Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Race/ethnicity differences in the validity of self-reported drug use: Results from a household survey

Data were analyzed from a multistage probability household survey of over 600 adults, ages 18–40 from the city of Chicago conducted during 2001–2002. The survey employed audio computer-assisted self-interviews to obtain information about drug use. To imvestigate racelethnicity differences in reporting validity, drug test results were compared with self-reports of past month drug use for cocaine, marijuana, and a combined indicator of both substances. The main indicators of validity were self-report sensitivity and concordance. Possible theoretical models accounting for potential cultural differences in reporting validity were discussed. Survey variables reflecting these potential explanations were examined as potential mediators of racelethnicity differences in validity and as direct correlates of validity. Socioeconomic status was identified as one potential mediator. With this exception, racelethnicity differences suggesting lower levels of marijuana and cocaine concordance for African Americans as compared with Whites were sustained after controlling for potential mediators. Methodological implications for epidemiological and health disparities research are discussed.
Intermolecular ion pairs maintain the toroidal structure of Pyrococcus furiosus PCNA

Two mutant proliferating cell nuclear antigens from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, PfuPCNA(D143A) and PfuPCNA(D143A/D147A), were prepared by site‐specific mutagenesis. The results from gel filtration showed that mutations at D143 and D147 drastically affect the stability of the trimeric structure of PfuPCNA. The PfuPCNA(D143A) still retained the activity to stimulate the DNA polymerase reaction, but PfuPCNA(D143A/D147A) lost the activity. Crystal structures of the mutant PfuPCNAs were determined. Although the wild‐type PCNA forms a toroidal trimer with intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the N‐ and C‐terminal domains, the mutant PfuPCNAs exist as V‐shaped dimers through intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the two C‐terminal domains in the crystal. Because the mutated residues are involved in the intermolecular ion pairs through their side chains in the wild‐type PfuPCNA, these ion pairs seem to play a key role in maintaining the toroidal structure of the PfuPCNA trimer. The comparison of the crystal structures revealed intriguing conformational flexibility of each domain in the PfuPCNA subunit. This structural versatility of PCNA may be involved in the mechanisms for ring opening and closing.
Low temperature aging tests for lithium-ion batteries

This paper presents the aging test results of a 100Ah prismatic LiFeMnPO4 battery cell at low temperatures. Accelerated aging tests have been carried out on 4 cells to address the effect of cold temperatures on Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Three of them were aged through a normalized driving cycle at three temperature tests (-20°C, 0°C and 25°C). The calendar test was carried out on one single battery at -20°C and mid-range of SOC (50%). Their capacities were continuously measured every two or three days. From the analysis, this paper shows that it is mandatory to consider the impact of cold temperatures on a battery pack lifespan. Therefore, there is a need for having a proper thermal strategy in order to keep the battery cell in the most appropriate operating condition and thus reduce the cold effect on the battery performances.
Comparison of three time-series NDVI reconstruction methods based on TIMESAT

This paper has presented the reconstructing performances of AG, D-L and S-G methods for different types of vegetation cover and quantitatively comparing residuals and RMSE between raw and reconstructing NDVI. Time-series NDVI curves of six vegetation cover types of desert, desert steppe, meadow, shrub, crop, and forest. The results show that AG and D-L have better performances in keeping overall shape of curves. However, D-L may generate slightly more deviations in fitting the peak points of growing season curve than AG in general. The highest correlation coefficients of reconstructing curve with raw curve are of AG, followed by D-L, S-G. The AG method reconstructed the NDVI curves slightly better than D-L and better than S-G, particularly for greenup and dormancy period of growing season (RMSE (AG) < RMSE (D-L) < RMSE(S-G)). However, in peak of curves, the RMSE value of S-G was lower than that of other two methods.
Comprehensive calculation of the energy per ion pair or W values for five major planetary upper atmospheres

Abstract. The mean energy W expended in a collision of electrons with atmospheric gases is a useful parameter for fast aeronomy computations. Computing this parameter in transport kinetic models with experimental values can tell us more about the number of processes that have to be taken into account and the uncertainties of the models. We present here computations for several atmospheric gases of planetological interest (CO2, CO, N2, O2, O, CH4, H, He) using a family of multi-stream kinetic transport codes. Results for complete atmospheres for Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Titan are also shown for the first time. A simple method is derived to calculate W of gas mixtures from single-component gases and is conclusively checked against the W values of these planetary atmospheres. Discrepancies between experimental and theoretical values show where improvements can be made in the measurement of excitation and dissociation cross-sections of specific neutral species, such as CO2 and CO.
Irrigation Method Affects Selenium Accumulation in Forage Brassica Species

Abstract A greenhouse study was conducted in sand cultures to compare the effects of saline irrigation waters applied by two different methods, flooding and above‐canopy sprinkling, on selenium (Se) accumulation by the forage brassicas, kale (Brassica oleracea L., cv. “Premier”) and turnip (B. rapa L., cv. “Forage Star”). The composition of the irrigation water was designed to simulate saline (7 dS m−1) drainage effluent commonly encountered in the San Joaquin Valley of California, and being evaluated for reuse by irrigation of salt tolerant crops. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with two irrigation methods, two plant species (kale and turnip), four Se concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 1.0, and 2.0 mg L−1 Se–SeO4 2−), and three replications. Kale was generally a more efficient Se accumulator than turnip. Shoot Se concentrations in kale and turnip increased with increasing Se in the irrigation waters regardless of irrigation method. Selenium was readily taken up by the leaves of the sprinkled plants to give shoot‐Se concentrations that were two‐ to three‐fold higher than in plants of the same cultivar grown under flood irrigation. Both kale and turnip can accumulate Se to concentrations that would be toxic to animals if exclusively fed this material. These Se‐enriched forages may be useful as an additive to Se‐deficient fodders in order to meet the nutritional requirements of livestock. The potential for phytoremediation of Se contaminated soils or waters is greatly enhanced by sprinkler irrigation via the mechanism of foliar absorption of Se. This enhanced uptake is especially important in the presence of elevated sulfate concentrations, which normally reduce Se uptake by plants.
Gene Families from the Arabidopsis thaliana Pollen Coat Proteome

The pollen extracellular matrix contains proteins mediating species specificity and components needed for efficient pollination. We identified all proteins >10 kilodaltons in the Arabidopsispollen coating and showed that most of the corresponding genes reside in two genomic clusters. One cluster encodes six lipases, whereas the other contains six lipid-binding oleosin genes, includingGRP17, a gene that promotes efficient pollination. Individual oleosins exhibit extensive divergence between ecotypes, but the entire cluster remains intact. Analysis of the syntenic region inBrassica oleracea revealed even greater divergence, but a similar clustering of the genes. Such allelic flexibility may promote speciation in plants.
The effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV on the anti‐HCV specific humoral immune response

The effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on HCV replication is controversial, with some studies reporting no effect and others increases, reductions and even clearances of HCV RNA after treatment. In this study, the effect of HAART was investigated on the titre of anti‐HCV specific antibodies and on the relationship between these antibodies and HCV RNA level in a cohort of 24 patients with inherited bleeding disorders. A significant inverse correlation between antibodies to both total HCV proteins and HCV RNA (R = −0.42, P = 0.05) and between antibodies to HCV envelope glycoproteins and HCV RNA (R = −0.54, P = 0.01) was observed pre‐HAART. The relationship disappeared or was obscured after therapy (R = 0.24, P = 0.30 and R = 0.16, P = 0.50, respectively). Thus, we show that HAART affects the HCV specific humoral immune responses without affecting the HCV RNA level. J. Med. Virol. 72:187–193, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antimetabolite-induced apoptosis in Tenon's capsule fibroblasts.

PURPOSE To determine whether treatment with mitomycin-c and 5-fluorouracil induces apoptotic death in cultured subconjunctival fibroblasts. METHODS Cultured human subconjunctival Tenon's capsule fibroblasts were exposed to 5-minute applications of mitomycin-C (up to 1 mg/ml) or 5-fluorouracil (up to 50 mg/ml) or phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS). Fibroblast apoptosis was determined by cell morphology, apoptosis-specific protein expression, and DNA fragmentation by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). In addition, apoptosis was quantified by direct cell counts based on morphology or lactate dehydrogenase release. RESULTS Morphologic changes characteristic of apoptosis included nuclear and cytoplasmic condensation and occasional nuclear fragmentation while the plasma membrane remained intact. Apoptosis-specific protein expression and DNA fragmentation was observed in fibroblasts 48 hours after mitomycin-C treatment but not in control PBS-treated fibroblasts. The amount of apoptosis induced was dose dependent and partially inhibited by the addition of fetal calf serum to growth medium immediately after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Mitomycin-C and high-dose 5-fluorouracil induce apoptosis in cultured Tenon's fibroblasts. Mitomycin-C-induced apoptosis is inhibited by fetal calf serum, indicating that exogenous factors influence the susceptibility of a fibroblast population to apoptosis. The induction and regulation of fibroblast apoptosis provides a novel target for the potential regulation of scarring.
The Influence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Ankle Sprain on Static Postural Control Among Soccer Players

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare the influences of AS and ACLR on static postural control among amateur athletes. Materials and Methods: Ten subjects having ACLR with mean age, height and body mass of (23.9yrs± 4.4yrs), (1.77m ± 0.06m) and (81.6kg ± 12.95kg) respectively, were selected as experimental group I. Another 10 subjects who were injured by AS with mean age, height and body mass of (24.4yrs± 4.4yrs), (1.79m ±0.08m) and (74.63kg ± 11.48kg), respectively were served as experimental group II. Also, 10 able-bodied subjects were selected as control group. A Kistler force plate was used to record the sway of the feet center of pressure (COP) Six different conditions including a) standing on the injured foot, b) standing on the uninjured foot, and c) standing on both feet, in both closed and open eyes conditions were used for balance evaluations. For statistical analysis Repeated Measure (GLM) technique with Tukey post-hoc test and α<0.05 was used. Results: In eyes open condition, COP sway was similar in all groups (p=0.364). Closed eyes resulted in a significant increase in the COP sway which was differently distributed among groups (p = 0.04). This study reveals that ACLR and AS injuries have minimal effects on static standing postural control in eyes open condition. Single-limb standing without visual inputs resulted in a significantly greater COP sway in soccer players with ACLR and AS injuries, implying a proprioception deficit. Postural control on standing over the intact foot showed greater COP sway than that of the injured foot. Conclusion: It is recommended to repeat this study in dynamic conditions to have a better understanding of this issue.
Human Milk Banking: a bridge between the preterm mother and infant; the experience from a Greek Public Perinatal Center

Abstract: Worldwide g rowing clinical evidence has placed raw human milk feeding and the supply of donor milk as well as the early initiation of breastfeeding as a basic nutritional policy for preterm infants in Greece. Nowadays, donor human milk banking is promoted, protected, and supported as an extension of the Greek national breastfeeding policy. In fact, human milk banking besides collecting, processing, and storing donor milk consists a bridge between the preterm mother and infant, especially during the first days of lactation, that preterm mother’s milk cannot completely fulfill her infants’ needs. Human milk banking represents a tool for breastfeed­ing promotion. Preterm infants fed with an absolute human milk diet are able to initiate breastfeeding earlier compared to those who are fed mainly with a preterm formula, who achieve later on time to initiate bottle-feeding. The policy of early aggressive nutrition even from the first hour of life with the minimal enteric feeding, is now practiced, by most neonatologists, in our country too, while early nutrition is also considered to be safe in terms of lifelong biological effects. For all the infants, both terms and preterms, human milk imposes potential beneficial effects on immunity and the maternal-infant emotional bond. However, the nutritional role of human milk in premature infants is less well defined as it contains insufficient amounts of some nutrients. Multi-component bovine fortifiers provide extra nutrients to supplement human milk (protein, energy, calcium, phosphate, and carbohydrate, as well as vitamins and trace minerals), while t argeted fortification of human milk is associated with short-term improvements at hospital discharge, in weight gain, linear and head growth, feeding tolerance and length of stay in NICU.
Elongator function in tRNA wobble uridine modification is conserved between yeast and plants

Based on studies in yeast and mammalian cells the Elongator complex has been implicated in functions as diverse as histone acetylation, polarized protein trafficking and tRNA modification. Here we show that Arabidopsis mutants lacking the Elongator subunit AtELP3/ELO3 have a defect in tRNA wobble uridine modification. Moreover, we demonstrate that yeast elp3 and elp1 mutants expressing the respective Arabidopsis Elongator homologues AtELP3/ELO3 and AtELP1/ELO2 assemble integer Elongator complexes indicating a high degree of structural conservation. Surprisingly, in vivo complementation studies based on Elongator‐dependent tRNA nonsense suppression and zymocin tRNase toxin assays indicated that while AtELP1 rescued defects of a yeast elp1 mutant, the most conserved Elongator gene AtELP3, failed to complement an elp3 mutant. This lack of complementation is due to incompatibility with yeast ELP1 as coexpression of both plant genes in an elp1 elp3 yeast mutant restored Elongator's tRNA modification function in vivo. Similarly, AtELP1, not ScELP1 also supported partial complementation by yeast–plant Elp3 hybrids suggesting that AtElp1 has less stringent sequence requirements for Elp3 than ScElp1. We conclude that yeast and plant Elongator share tRNA modification roles and propose that this function might be conserved in Elongator from all eukaryotic kingdoms of life.
Acupuncture and hypnosis compared: fifty-eight cases.

Abstract Fifty-eight volunteers seeking to eliminate cigarette smoking were treated in a general hospital “smoking clinic” by being divided into five groups: placebo-site acupuncture; correct-site acupuncture; group hypnosis; individual hypnosis; untreated control. Six months after treatment correct-site acupuncture and individual hypnosis proved to be most effective treatment. Differing rates of improvement suggest these interventions are separate and distinct rather than involving suggestion or reinforcement of already existing motivation.
Investigating factors associated with the spillover effect of investments in telecoms: Do some transition economies pay too much for too little?

One of the routes by which investments in information and communication technologies (ICT) could impact a macroeconomic bottom line of economies is by contributing to total factor productivity (TFP), an important component of economic growth. While the more traditional “investments to revenues” resource-intensive path has been well researched, the nature of the indirect “investments to TFP” link remains much less clear. Specifically, it is not well understood what conditions must be present for economies to exhibit the relationship between investments and TFP. In the current study, conducted in the context of 18 transition economies in Europe and the former Soviet Union, we aim to identify some of the factors associated with the presence of the relationship between the subset of investments in ICT, investments in telecoms, and two components of TFP – change in efficiency and change in technology. The results of the analysis of the data set spanning from 1993 to 2002 suggest that while the presence of the link between investments and change in technology was associated with the level of investments, the presence of the relationship between investments and change in efficiency was associated with the quality of a full-time telecom workforce. The consequent analysis of the data set spanning from 2003 to 2008 supports this finding and also provides evidence of the importance of the macroeconomic strategies that balance an increase in the levels of investments with the increase in the levels of efficiency of utilization of investments and the generation of revenues.
Pheromonal facilitation of ovulation in the immature mouse.

Summary. Facilitation of pmsg- or hcg-induced ovulation occurs in the immature female mouse exposed to the presence of, but not in contact with, an adult male. The effect is not seen if an immature or castrated adult male is used. Removal of the olfactory bulbs in the female also pre-vents facilitation due to the presence of the male. It is suggested that a number of different effects seen in the female due to a pheromone released by the male may be mediated through a single environmental stimulus. the male mouse reproductive activi¬ ties in both the and immature female that the male pheromone stimulates fsh secretion. The present study reports a pheromonal facilitation of gonadotrophin-induced ovulation in the immature mouse and is interpreted as indicating the release of both gonadotrophins in the female by the action of a male pheromone.
Assessment of occupational health problems and physiological stress among the brick field workers of West Bengal, India

ObjectivesThe brick field industry is one of the oldest industries in India, which employs a large number of workers of poor socioeconomic status. The main aim of the present investigation is i) to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among brick field workers, ii) to determine the prevalence of respiratory disorders and physiological stress among brick field workers compared to control workers.Material and MethodsFor this study, a total of 220 brick field workers and 130 control subjects were selected randomly. The control subjects were mainly involved in hand-intensive jobs. The Modified Nordic Questionnaire was applied to assess the discomfort felt among both groups of workers. Thermal stress was also assessed by measuring the WBGT index. The pulmonary functions were checked using the spirometry. Physiological assessment of the workload was carried out by recording the heart rate and blood pressure of the workers prior to work and just after work in the field.ResultsBrick field workers suffered from pain especially in the lower back (98%), hands (93%), knees (86%), wrists (85%), shoulders (76%) and neck (65%). Among the brick-making activities, brick field workers felt discomfort during spading for mud collection (98%), carrying bricks (95%) and molding (87%). The results showed a significantly lower p value < 0.001 in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and PEFR in brick field workers compared to the control group. The post-activity heart rate of the brick field workers was 148.6 beats/min, whereas the systolic and diastolic blood pressure results were 152.8 and 78.5 mm/Hg, respectively.ConclusionsThis study concludes that health of the brick field workers was highly affected due to working in unhealthy working conditions for a long period of time.
Dietary habits and prognostic factors in breast cancer.

The relationship between dietary habits and prognostic factors for breast cancer was studied in 240 women aged 50-65 years who had surgery for breast cancer between 1983 and 1986. A dietary history interview was conducted within the 4 months following resection of the primary tumor. In the stepwise multivariate analysis, the multiple-odds ratio (OR) for having a tumor greater than or equal to 20 mm in diameter was 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.99) for each 1-g increase in fiber intake per 10 MJ of energy intake. Compared with patients having tumors poor in estrogen receptor (ER), those having ER-rich tumors (greater than or equal to 0.10 fmol/microgram of DNA) were older (P less than .01) and reported carbohydrate intake yielding higher E% (percentage of total energy intake) (P less than .01) and higher retinol intake per 10 MJ (P less than .05). The OR for having an ER-rich tumor was 1.58 (95% confidence interval, 1.08-2.31) for each 1-mg increase in retinol intake per 10 MJ; 1.09 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.16) for each additional year of age; and 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.13) for each 1% increment in E% from carbohydrates. These results suggest that the dietary patterns of the western world (e.g., high fat intake and low intake of carbohydrates and fiber) affect certain prognostic factors in breast cancer, such as tumor size and ER content of the tumor.
Quality of Life of Adults with Growth Hormone Deficiency: a Controlled Study

Björk, S. , Jönsson, B. , Westphal, 0. and Levin, J.‐E. (Center for Medical Technology Assessment, Linkoping University, and the Department of Paediatrics II, University of Gothenburg, Sweden). Quality of life of adults with growth hormone deficiency: a controlled study. Acta Paediatr Scand [Suppl] 356: 55, 1989.