Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous Deposition of Prussian Blue on Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and the Application in an Amperometric Biosensor

A simple method has been developed for the spontaneous deposition of Prussian blue (PB) particles from a solution containing only ferricyanide ions onto conducting substrates such as indium tin oxide glass, glassy carbon disk and carbon nanotube (CNT) materials. Formation of PB deposits was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrometry and electrochemical techniques. The surface morphology of the PB particles deposited on the substrates was examined by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. CNT/PB composite modified glassy carbon electrodes exhibited an electrocatalytic property for hydrogen peroxide reduction. These modified electrodes exhibited a high sensitivity for electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide at −0.05 V (vs. Ag|AgCl), probably due to the synergistic effect of CNT with PB. Then, CNT/PB modified electrodes were further developed as amperometric glucose biosensors. These biosensors offered a linear response to glucose concentration from 0.1 to 0.9 mM with good selectivity, high sensitivity of 0.102 A M−1 cm−2 and short response time (within 2 s) at a negative operation potential of −0.05 V (vs. Ag|AgCl). The detection limit was estimated to be 0.01 mM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.
Asthma characteristics among older adults: using the California health interview survey to examine asthma incidence, morbidity and ethnic differences

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence, characteristics of asthma morbidity and care, and ethnic differences that exist in older adults with asthma in California. Methods: Data were from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Characteristics of older adults (≥65 years) with and without asthma were compared using population-weighted estimates. Asthma-specific variables were compared among different ethnic groups. Multivariate analyses were preformed to determine factors associated with asthma status, asthma episodes/attacks, asthma symptom frequency and emergency department (ED) visits due to asthma. Results: Asthma was present in 8.1% of older adults, among which, 67.3% reported taking medication daily for asthma. Asthma symptoms were experienced every day by almost 20%, with over 34% of seniors with asthma having symptoms at least once per week. Despite having a lower frequency of asthma symptoms, Hispanics were 5.31 times more likely to visit the ED due to asthma than were Caucasians. Conclusions: The findings from the study showed that older adults with asthma had difficulty with asthma control. We recommend a focus on asthma education so that when symptoms do occur, options are available to avoid costly ED visits. Further research should focus on specific asthma management skills and adherence to asthma treatment regimen among ethnic groups.
Achieving Fiscal Balance in Japan

Japan’s population is aging fast and the ratio of Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) to GDP is highest among advanced economies. In addition, further government spending is expected, causing concerns about the potential for JGBs to become a significant global issue. In this paper we build a micro-data based, large-scale overlapping generations model for Japan in which individuals differ in age, gender, employment type, income, and asset holdings, and incorporate the Japanese pension rules in detail. We estimate age-consumption and age-earnings profiles from micro data, assume complete markets and use these to generate tax revenues and transfer payments for government accounts. We calibrate the model so that it replicates the main macroeconomic and fiscal indicators for 2010. Using existing pension law and fiscal parameters and the medium variants of fertility and survival probability projections, we produce future time paths for JGBs and the pension fund.
Relation between Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Genotypes and Oxidative Stress Markers in Larynx Cancer

Nitric oxide synthase (eNOS/NOS3) is responsible for the endothelial synthesis of nitric oxide (NO•). G894T polymorphism leads to the amino acid substitution from Glu298Asp that causes lower NOS3 activity and basal NO• production in NOS3 894T (298Asp) allele carriers compared with the GG homozygotes. NO• acts as an antioxidant protecting against Fenton's reaction which generates highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. Allelic variation of NOS3 may influence an individual's risk of laryngeal cancer (LC). In the current study we have examined the possible relationship between NOS3 G894T genotypes and various systemic oxidative damage markers such as protein carbonyl, advanced oxidation protein products, Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase, thiol group fractions, and lipid hydroperoxides in LC patients. Genotyping was carried out by PCR-RFLP. In LC patients with TT genotype, Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase activities and nonprotein thiol levels were significantly higher than the controls. In patients with GT and GG genotype, high levels of lipid hydroperoxides showed statistical significance when compared to controls. Our results indicate a potential relationship among G894T polymorphism of NOS3, and impaired redox homeostasis. Further studies are required to determine the role of NOS3 gene polymorphism and impaired plasma redox homeostasis.
Identification of the Structural Gene for Glyoxalase I from Saccharomyces cerevisiae*

The structural gene for glyoxalase I (GLO1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was identified. The GLO1 gene contained an open reading frame with 326 amino acids, and the molecular weight of the gene product (Glo1p) deduced from the DNA sequence was calculated to be 37,207.06. Glyoxalase I activity increased approximately 95-fold when the GLO1 gene was introduced into the yeast cell with a multicopy plasmid, and the resultant transformant showed the increased resistance against methylglyoxal. Since the knockout mutant of the GLO1 gene of haploid strain of S. cerevisiae was still viable, the GLO1 gene was thought to be unnecessary for growth of the yeast. The GLO1 gene was overexpressed in two kinds of glutathione-deficient mutants, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase-deficient (gsh1−) and glutathione synthetase-deficient (gsh2−), respectively, and the sensitivites to methylglyoxal were compared. The gsh1-deficient mutant, which could not produce glutathione at all, was hypersensitive to methylglyoxal, and overproduction of the Glo1p did not restore the growth arrest caused by exogenously added methylglyoxal. The gsh2-deficient mutant, which accumulates γ-glutamylcysteine (an intermediate of glutathione biosynthesis), was also sensitive to methylglyoxal compared with the isogenic wild type strain, although the growth arrest caused by methylglyoxal was partially restored by overexpression of the GLO1 gene. Purified glyoxalase I from yeast could use γ-glutamylcysteine as a substrate (kcat/Km = 1.89 × 107 M−1 s−1, glutathione; 3.47 × 104 M−1 s−1, γ-glutamylcysteine).
Accuracy of Cyclosporin Measurements Made in Capillary Blood Samples Obtained by Skin Puncture

International consensus guidelines suggest that cyclosporin should be measured in whole blood. In some instances it may be advantageous to collect capillary blood, by a finger or ear prick method. However, drug concentrations in skin-puncture blood may not necessarily correlate with those measured in venous blood. This study compared cyclosporin concentrations in blood collected from the fingertip or earlobe with blood collected by standard venipuncture. Patient preference for each of the blood collection methods was also assessed. Specimens were obtained from organ transplant patients receiving cyclosporin, using each of the three methods: venipuncture, finger prick, and earlobe prick. The samples were assayed using a specific radioimmunoassay and the results were compared. In the 102 sets of samples collected, the mean difference (±standard deviation) in cyclosporin concentration between finger prick and venipuncture and ear prick and venipuncture was 2.6% (±9.5%) and 2.7% (±12.1%), respectively, while the comparable median (IQR) differences were 1.9% (−3.4% to +6.6%) and −1.1% (−2.8% to +7.2%), respectively. A high degree of correlation was observed between finger prick and venipuncture or ear prick and venipuncture or ear prick and finger prick (r2 > 0.86). Of the three methods of blood collection, finger prick was the patients' preferred method (P < 0.01). These data suggest that capillary blood collected by skin puncture is suitable for use in cyclosporin blood monitoring and acceptable to patients.
Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) with Adoptive Families: Effects on Child Behavior, Parent-Child Relationship Stress, and Parental Empathy

This randomized controlled study is a preliminary investigation on the effects of Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) with 61 adoptive parents. The participants in this study identified themselves as the following: 54 European American, 3 Black American, 3 Hispanic/Latino, and 1 individual who chose not to indicate ethnicity. The study included 23 couples and 15 individual mothers. The CPRT is a structured, time limited approach that trains caregivers to be an active participant as a therapeutic change agent in their child's life. Results from a two (group) by two (measures) split plot ANOVA indicated that adoptive parents who participated in 10 weeks of CPRT reported statistically significant decreases in child behavior problems and parent child-relationship stress. Statistically significant increases in parent empathy were also reported by raters blinded to the study. CPRT demonstrated a medium to large treatment effect on reducing children's behavior problems and parent-child relationship stress. In addition, CPRT demonstrated a large treatment effect on increasing parental empathy. The results of the study provide preliminary support for CPRT as a responsive intervention for adoptive parents and their children.
Fluorescence spectroscopy opens new windows into dissolved organic matter dynamics in freshwater ecosystems: A review

The biochemical composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) strongly influences its biogeochemical role in freshwater ecosystems, yet DOM composition measurements are not routinely incorporated into ecological studies. To date, the majority of studies of freshwater ecosystems have relied on bulk analyses of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen to obtain information about DOM cycling. The problem with this approach is that the biogeochemical significance of DOM can only partially be elucidated using bulk analyses alone because bulk measures cannot detect most carbon and nitrogen transformations. Advances in fluorescence spectroscopy provide an alternative to traditional approaches for characterizing aquatic DOM, and allow for the rapid and precise characterization of DOM necessary to more comprehensively trace DOM dynamics. It is within this context that we discuss the use of fluorescence spectroscopy to provide a novel approach to tackling a longstanding problem: understanding the dynamics and biogeochemical role of DOM. We highlight the utility of fluorescence characterization of DOM and provide examples of the potential range of applications for incorporating DOM fluorescence into ecological studies in the hope that this rapidly evolving technique will further our understanding of the biogeochemical role of DOM in freshwater ecosystems.
Les comportements de consommation des adolescents : Apports du concept d’identité

Il existe aujourd’hui un double intérêt à étudier les comportements de consommation vestimentaire des adolescents. D’une part, un intérêt managérial car ils constituent une véritable manne financière de part leur forte activité de consommation. D’autre part, un intérêt académique étant donné le peu de travaux dans la littérature marketing internationale portant sur les adolescents. Le concept d’identité, dont la construction constitue une pierre angulaire à l’adolescence, permet d’enrichir l’appréhension des comportements de consommation vestimentaire. Ce travail doctoral souligne l’apport de la prise en compte des deux facettes de l’identité (personnelle et sociale) ainsi que de la notion de style vestimentaire lorsque l’on s’intéresse au marché de l’habillement pour les adolescents. Ils enrichissent les modèles marketing « classiques » qui n’exploitent que les variables environnementales et individuelles. A partir d’une approche empirique combinant plusieurs méthodologies qualitatives et quantitatives, cette recherche a mis au jour l’influence de l’identité et du style vestimentaire sur les comportements de consommation des produits et des marques vestimentaires des adolescents.
Subjective Sleep Quality as a Possible Mediator in the Relationship between Personality Traits and Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged Adults

This study explored the mediating role of sleep in the relationship between personality traits and depressive symptoms in a group of community-dwelling men and women (Mage = 57.92, SD = 4.00). Participants completed the short form NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). High neuroticism and low conscientiousness was associated with poor sleep, as well as greater depressive symptom severity. Partial indirect mediation effects were found between personality traits (i.e., neuroticism and conscientiousness) and depressive symptoms through self-report sleep measures. An alternative model was also explored, entering depression as the mediator; however a smaller portion of the variance was explained by this model, compared with the hypothesized model. The current study provides preliminary information regarding the mechanisms that influence the relationship between personality traits, sleep, and depression among a group of community-dwelling middle-aged adults. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Figuring masculinities: exploring ethnic masculinities in the institutions of U.K accounting

This paper reports on continuing work on ethnicity and gender in the institutional contexts of the U.K. Accounting professions. The paper explores issues of masculine identity, within a highly masculine-gendered organisational context, and in particular the ways in which ethnic male identities are created, sustained and damaged. We argue that men from ethnic minority backgrounds suffer particular conflicts and exclusions. The research finds different conceptions of masculinity by ethnic background, with different work experiences and careers for those from minority ethnic categories.
Contention and Corporate Social Responsibility

Feel lonely? What about reading books? Book is one of the greatest friends to accompany while in your lonely time. When you have no friends and activities somewhere and sometimes, reading book can be a great choice. This is not only for spending the time, it will increase the knowledge. Of course the b=benefits to take will relate to what kind of book that you are reading. And now, we will concern you to try reading contention and corporate social responsibility as one of the reading material to finish quickly.
Act Local or Global?: Comparing Student Experiences in Domestic and International Service-Learning Programs.

International service-learning (ISL) is a popular way to facilitate student growth in the areas of cross-cultural learning and civic engagement. However, many have questioned whether international trips provide any added value compared to domestic service-learning. Using the context of Alternative Break programs, this study compares student experiences in similarly structured international and domestic service-learning programs. In doing so, it contributes to the larger debate over the relative costs and benefits of international service-learning programs.
Exogoninae (Annelida: Syllidae) from Chilean Patagonia.

The subfamily Exogoninae was studied from samples collected in shallow waters of the fjords and channels of the Patagonian region of Chile. Two new species are described: Exogone yagan n. sp. and Erinaceusyllis carrascoi n. sp. The species Exogone heterosetoides, Erinaceusyllis bidentata and Erinaceusyllis perspicax are newly reported to Chile, as well as the genus Erinaceusyllis San Martín, 2005. Parapionosyllis brevicirra, Sphaerosyllis hirsuta and Salvatoria rhopalophora, n. comb. , are also reported, with the latter redescribed. Finally, we redescribe Exogone anomalochaeta from Antarctica. Most of the species were found inside tubes of Chaetopterus cf. variopedatus; this habitat is new for Exogoninae. This research is a new taxonomic account of Syllidae in Chile and improves the knowledge of Exogoninae of the Patagonian region.
Optimal Sparse Segment Identification With Application in Copy Number Variation Analysis

Motivated by DNA copy number variation (CNV) analysis based on high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data, we consider the problem of detecting and identifying sparse short segments in a long one-dimensional sequence of data with additive Gaussian white noise, where the number, length, and location of the segments are unknown. We present a statistical characterization of the identifiable region of a segment where it is possible to reliably separate the segment from noise. An efficient likelihood ratio selection (LRS) procedure for identifying the segments is developed, and the asymptotic optimality of this method is presented in the sense that the LRS can separate the signal segments from the noise as long as the signal segments are in the identifiable regions. The proposed method is demonstrated with simulations and analysis of a real dataset on identification of copy number variants based on high-density SNP data. The results show that the LRS procedure can yield greater gain in power for detecting the true segments than some standard signal identification methods.
Prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase among multidrug resistant gram-negative isolates from a general hospital in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) among multidrug resistant isolates of enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli. METHODS This study was carried out at the Almana General Hospital, Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the period March 2002 through to June 2003. Multidrug resistant gram-negative isolates from patients admitted to the surgical, medical, pediatric, long-term care and intensive care units were studied for the presence of the ESBL enzyme. RESULTS A total of 3231 gram-negative organisms were studied for the presence of multidrug resistance and ESBLs. Of these, 197 (6%) isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR), and 156 (4.8%) were positive for ESBL. Seventy nine percent of the MDR strains were positive for ESBL. The most frequent isolates were Escherichia coli (1116) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (687) and ESBL was detected in 72 (6.5%) and 37 (5.4%) of these isolates. The MDR strains that produced ESBL were most commonly isolated from surgical care patients with diabetic fascitis (83%) and patients with indwelling Foley's catheter (79%). Extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing strains showed the highest susceptibility to imipenem and meropenem (86%). The non-beta-lactam antibiotics with greatest activity against these ESBL strains in vitro were ciprofloxacin (72%), amikacin (70%), tobramycin (67%) and gentamicin (56%). CONCLUSION The majority (79%) of the MDR enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli tested over 15-months were positive for ESBL. Imipenem, meropenem, ciprofloxacin and amikacin showed the highest activity against these ESBL-producing organisms. Due to the growing problem of infection with ESBL-producing bacteria, which are frequently resistant to many classes of antibiotics resulting in difficult-to-treat infections, clinicians need to be familiar with the clinical significance of these enzymes and potential strategies for dealing with them.
Microtubule assembly and in vitro development of bovine oocytes with increased intracellular glutathione level prior to vitrification and in vitro fertilization

Summary Although vitrification is a useful technique for preservation of bovine oocytes, the yield of blastocysts derived from the vitrified oocytes is still low. We have recently reported a new type of cryoinjury, multiple aster formation, by which pronuclear migration and development of vitrified–warmed and in vitro-fertilized bovine oocytes are impaired. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of glutathione (GSH) content of vitrified bovine oocytes on multiple aster formation and subsequent in vitro development. Treatment of bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes with β-mercaptoethanol (βME) and l-cysteine (Cys) during in vitro maturation resulted in 2.5-fold higher GSH content not only in fresh control but also in vitrified–warmed oocytes. The percentage of normally fertilized zygotes exhibiting sperm aster(s) was >95% in all four groups (with or without βME/Cys × fresh control or vitrified). The frequency of multiple aster formation in vitrified oocytes (three-fold higher than that in fresh control oocytes) was not affected by the increased level of intracellular GSH with βME/Cys. Consequently, the migration and development of pronuclei as well as the yield of blastocysts from vitrified–warmed oocytes (17 versus 41%) were not improved. In addition, there was no effect of increased GSH level on the yield of blastocysts in fresh control groups.
Development and validation of a computerized South Asian Names and Group Recognition Algorithm (SANGRA) for use in British health-related studies.

BACKGROUND Studies on ethnic variations in health have played an important role in aetiological and health services research. Most routine datasets, however, do not include information on ethnicity. South Asians, one of the largest minority ethnic groups in Britain, have distinctive names that also allow differentiation of the main sub-groups with their important differences in health-related exposures and disease risks. METHODS A computerized name recognition algorithm (SANGRA) was developed incorporating directories of South Asian first names and surnames together with their religious and linguistic origin. SANGRA was validated using health-related data with self-ascribed information on ethnicity. RESULTS SANGRA was successful in recognizing South Asian origin in reference datasets, with sensitivity of 89-96 per cent, specificity of 94-98 per cent, positive predictive value (PPV) of 80-89 per cent and negative predictive value (NPV) of 98-99 per cent. Religious origin was correctly assigned in the majority of cases: sensitivity, specificity and PPV were 94 per cent, 91 per cent and 90 per cent for Hindus; 90 per cent, 99 per cent and 98 per cent for Muslims; and 76 per cent, 99 per cent and 94 per cent for Sikhs. SANGRA correctly identified 76 per cent Gujerati and 70 per cent Punjabi names, although only 62 per cent of Gujerati names were sufficiently distinct to be allocated to the Gujerati-only category and only 53 per cent Punjabi names were allocated to the Punjabi-only category. However, specificity and PPV were high for both languages (respectively 97 per cent and 93 per cent for Gujerati, and 99 per cent and 97 per cent for Punjabi). CONCLUSIONS SANGRA provides a practical and valid method of ascertaining South Asian origin by name and, to a lesser degree of accuracy, of differentiating between the main religious and linguistic subgroups living in Britain. This algorithm will be useful in health-related studies where information on self-ascribed ethnicity is not available or is of a limited nature.