Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Host Cell Transcriptional Physiology by the Avian Pneumovirus Provides Key Insights into Host-Pathogen Interactions

ABSTRACT Infection with a viral pathogen triggers several pathways in the host cell that are crucial to eliminating infection, as well as those that are used by the virus to enhance its replication and virulence. We have here used suppression subtractive hybridization and cDNA microarray analyses to characterize the host transcriptional response in an avian pneumovirus model of infection. The results of our investigations reveal a dynamic host response that includes the regulation of genes with roles in a vast array of cellular functions as well as those that have not been described previously. The results show a considerable upregulation in transcripts representing the interferon-activated family of genes, predicted to play a role in virus replication arrest. The analysis also identified transcripts for proinflammatory leukocyte chemoattractants, adhesion molecules, and complement that were upregulated and may account for the inflammatory pathology that is the hallmark of viral respiratory infection. Interestingly, alterations in the transcription of several genes in the ubiquitin and endosomal protein trafficking pathways were observed, suggesting a role for these pathways in virus maturation and budding. Taken together, the results of our investigations provide key insights into individual genes and pathways that constitute the host cell's response to avian pneumovirus infection, and they have enabled the development of resources and a model of host-pathogen interaction for an important avian respiratory tract pathogen.
The JUMPstart sequence: a 39 bp element common to several polysaccharide gene clusters

We would like to draw your attention to a conserved 39 bp sequence located in the non-coding region upstream of several bacterial gene clusters involved in the production of various polysaccharides. These include the outer core (rfa) and O-antigen (rfb) components of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Vi antigen (viaB), and type II capsule (kps) (Fig. 1). We have called this conserved element the JUMPstart sequence (Just Upstream of Many Polysaccharide-associated gene starts). An alignment of JUMPstart sequences is shown in Fig. 2. Interestingly, there are two occurrences of a 6bp motif (5'-GGTAGC-3'). The second half of the sequence is extremely GC rich. The orientation of the JUMPstart sequence with respect to the downstream polysaccharide genes is the same in each instance. In view of the fact that these sequences are found in different species, and at different loci, there is a remarkable degree of conservation, and even the most divergent sequence (Vibrio cholerae rfb) has only 6/39 mismatches with the consensus sequence that we have derived (Fig. 2). This sequence conservation implies a conserved function for the JUMPstart sequence in polysaccharide gene expression, and there are two obvious possible roles, which we have considered. The first of these is in the regulation of transcription, suggested by the proximity of the JUMPstart sequences to probable promoter regions (Fig. 1). The implication is that the cell can co-ordinately regulate the expression of some of the polysaccharide structures that it produces. Co-regulation of rfa and rfb genes seems likely since both contribute to the production of LPS. However, little Is known about the transcriptional control of most of these gene clusters. Within species the O antigen and capsular antigens are extremely polymorphic. There is also variation between species in the structure of the hexose region of the LPS core, in whose synthesis the rfaQ-K genes are involved. The JUMPstart sequence then might also be involved in recombinational exchanges of sugar pathway and assembly genes between loci. There is some evidence that this is the case: the point at which the rfb sequences of Salmonella enterica groups B and Cl diverge is located almost exactly at the right-hand border of the JUMPstart sequence (the two sequences are identical upstream of this point; see Fig. 2). This suggests that the JUMPstart sequence was involved in a recombination event which caused the divergence of C1 from the A/B/C2/D/E group, perhaps providing the recognition sequence for a sitespecific recombinase. It is also interesting to note that in Escherichia co//the rfaQ-K block of genes has a GC content significantly lower than average, indicating that they
Exiting Poverty: Does Sex Matter?

Nous savons peu de choses sur les facteurs liésà la durée de la pauvreté au Canada et sur des facteurs qui pourraient avoir un effet différent chez les hommes et chez les femmes. De plus, la recherche s’intéresse peu à tout ce qui entoure la sortie de la pauvreté au Canada : par exemple, certains Canadiens ne s’éloignent que légèrement du seuil de pauvreté, alors que d’autres réussissentà avoir un revenu réellement supérieur au seuil de pauvreté. Dans cet article, nous explorons les déterminants de la durée de la pauvreté chez les hommes et chez les femmes au Canada. L’une des contributions majeures de cette recherche est que nous y examinons la durée de la pauvreté en lien avec différents scénarios de sortie de la pauvreté, vers un revenu légèrement au-dessus du seuil de pauvreté et vers un revenu réellement supérieur au seuil de pauvreté. Nous montrons que près d’un quart des périodes de pauvreté se terminent par une sortie qui se situe autour de 110 pour cent du seuil de pauvreté (donc très près de la pauvreté) ; et plusieurs Canadiens qui en sortent de cette façon vivent de nombreuxépisodes de pauvreté. Nos résultats, prévisibles, indiquent qu’un degré supérieur de scolarité augmente la probabilité d’une sortie de la pauvreté vers un revenu réellement supérieur au seuil de pauvreté, mais que peu de facteurs sont associésà une sortie de la pauvreté vers un revenu légèrement au-dessus du seuil de pauvreté. Par ailleurs, plus les périodes de pauvreté sont longues, plus la probabilité d’en sortir est faible, et particulièrement vers un revenu réellement supérieur au seuil de pauvreté. De plus, les coefficients ne permettent pas d’établir de réelles différences entre les sexes ; il y a toutefois des différences dans les caractéristiques associéesà une sortie de la pauvreté vers un revenu légèrement au-dessus du seuil de pauvreté et vers un revenu réellement supérieur au seuil de pauvreté.
Approach to relocate sampled zeros for feedforward control application

This paper presents the Taylor expansion of all the zeros of sampled-data systems with respect to the sample time r. Using this expansion, we have developed a method to relocate sampled zeros to facilitate feedforward control based on pole-zero cancellation. The proposed approach has been successfully applied to the feedforward control of a DC motor by using an analog compensator for zero relocation. Illustrative experiments have also been described.
Mitochondrial respiration in highly aerobic canines in the non-raced state and after a 1600-km sled dog race

At the annual Iditarod Race, Alaskan Huskies repeatedly run for up to 8 hours at 16 km/h to complete 1600 km. We previously demonstrated high rates of mitochondrial protein synthesis in Alaskan Huskies, which we suspected allowed rapid remodeling of mitochondrial proteins in response to energetic stress. The purpose of this study was to examine mitochondrial respiration in permeabilized skeletal muscle fibers of Alaskan Huskies in the offseason (Non-raced) and following the 1600 km Iditarod Sled Dog Race (Raced). We hypothesized that compared to Non-raced Huskies, raced Huskies that completed a 1600 km race would have greater mitochondrial respiratory capacities, and improvements in capacities of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) based on NADH-generating substrates as compared to fatty acids. Using high-resolution respirometry (HRR) we investigated the respiration of permeabilized muscle fibers from Alaskan Huskies. Maximum capacities were 254±26 pmol.s-1.mg-1 for OXPHOS (coupled, P) and 254±37 pmol.s-1.mg-1 for the electron transfer system (ETS; non-coupled, E). After racing respiratory capacities from NADH-linked substrates, but not fat-derived substrates increased. Finally, the OXPHOS to ETS capacity ratio (P/E) increased after racing from 0.90±0.03 to 0.97±0.02. From our previous studies and the current study, we conclude that Alaskan Huskies maintain high mitochondrial protein turnover to facilitate rapid adaptation to environmental extremes and energetic challenges.
A comparative analysis of different methods for obtaining estimates of alcohol consumption in a Danish population survey

Aims: The aim of the present study was to compare different measures of alcohol consumption used in a Danish survey. Methods: A stratified random sample was extracted from the Civil Registration System. From January 1997 to January 1998 approximately 8 telephone interviews were conducted every day, including Sundays and holidays, ending with a total of 3,050 interviews after 1 year. Two main approaches to measure alcohol consumption were used: the quantity-frequency and the recent occasion approaches; the latter is subdivided into previous week and previous day approaches. Results: The overall estimated number of units (= 12 g of pure alcohol) per week was 6.8 (95% confidence intervals (CI ): 6.5- 7.1) , 6.7 (95% CI: 6.4-7.1 ) and 8.5 (95% CI: 7.8-9.1 ) for the quantity-frequency, previous week and previous day approaches, respectively. A total of 50% of the men and 70% of the women did not drink alcohol the previous day. Among people classified as high consumers in the previous week and previous day approaches, less than 60% and 30%, respectively, were similarly classified in the quantity-frequency approach. Conclusion: There was agreement on the level of alcohol consumption between the quantity-frequency and previous week approaches, but higher estimates when using the previous day approach. The previous day approach varied more in relation to the interview day and season compared with the quantity-frequency approach and the previous week approach. The recent occasions approach showed some difficulties in classifying the individuals. If the alcohol consumption is included in a model as a risk indicator or a confounder, the quantity-frequency approach would be more preferable than the recent occasion approach.
Regulation of small GTPases at epithelial cell-cell junctions

Abstract Small GTPases of the Rho family (RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42) and the Ras family GTPase Rap1 are essential for the assembly and function of epithelial cell-cell junctions. Through their downstream effectors, small GTPases modulate junction formation and stability, primarily by orchestrating the polymerization and contractility of the actomyosin cytoskeleton. The major upstream regulators of small GTPases are guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). Several GEFs and a few GAPs have been localized at epithelial junctions, and bind to specific junctional proteins. Thus, junctional proteins can regulate small GTPases at junctions, through their interactions with GEFs and GAPs. Here we review the current knowledge about the mechanisms of regulation of small GTPases by junctional proteins. Understanding these mechanisms will help to clarify at the molecular level how small GTPases control the morphogenesis and physiology of epithelial tissues, and how they are disregulated in disease.
Interest Rate Pass-Through and Monetary Transmission: Evidence from Individual Financial Institutions' Retail Rates

Official interest rate changes should influence short rates on money market instruments and retail products, such as deposit accounts and mortgages, but complete pass-through is often taken for granted. This paper provides a theoretical and econometric framework for assessing the evidence for this assumption using seventeen years of monthly data for rates on thirteen deposit and mortgage products offered by individual UK financial institutions. The methodology allows for asymmetries and non-linearities in adjustment and the results show that the speed of adjustment in retail rates depends on whether the perceived 'gap' between retail and base rates is widening or narrowing.
Prevalence of Obesity in Type 1 Diabetic Children in the South of Iran.

We have read an interesting article in Anales de Pediatria by Palomo Atance et al., who reports Prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in a group of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) (1). Recent studies demonstrated a high prevalence of overweight/obesity among children with T1DM with a range of 12-35%, which was different in various ethnic groups (2-4). The increased prevalence of overweight in T1DM has been reported in South Asia, Europe, United States and Caucasia (2). We conducted a prospective study on children with T1DM in Fars province in the south of Iran, which is located in the Middle East. Our aim was to study the rate of overweight and obesity and some of its associated factors (duration of disease, type of Insulin therapy, and amount of daily Insulin per kg) after 2 years of Insulin therapy. We included 87 T1DM children aged less than 20 years. They included 48 female and 39 male children with duration of 4.39±2.83 years of T1DM. The mean HbA1c was 10.15±2.23 and daily Insulin usage of 0.7±0.26 unit/kg. 36 children used the regimen of NPH and regular Insulin twice daily and 51 children used Glargine plus 3 injections of Aspart Insulin per day. The body mass index for age and sex percentile of children was 35.58±31.78% at the beginning of the study. After 2 years of Insulin therapy, the BMI percentile for age and sex was 39.2±27.9. At the onset of the study, 3.5% and 6.8% of patients were obese (BMI: 95% percentile) and overweight (BMI:85-94% percentile), respectively. After 2 years of Insulin therapy, the prevalence was changed to 1.2% and 5.7%, respectively. The statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the prevalence of obesity after 2 years of Insulin therapy (P=0.212). In a study, the prevalence of obesity and overweight in normal children of Fars province was 7% and 11.8%, respectively (3) that was lower than that in South Asia and Africo-Carribean (4). Prevalence of abdominal obesity was more in male patients (P=0.01). Similar to Africo-Carribean children (4), there was no significant difference in the proportion of overweight and obesity between both sexes, but the prevalence of obesity and overweight in our study was less than that population and was similar to the reports from Spanish children by Palomo Atance et al., having a lower prevalence of obesity in normal population (1). Similar to Africo-Carribean T1DM (1), duration of disease, (P=0.17), a daily dose of Insulin (P=0.423), the type of Insulin therapy (P=0.41), age (P=0.23), and metabolic control (median HbA1c) had no significant association with prevalence of obesity in T1DM. In conclusion, the prevalence of obesity in TDM children might be a mirror of one's prevalence in normal children in different ethnic groups as in Spanish ones and does not depend on the duration of the disease, type of Insulin therapy, or a daily dosage of Insulin. So, obesity in T1DM children, which was also expressed by Palomo Atance and colleagues, is so important due to its effect on cardiovascular adverse outcomes.
De l'austérité budgétaire en période de récession

L'austerite budgetaire en periode de recession ne constitue pas une reponse naturelle a l'aggravation du chomage. Et pourtant, elle semble etre devenue recemment une pratique commune a la plupart des pays occidentaux, quelles que soient leurs divergences ideologiques. La croissance quasi-universelle des deficits publics dans les annees recentes peut certes expliquer une telle evolution. Elle est aussi a l'origine de la resurgence du debat sur l'effet d'eviction. Mais le financement du deficit par l'emprunt n'evince l'investissement prive que dans le contexte d'une politique monetaire restrictive. Dans cet article, on s'interroge sur le bien-fonde d'une politique de normes budgetaires visant a reduire ou tout au moins a contenir les deficits publics par une action au niveau de la demande effective. La lecture des evolutions empiriques des depenses et des recettes des administrations montre que la « sensibilite » des deficits a l'activite economique s'est accrue en raison notamment d'une modification importante de la structure de la depense publique : la part des depenses de transferts a augmente continuellement au detriment de celles d'investissement. Des lors, la recherche de l'equilibre budgetaire par l'augmentation des taux d'imposition peut se reveler a la fois destabilisatrice et contreproductive, en ce qu'elle semble impliquer une politique financiere «procyclique ».
Peronist Beliefs and Interventionist Policies

We study the logic of Peronist interventionist polices and the beliefs that support them. Instead of a comprehensive approach, we focus on three elements. First, we study beliefs and values about the economic system present in Peron's speeches during the period 1943-55. Second, we study survey data for the 1990's on the beliefs of Peronist and Non Peronist voters in Argentina and Democrat and Republican voters in the US. While income and education suggest that Peronists (in relative terms) look like the American Democrats, their beliefs and values suggest that Peronists are the Argentine equivalent of the Republicans. Third, given that these beliefs are non-standard (for economists) we present a model formalizing some of their key aspects (for example, the idea that there is something more than a material exchange in labor relations).
USP14 inhibitor attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion‐induced neuronal injury in mice

Stroke is associated with over‐production of misfolded and aggregating proteins. However, it remains largely unclear whether enhanced removal of protein aggregates following ischemic stroke is neuroprotective. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are a large group of proteases that regulate protein degradation. The ubiquitin‐specific protease 14 (USP14) is a DUB that is associated with the proteasome and negatively regulates proteasome activity. In this study, we examined the effect of 1‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2,5‐dimethylpyrrol‐3‐yl]‐2‐pyrrolidin‐1‐ylethanone (IU1), a specific small molecule inhibitor of USP14, on mouse focal cerebral ischemic stroke‐induced neuronal injury in mice. We found that IU1 treatment attenuated ischemic stroke‐caused neuronal injury, which was reflected by increased survival rate, reduced infarct volume, as well as decreased neuronal loss in the IU1‐treated mice compared to the control‐treated mice. Additionally, IU1 treatment is associated with reduced protein aggregates and enhanced proteasome functionality. These data not only highlight the significance of protein homeostasis in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion‐induced neuronal injury but also extend the therapeutic role of DUB inhibitors.
Why Firms Comply Voluntarily with IAS: an Empirical Analysis with Swiss Data

In Switzerland the use of International Accounting Standards (IAS) is allowed as an alternative to national rules for the preparation of consolidated financial statements. This opportunity has been widely used, since about 40% of Swiss listed compagnies do comply with IAS. Because of permissiveness and low disclosure requirements of the Swiss accounting regulation, compliance with IAS implies additional disclosure and renouncement of a considerable discretion in accounting practices. The aim of this paper is to determine the characteristics of firms which voluntarily choose to incure these additional costs.
Efficacy of pine leaves as an alternative bedding material for broiler chicks during summer season

Aim: The aim was to assess the efficacy of pine leaves as an alternative bedding material on the performance of broiler chicks. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in summer. Total 120, day old Vencobb straight run chicks were procured, and after 5 days of brooding, chicks were randomly distributed into four treatment groups viz. paddy husk (Group I), paddy straw (Group II), pine leaves (Group III), and combination of paddy straw and pine leaves (Group IV), each having 30 chicks with 3 replicates of 10 chicks each. Chicks were reared under intensive conditions in houses that have a semi-controlled environment, with optimum temperature and adequate ventilation. Food and water were provided as per NRC (1994) requirement. Results: The average body weight after 6 weeks of the experiment was 2018.83±31.11, 1983.80±33.27, 2007.36±35.73, and 1938.43±36.35 g. The bedding type had no significant effect on the carcass characteristics viz. evisceration rate and proportion of cut-up parts of the carcass except giblet yield. The experiment suggested that performance of broiler chicks reared on paddy straw and pine leaves as litter material, had improved body weight and feed conversion ratio as compared to rearing on paddy husk as bedding material. Bacterial count, parasitic load and the N, P, K value of manure of different bedding material shows no significant difference. Conclusion: Pine leaves have a potential to be used as an alternative source of litter material to economize poultry production in a sustainable way, so as to make poultry farming as a profitable entrepreneur.
Detecting Potential Insider Threats Through Email Datamining

Abstract : Despite a technology bias that focuses on external electronic threats, insiders pose the greatest threat to commercial and government organizations. One means of preventing insider theft is by stopping potential insiders from actually crossing the line. In the overwhelming number of cases, people do not join an organization with the intention of stealing or causing harm. Instead, something or often several some things happen while the individual is in the organization that precedes his malevolent actions. One of the traits identified with insiders is their feeling of alienation from the organization. By data mining emails, an employee's interests can be discerned. These interests are then used to construct social networks which are used to identify individuals with interests shared but undiscussed with other members of the organization. These individuals with clandestine interests have the potential to be insider threats. This paper describes the use of Probabilistic Latent Semantic Indexing (PLSI) extended to include users (PLSI-U) and Author Topic extended to include documents to determine topics of interest for employees from their email activity. It then applies PLSI-U and Author Topic to the Enron email corpus. The results show that by comparing the topics of emails that people send internally with the ones sent externally, a small number of employees (0.03%-1.0%) emerge as having clandestine interests and the potential to become insider threats. Most significantly, one of these individuals is Sherron Watkins, the famous whistleblower in the Enron case.