Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro fermentability of dextran, oligodextran and maltodextrin by human gut bacteria

Anaerobic batch culture fermenters were used for a preliminary screening of the in vitro utilization by human gut microflora of dextran and novel oligodextrans (I, II and III) produced in the University of Reading (UK). Glucose and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) were used as reference carbohydrates. As expected, FOS acted as a good prebiotic in that it selectively increased numbers of bifidobacteria in the early stages of the fermentation. Dextran and oligodextrans each resulted in an enrichment of bifidobacteria in the batch cultures, with high levels of persistence up to 48 h. They also produced elevated levels of butyrate ranging from 5 to 14·85 mmol/l. To more effectively simulate conditions that prevail in different regions of the large intestine, a three-stage continuous culture cascade system was used to study further the fermentation of dextran, a low-molecular-mass oligodextran (IV) and maltodextrin. Oligodextran IV was shown to be the best substrate for bifidobacteria and lactobacilli with steady-state populations of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli being higher in all three vessels of the gut model than the respective populations resulting from dextran and maltodextrin. A maximum difference of 1·9 log was observed in vessel 1 for both bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the case of dextran fermentation, while 1·4 log and 0·8 log in vessel 3 were the maximum differences for bifidobacteria and lactobacilli when maltodextrin was used as the carbohydrate source. Moreover, dextran and oligodextran appeared to stimulate butyrate production, with a maximum production up to 25·39 mmol/l in vessel 3 when fermenting dextran, followed by 21·70 mmol/l in the case of oligodextran IV and only 12·64 mmol/l in the case of maltodextrin.
S-R relationships and reaction times to new versus repeated signals in a serial task

Previous experiments showed that, in a serial responding task, RTs to repeated signals are longer than RTs to new signals. The influence of S-R relationships on this phenomenon was examined. In Experiment I, 9 Ss gave 550 responses under each of 3 S-R conditions in a 2-choice task with a spatial display. RTs to both repeated and new signals were significantly (.01) affected by the conditions, but covariance analysis shows that the effect is significantly (.05) larger on RTs to new signals. These results are fully confirmed by Experiment II where 33 Ss, after prolonged practice on a 4-choice task with a numerical display, under a staightforward S-R pairing, did 4 short runs of 50 responses under the saime pairing and then under a less compatible one.
Classification of Sequential Circuits Based on Combinational Test Generation Complexity

Several classes of sequential circuits with combinational test generation complexity have been introduced. However, no general notation is used to define the time complexity of test generation. In this paper, we introduce a new test generation notation that we call τ notation in order to present and clarify the classification of sequential circuits based on the combinational test generation complexity. For a class of sequential circuits, the time complexity of test generation is τ-bounded if it is O(τ(n)) and τ-equivalent if it is Θ(τ (n)), where τ(n) is the combinational test generation complexity and n is the size of the circuits. Based on τ notation, we reconsider the time complexity of test generation for the existing classes of acyclic sequential circuits including balanced sequential circuits, strongly balanced sequential circuits, and internally balanced sequential circuits. In this paper, we also introduce a new method of design for testability called feedback shift register scan design (FSR scan design) technique, which is extended from the scan design technique. We discuss the time complexity of test generation for the scan designed circuits and the FSR scan designed circuits. We also introduce three classes of sequential circuits, which are τ-equivalent and τ-bounded. The k-length-bounded testable circuits is identified as a class of sequential circuits with τ-bounded time complexity if the parameter k is O(n) while k-time-bounded testable circuits and k-time-bounded validity-identifiable circuits are identified as classes with τ-equivalent (τ-bounded) time complexity if the parameter k is τ(n) (τ(n)).
Interaction Analysis between HLA-DRB1 Shared Epitope Alleles and MHC Class II Transactivator CIITA Gene with Regard to Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis

HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE) alleles are the strongest genetic determinants for autoantibody positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One of the key regulators in expression of HLA class II receptors is MHC class II transactivator (CIITA). A variant of the CIITA gene has been found to associate with inflammatory diseases. We wanted to explore whether the risk variant rs3087456 in the CIITA gene interacts with the HLA-DRB1 SE alleles regarding the risk of developing RA. We tested this hypothesis in a case-control study with 11767 individuals from four European Caucasian populations (6649 RA cases and 5118 controls). We found no significant additive interaction for risk alleles among Swedish Caucasians with RA (n = 3869, attributable proportion due to interaction (AP) = 0.2, 95%CI: −0.2–0.5) or when stratifying for anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) presence (ACPA positive disease: n = 2945, AP = 0.3, 95%CI: −0.05–0.6, ACPA negative: n = 2268, AP = −0.2, 95%CI: −1.0–0.6). We further found no significant interaction between the main subgroups of SE alleles (DRB1*01, DRB1*04 or DRB1*10) and CIITA. Similar analysis of three independent RA cohorts from British, Dutch and Norwegian populations also indicated an absence of significant interaction between genetic variants in CIITA and SE alleles with regard to RA risk. Our data suggest that risk from the CIITA locus is independent of the major risk for RA from HLA-DRB1 SE alleles, given that no significant interaction between rs3087456 and SE alleles was observed. Since a biological link between products of these genes is evident, the genetic contribution from CIITA and class II antigens in the autoimmune process may involve additional unidentified factors.
CVS and SCALES simulation of 3-D isotropic turbulence

In this work coherent vortex simulation (CVS) and stochastic coherent adaptive large eddy simulation (SCALES) simulations of decaying incompressible isotropic turbulence are compared to DNS and large eddy simulation (LES) results. Current LES relies on, at best, a zonally adapted filter width to reduce the computational cost of simulating complex turbulent flows. While there is an improvement over a uniform filter width, this approach has two limitations. First, it does not capture the high wave number components of the coherent vortices that make up the organized part of turbulent flows, thus losing essential physical information. Secondly, the flow is over-resolved in the regions between the coherent vortices, thus wasting computational resources. The SCALES approach addresses these shortcomings of LES by using a dynamic grid adaptation strategy that is able to resolve and track the most energetic coherent structures in a turbulent flow field. This corresponds to a dynamically adaptive local filter width. Unlike CVS, which we show is able to recover low order statistics with no subgrid scale (SGS) stress model, the higher compression used in SCALES necessitates that the effect of the unresolved SGS stresses must be modeled. These SGS stresses are approximated using a new dynamic eddy viscosity model based on Germano's classical dynamic procedure redefined in terms of two wavelet thresholding filters.
Prevalence of Anti-JC Virus Antibody in Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Kuwait

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) therapeutics entered a new era after the development of anti-JC virus (anti-JCV) antibody assay that assesses the risk of development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients treated with natalizumab. Objective. To determine the prevalence of anti-JCV antibody among MS patients in Kuwait. Methods. Using the national MS registry, demographics and disease characteristics of MS patients who were screened for anti-JC virus antibody were collected. The prevalence of anti-JCV antibody seropositivity and its association with demographic and disease characteristics were evaluated. Results. Out of 110 screened MS patients for anti-JCV antibodies, 65.5% were females. Mean age and disease duration were 29.23 ± 8.55 and 5.39 ± 5.04 years, respectively. 47.3% of patients were already on natalizumab and 52.7% of patients were screened for stratification to either natalizumab or a different Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT). The overall prevalence of anti-JC virus antibody was 40%. Gender (P = 0.69), disease duration (P = 0.11), and number of natalizumab infusions (P = 0.64) were not associated with seropositivity. Patients aged ≥30 years were more likely to be seropositive (P = 0.01). Conclusion. The prevalence of anti-JCV antibody is slightly lower than what is reported in published studies. Seropositivity was associated with an increasing age of MS patients.
An Exploratory Study of the Effects of CRM Practices on CRM Effectiveness and Business Performance

Continual advances in information technology (IT) have opened new business opportunities in global marketplaces. As a result, many businesses have turned to CRM to gain greater insights into their customers and apply this knowledge toward forging long-term relationships with them. This study examines the relationships of CRM practices (marketing and operational programs) with three antecedent elements (IT investments, absorptive capacity, strategic alignment), CRM effectiveness and firm (business) performance. The results of a survey suggest the following: absorptive capacity and strategic alignment have positive effects on CRM practices, CRM practices affect CRM effectiveness, CRM effectiveness affects firm performance, and CRM effectiveness mediates the effect of CRM practices (marketing programs) on firm performance. Hence, the CRM practices a business adopts will have an impact on its performance.
An international comparison of lifetime labor income values and inequality: a bounds approach

In this paper, we compare and contrast earnings inequality and mobility across the U.S., Canada, France, Germany and the U.K. at the turn of the 21st century. We first construct and estimate a flexible model of individual earnings dynamics for each country that isolates mobility within a stable earnings distribution, allowing, or not, for individual fixed effects. We then simulate individual earnings trajectories given base-year earnings (1998) and construct lifetime annuity value distributions for each country. Our model provides an excellent fit to both the earnings and the mobility data despite its simplicity and limited data requirements. Our results show that equalizing mobility is positively correlated with earnings inequality with the U.S. displaying the most equalizing mobility and France the least. The models with and without fixed effects provide upper and lower bounds, respectively, on the resultant lifetime inequality levels in each country, and reveal that the countries are much more similar in terms of long run inequality than cross-section measures suggest.
Ear-Canal Wideband Acoustic Transfer Functions of Adults and Two- to Nine-Month-Old Infants

Objectives: Wideband acoustic transfer functions (WATF) measured in the ear canal have been shown to be effective in the diagnosis of middle ear dysfunction in adults and in newborn infants. Although these measures would be diagnostically useful in older infants, normative data on a large number of older infants are lacking. The goal of this study was to provide such normative data. Design: The WATF of 458 infants aged 2 to 9 mos and of 210 adults were obtained. Wideband reactance (X), resistance (R), and energy reflectance (ER) were measured in third-octave bands between 250 and 8000 Hz. The effects of age and gender on the WATF were examined, and the WATF in the left and right ears were compared. Test–retest reliability was assessed, and the relationship between the 226-Hz tympanogram and the WATF was examined. Results: The results agreed well with previous reports testing fewer subjects, which documented age-related change in these measures during infancy and between infancy and adulthood. Test–retest correlations within third octaves were 0.5 to 0.7 at best, but did not vary systematically with age. Infants' test–retest absolute differences within third octaves for R and ER were similar to those of adults. The shape of the WATF on retest was highly repeatable, and the shapes of the WATF in the ears of the same individual were qualitatively similar. The wideband impedance results were not different in the left and right ears, but ER was slightly, but significantly, lower in the left ear than that in the right ear. Resistance and reactance magnitude were greater for females than males, but there was no effect of gender on ER. Infants whose 226-Hz tympanogram indicated reduced peak admittance (Types As and B) had greater resistance and reactance magnitude than those with normal peak admittance (Types A and C), but no tympanometry group differences were evident in ER. Conclusions: Age-graded norms are essential to the successful clinical application of WATF. However, the effects of gender and laterality on the WATF are small.
Autoregulation of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression by RNA Interference Provides Neuroprotection in Neonatal Rats

We have shown that autoregulation of gene expression by RNA interference is achievable in cell cultures. To determine whether this novel concept could be used to produce neuroprotection under in vivo condition, postnatal day (PND) 3 rats received intracerebroventricular injection of lentivirus that carried or did not carry code for short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The expression of this shRNA was controlled by an iNOS promoter (piNOS-shRNA) or cytomegalovirus promoter (pCMV-shRNA). The rats were subjected to brain hypoxia-ischemia at PND7. Ischemic brain tissues had increased iNOS expression. This increase was attenuated by virus carrying piNOS-shRNA. Virus carrying pCMV-shRNA reduced iNOS to a level that was lower than control. Brain tissue loss and functional impairment after the hypoxia-ischemia were attenuated by the virus carrying piNOS-shRNA but not by pCMV-shRNA. Our results provide proof-of-concept evidence that autoregulation of iNOS expression by RNA interference induces neuroprotection in vivo and that appropriate regulation of gene expression is important.
Nicotine-induced cessation of embryonic development is reversed by γ-tocotrienol in mice

Background This study aimed to evaluate the adverse effects of various doses of nicotine and protective effects of different concentrations of γ-tocotrienol (γ-TCT) on in vitro embryonic development and lipid peroxidation in mice. Material/Methods A) Effects of various doses of nicotine on in vitro embryonic development: Female mice were treated with 1.0, 3.0, or 5.0 mg/kg/day nicotine for 7 consecutive days. Animals were superovulated, cohabited overnight, and sacrificed. Embryos were cultured in vitro. Plasma was assayed. B) Effects of concomitant treatment of nicotine concurrently with various doses of γ-TCT on in vitro embryonic development: Female mice were treated with nicotine (5.0 mg/kg/day), gavaged γ-TCT of 30, 60, or 90 mg/kg/day or nicotine concurrently with γ-TCT of 3 different doses for 7 consecutive days. Animals were superovulated, cohabited overnight, and sacrificed. Embryos were cultured and plasma was assayed. Results A) Effects of various doses of nicotine on in vitro embryonic development: Number of hatched blastocysts decreased in 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg/day nicotine groups. Nicotine at 5.0 mg/kg/day stopped embryo development at morula. MDA concentrations increased following all nicotine doses. B) Effects of concomitant treatment of nicotine concurrently with various doses of γ-TCT on in vitro embryonic development: Embryo development was completed in all groups. MDA concentration increased only in the group treated with nicotine concurrently with 30 mg/kg/day γ-TCT. Conclusions Nicotine impairs in vitro embryo development and increases MDA in plasma. The deleterious impact of nicotine on embryo development is reversed by supplementing γ-TCT concurrently with nicotine.
A new sensation? An international exploration of sensationalism and social media recommendations in online news publications

The well-known phrase ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ describes the sensational approach that has penetrated the history of news. Sensationalism is a term without complete consensus among scholars, and its meaning and implications have not been considered in a digital environment. This study analyzes 400 articles from online-native news organizations across the Americas, evaluating the sensational treatment of news categories and news values, and their associated social media interaction numbers on Facebook and Twitter. Findings suggest that ‘hard’ news topics like government affairs and science/technology were treated sensationally just as often as traditionally sensationalized categories like crime or lifestyle and society. In addition, audiences are not necessarily more likely to respond to sensational treatments. This study also finds that online-native news organizations use sensationalism differently, and there is significant variation in publications from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico.
MHC Class I Bound to an Immunodominant Theileria parva Epitope Demonstrates Unconventional Presentation to T Cell Receptors

T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of peptide-MHC class I (pMHC) complexes is a crucial event in the adaptive immune response to pathogens. Peptide epitopes often display a strong dominance hierarchy, resulting in focusing of the response on a limited number of the most dominant epitopes. Such T cell responses may be additionally restricted by particular MHC alleles in preference to others. We have studied this poorly understood phenomenon using Theileria parva, a protozoan parasite that causes an often fatal lymphoproliferative disease in cattle. Despite its antigenic complexity, CD8+ T cell responses induced by infection with the parasite show profound immunodominance, as exemplified by the Tp1214–224 epitope presented by the common and functionally important MHC class I allele N*01301. We present a high-resolution crystal structure of this pMHC complex, demonstrating that the peptide is presented in a distinctive raised conformation. Functional studies using CD8+ T cell clones show that this impacts significantly on TCR recognition. The unconventional structure is generated by a hydrophobic ridge within the MHC peptide binding groove, found in a set of cattle MHC alleles. Extremely rare in all other species, this feature is seen in a small group of mouse MHC class I molecules. The data generated in this analysis contribute to our understanding of the structural basis for T cell-dependent immune responses, providing insight into what determines a highly immunogenic p-MHC complex, and hence can be of value in prediction of antigenic epitopes and vaccine design.
Randomized comparison of prophylaxis and on-demand regimens with FEIBA NF in the treatment of haemophilia A and B with inhibitors

Factor replacement therapy for the treatment of moderate to severe haemophilia A and B can be complicated by the production of inhibitory alloantibodies to factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX. Treatment with the nanofiltered anti‐inhibitor coagulant complex, Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity (FEIBA NF), is a key therapeutic option for controlling acute haemorrhages in patients with high‐titre inhibitors or low‐titre inhibitors refractory to replacement therapy. Given the high risk for morbidity and mortality in haemophilia patients with inhibitors to FVIII or FIX, we conducted this Phase 3 prospective study to evaluate whether prophylaxis with FEIBA NF is a safe and effective treatment option. Over a 1‐year period, 17 subjects were treated prophylactically (85 ± 15 U kg−1 every other day) while 19 subjects were treated on demand. The median (IQR) annualized bleeding rate (ABR) during prophylaxis was 7.9 (8.1), compared to 28.7 (32.3) during on‐demand treatment, which amounts to a 72.5% reduction and a statistically significant difference in ABRs between arms (P = 0.0003). Three (17.6%) subjects (ITT) on prophylaxis experienced no bleeding episodes, whereas none treated on demand were bleeding episode‐free. Total utilization of FEIBA NF for the treatment of bleeding episodes was significantly higher during on‐demand therapy than prophylaxis (P = 0.0067). There were no differences in the rates of related adverse events between arms. This study demonstrates that FEIBA prophylaxis significantly reduces all types of bleeding compared with on‐demand treatment, and the safety of prophylaxis is comparable to that of on‐demand treatment.
Does presenting with meconium ileus affect the prognosis of children with cystic fibrosis?

It is a matter of debate as to what extent the long‐term outcome of cystic fibrosis (CF) is affected by presenting with meconium ileus (MI). We compared long‐term clinical outcomes of CF children who presented with MI, to those presenting with other symptoms (non‐MI) in an era of non new‐born‐screening (NBS).
Does the Fed act gradually? a VAR analysis

The tendency for changes in the federal funds rate to be implemented gradually has been considered evidence of an interest-rate smoothing objective for the Federal Reserve. This paper investigates whether gradual movements in the federal funds rate can be explained by the dynamic structure of the economy and the uncertainty that the Fed faces regarding this structure, without recourse to including an ad-hoc interest rate smoothing argument in the objective function of the Fed. The analysis calculates the optimal funds rate policy given the structural form of the economy estimated in a VAR. In the absence of parameter uncertainty, the calculated policy responds more aggressively to changes in the economy than the observed policy, resulting in a substantially higher volatility of the funds rate than observed. Parameter uncertainty, however, limits the willingness of the Fed to deviate from the policy rule that has been previously implemented. Because the Fed has historically smoothed interest rates, the calculated policy under parameter uncertainty can account for a considerable portion of the gradualism observed in funds rate movements.
Women and Chest Pain: Recognizing the Different Faces of Angina in the Emergency Department

Emergency departments (ED) in the United States see over eight million cases of chest pain annually. While a cardinal symptom of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), multiple emergent and non-emergent causes can attribute to chest pain. This case-based perspective describes the different sex-specific causes of angina seen in ED patients. Once coronary artery disease (CAD) is ruled out with standard protocols, microvascular dysfunction is perhaps the most prevalent but under-diagnosed cause of non-CAD related angina in ED patients. Additional causes include coronary artery spasm, coronary artery dissection, coronary artery endothelial dysfunction and myocardial bridging. Non-CAD related angina is associated with persistent chest pain causing poor function, quality of life, and recidivism. Clinicians should consider additional diagnostics to routinely screen for non-CAD related causes of angina in patients with recurrent chest pain. Future work is needed to better define the epidemiological, clinical, biological, and genetic correlates of microvascular dysfunction in these patients.