Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Bridge Too Far: Divestiture as a Strategic Reaction to Status Inconsistency

This study focuses on the market identities of firms and suggests that identity ambiguity is caused not only by bridging horizontal product categories but also by status inconsistency stemming from bridging vertical status categories. Focusing specifically on how firms reduce status inconsistency by restructuring their business portfolios, we argue that status inconsistency motivates firms to divest business units to present a more coherent vertical market identity. Emphasizing the interplay between horizontal and vertical identity ambiguity, we argue furthermore that status-inconsistent units that are related to the core business units within a firm are more likely to be divested. Using a comprehensive sample of publicly traded U.S. firms from 1998 to 2014, we report that status inconsistency increases the likelihood of divestiture that decreases status inconsistency, particularly for high-status firms. Moreover, although status-inconsistent units are generally more likely to be divested, this effect is .
Temperature and pressure dependence on structural, electronic and thermal properties of ZnO wurtzite phase – first principle investigation

ABSTRACT The ground-state properties of ZnO compound in the Wurtzite-type structure are investigated using the optimization of total-energy calculations based on the full-potential augmented plane-wave (FP-LAPW) method within the density functional theory (DFT). The exchange–correlation potential for structural properties is calculated by the generalized gradient approximation (GGA), while for electronic properties, the Engel and Vosko GGA (EV-GGA) as well the modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ) schemes are applied. The equilibrium lattice constants (a, c and μ) and bulk modulus are found in good agreement with the available reported data. On the other hand, the estimated mBJ energy band gap value is found in good agreement with the literature. In addition, the influence of pressure and temperature on the evolution of lattice constants (a, c and μ), bulk modulus, energy gap, heat capacity, and thermal expansion coefficient are investigated as function of pressure (0–10 GPa) and temperature (0–1000 K).
End-to-End Multilingual Speech Recognition System with Language Supervision Training

SUMMARY End-to-end (E2E) multilingual automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems aim to recognize multilingual speeches in a uniﬁed framework. In the current E2E multilingual ASR framework, the output prediction for a speciﬁc language lacks constraints on the output scope of modeling units. In this paper, a language supervision training strategy is proposed with language masks to constrain the neural network output distribution. To simulate the multilingual ASR scenario with unknown language identity information, a language identiﬁcation (LID) classiﬁer is applied to estimate the language masks. On four Babel corpora, the proposed E2E multilingual ASR system achieved an average absolute word error rate (WER) reduction of 2.6% compared with the multilingual baseline system. key words: multilingual speech
A closed-loop hand prosthesis with simultaneous intraneural tactile and position feedback

Bionic hand provides accurate tactile and position information and leads to improved performance during sensing tasks. Current myoelectric prostheses allow transradial amputees to regain voluntary motor control of their artificial limb by exploiting residual muscle function in the forearm. However, the overreliance on visual cues resulting from a lack of sensory feedback is a common complaint. Recently, several groups have provided tactile feedback in upper limb amputees using implanted electrodes, surface nerve stimulation, or sensory substitution. These approaches have led to improved function and prosthesis embodiment. Nevertheless, the provided information remains limited to a subset of the rich sensory cues available to healthy individuals. More specifically, proprioception, the sense of limb position and movement, is predominantly absent from current systems. Here, we show that sensory substitution based on intraneural stimulation can deliver position feedback in real time and in conjunction with somatotopic tactile feedback. This approach allowed two transradial amputees to regain high and close-to-natural remapped proprioceptive acuity, with a median joint angle reproduction precision of 9.1° and a median threshold to detection of passive movements of 9.5°, which was comparable with results obtained in healthy participants. The simultaneous delivery of position information and somatotopic tactile feedback allowed both amputees to discriminate the size and compliance of four objects with high levels of performance (75.5%). These results demonstrate that tactile information delivered via somatotopic neural stimulation and position information delivered via sensory substitution can be exploited simultaneously and efficiently by transradial amputees. This study paves a way to more sophisticated bidirectional bionic limbs conveying richer, multimodal sensations.
Defining characteristics and related factors of the nursing diagnosis for ineffective breathing pattern.

OBJECTIVE To identify in the literature the defining characteristics and related factors of the nursing diagnosis "ineffective breathing pattern". METHOD Integrative review with the steps: problem identification, literature search, evaluation and analysis of data and presentation of results. RESULTS Twenty articles and two dissertations were included. In children, the most prevalent related factor was bronchial secretion, followed by hyperventilation. The main defining characteristics were dyspnea, tachypnea, cough, use of accessory muscles to breathe, orthopnea and adventitious breath sounds. Bronchial secretion, cough and adventitious breath sounds are not included in the NANDA-International (NANDA-I). For adults and older adults, the related factors were fatigue, pain and obesity and the defining characteristics were dyspnea, orthopnea and tachypnea. CONCLUSION This diagnosis manifests differently according to the patients' age group. It was observed that some defining characteristics and related factors are not included in the NANDA-I. Their inclusion can improve this nursing diagnosis.
Serum paraoxonase (a high-density lipoprotein-associated lipophilic antioxidant) activity in clinical follow-up of patients with acute pancreatitis, with particular emphasis on oxidative stress parameters and lipid profile: a prospective pilot trial

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible role of PON-1, an antioxidant lipophilic enzyme linked to HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), on the pathophysiology and clinical follow-up of acute pancreatitis. Biochemical tests, PON-1 and oxidative stress parameters (malonyl dialdehyde, MDA; superoxide dismutase, SOD; total antioxidant capacity, TAC) were evaluated in the sera of patients with acute pancreatitis at admission (day 0), day 3 and day 10 of follow-up, between June and September 2017. SPSS 13.0 statistical software package programme was used for statistical analyses.Mean age was 51.4 of the total 25 patients. Ranson scores were 0–1 points (60%), 3–4 points (24%) and 5–6 points (16%). CTSI (computed tomography severity index) scores were calculated, and most of the patients were seen to have mild or average pancreatitis (96%). While total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein) levels stayed in their normal limits, there was a significant decrement tendency. HDL-C level was seen to rise significantly above its upper limit at day 10 (p < 0.001). Mean PON-1 levels were measured as 69.23, 76.72 vs. 113.15 U/mL at days 0, 3 and 10, respectively; and it was positively correlated with HDL-C (p < 0.001). Serum SOD increased also in parallel with PON-1 (20.49 vs. 39.46 U/mL) while MDA level decreased significantly (3.9 vs. 2.28 μM, p < 0.001). TAC was seen to rise significantly after treatment (0.52 vs. 1.22 mM). In conclusion, decreased PON-1 and HDL-C together with antioxidants SOD and TAC at the early period of acute pancreatitis were seen to rise after treatment, while the previously higher MDA level decreased in parallel. This reveals the importance of the balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms in clinical progression of the disease, and the potential of PON-1 as a promising clinical marker.
Metabolomics applied to maternal and perinatal health: a review of new frontiers with a translation potential

The prediction or early diagnosis of maternal complications is challenging mostly because the main conditions, such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus, are complex syndromes with multiple underlying mechanisms related to their occurrence. Limited advances in maternal and perinatal health in recent decades with respect to preventing these disorders have led to new approaches, and “omics” sciences have emerged as a potential field to be explored. Metabolomics is the study of a set of metabolites in a given sample and can represent the metabolic functioning of a cell, tissue or organism. Metabolomics has some advantages over genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, as metabolites are the final result of the interactions of genes, RNAs and proteins. Considering the recent “boom” in metabolomic studies and their importance in the research agenda, we here review the topic, explaining the rationale and theory of the metabolomic approach in different areas of maternal and perinatal health research for clinical practitioners. We also demonstrate the main exploratory studies of these maternal complications, commenting on their promising findings. The potential translational application of metabolomic studies, especially for the identification of predictive biomarkers, is supported by the current findings, although they require external validation in larger datasets and with alternative methodologies.
Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Antimicrobial-Resistant Pneumococci in an Intensively Sampled South African Birth Cohort

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal (NP) colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) precedes the development of respiratory tract infection. Colonization by antimicrobial-resistant pneumococci, especially in infants, is a major public health concern. We longitudinally investigated antimicrobial-resistance amongst pneumococci colonizing the nasopharynx of South African infants immunized with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). Methods: NP swabs were collected every second week from birth through the first year of life from 137 infants. Pneumococci were identified and serotyped using conventional microbiological techniques, and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles determined by disk diffusion and E-test. Results: All infants were immunized with 3 doses of PCV13. 1520 pneumococci (760 non-repeat) isolates were recovered from 137 infants; including non-typeable (n = 99), PCV13 (n = 133) and non-PCV13 serotypes (n = 528). The prevalence of penicillin, erythromycin, and cotrimoxazole non-susceptibility was 19% (95% CI 17–22%) (3% fully resistant), 18% (95% CI 15–21%) (14% fully resistant), and 45% (95% CI 42–49%) (36% fully resistant), respectively. The predominant penicillin-non-susceptible serotypes included 19A, 19F, 15B/15C, 15A, and 21, while susceptible serotypes included 23A, 34, and 17A. Multidrug-resistance (MDR) was observed in 9% (95% CI 7–11%) of the isolates. PCV13 serotypes were more likely to be non-susceptible, compared to non-PCV13 serotypes, to penicillin (26% vs. 16%, p = 0.007), erythromycin (23% vs. 15%, p = 0.027) and cotrimoxazole (62% vs. 41%, p < 0.001). Non-susceptibility to penicillin, erythromycin, and cotrimoxazole remained relatively constant through the first year of life (X2 test for trend: p = 0.184, p = 0.171, and p = 0.572, respectively). Overall, penicillin or erythromycin-non-susceptible pneumococci were carried for a shorter duration than susceptible pneumococci [penicillin (mean days, 18 vs. 21, p = 0.013) and erythromycin (mean days, 18 vs. 21, p = 0.035)]. Within individual infants carrying the same serotype longitudinally, changes in antibiotic susceptibility were observed over time in 45% (61/137) of infants and these changes were predominantly for penicillin (76%, 79/104). Conclusion: Prevalence of NP carriage with antibiotic-non-susceptible pneumococci was relatively constant throughout the first year of life. PCV13 serotypes were more commonly non-susceptible to penicillin, erythromycin, and cotrimoxazole. Penicillin or erythromycin-non-susceptible pneumococci were carried for a shorter duration than penicillin or erythromycin-susceptible pneumococci.
The FMRpolyGlycine Protein Mediates Aggregate Formation and Toxicity Independent of the CGG mRNA Hairpin in a Cellular Model for FXTAS

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CGG-repeat expansion in the 5′ UTR of the FMR1 gene on the X-chromosome. Both elevated levels of the expanded FMR1 mRNA and aberrant expression of a polyglycine protein (FMRpolyG) from the CGG-repeat region are hypothesized to trigger the pathogenesis of FXTAS. While increased expression of FMRpolyG leads to higher toxicity in FXTAS models, the pathogenic effect of this protein has only been studied in the presence of CGG-containing mRNA. Here we present a model that allows measurement of the effect of FMRpolyG-expression without co-expression of the corresponding CGG mRNA hairpin. This allows direct comparison of the effect of the FMRpolyG protein per se, vs. that of the FMRpolyG protein together with the CGG mRNA hairpin. Our results show that expression of the FMRpolyG, in the absence of any CGG mRNA, is sufficient to cause reduced cell viability, lamin ring disruption and aggregate formation. Furthermore, we found FMRpolyG to be a long-lived protein degraded primarily by the ubiquitin-proteasome-system. Together, our data indicate that accumulation of FMRpolyG protein per se may play a major role in the development of FXTAS.
A Systematic Design Selection Methodology for System-Optimal Compliant Actuation

Summary This work presents a systematic design selection methodology that utilizes a co-design strategy for system-level optimization of compliantly actuated robots that are known for their advantages over robotic systems driven by rigid actuators. The introduced methodology facilitates a decision-making strategy that is instrumental in making selections among system-optimal robot designs actuated by various degrees of variable or fixed compliance. While the simultaneous co-design method that is utilized throughout guarantees systems performing at their full potential, a homotopy technique is used to maintain integrity via generation of a continuum of robot designs actuated with varying degrees of variable and fixed compliance. Fairness of the selection methodology is ensured via utilization of common underlying (variable) compliant actuation principle and dynamical task requirements throughout the generated system designs. The direct consequence of the developed methodology is that it allows robot designers make informed selections among a variety of systems which are guaranteed to perform at their best. Applicability of the introduced methodology has been validated using a case study for system-optimal design of an active knee prosthesis that is driven by a mechanically adjustable compliance and controllable equilibrium position actuator (MACCEPA) under a periodic/real-life dynamical task.
Proteolytic dynamics of human 20S thymoproteasome

An efficient immunosurveillance of CD8+ T cells in the periphery depends on positive/negative selection of thymocytes and thus on the dynamics of antigen degradation and epitope production by thymoproteasome and immunoproteasome in the thymus. Although studies in mouse systems have shown how thymoproteasome activity differs from that of immunoproteasome and strongly impacts the T cell repertoire, the proteolytic dynamics and the regulation of human thymoproteasome are unknown. By combining biochemical and computational modeling approaches, we show here that human 20S thymoproteasome and immunoproteasome differ not only in the proteolytic activity of the catalytic sites but also in the peptide transport. These differences impinge upon the quantity of peptide products rather than where the substrates are cleaved. The comparison of the two human 20S proteasome isoforms depicts different processing of antigens that are associated to tumors and autoimmune diseases.
CBS promoter hypermethylation increases the risk of hypertension and stroke

OBJECTIVES: Cystathionine β-synthase is a major enzyme in the metabolism of plasma homocysteine. Hyperhomocysteinemia is positively associated with hypertension and stroke. The present study was performed to examine the possible effects of Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation on the development of hypertension and stroke. METHODS: Using quantitative methylation-specific PCR, we determined the Cystathionine β-synthase methylation levels in 218 healthy individuals and 132 and 243 age- and gender-matched stroke and hypertensive patients, respectively. The relative changes in Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation were analyzed using the 2–ΔΔCt method. The percent of the methylated reference of Cystathionine β-synthase was used to represent the Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation levels. RESULTS: In this study, the Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation levels of hypertensive and stroke participants were both higher than that of the healthy individuals (median percentages of the methylated reference were 50.61%, 38.05% and 30.53%, respectively, all p<0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that Cystathionine β-synthase promoter hypermethylation increased the risk of hypertension [odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI)=1.035 (1.025–1.045)] and stroke [OR (95% CI)=1.015 (1.003–1.028)]. The area under the curve of Cystathionine β-synthase promoter methylation was 0.844 (95% CI: 0.796–0.892) in male patients with hypertension and 0.722 (95% CI: 0.653–0.799) in male patients with stroke. CONCLUSION: Cystathionine β-synthase promoter hypermethylation increases the risk of hypertension and stroke, especially in male patients.
Surfactant Protein D Reverses the Gene Signature of Transepithelial HIV-1 Passage and Restricts the Viral Transfer Across the Vaginal Barrier

Effective prophylactic strategy against the current epidemic of sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection requires understanding of the innate gatekeeping mechanisms at the genital mucosa. Surfactant protein D (SP-D), a member of the collectin family of proteins naturally present in the vaginal tract, is a potential HIV-1 entry inhibitor at the cellular level. Human EpiVaginal tissues compartmentalized in culture inserts were apically exposed to HIV-1 and/or a recombinant fragment of human SP-D (rfhSP-D) and viral passage was assessed in the basal chamber containing mononuclear leukocytes. To map the gene signature facilitating or resisting the transepithelial viral transfer, microarray analysis of the HIV-1 challenged EpiVaginal tissues was performed in the absence or presence of rfhSP-D. Mucosal biocompatibility of rfhSP-D was assessed ex vivo and in the standard rabbit vaginal irritation model. The passage of virus through the EpiVaginal tissues toward the underlying target cells was associated with a global epithelial gene signature including differential regulation of genes primarily involved in inflammation, tight junctions and cytoskeletal framework. RfhSP-D significantly inhibited HIV-1 transfer across the vaginal tissues and was associated with a significant reversal of virus induced epithelial gene signature. Pro-inflammatory NF-κB and mTOR transcripts were significantly downregulated, while expression of the tight junctions and cytoskeletal genes was upheld. In the absence of virus, rfhSP-D directly interacted with the EpiVaginal tissues and upregulated expression of genes related to structural stability of the cell and epithelial integrity. There was no increment in the viral acquisition by the PBMCs present in basal chambers wherein, the EpiVaginal tissues in apical chambers were treated with rfhSP-D. The effective concentrations of rfhSP-D had no effect on lactobacilli, epithelial barrier integrity and were safe on repeated applications onto the rabbit vaginal mucosa. This pre-clinical safety data, coupled with its efficacy of restricting viral passage via reversal of virus-induced gene expression of the vaginal barrier, make a strong argument for clinical trials of rfhSP-D as a topical anti-HIV microbicide.
Association of central blood pressure with left atrial structural and functional abnormalities in hypertensive patients: Implications for atrial fibrillation prevention

Aims Functional and structural abnormalities of the left atrium have been demonstrated to be clinically and prognostically significant in a range of cardiovascular disorders, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation. Among the potential contributors to these aberrations, central arterial factors remain insufficiently defined. Accordingly, we sought to investigate the determinants of left atrium abnormalities in hypertension, with special focus on central haemodynamics. Methods In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, 263 patients (age 63.8 ± 8.0 years) with uncomplicated hypertension underwent echocardiography including left atrium strain (LAS) and volume analysis, and central haemodynamics assessment using radial tonometry. Results Patients were grouped depending on LAS and left atrium volume index (LAVI), using externally validated cutpoints (34.1% for LAS and 34 ml/m2 for LAVI). The subset with lower LAS (n = 124) demonstrated higher central (cPP) and brachial pulse pressure (bPP), ventricular- arterial coupling, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and LAVI, and lower global left ventricular longitudinal strain and early diastolic tissue velocity (e′). Patients with higher LAVI (n = 119) presented higher systolic blood pressure, cPP, bPP, central augmentation pressure, LVMI and E/e′ ratio and lower LAS. In multivariable analysis, cPP was independently associated with both LAS (β = –0.22; p = 0.002) and LAVI (β = 0.21; p = 0.003). No independent associations with left atrium parameters were shown for bPP. Conclusion Higher cPP is detrimentally associated with left atrium structural and functional characteristics, thus providing a possible pathophysiological link with the development of substrate for atrial fibrillation. Prophylaxis of atrial fibrillation might be another argument for consideration in the treatment strategy in hypertension targeted measures addressing central blood pressure.
Participation in Peer-Play Activities Among Children With Specific Learning Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE. Children with a specific learning disability (SLD) have deficits in social and academic competence and executive function (EF). In this study, we used the Model of Human Occupation to investigate the effect of peer-play activities on occupational values and competence as well as EF skills (i.e., behavior regulation and metacognition) in children with SLD. METHOD. Forty-nine children ages 7–11 yr with SLD were randomly assigned to the peer-play and control groups. Outcome measures were the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function and the Child Occupational Self-Assessment (COSA). RESULTS. Data analysis showed that the effects of the intervention on EF skills were medium to large. The occupational values and competence did not change according to the COSA. CONCLUSION. Occupational therapy practitioners can use peer-play activities to enhance EF in children with SLD; however, perceived occupational values and competence may not show any changes with the peer-play intervention using a self-assessment instrument.