Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cyanobacterial composition and spatial distribution based on pyrosequencing data in the Gurbantunggut Desert, Northwestern China

Cyanobacteria are the primary colonizers and form a dominant component of soil photosynthetic communities in biological soil crusts. They are crucial in improving soil environments, namely accumulating soil carbon and nitrogen. Many classical studies have examined cyanobacterial diversity in desert crusts, but relatively few comprehensive molecular surveys have been conducted. We used 454 pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA to investigate cyanobacterial composition and distribution on regional scales in the Gurbantunggut Desert. The relationship between cyanobacterial distribution and environmental factors was also explored. A total of 24,973 cyanobacteria partial 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained, and 507OTUs were selected, as most OTUs had very few reads. Among these, 347 OTU sequences were of cyanobacteria origin, belonging to Oscillatoriales, Nostocales, Chroococcales, and uncultured cyanobacterium clone, respectively. Microcoleus vaginatus, Chroococcidiopsis spp. and M. steenstrupii were the dominant species in most areas of the Gurbantunggut Desert. Compared with other desert, the Gurbantunggut Desert differed in the prominence of Chroococcidiopsis spp. and lack of Pseudanabaenales. Species composition and abundance of cyanobacteria also showed distinct variations. Soil texture, precipitation, and nutrients and salt levels affected cyanobacterial distribution. Increased precipitation was helpful in improving cyanobacterial diversity. A higher content of coarse sand promoted the colonization and growth of Oscillatoriales and some phylotypes of Chroococcales. The fine‐textured soil with higher nutrients and salts supported more varied populations of cyanobacteria, namely some heterocystous cyanobacteria. The results suggested that the Gurbantunggut Desert was rich in cyanobacteria and that precipitation was a primary regulating factor for cyanobacterial composition on a regional scale.
Socio-demographic determinants of poor infant outcome in north-west Russia.

The infant outcome determinants vary in different settings, and there is still a need for analysis within environments. This study was designed to examine the relation between poor infant outcome (PIO), (i.e. any of the following indicators: preterm delivery, low birthweight, perinatal death and low first-minute Apgar score) and socio-demographic factors, smoking and alcohol consumption in a Russian setting. The study was conducted in the town of Severodvinsk, north-west Russia. A total of 1404 pregnant women who attended antenatal care clinics in 1999 and delivered at the municipal maternity home comprised the cohort. Data on women and infants were collected from the medical files and a questionnaire on social indicators, smoking and alcohol consumption was administered. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) calculated by multivariable logistic regression was used as the measure of association between PIO and the variables studied. Education was found to be the most significant factor associated with PIO (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.2, 3.0 for secondary or less education compared with at least 3 years of university studies). Increased risks of PIO were also found in mothers aged 30 years and older (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1, 2.5 compared with other age groups) and in unmarried mothers (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.0, 1.9) after control for the possible confounders. Other socio-demographic determinants studied (smoking, alcohol use, stress, maternal occupation, housing and young age of the mother) could not be found to influence PIO. The findings contribute to the hypothesis that maternal education is one of the most important social factors influencing pregnancy outcomes in countries in transition.
Bayesian Hierarchical Structure for Quantifying Population Variability to Inform Probabilistic Health Risk Assessments

Human variability is a very important factor considered in human health risk assessment for protecting sensitive populations from chemical exposure. Traditionally, to account for this variability, an interhuman uncertainty factor is applied to lower the exposure limit. However, using a fixed uncertainty factor rather than probabilistically accounting for human variability can hardly support probabilistic risk assessment advocated by a number of researchers; new methods are needed to probabilistically quantify human population variability. We propose a Bayesian hierarchical model to quantify variability among different populations. This approach jointly characterizes the distribution of risk at background exposure and the sensitivity of response to exposure, which are commonly represented by model parameters. We demonstrate, through both an application to real data and a simulation study, that using the proposed hierarchical structure adequately characterizes variability across different populations.
Curbing corruption and Enhancing State Capacity in Ethiopia - How Anticorruption Agencies Can Make a Difference : A case study

The purpose of this thesis was to conduct qualitative and semi-structured interviews with officials at the Ethiopian Federal Ethics and Anticorruption Commission (FEACC) in order to describe its strategies and efforts in curbing corruption in Ethiopia. My interview questions were based on a comprehensive analytical framework, drawn from the experience of seminal scholars within the study of corruption as well as three empirical cases of successful anticorruption agencies (ACAs). Therefore, this study is a rare, bordering to unique, attempt to combine established research with empirics in order to study the Ethiopian case and by offering a method for carrying out future studies with similar aims. The result of my fieldwork paints a detailed picture of FEACC operations and their strengths and weaknesses in carrying out FEACC's mandate. Consequently, I am able to assess FEACC's capacity building needs as well as offering suggestions for future research concerning the furthering our knowledge about how to design and implement anticorruption strategies and efforts.
Oxidative damage is a potential cause of cone cell death in retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a prevalent cause of blindness caused by a large number of different mutations in many different genes. The mutations result in rod photoreceptor cell death, but it is unknown why cones die. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that cones die from oxidative damage by performing immunohistochemical staining for biomarkers of oxidative damage in a transgenic pig model of RP. The presence of acrolein‐ and 4‐hydroxynonenal‐adducts on proteins is a specific indicator that lipid peroxidation has occurred, and there was strong immunofluorescent staining for both in cone inner segments (IS) of two 10‐month‐old transgenic pigs in which almost all rods had died, compared to faint staining in two 10‐month‐old control pig retinas. In 22‐ and 24‐month‐old transgenic pigs in which all rods and many cones had died, staining was strong in cone axons and some cell bodies as well as IS indicating progression in oxidative damage between 10 and 22 months. Biomarkers for oxidative damage to proteins and DNA also showed progressive oxidative damage to those macromolecules in cones during the course of RP. These data support the hypothesis that the death of rods results in decreased oxygen consumption and hyperoxia in the outer retina resulting in gradual cone cell death from oxidative damage. This hypothesis has important therapeutic implications and deserves rapid evaluation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phase II trial of the farnesyltransferase inhibitor tipifarnib plus fulvestrant in hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer: New York Cancer Consortium Trial P6205.

BACKGROUND Fulvestrant produces a clinical benefit rate (CBR) of approximately 45% in tamoxifen-resistant, hormone receptor (HR)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and 32% in aromatase inhibitor (AI)-resistant disease. The farnesyltransferase inhibitor tipifarnib inhibits Ras signaling and has preclinical and clinical activity in endocrine therapy-resistant disease. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of tipifarnib-fulvestrant combination in HR-positive MBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Postmenopausal women with no prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease received i.m. fulvestrant 250 mg on day 1 plus oral tipifarnib 300 mg twice daily on days 1-21 every 28 days. The primary end point was CBR. RESULTS The CBR was 51.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 34.0% to 69.2%] in 31 eligible patients and 47.6% (95% CI 26.3% to 69.0%) in 21 patients with AI-resistant disease. A futility analysis indicated that it was unlikely to achieve the prespecified 70% CBR. Tipifarnib dose modification was required in 8 of 33 treated patients (24%). CONCLUSIONS The target CBR of 70% for the tipifarnib-fulvestrant combination in HR-positive MBC was set too high and was not achieved. The 48% CBR in AI-resistant disease compares favorably with the 32% CBR observed with fulvestrant alone in prior studies and merit further clinical and translational evaluation.
Renal toxic ingredients and their toxicology from traditional Chinese medicine

ABSTRACT Introduction: There have been increasing concerns regarding adverse reactions and toxicity incidents caused by traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), among which the nephrotoxicity is particularly worrying. Areas covered: This review summarizes the ingredients with renal toxicity from some TCMs through searching the relevant literature published over the past two decades. Renal toxicity components from TCMs include aristolochic acids (AAS), alkaloids, anthraquinones and others. TCM renal toxicity is most commonly caused by AAS and some alkaloids. AAS mainly come from Aristolochia contorta Bunge, Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom, Clematis Chinensis Osbeck, Aristolochia cathcartii Hook. Some renal toxic alkaloids are derived from Tripterygium regelii Sprague et Takeda, Stephania tetrandra S. Moore, Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. and Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. A few kinds of anthraquinones, flavonoids, and glycosides from TCMs also cause renal toxicity. All of these renal toxicity components and their associated renal toxicity, structures and toxic mechanism are introduced in detail in this review. Expert opinion: Given the complexity of the toxic components, a lot of work needs to be done to analyze the specific modes of action of toxic components in vivo and in vitro, in particular, to elucidate the molecular mechanism of toxicity, in order to reduce the occurrence of renal toxicity of TCM.
Assessing the corneal power change after refractive surgery using Scheimpflug imaging

To investigate whether the Pentacam HR could accurately predict the surgically induced refractive change in patients operated with small‐incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for myopia or femto‐second laser in situ keratomileusis (FS‐LASIK) for myopia or hyperopic astigmatism.
Population Dynamics of Metastable Growth-Rate Phenotypes

Neo-Darwinian evolution has presented a paradigm for population dynamics built on random mutations and selection with a clear separation of time-scales between single-cell mutation rates and the rate of reproduction. Laboratory experiments on evolving populations until now have concentrated on the fixation of beneficial mutations. Following the Darwinian paradigm, these experiments probed populations at low temporal resolution dictated by the rate of rare mutations, ignoring the intermediate evolving phenotypes. Selection however, works on phenotypes rather than genotypes. Research in recent years has uncovered the complexity of genotype-to-phenotype transformation and a wealth of intracellular processes including epigenetic inheritance, which operate on a wide range of time-scales. Here, by studying the adaptation dynamics of genetically rewired yeast cells, we show a novel type of population dynamics in which the intracellular processes intervene in shaping the population structure. Under constant environmental conditions, we measure a wide distribution of growth rates that coexist in the population for very long durations (>100 generations). Remarkably, the fastest growing cells do not take over the population on the time-scale dictated by the width of the growth-rate distributions and simple selection. Additionally, we measure significant fluctuations in the population distribution of various phenotypes: the fraction of exponentially-growing cells, the distributions of single-cell growth-rates and protein content. The observed fluctuations relax on time-scales of many generations and thus do not reflect noisy processes. Rather, our data show that the phenotypic state of the cells, including the growth-rate, for large populations in a constant environment is metastable and varies on time-scales that reflect the importance of long-term intracellular processes in shaping the population structure. This lack of time-scale separation between the intracellular and population processes calls for a new framework for population dynamics which is likely to be significant in a wide range of biological contexts, from evolution to cancer.
Intergroup relations in a super-diverse neighbourhood: The dynamics of population composition, context and community

There is now an extensive literature demonstrating that experiences of migration and diversity differ significantly between and across local geographies. Three broad explanations for differences in local outcomes have been put forward (Robinson, 2010): first, population composition – the characteristics of individuals living in the neighbourhood; second, context – the social and physical environment; and third, community – socio-cultural histories and collective identities. Few studies examine the linkages between all three explanations and their relative importance. This article applies all three explanations to intergroup relations in a super-diverse context. It draws on data from a mixed methods case study of a neighbourhood in Glasgow, Scotland where long-term white and ethnic minority communities reside alongside Central and Eastern European migrants, refugees and other recent arrivals. The evidence comprises local statistics and documentary evidence, participant observation and qualitative and walk-along interviews with residents and local organisations. The findings highlight the different ways in which people respond to super-diversity, and the importance of the neighbourhood context and the material conditions for intergroup relations. The article thus demonstrates the ambiguities that arise from applying the dynamics of population composition, context and community to neighbourhood analysis, with implications for the study of neighbourhoods more widely.
There is a steady‐state transcriptome in exponentially growing yeast cells

The growth of yeast cells in batches in glucose‐based media is a standard condition in most yeast laboratories. Most gene expression experiments are done by taking this condition as a reference. Presumably, cells are in a stable physiological condition that can be easily reproduced in other laboratories. With this assumption, however, it is necessary to consider that the average amount of the mRNAs per cell for most genes does not change during exponential growth. That is to say, there is a steady‐state condition for the transcriptome. However, this has not been rigorously demonstrated to date. In this work we take several cell samples during the exponential phase growth to perform a kinetic study using the genomic run‐on (GRO) technique, which allows simultaneous measurement of the amount of mRNA and transcription rate variation at the genomic level. We show here that the steady‐state condition is fulfilled for almost all the genes during most exponential growth in yeast extract–peptone–dextrose medium (YPD) and, therefore, that simultaneous measures of the transcription rates and the amounts of mRNA can be used for indirect mRNA stability calculations. With this kinetic approach, we were also able to determine the relative influence of the transcription rate and the mRNA stability changes for the mRNA variation for those genes that deviate from the steady state. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Responses of Small Intrapulmonary Arteries to Vasoactive Compounds in the Fetal and Neonatal Lamb: Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, Serotonin, and Potassium Chloride

ABSTRACT: Despite considerable study, the mechanisms responsible for the transition of the pulmonary circulation from the fetal to newborn life remain obscure. We compared the responses of third and fourth generation pulmonary arteries to norepinephrine, epinephrine, serotonin, and KC1 from lambs 7 d preterm and 1, 7, and 21 d of age to assess differences between age and third and fourth generations of the pulmonary arterial tree during the transitional period. Preterm vessels were significantly smaller in internal diameter than all other aged vessels for both generations. Fourth generation vessel response to KC1 increased with age (94 ± 1 5 mg/mm2, preterm; 259 ± 3 1 mg/mm2, 21 d). Third generation vessel response to KC1 did not change with age (135 ± 15 mg/mm2, preterm; 158 ± 1 8 mg/mm2, 21 d). There were no differences in maximum response to norepinephrine and epinephrine between ages; however, third generation vessel response to these compounds was significantly greater (30-60% of maximum KC1 response) than fourth generation vessel response (0- 10%). Third and fourth generation vessels had the same maximum response to serotonin regardless of age or generation. Third generation vessels were significantly reduced in sensitivity (log molar concentration which produced 50% of the maximum response—EC5o) to norepinephrine at d 1 (5.89 ± 0.12 log molar) and 7 (5.90 ± 0.21) compared to preterm (6.48 ± 0.10) and 21 d of age (6.50 ± .03). Both third and fourth generation vessels were less sensitive to serotonin at d 1 (5.04 ± 0.17, third; 5.61 ± 0.10, fourth) compared to d 7 (5.77 ± 0.13, third; 6.36 ± 0.12, fourth) and 21 d (5.82 ± 0.24, third; 6.50 ± 0.15, fourth). A similar nonsignificant trend occurred in third generation vessels to epinephrine at d 1 and 7 compared to vessels at preterm and 21 d of age. Greater than 75% of fourth generation vessels did not respond to norepinephrine and epinephrine. The small intrapulmonary arteries of the neonate are undergoing dynamic changes in physiologic response which are dependent upon age and generation
The development of responsible management education in European business schools : responses to the 2013 EQUIS accreditation standards

Abstract For the global business school community, the twenty-first century inaugurated a season of introspection. As global sustainability concerns grew in prominence, critical debate about the purpose of business and its role in society could not be left without an educational response. At the same time, however, it raised the question of whether business schools were at all ready to equip their students for leadership in a world faced by crucial economic, social, and environmental challenges. The answer is not self-evidently positive. Various authors grapple with questions on the purpose of business schools and their relationship with business and society. This empirical study examines the influence of EQUIS accreditation standards on business school practices in the areas of institutional strategies, programmes, faculty, research, and development, as well as in responsible management education at large. Although accreditation is not the only factor that determines what business schools believe, do, and become, it is an important shaper of the direction in which they will find their way forward in the face of twenty-first–century management education imperatives. This has especially become the case since the inclusion of ethics, responsibility, and sustainability (ERS) in the revised EQUIS standards. The analysis is drawn from a qualitative multi-case study where the author outlined a theoretical framework by developing an understanding of the organisational responses to EQUIS standards, using interviews and document review as the primary source of information. The case study included private, public, stand-alone, and university-embedded business schools. The findings show that business schools engage in a variety of ERS activities in their research and education portfolio. However, different stakeholder expectations pressure business schools to become more ethical, responsible, and sustainable, which leads to a decoupling of the schools’ “ERS talk” from their “ERS actions”. The decoupling can be seen as the consequence of a school’s translation, editing, and imitation activities in order to appear committed to society’s demands. Despite budget constraints and limited autonomy, public business schools seem to be more engaged in ERS education and research as compared to private institutions. Also, a multidisciplinary environment further supports ERS development as compared to stand-alone business schools. The research proposes core changes and developments that business schools may take into consideration to provide a systematic response to EQUIS ERS standards and criteria.
Left Ventricular Twist and Ventricular–Arterial Coupling in Hypertensive Patients

Left ventricular (LV) twist is usually influenced by LV hypertrophy resulting from hypertension or vascular stiffness. Vascular stiffness would increase arterial elastance (Ea), whereas LV end‐systolic stiffness (Ees) could be influenced by LV hypertrophy. Therefore, in hypertensive patients, we assessed the extent to which ventricular–arterial coupling (VAC; Ea/Ees) affects LV twist, which may be a compensatory mechanism for systolic dysfunction.
Genotypes of the vitamin-D-receptor gene and bone mineral density in Caucasoid postmenopausal females.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relation of bone mineral density (BMD) to inherited polymorphisms within the gene coding for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in postmenopausal women. METHODS DNA samples from 163 post-menopausal women and from 112 controls were genotyped for common allelic determinants within the VDR gene as defined by the restriction enzyme sites for BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI. BMD was evaluated at the lumbar spine (L2-L4) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Single restriction enzyme site polymorphisms as well as their joint genotypes were evaluated for their association with BMD in postmenopausal women. RESULTS The three restriction site polymorphisms showed a close association indicating linkage disequilibrium (P < 0.0001). There was no relationship between any of the single restriction site polymorphisms and BMD. The distribution of the five most common joint genotypes among postmenopausal women and controls was similar. There was no relation of BMD and any of the five most common VDR genotype groups. Females more than 5 years after menopause had a significantly lower BMD than those less than 5 years after menopause (P < 0.001). This age-related decrease of BMD was also decernible within genotype groups. CONCLUSION In our population, the postmenopausal period has a major influence on BMD, but BMD is not controlled significantly by any of the common allelic variations within the VDR gene.