Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential for 2 priority systems to be used as appropriateness of indication tools for cataract surgery.

OBJECTIVE To test 2 systems developed to prioritize patients on waiting lists for cataract surgery, the Western Canadian Waiting List (WCWL), and the Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research Cataract Priority System (CCPS), as tools for judging the appropriateness of the intervention. DESIGN Cross-sectional study with follow-up. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1723 prospective patients awaiting cataract extraction in 5 hospitals were included in the study. METHODS Priority scores using the WCWL and the CCPS systems were calculated and compared with visual acuity (VA) and visual function, measured by the Visual Function-14 index, before and after surgery. The sensitivity of each priority system to different groups was evaluated using a validated appropriateness of indications tool for cataract extraction. One-way analysis of variance and the Jonckheere-Terpstra test were used to detect differences in group scores. Spearman correlation coefficients were also examined. RESULTS The WCWL and CCPS systems produced different mean values according to the preoperative levels of VA and visual function (p < 0.0001). Neither system showed a significant difference in mean scores based on gains in VA and visual function. Both systems produced different mean scores according to the different groups of appropriateness set by the appropriateness of indications tool for cataract (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Given that appropriateness tools should correlate with outcomes, we recommend using neither the WCWL nor the CCPS for appropriateness purposes. Incorporating new criteria into these systems may improve the correlation with important outcomes and their adequacy for use as appropriateness tools.
Binge Drinking and Antisocial and Unlawful Behaviours in Australia

This paper presents individual-level evidence from Australia to examine the factors associated with binge drinking and several alcohol-related antisocial and unlawful behaviours. We study in particular the role of binge drinking in increasing the likelihood of engaging in these negative behaviours. We use individual-level data from a national representative survey and a system econometric model that allows unobservable factors for all negative behaviours to be correlated. Potential misclassification of individuals' drinking pattern is accounted for. We find evidence of under-reporting for bingeing and significant effects of binge drinking on drink-driving, physical and verbal abuse, public disturbance, and stealing and damaging property.
Promoter Hypermethylation of the RUNX3 Gene in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Alteration in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway is one of the main causes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The human runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3), an important component of TGF-β pathway which is located at 1p36, is commonly deleted in a variety of human cancers, including ESCC. Hypermethylation of RUNX3 promoter was frequently found in gastrointestinal cancers, including those of stomach, liver, colon and pancreas. However, RUNX3 promoter methylation status in ESCC has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine whether promoter methylation of the RUNX3 gene correlates with ESCC tumor progression.Accordingly, we first determined RUNX3 mRNA expression and methylation status of its promoter region in 42 primary tumors with ESCC and Eca-109, an ESCC cell line. Loss of RUNX3 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR in 23 out of 42 (54.8%) ESCC specimens and Eca-109 cells. The Promoter hypermethylation was detected by Methylation Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (MS-PCR) in 27 out of 42 (64.3%) ESCC specimen and Eca-109 cells.Importantly, we found positive correlations, not only between the promoter hypermethylation and tumor clinical pathologic stages (P = 0.003), but also between the loss of RUNX3 mRNA expression and the tumor progression (P = 0.016). Finally, we observed that the loss of RUNX3 mRNA expression is statistically correlated with the promoter hypermethylation in these tumors (P < 0.001). Our results suggest that epigenetic silencing of RUNX3 gene expression by promoter hypermethylation may play an important role in ESCC development.
Examining knowledge exchange in an organization: A game theory perspective

Cooperative work, if it is by a team of engineers, or by a group of experts, requires coordination by sharing common knowledge. We focus on knowledge exchange game as the methodology of sharing knowledge. Knowledge exchange processes are formulated as knowledge exchanging games among selfish agents. Each agent has idiosyncratic utility function defined over his private knowledge and common knowledge. Each agent exchanges his knowledge with others in order to improve his own utility. In this paper, we focus on heterogeneity of agents. Agent decide whether trade or not in terms of cost and value of new knowledge. The way to decide is different from each agent. We investigate what characteristics of an organization promote knowledge exchanging or discourage sharing common knowledge.
Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Incidence of Gastric Cancer: A Prospective Study

Background: Whether fruit and vegetable consumption may confer protection from gastric cancer remains controversial. Methods: We prospectively investigated the association between consumption of fruits and vegetables and the incidence of gastric cancer among participants from two population-based cohort studies: 36,664 women in the Swedish Mammography Cohort and 45,338 men in the Cohort of Swedish Men. Participants completed a food-frequency questionnaire in 1997 and were followed up for cancer incidence through June 2005. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate multivariate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: During a mean follow-up of 7.2 years, we ascertained 139 incident cases of gastric cancer. Vegetable consumption was inversely associated with risk of gastric cancer, whereas no significant association was observed for fruit consumption. After controlling for age and other risk factors, women and men who consumed ≥2.5 servings/d of vegetables had a HR of 0.56 (95% CI, 0.34-0.93) for developing gastric cancer compared with those who consumed <1 serving/d. The respective HR for fruit consumption was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.52-1.43). Among specific subgroups of vegetables, consumption of green leafy vegetables and root vegetables was inversely associated with risk of gastric cancer; the multivariate HRs comparing ≥3 servings/wk with <0.5 serving/wk were 0.64 (95% CI, 0.42-0.99) for green leafy vegetables and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.27-0.69) for root vegetables. Conclusions: Frequent consumption of vegetables may reduce the risk of gastric cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1998–2001)
The cyclooxygenase-2-prostaglandin E2 pathway maintains senescence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease fibroblasts.

RATIONALE Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with lung fibroblast senescence, a process characterized by the irreversible loss of replicative capacity associated with the secretion of inflammatory mediators. However, the mechanisms of this phenomenon remain poorly defined. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to analyze the role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a prostaglandin known to be increased in COPD lung fibroblasts, in inducing senescence and related inflammation in vitro in lung fibroblasts and in vivo in mice. METHODS Fibroblasts were isolated from patients with COPD and from smoker and nonsmoker control subjects. Senescence markers and inflammatory mediators were investigated in fibroblasts and in mice. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Lung fibroblasts from patients with COPD exhibited higher expression of PGE2 receptors EP2 and EP4 as compared with nonsmoker and smoker control subjects. Compared with both nonsmoker and smoker control subjects, during long-term culture, COPD fibroblasts displayed increased senescent markers (increased senescence associated-β galactosidase activity, p16, and p53 expression and lower proliferative capacity), and an increased PGE2, IL-6, IL-8, growth-regulated oncogene (GRO), CX3CL1, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 protein and cyclooxygenase-2 and mPGES-1 mRNA expression. Using in vitro pharmacologic approaches and in vivo experiments in wild-type and p53(-/-) mice we demonstrated that PGE2 produced by senescent COPD fibroblasts is responsible for the increased senescence and related inflammation. PGE2 acts either in a paracrine or autocrine fashion by a pathway involving EP2 and EP4 prostaglandin receptors, cyclooxygenase-2-dependent reactive oxygen species production and signaling, and consecutive p53 activation. CONCLUSIONS PGE2 is a critical component of an amplifying and self-perpetuating circle inducing senescence and inflammation in COPD fibroblasts. Modulating the described PGE2 signaling pathway could provide a new basis to dampen senescence and senescence-associated inflammation in COPD.
Explaining the Skill Premium: Technical Change or Capita-Skill Complements?

We examine the two-level and the three-level nested four factor Constant Elasticity of Substitution production functions, where labor is disaggregated into skilled and unskilled labor and the capital stock into structures and equipment capital. We estimate inter-factor substitution elasticity and factor-augmenting technical progress parameters. Our special focus of interest is in the issue, whether the source of the observed skill-premium between the wage rates of skilled and unskilled labor is capital-skill complementarity or the skill biased technical change.With several alternative ways to nest the four factors of the production function we derive in the profit maximization framework four-equation systems containing several cross equation parameter constraints. We estimate these systems with the NLSUR estimation method.Our estimation results reject the capital skill-complementarity hypothesis. Instead, our results favour the production function specification, where skilled and unskilled labor are gross substitutes, whilst structures and equipment capital are cross substitutes both with each other and with skilled and unskilled labor. Technical progress is the most strongly biased towards skilled labor explaining the skill-premium between the wage rates of skilled and unskilled labor.
The insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii (Clavicipitaceae) is also an endophyte that stimulates plant root development.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The soil-inhabiting insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii also colonizes plant roots endophytically, thus showing potential as a plant symbiont. Metarhizium robertsii is not randomly distributed in soils but preferentially associates with the plant rhizosphere when applied in agricultural settings. Root surface and endophytic colonization of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and haricot beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) by M. robertsii were examined after inoculation with fungal conidia. METHODS We used light and confocal microscopy to ascertain the plant endophytic association with GFP-expressing M. robertsii. Root lengths, root hair density, and lateral roots emerged were also observed. KEY RESULTS Initially, M. robertsii conidia adhered to, germinated on, and colonized roots. Furthermore, plant roots treated with Metarhizium grew faster and the density of plant root hairs increased when compared with control plants. The onset of plant root hair proliferation was initiated before germination of M. robertsii on the root (within 1-2 d). Plants inoculated with M. robertsii ΔMAD2 (plant adhesin gene) took significantly longer to show root hair proliferation than the wild type. Cell free extracts of M. robertsii did not stimulate root hair proliferation. Longer-term (60 d) associations showed that M. robertsii endophytically colonized cortical cells within bean roots. Metarhizium appeared as a mycelial aggregate within root cortical cells as well as between the intercellular spaces with no apparent damage to the plant. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that M. robertsii is not only rhizosphere competent but also displays a beneficial endophytic association with plant roots that results in the proliferation of root hairs.
Lactobacillus acidophilus (strain LB) from the resident adult human gastrointestinal microflora exerts activity against brush border damage promoted by a diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli in human enterocyte-like cells

Background and aims: The normal gastrointestinal microflora exerts a barrier effect against enteropathogens. The aim of this study was to examine whether lactobacilli, a minor genus of the resident gut microflora, exerts a protective effect against the cellular injuries promoted by the diarrhoeagenic Afa/Dr diffusely adhering Escherichia coli (Afa/Dr DAEC) C1845 strain in human intestinal cells. Methods: Cultured human intestinal fully differentiated enterocyte-like Caco-2/TC7 cells were used. Antibacterial activity was examined by measuring the viability of the adhering C1845 bacteria. The distribution of brush border associated cytoskeleton and functional proteins was examined by immunofluorescence labelling coupled to confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis. Results: The activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus strain LB isolated from the resident human gastrointestinal microflora was examined. A dose dependent decrease in viability of C1845 bacteria was observed after both direct contact in vitro between the spent culture supernatant (LB-SCS) and the bacteria, and when the bacteria were adherent on Caco-2/TC7 cells. Protection against the C1845 induced alterations in expression of F-actin, sucrase-isomaltase, dipeptidylpeptidase IV, alkaline phosphatase, and fructose transporter alterations was observed when the cells were exposed to LB-SCS. Conclusion:L acidophilus strain isolated from the resident adult human gastrointestinal microflora, together with its antimicrobial activity, exerts a protective effect against the brush border lesions promoted by the diarrhoeagenic Afa/Dr DAEC strain C1845.
Increased proliferation of CD8+ T cells in SAP‐deficient mice is associated with impaired activation‐induced cell death

Defective signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM)‐associated protein (SAP) is responsible for the human X‐linked lymphoproliferative syndrome. Defects in T helper 2, natural killer, natural killer T and B cells have been demonstrated in SAP‐deficient humans and mice, and increased proliferation of CD8+ T cells has been observed. In the current study, we investigated the properties of CD8+ T cell proliferation and activation‐induced cell death (AICD), using OT‐I T cell receptor (TCR)‐transgenic mice on either wild‐type (WT) or SAP–/– background. Interestingly, we found that ovalbumin peptide‐activated SAP–/– CD8+ T cells have lower AICD compared to their WT counterparts. Furthermore, the induction of p73, a key mediator of TCR‐induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, was significantly reduced at both the mRNA and protein levels in the activated mutant cells. Meanwhile, a reduced level of activated caspase 9 was observed in the mutant cells. We conclude that reduced AICD in activated SAP–/– CD8+ T cells is associated with impaired p73 induction, indicating that the initiation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway might be impaired. Our data demonstrate an intrinsic defect in SAP–/– CD8+ T cells and shed light on the increased responsiveness of CD8+ T cells in SAP–/– mice.
The impact of international experience on the global mindedness of Extension agents employed by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

SMITH, DANIEL BEACHAM. The Impact of International Experience on the Global Mindedness of Extension Agents Employed by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. (Under the direction of Gary Moore.) Because of the profound effect that globalization has on our society the Cooperative Extension Service has been challenged to develop programs that help people deal with these changes. In order to accomplish this, Cooperative Extension agents need to develop international skills and understanding. One method of developing international skills and understanding is international professional development experience. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of international experience among Extension Agents in the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and if international experience increased the global mindedness of those agents. The study also sought to determine if agents that had participated in international programs believed they had gained from that
Intelligent Buyer Agent using Multi-Agent Cooperative Negotiation for Retail Electronic Commerce

For the purchase of a cheaper product on the Internet, many customers have been trying to search online shopping mall sites and visit comparison-pricing shops that compare prices and other criteria of the product. Others have been participating into online auction markets or group-buying markets. However, a lot of online shopping malls, auction markets, and group-buying markets provide the same product with different prices. Since these marketplaces have different price settlement mechanisms, it is very difficult for the customers to determine marketplace to purchase, considering different kinds of marketplaces at the same time. To overcome such limitations, decision rules and solution procedures for purchase decision making are necessary, which can cover multiple marketplaces simultaneously. For this purpose, purchase decision making in each market must be conducted to maximize customer’s utility, and conflicts with other marketplaces must be resolved. Therefore, we have developed the rules and methods that can negotiate cooperatively the purchase decision making in several marketplaces, and designed an architecture of Intelligent Buyer Agent and a message structure to support the idea.
Public Debt Management and Australia's Macroeconomic Priorities

The financial industry has expressed concern about on-going viability of the Commonwealth Government Securities (CGS) market as the Government retires debt. The industry purports that CGS perform a number of 'public good' roles in addition to financing budget deficits. We show that these roles are not public goods and conclude that their case amounts to special pleading by an industry sector for public assistance. Governments should only intervene into financial markets to maintain financial stability and to ensure that macroeconomic priorities including full employment are attained. We show that private markets will find alternative ways of fulfilling the roles outlined for CGS. The costs of CGS issuance do not justify the minor benefits we identify. We then examine the fallacy that Government requires funding to net spend. We argue that the pursuit of budget surpluses is self-defeating and that government should understand that deficits are required to ensure full employment is sustained.
Has the "Equal Environments" assumption been tested in twin studies?

A recurring criticism of the twin method for quantifying genetic and environmental components of human differences is the necessity of the so-called "equal environments assumption" (EEA) (i.e., that monozygotic and dizygotic twins experience equally correlated environments). It has been proposed to test the EEA by stratifying twin correlations by indices of the amount of shared environment. However, relevant environments may also be influenced by genetic differences. We present a model for the role of genetic factors in niche selection by twins that may account for variation in indices of the shared twin environment (e.g., contact between members of twin pairs). Simulations reveal that stratification of twin correlations by amount of contact can yield spurious evidence of large shared environmental effects in some strata and even give false indications of genotype x environment interaction. The stratification approach to testing the equal environments assumption may be misleading and the results of such tests may actually be consistent with a simpler theory of the role of genetic factors in niche selection.
Correlation between ultrastructural differentiation of bacteroids and nitrogen fixation in alfalfa nodules

Bacteroid differentiation was examined in developing and mature alfalfa nodules elicited by wild-type or Fix- mutant strains of Rhizobium meliloti. Ultrastructural studies of wild-type nodules distinguished five steps in bacteroid differentiation (types 1 to 5), each being restricted to a well-defined histological region of the nodule. Correlative studies between nodule development, bacteroid differentiation, and acetylene reduction showed that nitrogenase activity was always associated with the differentiation of the distal zone III of the nodule. In this region, the invaded cells were filled with heterogeneous type 4 bacteroids, the cytoplasm of which displayed an alternation of areas enriched with ribosomes or with DNA fibrils. Cytological studies of complementary halves of transversally sectioned mature nodules confirmed that type 4 bacteroids were always observed in the half of the nodule expressing nitrogenase activity, while the presence of type 5 bacteroids could never be correlated with acetylene reduction. Bacteria with a transposon Tn5 insertion in pSym fix genes elicited the development of Fix- nodules in which bacteroids could not develop into the last two ultrastructural types. The use of mutant strains deleted of DNA fragments bearing functional reiterated pSym fix genes and complemented with recombinant plasmids, each carrying one of these fragments, strengthened the correlation between the occurrence of type 4 bacteroids and acetylene reduction. A new nomenclature is proposed to distinguish the histological areas in alfalfa nodules which account for and are correlated with the multiple stages of bacteroid development.
The role of aggregate interference on intrinsic network secrecy

Upper layer wireless security relies on the computational intractability assumption for solving certain number-theoretic problems. These methods can be complemented by techniques that exploit, at the physical layer, the intrinsic properties of the wireless channel and interference. This paper considers communications with intrinsic secrecy in the presence of spatially distributed nodes, namely legitimate users, eavesdroppers, and interferers. We characterize the role of aggregate interference on intrinsic network secrecy, providing insights into regimes in which interference is beneficial for network secrecy.
Physical layer performance enhancement for femtocell SISO/MISO soft real-time wireless communication systems employing Serial Concatenation of Quadratic Interleaved Codes

Serial Concatenation of Interleaved Codes (SCICs) is emerging as a promising technology to improve the physical layer (PHY) performance of modern wireless communication systems in terms of bit-error rate (BER), mainly due to their outstanding coding gains and feasible decoding complexities. For their channel coding performance, an interleaver is a critical component since the Minimum Hamming Distance (MHD) between legitimated permutations of the encoded bit sequence is directly influenced by the interleaver design. In this treatise, the construction of permutation mapping for SCICs is considered based on quadratic congruence, and the results are compared with the system using matrix-based block interleavers where the randomization is performed by storing and looking up elements in a matrix configuration. The performance evaluations are carried out in terms of BER for Single-Input Single-Output (SISO) and Multiple Input Single-Output (MISO) wireless communication systems in a femtocell propagation environment. The results reveal that employing quadratic interleavers yield lower BERs at both waterfall and error-floor regions, compared with the block interleavers.