Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occupational risk factors and pancreatic cancer: A review of recent findings

Several occupational exposures have been linked to excess risk of pancreatic cancer; however, most associations are not well established. The objective of this review article is to report on the more recently published studies (1998–2010), and provide a summary of the most consistently reported occupational risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including exposure to chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, nitrosamines, radiation, various airborne particles, and employment in sedentary occupations. We conclude that the strongest and most consistent findings linking occupational exposures with pancreatic cancer risk to date are for chlorinated hydrocarbons and PAHs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analytic approximations for multilayer substrate coplanar-plate capacitors

Closed form analytic approximations are proposed for complex impedance (capacitance and Q-factor) of capacitors formed by two coplanar rectangular conducting patches sandwiched between dielectric layers. The computations using proposed formulas are at least an order of magnitude faster in comparison with the commercially available software's, and can be used in optimisation procedures. The formulas are reversible, i.e. from measured impedance one can compute permittivity and losses of one of the dielectric layers.
Ethnic differences in anticipated discrimination, generalised trust in other people and self-rated health: a population-based study in Sweden

This paper investigates the relationship between anticipation that employers may discriminate against certain people (not specified, but not specifically the respondent) according to race, colour of skin, religion or cultural background, and self-rated health, adjusting for social capital in the form of generalised (horizontal) trust in other people. It also investigates ethnic differences in anticipated discrimination in relation to self-rated health. The 2004 Public Health Survey in the Scania region of Sweden is a cross-sectional study. Twenty-seven thousand nine hundred and sixty-three respondents aged 18–80 years answered a postal questionnaire, which represents 59% of the random sample. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between anticipated discrimination and self-rated health. Multivariate analyses of self-rated health were performed in order to investigate the importance of possible confounders (age, country of origin, education, economic stress, and generalised trust) on this association. Of the men and the women, 28.7 and 33.2%, respectively, rated their health as poor. Of the respondents, 16.0 and 28.7% reported that they anticipated that ‘most employers’ or ‘approximately 50% of employers’ would discriminate, respectively. Respondents with high age, born outside Sweden, with low/medium education, economic stress, low horizontal trust, and with anticipation that most or approximately 50% of employers (among men born in Sweden and all women) would discriminate had significantly higher odds ratios of poor self-rated health. Multiple adjustments had a slight effect on the significant relationship between anticipated discrimination and poor self-rated health for both men and women. The introduction of generalised trust in the models reduced the odds ratios to a limited extent. In conclusion, the anticipation that employers may discriminate against certain people (not the respondent) according to race, colour of skin, religion or cultural background is associated with poor self-rated health. However, this is a cross-sectional exploratory study and causality may go in both directions.
The age factor in the susceptibility of man and animals to radiation. II. Age differences in susceptibility to carcinogenesis in man.

Variation in man's susceptibility to the induction of cancer at different ages is of considerable interest both theoretically and practically. In the past, very little information on the subject has been available and it has not been possible to use human data to test any particular hypothesis about the mechanism of carcinogenesis. Recently, however, the situation has begun to change and it may, perhaps, be of interest to review the data to see whether any useful conclusions can be drawn from them. The theoretical interest of the question lies principally in the fact that in most of the common types of human cancer the incidence increases very rapidly with age. This increase begins at about the age of 20 years and continues at least until the age of 80 years and probably beyond. It occurs characteristically in cancer of the skin, in most of the epithelial cancers of the respiratory and digestive tracts and in such different types as chronic lymphatic leukaemia and chronic myelomatosis. In these types of c.
Inhibition of host cell transcription by poliovirus: cleavage of transcription factor CREB by poliovirus-encoded protease 3Cpro

Host cell RNA polymerase II-mediated transcription is inhibited by poliovirus infection. Previous studies from our laboratory showed that activated transcription from a cyclic AMP-responsive element (CRE)-containing promoter was severely inhibited in extracts prepared from poliovirus-infected HeLa cells compared to those from mock-infected cells. Here we demonstrate that the CRE-binding protein, CREB, is specifically cleaved by the poliovirus-encoded protease 3Cpro both in vitro and in virus-infected cells. The proteolytic cleavage of CREB leads to a significant loss of its DNA binding as well as transcriptional activity. Additionally, we demonstrate that the phosphorylated, transcriptionally active form of CREB is cleaved by the viral protease in vitro. The results presented here suggest that a direct cleavage of CREB by the viral protease 3Cpro leads to inhibition of CREB-activated transcription in poliovirus-infected HeLa cells.
Cosolvent effects of phenanthrene sorption‐desorption on a freshwater sediment

This study evaluated the effects of the water‐miscible cosolvent methanol on the sorption‐desorption of phenanthrene by the natural organic matter (NOM) of a freshwater sediment. A biphasic pattern was observed in the relationship between the log of the carbon‐normalized sorption distribution coefficient (Koc) and the volumetric fraction of water‐miscible cosolvent (fc), in this case methanol, that was accounted for with phenanthrene solubility data. Results also indicated that methanol elicited additional effects on phenanthrene sorption beyond the solution phase effects. The level of fc was observed to have a significant effect on sorption‐desorption hysteresis, with hysteresis being greater for treatments where phenanthrene and sediment were equilibrated with methanol‐phenanthrene solutions but desorbed with aqueous solutions. These results are discussed in light of the deformable pore network of the rubbery/glassy NOM polymer construct.
Incidence and Survival of Childhood Cancer in Korea

Purpose An epidemiologic study of childhood cancer would provide useful information on cancer etiology and development of management guidelines. Materials and Methods Data from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database were used to examine the incidence and survival of cancer in patients aged 0-14 years. Patients were grouped according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer, 3rd edition. Age-specific and age-standardized incidences per million and estimated annual percentage change (APC) were calculated by sex and age. Five-year relative survival was calculated for four periods from 1993 to 2011. Results The study comprised 15,113 patients with malignant neoplasms. Age-standardized incidence rates for all cancers were 134.9 per million children in 1999-2011 and 144.0 and 124.9 per million for males and females, respectively (M/F ratio, 1.2; p < 0.05). The highest incidences were observed for ‘leukemias, myeloproliferative diseases, and myelodysplastic diseases’ (group I) (46.4), ‘central nervous system neoplasms’ (group III) (18.3), and ‘lymphomas and reticuloendothelial neoplasms’ (group II) (13.4). Age-standardized incidence increased from 117.9 in 1999 to 155.3 in 2011, with an APC of 2.4% (95% confidence interval, 2.1 to 2.7). There was a significant increase of APC in ‘neuroblastoma and other peripheral nervous cell tumors’ (group IV) (5.6%) and ‘other malignant epithelial neoplasms and malignant melanomas’ (group XI) (5.6%). The 5-year relative survival rate for all childhood cancers improved significantly from 56.2% (1993-1995) to 78.2% (2007-2011) (males, 56.7% to 77.7%; females, 55.5% to 78.8%). Conclusion This study provides reliable information on incidence and survival trends for childhood cancer in Korea.
Real-Time Control of a Video Game With a Direct Brain–Computer Interface

Mason and Birch have developed a direct brain–computer interface for intermittent control of devices such as environmental control systems and neuroprotheses. This EEG-based brain switch, named the LF-ASD, has been used in several off-line studies, but little is known about its usability with real-world devices and computer applications. In this study, able-bodied individuals and people with high-level spinal injury used the LF-ASD brain switch to control a video game in real time. Both subject groups demonstrated switch activations varying from 30% to 78% and false-positive rates in the range of 0.5% to 2.2% over three 1-hour test sessions. These levels correspond to switch classification accuracies greater than 94% for all subjects. The results suggest that subjects with spinal cord injuries can operate the brain switch to the same ability as able-bodied subjects in a real-time control environment. These results support the findings of previous studies.
Reference-Dependent Preferences and the Risk-Return Trade-Off

This paper studies the cross-sectional risk–return trade-off in the stock market. A fundamental principle in finance is the positive relation between risk and expected return. However, recent empirical evidence suggests the opposite. Using several intuitive risk measures, we show that the negative risk–return relation is much more pronounced among firms in which investors face prior losses, but the risk–return relation is positive among firms in which investors face prior gains. We consider a number of possible explanations for this new empirical finding and conclude that reference-dependent preference is the most promising explanation.
Intraluminal blunt microdissection for angioplasty of coronary chronic total occlusions

This study describes a new approach to crossing coronary chronic total occlusions using controlled blunt microdissection and its successful application to coronary angioplasty in three patients. After guidewire techniques failed to cross the occlusions, the blunt intraluminal microdissection catheter was deployed. Actuation of a hinged jaw on the catheter distal assembly created a channel for the guidewire through the diseased segment, in the true lumen (a right coronary and a left circumflex artery) and subintimally (a circumflex artery), to allow angioplasty and stenting. Coronary circulation improved from TIMI grade 0 to 3. Angina was relieved in all three cases. Subsequent angiography for two cases, 2 and 19 months after PTCA, respectively, showed restored flow and patent stented regions. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2003;58:194–198. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glomerulonephritis associated with chronic granulomatous disease and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immunodeficiency disorder which results from malfunction of the NADPH oxidase system in phagocytic cells. Deficiency of this oxidase, responsible for production of microbicidal oxygen metabolites (e.g. superoxide), leads to reduced killing of catalase-positive bacteria (especially staphylococci) and fungi, and renders affected patients susceptible to recurrent pyogenic infections [1,2]. Granuloma formation is induced by unresolved local bacteria containing foci. Sixty per cent of CGD is inherited as a sex-linked trait due to mutations in the gp 91 phox gene which resides at Xp 21.1. An autosomal recessive inheritance is less frequent [3]. Clinical manifestations start in 80% before the second birthday [4] and consist of recurrent pyodermia, suppurative lymphadenitis, pneumonia, enteritis, liver abscess, osteomyelitis, and failure to thrive. Aspergillus pneumonia is the leading cause of death [5]. Under continuous prophylaxis using intracellularly active antimicrobials the survival rate at age 20 has increased to 50% [4]. This report describes a boy with CGD with an unusual systemic and renal complication, namely lupus erythematosus with diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis.
Long‐term facilitation of inspiratory intercostal nerve activity following carotid sinus nerve stimulation in cats.

1. Repeated carotid sinus nerve (CSN) stimulation evokes a serotonin‐dependent long‐term facilitation (LTF) of phrenic nerve activity in cats. To determine whether CSN stimulation‐evoked LTF is a general property of spinal inspiratory motoneurones, phrenic and inspiratory internal intercostal (IIC) nerve activities were recorded in nine cats (eight anaesthetized; one decerebrate), which were vagotomized, paralysed, thoracotomized and ventilated with O2; airway CO2 was controlled by means of of a servo‐respirator. Baseline conditions were established by setting the arterial CO2 pressure (Pa,CO2) at approximately 2 mmHg above the threshold for IIC activity. One CSN was stimulated (3 times threshold, 25 Hz, 0.5 ms duration) with five (2 min) trains, each separated by 5 min. 2. The peak integrated phrenic activity was elevated by 33% whereas IIC activity was elevated by 226% above baseline, 90 min post‐stimulation (P < 0.05). The results were similar when expressed as a percentage of the maximal neural activities (elicited by combined hypercapnia and CSN stimulation), although differences between the nerves were less pronounced. The burst frequency was not change following stimulation. 3. In five additional cats that were pretreated with the serotonin receptor antagonist, methysergide maleate (0.5‐1 mg kg‐1, I.V.), the CO2 thresholds of the phrenic (12 mmHg) and IIC nerves (22 mmHg) were increased (P < 0.05), and LTF could not be elicited in either neurogram. 4. Successive CSN stimulation episodes evoked a previously undescribed phenomenon. Although the peak integrated phrenic activity was unchanged (90‐95% of maximal), IIC activity increased progressively during successive stimulus episodes (66‐90% of maximal; P < 0.05). However, after methysergide treatment, the initial stimulus‐evoked phrenic response decreased to 58% of maximal and both neurograms exhibited progressive augmentation of the stimulus‐evoked response. As stimulus‐evoked augmentation does not require serotonin, it is independent of LTF. 5. We conclude that CSN stimulation‐evoked LTF of IIC activity exceeds that of phrenic activity. Since LTF requires the neuromodulator serotonin and is expressed predominantly by changes in burst pattern formation versus rhythm generation, serotonin may exert a greater influence on IIC relative to phrenic respiratory motor output. A unique mechanism is described whereby successive CSN stimulus episodes cause progressively increasing responses in both neurograms.
Short‐Term Treatment Outcomes and Dropout Risk in Men and Women with Eating Disorders

This study compared treatment outcomes between men and women with eating disorders (EDs) and analysed clinical predictors of treatment outcome. Our sample consisted of 131 male and 131 female ED patients who underwent cognitive behavioural therapy treatment. ED severity, personality and psychopathology were assessed using standard instruments. We found that the risk of dropout was higher for men with bulimia nervosa (BN) than for women with BN and that men with BN and other specified feeding and EDs were more likely to obtain full remission in comparison with their female counterparts. Predictive models of treatment outcome indicated that higher scores in novelty seeking were a shared factor associated with higher risk of dropout and not obtaining full remission for both men and women with ED. However, only in men, younger age and lower scores in reward dependence predicted higher dropout. Contrastingly, higher persistence scores were predictors of full remission. This study reinforces the effectiveness of using outpatient cognitive behavioural therapy as treatment as usual for men with ED. Nonetheless, placing greater emphasis on strategies targeting gender-specific issues could enhance outcomes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Mass transport-induced failure in direct copper (Cu) bonding interconnects for 3-D integration

This paper presents the first complete electromigration study (EM tests, failure analyses, statistical analyses with lifetime extrapolation) for direct copper bonding interconnects. This study reveals excellent performances, comparable to BEoL interconnects. Nevertheless, the results show that it will be interesting to increase the precision of alignment to maximize the Cu-Cu interface in comparison of the Cu-SiO2 to ensure high activation energy and at the end a high electromigration resistance.
Cultural Effect on Using New Technologies

— One of the main concerns in the Information Technology field is adoption with new technologies in organizations which may result in increasing the usage paste of these technologies.This study aims to look at the issue of culture’s role in accepting and using new technologies in organizations. The study examines the effect of culture on accepting and intention to use new technology in organizations. Studies show culture is one of the most important barriers in adoption new technologies. The model used for accepting and using new technology is Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), while for culture and dimensions a well-known theory by Hofsted was used. Results of the study show significant effect of culture on intention to use new technologies. All four dimensions of culture were tested to find the strength of relationship with behavioral intention to use new technologies. Findings indicate the important role of culture in the level of intention to use new technologies and different role of each dimension to improve adaptation process. The study suggests that transferring of new technologies efforts are most likely to be successful if the parties are culturally aligned.
Evidence for a unique in situ component of the repair of radiation damage.

The survival of rat mammary gland cells irradiated in situ and allowed to remain in situ for 24 hr before assay by an in vivo transplantation method was assayed. The D/sub 0/ was 122 rad, the N value was 23, and the D/sub q/ was 383 rad. When these parameters are compared to those of tissue that was removed immediately after irradiation, the former has a greater N and D/sub q/ but no significant difference in D/sub 0/. Evidence is presented that these differences are due to a unique in situ form of th repair of potentially lethal radiation damage that we have termed in situ repair.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTION OF SHIFTING : FACTORIAL STRUCTURE AND RELATIONS TO PERSONALITY AND INTELLIGENCE DOMAINS

This study explores the executive function of shifting and its relation to intelligence and personality constructs. We administered four different cognitive tasks that are presumed to be markers of shifting. The exploratory factor analysis yielded a one factor solution underlying these tasks. Significant correlations between this factor and measures of intelligence were found. In addition, the shifting factor showed a significant relation to neuroticism trait and the direction of this relation implied that greater neuroticism corresponded to greater shifting costs. Our findings are in contrast with the early conceptions of executive functions as completely unrelated to intelligence and also some contemporary research showing that shifting factor is unrelated to intelligence measures, but support the findings that shifting ability is correlated with Gf. More importantly results of our study shed new light on the nature of the trait neuroticism, implying that executive functions might play a significant role in determining people’s general emotional vulnerability.
Biochanin A, a naturally occurring inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase

Background and purpose: Inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of the endogenous cannabinoid (CB) receptor ligand anandamide (AEA), are effective in a number of animal models of pain. Here, we investigated a series of isoflavones with respect to their abilities to inhibit FAAH.
Winter Use of South Florida Dry Prairie by Two Declining Grassland Passerines

Abstract. Grassland-obligate birds are undergoing some of the steepest population declines of all North American passerines. Few studies have addressed these species' patterns of habitat use in their winter ranges in the southeastern United States. The dry prairie of south-central Florida constitutes one of the largest areas of contiguous grassland remaining within this region and during winter supports a diverse group of migratory grassland-obligate birds. Modern land-use of this region has altered the ecosystem's natural fire regimes and shifted the vegetative community away from graminoids and forbs toward overabundance of woody-stemmed species such as the saw palmetto (Sereona repens). Simultaneously, the prairie's historic range has decreased with urban development and conversion to agriculture. In order to understand how these changes affect overwintering grassland birds, we documented the dry prairie's winter bird community and evaluated the effects of habitat characteristics and time since fire on the occurrence of the Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum pratensis) and Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis), two winter residents. We surveyed birds via flush transects and used an information-theoretic approach to select models that best predicted the species' occurrence. Time since fire was the best predictor of the Grasshopper Sparrow both years of our study, and occupancy by the Grasshopper Sparrow was six times more likely if transects were burned within the previous year. The Sedge Wren favored longer intervals between fires, and its response to habitat covariates in the two years differed. These results highlight the need for dry prairie to be managed with natural (1–3 years) fire-return intervals to maintain wintering habitat for declining grassland birds.
Effects of Oral Contraceptives and Obesity on Protein C Antigen

Summary In 24 women using oral contraceptives, protein C antigen was higher than in 24 women of the same age and of the same degree of obesity who were not using OC. In the pooled data for all 48 women, there was an increase in protein C of about 1% (of standard) for each 1.0 mm increase in skinfold thickness. Protein C tends to be high rather than low in circumstances predisposing to thrombosis.