Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DEBT AND DEBT MANAGEMENT AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Of particular interest in the present economic environment is whether access to credit is changing peoples’ indebtedness over time, particularly as they approach retirement. This project analyzes older individuals’ debt, debt management practices, and financial fragility using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the National Financial Capability Study (NFCS). Specifically, we examine three different cohorts (individuals age 56–61) in different time periods, 1992, 2002 and 2008, in the HRS to evaluate cross-cohort changes in debt over time. We also draw on recent data from the National Financial Capability Study (NFCS) which provides detailed information on how families manage their debt. Our goal is to assess how wealth and debt among older persons has evolved over time, along with the potential consequences for retirement security. We find that more recent cohorts have taken on more debt and face more financial insecurity, mostly due to having purchased more expensive homes with smaller down payments. In addition Boomers are more likely to have engaged in expensive borrowing practices. Factors associated with better debt outcomes include having higher income, more education, and greater financial literacy; those associated with financial fragility include having more children and experiencing unexpected large income declines. Thus shocks do play a role in the accumulation of debt close to retirement, but this is not enough to have resources: people also need the capacity to manage those resources, if they are to stay out of debt as they head into retirement. Annamaria Lusardi The George Washington University School of Business Duques Hall, Suite 450E 2201 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20052 Tel: (202) 994-8410 E-mail: alusardi@gwu.edu Olivia S. Mitchell The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania 3620 Locust Walk, Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tel: (215) 898-0424 Email: mitchelo@wharton.upenn. edu
Urinary cadmium and beta 2-microglobulin: normal values and concentration adjustment.

Approximately 1000 urine samples were collected from the general adult U.S. population and were analyzed for cadmium, beta 2-microglobulin, specific gravity, and creatinine. The distributions of urinary cadmium and beta 2-microglobulin levels were quantified for use as benchmarks against which the effects of environmental cadmium exposure may be measured. Urinary cadmium is significantly higher in females than males, and increases significantly with age. Urinary beta 2-microglobulin is significantly higher in males than females, is probably related to age, and does not significantly increase with increased urinary cadmium (at the levels found). Since urinary creatinine is lower in females than males and is a function of age, specific gravity is concluded to be the most straightforward and practical parameter to use in data adjustment for urine concentration.
University of Dundee Identification and characterization of MUS 81 point mutations that abolish interaction with the SLX 4 scaffold protein

MUS81-EME1 is a conserved structure-selective endonuclease with a preference for branched DNA substrates in vitro that correspond to intermediates of DNA repair. Cells lacking MUS81 or EME1 show defects in the repair of DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICL) resulting in hypersensitivity to agents such as mitomycin C. In metazoans, a proportion of cellular MUS81-EME1 binds the SLX4 scaffold protein, which is itself instrumental for ICL repair. It was previously reported that mutations in SLX4 that abolished interaction with MUS81 affected ICL repair in human cells but not in murine cells. In this study we looked the other way around by pinpointing amino acid residues in MUS81 that when mutated abolish the interaction
Surfactant protein A (SP-A)-mediated bacterial clearance: SP-A and cystic fibrosis.

Pulmonary Innate Defenses The constant challenge to the lung of inhaled microbes and noxious substances is largely kept in check by the innate and adaptive immune systems. Whereas the adaptive immune system is acquired and variable depending on previous challenges, the endogenous innate immune system is constitutively present and rapidly responds to inhaled particles. The principal function of innate immunity is to rapidly clear inhaled substances to prevent the establishment of an inflammatory process. Substances escaping the innate nasopharyngeal and tracheobronchial clearance mechanisms encounter a complex array of phagocytic and immunomodulatory cells and defensive molecules in the more distal lung. Defensins, lactoferrin, lysozyme, secretory leukoproteinase inhibitor (SLPI), secretory phospholipase A2, and cathelicidin LL-37 are recognized bacteriocidal molecules ( see Refs. 1–4 for review). Surfactant proteins A and D (SP-A and SP-D) are components of the innate defenses of the lung that act in concert with phagocytes to enhance clearance of invading microbes and other substances. SP-A and SP-D, produced and secreted by lung epithelial and tracheal gland cells, belong to the collectin family. Collectins share the same general protein structure of an amino terminal collagenous domain, a neck domain, and a carbohydrate recognition domain. Collectin genes have similar exon/intron junctions with the collagen domain encoded by several small exons and the carbohydrate recognition domain encoded by a single exon. Several collectin genes, including SP-A and SP-D, and at least one of the mannose binding lectin genes, are tightly linked on loci syntenic between the mouse and humans (5, 6). A considerable body of in vitro and in vivo studies support a role for SP-A and SP-D in pulmonary defense. Excellent recent reviews describe, in detail, functional and structural characteristics of the lung collectins ( see Refs. 7–16 for review). This review is limited mainly to studies demonstrating SP-A–mediated mechanisms of bacterial clearance with some comparisons to SP-D–mediated processes. SP-A–Mediated Bacterial Clearance Evidence generally supports at least four nonexclusive SP-A– mediated mechanisms. ( 1 ) SP-A binds and enhances uptake of bacteria by macrophages and neutrophils; ( 2 ) SP-A acts as an activation ligand, directly acting on macrophages or neutrophils to enhance phagocytosis; ( 3 ) SP-A enhances production of microbiocidal free radicals by cells; and ( 4 ) SP-A is a chemoattractant for phagocytes. Mechanisms and bacteria studied are summarized in Table 1.
Onomatopoeia as a Figure and a Linguistic Principle

It is easy to think of onomatopoeic words. Whizz, bang, splash, thump, will strike most English-speakers as typical examples; and once we are familiar with these, it is easy for us then to recognize others almost at will, and even to invent new ones if need be. An audience at the film How to Murder Your Wife needs no explanation why a cement mixer is referred to in a cartoon strip as a gloppita-gloppita machine. The knowledge of how to speak a language seems to naturally involve a knowledge of whatever principle it is that underlies onomatopoeic idioms, coinings, and usages.1 There is less unanimity, however, and more difficulty, when attempts are made to define onomatopoeia. A quick trawl through a number of standard reference books shows that, while everyone agrees that ono matopoeia is the name of a relationship between the sound of a word and something else, there are divergent views both on the second term of the relationship and on the nature of the relation itself. The second term of the relation is variously referred to as sounds, sense, referent, and what is denoted. The relation that obtains between the two terms generates an extensive and heterogeneous collection of names: imitates, echoes, reflects, resembles, corresponds to, sounds like, expresses, reinforces, and has a natural or direct relation with.2 It looks suspiciously as if there is some confusion, or vagueness at least, about the concept of onomatopoeia. Even the nature of the confusion or vagueness is not clear. Some of the authors suggest that there is more than one type of onomatopoeia, since they distinguish between a strict or narrow sense, and a more general or broad sense, of the term. Others list more than one definition or sense of onomato
Multi-Omics Approach Identifies Molecular Mechanisms of Plant-Fungus Mycorrhizal Interaction

In mycorrhizal symbiosis, plant roots form close, mutually beneficial interactions with soil fungi. Before this mycorrhizal interaction can be established however, plant roots must be capable of detecting potential beneficial fungal partners and initiating the gene expression patterns necessary to begin symbiosis. To predict a plant root—mycorrhizal fungi sensor systems, we analyzed in vitro experiments of Populus tremuloides (aspen tree) and Laccaria bicolor (mycorrhizal fungi) interaction and leveraged over 200 previously published transcriptomic experimental data sets, 159 experimentally validated plant transcription factor binding motifs, and more than 120-thousand experimentally validated protein-protein interactions to generate models of pre-mycorrhizal sensor systems in aspen root. These sensor mechanisms link extracellular signaling molecules with gene regulation through a network comprised of membrane receptors, signal cascade proteins, transcription factors, and transcription factor biding DNA motifs. Modeling predicted four pre-mycorrhizal sensor complexes in aspen that interact with 15 transcription factors to regulate the expression of 1184 genes in response to extracellular signals synthesized by Laccaria. Predicted extracellular signaling molecules include common signaling molecules such as phenylpropanoids, salicylate, and jasmonic acid. This multi-omic computational modeling approach for predicting the complex sensory networks yielded specific, testable biological hypotheses for mycorrhizal interaction signaling compounds, sensor complexes, and mechanisms of gene regulation.
Unresectable solitary hepatocellular carcinoma not amenable to radiofrequency ablation: Multicenter radiology‐pathology correlation and survival of radiation segmentectomy

Resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) <3 cm; there is interest in expanding the role of ablation to 3‐5 cm. RFA is considered high‐risk when the lesion is in close proximity to critical structures. Combining microcatheter technology and the localized emission properties of Y90, highly selective radioembolization is a possible alternative to RFA in such cases. We assessed the efficacy (response, radiology‐pathology correlation, survival) of radiation segmentectomy in solitary HCC not amenable to RFA or resection. Patients with treatment‐naïve, unresectable, solitary HCC ≤5 cm not amenable to RFA were included in this multicenter study. Administered dose, response rate, time‐to‐progression (modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [mRECIST]), radiology‐pathology correlation and long‐term survival were assessed. In all, 102 patients were included in this study. mRECIST complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) were 47/99 (47%), 39/99 (39%), and 12/99 (12%), respectively. Median time‐to‐disease‐progression was 33.1 months. In all, 33/102 (32%) patients were transplanted with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) time‐to‐transplantation of 6.3 months (3.6‐9.7). Pathology revealed 100% and 50‐99% necrosis in 17/33 (52%) and 16/33 (48%), respectively. Median overall survival was 53.4 months. Univariate analysis demonstrated a survival benefit for Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0 patients. In the multivariate model, age <65, ECOG 0, and Child‐Pugh A were characteristics associated with longer survival. Conclusion: Radiation segmentectomy is an effective technique with a favorable risk profile and radiology‐pathology outcomes for solitary HCC ≤5 cm. This approach may allow for treatment of HCC in difficult locations. Since RFA and resection are not options given tumor location, there appears to be a strong rationale for this technique as second choice. (Hepatology 2014;60:192–201)
Detection of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants and qnrS expression in Enterobacteriaceae clinical isolates.

INTRODUCTION Rapid dissemination of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) has been reported in clinical isolates. METHODOLOGY A total of 149 clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were collected in Beijing and screened for PMQR genes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Real-time quantitative PCR was used to study the expression of qnrS. RESULTS The rates of qnr and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes were 7.4% and 8.1%, respectively. The higher basal expression of qnrS was observed in transconjugant strains, which had higher minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of quinolones. Furthermore, qnrS expression levels increased in all three isolates when a quinolone was present. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the level of qnrS expression was associated with quinolone resistance.
A Typology of Middle School Girls: Audience Segmentation Related to Physical Activity

The Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG) combines social ecological and social marketing approaches to promote girls’ participation in physical activity programs implemented at 18 middle schools throughout the United States. Key to the TAAG approach is targeting materials to a variety of audience segments. TAAG segments are individuals who share one or more common characteristic that is expected to correlate with physical activity. Thirteen focus groups with seventh and eighth grade girls were conducted to identify and characterize segments. Potential messages and channels of communication were discussed for each segment. Based on participant responses, six primary segments were identified: athletic, preppy, quiet, rebel, smart, and tough. The focus group information was used to develop targeted promotional tools to appeal to a diversity of girls. Using audience segmentation for targeting persuasive communication is potentially useful for intervention programs but may be sensitive; therefore, ethical issues must be critically examined.
Neuropathological Investigation of Regions Responsible for Semantic Aphasia in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration

Background/Aims: Semantic dementia is a subtype of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, of which an initial symptom is semantic aphasia. Semantic dementia pathologically corresponds to atypical Pick’s disease (aPiD), showing ubiq- uitin-positive inclusions similar to those in dementia with motor neuron disease (D-MND). Previous studies have not clarified the regions responsible for semantic aphasia in aPiD, and there have been no reported neuropathological studies concerning its pathomechanism. Methods: We neuropathologically investigated aPiD and D-MND cases with and without semantic aphasia. Results: We determined that the regions involved in the early stage of the disease course of semantic dementia were more restricted to the anterior and inferior portion of the temporal lobe on the side of the dominant hemisphere. Conclusion: Degeneration of the temporal pole is most likely to participate in the pathomechanism of SA in semantic dementia.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the thalamic mediodorsal nucleus and pulvinar in schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder.

BACKGROUND The importance of neuronal interactions in development, the cortical dependence of many thalamic nuclei, and the phenomenon of transsynaptic degeneration suggest possible abnormalities in thalamic nuclei with connections to other brain regions implicated in schizophrenia. Because frontal and temporal lobe volumes are diminished in schizophrenia, volume loss could characterize their primary thalamic relay nuclei (mediodorsal nucleus [MDN] and pulvinar). METHODS Tracers delineated the thalamus, MDN, and pulvinar on contiguous 1.2-mm magnetic resonance images in 12 schizophrenic patients, 12 with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD), and 12 normal control subjects. The MDN and pulvinar were rendered visible by means of a Sobel intensity-gradient filter. RESULTS Pixel overlap for delineation of all structures by independent tracers was at least 80%; intraclass correlations were r = 0.78 for MDN and r = 0.83 for pulvinar. Pulvinar volume was smaller in schizophrenic (1.22 +/- 0.24 cm(3)) and SPD (1.20 +/- 0.23 cm(3)) patients than controls (1.37 +/- 0.25 cm(3)). Differences for MDN were not statistically significant; however, when expressed as percentage of total brain volume, pulvinar and MDN together were reduced in SPD (0.14%) and schizophrenic (0.15%) patients vs controls (0.16%). Reductions were more prominent in the left hemisphere, with MDN reduced only in the schizophrenic group, and pulvinar in both patient groups. Total thalamic volume did not differ among the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS Measurement of MDN and pulvinar in magnetic resonance images is feasible and reproducible. Schizophrenic and SPD patients have volume reduction in the pulvinar, but only schizophrenic patients show reduction relative to brain volume in MDN.
The Cultural Construction of Moral and Civic Identities

In this article, we explore the intertwining of moral identity and the social and cultural context. First, we review existing research on moral identity that has considered the role of social others and the cultural environment. Then we pose questions to further research in this area and offer a 3-level framework with which to understand how the cultural world influences moral identity development. Central to this framework is an analysis of the cultural practices within which moral identities develop, as well as the institutional contexts that support these practices and the social interactions that comprise them. Finally, we illustrate the components of framework using examples of data from 2 studies-1 focused on how an inner city Muslim school worked to foster the moral identities of students and the other on the development of civic identities among urban teens in a community action program.
Analysis and Algorithmic Generation of Hepatic Vascular Systems

A proper geometric model of the vascular systems in the liver is crucial for modeling blood flow, the connection between the organ and the rest of the organism. In vivo imaging does not provide sufficient details, so an algorithmic concept for extending measured vascular tree data is needed such that geometrically realistic structures can be generated. We develop a quantification of similarity in terms of different geometric features. This involves topological Strahler ordering of the vascular trees, statistical testing, and averaging. Invariant features are identified in human clinical in vivo CT scans. Results of the existing “Constrained Constructive Optimization” algorithm are compared to real vascular tree data. To improve bifurcation angles in the algorithmic results, we implement a postprocessing step calibrated to the measured features. This framework is finally applied to generate realistic additional details in a patient-specific hepatic vascular tree data set.
Nuisance flies on Australian cattle feedlots: immature populations

Species composition, seasonality and distribution of immature fly populations on a southern Queensland feedlot during 2001–2003 were determined. Similar data were collected on feedlots in central New South Wales and central Queensland. The fly species recovered in the highest numbers were Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), Stomoxys calcitrans L. (Diptera: Muscidae) and Physiphora clausa Macquart (Diptera: Ulidiidae). Houseflies were the dominant species at all feedlots. Houseflies preferred the warmer months from October to June, but stable flies preferred the cooler months and peaked in spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May). Larval abundance ratings recorded in the feedlot and numbers of larvae extracted in the laboratory from corresponding samples followed similar trends. Larvae of M. domestica were most abundant in the hospital and induction area and least abundant in horse stables and yards. Pupae of M. domestica were abundant in the hospital and induction area and drains, but least abundant in horse stables and yards. Larvae of S. calcitrans were most abundant in drains and least abundant in horse stables and yards. Pupae of S. calcitrans were most numerous in drains and least numerous in old cattle pens. Feedlot design and management had little effect on fly reduction.
Formulaic sequences in second language teaching: principle and practice

One important component of successful language learning is the mastery of idiomatic forms of expression, including idioms, collocations, and sentence frames (collectively referred to here as formulaic sequences). Three attempts to foreground formulaic sequences in teaching syllabuses are those of Willis (1990), Nattinger and DeCarrico (1992), and Lewis (1993). All three find themselves confronting the question of how the teaching of multi-word strings relates to the learner's accumulation of grammatical and lexical knowledge, and despite their different viewpoints and priorities, all conclude that larger units can, and should, be perceived by the learner and teacher in terms of their component parts. Yet research into the nature of formulaic sequences indicates that their form often precludes, and their function specifically circumvents, such internal inspection, for their value resides in the bypassing of the analytical processes which encode and decode strings. Thus, Willis, Nattinger and DeCarrico, and Lewis are all pursuing native-like linguistic usage by promoting entirely unnative-like processing behaviour. This non-alignment is only tractable if the classroom teaching of languages is fully acknowledged as artificial, even when the methods used appear 'naturalistic'.
The Impact of Supervision on Worker Outcomes: A Meta‐analysis

Effective supervision is a vital aspect of service delivery in social service organizations. This article provides a meta‐analysis of 27 qualified research articles published between 1990 and 2007. The analysis thus includes a combined sample of 10,867 workers in child welfare, social work, and mental health settings. The results indicate that supervisory dimensions of task assistance, social and emotional support, and supervisory interpersonal interaction are positively and statistically significantly related to beneficial outcomes for workers. The dimensions of social and emotional supervisory support and supervisory interpersonal interaction are found to be negatively and statistically significantly related to detrimental outcomes for workers. All effect sizes were moderate (r at the 0.30 to 0.40 range). These findings underscore the importance of effective supervision in fostering beneficial outcomes and in limiting detrimental outcomes for workers. They also indicate that social service agencies should devote resources to training supervisors across all supervisory dimensions.