Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE ELDERLY IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

This paper focuses on elderly health profiles and examines the conjecture that elderly health status has been significantly impacted by the evolution of mortality in countries of the region. We use SABE (Survey on Health and Well-Being of Elders), a cross-sectional representative sample of over 10,000 elderly aged 60 and above in private homes fielded in seven major cities in Latin America and the Caribbean. We examine the following health outcomes: selfreported health, functional limitations-Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL’s), obesity (ratio of weight in kilograms to the square of height in centimeters), and self reported chronic conditions (including diabetes). We examine patterns of selfreported health, self-reported chronic conditions, and disability. We also examine relations between early childhood conditions and adult health. In particular, we attempt to illustrate the idea that early childhood conditions and adult health are related. However, the relations are not strong and the evidence for it is weak at best.
Modulation of epithelial sodium channel in human alveolar epithelial cells by lipoxin A4 through AhR-cAMP-dependent pathway

Purpose: To investigate the effect of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) on the expressions of protein and mRNA of alveolar epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in normal and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated A549 cells. Methods: A549 cell-lines were randomized into 11 groups ( N = 8) and treated. EnaC level was evaluated by Western blot. Total RNA was extracted and reverse-transcribed and then levels of ENaC mRNA, cGMP and cAMP in the cells were determined. Results: LXA4 (10 -7 mol/L) increased the expressions of α-subunit of ENaC relative to LPS group. In addition, LXA4 significantly up-regulated the expression of mRNAs of α, β and γ subunits of ENaC ( p < 0.01). The level of cAMP was increased in LXA4 group, but significantly reduced in LPS group relative to control group ( p < 0.05). However, treatment with LXA4 annulled the increased cAMP concentration, compared with LPS group ( p < 0.05) Conclusion: These results show that LXA4 influences ENaC up-regulation in normal and LPS stimulated A549 alveolar epithelial cells. Keywords: Acute lung injury, Alveolar epithelial sodium channel, Lipoxin A4, AhR, cAMP, cGMP
Notes on two cetacean surveys in the Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam

– During 17-26 October 1999, we searched for cetaceans along 665 km of trackline in coastal and offshore waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. We had five cetacean sightings: two of Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins Sousa chinensis, one of finless porpoises Neophocaena phocaenoides, one of a mixed school of pantropical spotted dolphins Stenella attenuata and probable spinner dolphins S. longirostris (subspecies unknown), and one of a probable bottlenose dolphin Tursiops sp. During 2-11 April 2000, we searched along 1,146 km of trackline in the same waters. We had four sightings: one of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.), one of spinner dolphins (probable dwarf form – S.l. roseiventris) and two of Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins. Although sighting conditions were often poor, our results indicate that cetaceans occur in low (but un-quantified) densities in Vietnamese waters of the Gulf. Possible reasons for this include historically sparse populations due to natural ecological conditions in the Gulf or population declines caused by anthropogenic impacts, including accidental entanglement in gillnets, reduced prey availability from overfishing, and mortality caused by fishing with explosives. During the surveys we observed push-net fishing vessels using explosives near the mouth of Halong Bay and the partial carcass of a finless porpoise that appeared to have been cut in half to extract it from a gillnet.
A new coupled model for simulating the mapping of dense nonaqueous phase liquids using electrical resistivity tomography

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has, for a considerable length of time, been considered promising for subsurface characterization activities at sites contaminated with dense, nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs). The relatively few field studies available exhibit mixed results, and the technique has not yet become a common tool for mapping such contaminants or tracking mass reduction during their remediation. To help address this, a novel, coupled DNAPL-ERT numerical model was developed that can provide a platform for the systematic evaluation of ERT under a wide range of realistic, field-scale subsurface environments. The coupled model integrated a 3D multiphase flow model, which generates realistic DNAPL scenarios, with a 3D ERT forward model to calculate the corresponding resistivity response. Central to the coupling, and a key contribution, was a new linkage between the main hydrogeologic parameters (including hydraulic permeability, porosity, clay content, groundwater salinity and temperature, and air, water, and DNAPL contents evolving with time) and the resulting bulk electrical resistivity by integration of a variety of published relationships. Sensitivity studies conducted for a single node compared well to published correlations and for a fieldscale domain demonstrated that the model is robust and sensitive to heterogeneity in DNAPL distribution and soil structure. A field-scale simulation of a DNAPL release and its subsequent remediation, monitored by ERT surface surveys, demonstrated that ERT is promising for mapping DNAPL mass reduction. The developed model provides a cost-effective avenue to test optimum ERT data acquisition, inversion, and interpretative tools, which should assist in deploying ERT strategically at contaminated sites.
DISPERSAL, EXPOSURE AND HEALTH EFFECTS IN CHILDHOOD

4 LIST OF ORIGINAL PAPERS. 5 ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS . 7 INTRODUCTION. 8 ASTHMA . 8 History . 8 Definition . 8 Prevalence . 9 Treatment . 9 IMMUNOLOGY. 9 Atopy and IgE-sensitisation . 9 Th1 / Th2 . 10 ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS OF ASTHMA AND ATOPY. 10 ALLERGENS . 11 Cat allergen Fel d 1 . 11 Dog allergen Can f 1 . 12 Allergen exposure . 12 Allergen avoidance . 12 EPIDEMIOLOGY. 13 ALLERGEN EXPOSURE, SENSITISATION AND ASTHMA. 14 Allergen exposure and subsequent sensitisation . 17 Sensitisation and asthma . 17 Allergen exposure and subsequent asthma. 18 Allergen exposure and asthma in already sensitised children . 18 PREVENTION . 18 AIMS. 19 MATERIAL AND METHODS. 20 STUDY POPULATIONS. 20 STUDY DESIGN . 20 ALLERGEN LEVELS . 22 DEFINITION OF DISEASE . 23 STATISTICAL ANALYSES . 23 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . 25 DISPERSAL (I, III) . 25 EXPOSURE (I, III, IV). 26 Direct exposure to cat and dog (I, III, IV). 26 Indirect exposure to cat and dog (I, III, IV) . 27 HEALTH EFFECTS (II, III, IV). 29 Allergen exposure in children with established asthma and sensitisation (II). 29 Allergen exposure and subsequent IgE-sensitisation or asthma at four years (III, IV) . 31 CONCLUSIONS . 34 GENERAL DISCUSSION AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES. 35 POPULÄRVETENSKAPLIG SAMMANFATTNING . 39 STUDIE I. 39 STUDIE II . 39 STUDIE III OCH IV . 40 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . 41 REFERENCES. 43 PAPERS I-IV. 52 Cat and dog allergens – dispersal, exposure and health effects 7 ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS AEDS Atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome Allergy / Asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis or AEDS elicited by exposure to certain Allergic disease stimuli Atopy Predisposition to produce IgE antibodies in response to allergens, and to develop typical symptoms such as asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis or AEDS BAMSE Barn Allergi Miljö i Stockholm – en Epidemiologisk undersökning (Children Allergy Environment in Stockholm – an Epidemiological survey BHR Bronchial hyperreactivity Can f 1 Canis familiaris 1; dog allergen CI Confidence Interval DRH Decreased Respiratory Health ECRHS European Community Respiratory Health Survey ELISA Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Fel d 1 Felis domesticus 1; major cat allergen IgG, G4 Immunoglobulin G and G4 IgE Immunoglobulin E ISAAC International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood OR Odds Ratio PEF Peak Expiratory Flow Sensitisation IgE sensitisation: process in which an individual produces IgE antibodies in response to allergen exposure; not necessarily combined with symptoms SPT Skin Prick Test Sp-IgE Allergen-specific IgE Th T helper lymphocyte
The Influence of E-learning Characteristics and Basic Ict Competencies to Actual USAge of E-learning: a Path Diagram Model

In this paper, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is extent with two external stimulus namely e-learning characteristics and basic ICT (Information and Communication Technology) competencies. The purpose of this study are (1) finding relationship between e-learning characteristics and lecturers’ basic ICT competencies with the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of e-learning; and (2) determining the effect of e-learning characteristics and lecturer basic ICT competencies to the actual usage of e-learning. Research subjects are Bali State Polytechnic lecturers who have attended the elearning training. In this study, to collect the data sample, a non-random sampling technique is adopted. The data is collected by self-administered questionnaires and is analyzed using structural equation modeling. Basic ICT competencies of the Bali State Polytechnic lecturers are good, but the level of actual usage of e-learning is very low. Basic ICT competence shows no significant effect on the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of e-learning. The actual usage of e-learning also has low implications. E-learning characteristics show a significant effect on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of e-learning, which implies the change attitude and behavior in the use of elearning. Characteristics of e-learning become a determinant factor in the adoption and use of elearning. The findings will help lecturer a better understanding to the mechanism of e-learning adoption. The study recommends for polytechnic institutions to make a systematic effort to provide lecturers with training on how to use e-learning system effectively. A further research to identify other factors that may influence lecturers' attitudes toward the adoption of e-learning system is demanded following this research.
Film cooling effectiveness in single row of holes: First moment closure modeling

The present article focuses on the evaluation of a first-moment closure model applicable to film cooling flow and heat transfer computations. The present first-moment closure model consists of a higher level of turbulent heat flux modeling in which two additional transport equations for temperature variance kθ and its dissipation rate eθ are considered. It not only employs a time scale that is characteristic of the turbulent momentum field, but also an additional time scale devoted to the turbulent thermal field. The low Reynolds number k — e turbulence model is combined with a two-equation kθ — eθ heat flux model to simulate the flow and heat transfer in a three-dimensional single row of cylindrical holes film cooling application. Comparisons with available experimental data show that the two-equation heat flux model improves the over-predictions of center-line film cooling effectiveness caused by the standard simple eddy diffusivity (SED) model with a fixed value of turbulent Prandtl number. This is due to the enhancement of turbulent heat flux components in the first-moment closure simulations. Also, the span wise distributions of effectiveness are computed with more accuracy due to better predictions of coolant jet spreading. However, the limitations of first-moment closure due to its isotropic approach should be taken into consideration.
Vermicomposting of food waste

The use of food waste recycling concept can be an interesting option to reduce the use of landfill. This strategy is more environmental friendly, cheap and fast if proper management to treat the food waste is applied. Nowadays, the concept of recycling is not well practice among the community. In this study, vermicomposting is introduced as an alternative of the food waste recycling. Vermicomposting consists of the use of earthworms to break down the food waste. In this vermicomposting treatment, the nightcrawler earthworm are used to treat the food waste. The food will be collected from UTHM cafe. The experiment consist of peat soil as a base, earthworms and the food waste. The pH number and moisture content of each container were controlled at 7.0 to 7.2 and 60 to 80 % to maintain the favorable environment condition for the earthworms. The weight of the sample will be measured in three days time after exposure to the earthworm. The vermicomposting study was taken about two weeks time. After the treatment, the soil sample are tested for nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) concentration. Based on the result obtained, it shows that vermicomposting will reduce the weight of treatment sample and the concentration of N, P, and K for the soil is greater than the chemical fertilizer. Therefore, vermicomposting is a promising alternative treatment of food waste as it is more ecofriendly.
Discriminating the Difference between Remote and Close Association with Relation to White-Matter Structural Connectivity

Remote association is a core ability that influences creative output. In contrast to close association, remote association is commonly agreed to be connected with more original and unique concepts. However, although existing studies have discovered that creativity is closely related to the white-matter structure of the brain, there are no studies that examine the relevance between the connectivity efficiencies and creativity of the brain regions from the perspective of networks. Consequently, this study constructed a brain white matter network structure that consisted of cerebral tissues and nerve fibers and used graph theory to analyze the connection efficiencies among the network nodes, further illuminating the differences between remote and close association in relation to the connectivity of the brain network. Researchers analyzed correlations between the scores of 35 healthy adults with regard to remote and close associations and the connectivity efficiencies of the white-matter network of the brain. Controlling for gender, age, and verbal intelligence, the remote association positively correlated with the global efficiency and negatively correlated with the levels of small-world. A close association negatively correlated with the global efficiency. Notably, the node efficiency in the middle temporal gyrus (MTG) positively correlated with remote association and negatively correlated with close association. To summarize, remote and close associations work differently as patterns in the brain network. Remote association requires efficient and convenient mutual connections between different brain regions, while close association emphasizes the limited connections that exist in a local region. These results are consistent with previous results, which indicate that creativity is based on the efficient integration and connection between different regions of the brain and that temporal lobes are the key regions for discriminating remote and close associations.
The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (MAIA-2)

Interoception, the process by which the nervous system senses, interprets, and integrates signals originating from within the body, has become major research topic for mental health and in particular for mind-body interventions. Interoceptive awareness here is defined as the conscious level of interoception with its multiple dimensions potentially accessible to self-report. The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) is an 8-scale state-trait questionnaire with 32 items to measure multiple dimensions of interoception by self-report and was published in November 2012. Its numerous applications in English and other languages revealed low internal consistency reliability for two of its scales. This study’s objective was to improve these scales and the psychometrics of the MAIA by adding three new items to each of the two scales and evaluate these in a new sample. Data were collected within a larger project that took place as part of the Live Science residency programme at the Science Museum London, UK, where visitors to the museum (N = 1,090) completed the MAIA and the six additional items. Based on exploratory factor analysis in one-half of the adult participants and Cronbach alphas, we discarded one and included five of the six additional items into a Version 2 of the MAIA and conducted confirmatory factor analysis in the other half of the participants. The 8-factor model of the resulting 37-item MAIA-2 was confirmed with appropriate fit indices (RMSEA = 0.055 [95% CI 0.052–0.058]; SRMR = 0.064) and improved internal consistency reliability. The MAIA-2 is public domain and available (www.osher.ucsf.edu/maia) for interoception research and the evaluation of clinical mind-body interventions.
Novel short peripheral catheter design for prevention of thrombophlebitis

Essentials Phlebitis is one of the most frequent complications related to short peripheral catheters (SPC). A new SPC design, aimed for minimizing mechanical phlebitis, was tested in vivo in swine. MRI analysis revealed 40% less inflammation with the new SPC design compared to commercial SPC. The results confirm that our SPC biomechanical design approach can minimize phlebitis rates.
Implicit Memory, Constructive Memory, and Imagining the Future: A Career Perspective

In this article I discuss some of the major questions, findings, and ideas that have driven my research program, which has examined various aspects of human memory using a combination of cognitive, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging approaches. I do so from a career perspective that describes important scientific influences that have shaped my approach to the study of memory and discusses considerations that led to choosing specific research paths. After acknowledging key early influences, I briefly summarize a few of the main takeaways from research on implicit memory during the 1980s and 1990s and then move on to consider more recent ideas and findings concerning constructive memory, future imagining, and mental simulation that have motivated my approach for the past 2 decades. A main unifying theme of this research is that memory can affect psychological functions in ways that go beyond the simple everyday understanding of memory as a means of revisiting past experiences.
The effect of linseed diet on carcass value traits and fatty acid composition in muscle and fat tissue of fattening pigs.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of linseed in the diet of fattening pigs on car - cass value traits and changes in the fatty acid profile in muscle and fat tissue. Thirty crossbred gilts were divided into two groups (control C and experimental L) and fed a commercial feed mixture for fattening pigs. Ground linseed was added to a feed mixture for the experimental group. The average daily gain, lean meat percentage and intramuscular fat content were not affected by the linseed diet but pH1 value and drip loss were significantly influenced by dietary treatment ( P 0.05) and fat tissue ( 0.05) by the linseed diet but it was decreased ( P 0.05) whereas the SFA/PUFA ratio was reduced ( P < 0.01).
Clinicopathological characteristics of ROS1- and RET-rearranged NSCLC in caucasian patients: Data from a cohort of 713 non-squamous NSCLC lacking KRAS/EGFR/HER2/BRAF/PIK3CA/ALK alterations

Targeted therapies have substantially changed the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with driver oncogenes. Given the high frequency, EGFR and ALK aberrations were the first to be detected and paved the way for tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatments. Other kinases such as ROS1 and more recently RET have emerged as promising targets, and ROS1 and RET TKIs are already available for precision medicine. We screened a large cohort of 713 Caucasian non-squamous NSCLC patients lacking EGFR/KRAS/BRAF/HER2/PI3KCA/ALK aberrations for ROS1 and RET rearrangements using fluorescence in situ hybridization to determine the frequency and clinicopathological characteristics of ROS1- and RET-positive patients. Frequencies of ROS1 and RET rearrangements were 2.1% and 2.52%, respectively. Contrary to common belief, both ROS1 and RET rearrangements were detected in patients with a history of smoking, and the RET-positive patients were not younger than the negative patients. Moreover, RET but not ROS1 rearrangement was associated with the female gender. Nearly half of the ROS1-rearranged patients were successfully treated with ROS1 TKIs. In contrast, only 5/18 RET-positive patients received off-label RET TKIs. Two patients had stable disease, and three experienced disease progression. In addition to the 18 RET-positive cases, 10 showed isolated 5′ signals. The clinical relevance is unknown but if the frequency is confirmed by other groups, the question whether these patients are eligible to TKIs will arise. More potent RET TKIs are under development and may improve the response rate in RET-positive patients. Therefore, we recommend the routine implementation of RET testing in non-squamous NSCLC patients, including those with a history of smoking.
Escape Behavior of Neotropical Homopterans in Response to a Flush–Pursuit Predator

ABSTRACT Insect defenses against avian predators often include both a primary defense that reduces the probability of being attacked and a secondary defense, typically escape behavior, employed if the primary defense fails. Escape behavior, however, can make insects potentially vulnerable to specialized flush–pursuit predators. Neotropical Redstarts of the genus Myioborus (Parulidae) exploit insect escape behavior by using their contrasting black-and-white plumage and animated foraging behavior to startle insect prey that are then pursued and captured in flight. We examined how insect primary defense strategy and natural variation in Myioborus plumage pattern influence escape behavior in six species of homopterans from Monteverde, Costa Rica. The six homopterans included two aposematic species of the family Cercopidae (Ocoaxo sp. and Sphenorhina sp.), two cryptic species of the family Cixiidae (both Bothriocera spp.), and two structurally defended species of the family Membracidae (Campylocentrus sp. and Vestistilus variabilis). We measured the distance at which models of Myioborus Redstarts elicited escape behavior in insects under field conditions. Response distances varied significantly with both homopteran primary defense and Myioborus plumage pattern. Structurally defended homopterans were the most sensitive to the models and cryptic homopterans were the least sensitive. The model simulating the plumage of endemic M. miniatus comptus of Costa Rica elicited greater responses than did models of other Myioborus taxa with either less or more white in the plumage. Our results suggest that (1) primary defense strategies can have a significant effect on insect vulnerability to flush–pursuit predators, and (2) geographic variation in the plumage pattern of Myioborus Redstarts may reflect adaptation to regional prey and habitat characteristics that maximizes flush–pursuit foraging performance.