Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring market integration and pricing efficiency along regional maize-tortilla chains of Mexico - Análisis de la transmisión de precios en las cadenas regionales de comercialización de tortillas de maíz en México

When market performance is analyzed, a key issue to understand is the extent to which different agents in the supply chain respond to changes in price shocks. This paper explores the Mexican maize–tortilla chain through a price transmission analysis. It focus on a country-level study of the Mexican tortilla market by considering different regions and commercialization chains. Using a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) the integration of the Mexican maize tortilla market between the inter-region tortillería, interregion supermarket and intra-region tortillería-supermarket prices are investigated. The findings suggest that price transmission between tortillerías and supermarkets within a region seems to have triggered a shift in some consumers' place of purchase. Moreover, it demonstrates that cointegration level mainly depends of storage, logistics and transportation that could be the reason for the upsurge in variability of tortilla prices between states. These results appear to validate that radial transportation system in Mexico has benefited the central regions at the expense of the periphery regions, thus enabling tortillerías in Central regions to remain competitive with supermarkets and retain their market share.
Models for Calculating Monthly Average Solar Radiation from Air Temperature in Swaziland

Solar radiation is an important energy source for mankind. Accurate data of solar radiation levels for a particular location is vital for optimum operation of solar energy transducers such as photovoltaic cells and solar thermal collectors. In this work, it is shown a linear relationship exist between monthly average temperatures and solar radiation in Swaziland. The correlation has been utilized to develop two mathematical models for the estimation of solar radiation: one from the measured monthly average temperatures and the other from the square-root of the difference between measured maximum and minimum monthly average temperatures. Both models fit the data well and can be applied to estimate solar radiation in other parts of the region. Key words: Solar energy, solar radiation, climatic data, solar radiation estimation.
Validation of the triaxial accelerometer for the evaluation of physical activity in Japanese patients with COPD.

OBJECTIVE The quantification of physical activity is useful for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but has not been fully established yet. The DynaPort Activity Monitor(®) (DAM), a triaxial accelerometer is the only well validated accelerometer in Caucasians but it has not been validated in Japanese COPD patients. We initially evaluated the reproducibility of the DAM in Japanese healthy subjects. Next, the within-subject repeatability and the determinants of physical activity were investigated in Japanese COPD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The durations of locomotion, standing, and sitting measured by the DAM were compared to those of the self-records (Study 1). COPD patients wore the DAM for 3 days and the durations of each activity of 2 selected days were compared to assess the repeatability (Study 2). The relationship between the duration of locomotion and the physiological properties were examined (Study 3). RESULTS The activities measured by the DAM were significantly associated with those of the self-records (p<0.001). The values of the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for the reproducibility were over 0.99, and the agreement with the self-records was observed for the DAM. Similarly, the values of ICC for repeatability were over 0.84 in all activities, and there was no systematic bias in the COPD patients. The duration of locomotion was negatively correlated with the total lung capacity (TLC) and closing capacity/TLC, but not with other pulmonary functions, exercise capacity, muscle force, dyspnea, or modified BODE index. CONCLUSION The triaxial accelerometer is reliable for evaluating the physical activity of Japanese COPD patients.
The MRI View of Synovitis and Tenosynovitis in Inflammatory Arthritis

MRI scanning is the current gold standard modality for imaging synovitis and tenosynovitis in patients with inflammatory arthritis. Inflamed synovial membrane within the joints and investing tendon sheaths appears thickened on T1‐weighted sequences and enhances postcontrast. On T2‐weighted sequences, synovitis and synovial effusions typically show a high signal. Studies have shown correlations between the degree of inflammation and vascularity of synovium obtained at biopsy and postcontrast enhancement on matching dynamic MRI scans. Scoring systems have been devised that are based on quantifying synovial membrane thickening and signal intensity on static postcontrast scans and have been validated in multireader settings. Moderate to high reliability has been demonstrated with trained readers and quantification of synovitis in this way is being used increasingly as an outcome measure in clinical trials to assess response to therapy. MRI‐observed synovitis is almost invariable in those with active rheumatoid arthritis, but recent studies have also demonstrated its presence in patients in clinical remission, emphasizing the sensitivity of this technique and the importance of subclinical joint inflammation. MRI‐observed synovitis has been validated against other imaging modalities, including power Doppler ultrasound, and has also been investigated in normal subjects (where mild enhancement can rarely occur). Studies over 1–2 years have suggested that MRI synovial membrane volume and postcontrast enhancement on dynamic imaging can predict the development of erosions. In the long term, an overall score of inflammation incorporating synovitis, tenosynovitis, and bone edema may be a more useful MRI predictor of aggressive erosive disease.
The Accuracy of Posterior Condylar Angles Measured by One MR Image

The posterior condylar axis is used to establish femoral rotational alignment during total knee arthroplasty. One magnetic resonance image or computed tomography image often is used to determine the posterior condylar angle. However, the bony landmarks for determining the posterior condylar angle are not always present or obvious. We hypothesized measuring the posterior condylar angle on one slice would be no different when compared with using superimposed images with bony landmarks accurately identified in one or more slices. We analyzed magnetic resonance images of 95 knees without any bone disorders. Only 20 knees had all four bony landmarks apparent on any single slice. We compared the posterior condylar angles measured from one slice in which the medial sulcus, lateral epicondyle, or both posterior condyles were accurately identified with the angle measured from superimposed images. The average posterior condylar angle in the remaining 75 knees measured from superimposed images was 4.27° ± 1.95°, which was similar to the angle measured from one in which the lateral epicondyle was the most accurately identified (3.95° ± 1.93°). However, the largest difference (−3.53° and 4.29°) between three-dimensional and two-dimensional posterior condylar angle measurements in the worse-case scenario was unacceptable in clinical practice. We could not confirm our hypothesis: using one two-dimensional image to measure the posterior condyle angle is not accurate enough to determine its three-dimensional angle.
Chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and mortality: A prospective cohort study in a multi-ethnic Asian population

Background Few studies have examined the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on adverse cardiovascular outcomes and deaths in Asian populations. We evaluated the associations of CKD with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in a multi-ethnic Asian population. Design Prospective cohort study of 7098 individuals who participated in two independent population-based studies involving Malay adults (n = 3148) and a multi-ethnic cohort of Chinese, Malay and Indian adults (n = 3950). Methods CKD was assessed from CKD-EPI estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). Incident CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke and CVD mortality) and all-cause mortality were identified by linkage with national disease/death registries. Results Over a median follow-up of 4.3 years, 4.6% developed CVD and 6.1% died. Risks of both CVD and all-cause mortality increased with decreasing eGFR and increasing albuminuria (all p-trend <0.05). Adjusted hazard ratios (HR (95% confidence interval)) of CVD and all-cause mortality were: 1.54 (1.05–2.27) and 2.21 (1.67–2.92) comparing eGFR <45 vs ≥60; 2.81 (1.49–5.29) and 2.34 (1.28–4.28) comparing UACR ≥300 vs <30. The association between eGFR <60 and all-cause mortality was stronger among those with diabetes (p-interaction = 0.02). PAR of incident CVD was greater among those with UACR ≥300 (12.9%) and that of all-cause mortality greater among those with eGFR <45 (16.5%). Conclusions In multi-ethnic Asian adults, lower eGFR and higher albuminuria were independently associated with incident CVD and all-cause mortality. These findings extend previously reported similar associations in Western populations to Asians and emphasize the need for early detection of CKD and intervention to prevent adverse outcomes.
V·O2 Kinetics during Supramaximal Exercise: Relationship with Oxygen Deficit and 800-m Running Performance

The aim of this study was to compare . VO2 kinetics of highly- versus recreationally-trained subjects during a constant velocity test of supramaximal intensity. Eighteen trained male subjects were recruited to one of two groups: highly trained (HT, n = 8, .VO(2max) = 70.1 +/- 6.5 ml . min (-1) . kg (-1)) and recreationally trained (RT, n = 10, .VO(2max) = 63.2 +/- 6.4 ml . min (-1) . kg (-1)). All subjects performed an incremental test to exhaustion for the determination of . VO(2max) and peak treadmill velocity (PTV), two constant velocity tests at 110 % of PTV to determine . VO2 kinetics and oxygen deficit (O(2)def), and a 800-m time trial to determine running performance (mean velocity over the distance, V (800 m)). We found significant differences between HT and RT for the on-transient of the . VO2 response (tau, 24.7 +/- 3.3 and 30.9 +/- 7.0 s, respectively), the amplitude of the . VO2 response (60.0 +/- 5.0 and 53.5 +/- 5.7 ml . min (-1) . kg (-1), respectively) and V (800 m) (6.27 +/- 2.1 and 5.45 +/- 0.38 m . s (-1), respectively). O(2)def (24.6 +/- 2.7 and 27.7 +/- 7.8 ml . kg (-1), respectively) and the gain of the . VO2 response (193 +/- 14 and 194 +/- 13 ml . kg (-1) . m (-1), respectively) were similar between groups. tau was associated with O(2)def (r = 0.90, p < 0.05), but not with V (800 m) (r = 0.30, p > 0.05). It was concluded that HT subjects exhibited faster on-kinetics and higher amplitude than their RT counterparts. The higher amplitude was not thought to reflect any difference in underlying physiological mechanisms. The faster tau, whose exact mechanisms remain to be elucidated, may have practical implications for coaches.
People-Centric Service Intelligence for Smart Cities

In the era of big data, smart cities have become a promising prospect for governments, citizens, and industrials. Many ideas and their derived systems for smart cities depend on big data for achieving a goal of data intelligence. However, there is an urgent transformation trend from data intelligence to service intelligence in the vision of smart cities due to the living requirements of citizens. People-centric service intelligence in smart cities has to support the realization of people’s needs within urban and social domains. This paper introduces a concept of people-centric service intelligence, defines the level of it and its challenges in the aspect of infrastructure, human dynamics, human understanding and prediction, and the human–machine interface. Then, this paper proposes the theoretical framework and technical frameworks of people-centric service intelligence, and the service intelligence schemas for future construction of smart cities. It will be helpful for governments and industries to design people-centric service intelligence for improving the quality of life, the capabilities of good sustainability, and better development.
Lopinavir and Curcumin Directly Alters BAX/BCL2 and VEGF165b mRNA Levels to Suppress Human Squamous Cervical Carcinoma Cell Growth

Following the success of the highly active antiretroviral therapy, the potential of multidrug combination regimen for the management of cancer is intensely researched. The anticancer effects of curcumin on some human cell lines have been doc um nted. Lopinavir is a FDA approved protease inhibitor with known apoptotic activities. Dysregulated apoptosis is important for the ini tiation of cancer while angiogenesis is required for cancer growth and development, this study therefore investigated the effects of the c ombina ion of lopinavir and curcumin on cell viability, apoptosis and the mRNA expression levels of key apoptotic and angiogenic genes; BA X, BCL2 and VEGF165b in two human cervical cell lines; human squamous cell carcinoma cells uterine cervix (HCS-2) and transforme d normal human cervical cells (NCE16IIA). The two human cervical cell lines were treated with physiologically relevant concentrat i s of the agents for 120 h following which BAX, BCL2 and VEGF165b mRNA expression were determined by Real Time qPCR. The Acridine Orange staining for the morphological evaluation of apoptotic cells was also performed. The combination of lopinavir a nd curcumin up-regulated pro-apoptotic BAX and antiangiogenic VEGF165b but down-regulated the mRNA levels of anti-apoptotic BCL2 mRNA in the human squamous cell carcinoma (HCS-2) cells only. The fold changes were statistically significant. Micrographs from Acridine Orange staining showed characteristic evidence of apoptosis in the human squamous cell carcinoma (HCS-2) cells only. T h findings reported here suggest that the combination of curcumin and the FDA approved drug-lopinavir modulate the apoptotic and angiogenic pathway towards the inhibition of cervical cancer.
Inhibitors of Apoptotic Proteins: New Targets for Anticancer Therapy

Inhibitors of apoptotic proteins (IAPs) can play an important role in inhibiting apoptosis by exerting their negative action on caspases (apoptotic proteins). There are eight proteins in this family: NAIP/BIRC1/NLRB, cellular IAP1 (cIAP1)/human IAP2/BIRC2, cellular IAP2 (cIAP2)/human IAP1/BIRC3, X‐linked IAP (XIAP)/BIRC4, survivin/BIRC5, baculoviral IAP repeat (BIR)‐containing ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme/apollon/BIRC6, livin/melanoma‐IAP (ML‐IAP)/BIRC7/KIAP, and testis‐specific IAP (Ts‐IAP)/hILP‐2/BIRC8. Deregulation of these inhibitors of apoptotic proteins (IAPs) may push cell toward cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Inhibitors of apoptotic proteins (IAPs) may provide new target for anticancer therapy. Drugs may be developed that are inhibiting these IAPs to induce apoptosis in cancerous cells.
Suppressed Cytokine and Immunoglobulin Secretions by Murine Splenic Lymphocytes Infected In Vitro with Toxoplasma gondii Tachyzoites

Mechanisms of host immunosuppression after infection with Toxoplasma gondii are unclear. This study was performed to observe cytokine and immunoglobulin secretions by murine splenic lymphocytes infected in vitro with live, nonreplicating (irradiated) RH tachyzoites on stimulation with concanavalin A (Con A) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). For lymphocyte cultivation, 3 groups were prepared: coculture with live nonirradiated tachyzoites separated by a transwell (group T), live irradiated tachyzoites without a transwell (group R), and no tachyzoites (group C). Compared with group T, groups R and C, on stimulation with Con A, revealed significantly (P < 0.05) lower levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IFN-γ, but not IL-10. The levels of IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, IgA, and IgM were also significantly (P < 0.05) lower in groups R and C than in group T after stimulation with LPS. The results suggest that intracellular infection of murine splenic lymphocytes with T. gondii tachyzoites could impair their capacity to produce cytokine and immunoglobulin secretions.
Digital brand management — A study on the factors affecting customers' engagement in Facebook pages

The continuous growth in digital technologies has resulted in the growth of digital brand management and made it an essential entity for a particular brand's success. It is evident that Social networking sites with its user base of over two billion stands as the most powerful and influential outlet for online branding when compared with other digital channels. Social media marketing (SMM) is a platform where the marketers can give a more humanizing effect (a real person behind the brand pages) as a brand through which they can create a personal connection with the brand audience. Due to this unique potential, marketers tend to leverage SMM to increase brand loyalty, recognition and to provide richer customer experience. But there are still disagreements on the actual engagement rates of these brand pages and how they can be influenced by the moderator of the page by enhancing the online image of their brands. The study aims at building a reliable method for calculating the engagement rate of the Facebook brand pages. Additionally the study aims to identify the extent to which the moderators' post influences the engagement rate of its audience in terms of its content, frequency and the number of fans present for a particular brand page, by analyzing Facebook pages of predominant brands available to Indian audience.
- 1201 Targeted Sequencing of Plant Genomes

Targeted Sequencing of Plant Genomes Mark D. Huynh Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, BYU Master of Science in Genetics and Biotechnology Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the field of genetics by providing a means for fast and relatively affordable sequencing. With the advancement of NGS, wholegenome sequencing (WGS) has become more commonplace. However, sequencing an entire genome is still not cost effective or even beneficial in all cases. In studies that do not require a whole-genome survey, WGS yields lower sequencing depth and sequencing of uninformative loci. Targeted sequencing utilizes the speed and low cost of NGS while providing deeper coverage for desired loci. This thesis applies targeted sequencing to the genomes of two different, non-model plants, Artemisia tridentate (sagebrush) and Lupinus luteus (yellow lupine). We first targeted the transcriptomes of three species of sagebrush (Artemisia) using RNA-seq. By targeting the transcriptome of sagebrush we have built a resource of transcripts previously unmatched in sagebrush and identify transcripts related to terpenes. Terpenes are of growing interest in sagebrush because of their ability to identify certain species of sagebrush and because they play a role in the feeding habits of the threatened sage-grouse. Lastly, using paralogs with synonymous mutations we reconstructed an evolutionary time line of ancient genome duplications. Second, we targeted the flanking loci of recognition sites of two endorestriction enzymes in genome of L. luteus genome through genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS). GBS of yellow lupine provided enough single-nucleotide polymorphic loci for the construction of a genetic map of yellow lupine. Additionally we compare GBS strategies for plant species without a reference genome sequence.
MicroRNA-206 and its down-regulation of Wilms’Tumor-1 dictate podocyte health in adriamycin-induced nephropathy

Abstract Background: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a frequent and severe glomerular disease characterized by destabilization of podocyte foot processes. Emerging evidence suggests that microRNAs play crucial roles in podocyte homeostasis. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of miR-206 in podocyte injury and to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the damage to podocyte. Methods: FSGS nephropathy model was induced by a single intravenous injection of Adriamycin (ADR) in BALB/c mice and the levels of proteinuria were measured on week of 1,3,5. The conditionally immortalized mouse podocyte cell line 5 was either transfected with microRNA mimics or negative control. Real-time PCR analysis was conducted to demonstrate the microRNA level in the glomeruli. Expression of Wilms’ tumor-1 (WT1) and synaptopodin were detected by immunofluorescence and western blotting. Results: The results revealed that miR-206 was up-regulated in ADR nephropathy mice, which led to severe podocyte injury and inhibited the expression of WT1 and synaptopodin. Using luciferase reporter assays, WT1 was identified as a target gene of miR-206. In vitro, over expression of miR-206 induced WT1 and synaptopodin degradation and actin rearrangement, initiating a catastrophic collapse of the entire podocyte-stabilizing system. Conclusions: Over expression of miR-206 promotes podocyte injury via downregulation of WT1, which provides a new pathogenic mechanism for FSGS and miR-206 may be a potential therapeutic target.
Impaired Early Cytokine Responses at the Site of Infection in a Murine Model of Type 2 Diabetes and Melioidosis Comorbidity

ABSTRACT Bacterial infections are a common and serious complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The prevalence of melioidosis, an emerging tropical infection caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is increased in people with T2D. This is the first study to compare murine models of T2D and melioidosis. Susceptibility and disease progression following infection with B. pseudomallei were compared in our diet-induced polygenic mouse model and a leptin receptor-deficient monogenic model of T2D. The metabolic profile of mice with diet-induced diabetes, including body weight, blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin resistance, and baseline levels of inflammation, closely resembled that of clinical T2D. Following subcutaneous infection with B. pseudomallei, bacterial loads at 24 and 72 h postinfection in the blood, spleen, liver, lungs, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) at the site of infection were compared in parallel with the expression of inflammatory cytokines and tissue histology. As early as 24 h postinfection, the expression of inflammatory (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], and IL-6) and TH1 (IL-12 and gamma interferon [IFN-γ]) cytokines was impaired in diabetic mice compared to nondiabetic littermates. Early differences in cytokine expression were associated with excessive infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) in diabetic mice compared to nondiabetic littermates. This was accompanied by bacteremia, hematogenous dissemination of bacteria to the lungs, and uncontrolled bacterial growth in the spleens of diabetic mice by 72 h postinfection. The findings from our novel model of T2D and melioidosis comorbidity support the role of impaired early immune pathways in the increased susceptibility of individuals with T2D to bacterial infections.