Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immediate Reduction of Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhimurium Viability via Membrane Destabilization following Exposure to Multiple-Hurdle Treatments with Heated, Acidified Organic Acid Salt Solutions

ABSTRACT The antimicrobial activity of organic acids in combination with nonchemical treatments was evaluated for inactivation of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium within 1 min. It was observed that the effectiveness of the multiple-hurdle treatments was temperature (P ≤ 0.05) and pH (P ≤ 0.05) dependent and corresponded to the degree of organic acid lipophilicity (sodium acetate being least effective and sodium propionate being the most effective). This led to the hypothesis that the loss in viability was due at least in part to cell membrane disruption. Evaluation of osmotic response, potassium ion leakage, and transmission electron micrographs confirmed treatment effects on the cell membrane. Interestingly, all treatments, even those with no effect on viability, such as with sodium acetate, resulted in measurable cellular stress. Microarray experiments explored the specific response of S. Typhimurium to sodium acetate and sodium propionate, the most similar of the tested treatments in terms of pKa and ionic strength, and found little difference in the changes in gene expression following exposure to either, despite their very different effects on viability. Taken together, the results reported support our hypothesis that treatment with heated, acidified, organic acid salt solutions for 1 min causes loss of S. Typhimurium viability at least in part by membrane damage and that the degree of effectiveness can be correlated with lipophilicity of the organic acid. Overall, the data presented here indicate that a combined thermal, acidified sodium propionate treatment can provide an effective antimicrobial treatment against Salmonella.
Preoperative carbohydrates to prepare metabolism for surgery.

Already in 1848 overnight fasting was suggested as the routine to prepare patients for anaesthesia and elective surgery. This was suggested to ensure an empty stomach to avoid the risk of vomiting and aspiration. Studies over the last few decades questioned this routine and showed that it was unnecessary. Instead of fasting from midnight many anaesthesia societies now recommend only a 2 hour fast for clear fluids before elective surgery, as reviewed in (1). This change was brought about primarily to avoid the discomfort of thirst that many patients suffer from. More recently the metabolic effects of the overnight fast has also been studied. Many animal studies in experimental stress showed that even a brief fast, sufficient to cause a change in metabolism from a fed to fasted state and reduce the glycogen reserves, was sufficient to alter the reactions to stress, as reviewed elsewhere (2). These studies showed that even a brief fast before stress caused a stronger catabolic stress hormone response and it was also shown to be detrimental by reducing survival. These ideas were then transferred to the clinical situation, and in several studies it was shown that preparing the patients with either iv or oral carbohydrates markedly reduced postoperative insulin resistance (3).
Spectral performance of a micromachined infrared spectrum analyzer in silicon

The spectral performance of a grating-based optical microspectrometer fabricated in silicon is presented. Fabrication is based on IC-compatible micromachining with the optoelectronic components distributed over two silicon wafers. One wafer contains an aluminum-based grating and the other an array of polysilicon thermocouples. Device dimensions are typically 5/spl times/5/spl times/1 mm/sup 3/, with the optical path defined by an aligned wafer-to-wafer bond. The optical design constraints of this microsystem are discussed. Measurements confirm an infrared (IR) operating range between 2 and 5 /spl mu/m and spectral resolution R=10.
Forging Peaceful Relationships between Oil-Companies and Host-Communities in Nigeria’s Delta Region: A Stakeholder’s Perspective to Corporate Social Responsibility

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to determine the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) that is expected of oil-multinationals by the host-communities in which they operate in Nigeria's oil-rich Delta region. It also suggests how the aggressive opposition of the host-community to the oil exploration activities of oil companies may be curbed. Design/methodology/approach - The method is purely review of extant literatures and deductive arguments that will give insights to how conflict situations arising from denial of rights can be resolved through CSR and stakeholder's perspective. Findings - The paper concludes that the major determinant of success of most companies in the world rest in the performance of their CSR to the host-community, stakeholders and the society in general. Practical implications - The oil-companies operating in the Niger Delta region have to re-assess their CSR objectives towards improving their delivery to the intended beneficiaries otherwise the pervasive violent conflicts in the region will persist with adverse consequences on the corporate image, reduced profits of the oil-companies and high cost of the product due to disruptions in production. Originality/value - The paper usefully points out that the Niger Delta region that hosts Nigeria's oil upstream sector has been enmeshed in violent conflicts essentially due to the adverse socio-environmental effects the industry has on their communities. The companies however assert that they operate as responsible corporate entities and as such their operations and activities benefits their host-communities rather than induce violent conflicts.
Airway and Systemic Inflammation and Decline in Lung Function in Patients With COPD

Study objectives Patients with COPD experience lower airway and systemic inflammation, and an accelerated decline in FEV1. There is no evidence on whether this inflammation changes over time, or if it is associated with a faster decline in FEV1. Patients and design A cohort of 148 COPD patients (100 men) was monitored daily for a median of 2.91 years (interquartile range [IQR], 2.1 to 4.8). At recruitment, median age was 68.5 years (IQR, 62.5 to 73.6) and FEV1 as percentage of predicted (FEV1%Pred) was 38.5% (IQR, 27.7 to 50.3). Results During the study, the patients experienced 1,389 exacerbations, a median of 2.52/yr (IQR, 1.48 to 3.96) and FEV1 declined by 40.2 mL/yr or as FEV1%Pred by 1.5%/yr. Concerning inflammatory markers, sputum interleukin (IL)-6 rose by 9 pg/mL/yr, sputum neutrophil count rose by 1.64 × 106 cells per gram sputum per year, an plasma fibrinogen rose by 0.10 g/L/yr (all p < 0.05). Patients with frequent exacerbations (≥ 2.52/yr) had a faster rise over time in plasma fibrinogen and sputum IL-6 of 0.063 g/L/yr (p = 0.046, n = 130) and 29.5 pg/mL/yr (p < 0.001, n = 98), respectively, compared to patients with infrequent exacerbations (< 2.52/yr). Using the earliest stable (nonexacerbation) measured marker, patients whose IL-6 exceeded the group median had a faster FEV1%Pred decline of 0.42%/yr (p = 0.018). Similarly, a high neutrophil count or fibrinogen were associated with a faster FEV1%Pred decline of 0.97%/yr (p = 0.001) and 0.40%/yr (p = 0.014), respectively. Conclusions In COPD, airway and systemic inflammatory markers increase over time; high levels of these markers are associated with a faster decline in lung function.
Cardiac-Specific EPI 64 C Blunts Pressure Overload – Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy

The calcium-responsive molecule, calcineurin, has been well characterized to play a causal role in pathological cardiac hypertrophy over the past decade. However, the intrinsic negative regulation of calcineurin signaling during the progression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy remains enigmatic. Herein, we explored the role of EPI64C, a dual inhibitor of both Ras and calcineurin signaling during T-cell activation, in pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy. We generated a cardiac-specific Epi64c conditional knockout mouse strain and showed that loss of Epi64c remarkably exacerbates pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy. In contrast, EPI64C gain-of-function in cardiomyocytespecific Epi64c transgenic mice exerts potent protective effects against cardiac hypertrophy. Mechanistically, the cardioprotective effects of EPI64C are largely attributed to the disrupted calcineurin signaling but are independent of its Ras suppressive capability. Molecular studies have indicated that the 406 to 446 C-terminal amino acids in EPI64C directly bind to the 287 to 337 amino acids in the catalytic domain of calcineurin, which is responsible for the EPI64Cmediated suppressive effects. We further extrapolated our studies to cynomolgus monkeys and showed that gene therapy based on lentivirus-mediated EPI64C overexpression in the monkey hearts blunted pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy. Our study thus identified EPI64C as a novel negative regulator in cardiac hypertrophy by targeting calcineurin signaling and demonstrated the potential of gene therapy and drug development for treating cardiac hypertrophy. (Hypertension. 2016;67:866-877. DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.115.07042.) • Online Data Supplement
Brain structural changes in cynomolgus monkeys administered with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine: A longitudinal voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging study

In animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD), 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is one of the most widely used agents that damages the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway. However, brain structural changes in response to MPTP remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate in vivo longitudinal changes in gray matter (GM) volume and white matter (WM) microstructure in primate models administered with MPTP. In six cynomolgus monkeys, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans were acquired 7 times over 32 weeks, and assessments of motor symptoms were conducted over 15 months, before and after the MPTP injection. Changes in GM volume and WM microstructure were estimated on a voxel-by-voxel basis. Mixed-effects regression models were used to examine the trajectories of these structural changes. GM volume initially increased after the MPTP injection and gradually decreased in the striatum, midbrain, and other dopaminergic areas. The cerebellar volume temporarily decreased and returned to its baseline level. The rate of midbrain volume increase was positively correlated with the increase rate of motor symptom severity (Spearman rho = 0.93, p = 0.008). Mean, axial, and radial diffusivity in the striatum and frontal areas demonstrated initial increases and subsequent decreases. The current multi-modal imaging study of MPTP-administered monkeys revealed widespread and dynamic structural changes not only in the nigrostriatal pathway but also in other cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar areas. Our findings may suggest the need to further investigate the roles of inflammatory reactions and glial activation as potential underlying mechanisms of these structural changes.
A method for judging fall behavior of solitary elderly people based on motion tracking

With the arrival of the aging society, more and more empty nest elderly appear. In order to solve the security problems caused by the fall of the empty nest elderly, this paper proposes a method to judge the elderly's fall based on motion tracking. The method combines LBP features and chromaticity features to detect the moving target. Then, the Kalman filter and Camshift were used to track the detected target. Based on the tracking results, a judgment strategy was put forward. The experimental results show that this method has a high accuracy in judging the behavior of the elderly.
Platelet activation in patients with sickle cell disease

Vascular occlusion and vasculopathy underlie much of the morbidity in patients with sickle cell anaemia. Platelets may play a role in this vasculopathy. Samples from 43 patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) were examined for evidence of platelet activation using fluorescent‐labelled monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. There was increased expression of activation‐dependent antigens on the platelets from patients with SCD compared to those from both Caucasian and African‐American controls. In addition, SCD patients had increased levels of platelet microparticles. Platelets are activated in patients with sickle cell disease. The contribution of platelet activation to sickle cell pathophysiology is under active investigation in our laboratories.
The efficiency of stock and options markets: tests based on 1992 UK election opinion polls

The efficiency of stock and options markets in London during the 1992 election is examined. The study updates Gemmill's 1992 study of the efficiency of the London stock and options markets during the 1987 election. A close relationship is found between the opinion polls and the FTSE100 share index, while the prices of FTSE100 index options do not follow the polls as closely. The results indicate that the stock market was semi-strong efficient at this time. The level of inefficiency in the options market, however, was found to be insufficient to allow a profitable riskless arbitrage, after allowing for transactions costs. Our results demonstrate that the FTSE100 index options market was markedly more efficient in 1992 than 1987. A possible reason for this may be the increased liquidity resulting from higher trading volumes in index options.
An update on using protein microarrays in drug discovery

Protein microarrays are evolving as useful tools for biopharmaceutical research. The differences in characteristics of individual proteins has made development challenging compared with DNA arrays. Nonetheless, significant advances have nontheless been made in developing protein microarray technology. Retention of function has been demonstrated for proteins belonging to various structural and functional classes after arraying. Focused arrays with small groups of proteins have been developed for a variety of applications, from biomarker validation to small molecule screening. Issues of protein stability as well as assay specificity and sensitivity, are being worked out for panels of arrayed proteins. The development of robust manufacturing methods has resulted in an increase in the number of commercially available protein array products. Quality control guidelines, which will also aid in accelerating development of the technology, are being established.
Sovereign Immunity and Sovereign Debt

The law of foreign sovereign immunity changed dramatically over the course of the 20th century. The United States abandoned the doctrine of absolute immunity and opened its courts to lawsuits by private claimants against foreign governments and officials. It also pursued a range of other policies designed to shift such disputes into litigation or arbitration (and thus relieve political actors of pressure to intervene on behalf of disappointed creditors). This article explores how international financial contracts responded to these legal and policy initiatives and presents findings with implications for our understanding of sovereign immunity law, for debates about the role of litigation in the current financial crisis, and for contract theory.First, although the decision to abandon the doctrine of absolute immunity was a major legal and policy shift - one that has rightly captured the attention of legal scholars - it had little practical significance for investors. Indeed, investors seemingly dismissed these developments as irrelevant to their prospects for enforcing the government’s promise to pay. Second, and relatedly, worries that litigation may disrupt efforts to restructure government debt may be overblown, especially to the extent these fears center around the ability of creditors to enforce judgments through seizure of sovereign assets. The findings presented here suggest that such fears are overstated and lend support to theories that discount the relevance of legal enforcement in the sovereign debt markets. Finally, contract theory posits that sovereign bonds and other boilerplate financial contracts will rarely change in the absence of a financial crisis or other exogenous shock. This article, however, demonstrates that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 prompted a large but seemingly symbolic shift in contracting practices, as bond contracts adjusted to incorporate largely-ineffectual sovereign immunity waivers. The episode suggests that contract theory should recognize that a wider range of forces may prompt standardized contracts to change.
Inhibition of proteolysis in alfalfa silages using heat at harvest: effects on digestion in the rumen, voluntary intake and animal performance.

The effects of proteolysis on digestion and animal performance were studied using heat to inhibit proteolysis at ensiling. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) was ensiled either after wilting for 24 h (control; C) or after heating (100 degrees C) in a crop dehydrator for 2 min (heated; H). In Exp. 1, eight wethers, cannulated in the rumen and duodenum, were given the silages to determine the effects of heat treatment of alfalfa on the digestion of silage. In Exp. 2, growing lambs had ad libitum access to the silages to determine the effects of heat treatment on intake, animal performance and body composition. Heat treatment inhibited protease activity; protein N accounted for 33.5 and 61.3% and ammonia N 15.5 and 5.1% of total N in C and H silages, respectively. Heat treatment reduced mean post-feeding ruminal ammonia N concentration (P less than .05), ruminal pH (P less than .05) and the acetate: propionate ratio (P less than .001) in ruminal fluid. Heat treatment increased duodenal flow of non-ammonia N (P less than .05) and amino acids (P less than .05), the amount of N absorbed (P less than .05) in the small plus large intestine and also increased the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (P less than .05). In Exp. 2, although intake and gain were higher (P less than .001) for H-fed than for C-fed lambs, there were no differences (P greater than .05) in empty body composition. The results indicated that inhibition of proteolysis by heat treatment at ensiling can increase utilization of silage N within the rumen, increase voluntary intake and result in a higher rate of gain by lambs fed alfalfa silage.
MEG3 imprinted gene contribution in tumorigenesis

Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a maternally expressed imprinted gene representing a large noncoding RNA in which microRNAs (miRNAs) and small nucleolar RNAs are also hosted. It is capable of interacting with cyclic AMP, p53, murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) playing a role in cell proliferation control. MEG3 expression is under epigenetic control, and aberrant CpG methylation has been observed in several types of cancer. Moreover, gene copy number loss has been reported as additional mechanism associated with tumorigenesis. MEG3 deletion seems to upregulate the paternally expressed genes and on the other hand downregulate the expression of downstream maternally expressed genes and tumor suppressor miRNAs, although there are conflicting data on the topic. MEG3 could represent a tumor suppressor gene located in chromosome 14q32 and its association with tumorigenesis is growing every day.
Factors on IPO under-pricing based on behavioral finance theory: Evidence from China

IPO under-pricing phenomenon is popular widely in various capital markets in the world. Which is always regarded as one difficult area in financial research. So far, many researchers contribute and draw conclusions based on different theories. Furthermore, based on behavioral finance theory, the explanations become further persuasive. But more evidences are also be needed to support them. This paper, based on previous studies and behavioral finance theory, analyzes firstly factors influence on IPO under-pricing by sampling China's SME and GEM stock markets. Then, applying sequential sequent regression approaches to determine the main reasons IPO under-pricing. The results show that the factor of heterogeneous expectation affect obviously on IPO under-pricing in both markets, while investor sentiment only significantly affects on IPO under-pricing in SME market.
Nightmares and Suicide in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: The Mediating Role of Defeat, Entrapment, and Hopelessness.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Although nightmares appear to be related to suicidal behaviors, the mechanisms which underpin this relationship are unknown. We sought to address this gap by examining a multiple mediation hypothesis whereby nightmares were predicted to have an indirect effect on suicidal behaviors through perceptions of defeat, entrapment, and hopelessness. METHODS Data were collected from 91 participants who had experienced trauma and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Nightmares were measured by summing the frequency and intensity ratings of relevant items on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. Participants also completed questionnaire measures of suicidal behavior, hopelessness, defeat, and entrapment. Given the interrelations between insomnia, PTSD, and suicide, a measure of insomnia was included as a covariate. Furthermore, analyses were conducted with and without those participants who had comorbid depression. RESULTS Suicidal behaviors were higher in those participants who experienced nightmares (62%), in comparison to those who did not (20%). Bootstrapped analyses provided support for the hypothesized multistep mediational model. Specifically, nightmares were both directly and indirectly associated with suicidal behaviors, through perceptions of defeat, entrapment, and hopelessness, independent of comorbid insomnia and depression. CONCLUSIONS For the first time we show that the relationship between nightmares and suicidal behaviors is partially mediated by a multistep pathway via defeat, entrapment, and hopelessness. Clinically, our work highlights the importance of monitoring and targeting nightmares and perceptions of defeat, entrapment, and hopelessness when working with clients who have experienced trauma. COMMENTARY A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 289.
Integrated Decision Rules as Farm Management Tools in Smallholder Agriculture in Malawi

Integrated decision rules in small-holder farm management provide an analytical approach which may encourage more effective communication in farmer-extension-research dialogue and thus facilitate the development of more relevant extension messages. An example of integrated decision rules is described, their efficiency as management tools is examined, and an illustration is given of how such an analysis could be used in extension work.