Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Generalized Model of Voting One Issue at a Time with Applications to Congress

Earlier work by Enelow and Hinich that develops a theory of how voter expectations affect preferences on a single issue is extended by building into the model a dependence between futureissue decisions and present alternatives. It is assumed that each voter forecasts future issue decisions with a multidimensional random variable whose mean is linear in the alternatives of the present issue. If voters have quadratic utility (i.e., are risk-averse) and maximize expected utility, it is shown that symmetric, single-peaked preferences are induced on each issue based on the preference and forecast parameters of each voter. Consequently, an equilibrium decision exists on each issue. This equilibrium is a generalization of the one derived by Enelow and Hinich. The author argues that the model developed in the paper is useful for representing and providing insights into the type of single-issue voting that occurs in Congress, and demonstrates through examples both that the problem addressed by the model arises frequently in congressional voting and that the assumption of a linear dependence between present alternatives and mean forecasts on future issues is reasonable in many real world instances of congressional decision making.
Craniomaxillofacial injury in sport: a review of prevention research

Current decision making in prevention of sport related craniomaxillofacial injury is based on available data derived from surveillance and attitude based studies. The literature on this type of injury prevention lacks the high quality scientific design and evidence on which mandatory interventions can be based. Currently available prevention methodology can provide a better understanding of injury mechanisms and produce valid interventions.
Continuous subcutaneous infusion of low dose growth hormone decreases serum sex‐hormone binding globulin and testosterone concentrations in moderately obese middle‐aged men

OBJECTIVE Sex‐hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a liver derived protein whose concentration has been shown to be affected by a number of factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effect of increased basal GH concentrations on serum concentrations of SHBG, testosterone and thyroid hormones.
Assessment of chromosomal gains as compared to DNA content changes is more useful to detect dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus brush cytology specimens

Abnormal DNA ploidy status has been suggested as a prognostic factor for Barrett's esophagus progression into esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The aim of the study was to compare image cytometry DNA analysis (ICDA) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in the assessment of DNA ploidy status in Barrett's esophagus (BE), and to determine the value of these abnormalities as an adjunct to conventional cytology in detection of dysplasia and EAC. Brush cytology specimens of 90 BE patients were examined using ICDA and FISH with peri‐centromeric probes for chromosomes 7 and 17. The results of ICDA and FISH were compared with each other, and with dysplasia grade or EAC as determined by histology and cytology. FISH and ICDA detected abnormalities in 41% (37/90) and 22% (19/90) of the BE cases, respectively. Gains of chromosome 7 and/or 17 were present in 13% of nondysplasia cases, which further increased with dysplasia stage, while overall DNA content aneuploidy was detected predominantly in high grade dysplasia (HGD) and EAC. Using FISH results combined with cytology, we were able to identify IND/LGD (indefinite/ low grade dysplasia) with a sensitivity and specificity of 75 and 76%, respectively. FISH alone detected HGD/EAC with a high sensitivity and specificity of 85 and 84%, which was superior to that of cytology alone. Thus, FISH is more sensitive than ICDA to detect chromosomal abnormalities in BE brush cytology specimens. FISH detects chromosomal gains in early stages of BE and represents a valuable adjunct to conventional cytology to detect dysplasia or EAC. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Capsid structure and dynamics of a human rhinovirus probed by hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry

Viral capsids are dynamic protein assemblies surrounding viral genomes. Despite the high‐resolution structures determined by X‐ray crystallography and cryo‐electron microscopy, their in‐solution structure and dynamics can be probed by hydrogen exchange. We report here using hydrogen exchange combined with protein enzymatic fragmentation and mass spectrometry to determine the capsid structure and dynamics of a human rhinovirus, HRV14. Capsid proteins (VP1–4) were labeled with deuterium by incubating intact virus in D2O buffer at neutral pH. The labeled proteins were digested by immobilized pepsin to give peptides analyzed by capillary reverse‐phase HPLC coupled with nano‐electrospray mass spectrometry. Deuterium levels incorporated at amide linkages in peptic fragments were measured for different exchange times from 12 sec to 30 h to assess the amide hydrogen exchange rates along each of the four protein backbones. Exchange results generally agree with the crystal structure of VP1–4,with extended, flexible terminal and surface‐loop regions in fast exchange and folded helical and sheet structures in slow exchange. In addition, three α‐helices, one from each of VP1–3, exhibited very slow exchange, indicating high stability of the protomeric interface. The β‐strands at VP3 N terminus also had very slow exchange, suggesting stable pentamer contacts. It was noted, however, that the interface around the fivefold axis had fast and intermediate exchange, indicating relatively more flexibility. Even faster exchange rates were found in the N terminus of VP1 and most segments of VP4, suggesting high flexibilities, which may correspond to their potential roles in virus uncoating.
Evaluation of circulating activin-A as a serum marker of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Because in experimental hepatocarcinogenesis apoptosis increases from normal to preneoplastic to carcinoma tissue, proapoptotic factors, such as activin-A, may represent useful markers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, serum activin-A was measured in 99 cirrhotic patients, of whom 55 had HCC. Activin-A concentrations were higher in HCC patients (median, 2.33 ng/ml; range, 0.41-8.12) than in patients with nonmalignant cirrhosis (1.28 ng/ml; range, 0.35-6.25) (P < .05). All 12 patients with activin-A greater than 3 ng/ml and serum alpha-fetoprotein greater than 30 ng/ml had HCC, in comparison to 32 of 41 patients who had only one and to 11 of 46 patients who had both markers below these cutoffs (P < .0001). No correlation was found between activin-A and alpha-fetoprotein in the two groups, whereas in patients with HCC, activin-A was strictly correlated with serum aspartate aminotransferase (P < .001). Activin-A mRNA for inhibin betaA subunit was expressed both in tumor and nontumor liver tissues in a case of HCC superimposed on cirrhosis and was not expressed in a case of HCC without cirrhosis. In conclusion, cirrhotic patients with HCC have high serum activin-A, to the production of which both the cirrhotic liver and the liver tumor are likely to contribute.
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Children

OBJECTIVE: The number of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) continues to increase in the United States and other developed countries; however, ASD is diagnosed less commonly in Hispanic than in non-Hispanic white individuals. This report analyzes differences in ASD prevalence between Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites in a large, population-based sample of 8-year-old children, and explores how prevalence has changed over time. METHODS: Population-based surveillance of ASD was conducted on 142 717 8-year-old children. Evaluation of clinical and educational records resulted in 1212 children meeting the case definition criteria in 4 study years between 2000 and 2006. RESULTS: ASD prevalence in Hispanic children was lower than in non-Hispanic white children (P < .005) for all study years. More Hispanic than non-Hispanic white children met the case definition for intellectual disability (P < .05) in study years 2004 and 2006. Prevalence of ASD diagnosis increased in both groups; the Hispanic prevalence almost tripled, from 2.7 per 1000 in 2000 to 7.9 per 1000 in 2006. A comparison of prevalence ratios found that Hispanic and non-Hispanic white ASD prevalence became significantly more similar from 2000 to 2006 (χ2 = 124.89, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The ASD prevalence for Hispanic individuals in this population-based sample is substantially higher than previously reported. Nonetheless, Hispanic children continue to have a significantly lower ASD prevalence in comparison with non-Hispanic whites. The prevalence of ASD is increasing in both populations, and results indicate that the gap in prevalence between groups is decreasing.
Comparison of benign keratoses using p53, bcl‐1, and bcl‐2

While cell‐cycle markers have been used to differentiate benign vs. malignant lesions and to classify malignant lesions, benign keratoses have not been well studied using such markers. We hypothesized that inflammation or irritation of benign keratoses may be related to a shift in the cell cycle. We compared the immunohistochemical staining patterns of 10 seborrheic keratoses (SKs), 10 inflamed seborrheic keratoses (iSKs), and 10 inverted follicular keratoses (IFKs) using antibodies to p53, bcl‐1, and bcl‐2. Staining with antibodies to p53 was slightly increased in IFKs compared with iSKs or non‐inflamed seborrheic keratoses. Bcl‐1 staining was similar in all lesions. A population of bcl‐2‐positive dendritic cells was seen within the epidermal portion of IFKs. Keratinocyte bcl‐2 staining was significantly higher in SKs compared with the other two keratoses. Bcl‐2 may be increased in SKs as an anti‐apoptotic mechanism.
Role of food neophilia in food market tourists’ motivational construct: The case of La Boqueria in Barcelona, Spain

ABSTRACT In this paper we advocate the study of local food markets to explore fundamental issues about the relationship between these urban tourist attractions and visitors’ motivation and satisfaction. Based on a survey in La Boqueria Market in Barcelona, Spain, we test the direct effect of escape from routine, cultural experience, prestige, and food market involvement on satisfaction, and also the moderator role of food neophilia in this relationship. We conclude that tourists visiting food markets are motivated mainly by cultural experience and interaction with local producers, while food neophilia plays a significant moderator role.
Surface Reactions of 3,3′,5,5′-Tetramethyl Benzidine on Hectorite

The adsorption and oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl benzidine (TMB) on hectorite has been investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, and infrared spectroscopy. The molecule adsorbed by cation exchange at low adsorption levels and oxidized to the monomeric radical cation (yellow). At higher adsorption levels, intercalation of TMB occurred in amounts greater than the cation-exchange capacity of the hectorite, and the π-π charge-transfer complex (blue) became much more evident. The TMB monomers appeared to lie flat in the layer silicate interlayers, whereas the molecules in the charge-transfer complexes assumed a near-vertical orientation relative to the surface. The oxidation of adsorbed TMB was probably due to diffusion of O2 to the surface, because the structural Fe3+ content of the hectorite was too low to facilitate a significant quantity of direct Fe3+-TMB electron transfer.
Client perceptions of the Tree Theme Method™: a structured intervention based on storytelling and creative activities.

The Tree Theme Method (TTM) is an intervention based on sessions involving creative activities and life storytelling/story-making, in which the client paints trees representing various periods of his/her life. The aim of this study was to investigate clients' experiences of participating in a TTM intervention and their perceptions of the therapeutic relationship. Thematic interviews were undertaken. Twenty clients attending general outpatient mental healthcare units were recruited after having participated in the intervention. A qualitative content analysis resulted in six categories: “From feeling a pressure to perform to becoming focused and expressive”, “Expressing oneself and one's life situation led to awakening of memories and feelings”, “New perspectives of self-image, everyday life and relations to others”, “Story-making led to shaping and reconstructing one's life story”, “Interaction was of importance when reconstructing one's life story” and, finally, “The attitude of the occupational therapist was of importance for the development of the therapeutic relationship”. There seemed to be a close association between the intervention and the therapeutic relationship in starting a process of opening up new perspectives on everyday life, but there is a need for further studies including therapists' experience of using the TTM and their perception of the client–therapist relationship.
A transient, EMT-linked loss of basement membranes indicates metastasis and poor survival in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Loss of the basement membrane (BM) is considered an important step toward tumor malignancy. However, the BM is still expressed in most typical colorectal adenocarcinomas; nevertheless, these tumors can invade and develop metastases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role, mechanisms, and clinical relevance of BM turnover in malignant colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. METHODS Expression of BM components and their transcriptional regulation and clinical relevance were investigated in human CRCs and cell lines. RESULTS Our data show new aspects in BM turnover in CRCs with impact on malignant tumor progression: (1) The BM is still expressed in the main tumor mass of most colorectal adenocarcinomas, but selectively lost at invasive regions of the tumor in many cases. (2) Selective loss of the BM at the invasive front has high clinical and tumor biologic relevance for distant metastasis and survival. (3) The BM is reexpressed in metastases, indicating that its loss is transient and regulated by environmental factors. (4) This transient loss is not only due to proteolytic breakdown but to a down-regulated synthesis and linked to an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor cells, and, thereby, zinc-finger-enhancer protein 1 (ZEB1) is the crucial transcriptional repressor of BM components in CRCs. CONCLUSIONS A transient BM loss at the invasive front is correlated with increased distant metastasis and poor patient survival, indicating its tumor biologic relevance and usefulness as a prognostic marker. Targeting ZEB1 might be a promising therapeutic option to prevent metastasis.
Impact of genetic risk assessment on nutrition-related lifestyle behaviours

Genetic susceptibility testing for common complex disease is a practice that is currently in clinical use. There are two types of gene mutations, and therefore, two varieties of genotype testing: deterministic and susceptibility. As the term suggests, deterministic genes determine whether or not a person will develop a given trait in Mendelian fashion, such as Huntington's disease. Genotype screening for such deterministic mutations has existed for decades, and is commonly used in routine medical practice. In recent years, the sequencing of the human genome has identified several ‘susceptibility genes’ or genes with incomplete penetrance. Mutations in these genes may increase disease susceptibility, but are not causative for disease. Genetic susceptibility testing allows unaffected individuals to obtain risk information for a variety of common complex diseases and health conditions including Alzheimer's disease (AD), CVD, cancer and diabetes. The availability of genetic susceptibility testing has increased over the past decade, and several studies are now focusing on the impact that genetic testing has on health and other lifestyle behaviours related to nutrition. The aim of this paper is to review the literature and evaluate what, if any, impact genetic risk assessment has on behaviours related to nutrition and physical activity. This paper summarises seven clinical studies that evaluated the impact of disclosing genetic risk information for disease on nutrition-related health behaviour changes. Of these seven studies, only three studies reported that health behaviour change was influenced by genotype disclosure.
Examination of detailed frequency behavior of quartz resonators under low dose exposures to proton radiation

Previous experiments have shown that the frequency shifts from low dose irradiation of quartz by protons recover and that no correlation of these shifts to the aluminum ion concentration of the quartz was found. The authors of these previous experiments posit the variation in low dose radiation sensitivity of quartz resonators to a manufacturing lot dependence which confounds the general analysis of mechanisms relating to quartz material properties, impurity defects and cut angle. Our work further explores the discoveries of these previous experiments using the detail observed in a screening of SC-cut quartz resonators for proton radiation sensitivity. Specifically, we use the peculiar signatures of the observed frequency drifts to test certain qualities of the quartz lattice structure relating to localized mechanical stress, intrinsic defects in the resonator and the possible influence of surface disorder. We attempt to correlate lattice quality to manufacturing procedures which would likely validate the lot dependence in radiation sensitivity asserted by previous publications.
Field operation of a robotic small waterplane area twin hull boat for shallow‐water bathymetric characterization

An innovative robotic boat has been developed for performing bathymetric mapping of very shallow coastal, estuarine, and inland waters. The boat uses a small waterplane area twin hull design to provide natural platform stability for a multibeam sonar payload, and a navigation system automatically guides the boat in a “lawn‐mowing” pattern to map a region of interest. Developed in stages over five years as part of a low‐cost student design program, the boat is now operational and is being used to generate science‐quality maps for scientific and civil use; it is also being used as a testbed for evaluating the platform for other types of scientific missions and for demonstrating advanced control techniques. This paper reviews the student‐based development process, describes the design of the boat, presents results from field operations, and reviews plans for future extensions to the system. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vibration-insensitive 61-MHz micromechanical disk reference oscillator

A low phase noise oscillator referenced to a 61-MHz vibrating wine-glass disk resonator with anchor-isolating supports designed to suppress microphonics has posted (without any compensation) a measured acceleration sensitivity at least as good as Γ ~0.2ppb/g for vibration frequencies up to 2kHz and in all directions, yielding a vector magnitude Γ less than 0.5ppb/g. Remarkably, this result is at least 30 times better than previous work using a similar wine-glass disk resonator and is the best mark among MEMS-based oscillators to date, including those aided by feedback compensation circuits. It is also more than an order of magnitude better than an off-the-shelf crystal oscillator and is now comparable with low sensitivity oven-controlled crystal oscillators (OCXO's). Such low sensitivity to environmental vibration by a tiny uncompensated MEMS-based oscillator is expected to enable harsh environment and military applications that require stable and compact reference oscillators.
Democratic politics and voting behaviour in Ghana

What determines the vote choice in Ghana? This paper examines this question using a data set on voting behaviour generated from a nationwide survey of 2042 voters from the ten regions of Ghana based on six national elections held between 1992 and 2012. The results based on descriptive analyses and logistic regressions indicate that political parties tackle substantive issues during African elections, but generally voice them through valence appeals rather than by staking out distinct positions. Further, the results show that campaign message and the ethnicity of the presidential candidate matter in the vote choice. It is worth noting, however, that of the seventeen factors identified by respondents as most important, ethnicity ranked only 14th. This finding suggests that the declarative information of respondents is not consistent with their real intentions. Overall, the findings of the study show that both patronage politics and programmatic policies matter in winning elections. Accordingly, politicians need to focus on enhancing the credentials they bring to the political arena and improve their image in terms of how best they are able to achieve the public good.
Type 1 IFN Maintains the Survival of Anergic CD4+ T Cells1

Anergic T cells have immunoregulatory activity and can survive for extended periods in vivo. It is unclear how anergic T cells escape from deletion, because both anergy and apoptosis can occur after TCR ligation. Stimulation of human CD4+ T cell clones reactive to influenza hemagglutinin peptides can occur in the absence of APCs when MHC class II-expressing, activated T cells present peptide to each other. This T:T peptide presentation can induce CD95-mediated apoptosis, while the cells that do not die are anergic. We found that the death after peptide or anti-CD3 treatment of a panel of CD4+ T cell clones is blocked by IFN-β secreted by fibroblasts and also by IFN-α. This increases cell recovery after stimulation, which is not due to T cell proliferation. This mechanism for apoptosis inhibition rapidly stops protein kinase C-δ translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, which is an early event in the death process. A central observation was that CD4+ T cells that are rescued from apoptosis after T:T presentation of peptide by IFN-αβ remain profoundly anergic to rechallenge with Ag-pulsed APCs. However, anergized cells retain the ability to respond to IL-2, showing that they are nonresponsive but functional. The prevention of peptide-induced apoptosis in activated T cells by IFN-αβ is a novel mechanism that may enable the survival and maintenance of anergic T cell populations after TCR engagement. This has important implications for the persistence of anergic T cells with the potential for immunoregulatory function in vivo.
Cell Cycle-Regulated Transcription by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Tat Transactivator

ABSTRACT Cyclin-dependent kinases are required for the Tat-dependent transition from abortive to productive elongation. Further, the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpr protein prevents proliferation of infected cells by arresting them in the G2phase of the cell cycle. These findings suggest that the life cycle of the virus may be integrally related to the cell cycle. We now demonstrate by in vitro transcription analysis that Tat-dependent transcription takes place in a cell cycle-dependent manner. Remarkably, Tat activates gene expression in two distinct stages of the cell cycle. Tat-dependent long terminal repeat activation is observed in G1. This activation is TAR dependent and requires a functional Sp1 binding site. A second phase of transactivation by Tat is observed in G2 and is TAR independent. This later phase of transcription is enhanced by a natural cell cycle blocker of HIV-1,vpr, which arrests infected cells at the G2/M boundary. These studies link the HIV-1 Tat protein to cell cycle-specific biological functions.