Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personal Exposure of Traffic Police Officers to Particulate Matter, Carbon Monoxide, and Benzene in the City of Milan, Italy

The aim of this work was to quantify the personal exposure of traffic police officers to particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes. The contributions of some behavioral, occupational, and meteorological determinants of exposure also were evaluated. Personal exposure to airborne contaminants was measured on 130 selected volunteers in four seasonal sampling sessions. CO was measured with high sampling frequency. A time-activity diary was completed by traffic police officers during their work shift. Mean (median) personal exposure levels of carbon monoxide, respirable particles (PM resp ), and benzene were 3.51 (3.22) mg/m3, 128 (115) μ g/m3 and 11.5 (9.6) μ g/m3, respectively. The highest ambient mean levels of PM resp , CO, and benzene were found during cold seasons. Measurements taken where traffic is directed, schools are guarded, and other outdoor tasks are performed showed the highest median CO concentrations. As expected, wind decreased exposure to CO and benzene. Exposure was not significantly affected by active tobacco smoke. A key finding was that airborne concentrations determined by fixed measurement stations reported in other studies greatly underestimated traffic officers' exposure to airborne contaminants. The proximity to an emission source determined by the occupational activity was the factor that most affected exposure. For this reason, fixed stations are poor predictors of roadside exposures to airborne pollutants.
Regulating factory safety in the Bangladeshi garment industry

This paper examines how far the workplace inspection programme established under the 2013 Accord on Fire and Building Safety has served to improve safety in Bangladesh garment factories, and the extent to which its operation has been influenced by the factors that the literature suggests are important in shaping the outcomes of private regulatory initiatives. Its findings suggest that such regulation can generate positive outcomes, even in the absence of strong public regulatory support. They also caution against discounting the role of compliance-based enforcement strategies, while highlighting the importance of their adequate resourcing and transparency. Some support is also offered for the argument that such regulatory initiatives could directly influence the market dynamics that shape supplier working conditions.
Patient’s Perspectives Important for Early Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Treatment in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background/Aim: We hypothesized that limited information is given to patients on the risks and benefits of individual therapy, and feedback is lacking to verify if patients correctly interpreted the given information. We assessed the perspectives of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) concerning the treatment-associated risks/benefits of infliximab. Methods: Patients were asked to complete a survey regarding the benefits and risks of infliximab. Results are reported as descriptive statistics. Comparisons between groups were analyzed using independent t tests and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: In total, 152 IBD patientscompleted the questionnaire. Fifty-seven percent (78/138) estimated the 1-year remission rate from infliximab to be >50%. Seventy-one percent (104/146) indicated they would not take a drug with risks reflecting those estimated for infliximab if the 1-year remission rate was <75%. Crohn’s disease patients and those recalling a discussion regarding the risks/benefits of infliximab treatment had higher estimates of the 1-year remission rate with infliximab than ulcerative colitis patients (p = 0.03) and patients who did not recall previous information (p = 0.03). Perceptions were independent of age and disease duration. Conclusion: IBD patients misperceive the risks and benefits of infliximab. The majority of patients would not accept treatment-related risks if the 1-year remission rate was <75%. Counseling on treatment-associated risks and benefits should be ameliorated.
Antiinfective applications of toll-like receptor 9 agonists.

The innate immune system detects pathogens by the presence of highly conserved pathogen-expressed molecules, which trigger host immune defenses. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 detects unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in bacterial or viral DNA, and can be stimulated for therapeutic applications with synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing immune stimulatory "CpG motifs. " TLR9 activation induces both innate and adaptive immunity. The TLR9-induced innate immune activation can be applied in the prevention or treatment of infectious diseases, and the adaptive immune-enhancing effects can be harnessed for improving vaccines. This article highlights the current understanding of the mechanism of action of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, and provides an overview of the preclinical data and early human clinical trial results, applying these TLR9 agonists in the field of infectious diseases.
A C1 Virtual Element Method for the Cahn-Hilliard Equation with Polygonal Meshes

In this paper we develop an evolution of the $C^1$ virtual elements of minimal degree for the approximation of the Cahn--Hilliard equation. The proposed method has the advantage of being conforming in $H^2$ and making use of a very simple set of degrees of freedom, namely, 3 degrees of freedom per vertex of the mesh. Moreover, although the present method is new also on triangles, it can make use of general polygonal meshes. As a theoretical and practical support, we prove the convergence of the semidiscrete scheme and investigate the performance of the fully discrete scheme through a set of numerical tests.
A flow cytometric method to measure the stimulated mobilization and the intracellular pool of the adhesion promoting glucoprotein Mac‐1

The receptor for complement factor C3bi (Mac‐1 or CR3) belongs to a complex of leukocyte surface glucoproteins (CD11/CD18) that are essential for chemotaxis and adhesion of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Granulocytes can increase their surface expression of Mac‐1 upon stimulation and it is proposed that this depends on a rapid mobilization of an intracellular pool of Mac‐1. In the present study we describe a cell membrane permeabilization method that enables the detection of the intracellular pool of Mac‐1 in granulocytes by flow cytometry. The method is based on the use of the non‐ionic detergent n‐octyl‐beta‐D‐glucopyranoside (OG) to permeabilize the cell membranes of paraformaldehyde‐prefixed leukocytes. It is shown that fMLP (5 times 10‐7 M)‐treated cells expose 85% of the total detectable amount of Mac‐1 molecules on the surfaces. The method makes it possible to measure the total detectable pool, the efficiency of Mac‐1 mobilization and the in vivo expression of the receptor. This could be of value when evaluating the role of adhesion proteins in the inflammatory response.
Registered nurses' perceptions of conditions for patient education--focusing on aspects of competence.

BACKGROUND It is important to clarify nurses' perceptions of conditions for patient education in daily work as research findings are ambiguous. There is a gap between societal regulations on nurses' competence in accomplishment/achievement of patient education and research findings. AIM The aim was to describe nurses' perceptions of conditions for patient education, focusing on aspects of competence. The aim was also to describe differences in conditions for nurses working in primary, municipal and hospital care. METHODS The study is a cross-sectional survey and is part of a project about nurses' patient-education. A randomized selection of nurses (842) received a questionnaire comprising 47 items concerning factual experience and attitudes to patient education and 13 background items. Questionnaires were returned by 83% of participants. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests and content analysis for open-ended items were used. RESULTS Nurses' perceptions of conditions for patient education differ between health-care settings. Primary care nurses are at an advantage in following research in patient education, perception of their own competence (prioritizing and knowing their mandate in patient teaching), pedagogical education and post graduate specializations. CONCLUSIONS Nurses' patient education must be more visualized and appropriate conditions created at each workplace. In this change process, managers' support is considered vital.
An fpga implementation of Low Density Parity-Check CodeS construction & decoding

This paper presents implementation of Low Density Parity-Check (LDPC) Codes on FPGA Platform. LDPC codes has been implemented by writing Hardware Description Language (Verilog) code and targeted to a Xilinx Spartan-3E XC3S500E FPGA chip. Repeat-Accumulation LDPC codes are also constructed. Codewords have been constructed & simulated for different rates such as 1/2 rate, 1/3 rate, 1/4 rate. The iterative decoding algorithms such as Belief Propagation (BP) and Bit-Flipping has been implemented and desired simulation results were obtained using three different coding (C, Verilog-HDL, MATlab (Simulink)) styles. Synthesis has been done for LDPC codes Construction & Bit-flipping decoding using Leonardo-Spectrum and Xilinx-ISE Project Navigator. This code is useful for large and small length of block codes. So this is flexible to use for any length of code word (or) data word and also for any rate of code word. So the usage of this code leads to high performance. The above decoding algorithms can recover the original codeword in the face of large amounts of noise.
Weight determination for MAGDM with linguistic information based on IT2 fuzzy sets

The main purpose of this paper is to propose a method to deal with multi-attribute group decision making (MAGDM) problem without any weight information of both decision makers and attributes under an interval type-2 fuzzy set (IT2 FS) environment where the decision information is provided with linguistic variables. First, we determine the weight of each attribute and decision maker based on entropy weight method and extended TOPSIS method, respectively, which are the objective weight determination methods and can decrease the effect of subjective consciousness. Then a MAGDM procedure based on the proposed weight determination methods and classical TOPSIS method under IT2 FSs environment is presented. In the framework, the linguistic decision information is represented by IT2 FSs. Finally, we apply the proposed MAGDM procedure to evaluate the harnessing of four rivers in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, to illustrate the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Smart Technology Impact on Neighborhood Form for a Sustainable Doha

This study focuses on the significance of neighborhoods in a city as the smallest self-sufficient urban units akin to nuclear families in the larger society. Thus, improvements to the neighborhood form can improve livability, maximize walkability, and better the overall life quality of city inhabitants, which, in turn, advance a city’s overall environmental and social sustainability profile. The physical form (arrangement) and density of neighborhoods are primarily shaped by land ownership regulations, transportation, and communication means. The development of smart technology, especially in the fields of transportation and communication, has led to the reconsideration of some of sustainable urban form concepts such as neighborhoods. Low-density cities like Doha, Qatar can become both sustainable and livable, creating the basis for a sustainable city. First, this paper presents a critical review of Doha’s neighborhoods and advanced transport and communication technologies, in addition to the integration of these technologies with the physical form of neighborhoods. Then, the paper discusses the influences of such technologies on the future sustainability of the city of Doha and its neighborhoods. This investigation is based on a Delphi study to address the characteristics of a neighborhood and to identify two paradigms of ‘good’ design practice.
Severe autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy associated with psychiatric disorders and intellectual disability

Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE) is a relatively benign epilepsy syndrome with few comorbidities. Here we describe two families with unusually severe ADNFLE, with associated psychiatric, behavioral, and cognitive features. Detailed clinical data on 17 affected individuals were obtained, and genotyping of microsatellite markers, linkage analysis, and sequencing of candidate genes was performed. The severe ADNFLE phenotype in these families was often refractory to treatment, with status epilepticus occurring in 24% of subjects. Psychiatric or behavioral disorders occurred in 53%, with intellectual disability in 24%, and developmental regression in two individuals. No mutations were identified in α4, α2, or β2 nAChR subunits. In one family there was evidence of linkage to a region of 15q24 without nAChR subunit genes. In conclusion, severe ADNFLE has significant medical, psychiatric, and intellectual morbidity. The molecular basis of severe ADNFLE is unknown but may involve non‐nAChR‐related mechanisms.
Transient receptor potential ion channels in primary sensory neurons as targets for novel analgesics

The last decade has witnessed an explosion in novel findings relating to the molecules involved in mediating the sensation of pain in humans. Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels emerged as the greatest group of molecules involved in the transduction of various physical stimuli into neuronal signals in primary sensory neurons, as well as, in the development of pain. Here, we review the role of TRP ion channels in primary sensory neurons in the development of pain associated with peripheral pathologies and possible strategies to translate preclinical data into the development of effective new analgesics. Based on available evidence, we argue that nociception‐related TRP channels on primary sensory neurons provide highly valuable targets for the development of novel analgesics and that, in order to reduce possible undesirable side effects, novel analgesics should prevent the translocation from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane and the sensitization of the channels rather than blocking the channel pore or binding sites for exogenous or endogenous activators.
Unifying the maximum entropy and variational analysis regularization methods for reconstruction of the remote sensing imagery

This work presents the improvement of the DC machine torque response in an active load emulation system by using a fuzzy inference system, as a controller in the armature current loop. This controller complements the action of an originally designed proportional integrative controller, which is in charge of controlling the armature current of a DC machine and therefore the electric torque developed by this machine. This modification improves the system response during quick changes in the torque reference, without affecting the proportional integrative controller performance during other operating points.
Purification and Characterization of the Selenate Reductase from Thauera selenatis *

Thauera selenatis is one of two isolated bacterial species that can obtain energy by respiring anaerobically with selenate as the terminal electron acceptor. The reduction of selenate to selenite is catalyzed by a selenate reductase, previously shown to be located in the periplasmic space of the cell. This study describes the purification of the enzyme from T. selenatis grown anaerobically with selenate. The enzyme is a trimeric αβγ complex with an apparent M rof 180,000. The α, β, and γ subunits are 96 kDa, 40 kDa, and 23 kDa, respectively, in size. The selenate reductase contains molybdenum, iron, and acid-labile sulfur as prosthetic group constituents. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy also revealed the presence of one cytochrome b per αβγ complex. TheK m for selenate was determined to be 16 μm, and the V max was 40 μmol/min/mg of protein. The enzyme is specific for the reduction of selenate; nitrate, nitrite, chlorate, and sulfate were not reduced at detectable rates. These studies constitute the first description of a selenate reductase, which represents a new class of enzymes. The significance of this enzyme in relation to cell growth and energy generation is discussed.
The Adapter Type Protein CMS/CD2AP Binds to the Proto-oncogenic Protein c-Cbl through a Tyrosine Phosphorylation-regulated Src Homology 3 Domain Interaction*

CMS/CD2AP is a cytoplasmic protein critical for the integrity of the kidney glomerular filtration and the T cell function. CMS contains domains and motifs characteristic for protein-protein interactions, and it is involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. We report here that the individual SH3 domains of CMS bind to phosphotyrosine proteins of ∼80, 90, and 180 kDa in cell lysates stimulated with epidermal growth factor. The second SH3 domain of CMS bound specifically to a tyrosine-phosphorylated protein of 120 kDa, which we identified as the proto-oncoprotein c-Cbl. The c-Cbl-binding site for CMS mapped to the carboxyl terminus of c-Cbl and is different from the proline-rich region known to bind SH3-containing proteins. CMS binding to c-Cbl was markedly attenuated in a tyrosine phosphorylation-defective c-Cbl mutant indicating that this interaction is dependent on the tyrosine phosphorylation of CMS. It also implies that CMS interacts with c-Cbl in an inducible fashion upon stimulation of a variety of cell-surface receptors. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that both proteins colocalize at lamellipodia and leading edges of cells, and we propose that the interaction of CMS with c-Cbl offers a mechanism by which c-Cbl associates and regulates the actin cytoskeleton.
Differential effect of immobilization stress on in vivo synthesis rate of monoamines in medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens of conscious rats

We have used microdialysis to measure the in vivo hydroxylation level of tyrosine and tryptophan in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens of conscious rats that were subjected to immobilization. The brain was perfused with an inhibitor of aromatic l‐amino acid decarboxylase, 3‐hydroxybenzylhydrazine, and the amount of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and 5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HTP) accumulating in the dialysate was measured as an index of the in vivo hydroxylation rate of tyrosine and tryptophan. One hour of immobilization caused a significant increase in extracellular DOPA in the medial prefrontal cortex but not nucleus accumbens. The same manipulation produced a significant and more prolonged elevation in extracellular 5‐HTP in the nucleus accumbens as well as medial prefrontal cortex. The observed profile of stress‐induced 5‐HTP response was comparable in two brain regions. The results suggest that in vivo catecholamine synthesis is heterogenous, whereas in vivo serotonin synthesis is homogenous, with respect to responsiveness to stress in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. Synapse 32:238–242, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Back Injuries in Industry: A Retrospective Study: I. Overview and Cost Analysis

To evaluate the impact off back injury on industry, the authors conducted a retrospective analysis of injuries among hourly employees of a large industrial manufacturer in western Washington. The Boeing Company provided injury information on 31,200 employees for a 15-month period from July 1, 1979 to September 30, 1980. Of the 4,645 injuries reported, 900 were back injuries. Claims related to back injuries constituted 19% of all workers' compensation claims but were responsible for 4 1% of the total injury costs, or approximately $1,800,000. The 90 most expensive back injury claims (10% of all back injury claims) were responsible for 79% of the total back injury costs. The percentage of back injury claimants with claims having a total incurred cost exceeding $10,000 (6.5%) was significantly higher than the corresponding percentage of claimants (1.5%) with claims for other than back injuries (P=0.000*). A similar significant difference was found concerning the tendency of back injury claimants to have multiple claims compared with the non-back injury claimants. This retrospective study reaffirms the significant economic impact of back injuries on industry, and specifically high-cost back injuries. In addition, it provides insight into factors associated with back injury and points to positive measures that may be taken to reduce back pain and economic loss. Characteristics of the back injury and employee-related factors associated with back injury are presented in two subsequent articles.
Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Adolescent Offspring of Diabetic Mothers: Relationship to fetal hyperinsulinism

OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that long-term postnatal development may be modified by metabolic experiences in utero. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We enrolled offspring of women with pregestational diabetes (this included insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. [1DDM] and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM]) and gestational diabetes in a prospective study from 1977 through 1983. Fetal /3-cell function was assessed by measurement of arrmiotic fluid insulin (AF1) at 32–38 weeks gestation. Postnatally, plasma glucose and insulin were measured yearly from 1.5 years of age after fasting and 2 h after 1.75 g/kg oral glucose. Control subjects had a single oral glucose challenge at 10-16 years. RESULTS In offspring of diabetic mothers, the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (2-h glucose concentration >7.8 mmol/1) was: 1.2% at <5 years, 5.4% at 5–9 years, and 19.3% at 10–16 years. The 88 offspring of diabetic mothers (12.3 ± 1.7 years), when compared with 80 control subjects of the same age and pubertal stage, had higher 2-h glucose (6.8 ±1.4 vs. 5.7 ± 0.9 mmol/1, P < 0.001) and insulin (660 ± 720 vs. 455 ± 285 pmol/1, P < 0.03) concentrations. The 17 subjects with IGT at > 10 years of age (9 boys and 8 girls) include one girl with NIDDM. IGT was not associated with the etiology of the mother's diabetes (gestational versus pregestational) or macrosomia at birth. IGT was found in only 3.7% (1 of 27) of adolescents whose AFI was normal (≥100 pmol/l) and 33.3% (12 of 36) of those with elevated AFI (P < 0.001). Although most of the children with IGT are obese, AFI and obesity are independently associated with IGT by multiple logistic analysis. CONCLUSIONS In confirmation of our original hypothesis, IGT in the offspring is a long-term complication of maternal diabetes. Excessive insulin secretion in utero, as assessed by AFI concentration, is a strong predictor of IGT in childhood.
Extended intravascular shunting in an experimental model of vascular injury.

PURPOSE To examine the extended patency (> 24 hrs) of heparin-bonded intravascular shunts in a porcine model of vascular injury. PROCEDURES Adult swine underwent bilateral, common iliac artery resection (n = 5) or bilateral common iliac vein resection (n = 5) and vessel replacement with interposition, heparin-bonded shunts. Three control swine had vessel dissection only. Hematologic and coagulation profiles were measured at baseline and 24 hrs. Limb perfusion was assessed at 24 hrs by clinical exam and angiography. RESULTS At 24 hrs, all limbs in both shunt groups were well perfused. All arterial shunts were angiographically patent. No distal emboli were detected. Nine of 10 venous shunts were patent, seven were lined with non-occluding thrombus. No alterations in hematologic or coagulation profiles were noted. CONCLUSIONS Heparin-bonded shunts remained patent in arteries for 24 hours. Shunts placed in the venous system were prone to thrombus formation but most remained patent.