Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protein kinase STK25 aggravates the severity of non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease in mice

Characterising the molecular networks that negatively regulate pancreatic β-cell function is essential for understanding the underlying pathogenesis and developing new treatment strategies for type 2 diabetes. We recently identified serine/threonine protein kinase 25 (STK25) as a critical regulator of ectopic fat storage, meta-inflammation, and fibrosis in liver and skeletal muscle. Here, we assessed the role of STK25 in control of progression of non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease in the context of chronic exposure to dietary lipids in mice. We found that overexpression of STK25 in high-fat-fed transgenic mice aggravated diet-induced lipid storage in the pancreas compared with that of wild-type controls, which was accompanied by exacerbated pancreatic inflammatory cell infiltration, stellate cell activation, fibrosis and apoptosis. Pancreas of Stk25 transgenic mice also displayed a marked decrease in islet β/α-cell ratio and alteration in the islet architecture with an increased presence of α-cells within the islet core, whereas islet size remained similar between genotypes. After a continued challenge with a high-fat diet, lower levels of fasting plasma insulin and C-peptide, and higher levels of plasma leptin, were detected in Stk25 transgenic vs wild-type mice. Furthermore, the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was impaired in high-fat-fed Stk25 transgenic mice during glucose tolerance test, in spite of higher net change in blood glucose concentrations compared with wild-type controls, suggesting islet β-cell dysfunction. In summary, this study unravels a role for STK25 in determining the susceptibility to diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty pancreas disease in mice in connection to obesity. Our findings highlight STK25 as a potential drug target for metabolic disease.
Electoral Structure and State Legislative Representation: A Research Note

Previous research suggests a linkage between the electoral structure of legislative districts and characteristics of those elected. More specifically, studies find that blacks and other geographically concentrated minorities are more successful in single-member districts (SMDs) while women are elected more frequently from multimember districts (MMDs). However, these findings do not control for the urban and rural character of the district. Using data from 10 states, which use some combination of single-member and nonseat designated multimember districts, we compare characteristics of legislators elected from the different district types. We find that nonnative legislators are more likely to represent urban SMDs; educational attainment is a function of the urban/rural nature of the district and is not related to electoral type; and that legislators from SMDs have longer legislative service than those from MMDs. More importantly though, with respect to race and gender, we find compelling evidence that blacks are advantaged by SMDs, especially urban SMDs, and that women are elected more frequently from MMDs, especially urban MMDs.
YjbH is a novel negative effector of the disulphide stress regulator, Spx, in Bacillus subtilis

In the soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis Spx is a key regulator that controls expression, positively or negatively, of several genes in response to certain oxidative stresses that lead to the formation of unwanted disulphide bonds. Here we characterized the yjbH gene and show that it encodes a novel effector of Spx. The yjbH gene is part of the yjbIH operon that encodes a truncated haemoglobin (YjbI) and a predicted 34 kDa cytosolic protein of unknown function (YjbH). Deletion of yjbIH or yjbH has pleiotropic effects and affects growth, sporulation and competence development. Cells lacking yjbIH display a reduced sensitivity to the thiol oxidant diamide and show an apparent down‐ or upregulation of several transcripts that belong to the Spx regulon. Twenty‐two suppressor mutations that bypass the defects conferred by yjbH were isolated. These mutations were identified as six deletions, three nonsense and 11 missense substitutions in the spx gene. Real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analysis showed that mutations in yjbIH or yjbH do not affect the level of spx transcription. The combined data from the present work show that strains lacking yjbIH or yjbH overproduce Spx under unperturbed growth. The elevated Spx concentration cannot be attributed to an increased spx expression but is likely to result from control at the post‐transcriptional level. YjbH is proposed to affect the cellular concentration of Spx by modulating proteolysis via the ClpXP protease.
Does it Matter Where IT Workers are Located?

The predominant view in the literature is that cities affect labor productivity because spatial proximity facilitates the transfer of ideas which make workers more productive. We also anticipate that information technology, or IT (both equipment and labor), by facilitating human communication and speeding up the flow of ideas and data, also contributes to enhancing the productivity of workers within cities. Thus, workers will be more productive in cities with a large endowment of these two factors of production. The objective of this paper is twofold. First, it describes the spatial characteristics of IT workers in the United States. Second, it tests the hypothesis that in cities with a higher endowment of IT workers wages (a proxy for productivity) would be higher after controlling for the characteristics of individual workers and city-specific characteristics that also affect wages. Using data from the 2000 US Census of Population (5% PUMS), we find evidence of a wage premium, especially for college-educated workers, associated with living in a city that has a large concentration of IT workers. On the basis of our findings, we propose to move the discussion on the future of cities from the effect of IT equipment on face-to-face communication to the impact on cities of losing IT workers.
RGBD Camera Integration into Camera Augmented Mobile Carm ( CamC ) Project 4 Final Report , EN . 600 . 646 Spring 2015

The project is based on the Camera Augmented Mobile C-arm (CamC); CamC is a system that fuses X-ray images and a real time video [1]. Without proper tracking, finding targets in X-ray view is difficult and requires multiple X-ray shots [2]. This will also increase the radiation exposure for both patients and surgeons. CamC provides an X-ray image overlay for surgical guidance with high accuracy, and can be used for many trauma and orthopedic surgeries. One limitation of CamC is the lack of depth information from the CCD camera view. In this project, the CamC is improved by integrating a depth camera. According to camera calibration and multiview geometry, a depth map corresponding to the CCD camera is reconstructed, and consequently an improved X-ray overlay is rendered.
Economics Analysis on the Development of Nigerian Offshore Marginal Fields Using Probabilistic Approach

Marginal Field Development in the prolific Niger Delta environment is of strategic importance to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s drive towards aggressive Reserve and Production Capacity enhancement. The objective of this study is to provide a perspective on portfolio diversification, investment and resource development on offshore marginal field in Nigeria. The economic analysis was carried out deterministically using economic indices like Net Present Value, Internal Rate of Return, Present Value Rate and others. Probabilistic model was also incorporated to assess the impact of the uncertainties in the input parameters using Monte Carlo simulation through the use of Crystal ball software. The key uncertainties were represented and their respective impacts on economic viability defined. The deterministic model results obtained from the studies were very impressive with Net Present Value of $526,749,924.84 at a discount value of 15% and Internal Rate of Return at 60%. Probabilistically, certainty of having a positive net present value (NPV) and good internal rate of return (IRR) values far above the hurdle rate for investment in Nigeria was obtained. The sensitivity analysis outlined oil price and tax rate as key sensitive parameters in maximizing profit. These clearly showed that the development of offshore marginal fields in Niger Delta of Nigeria is economically viable. Key words: Offshore marginal field; Probabilistic approach; Sensitivity analysis; Economic yardstick
Assessment of service quality and benchmark performance in 3C wholesalers: forecasting satisfaction in computers, communication and consumer electronics industries

Customer-driven orientation for continuous improvement is an essential element embedded in the service industry. Sales representatives stress the unique qualities of their products or services to emulate and improve upon existing and potential competitors resulted in making their customers satisfied and enhance the retention of valuable customers. This study employs the five-dimensional structure of SERVQUAL as the decision service criteria by conducting an interview with analysts from consumers' foundation, Chinese Taipei (CFCT) to evaluate the service quality of 3C (computer, communication and consumer electronics) wholesalers in Taiwan. This study intends to select a best practice for service as a benchmark through which firms and their sales representatives can learn to increase workforce productivity and improve sales performance. Fuzzy VIKOR method is utilised as systematic solution to solve the complicated decision problems. The result shows that Fuzzy VIKOR provides an efficient way to obtain a best and compromise solution for decision-making.
Plasma glutathione and glutathione disulfide in the rat: regulation and response to oxidative stress.

Plasma GSH and GSSG concentrations were examined after the administration of compounds that deplete intracellular GSH either by adduct formation or by production of oxidative stress. A modified assay based on the GSSG reductase method was developed that minimizes the artifactual auto-oxidation of GSH to GSSG and mixed disulfides by rapid addition of bis(3-carboxy-4-nitrophenyl)disulfide or N-ethylmaleimide directly to whole blood or tissue samples. Control arterial plasma GSH and GSSG concentrations were found to be 16.5 +/- 0.7 and 0.3 +/- 0.1 microM, respectively. Depletion of GSH by fasting or by the administration of acetaminophen or diethyl maleate was associated with a proportional decrease in the arterial plasma GSH concentrations (r = 0.94) consistent with the hypothesis that the liver in vivo is a major source of plasma GSH. Diquat and t-butyl hydroperoxide, but not acetaminophen or diethyl maleate, elicited large increases in arterial plasma GSSG concentrations (17- and 115-fold, respectively) and several-fold increases in biliary GSSG levels without markedly increasing hepatic GSSG levels (2.7- and 1.2-fold, respectively). In contrast, treatment with paraquat produced substantial increases in arterial plasma GSSG levels (22-fold) without large increases in the bile (3-fold). Assessment of the arteriovenous difference for GSSG across the lungs after paraquat administration demonstrated that the lung may be a significant source of plasma GSSG. In conclusion, plasma GSH concentrations appear to reflect mainly intrahepatic GSH concentration, whereas plasma GSSG appears to arise from both hepatic and extrahepatic sites. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Evaluation of commercial methods for determining antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Seven commercial systems for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Streptococcus pneumoniae were evaluated by using a challenge set of 55 pneumococcal isolates with a variety of resistance phenotypes and genotypes. Overall, the results produced by the Pasco and Etest methods were found to be acceptable for all drugs tested except for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole testing by the Etest. The Just One system for penicillin MIC testing was also judged to be acceptable (minor error rate, 5.5%). Although the Sensititre and MicroTech methods both produced 12.7% minor errors with penicillin, the Sensititre method classified penicillin-intermediate strains as resistant or vice versa, while four of MicroTech's errors were among intermediate strains that were classified as susceptible. The MicroMedia (minor error rate, 16.4%) and MicroScan Rapid (minor error rate, 63.6%) methods produced unacceptably high levels of errors when testing penicillin. Minor error rates for cefotaxime and ceftriaxone ranged from a low of 12.7% (Etest and Sensititre) to a high of 28% (MicroMedia). Error rates were low for erythromycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol by most methods with the exception of the MicroScan method, which had a high very major error rate for erythromycin (34.6%). For testing of beta-lactam drugs, the Pasco, Etest, and Just One tests for penicillin are the most accurate methods; the Sensititre method also provided acceptable results.
Individual olfactory sensory neurons project into more than one glomerulus in Xenopus laevis tadpole olfactory bulb

An essential step in the coding of odorants is the way olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) convey their information to the olfactory bulb. This projection determines how the specificities of OSNs are mapped onto the spatial activity patterns of the olfactory bulb (OB). Despite the fact that virtually nothing is known about how individual OSN axons project to glomeruli, it is generally believed that OSNs always project to one glomerulus each. Our recent findings in tadpoles of Xenopus laevis challenge this view. By injection of a tracer into individual OSNs, we show for the first time that axons typically project into more than one glomerulus and that they do so in a characteristic way. Upon entering the olfactory bulb, an axon bifurcates to give two primary branches. Each of these branches bifurcates again to give two subbranches, thus resulting in four subbranches per OSN. The two subbranches of each primary branch project into two different glomeruli. Variations of this characteristic innervation pattern include the innervation of three and, occasionally, one glomerulus. In any case, and independent of the number of glomeruli innervated by an OSN, each glomerulus receives at least two axonal branches of the same OSN. J. Comp. Neurol. 481:233–239, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Haemophilus influenzae Outer Membrane Protein P6 Molecular Characterization May Not Differentiate All Strains of H. Influenzae from H. haemolyticus

ABSTRACT Distinguishing nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus haemolyticus isolates by outer membrane protein (OMP) P6 gene sequencing is complicated by sequence variants in isolates. Further testing using RapID NH and multilocus sequence analysis may not help identify some isolates. Translated OMP P6 gene sequences are not conserved among all isolates presumed to be H. influenzae.
Lack of prognostic influence of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood of patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood may be detected using high-sensitivity molecular techniques in several types of solid neoplasms, but their significance in colorectal cancer is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) messenger RNA (mRNA) detection in peripheral blood samples from patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS Peripheral vein blood samples from 95 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed colorectal carcinoma were obtained immediately before surgery to determine the presence of circulating tumor cells by use of a reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction targeting CEA mRNA. Endpoints of the study were disease-free and overall survival. Results are referred to the whole series and, more importantly, to the 68 patients who underwent surgery for cure. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 42 months, 19 of 68 patients (28%) operated on for cure had tumor relapse. In addition, 50 of 68 patients (73%) were alive. The probability of disease-free and overall survival was dependent on lymph node metastases and degree of differentiation, but not on the presence of circulating tumor cells (disease-free survival: relative risk, 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39-2.22, P = 0.99; overall survival: relative risk, 0.91, 95% CI, 0.34-2.43; P = 0.84). Similar results were obtained when all 95 patients with colorectal cancer were analyzed (disease-free survival: relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.63-1.95; P = 0.71; overall survival: relative risk, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.63-2.30, P = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative detection of blood circulating tumor cells by means of reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction of CEA does not have prognostic significance in patients with colorectal cancer.
Supply Function Equilibrium with Asymmetric Capacities and Constant Marginal Costs

This paper analytically derives a Supply Function Equilibrium (SFE) of a real-time electricity market with multiple firms and asymmetric production capacities. There is a unique SFE, which is piece-wise symmetric when firms have identical constant marginal costs. It is believed that some of the properties of the derived SFE are valid for real-time markets in general. Firms’ capacity constraints bind at different prices (i). Still firms with non-binding capacity constraints have smooth residual demand (ii). Approximating an asymmetric real-time market with a symmetric one, tends to overestimate mark-ups for small positive imbalances and underestimate mark-ups for large positive imbalances (Hi).
Credit vs. Exemption: A Comparative Study of Double Tax Relief in the United States and Japan

In the United States and elsewhere, basic principles of international taxation have, in recent years, become the subject of vigorous debate and controversy. Historically, the United States has taxed residents, including domestic corporations, on worldwide income, but has allowed them credit for foreign income taxes in order to alleviate double taxation. Other countries, particularly countries of continental Europe, have long used an exemption system under which income from foreign business activities is exempted from home-country tax, while passive investment income is taxed with a worldwide/credit system similar to that of the United States. Recently, several countries that historically had worldwide/credit systems switched to exemption systems. Some scholars, business representatives, and politicians argue that the United States should do the same. This article examines the law of one such country, Japan, and compares the existing U.S. system with the new Japanese exemption system. A principal conclusion of the article is that a simple switch by the United States, without other corrective changes, would open up tax minimization and avoidance opportunities that are not available to Japanese companies, even after the recent changes in Japanese law.
A local sensitivity analysis approach to longitudinal non‐Gaussian data with non‐ignorable dropout

Longitudinal non‐Gaussian data subject to potentially non‐ignorable dropout is a challenging problem. Frequently an analysis has to rely on some strong but unverifiable assumptions, among which ignorability is a key one. Sensitivity analysis has been advocated to assess the likely effect of alternative assumptions about dropout mechanism on such an analysis. Previously, Ma et al. applied a general index of local sensitivity to non‐ignorability (ISNI) to measure the sensitivity of missing at random (MAR) estimates to small departures from ignorability for multivariate normal outcomes. In this paper, we extend the ISNI methodology to handle longitudinal non‐Gaussian data subject to non‐ignorable dropout. Specifically, we propose to quantify the sensitivity of inferences in the neighborhood of an MAR generalized linear mixed model for longitudinal data. Through a simulation study, we evaluate the performance of the proposed methodology. We then illustrate the methodology in one real example: smoking‐cessation data. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Asymmetric Effects of Reversible Tariff Changes under the United States GSP

In a partial-equilibrium textbook model of competitive international trade, the volume and net value of imports always vary inversely with the tariff rate. This result depends on assumptions that the tariff changes are substantial, exogenous, permanent, and applied on a most-favorednation (MFN) basis. Empirical applications of this theory however, encounter different conditions. Generalequilibrium effects, such as changes in prices, exchange rates, and income, tend to be offsetting. Imperfect competition can make the incidence of the tariff indeterminate. Many tariff changes are small, endogenous, temporary, and/or discriminatory. To illustrate how these differences in tariffs can alter their observed relation to imports, we offer the following examples. (a) Tokyo Round cuts in U.S. tariffs were staged generally over eight years and averaged only 0.3 percent per annum [6] as compared to 6.4 percent average annual changes in American import prices over the same 1980-87 period [18]. If search and recontracting costs caused buyers to ignore relatively small price variations, then many observed tariff changes would produce negligible effects. (b) Governments tend to lower tariffs when imports are low enough to obviate political problems, and they raise them as a response to import surges. Observers who ignore this endogeneity might conclude that imports are positively related to tariff rates. (c) While many tariff concessions are bound under the GATT, some duties are temporarily altered to provide import relief for domestic producers or preferential access for certain trade partners. Importers may not respond if the temporary benefits of doing so are exceeded by the costs of finding substitutes. (d) The importers' response to a tariff change will also differ between cases where some or all imports of a given product are affected. A discriminatory tariff change might shift the shares of suppliers while leaving total imports virtually unaltered. Empirical studies seldom test the relation between imports and tariffs directly. Time-series estimates of "import demand" equations usually subsume the tariff in a gross price variable. '
The 2013 Lawrence R. Klein Lecture: Behavioral and Descriptive Forms of Choice Models

Empirical work on choice models, especially on relatively new topics or data sets, often starts with descriptive, or what is colloquially referred to as “reduced form,” results. Our descriptive form formalizes this process. It is derived from the underlying behavioral model, has an interpretation in terms of fit, and can sometimes be used to quantify biases in agents' expectations. We consider estimators for the descriptive form of discrete choice models with interacting agents that take account of approximation errors as well as unobservable sources of endogeneity. We conclude with an investigation of descriptive forms for two‐period entry models.