Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fatty Acid and Carotenoid Production by Sporobolomyces ruberrimus when Using Technical Glycerol and Ammonium Sulfate RAZAVI

The production of carotenoids, lipid content, and fatty acid composition were all studied in a strain of Sporobolomyces ruberrimus when using different concentrations of technical glycerol as the carbon source and ammonium sulfate as the nitrogen source. The total lipids represented an average of 13% of the dry weight, and the maximum lipids were obtained when using 65.5 g/l technical glycerol (133.63 mg/ g). The optimal conditions for fatty acid production were at 27oC using 20 g of ammonium sulfate and a pH range from 6 to 7, which produced a fatty acid yield of 32.5±1 mg/g, including 1.27±0.15 mg of linolenic acid (LNA), 7.50±0.45 mg of linoleic acid (LLA), 5.50±0.35 mg of palmitic acid (PA), 0.60±0.03 mg of palmitoleic acid (PAL), 1.28±0.11 mg of stearic acid (SA), 9.09±0.22 mg of oleic acid, 2.50±0.10 mg of erucic acid (EA), and 4.25±0.20 mg of lignoceric acid (LCA), where the palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids combined formed about 37% of the total fatty acids. The concentration of total carotenoids was 2.80 mg/g when using 20 g of ammonium sulfate, and consisted of torularhodin (2.70 mg/g) and β-carotene (0.10 mg/ g), at 23oC and pH 6. However, the highest amount with the maximum specific growth rate was obtained (μmax=0.096 h -1) with an ammonium sulfate concentration of 30 g/l.
O ct 2 01 7 A Study of a long duration B 9 flare-CME event and associated piston-driven shock

We present and discuss here the observations of a small long duration GOES Bclass flare associated with a quiescent filament eruption, a global EUV wave and a CME on 2011 May 11. The event was well observed by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), GONG Hα, STEREO and HiRAS spectrograph. As the filament erupted, ahead of the filament we observed the propagation of EIT wave fronts, as well as two flare ribbons on both sides of the polarity inversion line (PIL) on the solar surface. The observations show the co-existence of two types of EUV waves, i.e., a fast and a slow one. A type II radio burst with up to the third harmonic component was also associated with this event. The evolution of photospheric magnetic field showed flux emergence and cancellation at the filament site before its eruption. ∗Corresponding author Email address: rchandra.ntl@gmail.com (R. Chandra) Preprint submitted to Elsevier July 22, 2018
Long-term efficacy and safety of thalamic stimulation for drug-resistant partial epilepsy

Objective: To report long-term efficacy and safety results of the SANTE trial investigating deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) for treatment of localization-related epilepsy. Methods: This long-term follow-up is a continuation of a previously reported trial of 5- vs 0-V ANT stimulation. Long-term follow-up began 13 months after device implantation with stimulation parameters adjusted at the investigators' discretion. Seizure frequency was determined using daily seizure diaries. Results: The median percent seizure reduction from baseline at 1 year was 41%, and 69% at 5 years. The responder rate (≥50% reduction in seizure frequency) at 1 year was 43%, and 68% at 5 years. In the 5 years of follow-up, 16% of subjects were seizure-free for at least 6 months. There were no reported unanticipated adverse device effects or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages. The Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale and 31-item Quality of Life in Epilepsy measure showed statistically significant improvement over baseline by 1 year and at 5 years (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Long-term follow-up of ANT deep brain stimulation showed sustained efficacy and safety in a treatment-resistant population. Classification of evidence: This long-term follow-up provides Class IV evidence that for patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy, anterior thalamic stimulation is associated with a 69% reduction in seizure frequency and a 34% serious device-related adverse event rate at 5 years.
Yuin , Kamilaroi , Sámi , and Maori people ’ s reflections on experiences as ‘ Indigenous scholars ’ in ‘ Disability Studies ’ and ‘ Decolonisation ’

Disability research in Indigenous communities operates within a culture of academic neo-imperialism. There is a need to decolonise disability research on a global level. Limited knowledge exists on Indigenous disability researchers' experiences in the disability research academy and on Indigenous disability research methodologies. In part, this is due to the limited writings produced by Indigenous peoples on disability research and research methodologies. Four indigenous disability researchers, one from the Nordic Region and two from Australia, and one from New Zealand met during and after the 2017 Nordic Network on Disability Research conference and reflected on and discussed each other’s experiences as Indigenous disability researchers. This paper reports on these scholars’ reflections on comparing the research methodologies and experiences of their disability research. Findings highlight how although Indigenous peoples are from different tribes/nations and countries, there are similarities and differences between each of the Indigenous disability researcher’s approach to decolonisation in disability research. The paper concludes that Sami, Australian Aboriginal people, and Maori people can learn from each other to advance the decolonisation of disability research, service and policy, at local, national and international levels.
Antimicrobial resistance of bacterial isolates from respiratory secretions of ventilated patients in a multi-specialty hospital

Abstract Context: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common nosocomial infection occurring in intensive care unit (ICU) settings. VAP occurs due to interplay of three factors - impaired host defense, access of large numbers of pathogenic bacteria to the lower respiratory tract and the virulence of the organism. Knowledge of colonizing microbial flora and their antibiogram in ventilated patients is of great importance in timely institution of empirical therapy, so that mortality and morbidity due to VAP can be reduced. Subjects and Methods: A prospective study was performed over a period of 6 months in a multi-specialty hospital to determine the various pathogens in respiratory secretions and to determine the prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR). Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26%), Acinetobacter (26%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (26%), followed by Escherichia coli (15%), Staphylococcus aureus (6%) and Citrobacter spp. (1.5%) were the common pathogens isolated in our study. In all, 72.73% (48/66) bacterial isolates were isolated from medical ICU, while 25.76% (17/66) were isolated from surgical ICU. Only one strain (Acinetobacter) was isolated from pediatric ICU. Fifty-seven (86.36%) of the 66 pathogens in our study were MDR. Conclusion: There is increasing colonization of pathogenic bacteria in ventilated patients admitted in ICUs, which are predominantly MDR. These colonizers may cause infection resulting in VAP. Judicious use of antibiotics, guided by local antibiotic resistance profile coupled with strict infection control practices alongside application of VAP bundle are important measures to prevent these pathogens from causing VAP in ICU patients.
Applying Model Parameters as a Driving Force to a Deterministic Nonlinear System to Detect Land Cover Change

In this paper, we propose a new method for extracting features from time-series satellite data to detect land cover change. We propose to make use of the behavior of a deterministic nonlinear system driven by a time-dependent force. The driving force comprises a set of concatenated model parameters regressed from fitting a model to a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer time series. The goal is to create behavior in the nonlinear deterministic system, which appears predictable for the time series undergoing no change, while erratic for the time series undergoing land cover change. The differential equation used for the deterministic nonlinear system is that of a large-amplitude pendulum, where the displacement angle is observed over time. If there has been no change in the land cover, the mean driving force will approximate zero, and hence the pendulum will behave as if in free motion under the influence of gravity only. If, however, there has been a change in the land cover, this will for a brief initial period introduce a nonzero mean driving force, which does work on the pendulum, changing its energy and future evolution, which we demonstrate is observable. This we show is sufficient to introduce an observable change to the state of the pendulum, thus enabling change detection. We extend this method to a higher dimensional differential equation to improve the false alarm rate in our experiments. Numerical results show a change detection accuracy of nearly 96% when detecting new human settlements, with a corresponding false alarm rate of 0.2% (omission error rate of 4%). This compares very favorably with other published methods, which achieved less than 90% detection but with false alarm rates all above 9% (omission error rate of 66%).
Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1)-producing B Cells Restore Antigen (Ag)-specific Immune Tolerance in an Allergic Environment*

Background: The generation of tolerogenic dendritic cells (TolDCs) in an allergic environment is refractory. Results: Administration of IL-13 antagonists increases TolDCs in an allergic environment. Conclusion: Blocking IL-13 in an allergic environment facilitates the generation of TolDCs. Significance: Using IL-13 antagonists has the potential to enhance the therapeutic effect of the allergic diseases. Restoration of the antigen (Ag)-specific immune tolerance in an allergic environment is refractory. B cells are involved in immune regulation. Whether B cells facilitate the generation of Ag-specific immune tolerance in an allergic environment requires further investigation. This paper aims to elucidate the mechanism by which B cells restore the Ag-specific immune tolerance in an allergic environment. In this study, a B cell-deficient mouse model was created by injecting an anti-CD20 antibody. The frequency of tolerogenic dendritic cell (TolDC) was assessed by flow cytometry. The levels of cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) was assessed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting, and methylation-specific PCR. The results showed that B cells were required in the generation of the TGF-β-producing TolDCs in mice. B cell-derived TSP1 converted the latent TGF-β to the active TGF-β in DCs, which generated TGF-β-producing TolDCs. Exposure to IL-13 inhibited the expression of TSP1 in B cells by enhancing the TSP1 gene DNA methylation. Treating food allergy mice with Ag-specific immunotherapy and IL-13 antagonists restored the generation of TolDCs and enhanced the effect of specific immunotherapy. In conclusion, B cells play a critical role in the restoration of specific immune tolerance in an allergic environment. Blocking IL-13 in an allergic environment facilitated the generation of TolDCs and enhanced the therapeutic effect of immunotherapy.
Endogenously regulated Dab 2 worsens inflammatory injury in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Background: Neuroinflammation regulates both disease pathogenesis and repair in multiple sclerosis. In early multiple sclerosis lesion development, neuroinflammation causes demyelination and axonal injury, the likely final common determinant of disability. Here we report the identification of a novel neuroinflammatory mediator, Disabled-2 (Dab2). Dab2 is an intracellular adaptor protein with previously unknown function in the central nervous system. Results: We report that Dab2 is up-regulated in lesional macrophages/microglia in the spinal cord in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a model of multiple sclerosis. We demonstrate that dab2 expression is positively correlated with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis disease severity during the acute disease phase. Furthermore, dab2-deficient mice have a less severe experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis disease course and suffer less neuroinflammation and less axonal injury than their wild-type littermates. We demonstrate that dab2 expression is strongly associated with the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase. We further demonstrate that Dab2 is expressed at the protein level by macrophages in early acute human multiple sclerosis lesions and that this correlates with axonal injury. Conclusions: Together, these results suggest that endogenous Dab2 exacerbates central nervous system inflammation, potentially acting to up-regulate reactive oxygen species expression in macrophages and microglia, and that it is of potential pathogenic relevance in Multiple Sclerosis.
Evaluation of the transition process from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015: a study focused on chemical companies in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Resumo: A norma NBR ISO 9001 tem sido amplamente utilizada na implantação e manutenção de Sistemas de Gestão da Qualidade (SGQ) no Brasil e no mundo. Este trabalho objetiva identificar as percepções das empresas químicas do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul no processo de transição da ISO 9001:2008 para a ISO 9001:2015. Nesse contexto, a metodologia utilizada foi uma pesquisa tipo survey, com aplicação de questionário estruturado, com base na escala Likert de 5 pontos. Esse questionário foi enviado para todas as empresas químicas certificadas na ISO 9001 localizadas no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Como complemento, foram ainda realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, com questões abertas, com os gestores responsáveis pelo SGQ de três dessas empresas pesquisadas. De maneira geral, as empresas concordam com as modificações trazidas pela nova versão da norma e acreditam nos seus benefícios para a organização. Apesar de pouco terem feito rumo a essa atualização e apontarem dificuldades na implementação dos novos requisitos da norma, a maioria das empresas considera a ISO 9001:2015 melhor do que sua versão anterior. Pode-se afirmar que as empresas que adotarem essas modificações por estarem preocupadas com a melhoria contínua do SGQ terão maiores benefícios do que aquelas empresas que implementarem as modificações somente para manter o seu certificado válido. Palavras-chave: ISO 9001; Gestão da qualidade; Sistema de gestão. Abstract: The ISO 9001 norm has been widely used in the implementation and maintenance of Quality Management Systems (QMS) in Brazil and all over the world. This study aims to identify the chemical companies’ perceptions of the ISO 9001 transition: version 2008 to version 2015, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. In this context, the methodology used was a survey research with a structured questionnaire based on the 5-points Likert’s scale. This questionnaire was sent to all chemical companies certified in ISO 9001, located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In addition, quality managers of three of these companies replied to semi-structured interviews with open questions. In general, the companies agree with the changes brought by the new version of the norm and believe it to be beneficial to the organization. Although some companies haven’t made much towards this update and point out difficulties in implementing the new norm’s requirements, most of the companies consider the ISO 9001:2015 better than its previous version. It can be asserted that the companies that choose to adopt these modifications due to concerns about a continuous improvement of the QMS will have greater benefits than those companies that choose to implement the modifications only to keep their certificate valid.
Induction of Nod2 in Myelomonocytic and Intestinal Epithelial Cells via Nuclear Factor-κB Activation*

Nod2, a member of the Apaf1/Nod protein family, confers responsiveness to bacterial products and activates NF-κB, a transcription factor that plays a central role in innate immunity. Recently, genetic variation in Nod2 has been associated with susceptibility to Crohn's disease. Here, we report that expression of Nod2 is induced upon differentiation of CD34+hematopoietic progenitor cells into granulocyte or monocyte/macrophages. In peripheral blood cells, the highest levels of Nod2 were observed in CD14+ (monocytes), CD15+(granulocytes), and CD40+/CD86+ (dendritic cells) cell populations. Notably, stimulation of myeloblastic and epithelial cells with bacterial lipopolysaccharide or TNFα resulted in up-regulation of Nod2. A search for consensus sites within the Nod2 promoter revealed a NF-κB binding element that was required for transcriptional activity in response to TNFα. Moreover, ectopic expression of p65 induced transactivation, whereas that of dominant-negative IκBα blocked the transcriptional activity of the Nod2 promoter. Upon stimulation with TNFα or lipopolysaccharide, both p50 and p65 subunits of NF-κB were bound to the Nod2 promoter. Thus, Nod2 expression is enhanced by proinflammatory cytokines and bacterial components via NF-κB, a mechanism that may contribute to the amplification of the innate immune response and susceptibility to inflammatory disease.
Bayesian Strategy for Improved Forecasts of the Equity Premium Siddhartha Chib

In this paper we develop an easily implemented Bayesian strategy for improved forecasts of the market excess returns. This strategy relies on 1) the use of multiple predictors in the predictive regression; 2) zero lower bound constraints on the Bayesian predictive mean (the mean marginalized over the parameters); and 3) conjugate prior distributions for smooth sequential updating and calculation of needed posterior quantities. This strategy produces striking results in the prediction of the market excess returns and outperforms the results from 8 other predictive methods, such as univariate and model combined univariate predictive regressions. We show that with a set of 11 common market return predictors used in the literature, and for an investor with power utility, the utility gain from our strategy exceeds that from the other predictive methods by a wide margin. JEL classification: C11, C22, C53, G11, G12.
Suppression of inflammation in ulcerative colitis by interferon-β-1a is accompanied by inhibition of IL-13 production

Objective Ulcerative colitis is associated with increased interleukin 13 (IL-13) production by natural killer T cells. Taking advantage of the inhibitory actions of interferon β on IL-13 expression, this proof-of-concept study aimed to show that decreasing IL-13 production is associated with clinical improvement of ulcerative colitis symptoms. Design Open-label interventional drug trial. Setting Outpatient clinical research hospital. Patients Adult patients with active ulcerative colitis (Short Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI)≥5). Interventions Treatment with 30 μg IM interferon-β-1a (Avonex) weekly for 12 weeks with 6 month follow-up. Main outcome measures Clinical response was defined as ≥3 point drop in the SCCAI for at least two consecutive monitoring visits, and cytokine production was measured in cultured peripheral blood and lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) before and after treatment. Results 11 of 16 patients were clinical responders, and 4 were in remission (SCCAI ≤ 2) at the end of treatment. Rectal bleeding subscores improved dramatically by week 4 (38% with frank bleeding vs 87% pretreatment). Increased IL-13 production by LPMC T cells fell significantly in clinical responders (690±99 vs 297±58 pg/ml p=0.015) but was unchanged in non-responders (542±83 vs 510±39 pg/ml). In addition, non-responders had significantly higher production of IL-17 and IL-6 pre-treatment compared to responders. Conclusions Interferon-β-1a induces clinical response and remission in a large subset of patients with ulcerative colitis that is associated with significant inhibition of IL-13 production. In addition, increased IL-17 and IL-6 production is associated with no response to interferon-β. These data provide a proof-of-concept that IL-13 is an effector cytokine in ulcerative colitis and should be a target for novel therapies.
A Simple and Scalable Process for the Differentiation of Retinal Pigment Epithelium From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible vision loss and blindness among the elderly in industrialized countries, is associated with the dysfunction and death of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. As a result, there has been significant interest in developing RPE culture systems both to study AMD disease mechanisms and to provide substrate for possible cell‐based therapies. Because of their indefinite self‐renewal, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have the potential to provide an unlimited supply of RPE‐like cells. However, most protocols developed to date for deriving RPE cells from hPSCs involve time‐ and labor‐consuming manual steps, which hinder their use in biomedical applications requiring large amounts of differentiated cells. Here, we describe a simple and scalable protocol for the generation of RPE cells from hPSCs that is less labor‐intensive. After amplification by clonal propagation using a myosin inhibitor, differentiation was induced in monolayers of hPSCs, and the resulting RPE cells were purified by two rounds of whole‐dish single‐cell passage. This approach yields highly pure populations of functional hPSC‐derived RPE cells that display many characteristics of native RPE cells, including proper pigmentation and morphology, cell type‐specific marker expression, polarized membrane and vascular endothelial growth factor secretion, and phagocytic activity. This work represents a step toward mass production of RPE cells from hPSCs.
Limitation of radiological T3 subclassification of rectal cancer due to paucity of mesorectal fat in Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVES To describe the thickness of mesorectal fat in local Chinese population and its impact on rectal cancer staging. DESIGN Case series. SETTING Two local regional hospitals in Hong Kong. PATIENTS Consecutive patients referred for multidisciplinary board meetings from January to October 2012 were selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Reports of cases that had undergone staging magnetic resonance imaging for histologically proven rectal cancer were retrospectively retrieved and reviewed by two radiologists. All magnetic resonance imaging examinations were acquired with 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging. Measurements were made by agreement between the two radiologists. The distance in mm was obtained in the axial plane at levels of 5 cm, 7.5 cm, and 10 cm from the anal verge. Four readings were obtained at each level, namely, anterior, left lateral, posterior, and right lateral positions. RESULTS A total of 25 patients (16 males, 9 females) with a median age of 69 (range, 38-84) years were included in the study. Mean thickness of the mesorectal fat at 5 cm, 7.5 cm, and 10 cm from the anal verge was 3.1 mm (standard deviation, 3.0 mm), 9.8 mm (5.3 mm), and 11.8 mm (4.2 mm), respectively. The proportions of patients with mean mesorectal fat thickness of <15 mm were 100%, 84%, and 75% at 5 cm, 7.5 cm, and 10 cm from the anal verge, respectively. The thickness of mesorectal fat was the least anteriorly, and <15 mm at all three arbitrary levels (P<0.001). CONCLUSION The thickness of mesorectal fat was <15 mm in the majority of patients and in most positions. Tumours invading 10 mm beyond the serosa on magnetic resonance imaging may paradoxically threaten the circumferential resection margin in Chinese patients. Use of T3 subclassification of rectal cancer in Chinese patients may be limited.