Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Astaxanthin Normalizes Epigenetic Modifications of Bovine Somatic Cell Cloned Embryos and Decreases the Generation of Lipid Peroxidation.

Astaxanthin is an extremely common antioxidant scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and blocking lipid peroxidation. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on oocyte maturation, and development of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured in maturation medium with astaxanthin (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg/l), respectively. We found that 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin supplementation significantly increased the proportion of oocyte maturation. Oocytes cultured in 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin supplementation were used to construct SCNT embryos and further cultured with 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg/l astaxanthin. The results showed that the supplementation of 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin significantly improved the proportions of cleavage and blastulation, as well as the total cell number in blastocysts compared with the control group, yet this influence was not concentration dependent. Chromosomal analyses revealed that more blastomeres showed a normal chromosomal complement in 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin treatment group, which was similar to that in IVF embryos. The methylation levels located on the exon 1 of the imprinted gene H19 and IGF2, pluripotent gene OCT4 were normalized, and global DNA methylation, H3K9 and H4K12 acetylation were also improved significantly, which was comparable to that in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos. Moreover, we also found that astaxanthin supplementation significantly decreased the level of lipid peroxidation. Our findings showed that the supplementation of 0.5 mg/l astaxanthin to oocyte maturation medium and embryo culture medium improved oocyte maturation, SCNT embryo development, increased chromosomal stability and normalized the epigenetic modifications, as well as inhibited overproduction of lipid peroxidation.
Game Theory based Dynamic Spectrum Allocation for Secondary Users in the Cell Edge of Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive Radio (CR) has very promising potential to improve spectrum utilization by allowing unlicensed Secondary Users (SUs) to access the spectrum dynamically without disturbing licensed Primary Users (PUs). Mitigating interference is a fundamental problem in CR scenarios. This is particularly problematic for deploying CR in cellular networks, when users are located at the cell edge, as the inter-cell interference mitigation and frequency reuse are critical requirements for both PUs and SUs. Further cellular networks require higher cell edge performance, then SUs will meet more challenges than PUs. To solve the performance decrease for SUs at the cell edge, a novel Dynamic Spectrum Allocation (DSA) scheme based on Game Theory is proposed in this paper. Full frequency reuse can be realized as well as inter-cell interference mitigated according to SUs’ sensing, measurement and interaction in this scheme. A joint power/channel allocation algorithm is proposed to improve both cell-edge user experience and network performance through distributed pricing calculation and exchange based on game theory. Analytical proof is presented and simulation results show that the proposed scheme achieves high efficiency of spectrum usage and improvement of cell edge SUs’ performance.
The Effect of Borrowing Constraints on Consumer Liabilities

This paper explores the effects of liquidity constraints on consumer liabilities. While much empirical evidence attests to the importance of liquidity constraints in the U.S. economy, evidence about the effects of borrowing constraints on consumer balance sheets is scarce. Using the 1983 Survey of Consumer Finances data we estimate desired borrowing for unconstrained households. We then evaluate the gap between predicted.and observed debt for the sample of liquidity constrained consumers. Predicted debt is 75 percent higher than actual debt in the liquidity constrained sample. Thus, the effect of removing borrowing constraints has quantitatively important implications for the allocation of debt in the household portfolio. The removal of borrowing constraints would raise aggregate household liabilities by 9 percent. Copyright 1993 by Ohio State University Press.
Cost-Effectiveness of 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Therapy for Maintenance of Remission in Ulcerative Colitis

OBJECTIVES:Oral 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA, mesalamine) is effective in inducing and maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis (UC). The relative benefits and costs of maintenance 5-ASA therapy are uncertain. Our aims were to evaluate this strategy's potential cost-effectiveness.METHODS:We constructed a Markov model to compare two strategies over 2 yr: (a) no maintenance 5-ASA, with 5-ASA 4.8 g/day given for flares, (b) maintenance 5-ASA 2.4 g/day, escalated and maintained at 4.8 g/day after the first flare. In both arms, the failure to induce remission led to other treatments, as needed: prednisone, parenteral corticosteroids, cyclosporine, 6-mercaptopurine, infliximab, and colectomy.RESULTS:Without maintenance 5-ASA, the mean flares per person were 1.92, and the mean cost per person was $3,402. With maintenance 5-ASA providing a relative risk of flare of 0.7 at 5-ASA cost of $198/month, flares per person decreased to 1.38 at a cost of $8,810/flare prevented. Maintenance 5-ASA increased discounted quality-adjusted life-years per person (QALYs per person) from 1.75 to 1.77 at a discounted cost of $224,000/QALY gained. The results were most sensitive to the flare risk reduction and cost of 5-ASA, the utilities of being in remission without or with 5-ASA, and the colectomy rates. At $15/month (the cost of sulfasalazine), maintenance 5-ASA cost $640/flare prevented and $16,300/QALY gained.CONCLUSION:Maintenance 5-ASA therapy decreases UC flares, but its cost may be substantial, depending on society's willingness to pay. If sulfasalazine can be tolerated and yields comparable benefits, sulfasalazine maintenance therapy is likely to be cost-effective. The cost per QALY gained by 5-ASA maintenance is highly dependent on the quality of life while taking versus not taking maintenance 5-ASA, highlighting the importance of patients' preferences.
Analysis of Dielectric Data: Experience Gained with Biological Materials

Techniques advanced by Robert Cole and his colleagues to analyze dielectric data have been applied to biological materials. Three major and distinct relaxation effects characterize the total dielectric response from dc to GHz, and several minor ones are superimposed. Three examples are chosen to illustrate how straightforward orward the analysis is in some cases, and difficult in others. The dielectric properties of erythrocytes at radio frequencies (rf) illustrate a one-time constant Maxwell-Wagner relaxation effect, with small deviations disappearing earing when cell concentration is reduced anlls become spherical. Muscle tissue data at rf indicate a constant phase element for membranes and the "universal dielectric response. " However, the analysis indicated this to be fortuitous: Different relaxations of the whole cell, contained proteins and organelles combine to produce the effect. Finally, ultra-high frequencies and microwave data for the cellular cytoplasma and microemulsions are discussed. They demonstrate reduced translational and "average" rotational motion, and suggest a broad distribution function. Once again, different mechanisms account for the apparent translational and rotational effects and the abundant tissue water appears to be identical with normal water. Hence, apparently continuous distribution function behavior can result from a summation of entirely different mechanisms.
Structural Models of Interest Rate Determination and Portfolio Behavior in the Corporate and Government Bond Markets

This paper summarizes some recent work in which we have modeled long-term interest rate determination in an explicit demand-supply context, using multi-equation structural models and directly contrasts such models with unrestricted reduced-form models. Wholly apart from questions of disaggregation and institutional detail, the explicitly structural nature of demand-supply models necessitates additional theoretical constructs beyond those required by unrestricted reduced-form models. Some of these conceptual inputs are already available from established portfolio theory, and others represent objects of current or prospective research. Experience to date with structural models of long-term interest rate determination suggests, however, that the exploitation of the richer theoretical framework yields not only insights about portfolio behavior but, very likely, improved interest rate models as well.
Integrating monitor functions of physiological data into the robotics service grid

Population aging has been the world trend, especially in the developed countries. With the advances in information technology and fast growth of converged mobile devices, elderly care services become more important and more mature. Therefore, focusing on the elderly care services, this study aimed at building the robotics system related to heath care application and architecture. Detecting physiological data usually requires special-designed instruments, which are often expensive, rare, and complicated. Thus, we tried to utilize products available in the market to read the physiological data, and integrate the functions into our existing robotics service grid. We successfully developed the middleware that collected physiological data on the converged mobile devices. This is a RT-middleware component that connects to and read data from consumer sensors, like heart rate monitor, temperature sensor, and so on. Through the capability of mobile devices, the middleware can upload all physiological data periodically to the service grid. Therefore, the service can analyze the data, provide statistics, create personal profiles, and give good recommendations to users.
Analysts’ Forecast Dispersion and Stock Returns: A Quantile Regression Approach

Prior research has not provided conclusive evidence on the association between analysts’ forecast dispersion and subsequent stock returns. Since inferences from prior studies may be confounded by research design choices, we use the quantile regression (QR) approach and assess the hidden non-monotonic relations between dispersion and stock returns within a broader sample. The empirical results show that dispersion is negatively associated with subsequent stock returns when the latter is in lower quantiles. In contrast, when the stock returns are in high quantiles, dispersion is positively associated with subsequent stock returns. Moreover, the association between dispersion and stock returns is trivial when the mid-range return quantiles are concerned. These non-uniform connections between dispersion and stock returns reflect the different status of overpricing correction process. Our findings help to reconcile the mixed results reported by prior research concerning the relation between analysts’ forecast dispersion and subsequent stock returns.
Physiological Mechanism of Enhancing Salt Stress Tolerance of Perennial Ryegrass by 24-Epibrassinolide

Brassinosteroids (BR) regulate plant tolerance to salt stress but the mechanisms underlying are not fully understood. This study was to investigate physiological mechanisms of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR)'s impact on salt stress tolerance in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) The grass seedlings were treated with EBR at 0, 10, and 100 nM, and subjected to salt stress (250 mM NaCl). The grass irrigated with regular water without EBR served as the control. Salt stress increased leaf electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced photosynthetic rate (Pn). Exogenous EBR reduced EL and MDA, increased Pn, chlorophyll content, and stomatal conductance (gs). The EBR applications also alleviated decline of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity when compared to salt treatment alone. Salt stress increased leaf abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin A4 (GA4) content but reduced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), zeatin riboside (ZR), isopentenyl adenosine (iPA), and salicylic acid (SA). Exogenous EBR at 10 nm and 100 nM increased ABA, and iPA content under salt stress. The EBR treatment at 100 nM also increased leaf IAA, ZR, JA, and SA. In addition, EBR treatments increased leaf proline and ions (K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) content, and reduced Na+/K+ in leaf tissues. The results of this study suggest that EBR treatment may improve salt stress tolerance by increasing the level of selected hormones and antioxidant enzyme (SOD and CAT) activity, promoting accumulation of proline and ions (K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) in perennial ryegrass.
Role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in prediction of Gleason score upgrading and disease upstaging in low-risk prostate cancer patients eligible for active surveillance.

INTRODUCTION Active surveillance (AS) is an option for management of low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). However, grade and stage progression is an important consideration. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a useful marker of cancer-related inflammation. In this study, we aimed to identify the roles of neutrophil count (NC), lymphocyte count (LC), and NLR to predict Gleason score (GS) upgrading, disease upstaging, and biochemical recurrence rates (BCR) in low-risk PCa patients. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated data of 210 low-risk PCa patients eligible for AS, but who underwent radical prostatectomy. The roles of NC, LC, and NLR on the GS upgrading, disease upstaging, and BCR rates were investigated. Univariate and multivariate models were used to determine the effect of these parameters. RESULTS There were 104 and 106 patients in the NLR <2.5 and NLR ≥2.5 groups, respectively. GS upgrading in the NLR ≥2.5 group was more common than in the NLR<2.5 group (p=0.04). The NLR ≥2.5 group had significantly higher GS (8-10; p=0.03). With regard to NLR, the groups were found to have similar rates of disease upstaging (9/104 in NLR <2.5 vs. 16/106 in NLR ≥2.5; p=0.200). BCR rates were also significantly different between groups (p=0.033). NC an LC were not found to be associated with GS upgrading, disease upstaging, or BCR. CONCLUSIONS NLR is a predictor of GS upgrading and BCR, but not disease upstaging in patients with low-risk PCa. Furthermore, higher NLR was found to be associated with higher GS PCa. NLR is a cost-effective and easily accessible tool that can be used in the decision-making process for treatment of low-risk PCa cases.
In Vivo Optical Imaging of Neurogenesis: Watching New Neurons in the Intact Brain

Adult neurogenesis is a highly dynamic process modulated by several pathologic and environmental factors, as well as by various compounds. So far, available techniques to study neurogenesis are lengthy and personnel and cost intensive. We developed a new tool based on the doublecortin promoter driving the expression of the luciferase reporter gene (DCX-promo-luciferase) in transgenic mice to perform in vivo imaging of neurogenesis. Indeed, the DCX-promo-luciferase mice allowed optical in vivo imaging of the onset of and increase in neurogenesis in developing fetal brains, as well as imaging of neurogenesis in the intact adult mouse central nervous system. Moreover, the capacity to specifically detect a small number of migrating neuronal precursors in vivo after transplantation is for the first time feasible using this DCX-promo-luciferase transgenic tool. The present imaging approach offers several crucial advantages over methods currently available, such as bromodeoxyuridine incorporation or labeling using iron oxide nanoparticles. Hence, it allows longitudinal study of neurogenesis in intact animals without the requirement of cellular prelabeling. Moreover, it guarantees that detection is specific for neuronal precursors and restricted to viable cells. Hence, our DCX-promo-luciferase transgenic model constitutes an effective tool that answers the pressing need for rapid investigation of the impact on neurogenesis of a large number of candidate compounds waiting to be tested.
Early enteral feeding and nosocomial sepsis in very low birthweight infants

Background: The interrelations between early enteral feeding, necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), and nosocomial sepsis (NS) remain unclear. Objective: To evaluate the effect of age at the introduction of enteral feeding on the incidence of NS and NEC in very low birthweight (VLBW< 1500 g) infants. Methods: Data were collected on the pattern of enteral feeding and perinatal and neonatal morbidity on all VLBW infants born in one centre during 1995–2001. Enteral feeding was compared between infants with and without NS and/or NEC. Results: The study sample included 385 infants. Of these, 163 (42%) developed NS and 35 (9%) developed NEC. Enteral feeding was started at a significantly earlier mean (SD) age in infants who did not develop nosocomial sepsis (2.8 (2.6) v 4.8 (3.7) days, p = 0.0001). Enteral feeding was introduced at the same age in babies who did or did not develop NEC (3.1 (2) v 3.7 (3) days, p = 0.28). Over the study period, the mean annual age at the start of enteral feeding fell consistently, and this correlated with the mean annual incidence of NS (r2 = 0.891, p = 0.007). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed age at start of enteral feeding, respiratory distress syndrome, and birth weight to be the most significant predictors of risk of NS (p = 0.0005, p = 0.024, p = 0.011). Conclusions: Early enteral feeding was associated with a reduced risk of NS but no change in the risk of NEC in VLBW infants. These findings support the use of early enteral feeding in this high risk population, but this needs to be confirmed in a large randomised controlled trial.
Relationship between the Arrangement of Motoneuron Pools in the Ventral Horn and Ramification Pattern of the Spinal Nerve Innervating Trunk Muscles in the Cat (Felis domestica)

To establish the relationships among the ramification pattern of the spinal nerves, motoneuron pools, and the muscle groups innervated, some trunk muscles were examined in the adult cat using both macroscopic and microscopic techniques. Both sides of 2 animals were macroscopically studied to investigate the ramification pattern of the thoracic and lumbar spinal nerves and the location of each muscle on the trunk wall. The topographic localization of the motoneurons innervating those muscles in the ventral horn were microscopically examined in 20 animals by application of a retrograde labeling method. Cholera toxin subunit B bound to latex beads was used as a neuron tracer. Although both the cranial and caudal dorsal serratus muscles had similar positions along the vertebral column, the two muscles were supplied by different branches of the intercostal nerve and the motoneuron pools for the muscles occupied different locations in the ventral horn. The positions of motoneuron pools supplying the cranial and caudal muscles were the same as those for the external and internal intercostal muscles, respectively. They occupied the ventromedial and ventrolateral cell columns, respectively. The motoneuron pools of the external and internal abdominal oblique muscles mostly overlapped each other. The location of these motor pools completely differed from the positions of motoneuron pools for the intercostal muscles. From these results, the ramification pattern of the intercostal nerve appears to correspond with the arrangement of motoneuron pools in the ventral horn of the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord.
The Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein-interacting Protein (WIP) Binds to the Adaptor Protein Nck*

Nck is a ubiquitous adaptor molecule composed of three Src homology 3 (SH3) domains followed by a single SH2 domain. Nck links, via its SH2 domain, tyrosine-phosphorylated receptors to effector proteins that contain SH3-binding proline-rich sequences. In this report, we demonstrate that recombinant Nck precipitates endogenous WIP, a novel proline-rich protein that interacts with the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), from BJAB cell lysates. Nck binds through its second SH3 domain to WIP, and Nck binds to WIP at a site (amino acids 321–415) that differs from the WASP-binding site (amino acids 416–488). WIP has been shown to associate with the actin polymerization regulatory protein profilin and to induce actin polymerization and cytoskeletal reorganization in lymphoid cells. We demonstrate the presence of profilin in Nck precipitates suggesting that Nck may couple extracellular signals to the cytoskeleton via its interaction with WIP and profilin.
Mortality in the North Dublin Union During the Great Famine

Debate about the adequacy of public action during the Great Irish Famine is hampered by a lack of detailed information on its impact at local level. This study addresses the question of local agency with a case study of the North Dublin Union, which was responsible for administering the Irish poor law in the northern half of Dublin city. We use workhouse records to study the Union's functioning during the famine. High mortality of workhouse inmates mainly reflected the crisis outside its walls: the guardians and the managers did reasonably well in preserving human life in difficult circumstances.
The aerobic respiratory chain of Escherichia coli: from genes to supercomplexes.

In spite of the large number of reports on the aerobic respiratory chain of Escherichia coli, from gene transcription regulation to enzyme kinetics and structural studies, an integrative perspective of this pathway is yet to be produced. Here, a multi-level analysis of the aerobic respiratory chain of E. coli was performed to find correlations between gene transcription, enzyme activity, growth dynamics, and supercomplex formation and composition. The transcription level of all genes encoding the aerobic respiratory chain of E. coli varied significantly in response to bacterial growth. Coordinated expression patterns were observed between the genes encoding NADH : quinone oxidoreductase and complex I (NDH-1), alternative NADH : quinone oxidoreductase (NDH-2) and cytochrome bdI, and also between sdhA and appC, encoding succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome bdII, respectively. In general, the rates of the respiratory chain activities increased from mid-exponential to late-stationary phase, with no significant further variation occurring until the mid-stationary phase. Multi-level correlations between gene transcription, enzyme activity and growth dynamics were also found in this study. The previously reported NADH dehydrogenase and formate : oxygen oxidoreductase supercomplexes of E. coli were already assembled at mid-exponential phase and remained throughout growth. A new succinate oxidase supercomplex composed of succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome bdII was identified, in agreement with the suggestion provided by the coordinated transcription of sdhA and appC.
Searching for Sanctuary: Government Power and the Location of Maritime Piracy

Recent systematic work on the incidence of maritime piracy shows the importance of various political, economic, and geographic correlates at the country level. Yet these correlates tell us little about the determinants of piracy location off states’ coasts, despite the fact that piracy is well known to cluster locally. Conceptualizing pirates as strategic actors who consider the risk of detection and capture, this article argues that states’ ability to project power over distance affects pirates’ decisions on where to organize and operate. As state capacity increases, piracy will locate farther away from government power centers, whereas piracy can flourish closer to state capitals in weak states that struggle to extend control over space. Using geocoded data from the International Maritime Bureau for the 1996–2013 period, results show that increases in state capacity are associated with greater median capital--piracy distances. These findings are robust to several changes in model specification. Our results have important implications for the study of piracy and crime.