Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Distress and Labor Market Participation

&NA; Many of the most deeply and persistently distressed regions of the United States, such as parts of West Virginia, suffer from extremely low levels of labor force participation. These are regions where economic despair seems to have taken hold for generations and which face numerous other impediments to economic prosperity, such as opioid abuse. Better understanding these linkages can lead to policy solutions to help the most disadvantaged places break the cycle of economic despair. Using county‐level data, we begin by estimating a series of models that allow us to understand the drivers of local labor force participation. We also consider how these drivers may differ between rural and urban areas. We then analyze how levels of participation in the labor force are related to other measures of economic distress. We find that there is significant variation in the drivers of rural and urban labor force participation; however, much of the variation can be explained by known factors. Yet, our results also suggest that there remains some portion of the lower levels of labor force participation in West Virginia and Appalachia that cannot be explained by other factors. Since it appears that labor force participation is important to explaining higher levels of employment growth in rural areas, for persistently distressed regions, finding ways to increase labor force participation may be a critical step toward increasing economic prosperity.
Reduction techniques of partial discharge, dissipation factor, and external corona for high voltage stator windings

High voltage stator windings in modern electric generators are subject to high electrical, mechanical, and thermal stress. Operation of these machines in both air and high pressure hydrogen results in different considerations. Operation in the air environment doesn't offer the dielectric advantages of operating in high-pressure hydrogen. The two major design factors that are significant for the design of high voltage stator bars to be operated in air, are corona activity and PD activity. These of course are closely related. With the movement to increasing the power density of generators, which means operation at higher voltages and higher insulation stress levels, it has become more critical to be sure the design constraints are met in the stator bar design to minimize both partial discharge activity and corona activity involving the stator bars. The stator bar insulation system must be designed for minimum partial discharge activity and ideally is corona free at the stator winding operating stress levels, and at the operating conditions (temperature and pressure) the generator is subject to. This paper will present the findings associated with the development work in designing, testing and implementing a PD reduced and corona free design.
The Use of Transgenic Mice to Analyze the Role of Accessory Factor Two in the Regulation of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP) Gene Transcription during Diabetes*

The regulation of transcription of the gene for the cytosolic form of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (PEPCK-C) (4.1.1.32) during diabetes is a complex process that involves a number of regulatory elements in the PEPCK-C gene promoter. The accessory factor 2 (AF2)-binding region that is contained within the glucocorticoid regulatory unit of the PEPCK-C gene promoter (−451 to −353) has been implicated in the action of both insulin and glucocorticoids on PEPCK-C gene transcription. To determine the role of AF2 in these processes, we have generated a mouse model bearing a transgene that contains the PEPCK-C gene promoter with a mutation in the AF2-binding region. This promoter is linked to the structural gene for human growth hormone that is biologically inactive (AF2–2000/hGx). In the absence of the AF2 regulatory element, the transcription of the transgene in the liver is not induced by diabetes but is inhibited by the administration of insulin. There is also a marked reduction in the response of the AF2–2000/hGx gene in the kidney to the administration of glucocorticoids. The AF2–2000/hGx gene in the liver responds normally to a high carbohydrate diet with a marked decrease in gene transcription. This suggests that insulin is not exerting its usual negative effect on the PEPCK-C gene promoter through the AF2 site. In contrast, the response of this transgene to a high fat/carbohydrate-free diet is severely blunted. Our results support a role for the AF2 site in the PEPCK-C gene promoter in the effect of glucocorticoids, but not insulin, on PEPCK-C gene transcription in the liver.
In‐depth characterization of the salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma transcriptome with emphasis on dominant cell type

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), 1 of the most common salivary gland malignancies, arises from the intercalated ducts, which are composed of inner ductal epithelial cells and outer myoepithelial cells. The objective of this study was to determine the genomic subtypes of ACC with emphasis on dominant cell type to identify potential specific biomarkers for each subtype and to improve the understanding of this disease.
Stimulation of β-Amyloid Precursor Protein Trafficking by Insulin Reduces Intraneuronal β-Amyloid and Requires Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by cerebral accumulation of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ), which are proteolytically derived from β-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP). βAPP metabolism is highly regulated via various signal transduction systems, e.g., several serine/threonine kinases and phosphatases. Several growth factors known to act via receptor tyrosine kinases also have been demonstrated to regulate sβAPP secretion. Among these receptors, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors are highly expressed in brain, especially in hippocampus and cortex. Emerging evidence indicates that insulin has important functions in brain regions involved in learning and memory. Here we present evidence that insulin significantly reduces intracellular accumulation of Aβ and that it does so by accelerating βAPP/Aβ trafficking from the trans-Golgi network, a major cellular site for Aβ generation, to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, insulin increases the extracellular level of Aβ both by promoting its secretion and by inhibiting its degradation via insulin-degrading enzyme. The action of insulin on βAPP metabolism is mediated via a receptor tyrosine kinase/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase pathway. The results suggest cell biological and signal transduction mechanisms by which insulin modulates βAPP and Aβ trafficking in neuronal cultures.
Direct Bacterial Identification in Positive Blood Cultures by Use of Two Commercial Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Systems

ABSTRACT Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the identification of bacteria and fungi was recently introduced in microbiology laboratories. This technology could greatly improve the clinical management of patients and guidance for chemotherapy. In this study, we used a commercial MALDI Sepsityper extraction method to evaluate the performance of two commercial MALDI-TOF MS systems, the Vitek MS IVD (bioMérieux) and the Microflex LT Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics) for direct bacterial identification in positive blood cultures. In 181 monomicrobial cultures, both systems generated genus to species level identifications for >90% of the specimens (Biotyper, 177/181 [97.8%]; Vitek MS IVD, 167/181 [92.3%]). Overall, the Biotyper system generated significantly more accurate identifications than the Vitek MS IVD system (P = 0.016; 177 versus 167 out of 181 specimens). The Biotyper system identified the minority species among polymicrobial blood cultures. We also compared the performance of an in-house extraction method with that of the Sepsityper on both MALDI-TOF MS systems. The in-house method generated more correct identifications at the genus level than the Sepsityper (96.7% versus 93.5%) on the Biotyper system, whereas the two methods exhibited the same performance level (88.0% versus 88.0%) on the Vitek MS IVD system. Our study confirmed the practical advantages of MALDI-TOF MS, and our in-house extraction method reduced the reagent cost to $1 per specimen, with a shorter turnaround time of 3 h, which is highly cost-effective for a diagnostic microbiology service.
Use of Third Generation Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonists in In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer: A Review

Before gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) became available, approximately 20% of stimulated cycles within an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program were cancelled due to premature LH surges. By using the GnRHa to prevent LH surges via gonadotrope GnRH receptor down-regulation and desensitization, this percentage decreased to about 2%, and concomitantly, the IVF and pregnancy rates per cycle initiated were increased. Several treatment schedules currently are in use, including the so-called “long protocol,” in which the GnRHa is begun in the luteal phase and down-regulation occurs before the start of the gonadotropin-stimulation treatment phase. This is generally the most effective regimen and is presently the most frequently used protocol. However, it has some disadvantages, such as hypoestrogenic side effects and an increase in the number of ampules of FSH or hMG required for adequate stimulation. There is a new generation of GnRH antagonists now clinically available, that has been able to minimize the potential side effects and provide reliable antagonism at the GnRH receptor. These agents seem better suited than GnRHa for assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles inasmuch as they can prevent LH surges without requiring complete gonadotropin suppression. We have reviewed the current literature concerning their use in IVF cycles. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader will be able to summarize the data surrounding the use of GnRH antagonists in IVF cycles, to list the potential treatment protocols for using GnRH antagonists, and to outline the side effects of GnRH antagonists.
Efficient secretion in yeast based on fragments from K1 killer preprotoxin

The α and β components of the secreted K1 killer toxin of Saccharaomyces cerevisiae are derived from residues 45–147 and 234–316, respectively, of the 316 residue prepotoxin (ppTox). The β N‐terminus is produced by Kex2 cleavage after Lys Arg233, when β1a(the mature sequence of β‐lactamase)is fused at this site and the fusion is expressed form the PGK promoter in pDT17, a multicopy plasmid, unexpectedly modest levels of βla secretion resulted. Over‐expression of Kex2 failed to increase βla secretion while a kex2‐null mutation reduced secretion by 98%. βla secretion in a Kex+ strain was not enhanced by inactivation of the a toxin component or by deletion of most of its central hydrophobic segments. However SP‐βla, produced by deletion of ppTox residues 35–176, expressed 10‐fold higher βla activity and the precursor was not secreted with similar efficiency in a kex − 2 null strain. Fusions of βla to ppTox at Ala34 or Ala46 also led to efficient secretion in both KEX2 and kex − 2‐null strains. Since these βla fusions differ only in segments well downstream of the signal peptide and all had similar transcript levels, the efficiency of βla secretion is apparently determined by the efficiency with efficiency with which these fusions are translocated to the Golgi compartment where Kex2 is active. Efficiency is high for the shorter fusions but is 10% or less for the longer fusions; even this fraction is apparently diverted to the vacuole if not cleaved by Kex2. SP‐βla was athe most efficient construct tested; secreted βla reacahed 4% of total cell protein, modestly exceeding levels produced by fusion to the MFα1‐encoded preproα‐factor, suggesting potential for the production of foreign proteins in yeast.
Optical properties of screen-printed aluminum contacts

When attempting to analytically model the internal back reflectance (IBR) of crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells, knowledge of the optical properties of each material at the rear side of the cell is required. For aluminum back surface field (Al-BSF) and passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) architectures, a screen-printed Al paste is typically used to form the rear contacts. In the literature, the complex refractive index of pure Al is typically used for this layer, even though it is well known that the composition and microstructure of these fired Al pastes is quite different than pure Al. In this work, the wavelength-dependent complex refractive index of four different fired screen-printed Al pastes are measured, resulting in a large discrepancy when compared to that of published values for pure Al. Using a two step modeling and simulation process, this discrepancy in the complex refractive index is shown to lead to differences in the calculated IBR of PERC cells. Because one of the key advantages of PERC cells is increased current due to a higher IBR with the use of thin dielectric films at the rear side of the cell, accurately defined optical properties of the Al metallization would appear to be an area of need in the photovoltaic R&D community that this work can address.
A Qualitative Study of Hardiness and Social Support Among Underserved, Inner-City Minority Adults Recovering from Oral Surgery

Abstract Using qualitative data, this study examines hardiness and social support among twenty-two African American and Hispanic subjects, at least 18 years of age, who received treatment for a jaw fracture and participated in an hour-long focus group to discuss the treatment they received at King/Drew Medical Center, an inner-city hospital in Los Angeles, California. Treatment was either a non-surgical wiring of the teeth closed for six to eight weeks or surgical placement of a metal bone plate in the lower jaw with a short period of jaw fixation following surgery. A mandibular fracture is one of the most common orofacial traumas for minority individuals, and the majority of these fractures among patients at urban trauma centers are a result of interpersonal violence. Thus the link between psychosocial stress and oral health is evident, yet exposure to daily stress does not automatically place one at risk for distress. Some people under daily stress have hardiness, conceptualized as an internal personal resource consisting of control, commitment, and challenge. This study examines hardiness and social support relevant to an underserved, minority population. Hardiness and social support were identified and noted in order of frequency according to participant characteristics of treatment type, gender, and ethnicity. Main themes related to hardiness and social support are highlighted with verbatim quotes providing additional context to the theme presented.
H-ARQ system for real time error detection and correction based on hardware associative memories

This paper presents a solution of design and implementation of a hardware error correction and detection circuit using associative memories. This type of memory allows search of a stored binary value, having as an input data a partial (or modified) amount of this value. This property can be used in communication, for detection and correction of errors. In our experiments the encoder just associate message with corresponded word code, which is sent to communication channel. The decoder can associate back the word code received from communication channel with the message, even if the received word code has errors. This is due to associative memory recognition ability. Experimental results obtained were compared with performances of other hardware systems.
Public decision making support: A developing country perspective

The aim of this paper is to discuss a method for public decision making with decision support in developing countries in Africa. It integrates two academic fields: decision theory and computer-aided decision support on the one hand, and political science and e-democracy on the other. The method suggested deals with the problem of communication within the governmental body, as well as externally to the public. It supports decision making by a methodical stepwise procedure, formal modelling, and analysis. The result is a well-organized and transparent decision making process. The model is based on previous research and case studies in Sweden and Hungary. One major challenge is to develop a decision support adapted to local conditions and needs while preserving integrity of the method. Potential benefits range from better investment decisions, improved risk management, to increased transparency and governmental trust.
AtMYB44 regulates WRKY70 expression and modulates antagonistic interaction between salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signaling.

The role of AtMYB44, an R2R3 MYB transcription factor, in signaling mediated by jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) is examined. AtMYB44 is induced by JA through CORONATINE INSENSITIVE 1 (COI1). AtMYB44 over-expression down-regulated defense responses against the necrotrophic pathogen Alternaria brassicicola, but up-regulated WRKY70 and PR genes, leading to enhanced resistance to the biotrophic pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. The knockout mutant atmyb44 shows opposite effects. Induction of WRKY70 by SA is reduced in atmyb44 and npr1-1 mutants, and is totally abolished in atmyb44 npr1-1 double mutants, showing that WRKY70 is regulated independently through both NPR1 and AtMYB44. AtMYB44 over-expression does not change SA content, but AtMYB44 over-expression phenotypes, such as retarded growth, up-regulated PR1 and down-regulated PDF1.2 are reversed by SA depletion. The wrky70 mutation suppressed AtMYB44 over-expression phenotypes, including up-regulation of PR1 expression and down-regulation of PDF1.2 expression. β-estradiol-induced expression of AtMYB44 led to WRKY70 activation and thus PR1 activation. AtMYB44 binds to the WRKY70 promoter region, indicating that AtMYB44 acts as a transcriptional activator of WRKY70 by directly binding to a conserved sequence element in the WRKY70 promoter. These results demonstrate that AtMYB44 modulates antagonistic interaction by activating SA-mediated defenses and repressing JA-mediated defenses through direct control of WRKY70.
[Granulomatous polyangitis (Wegener granulomatosis): Clinical findings and results of long-term follow-up].

Introduction To evaluate long-term outcome of patients with granulomatous polyangitis (GPA) followed up in a tertiary university hospital. Patients and Methods We reviewed medical records of 22 patients with GPA diagnosis confirmed by tissue biopsies between 2004 and 2014. Result The mean time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 7.8 ± 12.3 months [interquartile range (IR)= 4.0]. The most commonly involved organs were the upper respiratory tract (URT) (72.7%), lower respiratory tract (81.8%) and kidneys (72.7%). URT involvement indicated good prognosis (p= 0.046). Survival in the patients with and without URT involvement was 124.6 ± 6.9 months and 59.7 ± 22.9 months, respectively. End-stage renal failure (ESRF) requiring dilaysis and cardiac involvement were associated with mortality (p= 0.022 and p= 0.026, respectively). Of the 12 dialysis-dependent patients at diagnosis, 11 survived > 3 months and seven regained renal function permanently. Dialysis dependency was significantly lower in patients who received plasmapheresis (p= 0.047). Overall mortality rate was 18% (4/22). Mean survival was 55.9 ± 42.8 months (IR= 84.0). Conclusions Diagnosis of GPA may be delayed by the nonspecific nature of its symptoms. URT involvement was associated with good prognosis, whereas cardiac involvement and ESRF requiring dialysis were associated with poor outcome. Plasmapheresis may increase the rate of renal recovery in the patients with ESRF requiring dialysis.
DNA copy number alterations and expression of relevant genes in triple‐negative breast cancer

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by a lack of expression of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, and genetically most of them fall into the basal subgroup of breast cancer. The important issue of TNBC is poorer clinical outcome and absence of effective targeted therapy. In this study, we sought to identify DNA copy number alterations and expression of relevant genes characteristic of TNBC to discover potential therapeutic targets. Frozen tissues from 114 breast cancers were analyzed using high‐resolution array comparative genomic hybridization. The classification into subtype was determined by estrogen and progesterone receptor expression, and by the presence or absence of gain on the ERBB2 containing clone. The ACE algorithm was used for calling gain and loss of clones. Twenty‐eight cases (25%) were classified as TNBC. Recurrent gains (≥25%) unique to TNBC were 9p24‐p21, 10p15‐p13, 12p13, 13q31‐q34, 18q12, 18q21‐q23, and 21q22. Two published gene expression array data sets comparing basal subtype versus other subtype breast cancers were used for searching candidate genes. Of the genes upregulated in the basal subtype, 45 of 686 genes in one data set and 59 of 1,428 in the second data set were found to be located in the gained regions. Of these candidate genes, gain of NFIB (9p24.1) was specific for TNBC in a validation set by real‐time PCR. In conclusion, we have identified recurrently gained regions characteristic of TNBC, and found that NFIB copy number and expression is increased in TNBC across the data sets. This article contains Supplementary Material available at http://www.interscience. wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Basel Compliance and Financial Stability: Evidence from Islamic Banks

We find that compliance with the Basel Core Principles (BCPs) has a strong positive effect on the stability of conventional banks, and a positive but less pronounced effect on the stability of Islamic banks. We also find that the main impact of compliance is an increase in capital ratios, whereas other components of the Z-score are negatively affected. This reflects the desire of banks to be more closely integrated into the global financial system by holding higher capital ratios. The findings also justify the 2015 decision of the Islamic Financial Services Board to publish similar principles for Islamic banks.
All-cause mortality and suicide within 8 days after emergency department discharge

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of death within 8–30 days after discharge home from the emergency department with a non-causative diagnosis in a prospective cohort study. Methods: The 227,097 visits to the emergency department were filed by personal identification number and included information on gender, age, admission, discharge, and diagnosis. The visits were classified by main diagnosis at discharge into those with non-causative diagnosis and those with other diagnoses. Mortality per 100,000 within 8, 15 and 30 days and the corresponding hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for all causes of death and for selected causes of death in a time-dependent analysis. Results: The HRs of all causes of death for patients with a non-causative diagnosis were 0.64 (95% CI 0.41–1.01) within 8 days, 0.70 (95% CI 0.50–0.99) within 15 days, and 0.82 (95% CI 0.65–1.04) within 30 days as compared to those with a causative diagnosis. The HRs within 30 days among those with a non-causative diagnosis at discharge were 1.48 (95% CI 1.03–2.13) for malignant neoplasm, 3.72 (95% CI 1.44–9.60) for suicide, and 0.50 (95% CI 0.32–0.79) for diseases of the circulatory system. Conclusion: Death within 8 days after discharge home from the ED is a rare event. Death of patients that occur shortly after discharge who had received a non-causative diagnosis as the main diagnosis may indicate a misjudgement of the patients’ condition at that time.