Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of GWAS-based candidate genes with HDL-cholesterol levels before and after bariatric surgery in the Swedish obese subjects study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE The magnitude of weight loss-induced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) changes may depend on genetic factors. We examined the associations of eight candidate genes, identified by genome-wide association studies, with HDL-C at baseline and 10 yr after bariatric surgery in the Swedish Obese Subjects study. METHODS Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (n = 60) in the following gene loci were genotyped: ABCA1, APOA5, CETP, GALNT2, LIPC, LIPG, LPL, and MMAB/MVK. Cross-sectional associations were tested before (n = 1771) and 2 yr (n = 1583) and 10 yr (n = 1196) after surgery. Changes in HDL-C were tested between baseline and yr 2 (n = 1518) and yr 2 and 10 (n = 1149). A multiple testing corrected threshold of P = 0.00125 was used for statistical significance. RESULTS In adjusted multivariate models, CETP SNP rs3764261 explained from 3.2-4.2% (P < 10(-14)) of the variation in HDL-C at all three time points, whereas CETP SNP rs9939224 contributed an additional 0.6 and 0.9% at baseline and yr 2, respectively. LIPC SNP rs1077834 showed consistent associations across all time points (R(2) = 0.4-1.1%; 3.8 × 10(-6) < P < 3 × 10(-3)), whereas LPL SNP rs6993414 contributed approximately 0.5% (5 × 10(-4) < P < 0.0012) at yr 2 and 10. In aggregate, four SNP in three genes explained 4.2, 6.8, and 5.6% of the HDL-C variance at baseline, yr 2, and yr 10, respectively. None of the SNP was significantly associated with weight loss-related changes in HDL-C. CONCLUSIONS SNP in the CETP, LIPC, and LPL loci contribute significantly to plasma HDL-C levels in obese individuals, and the associations persist even after considerable weight loss due to bariatric surgery. However, they are not associated with surgery-induced changes in HDL-C levels.
The physiology and impact on fertility of the period of proestrus in lactating dairy cows

In cattle, proestrus begins with the initiation of luteolysis and ends with initiation of estrus and the GnRH/LH surge. This period is marked by a dramatic decrease in circulating progesterone (P4) that reaches a nadir by about 36-48 h in cows undergoing natural or prostaglandin F2α (PGF)-induced luteolysis. Inadequate luteolysis is a cause of reduced fertility particularly in timed AI programs with small elevations in circulating P4 reducing fertility. Increasing circulating estradiol (E2) during proestrus is dependent on presence, size, and function of the dominant follicle and this varies during natural proestrus, due to whether animals have two or three follicular waves, and during PGF-induced proestrus, according to stage of the follicular wave at time of PGF treatment. Inadequate circulating E2 can limit fertility and increase pregnancy loss in some specific circumstances such as in cows with low BCS and in cows during heat stress. Thus, studies to optimize the length of proestrus and the concentrations of E2 and P4 during proestrus could produce substantial improvements in fertility and reductions in pregnancy loss.
The Intention to Use e-Learning in Corporations

The introduction of e-learning has allowed companies to re-engineer the process in which training is conducted, whilst realising the benefits that e-learning has to offer. It is important to identify and understand the driving forces behind users’ behavioural intention to use ICT and elearning in order to improve the chances of success of these projects. The purpose of this paper is to explore the intention to use e-learning in a corporate context. A case study approach with a survey strategy was used and the case was a South African software development company that has identified e-learning as part of its management strategy. A theoretical model of the intention to use e-learning is proposed and is used to guide the research. The results showed that the respondents have positive intentions to use e-learning and positive computer self-efficacy whereas they rated their computer anxiety negatively. From these results and the theoretical model it can be deduced that respondents will have positive intentions to use e-learning. Possible limitations of this study are that it only investigates one company and it does not investigate the relationship between the three constructs and the intention to use.
Pension Funding and Individual Accounts in Economies with Life-Cyclers and Myopes

The present paper studies the growth and efficiency consequences of pension funding with individual retirement accounts in a general equilibrium overlapping generations model with idiosyncratic lifespan and labor income uncertainty. We distinguish between economies with rational and hyperbolic consumers and compare the consequences of voluntary and mandatory retirement plans. Three major findings are derived in our study: First, we quantify the commitment effect of social security for myopic individuals by roughly 1 percent of aggregate resources. It is possible to recapture this commitment technology in IRAs, if those are annuitized. Second, despite the fact that our consumers have an operative bequest motive, the welfare gain from the (implicit) longevity insurance of the pension system is significant and amounts to roughly 0.5 percent of aggregate resources. However, mandatory annuitization reduces unintended bequests so that future generations are significantly hurt. Finally, our results highlight the importance of liquidity effects for social security analysis. These efficiency gains are only attainable if accounts are voluntary and not mandatory.
Implantation of Resorbable Gentamicin Sponges in Addition to Irrigation and Debridement in 34 Patients with Infection Complicating Total Hip Arthroplasty

We evaluated a prosthesis-retaining treatment protocol for prosthetic joint infection in patients presenting at a mean of 116 days (range 10-1216 days) after primary arthroplasty. Our regime involved irrigation and debridement followed by implantation of biodegradable gentamicin loaded sponges which do not require removal after implantation. Of 34 patients with a deep infection after total hip arthroplasty, Twenty-five were treated successfully, with a mean follow-up of 35 months. There were no permanent complications. This success rate is comparable to earlier studies. Early initiation of treatment demonstrated a tendency for better results, and late chronic infections had a worse outcome. Because the sponges are degradable, a number of further surgical procedures were avoided.
Descriptive study of intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile diarrhoea.

OBJECTIVES Clostridium difficile diarrhoea (CDD) cases treated with intravenous immunoglobulin during a 2 year period were reviewed to determine disease severity and response to treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS Of 580 CD cytotoxin-positive patients, five received intravenous immunoglobulin because of protracted and/or recurrent CDD (median duration 50 days, range 45-64); two had biopsy- proven pseudomembranous colitis. The five patients received a median three non-CDD antibiotic courses (range 2-8). Indices of CDD severity included hypoalbuminaemia (n = 5, median 27 g/L, range 11-29), marked hypokalaemia (n = 3, range 1.9-2.7 mM), markedly raised peripheral white cell count (n = 3, 18-34 x 10(9) cells/L), abdominal signs (n = 3) and pyrexia (n = 1). The five cases received metronidazole for median 17 days (range 0-63) plus vancomycin for median 14 days (range 10-42) before intravenous immunoglobulin. One also received rifampicin plus vancomycin and one was given Saccharomyces boulardii. RESULTS Intravenous immunoglobulin was given at a dosage of 300-500 mg/kg (most commonly 400 mg/kg) for one dose (two patients), two doses (two patients) and in one case for six doses. The latter patient died of intractable CDD, three had a good therapeutic response to intravenous immunoglobulin and CDD recurred within 6 weeks in one case. In the three successfully treated cases, CDD resolved within 11 days. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous immunoglobulin is useful for the treatment of intractable and severe CDD. Controlled studies are needed to assess the true value of this and other forms of passive immunotherapy.
Extended Forensic Evaluation When Sexual Abuse is Suspected: A Multisite Field Study

A subset of children referred due to suspected sexual abuse require more than one interview for professionals to reach an opinion about the veracity of allegations. The National Children's Advocacy Center's forensic evaluation model was designed for that specific group of children. The multisite study of the model reported here followed a 2-year pilot study. Professionals in 12 states adopted the model and collected data for 2 years on a total of 147 participants. In 44.5% of the cases, a credible disclosure was obtained, with 73% of these cases supported in the legal system. The forensic evaluation procedure yielded clear information to be used in child protection and prosecutory decisions in 64% of the cases (combining cases with credible disclosures and abuse unlikely findings). Finally, the study examined the effects of the length of the evaluation and of the case and child characteristics on evaluation outcomes.
The Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Designs

Blended learning or blended e-learning sounds like a confusing term at first since it is relatively a new term for today‘s instructors. However, Moore reports that it can be traced as far back as the 1920s which was called ―supervised correspondence study‖. For clarification of the term ―blended learning‖ and informing the instructors about its common practices worldwide, the book provides readers a comprehensive resource about blended learning. It aims to raise awareness of adopting BL from institutional perspectives of many chapter authors from Australia, Korea, Malaysia, the UK, Canada and South Africa who are distinguished people mostly in instructional technology era. With this book, I guess the editors aim at both showing the big picture at macro level and present micro level examples which provide details of blended learning applications among their strengths and weaknesses. As introduced in the book, one of the editors Curtis J. Bonk, a former corporate controller and CPA, is now professor of educational psychology as well as instructional systems technology at Indiana University; the other editor Charles R. Graham is an assistant professor of instructional psychology and technology at Brigham Young University with a focus on technologymediated teaching and learning.
Cambios en la iniciativa emprendedora de las empresas privatizadas en España

El trabajo analiza los cambios en la iniciativa emprendedora que se producen en las empresas publicas tras su privatizacion, entendiendo esta en su doble faceta de venta de la empresa y desregulacion. En concreto, analizamos el proceso de innovacion de producto, de proceso y organizativa, el desarrollo de nuevos negocios y los procesos de renovacion estrategica que, en definitiva, determinan la capacidad emprendedora de la empresa. Una muestra de empresas espanolas privatizadas entre 1985 y 2001 muestra que tras la privatizacion, las empresas son mas emprendedoras. Ademas, estos incrementos en la actividad emprendedora son mas significativos cuando el traspaso de propiedad al sector privado va acompanado de un alto grado de competencia en el sector. Una vez que las empresas se privatizan, estas invierten mas en innovacion de producto, de proceso y organizativa. Ademas, crean nuevos negocios a nivel nacional, refuerzan su actividad internacional y se embarcan en procesos de renovacion estrategica, abandonando los negocios que no son rentables y modificando las estrategias competitivas para ser mas eficientes.
Gaydar: Facebook Friendships Expose Sexual Orientation

Public information about one's coworkers, friends, family, and acquaintances, as well as one's associations with them, implicitly reveals private information. Social-networking websites, e-mail, instant messaging, telephone, and VoIP are all technologies steeped in network data—data relating one person to another. Network data shifts the locus of information control away from individuals, as the individual's traditional and absolute discretion is replaced by that of his social-network. Our research demonstrates a method for accurately predicting the sexual orientation of Facebook users by analyzing friendship associations. After analyzing 4,080 Facebook profiles from the MIT network, we determined that the percentage of a given user's friends who self-identify as gay male is strongly correlated with the sexual orientation of that user, and we developed a logistic regression classifier with strong predictive power. Although we studied Facebook friendship ties, network data is pervasive in the broader context of computer-mediated communication, raising significant privacy issues for communication technologies to which there are no neat solutions.
Distributed Fault Detection for Second-Order Delayed Multi-Agent Systems With Adversaries

In this paper, the problem of distributed fault detection and isolation is considered for multi-agent systems with time delays. An adversarial observer is designed for each agent, using local information of the agent, to estimate the external adversaries. By utilizing the adversarial observer, the detection of the faults caused by external incipient adversaries can be handled. Moreover, a software architecture is proposed for each agent; this can guarantee the multi-agent systems immune to the agents intruded by external adversaries. At last, numerical simulations are employed to verify the validity of the theoretical results.
Familial aggregation of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the degree of familial aggregation of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), determine whether the aggregation of JIA and the aggregation of type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM) overlap, and identify multiplex JIA pedigrees. METHODS Records of individuals with JIA or type 1 DM were probabilistically linked with records in the Utah Population Database (UPDB), a large computerized family history database. For each case of JIA or type 1 DM, 10 matched controls or 5 matched controls, respectively, were selected. All familial relationships among cases of JIA or type 1 DM were established. A familial risk score was calculated for each subject. For various levels of familial exposure to JIA or type 1 DM, one's risk (odds ratio [OR]) of developing JIA or type 1 DM was established (cases compared with controls). Recurrence risks for JIA were computed for relatives of JIA cases compared with relatives of controls. Extended JIA families were identified from a list of common ancestors. RESULTS Records of a total of 443 patients were linked with the UPDB. Of these, 381 (86.0%) met criteria for JIA. An increased risk for JIA was observed among relatives of probands with JIA. The prevalence of type 1 DM among JIA cases was higher than the US prevalence of type 1 DM (P < 0.003). The recurrence risk for JIA was significantly elevated among first-degree relatives of cases with JIA (OR 30.4). The overall prevalence of JIA was 28/100,000. Four extended JIA pedigrees were identified. CONCLUSION There is familial aggregation of JIA in the Intermountain West region of the US. We have demonstrated that multiplex JIA pedigrees can be identified using a genealogic database.
T cell apoptosis and inflammatory bowel disease

Intrinsic defects in the control of programmed cell death in the mucosal T cell compartment are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, and there are important differences in the regulation of apoptosis between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease Approximately 2×1014 bacteria reside in the gastrointestinal tract, and this astonishing microbiological pressure represents an extraordinary challenge to the mucosal immune system, which has to perform a balancing act between appropriate responsiveness to pathogenic organisms and tolerance for harmless organisms. When this balance in mucosal immune system responsiveness is tilted towards an exaggerated or uncontrolled reaction against the commensal flora, inflammatory bowel disease results. Despite many important findings in recent years, including the association of inactivating mutations in the CARD15 (NOD2) receptor with Crohn’s disease, it is not fully understood why the mucosal immune response is over reactive in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, or how current medical treatment precisely affects the mucosal immune system. Two papers in the present issue of Gut 1,2 suggest that intrinsic defects in the control of programmed cell death in the mucosal T cell compartment are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, and important differences in the regulation of apoptosis between ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are identified ( see pages 1624 and 1632 ). The experiments performed in both papers compare properties of apoptosis induction in lamina propria T cells of patients of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and non-inflamed controls. The paper by Doering and colleagues1 reports that induction of apoptosis in mucosal T cell compartment is severely impaired in both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. This is the latest of a series of observations by several laboratories which show that mucosal T cells of patients with inflammatory bowel disease are highly resistant to apoptosis.3–6 …
Capturing Value from Data: Revenue Models for Data-Driven Services

Undisputedly, the amount of data is growing exponentially and huge opportunities exist to exploit them. New service business models are being built around value propositions based on data and analytics. Suitable revenue models need to reap the benefits of these value propositions. However, the question of how to best turn a value proposition into revenue for data-driven services is not systematically addressed in literature. We provide an overview of possible revenue models for data-driven services. Based on a sample of 100 start-ups, we apply qualitative analysis to identify different revenue models for newly established data-driven services such as subscription, gain sharing and multi-sided revenue models. This paper will contribute to the fundamental understanding of how companies can capture value from data-driven services. It should give guidance on the design and selection of appropriate revenue models and, thus, inspire new forms of revenue generation from the use of data.
Oxidative DNA damage in human sperm influences time to pregnancy.

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress and related DNA damage in human sperm may be important for fecundity and pregnancy outcome. METHODS We studied the level of oxidative DNA damage in terms of 7-hydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) in sperm DNA among 225 first-pregnancy planners. Over the six menstrual cycle follow-up time, after cessation of contraception, 135 pregnancies were conceived. RESULTS The likelihood of pregnancy occurring in a single menstrual cycle was inversely associated with the 8-oxodG level (P < 0.01). The odds ratio of pregnancy in each of the first three or all six follow-up menstrual cycles was 0.42 (0.23-0.78; 95% CI) and 0.61 (0.36-0.91) per unit increase in the log 8-oxodG/100 000 dG ratio after adjustment for potential confounders, (including sperm concentration) respectively. The intra-individual coefficient of variation of 8-oxodG in 2-6 monthly repeated sperm samples from 116 men was 19% for the 8-oxodG/dG ratio, whereas the inter-individual coefficient of variation was 49%. The 8-oxodG level was not significantly associated with smoking, consumption of alcohol or caffeine, exposure to welding fumes or the plasma levels of sex hormones. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that oxidative damage to sperm DNA influences fecundity and the level of damage is relatively constant within an individual and not influenced by smoking.
ON THE SYSTEM OF PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS ARISING IN MEAN FIELD TYPE CONTROL

We discuss the system of Fokker-Planck and Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations arising from the finite horizon control of McKean-Vlasov dynamics. We give examples of existence and uniqueness results. Finally, we propose some simple models for the motion of pedestrians and report about numerical simulations in which we compare mean filed games and mean field type control.
Nutritional and Sensory Evaluation of Rice-Based Masa Enriched with Soybean and Crayfish

Masa is a cereal based snack made from rice, maize or millet. It is popularly consumed in the northern regions of Nigeria. The objective of this work was to assess the nutritional and sensory properties of the rice-Masa, enriched with soybean and crayfish. The enriched rice-Masa produced were labelled sample A (100% rice), sample B (rice: soybean blend (80:20), sample C (rice: crayfish blend (80:20) and sample D (rice: soybean: crayfish (80:10:10). The proximate and mineral composition was evaluated according to standard methods. Anti-nutrient content was also determined. Sensory evaluation was carried out to assess the acceptability of the enriched rice-Masa. The chemical analysis showed that protein, fibre, iron, zinc and vitamin A and beta carotene contents were highest in sample D with values 8.35 (±0.08) g/100g, 1.08 (±0.02) g/100g, 2.82 (±0.03) mg/100g, 4.20 (±0.03) mg/100g, 602.3 (±1.28) μg/100g and 420.2 (±0.98) μg/100g respectively, while calcium was highest in sample C with a value of 27.34 (±0.06) mg/100g. Moisture and ash contents increased from 47.4 (±0.50) g/100g to 50.9 (±0.80) g/100g and 0.40 (±0.01) g/100g to 1.15 (±0.01) g/100g respectively, while carbohydrate and energy contents decreased from 28.1 (±0.03) g/100g to 21.9 (±0.04) g/100g and 308.42 kcal/100g to 285.64 kcal/100g respectively. The sensory evaluation showed that with regards to taste, aroma, texture and overall acceptability, the sample enriched with soybean was more preferred to that enriched with crayfish, or a combination of both. Enrichment of Masa could contribute to improvement of nutritional status if promoted as a nutritious, healthy indigenous snack not only where Masa is already widely consumed, but also in other parts of Nigeria where it has not found wide acceptance.
Vesicle transmembrane potential is required for translocation to the cytosol of externally added FGF‐1

Externally added fibroblast growth factor‐1 (FGF‐1) is capable of crossing cellular membranes to reach the cytosol and the nucleus in a number of cell types. We have monitored the translocation of the growth factor by two methods: phosphorylation of FGF‐1, and prenylation of an FGF‐1 mutant that contains a C‐terminal prenylation signal. Inhibition of endosomal acidification by ammonium chloride or monensin did not block the translocation of FGF‐1, whereas bafilomycin A1, a specific inhibitor of vacuolar proton pumps, blocked translocation completely. A combination of ionophores expected to dissipate the vesicular membrane potential (valinomycin plus monensin) also fully inhibited the translocation. The inhibition of translocation by bafilomycin A1 was overcome in the presence of monensin or nigericin, while ouabain blocked translocation under these conditions. The data indicate that translocation of FGF‐1 to cytosol occurs from the lumen of intracellular vesicles possessing vacuolar proton pumps, and that a vesicular membrane potential is required. Apparently, activation of vesicular Na+/K+‐ATPase by monensin or nigericin generates a membrane potential that can support translocation when the proton pump is blocked.