Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is known to increase the concentrations of interleukin (IL) 6 and C reactive protein (CRP) and to induce proatherogenic changes in the lipid profile and may increase the cardiovascular risk of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other inflammatory disorders. Objective: To assess whether anti-TNF therapy modifies the cardiovascular risk profile in patients with RA. Methods: The lipoprotein spectrum and the inflammation markers CRP and IL6 were investigated in 33 patients with RA treated with human anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies (D2E7, adalimumab, Humira) and 13 patients with RA given placebo, before and after 2 weeks’ treatment. Results: In the anti-TNF treated group, the mean (SD) concentrations of HDL-cholesterol were significantly higher after 2 weeks’ treatment (0.86 (0.30) mmol/l v 0.98 (0.33) mmol/l, p<0.01), whereas LDL and triglyceride levels were not significantly changed. Additionally, a significant decrease in CRP (86.1 (54.4) mg/l v 35.4 (35.0) mg/l, p<0.0001), and IL6 (88.3 (60.5) pg/ml v 42.3 (40.7) pg/ml, p<0.001) concentrations was seen in this group. No changes in lipid profile, IL6, or CRP levels were seen in the placebo group. Conclusions: TNF neutralisation with monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies increased HDL-cholesterol levels and decreased CRP and IL6 levels after 2 weeks. Therefore this treatment may improve the cardiovascular risk profile of patients with RA.
Factors Associated with Stress Among Parents of Children with Autism.

OBJECTIVE To determine the factors associated with stress among parents of children with autism. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional field survey study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Department of Psychology, GC University, Lahore, from September 2012 to November 2013. METHODOLOGY The sample consisted of 100 parents (50 mothers and 50 fathers) of children with autism. Measures of childhood autism rating, sense of coherence, parenting self-efficacy, parenting stress, and demographic data sheet were completed by the parents in outdoor units of children hospital, institutes, and at their homes. RESULTS Significant correlations were found between severity of impairment and parenting stress (r = .53, p < .01), between parenting self-efficacy and parenting stress (r = -.35, p < .01, and between sense of coherence and parenting stress (r = -.26, p < .05). No significant gender difference emerged in terms of parenting self-efficacy, sense of coherence, and parenting stress. Results of stepwise regression partially supported our hypothesized model, as severity of child impairment, and parenting self-efficacy appeared as significant predictors of parenting stress (R(2) = . 35). However, there was no evidence of role of demographic variables in the parenting stress. CONCLUSION The severity of child's impairment emerged as the most salient risk factor for parenting stress; however, it was concluded that parents' ability and confidence in their competence of parenting a child in challenging situations may reduce their stress.
Time-Varying Short-Horizon Return Predictability

In the G7 countries, the short-horizon performance of aggregate return predictors such as the dividend yield and the short rate appears nonexistent during business cycle expansions but sizable during contractions. This phenomenon appears related to countercyclical risk premiums as well as the time-variation in the dynamics of predictors. Our empirical model outperforms the historical average out-of-sample in the US, but the results throughout the G7 are mixed.
Effect of Offset Mismatch in Time-Interleaved ADC Circuits on OFDM-BER Performance

This paper analyzes the effect of the offset mismatch in time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (TI-ADC) circuits on bit error rate (BER) performance of a receiver for pulse amplitude-modulated or quadrature amplitude-modulated signals in orthogonal frequency division multiplexed systems. Exact BER expressions, as well as simplified BER expressions that hold for high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and large offset mismatch values only, are derived. From the obtained exact BER expressions, a condition is established on the offset mismatch level, under which the BER performance shows an error floor at high SNRs. Numerical results further show that if we keep the offset mismatch level below 25% of the threshold above, which the offset mismatch causes an error floor, there is essentially no BER performance degradation compared with the offset-mismatch free case. Our analysis further evinces that the tolerable level of the offset mismatch is proportional to the square-root of the number of sub-ADCs, indicating that as opposed to what might be expected, the offset mismatch level that can be tolerated actually increases with the number of sub-ADCs.
Optimizing kick rate and amplitude for Paralympic swimmers via net force measures

Abstract Kicking is a key component of freestyle swimming yet the optimum combination of kick rate and kick amplitude remains unknown. For Paralympic swimmers, with upper and lower limb disabilities, the influence of the kick plays an important role in net force production. To determine optimum kick characteristics, 12 Paralympic swimmers aged 19.8 ± 2.9 years (mean ± s) were towed at their individual peak freestyle speed. The experimental conditions were (i) a prone streamline glide for passive trials and (ii) maximal freestyle kicking in a prone streamline for active trials at different speeds and kick amplitudes. Kick rate was quantified using inertial sensor technology. Towing speed was assessed using a novel and validated dynamometer, and net force was assessed using a Kistler force-platform system. When peak speed was increased by 5%, the active force increased 24.2 ± 5.3% (90% confidence limits), while kick rate remained at ∼150 kicks per minute. Larger amplitude kicking increased the net active force by 25.1 ± 10.6%, although kick rate decreased substantially by 13.6 ± 5.1%. Based on the current kick rate and amplitude profile adopted by Paralympic swimmers, these characteristics are appropriate for optimizing net force.
Mitochondrial Genome Integrity Mutations Uncouple the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATP Synthase*

The mitochondrial ATP synthase is a molecular motor, which couples the flow of protons with phosphorylation of ADP. Rotation of the central stalk within the core of ATP synthase effects conformational changes in the active sites driving the synthesis of ATP. Mitochondrial genome integrity (mgi) mutations have been previously identified in the α-, β-, and γ-subunits of ATP synthase in yeast Kluyveromyces lactis and trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei. These mutations reverse the lethality of the loss of mitochondrial DNA in petite negative strains. Introduction of the homologous mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae results in yeast strains that lose mitochondrial DNA at a high rate and accompanied decreases in the coupling of the ATP synthase. The structure of yeast F1-ATPase reveals that the mgi residues cluster around the γ-subunit and selectively around the collar region of F1. These results indicate that residues within the mgi complementation group are necessary for efficient coupling of ATP synthase, possibly acting as a support to fix the axis of rotation of the central stalk.
Thermal noise in mechanical experiments.

The fluctuation-dissipation theorem is applied to the case of low-dissipation mechanical oscillators, whose losses are dominated by processes occurring inside the material of which the oscillators are made. In the common case of losses described by a complex spring constant with a constant imaginary part, the thermal noise displacement power spectrum is steeper by one power of $\ensuremath{\omega}$ than is predicted by a velocity-damping model. I construct models for the thermal noise spectra of systems with more than one mode of vibration, and evaluate a model of a specific design of pendulum suspension for the test masses in a gravitational-wave interferometer.
Public and Private Liquidity Providers

The goal of this paper is to explore the benefits of having a private liquidity provider and the conditions under which this lender provides liquidity, when a public liquidity provider is also present. The model proposed incorporates an endogenous interbank lending market so that the decision of a bank to seek liquidity in the interbank market or to turn to the private or the public lender is also endogenous. This framework permits the derivation of conclusions on the size of the private lender, interbank lending conditions and optimal policy for liquidity provision.
Sequential de novo centromere formation and inactivation on a chromosomal fragment in maize

Significance The centromere is the part of the chromosome that is involved with movement in mitosis and meiosis. The activity of the centromere is epigenetic in that the underlying DNA sequences do not necessarily determine function. In the present study, a chromosomal fragment was followed in which a sequential de novo formation and inactivation occurred for the position of the active centromere. The results suggest that de novo centromere formation occurs regularly. However, when coupled with previous findings that larger centromeres can inactivate smaller ones when present together, it is hypothesized that such frequent de novo centromere formations are cleared from normal chromosomes by inactivation, but can persist on structurally acentric fragments and be inherited. The ability of centromeres to alternate between active and inactive states indicates significant epigenetic aspects controlling centromere assembly and function. In maize (Zea mays), misdivision of the B chromosome centromere on a translocation with the short arm of chromosome 9 (TB-9Sb) can produce many variants with varying centromere sizes and centromeric DNA sequences. In such derivatives of TB-9Sb, we found a de novo centromere on chromosome derivative 3-3, which has no canonical centromeric repeat sequences. This centromere is derived from a 288-kb region on the short arm of chromosome 9, and is 19 megabases (Mb) removed from the translocation breakpoint of chromosome 9 in TB-9Sb. The functional B centromere in progenitor telo2-2 is deleted from derivative 3-3, but some B-repeat sequences remain. The de novo centromere of derivative 3-3 becomes inactive in three further derivatives with new centromeres being formed elsewhere on each chromosome. Our results suggest that de novo centromere initiation is quite common and can persist on chromosomal fragments without a canonical centromere. However, we hypothesize that when de novo centromeres are initiated in opposition to a larger normal centromere, they are cleared from the chromosome by inactivation, thus maintaining karyotype integrity.
Inversion-free decentralised quantitative feedback design of large-scale systems

In this paper, a new method for robust decentralised control of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems using quantitative feedback theory (QFT) is suggested. The proposed method does not need inversion of the plant transfer function matrix in the design process. For a given system, an equivalent descriptor system representation is defined. By using this representation, sufficient conditions for closed-loop diagonal dominance over the uncertainty space are obtained. These conditions transform the original MIMO system into a set of isolated multi-input single-output (MISO) subsystems. Then, the local controllers are designed by using the typical MISO QFT technique for each isolated subsystem to satisfy the predefined desired specifications and the closed-loop diagonal dominance sufficient conditions. The proposed technique is less conservative in comparison to the approaches using the over-bounding concept in the design procedure. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is finally assessed on a MIMO Scara robot.
MySpace or Mixi? Japanese engagement with SNS (social networking sites) in the global age

Much has been written about how social networking sites (SNS) have provided new avenues for self-expression, connectivity and ‘self-creation’ among young people, but few pay due attention to geographical and cultural variations. This article takes up the Japanese case by analysing how its youths engage with SNS, like MySpace and Mixi, within a framework of ‘audience engagement’ that encompasses the multiple dimensions of audience activities. Drawing on an ethnography of Japanese youths living in the media-rich Tokyo Metropolitan Area, this article discusses the following four dimensions of audience engagement: information-seeking activity, connectivity, bricolage and participation. While it is neither all about me in MySpace nor all about us in Mixi, it is suggested that MySpace is about me and them and Mixi is about me with them. Japanese young people reflexively create and re-create themselves in everyday life with to-ing and fro-ing in the spectrum between two different cultural values, via SNS.
Comparing Reasons, Practices and Effects of ISO 9000 Certification and TQM Implementation in Norwegian SMEs and Large Firms

This article records the empirical research that investigates the reasons behind, practices and effects of ISO 9000 certification and Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation in small and medium-sized (SME) and large manufacturing companies. The research is based on a survey of 180 Norwegian manufacturing companies. The main findings are (I) the SMEs implement ISO 9000 standards and TQM mainly because of market and customer demand or external pressure rather than internal initiation; (2) in practicing TQM, the SMEs focus on informal, people-oriented approaches; large firms are relatively more structured, organized and process-oriented; (3) different facets of TQM contribute differently in SMEs and large firms; (4) no significant relation exists between the current ISO 9000 certification and TQM practices/improvement of business performance. The conclusion is that there are some significant differences between SMEs and large firms in implanting ISO 9000 certification and TQM. These differences trigger discussions on practical implications for managers in SMEs and large firms. Finally, the limitations of the research and implications for future research are explored.
POLYOL ACCUMULATIONS IN NERVOUS TISSUE OF RATS WITH EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES AND GALACTOSAEMIA *

HERS (1960) showed that glucose is transformed to fructose by extracts from seminal vesicle and placenta, and that the first step in the transformation is a NADPH linked reduction of glucose to sorbitol. Aldose reductase, the enzyme involved in this step, catalyzes the reduction of a broad range of aldoses, including galactose, to the corresponding polyols (HAYMAN and KINOSHITA, 1965). Fructose and sorbitol have been shown to be normal constituents of mammalian nerve and brain (STEWART and PASSONNEAU, 1964) (SHERMAN and STEWART, 1966); this suggests that the glucose to fructose pathway is present in nervous tissue. In a preliminary report we showed that fructose and sorbitol accumulate in nerves of alloxan diabetic rats (STEWART, SHERMAN and ANTHONY, 1966). WELLS, PITTMAN, WELLS and EGAN (1965) reported galactitol in high concentration in the brains of galactosaemic infants, and QUAN-MA and WELLS (1965) the accumulation of galactitol in the brain and several other organs of rats fed a 35 per cent galactose diet. In this paper we report data on free sugars in brain, spinal cord and nerve of animals with experimental diabetes or galactosaemia. By studying parts of the nervous system with different rates of metabolism, and comparing the effects of hyperglycemia and galactosaemia, we have found clues to the factors which determine polyol concentrations in nervous tissue.
The impact of lockup period on survival, long-run performance and earnings management of IPOs in UK

This thesis examines the impact of lockup length on three important issues related to initial public offerings (IPOs) on Main Market of London Stock Exchange (LSE). First, we investigate the effect of lockup length on the survival of IPOs following five years after the issue. Our results show that IPOs with longer lockups have higher survival rates and longer survival time compared to IPOs with shorter lockups. Comparing the reasons of delisting from market, we find that IPOs with longer lockups are less likely to delist due to bankruptcy and other negative delisting reasons. The results from our survival models suggest that a 12-month increase in median lockup length increases the survival time by 27 percent, an effect which is statistically and economically significant. Second, a comparative analysis of long-run performance over three years after IPO reveals that IPOs with longer lockups have superior performance relative to IPOs with shorter lockups. These results are consistent across different benchmarks and factor models in both event-time and calendar-time analysis. Furthermore, longer lockup length is a statistically significant predictor of better long-run stock return performance using buy-and-hold returns. We also find negative abnormal returns around lockup expiry. The negative returns tend to be concentrated in IPOs with shorter lockups. Finally, we analyse the association between lockup length and the level of earnings management. We document a statistically significant inverse relationship between earnings management and lockup length. Longer lockups effectively reduce earnings management and this result is invariant to adjustments for potential endogeneity of lockups and alternative proxy for earnings management. Overall evidence suggests that longer lockups tend to be associated with longer survival, superior performance and lower earnings management.
Comparative longitudinal study of 2 methods of scheduling maintenance visits: 4-year data.

116 subjects were recruited from a population of patients previously treated for adult periodontitis and maintained in periodontal health by means of periodic prophylaxes every 3-6 months. The subjects were divided into a control (C) and a test (T) group. A total of 33 patients in the T group and 47 in the C group completed the 4-year study. The C subjects were examined every 6 months and given a prophylaxis every 3 months. The patients in the T group were examined at similar intervals, but prophylaxes were administered according to the individualized scheme of Listgarten and Shiffter, on the basis of a differential microscopic count of subgingival bacterial morphotypes. Recurrent periodontitis was defined as an increase in probing depth of 3 mm or more from baseline measurements. Teeth so affected were sampled microbiologically when the diagnosis of recurrent disease was made and "exited" from the study for treatment. A control microbial sample was taken at the same time from a previously-defined pooled sample of non-affected surfaces with comparatively high, but stable probing depths. During a 4-year period, more than half of the subjects developed at least one recurrence of disease, and one-third of the subjects had 2 or more recurrences of periodontitis. Disease recurred on approximal surfaces 81% and on orovestibular surfaces 19% of the time. There were no significant differences in the rate of disease recurrence between the C and the T group, even though recall intervals in the T group at the 4-year examination averaged 19.4 months and an average of 30.6 months had elapsed since the previous prophylaxis. Both groups exhibited similar plaque index and gingival index scores, similar probing depth and attachment level measurements, and similar proportions of different bacterial morphotypes during the 4-year study. However, differences were noted between examinations for both groups with respect to most of these criteria. This study provides 4-year longitudinal data on the clinical and certain microbiological characteristics of a population of adult patients previously treated for moderate to advanced periodontitis, and subsequently placed on periodontal maintenance. The results indicate that some of these patients may remain in good periodontal health despite the lack of regular tri-monthly recall visits, and that microscopic monitoring of the subgingival microbiota may be of value in identifying these individuals. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Optimistic Managers & Their Influence on Productivity & Employee Engagement in a Technology Organization

The objective of this study is to investigate whether teams are more engaged and productive when led by an optimistic manager. Furthermore, we hypothesize that optimistic managers embody positive leadership—employing a strengths-based approach, maintaining a positive perspective, and frequently providing recognition and encouragement—which increases the engagement and productivity of their employees. In a cross-sectional study of 86 employees and 17 managers in an Information Technology (IT) organization, positive leadership correlated with employee optimism, engagement, and project performance. When we looked at a subset of this data prospectively, with 39 employees and 14 managers, manager optimism predicted project performance. Our data support the claim that positive leadership is correlated with employee engagement and performance, and further extends the importance of optimism in the workplace.
The term structure of credit spreads and the economic activity

In this study we review the literature covering dynamic term structure models of defaultfree yields, with a particular emphasis on the role of macroeconomic variables in a no-arbitrage affine model specification. We explore also the interaction between credit spreads and economic activity, providing an overview of the existing empirical work on reduced-form intensity models. As the models we focus on belong to the affine family, part of this study provides more details on the theoretical and empirical results achieved so far within the affine framework. The contributions of Dai and Singleton (2000, 2002) and Duffee (2002) have provided unprecedented impetus to researchers in this area. We focus on various types of affine parameterization: we examine essentially affine just-yields models as well as essentially affine models where the state variables include macroeconomic factors beyond unobserved components. JEL Classification Numbers: C13, C32, E44, E52, G12, G13, G14
High ceramide content liposomes with in vivo antitumor activity.

BACKGROUND The pro-apoptotic activity of ceramide lipids has made this an exciting new target for therapeutic manipulation. While approaches using exogenous application of short-chain ceramides and modulation of endogenous ceramide levels via manipulation of metabolic pathways have been explored, controlled delivery of natural ceramide has not been previously reported. In this paper we describe the formulation of novel liposomes containing high levels of natural ceramide in the lipid bilayer for the purpose of controlled ceramide delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS Liposomes were characterized by cryo-transmission electron microscopy, quasi-elastic light scattering and trapped volume analysis. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed following i.v. bolus dosing, and antitumor activity was evaluated following i.v. bolus and i.p. dosing in the J774 ascites tumor model. RESULTS Stable ceramide-containing liposomes exhibited pharmacokinetic properties suitable for in vivo applications and resulted in an increase in lifespan of greater than 20% compared to control liposomes following i.v. bolus and i.p. administration. CONCLUSION This work demonstrates proof-of-concept that delivery of exogenous natural ceramide lipid has antitumor activity in vivo, and highlights the potential utility of ceramide-based liposomes as a novel strategy for cancer chemotherapy based on controlled ceramide delivery.