Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age and sex differences of controlled force exertion measured by a computer-generated quasi-random target-pursuit system.

OBJECTIVES This study examined age and sex differences of controlled force exertion measured by a computer-generated quasi-random target-pursuit system in 207 males and 249 females aged 15 to 86 years. METHODS The participants matched submaximal grip exertion of their dominant hand to changing demand values, appearing as a moving quasi-random waveform on the display of a personal computer. They performed the test three times with 1-min intervals (one trial was 40 sec). The total sum of the percent of differences between the demand value and the grip exertion value for 25 sec was used as an evaluation parameter. RESULTS The errors in controlled force exertion tended to increase constantly with age in both sexes. Significant linear regressions were identified, but there was no significant difference in the rate of increase in both sexes. Analysis of variance showed nonsignificant sex differences among means, except for those in individuals older than 60 years; significant differences between means in the groups older than the 40 yr. -old age group and the 20-24 yr. -old group were found in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS Controlled force exertion did not show a significant sex difference and decreased gradually with age in both sexes, but decreased remarkably after 40 years of age.
The road home: the role of ethnicity in the post-Soviet migration

This paper argues the importance of ethnic affinity in determining migration patterns using a newly constructed late- and post-Soviet dataset. The members of various indigenous ethnic groups, who had been spread across the Soviet territories, had to decide whether or not to leave the land in which they suddenly became diaspora after the dissolution of the USSR. The migration literature conventionally claims that potential migrants respond to the economic differentials between source and destination, but the post-Soviet case reveals that ethnicity also played a crucial and independent role in migration decision and destination choice. The trend of ethnic un-mixing is evidently seen in the novel dataset regarding the regional migration patterns of major ethnic groups in the post-Soviet space. Econometric analyses using this dataset also confirm that ethnic composition of a region, along with labour market conditions, has significant effects on the regional migration patterns.
Building Program Coherence and the (Un)intentional Clinical Experiences for First-Semester Preservice Teachers

ABSTRACT Drawing on a theory of program coherence, the establishment of an educational third space, and intentional clinical experience, the authors created a unique entry point in a teacher education program. The authors developed the Onsite Secondary Education Project (OSSEP) to connect relevant educational theory and discipline-specific pedagogy through intentional clinical placements for first-semester preservice teachers. Results from this exploratory research demonstrate that program coherence and structured clinical experiences can help preservice teachers orient themselves to the teaching profession and connect educational theory and practice. However, unintentional experiences were identified, suggesting that increased exposure to the classroom helped shape participants’ views toward the teaching profession. Findings offer evidence of a teacher education that balances the idealism of teacher education with the practicalities of the PK-12 classroom.
Respiratory health status in swine producers relates to endotoxin exposure in the presence of low dust levels.

We conducted an assessment of respiratory health status including questionnaire and spirographic measurements in 54 male swine producers age 36.3 +/- 11.1 years (mean +/- SD) who worked an average of 10.7 +/- 6.3 years in the industry and spent 4.7 +/- 2.1 hours per day in the swine barns, and we also measured atmospheric contaminants including carbon dioxide, ammonia, total dust, respirable dust, and airborne endotoxin. Mean atmospheric dust contaminant levels were as follows: carbon dioxide, 2632 +/- 807 ppm; ammonia, 11.3 +/- 4.2 ppm; total dust, 2.93 +/- 0.92 mg/m3; respirable dust, 0.13 +/- 0.05 mg/m3; and endotoxin, 11,332 +/- 13,492 endotoxin units/m3. Of these, endotoxin related to forced vital capacity (P < .05) and endotoxin x hours per day was related to forced vital capacity (P < .05) and to forced expiratory volume in 1 second (P = .06). Respiratory symptoms and lung function studies did not relate to categories of low, medium, and high exposure to respirable dust. However, categories of endotoxin (available on 46 workers) related to respiratory symptoms (cough, P = .02; chronic bronchitis, P = .06; and to forced vital capacity, P < .01). These data suggest that respiratory health status relates to endotoxin levels but not to dust level exposures in the presence of low dust levels and indicates that control measures should include endotoxin as well as dust control.
Acquired T-cell sensitivity to TRAIL mediated killing during HIV infection is regulated by CXCR4-gp120 interactions

Background:Sensitivity towards apoptosis induced by ligation of the tumor necrosis factor family of death receptors is controlled in part by death receptor expression. Whereas cellular activation enhances Fas receptor expression and induces Fas sensitivity, such cellular activation neither alters TRAIL receptor expression nor induces TRAIL sensitivity. Cells infected by HIV acquire sensitivity to TRAIL induced death, although the mechanisms by which this is achieved are undefined. Objective:To define the mechanism by which cells from HIV infected patients acquire sensitivity to TRAIL mediated killing. Design:In vitro assessment of TRAIL receptor expression and TRAIL sensitivity. Methods:Treatment of Jurkat T cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes from HIV negative donors, or human osteogenic seroma (HOS) cells expressing CD4, CXCR4 or CCR5 with T tropic gp120, M tropic gp120, or agonistic antibodies against CD4, CXCR4 or CCR5. TRAIL receptors were measured by flow cytometry or reverse transcription-PCR and TRAIL sensitivity was assessed by incubation with recombinant TRAIL followed by Annexin V fluorescein isothiocyanate/Propidium Iodide (PI) staining. Results:Treatment of uninfected Jurkat T cells, as well as primary T cells with gp120 results in the upregulation of TRAIL death receptor expression and acquired sensitivity to TRAIL mediated cell death. The increase in TRAIL death receptor expression and acquisition of TRAIL sensitivity requires the chemokine coreceptor CXCR4 but not CCR5 or the CD4 receptor. Conclusions:These results indicate that chemokine receptor interactions regulate TRAIL receptor expression and provide an explanation for the acquired T cell sensitivity to TRAIL mediated killing death during HIV infection.
Isolation and Characterization of Pluripotent Human Spermatogonial Stem Cell-Derived Cells

Several reports have documented the derivation of pluripotent cells (multipotent germline stem cells) from spermatogonial stem cells obtained from the adult mouse testis. These spermatogonia‐derived stem cells express embryonic stem cell markers and differentiate to the three primary germ layers, as well as the germline. Data indicate that derivation may involve reprogramming of endogenous spermatogonia in culture. Here, we report the derivation of human multipotent germline stem cells (hMGSCs) from a testis biopsy. The cells express distinct markers of pluripotency, form embryoid bodies that contain derivatives of all three germ layers, maintain a normal XY karyotype, are hypomethylated at the H19 locus, and express high levels of telomerase. Teratoma assays indicate the presence of human cells 8 weeks post‐transplantation but limited teratoma formation. Thus, these data suggest the potential to derive pluripotent cells from human testis biopsies but indicate a need for novel strategies to optimize hMGSC culture conditions and reprogramming. STEM CELLS 2009;27:138–149
Collaterals from lateral and medial olivocochhlear efferent neurons innervate different regions of the cochlear nucleus and adjacent brainstem

Two populations of superior olivary neurons which project to different sensory cell regions in the cochlea also give off collateral projections to the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) and adjacent brainstem. To determine whether these VCN projections also have different targets, they were characterized by selective retrograde amino acid transport. Retrograde transport of 3H‐d‐aspartate (D‐ASP) selectively labeled the unmyelinated fibers and neurons of the lateral olivocochlear (OC) system, including a dense collateral projection to the central VCN. Retrograde transport of 3H‐nipecotic acid (NIP) labeled the myelinated fibers and neurons of the medial OC system, including collateral projections to the peripheral VCN, subpeduncular granule cells, and nucleus Y. Medial and lateral OC efferent collaterals thus innervate different regions of the CN. Lateral system collaterals overlap extensively with Type I spiral ganglion cell afferent input. They are well positioned to play a role in modulating afferent input to the central auditory system, as is the primary projection of these efferents to the cochlea. The medial system collaterals project near the recently described afferent projections of Type I1 spiral ganglion cells. The medial system collaterals may therefore be related to the function of outer hair cells, as the medial system primary axons appear to be in the cochlea.
Tobit Regression Analysis Applied on Iraqi Bank Loans

It occurs quite often in economic data to find variables describing a specific phenomenon which are censored from right side or left side. When the data has to be censored from left side at censored point equal to zero, the Tobit regression model represents the most appropriate model to use. In this paper, we study the determinants of bank loans value, which is one of the main banking services provided by banks in any country. They are considered the most important banking activity, allowing the bank to achieve an appropriate profit with small risks. These loans aim to finance short term needs for covering expenses, or financing investment projects that allow the development of institutions. The study aimed to apply Tobit regression model and Ordinary least squares method in order to reveal the most important factors affecting loans provided by Iraqi banks and the best method to estimate data . It was found that liquidity and loan repayment affect the Iraqi Bank Loans, while the effects of interest rate and borrowers were not statistically significant. The results from Tobit and OLS estimations shows that bias can result when estimating Iraqi bank loans using OLS if bank loans are restricted.
Drivers of exploitative and explorative innovation in a collaborative public-sector context

ABSTRACT This paper studies multilevel networks, in which municipalities collaborate with higher tiers of government (upward collaboration), with peers (outward) and with local stakeholders (inward) to discover innovative ways to create public value. A set of hypotheses was developed on the effects of three forms of collaboration (i.e. inward, outward and upward) on two types of innovation (i.e. exploitative and explorative innovation). A range of network and municipality characteristics was also considered. The model was tested by capturing the perceptions of 656 municipal representatives. The research findings provide evidence of complex links between forms of collaboration and types of innovation.
THE LINK BETWEEN MIGRATION, REMITTANCES AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM ROMANIA

The paper investigates the causal link between remittances and economic growth in Romania. Starting from the debates regarding the relative contribution of international migrants’ remittances to sustainable economic development, this paper proposes an econometric analysis of the effects of remittances on the Romanian economy. The article shows that remittances have a positive effect on the current account of external balance of payments and they can replace external financial assistance flows, including foreign loans. Significant inflows of remittances can offset the current account deficit of the balance of payments, reducing the likelihood balance of payments crisis. At the same time remittances will increase aggregate demand, which has the effect of increasing inflation, currency appreciation and widening trade deficit. We showed also that remittances can exert positive influences on the process of investment, especially through the creation of numerous small enterprises.
Inactivation of Nitric Oxide Synthesis Exacerbates the Development of Alzheimer Disease Pathology in APPPS1 Mice (Amyloid Precursor Protein/Presenilin-1)

The epidemiological link between hypertension and Alzheimer disease is established. We previously reported that hypertension aggravates the Alzheimer-like pathology in APPPS1 mice (amyloid precursor protein/presenilin-1, mouse model of Alzheimer disease) with angiotensin II–induced hypertension, in relation with hypertension and nitric oxide deficiency. To provide further insights into the role of nitric oxide in the hypertension—Alzheimer disease cross-talk, we studied the effects of nitric oxide blockade in APPPS1 mice using N(&ohgr;)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) alone or in combination with hydralazine, to normalize blood pressure. Compared with normotensive APPPS1 mice, those with L-NAME–induced hypertension had greater amyloid burden (P<0.05), increased cortical amyloid angiopathy (P<0.01), decreased regional microvascular density (P<0.05), and deficient long-term spatial reference memory (P<0.001). Blood pressure normalization with hydralazine did not protect APPPS1 mice from L-NAME–induced deterioration except for cortical amyloid angiopathy, linked to hypertension-induced arterial wall remodeling. By testing the cerebrovascular response to hypercapnic breathing, we evidenced early functional impairment of cerebral vasomotor activity in APPPS1 mice. Whereas in control wild-type normotensive mice, carbon dioxide breathing resulted in 15±1.3% increase in the mean blood flow velocity (P<0.001), paradoxical mild decrease (1.5±0.4%) was recorded in normotensive APPPS1 mice (P<0.001). Carbon dioxide–induced decrease in mean blood flow velocity was not significantly modified in L-NAME–treated hypertensive APPPS1 mice (2.5±1.2%) and partly reversed to mild vasodilation by hydralazine (3.2±1.5%, P<0.01). These results suggest that impaired nitric oxide bioavailability exacerbates the pathophysiology of Alzheimer disease, essentially impacting amyloid load and cognitive impairment, independently of L-NAME–induced hypertension. Only cerebral amyloid angiopathy seems to be dependent on hypertension.
The Role of the Right Superior Parietal Lobule in Processing Visual Context for the Establishment of the Egocentric Reference Frame

Visual cues contribute to the creation of an observer's egocentric reference frame, within which the locations and orientations of objects can be judged. However, these cues can also be misleading. In the rod-and-frame illusion, for example, a large tilted frame distorts the observer's sense of vertical, causing an enclosed rod to appear tilted in the opposite direction. To determine the brain region responsible for processing these spatial cues, we used TMS to suppress neural activity in the superior parietal lobule of healthy observers. Stimulation of the right hemisphere, but not the left, caused a significant reduction in rod-and-frame susceptibility. In contrast, a tilt illusion caused by a mechanism that does not involve a distortion of the observer's egocentric reference frame was unaffected. These results demonstrate that the right superior parietal lobule is actively involved in processing the contextual cues that contribute to our perception of egocentric space.
Six-year predictors of problems in a national sample of children and youth: II. Signs of disturbance.

OBJECTIVE To identify 1986 and 1989 variables that significantly predicted signs of disturbance assessed in 1992. METHOD 1986 parent reports and 1989 parent, teacher, and self-reports of syndromes, competencies, family variables, and stressful experiences were tested as predictors of 1992 reports of academic problems, school behavior problems, receipt of mental health services, suicidal behavior, police contacts, substance abuse, and the sum of these six signs. RESULTS The predictors accounted for large percentages of variance in most signs and predicted fairly accurately which members of case-control samples would manifest specific signs. Overall predictive accuracy was similar for both sexes, but many predictors differed for boys versus girls. The six signs were weakly associated with each other but were strongly associated with particular syndromes. CONCLUSIONS Signs of disturbance were predictable over a 6-year period despite the diversity of a national sample. Previous manifestations of certain signs were modest predictors of the same signs. The Delinquent Behavior and Attention Problems syndromes, plus stressful experiences, predicted the most signs. Sex differences in predictors argue against generalizing findings and inferences from one sex to the other.
Severe Maxillary Atrophy Treatment With Le Fort I, Allografts, and Implant-Supported Prosthetic Rehabilitation

PurposeRecently, several authors have described that autologous and fresh-frozen bones are effective materials to correct jaw bone defects before endosseous implant positioning. The aim of this study was to report a multistep oral rehabilitation of severe atrophic maxilla by means of Le Fort I osteotomy for maxillary downward and forward repositioning, allografts, implant insertion, and prosthetic loading. MethodsPatients with severe maxillary atrophy underwent Le Fort I osteotomy associated to fresh-frozen interpositional bone allografts. At 7 months after reconstructive procedure, 2 biopsies for each patient have been taken, and in the same surgical procedure, endosseous implants were placed. Five months afterward, abutments were connected for the final prosthodontic restauration. Each patient was evaluated at 1-year follow-up after prosthetic loading. ResultsAt 1-year follow-up after functional prosthetic loading, no infection of the allografts or implant failure has been reported. Clinical and radiologic follow-up showed no sign of bone resorption in all the osteotomic sites and in the grafted areas. Histological analysis showed evidence of allograft osteointegration and healing. ConclusionsMultistep oral rehabilitation of severe atrophic maxilla with Le Fort and interpositional bone allografts represents a reliable surgical technique. According to this clinical, radiologic, and histologic reports, interpositional fresh-frozen bone allograft seems to be a valuable material for grafting jaw as it is cheaper than other materials and is safe, and it avoids donor site, decreasing the morbidity of the treatment.
Production of Immune Interferon (Type II) in Cocultures of Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages and Syngeneic Tumour Cells

Mouse peritoneal macrophages were activated by coculture with syngeneic methylcholanthrene‐induced sarcoma cells [7], which grow as an ascites tumour in C3D2 mice [3]. During 4–5 days of cocultivation tumour cells progressively died, leaving highly activated macrophages. Cell‐free supernatant harvested from the cultures contained larger amounts of interferon than either macrophages or tumour cells cultivated alone. Peak activity of interferon occurred on day 2. Non‐adherent cells cultivated together with tumour cells did not produce interferon. Removal of all non‐adherent cells from macrophage cultures and host cells from tumour cell suspension did not abolish interferon production. The macrophages thus seem to be the interferon‐producing cells, but the possibility that the very few remaining lymphocytes may cooperate with the macrophages in interferon production cannot be totally ruled out. The interferon produced could not be inactivated by antibodies against virus‐induced interferon and was destroyed by treatment at pH 2, indicating that the interferon was not of the α or β type.
Twenty Million New Customers!: Understanding Gay Men's Consumer Behavior

Most of the world’s population is in the dark when it comes to the consumer patterns of gay men. But in Twenty Million New Customers! : Understanding Gay Men’s Consumer Behavior, you’ll leave all the dark, homophobic myths behind where they belong--in the closet--and come out into the light. In its colorful and informative chapters, you’ll see why gay men are a vital consumer lifeline to today’s clothing industries as you tap into revealing psychological characteristics that will benefit any business manager. A scholarly yet personal, poignant study, Twenty Million New Customers! is a mixed shopping bag, taking you on a day-in-the-life tour of the buying patterns of 44 gay men. As an up-todate catalog of scholarly data, it helps you see how “mainstream” businesses can tailor their marketing methods to this rapidly expanding demand in a competent, professional, and ethical manner. As a commentary on lifestyle, it transports you to unexplored consumer behavior territory that most people still consider “deviant. ” Specifically, you’ll read about:
Lipofilling of the lips: ultrastructural evaluation by transmission electron microscopy of injected adipose tissue.

OBJECTIVE To determine if facial autologous fat grafts preserve the morphologic features of adipocytes and guarantee a successful long-term outcome. METHODS In a previous study, we performed lipofilling in 99 patients between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2001. In all patients, we performed 3 fat injections at 28-day intervals. We injected 0.4 mL of adipose tissue in the parafrenal area of the upper lip for each treatment. After 4 months, we obtained a biopsy specimen from the same area. We performed an ultrastructural evaluation on freshly harvested fat at the time of harvesting, on stored fat (-30 degrees C) at 8-week and 12-month intervals, and on the biopsy specimens obtained 4 months after treatment. RESULTS We observed good preservation of the ultrastructure in the harvested tissue. On histologic examination of the parafrenal area 4 months after grafting, some zones of the biopsy specimens showed putative adipocytes, fat cysts, and collagen fibers adequate for volume increase of the treated area. Ultrastructural images showed lipid droplets intermingled in the connective tissue, phagocytes with internal lipid droplets, and well-preserved adipocytes. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that by using a less traumatic surgical technique, it is possible to increase the cell survival rate of transplanted fat, thereby maintaining a certain number of viable cells and creating a volume increase in the grafted area. The multiple-stage injection technique seems to be a good method, especially when performed with fat stored at -30 degrees C.