Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dose-Dependent Influence of Antithyroid Drugs on the Difference in Free Thyroxine Levels between Mothers with Graves’ Hyperthyroidism and Their Neonates

Background: Several guidelines have recommended that the use of the lowest effective dose of antithyroid drugs (ATDs) that maintains maternal serum free thyroxine (FT4) levels at or moderately above the upper limit of the reference range is appropriate for fetal euthyroid status. However, little is known about whether ATD dosage affects the difference in serum FT4 levels between the mother and neonate. We conducted a retrospective study at a tertiary hospital in Japan to investigate the dose-dependent influence of ATDs on both maternal and fetal thyroid hormone status. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively examined 62 pregnant women who delivered between 2007 and 2016 and were treated for Graves’ hyperthyroidism with ATD at any stage during pregnancy. We selected individuals whose data on maternal FT4 level within 4 weeks of their deliveries and cord FT4 level of their infants at the time of delivery were available. Those with multiple pregnancies, iodine or glucocorticoid treatment, and fetal goiter detected by ultrasonography were excluded. Results: After the exclusion criteria were applied, we recruited 40 individuals. The cord FT4 levels were significantly lower than the maternal FT4 levels in patients treated with high-dosage ATDs (methimazole >5 mg daily or propylthiouracil >100 mg daily). However, there were no significant differences between maternal and cord FT4 levels in patients treated with low-dosage ATDs (methimazole ≤5 mg daily or propylthiouracil ≤100 mg daily). We selected 35 individuals whose data on maternal thyrotropin receptor-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) level were available. Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for ATD dosage, maternal TBII level, and gestational period found that ATD dosage was a significant predictor of the difference in serum FT4 levels between the mother and neonate. In terms of maternal complications, multiple logistic regression analysis identified maternal free triiodothyronine (FT3) level as a significant predictor of the incidence of preterm delivery. Conclusions: We found a dose-dependent influence of ATDs on the difference in serum FT4 levels between mothers with Graves’ hyperthyroidism and their neonates. Further studies to evaluate the optimal target FT4 and FT3 levels for the mother and neonate during pregnancy may improve the outcome of pregnant women with Graves’ hyperthyroidism.
Translocase of the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane 40 Is Required for Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Embryo Development in Arabidopsis

In eukaryotes, mitochondrion is an essential organelle which is surrounded by a double membrane system, including the outer membrane, intermembrane space and the inner membrane. The translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM) complex has attracted enormous interest for its role in importing the preprotein from the cytoplasm into the mitochondrion. However, little is understood about the potential biological function of the TOM complex in Arabidopsis. The aim of the present study was to investigate how AtTOM40, a gene encoding the core subunit of the TOM complex, works in Arabidopsis. As a result, we found that lack of AtTOM40 disturbed embryo development and its pattern formation after the globular embryo stage, and finally caused albino ovules and seed abortion at the ratio of a quarter in the homozygous tom40 plants. Further investigation demonstrated that AtTOM40 is wildly expressed in different tissues, especially in cotyledons primordium during Arabidopsis embryogenesis. Moreover, we confirmed that the encoded protein AtTOM40 is localized in mitochondrion, and the observation of the ultrastructure revealed that mitochondrion biogenesis was impaired in tom40-1 embryo cells. Quantitative real-time PCR was utilized to determine the expression of genes encoding outer mitochondrial membrane proteins in the homozygous tom40-1 mutant embryos, including the genes known to be involved in import, assembly and transport of mitochondrial proteins, and the results demonstrated that most of the gene expressions were abnormal. Similarly, the expression of genes relevant to embryo development and pattern formation, such as SAM (shoot apical meristem), cotyledon, vascular primordium and hypophysis, was also affected in homozygous tom40-1 mutant embryos. Taken together, we draw the conclusion that the AtTOM40 gene is essential for the normal structure of the mitochondrion, and participates in early embryo development and pattern formation through maintaining the biogenesis of mitochondria. The findings of this study may provide new insight into the biological function of the TOM40 subunit in higher plants.
Foxn1 Control of Skin Function

The forkhead box N1 (Foxn1) transcription factor regulates biological processes of the thymus and skin. Loss-of-function mutations in Foxn1 cause the nude phenotype in humans, mice, and rats, which is characterized by hairless skin and a lack of thymus. This review focuses on the role of Foxn1 in skin biology, including epidermal, dermal, and dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT) skin components. In particular, the role of Foxn1 in the scar-forming skin wound healing process is discussed, underscoring that Foxn1 inactivity in nude mice is permissive for scar-less cutaneous wound resolution.
Third place theory and social work: Considering collapsed places

Summary While social work as a field predicates itself upon a person-in-environment approach, limited work has explored the nuanced relationship between a person and their environment. Exploring place, which can briefly be described as “meaningful location,” is one means of looking at the person-in-environment paradigm. This conceptual article builds upon Oldenberg and Brisset’s sociological theory of Third Places (which conceptualizes non-home/non-work places that provide a particular sense of well-being and belonging for participants) to consider an alternative theory of “collapsed places,” which recognizes the ways in which socially marginalized communities uniquely build meaning within their respective place contexts. Findings In a traditional first, second, and third places, Oldenburg and Brissett imagine that individuals can move freely throughout and between all three spaces. However, individuals whose lives are constrained for any number of reasons do not have this same freedom. Their places are thus “collapsed”—perhaps geographically so, or perhaps their mobility limitations constrain free movement. This article includes case examples from three “collapsed place” contexts—older adults, incarcerated communities, and individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Applications Little has been done to operationalize social work theories of place towards practice. This article offers implications for social workers to better support clients and communities in operationalizing place-based social work research and practice. Considering how individuals and groups make meaning in “collapsed place” contexts can serve as a tool for social workers to engage with socially marginalized groups at micro, meso and macro levels.
Mathematical Model of Geophysical Fluid Flow over Variable Bottom Topography

In this paper, the bottom topography of a geophysical fluid flow is modelled in the presence of Coriolis force by the nonlinear shallow water equations. These equations, which are a system of three partial differential equations in two space dimensions, are solved using the perturbation method. The Effects of the Coriolis force and the bottom topography for particular initial flows on the velocity components and different kind of flow patterns possible in geophysical fluid flow have been studied and the results illustrated graphically.
Transfer of the Ribosome-Nascent Chain Complex to the Translocon in Cotranslational Translocation: A Thesis

Cotranslational translocation is initiated by targeting of a ribosome-bound nascent polypeptide chain (RNC) to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. The targeting reaction is coordinated by the signal recognition particle (SRP) through its interaction with the RNC and the membrane-bound SRP receptor (SR). A vacant translocon is a prerequisite for the subsequent nascent chain release from SRP-SR-RNC complex. It has been proposed that the protease-accessible cytosolic domains of the Sec61p complex play an important role in posttargeting steps by providing the binding site for the ribosome or interacting with the SR to initiate the signal sequence releasing. In this study, we have investigated the detailed mechanism that allows transfer of the ribosome-nascent chain (RNC) from the SRP-SR complex to the translocon using yeast S. cerevisiae as the model system. Point mutations in cytoplasmic loops six (L6) and eight (L8) of yeast Sec61p cause reductions in growth rates and defects in translocation of nascent polypeptides that utilize the cotranslational translocation pathway. Sec61 heterotrimers isolated from the L8 sec61 mutants have a greatly reduced affinity for 80S ribosomes. Cytoplasmic accumulation of protein precursors demonstrates that the initial contact between the large ribosomal subunit and the Sec61 complex is important for efficient insertion of a nascent polypeptide into the translocation pore. In contrast, point mutations in L6 of Sec61p inhibit cotranslational translocation without significantly reducing the ribosome binding activity, indicating that the L6 and L8 sec61 mutants impact different steps in the cotranslational translocation pathway. An interaction between the signal recognition particle receptor (SR) and the Sec61 complex has been proposed to facilitate transfer of the ribosome-nascent chain (RNC) complex to an unoccupied translocon. The slow growth and cotranslational translocation defects caused by deletion of the transmembrane span of yeast SRβ ( srp102pΔTMD ) are exaggerated upon disruption of the SSH1 gene, which encodes the pore subunit of a cotranslational translocation channel. Disruption of the SBH2 gene, which encodes the β-subunit of the Ssh1p complex, likewise causes a synthetic growth defect when combined with srp102pΔTMD . The in vivo kinetics of translocon gating by RNCs were slow and inefficient in the ssh1Δ srp102pΔTMD mutant. A critical role for translocon β-subunits in SR recognition is supported by the observation that deletion of both translocon β-subunits causes a block in the cotranslational targeting pathway that resembles elimination of either subunit of the SR, and could be partially suppressed by expression of carboxy-terminal Sbh2p fragments.
Multiobjective Sizing Optimization for Combined Heat and Power Microgrids Using a Triangular Evaluation Model and the Self-Adaptive Genetic Algorithm

This paper is focused on solving the sizing optimization problem for the combined heat and power (CHP) microgrid systems. Firstly, multiple optimization objectives are selected in terms of reliability, economy and renewable energy usage to comprehensively assess the system performances. A triangular evaluation model is adopted to combine the chosen objectives and calculate the system fitness. Then, the compulsory constraints are given to ensure the reliable system operation, and the self-adaptive genetic algorithm is developed to implement the optimization process. Finally, a sample system of the CHP microgrid is simulated, which have validated the feasibility of the proposed multiobjective sizing optimization method.
Physical and Psychosocial Burden of Psoriatic Arthritis: Longitudinal Data From a Population‐Based Study in Norway

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can have a significant impact on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). Data on the timing of changes in the HRQoL of patients with PsA are limited. The present study was undertaken to explore associations between sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain, anxiety, depression, general health status, and satisfaction with life before and after a diagnosis of PsA compared to the general population.
Volunteered remote sensing data generation with air passengers as sensors

ABSTRACT Remote sensing satellites are playing very important roles in diverse earth observation fields. However, long revisit period, high cost and dense cloud cover have been the main limitations of satellite remote sensing for a long time. This paper introduces the novel volunteered passenger aircraft remote sensing (VPARS) concept, which can partly overcome these problems. By obtaining aerial imaging data from passengers using a portable smartphone on a passenger aircraft, it has various advantages including low cost, high revisit, dense coverage, and partial anti-cloud, which can well complement conventional remote sensing data. This paper examines the concept of VPARS and give general data processing framework of VPARS. Several cases were given to validate this processing approach. Two preliminary applications on land cover classification and economic activity monitoring validate the applicability of the VPARS data. Furthermore, we examine the issues about data maintenance, potential applications, limitations and challenges. We conclude the VPARS can benefit both scientific and industrial communities who rely on remote sensing data.
Does Gender Diversity Affect Performance in Agri-Food Cooperatives? A Moderated Model

Existing research about the relationship between gender diversity and performance in cooperatives is not conclusive. In view of this reality, this paper aims firstly to analyse the effectiveness of gender diversity and equality management systems (GDMS) in promoting gender diversity in the decision-making bodies (GDDB) as well as in the performance of agri-food cooperatives. Secondly, the objective is to establish the relationship between GDDB and performance, and subsequently, to analyse the moderating effect of GDDB on three of the business strategies adopted by cooperatives in order to achieve competitive advantages: Integration strategies, internationalisation strategies, and environmental concern, based on a survey carried out in 2018 using a sample of 2489 Spanish agri-food cooperatives. A moderation analysis was conducted to test the proposed model and hypotheses. The results obtained confirm a positive relationship between the implementation by cooperatives of GDMS and GDDB. The relationship between GDMS, GDDB, and performance was not significant. The moderating effect of GDDB was only statistically significant in the case of export intensity (EI) and environmental concern (EC), although, contrary to expectations, this effect was negative, meaning that the impact of both strategies on performance becomes more apparent as GDDB is reduced.
Comparing Methods of Uncertainty Estimation in Optimal Fingerprinting

The performances of different uncertainty estimates in multipattern optimal fingerprinting are compared. The comparisons are performed in a perfect model context using the Canadian Earth System Model Large Ensemble to provide a clean comparison in the absence of model error or inconsistencies in internal variability. Performance is quantified in terms of the accuracy (correct coverage) of the confidence intervals for the fingerprint scaling factors. Sensitivity to temporal and spatial smoothing is tested. The most accurate method for interval estimation differs between variables, with a maximum likelihood method being most accurate for temperature and a bootstrap method being most accurate for precipitation. These differences can only partially be explained in terms of a relevant measure of signal‐to‐noise ratio.
Rethinking Non-Financial Reporting: A Blueprint for Structural Regulatory Changes

Abstract The article introduces the thematic issue of Accounting, Economics, and Law: A Convivium dedicated to the regulation of non-financial reporting. It provides the reader with an overview of the varying approaches and frameworks that have emerged over time in relation to the reporting of non-financial information. In particular, the article focuses on the European Non-Financial Reporting Directive. We maintain that to date this latter initiative has failed to deliver on its intended objectives. In the context of the ongoing revision process of this initiative, the present paper outlines five key areas to be improved drawing on the lessons learnt from the past as well as from key points raised by the papers in the present thematic issue. What emerges from this collective effort is a renewed agenda that highlights some of the structural failures of the current reporting regime and a blueprint for future reforms. The final section summarises the various contributions of articles included in this thematic issue.
A Bioassay to Detect Contaminant-Induced Messenger RNA Using a Transcriptomic Approach: Detection of RT-PCR-Amplified Single-Stranded DNA Based on the SPR Sensor in Cyanobacteria

Abstract We describe a novel sensor system to detect toxic chemicals based on measurement of the RT-PCR-amplified single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) of induced mRNA in Anabaena variabilis. Detection was conducted using a flow-injection type of sensor system based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The oligonucleotide probe containing the complementary sequence to a part of ribonuclease P RNA B (rnpB) and cyp110 mRNA was immobilized on the sensor chip. We succeeded in detecting 10 ng of amplified ssDNA using oligonucleotide probes. Using this sensor system, we were able to detect hexadecane using transcriptomic analysis of induced mRNA in A. variabilis treated with 0.2% (vol/vol) n-hexadecane. This method allows for rapid and simple detection of chemicals.
Association of Maternal Dietary Components During Pregnancy and/or Lactation with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Context Considering the increasing trend in the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), the identification of its environmental determinants, especially those related to the prenatal and lactation period, might ultimately result in primary prevention of the disease. We aimed to review the evidence of the association between mothers’ dietary components during pregnancy and/or lactation with T1DM. Evidence Acquisition An electronic and comprehensive literature search was performed until August 2019 in the international databases, including Web of Science (ISI), PubMed, and Scopus, using the following keywords: type 1 diabetes mellitus, autoimmunity, mother, maternal, diet and lactation in different combinations. Papers related to the objectives of the study were selected. Results Based on our review, the maternal consumption of meat, especially processed meat, was associated with increased risk of T1DM, whereas the maternal use of vegetables, potato, low-fat margarine, and berries showed protective effects against the development of T1DM in offspring. There was no significant association between the use of multivitamins and mineral supplements with T1DM, according to the available data. The results of the reviewed studies regarding the association between the maternal use of vitamin D, fatty acids, and coffee during pregnancy with T1DM were not consistent and conclusive. Conclusions Findings of this review indicate that the maternal consumption of some foods is associated with increased or decreased risk of T1DM. However, for some foods or dietary components, including coffee, vitamin D, and fatty acids, the results are not conclusive. We conclude that although maternal diet could influence the development of insulin autoantibodies (IA) and T1DM in offspring, there is no sufficient evidence for most nutrients, and available data are controversial, which should be dealt with in future cohort or interventional studies.
A 2-D Kinetic Theory for Monodomain Flows of Polymer-Rod Nanocomposites

We merge classical kinetic theories for viscous dispersions of rigid rods, extended to semi-flexibility [3], and for Rouse flexible chains to model the hydrodynamics of polym er nano-rod composites (PNCs). A mean-field potential for the polymer-rod interface provides the key coupling between the two phases. We restrict this first study to two-dimensional conformation space. We solve the coupled set of Smoluchowski equations for three benchmark experiments. First we explore how rod semi-flexibility and t he polymer-rod interface alter the Onsager equilibrium phase diagram. Then we determine monodomain phase behavior of PNCs for imposed simple elongation and shear, respectively. These results inform the effects that each ph ase has on the other as parametric strengths of the interactions are varied, in the context of the most basic rheologica l experiments.
Examining drivers of green appliance adoption using two theories among middle class consumers

The rapid growth of middle-class consumers in emerging markets like South Africa is often characterised by high energy consumption, driven by demand for household appliances. As green appliances can reduce energy consumption, this study (1) examined South African black middle class consumers’ attitudes and adoption behaviour of green appliances; (2) integrated the theories of consumption value and planned behaviour for a richer explanation of attitudes and behavioural intention (BI) regarding green appliances; and (3) assessed whether BI and perceived behavioural control (PBC) translate into actual adoption. Data was quantitatively gathered from 500 respondents who were aware of green appliances, displayed the intention to buy green appliances and had bought green appliances. Data was analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Findings showed that respondents hold a strong positive attitude towards green appliances (M=5.8), which was significantly driven by functional, emotional, and epistemic values. Attitude, social value and PBC drove BI which, with PBC, influenced adoption. The integrated model explained far greater percentage of attitude (81%) and BI (83.4%) compared to studies applying only one theory. The original value lies in the sampling of consumers, who are working and capable of buying green appliances. Previous studies have mainly used students, who lack purchasing power. The integrated model makes theoretical implication by providing greater explanatory power of green product adoption. Practically, from their positive attitudes towards green appliances and adoption behaviour, governmental/environmental interest groups can use the large and influential black middleclass as opinion leaders to promote green product use. Corresponding author: Nombulelo Dilotsotlhe Email addresses for the corresponding author: ndilotsotlhe@uj.ac. za First submission received: 11th May 2020 Revised submission received: 30th June 2020 Accepted: 2nd July 2020