Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engineered vascularized bone grafts

Clinical protocols utilize bone marrow to seed synthetic and decellularized allogeneic bone grafts for enhancement of scaffold remodeling and fusion. Marrow-derived cytokines induce host neovascularization at the graft surface, but hypoxic conditions cause cell death at the core. Addition of cellular components that generate an extensive primitive plexus-like vascular network that would perfuse the entire scaffold upon anastomosis could potentially yield significantly higher-quality grafts. We used a mouse model to develop a two-stage protocol for generating vascularized bone grafts using mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from human bone marrow and umbilical cord-derived endothelial cells. The endothelial cells formed tube-like structures and subsequently networks throughout the bone scaffold 4–7 days after implantation. hMSCs were essential for stable vasculature both in vitro and in vivo; however, contrary to expectations, vasculature derived from hMSCs briefly cultured in medium designed to maintain a proliferative, nondifferentiated state was more extensive and stable than that with hMSCs with a TGF-β-induced smooth muscle cell phenotype. Anastomosis occurred by day 11, with most hMSCs associating closely with the network. Although initially immature and highly permeable, at 4 weeks the network was mature. Initiation of scaffold mineralization had also occurred by this period. Some human-derived vessels were still present at 5 months, but the majority of the graft vasculature had been functionally remodeled with host cells. In conclusion, clinically relevant progenitor sources for pericytes and endothelial cells can serve to generate highly functional microvascular networks for tissue engineered bone grafts.
Poliovirus proteinase 3C: large-scale expression, purification, and specific cleavage activity on natural and synthetic substrates in vitro

Proteinase 3C of poliovirus type 2 (Sabin) was expressed at 4% total protein in Escherichia coli. The protein was soluble and could be purified by a simple scheme. It was weakly active on the capsid precursor P1 (expressed in vitro), which contains two cleavage sites. The products of processing P1 were 1ABC and 1D (VP1). The activity was insensitive to Triton X-100. Crude extracts of cells infected with poliovirus type 1 (Mahoney) gave strong processing and yielded 1AB (VP0), 1C (VP3), and 1D in the same assay system but were sensitive to detergent. 3C from cell extracts that was separated from its precursors resembled the recombinant proteinase in its activity. Recombinant 3C cleaved the peptide dansyl-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Met-Glu-Gln-Gly-Ile-Thr-Asn-Lys-NH2 at the Gln-Gly bond. We conclude that 3C is merely the core of the Gln-Gly-cleaving activity which processes P1 in vivo and that there is probably a hydrophobic contact between a larger 3C precursor and its P1 substrate which allows the second processing reaction: 1ABC, 1D----1AB, 1C, 1D.
Jumps in high frequency data

Due to high frequency data researchers can observe jumps in the price process which raises the question if these price changes can really be the result of only a pure diffusion process. In this work two different algorithms for identifying gradual and mathematical jumps are described. These algorithm can not only detect whether or not a jump has occurred on a specific day, but they can also determine the number of jumps on that day, the sign of the jump and produce an estimate of the jump size. The first algorithm, ALGO1, is based on the classic theory developed by Barndorff-Nielsen and Shephard (2004), using realised volatility and the bipower variation. The second algorithm, ALGO2, is based on the recent work of Kloessner (2010), who developed a new theory based on intradaily lows and highs. Both algorithms were applied to trades and quotes data (TAQ) from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for the period January 2008 till July 2009, and therefore covering the financial crisis in autumn 2008. ALGO1 mainly reports days with one or two jumps, whereas ALGO2 finds significantly more jumps (frequently four to six) per day. Jumps occur mainly at the beginning of the trading day, uncovering the typical L-shape for US data. Both algorithms detect that about 30−45% of the logreturn variation is attributed to jumps on average. In order to verify these results a simulation study was realised. Using the model presented by Heston (1993), 4, 000 days were simulated with different amounts of mathematical and gradual jumps. A confusion matrix revealed that the test statistic of ALGO2 is unable to hold the suspected confidence level in this simulation setup. It was also shown that, using this setup, zQPLM is unable to detect gradual jumps whereas the test statistic used in ALGO2 is truly able to detect this kind of jump. Nevertheless, the results highlight the importance and the impact of jumps on daily estimates of volatility.
Leaving Home and Living Alone: An Historical Perspective

This paper provides a temporal and spatial perspective on a variety of household forms in present-day Europe. Compared with the situation in pre-industrial England, many more people now live on their own but there are some surprising continuities in household forms. Notably, pre-industrial households were no more likely than present-day ones to include distant relatives, and the recent rise in the proportion of one-person families has simply returned the position to that produced by early widowhood in the seventeenth century. Nor has the general increase during recent decades in the proportion of one-person households reduced the variation within Europe in the frequency of living alone which remains much less likely in southern and parts of eastern Europe than in western Europe and Scandinavia. A more thorough comparative exercise is hampered by inconsistencies in the design of tables used to illustrate household types in different countries, and it is suggested that a standard set of tables should be agr.
Identification and characterisation of citrullinated antigen-specific B cells in peripheral blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives Immunity to citrullinated antigens is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We set out to elucidate its biology by identifying and characterising citrullinated antigen-specific B cells in peripheral blood of patients with RA. Methods Differentially labelled streptavidin and extravidin tetramers were conjugated to biotinylated CCP2 or control antigens and used in flow cytometry to identify citrullinated antigen-specific B cells in peripheral blood. Tetramer-positive and tetramer-negative B cells were isolated by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) followed by in vitro culture and analysis of culture supernatants for the presence of antibodies against citrullinated protein antigens (ACPA) by ELISA. Cells were phenotypically characterised by flow cytometry. Results By combining differentially labelled CCP2 tetramers, we successfully separated citrullinated antigen-specific B cells from non-specific background signals. Isolated tetramer-positive B cells, but not tetramer-negative cells, produced large amounts of ACPA upon in vitro stimulation. Phenotypic analyses revealed that citrullinated antigen-specific B cells displayed markers of class-switched memory B cells and plasmablasts, whereas only few cells displayed a naïve phenotype. The frequency of tetramer-positive cells was high (up to 1/500 memory B cells with a median of 1/12 500 total B cells) and correlated with ACPA serum titres and spontaneous ACPA production in culture. Conclusions We developed a technology to identify and isolate citrullinated antigen-specific B cells from peripheral blood of patients with RA. Most cells have a memory phenotype, express IgA or IgG and are present in relatively high frequencies. These data pave the path for a direct and detailed molecular characterisation of ACPA-expressing B cells and could lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
Is Natural Resource Wealth Compatible with Good Governance?

This paper analyzes the effects of natural resource wealth on the economic and political environment of a country. A dynamic game-theoretic model is used to highlight the policy choice of the government vis-a`-vis the opposition. The government utilizes both economic and other policy tools to further its own interests. These policies include repression, co-option of the opposition (by way of sharing the natural resource wealth), taxation, the level of commitment to expanding the resource base through further exploration, and extraction of existing resources. The opposition is in the private sector and chooses how much of its wealth to save and invest and on whether or not to accept what is offered to it by the government and, if not, to start a civil war. In contrast to other political economy models that involve such phenomena as repression and civil wars and which view the political game as one between the government and the marginalized peasantry, this model views the game as between the government and another e´ lite group. The model is used to explain several quite different political outcomes observed in countries endowed with natural resources. These include repressive regimes, democratic regimes, benevolent autocracies/' sham democracies’, instability and civil war. The analysis shows how these outcomes depend on technology driving the process that converts income into consumption, the likelihood of finding additional natural resource wealth through exploration, the size of the private sector and other factors. The model is also illustrated empirically by comparing the governance and other characteristics of countries with different levels of natural resource wealth.
Comparison of scrapie and transmissible mink encephalopathy in hamsters. I. Biochemical studies of brain during development of disease.

A series of 15 different biochemical measurements were made on brains taken at stages throughout the development of scrapie and of transmissible mink encephalopathy in hamsters. With both diseases biochemical abnormalities were found only after the development of early histologic lesions, when animals showed clinical signs of disease. Changes were recorded in body weight, in the activities of six glycosidases, and the rates of incorporation of DNA and of glycoprotein precursors. The profiles of changes in hamster brain were almost indistinguishable,qualitatively and quantitatively, in the two diseases, an observation suggesting a close similarity in the way both disease-producing agents interact with this particular host species, . However, there were some major differences between the profile of changes in hamster scrapie and that previously observed in mouse scrapie. Thus it would appear that many of the well-characterized abnormalities of mouse scrapie are not fundamentally involved in the development of disease but represent mainly secondary changes.
Monopolist Pricing with Dynamic Demand and Production Cost

This paper deals with pricing of a new product over time by a monopolist who maximizes the discounted profit stream. The interdependency of cost and demand on cumulative production makes the problem inherently dynamic. Cost is assumed to be declining with cumulative production learning curve effect, while demand is a function of price and cumulative sales, representing word-of-mouth and saturation effects. The paper addresses this problem in a general framework that includes several previous results as special cases, and provides new insights in other situations. While the learning curve and word-of-mouth effect cause prices to be lower than the price that maximizes immediate revenues, the saturation factor has the opposite effect. The price path over time is affected by these factors and the interest rate. We characterize the price path under several different situations and interpret the results for policy guidelines.
Multidrug-resistant organisms in neonatal sepsis in two tertiary neonatal ICUs, Egypt.

BACKGROUND Neonatal sepsis remains a serious problem in any neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Bacterial organisms have developed increased resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Because not enough data are available from Egypt, the aim of the present study was to determine the causative bacteria and the level of their resistance to commonly used antibiotics in tertiary NICUs in Cairo, Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 3.5-year retrospective study was carried out at NICUs of the Children's Hospital of Ain Shams University and that of El-Hussein Hospital, Al-Azhar University, Egypt. Records of neonates were reviewed. All neonates with culture-proven sepsis were included in the study. RESULTS Almost one-third of the admitted neonates (33.4%) were diagnosed as having neonatal sepsis, 32.25% of them culture-proven. Early/late onset sepsis was found in 35.4 and 64.6%, respectively. Gram-negative/gram-positive bacteria was found in 68 to 25.6%. Fungal infection was detected in 9% of the isolates. Escherichia coli was the main pathogen isolated in both early-onset sepsis (41.2%) and late-onset sepsis (24.5%). Overall, 77% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant (60% of gram-positive bacteria and 83.4% of gram-negative bacteria). Nearly 80% (79%) of mortality was caused by multidrug-resistant organisms. Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria showed high resistance against commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and gentamicin. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is an alarming increase in antibiotic resistance to the commonly used antibiotics. Continuous surveillance for antibiotic susceptibility is needed to ensure proper empirical therapy. Improvement of infection control practices, avoidance of irrational use of antibiotics, and revision of the protocols are mandatory in the prevention of neonatal sepsis.
What are the Characteristics of Firms that Engage in Earnings Per Share Management Through Share Repurchases?

Manuscript Type. Empirical. Research Question/Issue. This study examines US firms' share repurchases during 1997–2006 to determine what factors are associated with firms that use share repurchases to manage earnings per share (EPS). Specifically, we analyze firm and governance characteristics associated with firms that engage in share repurchases that increase annual EPS by at least one cent in a given year and that had EPS less than or equal to annual EPS forecast prior to the share repurchase. Research Findings/Insights. We find that growth firms are less likely to use share repurchases to increase EPS for earnings management purposes. We also provide evidence that firms with a more independent board, a separation of the roles of CEO and chairman of the board, or a low entrenchment index (E‐Index) are less likely to engage in earnings management through share repurchases. Finally, we find evidence that high CEO share ownership restrains managers from using share repurchases as a mechanism to manage EPS. Theoretical/Academic Implications. Our empirical results support some of the best practices advocated by various shareholders groups regarding corporate governance. Also, strong shareholder rights can mitigate incentives to manage earnings, highlighting the importance of corporate governance mechanisms/provisions in ensuring the integrity of the financial reporting system. Practitioner/Policy Implications. This research is important to investors in the face of the growing popularity of share repurchases. In particular, our study suggests strong corporate governance, strong shareholder rights, and high percentage CEO stock ownership discourages repurchase‐based earnings management.
Does income growth improve diet diversity in China

Recent studies on income and nutrition suggest that income growth plays either a small or even a negative role in influencing diet quality in China, especially for low income households. Such arguments cast doubt on the conventional reliance on income as a policy tool to improve public health through better diets. They, however, have been drawn mostly from analysis of income effect on nutrient intakes and diet adequacy. No research has been done on how income affects diet diversity in China, despite its unambiguous health benefits. This paper tests if income growth improves diet diversity, and, thus, can enhance public health in China, using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2004-2009. For the first time, potential endogeneity of income, most likely due to omitted variables, is addressed in the estimation of income effect on diet diversity by instrumental variables. This study finds that, regardless of estimation methods, income effect is significant and positive, but diminishes along the income distribution and over time. When endogeneity of income is controlled in 2SLS estimation, estimated income effect is considerably larger than the corresponding OLS estimate. OLS regression shows that education has significant and positive effects on diet diversity, with larger effects at higher education levels. Nevertheless, education effects diminish in terms of both magnitude and statistical significance in the 2SLS estimation. The stark differences between OLS and 2SLS estimates suggest that it is important to account for endogeneity of income. The OLS estimation seemingly understates income effects and overstates education effects. It, therefore, might mislead resource allocation in designing food and health policies.
Disability Insurance Adjudication Criteria and the Incidence of Hard-to-Diagnose Medical Conditions

Abstract I examine the effects of a change in Canada Pension Plan disability program adjudication criteria on individual reports of medical problems. The estimates from this paper suggest that more stringent screening requirements are associated with a statistically significant decline in the reports of hard-to-diagnose conditions, such as low back pain. On the other hand, my estimates also indicate that changes in adjudication requirements do not have a statistically significant effect on the reports of easier to diagnose conditions.
Synthesis and Anti‐Bacterial Activity of Some Heterocyclic Chalcone Derivatives Bearing Thiofuran, Furan, and Quinoline Moieties

36 Novel heterocyclic chalcone derivatives were synthesized and tested for their anti‐bacterial activity. Some compounds presented good anti‐microbial activities against Gram‐positive bacteria (including the multidrug‐resistant clinical isolates). This class of compounds presented high potency against Streptococcus mutans, among which the derivatives F2 with an MIC of 2 µg/mL was as active as the standard drug (norfloxacin) and less active than oxacillin. All the compounds did not inhibit the growth of Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli CCARM 1924 or Escherichia coli CCARM 1356) at 64 µg/mL.
The usefulness of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Form C (MHLC-C) for HIV+ subjects: An Italian study

Abstract In the last few years, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in a remarkable decrease in HIV-related morbidity and mortality. This “new deal” encouraged clinical research in investigating patients’ manifest behaviours and their beliefs regarding their health status, which likely influence not only their treatment-linked behaviours but also their quality of life. Locus of control has been shown to be a construct that can predict and explain health-related behaviours. The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Form C (MHLC-C) is a condition-specific locus of control scale that can be easily adapted for use with any medical or health-related condition. With the aim to enhance the knowledge about the HIV+ patients’ point of view of their complex health condition, this study preliminarily investigated the psychometrics properties of the MHLC-C Italian version and its generalizability across samples defined both by being adherent or not and by gender. Two more samples of chronic patients (Cardiac Surgery and Cancer) were enrolled to better characterize the HIV+ patient's MHLC-C profile. The results showed the validity, reliability and generalizability of the 4-factor structure of MHLC-C. More interestingly, HIV+ subjects revealed a peculiar pattern of beliefs regarding their health condition that clinicians should take into account when managing patients’ complex bio-psychosocial condition.
Mandibular second molar periodontal status after third molar extraction.

BACKGROUND Extraction and treatment of third molars have been cited as causing periodontal problems. To evaluate the long-term effects of third molar extraction on the periodontal health of the mandibular second molar, a comparison of the periodontal status was performed around 2 groups of mandibular second molars, with and without third molar extraction. METHODS A total of 312 sites in 57 adult periodontitis patients were examined and the buccal and lingual locations of the mesial and distal root surfaces around the second molars were recorded. Two-hundred and thirty-two sites were experimental teeth; i.e., third molars had been surgically removed more than 5 years ago, 80 sites served as control molars; i.e., congenitally missing third molars. Clinical periodontal parameters including probing depth, attachment loss, and gingival recession and radiographic intrabony level were measured. The effects of the surgery and the examination (buccal or lingual) locations on the measurements were statistically analyzed. RESULTS Neither extraction history nor examination location affected the probing depth on mesial surfaces. However, significant effects of the surgical history on the probing depth were observed on the distal surfaces. Similar results of greater attachment loss and radiographic alveolar bone loss were observed only at the distal sites of the experimental group. In addition, the increased radiographic bone loss was only found at the distal sites (adjacent to the surgical location) and not at the mesial sites (distant from the surgical location) on the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS In this study, greater periodontal breakdown, including probing depth, attachment loss, and radiographic alveolar bone loss, was found at the distal sites, but not at the mesial sites, of the experimental molars where the third molar was surgically extracted compared with the control teeth (no surgery). In the experimental molars, more radiographic bone loss was found at the sites adjacent to the surgical location than at the sites distant to the surgical location. Therefore, we suggest that the surgical removal of the mandibular third molar may lead to a periodontal breakdown on the distal surface of the second molar. Periodontal re-evaluation after the initial healing of third molar extraction is indicated.
The size, structure and performance of corporate headquarters

Corporate headquarters have not been extensively researched. This paper reports on a survey of the structure and staffing of over 600 corporate headquarters in Europe, USA, Japan and Chile and explores the extent to which they are contingent on corporate strategy (corporate portfolio, structure and policies), ownership and regulation, and country of origin. The results confirm that factors in each of these areas are important determinants of the size and structure of headquarters. The dependence of corporate performance upon the structure and staffing of headquarters is also explored. Although the results are capable of alternative interpretations, they provide no support for the view that "lean and mean" leads to better performance.