we focus on small-world networks, within which the pattern of interactions can be varied from being entirely local to being entirely global as a single parameter is changed. Analysis approaches from graph theory, statistical physics and mathematical epidemiology are discussed. Simulation results are presented that highlight the surprising findings of Watts and Strogatz [58], namely that a small number of long-range interactions in an otherwise locally structured population can markedly enhance the ability of an infection to spread and the rate at which the spread occurs. We also discuss some of the implications of such spatial structure on the dynamics and persistence of endemic infections.
Lateral stability analysis of on-road vehicles using Lyapunov's direct method

Vehicle rollover may occur due to the yaw instability. Hence, the yaw stability analysis can help improve vehicle safety. In this paper, Lyapunov's direct method is applied to the lateral stability analysis of the non-linear vehicle model driven in a straight-line with constant longitudinal velocity, where the non-linearity of the model comes from the non-linear expression of the lateral tire forces. Two new Lyapunov functions are proposed. These functions do not explicitly depend on vehicle parameters and estimate the larger stability regions as compared with previous works.
Borders, belonging, beyond: New curriculum history

For Iain Chambers, understanding the redefinition of social life and hence of social theories is not aided by splitting the analytical register simply between global and local. This is especially problematic if global is taken to mean the dispersal of an already-dominant or privileged version of the local within wider coordinates that ensure the continuation of forms of representation and frames of reference that are familiar and over-exposed. The chapters in New Curriculum History take up the challenge posed by Chambers, collectively confronting the dread of a rationality confronted with what exceeds and slips its grasp. Finding purchase and continually slipping away from the strictures of the taken-for-granted and of fixity, New Curriculum History embodies the dueling reverberations of its non-localizable domains – in some ways, a shaping by its pasts and in others, contributions irreducible to dominant narratives about the field of education and “its” histories.
HGF triggers activation of the COX‐2 gene in rat gastric epithelial cells: action mediated through the ERK2 signaling pathway

Although it is established that growth factors and prostaglandins function in the maintenance of gastric mucosal integrity and in the healing of gastric mucosal injury and ulceration, the regulatory relationship between growth factors and prostaglandins in the gastric mucosa is not well characterized. Therefore, we investigated whether hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) affects expression of COX‐2 (the inducible form of the prostaglandin synthesizing enzyme, cyclooxygenase) in gastric epithelial cells and whether this action is mediated through the MAP (ERK) kinase signaling pathway. In RGM1 cells (an epithelial cell line derived from normal rat gastric mucosa), HGF caused an increase in COX‐2 mRNA and protein by 236% and 175%, respectively (both P<0.05). This induction of COX‐2 expression was abolished by pretreatment with the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059. HGF also triggered a 13‐fold increase in c‐Met/HGF receptor phosphorylation (P< 0.005) and increased ERK2 activity by 684% (P<0.01). Pretreatment with PD98059 abolished the HGF‐induced increase in ERK2 activity, but not c‐Met/HGF receptor phosphorylation. The specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, SB203580, had no effect on HGF‐induced COX‐2 expression. Thus, HGF triggers activation of the COX‐2 gene in gastric epithelial cells through phosphorylation of c‐Met/ HGF receptor and activation of the ERK2 signaling pathway. —Jones, M. K. , Sasaki, E. , Halter, F. , Pai, R. , Nakamura, T. , Arakawa, T. , Kuroki, T. , Tarnawski, A. S. HGF triggers activation of the COX‐2 gene in rat gastric epithelial cells: action mediated through the ERK2 signaling pathway. FASEB J. 13, 2186–2194 (1999)
Ascertaining the wishes and feelings of young children: social workers' perspectives on skills and training

The research was undertaken in the context of the ongoing debate about child care social work training and children's participation. Its aim was to explore the views of qualified child care social workers about their skills in eliciting the wishes and feelings of younger children and the relevance of social work training for this task. Questionnaires, focusing on their skills and training, were completed by 70 UK child care practitioners from the Children and Families Court Advisory and Support Service, voluntary agencies and local authorities. On average, practitioners felt able to ascertain the feelings and wishes of children as young as 4 years old. Nevertheless, at qualifying level, only 30% had training in communicating with young children, 16% in ascertaining children's feelings and wishes, and 66% in child development. Many had subsequently relied on in-service training and their own initiatives to acquire further skills and understanding. In conclusion, most participants were experienced practitioners working in supportive organizations and had developed considerable communication skills. However, concerns remain because they identified deficits in child care social work qualifying and post-qualifying training. Consequently, more effective training at all levels is required if social workers are to engage younger children successfully and facilitate their participation.
Motivating Illegal Drug Use Recovery: Evidence for a Culturally Congruent Intervention

Public health interventions may be more effective if they are congruent with cultural values of the target community. To test this possibility, the authors conducted a randomized field trial of a motivational intervention to promote recovery from illegal drug use among a sample of 269 African Americans. The intervention, based on transtheoretical stage-of-change concepts, featured a needs assessment and service referrals and was congruent with relevant African American cultural values. Participants were randomly assigned to this intervention or to a standard assessment-referral protocol. Motivational intervention participants were significantly less likely to be using illegal drugs 1 year later. This finding suggests that motivational intervention congruent with cultural values of the target population can be effective in promoting recovery from drug use.
MarkeTrak V: “Why my hearing aids are in the drawer” The consumers' perspective

MarkeTrak V February 2000 • Vol. 53 • No. 2 INTRODUCTION The great quality guru W. Edwards Deming, in his book Out of the Crisis,1 states that research with consumers has found that happy customers tell eight friends about their positive experience, but angry customers tell their troubles on average to 16 people. That finding is of great relevance to the hearing industry. As I reported in earlier installments of the MarkeTrak V series of articles, customer satisfaction with hearing aids has not improved appreciably since we began measuring it in 1991.2-3 Furthermore, 16.2% of our customers report that they never wear their hearing aids. That’s 907,200 people! What if those customers not using their hearing aids each told 16 friends about their negative experience or, even worse, what if they told their family doctor? We are assuming, of course, that people who do not use their hearing aids are unhappy with their experience. In fact, that assumption is borne out by the MarkeTrak data, which show that only 10.6% of customers with hearing aids “in the drawer” are satisfied with the product, 27.1% are neutral, and 62.3% are dissatisfied. I believe that dissatisfaction with hearing aids is a serious problem in our industry, one that for years has impeded growth of the market. In fact, in part 1 of this series, I demonstrated that hearing aid penetration is at an all-time low: 20.4% of the total hearing-impaired population, down from nearly 24% in 1984.2 Clearly, if we are to change this negative trend in the market, we must identify and eliminate the root causes of dissatisfaction. To this end, we asked hearing aid owners during the MarkeTrak survey process to write us a letter concerning their experiences with their current hearing aids. This paper will focus on reasons why hearing aids are purchased but not used. It will rely nearly totally on the experiences of consumers in their own words.