Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Yeast Strains on Microbiological Stability of Wheat Bread

Problem of food preservation is extremely important for mankind. Viscous damage ("illness") of bread results from development of Bacillus spp. bacteria. High temperature resistant spores of this microorganism are steady against 120°C) and remain in bread during pastries, potentially causing spoilage of the final product. Scientists are interested in further characterization of bread spoiling Bacillus spp. species. Our aim was to find weather yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that are able to produce natural antimicrobial killer factor can preserve bread illness. By diffusion method, we showed yeast antagonistic activity against spore-forming bacteria. Experimental technological parameters were the same as for bakers' yeasts production on the industrial scale. Risograph test during dough fermentation demonstrated gas production. The major finding of the study was a clear indication of the presence of killer yeast strain antagonistic activity against rope in bread causing bacteria. After demonstrating antagonistic effect of S. cerevisiae on bacteria using solid nutrient medium, we tested baked bread under provocative conditions. We also measured formation of carbon dioxide in the dough, dough-making duration and quality of the final products, when using different strains of S. cerevisiae. It is determined that the use of yeast S. cerevisiae RCAM 01730 killer strain inhibits appearance of rope in bread. Thus, natural yeast antimicrobial killer toxin, produced by some S. cerevisiae strains is an anti-rope in bread protector. Keywords—Bakers' yeasts, rope in bread, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Left ventricular hypertrophy and risk reclassification for coronary events in multi-ethnic adults

Background Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has not been evaluated for reclassification improvement in the intermediate Framingham risk category for incident hard coronary events in a large multi ethnic population free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Design A post-hoc analysis on the Multi Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) dataset (n = 4921) was performed. Methods LVH was defined as the upper 95 th percentile of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging derived left ventricular mass (LVM) indexed based on body surface area (BSA) and height. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the independent association between LVH and composite outcomes like all cardiovascular disease (CVDa) and hard coronary heart disease (CHDh) events over a mean follow-up period of 4.5 years. To assess the incremental value of LVH over traditional CV risk factors for CHDh prediction, we compared the discrimination, calibration and net reclassification index (NRI) of models comprising of traditional CV risk factors with and without LVH. Results LVH derived from LVM indexed by BSA (LVH-BSA) and height1.7(LVH-height) showed an independent association with CVDa (LVH-BSA: hazard ratio (HR) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–2.20, p = 0.03; LVH-height1.7: HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.14–2.18, p = 0.012) and CHDh (LVH-BSA: HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.37–4.04, p = 0.002; LVH-height1.7: HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.17–3.26, p = 0.01). Addition of LVH to the model based on traditional CV risk factors demonstrated no significant improvement in NRI for CHDh in either the entire cohort (LVH-BSA: NRI 1.7%, 95% CI: –8.3% to 11.7%, p = 0.74; LVH-height1.7: NRI 2.7%, 95% CI: –5.8% to 11.3%, p = 0.62) or the intermediate risk group (LVH-BSA: NRI 12.0%, 95% CI: –5.7% to 29.8%, p = 0.19; LVH-height1.7: NRI 14.5%, 0.1% to 28.8%, p = 0.05). Conclusions Although an independent predictor of cardiovascular events, LVH does not lead to clinically meaningful reclassification of the overall and intermediate risk population for CHDh.
Comparison of Needle Insertion and Guidewire Placement Techniques During Internal Jugular Vein Catheterization: The Thin-Wall Introducer Needle Technique Versus the Cannula-Over-Needle Technique

Objectives:For needle insertion and guidewire placement during central venous catheterization, a thin-wall introducer needle technique and a cannula-over-needle technique have been used. This study compared these two techniques regarding the success rates and complications during internal jugular vein catheterization. Design:Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Setting:A university-affiliated hospital. Patients:Two hundred sixty-six patients scheduled for thoracic surgery, gynecologic surgery, or major abdominal surgery, who required central venous catheterization. Interventions:Patients were randomly assigned to either the thin-wall introducer needle group (n = 134) or the cannula-over-needle group (n = 132). Central venous catheterization was performed on the right internal jugular vein under assistance with real-time ultrasonography. Needle insertion and guidewire placement were performed using a thin-wall introducer needle technique in the thin-wall introducer needle group and a cannula-over-needle technique in the cannula-over-needle group. Measurements and Main Results:The guidewire placement on the first skin puncture was regarded as a successful guidewire insertion on the first attempt. The number of puncture attempts for internal jugular vein catheterization was recorded. Internal jugular vein was assessed by ultrasonography to identify complications. The rate of successful guidewire insertion on the first attempt was higher in the thin-wall introducer needle group compared with the cannula-over-needle group (87.3% vs 77.3%; p = 0.037). There were fewer puncture attempts in the thin-wall introducer needle group than in the cannula-over-needle group (1.1 ± 0.4 vs 1.3 ± 0.6; p = 0.026). There was no significant difference in complications of internal jugular vein catheterization between the two groups. Conclusions:The thin-wall introducer needle technique showed a superior success rate for first attempt of needle and guidewire insertion and required fewer puncture attempts during internal jugular vein catheterization.
Evaluating effects of wind-induced pressure fluctuations on soil-atmosphere gas exchange at a landfill using stochastic modelling

The impact of wind turbulence-induced pressure fluctuations at the soil surface on landfill gas transport and emissions to the atmosphere at an old Danish landfill site was investigated using stochastic modelling combined with soil property and gas transport data measured at the site. The impacts of soil physical properties (including air permeability and volumetric water content) and wind-induced pressure fluctuation properties (amplitude and temporal correlation) on landfill gas emissions to the atmosphere were evaluated. Soil-air permeability and pressure fluctuation amplitude were found to be the most important parameters. Wind-induced gas emissions were further compared with gas emissions caused by diffusion and by long-term pressure variations (due to passing weather systems). Here diffusion and wind-induced gas transport were found to be equally important with wind-induced gas transport becoming the most important at lower soil-air contents.
Misclassification Errors and the Underestimation of the US Unemployment Rate

Using recent results in the measurement error literature, we show that the official U.S. unemployment rates substantially underestimate the true levels of unemployment, due to misclassification errors in labor force status in Current Population Surveys. Our closed-form identification of the misclassification probabilities relies on the key assumptions that the misreporting behaviors only depend on the true values and that the true labor force status dynamics satisfy a Markov-type property. During the period of 1996 to 2009, the corrected monthly unemployment rates are 1 to 4.6 percentage points (25% to 45%) higher than the official rates, and are more sensitive to changes in business cycles. Labor force participation rates, however, are not affected by this correction. We also provide results for various subgroups of the U.S. population defined by gender, race and age.
The stellar initial mass function

o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o oo o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o We summarize recent bservati nal and the retical pr gress aimed at understanding the rigin f the stellar initial mass functi n (IMF), with specific f cus n galactic star-f rming regi ns. We synthesize data fr m vari us eff rts t determine the IMF in very y ung, partially embedded stellar clusters and find that (1) n significant variati ns in the l w–mass IMF have been bserved between different star-f rming regi ns, and (2) the mass distributi ns f y ung stars just emerging fr m m lecular cl uds are c nsistent with having been drawn fr m the IMF derived fr m field stars in the s lar neighb rh d. These results apply nly t gr ss characterizati ns f the IMF (e.g., the rati f hight l w-mass stars); present bservati ns d n t rule ut m re subtle regi nal differences. Further studies are required in rder t assess whether r n t there is evidence f r a universal turn ver near the hydr gen-burning limit. We als pr vide a general framew rk f r discussing the ries f the IMF and summarize recent w rk n several physical mechanisms that c uld play a r le in determining the f rm f the stellar initial mass functi n.
Single-channel speech enhancement based on non-negative matrix factorization and online noise adaptation

In this paper, we demonstrate a simulator for real-time speech enhancement based on a non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) technique. In particular, we propose an online noise adaptation method in an NMF framework, which is activated during non-speech intervals and used for adapting noise bases for NMF. Thus, incoming noisy speech is decomposed by using such adapted noise bases and universal speech bases that can be developed through training with examples of speech data. It is shown from the experiments that the proposed method improves speech separation performance and perceptual speech quality.
Socially Responsible Investment Portfolios: Does the Optimization Process Matter?

This study investigates the impact of the choice of optimization technique when constructing Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) portfolios. Corporate Social Performance (CSP) scores are price sensitive information that is subject to considerable estimation risk. Therefore, uncertainty in the input parameters is greater for SRI portfolios than conventional portfolios, and this affects the selection of the appropriate optimization method. We form SRI portfolios based on six different approaches and compare their performance along the dimensions of risk, risk-return trade-off, diversification and stability. Our results for SRI portfolios contradict those of the conventional portfolio optimization literature. We find that the more “formal” optimization approaches (Black-Litterman, Markowitz and robust estimation) lead to SRI portfolios that are both less risky and have superior risk-return trade-offs than do more simplistic approaches; although they also have more unstable asset allocations and lower diversification. Our conclusions are robust to a series of tests, including the use of different estimation windows and stricter screening criteria.
Fixed minidose warfarin and aspirin alone and in combination vs adjusted-dose warfarin for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: Second Copenhagen Atrial Fibrillation, Aspirin, and Anticoagulation Study.

BACKGROUND Despite the efficacy of warfarin sodium therapy for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, many physicians hesitate to prescribe it to elderly patients because of the risk for bleeding complications and because of inconvenience for the patients. METHODS The Second Copenhagen Atrial Fibrillation, Aspirin, and Anticoagulation Study was a randomized, controlled trial examining the following therapies: warfarin sodium, 1.25 mg/d; warfarin sodium, 1.25 mg/d, plus aspirin, 300 mg/d; and aspirin, 300 mg/d. These were compared with adjusted-dose warfarin therapy (international normalized ratio of prothrombin time [INR], 2.0-3.0). Stroke or a systemic thromboembolic event was the primary outcome event. Transient ischemic attack, acute myocardial infarction, and death were secondary events. Data were handled as survival data, and risk factors were identified using the Cox proportional hazards model. The trial was scheduled for 6 years from May 1, 1993, but due to scientific evidence of inefficiency of low-intensity warfarin plus aspirin therapy from another study, our trial was prematurely terminated on October 2, 1996. RESULTS We included 677 patients (median age, 74 years). The cumulative primary event rate after 1 year was 5.8% in patients receiving minidose warfarin; 7.2%, warfarin plus aspirin; 3.6%, aspirin; and 2.8%, adjusted-dose warfarin (P = .67). After 3 years, no difference among the groups was seen. Major bleeding events were rare. CONCLUSIONS Although the difference was insignificant, adjusted-dose warfarin seemed superior to minidose warfarin and to warfarin plus aspirin after 1 year of treatment. The results do not justify a change in the current recommendation of adjusted-dose warfarin (INR, 2.0-3.0) for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation.
Leadership Behavior, Satisfaction, and Balanced Scorecard Approach: An Empirical Investigation of the Manager-Employee Relationship of Retail Institutes in Taiwan

Literature review revealed that sales manager's transformational leadership positively impacts the job satisfaction of sales people, while job satisfaction has significant influence on the sales peoples' work behaviors. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship between transformational leadership of sales managers and job satisfaction of sales people. The design of this research was a quantitative study. The population in this research was identified as sales people in the consumer product industry of Taiwan, resulting in 123 individual surveys for analysis. The findings supported the hypothesis: there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between the sales managers' transformational leadership and sales associates' job satisfaction. The result identified the predictors of sales managers' transformational leadership on the sales associates' job satisfaction through regression analysis.
Food availability and larval density affect ovarian development in Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)

The effect of Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella L.) population density and plant age on the rate of ovarian development was investigated. In tests carried out in Petri dishes, the density of larvae/leaf disk affected the rate of ovarian development. A high proportion of moths from larvae reared on leak disks from two or four-month-old spring cabbage at a density of seven or 14 larvae/leaf disk were mature at emergence. But moths reared at the same type of plant at a density of 28 larvae/leaf disk were largely immature at emergence. When the larvae were reared at a density of 30 larvae/plant on two or four-month-old spring cabbage plants, a high proportion of females were mature at emergence. Crowding has an important effect on the rate of ovarian development in Diamondback Moth with possible consequences for the migratory potential of moths, as insect migration generally occurs when the ovaries of the females are immature. The density of moths necessary to increase the proportion of immature females in the field is probably higher than 30 larvae/plant.
Small Interfering RNA Targeted to Hepatitis C Virus 5′ NontranslatedRegion Exerts Potent Antiviral Effect

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Interferon alone or together with ribavirin is the only therapy for HCV infection; however, a significant number of HCV-infected individuals do not respond to this treatment. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic options against HCV is a matter of urgency. In the present study, we have examined vectors carrying short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting the 5′ nontranslated conserved region of the HCV genome for inhibition of virus replication. Initially, three sequences were selected, and all three shRNAs (psh-53, psh-274, and psh-375) suppressed HCV internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation to different degrees in Huh-7 cells. Next, we introduced siRNA into Huh-7.5 cells persistently infected with HCV genotype 2a (JFH1). The most efficient inhibition of JFH1 replication was observed with psh-274, targeted to the portion from subdomain IIId to IIIe of the IRES. Subsequently, Huh-7.5 cells stably expressing psh-274 further displayed a significant reduction in HCV JFH1 replication. The effect of psh-274 on cell-culture-grown HCV genotype 1a (H77) was also evaluated, and inhibition of virus replication and infectivity titers was observed. In the absence of a cell-culture-grown HCV genotype 1b, the effects of psh-274 on subgenomic and full-length replicons were examined, and efficient inhibition of genome replication was observed. Therefore, we have identified a conserved sequence targeted to the HCV genome that can inhibit replication of different genotypes, suggesting the potential of siRNA as an additional therapeutic modality against HCV infection.
Total quality management, high-commitment human resource strategy and firm performance: an empirical study

The literature on TQM widely accepts that the success of TQM is guaranteed when responsiveness for quality is extended throughout all the levels in the organization. For this reason, social aspects are given greater consideration during the implementation of a TQM strategy. Numerous authors in the field of TQM have recommended human resource practices that theoretically best shape a quality culture. A high-commitment strategy represents the system that draws from these suggestions. As far as this approach guarantees employee commitment towards quality goals, it can be expected that the influence of TQM on organizational results will be greater when its implementation is supported by a high-commitment strategy. In a sample of 222 Spanish service firms, we found a significant interaction effect between TQM and a high-commitment strategy on financial results. That is, a high-commitment strategy acts as a moderator variable between TQM and organizational performance.
A Reconfigurable, Wearable, Wireless ECG System

New emerging concepts as ldquowireless hospitalrdquo, ldquomobile healthcarerdquo or ldquowearable telemonitoringrdquo require the development of bio-signal acquisition devices to be easily integrated into the clinical routine. In this work, we present a new system for electrocardiogram (ECG) acquisition and its processing, with wireless transmission on demand (either the complete ECG or only one alarm message, just in case a pathological heart rate detected). Size and power consumption are optimized in order to provide mobility and comfort to the patient. We have designed a modular hardware system and an autonomous platform based on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for developing and debugging. The modular approach allows to redesign the system in an easy way. Its adaptation to a new biomedical signal would only need small changes on it. The hardware system is composed of three layers that can be plugged/unplugged: communication layer, processing layer and sensor layer. In addition, we also present a general purpose end-user application developed for mobile phones or personal digital assistant devices (PDAs).
Essays in Health Economics: Understanding Risky Health Behaviors

This dissertation presents three papers applying health economics to the study of risky behaviors. The first uses data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to examine the relationship between adverse events and risky behaviors among adolescents. Substance use responses to experiencing either of two adverse events—violent crime victimization or death of a non-family member one felt close to—explain 6.7 percent of first cigarette use, and 14.3 percent of first use of illegal drugs other than marijuana. Analyses of exercise, a positive coping mechanism, find shock-responses consistent with a coping-response, but not with rational, timeinconsistent, or non-rational drivers considered here. I conclude that distressing events lead to risky behaviors, with a coping response contributing to this effect. Using National Health Interview Survey data, the second paper considers the mechanism behind growth in smoking’s education gradient between 1950 and 1980. Regressions test for education differentials in initiation and cessation responses to cigarette advertising, prices, brand-specific risk information, and public health information on smoking. Differential advertising-responses explain 39 and 27 percent of growth in smoking’s education gap among males and females, respectively, while a differential response to brand-specific tar and nicotine information explains a further 13 and 8 percent. Brand-choice analyses find an education gradient among smokers: more educated smokers favor lower risk cigarettes, prefer the more
Estimation of the public benefits of urban water supply improvements in Ethiopia: a choice experiment

Improving existing drinking water supply services in developing countries depends crucially on available financial resources. Cost recovery rates of these services are typically low, while demand for more reliable services is high and rapidly growing. Most stated preference-based demand studies in the developing world apply the contingent valuation method and focus on rural areas. This study examines household Willingness to Pay (WTP) for improved water supply services in a choice experiment in an urban area in Ethiopia, a country with the lowest water supply coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa. The design of the choice experiment allows estimation of the value of both drinking water supply reliability and safety. The estimated economic values can be used in policy appraisals of improved supply investment decisions. Despite significant income constraints, households are willing to pay up to 80% extra for improved levels of water supply over and above their current water bill. Women and households living in the poorest part of the city with the lowest service levels value the improvement of water quality most. As expected, also averting behaviour and expenditures play an important role.
Pharmacokinetic study in pigs and in vitro metabolic characterization in pig- and human-liver microsomes reveal marked differences in disposition and metabolism of tiletamine and zolazepam (Telazol)

Abstract 1. An equal-dose combination of tiletamine and zolazepam (Telazol®) is used as a veterinary anesthetic. There also have been reports of human abuse of Telazol®. The pharmacokinetics and metabolic fate of tiletamine and zolazepam and the rationale for their administration as an equal-dose combination are unclear. 2. The single-dose pharmacokinetics of intramuscular tiletamine and zolazepam (3 mg/kg each) in 16 Yorkshire-crossbred pigs were determined. The metabolites of tiletamine and zolazepam in pig plasma and urine were identified by mass spectrometry. The metabolic stability of tiletamine and zolazepam and the kinetics of formation of their metabolites by pig- and human-liver microsomes were determined. 3. Higher concentrations of zolazepam were observed in pig plasma and it was cleared more slowly compared to tiletamine (apparent clearance: 11 versus 134 l/h; half-life: 2.76 versus 1.97 h). Three metabolites of zolazepam and one metabolite of tiletamine were identified in pig urine, plasma and in microsomal incubations. In vitro formation of each of these metabolites in microsomes was biphasic involving a high-affinity/low-capacity and a low-affinity/high-capacity enzyme. The in vitro metabolic stability of tiletamine was considerably lower compared to zolazepam. 4. These results collectively point to major pharmacokinetic and metabolic differences between the two components of this fixed-dose anesthetic combination.