Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of hearing protection use in construction workers.

OBJECTIVES Although noise-induced hearing loss is completely preventable, it remains highly prevalent among construction workers. Hearing protection devices (HPDs) are commonly relied upon for exposure reduction in construction, but their use is complicated by intermittent and highly variable noise, inadequate industry support for hearing conservation, and lax regulatory enforcement. METHODS As part of an intervention study designed to promote HPD use in the construction industry, we enrolled a cohort of 268 construction workers from a variety of trades at eight sites and evaluated their use of HPDs at baseline. We measured HPD use with two instruments, a questionnaire survey and a validated combination of activity logs with simultaneous dosimetry measurements. With these measurements, we evaluated potential predictors of HPD use based on components of Pender's revised health promotion model (HPM) and safety climate factors. RESULTS Observed full-shift equivalent noise levels were above recommended limits, with a mean of 89.8 +/- 4.9 dBA, and workers spent an average of 32.4 +/- 18.6% of time in each shift above 85 dBA. We observed a bimodal distribution of HPD use from the activity card/dosimetry measures, with nearly 80% of workers reporting either almost never or almost always using HPDs. Fair agreement (kappa = 0.38) was found between the survey and activity card/dosimetry HPD use measures. Logistic regression models identified site, trade, education level, years in construction, percent of shift in high noise, and five HPM components as important predictors of HPD use at the individual level. Site safety climate factors were also predictors at the group level. CONCLUSIONS Full-shift equivalent noise levels on the construction sites assessed were well above the level at which HPDs are required, but usage rates were quite low. Understanding and predicting HPD use differs by methods used to assess use (survey versus activity card/dosimetry). Site, trade, and the belief that wearing HPD is not time consuming were the only predictors of HPD use common to both measures on an individual level. At the group level, perceived support for site safety and HPD use proved to be predictive of HPD use.
Chaotic time series prediction based on phase space reconstruction and LSSVR model

At present chaotic time series prediction methods are mainly based on reconstructed phase space. However, when the space is reconstructed, two parameters must be determined in advance, they are embedding dimension and delay time. To this problem in the paper authors first introduces the minimum differential Entropy ratio principle to determine the embedding dimension and delay time, and advantage of this method is two parameters simultaneously is solved. Secondly, the phase space can be reconstructed by using the known embedding dimension and delay time. Chaotic time series can be predicted using well-established LSSVR model in the reconstructed phase space. Finally, in MATLAB2009b environment, the algorithm is verified through the Mackey-Glass time-series data and the actual gas emission time-series data. The results show that the geometric meaning is clear and program is simple by minimum differential Entropy ratio principle to determine the embedding dimension and delay time. High time-series prediction accuracy is obtained in this reconstructed phase space, and the same high accuracy also can be obtained in short-term prediction the mining face gas emission.
Intermediate Filament Proteins as Distinguishing Markers of Cell Type and Differentiated State in Cultured Human Urinary Tract Epithelia

The epithelia are remarkably diverse with respect to cell morphology, tissue structure, and modes of growth regulation, befitting the wide range of functions they perform. Identification of the growth factors, hormones, and nutritional components that a variety of epithelial cell types require for serial cultivation is permitting investigation of the mechanisms regulating their growth and synthesis of differentiation-related proteins. It is now known that the keratins (subunit proteins of the epithelial cell-specific type of intermediate filament) are a large family of about 20 different proteins. A subset of from two to ten of these keratins is expressed by each epithelial cell type in vivo and in culture'-' as a stable feature of its differentiated state, although often subject to extrinsic modulation? -]* Recently this laboratory has been studying the mesothelial cell-a simple squamous epithelial cell type, derived from embryonic mesoderm that lines the pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal cavities and covers the organs contained within these cavities. Mesothelial cells contain four keratins, different from those present in epidermal cells (FIGURE 1). 6 In vivu, normal mesothelium has a high keratin and a low, but detectable, vimentin c o r ~ t e n t . ~ ~ . ~ ~ ~ ' ~ During rapid growth in culture, mesothelial cells shut off their keratin synthesis and become virtually devoid of keratin filaments, while synthesizing and accumulating high levels of vimentin. " When they become quiescent at confluence, especially when their required mitogen epidermal growth factor (EGF) is absent from the medium, mesothelial cells again synthesize and accumulate keratin and reduce their synthesis of vimentin. " The mechanism of this switching involves a change in levels of cytoplasmic mRNA for these proteins.14 This reversible de-differentiation by mesothelial cells, so different from the continual keratin synthesis by keratinocytes during serial culture, suggests that mesothelial cells are much more dependent upon extrinsic signals for expression of even their most basic epithelial characteristics than are other epithelial cell types studied to date. Curious about the behavior of other mesoderm-derived epithelial cell types, we have begun to examine the urinary tract epithelia. We have cultured different regions of
Biochemistry and Clinical Role of Human Cystatin C

ABSTRACT Low molecular-mass plasma proteins play a key role in health and disease. Cystatin C is an endogenous cysteine proteinase inhibitor belonging to the type 2 cystatin superfamily. The mature, active form of human cystatin C is a single non-glycosylated polypeptide chain consisting of 120 amino acid residues, with a molecular mass of 13,343–13,359 Da, and containing four characteristic disulfide-paired cysteine residues. Human cystatin C is encoded by the CST3 gene, ubiquitously expressed at moderate levels. Cystatin C monomer is present in all human body fluids; it is preferentially abundant in cerebrospinal fluid, seminal plasma, and milk. Cystatin C L68Q variant is an amyloid fibril-forming protein with a high tendency to dimerize. It forms self-aggregates with massive amyloid deposits in the brain arteries of young adults, leading to lethal cerebral hemorrhage. The main catabolic site of cystatin C is the kidney: more than 99% of the protein is cleared from the circulation by glomerular ultrafiltration and tubular reabsorption. The diagnostic value of cystatin C as a marker of kidney dysfunction has been extensively investigated in multiple clinical studies on adults, children, and in the elderly. In almost all the clinical studies, cystatin C demonstrated a better diagnostic accuracy than serum creatinine in discriminating normal from impaired kidney function, but controversial results have been obtained by comparing this protein with other indices of kidney disease, especially serum creatinine-based equations. In this review, we present and discuss most of the available data from the literature, critically reviewing conclusions and suggestions for the use of cystatin C in clinical practice. Despite the multitude of clinical data in the literature, cystatin C has not been widely used, perhaps because of a combination of factors, such as a general diffidence among clinicians, the absence of definitive cut-off values, conflicting results in clinical studies, no clear evidence on when and how to request the test, the poor commutability of results, and no accurate examination of costs and of its routine use in a stat laboratory.
A Set of Cytogenetic Markers Allows the Precise Identification of All A-Genome Chromosomes in Diploid and Polyploid Wheat

Karyotypes of 3 diploid wheat species containing different variants of the A-genome, Triticum boeoticum (Ab), T. monococcum (Ab), and T. urartu (Au), were examined using C-banding and FISH with DNA probes representing 5S and 45S rDNA families, the microsatellite sequences GAAn and GTTn, the already known satellite sequences pSc119.2, Spelt52, Fat, pAs1, and pTa535, and a newly identified repeat called Aesp_SAT86. The C-banding patterns of the 3 species in general were similar; differences were observed in chromosomes 4A and 6A. Besides 2 major 45S rDNA loci on chromosomes 1A and 5A, 2 minor polymorphic NORs were observed in the terminal part of 5AL and in the distal part of 6AS in all species. An additional minor locus was found in the distal part of 7AbL of T. boeoticum and T. monococcum, but not in T. urartu. Two 5S rDNA loci were observed in 1AS and 5AS. The pTa535 probe displayed species- and chromosome-specific hybridization patterns, allowing complete chromosome identification and species discrimination. The distribution of pTa535 on the Au-genome chromosomes was more similar to that on the A-genome chromosomes of T. dicoccoides and T. araraticum, thus confirming the origin of these genomes from T. urartu. The probe pAs1 allowed the identification of 4 chromosomes of T. urartu and 2 of T. boeoticum or T. monococcum. The Aesp_SAT86-derived patterns were polymorphic; main clusters were observed on chromosomes 1Au and 3Au of T. urartu and chromosomes 3Ab and 6Ab of T. boeoticum. Thus, a set of probes, pTa535, pAs1, GAAn and GTTn, pTa71, pTa794, and Aesp_SAT86, proved to be most informative for the analysis of A-genomes in diploid and polyploid wheat species.
Attitude and Enduring Involvement of Older Adults in Structured Programs of Physical Activity

The purpose of this paper is to measure the influence of the affective attitudinal domain upon the intentions of a group of older adults participating in structured programs of physical activity offered in a community recreation setting. The subjects were 118 seniors participating in either a fitness, aqua-fitness, or golf program in metropolitan Ottawa. The group comprised of 65 women and 53 men were, in the most part, between 55 and 70 years of age. A questionnaire measuring attitude towards physical activity was developed. A stepwise regression analysis of intention to participate on attitudes showed that most of the variance in intention (69.0%) was explained by the variable “good/beneficial,” i.e., seniors perceived the programs as being good and beneficial to them. It is recommended that further investigation of affective factors related to attitude be carried out to develop strategies to maintain seniors' involvement in physical activity programs.
The Status of Health Services Research on Adjudicated Drug-Abusing Juveniles: Selected Findings and Remaining Questions

This article focuses on the factors that affect the availability, accessibility, and opportunity of effective treatment for the adjudicated adolescent drug user. The social and developmental context of “drug abuse” and its treatment in adolescents, and particularly in adjudicated adolescents, is reviewed and compared with that in adults. Selected health services research findings on this population are discussed in terms of the effectiveness of delivering treatment services; the organization, management, and financing of services; and adoption of best practices (technology transfer).
Imaging of the internal carotid artery: the dilemma of total versus near total occlusion.

PURPOSE To evaluate ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in the differentiation between occlusion and near occlusion of internal carotid artery (ICA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive patients with occlusion or near occlusion of ICA at catheter angiography and who underwent MR angiography and US were included. MR angiography and US were compared with catheter angiography, the standard, for the ability to help distinguish occlusion from near occlusion. Noninvasive examinations were evaluated for the ability to classify near occlusions as having severe focal stenosis with distal luminal collapse versus diffuse nonfocal disease. The 95% CIs were calculated. RESULTS In 55 of 274 patients with 548 ICAs, catheter angiography depicted 37 total occlusions and 21 near occlusions. US depicted all total occlusions; MR angiography depicted 34 (92%) (95% CI: 0.78, 0.98). US depicted 18 (86%) of 21 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.97) near occlusions; MR angiography depicted all (100%). Of 18 vessels that were determined to be patent at US, 17 (94%) (95% CI: 0.73, 0.99) were classified as having focal stenosis or diffuse disease. Because flow gaps were identified in vessels with focal and diffuse disease, MR angiography was not effective in helping to differentiate these lesions. CONCLUSION Assuming US is the initial imaging examination, when occlusion is diagnosed, MR angiography can depict it. If occlusion is confirmed, no further imaging is necessary. US performed well in helping to differentiate vessels with focal severe stenosis from those with diffuse disease. MR angiography added little in this group. Catheter angiography remains beneficial for vessels with diffuse nonfocal narrowing.
Evaluation of the Roche Neisseria gonorrhoeae 16S rRNA PCR for Confirmation of AMPLICOR PCR-Positive Samples and Comparison of Its Diagnostic Performance According to Storage Conditions and Preparation of Endocervical Specimens

ABSTRACT The AMPLICOR PCR was used to detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae in endocervical specimens. A 16S rRNA PCR performed on N. gonorrhoeae-positive samples showed sensitivities of 73.2, 64.3, and 94.4% for samples treated directly with AMPLICOR lysis buffer, samples suspended in 2-sucrose phosphate, and samples suspended in diluted phosphate-buffered saline, respectively.
Psychopathic Personality Traits, Risky Sexual Behavior, and Psychological Adjustment Among College-Age Women

Psychopathic personality traits are associated with risky sexual behavior (RSB), which itself is associated with various negative consequences. The present study extended previous cross-sectional research by examining whether psychopathic personality traits predicted RSB among women and whether these traits moder ated associations between RSB and post-RSB psychological adjustment. Seventyseven female undergraduates completed self-report measures of psychopathic personality traits and RSB at baseline as well as measures of positive affect, negative affect, state self-esteem, shame, and guilt each week for eight consecutive weeks. Multilevel models revealed that higher levels of Self-Centered Impulsivity were associated with more RSB and that psychopathic personality traits moder ated the associations between RSB and post-RSB psychological adjustment such that women with high levels of Self-Centered Impulsivity but low levels of Fear less Dominance reported more positive psychological adjustment when they were engaging in relatively high levels of RSB. These findings suggest that RSB may serve an emotion regulatory function and may also boost self-esteem among women low in Fearless Dominance but high in Self-Centered Impulsivity.
Palliative Radiation with a Radiolabeled Diphosphonate (Rhenium-186 Etidronate) in Patients with Hormone-Refractory Disseminated Prostate Carcinoma

MATERIAL AND METHODS The present study investigates the safety and efficacy of 2590 MBq rhenium-186 (186Re) etidronate (i.e. twice the activity normally used) administered intravenously in 15 patients with disseminated prostatic carcinoma and bone pain. RESULTS Pain relief was observed in 11 of 14 evaluable patients (79%), 4 of whom became completely free from pain. Five of the responding patients also noted an improvement in daily activity and two found it possible to reduce or discontinue morphine medication. Pain relief occurred within one week in four patients, and within two weeks in eight of the responding patients. The mean duration of pain relief after the first course of 186Re-etidronate was 6 weeks (range 4-10). The toxicity was mild (< or = grade 2), transient, and restricted to hematological toxicity. CONCLUSIONS 186Re-etidronate provided rapid pain-relief and had mild toxicity in most patients with disseminated hormone-refractory prostatic carcinoma, but doubling the activity did not markedly improve the efficacy.
Interrogation a Fiber Bragg Grating vibration sensor by narrow line width light

A method to interrogate fibre Bragg grating vibration sensor by narrow line width light is demonstrated; the interrogation scheme takes advantage of the intensity modulation of narrow spectral bandwidth light, such as distributed feedback laser, when a reflection or transmission spectrum curve of an FBG moves due to the strain which applied on the sensor. The sensor's response to acceleration frequency and amplitude is measured by experiment. We also discussed the factors which have impacts on the sensitivity of the interrogation system.
Genetic Approaches to Studies of Cell walls with impacts on Lignocellulosic Bioenergy Research

Plant biomass is the major renewable feedstock resource for sustainable generation of alternative transportation fuels to replace fossil carbon-derived fuels. Lignocellulosic cell walls are the principal component of plant biomass. Hence, a detailed understanding of plant cell wall structure and biosynthesis is an important aspect of bioenergy research. Cell walls are dynamic in their composition and structure, varying considerably among different organs, cells, and developmental stages of plants. Hence, tools are needed that are highly efficient and broadly applicable at various levels of plant biomass-based bioenergy research. The use of plant cell wall glycan-directed probes has seen increasing use over the past decade as an excellent approach for the detailed characterization of cell walls. Large collections of such probes directed against most major cell wall glycans are currently available worldwide. The largest and most diverse set of such probes consists of cell wall glycan-directed monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). These McAbs can be used as immunological probes to comprehensively monitor the overall presence, extractability, and distribution patterns among cell types of most major cell wall glycan epitopes using two mutually complementary immunological approaches, glycome profiling (an in vitro platform) and immunolocalization (an in situ platform). Significant progress has been made recently in the overall understanding of plant biomass structure, composition, and modifications with the application of these immunological approaches. This review focuses on such advances made in plant biomass analyses across diverse areas of bioenergy research.
Selected diabetes control indicators and working memory efficacy.

OBJECTIVES The goal of the study was an evaluation of differences in working memory effectiveness between patients with type 1 and type 2DM. It was also attempted to ascertain whether the level of diabetes control is associated with working memory effectiveness. METHODS 62 subjects were enrolled into the study. All patients were divided into two groups: patients with type 1DM (n=31) and with type 2DM (n=31). The Trail Making Test (TMT) and the Stroop Test were used for evaluation of working memory effectiveness. Diabetes control indicators included: glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) level, total cholesterol concentration, HDL and LDL cholesterol concentration and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS The patients with type 1DM obtained a significantly lower time in the execution of TMT, part B (p=0.01) and of RCNb (p=0.01) and NCWd (p=0.01) versions of the Stroop Test, while making significantly less errors in NCWd version (p=0.01). Significant correlations were demonstrated between BMI values and the rate of execution of TMT, part B (p=0.03), as well as the rate of execution of RCNb (p=0.04) and NCWd (p=0.01) versions of the Stroop Test. Total cholesterol level was significantly correlated with the rate of execution of TMT, part A (p=0.04) and B (p=0.01). No significant correlations were found between cholesterol fraction levels in blood of the studied patients and the results of performed tests, with one exception, regarding the relationship between LDL cholesterol fraction and the rate of the Stroop Test execution in RCNb version (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS 1). Higher working memory efficacy was demonstrated among the patients with type 1DM vs. those with type 2DM. 2). The level of diabetes control is an influential factor for working memory effectiveness in diabetic patients.
Programme potential for the prevention of and response to sexual violence among female refugees: a literature review

Abstract Continuing international conflict has resulted in several million people seeking asylum in other countries each year, over half of whom are women. Their reception and security in overburdened camps, combined with limited information and protection, increases their risk and exposure to sexual violence (SV). This literature review explores the opportunities to address SV against female refugees, with a particular focus on low-resource settings. A systematic literature review of articles published between 2000 and 2016 was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Databases including Medline (Ovid), PubMed, Scopus, PsychINFO, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library. Grey literature from key refugee websites were searched. Studies were reviewed for quality and analysed according to the framework outlined in the UNHCR Guidelines on Prevention and Response of Sexual Violence against Refugees. Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 7 studies addressed prevention, 14 studies response and 8 addressed both. There are limited numbers of rigorously evaluated SV prevention and response interventions available, especially in the context of displacement. However, emerging evidence shows that placing a stronger emphasis on programmes in the category of engagement/participation and training/education has the potential to target underlying causes of SV. SV against female refugees is caused by factors including lack of information and gender inequality. This review suggests that SV interventions that engage community members in their design and delivery, address harmful gender norms through education and advocacy, and facilitate strong cooperation between stakeholders, could maximise the efficient use of limited resources.