Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The interplay and etiological continuity of neuroticism, difficulties, and life events in the etiology of major and subsyndromal, first and recurrent depressive episodes in later life.

OBJECTIVE Stressful life events, long-term difficulties, and high neuroticism are established risk factors for depression. Less is known about their role in late-life depression, how they modify or mediate one another's effects, and whether this differs between major and subsyndromal, first and recurrent episodes. METHOD The authors used a prospective case-control design nested in a community survey of elderly subjects that included a measure of neuroticism. They compared 83 survey participants who subsequently developed a depressive episode with 83 randomly selected comparison participants. The authors determined dates of onset, history, and severity of episodes and dates of occurrence and severity of stressful life events and difficulties. RESULTS Stressful life events did not mediate the effects of high neuroticism and difficulties at onset, possibly because of the uncontrollable nature of common stressful life events in later life. Without both high neuroticism and difficulties, stressful life events did not increase risk. High neuroticism and difficulties increased risk, even without a stressful life event. In the presence of high neuroticism and/or difficulties, the depressogenic effect of stressful life events was substantial, suggesting effect modification. The authors found no evidence to suggest etiological discontinuity between major and subsyndromal episodes. First and recurrent episodes showed a discontinuous pattern of associations. Severe stressful life events had weaker associations, but high neuroticism and mild stressful life events had stronger associations with recurrent than with first episodes. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the usefulness of a dynamic stress-vulnerability model for understanding late-life depression. Evidence was found suggesting etiological discontinuity between first and recurrent but not between major and subsyndromal episodes.
Placental growth factor silencing ameliorates liver fibrosis and angiogenesis and inhibits activation of hepatic stellate cells in a murine model of chronic liver disease

Placental growth factor (PlGF) is a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and is involved in pathological angiogenesis associated with chronic liver diseases. However, the precise mechanisms underlying PlGF signalling contributing to liver fibrosis and angiogenesis remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to assess the effect of reducing PlGF expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA) on experimental liver fibrosis and angiogenesis, and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Fibrosis was induced in mice by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 8 weeks, and mice were treated with PlGF siRNA or non‐targeting control siRNA starting two weeks after initiating CCl4 injections. The results showed that PlGF was highly expressed in cirrhotic human and mice livers; which mainly distributed in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). PlGF silencing robustly reduced liver inflammation, fibrosis, intrahepatic macrophage recruitment, and inhibited the activation of HSCs in vivo. Moreover, PlGF siRNA‐treated fibrotic mice showed diminished hepatic microvessel density and angiogenic factors, such as hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), VEGF and VEGF receptor‐1. Moreover, down‐regulation of PlGF with siRNA in HSCs inhibited the activation and proliferation of HSCs. Mechanistically, overexpression of PlGF in activated HSCs was induced by hypoxia dependent on HIF‐1α, and PlGF induces HSC activation and proliferation via activation the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt signalling pathways. These findings indicate that PlGF plays an important role in liver fibrosis‐associated angiogenesis and that blockage of PlGF could be an effective strategy for chronic liver disease.
Corporate Governance and Performance in Twentieth-Century Japan

To understand the corporate performance of Japanese firms in the twentieth century, we have constructed a comprehensive database that includes asset, capital composition, profitability, and other variables relating to corporate governance structure. In this paper, we briefly introduce our project and report preliminary results of research on corporate performance and its determinants. We surveyed the long-term transition of ROA (defined as the ratio of profit after tax reduction to total assets) and its standard deviation using micro data of Japanese firms through the twentieth century, and investigate the effect of corporate governance structure (large shareholder and main bank) and the role of corporate groups (zaibatsu and keiretsu) on ROA and its volatility. Preliminary results show that high ROA with high volatility characterized the performance of large firms in the prewar period, while relatively low profitability with less volatility characterized the post-war era. In the 1990s, however, Japanese corporations showed extraordinarily low levels of performance with high volatility. The large shareholder enhanced firm performance in the prewar period. In contrast, zaibatsu did not enhance their affiliates’ performance, nor did keiretsu and the main bank in the postwar period. Keiretsu group affiliation increased growth at the expense of profitability in the postwar period. Finally, zaibatsu in the prewar, and the main bank and keiretsu system in the postwar period both reduced the volatility of performance. This stabilizing effect was partly brought about by risk or profit sharing, and partly by strict monitoring (zaibatsu) and rent extraction (main bank). The main bank system and keiretsu systems lost the ability to reduce the volatility of performance in the 1990s.
Utility of PAX8 mouse monoclonal antibody in the diagnosis of thyroid, thymic, pleural and lung tumours: a comparison with polyclonal PAX8 antibody

The purpose of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical staining profiles of PAX8‐polyclonal, PAX8‐monoclonal, PAX5‐monoclonal and PAX6‐monoclonal antibodies in several histological types of primary thoracic and thyroid tumours. In addition, we analysed PAX8 mRNA expression by using in‐situ hybridization.
Atypical celiac disease presenting as obesity-related liver dysfunction.

Asymptomatic liver involvement is more and more recognized in otherwise healthy, obese children (1–3). Loss of weight in these patients is an important target to achieve because it is most often followed by normalization of liver function tests, imaging, and histologic examination, thus reasonably confirming the causal role of weight excess with no need of further particular investigations. In the case of persisting liver disease despite a successful diet program, other causes of hypertransaminasemia and fatty liver should be ruled out. Hitherto, celiac disease has not been described as a condition possibly contributing to liver disease in obese patients. This may depend either on a true rarity of the association of these two conditions or on an insufficient correct investigation resulting from the bias of the seemingly improbable coexistence of celiac disease and obesity. However, there is some evidence that celiac disease is both an established cause of liver disease (4) and a condition possibly associated with obesity as well (5–7). Herein, we report for the first time a case of an obese child with weight-loss–resistant, longstanding liver disease. Liver abnormalities completely resolved only after gluten was withdrawn from diet after an unexpected diagnosis of celiac disease.
Random association among alleles in clonal populations of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

Multiple loci identified in DNA fingerprints were used to test for random association in two agricultural populations of S. sclerotiorum. In linkage disequilibrium tests among pairs of loci with frequencies between 0.1 and 0.9, 44.5 and 80.5% of pairs of loci were consistent with random association in the clone-corrected samples of the Canadian canola and the North Carolina cabbage populations, respectively. In estimates of corrected (Bonferroni) P value, 70.66 and 98.89% of pairs of loci were in random association. All four possible genotypes for each pair of loci were observed in the Canadian canola sample, consistent with random association among loci. In multilocus association tests across all loci, however, significant association was observed in both populations. In the Canadian canola population, 40 possible heterokaryons were identified. Our data suggest that populations of S. sclerotiorum are predominantly clonal and that occasional genetic exchange and recombination, and not mutation alone, may be a source of new genotypes.
An Incremental Decision Algorithm for Railway Traffic Optimisation in a Complex Station

In heavy traffic nodes of rail networks, conflicts and subsequent train delays greatly increase during operations. A disturbance which is at origin only a few seconds long can quickly lead to other delays of over five minutes. To limit this phenomenon, new methods and models are necessary to optimize the use of scarce resources like platforms and track sections. The operator controlling traffic has to select and evaluate alternative solutions that reduce delays caused by conflicts. This task can be formulated as an optimization problem, where the decision variables are the selection of the alternative routes and sequences for trains and the criterion is the sum of delays. This optimization problem is a joint scheduling and allocation problems and is considered to be a NP-hard problem which makes it hard to solve using exact methods for a reasonable problem size. This paper compares two heuristic methods for solving the problem. The first one uses a two-phase approach to perform independently resource allocation and scheduling. The second one performs incrementally the two kinds of decisions at track section level, i.e. at each step, the algorithm performs decisions of allocation of a track section or scheduling a pair of train runs on this section. The algorithm uses a measure of the criticality of the track sections to heuristically choose between making resource allocation decisions or scheduling decisions.
Quality of health care. Part 4: The origins of the quality-of-care debate.

The current concern about quality of care in the United States is deeply paradoxical in many ways. From a technical and scientific standpoint, the capabilities of the nation's health care system are extraordinary. Decades of biomedical research have culminated in new forms of technology that have greatly improved the health of Americans. Two examples (benefiting very different demographic groups) are neonatal intensive care units and new inpatient treatments for coronary artery disease. Neonatal intensive care units account for a substantial portion of the recent decline in neonatal and infant mortality rates in the United States.1 Improvements in the inpatient care .
Iterative methods for sparse linear systems

Preface 1. Background in linear algebra 2. Discretization of partial differential equations 3. Sparse matrices 4. Basic iterative methods 5. Projection methods 6. Krylov subspace methods Part I 7. Krylov subspace methods Part II 8. Methods related to the normal equations 9. Preconditioned iterations 10. Preconditioning techniques 11. Parallel implementations 12. Parallel preconditioners 13. Multigrid methods 14. Domain decomposition methods Bibliography Index.
Feature-Driven Adoption Patterns of Online Learning Environments -- The Instructors' Perspective

In the educational domain Online Learning Environments (OLEs) have become part of many institutions' Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure. As revealed by previous studies, instructors in combination with their ability to utilize ICT are the key for creating an effective OLE. While previous work mostly focused on the identification of adoption barriers, this study investigates drivers related to OLE's main functions. By applying the paired comparison technique and analysis of more in-depth questions we can conclude that feature-driven adoption patterns are determined by variables such as instructor's age and experience with OLEs, while gender only partly influences the adoption of OLEs. Based on these findings, concrete practical conclusions can be drawn for providers of OLEs and the governing body of schools using these OLEs.
Characteristics of Patients Successfully Treated for Cervicogenic Headache by Surgical Decompression of the Second Cervical Root

We have recently reported 90% success in a series of patients undergoing microsurgical decompression of the second cervical (C2) nerve root and ganglion for cervicogenic headache. Review and analysis of our database was carried out in order to cull factors characterizing patients amenable to this surgical treatment. Thirty‐five sequential C2 decompressions performed on 31 patients who were pain‐free or significantly improved in follow‐up were evaluated retrospectively. Preoperative factors and intraoperative findings were analyzed for prognostic significance. The diagnosis of cervicogenic headache was made using established criteria and success of CT‐guided C2 anesthetic blockade in alleviating the headache. Numerous historical factors noted preoperatively including age, sex, history of trauma, autonomic symptoms, visual changes, and many others were not able to be well correlated with outcome in univariate analysis. Likewise, no strong correlation could be made for findings on physical examination. Thus, no specific prognostic factors could be established, other than the accepted diagnostic criteria and successful anesthetic blockade of the C2 root and ganglion. These factors should identify the subset of patients with cervicogenic headache predominantly due to C2 root or ganglion effect and thus may favor a surgical treatment.
The Initial Effects of Low‐Volume Strength Training on Balance in Untrained Older Men and Women

Evidence indicates that leg weakness in older adults is associated with decreased control of balance. The gender-specific implications of strength training on control of balance in older men and women remains unknown. This study examined the initial adaptations to 12 weeks of low-volume, single-set-to-failure strength training and its effect on quadriceps strength and control of multidirectional balance in previously untrained older men (n = 11) and women (n = 11) 59–83 years of age. Leg strength increased 23–30% (p < 0.001) across genders; however, the effect on balance varied between genders. No significant changes were noted in the women, whereas 37% (p < 0.014) more sway in the medial-lateral direction was noted in the men, with no change in the anterior-posterior direction. These results demonstrate that this training protocol may not be effective for improving balance and may lead to worsening of balance in older men.
Detecting Spillover in Social Networks: Design and Analysis of Multilevel Experiments

∗Please do not cite this paper without explicit permission from the authors. This research was funded by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation as part of its California Votes Initiative, a multi-year effort to increase voting rates among infrequent voters particularly those in low-income and ethnic communities in California’s San Joaquin Valley and targeted areas in Southern California. The Initiative also aims to discern effective approaches by which to increase voter turnout and share those lessons with the civic engagement field. For more information about the Initiative, see http://www.irvine. org/evaluation/program/cvi.shtml. The James Irvine Foundation bears no responsibility for the content of this report. We thank Delia Bailey, participants of the St. Louis Area Methods Meeting, participants of the Networks in Political Science Meeting, participants of the Nuffield Networks meeting and participants of the Annual Meeting of the Society of Political Methodology 2008 for their comments.
Transient expression and mutational analysis of the rotavirus intracellular receptor: the C-terminal methionine residue is essential for ligand binding

Maturation of rotavirus involves an intracellular membrane budding event in which the single-shelled icosahedral particle interacts with a virus-encoded receptor glycoprotein, NS28, that is located in the rough endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The receptor is a tetramer and is oriented with the C-terminal 131 amino acids on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane (A.R. Bellamy and G.W. Both, Adv. Virus Res. 38:1-48, 1990). We have used the T7-vaccinia virus transient expression system to deliver mutant variants of the NS28 gene to CV1 cells in order to assess the effects of site-specific modifications on receptor function. Three types of mutant proteins have been constructed by altering the extreme C-terminal methionine, cysteine residues within the third hydrophobic domain, and internal residues located within the cytoplasmic portion of the receptor, respectively. Deletion or conservative substitution of the C-terminal methionine completely abolishes receptor activity. Substitution of cysteine residues has no effect on receptor activity or on the ability of the receptor to adopt its native oligomeric state. Internal deletions result only in a reduction in the level of binding. An N-terminally truncated form of the receptor, containing only the cytoplasmic domain, retains full receptor activity and can form membrane-associated tetramers.
Differential susceptibility to environmental influences: Interactions between child temperament and parenting in adolescent alcohol use

Abstract Temperament and parental practices (PP) are important predictors of adolescent alcohol use (AU); however, less is known about how they combine to increase or decrease risk of AU. This study examined whether age 6 temperament (i.e., impulsivity and inhibitory control) interacted with age 6 coercive PP and/or age 14 parental monitoring to predict AU at 15 years among 209 adolescents. Results showed that low parental monitoring was associated with more frequent AU and that coercive PP interacted with impulsivity to predict AU. This interaction was examined as a function of two models that were not studied before in the prediction of AU: the diathesis–stress model (i.e., impulsive children are more “vulnerable” to adverse PP than those with an easy temperament); and the differential susceptibility model (i.e., impulsive children are also more likely to benefit from good PP). Results supported the differential susceptibility model by showing that impulsive children were not only at higher risk for AU when combined with high coercive PP but also benefit from the absence of coercive PP. This supports the suggestion that the conception of certain temperament characteristics, or in this case impulsivity, as a “vulnerability” for adolescent AU, may need revision because it misrepresents the malleability it may imply.
Energy utilization in intermittent exercise of supramaximal intensity.

MARCARIA, K. , R. II. OLIVA, P. E. DI PRAMPERO, AND Pm CERRETELLI. Energy utili<ation in intermittent exercise of supamaximal intensity. J. Appl. Physiol. 26(6) : 752-756. 1969. ~In supramaximal exercise the extra energy which is not met by oxidation is drawn from splitting of high-energy phosphate, and only when this source is exhausted is energy drawn from the other anaerobic source, the splitting of acid. In strenuous intermittent exercise, no lactic acid is formed if the oxygen debt contracted during the working period can be met completely by the alactic phosphagen-splitting mechanism; the oxygen debt contracted during the working period must then be completely paid during the rest period. If these conditions are met, very heavy intermittent exercise can be carried out indefinitely, leading to a total amount of work much greater than would have been possible were the exercise protracted continuously until exhaustion. The payment of the alactic oxygen debt fraction is confirmed to be a fast process, the halfreaction time being about 20-25 set; the capacity of this mechanism in young fit nonathletic subjects is about 20 ml/kg body wt.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Properties of the Glucokinase Activator MK-0941 in Rodent Models of Type 2 Diabetes and Healthy Dogs

Glucokinase activators (GKAs) are small-molecule agents that enhance glucose sensing by pancreatic β cells and glucose metabolism by hepatocytes. There is strong interest in these agents as potential therapies for type 2 diabetes. Here, we report key pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic findings from preclinical studies of the GKA 3-[[6-(ethylsulfonyl)-3-pyridinyl]oxy]-5-[(1S)-2-hydroxy-1-methylethoxy]-N-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)benzamide (MK-0941). Incubated in vitro with recombinant human glucokinase, 1 μM MK-0941 lowered the S0.5 of this enzyme for glucose from 6.9 to 1.4 mM and increased the maximum velocity of glucose phosphorylation by 1.5-fold. In 2.5 and 10 mM glucose, the EC50 values for activation of GK by MK-0941 were 0.240 and 0.065 μM, respectively. Treatment of isolated rat islets of Langerhans and hepatocytes with 10 μM MK-0941 increased insulin secretion by 17-fold and glucose uptake up to 18-fold, respectively. MK-0941 exhibited strong glucose-lowering activity in C57BL/6J mice maintained on a high-fat diet (HFD), db/db mice, HFD plus low-dose streptozotocin-treated mice, and nondiabetic dogs. In both mice and dogs, oral doses of MK-0941 were rapidly absorbed and rapidly cleared from the blood; plasma levels reached maximum within 1 h and fell thereafter with a half-life of ∼2 h. During oral glucose tolerance testing in dogs, MK-0941 reduced total area-under-the-curve postchallenge (0–2 h) plasma glucose levels by up to 48% compared with vehicle-treated controls. When administered twice daily to mice for 16 days, and once daily to the dog for 4 days, MK-0941 remained efficacious on successive days. These findings support further investigation of MK-0941 as a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Epigenetic Dynamics of Imprinted X Inactivation During Early Mouse Development

The initiation of X-chromosome inactivation is thought to be tightly correlated with early differentiation events during mouse development. Here, we show that although initially active, the paternal X chromosome undergoes imprinted inactivation from the cleavage stages, well before cellular differentiation. A reversal of the inactive state, with a loss of epigenetic marks such as histone modifications and polycomb proteins, subsequently occurs in cells of the inner cell mass (ICM), which give rise to the embryo-proper in which random X inactivation is known to occur. This reveals the remarkable plasticity of the X-inactivation process during preimplantation development and underlines the importance of the ICM in global reprogramming of epigenetic marks in the early embryo.
Analysis of coupling-induced jitter in FPGA transceiver

This paper analyses jitter increase mechanism due to parallel IO simultaneous switching noise (SSN), while FPGA transceiver operates at multi-gigabit data rates or higher. Several jitter measurement methods and relevant simulations are used to diagnose noise sources and coupling paths. This paper illustrates that transmitter jitter profile is related to power supply noise and inductive crosstalk characteristics. These findings helped improve PDN design resulting in better device jitter performance.