Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Refining the assessment of internal working models: the Attachment Multiple Model Interview

The Attachment Multiple Model Interview (AMMI) was developed to assess internal working models (IWMs) of specific relationships in adulthood (e.g., with mother, father, and romantic partner). In an initial effort to validate the AMMI, the interview was administered to participants who were followed from age 4 to 23. ANOVA and contrast tests confirmed the AMMI’s capacity to discriminate between mother, father, and partner IWMs. AMMI security with each parent was correlated with coherence according to the Adult Attachment Interview, and AMMI disorganization with mother with unresolved trauma (N = 53). AMMI dimensions of security, deactivation, and hyperactivation with the mother were associated with cumulative lifetime scores of security (N = 23), avoidance, and resistance (N = 34), respectively. Intercorrelations between these AMMI scales were also theory-consistent. Associations with the AAI and between AMMI security scores of different relationships are consistent with previous findings suggesting a contribution from both parents in the development of a state of mind, but a more important role of the mother for representations of the partner.
Results of intraocular lens implantation with capsular tension ring in subluxated crystalline or cataractous lenses in children

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using capsular tension ring (CTR) in subluxated crystalline or cataractous lenses in children. Setting: Tertiary care setting Materials and Methods: We prospectively studied 18 eyes of 15 children with subluxation of crystalline or cataractous lenses between 90° up to 210° after phacoemulsification, CTR and IOL implantation. Each child was examined for IOL centration, zonular dehiscence and posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Results: Age of the patient ranged between five to 15 years. Out of 18 eyes, seven had traumatic and 11 had spontaneous subluxation of crystalline or cataractous lens. Phacoemulsification was successfully performed with CTR implantation in the capsular bag. Intraoperative zonular dialysis occurred in two eyes. Anterior vitrectomy was performed in six eyes to manage vitreous prolapse. IOL implanted was polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in eight eyes, hydrophobic acrylic in seven and hydrophilic acrylic in three. Follow-up ranged from 24 months to 72 months. Sixteen eyes had a best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Nine eyes developed significant PCO and were managed with Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy. One eye with acrylic IOL in the capsular bag had IOL dislocation after two years which was managed with vitrectomy and secondary trans-scleral fixation of IOL. Conclusions: Phacoaspiration with CTR implantation makes capsular bag IOL fixation possible in most of the eyes with subluxated crystalline or cataractous lenses. PCO still remains a challenge in children with successful phacoaspiration with CTR implantation
Conversion of Th17 into IL-17Aneg Regulatory T Cells: A Novel Mechanism in Prolonged Allograft Survival Promoted by Mesenchymal Stem Cell–Supported Minimized Immunosuppressive Therapy

The ultimate goal in transplantation medicine is the promotion of operational tolerance. Although Th cells of the Th17 type have been predominantly associated with rejection of allogeneic solid organ grafts, regulatory T (Treg) cells appear to foster operational tolerance. Induced Treg and Th17 cells have a higher lineage plasticity than has been recognized thus far. We found that when mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were used to induce long-term acceptance of allogeneic heart grafts in mice, the induction of Treg cells was preceded by development of a CD11bhiGr1int myeloid–derived immunosuppressive cell–mediated Th17 response. Substantial suppression of Foxp3+ Treg cell generation from retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor γ−/− T cells by MSCs revealed that retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor γ is a common factor in the differentiation of Treg and Th17 cells. Immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil treatment of enriched IL-17A+ cells from MSC-primed allograft mouse recipients resulted in a reduction of IL-17A production and an increase in the Foxp3+ Treg cell fraction. Furthermore, identification of IL-17A+ Foxp3+ double-positive and ex–IL-17–producing IL-17AnegFoxp3+ T cells strongly argues for direct conversion of Th17 cells into Treg cells as the underlying mechanism of immune regulation in MSC-mediated allograft survival. The Th17 into Treg conversion identified in this study constitutes an important immunological mechanism by which MSC-induced myeloid-derived immunosuppressive cells mediate operational transplant tolerance. The possibility to create Treg cell–regulated operational tolerance in the absence of complete immune suppression provides strong clinical implications for cell therapy–assisted minimization protocols.
Evolution of the Sex Chromosomes in Salmonid Fishes

Most of the information on sex chromosomes in salmonid fishes is for species in the 3 genera of the subfamily Salmoninae found in North America: Salvelinus, Salmo and Oncorhynchus. All of the species are male heterogametic with XY sex determination. Morphologically distinguishable sex chromosomes are found only in Salvelinus namaycush,S. fontinalis and Oncorhynchus mykiss. Sex chromosomes have been identified in the other species using a combination of chromosome mapping and fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes containing sex-linked markers. Although all species share conserved linkage groups, the major sex-determining locus (SD) is found at the telomere of a different linkage group in almost every species, suggesting that the SD often transposes to a new location at the time of speciation. In a couple of species, intraspecific variation has been found in the chromosomal location of the SD. Recently, sdY has been identified as the major sex-determining gene in rainbow trout, and it maps to the sex linkage group in all of these species. BACs containing sdY have been isolated and sequenced in O.mykiss, and the genetic markers adjacent to sdY are not sex-linked in the other Oncorhynchus species, suggesting that the transposed region is very small. Possible explanations for the frequent occurrence of transposition of the SD are discussed.
Has Growing Inequality Contributed to Rising Household Economic Distress?

Abstract The personal bankruptcy rate increased more than fourfold in the last quarter century. Other measures of economic distress, particularly foreclosure and credit default rates, also increased sharply. A possible explanation for this is greater household indebtedness. Household debt relative to income, however, did not even double over the same period, suggesting that the aggregate increase in household economic distress was disproportionate to the rise in household debt. We consider if the simultaneous increase in income inequality has contributed to the rise in household economic distress, Specifically, we hypothesize that greater inequality led to a larger expansion of credit, especially in the form of credit card debt, among low and moderate income households than among higher income ones. This expansion of disproportionately more expensive credit may have contributed to the growth in household economic distress. Based on data from 1980 to 2004, we find robust evidence for a link between inequality and credit card debt and between credit card debt and economic distress.
Factors Influencing the Adoption of Insect Management Technology

Logit analyses are used in evaluating survey data concerning rice stink bug [Oebalus pugnax (Fabricius)] management by Texas rice producers. Effects of rice production attributes on the adoption of insect sweep nets in conjunction with treatment thresholds, and the spraying of insecticides for the management of the rice stink bug, are investigated. The proportion of neighboring land use in pasture, the proportion of rice acreage planted to semidwarf varieties, and producers' attendance at specific field days significantly affect the probability of adopting sweep nets and treatment thresholds. Adoption of sweep nets and treatment thresholds increase the probability of spraying by 11.3%.
Non-monotone Continuous DR-submodular Maximization: Structure and Algorithms

DR-submodular continuous functions are important objectives with wide real-world applications spanning MAP inference in determinantal point processes (DPPs), and mean-field inference for probabilistic submodular models, amongst others. DR-submodularity captures a subclass of non-convex functions that enables both exact minimization and approximate maximization in polynomial time. In this work we study the problem of maximizing non-monotone DR-submodular continuous functions under general down-closed convex constraints. We start by investigating geometric properties that underlie such objectives, e.g., a strong relation between (approximately) stationary points and global optimum is proved. These properties are then used to devise two optimization algorithms with provable guarantees. Concretely, we first devise a "two-phase" algorithm with $1/4$ approximation guarantee. This algorithm allows the use of existing methods for finding (approximately) stationary points as a subroutine, thus, harnessing recent progress in non-convex optimization. Then we present a non-monotone Frank-Wolfe variant with $1/e$ approximation guarantee and sublinear convergence rate. Finally, we extend our approach to a broader class of generalized DR-submodular continuous functions, which captures a wider spectrum of applications. Our theoretical findings are validated on synthetic and real-world problem instances.
Women are periodontally healthier than men, but why don't they have more teeth than men?

Objective: Periodontal diseases are more prevalent in men than in women. However, in a population-based epidemiological study, we found that, on average, women have fewer teeth than men. The aim of this study was to test different hypotheses that could explain this obvious paradox. Design: In 4,290 randomly selected participants from the normal population (Study of Health in Pomerania), we determined diagnostic periodontal parameters, attachment loss, and number of teeth. Behavioral and environmental risk factors were assessed by interviews and questionnaires. Use of estrogens was assessed, and urinary excretion of collagen cross-links was determined. Results: Multiple regression analyses adjusted for caries and periodontitis revealed that in the women of this population, there is an inverse association between the number of children born and the number of teeth (P < 0.01). This relationship depends on socioeconomic status, bone metabolism, and the use of estrogens. In the group of the youngest (20-40 years), the bone turnover rate is positively related to the number of children born (P < 0.01). In postmenopausal women treated with estrogens, the number of teeth was higher than in men of the same age group. Only in women without hormone treatment were there fewer teeth. Conclusion: The apparent paradox of having fewer teeth despite better periodontal health in women compared with men is related to an increased bone turnover rate and socioeconomic conditions such as low education and low social status. Periodontal health is even worse if these factors are combined.
Researching Long-Term Orientation

Assumptions about the long-term orientation (LTO) of family firms are common in family business research. Drawing on prior conceptualizations, this article further develops and validates the LTO construct using content analysis techniques on two separate samples of data. Validation comes through empirical analysis of content validity, external validity, dimensionality, and concurrent validity. We find that family firms are higher than nonfamily firms on all three dimensions of LTO. We also discuss how future research can use this now-validated construct to address key questions in family business research, as well as inform the broader business literature.
Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase concentrations in precorneal tear film from dogs with Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated keratitis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the changes in concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in the precorneal tear film of dogs with Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated keratitis during corneal healing and stromal remodeling. ANIMALS 10 dogs with unilateral P aeruginosa-associated keratitis and 10 clinically normal dogs. PROCEDURES Precorneal tear film samples were collected from both eyes of 10 dogs with unilateral P aeruginosa-associated keratitis on the day of admission to the hospital and then at various time points until complete healing of the cornea was achieved. Precorneal tear film samples were also collected from both eyes of 10 clinically normal adult dogs (control group). Concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in precorneal tear film samples from each group were determined via gelatin zymography for comparison. RESULTS The proteolytic processes in the ulcerated eyes decreased as corneal healing progressed. On the day of admission, concentrations of latent and active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in ulcerated eyes were significantly higher than values in the contralateral unaffected eyes in dogs with P aeruginosa-associated keratitis; concentrations of latent MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also greater than control group values. Concentrations of latent and active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the healed eyes of dogs with P aeruginosa-associated keratitis were significantly lower than concentrations in the ulcerated eyes on the day of admission. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that reduction of precorneal tear film concentrations of MMPs by use of proteinase inhibitors may be effective in the treatment of dogs with P aeruginosa-associated keratitis.
Tackling the 'frontiers' of microfinance in Kenya: the role for decentralized services

Formal microfinance organizations have difficulty extending their services to remote rural areas in Kenya, as elsewhere in Africa. This article proposes to map the frontiers of microfinance in Kenya based on poverty incidence and population density. It then presents a spectrum of centralized and decentralized models, from banks to MFIs, SACCOs, ASCAs and ROSCAs. The more decentralized models, which involve greater user-ownership and management, have the potential to provide services to poorer people and in rural areas due to inherently lower cost structures and key characteristics of their services, despite many challenges to their long-term effectiveness and sustainability. Five organizations in Kenya that are reaching into rural areas are analysed to explore where the frontiers lie. It concludes by discussing potential strategies for the improvement of decentralized services as the 'bottom up' spike of a two-pronged approach which complements centralized service delivery.
A Community-Based Approach to Enhancing Anal Cancer Screening in Hawaii's HIV-Infected Ethnic Minorities.

OBJECTIVE Disparities in anal cancer incidence among Hawaii's HIV-infected minority population is an emerging health concern. Although anal cytology/anoscopy are effective anal cancer screening tools, social barriers exist that prevent individuals from seeking appropriate care. DESIGN Community based participatory research (CBPR) principles were applied to develop resources, including testing a self-obtained anal specimen procedure, to increase anal cancer screening among Hawaii's underserved/ minority populations. METHODS A team of community members, academic researchers, and health care providers developed culturally-sensitive educational/recruitment materials regarding anal cancer risk targeting underserved/minority HIV-infected individuals. Self- and health care provider (HCP)-obtained anal cancer screening specimens were reviewed for cytology and tested for human papillomavirus DNA. A follow-up evaluation elicited feedback on attitudes and experiences. RESULTS Community discussion sessions identified key messages about anal cancer, anal cancer screening, and HPV infection for materials and were used, that successfully recruited 46 individuals (38 males/8 females; 9 Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders/Asians, 2 Blacks, 6 Hispanics, 6 American Indian/Alaskan Natives, 23 Whites). Concordance in cytology results between self- and HCP-obtained specimens was moderated (kappa=0.37) with the perception that the self-obtained specimen procedure was private (93%), safe (100%), and easy to manage (100%); and a majority (92%) willing to use the self-obtained method again. CONCLUSIONS CBPR was a practical approach in engaging Hawaii's HIV-infected minority participation in anal cancer screening research. Community outreach and recruitment efforts suggested that self-obtained screening specimens could be an acceptable and effective means to reach Hawaii's HIV-infected ethnic minorities.
The Distribution and Chemical Coding of Intramural Neurons Supplying the Porcine Stomach – the Study on Normal Pigs and on Animals Suffering from Swine Dysentery

The present study was designed to investigate the expression of biologically active substances by intramural neurons supplying the stomach in normal (control) pigs and in pigs suffering from dysentery. Eight juvenile female pigs were used. Both dysenteric (n = 4; inoculated with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae) and control (n = 4) animals were deeply anaesthetized, transcardially perfused with buffered paraformalehyde, and tissue samples comprising all layers of the wall of the ventricular fundus were collected. The cryostat sections were processed for double‐labelling immunofluorescence to study the distribution of the intramural nerve structures (visualized with antibodies against protein gene‐product 9.5) and their chemical coding using antibodies against vesicular acetylcholine (ACh) transporter (VAChT), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), galanin (GAL), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), somatostatin (SOM), Leu5‐enkephalin (LENK), substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP). In both inner and outer submucosal plexuses of the control pigs, the majority of neurons were SP (55% and 58%, respectively)‐ or VAChT (54%)‐positive. Many neurons stained also for CGRP (43 and 45%) or GAL (20% and 18%) and solitary perikarya were NOS‐, SOM‐ or VIP‐positive. The myenteric plexus neurons stained for NOS (20%), VAChT (15%), GAL (10%), VIP (7%), SP (6%) or CGRP (solitary neurons), but they were SOM‐negative. No intramural neurons immunoreactive to LENK were found. The most remarkable difference in the chemical coding of enteric neurons between the control and dysenteric pigs was a very increased number of GAL‐ and VAChT‐positive nerve cells (up to 61% and 85%, respectively) in submucosal plexuses of the infected animals. The present results suggest that GAL and ACh have a specific role in local neural circuits of the inflamed porcine stomach in the course of swine dysentery.
Optimal Dividends and Capital Injections in the Dual Model with Diffusion

The dual model with diffusion is appropriate for companies with continuous expenses that are offset by stochastic and irregular gains. Examples include research-based or commission-based companies. In this context, Avanzi and Gerber (2008) showed how to determine the expected present value of dividends, if a barrier strategy is followed. In this paper, we further include capital injections and allow for (proportional) transactions costs both on dividends and capital injections.We determine the optimal dividend and (unconstrained) capital injection strategy when jumps are hyperexponential. This strategy happens to be either a dividend barrier strategy without capital injections, or another dividend barrier strategy with forced injections when the surplus is null to prevent ruin. The latter is also shown to be the optimal dividend and capital injection strategy, if ruin is not allowed to occur. Both the choice to inject capital or not and the level of the optimal barrier depend on the parameters of the model.In all cases, we determine the optimal dividend barrier and show its existence and uniqueness. We also provide closed form representations of the value functions when the optimal strategy is applied. These results can be used to approximate the optimal strategies' parameters and value functions when jumps follow an arbitrary distribution. Examples are provided.
From Lysosomes to the Plasma Membrane

Osteoclasts generate a massive acid flux to mobilize bone calcium. Local extracellular acidification is carried out by vacuolar type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) localized in the plasma membrane. We have shown that a3, one of the four subunit a isoforms (a1, a2, a3, and a4), is a component of the plasma membrane V-ATPase (Toyomura, T., Oka, T., Yamaguchi, C., Wada, Y., and Futai, M. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 8760–8765). To establish the unique localization of V-ATPase, we have used a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, that can differentiate into multinuclear osteoclast-like cells on stimulation with RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand). The V-ATPase with the a3 isoform was localized to late endosomes and lysosomes, whereas those with the a1 and a2 isoforms were localized to organelles other than lysosomes. After stimulation, the V-ATPase with the a3 isoform was immunochemically colocalized with lysosome marker lamp2 and was detected in acidic organelles. These organelles were also colocalized with microtubules, and the signals of lamp2 and a3 were dispersed by nocodazole, a microtubule depolymerizer. In RAW-derived osteoclasts cultured on mouse skull pieces, the a3 isoform was transported to the plasma membrane facing the bone and accumulated inside podosome rings. These findings indicate that V-ATPases with the a3 isoform localized in late endosomes/lysosomes are transported to the cell periphery during differentiation and finally assembled into the plasma membrane of mature osteoclasts.
FGF2 induces RANKL gene expression as well as IL1β regulated MHC class II in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor stromal cells.

OBJECTIVE Human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSC) are being applied in tissue regeneration and treatment of autoimmune diseases (AD). Their cellular and immunophenotype depend on isolation and culture conditions which may influence their therapeutic application and reflect their in vivo biological functions. We have further characterised the phenotype induced by fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) on healthy donor hBM-MSC focusing on the osteoimmunological markers osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor kB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL) and HLA-DR and their regulation of expression by the inflammatory cytokines IL1β and IFNγ. METHODS RANK, RANKL, OPG and HLA-DR expression in hBM-MSC expanded under specific culture conditions, were measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. MAPKs induction by FGF2, IL1β and IFNγ in hBM-MSC was analysed by immunoblotting and RT-PCR. RESULTS In hBM-MSC, OPG expression is constitutive and FGF2 independent. RANKL expression depends on FGF2 and ERK1/2 activation. IL1β and IFNγ activate ERK1/2 but fail to induce RANKL. Only IL1β induces P38MAPK. The previously described HLA-DR induced by FGF2 through ERK1/2 on hBM-MSC, is suppressed by IL1β through inhibition of CIITA transcription. HLA-DR induced by IFNγ is not affected by IL1β in hBM-MSC, but is suppressed in articular chondrocytes and lung fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS RANKL expression and IL1β regulated MHC-class II, both induced via activation of the ERK1/2 signalling pathway, are specific for progenitor hBM-MSC expanded in the presence of FGF2. HLA-DR regulated by IL1β and ERK1/2 is observed on hBM-MSC during early expansion without FGF2 suggesting previous in vivo acquisition. Stromal progenitor cells with this phenotype could have an osteoimmunological role during bone regeneration.