Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Red Wine, Alcohol, and Quercetin on Coronary Resistance and Conductance Arteries

Summary: Moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Some evidence suggests that red wine is particularly beneficial in this regard and may account in part for the French paradox, although the mechanism of this effect is unknown. We assessed the effects of red wine, ethanol, and quercetin, a major flavonoid constituent of red wine, in coronary resistance vessels (80‐150 &mgr;m, i.d.) and conductance vessels (300‐525 &mgr;m, i.d.) of the rabbit. Vessel wall tension was measured in isolated segments maintained in a wire‐type myograph (37°C) and preconstricted with 30 mM K+. At an alcohol concentration (14 mM) equivalent to moderate consumption, red wine evoked a small, transient constrictor effect in resistance and conductance vessels (9 ± 4%, n = 5; 8 ± 1%, n = 7, respectively; p < 0.05). Ethanol alone at this concentration was without effect. Quercetin (5.6, 8, and 30 &mgr;M) significantly relaxed resistance (‐32 ± 4%, n = 10; ‐47 ± 2%, n = 7; ‐82 ± 6%, n = 8, respectively) and conductance (‐20 ± 3%, n = 8; ‐32 ± 4%, n = 8; ‐72 ± 7%, n = 8, respectively) coronary arteries. Vasorelaxation by quercetin was endothelium‐independent and was significantly greater in resistance than in conductance vessels. These data suggest that red wine and ethanol do not evoke relaxation in small coronary arteries at concentrations associated with moderate consumption. Quercetin elicits marked coronary vasorelaxation that is endothelium‐independent. However, the concentrations of quercetin necessary to achieve this action are not attained with moderate red wine consumption.
Retirement Adequacy through Higher Contributions: Is This the Only Way?

Australia is increasing the legislated minimum and compulsory provision of retirement savings for employees (known as the superannuation guarantee, SG) from 9% to 12% of salary. Using a simulation approach, the article finds that retirement adequacy generally improves under the increased SG provision, particularly if a relatively favorable sequence of returns is experienced over the employee’s working life. Using a variety of default options, the authors show that increasing the contributions of workers without appropriately altering the asset allocation strategy of their investments may expose them to greater sequencing risk, potentially undermining the objectives of the contribution increase. The retirement outcomes sought by increasing the SG can be achieved through a dynamic life-cycle approach to portfolio design without necessarily increasing the contribution rate.
Cluster-analysis & patterns of dissemination of multidrug resistance among clinical strains of Vibrio cholerae in Calcutta, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Antimicrobial resistance among Vibrio cholerae has been monitored for several years in Calcutta. To investigate the changing trends in multidrug resistance (MDR) among different serogroups of V. cholerae and to perform software assisted cluster analysis the current study was undertaken. METHODS Strains isolated from patients with cholera and "cholera-like" diarrhoea admitted in the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Calcutta were analysed. Eight hundred and forty V. cholerae strains isolated from 1992 through 1997 were tested for susceptibility to 11 antibiotics. Cluster analysis was done using SPSS software. RESULTS Most of the strains exhibited MDR with fluctuating trends as the resistance profile diverged each year. A total of 119 different resistance profiles exhibited by V. cholerae O1, O139 and non-O1, non-O139 serogroups were analysed by cluster combination method. During 1993 and 1994, 53 per cent of V. cholerae O139 and 82 per cent of V. cholerae O1 serogroups, respectively, exhibited maximal number of new resistance patterns. The frequency of new resistance patterns among V. cholerae non-O1, non-O139 was constantly high (33-47%) during 1995 to 1997. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS With a few exceptions, preponderance of the resistance profiles was generally not confined to any serogroup. The cluster analysis depicted dissemination of some of the resistance patterns commonly found among V. cholerae non-O1, non-O139 belonging to different serogroups to the O139 serogroup in the succeeding years. In this study we have shown that the V. cholerae strains are resistant to several antibiotics with constant change in the MDR profiles. It is imperative to define the susceptibility pattern of the strains to determine the effective drug of choice for the treatment of cholera.
Comparison of secondary arcs for reclosing applications

This paper presents a comparison of secondary electric arcs behavior for reclosing applications. The main objective of the paper is to show the differences in secondary arcs during simulations, laboratory tests and real life events. These comparisons can help engineers develop adaptive reclosing algorithms and improve power system stability. A software arc model, a laboratory test result and field events' harmonic contents were analyzed. Although the harmonics may differ in each method, they all provide enough information to be used in the reclosing algorithms.
Impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on non-communicable disease prevention.

April 2005, Vol. 95, No. 4 SAMJ HIV/AIDS continues to ravage sub-Saharan Africa, and in South Africa accounts for 30% of all mortality, making it the leading cause of death. 1 The epidemic has had other negative effects, which have not been fully realised. Among these is the fact that, paradoxically, the awareness programmes implemented to prevent major spread of HIV/AIDS have complicated the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Positron emission tomography and neuropathologic estimates of fibrillar amyloid-β in a patient with Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND Down syndrome appears to be associated with a virtually certain risk of fibrillar amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology by the age of 40 and a very high risk of dementia at older ages. The positron emission tomography (PET) ligand florbetapir F18 has been shown to characterize fibrillar Aβ in the living human brain and to provide a close correlation with subsequent Aβ neuropathology in individuals proximate to and after the end of life. The extent to which the most frequently used PET ligands can be used to detect fibrillar Aβ in patients with Down syndrome remains to be determined. OBJECTIVES To characterize PET estimates of fibrillar Aβ burden in a Down syndrome patient very close to the end of life and to compare them with neuropathologic assessment made after his death. Design/ METHODS With the family's informed consent, florbetapir PET was used to study a 55-year-old Down syndrome patient with Alzheimer disease near the end of life; his brain was donated for neuropathologic assessment when he died 14 days later. Visual ratings of cerebral florbetapir uptake were performed by trained readers who were masked to the patient's diagnosis as part of a larger study, and an automated algorithm was used to characterize regional-to-cerebellar standard uptake value ratios in 6 cerebral regions of interest. Neuropathologic assessments were performed masked to the patient's diagnosis or PET measurements. RESULTS Visual ratings and automated analyses of the PET image revealed a heavy fibrillar Aβ burden in cortical, striatal, and thalamic regions, similar to that reported for patients with late-onset Alzheimer disease. This matched neuropathologic findings of frequent neuritic and diffuse plaques, as well as frequent amyloid angiopathy, except for neuropathologically demonstrated frequent cerebellar diffuse plaques and amyloid angiopathy that were not detected by the PET scan. CONCLUSIONS Florbetapir PET can be used to detect increased cerebral-to-cerebellar fibrillar Aβ burden in a Down syndrome patient with Alzheimer disease, even in the presence of frequent amyloid angiopathy and diffuse plaques in the cerebellum. Additional studies are needed to determine the extent to which PET could be used to detect and to track fibrillar Aβ and to evaluate investigational Aβ-modifying treatments in the presymptomatic and symptomatic stages of Alzheimer disease.
Responses of different cell lines from ocular tissues to elevated hydrostatic pressure

BACKGROUND/AIMS Mechanical forces are thought to induce cellular responses through activation of signalling pathways. Cells within the intraocular environment are exposed to constant changes in the levels of intraocular pressure. In this study, an attempt was made to determine the acute effects of elevated hydrostatic pressure on different intraocular cells grown in culture. METHODS Different cell lines derived from ocular tissues including non-pigmented and pigmented ciliary epithelium, trabecular meshwork, retina, and lamina cribrosa were incubated in a pressurised chamber at 50 mm Hg in a culture incubator at 37°C for up to 6 hours. Control cells were incubated at atmospheric pressure. The viability of the cells was examined using their intracellular esterase activity. The morphology and cytoskeleton of the cells were investigated using microscopy and phalloidin staining. Adenylyl cyclase activity was assessed by measuring the conversion of [3H]-cAMP from [3H]-ATP in response to elevated hydrostatic pressure for 1–6 hours. In addition, at the end of incubation period under elevated hydrostatic pressure the recovery of adenylyl cyclase activity to control levels was examined. RESULTS Cell viability did not change following exposure to elevated hydrostatic pressure for 6 hours. Cells subjected to elevated hydrostatic pressure demonstrated morphological differences characterised by a more rounded shape and a redistribution of actin stress fibres that was most prominent in lamina cribrosa astrocytes. A time dependent increase in basal adenylyl cyclase activity, and a decrease in maximum forskolin stimulated activity were observed in all cell lines following exposure to elevated hydrostatic pressure. CONCLUSION These observations demonstrate that cell lines from different ocular tissues are sensitive to changes in external pressure in vitro. They exhibit morphological and cytoskeletal changes as well as significant alterations of intracellular adenylyl cyclase activity following exposure to acute and sustained levels of elevated hydrostatic pressure of up to 6 hours' duration.
[Plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor and tissue factor in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE To detect plasma concentrations of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and tissue factor (TF) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and explore their clinical significance in ALL. METHODS Thirty-three children with newly diagnosed ALL, including 18 cases of low risk, 7 cases of moderate risk and 8 cases of high risk, were enrolled in this study. Twenty-five patients received a complete remission and 8 cases were in non-remission after conventional remission induction chemotherapy. Plasma concentrations of VEGF and TF in the patients were detected using ELISA before and after treatment. Sixteen healthy children served as normal control group. RESULTS Plasma concentrations of VEGF and TF in ALL patients before treatment were significantly higher than those in normal controls (P < 0.01). Plasma concentrations of VEGF and TF in the non-remission group before treatment were significantly higher than those in the remission group (P < 0.05) and the control group (P < 0.01). After treatment the plasma concentrations of VEGF and TF in the non-remission group were not significantly reduced and higher than those in the remission and the control groups (P < 0.01). There were significant differences in plasma concentrations of VEGF and TF among the low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk groups before and after treatment (P < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of VEGF and TF in the high risk group were not significantly reduced after treatment and higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). A linear correlation was noted between plasma VEGF and TF concentrations in ALL patients before treatment (r=0.50, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS VEGF and TF play an important role in the development of ALL and may be useful to the evaluation of the severity and the outcome in ALL.
Statistical Models for Financial Volatility

This paper develops tools for measuring andforecasting volatility when it varies over time. A variety of popular models for conditional variances, including ARCH, GARCH and EGARCH, are presented and compared. The results suggest that volatility is forecastable. Such predictions may affect portfolio decisions. Volatility may consequently be priced, leading to time-varying risk premiums.
Tuberculosis and Behavioural Risk Factors: The Case of NorthWestern Nigeria

Behavioural risk factors affect the spread of diseases, particularly infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB), the transmission which is associated with several factors, including consumption of unpasteurised milk. The few studies that have been conducted on the role of behavioural risk factors on disease transmission in North-western Nigeria are also inconclusive. This study, therefore, examined the prevalence of pulmonary TB in the region with a focus on these factors, using a survey design and the disease ecology concept as the framework. Random sampling was used to collect data from the records of 15 Directly Observed Therapy Short-course (DOTS) centres along Fulani route of seasonal migration. A structured questionnaire was administered to 461 selected patients, and data collected on behavioural risk factors included „visits to health centre to treat TB‟, „smoking‟ and „consumption of unpasteurized milk‟ as well as perceived causes of the disease. Simple Linear Regression and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze data at p<0.05. Results of the regression showed „ever visited a health centre to treat TB‟ with the highest contribution (Beta=0.853), followed by „ever been a smoker‟ (Beta=0.953) for the behavioural factors; whist heredity (Beta=0.265) and God‟s wish (Beta=0.229) were perceived as the main causes of TB. There was no statistical significance of both the behavioural [F (15,44)=1.397; p=0.191] and perceived [F (19,130)=0.525, p=0.947] factors. It was concluded that behavioural factors do not affect the prevalence of TB in North-western Nigeria. Thus, cognizance needs to be taken of other factors in TB monitoring and control within the region.
The insulin‐like growth factor I system in the rat cerebellum: Developmental regulation and role in neuronal survival and differentiation

The developmental regulation of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I), its receptor, and its binding proteins (IGFBPs) was studied in the rat cerebellum. All the components of the IGF‐I system were detectable in the cerebellum at least by embryonic day 19. Levels of IGF‐I receptor and its mRNA were highest at perinatal ages and steadily decrease thereafter, although a partial recovery in IGF‐I receptor mRNA was found in adults. Levels of IGF‐I and its mRNA also peaked at early ages, although immunoreactive IGF‐I showed a second peak during adulthood. Finally, levels of IGFBPs were also highest at early postnatal ages and abruptly decreased thereafter to reach lower adult levels. Since highest levels of the different components of the IGF‐I system were found at periods of active cellular growth and differentiation we also examined possible trophic effects of IGF‐I on developing cerebellar cells in vitro. We found a dose‐dependent effect of IGF‐I on neuron survival together with a specific increase of the two main neurotransmitters used by cerebellar neurons, GABA and glutamate. Analysis of cerebellar cultures by combined in vitro autoradiography and immunocytochemistry with cell‐specific markers indicated that both Purkinje cells (calbindin‐positive) and other neurons (neurofilament‐positive) contain IGF‐I binding sites. These results extend previous observations on a developmental regulation of the IGF‐I system in the cerebellum and reinforce the notion of a physiologically relevant trophic role of IGF‐I in cerebellar development. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Visuomotor Training Improves Stroke-Related Ipsilesional Upper Extremity Impairments

Background. Unilateral middle cerebral artery infarction has been reported to impair bilateral hand grasp. Methods. Individuals (5 males and 5 females; age 33-86 years) with chronic unilateral middle cerebral artery stroke (4 right lesions and 6 left lesions) repeatedly lifted a 260-g object. Participants were then trained to lift the object using visuomotor feedback via an oscilloscope that displayed their actual grip force (GF) and a target GF, which roughly matched the physical properties of the object. Results.The subjects failed to accurately modulate the predictive GF when relying on somatosensory information from the previous lifts. Instead, for all the lifts, they programmed excessive GF equivalent to the force used for the first lift. The predictive GF was lowered for lifts following the removal of the visual feedback. The mean difference in predictive GF between the lifts before and after visual training was significant (4.35 ± 0.027 N; P ≤ .001; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.80-4.88). After removal of visual feedback, there was also a significant mean difference in the applied predictive GF between the “early” and “late” lifts (0.78 ± 0.029 N; P ≤ .006; 95% CI = 0.22-1.35), demonstrating continued increase in predictive GF accuracy. Conclusion. Predictive or feedforward fingertip force generation is impaired in the ipsilesional hand when lifting a novel object with precision grip. Reacquisition of the motor forces for the grasp of objects is possible after stroke. Potentially, retraining grasp control for the ipsilesional hand may translate to improved function and motor learning within the contralesional hand.
Weakness and numbness after chemotherapy for metastatic non-seminoma testis: A new neurological complication

Germ cell tumors have been associated with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, mainly encephalitis, and its treatment with peripheral neuropathy. We present a 41-year-old male treated with chemotherapy for a germ cell tumor who developed a Guillain-Barré syndrome, an acute demyelinating neuropathy. This is the first case of Guillain-Barré potentially related to a germ cell tumor described in the literature to date.
Effects of AlGaN/GaN HEMT structure on RF reliability

A comparison of RF reliability at 10 GHz on four different undoped AlGaN/GaN HEMT structures with AlGaN barrier thickness variation is presented. The output power degradation characteristics during RF stress for each structure are shown, and the results indicate a strong dependence of reliability on AlGaN thickness. A device from the structure with the thinnest AlGaN in the study, with initial output power of 8.8 W/mm at 40 V, showed only a change of 0.55 dB in output power after 185 h of RF stress at 40 V. The results demonstrate excellent RF reliability of high-power devices and the potential of stable high-power operation of undoped AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on SiC.
Economic integration and industrial location: the case of Spain before World War I

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of the localisation of industrial activity in Spain during the second half of thenineteenth century and the effects of economic integration in Spain's industrial geography. First, we review the historical analysis of these changes. Second, we summarise the theories that explain industrial location patterns. Third, we construct different measures of industrial specialisation and geographical concentration. Finally, we perform an econometric analysis of the determinants of industrial location at two points in time, 1856 and 1893, using the techniques of spatial econometrics.
Insider Ownership and the Decision to Go Public

This paper focuses on the role of an initial public offering (IPO) in maximizing the proceeds an initial owner obtains in selling his company. In deciding whether to undertake an IPO, and what fraction of ownership to retain, the initial owner must balance two factors. By selling to dispersed shareholders, he maximizes his proceeds from the sale of cash flow rights. However, by directly bargaining with a potential buyer, he maximizes his proceeds from the sale of control rights. Whether a company should be private or public, as well as the insider's ownership in public companies, depends on the particular combination of majority control and dispersed ownership which maximizes the incumbent's wealth. The model provides implications on the strategy to be followed in selling a company as well as on the timing of IPOs and going-private transactions.
VOLATILITY CLUSTERING IN FINANCIAL MARKETS: A MICROSIMULATION OF INTERACTING AGENTS

The finding of clustered volatility and ARCH effects is ubiquitous in financial data. This paper presents a possible explanation of this phenomenon within a multi-agent framework of speculative activity. In the model, both chartist and fundamentalist strategies are considered with agents switching between both behavioural variants according to observed differences in pay-offs. Price changes are brought about by a market maker reacting on imbalances between demand and supply. Most of the time, a stable and efficient market results. However, its usual tranquil performance is interspersed by sudden transient phases of destabilisation. Outbreak of volatility occurs if the fraction of agents using chartist techniques surpasses a certain threshold value, but such phases are quickly brought to an end by stabilising tendencies. Formally, this pattern can be understood as an example of a new type of dynamic behaviour denoted on-off intermittency in physics literature. Statistical analysis of simulated data shows that the main stylised facts (unit roots in levels together with heteroscedasticity and leptokurtosis of returns) can be found in this artificial market.
The Equity Fear Premium and Daily Comovements of the S&P 500 E/P Ratio and Treasury Yields Before and During the 2007 Financial Crisis

The daily S&P 500 forward earnings yield (E/P ratio) is strongly negatively correlated with daily Treasury yields of all maturities during the 2007 financial crisis, which is a reversal from the relation that prevailed before the crisis. To explain this pattern reversal, I introduce a new risk measure called the Total Fear Premium that accounts for flight-to-safety and flight-to-liquidity behavior. The Total Fear Premium “mimics” the VIX during the financial crisis. Once the basic GARCH formulation modeling the interaction between the earnings yield and Treasury yields is augmented with the Total Fear Premium, the relation between the earnings yield and short-term Treasury yields becomes significantly positive, in line with Fama’s (1975) view that short-term yields are good proxies for expected inflation. Two by-products of this analysis are: 1) a new risk premium measure associated with flight-to-liquidity and 2) a new way to measure the inflation risk premium on a daily basis.