Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced independence: experiences after regaining grip function in people with tetraplegia

Abstract Purpose: To explore how surgical reconstruction of grip affects everyday life for patients with tetraplegia, with special emphasis on patients perspective of their perceived changes. Design: Qualitative method. Subjects: Eleven people (aged 22–73) with tetraplegia who had undergone surgical reconstruction to restore grip function. Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted 7–17 months after surgery and analysed using Grounded theory. Results: The core concept describing the participants experienced gains after grip reconstructive surgery was “enhanced independence”. It was associated with changes in both practical and psychological aspects of independence. Practical aspects identified were: “perform more activities”, “smoother everyday life”, “renewed ability to participate in social activities”, “less dependence on assistance” and “less restricted by physical environment”. Psychological aspects of independence included “regained privacy”, “increased manageability”, “regained identity”, “recapture a part of the body” and “share positive experiences with relatives and friends”. Encompassing all categories was the concept “self-efficacy in hand control”. It was seen as a result included in the enhanced independency core but also as an important factor for the development of all the other categories. Conclusion: Participants in this study experienced enhanced independence after grip reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. The enhanced independence included both practical and physical aspects and it influenced all domains using the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health model; body function and structure, activities, participation, personal factors and environmental factors. Implications for Rehabilitation Patients with tetraplegia experience grip reconstruction as a useful intervention, an enhanced independence, related to their improved hand control. The increased hand control impacted not only physical aspects but also practical and psychological aspects. It also influenced social and community participation and the interference the environment had on the person. Self-efficacy was both a result of the intervention and a catalyst allowing the subcategories to develop. Therefore, self-efficacy in hand control seems to be an important factor to focus on during the rehabilitation process.
How Tenth Grade Students Perceive Agriculture and Environmental Science: Comparison by Gender and Ethnicity.

This study addresses the issue of student perceptions of agricultural education in relationship to academic subjects, including gender and ethnicity differences. The study focused on a contemporary curricula problem concerning the integration of academic and vocational subjects. The study was a part of a comprehensive research and evaluation project that will assist school administrators, teachers and guidance counselors to respond to a State Department Mandate for curriculum development, guidance and career counseling; and to implement a Carl Perkins funded Agricultural Technology Preparation Initiative. The model for this analysis could be used with other technology preparation projects in agricultural education.
Prevalence of Diabetes and Impaired Fasting Glucose in Adults in the U.S. Population

OBJECTIVE—The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalences of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in U.S. adults during 1999–2002, and compare prevalences to those in 1988–1994. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) contains a probability sample of adults aged ≥20 years. In the NHANES 1999–2002, 4,761 adults were classified on glycemic status using standard criteria, based on an interview for diagnosed diabetes and fasting plasma glucose measured in a subsample. RESULTS—The crude prevalence of total diabetes in 1999–2002 was 9.3% (19.3 million, 2002 U.S. population), consisting of 6.5% diagnosed and 2.8% undiagnosed. An additional 26.0% had IFG, totaling 35.3% (73.3 million) with either diabetes or IFG. The prevalence of total diabetes rose with age, reaching 21.6% for those aged ≥65 years. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was twice as high in non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans compared with non-Hispanic whites (both P < 0.00001), whereas the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was similar by race/ethnicity, adjusted for age and sex. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was similar by sex, but prevalences of undiagnosed diabetes and IFG were significantly higher in men. The crude prevalence of diagnosed diabetes rose significantly from 5.1% in 1988–1994 to 6.5% in 1999–2002, but the crude prevalences were stable for undiagnosed diabetes (from 2.7 to 2.8%) and IFG (from 24.7 to 26.0%). Results were similar after adjustment for age and sex. CONCLUSIONS—Although the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes has increased significantly over the last decade, the prevalences of undiagnosed diabetes and IFG have remained relatively stable. Minority groups remain disproportionately affected.
Firefly bioluminescence: A mechanistic approach of luciferase catalyzed reactions

Luciferase is a general term for enzymes catalyzing visible light emission by living organisms (bioluminescence). The studies carried out with Photinus pyralis (firefly) luciferase allowed the discovery of the reaction leading to light production. It can be regarded as a two‐step process: the first corresponds to the reaction of luciferase's substrate, luciferin (LH2), with ATP‐Mg2+ generating inorganic pyrophosphate and an intermediate luciferyl‐adenylate (LH2‐AMP); the second is the oxidation and decarboxylation of LH2‐AMP to oxyluciferin, the light emitter, producing CO2, AMP, and photons of yellow‐green light (550– 570 nm). In a dark reaction LH2‐AMP is oxidized to dehydroluciferyl‐adenylate (L‐AMP). Luciferase also shows acyl‐coenzyme A synthetase activity, which leads to the formation of dehydroluciferyl‐coenzyme A (L‐CoA), luciferyl‐coenzyme A (LH2‐CoA), and fatty acyl‐CoAs. Moreover luciferase catalyzes the synthesis of dinucleoside polyphosphates from nucleosides with at least a 3′‐phosphate chain plus an intact terminal pyrophosphate moiety. The LH2 stereospecificity is a particular feature of the bioluminescent reaction where each isomer, D‐LH2 or L‐LH2, has a specific function. Practical applications of the luciferase system, either in its native form or with engineered proteins, encloses the analytical assay of metabolites like ATP and molecular biology studies with luc as a reporter gene, including the most recent and increasing field of bioimaging. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(1): 6–17, 2009
Antiproliferative Autoantigen CDA1 Transcriptionally Up-regulates p21Waf1/Cip1 by Activating p53 and MEK/ERK1/2 MAPK Pathways*

We previously reported that overexpression of cell division autoantigen 1 (CDA1) in HeLa cells arrests cell growth and inhibits DNA synthesis at S-phase (1). Here we show that CDA1-induced arrest of cell growth is accompanied by increases in protein and mRNA levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor protein, p21Waf1/Cip1 (p21). Both p21 induction and cell growth arrest are reversed when CDA1 expression is inhibited. CDA1 also increases p53 protein, but not its mRNA, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. MDM2, a ubiquitin ligase regulating p53 degradation, is inactivated by CDA1, suggesting that p53 protein accumulation is due to decreased protein degradation. Knockdown of p53, using siRNA targeting two sites of p53 mRNA, abrogates transcriptional induction of p21 by CDA1. Deletion of the p53 responsive element in the distal region of p21 promoter attenuates promoter activity in response to CDA1. DNA damage caused by camptothecin treatment increases mRNA and protein levels of CDA1, accompanied by induction of p53. The DNA damage-induced p53 induction is markedly attenuated by CDA1 knockdown. CDA1 induces phosphorylation of ERK1/2(p44/42), an activity blocked by PD98059 and U0126, inhibitors of the upstream kinase MEK1/2. The MEK inhibitors also block induction of p21 mRNA and abrogate p21 promoter activity stimulated by CDA1. Cell cycle kinases, Cdk1, -2, -4, and -6 are inhibited by CDA1 overexpression. We conclude that CDA1 induces p53- and MEK/ERK1/2 MAPK-dependent expression of p21 by acting through the p53 responsive element in the p21 promoter and that this contributes to its antiproliferative activity.
Temporospatial Relationships between Macroglia and Microglia during in vitro Differentiation of Murine Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells of the permanent line BLC6 derived from a 129/Sv Gat mouse blastocyst were differentiated as spheroid aggregates (embryoid bodies, EBs) in the presence of retionic acid. After 2 days in suspension, EBs were plated on gelatine-coated glass coverslips and cultivated for 5, 9, and 16 days post plating (DPP) in normal medium. In this study we investigated whether the well-known retinoic acid-induced differentiation of ES cells into neurons (identified by immunostaining for neuron-specific enolase and synaptophysin) was accompanied by cells expressing astroglial (GFAP), oligodendroglial (O4), and microglial (5C6, galectin-3) markers. Whereas differentiation of neurons was closely related to their centrifugal migration towards the periphery of the EBs, the maturation of neuroglia followed a strict time-dependent manner. At 5 DPP, only neurons but no cells expressing glia-specific markers, were observed. At 9 DPP, GFAP-positive and O4-positive macroglial cells appeared. At 16 DPP, microglial cells (5C6-positive and galectin-3-positive) occurred. The established dynamic of relationships between neuronal and nonneuronal cells shows that the model of EBs is similar to the sequence differentiation of the nervous tissue. Thus, enabling in vivo observation of neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia, the model of EBs provides a basis for further investigations on the relationships between neurons and neuroglia under various experimental conditions.
Global Land Grabbing and Political Reactions ‘From Below’

Abstract Contemporary large-scale land deals are widely understood as involving the expulsion of people who, in turn, struggle instinctively to resist dispossession This is certainly true in many instances. Yet this chain of events evidently does not always occur: large-scale land deals do not always result in people losing the land, and many of those who face expulsion do not necessarily respond with the kind of resistance often expected of them. Indeed, much evidence shows that the nature of and responses to big land deals can (and do) vary across and within ‘local communities’. Taking off analytically from a relatively narrow selection of cases, the expulsion–resistance scenario is too often assumed rather than demonstrated, thereby leaving many inconvenient facts undetected and unexplained. This suggests a need to step back and problematise the variable and uneven responses ‘from below’ to land grabbing, both within and between communities. This paper offers an initial exploration into why poor people affected by contemporary land deals (re)act the way they do, noting how issues and processes unite and divide them. This helps explain variation in political trajectories in the context of land grabbing today.
Social Welfare Objectives and Distribution Weights in Public Health Planning in Turkey

Abstract In order to estimate distribution weights for project appraisal, public investment decisions can be analysed in terms of revealed preferences underlying a social welfare function. Literature contributions show lack of consensus relative to theoretical framework, estimation techniques and interpretation of parameter estimates. Moreover, a social welfare objective, or a specific target, may be pursued to the detriment of another. Based on a multiobjective social welfare function suited to public health planning, this analysis applies censored regression models to new constructions of public hospitals in Turkey. Cross-province results highlight a number of trade-offs and inconsistencies, with some health care targets receiving priority over others in terms of both efficiency and distribution objectives. In five out of nine targets (expressed by ten proxy variables) expected signs are not matched by results.
A novel 25-nm modified Schottky-barrier FinFET with high performance

High-performance modified Schottky barrier (MSB) FinFET with 25-nm channel length and fully silicided source/drain (S/D) is proposed for the first time. Using an implant-to-silicide technique, an ultrashort and defect-free S/D extension can be formed at temperature as low as 600 /spl deg/C. The MSB FinFET exhibits better current-voltage characteristics than those of published Schottky barrier devices and FinFETs. With 4-nm-thick gate oxide, the I/sub on//I/sub off/ current ratio higher than 10/sup 9/ is achieved. The subthreshold swing of 25-nm and 49-nm MSB FinFETs is 83 and 64.5 mV/dec at room temperature. The advantage of low thermal budget relaxes the thermal stability issue for metal gate/high-/spl kappa/ dielectric integration. It is believed that the proposed MSB FinFET would be a very promising nano device.
Psychosocial family intervention in schizophrenia: a review of empirical studies

SYNOPSIS This paper reviews the recent empirical studies on psychosocial family intervention in schizophrenia. Six family educational intervention studies and five more intensive family work studies with 2-year follow-up have been included. A series of questions is asked relating to the effects of such interventions, the efficacy of the different educational models, the active ingredients of these multi-component treatment packages, and the contribution of this new generation of studies to our understanding of the mechanisms through which these interventions work. Suggestions for further research are made. Finally, from the published manuals, the common components of these diverse, multi-component treatment packages of different family-intervention studies are identified.
Information system project selection using fuzzy logic

The allocation of scarce business resources is becoming a major problem for management nowadays. Limited by lack of resources, management needs to make project selection decisions under the constraints of available information, and often makes decisions based on incomplete information. Traditionally, quantitative techniques dominate decision-making in selecting management information systems (MIS) projects. However, encapsulating or simply discarding the qualitative concerns makes a project economically sound but not operationally sound. This is often the reason that causes a project to fail. This paper establishes a model by incorporating fuzzy logic as a decision tool, which smoothly aids decision makers dealing with uncertain or incomplete information without losing existing quantitative information.
Recent developments on JAK2 inhibitors: a patent review

Importance of the field: JAK2 is one of the most promising targets against neoplastic growth. A somatic mutation (V617F) resulting in enhanced JAK2 kinase activity can be frequently found in patients with serious myeloproliferative neoplasms such as polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis. Preclinical results strongly support that JAK2 inhibitors could be effectively used in these indications. Pharmaceutical companies and academic groups have developed a number of potent JAK2 inhibitors during the last decade. Tolerability and effectiveness of the most promising compounds are currently being investigated in clinical trials. Areas covered in this review: In this paper, we aim to give a comprehensive review of the currently available patent literature of JAK2 inhibitors. What the reader will gain: We tried to collect the published core structures possessing JAK2 inhibitory potency including compounds developed by academic and industrial research groups. We review the currently available patent literature as well as the key papers containing additional information about the described JAK2 inhibitors. Clinical status data were collected by searching the Prous Integrity and Pharmaprojects databases. Take home message: The significant number of JAK2 inhibitors published and numerous clinical trials involving these compounds suggest that some of them might be approved in the next few years and can serve as novel drugs for the treatment of JAK2-dependent pathologies.
Critical evaluation of ‘ageing in place’ in redeveloped public rental housing estates in Hong Kong

Abstract The tremendous growth in the ageing population over the past two decades has compelled the Hong Kong government to reformulate its housing policy by redeveloping and incorporating certain age-friendly housing design elements and facilities into the public housing schemes built in the post-war period. This research investigates whether these introduced design elements and facilities satisfy the numerous special needs of the seniors in line with the concept of ‘ageing in place’. Data were collected from 224 seniors through a comprehensive questionnaire survey in four large-scale redeveloped public rental housing estates. Using three designated built environment dimensions, namely micro, meso and macro, the results revealed that senior tenants were generally satisfied with the present living environments (in all the three scales) in the estates. At the micro-scale, seniors were satisfied with the level of privacy and sense of autonomy derived from the present design features in their homes. For the meso-scale, the study revealed that the seniors were particularly satisfied with the design elements such as convenient transportation and accessibility, including convenient walkways. At the macro-scale, the community care service is deemed important for seniors’ wellbeing. However, more attention is needed on safety measures in interior and shower areas, public seating in common areas and provision of sufficient community care services. This study provides insights for policy makers and development authorities on elderly housing provision.
Trust Management Scheme Based on D-S Evidence Theory for Wireless Sensor Networks

Trust management scheme has been regarded as a powerful tool to defend against the wide set of security attacks and identify malicious nodes. In this paper, we propose a trust management scheme based on revised Dempster-Shafer (D-S) evidence theory. D-S theory is preponderant in tackling both random and subjective uncertainty in the trust mechanism. A trust propagation mechanism including conditional trust transitivity and dynamic recommendation aggregation is developed for obtaining the recommended trust values from third part nodes. We adopt a flexible synthesis method that uses recommended trust only when no direct trust exists to keep a good trust-energy consumption balance. We also consider on-off attack and bad mouthing attack in our simulation. The simulation results and analysis show that the proposed method has excellent ability to deal with typical network attacks, better security, and longer network lifetime.
Multi-stage hybrid subsurface flow constructed wetlands for treating piggery and dairy wastewater in cold climate

ABSTRACT This study followed three field-scale hybrid subsurface flow constructed wetland (CW) systems constructed in Hokkaido, northern Japan: piggery O (2009), dairy G (2011), and dairy S (2006). Treatment performance was monitored from the outset of operation for each CW. The ranges of overall purification efficiency for these systems were 70–86%, 40–85%, 71–90%, 91–96%, 94–98%, 84–97%, and 70–97% for total N (TN), NH4-N, total P, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solid, and total Coliform, respectively. The hybrid system’s removal rates were highest when influent loads were high. COD removal rates were 46.4 ± 49.2, 94.1 ± 36.6, and 25.1 ± 15.5 g COD m−2 d−1 in piggery O, dairy G, and dairy S, with average influent loads of 50.5 ± 51.5, 98.9 ± 37.1, and 26.9 ± 16.0 g COD m−2 d−1, respectively. The systems had overall COD removal efficiencies of around 90%. TN removal efficiencies were 62 ± 19%, 82 ± 9%, and 82 ± 15% in piggery O, dairy G, and dairy S, respectively. NH4-N removal efficiency was adversely affected by the COD/TN ratio. Results from this study prove that these treatment systems have sustained and positive pollutant removal efficiencies, which were achieved even under extremely cold climate conditions and many years after initial construction.
A Comparative Analysis of Swot on Sources of Internally Generated Revenue in Oyo State Locl Government

The viability and sustainability of local government is contingent on the amount of revenue collection sources. This paper seeks to investigate the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats of each of these sources. A sample of 200 respondents from 20 local governments in Oyo State was used for the study. The twenty local governments were selected based on convenience sampling technique and a likert scale of 4 points (Strongly Agreed, Agreed, Disagreed and Strongly Disagreed) was used to test the level of agreement of respondents to the items and variables in the questionnaire. Frequency counts, student t – distribution and multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The results revealed that marriage, Tenement rate, local licenses fees and fines and revenue consultancy accounted for 97.3% of sources of revenue to local governments. About 2.7% accounts for other sources outside the model. The regression equation shows that by ranking, marriage contributed a higher percentage to local government revenue followed by consultancy, local license fees and fines, Tenement rate and lastly rent on local government property. The two hypotheses tested showed that all the variables were significant to revenue collection. The study recommends that X 3 – Rent on local government properties which is the least in terms of revenue generation should be revisited and divorced of political attachment so that in-coming administration will not have apathy to previous government projects. Secondly, the study recommends that the wage bill of the consulting firms to local government should be considered vis-a-vis the amount they generate.