Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Localisation and expression of TRPV6 in all intestinal segments and kidney of laying hens

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the localisation and expression of the epithelial Ca2+ channel TRPV6 (transient receptor potential vanilloid channel type 6) in different intestinal segments and kidney of laying hens during peak lay. 2. Immunohistochemical analysis of the intestine indicated that TRPV6 was localised to the brush-border membranes of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum, and rectum. Expression was weaker in the rectum, and little or no expression was found in crypt and goblet cells. In addition, TRPV6 mRNA was quantified amongst different intestinal segments, and expression was highest in the duodenum and jejunum. Furthermore, Western blotting indicated that the duodenum expressed the greatest amount of TRPV6 and the rectum the least with the other segments expressing intermediate levels. 3. In the kidney, distinct immunopositive staining for TRPV6 was detected at the apical domain of the distal convoluted tubules (DCT) and medullary connecting tubules (CNT). Interestingly, distribution of TRPV6 extended to the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT). Furthermore, the kidney expressed lower TRPV6 mRNA and protein levels compared with that in the duodenum. 4. In conclusion, the epithelial Ca2+ channel TRPV6 is strongly expressed in the apical cells of the entire intestine and the renal tubules, suggesting that active Ca2+ transcellular transport plays a crucial role in dietary calcium (re)absorption in laying hens.
Virtual environments for vocational training : user experience in culinary education

Although Virtual Environments (VE) with various levels of immersion have been used and evaluated in vocational and adult training with positive results, no such environments exist for culinary education. The aim of this study was to design a VE for culinary education and evaluate it in terms of user experience with two different levels of immersion: low (desktop) and high (Head Mounted Display HMD). Twenty-four students and graduates of an Institute of Vocational Training specializing in either ICT or Culinary arts participated in this study. Results showed no significant differences in terms of spatial presence, usability and workload between the two interfaces. Nevertheless, participants using the HMD interface needed more time to complete a recipe and experienced much higher simulator sickness. It seems that the lower immersion interface is more appropriate for this specific VE.
Optimal Bank Capital

This paper reports estimates of the long-run costs and benefits of banks funding more of their assets with loss-absorbing capital, or equity. Measuring those costs requires careful consideration of a wide range of issues about how shifts in funding affect required rates of return and on how costs are influenced by the tax system; it also requires a clear distinction to be drawn between costs to individual institutions (private costs) and overall economic (or social) costs. Without a calculation of the benefits from having banks use more equity no estimate of costs--however accurate--can tell us what the optimal level of bank capital is. We use empirical evidence on UK banks to assess costs; we use data from shocks to incomes from a wide range of countries over a long period to assess risks to banks and how equity funding (or capital) protects against those risks. We find that the amount of equity capital that is likely to be desirable for banks to use is very much larger than banks have used in recent years and also higher than targets agreed under the Basel III framework.
Subfertility and risk of spontaneous abortion.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the association between subfertility and spontaneous abortion. METHODS A total of 1572 women in New York and Vermont reported 3269 pregnancies between 1980 and 1990 and were able to provide an estimate of the waiting time to conception for 2967. Subfertility was defined as a delay of 1 year or more before a recognized conception was achieved. Rates of spontaneous abortion were determined among women with and without subfertility, and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated via multiple logistic regression. RESULTS Spontaneous abortion rates were 23.0% in pregnancies preceded by subfertility and 14.0% in pregnancies without impaired fertility (adjusted OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.26, 2.94). The attributable risk of spontaneous abortion associated with subfertility was 6.2%. CONCLUSIONS Subfertile women evidence an increased number of spontaneous abortions.
Endothelin in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood in Spontaneous Labor and at Elective Cesarean Delivery

We measured endothelin-1, a potent vasoconstrictor peptide released by the vascular endothelium, in maternal, umbilical cord, and retroplacental blood plasma in cases of spontaneous and elective cesarean delivery. Mean (± standard error) endothelin-1 in the maternal plasma increased with advancing pregnancy, from 1.2 ± 0.13 pmol/L at 32-34 weeks to 2.4 ± 0.2 pmol/L at 38-41 weeks (P<.01) and 3.4 ± 0.3 pmol/L (P<.02) during labor. Concentrations were significantly higher in umbilical cord plasma than in maternal venous plasma, and higher in the cord venous plasma after vaginal delivery (52.9 ± 11.4 pmol/L) than after cesarean performed before the onset of labor (9.0 ± 1.1 pmol/L) (P<.001). In spontaneous labor, concentrations in the retroplacental blood plasma (23.3 ± 4.5 pmol/L) were approximately ten times higher than those in the maternal peripheral blood. Levels in the umbilical cord and retroplacental blood plasma were the highest found so far in any physiologic condition, suggesting that an increased intrauterine release of endothelin-1 at delivery may promote constriction of the blood vessels in the umbilical cord and placental bed.
Vaccine Protection of Bangladeshi Infants and Young Children Against Cholera: Implications for Vaccine Deployment and Person-to-Person Transmission

Background: Killed oral cholera vaccines are internationally licensed for older children and adults, but not for infants and young children. We investigated whether mass immunization of older children and adults can confer herd protection to children too young to be vaccinated. Methods: We analyzed the first year of surveillance of an individually randomized, placebo-controlled trial of killed oral cholera vaccines in 89,596 older Bangladeshi children and adult women. Vaccine herd protection of children less than 2 years of age, who were too young to participate in the trial, was evaluated by determining whether the incidence of cholera during the first year of follow-up of this age group was lower in residential clusters with higher levels of vaccine coverage than in clusters with lower levels of vaccine coverage. Results: Vaccine coverage of the targeted population ranged from 4% to 65% in different clusters. The incidence (cases per 1000) of cholera among children less than 2 years of age ranged from 18.9 in clusters in the lowest quintile of vaccine coverage to 8.6 in clusters in the highest quintile (P = 0.004 for the inverse association between vaccine coverage and risk of cholera) Vaccine coverage of adult women (relative risk of cholera = 0.95 for each percent increase in vaccine coverage; 95% confidence interval: 0.92–0.99; P < 0.01), but not of older children, was independently associated with a lower risk of cholera in children less than 2 years of age. Conclusions: Vaccination of older age groups was associated with protection of children too young to be vaccinated. The pronounced herd protection of young children associated with vaccination of adult women suggests that adult women may play a prominent role in the transmission of cholera to young children in this setting.
Arterial calcifications in uraemic rats treated with 1-alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol and parathyroidectomy.

The effect of 1-alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol (1-alpha-OH-D3) on the incidence of arterial calcifications, and the influence of parathyroidectomy on the effect of this vitamin D treatment, were studied in uraemic rats. Uraemia was induced by 3/4 kidney resection, and parathyroidectomy was achieved by electrocoagulation. 1-alpha-OH-D3 in a dose of 3, 10 or 125 ng/100 g body weight (b.w.) was given in the drinking water. The animals were killed after 12 or 16 weeks. Aorta and small arteries in the heart and in anterior tibial muscle were studied by light microscopy. Arterial lesions were frequently found in uraemic rats and were characterized by medial necrosis and calcifications. Following a 1-alpha-OH-D3 dose of 125 ng/100 g b.w. in uraemic rats both serum calcium and serum phosphate were increased and there was a high incidence of arterial calcifications both in the aorta and the small arteries. In uraemic rats receiving 10 ng/100 g b.w. of 1-alpha-OH-D3 serum calcium was only slightly elevated although the incidence of arterial calcifications (mainly in the aorta) was such higher than in uraemic rats without vitamin-D treatment. A dose of 3 ng/100 g b.w. of 1-alpha-OH-D3 given to uraemic rats did not result in any serum calcium increase, nor did it alter the incidence of arterial calcifications. Parathyroidectomy prevented arterial calcifications. Parathyroidectomy prevented arterial calcification in uraemic rats, but this effect was abolished by 1-alpha-OH-D3 in a dose of 10 ng/100 g b.w. which only raised the serum calcium to a subnormal value. In uraemia, treatment with 1-alpha-OH-D3 may increase the serum calcium X phosphate product, but this cannot fully explain the increased incidence of arterial calcifications. It is therefore suggested that vitamin D causes changes in the arterial wall which increase its susceptibility to the development of calcifications.
An audit of retail beef loin steak tenderness conducted in eight U.S. cities.

An audit of supermarkets in eight U.S. cities was conducted to characterize retail beef loin steaks with respect to grade, postfabrication aging, and tenderness and to provide an interim measure of progress in industry efforts to improve retail beef tenderness. Top sirloin steaks (n = 819) and strip loin steaks (n = 827 paired steaks) were purchased at retail markets in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Seattle and shipped to Colorado State University for measurement of shear force (both cut types) and evaluation by a trained sensory panel (strip loins only). Approximately 80% of the steaks originated from beef plants in Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, and Colorado. Postfabrication aging periods ranged from 2 to 87 d (mean = 20.8 d) for top sirloin steaks and from 2 to 91 d (mean = 19.2 d) for strip loin steaks, although most top sirloin (85%) and strip loin (91%) steaks were available for purchase 7 to 35 d after fabrication. The mix of quality grades was similar for both cuts: 60% Select, 31% "commodity" Choice, 6 to 7% "Certified" Choice, and 2 to 3% Prime. Shear force averaged 3.46 kg (SD = .74) for top sirloins and 3.05 kg (SD = .95) for strip loins; 75% of both steak types had shear force values between 2 and 4 kg. Postfabrication periods shorter than 7 d were associated with reduced (P < .05) tenderness, especially for top sirloin steaks. Higher quality grades were associated with greater (P < .05) tenderness (Prime > Choice > Select) for both cuts. Based on panel tenderness ratings, the approximate odds of obtaining a "slightly tough" or tougher strip loin steak at a retail supermarket were: 0 for Prime, 1 in 10 for "Certified" Choice, 1 in 5 for "commodity" Choice, and 1 in 4 for Select. Audit results suggest that tenderness characteristics of loin steaks have not changed materially since the National Beef Tenderness Survey was conducted in 1991 and that two primary focal points of the beef industry's efforts to improve tenderness should be 1) to prevent short-aged (< 7 d postfabrication) product from reaching consumers and 2) to identify methods for enhancing tenderness of Select and "commodity" Choice beef.
An automated monitoring system for surveillance and KPI calculation

Monitoring is one of the key points in any retrofitting project because, thanks to its results, both the current and improved status can be analysed. Within this context, not only monitoring is important, but also consistency and coherency of data, as well as aggregated information is required. In that sense, surveillance methods and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) play a pivotal role. Thus, the project iNSPiRe develops an automated monitoring system able to store daily information, as well as automatically calculate KPIs by means of database technologies and determines alarms at different levels. With the obtained results, iNSPiRE aims at conceiving, developing and demonstrating Systemic Renovation Packages, through the innovative integration of envelope technologies, energy generation (including Renewable energy systems (RES) integration), energy distribution, lighting and comfort management systems into deep energy renovation of buildings, both in the residential and tertiary sectors. Then, the combination of the automated monitoring framework and the renovation packages, the goal is to achieve energy consumption for the building lower than 50 kWh/m2/year.
Role of phosphorylated Thr160 for the activation of the CDK2/Cyclin A complex

The enzymatic activity of the CDK2/Cyclin A complex increases upon the specific phosphorylation of Thr160@CDK2. In the present study, we have performed a comparative molecular dynamics (MD) study of models of the complex CDK2/Cyclin A/Substrate, which differ for the presence or absence of the phosphate group bound to Thr160. The models are based on two X‐ray structures available for CDK2/CyclinA and pCDK2/CyclinA/Substrate complexes. In this way, we analyze the influence of the phosphorylated Thr160 (pThr160) on both the flexibility of CDK2 activation loop (AL) and substrate binding in CDK2. Our calculations point to a decreased flexibility of the AL in the phosphorylated model, in fairly good agreement with experimental data, and to a key role of pThr160 for substrate recognition and stability. Multiple alignments of the CDKs sequences point to the very high conservation of the AL sequence among the CDKs, thus extending our results to all CDKs. Proteins 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparing Value and Growth Mutual Performance : Bias from the Fama-French HML Factor

We argue that loadings on the HML factor cause the Fama-French three-factor model to provide a downward bias of the performance of value portfolios. It is shown that v lue dominates growth in comparisons of realized ri sk and returns. When using only the market and the size factors to adjus t returns, growth always has significantly negative risk-adjusted returns and value always has positive risk-adjusted returns. Al though realized risk is always significantly lower for value portfolios, including HML in measuring risk-adjusted returns results in an i ncrease in risk-adjusted returns for growth portfol ios and a decrease in risk-adjusted returns for value portfol ios.
Impact of a school-based pediatric obesity prevention program facilitated by health professionals.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated a school-based obesity intervention for elementary school children (N = 835) where health professionals assisted teachers with the integration of healthy messages into the school curriculum. METHODS Schools were randomized into a professional-facilitated intervention (PFI; N = 4) or a self-help (SH; N = 3) condition. Changes in weight-based outcomes were assessed in students enrolled in the second grade from all 7 schools (overall: N = 835 students; PFI: N = 509 students, SH: N = 326 students). Students were between ages 7 and 9 and from diverse ethnic backgrounds (Asian = 25.3%, Black = 23.3%, Hispanic = 23.1%, White = 28.3%). The sample included 321 overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 85th percentile), 477 normal-weight (BMI ≥ 5th percentile and <85th percentile), and 37 underweight (BMI < 5th percentile) students. RESULTS After 2 years, children who were overweight/obese in the PFI condition significantly reduced their standardized BMI (zBMI) compared to children in the SH condition (Wald χ(2) = 28.7, p < . 001). End-of-year grades decreased for overweight/obese students in both conditions; however, students in the PFI exhibited a smaller decrease in grades compared to the SH condition (Wald χ(2) = 80.3, p < . 001). CONCLUSION The results indicate that an obesity prevention program where health professionals assist teachers by integrating healthy messages into existing curriculum was effective in reducing zBMI compared to the SH condition.
Magnetic polarizability tensors for low frequency object classification and detection

There is considerable interest in obtaining a low-cost mathematical description, which describes the interaction between a low frequency alternating magnetic field and a conducting object. Electrical engineers have proposed that the voltage perturbation in a coil placed in the field can be described in terms of a tensor that characterises its shape and material properties. In previous work [4], [6], we have obtained an explicit expression for the tensor's computation. This presentation extends on this to include a Bayesian inverse solution for the tensor coefficients of different objects. This has important applications in metal detectors for landmine clearance and airport security.
Extended Instruction in Business Courses to Enhance Student Achievement in Math

Extended Instruction in Business Courses to Enhance Student Achievement in Math by Lessie M. Houseworth EdS, Walden University, 2010 MS, Indiana University, 1989 BS, Indiana University, 1976 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education
LONG-TERM EVALUATION OF VITREOMACULAR TRACTION DISORDER IN SPECTRAL-DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

Purpose: The aim of this article was to estimate the natural course of vitreomacular traction (VMT) disorder using high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Methods: Nineteen eyes of 19 patients with idiopathic symptomatic VMT and who underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic follow-up examinations were included in the retrospective observational study. The average observation period of all patients who underwent the examination was 8 months (±4.4 months). We observed microstructural changes in the macula and the position, length, and vector forces of the attached vitreous in the macular surface. Results: Mean best-corrected visual acuity in the first examination was logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.40 ± 0.37, and the final best-corrected visual acuity was logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.30 ± 0.32 (P > 0.05, t-test). The vitreous was totally detached in the macular region (posterior vitreous detachment) in 9 of 19 eyes in the last examination. Complete disappearance of intraretinal cystoid spaces occurred in 6 of 19 eyes, and in all these eyes, posterior vitreous detachment was present. In two eyes with outer lamellar macular hole, posterior vitreous detachment occurred and the outer lamellar macular hole closed. In one eye, a full-thickness macular hole developed, and in one eye, lamellar macular hole developed. In one eye with lamellar macular hole in the first examination, this spontaneously closed. In three eyes, macular morphology and vitreous adhesion did not change. Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) were recorded in six eyes, and in one of these eyes, ERMs developed during the follow-up. In eyes in which totally detached vitreous in the macular region (posterior vitreous detachment) was noted in the follow-up (9 eyes), mean maximal horizontal vitreous surface adhesion was 180 ± 84 μm. These eyes were without ERM. In eyes with persistent VMT in the follow-up (10 eyes), mean maximal horizontal vitreous surface adhesion was 600 ± 385 μm. In 6 of these 10 eyes, we recorded ERM in the last examination (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitreous surface adhesion and persistence of ERM may be the prognostic factors for the natural course of the VMT. We observed spontaneous resolution of VMT in eyes with less vitreous surface adhesion and without ERMs. In eyes with higher vitreous surface adhesion or coexisting ERM, pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling should perhaps be performed.
Effect of Motivation on Job Satisfaction of Selected Sales Representatives

Sales managers are concerned with motivation of individual salespersons as well as motivation of the entire sales force. A well motivated salesperson is expected to be satisfied with his or her job. Consequently, he or she is expected to render satisfying services to the customers. This study was able to examine intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation separately and their effects on job satisfaction. Copies of questionnaire were distributed randomly to the sales representatives of the sampled four service firms for the study. Two hypotheses were developed and were subjected to regression analysis. It was discovered that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations are crucial to enriching the job satisfaction of the sales representatives. The study makes useful recommendations which entrepreneurs and sales managers will find very useful if implemented. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2014. v4n1p197
Characterization of Immunological Cross-Reactivity between Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Heat-Stable Toxin and Human Guanylin and Uroguanylin

ABSTRACT Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expressing the heat-stable toxin (ST) (human-type [STh] and porcine-type [STp] variants) is among the five most important enteric pathogens in young children living in low- and middle-income countries. ST mediates diarrheal disease through activation of the guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) receptor and is an attractive vaccine target with the potential to confer protection against a wide range of ETEC strains. However, immunological cross-reactivity to the endogenous GC-C ligands guanylin and uroguanylin is a major concern because of the similarities to ST in amino acid sequence, structure, and function. We have investigated the presence of similar epitopes on STh, STp, guanylin, and uroguanylin by analyzing these peptides in eight distinct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). A fraction (27%) of a polyclonal anti-STh antibody and an anti-STh monoclonal antibody (MAb) cross-reacted with uroguanylin, the latter with a 73-fold-lower affinity. In contrast, none of the antibodies raised against STp, one polyclonal antibody and three MAbs, cross-reacted with the endogenous peptides. Antibodies raised against guanylin and uroguanylin showed partial cross-reactivity with the ST peptides. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that immunological cross-reactions between ST and the endogenous peptides can occur. However, the partial nature and low affinity of the observed cross-reactions suggest that the risk of adverse effects from a future ST vaccine may be low. Furthermore, our results suggest that this risk may be reduced or eliminated by basing an ST immunogen on STp or a selectively mutated variant of STh.