Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Going global, acting local: volunteer tourists as prospective community builders

ABSTRACT In the growing field of volunteer tourism research, studies have investigated participant motivations and the benefits accruing to both travellers and the community, as well as undertaking critical assessments of the phenomenon. Comparatively little attention has been paid to changes associated with the post-volunteer period and particularly to the likelihood of volunteer tourists making contributions within their home communities. Using the Expectancy-Disconfirmation Paradigm, this study explores the impacts of the volunteer tourism experience on the intentions of volunteer tourists to undertake other variants of volunteering post-trip. The expectations of respondents and their volunteering disconfirmations were measured over the course of travel using a two-round online survey to study the effects of these constructs on respondent intentions to volunteer in their home communities. No strong evidence was found that volunteer tourism acts as a recruitment medium for future volunteering. The research concludes by restating the unresolved question of whether the weak links between volunteer tourism and home community volunteering symptomatise the shallowness of a phenomenon that benefits the privileged or whether volunteer tourism provides a genuine mechanism for developing global citizens who think global and act local.
Differential Target-Dependent Actions of Coexpressed Inhibitory Dynorphin and Excitatory Hypocretin/Orexin Neuropeptides

The hypocretin/orexin arousal system plays a key role in maintaining an alert wake state. The hypocretin peptide is colocalized with an opioid peptide, dynorphin. As dynorphin may be coreleased with hypocretin, we asked what action simultaneous stimulation with the excitatory neuropeptide hypocretin and the inhibitory peptide dynorphin might exert on cells postsynaptic to hypocretin axons, including hypocretin neurons. Hypocretin neurons received direct synaptic contact from other hypocretin neurons but showed little direct response to hypocretin. Here, we show that mouse hypocretin neurons are acutely sensitive to dynorphin. Dynorphin inhibits the hypocretin system by direct postsynaptic actions (hyperpolarization, decreased spike frequency, increased GIRK (G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ channel) current, and attenuated calcium current, and indirectly by reducing excitatory synaptic tone. Interestingly, a selective antagonist of κ-opioid receptors enhanced activity of the hypocretin system, suggesting ongoing depression by endogenous hypothalamic opioids. Electrical stimulation of hypothalamic microslices that contained hypocretin cells and their axons evoked dynorphin release. Costimulation with dynorphin and hypocretin had three different effects on neurons postsynaptic to hypocretin axons: direct response to only one or the other of the two peptides [hypocretin cells respond to dynorphin, arcuate neuropeptide Y (NPY) cells respond to hypocretin], differential desensitization causing shift from inhibitory current to excitatory current with repeated coexposure (melanin-concentrating hormone neurons), synergistic direct excitation by hypocretin and presynaptic attenuation of inhibition by dynorphin (arcuate NPY neurons). These results suggest that hypocretin neurons may be able to exercise a high degree of modulatory control over postsynaptic targets using multiple neuropeptides with target-dependent actions.
Purification and Properties of Component B of 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetate Oxygenase from Pseudomonas cepacia AC1100

Pseudomonas cepacia AC1100 degrades 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4,5-T), an herbicide and chlorinated aromatic compound. Although some progress has been made in understanding 2,4,5-T degradation by AC1100 by molecular analysis, little is known about the biochemistry involved. Enzymatic activity converting 2,4,5-T to 2,4,5-trichlorophenol in the presence of NADH and O(inf2) was detected in cell extracts of AC1100. Phenyl agarose chromatography of the ammonium sulfate-fractionated cell extracts yielded no active single fractions, but the mixing of two fractions, named component A and component B, resulted in the recovery of enzyme activity. Component B was further purified to homogeneity by hydroxyapatite and DEAE chromatographies. Component B had a native molecular weight of 140,000, and it was composed of two 49-kDa (alpha)-subunits and two 24-kDa (beta)-subunits. Component B was red, and its spectrum in the visible region had maxima at 430 and 560 nm (shoulder), whereas upon reduction it had maxima at 420 (shoulder) and 530 nm. Each mole of (alpha)(beta) heterodimer contained 2.9 mol of iron and 2.1 mol of labile sulfide. These properties suggest strong similarities between component B and the terminal oxygenase components of the aromatic ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases. Component A was highly purified but not to homogeneity. The reconstituted 2,4,5-T oxygenase, consisting of components A and B, converted 2,4,5-T quantitatively into 2,4,5-trichlorophenol and glyoxylate with the coconsumption of NADH and O(inf2).
Economic impact of Chinese tourism on Australia

China’s trade, tourism and limited foreign direct investment (FDI) to Australia have been regarded as playing an important part in Australia’s growth and prosperity in recent years. In spite of the fact that these activities are the three principal growth determinants in modern economic integration theory, growth studies based on this theory’s structural framework, while highly appropriate, have hardly been undertaken. This article proposes to fill the gap by formally developing an endogenous causal model of simultaneous growth and tourism for policy analysis. In this model, trade, FDI and tourism are specified as the main contributing factors to growth. Simultaneously, gravity theory (including growth) and the Ironmonger–Lancaster new consumer demand theory determine tourism, while ‘economic conditionality’ potentially affecting both growth and tourism in the sense of Johansen is recognized and incorporated. The model is then applied to Australian and Chinese data for the important post-Japanese tourist boom period 1992–2015, to provide substantive findings on three questions: the impact of Chinese tourism to Australia, Chinese tourism determination and the effects of Chinese trade and key macroeconomic indicators on Australian economic growth. Significant policy implications are then developed for use by government tourism planners and policymakers.
Analysis of atypical urine cytology in a tertiary care center

Voided urine cytology continues to play a paramount role in the surveillance of transitional cell neoplasms and as a screening modality in certain high‐risk situations. Although a significant number of samples are diagnosed as atypical, there is little known about the outcome of these patients. In addition, the significance of transitional cell fragments in voided urine samples is uncertain. The objective of the current study was to evaluate retrospectively a large series of voided urine specimens that were reported as atypical. Standard cytomorphologic parameters were used with the aim of refining the atypical category.
Ethanol inhibits prolactin‐induced activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in cultured astrocytes

Alcohol consumption has multiple effects in the central nervous system (CNS). Whereas, alcohol is an immunosuppressive drug the effect of alcohol on the neuroimmune system, remains unclear. In cultured astrocytes, prolactin (PRL) induces mitogenesis and the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα). We have recently shown that whereas ethanol does not inhibit PRL receptor binding, it markedly inhibits PRL‐induced mitogenesis and TNFα secretion in cultured astrocytes. It is clear that PRL activates the tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including members of a novel family of protein tyrosine kinases, the Janus Kinases (JAKs). The aims of this study were to characterize PRL‐induced activation of the JAK/STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) pathway, and to determine if ethanol affects JAK/STAT activation in cultured astrocytes. We found that PRL specifically increases the tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2, but not JAK1, JAK3, or Tyk2, and the subsequent phosphorylation of STAT1α, STAT5a, and STAT5b. Preincubation of astrocytes with ethanol markedly inhibited phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT1α, STAT5a, and STAT5b. In PRL‐stimulated astrocytes, ethanol inhibited binding of nuclear proteins to oligonucleotides corresponding to the gamma‐interferon activated sequence (GAS). Further, ethanol blocked PRL‐induced increases in interferon regulatory factor‐1 (IRF‐1) mRNA, a PRL/cytokine inducible transcription factor involved in the regulation of a number of cytokine inducible genes. The inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation by ethanol was not a general effect, however, as we found that ethanol increased basal and NGF‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐activated protein kinase‐1 (ERK‐1). These data indicate that ethanol inhibits PRL‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the JAK/STAT pathway resulting in decreased nuclear GAS DNA binding and inhibition of the PRL inducible gene, IRF‐1. Thus, suggesting that ethanol‐induced inhibition of JAK2 phosphorylation may be one mechanism though which ethanol could alter the brain's response to injury or infection. J. Cell. Biochem. 74:278–291, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
‘Pay for It Heavily’: Does U.S. Support for Israel Lead to Anti-American Terrorism?

ABSTRACT After the 9/11 attacks in particular, there has been a controversial discussion in the academic and public arena on whether the United States’ close relationship with Israel has made it a likelier target of transnational terrorism. Indeed, foreign terrorist organizations with various ideological profiles have repeatedly justified attacks against U.S. interests as punishment for the (purported) special relationship between the United States and Israel. We analyze the effect of various measures of U.S. support for Israel (e.g. U.S. military assistance to Israel) on anti-American terrorism for the period 1970–2014. Using both time-series and panel approaches, we do not find that more U.S. support for Israel systematically translates into more anti-American terrorism. Rather, other systemic (e.g. U.S. dominance in the international system) and local conditions (e.g. local state failure) are found to predict the patterns of anti-American terrorism. However, as a qualification to these general findings, we also provide some (preliminary) evidence that for terrorism originating from the Middle East and Northern Africa a favorable U.S. policy stance towards Israel may indeed contribute to more anti-American terrorism.
Working Memory Capacity and Individual Differences in the Making of Reinstatement and Elaborative Inferences

This study investigated the role of working memory capacity on the making of reinstatement and causal elaborative inferences during the reading of natural texts. In order to determine participants' working memory capacity, they were asked to take the reading span task before they took part in the study. Those participants that were identified as high or low working memory capacity readers were asked to perform a lexical decision task in two conditions: pre-inference and inference. In the pre-inference condition, target words representing reinstatement or causal elaborative inferences were presented immediately before the sentences that were predicted to prompt them. In the inference condition, the target words were presented immediately after the sentences that were predicted to prompt the inferences. Results indicated that, for the high working memory capacity readers, lexical decision times were faster at the inference compared to the pre-inference locations for both types of inferences. In the case of low working capacity readers, lexical decision times were faster at the inference compared to the pre-inference locations only for reinstatement inferences. These findings suggest that working memory capacity plays a role in the making of causal inferences during the comprehension of natural texts. Este estudio investigó el rol de la capacidad de memoria de trabajo en la realización de inferencias de restablecimiento y elaborativas durante la lectura de textos naturales. Los participantes realizaron la tarea de amplitud lectora, y aquellos que fueron identificados como lectores de alta o baja capacidad de memoria de trabajo realizaron una tarea de decisión léxica en dos condiciones. En la condición de pre-inferencia, las palabras de prueba se presentaron inmediatamente antes de la oración que promovía la realización de la inferencia. En la condición de inferencia, las palabras de prueba se presentaron inmediatamente después de la oración que promovía la inferencia. Los resultados indicaron que los lectores de alta capacidad de memoria de trabajo tenían menores tiempos de reacción en la condición de inferencia en comparación con la condición de pre-inferencia para ambos tipos de inferencias. Los lectores de baja capacidad de memoria de trabajo tenían tiempos de reacción menores en la condición de inferencia en comparación con la condición de pre-inferencia, solo en el caso de las inferencias de restablecimiento. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la capacidad de memoria de trabajo tiene un rol en la realización de inferencias causales durante la comprensión de textos naturales.
Protein Targets of Monocrotaline Pyrrole in Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells*

A single administration of monocrotaline to rats results in pathologic alterations in the lung and heart similar to human pulmonary hypertension. In order to produce these lesions, monocrotaline is oxidized to monocrotaline pyrrole in the liver followed by hematogenous transport to the lung where it injures pulmonary endothelium. In this study, we determined specific endothelial targets for 14C-monocrotaline pyrrole using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and autoradiographic detection of protein metabolite adducts. Selective labeling of specific proteins was observed. Labeled proteins were digested with trypsin, and the resulting peptides were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. The results were searched against sequence data bases to identify the adducted proteins. Five abundant adducted proteins were identified as galectin-1, protein-disulfide isomerase, probable protein-disulfide isomerase (ER60), β- or γ-cytoplasmic actin, and cytoskeletal tropomyosin (TM30-NM). With the exception of actin, the proteins identified in this study have never been identified as potential targets for pyrroles, and the majority of these proteins have either received no or minimal attention as targets for other electrophilic compounds. The known functions of these proteins are discussed in terms of their potential for explaining the pulmonary toxicity of monocrotaline.
Galanin‐like immunoreactivity within the primate basal forebrain: Differential staining patterns between humans and monkeys

Galanin‐like immunoreactivity (GAL‐ir) was examined within the basal forebrain and adjacent regions of eight young adult New World monkeys (Cebus apella), one aged Old World monkey (Macaca mullata), and eight humans without clinical or pathological evidence of neurological disease. All monkeys demonstrated similar patterns of immunoreactive profiles characterized by a continuum of GAL‐in magnocellular neurons located within the medial septum, diagonal band nuclei, and nucleus basalis. Colocalization experiments revealed that most (>90%) of GAL‐ir basal forebrain neurons also expressed the receptor for nerve growth factor (NGFR), an excellent marker for primate cholinergic basal forebrain neurons. A few smaller parvicellular GAL‐ir neurons were also observed within the monkey basal forebrain. In contrast, identical cytochemical experiments revealed that virtually none of the magnocellular neurons within the basal forebrain of humans were GAL‐ir. Rather, a network of GAL‐containing fibers and terminal‐like profiles were observed encompassing the magnocellular cholinergic neurons in humans. This immunohistochemical species difference does not appear to be mediated by procedural or technical factors since human brains contained numerous GAL‐ir perikarya and fibers within adjacent regions including the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and medial hypothalamus. These data demonstrate that there is a prominent phylogenetic transformation in primates with respect to the processing of GAL‐mediated information. This species difference potentially relates to the severe basal forebrain degeneration reported in human dementias and illustrates the possible need for a reevaluation of the use of monkeys as an animal model of human basal forebrain‐related cognitive dysfunction.
Vitamin D deficiency in type 2 diabetic patients with hypogonadism.

INTRODUCTION Both type 2 diabetes and secondary hypogonadism may be associated with low vitamin D levels. AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in type 2 diabetic males with and without hypogonadism. METHODS We performed a case-control study among 122 male adults with type 2 diabetes, 51 with associated hypogonadism (Group 1) and 71 with normal gonadal function (Group 2). One hundred age-matched nondiabetic males with normal gonadal function served as a control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Levels of 25(OH)D were assessed by a chemiluminescent immunoassay in all patients. Morning testosterone, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid hormones, fasting glucose, and hemoglobin A1c were also evaluated. RESULTS The overall diabetic population showed a mean 25(OH)D concentration (22.3 ± 6.09 ng/mL) significantly lower than the control group (34.3 ± 7.2, P < 0.001), with 81% of diabetic patients presenting 25(OH)D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) or insufficiency (20-29.9 ng/mL). The lowest 25(OH)D concentration was found in Group 1 (20.1 ± 6.58 ng/mL). Concentration of 25(OH)D was significantly lower in the 42 patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism as compared with the 9 patients with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (19.4 ± 7.06 vs. 23.8 ± 6.11 ng/mL, P < 0.001). No difference in erectile dysfunction (ED) prevalence between Group 1 and Group 2 was found, nor was there a correlation between the severity of ED and vitamin D levels (r = -0.10, P = 0.39). CONCLUSIONS These results show that type 2 diabetic patients with hypogonadism present lower 25(OH)D concentration and higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, compared with patients without hypogonadism. The finding that 25(OH)D concentrations were similar between type 2 diabetic patients with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and those with normal gonadal function deserves further study.
Pharyngocutaneous fistula following total laryngectomy

Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is the most common complication after total laryngectomy. Objectives To establish the incidence of this complication and to analyze the predisposing factors. Method This is a cross-sectional study of a historical cohort including 94 patients who underwent total laryngectomy. The following aspects were correlated to the occurrence of PCF: gender, age, tumor site, TNM staging, type of neck dissection, previous radiation therapy, previous tracheotomy, and use of stapler for pharyngeal closure. The following were considered in PCF cases: the day into postoperative care when the fistula was diagnosed, duration of occurrence, and proposed treatment. Results Twenty (21.3%) patients had PCF. The incidence of PCF was statistically higher in T4 tumors when compared to T2 and T3 neoplasms (p = 0.03). The other analyzed correlations were not statistically significant. However, 40.9% of the patients submitted to tracheostomy previously had fistulae, against 21.1% of the patients not submitted to this procedure. Conclusion Advanced primary tumor staging is correlated with higher incidences of PCF.
Design of Real FIR Filters With Arbitrary Magnitude and Phase Specifications Using a Neural-Based Approach

An efficient and yet simple neural-based approach is utilized to design real finite-impulse response filters with arbitrary complex frequency responses in the least-squares sense. The proposed approach establishes the quadratic error difference of the filter optimization in the frequency domain as the Lyapunov energy function. Consequently, the optimal filter coefficients are obtained with good performance and fast convergence speed. To achieve good convergences for large filter lengths, a cooling process of simulated annealing is used for the neural activation function. Several examples and comparisons to the existing methods are presented to illustrate the effectiveness and flexibility of the neural-based method
Revolving Door Lobbyists and the Value of Congressional Staff Connections

Building on previous work on lobbying and relationships in Congress, I propose a theory of staff-to-staff connections as a human capital asset for Capitol Hill staff and revolving door lobbyists. Employing lobbying disclosure data matched to congressional staff employment histories, I find that the connections these lobbyists maintain to their former Hill coworkers primarily drive their higher relative value as lobbyists. Specifically, a 1 standard deviation increase in staff connections predicts an 18% increase in revenue attributed to the lobbyist during her first year. I also find that the indirect connections lobbyists maintain to legislators through knowing a staffer in a legislative office are of potential greater value than a direct connection to a senator given a large enough number of connections. This article sheds additional light onto the political economy of the lobbying industry, making an important contribution to the literature on lobbying and the revolving door phenomenon.
Application of fuzzy logic to online recognition of handwritten symbols

Fuzzy logic is highly suitable for dealing with uncertainty and variation. Therefore it is seems reasonable to apply this technique to the recognition of handwritten symbols. This paper presents an approach to the task in which fuzzy logic is used extensively. We present a three-phase process, the central phase being feature extraction. Firstly a pre-processing phase generates a chord vector for each handwritten stroke, thereby eliminating noise and greatly reducing the number of sections of the input which need to be assessed as potential features. In the feature extraction phase fuzzy rules are used to determine membership values of chord sequences in fuzzy sets corresponding to feature types, and subsequently the most likely set of features is determined. In the final phase, fuzzy classification rules are used to determine the most likely identity of the symbol according to the feature extraction result. The approach has achieved high recognition rates in experiments on isolated symbols from the UNIPEN database.