Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Central noradrenergic system modulates plasma interleukin-6 production by peripheral interleukin-1.

The role of the central noradrenergic system in systemic interleukin-6 (IL-6) production induced by intravenously administered recombinant human interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) was examined in rats. Pretreatment of rats intracerebroventricularly with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 100 or 200 micrograms/rat) significantly attenuated the increase in plasma IL-6 levels caused by IL-1 beta (2 micrograms/kg i.v.). A modest inhibition of the IL-1 beta-induced plasma IL-6 production was observed following pretreatment with prazosin (20 micrograms/rat i.c.v.) but not after administration of idazoxan or propranolol. There were no significant increases in the IL-6 content in the hypothalamus, medulla oblongata, and cortex of the brain after intravenous IL-1 beta. Adrenalectomy produced an augmented plasma IL-6 response to intravenous IL-1 beta, whereas chemical sympathectomy with intraperitoneal injection of 6-OHDA (50 or 100 mg/kg) decreased the IL-1 beta-induced plasma IL-6 levels. Nor-epinephrine (NE), in the dose range 10(-6)-10(-4) M, significantly increased the IL-6 levels in the rat spleen lymphocyte culture media. At doses of 10(-9)-10(-7) M, NE enhanced the effect of IL-1 beta on the IL-6 release by spleen lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that the plasma IL-6 response to intravenous IL-1 beta is partially mediated through the activation of the central noradrenergic system and a consequent increase in the sympathetic outflow to the peripheral tissues and that the NE released from the sympathetic terminals may function as a mediator and/or modulator to facilitate the synthesis/release of IL-6 in the sympathetic nerve-innervated organs.
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging in confirmed progressive supranuclear palsy and multiple system atrophy

Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) is often used to aid the diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), but its ability to predict the histopathological diagnosis has not been systematically studied. cMRI from 48 neuropathologically confirmed cases, including PSP (n = 22), MSA (n = 13), Parkinson's disease (PD) (n = 7), and corticobasal degeneration (n = 6), and controls (n = 9) were assessed blinded to clinical details and systematically rated for reported abnormalities. Clinical diagnosis and macroscopic postmortem findings were retrospectively assessed. Radiological assessment of MRI was correct in 16 of 22 (72.7%) PSP cases and 10 of 13 (76.9%) MSA cases with substantial interrater agreement (Cohen's kappa 0.708; P < .001); no PSP case was misclassified as MSA or vice versa. MRI was less sensitive but more specific than clinical diagnosis in PSP and both more sensitive and specific than clinical diagnosis in MSA. The “hummingbird” and “morning glory” signs were highly specific for PSP, and “the middle cerebellar peduncle sign” and “hot cross bun” for MSA, but sensitivity was lower (up to 68.4%) and characteristic findings may not be present even at autopsy. cMRI, clinical diagnosis, and macroscopic examination at postmortem have similar sensitivity and specificity in predicting a neuropathological diagnosis. We have validated specific radiological signs in pathologically confirmed PSP and MSA. However, the low sensitivity of these and macroscopic findings at autopsy suggest a need for imaging techniques sensitive to microstructural abnormalities without regional atrophy. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Fast Spectrum Sensing: A Combination of Channel Correlation and Markov Model

To utilize the valuable spectrum resources efficiently, cognitive radio is proposed, in which spectrum sensing plays an essential role. In this paper, we propose a novel spectrum sensing scheme to reduce the consumption of wide-band spectrum sensing. Firstly, all potential channels are clustered into highly correlated groups. In addition to the greedy clustering algorithm (GC) discussed in our previous work, a minimum entropy increment clustering algorithm (MEI) is also presented. In each group, only one channel needs to be detected directly, while the states of other channels are estimated according to historical states and their correlation with the detected channel. Through detecting several channels, all the channel states can be obtained, thus the time and energy consumption of sensing can be reduced. The influence of historical states on current state is modeled via Markov process while the dependence of estimated channels (EC) on detected channel (DC) is formulated by maximum a posteriori (MAP) principle. As Markov process and channel correlation may provide conflicting results, minimum entropy principle is adopted to unify their results. Tested with real-world measurement data and compared with an existing uncertainty based update (UU) algorithm, our scheme is proved to improve prediction accuracy considerably.
Prevalence and Causes of Persistent Use of Hormone Replacement Therapy Among Postmenopausal Women: A Follow-Up Study

In a previous study analyzing data from September 2002 to February 2003, we showed that, despite the Women's Health Initiative trial results, many women still remained on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in an internal medicine practice. However, it is not known whether such use has persisted over time. We performed a retrospective chart analysis of 1000 postmenopausal women seen at the same internal medicine practice from January 2004 to May 2004 to establish whether the prevalence of HRT use had declined, remained stable, or increased when compared with our previous data and to determine the reasons for continued HRT use. Among 1000 postmenopausal women, mean age 66±9 years, 116 (12%) remained on HRT (HRT users) in 2004. The prevalence of HRT users declined from 16% to 12% (P<0.01) over a period of 15 months. Among HRT users, the main reasons for continued use were severe menopausal symptoms in 39 (34%), patient preference in 17 (15%), osteoporosis or osteopenia in 14 (12%), failed attempt at discontinuation in 13 (11%), taper in progress in 12 (10%), gynecologist recommendation in 10 (9%), not documented in 8 (7%), and other reasons in 3 (3%). The use of HRT declined over time in an internal medicine clinic since the publication of the Women's Health Initiative study. However, 12% of the women still remained on HRT in 2004. The severity of menopausal symptoms, patient preference, and osteoporosis or osteopenia played a prominent role in the decision to remain on HRT.
Randomized phase II trial of cetuximab, bevacizumab, and irinotecan compared with cetuximab and bevacizumab alone in irinotecan-refractory colorectal cancer: the BOND-2 study.

PURPOSE We evaluated the safety and efficacy of concurrent administration of two monoclonal antibodies, cetuximab and bevacizumab, in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a randomized phase II study in patients with irinotecan-refractory colorectal cancer. All patients were naïve to both bevacizumab and cetuximab. Patients in arm A received irinotecan at the same dose and schedule as last received before study entry, plus cetuximab 400 mg/m2 loading dose, then weekly cetuximab 250 mg/m2, plus bevacizumab 5 mg/kg administered every other week. Patients in arm B received the same cetuximab and bevacizumab as those in arm A but without irinotecan. RESULTS Forty-three patients received cetuximab, bevacizumab, and irinotecan (CBI) and 40 patients received cetuximab and bevacizumab alone (CB). Toxicities were as would have been expected from the single agents. For the CBI arm, time to tumor progression (TTP) was 7.3 months and the response rate was 37%; for the CB arm, TTP was 4.9 months and the response rate was 20%. The overall survival for the CBI arm was 14.5 months and the overall survival for the CB-alone arm was 11.4 months. CONCLUSION Cetuximab and bevacizumab can be administered concurrently, with a toxicity pattern that seems to be similar to that which would be expected from the two agents alone. This combination plus irinotecan also seems to be feasible. The activity seen with the addition of bevacizumab to cetuximab, or to cetuximab plus irinotecan, seems to be favorable when compared with historical controls of cetuximab or cetuximab/irinotecan in patients who are naïve to bevacizumab.
Economies of Scale and Scope in Higher Education

This thesis investigates economies of scale and scope in higher education. In a period of tighter budget constraints, declining government funding, and increasing competition for students, staff and non-commercial and commercial research funding, understanding the nature of any scale and scope economies in higher education is critically important for both policy change and ongoing institutional and structural reform. The thesis presents three separate but related research objectives to provide insights into this important area: first, an examination of new output sources of cost economies (including scale and scope) as they exist in the Australian higher education sector, second, an analysis of the link between university performance and cost economies, and finally, an evaluation of the factors affecting the estimated economies of scale and scope.
Incorporating RTI in a Hybrid Model of Reading Disability

The present study seeks to evaluate a hybrid model of identification that incorporates response to instruction and intervention (RTI) as one of the key symptoms of reading disability. The 1-year stability of alternative operational definitions of reading disability was examined in a large-scale sample of students who were followed longitudinally from first to second grade. The results confirmed previous findings of limited stability for single-criterion-based operational definitions of reading disability. However, substantially greater stability was obtained for a hybrid model of reading disability that incorporates RTI with other common symptoms of reading disability.
How Do Sanctions Affect Incumbent Electoral Performance?

How do sanctions affect incumbent electoral performance during elections? Although existing literature suggests that sanctions may shorten or prolong incumbent tenure, we are less informed about their role in incumbent electoral fortunes. This research argues that sanctions hurt incumbents’ vote shares because citizens are more likely to hold their elected officials accountable for sanction-induced economic hardships and political instabilities. It also argues that the electoral punishment is pronounced in less democratic countries because sanctions, together with elections, significantly limit dictator’s co-optation strategy and open a greater window of opportunity for once repressed opposition groups in a repressive regime. Using 381 multiparty elections in seventy-nine countries between 1972 and 2012, this research finds that sanctions deteriorate the incumbent electoral performance, and they do so for autocratic leaders more than the democratic leaders. This study has important implications about the potential accountability in autocracies, the timing of sanctions imposition, the role of oppositions’ mobilization, and broadly speaking, the role of sanctions in democratization.
Trends in Incidence and Early Outcomes in a Black Afro-Caribbean Population From 1999 to 2012: Etude Réalisée en Martinique et Centrée sur l’Incidence des Accidents Vasculaires Cérébraux II Study

Background and Purpose— Seldom studies are available on trends in stroke incidence in blacks. We aimed to evaluate whether stroke risk prevention policies modified first-ever stroke incidence and outcomes in the black Afro-Caribbean population of Martinique. Methods— Etude Réalisée en Martinique et Centrée sur l’Incidence des Accidents Vasculaires Cérébraux (ERMANCIA) I and II are 2 sequential prospective population-based epidemiological studies. There have assessed temporal trends in first-ever stroke incidence, risk factors, pathological types, and early outcomes in the black Afro-Caribbean population of Martinique comparing two 12-month periods (1998–1999 and 2011–2012). Crude and age-standardized incidence and 30-day outcomes for stroke in the 2 study periods were compared using Poisson regression. Results— We identified 580 and 544 first-ever strokes in the 2 studies. World age-standardized incidence rates decreased by 30.6% in overall (111 [95% confidence interval, 102–120] versus 77 [95% confidence interval, 70–84]). Rate decline was greater in women than in men (34% versus 26%) particularly in women aged 65 to 74 years (−69%) and 75 to 84 years (−43%). Frequencies of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were unchanged, whereas dyslipidemia, smoking, and atrial fibrillation significantly increased. Only ischemic stroke types showed significant rate reduction in overall and in women, incidence rate ratio (95% confidence intervals) of 0.69 (0.50–0.97) and 0.61 (0.42–0.88), respectively. The overall 30-day case-fatality ratio remained stable (19.3%/17.6%), whereas a better 30-day outcome was found (modified Rankin Score, ⩽2 in 47%/37.6%; P=0.03). Conclusions— Over 13 years, there has been a significant decrease (30.6%) in the age-specific first-ever stroke incidence in our Afro-Carribean population. Although prevention policies seem effective, we need to focus on new risk factors limitation and on male population adherence to prevention program.
Somatic mRNA Turnover Mutants Implicate Tristetraprolin in the Interleukin-3 mRNA Degradation Pathway

ABSTRACT Control of mRNA stability is critical for expression of short-lived transcripts from cytokines and proto-oncogenes. Regulation involves an AU-rich element (ARE) in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) and cognatetrans-acting factors thought to promote either degradation or stabilization of the mRNA. In this study we present a novel approach using somatic cell genetics designed to identify regulators of interleukin-3 (IL-3) mRNA turnover. Mutant cell lines were generated from diploid HT1080 cells transfected with a reporter construct containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to the IL-3 3′UTR. GFP was expressed at low levels due to rapid decay of the mRNA. Following chemical mutagenesis and selection of GFP-overexpressing cells, we could isolate three mutant clones (slowA, slowB, and slowC) with a specific, trans-acting defect in IL-3 mRNA degradation, while the stability of IL-2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha reporter transcripts was not affected. Somatic cell fusion experiments revealed that the mutants are genetically recessive and form two complementation groups. Expression of the tristetraprolin gene in both groups led to reversion of the mutant phenotype, thereby linking this gene to the IL-3 mRNA degradation pathway. The genetic approach described here should allow identification of the defective functions by gene transfer and is also applicable to the study of other mRNA turnover pathways.
The Italian Five Star Movement during the Crisis: Towards Normalisation?

Abstract The Movimento Cinque Stelle (M5S) represents the most significant occurrence in Italian party politics during the economic crisis that commenced in 2008. Founded in 2005, the party caused a major upset at the 2013 national elections, with a subsequent major impact on the Italian party system, which is analysed along four dimensions: amount of change; number of relevant competitors; alteration of the political space; and degree of nationalisation. The sudden electoral success, in turn, presented the party with a number of challenges that forced it to adapt its organisational nature. Moreover, the anti-establishment nature of the M5S is questioned by its activities in the legislative arena. As with other outsider parties, this poses the dilemma of being part of the establishment while criticising it. The M5S has thus been forced to redefine its main goals and style of communication in order to adapt to the new institutional environment without losing the palingenetic aspiration of its original message.
Learning-Related Brain-Electrical Activity Dynamics Associated with the Subsequent Impact of Learnt Action-Outcome Associations

Goal-directed behavior relies on the integration of anticipated outcomes into action planning based on acquired knowledge about the current contingencies between behavioral responses (R) and desired outcomes (O) under specific stimulus conditions (S). According to ideomotor theory, bidirectional R-O associations are an integral part of this knowledge structure. Previous EEG studies have identified neural activity markers linked to the involvement of such associations, but the initial acquisition process has not yet been characterized. The present study thus examined brain-electrical activity dynamics during the rapid acquisition of novel bidirectional R-O associations during instructed S-R learning. Within a trial, we inspected response-locked and stimulus-locked activity dynamics in order to identify markers linked to the forward and backward activation of bidirectional R-O associations as they were being increasingly strengthened under forced choice conditions. We found that a post-response anterior negativity following auditory outcomes was increasingly attenuated as a function of the acquired association strength. This suggests that previously reported action-induced sensory attenuation effects under extensively trained free choice conditions can be established within few repetitions of specific R-O pairings under forced choice conditions. Furthermore, we observed the even more rapid development of a post-response but pre-outcome fronto-central positivity which was reduced for high R-O learners which might indicate the rapid deployment of preparatory attention towards predictable outcomes. Finally, we identified a learning-related stimulus-locked activity modulation within the visual P1-N1 latency range which might reflect the multi-sensory integration of the perceived antecedent visual stimulus the anticipated auditory outcome.
Willingness to Pay for Environmentally Friendly Products among Low-Income Households along Coastal Peninsular Malaysia

In an attempt to promote the mass consumption of environmentally friendly products in Malaysia, this study presents an investigation of the effects of several selected factors upon willingness to pay and purchase behavior of environmental-friendly products. This study employed a cross-sectional design, in which quantitative data were gathered from a total of 380 low-income household heads from 38 coastal districts in Peninsular Malaysia. The outcomes of this study revealed the positively significant effects of eco-literacy and environmental concern upon attitudes towards environmental-friendly products; normative beliefs and perceived behavioral control on willingness to pay for environmental-friendly products; as well as willingness to pay for environmental-friendly products and perceived behavioral control on payment behavior for environmental-friendly products, among low-income households in coastal Peninsular Malaysia. Programs and policies should therefore focus on promoting environmental awareness and knowledge concerning the relative advantages that are expected to improve willingness among consumers to pay for environmentally friendly products.
Voltage‐gated currents distinguish parvocellular from magnocellular neurones in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

Magnocellular and parvocellular neurones of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) differentially regulate pituitary hormone secretion and autonomic output. Previous experiments have suggested that magnocellular, or type I neurones, and parvocellular, or type II neurones, of the PVN express different electrophysiological properties. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were performed in hypothalamic slices to identify the voltage‐gated currents responsible for the electrophysiological differences between type I and type II PVN neurones. Type I neurones, which display transient outward rectification and lack a low‐threshold spike (LTS), generated a large A‐type K+ current (IA) (mean ± s.e.m.: 1127.5 ± 126.4 pA; range: 250–3600 pA; voltage steps to −25 mV) but expressed little or no T‐type Ca2+ current (IT). Type II neurones, which lack transient outward rectification but often display an LTS, expressed a smaller IA (360.1 ± 56.3 pA; range: 40–1100 pA; voltage steps to −25 mV), and 75 % of the type II neurones generated an IT (‐402.5 ± 166.9 pA; range: −90 to −2200 pA; at peak). The voltage dependence of IA was shifted to more negative values in type I neurones compared to type II neurones. Thus, the activation threshold (‐53.5 ± 0.9 and −46.1 ± 2.6 mV), the half‐activation potential (‐25 ± 1.9 and −17.9 ± 2.0 mV), the half‐inactivation potential (‐80.4 ± 9.3 and −67.2 ± 3.0 mV), and the potential at which the current became fully inactivated (‐57.4 ± 2.1 and −49.8 ± 1.5 mV) were more negative in type I neurones than in type II neurones, respectively. I T in type II neurones activated at a threshold of −59.2 ± 1.2 mV, peaked at −32.6 ± 1.7 mV, was half‐inactivated at −66.9 ± 2.2 mV, and was fully inactivated at −52.2 ± 2.2 mV. Both cell types expressed a delayed rectifier current with similar voltage dependence, although it was smaller in type I neurones (389.7 ± 39.3 pA) than in type II neurones (586.4 ± 76.0 pA). In type I neurones IA was reduced by 41.1 ± 7.0 % and the action potential delay caused by the transient outward rectification was reduced by 46.2 ± 10.3 % in 5 mm 4‐aminopyridine. In type II neurones IT was reduced by 66.8 ± 10.9 % and the LTS was reduced by 76.7 ± 7.8 % in 100 μM nickel chloride, but neither IT nor LTS was sensitive to 50 μM cadmium chloride. Thus, differences in the electrophysiological properties between type I, putative magnocellular neurones and type II, putative parvocellular neurones of the PVN can be attributed to the differential expression of voltage‐gated K+ and Ca2+ currents. This diversity of ion channel expression is likely to have profound effects on the response properties of these neurosecretory and non‐neurosecretory neurones.
In vitro responses of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages to Legionella pneumophila

Transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the phagocytosis of virulent and avirulent strains of Legionella pneumophila. The interaction between L. pneumophila and peritoneal macrophages from normal guinea pigs or from animals that had survived infection was studied. The virulent strains survived and proliferated within the phagocyte after ingestion by either type of macrophage, whereas the avirulent strain of bacteria was killed by normal macrophages. Although the addition of immune serum enhanced phagocytosis, the outcome was the same as with normal serum.
The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture

Manuel Castells, (bivši) neomarksist, autor je kapitalnih djela s područja urbane sociologije i urbanih društvenih pokreta. Predavao je na dvadesetak prestižnih svjetskih sveučilišta, a redovni je profesor na Berkeleyu. Njegov magnum opus, rezultat desetogodišnjeg izučavanja suvremenih društava, kroz brojne interkulturalne analize oslikava čovječanstvo na prijelazu u informacijsko doba, razapeto između net i self; između funkcije i značenja.