Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of serotype of group B streptococci on C3 degradation

Serotype III strains of group B streptococci (GBS) are isolated from the majority of young infants with bacteremia or meningitis. We hypothesized that serotype-associated differences in structure of the type-specific capsular polysaccharide or the presence of c protein would influence the extent to which C3 degradation occurs on GBS and that type-specific antibody would alter C3 deposition or degradation patterns. When clinical isolates of GBS representing serotypes Ia, Ib/c, II (with or without c protein) and III were employed with hypogammaglobulinemic serum as an opsonic source, a remarkable similarity was observed in patterns of C3 deposition and degradation for each of the four GBS serotypes and between strains with or without c protein. Both C3b and iC3b were detected by 5 min and throughout a 90-min opsonization interval. Less deposition occurred at 5 min on serotypes Ia and Ib/c than on types II and III GBS. Minimal degradation to C3d or smaller fragments was observed. Type-specific antibody facilitated C3b deposition on GBS and C3b degradation to iC3b early in opsonization. Possibly, accessibility of C3 fragments to neutrophil receptors, rather than the extent to which the surface permits C3 degradation, accounts for differential virulence among GBS serotypes.
Age-related decline of perforin expression in human cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells.

In this study a flow cytometric technique for detecting cytoplasmic perforin (P) has been used to quantify age-related changes in perforin expression in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Proportions of P+ lymphocytes increased after birth, but declined rapidly after the age of 70 years. This was true for both T cells and CD16(+) and CD56(+) natural killer (NK) cells. Children showed in addition to high levels of perforin positive CD8(+) cells a much higher proportion of CD4(+)P+ cells than the other age groups. In elderly individuals there was also a highly significant reduction in mean levels of perforin per cell as compared with all other groups (P < .05 to .001). Adult women had consistently higher mean levels of perforin per cell than adult men for all P+ cell phenotypes. Functional tests clearly showed the deficiency in early spontaneous cytotoxic potential of PBL from elderly persons due to relative P deficiency, which can be corrected by stimulation of cytolytic cells with target cells and interleukin-2 (IL-2). The deficiency in cytolytic activity on the contact with target cells may have implications for antiviral and antitumor immunity in elderly persons.
Functionality Evaluation for Destination Marketing Websites in Smart Tourism Cities

ABSTRACT The internet environment enables effective promotion of tourism destinations to tourists; creating advantages for operating and managing destination marketing websites. This study makes the first and important attempt to develop hierarchical functionality evaluation criteria for destination marketing websites of smart tourism cities. Focus group discussion and empirical evaluation are used to analyze the destination marketing websites of 33 smart tourism cities in China. Results present the functionality performances of the 33 websites and several major deficiencies and challenges in the development of smart tourism websites. Based on the functionality evaluation results, the implications for future improvements and the use of smart tourism websites for destination marketing are discussed in this paper.
Activity as a predictor of mental well-being among older adults

This eight-year follow-up study examines the roles of physical and leisure activity as predictors of mental well-being among older adults born in 1904–1923. As part of the Evergreen project, 1224 (80%) persons aged 65–84 years were interviewed at baseline (1988), and 663 (90%) persons in the follow-up (1996). Mental well-being factors including depressive symptoms, anxiety, loneliness, self-rated mental vigour and meaning in life were constructed using factor analysis. The predictors of mental well-being included physical and leisure activity, mobility status and number of chronic illnesses. We used a path analysis model to examine the predictors of mental well-being. At baseline, low number of chronic illnesses, better mobility status and leisure activity were associated with mental well-being. Baseline mental well-being, better mobility status and younger age predicted mental well-being in the follow-up. Explanatory power of the path analysis model for the mental well-being factor at baseline was 19% and 35% in the follow-up. These findings suggest that mental well-being in later life is associated with activity, better health and mobility status, which should become targets for preventive measures.
Co‐production as a route to employability : lessons from services with lone parents

Policy‐makers claim to support personalized approaches to improving the employability of disadvantaged groups. Yet, in liberal welfare states, mainstream activation programmes targeting these groups often deliver standardized, low‐quality services. Such failures may be related to a governance and management regime that uses tightly defined contracting and performance targets to incentivize (mainly for‐profit) service providers to move people into any job as quickly as possible. This article draws on evidence from third sector/public sector‐led services in Scotland to discuss an alternative approach. These services co‐produced personalized support in partnership with disadvantaged service users (in this case vulnerable lone parents). We suggest that, in this case, street‐level co‐production and personalization were facilitated by co‐governance and co‐management in the design and organization of provision. We conclude by identifying lessons for future employability services.
Relationship between corporate social responsibility performance and disclosures: commercial banks of Bangladesh

Purpose The research investigates the determinants of corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending and CSR disclosures by the Bangladeshi commercial banks. In the process, it explains the relationship between CSR disclosures and CSR expenditure by Bangladeshi commercial banks. Design/methodology/approach Legitimacy theory has been used to explain the motivation for such expenditure and disclosure. For purpose of analysing the determinants, ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis has been used for the first test with CSR expenditures and ordered PROBIT regression analysis has been used for test with CSR disclosures. Findings The result found that CSR expenditure depend on banks’ size, age and government ownership, whilst CSR disclosures depend on CSR expenditure, profitability, age, government ownership and Islamic compliance. Practical implications The practical contribution of this study includes the assistance for the public policy development by providing better understanding of extent and credibility of CSR reporting by the Bangladeshi banking sector. Originality/value The study contributes to the academic literature by presenting preliminary findings from different focus on a developing economy like Bangladesh. The study leads to draw a standard for the developing country to find out the differences compared to developed country.
Integrating Immigrant and Absorbing Groups into a Joint Community

This research focuses on inner migration of families to rural communities in the Israeli northern periphery, and their integration with the veteran residents. A survey was conducted among 113 veteran and 120 migrant residents in four rural communities, two Kibbutzim and two Moshavim. Findings pointed out many similarities between the groups in their demographic and economic profiles, in their basic cultural and social motivations and expectations towards living together in their joint community, and in their positive appreciation of the community life. All these make an important basis for integration. Indeed, the main acculturation strategy (according to Berry’s acculturation theory) used by both groups was that of integration, while marginalization was the least used strategy. Yet, gaps were found between the veterans’ tendency towards separation and the migrants’ tendency towards assimilation, especially concerning partnership in decision making. This gap may be a source of conflict. Migration of strong populations is vital for periphery development. Its success depends on building a shared positive cultural capital.
Association of cesarean delivery with anemia in infants and children in 2 large longitudinal Chinese birth cohorts.

BACKGROUND Cesarean delivery may reduce placental-fetal transfusion and thus increase the risk of early childhood anemia compared with vaginal delivery, but this notion has not been carefully studied in longitudinal cohorts. OBJECTIVE The aim was to assess the association of cesarean delivery with anemia in infants and children in 2 longitudinal Chinese birth cohorts from different socioeconomic settings. DESIGN Cohort 1 was recruited from 5 counties in northeastern China and cohort 2 from 21 counties or cities in southeastern China. Cohort 1 involved 17,423 infants born during 2006-2009 to mothers with early pregnancy baseline hemoglobin concentrations ranging from 100 to 177 g/L, whereas cohort 2 involved 122,777 children born during 1993-1996 to mothers with baseline hemoglobin concentrations ranging from 60 to 190 g/L. The main outcomes were anemia at 6 and 12 mo in cohort 1 and at 58 mo in cohort 2. Multiple logistic regressions were used to estimate adjusted ORs of anemia for cesarean compared with vaginal delivery. Stratified analyses were performed by pre- and postlabor cesarean delivery and according to maternal baseline hemoglobin concentration (≤109, 110-119, 120-129, and ≥130 g/L). RESULTS Cesarean delivery was not associated with anemia at 6 mo in cohort 1 (adjusted OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 0.93, 1.19); however, cesarean delivery was associated with increased anemia at 12 mo in cohort 1 (adjusted OR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.37) and at 58 mo in cohort 2 (adjusted OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.15). The positive associations for anemia at 12 and 58 mo were consistent across maternal hemoglobin subgroups and persisted for cesarean delivery subtypes. CONCLUSION Cesarean delivery is likely associated with anemia in children, which suggests a possible need for exploring changes in obstetric care that might prevent anemia in cesarean-delivered children.
Radiation of pollination systems in the Iridaceae of sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND Seventeen distinct pollination systems are known for genera of sub-Saharan African Iridaceae and recurrent shifts in pollination system have evolved in those with ten or more species. Pollination by long-tongued anthophorine bees foraging for nectar and coincidentally acquiring pollen on some part of their bodies is the inferred ancestral pollination strategy for most genera of the large subfamilies Iridoideae and Crocoideae and may be ancestral for the latter. Derived strategies include pollination by long-proboscid flies, large butterflies, night-flying hovering and settling moths, hopliine beetles and sunbirds. Bee pollination is diverse, with active pollen collection by female bees occurring in several genera, vibratile systems in a few and non-volatile oil as a reward in one species. Long-proboscid fly pollination, which is apparently restricted to southern Africa, includes four separate syndromes using different sets of flies and plant species in different parts of the subcontinent. Small numbers of species use bibionid flies, short-proboscid flies or wasps for their pollination; only about 2 % of species use multiple pollinators and can be described as generalists. SCOPE Using pollination observations for 375 species and based on repeated patterns of floral attractants and rewards, we infer pollination mechanisms for an additional 610 species. Matching pollination system to phylogeny or what is known about species relationships based on shared derived features, we infer repeated shifts in pollination system in some genera, as frequently as one shift for every five or six species of southern African Babiana or Gladiolus. Specialized systems using pollinators of one pollination group, or even a single pollinator species are the rule in the family. Shifts in pollination system are more frequent in genera of Crocoideae that have bilaterally symmetric flowers and a perianth tube, features that promote adaptive radiation by facilitating precise shifts in pollen placement, in conjunction with changes in flower colour, scent and tube length. CONCLUSIONS Diversity of pollination systems explains in part the huge species diversity of Iridaceae in sub-Saharan Africa, and permits species packing locally. Pollination shifts are, however, seen as playing a secondary role in speciation by promoting reproductive isolation in peripheral, ecologically distinct populations in areas of diverse topography, climate and soils. Pollination of Iridaceae in Eurasia and the New World, where the family is also well represented, is poorly studied but appears less diverse, although pollination by both pollen- and oil-collecting bees is frequent and bird pollination rare.
Surface stress in the self-assembly of alkanethiols on gold

Surface stress changes and kinetics were measured in situ during the self-assembly of alkanethiols on gold by means of a micromechanical sensor. Self-assembly caused compressive surface stress that closely followed Langmuir-type adsorption kinetics up to monolayer coverage. The surface stress at monolayer coverage increased linearly with the length of the alkyl chain of the molecule. These observations were interpreted in terms of differences in surface potential. This highly sensitive sensor technique has a broad range of applicability to specific chemical and biological interactions.
Effects of dietary forage-to-concentrate ratio on nutrient digestibility and enteric methane production in growing goats (Capra hircus hircus) and Sika deer (Cervus nippon hortulorum)

Objective Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of forage-to-concentrate (F:C) ratio on the nutrient digestibility and enteric methane (CH4) emission in growing goats and Sika deer. Methods Three male growing goats (body weight [BW] = 19.0±0.7 kg) and three male growing deer (BW = 19.3±1.2 kg) were respectively allotted to a 3×3 Latin square design with an adaptation period of 7 d and a data collection period of 3 d. Respiration-metabolism chambers were used for measuring the enteric CH4 emission. Treatments of low (25:75), moderate (50:50), and high (73:27) F:C ratios were given to both goats and Sika deer. Results Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility decreased linearly with increasing F:C ratio in both goats and Sika deer. In both goats and Sika deer, the CH4 emissions expressed as g/d, g/kg BW0.75, % of gross energy intake, g/kg DM intake (DMI), and g/kg OM intake (OMI) decreased linearly as the F:C ratio increased, however, the CH4 emissions expressed as g/kg digested DMI and OMI were not affected by the F:C ratio. Eight equations were derived for predicting the enteric CH4 emission from goats and Sika deer. For goat, equation 1 was found to be of the highest accuracy: CH4 (g/d) = 3.36+4.71×DMI (kg/d)−0.0036×neutral detergent fiber concentrate (NDFC, g/kg)+0.01563×dry matter digestibility (DMD, g/kg)−0.0108×neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD, g/kg). For Sika deer, equation 5 was found to be of the highest accuracy: CH4 (g/d) = 66.3+27.7×DMI (kg/d)−5.91×NDFC (g/kg)−7.11× DMD (g/kg)+0.0809×NDFD (g/kg). Conclusion Digested nutrient intake could be considered when determining the CH4 generation factor in goats and Sika deer. Finally, the enteric CH4 prediction model for goats and Sika deer were estimated.
Competitiveness and climate change mitigation : empirical evidence on the effects of material use and material productivity on competitiveness and greenhouse gas emissions in Europe

Aligning competitiveness with climate change mitigation objectives lies at the heart of contemporary discourses on sustainable development, resource efficiency, green growth, and the circular economy. While numerous scholars and policymakers, particularly in Europe, follow the notion that decreasing material use and increasing material productivity can boost competitiveness and help to mitigate climate change, the empirical evidence underlying this assertion has put little emphasis on two important issues. First, many studies predominantly rely on case studies, often not considering dynamic effects and heterogeneity across firms, sectors, countries, material subgroups, and material indicators. Second, the majority of investigations do not address the potential problem of endogeneity in empirical models. This dissertation attempts to shift the focus on these and other issues having received relatively little scrutiny in the existing literature by four interrelated analyses on European economies and firms. First, the effect of material use on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is empirically assessed, finding a robust and positive link mostly driven by fossil fuel use. Second, it is investigated whether economic growth is a driver of material use, suggesting that economic growth causes an increase in material use for Western European countries. Third, the effects of material productivity on indicators of macroeconomic competitiveness and GHG emissions are investigated, finding little evidence for any statically significant link, except of increased average wages and improvements in the current account. Fourth, the effects of eco-innovation induced material productivity increases on microeconomic competitiveness and firm level GHG emissions are studied, providing evidence that material productivity increases microeconomic competitiveness and reduces GHG emissions. However, these effects are heterogeneously distributed across sectors and countries. Overall, this dissertation draws a nuanced picture by providing new evidence that material use and material productivity can support competitiveness and climate change mitigation objectives, but such benefits are likely to be unequally distributed across firms, sectors, and countries. To this end, the results provide important policy insights, including that weight-based material indicators are linked to GHG emissions, internalising externalities is essential, and eco-innovations can enable certain firms, sectors, and countries to grasp the benefits of material productivity improvements. Moreover, it is important to further investigate the implications of moving towards more material productive economies based on greater emphasis on heterogeneity, endogeneity, and improved data.
Statistical methods – still ignored? The testimony of Swedish alumni

Researchers have promoted statistical improvement methods as essential for product and process improvement for decades. However, studies show that their use has been moderate at best. This study aims to assess the use of statistical process control (SPC), process capability analysis, and design of experiments (DoE) over time. The study also highlights important barriers for the wider use of these methods in Sweden as a follow-up study of a similar Swedish study performed in 2005 and of two Basque-based studies performed in 2009 and 2010. While the survey includes open-ended questions, the results are mainly descriptive and confirm results of previous studies. This study shows that the use of the methods has become more frequent compared to the 2005 study. Larger organisations (>250 employees) use the methods more frequently than smaller organisations, and the methods are more widely utilised in the industry than in the service sector. SPC is the most commonly used of the three methods while DoE is least used. Finally, the greatest barriers to increasing the use of statistical methods were: insufficient resources regarding time and money, low commitment of middle and senior managers, inadequate statistical knowledge, and lack of methods to guide the user through experimentations.
Changes in the Carriage of CampylobacterStrains by Poultry Carcasses during Processing in Abattoirs

ABSTRACT The recent development of simple, rapid genotyping techniques forCampylobacter species has enabled investigation of the determinative epidemiology of these organisms in a variety of situations. In this study we have used the technique of flatyping (PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of theflaA and flaB genes) to identify the sources of strains contaminating the carcasses of five campylobacter-positive and two campylobacter-negative broiler flocks during abattoir processing. The results confirmed that, in the United Kingdom, individual broiler flocks are colonized by a limited number of subtypes ofCampylobacter jejuni or C. coli. In some but not all cases, the same subtypes, isolated from the ceca, contaminated the end product as observed in carcass washes. However, the culture methodology, i.e, use of direct plating or enrichment, affected this subtype distribution. Moreover, the number of isolates analyzed per sample was limited. fla typing also indicated that some campylobacter subtypes survive poultry processing better than others. The extent of resistance to the environmental stresses during processing varied between strains. The more robust subtypes appeared to contaminate the abattoir environment, surviving through carcass chilling, and even carrying over onto subsequent flocks. From these studies it is confirmed that some campylobacter-negative flocks reach the abattoir but the carcasses from such flocks are rapidly contaminated by various campylobacter subtypes during processing. However, only some of these contaminating subtypes appeared to survive processing. The sources of this contamination are not clear, but in both negative flocks, campylobacters of the same subtypes as those recovered from the carcasses were isolated from the crates used to transport the birds. In one case, this crate contamination was shown to be present before the birds were loaded.
CARD15 gene mutations in sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis, Blau syndrome and Crohn's disease are complex disorders, characterised by granulomatous inflammation affecting a variety of organs. Mutations of the CARD15 gene, on chromosome 16, have been shown to contribute significantly to Crohn's disease and to cause Blau syndrome. These factors prompted the current authors to study CARD15 mutations in sarcoidosis. A total of 138 families were genotyped, including 302 patients with sarcoidosis and 127 patients without a family history of sarcoidosis (together with their parents), for four main coding CARD15 polymorphisms associated with increased risk of Crohn's disease. Furthermore, the gene segment that harbours Blau syndrome mutations was sequenced in 39 selected patients from 39 families with affected siblings identical for one or two parental chromosomes 16s and in eight patients from multi-case families. None of the reported Blau syndrome mutations and no new sequence alterations were found. There was an increased frequency of transmission of the rare allele of the polymorphic sites 802C>T (SNP5) and 2722G>C (SNP12) in at least one of the two study groups. In conclusion, CARD15 mutations, which are important in Crohn's disease and Blau syndrome, play no major role in sarcoidosis in this study population. However, these mutations could be of limited importance, especially in patients without a family history of sarcoidosis.
Assessment of a commercial sandwich ELISA in the diagnosis of aspergillosis in falcons

A commercial sandwich ELISA (Platelia Aspergillus EIA; Bio-Rad) developed for the detection of galactomannan, a major cell wall constituent of Aspergillus species, was tested for its efficacy in the diagnosis of aspergillosis in falcons. Ninety serum samples from 50 aspergillosis-positive falcons and 182 samples from 142 aspergillosis-negative falcons were tested. The sensitivity of the test was only 12 per cent and its specificity was 95 per cent. The test was therefore unsatisfactory for detecting galactomannan in the serum samples and cannot be used as a screening test for aspergillosis in falcons.