Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geographic and temporal trends in antimicrobial nonsusceptibility in Streptococcus pneumoniae in the post-vaccine era in the United States.

BACKGROUND We examined whether observed increases in antibiotic nonsusceptible nonvaccine serotypes after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the United States in 2000 were driven primarily by vaccine or antibiotic use. METHODS Using active surveillance data, we evaluated geographic and temporal differences in serotype distribution and within-serotype differences during 2000-2009. We compared nonsusceptibility to penicillin and erythromycin by geography after standardizing differences across time, place, and serotype by regressing standardized versus crude proportions. A regression slope (RS) approaching zero indicates greater importance of the standardizing factor. RESULTS Through 2000-2006, geographic differences in nonsusceptibility were better explained by within-serotype prevalence of nonsusceptibility (RS 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI], .08-.55 for penicillin) than by geographic differences in serotype distribution (RS 0.71, 95% CI, .44-.97). From 2007-2009, serotype distribution differences became more important for penicillin (within-serotype RS 0.52, 95% CI, .11-.93; serotype distribution RS 0.57, 95% CI, .14-1.0). CONCLUSIONS Differential nonsusceptibility, within individual serotypes, accounts for most geographic variation in nonsusceptibility, suggesting selective pressure from antibiotic use, rather than differences in serotype distribution, mainly determines nonsusceptibility patterns. Recent trends suggest geographic differences in serotype distribution may be affecting the prevalence of nonsusceptibility, possibly due to decreases in the number of nonsusceptible serotypes.
New chip device with built-in optical outlet rod for easy assembly and high optical coupling in optical interconnection

New chip devices - designed with an optical outlet rod surrounded by cladding - have been proposed to realize easy assembly, high-efficiency optical interconnection. Prototypes have been fabricated using a photomask transfer method employing a VCSEL (vertical cavity emitting laser) and two kinds of UV (ultraviolet) curable resin. Observation of the NFP (near-field pattern), I-L (current vs. light output power) characteristics, the eye pattern for signal transmission and positional tolerance shows that outlet rods with a diameter of 30 µm efficiently confine the laser beam as an optical waveguide. In addition, the ray tracing simulation indicates that transmission loss and crosstalk can be substantially reduced by choosing suitable resins.
Analysis of the effect of yoga on selective attention and mental concentration in young adults

Title of Document: ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF YOGA ON SELECTIVE ATTENTION AND MENTAL CONCENTRATION IN YOUNG ADULTS Dina Carlin, Shaina Castle, Maia Chisholm, Jon Facemire, Allison Fleming, Molly Goldman, Briana Lee, Jenna Schultz, Margaret Wells Directed By: Christa Schmidt, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Psychology Department Towson University Despite an increase in interest pertaining to the benefits of yoga practice, research focusing on the relationship between yoga practice and attention is limited. This study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test design to measure whether physical activity had an immediate effect on selective attention and mental concentration in young adults, aged 18 to 25. More specifically, this study compared yoga and aerobic exercise classes to assess whether yoga practice improved attention beyond aerobic activity. The yoga and aerobic groups completed two surveys and the d2 Test of Attention at two observation points: immediately prior to and immediately following participation in their respective classes. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) found a statistically significant improvement between preand post-test scores on attention for both groups, with a greater improvement for the aerobic group. The findings show that physical activity had an immediate effect on the attention of the sample. ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF YOGA ON SELECTIVE ATTENTION AND MENTAL CONCENTRATION IN YOUNG ADULTS.
Correlation of Chitinase 3-Like 1 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Taiwan

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. Multiple risk factors, such as chronic hepatitis B or C virus infection, carcinogen exposure, cirrhosis, and various single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), are considered to contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), a biomarker implicated in inflammation and tissue remodeling, plays a promoting role in angiogenesis, antiapoptosis, and cell proliferation. This study investigated the role of CHI3L1 SNPs in HCC susceptibility and clinicopathology. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze four SNPs of CHI3L1 in 343 patients with HCC and 686 cancer-free controls. We found associations with HCC susceptibility in CHI3L1 rs880633 polymorphism carriers with genotypes (TC+CC). We observed that HCC patients had lower frequencies of CHI3L1 rs6691378 polymorphisms with the variant genotype GA+AA than the wild-type carriers with distant metastasis and positive HBsAg did. In 200 HBsAg negative HCC patients, we observed that the CHI3L1 rs4950928 polymorphisms carriers with the variant genotype CG+GG had higher frequencies of vascular invasion. Finally, carriers of CHI3L1 rs6691378 and 10399805 polymorphisms with the variant genotypes GA+AA showed lower levels of alpha-fetoprotein in HCC laboratory status. In conclusion, our results indicate that patients with CHI3L1 rs880633 variant genotypes TC+CC are at a higher risk of HCC. CHI3L1 polymorphisms rs880633 or rs4950928 may be potential candidates for predicting poor HCC prognosis and clinical status.
The Arabidopsis DIMINUTO/DWARF1 Gene Encodes a Protein Involved in Steroid Synthesis

We have identified the function of the Arabidopsis DIMINUTO/DWARF1 (DIM/DWF1) gene by analyzing the dim mutant, a severe dwarf with greatly reduced fertility. Both the mutant phenotype and gene expression could be rescued by the addition of exogenous brassinolide. Analysis of endogenous sterols demonstrated that dim accumulates 24-methylenecholesterol but is deficient in campesterol, an early precursor of brassinolide. In addition, we show that dim is deficient in brassinosteroids as well. Feeding experiments using deuterium-labeled 24-methylenecholesterol and 24-methyldesmosterol confirmed that DIM/DWF1 is involved in both the isomerization and reduction of the Δ24(28) bond. This conversion is not required in cholesterol biosynthesis in animals but is a key step in the biosynthesis of plant sterols. Transient expression of a green fluorescent protein–DIM/DWF1 fusion protein and biochemical experiments showed that DIM/DWF1 is an integral membrane protein that most probably is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum.
Is the process of urinary urea concentration responsible for a high glomerular filtration rate?

For subjects on a normal diet, urea is the major urinary solute and is markedly concentrated in the urine compared with in the plasma. Because urea is not known to undergo active secretion, its excretion rests on filtration lessened to a variable extent by tubular reabsorption. It is well established that the efficiency of urea excretion drops with increasing urinary concentration and decreasing urinary flow rate (from approximately 60% of filtered load, above 2 mL/min, to approximately 20% below 0.5 mL/min) because the prolonged transit time in the distal nephron favors passive urea reabsorption. Thus, a higher urinary concentration is achieved at the expense of a reduced efficiency of urea excretion. Recent experimental observations suggest that GFR could actually increase in parallel with the urinary concentrating activity, thus ensuring a normal urea excretion in the face of a high, concentration-dependent urea reabsorption, with only a moderate increase in plasma urea. A possible mechanism is proposed that could explain how the vasopressin-induced intrarenal recycling of urea (which contributes to improvement in urinary concentration), but not an exogenous urea administration, could indirectly depress the tubuloglomerular feedback and hence increase GFR. An increased concentration of an osmotically active solute in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (such as urea and, in some cases, glucose) could enable a lower NaCl concentration to be achieved at the macula densa by reducing the osmotically driven water leakage in this nephron segment. This mechanism could explain the hyperfiltration seen in various pathophysiologic situations such as chronic vasopressin infusion, high protein intake, severe burns, and diabetes mellitus. Whatever the mechanism, if the need to excrete relatively high amounts of urea in a concentrated urine leads to a sustained elevation of GFR, the price to pay for this water economy is higher than generally assumed. It is not limited to the energy spent in the sodium reabsorption providing the "single effect" for the urinary concentrating process. It also includes the consequences on the glomerular filter of sustained high pressure and flow and the energy spent in reabsorbing the extra load of solutes filtered. In chronic renal failure, the ability to form hypertonic urine declines but is nevertheless well preserved with respect to declining GFR, thus imposing on remnant nephrons an additional permanent stimulus for hyperfiltration. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Chromosomal Constitution of Postmitotic Neurons, Assessed by Neuronal Nuclear Transfer into Oocytes and in ES Cell Lines Derived from Them

Spectral karyotyping (SKY) was used to assess the chromosomal constitution of embryos generated by nuclear transfer (NT) of neuronal nuclei (N-NT) or cumulus cell nuclei (C-NT) into oocytes and of their embryonic stem cell derivatives (ntES cells). We detected chromosomal changes during the first mitotic cleavage and in the condensed chromatids of NT embryos. We also found clonal translocations in the ntES cells that were derived from NT embryos cloned from neuronal nuclei. The differentiation potentials of the ntES cells showing chromosomal rearrangements were partly restricted. Our findings indicate that balanced or unbalanced chromosomal translocations can occur in early NT embryogenesis, suggesting that a DNA repair system is activated during both NT embryogenesis and ntES cell establishment. We observed a higher incidence of chromosomal changes in N-NT than in C-NT embryos, which may reflect a higher frequency of double-stranded (ds) DNA breaks in the neuronal genome.
Impulsivity, Substance Abuse, and Family/Friends History of Suicide Attempts in University Students With and Without Suicidal Ideation

Objective: Impulsivity appears to play an important role in suicidal behavior. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare the impulsivity, substance abuse, and family/friends history of suicide attempt between suicide-ideated and non suicide-ideated university students. Methods: The research population consisted of all the students of the University of Isfahan in the academic year of 2009-2010. Three hundred and forty students (136 boys and 204 girls) were selected randomly through cluster sampling, of whom 53 participants were suicide-ideated and the rest were non suicide-ideated. The instruments used in this study were the 11th version of Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Suicide Ideation Questionnaire, and the demographic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of variance were used to examine hypothesis. Results: There was a significant difference between suicide ideated and non-suicide ideated subjects in impulsivity (F=3.83, p< 0.001). Accordingly, significant differences were observed between two groups in attentional (F=8.12, p< 0.005), motor (F=7.67, p< 0.006), and non-planning (F=4.60, p< 0.033) impulsiveness. The results showed a higher incidence of substance abuse, and family/friends suicide attempt among suicide-ideated compared with non suicide-ideated students. Conclusion: A higher level of impulsivity is probably related to various indices of suicidal behavior. Substance abuse is probably associated with suicidal behavior and this association may involve an interaction with impulsivity. This study provides an initial evidence of familial linkages of suicide ideation and suggests that the loss of an important person in life would be an important predictor of suicide ideation in university students.
Beyond Histology: Lowering Human Leukocyte Antigen Antibody to Improve Renal Allograft Survival in Acute Rejection

Background. The common endpoint in the treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is functional reversal (creatinine levels). Reduction of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody strength is not commonly considered as an essential endpoint for AMR resolution. The purpose of this study was to determine whether reduction in HLA antibody intensity in patients with histologic AMR reversal influences long-term renal allograft survival. Methods. Renal allograft recipients were included if he or she had a biopsy diagnosis of AMR (between August 2000 and October 2008) and serial evaluation for HLA antibodies prebiopsy and postbiopsy. Antibody reduction was defined as mean fluorescence intensity decrease more than 50% in highest intensity antibody after AMR therapy and the absence of new antibody formation. Patients were treated with plasmapheresis, thymoglobulin/OKT3, and corticosteroids. Survival analysis was performed using STATA/MP v10 (College Station, TX). Results. Twenty-eight patients were analyzed. Antibody reduction failed to occur in 22 of 28 cases. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Antibody nonresponders had significantly shorter allograft survival time (61.4 months) compared with antibody responders (no failures) (P=0.04, log-rank test). Conclusions. In conclusion, failure to significantly reduce antibody levels and prevent new formation was strongly predictive of allograft loss. This observation suggests that the therapeutic intervention that reduces antibody production may prolong graft survival in transplantation.
Conscientiousness as a Predictor of Relative Longevity

This study examined the Conscientiousness domain (of the Big-Five Inventory [B5]) and its facets as predictors of Relative Longevity (RL). Its methods of investigation involved the administration of the B5 to a sample of 350 people from Anambra State (of Nigeria, West Africa) who had RL. These participants were drawn from the representative towns of the three senatorial zones in the State. Stratified sampling technique was employed in the selection of the respondents. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation analysis and Multiple Regression analysis were used in data analyses. The results of the research indicated that there was no significant correlation between Conscientiousness domain and RL. However, its (Conscientiousness) facet (of Thorough) correlated significantly with RL. Besides, Conscientiousness did not predict RL, but its facets (Thorough, Reliable, Organized, and Goal-directed) were found to be significant predictors of RL. The study’s conclusion is that although Conscientiousness was neither a correlate nor a predictor of RL among the people of Anambra State, some of its Facets were (correlate and/or predictor/s).
Learning With Peers: From Small Group Cooperation to Collaborative Communities

Peer learninghas been_suggested by many as an educatiortar"""innovation that can trajisiorm students' learning experiences. Policymakers and researchers see small group work as a way to improve attitudes toward school, foster achievement, develop thinking skills, and promote interpersonal and intergroup relations. Yet, like most other simple suggestions such as lengthening the school year or assigning more homework, learning from peers in cooperative or collaborative groups is complex and difficult to achieve. When practiced in an uninformed manner, it can stigmatize low achievers, exacerbate status differences, and create dysfunctional interactions among students. There are ways to overcome these problems, but none assure unqualified success and none can be applied as a recipe. Rather,-the_ways_to overcomejhese problems must be adapted to the unique circumstances of students, curriculum, and context. Creating_successfuI-group work is not simply a matter_of-putting.students together. Students do not automatically become more involved, thoughtful, tolerant, or responsible when working with others.
Walking on Minimax Paths for k-NN Search

Link-based dissimilarity measures, such as shortest path or Euclidean commute time distance, base their distance on paths between nodes of a weighted graph. These measures are known to be better suited to data manifold with nonconvex-shaped clusters, compared to Euclidean distance, so that k-nearest neighbor (NN) search is improved in such metric spaces. In this paper we present a new link-based dissimilarity measure based on minimax paths between nodes. Two main benefits of minimax path-based dissimilarity measure are: (1) only a subset of paths is considered to make it scalable, while Euclidean commute time distance considers all possible paths; (2) it better captures nonconvex-shaped cluster structure, compared to shortest path distance. We define the total cost assigned to a path between nodes as Lp norm of intermediate costs of edges involving the path, showing that minimax path emerges from our Lp norm over paths framework. We also define minimax distance as the intermediate cost of the longest edge on the minimax path, then present a greedy algorithm to compute k smallest minimax distances between a query and N data points in O(log N + k log k) time. Numerical experiments demonstrate that our minimax k-NN algorithm reduce the search time by several orders of magnitude, compared to existing methods, while the quality of k-NN search is significantly improved over Euclidean distance.
A Putative Transcription Factor MYT1 Is Required for Female Fertility in the Ascomycete Gibberella zeae

Gibberella zeae is an important pathogen of major cereal crops. The fungus produces ascospores that forcibly discharge from mature fruiting bodies, which serve as the primary inocula for disease epidemics. In this study, we characterized an insertional mutant Z39P105 with a defect in sexual development and identified a gene encoding a putative transcription factor designated as MYT1. This gene contains a Myb DNA-binding domain and is conserved in the subphylum Pezizomycotina of Ascomycota. The MYT1 protein fused with green fluorescence protein localized in nuclei, which supports its role as a transcriptional regulator. The MYT1 deletion mutant showed similar phenotypes to the wild-type strain in vegetative growth, conidia production and germination, virulence, and mycotoxin production, but had defect in female fertility. A mutant overexpressing MYT1 showed earlier germination, faster mycelia growth, and reduced mycotoxin production compared to the wild-type strain, suggesting that improper MYT1 expression affects the expression of genes involved in the cell cycle and secondary metabolite production. This study is the first to characterize a transcription factor containing a Myb DNA-binding domain that is specific to sexual development in G. zeae.
Determinants Affecting Customer's Intention to Adopt Mobile Banking in Saudi Arabia

Mobile technologies and services are envisioned as the possible driving force that will create a variety of business opportunities. The objective of the present study is to determine the major factors that contribute towards customer’s intention to adopt mobile banking as electronic-financial services among commercial banks in Saudi Arabia. The research uses primary data and the unit of analysis is individuals who are non-users of mobile banking services. The study questionnaires were distributed to samples throughout Saudi Arabia concentrating on major cities. Four hundred and three valid responses were received and analyzed through multivariate analysis process using Structural Equation Modelling. The study shows that Mobile Phone Experience and Awareness of Service are critical in the comprehension of the technology and its related functionality and benefits while the lack of knowledge and information maximizes the perception of risk. The results also reveal that Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy and Perceived Risk are major predictors for adopting mobile banking services in the initial adoption stage. The principal conclusion is that mobile banking services should offer innovative services compared to existing competition services in a similar area, i.e. electronic-banking services. As demonstrated, differentiation can be attained by encompassing more benefit factors than sacrifice factors that create perceived value of adopting mobile banking services in the future.
Predicting query reformulation type from user behavior

This paper proposes a method to discover how a user's search intent changes using his/her behavior during a Web search. A Web search user has a particular search intent and formulates search queries according to that intent. It is, however, a difficult task for the user to formulate a optimal query, a single query able to find documents which completely satisfy his/her information need, by himself. After issuing the initial query, the user usually examines the search results, and modifies his/her initial query. The subsequent queries may be a query of Specialization type, Parallel Move type and so on. By recording these subsequent queries and the corresponding user behavior (including eye-gazing behavior), the present work tries to find the relationship between the user's query reformulation and user's behavior. The proposed method constructs a SVM classifier from the behavior log data obtained from the search and browsing processes. Our experimental results show that the proposed method can classify the next query reformulation into five categories using only the current search behavior data with about 41 % accuracy, greater than the baseline methods. We also analyze which and to what extent the user's behavior data is useful for predicting query reformulations.
THE ROLE OF READING MOTIVATION AND INTEREST IN READING ENGAGEMENT OF QURANIC EXEGESIS READERS

The paper explores how personal motivation and interest shapes domain specific reading of Quranic exegesis. It presents a conceptual model for of long-term engagement with reading Quranic exegesis. Seventy-six open-ended structured questionnaires were completed by regular Quranic exegesis readers and those having moderate to extensive knowledge of Quranic exegesis. These responses were analyzed qualitatively. The findings show that the samples readers’ motivation together with their personal interests shaped their reading. Their intrinsic motivation is to know the interpretation of Quranic verses, while the extrinsic motivation is to relate the meaning of the verses with society and real life. Their interest in reading social exegeses indicates that they are active readers. Therefore, their engagement is understood in terms of applying Quranic principles in real life. Exegeses readers characterized their interest as being based on a desire to promote social development, social welfare, and social reconstruction. This paper is a useful guideline for Quranic commentators and researchers. The findings provide insights regarding maintaining a long-term engagement with Quranic exegesis.