Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No . 390 A Theory of Ex Post Inefficient Renegotiation

We propose a theory of ex post inefficient renegotiation that is based on loss aversion. When two parties write a long-term contract that has to be renegotiated after the realization of the state of the world, they take the initial contract as a reference point to which they compare gains and losses of the renegotiated transaction. We show that loss aversion makes the renegotiated outcome sticky and materially inefficient. The theory has important implications for the optimal design of long-term contracts. First, it explains why parties often abstain from writing a beneficial long-term contract or why some contracts specify transactions that are never ex post efficient. Second, it shows under what conditions parties should rely on the allocation of ownership rights to protect relationshipspecific investments rather than writing a specific performance contract. Third, it shows that employment contracts can be strictly optimal even if parties are free to renegotiate. JEL classification numbers: C78; D03; D86.
Familial Cicatricial Alopecia: Report of Familial Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and Fibrosing Alopecia in a Pattern Distribution

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) and fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution (FAPD) as originally reported by Kossard in 1994 and by Zinkernagel and Trüeb in 2000, respectively, represent two distinct patterns of cicatricial pattern hair loss. Both share a patterned distribution and histological evidence of a lichenoid follicular inflammation with fibrosis. FFA is characterized by a marginal alopecia along the frontotemporal hairline, and FAPD by a progressive alopecia of the centroparietal scalp. Since the original reports, evidence has accumulated that there exists considerable clinical overlap among FFA, FAPD, and lichen planopilaris, with coexistence of features of the three conditions within the same individual. Moreover, familial cases of FFA have been reported, pointing to a possible genetic background to the condition. Our observation of familial occurrence of FFA and FAPD in daughter and mother, respectively, further underscore a nosologic relationship between the two conditions with respect to both an androgenetic background and the (lichenoid) inflammatory reaction pattern.
Molecular evolutionary analysis of seminal receptacle sperm storage organ genes of Drosophila melanogaster

Sperm storage organs are common and broadly distributed among animal taxa. However, little is known about how these organs function at the molecular level. Additionally, there is a paucity of knowledge about the evolution of genes expressed in these organs. This investigation is an evolutionary expressed sequence tag (EST) study of genes expressed in the seminal receptacle, one of the sperm storage organs in Drosophila. The incidence of positive selection is higher for the seminal receptacle genes than Drosophila reproductive genes as a whole, but lower than genes associated with the spermatheca, a second type of Drosophila sperm storage organ. By identifying overrepresented classes of proteins and classes for which sperm storage function is suggested by the nature of the proteins, candidate genes were discovered. These candidates belong to protein classes such as muscle contraction, odorant binding and odorant receptor, protease inhibitor and immunity.
A polymerase switch in the synthesis of rRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Transcription of ribosomal DNA by RNA polymerase I is believed to be the sole source of the 25S, 18S, and 5.8S rRNAs in wild-type cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we present evidence for a switch from RNA polymerase I to RNA polymerase II in the synthesis of a substantial fraction of those rRNAs in respiratory-deficient (petite) cells. The templates for the RNA polymerase II transcripts are largely, if not exclusively, episomal copies of ribosomal DNA arising from homologous recombination events within the ribosomal DNA repeat on chromosome XII. Ribosomal DNA contains a cryptic RNA polymerase II promoter that is activated in petites; it overlaps the RNA polymerase I promoter and produces a transcript equivalent to the 35S precursor rRNA made by RNA polymerase I. Yeast cells that lack RNA polymerase I activity, because of a disruption of the RPA135 gene that encodes subunit II of the enzyme, can survive by using the RNA polymerase II promoter in ribosomal DNA to direct the synthesis of the 35S rRNA precursor. This polymerase switch could provide cells with a mechanism to synthesize rRNA independent of the controls of RNA polymerase I transcription.
Quantitation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 DNA in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells by Using a Quantitative-Competitive PCR Assay

ABSTRACT A new quantitative-competitive PCR-based human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) proviral DNA assay (QC-PCR) was developed and used to determine the proviral load in HIV-2-infected individuals. Proviral load varied considerably, with means of 1,831 copies per 106 peripheral blood mononuclear cells for asymptomatic subjects (n = 19) and 2,587 for AIDS patients (n = 2). HIV-2 viral and proviral loads also varied significantly over time in asymptomatic patients. These data suggest that a high level of virus replication occurs throughout the asymptomatic phase of HIV-2 infection.
Vitamin E supplements in asthma: a parallel group randomised placebo controlled trial

Background: Increased dietary vitamin E intake is associated with a reduced incidence of asthma, and combinations of antioxidant supplements including vitamin E are effective in reducing ozone induced bronchoconstriction. A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of supplementation with vitamin E for 6 weeks on bronchial hyperresponsiveness in atopic adults with asthma. Methods: 72 participants from a clinical trial register of adults with asthma were randomised to receive 500 mg natural vitamin E or matched placebo for 6 weeks in a placebo controlled, double blind parallel group clinical trial. Inclusion criteria included age 18–60 years, maintenance treatment of at least one dose of inhaled corticosteroid per day, a positive skin prick test to one of three common allergens, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (defined as a dose provoking a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (PD20) of 12.25 μmol). Secondary outcomes were FEV1, forced vital capacity, mean morning and evening peak flow, symptom scores, bronchodilator use, and serum immunoglobulin E levels. Results: In the primary intention to treat analysis the change in PD20 was similar in the vitamin E and placebo groups with a mean difference of +0.25 doubling doses of methacholine (95% confidence interval −0.67 to +1.16 greater with vitamin E). There was no effect of vitamin E supplementation on any other measure of asthma control, either in the intention to treat or per protocol analysis. There was also no effect of vitamin E supplementation on serum immunoglobulin levels. Conclusion: Dietary supplementation with vitamin E adds no benefit to current standard treatment in adults with mild to moderate asthma.
Studies of Phytochemical Screening, Acute Toxicity and Anti-Diarrhoeal Effect of Aqueous Extract of Kenyan Tithonia diversifolia Leaves in Rats

Tithonia diversifolia (family-Asteraceae), a wildly growing plant has been reported to possess a number of medicinal properties being used traditionally in tropics especially Kenya and Nigeria. This study evaluated the phytochemicals, acute toxicity (100-10,000 mg/kg) and anti-diarrhoeal effect of Tithonia diversifolia on group of Wistar rats. The anti-diarrhoeal effect of aqueous extract of Tithonia diversifolia leaves (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg doses) was studied using castor-oil-induced-diarrhoea model (dropping test), castor-oil-induced enteropooling (secretory test) and gastrointestinal transit test (charcoal transit) in rats. In castor-oil-induced diarrhoea test, the rats' droppings were observed and noted as wet or dry with wet signifying characteristic diarrhoea. The castor-oil-induced enteropooling was done to determine the volume of intestinal content induced by castor oil while in gastrointestinal transit, the speed and percentage distance travelled by charcoal meal were noted to determine the anti-motility properties of the extract. The results showed that Tithonia diversifolia leaves' aqueous extract reduced wet faecal output in castor-oil- induced diarrhoea but with slightly greater frequencies in comparison with loperamide treated animals and had less volume of intestinal contents as compared with the negative control (distilled water treated animals). It also had a significant (p<0.05) non-dose dependent reduction in speed and distance travelled by charcoal in gastrointestinal tract but slightly higher speed and longer distance than the atropine treated rats. Therefore, Tithonia diversifolia leaves' aqueous extract has a remarkable anti-diarrhoeal effect in castor- oil-induced diarrhoea, enteropooling and gastrointestinal motility models attesting to its utility in a wide range of diarrhoeal states traditionally.
Deoxyglucose‐6‐Phosphate Stability In Vivo and the Deoxyglucose Method

Editors’ note: Deoxyglucose has been widely used as a tracer to measure local brain glucose utilization. Several authors have questioned the stability of deoxyglucose-6-phosphate in the brain. An article which appeared in this Journal [Nelson et al. J. Neurochem. 46, 905-91 9 (1 986)] addressed this issue. The submission by Hawkins and Miller which follows is a critique of that paper and the deoxyglucose method. Nelson et al. were given the opportunity to respond. The editors believe that the neurochemicaf community will find it of interest to compare these two papers in this extensive special section.
Highly efficient maternal-fetal Zika virus transmission in pregnant rhesus macaques

Infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) is associated with human congenital fetal anomalies. To model fetal outcomes in nonhuman primates, we administered Asian-lineage ZIKV subcutaneously to four pregnant rhesus macaques. While non-pregnant animals clear viremia within 10-12 days, maternal viremia was prolonged in 3 of 4 pregnancies. Fetal head growth velocity in the last month of gestation determined by ultrasound assessment of head circumference was decreased in comparison with biparietal diameter and femur length within each fetus, both within normal range. ZIKV RNA was detected in tissues from all four fetuses at term cesarean section. In all pregnancies, neutrophilic infiltration was present at the maternal-fetal interface (decidua, placenta, fetal membranes), in various fetal tissues, and in fetal retina, choroid, and optic nerve (first trimester infection only). Consistent vertical transmission in this primate model may provide a platform to assess risk factors and test therapeutic interventions for interruption of fetal infection.
SR 1 , a Calmodulin-Binding Transcription Factor , Modulates Plant Defense and Ethylene-Induced Senescence by Directly Regulating NDR 1 and EIN 3 1 [ W ] [ OA ]

Plant defense responses are tightly controlled by many positive and negative regulators to cope with attacks from various pathogens. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ENHANCED DISEASE RESISTANCE2 (EDR2) is a negative regulator of powdery mildew resistance, and edr2mutants display enhanced resistance to powdery mildew (Golovinomyces cichoracearum). To identify components acting in the EDR2 pathway, we screened for edr2 suppressors and identified a gain-of-function mutation in SIGNAL RESPONSIVE1 (SR1), which encodes a calmodulin-binding transcription activator. The sr1-4D gain-of-function mutation suppresses all edr2-associated phenotypes, including powdery mildew resistance, mildew-induced cell death, and ethylene-induced senescence. The sr1-4D single mutant is more susceptible to a Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato DC3000 virulent strain and to avirulent strains carrying avrRpt2 or avrRPS4 than the wild type. We show that SR1 directly binds to the promoter region of NON-RACE-SPECIFIC DISEASE RESISTANCE1 (NDR1), a key component in RESISTANCE TO PSEUDOMONAS SYRINGAE2-mediated plant immunity. Also, the ndr1 mutation suppresses the sr1-1 null allele, which shows enhanced resistance to both P. syringae pv tomato DC3000 avrRpt2 and G. cichoracearum. In addition, we show that SR1 regulates ethylene-induced senescence by directly binding to the ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3) promoter region in vivo. Enhanced ethylene-induced senescence in sr1-1 is suppressed by ein3. Our data indicate that SR1 plays an important role in plant immunity and ethylene signaling by directly regulating NDR1 and EIN3.
Extensive cerebral white matter involvement in a patient with NMO spectrum disorder

Abnormal brain MRI has been described in up to 60% of patients with NMO patients. However, white matter T2 hyperintensities have been rarely observed. We report the case of a 49-year-old woman with long-lasting neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorder and diffuse cerebral white matter T2-weighted hyperintensities. Our case suggests that some NMO patients can progressively develop l extensive cerebral involvement.
Depression and anxiety as potential correlates of post-transplantation renal function and quality of life

The objective of this study was to determine anxiety and depression and its relationship with quality of life (QOL) in renal transplant (RT) recipients. A total of 105 consecutive patients were assessed cross-sectionally at least 3 months after RT. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was applied to assess anxiety and depression. QOL was assessed through the abbreviated version of World Health Organization QOL scale. Patients’ awareness of illness and treatment was assessed through Structured Interview for Renal Transplantation. Nine (8.57%) patients had syndromal anxiety and 9 (8.57%) had syndromal depression. Both these groups had significantly lower scores in almost all domains of QOL compared with their non-anxious and non-depressed counterparts. There were a higher number of hospitalizations and episodes of complication or rejection in post-RT patients with anxiety as compared to those without (P = 0.001). Syndromal depression and anxiety are associated with poor QOL and syndromal anxiety is associated with significantly higher number of hospitalizations, rejections and complications in post-RT patients.
Qualitative evaluation of interprofessional learning initiatives in practice: application of the contact hypothesis

Objectives - The evaluation aimed to explore reactions to, learning from and the perceived impact and sustainability of practice-based interprofessional learning initiatives established by The Trent Universities Interprofessional Learning in Practice project. Methods - The evaluation had a qualitative design and was guided by Kirkpatrick's evaluation framework. Facilitators, managers, practitioners, students and service users were invited to participate. This article focuses upon three of the project's practice-based interprofessional initiatives. Fifteen participants were interviewed about their experiences of, and opinions about, the initiative in their practice setting. A thematic analysis was conducted, following which findings were considered through the lens of the 'contact hypothesis' a theoretical framework which sets out variables purported to influence the success of inter-group contact. Results - Seven themes were identified. Four derived from Kirkpatrick's framework: reaction, learning, impact and sustainability. Initial reactions were positive; however learning and impact were considered minimal, and sustainability unlikely. The evaluation revealed significant problems in developing successful, sustainable, service user-focused interprofessional learning opportunities in these three sites. Three final themes were based upon contact hypothesis variables which helped elucidate the disappointing outcomes: organisational support, positive expectations, and co-operation/working together. Conclusions - Results offer insights which could help medical education establishments and their practice partners develop successful practice-based interprofessional learning initiatives for students in the future. Initiatives should be designed to meet local working practices and opportunities; there should be an awareness that change is challenging and time-consuming; and preparation of and support in host organisations at all levels should be a priority.
Androgen Initiates Sertoli Cell Tight Junction Formation in the Hypogonadal (hpg) Mouse1

ABSTRACT Sertoli cell tight junctions (TJs) form at puberty as a major component of the blood-testis barrier (BTB), which is essential for spermatogenesis. This study characterized the hormonal induction of functional Sertoli cell TJ formation in vivo using the gonadotropin-deficient hypogonadal (hpg) mouse that displays prepubertal spermatogenic arrest. Androgen actions were determined in hpg mice treated for 2 or 10 days with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) actions were studied in hpg mice expressing transgenic human FSH (hpg+tgFSH) with or without DHT treatment. TJ formation was examined by mRNA expression and immunolocalization of TJ proteins claudin-3 and claudin-11, and barrier functionality was examined by biotin tracer permeability. Immunolocalization of claudin-3 and claudin-11 was extensive at wild-type (wt) Sertoli cell TJs, which functionally excluded permeability tracer. In contrast, seminiferous tubules of hpg testes lacked claudin-3, but claudin-11 protein was present in adluminal regions of Sertoli cells. Biotin tracer permeated throughout these tubules, demonstrating dysfunctional TJs. In hpg+tgFSH testes, claudin-3 was generally absent, but claudin-11 had redistributed basally toward the TJs, where function was variable. In hpg testes, DHT treatment stimulated the redistribution of claudin-11 protein toward the basal region of Sertoli cells by Day 2, increased Cldn3 and Cldn11 mRNA expression, then induced the formation of functional TJs containing both proteins by Day 10. In hpg+tgFSH testes, TJ protein redistribution was accelerated and functional TJs formed by Day 2 of DHT treatment. We conclude that androgen stimulates initial Sertoli cell TJ formation and function in mice, whereas FSH activity is insufficient alone, but augments androgen-induced TJ function.
Dynamic Load Balancing for Real-Time Video Encoding on Heterogeneous CPU+GPU Systems

The high computational demands and overall encoding complexity make the processing of high definition video sequences hard to be achieved in real-time. In this manuscript, we target an efficient parallelization and RD performance analysis of H.264/AVC inter-loop modules and their collaborative execution in hybrid multi-core CPU and multi-GPU systems. The proposed dynamic load balancing algorithm allows efficient and concurrent video encoding across several heterogeneous devices by relying on realistic run-time performance modeling and module-device execution affinities when distributing the computations. Due to an online adjustment of load balancing decisions, this approach is also self-adaptable to different execution scenarios. Experimental results show the proposed algorithm's ability to achieve real-time encoding for different resolutions of high-definition sequences in various heterogeneous platforms. Speed-up values of up to 2.6 were obtained when compared to the video inter-loop encoding on a single GPU device, and up to 8.5 when compared to a highly optimized multi-core CPU execution. Moreover, the proposed algorithm also provides an automatic tuning of the encoding parameters, in order to meet strict encoding constraints.
Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Risk: The Effect of Menopausal Status

FRIEDENREICH, C.M. Physical activity and breast cancer risk: The effect of menopausal status. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 180–184, 2004. Convincing epidemiologic evidence exists that physical activity reduces breast cancer risk. The association may differ by menopausal status, because stronger evidence for a risk reduction exists for postmenopausal than for premenopausal women. This review examines potential reasons for the differences in effect by menopausal status, including possible underlying biologic mechanisms.
Female Sexual Function and Its Associations with Number of Children, Pregnancy, and Relationship Satisfaction

Associations between number of children, pregnancy, and overall relationship satisfaction were explored in a population-based sample of 2081 women, aged 33–43 years. Multiparous women had less orgasm problems compared to nulliparous women. Nulliparous women had more pain problems and were sexually less satisfied compared to women with children, regardless of the number. Women pregnant with the first child had fewer pain problems compared to a matched nonpregnant control and were sexually more satisfied. Being more satisfied with the overall relationship was related to higher sexual satisfaction and less sexual function problems.
Maladaptive Decision Making in Adults with a History of Adolescent Alcohol use, in a Preclinical Model, Is Attributable to the Compromised Assignment of Incentive Value during Stimulus-Reward Learning

According to recent WHO reports, alcohol remains the number one substance used and abused by adolescents, despite public health efforts to curb its use. Adolescence is a critical period of biological maturation where brain development, particularly the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, undergoes substantial remodeling. These circuits are implicated in complex decision making, incentive learning and reinforcement during substance use and abuse. An appealing theoretical approach has been to suggest that alcohol alters the normal development of these processes to promote deficits in reinforcement learning and decision making, which together make individuals vulnerable to developing substance use disorders in adulthood. Previously we have used a preclinical model of voluntary alcohol intake in rats to show that use in adolescence promotes risky decision making in adulthood that is mirrored by selective perturbations in dopamine network dynamics. Further, we have demonstrated that incentive learning processes in adulthood are also altered by adolescent alcohol use, again mirrored by changes in cue-evoked dopamine signaling. Indeed, we have proposed that these two processes, risk-based decision making and incentive learning, are fundamentally linked through dysfunction of midbrain circuitry where inputs to the dopamine system are disrupted by adolescent alcohol use. Here, we test the behavioral predictions of this model in rats and present the findings in the context of the prevailing literature with reference to the long-term consequences of early-life substance use on the vulnerability to develop substance use disorders. We utilize an impulsive choice task to assess the selectivity of alcohol’s effect on decision-making profiles and conditioned reinforcement to parse out the effect of incentive value attribution, one mechanism of incentive learning. Finally, we use the differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) task to examine the degree to which behavioral disinhibition may contribute to an overall decision-making profile. The findings presented here support the proposition that early life alcohol use selectively alters risk-based choice behavior through modulation of incentive learning processes, both of which may be inexorably linked through perturbations in mesolimbic circuitry and may serve as fundamental vulnerabilities to the development of substance use disorders.
The earlier Neolithic in Cyprus: recognition and dating of a Pre-Pottery Neolithic A occupation

Intensive survey and initial excavations have succeeded in pushing back the Neolithic human occupation of Cyprus to the earlier ninth millennium cal BC. Contemporary with PPNA in the Levant, and with signs of belonging to the same intellectual community, these were not marginalised foragers, but participants in the developing Neolithic project, which was therefore effectively networked over the sea.