Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urban Form and Extreme Heat Events: Are Sprawling Cities More Vulnerable to Climate Change Than Compact Cities?

Background Extreme heat events (EHEs) are increasing in frequency in large U.S. cities and are responsible for a greater annual number of climate-related fatalities, on average, than any other form of extreme weather. In addition, low-density, sprawling patterns of urban development have been associated with enhanced surface temperatures in urbanized areas. Objectives In this study. we examined the association between urban form at the level of the metropolitan region and the frequency of EHEs over a five-decade period. Methods We employed a widely published sprawl index to measure the association between urban form in 2000 and the mean annual rate of change in EHEs between 1956 and 2005. Results We found that the rate of increase in the annual number of EHEs between 1956 and 2005 in the most sprawling metropolitan regions was more than double the rate of increase observed in the most compact metropolitan regions. Conclusions The design and management of land use in metropolitan regions may offer an important tool for adapting to the heat-related health effects associated with ongoing climate change.
Consumption of Local Conch by residents of the TCI

Strombus gigas (Queen Conch) is an economically important fishery species managed by an export quota system in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). The quota is based on the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) less an allowance for domestic consumption. A lack of data on domestic consumption however, raises the concern that if underestimated, stocks managed using MSY will diminish from over harvest. In 1999-2000, 5% of the MSY was allocated for domestic consumption, however, there is anecdotal evidence that domestic consumption of conch is much higher. In 2003, of the Total Landed Conch (1,657,876 lbs), 99% was exported, suggesting most domestic consumption does not pass through this system. To provide an accurate estimate of conch consumption by TCI residents, an intercept survey was administered to the adult population between July and September 2004. Information collected included individual consumption of conch and other seafood as well as limited demographic information (age, gender, island of residence, nationality). The majority of respondents ate conch (72%). The majority of conch consumed does not go through the market, with 15% claiming personal capture, while 36% receive the conch as a gift from fishermen. Median serving size differed by island (Krushal-Wallis test: H (3, n = 258) = 23.760, p = 0.0000) and gender (H (1, n = 339) = 6.651, p = 0.010). The median serving size was 0.114 kg for all respondents. Frequency of consumption did not vary significantly by island or age, but differed by nationality (Krushal-Wallis test: H (3, n = 337) = 10.240, p = 0.017), source (H (3, n = 250) = 22.087, p = 0.0001) and gender (H (1, n = 339) = 7.781, p = 0.005). The median frequency of consumption was 4.333 times/month. Concerns with potential biases in the results will be addressed through the use of a supplemental survey to be administered in conjunction with the larger survey to an additional sample of residents. With more conclusive figures, local consumption can be included in the calculations for MSY and utilized to determine the landings quota.
Polyglycolic Acid Felt Sealing Method for Prevention of Bleeding Related to Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Patients Taking Antithrombotic Agents

Background and Study Aims. When performing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for patients on antithrombotic agents, the frequency of delayed bleeding is expected to increase. The endoscopic polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt and fibrin glue sealing method could be a new method for prevention of delayed bleeding. Patients and Methods. The safety and efficacy of the endoscopic tissue sealing method with PGA sheets and fibrin glue for the prevention of post-ESD bleeding were examined in 104 patients taking antithrombotic agents. During the study period, 70 patients taking antithrombotic agents did not undergo the sealing method, 36 patients discontinued antithrombotic agents, and 724 patients had not received antithrombotic therapy. Results. Delayed bleeding rates were 3.8% (4/104) in the sealing group, 12.9% (9/70) in the nonsealing group, 8.3% (3/36) in the discontinuation group, and 4.6% (33/724) in the nonantithrombotic therapy group. Thus, the delayed bleeding rate was significantly lower in the sealing group than in the nonsealing group and comparable to that in the nonantithrombotic therapy group. Conclusions. This PGA felt and fibrin glue sealing method might become a promising post-ESD bleeding prevention method in patients taking antithrombotic agents (UMIN000013990, UMIN000013993).
Vessel Shrinkage as a Sign of Atherosclerosis Progression in Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—The aim of this study was to determine the natural history of vascular remodeling of atherosclerotic plaques in patients with type 2 diabetes and the predictors of vessel shrinkage. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In this serial intracoronary ultrasound (IVUS) study, 237 coronary segments from 45 patients enrolled in the DIABETES I, II, and III trials were included. Quantitative volumetric IVUS analyses (motorized pullbacks at 0.5 mm/s) were performed in the same coronary segment after the index procedure and at the 9-month follow-up. Nontreated mild lesions (angiographic stenosis <25%) with ≥0.5 mm plaque thickening and length of ≥5 mm assessed by IVUS were included. Vessel shrinkage was defined as a Δexternal elastic membrane area/Δplaque area < 0. Statistical adjustment by multiple segments and multiple lesions per patient was performed. RESULTS—Vessel shrinkage was identified in 37.1% of segments and was associated with a significant decrease in lumen area at 9 months (vessel shrinkage, 10 ± 4 mm2 vs. non–vessel shrinkage, 11 ± 4 mm2; P = 0.04). Independent predictors of vessel shrinkage were insulin requirements (odds ratio 4.6 [95% CI 1.40–15.10]; P = 0.01), glycated hemoglobin (1.5 [1.05–2.10]; P = 0.02), apolipoprotein B (0.96 [0.94–0.98]; P < 0.001), hypertension (3.7 [1.40–10.30]; P = 0.009), number of diseased vessels (5.6 [2.50–12.50]; P < 0.001), and prior revascularization (17.5 [6.50–46.90]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS—This serial IVUS study suggests that progression of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes may be mainly attributed to vessel shrinkage. Besides, vessel shrinkage is influenced by insulin requirements and metabolic control and is associated with more advanced coronary atherosclerosis.
Estimation of Glottal Closing and Opening Instants in Voiced Speech Using the YAGA Algorithm

Accurate estimation of glottal closing instants (GCIs) and opening instants (GOIs) is important for speech processing applications that benefit from glottal-synchronous processing including pitch tracking, prosodic speech modification, speech dereverberation, synthesis and study of pathological voice. We propose the Yet Another GCI/GOI Algorithm (YAGA) to detect GCIs from speech signals by employing multiscale analysis, the group delay function, and N-best dynamic programming. A novel GOI detector based upon the consistency of the candidates' closed quotients relative to the estimated GCIs is also presented. Particular attention is paid to the precise definition of the glottal closed phase, which we define as the analysis interval that produces minimum deviation from an all-pole model of the speech signal with closed-phase linear prediction (LP). A reference algorithm analyzing both electroglottograph (EGG) and speech signals is described for evaluation of the proposed speech-based algorithm. In addition to the development of a GCI/GOI detector, an important outcome of this work is in demonstrating that GOIs derived from the EGG signal are not necessarily well-suited to closed-phase LP analysis. Evaluation of YAGA against the APLAWD and SAM databases show that GCI identification rates of up to 99.3% can be achieved with an accuracy of 0.3 ms and GOI detection can be achieved equally reliably with an accuracy of 0.5 ms.
Vaccinations for waste-handling workers. A review of the literature

A review of the literature relating to the need for vaccination against infectious disease in the solid waste industry was conducted, focusing on hepatitis A, hepatitis B and tetanus. Databases (Medline, PreMedline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Current Contents, Cochrane Database, HTA Database, DARE, OSHROM) were searched up to and including August 2003. Articles were included in the review if they reported the prevalence of immunity to hepatitis A, hepatitis B or tetanus in solid waste workers or the incidence of clinical infection with any of these diseases. Papers about hazardous or medical waste, incineration or other infectious diseases were excluded. Fortyfour papers constituted the evidence database. Only one paper studied the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A and hepatitis B in solid waste workers compared with sewage plant workers and office workers, and no difference was found between these groups of workers. There was some evidence to support a theoretical risk of infection with hepatitis A, B and tetanus; however, no studies could be found of the risk of these diseases in solid waste workers. No single cases of these diseases being acquired occupationally in solid waste management were identified in the literature. Workers in the solid waste industry may theoretically be at increased risk of acquiring infectious diseases occupationally. However, at present no studies could be found which have documented this risk.
Self-association of an Insect β-1,3-Glucan Recognition Protein Upon Binding Laminarin Stimulates Prophenoloxidase Activation as an Innate Immune Response*

Background: The N-terminal domain of an insect β-glucan recognition protein (N-βGRP) stimulates innate immune responses. Results: N-βGRP forms soluble and insoluble protein-carbohydrate complexes involving specific protein-protein interactions, which activates the prophenoloxidase pathway. Conclusion: Assembly of βGRP oligomers stimulated by binding to microbial polysaccharide triggers phenoloxidase activation. Significance: βGRP interactions stimulate an innate immune response by a novel mechanism. Insect β-glucan recognition protein (βGRP), a pathogen recognition receptor for innate immune responses, detects β-1,3-glucan on fungal surfaces via its N-terminal carbohydrate-binding domain (N-βGRP) and triggers serine protease cascades for the activation of prophenoloxidase (pro-PO) or Toll pathways. Using biophysical and biochemical methods, we characterized the interaction of the N-terminal domain from Manduca sexta βGRP2 (N-βGRP2) with laminarin, a soluble form of β-1,3-glucan. We found that carbohydrate binding by N-βGRP2 induces the formation of two types of protein-carbohydrate complexes, depending on the molar ratio of carbohydrate to protein ([C]/[P]). Precipitation, analytical ultracentrifugation, and chemical cross-linking experiments have shown that an insoluble aggregate forms when the molar ratio of carbohydrate to protein is low ([C]/[P] ∼ 1). In contrast, a soluble complex, containing at least five N-βGRP2 molecules forms at a higher molar ratio of carbohydrate/protein ([C]/[P] >5). A hypothesis that this complex is assembled partly due to protein-protein interactions was supported by chemical cross-linking experiments combined with LC-MS/MS spectrometry analysis, which permitted identification of a specific intermolecular cross-link site between N-βGRP molecules in the soluble complex. The pro-PO activation in naive plasma was strongly stimulated by addition of the insoluble aggregates of N-βGRP2. The soluble complex with laminarin formed in the plasma also stimulated pro-PO activation, but at a lower level. Taken together, these results provide experimental evidence for novel mechanisms in which associations of βGRP with microbial polysaccharide promotes assembly of βGRP oligomers, which may form a platform needed to trigger the pro-PO pathway activation cascade.
Passion Isn't Always a Good Thing: Examining Entrepreneurs' Network Centrality and Financial Performance with a Dualistic Model of Passion

We propose a conceptual model that links entrepreneurs' passion, network centrality, and financial performance, and test this model with small business managers in formal business networking groups. Drawing on the dualistic model of passion, we explore the relationships that harmonious and obsessive passion have with financial performance, mediated by network centrality. Results indicate that harmoniously passionate entrepreneurs had higher out-degree centrality in their networking group (i.e., they were more inclined to seek out members to discuss work issues), which increased the income they received from peer referrals and, ultimately, business income. Obsessively passionate entrepreneurs had lower in-degree centrality (i.e., they were less likely to be approached by peers), and in turn received less income from referrals and less business income. These findings highlight that entrepreneurial passion does not always result in positive financial outcomes – the type of passion makes a difference. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Role of micronutrients in the periconceptional period.

BACKGROUND Micronutrient deficiencies have been associated with significantly high reproductive risks, ranging from infertility to fetal structural defects and long-term diseases. In this review we focus on the reproductive risks related to some micronutrients during the periconceptional period, a critical step in determining fetal development and health due to the potential onset of several disorders. METHODS Embase Medline and PubMed databases, Google-indexed scientific literature and periodics from on-line University of Milan Bibliotecary Service were searched to identify relevant publications. In vivo human studies were mainly searched for, but when needed animal studies as well as in vitro and cell culture experiments were also considered. RESULTS Fertility, conception, implantation, fetal organogenesis and placentation are the critical stages potentially affected by nutrition during the periconceptional period. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total homocysteine (tHcy) plasma levels are factors involved in the respective mechanisms. The preconceptional period is particularly important since it affects both fertility and the early stages of gestation. Micronutrients' dietary intake and maternal status affect the different phases of the onset and development of pregnancy as well as of the conceptus. CONCLUSION Although human studies are scarce, and conclusive evidence is provided solely for periconceptional folate and prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs), the overall data indicate that micronutrients may affects fertility, embryogenesis and placentation, and the prophylactic use of some micronutrients may be useful in preventing several adverse pregnancy outcomes. Efforts to increase awareness of a healthy diet should be strengthened not only throughout pregnancy but also before. However, further researches in humans are necessary to optimise periconceptional micronutrient requirements.
Anthropogenic impacts in protected areas: assessing the efficiency of conservation efforts using Mediterranean ant communities

In countries with high levels of urbanization, protected areas are often subject to human disturbance. In addition to dealing with fragmentation, land managers also have to confront the loss of characteristic ecosystems due to biotic homogenization, which is the increasing similarity of species assemblages among geographically separate regions. Using ants as a model system, we explored whether anthropogenic factors negatively affect biodiversity of protected areas of a regional network. We first analysed the effect of fragmentation and human activity on ant biodiversity within protected areas. Secondly, we tested whether homogenization could occur among protected areas. We sampled 79 plots in the most common habitats of 32 protected areas in southern Spain and calculated ant community richness and diversity indices, endemic richness, and Bray–Curtis similarity indices (between pairs of plots). We related these indices with patch fragmentation and human disturbance variables, taking into account environmental, spatial and landscape covariates. We used ANOSIM to test for differences between similarity indices, specifically among levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Species richness was positively correlated with the distance from the border of the protected areas and the number of endemic species was negatively correlated with the degree of fragmentation. Ant communities were similar within each protected area but differed across regions. Human disturbance was not correlated with community similarity among sampling points. Our approach suggests how the ability of European protected areas to sustain biodiversity is limited because they remain susceptible to anthropogenic impacts. Although ant communities maintained their biological distinctiveness, we reveal how fragmentation within protected areas is important for community richness and endemism maintenance.
Frequency domain near-ML multiuser receiver for MC-CDMA systems

In this paper, a novel simple generalized Chase algorithm (GCA) based multiuser detector (MUD) is proposed for MC-CDMA systems. After getting the initial solution from the front-end frequency domain linear minimum mean-squared error (LMMSE) receiver, different Chase-type algorithms are adopted to extend the potential solution list. Among the list, the candidate which can achieve the minimum distance to the received signal, is selected as the final solution. Both bit- and symbol-level receivers for high level modulation schemes are considered. Compared to the conventional MMSE receiver, the proposed receiver can provide superior performance with little increase in complexity. Moreover, the robustness of the proposed receiver is studied by incorporating a semi-blind subspace based channel estimation
Neutrophilic granulocytes are the predominant cell type infiltrating pancreatic islets in contact with ABO‐compatible blood

The poor outcome of intraportal islet transplantation may be explained by the instant blood‐mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR), characterized by islet entrapment in blood clots, leucocyte infiltration and disruption of islet morphology. Here we employ a newly developed in vitro system to identify the blood cells involved in this process. Islets were mixed with ABO‐compatible blood in heparinized tubes and incubated for various times up to 6 h. Clots were analysed immunohistochemically for detection of platelets (CD41a), leucocytes/lymphocytes (CD11b), granulocytes (CD16, lysozyme), neutrophilic granulocytes (neutrophil elastase), eosinophilic granulocytes (NaCN + H2O2), macrophages (CD68), dendritic cells (CD209/DC‐SIGN), B cells (CD20) and T cells (CD4, CD8). Platelets were rapidly deposited around the islets in contact with the blood, reaching a maximum by 30 min. The first neutrophilic granulocytes appeared in the islets after 15 min, increased at 1 h and peaked at 2 h. Small numbers of macrophages were found infiltrating the islets already after 5 min, with a slight increase over time. However, control stainings of cultured islets and pancreas biopsies identified these cells as being largely of donor origin. No T cells, B cells, dendritic cells or eosinophilic granulocytes were detected during the 6 h observation time. Neutrophilic granulocytes were identified as the main infiltrating blood cell in islets exposed to blood, implying that these cells play a key role in clinical islet transplantation. Because islets are known to be exquisitely susceptible to oxidative stress, development of drugs targeting neutrophilic cytotoxicity could markedly improve the outcome of islet transplantation.
WEED-COMPETITION EFFECTS ON MAIZE FODDER PRODUCTION SOWN UNDER DIFFERENT SEEDING DENSITIES

Weeds cause significant reduction in palatability and nutritive value of fodders. Evaluation of critical weed control period is important to insure high yield and quality of fodders. A field study was conducted to determine the effects of weed competition on fodder maize sown at different seed rates. Two factors i.e. seed rate (100 kg haand 125 kg ha) and weeds competition period (zero competition, competition for 2 weeks after emergence (WAE), competition for 3 WAE, competition for 4 WAE, competition for 5 WAE and competition for full season) were considered. The maximum number of weeds (201.81 plants m) was recorded when maize fodder was sown at seed rate of 100 kg ha and weed competition with maize was until5 WAE. However, more weed-dry weight was recorded when maize fodder was sown using seed rate 100 kg ha and full season weed competition was allowed. The more leaves per plant (16.18), green fodder yield (74.72 t ha), dry matter yield (16.62 t ha), crude protein (8.38%) were recorded when maize fodder was kept weed free throughout the growing season, while maximum crude fiber (35.96 %) was recorded when weeds were allowed to compete with maize fodder throughout the growing season.As far as seed rate was concerned, maximum leaves per plant (14.18), green fodder yield (57.77 t ha), dry matter yield (12.96 t ha) and crude fiber (35.06 %)were recorded when maize fodder was sown using seed rate 125 kg ha. In conclusion, weeds must be controlled till four weeks of crop emergence for better maize fodder production with seed rate of 125 kg ha.
Association between age and high-risk human papilloma virus in Mexican oral cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE Studies reporting low prevalence of HPV in OSCC with declining age at presentation are increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV in a group of OSCC cases and controls in a Mexican population. METHODS The matched case-control study included 80 OSCC cases and 320 controls. HPV/DNA presence was evaluated through PCR amplification using three sets of consensus primers for the L1 gene. A conditional logistic regression analysis was carried out for the matched OSCC cases and controls. Interactions between risk factors and OCSS were tested in the construction process of the models. RESULTS HPV prevalence was 5% in OSCC cases and 2.5% in controls. HPV-detected types were 16, 18 and 56. According to conditional logistics regression model, an association was detected between HR-HPV and OSCC. All HR-HPV-positive OSCC cases corresponded to young patients (<45 years), non-smokers and non-alcohol drinkers. CONCLUSIONS The HR-HPV can be a contributing factor to oral carcinogenesis, especially in younger individuals without known risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol.