Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The educational and labour market expectations of adolescents and young adults

Understanding why some suitably qualified young adults go on to enter higher education and others do not has been the subject of extensive research by a number of social scientists from a range of disciplines. Economists suggest that young adults’ willingness to invest in a tertiary qualification depends upon what they believe the costs and benefits of this investment will be. On the other hand, sociologists stress that an early expectation of completing university is a key driver of later participation in higher education. Children's subjective beliefs of the future (their “expectations”) are a consistent theme within these distinctively different approaches. Researchers from both disciplines might argue that children's low or mistaken expectations (of future income, financial returns, their ability to complete university) might lead them into making inappropriate educational choices. For instance, young adults who do not have a proper understanding of the graduate labour market may mistakenly invest (or not invest) in tertiary education. Alternatively some academically talented children may not enter university if they do not see it as realistic possibility, or that it is 'not for the likes of them'. I take an interdisciplinary approach within this thesis to tackle both of these issues. Specifically, I investigate whether young adults have realistic expectations about their future in the labour market and if disadvantaged children scoring high marks on a maths assessment at age 15 believe they can complete university.
A synthetic analog of plantaricin 149 inhibiting food‐borne pathogenic bacteria:evidence for α‐helical conformation involved in bacteria–membrane interaction

Plantaricin‐149 is a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus plantarum NRIC 149 (a LAB isolated from pineapple), which consists of a peptidic chain made up of 22 amino acid residues [Kato et al. J. Ferment. Bioeng. 1994; 77: 277–282]. In this work, a synthetic C‐terminal amidated peptide analog denoted Pln149a was prepared by SPPS‐Fmoc chemistry and the antagonistic activity against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria was tested. The secondary structure was studied by circular dichroism (CD) and the vicinity of the tyrosine residue by fluorescence spectroscopy under different conditions. We report the results of the interaction of Pln149a with reverse micelles prepared from the amphiphilic AOT in cyclohexane.
Neural network topology and weight optimization through neuro differential evolution

This research proposes a novel algorithm, Neuro Differential Evolution (NDE), to optimize the topology and weights of neural networks. NDE makes a clear distinction between neural network topology optimization and weight optimization. A genetic algorithm (GA) is implemented to optimize the network topology as this is a discrete problem while differential evolution (DE) is applied to the network weights, which are continuous variables. The results presented in this paper demonstrate that this combined approach can successfully grow neural networks, from just a single neuron, that can produce feasible solutions when other methods fail. NDE outperforms the current state of the art neuroevolution algorithms on a range of increasingly complex reinforcement learning problems.
Multidisciplinary prediction of seizure relief from cortical resection surgery

Preoperative variables from a full range of medical specialties were used to predict degree of seizure relief from cortical resection surgery as treatment for epilepsy in 100 patients. General, seizure history, electroencephalographic (EEG), radiological, surgical, and psychological/neuropsychological data were considered. The patients were divided into one large predictive group (n = 75) and a smaller independent cross‐validation sample (n = 25). Eight predictive variables emerged: (1) single EEG focus; (2) anterior‐midtemporal lobe discharges; (3) discharges only from the side of surgery; (4) rate of occurrence of discharges in surgical area; (5) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Digit Symbol subtest; (6) Marching Test, preferred hand, time; (7) Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Hysteria scale score; and (8) MMPI Paranoia scale score. By use of multivariate procedures, increased predictability of surgical outcome was obtained not only with the predictive group but with the independent cross‐validation sample. The results demonstrate that predictions of seizure relief from epilepsy surgery can be made with 80% accuracy using multiple, rather than single, predictors.
Attempted transmission of warts from man, cattle, and horses and of deer fibroma, to selected hosts.

Bovine papilloma virus produced fibroblastic growths in ponies after intradermal inoculation while atypical bovine and human papilloma viruses and deer fibroma virus failed to produce lesions. The human papilloma virus did not elicit a response in the brain or on the skin of calves. None of the above viruses produced cutaneous growth in monkeys. The viruses of man and horse and deer fibroma virus did not react in agar gel to bovine papilloma viral antiserum. It appears that the human papilloma virus will not infect the cow, horse, monkey, or hamster and will not react in agar gel with bovine papilloma viral antiserum.
Health Promotion Can Postpone Frailty: Results from the RCT Elderly Persons in the Risk Zone.

OBJECTIVE Very old persons (80+) are often described as "frail", implying that they are particularly vulnerable to adverse health outcomes. Elderly Persons in the Risk Zone was designed to determine whether a preventive home visit or multiprofessional senior group meetings could postpone deterioration in frailty if the intervention is carried out when the person is not so frail. DESIGN AND SAMPLE The study was a RCT with follow-ups at 1 and 2 years. A total of 459 persons (80+), still living at home, were included. Participants were independent in activities of daily life and cognitively intact. MEASURES Frailty was measured in two complementary ways, with the sum of eight frailty indicators and with the Mob-T Scale measuring tiredness in daily activities. RESULTS Both interventions showed favorable effects in postponing the progression of frailty measured as tiredness in daily activities for up to 1 year. However, neither of the two interventions was effective in postponing frailty measured with the sum of frailty indicators. CONCLUSIONS The results in this study show the potential of health promotion to older persons. The multiprofessional approach, including a broad spectrum of information and knowledge, might have been an important factor contributing to a more positive view of aging.
Modelling thermal degradation of zearalenone in maize bread during baking

The thermal degradation of zearalenone (ZEA) was investigated using a crust-like model, representing maize bread, which was prepared with naturally contaminated maize flour. Model samples were heated under isothermal conditions at the temperature range of 100–250°C. No reduction was observed at 100°C. Thermal degradation rate constants (k) were calculated as 0.0017, 0.0143 and 0.0216 min−1 for 150, 200 and 250°C, respectively. Maize bread baked at 250°C for 70 min was used to test the capability of model kinetic data for the prediction of ZEA reduction. The time–temperature history in the crust and crumb parts was recorded separately. Partial degradation of ZEA at each time interval was calculated by means of the corresponding k-values obtained by using the Arrhenius equation, and the total reduction occurring at the end of the entire baking process was predicted. The reduction in the crumb and crust of bread was also experimentally determined and found to be consistent with the predicted values. It was concluded that the kinetic constants determined by means of the crust-like model could be used to predict the ZEA reduction occurring during baking of maize bread.
Studies on the transformation of intact yeast cells by the LiAc/SS‐DNA/PEG procedure

An improved lithium acetate (LiAc)/single‐stranded DNA (SS‐DNA)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) protocol which yields >1 × 106 transformants/μg plasmid DNA and the original protocol described by Schiestl and Gietz (1989) were used to investigate aspects of the mechanism of LiAc/SS‐DNA/PEG transformation. The highest transformation efficiency was observed when 1 × 108 cells were transformed with 100 ng plasmid DNA in the presence of 50 μg SS carrier DNA. The yield of transformants increased linearly up to 5 μg plasmid per transformation. A 20‐min heat shock at 42°C was necessary for maximal yields. PEG was found to deposit both carrier DNA and plasmid DNA onto cells. SS carrier DNA bound more effectively to the cells and caused tighter binding of 32P‐labelled plasmid DNA than did double‐stranded (DS) carrier. The LiAc/SS‐DNA/PEG transformation method did not result in cell fusion. DS carrier DNA competed with DS vector DNA in the transformation reaction. SS plasmid DNA transformed cells poorly in combination with both SS and DS carrier DNA. The LiAc/SS‐DNA/PEG method was shown to be more effective than other treatments known to make cells transformable. A model for the mechanism of transformation by the LiAc/SS‐DNA/PEG method is discussed.
OmpF assembly mutants of Escherichia coli K-12: isolation, characterization, and suppressor analysis

This paper describes a novel genetic method used to isolate mutations that alter proper assembly of OmpF in the outer membrane. The thermolabile nature of assembly intermediates allowed selection of temperature-sensitive mutations within the ompF gene. A variant allele of ompF (ompF-Dex) was used because it provided a convenient selectable phenotype (Dex+). Assembly mutants were isolated in two steps. First, amber mutations were obtained that mapped in ompF-Dex. This resulted in a Dex- phenotype. Starting with these Dex- strains, Dex+ revertants were isolated. Mutants that displayed a temperature-sensitive Dex+ phenotype were further characterized. Three such mutants possessed a single substitution within ompF that reverted the nonsense codon to a sense codon which replaced W214 with either an E or Q and Y231 with a Q residue in the mature OmpF protein. All three mutant OmpF proteins showed an assembly defect. This defect led to a substantial reduction in the amount of stable OmpF trimers with the concomitant increase of a high-molecular-weight form of OmpF which migrated at the top of the gel. Suppressor mutations were sought that corrected the assembly defect of OmpF. These extragenic suppressor mutations were mapped at 45 min on the Escherichia coli chromosome. The suppressor mutations displayed no allele specificity and were recessive to the wild-type allele. In the presence of a suppressor, mutant stable trimers appeared in an almost normal manner. The appearance of stable trimers concurred with a substantial loss of the high-molecular-weight OmpF species. At this stage, it is not clear whether the high-molecular-weight species of OmpF is a normal assembly intermediate or a dead-end assembly product. The results presented in this study raise the intriguing possibility of a chaperone-like activity for the wild-type suppressor gene product.
Postdiagnostic Mediterranean and Healthy Nordic Dietary Patterns Are Inversely Associated with All-Cause Mortality in Long-Term Colorectal Cancer Survivors.

Background: Dietary factors are known to affect the risk of new-onset colorectal cancer (CRC), but information on the extent to which postdiagnostic diet affects mortality in long-term CRC survivors is scarce.Objective: We investigated the association of 2 a priori-defined postdiagnostic dietary patterns [Modified Mediterranean Diet Score (MMDS) and healthy Nordic Food Index (HNFI)] with all-cause mortality in long-term CRC survivors.Methods: Diet was assessed at a median time of 6 y after cancer diagnosis in 1404 CRC survivors (median age: 69 y; 56% men) in a prospective cohort study in Northern Germany by using a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Cox proportional hazard models, adjusting for clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, were used to assess associations of the MMDS and the HNFI with all-cause mortality.Results: A total of 204 patients died during a median follow-up time of 7 y after diet assessment. In multivariable-adjusted models, higher adherence to the modified Mediterranean diet was significantly associated with lower all-cause mortality (HR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.74 for highest compared with lowest score quartile and HR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.96 per 1-point increment in pattern score). Similarly, the HNFI was inversely associated with all-cause mortality when the highest was compared with the lowest index quartile (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.39, 1.04) and when modeled as a continuous trait (HR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.82, 0.99 per 1-point increment in the score). Conclusions: Our results suggest that higher adherences to the Mediterranean diet and to the healthy Nordic diet after CRC diagnosis are associated with better overall survival in long-term CRC survivors.
Familial clustering of breast and prostate cancers and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that cancers of the breast and prostate cluster in families and that the presence of both diseases in a family may be associated with increased risk of breast cancer. PURPOSE Our purpose was to evaluate whether 1) prostate cancer aggregates in families with postmenopausal breast cancer, 2) families with cancers of the breast and prostate are the same ones as families with cancers of the breast and ovary, and 3) a family history of prostate cancer is associated with increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. METHODS We analyzed data from a large prospective cohort study of Iowa women that were (at baseline) aged 55-69 years in 1986. At the third follow-up survey in 1992, self-reported data on family history of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers in parents and siblings were provided by 30,883 women. Additional information was collected to ascertain whether the age-of-onset of breast cancer in mothers or sisters was before or after the age of 45 years. Cancer occurrence was documented using the State Health Registry of Iowa. RESULTS History of prostate cancer in their father or a brother was reported by 3384 (11.0%) of the women, and a total of 4090 women (13.2%) reported breast cancer in their mother or a sister. A positive family history of both cancers was reported by 556 women, significantly (two-sided P < .001) greater than the 457 women expected if the family histories were independent. The aggregation of breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers was reported by 22 participants, greater than the 2.7 expected (two-sided P < .0001). During 6 years of follow-up, 578 breast cancers were identified in the cohort at risk. Compared with women without a family history of either cancer, women with a family history of breast cancer had a relative risk (RR) of 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.79) if the affected relative had onset after the age of 45 years, and an RR of 1.71 (95% CI = 1.13-2.61) if the affected relative had onset at or before the age of 45. A family history of prostate cancer in the absence of a family history of breast cancer was associated with an RR of 1.19 (95% CI = .90-1.56). However, a family history of both breast and prostate cancers was associated with RRs of 2.06 (95% CI = 1.23-3.45) and 2.35 (95% CI = .97-5.67) for breast cancer onset in relatives of greater than 45 and less than or equal to 45 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These observations are concordant with recent reports that suggest a shared familial risk (inherited or environmental) for these hormone-dependent malignancies.
Decorative cosmetics improve the quality of life in patients with disfiguring skin diseases.

Dermatoses may have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life, namely the relationship to others, self-image and self-esteem. We therefore asked whether the application of decorative cosmetics might increase their quality of life. Twenty female patients (16-69 y) with skin diseases affecting the patients' face (acne, n = 8; rosacea, n = 9; chronic discoid lupus erythematodes, n = 2; vitiligo, n = 1) were investigated. The patients were instructed by a cosmetician how to use decorative cosmetics (Unifiance , La Roche-Posay, France) and applied it daily for 2 weeks. The dermatology quality of life questionnaire (DLQI) was performed before the first application and 2 weeks afterwards. The clinical course was documented by standardised photography. Unifiance was well tolerated and no side effects occurred. It completely masked the unwanted coloration and application resulted in a significant amelioration of the appearance. The mean DLQI score dropped significantly from 9.2 to 5.5 (p = 0.0009). Improvement of quality of life reached statistical significance among patients with acne (2.8 versus 7.8, p = 0.0078) and among individuals with a less severe initial impairment of quality of life (2.4 versus 4.2, p = 0.007). Thus, the use of decorative cosmetics in disfiguring skin diseases is an effective, well-tolerated measure increasing the patients' quality of life. We therefore suggest that decorative cosmetics can complement the treatment of disfiguring skin diseases.
Nonsuperconducting Fault Current Limiter With Controlling the Magnitudes of Fault Currents

In this paper, a diode-bridge-type nonsuperconductor fault current limiter (NSFCL) is proposed. The structure has the capability of controlling the DC reactor current that yields to control the magnitude of fault current. In order to control the magnitude of DC reactor current, a discharging resistor is used in the proposed structure. By controlling the magnitude of DC reactor current, it is possible to reduce the current rating and inductance of DC reactor. In addition, a series connection of DC voltage source with DC reactor is used to compensate the power loss of both nonsuperconducting dc reactor and diodes of fault current limiters (FCLs). By means of proposed NSFCL, it is possible to eliminate all disconnecting switches in the distribution network. The simulation and experimental results are presented to clarify the theory and possibility of implementation of the proposed NSFCL.
The Structure of Information Release and the Factor Structure of Returns

We model how firms releasing information on different dates causes the CAPM to fail, requiring an additional factor based on the information structure to price assets. We exemplify this mechanism’s empirical relevance using quarterly earnings announcements, which cluster across months along size and book-to-market. Seventy percent of the alpha reduction from including SMB and HML occurs in the four main earnings announcement months. The information structure factor accounts for all of SMB and HML’s seasonal alpha reduction and one third of their overall alpha reduction. Controlling for size and book-to-market, exposures to SMB and HML vary with firms’ earnings announcement month.
The Evidence of HeLa Cell Apoptosis Induced with Tetraethylammonium Using Proteomics and Various Analytical Methods*

Background: Tetraethylammonium is a broad potassium channel blocker applied in neuron research. Results: Tetraethylammonium has the ability to lead cell apoptotic process; various biological and proteomics methods prove this result. Conclusion: Novel biomarkers candidates are found to reveal mechanism of tetraethylammonium-induced apoptosis. Significance: This provides new details on the new molecular pathway involved in apoptosis and gives a broader context in therapeutic strategies. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) is a potassium channel (KCh) blocker applied in the functional and pharmacological studies of the KChs. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, a colorimetric assay to quantitatively measure living cells, demonstrated that TEA reduced the HeLa cell viability dose-dependently. Flow cytometry analysis indicated an increased apoptosis rate of the HeLa cell after exposing to TEA. The patch clamp technique revealed that the K+ current of the HeLa cell was inhibited up to 80% when exposed to TEA. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR approach set up cross-talk among the cytotoxicity of TEA, 4-aminopyridine, and anti-cancer drug such as cisplatin. Using comparative proteomics combined with MALDI-TOF MS/MS, 33 significantly changed proteins were found from TEA treatment group; among these proteins, 12 were up-regulated, and 21 were down-regulated. Here we indicated that these proteins were closely connected with many biological functions such as oxidative stress response, signal transduction, metabolism, protein synthesis, and degradation. Both Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR approaches further verified these differential proteins. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis software, a tool to analyze “omics” data and model biological system, was applied to analyze the interaction pathways of these proteins. The subcellular locations of the differential proteins are also predicted from Uniprot. All results above can help in our understanding of the mechanism of TEA-induced cytotoxicity and provide potential cancer biomarkers. Various experimental results in this study (like those for cisplatin) indicated that TEA is not only a KCh blocker but also a potential anti-cancer drug.
Short Communication; Using Clinical Data to Determine Vancomycin Dosing Parameters

The serum concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters produced from standard doses of vancomycin were evaluated in 22 patients. The mean (\pmSD) half-life, clearance (CI), and volume of distribution, respectively, were 6.2 (\pm1.9) h, 79.2 (\pm34.3) ml/min, and 0.54 (\pm0.23) L/kg. Geometric regression analysis was used to determine significant correlations between Cl and creatinine clearance (CrCl) (p < 0.001). The dosing method developed is based on the pharmacokinetic parameters of vancomycin derived from our patient data and the relationship between Cl and CrCl described by the following equation, Cl = (0.674) (CrCl) + 13.45 (r = 0.703). Predictive performance measures were used to compare our dosing method with that of the Matzke nomogram. Our method was found to be less biased and more precise in regards to predicted half-life and volume of distribution, while less biased with no difference in precision in regard to predicting clearance. We plan to use this dosing method at our institution to provide a more individualized initial dosing regimen for vancomycin. Other institutions may wish to use a similar approach to design a dosing nomogram specific for their patient population.
Combination prophylaxis for prevention of maternal-infant HIV transmission: beyond 076.

This editorial focuses on the study by Mandelbrot et al. which provides a systematic evaluation on the efficacy and toxicity of combination HIV prophylaxis during pregnancy. The study evaluates the addition of lamivudine to the standard 076 zidovudine regimen with lamivudine administration beginning at 32 weeks gestation in the mother and lamivudine administration to the newborn for 6 weeks. The study design is a historical comparison with a previous national cohort of HIV-infected pregnant women who had received the 076 regimen. A randomized trial was not conducted because of the belief among participating clinicians that the combination therapy would be superior to zidovudine monotherapy. In developed countries additional interventions that enhance the 076 regimen such as combination lamivudine-zidovudine and zidovudine plus cesarean delivery offer the possibility of virtually eliminating perinatal HIV transmission. Barriers to this goal include identifying and offering prophylaxis to all HIV-positive pregnant women in prenatal care and providing effective interventions for HIV-infected women who present in labor.