Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceived caregiver stress in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: A case control study

Objectives: Cross sectional studies have reported a tremendous amount of stress in caregivers of patients with Alzheimer′s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The present study aimed at evaluating the perceived stress in caregivers of patients with AD and MCI compared to controls. Materials and Methods: Caregivers of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer′s disease/Mild Cognitive Impairment were recruited at the Memory Clinic of Neurology Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern India. The controls included caregivers of patients with chronic medical and psychiatric disorders. Caregivers were interviewed using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the patients were assessed using The Blessed Activity of Daily Living (ADL), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating scale. The perceived stress of caregivers was compared amongst both groups and correlated with the severity of illness and activities of daily living of the patients. Results: Caregivers of a total of 31 patients of AD/MCI (Males = 24, Females = 7), and 30 controls (Males = 18, Females = 12) were interviewed. PSS Score was 23.29 ± 7.17 in cases and 7.5 ± 3.12 in controls. ADL Score was 7.97±5.53 in cases and 0.00 in controls. There was a significant difference between the PSS and ADL scores between those with AD and controls (P < 0.0001). Caregivers of patients with MCI had lower PSS scores compared to AD caregivers but significantly higher scores compared to caregivers of other chronic disorders. Similarly, correlation between Perceived Stress and ADL was significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Present study shows that caregivers of patients with AD/MCI have a high perceived stress compared to caregivers of patients with other chronic illness.
A Cross-National Comparison of Consumer Perceptions of Service Recovery

Abstract This paper explores the cross-cultural impacts of service recoveries such as the consumer propensity to spread positive or negative word-of-mouth about casual dining restaurants. American and Korean consumers were compared in an effort to identify whether they had any differences or similarities in the effects of service recovery in terms of word-of mouth and future patronage. The results of the study reveal that consumers have different behaviors on service recoveries in terms of future patronage, word-of-mouth intent and loyalty according to their culture. In general, Korean consumers' word-of-mouth intent, patronage, and loyalty tended to increase more significantly than those of American customers after successful service recoveries.
Exploring Growth Linkages and Market Opportunities for Agriculture in Southern Africa

"Considering the heterogeneity of the countries of southern Africa and the presence of South Africa and other middle-income countries in the region, southern Africa has a unique opportunity to exploit agricultural potential and regional trade opportunities through regional dynamics and integration. We analyze the implications of such opportunities for the growth of the low-income countries, using a regional general equilibrium model that captures growth linkages. We find that growth in the middle-income southern African countries, such as South Africa, benefits the region's low-income countries through increased demand for their agricultural exports. Agricultural productivity growth, however, is necessary for low-income countries to take advantage of South Africa's growth. Productivity growth in the low-income countries' grain and livestock sectors generates more growth in GDP and food consumption than growth in nontraditional export crops. Unlike other regions where growth in grain production is likely to be constrained by domestic demand, expanding middle-income economies in southern Africa provide additional demand for grains and livestock, slowing the decline in grain prices in the region. " Authors' Abstract
Glycocalicin: a new assay--the normal plasma levels and its potential usefulness in selected diseases.

Platelet glycocalicin (GC) is the extramembranous portion of GPIb alpha that can be rapidly cleaved by enzymes such as calpain, plasmin, trypsin, elastase, etc. Quantitative cleavage will ultimately result in an acquired Bernard-Soulier-like bleeding disorder, and circulating GC may act as a potential inhibitor of platelet adhesion. We have developed and standardized a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which uses two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), both of which bind to the amino-terminal 45-kD fragment of GC and inhibit platelet-von Willebrand interactions and the streptavidin-biotin system. First, the methodology was evaluated and standardized with special emphasis on the anticoagulant and the inhibitors (EDTA, prostaglandin E1 [PGE1], aprotinin, N-ethyl-maleimide), the mode of high-speed centrifugation (to avoid platelet microparticles), and the standards used (purified GPIb and GC). This assay was then used to analyze the GC levels of healthy subjects (2.04 +/- 0.46 micrograms/mL) and of patients with selected diseases. The results of patients with aplastic anemia and thrombocytosis confirmed that GC levels are clearly dependent on the platelet count, which was the basis for the introduction of the GC index, the standardization of GC for a platelet count of 250 x 10(9)/L. The GC index discriminates reliably patients with active immune thrombocytopenic purpura from those in remission. GC levels are elevated in patients on hemodialysis (3.62 +/- 0.75 micrograms/mL, P < .001). The high GC index (6.93 +/- 4.21, P < .001) in cirrhosis patients suggests an increased platelet turnover and/or abnormal proteolysis. In contrast to other groups, we have not found that recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) treatment of patients with myocardial infarction increases GC levels. However, concentrations are elevated in leukemia and the highest levels found are approximately 40 micrograms/mL. These studies suggest that GC is a useful platelet marker in certain diseases, which directly reflects platelet damage and possibly platelet dysfunction.
Neonatal hip instability and risk of total hip replacement in young adulthood

Background and purpose Dysplasia is probably the most common underlying condition in osteoarthritis of the hip, leading to total hip replacement (THR) in young adulthood. We investigated whether hip instability at birth predisposes to THR in young adulthood. Methods Since 1967, all newborns in Norway have been screened for neonatal hip instability (NHI) and the results have been reported to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). In the period 1967-2004,2,218,596 newborns were registered. From 1987 to 2004, 442 of these individuals had been reported to the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register (NAR) after undergoing total hip replacement (mean age 25 (12-36) years). Results Neonatal hip instability was reported in 19,432 newborns (0.88%) in the MBRN; according to the NAR, they had a 2.6 (CI 1.4-4.8) times increased risk of THR in young adulthood compared to those without NHI. The absolute risk was low, however; only 57 (95% CI: 30-105) in 105 for patients with NHI compared to 20 (95% CI: 18-22) in 105 for those without registered hip pathology. Of the 442 patients with THR, 95 were operated because of osteoarthritis of the hip secondary to dysplasia, according to the surgeon's report. However, only 8 of these 95 patients had been reported to have hip instability at birth. Interpretation Neonatal hip instability increases the risk of THR in young adulthood. Unexpectedly, only 8% of those who underwent THR due to dysplasia were reported to have unstable hips at birth. Our results indicate that clinical testing for NHI is insufficient as a screening method for dysplastic hips that require THR in young adulthood.
Intraocular gene transfer of pigment epithelium‐derived factor rescues photoreceptors from light‐induced cell death

In this study, we investigated whether intraocular gene transfer of pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) ameliorates the extent of light‐induced photoreceptor cell death. Lewis rats received intravitreous injection of 3 × 109 particles of adenoviral vector expressing PEDF (AdPEDF.11) in one eye and 3 × 109 particles of empty adenoviral vector (AdNull.11) in the contralateral eye. The rats were then dark‐adapted for 3 days after which they were continuously exposed to fluorescent light (2,500 lux) for 0, 6, 24, 96, and 168 h. Both eyes were then enucleated and processed for morphometric analysis. Cell death in the retina was examined using TUNEL staining with a propidium iodide counterstain. The photoreceptor cell counts in each of the three groups were significantly different (P < 0.001). Eyes that received intravitreous injection of AdNull.11 or no injection showed a greater number of pyknotic photoreceptor cells and a reduced photoreceptor cell density as compared to eyes treated with intravitreous AdPEDF.11 injection. AdNull.11 treated eyes showed a lesser but still significant protection of photoreceptor cells when compared to untreated eyes. Fewer TUNEL‐positive photoreceptor cells were present in AdPEDF.11 treated eyes than in AdNull.11 treated or untreated eyes (P = 0.004). The amplitudes of the ERG a‐wave, b‐wave, and oscillatory potentials (OPs) were increased significantly by treatment (P < 0.05). These data suggest that adenovirus vector‐mediated intraocular expression of PEDF significantly increases photoreceptor cell survival following excessive light exposure. Neuroprotection may result from inhibition of light‐induced apoptotic processes. This study provides proof of concept for a gene transfer approach to modulating retinal cell death resulting from photo‐oxidative damage and supports the hypothesis that gene transfer of PEDF is broadly applicable to modulating apoptosis in the retina. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chromosomal instability in the lymphocytes of breast cancer patients

Genomic instability in the tumor tissue has been correlated with tumor progression. In the present study, chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) of breast tumor patients were studied to assess whether chromosomal instability (CIN) in PBLs correlates with aggressiveness of breast tumor (i.e., disease stage) and has any prognostic utility. Cultured blood lymphocyte metaphases were scored for aberrations in 31 breast cancer patients and 20 healthy age and sex-matched controls. A variety of CAs, including aneuploidy, polyploidy, terminal deletions, acentric fragments, double minutes, chromatid separations, ring chromosome, marker chromosome, chromatid gaps, and breaks were seen in PBLs of the patients. The CAs in patients were higher than in controls. A comparison of the frequency of metaphases with aberrations by grouping the patients according to the stage of advancement of disease did not reveal any consistent pattern of variation in lymphocytic CIN. Neither was any specific chromosomal abnormality found to be associated with the stage of cancer. This might be indicative of the fact that cancer patients have constitutional CIN, which predisposes them to the disease, and this inherent difference in the level of genomic instability might play a role in disease progression and response to treatment.
Effectiveness of China's Organic Food Certification Policy: Consumer Preferences for Infant Milk Formula with Different Organic Certification Labels

China's current organic certification policy prohibits distribution of food in the Chinese market that has only obtained foreign organic certification but has not obtained Chinese organic certification, and prohibits the independent operation of foreign organic certification bodies in China. In this study, we use consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) as a criterion for judging the effectiveness of China's organic certification policy. A choice experiment infant milk formula (IMF) with four attributes, including organic certification label, brand, country of origin, and price was conducted in Shandong province of China. Estimation with a mixed logit model revealed that consumers’ WTP for IMF with an American or European organic certification label was higher than IMF with a Chinese label. Moreover, consumers’ knowledge of organic food and food safety risk perceptions had an impact on their WTP. Results suggest scope for policy failure in that allowing independent certification in China by European and American organic certification bodies, or legal sale in the Chinese mainland market of IMF certified by American or European organic certification bodies, could increase consumer surplus beyond the status quo under the present policy regime.
Catching Up is Hard to Do: Undergraduate Prestige, Elite Graduate Programs, and the Earnings Premium

Income disparities arise not only from differences in the level of education but also from differences in status associated with an individual’s degree-granting college or university. While higher ability among those who graduate from elite undergraduate institutions may account for much of the earnings premium associated with elite education, ability should be largely equalized among those who graduate from similarly selective graduate programs. Few graduates of nonselective institutions earn post-baccalaureate degrees from elite institutions, and even when they do, undergraduate institutional prestige continues to influence earnings overall and among those with law, medical, graduate business and doctoral degrees.
The social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS on farming systems and livelihoods in rural Africa: Some experience and lessons from Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia

This article describes: (1) some of the effects of HIV/AIDS on rural communities in cast and southern Africa (2) the indications for the development of such impacts in Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia over the medium term, noting similarities and differences between the three countries; (3) explores the policy implications of these findings; (4) presents a generalised response strategy.
Semivariance in Risk-Based Index Construction

he purpose of an actively managed portfolio is to provide returns to investors above and beyond what they could obtain fiom a T passive strategy with the same level of risk. This implies that in order to evaluate the effectiveness of an active strategy, an investor needs a benchmark that corresponds to the level of risk that is taken. Most indexes available today are used to establish benchmarks for asset classes or investment styles, not a level of risk for an entire portfolio. Providing benchmarks for levels of risk requires a new class of indexes, risk-based indexes. The construction, properties, and performance of a particular set of risk-based indexes, the Quantidex Global indexes, are the subject of this article. ' To create a set of risk-based indexes, a measure of risk must be selected. Quantidex uses historical semivariance below the hstorical mean as the risk measure. An alternative choice would be standard deviation.
An Open-Loop Technique to Facilitate Microtubal Anastomoses in the Rat

Open-loop suture technique was employed for microvascular anastomoses in the rat to facilitate surgery and to avoid inadvertently catching opposite side vessel walls with the needle. A moderately trained microsurgeon performed carotid and femoral arterial anastomoses, and conventional and open-loop suture techniques were compared. A 100% patency rate was obtained in the open-loop series of 280 end-to-end anastomoses, and this technique was 24 to 25% faster than conventional suturing.
LB-AUT7, a Novel Symbiosis-Regulated Gene from an Ectomycorrhizal Fungus, Laccaria bicolor, Is Functionally Related to Vesicular Transport and Autophagocytosis

ABSTRACT We have identified LB-AUT7, a gene differentially expressed 6 h after ectomycorrhizal interaction betweenLaccaria bicolor and Pinus resinosa. LB-Aut7p can functionally complement its Saccharomyces cerevisiaehomolog, which is involved in the attachment of autophagosomes to microtubules. Our findings suggest the induction of an autophagocytosis-like vesicular transport process during ectomycorrhizal interaction.
A GIS methodology for modelling hiking experiences in the Grampians National Park, Australia

This paper has applied two commonly used multivariate techniques, principal component and discriminant function analyses to create ‘constructs’ that model and visualise the characteristics of hiking experiences in natural settings. In situ measurements of feelings and experiences were ascertained via a survey questionnaire administered to subjects hiking along the Pinnacle walking track in the Grampians National Park (GNP) in western Victoria, Australia. Four underlying experiences were detected whilst hiking and their relationships with the biophysical characteristics were established. Results show that the biophysical characteristics of landscapes have a strong bearing on hiking experiences in the Grampians. Identified dimensions of hiking experiences were validated using a different site within the GNP through the data logged in GPS receivers along with a brief survey. Using the outcomes of the model, in the form of maps, a novel approach of managing visitors and their likely experiences in national parks can be developed. With careful promotion, a range of nature-based recreational products could be developed or tailored to suit desires and fitness requirements of different types of hikers. Anticipated probability of experiences at locations with their own biophysical characteristics may reduce the chance of encountering ‘undesirable’ experiences that in turn may enhance the satisfaction of tourists with their visits.
Human cytomegalovirus proteins PP65 and IEP72 are targeted to distinct compartments in nuclei and nuclear matrices of infected human embryo fibroblasts

The cellular distribution of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)‐specific UL83 phosphoprotein (pp65) and UL123 immediate‐early protein (IEp72) in lytically infected human embryo fibroblasts was studied by means of indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Both proteins were found to have a nuclear localization, but they were concentrated in different compartments within the nuclei. The pp65 was located predominantly in the nucleoli; this was already evident with the parental viral protein, which was targeted to the above nuclear compartment very soon after infection. The nucleolar localization of pp65 was also observed at later stages of the HCMV infectious cycle. After chromatin extraction (in the so‐called in situ nuclear matrices), a significant portion of the pp65 remained associated with nucleoli within the first hour after infection, then gradually redistributed in a perinucleolar area, as well as throughout the nucleus, with a granular pattern. A quite different distribution was observed for IEp72 at very early stages after infection of human embryo fibroblasts with HCMV; indeed, this viral protein was found in bright foci, clearly observable in both non‐extracted nuclei and in nuclear matrices. At later stages of infection, IEp72 became almost homogeneously distributed within the whole nucleus, while the foci increased in size and were more evenly spread; in several infected cells some of them lay within nucleoli. This peculiar nuclear distribution of IEp72 was preserved in nuclear matrices as well. The entire set of data is discussed in terms of the necessity of integration for HCMV‐specific products into the pre‐existing nuclear architecture, with the possibility of subsequent adaptation of nuclear compartments to fit the needs of the HCMV replicative cycle. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Effect of Ethnic Differences on Travel Characteristics: An Exploration of Marginality and Ethnicity in Urban Tourism

ABSTRACT This study explored the differences between African American and White traveler behaviors to an urban tourism destination to assess whether the differences could be attributed to factors related to a history of socioeconomic discrimination (marginality) or related to differences in culture (ethnicity). Results showed that there were some differences in income levels between African American and White travelers; however, after controlling for income, differences were still found in certain factors considered important when planning trips and also in the satisfaction ratings with specific city attributes. Results support the premise that at least in the urban tourism context, the differences between African American and White travelers are more related to ethnicity than to marginality.
Fabrication of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers with through-glass-via interconnects

This paper introduces a novel fabrication method for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) arrays amenable to 3D integration. The work demonstrates that MEMS structures can be directly built on a through-glass-via (TGV) substrate. The key feature of this new approach is the combination of TGV interconnects with a vibrating silicon-plate structure formed by anodic bonding. This method simplifies the overall fabrication process for CMUTs with through-wafer interconnects by eliminating the need for an insulating lining for vias or isolation trenches. Fabrication of CMUTs on a glass substrate and use of copper-filled vias as interconnects can help reduce the parasitic interconnect capacitance and resistance, improving device performance and reliability. This work is especially important for fabricating 2D CMUT arrays and integrating them closely with supporting electronic circuits.
Voice-In, Voice-Out: Constituent Participation and Nonprofit Advocacy

How do participatory constituent practices affect the scope and intensity of nonprofit advocacy? In this study, we examine this question through survey data from a random sample of charitable nonprofit organizations in Arizona in 2007. Our findings show that the scope and intensity of nonprofit advocacy tend to increase with constituent board membership, communication with constituents, and level of constituent involvement in strategic decision making. However, the scope and intensity of nonprofit advocacy tends to decrease with increased government funding and private contributions. These findings suggest important implications for organizations wishing to be more effective in influencing public policy.
Prolactin in bovine milk near the time of calving and its relationship to premature induction of lactogenesis.

Twenty-three primiparous heifers and pluriparous cows were milked once daily beginning 3 to 10 days before parturition. Retrospectively, they were divided into groups representing either successful or unsuccessful premature induction of lactogenesis, depending on milk production prior to calving. Successfully induced animals had prepartum milk yields greater than 4 kg/milking and unsuccessful animals yielded less. Ten of 23 animals satisfied the criterion for successful premature induction at 2.6 +/- . 4 days before calving and 3.6 +/- . 8 days after first milking and had peak prepartum yields of 7.9 +/- . 7 kg/milking. Total number of prepartum days milked did not differ between successful and unsuccessful groups. Greater milk yield prepartum was significantly associated with higher milk prolactin concentration on days -6 to -4. Heifers had less milk yield than cows but did not differ in milk prolactin concentration or in total prolactin per milking. Premature induction of lactogenesis did not confer significant lactational benefits for more than 1 day postpartum or over the first 35 days postpartum. Premature induction of lactogenesis as a result of prepartum milking did not, as hypothesized, decrease the ability of mammary secretions to accumulate prolactin in large amounts. All groups rapidly lost this ability after parturition, suggesting that the hormonal environment of late pregnancy may promote the transfer of prolactin from blood into milk when there is regular removal of prepartum milk.