Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Addiction and the pharmacology of cannabis: implications for medicine and the law

The topic of drug addiction or misuse of drugs has numerous far-reaching ramifications into areas such as neuroscience, medicine and therapeutics, toxicology, epidemiology, national and international economics and politics, and the law. The general principles of drug addiction are first summarised. A recurring and intrinsic problem is lack of adequate characterisation of the independent variable, namely the drug taken. Secondly, it is not feasible to allocate subjects randomly to treatments. Thirdly, the heterogeneity of different forms of addiction precludes facile generalisations. “A problem drug user is anyone who experiences social, psychological, physical, or legal problems related to intoxication, and/or regular excessive consumption, and/or dependence as a consequence of their use of drugs” (UK Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs, 1982) Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants whose products are used as recreational drugs. Claims have been made for a range of therapeutic properties. Its two main active principles are Δ9 – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These compounds have contrasting pharmacological properties. THC is suspected of causing psychotic phenomena, but CBD seems more sedative and may even be antipsychotic. The past use of cannabis, particularly the concentrations of THC and CBD, can be monitored with hair analysis. Recent studies involving the administration of THC and CBD to human subjects are reviewed. Suggestions are made for further research into the pharmacology and toxicology of CBD. Such data may also point to a more rational evidence-based approach to the legal control of cannabis preparations.
Competencies of hotel general managers: a conceptual framework

Purpose It is crucial for hospitality organisations to develop sustainable leadership by regularly re-evaluating the competencies and skills required by their senior managers and leaders. In the context of this strategic talent management imperative, this paper aims to identify and map competencies required for the pivotal position of a hotel general manager to develop a holistic and relevant leadership competency framework. Design/methodology/approach Through secondary research, this study undertakes a detailed literature review of competency and leadership studies in the context of the hospitality industry to distil the essential competencies and skills required by a general manager. Findings This study proposes a leadership competency model for hospitality organisations in the form of a 43-item competency framework for hotel general managers categorised into four broad dimensions – cognitive competencies (knowledge), functional competencies (skills), social competencies (attitudes and behaviours) and meta competencies (motives and traits). Practical implications The proposed competency model, once empirically tested for robustness, could serve as a blueprint for hospitality organisations to develop their own organisation-specific competency framework for senior leadership that could prove to be a keystone for integrated talent management practices. Further, educationists and trainers could use the findings of this study as inputs in designing curricula and pedagogical interventions to meet the industry’s future needs and expectations with regards to competencies of senior managers. Originality/value By aggregating competencies from earlier studies and synthesising and categorising them in accordance with a contemporary, hospitality industry-relevant typology, a comprehensive competency model specific for hotel general managers has been proposed.
Estimating and Accounting for the Output Gap with Large Bayesian Vector Autoregressions

We demonstrate how Bayesian shrinkage can address problems with utilizing large information sets to calculate trend and cycle via a multivariate Beveridge-Nelson (BN) decomposition. We illustrate our approach by estimating the U.S. output gap with large Bayesian vector autoregressions that include up to 138 variables. Because the BN trend and cycle are linear functions of historical forecast errors, we are also able to account for the estimated output gap in terms of different sources of information, as well as particular underlying structural shocks given identification restrictions. Our empirical analysis suggests that, in addition to output growth, the unemployment rate, CPI inflation, and, to a lesser extent, housing starts, consumption, stock prices, real M1, and the federal funds rate are important conditioning variables for estimating the U.S. output gap, with estimates largely robust to incorporating additional variables. Using standard identification restrictions, we find that the role of monetary policy shocks in driving the output gap is small, while oil price shocks explain about 10% of the variance over different horizons.
Effects of Long Duration Low Intensity Ultrasound for Active Trapezius Trigger Points: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

CONTEXT Upper trapezius trigger points can be debilitating and often lead to chronic pain. OBJECTIVE To determine if long duration low intensity therapeutic ultrasound is effective at treating upper trapezius trigger point pain compared to an inactive placebo treatment. DESIGN Randomized control trial. SETTING Research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Fifty-one participants (19 males, 32 females, age = 31.8 ± 12.5 y, ht = 168.6 ± 15.9 cm, mass = 77.1 ± 16.1 kg) diagnosed with chronic upper trapezius pain. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomly assigned into an active (n = 32) or sham (n = 19) treatment group. Treatments were applied at least 3 times a week for 4 weeks and each ultrasound treatment lasted 4 h. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participants completed a daily numeric rating scale (NRS) pain diary. Pain pressure threshold was assessed via a pressure algometer. Repeated-measures ANCOVAs were used to examine differences over time and between groups. RESULTS Pain on the NRS was significantly reduced from baseline (5.4 ± 1.7) to the conclusion of the study (4.2 ± 1.6) (F4,254 = 7.747, P < 0.001); however, the reduction did not significantly differ between the two groups (F4,254 = 1.096, P = 0.359). There was an average reduction in pain of 1.1 ± 1.8 points over the course of a 4 h treatment (F4,254 = 18.67, P = 0.001), but this reduction did not differ between groups, (F4,254 = 0.701, P = 0.592). Pain pressure threshold improved by 0.46 ± 1.29 and 0.44 ± 1.73 kg for active and sham groups, respectively, but was not different between groups (F2,142 = 1.168, P = 0.314). CONCLUSIONS Four-weeks of low intensity long duration ultrasound reduced upper trapezius trigger point pain, but the improvement is attributed to a placebo effect.
Paying for Prescription Drugs Around the World: Why Is the U.S. an Outlier?

Issue Compared with other high-income countries, the United States spends the most per capita on prescription drugs. Goal To compare drug spending levels and trends in the U.S. and nine other high-income countries — Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom; consider potential explanations for higher U.S. spending; and explore patients’ exposure to pharmaceutical costs. Method Analysis of health data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the 2016 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey, and other sources. Findings and Conclusions Various factors contribute to high per capita drug spending in the U.S. While drug utilization appears to be similar in the U.S. and the nine other countries considered, the prices at which drugs are sold in the U.S. are substantially higher. These price differences appear to at least partly explain current and historical disparities in spending on pharmaceutical drugs. U.S. consumers face particularly high out-of-pocket costs, both because the U.S. has a large uninsured population and because cost-sharing requirements for those with coverage are more burdensome than in other countries. Most Americans support reducing pharmaceutical costs. International experience demonstrates that policies like universal health coverage, insurance benefit design that restricts out-of-pocket spending, and certain price control strategies, like centralized price negotiations, can be effective.
Dermatologic Manifestations of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease which can involve tissues and organs other than the synovial joints. RA patients with skin manifestations usually have severe disease. Rheumatoid nodule is the most common skin manifestation seen in RA. Other skin conditions commonly described in RA are rheumatoid vasculitis, raynaud’s phenomenon and neutrophilic dermatoses. Drugs used to treat RA could also cause skin changes. In this review we will discuss the various cutaneous complications associated with RA.
Superoxide Dismutase Restores Impaired Histamine‐Induced Increase in Venular Macromolecular Efflux During Diabetes Mellitus

The goal of this study was to determine the role of oxygen radicals in impaired histamine‐induced increases in venular macromolecular efflux from the hamster cheek pouch. We used intravital fluorescent microscopy and fluorescein isothio‐cynate dextran (FITC‐dextran; MW = 70 K) to examine macromolecular extravasation from post‐capillary venules in nondiabetic and diabetic (2–4 weeks after injection of streptozoticin) hamsters in response to histamine. Increases in extravasation of macromolecules were quantitated by counting venular leaky sites and by calculating clearance (ml/s × 10−6) of FITC‐dextran‐70 K. In non‐diabetic hamsters, superfusion with histamine (1.0 and 5.0 µM) increased venular leaky sites from 0 ± 0 to 17 ± 6 and 35 ± 6 per 0.11 cm2, respectively. In addition, clearance of FITC‐dextran‐70 K increased during superfusion with histamine. In contrast, superfusion with histamine did not increase the formation of venular leaky sites (0 ± 0) or clearance of FITC‐dextran‐70 K in diabetic hamsters. Next, we examined whether alterations in histamine‐induced increases in macromolecular efflux in diabetic hamsters may be related to the production of oxygen radicals. We examined whether exogenous application of superoxide dismutase (150 U/ml) could restore impaired histamine‐induced increases in macromolecular extravasation in diabetic hamsters. Application of superoxide dismutase did not alter histamine‐induced increases in venular leaky sites or clearance of FITC‐dextran‐70 K in nondiabetic hamsters. However, application of superoxide dismutase restored histamine‐induced increases in leaky site formation and clearance of FITC‐dextran‐70 K in diabetic hamsters towards that observed in nondiabetic hamsters. These findings suggest that oxygen radical formation appears to contribute to impaired macromolecular efflux in response to histamine during short‐term diabetes mellitus.
Formalizing Simple Refinement Types in Coq An Experience Report

We consider refinement types in which base types can be refined by constraints expressible in some decidable logic. Such refinement types have been applied in many settings, such as certification of security policies [1, 10], and reasoning precisely about heap updates [9, 10]. A lot of work has been done on extensions of the basic idea of refinements, including inference in liquid types [8], or mixing static and dynamic checking with hybrid type checking [7]. Recently Chugh has proposed nested refinements [5], which allow the inclusion of type assertions in the logic of refinements. Combined with some heap reasoning, this allows static checking of complex idioms found in dynamic languages [4]. The meta-theory of these advanced forms of refinements can be tricky, and we believe it would be helpful to have a basic framework in Coq on top of which to explore more complex variants of refinement types (and their meta-theory). In this context, we hereby report on our effort to formalize in Coq a simple form of refinement types, and establish their soundness. We identify some key ideas and challenges involved in the formalization, including both the modeling of the language in Coq and the proof techniques we used.
Channel equalization in narrowband mobile peer-to-peer networks using superimposed pilots

Two most significant channel training methods in wireless communications are superimposed (SI) and time-division multiplexed (TDM) training. Assuming a fixed user bit rate in narrowband system with scarce capacity resources, SI based training enables utilization of lower coding rate. Moreover, only a slight difference in coding rates is shown to have a considerable effect on system performance. This paper introduces a novel channel estimation structure for the SI scheme. The structure improves the quality of initial channel estimates by exploiting the coarsely estimated information symbols, which are obtained through Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm. The simulations show that in the presented narrowband peer-to-peer environment, SI training based channel estimation may provide significant benefits over the conventional TDM pilot scheme.
Determinants of Poverty of Households: Semi parametric Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey Data from Rwanda

The main objective of this research is to identify the key determinants of poverty of household in Rwanda based on asset index and semi parametric modeling. The asset index for each household is established and thereafter the generalized additive mixed model is used to ascertain the key determinants of poverty of households in Rwanda. The semi parametric generalized additive mixed model allowed us to study the impact of nonlinear predictors as nonparametric and categorical predictors as parametric to the asset index. Using the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (2010), the characteristics of households and household heads are considered. Our findings show that the level of education, gender and age of household head, region (province), size of the household (number of household members) and place of residence (urban or rural) are significant predictors of poverty of households in Rwanda.
Postsurgical recurrent carcinoma of the cervix: reassessment and results of radiation therapy options.

PURPOSE To evaluate outcome and reassess the radiation therapy options in pelvic recurrences of cervical cancer treated initially with surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 30 patients, the prognostic factors analyzed for local control included site of recurrence (central, pelvic wall), tumor size, modality of radiation therapy, and radiation dose. Mean follow-up in survivors was 111.5 months. RESULTS Local control was attained in (a) nine of 20 patients with central recurrence and in two of 10 with pelvic wall recurrence (p = .25); (b) none of four who received less than 50 Gy, five of nine who received 50-60 Gy, and six of 17 who received greater than 60 Gy (p = .27); and (c) five of 11 with tumor smaller than 3 cm, five of nine with tumor size 3-6 cm, and one of 10 with tumor larger than 6 cm. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant benefit of local control on survival (P = .05). Median survival for patients with central recurrence was 14.5 months compared with 9 months for those with pelvic wall recurrence. CONCLUSION Local pelvic control depends on site and size of recurrence and radiation therapy modality and dose. Appropriate choice of brachytherapy modality is important. To improve local control and survival, more aggressive treatment is indicated, but attendant higher complications may be expected.
Comparative Impact of Unofficial and Official Exchange Rates on the Economy of Pakistan

The primary objective of the study is to find the impact of both real unofficial and official exchange rates on the economy of Pakistan. To this end, modified Edwards (1985) methodology has been employed by using fiscal year data from 1959-60 to 2000-01. The explanatory variables used in the model are real unofficial exchange rate and its lagged value along with some macroeconomic variables like money supply, TOT, net official development assistance and official aid received in US$ and their lag values and GE/Y ratio, whereas the dependent variable is real GDP. The empirical results lead to the conclusion that the depreciation in the real unofficial exchange rate of Pak-rupee versus US$ causes insignificant expansion in the economy in the current year but highly significant contraction in the following year. To find the impact of real official exchange rate on the economy of Pakistan only the variable, i.e. real unofficial exchange rate and its lag value has been replaced with real official exchange rate and its lag value in the model. All the remaining variables in the model are intact. The empirical results indicate that any devaluation in real official exchange rate has significant contemporaneously contractionary impact and continue causing contraction in the economy of Pakistan even after one year though it is not that significant. The comparison of the impact of real unofficial and official exchange rates on the economy of the Pakistan indicates that real official exchange rate has a bigger impact. Findings of this study have important implication for designing foreign exchange policy i.e. policy makers have to incorporate the changes in unofficial exchange rate to design official exchange rate policy to enhance economic growth of a developing country like Pakistan.
Persistent B19 parvovirus infection in pediatric malignancies.

BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURE The frequency and clinical importance of parvovirus B19 infection were studied in children investigated or treated for various malignancies and cytopenias. RESULTS B19 infection was thus demonstrated in six out of 53 unselected children with malignancies by bone marrow examination, using the B19, DNA-specific, polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Examinations using the PCR in serum samples were equally or less sensitive than in bone marrow samples. One of the children had a persistent B19 infection during maintenance therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She developed a prolonged and severe cytopenia, and the clinical signs included facial rash, chills, high undulating fever, and pharyngitis. She also seroconverted and became B19 IgM-antibody positive during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Parvovirus B19 infection was detected in 10% of the children and was either asymptomatic or was associated with severe and prolonged cytopenia. Bone marrow examinations are recommended for the detection of B19 DNA in immunosuppressed children.
Language in Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE To ascertain the clinical utility of language examination by psychiatrists in evaluating Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. METHOD Data collected between 1986 and 2003 from a standardized psychiatric examination and neuropsychological testing of probable AD patients (diagnosed according to the criteria of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association) were gathered from the database of the University of Texas Southwestern Alzheimer's Disease Center, Dallas. The variables studied were articulation, word-finding ability, hypofluency, hyperfluency, repetition, confrontational naming, and semantic (category) fluency. Articulation, word-finding ability, hypofluency, hyperfluency, repetition, and confrontational naming were rated as normal or abnormal. Semantic fluency was scored numerically as the number of animals named in a minute. Cognitive impairment was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and global impairment by the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. RESULTS There was a significant association (p < .0001) between MMSE and CDR scores for all language measures except hyperfluency. The MMSE scores were higher in the group with responses rated as normal compared to those with abnormal responses. Patients with greater cognitive and global impairment named fewer animals in a minute. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal articulation and repetition of words were unusual and therefore would not be useful for early detection, but when present, were associated with more advanced disease. Impairment in fluency, animal naming, and confrontational naming were common and increased in frequency with greater cognitive and global impairment. Because animal naming is a numerical measure, changes in the number of animals named in a minute can be used to monitor disease progression.
Adenosine Differentially Modulates Synaptic Transmission of Excitatory and Inhibitory Microcircuits in Layer 4 of Rat Barrel Cortex

Adenosine is considered to be a key regulator of sleep homeostasis by promoting slow-wave sleep through inhibition of the brain's arousal centers. However, little is known about the effect of adenosine on neuronal network activity at the cellular level in the neocortex. Here, we show that adenosine differentially modulates synaptic transmission between different types of neurons in cortical layer 4 (L4) through activation of pre- and/or postsynaptically located adenosine A1 receptors. In recurrent excitatory connections between L4 spiny neurons, adenosine suppresses synaptic transmission through activation of both pre- and postsynaptic A1 receptors. In reciprocal excitatory and inhibitory connections between L4 spiny neurons and interneurons, adenosine strongly suppresses excitatory transmission via activating presynaptic A1 receptors but only slightly suppresses inhibitory transmission via activating postsynaptic A1 receptors. Adenosine has no effect on inhibitory transmission between L4 interneurons. The effect of adenosine is concentration dependent and first visible at a concentration of 1 μM. The effect of adenosine is blocked by the specific A1 receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyltheophylline or the nonspecific adenosine receptor antagonist, caffeine. By differentially affecting excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission, adenosine changes the excitation-inhibition balance and causes an overall shift to lower excitability in L4 primary somatosensory (barrel) cortical microcircuits.
Coactivation of Lower Leg Muscles during Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Walking Decreases with Age in Adolescents

The kinematics of children's walking are nearly adult-like by about age 3–4 years, but metabolic efficiency of walking does not reach adult values until late in adolescence or early adulthood, perhaps due to higher coactivation of agonist/antagonist muscle pairs in adolescents. Additionally, it is unknown how use of a body weight-supported treadmill device affects coactivation, but because unloading will alter the activity of anti-gravity muscles, it was hypothesized that muscle coactivation will be altered as well. Muscle coactivation during treadmill walking was evaluated for adolescents (ages 10 to 17 years, M = 13.2, SD = 2.2) and adults (ages 22 to 35 years, M = 25.2, SD = 4.3), for thigh muscles (vastus lateralis/ biceps femoris) and lower leg muscles (tibialis anterior/gastrocnemius). Conditions included body weight unloadings from nearly 0% to 80% of body weight, while walking at a preferred speed (self-selected, overground speed) or a reduced speed. Unloading was accomplished using a lower body positive pressure support system. Coactivation was found to be higher in adolescents than in adults, but only for the lower leg muscles.