Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rule encoding in dorsal striatum impacts action selection

Cognitive flexibility is a hallmark of prefrontal cortical (PFC) function yet little is known about downstream area involvement. The medial dorsal striatum (mDS) receives major projections from the PFC and is uniquely situated to perform the integration of responses with rule information. In this study, we use a novel rule shifting task in rats that mirrors non‐human primate and human studies in its temporal precision and counterbalanced responses. We record activity from single neurons in the mDS while rats switch between different rules for reward. Additionally, we pharmacologically inactivate mDS by infusion of a baclofen/muscimol cocktail. Inactivation of mDS impaired the ability to shift to a new rule and increased the number of regressive errors. While recording in mDS, we identified neurons modulated by direction whose activity reflected the conflict between competing rule information. We show that a subset of these neurons was also rule selective, and that the conflict between competing rule cues was resolved as behavioural performance improved. Other neurons were modulated by rule, but not direction. These neurons became selective before behavioural performance accurately reflected the current rule. These data provide an additional locus for investigating the mechanisms underlying behavioural flexibility. Converging lines of evidence from multiple human psychiatric disorders have implicated dorsal striatum as an important and understudied neural substrate of flexible cognition. Our data confirm the importance of mDS, and suggest a mechanism by which mDS mediates abstract cognition functions.
Inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores on packaging surfaces by u.v. excimer laser irradiation

Ultraviolet (u.v.) laser irradiation has been used to inactivate Bacillus subtilis spores deposited on to planar aluminium‐ and polyethylene‐coated packaging surfaces. Kill kinetics were found to be diphasic, with an initial rapid inactivation phase followed by tailing. Although no definitive evidence was obtained, it is thought that spores located within packaging crevices/pores were primarily responsible for the observed tailing. Surviving spores were also found on the unexposed underside of cards and, to a lesser extent, within clumps. The log count reduction in B. subtilis was dependent on spore loading and total u.v. dose. In comparison, packaging surface composition, fluence (2–18 Jm−2) and frequency (40–150 Hz) had only a negligible effect. By irradiating boards carrying 106 spores, with a dose of 11·5 J cm−2, a log count reduction >5 was obtained. The mode of spore inactivation was primarily through DNA disruption. This was confirmed by the high sensitivity of spores lacking protective, small, acid‐soluble proteins, in addition to the high frequency of auxotrophic and asporogenous mutations found amongst survivors.
Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Alters Patient Selection for Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation

Objectives:To determine whether pretreatment contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alters patient selection for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). Materials and Methods:Women aged 40 years or older with unifocal invasive or intraductal carcinoma ⩽2.5 cm on physical examination, mammography, and ultrasound (US) were evaluated with breast MRI before enrollment on an APBI trial using single-fraction intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) or fractionated 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. Abnormal MRI findings were evaluated with US-guided or MRI-guided biopsy. Results:Between December 2002 and March 2005, 51 women (median age=61 y; range, 40 to 83 y) who met inclusion criteria underwent breast MRI before APBI. MRI demonstrated limited disease in 41 patients (80.4%): 34 received APBI using IORT (22) or 3DCRT (12), whereas 7 elected standard whole-breast radiotherapy. Ten of the 51 patients (19.6%) had indeterminate or suspicious enhancement patterns on MRI. Five of these 10 (9.8% of MRI cohort) underwent US-guided or MRI-guided biopsy revealing normal breast tissue without atypia: 3 were treated with APBI using IORT (5.9% of MRI cohort) and 2 underwent standard breast conservation therapy (3.9% of MRI cohort). The remaining 5 patients (9.8% of MRI cohort) had MRI findings revealing previously unsuspected pectoral fascia involvement (1), multifocal disease (3), or multicentric disease (1): 2 were treated with standard breast conservation therapy, whereas 3 underwent mastectomy without adjuvant radiotherapy. Conclusions:Pretreatment breast MRI altered patient selection for APBI by identifying additional disease in 9.8% of the candidates, all of whom fit into the “cautionary” or “unsuitable” categories as defined by the American Society for Radiation Oncology APBI consensus guidelines. The clinical significance of these findings will be clarified with the results of ongoing randomized trials of APBI that do not incorporate breast MRI as part of the selection criteria.
Teleworkers in Italy: who are they? Do they make more?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of the probability of being a teleworker and the extent of earnings differentials between teleworkers and traditional employees. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is grounded on a theoretical framework depicting endogenous telework assignment and wage variations based on individual bargaining. The empirical strategy allows for non-random telework assignment, generating from individual- and job-specific observed as well as unobserved factors. Findings Results are based on the Italian labor force survey and uncover a key role of gender, higher education and family composition as determinants of the probability of teleworking. Furthermore, teleworkers enjoy a wage premium ranging between 2.7 and 8 percent. Originality/value Accounting for observed individual and job-specific effects, by both standard linear regression and propensity score matching, largely reduces the extent of wage premium emerging from unconditional descriptives; the results of an endogenous switching regression model however suggest that failing to properly care for unobserved factors leads to the underestimation of returns to telework.
Technical Note - Branch-and-Price-and-Cut Approach to the Robust Network Design Problem Without Flow Bifurcations

This paper presents a robust optimization approach to the network design problem under traffic demand uncertainty. We consider the specific case of the network design problem in which there are several alternatives in edge capacity installations and the traffic cannot be split over several paths. A new decomposition approach is proposed that yields a strong LP relaxation and enables traffic demand uncertainty to be addressed efficiently through localization of the uncertainty to each edge of the underlying network. A branch-and-price-and-cut algorithm is subsequently developed and tested on a set of benchmark instances.
Delineation of Campylobacter concisus Genomospecies by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis and Correlation of Results with Clinical Data

ABSTRACT Campylobacter concisus has been as frequently isolated from human diarrhea as the important enteropathogen Campylobacter jejuni, but it also occurs in the feces of healthy individuals. The role of C. concisus in human disease has been difficult to determine, since the species comprises at least two phenotypically indistinguishable but genetically distinct taxa (i.e., genomospecies) that may vary in pathogenicity. We examined 62 C. concisus strains by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) profiling and correlated the results with clinical data. All C. concisus strains gave unique AFLP profiles, and numerical analysis of these data distributed the strains among four clusters. The clustering was of taxonomic significance: two clusters contained, respectively, the type strain (of oral origin) and a reference strain (from diarrhea) of each of the known genomospecies. Genomospecies 2 strains were more frequently isolated from immunocompetent patients and/or patients without concomitant infections that presented with fever, chronic diarrhea, and gut inflammation than was genomospecies 1, clustering with the type strain of oral origin. Bloody diarrhea was recorded only with C. concisus genomospecies 2 infections. We identified two additional C. concisus genomospecies: genomospecies 3 comprised a single strain from an immunocompetent patient, and genomospecies 4 contained five isolates from severely immunodeficient patients, i.e., organ transplantation recipients or those with hematological malignancies. All genomospecies 4 strains were of the same protein profile group and failed to react with a C. concisus species-specific PCR assay based on 23S rRNA gene sequences: the taxonomic position of this group requires closer investigation. Campylobacter concisus is genetically and taxonomically diverse and contains at least four distinct genomospecies that may exhibit differences in their spectra of virulence potential.
A retrospective evaluation of 1,387 single-tooth implants: a 6-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the overall survival rate and factors that affect the clinical outcome of 1,387 consecutively placed implant-supported single restorations up to 6 years. METHODS During 6 years (1999 to 2005), 1,387 implants were placed in 1,215 subjects (1,073 males and 142 females) who required single-tooth replacements. The average time from implant placement was 2.7 +/- 3.27 years. Implants were mostly placed in the maxillary premolar area (39.5%) followed by the anterior maxillary area (28.7%). Implant survival and location, need for bone augmentation, and implant dimensions were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS Failed implants totaled 96, resulting in an overall survival rate of 93.1%. The vast majority of failures (94.8%) occurred during the first year following implant placement. Bone augmentation was performed in 9.7% of the implants with a 92.5% survival rate, similar to the survival rate of non-augmented areas (93.1%; P = 0.79). The average implant length was 13.3 mm, ranging from 8 to 16 mm. Longer implants (> or =11 mm) showed similar survival rates as implants <11 mm (93.2% versus 90.2%, respectively; P = 0.4). Implant width ranged between 3.25 to 5 mm (mean 3.9), with no effect on implant survival (P = 0.43). There was a significant difference in implant survival according to the anatomic zone of implant placement (P = 0.0075). The maxillary premolar area showed the highest survival rate (96.2%). CONCLUSION Implant-supported single-tooth replacement is a predictable procedure with good survival rates up to 6 years.
Timing of referral for lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis: overemphasis on FEV1 may adversely affect overall survival.

STUDY OBJECTIVES (1) Report our experience with referral for lung transplantation. (2) Review survival in cvstic fibrosis (CF) patients without lung transplantation after FEV1 remains < 30% predicted for 1 years. DESIGN Retrospective review. SETTING A university hospital CF center. PATIENTS (1) Forty-five patients referred for lung transplantation evaluation, and (2) 178 patients without Burkholderia sp infection, with the above FEVl criterion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Survival. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS (1) One- and 2-year survival after transplantation was 55% and 45%, respectively. However, among patients without transplants with FEVl < 30% predicted, median survival, 1986 to 1990, ie, before the transplant era, was 4.6 years with 25% living > 9 years (before 1986, 25% lived > 6 vears). (2) Survival after transplantation was not correlated to any of the following: age, sex, genotype, FEVI percent predicted, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or with waiting time before transplantation, and did not seem to be correlated to serum bicarbonate or percent ideal body weight. Four of five patients already infected with Burkholderia species died within 5 months of transplantation; the fifth died at 17 months. All five died of pulmonary or extrapulmonarv infection with Burkholderia species CONCLUSIONS Use of FEV! < 30% predicted to automatically establish transplantation eligibility could lead to decreased overall survival for CF patients. Referral for evaluation and transplantation should also be based on oxygen requirement, rate of deterioration, respiratory microbiology, quality of life, frequency of IV antibiotic therapy, and other considerations. If pulmonary status has unexpectedly improved when the patient is at or near the top of the waiting list, total survival may be improved by "inactivating the patient" until progression is again evident.
Does Outward Foreign Direct Investment Boost Employment in the Home Country? Evidence from China’s Microlevel Data

ABSTRACT Does outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) create (or transfer) employment in (or from) the home country? To examine this question, we analyze how OFDI with different motivations influences employment in the home country, using micro data from 552 Chinese manufacturing enterprises investing abroad. We use two sets of indices, namely, the absolute employment amount and relative employment amount, and adopt a difference-in-differences methodology. Overall, we find that OFDI increases both the absolute and relative employment amount. In particular, market-seeking OFDI increases the absolute employment amount, but not the relative employment amount. Technology-seeking OFDI significantly promotes both absolute and relative employment amount of the parent firm in the home country, while resource-seeking and efficiency-seeking OFDI have no significant influence on employment at enterprises in the home country. The effect on home-country employment depends on the host country. Finally, investment in developed countries can significantly increase home-country employment, while investment in developing countries does not have a significant influence on home-country employment.
Group versus individual exercise interventions for women with breast cancer: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background. Both during and after treatment, cancer survivors experience declines in physical and psychosocial quality of life (QoL). Prior research indicates that exercise interventions alleviate problems in physical functioning and some aspects of psychological functioning. For survivors seeking social support, exercise programmes that are conducted in group settings may foster optimal QoL improvement (by addressing additional issues related to isolation and social support) over individually based exercise programmes. Methods. We reviewed literature on group cohesion in exercise studies, and conducted a meta-analysis to test the hypothesis that group as compared to individual exercise interventions for breast cancer survivors would show greater improvement in QoL. Results. As currently implemented, group exercise interventions showed no advantage. However, they typically did not provide any evidence that they capitalised upon potentially beneficial group processes. Conclusions. Future exercise intervention studies could investigate the effect on QoL of deliberately using group dynamics processes, such as team-building experiences and group goal setting to foster group cohesion.
Behavioral economics in sport for development and peace: a viable route to innovation?

ABSTRACT Rationale: Within the field of sport for development and peace (SDP), the funding landscape significantly influences organizational behavior and innovation. However, the potential for funders to help transform the field of SDP in meaningful, sustainable, efficacious, and ethical ways are often overlooked. In this paper, concepts from behavioral economics are introduced, with a focus on ways that funders can use these behavioral insights to support and promote best practices in the SDP field, while also driving innovation. Approach: This paper draws on concepts from the field of behavioral economics with the most robust effects. Findings: Nine tools for soft organizational change are outlined, including the use of incentives, norms, defaults, priming, and affect, with a particular focus on how they can be utilized by funders to support and promote both evidence-informed practice and innovation-informed practice by SDP organizations. Practical Implications: Specific strategies are outlined for funders to translate into their everyday practice, along with future considerations for both practice and research. Research Contribution: The field of behavioral economics presents a wealth of knowledge for funders to support and promote best practice, while also driving innovation, with the tools for soft organizational change inciting ripples throughout the system.
Profitability of CAPM Momentum Strategies in the US Stock Market

This paper provides a historical review of the performance of the risk-adjusted momentum strategies when buying and selling stocks according to the alpha estimates of the CAPM and Fama–French regressions. Our sample covers over 60 million US daily firm-return observations. High Sharpe ratios are obtained under our risk-adjusted strategies. It is also found that stock market crashes have no apparent impact on our momentum profits.
Cognitive Deficits in Schizophrenia: Prediction of Symptom Change for Participtors in Work Rehanbilitation

While recent studies have found that most patients with schizophernia who participate in work rehabilitation experience symptom improvement, there appears to be a subgroup of patients whose symptoms remain stable or even worsen. The present study explores the hypothesis that cognitive impairment is one factor which reduces the clinical effectiveness of rehabilitation and accounts for a lack of improvement in some patients. To explore this question, performance on two neuropsychological tests was used to predict improvement on six symptom dimensions for 59 subjects who completed 5 months of work in a rehabilitation program. Discriminant function analyses indicated that quadratic combinations of standard ized scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and thought disorder scores from the Gorham Proverbs Test could correctly classify 83% of subjects as improved or unimproved on a total symptom measure, and between 84% and 100% of subjects as improved or unimproved on various symptom dimensions, with greater levels of cognitive impairments at intake predicting no symptom improvement. Implications for the potential role of cognitive remediation in rehabilitation are discussed.
Family systems: perceptions of elderly patients and their attendents presenting at a university hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE To know the present status of family systems in Pakistan, changes they are undergoing and implications of such trends on health of the elderly population. METHODS A cross-sectional study was carried out at the out-patient clinics, AgaKhan University Hospital, using convenience sampling method. Verbal informed consent was taken from the participants. The questions included demographic profile, satisfaction with current family system, opinions about changing trends of family systems, and their implications on health. Analysis was done using SPSS 13.0. RESULTS Four hundred subjects aged 65 and above were interviewed, out of which 226 (56.5%) were living in the joint family system (JFS), whereas 174 (43.5%) were living in a nuclear family system (NFS). A total of 77.5% respondents were in the age class of 65-70 years (mean=69). Majority were men (78%), married (78%), retired (55.8%) and with education below intermediate (61.8%). A total of 366 (91.5%) respondents were satisfied with their family system. 326 (81.5%) respondents said that the trend in family systems in Pakistan was changing and 318 (97.5%) of these subjects thought that it was a JFS to NFS trend. A decline in the proportion of JFS was seen with subsequent generations. 340 (85%) subjects said that a family system has a significant impact on health care. CONCLUSION We have identified changing trends in family systems in Pakistan. Satisfaction with family system and the opinion about the role of a family system on healthcare is documented.
Molecular Characterization of the glauce Mutant: A Central Cell–Specific Function Is Required for Double Fertilization in Arabidopsis[W]

In flowering plants, two female gametes, the egg and the central cell, interact with two sperm cells during double fertilization to give rise to an embryo and the endosperm. This work shows that the two events are uncoupled in the glauce mutant where no endosperm evolves and that the central cell is actively involved in sperm reception, by expressing a member of the BAHD superfamily. Double fertilization of the egg cell and the central cell by two sperm cells, resulting in the formation of the embryo and the endosperm, respectively, is a defining characteristic of flowering plants. The Arabidopsis thaliana female gametophytic mutant glauce (glc) can exhibit embryo development without any endosperm. Here, we show that in glc mutant embryo sacs one sperm cell successfully fuses with the egg cell but the second sperm cell fails to fuse with the central cell, resulting in single fertilization. Complementation studies using genes from the glc deletion interval identified an unusual genomic locus having homology to BAHD (for BEAT, AHCT, HCBT, and DAT) acyl-transferases with dual transcription units and alternative splicing that could rescue the sterility defect of glc. Expression of these transcripts appears restricted to the central cell, and expression within the central cell is sufficient to restore fertility. We conclude that the central cell actively promotes its own fertilization by the sperm cell through a signaling mechanism involving products of At1g65450. Successful fertilization of the egg cell is not blocked in the glc mutant, suggesting that evolution of double fertilization in flowering plants involved acquisition of specific functions by the central cell to enable its role as a second female gamete.
Energy Expenditure in Malnourished Cancer Patients

It is widely believed that the presence of a malignancy causes increased energy expenditure in the cancer patient. To test this hypothesis, resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured by bedside indirect calorimetry in 200 heterogeneous hospitalized cancer patients. Measured resting energy expenditure (REE-M) was compared with expected energy expenditure (REE-P) as defined by the Harris-Benedict formula. The study population consisted of 77 males and 123 females with a variety of tumor types: 44% with gastrointestinal malignancy, 29% with gynecologic malignancy, and 19% with a malignancy of genitourinary origin. Patients were classified as hypometabolic (REE < 90% of predicted), normometabolic (90–110% of predicted) or hypermetabolic(>110% of predicted). Fifty-nine per cent of patients exhibited aberrant energy expenditure outside the normal range. Thirty-three per cent were hypometabolic (79.2% REE-P), 41% were normometabolic (99.5% REE-P), and 26% were hypermetabolic (121.9% REE-P) (p < 0.001). Aberrations in REE were not due to age, height, weight, sex, nutritional status (% weight loss, visceral protein status), tumor burden (no gross tumor, local, or disseminated disease), or presence of liver metastasis. Hypermetabolic patients had significantly longer duration of disease (p < 0.04) than normometabolic patients (32.8 vs. 12.8 months), indicating that the duration of a malignancy may have a major impact upon energy metabolism. Cancer patients exhibit major aberrations in energy metabolism, but are not uniformly hypermetabolic. Energy expenditure cannot be accurately predicted in cancer patients using standard predictive formulae.