Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Co-expression of two genes, a chitinase (chit42) and proteinase (prb1), implicated in mycoparasitism by Trichoderma hamatum

Mycoparasitism of fungal plant pathogens by Trichoderma species is a complex process that involves the production and coordinated secretion of cell-wall degrading enzymes. Genes implicated in mycoparasitism by Trichoderma atroviride contain motifs in the promoter region, designated MYRE1-MYRE4, that are proposed to act as binding sites for a global inducer of the mycoparasitic response. The aim of our study was to establish whether these motifs also were present in Trichoderma hamatum and whether the presence of these motifs could predict co-expression when T. hamatum was confronted by a pathogen. Using a combination of targeted, degenerate and inverse PCR, homologues of the mycoparasitism-related genes ech42 (chit42), prb1 and lam1.3 (xbg1.3-110), which encode an endochitinase, proteinase, and β-1,3-glucanase, respectively, were cloned and sequenced from T. hamatum. Alignment of the promoter regions of the three genes revealed identical regions in the chit42 and prb1 promoters, which were 6–9 base pairs in length and conserved in position. Specifically, the regulator y motifs MYRE1-MYRE4 were fully conserved, together with a fifth motif, identified by this research. A substrate assay designed to investigate the response of these genes from T. harzianum and T. hamatum to a simple carbon source (glycerol) showed that, in contrast to chit42 and prb1, xbg1.3-110 was not expressed. Further comparison of the expression patterns of these three genes between T. harzianum and T. hamatum using the glycerol substrate assay showed that no chit42 or prb1 expression could be detected in T. harzianum when it was grown under the same conditions as T. hamatum. This showed that the response of these genes to glycerol was species specific and that a single expression pattern for these genes was not common to all Trichoderma species. Confrontation assays were used to investigate the response of the three T. hamatum genes to the more complex substrate posed by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Once again gene expression analysis showed that both chit42 and prb1 were co-expressed and moderately induced during confrontation against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Although xbg1.3-110 previously had been implicated in mycoparasitism by T. harzianum, this study detected no xbg1.3-110 expression during confrontation between T. hamatum and S. sclerotiorum. These findings show that the MYRE1-MYRE4 together with MYRE5 are present in two species of Trichoderma, T. atroviride and T. hamatum and that the presence of these motifs could predict co-expression in response to two carbon sources.
Extensionally Completed L-measure Based on any Given Fuzzy Measure

The well known fuzzy measures, λ-measure and P-measure, both of them have only one formulaic solution. A multivalent fuzzy measure with infinitely many solutions was proposed by our previous work, called L-measure, but it is not a completed measure. After that, an improved completed measure with more many solutions than L-measure, called complete L-measure, was also proposed by the author. In this paper, the extensionally completed L-measure is proposed. Some properties of this new measure are discussed, it is proved that not only λ-measure and P-measure but also any given fuzzy measures are the special cases of this new measure. For evaluating the Choquet integral regression models with our proposed new measures and other different ones, a real data experiment by using a 5-fold cross-validation mean square error (MSE) is conducted. The performances of Choquet integral regression models with fuzzy measure based on completed L-measure, L-measure, λ-measure and P-measure, respectively, a ridge regression model and a multiple linear regression model are compared. Experimental result shows that the Choquet integral regression model with respect to the new measure outperforms other forecasting models.
Effect of exercise training on serum leptin levels in type 2 diabetic patients.

To evaluate the effect of exercise training on serum leptin levels 50 sedentary subjects with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in either 6 weeks of aerobic exercise training with diet therapy (n = 23) or diet therapy alone (n = 27). The training program consisted of walking and cycle ergometer exercise for 1 hour at least 5 times per week, with the intensity of exercise maintained at 50% of maximum oxygen uptake. Serum leptin levels decreased significantly in the exercise training (TR) group (7.2 +/- 3.6 to 4.6 +/- 2.5 ng/mL, P <.05), but not in the sedentary (SED) group (6.9 +/- 3.4 to 5.6 +/- 2.9 ng/mL). Leptin levels standardized for percentage body fat (dividing serum leptin level by percentage body fat) after treatment were lower in the TR subjects compared with the SED subjects. Body weight and percentage body fat decreased in all patients; however, no significant changes were observed in either group. Fasting concentrations of plasma insulin and cortisol and the urinary excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) did not differ between the groups either before or after treatment. Fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) improved significantly in both groups, although no significant differences were observed between the groups either before or after treatment. Ventilatory threshold increased significantly in the exercise training subjects. This study demonstrates that exercise training in type 2 diabetic subjects reduces serum leptin levels independent of changes in body fat mass, insulin, or glucocorticoids.
Labour force participation of elderly in India: patterns and determinants

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the labour force participation of older persons (aged 60 and above) in India from 1983 to 2011-2012. The paper also briefly reviews the conditions of work for the elderly and examines different socio-economic and demographic factors that are associated with labour force participation of elderly in India. Design/methodology/approach - – The author uses data from repeated cross-sectional rounds of Employment and Unemployment Surveys of National Sample Survey Office from 1983 to 2011-2012. The author uses probit regression model to identify the socio-economic and demographic variables that are associated with the labour participation of the elderly in India. Findings - – The results show that labour force participation rate of older persons in rural India remained almost stable between 1983 and 2011-2012, despite the rapid economic growth that India experienced during the same period. Further, the results show that among the elderly, those who belong to relatively poor socio-economic status are more likely to participate in the labour force. It is observed that large percentage of the elderly workforce are engaged in poorly paid jobs in the informal sector, either as casual workers or as self-employed in low-skilled or unskilled occupations. Research limitations/implications - – This paper is mostly descriptive in its analysis and it only points to the possible socio-economic and demographic determinants of elderly labour force participation in India. Originality/value - – Given that the studies on employment of elderly in India are scanty, this paper provides new evidence on changes in labour force participation of elderly over last three decades. Further, this study makes an attempts to understand who among the elderly most likely to participation in labour force in India.
Dose–response effects of raw potato starch on small-intestinal escape, large-bowel fermentation and gut transit time in the rat

This study was designed to quantify starch digestion within the small and large bowels separately when raw potato starch (RPS) was included at 0-240 g/kg in diets fed to growing male Wistar rats. RPS was incorporated in the diets at the expense of maize starch which was expected to be almost completely digested in the small bowel. The digestibility of the maize starch was 0.99 but only 0.28 of the RPS was digested before the terminal ileum so that with increasing intakes of RPS there was a progressive increase in starch supply to the large bowel (LB). Of this starch 0.77, 0.72 and 0.73 was fermented in the large bowel when RPS constituted 80, 160 and 240 g/kg diet respectively. With increasing RPS intake, there was a curvilinear response in molar proportion of butyrate in caecal contents with a maximum value at about 80 g RPS/kg diet. The molar proportion of acetate increased linearly, that of propionate was unchanged, whilst proportions of the minor short-chain fatty acids all declined markedly with increasing RPS intake. The novel marker Bacillus stearothermophilus spores (BSS) was compared with CrEDTA in estimation of whole-gut mean transit time (MTT) when given together in a single test meal. Whilst estimates of MTT for the two markers were strongly correlated within individual rats (r2 0.72), BSS produced estimates that were 13 h longer than those based on CrEDTA. Neither marker detected a change in MTT with increasing RPS intake but, with both, the rate constant (k1) for the ‘largest mixing pool’ declined significantly (P < 0.001) as dietary RPS concentration was changed from 0-240g/kg.
Asking the Difficult Questions: Goal-Oriented Visual Question Generation via Intermediate Rewards

Despite significant progress in a variety of vision-and-language problems, developing a method capable of asking intelligent, goal-oriented questions about images is proven to be an inscrutable challenge. Towards this end, we propose a Deep Reinforcement Learning framework based on three new intermediate rewards, namely goal-achieved, progressive and informativeness that encourage the generation of succinct questions, which in turn uncover valuable information towards the overall goal. By directly optimizing for questions that work quickly towards fulfilling the overall goal, we avoid the tendency of existing methods to generate long series of insane queries that add little value. We evaluate our model on the GuessWhat? dataset and show that the resulting questions can help a standard Guesser identify a specific object in an image at a much higher success rate.
Chronic Stress Accelerates Atherosclerosis in the Apolipoprotein E Deficient Mouse

Conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol and blood pressure do not account fully for variation in coronary heart disease suggesting the involvement of additional mechanisms. We have examined the effects of a chronic psychological stress protocol on the development of atherosclerosis in the apolipoprotein E knockout mouse. We observed a 3-fold increase in staining for atheroma accompanied by a 10-fold increase in corticosterone concentrations in mice stressed for 12 weeks. These data suggest that chronic mild stress can induce or accelerate the development of atherosclerosis.
Essays on Foreign Firms Following Deregistration from U.S. Exchanges

In 2007 the SEC introduced Rule 12h-6, which significantly reduced the requirements for cross-listed firms to leave U.S. markets. While the benefits and costs of cross-listing in the U.S. have been widely analyzed in prior literature, questions as to the impact of deregistration on firms, investors, and other parties have been raised given the increase in foreign firms leaving the U.S. over the past decade. In addition, the growing global adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and worldwide regulatory developments over this time period have brought changes to the home markets to which deregistering firms return potentially influencing the impact of deregistration. This dissertation consists of two chapters that analyze samples of foreign cross-listed firms that voluntarily deregister from U.S. equity markets. In Chapter 1, I examine whether a benefit of cross-listing, improved accounting quality, is impacted when foreign firms deregister. In Chapter 2, I examine whether a cost of cross-listing, a fee premium paid to auditors, is impacted when foreign firms deregister. Additionally, in both chapters I analyze the characteristics of the home market that influence these associations. Chapter 1: For a sample of 122 voluntary foreign firm deregistrations from 2004 through 2012, I find that deregistration from the U.S. is associated with greater abnormal accruals, a lower likelihood of reporting a loss, and less timely recognition of economic losses compared to both before the firm deregistered and to a matched control firm that still maintains a U.S. cross-listing. v Upon further examination, I find the decrease in accounting quality is not significant for firms returning to home markets that require IFRS, but rather the significant decrease is attributable only to foreign firms returning to non-IFRS environments. Additional tests show that the level of regulatory quality in the home market, relative to the U.S., is not a significant mitigating factor in the negative association between deregistration and accounting quality. These findings imply that, after controlling for country and regulatory effects, accounting standards play a significant role in explaining the relationship between deregistration from U.S. exchanges and financial reporting quality. Chapter 2: For a sample of 105 voluntary foreign firm deregistrations from 2004 through 2013, I find that deregistration is associated with a decrease in audit fees compared to both before the firm deregistered and to a matched control firm that still maintains a U.S. cross-listing. This significant decrease is attributable only to foreign firms returning to non-IFRS environments, …
Lasting footprints of the employer brand: can sustainable HRM lead to brand commitment?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether both perceived sustainable organizational and supervisor support, which represent a sustainable human resource management (HRM) approach, can induce commitment to the employer brand. Design/methodology/approach – This study includes a diverse sample of 3,016 employees drawn from various German organizations. To test the developed hypotheses, a structural model that included all the hypothesized effects was built, using Mplus 7. Findings – Perceived sustainable supervisor support (PSSS) has a direct effect on brand commitment, whereas perceived sustainable organizational support (PSOS) only generates brand commitment indirectly, mediated by brand prestige, brand distinctiveness, and brand trust. The findings further underline that, compared with PSOS, PSSS has a stronger impact on trust in respect of the employer brand. Originality/value – By considering current employees and their commitment to the employer brand, this study takes an insider vi.
Th17 and Th1 responses directed against the immunizing epitope, as opposed to secondary epitopes, dominate the autoimmune repertoire during relapses of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease with similarities to multiple sclerosis (MS). It has been suggested that relapses of EAE and MS may be associated with, and even driven by, T cells specific for novel epitopes that are primed during the course of tissue destruction in the target organ or in secondary lymphoid tissues. We show, however, that IFNγ and IL‐17 responses against the immunizing epitope remain dominant through out the course of multiphasic EAE. Furthermore, induction of tolerance against a putative secondary epitope did not prevent clinical relapses. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Roy's adaptation model-guided education for adaptation to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

AIM This article is a report of the effects of Roy's adaptation model-based patient education on physical and psychosocial adaptation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. BACKGROUND Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease abound in Turkey, as they do worldwide. Patient education could help in the adaptation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to the disease, as it has with other long-term diseases. DESIGN The study adapted a quasi-experimental design, with a comparison between an intervention group and a control group. METHODS Sixty-five patients with obstructive pulmonary disease participated in this study. The data were collected between December 2008-January 2010. The data collection tool comprised an adaptation of a Roy's adaptation model-based evaluation form and perceived social support from family and friends scale. The intervention group received oral and written education based on Roy's adaptation model, while the control group received a routine follow-up. Data were analysed with paired t-test and analysis of covariance (ancova). FINDINGS The results indicate that education given according to Roy's adaptation model increases adaptation to disease in three modes (physiologic, self-concept and role-function mode). In addition, taking into account interdependence mode as Roy's adaptation model's fourth mode, a statistically significant increase was observed in social support from friends but not from family. CONCLUSION The more intervention for improving interpersonal support - especially perceived as coming from family - the more using Roy's adaptation model to educate patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease could benefit them to increase adaptation to the disease.
Effectiveness of Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy in Children With Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. In children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP), there is only limited evidence for the effectiveness of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT). Objective. To investigate whether 6 weeks of mCIMT followed by 2 weeks of bimanual task-specific training (mCIMT-BiT) in children with unilateral spastic CP improves the spontaneous use of the affected limb in both qualitative and quantitative terms more than usual care (UC) of the same duration. Methods. Children with unilateral spastic CP with Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) scores I, II, or III and aged 2.5 to 8 years were recruited and randomly allocated to either the mCIMT-BiT group (three 3-hour sessions per week: 6 weeks of mCIMT, followed by 2 weeks of task-specific training in goal-directed bimanual play and self-care activities) or to 1.5 hours of more general physical or occupational weekly plus encouragement to use the affected hand for the UC group. Primary outcome measures were the Assisting Hand Assessment and the ABILHAND-Kids. Secondary outcomes were the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, and the Goal Attainment Scale. Results. Twenty-eight children were allocated to mCIMT-BiT and 24 to UC. Except for the Melbourne, all primary and secondary outcome measures demonstrated significant improvements in the mCIMT-BiT group. Conclusion. mCIMT followed by task-specific training of goal-directed bimanual play and self-care activities is an effective intervention to improve the spontaneous use of the more affected upper limb in children with relatively good baseline upper extremity function.
Regionalism as Industrial Policy: Evidence from Mercosur

This paper empirically explores whether trade preferences can be used as a substitute for industrial policy and help countries achieve their industrialization objectives at the expense of other regional members. Results show that Mercado Comun del Sur (MERCOSUR) preferences obtained by Brazilian exporters have led to an increase in exports of relatively sophisticated products in which Brazil does not enjoy a global comparative advantage. On the contrary, smaller members of MERCOSUR export to the region products in which they have strong comparative advantages and with relatively low levels of sophistication. This suggests that MERCOSUR has helped Brazil achieve its industrialization objectives, but has not contributed to the industrialization of its smaller members.
Utility of autopsy in medical education--students' opinions and attitudes.

UNLABELLED Autopsy has been for centuries part of medical education, providing benefits to medical students in terms of knowledge, skills, and development of respect, empathy and compassion. AIM To evaluate the utility of autopsy in medical education based on the opinions and attitudes of medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS A questionnaire was applied to 219 medical students. The answers were grouped according to two main themes: the utility of autopsy in medical education and students' attitudes toward autopsy. RESULTS Most of the respondents considered that autopsy is useful to society, medical practice and medical education. On average, participants felt "moderately uncomfortable" on exposure to the first autopsy. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates the need for medical education to emphasize the utility of autopsy in the medical practice. Extracurricular activities to deepen the medico-legal knowledge and skills would be beneficial for the students who are particularly interested in this specialty. It is also necessary to take into account the possible negative psychological reactions of the students caused by the first exposure to autopsy and identify adequate methods to solve them.
Vaginismus: heightened harm avoidance and pain catastrophizing cognitions.

INTRODUCTION Catastrophic appraisal of experienced pain may promote hypervigilance and intense pain, while the personality trait of harm avoidance (HA) might prevent the occurrence of correcting such experiences. Women inflicted with vaginismus may enter a self-perpetuating downward spiral of increasing avoidance of (anticipated) pain. In vaginismus the anticipation of pain may give rise to catastrophic pain ideation. This may establish hypervigilance toward painful sexual stimuli, which consequently results in negative appraisal of sexual cues. This process could impair genital and sexual responding, intensify pain and trigger avoidance, which in turn may contribute to the onset and persistence of symptoms in vaginismus and to certain extent also in dyspareunia. AIMS To investigate whether women suffering from vaginismus are characterized by heightened levels of habitual pain catastrophic cognitions, together with higher levels of HA. METHODS This study consisted of three groups: a lifelong vaginismus group (N = 35, mean age = 28.4; standard deviation [SD] = 5.8), a dyspareunia group (N = 33, mean age = 26.7; SD = 6.8), and women without sexual complaints (N = 54, mean age = 26.5; SD = 6.7). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES HA scale of Cloninger's tridimensional personality questionnaire, and the pain catastrophizing scale. RESULTS Specifically women inflicted with vaginismus showed significantly heightened levels of catastrophic pain cognitions compared with the other two groups, as well as significant enhanced HA vs. the control group, and a trend vs. the dyspareunia group. Both traits were shown to have cumulative predictive validity for the presence of vaginismus. CONCLUSION This study focused on the personality traits of catastrophizing pain cognitions and HA in women with lifelong vaginismus. Our findings showed that indeed, women suffering from vaginismus are characterized by trait of HA interwoven with habitual pain catastrophizing cognitions. This study could help in the refinement of the current conceptualization and might shed light on the already available treatment options for women with vaginismus.