Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of Potential Plasma Biomarkers for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Integrating Transcriptomics and Proteomics in Laying Hens.

Background: Prevalent worldwide obesity is associated with increased incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome. The identification of noninvasive biomarkers for NAFLD is of recent interest. Because primary de novo lipogenesis occurs in chicken liver as in human liver, adult chickens with age-associated steatosis resembling human NAFLD is an appealing animal model.Objective: The objective of this study was to screen potential biomarkers in the chicken model for NAFLD by transcriptomic and proteomic analysis.Methods: Hy-Line W-36 laying hens were fed standard feed from 25 to 45 wk of age to induce fatty liver. They were killed every 4 wk, and liver and plasma were collected at each time point to assess fatty liver development and for transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. Next, selected biomarkers were confirmed in additional experiments by providing supplements of the hepatoprotective nutrients betaine [300, 600, or 900 parts per million (ppm) in vivo; 2 mM in vitro] or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 1% in vivo; 100 μM in vitro) to 30-wk-old Hy-Line W-36 laying hens for 4 mo and to Hy-Line W-36 chicken primary hepatocytes with oleic acid-induced steatosis. Liver or hepatocyte lipid contents and the expression of biomarkers were then examined.Results: Plasma acetoacetyl-CoA synthetase (AACS), dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4), glutamine synthetase (GLUL), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) concentrations are well-established biomarkers for NAFLD. Selected biomarkers had significant positive associations with hepatic lipid deposition (P < 0.001). Betaine (900 ppm in vivo; 2 mM in vitro) and DHA (1% in vivo; 100 μM in vitro) supplementation both resulted in lower steatosis accompanied by the reduced expression of selected biomarkers in vivo and in vitro (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study used adult laying hens to identify biomarkers for NAFLD and indicated that AACS, DPP4, GLUL, and GST could be considered to be potential diagnostic indicators for NAFLD in the future.
Weather Systems: A New Metaphor for Intelligence Analysis

With the recent catastrophic outcomes in U.S. intelligence capabilities we suggest that current design metaphors are inadequate to address the changing reality of U.S. intelligence needs. In-depth interviews and concept mapping efforts with intelligence analysts suggest that the intelligence domain be characterized as a distributed cognitive work system. Current mechanical or information processing metaphors that encourage techno-centric system design solutions neglect the emergent, pluralistic and distributed nature of information that supports situational awareness and decision making in the intelligence domain. Instead, we suggest that weather systems are a more appropriate metaphor for understanding the cognitive activity of intelligence analysts and to guide the design of cognitive aides, information sharing and knowledge management systems, and data processing tools used to support intelligence work.
A genealogy of the ‘future’: antipodean trajectories and travels of the ‘21st century learner’

In this paper, from the particular positioning of educational researchers working in Australia, we unpack the figure of the ‘21st century learner’ from both broad and specific perspectives. The paper begins with a policy genealogy that traces this figure through networks of documents, events and bodies that transcend borders and hemispheres. We suggest that although there appear to be multiple origins for current Australian policies on educational innovation, they are intricately entangled and interdependent. We identify the steady ‘economisation’ of the learner, and a concomitant corporatisation of educational innovation. The second section of the paper presents a discursive analysis of an extract from a recent book that frames up educational innovation through technology in order to further trace the operations of these regimes of thought. Our analysis here indicates the kind of critical work that needs to be done to interrogate and deconstruct aspects of current education policy.
Effects of the lapidus arthrodesis and chevron bunionectomy on plantar forefoot pressures.

Hallux valgus with or without first ray insufficiency has been strongly implicated as a contributing factor in lesser metatarsal overload. The principle goals of a bunionectomy are to relieve the pain, correct the deformity, and restore first metatarsophalangeal joint congruity. Until now, little evidence has been available to assess the effects of bunionectomy procedures on forefoot pressure. The primary aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative plantar pressures after 2 specific bunionectomies: the chevron bunionectomy and Lapidus arthrodesis. A total of 68 subjects, 34 in each group, were included for radiographic and pedographic evaluation. Both procedures demonstrated radiographic improvements in the mean intermetatarsal and hallux abductus angles. The mean hallux plantar pressure decreased significantly in both procedure groups (p < .001). However, Lapidus group exhibited an increase in the mean fifth metatarsal head plantar pressure (p = .008) and pressure under the fifth metatarsal as a percentage of the total forefoot pressure (p = .01). Furthermore, the pressure under the second metatarsal as a percentage of the total forefoot pressure decreased significantly (p = .01). This study suggests that the Lapidus arthrodesis and chevron bunionectomy both provide correction for hallux valgus deformity, but when comparing forefoot load sharing pressures, the Lapidus arthrodesis appeared to have greater influence on the load sharing distribution of forefoot pressure than did the bunionectomy employing the chevron osteotomy.
Sentencing Mentally Disordered Offenders: Factors That Predict Sentencers' Decisions About Treatment

This research examines the way that judges and magistrates sentence mentally disordered people. It identifies case, court and offender factors that predict whether a sentencer imposes a treatment requirement on an offender. An archival data set of 6800 community corrections orders made by Victorian courts was analysed used CHAID multivariate analysis to examine the relationships between offender and case factors and the likelihood that the offender's order would include a requirement for mental-health treatment. Variables that predicted whether a sentence included a psychological or psychiatric treatment component were: whether the offender was currently undergoing mental health treatment, whether the offence was a sex offence, whether the offender had a history of drug or alcohol abuse, and whether the offender had a history of mental health treatment. This research indicates that offenders play a central role in sentencers' decisions about treatment through their decisions to seek treatment prior to the hearing.
Migration, gender and economic integration: international scholarship (2006–09) and an Aotearoa New Zealand research agenda

Abstract This paper follows from the findings of the 2006 review of research on women, gender and migration published in International Migration Review. We begin by discussing three international trends in contemporary migration flows: diversification, bifurcation and feminisation; and examine their significance for New Zealand. We then review the research on gender and economic integration of migrants in developed countries in relation to three aspects: the characteristics of migrants; the strategies migrants use during settlement; and the contexts of reception in receiving communities. We identify insights and omissions in this scholarship relevant to New Zealand policy-oriented migration research. We argue that the gendered nature of migration cannot be ignored, and that while human capital approaches to economic integration are important, they are insufficient for understanding complex migrant outcomes. Rather, comprehensive, integrated and local research is required to understand migrant experience and outcomes and to assess the effectiveness of immigration policy settings.
Diabetic Retinopathy Screening: The First Telemedical Approach in an Italian Hospital

Purpose To assess the feasibility of a telemedical approach for diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening in the Italian population and to evaluate advantages/disadvantages in comparison to standard slit-lamp funduscopic examination (SFE). Methods This 1-year, Italian, single-center, observational study evaluated semiautomatic fundus photography (FP) DR screening, performed during routine type 2 diabetes (T2D) systemic visits and examined remotely. Adults with T2D underwent SFE and 3-field FP. The study was divided into 2 stages (stage 1 validated the screening procedure, stage 2 evaluated the screening impact on the clinical practice). Annual costs of SFE ± FP screening were compared. Patients completed a DR screening questionnaire. Results Of 1,281 T2D patients enrolled, 61% were male (mean age 65.69 ± 12.64 years). In stage 1, 71% and 15% of patients were considered nongradable when FP was performed before (BPD) versus after pupil dilation (APD). The FP specificity was higher with APD vs BPD (79% vs 25%); therefore, FP APD only was used for stage 2. Of 1,281 patients screened using FP APD, 240 (18.7%) had unreadable images; 64.3% did not have DR, and 17.0% were diagnosed with DR. There was a cost saving of €801.25 when screening was performed using FP. Overall, 98% of patients had a positive opinion of FP screening. Conclusions The telemedicine approach provides a convenient, simple test that is well-received by patients and minimizes unnecessary referrals. Telemedicine may also reduce screening costs in our setting.
The principle of personhood: the field's transcendent principle.

Some of the names of these principles that come immediately to mind are such principles as person involvement, growth orientation, hope, self-determination and choice. My next problem was I could not perfectly recall the definitions of the several principles that I could remember! If I could not remember all these important principles and their definitions, then how could these principles serve as my ready guide? My just diagnosed deficit in “remembering key principles” had me thinking further. Is there not just one simple principle that transcends all these others, a superordinate principle from which all other principles emanate? I think there is, and it is the principle of personhood. The personhood principle is defined simply as, “ people with severe mental illnesses are people. ” I know what some of you are saying to yourself. “Duh—this is too simple and obvious… and besides we already know about applying this principle to what we do. ” I think not. Recently I was reading an excellent article in this Journal and a certain sentence grabbed at my throat. “What may be particularly striking about the findings of this study is that Aristotle's insight about the necessity of friendship appears just as relevant to those of us with psychiatric disabilities as to anyone else” (Davidson et al., 2001, p. 290). What is even more striking to me is that more than 2000 years after Aristotle's comments, our field finds this notion a revelation! A revelation not unlike the surprise when we learned that many people with severe mental illnesses wanted to work, or set their own goals, or fall in love.
Is Massive MIMO Energy Efficient?

Massive multi-input multi-output (MIMO) can support high spectral efficiency (SE) with simple linear transceivers, and is expected to provide high energy efficiency (EE). In this paper, we analyze the EE of downlink multi-cell massive MIMO systems under spatially correlated channel model, where both transmit and circuit power consumptions, training overhead, channel estimation and pilot contamination (PC) are taken into account. We obtain the maximal EE for the systems with maximum-ratio transmission (MRT) and zero-forcing beamforming (ZFBF) for given number of antennas and users by optimizing the transmit power. The closed-form expressions of approximated optimal transmit power and maximal EE, and their scaling laws with the number of antennas M are derived for the systems with MRT and ZFBF. Our analysis shows that the maximal EE decreases with M for both systems with and without PC, but with different descending speeds. For the system without PC, the optimal transmit power should be configured to increases with M, while for the system with PC, the optimal transmit power should be configured as a constant independent from M. The analytical results are validated by simulations under a more realistic three-dimensional channel model.
An experiment assessing group support system and facilitator effects on meeting outcomes

This paper is dedicated to the memory of Bye Wynne, who never held back from life, charging those he touched with his vigor, heart, and mind. Thanks. This article reports on an experiment investigating the effects of a human facilitator and a computerized Group Support System GSS on group meeting outcomes. These treatments were applied in the same way as they are in real organizational situations, with experimental conditions used to control confounding influences of other outside factors. Forty-eight groups were supported by one, both, or neither of the GSS and facilitator treatments. Groups designed a coordinated production strategy during the meeting and then implemented their strategy. Group performance, perceptions of group cohension, and group interaction processes were assessed as the primary dependent variables. Facilitated groups experienced improved group processes and greater cohesion, whereas the GSS-supported groups did not. Facilitator and GSS support together tended to enhance one another's effective influence on cohesion and processes. No significant treatment effects on Performance were found. Supplemental analyses revealed that the quality of facilitators and the restrictiveness of different GSS tools moderated their impacts on appropriation processes and group outcomes.
Altered nuclear tRNA metabolism in La-deleted Schizosaccharomyces pombe is accompanied by a nutritional stress response involving Atf1p and Pcr1p that is suppressible by Xpo-t/Los1p

The La protein controls pre-tRNA metabolism in nuclei. Deletion of Schizosaccharomyces pombe La leads to altered pre-tRNA metabolism and up-regulation of amino acid genes and nutrient-sensitive growth defects, accompanied by apparently inefficient tRNA nuclear export. These sla1-Δ phenotypes are suppressed by modest overexpression of the tRNA nuclear export factor Los1p.
Involvement in a New Religious Movement: From Discovery to Disenchantment

This article discusses involvement in a new religious movement (religious cult) from a sociological perspective developed from a qualitative study of individuals' involvement in Swami Muktananda's Siddha Yoga. The study explored individuals' attractions, affiliation, and disenchantment in a new religious movement. The significance of exploring individuals' involvement was to inform an alternative discourse that challenges the conceptualization held by many helping professionals and cult awareness groups in the brainwashing thesis. Although brainwashing as an empirical concept has been discredited among most researchers of new religious movements, it continues to be used as an explanatory model for cult awareness groups and helping professionals.
Socio-demographic Factors Affecting Women's Labor Force Participation in Iran, 1976–96

The subject of women’s economic productivity has been contentious for more than two decades. An important reason is that measurement of women’s economic participation is to some extent subject to social, economic and cultural factors. For example, women’s work at home has not normally been considered as an economic activity, even though its effect on economic productivity is substantial. Also, in many societies the work of women in the agricultural sector typically is not counted as economic activity because such work is part of family chores and not remunerated in cash even though this work is essential for agricultural activity. In other words, there has been a well-established tendency among male economists in both developed and undeveloped countries to devalue the work of women unless there is evidence of women receiving wages for their work. Furthermore, even when women are gainfully employed, for those whose hours worked per week are less than the country average considered as full time, their contribution to economic activity is devalued. Yet it is often social and cultural approaches to women’s work that limit the number of hours they may work, and thus these factors can play a significant role in whether their work is counted as an economic activity. The lack of a uniform definition for the rate of economic participation of women is thus problematic. However, regarding improvements in data and information related to economic participation and using the same definitions and concepts, the possibility of obtaining a general definition of economic participation seems to be possible. As a result, comparing the rates, between different societies and between different sub-populations within a specific society, is made much easier than before.
The Philosophy of Umpiring and the Introduction of Decision-Aid Technology

Recently, technology has impacted upon sports umpiring and refereeing. One effect is that the means to make sound judgments has becoe ‘distributed’ to new groups of people such as TV viewers and commentators. The result is that justice on the sports field is often seen not to be done and the readiness to question umpires' decisions that once pertained only to the players and, in some sports, to the crowd, has spread to anyone who has a television. What is more, the questioning can now be done on good grounds. This change is explained and a way of thinking about it is put forward. The aim is to develop a theory of the relationship between human match officials and technology. Toward this end I offer a new terminology for the kinds of justice that are involved in match officiating. I argue that the introduction of new technology should be done in such a way as to maintain the justice of decisions and that justice is not the same as accuracy. Justice is best served with a restrained use of new technology.
Analytic Review of Modeling Studies of ARV Based PrEP Interventions Reveals Strong Influence of Drug-Resistance Assumptions on the Population-Level Effectiveness

Background Four clinical trials have shown that oral and topical pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) based on tenofovir may be effective in preventing HIV transmission. The expected reduction in HIV transmission and the projected prevalence of drug resistance due to PrEP use vary significantly across modeling studies as a result of the broad spectrum of assumptions employed. Our goal is to quantify the influence of drug resistance assumptions on the predicted population-level impact of PrEP. Methods All modeling studies which evaluate the impact of oral or topical PrEP are reviewed and key assumptions regarding mechanisms of generation and spread of drug-resistant HIV are identified. A dynamic model of the HIV epidemic is developed to assess and compare the impact of oral PrEP using resistance assumptions extracted from published studies. The benefits and risks associated with ten years of PrEP use are evaluated under identical epidemic, behavioral and intervention conditions in terms of cumulative fractions of new HIV infections prevented, resistance prevalence among those infected with HIV, and fractions of infections in which resistance is transmitted. Results Published models demonstrate enormous variability in resistance-generating assumptions and uncertainty in parameter values. Depending on which resistance parameterization is used, a resistance prevalence between 2% and 44% may be expected if 50% efficacious oral PrEP is used consistently by 50% of the population over ten years. We estimated that resistance may be responsible for up to a 10% reduction or up to a 30% contribution to the fraction of prevented infections predicted in different studies. Conclusions Resistance assumptions used in published studies have a strong influence on the projected impact of PrEP. Modelers and virologists should collaborate toward clarifying the set of resistance assumptions biologically relevant to the PrEP products which are already in use or soon to be added to the arsenal against HIV.
High Incidence of Thrombus Formation Without Impedance Rise During Radiofrequency Ablation Using Electrode Temperature Control

The authors hypothesized that during RF ablation, the electrode to tissue interface temperature may significantly exceed electrode temperature in the presence of cooling blood flow and produce thrombus. In 12 anesthetized dogs, the skin over the thigh muscle was incised and raised to form a cradle that was superfused with heparinized canine blood (ACT > 350 s) at 37°C. A 7 Fr, 4‐mm or 8‐mm ablation electrode containing a thermocouple was held perpendicular to the thigh muscle at 10‐g contact weight. Interface temperature was measured at opposite sides of the electrode using tiny optical probes. RF applications (n = 157) were delivered at an electrode temperature of 45°C, 55°C, 65°C, and 75°C for 60 seconds, with or without pulsatile blood flow (150 mL/min). Without blood flow, the interface temperature was similar to the electrode temperature. With blood flow, the interface temperature (side opposite blood flow) was up to 36°C and 57°C higher than the electrode temperature using the 4‐ and 8‐mm electrodes, respectively. After each RF, the cradle was emptied and the electrode and interface were examined. Thrombus developed without impedance rise at an interface temperature as low as 73°C without blood flow and 80°C with blood flow (11/16 RFs at 65°C electrode temperature using 4 mm and 13/13 RFs at an electrode temperature of 55°C using an 8‐mm electrode with blood flow). With blood flow, interface temperature markedly exceeded the electrode temperature and the difference was greater with an 8‐mm electrode (due to greater electrode cooling). In the presence of blood flow, thrombus occurred without an impedance rise at an electrode temperature as low as 65°C with a 4‐mm electrode and 55°C with an 8‐mm electrode. (PACE 2003; 26:1227–1237)
Consensus Optimization on Manifolds

The present paper considers distributed consensus algorithms that involve $N$ agents evolving on a connected compact homogeneous manifold. The agents track no external reference and communicate their relative state according to a communication graph. The consensus problem is formulated in terms of the extrema of a cost function. This leads to efficient gradient algorithms to synchronize (i.e., maximizing the consensus) or balance (i.e., minimizing the consensus) the agents; a convenient adaptation of the gradient algorithms is used when the communication graph is directed and time-varying. The cost function is linked to a specific centroid definition on manifolds, introduced here as the induced arithmetic mean, that is easily computable in closed form and may be of independent interest for a number of manifolds. The special orthogonal group $SO(n)$ and the Grassmann manifold $\text{{\it Grass\/}}(p,n)$ are treated as original examples. A link is also drawn with the many existing results on the circle.