Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cohort Mortality Study in Three Ceramic Factories in Jingdezhen in China *

Xiaokang ZHANG (张小康), Haijiao WANG (王海椒), Xiaomin ZHU (祝笑敏), Yuewei LIU (刘跃伟), Limin WANG (汪利民),Qici DAI (戴启瓷), Niane CAI (蔡年娥), Tangchun WU (邬堂春), Weihong CHEN (陈卫红) Department of Occupational & Environmental Health and Key Lab of Environmental and Health of the Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China The Bureau of Public Health in Jingdezhen, Jingdezhen 333000, China The Center of Diseases Control of Jingdezhen, Jingdenzhen 333000, China
List Decoding of Algebraic-Geometric Codes

We generalize Sudan's (see J. Compl., vol.13, p.180-93, 1997) results for Reed-Solomon codes to the class of algebraic-geometric codes, designing algorithms for list decoding of algebraic geometric codes which can decode beyond the conventional error-correction bound (d-1)/2, d being the minimum distance of the code. Our main algorithm is based on an interpolation scheme and factorization of polynomials over algebraic function fields. For the latter problem we design a polynomial-time algorithm and show that the resulting overall list-decoding algorithm runs in polynomial time under some mild conditions. Several examples are included.
The Victorian Active Script Programme: promising signs for general practitioners, population health, and the promotion of physical activity

Background: The Active Script Programme (ASP) aimed to increase the number of general practitioners (GPs) in Victoria, Australia who deliver appropriate, consistent, and effective advice on physical activity to patients. To maximise GP participation, a capacity building strategy within Divisions of General Practice (DGPs) was used. The objectives of the programme were to (a) train and support GPs in advising sedentary patients, and (b) develop tools and resources to assist GPs. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the ASP. Methods: A systems approach was used to promote capacity in Victorian general practice. Economic analyses were incorporated into the programme’s evaluation. Participants were selected DGPs and their GP members. The programme worked with DGPs to train GPs and provide relevant resources. The main outcome measures were (a) changes in GP knowledge and behaviour and (b) cost effectiveness, based on modelled estimates of numbers of patients advised and adopting physical activity and gaining the associated health benefits. Results: GP awareness and provision of physical activity advice increased. Although the programme’s reach was modest, based on actual GP involvement, the cost effectiveness figures ($138 per patient to become sufficiently active to gain health benefits, and $3647 per disability adjusted life year saved) are persuasive. Conclusions: The ASP increased DGPs’ capacity to support GPs to promote physical activity. There is a strong economic argument for governments to invest in such programmes. However, caution is warranted about the maintenance of patients’ activity levels. Programme refinement to encourage GPs to use community supports more effectively will guide future development. Further research on long term patient adherence through a multisectorial approach is warranted.
How can agricultural commodity producers appropriate a greater share of value chain incomes

This book argues that the viability of many observed market and non-market interventions in agricultural products worldwide depends considerably on the underlying behaviour of the relevant commodity markets. Many of these policies have had distortive impacts, resulting in much discussion and controversy in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round of trade negotiations. Despite the long history of studies of commodity market behaviour, a number of issues remain unresolved. The authors review a wide range of these issues and provide a survey of current methodological and empirical research to increase our understanding of the nature of commodity markets. Price behaviour and the reliability of different prediction methods are examined and the particular implications for commodity dependent developing countries are also highlighted.
The institutional environment in the strategic decision of the emerging companies: the case of the Algerian sugar industry

During these last years, Algeria, like some other developing countries, is undergoing important institutional changes. The structural adjustment plan (1990s) and the association agreement signed with the European Union (2005) are some of the political tools that guide these profound changes that have considerable impacts on the strategic behaviour of local enterprises. Beyond these mutations at national level, important policy changes are observed at the international level, like the recent reform of the European sugar policy that constitutes a considerable shifter on the behaviour of enterprises operating in the Algerian sugar refining industry. The present research aims to measure the weight of the institutional criteria on the strategic decision of sugar refining companies in Algeria, by the combination of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis and the analytical hierarchy process. The ultimate purpose is to contribute to the analysis of interactions that exist between institutional changes induced by the globalization process and the strategic choices of local enterprises in an emergent economy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Economics and Institutions: A Manifesto for a Modern Institutional Economics

PART 1 PRELUDE: Introduction and Outline On Methodology and Assumptions. PART 2 A FAREWELL TO `ECONOMIC MAN': Behind Methodological Individualism The Maximisation Hypothesis The Rationalist Conception of Action Action and Institutions. PART 3 ELEMENTS OF AN INSTITUTIONAL ECONOMICS: Contracts and Property Rights Markets as Institutions Firms and Markets Expectations and the Limits to Keynes Directions and Policy Implications.
State Policing and National Security in Nigeria

Nigeria is battling its worst level of insecurity since the civil war which ended in 1970. The need to reform and reposition the Nigeria Police Force has been topical in debates to improve security in the country. In fact, several high-powered committees have been set up and dozens of reports churned out on this subject. These efforts have been geared towards developing a formidable police force that will perform its constitutional duties of maintaining law and order and securing the lives and properties of all Nigerians. However, results have shown that the efforts of government have not delivered the desired results. The objective of this study therefore was to highlight the urgency in the need to establish a state police that will be capable of tackling the current challenge of gross insecurity in Nigeria. The study relied on secondary data in evaluating the feasibility of state policing in Nigeria. The analysis centred on variables like the reorientation of the force, insufficient budgetary allocation and judicious use of security vote, the practice of true federalism, the creation of employment opportunities and so on, in drawing its conclusions. Findings revealed that the current centralised system of administering the police force may not be tenable in adequately curbing the menace of insecurity in Nigeria. Recommendations proffered include the need to decentralize the police force forthwith. It is expected that the adoption and implementation of this among other suggested strategies will boost the operative capacity of the Nigerian Police Force to effectively carry out its designated roles and bring the mounting insecurity in the country under control. It is hoped that the results from this study will encourage Nigerian policy makers in formulating the right policies for national security. Besides, the results from this study will be useful to other researchers and students of public policy. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n1s1p412
An investigation of the role of transmembrane domains in Golgi protein retention.

The single transmembrane domains (TMDs) of the resident glycosylation enzymes of the Golgi apparatus are involved in preventing these proteins moving beyond the Golgi. It has been proposed that either the TMDs associate, resulting in the formation of large oligomers of Golgi enzymes, or that they mediate the lateral segregation of the enzymes between lipid microdomains. Evidence for either type of interaction has been sought by examining the retention of sialyltransferase (ST), an enzyme of the mammalian trans Golgi. No evidence could be obtained for specific interactions or ‘kin recognition’ between ST and other proteins of the trans Golgi. Moreover, it is shown that the previously described kin recognition between enzymes of the medial Golgi involves the lumenal portions of these proteins rather than their TMDs. To investigate further the role of the ST TMD, the effects on Golgi retention of various alterations in the TMD were examined. The addition or removal of residues showed that the efficiency of retention of ST is related to TMD length. Moreover, when a type I plasma membrane protein was expressed with a synthetic TMD of 23 leucines it appeared on the cell surface, but when the TMD was shortened to 17 leucines accumulation in the Golgi was observed. These observations are more consistent with lipid‐based sorting of ST TMD, but they also allow for reconciliation with the kin recognition model which appears to act on sequences outside of the TMD.
Family Stress, Family Adaptation, and Psychological Well-Being of Elderly Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Patients

As our population ages, more elderly patients will undergo coronary artery bypass grafting. The psychological well-being of a patient is influenced by many factors, including family support. This descriptive, correlational pilot study was conducted to examine the relationship between family characteristics and psychological well-being in elderly coronary artery bypass grafting patients. The results of this study, which consists of 42 participants, are presented, as well as implications for critical care nursing.
Temperature influences the level of glyphosate resistance in barnyardgrass (Echinochloa colona).

BACKGROUND Echinochloa colona is an important summer-growing weed species in cropping regions of northern Australia that has evolved resistance to glyphosate owing to intensive use of this herbicide in summer fallow. RESULTS Pot trials conducted at 20 and 30 °C on six E. colona populations showed a significant increase in the level of glyphosate resistance in resistant populations at 30 °C compared with 20 °C. However, there was no influence of growth temperature on glyphosate susceptibility of the sensitive population. Sequencing of the target-site gene (EPSPS) of the six populations identified a mutation at position 106 leading to a change from proline to serine in the most resistant population A533.1 only. EPSPS gene amplification was not detected in any of the resistant populations examined. Examining (14) C-glyphosate uptake on two resistant and one susceptible population showed a twofold increase at 20 °C; however, few differences in glyphosate translocation occurred from the treated leaf to other plant parts between populations or temperatures. CONCLUSION There is reduced efficacy of glyphosate at high temperatures on resistant E. colona populations, making these populations harder to control in summer.
Evaluation of a mathematical model of rumen digestion and an in vitro simulation of rumen proteolysis to estimate the rumen-undegraded nitrogen content of feedstuffs

1. Twelve grain mixtures, one lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay and one maize silage which had been used in mixed diets for which dietary nitrogen undegraded in the rumen (UDN) had been estimated with duodenally-cannulated cows, were studied. Total N in the feeds was fractionated into pool A (N soluble in borate–phosphate buffer), pool B (total N–(pool A + pool C)) and pool C (acid-detergent-insoluble N or residual N after 24 h incubation in protease solution). 2. N solubilization in protease solution containing 6·6 units/ml (substrate-saturating enzyme concentration) indicated the presence of subfractions in pool B, with different rates of solubilization. Such subfractions were not detectable from in situ, Dacron bag, estimates of N solubilization. 3. UDN was estimated using a dynamic mathematical model and rate-constants obtained from N solubilization in protease solution or in situ.For three grain mixtures tested using the protease technique the model predicted UDN values of 7, 10 and 12% compared with values of 47, 66 and 59% estimated in vivo. The full range of experimental feeds was tested using the in situtechnique and UDN values predicted by the model were used to derive UDN values for twelve mixed diets. The latter values were significantly but not closely correlated with those determined in vivo (r2 0·41, P < 0·05). 4. An attempt was made to simulate rumen proteolysis in vitro by choosing a protease enzyme concentration (0·066 units/ml) providing a proteolytic activity similar to that of whole rumen fluid. The experimental samples of feed were subjected to simulated rumen proteolysis for 18 or 48 h to resemble the mean retention times in the rumen for grain mixtures and roughages respectively. The residual N at the end of incubation was considered as an estimate of UDN. The UDN values estimated from simulated rumen proteolysis and those determined in vivo for twelve mixed diets were in close agreement (r2 0·61, P < 0·01). 5. Simulated rumen proteolysis can serve as a simple, rapid and sensitive method to estimate UDN in a variety of feedstuffs.
Intrinsic Optical Signals in Rat Hippocampal Slices During Hypoxia-Induced Spreading Depression-Like Depolarization

Müller, Michael and George G. Somjen.Intrinsic optical signals in rat hippocampal slices during hypoxia-induced spreading depression-like depolarization.J. Neurophysiol.82: 1818–1831, 1999. In interfaced rat hippocampal slices spreading depression (SD) and hypoxia-induced SDlike depolarization are associated with increased light reflectance and decreased light transmittance, indicating increased light scattering. By contrast, mild hypotonicity or electrical stimulation decrease light scattering, which is usually taken to be caused by cell swelling. This difference has been attributed to experimental conditions, but in our laboratory moderate osmotic challenge and SD produced opposite intrinsic optical signals (IOSs) in the same slice under identical conditions. To decide whether the SD-induced IOS is related to cell swelling, we investigated the effects of Cl 2 transport inhibitors and Cl 2 withdrawal on both light reflectance and transmittance, as well as on changes in interstitial volume and tissue electrical resistance. In normal [Cl ]o, early during hypoxia, there was a slight decrease in light reflectance paired with increase in transmittance. At the onset of hypoxic SD, coincident with the onset of cell swelling (restriction of TMA space), the IOS signals suddenly inverted, indicating sharply increased scattering. The SD-related IOSs started in a single spot and spread out over the entire CA1 region without invading CA3. Application of 2 mM furosemide decreased IOS intensity. When [Cl]o was substituted by methylsulfate or gluconate, the SDrelated reflectance increase and transmittance decrease were suppressed and replaced by opposite signals, indicating scattering decrease. Yet Cl 2
Analysis of gene diversity in subdivided populations.

A method is presented by which the gene diversity (heterozygosity) of a subdivided population can be analyzed into its components, i.e., the gene diversities within and between subpopulations. This method is applicable to any population without regard to the number of alleles per locus, the pattern of evolutionary forces such as mutation, selection, and migration, and the reproductive method of the organism used. Measures of the absolute and relative magnitudes of gene differentiation among subpopulations are also proposed.
Serum Thyroglobulin Adds No Additional Value to Ultrasonographic Features in a Thyroid Malignancy

Abstract We investigated the adjunctive role of preoperative serum thyroglobulin (Tg) in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. A retrospective study was performed on 374 thyroid nodules (363 benign and 11 malignant) in 360 patients (296 women and 64 men; mean age, 50.1 years; range, 16-86 years) between December 2010 and July 2011. We evaluated clinicopathologic characteristics of patients and ultrasonographic (US) features of the lesions including presurgical Tg levels. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine independent predictors of malignancy. Serum Tg was positively correlated with nodule size and thyroid volume (P < 0.001). There was no difference in serum Tg levels between malignant and benign nodules. Suspicious US features of thyroid nodules were the only independent predictors of malignancy (P< 0.001). Preoperative serum Tg was not useful in differentiating thyroid cancer from benign nodules. Suspicious US features were the only predicting factors for malignancy.
Interaction Between Aminoglycoside Uptake and Ribosomal Resistance Mutations

Mutants resistant to the 2-deoxystreptamine aminoglycosides hygromycin B and gentamicin were analyzed biochemically and genetically. In hygromycin B-resistant strains, ribosomal alterations were not detectable by electrophoretic or genetic experiments. Rather, as was demonstrated for one strain in detail, resistance to this drug seems to be the consequence of several mutations, each impairing drug accumulation, namely of a deletion of a gene close to the proC marker which potentiates the effect of a second mutation in the unc gene cluster. Three mutants resistant to gentamicin which were previously demonstrated to harbor an altered ribosomal protein, L6, were shown in addition to contain unc. Both the unc and the ribosomal mutation greatly impair the drug accumulation ability of the mutants. Further evidence for the direct effect of ribosomal mutations on the uptake of aminoglycosides was obtained with strains that possess ribosomes with increased affinity for dihydrostreptomycin. Dihydrostreptomycin transport by these cells is greatly stimulated; thus, the hypersensitivity of these mutants is caused by increased binding affinity for dihydrostreptomycin and its secondary effect on the uptake process. Experiments were also performed on the biochemical basis of the third phase of aminoglycoside transport (acceleration phase). The condition for its onset is that ribosomes are active in protein synthesis irrespective of whether the proteins synthesized are functional. This, and the failure to observe the synthesis of new proteins upon the addition of aminoglycosides, do not support the view of autoinduction of a cognate or related transport system.
Serum proteome profiles identifies parathyroid hormone physiologic response

Parathyroid hormone (amino acids 1–34) (PTH) regulates bone and calcium homeostasis. The magnitude of the effects of PTH on bone varies in osteoporosis patients. We employed ProteinChip® technology to generate protein profiles from sera of mice treated once daily with PTH or vehicle for 3 or 11 days. Data analyses on selected arrays indicated significant increases in serum proteins or peptides in PTH‐treated groups, compared to vehicle‐controls. The magnitude of change increased with duration of treatment. Anion‐exchange fractionation of sera prior to profiling on array surfaces increased the number of proteins detected that were regulated by PTH. The optimized purification conditions developed “on‐chip” for subsets of proteins, reflected corresponding behavior with process‐compatible chromatographic resins under elution chromatography. We have identified and evaluated subsets of serum proteins regulated by PTH treatment, using a combination of ProteinChip® technology, column chromatography, PAGE and LC‐MS/MS. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of using a panel of serum proteins to detect PTH responsiveness in humans.
Bit-level optimized FIR filter architectures for high-speed decimation applications

Analog-to-digital converters based on sigma-delta modulation have shown promising performance, with steadily increasing bandwidth. However, associated with the increasing bandwidth is an increasing output sample rate, which becomes costly to decimate in the digital domain. Commonly, cascaded integrator comb structures have been used for the first decimation stage, but polyphase decomposed FIR filter architectures have been shown to be more power efficient. In this paper, a bit-level optimization algorithm is introduced, and applied to the direct form and transposed form FIR filter architectures. Mainly, two conclusions can be drawn. The transposed architecture has significantly lower complexity in most circumstances, and the inability to implement an efficient adder prohibits the symmetry of the filter coefficients to be used efficiently for the direct form architecture.
Angiogenesis and vascular remodeling by intussusception: from form to function.

During most instances of angiogenesis, not only are the capillaries or terminal vessels generated and modified, but the supplying vascular system is subjected to remodeling as well. Intussusception, i.e., transluminal pillar formation, is one essential mechanism for growth, arborization, bifurcation remodeling, and pruning. Complex and efficient vascular beds can thus be generated by local interactions between vascular cells and hemodynamic conditions.
Free Trade Area Membership as a Stepping Stone to Development: The Case of ASEAN

This study investigates the economic impacts of accession to the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) by the new member countries of Cambodia, the Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam. The trade policies of these countries are examined, and a series of quantitative analyses were undertaken to evaluate the impacts of accession. The results showed that the static impacts of reducing tariffs against ASEAN members are beneficial, although the magnitude of the net gains is diminished by the trade diversion resulting from the discriminatory nature of the reforms. The binding commitments on protection rates under the AFTA plan provide an important initial step to more broader and more beneficial trade reforms. The study focuses on some of the key country-specific policy challenges associated with trade liberalization--such as declining tariff revenues in Cambodia, and the negative impacts on sensitive domestic industries in Vietnam. The study recommends that accession to AFTA be viewed as an important transitional step in the broader process of trade reform and institutional development needed for successful development and poverty alleviation.
Estimation of the low-density (beta) lipoproteins of serum in health and disease using large molecular weight dextran sulphate

Studies have been made of the factors affecting the specificity of the interaction between high molecular weight dextran sulphate and low-density lipoproteins, both in pure solution and in serum. The results have been used in the development of a simple assay method for the serum concentration of low-density lipoproteins in small volumes of serum. The results obtained by this assay procedure have been found to correlate acceptably with parallel estimations of low-density lipoproteins by an ultracentrifugal technique and by paper electrophoresis. The technique has been applied to a survey of serum levels of these proteins in a normal population. The results have been compared with data in the literature. Satisfactory agreement was found between mean levels, matched for age and sex, between the dextran sulphate method and those methods based ultimately on chemical estimation of one or more components of the isolated lipoproteins. A systematic difference was observed when the dextran sulphate method was compared with estimates based on analytical ultracentrifugation or turbidimetry using amylopectin sulphate. Some indication of the range of application of the dextran sulphate method in clinical chemistry is provided.