Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lack of toxicity of alpha-sarcoglycan overexpression supports clinical gene transfer trial in LGMD2D

Background: Alpha-sarcoglycan (α-SG) deficiency (limb-girdle muscular dystrophy [LGMD] type 2D) is the most common form of sarcoglycan-LGMD. No treatment is currently available. Prior studies suggest that overexpression of α-SG via adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene transfer results in poorly sustained gene expression related to transgene toxicity. These findings potentially preclude gene therapy as a treatment approach for LGMD2D. Methods: The human α-SG gene (hα-SG) was directly transferred to the tibialis anterior muscle of 4- to 5-week-old α-SG KO mice using AAV, type 1. The gene was placed under control of either the ubiquitously expressed cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter or muscle specific promoters that included desmin, muscle creatine kinase (MCK), and its further modification, truncated MCK (tMCK). Low (3 × 109 vg) and high (3 × 1010 vg) doses of AAV1. hα-SG were administered. Results: Sustained gene expression was observed irrespective of promoters at 6 and 12 weeks post gene transfer. Quantitation of α-SG gene expression by fiber counts yielded similar levels of myofiber transduction for both MCK promoters (60 to 70%), while 34% of fibers were transduced with the DES promoter. There was a trend toward lower expression at the 12-week time point with the CMV promoter. Western blot analysis revealed α-SG overexpression using CMV and both the MCK promoters. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate robust and sustained adeno-associated virus type 1 alpha-sarcoglycan gene expression under control of muscle creatine kinase promoters, without evidence of cytotoxicity. These findings support the use of gene therapy as a potential treatment approach for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2D.
Model specification issues in PLS-SEM

Purpose Prior research in tourism and hospitality domain calls for closer attention to model specification when using partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), including the choice of software and algorithm for PLS model estimation. This paper aims to illustrate the significance of choosing appropriate algorithms for testing the nature of relationships by comparing findings using two different PLS-SEM software packages. Design/methodology/approach Using a field experiment, relationships between visual servicescape aesthetics and affective responses are conceptualized based on literature in environmental psychology and marketing domains. With photographic surrogates as stimuli in two different hospitality service contexts – spa and upscale restaurant – data are collected from 350 respondents. Findings By comparing results of SmartPLS 3.2 and WarpPLS 5.0 software and theoretical understanding from environmental psychology literature, it is illustrated that the results and their interpretations may not be in line with theory if model specifications are not correctly implemented and are not addressed through usage of software with a relevant algorithm to test them. Originality/value The study highlights the implications for model specification issues such as type of variables and nature of relationships that tourism and hospitality researchers often face and also how use of appropriate algorithms can overcome limitations of model testing for complex models and provide empirical rigor to support theory.
Evaluation of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Identification of Clinically Important Yeast Species

ABSTRACT We evaluated the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the rapid identification of yeast species. Using Bruker Daltonics MALDI BioTyper software, we created a spectral database library with m/z ratios of 2,000 to 20,000 Da for 109 type and reference strains of yeast (44 species in 8 genera). The database was tested for accuracy by use of 194 clinical isolates (23 species in 6 genera). A total of 192 (99.0%) of the clinical isolates were identified accurately by MALDI-TOF MS. The MALDI-TOF MS-based method was found to be reproducible and accurate, with low consumable costs and minimal preparation time.
A 36-Year Record of Rock Avalanches in the Saint Elias Mountains of Alaska, With Implications for Future Hazards

Glacial retreat and mountain-permafrost degradation resulting from rising global temperatures have the potential to impact the frequency and magnitude of landslides in glaciated environments. Several recent events, including the 2015 Taan Fiord rock avalanche, which triggered a tsunami with one of the highest wave runups ever recorded, have called attention to the hazards posed by landslides in regions like southern Alaska. In the Saint Elias Mountains, the presence of weak sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and active uplift resulting from the collision of the Yakutat and North American tectonic plates create landslide-prone conditions. To differentiate between the typical frequency of landsliding resulting from the geologic and tectonic setting of this region, and landslide processes that may be accelerated due to changes in climate, we used Landsat imagery to create an inventory of rock avalanches in a 3700 km2 area of the Saint Elias Mountains. During the period from 1984 to 2019, we identified 220 rock avalanches with a mean recurrence interval of 60 days. We compared our landslide inventory with a catalog of M ≥ 4 earthquakes to identify potential coseismic events, but only found three possible earthquake-triggered rock avalanches. We observed a distinct temporal cluster of 41 rock avalanches from 2013 through 2016 that correlated with above average air temperatures (including the three warmest years on record in Alaska, 2014–2016); this cluster was similar to a temporal cluster of recent rock avalanches in nearby Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The majority of rock avalanches initiated from bedrock ridges in probable permafrost zones, suggesting that ice loss due to permafrost degradation, as opposed to glacial thinning, could be a dominant factor contributing to rock-slope failures in the high elevation areas of the Saint Elias Mountains. Although earthquake-triggered landslides have episodically occurred in southern Alaska, evidence from our study suggests that area-normalized rates of non-coseismic rock avalanches were greater during the period from 1964 to 2019, and that the frequency of these events will continue to increase as the climate continues to warm. These findings highlight the need for hazard assessments in Alaska that address changes in landslide patterns related to climate change.
Mining extremely small data sets with application to software reuse

A serious problem encountered by machine learning and data mining techniques in software engineering is the lack of sufficient data. For example, there are only 24 examples in the current largest data set on software reuse. In this paper, a recently proposed machine learning algorithm is modified for mining extremely small data sets. This algorithm works in a twice‐learning style. In detail, a random forest is trained from the original data set at first. Then, virtual examples are generated from the random forest and used to train a single decision tree. In contrast to the numerous discrepancies between the empirical data and expert opinions reported by previous research, our mining practice shows that the empirical data are actually consistent with expert opinions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring Institutional Trading Costs and the Implications for Finance Research: The Case of Tick Size Reductions

Abstract Using proprietary institutional trade data, we construct a price impact measure that represents the costs faced by institutional investors. We show that many widely used liquidity measures do not adequately capture institutional trading costs. We then find that institutional trading costs are not dramatically impacted by decimalization, casting doubt on the widely used identification strategy that employs decimalization as an exogenous shock to liquidity, particularly institutional liquidity. Indeed, we find that conclusions from prior research are significantly altered when we measure liquidity using institutional trading data.
Long-term outcome of invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections

Abstract Background: Short-term mortality from invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections (ISA) is high. Death rates from 20% to 60% are reported. Long-term outcome has not been investigated. Studies of other critical illnesses have demonstrated incremental health effects that persist after hospital discharge. Several researchers have proposed that evaluation of mortality secondary to sepsis should take place after 1 y. Methods: We performed an observational, prospective, population-based study of long-term mortality and recurrence in a cohort of ISA patients during 2 y. Results: One hundred and fifty-seven patients were included. All-cause mortality after 1 y was 37.6% and after 3 y was 45.5%. The multivariate survival analysis explored different independent factors for short-term compared to long-term mortality. Age, comorbidity, and place of acquisition were the determinants of long-term outcome. In contrast, infection-related factors such as disease severity and systolic blood pressure determined short-term mortality. The relapse–reinfection rate was 11.2% (16 in 143 episodes in 127 patients living 4 weeks after inclusion). Predictive factors for relapse–reinfection in a univariate analysis were joint prosthesis (28.6%, p = 0.027), haemodialysis (27.8%, p = 0.017), kidney disease (22.2%, p = 0.015), and healthcare- and nosocomial-related infection (18.3%, p = 0.029). No association to length of antibiotic therapy and relapse–reinfection rate was observed, nor any sex differences. The majority of relapses–reinfections (11 of 16) occurred during the first 11 months after the initial episode. Conclusion: Patients with ISA infections, irrespective of age, suffer a high long-term mortality and recurrence rate.
Factors affecting the match rate of rural training tracks in family practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Rural training track (RTT) family practice residencies are designed to prepare family physicians for rural practice. Residents in these programs spend 1 year in an urban location, followed by 2 years in a rural setting. Anecdotally, one hears that some programs have problems filling their available positions for residents. No published studies have systematically evaluated this fill rate. This study determined the match rate of rural track family practice residencies and examined factors associated with higher rates. METHODS Questionnaires were mailed to program directors of all 28 rural track residencies identified in 1998 by the Residency Review Committee for Family Practice. Five programs proved ineligible, and 22 of the 23 eligible programs responded (96%). Directors provided information on fill rates and program characteristics from 1996 through 1998. Programs' reported fill rates were compared to rates previously reported for family practice residencies as a whole. Descriptive statistics were used to compare rural track programs that did and did not fill through and after the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) (the "Match "). We also report data recently updated to reassess the situation for the 2001 Match. RESULTS Rural track residency programs offered 52 first-year positions in 1998. All positions were offered through the NRMP. From 1996 through 1998, programs had a mean Match rate of 61%, compared with a rate of 86% reported previously for all family practice residencies. RTT programs in more-desirable communities (as determined by location near a listing in Fortune Magazine's "Best Places to Live") and those in the western and northeastern United States filled more positions than programs in less-desirable locations and in the southern and central United States. There were no other differences in the characteristics of programs or their faculty between programs that filled their positions and those that did not. These same trends held true for the 2001 Match. CONCLUSIONS In recent years, rural track residencies were less likely to match their first-year positions than other family practice residencies. Geographic and community characteristics seemed to influence the Match rate, whereas characteristics of programs and their faculty did not.
A community of practice view of intervention programmes: the case of women returning to IT

The study presents an intervention programme for women returning to the information technology (IT) industry following a career break. This is interpreted through the lens of the community of practice perspective. The longitudinal nature of the case study offered opportunities for in‐depth investigation of participants' experience and development during the process. Using this datum, a mid‐level analytical approach is adopted. It is found that learning about the path to return to IT emerged regardless of the degree of participation in the intervention programme, and this was supported by the diversity and integration embedded in this programme. The implications of the findings for our understanding of intervention programmes are discussed.
Professionals in value co-creation through digital healthcare services

Rantala, Katja Professionals in value co-creation through digital healthcare services Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2018, 96 p. (Studies in Business and Economics ISSN 1457-1986; 189) ISBN 978-951-39-7453-4 (print) ISBN 978-951-39-7454-1 (PDF) Digitization is changing the dynamics within the service sector, including healthcare. The customer access to information and new ways of interacting with the customer challenge the traditional service within healthcare featured by information asymmetry and autonomous role of professionals in decision making. Digitization introduces new service concepts and roles of service actors benefiting value cocreation among the service network. Customer actively participates in the digital service process, which sets demand for new approach, behavior and skills of the professional interacting with the customer. The present discussion around value cocreation lacks research from the service provider’s perspective in the value cocreation process. Further, in relation to digitization of the service there emerges need for focus on the changes imposed on the professionals’ work and interaction with the service network and the customer. As value co-creation is yet rather unexploited concept in healthcare the dissertation contributes to the development of value cocreation theory and concept of service-dominant logic as well as of management literature of healthcare by introducing the professionals’ perspective on value co-creation. The empirical material for the dissertation come from single case study representing an organization actively involved in enhancing digital healthcare services with a substantial reference value on its field. The data was gathered through expert interviews, focus group interviews and through observations on multiple occasions within the organization providing in-depth understanding for the research phenomenon. The findings of the study increase understanding of the complex healthcare environment facing challenges due digitization in the customer interface. The findings confirm that digitization challenges professionals in their work requiring changes in how the professionals operate with digital service processes and integrate existing service processes with new, digital service processes enabling value co-creation. The digital service may be seen as threat to the professional autonomy and implementing digital service processes requires strong organizational and managerial involvement to ensure value co-creation. As digitization is yet rather unstructured phenomena in healthcare, the results of this dissertation have several managerial implications providing a perspective to ensure digitization and value co-creation in healthcare.
Peripheral and Central Mechanisms of NGF‐induced Hyperalgesia

Mechanisms underlying the hyperalgesia induced by a single systemic injection of nerve growth factor (NGF) in adult rats were studied in vivo. A single dose of NGF initiated a prolonged thermal hyperalgesia to a radiant heat source within minutes that lasted for days. Animals which had been pretreated with the mast cell degranulating compound 48/80 or either one of two specific 5‐hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonists (ICS 205–930 and methiothepin) also developed an NGF‐induced thermal hyperalgesia, but onset was delayed by more than 3 h. In the presence of ICS 205‐930 or methiothepin the early component NGF‐induced hyperalgesia was reversed and the animals responded with an initial hypoalgesia to the thermal stimuli. Whereas these results indicate a peripheral mechanism for the initial thermal hyperalgesia, the later phase (7 h–4 days after NGF) appeared to be centrally maintained, since it could be selectively blocked by the non‐competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK‐801. In contrast to the almost immediate thermal hyperalgesia following a single injection of NGF, a significant mechanical hyperalgesia began only after a 7 h latency. This NGF‐induced mechanical hyperalgesia was not blocked by any of the treatments that attenuated the thermal hyperalgesia, indicating that a separate mechanism may be involved. Additional electrophysiological experiments showed that NGF‐induced hyperalgesia was not maintained by an increased amount of spontaneous activity in C‐fibres. A final result showed that endogenous release of NGF in a model of acute inflammation (complete Freund's adjuvant‐induced inflammation) may be involved in the development of thermal hyperalgesia, since it could be blocked by concomitant treatment with anti‐NGF antisera. These data indicate that NGF‐induced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia are mediated by different mechanisms. The rapid onset component of thermal hyperalgesia is due to a peripheral mechanism involving the degranulation of mast cells, whereas the late component involves central NMDA receptors. In contrast, the NGF‐induced mechanical hyperalgesia seems to be independent of mast cell degranulation or central NMDA receptor sites.
Joint overlay and underlay resource allocation with weighted fairness in OFDM‐based cognitive radio systems

In this paper, the problem of hybrid overlay and underlay spectrum access is investigated for OFDM‐based cognitive radio (CR) systems. Both the metrics for system (e.g. capacity) and users (e.g. fairness) are integrated into the unified framework of weighted‐capacity maximization with the interference constraint in CR systems. For easing the procedure of resource allocation, two criteria, respectively, for subcarrier assignment and power allocation are theoretically derived based on the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions. Under the guidance of the two criteria, max‐capacity subcarrier assignment and optimal power allocation are proposed to flexibly distribute spectrum resources to secondary users. In order to reduce the computational complexity further, a suboptimal power allocation algorithm, referred to as cap‐limited waterfilling, is also presented by decomposing the interference constraint. Simulation results show that the capacity and fairness performance of the proposed algorithms is considerably better than the conventional ones in references. The proposed suboptimal algorithm with substantially lower complexity approaches to optimal power allocation in the vicinity of only 1% performance gap. Meanwhile, joint access model is greatly beneficial to spectrum efficiency enhancement in CR systems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relevance of leptin and leptin receptor in human endometrium

Embryonic implantation, the process by which the human embryo orientates towards, attaches to and finally invades the underlying maternal endometrial tissue, requires a receptive endometrium, a functionally normal blastocyst and an adequate cross-communication between them. During apposition, human blastocysts find a location in which to implant, while they are guided to a specific area in the maternal endometrium. In the adhesion phase, which occurs 6 to 7 days after ovulation, within the so-called “implantation window”, direct contact occurs between the endometrial epithelium (EE) and the trophectoderm (TE). Finally, in the invasion phase, the embryonic trophoblast traverses the basement membrane and passes the endometrial stroma and reaches the uterine vessels. Many molecules (hormones, cytokines, integrins, enzymes, etc) take part in the dialogue between the human blastocyst and the maternal endometrium to achieve implantation. Here, we present our published data on the embryonic regulation of endometrial epithelial molecules such as chemokine receptors and the leptin system. (Chang Gung Med J 2006;29:9-14)
Sensitive periods in fear learning and memory

Abstract Adolescence represents a uniquely sensitive developmental stage in the transition from childhood to adulthood. During this transition, neuronal circuits are particularly susceptible to modification by experience. In addition, adolescence is a stage in which the incidence of anxiety disorders peaks in humans and over 75% of adults with fear-related disorders met diagnostic criteria as children and adolescents. While postnatal critical periods of plasticity for primary sensory processes, such as in the visual system are well established, less is known about potential critical or sensitive periods for fear learning and memory. Here, we review the non-linear developmental aspects of fear learning and memory during a transition period into and out of adolescence. We also review the literature on the non-linear development of GABAergic neurotransmission, a key regulator of critical period plasticity. We provide a model that may inform improved treatment strategies for children and adolescents with fear-related disorders.
Character Strengths Are Related to Students’ Achievement, Flow Experiences, and Enjoyment in Teacher-Centered Learning, Individual, and Group Work Beyond Cognitive Ability

While character strengths have been found to predict educational outcomes beyond broad personality traits and cognitive ability, little is known about their differential contribution to success and positive learning experiences in different school settings. In this study, we use trait activation theory to investigate the relationships of students’ character strengths with achievement, flow experiences, and enjoyment in different learning situations (i.e., teacher-centered learning, individual tasks, and group work). In studying these relationships, we controlled for psychometric intelligence. Secondary school students (N = 255; 46.3% male; mean age = 14.5 years) completed a self-report measure of character strengths, the VIA-Youth (Park and Peterson, 2006b). Cognitive ability was assessed using a standardized intelligence test (PSB-R; Horn et al., 2003) at baseline. Three months later, students completed the Flow Short Scale (Rheinberg et al., 2003) adapted to the three learning situations and indicated their typical enjoyment of these situations. Both the students and their teachers (N = 18; 50% male; mean age = 44.8 years) provided ratings on school achievement in each of the three learning situations. Results indicate that, as expected, (a) certain character strengths (love of learning and perseverance) show consistent relationships with achievement and positive learning experiences (flow and enjoyment) above and beyond cognitive ability across all learning situations, whereas (b) other character strengths show differential trait-outcome relationships (e.g., the character strength of teamwork was predictive of achievement and positive learning experiences in group work). Taken together, these results suggest that different character strengths play a role in different school situations and that their contribution to explaining variance in educational outcomes is incremental to the contribution of cognitive ability.