Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of a Quantitative PCR Assay Using Multiplexed Hydrolysis Probes for Detection and Quantification of Theileria orientalis Isolates and Differentiation of Clinically Relevant Subtypes

ABSTRACT Theileria orientalis is an emerging pathogen of cattle in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. This organism is a vector-borne hemoprotozoan that causes clinical disease characterized by anemia, abortion, and death, as well as persistent subclinical infections. Molecular methods of diagnosis are preferred due to their sensitivity and utility in differentiating between pathogenic and apathogenic genotypes. Conventional PCR (cPCR) assays for T. orientalis detection and typing are laborious and do not provide an estimate of parasite load. Current real-time PCR assays cannot differentiate between clinically relevant and benign genotypes or are only semiquantitative without a defined clinical threshold. Here, we developed and validated a hydrolysis probe quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay which universally detects and quantifies T. orientalis and identifies the clinically associated Ikeda and Chitose genotypes (UIC assay). Comparison of the UIC assay results with previously validated universal and genotype-specific cPCR results demonstrated that qPCR detects and differentiates T. orientalis with high sensitivity and specificiy. Comparison of quantitative results based on percent parasitemia, determined via blood film analysis and packed cell volume (PCV) revealed significant positive and negative correlations, respectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that blood samples from animals with clinical signs of disease contained statistically higher concentrations of T. orientalis DNA than animals with subclinical infections. We propose clinical thresholds to assist in classifying high-, moderate-, and low-level infections and describe how parasite load and the presence of the Ikeda and Chitose genotypes relate to disease.
The effect of samorin (isometamedium chloride) on Trypanosoma evansi infection in mice.

Samorin (isometamedium chloride) was effective against T. evansi in mice given in single i.p. doses of 1 to 10 mg/kg. The administration of 40 mg/kg of samorin or above caused rapid death of mice and there were severe haemorrhages, degeneration and congestion in the liver, heart and kidney. The lesions in the liver and kidney were accompanied with reduced activities of ATP-ase, 5-nucleotidase, succinic tetrazolium reductase and glucose-6-phosphatase.
The Role of School Libraries in Promoting Reading Culture among Secondary School Students: A Case Study of Federal Government College, Jos

For the past couple of years, reading culture has been on the decline, especially in Nigeria, and Africa in general. Research has shown that this is partly due to the emergence of Technology and the rise of social media. It is despairing that young adults spend hours watching televisions, and chatting on social sites at the detriment of reading. This study examined the roles school libraries can play in promoting reading culture among secondary school students, using F.G. C Jos as a case study. On the basis of this, five (5) research questions were developed to guide the researchers. The descriptive survey method was used, and simple random sampling adopted. Questionnaire was the major instrument of data collection. Results of the findings were interpreted using simple percentages and organized in tables, and charts for clarity and better comprehension. The results of the findings revealed that students do not have good reading habit. This was represented by 51.4% who read for only 1-2 hours on a daily basis, which is unsatisfactory. Also students depend largely on textbooks and lecture notes as sources of reading materials, hence they read only to pass examinations; this is an indication of poor reading habit. The findings also revealed that students do not have opportunities of borrowing books from the library, and the library is not integrated in the school curriculum. Also, it was revealed that major factors hindering students from reading include watching television, phone addiction/chatting on social sites, and lack of interesting books.
Axon projections of reciprocal inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord of young Xenopus tadpoles and implications for the pattern of inhibition during swimming and struggling

We have examined the morphology and longitudinal axon projections of a population of spinal commissural interneurons in young Xenopus tadpoles. We aimed to define how the distribution of axons of the whole population constrains the longitudinal distribution of the inhibition they mediate. Forty‐three neurons at different positions were filled intracellularly with biocytin and processed with avidin‐conjugated horseradish peroxidase. Soma size did not vary longitudinally and only one ipsilateral axon was found. Contralateral axons ascended, descended, or usually branched to do both. Total axon length and the extent of dendritic arborisation decreased caudally. The distributions of ascending and descending axon lengths were different; there were more long ascending (mean 737 ± standard deviation 365 μm) than long descending (447 ± 431 μm) axons. We used the axon length distribution data with existing data on the distribution of commissural interneuron somata to calculate the overall longitudinal density of these inhibitory axons. Axon numbers showed a clear rostrocaudal gradient. Axon length distributions were then incorporated into a simple spatiotemporal model of the forms of inhibition during swimming and struggling motor patterns. The model predicts that the peak of inhibition on each cycle will decrease from head to tail in both motor patterns, a feature already confirmed physiologically for swimming. It also supports a previous proposal that ascending inhibition during struggling shortens cycle period by shortening rostral motor bursts, whereas descending inhibition could delay subsequent burst onset. J. Comp. Neurol. 400:504–518, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Phase II Trial of Gefitinib Monotherapy in Chemotherapy-Naïve Patients of 75 Years or Older with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Gefitinib has shown modest activity in patients with recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after platinum-based chemotherapy. However, the activity of gefitinib as first-line chemotherapy remains unclear, especially unknown in elderly patients. A multicenter phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of gefitinib for elderly patients with chemotherapy-naïve NSCLC. Methods: Elderly chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC, ECOG PS of 0–2, and adequate organ functions received 250 mg/day of gefitinib. The primary objective of this study was to determine the objective response rate (RR). Secondary endpoints were tolerability, disease-related symptom using lung cancer subscale (LCS) in FACT-L, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). We investigated mutation status of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in cases with available tumor samples. Results: Fifty patients were enrolled, of whom 49 were eligible. Median age (range) was 80 (75–90) years. Thirty-two patients were female (65%) and 40 patients had adenocarcinoma (82%). The objective RR was 25% (CI 95%, 13–39). Median survival time was 10 months (CI 95%, 7–20) and 1-year survival rate was 50%. The most frequent adverse events were skin disorders (76%). Fifteen patients (30%) experienced toxicities ≥grade 3. There were four patients with possible interstitial lung disease including two treatment-related deaths. Symptom improvement rate using LCS was 49% at 4 weeks of gefitinib therapy. Tumor samples from 17 patients were analyzed for EGFR mutation status. EGFR mutations were detected in tumor tissues from 7 patients, of which 5 had partial responses (71%). Conclusions: Gefitinib monotherapy is effective and relatively well tolerated in chemotherapy-naïve elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. Gefitinib has potential as a first-line therapeutic option in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.
Endoscopic endonasal approach for resection of cranial base chordomas: outcomes and learning curve.

BACKGROUND Gross total resection (GTR) of cranial base chordomas represents a surgical challenge because of the location, invasiveness, and tumor extension. In the past decade, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been used with notable outcomes. OBJECTIVE To present the endoscopic endonasal experience in the treatment of cranial base chordomas at our institution. METHODS From April 2003 to March 2011, 60 patients underwent an EEA for primary (n = 35) or previously treated (n = 25) cranial base chordomas. We evaluated the degree of GTR and complications. We studied the factors that influenced outcomes and compared our surgical results in the early and late years of our experience. RESULTS The overall rate of GTR of cranial base chordomas was 66.7% (82.9% in primary and 44% in previously treated patients). The most important limitations for GTR were tumor volume greater than 20 cm (P = .042), tumor location in the lower clivus with lateral extension (P = .022), and previously treated disease (P = .002). The learning curve had a significant impact on GTR, increasing the success rate to 88.9% (92.6% in primary patients and 63.6% in previously treated patients) during recent years (P < .0001). The most frequent complication was cerebrospinal fluid leak (20%) resulting in meningitis in 3.3%. Carotid injuries occurred in 2 patients without any resulting deficit. Neurological complications included new cranial neuropathies (6.7%) and long tract deficits (1.7%). There was no operative mortality in our series. CONCLUSION For the treatment of cranial base chordomas, the EEA is a competitive alternative to transcranial approaches with minimal morbidity and high success rates of GTR when performed by experienced cranial base surgeons.
Object decision priming in Alzheimer's disease

Priming for line drawings of real and nonreal objects was examined in an object decision task for 16 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 16 normal elderly control (NC) participants. In two study phases, participants decided if objects were real or nonreal. In an implicit test phase, real/nonreal decisions were made for studied and unstudied objects, and priming was measured as the difference in decision speed or accuracy between studied and unstudied objects. In an explicit test phase, yes/no recognition was measured for real and nonreal objects. AD patients had impaired explicit memory for real and nonreal objects and intact repetition priming for real objects. By the latency measure, both AD and NC groups showed priming for nonreal objects but in opposite ways. Classification decisions about studied relative to nonstudied nonreal objects were slower for the AD patients, whereas such decisions were faster for the NC participants. Classification decisions of both groups were less accurate for repeated nonreal objects. These results support the claim that AD patients with mild cognitive impairment show normal perceptual priming. The AD inhibition for studied nonreal objects is discussed in terms of the decision conflict that occurs when recollection of source is not available to counter the influence of familiarity. (JINS, 1998, 4, 435–446.)
Environmental impacts of commuting modes in Lisbon: A life-cycle assessment addressing particulate matter impacts on health

Abstract A life-cycle assessment of commuting alternatives is conducted that compares six transportation modes (car, bus, train, subway, motorcycle, and bicycle) for eight impact indicators. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions and health impacts are incorporated in the assessment using intake fractions that differentiate between urban and nonurban emissions, combined with an effect factor. The potential benefits of different strategies for reducing environmental impacts are illustrated. The results demonstrate the need for comprehensive approaches that avoid problem-shifting among transportation-related strategies. Policies aiming to improve the environmental performance of urban transportation should target strategies that decrease local emissions, life-cycle impacts and health effects.
Aging Affects Dopaminergic Neural Mechanisms of Cognitive Flexibility

Aging is accompanied by profound changes in the brain's dopamine system that affect cognitive function. Evidence of powerful individual differences in cognitive aging has sharpened focus on identifying biological factors underlying relative preservation versus vulnerability to decline. Dopamine represents a key target in these efforts. Alterations of dopamine receptors and dopamine synthesis are seen in aging, with receptors generally showing reduction and synthesis demonstrating increases. Using the PET tracer 6-[18F]fluoro-l-m-tyrosine, we found strong support for upregulated striatal dopamine synthesis capacity in healthy older adult humans free of amyloid pathology, relative to young people. We next used fMRI to define the functional impact of elevated synthesis capacity on cognitive flexibility, a core component of executive function. We found clear evidence in young adults that low levels of synthesis capacity were suboptimal, associated with diminished cognitive flexibility and altered frontoparietal activation relative to young adults with highest synthesis values. Critically, these relationships between dopamine, performance, and activation were transformed in older adults with higher synthesis capacity. Variability in synthesis capacity was related to intrinsic frontoparietal functional connectivity across groups, suggesting that striatal dopamine synthesis influences the tuning of networks underlying cognitive flexibility. Together, these findings define striatal dopamine's association with cognitive flexibility and its neural underpinnings in young adults, and reveal the alteration in dopamine-related neural processes in aging. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Few studies have combined measurement of brain dopamine with examination of the neural basis of cognition in youth and aging to delineate the underlying mechanisms of these associations. Combining in vivo PET imaging of dopamine synthesis capacity, fMRI, and a sensitive measure of cognitive flexibility, we reveal three core findings. First, we find evidence supporting older adults' capacity to upregulate dopamine synthesis. Second, we define relationships between dopamine, cognition, and frontoparietal activity in young adults indicating high levels of synthesis capacity are optimal. Third, we demonstrate alteration of these relationships in older adults, suggesting neurochemical modulation of cognitive flexibility changes with age.
Improved Outcome after Peripheral Nerve Injury in Mice with Increased Levels of Endogenous Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

Functional recovery after a peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is often poor. There is a need for therapies that protect neurons against injury and enhance regeneration. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to have therapeutic potential in a variety of neurological disorders, including acute traumatic injury. The objective of this study was to assess the neuroprotective and pro-regenerative potential of ω-3 PUFAs in PNI. We investigated this in mice that express the fat-1 gene encoding for ω-3 fatty acid desaturase, which leads to an increase in endogenous ω-3 PUFAs and a concomitant decrease in ω-6 PUFAs. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from wild-type or fat-1 mice were subjected to a mechanical strain or hypoxic injury, and cell death was assessed using ethidium homodimer-1 labeling. The fat-1 background appears to confer robust neuroprotection against both injuries. We then examined the early functional and morphological changes in wild-type and fat-1 mice after a sciatic nerve crush. An accelerated functional recovery 7 d after injury was seen in fat-1 mice when assessed using von Frey filaments and the sciatic nerve functional index. These observations were also mapped to changes in injury-related markers. The injury-induced expression of ATF-3 was decreased in the DRG of fat-1 mice, whereas the axons detected 6 mm distal to the crush were increased. Fat-1 animals also had some protection against muscle atrophy after injury. In conclusion, both in vitro and in vivo experiments support the idea that a higher endogenous ω-3 PUFA could lead to beneficial effects after a PNI.
Leadership styles of Vietnamese higher education leaders: Transformational, transactional, or laissez-faire

Significant reforms are currently underway in Vietnamese higher education since it is in the phase of transformation to improve the higher education system. In implementing higher education reforms, leaders play a key role. This paper reports on phase one of a multi-method research: a quantitative approach using the multifactor leadership questionnaire to investigate the Vietnamese higher education leaders' leadership styles (i.e. transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership) to support the quality improvement in Vietnamese higher education.
Legacy city residents’ lack of trust in their governments: An examination of Flint, Michigan residents’ trust at the height of the water crisis

ABSTRACT We document the level of trust that Flint, Michigan residents had in their local and state governments during the water crisis, a series of government failures that resulted in lead and other contaminants in the city’s water system. We then compare residents’ level of trust to that of nonresidents and use regression analyses to test whether a lack of trust in government predicts the extent to which Flint residents are considering leaving the city. Lastly, we use content analysis to explore measures to restore residents’ trust. We find that trust in government is very low, a lack of trust predicts considering leaving, and it will be difficult for policymakers to restore trust. Distrust in government matters because it could hinder future planning and recovery efforts and contribute to additional population losses.
Fundamentals of Value versus Growth Investing and an Explanation for the Value Trap

Value stocks earn higher returns than growth stocks on average, but a “value” position can turn against the investor. Fundamental analysis can explain this so-called value trap: The investor may be buying earnings growth that is risky. Both the earnings-to-price ratio (E/P) and the book-to-price ratio (B/P) come into play. E/P indicates expected earnings growth, but price in that ratio also discounts for the risk to that growth; B/P indicates that risk. A striking finding emerges: For a given E/P, a high B/P (“value”) indicates higher expected earnings growth—but growth that is risky. This finding contrasts with the standard convention that considers a low B/P to be “growth” with lower risk. A practitioner's perspective on this article is provided in the In Practice piece "Explaining Value vs. Growth Investing through Accounting Fundamentals" by Keyur Patel. Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest. Editor’s Note This article was externally reviewed using our double-blind peer-review process. When the article was accepted for publication, the authors thanked the reviewers in their acknowledgments. Clifford S. Asness was one of the reviewers for this article. Submitted 12 December 2017 Accepted 23 July 2018 by Stephen J. Brown
Business Investment, Cost of Capital and Uncertainty in the United Kingdom — Evidence from Firm-Level Analysis

We use new firm-level estimates of the cost of capital and uncertainty to study the drivers of UK business investment in a neoclassical investment model. We construct firm-specific measures of the cost of capital and uncertainty and use new UK survey data to estimate firm-specific investment hurdle rates. There is substantial variation in the cost of capital and uncertainty faced by firms and we find both matter for investment. Firm heterogeneity might help explain the difference in firms’ investment paths shortly after the Great Recession. This suggests that, while common shocks, that is, aggregate uncertainty matters, it is also important to capture firm-specific uncertainty to better explain investment dynamics. Overall, between 2000 and 2015 investment responded relatively sluggishly to the cost of capital and more sharply to uncertainty, especially after the financial crisis. There are implications for monetary and macroeconomic policy. The relative importance of measures that alleviate uncertainty compared to changes in monetary policy rates could be larger than generally recognised.
Violence exposure and deprivation: Evidence from the Burundi civil war

We investigate the relationship between exposure to con ict and household deprivation, using original three-wave household-level panel data for Burundi which report local-level violence exposure. First, the data reveal that aggregate poverty has not changed between 1998 and 2012, while food poverty has increased and we observe multiple household-level transitions into and out of poverty. Second, households living in localities exposed to the war since 1993 subsequently exhibit a signi cantly higher level of deprivation than non-exposed households, this di erence being persistent years after the con ict termination. Moreover, the correlation between violence and household deprivation is robust to within-household estimations. Third, the analysis of the household-level poverty dynamics following the most recent period of violence reveals that the likelihood to pull through of poor households is hampered by exposure to high-intensity violence, while the risk to fall into poverty of non-poor households is ampli ed by exposure to low-intensity violence. We discuss a mechanism based on the nature of violence which could explain this result, and derive some policy implications regarding poverty alleviation in the aftermath of civil wars.
Impact of lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin, a new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, on regression of coronary atherosclerotic plaque.

BACKGROUND Recent lipid-lowering trials have reported that statin therapy may retard progression or stimulate regression of human coronary plaque. In the present study volumetric intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analyses were performed to investigate the effect of pitavastatin, a newly developed statin, on regression of human coronary plaque. METHODS AND RESULTS Eighty-two patients matched for age and gender from 870 consecutive patients undergoing IVUS guided percutaneous coronary intervention were retrospectively assigned to either lipid-lowering therapy (n=41; pitavastatin 2 mg/day) or control group (n=41; diet only). Serial volumetric IVUS analyses of a matched left main coronary arterial site were performed. A significant reduction in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) level of 33.2% (p<0.001) was observed in the pitavastatin group. Plaque volume index (PVI) was significantly reduced in the pitavastatin group (10.6+/-9.4% decrease) compared with the control group (8.1+/-14.0% increase, p<0.001). There were positive correlations between the percent change in the PVI and follow-up LDL-C level (r=0.500, p<0.001) and the percent change in LDL-C level (r=0.479, p<0.001). CONCLUSION Lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin induced significant coronary plaque regression, associated with a significant reduction in the LDL-C level. The percent change in the PVI showed a significant positive correlation with the percent change in LDL-C level.