Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain metabolism in health, aging, and neurodegeneration

Brain cells normally respond adaptively to bioenergetic challenges resulting from ongoing activity in neuronal circuits, and from environmental energetic stressors such as food deprivation and physical exertion. At the cellular level, such adaptive responses include the “strengthening” of existing synapses, the formation of new synapses, and the production of new neurons from stem cells. At the molecular level, bioenergetic challenges result in the activation of transcription factors that induce the expression of proteins that bolster the resistance of neurons to the kinds of metabolic, oxidative, excitotoxic, and proteotoxic stresses involved in the pathogenesis of brain disorders including stroke, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Emerging findings suggest that lifestyles that include intermittent bioenergetic challenges, most notably exercise and dietary energy restriction, can increase the likelihood that the brain will function optimally and in the absence of disease throughout life. Here, we provide an overview of cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate brain energy metabolism, how such mechanisms are altered during aging and in neurodegenerative disorders, and the potential applications to brain health and disease of interventions that engage pathways involved in neuronal adaptations to metabolic stress.
Cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from immunosuppressed patients

Pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised patients frequently represent infections. This study was undertaken to evaluate cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage samples and the value of different preparations and silver staining. Over 6 mo, 336 samples were collected from 155 immunosuppressed patients in whom both cytologic and microbiologic studies were performed. In 27 samples, the cytology, microbiology or both demonstrated the presence of infectious agents. In four cases, cytology identified neoplastic process. Cytology had a sensitivity of 34.6% for detection of infection, which increased to 42.9% when Cytomegalovirus was excluded. Cytology detected 6 of 15 cases of Aspergillus, including three cases not detected by microbiology and 3 of 4 cases of Pneumocystis, but did not identify any of the Cytomegalovirus cases. The type of preparations did not affect detection of the organism when present in cytologic samples and silver staining did not appear to have added value in examination of these samples. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:710–714. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Balancing the Health Risks and Benefits of Seafood: How Does Available Guidance Affect Consumer Choices?

Abstract Seafood species vary in their health benefits (e.g., from omega‐3 fatty acids) and risks (e.g., from methylmercury or polychlorobiphenyls). Reflecting these risks and benefits, multiple public and private organizations offer guidance to consumers on seafood consumption. The effect of this guidance is unknown; previous literature has been unable to disentangle the effects of messages with differing health information, provided by different sources, on demand for different types of seafood. The result is ambiguity regarding the drivers of observed changes in seafood demand. This study investigates the effect of health risk and benefit information on preferences for wild and farmed salmon and swordfish, three species targeted by consumer guidance. The analysis applies an experimental auction with seafood consumers informed by a Bayesian risk‐learning model. The model provides a systematic way to disentangle effects on seafood demand, for example, by evaluating whether changes in demand for different species are due to information content or source. Using this approach, we test the effect of guidance provided by four different public and private groups in the United States. Difference‐in‐difference tests find no impact of health benefit information regardless of source or message, but find multiple effects of health risk information that vary across different types of guidance. These findings suggest that current guidance does not improve consumers' ability to balance health risks and benefits. We also identify potential avenues to improve the efficacy of this guidance. JEL codes: C93, D83, I1, Q18.
Case/control family study of autonomic nervous system dysfunction in idiopathic congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.

Children with idiopathic congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) have a complex phenotype consistent with an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Since CCHS may be genetic in origin, we hypothesized that relatives of individuals with CCHS may exhibit symptoms of ANS dysfunction (ANSD), albeit in a milder form. We tested this hypothesis by assessing aspects of ANS function in relatives of CCHS cases vs. relatives of matched controls with a scripted questionnaire. Only those 35 symptoms of ANSD exhibited by > or =5% of the CCHS cases were included in the analysis as the basis for determining ANSD affection status. Two different arbitrary ANSD affection status definitions are presented in detail: any case, control, or relative with positive findings (1) in two or more symptoms, or (2) in two or more systems. The subjects included in the analysis totaled 2,353, including 56 CCHS cases, 56 age-, gender-, and race-matched controls, and their families. Under each of the two arbitrary ANSD affection statuses, CCHS cases and parents of cases were more likely to be affected than controls and parents of controls (P < 0.001 for both comparisons), 16% of the CCHS siblings had the ANSD phenotype with two or more symptoms, compared to 4% of control siblings (P = 0.03). Aunts and uncles of the CCHS cases were also significantly more likely to have two or more ANSD symptoms than were aunts and uncles of the controls (P= 0.009). These results support our hypothesis and also indicate that relatives of the CCHS cases tended to manifest a milder spectrum of ANSD, with fewer systems and/or fewer symptoms than the cases.
Fabrication of Photonic Wire and Crystal Circuits in Silicon-on-Insulator Using 193-nm Optical Lithography

High-index contrast silicon-on-insulator technology enables wavelength-scale compact photonic circuits. We report fabrication of photonic circuits in silicon-on-insulator using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor processing technology. By switching from advanced optical lithography at 248 to 193 nm, combined with improved dry etching, a substantial improvement in process window, linearity, and proximity effect is achieved. With the developed fabrication process, propagation and bending loss of photonic wires were characterized. Measurements indicate a propagation loss of 2.7 dB/cm for 500-nm photonic wire and an excess bending loss of 0.013 dB/90deg bend of 5-mum radius. Through this paper, we demonstrate the suitability of high resolution optical lithography and dry etch processes for mass production of photonic integrated circuits.
An Enhanced Technology Acceptance Model for Web-Based Learning

Although information technology (IT) has played an increasingly important role in contemporary education, resistance to IT remains significant in the education sector. This study attempts to identify additional key determinants of the IT acceptance in the education sector based on a study in which. 280 full-time teachers who were part-time students of a bachelor degree program participated. The current technology acceptance model (TAM) and the social cognitive theory (SCT) are combined to provide a new framework for this analysis. Results of the study are consistent with the TAM factors for explaining behavioral intention. The study also indicates that the computer self-efficacy (CSE) has substantial influence on the teachers’ technology acceptance. Implications of the resulting factors are discussed within the context of education.
Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from nares and prosthetic joint infections are mupirocin susceptible

The objective of the present study was to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility including mupirocin among Staphylococcus. epidermidis isolated from prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) (n=183) and nasal isolates (n=75) from patients intended to undergo prosthetic joint replacements. Susceptibility to mupirocin (used for eradication of nasal carriership of Staphylococcus aureus) was investigated by gradient test, and susceptibility to various other antimicrobial agents was investigated by disc diffusion test. All isolates, except three from PJIs and one from the nares, were fully susceptible to mupirocin. Multi-drug resistance (≥3 antibiotic classes) was found in 154/183 (84.2%) of the PJI isolates but only in 2/75 (2.7%) of the nares isolates, indicating that S. epidermidis causing PJIs do not originate from the nares.
Effects of Intravenous Glucose Injections on Human Fetal Breathing Movements and Gross Fetal Body Movements at 38 to 40 Weeks' Gestational Age

Fetal breathing movements and gross fetal body movements were studied subsequent to the intravenous injection of either 25 gm of glucose or an equal volume of normal saline solution in 10 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies at 38 to 40 weeks' gestation. The incidence of fetal breathing increased from 17.5% during the control period to 54.9% after glucose injection. Neither glucose nor saline solution had any effect on the incidence of gross fetal body movements. All fetuses made some breathing movements during any 15-minute interval between 30 and 75 minutes after glucose injection. These data suggest a useful strategy for clinical measurement of fetal breathing activity near term.
Primary Student Teachers' Perspectives of the Teaching of Fractions.

The aim of this study was to investigate primary student teachers’ perspectives of the teaching of fractions, i.e. their PCK of fractions. The research design used for the study was a descriptive survey method. As data collection instrument, we conducted a questionnaire composing of 14 open and closed-ended questions. The questionnaire was administered to 126 third grade primary student teachers at the department of primary teacher education in Sinop University. There were 91 females and 35 males. In the analysis of open-ended questions, the participants’ responses were qualitatively analysed to characterize patterns and categorize answers. Questionnaires were analysed by using open coding. The results of the study indicated that, when saying fractions, first thing which comes in the student teachers’ mind is the meaning “part-whole” of fractions. By supporting on the relevant literature, it can be asserted that, only this meaning is not sufficient to provide better understanding of fractions among students. In parallel, activities that most of the student teachers prefer for the introduction to fractions are closely related to this meaning such as dividing a cake, a breath, etc. into equals parts or shading a region.
DISTRIBUTION OF ALGAL EPIPHYTES ACROSS ENVIRONMENTAL GRADIENTS AT DIFFERENT SCALES: INTERTIDAL ELEVATION, HOST CANOPIES, AND HOST FRONDS 1

Understanding epiphyte distribution in coastal communities is important because these organisms affect many others directly or indirectly. Yet, their distribution has been considerably less studied than that of their hosts and other primary‐space holders. Identifying major sources of variation in epiphyte abundance is thus still a need. Environmental gradients help predict species distribution and are pervasive on marine shores. In this study, we test the notion that environmental gradients across intertidal elevation, throughout host canopies, and along host fronds explain a large variation in the abundance of sympatric epiphytes. Our model system was the assemblage of Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol. and its epiphytes Vertebrata lanosa (L.) T. A. Chr. [= Polysiphonia lanosa (L.) Tandy], Elachista fucicola (Velley) Aresch. , and Pylaiella littoralis (L.) Kjellm. On the coast of Nova Scotia (Canada), we found evidence of a spatial segregation among these species at almost all scales. While the red epiphyte V. lanosa was more common at high‐ and midintertidal elevations (peaking at midelevations) and on middle segments of host fronds, the brown epiphytes E. fucicola and P. littoralis were more common at low elevations and restricted to distal segments of host fronds. Canopy habitat affected abundance only for V. lanosa, which was more common within the host canopy than on its periphery at midelevations. Since the studied gradients are related to predictable changes in abiotic factors, the identification of likely causes behind the observed patterns was facilitated. Our study ends by proposing abiotic and biotic factors that deserve priority in the experimental testing of the forces structuring this assemblage.
Message Origin Authentication and Integrity Protection in Chaos-Based Optical Communication

In this paper, a message authentication and integrity protection scheme based on optically generated chaos is proposed. The introduced protocol relies physically on the dependence of chaos synchronization on the phase experienced by the delayed portion of the optical field inside the external cavity. The protocol's security is analytically evaluated, considering data modification and impersonation attack scenarios, and issues related to the practical implementation of the scheme are investigated.
DNA Bending and Sugar Switching

Abstract Using high frequency antiphase NMR spectroscopy and computer simulations of the antiphase spectra, we studied the equlibria in the sugar conformations in the DNA duplex 11-mer containing the AAA tract surrounded by cytosines. We demonstrate that at the 3′-end of the A-tract, the sugar switches from the common S-conformer (B-like form) to the N-conformer (A-like form) with the probability of 50–60%, thus creating a purine-pyrimidine step with heteronomous characteristics. The presence of this local B-A junction in one strand leads to compression of the interphosphate distance in this strand. We calculate the effect of this sugar switch on the helical parameters that are related to DNA bending. Finally, we suggest that the heteronomous deformation present in the AnC motif of unbound DNA duplexes might be the initial recognition site for proteins which bind to such junctions; and that in AnC stretches, DNA bending is a complicated dynamic process, i.e., locally noncanonical N conformers of the sugar phosphate backbone mix in with the B-like S conformers leading to bending.
Re-Imagining social enterprise

Purpose This intentionally polemical paper will aim to re-examine what is meant by social enterprise and try to assert its role within the current economic system. It is well over a decade since John Pearce’s Social Enterprise in Anytown was first published. Since then the term “social enterprise” has been used in multiple ways by politicians, practitioners and academics – very often for their own ideological ends. Design/methodology/approach This paper will outline the context and challenges currently facing social enterprise both from outside and from inside the social enterprise movement. Findings This paper re-affirms a paradigm for social enterprises through re-imagining how social enterprise should and could contribute to the creation of a fairer and more just society. Originality/value Finally, this paper will conclude with a reflection on what Pearce argued and how the social enterprise movement has to position itself as a viable alternative way of creating goods and services based on socially responsible values.
Biomarkers for evaluation of treatment response in classical Hodgkin lymphoma: comparison of sGalectin‐1, sCD163 and sCD30 with TARC

Soluble Galectin‐1 (sGal‐1, also termed LGALS1), soluble CD163 (sCD163) and soluble CD30 (sCD30) have been reported to be elevated in plasma or serum of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). We aimed to determine the clinical utility of these biomarkers for evaluation of treatment response compared to thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC, also termed CCL17). Plasma or serum samples were prospectively collected among 103 newly diagnosed cHL patients before and after treatment. Levels of sGal‐1, sCD163, sCD30 and TARC were correlated with disease characteristics and clinical treatment response. Elevated plasma levels of sGal‐1, sCD163, sCD30 and TARC were found in 67%, 21%, 91% and 93% of cHL patients respectively. Mean plasma levels of sGal‐1 and sCD30 decreased after treatment but sCD163 did not decrease after treatment. There was no correlation with change of these markers and clinical treatment response in individual patients. TARC levels strongly correlated with disease characteristics and metabolic volume. TARC remained high in 6 out of 7 non‐responsive patients and dramatically decreased in 95 out of 96 responsive patients. In summary, elevated pre‐treatment levels of sGal‐1, sCD163, sCD30 and TARC can be found in patients with cHL. However, only plasma TARC accurately reflects disease activity and correlates with clinical treatment response.
Protease Inhibitors as Inhibitors of Human Cytochromes P450: High Risk Associated with Ritonavir

Four protease inhibitor antiviral agents (ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir) were evaluated as in vitro inhibitors of the activity of six human cytochromes using an in vitro model based on human liver microsomes. Ritonavir was a highly potent inhibitor of P450‐3A activity (triazolam hydroxylation), having inhibitory potency slightly less than ketoconazole. Indinavir was also a potent 3A inhibitor, while nelfinavir and saquinavir were less potent. Ritonavir had high inhibition potency against cytochrome P450‐2C9 (tolbutamide hydroxylation), −2C19 (S‐mephenytoin hydroxylation), and −2D6 (dextromethorphan O‐demethylation and desipramine hydroxylation), while the other protease inhibitors had one or more orders of magnitude lower inhibitory activity against these reactions. None of the protease inhibitors had important inhibitory potency against P450‐1A2 (phenacetin O‐deethylation) or −2E1 (chlorzoxazone hydroxylation). Thus, among available protease inhibitors, ritonavir carries the highest risk of incurring drug interactions due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 activity.
Disrupted intrinsic functional connectivity in the vegetative state

It is debatable as to whether the spontaneous blood-oxygen-level dependent fluctuations that are observed in the resting brain in turn reflect consciously directed mental activity or, alternatively, constitute an intrinsic property of functional brain organisation persisting in the absence of consciousness. This report shows for the first time, in three patients, that the persistent vegetative state (PVS) is marked by a dysfunctional default mode network, with decreased connectivity in several brain regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulated cortex, especially in the right hemisphere. This finding supports the view that the resting state is involved in self-consciousness, and that the right-hemisphere default state may play a major role in conscious processes. It is speculated that the default state may act as a surrogate marker of PVS with awareness contents and, therefore, could replace a more complex activation paradigm.
The Impact of Technological Progress in the Energy Sector on Carbon Emissions: An Empirical Analysis from China

This paper investigates the relationship between technological progress in the energy sector and carbon emissions based on the Environment Kuznets Curve (EKC) and data from China during the period of 1995–2012. Our study confirms that the situation in China conforms to the EKC hypothesis and presents the inverted U-curve relationship between per capita income and carbon emissions. Furthermore, the inflection point will be reached in at least five years. Then, we use research and development (R & D) investment in the energy industry as the quantitative indicator of its technological progress to test its impact on carbon emissions. Our results show that technological progress in the energy sector contributes to a reduction in carbon emissions with hysteresis. Furthermore, our results show that energy efficiency improvements are also helpful in reducing carbon emissions. However, climate policy and change in industrial structure increase carbon emissions to some extent. Our conclusion demonstrates that currently, China is not achieving economic growth and pollution reduction simultaneously. To further achieve the goal of carbon reduction, the government should increase investment in the energy industry research and improve energy efficiency.
Influence of muscle glycogen depletion on the rate of resynthesis.

In an effort to determine what effect the degree of muscle glycogen depletion has on the rate of resynthesis, six male cyclists completed an exercise protocol that involved both one- and two-legged cycling. One leg completed 30 min of single-leg cycling, ten one-min sprints, and 30 min cycling with both legs. This resulted in a large degree of depletion (LD). The contralateral leg completed only 30 min of double-leg cycling and experienced a small amount of depletion (SD). Following the exercise, the subjects rested quietly for 6 h and were fed a 24% carbohydrate (CHO) solution every 20 min in order to achieve a CHO intake of 0.7 g.kg-1.h-1. Biopsies taken from the vastus lateralis muscle immediately after exercise revealed that the glycogen content of the LD leg decreased 93.9 (+/- 11.6) mmol.kg-1 w.w. , whereas the SD leg used 49.3 (+/- 5.7) mmol.kg-1 w.w. (P less than 0.01). Subsequent biopsies taken at 2 and 6 h of recovery demonstrated that the rate of muscle glycogen resynthesis was significantly greater in the LD leg, averaging 8.8 (+/- 2.4) mmol.kg-1.h1 w.w, while the SD leg restored glycogen at a rate of 3.0 (+/- 1.0) mmol.kg-1.h-1 w.w. (P less than 0.05). Glycogen synthase activity, expressed as its activity ratio (I/D), was also greater (P less than 0.01) in the LD leg both immediately after exercise (0.45 +/- 0.05 vs 0.24 +/- 0.04) and at 2 h of recovery (0.54 +/- 0.06 vs 0.27 +/- 0.06). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Meta-Analysis of Soybean-based Biodiesel.

Biofuel policy changes in the United States have renewed interest in soybean [ (L.) Merr. ] biodiesel. Past studies with varying methodologies and functional units can provide valuable information for future work. A meta-analysis of nine peer-reviewed soybean life cycle analysis (LCA) biodiesel studies was conducted on the northern Great Plains in the United States. Results of LCA studies were assimilated into a standardized system boundary and functional units for global warming (GWP), eutrophication (EP), and acidification (AP) potentials using biodiesel conversions from peer-reviewed and government documents. Factors not fully standardized included variations in NO accounting, mid- or end-point impacts, land use change, allocation, and statistical sampling pools. A state-by-state comparison of GWP lower and higher heating values (LHV, HHV) showed differences attributable to variations in spatial sampling and agricultural practices (e.g., tillage, irrigation). The mean GWP of LHV was 21.1 g·CO-eq MJ including outliers, and median EP LHV and AP LHV was 0.019 g·PO-eq MJ and 0.17 g·SO-eq MJ, respectively, using the limited data available. An LCA case study of South Dakota soybean-based biodiesel production resulted in GWP estimates (29 or 31 g·CO-eq MJ; 100% mono alkyl esters [first generation] biodiesel or 100% fatty acid methyl ester [second generation] biodiesel) similar to meta-analysis results (30.1 g·CO-eq MJ). Meta-analysis mean results, including outliers, resemble the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard for soybean biodiesel default value without land use change of 21.25 g·CO-eq MJ. Results were influenced by resource investment differences in water, fertilizer (e.g., type, application), and tillage. Future biofuel LCA studies should include these important factors to better define reasonable energy variations in regional agricultural management practices.