Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-Related Changes in Executive Function: An Event-Related Potential (ERP) Investigation of Task-Switching

ABSTRACT Older adults have difficulty when executive control must be brought on line to coordinate ongoing behavior. To assess age-related alterations in executive processing, task-switching performance and event-related potential (ERP) activity were compared in young and older adults on switch, post-switch, pre-switch, and no-switch trials, ordered in demand for executive processes from greatest to least. In stimulus-locked averages for young adults, only switch trials elicited fronto-central P3 components, indicative of task-set attentional reallocation, whereas in older adults, three of the four trial types evinced frontal potentials. In response-locked averages, the amplitude of a medial frontal negativity (MFN), a component reflecting conflict monitoring and detection, increased as a function of executive demands in the ERPs of the young but not those of the older adults. These data suggest altered executive processing in older adults resulting in persistent recruitment of prefrontal processes for conditions that do not require them in the young.
Circulating and Local Bone Marrow Renin-angiotensin System in Leukemic Hematopoiesis: Preliminary Evidences

Abstract Until last the decade, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was considered as a circulating endocrine system. It is now known that there are local RASs in many tissues. It has also recently been hypothesized that there exists a local bone marrow (BM) RAS with paracrine/autocrine pathobiological functions. The aim of this study was to detect BM and peripheral blood levels of the essential RAS components in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis. Concentrations of renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) were assayed in BM aspirates and in simultaneously drawn peripheral blood samples of 16 pre-chemotherapy leukemic and 10 post-treatment megaloblastic anemia patients with normal blood counts, as controls. In the leukemia group, the ACE concentration was found to be significantly higher in the BM (38±6.2 U/l) than in the peripheral blood (29.5±5.3 U/l), (p=0.029). In the leukemia group, although the BM renin concentration was higher than the peripheral blood levels (21.3±8.3 vs. 18.6±6.2 U/l), this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.196). In the control group, mean BM renin levels were insignificantly lower than in the peripheral blood (8.6±3 vs. 12.1±4.6 pg/ml) (p=0.059). In the leukemia group, serum ACE levels positively correlated with BM and peripheral blood blast percentages (p<0.05). Serum LDH level (p<0.01), BM blast (p<0.05) and peripheral blast percentages (p<0.01) were inversely correlated with serum potassium in the leukemia group. The results of this study can be considered as the preliminary evidence supporting the hypothesis of the presence of a local BM RAS. Further, molecular biologic and immunohistochemical studies are needed to shed light on this important subject. A better understanding of the interrelationships of RAS and hematopoiesis will bring new insights into the pathobiology and even novel therapies for such neoplastic diseases.
Astragaloside IV attenuates impulse noise-induced trauma in guinea pig

Abstract Conclusion. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of astragaloside IV on impulse noise-induced hearing loss may be due to its ability to inhibit inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and prevent the formation of reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Objective: Astragaloside IV is the major active constituent of Astragalus membranaceus, which has been widely used for the treatment of diseases in China due to its antioxidant properties. iNOS and RNS are involved in damage induced by impulse noise trauma. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if astragaloside IV has the potential to reduce cochlear damage from impulse noise. Methods: Guinea pigs in the experimental group were administered astragaloside IV intragastrically. Auditory thresholds were assessed by sound-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) at click and tone bursts of 8, 16 and 32 kHz, 72 h before and after exposure to impulse noise. iNOS and nitrotyrosine were determined immunohistochemically. Hair cell damage was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Results: Astragaloside IV significantly reduced ABR deficits, reduced hair cell damage, and decreased the expression of iNOS and RNS formation.
A non‐commutative model for higher twisted K‐theory

We develop an operator algebraic model for twisted K ‐theory, which includes the most general twistings as a generalized cohomology theory (that is, all those classified by the unit spectrum bgl1(KU) ). Our model is based on strongly self‐absorbing C* ‐algebras. We compare it with the known homotopy‐theoretic descriptions in the literature, which either use parametrized stable homotopy theory or ∞ ‐categories. We derive a similar comparison of analytic twisted K ‐homology with its topological counterpart based on generalized Thom spectra. Our model also works for twisted versions of localizations of the K ‐theory spectrum, like KU[1/n] or KUQ .
The Efficiency of Alternative Models for Solvency Surveillance in the Insurance Industry

The purpose of this study is to examine the efficiency of alternative models for solvency surveillance of property-liability insurance firms employing financial ratios. The two models investigated are: (1) financial ratios individually or in groups on a univariate basis; and (2) a set of financial ratios in a multivariate context based on a multiple discriminant model. Through the use of statistical tests, it is shown that the multiple discriminant model does a better job of identifying firms with a high probability of distress than the univariate models. One of the primary functions of insurance company regulation is to monitor the financial soundness and stability of firms in that industry. This surveillance process by the individual states relies upon a number of techniques including audits of annual statements, screening of financial ratios and company data, consumer complaints, and actions by other state insurance departments and/or industry groups. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficiency of alternative models for solvency surveillance of property-liability insurance firms employing financial ratios. The alternative models for classifying firms as solvent or distress employ: 1) financial ratios individually or in groups on a univariate basis; and 2) a set of financial ratios in a multivariate context based on a multiple discriminant model. Distress property-liability firms are defined as those that entered into liquidation, receivership, conservatorship, or rehabilitation from 1966 to 1971. William H. Beaver' employed dichotomous classification tests and likeliGeorge E. Pinches, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Finance in the University of Missouri-Columbia. James S. Trieschmann, D.B.A., C.L. U. , is Associate Professor of Risk Management and Insurance in the University of Georgia. The authors would like to express their appreciation to the University of Missouri Research Council and the Insurance Departments of the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas for their support and cooperation. This paper was submitted in June, 1973. 1 Beaver, William H. , "Financial Ratios as Predictors of Failure," Empirical Research in Accounting: Selected Studies, 1966, supplement to Vol. 4, Journal of Accounting Research (1967), pp. 71-111.
Acute Insulin Response to Glucose and Glucagon in Subjects at Risk of Developing Type I Diabetes

Objective— To determine if knowledge of characteristics of insulin response to various secretagogues during the preclinical phase of type I diabetes may facilitate the diagnosis of subjects at risk. Research Design and Methods— A test consisting of sequential intravenous challenge with glucose (0.3 g/kg) and glucagon (1 mg, 10 min after the end of glucose injection) was performed on 171 ICA− relatives of type I diabetic patients, 18 ICA+ relatives of type I diabetic patients, and 5 transiently hyperglycemic subjects. Acute response to glucose was expressed as the sum of plasma insulin at 2 and 5 min and response to glucagon as the increase in plasma insulin after 10 min. Results— Responses below the lower 95% confidence interval in the ICA− population (40 and 43 μU/ml for glucose and glucagon, respectively) were considered abnormal. The two values were correlated (r = 0.62). Abnormalities coexisted in 2.3% of the ICA− group, 11% of the ICA+ group, and 100% of the transiently hyperglycemic group. All the relatives who subsequently developed diabetes or hyperglycemic subjects who required insulin exhibited combined abnormalities. Some ICA− and ICA+ relatives were tested repeatedly over a follow-up period of 1.5–4 yr. Although the intraindividual coefficient of variation for the two responses was high (28 and 30%), values tended to run parallel in both ICA+ and ICA− relatives. In 2 patients monitored for 2 and 4 yr before diabetes developed, both responses declined at the same rate. In terms of prediction of diabetes, sensitivity of combined abnormalities was high (100%). But compared with the intravenous glucose tolerance test, improvement of specificity by the double challenge was not statistically significant. Conclusions— Both insulin responses to glucose and glucagon are related. They depend on the secretory capacity of β-cells and simultaneously become abnormal in the prediabetic phase.
Managing the knowledge paradox in product development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to obtain from paradox a novel lens to elucidate the connections between knowledge management (KM) and product development as a knowledge intensive process. By focusing on the “social side” of KM, it is proposed that different KM orientations can emerge as a result of higher or lower emphasis on both cultural and structural enablers. These KM orientations generate specific potential to manage the tension and paradox of managing both knowledge exploration and knowledge exploitation knowledge during product development.Design/methodology/approach – Empirical evidence is provided by performing survey research with data collected from 80 product development projects developed in Spain.Findings – Results show that product development efforts can show three different KM orientations that significantly differ in their results in terms of knowledge exploration and, specially, knowledge exploitation. Moreover, product development requires a symbiosis between both cultural and.
Comparison of hemodynamic effects of hyperbaric and isobaric bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia.

INTRODUCTION Spinal anesthesia presents reversible interruption of nerve transmission within subarachniod space produced by injection of local anesthetic in cerebrospinal fluid. At the same time it comes to the blockade of particular functions of the nerve transmission. At the focus of this work is the blockade of sympathetic fibres which significantly affect on the behavior of the hemodynamic parameters. Change of these parameters may be very emphasized. One of the possible factors which may implicate is baricity of spinal anesthetic. The goals of the work are to determine how does the baricity affect the behavior of the basic hemodynamic parameters and also the height and distribution of the sensory block. METHODS The research has been made on two groups who were given the same amount of 0.5% bupivacaine of different baricity; to the first group hyperbaric with 8.25% glucose and to the second an isobaric without any additives. At that time the application has been made on the same vertebral level, in same position. The research has been made on the patients in Hospital "Dr Irfan Ljubijankic" in Bihac. RESULTS In hyperbaric group, systolic, mean, diastolic blood pressure and pulse frequency decreased 19.41%, 18.75%, 17.54% and 10.26% respectively, significantly greater than in isobaric group (7.22%, 2.65%, 1.62% and 9.38%). Gained results with high statistic significancy show that the baricity have an essential effect on the behavior of the basic hemodynamic parameters in the sense of reduction of the arterial blood pressure and slowing down of the pulse. At the same time isobaric anesthetic give smaller deviation of the parameters. CONCLUSION By choosing the anesthetics of the appropriate baricity we can significantly affect hemodynamic status of the patient.
The relationship of the 6-min walk test to maximal oxygen consumption in transplant candidates with end-stage lung disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship of distance ambulated during the 6-min walk test (6'WT) to maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). DESIGN Multivariate analysis of patient characteristics to VO2 max. SETTING Pre-lung transplant evaluation. PATIENTS 60 patients (22 men, 38 women; mean age, 44 years) with end-stage lung disease (mean FEV1 and forced vital capacity of 0.97 and 1.93, respectively). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The 6'WT was performed on a level hallway surface, and VO2 max was obtained during maximal cycle ergometry exercise testing with respiratory gas analysis. Multivariate analysis of patient characteristics (age, sex, weight, FEV1, FVC, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DCO), 6'WT distance ambulated, number of rests per 6'WT, and the maximal heart rate, blood pressure, rate-pressure product, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, rating of perceived exertion, and amount of supplemental oxygen used during the 6'WT) was performed on two groups of 30 patients each (group A or B) who were randomly assigned to either group by a process of random selection using a computer-generated random numbers program. Distance ambulated was the strongest independent predictor of VO2 max (r = 0.73; p < 0.0001) in both groups, and adding age, weight, and pulmonary function test results (FVC, FEV1, and DCO) to the regression equation increased the correlation coefficient to 0.83. Because of the significant correlation of distance ambulated during the 6'WT to VO2 max, the prediction equation obtained from the multivariate analysis of group A, VO2 max = 0.006 x distance (feet) +3.38, was used to estimate the VO2 max of the group B patients. No significant difference was observed between the estimated (x +/- SD = 8.9 +/- 2.4 mL/kg/min) and observed (x +/- SD = 9.4 +/- 3.8 mL/kg/min) VO2 max (mean difference, 0.5 mL/kg/min; SD of the difference = 2.88). CONCLUSIONS The distance ambulated during a 6'WT can predict VO2 max in patients with end-stage lung disease. The addition of several patient characteristics can increase the ability to predict VO2 max and account for more of the variability. Such information is valuable when assessing patient response to therapeutic intervention if respiratory gas analysis is unavailable or impractical.
Role of complement in lethal bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced hypotensive and coagulative changes

The effect of C3 depletion on the multiple pathophysiological changes produced by a lethal dose of Serratia marcescens lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was evaluated. The injection of this LPS into rabbits resulted in biphasic hypotensive changes and thrombocytopenia. These changes were characterized by an acute, transient decrease occurring within minutes after injection followed by a second more gradual decrease beginning 30 to 60 min post-LPS. Prior depletion of C3, with the anticomplementary protein from cobra venom (CoF), did not alter the extent of either the gradual hypotensive and platelet changes or the coagulative and metabolic changes when normal and C3-depleted rabbits were compared. Importantly, the lethal effects of S. marcescens LPS were not reduced by prior depletion of C3. Only the immediate, reversible thrombocytopenia and hypotension were abrogated by C3 depletion.
Measures of Motivation for Psychiatric Treatment Based on Self-Determination Theory

Self-determination theory is potentially useful for understanding reasons why individuals with mental illness do or do not engage in psychiatric treatment. The current study examined the psychometric properties of three questionnaires based on self-determination theory—The Treatment Entry Questionnaire (TEQ), Health Care Climate Questionnaire (HCCQ), and the Short Motivation Feedback List (SMFL)—in a sample of 348 Dutch adult outpatients with primary diagnoses of mood, anxiety, psychotic, and personality disorders. Structural equation modeling showed that the empirical factor structures of the TEQ and SMFL were adequately represented by a model with three intercorrelated factors. These were interpreted as identified, introjected, and external motivation. The reliabilities of the Dutch TEQ, HCCQ, and SMFL were found to be acceptable but can be improved on; congeneric estimates ranged from 0.66 to 0.94 depending on the measure and patient subsample. Preliminary support for the construct validities of the questionnaires was found in the form of theoretically expected associations with other scales, including therapist-rated motivation and treatment engagement and with legally mandated treatment. Additionally, the study provides insights into the relations between measures of motivation based on self-determination theory, the transtheoretical model and the integral model of treatment motivation in psychiatric outpatients with severe mental illness.
Age, gender, depression, and sexual dysfunction in Taiwan.

INTRODUCTION The effects of age and gender on sexual function have attracted much attention in recent years, though few studies have focused on this issue in Asian populations. AIMS The Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ) was used to: (i) assess the differences in sexual functioning between unmedicated outpatients with depressive disorders and healthy volunteers; and (ii) investigate the influences of gender and age on sexual functioning in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The CSFQ was used to assess sexual dysfunction. METHODS Two groups of subjects, 73 unmedicated patients with depressive disorders and 116 healthy volunteers, were recruited to the study, and changes in their sexual function were assessed using the CSFQ. Subjects' global depressive level and psychiatric morbidity were assessed using the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ) and the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ). RESULTS The depressed subjects had significantly lower total CSFQ scores than did the controls. A negative correlation between age and total CSFQ score was found in both genders of depressed patients. Age generally predicted the sum of the CSFQ scores for both genders in the depressed group after controlling for TDQ score; however, a positive correlation between age and total CSFQ score was identified in the female controls. We also found that the S-curve was the best-fit curve for both the male and female controls, the cut-off point for which was the age of 40. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirmed that, as a screening tool for clinically significant sexual dysfunction, the CSFQ offered good sensitivity for both the healthy and depressed subjects. In addition, our findings suggested that age and gender differences should be taken into account when measuring sexual satisfaction. It is possible that the age of 40 could be an anchor point in sexual functioning for the female population of Taiwan.
Inadequacy of Headache Management After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND Headache profoundly affects management of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage but is poorly characterized. OBJECTIVE To characterize headache after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS Medical records of patients with Hunt and Hess grades I-III subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted from 2011 to 2013 were reviewed. Demographics, clinical and radiographic features, medications, and pain scores were recorded through day 14 after hemorrhage. Headache pain was characterized on the basis of a numeric rating scale and analgesic use. Severe headache was defined as 2 or more days with maximum pain scores of 8 or greater or need for 3 or more different analgesics for 2 or more days. Univariate and multivariable models were used to analyze factors associated with severe headache. RESULTS Of the 77 patients in the sample, 57% were women; median age was 57 years. Severe headache (73% overall) was associated nonlinearly with Hunt and Hess grade: grade I, 58%; grade II, 88%; and grade III, 56% (P = .01), and with Hijdra score: score 0-10, 56%; score 11-20, 86%; score 21-30, 76% (P = .03). By univariate analysis, patients with low Hijdra scores were less likely to have severe headache (27% vs 57%; P = .02). In a multivariable model, younger age and higher Hijdra score tended to be associated with severe headache. CONCLUSIONS Headache after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage was often severe, necessitating multiple opioid and nonopioid analgesics. Many patients reported persistent headache and inadequate pain control.
Lateral root morphogenesis is dependent on the mechanical properties of the overlaying tissues

In Arabidopsis, lateral root primordia (LRPs) originate from pericycle cells located deep within the parental root and have to emerge through endodermal, cortical, and epidermal tissues. These overlaying tissues place biomechanical constraints on the LRPs that are likely to impact their morphogenesis. This study probes the interplay between the patterns of cell division, organ shape, and overlaying tissues on LRP morphogenesis by exploiting recent advances in live plant cell imaging and image analysis. Our 3D/4D image analysis revealed that early stage LRPs exhibit tangential divisions that create a ring of cells corralling a population of rapidly dividing cells at its center. The patterns of division in the latter population of cells during LRP morphogenesis are not stereotypical. In contrast, statistical analysis demonstrated that the shape of new LRPs is highly conserved. We tested the relative importance of cell division pattern versus overlaying tissues on LRP morphogenesis using mutant and transgenic approaches. The double mutant aurora1 (aur1) aur2 disrupts the pattern of LRP cell divisions and impacts its growth dynamics, yet the new organ’s dome shape remains normal. In contrast, manipulating the properties of overlaying tissues disrupted LRP morphogenesis. We conclude that the interaction with overlaying tissues, rather than the precise pattern of divisions, is most important for LRP morphogenesis and optimizes the process of lateral root emergence.