Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Media Portrayal of Human-wildlife Conflict During Successive Fatal Shark Bites

Encounters between humans and wildlife that result in human fatalities can generate public anxiety and increase pressure on conservation managers and governments for risk mitigation. Low probability-high consequence events such as shark bites on humans attract substantial media attention for short time periods, but how the media react when several of these rare but fatal events occur in quick succession has seldom been subject to quantitative analysis. Understanding media portrayal of such encounters is important because it both reflects and influences public perceptions of risks, mitigation measures, and conservation policies. This study examined media portrayals of sharks between 2011 and 2013 in the state of Western Australia during which six shark bites resulting in fatalities occurred. We analysed 361 shark-related articles published in major Western Australian newspapers over 26 months to trace changes in media reporting about sharks prior to, during, and after the six fatalities. The findings indicate that when rare, but fatal human-wildlife events occur in quick succession, negative framing by media of wildlife behaviour and threats can exaggerate public anxiety about the pervasive presence of wildlife predators and high risk of human fatalities. The study highlights the need for government agencies and conservation scientists to better engage with media to provide accurate and effective information and advice to swimmers and surfers about shark ecology and behaviour.
Validity of portfolio assessment: which qualities determine ratings?

Context The portfolio is becoming increasingly accepted as a valuable tool for learning and assessment. The validity of portfolio assessment, however, may suffer from bias due to irrelevant qualities, such as lay‐out and writing style. We examined the possible effects of such qualities in a portfolio programme aimed at stimulating Year 1 medical students to reflect on their professional and personal development. In later curricular years, this portfolio is also used to judge clinical competence.
Analysis of Household Energy Uses in Mubuga Informal Settlement, Gitega, Burundi

ABSTRACT This paper presents an analysis of household energy uses in an informal settlement in Mubuga, Gitega, Burundi. At the time of the survey, the houses in Mubuga were not connected to the national electricity grid. Data were collected from a survey of 100 households through structured and open interviews. Of the interviewed households, 84 percent indicated that they used fuelwood as a primary energy source for cooking. About 94 percent used charcoal for commercial (barbecuing/grilling meat) purposes and 22 percent used it for domestic cooking. For lighting, kerosene accounted for 55 percent followed by candles (36%) and rechargeable lanterns (10%). Households in Mubuga used multiple energy carriers for cooking and heating needs. It is therefore recommended that intervention models that advocate for multiple fuel use should be promoted in the area. This allows indigent families to freely choose cooking fuels from a set of options.
Opioid neuropeptide genotypes in relation to heroin abuse: Dopamine tone contributes to reversed mesolimbic proenkephalin expression

Striatal enkephalin and dynorphin opioid systems mediate reward and negative affect, respectively, relevant to addiction disorders. We examined polymorphisms of proenkephalin (PENK) and prodynorphin (PDYN) genes in relation to heroin abuse and gene expression in the human striatum and the relevance of genetic dopaminergic tone, critical for drug reward and striatal function. Heroin abuse was significantly associated with PENK polymorphic 3′ UTR dinucleotide (CA) repeats; 79% of subjects homozygous for the 79-bp allele were heroin abusers. Such individuals tended to express higher PENK mRNA than the 81-bp homozygotes, but PENK levels within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell were most strongly correlated to catecholamine-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype. Control Met/Met individuals expressed lower PENK mRNA than Val carriers, a pattern reversed in heroin users. Up-regulation of NAc PENK in Met/Met heroin abusers was accompanied by impaired tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression in mesolimbic dopamine neurons. In contrast to PENK, no association was detected between PDYN genotype (68-bp repeat element containing one to four copies of AP-1 binding sites in the promoter region) and heroin abuse, although there was a clear functional association with striatal PDYN mRNA expression: an increased number of inducible repeats (three and four) correlated with higher PDYN levels than adult or fetal subjects with noninducible (one and two) alleles. Moreover, PDYN expression was not related to COMT genotype. Altogether, the data suggest that dysfunction of the opioid reward system is significantly linked to opiate abuse vulnerability and that heroin use alters the apparent influence of heritable dopamine tone on mesolimbic PENK and TH function.
Characterization of OPA1 isoforms isolated from mouse tissues

OPA1, a nuclear encoded mitochondrial protein causing autosomal dominant optic atrophy, is a key player in mitochondrial fusion and cristae morphology regulation. In the present study, we have compared the OPA1 transcription and translation products of different mouse tissues. Unlike in humans, we found only two exons (4b and 5b) to be involved in alternative splicing. The relative abundance of the resulting four different splice variants is tissue‐dependent. Proteolytic cleavage by mitochondrial processing peptidase generates two long forms, isoforms 1 and 7, which lead to three short forms representing the end products after further proteolytic processing. In contrast, isoforms 5 and 8 are directly processed into their corresponding short forms. Short form 1 molecules form 184 kDa dimers, whereas all other isoforms contribute to 285 kDa complexes. Coiled‐coil domains of the OPA1 protein specifically homo‐associate and may be involved in the formation of these complexes. Furthermore, the region encoded by exon 5b inhibits the self‐association of coiled‐coil domain‐I. Finally, our data pinpoint isoform 1 as the, by far, most abundant isoform in the nervous tissue. We postulate that manipulation of isoform 1 protein levels in relation to the other isoforms induces changes in the mitochondrial network in the cell and therefore, mutations affecting the level of functional isoform 1 could lead to devastating effects on retinal ganglion cells.
Genetic Structure of Korean Wild Populations of the Medaka Oryzias latipes Inferred from Allozymic Variation

Abstract Previous allozymic studies have revealed that Korean wild populations of Oryzias latipes have differentiated regionally, and are composed of two distinct groups, the East Korean Population and the China-West Korean Population. Recently, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses have confirmed these two groups, and shown that the distribution ranges of the two groups overlap in western Korea. In order to describe the detailed distributions of the two groups and the gene flow between them, genotypes of 13 allozymic loci were determined in 444 specimens from 96 localities in Korea. The two major groups were supported by remarkable allele frequency differences at six diagnostic loci: ACP*, AMY*, CK-A*, LDH-A*, PGM* and TF*. Individuals with the typical “eastern” genotype were mainly distributed in eastern and southern areas. In contrast, fish with the “western” genotype were predominant in the western area, and were further divided into two subgroups (the Han River and Geum River Subpopulations) by unique alleles at the ADH* locus. In the western coast, two distinct (eastern and western) genotypes were distributed in a mosaic fashion. This distribution pattern was identical to those from mtDNA analyses. Although the distribution patterns of the alleles at three loci (GPI-A*, LDH-C* and SOD*) showed introgressive conditions between the two groups, each population was nearly fixed as either the eastern or western genotype at all six diagnostic loci despite the proximity among samples. Therefore, it is suggested that some reproductive isolation mechanisms exist between the two groups in natural habitats.
Effects of Natural Disaster on Rice Production at Farm Level: New Evidence from Vietnam

The current study uses a unique balanced panel of 3,922 households between 2008 and 2010 to examine the extent to which rice production in Vietnam is affected by natural disasters and how coping strategies lessen the negative effects of natural disaster, using a fixed effects model that controls for time invariant farm heterogeneity. With regard to natural disaster, we find evidence of the negative inter-temporal occurrence and negative inter-temporal severity effects, and the negative current occurrence one as well. With regard to coping strategies, we find various evidence of current, inter-temporal coping-occurrence and coping-severity effects, depending on kinds of coping strategies.
The role of procalcitonin as a predictor of nosocomial sepsis in preterm infants

Aim: To assess the role of procalcitonin in detecting nosocomial sepsis in preterm infants, after the onset of clinical symptoms. Subjects: 100 preterm infants, 24–36 wk of gestation, were followed from the age of 3 d until discharge. Procalcitonin and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured within 3 d of sepsis workup events. Results: 141 blood samples were drawn from 36 infants during 85 episodes of sepsis workup performed between 4 and 66 d of life. Of these episodes, 51 (60%) were not a result of documented sepsis and thereby served as the negative comparison group. Median procalcitonin levels were higher in the septic group compared with the non‐septic group at the time of the sepsis workup (2.7 vs 0.5 ng/ml, p=0.003), at 1–24 h after the sepsis workup (4.6 vs 0.6 ng/ml, p=0.003), and at 25–48 h (6.9 vs 2.0 ng/ml, p=0.016). Using high cutoff levels, both procalcitonin (2.3 ng/ml) and CRP (30 mg/l) had high specificity and positive predictive value (97%, 91% and 96%, 87%, respectively) but low sensitivity (48% and 41%, respectively) to detect sepsis. Areas under the ROC curve for procalcitonin and CRP were 0.74 and 0.73, respectively.
Case-control studies of cancer screening: theory and practice.

This review summarizes methodologic theories for the design of cancer screening case-control studies and examines the methods applied in studies published in English from 1980 through 1996. In addition to summarizing state-of-the-art methodologic approaches, we identify areas where obvious gaps exist between theory and practice, and we recommend potential areas where theory and methodology may need further development. In particular, we focus on three major areas: 1) the selection of case and control subjects, 2) the definition of exposure (i.e., exposure to the screening test), and 3) bias. Each area is considered carefully by summarizing current theory, reviewing cancer screening applications, and linking recommended methodologic approaches to those used in practice to identify areas where inconsistencies exist. In general, we found methodologic theory and practice in this field of research to be consistent. However, discrepancies were identified in the area of exposure definition, including the use of screening frequency and the use of a detectable, curable preclinical phase for case subjects as the exposure measures. Even when recommended methods were followed, a number of difficulties arose in practice. Specific concerns included the ability to carry out the following: identifying all case subjects within a source population, defining eligibility criteria to ensure that case and control subjects had equal access to screening during the exposure period, distinguishing between symptomatic and diagnostic tests, and controlling for self-selection bias. Careful scrutiny is warranted in all aspects of the design of cancer screening case-control studies, and caution is advised in the interpretation of study results.
Horizons in Prosthesis Development for the Restoration of Limb Function

&NA; The focus of our research program is the restoration of limb function through a biohybrid approach. We consider the limb conceptually as a biohybrid organ consisting of biological tissue, endoprostheses (including neural devices and joint replacements), and exoprostheses. The biohybrid limb maximizes biological function and functional articulations with optimized humanprosthesis interfaces. Our long‐term goals are to create biomimetic prostheses, optimized control systems for prostheses, and optimized human‐prosthesis interfaces using both limb lengthening and osseointegration techniques.
Are women more sensitive than men to 2-propanol and m-xylene vapours?

Aims: To evaluate possible differences between men and women in acute health effects after controlled short term chamber exposure to vapours of two common organic solvents. Methods: Fifty six healthy volunteers (28 per sex) were exposed to 150 ppm 2-propanol, 50 ppm m-xylene, and clean air for two hours at rest. The subjects rated symptoms on a visual analogue scale before, during, and after the exposure. Blinking frequency was measured continuously during exposure. Pulmonary function, nasal swelling, inflammatory markers (lysozyme, eosinophilic cationic potein, myeloperoxidase, albumin) in nasal lavage and colour vision (Lanthony D-15 desaturated panel) were measured before and at 0 and 3 hours after the exposure. Results: There were no significant sex differences in response to solvent exposure with respect to blinking frequency, lung diffusing capacity, nasal area and volume, inflammatory markers in nasal lavage, and colour vision. Increased symptoms were rated by both sexes for nearly all 10 questions during exposure to 2-propanol or m-xylene, most increases being significant at one time point at least. The rating of “discomfort in the throat or airways” increased more in women during exposure to 2-propanol or m-xylene. During exposure to 2-propanol the rating of “fatigue” was more increased in men after one hour, but more increased in women after two hours of exposure. With regard to pulmonary function, women had small but significant decreases in FVC, FEV1/FVC, and FEF75 three hours after exposure to m-xylene, but only the decrease in FVC was significantly different from that in men. Conclusion: Our results suggest that women are slightly more sensitive than men to the acute irritative effects of 2-propanol and m-xylene vapours.
Trends in the incidence, mortality, and survival rates of oral and pharyngeal cancer in a high-risk area in Michigan, USA.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this analysis was to analyze the incidence, mortality and survival rates for the city of Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan. In Detroit, about four out of the five residents are African-Americans. METHODS Rates and standard errors on oral cancer incidence, survival, and mortality by county of residence, race, gender, stage of diagnosis were provided by the Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program, which is maintained by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Rates were expressed per 100,000 individuals and age adjusted to reflect the distribution of the USA population in 2000. Analysis for trends was conducted by the authors using the National Cancer Institutes' joinpoint regression program (version 3.0). RESULTS In 1993-2002, the incidence rate of oral cancer in Michigan (one of the 50 states in the USA) was 11.3 per 100,000, and in the city of Detroit, it was 16.6. In African-American males in Michigan the incidence rate was 24.3 per 100,000, one of the highest among all American males. The city of Detroit, with 9% of the total state population, had 13.1% of all new cases. Between 1993 and 2002, there was a drop in incidence rates in Michigan and Detroit. However, there was an increase in mortality rates in Michigan and Detroit between 2000 and 2002. In Detroit, the incidence and mortality rates of 'white' and African-American males were not different and the highest incidence rates were found in adults between the ages of 50 and 74 years. In the state, the peak incidence rates were found in adults 75 years or older. In 2000-2002, residents of Detroit had the lowest percentage (28.3%) of cases detected at early cancerous stage (in situ or localized) compared with rates in Michigan. African-Americans in Michigan had a 5-year survival rate of 34.9% compared with the state average of 54.6%. CONCLUSIONS African-American males in Detroit accounted for a larger proportion of the oral cancer cases relative to their population size. There was surprising similarity between the incidence and mortality rates of African and 'white' Americans in Detroit. While the incidence rates have declined in Michigan and Detroit, mortality rates have increased between 2000 and 2002. This finding is contrary to national trends. In order to target programs to prevent oral cancer, oral cancer statistics for in small areas or high-risk populations should be evaluated separately.
Radioimmunoassay of Apolipoprotein A‐II

A double antibody radioimmunoassay was developed for apolipoprotein A-ll (apo A-ll), one of the two major apoprotelns of human high density lipoproteins (HDL). Apo A-ll contains two identical polypeptide chains linked by a disulflde bond. A specific antlserum was raised in sheep. Tracer apo A-ll was radlolabeled with 125 I by the Bolton-Hunter technique. Reduction and carboxymethylatlon of apo A-ll approximately doubled its immunoreactivlty. Since normal sera were found to contain small amounts of monomeric apo A-ll, this represented one potential source of error in the radioimmunoassay. Inclusion of 0.1 M sodium cholate in the assay system, however, led to identical Immunoreactivlty of dimeric apo A-ll and the reduced and carboxymethylated protein. Radioimmunoassay using sheep anti-apo A-ll detected 75% to 85% of the apo A-ll contained in serum or HDL. Masked antigenic sites could be exposed by organic solvent extraction or, more simply, by dilution of serum samples in the buffer containing 0.1 M sodium cholate. Serum levels of apo A-ll were measured in a population of consecutively and prospectively selected free-living subjects between 30 to 69 years of age. Levels were significantly (p < 0.005) higher in females (n = 201; 42.0 ± 10.3 mg/dl) than in males (n = 189; 39.0 ± 8.4 mg/dl). Serum apo A-ll levels correlated significantly with HDL-cholesterol levels but less strongly than apo A-l, the other major HDL apoprotein.
Regional temperature and quantitative cerebral blood flow responses to cortical spreading depolarization in the rat

Regional temperature and quantitative regional cerebral blood flow responses to cortical spreading depolarization in the rat were continuously monitored in the same tissue using a microfabricated thermal diffusion sensor that recalibrates and measures in 5-s cycles. The regional cerebral blood flow response had four phases, including early hyperemia (peak: 226% of baseline; duration: 113.1 ± 14.4 s) and late oligemia (minimum: 57%, duration: 28.4 ± 3.7 min). Temperature rose with the start of the regional cerebral blood flow response to a peak increase of 0.28 ± 0.06℃ and returned to baseline near the start of oligemia. This technology may be useful for multimodal monitoring in both the laboratory and clinic.
Effect of camel milk on glucose metabolism in adults with normal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes in Raica community: a crossover study.

BACKGROUND To investigate effects of camel milk consumption on insulin sensitivity and glycemic control in normal and type-2 diabetics of Raika and Non-Raika community. METHODS 28 raika and non-raika male were enrolled in study, categorized in 2 groups, non-diabetic and diabetic after one month stabilization. Non-diabetics were supplemented with cow milk and diabetics with camel milk; followed by one-month washout period. Afterwards regimen was interchanged for 3 months. Biochemical and anthropometric data was recorded at baseline, after stabilization, before and after washout and at end of study. RESULTS An improving trend was observed in both the groups for camel milk effect (FBS 203.86 +/- 24.09 to 161.43 +/- 11.39 mg/dl; p<0.05, OGTT 320.86 +/- 25.34 to 213.79 +/- 15.96 mg/dl; p<0.05 in diabetics and FBS 101.79 +/- 3.06 to 96.79 +/- 2.56 mg/dl, OGTT 114.36 +/- 7.99 to 100.36 +/- 6.74 mg/dl in control). HbAlc improved due to camel milk consumption (8.39 +/- 0.64 to 7.27 +/- 0.67%) whereas deteriorated in the case of cow milk (7.36 +/- 0.66 to 8.26 +/- 0.60%) in diabetic group. The HOMA-IR reduced from 13.21 +/- 4.88 to 4.38 +/- 0.75, AUC-glucose from 37253.57 +/- 2859.08 to 30724.29 +/- 3677.33 and AUC-insulin from 5871.86 +/- 1210.73 to 3301.86 +/- 629.98 in the camel milk group. CONCLUSIONS In type-2 diabetics camel milk reduces FBS, post-prandial glucose and HbA1c. AUC-insulin and AUC-glucose also decreased significantly along with HOMA-IR. It shows hypoglycemic effect of camel milk reducing insulin resistance. (www.actabiomedica.it).
Computer-aided response time optimization of capacitive humidity sensors

This paper presents a MATLAB code which simulates the response of capacitive humidity sensors subjected to humidity variations. The sensors have parallel electrodes and dielectric polymer-based sensitive coatings. User-defined parameters regard the geometry of the sensor, the physical chemistry of sorption in the sensitive film and the environment of the sensor. The code includes electrostatic and gas diffusion calculation. The diffusion model is based on the theory of molecule diffusion in polymer films. The confrontation of this code with finite element simulation and experimental results demonstrates its accuracy. Experiments were carried out for DVS-BCB polymer films 1.3, 1.55 and 3.5 /spl mu/m thick with various tipper electrode geometries. Although humidity sensors are dealt with in this paper, the code can be used for the optimization of capacitive sensors for other gases.
Spillovers from China; Financial Channels

Although China’s much-needed transition to a new growth path is proceeding broadly as expected, the transition is still fraught with uncertainty, including regarding the Chinese authorities’ ability to achieve a smooth rebalancing of growth and the extent of the attendant slowdown in activity. Thus, in the short run, the transition process is likely to entail significant spillovers through trade and commodities, and possibly financial channels. This note sheds some light on the size and nature of financial spillovers from China by looking at the impact of developments in China on global financial markets, with a particular emphasis on differentiation across asset classes and markets. The note shows that economic and financial developments in China have a significant impact on global financial markets, but these effects reflect primarily the central role the country plays in goods trade and commodity markets, rather than China’s financial integration in global markets and the direct financial linkages it has with other countries.