Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical course of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in Danish children.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical course of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RP) with respect to age, disease duration, and maternal condylomas. DESIGN Inception cohort study. SETTING All ear, nose, and throat departments in public Danish hospitals. PATIENTS Fifty-seven Danish children diagnosed with RP and born between 1974 and 1993 were observed for an average of 14 years after diagnosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Removal of respiratory papillomas by knife biopsy, laser surgery, or cryotherapy. RESULTS Children younger than 5 years diagnosed with RP underwent an average of 4.1 surgeries in the first year of disease, the highest rate among all our patients. The overall surgery rate decreased over time after initial diagnosis but remained significantly higher for children with a younger age of onset for the first 4 years of disease (P <.001) and for children with a maternal history of condylomas in pregnancy for years 4 to 10 of the disease (P <.001). We also observed an independent and statistically significant (P <.001) decreasing surgery rate with increasing age and time from initial diagnosis. The trend for children with recurrent disease was a decreasing rate of surgical procedures (28 of 42 patients with recurrent disease); however, a third of patients (14/42) demonstrated a constant or increasing rate of surgical procedures over time. CONCLUSIONS The clinical course of RP is characterized by a high frequency of surgeries soon after diagnosis that diminishes over time and with increasing age. Additional studies are warranted to identify factors associated with cases that do not conform to the usual disease course.
Enterprise finance in Zimbabwe

This report is part of a series of studies on enterprise finance undertaken in Sub-Saharan Africa under the auspices of the multi-donor Regional Program for Enterprise Development (RPED). The report is organized as follows. Chapter one provides background information on Zimbabwe, its economic structure, and its recent history. Chapter two reviews theoretical and empirical literature in search for concepts applicable to enterprise finance in a developing country setting. The authors organize some of these concepts around the theme of contract enforcement and show how it subsumes many information asymmetries and transaction costs. The financial sector of Zimbabwe is briefly described in chapter three. Financial instruments and legal institutions are discussed and the attitude of financial institutions scrutinized. Chapter four focuses on the pattern of enterprise finance in Zimbabwe. Differences among firms in access and cost of various forms of credit are reviewed in detail. Firm size and ethnicity are shown to play an important role in access to external finance. Enforcement problems and information asymmetries are examined in chapter five. Results indicate that credit transactions are more flexible than often believed and that enforcement concerns are central to the credit screening process. They also demonstrate that Zimbabwe benefits from the existence of several overlapping reputation mechanisms that sanction contract performance. Firm growth and investment are reviewed in chapter six. Credit constraints affect firm performance in two ways by restricting their capacity to expand, and by limiting their ability to survive liquidity shocks. The authors synthesize the results at the end of chapter six by constructing a typology of firms and assessing their potential for growth and expansion. Policy implications are presented in chapter seven. Detailed policy prescriptions are derived for various categories of firms. A special emphasis is put on the promotion of indigenous enterprises.
1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits uncoupling protein 2 expression in human adipocytes

We recently demonstrated that suppressing 1α,25‐(OH)2‐D3 by increasing dietary calcium decreases adipocyte intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), stimulates lipolysis, and inhibits lipogenesis. High calcium diets also increase core temperature and white adipose tissue uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) expression in aP2‐agouti transgenic mice. Accordingly, we have evaluated the role of 1α,25‐(OH)2‐D3 in regulating human adipocyte UCP2 expression. Treatment of human adipocytes for 48 h with 1 nM 1α,25‐(OH)2‐D3 inhibited UCP2 mRNA and protein levels by 50% (P<0.002) and completely blocked isoproterenol‐ or fatty acid‐stimulated two‐ to threefold increases in UCP2 expression. However, a specific agonist for the membrane vitamin D receptor (mVDR), 1α,25‐dihydroxylumisterol3, was unable to inhibit basal, isoproterenol‐stimulated, or fatty acid‐stimulated UCP2 expression, whereas a specific mVDR antagonist,1β,25dihydroxyvitamin D3, was unable to prevent the 1α,25‐(OH)2‐D3 inhibition of UCP2 expression. In contrast, nuclear vitamin D receptor (nVDR) knockout via antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) prevented the inhibitory effect of 1α,25‐(OH)2‐D3 on adipocyte UCP2 expression and protein levels. These data indicate that 1α,25‐(OH)2‐D3 exerts an inhibitory effect on adipocyte UCP2 expression via the nVDR. Thus, suppression of 1α,25‐(OH)2‐D3 and consequent up‐regulation of UCP2 may contribute to our previous observation of increased thermogenesis in mice fed with high calcium diets.
Involvement of the HP0165-HP0166 Two-Component System in Expression of Some Acidic-pH-Upregulated Genes of Helicobacter pylori

ABSTRACT About 200 genes of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori increase expression at medium pHs of 6.2, 5.5, and 4.5, an increase that is abolished or much reduced by the buffering action of urease. Genes up-regulated by a low pH include the two-component system HP0165-HP0166, suggesting a role in the regulation of some of the pH-sensitive genes. To identify targets of HP0165-HP0166, the promoter regions of genes up-regulated by a low pH were grouped based on sequence similarity. Probes for promoter sequences representing each group were subjected to electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) with recombinant HP0166-His6 or a mutated response regulator, HP0166-D52N-His6, that can specifically determine the role of phosphorylation of HP0166 in binding (including a control EMSA with in-vitro-phosphorylated HP0166-His6). Nineteen of 45 promoter-regulatory regions were found to interact with HP0166-His6. Seven promoters for genes encoding α-carbonic anhydrase, omp11, fecD, lpp20, hypA, and two with unknown function (pHP1397-1396 and pHP0654-0675) were clustered in gene group A, which may respond to changes in the periplasmic pH at a constant cytoplasmic pH and showed phosphorylation-dependent binding in EMSA with HP0166-D52N-His6. Twelve promoters were clustered in groups B and C whose up-regulation likely also depends on a reduction of the cytoplasmic pH at a medium pH of 5.5 or 4.5. Most of the target promoters in groups B and C showed phosphorylation-dependent binding with HP0166-D52N-His6, but promoters for ompR (pHP0166-0162), pHP0682-0681, and pHP1288-1289 showed phosphorylation-independent binding. These findings, combined with DNase I footprinting, suggest that HP0165-0166 is an acid-responsive signaling system affecting the expression of pH-sensitive genes. Regulation of these genes responds either to a decrease in the periplasmic pH alone (HP0165 dependent) or also to a decrease in the cytoplasmic pH (HP0165 independent).
Effective population size of natural populations of Drosophila buzzatii, with a comparative evaluation of nine methods of estimation

Allozyme and microsatellite data from numerous populations of Drosophila buzzatii have been used (i) to determine to what degree Ne varies among generations within populations, and among populations, and (ii) to evaluate the congruence of four temporal and five single‐sample estimators of Ne. Effective size of different populations varied over two orders of magnitude, most populations are not temporally stable in genetic composition, and Ne showed large variation over generations in some populations. Short‐term Ne estimates from the temporal methods were highly correlated, but the smallest estimates were the most precise for all four methods, and the most consistent across methods. Except for one population, Ne estimates were lower when assuming gene flow than when assuming populations that were closed. However, attempts to jointly estimate Ne and immigration rate were of little value because the source of migrants was unknown. Correlations among the estimates from the single‐sample methods generally were not significant although, as for the temporal methods, estimates were most consistent when they were small. These single‐sample estimates of current Ne are generally smaller than the short‐term temporal estimates. Nevertheless, population genetic variation is not being depleted, presumably because of past or ongoing migration. A clearer picture of current and short‐term effective population sizes will only follow with better knowledge of migration rates between populations. Different methods are not necessarily estimating the same Ne, they are subject to different bias, and the biology, demography and history of the population(s) may affect different estimators differently.
γ‐Aminobutyric Acid Release from Synaptosomes Prepared from Rats Treated with Isonicotinic Acid Hydrazide and Gabaculine

Abstract: The potassium‐stimulated release of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) from synaptosomes was determined in preparations from control rats and from rats treated with a convulsant agent [isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH)] and an anticonvulsant agent (gabaculine). INH treatment brought about a significant decrease in Ca2+‐dependent release of GABA with no effect on Ca2+‐independent release, whereas gabaculine caused an increase in Ca2+‐independent release with no effect on Ca2+‐dependent release of GABA. Thus, the anticonvulsant action of gabaculine was not a simple reversal of the effects of INH on GABA release. The results indicate that there are at least two pools of GABA in nerve endings and support the hypothesis that exogenous GABA is taken up first into a pool that supplies GABA for Ca2+‐independent release and then is transferred to a second pool (Ca2+‐dependent releasable), where it mixes with newly synthesized GABA.
Cofilin: a missing link between T cell co‐stimulation and rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton

The actin cytoskeletal network plays a regulatory role in receptor‐mediated signal‐transducing events. Recently, we have shown that the small actin‐depolymerizing protein cofilin represents a component of a co‐stimulatory signaling pathway in human T cells. Cofilin is dephosphorylated on phosphoserine residues following co‐stimulation via accessory receptors such as CD2, CD4, CD8 or CD28, but not in response to TCR engagement alone. Here we demonstrate that accessory receptor triggering induces the transient association of cofilin with the actin cytoskeleton. Only the dephosphorylated form of cofilin binds to cytoskeletal actin in vivo. The phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 block dephosphorylation of cofilin and its association with the actin cytoskeleton. These results suggest that cofilin provides an as yet missing link between functionally crucial T cell surface receptors and rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton.
Does amblyopia affect educational, health, and social outcomes? Findings from 1958 British birth cohort

Abstract Objective To determine any association of amblyopia with diverse educational, health, and social outcomes in order to inform current debate about population screening for this condition. Design, setting, and participants Comparison of 8432 people with normal vision in each eye with 429 (4.8%) people with amblyopia (childhood unilateral reduced acuity when tested with correction and unaccounted for by eye disease) from the 1958 British birth cohort, with respect to subsequent health and social functioning. Results No functionally or clinically significant differences existed between people with and without amblyopia in educational outcomes, behavioural difficulties or social maladjustment, participation in social activities, unintended injuries (school, workplace, or road traffic accidents as driver), general or mental health and mortality, paid employment, or occupation based social class trajectories. Conclusions It may be difficult to distinguish, at population level, between the lives of people with amblyopia and those without, in terms of several important outcomes. A pressing need exists for further concerted research on what it means to have amblyopia and, specifically, how this varies with severity and how it changes with treatment, so that screening programmes can best serve those who have the most to gain from early identification.
Rapid diversification of measles virus genotypes circulating in Morocco during 2004–2005 epidemics

Measles virus strains circulating in six different regions in Morocco during 2004–2005 were analysed. They were genotyped using two different methods: the recently developed method based on real‐time PCR amplification and melting curve analyses, and the conventional method based on nucleic acid sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 456 nucleotides of the 3′‐region of the nucleoprotein (N) gene sequence. Five genotypes (A, B3.2, C2, D7 and D8) were shown to be circulating during this period. Previous studies on measles virus genotypes in Morocco (1998–2003) showed that only the genotype C2 was present and was considered to be endemic. Sequence comparison of the 2004–2005 viruses with other measles strains suggests that measles strains belonging to genotype B3.2 were probably imported from West Africa, whereas those belonging to genotypes D7 and D8 were imported from Europe. These studies which identify the route of importation of measles are important for developing strategies for measles elimination in Morocco. J. Med. Virol. 78:1465–1472, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The world is doomed… Let’s make apps!Sliding Technology Talent Towards Social Entrepreneurship

This project investigates the motivations of technology entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs for starting new ventures. The driving personal motivations and external, systemic influences on entrepreneurs’ decision making is explored and structured through analytical frameworks. Research consists of a comprehensive literature review that establishes the context and foundational knowledge around the catalysts of entrepreneurialism, both in the high tech and social enterprise sectors; a series of semi-structured one-on-one interviews with technology and social entrepreneurs; and a series of expert interviews with venture capital investors and organizations that support startups. The output of this research is new, primary-research driven insights on entrepreneurial decision making; a stakeholder matrix and systemigram that visually summarizes the problem system; a new framework with which to examine the challenge of shifting technology entrepreneurs towards social benefit efforts; and a series of design recommendations to stakeholders who benefit from implementing that shift.
Social Set Analysis: A Set Theoretical Approach to Big Data Analytics

Current analytical approaches in computational social science can be characterized by four dominant paradigms: text analysis (information extraction and classification), social network analysis (graph theory), social complexity analysis (complex systems science), and social simulations (cellular automata and agent-based modeling). However, when it comes to organizational and societal units of analysis, there exists no approach to conceptualize, model, analyze, explain, and predict social media interactions as individuals' associations with ideas, values, identities, and so on. To address this limitation, based on the sociology of associations and the mathematics of set theory, this paper presents a new approach to big data analytics called social set analysis. Social set analysis consists of a generative framework for the philosophies of computational social science, theory of social data, conceptual and formal models of social data, and an analytical framework for combining big social data sets with organizational and societal data sets. Three empirical studies of big social data are presented to illustrate and demonstrate social set analysis in terms of fuzzy set-theoretical sentiment analysis, crisp set-theoretical interaction analysis, and event-studies-oriented set-theoretical visualizations. Implications for big data analytics, current limitations of the set-theoretical approach, and future directions are outlined.
Decreased Lifespan in the Absence of Expression of the Mitochondrial Small Heat Shock Protein Hsp22 in Drosophila*

Aging is a well regulated biological process involving oxidative stress and macromolecular damages. Three main pathways have been shown to influence lifespan, the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 pathway, the silent regulator pathway, and the target of rapamycin pathway. Among many proteins influencing lifespan, two transcription factors, FOXO and the heat shock factor, have been shown to be involved in the aging process and in small heat shock proteins (sHsps) expression following stress and during lifespan. We have recently shown that overexpressing the mitochondrial Hsp22 increases Drosophila melanogaster lifespan by 32% and resistance to oxidative stress. Here we show that flies that are not expressing this mitochondrial small Hsp22 have a 40% decrease in lifespan. These flies die faster than their matched control and display a decrease of 30% in locomotor activity compared with controls. The absence of Hsp22 also sensitizes flies to mild stress. These data support a key role of sHsps in aging and underline the importance of mitochondrial sHsps in this process.
Structured output-feedback controller synthesis with design specifications

ABSTRACT This paper considers the problem of structured output-feedback controller synthesis with finite frequency specifications. Based on the orthogonal space information of input matrix, an improved parameter-dependent Lyapunov function method is first proposed. Then, a two-stage construction method is designed, which depends on an initial centralised controller. Corresponding design conditions for three types of output-feedback controllers are presented in terms of unified representations. Moreover, heuristic algorithms are provided to explore the desirable controllers. Finally, the effectiveness of these proposed methods is illustrated via some practical examples.
THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF SHARIA-COMPLIANT HOTEL CONCEPT IN MALAYSIA: SWOT ANALYSIS

Halal is the fastest growing industry in Malaysia. Consumers nowadays not only wish to know the nature of what they eat, what they wear, what they put on their skin but they also looking for the type of travelling ease and hospitality that they receive. Awareness towards Halal Hotel industry not only need to get from Hotel provider but it must be develop from customers. This is clearly being defined by law of demand and supply which is producers must supply the goods and services that consumers want, then the market economy will be function. As Malaysia moving towards Halal Hub Country, it is very important to focus on Halal Hotel concept which is significant to Halal tourism industry in Malaysia.Therefore this study will identify the competitive advantages of Sharia-Compliant (Halal) Hotel concept in Malaysia by using SWOT analysis.
Risk Factors in Cesarean Section Infection

Factors associated with risk of postoperative infection after cesarean section were studied in 321 patients not given antibiotic prophylaxis. Infections occurred in 56 (25%) of the 228 patients who were delivered by emergency cesarean section and in eight (9%) of the 93 patients who underwent elective surgery (P <.01). These frequencies corresponded well with the infection rates reported after administration of antibiotics in other studies. Risk factors were: duration of operation more than one hour; blood loss more than 800 ml; presence of Staphylococcus aurens in the nares; signs of intrauterine infection before surgery; and failure of progress in labor. The results indicated that obstetric interventions had been performed more frequently in patients at risk of infection, rather than being the real cause of the infections. The importance of strict preoperative hygienic routine is discussed.
A REVIEW OF SERVICE QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN BANKING SERVICES: GLOBAL SCENARIO

The dynamics of service quality and satisfaction of customer on banks situated in various countries indicates that earlier studies offered no consensus over the subject, to confirm the issues and trends of these factors which regulate service quality and customer satisfaction. Now-a-days all public, private and foreign banks play a vital role in retail banking and provide lot of core banking services to all their rural and urban customers to maintain customer loyalty, retention and providing 100% customer satisfaction. But there is some evidence that few public, private and foreign banks do not give importance to their retail customer relating to maintenance of service quality and customer satisfaction. In this regard, this research paper focuses with a purpose to report the findings of existing literature to identify decompose and define the dynamics of quality service and satisfaction of customer towards all banking services in Global scenario including India. The contribution of the study would broadly be two fold namely quality service and satisfaction of customers in banks across various countries. This literature review based study will definitely help new researchers to identify their research problems for their research study.