Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are Changes in the Digital Divide Consistent with Global Equality or Inequality?

To answer the question in the title, the author divides a sample of developing countries according to whether they have experienced a rise or fall of the (absolute) digital divide in the Internet. He suggests that in countries where the divide is falling, incomes will tend to be relatively high, and vice versa in the case of a rising divide. This relationship is examined on the basis of simple regression analysis; the analysis indicates the hypothesis is true with a high level of significance. Interpretation of the findings is carried out mainly in relation to countries from Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In short, recent changes in the digital divide are associated with global inequality rather than equality, although there are some important anomalies that need to be explained.
Apo E genotype, diabetes, and peripheral arterial disease in older men: The Honolulu Asia‐Aging Study

The ϵ4 allele of the gene coding for apolipoprotein (apo) E is associated with an atherogenic lipid profile that has been linked to increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Apo E genotype may also be associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). If present, this association may be modified by diabetes, which is also associated with dyslipidemia that predisposes to macrovascular disease. Observable associations between both ApoE genotype and diabetes with PAD may be confounded by smoking, a potent PAD risk factor that is unrelated to lipids. From 1991 to 1993, apo E genotypes (2/3, 3/3, 3/4), PAD (defined as ankle‐brachial index [ABI] <0.9), diabetes (prevalent and newly‐diagnosed), and smoking history (ever/never) were determined for 3,161 Japanese‐American men aged 71–93. Data on hypertension and other potential confounders were also collected. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) between groups cross‐categorized by apo E genotype and diabetes with prevalence of PAD, within strata of smoking. In each smoking stratum, non‐diabetic apo ϵ3/3 carriers were considered the reference. Among ever‐smokers, there was no association between apo E and PAD, regardless of diabetes status. Among never‐smokers there appeared to be both apo E‐ and diabetes effects on PAD prevalence. Compared to the non‐diabetic ϵ3/3 group, the ORS of PAD were 2.3 (1.2–4.4) and 2.0 (1.1–3.4) for ϵ3/3 newly‐diagnosed and ϵ3/3 prevalent diabetic subjects, respectively. Associations were stronger among diabetic individuals in the ϵ3/4 group: the ORS were 3.0 (1.1–8.8) and 4.1 (1.9–8.7) for ϵ3/4 newly‐diagnosed and ϵ3/4prevalent diabetic subjects, respectively. Despite associations whose pattern and magnitude suggested interaction between apo E genotype and diabetes on PAD prevalence among never‐smokers, formal testing of this interaction did not reach statistical significance. Our finding of an apo E‐PAD association among never‐smokers may result from the effects of an apo ϵ4‐related atherogenic lipid profile on peripheral arteries. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential mediating role of diabetes on the apo E‐PAD association. Genet. Epidemiol. 19:52–63, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bacillus subtilis tau subunit of DNA polymerase III interacts with bacteriophage SPP1 replicative DNA helicase G40P.

Genetic evidence suggests that the Bacillus subtilis dnaX gene only encodes for the tau subunit of both DNA polymerases III (Pol IIIs). The B.subtilis full-length protein and their mutant derivatives tau(373- 563) (lacking the N-terminal, domains I-III or amino acid residues 1-372) and tau(1-372) (lacking the C-terminal region or amino acids 373-563) have been purified. The tau protein forms tetramers, tau(373- 563) forms dimers, whereas tau(1-372), depending on the ionic strength, forms trimers or tetramers in solution. In the absence of single-stranded (ss) DNA and a nucleotide cofactor, tau interacts with the SPP1 hexameric replicative G40P DNA helicase in solution or with G40P-ATP bound to ssDNA, with a 1:1 stoichiometry. G40P(109-442), lacking the N-terminal amino acid residues 1-108, interacts with the C-terminal moiety of tau. The data indicate that the interaction of G40P with the tau subunit of Pol III, is relevant for the loading of the Pol IIIs into the SPP1 G38P-promoted open complex.
Scaling Relations for Acidity and Reactivity of Zeolites

Zeolites are widely applied as solid acid catalysts in various technological processes. In this work we have computationally investigated how catalytic reactivity scales with acidity for a range of zeolites with different topologies and chemical compositions. We found that straightforward correlations are limited to zeolites with the same topology. The adsorption energies of bases such as carbon monoxide (CO), acetonitrile (CH3CN), ammonia (NH3), trimethylamine (N(CH3)3), and pyridine (C5H5N) give the same trend of acid strength for FAU zeolites with varying composition. Crystal orbital Hamilton populations (COHP) analysis provides a detailed molecular orbital picture of adsorbed base molecules on the Brønsted acid sites (BAS). Bonding is dominated by strong σ donation from guest molecules to the BAS for the adsorbed CO and CH3CN complexes. An electronic descriptor of acid strength is constructed based on the bond order calculations, which is an intrinsic parameter rather than adsorption energy that contains additional contributions due to secondary effects such as van der Waals interactions with the zeolite walls. The bond order parameter derived for the CH3CN adsorption complex represents a useful descriptor for the intrinsic acid strength of FAU zeolites. For FAU zeolites the activation energy for the conversion of π-adsorbed isobutene into alkoxy species correlates well with the acid strength determined by the NH3 adsorption energies. Other zeolites such as MFI and CHA do not follow the scaling relations obtained for FAU; we ascribe this to the different van der Waals interactions and steric effects induced by zeolite framework topology.
Unraveling toxicological mechanisms and predicting toxicity classes with gene dysregulation networks

The use of genes for distinguishing classes of toxicity has become well established. In this paper we combine the reconstruction of a gene dysregulation network (GDN) with a classifier to assign unseen compounds to their appropriate class. Gene pairs in the GDN are dysregulated in the sense that they are linked by a common expression pattern in one class and differ in this pattern in another class. The classifier gives a quantitative measure on this difference by its prediction accuracy. As an in‐depth example, gene pairs were selected that were dysregulated between skin cells treated with either sensitizers or irritants. Pairs with known and novel markers were found such as HMOX1 and ZFAND2A, ATF3 and PPP1R15A, OXSR1 and HSPA1B, ZFP36 and MAFF. The resulting GDN proved biologically valid as it was well‐connected and enriched in known interactions, processes and common regulatory motifs for pairs. Classification accuracy was improved when compared with conventional classifiers. As the dysregulated patterns for heat shock responding genes proved to be distinct from those of other stress genes, we were able to formulate the hypothesis that heat shock genes play a specific role in sensitization, apart from other stress genes. In conclusion, our combined approach creates added value for classification‐based toxicogenomics by obtaining novel, well‐distinguishing and biologically interesting measures, suitable for the formulation of hypotheses on functional relationships between genes and their relevance for toxicity class differences. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Restricted Feed Intake in Intact and Ovariectomized Rats on Pituitary Lactogen and Gonadotrophin.*

Summary The lactogenic and gonado-trophic hormone content of pituitaries of intact and ovariectomized rats was determined after full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 and no-feed regimes. The full or partially-fed groups were sacrificed at the end of 14 days and the unfed group at the end of 7 days. Pituitary lactogen content was reduced in the intact and ovariectomized rats on the 1/2, 1/4 and no-feed regimes below that of the 3/4 and full-fed controls. No change occurred in the gonadotrophin content of the pituitaries of either the intact or ovariectomized rats, regardless of the level of feed intake. In the intact but not in the ovariectomized rats, restricted feed intake caused a marked reduction in the weights of the pituitary, thyroid and adrenals, except that on the no-feed regime adrenal weight was increased in both groups.
Lower extremity muscle activation in patients with or without chronic ankle instability during walking.

CONTEXT Ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, and many individuals with ankle sprains develop chronic ankle instability (CAI). Individuals with CAI exhibit proprioceptive and postural-control deficits, as well as altered osteokinematics, during gait. Neuromuscular activity is theorized to play a pivotal role in CAI, but deficits during walking are unclear. OBJECTIVE To compare motor-recruitment patterns as demonstrated by surface electromyography amplitudes between participants with CAI and healthy control participants during walking. DESIGN Descriptive laboratory study. SETTING Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Fifteen adults with CAI (5 men, 10 women; age = 23 ± 4.2 years, height = 173 ± 10.8 cm, mass = 72.4 ± 14 kg) and 15 matched healthy control adults (5 men, 10 women; age = 22.9 ± 3.4 years, height = 173 ± 9.4 cm, mass = 70.8 ± 18 kg). INTERVENTION(S) Participants walked shod on a treadmill while surface electromyography signals were recorded from the anterior tibialis, peroneus longus, lateral gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and gluteus medius muscles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Preinitial contact amplitude, postinitial contact amplitude, time of activation relative to initial contact, and percentage of activation time across the stride cycle were calculated for each muscle. RESULTS Time of activation for all muscles tested occurred earlier in the CAI group than in the control group. The peroneus longus was activated for a longer duration across the entire stride cycle in the CAI group (36.0% ± 10.3%) than the control group (23.3% ± 22.2%; P = .05). No differences were noted between groups for measures of electromyographic amplitude at either preinitial or postinitial contact (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS We identified differences between the CAI and control groups in the timing of muscle activation relative to heel strike in multiple lower extremity muscles and in the percentage of activation time across the entire stride cycle in the peroneus longus muscle. Individuals with CAI demonstrated neuromuscular-activation strategies throughout the lower extremity that were different from those of healthy control participants. Targeted therapeutic interventions for CAI may need to be focused on restoring normal neuromuscular function during gait.
The American Economic Review

What is the problem we wish to solve when we try to construct a rational economic order? On certain familiar assumptions the answer is simple enough. If we possess all the relevant information, if we can start out from a given system of preferences and if we command complete knowledge of available means, the problem which remains is purely one of logic. That is, the answer to the question of what is the best use of the available means is implicit in our assumptions. The conditions which the solution of this optimum problem must satisfy have been fully worked out and can be stated best in mathematical form: put at their briefest, they are that the marginal rates of substitution between any two commodities or factors must be the same in all their different uses. This, however, is emphatically not the economic problem which society faces. And the economic calculus which we have developed to solve this logical problem, though an important step toward the solution of the economic problem of society, does not yet provide an answer to it. The reason for this is that the "data" from which the economic calculus starts are never for the whole society "given" to a single mind which could work out the implications, and can never be so given. The peculiar character of the problem of a rational economic order is determined precisely by the fact that the knowledge of the circumstances of which we must make use never exists in concentrated or integrated form, but solely as the dispersed bits of incomplete and frequently contradictory knowledge which all the separate individuals possess. The economic problem of society is thus not merely a problem
Assessment of hyperspectral classification methods for benthic cover type mapping

Though several research papers exploring the possibilities of benthic cover type classification have been published, little emphasis has been given to comparison of the performance of the various spectral classification methods. In this study four different classification methods were tested with and without water column correction. The comparison of the methods was done using a simulated data set. The data set was generated using spectral in situ measurements. The results showed significant differences in mapping accuracy among the tested classification methods. The best overall mapping accuracy (75.0%) without water column correction was achieved using SCM classification while the ED classification produced best results (84.5%) when the correction was applied.
Perceived and objective measures of the food store environment and the association with weight and diet among low-income women in North Carolina

Abstract Objective The present study aimed to highlight the similarities and differences between perceived and objective measures of the food store environment among low-income women and the association with diet and weight. Design Cross-sectional analysis of food store environment. Store level was characterized by: (i) the availability of healthy foods in stores where participants shop, using food store audits (objective); and (ii) summary scores of self-reported perception of availability of healthy foods in stores (perceived). Neighbourhood level was characterized by: (i) the number and type of food stores within the census tract (objective); and (2) summary scores of self-reported perception of availability of healthy foods (perceived). Setting Six counties in North Carolina. Subjects One hundred and eighty-six low-income women. Results Individuals who lived in census tracts with a convenience store and a supercentre had higher odds of perceiving their neighbourhood high in availability of healthy foods (OR = 6·87 (95 % CI 2·61, 18·01)) than individuals with no store. Overall, as the number of healthy foods available in the store decreased, the probability of perceiving that store high in availability of healthy foods increased. Individuals with a supercentre in their census tract weighed more (2·40 (95 % CI 0·66, 4·15) kg/m2) than individuals without one. At the same time, those who lived in a census tract with a supercentre and a convenience store consumed fewer servings of fruits and vegetables (−1·22 (95 % CI −2·40, −0·04)). Conclusions The study contributes to a growing body of research aiming to understand how the food store environment is associated with weight and diet.
Black carbon emissions from biomass and fossil fuels in rural India

Black carbon (BC) emission from biofuel cook- ing in South Asia and its radiative forcing is a significant source of uncertainty for health and climate impact studies. Quantification of BC emissions in the published literature is either based on laboratory or remote field observations far away from the source. For the first time under Project Surya, we use field measurements taken simultaneously in- side rural households, ambient air and vehicular emissions from highways in a rural area in the Indo-Gangetic-Plains re- gion of India to establish the role of both solid biomass based cooking in traditional stoves and diesel vehicles in contribut- ing to high BC and organic carbon (OC), and solar absorp- tion. The major finding of this study is that BC concentra- tions during cooking hours, both indoors and outdoors, have anomalously large twice-daily peak concentrations reaching 60 µg m 3 (median 15-min average value) for indoor and 30 µg m 3 (median 15-min average value) for outdoor during the early morning (05:00 to 08:00) and early evening (17:00 to 19:00) hours coinciding with the morning and evening cooking hours. The BC during the non-cooking hours were also large, in the range of 2 to 30 µg m 3 . The peak in- door BC concentrations reached as high as 1000 µg m 3 . The large diurnal peaks seen in this study lead to the conclusion that satellite based aerosol studies that rely on once- daily daytime measurements may severely underestimate the BC loading of the atmosphere. The concentration of OC was a factor of 5 larger than BC and furthermore optical data show that absorbing brown carbon was a major component of the OC. The imprint of the cooking hour peaks were seen in the outdoor BC both in the village as well as in the highway. The results have significant implications for climate and epidemi- ological studies.
Long-term assessment of clinical response to adalimumab therapy in refractory ulcerative colitis

Introduction The role of antitumour necrosis factor agents, in particular infliximab in ulcerative colitis (UC) has been well established. More recently adalimumab, a fully humanized antitumour necrosis factor &agr; monoclonal antibody, was licensed for refractory moderately active UC in 2012. Available outcome data for adalimumab from routine clinical practice is limited. Aims To evaluate the clinical response and remission to adalimumab in a cohort of UC patients. Methods Patients with UC treated with adalimumab were identified from our inflammatory bowel disease database from 2007. A retrospective chart review was undertaken. Demographic and clinical data were recorded including a Mayo score and C-reactive protein (CRP) where available. All patients received standard induction subcutaneous therapy (160/80/40 mg) followed by a maintenance dose of 40 mg fortnightly. Clinical and biochemical response was assessed at 6 and 12 months. Clinical response was defined by a reduction in Mayo score more than or equal to 3, whereas clinical remission was defined by a total score of 2 or less. Dose adjustments and adverse events were also noted. Results In all, 52 patients were identified. Of these, 65% (n=34) were male and the mean age was 45 years (range 23–72 years). A total of 65% (n=34) had left sided disease, 31% (n=16) pancolitis and 4% (n=2) proctitis. The majority commenced adalimumab due to a loss of response to immunomodulator therapy (n=45, 87%), whereas the remaining 13% (n=7) had loss of response or been intolerant to infliximab. The mean disease duration was 8 years (1–29 years). At baseline 85% (n=44) had moderate disease and 15% (n=8) had mild disease. The baseline mean CRP was 13.5 mg/l (range 1–82 mg/l) and the mean Mayo score was 6 (range 4–10). The mean duration of treatment was 18.5 months (range 4–95 months). Follow-up data was available in 46 (88%) and 37 (71%) patients at 6 and 12 months. Overall there was a statistically significant improvement in mean partial Mayo score on follow-up; 6 months=2 [P=0.0001, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.99–4.55], 12 months=2 (P=0.0001, 95% CI 2.74–4.46). While 65% (n=34) and 52% (n=27) had a clinical response at 6 and 12 months, respectively, 52% (n=27) and 42% (n=22) were in remission. Overall mean CRP normalized at 6 months (P=0.002, 95% CI 3.31–15.1). Of note 25% (n=13) required dose escalation during follow-up, while treatment was discontinued by seven patients, five (71%) due to a loss of response, the remaining two (29%) due to an adverse event. Conclusion Our study shows adalimumab is an effective and safe long-term therapy for moderately active UC refractory to other treatments. While this data is encouraging, further work is required on patient selection and to determine the impact of treatment on both natural history and quality of life.
Effects of reactive γ‐ketoaldehydes formed by the isoprostane pathway (isoketals) and cyclooxygenase pathway (levuglandins) on proteasome function

Oxidative stress can impair proteasome function, both of which are features of neurodegenerative diseases. Inhibition of proteasome function leads to protein accumulation and cell death. We discovered recently the formation of highly reactive γ‐ketoaldehydes, isoketals (IsoKs), and neuroketals (NeuroKs) as products of the isoprostane and neuroprostane pathways of free radical‐induced lipid peroxidation that are analogous to cyclooxygenase‐derived levuglandins (LGs). Because aldehydes that are much less reactive than IsoKs have been shown to inhibit proteasome function, we explored the ability of the proteasome to degrade IsoK‐adducted proteins/peptides and the effect of IsoK and IsoK‐adducted proteins/peptides on proteasome function. Adduction of IsoK to model proteasome substrates significantly reduced their rate of degradation by the 20S proteasome. The ability of IsoK to inhibit proteasome function directly was observed only at very high concentrations. However, at much lower concentrations, an IsoK‐adducted protein (ovalbumin) and peptide (Aβ1–40) significantly inhibited chymotrypsin‐like activity of the 20S proteasome. Moreover, incubation of IsoK with P19 neuroglial cultures dose‐dependently inhibited proteasome activity (IC50 = 330 nM) and induced cell death (LC50 = 670 nM). These findings suggest that IsoKs/NeuroKs/LGs can inhibit proteasome activity and, if overproduced, may have relevance to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
A Prospective Study of Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Patients. Part I: At Diagnosis

Purpose A Swedish and Norwegian study was designed to examine health‐related quality of life (HQL) in patients with head and neck cancer (head and neck) at diagnosis and during treatment and rehabilitation. The overall aim was to examine the impact on HQL at diagnosis depending on tumor location, stage, sex, and age (part I) and to describe HQL longitudinally and determine for which patients and during which period HQL deteriorated most (part II). This article presents the results at diagnosis.