Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decreased Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Alcohol-induced Osteonecrosis

We postulated that osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation ability of the mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the bone marrow could be altered in patients with alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. To examine this hypothesis, we investigated the differentiation ability of the mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the bone marrow from the proximal end of the femur during hip replacements in patients with alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head and compared it with the differentiation ability of patients with femoral neck fractures. Marrow was collected from the proximal femurs of 33 patients having hip replacement for either alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head or femoral neck fractures. The mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and the culture was expanded from the marrow. The cell populations were compared in terms of the doubling time and the differentiation ability to the osteoblasts and adipocytes. The cells obtained from the patients with alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head showed a reduced ability to differentiate the osteogenic lineages compared with the cells obtained from the patients with femoral neck fractures. Such changes may play a role in the development of alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. The altered function of mesenchymal stem cells can be responsible for the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis.
The Estimation of Compensating Wage Differentials: Lessons From the Deadliest Catch

ABSTRACT I use longitudinal survey data from commercial fishing deckhands in the Alaskan Bering Sea to provide new insights on empirical methods commonly used to estimate compensating wage differentials and the value of statistical life (VSL). The unique setting exploits intertemporal variation in fatality rates and wages within worker-vessel pairs caused by a combination of weather patterns and policy changes, allowing identification of parameters and biases that it has only been possible to speculate about in more general settings. I show that estimation strategies common in the literature produce biased estimates in this setting, and decompose the bias components due to latent worker, establishment, and job-match heterogeneity. The estimates also remove the confounding effects of endogenous job mobility and dynamic labor market search, narrowing a conceptual gap between search-based hedonic wage theory and its empirical applications. I find that workers’ marginal aversion to fatal risk falls as risk levels rise, which suggests complementarities in the benefits of public safety policies. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Performance measurements of a SSPM-LYSO-SSPM detector module for small animal positron emission tomography

We present the performance of a compact PET detector module with a depth-of-interaction (DOI) capability based on a LYSO scintillator array coupled at both ends to CMOS solid state photomultipliers (SSPM). In this paper we present flood imaging, energy resolution, coincidence timing and DOI resolution results for a prototype PET detector module consisting of a 4 × 4 block of LYSO scintillators, each crystal 3 measuring 1.43 × 1.43 × 20 mm coupled to 4 × 4 array of SSPMs, 2 each SSPM element is 1.5×1.5 mm. All 16 elements in the flood 22 image recorded with Na gamma-ray source at all depths were clearly visible and well separated from each other. The measured FWHM energy resolution with 511 keV gamma rays for all crystals in the array ranged between 13%–17% (FWHM). The timing resolution measured for the complete detector module in coincidence with LYSO-PMT detector was 2.3 ns (FWHM) and for the individual crystals ranged between 1.1ns–1.3ns (FWHM). The DOI resolution measured for all crystals in the array was ranged between 2.3mm–2.9mm.
aPKC alters the TGF&bgr; response in NSCLC cells through both Smad-dependent and Smad-independent pathways

ABSTRACT Transforming growth factor &bgr; (TGF&bgr;) signaling controls many cellular responses including proliferation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition and apoptosis, through the activation of canonical (Smad) as well as non-canonical (e.g. Par6) pathways. Previous studies from our lab have demonstrated that aPKC inhibition regulates TGF&bgr; receptor trafficking and signaling. Here, we report that downstream TGF&bgr;-dependent transcriptional responses in aPKC-silenced NSCLC cells were reduced compared with those of control cells, despite a temporal extension of Smad2 phosphorylation. We assessed SARA–Smad2–Smad4 association and observed that knockdown of aPKC increased SARA (also known as ZFYVE9) levels and SARA–Smad2 complex formation, increased cytoplasmic retention of Smad2 and reduced Smad2–Smad4 complex formation, which correlated with reduced Smad2 nuclear translocation. Interestingly, we also detected an increase in p38 MAPK phosphorylation and apoptosis in aPKC-silenced cells, which were found to be TRAF6-dependent. Taken together, our results suggest that aPKC isoforms regulate Smad and non-Smad TGF&bgr; pathways and that aPKC inhibition sensitizes NSCLC cells to undergo TGF&bgr;-dependent apoptosis.
Evidence of chaotic mood variation in bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND Using long-term daily mood records obtained from patients with bipolar disorder and normal subjects, we sought to determine the temporal pattern of mood in bipolar disorder. METHODS Time series of 1.0 to 2.5 years from seven rapid-cycling patients with bipolar disorder and 28 normal controls were obtained. These were evaluated with several techniques to identify whether the temporal pattern of mood originates from a periodic, a random, or a deterministic source. RESULTS True cyclicity was not apparent in the power spectra of either the normal subjects or the patients with bipolar disorder. Instead, spectra with a broadband "l/f" shape were observed in both groups, and these spectra were significantly flatter in normal subjects (P = .02). Correlation dimension estimates are a measure of nonlinear deterministic structure, and convergent estimates could be obtained for six of the seven patients with bipolar disorder and none of the normal subjects (P < .001). Additional findings are consistent with these results. CONCLUSIONS These studies indicate that mood in patients with bipolar disorder is not truly cyclic for extended periods. Nonetheless, self-rated mood in bipolar disorder is significantly more organized than self-rated mood in normal subjects and can be characterized as a low-dimensional chaotic process. This characterization of the dynamics of bipolar disorder provides a unitary theoretical framework that can accommodate neurobiologic and psychosocial data and can reconcile existing models for the pathogenesis of the disorder. Furthermore, consideration of the dynamical structure of bipolar disorder may lead to new methods for predicting and controlling pathologic mood.
The relationship between disease symptoms, life events, coping and treatment, and depression among older adults with osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE The intent of this cross-sectional study was to broaden the range of variables examined in relationship to depression in osteoarthritis (OA) to include comorbidity, stressful life events, and the ways people respond to their disease. We examined the relationship of coping behaviors and perceptions, and medical treatments received for OA and depressive symptoms. METHODS In the fifth year of a prospective cohort study, 1227 individuals >or= 62 years of age with hip/knee OA provided information about sociodemographics (age, sex, living circumstances, education), arthritis severity (WOMAC pain and function; ClinHAQ fatigue), comorbidity, life events, coping behavior, coping efficacy, treatment (pain management, treatment for depression), and depressed mood (Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, CES-D). Using hierarchical linear regression, variables were entered in blocks to predict CES-D scores. In the final block, the interaction of coping behavior and coping efficacy was tested. RESULTS The response rate was 82.4% (n = 1227/1489). The mean CES-D score was 9.4, with 21.3% of individuals scoring >or= 16 (supporting depressed mood). Higher level of depressed mood was independently and significantly associated with being female, experiencing greater pain and fatigue, experiencing stressful life events, more coping behaviors, receiving treatment for depression/mental illness, and a coping behavior by coping efficacy interaction, with 63.4% of the variance accounted for in the model. CONCLUSION Among older adults with OA, the prevalence of depressive symptoms is high. Longitudinal studies must consider OA management strategies, including both the amount of behavioral coping and its perceived efficacy, to elucidate potential interventions designed to reduce depression in patients with OA.
Default Risk and the Pricing of U.S. Sovereign Bonds

United States Treasury securities are traditionally viewed in academics and practice as being free of default risk. In principle, nominal outstanding Treasury debt can always be repaid by issuing fiat currency. The same does not hold true, however, for inflation-indexed debt. This leads the latter to embed lower rate of recovery in case of default. We examine the relative pricing of nominal and inflation-indexed debt in the presence of risk of default. We show empirically that the breakeven inflation between nominal Treasury securities and TIPS is significantly related to the premium paid on U.S. credit default swaps (CDS), controlling for measures of liquidity and slow-moving capital. This evidence motivates us to model the prices of nominal and inflation-protected securities in a no-arbitrage setting. Our model shows that breakeven inflation is related to perceptions of differing rates of recovery in the two markets. The estimated model provides evidence that most of the TIPS mispricing after the crisis can be attributed to the exposure to default risk.
The Impact of Bargaining Delays Under the Threat of Eminent Domain

Developers seeking to assemble complementary parcels of land will likely encounter strategic behavior by landowners. Using a propertyâ€ level data set from Florida's Department of Transportation covering the period January 2000 to July 2014, I test whether bargaining delays lead to higher final transaction prices. Given the nature of the data, I can compare properties within the same roadway project to estimate the effect of delayed negotiations. My empirical estimates indicate that bargaining delays lead to increased final transaction prices. The magnitude of this effect is approximately 7 percent for the average holdout, however, the effect is nonlinear and diminishes over time.
c-Jun N-terminal kinases in memory and synaptic plasticity

Abstract The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) belong to the subfamily of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). JNK is an important signaling enzyme that is involved in many facets of cellular regulation including gene expression, cell proliferation and programmed cell death. Activation of JNK isoforms (JNK1, 2, and 3) is regarded as a molecular switch in stress signal transduction. The activation of JNK pathways is also critical for pathological death associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Considering that a variety of stressors activate JNK, it is surprising that the role of hippocampal JNK in memory and synaptic plasticity has not yet been systematically investigated. Here we summarize the emerging evidence for the functions of hippocampal JNK in memory and synaptic plasticity, including our recent demonstration that JNK isoforms play critical roles in regulation of contextual fear conditioning under stressful and baseline conditions. We postulate that sustained activation of the hippocampal JNK2 and JNK3 pathways is involved in the initial stress response that ultimately leads to deficits in memory and long-term potentiation, whereas transient JNK1 activation regulates baseline contextual fear conditioning. Results obtained within the framework of our recent findings will be used for future work, which will differentiate mechanisms underlying beneficial short-term JNK action from prolonged JNK activation that may lead to memory deficits and neurodegeneration.
Reflecting on 10 Years of the TIM Review

For the past 10 years, this journal has published monthly issues on the theories, strategies, and tools relevant to launching and growing technology businesses. In seeking to bring together diverse viewpoints – from academics, entrepreneurs, companies of all sizes, the public sector, the community sector, and others – the Technology Innovation Management Review (TIM Review) has tried to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The journal’s aim is to provide significant benefits to readers, authors, guest editors, partners, and stakeholders worldwide.
Gaps between Awareness and Activities on Green Construction in China: A Perspective of On-Site Personnel

: On-site construction stage has been considered as the key in practicing the view of green construction. Moreover, the unity of awareness and actions of on-site contractors on green construction plays a conclusive role through the implementation of green principles on the construction site. This study aims to investigate the awareness on green construction and to identify the gaps between the awareness and activities in adopting green speciﬁcations from the perspective of on-site personnel. A questionnaire survey was conducted with on-site personnel in Mainland China for identifying the gaps between the awareness and activities in the adoption of green construction. The results show that the level of awareness on a certain green requirement is higher than the performance of implementation. Nine groups with large gaps between awareness and activities are identiﬁed. Activities about pumping groundwater, burning wooden scraps, preventing strong light, reducing construction sound and noise, adopting green material, optimizing material plan, adopting water recycling devices, and employing energy efﬁciency machine cannot support high green construction awareness. Moreover, the “utilization of natural resources on-site” has the lowest performance with both low level of awareness and activities. This paper also suggests some useful implications for governments and departments of construction administrations to take measures in ensuring the thorough implementation of green activities on the construction site.
Total Variation Measurement Decoding (TVMD) for Reliable Wireless Transmission of PMU Measurements in Smart Grids

This paper proposes a robust algorithm for wireless transmission of phasor measurement unit (PMU) measurements in smart grids. The proposed algorithm exploits bounded variation (BV) property of the PMU measurements in a power grid towards minimizing the decoding error of the PMU measurements transmitted over the wireless channel, thus enhancing the reliability of communication. Further, a novel trellis based Viterbi decoder is developed with modified branch and state metrics for optimal low-complexity TV regularization based maximum likelihood (ML) decoding of the PMU measurements. Simulation results performed on an IEEE-14 bus power system employing practical models derived from a real national grid reveal the improved performance of the proposed total variation measurement decoding (TVMD) algorithm in comparison to the conventional ML decoding method and thus demonstrate the suitability of the proposed scheme for enhancing reliability of wireless communication in smart grids.
Study on the Channels of International Technology Spillovers: A View from the Interaction of Trade and FDI

This research attempts to discuss the difference of international technology spillover mechanism of developing and developed countries. Two leading candidates for diffusion channels are International trade and foreign direct investment (FDI). The interaction of them highlights a new way to explore the mechanism of international technology diffusion. According to the empirical results we got earlier about the relationship of import and FDI of developing countries, some selection criteria are used to form a sample of developing countries covering 14 countries from 1980 to 2003. As a counterpart, the data from G7 members excluding United States are used as a sample of developed countries. The results show that import and inward FDI are two import channels for developing countries, and the interaction of them play an important role in R&D spillovers, while it is not the case for developed countries.
ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway versus Cuffed Endotracheal Tube for Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures under General Anesthesia: A Random Comparative Study

Context: The Proseal LMA(PLMA), which has been designed especially for positive pressure ventilation and protection against aspiration can act as an alternative to Endotracheal Tube (ETT) as an effective airway device for patients undergoing elective Laparoscopic surgeries. Aims: To compare the efficacy and safety of PLMA with ETT in patients undergoing Laparoscopic surgeries under general anaesthesia. Settings and Design: A prospective, randomized study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital with 60 patients of ASA grade I/II undergoing elective Laparoscopic surgery under general anaesthesia . Ethical committee clearance and written consent taken. The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups to the PLMA group (Group S) and to the ETT group (Group C) Heart rate (HR), mean blood pressure (MAP), ETCO2values, intraoperative complications such as regurgitation- aspiration, and Postoperative complications such as nausea or vomiting, throat soreness and oral injuries were monitored. Results: There was no difference demographically. Insertion success rate was 100% for both the groups. The mean increase in HR was seen all throughout the duration of the surgery to 8 % above the baseline in Group C and to 3% above the baseline in Group S. On comparing the MAP in Group C, there was a increased by 2.5% to 78.300 ± 14.2615 mmHg as compared to an increase by 5% to 76.233 ± 6.2072 mmHg in Group S. EtCO2 showed a rise in both groups after pneumoperitoneum, which returned to baseline values after completion of surgery. Gastric aspirate values showed no difference in each group. Post op complications were seen mainly in Group C with statistical significance. Conclusions: A properly positioned PLMA is a suitable and safe alternative to ETT for airway management in adequately fasted, adult patients undergoing elective Laparoscopic surgeries.
Time, Story, and Wisdom: Emerging Themes in Narrative Gerontology

ABSTRACT Narrative approaches in the field of aging are receiving increasing attention by theorists and practitioners alike. This article draws on recent thinking in narrative gerontology to look at three aspects of aging on which a narrative perspective can shed further light. In relation to the temporal aspects, the notion of storytime is examined. Concerning its poetical aspects, the article considers the stages, styles, genres, contexts, and selves of self-storying. Under spiritual aspects, the topics of meaning and identity are explored. A discussion of these aspects may be seen to converge on the theme of wisdom and the possibility of wisdom environments. RÉSUMÉ Les théoriciens et praticiens accordent une attention croissante à l'interprétation narrative du vieillissement. S'inspirant de réflexions récentes sur la « gérontologie narrative », cet article examine trois aspects du vieillissement que la perspective narrative éclaire d'un jour nouveau. Dans l'aspect temporel, d'abord, l'auteur explore la notion de narration dans le temps. Dans l'aspect poétique, ensuite, il décrit les étapes, les styles, les genres, les contextes et le rôle du moi dans la narration personnelle. Dans l'aspect spirituel, enfin, il étudie le sens et l'identité. Le débat entourant ces trois aspects semblent mener vers un thème central, celui de la « sagesse », et suggérer qu'il existe des «milieux propices à la sagesse ».
An Iterative Spanning Forest Framework for Superpixel Segmentation

Superpixel segmentation has emerged as an important research problem in the areas of image processing and computer vision. In this paper, we propose a framework, namely Iterative Spanning Forest (ISF), in which improved sets of connected superpixels (supervoxels in 3D) can be generated by a sequence of image foresting transforms. In this framework, one can choose the most suitable combination of ISF components for a given application—i.e., 1) a seed sampling strategy; 2) a connectivity function; 3) an adjacency relation; and 4) a seed pixel recomputation procedure. The superpixels in ISF structurally correspond to spanning trees rooted at those seeds. We present five ISF-based methods to illustrate different choices for those components. These methods are compared with a number of state-of-the-art approaches with respect to effectiveness and efficiency. Experiments are carried out on several datasets containing 2D and 3D objects with distinct texture and shape properties, including a high-level application, named sky image segmentation. The theoretical properties of ISF are demonstrated in the supplementary material and the results show ISF-based methods rank consistently among the best for all datasets.
Mechanisms of hemolysate-induced [Ca2+]i elevation in cerebral smooth muscle cells.

The effects of hemolysate on free cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) homeostasis were studied in freshly isolated rat basilar artery smooth muscle cells using fura 2 and dual excitation wavelength microfluorimetry. Hemolysate reversibly produced a transient [Ca2+]i peak followed by a slowly decaying plateau which was absent in Ca(2+)-free solution. This effect of hemolysate was attenuated by 1) the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitors thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid, 2) the Ca2+ release-blocking agents ryanodine and dantrolene, 3) the cytochrome P-450 inhibitor econazole, and 4) the inorganic Ca2+ channel blocker lanthanum but was not significantly attenuated by 1) the receptor-regulated Ca2+ channel blocker SKF-96365 or 2) the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blocker nimodipine. Fractionation of hemolysate using membranes with specific pore sizes (0.5, 1, and 12-14 kDa) indicated that a component(s) > 0.5 but < 1 kDa could produce a similar [Ca2+]i peak and plateau while fractions > 1 and > 12-14 kDa produced a small and slow [Ca2+]i rise without a significant peak. ATP, which was found in hemolysate, produced a [Ca2+]i response similar to that of hemolysate. P2-purinoceptor antagonists significantly attenuated the effect of ATP, hemolysate, and the fractions < 1 and < 12-14 kDa. We conclude that hemolysate elevates [Ca2+]i by both releasing Ca2+ from internal stores and triggering Ca2+ entry, possibly from a voltage-independent Ca2+ influx pathway, an effect apparently identical to that of ATP.