Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Triclocarban and Triclosan Inhibit Human Aromatase via Different Mechanisms

Human aromatase (CYP19A1) is an important enzyme, which produces estrogen from androgen for maintaining the female reproductive function and pregnancy. Triclocarban and triclosan are antimicrobial chemicals added to personal care, household, and industrial products. They could be endocrine disruptors and may disrupt human CYP19A1 activity. In the present study, we investigated the effects of triclocarban and triclosan on estradiol production and human CYP19A1 activity in JEG-3 cells. Triclocarban and triclosan reduced estradiol production in JEG-3 cells. Triclocarban and triclosan inhibited human CYP19A1 with IC50 values of 15.81 and 6.26 μM, respectively. Triclosan competitively inhibited CYP19A1, while triclocarban noncompetitively inhibited this enzyme. Docking study showed that triclosan bound to the steroid-binding pocket of CYP19A1, while triclocarban was off this target, suggesting a different mechanism. In conclusion, triclocarban and triclosan are inhibitors of human CYP19A1.
Estimating prices and excess demand and trade costs in a spatial price equilibrium model 1

This article treats the estimation of regional prices, excess demand and trade costs, for homogeneous products in a spatial price equilibrium model. The estimation is formulated as a bilevel program, with the upper level objective to minimize the weighted sum of squared deviations of estimated from observed values of prices and excess demand. The estimation is restricted to optimal solutions of the transport cost minimization problem, parametrized by a trade cost function, the parameters of which are also to be determined. The estimation is applied to data for Benin, and the results compared to those of empirical studies.
Effect of diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) on immune responses: contributions of particulate versus organic soluble components

The effect of diesel exhaust particulate (DEP) exposure on innate, cellular and humoral pulmonary immunity was studied using high-dose, acute-exposure rat, mouse, and cell culture models. DEP consists of a complex mixture of petrochemical-derived organics adsorbed onto elemental carbon particles. DEP is a major component of particulate urban air pollution and a health concern in both urban and occupational environments. The alveolar macrophage is considered a key cellular component in pulmonary innate immunity. DEP and DEP organic extracts have been found to suppress alveolar macrophage function as demonstrated by reduced production of cytokines (interleukin-1 [IL-1], tumor necrosis factor-α[TNF-α]) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to a variety of agents, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interferon-γ(IFN-γ), and bacteria. Fractionation of DEP organic extract suggests that this activity was predominately in polyaromatic-containing and more polar (resin) fractions. Organic-stripped DEP did not alter these innate pulmonary immune responses. DEP also depressed pulmonary clearance of Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The contribution of the organic component of DEP is less well defined with respect to acquired and humoral immunity. Indeed, both DEP and carbon black enhanced humoral immune responses (specific immunoglobulin [Ig] E and IgG) in an ovalbumin-sensitized rat model. It is concluded that both the particulate and adsorbed organics may contribute to DEP-mediated immune alterations.
FOOD SECURITY IN KWAZULU: RESULTS OF A HOUSEHOLD-BASED PROGRAMMING MODEL

A mathematical programming model of rural KwaZulu, excluding three northern districts, was developed to simulate agricultural production in regions of high and low cropping potential. This model aggregates enterprise levels predicted for four representative households of which two are in the high‐potential region and two in the low‐potential region. Several economic scenarios are simulated with the model to predict, inter alia, responses to changes in cereal prices, input subsidies, changes in off‐farm employment and a rental market for crop land. Long‐run food supply response is estimated to be inelastic with respect to changes in product and input prices. Higher food prices harm the majority of rural households. Lower input prices have little impact on household welfare. Conversely, it is predicted that a rental market for arable land could have a large positive impact on crop production and would improve household welfare.
The Deteriorating Labour Market Conditions and Crime: An Analysis of Indian States during 2001-2008

Incidence of crime in India has been mounting at a fast pace, especially during the last decade. Moreover, crime on body seems to be increasing in comparison to crime on property. Economics and Sociology literature on crime attributes labour market as a transmitting institution for crime. This paper is an attempt to understand the issue of crime in India as a socio-economic problem with particular reference to the Indian labour market. I argue that the poor labour market conditions in the Indian economy that has been developing in the recent past may be a prime factor in explaining the spate of rise in crime rates recently. Panel data analysis of Indian states during the period 2001-2008 show that unemployment and wage inequality are key variables that explains the crime rate in India, especially crime on body. Education similarly seems to reduce property crime rate. Crime seems to be deterred by an efficient judicial delivery.
Psychological as well as illness factors influence acceptance of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and gastrostomy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A prospective population study

Abstract Our objective was to identify factors associated with acceptance of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and gastrostomy in an exploratory population-based study. Seventy-eight people with ALS at least six months post-diagnosis, and 50 caregivers, were recruited from the South-East ALS Register. Baseline physical, cognitive and psychological measures were obtained. Three-monthly follow-ups monitored whether patients had accepted or refused NIV or gastrostomy. Following an intervention decision, post-decision interviews repeated baseline measures and included further intervention-specific questionnaires. Results showed that 32 people with ALS made at least one intervention decision and of these 10 decided about both NIV and gastrostomy. While illness factors predicted those needing to make an intervention decision, cognitive and education status, and level of executive dysfunction were associated with decision-making and acceptance or refusal of interventions. Patients’ understanding of their illness, their early approach to considering interventions and carer-related factors were also associated with treatment decisions. In conclusion, our findings highlight the complexity of decision-making and provide a platform for designing further studies. Cognitive and psychosocial factors may assume a greater role in palliative care decisions for people with ALS than has been explicitly recognized. Future work must clarify how to ensure patients are not inadvertently being denied suitable interventions.
A cluster-filter feature selection approach

In this paper, a feature selection method is presented for the multiclass data sets. This method is the hybridization of k-means clustering using cosine similarity as a distance measure and information Gain. In the method unsupervised Cosine Similarity is used for grouping of features i.e. K-means clustering is used to make a cluster of features and then information gain is employed to select a most relevant feature from each cluster. The dataset with the selected feature is tested for classification accuracy with cross - validation approach. Three classifiers namely Naïve Bayes (NB), K-Nearest Neighbor and Classification and Regression trees (CART) has been used as the base classifiers for getting classification accuracy. Obtained results are compared with filter-based feature selection technique (Information Gain).
An Intelligent Anthropomorphic Hand, with Automatic Grasp

The current designs of commercial artificial hands have a low level of innovation. As feedback to the user is difficult to achieve reliably, most devices are simple in design and operation, and limited in functional range. If information on the state of the hand, the forces and any slippage that is occurring is fed back to a microcontroller then more than one degree of freedom can be controlled and a greater and more natural functional range is possible. This paper describes the development of such a device. It outlines the design requirements, the methods of detection of the signals and the training required to operate the hand.
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using LOOP ® PEEK Cage Implants: Safety, Feasibility, Radiographic and Clinical Outcome

Objective: A variety of newly designed grafts for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) have been introduced for clinical application. Biomechanical properties of the LOOP® PEEK cage (Medtronic GmbH, Meerbusch, Germany) have been shown in cadaver laboratory investigations, but not in clinical studies so far. In this study we analyze the safety, clinical and radiological outcome of the LOOP® PEEK cage implant in a clinical setting. Methods: Forty one consecutive patients undergoing fluoroscopic-guided posterior pedicle screw fixation combined with TLIF using the LOOP® PEEK cage for degenerative spine diseases between January 2010 and December 2011 were included. Time intervals for follow-up, clinical and radiological outcome data collection were at 1, 3 and 12 months. Visual analog pain scales (VAS), neurological exam, patient-reported SF-12®, CT- scans and plain x-rays of the lumbar spine were used as clinical and radiologic outcome measures. Following data were recorded for safety evaluation: procedure duration, intraoperative blood loss, number of levels fused, intraoperative complications, hospitalization time, and postoperative complications. Results: A total of 49 cages were implanted during 41 procedures with an average procedure time of 225.25 minutes. Four patients (9.8%) experienced a dural tear, While new sensory and motor deficits were seen in 2 (4.9%) and 1 (2.4%) patients respectively. complications were not associated with implant insertion. Significantly reduced pain scores (p<0.05, paired t-test) were reported by 29 patients (70%) at 1, 3 and 12 months. SF-12® results showed PCS and MCS scores below the healthy population average, one year post-op. Cage dislocation was observed in 2 (4.9%) patients, one required late revision. Implant fracture did not occur. Inchoate fusion of the vertebra was seen in 39 patients (95.1%) at one year. Conclusion: TLIF procedure combined with lumbar fusion using LOOP®-PEEK cage, provides a safe and feasible intraoperative alternative as well as good clinical and radiologic outcome, without increasing the overall complication rate of TLIF procedures.
CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS OF AGITATION IN INSTITUTIONALIZED PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Agitation is a common problem in institutionalized patientswith Alzheimer's disease (AD). “Sundowning,” or agitationthat occurs primarily in the evening, is estimated to occur in 10—25%of nursing home patients. The current study examined circadian patterns ofagitation in 85 patients with AD living in nursing homes in the San Diego,California, area. Agitation was assessed using behavioral ratings collectedevery 15 minutes over 3 days, and activity and light exposure data were collectedcontinuously using Actillume recorders. A five-parameter extension of thetraditional cosine function was used to describe the circadian rhythms. Themean acrophase for agitation was 14:38, although there was considerable variabilityin the agitation rhythms displayed by the patients. Agitation rhythms weremore robust than activity rhythms. Surprisingly, only 2 patients (2.4%) were“sundowners. ”In general, patients were exposed to very low levelsof illumination, with higher illumination during the night being associatedwith less robust agitation rhythms with higher rhythm minima (i.e., some agitationpresent throughout the day and night). Seasonality was examined; however,there were no consistent seasonal patterns found. This is the largest studyto date to examine agitation rhythms using behavioral observations over multiple24h periods. The results suggest that, although sundowning is uncommon, agitationappears to have a strong circadian component in most patients that is relatedto light exposure, sleep, and medication use. Further research into the understandingof agitation rhythms is needed to examine the potential effects of interventionstargeting sleep and circadian rhythms. (ChronobiologyInternational, 17(3), 405–418, 2000)
[Inhibitory effect of interferon-beta on the activation of LX-2 and rHSC-99 hepatic stellate cells in culture].

以往的研究已经证实干扰素β(IFN β)不仅具有抗肝炎病毒的作用,还具有抗肝纤维化的作用,但其作用机制尚不明确[1]. 本研究旨在探讨能否经过调控转化生长因子β1(TGF β1)、Smad4、Smad7、血小板衍生生长因子(PDGF)-BB等细胞因子的表达而影响肝星状细胞(HSC)的激活。
THE EFFECT OF MATERNAL AGE AND REPRODUCTIVE HISTORY ON OFFSPRING SURVIVAL AND LIFETIME REPRODUCTION IN PREINDUSTRIAL HUMANS

Senescence is one of the least understood aspects of organism life history. In part, this stems from the relatively late advent of complete individual‐level datasets and appropriate statistical tools. In addition, selection against senescence should depend on the contribution to population growth arising from physiological investment in offspring at given ages, but offspring are rarely tracked over their entire lives. Here, we use a multigenerational dataset of preindustrial (1732–1860) Finns to describe the association of maternal age at offspring birth with offspring survival and lifetime reproduction. We then conduct longitudinal analyses to understand the drivers of this association. At the population level, offspring lifetime reproductive success (LRS) declined by 22% and individual λ, which falls with delays to reproduction, declined by 45% as maternal age at offspring birth increased from 16 to 50 years. These results were mediated by within‐mother declines in offspring survival and lifetime reproduction. We also found evidence for modifying effects of offspring sex and maternal socioeconomic status. We suggest that our results emerge from the interaction of physiological with social drivers of offspring LRS, which further weakens selection on late‐age reproduction and potentially molds the rate of senescence in humans.
THE CHANGING PATTERNS OF NEWS – FROM GATE-KEEPING TO SOCIAL SHARING

The supply of news is larger than ever, both due to economic developments in the media markets (e.g. the increase in commercial broadcasters) and technological innovations (e.g. the advent of the Internet and the wider access to producing news for existing media operators, citizens journalists and ordinary people). Further, the access to news has become ubiquitous. Computers (desktops and laptops) have facilitated easy access to all kinds of news and recently, the rise of mobile phones and tablets have made it easy to access news anytime, anywhere. We live in a world of ambient news (Hermida, 2010). Further, the easy options of spreading, sharing, altering, modifying and even faking news, not at least through social media sites, contribute to evaporate earlier distinction between production and consumption of news. Citizens can become journalists or, at least, news curators and, contrary, journalists often turn into consumers, for instance by tapping the grapevine of social media when looking for emerging news stories. Although the breakthrough of citizen journalism still remains to come true, citizens play an increasing role in the news cycle by sharing, distributing, curating, commenting and even modifying news they get from elsewhere. This particularly takes place through social network sites Twitter and Facebook, which have become meta media for not only personal contacts but also wider societal agenda setting (Linaa Jensen & Taekke, 2013). This paper is a theoretical discussion of such issues and a first quantitative assessment of changing news patterns among Danish media users. The present paper is part of a larger project, Meaning Across Media (cmc.ku.dk) where we in other studies look at Facebook and also on wider aspects of cross media use in Denmark. This particular study is about sharing as an intermediary practice between production and consumption, which might fundamentally alter both. A later stage of this paper (and project) will encompass studies of news sharing practices through Twitter and Facebook.
Attitudes and Intentions of Business Master Students towards Sustainable Tourism and Entrepreneurship

Sustainable development has become in the last three decades an issue of high importance, both from theoretical view and from the public policies’ view. Nevertheless, sustainable development can be generated only by sustainable enterprises and businesses, which should take into consideration not only the economic aspects, but also the social and environmental ones, i.e. businesses striving to meet the ”triple bottom line”. This paper aims at investigating master students in Business Administration, i.e. future business people, are actually prepared for creating and running businesses in sustainable tourism and which is the profile of future “sustainable entrepreneur”. In order to answer this question, a surveybased research was conducted among master students in Business administration, concerning aspects such as: what is the understanding of business master students on ”sustainability” issues and which are their sustainability-related habits, attitudes and behaviour as consumers. We used factorial analysis, resulting in a four factors model, to investigate attitudes related to: importance to run a sustainable business, the use of renewable energy resources, recycling used products, employing local labour force, promoting the use of local resources etc. The paper presents the main findings in the context of previous researches in the literature, drawing conclusions and proper recommendations.
Recent research in hospitality financial management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize published contemporary hospitality financial management research from 1998 through 2009 and provide future research directions.Design/methodology/approach – The authors began their initial literature search by entering into the ABI/INFORM database via ProQuest 19 pre‐identified keywords (i.e. debt, financing, ownership) related to the major functions of financial management, namely investing, financing, and dividend decisions, as well as commonly indexed keywords in hospitality finance research. The paper then expanded the authors' literature list through the reference lists of the studies that they initially identified. The authors limited their search to published studies between 1998 and 2009 and within hospitality journals written in English.Findings – The paper identifies 98 published papers that represented the major work and efforts in expanding the body of knowledge in both the theoretical and practical perspectives of hospitality fin.
Controversial Role of Epstein-Barr Virus in Multiple Sclerosis

The role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still elusive. In 2007, Serafini et al demonstrated the direct role of EBV in brain lesions of MS patients. They found positive immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for latency membrane protein 1 (LMP1), and EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) by in-situ hybridization (ISH) within postmortem brains of MS patients. The goal of this study was to attempt to demonstrate LMP1 by IHC and EBER by ISH in brains of patients with MS, to either support or refute their findings. Seventeen MS (16 brain biopsies and 1 autopsy brain) and 12 autopsy brains with no pathologic abnormalities, as normal controls, were studied. To control for the possibility that inflammation owing to other etiologies could result in EBV-positive cell accumulation, 11 brain biopsies of encephalitis and 4 brain biopsies of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy were also studied. Known positive (Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphoma) and negative (with antibody primary replaced by buffer) controls were used. All positive and negative controls showed appropriate staining. However, there were no positive LMP1 or EBER results in any of the groups studied. The negative results of IHC and ISH in our study sharply contrast to those previously mentioned by Serafini et al, 2007 and suggest that EBV is not directly related to MS as an etiology.
Measuring the Compliance Costs of Excise Duties 1995-96.

The study analyses the nature and type of compliance costs of excise duties in Tanzania. Data provided by the respondents in the questionnaire to measure the compliance costs incurred by firms producing traditional excise goods in 1995-96 is used. The study concludes that compliance costs in less developed countries are relatively high compared to those in developed countries. Moreover, that compliance costs are regressive in nature falling more heavily on small firms. The findings suggest that the rate structure and the literature which is supplied to taxpayers are complex and difficult for an average taxpayer to understand, resulting in high compliance costs. As such the government should take remedial measures in order to minimize compliance costs without reducing revenue. African Journal of Finance and Management Vol.7(2) 1999: 72-84
What women and ethnic minorities want. Work values and labor market confidence: a self-determination perspective

Drawing on self-determination theory and the model-minority hypothesis, this study explored potential differences in the work values and labor market perceptions of ethnic minorities and women relative to the majority group. Results, based on a sample of senior-level university students across Canada, revealed notable differences in the work values and levels of labor market confidence for these groups. Ethnic minorities reported higher intrinsic, extrinsic, social, and altruistic work values than Whites. Moreover, women reported lower intrinsic values, but higher extrinsic, social, and altruistic work values relative to men. With respect to perceptions of labor market confidence, both ethnic minorities and women expressed lower confidence in their labor market prospects than majority group respondents. Results from this study are consistent with self-determination theory and the model-minority hypothesis, and reinforce the need for organizations to more actively align their job design and recruitment efforts with the work values of minority workers. Implications for future research and the recruitment of minority workers are discussed.
Cointegration and market integration: An application to the Indonesian rice market

This article suggests improvements in the use of regression analysis to measure spatial market integration. The procedure pioneered by Ravallion is still widespread but is valid only under certain conditions of exogeneity. The alternative offered here is an error‐correction mechanism which makes it possible to test for exogeneity as well as indicating the direction and strength of causality in price formation between markets. The method is illustrated with data on rice prices in different parts of the Indonesian market. The results confirm, among other things, that supply sources are more important than demand sources in driving prices.