Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationships between asthma and work exposures among non-domestic cleaners in Ontario.

BACKGROUND Cleaners have been reported to have increased risk for work-related asthma symptoms but few studies have studied non-domestic cleaners. In this study, we compared work-related asthma symptoms among cleaners and other building workers and determined associations with tasks. METHODS School and racetrack workers in Ontario, Canada, completed a questionnaire to identify the prevalence of cleaning tasks, physician-diagnosed asthma, new-onset asthma, respiratory symptoms, and work-related asthma symptoms. RESULTS Cleaners and controls had a similar prevalence of most asthma outcomes although female cleaners reported significantly more respiratory symptoms; odds ratio (OR), 2.59 confidence intervals (CI) 1.6-4.3, and work-related asthma symptoms, OR 3.90 (CI 2.1-7.4) compared with female controls with adjustment for age and smoking history. Male cleaners showed a non-significant trend to more physician-diagnosed asthma, adjusted OR 2.10 (CI 0.9-4.8) and work-related asthma symptoms, adjusted OR 1.53 (CI 0.8-3.0). The work-related asthma symptoms among men were significantly associated with waxing floors, OR 2.19 (CI 1.0-4.4); wax-stripping floors, OR 2.54 (1.2-5.2); spot-cleaning carpets, OR 2.20 (1.3-3.8); and cleaning tiles, OR 4.46 (1.0-19.3) and grout, OR 2.12 (1.1-4.0). CONCLUSIONS Female cleaners have more asthma symptoms worse at work than controls. Work-related asthma symptoms among male cleaners were associated with a number of specific cleaning tasks. Findings suggest the need for school cleaners to have reduced exposure to cleaning chemicals and need for protective strategies during performance of tasks expected to exacerbate asthma, such as wax stripping.
Small bowel perforation associated with an excessive dose of slow release diclofenac sodium.

cigarettes smoked dailv, 95% confidence interval 1 11 to 2 14) but was not a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome in infants over 24 weeks. On the other hand, when paternal smoking in the absence of maternal smoking was studied there was no significantly increased risk for the young infants with sudden infant death syndrome. The older infants who died were, however, at a significantly increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome if their fathers smoked (estimated relative risk=2 81 for every 3 cigarettes smoked daily, 95% confidence interval 111 to 7 15). There are two types of explanation for how smoking could be causally related to postnatal deaths: smoking during pregnancy may leave the newborn infant more vulnerable, or postnatal passive smoking by the infant may increase the risk of death. These data provide some evidence for the passive smoking mechanism in older infants but not in younger infants, in whom maternal smoking during pregnancy appears to be an important factor lasting well beyond the neonatal period.
Inhibition of ABCB1 Overcomes Cancer Stem Cell–like Properties and Acquired Resistance to MET Inhibitors in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) EGFR mutations have shown a dramatic response to EGFR inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). EGFR T790M mutation and MET amplification have been recognized as major mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR-TKI. Therefore, MET inhibitors have recently been used in NSCLC patients in clinical trials. In this study, we tried to identify the mechanism of acquired resistance to MET inhibitors. We analyzed the antitumor effects of two MET inhibitors, PHA-665752 and crizotinib, in 10 NSCLC cell lines. EBC-1 cells with MET amplification were the only cells that were sensitive to both MET inhibitors. We established PHA-665752–resistant EBC-1 cells, namely EBC-1R cells. Activation of KRAS, EGFR, and FGFR2 signaling was observed in EBC-1R cells by FISH and receptor tyrosine kinase phosphorylation antibody arrays. EBC-1R cells also showed overexpression of ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) as well as phosphorylation of MET. EBC-1R cells grew as cell spheres that exhibited cancer stem cell–like (CSC) properties and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). The level of miR-138 that targeted ABCB1 was decreased in EBC-1R cells. ABCB1 siRNA and the ABCB1 inhibitor elacridar could reduce sphere numbers and suppress EMT. Elacridar could also reverse resistance to PHA-665752 in EBC-1R cells. Our study demonstrated that ABCB1 overexpression, which was associated with CSC properties and EMT, was involved in the acquired resistance to MET inhibitors. Inhibition of ABCB1 might be a novel therapeutic strategy for NSCLC patients with acquired resistance to MET inhibitors. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(11); 2433–40. ©2015 AACR.
Parasitic Inductance and Capacitance-Assisted Active Gate Driving Technique to Minimize Switching Loss of SiC MOSFET

High di/dt and dv/dt of SiC MOSFET cause a considerable amount of overshoot in device voltage and current during switching transients in the presence of inverter layout parasitic inductance and load parasitic capacitance. The excessive overshoots in device voltage and current cause failure of the device. Moreover, these uncontrolled overshoots increase the switching loss in the inverter. It is difficult to reduce parasitic inductance beyond a certain point. This paper proposes an active gate driving technique, which allows inverter to operate with moderate amount of layout parasitic inductance and load parasitic capacitance. The proposed technique dramatically reduces switching loss of the SiC MOSFET with the help of existing parasitic elements. The proposed switching loss reduction technique is termed as quasi zero switching. The developed active gate driver has been tested in a double pulse test setup and a 10 kW two-level voltage source inverter driving an induction motor.
Effects of zero gravity on myofibril content and isomyosin distribution in rodent skeletal muscle

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of 12.5 days of zero gravity (0 g) exposure (Cosmos 1887 Biosputnik) on the enzymatic properties, protein content, and isomyosin distribution of the myofibril fraction of the slow‐twitch vastus intermedius (VI) and the fast‐twitch vastus lateralis (VL) muscles of adult male rats. Measurements were obtained on three experimental groups (n = 5 each group) designated as flight group (FG), vivarium control (VC), and synchronous control (SC). Body weight of the FG was significantly lower than that of the two control groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the two control groups, VI weight was lower by 23% (P < 0.10), whereas no such pattern was apparent for the VL muscle. Myofibril yields (mg protein/g muscle) in the VI were 35% lower in the FG than in controls (P < 0.05), whereas no such pattern was apparent for the VL muscle. When myofibril yields were expressed on a muscle basis (mg/g × muscle weight), the loss of myofibril protein was more exaggerated and suggests that myofibril protein degradation is an early event in the muscle atrophy response to 0 g. Analysis of myosin isoforms indicated that slow myosin (Sm) was the primary isoform lost in the calculated degradation of total myosin. No evidence of loss of the fast isomyosins was apparent for either muscle following spaceflight. Myofibril ATPase activity of the VI was increased in the FG compared with controls, which is consistent with the observation of preferential Sm degradation. These data suggest that muscles containing a high percentage of slow‐twitch fibers undergo greater degrees of myofibril protein degradation than muscles containing predominantly fast‐twitch fibers in response to a relatively short period of 0 g exposure, and the primary target appears to be the Sm molecule. —Baldwin, K. M. , Herrick, R. E. , Ilyina‐Kakueva, E. , and Oganov, V. S. Effects of zero gravity on myofibril content and isomyosin distribution in rodent skeletal muscle. FASEB J. 4: 79‐83; 1990.
The Francisella tularensis pathogenicity island protein IglC and its regulator MglA are essential for modulating phagosome biogenesis and subsequent bacterial escape into the cytoplasm

The Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida‐containing phagosome (FCP) matures into a late endosome‐like stage that acquires the late endosomal marker LAMP‐2 but does not fuse to lysosomes, for the first few hours after bacterial entry. This modulation in phagosome biogenesis is followed by disruption of the phagosome and bacterial escape into the cytoplasm where they replicate. Here we examined the role of the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI) protein IglC and its regulator MglA in the intracellular fate of F. tularensis subsp. novicida within human macrophages. We show that F. tularensis mglA and iglC mutant strains are defective for survival and replication within U937 macrophages and human monocyte‐derived macrophages (hMDMs). The defect in intracellular replication of both mutants is associated with a defect in disruption of the phagosome and failure to escape into the cytoplasm. Approximately, 80–90% of the mglA and iglC mutants containing phagosomes acquire the late endosomal/lysosomal marker LAMP‐2 similar to the wild‐type (WT) strain. Phagosomes harbouring the mglA or iglC mutants acquire the lysosomal enzyme Cathepsin D, which is excluded from the phagosomes harbouring the WT strain. In hMDMs in which the lysosomes are preloaded with BSA‐gold or Texas Red Ovalbumin, phagosomes harbouring the mglA or the iglC mutants acquire both lysosomal tracers. We conclude that the FPI protein IglC and its regulator MglA are essential for modulating phagosome biogenesis and subsequent bacterial escape into the cytoplasm. Therefore, acquisition of the FPI, within which iglC is contained, is essential for the pathogenic evolution of F. tularensis to evade lysosomal fusion within human macrophages and cause tularemia. This is the first example of specific virulence factors of F. tularensis that are essential for evasion of fusion of the FCP to lysosomes.
Adaptation of Collaborative Applications for Network Quality Variation

Abstract : The ability to access information on demand is a critical capability in the battlefield. Deployed military headquarters are often located in a challenging tactical environment, whereby major disruptions to collaborative work lead to an impairment in the operational capability. These challenges in turn stem mainly from volatile connectivity and sporadic network mobility, which are a feature of the unpredictable nature of the battlefield. A network management approach based entirely on resource reservation is especially difficult in this environment since disturbances and unanticipated events often occur with network-based applications. This paper explores the concept of network awareness in support of continued operation in an unpredictable battlefield environment. In particular, we propose a platform-independent event-delivery framework to facilitate application adaptation, and demonstrate the advantages of this approach in supporting the proactive management of applications.
Penetrating and Blast Injury

Neurotrauma counts for 20 to 25% of all combat casualties. Since late 2001 the United States and Coalition Forces have been involved in ongoing combat and peacekeeping operations first in Afghanistan and later in Iraq. Battlefield care is different than peacetime or civilian care. The majority of wounds are penetrating and early care is delivered remote from advanced resources, often in austere environments. The ability to reach higher levels of medical care is often delayed by tactical, logistical, or environmental conditions. This presentation will first review the epidemiology of neurotrauma in both the Afghanistan and the Iraq theaters during different phases of the conflicts. Observations regarding the nature of injuries sustained and the relationship to current protective devices will be discussed. The current ability to deploy sophisticated management capabilities into austere environments and the resultant treatment outcomes will be summarized and highlighted. The use of telemedicine to enhance capabilities far forward in the treatment of neurotrauma will also be discussed. A review of the clinical observations describing the concussive effects of blast injuries will be presented based on the experience at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Finally, preparedness in this age of terrorist threats will be emphasized, including a brief discussion regarding future emerging threats and potential injury patterns. 0 20 BLAST(EXPLOSION)-INDUCED NEUROTRAUMA: A MYTH BECOMES REALITY I Cernak (Washington, USA)
Glucose transport and system A activity in syncytiotrophoblast microvillous and basal plasma membranes in intrauterine growth restriction.

The mechanisms underlying the reduced fetal plasma concentrations of amino acids and glucose associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) remain to be fully established. The activity of the amino acid transporter system A has been shown to be reduced in the syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane (MVM) in IUGR, however the impact of these changes on transplacental transport is difficult to assess without information on system A activity in the basal plasma membrane (BM). In this study we measured system A activity and mediated D-glucose uptake using radiolabelled substrates and rapid filtration techniques, and glucose transporter isoform 1 (GLUT 1) protein expression using Western blots in MVM and BM isolated from human placentas. In term IUGR (n=11) MVM system A activity was unaltered compared to controls (n=9). In contrast, system A activity in MVM was reduced by 50 per cent (P< 0.05) in preterm IUGR (n=8, gestational age 28-36 weeks) as compared to controls (n=8, gestational age 28-35 weeks). BM system A activity was unaltered in both IUGR groups. Similarly, MVM and BM GLUT 1 expression and mediated D-glucose uptake was not affected by IUGR. In all preterm IUGR pregnancies signs of severe fetal compromise were present whereas term IUGR fetuses were less affected. These data support the view that MVM system A activity is related to the severity of compromise in IUGR. The markedly reduced system A activity in MVM in preterm IUGR together with the unaltered activity in BM is consistent with a decreased transplacental transport of neutral amino acids in this pregnancy complication. The hypoglycemia present in utero in some IUGR fetuses is not caused by a decreased glucose transport capacity across the syncytiotrophoblast plasma membranes.
Eccrine acrospiroma of the eyelid with oncocytic, apocrine and sebaceous differentiation

A wide variety of sweat gland tumors occur in the eyelids. We used light and electron microscopy to investigate an eccrine acrospiroma showing areas of oncocytic, apocrine and sebaceous differentiation. To our knowledge this is the first report of an oncocytic lesion arising from an eccrine sweat gland, and only the second report of such a lesion arising from the skin. Furthermore, apocrine and sebaceous differentiation are atypical in lesions originating from sweat glands. The wide spectrum of differentiation in this adenoma lends further support to the concept of pluripotentiality of the adnexal glandular epithelia.
Olive-mill Waste Compost as a Growth Medium Component for Foliage Potted Plants

Research was carried out to evaluate composted olive-mill waste as a peat substitute in foliage potted plant production. Rooted cuttings of Codiaeum variegatum (L.) A. Juss and Syngonium podophyllum Schott were grown for 5 months and Ficus benjamina L. for 10 months in media containing olive-mill waste compost (OWC), sphagnum peat and perlite in 1:3:4, 1:1:2, and 3:1:4 ratio (by volume), respectively, and their foliage and root growth was determined and compared to a control medium of 1 peat : 1 perlite (by volume). When up to 75% of peat in the control medium was replaced by OWC, C. variegatum foliage and root growth were similar compared with the control, while a 50% peat replacement gave the best growth. Syngonium podophyllum was more sensitive to peat replacement compared to C. variegatum, as only 25% of peat could be replaced by OWC without any reduction in foliage growth. The dry weight of the roots was not affected in all media tested. In F. benjamina, peat could be replaced up to 75% without effects on plant height and lateral shoot number, while the length of the laterals was progressively reduced with increasing OWC level. However, only at the highest OWC level (75% peat replacement) the laterals were shorter compared with the control. There was also a progressive reduction of main stem diameter, foliage fresh weight, and root dry weight with increasing OWC level in the medium. Even the lowest OWC level (25% peat replacement) caused a decrease of foliage and root weight compared with the control, with no effect though on plant visual quality. Even a 25% peat replacement by OWC caused an increase in bulk density. A considerable decrease of total porosity and readily available water were measured in media where 50% or 75% of peat was replaced by OWC. The pH of the medium with the highest OWC level was high during the fi rst 4 months of culture compared to the other media. The electrical conductivity initially related to OWC level, but it decreased to values similar to that in the control medium during the fi rst month of culture.
Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo comorbid with hypertension

Abstract Conclusions: Patients with BPPV comorbid with hypertension (h-BPPV) tend to receive a delayed diagnosis of BPPV. Comorbidity with hypertension did not influence the efficacy of the repositioning maneuver; however, comorbidity with hypertension was associated with an increased recurrence rate of BPPV. Objectives: To determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of h-BPPV, as well as the clinical differences between h-BPPV and idiopathic BPPV (i-BPPV). Methods: The authors reviewed the medical records of 41 consecutive patients with h-BPPV (the h-BPPV group) from March to December 2014 and 47 patients with i-BPPV (the i-BPPV group) during the same period. Results: There were no significant differences in age, sex ratio, or the affected side between the h-BPPV and i-BPPV groups. The proportion of patients reporting an initial episode of positional vertigo was significantly lower in the h-BPPV group (51.22% vs 74.47%; p = .024). Patients in the h-BPPV group reported a longer median episode duration than did those in the i-BPPV group (60 days vs 15 days; p = .017). The results of treatment using repositioning maneuvers were similar between the two groups. At follow-up, 13 patients in the h-BPPV group were diagnosed with recurrent BPPV compared with six in the i-BPPV group (p = .031).
DNA MARKERS FOR ASEASONALITY AND MILK PRODUCTION IN SHEEP

Knowledge about genetic markers linked to genes affecting quantitative traits can increase the selection response of animal breeding programs, especially for traits that are difficult to improve when using traditional selection (Meuwissen and Goddard, 1996; Meuwissen and Van Arendonk, 1992). The seasonal breeding pattern that is commonly observed in temperate sheep breeds is a major obstacle to increasing the intensity of sheep production. Sheep breeds differ in timing and duration of breeding (Notter D.R., 1992; Nugent et al., 1988; Vincent et al., 2000) but less is known about genetic variation within breeds for traits associated with seasonal breeding. There-fore, selection of sheep for aseasonal reproduction is based upon observing the animals’ pheno-type, which often lacks accuracy and can be done only after animals reach sexual maturity. Similarly, selection for milk production is difficult for at least two reasons. First, measuring the trait takes time and money (females need to reach maturity before expressing the trait and the lactation period lasts more than 200 days so repeated measurements are necessary to accurately assess the phenotype). Second, milk yield is a sex limited trait; therefore the males, the most important path for selection because of their higher reproductive capacity, can be evaluated only based on the phenotype of their female progeny. Furthermore, for both traits the exact molecular nature of the target genes remains essentially unknown.
Research on the leverage effect of the retail chains in China

With the development of market economy in China and the rising incomes of people, the level of consumption is continuously upgrading. Meanwhile, the chain retailing industry which is closely linked to people’s daily life is developing rapidly. All these factors lead to the transformation of economic structure of China. Since the foreign retail enterprises, like wal-mart, Carrefour, and Metro, entering into China, the local chain retailing industry in China is facing more severe pressure due to the competition. In this situation, this paper will compare and analyze the differences between local retail chains and foreign retailing enterprises using the financial and operating leverage indicators . This paper will also put forward some feasible suggestions.
Preprint from Proceedings of International Symposium on Circuits and Systems , Sydney , Australia , May 2001 EXPLOITING DON ’ T CARES TO MINIMIZE * BMDS

We present for the first time methods to minimize * BMDs exploiting don’t care conditions. These minimization methods can be us ed during the verification of circuits by * BMDs. By changing function values for input vectors, which are in the don’t care set, sma ller * BMDs can be computed to keep peak memory consumption during * BMD construction as low as possible. Preliminary experimental results prove the methods to be very effective in minimizing * BMD sizes.