Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Standard Operating Procedures: A Safety Net for Pre-Analysis Plans

ABSTRACT Across the social sciences, growing concerns about research transparency have led to calls for pre-analysis plans (PAPs) that specify in advance how researchers intend to analyze the data they are about to gather. PAPs promote transparency and credibility by helping readers distinguish between exploratory and confirmatory analyses. However, PAPs are time-consuming to write and may fail to anticipate contingencies that arise in the course of data collection. This article proposes the use of “standard operating procedures” (SOPs)—default practices to guide decisions when issues arise that were not anticipated in the PAP. We offer an example of an SOP that can be adapted by other researchers seeking a safety net to support their PAPs.
Euler buckling as a model for the curvature and flexion of the human lumbar spine

The upright thoraco-lumbar spine resembles an Euler column buckled in the second mode (n = 2) when viewed in the sagittal plane. An advantage of n = 2 buckling is that further load can be carried without adopting a stooped posture. Flexion of the spine is considered as the first quarter cycle of an Euler pendulum. This is possible if the antagonistic muscles which control movement increase the bending stiffness, El, to a value of about 15 N m2. If the muscles are incapable of increasing El sufficiently to support the weight of the body, or any excess load, the spine will be dynamically unstable. This conclusion is consistent with a static model which considers spinal instability as 'loss of stiffness’ and a dynamic model which suggests that it arises from ineffective adaptive control. The flexed spine resembles an n = 1 buckled column.
Changes in cardiac protein kinase C activities and isozymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetes

XUELIANG LIU,1 JINGWEI WANG,1 NOBUAKIRA TAKEDA,2 LUCIANO BINAGLIA,3 VINCENZO PANAGIA,1 AND NARANJAN S. DHALLA1 1Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface General Hospital Research Centre and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2H 2A6, Canada; 2Aoto Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University, Tokyo 125, Japan; and 3Institute of Biochemistry, University of Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy
Measuring Consumer Ethnocentrism: An Assessment of Reliability, Validity and Dimensionality of the CETSCALE in a Developing Market

ABSTRACT Based on 305 surveyed consumers in Zimbabwe’s two major cities (Harare and Bulawayo), the study sought mainly to measure consumer ethnocentrism and to test psychometric properties of the CETSCALE in Zimbabwe using structural equation modeling. It was established that the construct of consumer ethnocentrism comprises two dimensions, namely negative influence of foreign products, and preference for domestic products. Consumer ethnocentrism was found to be moderately high. The psychometric properties of the CETSCALE tested above the required thresholds. Consumer ethnocentrism was found to negatively influence consumer attitude towards imported poultry products. The study has implications for managers and future researchers.
Increased TGF-beta2 in severe asthma with eosinophilia.

BACKGROUND Airway eosinophilia and thickened subepithelial basement membrane have previously been reported to increase with increases in TGF-beta expression. However, little is known regarding the expression of specific TGF-beta isoforms (TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, and TGF-beta3) in asthma, despite recent evidence suggesting that isoforms may have differing biologic activities. OBJECTIVE This study examined airway tissue expression of the 3 TGF-beta isoforms and several downstream pathway elements in 48 patients with severe asthma with or without persistent eosinophilia, 14 patients with mild asthma, and 21 normal subjects. METHODS Immunochemistry/immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme immunoassay were used to evaluate the 3 TGF-beta isoforms, their receptors, collagen I deposition, connective tissue growth factor expression, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 levels. RESULTS Of the isoforms, only TGF-beta2 was different among the groups and increased in severe asthma (overall P < .0001). The increase was due to severe asthma tissue eosinophils which, unlike eosinophils in other groups, expressed high amounts of TGF-beta2. Subjects with severe asthma also had the thickest subbasement membrane and highest tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 levels. In contrast, TGF-beta receptor 1 and connective tissue growth factor were both consistently downregulated in asthma, regardless of severity. CONCLUSION TGF-beta2, expressed mainly by eosinophils, is the predominant isoform expressed in severe asthma, and is associated with increased profibrotic responses. Decreased expression of TGF-beta receptor 1 and connective tissue growth factor in all asthma severity groups suggests a degree of activation of the TGF-beta pathway in airway tissue of all asthmatic compared with normal airways.
Social Democracy Inside Out

The analysis in this book disputes entrenched interpretations of the comparative political economy of industrialized democracies. It questions, in particular, the widely-held assumption that social democratic governments will defend the interests of labour. The evidence shows that labour has become split into two clearly differentiated constituencies: those with secure employment (insiders) and those without (outsiders). The book focuses on three policy areas: employment protection (representing the main concern of insiders), and active and passive labour market policies (the main concern of outsiders). The main thrust of the argument is that the goals of social democratic parties are often best served by pursuing policies that benefit only insiders. The implication of the book's insider-outsider model is that social democratic government is associated with higher levels of employment protection legislation but not with labour market policy. The book also argues that there are factors that can reduce insideroutsider differences and weaken their influence on social democratic governments. These hypotheses are explored through the triangulation of different methodologies. The book provides an analysis of surveys and macrodata and a detailed comparison of three case-studies: Spain, the UK, and the Netherlands.
Modeling and investigation of magnetically coupled resonant wireless power transfer system with varying spatial scales

Previous work reveals that the magnetically coupled resonant (MCR) wireless power transfer (WPT) technology is efficient and practical for mid-range wireless energy transmission, able to handle nontrivial amount of power. This paper presented an equivalent analytical model for MCR WPT system to incorporate spatial misalignments between the transmitting coils and receiving coils. The mutual inductance formulas were derived when receiving coils are laterally, angularly or generally misaligned from transmitting coils. The relationship among the output power, transmission efficiency and the mutual inductance, load resistance were analyzed in detail. Experiments had also been carried out to facilitate quantitative comparison and validate the theoretical analysis.
The Fit Between Supply Chain Strategies and Practices: A Contingency Approach and Comparative Analysis

This paper presents a contingency model that examines the external links between the business environment and supply chain strategies, and the internal links between supply chain strategies and supplier management practices. The research model theorizes that flexibility and low-cost oriented supply chain strategies should fit with the underlying business environments, and, in turn, supplier management practices (i.e., long-term relationships, supplier assessment, and integration) should fit with the chosen supply chain strategies. The dataset to test the research model was drawn from a survey of managers from 232 Australian manufacturing firms, and comparative path analyses were employed to assess the fit among different business environments, supply chain strategies, and supply chain practices. The findings show that dynamic environment has a better fit with flexibility strategy than low-cost strategy, while competitive environment surprisingly does not show a stronger fit to low-cost strategy than flexibility strategy. Additionally, the results show that while supplier assessment is important for both flexibility and low-cost oriented strategies, long-term relationship and logistics integration are more important for flexibility strategy than for low-cost strategy. The implications for theory and practice are discussed in the paper.
Triple‐negative/basal‐like breast cancer: review

&NA; Breast cancer comprises a heterogeneous group of diseases that vary in morphology, biology, behaviour and response to therapy. Triple‐negative (TN) breast cancer is a subtype of tumours with aggressive clinical behaviour which currently lacks effective targeted therapies. The majority of TN breast cancers possess a basal phenotype and show varying degrees of basal marker expression (basal‐like tumours). The importance of recognising these tumours came to light largely as the result of global gene expression profiling studies that categorised breast cancer into distinct molecular classes. These studies showed that basal‐like tumours are molecularly different from hormone receptors and HER2 positive tumours. Although both TN and basal‐like tumours share many molecular and morphological features, equating both tumour classes may be misleading. A better understanding of the molecular and histopathological features of TN and basal‐like cancers is of paramount importance, in particular for unravelling the heterogeneous nature of these tumour subgroups and for the identification of prognostic biomarkers, ideal systemic therapy regimens and novel therapeutic targets for these aggressive tumours. In this review, we discuss the difference between TN and basal‐like tumours, pathological and clinical features of basal‐like cancer and hence explore the criteria that can be used to identify these tumours in routine practice.
Lupus Anticoagulant-Hypoprothrombinemia Syndrome: Report of 8 Cases and Review of the Literature

AbstractThe lupus anticoagulant-hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LAHS)—the association of acquired factor II deficiency and lupus anticoagulant—is a rare disease drastically different from antiphospholipid syndrome in that it may cause predisposition not only to thrombosis but also to severe bleeding. We performed a retrospective study of 8 patients with LAHS referred to 6 French tertiary care centers between January 2003 and February 2011, and a literature review retrieving all related articles published between 1960 and April 2011. Including our 8 new cases, LAHS has been reported in 74 cases. The disease mostly occurs in young adults, with a female to male sex ratio of 1.4. Associated conditions mostly include autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and infectious diseases. Bleeding is a frequent feature (89% of cases), while arterial and/or venous thrombosis is less common (13%). Factor II level is severely decreased at diagnosis (median value, 11%; range, 1%–40%). LAHS associated with autoimmune diseases is more persistent than LAHS associated with infection, and hemorrhagic complications are more common. Corticosteroids should be considered the first-line treatment, but the thrombotic risk strongly increases during treatment because of the improvement of factor II level. Despite the fact that 50% of patients develop severe bleeding, the mortality rate is <5%, after a median follow-up of 13 months (range, 0.5–252 mo). LAHS associated with autoimmune diseases should be diagnosed and managed carefully because the disease is persistent and severe hemorrhagic complications are common.
Plasma leptin is not associated with insulin resistance and proinsulin in non‐diabetic South Asian Indians

In an earlier study, we observed only a weak association between plasma insulin (non‐specific assay) and leptin in South Asian Indians. This was in contrast to the observations in many other ethnic groups. With the availability of measurements of specific insulin (SI) and proinsulin (PI) in the same study group, we have reanalysed the data to look for possible correlation of leptin with proinsulin and with insulin resistance calculated from the fasting values of specific insulin and glucose using the HOMA model. Subjects with normoglycaemia (n = 117) and impaired glucose tolerance (n = 27, WHO criteria) were included in the analysis. Leptin values were higher in women. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the variations in leptin concentrations in men were associated with BMI, WHR, and 2 h SI values (R2 = 56.2 %) while fasting SI and proinsulin concentrations had no significant association. In women BMI and age showed a significant association with serum leptin values (R2 = 40.1 %). Univariate and multivariate analyses using insulin resistance as the dependent variable showed that it had no association with leptin in both genders. Leptin had no correlation with proinsulin also. This study confirmed that in Asian Indians the association between plasma leptin and insulin concentrations is weak and that leptin has no influence on insulin resistance. Proinsulin and leptin are also not correlated in this population. Insulin resistance shows correlation with the β‐cell function both in men and women. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mucous change in the human duodenum: A light and electron microscopic study and correlation with disease and gastric acid secretion

The significance of mucous change in the human duodenum in a series of patients with peptic ulcer disease has been appraised. No specific correlation was demonstrated with the acid output of the stomach if the extent of the change is considered, but it was shown to be more common in the higher acid states. Electron microscopic studies confirmed the specific structure of the mucous cells of the duodenum and suggest that they arise either by transformation of Brunner's gland cells or as a distinctive population in the crypts. It is suggested that the mucous change is a protective mechanism involved in some way as yet unknown with the healing of ulcers.
Prevalence of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin and Clostridium difficile toxin A in feces of horses with diarrhea and colic.

OBJECTIVE To determine prevalence of clostridial enterotoxins in feces of horses with diarrhea and colic, and to determine whether an association exists between detection of clostridial enterotoxins in feces and development of diarrhea as a complication of colic. DESIGN Prospective case series and case-control study. ANIMALS 174 horses with diarrhea, colic, or problems not related to the gastrointestinal tract. PROCEDURE Horses were assigned to 1 of 4 groups: colic with diarrhea (group 1; n = 30); colic without diarrhea (group 2; 30); diarrhea without colic (group 3; 57); and control (group 4; 57). Feces were evaluated by use of ELISA to detect Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) and C difficile toxin A (TOXA). Frequency of detection of CPE or TOXA in groups 1 and 3 was compared with that in groups 2 and 4, respectively. RESULTS Prevalence of enteric clostridiosis in horses in group 3 was 25%. Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin was detected in 9 of 57 (16%), TOXA in 8 of 57 (14%), and both toxins in 3 of 57 (5%) fecal samples collected from these horses. Neither toxin was detected in feces of the age-matched horses in group 4. Clostridial enterotoxins were detected in feces of 7 of 60 (12%) horses with colic (groups 1 and 2), however, a significant association was not found between detection of enterotoxins in feces and development of diarrhea as a complication of colic. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Clostridia are important etiologic agents of diarrhea in horses. Additionally, changes in intestinal flora of horses with colic may allow for proliferation of clostridia and elaboration of enterotoxins regardless of whether diarrhea develops.
Insulinotropic Actions of the Frog Skin Host‐Defense Peptide Alyteserin‐2a: A Structure–Activity Study

Alyteserin‐2a (ILGKLLSTAAGLLSNL.NH2) stimulated the rate of insulin release from BRIN‐BD11 clonalβ cells at a concentration of 30 nm (p < 0.05) with a response of 296 ± 26% of basal release at 3 μm (p < 0.001). The insulinotropic actions of analogs containing substitutions by l‐lysine, d‐lysine, or l‐tryptophan at sites that maintain amphipathicity were evaluated. The [G11K], [S7k], [S7k,G11k], and [G11k,N15K] analogs were the most potent stimulating insulin release at 0.01 nm (p < 0.05). The [S7K], [G11K], [S14K], [N15K], [G11k], and [S7K,G11K] analogs were the most effective producing an approximately twofold greater (p < 0.001) release of insulin at 3 μm compared with alyteserin‐2a. The [T8W] and [A9W] analogs were less active than alyteserin‐2a. No peptide‐stimulated release of lactate dehydrogenase at concentrations up to 3 μm, indicating that the integrity of the plasma membrane had been preserved. Membrane depolarization and an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration are involved in the mechanism of action of the peptides. Administration of [G11k]alyteserin‐2a (75 nmol/kg body weight) to high‐fat‐fed mice with obesity and insulin resistance significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced insulin release and improved glucose tolerance during the 60‐min period following an intraperitoneal glucose load.
Detection of middle-ear fluid in children with spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry: A screening tool for nurses?

Objective. To evaluate the validity of spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry (SG-AR) in the hands of nurses in screening children for middle-ear fluid (MEF). Design. Prospective, blinded study. Setting. A satellite study within the Finnish Otitis Media Vaccine Trial in primary care in 1995–99. Patients. Some 739 ear examinations among a cohort of 271 children under the age of 2 years during different healthcare contacts (acute sick visits, check-up visits after otitis media, and scheduled healthy control visits at 24 months of age). Main outcome measures. Specificity, sensitivity and positive and negative predictive values of SG-AR performed by nurses in detecting MEF using pneumatic otoscopy by trained physicians as a reference. Results. SG-AR was successful in 585 (79%) ears. None of the cut-off points assessed resulted in both excellent sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, at the sick visits, positive predictive values at 50 and 60 degrees were as high as 94% and 89%, respectively. However, negative predictive value for the cut-off point of 100 degrees was considerably lower, at 75%. At the non-acute visits, negative predictive values were excellent. Conclusion. SG-AR is a useful device for nurses in screening MEF among children. It detects ears with both very high and very low probability of MEF and is especially effective in detecting MEF during sick visits and in ruling out MEF among non-acute patients. We recommend the use of the SG-AR cut-off point of 60 degrees as a sign of MEF when screening sick children, and the cut-off point of 100 degrees as a sign of a healthy ear among non-symptomatic patients.
The Chronaxie Time and Its Practical Importance

Describing mathematically, the intensity duration curves of electrostimulation by hyperbolas, Lapicque introduced two terms which characterized the functional relationship: “Rheobose” was the lowest intensify with indefinite pulse duration which just stimulated muscles or nerves. “Chronaxie” was that pulse duration at which the threshold intensity was twice that of the rheobase. Up to now, both terms have never played an important role in cardiac pacing.
Functional and Phylogenetic Analysis of ureD in Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is a food-borne pathogen that can cause severe health complications and utilizes a much lower infectious dose than other E. coli pathotypes. Despite having an intact ure locus, ureDABCEFG, the majority of EHEC strains are phenotypically urease negative under tested conditions. Urease activity potentially assists with survival fitness by enhancing acid tolerance during passage through the stomach or by aiding with colonization in either human or animal reservoirs. Previously, in the EHEC O157:H7 Sakai strain, a point mutation in ureD, encoding a urease chaperone protein, was identified, resulting in a substitution of an amber stop codon for glutamine. This single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is observed in the majority of EHEC O157:H7 isolates and correlates with a negative urease phenotype in vitro. We demonstrate that the lack of urease activity in vitro is not solely due to the amber codon in ureD. Our analysis has identified two additional SNPs in ureD affecting amino acid positions 38 and 205, in both cases determining whether the encoded amino acid is leucine or proline. Phylogenetic analysis based on Ure protein sequences from a variety of urease-encoding bacteria demonstrates that the proline at position 38 is highly conserved among Gram-negative bacteria. Experiments reveal that the L38P substitution enhances urease enzyme activity; however, the L205P substitution does not. Multilocus sequence typing analysis for a variety of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli isolates combined with the ureD sequence reveals that except for a subset of the O157:H7 strains, neither the in vitro urease-positive phenotype nor the ureD sequence is phylogenetically restricted.
Association Between a Composite Score of Pain Sensitivity and Clinical Parameters in Low-back Pain

Background and Aims:A limited number of quantitative sensory pain tests (QST) were selected on the basis of ease of application and interpretation in a clinical setting. QST results were summarized as a composite score on a scale of 0 to 4 that was deemed to facilitate clinical interpretation. The QST set was used to investigate differences in pain sensitivity between low-back pain (LBP) subgroups and was correlated with important clinical parameters. Materials and Methods:A total of 198 LBP patients and 44 controls were recruited and data were collected on: LBP intensity and duration, improvement in LBP, functional status, psychological profile, quality of life, and current work situation. QST consisted of pressure-pain threshold of the infraspinatus muscle, pain intensity with sustained mechanical pressure on the thumb nailbed, conditioned pain modulation, and pain tolerance assessed by cold-pressor test. Results:Chronic, but not acute LBP patients scored significantly higher on the composite score of pain sensitivity than controls. A weak linear correlation between the composite score of pain sensitivity and intensity of clinical LBP and disability was found. A contingency was found between a high pain sensitivity (dichotomized composite score of pain sensitivity) and the lack of improvement in LBP. Pain sensitivity did not correlate with LBP duration, psychological profile, or sick leave. Conclusions:Pain sensitivity may be important for the prognosis of LBP, but QST is not currently part of routine clinical examination of LBP patients. The selected set of pain tests and the composite score of pain sensitivity could serve as a clinically applicable QST procedure in the examination of LBP.