Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Hierarchical Bayes Model for Assortment Choice

In this research, the authors merge an established methodology—hierarchical Bayesian modeling—and an existing utility model—Farquhar and Rao's (1976) balance model—to describe individual choices among assortments of multiattributed items. This approach facilitates addressing three managerial questions of direct importance: (1) Which assortment of a given size has the most customers for whom it is the preferred assortment (and what fraction of customers)? (2) Which products should be added to a given assortment to maximize the fraction of customers who can find their most preferred assortment? and (3) For a given assortment, what type of customer is likely to purchase it? The model is applied to assortment choices constructed from a set of eight popular magazines with five measured attributes: business, current events, human interest stories, sports, and technology. The analysis indicates that consumers are heterogeneous: Some customers are price sensitive and unresponsive to the magazine attributes, and others are sensitive to the magazine features but do not necessarily want more of them. In addition, the authors observe that many subjects do not prefer varied assortments; rather, consumers focus on purchasing magazines with high levels of the attribute they want.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence From Randomized-controlled Trials

Objectives:Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been reported to relieve pain and improve function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of TENS for the management of knee osteoarthritis. Methods:We searched Embase, PubMed, CENTRAL, SIGLE, PEDro, and clinicaltrials.gov, up to June 2014 for literature related to TENS used for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Two authors independently screened the searched records based on the title and abstract. Information including the authors, study design, mean age, sex, study population, stimulation frequency (of TENS), outcome measures, and follow-up periods were extracted by the 2 authors. Results:Eighteen trials were included in the qualitative systematic review, and 14 were included in the meta-analysis. TENS significantly decreased pain (standard mean difference, −0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.31 to −0.27; P<0.00001) compared with control groups. There was no significant difference in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (standard mean differences, −0.13; 95% CI, −0.35 to 0.1; P=0.09) or the rate of all-cause discontinuation (risk ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.48 to 1.22; P=0.94) between the TENS and control groups. Discussion:TENS might relieve pain due to knee osteoarthritis. Further randomized-controlled trials should focus on large-scale studies and a longer duration of follow-up.
An autocrine axis in the testis that coordinates spermiation and blood–testis barrier restructuring during spermatogenesis

The mechanism(s) that regulate and coordinate the events of spermiation and blood–testis barrier (BTB) restructuring in the seminiferous epithelium that occur concurrently at stage VIII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis are unknown. In this report, fragments derived from the laminin complex composed of laminin α3, β3, and γ3 chains (laminin-333) at the apical ectoplasmic specialization (apical ES) were shown to modulate BTB dynamics directly and/or indirectly via hemidesmosome. Experiments were performed using cultured Sertoli cells with functional tight junction (TJ) barrier and the ultrastructural features of the BTB but not apical ES. Recombinant protein fragments of laminin β3 and γ3 chains were shown to reduce the protein levels of occludin and β1-integrin dose dependently at the Sertoli–Sertoli and Sertoli–basement membrane interface, respectively, thereby destabilizing the BTB permeability function. These results were corroborated by transient overexpression of laminin fragments in Sertoli cells. To further assess the role of β1-integrin in hemidesmosome, knockdown of β1-integrin in Sertoli cells by RNAi was found to associate with occludin redistribution at the Sertoli–Sertoli cell interface, wherein occludin moved away from the cell surface and became associated with endosomes, thereby destabilizing the BTB. In short, an apical ES-BTB-hemidesmosome autocrine regulatory axis was identified in testes, coordinating the events of spermiation and BTB restructuring that occur at the opposite ends of the seminiferous epithelium during spermatogenesis.
Generalized Differential Modulation for Amplify-and-Forward Wireless Relay Networks

Differential modulation has recently been proposed for wireless relay networks. However, it suffers from a 3-dB performance loss as in point-to-point communication systems. In this paper, we propose a new differential modulation scheme, which is referred as generalized differential modulation (GDM) for wireless networks with amplify-and-forward relaying. In the proposed scheme, each frame transmitted by the source is divided into several blocks, and each block consists of one reference symbol and several normal symbols. The reference symbol in each block is differentially encoded based on the previous reference symbol, whereas the normal symbols are differentially encoded based on the reference symbol in the same block. At the destination, the signals from the source and the relays are combined to improve communication reliability. The proposed scheme has the advantage of allowing power allocation among the reference symbol and the normal symbols to improve the system performance. Numerical results show that the proposed GDM scheme can perform very close to the coherent receiver with perfect channel state information (CSI) in slow-fading channels.
Informative promotional outcome on school teachers’ knowledge about emergency management of dental trauma

Aim: To assess awareness of school teachers concerning the emergency management of traumatized teeth. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective intervention study conducted with 1000 teachers (500 urban, 500 rural) randomly selected from the entire government and private, primary (elementary) as well as secondary (high) schools of Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Study was carried out in three phases; the first phase being an initial survey conducted to assess the existing knowledge of teachers on management of traumatic injuries by using self-administered questionnaire. This was followed by a comprehensive informative promotion regarding the initial management of the traumatic dental injuries for the teachers. A post-promotion follow-up review was conducted 3 months later to evaluate the effect of the informative promotion, using the same set of questionnaires. Study was completed over a period of 9 months. Statistical Methods: Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 14.0, and Chi-square test was used to compare the knowledge of teachers prior to and after the informative promotion. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The teachers’ overall knowledge with respect to the emergency management of the traumatic injuries was deficient and significant differences were found in the knowledge of teachers before and after the informative promotion. Conclusion: Informative promotion programs to improve the knowledge and awareness of this group of community, who are generally the first line of assistance in case of dental trauma in schools, are mandatory.
Quantitative Microbial Ecology through Stable Isotope Probing

ABSTRACT Bacteria grow and transform elements at different rates, and as yet, quantifying this variation in the environment is difficult. Determining isotope enrichment with fine taxonomic resolution after exposure to isotope tracers could help, but there are few suitable techniques. We propose a modification to stable isotope probing (SIP) that enables the isotopic composition of DNA from individual bacterial taxa after exposure to isotope tracers to be determined. In our modification, after isopycnic centrifugation, DNA is collected in multiple density fractions, and each fraction is sequenced separately. Taxon-specific density curves are produced for labeled and nonlabeled treatments, from which the shift in density for each individual taxon in response to isotope labeling is calculated. Expressing each taxon's density shift relative to that taxon's density measured without isotope enrichment accounts for the influence of nucleic acid composition on density and isolates the influence of isotope tracer assimilation. The shift in density translates quantitatively to isotopic enrichment. Because this revision to SIP allows quantitative measurements of isotope enrichment, we propose to call it quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP). We demonstrated qSIP using soil incubations, in which soil bacteria exhibited strong taxonomic variations in 18O and 13C composition after exposure to [18O]water or [13C]glucose. The addition of glucose increased the assimilation of 18O into DNA from [18O]water. However, the increase in 18O assimilation was greater than expected based on utilization of glucose-derived carbon alone, because the addition of glucose indirectly stimulated bacteria to utilize other substrates for growth. This example illustrates the benefit of a quantitative approach to stable isotope probing.
Understanding recreation activity participants as clientele groups of multi-use recreation areas

The goals of participants in a given type of recreation activity available in a specific recreation area may be in conflict with those of participants in other types of recreation available in the same area, creating difficult challenges for area managers. Moreover, little is known about the characteristics and behaviour patterns of such groups and how they might differ from one another, leaving managers less equipped to communicate effectively with them than would otherwise be the case. This article helps to fill this information void by comparing the characteristics and behaviour patterns of equestrians, hikers, mountain bikers, and runners on a rail-trail in South Dakota, USA. Significant differences across these activity groups emerged. For example, compared to the other groups, equestrians tended to be older visitors who sought an appreciation of history and nature, almost always in the company of others. Runners, on the other hand, tended to be younger visitors who sought to ‘promote health and fitness’, much less frequently in the company of others. Management implications are discussed.
Secretion of Quinolinic Acid, an Intermediate in the Kynurenine Pathway, for Utilization in NAD+ Biosynthesis in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT NAD+ is synthesized from tryptophan either via the kynurenine (de novo) pathway or via the salvage pathway by reutilizing intermediates such as nicotinic acid or nicotinamide ribose. Quinolinic acid is an intermediate in the kynurenine pathway. We have discovered that the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae secretes quinolinic acid into the medium and also utilizes extracellular quinolinic acid as a novel NAD+ precursor. We provide evidence that extracellular quinolinic acid enters the cell via Tna1, a high-affinity nicotinic acid permease, and thereby helps to increase the intracellular concentration of NAD+. Transcription of genes involved in the kynurenine pathway and Tna1 was increased, responding to a low intracellular NAD+ concentration, in cells bearing mutations of these genes; this transcriptional induction was suppressed by supplementation with quinolinic acid or nicotinic acid. Our data thus shed new light on the significance of quinolinic acid, which had previously been recognized only as an intermediate in the kynurenine pathway.
On the role of TRPC 1 in control of Ca 2 influx , cell volume , and cell cycle

Madsen CP, Klausen TK, Fabian A, Hansen BJ, Pedersen SF, Hoffmann EK. On the role of TRPC1 in control of Ca influx, cell volume, and cell cycle. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 303: C625–C634, 2012. First published June 27, 2012; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00287. 2011. — Ca signaling plays a crucial role in control of cell cycle progression, but the understanding of the dynamics of Ca influx and release of Ca from intracellular stores during the cell cycle is far from complete. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the free extracellular Ca concentration ([Ca ]o) in cell proliferation, the pattern of changes in the free intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca ]i) during cell cycle progression, and the role of the transient receptor potential (TRP)C1 in these changes as well as in cell cycle progression and cell volume regulation. In Ehrlich Lettré Ascites (ELA) cells, [Ca ]i decreased significantly, and the thapsigargin-releasable Ca pool in the intracellular stores increased in G1 as compared with G0. Storedepletion-operated Ca entry (SOCE) and TRPC1 protein expression level were both higher in G1 than in G0 and S phase, in parallel with a more effective volume regulation after swelling [regulatory volume decrease (RVD)] in G1 as compared with S phase. Furthermore, reduction of [Ca ]o, as well as two unspecific SOCE inhibitors, 2-APB (2-aminoethyldiphenyl borinate) and SKF96365 (1-( -[3-(4methoxy-phenyl)propoxyl-4-methoxyphenethyl)1H-imidazole-hydrochloride), inhibited ELA cell proliferation. Finally, Madin-Darby canine kidney cells in which TRPC1 was stably silenced [TRPC1 knockdown (TRPC1-KD) MDCK] exhibited reduced SOCE, slower RVD, and reduced cell proliferation compared with mock controls. In conclusion, in ELA cells, SOCE and TRPC1 both seem to be upregulated in G1 as compared with S phase, concomitant with an increased rate of RVD. Furthermore, TRPC1-KD MDCK cells exhibit decreased SOCE, decreased RVD, and decreased proliferation, suggesting that, at least in certain cell types, TRPC1 is regulated during cell cycle progression and is involved in SOCE, RVD, and cell proliferation.
Effects of interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha on the expression of the genes encoding aggrecan, biglycan, and decorin core proteins in cultured human chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), alone or in combination, on the expression of aggrecan, biglycan, and decorin core protein genes in human chondrocytes. METHODS Isolated human chondrocytes were cultured on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-coated plastic dishes to prevent the loss of cartilage-specific phenotype, and the effects of IFN gamma and TNF alpha, alone or in combination, on aggrecan, biglycan, and decorin core protein gene transcription and steady-state messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were examined. RESULTS The addition of IFN gamma (1.5 pM) or TNF alpha (0.3 pM) caused a decrease in the steady-state level of aggrecan mRNA (-25% and -15%, respectively), and the combination of these low-concentration cytokines caused a potent inhibition (-66%). These effects were the result of a decrease (-50%) in the transcription rate of the corresponding gene. At the concentrations used, IFN gamma did not alter the levels of biglycan mRNA or the transcription rates of the biglycan core protein gene. In contrast, TNF alpha decreased biglycan steady-state mRNA levels (-62%) and the biglycan core protein gene transcription rate (-18%). The combination of IFN gamma and TNF alpha resulted in a potentiation of the inhibitory effects of TNF alpha on biglycan mRNA levels (-79%) and transcription rate of the biglycan core protein gene (-46%). IFN gamma produced a modest decrease in decorin mRNA levels (-23%) and decorin core protein gene transcription rate (-17%). In contrast, TNF alpha resulted in a marked increase in decorin mRNA levels (+260%) that was not the result of transcriptional regulation. Notably, the combination of IFN gamma and TNF alpha potentiated the inhibitory effects of IFN gamma on decorin mRNA (-80%) and on the transcription of the corresponding gene (-43%). Similar results were obtained in fetal and adult articular chondrocytes. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that 1) the expression of the core protein genes encoding the cartilage proteoglycans aggrecan, biglycan, and decorin is differentially regulated by IFN gamma and TNF alpha; 2) these effects are mediated by transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms; and 3) the combination of the 2 cytokines causes a potent inhibitory effect on the expression of the genes for the core proteins of these 3 proteoglycans, which occurs largely at the transcriptional level. The inhibition of aggrecan, decorin, and biglycan core protein gene expression by the combination of IFN gamma and TNF alpha may contribute to the cartilage destruction that is characteristic of inflammatory joint diseases.
Consumer knowledge and use of country-of-origin information at the point of purchase

This paper reports an investigation of American and Canadian consumer acquisition and/or knowledge of the country of origin of products at the time of purchase. Consumer knowledge of the country of origin of purchased products was tested as purchasers left the cash register. If the purchaser knew the country of origin of the product just purchased, they were further questioned to discover the role such knowledge might have played in their choice between alternatives. More than 93 per cent of 1,248 purchasers intercepted at the cash register had not acquired while shopping, or did not know from prior experience, the country of origin of a product they had just purchased. Of the 91 (6.5 per cent) who had acquired or knew the country of origin of a product they had just purchased, only 27 (2.2 per cent of the total) indicated that their knowledge of the product's country of origin possibly might have played a role in their product choice. These findings reveal that the country of origin of products is not an important attribute in the choice processes of the great majority of North American consumers. Confirmation of these findings by replication with less obtrusive and more externally valid measures of consumer acquisition and use of product information prior to purchase is needed. Copyright © 2004 Henry Stewart Publications.
Shareholders wealth effects of Mergers & Acquisitions in different deal activity periods in India

It has been observed that Mergers and Acquisitions (MA there are periods of high MA mergers on the other hand generate wealth losses for the acquiring firms across all periods. It was also found that the overall movement in the stock market affects the magnitude of the gains/ losses of acquiring and target firms. Key Words: Mergers, Acquisitions, Shareholders Wealth, Event Study Methodology, India.
Self‐Concept Measures and Childhood Obesity: A Descriptive Analysis

Little is known about the possible effects of age, race, gender, or degree of obesity on measurements of self-concept in children. Our study of 130 obese children enrolled in an outpatient obesity clinic showed that their mean overall score on the Piers-Harris (P-H) Children's Self-Concept Scale was within the norms. However, certain subgroups scored low, with nonwhite children displaying the lowest self-esteem, particularly younger girls and adolescent males. For boys, the severity of obesity was inversely associated with the overall score and the intellectual school status subscale. Girls scored lower on anxiety. Younger white males scored the lowest on popularity. Our findings thus suggest that there is heterogeneity in self-concept measures among obese children, and that the use of subscales might provide greater insight and also possibly enhance sensitivity of the P-H in the investigation of obesity and self-concept.
Intermittent hypoxia is a proinflammatory stimulus resulting in IL‐6 expression and M1 macrophage polarization

The biological factors that promote inflammation or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in the setting of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease remain incompletely understood. Clinical studies have demonstrated an association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and both inflammation and fibrosis in NASH, but the mechanism has not been identified. In this study, we use in vitro modeling to examine the impact of intermittent hypoxia on the liver. Hepatocyte, stellate cell, and macrophage cell lines were exposed to intermittent or sustained hypoxia. Candidate genes associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and lipogenesis were analyzed. Circulating cytokines were assessed in human serum of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Intermittent hypoxia results in significant induction of interleukin (IL)‐6 expression in both hepatocytes and macrophages. The increase in IL‐6 expression was independent of hypoxia inducible factor 1 induction but appeared to be in part related to antioxidant response element and nuclear factor kappa B activation. Mature microRNA 365 (miR‐365) has been demonstrated to regulate IL‐6 expression, and we found that miR‐365 expression was decreased in the setting of intermittent hypoxia. Furthermore, macrophage cell lines showed polarization to an M1 but not M2 phenotype. Finally, we found a trend toward higher circulating levels of IL‐6 in patients with OSA and NASH. Conclusion: Intermittent hypoxia acts as a potent proinflammatory stimulus, resulting in IL‐6 induction and M1 macrophage polarization. Increased IL‐6 expression may be due to both induction of antioxidant response element and nuclear factor kappa B as well as inhibition of miR‐365 expression. Higher levels of IL‐6 were observed in human samples of patients with OSA and NASH. These findings provide biological insight into mechanisms by which obstructive sleep apnea potentiates inflammation and fibrosis in patients with fatty liver disease. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:326–337)
Detecting Surface Kuroshio Front in the Luzon Strait From Multichannel Satellite Data Using Neural Networks

An objective classification method is developed to distinguish the water masses of Kuroshio and South China Sea (SCS) by using an artificial neural network (ANN). Sea surface temperature (SST) and ocean-color data obtained from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer in two specified areas to the east and west of Luzon, representing the Kuroshio and SCS waters, respectively, are used to train, validate, and test the ANN model. The water masses of Kuroshio and SCS can be distinguished correctly with a high success rate of over 99%. The model is then applied to the Luzon Strait, and the result of water mass classification agrees well with the temperature-salinity characteristics derived from a cruise in May and June of 2006. The performance is good in summertime when the SST or ocean color has a rather uniform spatial distribution and the traditional method of front detection by using a threshold value is inappropriate.
Comments on 'Calibration of wrist-mounted robotic sensors by solving homogeneous transform equations of the form AX=XB' [with reply]

The commenters point out that the derivation of the closed-form solution to the homogeneous transform equation AX=XB by Y.C. Shiu and S. Ahmad (see ibid., vol.5, no.1, p.16-27, Feb.1989), although containing many useful ideas, is somewhat lengthy. It can be presented much more compactly using quaternion algebra. Direct benefits of such an approach are presented. In their reply, Shiu and Ahmad admit that the commenters' method has significant advantages over the original solution for the rotational part. However, it does not provide the geometric insight that the solution for AX=XB has a rotational degree of freedom about k/sub A/ (the axes of rotation of A). The solution to the translational part of X discussed in the original paper is not affected by this discussion since its computation is not dependent on how the rotational part is computed. >