Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chromium Picolinate and Biotin Combination Reduces Atherogenic Index of Plasma in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial

Background:The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), defined as logarithm [log] of the ratio of plasma concentration of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, has recently been proposed as a predictive marker for plasma atherogenicity and is positively correlated with cardiovascular disease risk. The nutrient combination of chromium picolinate and biotin (CPB) has been previously shown to reduce insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods:Thirty-six moderately obese subjects with T2DM and with impaired glycemic control were randomized to receive CPB or placebo in addition to their oral hyperglycemic agents for 4 weeks. Measurements of blood lipids (including ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol), fructosamine, glucose, and insulin were taken at baseline and after 4 weeks. Results:At the final visit, the active group had a significantly lower AIP compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). A significant difference in triglyceride level (P < 0.02) and the ratio of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05) was also observed between the groups at the final visit. In the active group, the changes in urinary chromium levels were inversely correlated with the change in AIP (P < 0.05). Urinary chromium levels were significantly increased in the CPB group. In the CPB group, glucose levels decreased at 1 hour and 2 hours and glucose area under the curve and fructosamine level were significantly decreased. Ratios of total to HDL cholesterol, LDL to HDL cholesterol, and non-HDL to HDL cholesterol were significantly decreased between the treatments at final visit. No significant adverse events were observed in the CPB or placebo groups. Conclusions:These results suggest that the combination of chromium picolinate and biotin may be a valuable nutritional adjuvant therapy to reduce AIP and correlated CVD risk factors in people with T2DM.
Epigenetic reprogramming during vegetative phase change in maize

An important step during plant development is the transition from juvenile to adult growth. It is only after this transition that plants are reproductively competent. Given the great danger that transposon activity represents to the germ line, this may also be an important period during development with respect to transposon regulation and silencing. We demonstrate that a change in expression of a key component of the RNA silencing pathway is associated with both vegetative phase change and shifts in epigenetic regulation of a maize transposon.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus NS 1 Protein Degrades STAT 2 by Inducing SOCS 1 Expression

Objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) nonstructural protein NS1 (NS1) has been shown to block interferon (IFN)inducible antiviral signaling. The suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) gene family could utilize a feedback loop to block the activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, further inhibiting the activation of host type I IFN. We evaluated the role of the SOCS1 and SOCS3 genes in this antiviral mechanism. Material and Methods: A humanized stable NS1 (rich in GC)-expressing plasmid was constructed, and A549 cells were transfected with it. Expression of the SOCS1, SOCS3, RIG-I, and TLR3 mRNAs was measured with real-time PCR. STAT2 and pSTAT2 expression was determined with Western blotting. Results: RSV NS1 upregulated SOCS1 mRNA expression 30-fold increase compared with the baseline level in very early phase (p < 0.01), and silence of RIG-I or TLR3 mRNA did not affect NS1-induced SOCS1 expression. NS1 inhibited IFN-α-induced STAT2 phosphorylation and degraded STAT2 in a time-dependent manner compared Received: January 30, 2013 Accepted after revision: November 7, 2013 Published online: January 25, 2014 Dongchi Zhao Department of Pediatrics Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University Donghu Road 169, Wuhan 430071 (China) E-Mail zhaodong @ public.wh. hb.cn © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel 0300–5526/14/0572–0065$39.50/0 www.karger. com/int X. Xu and J. Zheng contributed equally to this work as co-first authors. D ow nl oa de d by : 54 . 7 0. 40 . 1 1 10 /6 /2 01 7 2: 27 :5 1 P M
Entrepreneurial Orientations of Women Business Founders from a Push/Pull Perspective: Canadians versus non-Canadians—A Multinational Assessment

Abstract This study is part of a unique, international research effort to determine entrepreneurial orientations of women founders (WF) and their impact on perceived business success. Men founders (MF) and WF from 13 countries were targeted for this study and completed questionnaires addressing their entrepreneurial orientations—necessity/opportunity, business measures and background characteristics. Business founders from Canada were specifically selected as a unique sample, with the aim of spotlighting the Canadian, opportunitydriven model of entrepreneurship and its relatively narrower gender gap, and of learning how to adopt it. Our findings illustrate a multifaceted picture of the relationships between genders, external factors (i.e., push/pull factors), and entrepreneurial orientations. More specifically, the genders’ differential interpretations of push/pull factors into necessity/opportunity orientations affect their perceived level of business success. This study provides support for the Canadian opportunity–driven attitude towards entrepreneurship and their narrower gender gap by exhibiting very few significant differences between the genders in entrepreneurial orientation. Implications of the Canadian model are discussed.
Experimentally induced dry eye produces ocular surface inflammation and epithelial disease.

Dry eye results from decreased production, increased evaporation or decreased clearance of tears.1,2 It causes ocular irritation and ocular surface disease, termed keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), that causes blurred and fluctuating vision and increases the risk of sight-threatening corneal infection and ulceration.3 The histological features of KCS are abnormal proliferation and differentiation of the ocular surface epithelium with decreased density of conjunctival goblet cells and decreased and abnormal production of mucus by the ocular surface epithelium.4 The most severe KCS develops in conditions where the ability to tear responsively to neural stimulation is lost.5–7
Transverse non-uniform slotted substrate integrated waveguide leaky-wave antenna

A novel non-uniform slotted substrate integrated waveguide leaky wave antenna has been proposed. These nonuniform slots are used to reduce the side lobes and to improve the radiation efficiency. The proposed structure has enhanced antenna gain and reduced reflection loss. This leaky wave antenna works in TE10 mode. Three modes are propagating in the structure; leaky wave mode, proper waveguide mode and surface wave mode. The proposed non-uniform leaky wave antenna scans efficiently from broadside to end-fires. This type of substrate integrated waveguide leaky wave antenna has very narrow beam that scans with frequency change. The current flow on the top wall is interrupted by periodic non-uniform slots, which results the leakage. The leakage is only due the fast waves.
Efflux of Cytoplasmically Acting Antibiotics from Gram-Negative Bacteria: Periplasmic Substrate Capture by Multicomponent Efflux Pumps Inferred from Their Cooperative Action with Single-Component Transporters

ABSTRACT In gram-negative bacteria, coexpression of single- and multicomponent efflux pumps may result in multiplicative enhancement of the level of resistance against cytoplasmically acting antibiotics. Here, a simple model is presented to show that this cooperative effect can be accounted for only if substrate capture by the multicomponent efflux transporter occurs in the periplasm but not the cytosol.
A symbolic information approach to determine anticipated and delayed synchronization in neuronal circuit models

The phenomenon of synchronization between two or more areas of the brain coupled asymmetrically is a relevant issue for understanding mechanisms and functions within the cerebral cortex. Anticipated synchronization (AS) refers to the situation in which the receiver system synchronizes to the future dynamics of the sender system while the intuitively expected delayed synchronization (DS) represents exactly the opposite case. AS and DS are investigated in the context of causal information formalism. More specifically, we use a multi-scale symbolic information-theory approach for discriminating the time delay displayed between two areas of the brain when they exchange information.
Subliminal optimal longitudinal vehicle control for energy efficient driving

In this paper an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) supporting the driver to achieve an energy efficient driving strategy is proposed. State of the art driver assistance systems for this purpose either take over full control of the vehicle longitudinal dynamics or only provide information to the driver and do not directly influence the vehicle dynamics. We propose an assistance system which performs the control task in parallel with the driver. The system adapts the driver inputs in an energy optimal manner under the constraint the influence is not perceptible for the driver. A control framework is proposed which allows a real-time capable implementation of the ADAS. The concept is validated in a small experiment on a driving simulator based on a test scenario consisting of a 2.5 km straight road with varying speed limits. The results show the real-time capability of the control framework and indicate a significant reduction of the fuel consumption.
It takes nerve to tell T and B cells what to do

The existence of an association between the brain and immunity has been documented. Data show that the nervous and immune systems communicate with one another to maintain immune homeostasis. Activated immune cells secrete cytokines that influence central nervous system activity, which in turn, activates output through the peripheral nervous system to regulate the level of immune cell activity and the subsequent magnitude of an immune response. In this review, we will focus our presentation and discussion on the findings that indicate a regulatory role for the peripheral sympathetic nervous system in modulating the level of cytokine and antibody produced during an immune response. Data will be discussed from studies involving the stimulation of the β2 adrenergic receptor expressed on CD4+ T cells and B cells by norepinephrine or selective agonists. We will also discuss how dysregulation of this line of communication between the nervous and immune systems might contribute to disease development and progression.
Guidelines for the Interpretation of Analytical Toxicology Results and Unit of Measurement Conversion Factors

A data compilation has been published on the World Wide Web [http://www.leeds. ac.uk/acb/annals] which aims to assist in the interpretation of analytical toxicology results in individual patients. ‘Therapeutic’ or ‘normal’ plasma/whole blood/urine concentrations, as well as the concentrations associated with serious toxicity (if known), for some 700 analytes of toxicological interest are given together with (when possible) relative atomic or formula masses, and mass/amount and amount/mass concentration conversion factors. This paper gives background and supplementary information which should be borne in mind when providing interpretation or using the Web table. Supplementary tables listing (i) common therapeutic drug monitoring assays and guidelines for interpretation of results, (ii) emergency toxicology analyses which may influence active treatment, (iii) blood carboxyhaemoglobin saturation and clinical features of toxicity, (iv) information important when interpreting the results of toxicology investigations, (v) factors which may affect interpretation of analytical toxicology results, and (vi) conversion factors for volatile compounds are included.
The Economics of Exchange-Rate Regimes: A Review Essay

The exchange-rate regime issue has taken centre-stage in discussions of international economic policy. Much of the profession appears to have been converted to 'the hypothesis of the vanishing middle regime'; for countries well-integrated into world capital markets, there is little, if any, middle ground between floating exchange rates and monetary unification. This paper considers the exchange-rate-regime issue in the context of recent books on the subject by W. Max Corden and Morris Goldstein. Both authors prescribe managed floating exchange rates, supplemented with inflation targeting, for emerging-market economies. Under managed floating, and with a credible monetary policy, the public finances in order, and strengthened debt management and prudential regulation, the exchange rate is free to act as a market gauge for assessing policies and as a mode of conflict resolution. Both authors also argue, however, that no exchange-rate regime is a Holy Grail. Ultimately, a credible exchange-rate regime depends upon the trust evoked by governments. There is no exchange-rate regime, whether of the managed-floating or hard-fix variety, that can eradicate a history of failed stabilisation attempts.
Antioxidant micronutrients as intersectoral link between health and agriculture

Environmental and ecological disorders and the attendant health problems especially cancer and heart diseases are a major concern currently. Although cancer is perhaps the most feared and best known of the chronic pathologic effects of environmental pollution, it should be recognized that environmental agents especially heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, may also cause behavioural abnormality which can lead to increase in crime rate. Antioxidant micronutrients are protective against these dreaded disorders. Environmental problems extend beyond the boundaries of the traditional confines of the health sector. It also affects the agricultural sector and this sector may also have an ameliorative influence on the degree of environmental and ecological disorders. This report emphases the need for the two major sectors, health and agriculture to evolve ways of checking the deleterious effects. Increase consumption of antioxidant micronutrients available in fruit and vegetables namely vitamins A, B, C, and E, β-carotene and selenium should be consistently recommended by the health sector to reduce the toxic effects of environmental pollutants. This report draws attention to environmental and ecological disorders and emphasizes the needs not to treat them in isolation but that they are inseparable. These disorders will be examined in conceptual and programmatic terms. Intersectoral collaboration between the agricultural and health sectors appears desirable by helping to prevent disease, promoting health and improving the quality of life by means of antioxidant micronutrients. The role of the agricultural sector in this regard should be to increase the production of these crops to make them readily available at low cost in Nigeria. This intersectoral collaboration is required for sustainable development of which health should be a goal (Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 9:1 – 10, January 2006) Keywords: Agriculture, Antioxidant Micronutrients, Ecology, Environment, Cancer,Crime rate, Health.
Global burned-land estimation in Latin America using MODIS composite data

This paper presents results of the AQL2004 project, which has been developed within the GOFC-GOLD Latin American network of remote sensing and forest fires (RedLatif). The project intended to obtain monthly burned-land maps of the entire region, from Mexico to Patagonia, using MODIS (moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer) reflectance data. The project has been organized in three different phases: acquisition and preprocessing of satellite data; discrimination of burned pixels; and validation of results. In the first phase, input data consisting of 32-day composites of MODIS 500-m reflectance data generated by the Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) of the University of Maryland (College Park, Maryland, USA) were collected and processed. The discrimination of burned areas was addressed in two steps: searching for ‘‘burned core’’ pixels using postfire spectral indices and multitemporal change detection and mapping of burned scars using contextual techniques. The validation phase was based on visual analysis of Landsat and CBERS (China–Brazil Earth Resources Satellite) images. Validation of the burned-land category showed an agreement ranging from 30% to 60%, depending on the ecosystem and vegetation species present. The total burned area for the entire year was estimated to be 153 215 km. The most affected countries in relation to their territory were Cuba, Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela. Burned areas were found in most land covers; herbaceous vegetation (savannas and grasslands) presented the highest proportions of burned area, while perennial forest had the lowest proportions. The importance of croplands in the total burned area should be taken with reserve, since this cover presented the highest commission errors. The importance of generating systematic products of burned land areas for different ecological processes is emphasized.
Detecting dynamical changes in vital signs using switching Kalman filter

Vital signs contain valuable information about patients' health status during their stay in general wards, when the deterioration process begins. The use of methods to predict and detect regime changes such as switching models can help to understand how vital sign dynamics are altered in disease conditions. However, time series of vital signs are remarkably non-stationary in these scenarios. The objective of this study is to quantify the potential bias of switching models in the presence of non-stationarities, when the inputs are spectral, symbolic and entropy indices. To distinguish stationary from non-stationary periods, a test was used to verify the stability of the mean and variance over short periods. Then, we compared the results from a switching Kalman filter (SKF) model trained using indices obtained over stationary periods with a model trained solely over non-stationary periods. It was observed that indices measured over stationary and non-stationary periods were significantly different. The results of switching models were highly dependent on the indices that were used as inputs. The multi-scale entropy (MSE) approach presented the highest correlation values between non-stationary and stationary switches, an average correlation coefficient of 38%.
Linking Economic Policy and Environmental Outcomes at a Watershed Scale

Do the most promising policies to promote sustainable upland farming originate at the local or national level? Will coordination of local and national efforts produce better outcomes? This paper uses an optimization-simulation model of the Manupali watershed in the Philippines to investigate these issues. It compares the economic and environmental effects of four sets of stylized policy changes: (1) local policies that restrict some forms of land use; (2) local attempts to subsidize environment-friendly technologies; (3) a crop-specific tax levied on vegetable production; and (4) a hybrid approach that seeks to coordinate local technology initiatives with a broader-based national pricing policy.
The Small-Country Effect Revisited

In an earlier study, researchers showed that the smaller national equity markets in the MSCI Developed Markets universe returned 19.19% compounded annually during the years from December 31, 1975, through June 30, 1992. These results compare favorably with the 12.67% total compound return of the MSCI World Index during the same period. Moreover, the small markets had lower downside risk characteristics than the MSCI World Index. Now, more than 18 years later, the authors revisit the concept of investing in national equity markets based solely on their size as measured by their respective market capitalization. They cover the 40-year period from December 31, 1969, through December 31, 2009, more than doubling the test period of the 1993 study.
Hyperphagia: Current concepts and future directions proceedings of the 2nd international conference on hyperphagia

Hyperphagia is a central feature of inherited disorders (e.g., Prader–Willi Syndrome) in which obesity is a primary phenotypic component. Hyperphagia may also contribute to obesity as observed in the general population, thus raising the potential importance of common underlying mechanisms and treatments. Substantial gaps in understanding the molecular basis of inherited hyperphagia syndromes are present as are a lack of mechanistic of mechanistic targets that can serve as a basis for pharmacologic and behavioral treatments.
Fast compression and access of LiDAR point clouds using wavelets

To compress, access, visualize and analyze large 3D point clouds, they are often converted to Digital Surface Models, either as raster grids or Triangulated Irregular Networks. This paper proposes an approach, which works directly on the points as they were recorded during data capture. There is usually a strong correlation between successively recorded points. This correlation is used to compress the point clouds using wavelet transforms. The characteristics of wavelet coefficients are used to access areas of progressively higher resolution and quality. The detail coefficients can also be used for 3D analysis and reconstruction.
A low complexity complex QR factorization design for signal detection in MIMO OFDM systems

Complex QR factorization is a fundamental operation used in various MIMO signal detection algorithms. In this paper, we revise the Givens Rotation based factorization algorithm and develop an efficient scheme working in the real number domain. The complex matrix is first extended into a block-wise symmetric real number counterpart. The proposed scheme can reduce the computing complexity to almost one half by exploiting the symmetric property. Computing complexity analysis also shows the superiority of our scheme over various factorization schemes. Finally, subject to the EWC 802.11n recommendation, a novel systolic array design featuring fully parallel and deeply pipelined processing was presented. CORDIC algorithm is employed to implement the required rotation operations with low circuit complexity. Synthesis results in TSMC 0.18mum process indicate the proposed design, with a gate count of merely 17.06 K and a maximum clock rate of 202 MHz, can admit a new 2 x 2 complex matrix for factorization in every 8 clock cycles.
Investigação do desempenho das cooperativas de crédito de Minas Gerais por meio da Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA)

This paper objective was to investigate the efficiency of Minas Gerais state credit cooperatives. In the study, the conceptual bases of efficiency are interpreted based on the role played by the cooperatives in supplying financial services to their members. The efficiency was measured by using Data Envelopment Analysis in a sample of 105 credit cooperatives, in the year of 2003. The efficiency factors were identified by using a Tobit model. The results exposed the limitations of efficiency presented by credit cooperatives and verified that they under utilized the productive resources. Finally, the paper argues about the importance of monitoring the cooperative performance to hold the sustainability of their business.
Learning from Failure, Part 2: Featuritis, Performitis, and Other Diseases

In the first part of this article, the author analyzed some common software architecture mistakes. In this article, the author discussed and explored the three mistakes that most architects know all too well. The author and his architect colleague Klaus Marquardt named these mistakes as if they were diseases: featuritis, flexibilitis, and performitis.