Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activated neutrophils increase microvascular permeability in skeletal muscle: role of xanthine oxidase.

To determine the role of xanthine oxidase in the microvascular dysfunction produced by activated granulocytes, we examined the effect of xanthine oxidase depletion or inhibition on the increase in microvascular permeability produced by infusion of the neutrophil activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Changes in vascular permeability were assessed by measurement of the solvent drag reflection coefficient for total plasma proteins (sigma) in rat hindquarters subjected to PMA infusion in xanthine oxidase-replete and -depleted animals, in animals pretreated with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor oxypurinol, and in animals depleted of circulating neutrophils by pretreatment with antineutrophil serum (ANS). Xanthine oxidase depletion was accomplished by administration of a tungsten-supplemented (0.7 g/kg diet) molybdenum-deficient diet. In animals fed the tungsten diet, muscle total xanthine dehydrogenase plus xanthine oxidase activity was decreased to less than 10% of control values. Estimates of sigma averaged 0.84 +/- 0.04 in control hindquarters, whereas PMA infusion was associated with a marked increase in microvascular permeability (decrease in sigma to 0.68 +/- 0.03). PMA infusion also caused an increase in the amount of the radical-producing oxidase form of xanthine oxidase (from 3.9 +/- 0.05 to 5.6 +/- 0.4 mU/g wet wt). ANS pretreatment attenuated this permeability increase (sigma = 0.77 +/- 0.04) and diminished the rise in xanthine oxidase activity (4.9 +/- 0.5 mU/g wet wt). Xanthine oxidase depletion with the tungsten diet or pretreatment with oxypurinol had no effect on this neutrophil-mediated microvascular injury (sigma = 0.69 +/- 0.06 and 0.67 +/- 0.03, respectively). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Pathology and Genetics

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is an atypical Parkinsonian disorder associated with progressive axial rigidity, vertical gaze palsy, dysarthria and dysphagia. Neuropathologically, the subthalamic nucleus and brainstem, especially the midbrain tectum and the superior cerebellar peduncle, show atrophy. The substantia nigra shows loss of pigment corresponding to nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration. Microscopic findings include neuronal loss, gliosis and neurofibrillary tangles in basal ganglia, diencephalon and brainstem. Characteristic tau pathology is also found in glia. The major genetic risk factor for sporadic PSP is a common variant in the gene encoding microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT) and recent studies have suggested that this may result in the altered expression of specific tau protein isoforms. Imaging studies suggest that there may be sensitive and specific means to differentiate PSP from other parkinsonian disorders, but identification of a diagnostic biomarker is still elusive.
An outbreak of legionnaires disease caused by long-distance spread from an industrial air scrubber in Sarpsborg, Norway.

BACKGROUND On 21 May 2005, the Norwegian health authorities were alerted by officials from a local hospital that several recent patients had received the diagnosis of legionnaires disease; all patients resided in 2 neighboring municipalities. We investigated the outbreak to identify the source and to implement control measures. METHODS We interviewed all surviving case patients and investigated and harvested samples from 23 businesses with cooling towers and other potential infection sources. The locations of the businesses and the patients' residences and movements were mapped. We calculated attack rates and risk ratios among people living within various radii of each potential source. Isolates of Legionella pneumophila were compared using molecular methods. RESULTS Among 56 case patients, 10 died. The case patients became ill 12-25 May, resided up to 20 km apart, and had not visited places in common. Those living up to 1 km from a particular air scrubber had the highest risk ratio, and only for this source did the risk ratio decrease as the radius widened. Genetically identical L. pneumophila serogroup 1 isolates were recovered from patients and the air scrubber. The air scrubber is an industrial pollution-control device that cleans air for dust particles by spraying with water. The circulating water had a high organic content, pH of 8-9, and temperature of 40 degrees C. The air was expelled at 20 m/s and contained a high amount of aerosolized water. CONCLUSIONS The high velocity, large drift, and high humidity in the air scrubber may have contributed to the wide spread of Legionella species, probably for >10 km. The risk of Legionella spread from air scrubbers should be assessed.
Norwalk virus infection of volunteers: new insights based on improved assays.

Norwalk virus infection is a common cause of gastroenteritis in humans. The clinical features and virologic and immunologic responses following oral administration of Norwalk virus to 50 volunteers were monitored. New ELISAs using recombinant virus particles as the antigen source were used to assess the pattern of virus shedding and the specific immune responses. Forty-one subjects (82%) became infected; 68% were symptomatic and 32% were asymptomatic. The proportion of subjects infected was similar for those with and without preexisting antibody (82% vs. 60%; P > .2). The magnitude of seroconversion was highest in subjects who had vomiting. The peak of viral shedding was between 25 and 72 h, and virus first appeared in stool at 15 h. Specimens collected 7 days after inoculation remained positive. These results show a higher infection rate, more subclinical infections, and longer virus excretion following Norwalk virus inoculation than previously recognized.
FDI direction, FDI margin, and heterogeneous firms: evidence from the EU

Abstract This paper takes a firm-level perspective to analyze foreign direct investment (FDI) in the European Union (EU). Our data rely on the global company database Orbis and allow the introduction of an original definition of FDI that accounts for the FDI direction – inward vs. outward – and the FDI margin – extensive vs. intensive. Based on the available information, we ask two questions. First, how deep is the FDI involvement of European enterprises? Second, is there any systematic relationship between FDI involvement and firm-level performance? To answer these questions, we adopt an empirical methodology consisting of descriptive statistics and econometric regressions (Probit, Bivariate Probit, and Poisson models). Concerning the depth of FDI involvement, our descriptive statistics reveal that the number of firms involved in inward/outward FDI is quite notable. However, firms’ actual involvement is rather low, meaning that FDI involvement in the EU is widespread, but not deep. Concerning the relationship between FDI involvement and firm-level performance, our econometric regressions show that better enterprises experience some inward/outward FDI rather than none. Moreover, the deeper the FDI involvement, the wider is the gap with domestic firms. This suggests that performance differentials are related to both the extensive and intensive margins of both inward and outward FDI.
Currency futures market in India: an empirical analysis of market efficiency and volatility

ABSTRACT As the Indian currency futures market has been in existence for over 7 years, this paper analyses the effectiveness of the 1-month USD/INR currency futures rates in predicting the expected spot rate. The volatility of the USD/INR spot returns was also analysed. Modelling volatility of the USD/INR spot rate using a generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) and exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) model indicated the presence of volatility clustering. Using multivariate GARCH models such as the constant conditional correlation and dynamic conditional correlation, signs of a volatility spillover between the USD/INR spot and currency futures market were also observed.
Plasma hormone levels and haemodynamics in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with right heart failure and salt and water retention. The possible roles of haemodynamically active hormones in the early stages of COPD have not previously been described. Adrenaline, noradrenaline, renin activity, aldosterone, vasopressin, cortisol, growth hormone, prolactin and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were measured during right heart catheterization in mixed venous blood and in a peripheral artery, in the supine and standing position, in two groups of patients with COPD: Group A with arterial oxygen tension (Pa,O2) < 8.0 kPa (60 mmHg) and Group B with Pa,O2 > 8.0 kPa (60 mmHg). A group of 15 control subjects was studied to obtain control hormonal measurements with a venous blood sample only. Haemodynamic and blood gas values and hormone levels were measured in the supine and standing positions to record changes in the various parameters in COPD patients, and the relationship between pulmonary haemodynamics and hormone levels. No differences were found in hormonal samples between peripheral artery and mixed venous blood. In comparison with the control group, both groups of COPD patients showed a significant reduction in cortisol (p < 0.0001) and in vasopressin (p < 0.005), and an increase in ANP (p < 0.05) and growth hormone (p < 0.05). A marked, but not significant, increase in renin activity, and aldosterone was also found. After standing the increment of adrenaline was significantly higher in COPD patients (p < 0.02). A significant inverse relationship was recorded between forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and noradrenaline (p < 0.02). There is a complex hormonal response even in the early phase of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. An increase of plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide appears to be the earliest neuroendocrine response in these patients.
Bioavailability of lab‐contaminated and native polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to the amphipod Corophium volutator relates to chemical desorption

In the present study, the relationship between bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to benthic amphipods and the PAH desorption kinetics was examined. To that end, field‐contaminated sediment was treated in three different ways. One subsample had no addition of PAHs and contained native PAHs only. To a second subsample, six PAHs (phenanthrene, fluoranthene, anthracene, pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[k]fluoranthene) were added in the laboratory. Two of the PAHs were added at higher concentrations to a third subsample, serving as a control for concentration‐dependent uptake. Marine amphipods (Corophium volutator) were exposed to the three subsamples for a maximum of 25 d and were subsequently analyzed. Desorption kinetics were determined for both the lab‐contaminated and the native PAHs. The biota‐to‐sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) values of the individual native and lab‐contaminated PAHs correlated well with the rapidly desorbing fraction (R2 = 0.76). The BSAFs were 1.4 to 3.3 higher for the lab‐contaminated PAHs compared with the native PAHs, while the difference between the rapidly desorbing fractions was a factor of 1.1 to 1.8. The BSAFs of the lab‐contaminated PAHs in the second and third subsample were equal, indicating concentration‐independent accumulation. The results suggest that lab‐contaminated PAHs are more available to amphipods than native PAHs and that differences in bioavailability of lab‐contaminated and native PAHs to marine amphipods are related to differences in desorption behavior.
An adaptive k-nearest neighbor algorithm

An adaptive k-nearest neighbor algorithm (AdaNN) is brought forward in this paper to overcome the limitation of the traditional k-nearest neighbor algorithm (kNN) which usually identifies the same number of nearest neighbors for each test example. It is known that the value of k has crucial influence on the performance of the kNN algorithm, and our improved kNN algorithm focuses on finding out the suitable k for each test example. The proposed algorithm finds out the optimal k, the number of the fewest nearest neighbors that every training example can use to get its correct class label. For classifying each test example using the kNN algorithm, we set k to be the same as the optimal k of its nearest neighbor in the training set. The performance of the proposed algorithm is tested on several data sets. Experimental results indicate that our algorithm performs better than the traditional kNN algorithm.
Assessing the impact of drinking water and sanitation on diarrhoeal disease in low- and middle-income settings: systematic review and meta-regression.

OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of inadequate water and sanitation on diarrhoeal disease in low- and middle-income settings. METHODS The search strategy used Cochrane Library, MEDLINE & PubMed, Global Health, Embase and BIOSIS supplemented by screening of reference lists from previously published systematic reviews, to identify studies reporting on interventions examining the effect of drinking water and sanitation improvements in low- and middle-income settings published between 1970 and May 2013. Studies including randomised controlled trials, quasi-randomised trials with control group, observational studies using matching techniques and observational studies with a control group where the intervention was well defined were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Ottawa-Newcastle scale. Study results were combined using meta-analysis and meta-regression to derive overall and intervention-specific risk estimates. RESULTS Of 6819 records identified for drinking water, 61 studies met the inclusion criteria, and of 12,515 records identified for sanitation, 11 studies were included. Overall, improvements in drinking water and sanitation were associated with decreased risks of diarrhoea. Specific improvements, such as the use of water filters, provision of high-quality piped water and sewer connections, were associated with greater reductions in diarrhoea compared with other interventions. CONCLUSIONS The results show that inadequate water and sanitation are associated with considerable risks of diarrhoeal disease and that there are notable differences in illness reduction according to the type of improved water and sanitation implemented.
The experience matters: participation-related rewards increase the success chances of crowdfunding campaigns

ABSTRACT Crowdfunding recently emerged as an alternative funding channel for start-ups, creative artists and social endeavors. On specialized web platforms, project creators ask the crowd for support and provide in return a set of rewards, modulated according to the amount of support pledged. We analyze the role played by the type of reward in mobilizing pledgers; specifically, we look at self- and social-image enhancing rewards and to what extent they determine project success. Our data consist of the pledges to 346 projects hosted by Startnext, the biggest crowdfunding platform in Germany. We show that higher shares of reward levels that let pledgers participate in and experience the project are correlated with project success. Our paper contributes to the literature on the motivation driving pledgers in reward crowdfunding. A practical implication for the managing of a successful campaign is to employ the reward levels as a tool to involve the crowd in the project.
Microbial abundance analysis and phylogenetic adoption in functional metagenomics

Metagenomics is an unobtrusive science of studying uncultivated microbes sampled directly from an environment, e.g. soil, ocean, air, human body, or animals, etc. Functional metagenomics particularly deals with linking microbes to environmental derivations, such as classifying the role of human gut microbiome into a diseased or non-diseased state. Ongoing research in this area includes analyzing the structure of microbial communities, and relate it to functional analysis. We present an integrative experimental framework for functional metagenomics, including data driven (abundance count of microbial species) and knowledge driven (phylogenetic tree structure) contexts. Our related experiments, indicate that i) feature selection improves the performance of classifying human microbiome samples, ii) the classification of human microbiome remains a challenging problem while incorporating phylogenetic structures. For example, our best accuracy attained on the Costello body site (CBH) dataset with forehead and external ear as body sites, is 89.13 % with a non-phylogenetic model, and 78.26 % with a phylogenetic model. This forms a potential research direction of further exploration of space for incorporating phylogeny in microbial analysis and hence developing integrative computational models for deriving functional phenotypes, based on metagenomic sequencing data.
Enhanced isoprenoid production from xylose by engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has limited capabilities for producing fuels and chemicals derived from acetyl‐CoA, such as isoprenoids, due to a rigid flux partition toward ethanol during glucose metabolism. Despite numerous efforts, xylose fermentation by engineered yeast harboring heterologous xylose metabolic pathways was not as efficient as glucose fermentation for producing ethanol. Therefore, we hypothesized that xylose metabolism by engineered yeast might be a better fit for producing non‐ethanol metabolites. We indeed found that engineered S. cerevisiae on xylose showed higher expression levels of the enzymes involved in ethanol assimilation and cytosolic acetyl‐CoA synthesis than on glucose. When genetic perturbations necessary for overproducing squalene and amorphadiene were introduced into engineered S. cerevisiae capable of fermenting xylose, we observed higher titers and yields of isoprenoids under xylose than glucose conditions. Specifically, co‐overexpression of a truncated HMG1 (tHMG1) and ERG10 led to substantially higher squalene accumulation under xylose than glucose conditions. In contrast to glucose utilization producing massive amounts of ethanol regardless of aeration, xylose utilization allowed much less amounts of ethanol accumulation, indicating ethanol is simultaneously re‐assimilated with xylose consumption and utilized for the biosynthesis of cytosolic acetyl‐CoA. In addition, xylose utilization by engineered yeast with overexpression of tHMG1, ERG10, and ADS coding for amorphadiene synthase, and the down‐regulation of ERG9 resulted in enhanced amorphadiene production as compared to glucose utilization. These results suggest that the problem of the rigid flux partition toward ethanol production in yeast during the production of isoprenoids and other acetyl‐CoA derived chemicals can be bypassed by using xylose instead of glucose as a carbon source. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 2581–2591. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PENGARUH POSITIVE ACCOUNTING THEORY, PROFITABILITAS DAN OPERATING CASH FLOW TERHADAP PENERAPAN KONSERVATISME

This research is meant to find out the influence of debt convenant, bonus plan, political cost, profitability and operating cash flow to the accounting conservatism. This research is quantitative research which is done by analyzing the secondary data. The population is all manufacturing companies which are listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2010-2014 periods. The sample collection technique has been done by using purposive sampling. 16 companies which have met the criteria have been selected as samples. The data analysis method has been carried out by using multiple regression analysis which has passed the classic assumption test. The result of the research shows that debt convenants and political costs does not have any influence to the accounting conservatism. Bonus plan and profitability has negative influence to the accounting conservatism, meanwhile, the operating cash flow has positive influence to the accounting conservatism. It has been carried out in order to keep the company does not report the cash flow overstate so that it can attract the attention of the stakeholders. Keywords: conservatism, debt convenant, bonus plan, political cost, profitability, operating cash flow.
A Direct Inhibitory Role for the Rab3-specific Effector, Noc2, in Ca2+-regulated Exocytosis in Neuroendocrine Cells*

Rab proteins comprise a family of GTPases, conserved from yeast to mammals, which are integral components of membrane trafficking pathways. Rab3A is a neural/neuroendocrine-specific member of the Rab family involved in Ca2+ -regulated exocytosis, where it functions in an inhibitory capacity controlling recruitment of secretory vesicles into a releasable pool at the plasma membrane. The effector by which Rab3A exerts its inhibitory effect is unclear as the Rab3A effectors Rabphilin and RIM have been excluded from for this role. One putative Rab3A effector in dense-core granule exocytosis is the cytosolic zinc finger protein, Noc2. We have established that overexpression of Noc2 in PC12 cells has a direct inhibitory effect upon Ca2+-triggered exocytosis in permeabilized cells. We demonstrate specific nucleotide-dependent binding of Noc2 to Rab3A and show that the inhibition of exocytosis is dependent upon this interaction since Rab3A binding-deficient mutants of Noc2 do not inhibit exocytosis. We propose that Noc2 may be a negative effector for Rab3A in regulated exocytosis of dense-core granules from endocrine cells.
Psychological Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa: A Meta-Analysis of Standardized Mean Change

Background: For the German treatment guidelines for eating disorders, the literature on psychological treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) was reviewed systematically. As a common meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials proved to be impossible, a review of all available clinical trials was conducted, statistically integrating standardized mean change scores. Research questions comprised differential effects of therapeutic techniques and settings as well as determining which weight gains could be expected. Methods: After an extensive literature search, studies were selected, rated by 3 independent raters. Weight gain as the main outcome criterion was transformed into standardized mean change scores. Effect sizes were checked for homogeneity. Results: 57 studies containing 84 treatment arms and 2,273 patients could be integrated. Studies differed considerably in quality. The strongest bias identified was reporting selectively on completers or failures, versus intention-to-treat samples. No significant differences between effect sizes could be identified concerning treatment setting, technique or patient characteristics. If treatment time is taken into account, inpatient treatment produced a faster weight gain than outpatient treatment. Conclusion: The study describes weight gains which can be reached in outpatient and inpatient settings. It yielded no salient results speaking for a certain therapy technique, setting or procedure. Treatment guidelines for psychological treatment of AN still have to rely on lower level evidence.
Live demo: A real-time portable sign language translation system

A real-time portable sign language translation system for deaf-mutes will be presented. In the proposed system, a wireless hand gesture recognition glove for real-time translation of sign language commonly used in Taiwan is developed. To discriminate between different hand gestures, we have flex and inertial sensors embedded into the glove so that the three most important parameters, i.e., posture of the fingers, orientation of the palm, and motion of the hand, in Sign Language can be recognized without ambiguity. The finger flexion, palm orientation, and motion trajectory will be sampled periodically. Once the gesture is recognized as a valid signal, it will be encoded and sent to cell phone via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for vocabulary look up. Finally, the vocabulary will be translated to speech via Google translator so that people can hear and know the meaning of the sign language. With the proposed system, the deaf-mutes can communicate with others easily.