Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The issue with Latino voter turnout: How does the issue of immigration affect Latino voter turnout?

In this study, I investigate how the issue of immigration affects Latino voter turnout. I hypothesize that U.S. Latino citizens who view immigration as highly important and helpful to the United States will be more likely to turn out to vote in midterm and presidential elections. In addition to a contextual analysis on elections in Arizona and California, I perform a probit regression analysis on survey data from Pew Hispanic's 2004 National Survey of Latinos on Politics and Civic Participation. The results are mixed with respect to the initial expectations. While respondents who view immigration as important and helpful are more likely to turn out than those who view immigration as important and hurtful, the results suggest that respondents who find immigration as unimportant may not be less likely to turn out. Further, there are some differences between Latino subgroups, although these differences are minor. Ultimately, the hypotheses presented in this study find moderate support.
Spouse adjustment to cancer surgery: Distress and coping responses

Although often acknowledged, the impact of the surgical treatment of cancer on the spouse of the adult cancer patient is a largely unexplored area. The present study examined distress, coping, and appraisal among spouses (N = 36) and patients (N = 43) assessed prior to and following surgery. The results indicated that at both the presurgical and postsurgical period, spouses were exhibiting significantly greater distress than patients. Surprisingly, spouses' levels of distress remained fairly constant across the presurgery to postsurgery period, while the patients distress decreased. Escape and avoidance behaviors were found to be maladaptive for spouses coping with their partners' surgical treatment. Appraisal was also found to be a critical factor in understanding individual reactions to the stress of cancer surgery. Spouses of cancer patients undergoing surgical treatment appear to be an underacknowledged population at risk.
Is there a future for donepezil therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis-related cognitive impairment?

Evaluation of: Krupp LB, Christodoulou C, Melville P et al. Multicenter randomized clinical trial of donepezil for memory impairment in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 76(17), 1500–1507 (2011). Cognitive impairment is a core feature of multiple sclerosis (MS), is detectable in up to 65% of patients and represents the most important predictor of the subject’s work and vocational status. The cognitive domains most frequently involved are attention, information processing speed, episodic memory and executive functions. To date, there is no approved drug or evidence-based strategy for the treatment of this disabling condition. Promising findings were provided in a monocentric randomized trial on donepezil – a reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase – for the treatment of MS-related memory impairment. However, a larger multicentric trial failed to confirm any efficacy of donepezil on memory impairment in MS subjects. Possible implications of these findings are discussed in this article.
MACRO ECONOMICS FACTORS AND BANK LENDING BEHAVIOUR IN INDONESIA

AbstractThis study examines the influencing macro economics factor in lending distribution and observes the comparison of each factor based on lending type which are investment, working capital and domestic consumption lending. Using data of Indonesian commercial banks between 2003-2011 and a balanced panel method, it finds that bank liquidity and inflation rate have significant negative effect, while number of banks has strong positive influence to stimulate lending distribution. Moreover, saving rate and GDP growth were found not meaningfully contributed to change investment lending distribution, but they significantly influenced the other lending distribution. Lastly, reserve requirement and exchange rate did not significantly influence all lending type.Keywords: Loan, interest rate, growth, GDP.JEL Classification Numbers: G21, E43, E51AbstrakStudi ini meneliti faktor ekonomi makro yang mempengaruhi distribusi pinjaman dan mengamati perbandingan masing-masing faktor berdasarkan jenis pinjaman yaitu pinjaman investasi, modal kerja dan konsumsi. Dengan menggunakan data dari bank-bank komersial di Indonesia antara 2003-2011, dengan menggunakan analisis data panel, ditemukan bahwa likuiditas perbankan dan tingkat inflasi berpengaruh negatif signifikan, sedangkan jumlah bank berpengaruh positif dan kuat untuk mendorong distribusi pinjaman pada semua jenis pinjaman. Selain itu, tingkat tabungan dan pertumbuhan PDB ditemukan tidak bermakna dalam kontribusinya untuk mempengaruhi distribusi kredit investasi, tetapi secara signifikan mempengaruhi distribusi pinjaman lainnya. Terakhir, GWM dan nilai tukar tidak signifikan mempengaruhi semua tiga kategori jenis pinjaman. Keywords: Loan, interest rate, growth, GDPJEL Classification Numbers: G21, E43, E51
Early prediction of aphasia outcome in left basal ganglia hemorrhage

Objectives – The independent predictors of aphasia outcome for patients with left basal ganglia hemorrhage were evaluated. Patients and methods– We included 140 patients of 1036 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage admitted to our hospital from January 1993 through December 1997. Aphasia was assessed using the aphasia scale of the Scandinavian stroke scale. Univariate and step‐wise logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships between the initial aphasia score, age, gender, blood volume, locations of hematoma and aphasia outcome. Results– Step‐wise logistic regression analysis revealed that the following two factors were independently associated with the final aphasia outcome: initial aphasia score (P<0.0001) and location of hematoma involving the posterior limb of the internal capsule (P=0.004). Conclusions– A particularly high likelihood of poor aphasia outcomes of patients with left basal ganglia hemorrhage are predicted in those who have poor initial aphasia score and whose brain computed tomography shows the hematoma involves the posterior limb of the internal capsule.
Effects of progressive hyperglycemia on ovarian structure and function in the spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamster

The effect of the progressive hyperglycemic condition on ovarian follicular maturation was studied in control, moderate (160–350 mg/d1 blood glucose), and overt (≥ 350 mg/d1 blood glucose), spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamsters. Match‐paired (age, sex, and weight) control and diabetic animals were sacrificed at specific intervals during the development of the diabetic condition; the ovaries were collected and morphometrically analyzed for changes in ovarian follicular growth relative to blood glucose levels. Follicles were classified according to size, number, and condition. The total number of primary (100–200 μm diameter) and secondary (200–350 μm diameter) follicles was reduced in both moderate and overt diabetic females as compared with controls. The percentage of viable (i.e., nonatretic) follicles was greatly reduced in the secondary follicle class of overt diabetic animals as compared with controls. No significant differences were observed in the numbers of viable tertiary (i.e., ≥ 350 μm diameter) follicles in any of the diabetic animals as compared with controls. The percentage of atretic, secondary follicles was greatly increased in the overt diabetic group as compared with controls. These data indicate that the progressive hyperglycemia associated with diabetes in the Chinese hamster induces a severe depression of normal follicular recruitment resulting in an impaired reproductive performance in this species.
Compact Broadband Circularly Polarized Antenna With Parasitic Patches

A broadband circularly polarized (CP) antenna with compact size is proposed. The antenna is composed of a loop feeding structure which provides sequential phase, four driven patches, and four parasitic patches. The driven patches, which are capacitively coupled by the feeding loop, generate one CP mode due to the sequentially rotated structure and four parasitic patches are introduced to produce additional CP mode. By combining with the CP mode of the feeding loop, the axial ratio (AR) bandwidth is greatly broadened. An antenna prototype is fabricated to validate the simulated results. Experimental results show that the antenna achieves a broad impedance bandwidth of 19.5% from 5.13 to 6.24 GHz and a 3-dB AR bandwidth of 12.9% (5.38–6.12 GHz). In addition, the proposed antenna also has a flat gain within the operating frequency band and a compact size of $0.92\lambda _{0}\times 0.92\lambda _{0}\times 0.028\lambda _{0}$ at 5.5 GHz.
The role of DT-diaphorase in the maintenance of the reduced antioxidant form of coenzyme Q in membrane systems.

The experiments reported here were designed to test the hypothesis that the two-electron quinone reductase DT-diaphorase [NAD(P)H:(quinone-acceptor) oxidoreductase, EC 1.6. 99.2] functions to maintain membrane-bound coenzyme Q (CoQ) in its reduced antioxidant state, thereby providing protection from free radical damage. DT-diaphorase was isolated and purified from rat liver cytosol, and its ability to reduce several CoQ homologs incorporated into large unilamellar vesicles was demonstrated. Addition of NADH and DT-diaphorase to either large unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles containing homologs of CoQ, including CoQ9 and CoQ10, resulted in the essentially complete reduction of the CoQ. The ability of DT-diaphorase to maintain the reduced state of CoQ and protect membrane components from free radical damage as lipid peroxidation was tested by incorporating either reduced CoQ9 or CoQ10 and the lipophylic azoinitiator 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) into multilamellar vesicles in the presence of NADH and DT-diaphorase. The presence of DT-diaphorase prevented the oxidation of reduced CoQ and inhibited lipid peroxidation. The interaction between DT-diaphorase and CoQ was also demonstrated in an isolated rat liver hepatocyte system. Incubation with adriamycin resulted in mitochondrial membrane damage as measured by membrane potential and the release of hydrogen peroxide. Incorporation of CoQ10 provided protection from adriamycin-induced mitochondrial membrane damage. The incorporation of dicoumarol, a potent inhibitor of DT-diaphorase, interfered with the protection provided by CoQ. The results of these experiments provide support for the hypothesis that DT-diaphorase functions as an antioxidant in both artificial membrane and natural membrane systems by acting as a two-electron CoQ reductase that forms and maintains the antioxidant form of CoQ. The suggestion is offered that DT-diaphorase was selected during evolution to perform this role and that its conversion of xenobiotics and other synthetic molecules is secondary and coincidental.
The changing landscape in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

Purpose of reviewThe treatment landscape in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has significantly changed in the recent years. We provide an updated summary of the new therapeutic agents in this disease and discuss open questions and future challenges. Recent findingsmCRPC is now known to frequently retain sensitivity to hormonal manipulation even after the development of castration resistance, and both the androgen synthesis inhibitor abiraterone and the androgen-receptor antagonist enzalutamide have recently shown to prolong survival in mCRPC patients after chemotherapy. Cabazitaxel, a new-generation antitubulin chemotherapeutic, and the radionuclide radium-223 chloride have also been shown to prolong survival. The biological agent cabozantinib, an orally bioavailable tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against Met and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, demonstrated promising results in a phase II trial and is currently being assessed in two large randomized phase 3 controlled trials. SummaryThis recent progress is unprecedented and has already translated to a significant increase in the available armamentarium of drugs for mCRPC. Nonetheless, there are still significant unresolved questions as to the proper sequencing of these novel drugs along the disease continuum. Moreover, the problem of drug resistance, either primary of acquired, continues to be a major therapeutic obstacle.
New perspectives on management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive parenchymal lung disease characterized by a median survival of 3–5 years following diagnosis. The diagnosis is based on clinical, radiological and histopathological evaluation. Therefore, a multidisciplinary team is needed to reach the correct diagnosis. For a long time, supportive care and lung transplantation in selected cases, have been considered the only possible treatments for IPF. In the last decade many studies have investigated IPF pathogenesis, leading to an improved knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the disease and to the approval of two new drugs for IPF treatment (pirfenidone and nintedanib). The therapeutic approach of IPF cannot be limited to the administration of antifibrotic drugs, but it is necessary for improving the quality of life of patients and for facilitating, as far as possible, the performance of normal daily activities and relationships. IPF patients are also afflicted by disease-related complications such as gastroesophageal reflux, pulmonary hypertension, acute exacerbations and an increased risk of developing lung cancer. The clinician who treats IPF patients, should also treat these possible complications to slow disease progression, thus maintaining the possibility of a pulmonary transplantation.
Average soliton propagation in periodically amplified systems with stepwise dispersion-profiled fiber.

Average soliton propagation in periodically amplified soliton systems with stepwise varying fiber dispersion is studied. Optimal dispersion profiles are obtained by minimization of a simple and intuitively appealing perturbation function. At a given data rate, n-fold profiling is shown to permit n-fold extension of amplifier spacing. Equivalently, at a given amplifier spacing, it permits n-fold increase of data rate. Hence, we demonstrate the feasibility of 40-Gbit/s operation over several hundred kilometers, using 5-ps solitons and 50-km amplifier spans.
Arthroscopic Articular Reconstruction of Capitellar Osteochondral Defects

Background: Articular reconstruction is recommended for some unstable capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions. Capitellar osteochondral autograft transplantation (OAT) through an open approach for optimal visualization and perpendicular graft implantation has been advocated. However, arthroscopic capitellar OAT may achieve the same treatment goals with decreased morbidity and ability to treat the entire joint for pathologic changes. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to assess the ability to resurface the capitellum arthroscopically. The hypothesis was that arthroscopy allows sufficient access to facilitate perpendicular graft placement in most clinically significant capitellar OCD lesions. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Arthroscopy was performed on 12 fresh-frozen cadaveric elbows. Of the tunnels created, 21 were used in final analysis. A 6-mm osteochondral transplantation bone graft harvester was used to generate perpendicular recipient sites in the capitellar articular surface. Both central (n = 11) and lateral (n = 10) OCD locations were studied. Fluoroscopy was used to measure the angle of the harvest relative to the axis of the humerus and tunnel perpendicularity. Results: Among central and lateral lesions, the average (±SD) degree of perpendicularity achieved was 85.3° ± 2.9° and 85.8° ± 2.5°, respectively. Perpendicular harvests were achieved in central and lateral lesions as high as 74.9° and 80.4°, anterior to the humeral shaft, respectively. No significant relationship was noted between increasing anterior location and ability to attain perpendicular harvests. Achieving perpendicularity in lesions that were more anterior to these values was not possible due to anatomic constraints of the radial head in maximal elbow flexion. Conclusion: Adequate recipient tunnels were created in lesions that were as high as 75° to 80° anterior to the humeral shaft, which encompasses most clinically relevant lesions. Moreover, increasing the anterior position of the lesion did not compromise the ability to generate perpendicular tunnels. The findings of this cadaveric study suggest that most clinically relevant capitellar osteochondral lesions can be successfully resurfaced arthroscopically. Clinical Relevance: This study demonstrates the feasibility of performing an arthroscopic versus open articular reconstruction when indicated for high-grade capitellar OCD lesions. These conclusions afford sports medicine surgeons another tool in the treatment of this challenging condition.
Recombinant retroviruses encoding simian virus 40 large T antigen and polyomavirus large and middle T antigens

We used a murine retrovirus shuttle vector system to construct recombinants capable of constitutively expressing the simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen and the polyomavirus large and middle T antigens as well as resistance to G418. Subsequently, these recombinants were used to generate cell lines that produced defective helper-free retroviruses carrying each of the viral oncogenes. These recombinant retroviruses were used to analyze the role of the viral genes in transformation of rat F111 cells. Expression of the polyomavirus middle T antigen alone resulted in cell lines that were highly tumorigenic, whereas expression of the polyomavirus large T resulted in cell lines that were highly tumorigenic, whereas expression of the polyomavirus large T resulted in cell lines that were unaltered by the criteria of morphology, anchorage-independent growth, and tumorigenicity. More surprisingly, SV40 large T-expressing cell lines were not tumorigenic despite the fact that they contained elevated levels of cellular p53 and had a high plating efficiency in soft agar. These results suggest that the SV40 large T antigen is not an acute transforming gene like the polyomavirus middle T antigen but is similar to the establishment genes such as myc and adenovirus EIa.
Comparison of collagen membrane and bone substitute as a carrier for rhBMP-2 in lateral onlay graft.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the bone regenerative effect of bioresorbable collagen membrane (CM) as a carrier for recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) when performing lateral onlay grafts using bovine hydroxyapatite incorporated with collagen matrix (BHC) in combination with CM in dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS A guided bone regeneration (GBR) was performed at the buccal aspect of edentulous maxillary alveolar ridges in dogs (n = 5): (1) BHC group, in which rhBMP-2-loaded BHC was covered by a CM, and (2) CM group, in which BHC was covered by an rhBMP-2-loaded CM. A histologic and histometric analysis was performed after 8 weeks of healing. RESULTS Both the BHC and CM groups exhibited substantial newly formed bone (NB). More NB was found in the CM group than in the BHC group without statistical significance. Most of the NB was in direct contact with the residual bone substitute in the BHC group, whereas the projections and islands of NB were observed in the spaces between the residual bone substitute clusters in the CM group. The bone-to-residual bone substitute contact ratio was significantly lower in the CM group than in the BHC group (P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that rhBMP-2-loaded CM performed lateral onlay grafts as effectively as rhBMP-2-loaded BHC while showing less bone-residual bone substitute contact ratio in dogs. The loading of CMs with rhBMP-2 might therefore be a recommendable treatment option for facilitating lateral onlay graft combined with rhBMP-2.
Evaluation of the reproducibility and accuracy of pH-determining devices used to measure urine pH in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the reproducibility and accuracy of 4 portable pH meters, a reagent strip, and pH paper for measuring urine pH in dogs. DESIGN Prospective masked randomized study. SAMPLE POPULATION 201 free-catch urine samples from 114 hospitalized dogs. PROCEDURES Urine samples were divided into 2-mL aliquots. Measurements of urine pH were obtained by use of a laboratory benchtop pH meter, 4 portable pH meters, a urine reagent strip, and pH paper. The pH of each aliquot was measured within 4 hours of collection by an evaluator unaware of the aliquot's origin. To assess reproducibility, the coefficient of variation for each pH measurement device was calculated. To determine which device was most accurate, the degree of agreement among the different devices was assessed in comparison with the benchtop pH meter, which was considered the reference method. RESULTS 3 of the 4 portable pH meters had nearly perfect agreement with the reference method. The reagent strip and pH paper had moderate to poor agreement with the reference method. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Urine pH measurements should be made by use of a portable or benchtop pH meter when accurate measurements are crucial for diagnosis or treatment. Reagent strips and pH papers are useful in obtaining pH approximations but are not recommended when accurate measurements of urine pH are required.
Household Location Choice and Travel Behaviour: A Review of International Evidence

Over the last three decades a growing research literature has been concerned with the relationship between urban form and travel patterns. This research has assumed a heightened importance given concerns about the environmental effects of carbon intensive transport systems, the expansion of travel to work areas and the need to provide housing for growing populations. This paper examines the international research evidence for the factors which drive residential location choice behaviour of households on the one hand, and on the other the travel behaviours of households found in different types of urban/rural contexts. Evidence from existing research clearly shows that land-use planning patterns influence mode choice and patterns of mobility but that residential location choice behaviour is also an important factor which has a long lasting effect on patterns of household travel behaviour. This paper reviews the empirical studies that have been conducted into the effects of density, land-use mix, settlement size, the role of public transport oriented development and neighbourhood facilities on travel behaviour. The paper also examines the importance of household self-selection, habit and attitude and other socio-economic factors which contribute to household mobility patterns and location choice. The paper concludes with evidence based recommendations for policy development.