Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The extent of HIV-1-related immunodeficiency and age predict the long-term CD4 T lymphocyte response to potent antiretroviral therapy

Objective To study the long-term immunological recovery in HIV-1-infected individuals receiving potent antiretroviral therapy (ART). Design Prospective, observational study. Methods Plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4 and CD8 T lymphocyte counts were determined at 3–6 monthly intervals in 95 HIV-1-infected subjects receiving ART who suppressed plasma HIV-1 RNA to levels below 400 copies/ml during a median observation period of 45 months. Results The median CD4 cell count rose from 325 to 624 cells/μl at 48 months, increasing by 22.6 cells/μl per month in the first 3 months, 8.1 cells/μl per month from months 3 to 12, 6.8 cells/μl per month in the second year, 3.3 cells/μl per month in the third, and 1.7 cells/μl per month in the fourth year. At 48 months, 98% of subjects reached CD4 cell counts > 200 cells/μl, 86% > 350 cells/μl, and 74% > 500 cells/μl. A higher nadir CD4 cell count and younger age were independently associated with greater increases in CD4 cell counts, and higher absolute CD4 cell counts at 48 months. Poor immunological responders who did not reach 500 CD4 lymphocytes/μl at 48 months showed lower nadir and baseline CD4 cell counts than good responders (99 versus 300 cells/μl and 160 versus 373 cells/μl, respectively). Conclusion The recovery of CD4 T lymphocytes occurs mainly in the first 2 years after the initiation of ART, and is associated with age and the pre-existing degree of HIV-1-related immunodeficiency, suggesting that the long-term exposure to HIV-1 infection has caused damage to the immune system that is difficult to correct.
Pseudolymphomatous angiokeratoma: report of three cases and an immunohistological study

Background. Pseudolymphomatous angiokeratoma (PA), originally termed ‘acral pseudolymphomatous angiokeratoma of children’, is a disorder characterized clinically by development of red nodules on the extremities and histologically by a subepidermal dense lymphocyte infiltrate.
Bulk-Fill Composites: A Review of the Current Literature.

PURPOSE The aim of this article was to provide an overview of the literature on the currently available bulk-fill composites, and to describe the common trends as well as the wide variations. The findings may help the clinician to select the proper material with regard to its applicability in various clinical situations. METHODS The literature up to October 2016 was reviewed based on a PubMed search (keywords: "bulk-fill OR bulkfill OR bulk fill" AND "composite OR composites"). RESULTS This review revealed that bulk-fill composites differ most from conventional composites in their increased depth of cure, which could mainly be attributed to an increase in translucency. However, the literature is inconsistent regarding the determination of the depth of cure. Flowable "base" bulk-fill composites seem most suitable for narrow cavities deeper than 4 mm, in particular when a higher adaptation potential thanks to better flowability in less accessible cavity configurations is desirable. In more extensive cavities, "full-body" bulk-fill composites with a high filler load are preferable. Then, resistance against wear and fracture becomes increasingly important, while a thicker consistency might also help in obtaining a good contact point. Tests related to shrinkage stress induced by bulk-filling seem inconsistent and their clinical relevance is unclear. CONCLUSION More clinical studies that specifically focus on bulk-filling deep and large restorations are definitely required to fully explore the clinical benefits of bulk-fill composites.
Fluoride ingestion from toothpaste and diet in 1- to 3-year-old Brazilian children.

OBJECTIVE This study estimated the total daily fluoride intake of 1- to 3-year-old children from diet and dentifrice. The constituents of the diet were divided into solids, water, milk, and other beverages, which were analyzed separately. The correlation between fingernail fluoride concentrations and the total daily fluoride intake by children was also investigated. METHODS Thirty-three children, living in a fluoridated area, participated in the study. Fluoride intake from diet was monitored by the 'duplicate plate' method, investigating the different constituents of the diet. Fluoride ingested from dentifrice was determined by subtracting the amount of fluoride recovered after brushing from the amount originally placed onto the child's toothbrush. Fingernails were clipped and collected on three occasions. Fluoride was analyzed with the ion-specific electrode, after hexamethyldisiloxane-facilitated diffusion. Data were tested by anova and Tukey's post hoc tests, Student's t-tests and linear regression (P < 0.05). RESULTS Mean (+/-SD) fluoride intake from diet and dentifrice was 0.025 +/- 0.013 and 0.106 +/- 0.085 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively, totaling 0.130 mg/kg body weight/day. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.971, P < 0.0001) was seen between the amount of dentifrice loaded onto the brush (0.49 +/- 0.30 g) and the amount of fluoride ingested during each tooth brushing (0.59 +/- 0.45 mg). Among the constituents of the diet, water and milk had a significantly higher contribution to the fluoride intake (0.18 +/- 0.11 mg/day, P < 0.0001), when compared with solids (0.07 +/- 0.05 mg/day) and other beverages (0.07 +/- 0.04 mg/day). Mean (+/-SD) fingernail fluoride concentration on the three dates of collection was 3.11 +/- 1.14, 2.22 +/- 1.47 and 3.53 +/- 1.40 mug F/g. There was no significant correlation between fingernail fluoride concentration and the total fluoride intake. CONCLUSIONS Most of the children are exposed to a daily fluoride intake above the suggested threshold for dental fluorosis. The dentifrice alone is responsible for an average of 81.5% of the daily fluoride intake, while among the constituents of the diet, water and milk are the most important contributors. In addition, small variations in daily fluoride intake cannot be detected in fingernails.
Modulation of excitation–contraction coupling by isoproterenol in cardiomyocytes with controlled SR Ca2+ load and Ca2+ current trigger

Cardiac Ca2+ transients are enhanced by cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA). However, PKA‐dependent modulation of ryanodine receptor (RyR) function in intact cells is difficult to measure, because PKA simultaneously increases Ca2+ current (ICa), SR Ca2+ uptake and SR Ca2+ loading (which independently increase SR Ca2+ release). We measured ICa and SR Ca2+ release ± 1 μm isoproterenol (ISO; isoprenaline) in voltage‐clamped ventricular myocytes of rabbits and transgenic mice (expressing only non‐phosphorylatable phospholamban). This mouse model helps control for any effect of ISO‐enhanced SR uptake on observed release, but the two species produced essentially identical results. SR Ca2+ load and ICa were adjusted by conditioning. We thus evaluated PKA effects on SR Ca2+ release at constant SR Ca2+ load and ICa trigger (with constant unitary ICa). The amount of SR Ca2+ release increased as a function of either ICa or SR Ca2+ load, but ISO did not alter the relationships (measured as gain or fractional release). This was true over a wide range of SR Ca2+ load and ICa. However, the maximal rate of SR Ca2+ release was ∼50% faster with ISO (at most loads and ICa levels). We conclude that the isolated effect of PKA on SR Ca2+ release is an increase in maximal rate of release and faster turn‐off of release (such that integrated SR Ca2+ release is unchanged). The increased amount of SR Ca2+ release normally seen with ISO depends primarily on increased ICa trigger and SR Ca2+ load, whereas faster release kinetics may be the main result of RyR phosphorylation.
Taxman's Dilemma: Coercion or Persuasion? Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment in Ethiopia

We analyze data from a randomized controlled trial of two innovative anti-tax evasion schemes in Ethiopia that signal threats of audit and complimentary messages that encourage tax morale. Our results indicate that the threat of audit reduces tax evasion significantly, and its effect is higher in businesses commonly suspected of high tax evasion rates. We also find that appealing to the tax morale promotes compliance but slightly less than that of audit threat. Our results are robust to different estimation strategies and less sensitive to potential confounding factors.
Encouraging Residential Moves to Opportunity Neighborhoods: An Experiment Testing Incentives Offered to Housing Voucher Recipients

Abstract Substantial benefits can accrue from living in low-poverty neighborhoods, yet approximately 80% of the 2.2 million Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) recipients rent homes in moderate- or high-poverty census tracts. The Chicago Regional Housing Choice Initiative tested several ways to promote opportunity moves. It included the first experiment that tests whether two types of light-touch incentives induce opportunity moves for HCV recipients who had requested a moving voucher. Based on the 2,005 HCV recipients in the study, we found that neither the offer of a $500 grant nor the offer of a $500 grant coupled with free mobility counseling induced opportunity moves. The receipt of mobility counseling also did not boost opportunity moves. Regardless of the type of offer, 11%–12% of participants moved to opportunity neighborhoods. Despite requesting a moving voucher, half of the study participants remained in place, indicating significant barriers to moving. We offer potential reasons for the results and conclude with two recommended pilots to increase opportunity moves.
Gd-BOPTA Transport Into Rat Hepatocytes: Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Images Using a Hollow-Fiber Bioreactor

Rationale and Objectives:To investigate the transport of the hepatobiliary magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agent Gd-BOPTA into rat hepatocytes. Materials and Methods:In a MR-compatible hollow-fiber bioreactor containing hepatocytes, MR signal intensity was measured over time during the perfusion of Gd-BOPTA. For comparison, the perfusion of an extracellular contrast agent (Gd-DTPA) was also studied. A compartmental pharmacokinetic model was developed to describe dynamic signal intensity-time curves. Results:The dynamic signal intensity-time curves of the hepatocyte hollow-fiber bioreactor during Gd-BOPTA perfusion were adequately fitted by 2 compartmental models. Modeling permitted to discriminate between the behaviors of the extracellular contrast agent (Gd-DTPA) and the hepatobiliary contrast agent (Gd-BOPTA). It allowed the successfully quantification of the parameters involved in such differences. Gd-BOPTA uptake was saturable at high substrate concentrations. Conclusions:The transport of Gd-BOPTA into rat hepatocytes was successfully described by compartmental analysis of the signal intensity recorded over time and supported the hypothesis of a transporter-mediated uptake.
Chronic widespread pain: a three year followup of pain distribution and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE To describe the change of pain reports over time in 3 cohorts derived from the general population: (1) no chronic pain (NCP; n = 1156); (2) chronic regional pain (CRP; n = 502); and (3) chronic widespread pain (CWP; n = 242). To identify risk factors that predict the development or persistence of chronic widespread pain. METHODS A 3-year followup from 1995 to 1998 with postal questionnaire to 2425 subjects of both sexes aged 20-74 years on the west coast of Sweden. RESULTS At followup, a larger proportion of subjects with initial CRP compared to initial NCP reported CWP (16.4 and 2.2%, respectively; p < 0.001). The majority of subjects (56.9%) who primarily reported CWP remained in that group at followup, but 26.8% had changed status to CRP and 16.3% to NCP. The number of painful regions (7-12 vs 0 regions) reported at baseline was the strongest predictor for the development of CWP with an odds ratio (OR) of 12.13 (95% CI 4.47-32.88). The development of CWP was also predicted by higher age (OR = 3.13, 95% CI 1.47-6.69, age-group 59-74 years vs age-group 20-34 years), and a family history of chronic pain (OR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.14-3.07). A habit of drinking alcohol weekly (OR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.21-0.85) compared to the habit of never or seldom drinking alcohol was protective, as well as having personal social support (OR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.28-0.85). The persistence of CWP was predicted by the number of painful regions (13-18 vs 1-6 regions) at baseline (OR = 7.56, 95% CI 2.17-26.30), and being an immigrant (OR = 3.22, 95% CI 1.33-7.77). CONCLUSION Although the overall prevalence of CWP was stable over a 3-year period there was a considerable variation on an individual basis. This variability in expressing CWP was moderately predicted by a combination of risk factors, the most important being the number of painful regions at baseline. Future research will need to show how useful the identified factors are in clinical practice and whether intervention aimed at changing these factors will improve pain outcome.
Less can be more: Targeted embolization of aneurysms associated with arteriovenous malformations unsuitable for surgical resection

Introduction To mitigate risks of hemorrhage, high-risk features of brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) can be targeted to reduce the risk of rupture. Previous investigation has examined embolization of a pedicle supplying a high-risk feature; this study examines embolization targeted specifically at aneurysms associated with BAVMs. Materials and methods Patients with BAVMs treated at two high-volume neurointerventional services were retrospectively reviewed. Patients treated with intention to occlude only the associated aneurysm itself were analyzed. Demographic and lesion characteristics were identified, as were technical and clinical outcomes. Adverse events were defined as hemorrhage, new seizure, and death. Results Thirty-two patients met inclusion criteria out of 1103 patients treated during the study period. Twenty-seven (84.4%) BAVMs were acutely ruptured, all with the aneurysm identified as the hemorrhage source. Twenty-four (75.0%) lesions involved eloquent territory. There were equal numbers of feeding artery and nidus aneurysms. Follow-up data were available for a total of 101.3 patient-years for a mean follow-up time of 2.9 years. One patient died; the remaining 31 patients had improved functional status at last contact. Annualized rate of hemorrhage after treatment was 1.0%; rate of adverse events after treatment was 3.0%. Excluding time after confirmed occlusion following radiosurgery, annualized rates were 1.4% and 4.8%, respectively. Conclusion In inoperable BAVMs, targeted embolization of associated aneurysms can be performed safely and effectively. This should be considered in high-risk lesions prior to radiosurgery or in cases when no other treatment options are available. Such intervention warrants further investigation.
Early prediction of persisting post-concussion symptoms following mild and moderate head injuries.

OBJECTIVES King (1996) reported that a combination of emotional, organic and neuropsychological measures taken at 7-10 days following mild and moderate head injury may significantly help predict patients most likely to suffer persisting post-concussion symptoms (PCS) at three months post-injury. This study investigated a cross-validation sample (N = 57) to determine whether the results would be replicated for the early prediction of longer-term sufferers (i.e. those with persisting symptoms at 6 months post-injury). DESIGN Multiple regression analyses were used in which scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Impact of Event Scale, Short Orientation Memory and Concentration Test, Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire and Post-Traumatic Amnesia taken at 7-10 days post-injury were the independent measures. Scoring on the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire taken at 6 months post-injury was the dependent measure. METHODS Sixty-six consecutive patients admitted to any trauma ward in Oxfordshire with a mild or moderate head injury were recruited from a largescale randomized controlled sample. The assessment measures were administered at 7-10 days post-injury and the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire at 6 months post-injury. Nine patients were unable to be followed up, leaving an active sample of 57. RESULTS The cross-validation data confirmed that a similar combination of measures to that found in the original study best predicted persisting PCS but that the strength of prediction diminished for the longer term prediction (i.e. 6 months post-injury). CONCLUSIONS The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Impact of Even Scale and Post-Traumatic Amnesia in combination are recommended as useful prognostic screening instruments for predicting persisting PCS, but great caution is required if they are used to aid predictions beyond 3 months post-injury.
Network Bricolage as the Reconciliation of Indigenous and Transplanted Institutions in Africa

ABSTRACT This paper argues that network bricolage can play an important role in reconciling informal indigenous institutions rooted in African history with formal institutions mostly transplanted from outside. Drawing on the literature on bricolage, social entrepreneurship, networks and institutional entrepreneurship, and illustrated with an example, we define network bricolage as a process that involves interest alignment and a relational governance structure among network actors. Our analysis distinguishes network bricolage from organizational-level bricolage and develops a theory to explain it. A greater understanding of network bricolage has important implications for the theory and practice of entrepreneurship in Africa, including the need to understand the deeper ontological and epistemological assumptions that underpin informal and formal institutions.
Ethical team leadership and trainee auditors’ likelihood of reporting client’s irregularities

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the impacts of audit engagement team’s ethical leadership, trainee auditors’ reporting intent and other selected factors on their likelihood of reporting client’s irregularities. Design/methodology/approach The present investigation is based on 150 effective questionnaire responses provided by a group of trainee auditors working for certified public accounting (CPA) firms. The questionnaire items relating to trainee auditors’ likelihood of reporting client’s irregularities are based on Crawford and Weirich’s (2011) classification of common forms of fraudulent financial reporting. The authors’ measurement of the audit engagement team leaders’ ethicality is based on the ethical leadership scale developed in Newstrom and Ruch (1975) and Kantor and Weisberg (2002). Regression models are used to testify the authors’ hypotheses on the correlations of the trainee auditors’ likelihood of reporting client’s irregularities with audit engagement team’s ethical leadership, trainee auditor’ reporting intents and other selected factors. Findings The major conclusion of this study is that there is a significantly positive correlation between trainee auditors’ likelihood of reporting client’s irregularities and their perception of audit engagement team leader’s ethicality. This paper also points out that trainee auditors’ higher evaluation of stable firm–client relationship reduces their likelihood of reporting client’s irregularities, whereas their concerns with future career development increase the likelihood of reporting. In addition, this paper documents the fact that male trainee auditors more easily perceive the ethicality of their team leader than females, and that trainee auditors with less academic achievements (lower GPA) tend to perceive more easily the ethicality of their team leader than those with better academic achievements (higher GPA). Research limitations/implications Two business ethics variables constructed and used in this study, i.e. trainee auditors’ likelihood of reporting client’s irregularities and engagement team leader’s ethicality, can be applied in future research on whistleblowing in the audit profession. Practical implications Practical implications can also be drawn from the findings to enhance the ethical management at both engagement and firm levels. Originality/value This paper contributes to the audit research literature by providing evidence on the significant positive impacts of team leader’s ethicality on the entry-level audit professional’s likelihood of reporting client’s irregularities.
Why Chinese Is So Damn Hard

The first question any thoughtful person might ask when reading the title of this essay is, "Hard compared to what? " A reasonable question. After all, Chinese people seem to learn it just fine. When little Chinese kids go through the "terrible twos", it's Chinese they use to drive their parents crazy, and in a few years the same kids are actually using those impossibly complicated Chinese characters to scribble love notes and shopping lists. It doesn't seem so hard for them. So what do I mean by "hard"? Hard for whom? Since I know at the outset that the whole tone of this document is going to involve a lot of whining and complaining, I may as well come right out and say exactly what I mean. I mean hard for me, a native English speaker trying to learn Chinese as an adult, going through the whole process with the textbooks, the tapes, the conversation partners, etc., — the whole torturous rigamarole. I mean hard for me — and, of course, for the increasing number of other Westerners who have spent years of their lives bashing their heads against the Great Wall of Chinese. If this were as far as I went, my statement would be a pretty empty one. Of course Chinese is hard for me. After all, any foreign language is hard for a non-native, right? Well, sort of. Not all foreign languages are equally difficult for any learner. It depends on which language you're coming from. A French person can usually learn Italian faster than an American, and an average American could probably master German a lot faster than an average Japanese, and so on. So part of what I'm contending is that Chinese is hard compared to. well, compared to almost any other language you might care to tackle. What I mean is that Chinese is not only hard for us (English speakers), but it's also hard in absolute terms. Which means (and here's where I'm going to get a lot of flak) that Chinese is also hard for them, for Chinese people. ^ If you don't believe this, just ask a Chinese person. Most Chinese people will cheerfully acknowledge that their language is hard, maybe the hardest on earth. (Many are even proud of this, in the same way some New Yorkers are actually proud of living in the most unlivable city in America.) Maybe all …