Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical activity and immune function in elderly women.

The relationship between cardiorespiratory exercise, immune function, and upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was studied in elderly women utilizing a randomized controlled experimental design with a follow-up of 12 wk. Thirty-two sedentary, elderly Caucasian women, 67-85 yr of age, who met specific selection criteria, were randomized to either a walking or calisthenic group; 30 completed the study. Twelve highly conditioned elderly women, 65-84 yr of age, who were active in endurance competitions, were recruited at baseline for cross-sectional comparisons. Intervention groups exercised 30-40 min, 5 d.wk-1, for 12 wk, with the walking group training at 60% heart rate reserve and the calisthenic group engaging in mild range-of-motion and flexibility movements that kept their heart rates close to resting levels. At baseline, the highly conditioned subjects exhibited superior NK (119 +/- 13 vs 77 +/- 8 lytic units, P < 0.01) and T (33.3 +/- 4.9 vs 21.4 +/- 2.1 cpm x 10(-3) using PHA, P < 0.05) cell function, despite no differences in circulating levels of lymphocyte subpopulations. Twelve weeks of moderate cardiorespiratory exercise improved the VO2max of the sedentary subjects 12.6%, but did not result in any improvement in NK cell activity or T cell function. Incidence of URTI was lowest in the highly conditioned group and highest in the calisthenic control group during the 12-wk study, with the walkers in an intermediate position (chi-square = 6.36, P = 0.042). In conclusion, the highly conditioned elderly women in this study had superior NK and T cell function when compared with their sedentary counterparts. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Input-to-state stability for model predictive control of single systems and networks with time-delays

The input-to-state stability (ISS) property is combined with model predictive control (MPC) of systems with time-delays and disturbances. We derive conditions such that an MPC scheme assures ISS for a single system and each subsystem of a network. To this end, it is shown that the cost functionals of the used MPC scheme are ISS-Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals. Recent results of the stability analysis of networks using Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals are applied. Moreover, we show that the whole network with time-delays possesses the ISS property after application of a control obtained by an MPC scheme under a small-gain condition.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, long-term weight change, and incident overweight or obesity: the Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN) cohort.

BACKGROUND The Mediterranean dietary pattern might be a potential tool for the prevention of obesity. OBJECTIVES We studied the association between adherence to 6 previously published scores used to assess the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and weight change. We also assessed the risk of relevant weight gain (≥ 5 kg) or the risk of developing overweight or obesity. DESIGN The study population included 10,376 Spanish men and women who were university graduates (mean age = 38 y) and were followed up for a mean (± SD) of 5.7 ± 2.2 y. Diet was assessed at baseline with a 136-item, previously validated food-frequency questionnaire. Weight was assessed at baseline and biennially during follow-up. RESULTS Participants with the lowest adherence (≤ 3 points) to the Mediterranean dietary score (MDS) proposed by Trichopoulou et al (range: 0-9; N Engl J Med 2003;348:2599-608) exhibited the highest average yearly weight gain, whereas participants with the highest (≥ 6 points) adherence exhibited the lowest weight gain (adjusted difference: -0.059 kg/y; 95% CI: -0.111, -0.008 kg/y; P for trend = 0.02). This inverse association was extended to other a priori-defined MDSs. The group with the highest adherence to the MDS also showed the lowest risk of relevant weight gain (≥ 5 kg) during the first 4 y of follow-up (odds ratio: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.90). CONCLUSIONS Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern is significantly associated with reduced weight gain. This dietary pattern can be recommended to slow down age-related weight gain.
Relations between GPR early-time signal attributes and ground permittivity: A numerical investigation

In recent times, various theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out in order to address the relationship between amplitude attributes of the `direct wave' propagating at the interface in bistatic ground-coupled radars (the so-called `early-time signal') and the relevant shallow-soil permittivity. This issue is extensively analyzed here for the first time by means of an accurate and efficient numerical approach based on a CAD tool. The flexibility of the approach allows us to investigate in wider terms the role of the various physical parameters that affect the early-time signal features (type, location, and distance of the antennas, transmitted waveforms, etc.), in addition to the electromagnetic contrast between upper and lower media. Quantitative results are derived in order to clearly establish which are the more revealing signal attributes that enable for predictable correlation to the ground permittivity values and what kind of functional relations can be outlined. Novel and reliable information can thus be achieved on the actual potential of the `early-time method' for efficient subsurface non-destructive testing.
A Major Peroxiredoxin-induced Activation of Yap1 Transcription Factor Is Mediated by Reduction-sensitive Disulfide Bonds and Reveals a Low Level of Transcriptional Activation*

Redox reactions involving cysteine thiol-disulfide exchange are crucial for the intracellular monitoring of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Yap1, the master transcription factor for the oxidative stress response in budding yeast, is activated by the formation of disulfide bonds in response to H2O2. Gpx3 (glutathione peroxidase-like protein 3) acts as a receptor for H2O2, and Ybp1 (Yap1-binding protein 1) is crucial for Gpx3-dependent disulfide bond formation in Yap1. We previously reported that Tsa1, a major peroxiredoxin in yeast cells, is required for activation of Yap1 in a widely used yeast strain, W303-1b, carrying the ybp1-1 mutant allele encoding a truncated Ybp1 protein. In the present study, we show that Tsa1 can interact with Yap1 via disulfide linkages and induce the formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds in Yap1 in ybp1-1 cells. The results provide evidence that Prx can have intrinsic activity as an H2O2 receptor and can relay H2O2 as a signal to the Prx target proteins in terms of formation of disulfide linkage. Furthermore, our data reveal that there is more of the reduction-resistant active form of Yap1 (i.e. Yap1 (oxII)) when it is partnered with Gpx3 than with Tsa1. These data support our hypothesis that changes in the redox status of Yap1 to reduction-resistant forms by multiple disulfide bond formation are important for determining the level and duration of Yap1 activity in the dynamic equilibrium of redox reactions in cells exposed to H2O2.
An Efficient Method to Reduce the Numerical Dispersion in the LOD-FDTD Method Based on the (2, 4) Stencil

A parameter-optimized (2, 4) stencil based locally-one-dimensional (LOD) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) is presented with much reduced numerical dispersion errors. The method is first proved to be unconditionally stable. Then by using different optimization schemes, the method is optimized to satisfy different accuracy requirements, such as minimum dispersion errors in the axial directions, in the diagonal direction, and in the specified angles. Performances of the parameter-optimized LOD-FDTD with different time steps and frequencies are also studied. It is found that the parameter optimization can significantly reduce numerical dispersion errors, bringing them down to the level of the conventional FDTD but with the time step exceeding the CFL limit and without much additional computational cost. In addition, the optimized parameters are not sensitive to frequencies; in particular, the optimized parameters obtained at a higher frequency still present low numerical dispersion errors at a lower frequency.
Size-sorted portfolios and information spillovers: structural evidence from Australia

A structural model is proposed to analyze linkages between large, medium and small capitalization securities traded on the Australian Stock Exchange. Small stocks fail to react instantaneously to the information transmitted by large and medium cap firms, and take several weeks to absorb this information in an entirely lagged adjustment process. In contrast, medium firms respond to the information conveyed by large cap securities with about 80 percent instantaneous and 20 percent lagged adjustment. Large stocks are the quickest to respond to new information but slightly overshoot in their immediate reaction to the news transmitted by medium cap firms. A number of trading strategies are constructed on the basis of the uncovered patterns in order to test for the possibility of arbitrage profits. Although the excess returns generated by these strategies are typically positive, they are statistically insignificant, suggesting that the discovered signals are too weak to be successfully used for trading purposes.
Quality of Life ( QoL ) in a Society : Theoretical Discussion and Recommendations

12 International Convention on Quality Improvement: 2-3 May, 2011; Lahore, Pakistan Quality of Life (QoL) in a Society: Theoretical Discussion and Recommendations By Prof. Syed Muhammad Awais (Sitara-e-Imtiaz) Dean Faculty of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, and Director, Department of Standards and Quality Assurance. King Edward Medical University and Mayo Hospital, Lahore
Effects of genistein on male sprague dawley rats reproductive development.

Genistein (Gen), is commonly consumed phytoestrogen among Asian and known to exert weak estrogenic effects. To account for potential reproductive effects in male rats, Control, Gen1, Gen10, Gen100 mg/kg body weight and Estradiol were administered to gestational day 10 (GD10) female Sprague Dawley for 5 weeks. At postnatal day, P50, the rats were sacrificed. Blood was taken and reproductive tissues were processed. At birth, body weight (BW) and anogenital distance (AGD) in Gen10 and Gen100 decreased significantly from Control. Throughout experiment, BW and AGD of Gen10 decreased significantly. Preputial separation (PPS) was significantly longer in Gen100 and one rat from Gen10 exhibited unilateral testis descent at P50. Testicular weight and serum testosterone level were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Histopathological analysis of the seminiferous tubules in Gen1 group is comparable to the Control group. However, the seminiferous tubules of the Gen10 and Gen100 groups showed evidence of overstimulated spermatogenesis. From the immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, there was higher staining intensity indicating increased expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and Connexin43 (Cx43) in Gen10 and Gen100 groups compared to Control. Thus, administration of genistein during the critical period of early development could cause antiestrogenic or/and estrogenic influence on the development and functions of the male reproductive system.
Influence of mobile telephone product differentiation on customer retention, a case of Nairobi county-Kenya

This project is an investigation and analysis of the influence of mobile service differentiation on customer retention in Kenya. The study was prompted by the realization that, despite much effort by some mobile phone network service providers to adopt cost leadership as a competitive advantage in Kenya, the most expensive mobile phone network service provider recorded the lowest rate of customer chum and experienced the highest number of new subscriptions of the four network service providers in the country. Telecommunication has been seen as a key resource for a countries development and hence the importance to understand the trends that influence its penetration in the country. The study looks at the key differentiation services available to the subscribers from the various service providers and compares how they influence customer retention. Customer retention is vital for the continuity of an organization. The target population for this project is Nairobi county mobile phone owners who are approximately 870,163 households. A sample size of 360 randomly selected respondents from the target population. This sample was selected by use of multi-stage sampling. Data collection was done by use of pretested questionnaire and data analyzed using descriptive statistics by means of Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The study suggests that mobile phone service providers should invest in product differentiation and strive to be the first to offer it in the market. It is clear that once subscribes link to a network they are retained by a string o f products that are somehow related. While offering product differentiation service providers should learn the product properties, either access to VAS, cost, quality of service or any other, which are vital and ensure to achieve desired standards in order to satisfy their customers.
Diversity in Cognitive Ability Enlarges Mispricing in Experimental Asset Markets

Does diversity of cognitive ability among market participants increase mispricing? Does common knowledge of heterogeneity in relation to cognitive ability of market participants further increase mispricing? We investigated these questions by measuring subjects' cognitive ability and categorizing those above median ability as type `H' and those below median ability as type `L'. We then constructed three market types, each containing six traders: 6H, 6L, and 3H3L. Subjects were informed of their own cognitive type and, depending on the treatment, that of the others in their market. We found that heterogeneous markets (3H3L) generated significantly larger mispricing than homogeneous markets (6H or 6L) regardless of whether subjects were informed about the cognitive type of others in their market. Thus, diversity of cognitive ability among market participants increased mispricing. However, common knowledge of heterogeneity or homogeneity in the market did not have a significant additional effect.
ANÁLISE MORFOLÓGICA DA INTRODUÇÃO DE VEÍCULOS ELÉTRICOS NO TRÁFEGO URBANO DE SÃO PAULO

Pressures of international organizations and governmental regulations have increased substantially when it comes to the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels and transport pollutants emissions. To meet these challenges, the automotive industry invests large sums in research and development in a broad portfolio of new technologies related to vehicular propulsion. Considering the alternatives in development, electric vehicles, specifically, have increasingly received attention both in Brazil and abroad. This study aims to contribute to the construction of future scenarios in 2020 related to the introduction of electric vehicles in urban traffic in Sao PROFUTURO: PROGRAMA DE ESTUDOS DO FUTURO Editor cientifico: James Terence Coulter Wright Avaliacao: Double Blind Review pelo SEER/OJS Revisao: Gramatical, normativa e de formatacao Future Studies Research Journal ISSN 2175-5825 Sao Paulo, v. 3, n. 1, pp. 14 37, Jan./Jul. 2011 16 Paulo, part of a CNPq/FINEP research project under development at the University of Sao Paulo (USP/FEA), coordinated by Prof. James T. C. Wright. The method of Morphological Analysis was used because it facilitates the structuring of managerial and technological complexities of the proposed problem, aiming the identification of critical variables and their correlation for the prospect of scenarios. The variables that influence an urban transport system were structured into four logical groups: scope of usage, structural architecture and propulsion system of the vehicle, road and energy supply/recharge infrastructure, business model; these groups, in turn, were broken down into different levels, leading to other variables. After that, alternative forms that the selected variables could assume were generated. The multidimensional matrix resulting from this set of combinatorial possibilities passed through, then, by careful analysis of feasibility and consistency in order to identify the basic settings of greatest interest to the effort of scenarios prospecting.
[Effect of inducible nitric oxide synthase on pancreas islet apoptosis in rats].

AIM To investigate the effect and mechanism of cytokine and inducible nitric oxide synthase on apoptosis and function of rat pancreas islets cultured in vitro. METHODS Islets from Wistar rats were cultured in vitro and divided randomly into four groups: blank control group, cytokine group of islets cultured with TNF-alpha+IL-1beta, aminoguanidine (AG) group of islets cultured with aminoguanidine, and AG + cytokine group of islets cultured with TNF-alpha+IL-1beta and aminoguanidine. The nutrient fluid nitric oxide level and islets cNOS/iNOS activity were detected by test kit and the expressions of iNOS mRNA and apoptosis related gene (Bax, Bcl-2) were evaluated by RT-PCR. The viability of the islets was examined by AO/EB staining and the function of the islets was detected by insulin secretion index assay. RESULTS After co-cultured with cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, the expression and activity of iNOS in islet tissues enhanced (38.93+/-4.72) U/mL and the concentration of NO in medium increased remarkably(313.0+/-35.4) mol/L.The survival rate of cells and the insulin secretion index decreased with the up-regulation of proapoptosis gene and down-regulation of anti-apoptosis gene. But the activity of cNOS remained unchanged. Aminoguanidine reduced the cell apoptosis and increased the survival rate and insulin secretion index, and the activity of iNOS was inhibited. CONCLUSION iNOS plays an important role in the apoptosis of islets cultured by cytokines TNF-alpha and IL1-beta. Aminoguanidine prevents the islets from the damage of iNOS, alleviates the impairment of cytokines to islets, lessens the cell apoptosis and ameliorates the survival and function of islets.
The Seven Public-Government Relationship Typlogies: Apply CRM in United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government

In 2010 the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government set out to improve customer service by adopting the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system that was used mainly in private sector. There was a concern about implementing the one size fits all CRM. Therefore, public managers needed to understand the various public sector relationship types and to consider a relational, emotional and behavioral approach to the public-government relationship rather than the technical business management approach. The research here identifies some key distinctive typologies and key contextual relationship factors to better design a management approach that suits each typology. Some key relationship components are stakeholders, services, government role, service concept and relationship exchange. Reviewing the literature from the relationship lens, many studies have focused on understanding the components of a public-government relationship. The gap in the literature highlights the need for CRM models for the government sector functions, identifying the various contextual factors of the relationship, and a need to cater to the behavioral and emotional aspect of the relationship. The seven public-government relationship typology framework emerged from meta-synthesis of the literature review. The study uses UAE Federal government CRM, specifically the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). Grounded theory methodology was used to explore the seven public-government factors. Twenty-four qualitative interviews were conducted. The examined relationships include: entrepreneurial, public beneficiary, social beneficiary, organizer, protector, arbitrator, and supporter. The findings aid practitioners in designing the public-government relationship management approach that suits the nature of each relationship and its context. Theoretically, the relationship is the new lens for improving customer service in the public sector and the private sector. This emphasizes that the one size fits all CRM approach needs to be changed to more of a human and personalized approach to managing relationship typologies that are altered based upon context, influential components, and key factors. Some of the key factors influencing the relationships are communication, awareness, knowledge, emotional handling, engagement, relational approach, trust, and relationship value chain. This study provides good evidence for the need for further exploration of the contextual angle of relationships in the private sector in similar relationship typologies. Seven Public -Government Relationship Typologies Apply CRM in United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government
A randomized trial of dasatinib 100 mg versus imatinib 400 mg in newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy with imatinib (IM), dasatinib (DAS), or nilotinib is very effective in chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia. Two hundred fifty-three patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia were randomized to IM 400 mg/day or DAS 100 mg/day. The proportion of patients achieving a complete cytogenetic remission rate was superior with DAS (84% vs 69%), as was the 12-month molecular response by the proportions of patients achieving > 3-log, > 4-log, and > 4.5-log reduction in BCR-ABL transcript levels. Overall and progression-free survival was similar in the 2 arms. Among patients who achieved hematologic CR, 3-year relapse-free survival was 91% with DAS and 88% with IM 400 mg. Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were most commonly hematologic, including thrombocytopenia in 18% and 8% of DAS and IM patients, respectively. DAS induced more complete cytogenetic response and deeper molecular responses after 12 months, compared with IM 400 mg, and with a median follow-up of 3.0 years there have been very few deaths, relapses, or progressions in the 2 arms. In summary, DAS compared with IM appeared to have more short-term cytogenetic and molecular response, more hematologic toxicity, and similar overall survival. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov as NCT00070499.
Animal models for prostate cancer

Four model systems for prostate adenocarcinomas have been developed in rats: they are designated Dunning, Noble, ACI, and Pollard tumors. They have attributes that make them valuable sources of information, of relevance to the disease in man. The development and use of the Pollard tumors as in vitro and in vivo model systems are reviewed, especially on the phenomenon of metastasis. Specific agents either accelerate or retard the rate and extent of metastatic spread of the prostate tumor cells from extravascular sites to specific target organs. Specific enzymes may be involved in the phenomenon of metastasis.