Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organochlorine compounds in human adipose tissue from north Texas.

This paper reports a preliminary study that was conducted to determine the concentrations of organochlorine compounds in the adipose tissue of residents of North Texas. Thirty-five human adipose tissue samples were obtained during autopsy between 1987 and 1988 from persons who had no known occupational exposure to organochlorine pesticides. These samples were analyzed by electron-capture gas chromatographic methods for the presence of beta-benzene hexachloride, o,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT, dieldrin, oxychlordane, and heptachlor epoxide. The findings indicate greater than 97% occurrence for each compound with the exception of o,p'-DDE and o,p'-DDT, each of which occurred in 54% of the population sampled. Statistical analyses of the data showed strong positive correlations between adipose tissue concentrations and age for oxychlordane, heptachlor epoxide, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and total DDT (the normalized sum of DDT and its analogues) (p less than or equal to .05). Statistically significant differences (p less than or equal to .05) in geometric mean concentrations between all age groups were found for total DDT and p,p'-DDE. However, the group means comparison test was only significantly different between the 41-60 yr and 61 and over age groups for p,p'-DDT, oxychlordane, and heptachlor epoxide. No statistically significant difference was found between sexes in this study. The geometric means of pesticide concentrations in adipose tissue were compared with those reported in previous U.S. Environmental Protection Agency surveys for the general population. This comparison clearly indicates a declining temporal trend in environmental exposure for banned DDT analogues; however, a consistent temporal trend exists for oxychlordane and heptachlor epoxide--pesticides whose uses are currently restricted but not proscribed.
SKINFOLD THICKNESS IN PRIMITIVE PEOPLES NATIVE TO COLD CLIMATES

In order for early man to migrate into inhospitably cold regions of the earth he required technological skills providing clothing and shelter. Present day primitive ethnic groups, some of which have changed little since Paleolithic times, possess such skills. Observation of these peoples suggests, furthermore, an additional requirement for physiological adaption to cold. This is particularly true of naked or poorly clothed and sheltered populations, since there is probably no place on earth where air temperatures are always above the critical temperature for man, that is, the environmental temperature in which a naked man can remain in a steady state maintaining body temperature and not increasing metabolism. The critical air temperature for man, both contemporary urban and primitive, appears to be about 27" C. ' Physiological adaptation to cold might be expected to be brought about by variation in heat production and heat loss such as to maintain deep body temperature. Where cold exposure is sufficient to cause injury to inadequately protected extremities an additional adaptation providing increased heat transport to the periphery might be suspected. In the interest of metabolic economy some appropriate form of body insulation, such as subcutaneous fat, might be invoked as a means of achieving cold adaptation at the least energy cost. Speculations of this kind have long interested anthropologists and physiologists interested in the features of man's adaptation to cold climates. Subcutaneous fat layers have been proposed by several writers as the means by which cold-exposed peoples have provided themselves with physiological ins~l ta t ion. ~,~,~ An experimental basis for this speculation has been provided by the finding that subcutaneous fat in Caucasians acutely exposed to cold was positively correlated with maintained rectal temperature, reduced metabolic rate, and cooler skin temperatures, all of which are in the appropriate direction for effective ins~lation. ~*~*' FIGURES 1,2, and 3 show pertinent findings from two of these studies. During total body immersion in water, in which situation the thermal environment is relatively fixed and conductivity is increased many times over that in air, subcutaneous fat is clearly an asset in preventing heat loss. Well-padded long distance swimmers, for example, have a distinct advantage in maintaining body temperat~re. ~. ~ Aquatic mammals native to cold regions also possess fat insulation.1° Recent water bath experiments on Eskimos have shown them to be poorly insulated under these conditions. 'l Some years ago, Scholander proposed a series of studies of thermal and
Pseudo-identity based encryption and its application in mobile ad hoc networks

An ad hoc network is characterized by the absence of any central infrastructure. Since the network is formed in fly, nodes may either join or leave the network at their wish. Since there are no dedicated routers, routing function is accomplished through multiple peer-peer connections. Thus any malicious node may offer routing voluntarily in order to attract more traffic towards it. In order to establish confidentiality and integrity of data packets, it is essential to use some form of encryption. Public key algorithms may not be possible as there is no possibility of having a central PKI in an ad hoc network, and CPU/memory requirements. Symmetric key cryptography may be used; however, session key may not be distributed securely to remote nodes. In this paper, we provide an elegant solution to these two problems using our proposed algorithm called pseudo-identity based encryption.
The organization and reorganization of human speech perception.

One of the most fundamental attributes of being human is the ability to perceive and produce language. Although humans communicate by sign and writing, by far the most common and enduring form of human com­ munication is spoken language, or speech. The unique set of abilities that characterizes speech perception, and the early appearance of these abilities during human ontogeny, suggests that these capacities may be deeply rooted in our biology. In this chapter we review selective behavioral work on the development of speech perception in humans and try to relate these empirical findings both to the ontogeny of auditory/communicative abilities in infrahumans and to their neurobiological substrates. We start with an overview of some of the fundamental characteristics of speech perception that make it an intriguing area of inquiry and suggest the involvement of specialized biological predispositions. We then survey research on developmental changes in speech perception. This section begins with a characterization of the "initial state" of the human infant's ability to proccss speech sounds (including a considcration of potential prenatal environmental influences on this state), and then reviews empirical work examining postnatal changes in speech processing, with a focus on our own work in cross-language speech perception. In the course of this analysis we relate this work, albeit selectively, to what we believe is parallel research involving the processing of auditory/communicative signals by nonhuman animals. In the final section of the chapter, we briefly speculate about possible neurobiological processes that might account for the nature of the recent developmental evidence.
Retrieval inhibition in episodic recall

Episodic forgetting can arise in a number of different situations. Recall of target material can be impaired if additional material is learned (interference), related information is repeatedly retrieved (retrieval-induced forgetting), or an instruction to intentionally forget the target material is provided (directed forgetting). The question arises which mechanisms underlie these different forms of forgetting and how they affect the binding of items and cues. We report results from experiments in which response latency analysis was used to distinguish between different forgetting mechanisms. The results suggest that interference is due to enhanced competition, whereas retrieval-induced forgetting and directed forgetting are mediated by a form of retrieval inhibition in which the binding between items and their cues is weakened. Furthermore, in both retrieval-induced forgetting and directed forgetting, the weakening could not be reduced by a repeated testing procedure, indicating that the inhibition is stable and long-lasting. We also studied the developmental course of episodic forgetting. Whereas children and adults showed similar susceptibility to interference and also similar effects of retrieval-induced forgetting, a developmental difference was found in directed forgetting. Mature directed forgetting was present only in adults and older children but not in younger children.
Asparagine reduces the mRNA expression of muscle atrophy markers via regulating protein kinase B (Akt), AMP-activated protein kinase α, toll-like receptor 4 and nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain protein signalling in weaning piglets after lipopolysaccharide challenge

Abstract Pro-inflammatory cytokines are critical in mechanisms of muscle atrophy. In addition, asparagine (Asn) is necessary for protein synthesis in mammalian cells. We hypothesised that Asn could attenuate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced muscle atrophy in a piglet model. Piglets were allotted to four treatments (non-challenged control, LPS-challenged control, LPS+0·5 % Asn and LPS+1·0 % Asn). On day 21, the piglets were injected with LPS or saline. At 4 h post injection, piglet blood and muscle samples were collected. Asn increased protein and RNA content in muscles, and decreased mRNA expression of muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) and muscle RING finger 1 (MuRF1). However, Asn had no effect on the protein abundance of MAFbx and MuRF1. In addition, Asn decreased muscle AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α phosphorylation, but increased muscle protein kinase B (Akt) and Forkhead Box O (FOXO) 1 phosphorylation. Moreover, Asn decreased the concentrations of TNF-α, cortisol and glucagon in plasma, and TNF-α mRNA expression in muscles. Finally, Asn decreased mRNA abundance of muscle toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain protein (NOD) signalling-related genes, and regulated their negative regulators. The beneficial effects of Asn on muscle atrophy may be associated with the following: (1) inhibiting muscle protein degradation via activating Akt and inactivating AMPKα and FOXO1; and (2) decreasing the expression of muscle pro-inflammatory cytokines via inhibiting TLR4 and NOD signalling pathways by modulation of their negative regulators.
APPROXIMATE LIKELIHOOD INFERENCE FOR HAPLOTYPE RISKS IN CASE-CONTROL STUDIES OF A RARE DISEASE

The standard study design to study risk factors for rare diseases is the case-control design. Genetic association case-control studies often include haplotypes as risk factors. Haplotypes are not always observed, though observable single-locus genotypes contain partial haplotype information. Missing haplotypes lead to analysis of data with missing covariates. Maximum likelihood (ML) inference is then based on solving a set of weighted score equations. However, the weights cannot be calculated exactly. We describe three methods that approximate ML by approximating the weights: i) naive application of prospective ML (PML), which ignores the case-control sampling design, ii) an estimating equations (EE) approach and iii) a hybrid approach which is based on PML, but with improved weights suggested by EE. We investigate the statistical properties of the three methods by simulation. In our simulations the hybrid approach gave more accurate estimates of statistical interactions than PML and more accurate standard errors than EE.
Case histories of six consumers and their families in Cash and Counseling.

OBJECTIVE To examine how the lives of consumers and their caregivers were affected by making choices and controlling their own resources with the cash option, this paper focuses on six case studies from the Cash and Counseling Demonstration Program. DATA SOURCES Twenty-one consumers, caregivers, and state consultants were interviewed about their experiences in the program. STUDY DESIGN The data come from a larger study of over 200 interviews conducted from June 2000 to August 2004. Interview data were analyzed for themes about caregiving and program satisfaction. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Cash and Counseling benefited consumers and caregivers by allowing consumers increased continuity and reliability of care, increased ability to set hours of care, more satisfaction with how caregiving is offered and more satisfaction with the quality of care. CONCLUSIONS The cash option allowed consumers to create, schedule, and manage their own model of care. Some consumers faced challenges in the program with paperwork, accounting, worries about receiving care, and some ineffective state consultants who could have been more helpful.
Respiratory infections and asthma

Clinical and experimental evidence suggests an important role for respiratory infections in the development of asthma attacks. Viral upper respiratory infections have been associated with 80% of asthma exacerbations in children and 50% of all asthma episodes in adults. Human rhinovirus has been implicated as the principal virus associated with asthma episodes. Separate studies indicate that atypical bacteria such as Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae may precipitate asthma symptoms. Although not completely clarified, the intricate pathogenetic mechanisms by which viral infections promote asthma attacks have been extensively investigated in recent years. By contrast, it has not yet been established whether atypical bacterial infections are an epiphenomenon or a pathogenic event in asthma.
Abnormal Pulmonary Function and Associated Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents With Sickle Cell Anemia

Obstructive and restrictive pulmonary changes develop in children with sickle cell disease, but reports conflict as to the type of change that predominates. We prospectively performed spirometry, plethysmography, and lung diffusing capacity in 146 children aged 7 to 20 years with hemoglobin SS or S&bgr;0-thalassemia. Nineteen percent of the patients had obstructive physiology as defined according to guidelines of the American Thoracic Society. In addition, 9% had restrictive physiology and 11% had abnormal but not categorized physiology. Increasing age, patient-reported or family-reported history of asthma or wheezing, and higher lactate dehydrogenase concentration were independent predictors of obstruction as reflected in lower forced expiratory volume in the first second/forced vital capacity. In conclusion, abnormal pulmonary function, most often obstructive, is common in children with hemoglobin SS and S&bgr;0-thalassemia. Full pulmonary function testing should be performed in children with hemoglobin SS or S&bgr;0-thalassemia, especially with history of asthma or wheezing and accentuated elevations in hemolytic markers.
Impact Velocities of the Teeth after a Sudden Unloading at Various Initial Bite Forces, Degrees of Mouth Opening, and Distances of Travel

A potentially dangerous situation arises when an individual bites on hard and brittle food which suddenly breaks, since the impact velocity of the lower teeth onto the upper teeth after the food is broken can be high and may cause dental damage. The present experiments were designed to study the magnitude of the impact velocity after a sudden unloading at various initial bite forces, degrees of mouth opening, and distances of travel. Subjects were asked to perform a static biting task during which the resistance to the bite was suddenly removed. The upward mandible movement was arrested after a certain distance. The velocity of the lower teeth at impact was calculated just before the mandible came to a standstill in combinations of 4 different bite forces (100, 80, 60, and 40 N), 4 different initial degrees of mouth opening (33.5, 30.5, 27.5, and 24.5 mm), and 3 different distances of travel of the mandible (4.5, 3.0, and 1.5 mm). We found that the bite force rapidly declined after the unloading, resulting in a small impact velocity of the lower front teeth. This impact velocity largely depended on the magnitude of the initial bite force and the distance traveled; it was barely sensitive to variations in degree of initial mouth opening. The maximal velocity of the lower teeth was 0.43 m/s (at an initial bite force of 100 N). This maximum was reached after a distance of travel of about 4 mm in 12 ms. The data suggest that the rapid decline in bite force coupled with a limitation of impact velocity is due to the force-velocity properties of the active jaw muscles and is not caused by neural control.
[Clinical efficacy of Shengjing capsule on patients with oligoasthenospermia].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical effect of the Chinese medicinal preparation Shengling Capsule on patients with oligoasthenospermia. METHODS A total of 270 male patients with infertility induced by oligoasthenospermia were equally divided into a treatment and a control group, the former medicated with Shengling Capsule at the dose of 1.6 g tid, and the latter given Vit E at 50 mg tid, both for a course of 12 weeks. Then we analyzed the changes in the patients'seminal parameters and the pregnancy of their wives. RESULTS After 12 weeks of medication, both the seminal parameters of the patients and pregnancy of their wives were remarkably improved, with extremely significant differences from pre-treatment and the control (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Shengjing Capsule can improve sperm motility and vitality as well as sperm count. With few adverse effects, it can be used as a safe and effective therapeutic for male infertility induced by oligoasthenospermia.
Effect of low-level carbon monoxide exposure on onset and duration of angina pectoris. A study in ten patients with ischemic heart disease.

Ten volunteers with ischemic heart disease (stable angina) were exposed in a double-blind experiment to 0, 50, or 100 ppM CO for 4 hr prior to treadmill exercise. COHb averaged 1.3, 2.9, and 4.5% just after exposure. CO decreased exercise time to anginal pain and prolonged duration of pain after stopping exercise. 5 of 10 had deeper ST-segment depression.
Active surveillance management of head and neck paragangliomas: case series and review of the literature

Abstract Background: Head and neck paragangliomas are rare. They are usually slow-growing, benign, non-catecholamine secreting tumours, traditionally treated with surgical excision. Complications of surgical excision include lower cranial nerve palsies, stroke and death. Method: A retrospective case note analysis was conducted of patients with head and neck paragangliomas treated with a watch-and-scan policy from March 2003 to September 2015, and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results: Fifteen head and neck paragangliomas were identified. None of the patients developed a new lower cranial nerve palsy or progression of their presenting hearing loss during the follow-up period. Five patients displayed an increase in maximum linear dimension of 4 mm over an average of 57.4 months. A review of the literature showed that a watch-and-surveillance scan policy is evolving as a treatment option for head and neck paragangliomas without malignant risk factors. Conclusion: Readily available surveillance scanning in head and neck paragangliomas enables the monitoring of head and neck paragangliomas, which may allow for avoidance of major surgery.
The Influence of the Ownership Structure on the Performance of Innovative Companies in the US

Innovative companies are a major driver of the global economy. The typical major owner is an institutional investor. In recent years the stakes of institutional owners have increased, which should increase the role of institutional investors. Institutional investors, however, differ. Traditional investment managers, banks, insurance companies and hedge funds have different goals and strategies, so their roles in firms differ significantly. In this article we analyze the difference between technology and non-technology companies to find out the reason for the success of fast-growing corporations. This research uses a Generalized Least Square model on a sample of 12,565 firm-year observations 2004–15, to justify the assumption that different types of investors have different effects on the performance of innovative companies. The research reveals a distinction between the type of investor and the investor strategy. By focusing on the concentration of ownership, we demonstrate the performance effect on different blockholders. Our findings suggest, first, that grey investors decrease firm value; second, that passive independent institutions enhance firm performance in virtue of their active monitoring and long-term investment horizons; third, that innovative firms have different ownership patterns to traditional ones.
Pay inequality and corporate divestitures

Research Summary: This paper analyzes how pay inequality influences divestiture decisions. Using detailed data on division manager compensation and divestiture activity, this study documents that firms are more likely to divest divisions when pay inequality among division managers is higher. To address potential bias in the measurement of pay inequality, we construct a “synthetic” measure that varies with regional and industry pay shocks that differentially affect division managers within firms. Post hoc analyses reveal that social comparison appears to explain, at least partially, the relationship between unequal pay and divestiture. These findings support the notion that pay inequality can be an important predictor of firm boundaries. More generally, they suggest that unequal pay may have significant strategic consequences as firms increasingly adopt performance‐based compensation to motivate employees. Managerial Summary: This paper analyzes the link between the degree of inequality in division manager compensation and the likelihood that companies divest businesses. We find that companies are more likely to divest when the pay of their division managers is more widely dispersed. Supplementary analyses show that this relationship is stronger when division managers are more likely to compare their pay to that of their peers, for example, within companies whose divisions operate in more closely related industries or in more proximate geographic regions. These findings show that pay inequality can predict when companies choose to exit businesses. As such, it is relevant for understanding how corporate strategy is influenced by performance‐based compensation policies, particularly as these policies become the norm in companies around the world.