Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular analysis of cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells

During early embryogenesis, the cardiovascular system is the first system to be established and is initiated by a process involving the hypoblastic cells of the primitive endoderm. Human embryonic stem (hES) cells provide a model to investigate the early developmental stages of this system. When removed from their feeder layer, hESC create embryoid bodies (EB) which, when plated, develop areas of beating cells in 21.5% of the EB. These spontaneously contracting cells were demonstrated using histology, immunostaining and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), to possess morphological and molecular characteristics consistent with cardiomyocytic phenotypes. In addition, the expression pattern of specific cardiomyocytic genes in human EB (hEB) was demonstrated and analyzed for the first time. GATA‐4 is the first gene to be expressed in 6‐day‐old EB. Alpha cardiac actin and atrial natriuretic factor are expressed in older hEB at 10 and 20 days, respectively. Light chain ventricular myosin (MLC‐2V) was expressed only in EB with beating areas and its expression increased with time. Alpha heavy chain myosin (α‐MHC) expression declined in the pulsating hEB with time, in contrast to events in EB derived from mice. We conclude that human embryonic stem cells can provide a useful tool for research on embryogenesis in general and cardiovascular development in particular.
Quality of Life of Low-Vision Patients and Outcomes of Low-Vision Rehabilitation

Purpose. The impact of low vision on self-reported quality of life and changes after low-vision intervention are investigated. Methods. Literature reports from 1990 to 2000 are reviewed. Results. Low vision is associated with increased risk for depression and decreased functional status and quality of life. Decreased visual acuity, visual field loss, and occasional blurred vision are also associated with decreased quality of life. Improvements in both functional status and quality of life occur after low-vision service delivery. Conclusions. Self-reported quality of life is a significant outcome measure for low-vision rehabilitation. Questionnaires that are more sensitive to rehabilitation services provided as well as patient needs and goals are required to facilitate development of rehabilitation plans and to compare techniques, devices, and programs. Attention should be given to measurement properties, validity, and reliability of instruments used currently and in development of new instruments.
Financial Inclusion and Growth of Non-Farm Enterprises in Ghana

Overtime, the policy to enhance financial inclusion at the national and household or individual levels has coincided with the increasing need for non-farm enterprises in addition to mainstream farming due to climate change and as an income diversification strategy. Using data from the sixth round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey, this chapter examines the influence of financial inclusion on growth of non-farm enterprises. We construct a multi-dimensional measure (index) of financial inclusion relying on 14 indicators while employing an instrumental variable approach in examining financial inclusion–firm growth nexus. Our evidence suggests that improvement in non-farm entrepreneurs’ level of financial inclusion is growth enhancing with higher probability in the urban relative to rural areas. At the policy level, strategies targeted at boosting financial inclusion will not only spur firms’ growth but also expand these enterprises and hence improve tax revenue for the economy as a whole.
Pure population of nonmonocyte derived macrophages arising in organ cultures of embryonic rat lungs

After fetal lungs are placed in organ culture, any macrophages arising in them must develop from precursors present at explantation. Whole pseudoglandular lungs from 20 litters of rats were set on an agar medium containing fetal bovine serum on the 14th prenatal day when the metamorphosing embryos do not yet have circulating monocytes. After a day in vitro, 10–30‐μm clusters of rounded cells began to appear in the pulmonary connective tissue. They increased in size, displayed mitotic figures, and were supplemented by additional clusters on succeeding days. Late in the second day, cells began to penetrate the visceral pleura and over the next week built up a large population outside. Histochemically, the intrapulmonary foci and emerging cells were reactive for naphthyl acetate esterase and acid phosphatase, and many were stainable for triglyceride. Within the lungs elevated acid phosphatase activity was first seen at 24 hours; it attained the level of activated alveolar macrophages 1–2 days later. After cells had been emerging 4–5 days, comparatively few clusters remained in the stroma, but some cells had crossed into the airway, to be swept along by ciliary currents. Some cultures were injected with submicronic iron oxide particles on the first day. The particles gradually concentrated within the stromal clusters, and a few emerging cells contained them. Emerged cells avidly ingested iron oxide and rhodamine‐coated latex microspheres. Cells adhering to the cultures were centers of rosette formation after exposure to sheep erythrocytes opsonized with rabbit antisheep IgG and complement factors. The explants evidently contained precursors of macrophages. Cultural conditions provoked them into dividing and exhibiting activation of lysosomes and capacity for directed migration; our experiments showed the transformed cells to be phagocytic and to have receptors associated with immune phagocytosis. The study indicates that macrophages directly derived from stem cells in embryonic lungs are similar in essentials to macrophages in adult lungs, and that this component of pulmonary immune defense is present in an occult form from almost the outset of development.
Who Opts Out and Why? Results from a national survey on opting out of standardized tests

He holds a PhD in sociology and comparative and international education from Indiana University, Bloomington. His research and teaching focus on the intersection between education and social movements. His main line of research examines the emergences of international large‐scale assessments and their consequences for public discourse and public opinion worldwide. He also conducts research on the work of youth and educational NGOs in the environmental movement and in the LGBTQ movement. where her studies were funded by the National Science Foundation. Her current work focuses on the politics of assessment, both domestically and internationally. She is also interested in the role of ideas in education policy; public opinion and elite preferences in policy formation; and the role of culture in educational success. She has previously held a variety of positions in philanthropy, government and journalism. When referencing this document, we recommend the following citation: Pizmony‐Levy, O. and Green Saraisky, N. (2016). Who opts out and why? Results from a national survey on opting out of standardized tests. Research Report. The study was not associated with any grant or other funding from either public or private sources. 3 Acknowledgments First and foremost the authors wish to thank the individuals who completed the National Survey on Opting Out of Standardized Tests. The responses they provided offer new insights into the opt out movement, and we are grateful for their time and thoughtfulness. all of whom are deeply involved in the opt out movement, provided feedback and insight in the development and piloting of the survey. We are also indebted to the administrators of the local, state and national opt out groups who assisted with the survey implementation and dissemination. Lizbeth Morales – for all of their hard work. Table 1 Sample description, by parental status Table 2 Distribution of responses by states Figure 1 Three steps toward participation in opt out Figure 2 Respondents by geographic region Figure 3 When did you first hear about opting out? Figure 4 When did you first hear about opting out? By region Figure 5 When did you first hear about opting out? By education Figure 6 When did you first hear about opting out? By political ideology Figure 7 How did you first hear about opting out? Figure 8 Which of the following sources provided information that made you want to know more about and/or participate in activities relating to opting out? Figure 9 Which …
The Unintended Target: Assessing Nonsmokers' Reactions to Gain- and Loss-Framed Antismoking Public Service Announcements

This study examined nonsmokers' emotional responses and intentions to promote smoking cessation after exposure to a gain- or loss-framed antismoking public service announcement (PSA). Participants were 183 nonsmokers, and results reveal that gain- and loss-framed antismoking PSAs elicited different types and levels of affect as a function of the message theme for the antismoking PSA. Although secondhand smoke PSAs elicited higher levels of anger toward smokers and fear of secondhand smoke, smoking addiction PSAs tended to elicit more guilt among nonsmokers. Elicited emotions were significant predictors of intentions, and overall, loss-framed appeals worked better than gain-framed appeals at increasing nonsmokers' intentions to talk to friends who smoke about quitting.
Occupations and earnings of women workers.

Despite the great influx of women into the labor force Blau and Ferber find little change in the female occupational distribution and earnings. They attribute this to occupational segregation be sex on all levels including the professions. Although women did succeed in integrating predominantly male professions during the 1970s they made little progress in the blue-collar occupations. Women need to have more education to achieve the same earnings as men. Young women earn nearly as much money as men their same age in the same occupation. Older womens earnings continue to show a wide gap in relations to mens. This will change as data indicate that young women are likely to retain their improvements in relative earnings as they age. 2 explanations for the sex differences in occupations and earnings of men and women include 1) the human capital explanation that suggests that people are rewarded for investing in education and job training and 2) the labor market discrimination explanation that assumes that employers customers and coworkers are discriminatory. If the human capital theory is correct women will choose which occupations to enter and there is no need for concern. If womens choices reflect socialization change will be slow and public policy should focus on education. If there is labor market discrimination equal opportunity is the primary issue. Studies suggest that both theories are in operation in American society.
Risk of Viral Failure Declines With Duration of Suppression on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Irrespective of Adherence Level

Objective:To model the effect of adherence and duration of viral suppression on the risk of viral rebound. Methods:Viral rebound was defined as the first of at least two consecutive viral loads greater than 400 copies/mL after initial viral suppression. The main exposures were adherence, presence of antiretroviral class resistance before rebound or censoring date, and the percentage of follow-up time with viral suppression. Results:A total of 274 (N = 1305 [21%]) individuals experienced viral rebound. Median time of suppression before rebound was 2 years. Viral rebound was less likely to occur among those with longer duration of continuous viral suppression (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.32 to 0.42). Among individuals with moderate levels of adherence (80% to less than 95%), the probability of virologic failure was 0.85 after being suppressed for 12 months and it was 0.08 after 72 months being suppressed (P < 0.01). Individuals with drug resistance were at a higher risk of viral rebound. Conclusions:The risk of viral rebound decreased with longer duration of viral suppression within each of adherence strata studied. Although perfect adherence remains an important goal of therapy to prevent disease progression, individuals with long-term viral suppression may be able to miss more doses without experiencing viral rebound.
[Hydatidosis: Ultrasonographyc screening in the Rio Negro Province 25 years after the first screening].

INTRODUCTION Hydatidosis (cystic echinococcosis) is endemic in Río Negro Province, Argentina. In 1980 started a control program against the disease. In 1984 Frider et al performed the first ultrasound screening in the world at Pilcaniyeu city, later extended to other localities of Rio Negro province. The initial prevalence in asymptomatic people was 7.1% in Pilcaniyeu and 10.1% in Comallo, being all new cases and with surgical indication. OBJECTIVE The aim of this investigation was to determine the current prevalence and analyze the evolution of the disease across 25 years of the control program. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 2009 and 2010 ultrasound screening studies were conducted in both locations in all age groups. RESULTS In 512 ultrasound studies at Pilcaniyeu, the prevalence was 1.5% in children (6to 14years old) and 4.2% in adults (total 2.5%). In 770 ultrasound studies at Comallo, the prevalence was 1.1% in children and 66% in adults (total 3.0%). The overall reduction in the prevalence reached 67.2%. Regarding the age distribution, rates of 1.6%-1.9% were observed in Pilcaniyeu and of 1.0-1.9% in Comallo between 0 and 30 years old, increasing significantly above 10% after 60 years old in Pilcaniyeu and after 40years old in Comallo. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of the program actions reduced the prevalence of the disease but there are still new cases, and that indicates that some bias persists in the control of the epidemiology of the disease and levels of transmission to humans as a consequence of this failures. So the search of asymptomatic cases is still important and also their management based on the follow-up by ultrasound (watch and wait) or in the treatment with albendazol.
Private Equity Investment and Local Employment Growth: A County-Level Analysis

This study examines the relationship between private equity investment and local employment growth. Using a sample of over 3,000 US counties, we estimate the effect of private equity investment volume and demographic determinants of employment growth (labor supply, labor quality, labor cost, unionization, agglomeration, industry concentration, and regional geography) on employment changes from 2011 to 2014. Controlling for these demographic factors, private equity investment shows a positive correlation with employment changes. TOPIC: Private equity Key Findings • The study finds a positive association between private equity investment and employment growth. Results indicate that for each $1 million in additional private equity investment, a little more than 1.3 new jobs are created. • Results imply that private equity investment could create positive externalities. Statistical tests using countywide employment data suggest that company specific private equity investment job-creation effects spill over from the company receiving financing to the local economy.
Positively Charged Residues at the Five-Fold Symmetry Axis of Cell Culture-Adapted Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Permit Novel Receptor Interactions

ABSTRACT Field isolates of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) have a restricted cell tropism which is limited by the need for certain RGD-dependent integrin receptors. In contrast, cell culture-adapted viruses use heparan sulfate (HS) or other unidentified molecules as receptors to initiate infection. Here, we report several novel findings resulting from cell culture adaptation of FMDV. In cell culture, a virus with the capsid of the A/Turkey/2/2006 field isolate gained the ability to infect CHO and HS-deficient CHO cells as a result of a single glutamine (Q)-to-lysine (K) substitution at VP1-110 (VP1-Q110K). Using site-directed mutagenesis, the introduction of lysine at this same site also resulted in an acquired ability to infect CHO cells by type O and Asia-1 FMDV. However, this ability appeared to require a second positively charged residue at VP1-109. CHO cells express two RGD-binding integrins (α5β1 and αvβ5) that, although not used by FMDV, have the potential to be used as receptors; however, viruses with the VP1-Q110K substitution did not use these integrins. In contrast, the VP1-Q110K substitution appeared to result in enhanced interactions with αvβ6, which allowed a virus with KGE in place of the normal RGD integrin-binding motif to use αvβ6 as a receptor. Thus, our results confirmed the existence of nonintegrin, non-HS receptors for FMDV on CHO cells and revealed a novel, non-RGD-dependent use of αvβ6 as a receptor. The introduction of lysine at VP1-110 may allow for cell culture adaptation of FMDV by design, which may prove useful for vaccine manufacture when cell culture adaptation proves intractable.
OBSERVATIONS ON TWO RHABDOCHONA SPECIES (NEMATODA: RHABDOCHONIDAE) FROM FRESHWATER FISHES IN ARGENTINA, INCLUDING DESCRIPTION OF RHABDOCHONA FABIANAE N. SP

Helminthological examination of specimens of the freshwater fishes Bryconamericus iheringi Boulenger, 1887 (Characidae) and Jenynsia multidentata (Jenyns, 1842) (Anablepidae), collected from Medina River, Province of Tucumán, Argentina, revealed the presence of 2 species of parasitic nematodes, Rhabdochona fabianae n. sp. and Rhabdochona acuminata (Molin, 1860) (Rhabdochonidae). Rhabdochona fabianae n. sp. was characterized by the presence of 16 anterior teeth in the prostom and filamented eggs in females. Rhabdochona acuminata was recorded for the first time in the north of Argentina.
Distribution of muscle weakness in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PURPOSE The authors determined the degree of respiratory and peripheral muscle weakness in patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Differences in severity of muscle weakness among muscle groups may provide treatment options, such as selective muscle training, to adapt the exercise prescription in pulmonary rehabilitation programs. In addition, this information may add to the knowledge on the mechanisms of muscle weakness. METHODS Respiratory and peripheral muscle force were quantified in 22 healthy elderly subjects and 40 consecutive COPD patients (forced expiratory volume in 1 second, percent of predicted value [% pred] 41 +/- 19; transfer factor for carbon monoxide, % pred 47 +/- 26) admitted to a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Lung function, diffusing capacity, isometric force of four peripheral muscle groups (handgrip, elbow flexion, shoulder abduction, and knee extension), neck flexion force, and maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were measured. RESULTS Patients had reduced respiratory muscle strength (mean 64% of control subjects' value [% control]) and peripheral muscle strength (mean 75% control) compared to normal subjects. Inspiratory muscle strength (59 +/- 18% control) was significantly lower than expiratory muscle strength (69 +/- 25% control) and peripheral muscle strength (P < 0.01). Neck flexion force (80 +/- 19% control) was better preserved than maximal inspiratory pressure and shoulder abduction force (70 +/- 15% control, P < 0.01). Handgrip force (78 +/- 16% control) and elbow flexion force (78 +/- 14% control) were significantly less affected than shoulder abduction force (70 +/- 15% control, P < 0.01). Finally, shoulder abduction force and knee-extension force (72 +/- 24% control) were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS Muscle weakness in stable COPD patients does not affect all muscles to a similar extent. Inspiratory muscle force is affected more than peripheral muscle force, whereas proximal upper limb muscle strength was impaired more than distal upper limb muscle strength.
Disruption of the Gene Homologous to Mammalian Nramp1 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Does Not Affect Virulence in Mice

ABSTRACT Natural-resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1) is a divalent cation transporter belonging to a family of transporter proteins highly conserved in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Mammalian and bacterial transporters may compete for essential metal ions during mycobacterial infections. The mycobacterial Nramp homolog may therefore be involved in Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence. Here, we investigated this possibility by inactivating the M. tuberculosis Nramp1 gene (Mramp) by allelic exchange mutagenesis. Disruption of Mramp did not affect the extracellular growth of bacteria under standard conditions. However, the Mramp mutation was associated with growth impairment under conditions of limited iron availability. The Mramp mutant displayed no impairment of growth or survival in macrophages derived from mouse bone marrow or in Nramp1+/+ and Nramp1−/− congenic murine macrophage cell lines. Following intravenous challenge in BALB/c mice, counts of parental and Mramp mutant strains were similar in the lungs and spleens of the animals at all time points studied. These results indicate that Mramp does not contribute to the virulence of M. tuberculosis in mice.
Characteristics and Role of Women at Small Industries Manufacturing Leading in Sumedang-Indonesia and gender inequality are felt

The purpose of this study is to know the characteristics, role and gender inequality that was received in a workplace and in the home by women who work at small industries manufacturing leading in Sumedang district. Result of study can be used as a reference in realizing the government's policy of increasing role of women's doubles at the small industries. The research use descriptive analysis. Sample is 60 women who work at 15 main small industries that were taken by purposive. Primary data with questionnaire accompanied by interviews and direct observation. Women who engaged in small industries in manufacturing commodity Sumedang district have characteristic: all within the productive age with the highest number (76%) between 16 -30 years. Majority (60%) from primary school and 90% earn below the minimum wages. 50% of respondents turn over all the proceeds to the family, because motivation of their work is 53% to help their husbands in order to improve economy of family. Contribution to the family economy is 60% contribute very small, because their contribution just becomes part of the contribution of all other family members. Their role is majority (60 %) at finishing and packing. The respondent feel there is gender equality at the workplace, but there is still inequality in the family even though they not feel that it is an inequality.
Expressive language of children with Williams syndrome.

It has been claimed that Williams syndrome (WS) children have an unusual command of language reminiscent of "cocktail party speech. " An analysis of the spoken language of 43 school-age WS children showed a subgroup (37% of the sample) who produced significantly more speech, more complex utterances, more social phrases and clichés, and more complex communicative functions, when compared with the rest of the WS group. Thus, hyperverbal speech is not a consistent manifestation of the syndrome. The speech of 20 WS children was compared with the speech of mentally handicapped control children. There were no differences in the quantity of language produced, in its grammatical complexity, or in the range and frequency of communicative functions that were expressed. But more of the WS children had an over-familiar manner and used more adult vocabulary and social phrases. It is suggested that their speech appears so different from the speech of other mentally handicapped children primarily because of these vocabulary and stylistic differences, and because of the contrast between their verbal abilities and their more impaired visuo-spatial and motor skills.