Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Research on Interactive Effects of Domestic-Foreign Rebar Futures and Spot Price

This paper empirically analyzes the relationships among London steel billet futures price,Shanghai rebar futures price and Guangzhou rebar spot price by VEC model and variance decomposition method,and explores the operation efficiency of future market in the price discovery function. Conclusions show that the three prices have a long equilibrium relationship and the London futures market has a dominant position in the long- term price discovery,comparatively,the price discovery is weak and operation efficiency is low of SFE. It is necessary for China' s regulators to perfect laws and regulations on futures and to establish domestic and foreign futures exchange platform and so on to improve China's steel market system.
Factors Associated With Short-Term Disability Episodes

Objective: This study examines factors associated with a mental/behavioral disorder-related short-term disability episode versus a physical disorder-related disability episode using administrative longitudinal data. Methods: Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between worker characteristics and different types of disability episodes. Results: A previous disability episode is significantly associated with a current disability. Nevertheless, mental/behavioral disorders are related to higher odds of another episode. A worker with a previous disability episode related to a mental/behavioral disorder is almost 7× more likely to have another disability episode related to a mental disorder/behavioral disorder. Conclusions: One of the critical factors associated with a disability episode is a history of a previous disability episode. Relapse is a critical factor and should be considered in the design of occupational health programs.
Maxillary Segmental Distraction in a Patient with Bilateral Cleft Lip and Alveolus with Subsequent Tooth Transplantation: A Preliminary Case Report

Segmental distraction osteogenesis in the maxillary alveolar process makes it possible to close alveolar clefts in patients with cleft lip and alveolus successfully. Dental spaces occurring in the lateral segment can subsequently be fully closed by transplanting teeth into this area. This new method of treatment is advantageous for patients with broad clefts and multiple missing teeth in the maxilla.
Are There Gender Differences in Outcomes after the Cox-Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation?

Objective Atrial fibrillation (AF) management suggests that women do not tolerate medication rhythm control strategies as well as men do; however, AF percutaneous catheter ablation has been found to be favorable. The study purpose was to compare the sex-based outcomes for patients who undergo the Cox-Maze procedure for AF. Methods Data were collected through our AF surgical ablation registry. Rhythm was verified by electrocardiogram and 24-hour holter at 6 and 12 months. General health-related quality of life (Short-Form 12) and specific AF symptom burden (Atrial Fibrillation Symptom Checklist: Frequency and Severity, version 3) were obtained at baseline and 12 months. Results Since 2005, a total of 540 patients have undergone a Cox-Maze procedure (34% were women). The women presented with higher operative risk [additive European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE), 6.71 ± 2.61 vs 5.25 ± 2.80, t = 5.85, P < 0.001], higher rates of congestive heart failure (49% vs 32%, P < 0.001), and more concomitant mitral valve procedures (32% vs 19%, P = 0.001). Perioperative outcomes were similar. Return to sinus rhythm off antiarrhythmics were not different at 6 and 12 months (78% vs 75%, P = 0.53, and 81% vs 80%, P = 1.00, respectively). Cumulative 2-year survival (93.9% for the men and 89.3% for the women) was not different for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.47; confidence interval, 0.68–3.21; P = 0.33) and cardiac-related mortality [women: 10/14 (71%) vs men 7/11 (64%), P = 1.00]. Health-related quality of life showed significant improvement; AF symptoms significantly decreased across the sexes. Conclusions Outcomes after the Cox-Maze procedure are similar across sex. Atrial fibrillation surgical ablation should be considered a treatment option for women—it is safe and effective, improves general health-related quality of life, and reduces AF symptom burden.
Violence against psychiatric nurses: Sensitive research as science and intervention

Abstract Psychiatric nurses are frequent victims of workplace violence, much of which is perpetrated by patients. In a review of literature on prevalence, perpetrators, and impact of violence on psychiatric nurses, we note that workplace violence is a virtually normative experience for the nurse, rather than a rare occurrence. Verbal violence and sexual harassment, like physical violence, are common experiences; in contrast to physical violence, these are often initiated by coworkers. The emotional impact of violence on psychiatric nurses is studied less often than frequency of exposure. We discuss hypotheses for this paucity of relevant research. Finally, we reflect on the implications of current research, concluding with recommendations for future research on violence against psychiatric nurses. In particular, we elaborate on the role of violence research in the healthcare setting as ‘sensitive research’ – a research process that in itself may have both direct and indirect beneficial effects for the nursing profession.
Decreased activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in non‐mitochondrial respiratory chain diseases

The aim of this study was to illustrate the difficulties in establishing a diagnosis of mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) disorders based on clinical grounds in combination with intermediate activities of the MRC enzyme complexes. We reviewed retrospectively all medical and laboratory records of patients initially considered likely to have MRC disorders on clinical grounds, and subsequently diagnosed with other disorders (n=20; 11 males, 9 females). Data were retrieved from hospital records, referral letters, and results of enzymatic analysis at a reference laboratory. Clinical symptoms included developmental delay, epilepsy, hypotonia, movement disorder, spastic quadriplegia, tetany, microcephaly, visual problems, carpopedal spasms, dysmorphism, hearing loss, muscle weakness and rhabdomyolysis, and fulminant hepatitis. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels were elevated in 13/20 and 9/20 respectively. One or more MRC complex activities (expressed as ratios relative to citrate synthase and/or complex II activity) were less than 50% of control mean activity in 11/20 patients (including patients with deficiencies of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, pantothenate kinase, holocarboxylase synthetase, long‐chain hydroxy acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase, molybdenum co‐factor, and neonatal haemochromatosis). One patient had a pattern suggestive of mitochondrial proliferation. We conclude that intermediate results of MRC enzymes should be interpreted with caution and clinicians should be actively looking for other underlying diagnoses.
Children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis on gait and electrical stimulation

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis using the International Classification of Functioning to determine the summary effect of electrical stimulation on impairment and activity limitations relevant to gait problems of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: We identified 40 cerebral palsy and electrical stimulation studies, and 17 gait studies qualified for inclusion. Applying enablement classification methods to walking abnormalities created two subgroups: impairment (N = 14) and activity limitations (N = 15). Overall, 238 participants experienced electrical stimulation treatments and 224 served as a no stimulation control group. Calculations followed conventional data extraction and meta-analysis techniques: (a) individual standardized mean differences, (b) summary effect size, (c) I 2heterogeneity test, (d) fail-safe N analysis and (e) moderator variable analyses. Results: Common outcome measures associated with impairment (n = 3) and activity limitations (n = 6) were submitted to separate random effects models meta-analyses, and revealed significant cumulative effect sizes: (a) impairment = 0.616 (SE = 0.10) and (b) activity limitations = 0.635 (SE = 0.14). I 2indicated low and medium amounts of dispersion, whereas fail-safe analyses revealed high N-values for both disablement categories. Moderator variable analyses further confirmed the positive treatment effects from both functional and neuromuscular stimulation. Conclusions: The present systematic review and meta-analyses determined medium effect sizes for electrical stimulation on walking impairment and activity limitations of children with cerebral palsy.
Insulin Secretion in Glucose-Tolerant Offspring of Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Trinidad, West Indies

Background. Genetics and environmental factors play vital roles in type 2 diabetes. To gain insight into its pathogenesis, early study of offspring of affected patients is needed. Methods. Thirty-four offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes and 27 nondiabetic control subjects matched for sex, height, weight, and waist-to-hip ratio had standard oral glucose tolerance tests (75 g glucose in 300 mL water). Homeostasis model assessment was used in measuring insulin resistance and sensitivity. Results. Offspring had significantly higher mean fasting serum insulin (126.6 ± 10.3 vs 87.5 ± 6.9 pmol/L), incremental insulin at 30 to 150 minutes, and body mass index and lower insulin sensitivity than control subjects (49.9% ± 3.1% vs. 71.9% ± 5.6%), despite similar fasting plasma glucose concentrations. Conclusions. As in other populations, the offspring of Caribbean patients with type 2 diabetes are at greater risk for development of diabetes independent of obesity.
Categorical Perception of Face Actions: Their Role in Sign Language and in Communicative Facial Displays

Can face actions that carry significance within language be perceived categorically? We used continua produced by computational morphing of face-action images to explore this question in a controlled fashion. In Experiment 1 we showed that question-type—a syntactic distinction in British Sign Language (BSL)—can be perceived categorically, but only when it is also identified as a question marker. A few hearing non-signers were sensitive to this distinction; among those who used sign, late sign learners were no less sensitive than early sign users. A very similar facial-display continuum between “surprise” and “puzzlement” was perceived categorically by deaf and hearing participants, irrespective of their sign experience (Experiment 2). The categorical processing of facial displays can be demonstrated for sign, but may be grounded in universally perceived distinctions between communicative face actions. Moreover, the categorical perception of facial actions is not confined to the six universal facial expressions.
An Elevated Arterial Enhancement Fraction Is Associated With Clinical and Imaging Indices of Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis

Objective The objective of this study was to determine whether arterial enhancement fraction (AEF) is associated with the degree of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease. Methods Sixty-five patients (mean age, 55.8 years; 19 female patients) underwent triple-phase computed tomography scanning. Mean AEF was determined for the left and right hepatic lobe of the liver using a prototypical software module and compared between groups of different liver fibrosis grade. Results Mean AEF was higher in patients with liver disease compared with those without liver disease. Mean AEF differed significantly between patients with normal liver or mild fibrosis (category 1), moderate to severe fibrosis (category 2), and cirrhosis (category 3). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined an area under the curve of 0.79/0.78, with an optimal cutoff for mean AEF of 9.2/16.8, for differentiating between category 2 or higher/category 3 disease. Conclusions The mean hepatic AEF can provide an accurate, fast, noninvasive assessment of the degree of fibrosis in chronic liver disease.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism is not associated with alcohol dependence.

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), member of the neurotrophins, captures a key role in maintaining the neuronal integrity. Recently published studies draw an association between BDNF Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and affective disorders and alcohol dependence. Shin et al. found an association of BDNF and alcohol dependence in a Korean sample (Shin et al., 2009). The aim of this study was to confirm this finding in a larger European sample of alcohol-dependent patients.
Transcriptional regulation of bone sialoprotein gene by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major mediator of inflammatory response. Periodontopathic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS has quite different character from Escherichia coli LPS. E. coli LPS is agonist for Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), whereas P. gingivalis LPS worked as antagonist for TLR4. Bone sialoprotein (BSP) is an early marker of osteoblast differentiation. To investigate the effects of P. gingivalis LPS on BSP transcription, we used rat osteoblast‐like ROS17/2.8 cells. BSP mRNA levels were decreased by 0.1 µg/ml and increased by 0.01 µg/ml P. gingivalis LPS at 12 h. Results of luciferase assays showed that 0.1 µg/ml decreased and 0.01 µg/ml P. gingivalis LPS increased BSP transcription in −116 to +60 BSP construct. The effects of P. gingivalis LPS were abrogated by double mutations in cAMP response element (CRE) and FGF2 response element (FRE). Tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A, ERK1/2 inhibitor and antioxidant N‐acetylcystein inhibited effects of P. gingivalis LPS. Protein kinase A inhibitor and PI3‐kinase/Akt inhibitor only abolished the effect of 0.01 µg/ml P. gingivalis LPS. Furthermore, 0.1 µg/ml LPS decreased the CRE– and FRE–protein complexes formation, whereas 0.01 µg/ml P. gingivalis LPS increased the nuclear protein binding to CRE and FRE. ChIP assays revealed increased binding of CREB1, JunD, Fra2, Runx2, Dlx5, and Smad1 to a chromatin fragment containing the CRE and FRE by 0.01 µg/ml P. gingivalis LPS. These studies therefore indicated that 0.1 µg/ml suppressed, and 0.01 µg/ml P. gingivalis LPS increased BSP gene transcription mediated through CRE and FRE elements in the rat BSP gene promoter. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 823–833, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
From Data Entry to Evidence-Based Decision-Making: How Data and Analysis Can Drive Improvements in Admissions Policies.

Academic standards and performance outcomes are a major focus of the current Cycle 2 Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) audits. AUQA has clearly stated that universities will need to provide ‘evidence of setting, maintaining, and reviewing institutional academic standards and outcomes’ (2010, p. 27). To do this, universities will need to have accurate and extensive data and analysis and will need to show how such data are used to drive improvement in standards across the institution. At the same time, the government’s response to the Bradley review encourages and provides opportunity for universities to grow and diversify. However, the Hon Julia Gillard, Minister for Education, has explicitly stated that ‘if we have equity targets we must have quality targets’ (2009, p. 1), and so while growth is expected, academic standards must not be compromised. Admission policies, programs and entry requirements will therefore play a growing role in meeting these objectives. Monash recruits students from a diverse range of educational and social backgrounds. The university has eight campuses, including two overseas and one in regional Australia, and a student population of which more than a third are international. Within this context, it is essential that admission standards are equitable and lead to comparable academic performance of students from a vast range of entry pathways. The Office of Planning & Quality at Monash University has therefore developed an extensive suite of processes for data collection, preparation and analysis to inform admissions-related decision-making. This article will outline the work undertaken to collect, prepare and disseminate a detailed set of admissions data that identifies the entry pathways and academic outcomes of the university’s bachelor students. The resulting analytic work is also outlined and the statistical techniques used to assess equivalences between different qualifications are described. Finally, the use of this analysis by senior management to inform decision-making is also discussed.
A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Antimicrobial Treatment for Children With Clinically Diagnosed Acute Sinusitis

Objective. Although antimicrobial treatment for children with acute sinusitis is used commonly, it is unclear whether it offers significant clinical benefit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments for acute sinusitis as they are used in community pediatric practice. Methods. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 3 community pediatric practices in St Louis, Missouri. A total of 188 patients who were between the ages of 1 and 18 years and who had had 10 to 28 days of persistent sinus symptoms and a clinical diagnosis of acute sinusitis were randomized to receive 14 days of amoxicillin (40 mg/kg/d in 3 daily doses), amoxicillin-clavulanate (amoxicillin 45 mg/kg/d in 2 daily doses), or placebo. Change in sinus symptoms was assessed both by a quantitative symptom score (the S5 score) and subjectively by the parent. Secondary outcomes included adverse effects of treatment and recurrence or relapse of sinus symptoms. Outcomes were assessed by telephone interviews over a 2-month period. Results. Of the 161 patients who were included in the analysis, 58 received amoxicillin, 48 received amoxicillin-clavulanate, and 55 received placebo. Day 14 improvement rates were 79%, 81%, and 79%, respectively. There were no differences in the 14-day change in S5 score among treatment groups. The rates of adverse events (amoxicillin, 19%; amoxicillin-clavulanate, 11%; placebo, 10%), relapse (amoxicillin, 12%; amoxicillin-clavulanate, 13%; placebo, 13%), and recurrence (amoxicillin, 9%; amoxicillin-clavulanate, 13%; placebo, 13%) of sinus symptoms were similar among treatment groups. Conclusion. Neither amoxicillin nor amoxicillin-clavulanate offered any clinical benefit compared with placebo for children with clinically diagnosed acute sinusitis.
UV Radiation Effects on Pathogens and Insect Pests of Greenhouse‐Grown Crops

In an invited review in this issue, Raviv and Antignus (pp. 2 19-226) describe recent progress that has been made in Israel, Japan, the United States, and other countries to modify the spectral characteristics of greenhouse-covering materials in order to suppress the proliferation of several important foliar diseases and to protect crops from insects and insect-borne viruses. These goals have been achieved by using materials having selected cutoffs in the UVregion and by changing the ratio between UV radiation and other wavelengths. In addition to reviewing the literature o n UV radiation effects on plant pathogens and pathogen-related UV effects on plants, the authors also describe the effects of spectral modification on hostpathogen relations, insect-plant communication and discuss integrated pest management (IPM) strategies involved in altering the visual behavior of insects. The advantage of using UV-absorbing films in greenhouses, high tunnel houses, and other plant growth facilities as an IPM approach is that it reduces the need for pesticides.
The N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor, a Precursor to N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Encephalitis, is Found in the Squamous Tissue of Ovarian Teratomas

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is the most common antibody-mediated limbic encephalitis and is associated with underlying ovarian teratoma. Previous studies suggest that expression of NMDAR on teratoma neural tissue initiates an autoimmune response to NMDAR in the brain. As some teratomas of patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis lack neuronal tissue, we questioned if there could be an alternate mechanism of the disease. We performed immunohistochemical analyses for NMDAR and correlated its expression with histology on 10 control teratomas and 5 teratomas associated with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Both control and case teratomas expressed NMDAR-bearing neural tissue. All 15 teratomas contained large amounts of NMDAR bearing squamous epithelium; in 2 cases this was the only tissue expressing NMDAR. NMDAR-bearing neural tissue is not the sole source of encephalitis in all patients. Furthermore, we speculate that NMDAR expression by squamous epithelium may contribute to the disease development in some patients.
Gene Expression Analysis of Cold and Freeze Stress in Baker's Yeast

ABSTRACT We used mRNA differential display to assess yeast gene expression under cold or freeze shock stress conditions. We found both up- and down-regulation of genes, although repression was more common. We identified and sequenced several cold-induced genes exhibiting the largest differences. We confirmed, by Northern blotting, the specificity of the response for TPI1, which encodes triose-phosphate isomerase; ERG10, the gene for acetoacetyl coenzyme A thiolase; and IMH1, which encodes a protein implicated in protein transport. These genes also were induced under other stress conditions, suggesting that this cold response is mediated by a general stress mechanism. We determined the physiological significance of the cold-induced expression change of these genes in two baker's yeast strains with different sensitivities to freeze stress. The mRNA level of TPI1 and ERG10 genes was higher in freeze-stressed than in control samples of the tolerant strain. In contrast, both genes were repressed in frozen cells of the sensitive strain. Next, we examined the effects of ERG10 overexpression on cold and freeze-thaw tolerance. Growth of wild-type cells at 10°C was not affected by high ERG10 expression. However, YEpERG10 transformant cells exhibited increased freezing tolerance. Consistent with this, cells of an erg10 mutant strain showed a clear phenotype of cold and freeze sensitivity. These results give support to the idea that a cause-and-effect relationship between differentially expressed genes and cryoresistance exists in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and open up the possibility of design strategies to improve the freeze tolerance of baker's yeast.