Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Liver Partition Coefficient-Corrected Inhibitory Quotient and the Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Relationship of Directly Acting Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Agents in Humans

ABSTRACT Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) data analyses from early hepatitis C virus (HCV) clinical trials failed to show a good correlation between the plasma inhibitory quotient (IQ) and antiviral activity of different classes of directly acting antiviral agents (DAAs). The present study explored whether use of the liver partition coefficient-corrected IQ (LCIQ) could improve the PK-PD relationship. Animal liver partition coefficients (Kpliver) were calculated from liver to plasma exposure ratios. In vitro hepatocyte partition coefficients (Kphep) were determined by the ratio of cellular to medium drug concentrations. Human Kpliver was predicted using an in vitro-in vivo proportionality method: the species-averaged animal Kpliver multiplied by the ratio of human Kphep over those in animals. LCIQ was calculated using the IQ multiplied by the predicted human Kpliver. Our results demonstrated that the in vitro-in vivo proportionality approach provided the best human Kpliver prediction, with prediction errors of <45% for all 5 benchmark drugs evaluated (doxorubicin, verapamil, digoxin, quinidine, and imipramine). Plasma IQ values correlated poorly (r2 of 0.48) with maximum viral load reduction and led to a corresponding 50% effective dose (ED50) IQ of 42, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.1 to 148534. In contrast, the LCIQ-maximum VLR relationship fit into a typical sigmoidal curve with an r2 value of 0.95 and an ED50 LCIQ of 121, with a 95% CI of 83 to 177. The present study provides a novel human Kpliver prediction model, and the LCIQ correlated well with the viral load reductions observed in short-term HCV monotherapy of different DAAs and provides a valuable tool to guide HCV drug discovery.
Risperidone reduces aggression in boys with a disruptive behaviour disorder and below average intelligence quotient: analysis of two placebo-controlled randomized trials

The present study aimed to analyse the effect of risperidone on a priori defined core aggression items. Data were pooled from 163 boys (aged 5–12 years, with or without comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of either conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder who had participated in either of two identical, 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. All received treatment with either placebo or oral risperidone solution (0.01–0.06 mg/kg/day). Subjects had below average intelligence [intelligence quotient (IQ) 36–84] and a score of ≥24 on the Conduct Problem subscale of the Nisonger Child Behaviour Rating Form (N-CBRF). An expert advisory panel selected six core aggression items from the N-CBRF, from which a total Aggression Score (AS, range 0–18) was constructed. Compared to those treated with placebo, risperidone-treated subjects experienced significantly greater mean decreases from baseline in the AS at each of weeks 1–6 (P<0.001). By study endpoint, aggression among risperidone-treated subjects had declined by 56.4% (mean baseline AS 10.1; mean endpoint AS 4.4), which was more than twice that of placebo-treated subjects (mean baseline AS 10.6; mean endpoint AS 8.3; 21.7% reduction). Risperidone was efficacious in reducing symptoms of aggression in boys of below average IQ with disruptive behaviour disorders.
The effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employee well-being in the hospitality industry

The purpose of this study is to examine hotel industry employees’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the influence of these perceptions on their quality of working life (QWL), job satisfaction and overall quality of life. By applying need satisfaction theory and bottom–up spillover theory, the study hypothesizes that employees’ overall quality of life is affected by QWL and job satisfaction. CSR serves as an antecedent to the hypothesis. ,The target population for this study consisted of hotel industry employees working for companies in which CSR practices are conducted. The data collection method involved distributing a survey questionnaire. Using a sample drawn from employees in upscale hotels in South Korea, 442 usable responses were analyzed using a SEM approach. ,The results revealed that philanthropic and economic CSR positively affected QWL, while legal and ethical CSR did not affect QWL. The study also confirms the need satisfaction theory, which suggests that employees’ QWL and job satisfaction affect their overall quality of life. ,Despite the importance of CSR perception, most of the previous studies in this area have examined company and customer perspectives, while only limited research has examined employees’ CSR perceptions. The results of this research enrich knowledge of the outcome of CSR from the employee perspective. Information about employees’ perceptions of CSR activities is valuable for hotel management as it is the employees who turn CSR statements to actions.
ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INFLATION AND INTEREST RATES IN TURKEY: FOURIER APPROACH

2006 yilindan itibaren uygulanan enflasyon hedeflemesi programi dogrultusunda, Turkiye Cumhuriyeti Merkez Bankasi’nin temel amaci, fiyat istikrarini saglamak ve surdurmektir. Merkez Bankasi’nin bagimsizligi prensibinin bir sonucu olarak, TCMB, uygulayacagi para politikasini ve politika araclarini belirlemektedir. Bu cercevede, TCMB fiyat istikrarini saglamak ve ayni zamanda fiyat istikrarini tehdit etme potansiyeline sahip finansal riskleri kontrol etmeye yonelik olarak finansal istikrari surdurmek icin haftalik repo oranini, gecelik borclanma ve borc verme oranlari arasindaki faiz orani koridorunu ve karsilik oranlarini kullanmaktadir. Bu calismanin amaci, 2005-2017 doneminde, faiz oranlari (gecelik repo oranlari) ve enflasyon (TUFE) orani arasindaki uzun donemli iliskiyi Fourier Es-butunlesme Testi yardimiyla arastirmaktir. Calisma sonuclari, gecelik repo oranlari ve TUFE verisi arasinda uzun donemli bir iliski oldugunu gostermektedir.
The epithelium of the rabbit vagina: a microtopographical study by light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

In order to obtain a more precise microtopographical surface map of the epithelium of the rabbit vaginal mucosa, investigations by light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been systematically correlated. The epithelium was examined from the "portio vaginalis cervicis uteri" down to the "vestibulum". This study shows that the upper 2/3 of the vagina--which, in this species, is very long, measuring 13-14 cm--is lined by a single epithelial layer of tall ciliated and microvillous cells closely resembling the endocervical epithelium with which it is continuous. Moreover, these ciliated and microvillous cells also cover mucosal infoldings in the upper part of the vagina, especially those on the ectocervix and in the fornices, and scattered vaginal crypts. In particular, the ciliated elements decrease in number below the fornices, so that in large areas of the middle part of the vagina only microvillous cells are recognizable. Prior to the squamo-columnar junction, however, the ciliated cells increase again. This study also reveals that in the rabbit the squamo-columnar junction is located at the level of the pubic symphysis and that a squamous pluristratified epithelium covers only the lower 1/3 of the inner surface of the vaginal wall. In the estrous, i.e., precoital rabbit, the microvillous cells show little sign of secretion, whereas after mating they exhibit remarkable secretory features. These seem to increase progressively with postcoital stages (5 h, 24 h and 10 days) in the form of extensive mucification. These secretions often come in contact with spermatozoa retained in the mucosal infoldings and crypts, and are similar to those occurring in the endometrium, where they clearly depend upon progesterone activity. These epithelial features, different from those of other mammals, including humans, suggest that the greater part of the rabbit vagina accomplishes functions other than serving for copulation and as a fetal passageway. The present findings support the view that the rabbit vagina also plays a role as a reservoir of spermatozoa and in maintaining their viability, like the endometrium and endocervix.
Exploring the Links Between Personality Traits and Motivations to Play Online Games

The present study explores the links between personality traits and motivations to play online games. We identified the underlying dimensions of motivations to play online games, examined how personality traits predict motivation, and investigated how personality traits predict online gaming behavior (i.e., playing time and preference for game genres). Factor analyses identified five motivational factors: relationships, adventure, escapism, relaxation, and achievement. The regression analyses indicated that two personality traits, extraversion and agreeableness, predicted various motivations; however, personality traits did not affect the playing time and game genre preference.
Urea to creatinine ratio: a forgotten marker of poor nutritional state in patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment

Abstract Background: Malnutrition is common in subjects undergoing hemodialysis and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Studies investigating factors associated with malnutrition and effect of various interventions to treat these patients are needed. We aimed to screen older and young patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, for malnutrition, and seek its association with clinical factors including anxiety and depression and laboratory variables including urea/creatinine ratio (UCR). Methods: Duration of hemodialysis treatment, medications taken, anthropometric measurements and routine laboratory results were recorded. Mini nutritional assessment and Beck anxiety and Beck depression inventories were applied. Study variables between subjects with malnutrition, malnutrition risk and normal nutritional states were compared. Older and younger patients were also compared regarding malnutrition and laboratory results. Linear regression analysis was performed to seek independent factors associated with malnutrition score. Results: Clinical and laboratory data except for UCR were found to be similar among young and older patients. UCR increased, while albumin, body mass index and weight circumference decreased along with worse nutritional state. Low albumin level, body mass index and UCR and higher hemoglobin level and depression score were independent factors associated with malnutrition. Conclusion: In addition to routinely used markers of malnutrition UCR may provide additional information regarding malnutrition in this population.
Silica-Based Highly Nonlinear Fibers and Their Application

Silica-based highly nonlinear fibers (HNLFs) have been utilized as platforms for various applications, including fiber lasers, optical amplifiers, and optical signal processings. For the practical applications, nonlinearity enhancement without degrading the attenuation and tailoring the chromatic dispersions remain the key issues. Herein, we initially discuss the design of chromatic dispersions of HNLFs for desired applications. Then the fabrication results, including HNLFs with a longitudinally uniform zero-dispersion wavelength or with optimized higher order dispersion, are presented. Furthermore, using evolved HNLFs, we demonstrate a unique four-wave-mixing-based wavelength conversion. In addition, suppression of the stimulated Brillouin scattering, a critical issue for high-power applications, is discussed. We fabricate Al2O3-doped HNLF that has lower Brillouin gain by 6.1 dB as compared with that of conventional GeO 2-doped HNLF.
The intersymbol interference channel: lower bounds on capacity and channel precoding loss

The discrete-time additive Gaussian intersymbol interference (ISI) channel with i.i. d. (not necessarily Gaussian) input signals is considered. Several new and old lower bounds on the capacity are derived in a unified manner by assuming different front-end receiver filters, in particular the sampled whitened matched filter (SWMF) and the minimum mean-squared error-decision feedback equalizer (MMSE-DFE) filter. The features of the bounds are demonstrated and compared in several examples with binary and quaternary input signals. It is also shown that the effect of an ideal post-cursor or tail cancellation, in an information-preserving context, depends primarily on the front-end filter. While, as is well known, ideal post-cursor cancellation at the output of the SWMF decreases the information, the opposite trend is seen when an MMSE-DFE front filter is considered. This observation reflects the basic theoretical obstacles in precoding, i.e., ideal post-cursor cancellation in the presence of a pre-cursor. It is used to assess the inherent loss (in terms of information rates as compared to the rates achievable with the hypothetical ideal post-cursor cancellation) associated with any post-cursor cancellation technique such as precoding, DFE, or other variants, when operating in synergy with the MMSE-DFE front-end filter. The effect of the front-end filter on an ideally interleaved, precoded coded-modulation system is also addressed.
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage of the left upper lobe vs duplication of the superior vena cava: distinction based on CT findings.

OBJECTIVE Partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage of the left upper lobe and duplication of the superior vena cava have similar appearances on CT scans. The purpose of this study was to review their appearances and provide guidelines for differentiating between them. MATERIALS AND METHODS A review of the CT reports for the preceding 4 years disclosed seven patients whose original diagnosis was duplication of the superior vena cava and one patient whose diagnosis was partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage of the left upper lobe. The 14 CT examinations of these eight patients were reviewed in order to observe the CT findings in each anomaly. RESULTS In only five of the seven patients whose original diagnosis was duplication of the superior vena cava were CT findings compatible with that diagnosis. In the other two, CT findings were compatible with partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage of the left upper lobe, as they were in the one patient with that as his original diagnosis. Two CT findings allow consistent differentiation. In duplication of the superior vena cava, two vessels can be seen anterior to the left main bronchus, whereas no vessels are present in this location in partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage of the left upper lobe. Additionally, careful inspection reveals that the intraparenchymal veins in the left upper lobe drain to the normally positioned left superior pulmonary vein in duplication of the superior vena cava, whereas they drain to the anomalous vessel in partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage of the left upper lobe. CONCLUSION Careful analysis of the CT scans with particular attention to these two features allows differentiation between partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage of the left upper lobe and duplication of the superior vena cava.
Rapid Figure – Ground Responses to Stereograms Reveal an Advantage for a Convex Foreground

Convexity has long been recognised as a factor that affects figure – ground segmentation, even when pitted against other factors such as symmetry [Kanizsa and Gerbino, 1976 Art and Artefacts Ed.M Henle (New York: Springer) pp 25–32], It is accepted in the literature that the difference between concave and convex contours is important for the visual system, and that there is a prior expectation favouring convexities as figure. We used bipartite stimuli and a simple task in which observers had to report whether the foreground was on the left or the right. We report objective evidence that supports the idea that convexity affects figure – ground assignment, even though our stimuli were not pictorial in that depth order was specified unambiguously by binocular disparity.
SAVINGS AND INCOME RELATIONSHIPS AMONG HOUSEHOLDS: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The paper is a survey of available literature on savings-income functions in developing countries. It gives critical examination of some of the major theories underlying savings and income functions. In doing this, the paper highlighted the concept of savings and some empirical studies done in the area of savings-income relationships and their findings as well as economic implications of the findings. The import of the paper stems from the fact that domestic savings of which household savings is an important component has contributed immensely to the economic transformation of some economies and the determinants of such savings well researched. Hence, understanding the theoretical underpinnings of the savings-income relationships would pave way for further studies to be conducted in Ghana, thereby, replicating such success stories. This is because a better understanding of the savings-income relationship will contribute to the formulation of appropriate policies for savings mobilisation, thereby improving upon local capital formation capacity. Moreover, a good knowledge gained of the savings-income phenomenon particularly at the rural household level in Ghana will give the monetary authorities a fair idea of how the rural economy operates and how to make improvements in this sector to enable its integration into the mainstream financial system.
Serum Antibodies to Helicobacter pylori and its Heat‐Shock Protein 60 Correlate with the Response of Gastric Mucosa‐Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma to Eradication of H. pylori

Background and aims. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori leads to regression of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. In this study, we measured serum antibodies to H. pylori and H. pylori‐recombinant heat‐shock protein 60 (rHSP60) in patients with gastric MALT lymphoma to determine whether humoral immune responses to the bacterial antigens correlate with the efficacy of eradication therapy.
FliL is essential for swarming: motor rotation in absence of FliL fractures the flagellar rod in swarmer cells of Salmonella enterica

fliL is the first gene in a flagellar operon that specifies members of the switch complex and type III export system in Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli, but no function has been ascribed to this gene thus far. Here we report that a fliL mutant is slightly impaired for swimming but completely defective in swarming in both organisms, and have studied this phenotype further in S. enterica. We have found that on swarm agar, mutant cells release or ‘eject’ their flagellar filaments. The released filaments are attached to the hook and part of the rod structure; we have identified the distal rod protein FlgG but not the proximal rod protein FlgF in these filaments. Rod fracture was not observed if flagellar rotation was prevented by removal of proteins that supply proton flow through the motor. Based on these and other results, we propose that motors experience a higher torque on swarm agar owing to an increased proton motive force, and that FliL allows the rod to withstand the increased torsional stress. The flagella‐release phenotype of the S. enterica fliL mutant has a bearing on FliL‐dependent flagellar ejection during the swimmer‐ to stalk‐cell transition in the developmental cycle of Caulobacter crescentus.
How Do Institutional Investors Affect Corporate Performance? Evidence from Private Placements in China

ABSTRACT Using data on private placements in China from 2007 to 2014, we show that abnormal returns of issuing companies’ stocks are significantly positive on the announcement day, but they become significantly negative during the event window [−20, +20]. Participation by institutional investors has a significant and negative impact on the short-term stock returns. This negative effect is also present in issuing companies’ long-term stock returns and profitability. Furthermore, we find that participation by institutional investors reduces dividend payments after private placements. Overall, our findings do not support the monitoring hypothesis of institutional investors’ role in corporate finance but are consistent with the management entrenchment hypothesis and shareholder pessimism hypothesis.
Comparison of the Effect of Etomidate and Desflurane on Brain Tissue Gases and pH during Prolonged Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Background The authors compared the effects of etomidate and desflurane on brain tissue oxygen pressure (PO2), carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2), and pH in patients who had middle cerebral artery occlusion for > 15 min. Methods After a craniotomy, a probe that measures PO2, P (CO)2, and pH was inserted into cortical tissue at risk for ischemia during middle cerebral artery occlusion. A burst suppression pattern of the electroencephalogram was induced with etomidate (n = 6) or 9% end‐tidal desflurane (n = 6) started before middle cerebral artery occlusion. Mean blood pressure was supported with phenylephrine to 90–95 mmHg. Results During baseline conditions, tissue PO2, PCO (2), and pH were similar between the two groups (PO2 = 15 mmHg, PCO2 = 60 mmHg, pH = 7.1). During administration of etomidate before middle cerebral artery occlusion, tissue PO2 decreased in five of six patients without a change in PCO2 or pH. During administration of 9% desflurane, tissue PO2 and pH increased before middle cerebral artery clipping. Middle cerebral artery occlusion for an average of 33 min with etomidate and 37 min with desflurane produced a decrease in pH with etomidate (7.09 to 6.63, P <0.05) but not with desflurane (7.12 to 7.15). Conclusion These results suggest that tissue hypoxia and acidosis are often observed during etomidate treatment and middle cerebral artery occlusion. Treatment with desflurane significantly increases tissue P (O)2 alone and attenuates acidotic changes to prolonged middle cerebral artery occlusion.
Evaluation of home versus laboratory polysomnography in the diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome.

The aim of this study was to compare home polysomnography (HoPSG) with laboratory polysomnography (LabPSG) in the diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS). A total of 103 patients referred for investigation of SAS underwent two full polysomnographies, using the portable Minisomno device at home and the Respisomnographe in the laboratory (both devices manufactured by the same company). Twenty percent of home-studied device polysomnography (HoSD-PSG) recordings and 5% of LabPSG recordings were excluded from analysis either because of lost data or poor quality data. Sleep stage distribution and subjective quality of sleep were similar by both methods. Using LabPSG, the mean (+/- SD) RDI was 25.7 (+/- 30.6) versus 22.8 (+/- 31.5) using HoSD-PSG (p > 0.05). Absolute differences between the home and laboratory respiratory disturbance index (RDI) were less than 10 for 65% of patients. Discordant RDIs (i.e., differences greater than 10) were observed for 63% of individuals with severe SAS (RDI > 30) versus 22% of those with normal or moderate SAS (RDI </= 30) (p < 0.05). Higher RDI differences were associated with poor airflow signal at home. Forty-seven percent of patients preferred LabPSG. Our results suggest that HoSD-PSG was not feasible for 33% of patients; there was no evidence of a better quality of sleep and recording tolerance at home; the reliability of HoSD-PSG for SAS diagnosis depends on the quality of data obtained under unattended conditions.