Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Self-Construal on Aesthetic Preference for Angular Versus Rounded Shapes

In this article, the authors examine the role of self-construal in aesthetic preference for angular versus rounded shapes. Previous research found an independent self-construal is associated with a confrontation approach to conflict resolution, whereas an interdependent self-construal is associated with compromise. Furthermore, the literature in empirical aesthetics suggests that angular shapes tend to generate confrontational associations, and rounded shapes tend to generate compromise associations. Accordingly, the authors propose individuals with independent self-construals should perceive angular shapes as more attractive, whereas individuals with interdependent self-construals should find rounded shapes more attractive. The authors argue this effect of self-construal should be more pronounced when people expect that their shape preferences will be evaluated by others because culturally consistent responses will be more accessible in this situation. These hypotheses were largely confirmed in a field study that classified logos from a variety of countries and two experiments in which self-construal was experimentally primed.
Time course of vascular response after an a priori strategy of bare metal stent implantation post-dilated with a paclitaxel-coated balloon: Implementation of a three-dimensional analysis algorithm with optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND An a priori combined therapy of a bare metal stent post-dilated with a paclitaxel- -coated balloon (PCB) was investigated with optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 2 and 6 months regarding vessel response. Previous studies have shown inconsistent results and the time course of vessel healing after such an interventional strategy is unknown. METHODS Thirty-three de novo lesions in 32 patients were electively treated. Six-month OCT analysis was available in 24 lesions. Two-month OCT follow-up was obtained in 16 lesions. Sequential OCT at 2 and 6 months was available in 7 patients. A novel 3-dimensional picture of vessel segments as spread outs was implemented. RESULTS Severe incomplete stent apposition (ISA) accompanied by significantly lower strut coverage were found at 2-month compared with 6-month follow-up (ISA struts: 11.4 ± 11.8% vs. 1.8 ± 4.8%, p = 0.001; uncovered struts: 14.5 ± 14.8% vs. 2.0 ± 5.3%, p = 0.001). ISA size diminished over time and the possibly observed phenomenon of positive vessel remodeling (remodeling volume: 4.9 ± 5.9 mm3 at 2-months vs. 2.0 ± 2.6 mm3 at 6-months; p = 0.042) was largely reversible in most lesions. CONCLUSIONS Bare metal stenting with adjunctive application of paclitaxel by a coated bal-loon shows transient severe incomplete strut apposition, most likely due to focal positive ves-sel remodeling. Thus, caution is needed in bailout situations following a PCB angioplasty. A novel illustration of OCT parameters as "carpet views" enables a comprehensive analysis of investigated stents.
Factors that predict in‐hospital mortality in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic small‐vessel vasculitis associated with asthma, eosinophilia, and necrotizing vasculitis. EGPA is potentially life‐threatening and often involves peripheral neuropathies, peptic ulcers, cerebral vessel disease, and cardiovascular disease. However, there is limited understanding of the prognostics factors for patients with EGPA. We investigated the clinical features and factors affecting patients' in‐hospital mortality, using a national inpatient database in Japan.
Fast inter mode prediction for P slices in the H264 video coding standard

We propose an inter mode decision scheme for P slices in the H264 video coding standard. Our scheme initially exploits neighborhood information jointly with a set of skip mode conditions for enhanced skip mode decision. It subsequently performs inter mode decision for the remaining macroblocks by using a gentle set of smoothness constraints. For RD performance very close to the standard, we achieve 35-58% reduction in run times and 33-55% reduction in CPU cycles for both the rate controlled and the non rate controlled versions of H264. Compared to other non gradient based work that has been proposed as input to the standard, gains of 9-23% in run times and 7-22% in CPU cycles are also reported. Finally, with respect to other gradient based approaches for mode decision, gains of 9% are reported in run times.
Graph-based resource allocation for device-to-device communications aided cellular network

With the explosive growth of data traffic in wireless communication and higher demand for network coverage, Device-to-Device (D2D) communication underlying cellular networks is recognized as a promising way to satisfy the growing requirement. In this paper, we consider D2D communication for relay purpose assists users to communicate with a base station (BS) which means D2D communication share licensed spectrum with traditional cellular uses. Due to spectrum reusing, significant interference is brought to the traditional cellular users if the D2D communication are managed unreasonably. We propose a D2D pair forming and resource allocation scheme based on graph theory to obviate severe interference, enhance the overall capacity of the system and improve network coverage. Numeric simulation results show that the additional gains from the system model using proposed allocation scheme increase significantly.
The Cross-Section of Currency Volatility Premia

Abstract We identify a global risk factor in the cross-section of implied volatility returns in currency markets. A zero-cost strategy that buys forward volatility agreements with downward sloping implied volatility curves and sells those with upward slopes–a volatility carry strategy–generates significant excess returns. The covariation with volatility carry returns fully explains the cross-sectional variation of our slope-sorted portfolios. The lower the slope, the more the forward volatility agreement is exposed to volatility carry risk.
Donor‐Specific Antibodies—The Devil Is in the Detail

We read with interest the study by Pouliquen et al for the GRAGIL network (1). This seeks to address the important question of the role of donor-directed HLA antibodies (DSAs) after pancreatic islet transplantation by examining samples from multiple centers. This approach has enabled the inclusion of a relatively large number of recipients but with a limited frequency of DSA assessment—annually posttransplantation. This may explain, at least in part, the apparently discrepant findings between this study and an earlier report from our center (2). Additionally, HLA typing of recipients and donors was not always complete and it is not clear whether HLA-DP is considered. Also, the multiplicity of HLA alleles within certain allele groups, for instance, HLA-DR4/(-DQ7/-DQ8), makes ascription of associated alleles imprecise and would potentially introduce some inaccuracy into later calculations.
Are Sequential Round-Robin Tournaments Discriminatory?

I examine sequential round-robin tournaments with three and four symmetric players. Each player is matched once with each other player. If the matches are organized as Tullock contests (all-pay auctions), the tournament will be almost fair (highly discriminatory): subject to the position of their matches in the sequence of the tournament, the differences in players’ ex-ante winning probabilities and expected payoffs will be small (large). The differing results originate from the higher discriminating power of the all-pay auction. Moreover, the resulting discouragement effect in tournaments with all-pay auctions implies lower aggregate effort than in tournaments with suitable Tullock contests. The fairness of round-robin tournaments may be improved by the use of an endogenous sequence of matches or the requirement that players fix their effort ex-ante.
First-contact incidence rate of schizophrenia on Barbados

Background The incidence rate for broad schizophrenia among second-generation African–Caribbean people in the United Kingdom has been reported as high. Ethnicity, migration and psychosocial stressors have been suggested as causal factors. Aims To determine the incidence of schizophrenia for the whole population of Barbados using an identical methodology to two previous studies in Trinidad (Bhugra et al, 1996) and London (Bhugra et al, 1997) Method A12-month study of all persons in the 18–54-year age group presenting with a psychosis for the first time was carried out on the population of Barbados. Information was collected using World Health Organization screening and measurement instruments. Results On an island of just over a quarter of a million, 40 out of the 53 patients that met the inclusion criteria were categorised as S+ (narrow) schizophrenia, giving an incidence rate of 2.8/10 000 (95% CI 1.97–3.7). The incidence rate for broad schizophrenia was calculated at 3.2/10 000 (95% CI 2.3–4.1), which is significantly lower than the comparable rate for London's African–Caribbeans of 6.6/10000 (95% CI 4.5–8.7) Conclusions The very high rate for broad schizophrenia among African–Caribbean people in the UK is probably due to environmental factors.
Ultradian metabolic oscillation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during aerobic continuous culture: hydrogen sulphide, a population synchronizer, is produced by sulphite reductase

We have reported that the consecutive cyclic production of H2S resulted in population synchrony of ultradian metabolic oscillation (Sohn et al., 2000 ). In order to understand the origin of H2S and its nature of periodic production, changes of sulphur compounds concentration and responsible enzymes were investigated. The concentrations of extracellular sulphate, intracellular glutathione and cysteine oscillated during metabolic oscillation but only the oscillation of sulphate concentration was out of phase with H2S production. The sulphate concentration in culture directly affected the amplitude and the period of metabolic oscillation: (a) the period of metabolic oscillation shortened from 50 min to 30 min when sulphate concentration in the medium was reduced from 46 mM to 2.5 mM; (b) the metabolic oscillation disappeared under sulphate‐depletion conditions and arose again by the addition of sulphate. Pulse injection of sulphite (10 µM) perturbed metabolic oscillation with a burst production of H2S, while thiosulphate (up to 500 µM) was without apparent effect. Furthermore, addition of S‐adenosyl methionine (100 µM) or azoxybacilin (3 mg/kg) decreased H2S production with perturbation of metabolic oscillation. The results presented here suggest that H2S, a population synchronizer, is produced by sulphite reductase in the sulphate assimilation pathway, and dynamic regulation of sulphate uptake plays an important role in ultradian metabolic oscillation. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age-related test-retest reliability of isometric trunk torque measurements in patiens with chronic low back pain.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the short- and long-term reliability of isometric trunk strength measurements in patients with chronic low back pain in different age groups. DESIGN Test-retest reliability study. PATIENTS A total of 210 patients (age groups 18-39, 40-59 and 60-90 years). METHODS Patients performed testing at baseline, 1-2 days (day 2) and 6 weeks. RESULTS Only the oldest age group showed similar extension strength on all three test days All age groups showed significant changes in rotation and flexion scores from baseline to 6 weeks. Younger age groups (18-39 and 40-59 years) showed significant increases in extension, flexion, and rotation strength at both short-term (baseline to day 2) and long-term (baseline to 6 weeks) retests, but not from day 2 to 6 weeks. In patients over 60 years of age the smallest real differences normalized to baseline (%) were smaller from day 2 to 6 weeks than from baseline to 6 weeks. Long-term intraclass correlation coefficients were lowest between baseline and 6 weeks. No relevant impacts of feelings, motivation, or pain on reliability were detected. CONCLUSION Reliability of isometric trunk strength measurements in patients with chronic low back pain is similar in older and younger patients. Short-term test repetition a few days after baseline is recommended, if clinically feasible, and especially in research evaluating the effects of exercise on strength.
The Changes of Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase and Glutathione Peroxidase Activities in Erythrocytes of Active and Passive Smokers

Abstract Cigarette smoking has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease, emphysema, obstructive lung disease and neoplastic disorders. More than 1000 constituents of smoke, including many oxidants, pro-oxidants, free radicals and reducing agents, have been identified. The activities of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), which are the important components of antioxidant defense system, were measured in 100 healthy volunteers. This study included heavy smokers (consuming cigarettes ≥20 per day; n=30, group I), light smokers (consuming cigarettes< 20 per day; n=30, group II), passive smokers (exposed to cigarette smoke in the indoor environment; n=20, group III), and non-smokers (n=20, the control group). While activities of SOD and CAT in erythrocytes were significantly lower in groups I, II and III than in the control group (p<0.01 for all), mean erythrocyte GSH-Px activity in group III was higher than that in groups I, II and in controls. These results suggest that the increased oxidative stress occurs in smokers, owing to the free radicals present in smoke. It might cause a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. We also observed that passive smokers were affected by the environmental smoke to the same extent as active smokers.
Compact printed dipole antenna with integrated wideband balun for UWB application

A compact UltrawideBand (UWB) dipole antenna with an integrated wideband balun is presented. The proposed antenna consists of a printed dipole, a wideband slot balun embedded in the ground plane, and an inverted L-shaped microstrip feedline. By using the integrated slot balun, the unbalance-to-balance transformer from the microstrip feedline to the dipole antenna is achieved. This antenna achieves a small size of 16 mm× 28 mm × 0.8 mm based on the substrate having a dielectric constant of 2.55, and operates over the frequency band from 2.9 GHz to 10.7 GHz, with the reflection coefficient <;-10 dB and the relative impedance matching bandwidth of 114.7%. The measured results show the nearly omnidirectional radiation pattern over the UWB band.
Contribution of FAT/CD36 to the regulation of skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation: an overview

Long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) are an important substrate for ATP production within the skeletal muscle. The process of LCFA delivery from adipose tissue to muscle mitochondria involves many regulatory steps. Recently, it has been recognized that LCFA oxidation is not only dependent on LCFA delivery to the muscle, but also on regulatory steps within the muscle. Increasing selected fatty acid binding proteins/transporters on the plasma membrane facilitates a very rapid LCFA increase into the muscle, independent of any changes in LCFA delivery to the muscle. Such a mechanism of LCFA transporter translocation is activated by muscle contraction. Intramuscular triacylglycerols may also be hydrolysed to provide fatty acids for mitochondrial oxidation, particularly during exercise, when hormone‐sensitive lipase and other enzymes are activated. Mitochondrial LCFA entry is also highly regulated. This however does not involve only the malonyl CoA carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐I (CPTI) axis. Exercise‐induced fatty acid entry into mitochondria is also regulated by at least one of the proteins (FAT/CD36) that also regulates plasma membrane fatty acid transport. Among individuals, differences in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation appear to be correlated with the content of mitochondrial CPTI and FAT/CD36. This paper provides a brief overview of mechanisms that regulate LCFA uptake and oxidation in skeletal muscle during exercise and in obesity. We focus largely on our own work on FAT/CD36, which contributes to regulating, in a coordinated fashion, LCFA uptake across the plasma membrane and the mitochondrial membrane. Very little is known about the roles of FATP1‐6 on fatty acid transport in skeletal muscle.
Lipids of the Spirochaetales: Comparison of the Lipids of Several Members of the Genera Spirochaeta, Treponema, and Leptospira

The lipid compositions of 17 spirochetes belonging to the genera Spirochaeta and Treponema were investigated and compared with data previously derived from 11 strains of Leptospira. The lipid compositions and lipid metabolism of any of these genera is sufficiently different to be characteristic of that genus and to differentiate it from the other two genera. Members of the genus Leptospira are characterized by their ability to beta-oxidize long chain fatty acids as their major carbon and energy source. With few exceptions, they are incapable of synthesizing fatty acids de novo. The major phospholipid found was phosphatidyl ethanolamine. No glycolipid or phosphatidyl choline was found in these organisms. Members of the genus Treponema studied were incapable of beta-oxidation as well as de novo synthesis of fatty acids. Phosphatidyl choline is the major phospholipid of this genus. The glycolipid, monogalactosyl diglyceride, is a major component of the Treponema. Members of the Spirochaeta did synthesize fatty acids de novo. Although these spirochetes contain a monoglycosyl diglyceride, the hexose content of the glycolipid varied from species to species. Neither phosphatidyl ethanolamine nor phosphatidyl choline was found in the Spirochaeta.
Effects of valproic acid in combination with S-1 on advanced pancreatobiliary tract cancers: clinical study phases I/II.

BACKGROUND/AIM Pancreatobiliary tract cancers are amongst the most aggressive human cancers. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is well-known to be associated with tumorigenesis through epigenetic regulation and its inhibitors (HDACIs) induce differentiation and apoptosis of tumor cells. We conducted a clinical trial of combination therapy using valproic acid (VPA, a HDACI) and S-1, which is an oral fluoropyrimidine derivative consisting of 5-fluorouracil. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with advanced pancreatobiliary tract cancers were eligible for this clinical trial. Twelve patients, in whom a curative operation was not feasible, were enrolled in the study. Patients received S-1 orally at a daily dose of 80 mg/m(2) for 28 days, followed by a 14-day recovery period. They also received VPA orally at a total daily dose of 15 mg/kg, twice daily. RESULTS One patient had partial response (PR); ten patients were recorded with stable disease (SD); and one patient showed progressive disease (PD). Eight patients had clinically significant drug-related adverse events. The most frequent adverse events were platelet depletion and fatigue. Grade 3/4 adverse events, including anemia and platelet depletion, were observed. Significant increases in blood concentrations of VPA were confirmed 2 and 4 weeks after VPA administration. CONCLUSION Combination therapy of VPA and S-1 for patients with pancreatobiliary tract cancers had a manageable safety profile and preliminary antitumor activity.
Loss of p21 expression is associated with p53 mutations and increased cell proliferation and p27 expression is associated with apoptosis in maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma

Conclusions. Loss of p21 expression dependent on the p53 mutation may be associated with higher tumor cell proliferation, and low p27 expression may be associated with decreased spontaneous apoptosis, resulting in poorer prognosis in patients with maxillary sinus squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Objective. We have previously reported that p53 mutations and decreased spontaneous apoptosis were associated with poor prognosis in maxillary sinus SCC. However, whether p21 and p27 expression and cell proliferation correlate with either p53 status, spontaneous apoptosis or prognosis in maxillary sinus SCC has not been evaluated. Material and methods. Seventy patients with maxillary sinus SCC were analyzed. Tumor biopsy specimens were examined for p21 and p27 expression using an immunohistological method. The percentage of proliferating cells labeled by anti-Ki-67 mAb was expressed as the Ki-67 index (KI). Results. Loss of p21 expression correlated with p53 mutations (p=0.0072). The KIs in patients without p21 expression and with p53 mutations were significantly higher than those in patients with p21 expression (p=0.0119) and those without p53 mutations (p=0.0048). Patients with p27 expression showed a significantly higher apoptotic index than those without (p=0.0012). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that p21 expression was closely associated with prolonged disease-free survival in the group with a normal p53 status (p=0.0472). Multivariate analysis identified high KI as an independent prognostic marker (p=0.047).
Effect of implant surface properties on peri-implant bone healing: a histological and histomorphometric study in dogs.

AIM The present study aimed to evaluate and compare two types of implants, i.e. grit-blasted and acid-etched implants (SLActive(®)) with nano-meter-scale hydroxyapatite surface-modified implants (NanoTite™). MATERIAL AND METHODS For histological and histomorphometrical evaluation, 22 SLActive(®) and 22 Nanotite™ implants were inserted in eleven Beagle dogs. The animals were divided into three groups of healing (A: 2 weeks; B: 4 weeks and C: 8 weeks). Two, 4 and 8 weeks after implantation, the animals were sacrificed and bone-to-implant contact (BIC %), first implant-bone contact (1st BIC) as well as amount of bone (BV) were assessed. RESULTS For SLActive(®) and Nanotite™ implants, BIC% increased significantly over time. No statistically significant differences in BIC% were found between SLActive(®) and Nanotite™ at all the respective implantation times. Moreover, for the different healing periods, no significant differences for BV between SLActive(®) and Nanotite™ implants were found. CONCLUSIONS The present study showed that SLActive(®) and NanoTite™ implants induce a similar bone response after implantation for 2, 4 and 8 weeks in a non-submerged position in the mandible of dogs.
Biosynthesis and processing of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoproteins: effects of monensin on glycosylation and transport

When human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoproteins were expressed in 293 cells by using a recombinant adenovirus expression vector, the envelope precursor (gp160) was initially glycosylated by cotranslational addition of N-linked high-mannose oligosaccharide units to the protein backbone and then cleaved to gp120 and gp41. The subunits gp120 and gp41 were then further modified by the addition of fucose, galactose, and sialic acid, resulting in glycoproteins containing a mixture of hybrid and complex oligosaccharide side chains. A fraction of glycosylated gp160 that escaped cleavage was further modified by the terminal addition of fucose and galactose, but the addition of sialic acid did not occur, consistent with the notion that it is compartmentalized separately from the gp120 envelope protein. Processing and transport of gp160 were blocked by the monovalent ionophore monensin, which at high concentrations (25 microM and above) was a potent inhibitor of the endoproteolytic cleavage of gp160; at lower concentrations (1 to 10 microM), it selectively blocked the secondary glycosylation steps so that smaller products were produced. Monensin (1 microM) treatment also resulted in a reduction in syncytium formation, which was observed when recombinant infected cells were cocultivated with CD4-bearing HeLa cells. The infectivity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 was also reduced by monensin treatment, a decrease that may be due to incompletely glycosylated forms of gp120 that have a lower affinity for the CD4 receptor.