Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inducible beta-oxidation pathway in Neurospora crassa

An inducible beta-oxidation system was demonstrated in a particulate fraction from Neurospora crassa. The activities of all individual beta-oxidation enzymes were enhanced in cells after a shift from a sucrose to an acetate medium. The induction was even more pronounced in transfer to a medium containing oleate as sole carbon and energy source. Since an acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) dehydrogenase was detected instead of acyl-CoA oxidase, the former enzyme seems to catalyze the first step of the beta-oxidation sequence in N. crassa. After isopycnic centrifugation in a linear sucrose gradient, the intracellular organelles housing the fatty acid degradation pathway cosedimented (1.21 g/cm3) with the glyoxylate bypass enzymes isocitrate lyase and malate synthase and were clearly resolved from both mitochondrial marker enzymes (1.19 g/cm3) and catalase (1.26 g/cm3). On the basis of biochemical as well as morphological properties, these particles from N. crassa have recently been designated as glyoxysome-like particles (G. Wanner and T. Theimer, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 386:269-284, 1982). The failure to detect catalase, urate oxidase, and acyl-CoA oxidase indicate that these glyoxysome-like microbodies in N. crassa lack peroxisomal function and thus are clearly different from the various microbodies reported so far to contain a beta-oxidation pathway.
Development and Validation of the Cognition Test Battery for Spaceflight.

BACKGROUND Sustained high-level cognitive performance is of paramount importance for the success of space missions, which involve environmental, physiological, and psychological stressors that may affect brain functions. Despite subjective symptom reports of cognitive fluctuations in spaceflight, the nature of neurobehavioral functioning in space has not been clarified. METHODS We developed a computerized cognitive test battery (Cognition) that has sensitivity to multiple cognitive domains and was specifically designed for the high-performing astronaut population. Cognition consists of 15 unique forms of 10 neuropsychological tests that cover a range of cognitive domains, including emotion processing, spatial orientation, and risk decision making. Cognition is based on tests known to engage specific brain regions as evidenced by functional neuroimaging. Here we describe the first normative and acute total sleep deprivation data on the Cognition test battery as well as several efforts underway to establish the validity, sensitivity, feasibility, and acceptability of Cognition. RESULTS Practice effects and test-retest variability differed substantially between the 10 Cognition tests, illustrating the importance of normative data that both reflect practice effects and differences in stimulus set difficulty in the population of interest. After one night without sleep, medium to large effect sizes were observed for 3 of the 10 tests addressing vigilant attention (Cohen's d = 1.00), cognitive throughput (d = 0.68), and abstract reasoning (d = 0.65). CONCLUSIONS In addition to providing neuroimaging-based novel information on the effects of spaceflight on a range of cognitive functions, Cognition will facilitate comparing the effects of ground-based analogues to spaceflight, increase consistency across projects, and thus enable meta-analyses.
Effects of platelet binding on whole blood flow cytometry assays of monocyte and neutrophil procoagulant activity

Summary. Background: Monocytes and neutrophils form heterotypic aggregates with platelets initially via engagement of platelet surface P‐selectin with leukocyte surface P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (PSGL‐1). The resultant intracellular signaling causes the leukocyte surface expression of tissue factor and activation of leukocyte surface Mac‐1 (integrin αMβ2, CD11b/CD18). The activation‐dependent conformational change in monocyte surface Mac‐1 results in the binding of coagulation factor Xa (FXa) and/or fibrinogen to Mac‐1. The aim of this study was to develop whole blood flow cytometry assays of these procoagulant activities and to investigate the effects of platelet binding to monocytes and neutrophils. Methods: Citrate or D‐Phe‐Pro‐Arg‐chloromethylketone (PPACK) anticoagulated whole blood was incubated with monoclonal antibodies against CD14 (PECy5), CD42a (PE), FITC‐conjugated test antibody and an agonist, and then fixed with FACS lyse. Appropriate isotype negative controls were prepared in parallel. A BD FACSCalibur was used to analyze monocytes and neutrophils, which were identified based on CD14 fluorescence, forward and 90° light scatter. These populations were further gated into CD42a‐positive (platelet‐bound) and CD42a‐negative (platelet‐free). Geometric mean fluorescence and per cent positive data were collected for each subpopulation to measure the binding of test antibodies directed at CD42a, tissue factor, coagulation FXa, bound fibrinogen, activated Mac‐1, and CD11b. Compensation controls were prepared on six normal donors prior to the study and these settings were used throughout the 10 donor study. Negative controls verified the lack of cross talk, particularly in the quantified FITC and PE parameters. Results: The physiologic agonists collagen and ADP increased monocyte‐platelet and neutrophil‐platelet aggregates and increased leukocyte surface Mac‐1/CD11b and surface‐bound tissue factor, FXa and fibrinogen. Whereas the increases in Mac‐1/CD11b were mainly independent of leukocyte‐platelet binding, the increases in surface‐bound tissue factor, FXa and fibrinogen were mainly dependent on leukocyte‐platelet binding. Conclusions: (i) We have developed novel whole blood flow cytometry assays to measure bound tissue factor, coagulation FXa, fibrinogen, activated Mac‐1 and CD11b on the surface of monocytes and neutrophils, allowing independent analysis of monocytes and neutrophils with and without surface‐adherent platelets. (ii) The monocyte and neutrophil surface binding of tissue factor, FXa and fibrinogen is mainly dependent on platelet adherence to monocytes and neutrophils, whereas the monocyte and neutrophil surface expression of CD11b and activated Mac‐1 is mainly independent of platelet adherence to monocytes and neutrophils.
Is Governance Being Shared?

Chief nurse executives from acute care general hospitals selected the “most professional/innovative” nursing unit in their institutions and indicated which level in the nursing hierarchy was responsible for selected activities and decisions about the content and context of practice on that unit. Responses from 220 executives raise interesting issues regarding the sharing of governance between administrators and staff registered nurses.
Efficacy and safety of multitarget therapy with mizoribine and tacrolimus for systemic lupus erythematosus with or without active nephritis

The prognosis of lupus nephritis (LN) has improved since the introduction of immunosuppressant therapies, but the safety and effectiveness of treatments can also be improved. We retrospectively assessed the treatment courses of 12 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who were treated with glucocorticoid, mizoribine (MZR) and tacrolimus. This regimen was used as initial therapy for active LN in six patients (mean glucocorticoid dose, 66.6 mg); four of these six patients also received pulse methylprednisolone therapy. The starting doses of MZR and tacrolimus were 150 and 3 mg, respectively, and they were titrated as required. Five of six patients achieved complete remission and one achieved partial remission at 6 months. Five patients who completed 12-month analysis achieved complete remission. Another six patients were given the combination regimen for treating minor flares or for steroid sparing. The mean prednisolone doses were reduced from 11.0 mg at baseline to 6.6 mg at 12 months. Six patients experienced minor adverse events, including three minor infections. One patient stopped tacrolimus because of suspected toxicity. All 12 patients were successfully treated, and none experienced severe adverse events. Multitarget therapy combining glucocorticoid, MZR and tacrolimus may have the potential to become a treatment option which is effective and safe.
Transcatheter Examination of the Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter with the SpyGlass Direct Visualization System: A New Aid in Diagnosis and Salvation of Ultrafiltration Failure from Partial Catheter Obstruction

Mechanical complications in peritoneal dialysis (PD), including intraluminal clogging of the PD catheter by fibrin, omentum, or blood clot, are major causes of outflow problems and, in rare cases, lead to technical failure. To visualize an intraluminal image of patients undergoing PD with ineffective ultrafiltration (UF), a SpyGlass fiber optic probe was inserted into the catheter, together with SpyBite biopsy forceps, should the removal of clogging materials be needed. Applying these transcatheter devices in 2 PD patients with unexplained UF failure led to the demonstration of omental plugging at the catheter tip in the first patient and demonstration of intraluminal blood clots in the second patient from whom clots were removal successfully. Both patients achieved better UF volume thereafter without procedure-related complications.
Nutrition assessment in the elderly

The prevalence of malnutrition, which is relatively low in free-living elderly persons (5-10%), is considerably higher (30-60%) in hospitalized or institutionalized elderly persons. As a result, nutritional assessment should be part of routine clinical practice in elderly patients who are frail, sick or hospitalized. A comprehensive screening tool for assessment of nutritional status is needed that is clinically relevant and cost-effective to perform. A number of simple and rapid tests for detecting or diagnosing malnutrition in the elderly have recently been developed. If malnutrition is suggested by such screening tests, then they should be supplemented by conventional nutritional assessment before treatment is planned.
Minimally Invasive Treatment of Colon Cancer

The advantages of laparoscopy in the treatment of benign diseases have been well demonstrated. Compared with laparotomy, the laparoscopic approach is associated with a shorter hospitalization period, shorter duration of ileus, decreased postoperative pain, earlier return to work, and improved cosmesis. The role of laparoscopy for the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancy has had a slower evolution and been the subject of considerable debate over the past decade. Since 1991, several concerns have limited the widespread use of laparoscopy for attempted cure of colorectal carcinoma. This review aims to analyze the results of several studies published to date on short and long term outcome of laparoscopy for colorectal carcinoma, based on levels of evidence. From the least to the most convincing data, the hierarchy of study designs progresses through a spectrum ranging from retrospective reviews to prospective series, to case-controlled, cohort, and ultimately randomized controlled trials.
Comparison of outcomes of tricuspid annuloplasty with 3D-rigid versus flexible prosthetic ring for functional tricuspid regurgitation secondary to rheumatic mitral valve disease.

BACKGROUND Annuloplasty bands and rings are widely used for repairing functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR). However, the question regarding which is the ideal annuloplasty device remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and mid-term durability of tricuspid ring annuloplasty for FTR secondary to rheumatic mitral valve disease using flexible Cosgrove-Edwards band and the rigid Edwards MC3 ring (Edwards Lifesciences, LLC, Irvine, CA, USA). METHODS We retrospectively collected the clinical data of those who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) in concomitant with tricuspid ring annuloplasty from 2009 to 2013. The flexible band was used in 46 patients (flexible group), and the 3D rigid ring was used in 60 patients (rigid group). Echocardiographic evaluation of tricuspid function was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS The grade of TR was significantly improved compared to preoperative values in two groups. There was no significant difference regarding postoperative TR grade between the two groups at 1 week and 2-3 months but there was statistical significant difference at postoperative 6-12 months, and 2-3 years. During the follow up period, 25 of 46 patients (54.3%) in flexible group and 22 of 60 patients (30.3%) in rigid group developed recurrent TR. Freedom from recurrent TR in flexible group is significant lower than rigid group in each postoperative follow up period. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that 3D rigid ring annuloplasty might be more effective for tricuspid ring annuloplasty in FTR in mid-term postoperative periods when compared to flexible band.
Is NBI-Guided Resection a Breakthrough for Achieving Adequate Resection Margins in Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Objectives: Obtaining free resection margins is the main goal of oncological surgeons. Narrow-band imaging (NBI) has been recently used to help define resection margins in transoral laser microsurgery for laryngeal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraoperative NBI in defining the surgical resection margins of oral and oropharyngeal cancers. Methods: Between January 2014 and March 2015, NBI was used intraoperatively after an initial definition of resection margins with white light in 26 patients (group A). The rate of superficial positive margins at definitive histology was compared with that of a historical cohort of 44 patients (group B) previously managed without the use of intraoperative NBI. Results: A statistically significant reduction in the rate of positive superficial margins was observed at definitive histology in group A (P = .028). NBI helped to identify the presence of dysplasia and cancer around the visible tumor not otherwise detectable with visual examination alone. Conclusions: NBI could be a useful tool for obtaining free resection margins in oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma.
Ranking of pattern recognition parameters for premature ventricular contractions classification by neural networks

Detection and classification of ventricular complexes from a limited number of ECG leads is of considerable importance in critical care or operating room patient monitoring. Beat-to-beat detection allows the heart rhythm evolution to be followed and various types of arrhythmia to be recognized. A quantitative analysis is proposed of pattern recognition parameters for classification of normal QRS complexes and premature ventricular contractions (PVC). Twenty-six parameters have been defined: the width of the QRS complex, three vectorcardiogram parameters and 11 from two ECG leads. These parameters include: amplitudes of positive and negative peaks, area of positive and negative waves, various time-interval durations, amplitude and angle of the QRS vector, etc. They are measured for all QRS complexes annotated as ‘normals’ and ‘PVCs’ from the 48 ECG recordings of the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database. Neural networks (NN) are shown to be a useful instrument for the analysis of large quantities of parameters. Separate ranking of any parameter and homogeneous group ranking (amplitude, area, interval, slope and vector) were performed. From the two ECG leads, the first three ranked parameter groups for clustering of PVCs are amplitude, slope and interval, while for N clustering they are vector, amplitude and area. Considering the entire parameter set, we obtained N = 99.7% correct detection of normal QRS complexes and PVC = 98.5% of premature ventricular complexes. The study also shows that simultaneous analysis of two ECG channels yields better accuracy compared to using a single channel: the improvement is 0.1% in the classification of N beats and 4.5% for PVC beats.
Removal of the Outer Table of the Skull for Reconstruction of Full‐Thickness Scalp Defects with a Dermal Regeneration Template

BACKGROUND The reconstruction of large defects of the scalp after wide excisional surgery of cutaneous malignancies is challenging. When the pericranium must be resected due to safety considerations, the exposed bone complicates reconstructive approaches. OBJECTIVE The objective was to develop an improved technique for reconstructive surgery of full-thickness scalp defects. METHODS Full-thickness scalp defects of up to 126 cm2 in size with exposure of denuded bone were treated by partial removal of the outer table of the skull. The diploic space exposed by this treatment showed petechial bleeding and was covered with a dermal regeneration template (Integra, Integra Lifesciences Corp., Plainsboro, NJ). After transformation of the template by vascularization and by proliferation of fibroblasts, an ultrathin skin graft was transplanted onto the neodermis. RESULTS Thirteen patients with cutaneous malignancies of the scalp were treated using this technique. The defects were transplanted within a median postoperative time period of 29 days (± 4 days) and showed good cosmetic results and stable scars. After a follow-up period of 6 months, no local recurrences were observed. CONCLUSION This reconstructive procedure allows closure and rapid healing of large scalp defects in which the pericranium had to be resected.
Do Teacher Characteristics Affect Student Achievement? Evidence from a Rural State.

Using a unique dataset, this dissertation analyzes the relationship between observable teacher characteristics and teacher effectiveness. Effectiveness is measured as a teacher’s ability to improve student achievement on a standardized test. This analysis focuses on teachers of math and science at the elementary and middle school levels, as well as teachers of algebra, geometry, and 11 th grade English language arts. The sample is drawn from Arkansas, a state that has a much more rural population than other states and cities where this type of analysis has been conducted in the past. For the analysis I am unable to link teachers directly to students, but I can match teachers and students to a course within a school. Thus, I generate a value added score at the school-course level and attribute that score to each teacher in that school, who teaches that course. I then regress observable teacher characteristics on the school-course value-added measure. In this way, I analyze the relationship between of a host of characteristics and student achievement. The observed characteristics include: certification route, licensure exam scores, experience, graduate degrees, and in some cases college degrees. I conclude with policy recommendations. This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. Dissertation Director: _________________________________________ Dr. Jay P. Greene Dissertation Committee: _________________________________________ Dr. Gary W. Ritter _________________________________________ Dr. Patrick Wolf Dissertation Duplication Release I hereby authorize the University of Arkansas Libraries to duplicate this dissertation when needed for research and/or scholarship. Agree __________________________________________ James V. Shuls Refused __________________________________________ James V. Shuls
A Novel Image Denoising Algorithm Based on Non-uniform Rectangular Partition and Interpolation

This paper proposes a novel denoising algorithm according to the image approximation after the Non-Uniform Rectangular Partition. A given image can automatically be partitioned into different sub-rectangles with different dimensions and the bivariate polynomial is used to do the Optimal Quadratic Approximation to gray values of image in each sub-rectangle. When the approximation error and bivariate polynomial are specified, a specific image partition result is obtained. Generally, the smallest the error, the better approximation effect is obtained. However, a suitable error should be selected to get the best approximation to original image instead of the noised image. On the other hand, in order to avoid the square effect after denoising and obtain a better denoising result, the interpolation method is used before and after the denoising by Non-Uniform Rectangular Partition. Experimental results show that this method can obtain a better denoising effect by comparing with other methods.
Ownership Structure and Investment Finance in Transition Economies: A Survey of Evidence from Large Firms in Hungary and Poland

Using survey data on 157 large private Hungarian and Polish companies this paper investigates links between ownership structures and CEOs’ expectations with regard to sources of finance for investment. The Bayesian estimation is used to deal with the small sample restrictions, while classical methods provide robustness checks. We found a hump-shaped relationship between ownership concentration and expectations of relying on public equity. The latter is most likely for firms where the largest investor owns between 25 percent and 49 percent of shares, just below the legal control threshold. More profitable firms rely on retained earnings for their investment finance, consistent with the ‘pecking order’ theory of financing. Finally, firms for which the largest shareholder is a domestic institutional investor are more likely to borrow from domestic banks.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in severe falciparum malaria: effects of cytokines.

Patients with malaria can have features of adrenal insufficiency. Because of the pathophysiological and clinical implications of an Addisonian state, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis was assessed in nine Vietnamese adults with complicated malaria. A CRH test was performed on admission (in convalescence in five cases) and in six healthy controls. Basal plasma ACTH concentrations in the patients and controls were similar [median (range): 2.9 (0.2-9.7) vs. 3.5 (1.9-13.4) pmol/L, respectively; P > 0.1]. Serum cortisol levels were greater in the patients [882 (294-1682) vs. 190 (110-676) nmol/L; P < 0.01], but three (33%) had values within the control range. Basal serum corticosteroid-binding globulin concentrations were similar in patients and controls (P = 0.23). The post-CRH rise in plasma ACTH was attenuated in the patients [peak: 6.1 (0.9-23.2) vs. 14.5 (6.2-21.5) pmol/L in controls; P < 0.05]; basal and peak plasma ACTH correlated with plasma interleukin-6 in this group (rs > or = 0.60; P < or = 0.04). Serum cortisol responses to CRH were depressed in acute illness [peak 990 (394-1, 805) nmol/L or 10 (0-50%) above baseline vs. 500 (429-703) nmol/L or 160 (10-380%) in controls; P < 0.05]. The median estimated serum cortisol t1/2 was 4.6 h in the patients and 1.6 h in the controls. These data suggest that, relative to a normal stress response, primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency can occur in severe malaria but may be attenuated by increased circulating interleukin-6 concentrations and impaired cortisol metabolism. The benefits of stress-dose corticosteroid replacement are unknown but could be considered in hypoglycemic patients or those with a serum cortisol within or below the reference range.
Social Transfers and Growth: Evidence from Luminosity Data

The effects of social transfers on growth are still unclear. The limitations of national accounts at subnational levels in developing countries have confined the analysis to the use of simulation models and household-level experimental data. This article contributes to the empirical literature by assessing the effects of Colombia’s Familias en Accion, a human development cash transfer program, on municipal growth rates and per capita growth. The staggered introduction of the program in 2001–4 facilitated an identification strategy based on a difference-in-differences estimation. The lack of subnational GDP data is tackled by using luminosity data generated by satellites orbiting the earth, which have demonstrated to be a suitable proxy for economic growth. The results show that the program generates significant positive effects on municipal growth rates.