Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of plaque neovascularization reduces macrophage accumulation and progression of advanced atherosclerosis

Plaque angiogenesis promotes the growth of atheromas, but the functions of plaque capillaries are not fully determined. Neovascularization may act as a conduit for the entry of leukocytes into sites of chronic inflammation. We observe vasa vasorum density correlates highly with the extent of inflammatory cells, not the size of atheromas in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. We show atherosclerotic aortas contain activities that promote angiogenesis. The angiogenesis inhibitor angiostatin reduces plaque angiogenesis and inhibits atherosclerosis. Macrophages in the plaque and around vasa vasorum are reduced, but we detect no direct effect of angiostatin on monocytes. After angiogenesis blockade in vivo, the angiogenic potential of atherosclerotic tissue is suppressed. Activated macrophages stimulate angiogenesis that can further recruit inflammatory cells and more angiogenesis. Our findings demonstrate that late-stage inhibition of angiogenesis can interrupt this positive feedback cycle. Inhibition of plaque angiogenesis and the secondary reduction of macrophages may have beneficial effects on plaque stability.
The Effects of Judicial Campaign Activity on the Legitimacy of Courts

The purpose of this article is to investigate the consequences of judicial campaign activity for the perceived legitimacy of the Pennsylvania judiciary. The authors find that politicized campaign ads do detract from court support, although they find practically no difference between traditional campaign ads (e.g., presenting endorsements from groups) and strong attack ads. But this finding must be understood within the context of the 2007 Pennsylvania election increasing court support for all respondents, even those exposed to the most politicized ad content. Being exposed to politicized ads seems to retard the benefits of elections but does not eliminate them.
The role of the C-C chemokine receptor-5 Delta32 polymorphism in asthma and in the production of regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted.

BACKGROUND There are conflicting data regarding the role of a deletion in the C-C chemokine receptor-5 gene (CCR5*D32) in the pathogenesis of asthma and whether this deletion influences the production of regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES). RANTES is a chemokine that is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether CCR5*D32 is associated with increased RANTES production, the presence of asthma, and the severity of asthma. METHODS A PCR assay for CCR5*D32 was developed. The prevalence of CCR5*D32 was determined in a group of patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, a group of subjects with severe asthma who had fatal or near-fatal asthma attacks, and a group of nonasthmatic control subjects. The level of RANTES produced by stimulated and unstimulated T cells was measured by using a commercially available immunoassay. RESULTS The frequency of CCR5*D32 was not significantly increased in the severe asthma group compared with in the mild-to-moderate asthma group. CCR5*D32 was not increased in the asthmatic subjects versus in the control subjects. There was no significant increase in RANTES levels from T cells heterozygous for CCR5*D32 compared with wild-type cells. CONCLUSION These data indicate that the CCR5*D32 allele is not a genetic risk factor for the development of asthma and does not influence disease severity. The CCR5*D32 allele does not influence RANTES production in the heterozygous state.
Depressive symptoms and parental stress in mothers and fathers 25 months after birth

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms, feelings of incompetence and spouse relationship problems and their mutual relations. Data from a Swedish parent–infant population-based cohort 25 months after childbirth was used. A questionnaire containing Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a modified Swedish Parental Stress Questionnaire (SPSQ) regarding depression and parental stress was answered by 646 fathers and 700 mothers. Parents with depressive symptoms experienced more feelings of incompetence and spouse relationship problems than parents without depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive symptoms (EPDS ≥ 12) was more than11% for mothers and nearly 5% for fathers in the sample, 25 months after childbirth. The result indicated that feelings of incompetence and spouse relationship problems could be important constructs for understanding parental stress and depressive symptoms in the parents of young children. In conclusion, it is important that Child Health Care is attentive to both mothers’ and fathers’ depressive symptoms and parental stress after the first year.
Aligning policy and practice: An approach to integrating academic integrity

This paper reports on the implementation of academic integrity at an Australian university. La Trobe University has a well-written policy detailing values and actions to discourage academic misconduct, but it could align policy and practices for an integrated approach to educating about academic integrity and it could review how alleged instances of plagiarism are handled. This paper describes holistic approaches to academic integrity, and explains how constructive alignment could be used to cultivate a learning environment where there is consistency in dealing with plagiarism. The need to monitor practices and strategies for dealing with academic misconduct is also discussed. For convenience, a checklist of practices supporting an aligned approach to implementing academic integrity has been included. This paper is written for educational developers, student learning advisers, those who have an interest in teaching and learning practices, and those who are concerned about managing risk.
Ethnic Conflict in France

In the last 3 years, France has seen a series of violent protests by ethnic minorities in regard to jobs, legal discrimination, and access to positions in the public bureaucracy. Because France as a nation rejects the concepts of race and ethnicity, it has also failed to consider any possible benefits that might accrue from a representative bureaucracy. This article examines whether French ethnic protests are linked to bureaucratic access issues and how a policy seeking a more representative bureaucracy might benefit the French Republic.
Influence of initial strain on the force decay of currently available elastic chains over time.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the dependence of force decay on the initial strain applied to currently available elastic chains. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eight different elastic chains from eight major companies were tested for force decay over a period of 3 weeks at 50% and 100% strain. They were stored in water and thermocycled between 5°C and 55°C. An Instron 3344 was used for the force measurements. RESULTS Absolute force values at 50% strain varied between 2.3 N and 4.1 N initially, and between 0.9 N and 1.6 N after 21 days. Thus, the force decay of the elastic chains varied from 37% to 75%. At 100% strain, the force values varied between 2.9 N and 4.7 N initially, and between 1.3 N and 2.1 N after 21 days of continuous strain. The force decay varied between 39% and 67%. Most force decays between 24 hours and 21 days were not significant. This information should be taken into consideration when the appropriate elastic chain is selected for clinical use. CONCLUSION A wide array of elastic chains with various force levels is available. However, differences between products of greater than 100% were measured for force decay over time.
Cultivating Institutions: Organic Agriculture and Integrative Economic Choice

The practice of organic agriculture has recently grown and gained significant attention in many parts of the world. As alternative food systems proliferate into popular culture and take an increasingly large market share, social scientists from an array of disciplines have attempted to give meaning to the phenomenon. This article takes a unique approach to organic agriculture, by reframing it within the classical social theory of Tönnies and Durkheim and the new institutionalism in economic sociology. This theoretical lens illuminates the novelty of organic agriculture as a site where rationalities are shifting in the economic field of agriculture. Organic agriculture, I argue, has created an opportunity where economy, society, and environment are being ideologically blended together within an institutional environment in which they have been conceptually and pragmatically divided.
THE EFFECT OF THE FIRM'S CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON THE SYSTEMATIC RISK OF COMMON STOCKS

ONLY RECENTLY has there been an interest in relating the issues historically associated with corporation finance to those historically associated with investment and portfolio analyses. In fact, rigorous theoretical attempts in this direction were made only since the capital asset pricing model of Sharpe [13], Lintner [6], and Mossin [11], itself an extension of the Markowitz [7] portfolio theory. This study is one of the first empirical works consciously attempting to show and test the relationships between the two fields. In addition, differences in the observed systematic or nondiversifiable risk of common stocks, P, have never really been analyzed before by investigating some of the underlying differences in the firms. In the capital asset pricing model, it was demonstrated that the efficient set of portfolios to any individual investor will always be some combination of lending at the risk-free rate and the "market portfolio," or borrowing at the riskfree rate and the "market portfolio. " At the same time, the Modigliani and Miller (MM) propositions [9, 10] on the effect of corporate leverage are well known to the students of corporation finance. In order for their propositions to hold, personal leverage is required to be a perfect substitute for corporate leverage. If this is true, then corporate borrowing could substitute for personal borrowing in the capital asset pricing model as well. Both in the pricing model and the MM theory, borrowing, from whatever source, while maintaining a fixed amount of equity, increases the risk to the investor. Therefore, in the mean-standard deviation version of the capital asset pricing model, the covariance of the asset's rate of return with the market portfolio's rate of return (which measures the nondiversifiable risk of the asset-the proxy P will be used to measure this) should be greater for the stock of a firm with a higher debt-equity ratio than for the stock of another firm in the same risk-class with a lower debt-equity ratio.1 This study, then, has a number of purposes. First, we shall attempt to link empirically corporation finance issues with portfolio and security analyses through the effect of a firm's leverage on the systematic risk of its common
The Political Ecology of Land Degradation

Land degradation, as a threat to smallholders in the tropics, attracts less attention than other global challenges. In addition, gaps between scientific understandings of land degradation and international policy regimes are problematic. We identify the three most significant debates including their different policy implications: desertification in the Sahel, nutrient depletion in Africa, and rural reforms in China. Using a political ecology frame across disciplines, scales of inquiry, and regional experiences, we nuance the often polarized scientific debate while seeking to bridge the gap between science and policy. Three main findings emerge: State-led rural reforms in China represent an important approach to land degradation; a renewed focus on agriculture and sustainability in development discourses opens new ways for tackling nutrient depletion with combined sociotechnological reforms; and a policy void in Africa paves the way for market mechanisms, such as payment for environmental services, that ar.
Single-Incision Medial Approach for Double Arthrodesis of Hindfoot in Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction

Background: Triple arthrodesis through a 2-incision approach has been the primary salvage procedure for rigid hindfoot malalignment resulting from posterior tibialis dysfunction. However, complications like calcaneocuboid joint nonunion, lateral wound dehiscence, and adjacent joint arthritis have been reported after triple arthrodesis. Hence we adopted single-incision medial approach arthrodesis of subtalar and talonavicular joints, sparing the uninvolved calcaneocuboid joint and lateral skin. Method: We report the results of a series of 18 feet with posterior tibialis dysfunction that had correction of malalignment by this approach. Mean age at surgery was 65 years. The mean follow-up was 24 months. Results: There was statistically significant improvement in all the radiological parameters measured. There were no wound-related complications. The union rate was 89%. There were 2 malunions, and 2 feet developed valgus ankle deformity. The overall satisfaction rate among patients was 78%. Conclusion: We present a case series of treatment of posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction by arthrodesis of the subtalar and talonavicular joints through an isolated medial approach. The results were not encouraging enough to recommend adopting this approach as an alternative to triple arthrodesis. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Physical activity, cognitive decline, and risk of dementia: 28 year follow-up of Whitehall II cohort study

Abstract Objective To test the hypotheses that physical activity in midlife is not associated with a reduced risk of dementia and that the preclinical phase of dementia is characterised by a decline in physical activity. Design Prospective cohort study with a mean follow-up of 27 years. Setting Civil service departments in London (Whitehall II study). Participants 10 308 participants aged 35-55 years at study inception (1985-88). Exposures included time spent in mild, moderate to vigorous, and total physical activity assessed seven times between 1985 and 2013 and categorised as “recommended” if duration of moderate to vigorous physical activity was 2.5 hours/week or more. Main outcome measures A battery of cognitive tests was administered up to four times from 1997 to 2013, and incident dementia cases (n=329) were identified through linkage to hospital, mental health services, and mortality registers until 2015. Results Mixed effects models showed no association between physical activity and subsequent 15 year cognitive decline. Similarly, Cox regression showed no association between physical activity and risk of dementia over an average 27 year follow-up (hazard ratio in the “recommended” physical activity category 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.80 to 1.24). For trajectories of hours/week of total, mild, and moderate to vigorous physical activity in people with dementia compared with those without dementia (all others), no differences were observed between 28 and 10 years before diagnosis of dementia. However, physical activity in people with dementia began to decline up to nine years before diagnosis (difference in moderate to vigorous physical activity −0.39 hours/week; P=0.05), and the difference became more pronounced (−1.03 hours/week; P=0.005) at diagnosis. Conclusion This study found no evidence of a neuroprotective effect of physical activity. Previous findings showing a lower risk of dementia in physically active people may be attributable to reverse causation—that is, due to a decline in physical activity levels in the preclinical phase of dementia.
Unusual presentation of endocarditis with nutritional variant Streptococci

Patients presenting with endocarditis often will give clues to the diagnosis within the history and the physical exam. A history of valvular heart disease and obvious signs of bacteriemia are classical stigmata of infective endocarditis. However, we should keep in mind that endocarditis can present with unusual signs and symptoms that can mislead to the wrong diagnosis and if unrecognized it can lead to severe complications.
Ultrasound-Guided Continuous Femoral Nerve Block for Analgesia After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Catheter Perpendicular to the Nerve Versus Catheter Parallel to the Nerve

Background and Objectives: This study tested the hypothesis that, in continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) under ultrasound guidance, placing a catheter perpendicular to the nerve can shorten the time of catheter insertion while providing a similar quality of analgesia compared with placing a catheter parallel to the nerve. Methods: Fifty patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were randomly assigned to receive ultrasound-guided CFNB either with the catheter parallel to the nerve technique (parallel group, n = 25) or with the catheter perpendicular to the nerve technique (perpendicular group, n = 25). Patient-controlled morphine analgesia pumps were available to all the patients after surgery. The time of catheter insertion, failure rates, pain scores, morphine consumption, nausea and vomiting, and maximal degree of knee flexion were recorded. Results: The time of catheter insertion was shorter in the perpendicular group than in the parallel group (12 ± 3 versus 22 ± 6 mins, P < 0.01). Failed catheter insertion occurred in 3 (12%) of 25 patients in the parallel group and in none of 25 patients in the perpendicular group (P = 0.2347). There were no significant differences in pain scores, opioid consumption, incidence of nausea and vomiting, and maximal degree of knee flexion between the 2 groups. Conclusions: In CFNB under ultrasound guidance, using the catheter perpendicular to the nerve technique can shorten the time of catheter insertion while providing a similar quality of analgesia after total knee arthroplasty as compared with the catheter parallel to the nerve technique.
Wide‐ranging frequency preferences of auditory midbrain neurons: Roles of membrane time constant and synaptic properties

Periodicity is a fundamental sound attribute. Its coding has been the subject of intensive research, most of which has focused on investigating how the periodicity of sounds is processed through the synaptic machinery in the brain. The extent to which the intrinsic properties of cells play in periodicity coding, particularly in the creation of selectivity to periodic signals, is not well understood. We performed in vitro whole‐cell patch recordings in the frog torus semicircularis to investigate each neuron’s intrinsic membrane properties as well as responses to sinusoidal current injected through the electrode and periodic stimulation of the ascending afferent. We found that: (i) toral neurons were heterogeneous, showing diverse biophysical phenotypes having distinct membrane characteristics, including membrane time constants (τ) and ionic channel compositions (Ih, Ikir, Ikv and INaP); (ii) a neuron’s τ was tightly correlated with its current‐evoked frequency preference (FP; range: 0.05–50 Hz); (iii) application of blockers for Ih, Ikir and Ikv (but not INaP) shifted the τ as well as the cell’s current‐evoked FP, suggesting that these ion channels contribute to the cell’s FP through regulation of τ; (iv) a neuron’s τ was also correlated with its afferent‐evoked FP (range: 10–300 pulses/s); and (v) the range of afferent‐evoked FP was approximately one order higher than the range of current‐evoked FPs, suggesting that both the cell’s intrinsic membrane and synaptic properties contribute to determining the afferent‐evoked cell‐specific FP (whose range matched those of cell‐specific responses to sound stimulation, e.g. selectivity to amplitude modulation rate).
Differential Interpretation of Public Signals and Trade in Speculative Markets

Most models of trade in speculative markets assume that agents interpret public information identically. We provide empirical evidence on the relation between the volume of trade and stock returns around public announcements, and we argue that the evidence is inconsistent with this assumption. We then develop a model of trade around public announcements that incorporates differential interpretations and is consistent with the observed volume-return relation. Then we test the standard model of belief revision underlying most models of trade using stock brokerage research analysts' earnings forecasts. The hypthesis of identical interpretations seems inconsistent with the forecast revisions in these data.
Generational Diversity at Work: A Systematic Review of the Research

For the first time in modern history, workplace demographics now span up to four distinct generations. Therefore, intergenerational diversity is a timely issue, gathering increasing interest amongst academics, organizations and business executives. However, the evidence base in scholarly research on generational diversity at work is often contradictory and unclear. In this study we aim to identify and examine existing empirical research on generational differences in work-related characteristics to inform future focal areas for generational research related to leadership and management; as well as to synthesize the existing evidence of generational differences in a variety of work-related characteristics. We conduct a systematic review of the literature to synthesize empirical research in a rigorous manner (following a disciplined screening process, a final sample of 50 studies is examined). In the analysis, six key themes emerge: communication and technology; work motivators or preferred job characteristics; work values; work attitudes; workplace/career behaviors; and leadership preferences or behaviors. Our systematic review also reveals that the majority of empirical studies provide results which fully or partially support the existence of generational diversity; highlighting the importance of future research to address the potential differing needs and characteristics of each generation as they interact and work within organizations. Our study contributes to the development of generational theory, proposes specific areas for important future research priorities on the topic of generational diversity, and highlights some implications for organizational practice. Although the systematic review is not commonplace, our study does contribute to its application in the field of management.
The Lifespan and the Political Performance of Green Parties in Western Europe

A quarter-century ago green and alternative movements emerged in most European countries. As advanced industrial societies were experiencing shifts towards postmaterialist value orientations [Inglehart, 1977; 1990], their political agenda were increasingly influenced by issues related to the ‘New Politics’ and growing tendencies to engage in protest action [Baker, Dalton and Hildebrandt, 1981; Barnes, Kaase et al., 1979; Hildebrandt and Dalton, 1978; Jennings and van Deth, 1990]. Since the beginning, these groups have challenged the established political parties at a local level. They were interested in single issues such as the provision of parks and cycle tracks; they protested against urban renewal, new highways or the construction of nuclear power plants. Heavily influenced by the debates on nuclear energy and the NATO dual-track decision on intermediate nuclear forces as well as the stationing of Cruise missiles in Western Europe, these movements launched the foundations of Green parties in the early 1980s. Between 1980 and 1984 new Green parties were founded in 12 Western European countries (see Appendix 1). By the late 1980s, these parties had gained significant electoral and parliamentary success. A few years later, Green parties have entered national governments in five countries including three major powers (France, Germany, Italy) and two smaller nations (Belgium and Finland). This rapid development no doubt calls for a changing perspective when analysing the Green party family. Thus far, comparative research and scholarly debates on the Greens in Western Europe have mainly focused on three topics: the rise and