Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma Soluble Human Leukocyte Antigen G Levels in Asthmatic Children

Background: Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a nonclassical major histocompatibility complex class I gene. HLA-G stimulates Th2 cytokine secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The role of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in bronchial asthma is incompletely understood and the plasma level of sHLA-G in asthmatic children has not been investigated. Objective: It was the aim of this study to investigate the plasma level of sHLA-G in asthmatic children. Methods: Asthmatic (n = 53) and healthy children (n = 16) were included in the study. Levels of sHLA-G were determined in plasma using ELISA. Spirometry, total immunoglobulin E and eosinophil counts were obtained and skin testing done with a battery of 25 antigens with appropriate positive and negative controls. Results: No significant difference was observed in the plasma level of sHLA-G between the asthmatic and healthy children (p > 0.05). When we compared atopic asthmatics with healthy controls, we found significantly higher levels of sHLA-G in atopic asthmatics (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the peripheral blood eosinophil counts and total immunoglobulin E levels among the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study shows that plasma sHLA-G levels do not differ between asthmatic children and healthy controls. However, higher plasma levels of sHLA-G in atopic asthmatics may suggest a role for sHLA-G in atopy. Further investigations are required to better define the mechanism of the production and the role of sHLA-G molecules observed in patients with asthma.
The Effect of Beam Energy on the Quality of IMRT Plans for Prostate Conformal Radiotherapy

Three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) for prostate cancer is most commonly delivered with high-energy photons, typically in the range of 10–21 MV. With the advent of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), an increase in the number of monitor units (MU) relative to 3DCRT has lead to a concern about secondary malignancies. This risk becomes more relevant at higher photon energies where there is a greater neutron contribution. Subsequently, the majority of IMRT prostate treatments being delivered today are with 6–10 MV photons where neutron production is negligible. However, the absolute risk is small [Hall, E. J. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, Protons, and the Risk of Second Cancers. Int J Radiat Oncol Bio Phys 65, 1–7 (2006); Kry, F. S. , Salehpour, M. , Followill, D. S. , Stovall, M. , Kuban, D. A. , White, R. A. , and Rosen, I. I. The Calculated Risk of Fatal Secondary Malignancies From Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Bio Phys 62, 1195–1203 (2005). ] and therefore it has been suggested that the use of an 18MV IMRT may achieve better target coverage and normal tissue sparing such that this benefit outweighs the risks. This paper investigates whether 18MV IMRT offer better target coverage and normal tissue sparing. Computed Tomography (CT) image sets of ten prostate cancer patients were acquired and two separate IMRT plans were created for each patient. One plan used 6 MV beams, and the other used 18 MV, both in a coplanar, non-opposed beam geometry. Beam arrangements and optimization constraints were the same for all plans. This work includes a comparison and discussion of the total integral dose, neutron dose conformity index, and total number of MU for plans generated with both energies.
Exploring Linkages between Industrial Innovation and Public Policy: Challenges and Opportunities

61 Creative Commons Non Commercial CC-BY-NC: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial 3.0 License (http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). Exploring Linkages between Industrial Innovation and Public Policy: Challenges and Opportunities
Expression of human growth hormone gene in Pleurotus eryngii

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been widely used in many medical applications. Large scale production of rhGH is important for a wider application of this molecule in the field of proteomics. This investigation reports a modified Agrobacterium-mediated method for transfer and expression of human growth hormone gene in the popular edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii. A binary vector pCAMBIA1304 containing the hGH2 gene was constructed and introduced into Pleurotus eryngii via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Integration of hGH2 into mushroom genome was detected by PCR and expression was confirmed by Western blot assay. The successful expression of the human growth hormone gene in mushroom suggests that the proposed modified transformation system is probably useful for the production of transgenic mushrooms.
Does the Board Structure Affect the Asset Quality of the Banks? Evidence from India

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) argue that poor asset quality is an outcome of the failure of bank boards in effectively monitoring the management in terms of loan policies and compliance. The current study explores the influence of board structure (board size, board independence, CEO duality, financial expertise and board meeting) on asset quality of banks, using a sample of 36 scheduled commercial banks operating in India during the period from 2001 to 2014. After addressing the issue of endogeneity, the study finds that the proportions of independent directors and financial experts have significant positive impact on asset quality. It also concludes that board size, number of board meetings and CEO duality have no significant impact on asset quality.
Leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and residential proximity to industrial plants.

The risks of developing leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from living near industrial facilities were evaluated among men from Iowa and Minnesota in a population-based, case-control study. We found a statistically significant increase in the risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (RR = 1.4) and a slight, nonsignificant excess for leukemia (RR = 1.2) among individuals who lived . 8-3.2 km (1/2-2 miles) from a factory. Risks were greater for certain histologic types: follicular lymphoma (RR = 1.5), acute lymphocytic leukemia (RR = 5.4), and acute myelocytic leukemia (RR = 2.2). For non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (but not for leukemia), the relative risks for those living within . 8 km (1/2 mile) of a factory were similar or slightly larger than for those living . 8-3.2 km (1/2-2 miles) from a factory. Risks did not increase with duration of residence near a factory. The elevated risks of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were particularly associated with residing near stone, clay, or glass industry facilities. The risk of developing leukemia was greater among persons who resided near chemical and petroleum plants. These preliminary findings raise the possibility that general environmental exposure associated with certain industrial activities may elevate the risk of developing leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Evaluation of data on proximity to industrial plants from studies in other geographic locations is needed to determine whether our results represent a meaningful association.
Foreign direct investment flows and domestic investment in China: A multivariate time series analysis

ABSTRACT This paper explores the effects of inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) on domestic investment in China using annual time series data over the period of 1982–2016. The empirical analysis is performed using ARDL bound testing procedure and fully modified OLS technique to get robust estimations. The causality analysis is also conducted by estimating a VECM based Granger causality test to reveal the direction of the relationship among the concerned variables. Overall results reveal that inward FDI substitutes domestic investment while outward FDI complements it. Moreover, the complementary effects of outward FDI on domestic investment are greater than those of inward FDI, implying that the former has the potential to offset the substitutional effects of the latter on domestic investment. The results remain robust across alternative specifications and estimators. Our study contributes to the worldwide debate on development finance by providing new econometric evidence on the linkages between capital flows and domestic investment. The findings suggest that FDI flows can contribute to the sustainable economic growth in China if pragmatic policies are framed to encourage local firms to engage in cross-border investment.
Resolving lost herbivore community structure using coprolites of four sympatric moa species (Aves: Dinornithiformes)

Significance Coprolites provide unique insights into the plant taxa consumed over a discrete time period by extinct herbivores and have typically been used to reconstruct the diets of single herbivore species. Through ancient DNA, pollen, and plant macrofossil analyses of 51 coprolites deposited by four species of extinct herbivore (the large avian moa of New Zealand) in a single rock shelter, we show the potential for coprolites to also resolve broader paleoecological questions around niche partitioning of extinct sympatric herbivore species and prehistoric herbivore community structure. Such information can help in our understanding of late Quaternary ecosystem functioning and the ecological consequences of prehistoric extinctions, as well as helping to inform rewilding efforts. Knowledge of extinct herbivore community structuring is essential for assessing the wider ecological impacts of Quaternary extinctions and determining appropriate taxon substitutes for rewilding. Here, we demonstrate the potential for coprolite studies to progress beyond single-species diet reconstructions to resolving community-level detail. The moa (Aves: Dinornithiformes) of New Zealand are an intensively studied group of nine extinct herbivore species, yet many details of their diets and community structuring remain unresolved. We provide unique insights into these aspects of moa biology through analyses of a multispecies coprolite assemblage from a rock overhang in a montane river valley in southern New Zealand. Using ancient DNA (aDNA), we identified 51 coprolites, which included specimens from four sympatric moa species. Pollen, plant macrofossils, and plant aDNA from the coprolites chronicle the diets and habitat preferences of these large avian herbivores during the 400 y before their extinction (∼1450 AD). We use the coprolite data to develop a paleoecological niche model in which moa species were partitioned based on both habitat (forest and valley-floor herbfield) and dietary preferences, the latter reflecting allometric relationships between body size, digestive efficiency, and nutritional requirements. Broad ecological niches occupied by South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) and upland moa (Megalapteryx didinus) may reflect sexual segregation and seasonal variation in habitat use, respectively. Our results show that moa lack extant ecological analogs, and their extinction represents an irreplaceable loss of function from New Zealand’s terrestrial ecosystems.
Trunk axial rotation in baseball pitching and batting

The purpose of this study was to quantify trunk axial rotation and angular acceleration in pitching and batting of elite baseball players. Healthy professional baseball pitchers (n = 40) and batters (n = 40) were studied. Reflective markers attached to each athlete were tracked at 240 Hz with an eight-camera automated digitizing system. Trunk axial rotation was computed as the angle between the pelvis and the upper trunk in the transverse plane. Trunk angular acceleration was the second derivative of axial rotation. Maximum trunk axial rotation (55 ± 6°) and angular acceleration (11,600 ± 3,100 °/s2) in pitching occurred before ball release, approximately at the instant the front foot landed. Maximum trunk axial rotation (46 ± 9°) and angular acceleration (7,200 ± 2,800 °/s2) in batting occurred in the follow-through after ball contact. Thus, the most demanding instant for the trunk and spine was near front foot contact for pitching and after ball contact for batting.
Factors Persuading the Intention of Using E recruitment by Job Seekers in Bangladesh

—with the cutting edge technological advancement globally, e-recruitment has gained importance for the employers and the job seeker. As Bangladesh have unacceptably high unemployment rate, studying the factors that influences the use of e-recruitment by the job seeker’s would help developing effective unconventional Human resource management practices. A questionnaire was designed to examine applicant’s intention to use e-recruitment by obtaining their opinions. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample. The data was collected from 250 job seekers who are graduates of different discipline from Dhaka city. This is an empirical study which used factor analysis and cross tabulation analysis to identify the factors and to recognize the relationship of different demographic factors like gender, education, internet experience, job areas with intention to use e-recruitment. The analysis identified the significant factors which swayed the intention of the job seeker’s to use e-recruitment. The study will help the employer to concentrate on the factors which is considered important for the job seekers to make the e-recruitment process more effective and efficient.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in pediatric renal transplantation

Abstract: Over last two decades ABPM has evolved from a research device to an established and valuable clinical tool for BP evaluation. More than 10 yrs ago ABPM was introduced to pediatrics and since that time, its importance has been increasing in the management of hypertension in children and adolescents. This review summarizes the information gathered from the studies of ABPM in adult and pediatric patients with renal transplants. We will review the importance of hypertension in this patient subset, discuss the advantage of ABPM over CBP and focus on specific abnormalities and clinical significance of ABPM in renal transplant recipients.
Extending Expectancy Violations Theory to Multiplayer Online Games: The Structure and Effects of Expectations on Attitude Toward the Advertising, Attitude Toward the Brand, and Purchase Intent

Abstract This study identified the underlying structure and the dimensional properties of multiplayer online game (MOG) expectations by adopting expectancy violations theory (EVT) and examined its effects on attitudes and behavioral intention for in-game ads. We found a multi-dimensional structure for MOG expectations consisting of three factors. While each of the expectation factors significantly predicted attitudes toward the advertising, no specific factor predicted purchase intent or brand attitude. Attitudes toward the advertising partially mediated the effects of MOG expectations (centrality, socialness, and features) on brand attitudes and fully mediated the effect of socialness on purchase intent. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
The Efficient Market Hypothesis: Is It Applicable to the Foreign Exchange Market?

The study analyses the applicability of the efficient market hypothesis to the foreign exchange market by testing the profitability of the filter rule on the spot market. The significance of the returns was validated by comparing them to the returns from randomly generated shuffled series via bootstrap methods. The results were surprising. For the total period (1984-2003) small filter rules could deliver significant returns indicating an inefficient foreign exchange market. However, once the data was separated into four sub-periods of five years to test the stability of the returns, the results indicate that only the first sub period delivered significant returns. In the last two sub periods or ten years, the returns from employing filter rules were negative. This supports the conclusion that the efficient market hypothesis is valid in the foreign exchange market.
The meaning of preceptorship: nurses' lived experience of being a preceptor.

AIM OF THE STUDY This phenomenological study is aimed at illuminating nurses' lived experience of the process of preceptoring and the meaning of preceptorship in a Swedish context. METHODS Seventeen nurses from the North of Sweden with varied previous experience of preceptorship volunteered to participate. Their narratives, describing their experience of being a personal preceptor for a student nurse during practical training on a hospital ward in the third year of a 3-year diploma programme within a university college of nursing in Sweden, were transcribed verbatim. A phenomenological-hermeneutic interpretation disclosed the themes 'sheltering the students when learning' and 'facilitating the students' learning', together with eight sub-themes, which created an understanding of the meaning of preceptorship. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION The meaning of preceptorship was understood as reducing the risk of the students learning helplessness and empowering the students when learning in practice. The meaning of preceptorship highlighted the need for further preceptor support and development of the role of the preceptor. On the basis of the findings, suggestions were made to increase the preceptors' awareness of values in nursing practice and use of pedagogical strategies in the process of preceptoring. Through such strategies a reciprocal development of the preceptors' and the faculty's knowledge may take place, to the best advantage of the students' learning and the development of the profession.
Two-Phase Lorentz Coils and Linear Halbach Array for Multiaxis Precision-Positioning Stages With Magnetic Levitation

In this paper, a new framework for linear permanent-magnet (PM) machines with applications in precision motion control is proposed and validated. A single forcer generating two independent force components in two perpendicular directions is the fundamental unit of the framework. Each forcer consists of two planar Lorentz coils separated by a 90° or 270° phase difference and parallel to a Halbach magnet array. Many coil pairs can be assembled to the same platen to move over a common magnet matrix, forming a linear or planar PM motor. Advantages of this framework include a linear system model, the capability to magnetically levitate the mover in multiaxis stages, and that to generate long translational motion range. The framework developed herein is validated by a six-degree-of-freedom magnetically levitated (maglev) stage. The dimension of the moving platen's frame is <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{14.3}{\,\text{cm}}\times \text{14.3}{\,\text{cm}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, and its total mass is 0.75 kg. The achieved positioning resolution in translations along <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$X,Y$</tex-math></inline-formula><italic>,</italic> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Z$</tex-math></inline-formula> is 10 nm. The positioning resolution in out-of-plane rotation is <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{0.1}\,\mu {\text{rad}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, which is a record in the literature. The maximum travel range in <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$XY$ </tex-math></inline-formula> with laser interferometers is <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> ${\text{56}\,\text{mm}}\times \text{35}\,{\text{mm}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>, limited by the size of the precision mirrors. With the coils’ total mass of only 0.205 kg, the achieved acceleration is 1.2 m/s<sup>2</sup>. Experimental results exhibit reduced perturbations in other axes of in-plane motions.
Structures intégrables dans les théories de jauge et les théories des cordes supersymmétriques

Dans cette these nous etudions des methodes d'integrabilite dans le cadre de la correspondance AdS /CFT. Nous etudions des structures integrables des deux cotes de la dualite AdS / CFT en utilisant deux conceptions deferentes. Sur le cote corde de la dualite nous observons comment la supersymmetrie et l’automorphisme du groupe de symetrie organisent le modele dans un systeme integrable. Puis, en utilisant les consequences de la methode « finit gap » pour le systeme integrable nous effectuons une procedure de quantification «one-loop» qui nous permet de calculer le «one-loop» spectre du modele. Nous illustrons cette methode avec le calcul du spectre d’une cordes courte. Sur le cote gauge nous passons en revue la methode du Y – systeme fonctionnel pour le calcul du spectre de la theorie dans un volume fini. En raison de l'existence de la S-matrice a deux particules, il est possible d'utiliser l'astuce de Zamolodchikov pour mettre en place un systeme des equations fonctionnelles, qui peuvent etre par la suite re-ecrit en une equation de Hirota sur un domaine defini. Dans la limite de couplage fort ces equations peuvent etre considerablement simplifiees. Cela nous donne une chance d'avoir une solution analytique du systeme, qui peut etre compare a la solution corde. Ces deux solutions sont en accord parfait.
Epidermal and dermal integumentary structures of ankylosaurian dinosaurs

Ankylosaurian dinosaurs are most notable for their abundant and morphologically diverse osteoderms, which would have given them a spiky appearance in life. Isolated osteoderms are relatively common and provide important information about the structure of the ankylosaur dermis, but fossilized impressions of the soft‐tissue epidermis of ankylosaurs are rare. Nevertheless, well‐preserved integument exists on several ankylosaur fossils that shows osteoderms were covered by a single epidermal scale, but one or many millimeter‐sized ossicles may be present under polygonal, basement epidermal scales. Evidence for the taxonomic utility of ankylosaurid epidermal scale architecture is presented for the first time. This study builds on previous osteological work that argues for a greater diversity of ankylosaurids in the Dinosaur Park Formation of Alberta than has been traditionally recognized and adds to the hypothesis that epidermal skin impressions are taxonomically relevant across diverse dinosaur clades. J. Morphol. 275:39–50, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.