Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Concept of Location Affordability: Recent Data on the Relationship Between Transportation, Housing, and Urban Form

Abstract The concept of location affordability holds that housing affordability should be augmented to include transportation cost as a related and substantial household cost burden. The recent United States foreclosure crisis of 2006–2008 offers an opportunity to evaluate location affordability as a concept for policy and practice by investigating the relationship between transportation cost burdens and negative housing outcomes. This article contributes to the growing literature on location affordability and the recent crisis with an analysis of default and foreclosure data for 70 metropolitan areas. The analysis includes transportation and housing cost burdens and demographic data, as well as multidimensional measures of urban form. High rates of automobility are associated with increased foreclosure. The urban form variables yield mixed results, suggesting the relationship between urban sprawl and affordability is complex. However, across a range of specifications, high levels of development intensity are associated with increased foreclosure rates. The results have implications for both the housing and transportation sectors and lend support for the notion of location affordability.
Local immune responses in sensitized sheep following challenge infection with Teladorsagia circumcincta

Sheep were sensitized by weekly infections with Teladorsagia circumcincta over a 9‐week period. After a 12‐week rest, sheep were divided into four groups and killed without challenge or 3, 5 and 10 days post challenge (DPC) with 50 000 L3. Recovery of challenge larvae from abomasal scrapings was highest at 3 DPC while no parasites were recovered by 10 DPC. Abomasal lymph nodes (ALN) of challenged sheep were significantly larger at 5 DPC, coinciding with an increase in the proportion of CD4 T cells and a decrease in CD21+ cells, probably reflecting the loss of CD21 from terminally differentiated antibody secreting cells. A significant increase was observed in γδ‐TCR+ cells at 3 DPC in the ALN, while their number slightly decreased in the abomasal tissues throughout the challenge period. The number of tissue eosinophils was dramatically increased after challenge compared with the unchallenged controls, with a peak at 3 DPC, coinciding with the peak in larval recovery. CD4+ cells significantly increased in the abomasal tissues at 5 DPC, while no changes in globule leucocytes were observed until 10 DPC. Antibody‐secreting cell probes (ASC‐probes) generated from the ALN showed highest reactivity against larval antigens at 5 DPC. This reactivity was predominantly directed against regions between 90 and 100 kDa and 30–35 kDa in the L3 preparation and lower molecular weight antigens in the L4. No reactivity was observed against the adult extract. The 30–35 kDa antigen seemed to exist as a high molecular weight complex in L3 homogenate and was not susceptible to protease K treatment, suggesting it may be non‐protein in nature.
Importance of Patients’ Knowledge of Their Prescribed Medication in Improving Treatment Adherence in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Goals: To investigate the association between treatment nonadherence and patients’ knowledge of the prescribed medication among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and evaluate the impact of nonadherence on relapse. Background: The patient’s knowledge of the prescribed medication has been identified as an important predictor of treatment adherence in chronic diseases. However, this association has not been examined in IBD. Study: In this prospective study, at baseline, 138 patients with IBD completed a self-reported survey on demographic data, knowledge of the prescribed medication, and candidate factors related to the degree of treatment adherence. To investigate the impact of nonadherence among patients in remission, relapse was analyzed for 18 months after enrollment. Results: Nonadherence was observed in 50 (36.2%) of the 138 subjects. In multivariate analysis, nonadherence was significantly associated with younger age (less than 30 y) at participation [odds ratio (OR), 5.88; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.51-22.94; P=0.011], longer intervals between outpatient clinic visits (≥3 mo) (OR, 30.31; 95% CI, 3.06-300.17; P=0.004), and limited knowledge of the prescribed medication (OR, 5.61; 95% CI, 1.60-19.67; P=0.038). Nonadherent patients had a significantly greater risk of relapse of IBD than adherent patients (relative risk, 2.9; 95% CI, 2.25-3.79; P=0.045). Conclusion: Younger age, longer intervals between outpatient clinic visits, and limited knowledge of the prescribed medication tended to be associated with nonadherence to treatment, which consequently also affects the risk of relapse.
Detection of epstein‐barr virus antigens with enzyme‐conjugated antibody

Monospecific conjugated (fluorescein isothiocynate and horseradish peroxidase) goat antisera, prepared against three human immunoglobulin classes, IgM (μ), IgG (γ) and IgA (α), were compared for their ability to detect human Ig classes possessing specificity for Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigens (VCA) in a chronically infected human lymphoid cell line, P3J‐HRIK. It was determined that the enzyme system was significantly more sensitive than immunofluorescence in detecting most of the immunoglobulins in sera from cancer patients. Some patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) had extremely high levels of EBV‐specific IgA, whereas cancers other than NPC may have lower EBV‐specific IgA titers.
Possible Modes of Allergen-Specific Sensitization and Boosting in an Atopic Child

Several studies document that allergen-specific IgE levels are boosted by allergen contact via the respiratory tract in allergic patients. Only few data are available on whether other routes of allergen contact have an influence on systemic IgE responses. We report the case of a boy who developed egg allergy after heavy consumption of eggs by the mother during pregnancy and breast feeding. In contrast to other children who outgrow egg allergy during the first years of life, the boy experienced further dramatic increases in hen egg-specific IgE antibodies after prolonged consumption of ostrich eggs containing cross-reactive allergens. IgE antibodies to most of the important respiratory allergens remained either low or not detectable. The dramatic increases in hen egg-specific IgE antibody levels after oral intake of allergens demonstrate that systemic IgE responses in allergic patients can be strongly boosted by allergen contact via routes other than the respiratory tract.
The Lipid Kinase PIKfyve Coordinates the Neutrophil Immune Response through the Activation of the Rac GTPase

Neutrophils rapidly arrive at an infection site because of their unparalleled chemotactic ability, after which they unleash numerous attacks on pathogens through degranulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as by phagocytosis, which sequesters pathogens within phagosomes. Phagosomes then fuse with lysosomes and granules to kill the enclosed pathogens. A complex signaling network composed of kinases, GTPases, and lipids, such as phosphoinositides, helps to coordinate all of these processes. There are seven species of phosphoinositides that are interconverted by lipid kinases and phosphatases. PIKfyve is a lipid kinase that generates phosphatidylinositol-3,5-bisphosphate and, directly or indirectly, phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate [PtdIns(5)P]. PIKfyve inactivation causes massive lysosome swelling, disrupts membrane recycling, and, in macrophages, blocks phagosome maturation. In this study, we explored for the first time, to our knowledge, the role of PIKfyve in human and mouse neutrophils. We show that PIKfyve inhibition in neutrophils does not affect granule morphology or degranulation, but it causes LAMP1+ lysosomes to engorge. Additionally, PIKfyve inactivation blocks phagosome–lysosome fusion in a manner that can be rescued, in part, with Ca2+ ionophores or agonists of TRPML1, a lysosomal Ca2+ channel. Strikingly, PIKfyve is necessary for chemotaxis, ROS production, and stimulation of the Rac GTPases, which control chemotaxis and ROS. This is consistent with observations in nonleukocytes that showed that PIKfyve and PtdIns(5)P control Rac and cell migration. Overall, we demonstrate that PIKfyve has a robust role in neutrophils and propose a model in which PIKfyve modulates phagosome maturation through phosphatidylinositol-3,5-bisphosphate–dependent activation of TRPML1, whereas chemotaxis and ROS are regulated by PtdIns(5)P-dependent activation of Rac.
Students' Perspectives after Participation in a Mandated College Level Alcohol Intervention Program: A Phenomenological Study

Alcohol abuse among college students continues to be a significant problem by which the consequences impact the student, their peers, and the university. Although quantitative research with volunteer participants supports the use of enhanced brief motivational interventions and cognitive behavioral skills training in reducing risky drinking behavior (binge drinking), research with mandated students has shown inconsistent findings. The current study is a phenomenological qualitative study exploring the students’ perspectives after attending a mandated college-level alcohol intervention program. Mandated students are students who have been referred to an alcohol intervention as a result of violating an alcohol related policy on campus. Protective behavioral strategies were used by the mandated students and perceived as helpful in reducing alcohol consumption and minimizing alcohol related consequences. Mandated students expressed more satisfaction with meeting face-to-face in the SPARK motivational intervention as compared to computer-based intervention programs. Factors that facilitate motivation to change are a relatively untapped field of exploration. There is a relationship between the satisfaction with the facilitator and satisfaction with the alcohol intervention. As a result, the SPARK participants reported reducing their risky drinking behavior. Mandated students should attend a face-to-face motivational intervention consisting of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral skills in an effort to influence a motivation to change. Nine themes emerged from the data. The findings build on previous research by providing a more nuanced understanding of mandated students’ experience through a collegelevel alcohol intervention program called SPARK. 2015 by Suzanna L. Guizar All Rights Reserved
Research on Internet of Things Based on SOPC

An Internet of things system using Cyclone EP2C8 FPGA chip of Altera is designed and researched in this paper, which integrated NiosII soft-core processor, memory, functional interfaces with SOPC (system on a programmable chip) technology. The μC/OS-II embedded operating system is transplanted here to realize the network communication through driving the network chip. Simultaneously, the message stored in card can be correctly identified, recorded, added up by RFID technology, and sent to internet according to the requirement of communication. Thus, the internet of things function is realized.
Interference of interleukin-10 with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in primary monocyte-derived macrophages

Previously we demonstrated an inhibitory effect of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on establishment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in primary macrophages. The reported similarities between the biological effects of IL-4 and IL-10 prompted us to study the effect of IL-10 on HIV-1 replication. Treatment of primary macrophages with IL-10 resulted in inhibition of HIV-1 infection. This inhibitory effect was specific for macrophages, since IL-10 did not interfere with HIV-1 replication in primary T cells. Semiquantitative PCR analysis excluded an inhibitory effect of IL-10 on virus entry and reverse transcription. Effects of IL-10 on HIV-1 long terminal repeat-driven chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity also could not be demonstrated in a transient expression system in primary derived macrophages. In agreement with this, Northern (RNA) blot analysis demonstrated equal amounts of viral RNA species irrespective of IL-10 treatment, also excluding an inhibitory effect on elongation of virus transcription. Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) treated with IL-10 after HIV-1 inoculation showed accumulation of apparently mature p24 protein suggestive of an inhibitory effect at the level of virus assembly. IL-10 treatment of MDM prior to HIV-1 inoculation did not result in accumulation of p24 protein. Immunoblot analysis indeed showed the absence of mature p24 and gp120 but accumulation of the Pr53 gag-encoded protein in HIV-1-inoculated, IL-10-pretreated MDM, suggesting an inhibitory effect at the level of protein processing. A combination of IL-4 and IL-10 resulted in a cumulative inhibitory effect on HIV-1 replication in MDM. The recent observation that in the course of HIV-1 infection a shift occurs in the production of IL-2/gamma interferon toward enhanced IL-4 and IL-10 production and the reported shift from preferential macrophage-tropic towards preferential T-cell-tropic HIV-1 variants with progression of disease suggest that cytokines have an important role in the in vivo regulation of HIV-1 tropism.
Cultural dynamics: the interplay of culture, leadership and performance in Information Systems projects

Despite a long interest in Information Systems (IS) development, the need to improve the success rates of IS projects remains relevant. Continuing disappointment with project performance has led to suggestions that a broadening of the project management (PM) conceptual base could bring new insights to this enduring problem. Consequently, this study acknowledges the sociological nature of IS projects and will explore the dynamic interaction of culture and leadership to expose better explanations for project performance. This interpretive study will use the Cultural Dynamics Model (CDM) as a theoretical lens, and will privilege a view of ‘ data as text’ over ‘ data as fact ’ by accentuating reflexivity in the research. Four IS projects in two organizations will serve as cases in a multiple case study approach. This paper argues for a dynamic, reflexive study of culture and leadership and positions the CDM as an appropriate theoretical framework to support this approach.
Evidence of a Cadmium‐Thionein and the Glycine Cleavage System in Oxytricha granulifera

ABSTRACT. This work presents the further purification of a Cd‐linking protein in Oxytricha granulifera by reverse‐phase chromatography. This protein contains 25% cysteine and no aromatic amino acid. it may be considered as a chelatin with some similarity to metallothioneins. During the purification of another Cd‐linking compound, we were able to demonstrate that the H protein precursor of glycine cleavage is present in Oxytricha. This is the first finding of the presence of this system in Protozoa.
Evaluating Strategic Approaches to Competitive Displacement: The Case of the U.S. Newspaper Industry

ABSTRACT The concept of competitive displacement is central to theories of media evolution, and the threat that the Internet has posed to printed newspapers provides an ongoing case study on the topic. In particular, this situation offers an opportunity to examine the strategic efforts of print newspapers to prevent competitive displacement, as well as the effectiveness of these strategies. This article addresses these issues through an analysis of a unique data set, constructed from 20 years of newspaper circulation data, as well as data on local market characteristics, newspaper staffing and content variety, and state-level Internet penetration. Specifically, this article examines whether, and to what extent, these competitive strategies impacted local print newspaper circulation trends over this 20-year time period. This analysis focuses on the following strategic responses: (a) newspapers’ launching of online versions (a diversification strategy within the language of media evolution literature); and (b) newspapers’ efforts to cover a greater variety of subject areas, as measured by the number of editors and special editorial sections produced. (The authors characterize these as a “mimicking” strategy from media evolution literature, as this strategy essentially represents an effort to simulate the much greater content variety that readers can find online). This article examines the relationships between these circulation, strategic, and Internet penetration variables over a 20-year time period, while also taking into account relevant characteristics of local newspaper markets.
Functional organization of the kdp genes of Escherichia coli K-12

The kdp genes code for a high-affinity and repressible K+ transport system. The regulation and organization of the kdp genes were analyzed by studies of constitutive mutants and of strains in which bacteriophage lambda is integrated into the kdp genes. The polar effects of lambda integration demonstrate that three of the kdp genes form an operon, kdpABC, read from A to C. The kdpD gene is a separate transcription unit and is the site of mutations making expression of the kdp genes partially constitutive. The constitutive mutants are dominant to kdpD+ in diploids. These findings, the fact that kdpD mutations identified previously are Kdp-, and the existence of intracistronic complementation between some kdpD mutations indicate that the kdpD gene product is an oligomeric positive regulator of the kdp genes. Deletions extending clockwise from kdp as far as the gltA locus were isolated from strains with bacteriophage lambda integrated into kdpD. Plaque-forming transducing lambda phages carrying the kdpABC operon were isolated.
A DVH-guided IMRT optimization algorithm for automatic treatment planning and adaptive radiotherapy replanning.

PURPOSE To develop a novel algorithm that incorporates prior treatment knowledge into intensity modulated radiation therapy optimization to facilitate automatic treatment planning and adaptive radiotherapy (ART) replanning. METHODS The algorithm automatically creates a treatment plan guided by the DVH curves of a reference plan that contains information on the clinician-approved dose-volume trade-offs among different targets/organs and among different portions of a DVH curve for an organ. In ART, the reference plan is the initial plan for the same patient, while for automatic treatment planning the reference plan is selected from a library of clinically approved and delivered plans of previously treated patients with similar medical conditions and geometry. The proposed algorithm employs a voxel-based optimization model and navigates the large voxel-based Pareto surface. The voxel weights are iteratively adjusted to approach a plan that is similar to the reference plan in terms of the DVHs. If the reference plan is feasible but not Pareto optimal, the algorithm generates a Pareto optimal plan with the DVHs better than the reference ones. If the reference plan is too restricting for the new geometry, the algorithm generates a Pareto plan with DVHs close to the reference ones. In both cases, the new plans have similar DVH trade-offs as the reference plans. RESULTS The algorithm was tested using three patient cases and found to be able to automatically adjust the voxel-weighting factors in order to generate a Pareto plan with similar DVH trade-offs as the reference plan. The algorithm has also been implemented on a GPU for high efficiency. CONCLUSIONS A novel prior-knowledge-based optimization algorithm has been developed that automatically adjust the voxel weights and generate a clinical optimal plan at high efficiency. It is found that the new algorithm can significantly improve the plan quality and planning efficiency in ART replanning and automatic treatment planning.
A comparative study of the effect of spray drying and hot‐melt extrusion on the properties of amorphous solid dispersions containing felodipine

To compare the properties of solid dispersions of felodipine for oral bioavailability enhancement using two different polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), by hot‐melt extrusion (HME) and spray drying.
Narrowband Interference Cancelation Based on Priori Aided Compressive Sensing for DTMB Systems

In this paper, a novel narrowband interference (NBI) cancelation scheme based on priori aided compressive sensing (CS) for digital terrestrial multimedia broadcasting systems is proposed. The repeated training sequences in the transmitted symbols are exploited by differential measuring to acquire the CS measuring vector of the NBI, and for joint acquisition of the NBI support priori. Using the proposed priori aided sparsity adaptive matching pursuit algorithm, the sparse high-dimensional NBI can be accurately reconstructed from the measuring vector of much smaller size obtained through the proposed CS-based differential measuring method. It is verified by theoretical analysis and simulations that the proposed method outperforms conventional anti-NBI methods under multipath broadcasting channels.
Essays in the Economics of Long-Term Care Utilization

This research examines three factors – macroeconomic conditions, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, and inter-vivos transfers – that influence both the availability of long-term care services and the use of these services. The first essay explores how changes in the macroeconomy, specifically the 2007-2009 “Great Recession,” affect the utilization of paid and unpaid long-term care services. It is theoretically unclear how long-term care use should be affected by such downturns, as an individual’s health status, wealth, insurance coverage and access to care are all likely to change during a significant downturn such as the “Great Recession. ” Using data from the 1998-2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a survey that follows Americans over the age of 50 as they begin to transition into retirement, we estimate the effects of changes in the unemployment rate at both the national and county levels on long-term care use. We find consistent evidence that overall care use declines significantly during downturns, with additional results suggesting that these results may be driven by reductions in individual wealth and improvements in individual health status. The second essay examines how the implementation of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, a policy that imposed stricter regulations about how individuals could “spend down” their assets to become Medicaid eligible, impacts both asset transfers and long-term care use among the elderly. Using data from the 1998-2010 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, I estimate the effects of this policy using a difference-in-difference framework. Overall, individuals seem to substitute from making inter-vivos transfers to holding assets in trusts in response to the enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act. With regard to care use, individuals seem to substitute from in-home long-term care to more visits to both doctors and adult day care facilities following the DRA, an effect primarily driven by the wealthiest and youngest individuals. The third essay investigates the relationship between parent-to-child inter-vivos asset transfers and future informal care provision by that child. Using data from the 1998 – 2010 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, I am able to use the timing of the transfers and the care use to describe this relationship. The results suggest that the receipt of an inter-vivos transfer during the previous two years is strongly positively correlated with that child’s likelihood of providing care during the previous month. In addition, I confirm a previous finding in the literature that child’s gender, relationship to the parent and geographical proximity to the parent all significantly influence the child’s decision to provide care.