Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forecasting Addictive Consumer Behaviour in Plastic Surgery: A Case Study in Vietnam Abstract

Studies in Vietnam and other countries reveal that the number consumers willing to consider cosmetic surgery has increased. The purpose of this paper is to stimulate a research agenda by illuminating a key empirical issue on forecasting deviant consumer behaviour in Vietnam in relation to aspects of cosmetic surgery. Questions considered, include; what are the factors that affect consumers’ experiences and consumer’s addictive behaviour after undergoing plastic surgery? What is the probability of becoming addicted to or retaking cosmetic or plastic surgery? Do demographics have any bearing? Primary data was collected from surveys and questionnaires distributed to both female and male consumers. The respondents either have had plastic surgery or are expected to have plastic surgery. The findings indicate that self-image and self-esteem are the most important factors influencing addictive consumer behaviour. Other factors such as demography and psychological aspects are also increasingly important but not are not as powerful an influence. While the Logit model reveals that a married consumer is 8.92 times more likely to repeat cosmetic surgery than a single consumer. Similarly, a younger consumer is 5.11 times more likely to repeat cosmetic surgery than an older consumer. This finding carries strategic implications for plastic surgery marketing.
Activation of β-major globin gene transcription is associated with recruitment of NF-E2 to the β-globin LCR and gene promoter

The mouse β-globin gene locus control region (LCR), located upstream of the β-globin gene cluster, is essential for the activated transcription of genes in the cluster. The LCR contains multiple binding sites for transactivators, including Maf-recognition elements (MAREs). However, little is known about the specific proteins that bind to these sites or the time at which they bind during erythroid differentiation. We have performed chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments to determine the recruitment of the erythroid-specific transactivator p45 NF-E2/MafK (p18 NF-E2) heterodimer and small Maf proteins to various regions in the globin gene locus before and after the induction of murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cell differentiation. We report that, before induction, the LCR is occupied by small Maf proteins, and, on erythroid maturation, the NF-E2 complex is recruited to the LCR and the active globin promoters, even though the promoters do not contain MAREs. This differentiation-coupled recruitment of NF-E2 complex correlates with a greater than 100-fold increase in β-major globin transcription, but is not associated with a significant change in locus-wide histone H3 acetylation. These findings suggest that the β-globin gene locus exists in a constitutively open chromatin conformation before terminal differentiation, and we speculate that recruitment of NF-E2 complex to the LCR and active promoters may be a rate-limiting step in the activation of β-globin gene expression.
Zn-doped InGaAs with high carrier concentration enhanced by Sb surfactant for low specific contact resistance

A dramatic increase of carrier concentration in Zn-doped InGaAs layer was achieved by adding a small amount of Sb as a surfactant during MOVPE growth. A carrier concentration as high as 6 × 10<sup>19</sup> cm<sup>−3</sup> was obtained and resulted in a specific contact resistance lower than 2 × 10<sup>−7</sup> Ωcm<sup>2</sup>.
Refractometric and colorimetric index sensing by a plasmon-coupled hybrid AAO nanotemplate

Facile optical sensors capable of measuring a small change in an analyte’s refractive index have been highlighted as the demand for environmental and Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications increases. In this work, we demonstrate a large-area refractive index sensor capable of refractometric and colorimetric sensing with a plasmon-coupled hybrid nanotemplate of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO). The nanotemplate enhances the figure-of-merit and sensitivity due to the coupled mode of the Fabry–Perot microcavity and metallic nanosurfaces. The increased mode confinement and interaction between AAO pores and analytes show highly modulated reflection spectra, which enable a refractive index sensitivity up to 348 nm per RIU and a figure-of-merit value up to 27.7. Also, the vivid color change induced from infiltrated analytes allows a colorimetric sensing performance up to RIU/ΔE ∼ 0.006 according to CIELab 1931 analysis. The key features of our device are simultaneous applications to superb dual (refractometric and colorimetric) sensing schemes by the plasmon-coupled hybrid AAO nanotemplate.
Accelerated Dimension-Independent Adaptive Metropolis

This work considers black-box Bayesian inference over high-dimensional parameter spaces. The well-known adaptive Metropolis (AM) algorithm of (Haario etal. 2001) is extended herein to scale asymptotically uniformly with respect to the underlying parameter dimension for Gaussian targets, by respecting the variance of the target. The resulting algorithm, referred to as the dimension-independent adaptive Metropolis (DIAM) algorithm, also shows improved performance with respect to adaptive Metropolis on non-Gaussian targets. This algorithm is further improved, and the possibility of probing high-dimensional targets is enabled, via GPU-accelerated numerical libraries and periodically synchronized concurrent chains (justified a posteriori). Asymptotically in dimension, this GPU implementation exhibits a factor of four improvement versus a competitive CPU-based Intel MKL parallel version alone. Strong scaling to concurrent chains is exhibited, through a combination of longer time per sample batch (weak scaling) and yet fewer necessary samples to convergence. The algorithm performance is illustrated on several Gaussian and non-Gaussian target examples, in which the dimension may be in excess of one thousand.
A Generic Learning Approach to Modelling Netflows from Historic Observations

In this paper we present a generic learning algo- rithm that models the communication patterns between services. Current service landscapes especially in federated environments are characterized by a huge number of services and by a high de- gree of change. In this paper we present a method for quantifying the communication patterns between services in a autonomous fashion to allow predictions of future usage patterns in the service landscape for optimization and simulation. The proposed learning algorithm uses machine learning techniques and generates a probabilistic model based on observed network flow information. We perform the learning and evaluate the learning algorithm based on real world netflow data captured on a cloud testbed. The paper finally discusses potential applications of the proposed algorithm in a autonomous optimization framework for service management.
Expression, purification, and characterization of the human receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) extracellular domain.

Receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) is a type II transmembrane protein found on osteoblasts which functions as a major determinant of osteoclast differentiation and activation. RANKL mediates bone homeostasis through binding to the cognate ligand on osteoclasts, RANK, and a soluble decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG). We designed a construct encoding the extracellular domain of human RANKL that conformed to reports of native processing. To encourage folding and posttranslational modification of a normally membrane-inserted moiety, we expressed the RANKL truncate as a secreted protein using the signal sequence from OPG in a Trichoplusia ni cell line using a baculovirus expression vector. RANKL was purified by a three-step process including an OPG-Fc affinity column. SDS-PAGE and mass spectral analysis indicated that the protein was >99% pure and glycosylated. Circular dichroism spectra revealed that the protein exhibited structural elements similar to tumor necrosis factor-alpha. By BIAcore analysis, RANKL bound to OPG with an affinity of 6.7 nM. Sedimentation equilibrium analytical ultracentrifugation analyses established that our protein existed as a trimer. We conclude that our expressed human RANKL truncate is folded, is functional, and exhibits self-association consistent with other family members.
Carrier frequency recovery in all-digital modems for burst-mode transmissions

Reliable data detection in time division multiple access (TDMA) communication systems strictly depends on the availability of accurate estimates of the synchronization parameters of the received signal, i.e., carrier frequency/phase and symbol timing, which must be derived from the burst preamble. The authors focus on the carrier frequency estimation aspect, and present a fast, open-loop, all-digital frequency offset estimation technique, whose performance is assessed in two different communication scenarios: a TDMA satellite link employing standard modulation and burst formats, and a mobile cellular terrestrial radio system with signal and channel characteristics obeying the pan-European Group Special Mobile (GSM) recommendations. The use of the algorithm as a frequency error detector (discriminator) in a recursive ("closed-loop") frequency offset estimator is also discussed, and some results concerning both the transient and the steady-state behavior of such a scheme are presented. Finally, the impact of the algorithm on the receiver BER is briefly analyzed. >
Improved VMD for feature visualization to identify wheel set bearing fault of high speed locomotive

As a critical component of high-speed locomotive, wheel set bearing fault identification and prognosis based on vibration analysis has attracted an increasing attention in recent years. However, heavy background noise and adverse working conditions make it difficult to excavate the hidden weak fault feature. Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD), which can extract the Intrinsic Mode Functions from the non-stationary signal, brings a feasible method. However, the inaccurate pre-set mode number may lead to information loss or over decomposition problem. In this paper, an improved VMD method via correlation coefficient is proposed to automatically extract modes. To overcome the information loss problem, the appropriate mode number is determined by the criterion of approximate complete reconstruction. Then the similar modes are combined to solve the over decomposition problem according to the similarity of their envelops. Finally, an application to wheel set bearing fault of high speed locomotive verify the validity of the proposed method.
Circulating hematopoietic stem cells serve as novel targets for in utero gene therapy

In utero gene therapy has been proposed as a method for permanent correction of somatic disorders that affect the hematopoietic system before disease initiation (1, 2). However, clinical trials using transplantation of allogenic fetal liver, bone marrow, or adult stem cells have been unsuccessful, largely due to the failure of sustained hematopoietic reconstitution in fetal recipients (3). Here, we reveal that retroviral transduction of unique repopulating stem cells found in the human fetal circulation is superior to full‐gestation cord blood or adult sources. In contrast to postnatal human stem cells, the fetal circulation is highly enriched for actively cycling blood stem cells, thereby forming the basis for enhanced transduction. Our findings indicate that active, transducible hematopoietic reconstituting cells are present in the circulation of the human fetus and that they represent novel target cells for future in utero gene therapy trials using autologous transplantation.
Tissue-specific relationship of S-adenosylhomocysteine with allele-specific H19/Igf2 methylation and imprinting in mice with hyperhomocysteinemia

DNA methylation is linked to homocysteine metabolism through the generation of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) and S-Adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy). The ratio of AdoMet/AdoHcy is often considered an indicator of tissue methylation capacity. The goal of this study is to determine the relationship of tissue AdoMet and AdoHcy concentrations to allele-specific methylation and expression of genomically imprinted H19/Igf2. Expression of H19/Igf2 is regulated by a differentially methylated domain (DMD), with H19 paternally imprinted and Igf2 maternally imprinted. F1 hybrid C57BL/6J x Castaneous/EiJ (Cast) mice with (+/−), and without (+/+), heterozygous disruption of cystathionine-β-synthase (Cbs) were fed a control diet or a diet (called HH) to induce hyperhomocysteinemia and changes in tissue AdoMet and AdoHcy. F1 Cast x Cbs+/− mice fed the HH diet had significantly higher plasma total homocysteine concentrations, higher liver AdoHcy, and lower AdoMet/AdoHcy ratios and this was accompanied by lower liver maternal H19 DMD allele methylation, lower liver Igf2 mRNA levels, and loss of Igf2 maternal imprinting. In contrast, we found no significant differences in AdoMet and AdoHcy in brain between the diet groups but F1 Cast x Cbs+/− mice fed the HH diet had higher maternal H19 DMD methylation and lower H19 mRNA levels in brain. A significant negative relationship between AdoHcy and maternal H19 DMD allele methylation was found in liver but not in brain. These findings suggest the relationship of AdoMet and AdoHcy to gene-specific DNA methylation is tissue-specific and that changes in DNA methylation can occur without changes in AdoMet and AdoHcy.
Virtuous Women: Three Masterpieces of Traditional Korean Fiction . Translated by Richard Rutt and Kim Chong-un. New York: Korean National Commission for UNESCO, 1974. xvii, 333 pp. Illustrations. $10.50

ian schools (tsung), such as T'ien-t'ai and RisshS Kosei-kai, from a historical perspective. It is not to undermine the value of sectarian schools, but, on the contrary, to shed light on their raison-d'etre by placing them within a proper historical perspective. My comments are not directed personally to Tamura sensei—whose works in Japanese command unqualified respect, and who is fully aware of these types of criticisms. Rather, I hope to focus attention on the problems of Japanese Buddhological works published in English today. Japanese Buddhologists are specialists in their own field. As such, in addressing themselves to a Western academic audience, they tend to assume that the audience is familiar with the subject discussed; in fact, they are not. Western scholars, who do not fully understand the significance of a serious translation work of a Buddhological nature or who do not appreciate this type of scholarship, have much to learn from Japanese Buddhologists. On the other hand, Japanese Buddhologists who entertain a desire to publish their work in English will have to understand the level of Buddhology in the United States today. They will also have to understand that, generally speaking, American scholars are interested in methodological issues rather than in a translation, regardless of the worth of that translation in the field of Buddhology. Therefore, the purpose of the translation must be clearly defined. In sum then, though this work warrants serious attention by Western Buddhologists, Sinologists, and historians of religion, it points up the need for intense communication between Japanese Buddhologists and Western scholars.
Senescence-associated Barley NAC (NAM, ATAF1,2, CUC) Transcription Factor Interacts with Radical-induced Cell Death 1 through a Disordered Regulatory Domain*

Background: Plant NAC transcription factors (TF) are important regulators of senescence. Results: Senescence-associated barley HvNAC013 uses intrinsic disorder in transcriptional activation and interactions. Conclusion: Radical induced cell death 1 exploits the intrinsic disorder of HvNAC013 and other TFs for interactions without structure induction in HvNAC013. Significance: This first structural characterization of NAC intrinsic disorder may reveal general features of important TF regulatory interactions. Senescence in plants involves massive nutrient relocation and age-related cell death. Characterization of the molecular components, such as transcription factors (TFs), involved in these processes is required to understand senescence. We found that HvNAC005 and HvNAC013 of the plant-specific NAC (NAM, ATAF1,2, CUC) TF family are up-regulated during senescence in barley (Hordeum vulgare). Both HvNAC005 and HvNAC013 bound the conserved NAC DNA target sequence. Computational and biophysical analyses showed that both proteins are intrinsically disordered in their large C-terminal domains, which are transcription regulatory domains (TRDs) in many NAC TFs. Using motif searches and interaction studies in yeast we identified an evolutionarily conserved sequence, the LP motif, in the TRD of HvNAC013. This motif was sufficient for transcriptional activity. In contrast, HvNAC005 did not function as a transcriptional activator suggesting that an involvement of HvNAC013 and HvNAC005 in senescence will be different. HvNAC013 interacted with barley radical-induced cell death 1 (RCD1) via the very C-terminal part of its TRD, outside of the region containing the LP motif. No significant secondary structure was induced in the HvNAC013 TRD upon interaction with RCD1. RCD1 also interacted with regions dominated by intrinsic disorder in TFs of the MYB and basic helix-loop-helix families. We propose that RCD1 is a regulatory protein capable of interacting with many different TFs by exploiting their intrinsic disorder. In addition, we present the first structural characterization of NAC C-terminal domains and relate intrinsic disorder and sequence motifs to activity and protein-protein interactions.
Predicting the probability for falls in community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The objective of this retrospective case-control study was to develop a model for predicting the likelihood of falls among community-dwelling older adults. SUBJECTS Forty-four community-dwelling adults (> or = 65 years of age) with and without a history of falls participated. METHODS Subjects completed a health status questionnaire and underwent a clinical evaluation of balance and mobility function. Variables that differed between fallers and nonfallers were identified, using t tests and cross tabulation with chi-square tests. A forward stepwise regression analysis was carried out to identify a combination of variables that effectively predicted fall status. RESULTS Five variables were found to be associated with fall history. These variables were analyzed using logistic regression. The final model combined the score on the Berg Balance Scale with a self-reported history of imbalance to predict fall risk. Sensitivity was 91%, and specificity was 82%. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION A simple predictive model based on two risk factors can be used by physical therapists to quantify fall risk in community-dwelling older adults. Identification of patients with a high fall risk can lead to an appropriate referral into a fall prevention program. In addition, fall risk can be used to calculate change resulting from intervention.
The link between leadership and safety outcomes in hospitals.

AIM To test and refine a model examining relationships among leadership, interactional justice, quality of the nursing work environment, safety climate and patient and nurse safety outcomes. BACKGROUND The quality of nursing work environments may pose serious threats to patient and nurse safety. Justice is an important element in work environments that support safety initiatives yet little research has been done that looks at how leader interactional justice influences safety outcomes. METHOD A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 600 acute care registered nurses (RNs) to test and refine a model linking interactional justice, the quality of nurse leader-nurse relationships, work environment and safety climate with patient and nurse outcomes. RESULTS In general the hypothesized model was supported. Resonant leadership and interactional justice influenced the quality of the leader-nurse relationship which in turn affected the quality of the work environment and safety climate. This ultimately was associated with decreased reported medication errors, intentions to leave and emotional exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS Quality relationships based on fairness and empathy play a pivotal role in creating positive safety climates and work environments. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT To advocate for safe work environments, managers must strive to develop high-quality relationships through just leadership practices.
Frequency of Sexual Activity With Most Recent Male Partner Among Young, Internet-Using Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States

Sex frequency, defined here as the number of oral or anal sex acts with the most recent partner in the past year, is a potential driver of risk for sexually transmitted infections. However, few data on sex frequency have been reported for men who have sex with men (MSM). Data from an Internet survey of MSM were used to describe sex frequency with most recent main and casual male partners and to estimate factors associated with higher sex frequency. Among 5,193 MSM, higher sex frequency was associated with younger age, shorter relationship duration, and reporting a main (vs. casual) partner; and lower sex frequency with male partners was associated with heterosexual or bisexual (vs. homosexual) identity or Black race (vs. non-Hispanic White). Secondary analyses of estimates of sex frequency from 2 publicly available nationally representative datasets comprised of primarily heterosexual survey respondents (the 2008 General Social Survey and the 1992 National Health and Social Life Survey) were performed. Sex frequency among MSM respondents was similar to that reported by heterosexuals.
CK20 mRNA Expression in Serum as a Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis: A Meta-analysis

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serumCK20 mRNA as a biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis by meta-analysis. Clinical studies related to serum CK20 mRNA expression for colorectal cancer diagnosis were searched in the databases of Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ISI Web of Knowledge, CNKI and Wanfang. The number of true positive (tp), false positive (fp), false negative (fn) and true negative (tn) of the original included publications were extracted by two reviewers independently. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive likely hood ratio (+LR), negative likelyhood ratio (-LR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the symmetric ROC curve (AUC) were pooled by random or fixed effect method according to the statistical heterogeneity among the studies. After screening the databases, nineteen publications met the inclusion criteria and were finally included in this meta-analysis. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were pooled by random effect model(I2>50%). The pooled diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of CK20 mRNA in serum as biomarker for colorectal cancer were 0.49 (95% CI:0.46 to 0.51) and 0.94 (95%CI:0.92-0.96) respectively. The pooled +LR and −LR were 10.90 (95%CI:5.78 to 20.55) and 0.51 (95%CI:0.45 to 0.57) respectively by random-effect method. The pooled DOR was 22.31 with the 95% CI of 11.65 to 42.71. The pooled area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.72for CK20 mRNA in serum as a biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis. Conclusion Serum CK20 mRNA expression was significantly elevated in colorectal cancer patients which could be a promising serum biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis with high specificity.