Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enumeration of Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. in Environmental Farm Samples and Processing Plant Carcass Rinses from Commercial Broiler Chicken Flocks

ABSTRACT A prospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the prevalences and loads of Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. in farm and processing plant samples collected from 55 commercial broiler chicken flocks. Environmental samples were collected from broiler houses within 48 h before slaughter, and carcass rinses were performed on birds from the same flocks at 4 different stages of processing. Salmonella was detected in farm samples of 50 (90.9%) flocks and in processing samples of 52 (94.5%) flocks. Campylobacter was detected in farm samples of 35 (63.6%) flocks and in processing samples of 48 (87.3%) flocks. There was a significant positive relationship between environmental farm samples and processing plant carcass rinses with respect to both Salmonella and Campylobacter prevalences and loads. Campylobacter loads were significantly higher than Salmonella loads, and the correlations between samples collected from the same flocks were higher for Campylobacter than they were for Salmonella. Boot socks were the most sensitive sample type for detection of Salmonella on the farm, whereas litter samples had the strongest association with Salmonella loads in pre- and postchill carcass rinses. Boot socks, drag swabs, and fecal samples all had similar sensitivities for detecting Campylobacter on the farm, and all were more strongly associated with Campylobacter loads in carcass rinses than were litter samples. Farm samples explained a greater proportion of the variability in carcass rinse prevalences and loads for Campylobacter than they did for Salmonella. Salmonella and Campylobacter prevalences and loads both decreased significantly as birds progressed through the processing plant.
The relevance of anxiety, depression, and coping in patients after liver transplantation

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of anxiety, depression, and coping on quality of life in patients after liver transplantation. Patients were asked to fill out a postal survey. Two hundred thirty‐six of 375 patients (63%) who entered the study returned the questionnaires, and 186 of these patients could be included in the assessment. Anxiety and depression were surveyed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; health‐related quality of life, using the 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey; and coping strategies, using the Freiburg Questionnaire on Coping With Illness. In terms of physical and mental dimensions of health‐related quality of life, psychosocial factors are far more relevant in liver transplant recipients than purely somatic factors, such as the number of posttransplantation complications or length of hospital stay. Through multiple regression analysis, we were able to account for 51% of the variance in the physical dimension of health‐related quality of life and 58% of the variance in the mental dimension. Physical factors of depression, age, and employment and mental factors of anxiety and depression were significant for predicting health‐related quality of life after liver transplantation. Depressive coping, anxiety, and depression, as well as aspects of the social environment, contribute considerably to determine well‐being and health‐related quality of life of patients after liver transplantation.
Serum levels of nesfatin-1 are increased in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract Objective: To analyze the concentrations of nesfatin-1 in maternal and cord serum, to evaluate the expression of nesfatin-1 in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Methods: We studied a total of 50 GDM and 50 NGT subjects. The clinical features, serum nesfatin-1, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profiles were measured at the third trimester of pregnancy. The expression of nesfatin-1 in the SAT was determined by western blot. Results: Compared with the NGT group, the GDM group showed greater levels of serum nesfatin-1, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (AFABP), and leptin; a greater level of cord blood nesfatin-1; and a higher level of expression in SAT (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Fasting insulin (FI) (b = 0.317, p= 0.022) and body mass index (BMI) before delivery (b = 0.367, p=0.008) were independently associated with serum nesfatin-1. Nesfatin-1 was the independent risk factor for GDM. Conclusions: The GDM group had higher levels of maternal serum and cord blood nesfatin-1, and greater nesfatin-1 expression in SAT. Nesfatin-1 is closely related to obesity and IR in pregnancy.
Bisexuals “Doing Gender” in Romantic Relationships

Employing the concept of gender as a situated performance, this research explores negotiations of gender performances by bisexuals in interpersonal relationships and how such performances may alter due to the sex/gender of their partner. Theoretical works on gender performance have primarily focused on drag performers, transgenders, and heterosexual women and men. Also, the limited existing research on bisexuality and gender has largely concentrated on the gender of bisexuals' relationship partners. Focusing on the gender performances of bisexuals themselves, this research contributes to the academic literature on bisexuality as well as the sociological study of gender. I examine how bisexuals utilize conventional scripts of femininity and masculinity in their relationships with women and men. Due to the dichotomization of homosexuality/heterosexuality, female/male, and feminine/masculine categories, bisexuals also negotiate an alteration of traditional performances of gender and sexuality in romantic relationships.
Erythrocytosis-associated HIF-2α Mutations Demonstrate a Critical Role for Residues C-terminal to the Hydroxylacceptor Proline*

A classic physiologic response to hypoxia in humans is the up-regulation of the ERYTHROPOIETIN (EPO) gene, which is the central regulator of red blood cell mass. The EPO gene, in turn, is activated by hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). HIF is a transcription factor consisting of an α subunit (HIF-α) and a β subunit (HIF-β). Under normoxic conditions, prolyl hydroxylase domain protein (PHD, also known as HIF prolyl hydroxylase and egg laying-defective nine protein) site specifically hydroxylates HIF-α in a conserved LXXLAP motif (where underlining indicates the hydroxylacceptor proline). This provides a recognition motif for the von Hippel Lindau protein, a component of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that targets hydroxylated HIF-α for degradation. Under hypoxic conditions, this inherently oxygen-dependent modification is arrested, thereby stabilizing HIF-α and allowing it to activate the EPO gene. We previously identified and characterized an erythrocytosis-associated HIF2A mutation, G537W. More recently, we reported two additional erythrocytosis-associated HIF2A mutations, G537R and M535V. Here, we describe the functional characterization of these two mutants as well as a third novel erythrocytosis-associated mutation, P534L. These mutations affect residues C-terminal to the LXXLAP motif. We find that all result in impaired degradation and thus aberrant stabilization of HIF-2α. However, each exhibits a distinct profile with respect to their effects on PHD2 binding and von Hippel Lindau interaction. These findings reinforce the importance of HIF-2α in human EPO regulation, demonstrate heterogeneity of functional defects arising from these mutations, and point to a critical role for residues C-terminal to the LXXLAP motif in HIF-α.
The Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale: Measurement Invariance Over Gender

This study examined the extent of measurement invariance of the Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale responses (BPNES; Vlachopoulos & Michailidou, 2006) across male (n = 716) and female (n = 1,147) exercise participants. BPNES responses from exercise participants attending private fitness centers (n = 1,012) and community exercise programs (n = 851) were used. The 3-factor BPNES confirmatory factor analysis model, discriminant validity, and scale reliability were supported for both male and female participants separately. The multisample models supported the configural invariance, partial metric invariance, partial measurement error invariance, and partial scalar invariance of the BPNES responses across gender. Both male and female participants attached the same meaning to the constructs assessed by the BPNES items. The BPNES score invariance properties support tests of the needs universality hypothesis offered by self-determination theory across gender in exercise and meaningful comparison of the autonomy, competence, and relatedness construct latent means across gender.
Strategic flexibility and SME performance in an emerging economy

Purpose – This study aims to address the following question: when strategic flexibility can be most beneficial to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the context of emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on dynamic capabilities perspective, this study builds a contingency model and examines it with survey data collected from 166 SMEs in China. Findings – This study finds that the relationship between strategic flexibility and firm performance is extensively moderated by external (competitive intensity and environmental munificence), internal (resource combination activities), as well as bridging factors (managerial ties). Originality/value – The findings contribute to the contingency view of strategic flexibility and firm performance research by incorporating insights from the dynamic capabilities perspective and by expanding the scope of existing research to emerging economies.
The unexpected journey: renewing our commitment to students through educational action research

Abstract This article presents four cases of journeys of discovery and renewal, and the unexpected learning that results from exploring our practice with others. The authors are three classroom teachers – Steve, Stephanie and Bennyce – all of whom took part in a year-long action research sequence and the two professors – Helen and Mary – who co-taught these courses. Taking part in this process, whether as teachers or students, we gained new insights into important relationships that are too frequently taken for granted in busy teaching days, and discovered, in doing so, a renewed commitment to both our students and to the power of action research to bring about change
Electrophysiological Perspectives on the Therapeutic Use of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonists

Partial agonist therapies rely variously on two hypotheses: the partial agonists have their effects through chronic low-level receptor activation or the partial agonists work by decreasing the effects of endogenous or exogenous full agonists. The relative significance of these activities probably depends on whether acute or chronic effects are considered. We studied nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes to test a model for the acute interactions between acetylcholine (ACh) and weak partial agonists. Data were best-fit to a basic competition model that included an additional factor for noncompetitive inhibition. Partial agonist effects were compared with the nAChR antagonist bupropion in prolonged bath application experiments that were designed to mimic prolonged drug exposure typical of therapeutic drug delivery. A primary effect of prolonged application of nicotine was to decrease the response of all nAChR subtypes to acute applications of ACh. In addition, nicotine, cytisine, and varenicline produced detectable steady-state activation of α4β2* [(α4)2(β2)3, (α4)3(β2)2, and (α4)2(β2)2α5)] receptor subtypes that was not seen with other test compounds. Partial agonists produced no detectable steady-state activation of α7 nAChR, but seemed to show small potentiation of ACh-evoked responses; however, “run-up” of α7 ACh responses was also sometimes observed under control conditions. Potential off-target effects of the partial agonists therefore included the modulation of α7 responses by α4β2 partial agonists and decreases in α4β2* responses by α7-selective agonists. These data indicate the dual effects expected for α4β2* partial agonists and provide models and insights for utility of partial agonists in therapeutic development.
CSF dynamics and brain volume in multiple sclerosis are associated with extracranial venous flow anomalies: a pilot study.

AIM We previously reported unexpectedly robust associations between vascular haemodynamic (VH) anomalies in the principal extracranial cerebral veins, causing chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the VH changes and MRI measures of MS disease severity in a cross sectional survey. METHODS The number of anomalous VH criteria were measured using an echo-color Doppler, whereas CSF flow, atrophy and lesion measures were obtained from quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis in sixteen consecutive relapsing-remitting MS patients, (mean age: 36.1+/-SD 7.3 years, disease duration: 7.5+/-1.9 years and median EDSS: 2.5) and in 8 healthy controls (HC) with similar age and sex distributions. RESULTS All 16 MS patients investigated and none of the HCs met the VH criteria for CCSVI (P<0.0001). MS patients showed significantly lower net CSF flow compared to the HC (P=0.038) that was associated with number of anomalous VH criteria present (r=0.79, P<0.001). Moreover, increases in the number of anomalous VH criteria present were negatively associated with lower whole brain volume (Spearman R=-0.5, P=0.05). CONCLUSION VH changes occur more frequently in MS patients than controls. Altered VH is associated with abnormal CSF flow dynamics and decreased brain volume.
Adalimumab, a novel anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody in a child with refractory Crohn's disease.

In recent years, anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a agents have been used with success in adults and children with Crohn’s disease (1–4). Infliximab has become the treatment of choice in Crohn’s disease refractory to other measures. Reports of adverse reactions associated with infliximab infusions (5) have led to development of alternative agents. Recently, there have been encouraging trials of adalimumab in adults with Crohn’s disease (6,12). We report a pediatric patient with refractory Crohn’s disease in whom treatment with infliximab had resulted in significant respiratory distress. A trial of adalimumab produced significant improvement in symptoms, laboratory values, and endoscopic findings, with no adverse events.
I Know What You Saw Last Minute—Encrypted HTTP Adaptive Video Streaming Title Classification

Desktops can be exploited to violate privacy. There are two main types of attack scenarios: active and passive. We consider the passive scenario where the adversary does not interact actively with the device, but is able to eavesdrop on the network traffic of the device from the network side. In the near future, most Internet traffic will be encrypted and thus passive attacks are challenging. Previous research has shown that information can be extracted from encrypted multimedia streams. This includes video title classification of non HTTP adaptive streams. This paper presents algorithms for encrypted HTTP adaptive video streaming title classification. We show that an external attacker can identify the video title from video HTTP adaptive streams sites, such as YouTube. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that shows this. We provide a large data set of 15000 YouTube video streams of 2100 popular video titles that was collected under real-world network conditions. We present several machine learning algorithms for the task and run a thorough set of experiments, which shows that our classification accuracy is higher than 95%. We also show that our algorithms are able to classify video titles that are not in the training set as unknown and some of the algorithms are also able to eliminate false prediction of video titles and instead report unknown. Finally, we evaluate our algorithm robustness to delays and packet losses at test time and show that our solution is robust to these changes.
Reduction techniques for Synchronous Dataflow graphs

The synchronous dataflow (SDF) model of computation is popular for modelling the timing behaviour of real-time embedded hardware and software systems and applications. It is an essential ingredient of several automated design-flows and design-space explorations tools. The model can be analysed for throughput and latency properties. Although the SDF model is fairly simple, the analysis algorithms are often of high complexity and the models that need to be analysed may be fairly large. This paper introduces two graph transformations for reducing large SDF graphs into simpler, smaller ones that can be analysed more efficiently and give a conservative and often tight estimation of the timing of the original model and hence of the hard real-time system. We can make SDF based methods more efficient and prove that analyses that were done manually in an ad-hoc fashion in the past, can be done automatically and with guaranteed correctness. Additionally we introduce a novel conversion from SDF to homogeneous SDF, a step applied in many analysis methods for SDF, which yields an up to 250X improvement on the number of actors, thus mitigating the problems with the size explosion observed in the traditional conversion.
Deferoxamine Compensates for Decreases in B Cell Counts and Reduces Mortality in Enterovirus 71-Infected Mice

Enterovirus 71 is one of the major causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease in children under six years of age. No vaccine or antiviral therapy is currently available. In this work, we found that the number of B cells was reduced in enterovirus 71-infected mice. Deferoxamine, a marine microbial natural product, compensated for the decreased levels of B cells caused by enterovirus 71 infection. The neutralizing antibody titer was also improved after deferoxamine treatment. Furthermore, deferoxamine relieved symptoms and reduced mortality and muscle damage caused by enterovirus 71 infection. This work suggested that deferoxamine has the potential for further development as a B cell-immunomodulator against enterovirus 71.
Expression of CXCL4 in microglia in vitro and in vivo and its possible signaling through CXCR3

Signaling through chemokine receptor CXCR3 in the brain has been implicated in various brain diseases, as CXCR3 and its ligands are found under these conditions. Recently, a new chemokine ligand for CXCR3 was reported. In humans, an alternatively spliced variant of CXCR3 expressed on microvascular endothelial cells, named CXCR3b, was shown to bind CXCL4. In the periphery, the cellular expression and functions of CXCL4 are well described but in the brain its expression and function are unknown. Here, we show that brain microglia are a cellular source of CXCL4 in vitro and in vivo under neurodegenerating conditions. Microglial migration induced by CXCL4 is absent in CXCR3‐deficient microglia, indicating a role of CXCR3. CXCL4 furthermore attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐induced microglial phagocytosis and nitric oxide production in microglia and BV‐2 cells. Based on these findings, it is proposed that locally released CXCL4 may control microglia responses.
Well-Being of Mid-and Later-Life Mothers of Children with Developmental Disabilities

ABSTRACT This study examined the well-being of mid- and later-life mothers of developmentally disabled (DD) children. Mothers of DD children (n = 33) and mothers in a comparison group (n = 27) responded to a series of quantitative measures of well-being and open-ended questions. In general, quantitative results indicated lower levels of well-being for mothers of DD children. However, we examined these results within the contexts of educational and financial realities and access to adequate social support. Analysis of the qualitative data resulted in the themes of enhancements to well-being, challenges to well-being and normative experiences of being a parent. Results point to the need to further understand reciprocity in the mother-child relationships and the influence of severity of the developmental disability on mother's well-being.
An algal carbon budget for pelagic‐benthic coupling in Lake Michigan

A budget for algal carbon was constructed to quantify the magnitude and major pathways of pelagicbenthic coupling at a site in southeastern Lake Michigan. The flux of algal C to the benthos and the rate of carbon burial were estimated from sediment traps and dated sediment cores, respectively. Assimilation and respiration rates of Diporeia sp. , an abundant benthic amphipod, and of sediment microheterotrophs were measured in a microcosm study with 14C-labeled algae (Melosira italica). Melosira (italica and islandica) accounted for 53% of the algal C flux to the sediments. Radionuclide concentrations indicated no net sediment burial of organic C. Of the total C assimilated by Diporeia, 60% was respired, 35% was incorporated into biomass, and 5% was accounted for as soluble dissolved organic compounds. The areal rate of Diporeia respiration (29 nmol C cm 2 d-l) was 23 times greater than that for sediment bacteria (1.3 nmol C cm--2 d- I). Release of radioisotope in the form of dissolved organic compounds was much lower than that incorporated and respired for both Diporeia and sediment bacteria. Of the 61 mmol C m-2 of algal C estimated to be deposited during the spring bloom, Diporeia assimilation accounted for 6 l%, significantly more than the 2% observed for microbially mediated algal decomposition. These observations support the hypothesis of a strong pelagic-benthic energy coupling between the spring diatom bloom and Diporeia in Lake Michigan.
Children with headache suspected of having a brain tumor: a cost-effectiveness analysis of diagnostic strategies.

OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical and economic consequences of 3 diagnostic strategies-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography followed by MRI for positive results (CT-MRI), and no neuroimaging with close clinical follow-up-in the evaluation of children with headache suspected of having a brain tumor. Three risk groups based on clinical variables were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS A decision-analytic Markov model and cost-effectiveness analysis was performed incorporating the risk group prior probability, MRI and CT sensitivity and specificity, tumor survival, progression rates, and cost per strategy. Outcomes were based on quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained and incremental cost per QALY gained. RESULTS For low-risk children with chronic nonmigraine headaches of >6 months' duration as the sole symptom (prior probability of brain tumor 0.01%), no neuroimaging with close clinical follow-up was less costly and more effective than the 2 neuroimaging strategies. For the intermediate-risk children with migraine headache and normal neurologic examination (prior probability of brain tumor 0.4%), CT-MRI was the most effective strategy but cost >$1 million per QALY gained compared with no neuroimaging. For high-risk children with headache of <6 months' duration and other clinical predictors of a brain tumor such as an abnormal neurologic examination (prior probability of brain tumor 4%), the most effective strategy was MRI, with cost-effectiveness ratio of $113 800 per QALY gained compared with no imaging. CONCLUSION Our analysis suggests that MRI maximizes QALY gained at a reasonable cost-effectiveness ratio in children with headache at high risk of having a brain tumor. Conversely, the strategy of no imaging with close clinical follow-up is cost saving in low-risk children. Although the CT-MRI strategy maximizes QALY gained in the intermediate-risk patients, its additional cost per QALY gained is high. In children with headache, appropriate selection of patients and diagnostic strategy may maximize quality-adjusted life expectancy and decrease costs of medical workup.