Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of type III‐deiodinase activity in astroglial cells by retinoids

Thyroid hormones and retinoic acid (RA) are important modulators of growth, development, and differentiation. Type III deiodinase (D‐III), which catalyzes thyroid hormones degradation in the brain and in cultured astroglial cells, is induced in astroglial cells by multiple pathways, including cAMP, 12.0‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA), fibroblast growth factors, and thyroid hormones themselves. In the present study, the effects of retinoids on D‐III activity were examined in astroglial cells cultures in a chemically defined medium devoid of hormones and growth factors. Incubation of astroglial cells with 5 μM all‐trans‐RA caused up to 200‐fold increase in D‐III activity, which reached a plateau after 48 h. The retinoid‐induced increase in D‐III activity was concentration dependent (0.5 μM all‐trans‐RA and 9‐cis‐RA producing half‐maximal effect). Retinol was effective at physiological concentrations (1 and μM). The 48 h effects of 5 μM all‐trans‐RA and 10 nM thyroid hormones on D‐III activity were at least additive. Addition of 2 nM acidic fibroblast growth factor or 1 mM 8‐bromo‐cAMP for the last 8 h of a 48 h incubation with 5 μM all‐trans‐RA did not alter the induction by all‐trans‐RA, whereas 0.1 μM TPA in the same conditions produced an additive effect with all‐trans‐RA. All‐trans‐RA (5 μM) had little or no effect on type II deiodinase, the enzyme which catalyzes the activation of thyroxine to 3,5,3′‐triiodothyronine. The potent action of retinoids on the enzyme responsible for thyroid hormones degradation in the brain may protect the brain from the effects of 3,5,3′‐triiodothyronine in regions influenced by retinoids. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Economics of Anaerobic Digester Technology for Ontario Farmers

THE ECONOMICS OF ANAEROBIC DIGESTER TECHNOLOGY FOR ONTARIO FARMERS Robert Charles Anderson Advisor: University of Guelph, 2012 Alfons Weersink Anaerobic digester (AD) technology is a form of renewable energy that’s economic feasibility assessment is required site by site. This thesis presents a freely available workbook to determine the financial feasibility of a farm-based AD and to demonstrate its use for the Ontario livestock sector. To assess the profitability of ADs for farmers in Ontario with uncertainty included the theory of real options is used. Investment in an AD is financially feasible only for the largest dairy farms in Ontario under current electricity prices, which are approximately six times greater than the wholesale price. Shifting to a duel fuel continuous system would improve returns, as would the availability of additional substrate material in the form of solid grease waste. The real options approach shows that even higher net returns are necessary, than indicated by more traditional approaches, in order for AD investments to be feasible for Ontario livestock farmers.
A Patient of Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma with Dilated Esophagogastric Vessels

Left portal hypertension and splenic vein occlusion commonly occur with pancreatic tumors, however these signs are rarely observed in patients with acinar cell carcinoma. This report describes a rare left portal hypertension in a patient who presented with a dilated esophagogastric vein upon esophagogastroduodenoscopic examination of a gastric polyp. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a pancreatic tumor, with obstruction of the splenic vein and portal-systemic shunt. The patient was diagnosed with an acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreatic tail. This patient highlights that pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with a dilated esophagogastric vein and without signs of liver disease.
Systematic reviews on leptospirosis.

OBJECTIVES To find the existing clinical evidence on interventions for leptospirosis. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of any intervention on leptospirosis through systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). DATA SOURCE The sources of studies used (where there were no limitations concerning language, date, or other restrictions) were: EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Database, and the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Randomized Trials register. SELECTION OF STUDIES TYPE OF STUDY All systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials. PARTICIPANTS patients with clinical and/or laboratorial diagnosis of leptospirosis, and subjects potencially exposed to leptospirosis as defined by the authors INTERVENTIONS any intervention for leptospirosis (as antibiotics or vaccines for prevention or treatment). DATA COLLECTION The assessment will be independently made by the reviewers and cross-checked. The external validity was assessed by analysis of: studies, interventions, and outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS Located 163 studies using the search strategy described above, at the electronic databases above. Only 2 hits were selected, which are protocols of systematic reviews of Cochrane Collaboration, and not full reviews. One of the protocols evaluates antibiotics for treatment, and the other evaluates antibiotics for prevention of leptospirosis. CONCLUSIONS There were not complete systematic reviews on interventions for leptospirosis. Any interventions for leptospirosis, such as prevention and treatment remains unclear for guidelines and practice.
The impact of selection bias on test decisions in randomized clinical trials

Selection bias affects the evaluation of clinical trials, for example, by elevating type I error rate. We investigated the effect of selection bias on type I error rate considering permuted block randomization. We also considered stratified randomization in general and for the special case of multicenter clinical trials, where we incorporated preferences of the investigator in our approach. Finally, the effect of underrunning is modeled, that is, where the randomization list exceeds the actual number of patients taking part in the trial. For all situations, we illustrate and discuss the impact of selection bias on type I error rate. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health promotion activities of sports clubs and coaches, and health and health behaviours in youth participating in sports clubs: the Health Promoting Sports Club study

Introduction Sports clubs form a potential setting for health promotion, but the research is limited. The aim of the Health Promoting Sports Club (HPSC) study was to elucidate the current health promotion activities of youth sports clubs and coaches, and to investigate the health behaviours and health status of youth participating in sports clubs compared to non-participants. Methods and analysis The study design employs cross-sectional multilevel and multimethod research with aspirations to a prospective cohort study in the next phase. The setting-based variables at sports clubs and coaching levels, and health behaviour variables at the individual level, are investigated using surveys; and total levels of physical activity are assessed using objective accelerometer measurements. Health status variables will be measured by preparticipation screening. The health promotion activity of sports clubs (n=154) is evaluated by club officials (n=313) and coaches (n=281). Coaches and young athletes aged 14–16 (n=759) years evaluate the coaches’ health promotion activity. The survey of the adolescents’ health behaviours consist of two data sets—the first is on their health behaviours and the second is on musculoskeletal complaints and injuries. Data are collected via sports clubs (759 participants) and schools 1650 (665 participants and 983 non-participants). 591 (418 athletes and 173 non-athletes) youth, have already participated in preparticipation screening. Screening consists of detailed personal medical history, electrocardiography, flow-volume spirometry, basic laboratory analyses and health status screening, including posture, muscle balance, and static and dynamic postural control tests, conducted by sports and exercise medicine specialists. Ethics and dissemination The HPSC study is carried out conforming with the declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was received from the Ethics Committee of Health Care District of Central Finland. The HPSC study is close-to-practice, which generates foundations for development work within youth sports clubs.
Public Relations Professionalism and Excellence in the Arab World Problems and Drawbacks

This paper discusses the issue of professionalism and excellence in public relations in the Arab World. Professionalism has been described as a set of parameters that improve the image, and social impacts of an occupation. The professionalization of PR requires a body of knowledge, a domain of expertise, a high social status, accountability toward the public, a code of ethics and education as a means of testing competence and maintaining standards. After forty years of public relations practice, the Arab World has a long way to go to achieve professionalism and excellence. The profession lacks professional bodies, well educated and trained practitioners. PR in the Arab World suffers from a negative perception from society, an environment hostile to transparency, one way communication, absence of managerial role and research.
Exploring the policymaking process of school-based physical education: A congressional perspective

v List of Figures . xiii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Obesity Epidemic . 1 Childhood Obesity: The Role of U.S. Public Schools . 4 Policies Impacting School-Based Physical Education . 9 NCLB of 2001.9 PHYSICAL Act of 2013 . 10 FIT Kids Act of 2013 . 11 Problem Statement . 11 Purpose Statement . 15 Research Questions . 16 Central Question . 16 Sub-Questions . 16 Theoretical Framework . 16 The Three-Dimensions of Power . 17 The One-Dimensional View . 18 The Two-Dimensional View . 19 The Three-Dimensional View.21 Anderson’s Policymaking Framework . 24 Delimitations . 27 Philosophical Worldview: Social Constructivism . 27
Ensuring human rights within contraceptive programmes: a human rights analysis of existing quantitative indicators.

Accountability is central to ensuring that health and human rights standards are respected protected and fulfilled. Monitoring and evaluation help to ensure effective delivery of services and contribute to accountability by providing information on progress towards the fulfilment of rights obligations. Despite an international commitment to public health policies and programmes that are based on human rights principles indicators for monitoring the promotion or violation of rights in health programmes remain fairly novel. This work represents a first step towards bridging this gap by providing a methodology for identifying existing quantitative indicators that can be used in a rights analysis of contraceptive programmes and a short set of prioritized quantitative indicators. This report also identifies the remaining gaps highlighting rights-related outcomes that we are currently not able to adequately monitor in the context of contraceptive programmes. A comprehensive approach to monitoring rights will require identifying and developing qualitative and policy indicators as well as new quantitative indicators.
The ssbL Gene Harbored by the ColV Plasmid of an Escherichia coli Neonatal Meningitis Strain Is an Auxiliary Virulence Factor Boosting the Production of Siderophores through the Shikimate Pathway

ABSTRACT The ability to capture iron is a challenge for most bacteria. The neonatal meningitis Escherichia coli strain S88 possesses several iron uptake systems, notably including siderophores. Transcriptional analysis of the ColV plasmid pS88 has shown strong induction of a previously undescribed gene with low identity to three E. coli chromosomal genes encoding phospho-2-dehydro-3-deoxyheptonate aldolases involved in aromatic amino acid and catecholate/phenolate siderophore biosynthesis through the shikimate pathway. Here, we investigated the role of this gene, ssbLp (ssbL carried on the plasmid), in siderophore biosynthesis and, consequently, in S88 virulence. We constructed an S88 mutant designated S88 ΔssbLp, which exhibited reduced growth under low-iron conditions compared to the wild-type strain. Liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of culture supernatants showed that the mutant secreted significantly smaller amounts of enterobactin, salmochelin SX, and yersiniabactin than the wild-type strain. The mutant was also less virulent in a neonatal rat sepsis model, with significantly lower bacteremia and mortality. Supplementation with chorismate, the final product of the shikimate pathway, restored the wild-type phenotype in vitro. In a collection of human extraintestinal E. coli isolates, we found that ssbL was present only in strains harboring the iro locus, encoding salmochelins, and was located either on the chromosome or on plasmids. Acquisition of the iro locus has been accompanied by acquisition of the auxiliary gene ssbL, which boosts the metabolic pathway essential for catecholate/phenolate siderophore biosynthesis and could represent potential therapeutic targets.
Rugby Results and Investor Sentiment in New Zealand

This paper contributes to the existing literature on sports-related market anomalies by examining whether losses by the New Zealand national rugby team (the All Blacks) affect stock market returns in New Zealand. The novelty of this paper is in its use of a probability model to control for the ex-ante probability of a win in regression analysis, so that the economic effects of a rugby loss can separated from its cognitive effects on investors’ behaviour. The paper finds support for statistically significant effect of the probability of an All Blacks win, but, initially, not for the cognitive effect of an All Blacks loss on New Zealand stock market returns. Further robustness tests, which correct for heteroskedasticity, use different modelled probabilities and treat the effect of a draw as the same as that of a loss similarly fail to reject the hypothesis that an All Blacks loss has no effect on the investors’ trading behaviour. However, consistent with the small firm anomalies in general, tests using the small cap index offer some support.
An intelligent cooperative system using fuzzy instruction for an operator training system

In human-machine cooperative control system, it is important to design a flexible impedance controller or model to execute the cooperation task. In this paper, the authors propose a new impedance controller and construct an intelligent cooperative system based on fuzzy instruction that is a fuzzy set of control instruction candidates and composed of satisfaction rating with the candidates. The intelligent cooperative system can adapt to the surrounding variation environment flexibly, and is applied to an operator training system to help beginner learn driving a vehicle safely and quickly. The overall intelligent human-vehicle cooperative control system is constructed and evaluated by experiments that run on narrow/wide road using driving simulator.
The Efficiency of Islamic Banks in North Africa: Analysis with the Non-Parametric Approach DEA (Window Analysis)

In this work, we are trying to examine the efficiency of Islamic banks in North Africa. This study concerns eight Islamic banks belong to five countries. The data are collected from the official websites of these banks for a period of time extends between 2010 and 2014 (five years). We appeal to the method of analysis by financial ratios and the DEA, specially the Window Analysis. In the light of the analyse by the financial ratios, we note that the performance of Islamic banks in North Africa is in decline. According to the non-parametric method DEA, the only efficient bank C is the Algerian bank al-Salam. But, the Islamic Bank of Mauritania was in last row between the Islamic banks in North Africa with increasing returns to scale.
Self-Calibrating Continuous-Time Equalization Targeting Inter-symbol Interference

A method for designing self-calibrating continuous-time equalizers is proposed. An error term, generated from the channel pulse response may be used to adaptively calibrate the equalizer, resulting in a significant reduction of ISI. This error term is based on the minimization of accumulating ISI versus total ISI. By limiting the change in ISI from bit to bit, reasonable voltage and timing margins are achieved. Matlab simulations show the clear opening of a 20Gbps data eye at the end of a 6" copper trace on an FR4-based PC board
Why “dark thoughts” aren't really dark: A novel algorithm for metaphor identification

Distinguishing between literal and metaphorical language is a major challenge facing natural language processing. Heuristically, metaphors can be divided into three general types in which type III metaphors are those involving an adjective-noun relationship (e.g. “dark humor”). This paper describes our approach for automatic identification of type III metaphors. We propose a new algorithm, the Concrete-Category Overlap (CCO) algorithm, that distinguishes between literal and metaphorical use of adjective-noun relationships and evaluate it on two data sets of adjective-noun phrases. Our results point to the superiority of the CCO algorithm to past and contemporary approaches in determining the presence and conceptual significance of metaphors, and provide a better understanding of the conditions under which each algorithm should be applied.
A Hybrid Semantic Item Model for Recipe Search by Example

As a necessary part of our daily life, choose what dishes to cook that is a problem and troubles many people every day. In recent years, there has been a proliferation of multimedia recipe data on the Web 2.0 communities. To assist people to navigate and search on from large amounts of recipes, a suitable recipe model is crucial and indispensable. However, recipes have some distinct characteristics that conventional data models are inadequate to represent them for such data. For example, it is unreasonable and insufficient to measure how similar the cooking procedures of two dishes are only through text descriptions and/or their extracted terms. The main reason is that this raw data (or low-level features extracted from the raw data, e.g. term for text, color for image) do not map to the high-level semantics readily. In this paper, we argue that a recipe model should be semantic-based and behavior-oriented, preferably with domain knowledge support. A hybrid semantic item (HSI) model is next presented for addressing this problem. Based on HSI model, we devise a corresponding approach for recipe search by example. The experiment on our multimedia recipe retrieval system demonstrates that our HSI approach outperforms baseline methods.
The Lysin Motif Receptor-like Kinase (LysM-RLK) CERK1 Is a Major Chitin-binding Protein in Arabidopsis thaliana and Subject to Chitin-induced Phosphorylation*♦

Plants detect potential pathogens by sensing microbe-associated molecular patterns via pattern recognition receptors. In the dicot model plant Arabidopsis, the lysin motif (LysM)-containing chitin elicitor receptor kinase 1 (CERK1) has been shown to be essential for perception of the fungal cell wall component chitin and for resistance to fungal pathogens. Recent in vitro studies with CERK1 protein expressed heterologously in yeast suggested direct chitin binding activity. Here we show in an affinity purification approach that CERK1 is a major chitin-binding protein of Arabidopsis cells, along with several known and putative chitinases. The ectodomain of CERK1 harbors three distinct LysM domains with potential ligand binding capacity. We demonstrate that the CERK1 ectodomain binds chitin and partially deacetylated chitosan directly without any requirement for interacting proteins and that all three LysM domains are necessary for chitin binding. Ligand-induced phosphorylation events are a general feature of animal and plant signal transduction pathways. Our studies show that chitin, chitin oligomers, and chitosan rapidly induce in vivo phosphorylation of CERK1 at multiple residues in the juxtamembrane and kinase domain. Functional analyses with a kinase dead variant provide evidence that kinase activity of CERK1 is required for its chitin-dependent in vivo phosphorylation, as well as for early defense responses and downstream signaling. Collectively, our data suggest that in Arabidopsis, CERK1 is a major chitin, chitosan, and chito-oligomer binding component and that chitin signaling depends on CERK1 post-translational modification and kinase activity.
The Relationship between Firm-Specific Return Variation and Price Informativeness: Some Cross-Sectional Evidence

The progressive removal of short-selling constraints in the Chinese stock market provides us with a natural experiment to investigate the relationship between firm-specific return variation (FSRV) and price informativeness. Based on the empirical finding that idiosyncratic volatility is a satisfied proxy for FSRV when the information environment for individual firms improves, we mainly find that the FSRV is negatively related to price informativeness. This negative relationship is robust to alternative model specifications, alternative proxies for price informativeness, and alternative estimation windows. Generally speaking, our results complement the extant literature on the mixed relationships between FSRV and price informativeness by providing cross-sectional evidence.
Intracellular survival pathways in the liver

Abstract: Recent studies have drawn attention to cytokines as important modulators of hepatocyte cell death during acute and chronic liver disease. Through interaction with cell surface receptors, they activate specific intracellular pathways that influence cell fate in different manners. For example, tumor necrosis factor not only induces proapoptotic signals via the caspase cascade but also activates intracellular survival pathways, namely the nuclear factor (NF)‐κB pathway. In this article, we will focus on the function of the NF‐κB pathway in liver physiology and pathology. Especially, recent data based on experiments with genetically modified mice will be discussed, which demonstrated important and controversial functions of this pathway e.g. in cytokine‐mediated hepatocyte apoptosis, ischemia‐reperfusion injury, liver regeneration and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, the role of the interleukin‐6 pathway and its possible protective function in the context of liver failure will be summarized.
Real-Time action detection and analysis in fencing footwork

This paper is devoted to real-time analysis of continuous footwork training routine in fencing. We propose a model-based adaptive filtering algorithm for accurate selection of segments of interest from a velocity signal acquired by the Kinect motion sensor. We remove false positives from the selected segments by extracting dedicated features and applying a SVM classifier. Finally, we compute parameters of the identified lunge actions, which constitute a feedback for the fencers. The proposed methods are evaluated on a dedicated dataset consisting of actions of eight fencers.
Frequency of phenylketonuria in Norway

By January 1973, a total of 146 homozygotes (born between 1875 and 1972) for phenylketonuria (PKU) had been identified in Norway. This is an incomplete total, particularly in respect of PKU cases born before 1950, because of the PKU mortality rate.