Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
American Journal of Epidemiology Original Contribution Association of Osteoarthritis with Serum Levels of the Environmental Contaminants Perfluorooctanoate and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in a Large Appalachian Population

Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are persistent environmental contaminants that affect metabolic regulation, inflammation, and other factors implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the link between these compounds and OA remains unknown. In this study, the authors investigated the association of OA with PFOA and PFOS in a population of 49,432 adults from 6 PFOA-contaminated water districts in the mid-Ohio Valley (2005–2006). Participants completed a comprehensive health survey; serum levels of PFOA, PFOS, and a range of other blood markers were also measured. Medical history, including physician diagnosis of osteoarthritis, was assessed via self-report. Analyses included adjustment for demographic and lifestyle characteristics, body mass index, and other potential confounders. Reported OA showed a significant positive association with PFOA serum levels (for highest quartile of PFOA vs. lowest, adjusted odds ratio ¼ 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.2, 1.5; P-trend ¼ 0.00001) and a significant inverse association with PFOS (for highest quartile vs. lowest, adjusted odds ratio ¼ 0.8, 95% confidence interval: 0.7, 0.9; P-trend ¼ 0.00005). The relation between PFOA and OA was significantly stronger in younger and nonobese adults. Although the cross-sectional nature of this large, population-based study limits causal inference, the observed strong, divergent associations of reported OA with PFOA and PFOS may have important public health and etiologic implications and warrant further investigation. Osteoarthritis is the most common degenerative joint disease, characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction and accompanied by synovial inflammation, progressive loss of articular cartilage, and associated changes in adjacent subchondrial bone (1, 2). Because osteoarthritis symptoms are insidious in onset and often do not correlate well with radiographic abnormalities, diagnosis is generally based on clinical symptoms (1, 3). Osteoarthritis affects at least 27 million Americans over age 25 years (4) and is associated with dramatic reductions in quality of life (2, 5–7), significant comorbidity (6), increased mortality (8), and substantial economic and health-care burden (2, 5). However, progress in the prevention and treatment of this debilitating disorder has been slow, probably partly because of the still-incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying osteoarthritis etiology and progression (6, 9). Established risk factors for osteoarthritis include age; female gender; obesity; joint malformations, instability, and hypermobility; physical trauma; history of joint immobili-zation; and genetic predisposition (1, 2, 5, 6, 10). Elevations in uric acid level (11) and oxidative stress (12), proinflam-matory changes (12–14) and other adverse alterations in the immune system (15, 16), and …
Role of delay in the mechanism of cluster formation

We study the role of delay in phase synchronization and phenomena responsible for cluster formation in delayed coupled maps on various networks. Using numerical simulations, we demonstrate that the presence of delay may change the mechanism of the unit to unit interaction. At weak coupling values, the same parity delays are associated with the same phenomenon of cluster formation and exhibit similar dynamical evolution. Intermediate coupling values yield rich delay-induced driven cluster patterns. A Lyapunov function analysis sheds light on the robustness of the driven clusters observed for delayed bipartite networks. Our results reveal that delay may lead to a completely different relation, between dynamical and structural clusters, than that observed for the undelayed case.
Testing the Association Between Gender and Race Diversity on the Boards of Directors of Publicly Listed Companies in South Africa and Intellectual Capital Performance

This study addresses deficiencies in the corporate governance and intellectual capital literature by examining the association between the level of gender and ethnic diversity on the boards of directors of South African publicly listed firms and their degree of intellectual capital performance. A total of eighty-four South African publicly listed firms were included in this study. Empirical results indicated a positive association between the percentage of female and non-white directors on the boards of directors of South African publicly listed status and a firm’s intellectual capital performance. Additional analysis showed the designation of female directors as an insider had a negative effect of intellectual capital performance. Designation of female and non-white directors as outsiders had a positive influence on a firm’s intellectual capital performance. Finally, there was no association between the percentage of non-white inside directors on the boards of South African publicly listed firms and intellectual capital performance. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded South African publicly listed firms may be able to enhance their intellectual capital performance by utilizing a well balanced and structured board of directors in terms of gender and ethnic representation. Finally, for a conceptual perspective, the results of this study support the application of resource-dependence theory as a relevant theoretical framework to examine and explain factors influencing intellectual capital performance.
Impact of Thoracic Surgery on Cardiac Morphology and Function in Small Animal Models of Heart Disease: A Cardiac MRI Study in Rats

Background Surgical procedures in small animal models of heart disease might evoke alterations in cardiac morphology and function. The aim of this study was to reveal and quantify such potential artificial early or long term effects in vivo, which might account for a significant bias in basic cardiovascular research, and, therefore, could potentially question the meaning of respective studies. Methods Female Wistar rats (n = 6 per group) were matched for weight and assorted for sham left coronary artery ligation or control. Cardiac morphology and function was then investigated in vivo by cine magnetic resonance imaging at 7 Tesla 1 and 8 weeks after the surgical procedure. The time course of metabolic and inflammatory blood parameters was determined in addition. Results Compared to healthy controls, rats after sham surgery showed a lower body weight both 1 week (267.5±10.6 vs. 317.0±11.3 g, n<0.05) and 8 weeks (317.0±21.1 vs. 358.7±22.4 g, n<0.05) after the intervention. Left and right ventricular morphology and function were not different in absolute measures in both groups 1 week after surgery. However, there was a confined difference in several cardiac parameters normalized to the body weight (bw), such as myocardial mass (2.19±0.30/0.83±0.13 vs. 1.85±0.22/0.70±0.07 mg left/right per g bw, p<0.05), or enddiastolic ventricular volume (1.31±0.36/1.21±0.31 vs. 1.14±0.20/1.07±0.17 µl left/right per g bw, p<0.05). Vice versa, after 8 weeks, cardiac masses, volumes, and output showed a trend for lower values in sham operated rats compared to controls in absolute measures (782.2±57.2/260.2±33.2 vs. 805.9±84.8/310.4±48.5 mg, p<0.05 for left/right ventricular mass), but not normalized to body weight. Matching these findings, blood testing revealed only minor inflammatory but prolonged metabolic changes after surgery not related to cardiac disease. Conclusion Cardio-thoracic surgical procedures in experimental myocardial infarction cause distinct alterations upon the global integrity of the organism, which in the long term also induce circumscribed repercussions on cardiac morphology and function. This impact has to be considered when analyzing data from respective animal studies and transferring these findings to conditions in patients.
Trends in inpatient hospital prices, 2008 to 2010.

OBJECTIVES Our goal was to present detailed descriptive data on transaction prices paid by commercial insurers and their enrollees for inpatient hospital care. DATA AND METHODS To estimate transaction prices for inpatient hospital stays (hospital cost only), we used the MarketScan data set of commercial claims and administrative records for 45 to 50 million covered enrollees under age 65 years with commercial group health insurance. Prices are defined as average allowed charges, including insurer-paid reimbursements plus patient costsharing obligations, and are shown for 350 specific admission categories and for many states and localities. Intensity adjustments to account for increased complexity or resource use in hospital stays were estimated from changes in the numbers of procedures per admission, the complexity of admission codes, and patients' risk scores. RESULTS Unadjusted inpatient hospital prices per admission grew by 8.2% per year from 2008 to 2010 for the commercially insured population (under age 65 years) in the MarketScan data set. We estimate that approximately 1.3 to 1.9 percentage points of the growth in prices can be attributed to increased intensity per admission. Thus, we estimate that intensity-adjusted price increases ranged from 6.2% to 6.8% annually in the 2008-2010 period. Price levels and trends varied considerably across admission types, states, and localities.
Different EV enrichment methods suitable for clinical settings yield different subpopulations of urinary extracellular vesicles from human samples

Urine sample analysis is irreplaceable as a non-invasive method for disease diagnosis and follow-up. However, in urine samples, non-degraded protein and RNA may be only found in urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs). In recent years, various methods of uEV enrichment using low volumes of urine and unsophisticated equipment have been developed, with variable success. We compared the results of the differential ultracentrifugation procedure with 4 of these methods. The methods tested were a lectin-based purification, Exoquick (System Biosciences), Total Exosome Isolation from Invitrogen and an in-house modified procedure employing the Exosomal RNA Kit from Norgen Biotek Corp. The analysis of selected gene transcripts and protein markers of extracellular vesicles (EVs) revealed that each method isolates a different mixture of uEV protein markers. In our conditions, the extraction with Norgen's reagent achieved the best performance in terms of gene transcript and protein detection and reproducibility. By using this method, we were able to detect alterations of EVs protein markers in urine samples from prostate cancer adenoma patients. Taken together, our results show that the isolation of uEVs is feasible from small volumes of urine and avoiding ultracentrifugation, making easier the analysis in a clinical facility. However, caution should be taken in the selection of the enrichment method since they have a differential affinity for protein uEVs markers and by extension for different subpopulation of EVs.
Reflections on the Role of Entanglement in the Explanation of Quantum Computational Speedup

Of the many and varied applications of quantum information theory, perhaps the most fascinating is the sub-field of quantum computation. In this sub-field, computational algorithms are designed which utilise the resources available in quantum systems in order to compute solutions to computational problems with, in some cases, exponentially fewer resources than any known classical algorithm. While the fact of quantum computational speedup is almost beyond doubt, the source of quantum speedup is still a matter of debate. In this paper I argue that entanglement is a necessary component for any explanation of quantum speedup and I address some purported counter-examples that some claim show that the contrary is true. In particular, I address Cleve et al.'s solution to Deutsch's problem, Biham et al.'s mixed-state version of the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm, and Knill & Laflamme's deterministic quantum computation with one qubit (DQC1) model of quantum computation. I argue that these examples do not demonstrate that entanglement is unnecessary for the explanation of quantum speedup, but that they rather illuminate and clarify the role that entanglement does play.
Validation of mechanically-assisted sodium dodecyl-sulphate elution as a technique to remove pellicle protein components from human enamel

The salivary film, denoted the pellicle, formed on oral surfaces is of great importance for oral health and comfort. The present study describes mechanically-assisted sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) elution of the in vivo pellicle formed on human enamel and visualisation of the desorbed pellicle proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). To verify this removal of the pellicle, a combined mechanical and surfactant procedure was additionally performed on an in vitro pellicle formed on human enamel, and the effectiveness was validated by mechanical removal in combination with HCl. As indicated by protein quantitation and one dimensional gel electrophoresis, rubbing with polyamide fibre pellets soaked in a 0.5% SDS solution was optimal for completely removing the adsorbed proteins from the enamel surface, and yet provided separation of the proteins by 2-DE to enable identification in future studies.
Innovation, Product-Cycle Trade, and the Cross-Country Distribution of Income

This paper develops a quantitative, multi-country model of endogenous growth, international trade, and international knowledge flows in order to understand how access to both foreign products and technologies, together, influences innovation incentives and the world distribution of income. An endogenous product cycle arises in equilibrium, in which innovative countries engage in both horizontal and vertical research, while others far from the technological frontier specialize in learning about and applying research previously conducted abroad. The effect of trade barriers on the level and dispersion of income across countries is found to be larger than would be predicted by a static trade model, and the effect of access to international knowledge flows is also quantitatively important and dependent on trade flows. For instance, halving the cost of learning reduces income dispersion by 23%, while doing so after eliminating asymmetric international trade barriers reduces income dispersion by only 10%.
Proposal to Jefferson Lab Pac 40 Crex: Parity-violating Measurement of the Weak Charge Distribution of 48 Ca to 0.02 Fm Accuracy

The 48Ca Radius EXperiment (CREX) was conditionally approved at the C2 level by PAC39, which recommended that a stronger case be made demonstrating “how the 48Ca result will test microscopic models. ” In order to evaluate the case, a workshop was held at Jefferson Lab in March 2013 [1] with leading theorists from several fields that have an interest in our proposal. The status of these microscopic calculations was presented and the results of these calculations are expected to be available by the time the experiment will run. The conclusion of the workshop was that a measurement of the neutron skin of 48Ca with a precision of 0.02 fm will be an essential benchmark in the field. We propose to measure the parity-violating asymmetry for elastic scattering from 48Ca at E = 2.2 GeV and θ = 4◦. This will provide a measurement of the weak charge distribution and hence the neutron density at one value of Q2 = 0.022 (GeV/c)2. It will provide an accuracy in the 48Ca neutron radius R48 n equivalent to ±0.02 fm (∼ 0.6%). A measurement this precise will have a significant impact on nuclear theory, providing unique experimental input to help bridge ab-initio theoretical approaches (based on nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon forces) and the nuclear density functional theory (based on energy density functionals). Together with the planned 208Pb neutron radius measurement (R208 n ), R 48 n will provide unique input in such diverse areas such as neutron star structure, heavy ion collisions, and atomic parity violation. A precise measurement on a small nucleus is favorable because it can be measured at high momentum transfer where the asymmetry is larger (for the proposed kinematics, about 2 ppm). Also, since 48Ca is neutron-rich it has a larger weak charge and greater sensitivity to Rn. We are requesting 45 days of polarized beam running in Hall A at a 1-pass energy of 2.2 GeV using a septum magnet to reach a 4◦ scattering angle. The experimental setup is similar to PREX. This beam time request includes 35 days of production data-taking and 5 days of commissioning and 5 days of overhead for Møller polarimetry and other auxiliary measurements.
Tyrosine phosphorylation of synapsin I by Src regulates synaptic-vesicle trafficking

Synapsins are synaptic vesicle (SV)-associated phosphoproteins involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter release. Synapsins reversibly tether SVs to the cytoskeleton and their phosphorylation by serine/threonine kinases increases SV availability for exocytosis by impairing their association with SVs and/or actin. We recently showed that synapsin I, through SH3- or SH2-mediated interactions, activates Src and is phosphorylated by the same kinase at Tyr301. Here, we demonstrate that, in contrast to serine phosphorylation, Src-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of synapsin I increases its binding to SVs and actin, and increases the formation of synapsin dimers, which are both potentially involved in SV clustering. Synapsin I phosphorylation by Src affected SV dynamics and was physiologically regulated in brain slices in response to depolarization. Expression of the non-phosphorylatable (Y301F) synapsin I mutant in synapsin-I-knockout neurons increased the sizes of the readily releasable and recycling pools of SVs with respect to the wild-type form, which is consistent with an increased availability of recycled SVs for exocytosis. The data provide a mechanism for the effects of Src on SV trafficking and indicate that tyrosine phosphorylation of synapsins, unlike serine phosphorylation, stimulates the reclustering of recycled SVs and their recruitment to the reserve pool.
Perinatal Exposure to Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Affects Glucose Metabolism in Adult Offspring

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are globally present in the environment and are widely distributed in human populations and wildlife. The chemicals are ubiquitous in human body fluids and have a long serum elimination half-life. The notorious member of PFAAs, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is prioritized as a global concerning chemical at the Stockholm Convention in 2009, due to its harmful effects in mammals and aquatic organisms. PFOS is known to affect lipid metabolism in adults and was found to be able to cross human placenta. However the effects of in utero exposure to the susceptibility of metabolic disorders in offspring have not yet been elucidated. In this study, pregnant CD-1 mice (F0) were fed with 0, 0.3 or 3 mg PFOS/kg body weight/day in corn oil by oral gavage daily throughout gestational and lactation periods. We investigated the immediate effects of perinatal exposure to PFOS on glucose metabolism in both maternal and offspring after weaning (PND 21). To determine if the perinatal exposure predisposes the risk for metabolic disorder to the offspring, weaned animals without further PFOS exposure, were fed with either standard or high-fat diet until PND 63. Fasting glucose and insulin levels were measured while HOMA-IR index and glucose AUCs were reported. Our data illustrated the first time the effects of the environmental equivalent dose of PFOS exposure on the disturbance of glucose metabolism in F1 pups and F1 adults at PND 21 and 63, respectively. Although the biological effects of PFOS on the elevated levels of fasting serum glucose and insulin levels were observed in both pups and adults of F1, the phenotypes of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance were only evident in the F1 adults. The effects were exacerbated under HFD, highlighting the synergistic action at postnatal growth on the development of metabolic disorders.
Social Skills Training, Prosocial Behavior, and Aggressiveness in Adult Incarcerated Offenders

This study reports on the short-term effects of a social skills training program for adult inmates. The method is based on Goldstein’s structured learning therapy, which emphasizes teaching social skills in a step-by-step manner. The participants were 102 male offenders ages 19 to 60 who were incarcerated at two correctional facilities in the Netherlands. Using a quasi-experimental design, participants were assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The effects were evaluated using self-report measures and staff observations 2 weeks after training. The experimental group showed significant improvement from pretest to posttest in social knowledge and social interaction. Participation in the training resulted in decreased social anxiety and increased positive feelings in everyday social situations but did not change direct or indirect aggressive behavior. Individual characteristics did not predict a better training outcome.
Alteration of Basilar Artery Rho-Kinase and Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Protein Expression in a Rat Model of Cerebral Vasospasm following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose. The vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Previous results showed that CGS 26303, an endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitor, effectively prevented and reversed arterial narrowing in animal models of SAH. In the present study, we assessed the effect of CGS 26303 on neurological deficits in SAH rats. The involvement of vasoactive pathways downstream of ET-1 signaling in SAH was also investigated. Methods. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 6/group): (1) normal control, (2) SAH, (3) SAH+vehicle, (4) SAH+CGS 26303 (prevention), and (5) SAH+CGS 26303 (reversal). SAH was induced by injecting autologous blood into cisterna magna. CGS 26303 (10 mg/kg) was injected intravenously at 1 and 24 hr after the initiation of SAH in the prevention and reversal protocols, respectively. Behavioral changes were assessed at 48 hr after SAH. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blots. Results. Deficits in motor function were obvious in the SAH rats, and CGS 26303 significantly improved the rate of paraplegia. Expressions of rho-kinase-II and membrane-bound protein kinase C-δ and rhoA were significantly increased, while those of soluble guanylyl cyclase α 1 and β 1 as well as protein kinase G were significantly decreased in the basilar artery of SAH rats. Treatment with CGS 26303 nearly normalized these effects. Conclusions. These results demonstrate that the rhoA/rho-kinase and sGC/cGMP/PKG pathways play pivotal roles in cerebral vasospasm after SAH. It also shows that ECE inhibition is an effective strategy for the treatment of this disease.