Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pull and Push Factors of Migration : A Case Study in the Urban Area of Monywa Township , Myanmar

Migration is a global phenomenon caused not only by economic factors, but also by social, political, cultural, environmental, health, education and transportation factors. It commonly takes place because of the push factor of less opportunities in the socio-economic situation and also because of pull factors that exist in more developed areas. Monywa is a thriving capital city of North-West command and is located on the India, Myanmar and China trade route. Monywa Township also is the most-developed township in Sagaing Region. Therefore, many people immigrate to Monywa Township. Most moved from the rural areas of Monywa Township. In this study, push and pull factors of migration are studied and inferences are made based on sample migrants. Two-stage stratified cluster sampling method is used to collect the required information. Factor analysis is used to detect the important push and pull factors of migration. Among 389 sample households, 44.5% of households were migrants, meaning they are not native residents of Monywa Township. Concerned with push and pull factors of migration, 18 statements were asked to determine whether these were important or not important for each subject. Based on this information, the important factors were detected using factor analysis. A better living condition is the first and most significant factor with maximum percentage of variance which motivates the people to migrate to Monywa Township. The second mostimportant factor is better public service with second largest percentage of variance, which is also a push factor because the reasons for migration are that the level of service in their previous location was poor. Subjects also were dissatisfied with public transportation of their previous location and a lack of safety in previous places. Third significant factor is better environment, which includes moving because of dislike of cultural/recreational facilities and the behavior of a neighbor. Click here to view the entire research report. Thet is a lecturer in the Department of Statistics at the Institute of Economics in Monywa, Myanmar.
Effects of Breed and Prostaglandin Administration on Reproductive Performance and Profitability of Egyptian Ewes

The object of this study was to investigate the influence of breeds, equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2α) administration on reproductive performance in Egyptian ewes in relation to the economic efficiency of these hormonal treatments. For the estrus cycle control, the ewes received on Day 0 an intravaginal implant with 40 mg of Flugestone acetate. On 12th day the intravaginal implants were removed and animals were divided into other two groups: Group 1) 36 ewes received only 400 IU eCG at the time of removal of the sponges (Ossami, n = 15; Rahmani, n= 12; Crossbred, n = 9). Group 2) 32 ewes received 400 IU eCG plus 0.5 ml PGF2a at the time of removal of the sponges (Ossami, n = 10; Rahmani, n= 12; Crossbred, n = 10). Estrus response, onset of estrus, pregnancy rate, lambing rate, litter size and multiple births were recorded. The results revealed that, overall estrus response was slightly higher in ewes that treated with eCG+PGF2α than those received eCG only. Administration of eCG plus PGF2α had better effect on onset of estrus at first 32 h than groups treated with eCG only. Litter size within breeds was significantly higher in crossbred ewes treated with PGF2α in comparison with local breeds. Rahmani ewes treated with eCG had greater percentage of multiple births than Ossemi and crossbred ewes. Administration of eCG plus PGF2α increased multiple births in crossbred ewes in comparison with local breeds. It was concluded that crossbred ewes had a better reproductive response to prostaglandin administration than local breed ewes. Injection of eCG was more profitable than eCG plus PGF2α administration through increasing mean litter size and multiple births.
Auditory P 300 In College-Aged Females At-Risk For Eating Disorders

Neurological impairment in eating disorders has been widely documented. The P300 component of event-related potentials has demonstrated efficacy in identifying individuals who suffer from mental disorders and cognitive deficits. More recently, a number of researchers have used P300 event-related potentials (ERPs) to elucidate the effects of food intake and glucose metabolism on brain function and performance on cognitive tasks. Minor food deprivation decreases P300 amplitude and increases P300 latency, indicators of impaired cognitive performance. Short-term memory disruptions correlate with such ERP decrements. The present study examined the auditory P300 in females who are at-risk for developing an eating disorder as defined by a score of 14 or more on the Drive for Thinness subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory-:! (EDI-2). Memory performance was also examined. The results failed to support the hypothesis that at-risk females, compared to normal controls would restrict their food intake and would therefore exhibit smaller P300 amplitudes, longer P300 latencies, and impaired short-term memory. There was also no statistically significant difference between the at-risk and normal controls group on a self-report measure of amount of and time since last food consumption. Interestingly, the at-risk and normal controls groups also differed significantly on EDI-2 scores for the bulimia, interoceptive awareness, and asceticism subscales. Robert Ba rress 0611 0199 3 Auditory P300 In Col lege-Aged Females At-Risk For Eating Disorders Robert Barress Ill Drake University
Arabidopsis EF-Tu receptor enhances bacterial disease resistance in transgenic wheat.

Perception of pathogen (or microbe)-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs/MAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) is a key component of plant innate immunity. The Arabidopsis PRR EF-Tu receptor (EFR) recognizes the bacterial PAMP elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) and its derived peptide elf18. Previous work revealed that transgenic expression of AtEFR in Solanaceae confers elf18 responsiveness and broad-spectrum bacterial disease resistance. In this study, we developed a set of bioassays to study the activation of PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) in wheat. We generated transgenic wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants expressing AtEFR driven by the constitutive rice actin promoter and tested their response to elf18. We show that transgenic expression of AtEFR in wheat confers recognition of elf18, as measured by the induction of immune marker genes and callose deposition. When challenged with the cereal bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. oryzae, transgenic EFR wheat lines had reduced lesion size and bacterial multiplication. These results demonstrate that AtEFR can be transferred successfully from dicot to monocot species, further revealing that immune signalling pathways are conserved across these distant phyla. As novel PRRs are identified, their transfer between plant families represents a useful strategy for enhancing resistance to pathogens in crops.
FORECLOSURES AND THE LABOR MARKET : EVIDENCE FROM MILLIONS OF HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES , 2000-2014 ú

Foreclosures per open mortgage grew from 0.20% in 2000 to 2.0% by 2009. Using quarterly county-by-industry and loan-level data between 2000 and 2014, we estimate the impact of foreclosures on local labor markets. Our identification strategy exploits the staggered and discontinuous changes in interest rates among holders of adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). We find that a 10% rise in foreclosures is associated with a 1.1% decline in employment, but significant heterogeneity exists across sectors and states. Our estimates imply that the surge in foreclosures during the Great Recession can account for 3-11% and 7-22% of the decline in employment and turnover, respectively. We identify two plausible mechanisms that are independent of the canonical housing price channel and could explain our observed e ects: (i) a decline in business investment due to greater local uncertainty, and (ii) a decline in inflows of high skilled workers due to greater local crime and dis-amenities. Our results suggest that embedding foreclosure externalities into macroeconomic models is an important area for future research. úStanford University, Working Paper. Corresponding Author: Christos Makridis, Department of Economics and Department of Management Science & Engineering, Stanford University, 579 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305, www.christosmakridis. com. Michael Ohlrogge: Stanford University, Management Science & Engineering, Huang Engineering Center 475 Via Ortega, ohlrogge@stanford.edu. Christos thanks the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and the SIEPR Shultz Fellowship for financial support. Michael thanks the Olin Foundation for Law and Economics for financial support. We thank Asaf Bernstein, Nicholas Bloom, Pat Bayer, Raj Chetty, Mark Duggan, Andreas Fuster, Steven Grenadier, Caroline Hoxby, Kyle Herkenho , Erik Hurst, John Mondragon, Atif Mian, Markus Pelger, Luigi Pistaferri, Daniel Silverman, Johannes Stroebel, Amir Sufi, Rose Wang, as well as seminar audiences at Arizona State University, George Mason University, Stanford University, Yale University, the 2017 American Real Estate Society, and the 2017 All-Round Labor Economics Meetings for suggestions and feedback. We are especially thankful to Amit Seru for conversations, reviews of our draft, and useful suggestions.
HIV-Positive Patients with Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer Deserve the Same Therapeutic Approach as the General Population

a Division of Medical Oncology A, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, b Department of Surgery, University of Catania, c Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology, ‘L.Sacco’ Hospital, University of Milan, d Liver and Multivisceral Transplant Centre, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, e Division of Medical Oncology, Colorectal Department, National Cancer Institute Pascale, Naples, Italy
Oxidized LDL Levels Are Increased in HIV Infection and May Drive Monocyte Activation

Background: HIV infection is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and this risk correlates with markers of monocyte activation. We have shown that HIV is associated with a prothrombotic monocyte phenotype, which can be partially mitigated by statin therapy. We therefore explored the relationship between oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) particles and monocyte activation. Methods: We performed phenotypic analysis of monocytes using flow cytometry on fresh whole blood in 54 patients with HIV and 24 controls without HIV. Plasma levels of oxLDL, soluble CD14, IL-6, and soluble CD163 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro experiments were performed using flow cytometry. Results: Plasma levels of oxLDL were significantly increased in HIV infection compared with controls (60.1 units vs. 32.1 units, P < 0.001). Monocyte expression of the oxLDL receptors, CD36 and Toll-like receptor 4, was also increased in HIV. OxLDL levels correlated with markers of monocyte activation, including soluble CD14, tissue factor expression on inflammatory monocytes, and CD36. In vitro stimulation with oxLDL, but not to low-density lipoprotein, resulted in expansion of inflammatory monocytes and increased monocyte expression of tissue factor, recapitulating the monocyte profile we find in HIV disease. Conclusions: OxLDL may contribute to monocyte activation, and further study in the context of HIV disease is warranted.
Phospholipase A activity of adenylate cyclase toxin mediates translocation of its adenylate cyclase domain

Significance Numerous bacterial toxins can cross cell membranes, penetrating the cytosol of their target cells, but to do so exploits cellular endocytosis or intracellular sorting machineries. Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) delivers its catalytic domain directly across the cell membrane by an unknown mechanism, and generates cAMP, which subverts the cell signaling. Here, we decipher the fundamentals of the molecular mechanism of ACT transport. We find that AC translocation and, consequently cytotoxicity, are determined by an intrinsic ACT–phospholipase A (PLA) activity, supporting a model in which in situ generation of nonlamellar lysophospholipids by ACT–PLA activity remodels the cell membrane, forming proteolipidic toroidal “holes” through which AC domain transfer may directly take place. PLA-based specific protein transport in cells is unprecedented. Adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT or CyaA) plays a crucial role in respiratory tract colonization and virulence of the whooping cough causative bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Secreted as soluble protein, it targets myeloid cells expressing the CD11b/CD18 integrin and on delivery of its N-terminal adenylate cyclase catalytic domain (AC domain) into the cytosol, generates uncontrolled toxic levels of cAMP that ablates bactericidal capacities of phagocytes. Our study deciphers the fundamentals of the heretofore poorly understood molecular mechanism by which the ACT enzyme domain directly crosses the host cell membrane. By combining molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics techniques, we discover that ACT has intrinsic phospholipase A (PLA) activity, and that such activity determines AC translocation. Moreover, we show that elimination of the ACT–PLA activity abrogates ACT toxicity in macrophages, particularly at toxin concentrations close to biological reality of bacterial infection. Our data support a molecular mechanism in which in situ generation of nonlamellar lysophospholipids by ACT–PLA activity into the cell membrane would form, likely in combination with membrane-interacting ACT segments, a proteolipidic toroidal pore through which AC domain transfer could directly take place. Regulation of ACT–PLA activity thus emerges as novel target for therapeutic control of the disease.
Psychological risk factors of incidence of breast cancer: a prospective cohort study in Finland

Background. Belief that depression and other psychological factors predict breast cancer is common, but there have been few prospective epidemiological studies on this relationship. Method. The relationship between depression, personality traits, illness attitudes, life events and health history, and breast cancer risk was studied in a prospective, 6–9 year follow-up of a cohort study of 10892 Finnish women of 48–50 years of age at the baseline. Cancer cases were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Finland. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed controlling for socioeconomic factors, family history of cancer, parity, and health behaviours. Results. Breast cancer incidence in the cohort was 1·15 times the average in age group 50–59. There was no evidence of depression, trait anxiety, cynical distrust, or coping being significant predictors of breast cancer incidence. Conclusion. In this cohort study with the 6–9 year follow-up, psychological factors such as depression, trait anxiety, cynical distrust, or coping did not increase breast cancer risk.
Knee Deformities in Multiple Hereditary Exostoses: A Longitudinal Radiographic Study

&NA; For a mean period of 7.8 years, the morphology of knee deformity and its annual changes in 8 patients (16 knees; mean age at the initial examination, 8.4 years) with multiple hereditary exostoses were evaluated radiographically. Knee deformity developed during the growth spurt period. Genu valgum with a femorotibial angle that decreased more than 2 standard deviations from the mean of agematched normal children was observed in 6 of the 16 knees. In 3 of these 6 knees, recurrent dislocation of the patella was observed. Angulation of the femur varied among the knees, but the tibia showed valgus angulation in the proximal metaphysis in all knees. Thus, knee deformity in patients with multiple hereditary exostoses was primarily genu valgum caused by valgus angulation of the tibia.
Discourse segmentation of spoken dialogue: an empirical approach

This thesis is an empirical exploration of one aspect of human-to-human telephone conversations that can be applicable to building human-to-machine spoken language systems. Some cognitive and computational models assert that human-to-human dialogue can be modeled as a joint activity decomposable as a sequence of discourse segments. Detecting segment boundaries has potential practical bene ts in building spoken language applications. Unfortunately, the discourse structure of spontaneous dialogue can be quite variable. In this thesis, we seek answers to two questions. First, is it possible to obtain consistent annotations of segments from many coders with no speci c prior training in discourse analysis? Second, once a corpus has been annotated, what are the regular patterns and irregularities found by analysis of the data? The contributions of this thesis are twofold. Firstly, we developed and evaluated the performance of a novel annotation tool called Nb and associated discourse segmentation instructions. Nb and the instructions have proven to be instrumental in obtaining reliable annotations from many subjects. Extensive inter-coder agreement experiments indicate that it is possible to obtain reliable discourse segmentation when the instructions are speci c about the task and when the annotation task is limited to choosing among few independent alternatives. Reliability (measured by the kappa coe cient) is competitive with other published work. Secondly, the analysis of an annotated corpus of information-seeking dialogues provides substantial empirical evidence about the di erences between human-to-human conversation and current interactive voice response systems (IVRs) and question-answer systems (QAs). In IVRs and QAs interaction is limited by the design of the system. In natural conversation either speaker can take the initiative at any time. The data analysis indicates that even simple information-seeking dialogues have a rich structure. The data support theories of dialogue as a joint activity in which discourse segments are initiated by either speaker with the purpose of either nding a solution to the task at hand or repairing and preventing misunderstandings. In addition, we demonstrate how a stack data structure is su cient to model segment transitions including preliminaries, repairs, fresh starts and switches between multiple active purposes. Thesis Supervisor: Victor W. Zue Title: Senior Research Scientist, Laboratory for Computer Science
Cardiovascular and behavioural changes during water absorption in toads, Bufo alvarius and Bufo marinus

SUMMARY Blood cell flux (BCF) in the pelvic skin of Bufo marinus was lower than Bufo alvarius when toads rehydrated from deionised water (DI) or 50 mmol l–1 NaCl (NaCl). Despite the lower BCF in B. marinus, water absorption was not different between the species when toads rehydrated from DI or NaCl. When fluid contact was limited to the pelvic skin, water uptake from NaCl was lower than from DI, but became greater than uptake from DI as the immersion level increased. Hydrophobic beeswax coating the lateral sides reduced absorption from NaCl but not from DI. Toads settled into water absorption response posture well after maximal BCF was attained in both DI and NaCl, indicating that the behavioural response requires neural integration beyond the increase in BCF. Water exposure increased BCF in hydrated B. alvarius with empty bladders but not in those with stored bladder water. Hydrated B. marinus with an empty bladder did not increase BCF when given water. Handling stress depressed BCF but increased central arterial flow (CAF), measured using a flow probe around the dorsal aorta. In undisturbed toads, CAF increased with the same time course as BCF while heart rate remained relatively constant, suggesting redistribution of blood flow.
Reproduction in the ferret (Mustela furo). I. Uterine histology and histochemistry during pregnancy and pseudopregnancy.

Similar histological and histochemical changes occur in the uteri of pregnant and pseudopregnant ferrets. The pre-implantation period is characterized by general growth of the tissue and moderate secretory activity. At the time of implantation, the luminal epithelium undergoes hypertrophy and hyperplasia and shows much secretory activity. This area of altered activity sweeps progressively toward the gland fundi and the epithelium behind it becomes greatly enlarged and forms symplasmic masses. Symplasma formation occurs in all regions of the uterus, in contrast to other carnivores where it occurs only next to trophoblast and in response to uterine trauma. The principal uterine secretions are mucoproteins and glycoproteins. There is some evidence that pseudopregnant uteri, but not pregnant uteri, secrete acid mucopolysaccharides. Glycogen is present in moderate amounts at estrus, declines during the pre-implantation period, and is absent during gestation. A light to moderate diffuse sudanophilia is seen during pregnancy and pseudopregnancy, becoming more pronounced toward the end of the gestation period. Occasional cholesterol crystals are seen in macrophages in the stroma of pregnant, but not pseudopregnant, uteri. Macrophages containing hemosiderin were seen in all uteri examined, being most abundant in estrous and early pre-implantation uteri. Uterine mast cells were abundant at estrus, declined during the pre-implantation period and decreased markedly at the time of implantation. The results are compared with data from other carnivore species.
The Image of Exocytosis during Neutrophils and Macrophages Phagocytic Activities in Inflammation of Mammary Gland Triggered by Experimental Staphylococcus aureus Infection

The experiments were carried out in five clinically normal virgin heifers. Before the experimental infection and at 24, 48, 72 and 168 h after the infection, respective mammary glands were rinsed with phosphate buffered saline. Neutrophils as well as macrophages underwent a classic exocytosis accompanied by translocation of lysosomal granules. The granules filled the protuberances of the plasmalemma and after the protuberances separated from the cell, they entered the extracellular space in the shape of round bodies of different sizes. After exocytosis, neutrophils displayed a smaller nucleus/cytoplasm ratio, a greater chromatin density of the nucleus, and an overall smaller size. Macrophages phagocytosed bacteria and/or neutrophils with and without signs of apoptosis (early and late apoptotic respectively) and neutrophils after exocytosis. Macrophages underwent cytolysis that was accompanied by extrusion of granules, phagosomes and phagolysosomes containing phagocytosed bacteria or neutrophils. Confluences were formed in which the process of digestion continued. Apoptosis of neutrophils gradually appeared and intensified in resolution of inflammation. The macrophages contributed to the inactivation of bacterial noxa as well as of histotoxic contents of neutrophils. Nevertheless, macrophages often underwent cytolysis at the site of inflammation.
Next generation sustainable composites: Development and processing of furan-flax biocomposites

The work presented in this paper was undertaken as part of BIOCOMP (2005-2008), a European collaborative project, which developed new classes of engineering composite materials from renewable resources. Comprising twenty five European SMEs and research organisations, this three and a half year project generated a wide range of new biocomposite materials, knowledge-based processes and demonstrator components. This study focused on furan thermosetting bioresins, which are made from agricultural waste products such as sugar cane bagasse. Preliminary work included developing a two-part resin and catalyst furan system suitable for hand lay-up with glass fibres. The incorporation of flax fibres into the furan system required significant modifications to the resin chemistry. A high-performance, furan-flax prepreg system was developed, resulting in biocomposites with comparable mechanical properties to conventional glass fibre composites. A number of demonstrator parts were produced for comparison with components currently manufactured using conventional materials.