Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in serum cardiac troponins following a 21-km run in junior male runners.

AIM This study was designed to examine the appearance and clearance characteristics of serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and I (cTnI) in junior runners after an exhaustive 21-km run. The dependence of the alternations of the cardiac troponins on the runners' training status reflected in training years, running ability and physiological profile at ventilatory threshold (Th(vent)) was also examined. METHODS Ten trained male adolescents (16.2+/-0.6 years) performed 21-km run and graded treadmill exercise with maximum effort on two different days. cTnT and cTnI immediately before and 2, 4 and 24 hours after exercise were measured in the 21-km trial. The parameters at Thvent including the running speed (Th(vent)-Speed) and VO2 (Th(vent)-VO2) were identified in the graded exercise trial. RESULTS Serum cTnT and cTnI in 6 of the 10 subjects measured 4 hours after the 21-km run were above the myocardial injury cutoffs of 0.03 and 0.09 ng x mL(-1), respectively, but returned towards pre-exercise levels within 24 hours that were not in the same manner observed in the clinical situation of myocardial infraction. The 6 subjects' training status was generally lower than that of the rest 4. Further, subjects' 4-h serum cTnT and cTnI were negatively related to their training years, Th(vent)-Speed and Th(vent)-VO2, and positively related to their personal best in half- and full-marathon races (r2 = or > 36%, n = 10). CONCLUSIONS Such findings implied that clinicians based the diagnosis of long-distance run-induced myocardial infraction in novice junior runners upon the transient postexercise elevations of cardiac troponins alone should be with caution.
Child labor handbook

This paper surveys many aspects and issues of child labor, including its causes and effects as well as policies associated with it. Child labor has come to be considered an expression of poverty, both a cause and an effect of underdevelopment. Child labor cannot be viewed in isolation from educational, health, fertility, and technological issues; and is not necessarily an aberration but a rational household response to an adverse economic environment. With this in mind, the following proposition was supported - that forbidding children to work or making school attendance compulsory without changing the economic environment may, if effectively enforced, leave children worse off. There is a tendency to believe that income redistribution from the rich to the poor is more powerful for reducing child labor than a universal income rise. It is also indicated that child labor cuts across policy boundaries: health, education, labor market, capital security, criminal law, international peace keeping, income growth, and distribution all have a bearing on child labor. Therefore, reducing child labor cannot be regarded as just another policy issue.
Productivity analysis of Brazilian seaports

This paper analyses the productivity of Brazilian seaports over the period 2004–2010, using a Malmquist index with technological bias. During this period, Brazilian seaports, on average, became less productive with improvements in efficiency change and deterioration in technological change. Our results indicate that the traditional growth accounting method, which assumes Hicks-neutral technological change, is not appropriate for analysing the productivity changes of Brazilian seaports. Policy implications are derived.
Implications of male migration on female status in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Over the last three decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo (henceforth DRC) has registered negative economic growth. During the same period the population has grown at an annual rate of three per cent. This combination of negative economic growth and rising population growth has led to numerous social and economic problems. To cope with these problems, families have developed several survival strategies, including male migration to neighbouring countries in search of temporary work. Using qualitative and quantitative data from a 1998 study of married women, this article suggests that male migration increased female status. However, wives often reported conflicts with their in-laws, were overwhelmed by family responsibilities, had difficulties raising children and feared that their husbands might acquire HIV from other women or marry at their place of destination. Key words: male migration, gender roles, role conflict, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola Journal of Social Development in Africa Vol.19(2) 2004: 7-24
A long view of real rates

In light of the large and sustained rise in real interest rates in the late 1970s and early 1980s, this paper reviews: (i) the theoretical discussion on the determination of nominal and real interest rates; (ii) the factors determining real interest rates; and (iii) problems of defining and measuring the real rate. We go on to examine the historical record of real interest rates in France, Germany, the UK, and the USA since 1875. We find that high real rates since 1980 seem to be a return to a long-run norm, and it is the period from the Second World War to 1979 that represents a more natural period in which to investigate an abrupt change of behaviour for real interest rates. Copyright 1999 by Oxford University Press.
ScaR: Towards a Real-Time Recommender Framework Following the Microservices Architecture

In this paper, we present our approach towards an effective scalable recommender framework termed ScaR. Our framework is based on the microservices architecture and exploits search technology to provide real-time recommendations. Since it is our aim to create a system that can be used in a broad range of scenarios, we designed it to be capable of handling various data streams and sources. We show its efficacy and scalability with an initial experiment on how the framework can be used in a large-scale setting.
Attracting New Talent to Family Firms: Who is Attracted and under what Conditions?

In making a decision to enter into a long–term employment relationship with a firm, job seekers often compare their needs and values with the perceived organizational characteristics of the firm. In the case of family firms, the communication of family influence can be a unique factor in shaping beliefs about firm attributes. Family influence is often associated with trustworthiness, security, and stability. However, family influence is also associated with inflexibility and resistance to change. Using the idea of person–organization fit, we hypothesize that although family influence attracts job seekers in general, applicants who value conservation or self–transcendence are particularly attracted, while applicants who emphasize openness to change or self–enhancement are less attracted. Furthermore, we propose that the attractive effects of family influence are more pronounced in more hostile economic environments. We find evidence for our hypotheses using a conjoint experiment and 5,600 assessments of family influence nested within 175 job seekers.
Expression of utrophin A mRNA correlates with the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle fiber types and is regulated by calcineurin/NFAT signaling

Utrophin levels have recently been shown to be more abundant in slow vs. fast muscles, but the nature of the molecular events underlying this difference remains to be fully elucidated. Here, we determined whether this difference is due to the expression of utrophin A or B, and examined whether transcriptional regulatory mechanisms are also involved. Immunofluorescence experiments revealed that slower fibers contain significantly more utrophin A in extrasynaptic regions as compared with fast fibers. Single-fiber RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that expression of utrophin A transcripts correlates with the oxidative capacity of muscle fibers, with cells expressing myosin heavy chain I and IIa demonstrating the highest levels. Functional muscle overload, which stimulates expression of a slower, more oxidative phenotype, induced a significant increase in utrophin A mRNA levels. Because calcineurin has been implicated in controlling this slower, high oxidative myofiber program, we examined expression of utrophin A transcripts in muscles having altered calcineurin activity. Calcineurin inhibition resulted in an 80% decrease in utrophin A mRNA levels. Conversely, muscles from transgenic mice expressing an active form of calcineurin displayed higher levels of utrophin A transcripts. Electrophoretic mobility shift and supershift assays revealed the presence of a nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) binding site in the utrophin A promoter. Transfection and direct gene transfer studies showed that active forms of calcineurin or nuclear NFATc1 transactivate the utrophin A promoter. Together, these results indicate that expression of utrophin A is related to the oxidative capacity of muscle fibers, and implicate calcineurin and its effector NFAT in this mechanism.
A Fundamental Study of the Seasonal Risk‐Return Relationship: A Note

Two FEATURES OF MANY capital asset pricing theories are a) that the relationship between risk and expected returns is linear and b) that risk is defined as the covariability of an asset's returns with the returns on a properly defined hedging portfolio. Among such theories, the Sharpe [9]-Lintner [7] Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), the Black [1] CAPM, and the Ross [8] Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT) have received the greatest attention. Despite earlier evidence in support of the CAPM,1 recent findings by Tinic and West [11] challenge both the completeness of beta as a measure of relevant risk and the linearity of the relationship between risk and expected returns. In a separate study, Tinic and West [10] also demonstrate that beta risk may not be priced by the market, except in January and (to a lesser extent) July. Gultekin and Gultekin [5] report that APT factors are also not priced in non-January months. The above tests involve cross-sectional regressions of realized security returns against various measures of risk that are estimated in time-series regressions in preceding periods. Portfolio grouping procedures are used to create dispersion in the risk estimates and (hopefully) also in the average realized returns. Portfolio formation also helps to eliminate estimation errors. However, since the actual hedging portfolios and the securities' risk exposures are unobservable, it is difficult to determine whether the above findings reflect a) the absence of a riskreturn relationship or b) inadequacies in (testing) these specific asset-pricing models. This study seeks to disentangle the above two interpretations by comparing the month-to-month holding-period return spreads between stock and T-bill returns. No need exists to calculate beta (or other risk estimators) because stocks are universally accepted as being more risky than government T-bills. If these relative risk rankings are correct and if a consistent risk-return relationship exists, then the average monthly holding-period return spread should be systematically positive. However, we find that, between 1927 and 1983, average spreads between (even small firms') stocks and T-bills are significantly greater than zero only in January and (to a lesser extent) July. Subperiod results are similar. Thus, we fail to find a pervasive risk-return relationship, and its absence cannot be attributed to misspecification of asset-pricing models or to nonstationary or inefficient estimates of beta.
Counterbalancing Exploitative Knowledge Search During Environmental Dynamism: Reinforcing New Ideas for Existing Products

Established firms face the challenge of counterbalancing their predominant focus on exploitation with exploration. This paper explores how these firms can reinforce new exploratory ideas for existing products, especially during periods of environmental dynamism. The study is based on an action research study at a new product development (NPD) department at an international manufacturing firm operating in a cyclical market. The results show that increased environmental dynamism opens new opportunities for counterbalancing exploitative approaches by building exploratory skills. The action contributed specifically to breaking with old traditions in the NPD organization, and resulted in actionable knowledge in terms of an ideation approach. However, the study also shows that fast industry cycles that do not match the remote returns of exploratory knowledge searches diminish the possibility to sustain exploratory knowledge searches in organizations. The paper identifies important problems related to the long-time horizon of exploration and the cyclical nature of industries.
The Spatial Distribution of the Internet in the European Union: Does Geographical Proximity Matter?

Abstract This paper examines the spatial distribution of the Internet in the European regions. To achieve this aim, our analysis combines a set of non-parametric techniques proposed in the context of the economic growth literature, with various spatial econometric instruments. The results reveal that regional disparities in Internet adoption are greater than territorial inequalities in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. In addition, our findings show that the distribution under consideration is characterized by the presence of positive spatial dependence, which implies that physically adjacent regions register a similar degree of Internet adoption. Finally, the analysis carried out allows us to assess the role played by variables such as GDP per capita, unemployment rate, stock of human capital and population density, in explaining the spatial distribution of the Internet in the European Union.
Comparison of Three Dimensional Test and Double Disc Synergy Test for detection of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Gram negative bacteria

Extended spectrum ? -lactamase (ESBLs), produced by Gram negative organisms, are enzymes capable of hydrolyzing extended spectrum cephalosporins, penicillins and monobactam but inactive against cephamycin and imipenem. Detection of some ESBL strains are missed by Double disc synergy test but detected by three dimensional test. So this study was carried out to see the rate of ESBL producer by three dimensional test and double disc synergy test among Gram negative bacteria. Total 110 Gram negative isolates were studied, among them 30 were wound swab isolates and 80 were laboratory isolates, of which 88(80%) were ESBL producer. Three dimensional tests detected ESBL in 88 (80%) strain whereas 66.36% strains detected by double disc synergy test, so 15 (13.63%) isolates were missed by Double disc synergy test. In this study among the 30 wound swab isolates Three dimensional test detected 26 (86.67%) whereas 14 (46.67) were detected by double disc synergy test and similarly among the 80 laboratory isolates, three dimensional test detected 62 (77.5%) and double disc synergy test detected 59 (73.75%). So, the three dimensional test has been found to be better than Double disc synergy test in the detection of ESBLs. ESBL producing organisms are resistance to most of the antibiotics but 100% sensitive to Imipenem. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/pulse.v6i1-2.20328 Pulse Vol.6 January-December 2013 p.12-19
Decentralization and people's participation in conservation: a comparative study from the Western Terai of Nepal

Nepal formally embarked on decentralized participatory conservation programmes in 1990. To assess who participates in and benefits from such programmes, stratified random questionnaire surveys of 234 households and interviews with 29 user group chairs were conducted in the buffer zones of two protected areas of the Nepalese Terai: Bardia National Park and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. The Poisson regression shows that gender, education, household affluence, and conservation attitudes were significant predictors of people's participation in decentralized conservation programmes, while family size, ethnicity and resource dependency were not. The benefits of participation outweighed the costs based on respondents' estimates. The performance of grassroots organizations and levels of participation were correlated. Nepal's decentralized participatory conservation has achieved efficiency, relative equity and effectiveness to some extent. Yet the central government should devolve more power to local communities to sustain the achievements as well as to provide more equitable benefits to residents to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of conservation programmes.
A Plasma α-Tocopherome Can Be Identified from Proteins Associated with Vitamin E Status in School-Aged Children of Nepal.

BACKGROUND The term vitamin E describes a family of 8 vitamers, 1 of which is α-tocopherol, that is essential for human health. Vitamin E status remains largely unknown in low-income countries because of the complexity and cost of measurement. Quantitative proteomics may offer an approach for identifying plasma proteins for assessing vitamin E status in these populations. OBJECTIVE To improve options for vitamin E status assessment, we sought to detect and quantify a set of plasma proteins associated with α- and γ-tocopherol concentrations in a cohort of 500 rural Nepalese children aged 6-8 y and, based on nutrient-protein associations, to predict the prevalence of vitamin E deficiency (α-tocopherol <12 μmol/L). METHODS Study children were born to mothers enrolled in an earlier antenatal micronutrient trial in Sarlahi District, Nepal. Plasma α- and γ-tocopherol concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma aliquots were depleted of 6 high-abundance proteins, digested with trypsin, labeled with isobaric mass tags, and assessed for relative protein abundance by tandem mass spectrometry. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the association between α-tocopherol status and relative protein abundance and to predict deficiency. RESULTS We quantified 982 plasma proteins in >10% of all child samples, of which 119 correlated with α-tocopherol (false discovery rate, q < 0.10). Proteins were primarily involved in lipid transport, coagulation, repair, innate host defenses, neural function, and homeostasis. Six proteins [apolipoprotein (apo)C-III; apoB; pyruvate kinase, muscle; forkhead box 04; unc5 homolog C; and regulator of G-protein signaling 8] explained 71% of the variability in plasma α-tocopherol, predicting an in-sample population prevalence of vitamin E deficiency of 51.4% (95% CI: 46.4%, 56.3%) compared with a measured prevalence of 54.8%. Plasma γ-tocopherol was associated with 12 proteins (q < 0.10), 2 of which (apoC-III and Misato 1) explained 20% of its variability. CONCLUSIONS In this undernourished population of children in South Asia, quantitative proteomics identified a large plasma α-tocopherome from which 6 proteins predicted the prevalence of vitamin E deficiency. The findings illustrate that protein biomarkers, once absolutely quantified, can potentially predict micronutrient deficiencies in populations. The maternal micronutrient supplementation trial from which data were derived as a follow-up activity was registered with clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00115271.
Impaired Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species during Differentiation of Dendritic Cells (DCs) by Mycobacterium tuberculosis Secretory Antigen (MTSA) and Subsequent Activation of MTSA-DCs by Mycobacteria Results in Increased Intracellular Survival1

We investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in dendritic cell (DC) differentiation by 10-kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis secretory Ag (MTSA) and survival of mycobacteria therein. Compared with GM-CSF, MTSA induced lower ROS production during DC differentiation from precursors. This result correlated with higher superoxide dismutase 1 expression in MTSA stimulated precursors as compared with GM-CSF stimulation. Furthermore, a negative regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activation by ROS was observed during DC differentiation. ROS inhibited the rapid and increased phosphorylation of PKCα observed during DC differentiation by MTSA. In contrast, ROS inhibition increased the weak and delayed PKCα phosphorylation by GM-CSF. Similar to DC differentiation, upon activation with either M. tuberculosis cell extract (CE) or live Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), DCs differentiated with MTSA (MTSA-DCs) generated lower ROS levels when compared with DCs differentiated with GM-CSF (GM-CSF-DCs). Likewise, a negative regulation of PKCα phosphorylation by ROS was once again observed in DCs activated with either M. tuberculosis CE or live M. bovis BCG. However, a reciprocal positive regulation between ROS and calcium was observed. Compared with MTSA-DCs, stimulation of GM-CSF-DCs with M. tuberculosis CE induced a 2-fold higher ROS-dependent calcium influx. However, pretreatment of MTSA-DCs with H2O2 increased calcium mobilization. Finally, lower ROS levels in MTSA-DCs correlated with increased intracellular survival of M. bovis BCG when compared with survival in GM-CSF-DCs. Although inhibiting ROS in GM-CSF-DCs increased M. bovis BCG survival, H2O2 treatment of MTSA-DCs decreased survival of M. bovis BCG. Overall our results suggest that DCs differentiated with Ags such as MTSA may provide a niche for survival and/or growth of mycobacteria following sequestration of ROS.
Pre-planning navigation with virtual environments for people who are blind using Wii technology

Virtual environments (VEs) that represent real spaces give people who are blind the opportunity to build a cognitive map in advance that they will be able to use when arriving at the real space. In this research study Nintendo Wii based technology was used for exploring VEs via the Wiici application. The Wiimote allows the user to interact with VEs by simulating walking and scanning the space. By getting haptic and auditory feedback the user learns to explore new spaces. We examined the participants' abilities to explore new places, construct a cognitive map, and perform orientation tasks in the real space.
An assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in a suburban town of Karachi

Objective: To assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) towards diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in the general population of Bin Qasim Town (BQ), Karachi. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was approved by Research Ethical Committee of Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital. It included every third household by stratified sampling in each Union Council of (BQ) Town, in the months of May to July 2013. The interview Questionnaire included 43 questions, of qualitative and quantitative aspects, which were awarded 56 scoring points. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: Six hundred ninety two adults one from each household were interviewed. Of the total respondents, 271 (39.2%) had diabetes. Lowest mean knowledge score (5.28 ± 6.09) was seen in illiterate respondents. Male’s Mean Knowledge score (7.61 ± 6.600) was better than female’s (5.46 ± 6.21) with P <0.001. Over all mean score of Attitudes towards diabetes was 5.43 ± 2.57. It was higher (6.62 ± 2.03) in diabetic respondents as compared with non-diabetic respondents (4.70 ± 2.59) with p < 0.000. In Practice module majority of the respondents (69.9%) did not exercise, 49% took high caloric snacks between meals and 87% ate outside home once a month, 56.8% diabetics visited ophthalmologist for routine eye examination; but only 9.2% asked for retinal examination. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge of diabetes was found in the surveyed community, more marked in females, illiterate and the individuals not having diabetes.