Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advertising, Anti-smoking Campaign And Cigarette Consumption In Greece

This article considers mainly the effect of advertising and the antismoking campaign on the consumption of cigarettes in Greece. For this purpose, a non monotonic lag distributed model has been selected. The relevant estimates are based on monthly data for the period 1977-99. The results have shown on the one hand that the effect of advertising on cigarette consumption is statistically significant, but it is easing off within a very short time period, and on the other hand that the systematic anti-smoking campaign waged between 1979 and 1981 was effective. On the contrary, the banning advertising and health warning do not seem to affect cigarettes consumption significantly.
Tracing the evolutionary history of the pandemic group A streptococcal M1T1 clone

The past 50 years has witnessed the emergence of new viral and bacterial pathogens with global effect on human health. The hyperinvasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) M1T1 clone, first detected in the mid‐1980s in the United States, has since disseminated worldwide and remains a major cause of severe invasive human infections. Although much is understood regarding the capacity of this pathogen to cause disease, much less is known of the precise evolutionary events selecting for its emergence. We used high‐throughput technologies to sequence a World Health Organization strain collection of serotype M1 GAS and reconstructed its phylogeny based on the analysis of core genome single‐nucleotide polymorphisms. We demonstrate that acquisition of a 36‐kb genome segment from serotype M12 GAS and the bacteriophage‐encoded DNase Sda1 led to increased virulence of the M1T1 precursor and occurred relatively early in the molecular evolutionary history of this strain. The more recent acquisition of the phage‐encoded superantigen SpeA is likely to have provided selection advantage for the global dissemination of the M1T1 clone. This study provides an exemplar for the evolution and emergence of virulent clones from microbial populations existing commensally or causing only superficial infection. —Maamary, P. G. , Ben Zakour, N. L. , Cole, J. N. , Hollands, A. , Aziz, R. K. , Barnett, T. C. , Cork, A. J., Henningham, A. , Sanderson‐Smith, M. , McArthur, J. D. , Venturini, C. , Gillen, C. M. , Kirk, J. K. , Johnson, D. R. , Taylor, W. L. , Kaplan, E. L. , Kotb, M. , Nizet, V. , Beatson, S. A. , Walker, M. J. Tracing the evolutionary history of the pandemic group A streptococcal M1T1 clone. FASEB J. 26, 4675–4684 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Supervised learning events in the Foundation Programme: a UK-wide narrative interview study

Objectives To explore Foundation trainees’ and trainers’ understandings and experiences of supervised learning events (SLEs), compared with workplace-based assessments (WPBAs), and their suggestions for developing SLEs. Design A narrative interview study based on 55 individual and 19 group interviews. Setting UK-wide study across three sites in England, Scotland and Wales. Participants Using maximum-variation sampling, 70 Foundation trainees and 40 trainers were recruited, shared their understandings and experiences of SLEs/WPBAs and made recommendations for future practice. Methods Data were analysed using thematic and discourse analysis and narrative analysis of one exemplar personal incident narrative. Results While participants volunteered understandings of SLEs as learning and assessment, they typically volunteered understandings of WPBAs as assessment. Trainers seemed more likely to describe SLEs as assessment and a ‘safety net’ to protect patients than trainees. We identified 333 personal incident narratives in our data (221 SLEs; 72 WPBAs). There was perceived variability in the conduct of SLEs/WPBAs in terms of their initiation, tools used, feedback and finalisation. Numerous factors at individual, interpersonal, cultural and technological levels were thought to facilitate/hinder learning. SLE narratives were more likely to be evaluated positively than WPBA narratives overall and by trainees specifically. Participants made sense of their experiences, emotions, identities and relationships through their narratives. They provided numerous suggestions for improving SLEs at individual, interpersonal, cultural and technological levels. Conclusions Our findings provide tentative support for the shift to formative learning with the introduction of SLEs, albeit raising concerns around trainees’ and trainers’ understandings about SLEs. We identify five key educational recommendations from our study. Additional research is now needed to explore further the complexities around SLEs within workplace learning.
Vocal Individuality of Great Gray Owls in the Sierra Nevada

Abstract The cryptic plumage and nocturnal nature of the great gray owl (Strix nebulosa) make it difficult to study in its densely forested habitat. We investigated whether the vocalizations of individual great gray owls could be distinguished and used as a tool for population survey and monitoring. We recorded 312 territorial calls produced by 14 male and 11 female great gray owls between March and July 2006 and 2007 in the Sierra Nevada range of California, USA. We recorded 19 owls on multiple occasions within a season and 8 owls between seasons. We extracted 17 frequency and 15 temporal variables from the sonograms of each call. Discriminant analysis selected 9 variables and classified 92.8% of calls to the correct individual within a season; 71.4% of calls were classified to the correct individual between seasons. Our results indicate that territorial calls could be used to monitor individual great gray owls for both short- and long-term studies. Vocal individuality could be useful as a noninvasive method to improve census estimates and yield information on site fidelity, turnover rates, seasonal movements, and behavioral traits of great gray owls.
Differential regulation of cytokine production in lipopolysaccharide tolerance in mice

We investigated the pattern of down-regulation of cytokine production in endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) tolerance. A 4-day treatment with LPS (35 micrograms per mouse) was followed by a challenge on day 6 with one more injection of LPS. Circulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) could not be induced (> 99% inhibition) by LPS in LPS-tolerant mice; colony-stimulating factor (CSF) was also down-regulated by more than 95%, whereas interferon (IFN) and IL-1 syntheses were only partially inhibited. To study the mechanism of cytokine down-regulation in tolerance, we attempted to reverse the tolerant state by pretreatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (4 micrograms per mouse) 10 min before the LPS challenge. PMA completely restored IL-6 production and partially that of CSF. PMA had no effect on IFN production and inhibited the induction of IL-1. TNF production was also not restored by PMA. To investigate the role of endogenously produced cytokines in the development of LPS tolerance, we administered IL-6, TNF, or IL-1 alpha, using the same treatment schedule as that for LPS. Whereas IL-6 had no effect, IL-1 alpha or TNF induced partial tolerance to LPS in terms of inhibition of LPS-stimulated TNF and IL-6 production. However, a full LPS-tolerant state could not be induced by administration of recombinant cytokines, suggesting the existence of additional mechanisms, such as a loss of LPS receptors or changes in release of soluble binding proteins.
Cytokine profile of human adipose‐derived stem cells: Expression of angiogenic, hematopoietic, and pro‐inflammatory factors

Adipose tissue serves as a source of adipokines and cytokines with both local and systemic actions in health and disease. In this study, we examine the hypothesis that multipotent human adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs), capable of differentiating along the adipocyte, chondrocyte, and osteoblast pathways, contribute to adipose tissue‐derived cytokine secretion. Following exposure to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF), the ASCs significantly increase their secretion of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a cytokine implicated in hematopoiesis, vasculogenesis, and mammary epithelial duct formation. Ascorbic acid synergizes with these inductive factors, further increasing HGF levels. Following exposure to lipopolysaccharide, ASCs increase their secretion of both hematopoietic (granulocyte/monocyte, granulocyte, and macrophage colony stimulating factors, interleukin 7) and proinflammatory (interleukins 6, 8, and 11, tumor necrosis factor α) cytokines based on ELISA and RT‐PCR. In co‐cultures established with umbilical cord blood‐derived CD34+ cells, the ASCs support long‐term hematopoiesis in vitro. Furthermore, in short‐term 12‐day co‐cultures, the ASC maintain and expand the numbers of both myeloid and lymphoid progenitors. These observations are consistent with the functionality of the secreted cytokines and confirm recent reports by other laboratories concerning the hematopoietic supportive capability of ASCs. We conclude that the ASCs display cytokine secretory properties similar to those reported for bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). J. Cell. Physiol. 212:702–709, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Benign lymphoepithelial parotid lesions in HIV-positive patients: spectrum of findings at gray-scale and Doppler sonography.

OBJECTIVE Benign lymphoepithelial lesions are intraparotid nodules that develop as an early manifestation of HIV infection. The purpose of this study was to describe the spectrum of sonographic and Doppler findings of benign lymphoepithelial lesions in HIV-positive patients and to assess whether these findings are specific for the diagnosis of such lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Nine HIV-positive patients with swelling of the parotid gland caused by single or multiple parotid nodules were evaluated. Fourteen nodules were identified sonographically and proved to be benign lymphoepithelial lesions at cytologic examination. They were assessed with gray-scale, duplex, color Doppler, and power Doppler sonography. For each nodule, the echogenicity, grade and pattern of vascularity, and spectral tracings were evaluated. RESULTS Benign lymphoepithelial lesions manifested as parotid nodules with a wide spectrum of sonographic appearances, ranging from simple cysts to mixed masses with predominantly solid components. Cystic lesions (10/14) were not purely anechoic; they had an internal network of thin septa supplied by vessel pedicles and, in four of 10 cases, a solid mural nodule. On the other hand, mixed nodules (4/14) had a higher conspicuity of solid tissue and thicker stromal septa, thus resembling a parotid neoplasm more than a cyst. The overall grade of vascularity of benign lymphoepithelial lesions varied from avascular to intensely hypervascular. Generally, mixed nodules were more hypervascular than were the cystlike ones. Spectral analysis showed slow velocity (peak systolic velocity range, 8-28 cm/sec; mean, 20 20 cm/sec) and low impedance (resistive index range, 0.36-0.70; mean, 0.57) arterial flows. CONCLUSION The spectrum of sonographic and Doppler features of benign lymphoepithelial lesions in HIV-positive patients is broad. Sonographic findings are non-specific for the diagnosis of such lesions, especially in cases of mixed solid-cystic isolated nodules.
Maximality of Galois actions for compatible systems

in the sense of Serre [19]. Of course, the image of ρ` is not generally Zariski-dense in GLn(Q`), so the maximality condition must be formulated relative to the Zariski closure, G`, of ρ`(Gal(K/K)). One might hope that the image of ρ` is a maximal compact subgroup of G`(Q`), but this is too optimistic: the center causes problems, and we do not even know a priori that G` is reductive. To formulate a maximality conjecture which avoids such problems, we introduce maps G` σ −→G ` τ ←−G ` .
Antimicrobial susceptibility of uropathogens isolated from Cambodian children

Background: Bacterial resistance to commonly used antimicrobials is an increasing problem in Asia but information concerning the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children is limited. Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective study of children with suspected UTI attending a paediatric hospital in north-west Cambodia. Urines with a positive culture containing a single organism with a count of >105 colony-forming units (CFU)/ml were considered diagnostic of infection. The organism was identified and the resistance pattern (using CLSI guidelines) and presence of an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype was determined. Results: In total, there were 217 episodes of infection, 210 (97%) with Gram-negative bacteria. Escherichia coli was the most common infecting isolate with high levels of resistance to most oral antibiotics, except nitrofurantoin. Nearly half of the E. coli (44%) were extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC)-resistant with the proportion increasing significantly over the 5-year period. ESC-resistant E. coli were more likely to be multi-drug-resistant and 91% demonstrated an ESBL phenotype. Conclusion: The data highlight the importance of microbiological surveillance of UTIs in children, particularly in areas where there are known to be multiply resistant organisms.
Influence of Specimen Size and Fiber Content on Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

The influences of specimen size and fiber content on the mechanical properties of an ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) were studied. The UHPFRC was formulated with up to 5% volume fraction of short steel fibers and subjected to conventional moist curing. The mechanical properties in compression were characterized using cube and cylinder specimens. Four-point flexural tests of unnotched prism specimens and direct shear tests of notched specimens were completed. In all cases, specimens with a size range of up to 2 were used. The peak strengths and post-peak ductility in compression, flexure, and direct shear were all found to increase significantly as the fiber volume fraction increased. Normalized strengths decreased for increases in specimen size, with a more pronounced size influence found at greater fiber contents. The measured test results were further analyzed to evaluate the influence of fiber content and specimen size on flexural and shear toughness. Significant improvements in toughness were obtained for mixtures with higher fiber content.
Robust control of nonlinear systems by estimating time variant uncertainties

Robust control design is considered for nonlinear systems with time variant uncertainties. Instead of assuming that the bounding function on uncertainties is either known or parameterizable in terms of unknown constants, uncertainties or their bounding function are estimated. It is shown that bounded uncertainties from a known or partially known exo-system can be estimated as part of a globally stabilizing robust control. The proposed method extends existing results of adaptive robust control, and it makes robust control more applicable by requiring less information on uncertainties.
Pressure in the Cochlea During Infrared Irradiation

Objective: The purpose of the study is to demonstrate laser-evoked pressure waves in small confined volumes such as the cochlea. Methods: Custom-fabricated pressure probes were used to determine the pressure in front of the optical fiber in a small dish and patch pipettes to measure temperature changes. Pressure probes were inserted into scala tympani (ST) or vestibuli during laser stimulation. With a sensitive microphone the pressure was measured in the outer ear canal. Results: Heating was spatially confined. The heat relaxation time was 35 ms. During laser stimulation in the cochlea at 17 μJ/pulse, the pressure in the outer ear canal (EC) was 43.5 dB (re 20 μPa). The corresponding intracochlear pressure was calculated to be about 78.5 dB (re 20 μPa) using the middle ear reverse transfer function of −35 dB. At 164 μJ/pulse, the pressure in the EC was on average 63 dB (re 20 μPa) and the intracochlear pressure was estimated to be 98 dB (re 20 μPa), which is similar to the value obtained with the pressure probe, 100 dB (re 20 μPa). Side-emitting optical fibers were used to steer the beam path. The pressure values were independent of the orientation of the beam path. Evoked compound action potentials of the auditory nerve were maximum when spiral ganglion neurons were in the beam path. Conclusion: Pressure waves are generated during infrared laser stimulation. The intracochlear pressure was independent from the orientation of the beam path. Significance: Neural responses required the spiral ganglion neurons to be directly irradiated.
Fundamental understanding of pulp property development under different thermomechanical pulp refining conditions as observed by a new Simons’ staining method and SEM observation of the ultrastructure of fibre surfaces

Abstract The morphological and chemical characteristics of cell walls govern the response of wood fibre to mechanical pulping processes and thereby influence the energy efficiency of the process and determine most pulp and paper properties. A study has been carried out at the microstructural/ultrastructural level of fibre cell walls by means of a newly developed Simons’ staining (SS) method and scanning electron microscopy to characterize thermomechanical pulps (TMPs) produced under different refining conditions. The SS method allows assessment and quantification of pulp fibre development during the process in terms of cell wall delamination/internal fibrillation (D/IF) under different process conditions, and the degree of D/IF can be statistically evaluated for different TMP types. In focus was never-dried Norway spruce TMP from primary stage double-disc refining running in a full-scale mill, where specific refining energy was varied at different refining pressure levels. Improved energy efficiency was gained at the same tensile index level when applying high pressure (temperature). Under conditions of high pressure and refining energy, a significant enhancement of the degree of D/IF of pulp fibres was observed. The surface ultrastructure of these fibres exhibited an exposed S2 layer with long ribbon-type fibrillation compared to pulps produced with lower pressure and energy input. A given TMP type can be classified in the categories of high-severity and low-severity changes and quasi-untreated concerning the degree of D/IF of its fibres. The relative proportions of these are important for the development of pulp properties such as tensile strength. The presence of higher amounts of fibre fractions in the categories high D/IF and low D/IF will improve the tensile index of a TMP.
Do Highly Educated Women Choose Smaller Families?

Conventional wisdom suggests that in developed countries income and fertility are negatively correlated. We present new evidence that between 2001 and 2009 the cross-sectional relationship between fertility and women's education in the U.S. is U-shaped. At the same time, average hours worked increase monotonically with women's education. This pattern is true for all women and mothers to newborns regardless of marital status. In this paper, we advance the marketization hypothesis for explaining the positive correlation between fertility and female labor supply along the educational gradient. In our model, raising children and home-making require parents' time, which could be substituted by services bought in the market such as baby-sitting and housekeeping. Highly educated women substitute a significant part of their own time for market services to raise children and run their households, which enables them to have more children and work longer hours. Finally, we use our model to shed light on differences between the U.S. and Western Europe in fertility and women's time allocated to labor supply and home production. We argue that higher inequality in the U.S. lowers the cost of baby-sitting and housekeeping services and enables U.S. women to have more children, spend less time on home production and work more than their European counterparts.
Microfabricated Physiological Models for In Vitro Drug Screening Applications

Microfluidics and microfabrication have recently been established as promising tools for developing a new generation of in vitro cell culture microdevices. The reduced amounts of reagents employed within cell culture microdevices make them particularly appealing to drug screening processes. In addition, latest advancements in recreating physiologically relevant cell culture conditions within microfabricated devices encourage the idea of using such advanced biological models in improving the screening of drug candidates prior to in vivo testing. In this review, we discuss microfluidics-based models employed for chemical/drug screening and the strategies to mimic various physiological conditions: fine control of 3D extra-cellular matrix environment, physical and chemical cues provided to cells and organization of co-cultures. We also envision future directions for achieving multi-organ microfluidic devices.
Mechanisms of pulp loss in flotation deinking

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of pulp type, consistency and bubble size on the flotation of pulp fibres and fines. Laboratory-scale batch flotation experiments were conducted using bleached kraft and mechanical pulp in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. Pulp losses were linearly dependent on the recovery of water in the foam. These pulp losses were generally greater with small bubbles (∼100-400 μm) and with the mechanical pulp. With dilute pulp suspensions, the consistencies of the foam and the feed were similar. For more concentrated pulp suspensions, the consistencies of the foams were less than those of the feed, and pulp fines tended to be concentrated in the foam. The primary pulp loss mechanism was entrainment, in which pulp fibres and fines were transported hydraulically into the foam with the water. Two regimes of entrainment are possible, depending on the extent of flocculation. In the absence of flocculation, the individual loose fibres and fines from the bulk pulp suspension are carried into the foam. When the pulp is flocculated, the bubbles are diverted around the flocs, and entrain the smaller fibres and fines from the more dilute, inter-floc regions.
Validation of a DIS-III-R rescoring algorithm for DSM-IV alcohol-use disorders.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, Version III, Revised (DIS-IIIR), rescoring algorithm when compared with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), diagnoses established using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The research question is "Does our DIS-III-R rescore accurately reflect DSM-IV diagnoses established independently using the CIDI? " METHOD One hundred subjects were administered the CIDI and the DISIII-R alcohol-use modules. The DIS-III-R criteria were rescored to the DSM-IV diagnosis using our published algorithm. The specificity of the rescore, along with the sensitivity for abuse and dependence diagnoses, was computed. RESULTS The rescoring algorithm showed good sensitivity for lifetime alcohol abuse (60.4%) and dependence (80.0%) but poor specificity (0.0%). Current alcohol dependence was diagnosed with high sensitivity (100.0%) and moderate specificity (40.2%). Current alcohol abuse was diagnosed with poor sensitivity (18.2%). CONCLUSIONS Our algorithm can be used to rescore DIS-III-R data to DSM-IV alcohol-use diagnoses, but one must use caution with respect to the timeframe of alcohol-use disorders and the specific diagnosis.