Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lymphocyte Deficiencies Increase Susceptibility to Friend Virus-Induced Erythroleukemia in Fv-2 Genetically Resistant Mice

ABSTRACT The study of genetic resistance to retroviral diseases provides insights into the mechanisms by which organisms overcome potentially lethal infections. Fv-2 resistance to Friend virus-induced erythroleukemia acts through nonimmunological mechanisms to prevent early virus spread, but it does not completely block infection. The current experiments were done to determine whether Fv-2 alone could provide resistance or whether immunological mechanisms were also required to bring infection under control. Fv-2-resistant mice that were CD4+ T-cell deficient were able to restrict early virus replication and spread as well as normalFv-2-resistant mice, but they could not maintain control and developed severe Friend virus-induced splenomegaly and erythroleukemia by 6 to 8 weeks postinfection. Mice deficient in CD8+ T cells and, to a lesser extent, B cells were also susceptible to late Friend virus-induced disease. Thus,Fv-2 resistance does not independently prevent FV-induced erythroleukemia but works in concert with the immune system by limiting early infection long enough to allow virus-specific immunity time to develop and facilitate recovery.
Older Adults' Experience with a Novel Fall Detection Device.

BACKGROUND Falls are a significant concern for the older adult (OA) population, many of whom are unable to get up following a fall. INTRODUCTION While many devices exist designed to detect a fall, little work has been conducted to evaluate the usability of such devices. We present a longitudinal usability study of a fall detection (FD) device tested with OAs in real-world settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS OAs were recruited and asked to use a wearable FD device for up to 4 months. Participants were interviewed at baseline and 2 and 4 months and encouraged to provide direct feedback on their experience. RESULTS In total, 18 OAs participated in the study. Eight completed the 4-month trial. We conducted a total of 38 interviews (16 baseline, 7 midpoint, and 15 final) and logged a total of 78 comments. While participants enjoyed the GPS and automatic detection features of the device, they were unhappy with the volume of false alarms and obtrusiveness of the device. Many also did not see a great need for having the device or were embarrassed by the device. DISCUSSION Engineers must work to better develop this technology so that it is accessible to people with hearing loss, limited dexterity, and low vision. Utilizing age-appropriate design techniques will help make such informatics tools more user friendly. CONCLUSION We explored the usability of a particular FD device with OAs and provide design recommendations to help future device manufacturers create more age-appropriate devices.
Novel PCR Assay for Determining the Genetic Sex of Mice

A number of studies require the determination of the genetic sex of mouse embryos before sexual differentiation and/or of mutant mice that display partial or complete sex reversal. The majority of current methods for sexing by PCR involve multiplexing of 2 primer pairs. We have developed a novel sexing PCR using a single primer pair that amplifies fragments from the X and the Y chromosome with a clear size difference between the respective amplicons. This assay provides a rapid and reliable method to identify the genetic sex of mice across different mouse strains.
Effects of new formulation strategy on life cycle management in the US pharmaceutical industry

This research discusses the role of new formulation strategies on life cycle management in the US pharmaceutical industry and evaluates its effect on the market life of existing drug products. We constructed a method to quantitatively measure the life cycle extension period of new formulation pharmaceuticals, including censored cases, wherein the generic drug has not yet been approved and the innovator drug is surviving in the market. We employed 180 new formulation approvals for which Abbreviated New Drug Application approvals were granted for new molecular entities. We undertook a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of how long these new formulation pharmaceuticals are able to prevent the entry of generic pharmaceuticals into the US market after the end of the regulatory exclusivity period. The results showed that among the oral formulations, dosage forms that require advanced manufacturing technology, such as “Extended/Delayed Release,” have significantly extended the life cycle extension period over the past 20 years. In addition, the acquisition of formulation-related patents protecting products was observed to extend the life cycle extension period significantly. These research outcomes can help business strategists in the pharmaceutical industry to take advantage of already marketed new molecular entities as part of the life cycle management strategy and can help generic drug companies adapt to the strategies of innovator drug companies.
Development of competence scale for senior clinical nurses.

AIM The aim of this study was to develop a new scale, the Competence Scale for Senior Clinical Nurses (CS-SCN), to assess and evaluate senior clinical nurses in hospitals, and to confirm the validity and reliability of the scale. METHOD A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was undertaken at a hospital in Japan, using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire administered to clinical nurses (n=374). A useable sample of 218 was achieved, which was used in the analysis. Statistical analysis examined exploratory/confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and construct validity. RESULTS A five factor solution with 22 items was extracted for nursing competence in senior clinical nurses, which was the interpretable questionnaire. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the indices of fitness supported these results. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.93 for the total score and varied between 0.63 and 0.90 in the five factors. Five factors emerged from an oblique factor analysis, with a cumulative variance of 66.7%: "role accomplishment"; "self-management"; "research"; "practice and coordination"; and "work implementation". The five factors had only a moderate correlation (0.30-0.77, P<0.001) with each other, which indicated construct validity. CONCLUSION The CS-SCN, a concise scale to measure and evaluate the competence of senior clinical nurses, was developed. Results suggest initial support for the new instrument as a measure of competence of senior clinical nurses, but it must be further refined, tested, and evaluated. Both the validity and reliability of the scale were verified. Future studies using the CS-SCN might lead to improvement in the competence of senior clinical nurses.
A Musical Audio Search Method Based on Self-Similarity Features

We propose a method for musical audio search based on signal matching. A major problem in the signal matching approach to musical audio search has been key variation; if the key of a query signal is significantly different from the one in the stored database, the search will fail. To cope with this problem, our method newly employs self-similarity as the feature for signal matching. The self-similarity proposed here is similarity of the power spectrum defined between two time points within an audio signal. We show that the method increases the robustness of musical audio search with respect to key variation. In our experimentation, for example, the proposed method yields precision and recall rates of around 0.75 even when the pitches in queries and stored signals differ from each other by seven semitones, whereas a conventional signal matching method does not produce meaningful results in such a case.
Country Club Members’ Perceptions of Value, Image Congruence, and Switching Costs: an Exploratory Study of Country Club Members’ Loyalty

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships among perceived value, member satisfaction, switching costs, and member loyalty in the country club industry. In particular, this study sought to ascertain the mediating role of member satisfaction in the relationships centered on value—loyalty and image congruence—loyalty and the moderating role of switching costs in the member satisfaction—loyalty relationship. The results revealed a significant mediating effect of member satisfaction, whereas switching costs did not play a significant moderating role in the member satisfaction—loyalty relationship. Findings from this study will enhance understanding of how to cultivate club member loyalty.
Identification of Postentry Restrictions to Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus Infection in New World Monkey Cells

ABSTRACT TRIM5α has been shown to be a major postentry determinant of the host range for gammaretroviruses and lentiviruses and, more recently, spumaviruses. However, the restrictive potential of TRIM5α against other retroviruses has been largely unexplored. We sought to determine whether or not Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV), a prototype betaretrovirus isolated from rhesus macaques, was sensitive to restriction by TRIM5α. Cell lines from both Old World and New World primate species were screened for their susceptibility to infection by vesicular stomatitis virus G protein pseudotyped M-PMV. All of the cell lines tested that were established from Old World primates were found to be susceptible to M-PMV infection. However, fibroblasts established from three New World monkey species specifically resisted infection by this virus. Exogenously expressing TRIM5α from either tamarin or squirrel monkeys in permissive cell lines resulted in a block to M-PMV infection. Restriction in the resistant cell line of spider monkey origin was determined to occur at a postentry stage. However, spider monkey TRIM5α expression in permissive cells failed to restrict M-PMV infection, and interference with endogenous TRIM5α in the spider monkey fibroblasts failed to relieve the block to infectivity. Our results demonstrate that TRIM5α specificity extends to betaretroviruses and suggest that New World monkeys have evolved additional mechanisms to restrict the infection of at least one primate betaretrovirus.
Social representations and brand positioning in the sporting goods market

Abstract This paper examines the use of social representations as a strategic tool to understand better and measure how consumers arrive at their identification of brand positioning (legitimacy and differentiation) in the brand's market. By considering the market as co-produced by brands and consumers (‘B&C approach’), this study classifies free-word associations connected to the brands into units of meanings, which constitute the core of a brand's market. We applied this tool to the four main brands in the French sporting goods market (i.e., Nike, Adidas, Reebok and Puma). Results show that the differentiation of brand positioning depends on legitimate elements of the market, such as advertising and quality, and also on specific elements, such as logo and territory. Using social representations provides interesting findings to enrich the ‘B to C approach’ of brand positioning and to improve measurement of a brand's legitimacy and differentiation.
The perception of young people concerning alcohol advertising : evaluating the European Council Recommendation and the Dutch Advertising Code

Many young people are experiencing the consequences of drinking too much, at too early an age. Research has shown that media and advertisements are significant predictors of underage drinking behavior (Gentile et al., 2001 and Martin et al., 2002). In a recommendation on the drinking of alcohol by young people, the European Council states among others, that member states should ensure that alcoholic beverages are not designed or promoted to appeal to young people ("Council Recommendation of 5 June 2001 on the drinking of alcohol by young people, in particular children and adolescents" 2001/458/EC). However, this recommendation has not been evaluated. The goal of this study was to investigate to what extent it is effective to control alcohol advertisements by means of guidelines of the European Council Recommendation on alcohol advertising and Dutch Advertising Code directed at young people.
Streptococcus pneumoniae polA gene is expressed in Escherichia coli and can functionally substitute for the E. coli polA gene

The Streptococcus pneumoniae polA+ gene was introduced into Escherichia coli on the recombinant plasmid pSM31, which is based on the pSC101 replicon. Extracts of E. coli polA5 mutants containing pSM31 showed DNA polymerase activity, indicating that the pneumococcal DNA polymerase I was expressed in the heterospecific host. Complete complementation of the E. coli polA5 mutation by the pneumococcal polA+ gene was detected in excision repair of DNA damage.
Role of Nitric Oxide in Inflammation‐Mediated Neurodegeneration

Abstract: Increasing evidence has suggested that inflammation in the brain is closely associated with the pathogenesis of several degenerative neurologic disorders, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's diseases, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and AIDS dementia. The hallmark of brain inflammation is the activation of glial cells, especially that of microglia that produce a variety of proinflammatory and neurotoxic factors, including cytokines, fatty acid metabolites, free radicals—such as nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide. Excessive production of NO, as a consequence of nitric oxide synthase induction in activated glia, has been attributed to participate in neurodegeneration. Using primary mixed neuron‐glia cultures and glia‐enriched cultures prepared from embryonic rodent brain tissues, we have systemically studied the relationship between the production of NO and neurodegeneration in response to stimulation by the inflammagen lipopolysaccharide. This review summarizes our recent findings on the kinetics of NO generation, the relative contribution of microglia and astrocytes to NO accumulation, the relationship between NO production and neurodegeneration, and points of intervention along the pathways associated with NO generation to achieve neuroprotection. We also describe our results relating to the effect of several opioid‐related agents on microglial activation and neuroprotection. Among these agents, the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, especially its non‐opioid enantiomer (+)‐naloxone, promises to be of potential therapeutic value for the treatment of inflammation‐related diseases.
Interference-Aware Fault-Tolerant Energy Spanner in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Power assignment in wireless ad hoc networks is an important issue of topology control which assigns power for each wireless node so that the induced communication graph satisfies some desired properties such as the connectivity and the energy spanner. In this paper, we study the problem of power assignment in order that its induced communication graph meets the following properties: (1) it is an energy-t-spanner which is energy efficient; (2) it is k-fault resistant which can withstand up to k - 1 node failures where k ⩾ 1; (3) the interference is minimal. We propose algorithms to address this problem. Both the theoretic analysis and the simulations in the paper prove that our algorithms can induce a k-fault resistant energy spanner and furthermore the interference is minimized. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to study the power assignment problem simultaneously considering spanner properties, the fault tolerance, and the interference reduction.
TakeLab-QA at SemEval-2017 Task 3: Classification Experiments for Answer Retrieval in Community QA

In this paper we present the TakeLab-QA entry to SemEval 2017 task 3, which is a question-comment re-ranking problem. We present a classification based approach, including two supervised learning models – Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). We use features based on different semantic similarity models (e.g., Latent Dirichlet Allocation), as well as features based on several types of pre-trained word embeddings. Moreover, we also use some hand-crafted task-specific features. For training, our system uses no external labeled data apart from that provided by the organizers. Our primary submission achieves a MAP-score of 81.14 and F1-score of 66.99 – ranking us 10th on the SemEval 2017 task 3, subtask A.
Structure-Profit Relationships at the Line of Business and Industry Level

A LTHOUGH much research has been done IA-t on the relationships between industrial structure and performance, important puzzles persist. Specifically, it remains unclear whether profits rise with industry concentration when other structural variables, such as market share, are appropriately held constant. Also, what economic phenomena underlie the observed positive profit-market share associations'? This paper seeks to clarify these relationships. Until recently, data limitations have restricted cross-sectional structure-performance analyses to either industry level variables or firm level variables which aggregate quite different business activities within a single corporate financial statement. ' These limitations are overcome by the Federal Trade Commission's Line of Business survey, which compiles financial statistics disaggregated to the "line of business" (LB) level. A line of business refers to a firm's operations in one of 261 manufacturing and 14 nonmanufacturing categories defined by the FTC. The number of LBs per company ranges from I to 47, with an average of 8 lines per company. For each LB, information on pretax profit, advertising, research and development, assets, market share, diversification and vertical integration is reported. When combined with census and input-output data, the FTC line of business data allow the estimation of a structure-performance equation of unprecedented richness. A primary emphasis is placed on the theoretical and empirical differences between variables measured at the LB and industry level. To accomplish this task and to relate this paper to the previous literature, regressions are performed at both the LB and industry level.
Revisiting the Link between Stock Prices and Goods Prices in OECD Countries

type="main"> Fisher hypothesis postulates positive relation between stock return and inflation; however early studies document negative relationship between the two and they conclude that stock cannot be used as a hedge against inflation. In this paper we explore long-run nonlinear relationship between stock price and goods price. Our sample consists of 19 OECD countries; all or some of these countries have been studied before with the findings of linear cointegration between the stock index and goods price index. Based on unit root tests and linear cointegration test, we apply threshold cointegration tests, Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration test and panel VAR method. With all these econometric methods we arrive at heterogeneous findings as follows: two countries have linear cointegration, five countries have threshold cointegration, nine countries do not have any cointegration and finally two countries provide inconclusive results. Estimates of Fisher coefficient provided by linear and nonlinear cointegration methods, which range between 1.27 and 1.86, are consistent with previous studies. Impulse response analysis from panel VAR for countries having no cointegrating relation shows that shock to inflation produces negative response in stock return, which supports findings of earlier studies.
Expanding the Donor Pool Through Intensive Care to Facilitate Organ Donation: Results of a Spanish Multicenter Study

Background Intensive Care to facilitate Organ Donation (ICOD) may help to increase the donor pool. We describe the Spanish experience with ICOD. Methods Achieving Comprehensive Coordination in Organ Donation (ACCORD)-Spain consisted of an audit of the donation pathway from patients who died as a result of a devastating brain injury (possible donors) in 68 hospitals during November 1, 2014, to April 30, 2015. We focused on possible donors whose families were interviewed to discuss organ donation once intensive care with a therapeutic purpose was deemed futile and brain death (BD) was a likely outcome. Results Of the 1970 possible donors in ACCORD-Spain, in 257, the family was interviewed once the decision had been made not to intubate/ventilate (n = 105), with the patient under intubation/ventilation outside of the intensive care unit (n = 59), or with the patient intubated/ventilated within the intensive care unit (n = 93). Consent to ICOD was obtained in 174 cases. Consent was higher when the donor coordinator participated in the interview (odds ratio, 2.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-4.11; P = 0.003). One hundred thirty-one patients developed BD, of whom 117 transitioned to actual donation after BD. Of the 35 patients who did not develop BD, 2 transitioned to actual donation after circulatory death. Sixteen patients subject to ICOD were finally medically unsuitable organ donors. ICOD contributed to 24% of the 491 actual donors registered in ACCORD-Spain. Conclusions Despite the complexity of the interview, the majority of families consented to ICOD. Estimating the probability of BD and assessing medical suitability are additional challenges of the practice. ICOD represents a clear opportunity to increase the donor pool and ensures organ donation is posed at every end-of-life care pathway.
Assessment of quality of life of patients 1–5 years after treatment for oral cancer

Purpose: The study aims to assess the quality of life (QOL) of oral cancer survivors, 1–5 years after the treatment. Materials and Methods: The data of fifty patients concerning their QOL were gained from the Outpatient Department of K.L. E's Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Institute, Belagavi, and Karnataka Cancer Therapy and Research Institute, Navanagar, Hubli, Karnataka, India. All the patients suffered from oral cancer (stage T2–T4) and underwent surgery with reconstruction followed by chemotherapy or radiotherapy or both. The patients completed the standard European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ) C-30 (version 3.0) and QLQ Head and Neck Cancer Specific (QLQ H and N-35) (version 1.0). Scoring was done according to the EORTC scoring manual. Results: The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 45.0 (±9.0). The study population had a mean global health status (GHS) for overall QOL of 55.5 ± 13.4. The mean functional scale (FS) was 87.5 (±9.6). The mean QLQ C-30 symptom scale (SS) was 16.3 (±11.9) and the mean QLQ H and N-35 SS (H and NSS) was 26.9 ± 11.5. Location, gender, age, and time after the treatment showed very less discrepancy in the group comparisons of GHS, FS, SS, and H and NSS whereas comparison based on T-stage showed significant difference in scores. Conclusion: Oral cancer has a significant impact on the QOL of the patients. Assessment of QOL should receive adequate attention in treatment planning and rehabilitation. This would definitely help in delivery of better symptom directed therapies and improve the QOL of the patients.