Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Campylobacter jejuni Penner serotypes in broiler flocks 1998–2000 in a small Danish community with special reference to serotype 4-complex

During the period January 1998–December 2001, all Danish broiler flocks were monitored bacteriologically for thermophilic campylobacters and isolates were stored at −80 °C. Six neighbouring broiler farms in a small community were selected for detailed examination of all Campylobacter jejuni isolated (n=180) from these farms during 1998–2000 using Penner serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The area and the farms were selected according to their prevalence of campylobacter so that both farms with low and high frequencies of campylobacter positive flocks were included in the study. The frequency of campylobacter positive flocks on the six farms ranged from 24·5 to 72·7%. One hundred and eighty of the isolates were C. jejuni (included in this study), 14 isolates were C. coli whereas 7 isolates belonged to other species but were not further identified. By serotyping of all C. jejuni 56 isolates (31·5%) were assigned to the 4-complex, 32 isolates (18·0%) to serotype 2, 12 isolates (6·7%) to serotype 11, and 11 isolates (6·2%) were assigned to serotype 12. In three farms, 4-complex was the most prevalent serotype, in one farm it was the second most frequently isolated serotype, while serotypes 2 and 1,44, respectively, were the most frequently isolated from the two remaining farms. This serotype distribution differed from the overall country-wide distribution where serotypes 2 and 1,44 are the most prevalent. All serotype 4-complex isolates from the six selected farms were compared by PFGE to serotype 4-complex isolates from the rest of the country. The results showed that there was a high level of diversity among isolates from the whole country, whereas isolates from the six farms were very homogeneous and only displayed one or a few different PFGE patterns on each farm. It is suggested that certain campylobacter clones persist in a confined geographical area, probably at the farm, and that the broiler houses may be repeatedly infected with a few C. jejuni clones during succeeding broiler flocks. New clones may be introduced, however, the sources and vehicles are yet unknown.
Endogenous Adenosine Increases Coronary Flow by Activation of Both A2A and A2B Receptors in Mice

To clarify which adenosine receptor subtype(s) are responsible for regulation of coronary flow through endogenous adenosine, coronary vascular responses were examined in isolated hearts from wild-type (WT) and A2A knockout (A2AKO) mice. Adenosine deaminase inhibitor, erythro-9-hydroxy-nonyl-adenine (EHNA), and adenosine kinase inhibitor, iodotubericidine (ITU), were used to examine the effects of endogenous adenosine. Combined infusion of EHNA and ITU in Balb/c hearts produced comparable increases in coronary flow as exerted by exogenous adenosine while they markedly decreased the heart rate, and these effects were reversed by adenosine receptor antagonist, 8-p-sulfophenyl-theophylline (8-SPT). Similarly, EHNA and ITU increased coronary flow in WT hearts to 422% of baseline, whereas this response was reduced to 144% of baseline in A2AKO hearts. Heart rate was equally reduced (approximately 50% of baseline) in both groups. Alloxazine (A2B receptor antagonist) abolished EHNA- and ITU-induced coronary flow in A2AKO hearts without altering the reduced heart rate. Selective A1 receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1–1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), reversed EHNA- and ITU-induced decreases in heart rate without altering the elevated coronary flow. These findings suggest that coronary vascular responses to endogenous adenosine mimic those produced by exogenous adenosine and are mediated at least by activation of both A2A and A2B receptors in isolated mouse hearts.
Testing for bubbles in housing markets: some evidence for Brazil

Purpose Housing prices in Brazil have displayed an impressive growth in recent years, raising some concerns about the existence of a bubble in housing markets. In this paper, the authors implement an empirical methodology to identify whether or not there is a bubble in housing markets in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach Based on a theoretical model that establish that, in the absence of a bubble, a long-run equilibrium relationship should be observed between the market price of an asset and its dividends. The authors implement two methodologies. First, the authors assess whether there is a cointegration relationship between housing prices and housing rental prices. Second, the authors test whether the price-to-rent ratio is stationary. Findings The authors’ results show that there is evidence of a bubble in housing prices in Brazil. However, given the short span of the data, the authors perform a Monte Carlo simulation and show that the cointegration tests may be biased in small samples. Therefore, the authors should be caution when assessing the results. Research limitations/implications The results obtained from the cointegration analysis can be biased for small samples. Practical implications The information on the excessive increase of the prices of the properties in relation to their fundamental value can help in the decision-making on investment of the economic agents. Social implications These results corroborate the hypothesis that Brazil has an excessive appreciation in housing prices, and, as Silva and Besarria (2018) have suggested, this behavior explains, in part, the fact that the central bank has taken this issue into account when deciding about the stance of monetary policy of Brazil. Originality/value The originality is linked to the use of the Gregory-Hansen method of cointegration in the identification of bubbles and discussion of the limitations of the research through Monte Carlo simulation.
The Practice of Partnering: Simulated Parent–Teacher Conferences as a Tool for Teacher Education

ABSTRACT Partnering with families in ways that support children’s learning is a skill that is central to high-quality teaching. Parent–teacher conferences are a key site for teachers to learn how to leverage family resources in service of instruction. To know how to support the development of well-started beginners, teacher education (TE) programs must design substantive opportunities for interns to learn to bridge students’ work in schools on academic content with their home and community-based experiences; they must also be able to assess teacher candidates’ capacities to enact this learning. The authors report on their efforts to design a simulated parent–teacher conference, used here as a pre-assessment, as a means for assessing interns’ capacities to interact with and learn from diverse families to better support the needs of students. They refer to these skills as “partnering practices. ”
Effects of blood pressure lowering with perindopril and indapamide therapy on dementia and cognitive decline in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

BACKGROUND High blood pressure and stroke are associated with increased risks of dementia and cognitive impairment. This study aimed to determine whether blood pressure lowering would reduce the risks of dementia and cognitive decline among individuals with cerebrovascular disease. METHODS The Perindopril Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study (PROGRESS) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted among 6105 people with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack. Participants were assigned to either active treatment (perindopril for all participants and indapamide for those with neither an indication for nor a contraindication to a diuretic) or matching placebo(s). The primary outcomes for these analyses were dementia (using DSM-IV criteria) and cognitive decline (a decline of 3 or more points in the Mini-Mental State Examination score). RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 3.9 years, dementia was documented in 193 (6.3%) of the 3051 randomized participants in the actively treated group and 217 (7.1%) of the 3054 randomized participants in the placebo group (relative risk reduction, 12% [95% confidence interval, -8% to 28%]; P =.2). Cognitive decline occurred in 9.1% of the actively treated group and 11.0% of the placebo group (risk reduction, 19% [95% confidence interval, 4% to 32%]; P =.01). The risks of the composite outcomes of dementia with recurrent stroke and of cognitive decline with recurrent stroke were reduced by 34% (95% confidence interval, 3% to 55%) (P =.03) and 45% (95% confidence interval, 21% to 61%) (P<.001), respectively, with no clear effect on either dementia or cognitive decline in the absence of recurrent stroke. CONCLUSIONS Active treatment was associated with reduced risks of dementia and cognitive decline associated with recurrent stroke. These findings further support the recommendation that blood pressure lowering with perindopril and indapamide therapy be considered for all patients with cerebrovascular disease.
Essays on Behavior, Experimental Design, Health and the Environment

ESSAYS ON BEHAVIOR, EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN, HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT By J. DUSTIN TRACY DECEMBER, 2017 Committee Chair: Dr. Paul J. Ferraro Major Department: Economics This dissertation comprises three essays that empirically evaluate the effects of policy interventions that have been inspired by insights from behavioral economics. The essays apply experimental or quasi-experimental designs to environmental, health and labor issues, in field and laboratory settings. They analyze if these nudges are effective in market environments, and if they are likely to continue to have the impact as their popularity continues to grow. The first chapter analyzes policy banning pharmaceutical representatives from providing off-site meals to doctors. It examines the effect on the type of medications prescribed, pharmaceutical and overall medical spending, and self-reported health measures, using the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey, and individual level difference-in-differences regressions. The analysis focuses on medications which are still on-patent but are in the same class as a generic medication, and finds that the regulation significantly decreased the likelihood that an individual took one of these medications, implying savings. There is no adverse impact on rates of physical or mental health, or whether they report that health limits daily activities. The second and third chapter use laboratory experiments to test how awareness impacts nudges. Awareness has been suggested as a way to make defaults more ethical, but could make these nudges less effective. Awareness of the impacts of a nudge could also occur as subjects gain experience, providing information simulates experience. The second employs a loss framing nudge in a real effort task. I replicate the standard empirical finding that loss framing (penalties) increases performance (in comparison to bonuses), but show that this effect disappears when participants are aware of the nudge. Additionally, I find that the majority of subjects prefer gain framing. Awareness increases the preference for gain framing. In the third a default nudge is employed in a carbon offsets purchase decision. All subject are given the option to buy an offset. One option is randomly selected. Subjects in the Aware condition then see information about the typical impacts of defaults. I find that the default was not effective at increasing purchases, and that information did not make it more likely that subjects change their selection. ESSAYS ON BEHAVIOR, EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN, HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT BY J. DUSTIN TRACY A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies of Georgia State University GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY 2017
Hydroxyurea, Leucopheresis, and Splenectomy in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia at the Problastic Phase

Forty-three patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia have been treated with hydroxyurea in order to be subjected to leucopheresis for white cell transfusions. Hydroxyurea decreases leucocytosis when it is administered and the blood granulocyte number increases soon after the drug is stopped. The survival of the patients is not different from the survival of the patients treated with conventional chemotherapy (busulphan, mitobronitol) and it is superior to the survival of patients treated with external radiotherapy or with 32P. Half of the patients were subjected to splenectomy during first remission for a phase II trial. They were not randomized, but the distribution according to age was similar in the two groups. A slight difference appears in favour of splenectomy so far as survival is concerned, but there were three post-operative deaths out of 18 patients. We conclude that a phase II trial on the value of splenectomy is indicated ethically, but that the patients should be operated on and nursed in a microbiologically controlled environment.
Osvrt na obrazovne politike i njihovu provedbu u obrazovanju strukovnih nastavnika

Abstract Long-standing gaps of teachers’ academic qualifications persist despite changes and developments of educational policies the government has continually been making. The gaps eventually result in a gradual decrease in the quality of vocational school graduates, which has recently caused grave national concern. The decrease is evident in Indonesian vocational students’ lack of competitive spirit and skills in the national labor market. In an attempt to find a creative and effective solution to this problem, this paper seeks to explore and describe the educational policies and the implementation of standards by vocational subjects teachers in a developing country and those in a developed county, hoping that it will help vocational school graduates acquire professional qualifications. Using a critical ethnography, in-depth analyses on the professors’ commentaries reveal that it is common in most universities in both countries to select vocational teachers by following educational policies in order to establish reliable criteria for qualified teachers in the future. This teacher certification program seems to have positively influenced the welfare of teachers in both countries, but other daring innovations in improving skills and qualifications of teachers are still a great need. Key words: professional qualifications; certification; government; preparation; quality. --- Sažetak Dugogodisnji propusti u akademskim kvalifikacijama nastavnika ne nestaju usprkos promjenama i unaprjeđenju obrazovne politike koju vlada stalno izrađuje. Ti propusti u konacnici rezultiraju postupnim smanjenjem kvalitete ucenika strukovnih skola, sto u posljednje vrijeme izaziva ozbiljnu zabrinutost na nacionalnoj razini. To smanjenje kvalitete manifestira se u cinjenici da indonezijski ucenici nemaju natjecateljski duh ni vjestine na domacem tržistu rada. S ciljem pronalaska kreativnog i ucinkovitog rjesenja tog problema, ovaj rad pokusava istražiti i opisati obrazovne politike i provedbu obrazovnih standarda od strukovnih nastavnika u zemlji u razvoju i u razvijenoj zemlji, u nadi da ce to pomoci ucenicima koji zavrse strukovne skole u stjecanju strucnih kvalifikacija. Primjenom kriticke etnografije, detaljne analize komentara profesora otkrivaju da je na vecini sveucilista u objema državama uobicajena praksa pri odabiru strukovnih nastavnika ta da se postuje obrazovna politika kako bi se uspostavili pouzdani kriteriji za kvalificirane nastavnike u buducnosti. Cini se da takav program licenciranja nastavnika ima pozitivan utjecaj na dobrobit nastavnika u objema državama, no jos uvijek postoji velika potreba za ostalim smjelim inovacijama bitnima za razvoj vjestina i kvalifikacija nastavnika. Kljucne rijeci: strucne kvalifikacije; licenciranje; vlada; priprema; kvaliteta.
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates Gli-mediated Myf5 expression during somitogenesis

Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates the activation of the myogenic determination gene Myf5 at the onset of myogenesis, but the underlying molecular mechanism is unknown. Here, we report that the Wnt signal is transduced in muscle progenitor cells by at least two Frizzled (Fz) receptors (Fz1 and/or Fz6), through the canonical β-catenin pathway, in the epaxial domain of newly formed somites. We show that Myf5 activation is dramatically reduced by blocking the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in somite progenitor cells, whereas expression of activated β-catenin is sufficient to activate Myf5 in somites but not in the presomitic mesoderm. In addition, we identified Tcf/Lef sequences immediately 5′ to the Myf5 early epaxial enhancer. These sites determine the correct spatiotemporal expression of Myf5 in the epaxial domain of the somite, mediating the synergistic action of the Wnt/β-catenin and the Shh/Gli pathways. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Myf5 is a direct target of Wnt/β-catenin, and that its full activation requires a cooperative interaction between the canonical Wnt and the Shh/Gli pathways in muscle progenitor cells.
Terminological ontology learning based on LDA

Ontology has extensive application in many fields, such as retrieval, information extraction and artificial intelligence et al. In this paper we describe a new approach about automatic learning terminological ontologies. this method make use fo the LDA model as concepts and builds relationship such concepts to learn ontologies. The method presents two measures, CP measure and L1 norm measure respectively, of computing semantic similarity between topics to organize these topics into hierarchy structure and forms the new ontology. Moreover, we design a method to determine the size of new ontology that is automatically created from text corpora, which can quantify the quality of the learned ontology in a natural manner. We evaluate our approach through GENIA corpus which is a text collections of biomedical literature. And the experiment results demonstrate the validity and efficiency of proposed method.
Reorganizing value chains through foreign direct investment: Austria’s pharmaceutical industry international expansion

This article analyses the international expansion of the pharmaceutical industry in Austria. The pharmaceutical industry is a knowledge-based industry dominated by large global oligopolies, which also includes many small companies focused on specific market areas. The article examines the extent to which different stages of the value chain are affected by foreign direct investment and impact the organization and governance of the value chain specified by the type of firm. We argue that corporate motives to invest abroad are very specific to firm’s market power and position in the value chain of the industry. On the one hand, a few foreign owned pharmaceutical companies that operate production facilities as well as research and development are the key investors. On the other hand, Austrian firms expand internationally through foreign direct investment mainly destined for developing foreign markets.
Ocular Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1: Is the Cornea a Reservoir for Viral Latency or a Fast Pit Stop?

Purpose: To present a review supporting and refuting evidence from mouse, rabbit, nonhuman primate, and human studies of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) concerning corneal latency. Methods: More than 50 research articles on HSV-1 published in peer-reviewed journals were examined. Results: Infectious HSV-1 has been found in mouse denervated tissues and in tissues with negative cultures from the corresponding ganglion. However, the different mouse strains have shown varied responses to different strains of HSV, making it difficult to relate such findings to humans. Rabbit studies provide excellent evidence for HSV-1 corneal latency including data on HSV-1 migration from the cornea into the corneoscleral rim and on the distribution of HSV-1 DNA in the cornea. However, the available methods for the detection of infectious HSV-1 may not be sensitive enough to detect low-level infection. Infectious HSV-1 has been successfully isolated from the tears of nonhuman primates in the absence of detectable corneal lesions. The recurrence of corneal ulcers in nonhuman primates before the appearance of infectious HSV-1 in tears suggests that the origin of the HSV-1 is the cornea, rather than the trigeminal ganglion. Human studies presented evidence of both ganglion and corneal latency. Conclusions: Understanding HSV-1 disease progression and the possibility of corneal latency could lead to more effective treatments for herpetic keratitis. However, it is unlikely that operational latency in the cornea will be definitively proven unless a new method with higher sensitivity for the detection of infectious virus is developed.
3-D Point Cloud Object Detection Based on Supervoxel Neighborhood With Hough Forest Framework

Object detection in three-dimensional (3-D) laser scanning point clouds of complex urban environment is a challenging problem. Existing methods are limited by their robustness to complex situations such as occlusion, overlap, and rotation or by their computational efficiency. This paper proposes a high computationally efficient method integrating supervoxel with Hough forest framework for detecting objects from 3-D laser scanning point clouds. First, a point cloud is over-segmented into spatially consistent supervoxels. Each supervoxel together with its first-order neighborhood is grouped into one local patch. All the local patches are described by both structure and reflectance features, and then used in the training stage for learning a random forest classifier as well as the detection stage to vote for the possible location of the object center. Second, local reference frame and circular voting strategies are introduced to achieve the invariance to the azimuth rotation of objects. Finally, objects are detected at the peak points in 3-D Hough voting space. The performance of our proposed method is evaluated on real-world point cloud data collected by the up-to-date mobile laser scanning system. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art 3-D object detection methods with high computational efficiency.