Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence that Intraspecific Trait Variation among Nasal Bacteria Shapes the Distribution of Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for infection, yet the bacterial determinants required for carriage are poorly defined. Interactions between S. aureus and other members of the bacterial flora may determine colonization and have been inferred in previous studies by using correlated species distributions. However, traits mediating species interactions are often polymorphic, suggesting that understanding how interactions structure communities requires a trait-based approach. We characterized S. aureus growth inhibition by the culturable bacterial aerobe consortia of 60 nasal microbiomes, and this revealed intraspecific variation in growth inhibition and that inhibitory isolates clustered within communities that were culture negative for S. aureus. Across microbiomes, the cumulative community-level growth inhibition was negatively associated with S. aureus incidence. To fully understand the ecological processes structuring microbiomes, it will be crucial to account for intraspecific variation in the traits that mediate species interactions.
Assessing a cross-border logistics policy using a performance measurement system framework: the case of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta region

For the most rapidly growing economic entity in the world, China, a new logistics operation called the indirect cross-border supply chain model has recently emerged. The primary idea of this model is to reduce logistics costs by storing goods at a bonded warehouse with low storage cost in certain Chinese regions, such as the Pearl River Delta (PRD). This research proposes a performance measurement system (PMS) framework to assess the direct and indirect cross-border supply chain models. The PMS covers four categories including cost, time, quality and flexibility in the assessment of the performance of direct and indirect models. Furthermore, a survey was conducted to investigate the logistics performance of third party logistics (3PLs) at the PRD regions, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The significance of the proposed PMS framework allows 3PLs accurately pinpoint the weakness and strengths of it current operations policy at four major performance measurement categories. Hence, this helps 3PLs further enhance the competitiveness and operations efficiency through better resources allocation at the area of warehousing and transportation.
Induction of CD8 T Cell Heterologous Protection by a Single Dose of Single-Cycle Infectious Influenza Virus

ABSTRACT The effector functions of specific CD8 T cells are crucial in mediating influenza heterologous protection. However, new approaches for influenza vaccines that can trigger effective CD8 T cell responses have not been extensively explored. We report here the generation of single-cycle infectious influenza virus that lacks a functional hemagglutinin (HA) gene on an X31 genetic background and demonstrate its potential for triggering protective CD8 T cell immunity against heterologous influenza virus challenge. In vitro, X31-sciIV can infect MDCK cells, but infectious virions are not produced unless HA is transcomplemented. In vivo, intranasal immunization with X31-sciIV does not cause any clinical symptoms in mice but generates influenza-specific CD8 T cells in lymphoid (mediastinal lymph nodes and spleen) and nonlymphoid tissues, including lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, as measured by H2-Db NP366 and PA224 tetramer staining. In addition, a significant proportion of X31-sciIV-induced antigen-specific respiratory CD8 T cells expressed VLA-1, a marker that is associated with heterologous influenza protection. Further, these influenza-specific CD8 T cells produce antiviral cytokines when stimulated with NP366 and PA224 peptides, indicating that CD8 T cells triggered by X31-sciIV are functional. When challenged with a lethal dose of heterologous PR8 virus, X31-sciIV-primed mice were fully protected from death. However, when CD8 T cells were depleted after priming or before priming, mice could not effectively control virus replication or survive the lethal challenge, indicating that X31-sciIV-induced memory CD8 T cells mediate the heterologous protection. Thus, our results demonstrate the potential for sciIV as a CD8 T cell-inducing vaccine. IMPORTANCE One of the challenges for influenza prevention is the existence of multiple influenza virus subtypes and variants and the fact that new strains can emerge yearly. Numerous studies have indicated that the effector functions of specific CD8 T cells are crucial in mediating influenza heterologous protection. However, influenza vaccines that can trigger effective CD8 T cell responses for heterologous protection have not been developed. We report here the generation of an X31 (H3N2) virus-derived single-cycle infectious influenza virus, X31-sciIV. A one-dose immunization with X31-sciIV is capable of inducing functional influenza virus-specific CD8 T cells that can be recruited into respiratory tissues and provide protection against lethal heterologous challenge. Without these cells, protection against lethal challenge was essentially lost. Our data indicate that an influenza vaccine that primarily relies on CD8 T cells for protection could be developed.
Endothelial Heparan Sulfate 6-O-Sulfation Levels Regulate Angiogenic Responses of Endothelial Cells to Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor*

Background: Heparan sulfate (HS) is an essential regulator of multiple angiogenic growth factors. Results: Down-regulation of 6-O-sulfation in endothelial cell HS affects FGF2- and VEGF-mediated endothelial cell functions. Conclusion: The level of 6-O-sulfation in specific HS domains regulates endothelial cell responses to angiogenic growth factors. Significance: The relationships between 6-O-sulfation and endothelial phenotypes could help to design HS sequences inhibiting angiogenic growth factors. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) are potent pro-angiogenic growth factors that play a pivotal role in tumor angiogenesis. The activity of these growth factors is regulated by heparan sulfate (HS), which is essential for the formation of FGF2/FGF receptor (FGFR) and VEGF165/VEGF receptor signaling complexes. However, the structural characteristics of HS that determine activation or inhibition of such complexes are only partially defined. Here we show that ovarian tumor endothelium displays high levels of HS sequences that harbor glucosamine 6-O-sulfates when compared with normal ovarian vasculature where these sequences are also detected in perivascular area. Reduced HS 6-O-sulfotransferase 1 (HS6ST-1) or 6-O-sulfotransferase 2 (HS6ST-2) expression in endothelial cells impacts upon the prevalence of HS 6-O-sulfate moieties in HS sequences, which consist of repeating short, highly sulfated S domains interspersed by transitional N-acetylated/N-sulfated domains. 1–40% reduction in 6-O-sulfates significantly compromises FGF2- and VEGF165-induced endothelial cell sprouting and tube formation in vitro and FGF2-dependent angiogenesis in vivo. Moreover, HS on wild-type neighboring endothelial or smooth muscle cells fails to restore endothelial cell sprouting and tube formation. The affinity of FGF2 for HS with reduced 6-O-sulfation is preserved, although FGFR1 activation is inhibited correlating with reduced receptor internalization. These data show that 6-O-sulfate moieties in endothelial HS are of major importance in regulating FGF2- and VEGF165-dependent endothelial cell functions in vitro and in vivo and highlight HS6ST-1 and HS6ST-2 as potential targets of novel antiangiogenic agents.
Natural history of diseases: Statistical designs and issues

Understanding the natural history of a disease is an important prerequisite for designing studies that assess the impact of interventions, both chemotherapeutic and environmental, on the initiation and expression of the condition. Identification of biomarkers that mark disease progression may provide important indicators for drug targets and surrogate outcomes for clinical trials. However, collecting and visualizing data on natural history is challenging, in part, because disease processes are complex and evolve in different chronological periods for different subjects. Various epidemiological designs are used to elucidate components of the natural history process. We briefly discuss statistical issues, limitations, and challenges associated with various epidemiological designs.
Naming Auditor Defendants in Securities Class Actions

In recent years, the risk to auditors of being named defendants in private securities class actions has been of concern, not only to auditors, but also to those concerned with facilitating capital formation. Nonetheless, there has been no empirically tested model that credibly demonstrates the factors associated with naming auditors defendants in private securities class actions. A theory based on Kinney (1993) framework is developed to differentiate between securities class actions with auditor defendants versus securities class actions without auditor defendants. The theory is empirically tested. Asymptotic and, where necessary, exact logistic regression are used. In 86 of 476 securities lawsuits commenced from April 1992 to April 1995, an auditor was named a defendant. Five independent variables are positively associated with naming the auditor a defendant: the issuance of an Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Release where the auditor and management are charged with wrongdoing; the issuance of an Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Release where management, but not the auditor, are charged with wrongdoing; auditee bankruptcy; plaintiff class period length; and a restatement of previously issued audited annual financial statements.
Responding to HIV infection associated with drug injecting in Eastern Europe.

In some countries in Eastern Europe the spread of HIV infection associated with drug injecting has been rapid. While in several cities in the region HIV prevention programs have been established there remains a need to introduce public health technologies and strengthen existing capacity for rapidly assessing and responding to emerging HIV epidemics. This Harm Reduction Digest describes the spread of HIV among drug injectors in the region existing harm-reduction responses and the application of Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) as a strategy to further develop these. RAR is a methodology developed by WHO Programme on Substance Abuse to assist in rapidly assessing the individual social and environmental factors related to HIV transmission among intravenous drug users (IDUs) so as to develop appropriate public health responses. The authors of this Digest who have all been centrally involved in this process also describe as an example an HIV prevention training program in the Russian Federation which aims to assist health professionals to respond to the developing crises of HIV/AIDS among IDUs. (authors)
Non-Isothermal Separation Process of Two-Phase Mixture Water/Ultra-Viscous Heavy Oil by Hydrocyclone

Environmental agencies do not allow effluents, from the petroleum productions, which contain oil concentrations that exceed the amounts permitted by the regulations. In recent time heavy oil operating petroleum industries are generating oil/water mixture by products, which are difficult to separate. Industrially, hydrocyclone is generally used to separate oil from an oil/water mixture. This is due to its high performance of separation, low cost of installation and maintenance. In the present work, therefore, the thermal fluid dynamics of water/ultra-viscous heavy oil separation process in a hydrocyclone has been studied. A steady state mathematical model which simulates the performance of a non-isothermal separation process is presented. The Eulerian-Eulerian approach for the interface of the phases involved (water/ultra-viscous heavy-oil) is used and the two-phase flow is considered as incompressible, viscous and turbulent. For carrying out numerical solutions of the governing equations the CFX11® commercial code was used. Results of the behavior of the two-fluid flow inside the hydrocyclone and separation efficiency are presented and analyzed. The role of the average temperature of the fluid, oil droplet diameter and the fluid mixture inlet velocity on the separation efficiency of the hydrocyclone are verified.
Examining Paid Mobile Application Customer Loyalty: The Moderating Effect of Switching Costs

The mobile application industry has more actions and services in recent years due to consumer demand. The purpose of this study is to explain the relationships among perceived value, satisfaction, and customer loyalty in the paid mobile application industry. Moreover, this study develops and tests a conceptual model that offer a value perspective in understanding customer loyalty toward paid mobile applications. To achieve this aim, perceived value and customer satisfaction must be measured and i°switching costsi± identified. This study also takes a value component perspective from Bernardo, Marimon and del Mar Alonso-Almeida (2012) to confirm how the two types of switching costs (monetary vs. nonmonetary switching costs) moderate the link in perceived value, satisfaction, and loyalty in the instance of a paid entertainment mobile application. The results from an online survey indicate that the switching costs had a moderating effect on the relationship between perceived value and loyalty, and the satisfaction and loyalty of using paid mobile applications. With respect to the findings, the moderating effect of switching cost play a critical role in determining customer loyalty of paid mobile applications. It also revealed that nonmonetary switching costs has more importance than monetary switching costs in engendering loyalty, since monetary contains price in the download paid mobile applications, which provides negative outcomes among the relationship of perceived value, satisfaction, and loyalty. In the conclusion, the implications of these findings are discussed.
Analysis of virC, an operon involved in the secretion of Yop proteins by Yersinia enterocolitica

Upon incubation at 37 degrees C in the absence of Ca2+ ions, pathogenic yersiniae release large amounts of pYV plasmid-encoded proteins called Yops that are involved in pathogenesis. Yersinia enterocolitica also expresses an outer membrane protein that is considered an adhesin and called YadA (previously called P1 or YopA). The production of Yops is coordinately regulated by a 20-kb region of the plasmid referred to as the Ca2+ dependence region and containing at least four loci called virA, virB, virC, and virF. The virF gene encodes a key transcriptional activator of yop genes. We have shown here that virF is also required for transcription of yadA and that virB is necessary for full transcription of the yop and yadA genes. In contrast, mutations in genes virA and virC had only a weak influence on the transcription of yop and yadA genes. These mutations did not affect the production of YadA but they completely inhibited the translocation of Yops from the intracellular compartment to the extracellular milieu. We inferred from these data that virA and virC are involved in the specific transport of Yops. We analyzed the 8.5-kb virC region and showed that it is most probably a single operon containing 13 open reading frames called yscA to yscM (for Yop secretion). Protein YscC has a putative signal sequence and shares significant homology with outer membrane proteins involved in the secretion of pullulanase by Klebsiella pneumoniae (PulD) or in the assembly of filamentous bacteriophages (gene IV product). At least the putative products of yscD, yscJ, and yscL were shown to be required for the export of Yops. YscJ turned out to be YlpB, a lipoprotein that we had detected previously. The yscM gene shares homology with yopH, the adjacent gene on the pYV plasmid. Its product does not appear to be necessary for the production of Yops. Transcription of the virC operon was subjected to the same regulation as the yop genes.
Some effects of guilt on compliance.

Two experiments studied conditions under which compliance will be increased. Experiment I showed that guilt (induced by having subjects deliver painful electric shocks to a confederate) will sharply increase compliance. Status of the confederate and presence of a witness had no effect. Expriment II differentiated among possible explanations for this effect, and suggested that guilt, rather than sympathy or a desire to make restitution, was the critical variable. Subjects who had observed but not delivered the shocks did not comply. Compliance was highest when the request was made by someone who had observed the subject deliver the shocks, but was not himself the victim.
Serotonin‐induced intercellular calcium waves in salivary glands of the blowfly Calliphora erythrocephala.

1. Blowfly salivary glands have been used extensively as a model system for the analysis of inositol phosphate‐dependent signal transduction. To detect and characterize changes in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) that might be expected to be triggered by stimulation with serotonin (5‐HT), we have carried out digital calcium‐imaging experiments on intact glands using the Ca2+‐sensitive dye fura‐2. 2. 5‐HT (1‐10 nM) induced repetitive transient increases in [Ca2+]i, i.e. Ca2+ spikes whose frequency was a function of agonist concentration (EC50 = 2.8 nM). 3. Pre‐incubation in EGTA decreased the frequency but did not inhibit spiking. Thapsigargin abolished periodic spike activity indicating that the [Ca2+]i rise results from Ca2+ release. Neither caffeine (10 mM) nor ryanodine (10 and 50 microM) induced increases in [Ca2+]i. 4. Oscillatory activity in individual cells was synchronized by regenerative intercellular Ca2+ waves that propagated over distances greater than 400 microm. Colliding waves annihilated each other. 5. Desynchronization of the oscillation pattern by 100 microM 1‐octanol suggests the involvement of gap junctions and an intracellular messenger in wave propagation. 6. Local stimulation of glands elicited [Ca2+]i elevations in the stimulated area, but not in adjacent cells, indicating that local increases in [Ca2+]i are not sufficient to trigger Ca2+ waves. However, local stimulation was capable of evoking propagating Ca2+ waves when combined with low‐dose 5‐HT stimulation of the whole gland. 7. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that: (1) Ca2+ acts as the intercellular messenger and modulates its own release via positive and negative feedback on the inosital 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor, and (2) sensitization of the InsP3 receptor to Ca2+ by InsP3 is required for the propagation of intercellular Ca2+ waves, as proposed for intracellular Ca2+ waves in Xenopus oocytes.
Classification Spatial patterns of rural poverty : an exploratory analysis in the São Francisco River Basin , Brazil

Resumo A caracterização e a análise da distribuição espacial da pobreza podem ser úteis na aplicação de programas voltados para a redução de pobreza já que possibilitam a identificação de áreas onde a incidência é maior e cuja extensão muitas vezes ultrapassa as linhas territoriais oficiais. Nesse contexto, este artigo usa os mais recentes dados sobre pobreza rural municipal no Brasil para identificar os padrões espaciais de pobreza rural na Bacia do Rio São Francisco (BRSF). Indicadores de autocorrelação espacial I de Moran são gerados e usados para a construção de um mapa de clusters de pobreza rural. Os resultados indicam que a pobreza rural é espacialmente autocorrelacionada em algumas áreas da BRSF, nas quais municípios mais (menos) pobres tendem a se localizar perto de municípios mais (menos) pobres. Mais importante, talvez, os resultados sugerem a necessidade de se usar metodologias de análise que considerem explicitamente a localização como um fator explanatório da pobreza rural na bacia, como, por exemplo, econometria espacial. Abstract This paper uses recently released município-level data on rural poverty in Brazil to identify and analyze spatial patterns of rural poverty in the São Francisco River Basin (SFRB). Moran’s I statistics are generated and used to test for spatial autocorrelation, and to prepare cluster maps that locate rural poverty “hot spots” and “cold spots”. Our results indicate that poverty reduction policies in the SFRB should take into account the spatial distribution of poverty. Not only is poverty in the SFRB clustered spatially, but the bulk of the basin’s poor resides in municípios that comprise the poverty ‘hot spots’ we identified. These clusters did not correspond to state-level boundaries (the political delineations often used to measure poverty and to manage poverty reduction programs), so scope may exist for geographically refocusing poverty reduction efforts to make them more efficient. Maybe more importantly the results set the stage for the use of spatial econometrics for a future multivariate analysis of rural poverty in the basin. Marcelo de O. Torres Department of Economics, University of Brasília
Placing Retailers as Agents of Change in the Transformation of Mobile Payment Transactions in Ghana

The continuous rise in the number of mobile phone usage in Ghana has created the need for further study into the other uses of phones. Although some of the mobile money services are presently being used by some subscribers in Ghana, the market penetration has not been very encouraging especially among the rural and urban poor. This has precipitated further research in the area of mobile payment systems and financial services with emphasis on the role of the retailers as authorized agents for telecommunication operators in the business. Field survey was conducted in the urban and rural poor areas of Accra and Swedru respectively and it involved 350 retail agents in fourteen communities and towns. Semi-structured q uestionnaires served as the main instrument for collecting data from the field and the analysis were done using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Task-Technology Fit and Mobile Money proposition for retailers. The results show that although majority of retailers had heard of mobile money services, very few of them had used the services. Their response however revealed the need for further education on the benefits of mobile money usage and the relevance of transacting business without holding cash.
Compartment-Dependent Colocalization of Kir3.2-Containing K+ Channels and GABAB Receptors in Hippocampal Pyramidal Cells

G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channels (Kir3 channels) coupled to metabotropic GABAB receptors are essential for the control of neuronal excitation. To determine the distribution of Kir3 channels and their spatial relationship to GABAB receptors on hippocampal pyramidal cells, we used a high-resolution immunocytochemical approach. Immunoreactivity for the Kir3.2 subunit was most abundant postsynaptically and localized to the extrasynaptic plasma membrane of dendritic shafts and spines of principal cells. Quantitative analysis of immunogold particles for Kir3.2 revealed an enrichment of the protein around putative glutamatergic synapses on dendritic spines, similar to that of GABAB1. Consistent with this observation, a high degree of coclustering of Kir3.2 and GABAB1 was revealed around excitatory synapses by the highly sensitive SDS-digested freeze–fracture replica immunolabeling. In contrast, in dendritic shafts receptors and channels were found to be mainly segregated. These results suggest that Kir3.2-containing K+ channels on dendritic spines preferentially mediate the effect of GABA, whereas channels on dendritic shafts are likely to be activated by other neurotransmitters as well. Thus, Kir3 channels, localized to different subcellular compartments of hippocampal principal cells, appear to be differentially involved in synaptic integration in pyramidal cell dendrites.