Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of targeted wage subsidies for hard-to-place workers

Targeted wage subsidies paid to employers are an important element of active labour market policies in Germany. This article uses propensity score matching to investigate their effect on the employment and unemployment rates of subsidized hard-to-place workers. In a first scenario, we estimate the average treatment effect of a subsidy on previously unemployed individuals. A second scenario analyses the effects of a subsidy on employment probabilities conditional on taking-up employment. The third scenario investigates the additional effect of a subsidy on individuals, who have participated in a short-term training measure beforehand. Summing up and in line with the literature, the results show that subsidies have a favourable effect on the employment prospects of participants.
Fine structure of hippocampal mossy fiber synapses following rapid high‐pressure freezing

Synapses of hippocampal neurons play important roles in learning and memory processes and are involved in aberrant hippocampal function in temporal lobe epilepsy. Major neuronal types in the hippocampus as well as their input and output synapses are well known, but it has remained an open question to what extent conventional electron microscopy (EM) has provided us with the real appearance of synaptic fine structure under in vivo conditions. There is reason to assume that conventional aldehyde fixation and dehydration lead to protein denaturation and tissue shrinkage, likely associated with the occurrence of artifacts. However, realistic fine‐structural data of synapses are required for our understanding of the transmission process and for its simulation. Here, we used high‐pressure freezing and cryosubstitution of hippocampal tissue that was not subjected to aldehyde fixation and dehydration in ethanol to monitor the fine structure of an identified synapse in the hippocampal CA3 region, that is, the synapse between granule cell axons, the mossy fibers, and the proximal dendrites of CA3 pyramidal neurons. Our results showed that high‐pressure freezing nicely preserved ultrastructural detail of this particular synapse and allowed us to study rapid structural changes associated with synaptic plasticity.
Demonstration of a dual-depletion-region electroabsorption modulator at 1.55-/spl mu/m wavelength for high-speed and low-driving-voltage performance

We demonstrate a novel structure of electroabsorption modulator (EAM) at a 1.55-/spl mu/m wavelength: the dual-depletion-region EAM. After an n/sup +/ delta-doped layer was inserted into the thick intrinsic region (550 nm) of a tradition p-i-n modulator, the tradeoff between driving-voltage and electrical bandwidth performance can be released effectively. This new structure can also release the burden imposed on downscaling the width or length of high-speed EAM with low driving-voltage performance. The microwave and electrical-to-optical measurement of this novel device with traveling-wave electrodes show very convincing results.
An adaptive clinical test of temporal resolution: Age effects

Abstract Objective: Children with auditory processing disorder, as well as older adults with and without hearing loss, often report difficulty understanding speech in the presence of noise. There is evidence that deficient temporal resolution contributes to this difficulty. The purpose of this study was to establish within-channel (WC) and across-channel (AC) gap detection thresholds (GDTs) for participants ages 7 to 84 years. Design: GDTs were measured using narrow-band noise markers for two conditions of the Adaptive Tests of Temporal Resolution (ATTR): WC and AC. Study Sample: Participants were 29 children (ages 7-12 years) with normal hearing, 30 younger adults (ages 22-41 years) with normal hearing, and 60 older adults (ages 50 to 84 years) with varying hearing sensitivity. Results: GDTs are smallest and least variable for younger adults with normal hearing and are largest and most variable for the youngest children (ages 7-8 years). The GDTs of the other groups fell between those of the younger adults and youngest children. Group differences were more apparent for AC than WC conditions. Conclusions: WC and AC gap detection ability changes across the lifespan. The ATTR is an efficient tool for the assessment of temporal resolution at both ends of the lifespan. Sumario Objetivo: Los niños con trastornos en el procesamiento auditivo, así como los adultos con o sin hipoacusia, frecuentemente reportan dificultades para entender el lenguaje en presencia de ruido. Existe evidencia que las deficiencias en la resolución temporal contribuyen a esta dificultad. El propósito de este estudio fue establecer los umbrales de detección de brechas (GDT) dentro de los canales (WC) y a través de los canales (AC) para los participantes con edades entre 7 y 84 años. Diseño: Los GDT se midieron usando marcadores de ruido de banda estrecha para dos condiciones con la Prueba Adaptativa de Resolución Temporal (ATTR): WC y AC. Muestra: Los participantes fueron 29 niños (edades de 7 a 12 años) con audición normal, 30 adultos jóvenes (edades 22 a 41 años) con audición normal y 60 adultos mayores (edades de 50 a 84 años) con diferentes niveles de audición. Resultados: Los GDT son más pequeños y menos variables en los adultos jóvenes con audición normal, y más grandes y variables para en los niños pequeños (edades 7 a 8 años). Los GDT de los otros grupos se ubicaron entre los de los adultos jóvenes y los niños. Las diferencias grupales fueron más aparentes en la condición AC que en la WC. Conclusiones: La habilidad en la detección de brecha WC y AC cambia durante la vida. El ATTR es una herramienta eficiente para la evaluación de la resolución temporal en ambos extremos de la vida.
Predator avoidance by nauplii

We examined anti-predation strategies in relation to motility patterns for early and late nauplii of 6 species of copepods (Calanus helgolandicus, Centropages typicus, Eurytemora affinis, Euterpina acutifrons, Acartia tonsa and Temora longicornis). Remote detection and escape abilities were quantified in siphon flows. Nauplii respond with distinct escape jumps at species- and stage-specific average fluid deformation rates between 0.5 and 4.2 s(-1), and escape with average velocities corresponding to similar to60 to 130 body lengths s(-1). Most of the species and stages orient their escape jumps upwards and also away from the flow, and are thus able to assess direction of flow. Sensitivity to hydrodynamic signals is tightly linked to the general motility pattern. Hydrodynamically conspicuous nauplii that move in a jump-sink pattern are more effective at remotely detecting predators than are continuous swimmers of similar size. We assessed the effects of different motility strategies in terms of detectability and volume encounter with copepod predators by means of simple hydrodynamic models. While jump-sink type nauplii may be at an advantage over swimmers in interactions with sinking and attacking ambush predators, models suggest no immediate relative benefit in terms of escaping flows of filtering copepods. We discuss these predictions in relation to copepod feeding rates.
Influence of priming agents on the short-term bond strength of an indirect composite veneering material to zirconium dioxide ceramic.

OBJECTIVE Indirect composites are promising alternatives as veneering materials for zirconium dioxide (zirconia) ceramic frameworks. This study evaluated the effects of priming agents and a high-flow bonding agent on the short-term bond of an indirect composite material to a zirconia framework material. METHOD AND MATERIALS Indirect composite (Estenia C and B) was bonded to particle-abraded zirconia samples (Katana, n = 144) using no (control) or 1 of 8 priming agents: All Bond 2 Primer B (ABB), Alloy Primer (ALP), Clearfil Ceramic Primer (CCP), Clearfil Photo Bond (CPB), Clearfil Photo Bond with Clearfil Porcelain Bond Activator (CPB+Activator), Estenia Opaque Primer (EOP), Porcelain Liner M Liquid A (PLA), and V-Primer (VPR) with or without a high-flow bonding agent (Estenia C and B Opaque). Shear bond strength was tested after 24-hour wet storage. Data were analyzed with Levene test for equality of variance, Dunnett T3 multiple comparison, and Mann-Whitney U test (P = .05). RESULTS Mean bond strengths without the high-flow bonding agent application varied from 0.1 to 13.6 MPa, whereas bond strengths with bonding agent application ranged from 0.1 to 24.2 MPa. CPB+Activator (containing phosphate MDP and silane) and CPB (containing MDP) revealed the significantly highest bond strength among the 9 groups without high-flow bonding agent application (P < .05). Application of the high-flow bonding agent significantly increased bond strengths (P < .001). CONCLUSION Primers containing either the functional phosphate monomer MDP or an MDP-silane combination provide superior resin bonds of Estenia C and B composite to Katana zirconia. An intermediate high-flow bonding agent further improves the bond between these materials.
CD4 Coexpression Regulates DC-SIGN-Mediated Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

ABSTRACT Dendritic cells (DCs) potently stimulate the cell-cell transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). However, the mechanisms that underlie DC transmission of HIV-1 to CD4+ T cells are not fully understood. DC-SIGN, a C-type lectin, efficiently promotes HIV-1 trans infection. DC-SIGN is expressed in monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs), macrophage subsets, activated B lymphocytes, and various mucosal tissues. MDDC-mediated HIV-1 transmission to CD4+ T cells involves DC-SIGN-dependent and -independent mechanisms. DC-SIGN transmission of HIV-1 depends on the donor cell type. HIV-1 Nef can upregulate DC-SIGN expression and promote DC-T-cell clustering and HIV-1 spread. Nef also downregulates CD4 expression; however, the effect of the CD4 downmodulation on DC-mediated HIV-1 transmission has not been examined. Here, we report that CD4 expression levels correlate with inefficient HIV-1 transmission by monocytic cells expressing DC-SIGN. Expression of CD4 on Raji B cells strongly impaired DC-SIGN-mediated HIV-1 transmission to T cells. By contrast, enhanced HIV-1 transmission was observed when CD4 molecules on MDDCs and DC-SIGN-CD4-expressing cell lines were blocked with specific antibodies. Coexpression of CD4 and DC-SIGN in Raji cells promoted the internalization and intracellular retention of HIV-1. Interestingly, internalized HIV-1 particles were sorted and confined to late endosomal compartments that were positive for CD63 and CD81. Furthermore, in HIV-1-infected MDDCs, significant downregulation of CD4 by Nef expression correlated with enhanced viral transmission. These results suggest that CD4, which is present at various levels in DC-SIGN-positive primary cells, is a key regulator of HIV-1 transmission.
The Dubbelman eye model analysed by ray tracing through aspheric surfaces

Dubbelman and co‐workers have determined intraocular spacings and surface shapes in living eyes by means of corrected Scheimpflug images in a large number of subjects of different age at several levels of accommodation. They give relationships for key anterior segment parameters as a function of age and level of accommodation. These are used in this paper to build a schematic eye incorporating aspheric surfaces. This eye model is analysed by means of ray tracing with a technique developed for use with a common spreadsheet computer program. The Dubbelman eye model appears to be well corrected for spherical aberration. Compared with measurements on real eyes it agrees well in general, but spherical aberration is negative, while in real eyes it tends to be positive.
The vagina dialogues: genital self-image and communication with physicians about sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction among Jewish patients in a women's health clinic in southern Israel.

INTRODUCTION The health-care system offers a variety of solutions for problems related to sexual dysfunction. To gain access to treatment options, women must be willing to discuss these issues with their physicians. AIM To examine the extent to which women discuss issues of sexual dysfunction with their physicians and to examine the contribution of aspects of sexual dysfunction, level of satisfaction, body image, and genital self-image to their comfort with communicating with physicians about these issues. METHODS One hundred ten secular-appearing, Hebrew-speaking Jewish women waiting for a routine gynecological appointment at a clinic in southern Israel responded to a self-report questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The Female Sexuality Function Index was used to assess sexual dysfunction, Gray's Modified Questionnaire to assess body image, and the Genital Self-Image Scale to assess genital self-image. We compiled a new measure to assess level of comfort in discussing sexual functioning and satisfaction with a physician. RESULTS Forty-four percent of the women had discussed sexual functioning issues with a gynecologist. Of those, 91.7% reported that the gynecologist initiated the discussion. The proportion of participants who would consult a gynecologist about sexual dysfunction was 74.5%, but only 41% would consult a family physician. Half of the women would expect a gynecologist to initiate such consultations, but only 20% would expect a family physician to do so. In a multivariate regression analysis, genital self-image was the only significant predictor of women's comfort level with discussing sexual dysfunction with a gynecologist. CONCLUSIONS The respondents perceived the gynecologist, rather than the family physician, as an appropriate professional to consult regarding sexual dysfunction. However, they expected the gynecologist to initiate the discussion. Women with a positive genital self-image are more comfortable in consulting about sexual dysfunction. Gynecologists should be made aware of their significant role in eliciting women's cooperation in such consultations and in contributing to improving women's genital perception.
Molecular cloning of a gene involved in glucose sensing in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae display a wide range of glucose‐induced regulatory phenomena, including glucose‐induced activation of the RAS‐adenylate cyclase pathway and phosphatidylinositol turnover, rapid post‐translational effects on the activity of different enzymes as well as long‐term effects at the transcriptional level. A gene called GGS1 (for General Glucose Sensor) that is apparently required for the glucose‐induced regulatory effects and several ggs1 alleles (fdp1, byp1 and cif1) has been cloned and characterized. A GGS1 homologue is present in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum. Yeast ggs1 mutants are unable to grow on glucose or related readily fermentable sugars, apparently owing to unrestricted influx of sugar into glycolysis, resulting in its rapid deregulation. Levels of intracellular free glucose and metabolites measured over a period of a few minutes after addition of glucose to cells of a ggsi1Δ strain are consistent with our previous suggestion of a functional interaction between a sugar transporter, a sugar kinase and the GGS1 gene product. Such a glucose‐sensing system might both restrict the influx of glucose and activate several signal transduction pathways, leading to the wide range of glucose‐induced regulatory phenomena. Deregulation of these pathways in ggs1 mutants might explain phenotypic defects observed in the absence of glucose, e.g. the inability of ggs1 diploids to sporulate.
Characterization of nanocomposite coatings on textiles : a brief review on Microscopic technology

Mazeyar Parvinzadeh Gashti , Farbod Alimohammadi, Guowen Song, Amir Kiumarsi 1 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 3, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland 2 Young Researchers Club, Textile Department, Islamic Azad UniversitySouth Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran 3 Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta, Canada 4 Department of Organic Colorants, Institute for Color Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
Continuous loading of cold atoms into a Ioffe–Pritchard magnetic trap

We present a robust continuous optical loading scheme for a Ioffe–Pritchard (IP) type magnetic trap (MT). Chromium atoms are cooled and trapped in a modified magneto-optical trap (MOT) consisting of a conventional 2D-MOT in the radial direction and an axial molasses. The MOT and IP trap share the same magnetic field configuration. Continuous loading of atoms into the IP trap is provided by radiative leakage from the MOT to a metastable level which is magnetically trapped and decoupled from the MOT light. We are able to accumulate 30 times more atoms in the MT than in the MOT. The absolute number of 2 × 10 8 atoms is limited by inelastic collisions. A model based on rate equations shows good agreement with the data. Our scheme can also be applied to other atoms with similar level structure like alkaline earth metals.
Optimal dosage regimen of meropenem for pediatric patients based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic considerations.

A population pharmacokinetic (PK) model for meropenem in Japanese pediatric patients with various infectious diseases was developed based on 116 plasma concentrations from 50 pediatric patients. The population PK parameters developed in this analysis are useful for calculation of the percent time above minimum inhibitory concentration (%T>MIC) and for optimal dosing of meropenem in pediatric patients. After dosing at 20 mg/kg t.i. d. by 0.5-h infusion (approved standard dose for pediatric patients in Japan), the target value of 50%T>MIC was achieved, indicating that 20 mg/kg t.i. d. by 0.5-h infusion is effective for susceptible bacteria. In contrast, for bacteria with higher MICs such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC ≥ 2 µg/mL), the probability of target attainment of 50%T>MIC was 60.7% at a dose of 40 mg/kg t.i. d. by 0.5-h infusion (highest dose approved for pediatric patients in Japan). The simulations described in this article indicated that 40 mg/kg t.i. d. with a longer infusion duration (e.g., 4 h) is more effective against bacteria with a MIC higher than 2 µg/mL. The predicted probability of target attainment for 50%T>MIC (97.0%) was well correlated not only to the microbiological efficacy rate (97.0%) but also to the clinical efficacy rate (95.9%) in the present phase 3 study.
Plasma MicroRNA-21 Concentration May Be a Useful Biomarker in Glioblastoma Patients

Background: MicroRNAs are proposed as plasma biomarkers in cancer. Glioblastoma is the most frequent primary brain tumor of adults. MicroRNA-21 was shown to induce glioblastoma growth. Aims: To evaluate the circulating microRNA-21 in glioblastoma patients. Methods: MicroRNA-21 copies in glioblastoma plasma (n = 10, before surgery and during/after concomitant chemoradiotherapy), control plasma (n = 10), and tissue samples were analyzed using RT-qPCR. Results: MicroRNA-21 in glioblastoma was significantly higher than controls (p = .02) and decreased significantly in 9 patients (p = .05). One patient with increasing microRNA-21 developed a histopathologically proven recurrence after the second sample collection. Discussion: Circulating microRNA-21 might be a useful biomarker in glioblastoma.
Circulating cell-free DNA in hemodialysis patients predicts mortality.

BACKGROUND Circulating cell-free DNA (CFD) appears following cell damage and DNA release, and increases in hemodialysis (HD) patients particularly following HD. We hypothesized that CFD is an integrative marker of tissue damage and can be an independent predictor for all-cause mortality in HD patients. METHODS In a prospective study, CFD levels before and after HD were evaluated in 31 chronic HD patients with no acute disease, using the reported rapid non-cumbersome inexpensive fluorometric assay developed in our laboratory. Follow-up levels were assessed at 18 months in 22 patients. All-cause mortality was a primary endpoint. RESULTS During 42 months of follow-up, 13 of the 31 (41.9%) patients died. The decedents were older than the survivors (mean age 69.9 versus 61.5 years, P = 0.06), but did not differ in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) duration, gender, albumin and hemoglobin, diabetes mellitus and weight. Post-dialysis CFD levels were significantly lower in survivors (median 688 versus 880 ng/mL, P = 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of CFD levels of 850 ng/mL to predict 42 months (3.5 years) mortality were 73 and 75%, respectively, and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve was 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-0.94]. The Cox proportional hazard regression model showed that CFD higher than 850 ng/mL adjusted for age, ESRD duration, weight and creatinine (stepwise model) was highly predictive of all-cause death with a hazard ratio of 8.0 (95% CI 2.3-28.5, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Post-dialysis CFD level is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in patients undergoing HD. We propose that CFD detection is an inexpensive applicable tool for identifying patients at risk and their follow-up.
Indirect Videolaryngoscopy versus Direct Endoscopy for Larynx and Pharynx Cancer Staging

Thirty-nine patients with cancer of the larynx and pharynx (33 untreated and six previously treated patients) underwent tumor mapping by both direct laryngoscopy (DL) and indirect videolaryngoscopy (IVL). The examiner in each case was unaware of the findings of the other evaluation method. After definitive treatment had been carried out so that pathologic and operative information was also available, comparisons of the accuracies of the two methods of staging were made. In 32 cases, IVL provided information equal to or better than that provided by DL, and a tissue sample also could be obtained during IVL. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that aggressive, office-based IVL can guide initial treatment planning (partial or total laryngectomy versus irradiation) and patient counseling. A confirmatory DL can be performed without surprises at the time of definitive surgery, rather than as a separate procedure — A cost-effective modification of standard practice.
Hyaluronidase as an Adjuvant in Bupivacaine-Lidocaine Mixture for Retrobulbar/Peribulbar Block

Hyaluronidase 7.5 IU/mL added to the local anesthetic improves peribulbar block, but smaller concentrations have not been shown to be effective. In this prospective, double-blinded study, 714 consecutive ocular surgery patients were randomized into three groups: no hyaluronidase (n = 241), hyaluronidase 3.75 IU/mL (n = 244), and hyaluronidase 7.5 IU/mL (n = 229). Retrobulbar/peribulbar block was performed with two injections of a 1:1 mixture of bupivacaine 0.75% and lidocaine 2%, 6–8 mL. Patient data were collected on demographics, initial volume of local anesthetic, need for supplementary block, and akinesia of the anesthetized eye. When hyaluronidase was used (3.75 or 7.5 IU/mL), the initial block was sufficient and the anesthetized eye was akinetic significantly more often than in the group without hyaluronidase. The hyaluronidase groups (3.75 and 7.5 IU/mL) did not differ significantly in any respect. We conclude that the addition of hyaluronidase 3.75 or 7.5 IU/mL improved the success of the initial retrobulbar/peribulbar block and akinesia and reduced the need for supplementary block. Implications We conclude that the addition of hyaluronidase 3.75 or 7.5 IU/mL improved the success of the initial retrobulbar/peribulbar block and akinesia and reduced the need for supplementary block.