Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Defence expenditure and economic growth: A case study of Sri Lanka using causality analysis

Many countries allocate a significant amount of their income to defence related expenses, especially when involved in internal or external military conflicts. Political stability in a country is a key ingredient for attracting foreign and local investors and hence for economic growth. This paper analyses the relationship between defence expenditure and economic growth in Sri Lanka using data for the period 1975â€“2013 applying the latest developments in time series analysis. Interestingly, the results show that, in Sri Lanka, defence expenditure causes economic growth. There is no causal effect from economic growth to defence expenditure as generally expected. This result is unique as Sri Lanka went through 30 years of civil war which ended in 2009, which resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of civilian lives and cost several billions of dollars in annual defence expenditure throughout the war years.
Cortical Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Contribute to Habituation of a Simple Odor-Evoked Behavior

Defining the circuits that are involved in production and cessation of specific behaviors is an ultimate goal of neuroscience. Short-term behavioral habituation is the response decrement observed in many behaviors that occurs during repeated presentation of non-reinforced stimuli. Within a number of invertebrate models of short-term behavioral habituation, depression of a defined synapse has been implicated as the mechanism. However, the synaptic mechanisms of short-term behavioral habituation have not been identified within mammals. We have shown previously that a presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-dependent depression of synapses formed by olfactory bulb afferents to the piriform (olfactory) cortex significantly contributes to adaptation of cortical odor responses. Here we show that blockade of mGluRs within the olfactory cortex of awake, behaving rats diminishes habituation of a simple odor-induced behavior, strongly implicating a central mechanism for sensory gating in olfaction.
Frequency of HbA1c discordance in estimating blood glucose control

Purpose of reviewHbA1c is a trusted standard for monitoring glycemic control and predicting complications. However, there are emerging issues complicating the interpretation of HbA1c that the clinician caring for patients with diabetes needs to consider. Recent findingsThere is increasing evidence of the potential for mismatches between HbA1c and other measures of glycemia which require some caution in HbA1c interpretation. We have attempted to characterize the nature of these discordances by developing the concept of the ‘glycation gap’ in which differences in protein glycation occurring in the intracellular space (HbA1c) versus in the extracellular space (measured as fructosamine) are compared. We have evidence that HbA1c results discordant from other measures of glycemic control may be secondary to previously unappreciated physiological variables, including erythrocyte lifespan, in hematologically normal individuals. We relate these findings to a number of HbA1c interpretation issues important for diabetes care: factors affecting hemoglobin glycation, relationship of HbA1c to glycemia, standardization of the HbA1c assay, and HbA1c relation to complications. SummaryThere are an increasing number of clinical circumstances in which there are nuances to HbA1c interpretation such that standard norms for assessment of glycemic control or complication risk may need to be modified.
Decrease of radionuclides in Columbia river biota following closure of Hanford reactors.

In January 1971, the last of nine plutonium production reactors using direct discharge of once-through cooling waters into the Columbia River was closed. Sampling was conducted at three stations on the Columbia River to document the decline of radionuclides in the biota of the Columbia River ecosystem. Concentrations of 6oCo in seston, periphyton and invertebrates did not decrease to the degree that the other radionuclides did; this is partially related to the seepage of 6oCo into the river from a disposal trench near the operating N Reactor. Levels of 6oCo in fish showed some decreases, but obvious trends were not present. Zinc-65 was present in the biota in highest concentrations. The amounts in seston and periphyton decreased rapidly and were measurable only until the spring of 1973. Zinc-65 in caddisfly larvae was not measurable by February 1973, but concentrations in McNary chironomids fluctuated between unmeasurable levels to 24pCilg dry weight (DW) and this was related to ingestion of contaminated sediments rather than larval concentrations. In suckers and squawfish, 65Zn decreased to fairly low, constant levels of 1 and 3 pCi/g DW, respectively. The data show that in a river-reservoir complex, the measurable concentrations of fission-produced radionuclides decreased to extremely low or unmeasurable levels within 18-24 months after cessation of discharge of reactor once-through cooling water into the river. On the basis of data from the free-flowing sampling station, we believe that the decrease would be even more rapid in an unimpounded river.
Predictors of hepatitis B virus genotype and viraemia in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis B in Europe.

BACKGROUND Both natural history and treatment outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are influenced by genotypes and viral load. Information about factors determining HBV genotype distribution and viraemia in HIV/HBV-co-infected patients is scarce. METHODS All HIV-positive patients living in Europe and Argentina recruited in EuroSIDA (1994-2006) were tested for serum HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). Chronic carriers were further characterized virologically at one central laboratory. Variables influencing HBV genotype distribution and viraemia were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS From 16 505 HIV patients enrolled in EuroSIDA, 1179 (7.1%) were HBsAg positive, of whom 474 had specimens that allowed inclusion in the virological substudy. Overall 293 (62%) were treated with anti-HBV active antiretroviral drugs at the time of testing. Hepatitis delta virus superinfection was recognized in 14% and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in 27%. Serum HBV DNA was detectable in 315 (66.5%) and HBV genotyping gave results in 170 (35.9%) patients. HBV genotype distribution was as follows: A (72.9%), D (17.1%), G (1.8%), E (1.2%), F (1.2%) and C (0.6%); another 5.9% were co-infected with multiple HBV genotypes. In the multivariate analysis, the best predictor of HBV genotype A infection was risk exposure other than intravenous drug use, whereas predictors for detectable HBV viraemia were lower CD4 counts and lack of HCV antibodies. CONCLUSION A substantial proportion of HIV-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B show detectable HBV viraemia despite being treated with anti-HBV active antiretroviral drugs (mainly lamivudine). Low CD4 counts were associated with an independent higher risk of detectable HBV viraemia, which supports an earlier introduction of antiretroviral therapy, including anti-HBV drug(s) more potent than lamivudine.
Oral health-related quality of life among survivors of childhood cancer.

BACKGROUND. Childhood cancer survivors may have experienced a high number of invasive medical and dental procedures, which may affect their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). AIM. To compare children who have survived cancer and children without cancer with respect to OHRQoL. DESIGN. In a cross-sectional study, we compared the OHRQoL of children treated for cancer at Aalborg Hospital with the OHRQoL of classmates without cancer. All children answered The Danish version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ). Children aged 8-10 (n = 95) answered CPQ(8-10) , with 27 questions, and children aged 11-14 (n = 138) answered the CPQ(11-14,) with 39 questions. RESULTS. Children with cancer rated their OHRQoL better or equal to those without cancer. The mean overall CPQ(8-10) score was 5.6 (95% CI: 2.5-8.6) among 18 children who have survived cancer and 8.8 (95% CI: 7.3-10.3) among those without cancer (n = 77); the mean difference was -3.3 (95% CI: -6.5 to 0.1). The overall mean CPQ(11-14) score was 12.5 (95% CI: 6.8-18.2) among 24 children who have survived cancer and 11.8 (95% CI: 10.3-13.3) among those without cancer (n = 114); the mean difference was -0.7 (95% CI: -4.9 to 6.3). CONCLUSION. Cancer and cancer treatment during childhood was not associated with a decreased OHRQoL.
Intrahospital Transport of the Critically Ill Adult: A Standardized Evaluation Plan

Background:Intrahospital transport of the critically ill adult carries inherent risks that can be manifested as unexpected events. Objective:The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation of a standardized evaluation plan for intrahospital transports to/from adult intensive care units. Methods:Nurses at a level I trauma/academic center captured clinical data throughout transport. Outcome measures included compliance with the organization’s transport policy and unexpected events. Results:There were 502 transports audited. Most nurses were compliant with the policy, except for the stabilization process (n = 174, 34.7%). Forty-one transports (8.2%) had an unexpected event, and 11 of these transports (26.8%) were aborted. Most of the events were hemodynamic (12), sedation (11), respiratory (10), and gastrointestinal (5). Fewer events occurred with the transport team (P = .036) and among nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing or higher degree (P = .002). Events were higher among transporting nurses with only 0 to 2 years of intensive care unit experience (P = .002), “stabilized” transports (P = .022), and patients with higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scores (P = .009). Conclusions:Health care organizations should have a policy that includes both transport and evaluation plans for intrahospital transport. Guidelines should be revised with specific criteria for the stabilization process and unexpected events. Revision should also have a standardized evaluation plan that includes an audit tool to measure incidence of unexpected events and a rapid change quality improvement method.
Monte Carlo simulation of the effects of anode surface roughness on x-ray spectra.

PURPOSE Spectral and angular distribution of the x-ray beam generated by medical x-ray tubes as a function of anode surface roughness was analyzed. METHODS Different sets of profiles such as ideal flat, regular profiles, and measured profiles adopted from the literature were analyzed by means of MCNPX Monte Carlo simulator. The geometry used was simplified to separate different physical effects. A sphere centered on the origin of the coordinate system was divided into two hemispheres filled with tungsten and a vacuum, respectively. The studied anode surfaces were placed at the center of the plane of the hemisphere. The profiles were realized by means of the general lattice structure of the MCNPX. The energy and angular distributions of the excited photons were recorded with energy and angular resolutions of 0.5 keV and 1 degrees, respectively, by means of point detectors. The range of the studied anode surface roughness was 0-550 micro Ra. The emission angle dependencies of the following quantities were analyzed: Half value layer (HVL) value, intensity, and spectral photon flux. RESULTS The analysis of the HVL of the x-ray beam showed that around an emission angle of 5 degrees, the hardness of the beam was practically independent of the surface roughness. The value of this emission angle depends on the filtration. Below this critical angle, the HVL value decreases, while at a higher emission angle, the beam becomes harder with increasing surface roughness. The intensity degradation saturates with increasing roughness. The position of the maximum spectral photon flux shifts to higher emission angles as the anode surface roughness increases. The surface roughness (Ra) was found to be an inadequate quantity to describe the effect of anode surface roughness on x-ray spectra since no definite connection was found between the values of the intensity degradation and surface roughness. At 120 kVp tube voltage and at a 3.84 microm Ra roughness value, the effect of anode surface roughness introduces a 5% and 12% intensity degradation at a 5 degrees and 12 degrees emission angle, respectively. However, it has a higher impact at low tube voltages (<60 keV), e.g., in mammography systems where the intensity degradation could even be 25% at the "newly" polished anode surface. CONCLUSIONS The effects of anode surface roughness on x-ray spectra were successfully simulated by a Monte Carlo method. It was proved that the effect of the anode surface roughness could not be modeled by simple filters made from the anode material. The surface roughness (Ra) was found to be an inadequate quantity to describe the effect of anode surface roughness on x-ray spectra.
Neural differentiation of embryonic stem cells induced by conditioned medium from neural stem cell

Embryonic stem cells can proliferate indefinitely and are capable of differentiating into derivatives of all three embryonic germ layers in vitro, including the neural lineage. The main objective of this study is to test the effects of neural stem cell conditioned medium on the neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. When cultured in neural stem cell conditioned medium, mouse embryonic stem cells can form floating cell spheres composed of many nestin-positive cells. After trypsinization and growth on gelatin, these embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells can be expanded for more than 3 months without loss of neural progenitor characteristics. Both neuronal and glial cells can be readily generated from these cells under differentiation conditions. Thus, neural stem cell conditioned medium is a highly potent reagent for inducing the development of mouse embryonic stem cells into the neural lineage, especially neural progenitor cells.
Topographic control on phytolith carbon sequestration in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) ecosystems

ABSTRACT Phytolith carbon (C) sequestration has been identified to be a relatively stable and efficacious mechanism to securely reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration. As a fast-growing and Si-accumulating plant, moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) can produce large quantities of phytolith-occluded carbon (PhytOC). In this study, we sampled the mature leaves, leaf litter and soils from moso bamboo stands located in Qingshan (30°13′N, 119°47′E; Lin'an, China) to study topographic effects on phytolith and PhytOC production in moso bamboo ecosystems. Our results showed that the phytolith contents of mature leaves and leaf litter in moso bamboo stand decreased with the slope steepness as follows: 2–5° > 5–15° > 15–35°, and showed an increasing tendency with the slope position as follows: lower slope < middle slope < upper slope. The PhytOC production flux also showed the same trend as that for phytoliths and ranged from 10.32 to 16.16 kg CO2 ha−1 year−1. Our data indicate that topography, especially slope position and slope steepness, should be considered as some key factors to enhance bamboo phytolith C sequestration during future bamboo afforestation and reforestation.
The neuron–glia signal β‐neuregulin promotes Schwann cell motility via the MAPK pathway

Neuregulins constitute a family of related growth factors that play important roles in Schwann cell development and maturation. We investigated the involvement of β‐neuregulin in Schwann cell migration, using a simple in vitro bioassay. Pure Schwann cells were prepared from the sciatic nerves of 5‐day‐old rats and were grown in defined medium, with or without serum, until a monolayer of confluent cells was formed. A cell‐free area was then generated by inflicting a scratch resulting in a 1‐mm‐wide gap. Schwann cell migration within the gap was monitored microscopically at given time intervals and was quantified using an image analysis system. The extent of cell proliferation was estimated by BrdU incorporation, and cell migration was quantified both in the absence and presence of cytosine arabinoside. We found that, in the absence of serum, β‐neuregulin at a dose submaximal for proliferation increased the rate of Schwann cell migration by 84%. A more moderate effect was observed when β‐neuregulin was applied in the presence of serum which, however, is by itself responsible for increased Schwann cell motility. To assess the signal transduction pathways involved in this procedure we used one inhibitor of MAPK, PD098059, two inhibitors of PI‐3‐kinase, wortmannin, and LY0294002, and three different PKC inhibitors. Of these PD098059 inhibited the neuregulin‐induced enhancement in Schwann cell migration by 40%, the two PI‐3‐kinase inhibitors yielded an approximately 20% inhibition while the PKC inhibitors were ineffective. Our data indicate that the action of β‐neuregulin on Schwann cell motility is primarily mediated via the MAPK pathway. GLIA 34:39–51, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of acute brain edema using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging: Effects of pretreatment with dexamethasone

We developed a quantitative magnetic resonance imaging method to permit a rapid assessment of brain water content during osmotic brain edema produced by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of distilled water. Fifteen minutes after water injection, the normalized mean image intensity (MIn) from a spin‐echo pulse sequence (TE = 80 ms, TR = 1085 ms) was the same as that measured from control animals not injected with water. Sixty minutes after the water injection, the mean ± SEM brain image MIn had increased by 10.8 ± 2.4% compared to 3.4 ± 0.7% in control animals (P < 0.05). Blood plasma osmolality decreased by 6–10% during this time interval. A subsequent ip injection of hypertonic NaCl solution (100 gm/liter) caused the blood plasma osmolality and brain image MIn to return toward their initial values. MIn of cerebral gray matter correlated with tissue water content measured in parallel studies. Animals pretreated with 0.25 mg/(kg day) dexamethasone had cerebral gray matter MIn values during osmotic edema which were lower than those of untreated animals. © 1992 Academic Press, Inc.
Molecular and Phenotypic Characterization of Potentially New Shigella dysenteriae Serotype

ABSTRACT From September 1997 to November 1998, the French National Center for Salmonella and Shigella received 22Shigella isolates recovered from 22 different patients suffering from dysentery. None of these isolates reacted with any of the antisera used to identify established Shigellaserotypes, but all of them agglutinated in the presence of antisera to a previously described potentially new Shigella dysenteriaeserotype (represented by strain 96–204) primarily isolated from stool cultures of imported diarrheal cases in Japan. All French isolates, as well as strain 96–204, showed biochemical reactions typical ofS. dysenteriae and gave positive results in a PCR assay for detection of the plasmid ipaH gene coding for invasiveness. No Shiga toxin gene was detected by PCR. These isolates were indistinguishable by molecular analysis of ribosomal DNA (ribotyping) and seemed to be related to S. dysenteriae serotypes 3 and 12. However, further characterization by restriction of the amplified O-antigen gene cluster clearly distinguished this new serotype from all other Shigella or Escherichia coli serotypes.
Intellectual capital and financial performance in the Serbian ICT industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether intellectual capital (IC) creates value in the Serbian information communication technology (ICT) sector. More specifically, it examines the degree to which IC and its key components affect the financial performance of selected ICT companies compared to effects on physical and financial capital. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis included 13,989 Serbian ICT companies during 2009-2013. Value-added intellectual coefficient (VAIC) was used to measure the level of IC contribution to value creation. Measures of financial performance used in the study were return on equity, return on assets, return on invested capital, profitability, and asset turnover. Findings – Results indicate that, when using firm size and leverage as control variables, only capital-employed efficiency has significant effect on financial performance. Finally, the research confirms that there were no significant differences in financial performance among different ICT subsect.
Computational models of long term plasticity and memory

Memory is often defined as the mental capacity of retaining information about facts, events, procedures and more generally about any type of previous experience. Memories are remembered as long as they influence our thoughts, feelings, and behavior at the present time. Memory is also one of the fundamental components of learning, our ability to acquire any type of knowledge or skills. In the brain it is not easy to identify the physical substrate of memory. Basically, any long-lasting alteration of a biochemical process can be considered a form of memory, although some of these alterations last only a few milliseconds, and most of them, if taken individually, cannot influence our behavior. However, if we want to understand memory, we need to keep in mind that memory is not a unitary phenomenon, and it certainly involves several distinct mechanisms that operate at different spatial and temporal levels. One of the goals of theoretical neuroscience is to try to understand how these processes are orchestrated to store memories rapidly and preserve them over a lifetime. Theorists have mostly focused on synaptic plasticity, as it is one of the most studied memory mechanisms in experimental neuroscience and it is known to be highly effective in training artificial neural networks to perform real world tasks. Some of the synaptic plasticity models are purely phenomenological, some others have been designed to solve computational problems. In this article I will review some of these models and I will try to identify computational principles that underlie memory storage and preservation.
Bacterial Population Adherent to the Epithelium on the Roo of the Dorsal Rumen of Sheep

By anaerobic procedures, the total number of adherent bacteria was determined on tissue samples obtained from the roof of the dorsal rumen of three sheep. After four washings, 1.91 × 107, 0.34 × 107, and 1.23 × 107 bacteria per cm2 were still attached to the rumen epithelium in sheep 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A total of 95 strains of bacteria were isolated from these three samples. Based on morphology, Gram stain, anaerobiosis, motility, and fermentation end products, they were presumptively identified as follows: Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, 30 strains; atypical Butyrivibrio, 5 strains; Bacteroides ruminicola, 22 strains; Lactobacillus, 1 strain; and unknown Bacteroides species, 37 strains. For sheep 3, washing the rumen epithelium a total of 10 times reduced the adherent bacterial population by 93% (8.4 × 105 bacteria per cm2). Of 30 strains isolated from this sample, 22 were presumptively identified as Butyrivibrio and Bacteroides types. These results suggest that the epithelium on the roof of the dorsal rumen is primarily colonized by two genera of bacteria, Butyrivibrio and Bacteroides. Most Butyrivibrio and Bacteroides ruminicola strains appeared to be similar to previously isolated rumen strains. However, the unknown Bacteroides species differed considerably from the three species of this genus which are commonly isolated from rumen contents.