Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
French Favored Redistributions Derived From Surveys: A Political Assessment of Optimal Tax Theory

An original method to find the shape of favored redistributions is presented, which is in turn used to assess the political acceptability of the optimal tax theory. Two surveys have been conducted in 2016 to quantify French preferences for income redistribution. In the first survey, respondents picked their preferred values for parameters which were used to determine the shapes of redistributions. These parameters included the proportion of winners and losers from a tax reform, and the minimum guaranteed income. Using different algorithms, several redistributions were derived from the interpolation of the median choices of each parameter (50% of winners, 10% of losers and a monthly demogrant of 800€). They resulted in transfers from high to low incomes of one tenth of the national disposable income. In the second survey, a majority of respondents agreed on implementing these redistributions. These results are in line with previous literature and robust to alternative specifications. Interestingly, the average desired redistribution corresponds closely to the shape of the optimal taxation derived from an utilitarian criterion. This allowed to show that this redistribution fails to obtain a significant majority support (contrarily to others), despite its good reception in a setting inhibiting self-interest. Finally, this study provides evidence that French citizens support a more direct democratic procedure to define the income tax rates, and describes a way to do so.
Bovine mastitis outbreak in Japan caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus New York/Japan clone

Many methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains are multidrug-resistant; consequently, infectious diseases involving MRSA are recognized as troublesome diseases not only in human health care but also in animal health care. A bovine mastitis case caused by MRSA isolates of the New York/Japan clone (NJC), which occurred in Japan in 2005, was monitored in the current study. Isolates of the NJC are typical of hospital-acquired MRSA in Japan. The genetic backgrounds of these strains differ from those of bovine-associated S. aureus, which are typically of clonal complex (CC)97, CC705, and CC133. Moreover, the NJC isolates in this bovine outbreak possessed a β-hemolysin–converting bacteriophage and an immune evasion cluster, as found in the NJC isolates from humans, so it is possible that this clone was introduced into the dairy herd by a human carrier. Most bovine intramammary infections (IMIs) caused by the NJC isolates in our study were asymptomatic, and obvious clinical signs were recognized in only the first 3 infected cows. Of a total of 78 cows, 31 cows were MRSA carriers, and these carrier cows were detected by testing the milk of all lactating cows at 1-month intervals. These S. aureus carrier cows were culled or the infected quarter was dried off and no longer milked. Both IMI and mastitis caused by MRSA were completely eradicated after 5 months. Genotyping data suggested that exchanging of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (the determining factor in methicillin resistance) occurred easily between MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus in the udders of carrier cows. This case study demonstrates an effective procedure against the spread of MRSA in a dairy herd, and highlights the risk of emergence of new MRSA strains in a dairy herd.
Sociopragmatic factors and melodic patterns: Spanish vocatives and imperatives compared

Abstract Due to their addressing nature, vocatives and imperatives have been said in multiple occasions to have the same function and similar phonological characteristics. The aim of this paper is to examine the intonational link between these two kinds of sentences in Peninsular Spanish considering sociopragmatic and situational factors like the level of formality and the degree of insistence. In order to do so, twenty-eight native speakers of Peninsular Spanish produced isolated names and verbs in formal and informal settings followed by insistent productions. The phonetic and phonological analyses of 1232 one-word productions indicate that both speech acts share multiple contours; namely L* H%, L + H* HL%, L + H* ! H%, L + H* L%, L + H* H%, L + H* LH%. Nevertheless, L + H* L% was the most used contour for both speech acts regardless of the sociopragmatic and situational factors. Interestingly, speakers modified the phonetic properties of intensity and F0 depending on the situation since informal and insistent productions had a higher F0, wider pitch excursions and more intensity than their formal and non-insistent counterparts. As alternatives, L* L% contours were attested in formal imperatives while L + H* LH% and L + H* HL% were more common in informal ones. After L + H* L% contours, L + H* HL% and L* H% were the preferred options in formal vocatives but the latter was hardly attested in informal ones.
Acute tolerance to the dopamine response induced by a binge pattern of cocaine administration in male rats: an in vivo microdialysis study.

To address a growing concern about the relevance of the pattern of cocaine administration used in animal studies, the aim of the present work was to establish the dopamine (DA) response of an acute cocaine "binge" that attempts to parallel as closely as possible the human drug abuse pattern. For this purpose, cocaine (10 or 15 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered three or five times at 1-hr intervals in the beginning of the resting period of the rat's light/dark cycle. Extracellular DA levels were measured in the ventromedial (nucleus accumbens and immediately surrounding striatum) and dorsolateral striata using an in vivo microdialysis technique coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, extracellular cocaine levels were measured in the dorsolateral striatum. In the ventromedial striatum, acute "binge" administration of cocaine resulted in an increase in extracellular DA levels that plateaued after the first or second injection. This plateau effect persisted even after the cocaine dose or the number of injections was increased. In the dorsolateral striatum, a plateau in extracellular DA levels was found in the three consecutive 10-mg/kg cocaine injection series. This plateau was found in spite of the significant accumulation of extracellular cocaine from one injection to the next. However, increasing the dose or number of injections led to an increasing elevation of DA levels. Thus a decrease in DA responsivity to repeated cocaine was observed in both regions, although this tolerance was more pronounced in the ventromedial striatum.
Prognostic value of serum galactomannan index in critically ill patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at risk of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

Background Critically ill chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) due to respiratory failure are at particularly high risk of Aspergillus infection. The serum galactomannan index (GMI) has proven to be one of the prognostic criteria for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in classical immunocompromised patients. However, the prognostic value of serum GMI in critically ill COPD patients needs evaluation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prognostic value of serum GMI in patients with severe COPD. Methods In this single‐center prospective cohort study, serum samples for GMI assay were collected twice a week from the first day of ICU admission to the day of the patients’ discharge or death. Patients were divided into two groups according to their clinical outcome on the 28th day of their ICU admission. Univariate analysis and survival analysis were tested in these two groups. Results One hundred and fifty‐three critically ill COPD patients were included and were divided into survival group (106 cases) and non‐survival group (47 cases) according to their outcome. Univariate analysis showed that the highest GMI level during the first week after admission (GMI‐high 1st week) was statistically different between the two groups. Independent prognostic factors for poor outcome in severe COPD patients were: GMI‐high 1st week >0.5 (RR: 4.04, 95% CI: 2.17–7.51) combined with accumulative dosage of corticosteroids >216 mg before the RICU admission (RR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.11–4.56) and clearance of creatinine (Ccr) ≤64.31 ml/min (RR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.22–5.07). Conclusions The positive GMI‐high 1st week (>0.5) combined with an accumulative dosage of corticosteroids >216 mg before the ICU admission and a low Ccr may predicate a poor outcome of critically ill COPD patients.
Retrospective analysis of basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are the most prevalent cancer type among white-skinned populations worldwide. AIMS To analyze the gender and age-related incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) histopathologic subtypes, to classify BCCs according to their anatomical location, invasion depth, and size, and to determine the relationship between BCC subtypes and margin of surgical excision. METHODS All BCCs analysed in our center between 2005 and 2010 were studied retrospectively. The samples, which were totally excised, were included on the basis of histopathological diagnosis of BCC, and confirmed by two pathologists. Patient data included sex, age at diagnosis, tumor location, histological subtypes, invasion depth, and size. RESULTS We recorded 197 BCCs obtained from 181 white patients (80 females, 101 males). The mean age among males was 64.11, and 59.33 among females. Of the cases, 45.17% were nodular, 22.33% were mixed, and 15.22 were infiltrative type. 91.84% of the cases were located on the head and neck, 3.04% were on the limbs, and 1.52 % were on the trunk. In 32 cases, the margin of surgical excision was positive (17.7%): nodular 12%, infiltrative 43.3%, mixed 20.6%, micronodular 10%, and superfacial multicentric 5.5%. Of these total 32 cases, 34.4% were located on the eyes region, 28.1% were found on the nose, and 15.6% were on the ears. Invasion depth of tumors varied from 0.5 to 22.125 mm. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study exhibit differences in anatomical distribution, sex and mean age, invasion depth, and size of BCC subtypes. The recurrence rate for incompletely excised tumors varies according to the location and type of the tumor. Infiltrative tumors are more likely to recur and have positive margin of surgical excision. The highest positive margin of surgical excision is in infiltrative BCC. Tumors at difficult-to-treat sites and large and/or deeply invasive tumors are more liable to recur.
Early- and Late-Emerging Drosophila melanogaster Fruit Flies Differ in Their Sensitivity to Light During Morning and Evening

The authors derived early and late populations of fruit flies showing increased incidence of emergence during morning or evening hours by imposing selection for timing of emergence under 12:12 h light/dark (LD) cycles. From previous studies, it was clear that the increased incidence of adult emergence during morning and evening hours in early and late populations was a result of evolution of divergent and characteristic emergence waveforms in these populations. Such characteristic waveforms are henceforth referred to as “evolved emergence waveforms” (EEWs). The early and late populations also evolved different circadian clocks, which is evident from the divergence in their clock period (τ) and photic phase response curve (PRC). Although correlation between emergence waveforms and clock properties suggests functional significance of circadian clocks, τ and PRCs do not satisfactorily explain the early and late emergence phenotypes. In order to understand the functional significance of the PRC for early and late emergence phenotypes, the authors investigated whether circadian clocks of these flies exhibit any difference in photosensitivity under entrained conditions. Such differences would suggest that the light requirement for circadian entrainment of the emergence rhythm in early and late populations is different. To test this, they examined if early and late flies differ in their light utilization behavior, first by assaying their emergence rhythm under complete photoperiod and then in three different skeleton photoperiods. The results showed that early and late populations require different durations of light during the morning and evening to achieve their EEWs, suggesting that for the circadian entrainment of the emergence rhythm, early and late flies utilize light from different parts of the day. (Author correspondence: vsharma@jncasr.ac.in or vksharmas@gmail.com)
Effectiveness of open bite correction when managing deleterious oral habits in growing children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background/objectives: Oral habits are common etiological factors for anterior open bites (AOBs) in growing children and adolescents. The objective of this review was to provide a literature synthesis evaluating the effectiveness of open bite correction in growing individuals with the use of habit-interception appliances. Search methods: Electronic searches were conducted on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Google Scholar, Scielo, and Lilacs databases. Trials registries were consulted for ongoing trials, and a partial grey literature search was also conducted. Selection criteria: The selection criteria included controlled clinical trials enrolling growing subjects who underwent habit-interception orthodontic treatment to correct dental and/or skeletal AOB. Data collection analysis: Data was grouped and analysed descriptively. A meta-analysis was only possible regarding crib therapy effectiveness. Qualitative appraisal was performed according to Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and the MINORS tool for non-randomized clinical trials (nRCTs). Results: Two RCTs and nine nRCTs were identified. Most of them presented relevant limitations. Crib therapy demonstrated to be effective (+3.1mm overbite correction). However, most of the dental effects are seemingly lost with time; and the skeletal effects are still controversial. Other habit-interception appliances, such as spurs, were not sufficiently investigated. Conclusions: Crib therapy appears to be effective on a short time basis. As for other habit-interception appliances, insufficient evidence could not provide reliable conclusions.
Association of various risk factors with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and its cytogenetic characteristics

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate whether occupational and environmental exposures, lifestyle, family, and medical history are associated with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) risk and its chromosomal abnormalities. The study included 138 CLL cases and 141 age- and sex-matched controls. Information data were collected through in-person interviews from cases and controls. Cytogenetic analysis was performed on CLL bone marrow cells. Positive associations were found between CLL and cancer family history, smoking, pneumonia, and exposure to petroleum, metals, pesticides/chemical fertilizers, detergents, and medical radiation. Chromosome deletions of 11q and 13q were more frequent in patients exposed to pesticides and rubber, respectively. This study investigated for the first time specific risk factors in relation to CLL aberrations and presented positive correlations. Moreover, it indicates the possible involvement of specific occupational and lifestyle risk factors in the onset of CLL.
Lusitrophic Effects of Dobutamine in Young and Aged Mice In Vivo

Aged individuals have impaired diastolic relaxation–lusitropic function. Dobutamine, a selective B1-adrenergic agonist, is used to augment systolic cardiac function at the termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, our question is whether dobutamine will also enhance the lusitropic function in the aged individual. The myocyte mechanism for the rate of ventricular relaxation is dependent on the velocity of calcium removal from the myocyte contractile elements by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+–ATPase (SERCA2a), which is regulated by an inhibitory protein, phospholamban (PLB). Ventricular tissues harvested from young (4 month) and aged (20 months) mice were analyzed to compare the protein levels of SERCA2a and PLB with immunoblot and gene expression for PLB with reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The molecular analyses were compared with in vivo left ventricular function in the young and old mice before and during an intravenous infusion of dobutamine (5 μg/kg/min). The SERCA2a levels were not different between the groups; however, there was a 2-fold increase in PLB in the aged group compared with the young group (p < .05). The gene expression for PLB was increased by 5-fold in the aged group compared with the young group (p < .01). There were significant differences between the young and aged groups related to the lusitropic parameters, tau (τ) and dP/dtmin, and dobutamine infusion increased these parameters in the aged group to that of the young group. This report supports the concept that altered PLB levels correspond with the respective lusitropic function and that dobutamine administration in the aged group increased lusitropic function that was comparable with the young group. Because the patient population requiring CPB is aging, these data suggest that the use of dobutamine at the terminal phase of CPB is warranted to increase systolic and diastolic function.
Metabolism and transport of the macrolide immunosuppressant sirolimus in the small intestine.

Small intestinal metabolism and transport of sirolimus, a macrolide immunosuppressant with a low and highly variable oral bioavailability, were investigated using small intestinal microsomes and intestinal mucosa in the Ussing chamber. After incubation of sirolimus with human and pig small intestinal microsomes, five metabolites were detected using high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray-mass spectrometry: hydroxy, dihydroxy, trihydroxy, desmethyl and didesmethyl sirolimus. The same metabolites were generated by human liver microsomes and pig small intestinal mucosa in the Ussing chamber. Anti-CYP3A antibodies, as well as the specific CYP3A inhibitors troleandomycin and erythromycin, inhibited small intestinal metabolism of sirolimus, confirming that, as in the liver, CYP3A enzymes are responsible for sirolimus metabolism in the small intestine. Of 32 drugs tested, only known CYP3A substrates inhibited sirolimus intestinal metabolism with inhibitor constants (Ki) equal to those in human liver microsomes. The formation of hydroxy sirolimus by small intestinal microsomes isolated from 14 different patients ranged from 28 to 220 pmol.min-1.mg-1 microsomal protein. In the Ussing chamber, >99% of the sirolimus metabolites reentered the mucosa chamber against a sirolimus gradient, indicating active countertransport. Intestinal drug metabolism and countertransport into the gut lumen, drug interactions with CYP3A substrates and inhibitors in the small intestine and an 8-fold interindividual variability of the intestinal metabolite formation rate significantly contribute to the low and highly variable bioavailability of sirolimus.
Modulation of the developing rat sympathetic GABAA receptor by Zn++, benzodiazepines, barbiturates and ethanol.

We have examined the effects of GABA and several GABAA receptor modulators on isolated rat (1-160 days) superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons with whole-cell recordings. The neurons were sensitive to GABA within 12 h after birth, and the relationship between the current amplitude and GABA concentration (GABA50 = 19 microM) in these newborn neurons was fitted with a Hill coefficient close to 1.0. Adult neurons, on the other hand, had a GABA50 value of 30 microM, and the slope was steeper and fitted with a Hill coefficient of 1.6. Unlike the results of previous studies in cultured SCG neurons, we found that the concentration of Zn++ that reduced the response by 50% was 37 +/- 12 microM in newborns and 43 +/- 6 microM in adults. Bicuculline (10 microM) inhibited the current by 41 +/- 6% and 36 +/- 11% in newborn and adult neurons, respectively. With 5 microM GABA, diazepam and pentobarbital potentiated the response in newborn and adult neurons. No changes were found in the sensitivity of the receptor for these ligands, but their efficacy was enhanced 2-fold during development. Diazepam shifted the relationship between GABA and the response to the left in all the neurons studied. Ethanol (40 mM) reduced the amplitude of the GABA current to 64 +/- 12% of control in newborn neurons and to 85 +/- 4% in adult neurons. The inhibitory effect of 100 mM ethanol on the GABA current was noncompetitive. Addition of a very large concentration of ethanol (850 mM) to newborn neurons potentiated the response to 164 +/- 13% of control. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Microbiology and Outcomes of Peritonitis in Australian Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

We analyzed data from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry for 1 October 2003 to 31 December 2008 with the aim of describing the nature of peritonitis, therapies, and outcomes in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) in Australia. At least 1 episode of PD was observed in 6639 patients. The overall peritonitis rate was 0.60 episodes per patient–year (95% confidence interval: 0.59 to 0.62 episodes), with 6229 peritonitis episodes occurring in 3136 patients. Of those episodes, 13% were culture-negative, and 11% were polymicrobial. Gram-positive organisms were isolated in 53.4% of single-organism peritonitis episodes, and gram-negative organisms, in 23.6%. Mycobacterial and fungal peritonitis episodes were rare. Initial antibiotic therapy for most peritonitis episodes used 2 agents (most commonly vancomycin and an aminoglycoside); in 77.2% of episodes, therapy was subsequently changed to a single agent. Tenckhoff catheter removal was required in 20.4% of cases at a median of 6 days, and catheter removal was more common in fungal, mycobacterial, and anaerobic infections, with a median time to removal of 4 – 5 days. Peritonitis was the cause of death in 2.6% of patients. Transfer to hemodialysis and hospitalization were frequent outcomes of peritonitis. There was no relationship between center size and peritonitis rate. The peritonitis rate in Australia between 2003 and 2008 was higher than that reported in many other countries, with a particularly higher rate of gram-negative peritonitis.