Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Normality against Sustainability – Mobility practices of well‐to‐do households

By focusing on the daily and leisure mobility of well-to-do people in Finland, this study contributes to the discordant discussion on the sustainability of well-to-do consumers, whose consumption levels are relatively the highest, and concerns whether they are both aware of environmental matters and willing to pay for environmental protection. The interview analysis revealed that, despite general knowledge of environmental issues, sustainability is not relevant to daily practices, and the well-to-do studied here are not to any significant degree engaged in sustainable mobility practices, but in a complex organization of daily life. This study also shows that, while there is a shared understanding of saving money and saving time, ‘living according to one's means’ and having more money results in more travel, for instance. Furthermore, repetition and being used to a certain way of doing things resist change in ‘normal’ mobility practices, such as car-driving and travel by plane, to which dispersed and incoherent policy measures, as well as the inconvenience of alternatives, further contribute. Doing sustainability is mostly viewed as an inconvenience not contributing to personal or family well-being, and as requiring time. Allocating time for it is not prioritized when organizing a hectic professional life and active leisure time. These findings set a further challenge for the pursuit of sustainable mobility, as they accentuate the need to recognize the forceful nature of ‘normal’ practices co-evolving with technologies and policies in transforming the unsustainable matters of course, as well as the need for coherent, strong and integrated policy measures. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Group I avian adenovirus and avian adeno-associated virus in turkey poults with inclusion body hepatitis

Adenoviral inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is rare in turkeys. Avian adenovirus group I and avian adeno-associated virus were isolated from the liver and pooled intestinal samples from 4-week-old turkey poults on two different ranches experiencing increased mortality. Grossly, a few birds from each ranch had a slightly enlarged liver with white foci of necrosis randomly scattered throughout. Microscopically, there was coagulative necrosis of hepatocytes with infiltration of a mixed population of inflammatory cells composed of lymphocytes, plasma cells, heterophils, and macrophages. In these livers, there were numerous basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes. Transmission electron microscopy of the liver revealed 70 to 75 nm viral particles with icosahedral morphology consistent with adenovirus scattered throughout the nucleus of hepatocytes. All of the birds were serologically negative for haemorrhagic enteritis virus infection. Of some 5000 submissions over a 12-year period of turkey poults aged between 1 day and 10 weeks, only two single birds within two submissions had IBH.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in tonsillar cancer: Clinical correlates, risk of relapse, and survival

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is more commonly found in tonsillar cancer than in other head and neck cancers. The importance of HPV status in tonsillar cancer for prognosis remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of HPV in tonsillar cancer and to correlate the presence of HPV with tumor stage, nodal status, grade of differentiation, risk of relapse, and survival. HPV DNA and HPV type were determined, using PCR, in pre‐treatment biopsies from 60 cases of primary tonsillar cancer. All patients had undergone full‐dose radiotherapy, 45% as the only treatment modality, and 55% in combination with surgery. HPV 16 was detected in 43% (26/60) of the cancers including 1 double infection of both HPV 16 and HPV 33. Patients with HPV+ tonsillar cancer showed less risk of relapse within 3 years after diagnosis, with a better odds ratio of 4.18 as compared with HPV− patients (p = 0.025). Furthermore, cause specific survival was significantly (p = 0.047) better in patients with HPV+ tonsillar carcinomas. At 3 years after diagnosis the survival rate was 65.3% in the HPV+ group and 31.5% in the HPV− group, and at 5 years the survival rate was 53.5% and 31.5%, respectively. The better outcome for patients with HPV+ tonsillar cancer was independent of TNM stage, nodal status, gender and age. These results indicate that HPV status is a significantly favorable prognostic factor in tonsillar cancer and may be used as a marker in order to optimize the treatment of patients with this type of cancer. Int. J. Cancer 89:300–304, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tualang Honey Protects Keratinocytes from Ultraviolet Radiation‐Induced Inflammation and DNA Damage †

Malaysian tualang honey possesses strong antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. Here, we evaluated the effect of tualang honey on early biomarkers of photocarcinogenesis employing PAM212 mouse keratinocyte cell line. Keratinocytes were treated with tualang honey (1.0%, v/v) before a single UVB (150 mJ cm−2) irradiation. We found that the treatment of tualang honey inhibited UVB‐induced DNA damage, and enhanced repair of UVB‐mediated formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐2′‐deoxyguanosine. Treatment of tualang honey inhibited UVB‐induced nuclear translocation of NF‐κB and degradation of IκBα in murine keratinocyte cell line. The treatment of tualang honey also inhibited UVB‐induced inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression. Furthermore, the treatment of tualang honey inhibited UVB‐induced COX‐2 expression and PGE2 production. Taken together, we provide evidence that the treatment of tualang honey to keratinocytes affords substantial protection from the adverse effects of UVB radiation via modulation in early biomarkers of photocarcinogenesis and provide suggestion for its photochemopreventive potential.
Harmonic analysis of a regulated DC voltage space vector modulation technique for high speed electrical drives

In the field of high-speed electrical drives, the use of SiC MOSFET inverters represents a viable solution since this kind of devices allows an improvement of the converter efficiency. Notwithstanding issues related to the high frequency operation of the SiC MOSFET's, like the failure of the motor winding insulation due to the increased electrical stress and hence a reduced system reliability, are continuously arising. Additionally, SiC MOSFET's are much more expensive compared to equally rated Si IGBT's. A possible solution to keep on using a Si IGBT's based inverter in high-speed electrical drives is based on a particular version of the Space Vector Modulation that requires a regulation of the input DC voltage. The main advantage of such technique is the reduction of the power devices' switching frequency without lowering the motor control frequency. Hence, IGBT's can still be used and consequently it is possible to drastically reduce the stress on the motor winding insulation as well as the overall converter cost. To assess the real benefits of such approach, a detailed theoretical harmonic analysis has been carried out as well as an investigation on the implementation aspects. Finally, experimental results on a laboratory setup have been presented.
Characterization of the Syk-Dependent T Cell Signaling Response to an Altered Peptide

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by T cell dysregulation. We have shown that an altered peptide ligand (A9) activates T cells to use an alternate signaling pathway that is dependent on FcRγ and spleen tyrosine kinase, resulting in downregulation of inflammation. In the experiments described in this study, we have attempted to determine the molecular basis of this paradox. Three major Src family kinases found in T cells (Lck, Fyn, and Lyn) were tested for activation following stimulation by A9/I-Aq. Unexpectedly we found they are not required for T cell functions induced by A9/I-Aq, nor are they required for APL stimulation of cytokines. On the other hand, the induction of the second messenger inositol trisphosphate and the mobilization of calcium are clearly triggered by the APL A9/I-Aq stimulation and are required for cytokine production, albeit the cytokines induced are different from those produced after activation of the canonical pathway. DBA/1 mice doubly deficient in IL-4 and IL-10 were used to confirm that these two cytokines are important for the APL-induced attenuation of arthritis. These studies provide a basis for exploring the effectiveness of analog peptides and the inhibitory T cells they induce as therapeutic tools for autoimmune arthritis.
Impact of patients' socioeconomic status on the distance travelled for hospital admission in the English National Health Service

Objectives: To compare the distances travelled for inpatient treatment in England between electoral wards prior to the introduction of a policy to extend patient choice and to consider the impact of patients' socio-economic status. Methods: Using Hospital Episode Statistics for 2003–04, the distance from a patient's residence to a National Health Service hospital was calculated for each admission. Distances were summed to electoral ward level to give the distribution of distances travelled at ward level. These were analysed to show the distance travelled for different admission types, ages of patient, rural/urban location, and the socioeconomic deprivation of the population of the ward. Results: There is considerable variation in the distances travelled for hospital admission between electoral wards. Some of this is explained by geographical location: individuals living in more rural areas travel further for elective (median 27.2 versus 15.0 km), emergency (25.3 versus 13.9 km) and maternity (25.0 versus 13.9 km) admissions. But individuals located in highly deprived wards travel less far, and this shorter distance is not explained simply by the closer location of hospitals to these wards. Conclusions: Before the introduction of more patient choice, there were considerable differences between individuals in the distances they travelled for hospital care. An increase in patient choice may disproportionately benefit people from less deprived areas.
Identification and partial characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional dairy products produced by herders in the western Tianshan Mountains of China

Thirty strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from herders' traditional dairy products collected from Xinjiang, China. The species Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus and Leuconostoc were identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing analysis and conventional observation. The strains' fermentation characteristics, including milk acidification, proteolysis, autolysis, antimicrobial activity and diacetyl production, were assayed and compared. Strains NL24 and NL31 showed the highest proteolytic activity—2·75 and 2·08 mmol Phe l−1 milk, respectively. Strains C, NL41, SW2, Z3‐11, NL42 and Z2‐91 had high autolytic activity. In addition, most of the wild strains produced diacetyl, half of them to high levels. This study provides a clue to LAB biodiversity in traditional dairy foods produced by herders in the western Tianshan Mountains. High‐performing strains should be further evaluated for practical application in value‐added fermented dairy products.
Design, fabrication, and analysis of 17-18-percent efficient surface-passivated silicon solar cells

A simple analytical model has been developed which provides useful guidelines for fabricating high-efficiency silicon solar cells. Consistent with the model calculations, both surfaces of n<sup>+</sup>-p-p<sup>+</sup>solar cells were passivated by a thin layer of thermally grown SiO<inf>2</inf>. Oxide passivation resulted in 17.2-percent efficient solar cells on 4 Ω . cm base material. Passivated cells show about 3 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>increases in J<inf>SC</inf>, ∼20 mV improvement in V<inf>OC</inf>, and ∼2-percent increase in absolute cell efficiency compared to the counterpart 15.2-percent efficient unpassivated cells. The majority of improvement in V<inf>OC</inf>came from the emitter surface passivation, while both front- and back-surface passivation contributed to the increase in J<inf>SC</inf>. The emitter region should not be regarded as a "dead layer" because emitter surface passivation can increase the quantum efficiency at short wavelengths from 40 percent to greater than 75 percent.
Reliability-Oriented Optimization of the LC Filter in a Buck DC-DC Converter

Lifetime is an important performance factor in the reliable operation of power converters. However, the state-of-the-art LC filter design of a buck dc–dc converter is limited to the specifications of voltage and current ripples and constrains in power density and cost without reliability considerations. This paper proposes a method to optimize the design of the LC filters from a reliability perspective, besides other considerations. An enhanced model is derived to quantify the lifetime of the capacitor in the filter considering the electrothermal stress on it. Furthermore, the influence of different design aspects such as the value of capacitance, the value of inductance, and the type of the capacitor have been discussed, focusing on their impacts on the key design objectives, which are the cutoff frequency, lifetime, and volume. Based on the analysis, an optimized design is proposed among different parameter sets. A 1-kW converter prototype is applied to verify the theoretical analysis and simulation.
Does the Economic Stimulus Package Stimulate Firm Investment and Improve Investment Efficiency? Evidence from China

The Economic Stimulus Packages which was introduced in response to the recent global financial crisis has been debated vigorously for its implications for economic efficiency. Using Chinese firms in the period 2003-2013 from the supply side perspective, we show that with the implementation of an economic stimulus package in China, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) receive more bank loans and invest more than non-SOEs. We further find that the economic stimulus package distorts bank lending decisions and reduces firm investment efficiency of SOEs, non-SOEs from favoured industries and regions, and non-SOEs with political connections. Our findings are robust to event study analysis, controlling for bank-level unobserved heterogeneities, and other robustness tests. Overall, our findings support the view that the stimulus package and the associated increase of bank loan supply in China results in a resource misallocation to SOEs, so that resources are invested inefficiently, that is, the stimulus package stimulated investment by SOEs and crowded out investment by privately owned sectors.
Prevalence of Loss of All Teeth (Edentulism) and Associated Factors in Older Adults in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa

Little information exists about the loss of all one’s teeth (edentulism) among older adults in low- and middle-income countries. This study examines the prevalence of edentulism and associated factors among older adults in a cross-sectional study across six such countries. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO’s) Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 was used for this study with adults aged 50-plus from China (N = 13,367), Ghana (N = 4724), India (N = 7150), Mexico (N = 2315), Russian Federation (N = 3938) and South Africa (N = 3840). Multivariate regression was used to assess predictors of edentulism. The overall prevalence of edentulism was 11.7% in the six countries, with India, Mexico, and Russia has higher prevalence rates (16.3%–21.7%) than China, Ghana, and South Africa (3.0%–9.0%). In multivariate logistic analysis sociodemographic factors (older age, lower education), chronic conditions (arthritis, asthma), health risk behaviour (former daily tobacco use, inadequate fruits and vegetable consumption) and other health related variables (functional disability and low social cohesion) were associated with edentulism. The national estimates and identified factors associated with edentulism among older adults across the six countries helps to identify areas for further exploration and targets for intervention.
Pref-1 Interacts with Fibronectin To Inhibit Adipocyte Differentiation

ABSTRACT Pref-1/Dlk1 is made as an epidermal growth factor (EGF) repeat-containing transmembrane protein but is cleaved by tumor necrosis factor alpha converting enzyme (TACE) to generate a biologically active soluble form. Soluble Pref-1 inhibits adipocyte differentiation through the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) and the subsequent upregulation of Sox9 expression. However, others have implicated Notch in Pref-1 signaling and function. Here, we show that Pref-1 does not interact with, or require, Notch for its function. Instead, we show a direct interaction of Pref-1 and fibronectin via the Pref-1 juxtamembrane domain and fibronectin C-terminal domain. We also show that fibronectin is required for the Pref-1-mediated inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, the activation of ERK/MAPK, and the upregulation of Sox9. Furthermore, disrupting fibronectin binding to integrin by the addition of RGD peptides or by the knockdown of α5 integrin prevents the Pref-1 inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. Pref-1 activates the integrin downstream signaling molecules, FAK and Rac, and ERK activation by Pref-1 is blunted by the knockdown of Rac or by the forced expression of dominant-negative Rac. We conclude that, by interacting with fibronectin, Pref-1 activates integrin downstream signaling to activate MEK/ERK and to inhibit adipocyte differentiation.
Low socioeconomic status is a risk factor for preeclampsia: the Generation R Study

Objectives To examine whether maternal socioeconomic status, as indicated by maternal educational level, is associated with preeclampsia, and if so, to what extent known risk factors for preeclampsia mediate the effect of educational level. Methods In the Generation R Study, a population-based cohort study, we examined data of 3547 pregnant women. Odds ratios of preeclampsia for low, mid-low and mid-high educational level compared with high educational level were calculated after adjustment for confounders and additional adjustment for a selection of potential mediators (family history, material factors, psychosocial factors, substance use, working conditions, preexisting medical conditions, maternal anthropometrics and blood pressure at enrolment) that individually caused more than 10% change in the odds ratio for low education. Results Adjusted for the confounding effects of age, gravidity and multiple pregnancy, women with low educational level were more likely to develop preeclampsia (odds ratio 5.12; 95% confidence interval: 2.20, 11.93) than women with high educational level. After additional adjustment for financial difficulties, smoking in pregnancy, working conditions, body mass index and blood pressure at enrolment, the odds ratio was 4.91 (95% confidence interval: 1.93, 12.52). Conclusion Low maternal socioeconomic status is a strong risk factor for preeclampsia. Only a small part of this association can be explained by the mediating effects of established risk factors for preeclampsia. Further research is needed to disentangle the pathway from low socioeconomic status to preeclampsia.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a useful bedside technique to assess malnutrition in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites

Protein‐calorie malnutrition is associated with poor prognosis in chronic liver disease, but reliable assessment is hampered by changes in body water. We prospectively evaluated the effect of fluid retention on bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a simple method for the estimation of body cell mass (BCMBIA) in 41 patients with cirrhosis (n = 20 with ascites; n = 21 without ascites) using total body potassium counting (BCMTBP) as a reference method. Arm muscle area and creatinine‐derived lean body mass were compared with total body potassium data. In patients total body potassium was 24.4% lower than in controls and this loss was more severe in patients with ascites (−34.1%; P < .01). BCMBIA and BCMTBP were closely correlated in controls (r2 = .87, P < .0001), patients without ascites (r2 = .94, P < .0001) and patients with ascites (r2 = .56, P < .0001). Removal of 6.2 ± 3 L of ascites had only minor effects on BCMBIA (deviation of −0.18 kg/L ascites). Limits of agreement between both methods were wider in patients with ascites than in patients without (6.2 vs. 4.2 kg). In patients without ascites arm muscle area (r2 = .64; P < .001) and lean body mass (r2 = .55; P < .001) correlated significantly with total body potassium, but not in patients with ascites. For assessment of protein malnutrition in patients with cirrhosis, body cell mass determination by use of BIA offers a considerable advantage over other widely available but less accurate methods like anthropometry or the creatinine approach. Despite some limitations in patients with ascites, BIA is a reliable bedside tool for the determination of body cell mass in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites.
The Influence of Famous Athletes on Health Beliefs and Practices: Mark McGwire, Child Abuse Prevention, and Androstenedione

When Mark McGwire broke Roger Maris's home run record in September of 1998, he was instantly declared an American hero and held up as a positive role model for teenagers and young adults. The extensive media attention focused on McGwire made the general public aware of his use of a muscle-building dietary supplement, Androstenedione. It also increased the public's awareness of McGwire's public service to prevent child abuse. The present research assesses audience involvement with McGwire through parasocial interaction and identification, and the effects of that involvement on audience knowledge of and attitudes toward Androstenedione and child abuse prevention. Results indicate parasocial interaction with an athlete regarded as a public role model likely leads to audience identification with that person, which in turn promotes certain attitudes and beliefs. In this case, parasocial interaction and identification with Mark McGwire was strongly associated with knowledge of Androstenedione, intended use of the supplement, and concern for child abuse. Implications of this research for featuring celebrities in health communication campaigns are discussed.
Identification of resistance to either paraquat or ALS-inhibiting herbicides in two Western Australian Hordeum leporinum biotypes.

BACKGROUND Hordeum populations are becoming increasingly difficult to control in cropping fields. Two herbicide-resistant H. leporinum populations were identified during a random crop survey after herbicides were applied. The study aimed to determine the herbicide resistance profile of these H. leporinum biotypes to a range of herbicides used for their control. RESULTS Based on dose-response studies, one H. leporinum population was very highly resistant to sulfosulfuron and sulfometuron (both sulfonylurea herbicides) and also displayed low-level resistance to imazamox (an imidazolinone herbicide). Reduced sensitivity of the ALS enzyme was identified with in vitro activity assays. Gene sequence analysis revealed a proline-to-threonine substitution at amino acid position 197 of ALS, which is likely to be the molecular basis for resistance in this population. Herbicide screening also revealed a different H. leporinum population with resistance to the bipyridyl herbicide paraquat. CONCLUSION This study established the first cases of (1) sulfonylurea-to-imidazolinone cross-resistance and (2) field-evolved paraquat resistance in a Hordeum species in Western Australia.