Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Living 4 Life project: a youth‐led, school‐based obesity prevention study

The Living 4 Life study was a youth‐led, school‐based intervention to reduce obesity in New Zealand. The study design was quasi‐experimental, with comparisons made by two cross‐sectional samples within schools. Student data were collected at baseline (n = 1634) and at the end of the 3‐year intervention (n = 1612). A random‐effects mixed model was used to test for changes in primary outcomes (e.g. anthropometry and obesity‐related behaviours) between intervention and comparison schools. There were no significant differences in changes in anthropometry or behaviours between intervention and comparison schools. The prevalence of obesity in intervention schools was 32% at baseline and 35% at follow‐up and in comparison schools was 29% and 30%, respectively. Within‐school improvements in obesity‐related behaviours were observed in three intervention schools and one comparison school. One intervention school observed several negative changes in student behaviours. In conclusion, there were no significant improvements to anthropometry; this may reflect the intervention's lack of intensity, insufficient duration, or that by adolescence changes in anthropometry and related behaviours are difficult to achieve. School‐based obesity prevention interventions that actively involve young people in the design of interventions may result in improvements in student behaviours, but require active support from leaders within their schools.
The Rhizobium meliloti exoK gene and prsD/prsE/exsH genes are components of independent degradative pathways which contribute to production of low‐molecular‐weight succinoglycan

When grown on medium supplemented with the succinoglycan‐binding dye, Calcofluor, and visualized under UV light, colonies of Rhizobiummeliloti (Sinorhizobium meliloti ) exoK mutants produce a fluorescent halo with a delayed onset relative to wild‐type colonies. By conducting transposon mutagenesis of exoK mutants of R. meliloti and screening for colonies with even more severe delays in production of these fluorescent halos, we identified three genes, designated prsD, prsE, and exsH, which are required for the eventual production of fluorescent halos by exoK colonies. Nucleotide sequence indicates that the prsD and prsE genes encode homologues of ABC transporters and membrane fusion proteins of Type I secretion systems, respectively, whereas exsH encodes a homologue of endo‐1,3‐1,4‐β‐glycanases with glycine‐rich nonameric repeats typical of proteins secreted by Type I secretion systems. The exoK gene and the prsD/prsE/exsH genes were shown to be components of independent pathways for production of extracellular succinoglycan degrading activities and for production of low‐molecular‐weight succinoglycan by R. meliloti. Based on these results, we propose that ExsH is a succinoglycan depolymerase secreted by a Type I secretion system composed of PrsD and PrsE, and that the ExsH and ExoK glycanases contribute to production of low‐molecular‐weight succinoglycan.
Unsystematic Security Price Movements, Management Earnings Forecasts, And Revisions In Consensus Analyst Earnings Forecasts

Empirical evidence suggests that information about a firm's future earnings prospects is important to investors. Griffin [1976], Givoly and Lakonishok [1979; 1980], and Imhoff and Lobo [1984] reported statistically significant abnormal stock returns before, at, and after announcements of analyst earnings forecast revisions. In addition, Imhoff and Lobo documented positive correlation between the magnitudes of the forecast revisions and the abnormal returns. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that investors find analyst forecast revisions informative. Another source of information about future earnings is projections from corporate officials. Several studies have found unsystematic stock price changes prior to and/or immediately surrounding the public release of management earnings forecasts (e.g., Foster [1973], Nichols and Tsay [1979], Patell [1976], Jaggi [1978], Penman [1980], and Waymire [1984]). The conclusion from this research is that management forecasts also convey information to investors.
Subunit Exchange, Conformational Stability, and Chaperone-like Function of the Small Heat Shock Protein 16.5 fromMethanococcus jannaschii *

Hsp16.5, isolated from the hyperthermophilic Archaea Methanococcus jannaschii, is a member of the small heat-shock protein family. Small Hsps have 12- to 42-kDa subunit sizes and have sequences that are conserved among all organisms. The recently determined crystal structure of Hsp16.5 indicates that it consists discretely of 24 identical subunits. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer, we show that at temperatures above 60 °C, the subunits of MjHsp16.5 freely and reversibly exchange with a rate constant of exchange at 68 °C of 0.067min−1. The subunit exchange reactions were strongly temperature-dependent, similar to the exchange reactions of the α-crystallins. The exchange reaction was specific to MjHsp16.5 subunits, as other sHsps such as α-crystallin were not structurally compatible and could not integrate into the MjHsp16.5 oligomer. In addition, we demonstrate that at temperatures as high as 70 °C, MjHsp16.5 retains its multimeric structure and subunit organization. Using insulin and α-lactalbumin as model target proteins, we also show that MjHsp16.5 at 37 °C is a markedly inefficient chaperone compared with other sHsps with these substrates. The results of this study support the hypothesis that MjHsp16.5 has a dynamic quaternary structure at temperatures that are physiologically relevant to M. jannaschii.
Improved Performance of Scaled-Down $\alpha $ -InGaZnO Thin-Film Transistor by Ar Plasma Treatment

The origin of contact-resistance reduction induced by Ar plasma treatment and the effects of the treatment on the down-scaling of amorphous InGaZnO thin-film transistor are investigated. The treatment induces more TiOx and oxygen vacancies at the InGaZnO/Ti interface which facilitate electron flow between the InGaZnO film and source/drain (S/D) electrodes by trap-assisted tunneling, thus resulting in smaller width-normalized S/D contact resistance (RS/Dnorm = 19.9 Ω.cm) than that without Ar treatment (75.6 Ω.cm). Mainly owing to the reduction in RS/Dnorm, the Ar-treated device presents improved down-scaling behaviors than the untreated one. The Ar-treated device with a channel length of 5 μm still has good performance with a small sub-threshold swing of 252 mV/decade, a high field-effect mobility of 11.1 cm2/V.s, and a large ON-OFF current ratio of 1.7×107.
The anxiogenic drug yohimbine activates central viscerosensory circuits in rats

Systemic administration of the α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (YO) activates the HPA stress axis and promotes anxiety in humans and experimental animals. We propose that visceral malaise contributes to the stressful and anxiogenic effects of systemic YO and that YO recruits brainstem noradrenergic (NA) and peptidergic neurons that relay viscerosensory signals to the hypothalamus and limbic forebrain. To begin testing these hypotheses, the present study explored dose‐related effects of YO on food intake, conditioned flavor avoidance (CFA), and Fos immunolabeling in rats. Systemic YO (5.0 mg/kg BW, i.p.) inhibited food intake, supported CFA, and increased Fos immunolabeling in identified NA neurons in the ventrolateral medulla, nucleus of the solitary tract, and locus coeruleus. YO also increased Fos in the majority of corticotropin releasing hormone‐positive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. YO administered at 1.0 mg/kg BW did not inhibit food intake, did not support CFA, and did not increase Fos immunolabeling. Retrograde neural tracing demonstrated that neurons activated by YO at 5.0 mg/kg BW included medullary and pontine neurons that project to the central nucleus of the amygdala and to the lateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the latter region receiving comparatively greater input by Fos‐positive neurons. We conclude that YO produces anorexigenic and aversive effects that correlate with activation of brainstem viscerosensory inputs to the limbic forebrain. These findings invite continued investigation of how central viscerosensory signaling pathways interact with hypothalamic and limbic regions to influence interrelated physiological and behavioral components of anxiety, stress, and visceral malaise. J. Comp. Neurol. 492:426–441, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homeostatic Action of Adenosine A3 and A1 Receptor Agonists on Proliferation of Hematopoietic Precursor Cells

Two adenosine receptor agonists, N 6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5′-N-methyluronamide (IB-MECA) and N 6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), which selectively activate adenosine A3 and A1 receptors, respectively, were tested for their ability to influence proliferation of granulocytic and erythroid cells in femoral bone marrow of mice using morphological criteria. Agonists were given intraperitoneally to mice in repeated isomolar doses of 200 nmol/kg. Three variants of experiments were performed to investigate the action of the agonists under normal resting state of mice and in phases of cell depletion and subsequent regeneration after treatment with the cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil. In the case of granulopoiesis, IB-MECA 1) increased by a moderate but significant level proliferation of cells under normal resting state; 2) strongly increased proliferation of cells in the cell depletion phase; but 3) did not influence cell proliferation in the regeneration phase. CPA did not influence cell proliferation under normal resting state and in the cell depletion phase, but strongly suppressed the overshooting cell proliferation in the regeneration phase. The stimulatory effect of IB-MECA on cell proliferation of erythroid cells was observed only when this agonist was administered during the cell depletion phase. CPA did not modulate erythroid proliferation in any of the functional states investigated, probably due to the lower demand for cell production as compared with granulopoiesis. The results indicate opposite effects of the two adenosine receptor agonists on proliferation of hematopoietic cells and suggest the plasticity and homeostatic role of the adenosine receptor expression.
Sulphydryl modifications alter scramblase activity in murine sickle cell disease

Increased oxidant stress has been suggested to play a role in the process of phosphatidylserine (PS) externalisation in the red blood cells of sickle cell patients. Inhibition of the ATP‐driven translocation from outer to inner monolayer (flippase) by sulphydryl modification has been established. The present study showed that phospholipid scrambling was also sensitive to protein sulphydryl modification. Treatment with N‐ethylmaleimide lead to enhanced PS exposure and a lower Ca++ requirement for scrambling. In contrast, pyridyldithioethylamine treatment inhibited PS exposure. Red blood cells from a murine model for sickle cell disease exhibited a reduced response to both reagents, suggestive of previous sulphydryl modifications to the protein(s) involved in phospholipid scrambling. We conclude that sulphydryl modifications to both scramblase and flippase underlie the enhanced formation of PS‐exposing cells in sickle cell disease.
First national audit of the outcomes of care in young people with diabetes in New Zealand: high prevalence of nephropathy in Maori and Pacific Islanders.

BACKGROUND Diabetes is an important cause of morbidity and mortality amongst young people. Despite improvements in technology, maintenance of good glycaemic control is hard to achieve. METHODS In July 2003, 12 paediatric and adult hospital-based diabetes services across New Zealand were invited to take part in an audit of the process and outcomes of care. By March 2004, 9 centres had submitted data on 1282 (1117 with Type 1 diabetes, 105 with Type 2) children and young people born after 1 January 1978. RESULTS There were significant centre differences in terms of glycaemic control, rates of microvascular complications and complication screening. The group mean HbA1c was 9.1 plus and minus 0.3%. Amongst 789 people aged 16-25 years, the prevalence of retinopathy was 12.8% (range 0-26%); nephropathy was 17.1% (range 7-28 %). Of those with a duration of diabetes <10 years, 25% had retinopathy and 27% nephropathy. Over the age of 12, microalbuminuria was more common amongst Maori and Pacific Islanders (43.8%) compared to Europeans (17%) or Others (17.8%). This was independent of the type of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest study of young people with diabetes undertaken in New Zealand. The results confirm the difficulty of achieving good glycaemic control in children and young adults. Microvascular complications were common, particularly in those of long duration, and cardiovascular risk factors were present in many young adults. The difference in average HbA1c% between centres was highly significant and independent of other factors. Type 2 diabetes mellitus in young people was associated with early onset nephropathy and dyslipidaemia (almost from diagnosis), thus suggesting the need for earlier diagnosis.
The Transmission of Monetary Policy Shocks

Commonly used instruments for the identification of monetary policy disturbances are likely to combine the true policy shock with information about the state of the economy due to the information disclosed through the policy action. We show that this signaling effect of monetary policy can give rise to the empirical puzzles reported in the literature, and propose a new high-frequency instrument for monetary policy shocks that accounts for informational rigidities. We find that a monetary tightening is unequivocally contractionary, with deterioration of domestic demand, labor and credit market conditions as well as of asset prices and agents’ expectations. (JEL D82, D84, E32, E43, E52, E58, G12)
Alternative venlafaxine kinetics in overdose

The pharmacokinetics of venlafaxine in therapeutic doses is well established. It is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzymes including CYP2D6. The toxicokinetics in overdose is less well known. Case report: A 33‐year‐old Caucasian female who ingested 3·0 g venlafaxine, and 210 mg zolpidem. The patient remained symptomatic for the following 24 h. Plasma pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated a prolonged elimination half‐life of venlafaxine, estimated to be 15·3 h. We postulate that the patient was a slow metabolizer of substrates for CYP2D6, an enzyme known to exhibit polymorphism.
Ability of Bifidobacterium breve To Grow on Different Types of Milk: Exploring the Metabolism of Milk through Genome Analysis

ABSTRACT We have investigated the occurrence of bifidobacteria in human milk samples, and we provide evidence regarding the predominance of members of the Bifidobacterium breve species in this environment. Moreover, evaluation of the growth capabilities and transcriptomic analyses of one representative isolate of this species, i.e., B. breve 4L, on different milk types were performed.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools in Low Socio-Economic Regions in Nicaragua: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) in schools contributes to better health and educational outcomes among school-aged children. In 2012, UNICEF Nicaragua and partners conducted a cross-sectional survey of WaSH in 526 schools in 12 low socio-economic status municipalities in Nicaragua. The survey gathered information on: school characteristics; teacher and community participation; water and sanitation infrastructure; and hygiene education and habits. Survey results were analyzed for associations between variables. WaSH coverage was significantly higher in urban than rural areas. Presence of drinking water infrastructure (43%) was lower than sanitation infrastructure (64%). Eighty-one percent of schools had no hand washing stations and 74% of schools lacked soap. Sanitation facilities were not in use at 28% of schools with sanitation infrastructure and 26% of schools with water infrastructure had non-functional systems. Only 8% of schools had budgets to purchase toilet-cleaning supplies and 75% obtained supplies from students’ families. This study generates transferable WaSH sector learnings and new insights from monitoring data. Results can be used by donors, service providers, and policy makers to better target resources in Nicaraguan schools.
Peru potato potential: Biodiversity conservation and value chain development

Abstract Although crop diversity has been identified as essential to enhance global food security and adapt to climate change, high loss of genetic resources is occurring due to agricultural industrialization and market requirements. Value chain development is an emerging market strategy that seeks to simultaneously achieve agrobiodiversity conservation and economic goals, though little empirical evidence exists regarding the extent to which value chains encourage biodiversity maintenance. This study considers the conservation of native potatoes among households in the highlands of Peru where value chain development is being pursued to create market niches for certain native potato varieties. Utilizing a mixed-methods case study approach, the findings of this study indicate that the conservers of native varieties are the households with more endowed resource bases as well as those that sell native varieties in value chains. However, the findings suggest that value chains themselves likely have only a marginal effect on conservation. Native potato conservation and potato production for value chains exist as two separate livelihood activities, and households with more resources are best positioned to engage in both. While value chains allow households to capitalize on the economic value of certain native varieties, the production of other native varieties allows households to fulfill cultural values. Based on these findings, this study concludes that value chain opportunities for native varieties should continue to be identified but they alone are not an adequate strategy to conserve agrobiodiversity. Therefore, in addition to value chain development, a full suite of conservation schemes should be implemented simultaneously.
Inferring Affective Meanings of Words from Word Embedding

Affective lexicon is one of the most important resource in affective computing for text. Manually constructed affective lexicons have limited scale and thus only have limited use in practical systems. In this work, we propose a regression-based method to automatically infer multi-dimensional affective representation of words via their word embedding based on a set of seed words. This method can make use of the rich semantic meanings obtained from word embedding to extract meanings in some specific semantic space. This is based on the assumption that different features in word embedding contribute differently to a particular affective dimension and a particular feature in word embedding contributes differently to different affective dimensions. Evaluation on various affective lexicons shows that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods on all the lexicons under different evaluation metrics with large margins. We also explore different regression models and conclude that the Ridge regression model, the Bayesian Ridge regression model and Support Vector Regression with linear kernel are the most suitable models. Comparing to other state-of-the-art methods, our method also has computation advantage. Experiments on a sentiment analysis task show that the lexicons extended by our method achieve better results than publicly available sentiment lexicons on eight sentiment corpora. The extended lexicons are publicly available for access.
Trust in the Workplace: Factors Affecting Trust Formation Between Team Members

The authors used survey data from 127 professional-level employees working in 8 industries to assess the effects of respondent's trusting stance and (a) the trustee's organization membership (internal or external), (b) the hierarchical relationship (supervisor or peer), and (c) the gender of the trustee, on initial trust level for a new project team member. The authors found that trusting stance was positively related to initial trust level. The authors also found an interaction effect between respondent gender and trustee gender on initial trust. Specifically, male initial trust level was higher for a new male team member and lower for a new female team member. The present study provided additional understanding of the formation of initial trust levels and its importance for team functioning.
Collagen-GAG Substrate Enhances the Quality of Nerve Regeneration through Collagen Tubes up to Level of Autograft

Peripheral nerve regeneration was studied across a tubulated 10-mm gap in the rat sciatic nerve using histomorphometry and electrophysiological measurements of A-fiber, B-fiber, and C-fiber peaks of the evoked action potentials. Tubes fabricated from large-pore collagen (max. pore diameter, 22 nm), small-pore collagen (max. pore diameter, 4 nm), and silicone were implanted either saline-filled or filled with a highly porous, collagen-glycosaminoglycan (CG) matrix. The CG matrix was deliberately synthesized, based on a previous optimization study, to degrade with a half-life of about 6 weeks and to have a very high specific surface through a combination of high pore volume fraction (0.95) and relatively small average pore diameter (35 microm). Nerves regenerated through tubes fabricated from large-pore collagen and filled with the CG matrix had significantly more large-diameter axons, more total axons, and significantly higher A-fiber conduction velocities than any other tubulated group; and, although lower than normal, their histomorphometric and electrophysiological properties were statistically indistinguishable from those of the autograft control. Although the total number of myelinated axons in nerves regenerated by tubulation had reached a plateau by 30 weeks, the number of axons with diameter larger than 6 microm, which have been uniquely associated with the A-fiber peak of the action potential, continued to increase at substantial rates through the completion of the study (60 weeks). The kinetic data strongly suggest that a nerve trunk maturation process, not previously reported in studies of the tubulated 10-mm gap in the rat sciatic nerve, and consisting in increase of axonal tissue area with decrease in total tissue area, continues beyond 60 weeks after injury, resulting in a nerve trunk which increasingly approaches the structure of the normal control.