Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) vIL-6 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Migration by Upregulating DNMT1 via STAT3 Activation

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is etiologically associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), the most common AIDS-related malignancy. KSHV vIL-6 promotes KS development, but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we reported that KSHV vIL-6 enhanced the expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in endothelial cells,increased the global genomic DNA methylation, and promoted cell proliferation and migration. And this effect could be blocked by the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-azadeoxycytidine. We also showed that vIL-6 induced up-regulation of DNMT1 was dependent on STAT3 activation. Therefore, the present study suggests that vIL-6 plays a role in KS tumorigenesis partly by activating DNMT1 and inducing aberrant DNA methylation, and it might be a potential target for KS therapy.
Retention and Writing Instruction: Implications for Access and Pedagogy

As faculty are increasingly recruited to participate in retention efforts on their campuses, I argue that composition studies professionals should pay attention to the scholarship on retention, one of the fastest growing areas of research in higher education. Moreover, the questions surrounding which of our students persist until graduation and why should qualify our arguments about access and reframe our conversations about pedagogy.
The trend of economic thinking

The Iron Curtain has been cast aside. The Berlin Wall has fallen. Germany has been reunited. And F. A. Hayek's forceful predictions of the inevitable failure of socialism and central economic planning are now rendered irrefutable. Yet Hayek still rightfully cautions us to heed his arguments, warning that "in economics you can never establish a truth once and for all but have always to convince every generation anew. " The Trend of Economic Thinking captures Hayek's views on political economists and economic history—on Mandeville, Hume, Cantillon, Adam Smith, and Henry Thornton. Framed by insightful editorial notes, fifteen newly collected essays—including five previously unpublished pieces and two others never before available in English—provide a fascinating introduction to the historical context of political economy and the evolution of monetary practices. In a highlight of the collection, "On Being an Economist," Hayek reflects on the influence of economists, the time required for new ideas to take hold, the best way to educate economic theorists, and the need to follow one's own interests, often in opposition to fashionable beliefs. As always, the words of this outspoken scholar are sure to provoke debate.
Identification of cpxR as a Positive Regulator Essential for Expression of the Shigella sonnei virF Gene

ABSTRACT virF is the master regulator which activates the virulence determinant genes of Shigella spp. such asipaBCD and virG. We previously reported that expression of virF itself is regulated in a pH-dependent manner and that cpxA, a sensor of a two-component regulatory system, is involved in this regulation (S. Nakayama and H. Watanabe, J. Bacteriol. 177:5062–5069, 1995). Disruption of cpxR, which has been thought to be the cognate response regulator of cpxA (J. Dong, S. Iuchi, H.-S. Kwan, Z. Lue, and E. C. C. Lin, Gene 136:227–230, 1993), abolishedvirF expression almost completely. Purified CpxR bound directly to the upstream region of virF. Binding capacity was enhanced when CpxR was phosphorylated by coincubation with acetyl phosphate in vitro. Furthermore, we observed that phosphorylated CpxR could activate virF transcription in vitro. These results clearly indicated that CpxR was an essential activator for virF expression and strongly suggested that the binding of phosphorylated CpxR to the target site upstream of the virF gene induced a direct activation of virF transcription.
A Novel Ozone Profile Shape Retrieval Using Full-Physics Inverse Learning Machine (FP-ILM)

Identifying ozone profile shapes from nadir-viewing satellite sensors is a critical yet challenging task for accurate reconstruction of vertical distributions of ozone relevant to climate change and air quality. Motivated by the need to develop a methodology to fast, reliably, and efficiently exploit ozone distributions and inspired by the success of machine learning, this paper introduces a novel algorithm for estimating ozone profile shapes from satellite ultraviolet absorption spectra. The Full-Physics Inverse Learning Machine (FP-ILM) algorithm successfully characterizes ozone profile shapes using machine learning approaches. Its implementation mainly consists of a clustering process based on a semi-supervised agglomerative algorithm, a classification process based on full-physics radiative transfer simulations and a neural network (NN), and a profile scaling process based on a NN ensemble. The classification model has been trained with synthetic data generated by a forward model in conjunction with “smart sampling,” while the scaling model corresponding to each cluster requires total ozone information. The main innovation of FP-ILM is that, unlike conventional inversion methods, the ozone profile retrieval is formulated as a classification problem, leading to a noteworthy speed-up and accuracy when dealing with applications of satellite data. An outstanding retrieval performance with errors of less than 10% over 100–1 hPa has been obtained for synthetic measurements. Furthermore, the ozone profiles retrieved from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment–2 data using FP-ILM and the optimal estimation method reach an encouraging agreement (the differences are less than 6 Dobson Units or within 5%–20%).
Performance of Focus ELISA Tests for HSV-1 and HSV-2 Antibodies Among University Students With No History of Genital Herpes

Objectives: To define the performance characteristics of the Focus ELISA HSV-1 and HSV-2 assay among 100 university students. Study Design: HSV-1 and HSV-2 Focus ELISA and Western Blot assays were performed on sera from university students who reported no history of genital herpes. Results: HSV-2 and HSV-1 seroprevalence by Western Blot were 3.4% and 48%, respectively. In this population, the positive predictive value of the Focus HSV-2 ELISA was 37.5%, the sensitivity was 100%, and specificity was 94.1%. The PPV of the Focus HSV-1 ELISA was 96.7%, the sensitivity was 69.0%, and the specificity was 97.8%. Conclusions: In this low-prevalence population, the positive predictive value of the Focus HSV-2 ELISA test was low. This finding, together with those reported elsewhere, indicates that caution is warranted when recommending HSV screening in low-prevalence or heterogeneous populations. Consideration should be given to raising the cutoff index value for defining a positive test result.
Diffusion of Mobile Telephony in China: Drivers and Forecasts

Analyzing mobile telephony diffusion involves identifying drivers and forecasting growth using a growth model. However, to our knowledge, no framework for model selection exists. To eliminate ad hoc model selection, this study presents a novel model-comparison method based on an analysis of mobile telephony diffusion in China, which accounts for one-fifth of global mobile telephony subscriptions. Determinants of the diffusion rate are then analyzed using the most appropriate model identified by the proposed model-comparison method in terms of minimum root-mean-square error. Empirical results identify the Gompertz model as the best model for diffusion forecasting. The three most significant determinants are low-cost mobile handsets, prepaid services, and personal handy-phone system (PHS) services. All of these determinants contribute to meeting the demand in China's low-end market. This study combines the proposed model-comparison method with estimates of determinants of diffusion rate to improve analysis and forecasting accuracy for mobile telephony diffusion. Moreover, model comparisons using data from eight representative countries (Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Russia, the U.K., and the U.S.) provide a valuable reference for model selection for mobile telephony diffusion.
Governança Corporativa e os determinantes da estrutura de capital: evidências empíricas no Brasil

This study empirically investigates the influence of a firm's Corporate Governance practices [CG] over its capital structure. Governance quality is measured by a broad index proposed in previous research and constructed for a sample of Brazilian publicly traded companies. We explicitly model the possible bidirectional causality between the constructs of interest, because, as suggested by the specialized literature, capital structure can influence the adoption of certain CG practices by the firm. The postulated systems of equations also include various potential determinants of both capital structure and GC quality suggested by prior research. The equations were estimated by the TOBIT, Ordinary Least Squares, and Three-Stages Least Squares methods. Our results show a significant positive influence of CG practices over financial leverage, in particular of those practices related to the dimension ownership structure and board of directors, suggesting that CG can be an important determinant of capital structure. The results are not conclusive, on the other hand, regarding the influence of leverage over the full CG index and over two sub-indices derived from it.
Anti-Fungal Innate Immunity in C. elegans Is Enhanced by Evolutionary Diversification of Antimicrobial Peptides

Encounters with pathogens provoke changes in gene transcription that are an integral part of host innate immune responses. In recent years, studies with invertebrate model organisms have given insights into the origin, function, and evolution of innate immunity. Here, we use genome-wide transcriptome analysis to characterize the consequence of natural fungal infection in Caenorhabditis elegans. We identify several families of genes encoding putative antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and proteins that are transcriptionally up-regulated upon infection. Many are located in small genomic clusters. We focus on the nlp-29 cluster of six AMP genes and show that it enhances pathogen resistance in vivo. The same cluster has a different structure in two other Caenorhabditis species. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that the evolutionary diversification of this cluster, especially in cases of intra-genomic gene duplications, is driven by natural selection. We further show that upon osmotic stress, two genes of the nlp-29 cluster are strongly induced. In contrast to fungus-induced nlp expression, this response is independent of the p38 MAP kinase cascade. At the same time, both involve the epidermal GATA factor ELT-3. Our results suggest that selective pressure from pathogens influences intra-genomic diversification of AMPs and reveal an unexpected complexity in AMP regulation as part of the invertebrate innate immune response.
Choroidal Thickness in Healthy Subjects

Purpose: To measure the choroidal thickness by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) in normal eyes. Methods: In a prospective case series, 208 eyes of 104 normal Iranian subjects were enrolled. Complete ophthalmic examination was performed. Inclusion criteria were best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥20/20, ≤ ±1 diopter of refractive error in either spherical or cylindrical components, normal intraocular pressure (IOP) and no systemic or ocular diseases. The choroidal thickness was measured by EDI-OCT subfoveally, and 1500 μm and 3000 μm nasal and temporal to the fovea. Results: Mean age was 34.6 ± 9.8 years (range, 18–57 years). Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 363 ± 84 μm. Choroidal thickness was 292 ± 76 and 194 ± 58 μm at 1500 and 3000 μm nasal to the fovea, respectively, and 314 ± 77 and 268 ± 66 μm at 1500 and 3000 μm temporal to the fovea, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the choroidal thickness between sexes and laterality of the eyes. Choroidal thickness at fovea (P < 0.001) and at all extrafoveal locations decreased significantly for every 10 years increase in age. Conclusion: In normal Iranian subjects participating in this study, mean choroidal thickness was comparable with other reports.
Detecting and Accommodating Outliers in Meta-Analysis for Evaluating Effect of Albendazole on Ascaris lumbricoides Infection

Background: Meta-analysis is a statistical technique in which the results of two or more independent studies, with similar objectives, are mathematically combined in order to improve the reliability of the results. The outliers, which may exist even in random models, can affect the validity and strength of meta-analysis results. Objectives: The current study uses "random effects variance shift model" to evaluate and correct the outliers in performing a meta-analysis study of the effect of albendazole in treating patients with Ascaris lumbricoides infection. Patients and Methods: The study used data from 14 clinical trials; each article was composed of two groups, a treatment group and a placebo group. These articles compared the effect of single dose intakes of 400 mg albendazole in treating two groups of patients with Ascaris lumbricoides infection. The articles were published in a number of internationally indexed journals between 1983 to 2013. For both groups in each article, the total number of participants, the number of those with Ascaris lumbricoides infection, and the number of those recovered following the intake of albendazole were identified and recorded. The relative risk (RR) and variance were computed for each article individually. Then, using meta-analysis, the RR was computed for all the articles together. In order to detect outliers the "random effects variance shift model" and "likelihood ratio test" (LRT) were used. Adopting the bootstrap method, the accuracy rates for sampling distribution of the tests, which were used for multiple testing, were obtained and the relevant graphs were depicted. For data analysis, STATA and R software were used. Results: According to meta-analysis results, the estimate for RR was 2.91, with a 95% confidence interval of 2.6 to 3.25. According to the method used in this study, three articles (articles number 4, 7, and 12) were outliers and, as such, they were detected in the graphs. Conclusions: We can detect and accommodate outliers in meta-analysis by using random effects variance shift model and likelihood ratio test.
Mechanism linking T-wave alternans to the genesis of cardiac fibrillation.

BACKGROUND Although T-wave alternans has been closely associated with vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias, the cellular processes underlying T-wave alternans and their role, if any, in the mechanism of reentry remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS -T-wave alternans on the surface ECG was elicited in 8 Langendorff-perfused guinea pig hearts during fixed-rate pacing while action potentials were recorded simultaneously from 128 epicardial sites with voltage-sensitive dyes. Alternans of the repolarization phase of the action potential was observed above a critical threshold heart rate (HR) (209+/-46 bpm) that was significantly lower (by 57+/-36 bpm) than the HR threshold for alternation of action potential depolarization. The magnitude (range, 2.7 to 47.0 mV) and HR threshold (range, 171 to 272 bpm) of repolarization alternans varied substantially between cells across the epicardial surface. T-wave alternans on the surface ECG was explained primarily by beat-to-beat alternation in the time course of cellular repolarization. Above a critical HR, membrane repolarization alternated with the opposite phase between neighboring cells (ie, discordant alternans), creating large spatial gradients of repolarization. In the presence of discordant alternans, a small acceleration of pacing cycle length produced a characteristic sequence of events: (1) unidirectional block of an impulse propagating against steep gradients of repolarization, (2) reentrant propagation, and (3) the initiation of ventricular fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS Repolarization alternans at the level of the single cell accounts for T-wave alternans on the surface ECG. Discordant alternans produces spatial gradients of repolarization of sufficient magnitude to cause unidirectional block and reentrant ventricular fibrillation. These data establish a mechanism linking T-wave alternans of the ECG to the pathogenesis of sudden cardiac death.
A comparative study of efficiency in European banking

This paper investigates whether there has been an improvement in and convergence of productive efficiency across European banking markets since the creation of the Single Internal Market. Using efficiency measures derived from DEA estimation, the determinants of European bank efficiency are evaluated using the Tobit regression model approach. The established literature on modelling the determinants of bank efficiency is then extended by recognizing the problem of the inherent dependency of DEA efficiency scores when used in regression analysis. To overcome the dependency problem, a bootstrapping technique is applied. Overall, the results suggest that since the EU's Single Market Programme there has been a small improvement in bank efficiency levels, although there is little evidence to suggest that these have converged. The results also suggest that inference on the determinants of bank efficiency drawn from non-bootstrapped regression analysis may be biased and misleading.
Riverine skin temperature response to subsurface processes in low wind speeds

Both surface and subsurface processes modulate the surface thermal skin and as such the skin temperature may serve as an indicator for coastal, estuarine, and alluvial processes. Infrared (IR) imagery offers the unique tool to survey such systems, allowing not only to assess temperature variability of the thermal boundary layer, but also to derive surface flow fields through digital particle image velocimetry, optical flow techniques, or spectral methods. In this study, IR time-series imagery taken from a boat moored in the Hudson River estuary is used to determine surface flow, turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate, and characteristic temperature and velocity length scales. These are linked to subsurface measurements provided by in situ instruments. Under the low wind conditions and weak stratification, surface currents and dissipation rate are found to reflect subsurface mean flow (r 5 0.89) and turbulence (r 5 0.75). For relatively low dissipation rates, better correlations are obtained by computing dissipation rates directly from wavenumber spectra rather than when having to assume the validity of the Taylor hypothesis. Furthermore, the subsurface dissipation rate scales with the surface length scales (L) and mean flow (U) using e / U3 L (r 5 0.9). The surface length scale derived from the thermal fields is found to have a strong linear relationship (r 5 0.88) to water depth (D) with (D/L) 13. Such a relation may prove useful for remote bathymetric surveys when no waves are present.
Multisensory‐based Approach to the Recovery of Unisensory Deficit

This chapter reviews several highly convergent behavioral findings that provide strong evidence for the existence of multimodal integration systems subserving spatial representation in humans. These systems generally function through the multisensory coding of visuoauditory and visuotactile events but vary in their specific functional and anatomical characteristics. The chapter will also consider the adaptive advantages of multisensory integration systems; these systems might modulate the level of activation in cortical areas in short‐ and long‐term ways, thereby providing a mechanism for permanent recovery from sensory and spatial deficits.
Prenatal diagnosis of atelosteogenesis type I at 21 weeks' gestation

We describe prenatal diagnosis in a male fetus at 21 weeks of gestation with atelosteogenesis type I (AO I). Fetal ultrasonography (US) revealed absent or deficient ossification of the posterior neural arches of the thoracic spine, humeri, radii, ulnae, fibulae, and short tubular bones other than the distal phalanges, in addition to extremely short, thick femora. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using an ultrafast imaging sequence depicted dysmorphic features, pulmonary hypoplasia, and large cisterna magna. Postmortem radiographs warranted a diagnosis of AO I. Autopsy corroborated not only pulmonary hypoplasia but also laryngeal stenosis. The chondro‐osseous histological findings were consistent with those of AO I. Meticulous evaluation using fetal US and MRI permits a definitive prenatal diagnosis of AO I to be made. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring clients' satisfaction with self-help agencies.

OBJECTIVE Clients' satisfaction with their involvement in treatment decisions has been largely overlooked in the formulation of satisfaction measures. The authors describe the development of a scale that assesses clients' satisfaction with services and with their involvement in treatment decisions. METHODS Long-term users of four client-operated mental health self-help agencies were interviewed at baseline (N=310) and six months (N=248) using the 11-item Self-Help Agency Satisfaction Scale (SHASS). The scale was developed on the basis of consumers' input about their satisfaction with services and their involvement in treatment decisions. To explore the relationship between satisfaction as measured by the SHASS and outcomes, the six-month interview included four outcome measures-independent and assisted social functioning, symptom severity, and a sense of personal empowerment. Internal consistency, stability, and discriminant validity were evaluated. RESULTS Factor analyses confirmed that the SHASS has two subscales, one assessing service satisfaction and the other assessing satisfaction with involvement in treatment decisions. The scale and its subscales showed high internal consistency, moderate stability, and discriminant validity. The SHASS subscales showed modest associations with two of four outcome measures-assisted and independent social functioning. CONCLUSIONS The SHASS is a brief instrument that can be used to measure clients' satisfaction with their involvement in treatment in mental health self-help agencies.
Are Broad-Spectrum Fluoroquinolones More Likely To Cause Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease?

ABSTRACT Limited evidence suggests that broad-spectrum fluoroquinolones such as gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin are more likely to cause Clostridium difficile-associated disease than levofloxacin. In a population-based case-control study of outpatients prescribed fluoroquinolones, we found no increased risk of C. difficile-associated disease requiring hospitalization among patients prescribed gatifloxacin or moxifloxacin compared to levofloxacin.
Deep Learning using Linear Support Vector Machines

Recently, fully-connected and convolutional neural networks have been trained to achieve state-of-the-art performance on a wide variety of tasks such as speech recognition, image classification, natural language processing, and bioinformatics. For classification tasks, most of these "deep learning" models employ the softmax activation function for prediction and minimize cross-entropy loss. In this paper, we demonstrate a small but consistent advantage of replacing the softmax layer with a linear support vector machine. Learning minimizes a margin-based loss instead of the cross-entropy loss. While there have been various combinations of neural nets and SVMs in prior art, our results using L2-SVMs show that by simply replacing softmax with linear SVMs gives significant gains on popular deep learning datasets MNIST, CIFAR-10, and the ICML 2013 Representation Learning Workshop's face expression recognition challenge.