Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic resistance and expression of resistance-nodulation-division pump- and outer membrane porin-encoding genes in Acinetobacter species isolated from Canadian hospitals.

BACKGROUND Bacterial pathogens belonging to the genus Acinetobacter cause serious infections in immunocompromised individuals that are very difficult to treat due to their extremely high resistance to many antibiotics. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of resistance-nodulation-division (RND) pumps and porins in the antibiotic resistance of Acinetobacter species collected from Canadian hospitals. METHODS Clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species collected from Canadian hospitals were analyzed for the expression of genes encoding RND pumps (adeB, adeG, adeJ, AciBau_2746 and AciBau_2436) and outer membrane porins (carO, 33 kDa porin and oprD) using quantitative reverse transcription (qRT) polymerase chain reaction. Species identification of the isolates was performed using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction method for gyrB. RESULTS The expression of RND pump-encoding genes was widespread in the clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species, with each of the isolates expressing at least one RND pump. adeG was found to be overexpressed in all of the isolates, while adeB was found to be overexpressed in only two isolates. Among the porin-encoding genes, the expression of carO was considerably downregulated among the majority of isolates. CONCLUSION The present study was the first to analyze the expression of RND pump- and porin-encoding genes in the clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species from Canadian hospitals. The overexpression of genes encoding RND pumps and the downregulation of genes encoding porins was common in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter species from Canadian hospitals, with the AdeFGH pump being the most commonly expressed RND pump.
Heterologous Expression of the Desulfovibrio gigas [NiFe] Hydrogenase in Desulfovibrio fructosovorans MR400

ABSTRACT The ability of Desulfovibrio fructosovorans MR400 ΔhynABC to express the heterologous cloned [NiFe] hydrogenase of Desulfovibrio gigas was investigated. The [NiFe] hydrogenase operon from D. gigas,hynABCD, was cloned, sequenced, and introduced intoD. fructosovorans MR400. A portion of the recombinant heterologous [NiFe] hydrogenase was totally matured, exhibiting catalytic and spectroscopic properties identical to those of the nativeD. gigas protein. A chimeric operon containinghynAB from D. gigas and hynC fromD. fructosovorans placed under the control of the D. fructosovorans hynAp promoter was constructed and expressed inD. fructosovorans MR400. Under these conditions, the same level of activity was obtained as with the D. gigashydrogenase operon.
Myocardin-related Transcription Factor Regulates Nox4 Protein Expression

Background: Generation of myofibroblasts, the culprit of fibrosis, requires cytoskeleton remodeling and Nox4 (NADPH oxidase) expression. The link between these events is unknown. Results: Down-regulation/inhibition of the cytoskeleton-controlled transcriptional coactivators, myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF), and TAZ/YAP abrogates Nox4 expression. Conclusion: MRTF and TAZ/YAP are essential for Nox4 expression. Significance: We show new mechanisms whereby the cytoskeleton regulates cellular redox state and fibrogenesis. TGFβ-induced expression of the NADPH oxidase Nox4 is essential for fibroblast-myofibroblast transition. Rho has been implicated in Nox4 regulation, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF), a Rho/actin polymerization-controlled coactivator of serum response factor, drives myofibroblast transition from various precursors. We have shown that TGFβ is necessary but insufficient for epithelial-myofibroblast transition in intact epithelia; the other prerequisite is the uncoupling of intercellular contacts, which induces Rho-dependent nuclear translocation of MRTF. Because the Nox4 promoter harbors a serum response factor/MRTF cis-element (CC(A/T)6GG box), we asked if MRTF (and thus cytoskeleton organization) could regulate Nox4 expression. We show that Nox4 protein is robustly induced in kidney tubular cells exclusively by combined application of contact uncoupling and TGFβ. Nox4 knockdown abrogates epithelial-myofibroblast transition-associated reactive oxygen species production. Laser capture microdissection reveals increased Nox4 expression in the tubular epithelium also during obstructive nephropathy. MRTF down-regulation/inhibition suppresses TGFβ/contact disruption-provoked Nox4 protein and mRNA expression, Nox4 promoter activation, and reactive oxygen species production. Mutation of the CC(A/T)6GG box eliminates the synergistic activation of the Nox4 promoter. Jasplakinolide-induced actin polymerization synergizes with TGFβ to facilitate MRTF-dependent Nox4 mRNA expression/promoter activation. Moreover, MRTF inhibition prevents Nox4 expression during TGFβ-induced fibroblast-myofibroblast transition as well. Although necessary, MRTF is insufficient; Nox4 expression also requires TGFβ-activated Smad3 and TAZ/YAP, two contact- and cytoskeleton-regulated Smad3-interacting coactivators. Down-regulation/inhibition of TAZ/YAP mitigates injury-induced epithelial Nox4 expression in vitro and in vivo. These findings uncover new MRTF- and TAZ/YAP-dependent mechanisms, which link cytoskeleton remodeling and redox state and impact epithelial plasticity and myofibroblast transition.
Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Employment and Economic Output from

When ARRA was being considered, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that it would increase budget deficits by $787 billion between fiscal years 2009 and 2019. CBO now estimates that the total impact over the 2009–2019 period will amount to about $833 billion. By CBO’s estimate, close to half of that impact occurred in fiscal year 2010, and more than 90 percent of ARRA’s budgetary impact was realized by the end of June 2012.
Assessing environmental impacts of ad-hoc truck platooning on multilane freeways

Abstract Truck platooning is an application of connected and automated vehicle technology that has a near-term potential to revolutionize the trucking industry. In addition to potential operational improvements in capacity and flow, its primary benefits include potential reductions in fuel consumption and emissions. In a real-world environment, there are many factors that can influence the ability to form stable and uninterrupted platoons as well as maintain tight platoon spacing. These, in turn, affect the emission benefits of truck platooning. This study developed a mechanism to evaluate truck platooning’s impact on emissions under different scenarios. We modeled truck platooning in VISSIM; a microscopic simulation software and estimated emission rates from second-by-second trajectory data. We used this simulation to evaluate the environmental impact of truck platooning with respect to volume, market penetration rate (MPR) of equipped vehicles, gap setting for platoons, wireless communication quality, and lane use restriction policy. MOVES2014 emission model was used to estimate the emission rates from the vehicle trajectory data with adjusted wind drag coefficients for close spacing during platooning. The results showed that the gap setting of platoons is an important parameter in reducing the emissions where smaller gaps resulted in longer platoons and higher emission reductions. A lane use restriction policy where a platoon is only allowed on the left lane also improves emission benefits because it helps promote platoon formation especially at a low MPR of equipped vehicles.
Long-Time Exposure to Violent Video Games Does Not Show Desensitization on Empathy for Pain: An fMRI Study

As a typical form of empathy, empathy for pain refers to the perception and appraisal of others’ pain, as well as the corresponding affective responses. Numerous studies investigated the factors affecting the empathy for pain, in which the exposure to violent video games (VVGs) could change players’ empathic responses to painful situations. However, it remains unclear whether exposure to VVG influences the empathy for pain. In the present study, in terms of the exposure experience to VVG, two groups of participants (18 in VVG group, VG; 17 in non-VVG group, NG) were screened from nearly 200 video game experience questionnaires. And then, the functional magnetic resonance imaging data were recorded when they were viewing painful and non-painful stimuli. The results showed that the perception of others’ pain were not significantly different in brain regions between groups, from which we could infer that the desensitization effect of VVGs was overrated.
Can Neoclassical Economics Underpin the Reform of Centrally Planned Economies

This paper addresses whether neoclassical economics can provide the intellectual underpinning for a theory of reform. I examine whether the neoclassical model satisfies an essential condition to qualify for this role: does it give us a satisfactory explanation for the vast differences in performance between capitalist and socialist economic systems? First, I focus on the theoretical arguments that have traditionally been used to examine the comparative properties of central planning and markets. I show that developments within theory over the last 20 years have substantially changed the tone of these arguments, making their message more equivocal. Next I discuss empirical evidence, but of a particular sort. Much research shows that centrally planned economies perform less well than market economies; but few studies test whether the superiority of market economies appears within empirical models derived using the framework of basic neoclassical economics. Those studies are the relevant ones for the present exercise. The central conclusion is that economists must look outside the standard models of competition, the focus on Pareto-efficient resource allocation, and the welfare theorems to build a theory of reform.
Differences in blood flow to uterine segments and placentae in relation to sex, intrauterine location and side in pregnant rats.

The effects of location within the left or right uterine horn, position within each uterine horn, and fetal sex on fetal bodymass, blood flow to individual uterine segments associated with fetuses, and blood flow to the maternal portion of the placenta were investigated in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were anaesthetized on day 5, 10, 15, 20, 21 or 22 of pregnancy, and radioactive microspheres with diameters of 15 mm were injected via a left ventricular cannula to measure blood flow to tissues. Tissues were weighed wet, and the rate of blood flow, corrected for wet mass (ml min-1 g-1 tissue), was calculated. Microspheres were not detected in fetuses, suggesting that they did not pass from maternal into fetal blood. Uterine blood flow was greater at the cervical and ovarian ends than in the middle of the uterus; on day 15 the rate of blood flow at the cervical and ovarian ends of each uterine horn was over twice that in the middle. The blood flow to the right uterine horn was greater than to the left horn. Blood flow to placentae increased dramatically between day 15 and day 20. There were marked differences in architecture between the uterine artery feeding the ovarian end of the right and left uterine horn, and blood flow to placentae located at the ovarian end of the right uterine horn was greater than to placentae in the same location in the left uterine horn. The blood flow to placentae and fetal bodymass were greater for female than for male fetuses on day 20, but on day 22 the reverse was observed. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Risk Communication During the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Pandemic: Stakeholder Experiences From Eight European Countries

Abstract Objective We aimed to assess professional stakeholders’ perceptions of the risk-communication difficulties faced during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic in Europe. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts involved in the management of the 2009 swine flu pandemic from different European countries. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Results A total of 25 experts from 8 European countries were interviewed: 9 from the micro-level, 10 from the meso-level, and 6 from the macro-level of employment. The interviews revealed 3 main themes: vaccine issues, communication issues, and general problems. As reasons for the low vaccination coverage, stakeholders mentioned the late arrival of the vaccines, the moderate character of the pandemic, vaccine safety concerns, and a general skepticism toward vaccination. Communication needs varied between the different levels of employment: macro- and meso-level stakeholders preferred fast information but from multiple sources; the micro-level stakeholders preferred one credible source. Throughout Europe, collaboration with the media was perceived as poor and professionals felt misunderstood. Conclusions Professional stakeholders should be enabled to access reliable information rapidly through preestablished channels; emphasis should be placed on establishing sustainable cooperations between experts and the media; and measures to improve trust in health authorities, such as the transparent communication of uncertainties, should be encouraged. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:127-133)
Colour vision as an adaptation to frugivory in primates

Most mammals possess two classes of cone, sensitive to short and to long wavelengths of light, but Old World primates (Catarrhini) have distinct medium and long wavelength sensitive classes. The sensitivities of these cones photopigments are alike in all catarrhines with peaks at about 440 nm (‘blue’), 533 nm (‘green’) and 565 nm (‘red’). One possible reason for the evolution and conservatism of catarrhine trichromacy is that colour vision is a specialization for finding food. A model of retinal coding of natural spectra, based on discrimination thresholds, is used to examine the usefulness of dichromatic and trichromatic vision for finding fruit, and for identifying fruit and leaves by colour. For identification tasks the dichromat’s eye is almost as good as a trichromat’s, but the trichromat has an advantage for detecting fruit against a background of leaves.
Effects of Influential Strategies on Closeness, Relationship Quality, and Cooperation: Franchisees’ Perspectives in Food-Service Industry

Studies show that closeness, trust, and satisfaction play key roles in the relationship between service providers and customers. Once these attributes have been established, a relationship of longevity and cooperation can ensue. This study seeks to find a relationship between relational influence strategy and mandatory influence strategy as it applies to closeness, trust, and satisfaction in the Korean food-service franchise industry. This research found that relational influence strategy is positively related to closeness, but not to satisfaction and trust. This research also found that mandatory strategy influence is positively related to trust and satisfaction, but not to closeness. This research also posits that a franchisor should hire a capable district manager (also called regional manager or boundary spanner in the channel marketing literature) in order to facilitate and maintain positive franchisor and franchise relationships and to serve as a trusting liaison between the franchisor and franchisee.
An Examination of the Narrow Window of Opportunity for Concurrent Regular Way and When-issued Trading

We examine the influence of concurrent regular way and when-issued trading on spin-off ex-date returns and order flow. Consistent with previous studies, we find positive parent and negative subsidiary when-issued premiums during this brief market period. In addition to the results paralleling prior research, we report that the change from negative when-issued trading to positive ex-date returns reflects support for the order flow imbalance versus the convenience argument for subsidiary shares. Also, we observe that spin-offs with when-issued trading outperform spin-offs that had regular way, but no when-issued trading. Moreover, our study confirms that when-issued premiums are temporary for carve-out/spin-off combinations.
The Value of Coenzyme Q10 Determination in Mitochondrial Patients

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) is a lipid that is ubiquitously synthesized in tissues and has a key role in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Its biochemical determination provides insight into the CoQ status of tissues and may detect CoQ deficiency that can result from either an inherited primary deficiency of CoQ metabolism or may be secondary to different genetic and environmental conditions. Rapid identification of CoQ deficiency can also allow potentially beneficial treatment to be initiated as early as possible. CoQ may be measured in different specimens, including plasma, blood mononuclear cells, platelets, urine, muscle, and cultured skin fibroblasts. Blood and urinary CoQ also have good utility for CoQ treatment monitoring.
Optimally Reconciling Forecasts in a Hierarchy

We know that when forecasting the product hierarchy, reconciliation is invariably needed to make the sum of lower-level forecasts equate to the upperlevel forecasts. The authors argue that the traditional Bottom-Up, Top-Down, and Middle-Out procedures for reconciliation all fail to make best use of the available data. They show we can do better by taking weighted averages of the forecasts from different levels, an approach they call optimal reconciliation. Copyright International Institute of Forecasters, 2014
"We are not NEET": How categories frame (mis)understanding and impede solutions

As the effects of the economic re-structuring through the financial crisis are hitting the European labour market, the NEET category turns problematic and too wide to be a useful tool of analysis and social policy planning, a return to its original and limited meaning is envisaged. Disentangling this category can help us to understand why it is no longer a useful tool and to identify new strategies for analysing youth labour vulnerability and possible resources for building more resilient and inclusive labour markets. In the first part of the paper we assess the origin of the NEET label in the European Union as a category emerging from a widening concern about youth unemployment and social exclusion. Then we focus on different statuses and meanings lying behind this category in the Italian case, in order to show the multiple challenges that a growing number of young underemployed or inactive can pose to social integration and labour market resilience. The third step is to examine the current labour policies that target youth unemployment and inactivity. Beside educational and social policies the new policies adopted by Italy in this field are the development of apprenticeship and internship. The first has a long history but it was recently reshaped trying to follow the model of the German dual system. The second was legally introduced by the end of 90's and had a widespread use on the labour market without positive effects on the resilience of youth. Nevertheless it was widely used by the European program of Youth Guarantee. Our analysis draws on Eurostat and national statistical data and on 25 interviews to Italian policy makers and experts.
Topographical projection from the hippocampal formation to the amygdala: A combined anterograde and retrograde tracing study in the rat

The hippocampal formation and amygdala are responsible for regulating emotion, learning, and behavior. The hippocampal projection to the amygdala has been demonstrated to originate in the subiculum and adjacent portion of field CA1 of the Ammon's horn (Sub/CA1) in the rat; however, the topographical organization of this pathway is still understudied. To make it clear, we performed anterograde and retrograde tracing with biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) and cholera toxin B subunit (CTb), respectively, in the rat. A series of BDA experiments revealed that the temporal‐to‐septal axis of origin determined a medial‐to‐lateral axis of termination in the amygdala. Briefly, the temporal region of the Sub/CA1 projects preferentially to the medial amygdaloid region including the medial, intercalated, and basomedial nuclei and the amygdalohippocampal transition area, and progressively more septal portions of the Sub/CA1 distribute their efferents in more lateral regions of the amygdala. Sub/CA1 fibers distributed in the central amygdaloid nucleus were relatively few. Retrograde tracing with CTb confirmed this topography and revealed little hippocampal innervation of the central nucleus of the amygdala. These observations suggest that distinct Sub/CA1 regions arranged along the longitudinal hippocampal axis may influence distinct modalities of the amygdala function. J. Comp. Neurol. 496:349–368, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mast cells are activated by Staphylococcus aureus in vitro but do not influence the outcome of intraperitoneal S. aureus infection in vivo

Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen that can cause a broad spectrum of serious infections including skin infections, pneumonia and sepsis. Peritoneal mast cells have been implicated in the host response towards various bacterial insults and to provide mechanistic insight into the role of mast cells in intraperitoneal bacterial infection we here studied the global effects of S. aureus on mast cell gene expression. After co‐culture of peritoneal mast cells with live S. aureus we found by gene array analysis that they up‐regulate a number of genes. Many of these corresponded to pro‐inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin‐3, interleukin‐13 and tumour necrosis factor‐α. The cytokine induction in response to S. aureus was confirmed by ELISA. To study the role of peritoneal mast cells during in vivo infection with S. aureus we used newly developed Mcpt5‐Cre+ × R‐DTA mice in which mast cell deficiency is independent of c‐Kit. This is in contrast to previous studies in which an impact of mast cells on bacterial infection has been proposed based on the use of mice whose mast cell deficiency is a consequence of defective c‐Kit signalling. Staphylococcus aureus was injected intraperitoneally into mast‐cell‐deficient Mcpt5‐Cre+ × R‐DTA mice using littermate mast‐cell‐sufficient mice as controls. We did not observe any difference between mast‐cell‐deficient and control mice with regard to weight loss, bacterial clearance, inflammation or cytokine production. We conclude that, despite peritoneal mast cells being activated by S. aureus in vitro, they do not influence the in vivo manifestations of intraperitoneal S. aureus infection.