Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From Laboratory to Clinic: A Large Scale Study of Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions in Ears with Normal Hearing and Ears with Hearing Loss

Objectives: 1) To describe distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurements in large groups of subjects with normal hearing and with hearing loss, and to use these data to provide comprehensive descriptions of DPOAE test performance. 2) To describe the effects of primary frequency and audiometric threshold on the extent to which DPOAE measurements accurately identify auditory status. 3) To develop an approach that describes the probability that any measured response is coming from either a normal or an impaired ear. 4) To develop an approach for representing DPOAE data clinically. 5) To explore the relation between magnitude of hearing loss and DPOAE measurements. Design: DPOAE measurements were made in 1267 ears of 806 subjects, using stimulus conditions that previously had been demonstrated to result in the greatest separation between normal and impaired ears (i.e., primary levels of 65/55 dB SPL for f1/f2; Stover et al., 1996). Subjects were recruited from local clinical populations and through local advertisements. All data were analyzed using clinical decision theory, including relative operating characteristic (ROC) curves and estimates of areas under these curves (Az). In addition, cumulative distributions were constructed of response properties from both normal and hearing‐impaired ears. These cumulative distributions were used to select specific probabilities that measured responses were coming from either the normal or impaired distributions, and to develop an approach for describing clinical DPOAE data. Results: For no conditions were the distributions of DPOAE responses from normal and impaired ears completely separated, meaning that optimal criterion values would still result in errors in identification of auditory status. Test performance, defined by Az, was best for mid and high frequencies and poorest for lower frequencies and for the highest frequency tested (8000 Hz). Performance was best when normal hearing was defined as audiometric thresholds between 20 and 30 dB HL, with poorer performance for more stringent or lax audiometric criteria. Conclusions: Within the limits related to the effects of primary frequency and audiometric criterion, it appears that DPOAE measurements can be used to accurately identify auditory status. An approach is described, using the present data set, that allows one to assign to any measured DPOAE value(DPOAE amplitudes, DPOAE/noise) the probability that the response is coming either from the distribution of normal or impaired responses. In addition, DPOAE/noise systematically decreases as hearing loss increases over the range of hearing losses from 0 to about 40 to 60 dB HL (depending on frequency), thus potentially enabling one to differentiate hearing losses over this range. For hearing losses greater than 50 to 60 dB HL, ears do not produce measurable DPOAEs and thus, no predictive relationship exists.
Plasma dopamine -hydroxylase and noradrenaline amounts in essential hypertension.

1. Plasma dopamine β-hydroxylase (DβH) amounts were measured by radioimmunoassay in twenty-eight patients, twenty of whom had essential hypertension. There was a positive correlation between resting diastolic blood pressure and plasma DβH concentration. 2. Plasma DβH amounts also correlated significantly with those of plasma noradrenaline (NA) in individual patients. 3. These findings provide further support for the conclusions drawn from studies of plasma catecholamines that the sympathetic nervous system contributes toward the maintenance of the elevated blood pressure in essential hypertension.
Shape equations of the axisymmetric vesicles.

Based on the same bending energy of the spontaneous curvature model, three shape equations for axisymmetric vesicles are derived from different variational methods. They are degenerate for the spherical vesicle, while for the cylindrical vesicle, two of them are the same. They all have a special toroidal solution, Clifford tori, but the constraints on the Lagrange multipliers DELTAP and lambda and the spontaneous curvature c0 are different. We consider the physical mode of variation and introduce an arbitrary parameter for the axisymmetric action; we get the shape equation in terms of this parameter from it. When this parameter is identified as the parameter rho, it reduces to the same equation that is from the general shape equation.
articleRNAi-mediated CD 40-CD 154 interruption promotes tolerance in autoimmune arthritis

Introduction: We have previously demonstrated that ex vivo inhibition of costimulatory molecules on antigen-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) can be useful for induction of antigen-specific immune deviation and suppression of autoimmune arthritis in the collagen induced arthritis (CIA) model. The current study evaluated a practical method of immune modulation through temporary systemic inhibition of the costimulatory molecule CD40. Methods: Mice with collagen II (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) were administered siRNA targeting the CD40 molecule. Therapeutic effects were evaluated by clinical symptoms, histopathology, Ag-specific T cell and B cell immune
Who's listening? Heterogeneous Impact of Social Interaction on Individuals' Stock Market Participation

Novel evidence is provided indicating that the influence from family (parents and partners) and peer social interaction on individuals’ stock market participation vary over different types of individuals. Focusing on distinct features of concern for the social interaction process, results imply that individuals’ exposure to, and valuation of, stock market related social signals are of importance and thus, contribute to the understanding of the heterogeneous influence of social interaction. Overall, the results are interesting and enhance the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of social interaction on individuals’ financial decision making.
Nonoscillation Criteria for Nonlinear Delay Dynamic Systems on Time Scales

In this paper, we consider the nonlinear delay dynamic system x(t) = p(t)f1(y(t)), y (t) = −q(t)f2(x(t− τ)). We obtain some necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of nonoscillatory solutions with special asymptotic properties of the system. We generalize the known results in the literature. One example is given to illustrate the results.
Median preoptic neurones projecting to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus respond to osmotic, circulating Ang II and baroreceptor input in the rat

The present study sought to determine whether individual neurones of the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) with axonal projections to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (MnPO‐PVN) respond to osmotic, circulating angiotensin II (Ang II), and baroreceptor stimulation. Hypertonic NaCl (0.75 or 1.5 osmol l−1) or Ang II (150 ng) was injected into the internal carotid artery (ICA). Baroreceptor stimulation was performed by i.v. injection of phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside to increase or decrease arterial blood pressure, respectively. Of 65 MnPO neurones, 50 units were antidromically activated from the PVN with an average onset latency of 11.3 ± 0.7 ms. Only 9.5% of MnPO‐PVN neurones were antidromically activated from the PVN bilaterally. Type I MnPO‐PVN neurones (n= 14) responded to osmotic but not Ang II stimulation. In 79% (11/14) of these type I neurones, the response was an increase in cell discharge. Type II MnPO‐PVN neurones (n= 7) displayed a significant increase in cell discharge in response to ICA injection of Ang II but not hypertonic NaCl. Type III MnPO‐PVN neurones (n= 16) responded to both ICA injection of hypertonic NaCl and Ang II. In 88% (14/16) of type III neurones, osmotic and Ang II stimulation each increased cell discharge. Type IV MnPO‐PVN neurones (n= 13) displayed no change in cell discharge in response to ICA injection of hypertonic NaCl or Ang II. Baroreceptor stimulation altered the discharge in subpopulations of type I, II and III MnPO‐PVN neurones (43–63% depending on neuronal type). Only one MnPO‐PVN neurone responded solely to baroreceptor stimulation (type IV). In addition, a subset of type I, II and III neurones displayed a significant correlation with sympathetic nerve activity and/or the cardiac cycle. These findings suggest that a significant population of MnPO‐PVN neurones respond to osmotic and circulating Ang II stimulation and thereby represents a neural substrate through which neurohumoral inputs are integrated within the forebrain lamina terminalis.
Mesenteric Organ Production, Hepatic Metabolism, and Renal Elimination of Norepinephrine and Its Metabolites in Humans

Abstract: This study used regional differences in plasma concentrations of norepinephrine and its metabolites to examine how production of the transmitter by sympathetic nerves, in particular, those innervating mesenteric organs, is integrated with metabolism by the liver and elimination by the kidneys. Higher concentrations of norepinephrine, its glycol metabolites 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylglycol and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol and their sulfate conjugates in portal venous than arterial plasma indicate substantial production of norepinephrine by mesenteric organs (15.5 nmol/min). Much lower concentrations of norepinephrine and its glycol metabolites in plasma leaving than entering the liver indicate their efficient hepatic removal (20 nmol/min). Higher concentrations of vanillylmandelic acid in the hepatic outflow than inflow indicate that this metabolic end product is produced largely from the norepinephrine and glycol metabolites removed by the liver. Renal elimination of vanillylmandelic acid (18–20 nmol/min), produced mainly by the liver (17 nmol/min), and of 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol sulfate (7–9 nmol/min), produced largely by mesenteric organs (7 nmol/min), comprised 86–91% of the total renal elimination of norepinephrine metabolites. The results show that mesenteric organs produce about one‐half of the norepinephrine formed in the body. The liver removes substantial amounts of circulating norepinephrine and its glycol metabolites and converts these compounds to vanillylmandelic acid, which is then eliminated from the body by the kidneys. The sulfate conjugates are also metabolic end products eliminated by the kidneys. However, these metabolites are produced by extrahepatic tissues, in particular, mesenteric organs, which represent a significant source of sulfate‐conjugated norepinephrine and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylglycol, and the main source of sulfate‐conjugated 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol.
Valor da flexibilização e informação em desenvolvimento de campo por modulos

O risco e inerente as varias fases da vida de um campo de petroleo, devido as incertezas, geologicas, economicas e tecnologicas que influenciam o valor de um projeto. A aquisicao de informacoes e a adicao de flexibilidade na implantacao de um projeto sao os principais processos que permitem a mitigacao dos riscos associados. O conceito de Valor da Informacao (VDI) permite medir quantitativamente os beneficios resultantes da aquisicao adicional de dados, que permite definir o projeto de desenvolvimento com mais precisao, podendo trazer modificacoes significativas em relacao a concepcao inicial (projeto conceitual). O conceito de Valor de Flexibilizacao (VDF) permite medir os beneficios de adicionar flexibilidade, por exemplo, no cronograma de implantacao de um projeto, com o objetivo de possibilitar um melhor gerenciamento de reservatorios frente aos possiveis cenarios. Os conceitos de VDI e VDF sao usados neste trabalho para determinar o valor de adquirir novas informacoes para o projeto, considerando um atraso no cronograma causado pela flexibilizacao do momento de definicao e aprovacao do projeto basico. Uma tecnica baseada nos Modelos Geologicos Representativos (MOR} e nas arvores de decisao e aplicada no processo de analise de decisao. Os resultados deste trabalho mostram que a metodologia proposta neste trabalho e aplicavel em modelos de grande porte. Outras conclusoes sao que a relevância da aquisicao de informacoes aumenta em cenarios de preco de oleo mais baixo e que e importante analisar a reducao de risco como variavel adicional ao retomo financeiro no processo de decisao como o analisado neste trabalho Abstract
Optimal financing for growth firms ✩

We analyze the optimal contract to finance the series of investments of a growing firm. The analysis is based on the need to repeatedly raise funds when informed insiders can expropriate outside investors. The optimal contract can be implemented by a sequence of one-period debt contracts and equity ownership by outsiders. Debt is optimal, as it reduces the expected cost of auditing, while partial equity ownership by insiders is optimal, as it mitigates the need for auditing in the presence of valuable growth opportunities. The model yields time-series implications regarding capital structure, investment and its fraction financed externally, and profitability. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. JEL classification: G31; D23; D82
Physical Origins of High Normal Field Mobility Degradation in Ge p- and n-MOSFETs With GeOx/Ge MOS Interfaces Fabricated by Plasma Postoxidation

Mechanisms of the mobility degradation in high normal field (or Ns) in Ge pand n-metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with plasma postoxidation GeOx/Ge MOS interfaces: 1) carrier trapping due to surface states; 2) surface roughness scattering; and 3) electron transfer into the Δ valleys with the high effective mass, have been systematically investigated. It is confirmed that the existence of surface states inside the valence band and the conduction band of Ge results in over estimation of the mobile inversion carrier concentration and the rapid reduction of the effective mobility. It is also found that the Hall hole and electron mobility in high Ns region agree well with the theoretical surface roughness limited mobility, indicating that the high Ns mobility in Ge MOSFETs are still significantly limited by surface roughness scattering. On the other hand, any evidence of the carrier repopulation into the subband with low mobility has not been experimentally identified in both Ge pand n-MOSFETs yet.
Characterizing Microbial Activity and Diversity of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Sites

Hydrocarbons, one of the major petroleum constituents, mainly include saturated alkanes and cycloalkanes, unsaturated alkenes, alkynes and aromatic hydrocarbons. The usual composition of light crude oil is 78% saturates, 18% aromatics, 4% resins and <2% asphaltenes (Olah and Molnar 2003). The hydrocarbon fractions in the order of decreasing volatility are C6C10; C10 – C16; C16 C34 and C34 C50, in which Cx is referred to the number of carbon molecules in the alkane backbone.
Bipolar Illness: Correlates of Dangerous Inpatient Behaviour

Summary Forty male patients with bipolar affective illness were examined for factors correlating with dangerous inpatient behaviour. It was found that 63 per cent of the variance for inpatient assaults could be accounted for by a combination of a history of severe childhood discipline, a manic state, the degree of psychosis and a record of violence prior to admission. Such information may be of use in the clinical prediction of violent acts by bipolar patients, as well as suggesting ways of preventing them.
ROCK inhibitor reduces Myc-induced apoptosis and mediates immortalization of human keratinocytes

The Myc/Max/Mad network plays a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis and c-Myc is overexpressed in many cancers, including HPV-positive cervical cancer cell lines. Despite the tolerance of cervical cancer keratinocytes to high Myc expression, we found that the solitary transduction of the Myc gene into primary cervical and foreskin keratinocytes induced rapid cell death. These findings suggested that the anti-apoptotic activity of E7 in cervical cancer cells might be responsible for negating the apoptotic activity of over-expressed Myc. Indeed, our earlier in vitro studies demonstrated that Myc and E7 synergize in the immortalization of keratinocytes. Since we previously postulated that E7 and the ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632, were members of the same functional pathway in cell immortalization, we tested whether Y-27632 would inhibit apoptosis induced by the over-expression of Myc. Our findings indicate that Y-27632 rapidly inhibited Myc-induced membrane blebbing and cellular apoptosis and, more generally, functioned as an inhibitor of extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of cell death. Most important, Y-27632 cooperated with Myc to immortalize keratinocytes efficiently, indicating that apoptosis is a major barrier to Myc-induced immortalization of keratinocytes. The anti-apoptotic activity of Y-27632 correlated with a reduction in p53 serine 15 phosphorylation and the consequent reduction in the expression of downstream target genes p21 and DAPK1, two genes involved in the induction of cell death.
Association of the Vitamin D Metabolism Gene CYP24A1 With Coronary Artery Calcification

Objective—The vitamin D endocrine system is essential for calcium homeostasis, and low levels of vitamin D metabolites have been associated with cardiovascular disease risk. We hypothesized that DNA sequence variation in genes regulating vitamin D metabolism and signaling pathways might influence variation in coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods and Results—We genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GC, CYP27B1, CYP24A1, and VDR and tested their association with CAC quantity, as measured by electron beam computed tomography. Initial association studies were carried out in a discovery sample comprising 697 Amish subjects, and SNPs nominally associated with CAC quantity (4 SNPs in CYP24A1, P=0.008 to 0.00003) were then tested for association with CAC quantity in 2 independent cohorts of subjects of white European ancestry (Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy study [n=916] and the Penn Coronary Artery Calcification sample [n=2061]). One of the 4 SNPs, rs2762939, was associated with CAC quantity in both the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (P=0.007) and Penn Coronary Artery Calcification (P=0.01) studies. In all 3 populations, the rs2762939 C allele was associated with lower CAC quantity. Metaanalysis for the association of this SNP with CAC quantity across all 3 studies yielded a P value of 2.9×10−6. Conclusion—A common SNP in the CYP24A1 gene was associated with CAC quantity in 3 independent populations. This result suggests a role for vitamin D metabolism in the development of CAC quantity.
Sustained rise in triacylglycerol synthesis and increased epididymal fat mass when rats cease voluntary wheel running

Four‐week‐old, Fischer–Brown Norway F1‐generation male rats were given access to voluntary running wheels for 21 days, and then the wheels were locked for 5 (WL5), 10 (WL10), 29 (WL29), or 53 (WL53) hours. Two other groups (SED5 and SED10) had no access to voluntary running wheels and were killed at the same time as WL5 and WL10, respectively. Absolute and relative epididymal fat mass, mean cell volume, and amount of lipid per cell increased in WL53 relative to all other groups, with no change in cell number. C/EBPα protein levels in epididymal fat were 30% greater in SED5 than in WL5. The rate of triacylglycerol synthesis in epididymal fat was 4.2‐fold greater in SED5 than in WL5, increased 14‐fold between WLS and WL10, and was 79% lower in SED10 than in WL10. Triacylglycerol synthesis remained at this elevated level (at least 3.5‐fold greater than SED5) through WL53. Thus, the rapid increase in epididymal fat mass with the cessation of voluntary wheel running is associated with a prolonged overshoot in epididymal fat triacylglycerol synthesis. Moreover, rats without running wheels had a 9.4% lower body mass after 21 days than those with running wheels. The individual mass of seven different muscles from the hindlimb, upper forelimb, and back were each lower in animals without running wheels, suggesting that physical activity in rapidly growing rats may be requisite for optimal muscle development.
Age effects, unobserved characteristics and hedonic price indexes: The Spanish car market in the 1990s

This paper computes and compares alternative quality-adjusted price indexes for new cars in Spain in the period 1990–2000. The proposed hedonic approach simultaneously controls for time-invariant unobserved product effects and age effects, that can be interpreted as a proxy for time-variant unobservables. The results show that the non-adjusted price index largely overstates the increase in the cost of living induced by changes in car prices and that the previous evidence for this market has not measured the real extent of that bias, probably due to the omission of controls for unobservables. It is also shown that omitting age effects can lead to misleading conclusions. In particular, their omission would imply that the year-on-year Spanish Consumer Price Index would have been overestimated by around 0.1%\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$0.1~\%$$\end{document} on average during the sample period. Excluding both the controls for age effects and time-invariant unobservables would have increased this bias to 0.2%\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$0.2~\%$$\end{document}. The estimated price indexes give also some insights on what could have been the determinants of price evolution in the Spanish car market.
[Depressive effect of total flavonoid fraction of Asttragalus complanatus R. Br and its influence upon hemodynamics in SHR].

OBJECTIVE To investigate effects of total flavonoid fraction of Asttragalus complanatus on blood pressure in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) and hemodynamics in anesthetized SHR. METHOD Blood pressure was recorded with tail-culf method and hemodynamics was recorded with polygraph after administration of total flavonoid fraction of Asttragalus complanatus. RESULT Total flavonoid fraction of Asttragalus complanatus (100, 200 mg.kg-1) could decrease blood pressure of conscious SHR(decreasing 7.1%, P < 0.05 and 9.3%, P < 0.01 respectively). Meanwhile, there was no significant change in heart rate(HR). R Br (200 mg.kg-1) could decrease total peripheral resistance (TPR) (decreasing 20%, P < 0.05) but did not influence the cardiac output(CO) and heart rate in anesthetized SHR. CONCLUSION Total flavonoid fraction of Asttragalus complanatus possesses obvious hypotensive effect, mainly by means of decreasing the TPR.