Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Living Victims of Strangulation: A 10-Year Review of Cases in a Metropolitan Community

The prevalence of reported domestic violence or intimate partner violence has greatly increased, with approximately 1.5 million women violently assaulted annually in the United States by an intimate partner. Strangulation is often seen in violence against women, including domestic violence cases. Strangulation is defined as "a form of asphyxia characterized by closure of the blood vessels or air passages of the neck as a result of external pressure on the neck. " This is a 10-year case review of 102 living victims of strangulation who underwent medicolegal evaluation at the Clinical Forensic Medicine Program at a State Medical Examiner's Office serving Southern Indiana and all of Kentucky. The majority of victims (79%) were strangled by an intimate partner, and manual strangulation was the most common method (83%). A total of 38 victims (38%) described a history of domestic violence, and the same number lost consciousness while being strangled. Nine (9%) women were pregnant at the time of the attack, while 13 (13%) had a history of being sexually abused in addition to being strangled. A paucity of cases involved only strangulation, as most of the victims were subjected to myriad forms of blunt force trauma which included not only the head and neck but also other bodily regions. This is a unique presentation of strangulation of living persons as most evidence of strangulation in the forensic literature has been derived from postmortem examinations of the victims. This comprehensive study discussing the examination of a living strangulation victim offers valuable insight into the mechanism and the physical findings involved in the strangulation process.
A Choice of a New Funding Formula

This report examines the fiscal neutrality of three funding formulas that have been proposed to replace of the current funding formula for Oklahoma’s common schools in an attempt to have greater equity in the distribution of funds to the various districts. Using data from SY-03 to SY07, calculations of state aid for the 540districts and fiscal neutrality were made for the three proposed formulas and the current funding formula excluding transportation dollars in all scenarios based on the actual tax collections for each district and repeated calculations based upon the potential of each formula. The results indicated that while one formula consistently outperformed the other formulas, there was not an important difference in the ability of any of the formulas. A Choice of Funding 3
Determinants of Ambulation in Children With Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Population-Based Study

The objective of this study was to identify factors that predict ambulation in spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. A 4-year registry-based birth cohort was searched for patients with a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. All patients were then divided in 2 groups: (a) Gross Motor Function Classification System level ≤III (ambulant group) and (b) Gross Motor Function Classification System level ≥IV (nonambulant group). Clinical features were then compared between the 2 groups. A total of 85 children with a diagnosis of spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy were identified. Of these, 65 and 20 were classified in the ‘‘nonambulant’’ and ‘‘ambulant’’ groups, respectively. The presence of seizures in the first 24 or 72 hours of life and the administration of antibiotics during pregnancy/delivery were all associated with an eventual inability to achieve ambulation. A gestational age ≤27 weeks, birth weight <1000 g, Caucasian mother, and the presence of hyperbilirubinemia were significantly linked with independent ambulation.
World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Guidelines for Biological Treatment of Schizophrenia, Part 1: Update 2012 on the acute treatment of schizophrenia and the management of treatment resistance

Abstract These updated guidelines are based on a first edition of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry Guidelines for Biological Treatment of Schizophrenia published in 2005. For this 2012 revision, all available publications pertaining to the biological treatment of schizophrenia were reviewed systematically to allow for an evidence-based update. These guidelines provide evidence-based practice recommendations that are clinically and scientifically meaningful and these guidelines are intended to be used by all physicians diagnosing and treating people suffering from schizophrenia. Based on the first version of these guidelines, a systematic review of the MEDLINE/PUBMED database and the Cochrane Library, in addition to data extraction from national treatment guidelines, has been performed for this update. The identified literature was evaluated with respect to the strength of evidence for its efficacy and then categorised into six levels of evidence (A–F; Bandelow et al. 2008b, World J Biol Psychiatry 9:242). This first part of the updated guidelines covers the general descriptions of antipsychotics and their side effects, the biological treatment of acute schizophrenia and the management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Dermal Versus Total Uptake of Benzene from Mineral Spirits Solvent During Parts Washing

Quantitative approaches to assessing exposure to, and associated risk from, benzene in mineral spirits solvent (MSS), used widely in parts washing and degreasing operations, have focused primarily on the respiratory pathway. The dermal contribution to total benzene uptake from such operations remains uncertain because measuring in vivo experimental dermal uptake of this volatile human carcinogen is difficult. Unprotected dermal uptake involves simultaneous sustained immersion events and transient splash/wipe events, each yielding residues subject to evaporation as well as dermal uptake. A two‐process dermal exposure framework to assess dermal uptake to normal and damaged skin was applied to estimate potential daily dermal benzene dose (Dskin) to workers who used historical or current formulations of recycled MSS in manual parts washers. Measures of evaporation and absorption of MSS dermally applied to human subjects were modeled to estimate in vivo dermal uptake of benzene in MSS. Uncertainty and interindividual variability in Dskin was characterized by Monte Carlo simulation, conditioned on uncertainty and/or variability estimated for each model input. Dermal exposures are estimated to average 33% of total (inhalation + dermal) benzene parts washing dose, with approximately equal predicted portions of dermal dose due to splash/wipe and to continuous contact with MSS. The estimated median (95th percentile) dermal and total daily benzene doses from parts washing are: 0.0069 (0.024) and 0.025 (0.18) mg/day using current, and 0.027 (0.085) and 0.098 (0.69) mg/day using historical, MSS solvents, respectively.
Actors and Factors in European Foreign Policy Making: Insights from the Mediterranean Case

This paper analyses the formulation of the two main European foreign policy initiatives towards the Mediterranean, in the early 1970s and in the early 1990s. It examines the actors (t he policy entrepreneurs) and structural conditions (the policy windows) that facilitate the adoption of a common initiative. It suggests that the most effective policy entrepreneurship have been provided by a single member state, motivated by a recent reorientation of its national foreign policy. In the early 1970s, the policy entrepreneur in question was France, while in the early 1990s it was Spain. The policy window that made their action possible and likely is represented by a worsening of European perceptions of challenges originating from the Mediterranean. What matters most is the understanding by policy-makers and public opinion of Mediterranean affairs, rather than effective material changes occurring in the region. The worsening security perceptions lead member states’ governments to discuss how to interpret the phenomena and how to respond to it. The activity of the policy entrepreneur feeds the debate and stimulates the definition of a common European interest in the Mediterranean, until a decision is taken.
Quality management in a healthcare organisation: a case of South Indian hospital

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide an analysis of quality management using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria (MBNQA) criteria in a 300‐bed hospital in South India.Design/methodology/approach – Based on Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) criteria in‐depth interviews are conducted with the heads of the departments in the case hospital. Data is analysed and compared with the MBNQA points to evaluate the performance of the hospital in all the seven criteria's of MBNQA.Findings – The paper presents the strengths and opportunities for improvement through MBNQA criteria. The total points scored are 753 out of 1,000 points. This reveals that quality performance of case hospital is of higher level. However among all the seven criteria, the hospital has still more opportunity to improve the quality in MBNQA criteria no. 4, i.e. measure, analysis and knowledge management.Research limitations/implications – This study brings out a potential area of research about how t.
Common polymorphisms in the folate pathway predict efficacy of combination regimens containing methotrexate and sulfasalazine in early rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To study genetic polymorphisms in the folate pathway, a site of action of methotrexate (MTX) and sulfasalazine (SSZ), as predictors of efficacy of combination disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) regimens containing MTX and SSZ in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Ninety-eight Caucasian patients with early RA received MTX with SSZ, hydroxychloroquine, and folate according to a standardized protocol. Efficacy was evaluated using the Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and European League Against Rheumatism response criteria at 12 months. Nine polymorphisms in 7 genes of the folate pathway were studied. RESULTS Response to therapy was associated with SLC19A1, MTR, and TYMS polymorphisms. Two favorable allele combinations associated with responder status at 12 months were identified: the MTR 2756A allele in combination with either the SLC19A1 80A allele or the TYMS 3R-del6 haplotype (multivariate analysis, p = 0.0002, p = 0.009 respectively). Seventy of the 72 patients with these allele combinations responded compared to 12/24 patients without [odds ratio (OR) 35.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.9-176, p < 0.0001]. An association with remission (DAS28 < 2.6) was also observed (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-10.0, p = 0.04). When analyzed over 3 years, both the change in DAS score from baseline and the final DAS scores were significantly higher and lower, respectively, with the favorable genotype group (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Polymorphic variations in the MTR, SLC19A1, and TYMS genes were associated with better clinical response to combination DMARD regimens containing MTX and SSZ. Allele combinations of these genes may predict response to combination DMARD and assist in treatment decisions in patients with early RA.
High levels of IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA and low levels of IL-2, IL-9 and IFN-gamma mRNA in MuLV-induced lymphomas.

The expression of cytokines may influence the development of lymphoma in retrovirally infected animals in at least two ways: (1) cytokines in the tumor environment may stimulate the proliferation of tumor cells and/or (2) cytokines in the tumor environment may diminish the cell-mediated antitumor immune response. To evaluate these possibilities, a semiquantitative RT-PCR approach was utilized to permit a broad screening of cytokine mRNAs in a large number of tissue samples. Examination of MuLV-induced end-stage lymphomas revealed the absence of mRNA for cytokines known to stimulate the proliferation of T cells (i.e., IL-2, IL-9), the absence of mRNA for cytokines known to enhance cell-mediated antitumor immune responses (i.e., IL-2, IFNgamma), and the presence of mRNA for cytokines known to diminish such responses (i.e., IL-4, IL-10). Similar patterns of cytokine mRNA expression were detected in tumor-derived cell lines. Spleen and thymus from animals collected longitudinally during infection and from age-matched uninfected mice also demonstrated a similar pattern, except that IFNgamma mRNA was readily detectable. These findings do not support the hypothesis that the developing tumor depends on cytokines to provide proliferative signals. The findings suggest that cytokines in the immediate environment of the lymphoma support tumor development by acting to diminish an effective antitumor immune response.
Angiogenesis , Metastasis , and the Cellular Microenvironment SDF-1 a Induces PDGF-B Expression and the Differentiation of Bone Marrow Cells into Pericytes

Platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B) and its receptor, PDGFR-b, play a critical role in pericyte maturation; however, the mechanisms by which PDGF-B is upregulated in the tumor microenvironment remain unclear. We previously showed that upregulating stromal-derived factor, SDF-1a, in VEGF165-inhibited Ewing's sarcoma tumors (TC/siVEGF7-1) induced PDGF-BmRNA expression, increased infiltration and differentiation of bonemarrow cells (BMC) into pericytes and, rescued tumor growth. The purpose of this studywas to investigate the mechanism by which SDF-1a increased PDGF-B expression and the role of this pathway in BM-derived pericyte differentiation. We showed that SDF-1a induced expression of PDGF-B mRNA and protein both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, inhibiting SDF-1a downregulated PDGF-B. We cloned the 2-kb pdgf-b promoter fragment and showed that SDF-1a activates PDGF-B via a transcriptionalmechanism.Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that the ELK-1 transcription factor binds to the pdgf-b promoter in response to SDF-1a. We confirmed the correlation between the SDF-1a/PDGF-B pathway and the differentiation of PDGFR-bþ BMCs into mature pericytes using an in vitro assay. These findings show that SDF-1a regulates PDGF-B expression and that this regulation plays a critical role in the differentiation of PDGFR-bþ BMCs into mature pericytes.Mol Cancer Res; 9(11); 1462–70. 2011 AACR.
Social Policy and the Achievement Gap

Educational research and reforms tend to focus on what happens inside schools, despite research consistently indicating that nonschool factors contribute more to the large achievement gap between different races and classes than do in-school factors. We now hear a growing call for social reform as a solution, but an important question remains, “Can social policy close the achievement gap? ” This article examines the research from a number of different disciplines and fields and finds that we have plenty of reason to believe that social policy can alter educational performance but little evidence that it does. As such, a number of questions need to be answered before we can claim that social reform can meaningfully and efficiently narrow the achievement gap. Future directions for research and policy are discussed.
Service Content and the Internationalization of Young Ventures: An Empirical Test

Young ventures are becoming increasingly sophisticated about internationalizing their firms. However, this article suggests that young ventures may be overlooking the influence of service content on internationalization. This research argues and tests the proposal that service content is a critical variable influencing both the propensity of young ventures to internationalize and their location decisions. Employing a sample of 190 U.S.–based firms, this study measures the service content characterizing a venture's output, and found (1) the service content of the outputs of international young ventures is significantly different than the service content of domestic young ventures; and (2) the service content of the outputs of international young ventures is significantly different in different overseas locations.
Spermatogenic response to vitamin A in vitamin A deficient rats.

Male Holtzman rats were given a vitamin A deficient (VAD) diet from 21 days of age and retinoic acid after the onset of vitamin A deficiency. At 130 days of age, seminiferous tubules contain Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocytes; serum LH and testosterone values are low normal, while FSH levels are high. Oral feeding of a single dose of 1 mg vitamin A (followed by a regular commercial rat pellet diet) causes reinitiation of spermatogenesis, although testosterone remains low and FSH does not return to normal for 60 days. After vitamin A treat- ment (PVA), kinetic characteristics based upon histologic criteria of the reinitiated spermatogenesis in VAD rats were normal. Pachytene spermatocytes can be seen by Day 14 PVA and spermatids by Day 24 PVA; elongation of spermatids was completed by Day 31 PVA and spermatozoa were formed by ‘Day 41. Quantitatively, sperm production remained below normal at 150 days PVA, although epididymal sperm counts had continued to increase PVA to 50% of that in mature controls. The qualitative normalcy of spermatogenesis in PVA-VAD rats was demonstrated by fertility with normal litter size. Thus, VAD causes reversible germ cell depletion. Reinitated sperm- atogenesis in the VAD rat provides a kinetically normal, in vivo system in which functionally normal spermatozoa are produced and in which it may be possible to study the biochemical and morphological events of specific stages of spermatogenesis.
Comparison of enzymatic properties and small molecule inhibition of γ–glutamyltranspeptidases from pathogenic and commensal bacteria

Abstract Helicobacter pylori infects the stomach of 50% of the population worldwide, thus causing chronic gastritis. Although this infection can be cured by antibiotic treatment, therapeutic options are increasingly limited due to the development of resistances. The γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase (gGT) of H. pylori (HpgGT) is a virulence factor important for colonization and contributes to bacterial immune evasion. Therefore, this enzyme is a potential target for developing new anti-infectives. As species specificity of such compounds is required in order to avoid off-target or adverse effects, comparative analysis of the gGTs from different organisms is a prerequisite for drug development. To allow detailed biochemical and enzymatic characterization, recombinant gGTs from five different bacteria as well as Homo sapiens were characterized and compared. Investigation of the enzymatic activity, the binding modes of known inhibitors to the catalytic center, and a high resolution X-ray structure of the HpgGT provided a starting point for the identification of new inhibitory substances targeting HpgGT. Inhibitors with Ki values in the nm to mm range were identified and their binding modes were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The results of this study provide a basis for the development of species-specific lead compounds with anti-infective potential by effectively inhibiting HpgGT.
Transportation Systems as Cultural Landscapes in National Parks: The Case of Yosemite

Historical cultural geography and interpretive research are used to examine how Yosemite National Park visitors travel through and perceive the transportation system in order to explore broader meanings of transportation systems as cultural landscapes in national parks. Qualitative analysis of 160 semistructured interviews revealed that influences on visitors' transportation-related behavior include: (a) situational influences of the park environment and transportation system, such as convenience, access, cost, congestion, educational opportunities, and route finding; and (b) individual characteristics and experiential factors, such as subjective perceptions of freedom, environmental values, motivation for socializing, for solitude, and for accomplishment, and experience-use-history. This analysis sheds light on how the Park Service and visitors have embraced roads and cars in national parks, leading to a particular manifestation of cultural landscape and a choreographed and scripted visitor experience best defined as a travel narrative. Implications for park education and interpretation designed to influence visitors' expectations and behaviors are discussed.
Analysis of Serum Cytokine Profile in Pemphigus

Background Pemphigus is a group of autoimmune blistering diseases affecting skin and mucous membranes. While pemphigus is an autoantibody mediated disease, the role of T cells and cytokines in the pathogenesis is being increasingly recognized. Objective This study was conducted to observe alterations in the serum cytokine levels of patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), pemphigus foliaceous (PF), paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) and compare with bullous pemphigoid (BP) and healthy subjects. Methods A total of 75 subjects (28 PV, 13 PF, 7 PNP, 7 BP, and 20 healthy controls) were included, all patients in active disease state. Serum levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The median concentration of IFN-γ was lower in PV and BP patients compared to control (0.77, 0.34 and 1.63 pg/ml, respectively). IL-6 and IL-10 was significantly higher in PNP patients compared to control (4.92 and 0.24 pg/ml for IL-6, 0.86 and <0.12 pg/ml for IL-10, respectively). IL-8 was increased significantly in PV and PNP patients compared with control (11.85, 31.5 and 8.31 pg/ml, respectively). For IL-4, IL-17A and TNF-α, no significant difference was observed between the five groups. Conclusion The decreased level of IFN-γ in PV may imply suppressed Th1 response in the active disease stage. A Th2 predominant response is suggested in the active stage of PNP, with elevated serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10. Increased level of proinflammatory cytokine IL-8 is observed in the sera of PV and PNP patients.
Brain-Language Research: Where is the Progress?

Recent cognitive neuroscience research improved our understanding of where, when, how, and why language circuits emerge and activate in the human brain. Where: Regions crucial for very specific linguistic processes were delineated; phonetic features and fine semantic categories could be mapped onto specific sets of cortical areas. When: Brain correlates of phonological, syntactic and semantic processes were documented early-on, suggesting language understanding in an instant (within 250ms). How: New mechanistic network models mimicking structure and function of left-perisylvian language areas suggest that multimodal action-perception circuits — rather than separate modules for action and perception — carry the processing resources for language use and understanding. Why language circuits emerge in specific areas, become active at specific early time points and are connected in specific ways is best addressed in light of neuroscience principles governing neuronal activation, correlation learning, and, critical-ly, partly predetermined structural information wired into connections between cortical neurons and areas.
ANÁLISE DA POLÍTICA DE CRÉDITO DO BNDES EM UM MODELO DSGE

This paper presents a DSGE model that contemplates three instances of monetary policy, conventional and unconventional, used by the Brazilian government to combat the effects of the global crisis started by the collapse of the american subprime. Monetary policy via interest rule a la Taylor, control of reserve requirements and credit policy of the government, in the figure of BNDES, are analyzed. The conclusion is that using various policies ultimately builds economic variables more stable and monetary policy does lose power.