Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strain- and Diet-Related Lesion Variability in Aging DBA/2, C57BL/6, and DBA/2xC57BL/6 F1 Mice

Genetic and environmental factors both play a role in the occurrence of age-related disease. To examine the genetic contribution to the development of spontaneous lesions in aging animals, a complete range of tissues was comprehensively analyzed by histopathology from 180 individually housed ad libitum–fed or 40% calorically restricted 24-month-old male and female mice of 2 parental strains—DBA/2NNia (D2) and C57BL/6NNia (B6)—and the F1 cross B6D2F1/NNia. Several strain- and diet-dependent patterns of lesions were identified. Many lesions were genotype dependent and exhibited recessive phenotypic expression, defined as being common in 1 parental strain but infrequently observed in the F1 cross (eg, glomerulonephritis in B6 mice), while others were maintained from 1 parental strain to the F1 with similar frequencies (eg, reproductive tract leiomyoma in D2 mice). Other lesions were common regardless of genotype (osteoarthritis, periodontitis). Only rare lesions were more common in the F1 but underrepresented in the 2 parental strains. Furthermore, F1 mice had a lower number of overall total lesions and a lower number of tumors than either parental strain. Caloric restriction reduced the total number of lesions and neoplasms regardless of genotype but differentially affected genotype-dependent lesions in B6 and D2 mice, with B6 mice more sensitive to the effects of caloric restriction than D2 mice. In summary, genetics and environmental factors (eg, dietary restriction) both substantially contribute to the pattern of lesions that develop as animals age.
Management control system and performance: Accountability attributes in local authorities

This study used the structural equation modeling (SEM) tool to examine the impact of MCS on performance in Malaysian local authorities. This study applies a questionnaire-based survey to look for responses from 899 heads of departments attached to the local authorities within Peninsular Malaysia. Out of the 899 questionnaires distributed, 372 were returned, which resulted in 335 usable responses that were used for further analysis. Statistical results showed that the external control and formal internal control were significantly associated with all three performance dimensions – financial, service quality, and procedural, as expected. However, the internal informal control only had a significant relationship with the service quality performance. This study also revealed that the external control, through the presence of the formal internal control, had a stronger relationship with all the three performance dimensions, as compared to the direct relationship between the external control and performance. Keywords : MCS, Performance, Accountability, Local authorities, Structural Equation Modeling JEL Classifications: M410, M490
Determining long-term symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury: Method of interview affects self-report

Primary objective: To examine the role played by two interviewing methods used (spontaneous response and suggested response) in the evaluation of long-term subjective post-mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) symptoms. Research design: Cohort study. Method and procedures: One hundred and eight adult participants were contacted for a follow-up telephone interview 12–36 months after their mTBI. The participants had to firstly spontaneously indicate symptoms that were still present following their mTBI (spontaneous response). Secondly, a list of symptoms was read to the participants and they had to say whether or not they were afflicted by each symptom (suggested response). Paired t-tests were performed to compare the means obtained using the two methods. The percentage of symptoms reported with the two interviewing methods were used to analyse symptom types. Experimental intervention: None. Main outcomes and results: Results show that participants reported significantly more symptoms and a given symptom when a list was read to the participants. Furthermore, neither the number of symptoms nor the type of symptoms reported is identical for the two interviewing methods. Conclusion: The interviewing method used influences the number and type of long-term post-mTBI symptoms reported by participants.
Anti‐hepatitis B virus efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in HIV‐infected patients

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has shown in vitro activity against both HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV). We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of TDF (300 mg/d), administered as a part of anti‐retroviral therapy, in a large cohort of HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients. Sixty‐five HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients who received TDF for at least 6 months with serum HBV DNA levels above 2.3 log10 copies/mL at TDF initiation and who had stored serum samples before and during TDF therapy were included. Serum HBV DNA was measured on stored samples. The median follow‐up period was 12 (Q1‐Q3: 8‐17) months. Serum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was positive in 54 patients (83.1%). Fifty‐two patients (80.0%) were receiving lamivudine (LAM) (150 mg twice a day), and 68.8% had documented LAM resistance at baseline. Among HBeAg‐positive patients, the median reduction from baseline (8.17; Q1‐Q3 = 7.30‐8.30 log10 copies/mL) of serum HBV DNA was 4.56 log10 copies/mL (Q1‐Q3 = 3.33‐5.55) (P < .0001). In HBeAg‐negative patients, serum HBV DNA decline from baseline (4.83; Q1‐Q3 = 2.69‐6.40 log10 copies/mL) was 2.53 log10 copies/mL (Q1‐Q3 = 0.39‐4.10). At the end of the study, HBV DNA became undetectable in 29.6% and 81.6% of the HBeAg‐positive and HBeAg ‐negative patients, respectively. Serum HBeAg became negative in 4 patients, 2 of whom acquired serum hepatitis B e antibody. In conclusion, this retrospective analysis demonstrates the efficacy of TDF against wild‐type, presumed precore mutants and LAM‐resistant HBV when used as a part of anti‐retroviral therapy in HIV‐coinfected patients. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;43:548–555.)
Adaptation of Open Source 2D DIC Software Ncorr for Solid Mechanics Applications

This study focuses on establishing the utility of open source, MATLAB based 2D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) software Ncorr for solid mechanics applications. Various experiments like ring under diametral compression and beam under four point loading are conducted and corresponding displacement and strain fields are estimated using Ncorr. These results are compared with commercially available 2D DIC software Vic 2D from correlated solutions. The results generated from Ncorr are found to be in good agreement with its commercial counterpart Vic 2D.
Intergenerational Social Mobility in Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia

The aim of this paper is to bridge the gaps in existing accounts of the evolution of intergenerational social mobility in Soviet and post-Soviet Russia. The study makes a potentially valuable contribution to the literature by extending the spectrum of institutional and historical contexts, in which (in)equality of opportunity has been considered so far, and a chance to re-examine existing evidence by using alternative datasets and a slightly different methodology. Following the conventions in the social mobility literature in this study I approach social destinations and social origins in terms of educational and occupational attainments of children and their parents respectively. For empirical part I utilize data from four representative cross-national surveys conducted in Russia in 1994, 2002, 2006 and 2013. To study historical change in the patterns of social mobility I identify four cohorts whose educational and occupational careers unfolded during four different historical periods (two for the Soviet and two for the post-Soviet period). Being informed by several earlier studies on post-socialist countries including earlier research on Russia, I anticipated (1) a trend towards lesser (rather than greater) openness in the late years of the Soviet era, (2) a temporary discontinuity of mobility patterns during the turbulent 1990s and (3) the ‘tightening up’ of social mobility regime in the more stable years of Russia’s post-Soviet history. If any such trend existed, my findings would rather suggest that it was directed towards decreasing intergenerational transmission of educational advantage in the post-Soviet era, rather than the other way around. Also, surprisingly and quite contrary to earlier findings and theoretical considerations, the changes in the pattern of occupational mobility remained surprisingly invariant to the changes in historical and institutional context. The paper concludes with highlighting some of the remaining puzzles and possible directions for future research.
Clinical outcome and toxicity of 3D-conformal radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy based on the Intergroup SWOG 9008/INT0116 study protocol for gastric cancer.

PURPOSE To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of adjuvant radio-chemotherapy in patients with gastric cancer and to relate them to the outcome of the landmark INT0116 study that is criticized because of the high toxicity and poor treatment compliance. METHODS A total of 102 patients who underwent postoperative fluorouracil (5-FU)-based radio-chemotherapy in our institution between 2004 and 2010 for stage IB-IV (AJCC 6th Edn.) gastric cancer were selected. Radiotherapy to 45 Gy was defined individually and delivered with 3D conformal technique. Chemotherapy was carried out during the first 4 and the last 3 days of radiotherapy with continuous infusion of 5-FU (400mg/m²/day) and leucovorin. Patients received an additional 3 cycles of chemotherapy of 5-FU (425mg/m²/day), mostly 1 before and 2 after radio-chemotherapy. Acute hematological and gastrointestinal toxicities were evaluated according to the CTC v3.0 scale. RESULTS Stage distribution was as follows: IB-5 (5%), II-32 (31%), III-49 (48%), and IV-14 (14%). There were 96% R0 resections; 15% of the patients had a D2 resection. Seventy-four patients (72.5%) received all 5 planned cycles and 98 (96%) completed radiotherapy. The 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 57% and 48%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that variables significantly affecting OS were pT3-T4, pN2-3, R1 resection and female gender. Only 2% of the patients experienced grade 3 gastrointestinal toxicity; 7% had grade 3 or higher hematological toxicity. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated better treatment tolerance, compliance, OS of adjuvant radio-chemotherapy for gastric cancer in comparison with INT0116 study. Conformal radiation techniques might have contributed to this improvement.
Leptin Plasma Concentrations Increase During Antidepressant Treatment With Amitriptyline and Mirtazapine, But Not Paroxetine and Venlafaxine: Leptin Resistance Mediated by Antihistaminergic Activity?

Abstract Treatment with several psychopharmacological agents has been associated with increased leptin plasma concentrations. We measured leptin plasma concentrations in 76 adult depressed patients after a 6-day washout phase and again after 35 days of treatment with amitriptyline or paroxetine, as well as in 73 depressed patients after 28 days of treatment with either mirtazapine or venlafaxine. Leptin plasma concentrations increased during treatment with amitriptyline and mirtazapine, even after controlling for increased body mass index and irrespective of response to treatment [14.5 (13.8) vs 20.3 (18.7) ng/mL, and 12.2 (15.8) vs 14.4 (16.5) ng/mL in the 2 cohorts, respectively]. In contrast, paroxetine and venlafaxine treatment was not associated with changes in leptin plasma concentrations [14.8 (12.0) vs 13.6 (10.6); 15.9 (17.3) vs 13.5 (14.6) ng/mL] nor with weight gain. We conclude that treatment with amitriptyline or mirtazapine is associated with an increase in leptin secretion beyond change in weight. Thus, high leptin levels apparently are ineffective in the control of weight gain, indicating leptin resistance. Leptin resistance may be mediated by an antihistaminergic effect on hypothalamic nuclei integrating signals relevant for energy balance.
LIFE INSURANCE AND PENSION CONTRACTS II: THE LIFE CYCLE MODEL WITH RECURSIVE UTILITY

Abstract We analyze optimal consumption and pension insurance during the life time of a consumer using the life cycle model, when the consumer has recursive utility. The relationship between substitution of consumption and risk aversion is highlighted, and clarified by the introduction of this type of preferences. We illustrate how recursive utility can be used to explain the empirical consumption puzzle for aggregates. This indicates a plausible choice for the parameters of the utility function, relevant for the consumer in the life cycle model. Optimal life insurance is considered, as well as the portfolio choice problem related to optimal exposures in risky securities. A major finding is that it is optimal for the typical insurance buyer to smooth adverse shocks to the financial market, unlike what is implied by the conventional model. This has implications for what type of contracts the life and pension insurance industry should offer.
Spillover effects of global liquiditys expansion on emerging countries: evidences from a Panel VAR approach

The attention for the global liquidity concept has grown over the recent years insofar as its dramatic increase is considered among regulators and economists as one of the possible determinants of the last global financial crisis. Although global liquidity remains without a generally accepted definition in the literature, the destabilizing effects of its expansion are widely studied, especially for the advanced economies. However, empirical studies regarding the consequences in the emerging countries are scarcer and this paper is related to this topic. We rely on a Panel VAR approach to investigate those effects on emerging economies and we find that the consequences are in line with the results of the literature on advanced countries. Nevertheless, contrary to previous empirical studies, we find that the choice of the exchange rate regimes is not important, as the exchange rate regime does not fully isolate the countries from a surge of global liquidity in the issuing countries.
TA T1 Low and Intermediate Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder: Recurrence Rates and the Timing of Check Cystoscopies within the First Year

Introduction: The intensity of cystoscopic follow-up in the first year for patients with superficial bladder cancer has not been clearly defined. The cystoscopic follow-up of superficial bladder cancer accounts for a considerable workload for the urologist and is also an invasive procedure with high costs. We retrospectively reviewed our experience to determine any possible criteria which can lead to reduce the frequency of check cystoscopy. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was done on 427 patients with primary stage Ta and T1 bladder cancers treated between 1998 and 2005. The pattern of recurrence in the first year was assessed and recurrence rates calculated. Results: The recurrence rate was 22% at 3 months. The recurrence rates at 6 and 9 months were 8 and 13.6% respectively. The recurrence rate at 12 months was 9.4%. For tumors with no recurrence at 3 months, the recurrence rates at 6, 9 and 12 months were 6.6, 13.4 and 8.9% respectively. With respect to stages, there was a statistically significant difference in recurrence rate stages pTa and pT1 in the first and in the third control (p = 0.001, p = 0.003) respectively. According to the recurrence rate within the first year, the difference between G1 and G2 tumors was not statistically significant regardless of the stage (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with initial stage Ta or T1 grade 1 and 2 bladder cancers and negative first cystoscopy have a significantly lower recurrence rate than those with recurrence at first cystoscopy. There is a reason to change follow-up routines but in our opinion only in patients with initial low-grade carcinoma. If the third-month cystoscopy is clear, it is appropriate to perform the first check cystoscopy 1 year after initial resection.
Investigation of menopausal stage and symptoms on cognition in human immunodeficiency virus–infected women

ObjectiveWe evaluated the separate and interactive associations of menopausal stage, menopausal symptoms, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection with cognition. We hypothesized that HIV-infected perimenopausal women would show the greatest cognitive difficulties and that menopausal symptoms would be inversely associated with cognition. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 708 HIV-infected and 278 HIV-uninfected premenopausal, perimenopausal, or postmenopausal women (64% African American; median age, 44 y) from the Women’s Interagency HIV Study. Participants completed tests of verbal learning and memory, attention/processing speed, and executive function. We administered a menopausal symptom questionnaire that assessed anxiety, vasomotor, and sleep symptoms and obtained measures of depressive symptoms. ResultsIn multivariable regression analyses controlling for relevant covariates, HIV infection, but not menopausal stage, was associated with worse performance on all cognitive measures (P’s < 0.05). Depressive symptoms were associated with lower cognitive performance on measures of verbal learning and memory, attention, and executive function (P’s < 0.05); anxiety symptoms were associated with lower performance on measures of verbal learning and memory (P’s < 0.05). Vasomotor symptoms were associated with worse attention (P < 0.05). HIV and anxiety symptoms interacted to influence verbal learning (P’s < 0.05); elevated anxiety was associated with worse verbal learning in HIV-infected women only. ConclusionsVasomotor, depressive, and anxiety symptoms, but not menopausal stage, are associated with worse cognitive performance in both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women, although elevated anxiety symptoms are more associated with verbal learning deficits in HIV-infected women. Because cognitive problems can interfere with everyday functioning, including treatment adherence, it may be important to screen and treat anxiety in HIV-infected women.
Characterization of B-5354c, a new sphingosine kinase inhibitor, produced by a marine bacterium.

B-5354c is a new inhibitor of sphingosine kinase from a novel marine bacterium, SANK 71896. Kinetic study revealed that B-5354c inhibits sphingosine kinase with a Ki value of 12/microM. The inhibition is noncompetitive with respect to sphingosine. The compound also inhibits sphingosine-1-phosphate formation in human platelets. Experiments using synthetic derivatives of B-5354c indicate that all the three functional groups, i.e., the long unsaturated aliphatic chain, 4-amino and 3-hydroxyl groups are necessary to inhibit sphingosine kinase.
A steerable leaky-wave antenna using a tunable impedance ground plane

A steerable leaky-wave antenna is built using a mechanically tunable impedance surface. A horizontally polarized antenna couples energy into leaky transverse electric waves on a tunable textured ground plane. By tuning the resonance frequency of the surface, the band structure is shifted in frequency, which changes the tangential wave vector of the leaky waves for a fixed frequency. This steers the elevation angle of the resulting radiated beam. This steerable leaky-wave antenna can scan over a range of 45/spl deg/ using a mechanical movement of about 1/500 wavelength.
Changes in intracellular calcium induced by acute hypothermia in parenchymal, endothelial, and Kupffer cells of the rat liver.

Disturbances in intracellular calcium have been implicated in liver graft damage after cold preservation and warm reperfusion. Despite improvements noted with the use of calcium channel blockers, such as nisoldipine, the exact nature and cellular basis of the presumed changes in intracellular calcium as well as the actual target of these blockers remain unclear. Isolated rat parenchymal, endothelial, and Kupffer cells were cultured and changes in intracellular calcium measured in vitro after acute hypothermia (5-8 degrees C) by fluorescence imaging using FURA-2. Between 50 and 80% of parenchymal, endothelial, and Kupffer cells exhibited significant increases in baseline calcium that were gradual and sustained for the duration of acute hypothermia. Removal of extracellular calcium completely abolished the positive response of hepatocytes and diminished the proportion of responding endothelial and Kupffer cells. The calcium channel blocker nisoldipine (1 microM) slightly diminished the proportion of positive responders in parenchymal but not in endothelial or Kupffer cells. However, nisoldipine did not modify the amplitude of the calcium rise in responding cells of all types. Acute hypothermia causes calcium influx into a majority of parenchymal, endothelial, and Kupffer cells. Nisoldipine does not effectively prevent these changes in intracellular calcium. Pathways of calcium entry resistant to the drug or other than voltage-dependent calcium channels may thus be involved.
Supramolecular association in proton-transfer adducts containing benzamidinium cations. I. Four molecular salts with uracil derivatives.

Four organic salts, namely benzamidinidium orotate (2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylate) hemihydrate, C(7)H(9)N(2)(+). C(5)H(3)N(2)O(4)(-). 0.5H(2)O (BenzamH(+). Or(-)), (I), benzamidinium isoorotate (2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate) trihydrate, C(7)H(9)N(2)(+). C(5)H(3)N(2)O(4)(-). 3H(2)O (BenzamH(+). Isor(-)), (II), benzamidinium diliturate (5-nitro-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-4-olate) dihydrate, C(7)H(9)N(2)(+). C(4)H(2)N(3)O(5)(-). 2H(2)O (BenzamH(+). Dil(-)), (III), and benzamidinium 5-nitrouracilate (5-nitro-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-1-ide), C(7)H(9)N(2)(+). C(4)H(2)N(3)O(4)(-) (BenzamH(+). Nit(-)), (IV), have been synthesized by a reaction between benzamidine (benzenecarboximidamide or Benzam) and the appropriate carboxylic acid. Proton transfer occurs to the benzamidine imino N atom. In all four acid-base adducts, the asymmetric unit consists of one tautomeric aminooxo anion (Or(-), Isor(-), Dil(-) and Nit(-)) and one monoprotonated benzamidinium cation (BenzamH(+)), plus one-half (which lies across a twofold axis), three and two solvent water molecules in (I), (II) and (III), respectively. Due to the presence of protonated benzamidine, these acid-base complexes form supramolecular synthons characterized by N(+)-H.O(-) and N(+)-H.N(-) (+/-)-charge-assisted hydrogen bonds (CAHB).
Domestic Violence of Women and Role of Micro Finance: An Economic Analysis

Violence is a reflection of power inequalities in society and comparably more women then men continue to be targets. The impact of micro finance on the women in terms of reduction of domestic violence has been examined in the study. The study revealed that Microfinance institutions very strongly felt that, with the use of micro-finance, there can be a reduction in domestic violence. 80% of these institutions feel that micro-finance can lead to reduction in domestic violence. It has also been seen that, in many cases, microfinance has contributed to changes in attitude about women’s contribution to and role in economic and social development. Specifically, micro-finance has resulted in increased recognition of women’s productive role. It has also been observed that, women in particular face significant barriers to achieving sustained increases in income and improving their status, and require complementary support in other areas, such as training, marketing, literacy, social mobilization, and other financial services (e.g., consumption loans, savings).