Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attitudes and Perceptions of the Local Community towards Sustainable Tourism Development in Kurdistan Regional Government, Iraq

Over the last years, tourism has undergone significant development worldwide, especially in developing countries. Tourism is a multi-faced activity with positive and negative impacts on the destinations, linking the economic, social, and environmental components of sustainable development. The attitude of the host community is an important factor for future tourism planning, management, and development of a tourism destination. As such, the paper analyzes the attitudes and perceptions of the local residents from the Kurdistan Regional Government, located in the northern part of the Republic of Iraq. To achieve the purpose of the research, a survey based on a questionnaire was conducted in Sulaimani and Halabja Governorates. A number of 320 questionnaires were applied in 2016. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and principal component analysis. The results indicate that tourism is seen as a development sector during the last years. Its positive impacts are better perceived than the negative ones, mainly because it offers more recreational opportunities due to the development of new recreational parks. Tourism increases pollution, this being the most negative aspect mentioned by the respondents, but regardless, they are proud of the progress overthe last years and they support future actions for tourism development.
P27/CDKN1B Translational Regulators in Pituitary Tumorigenesis

Abstract In pituitary tumors, P27(CDKN1B) is underexpressed. We aimed to clarify whether translational regulation underlies this phenomenon. This study evaluated the expression of P27/CDKN1B, its targets (CCNE1, CDK2) and translational regulators (DKC1, RPS13, miR221, miR222) and screened for DKC1 variants in sporadic pituitary adenomas. Samples were obtained during transsphenoidal surgery from 48 patients with pituitary adenomas: 10 ACTH-, 17 GH-secreting, and 21 nonfunctioning (NFPA). The control group comprised 7 normal pituitaries (NP) obtained during autopsies. Gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR and protein expression by immunohistochemistry. The 15 exons of DKC1 were sequenced. P27 protein underexpression was observed in all adenomas subtypes (p=0.001). CCNE1 mRNA (p=0.01) overexpression, but not protein, was observed in NFPA. No differential gene expression among groups was observed in CDKN1B regulators RPS13 (p=0.23) and DKC1 (p=0.34). The expression of miR221 and miR222 was similar among tumors and NP. Frequent DKC1 variants (SNPs) were found in exon 14 and in the 3′-UTR in similar frequency to NCBI-dsSNP databases. We also observed rare DKC1 variants in 11% of the studied tumor samples, indicating a high prevalence in pituitary adenomas, however, in silico studies failed to indicate deleterious effects. The high frequency of DKC1 variants may influence, in some extent, pituitary tumors development, without clear role in its tumorigenesis. Our data reinforce the P27 underexpression in pituitary adenomas and provide further evidence of the post-translational machinery involvement, although this phenomenon cannot be explained either by mis-expression of P27 translational regulators – DKC1, RPS13, miR221, miR222 – or directly by DKC1 mutations.
ApoE allelic variability influences pupil response to cholinergic challenge and cognitive impairment

Exaggerated pupil response to dilute tropicamide has been suggested as an early biological marker for Alzheimer’s disease. The current study links apolipoprotein E (ApoE) allelic variability to the magnitude of pupil response in a sample of community‐dwelling elderly without a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Possession of an ɛ4 allele influences both the likelihood of exhibiting an exaggerated pupil response above a predetermined cut‐off (13% above baseline diameter) and the absolute overall magnitude of the response. Allelic variability was also shown to correlate with cognitive impairments in memory and attention. The data in this study further elucidate the nature of the biological bond between an exaggerated pupil response and the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. ApoE allelic variability is probably linked to pupil response through its influence on tau hyperphosphorylation. The early Alzheimer’s pathology seen in the Edinger–Westphal area of cranial nerve III, a major centre for pupil control, is primarily tau‐based with significant cell loss in this nucleus leading to central denervation hypersensitivity even in elderly who are clinically silent but who have early pathology.
Muscle cell function during prolonged activity: cellular mechanisms of fatigue

Muscle performance declines during prolonged and intense activity; important components are a reduction in force production and shortening velocity and a prolongation of relaxation. In this review we consider how the changes in metabolites (particularly H+, inorganic phosphate (Pi), ATP and ADP) and changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release lead to the observed changes in force, shortening velocity and relaxation. The reduced force is caused by a combination of reduced maximum force‐generating capacity, reduced myofibrillar Ca2+ sensitivity and reduced Ca2+ release. The reduced maximum force and Ca2+ sensitivity are largely explained by the effects of H+ and Pi that have been observed in skinned fibres. At least three different forms of reduced Ca2+ release can be recognized but the mechanisms involved are incompletely understood. The reduced shortening velocity can be partly explained by the effects of H+ that have been observed in skinned fibres. In addition it is proposed that ADP, which depresses shortening velocity, increases during contractions to a level that is considerably higher than existing measurements suggest. Changes in Ca2+ release are probably unimportant for the reduced shortening velocity. The prolongation of relaxation can arise both from slowing of the rate of decline of myoplasmic calcium concentration and from slowing of cross‐bridge detachment rates. A method of analysis which separates these components is described. The increase in H+ and the other metabolite changes during fatigue can independently affect both components. Finally we show that reduced force, shortening velocity and slowed relaxation all contribute to the decline in muscle performance during a working cycle in which the muscle first shortens actively and then is stretched passively by an antagonist muscle.
Acetate enhances startup of a H2‐producing microbial biocathode

H2 can be produced from organic matter with a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC). To decrease MEC capital costs, a cathode is needed that is made of low‐cost material and produces H2 at high rate. A microbial biocathode is a low‐cost candidate, but suffers from a long startup and a low H2 production rate. In this study, the effects of cathode potential and carbon source on microbial biocathode startup were investigated. Application of a more negative cathode potential did not decrease the startup time of the biocathode. If acetate instead of bicarbonate was used as carbon source, the biocathode started up more than two times faster. The faster startup was likely caused by a higher biomass yield for acetate than for bicarbonate, which was supported by thermodynamic calculations. To increase the H2 production rate, a flow through biocathode fed with acetate was investigated. This biocathode produced 2.2 m3 H2 m−3 reactor day−1 at a cathode potential of −0.7 V versus NHE, which was seven times that of a parallel flow biocathode of a previous study. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:657–664. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Distinct endocytic pathways identified in tobacco pollen tubes using charged nanogold

In an attempt to dissect endocytosis in Nicotiana tabacum L. pollen tubes, two different probes – positively or negatively charged nanogold – were employed. The destiny of internalized plasma membrane domains, carrying negatively or positively charged residues, was followed at the ultrastructural level and revealed distinct endocytic pathways. Time-course experiments and electron microscopy showed internalization of subapical plasma-membrane domains that were mainly recycled to the secretory pathway through the Golgi apparatus and a second mainly degradative pathway involving plasma membrane retrieval at the tip. In vivo time-lapse experiments using FM4-64 combined with quantitative analysis confirmed the existence of distinct internalization regions. Ikarugamycin, an inhibitor of clathrin-dependent endocytosis, allowed us to further dissect the endocytic process: electron microscopy and time-lapse studies suggested that clathrin-dependent endocytosis occurs in the tip and subapical regions, because recycling of positively charged nanogold to the Golgi bodies and the consignment of negatively charged nanogold to vacuoles were affected. However, intact positively charged-nanogold transport to vacuoles supports the idea that an endocytic pathway that does not require clathrin is also present in pollen tubes.
Anti-bias or Not: A Case Study of Two Early Childhood Educators

This work examines anti-bias teaching practices through a case study of two early childhood educators working in classrooms with 4- to 5-year-old children. The educators self-identified that they intentionally addressed diversity in their classrooms using the anti-bias curricular approach (Derman-Sparks & the ABC Task Force, 1989). Specifically, the study explored how early childhood educators used anti-bias practices, and how educators discussed race and gender with young children. The methodology involved semi-structured interviews, naturalistic observations of educator-child interactions, and a survey of educators’ beliefs and classroom practices regarding race and gender. Findings indicated that educators felt more comfortable and skilled at addressing gender and sexism than race and racism. There were discrepancies between educators’ beliefs and classroom practices regarding race, gender, and anti-bias practices. Implications for children's prejudice and stereotype development, as well as for educators’ professional development are addressed.
Selection of brood stock candidates of barfin flounder using an ELISA system with recombinant protein of barfin flounder nervous necrosis virus.

Barfin flounder nervous necrosis virus (BFNNV), the causative agent of viral nervous necrosis (VNN) of barfin flounder, is vertically transmitted from spawners to larvae. In the present study, an ELISA with a recombinant protein of BFNNV was performed for the detection of antibodies against BFNNV and applied for the selection of brood fish in order to prevent viral vertical transmissions. Brood stocks were divided into 4 groups based on ELISA antibody titers (< or = 10, 20, 40 and >40), and the BFNNV status of the brood stocks was determined by PCR. BFNNV was detected from the brood fish in the group with an antibody titer of >40 but not from those with titers < or = 10, 20 and 40. The offspring obtained from PCR-negative brood fish pairs in each group of ELISA antibody titers were subsequently reared for observation of VNN occurrence. VNN occurred in juveniles from 2 of 9 pairs of spawners with an antibody titer > or = 40, but did not occur in spawners with an antibody titer of < or = 10. Therefore, it was concluded that selection of brood fish using both the PCR test and ELISA antibody titers could help prevent vertical transmission of BFNNV in larval production of barfin flounder.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacological interactions between ticlopidine hydrochloride and Kangen‐Karyu – Chinese traditional herbal medicine

Kangen‐Karyu (KGK), containing peony root, cnidium rhizome, safﬂower, cyperus rhizome, saussurea root and Salvia miltiorrhiza root, is a Chinese traditional medicine formula to invigorate the ‘blood’ and dispel ‘blood stasis’, arising from poor blood circulation. The present study evaluated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacological interactions between KGK and ticlopidine hydrochloride. Ticlopidine was administered orally or intravenously to KGK‐treated rats, and its plasma concentrations were measured. KGK did not signiﬁcantly affect the pharmacokinetic parameters of ticlopidine in rats treated with both oral and intravenous administration. Ticlopidine alone signiﬁcantly prolonged the mouse tail‐bleeding time and adenosine 5′‐diphosphate‐induced ex vivo platelet aggregation, which was slightly augmented by KGK. It is suggested that the combined therapy of ticlopidine and KGK may augment the antithrombotic effects, and that the dosage of ticlopidine should be reduced to prevent thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a severe adverse effect of ticlopidine. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of food on the pharmacokinetics of first-line anti-TB drugs in treatment-naive TB patients: a randomized cross-over trial.

OBJECTIVES Concomitant food intake influences pharmacokinetics of first-line anti-TB drugs in healthy volunteers. However, in treatment-naive TB patients who are starting with drug treatment, data on the influence of food intake on the pharmacokinetics are absent. This study aimed to quantify the influence of food on the pharmacokinetics of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide in TB patients starting anti-TB treatment. METHODS A prospective randomized cross-over pharmacokinetic study was conducted in treatment-naive adults with drug-susceptible TB. They received isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol intravenously and oral pyrazinamide on day 1, followed by oral administration of these drugs under fasted and fed conditions on two consecutive days. Primary outcome was the bioavailability while fasting and with concomitant food intake. This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02121314. RESULTS Twenty subjects completed the study protocol. Absolute bioavailability in the fasted state and the fed state was 93% and 78% for isoniazid, 87% and 71% for rifampicin and 87% and 82% for ethambutol. Food decreased absolute bioavailability of isoniazid and rifampicin by 15% and 16%, respectively. Pyrazinamide AUC0-24 was comparable for the fasted state (481 mg·h/L) and the fed state (468 mg·h/L). Food lowered the maximum concentrations of isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide by 42%, 22% and 10%, respectively. Time to maximum concentration was delayed for isoniazid, rifampicin and pyrazinamide. The pharmacokinetics of ethambutol were unaffected by food. CONCLUSIONS Food decreased absolute bioavailability and maximum concentration of isoniazid and rifampicin, but not of ethambutol or pyrazinamide, in treatment-naive TB patients. In patients prone to low drug exposure, this may further compromise treatment efficacy and increase the risk of acquired drug resistance.
Differences in age‐related effects on myelinated and unmyelinated peripheral fibres: A sensitivity and evoked potentials study

Experimental data regarding age effects on sensitivity and pain thresholds are not always consistent, with the type of stimulus being a major source of variability. This could suggest that some types of peripheral sensory fibres undergo more important modifications with age than others. We investigated whether ageing affects differently myelinated and unmyelinated fibres.
The Performance of Socially Responsible Equity Mutual Funds: Evidence from Sweden

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of socially responsible (SR) funds in Sweden by assessing fund managers' abilities and performances across different market states. These issues are analyzed at the aggregate and individual fund levels. The paper also presents several new statistical tests that allow more precise inferences about differences in performance and the variability in fund returns arising from different benchmarks. In general, SR and conventional funds perform similarly to the market. At the aggregate level, SR funds investing in Sweden and Europe perform similarly to conventional funds, while those investing globally tend to underperform. This underperformance seems to be linked with poor selectivity abilities of global SR fund managers. For individual funds, the performance of both types of funds is more similar. Most funds perform similarly in crisis periods compared to non-crisis periods. Overall, our results are consistent with a mature market for SR investing and support the view that the similar performance of SR and conventional funds is associated with the mainstreaming of SR investment in Sweden. These findings encourage SR investing both by socially conscious investors, who wish to align their social values with their investment decisions, as well as by conventional investors, who will not be penalized by investing in these funds. We also call attention to the difficulties investors face when trying to identify funds with high social standards, considering that there is scarce information on the extent to which each fund (SR or conventional) holds stocks that comply with ethical and social criteria.
Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled comparison of ginkgo biloba and acetazolamide for prevention of acute mountain sickness among Himalayan trekkers: the prevention of high altitude illness trial (PHAIT)

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ginkgo biloba, acetazolamide, and their combination as prophylaxis against acute mountain sickness. Design Prospective, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial. Setting Approach to Mount Everest base camp in the Nepal Himalayas at 4280 m or 4358 m and study end point at 4928 m during October and November 2002. Participants 614 healthy western trekkers (487 completed the trial) assigned to receive ginkgo, acetazolamide, combined acetazolamide and ginkgo, or placebo, initially taking at least three or four doses before continued ascent. Main outcome measures Incidence measured by Lake Louise acute mountain sickness score ≥ 3 with headache and one other symptom. Secondary outcome measures included blood oxygen content, severity of syndrome (Lake Louise scores ≥ 5), incidence of headache, and severity of headache. Results Ginkgo was not significantly different from placebo for any outcome; however participants in the acetazolamide group showed significant levels of protection. The incidence of acute mountain sickness was 34% for placebo, 12% for acetazolamide (odds ratio 3.76, 95% confidence interval 1.91 to 7.39, number needed to treat 4), 35% for ginkgo (0.95, 0.56 to 1.62), and 14% for combined ginkgo and acetazolamide (3.04, 1.62 to 5.69). The proportion of patients with increased severity of acute mountain sickness was 18% for placebo, 3% for acetazoalmide (6.46, 2.15 to 19.40, number needed to treat 7), 18% for ginkgo (1, 0.52 to 1.90), and 7% for combined ginkgo and acetazolamide (2.95, 1.30 to 6.70). Conclusions When compared with placebo, ginkgo is not effective at preventing acute mountain sickness. Acetazolamide 250 mg twice daily afforded robust protection against symptoms of acute mountain sickness.
Specific and Potent RNA Interference in Terminally Differentiated Myotubes*

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) interference is a potent mechanism for sequence-specific silencing of gene expression and represents an invaluable approach for investigating gene function in normal and diseased states as well as for drug target validation. Here, we report that skeletal muscle myoblasts and terminally differentiated myotubes are susceptible to RNA interference. We employed an approach in which dsRNA is generated by cellular transcription from plasmids containing long (1 kilobase) inverted DNA repeats of the target gene rather than using dsRNA synthesized in vitro. We show that gene silencing by this method is effective for endogenously expressed genes as well as for exogenous reporter genes. An analysis of the expression of several endogenous genes and exogenous reporters demonstrates that the silencing effect is specific for the target gene containing sequences within the inverted repeat. Our method eliminates the need to chemically synthesize dsRNA and is not accompanied by global repression of gene expression. Furthermore, we show for the first time that sequence-specific dsRNA-mediated gene silencing is possible in differentiated, multinucleated skeletal muscle myotubes. These findings provide an important molecular tool for the examination of protein function in terminally differentiated muscle cells and provide alternative approaches for generating disease models.
Ultrafine particle characteristics in a rubber manufacturing factory.

BACKGROUND According to epidemiological research, exposure to rubber fumes can cause various types of cancer and can lead to an increase in death rate because of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVES In this study, we have assessed the characteristics of ultrafine particles emitted into the air during the manufacturing of rubber products using waste tires. METHODS To assess the aerosol distribution of rubber fumes in the workplace from a product during curing, we have performed particle number concentration mapping using a handheld condensation particle counter. The particle number concentration of each process, count median diameter (CMD), and nanoparticle ratio (<100nm) were determined using an electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI), and the surface area concentration was determined using a surface area monitor. The shape and composition of the sampled rubber fumes were analyzed using an ELPI-transmission electron microscopy grid method. Further, the rubber fume mass concentration was determined according to the Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances 47/2. RESULTS The results of particle mapping show that the rubber fumes were distributed throughout the air of the workplace. The concentration was the highest during the final process of the work. The particle number concentration and the surface area concentration were 545 000cm(-3) and 640 µm(2) cm(-3), respectively, approximately 10- and 4-fold higher than those in the outdoor background. During the final process, the CMD and the nanoparticle ratio were 26nm and 94%, respectively. Most of the rubber fume particles had a compact shape because of the coagulation between particles. The main components of these fumes were silicon and sulfur, and heavy metals such as zinc were detected in certain particles. The filter concentration of the rubber fumes was 0.22mg m(-3), lower than the UK workplace exposure limit of 0.6mg m(-3). CONCLUSIONS Therefore, the rubber manufacturing process is a potentially dangerous process that produces a high concentration of specific nanoparticles.
Exploring Ethical Incidents In The Taiwanese Hotel Industry

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study attempts to explore and identify critical ethical incidents encountered by senior managers employed in international hotels in Taiwan. Design/methodology/approach: An in-depth interview was conducted to collect data from 22 senior managers. By using the critical incident technique (CIT) to analyze the interview data, 161 critical ethical incidents were identified and discussed. Findings: The analytical results show that the identified ethical incidents can be divided into 3 main categories, 7 sub-categories, and 13 underlying factors. The main and sub-categories include: (1) personal issues: personal integrity, executive leadership, and customer equity; (2) organizational issues: corporate integrity, organizational climate, and cross-cultural management; (3) external issues: customer integrity. Practical implications: Currently in Taiwanese hotels, ethics are not generally emphasized by management. The results of this research can contribute to hospitality ethics research and provide suggestions for ethics education and employee training in the hospitality industry. Originality/value: This study investigates critical ethical issues that exist in the hospitality workplace, with a focus on critical ethical concerns confronted by employees and managers in the hotel industry.