Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kruppel-like Factor 15 Is a Critical Regulator of Cardiac Lipid Metabolism*

Background: Metabolic homeostasis is central to normal cardiac function. The molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic plasticity in the heart remain poorly understood. Results: Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) is a direct and independent regulator of myocardial lipid flux. Conclusion: KLF15 is a core component of the transcriptional circuitry that governs cardiac metabolism. Significance: This work is the first to implicate the KLF transcription factor family in cardiac metabolism. The mammalian heart, the body's largest energy consumer, has evolved robust mechanisms to tightly couple fuel supply with energy demand across a wide range of physiologic and pathophysiologic states, yet, when compared with other organs, relatively little is known about the molecular machinery that directly governs metabolic plasticity in the heart. Although previous studies have defined Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) as a transcriptional repressor of pathologic cardiac hypertrophy, a direct role for the KLF family in cardiac metabolism has not been previously established. We show in human heart samples that KLF15 is induced after birth and reduced in heart failure, a myocardial expression pattern that parallels reliance on lipid oxidation. Isolated working heart studies and unbiased transcriptomic profiling in Klf15-deficient hearts demonstrate that KLF15 is an essential regulator of lipid flux and metabolic homeostasis in the adult myocardium. An important mechanism by which KLF15 regulates its direct transcriptional targets is via interaction with p300 and recruitment of this critical co-activator to promoters. This study establishes KLF15 as a key regulator of myocardial lipid utilization and is the first to implicate the KLF transcription factor family in cardiac metabolism.
The value of arm circumference measurements in assessing chronic energy deficiency in Third World adults.

OBJECTIVE To assess the usefulness of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as a substitute for body mass index (BMI: kg/m2) or an additional measure of adult nutritional state. DESIGN Variously sampled adults aged 18-60 years from selected regions of five African countries, India, China and Papua New Guinea were measured. SUBJECTS 2421 men and 3248 women were measured for their heights, weights and MUAC. Of these, 1569 men and 1905 women also had their triceps skinfold thickness measured, thus allowing additional estimates of muscle area circumferences and fat areas in the arm. RESULTS MUAC and BMI were highly correlated in each national group; each group's MUAC differed from the overall mean MUAC at any BMI value by < 10%. Women's MUACs were smaller than men's at equivalent BMIs. Increases in MUAC with age were statistically significant but trivial. Muscle and fat measurements showed similar increases with BMI; a larger muscle mass in men explained their greater MUACs but muscle differences alone did not explain national variations in MUAC. The -1 SD MUAC value, taken as an independent measure of peripheral tissue wasting, readily distinguished those with a BMI < 16.0 from those with a BMI > 18.5; intermediate grades of BMI were poorly specified by MUAC values. CONCLUSION MUAC values of 23.0 cm in men and 22.0 cm in women are useful cut-off points for simple screening of nutritional state. In combination with BMI it may provide a more refined classification of CED. This new combined classification scheme may be a better means of discriminating the at-risk underweight adults from those who are thin but not at risk.
Dual sofosbuvir and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection

Sofosbuvir is the first pan-genotypic direct acting antiviral agent to be approved. This article provides an overview of the pharmacology of sofosbuvir and ribavirin and a comprehensive summary of the phase 2 and 3 studies supporting dual sofosbuvir and ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C infection. With the production of generic formulations of sofosbuvir, we anticipate this regimen leading the first wave for widespread, IFN-free treatment and becoming first line for all genotypes (including genotype 1) for much of the world—in particular in developing and middle income countries. We discuss the continued challenges with this regimen including among patients with decompensated liver disease and post-liver transplant, and renal failure. We address concerns of emerging resistance. We also discuss the future prospects including the global uptake of sofosbuvir and ribavirin for the treatment of all genotypes.
Effects of variety and repeated in-home consumption on product acceptance

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of variety on long-term product acceptance and consumption in a home-use situation. Subjects (N= 105) consumed a meat sauce once a week at dinner at home for a period of 10 weeks. Three variety groups were designed. The monotony group (N= 45) consistently received the same flavour of meat sauce across all 10 weeks; the imposed variation group (N= 30) received one from three different flavours of the meat sauce in random order, and the free choice (N= 30) in variation group was allowed to choose among three flavours of the meat sauce. Results showed a substantial increase in boredom and decline in acceptance ratings after repeated consumption. As hypothesized, this effect was the largest for the monotony group and was least pronounced in the free-choice group, with the imposed variation group in between. Consumption data were in line with these acceptance ratings; the monotony group consumed less of the food than the free-choice group over that time. In conclusion, repeated consumption of a food product only once a week at home resulted in a remarkable increase of boredom over time. The boredom effect was the largest for subjects who consistently received the same food, and was least pronounced for subjects who were allowed to choose among three different flavours of the food.
European Conference on Information Systems ( ECIS ) 5-15-2012 DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF AN INSTRUMENT TO MEASURE THE SERVICE-CHANNEL FIT OF ELECTRONIC BANKING SERVICES

Electronically mediated self-service technologies in the banking industry have impacted the way banks service consumers. Despite a large body of research on electronic banking channels, no study has been undertaken to empirically explore the fit between electronic banking channels and banking services. Therefore, we developed and validated a service-channel fit conceptualization and an associated survey instrument. We initially investigated industry experts’ perceptions towards the concept of ‘service-channel fit’ (SCF). The findings demonstrated that the concept was highly valued by bank managers. Next, we developed a parallel survey instrument to measure the perceived servicechannel fit of electronic banking channels. The instrument was developed using expert rounds and two pretest evaluations. Central to the scale development was the measurement of the SCF construct. Drawing on IS strategy and alignment literature, we created a parallel instrument allowing us to calculate the SCF across three unique service-channel fit dimensions, including service complexity, service importance and service routine. To test the research model, data were collected from 340 consumers in New Zealand using Internet banking applications for two different banking tasks. The results have important theoretical and practical implications for how clients should be serviced through electronically mediated electronic banking channels.
Active labour market policy in the UK: At a (local) crossroads?

Active labour market policy has developed into a widely used and seemingly embedded approach to addressing worklessness, both in the UK and internationally. But the future of UK active labour market policy looks far from certain. Some recent developments suggest demise and diminution. But at the same time there is also evidence of more positive points, including increasing recognition of the importance of employer involvement and activity at local level. Possible future trajectories are considered in the light of emerging developments, and two potential scenarios for future UK active labour market policy are posited: ‘less support, more sticks’ and an ‘active local labour markets approach’.
Detection and identification of mycobacteria in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues by nested PCR and restriction enzyme analysis

A novel assay based on a nested PCR and restriction enzyme analysis of the PCR products was developed for the rapid detection and identification of Mycobacterium bovis and M. avium-M. intracellulare species in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (PET) specimens. On the basis of the nucleotide sequence data obtained in the present study, general nested primers were constructed to amplify a 424-bp segment of the gene encoding the 65-kDa surface antigen of mycobacteria. The nested PCR assay proved to be highly sensitive, since as little as 5 to 10 fg of extracted mycobacterial DNA was detected. The safety of the assay as a routine method for the diagnosis of M. bovis and M. avium-M. intracellulare in PET specimens was provided by taking various precautions. In order to prevent false positivity, specific tools and procedures were applied. To detect false-negative results and assess the efficiency of the PCR, an internal standard molecule of amplification was constructed. The digestion of the amplicons with the restriction endonuclease Sau96-I allowed the identification of M. bovis and M. avium-M. intracellulare in a large number of clinical specimens. The present results indicate that PCR combined with an internal control of amplification and restriction enzyme analysis of the amplicons provides a rapid, sensitive, and reliable method for routine diagnostic laboratories to detect and identify M. bovis and M. avium-M. intracellulare in PET specimens.
Temporal Dynamics and Impact of Manure Storage on Antibiotic Resistance Patterns and Population Structure of Escherichia coli Isolates from a Commercial Swine Farm

ABSTRACT Many confined-livestock farms store their wastes for several months prior to use as a fertilizer. Storing manure for extended periods could significantly bias the composition of enteric bacterial populations subsequently released into the environment. Here, we compared populations of Escherichia coli isolated from fresh feces and from the manure-holding tank (stored manure) of a commercial swine farm, each sampled monthly for 6 months. The 4,668 confirmed E. coli isolates were evaluated for resistance to amikacin, ampicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, trimethoprim, and trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole. A subset of 1,687 isolates was fingerprinted by repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (rep-PCR) with the BOXA1R primer to evaluate the diversity and the population structure of the collection. The population in the stored manure was generally more diverse than that in the fresh feces. Half of the genotypes detected in the stored manure were never detected in the fresh fecal material, and only 16% were detected only in the fresh feces. But the majority of the isolates (84%) were assigned to the 34% of genotypes shared between the two environments. The structure of the E. coli population showed important monthly variations both in the extent and distribution of the diversity of the observed genotypes. The frequency of detection of resistance to specific antibiotics was not significantly different between the two collections and varied importantly between monthly samples. Resistance to multiple antibiotics was much more temporally dynamic in the fresh feces than in the stored manure. There was no relationship between the distribution of rep-PCR fingerprints and the distribution of antibiotic resistance profiles, suggesting that specific antibiotic resistance determinants were dynamically distributed within the population.
Characteristics and Management of Patients Requiring Hospitalization for Treatment of Odontogenic Infections

Abstract Odontogenic infections usually respond well to outpatient care; however, these can be very complicated and demand hospitalization. The aim of this study was to assess retrospectively the characteristics and medical management of patients needing hospitalization for the treatment of odontogenic infections. The personal data, symptoms presented, and therapeutic procedures adopted were analyzed. The predominant age group was from 0 to 10 years (30%), and a sex relation of 1:1 was found, but there was no significant difference (P = 0.337). The most frequent diagnosis was of dentoalveolar abscess (86.3%). Pain (47.1%) was the prevailing reason for hospitalization, with pulpal necrosis (67.5%) as the main cause. There was a prevalence of involvement of the lower permanent teeth (41.4%) and lower deciduous teeth (23%). The prevalent clinical aspect was submandibular or facial swelling (61.4%). The most administered antibiotic was penicillin G associated with metronidazole (25.3%). Most cases (58.7%) presented regression with antibiotic therapy, and in some cases, surgical drainage was necessary (18.7%). One case of Ludwig angina resulted in death. The mean length of hospital stay was 4.4 days, being higher in the cases of Ludwig angina. It was concluded that most cases of odontogenic infections requiring hospitalization were of dentoalveolar abscess occurring in young people of both sexes, associated to the lower permanent molar teeth, presenting with swelling, with regression of the symptoms after antibiotic therapy and hospitalization for some days, with some of the cases requiring drainage.
Are Decentralised Governments More Effective in Mitigating Disaster Risks

This paper studies the effect of fiscal and political decentralisation on the death toll by disasters for up to 46 developing and transitional economies from 1974 to 2004. The results show that elected government at the local level does not help mitigate disaster risk. This study underscores the importance of the joint effects of different forms of decentralisation and shows that when political decentralisation is accompanied by fiscal decentralisation, it significantly reduces the number of total deaths due to natural disaster for the lowest tier of the government. Greater fiscal responsibility is argued to make local elected government more responsive to the vulnerable people.
Thermal Environmental Design in Outdoor Space Focusing on Radiation Environment Influenced by Ground Cover Material and Solar Shading, through the Examination on the Redevelopment Buildings in Front of Central Osaka Station

The outdoor open space is used for various purposes, e.g., to walk, rest, talk, meet, study, exercise, play, perform, eat, and drink. Therefore, it is desirable to provide various thermal environments according to users’ needs and their actual conditions. In this study, the radiation environment was evaluated, focusing on ground cover materials and solar radiation shading, through the examination on the redevelopment buildings in front of Central Osaka Station. The spatial distribution of solar radiation shading was calculated using ArcGIS and building shape data. Surface temperatures on the ground and wall are calculated based on the surface heat budget equation. MRT (Mean Radiant Temperature) of the human body is calculated assuming that the human body is a sphere. The most dominant factor for the radiant environment is solar radiation shielding and the next is the improvement of surface cover. It is difficult to make SET* (Standard new Effective Temperature) comfortable in the afternoon by both solar radiation shielding and improved surface cover because the air temperature is too high on a typical summer day (August). However, particularly in Rooftop Gardens and Green Garden, because the areas of shade grass and water are large, there are several places where people do not feel uncomfortable.
Male recipients of kidneys from female donors are at increased risk of graft loss from both rejection and technical failure

The aim of the present retrospective study was to uncover the factor(s) responsible for the poor outcome of cadaver kidney grafts from female donors in male recipients.The 741 transplantations performed at our center from August 1983 to September 1997 were distributed into four groups according to recipient and donor gender: female donor to female recipient (F to F: n=117), male donor to female recipient (M to F: n=172), female donor to male recipient (F to M: n=170), and male donor to male recipient (M to M: n=282). All the patients received immunosuppressive therapy based on corticosteroids and cyclosporine, associated or not with either azathioprine or prophylactic anti‐lymphocyte globulin.Overall graft survival was lower in the F to M group than in the three other groups (p=0.009). Failures due to rejection were more frequent during the 1st post‐transplant trimester in female than in male donor grafts, irrespective of recipient gender (p=0.025). All failures due to technical problems occurred during the first 3 months post‐transplantation: they were more frequent in the F to M group than in the three other groups (p=0.040); this could be related to the older age of the donors in the former group. After the first post‐transplant year, failures due to causes other than rejection remained low in the F to F group but increased steadily in the three other groups (p=0.007). Specific survival rates were not correlated with the time‐evolution of mean serum creatinine values, daily doses and trough levels of cyclosporine in the four groups of grafts. In conclusion, the poor outcome of F to M grafts results from combined immunologic and technical factors exerting their effects early in the course of transplantation.
Phase 1 safety and immunogenicity testing of DNA and recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara vaccines expressing HIV-1 virus-like particles.

BACKGROUND Recombinant DNA and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (rMVA) vaccines represent a promising approach to an HIV/AIDS vaccine. This Phase 1 clinical trial compared the safety and immunogenicity of a rMVA vaccine administered with and without DNA vaccine priming METHODS GeoVax pGA2/JS7 DNA (D) and MVA/HIV62 (M) vaccines encode noninfectious virus-like particles. Intramuscular needle injections were used to deliver placebo, 2 doses of DNA followed by 2 doses of rMVA (DDMM), one dose of DNA followed by 2 doses of rMVA (DMM), or 3 doses of rMVA (MMM) to HIV-seronegative participants. RESULTS Local and systemic symptoms were mild or moderate. Immune response rates for CD4 + and CD8 + T cells were highest in the DDMM group and lowest in the MMM group (77% vs 43% CD4 + and 42% vs 17% CD8 +). In contrast, response rates for Env binding and neutralizing Ab were highest in the MMM group. The DMM group had intermediate response rates. A 1/10th-dose DDMM regimen induced similar T cell but reduced Ab response rates compared with the full-dose DDMM. CONCLUSIONS MVA62 was well tolerated and elicited different patterns of T cell and Ab responses when administered alone or in combination with the JS7 DNA vaccine.
Estimating Organ Size in Small Migrating Shorebirds with Ultrasonography: An Intercalibration Exercise

Organs, even of fully grown adult birds, mammals, and reptiles, may show substantial size changes in relation to specific performances. These changes are difficult to study, because measurements usually can only be obtained following the death of the animal. We explored the use of ultrasonographic imaging, a relatively simple noninvasive technique, to measure size of pectoral muscles and stomach in two small shorebird species (red knots Calidris canutus and golden plovers Pluvialis apricaria). Accuracy of ultrasound measurements in estimating organ mass in red knots was reasonably high. Depending on the equipment used, the error of individual measurements was 20%–25% for the pectoral muscles and 26%–44% for the stomach. In plovers the technique was less accurate, probably because of the low variability of the organs involved. Ultrasound scanning is particularly suited to measure rapidly changing organ sizes over short time intervals. We demonstrate this with an example in which changes in individuals in size of pectoral muscle and stomach were monitored in captive red knots following a change in diet. Ultrasound measures will enable studies on the links between body composition and future behavior and physiology.
Unbiased active learning for image retrieval

In transductive active learning, after selecting the samples for labeling using existing sample selection strategy such as close-to-boundary, the constructed labeled set will be under a different distribution from the unlabeled set, which violates the i.i. d assumption of existing classifier. In this paper, by explicitly considering the distribution difference, we propose an algorithm called unbiased active learning. In such algorithm, the distribution difference, so-called sample selection bias, is not only considered into the classifier, but also incorporated into the sample selection process for introducing a better sample selection strategy. We apply the proposed method to image retrieval and the experimental results show that our unbiased active learning algorithm outperforms existing approaches.
Stem Anatomy of Dioon spinulosum

1. The medullary rays of Dioon spinulosum are of three distinct types: uniseriate rays, a single layer of cells wide and several cells deep; multiseriate rays, two to several cells in width and of variable longitudinal extent; and broad foliar rays or leaf gaps, which, with their included leaf traces, are such a constant feature of this wood. 2. The fibrovascular elements constituting the leaf traces in the foliar rays and connecting these traces with the secondary wood are peculiar, irregular scalariform tracheids which in the course of their development curve gradually downward through the ray, until they become inserted between the perpendicular fibrous elements of the main stele. 3. The regular pitted elements of the secondary xylem are also often diverted to one side into a direction parallel to that of the trace. 4. Both the scalariform and the pitted elements constituting these traces, in their peculiar manner of enlargement and elongation, furnish excellent illustrations of gliding growth. 5. For each leaf or scale leaf 7-9 strands (the number varying with the size of the leaf base) separate from the vascular cylinder. The two inner ones, arising from the proximal side of the central cylinder, pursue a more or less direct vertical course into the ventral part of the petiole; the rest of the traces, leaving the stem cylinder at different points, pass obliquely upward into the cortex and the sheathing base of the leaf, where an anastomosis of traces takes place, resulting in the two characteristic girdles. 6. The two direct strands entering the ventral or abaxial part of the leaf may also unite with the two dorsal girdling strands at the base of the petiole, so that the whole system is reducible in the older seedlings and adult stem to two main horizontal strands with their associated lateral traces.
OKUN’S LAW OVER THE BUSINESS CYCLE: DOES IT CHANGE IN THE EU COUNTRIES AFTER THE FINANCIAL CRISIS?

The relationship between economic growth and unemployment is well known. The growth of gross domestic product leads to a fall in unemployment and, reversely, its fall is associated with a rise in unemployment. The paper deals with the estimation of Okun’s coefficient for EU28 countries between years 2001 and 2014. Additionally, two sub-periods are also analysed. These represent the pre-crisis period 2001–2007 and the post-crisis period 2008–2014. The result shows higher Okun’s coefficient in the post-crisis period. Unemployment in that period responded to changes in gross domestic product more sensitively than in the pre-crisis period. As a result, in order to decrease unemployment, lower economic growth was necessary in the post-crisis period compared to the pre-crisis one.