Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preferences for and perception of cultured marine baitfish by recreational saltwater anglers in Florida

ABSTRACT There is strong interest in culturing live marine baitfish for anglers. However, there is scant information about saltwater anglers’ perception of cultured baitfish. Thus, a survey was developed and administered to assess recreational saltwater angler’s preferences for baitfish, their attitudes towards cultured baitfish, supply and demand, and specific information about pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) and pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera). An online survey invitation was e-mailed to 227,829 licensed marine recreational anglers in Florida. A total of 14,871 respondents completed some portion of the survey (6.5% response rate). Inshore destinations were the most common fishing trips taken. Live bait was caught by 57.8% of respondents, purchased by 32.1%, and 10.1% did not use live bait. Perceptions of aquaculture as a means of producing bait were 43.8% positive, 20.6% somewhat positive, and 31% unknown. Consistent availability and price were identified by anglers as the two most important characteristics for an aquaculture produced marine baitfish.
Contribution of Flavin Covalent Linkage with Histidine 99 to the Reaction Catalyzed by Choline Oxidase*

The FAD-dependent choline oxidase has a flavin cofactor covalently attached to the protein via histidine 99 through an 8α-N(3)-histidyl linkage. The enzyme catalyzes the four-electron oxidation of choline to glycine betaine, forming betaine aldehyde as an enzyme-bound intermediate. The variant form of choline oxidase in which the histidine residue has been replaced with asparagine was used to investigate the contribution of the 8α-N(3)-histidyl linkage of FAD to the protein toward the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme. Decreases of 10-fold and 30-fold in the kcat/Km and kcat values were observed as compared with wild-type choline oxidase at pH 10 and 25 °C, with no significant effect on kcat/KO using choline as substrate. Both the kcat/Km and kcat values increased with increasing pH to limiting values at high pH consistent with the participation of an unprotonated group in the reductive half-reaction and the overall turnover of the enzyme. The pH independence of both D(kcat/Km) and Dkcat, with average values of 9.2 ± 3.3 and 7.4 ± 0.5, respectively, is consistent with absence of external forward and reverse commitments to catalysis, and the chemical step of CH bond cleavage being rate-limiting for both the reductive half-reaction and the overall enzyme turnover. The temperature dependence of the Dkred values suggests disruption of the preorganization in the asparagine variant enzyme. Altogether, the data presented in this study are consistent with the FAD-histidyl covalent linkage being important for the optimal positioning of the hydride ion donor and acceptor in the tunneling reaction catalyzed by choline oxidase.
A hands-on hands-off approach: governance of managed long-term care services in a context of rapid policy change

ABSTRACT Amidst state-level budgetary pressures and growing elderly populations, many US states have adopted managed care for home-based services funded through the Medicaid program. New York State’s managed care mandate is part of a Medicaid ‘Redesign’ targeting health outcomes, cost control, and administrative efficiency, reflecting features emphasized by both governance and New Public Management frameworks, but neither adequately captures this case. Incorporating a Polanyian perspective can elucidate this market expansion and related reactions and re-regulation. Drawing from interviews with staff of service-providing agencies, this case study reveals outcomes contrary to goals: administrative complexity, containment of care, and unexpected costs.
Chapter 7. Multi-level employment relations in the multinational company: evidence from Allianz SE

In the age of corporate globalisation, building up a labour voice in multinational companies is a major challenge for trade unions (Gil Pinero et al. 2012; Almond and González Menéndez 2013). For decades, trade unions and academics alike have been concerned about the impact multinational companies (MNCs) have on employment and industrial democracy (Marginson 2000; Hyman 1975). Employment relations scholars soon became aware of the need to understand ‘the internal organization and dynamics’ of these ‘enormously powerful’ enterprises in order to identify potential sources of power and resistance for employees (Edwards et al. 1996: 40; 43). Today there ‘remain few parts of the globe where MNCs are not significant employers’ (Almond and González Menéndez 2013: 37). The company level is currently gaining importance in employment relations as sector and national systems come under increasing pressure in a ‘common process of fragmentation’ throughout Europe (Arrowsmith and Pulignano 2013: 207). In this context, European social dialogue arenas are gaining importance as possible instruments for promoting employee voice at transnational level (Hauptmeier and Morgan 2014).
An analysis of glucocorticoid receptor‐mediated gene expression in BEAS‐2B human airway epithelial cells identifies distinct, ligand‐directed, transcription profiles with implications for asthma therapeutics

International asthma guidelines recommend that inhaled glucocorticoids be used as a monotherapy in all patients with mild to moderate disease because of their ability to suppress airways inflammation. Current evidence suggests that the therapeutic benefit of glucocorticoids is due to the transactivation and transrepression of anti‐inflammatory and pro‐inflammatory genes respectively. However, the extent to which clinically relevant glucocorticoids are equivalent in their ability to modulate gene expression is unclear.
Comparative Study on Calretinin Immunoreactivity in Gerbil and Rat Retina

Expression of calretinin in retina has been ascribed to multiple biological and functional aspects in the visual system. In this study, we examined the distribution patterns of calretinin immunoreactivity in gerbil and rat retina. In the gerbil, calretinin immunoreactivity was present in bipolar and amacrine cells of the inner nuclear layer and in neurones of the ganglion cell layer. In the rat, amacrine and ganglion cells showed calretinin immunoreactivity, but bipolar cells did not contain calretinin immunoreactivity. In both species, calretinin immunoreactivity was absent in cones, cone bipolars, and horizontal cells. In conclusion, gerbil as well as rat has a rod‐dominant retina. The differences in calretinin expression between rat and gerbil require further investigations under various functional and developmental conditions.
Hepatitis B virus transcription and replication.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replicates by the reverse transcription of the 3.5-kb viral pregenomic RNA. Therefore, the regulation of the transcription of the pregenomic RNA is a critical step in the viral life cycle. Various ubiquitous and liver-enriched transcription factors have been shown to modulate the level of RNA synthesis from the core promoter. The nuclear hormone receptors HNF4 and RXRalpha plus PPARalpha appear to have a critical role in governing pregenomic RNA synthesis from the core promoter in cell culture and probably represent a major determinant governing the hepatotropism of this virus. The level of 3.5-kb HBV RNA synthesis is approximately proportional to the level of viral replication in cell culture; however, this is not the case in the liver of HBV transgenic mice. Directly modulating the levels or activities of specific transcription factors known to regulate HBV transcription in cell culture can increase viral replication in HBV transgenic mice without greatly changing the levels of HBV transcripts. Various immune stimuli that alter transcription factor activities involved in regulating viral RNA synthesis can negatively affect viral replication without affecting HBV transcription. These observations suggest that in vivo very subtle changes in HBV transcription may contribute to large alterations, either negative or positive, in viral replication. Investigation of transcription factor-null HBV transgenic mice under various physiological conditions will be required to establish the putative role of specific transcription factors in regulating viral replication in vivo.
Understanding the geographic distributions of apomictic plants: a case for a pluralistic approach

Asexual organisms usually have larger, and in the Northern Hemisphere, more northern distributions than their sexual relatives. This phenomenon, called geographical parthenogenesis, has been attributed to predispositions in certain taxa, advantages of polyploidy and/or hybrid origin, advantages of uniparental reproduction, introgression of apomixis into sexuals, niche differentiation of clones, and biotic interactions. Here we focus on the role of uniparental reproduction in colonisation, and the importance of different developmental pathways, i.e. autonomous apomixis which does not require pollination and fertilisation of endosperm nuclei for successful seed set, and pseudogamous apomixis which does. A literature survey suggests that geographical parthenogenesis occurs frequently in species with autonomous apomixis, while the correlation with pseudogamy is poorly documented. However, taxonomic patterns (e.g. predominance of Asteraceae) and also methodological bias may influence estimates of frequencies of geographical parthenogenesis. We demonstrate that a flow cytometric seed screen (FCSS) is a powerful method for assessing pseudogamous vs. autonomous apomixis. We show that population genetic studies provide insights into the genetic diversity of apomicts, but do not give strong support for uniparental reproduction being the only explanation of geographical parthenogenesis. Molecular studies help elucidate the evolutionary and biogeographical history of apomictic complexes, and we conclude that multidisciplinary studies are needed to understand fully the phenomenon of geographical parthenogenesis.
Outcome analysis of cervical adenosquamous carcinoma compared with adenocarcinoma

Objective. To compare survival between patients with cervical adenocarcinoma (AC) and adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC). Design. Retrospective study. Setting. National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Population. All patients with cervical AC or ASC who received definitive treatment from January 1995 to December 2009. Methods. Medical and histopathological record review. Main outcome measures. Overall and recurrence‐free survival. Results. A total of 170 women received a histological diagnosis of AC and 42 of ASC. The median follow‐up was 56.7 months. There were no significant differences in age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, gravidity or treatment modality between women with AC and ASC. Patients with ASC had a higher percentage of poorly differentiated tumors than those with AC (33.3 vs. 15.3%, respectively; p= 0.014). Five year overall and recurrence‐free survival was 66.8 and 58.9%, respectively, for women with AC and 69.5 and 61.9%, respectively, for those with ASC (p= 0.795 and p= 0.892, respectively). Survival outcomes in patients with early or advanced stage disease did not differ between the histological groups. No differences in failure patterns were found between the two groups. The FIGO stage and treatment modality were factors which affected overall and recurrence‐free survival. Conclusions. We did not find evidence to suggest that ASC subtypes indicate worse outcome. Cervical ASC could be categorized as one subtype of AC. The FIGO stage and treatment modalities have greater influence on outcomes than histological subtype.
Retinal mitosis is regulated by dopa, a melanin precursor that may influence the time at which cells exit the cell cycle: Analysis of patterns of cell production in pigmented and albino retinae

A melanin‐associated agent seems to play a role in regulating retinal development. When absent, diverse deficits occur. There is evidence that this agent regulates patterns of mitosis. This study examines retinal development in pigmented and albino rats to identify the regulating agent and its mode of action. Throughout neurogenesis, many more mitotic profiles are found in albinos than pigmented animals. At the peak of retinal neurogenesis, approximately 50% more mitotic profiles are found in albinos than in matched pigmented animals, resulting in abnormal retinal thickening. Concurrently, increasing numbers of pyknotic nuclei are identified, such that later in development retinal thickness normalises. However, the crude centre‐to‐periphery pattern of cell production is preserved. Abnormal cell proliferation is found in a range of albino rat strains, but it is not present in their brains, confirming that the abnormality is ocular and melanin related. Dopa is a critical element in initial stages of melanin synthesis and is present in abnormally low levels in developing albino retinae. Furthermore, it is an antimitotic agent. Addition of dopa to albino eyes in vitro normalises patterns of cell production. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that dopa is a major regulator of retinal cell production and that it influences the capacity of cells to exit the cell cycle. J. Comp. Neurol. 405:394–405, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of pathogens in milk samples of dairy cows with clinical mastitis and in heifers at first parturition

Prevalence of mastitis pathogens in milk samples from dairy cows and heifers was studied over a period of 1 year (Aug 2005–Aug 2006) in ten dairy herds in Germany. Milk samples (n=8240) were collected from heifers without clinical mastitis at parturition (n=6915), from primiparous cows with clinical mastitis (n=751) and from older cows with clinical mastitis (n=574). Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) were the predominant group of bacteria isolated (46·8% of samples) from clinically healthy quarters of primiparous cows around parturition, followed by streptococci (12·6%), coliforms (4·7%) and Staphylococcus aureus (4·0%). Thirty-three percent of samples were negative on culture (range on farm level, 12·0–46·4%). In cases of clinical mastitis in primiparous and older cows, streptococci were the predominant finding (32·1 and 39·2%) followed by CNS (27·4 and 16·4%), coliforms (10·3 and 13·1%) and Staph. aureus (10·0 and 11·7%). Negative results were obtained from 21·3% (range, 0·0–30·6%) and 19·5% (range, 0·0–32·6%) of these samples. Results indicated substantial differences in the prevalence of pathogens among herds. There was a positive within-herd correlation between the monthly prevalences for Streptococcus dysgalactiae between the three groups of samples. This correlation was also found between clinical samples of primiparous and older cows for Staph. aureus. These correlations were not found for the other pathogens. Besides herd, prevalence of pathogens was influenced by parity, type of sample and season.
Prevention of transfusion‐transmitted hepatitis E by donor‐initiated self exclusion

summary. Safety in blood transfusion has all along been focused on blood borne viruses like HIV, hepatitis B and C. However, infective agents that are not usually transmitted through blood may also pose risk to transfusion if the donor gives blood in the early‐viraemic phase. A case report of potential transfusion‐transmitted hepatitis E (HEV) is described. It shows the virus can be transmissible via blood because of the presence of HEV RNA in the blood donated. Pre‐donation health screening was unable to exclude this asymptomatic donor. But donor‐initiated call back system which acts as an additional safety net prevented the release of the potential infective blood products.
Reforming the Liberal Welfare State : International Shocks, Unemployment and Household Income Shares

We would like to thank Suresh Chand Aggarwal, Deb Kusum Das, Wendy Li and participants at the IARIW 34th General Conference, Dresden, Gaaitzen de Vries, Marcel Timmer and seminar participants at Groningen, Holger Gorg, Fredrik Sjoholm, and John Skatun for useful comments and suggestions. This work was supported by the NORFACE ERA-NET (New Opportunities for Research Funding Agency Co-operation in Europe Network) Welfare State Futures Programme, Grant Number 462-14-120. The usual disclaimer applies.
Genome‐wide miRNA signatures of human longevity

Little is known about the functions of miRNAs in human longevity. Here, we present the first genome‐wide miRNA study in long‐lived individuals (LLI) who are considered a model for healthy aging. Using a microarray with 863 miRNAs, we compared the expression profiles obtained from blood samples of 15 centenarians and nonagenarians (mean age 96.4 years) with those of 55 younger individuals (mean age 45.9 years). Eighty miRNAs showed aging‐associated expression changes, with 16 miRNAs being up‐regulated and 64 down‐regulated in the LLI relative to the younger probands. Seven of the eight selected aging‐related biomarkers were technically validated using quantitative RT‐PCR, confirming the microarray data. Three of the eight miRNAs were further investigated in independent samples of 15 LLI and 17 younger participants (mean age 101.5 and 36.9 years, respectively). Our screening confirmed previously published miRNAs of human aging, thus reflecting the utility of the applied approach. The hierarchical clustering analysis of the miRNA microarray expression data revealed a distinct separation between the LLI and the younger controls (P‐value < 10−5). The down‐regulated miRNAs appeared as a cluster and were more often reported in the context of diseases than the up‐regulated miRNAs. Moreover, many of the differentially regulated miRNAs are known to exhibit contrasting expression patterns in major age‐related diseases. Further in silico analyses showed enrichment of potential targets of the down‐regulated miRNAs in p53 and other cancer pathways. Altogether, synchronized miRNA–p53 activities could be involved in the prevention of tumorigenesis and the maintenance of genomic integrity during aging.
The differential effect of estrogen, estrogen–progestin and tibolone on coagulation inhibitors in postmenopausal women

Objectives Hormone therapy increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, possibly through a negative effect on coagulation inhibitors. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of conjugated equine estrogens alone or in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate, low-dose 17β-estradiol combined with norethisterone acetate and tibolone on inhibitors of coagulation. Methods Two hundred and sixteen postmenopausal women received orally either conjugated equine estrogens 0.625 mg (CEE, n = 24) or tibolone 2.5 mg (n = 24) or CEE + medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg (CEE/MPA, n = 34) or 17β-estradiol 1 mg + norethisterone acetate 0.5 mg (E2/NETA, n = 66) or no therapy (control, n = 68) for 12 months. Plasma antithrombin, protein C and total protein S were measured at baseline and at 12 months. Results CEE, CEE/MPA and E2/NETA treatment were associated with a significant decrease in antithrombin levels (CEE: baseline 235.6 ± 47.6 mg/l, follow-up 221.3 ± 48.3 mg/l, p = 0.0001; CEE/MPA: baseline 251.1 ± 38.6 mg/l, follow-up 225.0 ± 42.6 mg/l, p = 0.009; E2/NETA: baseline 257.1 ± 59.4 mg/l, follow-up 227.1 ± 50.4 mg/l, p = 0.007; tibolone: baseline 252.6 ± 62.4 mg/l, follow-up 261.9 ± 59.1 mg/l, p = 0.39). Protein C decreased significantly in the CEE and CEE/MPA groups (CEE: baseline 3.64 ± 1.17 mg/l, follow-up 2.48 ± 1.47 mg/l, p = 0.004; CEE/MPA: baseline 3.24 ± 1.23 mg/l, follow-up 2.61 ± 1.38 mg/l, p = 0.001; E2/NETA: baseline 3.24 ± 1.10 mg/l, follow-up, 3.15 ± 1.11 mg/l, p = 0.08; tibolone: baseline 3.26 ± 1.25 mg/l, follow-up 3.09 ± 1.32 mg/l, p = 0.37). Protein S decreased significantly only in the CEE/MPA group (CEE: baseline 19.4 ± 2.76 mg/l, follow-up 18.0 ± 2.45 mg/l, p = 0.56; CEE/MPA: baseline 18.4 ± 3.42 mg/l, follow-up 14.5 ± 3.43 mg/l, p = 0.005; E2/NETA: baseline 19.0 ± 3.11 mg/l, follow-up 19.5 ± 3.43 mg/l, p = 0.18; tibolone: baseline 18.5 ± 3.09 mg/l, follow-up 18.0 ± 4.09 mg/l, p = 0.32). Conclusions Estrogen and estrogen–progestin therapy are associated with a reduction in coagulation inhibitors, the extent of which depends on the regimen administered. Tibolone appears to have no effect on inhibitors of coagulation.
Liquidity risk and asset pricing

In this dissertation, I investigate the effect of liquidity risk on asset pricing. In the first essay, I test the liquidity-adjusted capital asset pricing model (LCAPM) of Acharya and Pedersen (2005) for 1962-2004 in the US market using various liquidity proxies. In a time-series test with a one-factor (market model), three-factor (excess market return, SMB, and HML) and four-factor model (excess market return, SMB, HML and MOM) as well as in a Fama-MacBeth regression, I find that test results vary according to the liquidity measures used, to the test methodology, to the test assets, and to the weighting scheme. Tests based on the liquidity measure of Amihud (2002), Pastor and Stambaugh (2003) and zero-return proportion show some evidence that liquidity risks are priced, but in most cases, I could not find evidence that supports the LCAPM. The second essay specifies and tests an equilibrium asset pricing model with liquidity risk at the global level. The analysis encompasses 25,000 individual stocks from 48 developed and emerging countries around the world from 1988 to 2004. Though I cannot find evidence that the LCAPM holds in international financial markets, cross-sectional as well as time-series tests show that liquidity risks arising from the covariances of individual stocks’ return and liquidity with local and global market factors are priced. Furthermore, I show that the US market is an important driving force of world-market liquidity risk. I interpret our evidence as consistent with an intertemporal capital asset pricing model (Merton (1973)) in which