Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mittelstand zwischen Fakten und Gefühl

Die in der jungsten Vergangenheit zu beobachtenden strukturellen Veranderungen der Unternehmenslandschaft beruhren auch und gerade den Mittelstand. Wir unter-suchen Mittelstand im Spannungsfeld unserer definitorischen Merkmale, namlich der Identitat von Eigentum und Leitung einerseits und der Einschatzung der Unternehmerschaft zu ihrer Zugehorigkeit zum Mittelstand und ihrer Bewertung der Wesensmerkmale mittelstandischer Unternehmen andererseits. Die Befunde unserer empiri-schen Untersuchung machen deutlich, dass definitorischer Mittelstand und selbst definierter Mittelstand nicht deckungsgleich sind. Um die unterschiedlichen Aspekte des Mittelstands besser (be)greifen zu konnen, bedienen wir uns des Konstrukts Mittelstandsuniversum. Mit dessen Hilfe ist es uns moglich, die unterschiedlichen Teilpopulationen des Mittelstands zu charakterisieren. Hierdurch erhalt die Mittelstandspolitik Hinweise, wie der Mittelstand mit seiner zunehmenden Ausdifferenzierung besser adressiert werden kann.
Metagenomic Insights into the Evolution, Function, and Complexity of the Planktonic Microbial Community of Lake Lanier, a Temperate Freshwater Ecosystem

ABSTRACT Lake Lanier is an important freshwater lake for the southeast United States, as it represents the main source of drinking water for the Atlanta metropolitan area and is popular for recreational activities. Temperate freshwater lakes such as Lake Lanier are underrepresented among the growing number of environmental metagenomic data sets, and little is known about how functional gene content in freshwater communities relates to that of other ecosystems. To better characterize the gene content and variability of this freshwater planktonic microbial community, we sequenced several samples obtained around a strong summer storm event and during the fall water mixing using a random whole-genome shotgun (WGS) approach. Comparative metagenomics revealed that the gene content was relatively stable over time and more related to that of another freshwater lake and the surface ocean than to soil. However, the phylogenetic diversity of Lake Lanier communities was distinct from that of soil and marine communities. We identified several important genomic adaptations that account for these findings, such as the use of potassium (as opposed to sodium) osmoregulators by freshwater organisms and differences in the community average genome size. We show that the lake community is predominantly composed of sequence-discrete populations and describe a simple method to assess community complexity based on population richness and evenness and to determine the sequencing effort required to cover diversity in a sample. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the genetic diversity and metabolic potential of a temperate planktonic freshwater community and advances approaches for comparative metagenomics.
Nucleus prepositus hypoglossi lesions produce a unique ocular motor syndrome

Objective: To describe the ocular motor abnormalities in 9 patients with a lesion involving the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi (NPH), a key constituent of a vestibular-cerebellar-brainstem neural network that ensures that the eyes are held steady in all positions of gaze. Methods: We recorded eye movements, including the vestibulo-ocular reflex during head impulses, in patients with vertigo and a lesion involving the NPH. Results: Our patients showed an ipsilesional-beating spontaneous nystagmus, horizontal gaze-evoked nystagmus more intense on looking toward the ipsilesional side, impaired pursuit more to the ipsilesional side, central patterns of head-shaking nystagmus, contralateral eye deviation, and decreased vestibulo-ocular reflex gain during contralesionally directed head impulses. Conclusions: We attribute these findings to an imbalance in the NPH–inferior olive–flocculus–vestibular nucleus loop, and the ocular motor abnormalities provide a new brainstem localization for patients with acute vertigo.
Vascular stiffness and endothelial dysfunction: Correlations at different levels of blood pressure

Abstract Resistant hypertensive (RHTN) patients have endothelial dysfunction and aldosterone excess, which contribute to the development of resistance to antihypertensive treatment and cardiovascular complications. Biophysical forces within the arterial wall provide functional regulation of arterial stiffness. Carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and flow-mediated brachial artery dilation (FMD) can be used to evaluate vascular stiffness and endothelial function. Although both techniques have been used in several studies in hypertensive patients, it is unknown whether endothelial dysfunction is also associated with vascular stiffness in RHTN patients. Methods. One hundred and ninety-three consecutive subjects were divided in three groups: 44 RHTN, 35 well-controlled hypertensive patients (HTN) and 25 normal healthy volunteers (NT). FMD was measured by high-resolution ultrasound and PWV was calculated from measurements of the pulse transit time and the distance traveled by the pulse between carotid and femoral arteries. Results. No significant differences were observed in respect to body mass index, age or other biochemical variables among the three groups. FMD (NO-dependent) values were statistically different when comparing RHTN and well controlled HTN patients (respectively, 8.3 ± 4.7% and 10.1 ± 5.9%) and 12.3 ± 6.3% in normal subjects (p < 0.05). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference in BP-adjusted PWV between RHTN and HTN (13.9 ± 1.0 and 11.5 ± 1.1 m/s, respectively; p < 0.05). FMD (NO-dependent) and PWV-adjusted values were strongly correlated in well-controlled HTN and NT subjects (r = − 0.74 and − 0.83, respectively). Although statistically significant, this correlation was lower in RHTN patients (r = − 0.43). Conclusion. We found a close relationship among high BP levels, endothelial dysfunction and vascular rigidity in hypertensive patients, demonstrated by a significantly higher increase in carotid–femoral PWV and a decrease in brachial artery FMD in RHTN when compared with well-controlled hypertensive patients. Although this study was not designed to test the prognostic, the vascular damage differences observed between patients with controlled vs uncontrolled hypertension suggest that the latter group may have a worse cardiovascular prognosis, requiring prospective assessment tests.
A novel multi‐kinase inhibitor pazopanib suppresses growth of synovial sarcoma cells through inhibition of the PI3K‐AKT pathway

Synovial sarcoma is an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma with only a modest response to conventional cytotoxic agents. In the present study, we evaluated the potential antitumor effects of a novel anti‐angiogenesis agent, pazopanib, against synovial sarcoma cells. We found that pazopanib directly inhibited the growth of synovial sarcoma cells by inducing G1 arrest. Multiplex analyses revealed that the PI3K‐AKT pathway was highly suppressed in pazopanib‐sensitive synovial sarcoma cells. Furthermore, administration of pazopanib highly suppressed the tumor growth in a xenograft model. Taken together, these results suggest pazopanib as a possible agent against synovial sarcoma and may warrant further clinical studies. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1493–1498, 2012
Why patients leave psychotherapy.

Introduction Psychotherapy is assumed to be the treatment of choice for most psychiatric outpatients; yet the demand for it far exceeds the supply of psychotherapists. Neither the upsurge of new pharmacological agents, whose chief value in outpatient work seems to be to facilitate psychotherapy, 1 nor expanded training programs can bridge this gap in the foreseeable future. For this very practical reason, as well as for many theoretical ones, every effort must be made to deepen our understanding of the processes of psychotherapy so as to increase the efficiency of current psychotherapeutic procedures and perhaps discover more effective ones. In order to do this, a valid appraisal of current procedures is a prerequisite. Since the response to psychotherapy depends on the interaction of a particular person with a particular situation, this appraisal can be approached from two directions. One, which has received the most attention, is to describe the attributes
Subthreshold Behavior Models for Nanoscale Short-Channel Junctionless Cylindrical Surrounding-Gate MOSFETs

With the exact solution of the 2-D Poisson's equation in cylindrical coordinates, analytical subthreshold behavior models for junctionless cylindrical surrounding-gate (JLCSG) MOSFETs are developed. Using these analytical models, subthreshold characteristics of JLCSG MOSFETs are investigated in terms of channel electrostatic potential distribution, subthreshold current, and subthreshold slope (SS). It is shown that the electrostatic potential distribution, subthreshold current, and SS predicted by the analytical models are in close agreement with 3-D numerical simulation results without the need of any fitting parameters. These analytical models not only provide useful physical insight into the subthreshold behaviors, but also offer basic design guideline for the nanoscale JLCSG MOSFETs.
Sexual Problems Predict PTSD and Depression Symptom Change Among Male OEF/OIF Veterans Completing Exposure Therapy

Objective: A growing literature documents frequent sexual problems among Operations Enduring/Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, there has been no examination of how (1) sexual problems may be affected by evidenced-based psychotherapy for PTSD or (2) how the presence of sexual problems might impact effectiveness of evidenced-based psychotherapy for PTSD. As such, the present study investigated associations among symptoms of PTSD, depression, and problems with sexual desire and arousal among 45 male OEF/OIF veterans receiving behavioral activation and therapeutic exposure (BA-TE), an evidence-based behavior therapy targeting co-occurring symptoms of PTSD and depression. Method: Participants completed clinical interviews and several questionnaires including measures of sexual arousal, sexual desire, PTSD symptoms, and depression symptoms at baseline and after completion of 8 sessions of BA-TE treatment. A records review was also conducted to assess for relevant medication use. Results: Overall, sexual desire and sexual arousal problems did not improve during the course of treatment. Moreover, veterans with co-occurring sexual problems at baseline evidenced significantly less improvement in symptoms of PTSD and depression across treatment as compared to veterans without sexual problems. Conclusions: These findings suggest that veterans with co-occurring symptoms of PTSD and sexual problems may require additional assessment and treatment considerations in order to improve their treatment outcomes for both primary psychiatric symptoms as well as sexual problems. Future research on combination treatments of medication for sexual problems and psychotherapy for PTSD is needed.
A high-frequency polymorphism in exon 6 of the CD45 tyrosine phosphatase gene (PTPRC) resulting in altered isoform expression

CD45 (leukocyte common) antigen is a hemopoietic cell-specific tyrosine phosphatase essential for antigen receptor-mediated signaling in lymphocytes. The molecule undergoes complex alternative splicing in the extracellular domain, and different patterns of CD45 splicing are associated with distinct functions. Lack of CD45 leads to severe combined immunodeficiency, and alterations of CD45 splicing, because of a polymorphism in exon 4, have been associated with altered immune function. Here we describe a polymorphism in exon 6 (A138G) of the gene encoding CD45 that interferes with alternative splicing. The polymorphism results in an amino acid substitution of Thr-47 to Ala in exon 6, a potential O- and N-linked glycosylation site. This exon 6 A138G variant is present at a frequency of 23.7% in the Japanese population but is absent in Caucasoids. Peripheral blood T cells from individuals carrying the A138G variant show a significant decrease in the proportion of cells expressing the A, B, and C CD45 isoforms and a high frequency of CD45R0+ cells. These phenotypic alterations in the A138G carriers may lead to changes in ligand binding, homodimerization of CD45, and altered immune responses, suggesting the involvement of natural selection in controlling the A138G carrier frequency.
High-Precision Trace-Element Characterization of Major Mesoamerican Obsidian Sources and Further Analyses of Artifacts from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Mexico

High-precision trace-element analyses for 208 geological samples representing 25 mesoamerican obsidian sources were obtained using instrumental neutron-activation analysis to measure a total of 28 elements per sample. These are the first detailed chemical studies ever published for many of the source areas. Especially intensive analyses were made for six sources in the states of Veracruz and Puebla in Mexico from the region of Pico de Orizaba volcano. In addition, source determinations are provided for 65 artifacts from the Olmec site of San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, Veracruz. The investigations presented here constitute an important basis for associating obsidian artifacts with specific sources, thereby making possible the reconstruction of Prehispanic trade system.
Compensatory Point Mutations in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Gag Region That Are Distal from Deletion Mutations in the Dimerization Initiation Site Can Restore Viral Replication

ABSTRACT The dimerization initiation site (DIS), downstream of the long terminal repeat within the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genome, can form a stem-loop structure (SL1) that has been shown to be involved in the packaging of viral RNA. In order to further determine the role of this region in the virus life cycle, we deleted the 16 nucleotides (nt) at positions +238 to +253 within SL1 to generate a construct termed BH10-LD3 and showed that this virus was impaired in viral RNA packaging, viral gene expression, and viral replication. Long-term culture of these mutated viruses in MT-2 cells, i.e., 18 passages, yielded revertant viruses that possessed infectivities similar to that of the wild type. Cloning and sequencing showed that these viruses retained the original 16-nt deletion but possessed two additional point mutations, which were located within the p2 and NC regions of the Gag coding region, respectively, and which were therefore named MP2 and MNC. Site-directed mutagenesis studies revealed that both of these point mutations were necessary to compensate for the 16-nt deletion in BH10-LD3. A construct with both the 16-nt deletion and the MP2 mutation, i.e., LD3-MP2, produced approximately five times more viral protein than BH10-LD3, while the MNC mutation, i.e., construct LD3-MNC, reversed the defects in viral RNA packaging. We also deleted nt +261 to +274 within the 3′ end of SL1 and showed that the diminished infectivity of the mutated virus, termed BH10-LD4, could also be restored by the MP2 and MNC point mutations. Therefore, compensatory mutations within the p2 and NC proteins, distal from deletions within the DIS region of the HIV genome, can restore HIV replication, viral gene expression, and viral RNA packaging to control levels.
Short course of zidovudine cuts transmission of HIV

The rates at which HIV is transmitted from infected mothers to their infants can be halved by a treatment regimen that is shorter and less expensive than the accepted standard of care, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States announced last week. The finding is particularly relevant to developing countries, where 90% of new HIV infections are estimated to occur. The World Health Organisation estimates that over the next five years 5-10 million children will contract HIV perinatally: most of them will be in the developing world. For four years the antiretroviral drug zidovudine has been known to reduce perinatal transmission of HIV. In 1994 the AIDS Clinical Trials Group 076 showed that a treatment regimen of zidovudine reduced perinatal HIV transmission by up to 70%. Under the 076 regimen, a pregnant woman with HIV infection begins taking zidovudine at 24 weeks of pregnancy and continues to take it throughout the rest of her pregnancy. She receives an intravenous dose of zidovudine during labour, and the newborn baby is also given zidovudine. This has now become standard care …
Measurement of multivariable frequency response functions in the presence of nonlinear distortions-some practical aspects

The aim of this paper is the design of optimal multi-input periodic excitations (i.e., sets of multisines) that allow accurate calculation of a nonparametric multivariable frequency response function (MFRF) of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system in the presence of nonlinear distortions. Due to the presence of nonlinear distortions, it is essential that the different experiments necessary to determine the MFRF are performed at the same operating point/region. It will be shown that, in order to reduce the noise on the measured MFRF, one has to consider the class of excitation signals for which the matrix formed by the input Fourier vectors used in the different experiments has a condition number close to one for all the considered frequencies (modified E-optimality). Within this selected class of excitations with condition number close to one, the uncertainty on the measured MFRFs can further be minimized by maximizing the determinant of the Fisher information matrix. This is achieved by using crest factor optimized excitation signals. The theoretical results are experimentally verified in the field of electric machinery using a synchronous machine. Finally, a precompensation technique is proposed that further improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the measurements.
Lexical‐semantic retention and speech production:further evidence from normal and brain‐damaged participants for a phrasal scope of planning

The present study investigated the scope of planning in speech production by examining onset latencies for sentences describing moving picture displays. The experimental sentences began with either a simple or complex noun phrase, but were matched in length and content words. Results from young and old normal participants replicated previous findings of Smith and Wheeldon (1999) in showing longer onset latencies for sentences beginning with a complex noun phrase, supporting a phrasal scope of planning. Two aphasic patients were tested who, in previous studies, had shown a short‐term memory deficit either in semantic retention (patient ML)or in phonological retention (patient EA). Patient ML showed a markedly greater disadvantage for the sentences beginning with a complex noun phrase whereas EAshowed an effect within normal range. The present results from the patients, together with those from previous studies, indicate that the phrasal planning is occurring at a lexical‐semantic level using a capacity that is also involved in comprehension.
Ziprasidone in Black Patients with Schizophrenia: Analysis of Four Short-term, Double-blind Studies

ABSTRACT Objective: To better understand the efficacy and tolerability of atypical antipsychotics among racial groups, we reviewed data from four short-term (4–6 weeks), fixed-dose, placebo-controlled trials of ziprasidone for black, white, and overall populations of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Efficacy of ziprasidone in the black, white, and overall schizophrenic populations was compared to placebo using standard efficacy measures (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS] total, PANSS negative, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale [BPRS], Clinical Global Impression-Severity [CGI-S], CGI-Improvement [CGI-I]). Results: Black patients receiving ziprasidone demonstrated statistically significant improvements from baseline in PANSS total, PANSS negative, and BPRS, and improvements in CGI-S and CGI-I (n=99–149) compared with placebo (n=41–66); improvements were comparable to those observed in the overall population (n=451–639) and the white population (n=310–430). Interaction effect (treatment by race) was not significant for any efficacy variables. Ziprasidone was well-tolerated among black patients (n=175). Adjusted mean (least squares mean) overall weight gain in black patients receiving ziprasidone (n=124) was 1.8 kg. There were no increases in total cholesterol, triglycerides, or random glucose in the black population. Conclusion: Ziprasidone has similar efficacy and safety in black patients with schizophrenia compared with patients in the white and overall populations.
Do social insects support Haig's kin theory for the evolution of genomic imprinting?

ABSTRACT Although numerous imprinted genes have been described in several lineages, the phenomenon of genomic imprinting presents a peculiar evolutionary problem. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain gene imprinting, the most supported being Haig's kinship theory. This theory explains the observed pattern of imprinting and the resulting phenotypes as a competition for resources between related individuals, but despite its relevance it has not been independently tested. Haig's theory predicts that gene imprinting should be present in eusocial insects in many social scenarios. These lineages are therefore ideal for testing both the theory's predictions and the mechanism of gene imprinting. Here we review the behavioral evidence of genomic imprinting in eusocial insects, the evidence of a mechanism for genomic imprinting and finally we evaluate recent results showing parent of origin allele specific expression in honeybees in the light of Haig's theory.
Usage and Longitudinal Effectiveness of a Web-Based Self-Help Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Panic Disorder

Background Anxiety disorders are common problems that result in enormous suffering and economic costs. The efficacy of Web-based self-help approaches for anxiety disorders has been demonstrated in a number of controlled trials. However, there is little data regarding the patterns of use and effectiveness of freely available Web-based interventions outside the context of controlled trials. Objective To examine the use and longitudinal effectiveness of a freely available, 12-session, Web-based, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for panic disorder and agoraphobia. Methods Cumulative anonymous data were analyzed from 99695 users of the Panic Center. Usage statistics for the website were examined and a longitudinal survey of self-reported symptoms for people who registered for the CBT program was conducted. The primary outcome measures were self-reported panic-attack frequency and severity at the beginning of each session (sessions 2-12). Results Between September 1, 2002 and February 1, 2004, there were 484695 visits and 1148097 page views from 99695 users to the Panic Center. In that same time period, 1161 users registered for the CBT program. There was an extremely high attrition rate with only 12 (1.03%) out of 1161 of registered users completing the 12-week program. However, even for those who remained in the program less than 12 weeks we found statistically significant reductions (P<.002) in self-reported panic attack frequency and severity, comparing 2 weeks of data against data after 3, 6, or 8 weeks. For example, the 152 users completing only 3 sessions of the program reduced their average number of attacks per day from 1.03 (week 2) to 0.63 (week 3) (P<.001). Conclusions Freely available Web-based self-help will likely be associated with high attrition. However, for the highly self-selected group who stayed in the program, significant improvements were observed.