Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of cubic Pm3m between SnZrO3 and PbZrO3 by first principles calculation

The properties of perovskite SnZrO3 (SZ) in cubic (Pm3m space group) was investigated via first principles calculation using the density functional theory (DFT) as implemented in CASTEP computer code. The lattice parameter of PbZrO3 (PZ) was calculated as a reference compound and the results show an accuracy values relative to the experimental values. In this first-principle calculations, the exchange-correlation functional is based on LDA-CAPZ which give underestimate in structural lattice parameters with typical errors of 2%. The elastic constants and their pressure dependence were calculated up to 30 GPa, and independent elastic constants (C11, C12, and C44), bulk modules, B are obtained and analyzed. Density of state (DOS) studies reveal that the anion O 2p, cation Sn 5p/Pb 5p and Zr 4d states of SZ and PZ play an important role which correspond to the top of valence states and bottom of conduction band. Meanwhile, direct band gap at X-X point is respectively obtained for both SZ and PZ along the higher symmetry direction in the Brillouin zone. The born effective charges (BEC) values of Sn and Zr (in SZ) have respectively been found to be +4.26 and +7.53. This is attributed to the bond charge response to the displacement caused by the strong covalency between cation orbital and O 2p. Results reveal anion O 2p, cation Sn 5p and Zr 4d states have also played an important role in optical transition in which they respectively correspond to the top of valence states and bottom of conduction band. The results of prototype SZ were compared and showed in good agreement with the calculated results of PZ.
Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

A 72-year-old man is found to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that is 5.7 cm in diameter, and endovascular repair is considered. The use of an abdominal aortic stent–graft for repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is associated with lower early mortality than open surgical repair but also with a higher risk of subsequent need for reintervention and with a less certain long-term outcome.
Physicochemical Effects of the Major Quassinoids in a Standardized Eurycoma longifolia Extract (Fr 2) on the Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetic Properties, and their Implications for Oral Antimalarial Activity

A simple validated LC-UV method for the phytochemical analysis of four bioactive quassinoids, 13α(21)-epoxyeurycomanone (EP), eurycomanone (EN), 13α,21-dihydroeurycomanone (ED) and eurycomanol (EL) in rat plasma following oral (200 mg/kg) and intravenous administration (10 mg/kg) of a standardized extract Fr 2 of Eurycoma longifolia Jack was developed for pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies. The extract Fr 2 contained 4.0%, 18.5%, 0.7% and 9.5% of EP, EN, ED and EL, respectively. Following intravenous administration, EP displayed a relatively longer biological half-life (t½ = 0.75 ± 0.25 h) due primarily to its lower elimination rate constant (ke) of 0.84 ± 0.26 h−1) when compared with the t½ of 0.35 ± 0.04 h and ke of 2.14 ± 0.27 h−1, respectively of EN. Following oral administration, EP showed a higher Cmax of 1.61± 0.41 μg/mL over that of EN (Cmax = 0.53 ± 0.10 μg/mL). The absolute bioavailability of EP was 9.5-fold higher than that of EN, not because of chemical degradation since both quassinoids were stable at the simulated gastric pH of 1. Instead, the higher log Kow value of EP (-0.43) contributed to greater membrane permeability over that of EN (log Kow = −1.46) at pH 1. In contrast, EL, being in higher concentration in the extract than EP, was not detected in the plasma after oral administration because of substantial degradation by the gastric juices after 2 h. Similarly, ED, being unstable at the acidic pH and together with its low concentration in Fr 2, was not detectable in the rat plasma. In conclusion, upon oral administration of the bioactive standardized extract Fr 2, EP and EN may be the only quassinoids contributing to the overall antimalarial activity; this is worthy of further investigation.
Voluntary Corporate Disclosure: The Case of Interim Reporting

In the absence of mandatory interim reporting requirements, some firms voluntarily published interim reports. Attempts to mandate interim reporting encountered strong opposition from other firms. In this paper, we investigate the economic incentives of managers of corporations to provide interim reports voluntarily. In particular, we analyze why corporations choose a particular reporting frequency for external purposes. Our approach is in direct contrast to the predominantly normative thrust of much of the accounting literature dealing with interim reporting. Prescriptions concerning the desirable frequency of corporate reporting are common in that literature' and much attention is devoted to two related issues: (1) how frequently "should" corporations be required to report to their stockholders (i.e., semiannually, quarterly, or even monthly)? and (2) how "should" interim reports relate to annual reports? Little attention is given to the incentives of managers to choose a particular reporting frequency for external purposes.
Magma hybridisation and diffusive exchange recorded in heterogeneous glasses from Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat

Arc volcanoes commonly show evidence of mixing between mafic and silicic magma. Melt inclusions and matrix glasses in andesite erupted from Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat, include an anomalously K2O‐rich population which shows close compositional overlap with residual glass from mafic inclusions. We suggest that these glasses represent the effects of physical mixing with mafic magma, both during ascent and by diffusive exchange during the formation of mafic inclusions. Many glasses are enriched only in K2O, suggesting diffusive contamination by high‐K mafic inclusion glass; others are also enriched in TiO2, suggesting physical mixing of remnant glass. Some mafic inclusion glasses have lost K2O. The preservation of this K‐rich melt component in the andesite suggests short timescales between mixing and ascent. Diffusive timescales are consistent with independent petrological estimates of magma ascent time.
Canine dilated cardiomyopathy: a retrospective study of prognostic findings in 367 clinical cases.

OBJECTIVE To review the association between clinical signs and diagnostic findings and the survival time of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and any influence of treatment prescribed. METHODS A retrospective observational study of 367 dogs with DCM. Survival times until death or euthanasia for cardiac reasons were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method plus univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Two-tailed P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS In the multivariate model, left ventricular diameter (LVDs)-index (P=0.0067), presence of pulmonary oedema on radiography (P=0.043), presence of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) (P=0.0012), higher plasma creatinine (P=0.0002), lower plasma protein (P=0.029) and great Dane breed (P=0.0003) were negatively associated with survival. Most dogs were treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (93%) or furosemide (86%), and many received digoxin (50%) and/or pimobendan (30%). Thirteen dogs were lost to follow-up. No conclusions could be made in this study on the association between use of drugs and survival. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The LVDs-index was the single best variable for assessing the prognosis in this group of dogs with DCM. Other variables that were negatively associated with survival were presence of pulmonary oedema on radiography, presence of VPCs, higher plasma creatinine, lower plasma protein and great Dane breed.
Sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in men.

BACKGROUND Sugar-sweetened beverages are risk factors for type 2 diabetes; however, the role of artificially sweetened beverages is unclear. OBJECTIVE The objective was to examine the associations of sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages with incident type 2 diabetes. DESIGN An analysis of healthy men (n = 40,389) from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, a prospective cohort study, was performed. Cumulatively averaged intakes of sugar-sweetened (sodas, fruit punches, lemonades, fruit drinks) and artificially sweetened (diet sodas, diet drinks) beverages from food-frequency questionnaires were tested for associations with type 2 diabetes by using Cox regression. RESULTS There were 2680 cases over 20 y of follow-up. After age adjustment, the hazard ratio (HR) for the comparison of the top with the bottom quartile of sugar-sweetened beverage intake was 1.25 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.39; P for trend < 0.01). After adjustment for confounders, including multivitamins, family history, high triglycerides at baseline, high blood pressure, diuretics, pre-enrollment weight change, dieting, total energy, and body mass index, the HR was 1.24 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.40; P for trend < 0.01). Intake of artificially sweetened beverages was significantly associated with type 2 diabetes in the age-adjusted analysis (HR: 1.91; 95% CI: 1.72, 2.11; P for trend < 0.01) but not in the multivariate-adjusted analysis (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.21; P for trend = 0.13). The replacement of one serving of sugar-sweetened beverage with 1 cup (≈237 mL) of coffee was associated with a risk reduction of 17%. CONCLUSION Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with a significantly elevated risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas the association between artificially sweetened beverages and type 2 diabetes was largely explained by health status, pre-enrollment weight change, dieting, and body mass index.
The influence of social structure on brood survival and development in a socially polymorphic ant: insights from a cross‐fostering experiment

Animal societies vary in the number of breeders per group, which affects many socially and ecologically relevant traits. In several social insect species, including our study species Formica selysi, the presence of either one or multiple reproducing females per colony is generally associated with differences in a suite of traits such as the body size of individuals. However, the proximate mechanisms and ontogenetic processes generating such differences between social structures are poorly known. Here, we cross‐fostered eggs originating from single‐queen (= monogynous) or multiple‐queen (= polygynous) colonies into experimental groups of workers from each social structure to investigate whether differences in offspring survival, development time and body size are shaped by the genotype and/or prefoster maternal effects present in the eggs, or by the social origin of the rearing workers. Eggs produced by polygynous queens were more likely to survive to adulthood than eggs from monogynous queens, regardless of the social origin of the rearing workers. However, brood from monogynous queens grew faster than brood from polygynous queens. The social origin of the rearing workers influenced the probability of brood survival, with workers from monogynous colonies rearing more brood to adulthood than workers from polygynous colonies. The social origin of eggs or rearing workers had no significant effect on the head size of the resulting workers in our standardized laboratory conditions. Overall, the social backgrounds of the parents and of the rearing workers appear to shape distinct survival and developmental traits of ant brood.
Electrical Stimulation-Evoked Dopamine Release in the Primate Striatum

Background: Primate studies demonstrate that high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS) of the caudate can enhance learning. Importantly, in these studies, stimulation was applied following the execution of behavior and the effect persisted into subsequent trials, suggesting a change in plasticity rather than a momentary facilitation of behavior. Objectives/Methods: Although the mechanism of HFS-enhanced learning is not understood, evidence suggests that dopamine plays a critical role. Therefore, we used in vivo amperometry to evaluate the effects of HFS on striatal dopamine release in the anesthetized primate. While this does not directly examine dopamine during learning, it provides insight with relation to dopamine dynamics during electrical stimulation and specifically between different stimulation parameters and striatal compartments. Results: We demonstrate that HFS results in significantly more dopamine release in the striatum compared to low-frequency stimulation. In addition, electrical stimulation operates differentially on specific neuronal elements, as the parameters for dopamine release are different for the caudate, putamen and medial forebrain bundle. Conclusions: While not direct evidence, these data suggest that HFS evokes significant dopamine release which may play a role in stimulation-enhanced learning. Moreover, these data suggest a means to modulate extracellular dopamine with a high degree of temporal and spatial precision for either research or clinical applications.
In vitro susceptibility of Salmonella to various antimicrobial agents, including a new cephalosporin, Ro 13-9904

The in vitro susceptibility of 363 strains of Salmonella isolated in Honk Kong to various antimicrobial drugs was tested, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of ampicillin, mecillinam, and six cephalosporins (cephalexin, cephradine, cefamandole, cefoxitin, cefuroxime, and Ro 13-9904) for these strains were determined by an agar dilution method. Although strains of the typhoid and paratyphoid group remained susceptible to most antibiotics tested, many strains of the gastroenteric group of salmonellae were found to be resistant to multiple antibiotics, including ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and, occasionally, trimethoprim. Mecillinam and cefamandole, although active against most of the Salmonella strains tested, were shown to be less active against ampicillin-resistant strains. By contrast, Ro 13-9904 exhibited remarkably uniform and high activity against all the Salmonella strains tested, irrespective of their ampicillin resistance.
Numeral Circuit, Physical Activity for Introducting Numeral Symbol to Developmental Coordination Disorder Children

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is the disorders that is related to motor motion, so it has influence on academic process and children’s daily activity. Children of DCD gets difficulty to follow physical activity and it has impact of unable in learning. Numeral circuit is the development of circuit game model. This research aims to know the impact of numeral circuit game for children of DCD designed with adding numbers in each number post for pre-school children experiencing the difficulty in differentiating numeral symbol. 15 children participate on this research. This research method is quantitative analysis (pre and posttest) states that numeral circuit including physical activity rise significantly t = 0,385 on the physical activity and t = 0, 233 on number sense. Keywords—numeral circuit, physical activity, numeral number, developmental coordination disorder.
Very high blood pressure in acute stroke

Abstract. In a study sample consisting of 388 unselected, consecutive acute stroke patients, 27 with systolic blood pressure ≥ 200 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 115 mmHg were compared with the other 361 patients. The patients with high blood pressure were younger (65 vs. 73 years) and much more often had a history of hypertension (78 vs. 42 %). Cardiac and vascular hypertensive manifestations were more frequent, particularly when only those patients with a history of hypertension were compared in the two groups. Alcohol abuse was mentioned in a higher proportion of hypertensives in the summaries of their medical records. No definite conclusions could be drawn with regard to the size and location of the brain lesions. Clinical symptoms did not differ between the groups, neither did the proportion of patients who could be discharged from hospital immediately. Mortality was higher in the high blood pressure group (30 vs. 14%, P < 0.05). Thus the characteristics of patients with very high blood pressure were: younger age, much more frequent and severe previous hypertension. Alcohol abuse might be an important factor. The type, size and location of the brain lesion itself could not be statistically related to the high blood pressure, but very large lesions, particularly haemorrhages, might be associated with a reactive blood pressure response.
Human Cardiomyocyte Progenitor Cells in Co-culture with Rat Cardiomyocytes Form a Pro-arrhythmic Substrate: Evidence for Two Different Arrhythmogenic Mechanisms

Background: Cardiomyocyte progenitor cells (CMPCs) are a promising cell source for regenerative cell therapy to improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction. However, it is unknown whether undifferentiated CMPCs have arrhythmogenic risks. We investigate whether undifferentiated, regionally applied, human fetal CMPCs form a pro-arrhythmic substrate in co-culture with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs). Method: Unipolar extracellular electrograms, derived from micro-electrode arrays (8 × 8 electrodes) containing monolayers of NRVMs (control), or co-cultures of NRVMs and locally seeded CMPCs were used to determine conduction velocity and the incidence of tachy-arrhythmias. Micro-electrodes were used to record action potentials. Conditioned medium (Cme) of CMPCs was used to distinguish between coupling or paracrine effects. Results: Co-cultures demonstrated conduction slowing (5.6 ± 0.3 cm/s, n = 50) compared to control monolayers (13.4 ± 0.4 cm/s, n = 26) and monolayers subjected to Cme (13.7 ± 0.6 cm/s, n = 11, all p < 0.001). Furthermore, co-cultures had a more depolarized resting membrane than control monolayers (−47.3 ± 17.4 vs. −64.8 ± 7.7 mV, p < 0.001) and monolayers subjected to Cme (−64.4 ± 8.1 mV, p < 0.001). Upstroke velocity was significantly decreased in co-cultures and action potential duration was prolonged. The CMPC region was characterized by local ST-elevation in the recorded electrograms. The spontaneous rhythm was faster and tachy-arrhythmias occurred more often in co-cultured monolayers than in control monolayers (42.0 vs. 5.4%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: CMPCs form a pro-arrhythmic substrate when co-cultured with neonatal cardiomyocytes. Electrical coupling between both cell types leads to current flow between a, slowly conducting, depolarized and the normal region leading to local ST-elevations and the occurrence of tachy-arrhythmias originating from the non-depolarized zone.
The ionic dependence of the histamine‐induced depolarization of vasopressin neurones in the rat supraoptic nucleus.

1. The ionic basis of the histamine‐induced depolarization of immunohistochemically identified neurones in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) was investigated in the hypothalamo‐neurohypophysial explant of male rats. Histamine (0.1‐100 microM) caused an H1 receptor‐mediated, dose‐dependent depolarization of fifty of sixty‐two vasopressin neurones in the SON. In contrast, twenty‐three oxytocin neurones were either depolarized (n = 6), hyperpolarized (n = 4), or unaffected (n = 13) by histamine. Due to the low percentage of responding cells, oxytocin neurones were not further investigated. 2. Chelation of intracellular Ca2+ with 1,2‐bis(2‐aminophenoxy)ethane N,N,N',N'‐tetraacetic acid (BAPTA; 100‐500 mM) blocked the depolarization, whereas blocking Ca2+ influx and synaptic transmission with equimolar Co2+ or elevated (5‐20 mM) Mg2+ in nominally Ca(2+)‐free solutions was without effect. 3. The amplitude of the histamine‐induced depolarization was relatively independent of membrane potential. The input resistance was unaltered by histamine in nine neurones, but in nine other neurones it was decreased and in two neurones it was increased by more than 5%. Neither elevating extracellular K+ nor addition of the K+ channel blockers, apamin, d‐tubocurarine, tetraethylammonium (TEA), or intracellular Cs+ decreased the histamine effect. Indeed, broadly blocking K+ currents with TEA and Cs+ significantly increased the depolarization to histamine. 4. Tetrodotoxin (2‐3 microM) did not inhibit the histamine‐induced depolarization. However, equimolar replacement of approximately 50% of extracellular Na+ with Tris+ or N‐methyl‐D‐glucamine reduced or eliminated the response. 5. The depolarization of vasopressin neurones by histamine thus requires extracellular Na+ and intracellular Ca2+. Activation of a Ca(2+)‐activated non‐specific cation current or a Ca(2+)‐Na+ pump are possible mechanisms for this effect.
IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF GAMMA CATENIN IN WILMS' TUMORS

The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of γ-catenin in normal kidney and in Wilms' tumor by immunohistochemistry and to correlate the results with tumor stage, histological type, and prognostic group. We investigated 28 cases of Wilms' tumor, 2 Wilms' tumor metastases in lungs, and 1 specimen of normal renal tissue. Expression of γ-catenin was detected in 14 cases. There was a weak inverse relationship between γ-catenin expression and tumor stage. Expression of γ-catenin was detected in various histologic types of Wilms' tumor, but there was no statistically significant correlation, except in cases with diffuse anaplasia that were negative. In 2 metastatic cases and in the case of bilateral Wilms' tumor γ-catenin immunostaining was not observed Our findings suggest an absence of strong correlation between the loss of γ-catenin and unfavorable outcome.
State fragility and fiscal decentralization in EU ex-communist countries in a public choice approach

While in J. Buchanan clubs theory, the decentralized governments should supply only public goods suited to their spatial dimension, for G. Tullock the decentralization should prevail over spatial dimension of the public goods to broaden individuals" control on government. For A. Peacock too, devolution responds to the demand of participation against the irrelevance of the individuals in centralization, but an extended "dispersive revolution" might increase rather than decrease the "government failures". Under Coase theory of the firm, applied to the government as firm, contracting out is limited by the cost of the deterioration of the power control. We here, therefore, investigates the impact of the quantitative dimension of fiscal decentralization on the political robustness of the considered states in term of fragility, for 10 European Union (EU) ex-communist countries, over the period 1995-2012, by a panel-model approach. The main results show that between state fragility and fiscal decentralization there is a relationship with inverted-U and U shapes, analogous to the BARS (Barro, Armey, Rahn, and Scully) curve relating the government size to GDP growth. Fragility is low under reduced revenues inequality and inflation rate, and rises when the urbanization and democratization decrease, under given level of political rights. The relation between the fragility curve and the BARS curve may need further research. The relation between the fragility curve and the BARS curve may need further research.
Public capital, economic growth and the labour market

This chapter provides a general motivation for analysing the impact of public capital on macroeconomic performance (section 1). It briefly outlines the hypothesised impact of public capital on productivity and economic growth, labour market performance and the result of fiscal consolidation programs (section 2) as well as the corresponding research objectives related to these hypotheses (section 3). Further, it presents the general outline of this dissertation together with a summary of its main results (section 4). An analysis of the policy implications of the obtained results (section 5) and a non-exhaustive outline of directions for future research (section 6) close this chapter.