Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visuo-Spatial Processing in Working Memory

This paper reports four experiments designed to develop a simple technique for the study of visuo-spatial processing within the working memory framework (Baddeley and Hitch, 1974). Experiment 1 involved the matching of successively presented random matrix patterns, as a secondary visual suppression task. This was coupled with rote rehearsal or a visual imagery mnemonic for learning lists of concrete words presented auditorily. Although memory performance with matching dropped overall, the visual mnemonic was differentially affected. Experiment 2 removed the matching decision, with visual presentation of unattended patterns. There was no overall effect of the unattended material, but use of the visual mnemonic was significantly affected. Experiment 3 replicated this result with simpler plain coloured squares as the unattended material. In Experiment 4, for one group, the unattended material consisted of line drawings of common objects. For a second group, the lists of words for recall were presented visually, with or without unattended speech. The results suggested that unattended pictures disrupt use of a visual mnemonic, while unattended speech disrupts rote rehearsal. These results suggest that unattended visual material has privileged access to the mechanism(s) involved in short-term visuo-spatial processing and storage. They also suggest that use of a concurrent visual matching task or of unattended visual material may provide tractable techniques for investigating this aspect of cognitive function within the context of working memory.
Combined surgical and X‐ray treatment for angiosarcoma of the scalp: report of a case with a favourable outcome

Summary Classic angiosarcoma is an uncommon malignant neoplasm of vascular differentiation which is highly aggressive. The diagnosis is often delayed and, since the despotize to treatment mainly depends on the size of the tumour, the prognosis is usually poor. Here we report a 76‐year‐old man in whom an extensive angiosarcoma of the scalp was treated by excision followed by wide‐field radiotherapy. More than 4 years later there are no signs of local recurrence or of metastasis.
Does Insurance Matter for Growth: Empirical Evidence from OECD Countries

This paper uses disaggregated data on real insurance premiums, including life and non-life insurance premiums, to examine the interrelationship between insurance markets’ activities and economic growth for 10 selected OECD countries during the up-to-date 1979-2006 period. We take recently developed panel unit-root tests, heterogeneous panel cointegration tests, and panel causality techniques and conclude that there is fairly strong evidence favoring the hypothesis of a long-run equilibrium relationship between real GDP and insurance markets’ activities after allowing for the heterogeneous country effect. The results of the long-run panel regression parameter indicate a significantly positive relationship between real GDP and the activities within the insurance market, while a development from the non-life insurance market has a greater impact on real GDP than the activities in the life insurance market do. By implementing the dynamic panel-based error correction model, we determine that insurance markets’ development and economic growth present both the long-run and short-run bidirectional causalities.
Degradation of volatile organic compounds in the gas phase by heterogeneous photocatalysis with titanium dioxide/ultraviolet light

This work presents an overview over heterogeneous photocatalysis performed in gas phase towards the degradation of o-xylene, n-hexane, n-octane, n-decane, methylcyclohexane and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane. The experimental set-up composed by a titanium plug flow reactor vessel contained a quartz tube with a 100 W UV lamp placed at center position from 1.7 cm to the quartz wall. A titanium dioxide film was immobilized on the internal walls of the reactor and used as catalyst. All measurements were taken after reaching steady state condition and evaluated at the inlet and outlet of the system. Conversion rates were studied in a wide range of residence times yielding to a 90% or above conversion as from 20 seconds of residence time. During experiments the temperature of reactor’s wall was monitored and remained between 52 and 62 °C. Temperature influence over degradation rates was negligible once a control experiment performed at 15 °C did not modify outgoing results. Humidity effect was also evaluated showing an ideal working range of 10 - 80% with abrupt conversion decay outside the range. By varying inlet concentration between 60 and 110 ppmv the VOC degradation curves remained unchanged. Loss over catalytic activity was only observed for o-xylene after 30 minutes of reaction, the catalyst was reactivated with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and UV light followed by additional deposition of the catalytic layer. The kinetic study suggests a first order reaction rate. Implications: The study of effective and economically viable techniques on the treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has being highlighted as an important parameter on the environmental research. The heterogeneous photocatalysis in gas phase was proved to be an effective process for the degradation of the nonaromatic VOCs tested, yielding high conversion values for the optimized systems.
Selling democracy abroad or rescuing it at home? The hazards of democracy promotion

This paper is concerned with the relationship between changes in the nature of democracy in the West and the promotion of democracy in the Third World. It begins by examining arguments about the nature and extent of changes in Western democracy since the 1960s. It then considers the objectives of democracy promoters and the indigenous response, before going on to look at the actual dynamics of democracy promotion. There is a brief exploration of the specific case of Tanzania. Among the main problems highlighted are the emphases by democracy promoters on party competition, which often fails to advance interest aggregation or scrutiny of the executive, and the promotion of a narrowly conceived civil society.
Processed and unprocessed red meat consumption and hypertension in women.

BACKGROUND High processed red meat consumption is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The high sodium content of processed red meat could increase blood pressure and explain the association with cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the relation between the consumption of unprocessed and processed red meat and incident hypertension. DESIGN In a prospective cohort of 44,616 disease-free French women who responded to a validated dietary questionnaire, we observed 10,256 incident cases of hypertension between 1993 and 2008. Cases were identified through self-reports of diagnosed or treated hypertension. Multivariate Cox regression models were adjusted for age, education, smoking, physical activity, body mass index, menopause, menopausal hormone therapy, and alcohol, bread, coffee, and fruit and vegetable consumption. RESULTS Women who consumed ≥5 servings of processed red meat/wk (50 g = 1 serving) had a 17% higher rate of hypertension than that of women who consumed <1 serving/wk (HR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.26; P-trend = 0.0002). No association was observed between unprocessed red meat consumption and hypertension. When women who consumed ≥5 servings of unprocessed red meat/wk (100 g = 1 serving) were compared with women who consumed <1 serving unprocessed red meat/wk, the multivariate HR was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.91, 1.08; P-trend = 0.63). CONCLUSIONS In this large prospective cohort of French women, we observed an association between the consumption of processed red meat and hypertension. We observed no association for unprocessed red meat consumption and hypertension.
The Prevalence and Clinical Presentation of Psychiatric Illness in a Rural Setting in Kenya

Summary One hundred and forty patients seen in a suburban walk-in walk-out clinic over a period of 30 days were studied. Twenty-eight (20 per cent) of them were found to be primarily psychiatrically disabled, 83 (59.3 per cent) primarily physically disabled and the diagnosis of the rest (20.7 per cent) was uncertain. The psychiatric patients were found to be suffering from anxiety and depressive states. Their sex, age, education, economic status, symptomatology and duration of the illness were analysed. The findings suggest among other things that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the rural setting in Kenya is high and therefore calls for a proportionate provision of mental health care facilities. They also suggest that anxiety and depression in African patients are masked by somatic symptoms, often leading to unnecessary delays in diagnosis and management.
Inhibition of EGFR Suppresses Ethyl Alcohol and Tobacco Cell Effects on Growth of Human Oral Keratinocytes and Human Papillomavirus 16 Entry as a Function of Furin

Background: Reported are increased risks for malignant transformation in human oral keratinocytes (HOK) from ethyl alcohol (ETOH), tobacco products or human papilloma virus oncogenic subtype 16 (HPV 16) infections. We examined various HOK cell responses to these factors to show inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) also inhibits furin; proprotein convertase (FC) and HPV 16 entry in HOK. Methods: Immortalized HOK by HPV 16 (HPV 16B) or human telomerase (hTERT); primary foreskin keratinocytes (NHFK), primary HOK, buccal keratinocytes (NHBK) and oral SCC-25 were treated with dibenz[a,l]pyrene (DBP), anthraquinone; nitrosamine (NNAL) or ethyl alcohol (ETOH) and acetaldehyde (AA). ETOH was tested for synthesis of malondialdehyde (MDA) and alcohol dehydrogenase expression (ADH). ETOH, and PAH were evaluated by Western immunoblot for oncogene changes, and phosphorylated EGFR expression. Inhibition of EGFR by WZ4002 and Erlotinib and/or carcinogens effect on HPV 16 entry were studied. A green fluorescent pseudovirus (PsV); chloromethylketone (CMK) an inhibitor of furin activity and Western immunoblot of furin cell distribution further characterized HPV 16 entry. Results: ETOH (10 μM) increased expression of phosphorylated EGFR and HPV 16 entry through furin activity, and membrane, nuclear and cytoskeletal accumulations. CMK suppressed HPV 16 entry and blockage of ADH while aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enhanced HPV 16 entry. Similarly PAH, DBP (4-8 nM), anthraquinone (98 nM) and NNAL (6.9 μM) enhanced HPV 16 entry through furin activity and membrane, nuclear and cytoskeletal accumulations. Furthermore, WZ4002 and Erlotinib suppressed expressions of phosphorylated EGFR, FC activity, and HPV 16 entry. ETOH and DBP treatments also enhanced expressions of protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), and p21waf1 while depressed p16 and p27KIP1 expressions in HOK/HPV 16B cells. Conclusion: EGFR inhibitors are candidates for suppression of alcohol and tobacco effects on EGFR phosphorylated expression; keratinocyte growth, and HPV 16 entry and prevention treatment for HPV related diseases.
CONSUMER DURABLES AND THE INTEREST RATE

This paper investigates the relationship between consumption of a durable good and the interest rate. According to the standard Permanent Income Hypothesis (PIH), a rise in the interest rate is expected to decrease durables consumption, and the magnitude of the interest rate effect should meet certain restrictions. This implication of the PIH is tested using US data. Empirical results of this paper indicate that, although durables consumption is negatively correlated with the interest rate, the magnitude of the estimated effect is substantially smaller than requested by the standard theory. This suggests that the influence of monetary policy on durables expenditure may not be as large as previous authors claim. In attempts to explain the small effects of the interest rate, frictions such as adjustment costs and liquidity constraints are examined. [E21]
The role of relationship marketing investments in customer reciprocity

Purpose – This paper aims to, building on the concept of relational benefits, relationship marketing investments, gratitude, satisfaction and favorable reciprocal behaviors, examine the mechanism of cultivating relationships with valued customers at an upscale restaurant. Design/methodology/approach – To capture the traits of the population (upscale restaurant customers who perceive relationship marketing investments by experiencing relational benefits), upscale restaurant customers with membership cards were contacted in the survey. Structural equation modeling was used to test measurement and structural models. Findings – Empirical findings indicated that confidence and social benefits positively contributed to relationship marketing investments, whereas special treatment benefits were not significantly related to relationship marketing investments. In turn, relationship marketing investments positively affected both gratitude and satisfaction; relationship marketing investments were also more associate.
LasR of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a transcriptional activator of the alkaline protease gene (apr) and an enhancer of exotoxin A expression

The lasR gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is required for transcription of the genes for elastase (lasB) and LasA protease (lasA), two proteases associated with virulence. We report here that the alkaline protease gene (apr) also requires the lasR gene for transcription. Alkaline protease mRNA was absent in the lasR mutant PAO-R1 and present when an intact lasR gene was supplied in trans as determined by Northern (RNA) analysis. The lasR gene also enhances exotoxin A production. Exotoxin A activity in supernatants of PAO-R1 were 30% less than in supernatants of the parental strain, PAO-SR. Multiple copies of lasR in trans in PAO-R1 in increased toxin A activity to twice the parental levels. Analysis of PAO-R1 containing the toxA promoter fused to beta-galactosidase suggests that LasR acts at the toxA promoter or at upstream toxA mRNA sequences. beta-Galactosidase activity was approximately 40% lower in PAO-R1 than in the parental strain, PAO-SR. Furthermore, the effect of LasR on the toxA promoter is not due to the stimulation of transcription of regA, a transcriptional activator of toxA. No difference in chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity was noted between PAO-SR and PAO-R1 containing transcriptional regA promoter-CAT gene fusions. These results broaden the regulatory dominion of lasR and suggest that the lasR gene plays a global role in P. aeruginosa pathogenesis.
H‐2 Private Specificity of In VivoSensitized Lymphocytes Studied by Adsorption on Fibroblast Monolayers

Spleen cells or thymocytes immune to one H‐2 genotype are cytotoxic to allogeneic target cells of a third‐party genotype, provided the target shares private specificities determined by either the H‐2K or the H‐2D locus of the H‐2 complex with the H‐2 genotype used for sensitization in vivo. The present results on elimination of cytotoxicity to specificities determined by one of the H‐2 loci after adsorption of the immune lymphoid cells onto fibroblasts bearing this specificity suggest a state of diversity among effector lymphocytes reactive to the antigens determined by either the H‐2K or the H‐2D locus of the H‐2 complex. Thymus cells activated in vivo were less specifically adsorbable than spleen cells of tumor‐allografted mice.
Costs and Technical Change: Effects from Bank Deregulation

Banks were substantially deregulated during the 1980s. This altered the cost-minimizing mix between deposit interest payments and operating expenses (capital and labor for branch convenience and “free” deposit services). Measured bank output was relatively unaffected by these changes. The proportion of deposits receiving higher interest rates increased more rapidly than factor quantities were reduced, so unit deposit costs rose. Consumers benefited, but the measured net effects for banks were negative, averaging −0.8% to −1.4% a year in net technical change from 1977 to 1988. These influences were measured three different ways and for both equilibrium and disequilibrium factor input specifications. All three approaches—a standard time trend, a time-specific index, and shifts in cross-sectional cost functions—gave consistent results. The results were robust whether measured at the banking firm or branch office level or on the cost frontier. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 1993
Cryptic diversity of the symbiotic cyanobacterium Synechococcus spongiarum among sponge hosts

Cyanobacteria are common members of sponge‐associated bacterial communities and are particularly abundant symbionts of coral reef sponges. The unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus spongiarum is the most prevalent photosynthetic symbiont in marine sponges and inhabits taxonomically diverse hosts from tropical and temperate reefs worldwide. Despite the global distribution of S. spongiarum, molecular analyses report low levels of genetic divergence among 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences from diverse sponge hosts, resulting either from the widespread dispersal ability of these symbionts or the low phylogenetic resolution of a conserved molecular marker. Partial 16S rRNA and entire 16S–23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes were sequenced from cyanobacteria inhabiting 32 sponges (representing 18 species, six families and four orders) from six geographical regions. ITS phylogenies revealed 12 distinct clades of S. spongiarum that displayed 9% mean sequence divergence among clades and less than 1% sequence divergence within clades. Symbiont clades ranged in specificity from generalists to specialists, with most (10 of 12) clades detected in one or several closely related hosts. Although multiple symbiont clades inhabited some host sponges, symbiont communities appear to be structured by both geography and host phylogeny. In contrast, 16S rRNA sequences were highly conserved, exhibiting less than 1% sequence divergence among symbiont clades. ITS gene sequences displayed much higher variability than 16S rRNA sequences, highlighting the utility of ITS sequences in determining the genetic diversity and host specificity of S. spongiarum populations among reef sponges. The genetic diversity of S. spongiarum revealed by ITS sequences may be correlated with different physiological capabilities and environmental preferences that may generate variable host–symbiont interactions.
Effects of co-creation claim on consumer brand perceptions and behavioural intentions

Increasingly often, companies co-create' with consumers in open innovation practices to develop new products more effectively. Little is known about how co-creation affects consumer brand perceptions in the mass market. We hypothesize that co-creative brands - as opposed to non-co-creative brands - are perceived as more authentic and sincere, and are associated with relatively positive behavioural intentions. A between-subjects experiment was conducted to test these hypotheses in an online panel of consumers who did not take part in co-creation. The experiment had a 3 (control vs. co-creation vs. co-creation supported with some visual proof)x2 (well-known existing brand vs. fictitious brand) design. Quantitative data analyses (n=530) confirmed that for both brands, co-creation affects brand personality perceptions directly and behavioural intentions indirectly. This study shows that co-creating with consumers can be a strategic method to positively influence product perceptions and behavioural intentions.
Effect of Lumbar Interbody Cage Geometry on Construct Stability: A Cadaveric Study

Study Design. Biomechanical study to investigate three-dimensional motion behavior of cadaveric spines in various surgical simulations. Objectives. To determine the effect of cage geometry on the construct stability. Summary of Background Data. There is a wide variety of cage/spacer designs available for lumbar interbody fusion surgery. These range from circular, tapered, and rectangular with and without curvature. However, the effectiveness of cages with different designs and materials to stabilize a decompressed intervertebral space has not been fully studied. Methods. Six fresh ligamentous lumbar spine specimens (L1–S2) were subjected to pure moments in the six loading directions. The resulting spatial orientations of the vertebrae were recorded using Optotrak™ Motion Measurement System. Measurements were made sequentially for intact, bilateral spacer placements across L4–L5 using a posterior approach, supplemented with pedicle screw-rod system fixation, and after the cyclic loading in flexion-extension mode. Results. The stability tended to decrease after the bilateral cage placement as compared with the intact for all loading cases except flexion. In flexion, the angular displacement decreased to 80% of the intact. However, there was no significant statistical difference seen in stability between intact and after bilateral spacer placement. Following the addition of posterior fixation using pedicle screw-rod system, the stability significantly increased in all directions. Cyclic loading did not have any significant effect on the stability. Conclusions. Stand-alone cages restore motion to near-intact levels at best, and supplement instrumentation is essential for significantly increasing the stability of the decompressed segment. The effects of cage geometry and Young’s modulus of the cage material do not seem to influence the stability, as compared with the other cagedesigns, especially after supplemental fixation with a posterior system.
Waist height ratio: A universal screening tool for prediction of metabolic syndrome in urban and rural population of Haryana

Aims: To compare waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and define an appropriate cut-off, which is most closely predictive of the non-adipose components of the IDF metabolic syndrome (MetS) definition. Methods and Results: A total of 3,042 adults (1,693 in rural area and 1,349 in urban area) were screened for the presence of MetS according to the IDF definition. Among 3,042 adults selected as subjects, 1,518 were male and 1,524 were female. The receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was done to determine the optimal cut-off value and the best discriminatory value of each of these anthropometric parameters to predict two or more non-obese components of metabolic syndrome. The area under ROC (AURC) for WC was superior to that for other anthropometric variables. The optimal cut-off value of WC in urban and rural males was >89 cm, which is higher than that in urban and rural females at 83 cm and 79 cm, respectively; the optimal cut-off for WHtR was >0.51 in rural females, 0.52 in rural males, and 0.53 in both urban males and females. Both parameters were found to be better than BMI and WHR. ROC and AURC values for WC were better than those for WHtR in men and women in both urban and rural areas (P = 0.0054); however, when the entire study cohort was analyzed together, irrespective of gender and place of residence, then at a value of 0.52, WHtR scored over WC as a predictor of metabolic syndrome (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Although the predictive value of different gender-specific WC values is clearly superior to other anthropometric measures for predicting two or more non-adipose components of MetS, a single value of WHtR irrespective of gender and the area of residence can be used as a universal screening tool for the identification of individuals at high risk of development of metabolic complications.
Detection of Pantoea ananatis, causal agent of leaf spot disease of maize, in Mexico

Bacterial isolates from maize plants showing a leaf spot disease were identified through molecular and phenotypic traits, showing that the isolates belong to Pantoea ananatis. Maize plants inoculated with those isolates showed a pathogenic reaction. This is the first report of a disease of Mexican maize caused by P. ananatis.