Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Credit Default Swaps and Lender Incentives in Bank Debt Renegotiations

Abstract Using a regression-discontinuity design and within lender–borrower variation, we analyze how credit default swaps (CDSs) affect bank incentives and borrower outcomes in renegotiations after covenant violations. While existing studies document an investment decline after covenant violations, we find that covenant-violating firms maintain their investment subsequent to the introduction of CDS trading. Moreover, after CDS introduction, covenant-violating firms are less likely to default. Our results suggest that in the private debt markets, CDSs discipline borrowers, while the empty creditor problem due to CDS is mitigated because of lenders’ reputation concerns and lower coordination frictions.
Screening of filamentous fungi for production of enzymes of biotechnological interest

Many enzymes produced by fungi have relevant biotechnological applications in several industrial areas. The purpose of this study was to collect and isolate filamentous fungi from soil and humus, plants and sugar cane bagasse of different regions of the Sao Paulo state. Forty isolates were examined for their ability to produce xylanase, glucose-oxidase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, phytase, pectinase and amylase. Among these, twenty three isolates exhibited enzymatic potential. The xylanases produced by two of these isolates (Aspergillus caespitosus and A. phoenicis) showed good potential for pulp bleaching. Among seventeen isolates, at least three produced high levels of glucose-oxidase, being Rhizopus stolonifer and A. versicolor the best producer strains. A. caespitosus, Mucor rouxii, and nine others still not identified were the best producers of phosphatases in submerged fermentation. Pectinase was best produced by IF II and C-8 belong R. stolonifer. Significant levels of amylase were produced by Paecilomyces variotii and A. phoenicis. A remarkable enzyme producer was Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis that produced high levels of amylase, alkaline and acid phosphatases, and pectinase. Some morphological structures of this fungus were illustrated using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study contributes to catalogue soil fungi isolated in the state of Sao Paulo, and provides additional information to support future research about the industrial potential of these microorganisms that may produce enzymes and, eventually, also secondary metabolites with anti-microbial or anti-parasitic activities.
Objectively Measured Sedentary Time May Predict Insulin Resistance Independent of Moderate- and Vigorous-Intensity Physical Activity

OBJECTIVE To examine the prospective association between objectively measured time spent sedentary and insulin resistance and whether this association is independent of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and other relevant confounders. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This was a population-based study (Medical Research Council Ely study) in 376 middle-aged adults (166 men; 210 women) over 5.6 years of follow-up. Physical activity and sedentary time were measured objectively by individually calibrated minute-by-minute heart rate monitoring at both baseline and follow-up. Sedentary time was calculated as the heart rate observations (in minutes) below an individually predetermined threshold (flex heart rate) and expressed as a percentage of total monitored time during waking hours over 4 days. The percentage of time spent above 1.75 × resting heart rate represented MVPA. Fasting plasma insulin was used as a surrogate measure of insulin resistance. RESULTS Time spent sedentary at baseline was significantly and positively associated with log fasting insulin at follow-up (β = 0.003, 95% CI 0.0006–0.006, P = 0.015) independent of baseline age, sex, fat mass, fasting insulin, smoking status, and follow-up time. After further adjustment for MVPA, this association was somewhat strengthened (β = 0.004, 95% CI 0.0009–0.006, P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Time spent sedentary predicts higher levels of fasting insulin independent of the amount of time spent at moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity levels. This highlights the importance of reducing sedentary time in order to improve metabolic health, possibly in addition to the benefits associated with a physically active lifestyle.
The smoothness index: A new, reproducible and clinically relevant measure of the homogeneity of the blood pressure reduction with treatment for hypertension

Objective To introduce a new method, the smoothness index, for assessing the homogeneity of 24 h blood pressure reduction by antihypertensive treatment and to compare it with the trough: peak ratio; and to assess the ability of both indices to predict a reduction in the left ventricular mass index induced by treatment. Patients and methods In 174 patients with essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, enrolled in the Study on Ambulatory Monitoring of Pressure and Lisinopril Evaluation (SAMPLE), aged 20–65 years, we measured clinic blood pressure, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and the left ventricular mass index (echocardiography) before and after treatment with lisinopril at 20 mg with the addition of 12.5 or 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide as needed to reach a sufficient blood pressure reduction. The following parameters were computed for systolic and diastolic ambulatory blood pressure: (1) hourly and 24 h blood pressure averages (± SD) at baseline and after 3 and 12 months of treatment; (2) hourly blood pressure changes from baseline after 3 and 12 months of treatment, and their average (± SD) over 24 h; (3) the trough: peak ratio after 3 and 12 months of treatment; and (4) the smoothness index after 3 and 12 months of treatment. Similar calculations were also performed at the end of a final study month during which active treatment was withdrawn and placebo was substituted (n = 164). Results The smoothness index for systolic and diastolic ambulatory blood pressure computed after 3 months of treatment was more closely related to its corresponding values after 12 months of treatment than the trough: peak ratio values computed after the same time periods were (r = 0.68 versus 0.38 for systolic and 0.68 versus 0.42 for diastolic blood pressure, respectively). The smoothness index showed an inverse correlation with the 24 h standard deviation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = −0.25 and −0.16, P < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively, for 12 months of treatment), while the trough: peak ratio did not (r = −0.01 to −0.12, NS). A treatment-induced reduction in the left ventricular mass index was related to the smoothness index for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = −0.35 and −0.32, P < 0.001 with 12 months of treatment), but not to the corresponding trough: peak ratios. Conclusions The smoothness index identifies the occurrence of a balanced 24 h blood pressure reduction with treatment and correlates with the favourable effects of treatment on left ventricular hypertrophy better than the commonly used trough: peak ratio.
Tryptanthrin Suppresses the Activation of the LPS-Treated BV2 Microglial Cell Line via Nrf2/HO-1 Antioxidant Signaling

Microglia are the resident macrophages in the central nervous system (CNS) and play essential roles in neuronal homeostasis and neuroinflammatory pathologies. Recently, microglia have been shown to contribute decisively to neuropathologic processes after ischemic stroke. Furthermore, natural compounds have been reported to attenuate inflammation and pathologies associated with neuroinflammation. Tryptanthrin (indolo[2,1-b]quinazoline-6,12-dione) is a phytoalkaloid with known anti-inflammatory effects in cells. In present study, the authors confirmed middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) injury triggers the activation of microglia in brain tissue, and investigated whether tryptanthrin influences the function of mouse murine BV2 microglia under LPS-induced inflammatory conditions in vitro. It was found tryptanthrin protected BV2 microglia cells against LPS-induced inflammation and inhibited the induction of M1 phenotype microglia under inflammatory conditions. In addition, tryptanthrin reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in BV2 microglia cells via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) signaling and NF-κB signaling. The authors suggest that tryptanthrin might alleviate the progress of neuropathologies by controlling microglial functions under neuroinflammatory conditions.
Cognitive and reactive control processes

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be identified in the preschool years, but little is known about the correlates of ADHD symptoms in preschool children. Research to date suggests that factors such as temperament, personality, and neuropsychological functioning may be important in understanding the development of early ADHD symptomatology. The current study sought to extend this research by examining how cognitive and reactive control processes predict ADHD symptoms. Data were drawn from a larger study that measured the cognitive, social, and emotional functioning of preschool children. Eighty-seven children (aged 4–6 years) were evaluated using teacher report and laboratory task measures relevant to cognitive control (i.e., conscientiousness, working memory) and reactive control (i.e., neuroticism, delay of gratification) processes. In multiple regression analyses, cognitive control variables added unique variance in the prediction of both inattention and hyperactivity, but only reactive control variables added unique variance in the prediction of hyperactivity. The current findings align with past research suggesting that cognitive control processes (e.g., conscientiousness) are related to both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, while reactive control processes (e.g., neuroticism) are more strongly related to hyperactivity/impulsivity in preschool children. Future longitudinal research utilizing various methods and measures is needed to understand how cognitive and reactive control processes contribute to ADHD symptom development.
Prognostic Value and Reproducibility of Koilocytosis in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

&NA; The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of koilocytosis on the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to a higher grade during follow‐up in cervical biopsy specimens with CIN 1 and 2. In adequate, consecutive, biopsy specimens of 103 CIN 1 and 2 patients, CIN grade and presence or absence of koilocytosis were assessed. Patients were followed by colposcopy and cytology according to protocol. When recurrent CIN was suspected with either of the techniques, a re‐biopsy was taken. Progression of the CIN was defined as an increase of grade by at least 1. Univariate analysis was applied to all patients and in the CIN 1 and 2 subgroups separately. An experienced gynecological pathologist using strict criteria reviewed koilocytosis. The Kappa test was used to assess interobserver reproducibility of koilocytosis. Koilocytosis was found in 70 (68%) of the specimens (18 of 29=62% of the CIN 1 and 52 of 74=70% of the CIN 2 cases). Twenty‐one of 103 (20%) dysplasias progressed and 10 of these (48%) showed koilocytosis. Koilocytosis was found more frequently (73%, 60 of 82) in the cases that showed no progression. Follow‐up showed that patients with koilocytosis had a significantly lower likelihood of progression (log‐rank=5.5, p=0.02). In CIN 1, progression without and with koilocytosis was 27% and 0%, respectively, log‐rank=4.9, p=0.03. In CIN 2, a similar trend was found: only 10 of 52 (19%) CIN 2 cases with koilocytosis progressed, whereas 8 of 22 (36%) lesions lacking koilocytosis progressed, a difference just below significance (p=0.06). In agreement with other studies, interobserver diagnosis of koilocytosis was poorly reproducible. In conclusion, the presence of koilocytosis is associated with a lack of progression in CIN 1 lesions, but reproducibility of koilocytosis assessment is not optimal. Therefore, other more objective and better reproducible criteria are required to extract the potentially important prognostic information contained in the microscopic image of CIN 1 and 2 lesions.
A Strategy to Enhance the Electrode Performance of Novel Three-Dimensional PEDOT/RVC Composites by Electrochemical Deposition Method

In this article, three-dimensional (3D) microstuctured poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) composite electrodes with varying amount of PEDOT loadings were successfully prepared by electrochemical deposition method. The composites were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetry. Raman spectra suggest that there is a strong interaction between the RVC and backbone of PEDOT chain. It is revealed from the SEM images that the PEDOT amount, thickness, surface roughness, porosity, and globular structure on RVC electrode are increased with the increase in polymerization time. The capacitance of PEDOT/RVC electrode has increased by a factor of 2230 compared to a bare RVC electrode when polymerization is carried out for 120 min. Moreover, the capacitance of PEDOT was found to be very high compared with other PEDOT studies. The electrodes also show good cyclic stability. This substantial increase in capacitance of RVC electrode is due to the rough, highly porous, and honeycomb-like fine structure of PEDOT coating, which shows a flower-like morphology, consisting of numerous thin flakes with numbers of macropores and micropores. This interesting morphology has enhanced the performance of PEDOT because of increased electrode surface area, specific capacitance, and macroporous structure of RVC electrode.
Impact of Six Consecutive Days of Sprint Training in Hypoxia on Performance in Competitive Sprint Runners

Abstract Kasai, N, Mizuno, S, Ishimoto, S, Sakamoto, E, Maruta, M, Kurihara, T, Kurosawa, Y, and Goto, K. Impact of six consecutive days of sprint training in hypoxia on performance in competitive sprint runners. J Strength Cond Res 33(1): 36–43, 2019—The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 6 successive days of repeated sprint (RS) training in moderate hypoxia on anaerobic capacity in 100–200-m sprint runners. Eighteen male sprint runners (age, 20.0 ± 0.3 years; height, 175.9 ± 1.1 cm; and body mass, 65.0 ± 1.2 kg) performed repeated cycling sprints for 6 consecutive days in either normoxic (NOR; fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2], 20.9%; n = 9) or hypoxic conditions (HYPO; FiO2, 14.5%; n = 9). The RS ability (10 × 6-second sprints), 30-second maximal sprint ability, maximal oxygen uptake ( max), and 60-m running time on the track were measured before and after the training period. Intramuscular phosphocreatine (PCr) content (quadriceps femoris muscle) was measured by 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) before and after the training period. Both groups showed similar improvements in RS ability after the training period (p < 0.05). Power output during the 30-second maximal sprint test and max did not change significantly after the training period in either group. Running time for 0–10 m improved significantly after the training period in the HYPO only (before, 1.39 ± 0.01 seconds; after, 1.34 ± 0.02 seconds, p < 0.05). The HYPO also showed a significant increase in intramuscular PCr content after the training period (before, 31.5 ± 1.3 mM; after, 38.2 ± 2.8 mM, p < 0.05). These results suggest that sprint training for 6 consecutive days in hypoxia or normoxia improved RS ability in competitive sprint runners.
Social exclusion and the desire to join important groups

Title of Document: SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND THE DESIRE TO JOIN IMPORTANT GROUPS Shira Fishman, Ph.D., 2009 Directed By: Dr. Arie Kruglanski, Distinguished University Professor, Psychology Social connections are fundamental to our existence. As a result, social excl usion is a painful and distressing experience. When belonging is thwarted, people seek inclusion which can be achieved through group membership. Thus, excluded individuals and/or those whose need to belong is particularly strong will be particularly motivated to join groups. Moreover, to the extent that the need to belong is satisfied by closeness with other group members, and closeness is a featur e of group cohesion, excluded individuals or ones with a strong need to belong are likely to be attracted to highly cohesive groups. Finally, the subjective importance of a group to its members should determine the degree of perceived cohesion. Importance of a group is defined as the group’s centrality to individuals’ social identity. The m or central a given dimension is to one’s identity, the greater the attraction to i ndividuals sharing that dimension (Byrne, 1961). Hence, the more important the group, the greater the attraction of the members to each other, defining group cohesion. Ultimately then, the greater the individuals’ prior experience of exclusion or t he greater their need to belong, the greater their motivation should be to join important (vs. less important) groups. These notions are investigated in the present dissert ation. A review of the literature on social exclusion and the similarity-attract ion hypothesis is presented followed by two studies showing that, both in the lab and in the real world, individuals who have been socially excluded want to join and/or feel more connected to important groups. SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND THE DESIRE TO JOIN IMPORTANT GROUPS
Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is incredibly common. Increasing longevity ensures its prevalence will rise even further. Ongoing efforts to understand AD pathogenesis reveal numerous tantalizing leads. Formulating a comprehensive AD pathogenesis theory capable of incorporating these disparate leads, though, has proven difficult. This review discusses current attempts to formulate a comprehensive AD pathogenesis theory. In doing so, it focuses on clinical and molecular relationships between AD and aging. A better understanding of these relationships could inform and impact future development of AD-directed treatment strategies.
Applied Integrated Active Filter Auxiliary Power Module for Electrified Vehicles With Single-Phase Onboard Chargers

In single-phase onboard chargers for electrified vehicles, second-order harmonic currents and corresponding ripple voltages exist on the dc bus. The low-frequency harmonic current is normally filtered using a bulk film capacitor or an additional active filter (AF) circuit. This presents an obstacle for improving the power density as well as reducing the cost. This paper proposes a simple and effective method that reduces the bulk capacitor in single-phase chargers and alleviates the low-frequency sinusoidal harmonic current in automotive applications. It applies the low-voltage (LV) battery charger auxiliary power module as an AF to filter the low-frequency harmonic currents in the high-voltage (HV) battery charger when the HV battery is charging. Hence, the integrated active filter auxiliary power module (AFAPM)-based dual-voltage charging system can achieve the AF function without extra power switches, heat sinks, and corresponding gate-drive circuits. In addition, the proposed AFAPM converter can obtain an almost unchanged switch rating to achieve 2.4-kW LV battery charging and 6.6-kW HV active filtering functions. Therefore, the proposed method can reduce the cost for the dual-voltage charging system in electrified vehicles. A 1.2-kW proof-of-concept prototype has also been built and experiments show promising results confirming the effectiveness of the proposed concept.
Facial Soft Tissue Dynamics before and after Primary Lip Repair

Objectives (1) To collect three-dimensional, dynamic facial images from two groups of infants: one group born with cleft lip and palate slated to have a primary lip repair and a second, age-matched, noncleft control group. (2) To develop analyses to determine differences in facial movement between infants with cleft lip with or without palate (CL±P) and noncleft control infants and to determine changes in facial movement before and after primary lip repair. Design Longitudinal, prospective case-control study. Setting Facial Animation Laboratory at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. Participants Two groups of infants: one group with unrepaired CL±P slated to have primary lip repair (n = 15) and a second group of age-matched, noncleft controls (n = 15). Interventions Movement testing before and 4 months after primary lip repair in infants with CL±P and at similar time points in noncleft infants. Main Outcome Measures Seven measures of facial movement. Results The range of facial movements increased by 17% for all infants during the 4-month period. Compared with the noncleft group (1) infants with unilateral CL±P had 50% less nasolabial movement, and this difference did not change due to the lip repair; and (2) infants with unilateral or bilateral CL±P had 58% and 118% greater lateral upper lip movement, respectively, and 3.67 and 3.56 times greater asymmetry of movement, respectively, before lip repair. The procedure almost entirely removed the hypermobility and decreased the asymmetry. Conclusions Primary surgical lip repair decreased hypermobility and improved asymmetry of upper lip movement.
Targeting Next Generations to Change the Common Practice of Underpowered Research

Underpowered studies persist in the scientific literature, which leads to biased conclusions. Moreover, participants are a scarce resource. Using up this scarce resource for an underpowered study means that other (adequately powered) studies will have a harder time recruiting participants. In the current paper, we argue that practices that are ubiquitous in our curricula have the unintended effect of promoting underpowered research, and we recommend easy-to-implement solutions. For example, evidence from underpowered studies is presented as sufficiently high-quality evidence to draw conclusions in textbooks and when students collect data (e.g., as part of a student project or to fulfil requirements for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree), they are often permitted to collect datasets lacking the power to draw conclusions. These practices disseminate a norm of a typical study consisting of dozens, rather than hundreds or thousands, of participants. The first venue through which this dysfunctional norm of underpowered research can be remedied is by updating course materials. The second venue is to target the next generations by means of relatively small changes in the curricula of undergraduate and graduate degrees. This is a fairly simple, but achievable structural change – in comparison with, for example, changing funding policies – that has a large impact as the students of today are the researchers and policymakers of tomorrow. We believe that correcting what we teach students to reflect best practices can contribute to eliminating underpowered studies.