Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional analysis of the human inhibin alpha subunit variant A257T and its potential role in premature ovarian failure.

BACKGROUND A nucleotide substitution in the inhibin alpha subunit (INHA 769G>A, A257T) has been associated with premature ovarian failure (POF). We hypothesize this mutation causes a reduction in inhibin bioactivity, removing its suppression on the pituitary FSH secretion. The aim of this study is to establish if A257T inhibin has reduced bioactivity. METHODS Mouse LbetaT2 pituitary gonadotrope, human granulosa (COV434) and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells were co-transfected with an activin-responsive reporter and increasing amounts of wild-type or variant A257T inhibin alpha subunit, and the degree of inhibin antagonism of activin signalling determined. RESULTS A 5-fold inhibition was observed with wild-type inhibin alpha subunit overexpression (P < 0.001) (confirmed in HEK293 cells), while the A257T inhibin showed no inhibitory activity. In human ovarian COV434 transfected cells, while wild-type and A257T inhibin A had similar bioactivities, there was a significant reduction in the bioactivity of A257T inhibin B compared with wild-type inhibin B (P < 0.005). In all the three cell systems, overexpression of wild-type and A257T alpha subunit resulted in a 2- to 6-fold increase in secretion of dimeric inhibin indicating the reduced inhibin response was not due to a failure of dimerization. CONCLUSIONS This study supports the hypothesis that the INHA 769G>A variant may increase susceptibility to POF with impaired inhibin B bioactivity and provides insight into the complex aetiology of POF.
General Exercise Does Not Improve Long‐Term Pain and Disability in Individuals With Whiplash‐Associated Disorders: A Systematic Review

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. BACKGROUND: General exercise, defined as purposeful physical activity involving repetitive exercises and incorporating multiple muscle groups, is frequently used in the management of whiplash‐associated disorders (WADs). Evidence supporting its efficacy is not well established. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether general exercise is effective in reducing pain and disability in people with WAD. METHODS: Studies published in English in peer‐reviewed journals between January 1990 and May 2015 were eligible if they evaluated a general exercise intervention compared with a different intervention or control. Studies were required to evaluate pain and disability at medium‐term (6‐14 weeks) and long‐term (52 weeks) follow‐ups. The mean ± SD and sample size were recorded for follow‐up scores and for change scores from baseline to follow‐up. RESULTS: Of the 3 high‐quality studies that were eligible for inclusion, none investigated general exercise alone. There were no clinically meaningful differences between comprehensive exercise programs, which included general exercise, and minimal intervention controls in the medium and long term. No studies directly compared general exercise with a no‐treatment control. All included studies used different control interventions, preventing meta‐analysis. CONCLUSION: A lack of significant long‐term improvements from general exercise interventions in individuals with WAD was identified. This finding differs from the positive benefits of general exercise for other musculoskeletal conditions. This may, in part, relate to the complexity of whiplash conditions. This may also reflect the challenge of exercise prescription in this population, where the need for sufficient intensity is balanced against the impact that exercise has on pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 1a.
JavaScript for Extending Low-latency In-memory Key-value Stores

Large scale in-memory key-value stores like RAMCloud can perform millions of operations per second per server with a few microseconds of access latency. However, these systems often only provide simple feature sets, and the lack of extensibility is an obstacle for building higher-level services. We evaluate the possibility of using JavaScript for shipping computation to data and for extending database functionality by comparing against other possible approaches. Microbenchmarks are promising; the V8 JavaScript runtime provides near native performance with reduced isolation costs when compared with native code and hardware-based protections. We conclude with initial thoughts on how this technology can be deployed for fast procedures that operate on in-memory data, that maximize gains from JIT, and that exploit the kernelbypass DMA capabilities of modern network cards.
T‐T Cell Interactions during Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte (CTL) Responses: T Cell Derived Helper Factor (Interleukin 2) as a Probe to Analyze CTL Responsiveness and Thymic Maturation of CTL Progenitors

The prime stimulus for the activation of clonally distributed murine T lymphocytes appears not to be antigen alone, but antigen in association with gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). This refers not oniy to helper T cells, but also to T suppressor cells, cytotoxic T cells, or T cells mediating delayed type hypersensitivity. There is, however, an apparent exception to this rule, that is T cells involved in recognition of alloantigens are not restricted to syngeneic MHC antigens. Within the heterogeneous family of functionally distinct T cells it is only the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) which can be directly quantitated. Probably because the ^'Cr-cytotoxicity assay, as introduced by Brunner et al. 1968, has proven to be reproducible and easy to perform, and because in vitro techniques for the induction and maintainance of T cell mediated cytotoxic immune responses became available (Hayry & Defendi 1970, Hodes & Svedmyr 1970, Wagner 1971, MacDonald 1972), our understanding of the rules governing the induction and the effect of CTL has progressed so significantly.
Understanding and strengthening the education expectations of undocumented Latino high school students

UNDERSTANDING AND STRENGTHENING THE EDUCATIONAL EXPECTATIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED LATINO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Cynthia Padilla-Gaytan, M.S.Ed. Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations Northern Illinois University, 2015 Cynthia Taines, Director This paper explores the perceived challenges of undocumented Latino high school students in relation to their career and college expectations. It does this by focusing on social capital, college knowledge, and legal context. By exploring social capital we are able to gain insight into the types of relationships and knowledge that benefit undocumented Latino students in navigating through their college process. In addition, we form a better understanding of their college and career expectations. This study was conducted using an intervention with the intention to add to undocumented youths’ social networks and knowledge pertaining to college and their legal status.
Evaluation of quality of life in Indian children with bronchial asthma using a disease‐specific and locally appropriate questionnaire

Aim: To evaluate quality of life (QOL) in Indian children with bronchial asthma. Methods: A disease‐specific, locally appropriate QOL questionnaire was administered in asthmatic children and compared with FEV1, FVC, PEFR and asthma symptom score, on three occasions. Results: QOL score had strong negative correlation with symptom score and weaker positive correlation with pulmonary function tests.
Guaranteed-cost output consensus for distributed descriptor swarm systems with communication delays

Guaranteed-cost output consensus problems for high-order linear descriptor swarm systems with communication delays are investigated. Firstly, the guaranteed-cost output consensus problem for time-delayed descriptor swarm systems is proposed, where it is required to realize the tradeoff design between control energy consumptions and output consensus regulation performances. Then, guaranteed-cost output consensus criteria are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities and an explicit expression of the output consensus function is given. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of analytical results.
Identification of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients without Significant Liver Fibrosis by a Simple Noninvasive Predictive Model

OBJECTIVE:Histological assessment of liver fibrosis is important in the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection but poorly accepted by patients because of its invasiveness. The aim of this study was to develop a noninvasive model to assess liver fibrosis in CHB patients using clinical and routine laboratory data.PATIENTS AND METHODS:This was a retrospective study on 235 treatment-naïve viremic CHB patients. Univariate analysis of data from the training cohort (n = 150) followed by multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent predictors of significant fibrosis and generate predictive models. The models were validated with the remaining patients or validation cohort (n = 85) and by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis.RESULTS:Body mass index (BMI), platelet count, serum albumin, and total bilirubin levels were identified as independent predictors of bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis (Ishak stage 3–6). ROC analysis was performed using the predictive probabilities derived from the regression models. The area under the ROC curve of the best model was 0.803 (95% CI: 0.729–0.878) for the training cohort, 0.765 (95% CI: 0.644–0.885) for the validation cohort, and 0.791 (95% CI: 0.728–0.854) for the entire cohort. Using the low cut-off probability of 0.15, significant fibrosis could be excluded in 83 patients of the total patient population (negative predictive value 0.92). CONCLUSIONS:Our noninvasive model comprising BMI and three routine laboratory tests was accurate in predicting absence of significant fibrosis. Application of this model could provide useful additional information on the stage of disease, guide future management decisions, and potentially decrease the need for liver biopsy in some CHB patients.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in U.S. hospitals, 1975-1991.

OBJECTIVES Analyze changes that have occurred among U.S. hospitals over a 17-year period, 1975 through 1991, in the percentage of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics and associated with nosocomial infections. DESIGN Retrospective review. The percentage of methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) was defined as the number of S aureus isolates resistant to either methicillin, oxacillin, or nafcillin divided by the total number of S aureus isolates for which methicillin, oxacillin, or nafcillin susceptibility test results were reported to the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) System. SETTING NNIS System hospitals. RESULTS Of the 66,132 S aureus isolates that were tested for susceptibility to methicillin, oxacillin, or nafcillin during 1975 through 1991, 6,986 (11%) were resistant to methicillin, oxacillin, or nafcillin. The percentage MRSA among all hospitals rose from 2.4% in 1975 to 29% in 1991, but the rate of increase differed significantly among 3 bed-size categories: < 200 beds, 200 to 499 beds, and > or = 500 beds. In 1991, for hospitals with < 200 beds, 14.9% of S aureus isolates were MRSA; for hospitals with 200 to 499 beds, 20.3% were MRSA; and for hospitals with > or = 500 beds, 38.3% were MRSA. The percentage MRSA in each of the bed-size categories rose above 5% at different times: in 1983, for hospitals with > or = 500 beds; in 1985, for hospitals with 200 to 499 beds; and in 1987, for hospitals with < 200 beds. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that hospitals of all sizes are facing the problem of MRSA, the problem appears to be increasing regardless of hospital size, and control measures advocated for MRSA appear to require re-evaluation. Further study of MRSA in hospitals would benefit our understanding of this costly pathogen.
A framework for interoperability of vehicular telematics contents

Vehicular telematics such as car navigation systems, traffic information systems, and location-based systems (LBS) are getting popular. However, contents for vehicular telematics are generated by multiple contents providers and their data formats are not compatible. Thus, it is difficult to integrate or exchange contents, e.g., navigation maps, traffic information, points of interest (POI), etc., for various telematics services. In this paper, we propose a telematics contents gateway (TCG) system, which enables the system to integrate different telematics contents, so that the contents can be interoperable. The proposed TCG supports a search function based on a web-service technology. In addition, it provides a common road network model for interoperability, integrating different road network models into the common model. In the experiments, it is verified that there is no information loss in the integration process and the processing time is satisfied for the requirement of telematics service providers (TSP).
The Role of Technology in Task-Oriented Training in Persons with Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This trial compares the effects of task-oriented physical therapy (PT) provided with and without the use of rehabilitation technology on locomotor recovery in 63 persons with subacute stroke. Participants in the experimental (EXP) group used a treadmill, a Kinetron isokinetic exerciser, and a limb-load monitor, whereas those in the control (CTL) group did not while engaging in PT 1 h per day, 5 days per week for 2 months. Locomotor recovery was assessed by clinical (gait speed, Fugl Meyer motor leg and arm subscores, the Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go, and the Barthel ambulation subscore) and laboratory outcomes (gait kinematics and kinetics) pre- and posttherapy and 3 months later. Within groups, gait speed (P < 0.01) and all secondary measures improved posttherapy (P < 0.01-0.05), and improvements in clinical measures were maintained at follow-up, but there was no difference between groups (P > 0.05). When the groups were pooled, the increase in gait speed was associated (r = 0.52, P = 0.003) with an increase in ankle power generation of the affected leg. The results demonstrate that the efficacy of the task-oriented approach is not dependent on rehabilitation technology.
Interaction among funding liquidity, liquidity creation and stock liquidity of banks: Evidence from BRICS countries

Purpose - This study aims to explore the relationship between three different kinds of bank liquidity: funding liquidity; liquidity creation; and stock liquidity. Design/methodology/approach - It used the data from listed banks of BRICS countries spanning the period 2007-2014. Simultaneous equations model and three-stage least square estimation were used for analysis. Findings - First of all, increase in liquidity creation is linked to decline in funding liquidity, but variation in funding liquidity does not describe changes in liquidity creation. Second, higher stock illiquidity is associated with greater liquidity creation, but liquidity creation does not determine variation in stock liquidity. Lastly, there is no direct relationship between funding liquidity and stock liquidity; however, stock liquidity indirectly affects funding liquidity through liquidity creation. Practical implications - The findings highlight the fact that capital is not the only determinant of liquidity creation, rather stock liquidity is an equally important determinant in the case of listed banks of BRICS countries. This fact has been highlighted by the recent financial crisis. Furthermore, funding liquidity depends on liquidity creation which depends on stock liquidity. However, the stock liquidity of banks neither depends on liquidity creation nor funding liquidity. Originality/value - To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first one to provide the empirical evidence for the relationship between three different kinds of bank liquidity.
Impaired Suppressive Capacity of Activation‐Induced Regulatory B Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

B cells with immunoregulatory properties (Breg cells) have been described in mice, but their role in the control of human immune responses is not well defined. We recently identified a human population of activated FSChigh B cells that exhibited regulatory activity toward T helper cells. The aim of the present study was to test such induced Breg (iBreg) cells in patients with autoimmune disease.
Coordinate Regulation of Malonyl-CoA Decarboxylase,sn-Glycerol-3-phosphate Acyltransferase, and Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase by AMP-activated Protein Kinase in Rat Tissues in Response to Exercise*

Changes in the concentration of malonyl-CoA in many tissues have been related to alterations in the activity of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), the rate-limiting enzyme in its formation. In contrast, little is known about the physiological role of malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD), an enzyme responsible for malonyl-CoA catabolism. In this study, we examined the effects of voluntary exercise on MCD activity in rat liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. In addition, the activity ofsn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT), which like MCD and ACC can be regulated by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), was assayed. Thirty min after the completion of a treadmill run, MCD activity was increased ∼2-fold, malonyl-CoA levels were reduced, and ACC and GPAT activities were diminished by 50% in muscle and liver. These events appeared to be mediated via activation of AMPK since: 1) AMPK activity was concurrently increased by exercise in both tissues; 2) similar findings were observed after the injection of 5-amino 4 imidazole carboxamide, an AMPK activator; 3) changes in the activity of GPAT and ACC paralleled that of MCD; and 4) the increase in MCD activity in muscle was reversed in vitro by incubating immunoprecipitated enzyme from the exercised muscle with protein phosphatase 2A, and it was reproduced by incubating immunopurified MCD from resting muscle with purified AMPK. An unexpected finding was that exercise caused similar changes in the activities of ACC, MCD, GPAT, and AMPK and the concentration of malonyl-CoA in adipose tissue. In conclusion: MCD, GPAT, and ACC are coordinately regulated by AMPK in liver and adipose tissue in response to exercise, and except for GPAT, also in muscle. The results suggest that AMPK activation plays a major role in regulating lipid metabolism in many cells following exercise. They also suggest that in each of them, it acts to increase fatty acid oxidation and decrease its esterification.
Do Tax-Benefit Packages Treat Families in the Same Manner When Unemployment Strikes?

Social protection against unemployment is on the European agenda because of the economic crisis. Since European family patterns have changed over the last three decades, the social protection for unemployment may be very different during this economic crisis from what it was previously. In particular the combination of more diverse families and high unemployment raises the general question of how today's systems of social protection cater for different types of families and income groups. Based on a micro-simulation analysis, this article examines how, and to what extent, packages of social security provide support for various types of unemployed families at different income levels. The comparison is between four countries representing different welfare state models and dominant family types. Using the OECD Tax-Benefit model, the article surveys the disposable income and provides a breakdown of benefits for different family types facing unemployment. It takes into account housing costs and childcare costs, and the benefits related to them. The analysis shows that unemployed families experience different levels of support depending not only on the country they live in, but also on their income level and family type. Often differences between families at different income levels within countries are larger than differences between families at the same income level between countries. The analysis illustrates how important it is to look beyond unemployment insurance and include family related benefits to understand the support provided to families faced with unemployment.
Borrelia burgdorferi Lacking BBK32, a Fibronectin-Binding Protein, Retains Full Pathogenicity

ABSTRACT BBK32, a fibronectin-binding protein of Borrelia burgdorferi, is one of many surface lipoproteins that are differentially expressed by the Lyme disease spirochete at various stages of its life cycle. The level of BBK32 expression in B. burgdorferi is highest during infection of the mammalian host and lowest in flat ticks. This temporal expression profile, along with its fibronectin-binding activity, strongly suggests that BBK32 may play an important role in Lyme pathogenesis in the host. To test this hypothesis, we constructed an isogenic BBK32 deletion mutant from wild-type B. burgdorferi B31 by replacing the BBK32 gene with a kanamycin resistance cassette through homologous recombination. We examined both the wild-type strain and the BBK32 deletion mutant extensively in the experimental mouse-tick model of the Borrelia life cycle. Our data indicated that B. burgdorferi lacking BBK32 retained full pathogenicity in mice, regardless of whether mice were infected artificially by syringe inoculation or naturally by tick bite. The loss of BBK32 expression in the mutant had no adverse effect on spirochete acquisition (mouse-to-tick) and transmission (tick-to-mouse) processes. These results suggest that additional B. burgdorferi proteins can complement the function of BBK32, fibronectin binding or otherwise, during the natural spirochete life cycle.
Oil Prices, Stock Markets and Firm Performance: Evidence from Europe

This paper extends understanding of the relationship between oil prices, stock markets and financial performance of oil and gas firms over the past decade. Firstly, it studies the impact of oil price fluctuations on stock markets in Europe. Secondly, it examines volatility spill-overs between oil and European stock markets. As oil price changes do not equally affect all industries, the study conducts both market-level and sector-level analyses. Thirdly, it examines the impact of crude oil price changes on the financial performance measure of oil and gas firms, both listed and unlisted, from the Western European region.
Clock gating assertion check: An approach towards achieving faster verification closure on clock gating functionality

Clock gating is a power reduction technique widely used in Register Transfer Level (RTL) stage of a chip design. The addition of clock gating logics has increased the complexity of a design and therefore requires considerable amount of verification effort. Furthermore, the scoreboard checking mechanism in Open Verification Methodology (OVM) verification environment still lacks the capability to completely comprehend the checking of clock gating logics correctness. To address this, a verification method, called Clock Gating Assertion Check (CGAC) method, independent of verification environment is proposed aiming at achieving a faster pre-silicon verification closure on clock gating logics with minimum verification effort. The proposed method is an automated flow using codes written in Hardware Description Language (HDL) in RTL stage and clock domains information of a design as the main inputs to generate checks at possible clock gating boundary conditions. The CGAC method was used to verify the clock gating logics of an existing Soft Intellectual Property (SIP) design. The implementation details of the method are discussed in this paper. By using the method, a total of 4 clock gating bugs were found and analysis on the impacts of the bugs is discussed. As a conclusion, the proposed method is proven effective in ensuring the correct clock gating implementation in a design.