Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cryptic species, cryptic endosymbionts, and geographical variation in chemical defences in the bryozoan Bugula neritina

Molecular markers often offer the only means to discriminate between species and to elucidate the specificity of many community interactions, both of which are key to the understanding of ecological patterns. Western Atlantic populations of the bryozoan Bugula neritina vary in the palatability of their larvae to predators: individuals south of Cape Hatteras produce chemical deterrents to fish predators that are absent in more northern individuals. We use mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) sequences to show that the differences in palatability between populations correlate with the geographical distributions of two cryptic species within B. neritina. Furthermore, these cryptic species differ in their associations with bacteria that may confer chemical resistance to predation. Small subunit rRNA primers specific to a subset of γ‐proteobacteria amplified only the bacterium Endobugula sertula from the southern cryptic species. Endobugula sertula produces a family of chemical compounds (bryostatins) that may deter predators of its animal host. In contrast, the same primers amplified an array of γ‐proteobacteria from the unprotected northern cryptic bryozoan species, but never E. sertula. In combination, these findings suggest that the geographical variation in palatability observed in the larvae of B. neritina is not the result of local adaptation of a single species to regions of differing predation pressure, but rather results from the comparison of cryptic species that differ in the presence or absence of a bacterium that may provide protection against predators. The ability to identify the cryptic Bugula species and their differing relationships with bacterial associates provides an example of the important role molecular techniques may play in addressing ecological questions.
Commentary on “Dysplasia in Adults with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: Incidence and Risk Factors”

In this issue, Blumin et al study the incidence of and risk factors for dysplasia in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) by reviewing 170 pathology reports from 73 patients seen at 2 different institutions over a 6-year period. Sixteen patients (21.9%) were found to have dysplasia in at least 1 specimen during the study period. A single senior pathologist re-examined 8 of these 16 specimens and concurred with the diagnosis. This consistency in reporting dysplasia is at variance with our experience. Additionally, a markedly higher prevalence of dysplasia in RRP specimens has been identified among patients evaluated at the University of Iowa.1
The Health Effects of Masculine Self-Esteem Following Treatment for Localized Prostate Cancer Among Gay Men.

PURPOSE To identify factors associated with masculine self-esteem in gay men following treatment for localized prostate cancer (PCa) and to determine the association between masculine self-esteem, PCa-specific factors, and mental health factors in these patients. METHODS A national cross-sectional survey of gay PCa survivors was conducted in 2010-2011. To be eligible for the study, men needed to be age 50 or older, reside in the United States, self-identify as gay, able to read, write, and speak English, and to have been treated for PCa at least 1 year ago. One hundred eleven men returned surveys. RESULTS After simultaneously adjusting for the factors in our model, men aged 50-64 years and men aged 65-74 years reported lower masculine self-esteem scores than men aged 75 years or older. Lower scores were also reported by men who reported recent severe stigma. Men who reported feeling comfortable revealing their sexual orientation to their doctor reported higher masculine self-esteem scores than men who were not. The mental component score from the SF-12 was also positively correlated with masculine self-esteem. CONCLUSION PCa providers are in a position to reduce feelings of stigma and promote resiliency by being aware that they might have gay patients, creating a supportive environment where gay patients can discuss specific sexual concerns, and engaging patients in treatment decisions. These efforts could help not only in reducing stigma but also in increasing masculine self-esteem, thus greatly influencing gay patients' recovery, quality of life, and compliance with follow-up care.
Influence of ethnicity on cultural use of pangolins in Ghana and its implications on their conservation

Ethnicity has been documented to have an influence on the selection of medicinal resources and food. Pangolins are scaly mammals widely used for traditional medicine and consumed as bushmeat among local communities across Africa, yet no study has documented the influence of ethnicity on the cultural use of pangolins. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of ethnicity on the cultural use of pangolins in Ghana. Data on the use of pangolin for traditional medicine were gathered from 300 traditional medicinal practitioners from the major ethnic groups in Ghana through semi-structured individual interviews. Also, 150 chopbar operators were interviewed to determine the level of pangolin bushmeat preferences and consumption amongst the different ethnicity in Ghana. Peculiarities in knowledge, ethnic endogamy, inter-ethnic relations, and segregation in the settlement among the various ethnic groups affected the selection and use report of pangolin body parts and the assemblage of ethnic groups. Certain ethnic groups were very similar to one another in the use of pangolin body parts for traditional remedies but other were clearly different. Ethnicity did not have any influence on the consumption of pangolin bushmeat, however, scarceness of pangolin bushmeat was the main factor that affected the frequency of consumption. The findings of this study highlight the importance of cultural uses of pangolins by different ethnicities and how this information can be used to contribute to the design of a more effective and targeted conservation management strategy for these rare mammals.
Isolation of T-Lymphocyte Lines with Specificity for Islet Cell Antigens from Spontaneously Diabetic (Insulin-dependent) Rats

T-lymphocyte lines specific for islet cell antigens were isolated from the spleen and pancreas of newly diabetic BB rats or from the related strain BBUF. These cell lines were grown in continuous culture with inter-leukin-2 (IL-2) containing medium for >60 days. Such T-lymphocytes responded by proliferation and IL-2 secretion in the combined presence of islet cell antigens and major histocompatibility (MHC)-matched antigen-presenting cells. By fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis the cells were W3/13+, W3/25+, and 0X8−. Thus, both functionally and by cell-surface-marker analysis they appear to be of the T-helper phenotype. The long-term growth and study of anti-islet T-lymphocyte lines will permit a detailed analysis of the role of T-lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of IDDM.
When Shareholders Disagree: Trading After Shareholder Meetings

This paper analyzes how trading after shareholder meetings changes the composition of the shareholder base. Analyzing daily trades, we find that mutual funds reduce their holdings if their votes are opposed to the voting outcome. Trading volume is high even when stock prices do not change, peaks on the meeting date, and remains high up to four weeks after shareholder meetings. The results support models based on differences of opinion that predict that shareholders’ beliefs may diverge more after observing voting outcomes. Hence, trading after meetings creates a more homogeneous shareholder base, which has important implications for corporate governance.
PENGARUH GROWTH OPPORTUNITY, PROFITABILITAS, FIXED ASSET RATIO DAN RISIKO PASAR TERHADAP STRUKTUR MODAL

The research aimed to examine the effect of growth opportunity, profitability, fixed assets ratio, and market risk on capital structure. The research uses secondary data sources, data derived from the Indonesian Capital Market Directory (ICMD) and company annual reports contained in BEI. Determined samples used purposive sampling method, which resulted 39 properties and real estate companies, in the period 2010-2012 with a total of 117 observations. Analyzed data used a linear regression analysis, where hypothesis testing is using F test and t-test. Results of the study showed that partially during 2010 to 2012, growth opportunity, profitability and market risk significantly effect with the positive direction of the capital structure, while fixed asset ratio variables have a significant effect with the negative direction of the capital structure.
Worker Retention, Response Quality, and Diversity in Microtask Crowdsourcing: An Experimental Investigation of the Potential for Priming Effects to Promote Project Goals

Online microtask crowdsourcing platforms act as efficient resources for delegating small units of work, gathering data, generating ideas, and more. Members of research and business communities have incorporated crowdsourcing into problemsolving processes. When human workers contribute to a crowdsourcing task, they are subject to various stimuli as a result of task design. Inter-task priming effects through which work is nonconsciously, yet significantly, influenced by exposure to certain stimuli have been shown to affect microtask crowdsourcing responses in a variety of ways. Instead of simply being wary of the potential for priming effects to skew results, task administrators can utilize proven priming procedures in order to promote project goals. In a series of three experiments conducted on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, we investigated the effects of proposed priming treatments on worker retention, response quality, and response diversity. In our first two experiments, we studied the effect of initial response freedom on sustained worker participation and response quality. We expected that workers who were granted greater levels of freedom in an initial response would be stimulated to complete more work and deliver higher quality work than workers originally constrained in their initial response possibilities. We found no significant relationship between the initial response freedom granted to workers and the amount of optional work they completed. The degree of initial response freedom also did not have a significant impact on subsequent response quality. However, the influence of inter-task effects were evident based on response tendencies for different question types. We found evidence that consistency in task structure may play a stronger role in promoting response quality than proposed priming procedures. In our final experiment, we studied the influence of a group-level priming treatment on response diversity. Instead of varying task structure for different workers, we varied the degree of overlap in question content distributed to different workers in a group. We expected groups of workers that were exposed to more diverse preliminary question sets to offer greater diversity in response to a subsequent question. Although differences in response diversity were revealed, no consistent trend between question content overlap and response diversity prevailed. Nevertheless, combining consistent task structure with crowd-level priming procedures to encourage diversity in inter-task effects across the crowd offers an exciting path for future study.
Credit Risk Management (CRM) Practices in Commercial Banks of Bangladesh: “A Study on Basic Bank Ltd.”

This Paper is not only a way for getting acknowledged about the efficiency in managing credit risk of Bangladeshi Banks, but also a conclusive reference for studying how CRM practices helps to increase profitability and long term sustainability of commercial banks. Credit risk management encompasses identification, measurement, matching mitigations, monitoring and control of the credit risk exposures. For conducting this research, I have to collect secondary data relating to the financial status of Basic Bank Ltd.In my analysis I have divulged a comprehensive overview about CRM in different phase of my report. First, I have described about the CRM practice and performance of BBL. Then, I analyze the impact of CRM on financial performance of bank. I have used Ms Excel as well as SPSS software to compare relationship between CRM and banks profitability. After analysis and discussion I have identified some conclusive findings of my research paper.
Communication Technologies in E-Tourism

Information-intensive and technology-driven environments like e-tourism need to be constantly oriented towards improvement of their communication strategies and infrastructure considering their immediate impact on user experience and customer behavior. The full range of available technologies is rapidly stretching from sophisticated website features to personalized services based on recommender systems that associate user preference with destinations and hospitality services. Despite the development of these technologies, many challenges remain in designing, applying, and evaluating the web-based services in their critical role between visitor and destination experience. This chapter addresses the problem of how to support management decisions on information technology solutions that best promote destination brands, support visitors' decision-making process, and enhance user experience of a place, service, or destination.
Moderate alcohol consumption and risk of heart failure among older persons.

CONTEXT Heavy consumption of alcohol can lead to heart failure, but the relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and risk of heart failure is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine whether moderate alcohol consumption predicts heart failure risk among older persons, independent of the association of moderate alcohol consumption with lower risk of myocardial infarction (MI). DESIGN Prospective cohort study conducted from 1982 through 1996, with a maximum follow-up of 14 years. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Population-based sample of 2235 noninstitutionalized elderly persons (mean age, 73.7 years; 41.2% male; 21.3% nonwhite) residing in New Haven, Conn, who were free of heart failure at baseline. Persons who reported alcohol consumption of more than 70 oz in the month prior to baseline were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Time to first fatal or nonfatal heart failure event, according to the amount of alcohol consumed in the month prior to baseline. RESULTS Increasing alcohol consumption in the moderate range was associated with decreasing heart failure rates. For persons consuming no alcohol (50.0%), 1 to 20 oz (40.2%), and 21 to 70 oz (9.8%) in the month prior to baseline, crude heart failure rates per 1000 years of follow-up were 16.1, 12.2, and 9.2, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, race, education, angina, history of MI and diabetes, MI during follow-up, hypertension, pulse pressure, body mass index, and current smoking, the relative risks of heart failure for those consuming no alcohol, 1 to 20 oz, and 21 to 70 oz in the month prior to baseline were 1.00 (referent), 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60-1.02), and 0.53 (95% CI, 0.32-0.88) (P for trend =.02). CONCLUSIONS Increasing levels of moderate alcohol consumption are associated with a decreasing risk of heart failure among older persons. This association is independent of a number of confounding factors and does not appear to be entirely mediated by a reduction in MI risk.
Crystal structure of ADP/AMP complex of Escherichia coli adenylate kinase

Introduction. Adenylate kinases (AKs, ATP:AMP phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.4.3) are a family of enzymes which catalyze the following reaction: Mg ATP AMP 7 Mg ADP ADP. Several structural works have revealed that AKs have two highly flexible domains which close over bound substrates. The LID domain covers ATP and the site of phosphoryl transfer and the AMP-binding domain closes on AMP when it is bound. Key residues to the domain closure and substrate binding are conserved five arginines in the active site. In Escherichia coli AK, they are Arg36, Arg88, Arg123, Arg156, and Arg167. A previous mutational study suggested an important role of Arg156 in catalysis but its function is not well defined although two E. coli AK structures were already solved with P,P-di(adenosine 5 )-pentaphosphate (Ap5A) and -imidoadenosine 5 -triphosphate (AMPPNP)/AMP, respectively. Here, we report the crystal structure of E. coli AK with bound ADP and AMP determined at a resolution of 2.8 Å and propose possible roles of Arg156 in substrate binding and catalysis.
Problem of antimicrobial resistance of fecal aerobic gram-negative bacilli in the elderly

In this study, we assessed the magnitude of risk (odds ratio [OR]) of patients being colonized with fecal aerobic gram-negative bacilli in two geriatric hospitals compared with the community, and we associated the use of antimicrobial agents with bacterial resistance. One fecal sample was collected from each of 341 patients, aged 60 years or older, during the hospital stay or when visiting the outpatient service. Samples were collected in 1988 and 1993 to 1994. The aerobic gram-negative bacilli from all samples were examined for resistance to seven antimicrobials by a replica plating method. The long-term-hospitalized patients had a significantly higher risk of being colonized with bacilli resistant to ampicillin (OR, 14.3; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 6.0 to 34.1), cefuroxime (OR, 7.5; 95% CI, 2.7 to 20.8), trimethoprim (ORs, 22.3; 95% CI, 8.6 to 57.8), and tetracycline (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 2.4 to 10.9) than the outpatients. The respective ORs among the short-term-hospitalized patients compared with the outpatients were 4.0 (95% CI, 1.9 to 8.4), 7.5 (95% CI, 2.7 to 20.8), 5.5 (95% CI, 2 to 14), and 2.0 (95% CI, 1 to 4). In 1993 to 1994 compared with 1988, in both hospitals there was a significantly increased risk of colonization by bacilli resistant to ampicillin (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.9 to 5.1), cefuroxime (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 2.1 to 6.7), and tetracycline (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.5). However, the total use of antimicrobial agents increased only among the patients of the short-term-care hospital.
The effects of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine on spinal reflex activity.

The injection of l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalathne (dopa) into acute spinal cats facilitated monosynaptic transmission as indicated by a marked increase in the size of the monosynaptic reflex and a decrease in stimulus-response latency. This was accompanied by a depression of polysynaptic and dorsal root reflexes. The responses to dopa were dose-dependent with minimal effects observed with 5 mg/kg and maximal responses after 40 to 60 mg/kg. The effects of dopa required 15 to 20 minutes to reach a maximum and lasted for 1 to 4 hours, depending on the dose. Pargyline potentiated both the degree and duration of the effects of dopa. The action of dopa on intemneuronal pathways was complex. The excitatory effect of group II and III fibers on the motoneurons was strongly depressed by 10 to 30 mg/kg of dopa as shown by the marked depression of the polysynaptic reflex evoked by high-voltage sural nerve stimulation. These doses of dopa did not affect, or slightly increased the inhibition between opposing muscle groups observed at 2-to 20-msec intervals after a conditioning volley from an antagonistic nerve. Since this inhibition is largely mediated by group II and Ill flexor reflex afferents it is concluded that 10 to 30 mg/kg of dopa selectively depressed group II and III excitatory pathways. Blockade of the group II and III inhibitory pathways occurred with higher doses of dopa. The dorsal root reflex was significantly depressed by dopa, but presynaptic inhibition (as measured by long latency inhibition between nerves of antagonistic muscles) was only slightly depressed by dopa. Concurrently with these changes in reflexes, dopa increased spinal cord catecholamine levels. The injection of 20 mg/kg of dopa increased cord content of dopamine from 0.26 to 8.5 µg/g and norepinephrine from 0.45 to 0.61 µg/g. Thus, dopamine must be considered as a possible mediator of the action of dopa.
Efficient XML Messaging in Ad-Hoc Wireless Networks

XML has become a messaging standard for a wide range of applications including those running on ad-hoc wireless networks such as sensor networks. This paper presents an efficient publish-subscribe system for ad-hoc networks. XML messages are selectively disseminated at near constant rate and then routed to destinations using our proposed geometric routing algorithm which probes for optimal paths. Experiments show that our combined message dissemination and routing system is indeed efficient and scalable
High Susceptibility for Enterovirus Infection and Virus Excretion Features in Tunisian Patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies

ABSTRACT To estimate the susceptibility to enterovirus infection and the frequency of long-term poliovirus excreters in Tunisian patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs), enteroviruses were assessed in stool specimens of 82 patients with humoral, combined, and other PIDs. Isolated viruses were typed and intratyped by standard molecular techniques, and the whole VP1 region of poliovirus isolates was sequenced. Polioviruses were detected in 6 patients; all isolates were vaccine related. Five patients rapidly stopped excretion; one excreted a poliovirus type 1 isolate for several months, and the isolate accumulated up to 14 mutations in the VP1 region. Nonpolio enteroviruses were identified in 6 patients; 4 of them kept excreting the same strain for more than 6 months. The rate of enterovirus infection was 13.4% of the PID patients and 20.7% of those with an IgG defect; it greatly exceeded the rates generally found in Tunisian supposed-immunocompetent individuals (4.1% during the study period; P = 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Interestingly, patients with combined immunodeficiencies were at a higher risk for enterovirus infection than those with an exclusively B cell defect. A major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen expression defect was found in 54% of enterovirus-positive patients and in the unique long-term poliovirus excreter. The study results also suggest that substitutive immunoglobulin therapy may help clearance of a poliovirus infection and that most PID patients have the ability to stop poliovirus excretion within a limited period. However, the high susceptibility of these patients to enterovirus infection reinforces the need for enhanced surveillance of these patients until the use of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) is stopped.
From research-extension linkages to innovation platforms: Formative history and evolution of multi-stakeholder platforms in Ethiopia.

Many different research-extension linkage arrangements have been practiced in Ethiopia. In this paper, the authors review the history and evolution of different linkage mechanisms and show their relative efficacy in developing collaborative learning and action among agricultural development stakeholders. The paper finds that organizational and institutional challenges characterized the history of research-extension linkages in Ethiopia. In recent times, however, informed by many years of experience and new development approaches, linkage mechanisms in Ethiopia have begun to shift from a traditional, technology-oriented research-extension linkage system to a more dynamic, multi-stakeholder innovation platform. Driven by research for development projects, innovation platforms emerged as inclusive and equitable multi-stakeholder forums aimed at developing innovation capacity of a range of development actors in a more market-oriented development system. The paper concludes that linkage facilitation appears to be a key function of extension services in Ethiopia and that extension agents need to have a set of skills to facilitate interactions and learning among farmers, service providers, and processing and marketing actors.