Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Which women stop smoking?, A population‐based study of 403 pregnant smokers

OBJECTIVE To describe, in detail, the smoking cessation process during pregnancy, and to find out which women are most and least successful at reducing or giving up smoking. DESIGN Prospective, population-based study. SETTING All antenatal clinics in Kronoberg County in southern Sweden. SUBJECTS Four hundred and three women, smoking at the time of conception, and registered for antenatal care in the period June 1993 to September 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported number of cigarettes smoked per day and percentage of smoking women in different weeks of pregnancy. Noted by midwives on special forms. RESULTS At the time of registration at the antenatal clinic, the proportion of smoking women had fallen from 100% to 76%, and at the postpartum check-up, the proportion had fallen further to 56%. For the women still smoking, the mean number of smoked cigarettes per day fell from 14.1 before the pregnancy, to 8.6 in week 12, and 6.3 in week 40, and then rose to 9.5 after the pregnancy. Heavy smokers and women with smoking partners continued smoking to a greater extent, as did multiparae and women in unqualified jobs. CONCLUSION The individual anti-smoking advice given during pregnancy should be aimed primarily at these risk groups, and the partner should be involved in the woman's attempt to cease smoking. There is much left to be done at the antenatal clinic, as more than half of the women were still smoking a few months after pregnancy.
Circulating levels of soluble CD30 are increased in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and correlate with serological and clinical features of the disease

Activated Th2 lymphocytes express the surface molecule CD30 and release a soluble form of the same molecule which can be detected both in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, high levels of soluble CD30 were found in the peripheral blood of patients with SSc, and a significant correlation with skin score and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was detected. Furthermore, we observed a higher spontaneous release of soluble CD30 in the supernatants of unstimulated cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from our patients compared with healthy controls. Taken together, these data suggest a possible involvement of Th2 cells in the immunopathogenesis of SSc, and the dosage of CD30 soluble in the peripheral blood may be helpful in following the outcome of the disease.
Anxious ultimatums: How anxiety disorders affect socioeconomic behaviour

Although the role of emotion in socioeconomic decision making is increasingly recognised, the impact of specific emotional disorders, such as anxiety disorders, on these decisions has been surprisingly neglected. Twenty anxious patients and twenty matched controls completed a commonly used socioeconomic task (the Ultimatum Game), in which they had to accept or reject monetary offers from other players. Anxious patients accepted significantly more unfair offers than controls. We discuss the implications of these findings in light of recent models of anxiety, in particular the importance of interpersonal factors and assertiveness in an integrated model of decision making. Finally, we were able to show that pharmacological serotonin used to treat anxious symptomatology tended to normalise decision making, further confirming and extending the role of serotonin in co-operation, prosocial behaviour, and social decision making. These results show, for the first time, a different pattern of socioeconomic behaviour in anxiety disordered patients, in addition to the known memory, attentional and emotional biases that are part of this pathological condition.
Gestational Choline Supply Regulates Methylation of Histone H3, Expression of Histone Methyltransferases G9a (Kmt1c) and Suv39h1 (Kmt1a), and DNA Methylation of Their Genes in Rat Fetal Liver and Brain*

Choline is an essential nutrient that, via its metabolite betaine, serves as a donor of methyl groups used in fetal development to establish the epigenetic DNA and histone methylation patterns. Supplementation with choline during embryonic days (E) 11–17 in rats improves memory performance in adulthood and protects against age-related memory decline, whereas choline deficiency impairs certain cognitive functions. We previously reported that global and gene-specific DNA methylation increased in choline-deficient fetal brain and liver, and these changes in DNA methylation correlated with an apparently compensatory up-regulation of the expression of DNA methyltransferase Dnmt1. In the current study, pregnant rats were fed a diet containing varying amounts of choline (mmol/kg: 0 (deficient), 8 (control), or 36 (supplemented)) during E11–17, and indices of histone methylation were assessed in liver and frontal cortex on E17. The mRNA and protein expression of histone methyltransferases G9a and Suv39h1 were directly related to the availability of choline. DNA methylation of the G9a and Suv39h1 genes was up-regulated by choline deficiency, suggesting that the expression of these enzymes is under negative control by methylation of their genes. The levels of H3K9Me2 and H3K27Me3, tags of transcriptionally repressed chromatin, were up-regulated by choline supplementation, whereas the levels of H3K4Me2, associated with active promoters, were highest in choline-deficient rats. These data show that maternal choline supply during pregnancy modifies fetal histone and DNA methylation, suggesting that a concerted epigenomic mechanism contributes to the long term developmental effects of varied choline intake in utero.
A robust position estimation scheme using sun sensor

A robust estimation scheme to locate accurately the position of the sun is proposed using a sun sensor equipped to produce four output signals: each signal is proportional to the square of the distance of the focused light from one of the four corners of the sensor plane. Intermediate measurements, termed pseudomeasurements, are derived by computing the difference between outputs taken two at a time so that the sun position is linearly related to the pseudomeasurements. Both random noise and bias in the measurements are considered. A Kalman filter-based algorithm is used to compute an optimal estimate of the position of the focused light with respect to a reference frame. A model for the signal and for the noise are incorporated into the Kalman filter so that the signal is enhanced and the noise attenuated. The redundancy in the measurement is exploited to detect and isolate erroneous sensor measurements, which are then removed. The proposed scheme is evaluated on the simulated data as well as on the actual data obtained from the sun.
Sanctuary Advisory Councils: Involving the Public in the National Marine Sanctuary Program

Scientists work with marine protected area (MPA) managers to design MPAs that will protect marine resources, maintain biodiversity, promote tourism, and enhance biological production. It has become increasingly clear that scientific input is not the only requisite for ensuring establishment of these areas. Understanding the political institutions and management systems that govern these areas is as important for establishing MPAs as understanding the natural resources in the area. Recent studies have found that the success of establishing and managing MPAs can be attributed to increased public participation in the management process. This article looks at the public's involvement in the management of the U.S. equivalent of MPAs, the National Marine Sanctuaries. In particular, Sanctuary Advisory Councils are examined as one mechanism through which the public can participate in the management of marine sanctuaries. The article concludes with comments on the evolving role of these councils in marine resource management.
A flexible layered LDPC decoder

We introduce a flexible layered decoder architecture for Quasi-Cyclic Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes. An iterative construction of the parity check matrix is exploited by the proposed decoder to achieve various degrees of parallelism, characterized by a high utilization of variable and check processing nodes, absence of memory conflicts, and a simple and scalable interconnection network. Furthermore, the proposed LDPC decoder supports variable code rate, information-word length and order of modulation. A comparison to prior-art decoders proves the efficiency of the proposed scheme.
A correlative study of the allantois in pig and rabbit highlighting the diversity of extraembryonic tissues in four mammalian species, including mouse and man

Despite its conserved role in placenta and umbilical cord formation, the mammalian allantois shows remarkable diversity in size and form as well as in the timing of its appearance and attachment to the chorion. In the mouse, the common allantoic diverticulum is lacking; instead, the allantoic core domain is defined as a progenitor center for allantoic development. In this study, the allantoises of the pig and the rabbit as two nonrodent mammals of increasing significance in biomedical research are compared (1) morphologically using high resolution light and electron microscopy and (2) molecularly using brachyury mRNA expression as a mesodermal marker. Multiple small allantoic diverticula in the rabbit contrast with a single large cavity filling the entire allantois of the pig, but neither pig nor rabbit allantois expresses brachyury. The mesothelium on the allantois surface shows regional variability of cell contacts and microvilli, while blood vessels appear randomly around the allantoic diverticula in a mesodermal layer of variable thickness. Primordial germ cell‐like cells are found in the allantois of the pig but not of the rabbit. To understand further the relevance of this developmental and morphological diversity, we compare the allantois development of pig and rabbit with early developmental landmarks of mouse and man. Our findings suggest that (1) tissue interaction between endoderm and mesoderm is important for allantoic development and vascular differentiation in species with a rudimentary allantoic diverticulum, (2) allantoic mesothelium plays a specific role in chorioallantoic attachment, allantoic differentiation and vascularization, and (3) there is a pronounced diversity in the extraembryonic migratory pathways of primordial germ cells among mammals. Finally, the phylogenetically basal characteristics of the pig allantois are suggestive of a functional similarity in mammals with a large allantois before placentation and in (aplacental) sauropsids with a chorioallantoic membrane well‐adjusted to material exchange function.
Why Private Label Grocery Brands Have Not Succeeded in Asia

Abstract Lower disposable income among Asian grocery shoppers, heavily discounted private label grocery brands, relative to national brands, and a favorable retail distribution structure would seem to predispose the former to success. But this has not been the case. To learn why private label grocery brands have not succeeded in Asia, two identical shopper surveys were conducted in Wichita, Kansas (United States) and Prakanong-Bangna, Bangkok (Thailand) to examine possible factors relating to retail grocery shopping differences. The authors found that poor market knowledge, and the tendency of Thai consumers to infer product quality by using extrinsic cues such as high price were salient. Additionally, Thai choices were influenced more by social factors than Americans, making them less prone to bargain hunting. The paper concludes with the discussion of managerial implications and offers recommendations to retail chain owners operating in the region.
Repmod: A Smaller Sibling for Multimod

This paper describes a small macroeconomic model based on a representative industrial-country block of MULTIMOD, the IMF`s multi-country simulation model. REPMOD is designed to provide a more flexible and accessible tool for analysis by individual country desks than the full version of MULTIMOD. It also allows the construction of model-consistent baseline paths, in addition to conventional shock-minus-control experiments. After discussing the model`s general structure and properties, some distinctive aspects are illustrated via simulations that explore the implications of Japan`s liquidity trap.
Mentoring and Its Impact on Intellectual Capital: Through the Eyes of the Mentee

Recently, the concept of mentoring, and the use of mentorship programs, is being touted as a strategic means within healthcare organizations to address the nursing shortage that promises to continue well into the future. Mentoring, on the surface, could also be considered as an excellent means of supporting the development and retention of intellectual capital and succession planning within nursing. However, without a better understanding of the concept of mentoring, nurse leaders can never really know the full impact of mentoring in order to achieve such goals within the organization. Several key results from a study of mentorship in nursing support the concept of ongoing knowledge sharing within the discipline, as seen through the eyes of the mentee. The implications for nurse leaders shift the focus from formal mentoring programs to the creation of practice settings that foster the development of mentoring relationships.
Measuring Environmental Impact

Book reviewed in this article: Economic Analysis of the Environmental Impacts of Development Projects. By John A. Dixon, Richard A. Carpenter, Louise A. Fallon, Paul B. Sherman and Supachit Manipomoke The Jonglei Canal: Impact and Opportunity. Edited by Paul Howell, Michael Lock and Stephen Cobb Wasting Assets: Natural Resources in the National Income Accounts. By Robert Repetto, William Magrath, Michael Wells, Christine Beer and Fabrizio Rossini
Temporary Jobs and State Dependence in Italy

A dynamic unobserved effects probit analysis has been carried out to test the hypothesis of state dependence of temporary jobs and to understand their determinants. The econometric analysis has been conducted using the 2000, 2002, and 2004 waves of the Survey of Italian Households' Income and Wealth. The results show that, firstly, jobless and unstable workers are more likely to end up in temporary contracts. Secondly, there is a significant true state dependence effect of temporary contracts that might be due to the fact that firms are systematically using temporary jobs to face demand uncertainty: loss of motivation and depreciation of human capital due to low firm-specific investments may make temporary workers less likely to jump on stabler job relationships. Moreover, the true state dependence could be related to the presence of a dual labour market, segmented into "bad" and "good" jobs. Thirdly, a significant feedback effect from past temporary jobs to recent unemployment spells has been detected. Therefore, jobless and unstable workers are more likely to end up into temporary relationship generating a loss of human capital, affecting the workers' allocation in the whole economy, and widening the gap between possibly segmented labour markets. The policy maker might be aware of these costs associated to the widespread of temporary jobs and design policies to target those workers suffering most from the trap of temporary positions.
Categories of Participants Based on Their Expectations of Instructor-Led Training

SUMMARY Trainees' expectations of training are important considerations in the development of training programs, yet a lack of research exists to understand the expectations of trainees as they relate to various training delivery methods. To investigate the underlying dimensions or factors that determine trainees' expectations in instructor-led training sessions, 164 surveys were collected from attendees at six different hospitality industry instructor-led training sessions. Utilizing a factor analytic procedure, the following five dimensions of trainees' expectations were identified: courtesy, entertainment, climate, tangibles, and relevance. These expectations of training dimensions were then used to cluster analyze trainees into three groups: “the good-timers,” “the high hopes,” and “the serious students. ”
PKC-epsilon deficiency alters progenitor cell populations in favor of megakaryopoiesis

Background It has long been postulated that Protein Kinase C (PKC) is an important regulator of megakaryopoiesis. Recent contributions to the literature have outlined the functions of several individual PKC isoforms with regard to megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet production. However, the exact role of PKCε remains elusive. Objective To delineate the role of PKCε in megakaryopoiesis. Approach and results We used a PKCε knockout mouse model to examine the effect of PKCε deficiency on platelet mass, megakaryocyte mass, and bone marrow progenitor cell distribution. We also investigated platelet recovery in PKCε null mice and TPO-mediated signaling in PKCε null megakaryocytes. PKCε null mice have higher platelet counts due to increased platelet production compared to WT littermate controls (p<0.05, n = 8). Furthermore, PKCε null mice have more bone marrow megakaryocyte progenitor cells than WT littermate control mice. Additionally, thrombopoietin-mediated signaling is perturbed in PKCε null mice as Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation are enhanced in PKCε null megakaryocytes stimulated with thrombopoietin. Finally, in response to immune-induced thrombocytopenia, PKCε null mice recovered faster and had higher rebound thrombocytosis than WT littermate control mice. Conclusions Enhanced platelet recovery could be due to an increase in megakaryocyte progenitor cells found in PKCε null mice as well as enhanced thrombopoietin-mediated signaling observed in PKCε deficient megakaryocytes. These data suggest that PKCε is a negative regulator of megakaryopoiesis.
Forecasting the Risk of Extreme Massacres in Syria

Abstract An abundance of large data sets and improved estimation methods have enabled conflict researchers to estimate the risk of war or terrorist incidents quite precisely. However, as in the case of the prediction of particularly violent earthquakes, forecasting extremely bloody events in continuing conflicts has been difficult until now. This article reports how power laws can be used to predict extreme massacres ex post and ex ante. The power-law distribution that we use is based on the observation that standard probability distributions like the normal distribution typically underestimate the risk of such escalations. Using fatality data until the end of February 2013, we calculate the probability of at least one single event with 250 or more dead civilians at 80% (59%–94%) and between March and May 2013 of up to 48%. We discuss the ethical and practical implications of these findings and argue that the forecasts could provide a transparent risk assessment tool to decision makers. Keywords: One-sided violence – civil war – power-law distribution – conflict prediction – early warning – Syria ----- Bibliography: Scharpf, Adam/Schneider, Gerald/Noh, Anna/Clauset, Aaron: Forecasting the Risk of Extreme Massacres in Syria, ERIS, 2-2014, pp. 50-68. https://doi.org/10.3224/eris.v1i2. 16503
Disruptions of the Arabidopsis Enoyl-CoA Reductase Gene Reveal an Essential Role for Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acid Synthesis in Cell Expansion during Plant Morphogenesis

In the absence of cell migration, plant architecture is largely determined by the direction and extent of cell expansion during development. In this report, we show that very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) synthesis plays an essential role in cell expansion. The Arabidopsis thaliana eceriferum10 (cer10) mutants exhibit severe morphological abnormalities and reduced size of aerial organs. These mutants are disrupted in the At3g55360 gene, previously identified as a gene coding for enoyl-CoA reductase (ECR), an enzyme required for VLCFA synthesis. The absence of ECR activity results in a reduction of cuticular wax load and affects VLCFA composition of seed triacylglycerols and sphingolipids, demonstrating in planta that ECR is involved in all VLCFA elongation reactions in Arabidopsis. Epidermal and seed-specific silencing of ECR activity resulted in a reduction of cuticular wax load and the VLCFA content of seed triacylglycerols, respectively, with no effects on plant morphogenesis, suggesting that the developmental phenotypes arise from abnormal sphingolipid composition. Cellular analysis revealed aberrant endocytic membrane traffic and defective cell expansion underlying the morphological defects of cer10 mutants.
Foreign Ownership, Wages, and Wage Changes in U.S. Industries, 1987-92

The authors construct a data set by industry by state by ownership for establishments in the United States using 1987 and 1992 U.S. Census and Bureau of Economic Analysis matched data to investigate the relationship between foreign ownership and wages. They find evidence that foreign-owned establishments pay higher wages in manufacturing, retail trade, and other relatively low-skill industries, but not in other higher-skill industries. A growth in the fraction of employment in foreign establishments was not significantly associated with an increase in overall wages. There is no evidence of a wage spillover to domestic establishments. (JEL "J3", "F2") Copyright 2006 Western Economic Association International.
Survival of patients with stage IV lung cancer with diabetes treated with metformin.

RATIONALE Prior studies have shown an anticancer effect of metformin in patients with breast and colorectal cancer. It is unclear, however, whether metformin has a mortality benefit in lung cancer. OBJECTIVES To compare overall survival of patients with diabetes with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) taking metformin versus those not on metformin. METHODS Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry linked to Medicare claims, we identified 750 patients with diabetes 65-80 years of age diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC between 2007 and 2009. We used propensity score methods to assess the association of metformin use with overall survival while controlling for potential confounders. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Overall, 61% of patients were on metformin at the time of lung cancer diagnosis. Median survival in the metformin group was 5 months, compared with 3 months in patients not treated with metformin (P < 0.001). Propensity score analyses showed that metformin use was associated with a statistically significant improvement in survival (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.89), after controlling for sociodemographics, diabetes severity, other diabetes medications, cancer characteristics, and treatment. CONCLUSIONS Metformin is associated with improved survival among patients with diabetes with stage IV NSCLC, suggesting a potential anticancer effect. Further research should evaluate plausible biologic mechanisms and test the effect of metformin in prospective clinical trials.
Dynamic model of strategic alliances formation in fabric industries

Recent years, strategic alliance has become an essential tool for business management to improve the ability of competing in organizations. One of the solid ways that fabric firms exploit to improve global competition is establishing strategic alliance with other members of the industry like suppliers, buyers and sometimes even other competitors. In this research, a dynamics model is presented to show the influence of different factors in establishing strategic alliance in fabric industries. The Purpose of this research is to study dynamic and causal influence of strategic alliances formation in fabric industry.