Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Field trial of beneficial effects of carotenoid-producingBacillusaquimarisSH6 spores to whiteleg shrimps

This field study was performed to demonstrate that Bacillus aquimaris SH6 spores administered as a feed supplement in adequate amounts confer beneficial effects to the whiteleg shrimp. Shrimps were administered either B. aquimaris SH6 spores at 1×106CFU g-1 pellet (SH6 group) or a mixture of SH6 and B. subtilis SH23 spores at 5×105 CFU g-1 pellet for each strain (SH6-SH23 group). After a 28-day feeding period, the number of SH6 spores in the gut of whiteleg shrimp in the SH6 group and the SH6-SH23 group were 5.7×103 CFU gut-1 and 7.7×103 CFU gut-1, respectively. The total bacterial population of these two experimental groups increased about 10-75% compared to that of the control group. The astaxanthin level and red colour score were the highest in the SH6-SH23 group (1.66 μg.g-1 shrimp; 28-29), followed by the SH6 spore group (1.42 μg.g-1 shrimp; 27-28), and were the lowest in the control group (0.61 μg.g-1 shrimp; 26-27). Nevertheless, the growth rate of shrimps was similar (7.8-8%) among the three groups. In conclusion, feed supplements containing SH6 and SH23 spores co-effectively improved live counts and diversity of microbiota in shrimp guts, as well as improved astaxanthin level and red colour of whiteleg shrimps.
Exploring the Factors Influencing Kaohsiung Residents’ Intentions to Choose Age-Friendly Housing

Taiwan’s declining birthrate has changed the housing market, which should become more consumer-oriented in the future. In particular, age-friendly housing has become a salient housing choice among buyers. Age-friendly housing consists of housing units that are suitable for occupants of any age. There are three concepts underlying such housing: aging in place, multigenerational-multiunit living arrangements, and lifetime homes. This study aimed to examine the factors affecting consumers’ choice of age-friendly housing. The participants were residents of Kaohsiung City, and data analysis was performed using a binary logistic model. The empirical results indicated that adult sons/daughters, residents who currently live in the city center, residents who have a high or medium monthly family income, residents who are currently part of a stem family, residents who desire to live under multigenerational-multiunit living arrangements, residents who desire to be a part of a stem family, and residents who prioritize housing type when house-buying are significantly more likely to choose age-friendly housing. These results can serve as a reference regarding age-friendly housing investments for investors, as well as for house buyers who are deliberating between age-friendly housing and ordinary housing.
Long term impact of parents’ smoking on their children’s health: Childhood circumstances and adult outcomes

I examined how childhood circumstances of parents’ smoking and drinking behaviors influenced their children’s health status in later life. During the initial survey, I asked the respondents about their parents’ unhealthy behaviors when they were in primary school. Using this data, I conducted estimations to find out whether even after controlling respondents’ drinking and smoking behaviors, their health status was lower, if during their childhood, their mothers had smoked. On the other hand, similar detrimental effects were not observed for mothers’ drinking as well as fathers' smoking and drinking behaviors.
The impact of Mergers and Acquisitions in the long-term operating performance

In this study, I examine the impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on the long-term operating performance of US firms. Furthermore, I investigate whether some “classic” and some less examined deal characteristics can predict the post-acquisition operating performance for the combined firm. I introduce theimportance of the acquirer’s managerial ownership as a possible explanatory determinant. My research contributes to and enriches the existing literature for the following reasons. First, most of the existing studies which examine post-acquisition performance are based on market performance measurements. Studies based on changes in operating performance following takeovers in order to evaluate the impact of merger and acquisition of firms is limited. Second, the limited researches examine the post-acquisition operating performance after an MA the change model and the intercept model, and I examine whether the conclusions are different. I demonstrate mixresults at the comparison of the performance, as the median post-acquisition performance is significantly different from median pre-acquisition performance for 3 out of 4 measures and positive in two of them. This contrast occurs when taking into account the changes in working capital, highlighting the importance of the measurement applied. However, my results become insignificant after I control for the performance of the peer companies. The analysis of deal characteristics reveals that the method of payment is significant determinants of post-acquisition operating performance. Moreover, my results regarding the cash reserves of the acquirer prior to the deal; reveal significant changes in the profitability of the combined firm. Furthermore, the relative size of the target has a significant negative correlation to post-acquisition profitability. Finally, I find that, although expected differently based on the literature on managerial incentives, the acquirer’s managerial ownership level has no significant effect on post-acquisition operating performance.
Discovery and Synthesis of a Potent, Selective and Orally Bioavailable EP4 Receptor Agonist

An optimized analog of prostaglandin E 2 which incorporates a γ-lactam in place of the cyclopentanone ring and which incorporates metabolically stabilized side chains, has been identified and shown to exhibit potent and selective EP4 receptor agonism. The compound (2) (L-000902688) is also well absorbed on oral dosing and exhibits a long half-life making it an excellent tool for the study of the role of EP4 receptor in physiology and disease. An efficient synthesis of 2 from a chiral synthon is described.
Ten-year retrospective analysis of Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates reveals a proportionately large, non-nosocomial, multidrug-resistant endemic reservoir

Background Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) is a global health threat notorious for causing hospital-acquired (HA) infections, though many Ab infections are community-acquired (CA). Investigations describing contemporaneous, clinically-relevant CA and HA Ab populations, are lacking. Methods We conducted a retrospective ecological analysis of 2042 Ab clinical isolates identified from 2007 to 2017 in the BJC HealthCare System (BJC), a multi-hospital system located in and around the greater metropolitan area in St. Louis, Missouri. We described basic clinical characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility rates of CA and HA Ab isolates in comparative and longitudinal analyses. Results 62.1% of all Ab isolates were CA, i.e., isolated in ambulatory settings or <48 hours following hospital admission. Though HA isolates initially predominated in the largest BJC hospital, implementation of infection control efforts resulted in a disproportionate reduction in annual HA isolate occurrence. This revealed a stable, baseline occurrence of CA isolates. In all other hospitals, the annual proportion of isolates that were CA averaged 78.7% (95%CI=74.5-83.0). 42.9% and 30.4% of total CA isolates were from skin and soft tissue/musculoskeletal (SST/MSK) and urinary sources, respectively, while HA isolates were primarily respiratory (55.6%). Rates of carbapenem resistance, a surrogate for multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotypes, were higher among respiratory and HA cases (∼60%) compared to contemporaneous non-respiratory CA counterparts (∼40%). Conclusions MDR Ab reservoirs associated with SST/MSK and urinary niches persist outside of hospital environments in a large U.S. healthcare system, even after the implementation of effective hospital infection control measures. Summary We compared hospital-acquired and community-acquired Acinetobacter baumannii in a large U.S. healthcare system through a ten-year retrospective ecological analysis. Community-acquired isolates composed over 60% of total A. baumannii isolates, were primarily from non-respiratory sources and exhibited carbapenem resistance rates of 35-40%.
Evaluating genomic data for management of local adaptation in a changing climate: A lodgepole pine case study

The need for tools to cost-effectively identify adaptive variation within ecologically and economically important plant species is mounting as the detrimental effects of climate change become increasingly apparent. For crop and wild populations alike, mismatches between adaptive variation and climatic optima will reduce health, growth, survival, reproduction, and continued establishment. The ease with which land managers can quantify the relative importance of different climate factors or the spatial scale of local adaptation to climate will have direct implications for the potential of mitigating or resolving such risks. Using seed collected from 281 provenances of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) from across western Canada, we compare genomic data to phenotypic and climatic data to assess their effectiveness in characterizing the climatic drivers and spatial scale of local adaptation in this species. We find that genomic and climate data are nearly equivalent for describing local adaptation in seedling traits. We also find strong agreement between the climate variables associated with genomic variation and with 20-year heights from a long-term provenance trial, suggesting that genomic data may be a viable option for identifying climatic drivers of local adaptation where phenotypic data are unavailable. Genetic clines associated with cold injury occur at broad spatial scales, suggesting that standing variation of adaptive alleles for this and similar species does not require management at scales finer than are indicated by phenotypic data. This study demonstrates that genomic data are most useful when paired with phenotypic data, but can also fill some of the traditional roles of phenotypic data in management of species for which phenotypic trials are not feasible.
Habitat Association and Conservation Status of the Endangered Giant Nuthatch (Sitta magna) in Thailand

The Giant Nuthatch Sitta magna is restricted to southwestern China, eastern Myanmar, and northern Thailand. Although globally endangered, most aspects of its ecology remain as yet unquantified. To assess its habitat associations and population size, we conducted point counts with playback at 42 sample points across 12 discrete historical and potential localities within its Thai range during October to November 2015. Eleven habitat variables were measured, including three site-level vegetation variables and eight landscape variables were assessed, using geographic information system land cover maps. N-mixture models were applied to estimate density and extrapolate the size of the population. The Giant Nuthatch was found at four localities (12 of the 42 sample points) at elevations between 1,192 m and 1,738 m. It was not detected at four historical Giant Nuthatch localities in protected areas. Abundance increased with increasing elevation, increasing proportion of evergreen forest, and greater distance from villages. We estimated that the Thai population of Giant Nuthatch was approximately 964 individuals based on an average density of 1.96 individuals/km2 in approximately 491.8 km2 of appropriate forest habitat at 1,192 m to 1,951 m elevation. This may be an overestimate because available forest cover maps and images do not distinguish between the characteristic, patchily distributed, lower montane open pine–oak forest association used by Giant Nuthatch and denser, closed-canopy forest. Although Thailand’s Giant Nuthatch population may be better protected than those in adjoining countries, we suggest that it remains threatened by forest fragmentation and habitat degradation throughout its range. Further comprehensive research is needed to assess the status of the remaining global population and the reasons for its scarcity.
Pupilómetro de Bogotá: desarrollo de una prueba de concepto, estudio de factibilidad comercial y aplicación clínica de una cuantificación innovadora de la reactividad pupilar - Neuropupilómetro

El monitoreo del paciente con patologia neurologica en estado critico ha sido durante los ultimos anos el eje sobre el cual se basa el manejo medico, dada la dificultad existente para obtener un examen clinico neurologico confiable con el que se puedan tomar decisiones terapeuticas, realizar seguimiento clinico adecuado o definir de manera inicial el pronostico. En nuestro medio existen importantes limitaciones para su aplicacion; desde la naturaleza invasiva de los dispositivos de medicion de la presion intracraneana, por el requerimiento de procedimientos quirurgicos para su implantacion, adicional a los costos de los insumos necesarios para tal fin. Existe falta de disponibilidad de tiempo y personal adecuadamente formado para la valoracion periodica de los signos indirectos de hipertension endocraneana en pacientes neurocriticos o en riesgo de deterioro neurologico, siendo muy baja la objetividad de estos resultados. El seguimiento del tamano y la reactividad pupilar de rutina se efectua de manera subjetiva mediante la valoracion visual directa dando lugar a variaciones en la interpretacion interobservador. Por lo tanto, mediante este trabajo planteamos el desarrollo de un dispositivo electronico basado en ultrasonido y la prueba de concepto que satisfaga las necesidades de vigilancia continua y evite el sesgo subjetivo del examinador, igualmente, que presente una adecuada correlacion con los metodos de neuromonitoria vigentes y con el estado y desenlace clinico del paciente neurocritico, asociando un menor costo y mayor facilidad en su utilizacion en la practica diaria, obviando el requerimiento de procedimientos invasivos para su implantacion.
O efeito da tipologia de projetos na relação entre o gerenciamento de riscos e o sucesso de projetos gerenciados por abordagens ágeis: um estudo quantitativo

Mesmo sabendo que a gestao de risco exerce influencia nos resultados dos projetos, sabe-se que ha casos de fracasso cuja principal causa e a incorreta utilizacao das praticas dessa area de conhecimento. Sabe-se tambem que a abordagem agil de gerenciamento de projetos e sua influencia nos resultados dos projetos tem sido amplamente utilizada, despertando interesse dos mais diversos envolvidos no âmbito dos projetos. No entanto, a relacao entre essas areas e um fenomeno que nao esta consolidada na literatura especializada em gestao de projetos. Visando entender esse fenomeno e conhecer como as possiveis lacunas existentes entre estas diferentes abordagens ocorrem, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a relacao entre o gerenciamento de riscos e o sucesso de projetos gerenciados por abordagens ageis, assim como a influencia moderadora da tipologia de projetos na relacao mencionada. Selecionou-se uma metodologia de natureza quantitativa, com a coleta de dados provenientes de um survey e a utilizacao de escalas validadas por estudos anteriores. A analise dos dados foi realizada por meio da tecnica estatistica modelagem de equacoes estruturais, sendo a moderacao validada pela analise multigrupos, considerando que as variaveis moderadoras sao categoricas. A amostra final foi de 264 respostas, geradas por profissionais de projetos, nao se restringindo apenas ao gerente dos projetos. Os resultados demonstraram a influencia do gerenciamento de riscos no sucesso de projetos, gerenciados por abordagem tradicionais ou ageis. Alem disso, constatou-se que a complexidade do projeto modera positivamente a relacao citada, quando comparados os grupos extremos da abordagem utilizada, ou seja, os niveis Montagem e Matriz. Entretanto, as variaveis tecnologia, inovacao e ritmo nao possuem efeito moderador na relacao estrutural envolvendo as variaveis dependente e independente do modelo, apesar de influenciarem as dimensoes de sucesso de projetos, tais como impacto na equipe e sucesso comercial.
Energy contribution of NOVA food groups and the nutritional profile of the Brazilian rural workers' diets

We estimated the caloric contribution of minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods and ultra-processed foods in Brazilian farmers' diets and their association with the nutritional profile of the diet. It is an epidemiological study of cross-sectional, analytical and quantitative design with 740 farmers adults of Southeastern Brazil. Food intake data were obtained by applying three 24-hour recalls and were classified according to the degree and purpose of processing. The largest caloric contribution came from the group of minimally processed foods (64.7%), followed by ultra-processed foods (17.7%), processed culinary ingredients (12.4%), and processed foods (5.2%). Individuals in the fourth quartile of caloric contribution from minimally processed foods showed lower energy consumption (β -0.16, P<0.001) and greater consumption of all 15 micronutrients analyzed. In contrast to what was identified for this food group, the higher caloric contribution from ultra-processed foods was associated with a greater caloric content of the diet (β 0.17, P<0.001) and lower consumption of all 23 analyzed nutrients. Therefore, the caloric contribution from the consumption of ultra-processed foods in the rural area is still lower than the national average. However, measures aimed at delaying isocaloric exchanges for the group of ultra-processed foods must be carried out, maintaining the local food culture, since this group had worse nutritional levels. In addition, incentives to the greater consumption of minimally processed foods should be carried out, due to their nutritional quality.
24S‐hydroxycholesterol: Cellular effects and variations in brain diseases

The adult brain exhibits a characteristic cholesterol homeostasis, with low synthesis rate and active catabolism. Brain cholesterol turnover is possible thanks to the action of the enzyme cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1) or 24‐cholesterol hydroxylase, that transforms cholesterol into 24S‐hydroxycholesterol (24S‐HC). But before crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB), this oxysterol, that is the most abundant in the brain, can act locally, affecting the functioning of neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and vascular cells. The first part of this review addresses different aspects of 24S‐HC production and elimination from the brain. The second part concentrates in the effects of 24S‐HC at the cellular level, describing how this oxysterol affects cell viability, amyloid β production, neurotransmission, and transcriptional activity. Finally, the role of 24S‐HC in Alzheimer, Huntington and Parkinson diseases, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as the possibility of using this oxysterol as predictive and/or evolution biomarker in different brain disorders is discussed.
Effect of combined treatment with insulin, metformin, and gliclazide on the expression and activity of Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K protein kinases in lymphocytes of diabetic patients

Presented The expression of the main effector protein kinase Akt of the PI3K signaling pathway and the activities of mTOR and p70S6K protein kinases in lymphocytes of patients with diabetes mellitus are determined at the combination treatment with insulin and hypoglycemic drugs. It is shown that the Akt expression is reduced in blood mononuclear cells of patients with diabetes of the 2nd and, to a less extent, type 1. The activities of mTOR and p70S6K are also reduced in lymphocytes of patients with type 2 diabetes. Possible mechanisms of inhibiting the expression and activity of protein kinases are discussed.
Impact of Public Sector Financial Audit: A Case Study on Police Department of Abu Dhabi, UAE

Public sector audits involve checking the financial issues of state-owned entities that have been conducted in the best interest of the public, and to determine whether standard procedures have been followed to adhere to the procedures required to promote transparency and good governance (such as public sector procurement rules). Public sector audits therefore go a step further than the financial audits of nongovernmental companies that focus primarily on the reliability of financial statements. The specific objective of this study is to investigate the public sector financial audit effectiveness in the Abu Dhabi Police (ADP), UAE. Other objectives are, to investigate impact of infrastructure for financial audit in the Police Department to improve performance, to investigate the competency of the public sector financial auditors in the ADP, UAE. Some of the other factors that can impact the efficiency of the governmental audit process are the independence and motivation of the institute which can conduct the work of the audit without any department intervention for audit work. The freedom of internal audit and assurance for the objectivity institute is both in service and in consultation. The first objective of the study , it is seen that the effectiveness of the public sector financial audit will be more appropriate if there is a scope of joint audit and both local and global reputed audit firms are involved . The research has focused the need of such need of the hour independent acceptability to be at par with leading nation globally. Secondly, impact of the competency of the public sector financial audit was observed to be very ineffective due to the fact it is just a routine check, rather the competency would have been improved if in addition surprise public sector financial audit was determined and put into place.
Longitudinal dissection in brain organoids at single cell resolution uncovers the developmental role of GSK3 in human corticogenesis

The regulation of proliferation and polarity of neural progenitors is crucial for the development of the brain cortex, with modes and timings of cell division intimately related to the stereotypical acquisition of layer-specific neuronal identities. Animal studies have implicated glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) as a pivotal regulator of both proliferation and polarity, yet the functional relevance of its signaling for the unique features of human corticogenesis remain to be elucidated. Here we harness human cortical brain organoids to probe, at single cell resolution, the longitudinal impact of GSK3 inhibition through multiple developmental stages. Our results indicate that chronic GSK3 inhibition increases the proliferation of neural progenitors and causes massive derangement of cortical tissue architecture. Surprisingly, single cell transcriptome profiling revealed only a discrete impact on early neurogenesis and uncovered the outer radial glia and the astrogenic lineage as the main GSK3-dependent developmental domains. Through this first single cell-level dissection of the GSK3 regulatory network in human corticogenesis, our work uncovers a remarkably specific conduit between the architecture of progenitor niches and lineage specification.