Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Effects of Heterochromatin Protein 1 Isoforms on Mitotic Chromosome Distribution and Growth in Dictyostelium discoideum

ABSTRACT Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) is a well-characterized heterochromatin component conserved from fission yeast to humans. We identified three HP1-like genes (hcpA, hcpB, and hcpC) in the Dictyostelium discoideum genome. Two of these (hcpA and hcpB) are expressed, and the proteins colocalized as green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins in one major cluster at the nuclear periphery that was also characterized by histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation, a histone modification so far not described for Dictyostelium. The data strongly suggest that this cluster represents the centromeres. Both single-knockout strains displayed only subtle phenotypes, suggesting that both isoforms have largely overlapping functions. In contrast, disruption of both isoforms appeared to be lethal. Furthermore, overexpression of a C-terminally truncated form of HcpA resulted in phenotypically distinct growth defects that were characterized by a strong decrease in cell viability. Although genetic evidence implies functional redundancy, overexpression of GFP-HcpA, but not GFP-HcpB, caused growth defects that were accompanied by an increase in the frequency of atypic anaphase bridges. Our data indicate that Dictyostelium discoideum cells are sensitive to changes in HcpA and HcpB protein levels and that the two isoforms display different in vivo and in vitro affinities for each other. Since the RNA interference (RNAi) machinery is frequently involved in chromatin remodeling, we analyzed if knockouts of RNAi components influenced the localization of H3K9 dimethylation and HP1 isoforms in Dictyostelium. Interestingly, heterochromatin organization appeared to be independent of functional RNAi.
Centralizing Trends and Pollution Law Enforcement in China

Abstract This article analyses centralizing trends that may be able to reduce the negative influence of local protectionism on environmental law enforcement in China. The article finds that as centralizing trends unfolded, enforcement over time has become stricter and more frequent, however with only minor effects in reducing pollution. Moreover it finds a situation of uneven enforcement with richer and more urbanized areas having much stronger and more frequent enforcement than inland areas. Centralizing trends may thus have spurred stronger enforcement, but concurrently allowed for an uneven enforcement. At the same time, the article finds a continued local influence, keeping enforcement too weak to have much effect in reducing pollution and allowing for local interests to shape enforcement into unequal outcomes. 摘要 文章旨在分析中央集权化的趋势是否有可能减少地方保护主义对于中国环境执法所产生的负面影响。 研究发现, 随着中央集权化趋势所呈现出来的执法实践正变得更加严格和频繁, 但是对于减少污染所起到的作用甚微。 此外, 研究发现, 执法存在不均衡的情形, 即相对于内陆地区, 较富裕、城市化程度较高的地区执法强度更高、更频繁。 因此, 中央集权化的趋势有可能刺激出较强的执法, 但同时也可能催生出不均衡的执法实践。 与此同时, 研究发现, 地方性的影响仍然持续存在, 使得执法太弱而无法对减少污染产生显著作用, 并且使得地方性的利益塑造出不同等的执法后果。
Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment, Immunovirologic Status, and TB Risk: Implications for Testing and Treatment

Background:Tuberculosis (TB) risk and mortality increase in the 6 months after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation. This short-term risk may be a consequence of HAART initiation and immune reconstitution. Alternatively, it may be due to confounding by low CD4+ counts and high HIV viral loads (VLs). We assessed the TB risk before and after HAART initiation while appropriately controlling for time-updated laboratory values and HAART exposure. Methods:We conducted an observational cohort study among persons enrolled in the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design from 1998 through 2011. A marginal structural model was constructed to estimate the association of HAART initiation and TB risk. Inverse probability weights for the probability of HAART initiation were incorporated. Results:Among 26,342 patients, 94 cases of TB were diagnosed during 147,557 person-years (p-y) of follow-up. The unadjusted TB rates were 93/100,000 p-y [95% confidence interval (CI): 63 to 132] before HAART initiation, 203/100,000 p-y (95% CI: 126 to 311) ⩽6 months after HAART initiation, and 40/100,000 p-y (95% CI: 29 to 55) >6 months on HAART. After controlling for time-updated laboratory values, the adjusted odds of TB ⩽6 months after HAART initiation and >6 months was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.28 to 1.51) and 0.29 (95% CI: 0.16 to 0.53), respectively. Conclusions:TB risk in the first 6 months after HAART initiation is not higher than that before HAART initiation after adjusting for CD4+ count and VLs. These findings suggest that short-term TB risk may be related to low CD4+ counts and high VLs near HAART initiation and support early HAART initiation to decrease TB risk.
Planning for Community Care

Using the Community Placement Questionnaire, the long-stay populations of five hospitals were surveyed. The results suggest that there is little need for large hospitals if adequate community provision is made. However, a small number of patients continue to accumulate for whom community placement is hard to envisage. Investigating the characteristics of the ‘new long-stay’ patients suggests that the usual definition should be extended to include those over 65 years old with no diagnosis of dementia and those in hospital for 1–10 years. About 20% of ‘new long-stay’ patients have organic diagnoses and the needs of this group require assessment.
News about Religion: A Readership Study

During the past several years, interest in the religious dimension of political news and concern over the implications of the electronic church have focused attention on the coverage of news about religion by all media and on the audience for that news. While the phenomenon of the electronic church has generated some recent research interest, no recent studies of the coverage of religion by newspapers and the audience for that coverage have appeared in the mass communication literature. ' This study uses data from a 1975 readership survey conducted in Huntington, W.Va. , to answer the questions: 1) Who reads news about religion? 2) What demographic and personal characteristics are predictive of readership of news about religion? 3) What other newspaper content interests readers of news about religion? In the early 1960s Rarick^ found that among those who read news about religion, the preferred church page content consisted of personality and feature stories, international and national church news, and church notices and ads. He did not determine whether these preferences are in any way related to readership of other kinds of newspaper content. This early study and one by Root and Bolder^ also showed that approximately one-third of a newspaper's subscribers usually read a religion page and that those readers are more likely to be women than men, and church members rather' than non-members. For further insight into the characteristics of readers of religion news, one must turn to general studies of mass media use or of the audience for religious television programs or to studies of church members. In a 1964 study of religious media use, Robinson'* reported moderately strong, positive correlations among a number of expressions of interest in religion, including church membership, church attendance, use of a
On the propagation of scale-dependent macroeconomic shocks into asset prices

This thesis focuses on the propagation of scale-specific (i.e., horizon-dependent) macroeconomic shocks into asset prices. In particular, chapter 1 provides an introduction to the theory and methods necessary for understanding scale-dependencies in financial economics. First, I present the multiresolution-based decompositions for weakly stationary time series of Ortu et al. (2013) and discuss its connection with other techniques in the literature. Next, I analyse the power and size properties of multi-scale variance ratio tests that distinguish a white noise process from a process whose scale-dependent components are serially correlated. Finally, I present an extension of the framework of Bandi et al. (2016) for scale-specific predictability. In chapter 2, I show that a single factor that captures assets' exposure to business-cycle variation in macroeconomic uncertainty can explain the level and cross-sectional differences of asset returns. In addition, I find that - in contrast with previous studies in the literature - macro uncertainty is not a valid risk factor under the ICAPM. Chapter 3 provides an empirical assessment of Epstein-Zin preferences in the frequency domain. I demonstrate that the strict conditions implied by the spectral decomposition of recursive preferences are not empirically satisfied. That is, macroeconomic shocks with frequencies lower than the business-cycle are not robustly priced in asset prices.
Phosphodiesterase‐4 inhibition as a therapeutic approach to treat capillary leakage in systemic inflammation

• A specific therapy to treat capillary leakage in systemic inflammation and sepsis is not available at present. • Recent studies demonstrated that reduced cAMP levels in endothelial cells contribute to inflammation‐induced breakdown of the endothelial barrier. • The present study demonstrates that systemically applied phosphodiesterase‐4 inhibitors to increase endothelial cAMP are effective to prevent and to treat capillary leakage followed by improved microcirculation in a rodent model of systemic inflammation. • These data suggest a highly clinically relevant and applicable approach to stabilize capillary leakage in sepsis and systemic inflammation.
Adalimumab therapy is associated with reduced risk of hospitalization in patients with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Adalimumab is effective for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC). We assessed whether adalimumab, in addition to standard UC therapy, reduced the risk for hospitalization (from all causes, from complications of UC, or from complications of UC or the drugs used to treat it) and colectomy in patients with moderate to severe UC compared with placebo. METHODS Data were combined from patients that received induction therapy (a 160-mg dose followed by an 80-mg dose of adalimumab) or placebo in 2 trials (ULTRA 1 and ULTRA 2; n = 963). The risks of hospitalization and colectomy were compared between groups using unadjusted rates during the 8-week induction period, and patient-year-adjusted rates during 52 weeks. Statistical differences between groups were determined using the χ(2) method and Z score normal approximations. Numbers of hospitalizations were compared using Poisson regression with time offset. RESULTS Significant reductions in risk of all-cause, UC-related, and UC- or drug-related hospitalizations (by 40%, 50%, and 47%, respectively; P < .05 for all comparisons) were observed within the first 8 weeks of adalimumab therapy compared with placebo. Significantly lower incidence rates for all-cause (0.18 vs 0.26; P = .03), UC-related (0.12 vs 0.22; P = .002), and UC- or drug-related (0.14 vs 0.24; P = .005) hospitalizations were observed during 52 weeks of adalimumab therapy compared with placebo. Rates of colectomy did not differ significantly between patients given adalimumab vs placebo. CONCLUSIONS In patients with moderate to severe UC, the addition of adalimumab to standard of care treatment reduced the number of hospitalizations for any cause, as well as for UC-related and UC- or drug-related complications, compared with placebo. ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00385736 and NCT00408629.
α‐ and β‐Tubulin Phylogenies Support a Close Relationship Between the Microsporidia Brachiola algerae and Antonospora locustae

ABSTRACT. Microsporidia are a large and diverse group of intracellular parasites related to fungi. Much of our understanding of the relationships between microsporidia comes from phylogenies based on a single gene, the small subunit (SSU) rRNA, because only this gene has been sampled from diverse microsporidia. However, SSUrRNA trees are limited in their ability to resolve basal branches and some microsporidian affiliations are inconsistent between different analyses. Protein phylogenies have provided insight into relationships within specific groups of microsporidia, but have rarely been applied to the group as a whole. We have sequenced α‐ and β‐tubulins from microsporidia from three different subgroups, including representatives from what have previously been inferred to be the basal branches, allowing the broadest sampled protein‐based phylogenetic analysis to date. Although some relationships remain unresolved, many nodes uniting subgroups are strongly supported and consistent in both individual trees as well as a concatenate of both tubulins. One such relationship that was previously unclear is between Brachiola algerae and Antonospora locustae, and their close association with Encephalitozoon and Nosema. Also, an uncultivated microsporidian that infects cyclopoid copepods is shown to be related to Edhazardia aedis.
Patrilineality, Son Preference, and Sex Selection in South Korea and Vietnam

Recent advances in promoting the rights of women and girls globally have been partially offset by increasing implementation of son preference through offspring sex selection, leading to rising sex ratios at birth1 (SRB) and child sex ratios throughout Asia, as well as parts of Eastern Europe and Africa. The past two decades have seen the number of countries with high child sex ratios increase from five to nineteen (Hudson and den Boer 2015). In recent history, only one country has reduced its sex ratio at birth from extremely high levels to biologically normal levels: South Korea, from a peak of 116.5 males per 100 females in 1990 to 106.2 in 2007. While South Korea's sex ratio at birth was declining throughout the early to mid 2000s, the sex ratio at birth in another Asian country, Vietnam, began an erratic rise, reaching 113.8 in 2013 (see Figure 1). How can we explain this recent rise in Vietnam's sex ratio, and are there lessons for Vietnam, or for other countries facing high sex ratios at birth, from the experience of South Korea?
Temperature Distribution of Argon Gas Tungsten Arc Considering the Nonequilibrium Effect

Since gas tungsten arc (GTA) can stabilize a high-temperature arc plasma by employing shielding gas, it is used as a heat source device. It has high heating efficiency and highly controllable characteristics and requires low cost for equipment investment. Therefore, it is widely utilized, for example, for production of nanoparticles, material processing, detoxification of toxic waste, and so on. A numerical simulation model is a useful tool to evaluate the heat source property of GTA. Simulated images of temperature distributions of GTA considering the nonequilibrium effect are presented.
Potential Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Insulin Resistance and Lipid Profile in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION Insulin resistance (IR), a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, is prevalent among maintenance hemodialysis patients. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on IR in hemodialysis patients have not been well understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on IR and serum lipids of hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-four adult patients on hemodialysis were randomly assigned to receive either 1800 mg of omega-3 fatty acids or placebo daily for 4 months. Serum concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin were measured at baseline and after 4 months of the intervention. Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and 2 adipokine-based measures of IR, including the leptin-adiponectin ratio and homeostasis model assessment corrected by adiponectin. RESULTS Mean differences of serum C-reactive protein, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin concentrations did not show significant difference between the two groups following 4 months of intervention. Fasting serum glucose and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were not significantly influenced by omega-3 supplementation, either. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly decreased in the omega-3 group (P = .02, P = .03, and P < .001, respectively). None of the indirect indexes of IR showed significant changes at the end of the study in either the omega-3 or placebo group. CONCLUSIONS Supplemental use of omega-3 fatty acids showed some beneficial effects on lipid profile of hemodialysis patients without any improvement in IR.
A Look at Environmental Education through Science Teachers' Perspectives and Textbooks' Coverage.

The importance of teaching environmental issues within science curriculum is getting more important, because environmental education offers an opportunity to learn not only science subject matter but also introduce social and cognitive skills. The purpose of this paper is to look at the relationship between science education and environmental education. In this research there were two main parts which are related to each other: a survey designed to provide descriptive information about science teachers` perspective on environmental issues, and a content analysis of how and to what extent environmental education was presented in science textbooks used in grade 6-12. The survey was done during the SSMA conference which took place in Columbus, OH, between October 23-25, 2003 and Cleveland Regional of Science Teachers Fall Conferences which took place in Cleveland, OH, October 25, 2003. From the results of this study, it is apparent that science teachers are interested in teaching environmental education. However, limited information was enabled in science textbook about environmental issues. Due to time constraints researchers reached limited number of teachers, but the study provided an initial understanding of science teachers` perspective of environmental education and some implications for development environmental textbooks.
Detection of hepatic metastases from cancers of the gastrointestinal tract by using noninvasive imaging methods (US, CT, MR imaging, PET): a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE To perform a meta-analysis to compare current noninvasive imaging methods (ultrasonography [US], computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance [MR] imaging, and (18)F fluorodeoxyglucose [FDG] positron emission tomography [PET]) in the detection of hepatic metastases from colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS A MEDLINE literature search and review of article bibliographies and our institutional charts of patients with colorectal cancer identified data with histopathologic correlation or at least 6 months of patient follow-up. Two authors independently abstracted data sets and excluded data without contingency tables or data published more than once. Summary-weighted estimates of sensitivity were obtained and stratified according to specificity of less than 85% or 85% and higher. A covariate analysis was used to evaluate the influence of patient- or study-related factors on sensitivity. RESULTS Among 111 data sets, nine US (509 patients), 25 CT (1,747 patients), 11 MR imaging (401 patients), and nine PET (423 patients) data sets met the inclusion criteria. In studies with a specificity higher than 85%, the mean weighted sensitivity was 55% (95% CI: 41, 68) for US, 72% (95% CI: 63, 80) for CT, 76% (95% CI: 57, 91) for MR imaging, and 90% (95% CI: 80, 97) for FDG PET. Results of pairwise comparison between imaging modalities demonstrated a greater sensitivity of FDG PET than US (P =.001), CT (P =.017), and MR imaging (P =.055). CONCLUSION At equivalent specificity, FDG PET is the most sensitive noninvasive imaging modality for the diagnosis of hepatic metastases from colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancers.
Relationship among plasma secretory phospholipase A2, oxidized low density lipoprotein & paraoxonase activities in hypertensive subjects treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) are considered as oxidative and inflammatory markers. The effects of oxLDL have been shown to be inhibited by paraoxonase (PON1). This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between oxidative and inflammatory markers in hypertensive patients with or without antihypertensive drug treatment. METHODS Newly diagnosed hypertensive patients (n=35) and hypertensive patients who had been taking angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors as antihypertensive therapy (10 or 20 mg/day for 9 +/- 2 wk; n=35) and age-matched normotensive subjects (controls; n=20) were included in this study. Plasma sPLA(2), oxLDL and PON1 activities were determined. RESULTS Hypertensives had higher plasma oxLDL and sPLA(2) levels (P<0.01) and lower PON1 levels than the controls (P<0.01). Treated hypertensives had lower plasma sPLA< and oxLDL levels and higher PON1 activities than hypertensives (P<0.01). sPLA(2) was positively correlated with oxLDL (r=0.433, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with plasma PON1 (r=-0.540, P<0.01) in untreated hypertensives. In controls and treated hypertensives, plasma PON1 was positively correlated with oxLDL (r=0.455, r=0.429, P<0.01, respectively) and sPLA(2) (r=0.450, r=0.506, P<0.01, respectively). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION Reduction in PON1 activity and elevation in both sPLA(2) activities and oxLDL levels might be involved in elevated oxidative stress and inflammation. ACE inhibitor treatment may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in hypertensives.
Exploring the phenomenon of Chinese babymoon tourism

Zhang, Ruoyang Ph.D., Purdue University, May 2016. Exploring the Phenomenon of Chinese Babymoon Tourism. Major Professor: Liping A. Cai The purpose of this study is to investigate the phenomenon of Chinese babymoon tourism. This phenomenon is gaining popularity in China but has not received due attention in academic research and from the tourism industry. The study aims to identify the backgrounds of young Chinese couples who participate in babymoon tourism, uncover the factors that motivate them to do so, and examine their travel behaviors that take place during such trips. The study adopts a qualitative approach due to the emerging nature of the phenomenon. In-depth interviews consisting of both demographic and open-ended questions were conducted in China with 31 qualifying participants who are defined as in the state of preparing for pregnancy and in the process of planning for babymoons. The data was collected and analyzed based on classic grounded theory. The results provide a basic profile of the participants including their gender, age, education level, annual household income, occupation, religious belief, city of residence, whether they and their spouses were the only child in the family, whether they were preparing for their first baby, their travel interests and experiences, and
Comparing Three Generations of Commodity Indices: New Evidence for Portfolio Diversification

Increased investments in the commodity markets have challenged the reported diversification gains of commodities and triggered investment firms to further improve their indices. Today, investors face three different generations of commodity indices. A cruel question is which index still provides diversification benefits? The paper answers this query for a traditional U.S. investor over the period May 1991 to June 2013, by considering seven commodity indices, covering all existing three index generations. Using spanning tests, the results show that first generation indices provide no longer benefits for portfolio diversification. Evidence for second generation indices is mixed, while the latest generation still leads to improvements in the portfolio diversification.