Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leptin-Receptor-Expressing Neurons in the Dorsomedial Hypothalamus and Median Preoptic Area Regulate Sympathetic Brown Adipose Tissue Circuits

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis is critical to maintain homoeothermia and is centrally controlled via sympathetic outputs. Body temperature and BAT activity also impact energy expenditure, and obesity is commonly associated with decreased BAT capacity and sympathetic tone. Severely obese mice that lack leptin or its receptor (LepRb) show decreased BAT capacity, sympathetic tone, and body temperature and thus are unable to adapt to acute cold exposure (Trayhurn et al., 1976). LepRb-expressing neurons are found in several hypothalamic sites, including the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) and median preoptic area (mPOA), both critical sites to regulate sympathetic, thermoregulatory BAT circuits. Specifically, a subpopulation in the DMH/dorsal hypothalamic area (DHA) is stimulated by fever-inducing endotoxins or cold exposure (Dimicco and Zaretsky, 2007; Morrison et al., 2008). Using the retrograde, transsynaptic tracer pseudorabies virus (PRV) injected into the BAT of mice, we identified PRV-labeled LepRb neurons in the DMH/DHA and mPOA (and other sites), thus indicating their involvement in the regulation of sympathetic BAT circuits. Indeed, acute cold exposure induced c-Fos (as a surrogate for neuronal activity) in DMH/DHA LepRb neurons, and a large number of mPOA LepRb neurons project to the DMH/DHA. Furthermore, DMH/DHA LepRb neurons (and a subpopulation of LepRb mPOA neurons) project and synaptically couple to rostral raphe pallidus neurons, consistent with the current understanding of BAT thermoregulatory circuits from the DMH/DHA and mPOA (Dimicco and Zaretsky, 2007; Morrison et al., 2008). Thus, these data present strong evidence that LepRb neurons in the DMH/DHA and mPOA mediate thermoregulatory leptin action.
Young people, HIV/AIDS/STIs and sexuality in South Africa: the gap between awareness and behaviour

Aim: To determine the baseline data of secondary school students in the Midlands district of Kwa‐Zulu, Natal, South Africa. The data provide details of students' knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and AIDS, spread, prevention, how they can protect themselves from contracting an STI, their general awareness and sources of information, their perceptions of their vulnerability and their sexual practices. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was carried out among 1113 grade 11 students in 19 randomly allocated secondary schools. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using the SPSS software package. Results: The results confirm that knowledge levels were high for causes and spread of STIs and the participants were well informed about issues relating to protection against STIs and seeking treatment. However, there was significant deviation in reported behaviours.
Effects of depth of neuromuscular block on surgical conditions during laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a randomised controlled trial

There have been few objective evaluations of the effects of deep neuromuscular blockade on intra‐operative conditions. In this prospective randomised controlled study, we evaluated the effects of deep neuromuscular block on surgical conditions during laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Patients were randomly allocated using a computer‐generated randomisation code to either moderate (train‐of‐four count 1–2 maintained and antagonised with neostigmine) or deep (post‐tetanic count 1–2 maintained and reversed with sugammadex) levels of neuromuscular blockade. The primary outcome measure was the number of abrupt increases in intra‐abdominal pressure intra‐operatively. Secondary outcome variables were intra‐operative restoration of spontaneous breathing, number of surgical requests for additional neuromuscular blockade, surgical rating of operating conditions and patient satisfaction. The surgeon who rated the surgical conditions score and investigator who checked the postoperative variables were blinded to patient allocation. In total, we recruited 70 patients of whom 64 (32 in each group) were analysed. Increases in intra‐abdominal pressure (14/32 vs. 6/32; p = 0.031), intra‐operative restoration of spontaneous breathing (16/32 vs. 2/32; p < 0.001) and request for additional neuromuscular blockade (21/32 vs. 8/32; p = 0.001) were more frequent in the moderate compared with the deep group. In patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery, deep neuromuscular blockade provided better surgical conditions than moderate neuromuscular blockade, as measured by a reduction in the incidence of intra‐abdominal pressure alarms.
Do prevention interventions reduce HIV risk behaviours among people living with HIV? A meta-analytic review of controlled trials

Objective:To conduct a meta-analytic review of HIV interventions for people living with HIV (PLWH) to determine their overall efficacy in reducing HIV risk behaviours and identify intervention characteristics associated with efficacy. Methods:Comprehensive searches included electronic databases from 1988 to 2004, hand searches of journals, reference lists of articles, and contacts with researchers. Twelve trials met the stringent selection criteria: randomization or assignment with minimal bias, use of statistical analysis, and assessment of HIV-related behavioural or biologic outcomes at least 3 months after the intervention. Random-effects models were used to aggregate data. Results:Interventions significantly reduced unprotected sex [odds ratio (OR), 0.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40–0.82] and decreased acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.05–0.73). Non-significant intervention effects were observed for needle sharing (OR, 0.47, 95% CI, 0.13–1.71). As a whole, interventions with the following characteristics significantly reduced sexual risk behaviours: (1) based on behavioural theory; (2) designed to change specifically HIV transmission risk behaviours; (3) delivered by health-care providers or counsellors; (4) delivered to individuals; (5) delivered in an intensive manner; (6) delivered in settings where PLWH receive routine services or medical care; (7) provided skills building, or (8) addressed a myriad of issues related to mental health, medication adherence, and HIV risk behaviour. Conclusion:Interventions targeting PWLH are efficacious in reducing unprotected sex and acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases. Efficacious strategies identified in this review should be incorporated into community HIV prevention efforts and further evaluated for effectiveness.
Farm-gate nutrient balance assessment of organic dairy farms at different intensity levels in Germany

Abstract Organic farms are characterized as low external input agro-ecosystems. Currently, some organic dairy farmers feed higher amounts of concentrates and succulent feed, some of which is purchased, to increase the dairy performance of their cows. To assess the environmental impact of this practice, nutrient balances at the farm-gate level of 26 organic dairy farms located in two different regions in Germany were compiled and analysed. The farms are characterized by different production features and feeding intensity levels [0–2.72 t dry matter (DM) of concentrates per cow and year, which was 0–378 g kg−1 milk] yielding 5150–8790 kg milk on average per cow and year. The area- and product (milk)-related farm-gate nutrient budgets for P and K are almost balanced [mean −3 kg P ha−1, range (R): −14 to 4 kg P ha−1; −0.5 g P kg−1 milk, R: −2.8 to 0.9 g P kg−1 milk and 1 kg K ha−1, R: −13 to 15 kg K ha−1; 0.1 g K kg−1 milk, R: −2.4 to 3.9 g K kg−1 milk]. The N surplus averages only 43 kg ha−1 (R: 8–85 kg N ha−1) and 8.2 g kg−1 milk (R: 2.1–17.1 g kg−1 milk), but the correlation between the amount of feed purchased on a net basis and N surplus is significant (r=0.56, P=0.003). Average area-related nutrient use efficiency for all farms calculated as the proportion of input to output is high for N (45%), P (164%) and K (91%). The share of nutrient input and output components and correlations between parameters are presented. To classify the results, investigations comparing organic and conventional dairy farming in Europe are listed, indicating an N surplus for organic farms, which is often only half or a third of the surplus of conventional farms. However, intensification in organic dairy farming has, in some cases, significant impacts that need to be assessed to determine its environmental performance and profile.
THE DISAGGREGATION OF THE GIN1 COEFFICIENT BY FACTOR COMPONENTS AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO AUSTRALIA

This paper demonstrates the proper use of the disaggregation of the Gini coefficient by factor components by deriving a formula of the elasticity of the Gini coefficient with respect to specific income components. The method is then applied to Australian household expenditure survey data to find the effects of various components of income on overall income inequality. The results are important in examining the effects of growth in specific components on the overall inequality and hence in policy decisions with respect to redistribution of income.
Local discourses and international initiatives: sociocultural sustainability of tourism in Oulanka National Park, Finland

National parks have become important tourist attractions and tools for regional development. New international initiatives, such as PAN (Protected Area Network) Parks in Europe, now promote sustainable tourism in protected areas. This paper examines the sociocultural sustainability of tourism perceived by local stakeholders of Oulanka National Park in northeastern Finland. The central question concerns the role of PAN Parks certification in community and tourism development. Four discourses were identified, based on 40 semi-structured interviews exploring different views on sociocultural development pertaining to tourism in the national park: (1) integrating nature-based tourism and conservation, (2) defending the rights of local people, (3) stressing the economic utilization of nature and (4) accepting tourism development and the national park. Although local stakeholders mostly have a positive perception of tourism in the park, it cannot be concluded whether the park facilitates development in a sustainable manner or not. Key problems identified are lack of participation opportunities and contradictions with traditional subsistence economies. The various positions of stakeholders in these discourses tend to influence their views on sustainability. Findings imply the necessity to monitor the distribution of benefits and burdens of park development holistically to multiple stakeholders.
Diners’ Optimal Stimulation Level and Behavioral Intention

This study examined the diners’ variety seeking intention in the restaurant choice situation based on the theory of optimal stimulation level. Specifically, the study investigated the influences of frequency/recency of dining-out, satisfaction, and desired values on variety seeking intention. Also, this study considered allocentric characteristics as a moderator to identify how the factors differently affect variety seeking intention depending on the personal characteristics. The results showed that desired hedonic/utilitarian values significantly influenced variety seeking intention, suggesting that diners’ desired values are more critical factor leading to variety seeking intention than prior dining experiences. In addition, the result for the moderating effect of personal characteristics verified that satisfaction and desired hedonic/utilitarian values differently affect variety seeking intention cross two different personality groups, high and low allocentric characteristics.
A competitive index for international sport

This article constructs an index of competitiveness for different international sports. This is done by finding the national characteristics that are associated with sporting success and then noting the countries that participate in the different sports. This enables the various sports to be rated in terms of their competitiveness, thereby allowing judgements to be made regarding how difficult it is to be successful in these sports. Although a sports competitive index will no doubt be of interest to many armchair sporting experts, an answer to this question is also of importance when it comes to government policy with regard to funds directed to sport.
Age‐related loss of nitric oxide synthase in skeletal muscle causes reductions in calpain S‐nitrosylation that increase myofibril degradation and sarcopenia

Sarcopenia, the age‐related loss of muscle mass, is a highly‐debilitating consequence of aging. In this investigation, we show sarcopenia is greatly reduced by muscle‐specific overexpression of calpastatin, the endogenous inhibitor of calcium‐dependent proteases (calpains). Further, we show that calpain cleavage of specific structural and regulatory proteins in myofibrils is prevented by covalent modification of calpain by nitric oxide (NO) through S‐nitrosylation. We find that calpain in adult, non‐sarcopenic muscles is S‐nitrosylated but that aging leads to loss of S‐nitrosylation, suggesting that reduced S‐nitrosylation during aging leads to increased calpain‐mediated proteolysis of myofibrils. Further, our data show that muscle aging is accompanied by loss of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), the primary source of muscle NO, and that expression of a muscle‐specific nNOS transgene restores calpain S‐nitrosylation in aging muscle and prevents sarcopenia. Together, the findings show that in vivo reduction of calpain S‐nitrosylation in muscle may be an important component of sarcopenia, indicating that modulation of NO can provide a therapeutic strategy to slow muscle loss during old age.
What is the Price of Hubris? Using Takeover Battles to Infer Overpayments and Synergies

We present a framework for determining the information that can be extracted from stock prices around takeover contests. In only two types of cases is it theoretically possible to use stock price movements to infer bidder overpayment and relative synergies. Even in these two cases, we argue that it is practically difficult to extract this information. We illustrate one of these generic cases using the takeover contest for Paramount in 1994 in which Viacom overpaid by more than $2 billion. Our findings are consistent with managerial overconfidence and/or large private benefits, but not with the traditional agency-based incentive problem.
Beam dynamics studies for transverse electromagnetic mode type rf deflectors

We have performed three-dimensional simulations of beam dynamics for transverse electromagnetic mode (TEM) type rf deflectors: normal and superconducting. The compact size of these cavities as compared to the conventional TM110 type structures is more attractive particularly at low frequency. Highly concentrated electromagnetic fields between the parallel bars provide strong electrical stability to the beam for any mechanical disturbance. An array of six 2-cell normal conducting cavities or a single cell superconducting structure is enough to produce the required vertical displacement at the target point. Both the normal and superconducting structures show very small emittance dilution due to the vertical kick of the beam.
A Proximal Strengthening Program Improves Pain, Function, and Biomechanics in Women With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Background: It is hypothesized that patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) have hip and core muscle weakness leading to dynamic malalignment of the lower extremity. Thus, hip strengthening is a common PFPS treatment approach. Purpose: To determine changes in hip strength, core endurance, lower extremity biomechanics, and patient outcomes after proximally focused rehabilitation for PFPS patients. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Nineteen women (age, 22.68 ± 7.19 years; height, 1.64 ± 0.07 m; mass, 60.2 ± 7.35 kg) with PFPS participated in an 8-week program to strengthen the hip and core muscles and improve dynamic malalignment. Paired t tests were used to compare the dependent variables between prerehabilitation and postrehabilitation. The dependent variables were pain; functional ability; isometric hip abduction and external rotation strength; anterior, lateral, and posterior core endurance; joint range of motion (ROM; rearfoot eversion, knee abduction and internal rotation, and hip adduction and internal rotation); and peak internal joint moments (rearfoot inversion, knee abduction, and hip abduction and external rotation) during the stance phase of running. Results: Significant improvements in pain, functional ability, lateral core endurance, hip abduction, and hip external rotation strength were observed. There was also a significant reduction in the knee abduction moment during running, although there were no significant changes in joint ROM. Conclusion: An 8-week rehabilitation program focusing on strengthening and improving neuromuscular control of the hip and core musculature produces positive patient outcomes, improves hip and core muscle strength, and reduces the knee abduction moment, which is associated with developing PFPS.
Impacts of a Disease Management Program for Dually Eligible Beneficiaries

The LifeMasters Supported SelfCare demonstration program provides disease management (DM) services to Florida Medicare beneficiaries who are also enrolled in Medicaid and have congestive heart failure (CHF), diabetes, or coronary artery disease (CAD). The population-based program provides primarily telephonic patient education and monitoring services. Findings from the randomized, intent-to-treat design over the first 18 months of operations show virtually no overall impacts on hospital or emergency room (ER) use, Medicare expenditures, quality of care, or prescription drug use for the 33,000 enrollees. However, for beneficiaries with CHF who resided in high-cost South Florida counties, the program reduced Medicare expenditures by 9.6 percent.
Paracetamol-Induced Hypothermia Is Independent of Cannabinoids and Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid-1 and Is Not Mediated by AM404

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in hypothermia induced by paracetamol for therapeutic purposes, which, in some instances, has been reported as a side effect. Understanding the mechanism by which paracetamol induces hypothermia is therefore an important question. In this study, we investigated whether the novel metabolite of paracetamol, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)arachidonylamide (AM404), which activates the cannabinoid (CB) and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) systems, mediates the paracetamol-induced hypothermia. The hypothermic response to 300 mg/kg paracetamol in CB1 receptor (CB1R) and TRPV1 knockout mice was compared to wild-type mice. Hypothermia induced by paracetamol was also investigated in animals pretreated with the CB1R or TRPV1 antagonist 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-4-methyl-N-1-piperdinyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide trifluoroacetate salt (AM251) or 4′-chloro-3-methoxycinnamanilide (SB366791), respectively. In CB1R or TRPV1 knockout mice, paracetamol induced hypothermia to the same extent as in wild-type mice. In addition, in C57BL/6 mice pretreated with AM251 or SB366791, paracetamol induced hypothermia to the same extent as in control mice. AM404 failed to induce hypothermia at pharmacological doses. Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which is involved in the metabolism of paracetamol to AM404, did not prevent the development of hypothermia with paracetamol. Paracetamol also induced hypothermia in FAAH knockout mice to the same extent as wild-type mice. We conclude that paracetamol induces hypothermia independent of cannabinoids and TRPV1 and that AM404 does not mediate this response. In addition, potential therapeutic value of combinational drug-induced hypothermia is supported by experimental evidence.
Persistence of simian immunodeficiency virus Mne variants upon transmission

In macaques infected with a clone of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Mne, viral variants consistently evolve multiple new potential glycosylation sites in the first variable region (V1) prior to the development of AIDS. In the present study, we asked whether viruses with these glycosylation sites persist when they are transmitted to a naive macaque. Variants that evolved after transmission to a recipient macaque were compared with virus that evolved in the donor, which had been infected by cloned SIV Mne. Upon transmission, the specific serine/threonine-rich motifs potentially encoding novel O-linked glycosylation site(s) in V1 were conserved in virus isolated from lymph node, spleen, and liver tissue from the recipient. There was some accumulation of changes in V3 of envelope in virus from the recipient, whereas changes in this region were not observed in virus from the donor macaque. Some variants detected in the tissue of the recipient at necropsy were most closely related to viruses present in the donor inoculum even though these particular variants were not detected early after infection in the recipient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Overall, virus with the predominant V1 sequences associated with progression to disease are transmitted to and persist in the recipient animal.
Predicting Academic Success Using Admission Profiles

This study, conducted at a tertiary education institution in Israel, following two previous studies, was designed to deal again with a question that is a topic of debate in Israel and worldwide: Is there justification for the approach that considers restrictive university admission policies an efficient tool for predicting students’ success at the end of their first year of studies and at the conclusion of their requirements for an undergraduate degree. This study reviews the spread of higher education in and outside Israel in recent years, and discusses the institution of admission policies as a response to the gap between the high demand for studies and the limited supply. This study discusses a diverse list of admission policies that offered admission based on students’ success at the end of their first year of studies and at the fulfillment of their requirements for an undergraduate degree. This study also reviews the debate in and outside Israel on whether restrictive admission policies have fulfilled the hopes pinned on them. Finally, the study conducted a detailed study of the effectiveness of different admission policies in the various faculties of the institution in question, and found no systematic connection between admission policies and students’ actual achievements (measured by the grade average at the end of their first year and their grade average for their degree).
If It Isn't Broken, Don't Fix It: The Spanish Popular Party in Power

This article reviews the evolution of the Spanish Popular Party (PP) in a decade in which, after 20 years in opposition, it reached national government, ruling Spain from 1996 to 2004, and finally going unexpectedly into opposition. This period is characterized by a lack of fundamental party changes, making the PP a clear example of how, when a party succeeds, internal changes are unlikely.
Relationship Between Secondary School Teachers' Job Satisfaction and School Organizational Climate in Iran and India

The present study investigated secondary school teachers’ job satisfaction in relation to school organizational climate in Iran and India. 512 teachers were selected through simple random sampling from secondary schools of Arak city (Iran) and Mysore city (India). The sample consisted of 226 men and 286 women. They were assessed using the Teacher Job Satisfaction Scale (Sudha and Sathyanarayana, 1985) and School Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire (Sharma, 1978). Results indicated that there is a significant relationship between all sub factors of teachers’ job satisfaction and six dimensions of school organizational climate in both the countries. From a comparative perspective, it is clear that school organizational climate has more influence on teachers’ job satisfaction in India than in Iran.