Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects on shortening velocity of rabbit skeletal muscle due to variations in the level of thin‐filament activation.

The effect of Ca2+ upon maximum shortening velocity (Vmax) has been investigated in skinned single fibres from rabbit psoas muscles. Vmax was obtained at 15 degrees C by measuring the amounts of time (delta t) required to take up various amounts of slack (delta l) imposed at one end of the fibre. During maximal activation with Ca2+, plots of delta l vs. delta t were well fitted by a single straight line. Calculation of Vmax from the slopes of the fitted lines yielded a Vmax of 4.44 +/‐ 0.15 (S.E. of mean) muscle lengths per second (m.l./s). However, at lower levels of Ca2+ activation, plots of delta l vs. delta t were biphasic, containing an initial phase of steady high‐velocity shortening and a subsequent phase of steady low‐velocity shortening. The transition between these two phases occurred following active shortening equivalent to 60‐80 nm/half‐sarcomere. Vmax during the high‐velocity phase was relatively insensitive to Ca2+ concentration between pCas (i.e. ‐log [Ca2+]) of 4.5 and 6.0; however, Vmax fell to 3.58 +/‐ 0.40 m.l. /s at pCa 6.1 and further to 1.02 +/‐ 0.30 m.l. /s at pCa 6.2. Vmax during the low‐velocity phase decreased as Ca2+ was lowered within the entire range of pCas studied to a minimum value of 0.35 +/‐ 0.09 m.l. /s at pCa 6.2. The degree of thin‐filament activation at a particular pCa was varied by partial extraction of troponin‐C, which resulted in a permanent though reversible inactivation of parts of the thin filaments. Partial extraction of troponin‐C altered the plots of delta l vs. delta t obtained at pCa 4.5 to a biphasic form. In addition, Vmax during the high‐ and low‐velocity phases of shortening was reduced at each pCa greater than 4.5. Vmax values obtained in control fibres at low Ca2+ concentrations and extracted fibres were in good agreement when generated isometric tensions were equivalent. This was the case for both the high‐ and low‐velocity phases of shortening. Fibres were also activated in the absence of Ca2+ by partial removal of total troponin complexes. These fibres developed steady tensions less than 30% of maximum and underwent biphasic shortening, indicating that this phenomenon cannot be the result of shortening‐induced dissociation of Ca2+ from troponin‐C. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Is obesity related to worse control in children with asthma?

INTRODUCTION Asthma and obesity are related diseases however the influence of obesity on asthma severity is not clear yet. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the association between obesity and asthma control evaluated on the basis of symptoms and asthma control questionnaire (ACQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS We enrolled 98 children with asthma aged 4 to 14 years consecutively and recorded their disease characteristics and severity parameters as well as the symptom scores. All children filled in the ACQ. Children were classified as obese and non-obese according to body mass index. Obesity was defined as body mass index over 90th percentile. RESULTS Mean age of the children in the obese group (n= 27) was 8.1 ± 2.6 while that in the non-obese group (n= 71) was 8.6 ± 2.9 (p= 0.41). Asthma symptom score in obese and non-obese groups were not significantly different (p= 0.73). Children in the obese group had lower ACQ scores when compared to the non-obese group (1.2 ± 0.9 vs 1.7 ± 1.0, p= 0.04) however this significance was lost when controlled for age and gender in the regression model. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that obesity is not significantly associated with worse asthma control when adjusted for age and gender.
Impact of income inequality on life expectancy in a highly unequal developing country: the case of Brazil

Background Few studies have analysed the effects of income inequality on health in developing countries, particularly during economic growth, reduction of social disparities and reinforcement of the welfare and healthcare system. We evaluated the association between income inequality and life expectancy in Brazil, including the effect of social and health interventions, in the period 2000–2009. Methods A panel dataset was created for the 27 Brazilian states over the referred time period. Multivariable linear regressions were performed using fixed-effects estimation with heteroscedasticity and serial correlation robust SEs. Models were fitted for life expectancy as a dependent variable, using the Gini index or a percentile income dispersion ratio as the main independent variable, and for demographic, socioeconomic and healthcare-related determinants as covariates. Results The Gini index, as the other measure of income inequality, was negatively associated with life expectancy (p<0.05), even after adjustment for all the socioeconomic and health-related covariates. The Family Health Program, the main primary healthcare (PHC) programme of the country, was positively associated with life expectancy (p<0.05). Conclusions In recent years, effective social policies have enabled Brazil to partially reduce absolute poverty and income inequality, contributing—together with PHC—to decreasing death rates in the population. Reducing income inequality may represent an important step towards improving health and increasing life expectancy, particularly in developing countries where inequalities are high.
Acute surgical unit: the Australasian experience

The acute surgical unit (ASU) model of care is a new paradigm shift in the provision of emergency surgery. Clinical and non‐clinical outcomes have been described after the introduction of the ASU model in Australia and New Zealand. This paper reviews and analyses the current published literature and methods of implementation of contemporary ASU models.
Role of Lipid Oxidation in Pathogenesis of Insulin Resistance of Obesity and Type II Diabetes

Increased lipid oxidation is generally observed in subjects with obesity and diabetes and has been suggested to be responsible for the insulin resistance associated with these conditions. We measured, by continuous indirect calorimetry, lipid and glucose oxidation and nonoxidative glucose disposal in 82 obese subjects during a 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and in 26 during a euglycemic insulin (40 mU · min−1 · m−2) clamp. The obese subjects were subdivided into those with normal glucose tolerance (group A), those with impaired glucose tolerance (group B), and those with overt diabetes (group C). Forty-five healthy nonobese subjects were subdivided into a young and an older control group, which were age-matched to the nondiabetic obese (groups A and B) and diabetic obese (group C) subjects, respectively. In the postabsorptive state, as well as in response to insulin stimulation (both OGTT and insulin clamp), lipid oxidation was significantly increased in all three obese groups in comparison with either young or older controls. Basal glucose oxidation was significantly decreased in obese nondiabetic and obese glucose— intolerant subjects (groups A and B) compared with age-matched controls. During the OGTT and during the insulin clamp, insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation was decreased in all three obese groups. In contrast, nonoxidative glucose disposal was markedly inhibited in nondiabetic and diabetic obese patients during the euglycemic insulin clamp but not during the OGTT. After glucose ingestion, nonoxidative glucose uptake was normal in nondiabetic obese and glucoseintolerant obese subjects and decreased in diabetic obese subjects. Statistical analysis revealed that lipid and glucose oxidation were strongly and inversely related in the basal state, during euglycemic insulin clamp, and during OGTT. The negative correlation between lipid oxidation and nonoxidative glucose uptake, although significant, was much weaker. Fasting and post-OGTT hyperglycemia were the strongest (negative) correlates of nonoxidative glucose disposal in both single and multiple regresson models. We conclude that 7) reduced glucose oxidation and reduced nonoxidative glucose disposal partake of the insulin resistance of nondiabetic obese and diabetic obese individuals; 2) hyperglycemia provides a compensatory mechanism for the defect in nonoxidative glucose disposal in nondiabetic obese subjects; however, this compensation is characteristically lost when overt diabetes ensues; and 3) increased lipid oxidation may contribute, in part, to the defects in glucose oxidation and nonoxidative glucose uptake in obesity.
Occupation and lung cancer risk. An analysis by histologic subtypes

The relationships between cigarette smoking, occupational exposures, dietary vitamin A and lung cancer is explored in a case‐control study. The study is based on 1002 primary lung cancers among white men and 1119 white male controls between 35 and 79 years of age admitted to Roswell Park Memorial Institute from 1957 to 1965. Four hundred sixty‐four lung cancer cases were classified as one of the three major histologic cell types: squamous, small cell, or adenocarcinoma. Each of the three main histologic types displayed a statistically significant trend of increasing risk associated with increasing consumption of cigarettes with the strongest relationship being seen for small cell carcinoma (odds ratio for 40+ pack‐years = 17.5) and the weakest with adenocarcinoma (odds ratio for 40+ pack‐years = 6.7). Increasing risk for squamous cell cancer was seen with increasing duration of exposure to all lung carcinogens, asbestos, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Small cell carcinomas were not associated with any of the occupational exposure categories studied with the exception of asbestos exposure in light smokers. Increasing risk of adenocarcinoma was seen with increasing duration of employment in occupations with potential exposure, but only for light smokers. Dietary vitamin A consumption did not confound the occupational associations. Hypotheses have been generated regarding interplay of risk factors in the etiology of different histologic subtypes of lung cancer. Studies of specific histologic types of lung cancer are needed to elucidate the role of various environmental and occupational risk factors.
An Open-Label Trial of Escitalopram in the Treatment of Pathological Gambling

Background: The effectiveness and tolerability of escitalopram was tested in the treatment of pathological gambling (PG). Method: Nondepressed outpatients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition PG received flexibly dosed escitalopram in a prospective, 10-week, open-label trial after a 2-week observation period. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and at 2-week intervals for assessment of gambling behavior, mood symptoms, and adverse experiences. The primary efficacy measure was the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale modified for PG. Secondary efficacy measures included the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Improvement and Severity Scales, a patient self-rated global rating, the Sheehan Disability Scale, and the Timeline Follow Back. Results: Nineteen subjects (12 men and 7 women) had at least 1 postbaseline visit and were included in the analysis; 16 subjects (84%) completed the protocol. Significant improvement was found in all measures, including the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale modified for PG, both CGI Scales, a patient self-rated global scale, the Timeline Follow Back, the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Checklist, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and all 3 Sheehan Disability Scale subscales. Fourteen subjects (73.7%) were considered responders (ie, achieved "much" or "very much" improvement on the CGI). Few adverse experiences were reported. Conclusion: The results suggest that escitalopram is well tolerated and may be effective in the treatment of PG.
Morphological changes produced by acid dissolution in Er:YAG laser irradiated dental enamel

Several scientific reports have shown the effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation on enamel morphology. However, there is lack of information regarding the morphological alterations produced by the acid attack on the irradiated surfaces. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological changes produced by acid dissolution in Er:YAG laser irradiated dental enamel. Forty‐eight enamel samples were divided into four groups (n = 12). GI (control); Groups II, III, and IV were irradiated with Er:YAG at 100 mJ (12.7 J/cm2), 200 mJ (25.5 J/cm2), and 300 mJ (38.2 J/cm2), respectively, at 10 Hz without water irrigation. Enamel morphology was evaluated before‐irradiation, after‐irradiation, and after‐acid dissolution, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sample coating was avoided and SEM analysis was performed in a low‐vacuum mode. To facilitate the location of the assessment area, a reference point was marked. Morphological changes produced by acid dissolution of irradiated enamel were observed, specifically on laser‐induced undesired effects. These morphological changes were from mild to severe, depending on the presence of after‐irradiation undesired effects. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:410–414, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Taxes and Business Strategy.

This book is written for anyone with an interest in learning about tax strategy. We initially wrote the book for MBA students, but it is also appropriate for undergraduate students, mas ters of accounting or finance students, and doctoral students. More specifically, this book is appropriate for those embarking on (or already in) careers in investment banking, corporate finance, strategy consulting, money management, or venture capital. The book is valuable to accountants and attorneys who want a rigorous framework for thinking about tax strategy and how tax strategy interacts with other aspects of the firm. In addition, those starting their own businesses and even just managing their own finances will find many aspects of this book valuable. URI http://lib.hpu. edu.vn/handle/123456789/22567 Collections Sociology [2834] DSpace software copyright © 2002-2016 DuraSpace Contact Us | Send Feedback Theme by Taxes and business strategy 
Elevated mean platelet volume is associated with poor outcome after mechanical thrombectomy

Background Elevated mean platelet volume (MPV), indicating higher platelet activity, could be a predictor of prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving medical therapy. Objective To investigate the relationship between MPV and functional outcome in patients with acute anterior circulation stroke 3 months after undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Methods A total of 153 consecutive patients with acute stroke following MT, in two separate stroke centers, were enrolled between May 2013 and March 2016. MPV was measured on admission. Subjects were divided into two groups according to average MPV level. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. MPV was also incorporated into the Houston IA Therapy (HIAT) score, which was developed as a scoring system to predict poor prognosis, and the prediction capability was compared with the HIAT score alone. Results The average MPV was 10.4 fL. Patients with high MPV had a significantly lower rate of functional independence (28.9% vs 57.1%, p=0.000). After multivariable analysis, elevated MPV remained an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome (OR=3.93, 95% CI 1.73 to 8.94, p=0.001). When the MPV cut-off value was set at 10.4 fL using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, MPV ≥10.4 fL predicted unfavorable outcome with 62.1% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity, respectively. Addition of MPV to the HIAT score did not improve predictive power compared with the HIAT score system alone by a comparison of the areas under the two ROC curves (0.70 vs 0.62, p=0.174). Conclusions Elevated MPV is an independent predictor of poor outcome in patients with acute anterior circulation stroke undergoing MT at 3 months.
Food and nutrient intakes among pregnant women in rural Tamil Nadu, South India

Abstract Objectives: To study pregnant women's diet at food and nutrient levels and how these match recommendations; to describe how factors such as education level, economy and folk dietetics influence the women's food choice; and to give suggestions for the improvement of nutrition education in the existing antenatal care systems. Design and subjects: Thirty pregnant women in the last trimester were interviewed three times using a 24-hour dietary recall with weighing of foods and recipes of dishes. Interviews regarding health, nutrition and socio-economic status, and measurements of weight and height of the women, were conducted. Setting: Rural parts of Salem District, Tamil Nadu, South India. Results and conclusion: The women's diet (without supplements) was insufficient in energy and all nutrients except fat, compared with the Indian recommendations. Aggravating low intakes of micronutrients were found which were reflected in low intakes of foods other than rice. Eating customs and economy appeared to influence the women's food choice negatively in relation to recommendations while factors such as education level, family type, pregnancy number and folk dietetics did not seem to have a negative effect. The amounts of foods recommended, especially green leafy vegetables, must be shown to the women. The nutrition advice given by all levels of health providers must be the same and based on cheap, local, commonly consumed foods.
An antibiotic policy associated with reduced risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea.

BACKGROUND antibiotic-associated diarrhoea caused by Clostridium difficile is increasing in hospitals, and older people are at particular risk. OBJECTIVE to establish whether reducing patient exposure to injectable third-generation cephalosporins by substituting alternative antibiotics can produce a cost-effective reduction in the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. DESIGN we prospectively investigated 2157 patients admitted to the department of elderly medicine in the year before introduction of antibiotic restrictions and 2037 patients admitted in the following year. Patients admitted to other wards, where antibiotic prescribing was unchanged, acted as controls. SETTING a 900-bed teaching hospital in Cambridge, UK. MEASUREMENTS use and cost of injectable antibiotics prescribed in the department of elderly medicine and the other wards studied; occurrence of C. difficile-associated diarrhoea. RESULTS in the wards for older people, consumption of injectable cephalosporins fell by 92% (compared with 8% on other wards) and cases of C. difficile-associated diarrhoea fell from 98 to 45 (cases in other wards rose from 213 to 253; P < 0.001). The Pound Sterling 8062 increase in injectable antibiotic costs on the elderly wards were offset by the release of 1087 wasted bed-days attributable to the 53 fewer cases, with potential savings of Pound Sterling 212,000. CONCLUSIONS restricting the consumption of injectable third-generation cephalosporins is a cost-effective method of reducing the incidence of C. difficile-associated diarrhoea.
Formally ensuring the permissibility of obligations in security and privacy policies

vi List of Tables . xiii List of Figures . xiv Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Formally Ensuring Permissibility of Obligations in Privacy Policies . 5 1.1.1 Specification Language for Privacy Policy . 5 1.1.2 Privacy Policy Compliance . 7 1.1.3 Policy Analysis Providing Formal Assurance That Obligations can be Met . 10 1.2 Formally Ensuring Permissibility of Obligations in Security Policies . 12 1.3 Thesis Statement . 15 1.4 Contributions . 15 1.4. 1 Formally Ensuring Permissibility of Obligations in Privacy Policies. 15 1.4. 2 Formally Ensuring Permissibility of Obligations in Security Policies. 18 1.5 Roadmap . 19 Chapter 2: Background . 20 2.1 Temporal Logic . 20 2.1.1 Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) and First Order Temporal Logic (FOTL) . 20 2.1.2 Computational Tree Logic (CTL) . 25 2.2 Safety and Liveness Properties . 33 2.2.1 Safety Properties. 33 2.2.2 Liveness Properties. 34
Polyandry in social Hymenoptera — disunity in diversity?

Multiple mating by queens occurs in many species of social Hymenoptera despite its likely costs. Hypotheses to explain multiple mating include a need for more sperm than provided by a single male, the convergence of queen and worker sex-allocation optima and various genetic diversity hypotheses. For some species the sperm need hypothesis fails since queens retain only a single male’s worth of sperm. In other cases, sperm store does increase with the number of matings. Similarly for the sex-allocation and genetic diversity hypotheses, data from some species are in support, those from others are not. Comparative analysis reveals a negative correlation between level of genetic diversity (of which queen mate number is an important determinant) and parasite load; findings in the best-studied case are complex: monandry and higher levels of polyandry are each selectively favored over moderate polyandry. Out of 14 identifiable hypotheses five are judged most useful for future work. Unfortunately, the search for a simple unitary model to explain all cases seems futile. A model encompassing all of these factors is desirable for studies on single species, but would be complex. Comparative analyses remain desirable, but should encompass the likelihood that different factors predominate in different groups.
Effectiveness of measures assessing response to price information

Purpose Questionnaire measures of consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) and price sensitivity are biased, yet these declarative methods can aid managerial decision-making. Additional choices involve which question formats to use (open-ended or discrete choice) and how many questions (unique versus multiple). This paper aims to inform such choices for online data collection with an empirical evaluation of the size of the bias induced by four methods (price acceptability, price judgements, multiple discrete choices and single discrete choices) in a realistic choice context. Design/methodology/approach An experimental framework collects online data about a staple product whose price should be well known. Price sensitivity, WTP and their confidence intervals are derived from a logistic binary model of acceptability, then ranked to evaluate the size of the bias of each method, relative to an indirect benchmark. Findings Online data collections with self-administrated questionnaires lower respondents’ involvement and create substantial bias; hypothetical methods overestimate WTP and underestimate price sensitivity, especially with methods using unique questions (both discrete choice and price acceptability). Multiple questions (price judgements and repeated random discrete choices) increase attention to price information and reduce the bias. The round price effect also is notable in data collected by open-ended methods. Practical implications To measure declarative WTP and price sensitivity with online data collections, researchers should use a random discrete choices method. Price acceptability questions and split tests are not recommended. Price judgements provide reliable information about consumer reactions to prices, but the strong round price bias is problematic. Originality/value This study adds to marketing and economic literature by comparing actual measurement methods used by firms, rather than hypothetical versions, and offers strong external validity.