Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Verbal Working Memory and Atherosclerosis in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: An fMRI study

Background and Purpose. Intimal–medial thickening (IMT) of the carotid wall is an accepted peripheral marker of atherosclerosis. It is associated with increased risk for myocardial infarction and stroke, and lower attention‐executive‐psychomotor functioning. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between IMT and brain activity during a verbal working memory (VWM) task in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods. Thirteen CVD patients underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a 2‐Back VWM task, and B‐mode ultrasound of the carotid arteries. IMT was calculated using an automated algorithm based on a validated edge‐detection technique. The relationship between IMT and 2‐Back‐related brain activity was modeled using partial correlations controlling for age and small vessel disease as measured by white matter signal hyperintensities on MRI (WMH). Results. Higher IMT was associated with lower 2‐Back‐related signal intensity and in the right middle frontal gyrus, independent of age and WMH. Conclusions. IMT may be one mechanism contributing to brain dysfunction in CVD. The blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) contrast appears to be highly sensitive to peripheral vascular health as measured by IMT. Future studies should examine the sensitivity and specificity of the BOLD response for predicting cognitive decline in CVD.
Microclimate in the vertical profile of wheat, rape and maize canopies

KREDL, Z. , STŘEDA, T. , POKORNÝ, R. , KMOCH, M. , BROTAN, J.,: Microclimate in the vertical profi le of wheat, rape and maize canopies. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun. , 2012, LX, No. 1, pp. 79–90 The diff erences of air temperature and relative air humidity in wheat, rape and maize canopies at three heights (ground level, eff ective canopy height and 2 meters above the soil surface), and their comparison with the temperature values of the nearest standard climatological station at the height of 2 meters were studied. The microclimatic data were obtained at the fi eld trial station of the Mendel University in Brno in the Žabcice municipality (South Moravia) in the canopies of winter wheat, winter rape and maize and from the standard climatological station located immediately next to the canopies. It was found, that wheat, rape and maize canopies microclimate diff ered signifi cantly from those of their surrounding environments. The temperature was usually lower in the ground level and eff ective height in the wheat and rape stands, air humidity was usually higher in these crops. On the other hand, maize canopies had diverse air temperature values during the studied period. canopies microclimate, wheat, rape, maize, air temperature, air humidity
The behaviour of T-mycoplasmas in tissue culture.

Summary Mycoplasma orale type 1 and M. hominis increased in number in the maintenance medium of cultures of L132 cells. The former mycoplasma grew slowly, but the latter grew rapidly and persisted in the cultures for more than a month. Neither mycoplasma grew in maintenance medium that had not been in contact with cells. In contrast, two T-mycoplasmas of human origin, one from the genital tract and the other from the oropharynx, grew rapidly in cultures of L132 cells and sometimes in maintenance medium from tubes without cells also, but persisted for 3–4 days only. Even though there was growth of T-mycoplasmas in the maintenance medium of infected cell cultures, the cells contributed to the mycoplasma growth. Thus, serum-free maintenance medium alone did not support growth, but did so when used in cell cultures. Very small amounts of urea—probably derived from the cells—may have been responsible for the growth. The addition of 0·01–0·05 per cent. urea increased the number of viable T-mycoplasma organisms. In the presence or absence of additional urea, most organisms were found free in the maintenance medium overlying cell monolayers, but some were present in close association with the cells. Treatment of T-mycoplasma-infected cultures with streptomycin, which was lethal for extracellular T-mycoplasma organisms, followed by disruption of the cells, led to the release of viable organisms, indicating that some organisms were intracellular. Minimal cytopathic changes were seen in cultures of L132, HeLa and Vero cells, particularly when 0·05 per cent. urea was added. Chronic infection could not be established in the cultures because the mycoplasmas usually died before the optimum time for cell subculture. The appearance of a T-mycoplasma inhibitor in the cultures possibly may have been partly responsible for this. The failure of T-mycoplasmas to persist in these cell cultures contrasts with their behaviour in the human host and in organ cultures.
The Causes and Extent of Split Sovereign Credit Ratings in Emerging Markets

Sovereign credit rating actions have attracted considerable attention recently. This study employs a rich and unique data set of ratings from six international agencies to investigate the causes of split sovereign ratings in emerging countries. Three reasons are identified in explaining the relatively high frequency of disagreement across agencies on emerging sovereign ratings. First, rating agencies use different economic factors and different weights on those factors. Second, rating agencies disagree to a greater extent about more opaque issuers. Third, for smaller rating agencies, issuers in their "home region" tend to be more favored. The findings should be of interest to a wide range of participants in global credit markets.
Canadian corporate payout policy

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine cash dividends and stock repurchases in Canada from 1988 to 2006 and their relationship with earnings. Design/methodology/approach - The study uses logistic regressions to examine the likelihood of paying dividends and the timing of repurchases and OLS regressions to examine the level of payout. Findings - The fraction of dividend-paying firms declines from 1988 to 2001 and then slightly rebounds until the end of the sample period in 2006. Firm size, profitability, investment opportunities, and catering incentives explain the likelihood of paying dividends. Unlike US firms, Canadian repurchase-only firms do not become important payers in terms of either the percentage of firms or the level of payout. Dividend-only firms pay out significant amounts of cash. Firms with both regular dividends and regular repurchases pay out the largest amount. The payout of different groups of payers is determined by their earnings. Testing firms with both regular dividends and regular repurchases reveals that earnings, undervaluation, and availability of cash explains the timing of repurchases but earnings mainly explains the level of repurchases. Research limitations/implications - Canadian data are unavailable after 2006, which precludes investigating the potential implications of the financial crisis beginning in 2007. Originality/value - This is the first paper to analyze the evolution of the relationship between payout and earnings in Canada.
A thyroid hormone challenge in hypothyroid rats identifies T3 regulated genes in the hypothalamus and in models with altered energy balance and glucose homeostasis.

BACKGROUND The thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) is known to affect energy balance. Recent evidence points to an action of T3 in the hypothalamus, a key area of the brain involved in energy homeostasis, but the components and mechanisms are far from understood. The aim of this study was to identify components in the hypothalamus that may be involved in the action of T3 on energy balance regulatory mechanisms. METHODS Sprague Dawley rats were made hypothyroid by giving 0.025% methimazole (MMI) in their drinking water for 22 days. On day 21, half the MMI-treated rats received a saline injection, whereas the others were injected with T3. Food intake and body weight measurements were taken daily. Body composition was determined by magnetic resonance imaging, gene expression was analyzed by in situ hybridization, and T3-induced gene expression was determined by microarray analysis of MMI-treated compared to MMI-T3-injected hypothalamic RNA. RESULTS Post mortem serum thyroid hormone levels showed that MMI treatment decreased circulating thyroid hormones and increased thyrotropin (TSH). MMI treatment decreased food intake and body weight. Body composition analysis revealed reduced lean and fat mass in thyroidectomized rats from day 14 of the experiment. MMI treatment caused a decrease in circulating triglyceride concentrations, an increase in nonesterified fatty acids, and decreased insulin levels. A glucose tolerance test showed impaired glucose clearance in the thyroidectomized animals. In the brain, in situ hybridization revealed marked changes in gene expression, including genes such as Mct8, a thyroid hormone transporter, and Agrp, a key component in energy balance regulation. Microarray analysis revealed 110 genes to be up- or downregulated with T3 treatment (± 1.3-fold change, p<0.05). Three genes chosen from the differentially expressed genes were verified by in situ hybridization to be activated by T3 in cells located at or close to the hypothalamic ventricular ependymal layer and differentially expressed in animal models of long- and short-term body weight regulation. CONCLUSION This study identified genes regulated by T3 in the hypothalamus, a key area of the brain involved in homeostasis and neuroendocrine functions. These include genes hitherto not known to be regulated by thyroid status.
"Binge" versus steady drinking: effects on the liver in the ovariectomized rat.

Substantial interest exists as to whether or not differential effects in liver injury based on the pattern of alcohol intake exist; and further, if they do, are they simply a function of the total dose over time. A rat model in which ethanol (ETOH) at doses of 12%, 24%, or 36% of total calories was isocalorically administered for 4 months either daily or intermittently (4 days of ETOH, 3 days of control diet, repeatedly) was used to assess this question. There were significant differences in the two feeding pattern groups between 36% ETOH rats for the liver weight corrected for body weight, the fat infiltration score, the total amount of ETOH consumed/mg body weight, the proportion of animals with a fat infiltration score > 2, and albumin levels. There was a significant difference between 12% ETOH rats for the liver weight corrected for body weight. Of particular relevance is the comparison to be made between Daily 12% ETOH and Binge 24% ETOH animals, because these two groups consumed an identical total amount of ETOH/mg body weight (Daily: 445 +/- 5 vs. Binge: 468 +/- 15) and thus these animals are comparable in terms of ETOH dose over time but different in terms of the pattern of ETOH exposure. There were no differences in the liver/body ratio (Daily: 235 +/- 6 vs. Binge: 232 +/- 4), fat infiltration score (Daily: 2.5 +/- 4 vs. Binge: 2.4 +/- 0.3), the proportion of animals with a fat infiltration score > 2 (Daily: 5/10 vs. Binge: 4/8), or albumin levels (Daily: 3.0 +/- 0.1 vs. Binge: 3.1 +/- 0.1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Mozambique

This is a product of a research project on Distortions to Agricultural Incentives, under the leadership of Kym Anderson of the World Bank’s Development Research Group (www.worldbank.org/agdistortions). The authors are grateful to Carla Lopes for research assistance and to Danilo Abdula, Rafael Uaiene, Jorge Tinga and all the staff at GPSCA-MINAG, Norberto Mahalambe, Juan Farfan, Dr. Raimundo Matule and Finn Tarp for suggestions and providing the data; for helpful comments from workshop participants; and for funding from World Bank Trust Funds provided by the governments of Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands (BNPP) and the United Kingdom (DfID).
Knowledge to Action: Investigating Implicit Knowledge Production Models Held Among Forest Science Researchers

Criticisms of conventional knowledge production systems target their inability to address complex issues involving natural resources. In response, several researchers have adopted participatory research methodologies, incorporating more holistic problem-solving approaches that greatly value the knowledge and abilities of stakeholders. This case study explores forest science researchers' engagement strategies with stakeholders and how researchers can incorporate alternative approaches to knowledge production. We conducted semistructured interviews with forest science researchers, asking direct questions about how they define and work with stakeholders. Analysis revealed a great awareness among researchers for the need to cooperate with stakeholders and to incorporate their knowledge and abilities into the research process, as well as lamentations over structural, institutional, and resource limitations inhibiting the adoption of these practices. Our results reveal both how forest science researchers and institutes work with stakeholders and how they can better incorporate these stakeholder engagement methodologies into their research practices.
Changing factor market conditions in South Africa: The capital market – a sectoral description of the period 1970–97

This article explores changing conditions in South African real capital markets. Noteworthy is the evidence of strong restructuring in this market during the 1990s. Whereas the 1970s and 1980s showed the best investment performance among primary commodity sectors and sectors with strong parastatal involvement, the highest investment rates of the 1990s have been associated with the manufacturing industry. We show that the real user cost of capital and capital productitivity contribute plausible determinants of investment rates in South Africa. The extent to which market forces are allowed to bring in line marginal cost and marginal return on capital appears to influence the sustainability of investment.
Performance of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Identification of Bacterial Strains Routinely Isolated in a Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

ABSTRACT Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has recently been introduced in diagnostic microbiology laboratories for the identification of bacterial and yeast strains isolated from clinical samples. In the present study, we prospectively compared MALDI-TOF MS to the conventional phenotypic method for the identification of routine isolates. Colonies were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS either by direct deposition on the target plate or after a formic acid-acetonitrile extraction step if no valid result was initially obtained. Among 1,371 isolates identified by conventional methods, 1,278 (93.2%) were putatively identified to the species level by MALDI-TOF MS and 73 (5.3%) were identified to the genus level, but no reliable identification was obtained for 20 (1.5%). Among the 1,278 isolates identified to the species level by MALDI-TOF MS, 63 (4.9%) discordant results were initially identified. Most discordant results (42/63) were due to systematic database-related taxonomical differences, 14 were explained by poor discrimination of the MALDI-TOF MS spectra obtained, and 7 were due to errors in the initial conventional identification. An extraction step was required to obtain a valid MALDI-TOF MS identification for 25.6% of the 1,278 valid isolates. In conclusion, our results show that MALDI-TOF MS is a fast and reliable technique which has the potential to replace conventional phenotypic identification for most bacterial strains routinely isolated in clinical microbiology laboratories.
Creative destruction and export patterns

This paper presents an international trade model based on a market structure with monopolistic competition and age dependent quality and productivity in producing each product variety. Due to innovations new product varieties of a still higher quality enter the market every period rendering old varieties obsolete. For a given technology (variety) production costs decrease after an infant period due to learning. While all firms are assumed to be symmetric in a life-cycle perspective, at a given point in time firms of different ages differ in productivity, firm size, product quality, and export behavior. The model highlights a process of creative destruction, which allows firms to produce in a finite span of periods determined by the intensity of product and process innovations. The model predicts a wide range of export behavior of the individual firm during its life cycle depending on the structure of technological progress and trade costs. These predictions are consistent with empirical evidence on firm's internationalization in a dynamic perspective.
Risk of Subsequent Neoplasms During the Fifth and Sixth Decades of Life in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Cohort.

PURPOSE Survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk for subsequent neoplasms (SNs), but the incidence beyond the age of 40 years and associations with therapeutic exposures have not been well described. PATIENTS AND METHODS Among 14,364 survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 1986, 3,171 had an attained age of 40 years or older at the time of last contact. Cumulative incidence of SNs, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), excess absolute risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs), and relative risks (RRs) for SMNs and nonmelanoma skin cancers were calculated. RESULTS In total, 679 SNs were diagnosed in patients age 40 years or older. These included 196 SMNs, 419 nonmelanoma skin cancers, 21 nonmalignant meningiomas, and 43 other benign neoplasms. At age 55 years, the cumulative incidence of new SNs and SMNs occurring after age 40 years was 34.6% (95% CI, 28.7 to 40.6) and 16.3% (95% CI, 11.7 to 20.9), respectively. Survivors were twice as likely as the general population to receive a diagnosis of SMN after age 40 years (SIR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.9 to 2.5). Among SMNs, risk was increased for breast cancer (SIR, 5.5; 95% CI, 4.5 to 6.7), renal cancer (SIR, 3.9; 95% CI, 2.0 to 7.5), soft tissue sarcoma (SIR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.5 to 4.4), and thyroid cancer (SIR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.5). Female sex (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3 to 2.6; P < .001) and therapeutic radiation exposure (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.3; P < .001) were associated with an increased for risk for SMN in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION Even after age 40 years, survivors of childhood cancer remain at increased risk for treatment-related SNs. These data suggest the need for life-long monitoring and should inform anticipatory guidance provided to survivors of childhood cancer.
Australian Stock Market Volatility: 1875–1987*

This paper investigates the volatility of monthly Australian stock returns over the period 1875-1987. There has been extensive work on this question in the United States but little with data outside that country. The authors' analysis centers upon whether the stylized facts regarding returns in the United States also hold true for Australia. They find that there are both similarities and differences. There is little evidence for asymmetry in Australian returns but strong persistence of shocks into volatility. What is particularly interesting in the Australian series is the large volatility of the last two decades, an experience not matched in the U.S. data. Copyright 1993 by The Economic Society of Australia.
Understanding public sector risk : a study into the nature and assessment of strategic risk in English local authorities

The research establishes a context-specific sense of strategic risk in English local authorities. Uncertainty is found to be central to understanding risk but current practice is found not to reflect this, presenting risks with a false and misleading precision. Risks are identified to have varying, multiple characteristics. Risk assessment models which embrace these characteristics are developed and tested using a consistently applied bespoke risk data set developed for the research. Issues of control confidence and the betrayal of stakeholder trust are explored within these risk assessment models. The research proposes an accessible, fuzzy risk assessment model with an ability to inform decision-making beyond the mere ranking of risks provided by current practice approaches.
An exploratory study of marketing, physical and people related performance criteria in hotels

Purpose – Using data from online guest ratings, the purpose of this paper is to explore how the performance of hotels in terms of various criteria influences loyalty behavior of customers.Design/methodology/approach – Ratings of 333 hotels in the UK were collected from the web site www.laterooms. com and statistical analysis performed.Findings – The criterion related to marketing management (Value for money) was found to be the most important criterion influencing loyalty behavior of customers in UK hotels. Further, it was found that good performance of hotels in terms of physical‐product management can significantly influence the intentions of business guests to stay again, whereas leisure guests expect good performance both in terms of physical‐product management and people and process management. While guests of independent hotels value performance in terms of people and process management, guests of chain hotels value both physical‐product management and people and process management. Finally, it was f.
GFPT1-myasthenia

Objective: To identify patients with GFPT1-related limb-girdle myasthenia and analyze phenotypic consequences of the mutations. Methods: We performed genetic analysis, histochemical, immunoblot, and ultrastructural studies and in vitro electrophysiologic analysis of neuromuscular transmission. Results: We identified 16 recessive mutations in GFPT1 in 11 patients, of which 12 are novel. Ten patients had slowly progressive limb-girdle weakness responsive to cholinergic agonists with onset between infancy and age 19 years. One patient (no. 6) harbored a nonsense mutation and a second mutation that disrupts the muscle-specific GFPT1 exon. This patient never moved in utero, was apneic and arthrogrypotic at birth, and was bedfast, tube-fed, and barely responded to therapy at age 6 years. Histochemical studies in 9 of 11 patients showed tubular aggregates in 6 and rimmed vacuoles in 3. Microelectrode studies of intercostal muscle endplates in 5 patients indicated reduced synaptic response to acetylcholine in 3 and severely reduced quantal release in patient 6. Endplate acetylcholine receptor content was moderately reduced in only one patient. The synaptic contacts were small and single or grape-like, and quantitative electron microscopy revealed hypoplastic endplate regions. Numerous muscle fibers of patient 6 contained myriad dilated and degenerate vesicular profiles, autophagic vacuoles, and bizarre apoptotic nuclei. Glycoprotein expression in muscle was absent in patient 6 and reduced in 5 others. Conclusions: GFPT1-myasthenia is more heterogeneous than previously reported. Different parameters of neuromuscular transmission are variably affected. When disruption of muscle-specific isoform determines the phenotype, this has devastating clinical, pathologic, and biochemical consequences.
Stretch-induced actin remodeling requires targeting of zyxin to stress fibers and recruitment of actin regulators

Mechanical stimulation induces zyxin-dependent actin cytoskeletal reinforcement. Stretch induces MAPK activation, zyxin phosphorylation, and recruitment to actin stress fibers, independent of p130Cas. Zyxin's C-terminal LIM domains are required for stretch-induced targeting to stress fibers, and zyxin's N-terminus is necessary for actin remodeling.