Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatio-temporal variability in the cannibalistic behaviour of European hake Merluccius merluccius: the influence of recruit abundance and prey availability.

Cannibalistic behaviour of European hake Merluccius merluccius was studied through the analysis of 49 836 gut contents belonging to individuals from 6 to 82 cm in total length (L(T)). Samples were collected every autumn between 1993 and 2009. The results showed that the consumption of conspecific individuals was consistent over space and time. The abundance, spatial distribution patterns and L(T) structure of M. merluccius recruits were the main variables involved in M. merluccius cannibalism. A geographical pattern was found since increasing cannibalism was observed in areas of recruit aggregations. The L(T) spectrum of recruits in autumn was also a key factor and dependent on the spawning period. When adults spawned from late spring to summer, an increasing cannibalism trend was found in autumn, due to the ideal size structure of the prey (M. merluccius recruits) for predators. Depth was also a significant variable, and a cannibal peak was detected at depths ranging between 50 and 200 m, coinciding with a spatial overlap of predator (pre-adults) and prey (recruits). The cannibalistic behaviour of M. merluccius began at c. 12 cm, although 75% were mid-sized individuals between 16 and 30 cm. Additionally, 90% of prey-hake were recruits <18·5 cm. Some biological and ecological aspects such as growth rate, spawning period, predation and competition interactions and the effect of some oceanographic events on M. merluccius cannibalism are also discussed.
VEGF and Tumour Angiogenesis. Impact of Surgery, Wound Healing, Inflammation and Blood Transfusion

Recurrence of solid tumours after curative resection is frequently observed, presumably due to residual cancer cells. It is therefore of considerable interest to evaluate the biological events that may stimulate residual tumour cell growth and dissemination. Local angiogenic stimulation, which may be enhanced by surgical trauma, blood transfusion, wound healing, in ammation and infection may contribute to recurrent cancer disease, as emphasized in the present review.
Convergence clubs in Latin America

ABSTRACT The aim of this work is to identify convergence clubs in 17 Latin American countries in terms of GDP per capita during the period 1990–2014. To do this, we apply the methodology developed by Phillips-Sul in order to identify the different convergence clubs on the path of growth in the Latin American economy over this period. The empirical results strongly support the existence of convergence clubs, indicating that the Latin American economy consists of four groups, each converging towards its own steady-state path, with two countries being divergent.
The Integrated Academic Information System Support for Education 3.0 in Higher Education Institution: Lecturer Perspective

Education 3.0 has been implemented in many higher education institutions (HEIs). Education 3.0 has been directed the institution toward better educational experience. But on the other hands, the implementation of Education 3.0 also caused some problems. Previous research has found administrative problem experienced by the lecturer. This research explores deeper from the lecturer and suggested the solution from lecturer perspective, combined with information technology capabilities owned by the HEIs. The research used a case study as the method and conducted a qualitative research with a semi-structured interview. The interview analysis has found that the increase of the administrative processes is caused by online and offline administrative activities. The online activities are from e-learning and the offline activities are from traditional learning (face-to-face). The administrative processes also involved the academic information system (AIS). Simplified all of the administrative processes are more preferred. To overcome the problems, integrating the AIS and e-learning become necessary. This research suggests transforming the existing AIS into an integrated AIS and hopes the solution can simplify the administration process.
A study on fulfilment of political campaign promises on infrastructural development in kabwata constituency of lusaka district, Zambia

xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.0 Overview . 1 1.1 Background of the study . 1 1.2 Statement of the problem . 5 1.3 The purpose of the study . 6 1.4. 1 Objectives of the study . 6 1.4. 2 Research questions . 6 1.5 Significance of the study . 7 1.6 Theoretical framework . 7 1.7 Conceptual framework . 8 1.8 Limitations of the Study . 9 1.9 Study Sites/Delimitations . 10 1.10 Definitions of terms used in the study. 10 1.11 Summary . 11
[Sociodemographic profile and self-referred health conditions of the elderly in a city of Southern Brazil].

OBJECTIVE To assess the association between gender and age groups and socioeconomic and health variables among older adults. METHODS Cross-sectional study carried out in the a city in Southern Brazil, in 2004. Elderly over 60 years of age (N= 292) were selected through two-stage probabilistic sampling. Data from socioeconomic and demographic variables were collected through household survey. Health conditions were self-referred. Descriptive statistics, and Pearson's Chi-square test with linear-by-linear association model were used for data analysis. RESULTS Among the elderly, 67.8% were female, 84% were between 60 to 79 years and 81% considered themselves healthy. Compared to men, women were more likely to live alone (p=0.046), have no partner (p<0.001), be less educated (p=0.021), report more health conditions (p=0,003), use more medications (p=0.016), exercise less (p=0.015), be more dependent to perform activities of daily living (p<0.001), receive lower pension benefits (p<0,001), have less paid jobs (p=0.002). But women perceived themselves as having more social support (p=0.023), consumed less alcohol (p=0.003) and were not smokers (p<0.001). Those with more advanced age were less educated (p<0.001), had poorer economic conditions (p=0.004), received lower pension benefits (p<0,001), were less likely have a partner (p<0.001) and were more dependent to perform activities of daily living (p<0.001) but perceived themselves with more social support (p=0.014) and were not smokers (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Differences between gender and age group were evidenced and they were more marked among women and those with more advanced age.
Immunomodulation by vitamin B12: augmentation of CD8+ T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cell activity in vitamin B12‐deficient patients by methyl‐B12 treatment

It has been suggested that vitamin B12 (vit.B12) plays an important role in immune system regulation, but the details are still obscure. In order to examine the action of vit.B12 on cells of the human immune system, lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cell activity were evaluated in 11 patients with vit.B12 deficiency anaemia and in 13 control subjects. Decreases in the number of lymphocytes and CD8+ cells and in the proportion of CD4+ cells, an abnormally high CD4/CD8 ratio, and suppressed NK cell activity were noted in patients compared with control subjects. In all 11 patients and eight control subjects, these immune parameters were evaluated before and after methyl‐B12 injection. The lymphocyte counts and number of CD8+ cells increased both in patients and in control subjects. The high CD4/CD8 ratio and suppressed NK cell activity were improved by methyl‐B12 treatment. Augmentation of CD3−CD16+ cells occurred in patients after methyl‐B12 treatment. In contrast, antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity, lectin‐stimulated lymphocyte blast formation, and serum levels of immunoglobulins were not changed by methyl‐B12 treatment. These results indicate that vit.B12 might play an important role in cellular immunity, especially relativing to CD8+ cells and the NK cell system, which suggests effects on cytotoxic cells. We conclude that vit.B12 acts as an immunomodulator for cellular immunity.
Establishment of a Novel Permissive Cell Line for the Propagation of Hepatitis C Virus by Expression of MicroRNA miR122

ABSTRACT The robust cell culture systems for hepatitis C virus (HCV) are limited to those using cell culture-adapted clones (HCV in cell culture [HCVcc]) and cells derived from the human hepatoma cell line Huh7. However, accumulating data suggest that host factors, including innate immunity and gene polymorphisms, contribute to the variation in host response to HCV infection. Therefore, the existing in vitro systems for HCV propagation are not sufficient to elucidate the life cycle of HCV. A liver-specific microRNA, miR122, has been shown to participate in the efficient replication of HCV. In this study, we examined the possibility of establishing a new permissive cell line for HCV propagation by the expression of miR122. A high level of miR122 was expressed by a lentiviral vector placed into human liver cell lines at a level comparable to the endogenous level in Huh7 cells. Among the cell lines that we examined, Hep3B cells stably expressing miR122 (Hep3B/miR122) exhibited a significant enhancement of HCVcc propagation. Surprisingly, the levels of production of infectious particles in Hep3B/miR122 cells upon infection with HCVcc were comparable to those in Huh7 cells. Furthermore, a line of “cured” cells, established by elimination of HCV RNA from the Hep3B/miR122 replicon cells, exhibited an enhanced expression of miR122 and a continuous increase of infectious titers of HCVcc in every passage. The establishment of the new permissive cell line for HCVcc will have significant implications not only for basic HCV research but also for the development of new therapeutics.
Dividing the Waters: Water Marketing as a Conflict Resolution Strategy in the Edwards Aquifer Region

In central Texas, an increasing urban and environmental demand for water, coupled with limited supplies in the Edwards Aquifer, collided with the legal right of landowners to pump an unlimited amount of groundwater. There clearly was not enough water in the Aquifer to meet current and future needs. In response to this water crisis, the Texas legislature created the Edwards Aquifer Authority and gave it extensive regulatory power to control pumping and to reallocate water through market mechanisms. Water marketing offers a means to minimize conflicts over the reallocation of water from lower economic valued agricultural uses to higher valued domestic, industrial, environmental and recreational uses. This article outlines a conceptual framework for a market-based water reallocation system and then applies this framework to the Edwards Aquifer region. The article suggests that there is a strong willingness on the part of stakeholders in the Edwards region to use markets to reallocate water and proposes an approach to encourage market development.
Dystroglycan Function Requires Xylosyl- and Glucuronyltransferase Activities of LARGE

Going LARGE Dystroglycan (DG) is a highly glycosylated extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor involved in a variety of physiological processes, including maintenance of skeletal muscle membrane integrity and the structure and function of the central nervous system. The like-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (LARGE) is responsible for posttranslational modifications of alpha-dystroglycan (α-DG) required for its function. Now, Inamori et al. (p. 93) demonstrate that LARGE is a bifunctional glycosyltransferase able to transfer xylose and glucuronic acid. These modifications allow α-DG to bind the laminin-G domain–containing ECM ligands: laminin, agrin, and neurexin. A bifunctional enzyme adds a heteropolysaccharide to an extracellular matrix receptor, enabling it to bind laminin. Posttranslational modification of alpha-dystroglycan (α-DG) by the like-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (LARGE) is required for it to function as an extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor. Mutations in the LARGE gene have been identified in congenital muscular dystrophy patients with brain abnormalities. However, the precise function of LARGE remains unclear. Here we found that LARGE could act as a bifunctional glycosyltransferase, with both xylosyltransferase and glucuronyltransferase activities, which produced repeating units of [–3-xylose–α1,3-glucuronic acid-β1–]. This modification allowed α-DG to bind laminin-G domain–containing ECM ligands.
Leadership in a Dynamic Public Goods Game: An Experimental Study

We examine how leadership affects a dynamic public goods game. Using a setting where cooperation gains can be reinvested, our findings suggest that leadership has a positive impact on final wealth. Somewhat surprisingly, leadership also has a positive impact on reducing inequality within groups as measured by the Gini index. Based on a sequential prisoner's dilemma, we elicit types for conditional cooperation. Our results indicate that groups work best when led by cooperatively inclined individuals. Furthermore, early contributions by the leader are crucial and yield a high return.
The impact of workplace bullying on project success as mediated through individual organizational citizenship behavior: a study in Pakistan

Abstract This study examines the relationship between workplace bullying and project success in project based organizations in Pakistan. Additionally, this relationship was studied through the mediating effect of organizational citizenship behavior—individual (OCBI). Using a quantitative research method, data were collected from a number of project-based organizations in Pakistan. Based on the data collected from 254 respondents from different nongovernment organizations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, findings suggest that project success is significantly associated with workplace bullying and OCBI. In addition, it was also revealed that employees who face more bullying at workplace have low level of OCBI at work. The study contributes to the current literature in organizational behavior and project management by exhibiting how that workplace bullying relates to project success, through mediating effect of OCBI.
[Studies on the influence of acute maternal stress on the fetal endocrine system in late gestation of rats].

Prenatal stress affects fetal androgen milieu in the critical period of androgen-dependent brain differentiation, and induces permanent defects in reproductive functions of the offspring. We investigated the response of the fetal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and the function of the placenta during an acute maternal stress, in order to clarify the mechanism of central endocrine regulation in the fetus with an inappropriate androgen level under stress. Pregnant rats at day 20-21 of gestation were subjected to forced immobilization stress. The plasma concentration of corticosterone (B) and ACTH, and tissue content of CRF and beta-EP like immunoreactivities (CRF-LI, beta-EP-LI) in the maternal and fetal hypothalamus and the placenta were measured by RIA. 3H-B was administered intravenously to pregnant rats and radioactivity was measured in blood and the hypothalamus. 1. In mothers, plasma B and ACTH increased at 20 and 60 minutes of stress. Hypothalamic CRF-LI decreased and beta-EP tended to decrease during stress. 2. In fetuses, plasma B and ACTH increased significantly during maternal stress. 3. Fetal hypothalamic CRF-LI and beta-EP-LI decreased significantly in males and females under maternal stress. 4. beta-EP-LI in the placenta decreased significantly after 120 minutes of stress, and beta-EP-LI was localized in trophoblast. No CRF-stained cell was detected in the placenta. 5. 3H-B given to mothers passed through the placenta, and the maximum radioactivity in fetal blood and the hypothalamus was found at 20 minutes after the injection. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effectiveness of massage therapy for shoulder pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

[Purpose] This study performed an effect-size analysis of massage therapy for shoulder pain. [Subjects and Methods] The database search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, RISS, NDSL, NANET, DBpia, and KoreaMed. The meta-analysis was based on 15 studies, covering a total of 635 participants, and used a random effects model. [Results] The effect size estimate showed that massage therapy had a significant effect on reducing shoulder pain for short-term efficacy (SMD: −1.08, 95% CI: −1.51 to −0.65) and for long-term efficacy (SMD: −0.47, 95% CI: −0.71 to −0.23). [Conclusion] The findings from this review suggest that massage therapy is effective at improving shoulder pain. However, further research is needed, especially a randomized controlled trial design or a large sample size, to provide evidence-based recommendations.
Effect of antiseptic handwashing vs alcohol sanitizer on health care-associated infections in neonatal intensive care units.

BACKGROUND The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga, recommend use of waterless alcohol hand products in lieu of traditional handwashing for patient care, but there are few data demonstrating the impact of this recommendation on health care-associated infections. OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of 2 hand hygiene regimens on infection rates and skin condition and microbial counts of nurses' hands in neonatal intensive care units. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Clinical trial using a crossover design in 2 neonatal intensive care units in Manhattan, NY, from March 1, 2001, to January 31, 2003, including 2932 neonatal hospital admissions (51 760 patient days) and 119 nurse participants. INTERVENTION Two hand hygiene products were tested: a traditional antiseptic handwash and an alcohol hand sanitizer. Each product was used for 11 consecutive months in each neonatal intensive care unit in random order. RESULTS After adjusting for study site, birth weight, surgery, and follow-up time, there were no significant differences in neonatal infections between the 2 products; odds ratios for alcohol compared with handwashing were 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-1.25) for any infection, 0.99 (95% CI, 0.77-1.33) for bloodstream infections, 1.61 (95% CI, 0.57-5.54) for pneumonia, 1.78 (95% CI, 0.94-3.37) for skin and soft tissue infections, and 1.26 (95% CI, 0.42-3.76) for central nervous system infections. The skin condition of participating nurses was significantly improved during the alcohol phase (P = .02 and P = .049 for observer and self-assessments, respectively), but there were no significant differences in mean microbial counts on nurses' hands (3.21 and 3.11 log(10) colony-forming units for handwashing and alcohol, respectively; P = . 38). CONCLUSIONS Infection rates and microbial counts on nurses' hands were equivalent during handwashing and alcohol phases, and nurses' skin condition was improved using alcohol. However, assessing the impact on infection rates of a single intervention is challenging because of multiple contributory factors such as patient risk, unit design, and staff behavior. Other practices such as frequency and quality of hand hygiene are likely to be as important as product in reducing risk of cross-transmission.
DNA copy number changes in cervical adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE There is evidence that specific genetic events are involved in the initiation and progression of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. The genotype-phenotype correlations in cervical adenocarcinoma (AC) are unclear. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Comparative genomic hybridization was applied to screen for DNA copy number gains and losses in 22 cervical ACs of clinical stage IB. IHC was performed in all of the samples to determine HER-2/neu expression (HercepTest). RESULTS The most frequent copy number alterations were DNA sequence gains of chromosome 17q (54%). HER-2/neu expression (score 2+) was immunohistochemically detected in 2 of 22 tumors. DNA sequence losses were most prevalent on chromosomes Xq (50%), Xp (36%), 18q (36%), and 4q (36%). DNA sequence losses of chromosome 18q were associated significantly with poor prognosis in cervical AC (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS DNA sequence copy number gains of chromosome 17q are frequent events in ACs of the cervix. However, gains on 17q are not associated with HER-2/neu expression in cervical ACs. The inactivation of tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 18q might be responsible for the progression of both cervical AC and cervical squamous cell carcinoma.
How does stigma affect work in people with serious mental illnesses?

OBJECTIVES How does stigma influence whether people with serious mental illness work? We examine the relationship of public stigma (the effects that occur when people with mental illness endorse the common prejudice of mental illness) and self-stigma (the results of people with psychiatric disorders internalizing prejudice) on current and lifetime histories of work. METHODS Eighty-five persons with serious mental illness reported current work history (i.e., in the past 3 months and in the past year) and lifetime work history (i.e., "have you ever worked? "). They also completed measures of self- and public stigma, focusing on the stereotypes of responsibility and dangerousness. RESULTS Endorsement of public stigma was shown to be significantly associated with lifetime history of work and self-stigma with current history. The dangerousness cluster of public stigma was specifically associated with lifetime work. We also tested a hierarchical model of self-stigma: that people need to first be aware of the prejudice, then agree to it, next apply it to themselves, and finally experience some harm to self-esteem. Only the latter stages of self-stigma-apply and harm-were correlated with current work. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Implications of these findings for meaningfully impacting stigma change are considered. In particular, we discuss ways to change public and self-stigma in order to enhance work.
If it’s red, it’s not Vap: How competition among words may benefit early word learning

One of the most prominent issues in early cognitive and linguistic development concerns how children figure out meanings of words from hearing them in context, since in many contexts there are multiple words and multiple potential referents for those words. Recent findings concerning on-line sentence comprehension suggest that, within the conversational context, potential referents compete for mappings to words. Three experiments examined whether such competitive processes may play a role in young children’s learning of novel adjectives in an artificial word learning task. According to a competitive process view, although young children often mismap adjectives to whole objects rather than the properties of objects, explicitly mentioned familiar words should strongly map to referents consistent with those words and thereby decrease the likelihood of novel words being mismapped to these referents. Experiments 1 and 2 examined the role of the mere mention of familiar words and the role of word order in two year olds’ ability to map a novel adjective to a property. Experiment 3 examined these processes in three year olds. The results indicate that lexical competition plays a particularly strong role in helping two year olds map a novel object to a property, whereas syntactic information about form class may also be informative to older children. The results suggest how fundamental processes of lexical competition in on-line word comprehension may give young learners a way to leverage known words in learning new words.