Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shuttle Radiation Dose Measurements in the International Space Station Orbits1

Abstract Badhwar, G. D. Shuttle Radiation Dose Measurements in the International Space Station Orbits. Radiat. Res. 157, 69–75 (2002). The International Space Station (ISS) is now a reality with the start of a permanent human presence on board. Radiation presents a serious risk to the health and safety of the astronauts, and there is a clear requirement for estimating their exposures prior to and after flights. Predictions of the dose rate at times other than solar minimum or solar maximum have not been possible, because there has been no method to calculate the trapped-particle spectrum at intermediate times. Over the last few years, a tissue-equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) has been flown at a fixed mid-deck location on board the Space Shuttle in 51.65° inclination flights. These flights have provided data that cover the expected changes in the dose rates due to changes in altitude and changes in solar activity from the solar minimum to the solar maximum of the current 23rd solar cycle. Based on these data, a simple function of the solar deceleration potential has been derived that can be used to predict the galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) dose rates to within ±10%. For altitudes to be covered by the ISS, the dose rate due to the trapped particles is found to be a power-law function, ρ−2/3, of the atmospheric density, ρ. This relationship can be used to predict trapped dose rates inside these spacecraft to ±10% throughout the solar cycle. Thus, given the shielding distribution for a location inside the Space Shuttle or inside an ISS module, this approach can be used to predict the combined GCR + trapped dose rate to better than ±15% for quiet solar conditions.
Attention training normalises combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder effects on emotional Stroop performance using lexically matched word lists

ABSTRACT We examined two groups of combat veterans, one with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (n = 27) and another without PTSD (n = 16), using an emotional Stroop task (EST) with word lists matched across a series of lexical variables (e.g. length, frequency, neighbourhood size, etc.). Participants with PTSD exhibited a strong EST effect (longer colour-naming latencies for combat-relevant words as compared to neutral words). Veterans without PTSD produced no such effect, t < . 918, p > . 37. Participants with PTSD then completed eight sessions of attention training (Attention Control Training or Attention Bias Modification Training) with a dot-probe task utilising threatening and neutral faces. After training, participants—especially those undergoing Attention Control Training—no longer produced longer colour-naming latencies for combat-related words as compared to other words, indicating normalised attention allocation processes after treatment.
Volatility Behaviour of the Foreign Exchange Rate and Transmission Among Central and Eastern European Countries: Evidence from the EGARCH Model

This article attempts to examine the changing nature of volatility spillovers among foreign exchange markets of select Central and Eastern European countries (CEEs-5), namely, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Romania and Poland in the pre- and post-2007 financial crisis period. Daily data ranging from April 2000 to September 2017 are used for the purpose of analysis. In order to capture volatility transmission and its asymmetry, the multivariate Exponential Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) model is utilized to catch the effect of good and bad news. The key findings of the study provide useful insights into how information is transmitted and disseminated across CEEs-5 foreign exchange markets. In particular, the estimation presents the precise measures of return spillovers and volatility spillovers. The analysis highlights that the foreign exchange markets become more independent after crises. Similarly, in such time, the volatility spillover among the foreign exchange markets decreases dramatically and financial markets have not been transmitted during the crisis period. Also, we find that positive shocks generate more volatility spillovers than negative shocks of the same magnitude. The asymmetric spillover effect is evident for price shocks originating from CEEs-5 foreign exchange markets. Further, our findings have essential portfolio management implications for international investors and policymakers.
Attitudes Toward Decision Making and Aging, and Preparation for Future Care Needs

Adult children are the primary source of informal eldercare in the United States. Unfortunately, however, families rarely prepare for an aging parent's future care needs. This is problematic, as advance preparation may reduce depression and anxiety in older adults and be helpful for adult children. Given the importance of preparation prior to parental dependency, we examined factors associated with preparation for caregiving. Using survey methodology, we studied 2 groups of people: Functionally independent parents at least 60 years of age, and adult children at least 40 years of age. Several variables appeared to be associated with awareness of care needs, gathering information, and discussion of possible care arrangements. Most notably, attitudes regarding shared autonomy and aging anxiety were positively associated with each of these stages of preparation. Other findings suggest that being concerned about possible negative effects of caregiving and perceiving the future as limited may also be associated with preparation for caregiving. The results provide gerontologists, interventionists, and families with insight into attitudes that may inhibit or facilitate preparation for future caregiving needs.
Immune responses of BALB / c mice orally immunized with Salmonella Typhimurium ghost cells carrying antigens of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Salmonella typhimurium ghost vaccines containing antigens of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (eteC) were obtained by a strain harboring pMMP184, which carries a ghost cassette. the immune responses of BaLB/c mice orally vaccinated with these ghost vaccines were determined in this study. total IgG against S. typhimurium were highly detected by the oral immunization route in BaLB/c mice. IgGs against eteC antigens in the ghost cells carrying F41 and intimin were detected at 4 weeks after vaccination. however, FedF elicited a delayed induction of IgGs, whereas Feda immune response failed to or barely induced IgGs after vaccination. Proliferations of CD3e/CD4-t cells were observed in splenocytes of BaLB/c mice immunized with S. typhimurium ghost cells carrying FedF. however, CD45r-B220/CD23-B cells were proliferated by ghost cells carrying Feda, F41, and intimin. the immunized BaLB/c mice showed 25~50% protection against challenge with wild type S. typhimurium, when compared to control mice. therefore, it is assumed that oral vaccination of S. typhimurium ghost cells has the potential to protect mice against pathogenic E. coli.
[Changes of the spectrum on thyroid disease after the ten-year implementation of universal salt iodization in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region].

OBJECTIVE To reveal the relationship between iodine nutrition and the change of spectrum on thyroid diseases through comparing the different iodine environments pre- and post- the universal salt iodization(USI)campaign. METHODS To compare the urinary iodine concentration between 1000 normal people and 5998 patients with thyroid disease who had undergone surgical operations, from 4 major cities, including iodine deficient and rich areas of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. RESULTS After USI was put into practice, the urinary iodine concentration of patients with thyroid appeared higher than those of normal people(324.3 µg/L vs. 238.5 µg/L, P < 0.05). The urinary iodine concentrations of nodular goiter,Graves disease, toxic nodular goiter, thyroid papillary carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis were higher than those before the USI was taken(263.8 µg/L vs. 69.75 µg/L, 289.7 µg/L vs. 228.3 µg/L, 346.8 µg/L vs. 268.4 µg/L, 350.3 µg/L vs. 316.2 µg/L and 378.5 µg/L vs. 305.8 µg/L). The proportions of toxic nodular goiter, thyroid papillary carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis appeared as 7.59% vs. 4.80%, 5.85% vs. 4.02% and 3.88% vs. 2.46%, all higher than those before the implementation of USI, except the nodular goiter which showed a reduction (63.56% vs. 69.75%). CONCLUSION The spectrum of thyroid diseases appeared an obvious change in Guangxi within the last 10-year implementation of USI. However, the excessive intake of iodine might serve as a risk factor for toxic nodular goiter, thyroid papillary carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Setting the Party Agenda: Interest Groups, Voters and Issue Attention

Do political parties respond to interest group mobilization? While party responsiveness to voters has received widespread attention, little is known about how interest groups affect parties’ policy agendas. I argue that political parties respond to interest groups as lobbyists offer valuable information, campaign contributions, electoral support and personal rewards, but that party responsiveness is conditioned by voter preferences. Based on a novel longitudinal analysis studying the responsiveness of German parties to interest groups across eleven issue areas and seven elections from 1987 until 2009, it is shown that parties adjust their policy agendas in response to interest group mobilization and that interest groups are more successful in shaping party policy when their priorities coincide with those of the electorate.
Associations between home dampness and presence of molds with asthma and allergic symptoms among young children in the tropics

Existing literature has shown that home dampness increases indoor mold burden and is associated with increased allergic symptoms among young children in temperate environments. There is no report of any studies of similar nature in the tropics where conditions are characterized typically by high temperatures and humidity with rainfall throughout the year. To evaluate if there are associations between the prevalence of current asthma and allergic symptoms in young children (age 1.5–6 yr) with dampness and indoor mold in children's bedrooms in a tropical environment. A cross‐sectional study adopting an expanded and modified ISAAC –International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Children– questionnaire for the evaluation of asthma and allergies was conducted on 6794 children (4759 responded – 70%) attending 120 randomly selected daycare centers. Specific information on demographics, home dampness, and the visible presence of indoor molds were obtained. The prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined by Cox proportional hazard regression model with assumption of a constant risk period as recommended for cross‐sectional studies. The calculated PRs were controlled for age, gender, ethnicity, socio‐economic status, type of housing, maternal and paternal atopy, respiratory infections, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure, and food allergy. After adjusting for potential confounding effects, home dampness was observed to be significantly associated with current symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis (adjusted PR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.00–2.33). The visible presence of mold was significantly associated with current symptoms of rhinitis (PR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.16–2.07) and rhinoconjunctivitis (PR 2.38, 95% CI: 1.51–3.75). Indoor dampness and mold in children's bedroom are important risk factors associated with allergic symptoms in young children in Singapore.
No Change in Executive Performance in ALS Patients: A Longitudinal Neuropsychological Study

Background/Aims: A substantial proportion of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients develop cognitive impairments. Longitudinal investigations of cognition in ALS have shown mixed results. While some authors report that cognitive performance remains stable as the disease progresses, others have found evidence for deterioration in various domains. Our objective was to investigate cognitive performance in ALS longitudinally, using the example of executive functions. Methods: 93 ALS patients and 73 age-, sex- and education-matched healthy controls underwent up to four neuropsychological evaluations, separated by 3- to 6-month intervals. We examined whether performance declined longitudinally on seven tests assessing various sub-components of executive functioning. Furthermore, we assigned an executive-performance-based ‘cognitive status' to each participant for every evaluation, examining whether cognitive deterioration (if present) was modulated by their baseline cognitive status and whether cognitive status changed over time. Results: Regardless of their cognitive status at baseline, ALS patients showed no significant decline in the sub-components of executive functioning. Conclusion: Our findings imply that the executive deficits which develop in some ALS patients emerge before motor symptoms and remain stable after an initial decline. The discrepancy between this trajectory and the progressive decline in motor functions may result from a differential vulnerability of motor and non-motor prefrontal neurons to the pathomechanism of ALS.
Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin in Acute Kidney Injury

Abstract Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a member of the lipocalin family of proteins. Usually, NGAL is produced and secreted by kidney tubule cells at low levels, but the amount produced and secreted into the urine and serum increases dramatically after ischemic, septic, or nephrotoxic injury of the kidneys. The purpose of our review article is to summarize the role of NGAL in acute kidney injury (AKI), emergent, and intensive care. Methods: A PubMed search was performed (only English-language articles concerning human subjects were considered) using each of the following search term combinations: neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin OR NGAL and acute kidney injury OR AKI; cardiac surgery: heart failure OR cardiology, intensive care; emergency department OR emergency medicine; nephropathy OR nephrotoxicity and transplantation. Results: The results of our search yielded 339 articles. Of the 339 articles, 160 were eligible for review based on the predefined criteria for inclusion. Conclusion: Based on the evidence reviewed, it is clear that patient NGAL level is an appropriate, sensitive, and specific early biomarker of AKI caused by a variety of different etiologies. It is advised that a multidisciplinary group of experts come together to make recommendations and propose a consensus of clinical procedures to advance the most efficacious NGAL monitoring protocol for early detection and treatment of patients with AKI.
School Practice Supervision and Performance of Student Teachers in Higher Institutions of Learning in Uganda: Empirical Evidence from Kyambogo University and Ndejje University.

This study examined the impact of school practice supervision on performance of student teachers in higher institutions of learning in Uganda. Purposive and random samplings were used to select respondents from the two universities. Data was collected using interviews, closed and open-ended questionnaires from a sample of 103 respondents, and 76 respondents returned their well filled questionnaires giving a response rate of 73.8%. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS Ver. 20 while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The result showed a significant positive relationship between school practice supervision and student teacher performance (r=0.518, p<0.000) in higher institution of learning in Uganda. It also showed that school practice supervision improves student teachers’ subject competence; enhance their confidence in teaching and learning of new teaching techniques. It therefore concludes that although school practice is an integral part of the teacher education programs in both Kyambogo and Ndejje Universities, the practice is bedevilled with many challenges ranging from poor facilitation of both students and supervisors, lack of respect for both student teachers by lecturers and vice versa.
Expression of Nitric Oxide Synthase during the Development of RCS Rat Retinas

Nitric oxide (NO) has been reported to be both neurodestructive and neuroprotective in the central nervous system and could possibly play an important role in neurodegenerative disorders. On the assumption that NO synthesis may influence degenerative processes in the retina, we have examined the development and distribution of nitric-oxide-synthase(NOS)-immunoreactive cells in developing Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat retinas, which is an animal model for retinal degeneration. An antibody against constitutive neuronal NOS was used for immunocytochemistry on RCS rat retinas from postnatal (PN) days 3, 7, 10, 14, 35, 70 and 281 and compared with that in the normal rats of PN days 3, 7, 10, 14, 54 and adults. Immunoreactive cells were not seen in PN 3 retinas but were distinctly seen in the PN 7 retina along with a plexus in the inner plexiform layer. In both groups (normal and RCS rats) a distinct sublayering of the plexus in the inner plexiform layer could be seen at PN 10, which became more distinct at PN 14. The immunoreactive cells were detected also in the oldest retina examined, which was PN 281 in the case of RCS rats. In both groups, certain amacrine cells, certain bipolar cells and certain horizontal cells were found to be immunoreactive. In conclusion, the developmental timetable of the NOS immunoreactivity was identical in the normal and the RCS rat retinas. The NOS-immunoreactive cells persisted in the RCS retinas even when the retina had degenerated extensively. Abnormalities with the inducible isoforms of NOS cannot be ruled out from this study. We conclude that the chronological and qualitative development of the constitutive neuronal NOS immunoreactivity is normal in RCS rat retinas.
Smear grading and the Mantoux skin test can be used to predict sputum smear conversion in patients suffering from tuberculosis

Purpose: Smear scores and induration sizes resulting from the PPD (tuberculin purified protein derivative) test can serve as indicators of whether a patient suffering from tuberculosis shows smear conversion or not. Methods: Using microbiological methods smear and sputum tests, patients diagnosed as infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis between 2002 and 2015 were included in this study. All of the assumed factors that may have a role in smear conversion were studied, in addition to the prolongation of tuberculosis. Results: 398 of 512 patients fulfilled all the inclusion criteria and formed the basis of this study. 215 patients (54%) were females and 183 (46%) were males. The median age for both men and women was 36 years. We found a statistically significant difference between the size of induration resulting from the PPD skin test and the rate of non-conversion (P=0.002). Further univariate analysis also showed that smear grading and an induration size of ≥10 mm were independently associated with delayed smear conversion. Patients with cavitary lesions showed a higher rate of non-conversion after two months, which was not significant. We could not find any association between some of the variables, such as age, sex, weight, smoking, alcoholism, addictions, respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, alternative anti-TB treatment, and smear conversion. Conclusion: Intensified treatment and precautions against transmission should be especially considered for TB patients with high smear grading and an induration size of more than 10 mm.
Operative and non-operative treatment options for dislocation of the hip following total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND Dislocation following hip replacement is associated with significant morbidity and functional cost. The cause is usually multifactorial. A variety of treatment options are available which can broadly be classified into operative and non-operative. OBJECTIVES To determine the best methods of treatment of recurrent dislocation following total hip replacement. SEARCH STRATEGY The following databases were searched until August 2006: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Health Technology Assessment database (HTA), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE), International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register (ISRCTN), and MetaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing operative and non-operative treatments for recurrent dislocation following total hip replacement. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two independent reviewers applied the inclusion criteria to identified studies. MAIN RESULTS Searches identified 269 studies. None fulfilled the inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The authors invite researchers to perform RCTs comparing different treatment options for recurrent dislocation of the hip. The heterogeneity of the population and variety of underlying causes would favour a multi-centre study to achieve an adequate sample size.
Combined Phenotype of 4 Markers Improves Prognostic Value of Patients With Colon Cancer

Introduction:Combination of multiple biomarkers representing distinct aspects of tumor biology will have a better prognostic value. This study was to identify prognostic subgroups of colon adenocarcinoma by combined analysis of synuclein-gamma (SNCG), a human homologue of piwi (Hiwi), phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3), arrest-defective protein 1, homolog A (ARD1) and clinicopathologic features in 225 colon adenocarcinoma specimens. Methods:Immunohistochemistry for 4 tumor markers was performed in whole tissue sections from 225 colon adenocarcinoma patients with complete clinicopathologic data and up to 10-year follow-up. The immunohistochemical expression patterns were examined individually and in multimarker combinations. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictive markers of poor outcome. Results:With the tumor marker positive rate [32.0% (62/225) for SNCG; 76.9% (173/225) for combined SNCG/Hiwi/PRL-3/ARD1] and the detecting accuracy [61.9% (252/407) for SNCG; 82.6% (336/407) for combined SNCG/Hiwi/PRL-3/ARD1] increasing, incremental value of combined SNCG/Hiwi/PRL-3/ARD1 (P < 0.001; hazard ratios (HR), 3.2) to poor outcome was found. Stratified by lymph node, Hiwi alone (P = 0.004; HR, 3.2) led to poor outcome in patients without lymph node metastasis (LN−), and SNCG (P < 0.001; HR, 2.5) had independently poor prognostic value for patients with lymph node metastasis (LN+). Conclusions:Multimarker phenotypes improved tumor positive rate, detecting accuracy and prognostic value. In addition, a subgroup of more aggressive tumors can be identified by evaluating Hiwi level in LN− cancer, and SNCG level in LN+ cancer.