Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Slow wave propagation and plasticity of interstitial cells of Cajal in the small intestine of diabetic rats

The number of myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC‐MY), responsible for the generation and propagation of the slow wave in the small intestine, has been shown to decrease in diabetes, suggesting impairment of slow‐wave (SW) propagation and related motility. To date, however, this expected decrease in SW propagation has neither been recorded nor analysed. Eleven rats were treated with streptozotocin and housed in pairs with 11 age‐matched control animals. After 3 or 7 months, segments of duodenum, jejunum and ileum were isolated and divided into two parts. One part was processed for immediate freezing, cryosectioning and immunoprobing using anti‐c‐Kit antibody to quantify ICC‐MY. The second part was superfused in a tissue bath, and SW propagation was recorded with 121 extracellular electrodes. In addition, a cellular automaton was developed to study the effects of increasing the number of inactive cells on overall propagation. The number of ICC‐MY was significantly reduced after 3 months of diabetes, but rebounded to control levels after 7 months of diabetes. Slow‐wave frequencies, velocities and extracellular amplitudes were unchanged at any stage of diabetes. The cellular automaton showed that SW velocity was not linearly related to the number of inactive cells. The depletion of ICC‐MY is not as severe as is often assumed and in fact may rebound after some time. In addition, at least in the streptozotocin model, the initial reduction in ICC‐MY is not enough to affect SW propagation. Diabetic intestinal dysfunction may therefore be more affected by impairments of other systems, such as the enteric system or the muscle cells.
Target Control in Logical Models Using the Domain of Influence of Nodes

Dynamical models of biomolecular networks are successfully used to understand the mechanisms underlying complex diseases and to design therapeutic strategies. Network control, and its special case of target control, is a promising avenue toward developing disease therapies. In target control it is assumed that a small subset of nodes is most relevant to the system’s state and the goal is to drive the target nodes into their desired states. An example of target control would be driving a cell to commit to apoptosis (programmed cell death). From the experimental perspective, gene knockout, pharmacological inhibition of proteins and providing sustained external signals are among practical intervention techniques. We identify methodologies to use the stabilizing effect of sustained interventions for target control in logical models of biomolecular networks. Specifically, we define the domain of influence of a node (in a certain state) to be the nodes (and their corresponding states) that will be ultimately stabilized by the sustained state of this node regardless of the initial state of the system. We also define the related concept of the logical domain of influence of a node, and develop an algorithm for its identification using an auxiliary network that incorporates the regulatory logic. This way a solution to the target control problem is a set of nodes whose domain of influence can cover the desired target node states. We perform greedy randomized adaptive search in state space to find such solutions. We apply our strategy to several biological networks to demonstrate its effectiveness.
A Reliance on Predatory Behavior in theContext of Financial Negotiation asSoon as Given a Chance? A Three Group Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study on the Concept of Perceived Predation

This article discusses the notion of perceived predation (the idea that a vis-à-vis wants us harm, by surprise) and reveals some of the key findings following a longitudinal study conducted with three different groups in 2011. The study shows that untrained people invited to negotiate financial transactions with another party naturally tend to adopt a strong stance, one that can be perceived as predatory, whereas those with training in negotiation adopt somewhat of a more conciliatory attitude. The important implication of such findings is that portfolio managers who attempt to maximize their client’s wealth in an unrestricted manner may well, consciously or not, turn against the very interests of those clients by using techniques that minimize perceived predation.
Antitumor activity and biomarker analysis of sunitinib in patients with bevacizumab-refractory metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE To assess the safety and efficacy of sunitinib in patients with bevacizumab-refractory metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and explore biomarkers for sunitinib response. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with mRCC and disease progression after bevacizumab-based therapy received oral sunitinib 50 mg once daily in 6-week cycles on a 4/2 schedule (4 weeks with treatment followed by 2 weeks without treatment) in a phase II multicenter study. The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DR), overall survival (OS), and safety. Plasma soluble proteins (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]-A, VEGF-C, soluble VEGF receptor [sVEGFR]-3, and placental growth factor [PlGF]) levels were measured. RESULTS Sixty-one patients were enrolled. The ORR was 23.0% (95% CI, 13.2% to 35.5%), median PFS was 30.4 weeks (95% CI, 18.3 to 36.7 weeks), median DR was 44.1 weeks (95% CI, 25.0 to 102.7 weeks), and median OS was 47.1 weeks (95% CI, 36.9 to 79.4 weeks). Mean plasma VEGF-A and PlGF levels significantly increased whereas VEGF-C and sVEGFR-3 levels decreased with sunitinib treatment. Lower baseline levels of sVEGFR-3 and VEGF-C were associated with longer PFS and ORR. Most treatment-related adverse events were of mild-to-moderate intensity and included fatigue, hypertension, and hand-foot syndrome. CONCLUSION Sunitinib has substantial antitumor activity in patients with bevacizumab-refractory mRCC and modulates circulating VEGF pathway biomarkers. These data support the hypothesis that sunitinib inhibits signaling pathways involved in bevacizumab resistance. Baseline levels of sVEGFR-3 and VEGF-C may have potential utility as biomarkers of clinical efficacy in this setting.
Consistency of Higher Order Risk Preferences

Risk aversion (a 2nd order risk preference) is a time-proven concept in economic models of choice under risk. More recently, the higher order risk preferences of prudence (3rd order) and temperance (4th order) also have been shown to be quite important. While a majority of the population seems to exhibit both risk aversion and such higher-order risk preferences, a significant minority does not. Rather than simply dismissing this behavior, we show how both risk-loving as well as risk-averse behaviors might be generated by a simple type of basic lottery preference for either (1) combining “good” outcomes with “bad” ones, or (2) combining “good with good” and “bad with bad. ” We further show that this dichotomy is fairly robust at explaining higher order risk attitudes in the laboratory. In addition to our own experimental evidence, we take a second look at the extant laboratory experiments that measure higher order risk preferences and we find a fair amount of support for this dichotomy. Our own experiment is the first to look beyond 4th order risk preferences and we examine risk attitudes at even higher levels. The consistency of these results with expected utility theory and with a few non-expected utility theories is also examined.
Exploring Intercultural Competence: A Service- Learning Approach

Abstract: This study explored the developing intercultural competence of fourth-year Australian education pre-service teachers through a core unit of study on inclusive education, following a service-learning pathway. The Australian pre-service teachers volunteered to be ‘of service’ to a cohort of second-year Malaysian pre-service teachers studying in Australia in a transnational twinning program. Students participated in a Patches program which included writing ‘patches’ (reflections) and engaging in social exchanges. Data were gathered from focus group interviews, written reflection logs and Patches writing books and were analysed through Butin’s (2005) four-lenses of service-learning: technical, cultural, political and post-modern lenses. Data revealed that initially the Australian pre-service teachers felt their presumptions about interacting with non-Australian students challenged but by the end of the semester embraced the basic tenants of inclusion and were able to project how they could take their new understandings into the classroom as inclusive teachers.
On Credit Spreads, Credit Spread Options and Implied Probabilities of Default

This study uses the two-factor valuation framework of Longstaff and Schwartz (1992a) to model the stochastic evolution of credit spreads and price European-type credit spread options. The level of the credit spread is the first stochastic factor and its volatility is the second factor. The advantage of this setup is that it allows the fitting of complex credit curves. Calibration of credit spread options prices is carried out using a replicating strategy. The estimated credit spread curves are then used to imply default probabilities under the Jarrow and Turnbull (1995) and Jarrow, Lando and Turnbull (1997) credit risk models.
MmWave ad hoc network coverage and capacity

Ad hoc networks consistently under perform compared to cellular networks. Protocols either create residual interference that leads to poor signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios or try to coordinate transmissions leading to fewer transmission opportunities. Communication with millimeter-wave (mmWave) devices offers the potential for higher bandwidth communication channels and reduced interference in ad hoc networks. This paper uses a stochastic geometry approach to characterize the coverage probability of a mmWave ad hoc network with directional antennas and random building blockages. The coverage probability in the presence of noise and both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight interference is analyzed and used to derive the transmission capacity. Performance of mmWave is then analyzed in terms of area spectral efficiency and rate coverage. The results show that mmWave networks support larger densities, higher area spectral efficiencies, and better rate coverage compared to traditional, lower-frequency ad hoc networks.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF REFRACTORY NEUROPATHIC PAIN

General Considerations: Neuropathic pain (NP) is an important component of many chronic pain conditions, estimated to be present in ∼25% of chronic pain patients but remains frequently undiagnosed. It has long been recognized as a unifying hypothesis of many variously expressed pathophysiological mechanisms rather than as a single neural pain mechanism. These different mechanisms can result in common clinical features, such as spontaneous and evoked pains, and is identified in clinical practice when accompanied by other evidence of nervous system dysfunction.
The Effect of Quantitative Materiality Approach on Auditors' Adjustment Decisions

Two alternative approaches are used in audit practice to provide quantitative materiality assessments about proposed audit adjustments. The cumulative approach compares to net income the total amount of misstatement existing at the end of the current period, while the current‐period approach compares to net income the amount of misstatement added in the current period. Depending on the relation between total misstatement and current‐period misstatement, either the cumulative approach or the current‐period approach can calculate higher quantitative materiality. This paper reports an experiment that varies materiality approach between auditors by providing auditors with either the current‐period or cumulative formats used by their firm to summarize proposed audit adjustments. Results indicate that, across a variety of experimental contexts (varying misstatement size, subjectivity, precision, and income effect, and varying whether auditors document effects on their client's quality of earnings), auditors are.
Student Drop-Out from German Higher Education Institutions.

28% of students of any one year currently give up their studies in bachelor degree programmes at German higher education institutions. Drop-out is to be understood as the definite termination in the higher education system without obtaining an academic degree. The drop-out rate is thereby calculated with the help of statistical estimation procedures on the basis of cohort comparisons. Based on Tinto's ‘student integration model’, German research on higher education has experienced partially different developments of theoretical approaches to student drop-out. Today, preference goes to those models of drop-out that describe the issue as a complex process in which individual, institutional and social factors affect the socialisation in the education process and studies. According to the findings of empirical studies, the inability to cope with the performance-related demands of the higher education institution, wrong expectations and less identification with the subject, as well as problems in financing studies are considered to be the most important reasons for dropping out. Higher education institutions and higher education policy in Germany react to this situation with broad assistance measures that include the flexibilisation of the curricula, better information for students and the expansion of the support offered during the start of the studies.
Community-based survey of podoconiosis in Bedele Zuria woreda, west Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND Podoconiosis is a neglected tropical disease resulting in progressive bilateral swelling of the lower legs in barefoot individuals exposed to red-clay soil derived from volcanic rocks. It is a considerable public health problem in countries across tropical Africa, Central America and northern India. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical features of podoconiosis, and patients' experience of disease prevention and treatment, in Bedele Zuria woreda (district), west Ethiopia. METHODS The study was conducted during 2011 and involved a house-to-house survey in all 2285 households of five randomly selected rural kebeles (villages). RESULTS The prevalence of podoconiosis was 5.6% (379/6710) (95% CI 5.1-6.2%) and was significantly greater among women than men (6.6% vs 4.7%; p = 0.001). A total of 311 (16.9%) households had at least one member with podoconiosis, and 128 (33.8%) study participants reported having a blood relative with podoconiosis. Two hundred and forty-three (76.4%) podoconiosis patients were in the economically productive age group of 15-64 years. On average, a patient experienced at least six episodes of adenolymphangitis per year resulting in a loss of 25 working days per year. CONCLUSION This study has revealed a high burden of podoconiosis in west Ethiopia, and suggests that disease prevention and treatment programmes are needed.
Infections in renal transplant recipients.

Infection is a major and severe penalty of immunosuppression and is associated with high mortality. In order to prevent the occurrence of infection, one should know the commonest types of infection in that particular group of patients. Hence an attempt was made to find out the present trend of infections and their incidence in renal transplant patients. The study was conducted at MS Ramaiah Hospitals, Bangalore. All the patients who underwent renal transplantation between 2002 and 2005 were followed-up for the study. Sixty-two patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were followed for a period of 48 months. Urinary tract infection (36.11%) was the most common infection seen in the post-transplant period followed by candidiasis (16.62%) and tuberculosis (13.89%). The occurrence of acute gastroenteritis (p < 0.05) and pneumonia (p < 0.05) was statistically more in patients aged less than 40 years. Urinary tract infection (p < 0.01) was significantly higher in patients more than 40 years. Except for urinary tract infection (p < 0.05), the occurrence of all other infections in either sex had no statistical significance. Candidiasis was statistically found more in diabetics compared to non-diabetics in the pre-transplant period (p < 0.01).
The Management of Sport: Its Foundation and Application

Definition, evolution and curriculum sports management - its scope and career opportunities experimental learning through field experiences - internships and practice research and inquiry organizational theory and the study of sport group decision-making and problem solving human resource management in sport labour relations ethics liability, torts and risk management contract law and sport application constitutional and statutory law managing the facility sport marketing - a team approach sponsorship sport licensing economics and sport management accounting and budgeting financial sport managing uncertainty.
Irreversibility, Uncertainty, and Investment

Despite its importance to economic growth and the evolution of market structure, the investment behavior of firms, industries, and countries remains poorly understood. This paper has several objectives. First, it reviews some basic models of irreversible investment to illustrate the option-like characteristics of investment opportunities, and to show how optimal investment rules can be obtained from methods of option pricing, or alternatively from dynamic programming. Second, it discusses the implication of irreversibility for the empirical analysis of investment behavior. Finally, it discusses briefly some of the implications that the irreversibility of investment may have for policy. For example, policies that stabilize prices or exchange rates may be effective ways of stimulating investment.
Supporting Adoption: Reframing the Approach

Directed by Professors Lowe and Murch at Cardiff Law School, this landmark research is concerned with the adoption of older children looked after by local authorities. It presents a critical review of the support available from diverse sources including educational, social work, legal, health and psychological services as well as that from informal networks and previous carers, to older children and their families as the former make the transition from being looked after by the local authority to a new life with adoptive parents. Supporting Adoption offers the most comprehensive review of adption services in England and Wales in this decade and the picture that emerges is of a highly variable adoption practice. The authors also consider how best to ensure a much higher overall standard of adoption agency practice and propose recommendations and outline measures which would help refurbish the system. This is a Summary of the report based on the research.
Psychomotor functioning and alertness with guanfacine extended release in subjects with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether treatment with guanfacine extended release (GXR) in subjects with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) disrupted psychomotor functioning and alertness, or impacted daytime sleepiness. METHOD This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase 2, dose-optimization, noninferiority, laboratory classroom study of GXR (1, 2, and 3 mg/day) in 182 subjects aged 6 to 17 years with ADHD. Psychomotor functioning and alertness were assessed through several measures, including the Choice Reaction Time (CRT) test from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Sedative effects were examined via spontaneously reported adverse events of sedation, somnolence, and hypersomnia as well as fatigue and lethargy, and with two validated subject- and observer-rated sleepiness scales. Standard efficacy measures for ADHD also were included. Cardiovascular and laboratory parameters were assessed. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the GXR and placebo groups on measures of psychomotor functioning or alertness from the CRT at endpoint (least-square mean difference: 2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI): -22.9, 28.0], p = 0.8 for CRT; 2.5 [95% CI: -21.5, 26.4], p = 0.84 for correct responses; 15.5 [95% CI: -45.1, 14.1], p = 0.30 for movement time; and -8.2 [95% CI: -54.1, 37.6] p = 0.72 for total time). Most sedative adverse events were mild to moderate, occurred during dose titration, decreased with dose maintenance, and resolved during the study period. One subject in the GXR group discontinued due to fatigue and somnolence. GXR was not associated with increased daytime sleepiness. GXR treatment was associated with significant improvement in ADHD symptoms (6.3 [95% CI: 2.7, 9.8], p = 0.001 for ADHD Rating Scale IV total scores at endpoint). CONCLUSIONS At doses that resulted in significant improvement in ADHD symptoms, impairment on cognitive tasks was not observed. Daytime sleepiness did not differ with GXR compared with placebo. Results suggest that the beneficial effects of GXR on ADHD symptoms are independent of sedation.
Governance Mechanisms and Ownership in an Emerging Market: The Case of Turkish Banks

This study investigates the relations of board structure, ownership concentration, and ownership type with the performance of banks operating in Turkey from an agency theory and resource-dependency perspective. We use financial ratios and established measures of board characteristics and ownership structure. Our results indicate that board size and duality do not significantly influence the returns on assets of Turkish banks. On the other hand, the tenure of board members is negatively related to performance. Our analysis of board composition reveals a curvilinear relationship with banks' performance, implying that boards composed of a majority of either insiders or outsiders enjoy high performance. Also, ownership concentration and ownership type do not influence firm performance. The results of the financial variables are robust in all models.