Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observation of the Disconnection between Real and Financial Spheres : The Case of the Tunisian Stock Market during the Period 1969-2008

The strong volatility that characterized financial markets all over the word, these last years, leaves to think the existence of a disparity between stock prices and their fundamental values, which gives us the presumption of a disconnection between the real sphere and the financial one (Binswanger ( 1999, 2000, 2004 )). The purpose of this paper is to focus on this possible disconnection by using the cointegration tests, to detect a possible equilibrium relation between the stock exchange returns and the real economic activity growth (measured by the GDP). The period of study lies between 1969 and 2008, according to an annual frequency of two series: the real yields (Stock Market Index return) and of GDP growth rates (real economic sphere indicator). To settle on the dynamics of short and long term between the stock exchange returns and the GDP growth, we used the Vector Errors Correction Model (VECM). Our results corroborate the existence of the disconnection between the two financial and economic series.
Prevalence and characteristics in coding, classification and diagnosis of diabetes in primary care

Introduction Approximately 366 million people worldwide live with diabetes and this figure is expected to rise. Among the correct diagnosis, there will be errors in the diagnosis, classification and coding, resulting in adverse health and financial implications. Aim To determine the prevalence and characteristics of diagnostic errors in people with diabetes managed in primary care settings. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in nine general practices in Leicester, UK, from May to August 2011, using a validated electronic toolkit. Searches identified cases with potential errors which were manually checked for accuracy. Results There were 54 088 patients and 2434 (4.5%) diagnosed with diabetes. Out of 316 people identified with potential errors with the toolkit, 180 (57%) had confirmed errors after manually reviewing the records, resulting in an error prevalence of 7.4%. Correctly coded people on registers had significantly greater glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reductions. There were no significant differences between patients with and without errors in their HbA1C, body mass index, age and size of practice. There was also no significant association of the errors with pay-for-performance initiatives; however, those patients not on disease register had worse glycaemic control. Conclusions A high prevalence of diabetic diagnostic errors was confirmed using medication, biochemical and demographic data. Larger studies are needed to more accurately assess the scale of this problem. Automation of these processes might be possible, which would allow searches to be even more user friendly.
Impaired Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation in Moyamoya Disease

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a cerebrovascular disease with unknown etiology, characterized by progressive stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA). The predominant feature of MMD is the “puff-of-smoke” vessels at the base of the brain, where the pathology of vascular network known as the dilated perforating arteries function as collateral pathways, to compensate for the reduced perfusion [1]. However, it was shown that this compensative mechanism may impair the function of arterioles and thus autoregulation [2,3], which is a protective mechanism that maintains cerebral blood flow constant despite variations in arterial blood pressure (ABP). It remains unknown from which stage this protective mechanism begins to impair and how the dysautoregulation is in association with the stages of MMD. We therefore applied a noninvasive method to investigate the autoregulation at different angiographic stages of MMD
Cell-based vasculogenic studies in preclinical models of chronic myocardial ischaemia and hibernation

Introduction: Coronary artery disease commonly leads to myocardial ischaemia and hibernation. Relevant preclinical models of these conditions are essential to evaluate new therapeutic options such as cell-based vasculogenic therapies. Areas covered: In this article, the authors first review basic concepts of myocardial ischaemia/hibernation and relevant techniques to assess myocardial viability. Then, preclinical models of chronic myocardial ischaemia and hibernation, induced by devices such as ameroid constrictors, Delrin stenosis, hydraulic occluders, and coils/stents are described. Lastly, the authors discuss cell-based vasculogenic therapy, and summarise studies conducted in large animal models of chronic myocardial ischaemia and hibernation. Expert opinion: Approximately one-third of patients with viable myocardium do not undergo revascularisation; however, this population is at high risk for cardiac events and would surely benefit from effective cell-based therapy. Because of the modest benefits in clinical studies, preclinical models accurately representing clinical myocardial ischemia/hibernation are necessary to better understand and appropriately direct regenerative therapy research.
Methyl 3-(4-bromophenyl)-1-methyl-1,2,3,3a,4,9b-hexahydrobenzo[f]chromeno[4,3-b]pyrrole-3a-carboxylate

In the title compound, C24H22BrNO3, the dihydropyran ring adopts a half-chair conformation, whereas the pyrrolidine ring is in an envelope conformation. The bromophenyl group is oriented at an angle of 66.44 (4)° with respect to the naphthalene ring system. In the crystal structure, molecules are linked into centrosymmetric dimers by C—H⋯π interactions and the dimers are connected via C—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure is further stabilized by π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.453 (1) Å].
Ictal Effects of Anticonvulsant Medication Withdrawal in Epileptic Patients

Summary: Medication withdrawal is used in selected instances to precipitate seizures during evaluation of epileptic patients. Whether such medication manipulation can alter electrical seizure onset or clinical seizure type is not known. Information regarding the effects of anticonvulsant withdrawal on depth EEG onset and clinical manifestations of seizures was reviewed in 25 patients with partial complex seizures in whom intracranial electrodes were implanted. For the purposes of this study, the withdrawal period was defined as the time after abrupt cessation of medication between one and five half‐lives of the drug and the base‐line state as all other times. Ten patients were withdrawn from carbamazepine, 6 from phenobarbital, 2 from phenytoin, and 3 from primidone. Overall effects of anticonvulsant withdrawal in 18 patients and 21 instances of withdrawal with a total of 89 withdrawal and 71 base‐line seizures were notable. Focal electrical onset and typical clinical seizure type during withdrawal were entirely consistent with electrical and/or clinical characteristics of seizures occurring during the base‐line state in 13 instances. “New” clinical and/or electrical seizure types occurred during withdrawal only in a number of patients in whom bilateral or multifocal seizure onset was confirmed electrographically outside of the withdrawal period. In only 1 patient did withdrawal produce atypical clinical and electrical seizures when the base‐line state showed a clinically typical seizure of clear‐cut localized onset. After surgery this patient was shown to have unequivocal multifocal seizure onset. Thus, for purposes of localizing single epileptic foci, information obtained during the anticonvulsant withdrawal period provided no misleading information in this group of patients, while condensing the time needed for evaluation.
Recruitment of Serum Response Factor and Hyperacetylation of Histones at Smooth Muscle–Specific Regulatory Regions During Differentiation of a Novel P19-Derived In Vitro Smooth Muscle Differentiation System

Abstract— Little is known regarding transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that control the sequential and coordinate expression of genes during smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation. To facilitate mechanistic studies of SMC differentiation, we established a novel P19-derived clonal cell line (designated A404) harboring a smooth muscle (SM) &agr;-actin promoter/intron-driven puromycin resistance gene. Retinoic acid plus puromycin treatment stimulated rapid differentiation of multipotential A404 cells into SMCs that expressed multiple SMC differentiation marker genes, including the definitive SM-lineage marker SM myosin heavy chain. Using this system, we demonstrated that various transcription factors were upregulated coincidentally with the expression of SMC differentiation marker genes. Of interest, the expression of serum response factor (SRF), whose function is critical for SMC-specific transcription, was high in undifferentiated A404 cells, and it did not increase over the course of differentiation. However, chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses showed that SRF did not bind the target sites of endogenous SMC marker genes in chromatin in undifferentiated cells, but it did in differentiated A404 cells, and it was associated with hyperacetylation of histones H3 and H4. The present studies define a novel cell system for studies of transcriptional regulation during the early stages of SMC differentiation, and using this system, we obtained evidence for the involvement of chromatin remodeling and selective recruitment of SRF to CArG elements in the induction of cell-selective marker genes during SMC differentiation.
Polytene chromosomes of three species of blackflies in the Simulium pictipes group (Diptera:Simuliidae).

The salivary gland chromosomes of members of the Simulium pictipes group were examined by conventional staining and quinacrine fluorescence staining methods which proved to be a useful tool to show otherwise hidden details, especially in expanded centromere regions. Three cytologically definable species were found, one of which must represent a previously unrecognized species. Simulium longistylatum Shewell was the only species among the three siblings identified with certainty. The remaining pair were designated as S. pictipes A and S. pictipes B. In all three siblings the haploid chromosome number was three. Specific differences include a simple and a complex inversion, a shift of basal bands between the short arms of the second and third chromosome, details of the sex chromosomes, and the amount of DNA in certain individual bands and expanded centromere regions. Y chromosome markers are located in a different element of the complement in each of the three species, a unique situation within closely rela.
Canine complete blood counts: a comparison of four in-office instruments with the ADVIA 120 and manual differential counts.

BACKGROUND With more use of bench-top in-office hematology analyzers, the accuracy of reported values is increasingly important. Instruments use varied methods for cell counting and differentiation, and blood smears may not always be examined. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare canine CBC results using 4 bench-top instruments (Hemavet 950, Heska CBC-Diff, IDEXX LaserCyte, and IDEXX VetAutoread) with ADVIA 120 and manual leukocyte counts. METHODS EDTA-anticoagulated canine blood samples (n=100) were analyzed on each instrument. Manual differentials were based on 100-cell counts. Linear regression, difference plots, paired t-tests, and estimation of diagnostic equivalence were used to analyze results. RESULTS Correlations of HCT, WBC, and platelet counts were very good to excellent between all in-office instruments and the ADVIA 120, but results varied in accuracy (comparability). Hemavet 950 and Heska CBC-Diff results compared best with ADVIA results and manual leukocyte differentials. HCT and platelet counts on the IDEXX VetAutoread compared well with those from the ADVIA. Except for neutrophil counts, leukocyte differentials from all instruments compared poorly with ADVIA and manual counts. Reticulocyte counts on the LaserCyte and VetAutoread compared poorly with those from the ADVIA. CONCLUSIONS The Hemavet 950 and Heska CBC-Diff performed best of the 4 analyzers we compared. HCT, WBC, and platelet counts on the LaserCyte had minimally sufficient comparability for diagnostic use. Except for neutrophils (granulocytes), leukocyte differential counts were unreliable on all in-office analyzers. Instruments with a 5-part leukocyte differential provided no added benefit over a 3-part differential. Assessment of erythrocyte regeneration on the LaserCyte and VetAutoread was unreliable compared with the ADVIA 120.
School functioning in early adolescence : Gender-linked responses to peer victimization

Research indicates that peer victimization contributes to poor school functioning in childhood and adolescence, yet the processes by which victimization interferes with school functioning are unclear. This study examined internalizing and externalizing problems as domain-specific mediators of the association between subtypes of peer victimization (relational, physical) and school functioning (engagement, achievement) with a cross-sectional sample of 337 early adolescents. School engagement was examined further as a proximal process that intervenes in the associations between internalizing and externalizing problems and achievement. Gender differences in these associations were assessed. As expected, internalizing problems showed stronger links with relational than with physical victimization and partially mediated the influence of both on engagement for girls but not boys. Externalizing problems partially mediated the influence of both subtypes of victimization on school functioning for girls and physical victimization for boys. Notably, engagement was a robust mediator of the contributions of internalizing problems and physical victimization to achievement for girls and externalizing problems to achievement for girls and boys. Findings also suggest that physical (but not relational) victimization partially mediates the link between internalizing and externalizing problems and school functioning.
Stability and change in health insurance among older Mexican Americans: longitudinal evidence from the Hispanic established populations for epidemiologic study of the elderly.

OBJECTIVES This study examined the association between health insurance coverage, medical care use, limitations in activities of daily living, and mortality among older Mexican-origin individuals. METHODS We analyzed longitudinal data from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE). RESULTS The uninsured tend to be younger, female, poor, and foreign born. They report fewer health care visits, are less likely to have a usual source of care, and more often receive care in Mexico. Conversely, those with private health insurance are economically better off and use more health care services. Over time, the data reveal substantial changes in type of insurance coverage. CONCLUSIONS The data reveal serious vulnerabilities among older Mexican Americans that result from a lack of private Medigap supplemental coverage.
[Investigate the relationship between postmortem interval (PMI) and the metabolic law of the amount of DNA in cells of rat].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between postmortem interval (PMI) and the metabolic law of the amount of DNA in cells. METHODS After different PMI from the heart, liver, spleen and kidney were taken into pieces respectively, then centrifuged and digested to get suspending cells fluid. The amount of DNA of rats'viscera were detected by flow cytometry after stained by fluorescence, and also inspect the amount of DNA in different periods to find out the law of its variation. RESULTS It showed a descendent trend of the amount of DNA in cells after different PMI, especially in spleen. CONCLUSION The amount of DNA of all the viscera grows downwards after death, this might be applyed in forensic estimation of PMI.
TOWARDS A CULTURALLY-ENHANCED SERIOUS GAME MODEL 1

Current research shows that computer games were integral to the life of young learners across the globe. Hence, educators were looking at opportunities to use computer games in teaching and learning in order to address the needs of young learners. Meanwhile, learning needs and expectations were varied depending on the culture of a particular individual. Researches show that there were compelling connections between culture and learning, however studies in this area is still lacking. Thus, to address this limitation, four existing serious game models and frameworks were investigated. The outcome of this work is a serious game design model for culturally-enhanced serious game called GADEM. This model was extended from Four Dimensional Framework (FDF) and used pedagogical, Intercultural Communication and Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) as basis of extension. The target users of GADEM were both serious game designers and developers in order to guide them to design an effective serious game for learners
Joubert syndrome is not a cause of classical autism

A previous report noted a 27% prevalence of autism in Joubert syndrome (JS), raising the question of overlapping etiologies. Family studies have shown that autism is characterized by family loading for a number of specific behavioral and psychiatric disorders and that the sib recurrence risk is around 4%. The purpose of this study is to determine whether children with Joubert and their families show behavioral or genetic characteristics similar to autism. Thirty‐one volunteer Joubert families were identified. Parents completed a semi‐structured family history interview and the Autism Behavioral Checklist. Rates of family loading for neuropsychiatric disorders in the JS families were compared to autism family history data and Down syndrome (DS) controls. The JS families had significantly lower rates of autism, alcoholism, cognitive, and language disorders than the autism families. Their rate of depression was lower, but not significantly different from that found in autism families. None of the JS children met the clinical cut‐off for autism based on parental symptom report and the sib recurrence risk was 32% for the JS families compared to 4% for the autism and 0% for DS families. These data indicate that JS is a genetically distinct disorder from autism. Different genes with different inheritance patterns that affect neurodevelopment of the cerebellum could explain the clinical similarities previously reported in JS and autism. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phosphorylation of Chk1 by ATM- and Rad3-related (ATR) in Xenopus Egg Extracts Requires Binding of ATRIP to ATR but Not the Stable DNA-binding or Coiled-coil Domains of ATRIP*

ATR, a critical regulator of DNA replication and damage checkpoint responses, possesses a binding partner called ATRIP. We have studied the functional properties of Xenopus ATR and ATRIP in incubations with purified components and in frog egg extracts. In purified systems, ATRIP associates with DNA in both RPA-dependent and RPA-independent manners, depending on the composition of the template. However, in egg extracts, only the RPA-dependent mode of binding to DNA can be detected. ATRIP adopts an oligomeric state in egg extracts that depends upon binding to ATR. In addition, ATR and ATRIP are mutually dependent on one another for stable binding to DNA in egg extracts. The ATR-dependent oligomerization of ATRIP does not require an intact coiled-coil domain in ATRIP and does not change in the presence of checkpoint-inducing DNA templates. Egg extracts containing a mutant of ATRIP that cannot bind to ATR are defective in the phosphorylation of Chk1. However, extracts containing mutants of ATRIP lacking stable DNA-binding and coiled-coil domains show no reduction in the phosphorylation of Chk1 in response to defined DNA templates. Furthermore, activation of Chk1 does not depend upon RPA under these conditions. These results suggest that ATRIP must associate with ATR in order for ATR to carry out the phosphorylation of Chk1 effectively. However, this function of ATRIP does not involve its ability to mediate the stable binding of ATR to defined checkpoint-inducing DNA templates in egg extracts, does not require an intact coiled-coil domain, and does not depend on RPA.
Varicella vaccine uptake and associated factors in children in Hong Kong

SUMMARY Varicella is a common and highly contagious childhood disease which impacts the public worldwide. Hong Kong children can only be vaccinated against the disease in private practice. The varicella vaccination rate of local children in preschool is uncertain. Therefore a cross-sectional kindergarten-based parent-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in Hong Kong during 2012. Twelve kindergartens were randomly selected from a complete school list from the Education Bureau of Hong Kong. In total, 1285/1538 (83·6%) parents consented to join the study and completed the questionnaires. The overall varicella infection rate was 19·5% and the uptake of varicella vaccination rate was 57·6%. Barriers against varicella vaccination were mostly due to parental uncertainties about the effectiveness of vaccine, lack of recommendations from doctors or government, and adverse side-effects of the vaccine. The government and healthcare professional bodies are strongly recommended to further enhance health education among healthcare professionals, encouraging their active promotion of varicella vaccination for their patients. Furthermore, health education through various stakeholders is crucial to enhance parental awareness of varicella, as well as the effectiveness and safety of varicella vaccine.
Plasma homocysteine in the acute and convalescent phases after stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Stroke patients frequently manifest moderate hyperhomocysteinemia. In most published studies, plasma homocysteine was measured at least 1 month after stroke (or the interval was not reported). To determine whether plasma homocysteine concentrations change in the acute phase, we compared acute-phase values with both convalescent-phase and control values. METHODS Plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured in the acute phase (mean, 2 days after stroke onset) in 162 first-ever stroke patients aged 50 years or more (median, 75 years) and again at a median interval of 583 days (range, 460 to 645 days) after stroke onset in a subgroup of 17 patients, with values for 60 age-matched subjects serving as controls. Twenty of the control subjects were reexamined 2 to 3 years after their initial examination. RESULTS The median plasma homocysteine concentration was 13.4 mumol/L in the patient group compared with 13.8 mumol/L for control subjects (NS, Mann-Whitney U test) and increased from 11.4 mumol/L in the acute phase to 14.5 mumol/L in the convalescent phase in the subgroup of patients examined twice (P < .01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). In the 20 reexamined control subjects, no significant change over time in plasma homocysteine concentration was found. CONCLUSIONS The post-acute-phase increase in plasma homocysteine may explain why higher values were obtained for stroke patients than for control subjects in previous studies. Possible reasons for the variation in plasma homocysteine concentrations over time are (1) an acute-phase reduction secondary to a decrease in plasma albumin and (2) an increase in plasma homocysteine during the convalescent phase due to modified vitamin intake and/or lifestyle. The timing of plasma homocysteine measurements relative to stroke onset is a factor to be considered in the interpretation of results.