Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Life Event Questionnaires for Measuring Presumptive Stress

&NA; Cumulative stress from the impact of life events has become an important variable in psychosomatic and psychological research. This article provides both short and long life events questionnaires that add to incidence information the remoteness or recency in time of a given experience. In the weight assignment system that leads to a single presumptive stress score, events remote in time have less influence than recent events. The reliability of weight assignment was checked in subject groups that differed by sex, age, and status. Women weighted life events as more stressful than did men; other differences in groups were less important. In spite of the sex differential, review of these data suggests use of the same weight assignments for all subgroups rather than differential weighting by sex and age. Reliability was also checked by test and retest methods in contrast to common sense expectation, a disappointingly low level of reliability was found. The implications for investigative use of life events questionnaires are discussed.
Social workers' responses to religious clients

The present study examined social workers' responses to religious clients. It was hypothesized that social workers would give a more negative prognosis to religious clients than to non-religious clients. Subjects randomly received one of the two survey questionnaires. One group(RG)received surveys containing three vignettes with clients making reference to a religious orientation. The other group(NRG)received surveys containing the same three vignettes, except all references to a religious orientation were removed. There were no significant differences in the prognosis given to the three clients by both groups. However, the majority of subjects from both groups indicated that religion was an important issue to address within the clinical setting, although they indicated that religion was not often addressed within their social work education.
Scientific publications in urology and nephrology journals from China: A 10-year analysis.

BACKGROUND The scientific research in urology and nephrology of China has developed significantly. The present study was designed to analyze the outputs of publications in urology and nephrology journals from three regions of China: mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong. METHODS The numbers of articles, impact factors, citation reports and other indexes within this category between 2000 and 2009 were extracted for quantity and quality comparisons from PubMed and the ISI (Institute for Scientific Information-currently called the Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge) database. RESULTS There were 3100 articles from the mainland (36.5%), Taiwan (46.8%) and Hong Kong (16.7%), and the increasing trend in each region was significant (p < 0.001). The accumulated impact factor and total citation of Taiwan exceeded the other two regions, while the average impact factor and citation of Hong Kong was highest. There were differences between the three regions on the most popular journals. INTERPRETATION Although the quantity of articles in urology and nephrology from the mainland has exceeded Taiwan and Hong Kong since 2008, there is a considerable gap in the quality of articles between the mainland and the other two regions.
Coauthorship Networks in Public Service Motivation Scholarship: Implications for the Evolution of a Field

How does a body of scholarship emerge, develop, and evolve? Research is the product of a community of scholars and their collaboration over time builds and disseminates knowledge. One way to examine a scholarly community and scholarship evolution is to consider patterns of collaboration through coauthorship networks. This article conducts a social network analysis of coauthorship between public service motivation (PSM) scholars from 1990 to 2016. This analysis depicts the social structure of the field as it evolved and offers implications both for its theoretical progress and for individual scholars. In general, we find that the PSM coauthorship network has grown increasingly since 1990 but it is not a cohesive network of scholars. It consists of many disconnected subgroups that actually represent opportunities for individual scholars to build social capital and influence. We conclude with implications of our findings and we offer suggestions for further analysis.
Who wants to pay for deliberative democracy? The crowdfunders of the G1000 in Belgium

Thanks to crowdfunding, deliberative mini-publics can be funded bottom-up to reach a wider support in the population and secure financial autonomy for their design. But who are the people willing to pay for deliberative democracy and why? This article answers this twofold question using an original survey with crowdfunders of the G1000 in Belgium. First, the financial support for deliberative democracy mainly comes from the more socially advantaged groups. But second, the crowdfunders largely diverge in their democratic preferences. Some are critical and favour any forms of alternative decision-making process, including technocratic forms. Others demonstrate a stronger attachment to electoral institutions and their political actors. Hence, the study of the crowdfunders of the G1000 shows that deliberative democracy attracts the support of citizens with different political orientations. This sheds light on the complex and intertwined links between a mini-public and its larger maxi-public.
Signalling to whom? Conspicuous spending and the local density of the social group income distribution

We empirically evaluate two competing explanations about how the dispersion of income within social groups affects household spending on visible goods. Using South African household expenditure data, we find evidence that precisely the reverse of the effect predicted by Charles et al. (2009) takes place in that rich households tend to reduce, rather than increase, spending on visible goods as the dispersion of social group income increases. Our results instead support rank-based models of status competition since the number of within-group peers who possess a similar income level is found to be positively correlated with household spending on visible goods. Moreover, we find that the effect of this 'local' density tends to be stronger in the tail regions of the distribution and performs better than other proxies for the overall income distribution used in recent studies. How the range of visible goods used to signal wealth expands as household income grows is also explored.
Increased Arterial Potassium Transport in Reduced Renal Mass Hypertension of the Rat

Abstract Aortic potassium turnover was studied during the development of hypertension induced by salt load in male rats after 70-75% of total renal mass was removed. Systolic blood pressure in the saline-drinking experimental reduced renal mass (RRM) rats steadily increased until the fourth week after surgery and thereafter stayed at the same level. Control RRM rats given tap water for drinking, and unilaterally nephrectomized saline-drinking control rats maintained normal blood pressure. Compared to controls, experimental RRM rats exhibited increased plasma aldosterone concentration while plasma renin activity was low in all groups with no significant difference. Aortic hypertrophy, greater 42K turnover, and elevated 42K exchange were observed with experimental RRM hypertension. Sensitivity to the effect of norepinephrine (NE) on aortic 42K turnover was increased four- to ninefold in the experimental RRM group as compared to controls. These results indicate that reduced renal mass hypertension is associated with increased potassium permeability and NE supersensitivity in vascular smooth muscle.
Resolving Discrepancies between Deterministic Population Models and Individual‐Based Simulations

This work ties together two distinct modeling frameworks for population dynamics: an individual‐based simulation and a set of coupled integrodifferential equations involving population densities. The simulation model represents an idealized predator‐prey system formulated at the scale of discrete individuals, explicitly incorporating their mutual interactions, whereas the population‐level framework is a generalized version of reaction‐diffusion models that incorporate population densities coupled to one another by interaction rates. Here I use various combinations of long‐range dispersal for both the offspring and adult stages of both prey and predator species, providing a broad range of spatial and temporal dynamics, to compare and contrast the two model frameworks. Taking the individual‐based modeling results as given, two examinations of the reaction‐dispersal model are made: linear stability analysis of the deterministic equations and direct numerical solution of the model equations. I also modify the numerical solution in two ways to account for the stochastic nature of individual‐based processes, which include independent, local perturbations in population density and a minimum population density within integration cells, below which the population is set to zero. These modifications introduce new parameters into the population‐level model, which I adjust to reproduce the individual‐based model results. The individual‐based model is then modified to minimize the effects of stochasticity, producing a match of the predictions from the numerical integration of the population‐level model without stochasticity.
Plasma Noradrenaline and Adrenaline in Newborn Infants of Diabetic Mothers: Relation to Plasma Lipids

ABSTRACT. No significant differences in plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations were found between 14 infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) and 7 infants of non‐diabetic mothers at birth or at 2 hours of age, although the mean values were higher in the IDMs. The mean blood glucose concentration declined from birth to 2 hours of age and it was lower at 2 hours of age in the IDMs although only one IDM became hypoglycaemic. Plasma non‐antibody bound insulin concentrations were approximately 12 fold higher at birth and at 2 hours of age in the IDMs than in the control infants. Similar increases in plasma free fatty acids and free glycerol concentrations from birth to 2 hours of age were observed in the 2 groups. At 2 hours of age positive correlations were found between plasma noradrenaline and free fatty acids (r=0.85, p< 0.01) and free glycerol (r=0.65, p< 0.05) and between plasma adrenaline and free glycerol (r=0.71, p< 0.05) and the rise in free glycerol from birth to 2 hours of age (r=0.65, p< 0.05) in the IDMs. At birth positive correlations between plasma free fatty acids and plasma noradrenaline (r=0.69, p< 0.02) and plasma adrenaline (r=0.88, p< 0.01) were found in the IDMs. No correlations were found in the control infants. These findings indicate that the catecholamines counteracts the inhibitory effect of insulin on lipolysis in IDMs.
Origins and distribution of cerebrovascular nerve fibers showing calcitonin gene‐related peptide‐like immunoreactivity in the major cerebral artery of the dog

The origins and overall distribution of perivascular nerve fibers showing calcitonin gene‐related peptide‐like immunoreactivity (CGRP‐LI) in the major cerebral arteries were investigated immunohistochemically in the dog by using whole‐mount preparations of the arterial trees around the circle of Willis. Perivascular nerve fibers with CGRP‐LI were seen most abundantly in the basilar artery, vertebral artery, common anterior cerebral artery, proximal part of the anterior cerebral artery, and terminal part of the internal carotid artery. They were far less numerous in the middle cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, superior cerebellar artery, and distal part of the anterior cerebral artery. Neuronal cell bodies with CGRP‐LI were observed in the trigeminal, nodose, superior cervical, and dorsal root ganglia.
An Empirical Study of Education Expenditure, Health Care Expenditure and Economic Growth in Malaysia using Granger Causality Approach

Health and education has appeared to be essential factors that contribute in developing the human capital and enhancing the economic growth. Therefore, this paper will empirically analyze the impact of the education expenditure and health care expenditure towards economic growth in Malaysia by employing Pair Wise Granger Causality test. The trend of the public education expenditure and public health care spending time series data over the period of 1980 to 2012 was explored in this study. The empirical findings of the Granger Causality test revealed that there is unidirectional causality that runs from GDP to the public education expenditure. Similarly, a one-way causality was found running from GDP to the public health care spending. The findings of this study may be helpful for the policy-makers to amend the existing policies and budgetary allocation for the health care sector and education sector respectively.
Familial hypercholesterolemia and response to statin therapy according to LDLR genetic background

Abstract Familial hypercholesterolemia is an autosomal dominant disease defined at the molecular level mainly by the presence of mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene and is characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, tendon xanthomas and increased risk of early cardiovascular disease. The type of mutation in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene has been associated with different phenotype expression and response to statins. Several studies have been undertaken to assess the efficacy of statins and evaluate the influence of mutations on the response to treatment with statins. Not all patients respond to statin therapy with a reduction in cardiovascular disease. In this review paper, we will discuss the results available to date that correlate the low-density lipoprotein receptor genotype to the response to statins, and the interest in developing diagnostic systems which will allow identification of patients at increased risk of adverse drug reactions or patients in which a therapeutic effect is lacking.
Corporate governance and Real Activities Manipulation (Real Earnings Management)

This paper is performed based on the relation between corporate governance on Iranian corporations' performance 2006-2012 financial years. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the elements of firm sovereignty and the management of real profit in the realm of the study. The methodology of the study is based on the drawing a conclusion and the gathering of descriptive data and also based on practical application aim. The descriptive method is from correlated type and multi variable regressions are used to analyze the data and to examine assumption. Considering the first basic assumption (among firm sovereignty (concentration of ownership) and second assumption (between firm sovereignty (independence of the board of directors) and handling real activities there is a relation. The obtained conclusions show that: based on the first assumption there is a negative and meaningful relation between independency of board of directors and management of real profit based on unusual expenses of production. However no meaningful relationship was observed between concentration of property and real earning management. Based on the second assumption: there is a negative and meaningful relationship between the independency of the board of directors and the real management of real profit based on arbitrary expenses, however when the previous models is based on management of real profit model and arbitrary expenses and is considered, no meaningful relationship was observed between concentration of the property and possession and real earning management.
Ultrasound contrast-enhanced study as an imaging biomarker for anti-cancer drug treatment: preliminary study with paclitaxel in a xenograft mouse tumor model (secondary publication)

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess tumor angiogenesis using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) of human prostate cancer cells (PC3) that were implanted in mice before and after paclitaxel injection. Methods Twelve mice were injected with human PC3. The mice were grouped into two groups; one was the paclitaxel-treated group (n=6) and the other was the control group (n=6). Before administering paclitaxel into the peritoneal cavity, baseline CEUS was performed after the administration of 500 μL (1×108 microbubbles) of contrast agent. The area under the curve (AUC) up to 50 seconds after injection was derived from the time-intensity curves. After injection of paclitaxel or saline, CEUS studies were performed at the 1-week follow-up. Changes in tumor volume and the AUC in both two groups were evaluated. After CEUS, the microvessel density (MVD) was compared between the groups. Results In the paclitaxel-treated group, the AUC from CEUS showed a significant decrease 1-week after paclitaxel administration (P=0.030), even though the tumor volume showed no significant changes (P=0.116). In the control group, there was no significant decrease of the AUC (P=0.173). Pathologically, there was a significant difference in MVD between both groups (P=0.002). Conclusion The AUC from the time intensity curve derived from CEUS showed an early change in response to the anti-cancer drug treatment that preceded the change in tumor size. The findings of CEUS could serve as an imaging biomarker for assessing tumor responses to anti-cancer drug treatment.
COX-2 Inhibitors as Radiation Sensitizers for Upper GI Tract Cancers: Esophagus, Stomach, and Pancreas

Cancers of the esophagus, stomach, and pancreas have been successfully treated recently with combinations of radiosensitizing chemotherapy and irradiation. New approaches building onto 5-fluorouracil chemoradiation include capecitabine (Xeloda) and irradiation. Capecitabine is an oral 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) prodrug that is more convenient than using infusional 5-FU, appears to have a similar therapeutic profile, and can be combined with daily irradiation. The addition of a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor is being investigated in upper gastrointestinal cancer sites because there is a high degree of overexpression of COX-2 in these cancers.
Should Fistulas Really be First in the Elderly Patient?

Background The Kidney Disease Outcomes and Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) has developed guidelines from available data suggesting that arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) be performed in the majority of patients. Patient demographics were not included nor suggested in their recommendations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the outcomes of elderly patients, age greater than 70, undergoing first-time permanent access surgery. Methods A retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing new, first time access procedures from January 2005 through December 2005 was performed. Patients with previous attempts at permanent Arteriovenous (AV) access were removed from analysis. Standard statistical methods were used and patency was determined with Kaplan-Meier curves. Results One hundred and sixty eight patients underwent first time AVF, 48 of whom were older than 70 years of age. Comparing elderly patients to younger ones, the 12 month primary assisted patency was 35% and 67%, respectively (p=0.002) and secondary patency was 36% and 67%, respectively (p=0.004). Of the 48 elderly patients, 48% had died in the subsequent follow up period as compared to just 20% of the 120 patients younger than 70. The 18-month survival for the elderly group was 50% versus 74% for the younger patients (p=0.004). Of the elderly group who died, the average time to death was 13.1 months and only 8 AVF were able to be accessed. Similar intervention rates per year were seen in both groups. Discussion With an aging population, more patients older than 70 are being evaluated for permanent vascular access. This group poses a difficult dilemma for surgeons attempting to adhere to K/DOQI guidelines. In light of the increased mortality and decreased patency of AVF, this data questions which form of permanent access should be first-line treatment in this subgroup of patients. Conclusion This data suggest in the elderly patients, autogenous fistulas may not be the best option for this set of patients.
Multisensory Stop Signals Can Reduce the Disinhibiting Effects of Alcohol in Adults.

BACKGROUND Alcohol impairs drinkers' abilities to inhibit inappropriate responses. Certain stimulus conditions have been shown to facilitate behavioral control. Under conditions where individuals are presented with multiple inhibitory signals, the speed and consistency with which they are able to inhibit a response is improved. Recent research has shown that multisensory signals might protect against the disruptive effects of alcohol on mechanisms of behavioral control. This study examined whether multisensory stop signals can be used to improve inhibitory control, possibly by speeding attentional shifts toward inhibitory "stop" signals in the environment. METHODS Twenty adult social drinkers performed a modified cued go/no-go task that measured the ability to inhibit prepotent responses following 0.64 g/kg alcohol and placebo. Response targets were presented as unimodal (visual) and as multisensory (visual + aural) stimuli. RESULTS Results showed that during unimodal response target trials, participants made more inhibitory failures under 0.64 g/kg alcohol compared to placebo. During multisensory trials, however, there was no significant effect of alcohol on inhibitory control. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify multisensory inhibitory signals as a potentially important environmental factor that can reduce the degree to which alcohol disinhibits behavior possibly by intersensory co-activation between the visual and auditory pathways.
Sicca syndrome associated with hepatitis C virus infection.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with sicca syndrome, and to determine the clinical, immunologic, and genetic characteristics of sicca syndrome associated with HCV. METHODS We conducted a prospective study in a university hospital immunology-rheumatology department. Sixty-two consecutive patients with sicca syndrome according to the European criteria for Sjögren's syndrome were included. HCV infection was diagnosed in patients with positive recombinant immunoblot assay findings and the presence of viral RNA in serum and saliva. Rheumatoid factor (RF), cryoglobulins, antinuclear antibodies, and anti-SS-A/SS-B antibodies were sought. HLA typing was performed on all patients. RESULTS The prevalence of HCV infection in patients with sicca syndrome was 19%. The incidence of neurologic involvement was significantly increased in patients with sicca syndrome associated with HCV infection (24% versus 4%; P < 0.03), as was elevations in transaminase levels (87.5% versus 16%; P < 0.0001). RF and cryoglobulins were more frequent in HCV-positive sicca syndrome patients (62% versus 30%; P < 0.03, and 56% versus 10%; P < 0.001, respectively). In contrast, anti-SS-A/SS-B antibodies were present in 38% of HCV-negative sicca syndrome patients, but in only 1 HCV-positive sicca syndrome patient (P < 0.01). No significant difference in HLA type was observed. Viral RNA was present in the saliva of 83% of HCV-positive sicca syndrome patients, but in none of the HCV-negative sicca syndrome patients. CONCLUSION We observed a high prevalence of HCV infection in our patients with sicca syndrome. HCV-positive sicca syndrome patients had specific clinical characteristics and were seronegative for SS-A/SS-B antibodies. Moreover, HCV RNA was present in the saliva of patients with HCV-associated sicca syndrome.