Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic factors and osteoporotic fractures in elderly people: prospective 25 year follow up of a nationwide cohort of elderly Finnish twins

Abstract Objective: To determine whether genetic factors partly explain variation in risk of osteoporotic fracture, the true end point of the osteoporosis problem. Design: Prospective 25 year follow up of a nationwide cohort of elderly Finnish twins. Setting: The Finnish twin cohort and the national hospital discharge register, covering the entire 5 million population of Finland. Subjects: All same sex twin pairs born before 1946. The cohort contained 2308 monozygotic and 5241 dizygotic twin pairs (15 098 people) at the beginning of follow up. Main: outcome measure The number and concordance of osteoporotic fractures in the twin pairs, 1972-96. Results: 786 cohort members sustained an osteoporotic fracture. In women, the pairwise concordance rate for fracture (that is, the relative number of twin pairs in whom the fracture affected both twins in a pair) was 9.5% (95% confidence interval 5.3% to 15.5%) in monozygotic pairs and 7.9% (5.2% to 11.4%) in dizygotic pairs. In men, the figures were 9.9% (4.4% to 18.5%) and 2.3% (0.6% to 5.7%). Conclusions: Susceptibility to osteoporotic fractures in elderly Finns is not strongly influenced by genetic factors, especially in elderly women. The traditional strategy for prevention of osteoporotic fractures—that is, increasing peak bone mass and preventing age related bone loss—should be changed to include new elements such as prevention of falls and protection of the critical anatomical sites of the body when a fall occurs. Key messages Genetic factors have a substantial role in explaining age specific variation in bone mass and density, but no previous study has directly evaluated whether they have a role in the variation of risk of osteoporotic fracture, the true end point of the entire osteoporosis problem Genetic factors are not strongly related to likelihood of osteoporotic fracture, particularly in elderly women For this reason, the traditional prevention strategy of osteoporotic fractures—increasing peak bone mass and preventing age related bone loss—could include new additional elements, such as prevention of falls in elderly people and protection of the critical anatomical sites of the body when a fall occurs
Professionalization in Action: Accountants' Attempt at Building a Network of Support for the Webtrust Seal of Assurance

This paper examines the attempts by the North American Accounting Institutes to develop a new market in e-commerce assurance based on their claims to professional expertise through the WebTrust project. Employing actor-network theory in an in-depth longitudinal field study we investigate how WebTrust was originally developed and promoted as a seal of business-to-consumer assurance, which largely failed to generate support in the marketplace. Proponents were subsequently able to generate more interest in the eyes of managers of online organizations by reshaping WebTrust as a flexible set of principles and criteria for systems advice and business-to-business assurance. Our analysis suggests that attempts to expand the accounting profession's domain of expertise reflect a trial and error process where the outcome achieved may be far from the vision that motivated the Institutes into undertaking the project in the first place. We further show that the initial network of support for such projects can be quite fragile and dynamic as various actors reposition themselves around the shifting meanings attributed to the project.
Biology of gliding mammals

Abstract Northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) in the USA Pacific Northwest are keystone species that disseminate the spores of ectomycorrhizal fungi symbiotic with Pinaceae and that are preyed upon by a variety of vertebrate predators. Substantial research has shown that these squirrels tend to be most abundant in naturally regenerated forests >100 years old (old growth and younger mixed-age forest with legacies from old growth), whereas abundance in second-growth forests is highly variable and often quite low. Flying squirrels vary in life history attributes from north to south, including adult body mass, rate of juvenile weight gain, age of sexual maturation for females, proportion of females that are sexually active, survivorship, population age structure, and population density. Some life-history attributes and predation seem density-dependent. There is less variation between managed and old forest within physio-graphic provinces than among physio-graphic provinces. The most common difference between managed and natural forests is population density. Environmental correlates of abundance vary among areas, but seem to include abundance of coarse woody debris in drier regions dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), abundance of ericaceous shrubs in wetter regions
Skin disorders in Parkinson’s disease: potential biomarkers and risk factors

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by a symptom triad comprising resting tremor, rigidity, and akinesia. In addition, non-motor symptoms of PD are well recognized and often precede the overt motor manifestations. Cutaneous manifestations as markers of PD have long been discussed, and cumulative evidence shows an increased prevalence of certain dermatological disorders in PD. Seborrheic dermatitis is considered to occur as a premotor feature of PD referable to dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system. Also, an increased risk of melanoma has been observed in PD. Light hair color is a known risk factor for melanoma, and interestingly the risk of PD is found to be significantly higher in individuals with light hair color and particularly with red hair. Furthermore, several studies have reported a high prevalence of PD in patients with bullous pemphigoid. Moreover, a 2-fold increase in risk of new-onset PD has been observed in patients with rosacea. Besides the association between PD and various dermatological disorders, the skin may be useful in the diagnosis of PD. Early PD pathology is found not only in the brain but also in extra-neuronal tissues. Thus, the protein α-synuclein, which is genetically associated with PD, is present not only in the CNS but also in the skin. Hence, higher values of α-synuclein have been observed in the skin of patients with PD. Furthermore, an increased risk of PD has been found in the Cys/Cys genotype, which is associated with red hair color. In this review, we summarize the current evidence of the association between PD and dermatological disorders, the cutaneous adverse effects of neurological medications, and describe the potential of skin protein expression and biomarkers in identification of risk and diagnosis of PD.
Clinical evidence for an LH 'ceiling' effect induced by administration of recombinant human LH during the late follicular phase of stimulated cycles in World Health Organization type I and type II anovulation.

BACKGROUND The objective of these studies was to test the hypothesis that over-dosing with recombinant human LH (rLH) during the late follicular phase would suppress the development of follicles. METHODS Two double-blind studies were conducted. In study A, WHO I anovulatory patients received treatment with rFSH and rLH. When at least one follicle reached a mean diameter of 10-13 mm, patients were randomized using a computer-generated randomization list (stratified by centre) to rFSH and rLH (225 IU/day) (n = 8) or rLH alone (n = 6) or rFSH alone (n = 6). In study B, WHO II anovulatory patients with a hyper-responsive FSH were randomized to rLH (225 IU/day) (n = 4) or rLH 450 IU/day (n = 8) or placebo (n = 5). RESULTS Study A: the mean number of follicles >/=11 mm was 4.2 +/- 0.3 in the rFSH group, 1.5 +/- 0.7 in the rLH group and 6.0 +/- 2.3 in the rFSH/rLH group (P = 0.07). 0/8 patients presented follicular growth arrest in the rFSH group, but 4/6 in the rLH group and 1/6 in the rFSH/rLH did. Study B: 5/12 patients presented follicular growth arrest in the rLH groups, but none in the placebo group. The mean number of follicles >/=11 mm was 4.6 +/- 1.8 for the placebo group, 2.5 +/- 1.9 for the rLH 225 IU group and 4.2 +/- 1.4 in the rLH 450 IU group (not significant). CONCLUSIONS Results of this pilot study suggest that rLH alone can trigger follicular growth arrest in a significant number of patients, suggesting the existence of an 'LH ceiling' during late follicular maturation.
Global Unions, Local Power: The New Spirit of Transnational Labor Organizing

Excerpt] This book is about two parallel stories. First, it relates the account of the most aggressive campaign ever waged by a global union federation (GUF), a years-long effort of private security guard unions to organize against Group4 Securicor (G4S), the world's largest private employer after Walmart. What began as an isolated battle in the United States blossomed into a worldwide struggle for global unionism impacting hundreds of thou sands of workers from over twenty countries. But the global effort also gave rise to deep local struggles. Consequently, the narrative moves among dif ferent scales of action, from the global arena, to the national-level context, to the local union office. Throughout the campaign, workers in different places won wage increases, union recognition, benefits, an end to abusive workplace discrimination, and, most importantly, a greater degree of control over their employer's business model. In the United States, security guard union density (8 percent as of late 2012) is now slightly higher than the national private-sector average, and the campaign settlement provides the union with a dearer path to bring more workers into the fold. Rarely have global campaigns meant more than superficial changes in workers' lives-this struggle set a new standard. The second story describes a transition to a new spirit of transnational labor activism. The word "spirit" implies a shifting idea about how labor should best confront the problems posed by global capital. In a context of rising corporate power and declining or unenforceable worker rights (publicly enforceable claims), many of labor's tried and true strategies have proven wholly ineffective. In response, since the early 1970s unions have engaged in what I call "governance struggles," a panoply of strategies to subordinate the rules-based logic of private companies to democratic oversight by workers and their unions. The significance of the fight against G4S is the complex and contradictory ways in which those gains at the global level were articulated onto the local context, enhancing worker mobilization and transforming local union movements. Most global union campaigns seek to assert universal labor standards and core values within a given company. But the inability to transfer any gains to the local context has often meant that workers' lives remain unchanged. Rather than insist on the incompatibility of global and local levels of activism, the findings in this book suggest a paradox—effective global unionism requires reciprocity with local actors. The conclusions also permit cautious optimism about the prospects for authentic labor internationalism where others have asserted an overriding pessimism (see Burawoy 2010). The question therefore posed here is simple: How can global unions build local power?
On the X-ray feature associated with the Guitar nebula

Context. A mysterious X-ray nebula, showing a remarkably linear geometry, was recently discovered close to the Guitar Nebula, the bow-shock nebula associated with B2224+65, which is the fastest pulsar known. The nature of this X-ray feature is unknown, and even its association with pulsar B2224+65 is unclear. Aims. We attempt to develop a self-consistent scenario to explain the complex phenomenology of this object. Methods. We assume that the highest energy electrons accelerated at the termination shock escape from the bow shock and diffuse into the ambient medium, where they emit synchrotron X-rays. The linear geometry should reflect the plane-parallel geometry of its ambient field. Results. We estimate the Lorentz factor of the X-ray emitting electrons and the strength of the magnetic field. The former (� 10 8 )i s close to its maximum possible value, while the latter, at 45 μG, is higher than typical interstellar values and must have been amplified in some way. The magnetic field must also be turbulent to some degree to trap the electrons sufficiently for synchrotron X-ray emission to occur effectively. We propose a self-consistent scenario in which, by some streaming instability, the electrons themselves generate a turbulent field in which they then diffuse. Some numerical coincidences are explained, and tests are proposed to verify our scenario. Conclusions. Electron leaking may be common in the majority of pulsar bow-shock nebulae, even though the X-ray nebulosity in general is too diffuse to be detectable.
Misinforming, Misunderstanding Misconceptions: What Informing Science Can Do

First of all a survey of the most relevant definitions and hypotheses concerning data, information, communication and knowledge is proposed. Main aim of this introduction is to give to the reader a reference frame for the analysis of the students’ learning and for their knowledge construction works. Soon after some wrong ideas are analyzed with respect to the above conceptual frame, i.e. with respect to didactic communication, to human knowledge construction and to individual cleverness in the use of the concepts pertaining to specific disciplinary fields. At last some considerations on the above results are reported and some hints and suggestions for a revision of the Informing Science definition are proposed; all is done in a perspective that assigns to Informing Science a trans-disciplinary function tha t helps well-established disciplines like Didactics, Psycho logy, Philosophy etc. to find new strategies for the analysis of the teachinglearning process.
Criminal History and LSI-R Scores of RSAT Participants in the State of Massachusetts: Impact of Offender Age on Program Completion and Rates of Offender Recidivism

Impact of Offender Age on Program Completion and Rates of Offender Recidivism by Jewell E. Hankins M.B.A., Westwood College, 2005 B.S., Metropolitan State College, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2012 Abstract The purpose of this study was to understand how offender age impacted residentialThe purpose of this study was to understand how offender age impacted residential substance abuse treatment (RSAT) program success in reducing rates of recidivism for offenders exiting the judicial system. Despite passing legislation in the 1980s and 1990s, which increased the penalties for certain crimes, offender recidivism remains high, with no apparent drop in the number of incarcerations and re-incarcerations, resulting in high costs and threats to the safety and quality of life experienced within communities. Social learning theory, behavioral decision theory, and biologically based theories of behavior were the theoretical foundations. Archival data collected from a RSAT grant program at between January 1, 1999 and June 6, 2001 were examined. Data related to participant scores on the Level of Service Inventory Revised (LSI-R), acquired prior to program placement and upon program completion, were compared with the number of incarcerations before and after program completion; charges for convictions already decided and/or pending convictions, age at admission(s) and age at the time of the offender’s first offense, and types of offenses (domestic or sexual) committed were explored in a factor analysis. Negative correlations identified included: sex offenders and their age at admission and between LSI-R scores and completing the RSAT program. Positive correlations identified included: new convictions and completing the RSAT program, age at admission to program and age of first offense, and date of first offense and sex offender variables. Implications for positive social change include reduced rates of recidivism among offenders with substance abuse problems. Criminal History and LSI-R Scores of RSAT Participants in the State of Massachusetts: Impact of Offender Age on Program Completion and Rates of Offender Recidivism by Jewell E. Hankins M.B.A., Westwood College, 2005 B.S., Metropolitan State College, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology
The Conserver Society: Alternatives for Sustainability

Part 1 Introduction: alternatives? - why do we need alternatives? the sustainable society - a brief overview. Part 2 The changes required: food and agriculture housing water and sewerage living lightly on the earth - reducing consumption building highly sufficient settlements the new economy energy values community Third World development peace and security education inequality government. Part 3 Living examples: illustrations from existing alternative communities. Part 4 The transition from consumer to conserver society: the transition is underway let's get going.
A Critical Review of Advanced Experimental Techniques to Measure Two-Phase Gas/Liquid Flow

Gas assisted atomization is becoming increasingly important in many industrial applications such as physical, chemical and petroleum processes. In order to achieve proper atomization it is crucial to have proper mixing of gas (air) and liquid (water) in the feeding conduit before it enters into the nozzle. The flow regime, as well as the flow pattern and structure of the flow, are some of the important parameters that describe two-phase gas/liquid flows, and identify two- phase gas/liquid flow regimes. It is also desirable to know under what conditions there is a transition among the different flow regimes (dispersed, stratified, annular, annular-dispersed, slug, wavy-slug, mist-annular). Due to the existence of relative movement in the interfaces and variable interactions between two phases, two-phase gas/liquid flow is a complex transport phenomenon compared to single-phase flow. Still, there is no effective technique to identify the two-phase gas/liquid flow regimes and it is even difficult to capture the accurate flow structures in smaller conduits in turbulent flow cases. Lack of solid and comprehensive theories for predicting and calculating the pressure and void fraction variations in two-phase air/water flow situations has left engineers without essential information for proper design of two-phase flow systems. This review is an effort to explore the state of the present advanced measurement techniques in this field of research. Subsequently, some of the advanced void fraction, photonics and pressure measurement techniques and correlations for identification of two-phase gas/liquid flow regimes and bubble sizes are investigated.
The Short-Term Corporate Bond Anomaly

This paper finds that common risk factors significantly underestimate the returns on corporate bonds with a short maturity. A substantial portion of short-term corporate bond returns is independent of risk premiums associated with market risk, term and default risk, yield curve dynamics, liquidity risk and premiums associated with macro-economic variables. Comparable evidence of the short-term corporate bond anomaly also shows up in portfolios of corporate bond mutual funds, indicating that the anomaly withstands important practical issues, such as short-selling restrictions, transaction costs, and illiquidity.
Evaluating the Impact of Iris Image Compression on Segmentation and Recognition Accuracy

A comprehensive study of the effects of lossy image compression on iris biometrics is presented. The compression standards Jpeg (JPG), Jpeg-2000 (J2K) and Jpeg-XR (JXR) are applied in numerous specified scenarios utilizing different segmentation and feature extraction algorithms in order to investigate impacts on recognition accuracy. Augmenting existing evaluations, this work examines not only the optimal choice of compression algorithms and rates, but also emphasizes segmentation issues resulting from compressed images. In addition, the impact of image compression on template protection techniques is elaborated. Experimental results confirm, that (1) J2K outperforms JPG and JXR for compression prior to normalization, (2) the choice of where to employ compression in the iris processing chain plays an important role, as well as (3) whether one or both compared images are compressed; (4) for high compression rates, the impact on segmentation is most critical, and (5) despite the fact that template protection schemes are highly sensitive to signal degradation, compression can be successfully applied to such technologies.
A Parallactic Distance of 389-21+24 Parsecs to the Orion Nebula Cluster from Very Long Baseline Array Observations

We determine the parallax and proper motion of the flaring, nonthermal radio star GMR A, a member of the Orion Nebula Cluster, using Very Long Baseline Array observations. Based on the parallax, we measure a distance of 389 pc to the source. Our measurement places the Orion Nebula Cluster considerably closer than the canonical distance of 480 ± 80 pc determined by Genzel et al. A change of this magnitude in distance lowers the luminosities of the stars in the cluster by a factor of ~1.5. We briefly discuss two effects of this change—an increase in the age spread of the pre-main-sequence stars, and better agreement between the zero-age main sequence and the temperatures and luminosities of massive stars.
Detection of Viable Listeria monocytogenes with a 5′ Nuclease PCR Assay

ABSTRACT A 5′ nuclease assay has been developed to detect viableListeria monocytogenes. The assay targets the hemolysin A (hlyA) transcript, which is found only in L. monocytogenes. The single-tube, reverse transcriptase (RT), fluorogenic probe-based assay was formatted by using TthDNA polymerase whose activity was modulated by using the manganese-chelating morpholinepropanesulfonic acid (MOPS) buffer. This assay was quantitative over a 3-log-unit range of template concentrations when tested with an in vitro-transcribedhlyA mRNA. The viability of L. monocytogeneswas reduced by heating at various temperatures and times up to a maximum of a 9-D inactivation. The location of the primer had a pronounced effect on the utility of the assay, and primers located in the most distal regions of the hlyA transcript appeared to correlate with the number of CFU while primers located more internal on the amplicon overestimated the cell viability. The assay with primers that included the 3′ end of the transcript was an accurate indicator of viability as measured by CFU determination or staining with 5-sulfofluorescein diacetate.
First results from the Very Small Array - IV. Cosmological parameter estimation

We investigate the constraints on basic cosmological parameters set by the first compact-configuration observations of the Very Small Array (VSA), and other cosmological data sets, in the standard inflationary ΛCDM model. Using the weak priors 40 < H0 < 90 km s−1 Mpc−1 and 0 < τ < 0.5, we find that the VSA and COBE-DMR data alone produce the constraints Ωtot= 1.03+0.12−0.12, Ωbh2= 0.029+0.009−0.009, Ωcdmh2= 0.13+0.08−0.05 and ns= 1.04+0.11−0.08 at the 68 per cent confidence level. Adding in the Type Ia supernova constraints, we additionally find Ωm= 0.32+0.09−0.06 and ΩΛ= 0.71+0.07−0.07. These constraints are consistent with those found by the BOOMERanG, DASI and MAXIMA experiments. We also find that, by combining all these cosmic microwave background experiments and assuming the Hubble Space Telescope Key Project limits for H0 (for which the X-ray plus Sunyaev–Zel'dovich route gives a similar result), we obtain the tight constraints Ωm= 0.28+0.14−0.07 and ΩΛ= 0.72+0.07−0.13, which are consistent with, but independent of, those obtained using the supernova data.