Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inflation , investment and growth : the role of macroeconomic policy in India

This chapter examines the relationship between growth and inflation in the long-run. Although positive in the short-run, cross-country studies indicate a negative relationship between the two in the longer run. There is now considerable evidence to show that investment is one of the most important determinants of the long-run rate of growth. Recent developments in the theory of investment behaviour have focused on the role of instability and uncertainty in determining investment. Inflation as an indicator of macroeconomic instability is hypothesised to have an adverse impact on investment and hence on growth. Our estimates of the private investment function in the manufacturing sector support this hypothesis. The private investment function for agriculture points towards the role of public investment and credit in encouraging private investment in this sector. Tradeoffs between inflation and growth that emerge in the medium run, as a result of government policies relating to consumption and investment, are also examined using an economy-wide econometric model. The analysis suggests that higher growth can be achieved by controlling inflation and increasing public investment.
Discourse comprehension in autism spectrum disorder: Effects of working memory load and common ground

Pragmatic language impairments are nearly universal in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Discourse requires that we monitor information that is shared or mutually known, called “common ground. ” While many studies have examined the role of Theory of Mind (ToM) in such impairments, few have examined working memory (WM). Common ground impairments in ASD could reflect limitations in both WM and ToM. This study explored common ground use in youth ages 8–17 years with high‐functioning ASD (n = 13) and typical development (n = 22); groups did not differ on age, gender, IQ, or standardized language. We tracked participants' eye movements while they performed a discourse task in which some information was known only to the participant (e.g., was privileged; a manipulation of ToM). In addition, the amount of privileged information varied (a manipulation of WM). All participants were slower to fixate the target when considering privileged information, and this effect was greatest during high WM load trials. Further, the ASD group was more likely to fixate competing (non‐target) shapes. Predictors of fixation patterns included ASD symptomatology, language ability, ToM, and WM. Groups did not differ in ToM. Individuals with better WM fixated the target more rapidly, suggesting an association between WM capacity and efficient discourse. In addition to ToM knowledge, WM capacity constrains common ground representation and impacts pragmatic skills in ASD. Social impairments in ASD are thus associated with WM capacity, such that deficits in domain‐general, nonsocial processes such as WM exert an influence during complex social interactions. Autism Res 2016, 9: 1340–1352. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The relationship between glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and measures of insulin resistance across a range of glucose tolerance

Abstract Aim. This study aimed to assess the correlation between HbA1c and insulin resistance as measured by a variety of different indices in subjects from across the glycaemic spectrum. Methods. Subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 24), impaired fasting glucose (IFG; n = 12), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; n = 12), and type 2 diabetes (DM; n = 13) were studied. All had specimens taken in the context of a standard oral glucose tolerance test at their first visit and had the insulin sensitivity parameter (Si) determined by frequently-sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test at a second visit. Results. HbA1c was more strongly associated with Si in NGT (r = − 0.65) than in IFG (r = − 0.48). Compared to other indices of insulin resistance HbA1c has minimal overlap in values (0.0%) between NGT and subjects with type 2 diabetes. Conclusions. HbA1c can be used as a simple and reliable marker of insulin resistance in NGT adults with relatively high insulin sensitivity.
Resolving Integer Ambiguity of GPS Carrier Phase Difference

A new approach to resolve integer ambiguity and achieve instantaneous spacecraft attitude from phase information of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, without requiring independent attitude information from traditional attitude sensors is presented. A newly approached algorithm based on Gram-Schmidt orthonormalisation (GSO) is proposed for medium length baseline observations. By using a newly developed attitude algorithm from vector observations, an instantaneous estimated attitude is obtained from only four phase measurements collected from only two baseline observations. The implemented algorithms are tested with flight data collected onboard a mini-satellite orbiting in low Earth orbit. The results show that a coarse attitude solution is achieved from phase information of stand-alone GPS signals.
Functional and structural conservation of CBS domains from CLC chloride channels

All eukaryotic CLC Cl− channel subunits possess a long cytoplasmic carboxy‐terminus that contains two so‐called CBS (cystathionine β‐synthase) domains. These domains are found in various unrelated proteins from all phylae. The crystal structure of the CBS domains of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is known, but it is not known whether this structure is conserved in CLC channels. Working primarily with ClC‐1, we used deletion scanning mutagenesis, coimmunoprecipitation and electrophysiology to demonstrate that its CBS domains interact. The replacement of CBS domains of ClC‐1 with the corresponding CBS domains from other CLC channels and even human IMPDH yielded functional channels, indicating a high degree of structural conservation. Based on a homology model of the pair of CBS domains of CLC channels, we identified some residues that, when mutated, affected the common gate which acts on both pores of the dimeric channel. Thus, we propose that the structure of CBS domains from CLC channels is highly conserved and that they play a functional role in the common gate.
Synbiotic yogurt production by using prebiotic compounds and probiotic lactobacilli

ABSTRACT: Synbiotic products contain both probiotic bacteria and prebiotic compounds. The aim of this study was to produce a synbiotic yogurt with desirable quality. Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri along with 1.5% prebiotics including inulin, lactulose, and oligofructose were used to make synbiotic yogurt (2.5% fat). The samples were stored at 4oC for 28 days, and their physicochemical, microbial, and sensory properties were investigated. The highest and the lowest pH values were observed for the samples containing lactulose and inulin, respectively. The lowest acidity was recorded for control and inulincontained samples. The highest acidity was observed for the sample containing lactulose. The samples containing inulin and lactulose showed the lowest syneresis. The sample containing inulin had the highest viscosity. Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri, showed the best vailability in the sample containing inulin. The sample containing oligofructose had the best taste followed by the sample containing inulin. Oligofructoseand inulincontained samples had the best texture. The samples containing lactulose had the best smell followed by control and inulin-contained samples. The samples containing inulin and lactulose showed the most desirable sourness. The color of the samples showed no significant difference. Finally, the most acceptable samples were those which contained lactulose and inulin.
Relative systolic blood pressure reduction and clinical outcomes in hyperacute intracerebral hemorrhage: the SAMURAI-ICH observational study

Background and purpose: Blood pressure lowering is often performed as a part of general acute management in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients. The relationship between relative blood pressure reduction and clinical outcomes is not fully known. Methods: Hyperacute (<3 h from onset) ICH patients with initial SBP more than 180 mmHg were included in the observational study. All patients received intravenous antihypertensive treatment based on a predefined protocol to lower and maintain SBP between 120 and 160 mmHg. The relative SBP reduction was defined as the ratio of SBP reduction to the admission SBP in the first 24 h, and associations between the relative SBP reduction and neurological deterioration (≥2 points decrease in the Glasgow Coma Scale score or ≥4 increase in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score), hematoma expansion (>33% increase), and unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin scale score 4–6 at 3 months) were assessed with multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Of the 211 patients [81 women, median age 65 (interquartile range 58–74) years, and median initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 13 (8–17)] enrolled, 17 (8%) showed neurological deterioration, 36 (17%) showed hematoma expansion, and 87 (41%) had an unfavorable outcome. On multivariate regression analyses, relative SBP reduction was independently and inversely associated with neurological deterioration (odds ratio 0.053, 95% confidence interval 0.011–0.254 per 10% increment), hematoma expansion (0.289, 0.099–0.841), and unfavorable outcome (0.254, 0.095–0.680) after adjusting for known predictive factors. Conclusion: Insufficient relative SBP reduction after standardized antihypertensive therapy in hyperacute ICH was independently associated with poor clinical outcomes. Aggressive antihypertensive treatment may improve clinical outcomes.
Protecting Our Children From the Consequences of Chest Blows on the Playing Field: A Time for Science Over Marketing

Commotio cordis is the devastating consequence of otherwise innocent-appearing chest-wall blows, with sudden cardiac death often resulting from projectiles striking the precordium.1,2 This phenomenon occurs most commonly in sports when a baseball, lacrosse ball, or hockey puck strikes the chest directly over the cardiac silhouette and triggers ventricular fibrillation.3 During the past several years, the number of documented commotio cordis events reported to our registry has risen to almost 200, more likely a result of enhanced awareness rather than a true increase in incidence. Commotio cordis has now been cited as the second leading cause of sudden death in young athletes4 and is a uniquely pediatric problem, with an average age of only 14 years for the victims (Fig 1). FIGURE 1 Age at which commotio cordis occurred in cases reported to the Commotio Cordis Registry. The median age was 14 years; 90% of case-patients were younger than 21 years. (Reproduced with permission from Maron BJ, Gohman TE, Kyle SB, Estes NAM III, Link MS. JAMA . 2002;287(9):1143. ) Among the reported commotio cordis cases, nearly 50% occurred during competitive sports.1,2 Of particular note, some form of chest-wall protection was worn by almost 40% of the athletes who incurred fatal or nonfatal events.5 In these cases, sudden death resulted directly from chest blows as a result of either inadequate chest-barrier composition (ie, with direct precordial impact) or inadequate design (ie, failure to cover the precordium during all bodily movements). In some circumstances, such as with those chest protectors used in lacrosse and baseball, the ball struck the chest barrier … Address correspondence to Mark S. Link, MD, Tufts Medical Center, NEMC Box 197, 750 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111. E-mail: mlink{at}tufts-nemc.org
Non-syndromic Hypodontia in Jordanian Orthodontic Patients and its Management

Results: A hypodontia prevalence of 9.7% was found for the total study group (6.2% for females and 3.5% for males) with a statistically significant difference between both gender (P<0.05). The most frequently missing teeth were the maxillary lateral incisors (41.1%), followed by the mandibular second premolars (28.5%). Hypodontia was found more often in the maxilla (62%) and symmetrical hypodontia was predominant. Most patients (82.8%) had hypodontia of one or two teeth, whereas oligodontia was found in 3.5%. Conclusions: Accurate diagnosis of hypodontia is the key to orthodontic treatment planning and eventual treatment itself. Furthermore, additional knowledge of dental development will contribute valuable insights for novel therapeutic regiments in the future so that we can move from a mode of diagnosis and treatment to one of prediction and prevention.
Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the painDETECT Scale Into Spanish

Objective:The aim of this study was to culturally adapt into Spanish and validate the painDETECT questionnaire, a brief self-administered instrument designed to screen the presence of a neuropathic pain component in usual clinical practice. Methods:The original English painDETECT questionnaire was culturally adapted into Spanish (Spain) by 2 independent translators under supervision of an expert panel. The LANNS, and a pain visual analog scale were administered along with the painDETECT questionnaire to a sample of 252 patients with neuropathic, nociceptive, or mixed pain for at least 3 months. Patients were classified by experienced specialists under normal conditions of clinical practice. A retest measure after 24 to 48 hours was also carried out. Reliability, construct validity, convergent validity, criterion, and discriminant validity were assessed. Results:An effective sample of 221 patients with chronic pain was recruited, 32% diagnosed of neuropathic origin, 32% of nociceptive, and remaining 36% presented mixed pain. The average age was 57.8 years (SD=14.2) and 59% were women. Cronbach alpha attained a value of 0.86, and the intraclass correlation coefficient with the retest was 0.93. The factor structure was coherent with the one informed for the original instrument. Pearson correlation with the LANSS scale was 0.88. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.88 when comparing neuropathic and nociceptive groups. Using the suggested cutoff value for pain presence of 19 points or higher, the following discriminant values are obtained: sensitivity=75%, specificity=84%, Youden Index=0.595, positive predictive value=92%, and negative predictive value=60%. The absence cutoff value of 12 points or bellow raised the following values: sensitivity=93%, specificity=68%, Youden Index=0.61, positive predictive value=87%, and negative predictive value=80%. When mixed pain patients are included in the group with a neuropathic component, discriminant values are slightly reduced, as expected. Conclusions:The culturally adapted version of the painDETECT presents good psychometric properties and shows to be a valid patient-reported outcome for measuring the presence of a neuropathic component in patients with chronic pain.
Incidence and Pathologic Studies on Liver Telangiectasis in Beef Cattle

In this study, 3470 livers of beef cattle slaughtered by the Ankara Meat and Fish Company were inspected. In these animals, 82 livers had telangiectasis, and the incidence of lesions was 2.3%. They were characterized grossly by single or multiple red-brown foci, generally 1 to 5 mm in diameter, and occasionally larger. They were located on the parietal surface of the lobus dexter or rarely scattered throughout the organ. Microscopically, dilated sinusoids filled with erythrocytes were observed in initial lesions; the distortion, atrophy and necrosis of hepatocytic cordons were seen in advanced cases. There was no correlation between liver abscesses and telangiectasis.
Representations of the radiated energy in earthquakes

We investigate the representation of the radiated energy, E_R, in earthquakes. In seismology E_R is estimated from either far-field seismic waves or the stress and displacement on the fault plane. Although E_R comes from the entire volume of the Earth, it can be expressed as an integral over the fault plane. However, the integrand cannot be given a simple physical meaning such as the radiated energy density on the fault plane. The stress on the fault plane changes rapidly during a seismic rupture. Although the energy radiated by this process is not included in the estimate of E_R in a simplified practice in seismology, it is correctly included in the expression of E_R in standard seismological practice. Using the representation theorem, we can express E_R as a surface integral over the fault plane, with the integrand containing the slip function on the fault plane. However, the integrand at a point depends not only on the slip function at the point but also on the slip functions everywhere on the fault plane. Thus, the simple method in which E_R is estimated by summation of the local energy flux on the fault plane does not yield a correct estimate.
Meal‐Dependent Absorption of Enteric‐Coated Sodium Valproate

Summary: The effect of meals on valproic acid (VPA) absorption from an enteric coated (EC) formulation was investigated. In study I, six adult normal volunteers received a single 500 mg dose of sodium valproate in randomized treatments: fasting (A), with a meal (B) or 3 hours after a meal (C). There were significant differences between treatments in the latency period (Lp) defined as the time during which measured concentrations of VPA were less than 1 μg/ml. Lp values for treatments A, B and C were: 1.67 ± 1.25 hr, 6.75± 3.98 hr and 7.63 ± 3.15 hr respectively. In study II, six subjects (five from study I) received in a randomized fashion a 400 mg intravenous bolus dose of VPA and a 500 mg EC VPA tablet, 3 hours after a meal. The mean Lp value was 8.1 ± 1.6 hr and the mean bioavailability was 100%. Clearance, volume of distribution and half‐life values obtained after intravenous dosing were comparable to literature values. These results indicate that food intake delays but does not decrease the extent of absorption of VPA from an enteric coated formulation.
Adaptive predictive control of a class of discrete-time MIMO nonlinear systems with uncertain couplings

In this paper, a novel adaptive predictive control is presented for a class of multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear systems in block-triangular form with uncertain couplings of states/delayed states as well as inputs among subsystems. For each subsystem of the MIMO system, future states prediction is developed and using the predicted future states, adaptive predictive control is designed under certainty equivalence principal to compensate the parametric uncertainties in the couplings. To eliminate the functional uncertainties in the couplings, a novel compensation mechanism is developed for each subsystem. Under the proposed adaptive controls, all the signals in the closed-loop MIMO systems are guaranteed to be globally bounded. In addition, all the output tracking errors are guaranteed to converge to zeros. The effectiveness of the proposed control is demonstrated in the simulation.
RENAL INTERACTION OF ATRIAL NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE WITH ANGIOTENSIN II: GLOMERULAR AND TUBULAR EFFECTS

1. The possible interactions between the renal effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and angiotensin II (All) were studied in normal sodium‐replete human subjects. Recent investigations have suggested that ANP inhibits the pressor and volume‐retaining effects of activation of the renin‐angiotensin system. Thus, ANP may attenuate the effects of All on renal haemodynamics or tubular transport.
The cyclooxygenase-2 pathway as a target for treatment or prevention of cancer

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, an inducible enzyme involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis, has attracted considerable attention recently, due to its role in human cancer biology. Several studies have correlated an increase in the expression of COX-2 with a poor clinical outcome, while epidemiological studies demonstrate a reduced risk of cancer mortality in persons with long-term, chronic ingestion of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Originally, these observations were made in patients with colorectal cancer, and subsequent studies suggest a protective role of NSAIDs in other human cancers as well. With the development of COX-2 specific inhibitors, numerous laboratory and clinical studies are underway to help understand the role of COX-2 in cancer and the potential use of COX-2 selective inhibitors for cancer treatment or prevention. This review focuses on the physiological function of COX, and the clinical rationale for evaluating COX-2 selective inhibitors for use in oncology.
Functional neuroanatomy of the human near/far response to blur cues: eye‐lens accommodation/vergence to point targets varying in depth

The purpose of this study was to identify the networks involved in the regulation of visual accommodation/vergence by contrasting the cortical functions subservient to eye‐lens accommodation with those evoked by foveal fixation. Neural activity was assessed in normal volunteers by changes in rCBF measured with PET. Thirteen right‐handed subjects participated in three monocular tasks: (i) resting with eyes closed; (ii) sustained foveal fixation upon a LED at 1.2 m (0.83 D); and (iii) accommodating alternately on a near (24 cm, 4.16 D) vs. a far (3.0 m, 0.33 D) LED alternately illuminated in sequential 2 s epochs. The contrast between the conditions of near/far accommodation and of constant foveal fixation revealed activation in cerebellar hemispheres and vermis; middle and inferior temporal cortex (BA 20, 21, 37); striate cortex and associative visual areas (BA 17/18). Comparison of the condition of constant fixation with the condition of resting with closed eyes indicated activation of cerebellar hemispheres and vermis; visual cortices (BA 17/18); a right hemisphere dominant network encompassing prefrontal (BA 6, 9, 47), superior parietal (BA 7), and superior temporal (BA 40) cortices; and bilateral thalamus. The contrast between the conditions of near/far accommodation with closed‐eye rest reflected an incremental summation of the activations found in the previous comparisons (i.e. activations associated with constant fixation). Neural circuits activated selectively during the near/far response to blur cues over those during constant visual fixation, occupy posterior structures that include occipital visual regions, cerebellar hemispheres and vermis, and temporal cortex.
Venlafaxine-induced serotonin syndrome with relapse following amitriptyline

A case of venlafaxine-induced serotonin syndrome is described with relapse following the introduction of amitriptyline, despite a 2-week period between the discontinuation of one drug and the commencement of the other. Electroencephalography may play an important part in diagnosis. With the increasing use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, greater awareness of the serotonin syndrome is necessary. Furthermore, the potential for drug interactions which may lead to the syndrome needs to be recognised.