Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International tourism : cultures and behavior

In recent years there has been a considerable interest in the cultural aspects of tourism such as the impacts of culture on tourism planning, development, management, and marketing. However, the focus has been on material forms of culture such as arts, music, or crafts. The impacts of national culture on tourist behavior and travel decision-making have not been paid much attention. Only in the last two years have cross-cultural issues begun to generate significant interest among academics. An examination of cultural characteristics and differences is extremely important to the tourism industry because today's tourism environment is becoming increasingly international. Advances in technology, and improved communication and transportation have enhanced peoples' mobility and travel such that exposure to culturally different societies, cultures exchanges and interactions is now commonplace. It is imperative for industry representatives, who operate in the international business environment and deal with foreign tourists on a daily basis, to understand the influence of national cultures of their customers. Unfortunately, information on the nature of the cultural differences between international tourists and locals is not readily available in tourism literature. The concept of culture is very complex. The analysis of cultural differences in a multidisciplinary tourism context and/or application of the literature on cultural differences in the abstract concepts such as satisfaction, attitude or loyalty (that have different meanings in different cultures) to the tourism context create problems. Although the effects of national characteristics on consumer behavior in general have been investigated in several research studies, more information is required concerning the cultural differences in the tourism context. This book will bring these concepts to the undergraduate student in tourism, as well as students in the related fields of marketing, management, international business, and cross-cultural communication. Designed as a textbook, it will organized and presented in an integrated and relevant way for the benefit of a worldwide audience.
Decreased miR-340 Expression in Bone Marrow Is Associated with Liver Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer

Studies have shown the prognostic significance of disseminated tumor cells (DTC) in bone marrow of patients with colorectal cancer. However, the molecular characteristics of DTCs, including their miRNA expression profiles, remain mostly unknown. In this study, we analyzed the miRNA expression of DTCs in bone marrow. EpCAM+ bone marrow cells were collected using immunomagnetic beads after exclusion of CD14+ and CD45+ cells, then subjected to miRNA microarray analysis. Cluster analysis (7 colorectal cancer patients with liver metastasis and 12 colorectal cancer patients without liver metastasis) indicated that miR-340 and miR-542-3p expressions were significantly decreased in EpCAM+ bone marrow cells of patients with liver metastasis (P = 0.019 and 0.037, respectively). We demonstrated that pre-miR-340 administration inhibited growth of colon cancer cells and suppressed c-Met expression in vitro. In clinical samples of colorectal cancer, miR-340 was expressed at significantly lower levels in tumor tissues compared with normal mucosa. Survival analysis in 136 patients with colorectal cancer indicated that low miR-340 expression was correlated with shorter 5-year disease-free survival (P = 0.023) and poor 5-year overall survival (P = 0.046). It was of note that the colorectal cancer group with low miR-340 and high c-Met expression had the worst prognosis. We further demonstrated that systemic pre-miR-340 administration suppressed growth of pre-established HCT116 tumors in animal therapeutic models. These findings indicate that miR-340 may be useful as a novel prognostic factor and as a therapeutic tool against colorectal cancer. Our data suggest that miR-340 in bone marrow may play an important role in regulating the metastasis cascade of colorectal cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(4); 976–85. ©2014 AACR.
Optimal Economical Schedule of Hydrogen-Based Microgrids With Hybrid Storage Using Model Predictive Control

The electricity market rules determine the energy prices in the day-ahead market, matching offers from generators to bids from consumers. The unpredictability of renewable energy combined with the penalty deviations used in the regulation market makes it difficult for clean energy to play an important role in the electricity market. The high density of hydrogen as an energy storage system (ESS) appears to be one solution to the problems outlined. There is still not a perfect ESS, everyone has different limitations from the point of view of time autonomy, time response, degradation issues, or acquisition cost. The design of a hybrid energy storage management system emerges as a technological solution to the problems commented. The development of an optimal control for renewable energy microgrids with hybrid ESS is carried out using model predictive control (MPC). The MPC techniques allow maximizing the economical benefit of the microgrid, minimizing the degradation causes of each storage system, and fulfilling the different system constraints. In order to capture both continuous/discrete dynamics and switching between different operating conditions, the plant is modeled with the framework of mixed logic dynamic. The MPC problem is solved within mixed-integer quadratic programming.
Risk of congenital heart defects is influenced by genetic variation in folate metabolism

Abstract Genetic disturbances in folate metabolism may increase risk for congenital heart defects. We examined the association of heart defects with four polymorphisms in folate-related genes (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) c.677C > T, MTHFR c.1298A > C, methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) c.66A > G, and reduced folate carrier (SLC19A1) c.80A > G) in a case–control study of children (156 patients, 69 controls) and mothers of children with heart defects (181 patients, 65 controls), born before folic acid fortification. MTRR c.66A > G in children modified odds ratios for overall heart defects, specifically ventricular septal defect and aortic valve stenosis (p-value below 0.05). The 66GG and AG genotypes were associated with decreased odds ratios for heart defects (0.42, 95% confidence interval (0.18–0.97) and 0.39 (0.18–0.84), respectively). This overall association was driven by decreased risk for ventricular septal defect for 66GG and AG (odds ratio 0.32 (0.11–0.91) and 0.25 (0.09–0.65)) and decreased odds ratio for aortic valve stenosis for 66AG (0.27 (0.09–0.79)). The association of ventricular septal defect and 66AG remained significant after correction for multiple testing (p = 0.0044, multiple testing threshold p = 0.0125). Maternal MTHFR 1298AC genotype was associated with increased odds ratio for aortic valve stenosis (2.90 (1.22–6.86), p = 0.0157), but this association did not meet the higher multiple testing threshold. No association between MTHFR c.677C > T or SLC19A1 c.80A > G and heart defect risk was found. The influence of folate-related polymorphisms may be specific to certain types of heart defects; larger cohorts of mothers and children with distinct sub-classes are required to adequately address risk.
Acoustic gaze adjustments during active target selection in echolocating porpoises

SUMMARY Visually dominant animals use gaze adjustments to organize perceptual inputs for cognitive processing. Thereby they manage the massive sensory load from complex and noisy scenes. Echolocation, as an active sensory system, may provide more opportunities to control such information flow by adjusting the properties of the sound source. However, most studies of toothed whale echolocation have involved stationed animals in static auditory scenes for which dynamic information control is unnecessary. To mimic conditions in the wild, we designed an experiment with captive, free-swimming harbor porpoises tasked with discriminating between two hydrophone-equipped targets and closing in on the selected target; this allowed us to gain insight into how porpoises adjust their acoustic gaze in a multi-target dynamic scene. By means of synchronized cameras, an acoustic tag and on-target hydrophone recordings we demonstrate that porpoises employ both beam direction control and range-dependent changes in output levels and pulse intervals to accommodate their changing spatial relationship with objects of immediate interest. We further show that, when switching attention to another target, porpoises can set their depth of gaze accurately for the new target location. In combination, these observations imply that porpoises exert precise vocal-motor control that is tied to spatial perception akin to visual accommodation. Finally, we demonstrate that at short target ranges porpoises narrow their depth of gaze dramatically by adjusting their output so as to focus on a single target. This suggests that echolocating porpoises switch from a deliberative mode of sensorimotor operation to a reactive mode when they are close to a target.
Operative hysteroscopy in a Jamaican cohort.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to determine the indications, success, and complications of operative hysteroscopy performed at The University of the West Indies (UWI). METHODS A five-year retrospective cohort study was done of women undergoing operative hysteroscopy at the Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit (HWFMU) of the University of the West Indies from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2005. The demographics of the patients, indications, complications of the procedure and postoperative follow-up were assessed. Patient's post-procedural quality of life was assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS During this period, 92 operative hysteroscopies were performed on 87 patients, with repeat procedures being performed in three patients. The mean age of patients undergoing operative hysteroscopy was 36.65 years with a range of 23 to 50 years. The main indications for operative hysteroscopy at the HWFMU were submucosal fibroids (50%), intrauterine synechiae (26%) and removal of an intrauterine contraceptive device (11%). There were four procedure-related complications, all of which occurred during myomectomy and required hospitalization. CONCLUSION Operative hysteroscopy is a safe and highly effective therapy for carefully selected women. As a consequence of technological advancements, an increasing number of gynaecological conditions, traditionally treated by laparotomy, can now be treated safely and effectively using outpatient operative hysteroscopy.
PTSD after severe vehicular crashes.

PURPOSE To describe predictors of PTSD after motor vehicle crashes (MVC). METHODS MVC patients were interviewed during their hospitalization and at 6 and 12 months post-injury. Interviews included information about behavioral factors, circumstances around the crash, recovery and PTSD screening. PTSD was defined as the development of 3 or more of 7 PTSD symptoms. Association of risk factors with PTSD development at 6 and 12 months was analyzed using contingency tables. Multiple regression models were built for the prediction of PTSD. RESULTS 367 and 317 patients completed the 6 and 12 month interviews respectively. PTSD developed in 27.5 % (n=101) and 24.3 % (n=77) of the population at 6 and 12 months respectively. PTSD occurred more frequently among females, those with a previous history of depression, violent injury, or other traumatic events, and those whose crashes involved a fatality. Those who were culpable for the crash, age<30, and sustained brain injuries were less likely to develop PTSD at 6 months. Occupant position, education, marital status, alcohol problems, injury severity, heart rate, and blood alcohol + status did not show any significant association with PTSD. In the multiple logistic regression, female gender, history of depression, culpability, prior violent injury, and a fatality in the crash were associated with PTSD at 6 months. Only prior violent injury, and a death in same crash were predictors at one year. CONCLUSION PTSD occurs frequently after MVCs. Female gender, prior violent injury, death of another occupant and history of depression are associated with PTSD development.
Fin Whale Sound Reception Mechanisms: Skull Vibration Enables Low-Frequency Hearing

Hearing mechanisms in baleen whales (Mysticeti) are essentially unknown but their vocalization frequencies overlap with anthropogenic sound sources. Synthetic audiograms were generated for a fin whale by applying finite element modeling tools to X-ray computed tomography (CT) scans. We CT scanned the head of a small fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) in a scanner designed for solid-fuel rocket motors. Our computer (finite element) modeling toolkit allowed us to visualize what occurs when sounds interact with the anatomic geometry of the whale’s head. Simulations reveal two mechanisms that excite both bony ear complexes, (1) the skull-vibration enabled bone conduction mechanism and (2) a pressure mechanism transmitted through soft tissues. Bone conduction is the predominant mechanism. The mass density of the bony ear complexes and their firmly embedded attachments to the skull are universal across the Mysticeti, suggesting that sound reception mechanisms are similar in all baleen whales. Interactions between incident sound waves and the skull cause deformations that induce motion in each bony ear complex, resulting in best hearing sensitivity for low-frequency sounds. This predominant low-frequency sensitivity has significant implications for assessing mysticete exposure levels to anthropogenic sounds. The din of man-made ocean noise has increased steadily over the past half century. Our results provide valuable data for U.S. regulatory agencies and concerned large-scale industrial users of the ocean environment. This study transforms our understanding of baleen whale hearing and provides a means to predict auditory sensitivity across a broad spectrum of sound frequencies.
Myricitrin Attenuates High Glucose-Induced Apoptosis through Activating Akt-Nrf2 Signaling in H9c2 Cardiomyocytes

Hyperglycemia, as well as diabetes mellitus, has been shown to trigger cardiac cell apoptosis. We have previously demonstrated that myricitrin prevents endothelial cell apoptosis. However, whether myricitrin can attenuate H9c2 cell apoptosis remains unknown. In this study, we established an experiment model in H9c2 cells exposed to high glucose. We tested the hypothesis that myricitrin may inhibit high glucose (HG)-induced cardiac cell apoptosis as determined by TUNEL staining. Furthermore, myricitrin promoted antioxidative enzyme production, suppressed high glucose-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in H9c2 cells. This agent significantly inhibited apoptotic protein expression, activated Akt and facilitated the transcription of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated protein (heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1) expression as determined by Western blotting. Significantly, an Akt inhibitor (LY294002) or HO-1 inhibitor (ZnPP) not only inhibited myricitrin-induced HO-1/NQO-1 upregulation but also alleviated its anti-apoptotic effects. In summary, these observations demonstrate that myricitrin activates Nrf2-mediated anti-oxidant signaling and attenuates H9c2 cell apoptosis induced by high glucose via activation of Akt signaling.
Two new species of the millipede genus Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 from Laos (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Cambalopsidae)

Abstract Two new species of Glyphiulus are described and illustrated from northern Laos. The epigean Glyphiulus subbedosae Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, sp. n. is the second member of the granulatus-group to be found in that country and it seems to be especially similar to G. bedosae Golovatch, Geoffroy, Mauriès & VandenSpiegel, 2007. However, it differs from the latter species by a row of several strong setae near the median marginal ridge on the paraprocts, combined with the gnathochilarium being considerably less densely setose on the caudal face, and the anterior gonopods showing a pair of smaller, apical, but larger lateral teeth on the coxosternal plate. Glyphiulus semicostulifer Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, sp. n. is the fourth member of the javanicus-group to be discovered in Laos, taken from a cave. It seems to be particularly similar to G. costulifer Golovatch, Geoffroy, Mauriès & VandenSpiegel, 2007, but is distinguished by the more sparsely alveolate background fine structure of the metazonae, coupled with the gnathochilarium being considerably less densely setose on the caudal face, much stronger paramedian prongs and 4-segmented telopodites on ♂ coxae 1, the slightly longer and more slender apicoparamedian sternal projections on the anterior gonopods, and the much longer flagella of the posterior gonopods. An identification key to and a distribution map of Glyphiulus species in Laos are also presented.
Velocity and attenuation anisotropy Implication of seismic fracture characterizations

Recent observations from several walkaround, walkaway, and 3D VSPs from various parts of the world have shown that anisotropy symmetry directions (or fracture orientations) estimated from traveltime or velocity anisotropy do not necessarily agree with symmetry directions from amplitude or attenuation analysis. We have also consistently found that attenuation anisotropy in reservoir intervals is generally stronger than in overburdens. We argue in this article that, instead of reconciling the differences between various attributes, we should try to understand the mechanisms and use the difference in velocity and attenuation anisotropy which may contain additional information about subsurface fracture systems.
Tectonics of the East Pacific rise : studies of faulting characteristics and magnetic and gravity anomalies

Abstract : Investigation of Sea Beam bathymetric data collected between 9 deg 10 and 9 deg 50'N of the East Pacific Rise suggests that normal faulting may continue to a distance of at least 30 km from the axis. Mechanical models were used to demonstrate that, while buoyancy arising from crustal magma chamber during a stage of a weak rise axis may explain the initiation of normal faults at 2-3 km from the axis, a rise axis with a finite strength is needed to explain their further development off-axis. Variation in the magnetization intensity of the magnetic source layer appears to be the primary cause of a southward increase in the axial magnetization high. A correlation was found between the short-wavelength (appox. 5 km) magnetization anomalies parallel to the rise axis and short reversal events reported within the Brunhes epoch. The occurrence of marked offsets in the linearity of axial magnetization anomalies and short-wavelength (< 30 km) residual gravity anomaly lows along the axis suggests that the rise axis in this area can be divided into segments of 10-15 km in length, with each segment defined by the locus and timing of most recent emplacement of magma in the axial crust. (AN)
Increased risk of type 2 diabetes with ascending social class in urban South Indians is explained by obesity: The Chennai urban rural epidemiology study (CURES-116)

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the factors responsible for differences in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in subjects of different social class in an urban South Indian population. Materials and Methods: Analyses were based on the cross-sectional data from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study of 1989 individuals, aged ≥20 years. Entered in the analyses were information obtained by self-report on (1) household income; (2) family history of diabetes; (3) physical activity; (4) smoking status; (5) alcohol consumption. Biochemical, clinical and anthropometrical measurements were performed and included in the analyses. Social class was classified based on income as low (Rs. <2000) intermediate (Rs. 2000-5000`) and high (Rs. 5000-20000). Results: The prevalence rates of DM were 12.0%, 18.4% and 21.7% in low, intermediate and high social class, respectively (P < 0.001). A significant increase in the risk of diabetes was found with ascending social class (Intermediate class: Odds ratio [OR], 1.7 [confidence interval [CI], 1.2-2.3]; High class: OR, 2.0 [CI-1.4-2.9]). The multivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that the effect of social class on the risk of diabetes remained significant (P = 0.016) when age, family history of diabetes and blood pressure were included. However, with the inclusion of abdominal obesity in the model, the significant effect of social class disappeared (P = 0.087). Conclusion: An increased prevalence of DM was found in the higher social class in this urban South Indian population, which is explained by obesity.
Initial limited three-level thin-section computed tomography scorings predict the prognosis of acute/subacute interstitial pneumonia in patients with dermatomyositis

Abstract Objectives: We investigated the prediction of outcomes of patients with dermatomyositis with acute/subacute interstitial pneumonia (DM-A/SIP) on the basis of chest computed tomography (CT) images. Methods: In 20 patients with DM-A/SIP (13 survivors; seven deaths), the relationships between prognostic outcomes and chest high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings or limited three-level thin-section CT scoring on the first examination were retrospectively investigated. Results: No significant difference was noted in chest HRCT findings between the survivor group and death group. The ground-glass opacity (GGO) scores of the right upper and middle lobes and left upper lobe, and the fibrosis score of the right middle lobe were significantly higher in the death group than in the survivor group (p = 0.01, 0.001, 0.02, and 0.02, respectively). The influence of the GGO score of the right middle lobe on death from IP was the strongest among the items examined, and it was independently significant (p = 0.01). A right middle lobe GGO score of ≥3 (GGO ≥ 25% of the lobe) was determined to be the best cut-off value for a poor prognosis (sensitivity: 85.7%, specificity: 85.7%), and the survival rate after 24 weeks was significantly lower in patients with a right middle lobe GGO score of ≥3 (survival rate: 0.0%) than in those with a score of< 3 (92.9%) (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The prognosis of patients with DM-A/SIP was poor when the range of right middle lobe GGO was 25% or higher on limited three-level thin-section CT.