Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oncoretrovirus and Lentivirus Vectors Pseudotyped with Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Glycoprotein: Generation, Concentration, and Broad Host Range

ABSTRACT Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a noncytopathic arenavirus shown to infect a broad range of different cell types. Here, we combined the beneficial characteristics of the LCMV glycoprotein (LCMV-GP) and those of retroviral vectors to generate a new, safe, and efficient gene transfer system. These LCMV-GP pseudotypes were systematically compared with vectors containing the widely used amphotropic murine leukemia virus envelope (A-MLVenv) or the vesicular stomatitis virus G protein (VSV-G). Production of LCMV-GP-pseudotyped oncoretroviral and lentiviral vectors by transient transfection resulted in vector titers similar to those with A-MLVenv or VSV-G. In contrast to A-MLVenv particles, LCMV-GP pseudotypes could be efficiently concentrated by ultracentrifugation without loss of vector titer. Unlike the cell-toxic VSV-G, a stable retroviral packaging cell line constitutively expressing LCMV-GP could be established. Vectors pseudotyped with LCMV-GP efficiently transduced many cell lines from different species and tissues relevant for gene therapy. Transduction of human glioma cells was studied in detail. These cells are a major target for cancer gene therapy and were transduced more efficiently with LCMV-GP-pseudotyped vectors than with the generally used A-MLVenv particles. The high stability, low toxicity, and broad host range make LCMV-GP-pseudotyped vectors attractive for gene transfer applications. The recombinant LCMV-GP-pseudotyped vectors will also allow functional characterization of naturally occurring and recombinant LCMV-GP variants.
Unionism and Wage-Income Ratios: 1929-51

RECENT contributors 1 to the discussion of the effect of union bargaining power on labor's earnings have given only passing attention to one important facet of this problem: the influence of union pressure on the distributive share of income generated by industry that is paid to labor. While statistics have been gathered and studies made 2 of aggregate distributive shares, little attempt has been made to develop analysis around interand intraindustry comparisons of wage-income structures in the light of union growth. The purpose of this paper is to take one step toward a consideration of statistical data of the last two decades and test the hypothesis that "where wage earners are strongly organized in trade unions, one might expect labour to succeed in obtaining a larger share of the product than elsewhere. " 3
Assessing dialysis adequacy and dietary intake in the individual hemodialysis patient.

BACKGROUND Urea kinetic modeling (UKM) and food records are widely used to assess the dialysis adequacy. Clinicians use these methods in individual patients to decide whether the dialysis prescription should be adjusted. We determined the variation in UKM parameters and dietary intake within individual patients in order to determine the required number of UKM measurements, and the number of food recording days to assess dialysis adequacy and dietary intake reliably. METHODS Session-to-session variation in urea reduction ratio (URR), Kt/V, urea distribution volume (UDVDDQ), and protein catabolic rate (PCR) was determined during three mid-week dialysis sessions in 50 stable hemodialysis patients on three-times per week hemodialysis with a Kt/V of 0.98 +/- 0.13 (mean +/- SD). The dialysis prescription was kept constant. The day-to-day variation in dietary protein intake (DPI) and dietary energy intake (DEI) was determined from seven-day food records. The 90th percentile value of the coefficient of variation (CV) was used to determine the number of measurements. RESULTS The variation in URR [CV, 2.4% (0.3 to 9.5) median (range)] and in Kt/V [CV, 4.0% (0.6 to 11.6)] was small in the majority of the patients. The variation in UDVDDQ [CV, 4.9% (0.3 to 25.7)] and PCR [CV, 9.3% (0.8 to 28.5)] was considerably larger. The variation in DPI [CV, 17.3% (8.4 to 64.0)] was larger than that in DEI [CV, 12.9% (5.0 to 33.0)]. To assess the URR within +/- 10% of its true value, the average of two measurements was required. Reliable assessment of Kt/V required three measurements. URR and Kt/V could be assessed reliably from a single measurement in 86 and 66% of the patients, but we were not able to distinguish these patients beforehand. Reliable estimation of UDVDDQ required six measurements. The required number of measurements for PCR, DPI, and DEI was determined using a precision of +/- 20%. To assess PCR reliably, three measurements were needed. Estimation of DPI and DEI required seven and five food recording days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The session-to-session variation in URR and Kt/V is small in stable hemodialysis patients. Nevertheless, the averaged value of two to three measurements is required to assess the dose of dialysis reliably. Assessment of dietary intake requires at least three PCR measurements or food records for at least one week. Basing clinical decisions on a single dialysis adequacy assessment is an unjustified practice that should be abandoned.
Environmental Detection of Clandestine Nuclear Weapon Programs

Environmental sensing of nuclear activities has the potential to detect nuclear weapon programs at early stages, deter nuclear proliferation, and help verify nuclear accords. However, no robust system of detection has been deployed to date. This can be variously attributed to high costs, technical limitations in detector technology, simple countermeasures, and uncertainty about the magnitude or behavior of potential signals. In this article, current capabilities and promising opportunities are reviewed. Systematic research in a variety of areas could improve prospects for detecting covert nuclear programs, although the potential for countermeasures suggests long-term verification of nuclear agreements will need to rely on methods other than environmental sensing.
Concepts and concreteness in psycholinguistics

3 Impact statement . 4 Acknowledgements . 5 Table of contents . 6 Table of figures . 8 Chapter 1: Introduction . 10 Chapter 2: Concreteness in psycholinguistic experiments . 16 2.1 Overview of concreteness . 17 2.2 Evidence and explanations of concreteness effects . 20 2.3 List memory paradigms . 23 2.4 fMRI paradigms . 23 2.5 EEG paradigms . 26 2.6 Other paradigms . 28 2.7 Lexical decision paradigms . 28 2.8 Discussion of Kousta et al. (2011) . 30 2.9 Emotion concepts and the concrete-abstract distinction . 47 2.10 Summary of Chapter 2 . 52 Chapter 3: Concreteness and concepts . 54 3.1 The Fodorian Language of Thought Hypothesis . 55 3.2 Barsalou’s simulator theory . 58 3.3 Areas of agreement about concepts . 59 3.4 Concepts as theoretical posits . 65 3.5 JUSTICE in a language of thought . 68 3.6 JUSTICE in a network of simulators . 75 3.7 Consequences of giving up the concept JUSTICE . 79 3.8 Two important objections to giving up the concept JUSTICE . 85
Educating Physicians for Contemporary Responsibilities in the Field of Developmental Disabilities

In 1977, an academic division concerned with developmental disabilities was established in the Department of Psychiatry at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. This paper describes the division's educational programs for undergraduate and post-graduate students. Reference is made to the resources (i.e. faculty, practicum settings) and the curricula required. Both are considered in relation to published information on such endeavours. The contemporary public policy for shifting the care of persons with developmental disabilities from institutions to the community is noted. Successful implementation of this policy depends in part on preparing physicians to meet the challenges of providing medical and psychiatric care in mainstream, health care services.
The impact of market power of Russian banks on their credit risk tolerance: A panel study

The article presents an empirical analysis of the interaction between market power of Russian banks and their resistance to credit risk during 2004Q1–2011Q2. We employ individual concentration index of banks in different asset markets (structural measure) and the Lerner index (unstructured measure) as indicators of market power. We approximate banks’ credit risks by the share of overdue loans in total loans — an indicator of loan portfolios quality within the Russian Accounting Standards (RAS). The main result implies that increases of market power leads to considerable improvements of the loan portfolio quality of banks, especially large ones, since the intensive development of the credit market allows banks to filter out low-quality borrowers. Moreover, we found empirically the threshold separating the negative and positive effects of competition on credit risk. Since more than 90% of Russian banks are below this threshold in the current macroeconomic environment we reject «competition–stability» hypothesis.
Organizational Employment versus Self-Employment: Reasons for Career Choice Intentions

This research developed a classification scheme of reasons given for preferring self-employment versus organizational employment. Using an open-ended approach, data were collected from persons who had obtained a master's degree in business from a Norwegian business school during the 1987–1994 period. The classification scheme that emerged questions the relevance of earlier models, which have been used to explain and predict occupational status choice.
Who uses mental health services in Australia? An analysis of data from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

OBJECTIVE This study sought to identify sociodemographic and psychological measures associated with utilisation of mental health services in Australia, using information collected through the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. METHOD Twenty-one potential predictor variables were selected from the National Survey. Predisposing and enabling factors included age, sex, marital status, labour force status, geographical location and level of education. Predictor variables measuring need for services included the General Health Questionnaire score, a neuroticism scale, diagnoses of affective, anxiety and substance-abuse disorders from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and self-identified depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were undertaken to identify predictor variables associated with use of mental health services from general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists and other health professionals. RESULTS General practitioners were the most commonly reported providers of mental health services with 76% of those receiving any mental health care reporting using this type of service. Using multiple logistic regression, the predictor variables most associated with use of mental health services were measures of the need for such services, such as psychological distress and mental disorder. After controlling for need variables, the sociodemographic variables associated with using services provided by any health professional were being female, level of education and being separated. Living in a remote area was associated with lower use of specialist services, but not with general practitioner services. Older age was associated with less use of psychologists and other health professionals. Income and having a usual language other than English did not affect service use. CONCLUSIONS The factors most strongly related to Australians' use of mental health services are their having a diagnosed affective, anxiety or substance-abuse disorder and their self-identifying as having depression or anxiety. Although there are regional inequalities in levels of utilisation of mental health services, these are seen more with specialist services than with those provided by general practitioners.
A Financialization Model of Crude Oil Markets

This paper theoretically and empirically investigates the financialization of crude oil markets. We propose a simple correlation model between stock and crude oil prices based on the supply and demand relationship taking into account the impact of stock markets on crude oil markets. Based on the correlation model, the optimal allocations of stock, crude oil and a risk free asset are obtained by solving the Merton’s problem under the assumption of a log utility function. By using the price correlation model it is empirically shown that the correlations between S&P 500 and WTI crude oil prices are positive and increasing. In contrast, the correlations between S&P 500 and Brent crude oil prices are close to zero, which are lower than the correlations between S&P 500 and WTI crude oil prices. It may suggest that the financialization of crude oil markets be limited to WTI crude oil markets. The optimal allocations of S&P 500, WTI or Brent crude oil and a risk free asset are empirically obtained based on the correlation model. It is shown that after the 2008 financial turmoil the optimal WTI crude oil positions decrease in line with the optimal S&P 500 positions while the optimal Brent crude oil positions are not relevant to the optimal S&P 500 positions. The results may suggest that after the 2008 financial turmoil WTI crude oil be financialized and do not show the diversification effect to S&P 500 while Brent crude oil be not the case. These results are fully supported by the other empirical studies using the dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) model of Engle (2002). Additional empirical studies using crude oil and natural gas prices based on the DCC model suggest that WTI crude oil prices have higher correlations with the US natural gas prices than Brent crude oil prices, implying that WTI crude oil markets still have strong impacts on the other energy markets while the financialization of WTI crude oil has recently proceeded.
Neonatal Porcine Sertoli Cells Inhibit Human Natural Antibody-Mediated Lysis1

Abstract Sertoli cells protect cotransplanted cells from allogeneic and xenogeneic rejection. Additionally, neonatal porcine Sertoli cells (NPSCs) survive long-term as xenografts in nonimmunosuppressed rodents. This has led to the hypothesis that NPSCs could be used to prevent cellular rejection in clinical transplantation, thereby eliminating the need for chronic immunosuppression. Prior to transplantation of NPSCs in humans it is necessary to determine whether they are also protected from humoral-mediated xenograft rejection. The presence of Galα(1,3)Galβ(1,4)GlcNAc-R (αGal epitope) as well as binding of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM to NPSCs was examined by immunocytochemical and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. αGal was detected on 88.5% ± 3.0% of NPSCs. Consistent with this, 71.7% ± 1.0% and 65.4% ± 5.2% of NPSCs were bound by IgG and IgM, respectively. When cultured NPSCs underwent an in vitro cytotoxicity assay by incubation with human AB serum plus complement, no increase in cellular lysis was observed, while controls—porcine aorta endothelial cells—were shown to contain >60% dead cells. Finally, activation of the complement cascade was examined by immunohistochemistry. C3 and C4 were deposited on the surface of the NPSC membrane, indicating activation of complement. Although the complement cascade was activated, the membrane attack complex (MAC) was not formed. These data demonstrate that despite expression of αGal, binding of xenoreactive antibodies, and the activation of complement, NPSCs survive human antibody and complement-mediated lysis by preventing MAC formation. This suggests that NPSCs may be able to survive humoral-mediated rejection in a clinical situation.
Intrachromosomal Changes and Genomic Instability in Site-Specific Microbeam-Irradiated and Bystander Human-Hamster Hybrid Cells

Exposure to ionizing radiation may induce a heritable genomic instability phenotype that results in a persisting and enhanced genetic and functional change among the progeny of irradiated cells. Since radiation-induced bystander effects have been demonstrated with a variety of biological end points under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, this raises the question whether cytoplasmic irradiation or the radiation-induced bystander effect can also lead to delayed genomic instability. In the present study, we used the Radiological Research Accelerator Facility charged-particle microbeam for precise nuclear or cytoplasmic irradiation. The progeny of irradiated and the bystander human hamster hybrid (AL) cells were analyzed using multicolor banding (mBAND) to examine persistent chromosomal changes. Our results showed that the numbers of metaphase cells involving changes of human chromosome 11 (including rearrangement, deletion and duplication) were significantly higher than that of the control in the progeny of both nuclear and cytoplasmic targeted cells. These chromosomal changes could also be detected among the progeny of bystander cells. mBAND analyses of clonal isolates from nuclear and cytoplasm irradiations as well as the bystander cell group showed that chromosomal unstable clones were generated. Analyses of clonal stability after long-term culture indicated no significant change in the number of unstable clones for the duration of culture in each irradiated group. These results suggest that genomic instability that is manifested after ionizing radiation exposure is not dependent on direct damage to the cell nucleus.
Prognostic factors affecting neck lymph node recurrence and distant metastasis in papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid: results of a study in 445 patients.

BACKGROUND The management of thyroid papillary microcarcinoma (PMC) is controversial. Total thyroidectomy, thyroid lobectomy/isthmectomy, and even no treatment have been proposed. We investigated the clinical course and prognostic factors for disease recurrence and distant metastasis in 445 patients with PMC. METHODS Data from 445 patients diagnosed with PMC in the period from 1978 to 2003 were reviewed and analyzed. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 404 patients and loboisthmusectomy in 41. Neck dissection took place in 226 patients (49.7%), with 166 of only the central compartment and 60 of both the central and lateral compartments. Radioiodine ((131)I) ablation treatment was given to 389 patients. RESULTS Median tumor size was 7 mm (range 1-10 mm). PMC was multifocal in 156 cases (35%) and bilateral in 60 cases (13.5%). Extrathyroidal tumor extension (pT3) and neck lymph node metastasis (pN1) were present in 133 (30%) and 182 (40.9%) patients, respectively. Capsular invasion without extrathyroidal tumor extension was observed in 39 (8.7%) patients. Mean follow-up was 5.3 (range 1-26) years. Seventeen (3.8%) patients had recurrence or persistence of disease: neck recurrence (NR) in 12 (2.7%), distant metastasis (DM) in four (0.9%), NR + DM in one (0.2%). One patient (0.2%) died of the disease. Capsular invasion, extrathyroidal tumor extension (pT3), and neck lymph node metastasis at presentation (pN1) were the only independent risk factors for NR and/or DM occurrence (p < 0.05). Patients not showing these features, who were treated with loboisthmusectomy only, never experienced disease recurrence. CONCLUSION Total thyroidectomy seems advisable in PMC with extrathyroidal extension and neck lymph node metastasis at presentation. Capsular invasion without extrathyroidal extension may suggest aggressive tumor behavior and require radical treatment.
The role of familiarity in associative recognition of unitized compound word pairs

This study examined the effect of unitization and contribution of familiarity in the recognition of word pairs. Compound words were presented as word pairs and were contrasted with noncompound word pairs in an associative recognition task. In Experiments 1 and 2, yes–no recognition hit and false-alarm rates were significantly higher for compound than for noncompound word pairs, with no difference in discrimination in both within- and between-subject comparisons. Experiment 2 also showed that item recognition was reduced for words from compound compared to noncompound word pairs, providing evidence of the unitization of the compound pairs. A two-alternative forced-choice test used in Experiments 3A and 3B provided evidence that the concordant effect for compound word pairs was largely due to familiarity. A discrimination advantage for compound word pairs was also seen in these experiments. Experiment 4A showed that a different pattern of results is seen when repeated noncompound word pairs are compared to compound word pairs. Experiment 4B showed that memory for the individual items of compound word pairs was impaired relative to items in repeated and nonrepeated noncompound word pairs, and Experiment 5 demonstrated that this effect is eliminated when the elements of compound word pairs are not unitized. The concordant pattern seen in yes–no recognition and the discrimination advantage in forced-choice recognition for compound relative to noncompound word pairs is due to greater reliance on familiarity at test when pairs are unitized.
Short-term benefits of the adjunctive use of metronidazole plus amoxicillin in the microbial profile and in the clinical parameters of subjects with generalized aggressive periodontitis.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological effects of scaling and root planing (SRP) alone or combined with metronidazole (MTZ) and amoxicillin (AMX) in the treatment of subjects with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP). MATERIALS AND METHODS A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 30 subjects receiving SRP alone or combined with MTZ (400 mg 3 x per day) and AMX (500 mg 3 x per day) for 14 days. Clinical and microbiological examinations were performed at baseline and 3 months post-SRP. Nine subgingival plaque samples per subject were analysed using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. RESULTS Subjects receiving MTZ and AMX showed the greatest improvements in the mean full-mouth probing depth and clinical attachment level and at initially intermediate and deep sites. The most beneficial changes in the microbial profile were also observed in the MTZ+AMX group, which showed the lowest proportions of the red complex as well as a significant decrease in the proportions of the orange complex after treatment. The antibiotic therapy also reduced the levels of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans at initially deep sites. CONCLUSION Subjects with GAgP significantly benefit from the adjunctive use of MTZ and AMX. The short-term advantages are observed in the clinical and microbiological parameters.
Market Efficiency and Price Discovery in Cocoa Markets

ABSTRACT This paper tests the efficiency and price discovery mechanism in the cocoa cash and futures markets over the period March 1981–August 2009. The results indicate that the price discovery is done in the cash market and spreads to the futures markets and that the futures price can be seen as an unbiased predictor of future cash prices. There is no sign of a risk premium in the futures price. Since the cash behaves like a random walk we cannot reject market efficiency.