Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduced chondrogenic potential of adipose tissue derived stromal cells correlates with an altered TGFβ receptor and BMP profile and is overcome by BMP‐6

Recent interest has focused on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for tissue engineering and regenerative therapy of cartilage defects. MSC originating from adipose tissue (ATSC) are attractive as they are easily available and abundant. They have similar properties like bone marrow derived MSC (BMSC), except for a reduced chondrogenic potential under standard culture conditions driven by TGFβ. Aim of this study was to search for possible differences explaining the reduced differentiation capacity of ATSC and to eliminate it by adaptation of induction protocols. Expanded MSC were analyzed for their growth factor and related receptor repertoire and ATSC spheroid cultures were supplemented with BMP‐2,‐4,‐6,‐7, TGFβ, FGFa, FGFb, IGF‐1, and PTHrP alone or in combination with TGFβ. In contrast to BMSC, ATSC showed reduced expression of BMP‐2, ‐4, and ‐6 mRNA and did not express TGFβ‐receptor‐I protein. Consistent with this, increased concentrations of TGFβ did not improve chondrogenesis of ATSC. BMP6 treatment induced TGFβ‐receptor‐I expression and combined application of TGFβ and BMP‐6 eliminated the reduced chondrogenic potential of ATSC inducing a gene expression profile similar to differentiated BMSC. Like in BMSC, chondrogenesis of ATSC was associated with hypertrophy according to premature collagen Type X expression, upregulation of alkaline‐phosphatase activity and in vivo calcification of spheroids after ectopic transplantation in SCID mice. In conclusion, a distinct BMP and TGFβ‐receptor repertoire may explain the reduced chondrogenic capacity of ATSC in vitro, which could be compensated by exogenous application of lacking factors. Further studies should now be directed to induce chondrogenesis in the absence of hypertrophy. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 682–691, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Impact of Public Budgets on Overall Productivity Growth

To fulfill their tasks, governments rely on public expenditures and taxes. Both influence the incentives and shape the decisions and actions of private economic agents. As governments resort to both instruments simultaneously, their combined theoretical impact on economic performance is a priori indeterminate. Clarification can only come from empirical evaluations. This paper reviews the recent literature trying to quantify the impact of fiscal policies onproductivity and growth. Unfortunately, this survey shows that the empirical literature too is inconclusive: although the growth and composition of public expenditures and taxes as well as the fiscal stance seem to have some effect in the short run, their long-run implications cannot easily be quantified because of, e.g., reverse causation and crowding-out effects. The empirical evidence on the growth effects of government size points at a non-linear relationship: For small governments additional public expenditures seem to have a positive impact on growth, while for large governments further additions tend to be growth-retarding. It is an open question, however, where the optimum is located.
The Impact of Continuous Glucose Monitoring on Markers of Quality of Life in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Further Findings From the DIAMOND Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) improves glycemic control, but data are inconclusive about its influence on quality of life (QOL). We investigated the impact of 24 weeks of CGM use on QOL in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who use multiple daily insulin injections. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS DIAMOND (Multiple Daily Injections and Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Diabetes) was a prospective randomized trial that assessed CGM versus self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) only in 158 adults with poorly controlled T1D. At baseline and study end, participants completed QOL measures that assessed overall well-being (WHO-5), health status (EQ-5D-5L), diabetes distress (DDS), hypoglycemic fear (worry subscale of the HFS-II), and hypoglycemic confidence (HCS). At study end, CGM participants completed the CGM Satisfaction Survey. Linear regression analyses compared treatment group changes in QOL outcomes over time. Associations between CGM satisfaction and change in QOL outcomes and in glycemic control indices were assessed. RESULTS The CGM group demonstrated a greater increase in hypoglycemic confidence (P = 0.01) and a greater decrease in diabetes distress (P = 0.01) than the SMBG group. No significant group differences in well-being, health status, or hypoglycemic fear were observed. CGM satisfaction was not significantly associated with glycemic changes but was associated with reductions in diabetes distress (P < 0.001) and hypoglycemic fear (P = 0.02) and increases in hypoglycemic confidence (P < 0.001) and well-being (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS CGM contributes to significant improvement in diabetes-specific QOL (i.e., diabetes distress, hypoglycemic confidence) in adults with T1D, but not with QOL measures not specific to diabetes (i.e., well-being, health status). CGM satisfaction was associated with most of the QOL outcomes but not with glycemic outcomes.
The node-weighted steiner tree problem

The general Node-Weighted Steiner Tree problem is an extension of the standard Steiner Tree problem by the addition of node-associated weights. This article analyzes a special case of that problem, where the set of nodes, which must be included in the solution tree, consists of a single node, and all node weights are negative. The special case is shown to be NP-Complete, its integer programming formulation is presented, and heuristic procedures are proposed. Using Lagrangian relaxation and subgradient optimization, tight lower bounds were derived and utilized by a branch and bound algorithm. The effectiveness of the developed procedures is demonstrated by a set of computational experiments.
Does the Country of Origin (COO) of Food Products Influence Consumer Evaluations? An Empirical Examination of Ham and Cheese

The present study attempts to assess the impact of the COO effect on the evaluation of specific food products by Greek consumers. This issue has been examined exhaustively in the international literature, albeit there are very few studies concerning food products. A particular effort is geared toward measuring consumers' ethnocentric tendency as antecedent to the appearance of the COO effect and examining the level at which the latter is activated (product or attribute-specific). In this respect, consumer attitude (dis)similarities toward product types are analysed with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Data were collected though personal interviews with a sample of 274 respondents, which compared two food products of Greek origin (ham and yellow cheese) to their counterparts from Italy and the Netherlands. Results indicate that respondents exhibit a marginally ethnocentric tendency. Overall, a more thorough analysis justified only minor differences between the competing products at the attribute level, although the study reveals the existence of COO effect activated at the product-level.
AIDS and Older Americans at the End of the Twentieth Century

Summary: In the past 11 years, the cumulative number of AIDS cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in adults aged 50 years or older quintupled, from 16,288 in 1990 to 90,513 by the end of December 2001. This article provides an overview of AIDS cases through 2001, shows the growing totals of AIDS cases among persons aged 50 years or older, and describes and compares these cases with those among younger people. It also reviews work on perceptions of persons aged 50 years or older on their risk for contracting HIV and their preventive health practices. Most of the data for this article came from the CDC web site and the AIDS public use data set. Although the incidence of AIDS appears to be leveling off in the general population, the data show that older people as a group represent a substantial share of new cases. There are currently more than 60,000 persons estimated to be aged 50 years or older living with AIDS in the United States; more than 50,000 persons with AIDS in this age group have died since the epidemic began. In light of the new era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, it can be expected that the AIDS epidemic will continue to age in multifaceted ways.
Technology transfer of hearing aids to low and middle income countries: policy and market factors

Abstract Purpose: The competitive market advantages of industry and the balancing force of international governmental organizations (IGOs) are examined to identify market and policy in support of sustainable technology transfer of hearing aids to low and middle income countries. A second purpose is to examine the usefulness of findings for other assistive technologies (AT). Methods: Searches of electronic databases, IGO documents, industry reports and journals were supplemented by informal discussions with industry and IGO staff and audiologists. The value chain is used to examine the competitive advantage of industry and the balancing tools of certain IGOs. Results: Both industry and IGOs engage in intellectual property (IP) and competition activities and are active in each segment of the hearing aid value chain. Their market and policy objectives and strategies are different. Conclusions: IGOs serve as balancing forces for the competitive advantages of industry. The hearing aid market configuration and hearing aid fitting process are not representative of other AT products but IP, trade and competition policy tools used by IGOs and governments are relevant to other AT. The value chain is a useful tool to identify the location of price mark-ups and the influence of actors. Implications for Rehabilitation Market factors and reimbursement and subsidization policies drive hearing aid innovation. UN-related international government organization activities are responsive to the needs of disability populations who cannot afford assistive technology. Policy tools used by international governmental organizations are applicable across assistive technology. A partnership model is important to distribution of hearing aids to low and middle income countries.
Nutrient intake of Head Start children: home vs. school.

OBJECTIVE To determine mean intake of energy and protein, total fat, saturated fat, percent energy from total and saturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, zinc, folate, vitamins A, C, E, B-6 and B-12, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, magnesium, sodium and fiber of preschool Head Start children at school and away from school. DESIGN Twenty-four-hour food intakes for 358 Head Start children were obtained by observing food intake at school and acquiring intake recalls from parents or guardians specifying food their children consumed for the balance of the day. After determining group estimates of energy and nutrient intake, mean intake was compared to standard nutrient recommendations for the entire 24-hour day, i.e., for the time the children were in school and for the remaining hours away from school ("home" intake). SUBJECTS The 358 Head Start children attended school either half-day (2- to 3-hour AM and PM sessions) or all-day (5 to 6 hours). STATISTICAL ANALYSES Differences in nutrient intake among class times were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test. Differences with a p-value <0.05 (two-tailed) were considered to be statistically significant. Total energy, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamins A, C, E, B6, and B12, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin as well as folate and magnesium were compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances for the 4- to 6-year-old age group. Other standards that were used for comparisons included the National Cholesterol Education Program (fat, saturated fat and cholesterol), the 1989 National Research Council's Diet and Health Report (carbohydrate and sodium) and the recommendation for fiber proposed by the American Health Foundation. RESULTS At school, half-day children consumed up to 25% of the daily recommendation for energy and nutrients, while all-day children achieved at least a third of the recommended intakes. When intakes at home and school were combined, all three groups of children (AM, PM and all-day) exceeded dietary recommendations for protein, vitamins and minerals. Energy intake remained below 100% of the recommendation, while intake of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol exceeded recommendations. APPLICATION Further research is required to explore energy needs and determine nutritional status and nutrient needs of minority and low-income preschool children. Strategies are required to increase nutrient density, but not fat density, of meals and snacks served to children who attend day care for part of the day. Finally, school meals and nutrition education programs such as Team Nutrition should broaden their base to include healthful eating habits for all school children, including the very youngest children in preschool programs.
Analysis of Factors Affecting Integrated Public Service Performance

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of competence, motivation, and work environment of employees on the performance of public service Department of Investment and One Stop Service (DPM-PTSP) Semarang City. The research method used in this research is quantitative research method with sampling technique Quota Sampling and Judgment Sampling. Processing techniques and data analysis used are test validity, reliability test, classical assumption test, multiple linear regression analysis, and hypothesis test. The result of the research shows that employee competency, employee motivation, and work environment have positive and significant influence on the performance of public service at One Stop Service and One Stop Service (DPM-PTSP) Semarang City based on the indicators that have been determined in the research. However, there are still some unsuitable indicators, such as employees who need time to adapt to the latest rules, policies, technologies and systems, the need for additional facilities, simplification of licensing compliance requirements and submission process, provision of information on changes in the requirements of the completeness of the licenses and the submission process through the official web of the One Stop Service and One Stop Service (DPM-PTSP) of Semarang City or attached to the licensing application form. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis pengaruh kompetensi, motivasi, dan lingkungan kerja pegawai terhadap kinerja pelayanan publik Dinas Penanaman Modal dan Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu (DPM-PTSP) Kota Semarang. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode penelitian kuantitatif dengan teknik pengambilan sampel Quota Sampling dan Judgement Sampling. Teknik pengolahan dan analisis data yang digunakan adalah uji validitas, uji reliabilitas, uji asumsi klasik, analisis regresi linier berganda, dan uji hipotesis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kompetensi pegawai, motivasi pegawai, dan lingkungan kerja pegawai memiliki pengaruh yang positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja pelayanan publik di Dinas Penanaman Modal dan Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu (DPM-PTSP) Kota Semarang berdasarkan indikator-indikator yang telah ditetapkan dalam penelitian. Namun masih ada beberapa indikator yang belum sesuai, seperti pegawai yang membutuhkan waktu untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan aturan, kebijakan, teknologi, dan sistem terbaru, lalu perlunya penambahan fasilitas, penyederhanaan persyaratan kelengkapan perizinan dan proses pengajuan, pemberian informasi perubahan persyaratan kelengkapan perizinan dan proses pengajuan melalui web resmi Dinas Penanaman Modal dan Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu (DPM-PTSP) Kota Semarang atau terlampir pada form pengajuan perizinan.
Comparison of the mechanical properties of the anterior lens capsule following manual capsulorhexis and femtosecond laser capsulotomy.

PURPOSE To evaluate and compare the mechanical properties of anterior capsule openings performed with the continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) technique and femtosecond laser capsulotomy (FLC) in ex vivo porcine lens capsule specimens. METHODS Fresh porcine eyes were included in the study (CCC group, n = 50; FLC group, n = 30). The capsule openings were stretched with universal testing equipment until they ruptured. The rupture force and circumference stretching ratio were evaluated. The morphologic profile of the cut capsule edges was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS The average rupture force was higher in the CCC group (median: 155 mN; interquartile range [IQR]: 129 to 201 mN; range: 71 to 294 mN) than in the FLC group (median: 119 mN; IQR: 108 to 128 mN; range: 91 to 142 mN) (P < .01, Mann-Whitney U test). The average circumference stretching ratio in the CCC group was greater (median: 150%; IQR: 146% to 156%; range: 136% to 161%) than in the FLC group (median: 148%; IQR: 145% to 150%; range: 141% to 154%) (P = .0468, Mann-Whitney U test). When less than 71 mN, no capsular tear occurred in either group. When less than 91 mN, no capsular tear occurred in the FLC group, whereas at 91 mN, the probability of capsular tears was 9% for the CCC group. SEM examination found that the CCC group had smooth edges, whereas those of the FLC group were gently serrated. CONCLUSIONS According to the current results in a porcine eye model, FLC had less average resistance to capsule tear than CCC, but the weakest openings were seen in the CCC group.
A critical assessement of socially responsible investing in South Africa

This research deals with socially responsible investing (SRI) in its broadest context in South Africa and includes an analysis of the risk-adjusted performance of local SRI funds. SRI refers to an investment strategy whereby investors integrate moral as well as environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations alongside conventional financial criteria in evaluating investment opportunities. Typical SRI strategies include screening, shareholder activism and cause-based (targeted) investing. The primary objective of this research was to obtain a deeper understanding of SRI in South Africa as it represents a powerful means whereby private sector capital can be channelled into areas of national priority. Data and methodological triangulation strategies were adopted to investigate the research problem, respond to the research questions and test the research hypotheses of this study. The phenomenological component of the research consisted of an extensive literature review as well as in-depth, face-to-face interviews conducted with twelve SRI fund managers and industry experts. The positivistic dimension of this research centred on the construction of the first complete database of SRI funds in South Africa, the sourcing of quantitative primary data and the testing of eight pairs of null and alternative hypotheses. Risk-adjusted performance was evaluated by means of the Sharpe, Sortino and Upside-potential ratios during three sub-periods, namely 1 June 1992 to 31 August 1998, 1 September 1998 to 31 March 2002 and 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2006. Forty-three SRI funds have been launched in South Africa since June 1992 and it is estimated that SRIs constitute approximately 0.7 percent of the total investment capacity in the country. It was found that most local SRI funds combine a cause-based investment strategy with a positive or best-of-sector screening approach. ESG screens were found to focus on the promotion of
Patient Navigation in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background: The role of the patient navigator in cancer care and specifically in breast cancer care has grown to incorporate many titles and functions. Objective: To better evaluate the outcomes of patient navigation in breast cancer care, a comprehensive review of empiric literature detailing the efficacy of breast cancer navigation on breast cancer outcomes (screening, diagnosis, treatment, and participation in clinical research) was performed. Methods: Published articles were reviewed if published in the scientific literature between January 1990 and April 2009. Searches were conducted using PubMed and Ovid databases. Search terms included MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms, "patient navigator," "navigation," "breast cancer," and "adherence. " Results: Data-based literature indicates that the role of patient navigation is diverse with multiple roles and targeted populations. Navigation across many aspects of the breast cancer disease trajectory improves adherence to breast cancer care. The empiric review found that navigation interventions have been more commonly applied in breast cancer screening and early diagnosis than for adherence to treatment. Conclusion: There is evidence supporting the role of patient navigation in breast cancer to improve many aspects of breast cancer care. Implications for Practice: Data describing the role of patient navigation in breast cancer will assist in better defining future direction for the breast navigation role. Ongoing research will better inform issues related to role definition, integration into clinical breast cancer care, impact on quality of life, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.