Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A prospective randomized longitudinal study involving 6 months of endurance or resistance exercise. Conduit artery adaptation in humans

We compared the effects of 6 months of randomly allocated endurance or resistance training on arterial dimensions. Previous research suggests that arterial size increases with exercise, but this is based on cross‐sectional comparisons or interventions that rarely exceeded 12 weeks. Using high‐resolution ultrasound, we demonstrated arterial size adaptations that are specific to the exercise mode. Resistance exercise increased diameter and function in the brachial artery. Femoral diameter and function increased after endurance exercise. Carotid arterial wall thickness decreased with training, while conduit arterial wall thicknesses remained unchanged. This study directly addressed the question of differential impacts of exercise modality on vascular adaptations of conduit arteries in humans in response to a relatively prolonged training intervention period. We conclude that both endurance and resistance modalities have impacts on arterial size, function and wall thickness in vivo, which would be expected to translate to decreased cardiovascular risk.
Antibody formation and mannose‐6‐phosphate receptor expression impact the efficacy of muscle‐specific transgene expression in murine Pompe disease

Lysosomal storage disorders such as Pompe disease can be more effectively treated, if immune tolerance to enzyme or gene replacement therapy can be achieved. Alternatively, immune responses against acid α‐glucosidase (GAA) might be evaded in Pompe disease through muscle‐specific expression of GAA with adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vectors.
Nitric Oxide Synthesis Requires Activity of the Cationic and Neutral Amino Acid Transport System y+L in Human Umbilical vein Endothelium

L‐Arginine transport is mediated by the cationic/neutral amino acid transport system y+L and cationic amino acid transporters y+/CATs in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). System y+/CATs activity may be rate‐limiting for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, but no reports have demonstrated system y+L involvement in NO synthesis in endothelium. We investigated the role of system y+L in NO synthesis in HUVECs. Transport of 1.5 μM L‐arginine was inhibited (P < 0.05) by L‐lysine (Ki, 1.4 μM), L‐leucine (Ki, 1.8 μM) and L‐phenylalanine (Ki, 4.1 μM), but was unaltered (P > 0.05) by L‐alanine or L‐cysteine. The system y+/CATs inhibitor, N‐ethylmaleimide (NEM), did not alter 1.5 μM L‐arginine transport, but inhibited (92 ± 3%) 100 μM L‐arginine transport. L‐Arginine transport in the presence of NEM was saturable (Vmax, 0.37 ± 0.02 pmol (μg protein)−1 min−1; Km, 1.5 ± 0.3 μM) and competitively inhibited by L‐leucine in the presence of Na+ (Vmax, 0.49 ± 0.06 pmol (μg protein)−1 min−1; Km, 6.5 ± 0.9 μM). HUVECs express SLC3A2/4F2hc, SLC7A7/4F2‐lc2 and SLC7A6/4F2‐lc3 genes encoding for the high‐affinity transport system y+L. NG‐Nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester and L‐leucine, but not NEM, inhibited NO synthesis in medium containing 1.5 μM L‐arginine. Cells exposed to 25 mM D‐glucose (24 h) exhibited reduced system y+L activity (Vmax, 0.15 ± 0.008 pmol (μg protein)−1 min−1; Km, 1.4 ± 0.3 μM) and NO synthesis. However, 25 mM D‐glucose increased NO synthesis and L‐arginine transport via system y+. Thus, L‐arginine transport through system y+L plays a role in NO synthesis, which could be a determining factor in pathological conditions where the endothelial L‐arginine‐NO pathway is altered, such as in diabetes mellitus.
Is the Prescription Opioid Epidemic a White Problem?

In this article, the author examines prescription opioid use in the U.S. Particular focus is given to whether or not this problem is primarily an issue amongst the white population. Additional topics discussed include how the life expectancy of U.S. white persons has declined as the result of drug overdoses, the history of OxyContin, an opioid drug, and opioid marketing.
Unemployment and mental health: evidence from research in the Nordic countries

In this article we examine research on effects of unemployment on mental health in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. We describe studies that use cross-sectional, longitudinal and time-series data, and we discuss studies that investigated the duration-dependence issue in exit rates out of unemployment. Not surprisingly, cross-sectional studies reveal that unemployed persons have worse mental health than do others. Most longitudinal studies suggest that unemployment is associated with deteriorating mental health, even though it is somewhat unclear how long such an effect persists. Most duration-dependence studies were done using Swedish data. It turns out that unemployment benefits and labour-market policies affect the pattern of exit rates out of unemployment.
Corporate Governance Reform: Character‐Building Structures

This paper argues that corporate governance reformers in Anglo‐American jurisdictions should consider a different approach in their quest for better corporate governance. Traditionally, corporate governance reform has taken a structural approach, tightening the rules around the number of independent directors required on boards and committees and fine‐tuning the definition of independence. However, such an approach has failed to achieve effective corporate governance. Moreover, this approach is informed by the arguably discredited assumption that individuals are rational self‐interest utility maximizers. This conceptual paper questions why corporate governance scholars and regulators remain uncritical of this assumption and suggests an approach to reform inspired by a different view of human nature. Indeed, incorporating an actor‐based approach to reform into existing structures may better achieve effective corporate governance while addressing an unjustified adherence to this flawed assumption.
Importer Vendor Choice Behavior

Abstract In the United States, few studies have investigated the organizational buying process of importers. The present study views importer vendor search as proactive rather than passive. A survey of Israeli import managers shows that product variables, such as quality and features, and service variables like on-time delivery are more important than price. These findings were congruent with studies of Australian and Swedish importers. On the other hand, constraints to market entry by exporters to these countries, such as government regulations, import duties and culture showed less congruence, apparently a function of environmental differences.
Multiplex Molecular Detection of Respiratory Pathogens in Children With Asthma Exacerbation

Background Up to 80% of asthma exacerbations in white children are associated with viral upper respiratory infections. The relative importance of different respiratory pathogens and relevant microbiological data in Asian children are unclear. This study elucidated the epidemiology of respiratory infections in Hong Kong children with asthma exacerbation. Methods A total of 209 children aged 3-18 years with asthma exacerbations and 77 controls with stable asthma were recruited. The severity of asthma exacerbations was assessed according to Global Initiative for Asthma guideline, and subjects aged 6 years or older performed exhaled nitric oxide and spirometric measurements. Nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to detect 20 different respiratory pathogens. Results Respiratory pathogens were detected in 105 (51.0%) subjects. The presence of any respiratory pathogen was associated with asthma exacerbation (odds ratio [OR], 2.77; 95% CI, 1.51–5.11; P < .001). Specifically, human rhinovirus (HRV) infection was more common among children with asthma exacerbation (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.09–5.32; P = .018). All other pathogens or coinfections were not associated with asthmatic attacks. None of these respiratory infections was associated with the severity of asthma exacerbation (P > .15 for all). During peak HRV season in the winter of 2007 to 2008, this virus was detected in 46.4% of children with asthma exacerbations. Conclusions Respiratory viral infections are commonly found in children with asthma exacerbation, with HRV being the most important pathogen in our patients. Respiratory viral infection is a triggering factor for asthma exacerbation but does not correlate with its severity.
Vitronectin receptor (alpha(v)beta3) mediates platelet adhesion to the luminal aspect of endothelial cells: implications for reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Platelet interaction with endothelium plays an important role in the pathophysiology of coronary microcirculation. We assessed the role of the vitronectin receptor (integrin alpha(v)beta3) in platelet/endothelium adhesion. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigated the effect on platelet/endothelium adhesion of plasma obtained from patients with acute myocardial infarction during reperfusion (before and 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours and 5 to 7 days after direct angioplasty) and with pretreatment with alpha-thrombin (2 U/mL) and recombinant human interleukin-1beta. Platelet/endothelium adhesion was significantly enhanced by approximately 20% after pretreatment of endothelium with patient plasma for 4 hours (P<.05) compared with endothelium treated with pooled control plasma. Plasma-induced platelet/endothelium adhesion was, in part, RGD peptide dependent. Pretreatment of endothelial cells with alpha-thrombin or recombinant human interleukin-1beta enhanced platelet/endothelium adhesion and surface expression of alpha(v)beta3 on the luminal aspect of endothelium (P<.05). The adhesion of platelets, isolated platelet microparticles, and Chinese hamster ovary cells bearing human recombinant alpha(IIb)beta3 (platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa) to activated endothelial cells was inhibited by antiadhesive peptides GRGDSP and c(RGDfV) and monoclonal antibodies 4F10, LM609, and 7E3. CONCLUSIONS The expression of vitronectin receptor exposed on the luminal aspect of activated endothelium is enhanced and mediates platelet/endothelium adhesion. Vitronectin receptor-mediated platelet attachment to activated endothelium during reperfusion may contribute to reperfusion injury and could be a target for antiadhesive therapy.
Response of Hausa Potato ( Solesnostemon rotundifolius Poir) to Different NPK 15:15:15 Fertilizer Rates in Nrcri, Umudike,Abia State, Nigeria

The study examined the response of Hausa potato ( Solesnostemon rotundifolius Poir) to different rates of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer. The work was carried out during 2005 and 2006 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with three replications. Plant spacing of 100cm x 50cm was used. Four different rates (0,200,400 and 600 kgha -1 ) of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer were used in the study. Total harvest was calculated from each unit plot and converted to per hectare yield. The highest average yield (3.81t/ha) was obtained at 200kgha -1 fertilizer rate. This was followed by 0kgha -1 (3.54t/ha). Average yield (3.23t/ha) was recorded at 400kgha-1fertilizer rate. The lowest average yield (2.56t/ha) was recorded at 600kgha-1fertilizer rate. Gross return (N230,100.00/ha) benefit cost ratio (1.40) implies that it is profitable to cultivate Hausa potato in Umudike with the application of NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer at the rate of 200kgha -1 . Keywords : Hausa potato, NPK fertilizer, Gross return, Benefit cost ratioclas Journal of Agriculture and Social Research (JASR) Vol. 11, No. 1, 2011
Ownership Concentration, Family Control, and Auditor Choice: Evidence from an Emerging Market

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to extend the existing, yet limited, literature on the influence of ownership concentration and family control on the demands for high-quality audits. This study focusses on an emerging market, namely, Indonesia, where ownership concentration and family control are relatively higher than those in developed markets. Design/methodology/approach - – The sample consists of 787 firm-year observations of public firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Following prior studies, a firm is considered using a higher quality audit when its external auditor is one of the Big 4 audit firms. Logistic regressions are employed to test research hypotheses. Findings - – Empirical evidence obtained reveals that firms with higher ownership concentration are more likely to hire a Big 4 auditor. Hence, in such firms, high-quality audits are employed to mitigate agency issues. However, when the controlling shareholder is a family, the association between ownership concentration and the demands for high-quality auditors turns negative, implying that family-controlled firms tend to sustain opaqueness gains by hiring lower quality auditors. Originality/value - – Previous empirical studies examining the influence of ownership concentration and family control on auditor choice are relatively limited in the literature and are heavily focussed on developed economies. In addition, the present study is one of the first to investigate the association between family control and auditor choice in the context of a developing economy.
Are Pegged and Intermediate Regimes More Crisis Prone

This paper provides evidence on the susceptibility of different types of exchange rate regimes to currency crises during 1990-2001. It explores the incidence of crises, identified as episodes of severe exchange market pressure, to seek evidence on whether pegged regimes are more crisis prone than floating regimes and on whether certain types of pegged regimes are more crisis prone than others. The paper finds that pegged regimes, as a whole, have been characterized by a higher incidence of crises than floating regimes, for countries that are more integrated with international capital markets; and that intermediate regimes (mainly soft pegs and tightly-managed floating regimes) have been more crisis prone than both hard pegs and other floating regimes-a view consistent with the bipolar view of exchange rate regimes. The degree of crisis proneness seems to be broadly similar across different types of intermediate regimes.
Glomerular basement membrane thickness among the Saudi population

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to determine the mean glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickness in the Saudi population. We calculated the average GBM thickness in patients diagnosed with minimal change disease, and the ultrastructural analysis of at least three glomeruli was reviewed using a digital camera installed in an electron microscope. There were a total of 53 cases from 53 Saudi patients aged 2–70 years old. The mean GBM thickness for all cases was 323.6 ± 49.5 nm. There was no significant statistical difference in the mean GBM thickness between males and females. There were significant differences in the mean GBM thickness between all age groups, except for between the age groups 18–60 and >60 years old, where GBM thickness did not differ significantly. Age was significantly correlated with definite progression or diminution in the thickness of the GBM. The mean GBM thickness in our Saudi sample population was comparable to the very few reported measurements in the literature. There was no significant association between GBM thickness and gender; however, GBM thickness is directly proportional to age, up to 60 years old.
Peasant Nationalism and Communist Power—The Emergence of Revolutionary China 1937–1945 . By Chalmers A. Johnson [London: Oxford University Press, 1963. xii + 256 pp. 35s.]

WE must be profoundly grateful to Mr. Johnson for introducing fresh issues into the study of Chinese Communist history which has unfortunately become identified with certain stock issues and controversies. The issues raised by Mr. Johnson are large and important. They involve nothing less than the essential cause of the Chinese Communist rise to power, the nature of nationalism and the relationship of Communism to nationalism. All of these issues are treated with considerable verve and force. In addition to the new theses with which he confronts us, Mr. Johnson has made a genuine contribution to the history of the war years in North and Central China. Basing himself on the archives of the Japanese Army and of the Koain (Asia Development Board) as well as on other sources, he presents a more lucid and circumstantial account of various aspects of the war than can be found anywhere else in English. His account of the background of the New Fourth Army incident, of the development of the war in Shansi, Shantung and Central China supersedes, it seems to me, all previous accounts. I would be inclined to share his high estimate of the value of the Japanese sources, which he has handled discriminately and with a due awareness of the problems presented by all such sources. Turning to the central theses, I would understand them somewhat as follows: The basic cause of the Chinese Communist victory lay in the ability of the CCP to link its own fortunes to the peasant nationalism which emerged in North China after 1937 in response to the brutal assault of the Japanese army. The particularly brutal and destructive policies of the Japanese army in North China finally forced the mass awakening and " social mobilisation " of the peasantry which characterises modern mass nationalism. The Communists did not create this nationalism, but identified themselves with it and were thus able to place themselves at its head. In a sense, the CCP was enveloped by a dynamic force much larger than itself. It was thus not economic distress or economic grievances which led the CCP to achieve a truly dynamic mass basis, but
Trends and Determinants of Food Insecurity Among Adults in Low-Income Households in California

Data from 66 446 low-income adults who participated in the California Health Interview Survey are used to describe trends in food insecurity between 2001 and 2009. Food security was assessed using the short form of the Household Food Security Survey Module. There was a statistically significant increase in food insecurity between 2001 and 2009, from 28.6% to 40.5%. During the same time period, the prevalence of very low food security nearly doubled, from 8.3% to 15%. The increase in food insecurity remained significant even after controlling for differences in income, employment status, participation in food assistance programs, and other sociodemographic factors.
Estimation and testing of household labour demand models: Evidence from Spain

This paper provides an empirical contribution to the current debate about the suitability of the collective model proposed by Chiappori (1988, 1992) for analysing intrahousehold behaviour in the labour supply context. We follow Chiappori et al.(2002) and we extend the model considering differences in the education level between the two members of the couple as a potential distribution factor. Moreover, we propose a particular parametric specification for the labour supply system in order to derive the restrictions imposed by the collective setting on observed household behaviour. The empirical results show that neither the unitary model nor the collective one fits the Spanish household labour supply data.
A System for Calibrating and Validating Military Ad-Hoc Network Models

In this paper, we describe various methods for calibrating and validating mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) models, outline the difficulties in validating these models, and propose a method for validation via an RF emulator. We describe possible designs of RF emulators and weigh the pros and cons of the competing designs. We describe the types of tests designed for both the simulation environment and the emulator and we describe how to compare the output of these tests to validate the simulation model. We will conclude with a case study in the use of an actual RF emulator to validate aspects of models for DARPA
Investigating factors of intellectual capital to enhance achievement of strategic goals in a university hospital setting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on an action research project carried out in an Italian university hospital that was facing a strategic challenge. The role of intellectual capital (IC) for university hospital strategic management is discussed after developing and applying an IC framework to enhance the visualisation of strategic IC elements. Design/methodology/approach – An action research process has been applied in the studied setting based on Susman and Evered’s (1978) definition of the engaged research cycle. Findings – The action research process allowed a gap between theory and practice to be bridged; the strategic control process resulted supported by new measures; a different approach to strategy management was launched, and other organisations perceived the relevance of the IC representation and wished to import it. Research limitations/implications – Research limitations are related to those recognised for the interventionist research approach. Practical implications – The paper.
Mapping Neural Circuits with Activity-Dependent Nuclear Import of a Transcription Factor

Abstract: Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is a calcium-responsive transcription factor. We describe here an NFAT-based neural tracing method—CaLexA (calcium-dependent nuclear import of LexA)—for labeling active neurons in behaving animals. In this system, sustained neural activity induces nuclear import of the chimeric transcription factor LexA-VP16-NFAT, which in turn drives green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter expression only in active neurons. We tested this system in Drosophila and found that volatile sex pheromones excite specific neurons in the olfactory circuit. Furthermore, complex courtship behavior associated with multi-modal sensory inputs activated neurons in the ventral nerve cord. This method harnessing the mechanism of activity-dependent nuclear import of a transcription factor can be used to identify active neurons in specific neuronal population in behaving animals.
Prediction of variability in mortgage rates: interval computing solutions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to forecast variability in mortgage rates by using interval measured data and interval computing method.Design/methodology/approach – Variability (interval) forecasts generated by the interval computing are compared with lower‐ and upper‐bound forecasts based on the ordinary least squares (OLS) rolling regressions.Findings – On average, 56 per cent of annual changes in mortgage rates may be predicted by OLS lower‐ and upper‐bound forecasts while the interval method improves forecasting accuracy to 72 per cent.Research limitations/implications – This paper uses the interval computing method to forecast variability in mortgage rates. Future studies may expand variability forecasting into more risk‐managing areas.Practical implications – Results of this study may be interesting to executive officers of banks, mortgage companies, and insurance companies, builders, investors, and other financial decision makers with an interest in mortgage rates.Originality/value – Althou.
Hypertensive intracerebral hematoma. An investigation of the initial hemorrhage and rebleeding using chromium Cr 51-labeled erythrocytes.

Hypertensive intracerebral hematomas were investigated using chromium Cr 51labeled erythrocytes. Patients underwent erythrocyte labeling shortly after admission following standard techniques for erythrocyte survival time. At postmortem examination the radioisotopic activity of the primary and secondary (Duret) hemorrhages were determined. In 11 patients with hypertensive hematomas no significant activity was found in the primary hematomas, suggesting that bleeding occurred over a short period of time and there was no rebleeding. Duret hemorrhages present in patients comatose on admission contained no significant actovity. The findings in the Duret hemorrhages suggest that patients comatose on arrival sustained these lesions as an almost immediate consequence of the initial primary hemorrhage. In two nonhypertensive patients, intracerebral hematomas secondary to a ruptured berry aneurysm and an arteriovenous malformation contained high levels of radioisotopic activity, suggesting a different pathophysiology of bleeding.