Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occupational Risk Factors for Brain Cancer: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in Iowa

A number of occupations and industries have been inconsistently associated with the risk of brain cancer. To further explore possible relationships, we conducted a population-based case-control study of brain glioma in the state of Iowa, involving 375 histologically confirmed incident cases and 2434 population-based controls. Among men, the industries and/or occupations that had a significantly increased risk for employment of more than 10 years included roofing, siding, and sheet metalworking; newspaper work; rubber and plastics products, particularly tires and inner tubes; miscellaneous manufacturing industries; wholesale trade of durable goods, grain, and field beans; cleaning and building service occupations; miscellaneous mechanics and repairers; and janitors and cleaners. Subjects who worked in plumbing, heating, and air conditioning; electrical services; gasoline service stations; and military occupations also experienced a significantly increased risk. Among women, significant excess risk was observed for occupations in agricultural services and farming, apparel and textile products, electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing, various retail sales, record-keeping, and restaurant service. Workers in industries with a potential for gasoline or motor exhaust exposures experienced a non-significant excess risk of brain glioma.
Transmission Channels of Economic Shocks in ASEAN

This Policy Brief is based on ERIA Discussion Paper 2013-18 titled “Managing Economic Shocks and Macroeconomic Coordination in an Integrated Region: ASEAN Beyond 2015”. It examines the transmission of economic shocks both from the rest of the world into the ASEAN region and into a typical ASEAN member state (AMS). “Typical” here means representative AMSs, e.g., Singapore for a developed country, Philippines or Indonesia for ASEAN-5 economies and Viet Nam for the CLMV (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Viet Nam), where Viet Nam was chosen for data availability reasons. This paper looks into the trade and financial linkages of a typical AMS and employs a specialised type of vector autoregression (VAR) model to decompose the shocks into trade shocks, financial shocks, and commodity price shocks. The Brief concludes with an analysis of the implications for macroeconomic policy coordination in the region.
Robustness Analysis of Deadbeat-Direct Torque and Flux Control for IPMSM Drives

This paper presents robustness evaluation of deadbeat-direct torque and flux control (DB-DTFC) of interior permanent-magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM) drives with respect to machine parameter variation. For performance comparison, current vector control (CVC), one of the most widely used control methods, is also implemented under identical operating conditions as DB-DTFC. As the metrics to evaluate dynamic performance of DB-DTFC and CVC IPMSM drives, command tracking is used to investigate torque command tracking performance and dynamics stiffness is used to evaluate disturbance rejection performance. In addition, the torque estimation accuracy of DB-DTFC and CVC is investigated with respect to parameter variation. Simulation and experimental results of robustness evaluation of DB-DTFC and CVC are presented in this paper.
Enhanced production of insecticidal proteins in Bacillus thuringiensis strains carrying an additional crystal protein gene in their chromosomes

A two-step procedure was used to place a cryIC crystal protein gene from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai into the chromosomes of two B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strains containing multiple crystal protein genes. The B. thuringiensis aizawai cryIC gene, which encodes an insecticidal protein highly specific to Spodoptera exigua (beet armyworm), has not been found in any B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki strains. The cryIC gene was cloned into an integration vector which contained a B. thuringiensis chromosomal fragment encoding a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, allowing the B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai cryIC to be targeted to the homologous region of the B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki chromosome. First, to minimize the possibility of homologous recombination between cryIC and the resident crystal protein genes, B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD73, which contained only one crystal gene, was chosen as a recipient and transformed by electroporation. Second, a generalized transducing bacteriophage, CP-51, was used to transfer the integrated cryIC gene from HD73 to two other B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki stains. The integrated cryIC gene was expressed at a significant level in all three host strains, and the expression of cryIC did not appear to reduce the expression of the endogenous crystal protein genes. Because of the newly acquired ability to produce the CryIC protein, the recombinant strains showed a higher level of activity against S. exigua than did the parent strains. This two-step procedure should therefore be generally useful for the introduction of an additional crystal protein gene into B. thuringiensis strains which have multiple crystal protein genes and which show a low level of transformation efficiency.
Behaviour of vastus lateralis muscle-tendon during high intensity SSC exercises in vivo.

AIMS The interaction between fascicle and tendinous tissue of human vastus lateralis muscle was investigated during varying intensity stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) jumps performed on a sledge apparatus. METHODS Eight subjects performed single leg squat (SJ) and drop jumps (DJ) from a constant dropping height but to different rebound heights. The fascicle length of the vastus lateralis muscle (VL) was determined from real-time ultrasonography during the movement. Tendon length changes were calculated by subtracting the horizontal part of the fascicle length from the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) length. Simultaneously, kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic data were recorded from leg muscles. In addition, the in vivo patella tendon force was measured from one subject during the trials. RESULTS In all DJs, where MTU was stretched prior to shortening, the fascicle and tendinous tissue of the VL also underwent a SSC. The fascicle lengths decreased and the recoil of tendinous tissue increased with increased rebound intensities (P<0.05). The force-velocity curves obtained from the MTU showed the expected force-velocity relationship for SSC activities, demonstrating performance enhancement. However, the increased MTU power during the shortening phase of the movement was due primarily to the enhancement of the tendon compartment. CONCLUSION The results of this study show that, at higher rebound intensities, the fascicle is controlled during the braking phase in a distinct manner so that the effective recoil of the tendon is possible during the final push-off phase. In addition, the results suggest that the behaviour of fascicle length change depends on the muscle in question in addition to the movement intensity.
Modeling wages of females in the UK

This study analyses the wage equation for women in Britain. The aim of this study is to analyse the determinants of the wages of British women so as to make a statement about them. Data is collected from the BHPS 2005. In order to overcome the sample selection problem, Heckman correction procedure is applied. The findings of the study are generally consistent with previous research on determinants of wages of women.
High Efficiency GaN HEMT Power Amplifier optimized for OFDM EER Transmitter

We have proposed a highly efficient power amplifier (PA) for the envelope elimination and restoration (EER) transmitter using gallium nitride (GaN) HEMT. The class AB, B, C and F mode PAs have been implemented with EUDYNA's 10 watts GaN HEMT and compared the bias modulation performances in order to investigate the optimum PA structure. The proposed class F mode PA has been biased at class C and adopted a new output matching topology that improves the overall transmitter efficiency. For the WiMAX OFDM signal, the calculated overall drain efficiencies of the optimized EER amplifier, which are based on the measuremed bias dependent efficiencies, are about 73 % at an average power of 31 dBm at 2.14 GHz. The proposed highly efficient bias modulation PA for the EER transmitter provides a superior overall efficiency than that of any conventional switching or saturation mode PAs.
Phagocytosis of spermatozoa by the rabbit vagina

Twenty‐four hours after mating in the rabbit, numerous spermatozoa are observed attached to the surface of the vaginal epithelium. Spermatozoa appear to be attached by their heads to microvilli of the simple columnar cells which compose the vaginal epithelium. Spermatozoa are taken up by the epithelial cells, and they are found within the cells in various stages of de generation up to seven days after mating. Epithelial cells frequently appear to be filled with numerous vacuoles containing sperm components in various stages of degeneration. It is suggested that some property of the surface of sperm heads may render them particularly susceptible to phagocytosis. Phagocytosis of spermatozoa may not have long‐term harmful effects for the epithelium since these epithelial cells presumably have a high rate of turnover.
How Women and Illiterates Shaped Education Outcomes in 20th Century Latin America

Is there a direct relationship between the characteristics of the electoral franchise and outcomes in education? This paper examines how voting institutions affect school enrollment in 20th century Latin America. We find that higher levels of political competition and electoral participation engender a positive effect on total education enrollment, albeit with quiet varied results for different levels of enrollment. But not all participation is created equal. While women's suffrage increases tertiary and secondary enrollment, the enfranchisement of illiterate populations increases primary enrollment.
Identification of activated T lymphocytes and eosinophils in bronchial biopsies in stable atopic asthma.

We have used immunohistochemistry and monoclonal antibodies to analyze the phenotypic composition and activation status of the cellular infiltrate of bronchial biopsies obtained by fiber optic bronchoscopy of 11 atopic asthmatic subjects (FEV1% predicted range 78 to 114), 9 atopic nonasthmatic control subjects, and 10 normal healthy subjects. Examination of mucosal biopsies obtained from both central (level I) and subsegmental (level II) bronchi showed that the highest number of CD45-, DC3-, DC4-, and CD8-positive cells were found in the group with asthma. There was a significant increase in the number of interleukin-2 receptor (CD25)-positive cells (a marker of lymphocyte activation) at airway level I in the asthmatic group compared with both nonasthmatic atopic (p less than 0.05) and normal control subjects (p less than 0.01). Eosinophil numbers were significantly increased in asthma at both airway levels and at airway level II in the nonasthmatic atopic group when compared with normal healthy control subjects (p less than 0.05). EG2-positive cells (an index of secretion of eosinophil cationic protein following activation) were found at both airway levels in the asthmatic group and at level I in the nonasthmatic atopic control group (p less than 0.05). When asthmatic subjects were compared with normal healthy subjects, there was a reduction in the number of neutrophil elastase-positive cells in the asthmatic subjects which, as a percentage of leukocytes, was significant (p = 0.05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Proapoptotic effects of P. aeruginosa involve inhibition of surfactant phosphatidylcholine synthesis Published, JLR Papers in Press, July 25, 2006.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes sepsis-induced acute lung injury, a disorder associated with deficiency of surfactant phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho). P. aeruginosa (PA103) utilizes a type III secretion system (TTSS) to induce programmed cell death. Herein, we observed that PA103 reduced alveolar PtdCho levels, resulting in impaired lung biophysical activity, an effect partly attributed to caspase-dependent cleavage of the key PtdCho biosynthetic enzyme, CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase-α (CCTα). Expression of recombinant CCTα variants harboring point mutations at putative caspase cleavage sites in murine lung epithelia resulted in partial proteolytic resistance of CCTα to PA103. Further, caspase-directed CCTα degradation, decreased PtdCho levels, and cell death in murine lung epithelia were lessened after exposure of cells to bacterial strains lacking the TTSS gene product, exotoxin U (ExoU), but not ExoT. These observations suggest that during the proapoptotic program driven by P. aeruginosa, deleterious effects on phospholipid metabolism are mediated by a TTSS in concert with caspase activation, resulting in proteolysis of a key surfactant biosynthetic enzyme.
Towards a Ubiquitous Model of an Individual in Social Machines

It is the activities of individuals that lead to formation and changes within any social system. Hence, the "social" component in a social machine (socio-technical machine) can be understood constructively from the conception of an individual as a machine. In this work, we present a stochastic finite state machine model of an individual based on Abhidhamma tradition of Buddhism. The machine models moment to moment states of consciousness of an individual in terms of the Buddhist formal ontology that constitutes an individual. Thus, the key contribution of our research is a ubiquitous framework of an individual which unifies the idea of a human agent across all possible social machines. It is shown that from web data of a particular individual this machine can be populated. We expound how our model solves issues pertaining to varied temporal granules and sparsity of data. We further illustrate through an example as to how our approach can unify the conceptualizations of an individual from the numerous ideologies and definitions of a social machine. As a part of our future work, we hope to align this proposed stochastic machine with social observatories on internet.
Comparison of cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase ratios in the detection of myocardial injury after aortic surgery

Perioperative myocardial infarction may not be diagnosed correctly because World Health Organization criteria are often not met and creatinine kinase myocardial fraction (creatinine kinase/creatinine kinase MB isoenzyme; CK/CK‐MB) ratios can be difficult to interpret. Cardiac troponin (cTn) I and cTnT are the most sensitive and specific markers of myocardial cell necrosis currently available but are not widely used in surgical practice. The aim was to compare cTnI and CK/CK‐MB ratios in the detection of myocardial injury following aortic surgery.
A Novel Fixative Improves Opportunities of Nucleic Acids and Proteomic Analysis in Human Archive's Tissues

All tissues from biopsy or surgery origin are fixed and paraffin embedded as a routine procedure in the hospital departments of pathology. The traditional method of tissue preservation is the fixation in formalin, followed by paraffin embedding. In this way tissue's integrity is ensured also for future analyses, because there is no further chemical degradation of nucleic acids and proteins in tissues embedded in paraffin. After few sections for the histopathological examination the tissues are stored for decades in the hospital archives. Even if formalin fixation compromises the quality and integrity of nucleic acids, it has already been demonstrated that it is possible to recover and analyze DNA and RNA from these archive's tissues, even of autopsy origin. Protein analysis is on the contrary completely blocked, due to the fact that formalin fixation creates covalent links between proteins and the only way to study protein expression is immunohistochemistry. In this study we present our results concerning the use of a new formalin free fixative, the FineFIX®. After extraction of nucleic acids, PCR and RT-PCR analyses were performed in DNA and RNA respectively. For DNA analysis it was possible to obtain amplicons of 2400 bps, while in formalin-fixed samples the maximum length achieved was less than 400 bps. RT-PCR analysis show that it was possible to study RNA fragments of 600 bps from FineFIX® fixed tissues, against a maximum length of about 150 bps achieved by formalin-fixed tissues. These tissues were analyzed also by Western Blot analysis, showing that the proteins obtained from FineFIX® treated samples are amenable and comparable in quality with those obtained from fresh frozen tissues. Protein extracts from FineFix® treated tissues were also compared with fresh tissues'ones by two dimensional electrophoresis, demonstrating that the protein pattern were well comparable for number and distribution of the spots.
Biochemical and Functional Characterization of Salp20, an Ixodes scapularis Tick Salivary Protein that Inhibits the Complement Pathway

Ixodes ticks are vectors of several pathogens including Borrelia burgdorferi. Tick saliva contains numerous molecules that facilitate blood feeding without host immune recognition and rejection. We have expressed, purified, and characterized Ixodes scapularis salivary protein 20 (Salp20), a potential inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway that shares homology with the Isac protein family. When analysed by SDS‐PAGE and size exclusion chromatography, Salp20 was approximately 48 kDa, more than double its predicted mass, primarily due N‐ and O‐linked glycosylations. Recombinant Salp20 inhibited the alternative complement pathway by dissociating the C3 convertase, and partially protected a serum sensitive species of Borrelia from lysis by normal human serum. We propose that Salp20 facilitates tick feeding and possibly protects tick‐borne pathogens from complement components.
Correlations Between The Varus Level and Body Composition, Flexibility, Lower Strength, and Strength Imbalance in Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to investigate correlations between intervals of two inner knees and body composition, flexibility, knee muscle strength, knee muscle strength imbalance, each. Subjects were 42 male adolescents who have the varus level more than 2nd grade. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. The results of correlations did not reveal between intervals of two inner knees and BMI and %fat, each. The results of correlations revealed negative correlations between intervals of two inner knees and knee extensor and flexor on the right and left both. The results of correlations did not reveal between intervals of two inner knees and knee extensor strength imbalance, also between intervals of two inner knees and knee flexor strength imbalance. The results of correlations negative correlation between intervals of two inner knees and flexibility. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that the varus level of male adolescents has higher relationship with knee extensor and flexor strength and flexibility than body composition and knee strength imbalance.
Molecular and Functional Dissection of TGF‐β1‐Induced Cerebrovascular Abnormalities in Transgenic Mice

Abstract: Cerebrovascular abnormalities, such as reduced blood flow, microvascular fibrosis, and cerebrovascular amyloid angiopathy, are prominent in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, their etiology is poorly understood and it is unclear whether cerebrovascular changes contribute to functional impairments in the absence of neurodegeneration. In humans with AD, transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) mRNA levels in the midfrontal gyrus correlate positively with the relative degree of cerebrovascular amyloid deposition in that brain region, suggesting a possible role for TGF‐β1 in human cerebrovascular abnormalities. Transgenic mice overexpressing TGF‐β1 in astrocytes develop AD‐like cerebrovascular abnormalities, including perivascular astrocytosis, microvascular basement membrane thickening, and accumulation of thioflavin S‐positive amyloid in the absence of parenchymal degeneration. Mice overexpressing TGF‐β1 alone or in addition to human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) show selective accumulation of human β‐amyloid (Aβ) in blood vessels and develop cerebral hemorrhages in old age. In 9‐month‐old TGF‐β1 transgenic mice, cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the limbic system was significantly less than in nontransgenic littermate controls. Aged TGF‐β1 mice also showed overall reduced cerebral glucose uptake (CGU) as a measure of brain activity. Thus, chronic overproduction of TGF‐β1 in the brain results in structural and functional impairments reminiscent of those in AD cases with amyloid angiopathy.
“You know that's a rip-off”: policies and practices surrounding micro-enterprises and poverty alleviation in South African township tourism

ABSTRACT Supporting the development of small tourism businesses has been seen by policy-makers as a valuable means of alleviating poverty in South African townships. This perspective has been endorsed by several “responsible” tourism businesses and academics. Following a literature review, this paper reports the findings of an empirical study that examined the practices of 80 micro-business owners and the factors that shape their behaviour in two South African townships. In spite of significant visitor numbers, it finds that their narrow social networks, the imbalances of power between them and intermediaries such as travel agencies and tour operators, ideas of Ubuntu and Umona, and complex family and ethnic ties all represent barriers that prevent them from developing their businesses and sharing in the material gains available through tourism. This analysis has important implications for local policy-makers and those advocating responsible tourism. For the former, it suggests a cessation of current initiatives in favour of greater regulation and alternative forms of investment. For the latter, it implies a need to reassess the utility of advocating responsible tourism to consumers in a context where they do not understand the dynamics which fashion what is on offer or the implications of their choices.
Large air gap coupler for inductive charger

A novel magnetic coupler with large air gap is presented. It is developed for the electric vehicle's automatic inductive charger. The new inductive coupler proposed here has sufficient exciting inductance even if it has a large air gap. Calculated exciting inductance is 40 {micro}H at 2 turns of winding and 5 mm air gap, which agrees well with measured value. In order to assess the generation of heat caused by the eddy current, the magnetic flux densities in the inductive charger and also a flat iron plate, to which the inductive charger is attached, are calculated. The conversion efficiency with the coupler and a MOSFETs full-bridge inverter of 100 kHz, is 97% at 8.3 kW output.
Role of in vitro cholesterol depletion in mediating human platelet aggregation

Summary. We investigated the direct role of cholesterol lowering on human platelet aggregation by in vitro cholesterol depletion using methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin. Collagen and thrombin receptor agonist peptide induced maximal aggregation was significantly decreased in cholesterol depleted platelets. In contrast, anti‐CD9 antibody, mAb7, or anti‐β3 antibody, D3, induced percent maximal aggregation was unaffected by cholesterol depletion. Surface and total αIIbβ3 levels were equivalent in both groups. Morphological and ultrastructural analysis of collagen induced aggregates revealed that normal and cholesterol depleted platelets changed shape and aggregated; however, cholesterol depletion impaired microtubule ring formation and aggregate size. Cholesterol depletion also diminished the extent of the open canalicular system and collagen induced platelet ATP release. These data suggest cholesterol depletion impairs platelet aggregation by altering platelet ultrastructure critical in mediating secretion. Temporal differences and differences in tyrosine phosphoprotein levels following collagen stimulation were observed, thereby indicating that platelet signaling was concurrently affected by cholesterol depletion.