Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Senators Strategic Use of Time in Representation

Remaining time to reelection serves as a constraint and an opportunity for senators to adapt constituency preferences for their legislative decision making. The relatively long length of terms may allow senators to change their ideological positions over the course of their terms. Given long terms of six-years, senators may be able to seek first to vote in favor of party discipline and personal policy motivation and then to take a strategy to keep step with constituency preferences as their reelections approach. This study finds that the long length of the term serves as an opportunity for senators to seek to achieve their preferred policy and maximize the chances of reelection.
Incentives to Local Public Service Provision: An Evaluation of Italy's Obiettivi di Servizio

Set up by the Italian central government and implemented in the lagging regions, Obiettivi di Servizio is an innovative scheme designed to encourage local authorities to reach given targets for the provision of public services such as education, childcare and elderly care, waste management, and water supply. The paper finds that the programme was only partially successful, with considerable differences across regions and targets. An important driver of effectiveness was local institutional quality. We also find signs of displacement effects: local authorities involved in the programme might have concentrated on the targets to the detriment of other local public services. Creado por el gobierno central italiano e implementado en las regiones menos desarrolladas, Obiettivi di Servizio es un programa innovador disenado para animar a las autoridades locales a alcanzar determinados objetivos en la prestacion de servicios publicos como la educacion, el cuidado de ninos y ancianos, la gestion de residuos y el suministro de agua. El articulo concluye que el programa solo logro un exito parcial, y mostro diferencias considerables entre regiones y objetivos. Un factor importante de la eficacia fue la calidad de las instituciones locales. Tambien se encontraron indicios de efectos de desplazamiento: las autoridades locales involucradas en el programa podrian haberse concentrado en sus objetivos en detrimento de otros servicios publicos locales. Obiettivi di Servizioは、イタリア中央政府によって設立された、発展が遅れている地域で実施されている、イノベーションスキームで、教育、育児・介護、廃棄物処理、水道設備などの公共サービスの提供について、地方自治体が一定の目標を達成することを促進するものである。 このプログラムは部分的にしか成功しておらず、地域や目標によってかなりの差があると考えられる。 効果を推進する要因として、地域の制度の質が重要であることがわかった。 また、プログラムに参加した地方当局は、結果的に他の地方公共サービスに損害を与える目標に集中していた可能性があり、置換効果の兆候も認められた。
Endothelial Cell Injury Markers in Chronic Renal Failure on Conservative Treatment and Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Aim: In chronic renal failure in dialyzed patients vascular damage is frequently observed and it is probable that disturbances in fibrinolytic activity and endothelial dysfunction may play a role in vascular complications such as stroke or ischemic heart disease. There have been a few data concerning hemostasis in chronic renal failure. Since hemostatic disturbances in nephrotic syndrome mimick those observed in patients maintained on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialyses (CAPD), the aim of the study was to assess adhesion molecules (P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM, VCAM and markers of endothelial cell injury), von Willebrand factor, thrombomodulin, and TFPI (tissue factor pathway inhibitor) in CAPD patients as well as in subjects with chronic renal failure (CRF) treated conservatively. Methods: The studies were performed on 23 CAPD patients, 24 patients with nephrotic syndrome and 24 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. TFPI total, full length, truncated, von Willebrand factor, trombomodulin, P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM, VCAM and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor sFlt3 were assayed using commercially available kits. We evaluated also thrombin activity (thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), prothrombin fragments 1 and 2) and the degree of plasmin generation. Results: In CAPD and CRF patients, concentrations of the adhesion molecules P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM and VCAM were significantly higher when compared to the control group. Concentrations of total, free and truncated TFPI were significantly higher in CAPD and CRF patients when compared to the healthy volunteers. Concentrations of ‘classical’ markers of endothelial cell injury, von Willebrand factor and thrombomodulin, were significantly higher in CAPD and CRF patients when compared to the control group. In CAPD patients, VCAM and thrombomodulin were significantly elevated when compared to the CRF patients. Conclusions: The elevated levels of adhesion molecules in CAPD patients probably reflect inadequate clearance as well as enhanced synthesis/release. They may also indicate endothelial cell injury as well as elevated levels of von Willebrand factor and trombomodulin and increased ICAM and VCAM in CAPD patients. Our studies indicate that in renal failure patients, particularly on CAPD, there is evidence of endothelial cell injury and a high degree of hypercoagulation relative to healthy subjects. It may lead to fibrin deposition in the vascular wall, thrombus formation, and development and progression of atherosclerosis with its complications.
IgE antibodies to betalactams: relationship between the triggering hapten and the specificity of the immune response

Background: In immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐mediated responses to betalactams (BL) the antibody is directed to the hapten inducing the response. For benzylpenicillin (BP) the determinant is benzylpenicilloyl (BPO) and for amoxicillin (AX), amoxicilloyl (AXO). Because of cross‐reactivity, IgE from some patients reacts to both drugs whereas others have a drug‐selective recognition. After an allergic episode, there is an increase in IgE that decreases over time. We analysed the response of patients allergic to BL after penicillin administration, with emphasis on IgE cross‐reactivity.
Long‐term outcome of ‘long‐term liver transplant survivors’

There are few studies focusing on long‐term complications in liver transplant (LT) recipients. The aim of this study was to define the outcome of LT recipients having survived at least 10 years from LT. Of 323 adult LT done between 1991 and 1997, the 167(52%) alive >10 years post‐LT (baseline time) formed the study population. Long‐term outcome measures included the following: immunosuppression, metabolic complications [obesity, arterial hypertension (AH), diabetes, dislypidemia], cardiovascular events (CVE), chronic renal dysfunction‐CRD, and de novo tumors. Median age at LT was 50 years. Most common indication was postnecrotic cirrhosis (89%), mostly because of HCV (46%). At study‐baseline (10 years post‐LT), 29% were obese and AH, diabetes, dislypidemia, and CRD were present in 75%, 30%, 42%, and 36%, respectively. In most cases, these complications were already present 1 year post‐LT; less than one quarter developed them onward. The 6 year cumulative survival since baseline reached 84% (n = 24 deaths), with most deaths related to recurrent graft diseases (mostly HCV) followed by de novo tumors or CVE. 1, 3, 5 and 10 years cumulative rates of CVE and de novo tumors since baseline were 2%, 5%, 10% and 17%, and 1%, 3%, 6% and 13%, respectively. Chronic renal impairment was independently associated with survival and development of CVE since baseline. The medium‐term survival of ‘long‐term survivors’, i.e. patients alive 10 years after LT is good, but metabolic complications and CRD are common and continue to increase afterwards. Cardiovascular events and de novo tumors increase gradually over time and represent a major cause of late mortality.
Surveillance of drug resistance in tuberculosis in two districts of South India.

SETTING Tuberculosis Research Centre, Chennai, India. OBJECTIVES To determine the levels of drug resistance in new and previously treated cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the composite districts of North Arcot (Tamil Nadu State) and Raichur (Karnataka State) in South India. DESIGN Two specimens of sputum from 320 patients attending 23 participating centres in North Arcot district and 314 patients from 20 participating centres in Raichur district were tested for drug susceptibility to isoniazid (H), rifampicin (R), ethambutol (E), streptomycin (S) and ofloxacin (O). The studies were undertaken using the guidelines prescribed by the WHO/IUATLD Working Group on Anti-tuberculosis Drug Resistance Surveillance. RESULTS In North Arcot district, resistance to any drug tested was found in 27.7% of new cases; any H resistance in 23.4%, any R resistance in 2.8% and multidrug resistance (resistance to at least H and R: MDR) in 2.8%. In previously treated cases, resistance to any drug was observed in 81.2%, and any resistance to H, R and HR in 81%, 69% and 69%, respectively. In Raichur district, resistance to any drug was observed in 21.9% of new cases; any resistance to H, R and HR (MDR) was found in 18.7%, 2.5% and 2.5%, respectively. All previously treated patients were resistant to H and R (100%). CONCLUSION In North Arcot district, the proportion of MDR-TB in newly diagnosed patients has marginally increased over the last 10-15 years, whereas it has remained fairly constant in Raichur district. An increase in resistance was noted in previously treated cases in both districts, although the numbers of patients are small.
Mechanisms of attentional cueing during observational learning to facilitate motor skill acquisition

Abstract We examined the effectiveness of different cueing conditions during observational learning of a soccer accuracy pass. Sixty participants (30 males, 30 females) were randomly assigned and stratified by sex into one of six groups: discovery learning, verbal instruction, video model with visual cues, video model with verbal cues, video model with visual and verbal cues, and video model only. Each participant completed eight blocks of 10 trials each, with trial blocks 1 and 2 representing the practice phase (no manipulation), trial blocks 3, 4, 5 and 6 the acquisition phase (manipulation administered) and trial blocks 7 and 8 the retention phase (24 h after acquisition, with no manipulation). Absolute error, variable error and kicking form were recorded. The results indicated that those who used video modelling with visual and verbal cues collectively displayed less error and more appropriate form across acquisition and retention trial blocks compared with other groups. Our findings suggest that verbal information in addition to visual cues enhances perceptual representation and retention of modelled activities to improve task reproduction capabilities. Future research directions are proposed with implications for both direct and indirect perception accounts of skill acquisition through observed behaviours.
Fal1p is an essential DEAD-box protein involved in 40S-ribosomal-subunit biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A previously uncharacterized Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene, FAL1, was found by sequence comparison as a homolog of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A). Fal1p has 55% identity and 73% similarity on the amino acid level to yeast eIF4A, the prototype of ATP-dependent RNA helicases of the DEAD-box protein family. Although clearly grouped in the eIF4A subfamily, the essential Fal1p displays a different subcellular function and localization. An HA epitope-tagged Fal1p is localized predominantly in the nucleolus. Polysome analyses in a temperature-sensitive fal1-1 mutant and a Fal1p-depleted strain reveal a decrease in the number of 40S ribosomal subunits. Furthermore, these strains are hypersensitive to the aminoglycoside antibiotics paromomycin and neomycin. Pulse-chase labeling of pre-rRNA and steady-state-level analysis of pre-rRNAs and mature rRNAs by Northern hybridization and primer extension in the Fal1p-depleted strain show that Fal1p is required for pre-rRNA processing at sites A0, A1, and A2. Consequently, depletion of Fal1p leads to decreased 18S rRNA levels and to an overall deficit in 40S ribosomal subunits. Together, these results implicate Fal1p in the 18S rRNA maturation pathway rather than in translation initiation.
OPTN policy regarding prioritization of patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome: does it provide equitable organ allocation?

United Network for Organ Transplantation (UNOS) policy 3.6. 4.5.1 provides exception points to patients diagnosed with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) to compensate for their reported increased mortality risk. We compared pre- and posttransplant and overall outcomes in 255 patients receiving exception points under this policy (HPS policy patients) with 32 358 nonexception control patients listed in the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) era to determine whether the intent of the policy is being met. Overall, 92.5% of HPS policy patients versus 45.5% of controls had been transplanted, 5.1% versus 31.2% remained on waiting list and 1.5% versus 14.1% had died while awaiting transplant (p < 0.0001 for each comparison). Relative risk (RR) of death for HPS policy patients compared to controls was 0.158 (confidence interval [CI]: 0.059-0.420, p = 0.0002) pretransplant, and 0.827 (CI: 0.587-1.170, p = 0.28) posttransplant. Overall (combined waitlist and posttransplant) RR of death was 0.514 (CI: 0.374-0.707, p = 0.00004) compared with controls. After adjustment for laboratory MELD, overall RR was 0.807 (CI: 0.587-1.110, p = 0.19), indicating that HPS policy patients' mortality risk would be similar to that of controls had they been listed with their laboratory MELD score. HPS policy patients have a significant pretransplant survival advantage over standard liver transplant candidates because of the exception points awarded, and have similar posttransplant survival. Better criteria for diagnosing and grading of HPS are required.
Glucose and Insulin Modulate the Capacity of Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) to Express P-selectin and Bind a Monocytic Cell Line (U937)

Summary Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased prevalence of endothelial cell dysfunction and vascular diseases. Mechanisms leading to alterations in endothelial cell function are poorly understood. We report here that hyperglycaemia results in the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte adhesion and extravasation. Incubation of human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVEC) with 25 mM glucose induced the expression of P-selectin. This effect was reversed by the addition of 1 nM insulin. Moreover, increased ICAM-1 expression was observed upon HUVEC incubation with 25 mM glucose. Increased adhesion of U937 cells (a monocytic cell line) to endothelial cells cultured with 25 mM glucose was observed. High glucose-induced monocytes cell adhesion was inhibited by an anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody (LYP20). These results show that high glucose concentration activates endothelial cells leading to monocytes adhesion providing further evidence that hyperglycaemia might be implicated in vessel wall lesions contributing to diabetic vascular disease. Present address: Dr. M. D. Puente Navazo, Centre Pluridisciplinaire d’Oncologie, ISREC, Epalinges, Switzerland
Digital technologies and youth mobility in rural Zimbabwe

The adoption and use of digital technologies (DTs) in rural communities have an impact on several aspects of the society. Using empirical evidence from selected villages of Beitbridge district in Zimbabwe, this study examines the relationship between DTs and youth mobility. The different types, causes, and motifs associated with youth mobilities are explored using qualitative research methods including focus group discussions and community visioning workshops. Study findings reveal challenges facing youths in trying to be mobile including social (mainly gender) inequalities. Thus, women were found to be less mobile. Lack of infrastructure was found to be another key challenge impacting youth mobility. The study however found that DTs are being adopted and this has led to virtual mobilities, which is redefining youth mobility. The opportunities and challenges of integrating virtual mobilities and physical mobilities were explored. The study findings are critical to various actors including ICT, education, and other sectors in that they show opportunities that need to be expropriated to enhance youth mobility, which is key to socio‐economic well‐being of youths, as well as the challenges that can be faced through the ubiquity of DTs.
Consensus conference. Medical treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Practice guidelines. Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology.

OBJECTIVE To integrate the realization that peptic ulcer most commonly reflects infection with Helicobacter pylori or use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) into a disease management approach. PARTICIPANTS Guidelines were outlined by the author and presented for review to the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Practice Parameters Committee, selected by the president of the ACG, and a panel of experts in peptic ulcer, selected by the committee. EVIDENCE AND CONSENSUS PROCESS These guidelines were formulated following extensive review of the literature obtained by MEDLINE search and presented for detailed review and revision to unpublicized committee meetings on three occasions and to experts by mail. These recommendations are an official statement of the ACG and have been approved by the American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society for Gastroenterological Endoscopy. Firm recommendations are discriminated from reasonable suppositions pending definitive data. CONCLUSIONS Since cure of H. pylori infection decreases recurrence rates and facilitates healing, antibiotic therapy is indicated for all H. pylori-infected ulcer patients. No optimal, simple antibiotic regimen has yet emerged. Simultaneous conventional ulcer therapy is recommended to facilitate symptom relief and healing. For refractory ulcers, only maximal acid inhibition offers advantage over continued conventional therapy; cure of H. pylori infection is likely to facilitate healing of refractory ulcers. Only with complicated or refractory ulcers should conventional maintenance therapy be continued, at least until successful H. pylori eradication is confirmed. A search for NSAID use is indicated for all ulcer patients. For NSAID-associated ulcers these drugs should be discontinued if possible and H. pylori, if present, should be cured.
Demonstration of a Dual-Polarized Phased-Array Feed

We describe the design and construction of a dual-polarized phased-array feed (PAF) with the purpose of demonstrating this technology as a means of expanding the instantaneous field-of-view of radio telescopes. The PAF beamformer is calibrated with observations of an unpolarized astronomical radio source, the covariance matrix of all receiver channels is calculated, and the two dominant eigenvectors are then used as beamformer weights. We show measurements demonstrating the capabilities of this instrument as a polarimeter, and confirm that the calibration method does produce orthogonally-polarized beams. These results are then analyzed to show the sensitivity to fluctuations in gain and phase in the multiple parallel receiver chains making up the phased-array feed. We also compare the performance of PAFs that beamform all array elements with PAFs that beamform only co-polarized elements.
X-ray crystallographic analyses of complexes between bovine beta-trypsin and Schiff base copper(II) or iron(III) chelates.

To establish the structural basis underlying the activity of a novel series of metal-chelate trypsin inhibitors, the structures of p-amidinosalicylidene-l-alaninato(aqua)copper(II) (1a), m-amidinosalicylidene-l-alaninato(aqua)copper(II) (1b), bis(p-amidinosalicylidene-l-alaninato)iron(III) (2a), and bis(m-amidinosalicylidene-l-alaninato)iron(III) (2b) bound to bovine beta-trypsin were studied by X-ray crystallography. The amidinium group of the inhibitor donates hydrogen bonds to Asp189, Gly219 and Ser190, as seen before in trypsin-benzamidine complexes. The copper(II) ion of 1a is situated away from trypsin's catalytic triad residues, and is octahedrally coordinated by a Schiff base and three water molecules. In contrast, the copper(II) ion of 1b is situated close to the catalytic triad and adopts a square pyramidal coordination geometry. The iron(III) ion of 2a is octahedrally coordinated by two Schiff base ligands and, like the copper(II) ion of 1a, is situated away from the catalytic triad. The p-amidinophenyl ring of a second Schiff base ligand of 2a is directed toward a hydrophobic groove formed by Trp215 and Leu99. Finally, the iron(III) ion of 2b appears to be replaced by magnesium(II), which is octahedrally coordinated by a Schiff base, Gln192 and two water molecules. One of the Schiff base ligands seen in the trypsin-2a complex or in the unbound form of 2b is replaced by water molecules and Gln192. His57 and Ser195 form water-mediated interactions with the magnesium(II) ion of 2b, and Ser195 also forms a hydrogen bond with the phenolic oxygen atom of the Schiff base ligand. These structures reveal a novel mode of interaction between metal-chelate inhibitors and serine proteases, thus providing a structural basis for the development of more potent inhibitors against a variety of trypsin-like enzymes.
Enhanced expression of eotaxin and CCR3 mRNA and protein in atopic asthma. Association with airway hyperresponsiveness and predominant co‐localization of eotaxin mRNA to bronchial epithelial and endothelial cells

Eotaxin is a newly discovered C‐C chemokine which preferentially attracts and activates eosinophil leukocytes by acting specifically on its receptor CCR3. The airway inflammation characteristic of asthma is believed to be, at least in part, the result of eosinophil‐dependent tissue injury. This study was designed to determine whether there is increased expression of eotaxin and CCR3 in the bronchial mucosa of asthmatics and whether this is associated with disease severity. The major sources of eotaxin and CCR3 mRNA were determined by co‐localization experiments. Bronchial mucosal biopsy samples were obtained from atopic asthmatics and normal non‐atopic controls. Eotaxin and CCR3 mRNA were identified in tissue sections by in situ hybridization (ISH) using radiolabeled riboprobes and their protein product visualized by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Co‐localization experiments were performed by double ISH/IHC. Eotaxin and CCR3 (mRNA and protein) were significantly elevated in atopic asthmatics compared with normal controls. In the asthmatics there was a highly significant inverse correlation between eotaxin mRNA+ cells and the histamine provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20). Cytokeratin‐positive epithelial cells and CD31+ endothelial cells were the major source of eotaxin mRNA whereas CCR3 co‐localized predominantly to eosinophils. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that damage to the bronchial mucosa in asthma involves secretion of eotaxin by epithelial and endothelial cells resulting in eosinophil infiltration mediated via CCR3. Since selective (eotaxin) and non‐selective C‐C chemokines such as RANTES, MCP‐3 and MCP‐4 all stimulate eosinophils via CCR3, this receptor is potentially a prime therapeutic target in the spectrum of diseases involving eosinophil‐mediated tissue damage.