Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A randomised controlled trial of the effects of implementation intentions on women's walking behaviour

The combination of low physical activity rates and increased cardiovascular deaths indicate the overwhelming need for behaviour change interventions that can effectively promote physical activity among sedentary women. This 11-week randomised controlled trial examined the effects of an implementation intentions intervention on sedentary women's walking behaviour. Seventy-five women (M age = 48.17) were randomly assigned to either a control group where they were required to self-monitor their daily pedometer-determined step count or to an experimental group where they were asked to form specific walking plans (i.e. implementation intentions) every 6 weeks and to self-monitor their daily pedometer-determined step count. Measures of exercise intentions, perceived behavioural control, scheduling and barrier self-efficacy were administered at baseline, week 6 and week 11. Analyses indicated higher step counts over the first 6 weeks for women in the experimental condition (p < 0.02). Furthermore, higher self-efficacy to schedule (p < 0.01) and overcome walking barriers (p < 0.03), as well as higher perceptions of behavioural control (p < 0.02) were found at week 11 for women in the experimental versus control condition. However, none of the control beliefs were found to mediate the effects of the intervention on the women's walking behaviour. Furthermore, the intervention did not have any effect on the strength of the goal intention–behaviour relationship. The findings suggest implementation intentions are an effective strategy for initiating leisure-time walking within sedentary women.
Host selling in cyberspace: Product personalities and character advertising on popular children’s websites

This study examines the extent to which character advertising and other host-selling practices prevail on popular children’s websites and assesses whether commercial sites geared toward young users are complying with voluntary guidelines calling for a clear separation between advertising and content. A longitudinal analysis of 101 of the most popular children’s websites over a six-year period (2003, 2006 and 2009) found the integration of content and advertising through the use of spokescharacters, advergaming, and product personalities to be common. A majority of sites employed characters in their online advertising and most did not identify advertising with an explicit label when characters were featured on their homepages. A similar pattern was found for product-based games that featured spokescharacters. Branded sites with a recognizable product were much more likely to employ spokescharacters in product-based games than non-branded sites, and to use popular characters in their advertising. Over time, fewer websites featured product characters on their home pages, while the use of character advertising in product-based games inside websites increased substantially.
Improved Power Transformer Model for DC Biasing Analysis Considering Transient Leakage Reluctances

This paper presents an improved power transformer model for analyzing the performance of power system under DC bias. To study the influences of DC current on both the power transformer and the system, the characteristics of transformer leakage paths are required to be analyzed in detail. The field computation by time-stepping finite element method is indirectly coupled with electromagnetic circuit simulation to obtain the equivalent transient leakage reluctances of the on-line power transformer. A simplified system with a 240 MVA/500 kV single-phase power transformer has been studied as an example. The simulation results show that the flux and energy in the leakage paths of DC biased power transformer would change noticeably when transient leakage reluctances are considered. It would improve the simulation accuracy by taking transient leakage reluctances into account when evaluating DC bias phenomenon, especially for the cases caused by leakage flux.
Vitamin D receptor BsmI polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk: an updated analysis.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have investigated the association between the vitamin D receptor (VDR) BsmI polymorphism and colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility, but the results were conflicting. The aim of this study is to quantitatively summarize the relationship between this polymorphism and CRC risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two investigators independently searched the Medline, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Chinese Biomedicine databases for studies published before November 2013. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for VDR BsmI polymorphism and CRC were calculated in a fixed- effects model (the Mantel-Haenszel method) and a random-effects model (the DerSimonian and Laird method) when appropriate. RESULTS This meta-analysis included 14 case-control studies, which included 10,822 CRC cases and 11,779 controls. Overall, the variant genotype (BB) of the BsmI was associated with a lower CRC risk when compared with the wild-type bb homozygote (OR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.49-0.88). Similarly, a decreased CRC risk was also found in the dominant and recessive models. When stratifying for ethnicity, source of controls, and study sample size, associations were observed among Caucasians, population-based studies and studies with large study sample size (>1000 subjects). Limiting the analysis to the studies within Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the results were persistent and robust. No publication bias was found in the present study. CONCLUSIONS This updated meta-analysis suggests that the VDR BsmI polymorphism may be associated with a moderate protective effect against CRC.
Does prenatal cadmium exposure affect fetal and child growth?

Objectives Cadmium is known to be a significant health hazard, but most information comes from studies of adults. The effects of exposure to cadmium during fetal life on early growth and development remain uncertain. In this study we investigated the placental transport of cadmium and the effects of prenatal cadmium exposure on fetal and child growth in Taiwan. Methods The data in this study were from a birth cohort study in Taiwan which started in 2004. Pregnant women were recruited from four hospitals and interviewed after delivery to collect information on themselves and their infants. Children were followed up to obtain information on growth up to 3 years of age. Whole blood cadmium concentrations in maternal and cord blood samples were measured and the relationship with birth size and growth assessed using linear regression and mixed models. Results 321 maternal blood samples and 402 cord blood samples were eligible for analysis. Among 289 pairs with maternal and cord blood suitable for measurement, the median cadmium concentration in cord blood (0.31 μg/l) was less than that in maternal blood (1.05 μg/l), with low correlation between the two (r=0.04). An increase in cord blood cadmium was found to be associated with newborn decreased head circumference and to be significantly and consistently associated with a decrease in height, weight and head circumference up to 3 years of age. Conclusions Placental transport of cadmium is limited. However, prenatal cadmium exposure may have a detrimental effect on head circumference at birth and child growth in the first 3 years of life.
ATM Mediates Phosphorylation at Multiple p53 Sites, Including Ser46, in Response to Ionizing Radiation*

The p53 tumor suppressor protein preserves genome integrity by regulating growth arrest and apoptosis in response to DNA damage. In response to ionizing radiation (IR), ATM, the gene product mutated in ataxia telangiectasia, stabilizes and activates p53 through phosphorylation of Ser15 and (indirectly) Ser20. Here we show that phosphorylation of p53 on Ser46, a residue important for p53 apoptotic activity, as well as on Ser9, in response to IR also is dependent on the ATM protein kinase. IR-induced phosphorylation at Ser46 was inhibited by wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, but not PD169316, a p38 MAPK inhibitor. p53 C-terminal acetylation at Lys320 and Lys382, which may stabilize p53 and activate sequence-specific DNA binding, required Ser15phosphorylation by ATM and was enhanced by phosphorylation at nearby residues including Ser6, Ser9, and Thr18. These observations, together with the proposed role of Ser46 phosphorylation in mediating apoptosis, suggest that ATM is involved in the initiation of p53-dependent apoptosis after IR in human lymphoblastoid cells.
A Review of Time-Series Studies Used to Evaluate the Short-Term Effects of Air Pollution on Human Health

We review the methodology used in the analysis of time-series studies of ambient air pollution. Our focus is on mortality studies, in which daily counts of death are correlated with changes in air pollution. We first illustrate the methods by showing data from the 1950s, during which the effects of air pollution were much more pronounced, and then describe current methods that were developed to identify associations when the signal-to-noise ratio is much lower. We describe basic data sources, details of statistical methods, and current state of the art, especially as it refers to problems found recently with the fitting algorithm used in the generalized additive models. A summary of the findings from mortality studies is presented and the pre-eminent issues regarding methods, interpretation, and identification of susceptible populations are discussed. We conclude by describing possible biological mechanisms and suggesting other designs that will aid in the interpretation of data from studies of acute health effects.
Effects of dibutylphthalate and ethynylestradiol on liver peroxisomes, reproduction, and development of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The aim of the present work was to study the effects of the peroxisome proliferator dibutylphthalate (DBP) and the xenoestrogen 17α‐ethynylestradiol (EE2) on liver peroxisomes, reproduction, and development of zebrafish (Danio rerio). In experiment 1, newly fertilized zebrafish eggs were exposed for five weeks, covering the entire period of sexual determination, to nominal concentrations of 25 and 100 μg/L of DBP and 5 μg/L of EE2. In experiment 2, adult female zebrafish were exposed for 15 d to 100 and 500 μg/L of DBP and 5 μg/L of EE2, and afterward, they were paired with untreated males to study the effects in the resultant offspring. Ethynylestradiol provoked marked mortality (∼50%) and delayed development of larvae as well as sterility of adult females, possibly related to alterations in aromatase gene expression. Ethynylestradiol up‐regulated vitellogenin expression in the early life stages and increased vitellogenin synthesis and accumulation in adult females. Ethynylestradiol caused liver peroxisome proliferation in early life stages but not in adult females. Dibutylphthalate caused teratogenic effects in early life stages and mortality of the larvae obtained from exposed females. Dibutylphthalate provoked liver peroxisome proliferation and up‐regulation of cytochrome P450A1 in early life stages at the end of the exposure and in adult females. Dibutylphthalate also up‐regulated the expression of aromatase genes. In conclusion, the xenoestrogen EE2 caused liver peroxisome proliferation in early life stages of zebrafish, but the peroxisome proliferator DBP did not behave as a typical xenoestrogen. Overall, changes in gene expression were more marked during early life stages than in adult female zebrafish.
Increased serum levels of interferon‐γ‐inducible protein 10 and monokine induced by gamma interferon in patients with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

We measured serum interferon‐gamma‐inducible protein 10 (IP‐10) and monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) levels to investigate the role of these molecules in the pathophysiology of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Serum IP‐10 and MIG levels were significantly increased in patients with active HLH compared with those of healthy controls. Serum MIG levels decreased gradually during the course of disease in a patient who recovered without therapy. On the other hand, rapid reduction of MIG and IP‐10 levels was observed after chemotherapy in a patient with severe HLH. IP‐10 and MIG mRNA expression was enhanced in liver and spleen, and IP‐10 mRNA expression was enhanced in bone marrow in the patients, suggesting activated macrophages that infiltrated in these organs as one of the main producers of these cytokines. Serum IP‐10 and MIG levels showed a significant correlation with serum IFN‐γ levels. In addition, these chemokines had a significant correlation with fever and serum LDH levels, which are clinical indicators of disease activity of HLH. These results suggest that IP‐10 and MIG which are produced by activated macrophages by the stimulation of IFN‐γ, play an important role in the pathophysiology of HLH, by recruitment of activated Th1 cells into the tissues or organs.
Germ line specific expression of a vasa homologue gene in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): Evidence for vasa localization at cleavage furrows in euteleostei

Specification of primordial germ cells during early embryogenesis is a critical biological issue in reproduction and development. Yet, little is known in marine economic fish species. Vasa, a component of germ plasm, is the most‐documented germ cell marker in teleosts. We isolated a full‐length vasa cDNA (Smvas) from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), a marine Euteleostei species, and investigated its expression patterns by RT‐PCR and in situ hybridization during embryogenesis and gametogenesis to identify the germ cell lineage in this species. The deduced amino acid sequence of the isolated cDNA shared typical characteristics of Vasa protein and high identity to Vasa homologues in medaka (76.9%) and zebrafish (68.5%). The Smvas transcripts were exclusively detected in germ cells of testis and ovary, and exhibited an interesting dynamic localization pattern during oogenesis. The distribution pattern of Smvas during embyogenesis in this Euteleostei closely resembled the pattern observed in zebrafish (belonging to Osteriophysans) rather than medaka (belonging to Euteleostei). Thus, it is concluded that Smvas isolated in this study is a germ cell specific molecular marker in turbot. Furthermore, we hypothesize that Euteleostei could localize vasa mRNA by a special mode. The results not only facilitate the germ cell manipulation of the turbot, but also improve our understanding of germline development and evolution of vasa localization in teleost. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 803–813, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY

New Mexico State University (NMSU) was founded in 1888 as the state’s land-grant university. Through serving the educational needs of New Mexico’s diverse population, NMSU has provided comprehensive programs of education, research, extension education and public service. Upon its founding, NMSU was known as Las Cruces College and later renamed New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. In 1960, the constitution of New Mexico formally recognized the institution as NMSU. Today, NMSU is a major institution of higher education. Throughout its history, the university has preserved many traditions of its land-grant origin while also increasing emphasis on the fine arts, humanities, social and natural sciences.
Distributed Instructional Leadership in Urban High Schools: Transforming the Work of Principals and Department Chairs through Professional Development

The current press for accountability and sustainable school reforms has intensified demands on high school principals to focus on leadership actions and behaviors that influence student learning outcomes. Within this environment, high school principals have had to rethink their traditional responsibilities for successful management of structures, cultures, and daily operations. Though these management tasks are still important, principals have begun to recenter their work on leadership for learning—both student learning and professional learning within schools (i.e., instructional leadership). As numerous scholars have reported, such leadership is second only to classroom instruction among school-related factors that influence student learning and successful school reforms efforts (Leithwood, Day, Sammons, Harris, & Hopkins, 2006; Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004). Given the size and complexity of urban high schools, the tasks associated with instructional leadership across all academic and service units in the school are daunting, even for the most skilled and experienced principals. Leadership for learning requires more than heroic intentions and
Cytotoxicity of antimicrobial tissue conditioners containing silver-zeolite.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of incorporating antimicrobial silver-zeolite on the in vitro cytotoxicities of five tissue conditioners against the living dermal model, which consisted of normal human dermal fibroblasts in a collagen lattice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples of each tissue conditioner containing silver-zeolite (2 wt% and 5 wt%) were prepared; samples without silver-zeolite were used as a control. Cytotoxicity of each sample against the living dermal model was evaluated by cell viability with MTT assay. RESULTS Cell viabilities for Visco-Gel, GC Soft-Liner, FITT, and SR-Ivoseal decreased with increasing silver-zeolite content. Cell viability for Shofu Tissue Conditioner showed no significant difference with degree of silver-zeolite incorporation and had higher values than other tissue conditioners. CONCLUSION Individual compounds eluted from tissue conditioners and silver ions released from silver-zeolite might cause such cytotoxicity. The results suggest that Shofu Tissue Conditioner is a possible candidate for a novel antimicrobial tissue conditioner containing silver-zeolite because it showed the highest cell viability and the smallest influence of incorporating silver-zeolite.
Structure and optical properties of several organic-inorganic hybrids containing corner-sharing chains of bismuth iodide octahedra.

Two organic-inorganic bismuth iodides of the form (H3N-R-NH3)BiI5 are reported, each containing long and relatively flexible organic groups, R. The norganic framework in each case consists of distorted BiI6 octahedra sharing cis vertexes to form zigzag chains. Crystals of (H3NC18H24S2NH3)BiI5 were grown from a slowly cooled ethylene glycol/2-butanol solution containing bismuth(III) iodide and AETH.2HI, where AETH = 1,6-bis[5'-(2' '-aminoethyl)-2'-thienyl]hexane. The new compound, (H2AETH)BiI5, adopts an orthorhombic (Aba2) cell with the lattice parameters a = 20.427(3) A, b = 35.078(5) A, c = 8.559(1) A, and Z = 8. The structure consists of corrugated layers of BiI5(2-) chains, with Bi-I bond lengths ranging from 2.942(3) to 3.233(3) A, separated by layers of the organic (H2AETH)(2+) cations. Crystals of the analogous (H3NC12H24NH3)BiI5 compound were also prepared from a concentrated aqueous hydriodic acid solution containing bismuth(III) iodide and the 1,12-dodecanediamine (DDDA) salt, DDDA.2HI. (H2DDDA)BiI5 crystallizes in an orthorhombic (Ibam) cell with a = 17.226(2) A, b = 34.277(4) A, c = 8.654(1) A, and Z = 8. The Bi-I bonds range in length from 2.929(1) to 3.271(1) A. While the inorganic chain structure is nearly identical for the two title compounds, as well as for the previously reported (H3NC6H12NH3)BiI5 [i.e., (H2DAH)BiI5] structure, the packing of the chains is strongly influenced by the choice of organic cation. Optical absorption spectra for thermally ablated thin films of the three organic-inorganic hybrids containing BiI5(2-) chains are reported as a function of temperature (25-290 K). The dominant long-wavelength feature in each case is attributed to an exciton band, which is apparent at room temperature and, despite the similar inorganic chain structure, varies in position from 491 to 541 nm (at 25 K).
Explaining Congressional Approval

Theory: Aggregate public approval of the United States Congress declines when Congress acts as required by its institutional role as both a representative and legislative body. Hypothesis: The passage of major legislation, veto overrides, and internal discord are all anticipated to drive downward public support of Congress. Methods: While previous analyses of Congressional approval have relied on annual time series, we employ a measurement strategy that permits us to tap into over 40 different survey items administered nearly 300 times to produce a quarterly measure of approval, extending from the first quarter of 1974 through the fourth quarter of 1993. A distributed-lag time series regression model is estimated to test our hypotheses. Results: The analysis presented below supports the hypothesis that citizens' attitudes toward Congress respond in the aggregate to veto overrides, intra-Congress conflict, and the passage of major bills. As such, our results stand in contrast to those of earlier studies of Congressional approval, which have typically relied on explanatory variables that are beyond the control of Congress. Approval is also shown to be a function of both economic expectations and New York Times' coverage of Congress.
The Association Between the Cardio-ankle Vascular Index and Other Parameters of Vascular Structure and Function in Caucasian Adults: MARK Study.

AIM We assessed whether there is an association between the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) score and the carotid intima media thickness (IMT), the pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the central augmentation index (CAIx) that is independent of the subject's cardiovascular risk and pharmacological treatment. METHODS The CAVI score was measured in 500 subjects using a VaSera device and the brachial ankle PWV (ba-PWV) was calculated. A carotid ultrasound was used to measure the IMT. A Mobil-O-Graph device was used to measure the carotid femoral PWV (cf-PWV) and the CAIx. The Framingham-D'Agostino and SCORE scales were used to measure the subject's cardiovascular risk. RESULTS The mean value of the CAVI score was 8.59 ± 1.1. IMT, CAIx and PWV maintained a positive association with the CAVI score (p ＜ 0.01) in a multiple linear regression analysis, after adjusting for the subject's cardiovascular risk, body mass index and pharmacological treatment. The cut-off level that gave the maxima sensitivity and specificity to detect a mean IMT of ＞ 0.90 mm was 8.95 (AUC=0.67) for the CAVI score, 8.85 (AUC=0.66) for cf-PWV and 15.10 (AUC=0.66) for ba-PWV. The cut-off to detect a maxima IMT of ＞ 0.90 mm was 8.60 (AUC=0.62) for the CAVI score, 8.85 (AUC=0.64) for cf-PWV and 15.75 (AUC=0.70) for ba-PWV. CONCLUSION There was a positive association of the CAVI score with vascular structure and function parameters that was independent of cardiovascular risk and any medications being used by the subject. The ability of the CAVI score to predict carotid atherosclerosis is similar to that of cf-PWV and ba-PWV in Caucasian adults.