Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shift Work and Mortality

Despite results linking shift work with ill health, only a few studies have addressed its relation with mortality. The purpose of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that shift work is a predictor of mortality. The study involved a sample of 22,411 individuals of the Swedish population. Data were obtained through annual phone interviews done between 1979 and 2000. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association between shift work/day work as the independent variable and death/survival during the subsequent years as the dependent variable. Separate analyses were carried out for female and male white- and blue-collar workers, respectively. The results were adjusted for age, stress, physical work load, disease at the outset of the study, and smoking. Mortality was significantly increased for female white-collar workers, with a Hazard Ratio of 2.61 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.26–5.41. No other significant effects were found. It is concluded that blue-collar shift work is not related to mortality, but that risk of death is increased for women white-collar shift workers compared to women white-collar day workers.
Extraction of Pectin from Lemon and Orange Fruits Peels and Its Utilization in Jam Making

This study aimed to extract pectin fro m orange and lemon peels and its utilization use in the production of jam. Jam was processed using the extracted pectin as well as commercial pectin, then physicochemical characteristics and sensory evaluation were determined for the products. The amount of pectin extracted fro m orange peel and lemon peels on fresh basis was 15.25% and 20.75%, respectively. Jam made using pectin ext racted fro m orange pectin jam OPJ and lemon pectin jam LPJ contained 60%, 61% total soluble solids, respectively, while the reducing sugar content, pH, moisture and ash values were; 2.96% and 5.027%, 4.2 and 3.5, 29% and 28%, 0.36% and 0.35%, respectively. Ho wever, the contents of sodium, and calciu m were 188 and 160, 148 and 153 and 35, 24 mg/ 100g in OPJ and LPJ, respectively. The content of vitamin C of OPJ and LPJ were 35, 51 mg/100g, respectively. The sensory analysis indicated that all types of jams were accepted by panelists. It is reco mmended to encourage production of jam at ho me level using local raw materials under strict conditions as well as the using of natural pectin fro m local fruits for the production of jams.
Modeled gravitational unloading induced downregulation of endothelin‐1 in human endothelial cells

Many space missions have shown that prolonged space flights may increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. Using a three‐dimensional clinostat, we investigated human endothelial EA.hy926 cells up to 10 days under conditions of simulated microgravity (µg) to distinguish transient from long‐term effects of µg and 1g. Maximum expression of all selected genes occurred after 10 min of clinorotation. Gene expression (osteopontin, Fas, TGF‐β1) declined to slightly upregulated levels or rose again (caspase‐3) after the fourth day of clinorotation. Caspase‐3, Bax, and Bcl‐2 protein content was enhanced for 10 days of microgravity. In addition, long‐term accumulation of collagen type I and III and alterations of the cytoskeletal alpha‐ and beta‐tubulins and F‐actin were detectable. A significantly reduced release of soluble factors in simulated microgravity was measured for brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, tissue factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and interestingly for endothelin‐1, which is important in keeping cardiovascular balances. The gene expression of endothelin‐1 was suppressed under µg conditions at days 7 and 10. Alterations of the vascular endothelium together with a decreased release of endothelin‐1 may entail post‐flight health hazards for astronauts. J. Cell. Biochem. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 1439–1455, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HEMOPROTEIN(S) MEDIATE BLUE LIGHT DAMAGE IN THE RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM *

In order to elucidate the mechanisms of blue light damage on ocular tissues, the transepithelial transport, electrical characteristics and ultrastructural properties of irradiated isolated bovine retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were investigated. Blue light (430 nm) irradiation at 20 mW/cm2 significantly reduced the transepithelial potential and short circuit current of RPE. During blue light exposure, a decrease in chloride transport was observed, and this decrease appeared to be closely coupled to changes in the electrical properties of the pigment epithelium. A decrease in leucine transport was also noted, but the effect required10–30 min of exposure to be manifested on some occasions. Utilizing the observed depolarizing effect of blue light, an action spectrum was determined which encompasses the absorption spectrum of the oxidized and reduced forms of cytochrome c oxidase. O2 uptake studies on isolated pigment epithelial cells verified the reduction of respiration by exposure to blue light, which is observed in other cells. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the major cytopathology observed up to 60 min after blue light exposure was a blistering of the mitochondria which progressed to a swollen, disrupted state within the post irradiation period of 1 h. Comparison of these results with those of other studies suggests that the mechanism of UV‐A damage differs substantially from that of blue light.
Control, Optimisation and Calculus of Variations SYSTEMS WITH HYSTERESIS IN THE FEEDBACK LOOP: EXISTENCE, REGULARITY AND ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOUR OF SOLUTIONS

An existence and regularity theorem is proved for integral equations of convolution type which contain hysteresis nonlinearities. On the basis of this result, frequency-domain stability criteria are derived for feedback systems with a linear inﬁnite-dimensional system in the forward path and a hysteresis nonlinearity in the feedback path. These stability criteria are reminiscent of the classical circle criterion which applies to static sector-bounded nonlinearities. The class of hysteresis operators under consideration contains many standard hysteresis nonlinearities which are important in control engineering such as backlash (or play), plastic-elastic (or stop) and Prandtl operators. Whilst the main results are developed in the context of integral equations of convolution type, applications to well-posed state space systems are also considered.
On intermediate levels of a nested occupancy scheme in a random environment generated by stick-breaking II

A nested occupancy scheme in a random environment is a generalization of the classical Karlin infinite balls-in-boxes occupancy scheme in a random environment (with random probabilities). Unlike the Karlin scheme in which the collection of boxes is unique, there is a nested hierarchy of boxes, and the hitting probabilities of boxes are defined in terms of iterated fragmentation of a unit mass. In the present paper, we assume that the random fragmentation law is given by stick-breaking in which case the infinite occupancy scheme defined by the first level boxes is known as the Bernoulli sieve. Assuming that n balls have been thrown, denote by the number of occupied boxes in the jth level and call the level j intermediate if and as . We prove a multidimensional central limit theorem for the vector , properly normalized and centred, as , where and . The present paper continues the line of investigation initiated in the article [D. Buraczewski, B. Dovgay, and A. Iksanov, On intermediate levels of nested occupancy scheme in random environment generated by stick-breaking I, Electron. J. Probab. 25(123) (2020), pp. 1–24] in which the occupancy of intermediate levels , was analysed.
Affordable Ink-Jet Printed Antennas for RFID Applications

With the increasing demands of radio-frequency identification (RFID) applications, an alternative ink-jet printing technique for RFID tag antenna is demonstrated. Commercially available ink-jet printers are adapted for conductive printing, in order to minimize manufacturing cost. Paper-based dipole antenna and dipole with a tuning stub antenna were designed. The antennas were ink-jet printed and assembled with RFID chips. The performances of the fabricated tags were measured through the reading range. With reference to equivalent isotropically radiated power of 4 W at 923 MHz, the reading range of tag with dipole antenna is around 9 m and of tag with dipole with a tuning stub is nearly 13 m. These performances are comparable to those of commercial tags. The advantages of the proposed printing technique are simplicity, flexibility and, more importantly, affordability. The technique can, in addition, contribute to further development and enhance extension of RFID applications.
The Infant Development Distress (IDD) Syndrome: A Predictor of Impaired Development?*

A group of eight infants with a disorder termed the IDD syndrome and another group of eight matched healthy infants taken into study at the same time have been followed-up for 6.75 years. The follow-up technique and some findings are described. Three IDD syndrome children are still severely disturbed. Three others show recovery from severe developmental disturbance. But one child who was grossly abused after being taken into the study has been well since the third follow-up. The comparison children have not experienced comparable problems. A qualified affirmative to the question of predictive power is given and discussed.
Identification of a Gordonia sp. strain producing carotenoids

A pigment-producing strain HBUT-Y was indentified by morphological characterization, physiological & biochemical taxonomy and molecular phylogeny, the carotenoids components in the strain were analyzed. It was found that similarity between the HBUT-Y and strains in genus Gordonia ranged from 95% to 99% through 16S rRNA sequence comparison. Substrate utilization data were provided by Biolog automated microbial identification system. combining with the result, HBUT-Y was preliminary indentified as a Gordonia sputi. Major pigment components in acetone extraction of HBUT-Y were assayed as carotenoids in detection of optical absorption in 452nm,477nm,507nm.
Cyber Victimization: School Experience of Malaysian Cyberbullied Teenagers

Cyberbullying among schoolchildren and teenagers became a hot issue discussed by Malaysian society. Cyberbullying is a new age of bullying because it uses the modern digital technology intentionally to hurt and degrade someone in the cyber world. Cyberbullying is a problem affecting many teenagers as they embrace online communication and interaction whereby virtual world with no borders. By adopting a qualitative approach, this study has captured 8 cyberbullied victims’ school experience. Even years after leaving school, these 8 cyberbullied victims remember how it feels to be bullied in the cyber world. The principal investigator also tries to identify the possibility factors that contribute to cyberbullying among these 8 victims. The result shows that these victims were bullied differently in cyber world. This study not just primarily focuses on cyberbullying issues among schoolchildren and teenagers; it also addresses the motives and causes of cyberbullying. Lastly, this article will be served as guidance for school teachers, parents and teenagers to prepare to tackle cyberbullying together. Cyberbullying is no laughing matter in our community, and it is time to spread the seeds of peace inspires others to do the same. Keywords—Cyberbullying, cyber victimization, internet, school experience, teenagers.
Insulin Resistance in Cushing's Syndrome

Insulin resistance is well established in Cushing's syndrome, but its mechanisms are not completely understood. We performed the euglycemic insulin clamp technique on four patients with Cushing's syndrome, five obese patients and five normal volunteers, in order to determine the role of impairments in insulin responsiveness and insulin clearance in hypercorticism and obesity. Insulin was infused at 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 mU/kg/min, and steady-state glucose-infusion rates required to maintain euglycemia were determined. Glucose disposal at maximal insulin levels was 11.9 +/- 0.4 mg/kg/min in normals, with a 29% decrease in obese and a 42% decrease in Cushing's syndrome patients. Half maximally effective insulin concentrations were increased in both abnormal groups compared to normals. Maximal insulin clearance rates were 1460 +/- 200 ml/min/m2 in normals, not significantly changed in obese and 40% decreased in Cushing's syndrome patients. These results indicate that the insulin resistance in Cushing's syndrome is distinct from that occurring in obesity and is characterized by both decreased insulin responsiveness and decreased insulin clearance. These impairments could be caused by a common defect which may be at or distal to the glucose transport level.
Expression of human beta-defensins in conjunctival epithelium: relevance to dry eye disease.

PURPOSE The goals of this study were to investigate whether beta-defensins are differentially expressed in the conjunctival epithelium of patients with moderate dry eye when compared with normal subjects and whether proinflammatory cytokines or bacteria can modulate the expression of human beta-defensins (hBDs)-1, -2, and -3 by conjunctival epithelial cells. METHODS RNA extracted from conjunctival impression cytology specimens of eight normal subjects and nine patients with moderate dry eye was used in RT-PCR to detect mRNA for hBDs-1, -2, and -3. Two conjunctival epithelial cell lines and primary cultured conjunctival epithelial cells were treated with proinflammatory cytokines or heat-killed Pseudomonas aeruginosa. RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis were used to detect mRNA for hBD-1, -2, and -3 and protein secretion of hBD-2, respectively. RESULTS hBD-2 message was detected in RNA samples of eight of nine patients with dry eye, but not in any of the normal subjects' samples, whereas hBD-1 and -3 were detected in all subjects tested. RT-PCR revealed an upregulation of hBD-2 but no difference in expression of hBD-1 and -3 in cultured conjunctival cells after a 24-hour treatment with 10 ng/mL interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (10 ng/mL) or heat-killed Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1 million colony-forming units; n = 3). hBD-2 expression was upregulated from 4 hours of treatment with IL-1beta (at 10 ng/mL; (n = 2-3) and at a concentration of 0.1 ng/mL IL-1beta (24-hour treatment; n = 2-3). Immunoblots demonstrated protein secretion results corresponding to the RT-PCR data. CONCLUSIONS hBD-2 was expressed only in the conjunctival epithelium of patients with moderate dry eye. Because cytokines such as IL-1beta and TNF-alpha induced the expression of hBD-2 by conjunctival epithelial cells and because increased proinflammatory cytokine activity is a feature of dry eye disease, it can be speculated that the hBD-2 upregulation observed in subjects with moderate dry eye is mediated by proinflammatory cytokine activity.
The serial changes in plasma homocysteine levels and it's relationship with acute phase reactants in early postmyocardial infarction period.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to study the change in the plasma homocysteine concentration in the early stage of acute myocardial infarction and its relationship with the acute phase reactants. METHODS We included into the study 33 patients who were admitted to the hospital with acute myocardial infarction within the first three hours after the onset of symptoms. The plasma samples were obtained on admission (within 3 hours onset of symptom) and at 6, 12, 24 hours and 2, 4, 7, 30 and 90th day after admission. RESULTS The serial homocysteine measurements were as following: 11.87+/-0.71 micromol/L, 11.89+/-0.62 micromol/L, 11.37+/-0.83 micromol/L, 10.96+/-0.93 micromol/L, 11.37+/-0.89 micromol/L, 11.24+/-0.66 micromol/L, 13.09+/-0.64 micromol/L, 12.85+/-0.71 micromol/L, and 12.19+/-0.91 micromol/L, respectively (p=0.05). Statistically significant difference was found only between the hour 24 and the day 7 (p=0.04). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the admission level and none of the other time points. No correlation was identified between acute phase reactants and lipid parameters that were measured serially at the same time periods and homocysteine levels. CONCLUSION Although homocysteine plasma values obtained during the sixth and twelfth hours of acute myocardial infarction provide reliable results as a risk markers, timing of blood sampling during the myocardial infarction does not have significant role since plasma values of homocysteine did not affect acute phase reactants.
Complementary Antitumor Immunity Induced by Plasmid DNA Encoding Secreted and Cytoplasmic Human ErbB-21

A plasmid DNA was constructed to encode the N-terminal 505 aa of human ErbB-2 (E2, HER-2/neu) and designated as secreted ErbB-2 (secE2). Recombinant secE2 protein was detected in the transfected cells and was secreted as an 80-kDa glycoprotein. Vaccination of BALB/c mice with secE2 DNA induced both IgG1 and IgG2a ErbB-2-specific Abs and protected ∼90% of mice against mouse mammary tumor D2F2, which expressed human ErbB-2 (D2F2/E2). The efficacy of secE2 vaccine was comparable with that of wild-type ErbB-2 DNA, which encodes the entire 1258 aa of ErbB-2 protein, induced only IgG2a E2-specific Abs, and stimulated greater CTL activity. Immune lymphocytes were stimulated in vitro with irradiated 3T3 cells, which expressed ErbB-2, Kd, and B7.1. CTL activity was measured by the lysis of E2-positive target cells and by intracellular IFN-γ production. To enhance CTL activation, mice were immunized with a combination of secE2 and cytoplasmic E2 (cytE2); the latter encodes the 1258-aa ErbB-2 protein that was released into the cytoplasm upon synthesis. Significant increase in CTL activity was demonstrated after mice were immunized with the combined vaccines and all mice were protected from D2F2/E2 tumor growth. Therefore, secE2, which induced Th2 Ab and weak CTL, conferred similar protection as E2, which induced Th1 Ab and strong CTL. Combined vaccination with secE2 and cytE2 resulted in Th2 Ab, strong CTL, and the most effective protection against tumor growth. The strategy of coimmunization with DNA that direct Ags to different subcellular compartments may be adapted as appropriate to optimize immune outcome.
Study of Serum Magnesium and HbA1c in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Aim: To compare the serum magnesium levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without micro vascular complications. Materials and methods: Comparative study done on 50 diabetic subjects (25 without micro vascular complications, 25 with micro vascular complications). serum magnesium was compared between the two groups and its relation with HbA1c assessed. Results: The average serum magnesium levels were measured as 1.92 ±0.25 and 1.46±0.32 in Group I and Group II respectively. The HbA1C (%) values were found to be significantly higher in group II. The values of HbA1C (%) were positively correlated with blood glucose level and negatively correlated with serum magnesium levels. Conclusion: Hypomagnesaemia is associated with micro vascular complications and poor glycemic control. It is important to regularly monitor magnesium levels in all type 2 diabetic patients.
Oscillatory interlayer exchange coupling of Co/Ru multilayers investigated by Brillouin light scattering.

We have determined the absolute value of the interlayer exchange coupling constant A 12 of sputtered Co/Ru multilayers using Brillouin light scattering. The spin-wave frequencies, and therefore A 12 , are show that the spin-wave frequency oscillations result from the canting of layer magnetizations in the antiferromagnetic coupling regimes
Chemistry of carbon nanotubes.

Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48 Vass. Constantinou Avenue, 116 35 Athens, Greece, Institut de Biologie Moleculaire et Cellulaire, UPR9021 CNRS, Immunologie et Chimie Therapeutiques, 67084 Strasbourg, France, and Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita di Trieste, Piazzale Europa 1, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Spouses' Body Image Changes During and After Pregnancy: A Replication and Extension

This longitudinal study replicated and extended an investigation of the relation between spouses' strength of identification and similarities in their patterns of change in body image components during and after pregnancy. The sample included 54 married couples. The results did not duplicate previous study findings of similarity in spouses' patterns of change in perceived body space. There were statistically significant changes in wives' perceived body space scores from the third month of pregnancy to the second postpartal month, but no changes in the husbands' perceived body space scores. Results upheld previous study findings of no relationship between spouses' strength of identification and similarities in their patterns of change in perceived body space. No changes were detected in either wives' or husbands' global body attitude scores, nor was there evidence of a relationship between spouses' strength of identification and similarity in their patterns of change in global body attitude.
Temporal-Differential Learning in Continuous Environments

In this paper, a new reinforcement learning (RL) method known as the method of temporal differential is introduced. Compared to the traditional temporal-difference learning method, it plays a crucial role in developing novel RL techniques for continuous environments. In particular, the continuous-time least squares policy evaluation (CT-LSPE) and the continuous-time temporal-differential (CT-TD) learning methods are developed. Both theoretical and empirical evidences are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed temporal-differential learning methodology.
Using critical-cue inventories to advance virtual patient technologies in psychological assessment

A shortage in clientele at university-based psychology clinics represents a significant challenge to patient-based practical skills training. Although supplementary methods of skill development (e.g., role-plays) are embraced within these programs, it may be argued that these methods offer a relatively diluted simulation of the psychological assessment process. Recently, virtual patients have been proposed as an attractive avenue for augmenting these traditional training methods. The current paper explores the potential benefits of using critical-cue inventories in the advancement of virtual patient technologies in psychological assessment. The piece briefly details a study which aimed to elicit cue-based information from experienced mental health practitioners, which may be embedded in simulations of the initial stages of psychological assessment. Preliminary findings are presented, and future directions discussed.
An LP approach to full-order and reduced-order state estimations of positive Markov jump systems with delay

ABSTRACT In this paper, the problems of full-order and reduced-order positive state estimations are developed for discrete-time positive Markov jump linear systems with delay. By establishing a positive time-delay system for 1-moment function of the state vector, delay-dependent necessary and sufficient exponential stability conditions are first derived based on a comparison technique for positive systems. Then, on the basis of the derived stability conditions, the problems of designing positive state observers in full-order and reduced-order for positive Markov jump systems with delay are addressed. The existence conditions of positive observers and the design schemes are formulated in terms of linear programming problems which can be effectively solved by various optimisation algorithms to obtain the observer parameters. Finally, three numerical examples with simulations are given to validate the analysis and design results.