Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occupational Class Differences in Trajectories of Working Conditions in Women

The aim was to examine occupational class differences in trajectories of working conditions in ageing female municipal employees. Longitudinal survey data were collected among 40 to 60-year-old employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland. The 2000–2002 baseline survey (N = 8960, response rate 67%) was followed up in 2007 and 2012. Only those female participants who remained employed through all three phases were included (n = 2540). The effects of age, occupational class, and time period on physical and psychosocial working conditions were estimated using a mixed linear growth model. Physical workload decreased with age, except for manual workers, for whom there was no change. Manual workers also had less control over their work than managers and professionals, semi-professionals, or routine non-manual employees. Job control declined similarly in all occupational classes. Although occupational class differences in the levels of job demands were found, with the managers and professionals reporting the most increased demands, job demands were fairly stable and there was virtually no age or period associated linear change in them. Age trajectories in physical workload differ by occupational class, and the differences in psychosocial working conditions between occupational classes do not converge with age.
Masturbation Among Women: Associated Factors and Sexual Response in a Portuguese Community Sample

Masturbation is a common sexual practice with significant variations in reported incidence between men and women. The goal of this study was to explore (a) the age at initiation and frequency of masturbation, (b) the associations of masturbation with diverse variables, (c) the reported reasons for masturbating and associated emotions, and (d) the relation between frequency of masturbation and different sexual behavioral factors. Participants were 3,687 women who completed a web-based survey of previously pilot-tested items. The results reveal a high reported incidence of masturbation practices among this convenience sample of women. Among the women in this sample, 91% indicated that they had masturbated at some point in their lives, and 29.3% reported having masturbated within the past month. Masturbation behavior appears to be related to a greater sexual repertoire, more sexual fantasies, and greater reported ease in reaching sexual arousal and orgasm. Women reported many reasons for masturbation and a variety of direct and indirect techniques. A minority of women reported feeling shame and guilt associated with masturbation. Early masturbation experience might be beneficial to sexual arousal and orgasm in adulthood. Further, this study demonstrates that masturbation is a positive component in the structuring of female sexuality.
Why Quorum Sensing Controls Private Goods

Cell-cell communication, also termed quorum sensing (QS), is a widespread process that coordinates gene expression in bacterial populations. The generally accepted view is that QS optimizes the cell density-dependent benefit attained from cooperative behaviors, often in the form of secreted products referred to as “public goods. ” This view is challenged by an increasing number of cell-associated products or “private goods” reported to be under QS-control for which a collective benefit is not apparent. A prominent example is nucleoside hydrolase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a periplasmic enzyme that catabolizes adenosine. Several recent studies have shown that private goods can function to stabilize cooperation by co-regulated public goods, seemingly explaining their control by QS. Here we argue that this property is a by-product of selection for other benefits rather than an adaptation. Emphasizing ecophysiological context, we propose alternative explanations for the QS control of private goods. We suggest that the benefit attained from private goods is associated with high cell density, either because a relevant ecological condition correlates with density, or because the private good is, directly or indirectly, involved in cooperative behavior. Our analysis helps guide a systems approach to QS, with implications for antivirulence drug design and synthetic biology.
bal Patterns of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates

ownload ile incidence and mortality rates for most cancers (including lung, colorectum, female breast, and prosre decreasing in the United States and many other western countries, they are increasing in several veloped and economically transitioning countries because of adoption of unhealthy western lifestyles s smoking and physical inactivity and consumption of calorie-dense food. Indeed, the rates for lung lon cancers in a few of these countries have already surpassed those in the United States and other n countries. Most developing countries also continue to be disproportionately affected by cancers reto infectious agents, such as cervix, liver, and stomach cancers. The proportion of new cancer cases sed in less developed countries is projected to increase from about 56% of the world total in 2008 to than 60% in 2030 because of the increasing trends in cancer rates and expected increases in life expecand growth of the population. In this review, we describe these changing global incidence and mortancy tality patterns for select common cancers and the opportunities for cancer prevention in developing countries. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 1893–907. ©2010 AACR.
Asymmetric Entry Equilibrium in a Symmetric Trading Oligopoly Model

We examine the R&D and export decisions of two ex ante symmetric firms in symmetric countries, with both unit trade costs and fixed entry costs to the export market. When both trade costs are low, there will be a symmetric, cross-hauling duopoly, but if fixed costs are fairly high, unit trade costs are low and R&D is relatively cheap, there will be an asymmetric entry equilibrium, in which the exporting firm carries out higher R&D, has lower costs and larger profits. With higher R&D costs and/or higher unit trade costs, there will also be a zone where crosshauling duopoly and non-trading are simultaneously Nash equilibria.
Expression of Vitamin D Receptor and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3-1α-Hydroxylase in Normal and Malignant Human Colon

Considerable evidence exists to support the use of vitamin D to prevent and/or treat colorectal cancer. However, the routine use of bioactive vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is limited by the side effect of toxic hypercalcemia. Recent studies, however, suggest that colonic epithelial cells express 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1α-hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts nontoxic pro-vitamin D, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D3], to its bioactive form. Yet, nothing is known as to the cellular expression of 1α-hydroxylase and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the earliest histopathologic structures associated with malignant transformation such as aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and polyps [addressing the possibility of using nontoxic 25(OH)D3 for chemoprevention], nor is anything known as to the expression of these proteins in colorectal cancer as a function of tumor cell differentiation or metastasis [relevant to using 25(OH)D3 for chemotherapy]. In this study, we show that 1α-hydroxylase is present at equal high levels in normal colonic epithelium as in ACFs, polyps, and colorectal cancer irrespective of tumor cell differentiation. In contrast, VDR levels were low in normal colonic epithelial cells; were increased in ACFs, polyps, and well-differentiated tumor cells; and then declined as a function of tumor cell de-differentiation. Both 1α-hydroxylase and VDR levels were negligible in tumor cells metastasizing to regional lymph nodes. Overall, these data support using 25(OH)D3 for colorectal cancer chemoprevention but suggest that pro-vitamin D is less likely to be useful for colorectal cancer chemotherapy.
Reduced bronchial CD4+ T-cell density in smokers with occupational asthma

Cigarette smoking may alter bronchial inflammation in asthma. Multicolour immunohistofluorescent examination on bronchial cryosections was used to examine bronchial inflammatory cell infiltrate in patients with occupational asthma. Monoclonal antibodies to CD3, CD4, CD8, T-cell receptor-δ1, CD68 and human leukocyte antigen-DR were combined to identify T-cell subsets and macrophages in bronchial biopsies from 20 workers with occupational asthma (12 smokers and eight nonsmokers), 15 healthy workers (seven smokers and eight nonsmokers) and 10 nonsmoking, nonexposed controls. The increased subepithelial CD4+ T-cell density in nonsmoking asthmatics was not present in smoking asthmatics, who had the lowest CD4+ T-cell density of all groups. The decreased subepithelial CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell density correlated with a reduction in lung function, as measured by percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in one second, in smoking asthmatics only. Although smoking asthmatics had a significantly increased number of intraepithelial CD8+ T-cells and macrophages compared with nonsmoking asthmatics, the proportion of γδ-T-cells was significantly decreased in both asthmatic groups. Smoking asthmatics had a distinctly different distribution of T-cell subsets compared with nonsmoking asthmatics. The accumulation of subepithelial CD4+ T-cells, which was observed in nonsmoking asthmatics, appeared to be inhibited in smoking asthmatics, suggesting a smoking-induced bronchial immune modulation, at least in occupational asthma in the aluminium industry.
The Bargaining Problem Revisited

On the basis of the results obtained by different experiments testing two-person bargaining situations, it is reasonable to assume that under certain circumstances bargainers are more likely to refer to a “minimum utility point” in forming their strategies, and hence reach different agreements than as hitherto suggested in the literature, e.g., the Nash or the Kalai-Smorodinsky solution. The employment of such a minimum utility point is not merely descriptive, but normative, and should be viewed as a modification of the Pareto-optimum axiom, as well as other axioms, applicable in certain bargaining situations. It is also argued that such a modification is more reasonable than Kalai and Smorodinsky's axiom of monotonicity, which they suggested should replace Nash's axiom of independence of irrelevant alternatives. It is suggested that many real-life, as well as laboratory, two-person bargaining situations differ from the two-person bargaining problem characterized by Nash, and hence the employment of a probabilistic model is advocated in order to predict the bargainers' expected utility.
A 50 MHz, standard CMOS, pulse equalizer for hard disk read channels

A pulse equalizer for hard disk systems is presented. Opposed to classical realizations it is full CMOS while operating at 50 MHz cut-off frequency. For pulse slimming, the equalizer is capable of 13 dB selective boost around the cut-off frequency. The equalizer is a gm-C, seventh order 0.05° equiripple-on-the-phase low pass filter. It is made out of highly symmetrical biquads with elementary OTAs. The inaccuracies are compensated with a in this work introduced tuning system. This guarantees a ripple on the group delay of 2%. The results are confirmed on silicon.
Plot size and maize productivity in Zambia: is there an inverse relationship?

This article examines the relationship between maize productivity and plot size in Zambia. It offers a unique empirical approach. First, it focuses on maize, which is the major crop on small and medium size farms in Zambia, but also accounts for the endogenous determination of the size of the plot devoted to maize. Previous studies have used total farm size or harvested area. Second, it corrects for selectivity in maize cultivation. Third, it controls for differences in land quality and weather conditions across districts. Finally, it offers a structural interpretation of the above framework by modeling farm decisions as a sequential, two-stage process, in which land is first allocated to the different crops based on the information set of the farmers at the time of planting, and the yield is affected by subsequent application of inputs, the quantities of which may depend on additional information that is revealed after planting. We use this recursive structure and the differences in the information sets over time to identify the model. Copyright 2006 International Association of Agricultural Economists.
Rescue of Infralimbic mGluR2 Deficit Restores Control Over Drug-Seeking Behavior in Alcohol Dependence

A key deficit in alcohol dependence is disrupted prefrontal function leading to excessive alcohol seeking, but the molecular events underlying the emergence of addictive responses remain unknown. Here we show by convergent transcriptome analysis that the pyramidal neurons of the infralimbic cortex are particularly vulnerable for the long-term effects of chronic intermittent ethanol intoxication. These neurons exhibit a pronounced deficit in metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2 (mGluR2). Also, alcohol-dependent rats do not respond to mGluR2/3 agonist treatment with reducing extracellular glutamate levels in the nucleus accumbens. Together these data imply a loss of autoreceptor feedback control. Alcohol-dependent rats show escalation of ethanol seeking, which was abolished by restoring mGluR2 expression in the infralimbic cortex via viral-mediated gene transfer. Human anterior cingulate cortex from alcoholic patients shows a significant reduction in mGluR2 transcripts compared to control subjects, suggesting that mGluR2 loss in the rodent and human corticoaccumbal neurocircuitry may be a major consequence of alcohol dependence and a key pathophysiological mechanism mediating increased propensity to relapse. Normalization of mGluR2 function within this brain circuit may be of therapeutic value.
Social Media as a New Play in a Marketing Channel Strategy: Evidence from Taiwan Travel Agencies' Blogs

With social media playing an increasingly important role in marketing strategies for travel agencies, this study explores travel agencies that develop their own travel blogs as a marketing channel in order to differentiate their products or services and their strategic performances. The paper herein adopts a two-stage research design, with the first stage developing a three-round Delphi research. According to this research, Taiwanese travel agencies consider four external environment forces, five internal motivations for investment, four developing differentiated strategies, and four channel performance measurement indicators for managing travel agencies' own blogs as a marketing channel. The second stage explores a quantitative survey, Structural Equation Modeling, with the structural equation testing the business model of a travel blog marketing channel strategy. Finally, the findings provide innovative approaches for effectively exploiting differentiated marketing channel strategies when targeting maximum profits.
Brussels between Bern and Berlin: comparative federalism meets the European Union

In the current debate on the future European order, the European Union (EU) is often described as an “emerging federation. ” This article claims that federalism is not exclusively useful in deliberating about the future of the EU. Non-statecentric conceptions of federalism provide a better understanding of the current structure and functioning of the European system of multilevel governance than most theories of European integration and international relations do. We combine political and economic perspectives of federalism to analyze the “balancing act” between effective political representation and efficient policy-making in the EU. Drawing on the examples of Germany and Switzerland in particular, we argue that the increasing delegation of powers to the central EU level needs to be paralleled by strengthened patterns of fiscal federalism and an empowered representation of functional interests at the European level. Without such “rebalancing,” the current legitimacy problems of the EU are likely to intensify.
Empirically eliciting complementarities in capabilities: integrating quasi-experimental and panel data methodologies

Resource-based researchers are finding considerable support for the association between the creation and application of organizational capabilities and competitive advantage. However, measuring organizational capabilities presents empirical researchers with substantial difficulties. This study proposes quasi-experimental research design and panel data estimation techniques for future empirical work on capabilities: this approach takes advantage of more easily measured resources transferred in the strategic factor market to elicit what otherwise would be unknowable capabilities. This approach also allows researchers to uncover how, when building organizational capabilities through factor market resource acquisitions, firms differ significantly in their ability to leverage tangible and intangible complementary resources to enhance the operational performance of acquired resources. This empirical approach is illustrated through an investigation of the US international airline industry from 1983 to 1992, during which time the industry experienced a significant transfer in the rights to operate US international routes. The results of the analysis demonstrate how quasi-experimental design, when coupled with panel data estimation techniques, is a powerful econometric strategy for researchers interested in modeling heterogeneity in firm capabilities.
Complete elimination of reflux symptoms does not guarantee normalization of intraesophageal acid reflux in patients with Barrett's esophagus

Objective:Normalization of intraesophageal acid exposure is increasingly recognized as a desired goal in the management of Barrett's esophagus. In this prospective trial, we studied patients with Barrett's esophagus by 24-h intraesophageal pH monitoring after having completely eliminated their reflux symptoms with lansoprazole, to determine whether they had achieved normalization of intraesophageal pH.Methods:Thirty patients with Barrett's esophagus, all of whom had presented with reflux symptoms, were treated with lansoprazole (15–30 mg/day) until they were asymptomatic. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory pH monitoring was performed while they were receiving lansoprazole and were asymptomatic.Results:Twelve patients (40%) showed persistent bipositional, pathologic acid reflux while on therapy, with a mean DeMeester score of 52.8 (95% CI: 33.8–71.8); the remaining 18 (60%) exhibited normalization of intraesophageal acid exposure with a score of 4.4 (95% CI: 2.3–6.6, p < 0.001). This inadequate control of intraesophageal pH is most likely due to incomplete gastric acid suppression induced by the drug and is associated with a variable acid (distal > proximal) exposure within the esophagus. The two groups were not different in regard to their symptom frequency and severity before therapy, amount of lansoprazole dosage required to eliminate symptoms, length of Barrett's metaplasia, presence of hiatal hernia, lower esophageal sphincter resting tone and length, or esophageal peristaltic function.Conclusions:Complete symptom eradication with lansoprazole (15–30 mg daily) in patients with Barrett's esophagus does not guarantee normalization of intraesophageal pH profile. If the goal of therapy in such patients is to achieve complete intraesophageal acid suppression, 24-h ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring should be performed to titrate therapy.
Third-country exchange rate volatility and Japanese–US trade: evidence from industry-level data

ABSTRACT As an important economic power globally as well as within Asia, Japan is susceptible to fluctuations in the yen versus both the dollar and its neighbours’ currencies. The resulting risk, from both sources, might, therefore, have important effects on Japanese trade. This study incorporates third-country exchange rate volatility (both yen-renminbi and dollar-renminbi) into a reduced form trade model for industry trade between the US and Japan. As was the case with a previous study that did not include these effects, our cointegration analysis finds that most industries are unaffected by risk. Third-country effects are, however, significant in a number of cases. Interestingly, a large share of US industries find that exports increase due to third-country risk, suggesting that this volatility is encouraging traders to reorient their trade markets by substitution.
Ultrastructural changes in yeast following heat shock and recovery

The effects of heat shock and heat stress on the ultrastructure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is reported. Following a mild heat shock, referred to as an increase in temperature from 25°C to 37°C for 30 min, we observed contraction of the nucleolus, formation of electron‐dense particles (90 nm) in mitochondria and heat‐shock granules (30–40 nm) in the cytoplasm. The electron‐dense particles in the mitochondria were similar in appearance to those previously reported in plant cells exposed to elevated temperatures. In a heat‐sensitive yeast strain, the nucleolus was severely aggregated after a mild heat shock, a treatment which hardly affected relatively more heat‐resistant strains. The nucleolus was aggregated in all strains after a more severe heat stress (50°C for 2 or 4 min). When cells were observed during a recovery period after heat stress it was found that nucleolar ultrastructure was regained more rapidly in cells that were previously heat shocked compared to cells that were stressed directly with no prior heat shock.
Capturing a Photoexcited Molecular Structure Through Time-Domain X-ray Absorption Fine Structure

The determination of the structure of transient molecules, such as photoexcited states, in disordered media (such as in solution) usually requires methods with high temporal resolution. The transient molecular structure of a reaction intermediate produced by photoexcitation of NiTPP-L2 (NiTPP, nickeltetraphenylporphyrin; L, piperidine) in solution was determined by x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data obtained on a 14-nanosecond time scale from a third-generation synchrotron source. The XAFS measurements confirm that photoexcitation leads to the rapid removal of both axial ligands to produce a transient square-planar intermediate, NiTPP, with a lifetime of 28 nanoseconds. The transient structure of the photodissociated intermediate is nearly identical to that of the ground state NiTPP, suggesting that the intermediate adopts the same structure as the ground state in a noncoordinating solvent before it recombines with two ligands to form the more stable octahedrally coordinated NiTPP-L2.
[Gynecologic laparoscopy with or without curare].

OBJECTIVE To assess physiological changes and operating conditions during general anaesthesia with or without neuromuscular blockade in patients undergoing gynaecologic laparoscopy. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. PATIENTS Fifty non-obese patients, mean age 31 years, randomly allocated into either a group of 25 with curare (AC) or a group of 25 without curare (SC). METHODS All patients were anaesthetized with propofol (2.5 mg.kg-1), sufentanil (0.4 microgram.kg-1) midazolam (2 mg) and N2O-O2. In addition, those of the AC group were given atracurium 0.25 mg.kg-1 for intubation, followed by additional boluses to maintain twitch height < 10% of the control value. Blood pressure, heart rate, peak airway pressure, end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure were recorded before and during pneumoperitoneum maintained at a pressure of 15 mmHg. Operating conditions were assessed at 10-min intervals, using a four point scale. RESULTS In both groups, blood pressure and heart rate decreased following induction. The decrease in blood pressure was more important in the SC group at 5 min and before pneumoperitoneum (25 vs 15%); P < 0.05). The time course of PETCO2 and peak airway pressures were similar between groups. Operating conditions were not influenced by the muscle relaxant. CONCLUSIONS Neuromuscular blockade influences neither most of the clinical haemodynamic and respiratory changes induced by pneumoperitoneum for gynaecologic laparoscopy not the operating conditions.