Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of transposon Tn5-induced symbiotic mutants of Rhizobium loti

Rhizobium loti NZP2037 and NZP2213, each cured of its single large indigenous plasmid, formed effective nodules on Lotus spp. , suggesting that the symbiotic genes are carried on the chromosome of these strains. By using pSUP1011 as a vector for introducing transposon Tn5 into R. loti NZP2037, symbiotic mutants blocked in hair curling (Hac), nodule initiation (Noi), bacterial release (Bar), and nitrogen fixation (Nif/Cof) on Lotus pedunculatus were isolated. Cosmids complementing the Hac, Noi, and Bar mutants were isolated from a pLAFR1 gene library of NZP2037 DNA by in planta complementation and found to contain EcoRI fragments of identical sizes to those into which Tn5 had inserted in the mutants. The cosmids that complemented the mutants of these phenotypic classes did not share common fragments, nor did cosmids that complemented four mutants within the Noi class, suggesting that these symbiotically important regions are not tightly linked on the R. loti chromosome.
Retention of old-aged human capital in the Thai automotive industry

With increasing life expectancy and ageing societies, the employment of the elderly and the human capital that they represent increases in relevance. This research will address this issue by studying the value of old-aged human capital and the possibility of old-age employment in the Thai automotive industry. A mixed-methods research methodology was utilised by employing sequential exploratory strategies. Starting from a qualitative approach, 32 key informants were interviewed in-depth and it was found that old-aged employees, with a high level of experiences, high competency and tacit knowledge, are valued human capital in organisations, and employing these old-aged is possible on the basis of job matching between old-aged employees and employers. The reason for encouraging this employment is mainly the potential of the old-aged workforce itself. In the quantitative part of this paper, these findings are confirmed by the opinions of a total of 308 old-aged employees and human resource managers. Therefore, retention of old-aged human capital is suggested.
Salivary Testosterone Levels and Major Depressive Illness in Men

Studies of testosterone levels in patients with major depressive illness have produced varying results, plasma levels usually being reported. Saliva levels reflect ‘free’ plasma testosterone, and a pilot study of 11 men with major depression with melancholia, who underwent a standard dexamethasone suppression test, is described. There were no significant differences in testosterone levels compared with an age-matched control group. In the patient group, pre-dexamethasone levels correlated significantly and negatively with depression ratings on the 21–item Hamilton and the Montgomery and åsberg depression scales, and also with state anxiety measured on the Spielberger scale.
Role of Peroxynitrite Anion in Renal Hypothermic Preservation Injury

Background. Peroxynitrite anions may play a role in normothermic renal ischemia and reperfusion. The purpose of this study was to determine if endogenous peroxynitrite anion is involved in renal preservation injury. Methods. Experiments were conducted in isolated canine renal tubules and in a canine autotransplant model of hypothermic preservation injury. Results. Isolated renal tubules demonstrated progressive loss of membrane transport function after reperfusion with increasing cold storage times in UW solution as assessed by tetraethylammonium cation transport (TEA). This transport defect was not altered by reperfusion in the presence of WW85, a peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst. Likewise, tubule LDH release was not altered by WW85. Renal tubules did not demonstrate any evidence of peroxynitrite formation after cold storage (0–120h) or after subsequent reperfusion in vitro as measured by nitrotyrosine adduct formation. Addition of exogenous peroxynitrite (1 mM) directly to freshly isolated renal tubules produced strong nitrotyrosine signals but failed to alter membrane function (TEA uptake). Conversely, SIN-1, a peroxynitrite generator molecule, failed to produce a nitrotyrosine signal in extracted renal tubule proteins but significantly impaired transport function. Finally, function of cold stored canine autografts was not affected by the scavenging of peroxynitrite anions (WW85) before kidney harvest and immediately at reperfusion. Tissue biopsies from cold stored kidney autografts also failed to show evidence of peroxynitrite synthesis either after cold storage (72 h) or after kidney transplantation (60 min reperfusion). Conclusions. This study concludes that peroxynitrite anions are not formed and are not involved in renal preservation injury.
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus in the Virginia Department of Corrections: Can Compliance Overcome Racial Differences to Response?

OBJECTIVE:Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is common in the correctional setting and there are few data on the use of interferon (IFN)/ribavirin(RVN) combination therapy in this population. Given the high proportion of African Americans (AA) in correctional facilities, which may be associated with reduced response rates, the correctional setting allows a unique opportunity to compare the response rates of AA to Caucasians (CA). The present study describes our experience of treating HCV in the inmate population of the Virginia Department of Corrections.METHODS:Of the 119 inmates evaluated between 1998 and 2000, a retrospective analysis of 59 consecutive inmates (mean age 41, 83% male, 55% CA, 73% genotype (GT)1, and 41% with advanced fibrosis) who underwent HCV therapy with IFN a-2b (3 MU TIW) and RVN (1,000–1,200 mg/d) under direct observation was performed. Patients were followed by telemedicine and the primary endpoint was sustained virologic response (SVR) defined as an undetectable HCV RNA at least 24 wk after completion of therapy.RESULTS:All but one patient completed at least 12 wk of therapy and no patient required dose reduction. By wk 24, 34 inmates (58%) responded (negative HCV RNA) which was higher in CA compared to AA (70%vs 40%; p = 0.037). Although overall SVR was higher in CA compared to AA (41%vs 28%; p= ns), we observed no difference in SVR when comparing only GT 1 CA to AA (33%vs 29%). CONCLUSIONS:HCV can be effectively treated in the correctional setting with response rates similar to, if not better than the published literature. In this controlled setting of direct observational therapy, we observed similar SVR in CA and AA.
Face anti-spoofing countermeasure: Efficient 2D materials classification using polarization imaging

Spoofing is an act to impersonate a valid user of any biometric systems in order to gain access. In a face biometric system, an imposter might use some fake masks that mimic the real user face. Existing countermeasures against spoofing adopt face texture analysis, motion detection and surface reflection analysis. For the purpose of face anti-spoofing analysis, skin structure is a key factor in achieving the target of our study. Skin consists of multiple layers structure which produces multiple reflections: surface and subsurface reflections. In this paper, we proposed a measure to discriminate between a genuine face and a printed paper photo based on physical properties of the materials which contribute to its distinctive reflection values. In order to differentiate the reflections, polarized light (light that vibrates in a single direction) can be used. The Stokes parameters are applied to generate the Stokes images which are then used to produce the final image known as Stokes degree of linear polarization (SDOLP) image. The intensity of the SDOLP image is investigated statistically which has shown promising results in the materials classification, between the skin and the paper mask. Furthermore, comparison between the experimental results from two skin color groups, black and others show that the SDOLP data distribution of black skin is similar to the printed paper photo of the same skin group.
Sentencing Wildlife Trade Offences in England and Wales: Consistency, Appropriateness and the Role of Sentencing Guidelines

'Sentencing wildlife trade offences in England and Wales: consistency, appropriateness and the role of sentencing guidelines’ is a new report commissioned by WWF-UK. The report examines the state of sentencing for wildlife trade offences in England and Wales, and explores the possible benefits of creating sentencing guidelines for such offences. The research examined 174 cases of illegal wildlife trade between 1986 and 2013 that resulted in convictions in courts of England and Wales and found that: • Most cases (74%) resulted in non-custodial sentences with only 58% including a fine • Fines were low - 88% were ≤£2,500, and 70% were less than the wildlife product value • When custodial sentences were used, the length of imprisonment was short – usually under ten months Overall, sentencing was considered to be inconsistent and lenient when the high profits and significant harms of offending were taken into account. Our report showed that one of the reasons for the lenient sentences imposed in the UK is that judges and sentencers might not be informed about the seriousness of the crime or the harm caused. We are therefore urging the Sentencing Council to create sentencing guidelines for wildlife trade offences, which would set out clear ways that appropriate sentences can be reached.
Mass media exposure and modern contraceptive use among married West African adolescents

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine whether family planning (FP) messaging is reaching married adolescent women in West Africa, and whether such messaging is associated with increased contraceptive use. Materials and methods: We utilised data from the 2010 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) for Burkina Faso and Senegal (women 15–49; N = 17,067 and N = 15,688, respectively). We used chi-square tests to evaluate whether FP messaging exposure (via TV, radio, and/or print) differed according to socio-demographic characteristics. Subsequent analysis focussed on married adolescents (15–19; N = 961 in Burkina Faso, N = 996 in Senegal) which utilised propensity score matching and multivariable logistic regression models to test the association between self-reported FP messaging exposure and modern contraceptive use, knowledge of a modern contraceptive method, and future intention to use contraception. Results: A higher proportion of women 15–49 who reported FP messaging exposure were urban, from higher wealth quintiles, and had higher education levels, compared with unexposed women. A smaller proportion of adolescents reported exposure compared to older age groups. Among married adolescents, there was a positive but non-significant association between FP messaging exposure and use of a modern contraceptive method in Senegal (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.3; 95% CI: 0.92, 5.73). No such association was found in Burkina Faso (aOR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.43, 2.26). Conclusions: Mass media campaigns are not reaching the most vulnerable populations in West Africa, such as adolescents and poorer rural women. Adapting mass media campaigns to address these gaps is important for increasing exposure to FP messaging.
The health of students in institutes of higher education: an important and neglected public health problem?

BACKGROUND A survey of students in three UK higher education establishments was undertaken to obtain information about students' physical and emotional well-being, their attitudes to, and beliefs about health, and the prevalence of risk factors for future ill health. METHODS Health was measured by the prevalence of longstanding illness and by the SF-36 health status measurement tool. Survey results were compared with equivalent data for 18- to 34-year-olds in the local population. The prevalence of long-standing illness was also compared with two national surveys. RESULTS The survey achieved a 49 per cent response rate. More than one-third of respondents reported a long-standing illness, a higher prevalence than in all comparison surveys. Students scored significantly worse than their peers in the local population on all eight SF-36 dimensions. The greatest difference was for role limitations as a result of emotional problems. The main sources of emotional distress were study or work problems and money. CONCLUSION The poor response rate in this survey dictates the need for caution in interpretation of the results. However, they suggest that the health of students is poor relative to that of their peers, and that their emotional health is more of a problem than their physical health. Public health practitioners might want to pay more attention to the health of this important and relatively neglected group. Worries about studies and money appear to be affecting students' academic work, and this should be of concern to higher education establishments.
Double Disassociation of Anosognosia for Alexia and Simultanagnosia but Quantitative Awareness of Optic Ataxia

ABSTRACTA 66-yr-old man with a history of atrial fibrillation and a pacemaker developed sudden onset confusion, disorientation, and visual disturbance without motor weakness. Clinically, significant deficits were found in reading (alexia) and simultaneous multiobject perception (simultanagnosia), both of which the patient denied limitation in, and in vision—right hemianopsia—which he readily acknowledged. Visual acuity in the left visual field was normal. The patient also demonstrated a symptom of optic ataxia—a lack of coordination between visual inputs and hand movements—a deficit he also acknowledged. Work-up with computed topography revealed a left posterior cerebral artery infarct affecting the occipital lobe and extending to involve the parietal lobe and the splenium of the corpus callosum. The authors describe and discuss this fascinating case—the first case to their knowledge of a double disassociation of anosognosia for alexia and simultanagnosia but full, indeed quantitative, awareness of hemianopsia and optic ataxia. This case may be informative on the mechanism of anosognosia in general and supports intentional feed-forward and exemplar reafference models. With regard to the rehabilitation process, appreciation that a patient has anosognosia for various deficits is crucial in recovery and health maintenance.
Gendered transitions, career identities and possible selves: the case of engineering graduates

Abstract This article, drawing upon the Paired Peers project, a longitudinal qualitative study (n = 90), examines how seven UK engineering graduates, four women and three men, construct their career identities during the transitionary period from university to work. It explores how gender and the occupational cultures that reside within the sector, and the wider sociocultural context, affect women’s careers identities, choices and trajectories. The longitudinal design, characteristics of the cohort and the theoretical framework of possible selves contribute to the originality of this empirical research. In this paper, we show how female graduates gradually adapted their occupational aspirations and career identities to fit with socio-cultural expectations and how they struggled to construct viable ‘engineering’ selves in the vital career identity development phase of their first years of employment when most female STEM graduates change careers.
Pharmacokinetics of oral fluconazole when used for prophylaxis in bone marrow transplant recipients

The pharmacokinetics of fluconazole was investigated in 20 bone marrow transplant patients following oral administration of 200 mg of this drug. Blood samples were collected from each patient at different time intervals within 48 h after the first dose, and fluconazole was measured in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Urine was collected from 14 of these patients and analyzed similarly. The plasma concentration-time data exhibited the characteristics of the one-compartment model with first-order absorption quite well. The means +/- standard deviations of half-lives for absorption and elimination, peak concentration, time to peak, mean residence time, apparent volumes of distribution, area under the curve, and apparent oral clearance observed in these patients were 2.84 +/- 1.34 h, 19.94 +/- 18.7 h, 4.45 +/- 1.86 microg/ml, 8.34 +/- 5.97 h, 39.57 +/- 20.5 h, 0.874 +/- 0.48 liter/kg, 156.0 +/- 60.6 microg x h/ml, and 0.0256 +/- 0.0138 liter/h x kg, respectively. The amount of fluconazole excreted in urine in 24 h was 67.1 +/- 83 mg, which represents 33.55% +/- 41.6% of the dose administered. Patients who developed hemorrhagic cystitis excreted significantly (P < or = 0.0094) more fluconazole in 24 h than did those who did not.
Where Does Profit Sharing Work Best? A Meta-Analysis on the Role of Unions, Culture, and Values

In this article we re-examine the relationship between group-based profit sharing and productivity. Our meta-regression analysis of 313 estimates from 56 studies controls for publication selection and misspecification biases and investigates the impact of firm level unionisation and national differences in values and culture. Profit sharing is positively related to productivity on average, with a stronger relationship where there is higher unionisation and in countries where honesty is less highly valued and there are higher levels of individualism. The latter two results suggest profit sharing works best in settings where cooperation does not naturally occur. The positive effect of profit sharing on productivity is larger in cooperative firms and in transition economies.
Growth trajectories of the established companies : effectuation and causation in focus

The purpose of this paper is to address the stages of development of effectuation theory and highlight the progression from the early years’ conceptual articles to the recent empirical papers, characterized by specific, measurable research questions. In total, 81 peer-reviewed academic journal articles featuring effectuation as a main subject were analyzed using Scandura and Williams’ (2000) modified version of McGrath’s typology of research strategies. The framework of Edmonson and McManus (2007) is employed to evaluate the maturity of the research program. The main outcome is to introduce four main streams linked to effectuation theory in the current scientific dialogue: innovation and product development, internationalization, effectuation and causation simultaneously, and entrepreneurial expertise. The current study is reliant on retrospective data, which might influence the accuracy and completeness of this study, which typically leads to rationalized versions of history-associated causal decision making. This study illustrates why effectuation theory should no longer be associated only with new ventures and startups. The majority of recent studies have presented the results of effectuation logic in the context of established companies. This follow-up review presents evidence that effectuation research has moved on from the nascent to the intermediate stage of development. Furthermore, the results indicate that it has already begun its transition toward the mature stage of development.
Nuclear DNA‐based markers for plant evolutionary biology

While DNA‐based markers can provide a wealth of information for the study of plant evolutionary biology, progress is limited by the lack of primers available for PCR. To overcome this limitation, we outline a protocol for developing oligonucleotide primers targeting regions of low copy‐number nuclear genes. This protocol is intended to lead to universally useful primer sets. To test our approach, we designed eight primer sets and tested their abilities to amplify targets from representatives of each dicot and one monocot subclass. Five of the eight primer sets amplified targets from at least five of the seven taxa and thus exhibited broad taxonomic usefulness; the remaining primers were rather specific, however, and amplified targets from at most three taxa. In only one primer‐taxon combination was a complex multiple‐banded amplification produced. Overall, the protocol outlined proved quite useful at identifying broadly applicable primers targeted to low copy‐number nuclear genes. Wider application of this approach should be effective at greatly increasing the amount of genetic information available for a diversity of plant nuclear genomes.
Endothelial glycocalyx degradation induces endogenous heparinization in patients with severe injury and early traumatic coagulopathy

BACKGROUND There is emerging evidence that early trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) is mechanistically linked to disruption of the vascular endothelium and its glycocalyx, assessed by thrombomodulin and syndecan 1, respectively. This study evaluated if degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx and ensuing release of its heparin-like substances induce autoheparinization and thereby contributes to TIC. METHODS Prospective observational study of 77 trauma patients admitted to a Level I trauma center having blood sampled at admission. Data on demography, hematology, Injury Severity Score, transfusion requirements, 30-day mortality, and thrombelastography (TEG, concurrent kaolin-activated/kaolin-heparinase–activated) were recorded. Retrospective analysis of plasma/serum for biomarkers reflecting endothelial glycocalyx and cell damage (syndecan 1, thrombomodulin), tissue injury (histone-complexed DNA fragments), sympathoadrenal activation (adrenaline, noradrenaline), coagulation activation/anticoagulation (prothrombin fragment 1+2, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, factor XIII, antithrombin, protein C, activated protein C, tissue factor pathway inhibitor), fibrinolysis (tissue-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1) and inflammation (interleukin 6, terminal complement complex). Stratification of patients was according to the degree of TEG-measured heparinization. RESULTS Four patients (5.2%) displayed evidence of high-degree autoheparinization, and these patients had higher Injury Severity Score (median [interquartile range], 31 [26–37] vs. 17 [10–26]), increased glucose (median, 13.6 vs. 8.0 mmol/L), and lower hemoglobin level (median, 5.8 vs. 8.4 mmol/L) and received more transfusions during the first 1 hour (median, 5 vs. 0) and 24 hours (median, 10 vs. 0) (all p < 0.05). Importantly, patients with autoheparinization had fourfold higher syndecan 1 levels (median [interquartile range], 116 ng/mL [78–140 ng/mL] vs. 31 ng/mL [18–49 ng/mL]), and they had higher international normalized ratio (median, 1.4 vs. 1.1), thrombomodulin (median, 4.1 vs. 1.7 ng/mL) and interleukin 6 (median, 129 vs. 71 pg/mL) but lower protein C (85% vs. 109%) (all p < 0.05), indicating profound endothelial damage, coagulopathy and inflammation. CONCLUSION Five percent of the patients with trauma in the present study had evidence of acute endogenous coagulopathy with autoheparinization by TEG, which appeared mechanistically linked to endothelial glycocalyx degradation. Acute endogenous autoheparinization may contribute to TIC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic study, level III.