Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dairy intake and cognitive health in middle-aged South Australians.

BACKGROUND Consumption of low fat dairy foods may decrease the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and all cardiovascular risk factors linked with increased probability of cognitive impairment. AIM To examine associations between dairy intake and self-reported cognitive function and psychological well-being, and to test the novel hypothesis that dairy consumption may benefit cognitive health via its positive effects on cardiometabolic health. METHODS Retrospective cross-sectional analyses were undertaken on data from food frequency questionnaires and self-reported health of 432 men and 751 women, aged 39 to 65 years. Health measures included cardiometabolic health indicators, cognitive and memory functioning, mental health, anxiety, stress, depression and self-esteem; assessed by standardised questionnaires. RESULTS Regression analyses, adjusted for total energy intake and other health confounders, showed that consumption of low fat yogurt was associated with increased quality of memory recall (p=0.029) and greater social functioning (p=0.045) in men. Consumption of low fat cheese was associated with greater social functioning (p=0.021) and decreased stress (p=0.042) in women. Intakes of whole fat dairy products, including ice-cream and cream, were associated with increased depression, anxiety, stress, cognitive failures, poorer memory functioning and general health (all p<0.05). There was no association between cardiometabolic health indicators and dairy consumption. CONCLUSIONS Low fat dairy may have beneficial effects on social functioning, stress and memory, while whole fat dairy may be associated with poorer psychological well-being. Dietary intervention trials are needed to establish whether there is a direct effect of dairy consumption on cognitive and psychological health.
Fatal Factors for Preschoolers

This research examines how victim and offender characteristics, as well as contextual factors are related to the lethality of assaults for children less than 5 years old. The National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data for 2006 to 2011 were analyzed using logistic regression techniques to estimate two models designed to explore factors associated with the death of preschoolers. Results indicate that the probability of fatality is significantly influenced by victim and offender characteristics, victim–offender relationship, weapon used, time of incident, and region of the United States in which the incident occurred.
Towards A Feminist Political Economy Framework for Analyzing Employment-Related Geographical Mobility

Abstract This article develops a feminist political economy framework for analyzing employment-related geographical mobility. We emphasize the relevance of political economy studies of class, neoliberalism, and globalization as well as feminist research on the interconnectedness between paid employment and social reproduction. Overall, we make the case for attending to how class, gender, racialization and/or ethnicity, citizenship, and other forms of difference are core constitutive elements in employment-related mobility processes. At the end of the paper, we illustrate our approach with short empirical case studies of two mobile workers who came to Canada from the Philippines.
Optimized Day-Ahead Pricing With Renewable Energy Demand-Side Management for Smart Grids

Internet of Things (IoT) has recently emerged as an enabling technology for context-aware and interconnected “smart things. ” Those smart things along with advanced power engineering and wireless communication technologies have realized the possibility of next generation electrical grid, smart grid, which allows users to deploy smart meters, monitoring their electric condition in real time. At the same time, increased environmental consciousness is driving electric companies to replace traditional generators with renewable energy sources which are already productive in user’s homes. One of the most incentive ways is for electric companies to institute electricity buying-back schemes to encourage end users to generate more renewable energy. Different from the previous works, we consider renewable energy buying-back schemes with dynamic pricing to achieve the goal of energy efficiency for smart grids. We formulate the dynamic pricing problem as a convex optimization dual problem and propose a day-ahead time-dependent pricing scheme in a distributed manner which provides increased user privacy. The proposed framework seeks to achieve maximum benefits for both users and electric companies. To our best knowledge, this is one of the first attempts to tackle the time-dependent problem for smart grids with consideration of environmental benefits of renewable energy. Numerical results show that our proposed framework can significantly reduce peak time loading and efficiently balance system energy distribution.
Nanotopography Alters Nuclear Protein Expression, Proliferation and Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells respond to physical cues present in their microenvironment such as substrate elasticity, geometry, or topography with respect to morphology, proliferation, and differentiation. Although studies have demonstrated the role of focal adhesions in topography-mediated changes of gene expression, information linking substrate topography to the nucleus remains scarce. Here we show by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and western blotting that A-type lamins and retinoblastoma protein are downregulated in mesenchymal stem/stromal cells cultured on 350 nm gratings compared to planar substrates; these changes lead to a decrease in proliferation and changes in differentiation potential.
Peptides Corresponding to the Predicted Heptad Repeat 2 Domain of the Feline Coronavirus Spike Protein Are Potent Inhibitors of Viral Infection

Background Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a lethal immune-mediated disease caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV). Currently, no therapy with proven efficacy is available. In searching for agents that may prove clinically effective against FCoV infection, five analogous overlapping peptides were designed and synthesized based on the putative heptad repeat 2 (HR2) sequence of the spike protein of FCoV, and the antiviral efficacy was evaluated. Methods Plaque reduction assay and MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cytotoxicity assay were performed in this study. Peptides were selected using a plaque reduction assay to inhibit Feline coronavirus infection. Results The results demonstrated that peptide (FP5) at concentrations below 20 μM inhibited viral replication by up to 97%. The peptide (FP5) exhibiting the most effective antiviral effect was further combined with a known anti-viral agent, human interferon-α (IFN-α), and a significant synergistic antiviral effect was observed. Conclusion Our data suggest that the synthetic peptide FP5 could serve as a valuable addition to the current FIP prevention methods.
Neuropathy is not associated with clinical outcomes in patients receiving adjuvant taxane-containing therapy for operable breast cancer.

PURPOSE Neuropathy is a common and potentially disabling complication of adjuvant taxane therapy. Recent studies have identified candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with taxane-induced neuropathy. Therefore, we sought to determine whether neuropathy was associated with breast cancer recurrence in a clinical trial population who received adjuvant taxane therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Trial E1199 included 4,554 eligible women with operable breast cancer who received up to four cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide every 3 weeks followed by paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks for four cycles (P3), paclitaxel 80 mg/m(2) weekly for 12 cycles (P1), docetaxel 100 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks for four cycles (D3), or docetaxel 35 mg/m(2) weekly for 12 cycles (D1). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the relationship between neuropathy and disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) by treating neuropathy status as a time dependent covariate and using a landmark analysis. RESULTS Of 4,554 patients who received at least one taxane dose, grade 2 to 4 neuropathy developed in 18%, 22%, 15%, and 13% of patients in the P3, P1, D3, and D1 arms, respectively. In a model that included age, race, obesity, menopausal status, tumor size, nodal status, treatment arm, neuropathy, and hyperglycemia, no significant relationship was found between neuropathy and DFS, OS, or RFS. CONCLUSION There was no association between taxane-induced neuropathy and outcome.
Identification of Common Biological Pathways and Drug Targets Across Multiple Respiratory Viruses Based on Human Host Gene Expression Analysis

Background Pandemic and seasonal respiratory viruses are a major global health concern. Given the genetic diversity of respiratory viruses and the emergence of drug resistant strains, the targeted disruption of human host-virus interactions is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating multi-viral infections. The availability of large-scale genomic datasets focused on host-pathogen interactions can be used to discover novel drug targets as well as potential opportunities for drug repositioning. Methods/Results In this study, we performed a large-scale analysis of microarray datasets involving host response to infections by influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, SARS-coronavirus, metapneumonia virus, coxsackievirus and cytomegalovirus. Common genes and pathways were found through a rigorous, iterative analysis pipeline where relevant host mRNA expression datasets were identified, analyzed for quality and gene differential expression, then mapped to pathways for enrichment analysis. Possible repurposed drugs targets were found through database and literature searches. A total of 67 common biological pathways were identified among the seven different respiratory viruses analyzed, representing fifteen laboratories, nine different cell types, and seven different array platforms. A large overlap in the general immune response was observed among the top twenty of these 67 pathways, adding validation to our analysis strategy. Of the top five pathways, we found 53 differentially expressed genes affected by at least five of the seven viruses. We suggest five new therapeutic indications for existing small molecules or biological agents targeting proteins encoded by the genes F3, IL1B, TNF, CASP1 and MMP9. Pathway enrichment analysis also identified a potential novel host response, the Parkin-Ubiquitin Proteasomal System (Parkin-UPS) pathway, which is known to be involved in the progression of neurodegenerative Parkinson's disease. Conclusions Our study suggests that multiple and diverse respiratory viruses invoke several common host response pathways. Further analysis of these pathways suggests potential opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
Detection of circulating miRNA levels in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE Diagnosis of schizophrenia is currently dependent on symptom-based criteria and lacks objective indicators. In this study, the authors investigated whether circulating miRNA can serve as a diagnostic biomarker for schizophrenia. METHODS Global plasma miRNAs were profiled in a test cohort of 164 schizophrenia patients and 187 control subjects, using Solexa sequencing, TaqMan Low Density Array, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. The captured miRNAs were then validated by qRT-PCR assays in an independent cohort of 400 schizophrenia patients, 213 control subjects, and 162 patients with nonschizophrenia psychiatric disorders; the 400 schizophrenia patients underwent a 12-month follow up study of regular treatment with an atypical antipsychotic (risperidone and aripiprazole). RESULTS The global plasma miRNA screening revealed eight miRNAs that were up-regulated in schizophrenia, as revealed by both assay platforms. The qRT-PCR analysis showed the up-regulation of miR-130b and miR-193a-3p in schizophrenia but not in nonschizophrenia disorders. CONCLUSIONS The up-regulation of miR-130b and miR-193a-3p is a state-independent biomarker for schizophrenia, and these two miRNAs could be used to develop a diagnostic tool for schizophrenia.
Transcriptome of Aphanomyces euteiches: New Oomycete Putative Pathogenicity Factors and Metabolic Pathways

Aphanomyces euteiches is an oomycete pathogen that causes seedling blight and root rot of legumes, such as alfalfa and pea. The genus Aphanomyces is phylogenically distinct from well-studied oomycetes such as Phytophthora sp. , and contains species pathogenic on plants and aquatic animals. To provide the first foray into gene diversity of A. euteiches, two cDNA libraries were constructed using mRNA extracted from mycelium grown in an artificial liquid medium or in contact to plant roots. A unigene set of 7,977 sequences was obtained from 18,864 high-quality expressed sequenced tags (ESTs) and characterized for potential functions. Comparisons with oomycete proteomes revealed major differences between the gene content of A. euteiches and those of Phytophthora species, leading to the identification of biosynthetic pathways absent in Phytophthora, of new putative pathogenicity genes and of expansion of gene families encoding extracellular proteins, notably different classes of proteases. Among the genes specific of A. euteiches are members of a new family of extracellular proteins putatively involved in adhesion, containing up to four protein domains similar to fungal cellulose binding domains. Comparison of A. euteiches sequences with proteomes of fully sequenced eukaryotic pathogens, including fungi, apicomplexa and trypanosomatids, allowed the identification of A. euteiches genes with close orthologs in these microorganisms but absent in other oomycetes sequenced so far, notably transporters and non-ribosomal peptide synthetases, and suggests the presence of a defense mechanism against oxidative stress which was initially characterized in the pathogenic trypanosomatids.
Endocrinology Metabolism International Journal of Evaluation of Serum Prolactin Levels in Intellectually Disabled Patients Us- Ing Antipsychotic Medications

Background: Patients with intellectual disabilities may be treated with antipsychotic medications for a variety of diagnoses. Use of this category of medication can increase prolactin levels and place the patient at risk for sexual dysfunction and lower bone mineral density. The proposed mechanism of action is affinity for the dopamine receptor. Use of bromocriptine, a dopamine receptor antagonist, was proposed to attenuate hyperprolactinemia. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to (1) review serum prolactin (PRL) elevations associated with the use of antipsychotic (AP) medications in an intellectually disabled adult population and (2) determine if any association existed between the level of elevation and AP used. Patients and Methods: Medical records for adult patients at two Oklahoma facilities for the intellectually disabled were reviewed to evaluate prolactin levels for individuals prescribed antipsychotics. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between prolactin levels with intellectual disability level, bromocriptine use, demographics, and antipsychotic. Results: 73 (n = 53 males, n = 20 females) patients met criteria. The average age was 41.2 years. Nearly 70% of the patients had severe to profound levels of disability. 77% were prescribed second generation antipsychotics; 19% received first generation agents. Two variables, gender and bromocriptine use, were found to be significant predictors of prolactin levels. Mean prolactin level for females was 44 ng/mL (normal range: 4-30 ng/mL, males = 4-23 ng/mL). Patients who did not receive bromocriptine had mean levels of 23 ng/ mL. No significant difference in prolactin levels was found for type of AP. Conclusions: Mean prolactin levels for females were significantly higher than for males. Both sexes were found to have higher-than-normal levels. Use of bromocriptine was associated with higher prolactin levels. In this population of patients, the type of AP used had no significance on prolactin levels.
The place of content and pedagogy in shaping sustainability learning outcomes in higher education

Abstract This research investigates the ways in which undergraduate courses dealing with the environment address sustainable development (SD), and contribute to the development of sustainability learning outcomes (SLO). The participants in the study were 13 instructors, and 360 students who were enrolled in 13 courses that addressed the environment in a technical university. Mixed methods were used for data collection and analysis. We found that courses that address the environment are varied in the way that they address sustainable development, and in the pedagogy they use. We also found links between teaching methods and the pattern of reported SLOs: skills development was promoted mainly in courses with a high degree of participatory learning; changes in awareness and attitudes were reported mainly in courses that addressed sustainable development, and motivation to promote sustainable development was reported mainly in courses that addressed sustainable development and also provided opportunities for active and participatory learning. The implications of our research are discussed.
NSC-NSGA2: Optimal search for finding multiple thresholds for nearest shrunken centroid

The Nearest Shrunken Centroid (NSC) method, with Prediction Analysis for Microarrays being its most well known implementation, has been widely used as a classification method for high dimensional biomedical data. A threshold value must also be provided in this method as input and normally, this is selected manually on a “trial and error” basis by executing the NSC method many times using a number of predetermined shrinkage threshold values. The optimal value is then obtained by minimizing the cross-validated error on the training data. This process can be time-consuming and the optimal threshold value may be limited by the granularity of the predetermined values. In this paper, an approach incorporating the NSC method and a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm, Non-dominated Sorting Algorithm 2, is proposed for obtaining the optimal shrinkage threshold value automatically. The NSC method acts as the fitness evaluator in the evolutionary process. Multiple objectives can be incorporated for determining the threshold values and a number of optimal solutions are obtained, each on the basis of tradeoffs between the objectives. By providing multiple potential solutions, it allows biomedical experts to better explore the joint behaviors of features in their data. The proposed approach also overcomes limitations normally associated with single objective approaches; a single optimum and the need to determine weightings associated with various objective functions in an aggregated objective function. The proposed approach was evaluated using the Alzheimer's Disease, Colon and Leukemia cancer dataset.
eismic imaging of the D ′ ′ and constraints on the core heat flux arc

Recent seismic imaging of the deep mantle has revealed lens-shaped layers near the bottom of the mantle. The morphology of this layering has been attributed to the crossing of the post-perovskite phase boundary by the local geotherm. We have developed a technique for quantifying the relationships between the depths of the double crossings of the post-perovskite transition developed in 3D spherical mantle convection, as a means for testing the viability for using the Clapeyron slope of the phase transition to put bounds on the heat flux from the core. We have argued from the probability distribution of the local heat flow at the core-mantle boundary that there are intrinsic problems in using error function from half-space cooling curves for constraining the core heat flux because of the non-Gaussian shape of the probability distribution of the core heat flow in realistic 3D convection models. In order to constrain
Skew cyclic codes of arbitrary length

In this paper, we study a special type of linear codes, called skew cyclic codes, in the most general case. This set of codes is a generalisation of cyclic codes but constructed using a non-commutative ring called the skew polynomial ring. In previous works, these codes have been studied with certain restrictions on their length. This work examines their structure for an arbitrary length without any restriction. Our results show that these codes are equivalent to either cyclic codes or quasi-cyclic codes, hence establish strong connections with well-known classes of codes.
Warmerdam and van DijkWhat’s Your Story? Chinese Private Enterprises in Kampala, Uganda

China has been engaged with Africa since the 1956. Following the domestic economic reforms of 1978, politically and ideologically motivated engagement gave way to economically and commercially driven cooperation. Successive waves of reforms in China have made the engagement more economically and commercially driven. Initially China’s engagement with Africa in general was dominated by China’s state-owned enterprises. More recently private enterprises have entered the arena. In discussions on China–Africa, China is often presented as a single actor. In fact, there are many ‘Chinas’ in Africa. More nuanced literature has disaggregated ‘China’ in Africa into different actors. With regard to China’s economic cooperation, the literature has either focused on its state-owned enterprises or the impacts of its commercial relations on local African business and populations. This paper intends to contribute to the growing literature on Chinese private enterprises in Africa. It provides a characterization of Chinese private companies in Kampala, Uganda, based on a recent survey of 42 Chinese enterprises there. It will present the data, analysis and stories of how and when they came, what problems they encountered and how these were solved based on the in-depth interviews that were carried out. The paper will show that many of these companies are relatively small, recent entrants in Uganda, motivated by the potential of the markets and increasingly facing problems with the authorities concerning their visas and work permits. It will be concluded that life for these private enterprises in Uganda is becoming gradually more difficult. There will be a shaking out of the companies that do not provide positive contributions to the local economy and society in general. This leaves many, especially smaller, Chinese private entrepreneurs uncertain about their future in Uganda.
First-Order Disorder-to-Order Transition in an Isolated Homopolymer Model.

The thermodynamic behavior of an isolated freely jointed homonuclear square-well 64mer chain is studied by discontinuous molecular dynamics simulations. It is shown that there are three transitions that can be described as gas-liquid, liquid-solid, and solid-solid polymorphic transitions. The liquid-solid-like transition is a first-order (two-state) disorder-to-order transition. Implications of the results for protein folding are briefly discussed. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society. }