Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barometric pressure and the incidence of pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVES Reports in the literature suggest that weather changes may play a role in venous thrombotic disease. An increase in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) during the spring season led us to investigate the relationship between atmospheric pressure (AP) and the incidence of PE, as diagnosed in most of the patients by helical CT angiography, and in the minority of patients by conventional pulmonary angiography and lung scanning. METHODS We retrospectively investigated the charts of 91 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of PE who were evaluated by the Department of Pulmonary Medicine between August 2000 and September 2004. We documented AP changes as recorded by the Erzurum Provincial Department of Meteorology. Of the 91 patients, the diagnosis of PE was made by helical CT angiography in 84 patients, isotope lung scan in 5 patients, and conventional pulmonary angiography in 2 patients. RESULTS More patients presented in the spring months (March, n = 15; April, n = 10; and May, n = 12) than during other seasons (p < 0.001). The frequency of PE was inversely related to general average AP (r = - 0.70; p < 0.01). When the average seasonal AP was correlated with the incidence of PE, however, the relationship was found to not be statistically significant (r = - 0.66; p = 0.34). There was no correlation between the severity of PE or mortality and AP. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of PE was significantly higher in the spring months, when AP was low. A regional study to capture all PE patients will need to be done to confirm our findings. Other meteorologic factors should be investigated regarding their effect on thromboembolic disease.
Association of polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor and tumor protein p53 with primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE To evaluate the variants of 10 genes for association with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in a Chinese population. METHODS A total of 405 unrelated patients with POAG (255 high-tension glaucoma [HTG], 100 normal-tension glaucoma [NTG], and 50 juvenile-onset open-angle glaucoma [JOAG]) and 201 control subjects were recruited. Seventeen variants in 10 genes with reported association with POAG were genotyped for analysis of allele and haplotype frequencies between cases and control subjects. These genes included CDH1 (cadherin 1, type 1, E-cadherin), CDKN1A (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A), CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), GSTM1 (glutathione S-transferase mu 1), GSTT1 (glutathione S-transferase theta 1), MTHFR (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase), NOS3 (nitric oxide synthase 3), OPA1 (optic atrophy 1), TNF (tumor necrosis factor), and TP53 (tumor protein p53). RESULTS One SNP (-308G>A; rs1800629) in TNF demonstrated a significant association with HTG (P = 0.012). The allele G frequency was higher in HTG patients than in control subjects (94.6% vs. 90.3%; OR = 1.89). One haplotype consisting of rs1799724 and rs1800629 was significantly associated with HTG (P = 0.015, corrected P = 0.045). One SNP (R72P; rs1042522) in TP53 was significantly associated with NTG (P = 0.018). The allele G frequency was higher in NTG patients than in control subjects (56.1% vs. 45.8%; OR = 1.52). The significance of these associations survived the Bonferroni correction (corrected P < 0.024). Other gene variants were not significantly associated with HTG (P > 0.063) or NTG (P > 0.13). None of the studied variants was significantly associated with JOAG (P > 0.17). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that variants in TNF and TP53 are risk factors for POAG, whereas variants in other studied genes are not major risk factors for POAG, at least in the Chinese population.
Morphological study of the proximal boundary of the flexor retinaculum and of its constituent parts

The proximal boundary of the flexor retinaculum is not readily demarcated, and previous reports of three distinct regions of the flexor retinaculum were not consistent with the authors’ experience. This study was undertaken to clarify the proximal boundary and the constituent parts of the flexor retinaculum. A total of 56 cadaveric wrists were used in the study. The proximal boundary of the flexor retinaculum was identified by a change in thickness and colour of the longitudinally sectioned surface of the continuous membranous sheet of the flexor retinaculum and antebrachial fascia. Steel wires were placed on the proximal and distal boundaries, and anteroposterior radiographic images were taken. MRI was carried out before dissection or serial section. The locations of the proximal and distal boundaries of the flexor retinaculum varied. The flexor retinaculum was comprised of two parts, which were distinguishable by thickness and transparency. These two parts were also identified on MR images and by light microscopy.
DNA strand specificity for UV-induced mutations in mammalian cells

The influence of DNA repair on the molecular nature of mutations induced by UV light (254 nm) was investigated in UV-induced hprt mutants from UV-sensitive Chinese hamster cells (V-H1) and the parental line (V79). The nature of point mutations in hprt exon sequences was determined for 19 hprt mutants of V79 and for 17 hprt mutants of V-H1 cells by sequence analysis of in vitro-amplified hprt cDNA. The mutation spectrum in V79 cells consisted of single- and tandem double-base pair changes, while in V-H1 cells three frameshift mutations were also detected. All base pair changes in V-H1 mutants were due to GC----AT transitions. In contrast, in V79 all possible classes of base pair changes except the GC----CG transversion were present. In this group, 70% of the mutations were transversions. Since all mutations except one did occur at dipyrimidine sites, the assumption was made that they were caused by UV-induced photoproducts at these sites. In V79 cells, 11 out of 17 base pair changes were caused by photoproducts in the nontranscribed strand of the hprt gene. However, in V-H1 cells, which are completely deficient in the removal of pyrimidine dimers from the hprt gene and which show a UV-induced mutation frequency enhanced seven times, 10 out of 11 base pair changes were caused by photoproducts in the transcribed strand of the hprt gene. We hypothesize that this extreme strand specificity in V-H1 cells is due to differences in fidelity of DNA replication of the leading and the lagging strand. Furthermore, we propose that in normal V79 cells two processes determine the strand specificity of UV-induced mutations in the hprt gene, namely preferential repair of the transcribed strand of the hprt gene and a higher fidelity of DNA replication of the nontranscribed strand compared with the transcribed strand.
Tax Evasion in Indonesia: a Game Theoretical Model

This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of tax evasion in Indonesia by using game theoretical model and referring to Indonesian Tax Laws. This study uses Inspection Game used by Tsebelis and its refinement by Pradiptyo. The game played by 2 representative agents, namely taxpayer who represents all possible parties that can involve to evade and tax investigator who represents all possible parties that concern with taxes, criminal offenses of taxes, and law enforcement. In line with the refined inspection game, the study finds that increasing the severity of penalty may affect the probability of public (taxpayer) to offend (evade) if certain condition fulfilled, according to the Mixed Strategy Nash Equilibrium of the game. Another policy to decrease the probability of taxpayer to evade his tax expense is applying tax incentives policy. The result shows that tax incentives policy is effective rather than increasing the severity of punishment. Because the game is played by players whose scope is wide, it is suggested to develop the game into more specific players and into the next stage of bribery and extortion game which often happen in Indonesia when the taxpayer plays evade and tax investigator plays investigate. Keywords: Tax Evasion, Game Theory, Inspection Game, Refined, Inspection Game JEL Classification: H26, E62
Balance rehabilitation: promoting the role of virtual reality in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

BACKGROUND Individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy frequently experience concomitant impaired proprioception and postural instability. Conventional exercise training has been demonstrated to be effective in improving balance but does not incorporate visual feedback targeting joint perception, which is an integral mechanism that helps compensate for impaired proprioception in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. METHODS This prospective cohort study recruited 29 participants (mean ± SD: age, 57 ± 10 years; body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 26.9 ± 3.1). Participants satisfying the inclusion criteria performed predefined ankle exercises through reaching tasks, with visual feedback from the ankle joint projected on a screen. Ankle motion in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions was captured using wearable sensors attached to the participant's shank. Improvements in postural stability were quantified by measuring center of mass sway area and the reciprocal compensatory index before and after training using validated body-worn sensor technology. RESULTS Findings revealed a significant reduction in center of mass sway after training (mean, 22%; P = .02). A higher postural stability deficit (high body sway) at baseline was associated with higher training gains in postural balance (reduction in center of mass sway) (r = -0.52, P < .05). In addition, significant improvement was observed in postural coordination between the ankle and hip joints (mean, 10.4%; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS The present research implemented a novel balance rehabilitation strategy based on virtual reality technology. The method included wearable sensors and an interactive user interface for real-time visual feedback based on ankle joint motion, similar to a video gaming environment, for compensating impaired joint proprioception. These findings support that visual feedback generated from the ankle joint coupled with motor learning may be effective in improving postural stability in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
EFFECT OF LEADERSHIP STYLES ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE: MEDIATING ROLES OF EXPLOITATIVE AND EXPLORATORY INNOVATIONS CASE OF KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE FIRMS

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of transformational and transactional leadership styles on firms’ financial performance in a context of knowledge-intensive firms and the mediating role of exploitative and exploratory innovations in this relationship. To achieve this purpose, a quantitative research was conducted on 201 top executives working in knowledge-intensive firms in the context of an emerging country, namely Tunisia. The data analysis was performed via the structural equation modelling method. As a result, the empirical study revealed that the transformational leadership style is a key determinant of exploitative and exploratory innovations and firms’ financial performance. In this perspective, the two types of innovation partially mediate the link between transformational leadership and financial performance. However, transactional leadership affects only exploitative innovation. This original study offers a better understanding of the contribution of the transformational and transactional leadership styles on exploitative and exploratory innovations and the firms’ financial performance in a context of firms’ intensive knowledge. It offers a reading grid for managers of knowledge-intensive firms to better lead and identify key elements that may boost the firms’ innovation ambidexterity and performance.
The cholinergic pathway to cerebral blood vessels. II. Physiological studies.

The effect of stimulating the greater superficial petrosal nerve (g.s.p.n.) upon retroglenoid venous blood flow has been tested in anaesthetized, paralysed and artificially ventilated rats. In 11 out of 15 tests, blood flow increased by an average of 25% with a time to peak response of 28 s. This response was abolished with the injection of atropine 0.1 mg kg-1 injected intra-arterially. With both petrosal nerves intact, the administration of 6-7% CO2 in air or 15% O2 in N2 caused average increases in blood flow of 105% and 45% respectively. These responses were not affected by bilateral section of the g.s. p.n. Similar experiments were carried out in 5 anaesthetized, spontaneously breathing rabbits in which, in addition to PaCO2 and PaO2, PO2, PCO2 and blood flow in the caudate nucleus were measured continuously using chronically implanted mass spectrometer catheters and heated thermistors. Caudate nucleus blood flow increased in response to hypoxia and hypercapnia and this response was not significantly affected by section of one or both g.s. p.n. , sinus or vagus nerves. With section of sinus and vagus nerves, blood flow changed passively with arterial pressure.
The prevalence of fatigue and associated health and safety risk factors among taxi drivers in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION Driver fatigue is one of the biggest health and safety concerns within the road transport sector. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of fatigue among taxi drivers in Singapore, to better understand the general working and health conditions of this group of people and to determine the risk factors associated with fatigued driving. METHODS A total of 340 taxi drivers were randomly selected for participation in this self-administered questionnaire survey, with height and weight measurements. The response rate was 68.2%. The survey consisted of four main categories: personal particulars; social habits; work patterns and sleep profile; and Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which was used to estimate the level of daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the adjusted odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals associated with the risk factors related to fatigue among the taxi drivers. RESULTS A high proportion of the taxi drivers were obese and had self-reported hypertension, diabetes mellitus and high cholesterol. Driver fatigue was associated with very poor/poor self-rating of the quality of sleep, having an additional part-time job, drinking three or more caffeinated drinks daily, and driving more than 10 hours a day. CONCLUSION We hope that the findings of the present study will improve the awareness regarding the work and health conditions of taxi drivers, and contribute toward the effort to achieve a healthier workforce. A lower prevalence of fatigued driving will lead to lower risks of road traffic accidents, decreased economic loss, increased productivity, and safer roads for all.
Synapse elimination in olivo-cerebellar explants occurs during a critical period and leaves an indelible trace in Purkinje cells

During developmental synaptogenesis, the pre- and postsynaptic cells undergo specific interactions that lead to the establishment of the mature circuit. We have studied the roles of the pre- and postsynaptic cells in establishing this mature innervation by using an in vitro model of synaptic development. We describe climbing fiber (CF)-Purkinje cell (PC) synaptogenesis in cultured mouse hindbrain explants and show that synaptic competition occurs during early development in vitro. By manipulating the maturation stage of each of the synaptic partners in a coculture experimental paradigm, we found that multi-innervation does not occur when both synaptic partners are mature and have already experienced synapse elimination; in contrast, mature PCs can be multi-innervated when they have never experienced synapse elimination and/or when CFs are immature. However in these cases, the normal process of synapse elimination is impaired. These results show that CF-synapse elimination occurs only during a PC-dependant critical period and triggers indelible signals that prevent synapse competition in the mature system.
Epidemiological data on consumer allergy to p‐phenylenediamine

Many women and men now dye their hair. p‐Phenylenediamine (PPD) is a frequent and important component of permanent hair dye products; exposure to it may cause allergic contact sensitization, acute dermatitis, and severe facial oedema. To increase our understanding of PPD allergy, we reviewed published literature containing PPD patch test data from dermatitis patients and individuals in the general population. This was performed to estimate the median prevalence and the weighted average of PPD sensitization and thereby assess the burden of PPD‐containing hair care products on health. Literature was examined using PubMed–MEDLINE, Biosis, and Science Citation Index. The median prevalence among dermatitis patients was 4.3% in Asia, 4% in Europe, and 6.2% in North America. A widespread increase in the prevalence of PPD sensitization was observed among Asian dermatitis patients. In Europe, a decrease in the 1970s was replaced by a plateau with steady, high prevalences ranging between 2% and 6%. The prevalence remained high in North America, although a decreasing tendency was observed. Contact allergy to PPD is an important health issue for both women and men. More stringent regulation and enforcement are required as public health measures to reduce the burden of disease that exposure to PPD has brought to populations.
Analysis of child labour dimensions and causes in rural farm households of Ogun state, Nigeria

The prevalence of child labour use in the agricultural sector has been widely reported however, the intensity of its use is most times masked and marred by the informal and culturally ingrained nature of peasant agriculture. The study aims at understanding the dimensions and causes of child labour among rural farm households in Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 128 rural households for the survey; a total of 352 children (5-17years) were interviewed to elicit first hand data for the study. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on child farm work hours, household size, income, farm size, distance of home to school and other relevant socioeconomic characteristics. Analytical techniques used were measures of central tendency and dispersion, and censored Tobit regression model. Results show that the average age of children is 10 years and many of these children (67.3%) are reported to be living with their biological parents. While less than a third (26%) of the children work in paid and non-family farms, the average weekly work hours per child was found to be 31.31 which increases with the age of the child. With reference to loss in school time due to farm work, it was found that rural children in farm households sacrificed an average of 12.9 hours per week (42.9%) of school time to work on the farm; this varies from season to season. Age and education level of the household head, farm and household size, lack of child-level schools in the community, distance of home to school, sex of child, absence of tarmac roads to community and proximity of households to major roads were identified as factors that influence the prevalence and intensity of child farm labour use. The study concluded that rural infrastructure development and households’ economic empowerment initiatives are central to child labour reduction strategies. Key words : Child farm labour, rural households, determinants, Tobit regression
Crossing of Psychological Price Levels: The Price Dynamics and Interaction between S&P500 Index and Index Futures

ABSTRACT The authors provide fresh evidence on the nonfundamental-driven price dynamics and interaction between index and index futures by examining the price movements of the S&P500 index and index futures surrounding the crossing of the 00 psychological barriers and 52-week highs and lows. In contrast to the extant evidence that futures leads in fundamental-driven price movements, the authors show the dominance of the crossing in the index in continuing the price trend after the crossing. Even when synchronized crossings occur, the index rises more than the index futures during upward crossings, whereas the index futures falls more than the index during downward crossings. While volatility is significantly reduced before upward crossings, but not for downward crossings, it is significantly higher during the crossing, and significantly lower after the crossings in both markets. These findings have clear practical implications for index arbitrageurs, investors, and regulators.
A Community-Based Participatory Research Study of HIV and HPV Vulnerabilities and Prevention in Two Pacific Islander Communities: Ethical Challenges and Solutions

We describe ethical issues that emerged during a one-year CBPR study of HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV) vulnerabilities and prevention in two Pacific Islander (PI) communities, and the collaborative solutions to these challenges reached by academic and community partners. In our project case study analysis, we found that ethical tensions were linked mainly to issues of mutual trust and credibility in PI communities; Revised cultural taboos associated with the nexus of religiosity and traditional PI culture; Revised fears of privacy breaches in small, interconnected PI communities; Revised and competing priorities of scientific rigor versus direct community services. Mutual capacity building and linking CBPR practice to PI social protocols are required for effective solutions and progress toward social justice outcomes.
The application of Aristotle’s rhetorical theory to the sharing economy: an empirical study of Airbnb

ABSTRACT Sharing economy businesses require extensive trust-based communication between users and service providers to facilitate users’ positive persuasion processes. Based on Aristotle’s rhetorical theory, this study identifies three key persuasive cues (credibility, emotional bonding, and accommodation characteristics) and validates their roles in establishing users’ trust in an Airbnb setting. The moderating role of interactivity is further analyzed. Research findings from a survey sample of 171 Airbnb users indicate that persuasive cues are positively associated with trust in Airbnb hosts, which significantly leads to Airbnb brand trust. Interestingly, the moderating role of interactivity is only found in the relationship between emotional bonding and trust in Airbnb hosts. This study contributes to a better understanding of the factors that affect users’ trust building in the sharing economy context, and it offers guidance for platform providers to better operate their businesses by highlighting the important roles of persuasive cues and interactivity in users’ trust-building processes.
Induction of connexin43 and gap junctional communication in PC12 cells overexpressing the carboxy terminal region of amyloid precursor protein

Previous studies have shown that PC12 cells overexpressing β/A4 amyloid peptide display altered morphology characterized by pronounced membrane ruffling and extensive intercellular appositions. Having observed other cell types in which these features accompany increased connexin43 (Cx43) production and gap junctional communication, we examined Cx43 in normal and β/A4‐transfected PC12 cells. Studies of two β/A4‐transfected PC12 clones revealed an induction of Cx43 expression by Western blotting, intracellular and plasma membrane‐associated Cx43 in some cells of cultures processed by immunofluorescence, dye‐transfer between some cells microinjected with Lucifer Yellow, and gap junctions between cells examined by EM. Normal and vector‐transfected PC12 cells exhibited none of these properties. Increased immunofluorescence in some clusters of β/A4‐transfected cells was also observed with a monoclonal antibody against connexin32. The results suggest that β/A4 amyloid peptide may cause aberrant intercellular communication and gap junction formation through induction or increased expression of connexins in cells that are not normally coupled or only poorly coupled by gap junctions. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.