Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survey of health and use characterization of pesticide appliers in Minnesota.

We surveyed 1,000 randomly selected state-licensed pesticide appliers to improve our understanding of pesticide use and its potential health effects. Participants were stratified by pesticide class (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, fumigants) to determine potential differences in health characteristics among different pesticide groups. A subset of 60 applicators, divided by pesticide class used, were studied for exposure-related cholinesterase (ChE) depression. ChE depression in excess of 20% was most frequent in fumigant applicators who did enclosed-space application, in addition to other pesticide application procedures (p < .05). Survey data demonstrated that the prevalence of all common chronic diseases considered together was significantly increased (p = .015) in fumigant appliers, compared with all other pesticide use groups. The frequency of chronic lung disease was also significantly increased in the fumigant applier group (p = .027). Curiously, two cases of a rare hematopoietic neoplasm--hairy cell leukemia--were identified in our study group (annual incidence 0.67/100,000 in Minnesota). Whether there is an association between this unique tumor and agricultural work is uncertain, and further study is needed in this regard.
Cycle-Adjusted Capital market expectations under Black-Litterman framework in Global tactical asset allocation

We propose an implementation of Black-Litterman allocation approach with views based on timevarying risk premiums during different phases of business cycle. To obtain views we define 5-phase business cycle taken from US economic history 1979–2012. Then we formulate stylized facts on assets classes’ comovement during different phases of business cycle and set simplistic rules for generating views based on mentioned facts. To predict phase of cycle we use methodology of 5-phase business cycle prediction based on key macroeconomic indicators analysis. We back-test both approaches and compare them to such classical asset allocation strategies performance, as market-equilibrium portfolio, equal-weighted “naive” diversification, 60/40 and other. We find that Black-Litterman allocation shows superior performance to almost all other allocation strategies during 1980–2011 years.
Vertical deformation associated with normal fault systems evolved over coseismic, postseismic, and multiseismic periods

Vertical deformation of extensional provinces varies significantly and in seemingly contradictory ways. Sparse but robust geodetic, seismic, and geologic observations in the Basin and Range province of the western United States indicate that immediately after an earthquake, vertical change primarily occurs as subsidence of the normal fault hanging wall. A few decades later, a ±100 km wide zone is symmetrically uplifted. The preserved topography of long‐term rifting shows bent and tilted footwall flanks rising high above deep basins. We develop finite element models subjected to extensional and gravitational forces to study time‐varying deformation associated with normal faulting. We replicate observations with a model that has a weak upper mantle overlain by a stronger lower crust and a breakable elastic upper crust. A 60° dipping normal fault cuts through the upper crust and extends through the lower crust to simulate an underlying shear zone. Stretching the model under gravity demonstrates that asymmetric slip via collapse of the hanging wall is a natural consequence of coseismic deformation. Focused flow in the upper mantle imposed by deformation of the lower crust localizes uplift under the footwall; the breakable upper crust is a necessary model feature to replicate footwall bending over the observed width (<10 km), which is predicted to take place within 1–2 decades after each large earthquake. Thus the best‐preserved topographic signature of rifting is expected to occur early in the postseismic period. The relatively stronger lower crust in our models is necessary to replicate broader postseismic uplift that is observed geodetically in subsequent decades.
Predictors of Continued Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents Following a Suicide Attempt

Describes adolescents who attempt suicide and their risk for ongoing suicidal behavior. Fifty-eight adolescents (53 female) who attempted suicide received a baseline evaluation that was analyzed to identify factors that were associated with continued suicidal ideation and reattempt. At a 3-month follow-up assessment, 45% reported continued suicidal ideation and 12% reported a repeat attempt. Baseline measures of family functioning, feelings of hopelessness, and abilities to regulate affect were associated with suicidal ideation at follow-up but not as strongly as depressed mood. After controlling for depressive symptoms, the association between family functioning and continued suicidal behavior was no longer significant. Depressed mood at baseline was most strongly associated with both continued suicidal ideation and reattempt.
Audience reactions to motor vehicle advertisements: a test of compliance with self-regulatory codes

Massive automobile advertising budgets suggest that consumers worldwide are exposed to a large number of motor vehicle advertising messages. This is of concern considering some motor vehicle advertisements may encourage unsafe driving practices. In fact, motor vehicle advertising contributes a significant proportion of all complaints received by the Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB). Further, it appears that many advertisements that may be non compliant appear to fall through the regulatory gaps. This paper presents a test of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) Voluntary Code of Practice for Motor Vehicle Advertising. It entailed assessing audience perceptions of the messages communicated in three advertisements which were the subject of complaint to the ASB, two of which (Ford, Jeep) were dismissed and the third (Mazda) upheld. Audience perceptions of the ads showed that the ASB were correct in upholding the Mazda complaint that the ad promoted speed and performance aspects of the vehicle. However, our results showed that the Ford and Jeep ads also communicated these messages to the same extent or greater. Our results also showed that the sort of driver behaviour portrayed in these ads is perceived by a majority of viewers as aggressive and risk-taking across all three ads. These results bring into question the approach the Australian Standards Bureau uses to determine whether an advertisement breaches the FCAI Voluntary Code of Practice for Motor Vehicle Advertising.
The cytoarchitecture of the human anteroventral cochlear nucleus

The cytoarchitecture of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (Av) was studied in six human brain stems stained with cresyl violet. A compensating polar planimeter was used to measure the cross‐sectional area of perikarya drawn with a camera lucida device. The majority of neurons are ovoid in shape with somewhat eccentric nuclei and moderately coarse Nissl granules which are uniformly distributed throughout the neuroplasm. On a dimensional basis, there is a single population of cells which vary in size according to a normal distribution. The average perikaryal size is 370 sq. μ (18 × 26 μ). Cellular density is greatest along the lateral margin of Av near the rostral end. Neurons of all sizes intermingle in every part of the nucleus and no circumscribed area can be characterized as containing exclusively or even predominantly neurons of any given size. The cytoarchitecture of the human anteroventral cochlear nucleus so closely resembles that of the rhesus monkey as to suggest similar fiber projections and physiological properties in both species.
Characterization of monomeric DNA-binding protein Histone H1 in Leishmania braziliensis

SUMMARY Histone H1 in Leishmania presents relevant differences compared to higher eukaryote counterparts, such as the lack of a DNA-binding central globular domain. Despite that, it is apparently fully functional since its differential expression levels have been related to changes in chromatin condensation and infectivity, among other features. The localization and the aggregation state of L. braziliensis H1 has been determined by immunolocalization, mass spectrometry, cross-linking and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Analysis of H1 sequences from the Leishmania Genome Database revealed that our protein is included in a very divergent group of histones H1 that is present only in L. braziliensis. An antibody raised against recombinant L. braziliensis H1 recognized specifically that protein by immunoblot in L. braziliensis extracts, but not in other Leishmania species, a consequence of the sequence divergences observed among Leishmania species. Mass spectrometry analysis and in vitro DNA-binding experiments have also proven that L. braziliensis H1 is monomeric in solution, but oligomerizes upon binding to DNA. Finally, despite the lack of a globular domain, L. braziliensis H1 is able to form complexes with DNA in vitro, with higher affinity for supercoiled compared to linear DNA.
Identification and Preservation of External Branch of Superior Laryngeal Nerve in Thyroidectomy

The basic principle of head and neck surgery is based on the identification and preservation of important structures, rather than avoidance. This principle is also applicable to identification and preservation of external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) as a standard routine in all thyroid surgeries. During thyroid surgery, the EBSLN is clearly at risk due to its close proximity to the superior thyroid artery (STA) and its branches that need to be ligated during dissection of the superior pole of the thyroid gland. Injury is detrimental to the patient by causing paralysis of the cricothyroid muscle which is the main tensor and pitch controlling mechanism of the vocal folds. Injury to the EBSLN during surgery can result in the voice changes, loss of upper range and easy fatigability of voice, the severity of which varies according to the vocal demand of the patient. Total 45 cases of thyroid swellings were treated with surgery, in the Department of ENT at a tertiary care hospital during the period from 1st October 2009 to 30th October 2010. Hemithyroidectomy was the most common operative procedure implemented in 24 patients (53.33%) in which right sided was common. Next common procedure performed was that of total thyroidectomy in 14 patients (31.11%). Four patients underwent total thyroidectomy with neck dissection. The position of EBSLN was classified according the Cernea et al classification. In our study we found the EBSLN to be type I in 46.66%, type IIa in 73.33% and type IIb in 02.22%. The anatomical landmark taken into consideration to identify EBSLN was the Joll’s triangle with its relation to the superior pole of the thyroid gland and STA.
Eating behaviour, and preprandial and postprandial correlations in male broiler and layer chickens

1. It has been suggested that broiler chickens have a disturbed satiety and hunger mechanism. The satiety mechanism for eating can be expressed as the positive correlation between meal length and the length of the preceding (preprandial) interval; the hunger mechanism for eating as the positive correlation between meal length and the length of the succeeding (postprandial) interval. An experiment was conducted to investigate eating behaviour of male broiler and layer chickens by measuring meal and interval lengths. 2. Eight male broilers and 8 male layer chickens were housed individually and visually isolated in floor pens (1 m2/pen) on wood shavings. From 4 to 7 weeks of age, eating behaviour of each bird was recorded for 3 h in two conditions each week. In the first condition, the birds were not deprived from feed. In the second condition, they were 24-h food deprived and feed was provided just before the observation started. Preprandial and postprandial correlations were calculated based on data of the non-deprived condition. Before and after each observation bird and feeder were weighed to measure weight gain and feed consumption during observation. 3. Under the non-deprived condition, the broilers spent initially more, but at a later age less time on eating. The broilers had fewer meals per hour, consumed more feed per hour, and had longer meal and interval lengths than the layer chickens. After 24-h feed deprivation, the broilers had a longer first meal, consumed more feed per hour and spent more time on eating than the layer chickens. Significant preprandial correlations but no postprandial correlations were found in the broilers. In the layer chickens, both significant preprandial and postprandial correlations were found. This indicates that for regulating eating behaviour, the satiety mechanism dominates the hunger mechanism in broilers, and satiety and hunger mechanisms are equally involved in layer chickens. 4. The typical eating behaviour of broilers and the calculated preprandial and postprandial correlations have given new indications that hunger and satiety mechanisms in broilers have changed compared with layer chickens. In broilers, there is no lower set point, but only an upper set point for controlling eating behaviour, which suggests that broilers eat to their maximal physical capacity.
The Balanced Scorecard and Curriculum Integration in an Executive MBA Program

The Executive MBA Program at Loyola College recently undertook a comprehensive revision of its program. The goal of this revision was to develop a program that provided an integrated and systematic view of the enterprise, along with a basic understanding of all management functions and a cross-functional approach to complex organizational issues. To achieve these goals, the Balanced Scorecard became a key, integrating component in the second year curriculum. This paper presents the development of the EMBA program, in general, and demonstrates the use of the Balanced Scorecard as an integrating framework.
Differentiation of U.S. and European isolates of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus by monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to two U.S. isolates of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus were prepared. Two MAbs specifically recognized a conserved epitope on the putative 15-kDa nucleocapsid protein of U.S. and European isolates of PRRS virus. Four other MAbs recognized epitopes on the 15-kDa protein of U.S. but not European isolates of PRRS virus. Collectively, this indicates that PRRS viruses contain both conserved and divergent epitopes on the 15-kDa viral protein.
Information Technology (IT): The Effects on the Growth of Banking Industry in Bangladesh – A Customer Perception

Information Technology (IT) is changing our way of doing things. So it is changing the banking industry. This study is to look into the impact of IT on the banking industry in Bangladesh and in particular to what extent customers are satisfied with IT enabled services and contribute to this industry’s growth. A questionnaire survey was conducted to find customers opinion about the effect of IT at five banks in Dhaka. The findings of the survey clearly indicated that the IT has mentionable contributions to its growth.
Identifying and Prioritizing of Readiness Factors for Implementing ERP Based on Agility (Extension of McKinsey 7S Model)

Studies conducted by many researchers indicate high failure rate of projects of implementing ERP systems. To penetrate in global competition market, it seems necessary to carry out studies to assess organizational readiness prior to system implementation to identify weaknesses and strengths points of the organization. Furthermore, organizations should be agile to be able to respond to market changes fast and effectively to survive in competitive environment. ERP and agility are two important tools for achieving competitive advantages. The main goal of the present study was to identify and prioritize organizational readiness factors for implementing ERP based on organizational agility. In this study, along with extension of McKinsey 7S model (strategy, structure, systems, skills, style, staff, shared values) to 9S (7S+ self-evaluation and supportive factors) model, agility criteria were weighted and rated using group AHP with fuzzy logic approach; so that accountability, speed and flexibility have obtained the maximum score. The nine organizational readiness factors were ranked using integrated FAHP and TOPSIS method based on five criteria of agility. The framework was proposed to a real case of Shiraz distribution cooperative firms. Results showed that among the nine organizational dimensions based on agility, the two added to McKinsey dimensions (self-evaluation and supportive factors) are ranked in the first and fourth places. The proposed framework help the firms “to implement ERP system with agility approach” concentrate on effective empowerments and develop strategies based on their own priority.
AN ONTOLOGICAL APPROACH FOR MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS IN UNREGULATED MARKETS

Ontologies are a key factor of Information management as they provide a common representation to any domain. Historically, finance domain has suffered from a lack of efficiency in managing vast amounts of financial data, a lack of communication and knowledge sharing between analysts. Particularly, with the growth of fraud in financial markets, cases are challenging, complex, and involve a huge volume of information. Gathering facts and evidence is often complex. Thus, the impetus for building a financial fraud ontology arises from the continuous improvement and development of financial market surveillance systems with high analytical capabilities to capture frauds which is essential to guarantee and preserve an efficient market.This thesis proposes an ontology-based approach for financial market surveillance systems. The proposed ontology acts as a semantic representation of mining concepts from unstructured resources and other internet sources (corpus). The ontology contains a comprehensive concept system that can act as a semantically rich knowledge base for a market monitoring system. This could help fraud analysts to understand financial fraud practices, assist open investigation by managing relevant facts gathered for case investigations, providing early detection techniques of fraudulent activities, developing prevention practices, and sharing manipulation patterns from prosecuted cases with investigators and relevant users. The usefulness of the ontology will be evaluated through three case studies, which not only help to explain how manipulation in markets works, but will also demonstrate how the ontology can be used as a framework for the extraction process and capturing information related to financial fraud, to improve the performance of surveillance systems in fraud monitoring. Given that most manipulation cases occur in the unregulated markets, this thesis uses a sample of fraud cases from the unregulated markets. On the empirical side, the thesis presents examples of novel applications of text-mining tools and data-processing components, developing off-line surveillance systems that are fully working prototypes which could train the ontology in the most recent manipulation techniques.
Prefrontal seizures manifesting as motor stereotypies

The definition of stereotypies traditionally does not include “epileptic automatisms. ” However repetitive, sometimes rhythmic behaviors can occur during frontal lobe seizures in a reproducible pattern for a given patient. Thus, the concept of a frontostriatal “motor loop” could be relevant to repetitive ictal behaviors.
Adeno-Associated Virus Type 2 Modulates the Host DNA Damage Response Induced by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 during Coinfection

ABSTRACT Adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) is a human parvovirus that relies on a helper virus for efficient replication. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) supplies helper functions and changes the environment of the cell to promote AAV2 replication. In this study, we examined the accumulation of cellular replication and repair proteins at viral replication compartments (RCs) and the influence of replicating AAV2 on HSV-1-induced DNA damage responses (DDR). We observed that the ATM kinase was activated in cells coinfected with AAV2 and HSV-1. We also found that phosphorylated ATR kinase and its cofactor ATR-interacting protein were recruited into AAV2 RCs, but ATR signaling was not activated. DNA-PKcs, another main kinase in the DDR, was degraded during HSV-1 infection in an ICP0-dependent manner, and this degradation was markedly delayed during AAV2 coinfection. Furthermore, we detected phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs during AAV2 but not HSV-1 replication. The AAV2-mediated delay in DNA-PKcs degradation affected signaling through downstream substrates. Overall, our results demonstrate that coinfection with HSV-1 and AAV2 provokes a cellular DDR which is distinct from that induced by HSV-1 alone.
Selecting Environmental Performance Indicators : The Case of Numico

In order to achieve both efficient and reliable external communication adapted to the company's specific conditions, it is desirable to establish a clear relation between the environmental performance indicators (EPIs) used internally for environmental management and the EPIs used externally for public reporting. This paper first analyses the relevance of existing tools in selecting corporate EPIs such as schemes and guidelines for environmental reporting and the ISO 14031 standard. A model for diagnosing environmental strategic management is needed to guide the selection of internal and external EPIs. In our study, an analytic model was developed by linking a three-stage model of corporate strategy with different sets of EPIs presented in the literature. The model was used to assess corporate strategy and internal and potential external uses of EPIs. This paper is based on a research project with Numico, a multinational company specialised in nutritional products, whose corporate environmental policy and strategy was not yet fully developed. The model is successfully tested at Numico and it was concluded that a process-oriented corporate strategy focusing on eco-efficiency would be a feasible option. A set of EPIs for external reporting was proposed, accordingly, based on the EPIs already used within the company. Additional potential starting points for further development of the corporate strategy were identified.
Basic determinants of the creation of academic spin-off companies

Companies referred to as academic spin-offs appeared in the Polish economy along with the economic transformations at the beginning of the 1990’s. Despite the great interest on the part of economic policy, very few such companies have been created in Poland for over twenty years. The paper identifies five areas that constitute obstacles to the creation of academic spinoffs in the conditions of the Polish economy.
Proteomic Analysis of Outer Membrane Proteins from Salmonella Enteritidis Strains with Different Sensitivity to Human Serum

Differential analysis of outer membrane composition of S. Enteritidis strains, resistant to 50% normal human serum (NHS) was performed in order to find factors influencing the resistance to higher concentrations of NHS. Ten S. Enteritidis clinical strains, resistant to 50% NHS, all producing very long lipopolysaccharide, were subjected to the challenge of 75% NHS. Five extreme strains: two resistant and three sensitive to 75% NHS, were chosen for the further analysis of outer membrane proteins composition. Substantial differences were found in the levels of particular outer membrane proteins between resistant and sensitive strains, i.e. outer membrane protease E (PgtE) was present mainly in resistant strains, while sensitive strains possessed a high level of flagellar hook-associated protein 2 (FliD) and significantly higher levels of outer membrane protein A (OmpA).
Wheeze in children: the impact of parental education on atopic and non‐atopic symptoms

de Meer G, Reijneveld SA, Brunekreef B. Wheeze in children: the impact of parental education on atopic and non‐atopic symptoms. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 823–830. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S