Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of DNA Barcoding Technique in Avian Influenza Virus Surveillance of Wild Bird Habitats in Korea and Mongolia

Abstract In a previous study, we optimized DNA barcoding techniques for avian influenza virus (AIV) isolation and host identification, using fecal samples from wild birds, for high-throughput surveillance of migratory waterfowls. In the present study, we surveyed AIV in Mongolia during the breeding season and, subsequently, in Korea in winter, to compare prevalent AIV subtypes and hosts using DNA barcoding. In Korea, H4 and H5 subtypes were the most abundantly detected HA subtypes, and most AIVs were isolated from the major population (mallards, Anas platyrhynchos) of wild bird habitats. On the other hand, in Mongolia, H3 and H4 subtypes were the most abundantly detected HA subtypes, and most AIVs were isolated from a small population of wild bird habitats that were not visible at the sampling site. In conclusion, AIV isolation using fecal samples, accompanied with DNA barcoding techniques as a host bird species identification tool, could be useful for monitoring major and minor populations of wild bird habitats. Further, continuous, and large-scale surveillance could be helpful for understanding the AIV epidemiology, evolution, and ecology in wild waterfowl.
Effects of Unilateral Entorhinal Cortex Lesion and Ganglioside GM1 Treatment on Performance in a Novel Water Maze Task

Transient deficits have been reported after unilateral entorhinal cortex (EC) lesion. To determine whether there is a more persistent deficit, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with electrolytic or sham lesions of the left entorhinal cortex were examined on acquisition of a modified working memory task in the Morris water maze. This delayed matching-to-sample task, with a 1-h intertrial interval, reveals a significant deficit in total distance to platform in both presentation (Trial 1) and matching (Trial 2) in the rats with entorhinal lesions. We have also found that this test can be used to assess significant deficits in perseveration (repeated nonproductive movement) in rats with entorhinal lesions. The deficits can be seen up to 16 days postinjury. Administration of ganglioside GM1 resulted in a moderate improvement in performance in both water maze measures analyzed. All groups (sham operated, lesion with saline treatment, and lesion with ganglioside GM1 treatment) were given three other tests, which were used to evaluate possible contributing factors to deficient water maze performance. A one-trial test for exploration of novel objects revealed no significant, simple working memory deficit in any group. Plus maze testing, to assess possible differences in levels of anxiety or increased activity as a component of water maze performance, also revealed no differences in the three groups. All groups were also similar in motor activity, shown by monitoring of activity levels. The worsened water maze performance observed in rats with EC lesion may be related to deficits in working memory ability within the framework of acquisition of a more complex spatial learning task.
Long-term outcomes after liver transplantation in children

Purpose of reviewThe goal of this review is to summarize new knowledge as it relates to adherence to medical regimen, posttransplant growth, posttransplant renal dysfunction and late allograft dysfunction in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Recent findingsNonadherence is perhaps the most important predictor of rejection episodes in long-term pediatric liver transplant survivors. Health-related quality of life may independently correlate with nonadherence to medical regimen. Nephrotoxicity related to calcineurin inhibitor use remains a frequent occurrence. Improved outcome will depend on trials that stratify immunosuppression based on the risk for development of posttransplant renal dysfunction. Among pediatric liver transplant recipients, late graft loss is uncommon, in part because most children do not undergo liver transplantation for diseases that recur in the allograft. SummaryLiver transplant recipients and their families face the challenge of maintaining graft function while minimizing long-term immune and nonimmune complications related to immunosuppressive medications. Gaps in knowledge remain with respect to long-term outcomes in pediatric liver transplantation and research will require not only translational efforts and clinical trials but also longitudinal and long-term observational studies to permit the recognition of emerging trends as the cohort ages.
Alteration of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release termination by ryanodine receptor sensitization and in heart failure

Many physiological processes and pharmacological agents modulate the ryanodine receptor (RyR), the primary sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release channel in the heart. However, how such modulations translate into functional effects during cardiac excitation–contraction coupling (ECC) is much less clear. Using a low dose (250 μm) of caffeine we sensitized the RyR and examined SR Ca2+ release using dynamic measurements of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and free Ca2+ within the SR ([Ca2+]SR). In field stimulated (1 Hz) rabbit ventricular myocytes, application of 250 μm caffeine caused an initial 33% increase in SR Ca2+ release, which was followed by a decrease in SR Ca2+ load (28%) and steady‐state SR Ca2+ release (23%). To investigate the effects of caffeine on local SR Ca2+ release, we measured [Ca2+]SR from individual release junctions during ECC as well as during spontaneous Ca2+ sparks. In intact myocytes during ECC, caffeine increased global fractional SR Ca2+ release by decreasing the [Ca2+]SR level at which local release terminated by 21%. Similarly, in permeabilized myocytes during spontaneous Ca2+ sparks, caffeine decreased the [Ca2+]SR level for release termination by 12%. Finally, we examined if Ca2+ release termination was changed in myocytes from failing hearts, where remodelling processes lead to altered RyR function. In myocytes from failing rabbit hearts, the [Ca2+]SR termination level for Ca2+ sparks was 13% lower than that of non‐failing myocytes. Collectively, these data suggest that altering the termination level for local Ca2+ release may represent a novel mechanism to increase SR Ca2+ release and contractility during ECC.
Roles of age and gender in the attainment of sustainable governance in Africa

The study set out to investigate how gender and age influence democratic governance in selected Sub-Saharan African countries. How well age and gender influence democratic governance in Africa has remained grossly understudied in extant literature of public sector and welfare economics. Based on panel data and illustrations from seven Sub-Sahara nations (Cameroun, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania), this paper discussed the need for full participation of women in democratic governance in Africa. The findings advocated that gender and age have significant effects on democratic governance in Africa. While there is the need for more qualitative research on gender and age indicators for good governance on more countries in Africa, this paper suggested that African governments must continuously introduce gender-friendly policies that will enhance women participation in economic activities for a more equitable and egalitarian society that has eluded us years gone. Keywords: Democratic Governance, Age, Gender, Panel Estimation, Sub-Saharan Africa
Searching for the credibility of monetary policy in Turkey: Evidence from structural VAR analysis

Abstract. A relationship between the macro shocks and the long-term inflation expectations leads to questioning the credibility of a central bank. This paper investigates the credibility of the Central Bank of Turkey by analyzing the anchoring effect of the long-term inflation expectations by using the uncertainty indicator. We conduct the analysis with the structural VAR method using survey-based inflation expectations data as well as economic uncertainty index data developed for the Turkish economy. Our results provided evidence in favor of the existing de-anchoring process and imply that the monetary policy is not fully credible in Turkey during the period under investigation. Keywords. Inflation expectations, Structural VAR, Credibility, Anchoring, The Turkish economy, Uncertainty. JEL. E52, E58.
Assessment of Fatigue in Cancer Patients and Community Dwellers: Validation Study of the Filipino Version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory

Objective: Clinical trials that might identify effective therapies for cancer-related fatigue, one of the most distressing symptoms experienced by patients, require a validated fatigue assessment tool. We developed and validated a Filipino language version of the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI-F) for describing the prevalence and severity of fatigue among Filipino patients with cancer. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Manila, Philippines, in 206 patients with cancer and 170 age-matched community-dwelling adults who had never had a diagnosis of cancer. Validity and reliability were evaluated by principal factor analysis and Cronbach’s α coefficients. Results: Factor analysis extracted 1 factor, i.e. fatigue severity, with a Cronbach’s α of 0.95; this is consistent with the original BFI English version validation study. Approximately 49% of the patients with cancer had mild fatigue, 34% had moderate fatigue, and 17% had severe fatigue. Patients with a poorer performance status had significantly worse fatigue than patients with a better performance status (5.0 ± 2.8 vs. 3.8 ± 2.2; p < 0.05). Compared with community adults, the patients with cancer reported significantly higher levels of fatigue. Conclusions: The BFI-F had satisfactory internal consistency and validity, and it was able to measure the severity of fatigue and its influence on Filipino cancer patients.
Early conduct problems and later risk of teenage pregnancy in girls

The relationship between conduct problems at age 8 years and teenage pregnancy by the age of 18 years was analyzed in a birth cohort of 491 girls. A statistically significant association was found between early conduct problems and later risk of teenage pregnancy, with girls in the most disturbed 10% of the cohort having a pregnancy rate that was 5.3 times higher (p < .001) than the rate found in the least disturbed 50% of the cohort. The elevated risk of teenage pregnancy amongst girls with early conduct problems was in part, explained by social and family factors that were correlated with early conduct problems, and in part, by a causal chain process in which early conduct problems were associated with increased rates of risk taking behaviors in adolescence, which in turn led to an increased risk of teenage pregnancy. These results suggest that the higher rate of teenage pregnancy among girls with early conduct problems reflected both their relatively disadvantaged family backgrounds and their tendencies to risk taking behavior in adolescence.
Essays in Applied Microeconomic Theory

This thesis presents three essays in microeconomics. The first and second chapters address the role that observable demographic characteristics, particularly gender, play in influencing strategic interactions. The third chapter analyzes a method for enforcing efficient trade among agents whose preferences fail to satisfy the gross substitutes assumption. In the first essay, I translate the concept of fundamental attribution error from social psychology into a game theoretic framework and develop it into a novel solution concept. In an ‘attributive equilibrium’, each player forms beliefs according to a subjective model in which ex post data about her opponents is explained purely by her opponents’ types. When players are partitioned into publicly observable groups, any realized differences across groups are thus interpreted as reflecting type differences. I demonstrate how this forms a novel pathway for sustaining discrimination and how it leads to systematic belief differences across groups. In the second essay, my co-authors and I study gender differences in competition using data from 3,921 episodes of the TV trivia show Jeopardy! We find women answer clues correctly at a rate 99% that of men but attempt only 84% as many clues, leading to cash winnings only 65% those of men. We employ a structural hazard rate model to understand this critical gender gap in clue attempting. To attempt a clue, a contestant must be the first to push a signaling button. Our model suggests that in episodes with a mixed-gender panel, women signal 8% slower than in all-female episodes, and men signal 2% faster than in all-male episodes. Finally the third essay addresses the problem that in thin markets, competitive equilibrium may fail to exist when traders’ preferences include complementarities. I show that, nonetheless, efficient trades may be supported either by using non-linear prices or by restricting traders to a subset of exchange bids. Furthermore, these two
Increased serum bilirubin level is related to good collateral development in patients with chronic total coronary occlusion.

OBJECTIVE Bilirubin is a bile pigment with potent anti-oxidant properties; in previous studies it has been reported to be negatively associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Although elevated serum bilirubin concentrations may protect against endothelial dysfunction, it is not clear whether higher serum bilirubin levels (SBLs) in physiological ranges may work in favor of good collateral development in patients with chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO). METHODS The study population consisted of patients who underwent coronary angiography with a suspicion of CAD. Patients who had CTO in at least one major coronary artery were included. Coronary angiograms of 179 eligible patients from our database were reanalyzed and 110 of them had good collateral development and 69 had poor collateral development according to the Cohen-Rentrop method. RESULTS Patients with good collateral development had a lower fasting plasma glucose level (FPG) (p=0.024) and higher SBLs in comparison to patients with poor collateral development (p<0.001). The number of CTO vessels (p=0.013) and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF%) were higher in good collateral group than poor collateral group (p=0.017). In multivariate analysis, FPG negatively (odds ratio [OR]: 0.981, p=0.003) and SBL (OR for per 0.1-mg/dL increase: 1.832, p<0.001) and the number of CTO vessels (OR: 5.642, p=0.007) were positively related to coronary collateral development. CONCLUSION This study suggests that higher bilirubin levels within relatively normal ranges were related with favorable coronary collateral growth in patients with CTO. SBL may be responsible for the difference in coronary collateral vessel development among different patients with coronary artery disease. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of bilirubin may mediate this effect.
Characterisation of the canine faecal virome in healthy dogs and dogs with acute diarrhoea using shotgun metagenomics

The virome has been increasingly investigated in numerous animal species and in different sites of the body, facilitating the identification and discovery of a variety of viruses. In spite of this, the faecal virome of healthy dogs has not been investigated. In this study we describe the faecal virome of healthy dogs and dogs with acute diarrhoea in Australia, using a shotgun metagenomic approach. Viral sequences from a range of different virus families, including both RNA and DNA families, and known pathogens implicated in enteric disease were documented. Twelve viral families were identified, of which four were bacteriophages. Eight eukaryotic viral families were detected: Astroviridae, Coronaviridae, Reoviridae, Picornaviridae, Caliciviridae, Parvoviridae, Adenoviridae and Papillomaviridae. Families Astroviridae, Picornaviridae and Caliciviridae were found only in dogs with acute diarrhoea, with Astroviridae being the most common family identified in this group. Due to its prevalence, characterisation the complete genome of a canine astrovirus was performed. These studies indicate that metagenomic analyses are useful for the investigation of viral populations in the faeces of dogs. Further studies to elucidate the epidemiological and biological relevance of these findings are warranted.
Trehalose rescues Alzheimer's disease phenotypes in APP/PS1 transgenic mice

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is well characterized by the accumulated Aβ plaque in hippocampus and cerebral cortex concomitant with markedly reduced study and learning ability. Trehalose, a natural disaccharide, has been shown to have neural protective properties and exhibited therapeutic effects in animal models of several neural degenerative disorders. However, the effect of trehalose on AD pathology remains largely unknown.
Identification of chromosomal aberrations of metastatic potential in colorectal carcinoma

In colorectal cancer (CRC) care, treatment decisions depend on the efforts to estimate the metastatic potential of tumors. The liver is one of the most common metastatic sites of CRC and the prognosis of CRC patients often reflects metastases to distant sites. To identify chromosomal aberrations associated with liver metastasis, we performed allelic copy number analysis for CRC with or without synchronous liver metastasis using genotyping arrays. By allelic copy number analysis of CRC samples, we observed common aberrations in 14 chromosomal arms in two groups, that is, gains on 7p22.3‐p11.2, 8q22.3‐q24.3, 13q12.12‐q34, and 20q11.22‐q13.33 and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 4q12‐q35.1, 5q11.2‐q35.3, 8p23.3‐p12, 15q11.2‐q26.3, 17p13.3‐p11.2, 17q11.2‐q25.1, 18p11.32‐p11.21, 18q11.2‐q23, 20p13‐p12.1, and 22q11.1‐q13.32. We found that gains on 20p13‐p12.1 and 20q11.21‐q13.33 and LOH on 6q14.1‐q25.1 were more frequent in CRC with liver metastasis. We also compared chromosomal aberrations in primary CRC lesions with those of the corresponding liver metastasis and found that the allelic genome imbalance status of a metastatic lesion is similar to that of the primary cancer, which suggests that chromosomal aberrations are largely maintained on hematogenous spread. Intriguingly, several chromosomal aberrations in CRC were found in the primary cancer but not in the corresponding liver metastasis, thus suggesting heterogeneity of cancer cells within solid tumors or the presence of events uniquely developed in primary tumors. Consequently, CRC with and without liver metastasis harbor similar chromosomal aberrations, and chromosomal aberration at 6q, 20p, and 20q may be involved in the process of liver metastasis of CRC. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Different pathways to children’s enjoyment of participation in daily activities

Abstract Background: The enjoyment arising from participating in an activity is considered to be related to health and well-being. However, only a few studies have focused on children’s enjoyment of participation. Aim: To assess the contribution of various individual factors to the total explained variance of children’s enjoyment of participation from the perspectives of parents and children. Methods: Ninety-eight typically developed children were evaluated using motor and cognitive tests; they completed the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment. Their parents completed the Children Participation Questionnaire, the Performance Skills Questionnaire, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Results: Age and gender were found to be significant predictors. Parents perceived enjoyment to be associated with their child’s performance skills and the efficient execution of daily tasks. Children perceived enjoyment to be associated with their psychosocial functioning. Conclusions: The contribution of performance skills exceeds the contribution of motor or cognitive ability to the total explained variance of a child’s enjoyment of participation. A gap exists, however, between the perspectives of children and parents regarding enjoyment of participation. Enhancing participation is a central goal of the occupational therapy domain and process; our findings may provide insights into possible pathways to accomplish this goal.
Days of Schooling and Educational Inequality: Evidence from schools with saturday class in Japan

Past literature suggests that fewer days of public schooling in a week may increase educational inequality based on household income, as richer households have the capacity to increase their private educational expenditures to take better advantage of increased leisure time, while poorer ones do not. Contrarily, does inequality decrease with additional public school days? We empirically assess this question by using the unique policy change in Japan that increased schools with class on Saturday in addition to the usual Monday-to-Friday class. Our estimation with child-level panel data reveals that when review sessions are offered for free by school teachers on Saturdays, households decrease educational expenditures, and this effect is significant for poorer households, while it is insignificant for richer ones. This suggests the possibility that increased school days may reduce educational inequality. We further report heterogeneous impacts of different types of Saturday classes, and discuss policy implications based on the results.
International Agreements on Product Standards Under Consumption Externalities: National Treatment Versus Mutual Recognition

This paper provides a comparative analysis of product standards agreements between heterogeneous countries. A simple model of vertical standards is developed where countries have heterogeneous preferences for a negative or positive consumption externality. I compare two major types of standards agreements, those based on national treatment (NT) and mutual recognition (MR). Unlike NT, MR can induce a mismatch of standards between countries, a problem that tends to get worse as country preferences diverge. Due to this mismatch problem, NT tends to become relatively more welfare&#8208;enhancing than MR for countries with more dissimilar preferences. These findings explain why the World Trade Organization, the Trans&#8208;Pacific Partnership, and the European Union choose different types of standards agreements. The paper also sheds new light on the desirability of international harmonization of product standards.
Suavizamiento conjunto del PIB y la tasa de desempleo con un filtro HP bivariado

Se considera el problema de estimar conjuntamente las tendencias y los ciclos no observables de una serie de tiempo bivariada, en el contexto macroeconómico de la Ley de Okun, para relacionar las brechas del producto y la tasa de desempleo. La estimación se realiza con un filtro de Hodrick-Prescott bivariado que estima simultáneamente la correlación entre los ciclos. La contribución principal de este enfoque es que se puede controlar la suavidad de las tendencias al fijar un parámetro de suavizamiento en forma apropiada. La ilustración empírica utiliza datos del PIB y de la tasa de desempleo de Estados Unidos.
Growth, ageing and scaling laws of coronary arterial trees

Despite the well-known design principles of vascular systems, it is unclear whether the vascular arterial tree obeys some scaling constraints during normal growth and ageing in a given species. Based on the micro-computed tomography measurements of coronary arterial trees in mice at different ages (one week to more than eight months), we show a constant exponent of 3/4, but age-dependent scaling coefficients in a length–volume scaling law ( Lc is the crown length, Vc is the crown volume, Klength–volume is the age-dependent scaling coefficient) during normal growth and ageing. The constant 3/4 exponent represents the self-similar fractal-like branching pattern (i.e. basic mechanism to regulate the development of vascular trees within a species), whereas the age-dependent scaling coefficients characterize the structural growth or resorption of vascular trees during normal growth or ageing, respectively. This study enhances the understanding of age-associated changes in vascular structure and function.