Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychomotor development of preterm infants aged 6 to 12 months

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The immaturity of preterm infants’ organ systems may lead to difficulties in adapting to different environmental stimuli. The aim was to compare the psychomotor development of preterm infants (with corrected age) and term infants aged 6 to 12 months and to investigate associated factors. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional analytical study conducted at Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. METHODS: The sample consisted of 135 infants (45 preterm and 90 full-term) aged 6 to 12 months. Neuropsychomotor development was assessed using the Bayley III cognitive, language and motor subscales. Biological, socioeconomic and demographic data were gathered from medical records and through interviews with mothers. RESULTS: The mean cognitive, language and motor indices were within the range of normality for the sample as a whole. No significant difference in the development of infants born preterm and full-term was observed, except for expressive communication, in which preterm infants presented a lower index. Motor development was influenced by biological factors, and the poorest performances were observed in male infants; birth weight birth weight < 1500 g; Apgar score at five minutes ≤ 7; weight-, length- and head circumference-for-age < -1 Z-score; and exclusively breastfeeding for ≤ two months. CONCLUSIONS: Prematurity did not influence the psychomotor development of infants in this study population. Motor development was the most affected domain in the sample as a whole, especially due to biological factors. Investigations on child neuropsychomotor development should try to identify many determinant factors because of its multifactorial nature.
Biphasic Response of Pancreatic β-Cell Mass to Ablation of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 in Mice

ABSTRACT Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of insulin or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for regulation of pancreatic β-cell mass. Given the role of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) as an upstream molecule of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), we examined the effect of TSC2 deficiency on β-cell function. Here, we show that mice deficient in TSC2, specifically in pancreatic β cells (βTSC2−/− mice), manifest increased IGF-1-dependent phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase and 4E-BP1 in islets as well as an initial increased islet mass attributable in large part to increases in the sizes of individual β cells. These mice also exhibit hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia at young ages (4 to 28 weeks). After 40 weeks of age, however, the βTSC2−/− mice develop progressive hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia accompanied by a reduction in islet mass due predominantly to a decrease in the number of β cells. These results thus indicate that TSC2 regulates pancreatic β-cell mass in a biphasic manner.
Delinquent and criminal behavior as assessed by the revised California Psychological Inventory.

The revised California Psychological Inventory was studied in samples of 272 delinquent or criminal men vs. 1,088 controls, and 400 delinquent or criminal women vs. 2,266 controls, which gave delinquency base rates of 20% for men and 15% for women. Of the 27 scales evaluated, significant (p less than or equal to .01) mean differences were found on 25 for men and 26 for women. The best differentiator was So (Socialization), with point-biserial correlations of . 54 for men and . 58 for women. The new CPI theoretical model of personality structure also revealed significant differences. Persons in the Gamma and Delta lifestyle categories manifested higher rates of delinquency than did those in the Alpha and Beta. Low levels of ego integration were associated with greater incidence of delinquency in all four lifestyles.
Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of the Oral Toll-Like Receptor 7 Agonist GS-9620 in Treatment-Naive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Background GS-9620 is a potent oral agonist of toll-like receptor 7, a key modulator of the innate immune response. In healthy volunteers, low doses of GS-9620 (2, 4 and 6 mg) induced significant expression of peripheral interferon-stimulated-gene (ISG) mRNA in the absence of detectable serum interferon-α and systemic adverse events (AEs). We evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of GS-9620 in treatment-naive patients chronically infected with HCV genotype 1. Methods In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 51 patients were randomized 5:1 (active:placebo) to receive either a single dose or two once-weekly doses of GS-9620 at four dose levels (0.3, 1, 2 and 4 mg) or placebo. Pharmacodynamic assessments included peripheral ISG15 mRNA expression, serum interferon-α and interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10 levels and HCV RNA quantification. Results GS-9620 was well-tolerated at all doses. Most AEs were mild or moderate in severity. GS-9620 exhibited dose-linear pharmacokinetics with a median half-life in plasma of 18 h. Transient, dose-dependent ISG15 induction was observed at 1, 2 and 4 mg, with peak mean fold change within 48 h followed by a decline to baseline levels within 7 days of dosing. Serum interferon-α induction post-baseline was detected in 16.7% (8/48) of patients. No clinically significant reductions in HCV RNA were observed. Conclusions GS-9620 was safe, well-tolerated and biologically active in patients with HCV infection. Induction of ISG15 occurred in the absence of detectable serum interferon-α or systemic AEs in most patients, supporting a pre-systemic mechanism of action. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01591668.
Building Sectoral Job Search Indices for the United States

Abstract This study investigates job search activity in the United States by constructing a set of sectoral job search activity indices based on Internet search volumes. The indices are positively associated with countercyclical labour market measures, including unemployment and layoff rates, but are negatively associated with procyclical measures. Overall, our evidence supports previous empirical findings – job search intensity is countercyclical – which contradicts the theoretical model’s prediction.
Test of Asymmetry Effect of Demand on Spot Price Using MCMC Methods

Analysing and forecasting spot price has become a task that cannot be overlooked since the deregulation of the electricity market in Australia. There are many factors that affect electricity spot prices. Demand, especially, as one of the fundamental drivers, plays an important role as prices are decided according to the balance of the supply and demand. Financial economists have studied the temporal relationship between price and the trading volume in most commodity markets. The relationship implies the validity of a number of hypotheses, including sequential information arrival hypothesis and the market inefficiency, in the sense that volume can be used to predict future price changes. Such research finding can be used to design trading strategy for market players. Previous studies were either mainly concentrated on price itself or the direct relationship between demand and price, if they incorporate demand into spot price forecasting. In this paper, we attempt to find out whether or not positive and negative changes in demand have the same effect on spot price. As electricity spot prices possess the characteristics of mean-reversion, stochastic volatility and occasional jumps, we considered a mean-reverting asset pricing model that allows the conditional variance to incorporate log-stochastic volatility and a Poisson-directed jump process. Due to the complexity of the model, conventional estimation methods, such as Ordinary Least Squares, Maximum Likelihood and Quasi Maximum Likelihood, do not suit anymore. To accommodate this, Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, combined with Bayesian inference, is chosen to estimate the chosen model. MCMC methods have been reported to outperform the conventional estimation methods especially in estimating asset pricing models with stochastic volatility. The data we used in this study is the peak 30-minute spot price and demand from 2001-2005 in the Victoria region, Australia. The findings should help predict future electricity spot prices and strengthen any trading strategy based on price-demand relationship.
Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN): A role for polymorphisms in the β‐adrenergic receptor (ADRB) encoding genes?

Aim: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is a common cause of early respiratory distress in the neonatal period of term infants. Delayed resorption of foetal lung fluid after birth is considered as the main pathophysiological factor. As resorption of foetal lung fluid is a catecholamine dependent process, we aimed at investigating, whether β1‐ and β2‐adrenoreceptor (ADRB1, ADRB2) polymorphisms, known to alter catecholamine activity, are operative in TTN.
Sensorless high-order super twisting sliding modes vector control for induction motor drives

This paper proposes a sensorless high-order super twisting sliding mode control method for induction motor speed servo systems. Based on the vector control principle, high-order super twisting sliding mode controllers in speed loop, current loop and flux loop are designed respectively. The super twisting sliding mode control is utilized to improve the response speed and robustness of motor control systems. Meanwhile, high-order sliding modes are adopted to eliminate the chattering phenomenon. For the demand of response speed in current loop, a control algorithm is proposed. The estimated rotor speed used in speed feedback loop is calculated by an adaptive observer. The simulation results prove clearly a good robustness against load torque disturbances, the estimated fluxes and the rotor speed converge to their real values. Our study is close to reality; all carried out simulations are based on real models simulated within the ATAB S P ES STE environment in continuous time.
Glycine Decarboxylase Mediates a Postbinding Step in Duck Hepatitis B Virus Infection

ABSTRACT Envelope protein precursors of many viruses are processed by a basic endopeptidase to generate two molecules, one for receptor binding and the other for membrane fusion. Such a cleavage event has not been demonstrated for the hepatitis B virus family. Two binding partners for duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) pre-S envelope protein have been identified. Duck carboxypeptidase D (DCPD) interacts with the full-length pre-S protein and is the DHBV docking receptor, while duck glycine decarboxylase (DGD) has the potential to bind several deletion constructs of the pre-S protein in vitro. Interestingly, DGD but not DCPD expression was diminished following prolonged culture of primary duck hepatocytes (PDH), which impaired productive DHBV infection. Introduction of exogenous DGD promoted formation of protein-free viral genome, suggesting restoration of several early events in viral life cycle. Conversely, blocking DGD expression in fresh PDH by antisense RNA abolished DHBV infection. Moreover, addition of DGD antibodies soon after virus binding reduced endogenous DGD protein levels and impaired production of covalently closed circular DNA, the template for DHBV gene expression and genome replication. Our findings implicate this second pre-S binding protein as a critical cellular factor for productive DHBV infection. We hypothesize that DCPD, a molecule cycling between the cell surface and the trans-Golgi network, targets DHBV particles to the secretary pathway for proteolytic cleavage of viral envelope protein. DGD represents the functional equivalent of other virus receptors in its interaction with processed viral particles.
Nicotine inhibits pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion in human males but not in human females, and tolerance to this nicotine effect is lost within one week of quitting smoking.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Despite having increased knowledge of the adverse reproductive effects of smoking, it is unclear whether nicotine affects the pulsatile LH secretion in humans. We addressed this issue in male and female smokers and nonsmokers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty-nine male and 16 female nonsmokers and smokers were recruited as volunteers. In male smokers, nicotine effect was also studied before and after quitting smoking. In females, cyclic ovulatory function was assessed by measuring basal body temperature, and sampling studies were performed during the follicular phase. In the morning of the sampling day, an iv catheter was inserted into an anterobrachial vein, and blood samples (1.0-1.5 ml each) were taken at 10-min intervals for 480 min, during which, at 240 min, nicotine was administered via a transdermal patch (Nicotinell transdermal therapeutic system) containing 17.5 mg nicotine. Plasma LH was measured by immunoradiometric assay kits. RESULTS Nicotine significantly lengthened the interpulse interval of pulsatile LH secretion in male nonsmokers but not in female nonsmokers. In male smokers, nicotine did not lengthen the interpulse interval, and in female smokers it was also ineffective. After quitting cigarette smoking in male smokers, the refractory to nicotine effect disappeared within 1 wk. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that nicotine inhibits pulsatile LH secretion only in males, and the tolerance developed to the nicotine effect disappears within 1 wk of quitting cigarette smoking. However, we cannot deny the possibility that nicotine effect would have been detected in females if more subjects had been studied.
Independent evolutionary origins of functional polyamine biosynthetic enzyme fusions catalysing de novo diamine to triamine formation

We have identified gene fusions of polyamine biosynthetic enzymes S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC, speD) and aminopropyltransferase (speE) orthologues in diverse bacterial phyla. Both domains are functionally active and we demonstrate the novel de novo synthesis of the triamine spermidine from the diamine putrescine by fusion enzymes from β‐proteobacterium Delftia acidovorans and δ‐proteobacterium Syntrophus aciditrophicus, in a ΔspeDE gene deletion strain of Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium. Fusion proteins from marine α‐proteobacterium Candidatus Pelagibacter ubique, actinobacterium Nocardia farcinica, chlorobi species Chloroherpeton thalassium, and β‐proteobacterium D. acidovorans each produce a different profile of non‐native polyamines including sym‐norspermidine when expressed in Escherichia coli. The different aminopropyltransferase activities together with phylogenetic analysis confirm independent evolutionary origins for some fusions. Comparative genomic analysis strongly indicates that gene fusions arose by merger of adjacent open reading frames. Independent fusion events, and horizontal and vertical gene transfer contributed to the scattered phyletic distribution of the gene fusions. Surprisingly, expression of fusion genes in E. coli and S. Typhimurium revealed novel latent spermidine catabolic activity producing non‐native 1,3‐diaminopropane in these species. We have also identified fusions of polyamine biosynthetic enzymes agmatine deiminase and N‐carbamoylputrescine amidohydrolase in archaea, and of S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase in the single‐celled green alga Micromonas.
The Impact of Personality Dispositions and Social Orientations on the Relocation Mobility Readiness: Lesson from an Indonesian Public Sector

This study aims to explain the impact of personality dispositions and social orientations on the relocation mobility readiness. This study was conducted in an Indonesian public audit institution. This institution applies a policy to relocate its employees periodically to any of 34 provinces in Indonesia. The samples were 374 non-structural employees. The survey was conducted to collect data about the relocation mobility readiness, the personality dispositions (neuroticism, openness to experience, and uncertainty tolerance) and the social orientations (social norm, individualism orientation, collectivism orientation). The convenience sampling method was used in this study, while the hierarchical regression was used as an analysis method. This study indicates that personality dispositions and social orientations significantly influence the relocation mobility readiness. The higher the value of the uncertainty tolerance and social norm, the higher the employees’ readiness to be relocated. The higher the vertical collectivism, the lower the employees’ readiness to be relocated. Therefore, the institution should provide its employees and their families with supporting programs so that they are ready to be transferred to other areas in Indonesia.
Differential regulation of c-myc and transforming growth factor-alpha messenger RNA expression in poorly differentiated and well-differentiated colon carcinoma cells during the establishment of a quiescent state.

A previous report from this laboratory indicated that a transformed fibroblast cell line up-regulated c-myc by as much as 14-fold as cultures approached saturating densities, whereas the untransformed counterparts displayed little alteration in c-myc expression (Cancer Res., 49: 2320, 1989). The results suggested a mechanism for the growth advantage of the transformed cells at postconfluent densities. Similarly, the present results indicate that regulation of c-myc expression during establishment of a quiescent state markedly differed in poorly differentiated versus well-differentiated human colon carcinoma cells. While c-myc expression increased 2- to 3-fold during this period in the poorly differentiated cells, expression levels for this protooncogene showed little variation in the well-differentiated cells. There was, however, no correlation between degree of differentiation and c-myc mRNA levels in growing cultures (i.e., cells in late log phase). Another proliferation-associated mRNA, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), was also differentially regulated in the two groups of colon carcinoma cells as cultures approached quiescence. Further, addition of exogenous growth-stimulatory factors (epidermal growth factor plus insulin plus transferrin) to quiescent, well-differentiated cells resulted in an up-regulation of TGF-alpha mRNA levels by 9-fold over a 24-h period. In contrast, poorly differentiated cells displayed little alteration in TGF-alpha mRNA levels under similar conditions. The results suggest that inappropriate kinetic regulation of c-myc and TGF-alpha mRNAs at quiescence may be related to the growth factor independence of the poorly differentiated colon carcinoma cells. Furthermore, altered temporal regulation of c-myc and TGF-alpha expression appears to be more relevant to differentiation status in human colon carcinoma cells than are absolute expression levels.
Reversed Polarity Transient Pulse Power Divider Designed Using Time-Domain Method

A transient pulse power divider (PD) with equal magnitude and reversed polarity outputs is proposed and designed using time-domain method. The principle and feature of the equal split and reversed polarity are analyzed using the Euclid distance of transient pulse signals. Then, the normalized Euclid distance matrix of the equal-split PD with reversed polarity outputs is derived and utilized for the design and optimization process. The proposed PD based on the postwall structure is fabricated and measured. Measured and simulated results agree well, both indicating an ultra-wide bandwidth (one decade) with return loss and isolation of more than 10 dB in the frequency band from 0.25 to 2.5 GHz. Besides, the equal-split reversed polarity outputs in time domain demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed PD for transient pulse applications.
Could satisfaction be compared across customers? Some opposite evidences from China

Though the debate of interpersonal comparisons of satisfaction lasts for a long time, few researchers focus their attentions on whether the comparisons are empirically meaningful. This paper carries out two empirical studies to examine this issue and find that there are some validity threats when we compare customer satisfaction across customer groups without first considering the basic differences among these groups. The results in this study give some challenges to those that take customer satisfaction as a type of measurement for evaluating the performance of individuals and economic sectors.
Client Satisfaction on Maternal and Child Health Services in Rural Bengal

Background: Services are being provided by health functionaries to the community with the objective of fulfilling their satisfaction but sometimes this is not working for the target population. Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the satisfaction of clients′ receiving maternal and child health services and to elicit clients′ suggestion for improving the services. Materials and Methods: Anexit interview was employed to collect data using a predesigned and pretested schedule. Results: Most of the populations were adult clients. In respect of satisfaction, responses of the clients were either satisfactory (54.31%) or good (23.56%) on maternal and child health services; ‘poor or very poor around 20% and it was significantly worse in respect of satisfaction’. Most of the clients (63.06 to 73.94%) expressed their responses as satisfactory and good regarding the assessment of doctors and it was significant. Most of them (73.31%) expressed satisfactory “response” on the quality of services given by nursing staffs. Suggestions of clients for improving the level of satisfactionwere sought and in this respect, response was little. Conclusions: Mostly satisfactory observations on maternal and child health services were found in respect of clients' satisfaction and there was scope to improve the quality and quantity of services, and accordingly actions may be taken in the working field.
Novel gene functions required for melanization of the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans

The ability to produce melanin is a key virulence factor in many fungal pathogens including the human basidiomycete pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, a major cause of life‐threatening infections among immunocompromised persons. Despite the significance of melanin biosynthesis in virulence of C. neoformans, the cellular and molecular processes involved in this pathway have not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we used Agrobacterium to isolate insertional mutants and screened 12 000 mutants to uncover genes involved in melanin production in C. neoformans. Four new mutant alleles of the well‐known melanin biosynthesis gene, LAC1, which encodes laccase were identified, and the T‐DNA was shown to have a possible predisposition for insertion into the promoters of genes, in particular LAC1. Melanization in C. neoformans is dependent on five additional genes identified in this screen encoding homologues of the copper transporter Ccc2, the copper chaperone Atx1, the chitin synthase Chs3, the transcriptional coactivator Mbf1 and the chromatin‐remodelling enzyme Snf5. Illumination of the molecular and genetic components of this virulence pathway reveals potential novel targets for drug development against C. neoformans and provides further insight into the intimate relationship between metal ion homeostasis and melanin biosynthesis.