Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia reduces CD138 expression and induces an immature and stem cell-like transcriptional program in myeloma cells

Although CD138 expression is a hallmark of plasma cells and myeloma cells, reduced CD138 expression is occasionally found. However, the mechanisms underlying CD138 downregulation in myeloma cells remain unclear. Previous reports suggest that the bone marrow microenvironment may contribute to CD138 downregulation. Among various factors in the tumor microenvironment, hypoxia is associated with tumor progression, poor clinical outcomes, dedifferentiation and the formation of cancer stem cell niches in solid tumors. Since recent findings showed that progression of multiple myeloma (MM) delivers hypoxia within the bone marrow, we hypothesized that CD138 expression may be regulated by hypoxia. In the present study, we examined whether the expression of CD138 and transcription factors occurred in myeloma cells under hypoxic conditions. MM cell lines (KMS-12BM and RPMI 8226) were cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions for up to 30 days. Changes in the phenotype and the expression of surface antigens and transcription factors were analyzed using flow cytometry, RT-PCR and western blotting. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was used to examine the phenotypic changes under hypoxic conditions. The expression levels of CD138, CS1 and plasma cell-specific transcription factors decreased under hypoxic conditions, while those of CD20, CXCR4 and B cell-specific transcription factors increased compared with those under normoxic conditions. Stem cell-specific transcription factors were upregulated under hypoxic conditions, while no difference was observed in ALDH activity. The reduced CD138 expression under hypoxic conditions recovered when cells were treated with ATRA, even under hypoxic conditions, along with decreases in the expression of stem cell-specific transcription factor. Interestingly, ATRA treatment sensitized MM cells to bortezomib under hypoxia. We propose that hypoxia induces immature and stem cell-like transcription phenotypes in myeloma cells. Taken together with our previous observation that decreased CD138 expression is correlated with disease progression, the present data suggest that a hypoxic microenvironment affects the phenotype of MM cells, which may correlate with disease progression.
Resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae: Implications for drug selection.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important pathogen in many community-acquired respiratory infections in the United States and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Unfortunately, S. pneumoniae is becoming increasingly resistant to a variety of antibiotics. Results of recent surveillance studies in the United States show that the prevalence of penicillin-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae ranges from 25% to >50%, and rates of macrolide resistance among pneumococci are reported to be as high as 31%. A high prevalence of resistance to other antimicrobial classes is found among penicillin-resistant strains. Newer quinolones (e.g., gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, and moxifloxacin) that have better antipneumococcal activity in vitro are the most active agents and therefore are attractive options for treatment of adults with community-acquired respiratory infections. Efforts should be made to prevent pneumococcal infections in high-risk patients through vaccination.
A micro wind power generation system using permanent magnet reluctance generator

Permanent magnet reluctance generator (PMRG) has robust construction similar to switched reluctance generator (SRG), but PMRG requires no excitation unlike SRG. So, PMRG is suitable for a micro wind generation system because of its low cost on manufacturing and its simple control circuit. In the paper, a 250-watt micro wind power generation system using PMRG is proposed. First, a new magnetic circuit model of the PMRG is proposed and simulated dynamically with the power converter by a general-purpose circuit simulator. It is confirmed that the proposed model is acceptable by comparing with calculation results of finite element analysis (FEM). Second, the proposed micro wind generation system is totally simulated using the magnetic circuit model of the PMRG with power converters, maximum power tracking control scheme, and power smoothing system using electric double layer capacitor(EDLC). Finally, experimental results by a simulated wind turbine are presented. The proposed wind generation system employed with PMRG contributes to expand into low cost wind generation.
Qualitative Research Methods

Course Description: NUTR 310 teaches principles and practical skills of qualitative inquiry in an interactive seminar format. Participants will learn how to design and carry out qualitative research through weekly background readings and written assignments, critical case-study discussions, and practical class exercises. They will also take part in the design, implementation, analysis, and evaluation of a local qualitative research project that involves practical, hands-on experience. The first part of the course will focus on the foundations of qualitative inquiry, qualitative methods, their strengths and challenges, standards for quality, and tools for critical assessment of insights derived from these methods. The second part of the course will be dedicated to learning how to design qualitative studies, including data collection, data management strategies, and approaches to data analysis. Participants will gain practical experience by developing and implementing a small research study, which will include the elements of research design, field-note documentation, observation, in-depth interviews, focus groups, visual methods, analysis, and writing/dissemination.
La formalización de los acuerdos de subcontratación: el caso de la industria electrónica española

This paper studies the adoption of formal contracts as a safeguard mechanism in subcontracting agreements in the Spanish electronic industry, examining its relation with specificity, uncertainty, size, and the existence of other safeguards. The analysis of 74 subcontracting agreements confirms that the probability of writing a formal contract is positively related to the contractor's size, and negatively related to the subcontracted activity specificity, to the degree of previous knowledge and confidence between firms, and to the contractor's capacity for substituting the subcontractor. Furthermore, statistically significant differences in the use of formal contracts are also detected, depending on the electronic subsector considered and the nature of the subcontracted activity (goods or services). (Copyright: Fundacion Empresa Publica)
Landsat-Based Long-Term Monitoring of Total Suspended Matter Concentration Pattern Change in the Wet Season for Dongting Lake, China

Assessing the impacts of environmental change and anthropogenic activities on the historical and current total suspended matter (TSM) pattern in Dongting Lake, China, is a large challenge. We addressed this challenge by using more than three decades of Landsat data. Based on in situ measurements, we developed an algorithm based on the near-infrared (NIR) band to estimate TSM in Dongting Lake. The algorithm was applied to Landsat images to derive TSM distribution maps from 1978 to 2013 in the wet season, revealing significant inter-annual and spatial variability. The relationship of TSM to water level, precipitation, and wind speed was analyzed, and we found that: (1) sand mining areas usually coincide with regions that have high TSM levels in Dongting Lake; (2) water level and seven-day precipitation were both important to TSM variation, but no significant relationship was found between TSM and wind speed or other meteorological data; (3) the increased level of sand mining in response to rapid economic growth has deeply influenced the TSM pattern since 2000 due to the resuspension of sediment; and (4) TSM variation might be associated with policy changes regarding the management of sand mining; it might also be affected by lower water levels caused by the impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam since 2000.
Effects of inorganic and organic amendment on soil chemical properties, enzyme activities, microbial community and soil quality in yellow clayey soil

Understanding the effects of external organic and inorganic components on soil fertility and quality is essential for improving low-yielding soils. We conducted a field study over two consecutive rice growing seasons to investigate the effect of applying chemical fertilizer (NPK), NPK plus green manure (NPKG), NPK plus pig manure (NPKM), and NPK plus straw (NPKS) on the soil nutrient status, enzyme activities involved in C, N, P, and S cycling, microbial community and rice yields of yellow clayey soil. Results showed that the fertilized treatments significantly improved rice yields over the first three experimental seasons. Compared with the NPK treatment, organic amendments produced more favorable effects on soil productivity. Notably, the NPKM treatment exhibited the highest levels of nutrient availability, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), activities of most enzymes and the microbial community. This resulted in the highest soil quality index (SQI) and rice yield, indicating better soil fertility and quality. Significant differences in enzyme activities and the microbial community were observed among the treatments, and redundancy analysis showed that MBC and available N were the key determinants affecting the soil enzyme activities and microbial community. The SQI score of the non-fertilized control (0.72) was comparable to that of the NPK (0.77), NPKG (0.81) and NPKS (0.79) treatments but significantly lower compared with NPKM (0.85). The significant correlation between rice yield and SQI suggests that SQI can be a useful to quantify soil quality changes caused by different agricultural management practices. The results indicate that application of NPK plus pig manure is the preferred option to enhance SOC accumulation, improve soil fertility and quality, and increase rice yield in yellow clayey soil.
Contract Farming and its Impact on Income and Livelihoods for Small-scale Farmers: Case Study in Vietnam

Contract farming has been expected as one of the measures to facilitate participation of farmers in the production of agriculture commercially, adding more values to agricultural produces. Mixed evidence in Vietnam however, has been shown on the wellknown advantage of the contract farming to small farmers such as reduce the cost to access to market, accessing credit, obtaining information on market opportunities or new technologies, purchasing certain inputs and accessing product markets and reducing price fluctuations. The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of contract farming to farmers and to determine policies to facilitate farmer entry into beneficial contractual relationships. In addition to the literature review, one intensive case study of contract farming practices with commodity was conducted. The results from the study have direct relevance to work of agencies and organizations working to promote the welfare of small holding farmers, either through practical field support or through policy advocacy.
Modeling the Underlying Predicting Factors of Tobacco Smoking among Adolescents

Background: With regard to the willing and starting tobacco smoking among young people in Iran. The aim of the study was to model the underlying factors in predicting the behavior of tobacco smoking among employed youth and students in Iran. Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, based on a random cluster sampling were recruited 850 high school students, employed and unemployed youth age ranged between 14 and 19 yr from Iran. The data of demographic and tobacco smoking related variables were acquired via a self-administered questionnaire. A series of univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed respectively for computing un-adjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios utilizing SPSS 17 software. Results: A number of 189 persons (25.6%) were smoker in the study and the mean smoking initiation age was 13.93 (SD= 2.21). In addition, smoker friend, peer persistence, leaving home, and smoking in one and six month ago were obtained as independent predictors of tobacco smoking. Conclusions: The education programs on resistance skills against the persistence of the peers, improvement in health programs by governmental interference and policy should be implemented.
Ensemble Based Extreme Learning Machine

Extreme learning machine (ELM) was proposed as a new class of learning algorithm for single-hidden layer feedforward neural network (SLFN). To achieve good generalization performance, ELM minimizes training error on the entire training data set, therefore it might suffer from overfitting as the learning model will approximate all training samples well. In this letter, an ensemble based ELM (EN-ELM) algorithm is proposed where ensemble learning and cross-validation are embedded into the training phase so as to alleviate the overtraining problem and enhance the predictive stability. Experimental results on several benchmark databases demonstrate that EN-ELM is robust and efficient for classification.
Ku-band MMIC phase shifter using a parallel resonator with 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS technology

A digital 5-bit phase shifter at Ku-band is presented, which is implemented with 0.18-mum RFCMOS technology. n-MOSFET switches and top metal microstrip lines with a first-metal ground allow the phase shifter to have small insertion losses. The proposed 90deg phase shifter utilizing a parallel resonator exhibits broad-band characteristics. All of the circuit components are derived to obtain a minimum phase variation at the operation frequency band. A bridged-T type phase shifter is also analyzed in view of parallel resonance using an ideal equivalent-circuit model. The conditions of the circuit elements are derived in an analytic form, which are used to obtain the broad-band phase characteristics. The fabricated 5-bit phase shifter demonstrates an overall rms phase error less than 12deg from 9 to 15 GHz. Insertion losses of 14.5 dB plusmn 0.5 dB and return losses less than 14 dB are obtained for 32 states at 12 GHz. The proposed 90deg phase shifter has performed a phase shift of 92.3degplusmn3. 2deg over 9-15 GHz
The Tragedy of Belief: Division, Politics, and Religion in Ireland

The power bases of divisions in Ireland - the role of religion Anglo-Irish ascendancy, Protestant subordination, and Catholic oppression - Ireland from 1600-1800 religion and the growth of opposing power groups - Ireland on the road to division, 1800-1922 Catholic Nationalists and Protestant Loyalists today - their states, religions, and ruling ideas shoring up political Catholicism - religion and law in the Southern state schooling as political religion - systems and counter-systems North and South the religious boundaries of group reproduction - Catholic-Protestant marriages North and South.
Factors Determining Sensitivity and Resistance of Tumor Cells to Arsenic Trioxide

Previously, arsenic trioxide showed impressive regression rates of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Here, we investigated molecular determinants of sensitivity and resistance of cell lines of different tumor types towards arsenic trioxide. Arsenic trioxide was the most cytotoxic compound among 8 arsenicals investigated in the NCI cell line panel. We correlated transcriptome-wide microarray-based mRNA expression to the IC50 values for arsenic trioxide by bioinformatic approaches (COMPARE and hierarchical cluster analyses, Ingenuity signaling pathway analysis). Among the identified pathways were signaling routes for p53, integrin-linked kinase, and actin cytoskeleton. Genes from these pathways significantly predicted cellular response to arsenic trioxide. Then, we analyzed whether classical drug resistance factors may also play a role for arsenic trioxide. Cell lines transfected with cDNAs for catalase, thioredoxin, or the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 gene were more resistant to arsenic trioxide than mock vector transfected cells. Multidrug-resistant cells overexpressing the MDR1, MRP1 or BCRP genes were not cross-resistant to arsenic trioxide. Our approach revealed that response of tumor cells towards arsenic trioxide is multi-factorial.
Kinematic dynamo action in a sphere: Effects of periodic time-dependent flows on solutions with axial dipole symmetry

Choosing a simple class of flows, with characteristics that may be present in the Earth's core, we study the ability to generate a magnetic field when the flow is permitted to oscillate periodically in time. The flow characteristics are parameterised by D, representing a differential rotation, M, a meridional circulation, and C, a component characterising convective rolls. The dynamo action of all solutions with fixed parameters (steady flows) is known from earlier studies. Dynamo action is sensitive to these flow parameters and fails spectacularly for much of the parameter space where magnetic flux is concentrated into small regions, leading to high diffusion. In addition, steady flows generate only steady or regularly reversing oscillatory fields and cannot therefore reproduce irregular geomagnetic-type reversal behaviour. Oscillations of the flow are introduced by varying the flow parameters in time, defining a closed orbit in the space ( D, M ). When the frequency of the oscillation is small, the net growth rate of the magnetic field over one period approaches the average of the growth rates for steady flows along the orbit. At increased frequency time-dependence appears to smooth out flux concentrations, often enhancing dynamo action. Dynamo action can be impaired, however, when flux concentrations of opposite signs occur close together as smoothing destroys the flux by cancellation. It is possible to produce geomagnetic-type reversals by making the orbit stray into a region where the steady flows generate oscillatory fields. In this case, however, dynamo action was not found to be enhanced by the time-dependence. A novel approach is being taken to solve the time-dependent eigenvalue problem where, by combining Floquet theory with a matrix-free Krylov-subspace method, we can avoid large memory requirements for storing the matrix required by the standard approach.
Why Education Predicts Decreased Belief in Conspiracy Theories

Summary People with high education are less likely than people with low education to believe in conspiracy theories. It is yet unclear why these effects occur, however, as education predicts a range of cognitive, emotional, and social outcomes. The present research sought to identify mediators of the relationship between education and conspiracy beliefs. Results of Study 1 revealed three independent mediators of this relationship, namely, belief in simple solutions for complex problems, feelings of powerlessness, and subjective social class. A nationally representative sample (Study 2) replicated these findings except for subjective social class. Moreover, variations in analytic thinking statistically accounted for the path through belief in simple solutions. I conclude that the relationship between education and conspiracy beliefs cannot be reduced to a single mechanism but is the result of the complex interplay of multiple psychological factors that are associated with education. © 2016 The Authors. Applied Cognitive Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Associations between intake of added sugars and intakes of nutrients and food groups in the diets of German children and adolescents

The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the effect of intake of added sugars on intakes of nutrients and food groups. We used a mixed linear model (PROC MIXED) to analyse data from the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) study (an ongoing longitudinal cohort study between infancy and adulthood). Between July 1985 and August 2001, 3 d weighed dietary records (n 4993) from 849 children and adolescents (416 male, 433 female) aged 2–18 years were collected and evaluated. Overall mean intake of added sugars was 12·4 (SD 5·3) (median 12·0) % energy. Fat intake (% energy) and intake of all analysed nutrients (as % reference values for nutrient intakes) fell across quintiles 1–5 of energy intake from added sugars (P<0·001). With the exception of ‘Sugary foods’ and ‘Beverages’ (significant increase, P<0·0001) and ‘Dairy’ (NS), intake of all other food groups decreased with increasing intake of added sugars (P<0·0001). In conclusion, we found a slight, but statistically significant, nutrient-dilution effect of added sugars and a significant reduction in intake of important nutrient-bearing food groups. However, the DONALD study gives no clear indicator on grounds of micronutrient dilution for a quantitative limit on intake of added sugars.
An analysis of the food safety educational processes in the Cooperative Extension System of the North Central Region of the United States

Literature suggests that food safety is a serious concern all over the world, and lack of it has huge health and economic implications to different stakeholders. The situation in the U.S. is also no different with most of the American public not much knowledgeable about agriculture and food safety. Therefore, food safety education assumes importance. There are many food safety education providers in the U.S. with the Cooperative Extension System (CES) of the land-grant institutions being the most reliable one. The purpose of this study was to analyze the perceptions and extent of use of food safety educational processes by extension educators in the CES of the North Central Region of the United States. Extension educators’: (1) perceptions toward food safety and various components related to food safety educational processes, (2) their inservice need for the identified educational processes, and (3) the extent to which they were using the identified teaching methods and tools in their food safety educational programs were analyzed in order to accomplish the purpose of the study. Data were collected by using an expert panel-reviewed and reliability-tested electronic questionnaire from extension educators in the program areas of Family and Consumer Sciences and Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the County Extension Directors (CEDs). A disproportionate stratified random sample of 64 extension educators from each of the 12 states of NCR was drawn, amounting to a sample size of 768. The findings were based on the 325 usable questionnaires out of the 416 that were returned. It was found that a typical extension educator (as operationally defined) was a middle-aged female with substantial years of work experience and held a master’s degree. Extension educators had neutral perceptions about food safety, and were in need of inservice