Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Life events and addiction: a critical review.

Summary A number of research studies dealing with the relationship between life events' and the course of the addiction process are reviewed. It is concluded that there are problems involved in drawing unambiguous inferences from these researches. There is an absence of strong theoretical development which makes it difficult to see where the train of research is leading; consequently any association between the main variables can, at present, be viewed as ex post facto support for some version of a life events theory’. In addition, there are methodological problems concerning retrospective recall, the ‘search after meaning’ and the treatment of events as independent separate entities. It is suggested that advances will be made by way of approaches which take into account the dynamic and structural aspects of life courses' and the addiction process, and which pursue a more rigorous line of theoretical development and refinement.
Regulation of intracellular dynamics of Smad4 by its leucine‐rich nuclear export signal

Smad family proteins play a pivotal role in transmitting the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) superfamily signals from the cell surface to the nucleus. In response to ligand stimulation, Smad4 forms a complex with respective receptor‐specific Smads, and the complex translocates into the nucleus and regulates gene expression. Thus, the nuclear entry of the Smad complex is one of the key steps in signal transduction. However, little is known about regulatory mechanisms for nucleocytoplasmic transport of Smads. Here we report identification of a functional, leucine‐rich nuclear export signal (NES) in Smad4, which regulates subcellular distribution of Smad4. We then show evidence suggesting that the NES‐dependent cytoplasmic localization of Smad4 is important for ensuring optimal TGF‐β responsivenesses in transcriptional activation. Moreover, we show that the NES of Smad4 is specifically inactivated by the stimulus‐dependent hetero‐oligomerization with receptor‐specific Smads during the TGF‐β‐induced nuclear translocation of Smad4. Taken together, these results suggest an important regulatory role of the NES of Smad4 in TGF‐β signaling.
Are multihospital systems more efficient?

Jamie Robinson and Larry Casalino, in their paper that leads off this volume of Health Affairs, offer the provocative view that there may be less vertical integration than many experts predict. Of course, health care providers are integrating horizontally as well as vertically. That is, hospitals in many cities are merging to form local multihospital systems. However, although the conventional wisdom is that these systems will generate efficiencies in the production of services, surprisingly little systematic evidence exists to support this view. To fill this research gap, and to determine the benefits of horizontal integration, we did a cross-sectional analysis of local hospital systems in California in the late 1980s and then in the early 1990s. In both studies we found that the benefits of horizontal integration stem from greater efficiencies in marketing hospital systems to the community rather than from efficiencies in the production of services. Our analysis does not control for self-selection into systems, however, so it is not fully conclusive. Further research is necessary to settle the issues that we raise.
Do anxiety and depression cluster into distinct groups?: a test of tripartite model predictions in a community sample of youth

Because of their high comorbidity and strong associations, the distinctiveness of anxiety and depression in youth continues to be debated. In this study we used cluster analysis in a community sample (n=225) of youth to test tripartite model predictions regarding the grouping of individuals based on their levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. Findings were consistent with tripartite model predictions that four groups would emerge (primarily elevated on anxiety symptoms only, elevated on depression symptoms only, elevated on both anxiety and depression symptoms, and a low symptom group). Analyses using specific tripartite model variables and parent report of internalizing symptoms provided additional support for the groupings and tripartite model predictions. Across age groupings, the clustering of anxiety and depression symptoms was consistent with some hypothesized developmental differences in the expression of internalizing symptoms in youth. Findings add support for the tripartite model in youth, and support the idea that anxiety and depression do represent unique syndromes in youth. Depression and Anxiety 23:453–460, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Limits of Embedded Graphs

We define notions of local topological convergence and local geometric convergence for embedded graphs in R, and study their properties. The former is related to BenjaminiSchramm convergence, and the latter to weak convergence of probability measures with respect to a certain topology on the space of embedded graphs. These are used to state universality conjectures for the long-term behavior of the network flow, or curvature flow on embedded graphs. To provide evidence these conjectures, we develop and apply computational methods to test for local topological and local geometric convergence.
Impact of malaria control

This chapter reviews trends in malaria cases and deaths and assesses the evidence that malaria control activities have had an impact on malaria disease burden in each WHO Region. Sections 7.1 to 7.7 present national data on malaria cases and deaths, the distribution of P. falciparum as compared with other Plasmodium species, level of diagnostic testing (as measured by the annual blood examination rate), malaria test positivity rate, and the potential for a plausible link between coverage of interventions for prevention (vector control) and treatment (antimalarial medicines) and trends in malaria burden over time. The comparison of interventions and trends leads to a discussion, and a cautious assessment, of the impact of malaria control across the Regions. Sections 7.8 and 7.9 give updates on malaria elimination and on imported malaria, respectively. The routine case reports presented in Sections 7.2 to 7.7 are part of the database used to estimate malaria incidence and mortality in Section 7.10. Finally, section 7.11 draws together the main conclusions on malaria burden and trends over the decade 2001–2010.
The Impact of Centralization, Corruption and Institutional Quality on Procurement Prices: An Application to Pharmaceutical Purchasing in Italy

This paper deals with the open issue about the choice between a centralized versus a decentralized public procurement strategy. Using a unique dataset on tender prices of selected drugs for hospital usage awarded by a sample of 52 Italian local health service providers (ASLs) between 2009 and 2012, we test which procurement system (centralized, decentralized or hybrid) performs better. Controlling for several covariates, we always find that centralized and hybrid procurers pay lower prices as compared to decentralized units. Moreover, our results show that in areas in which corruption is higher or, more generally, institutional quality is lower, the effect of centralization in negotiating lower prices is much stronger, with savings that can reach also 50 percent of the price paid by ASLs that procure on their own.
Enhanced Routines for Instrumental Variables/Generalized Method of Moments Estimation and Testing

We extend our 2003 paper on instrumental variables and generalized method of moments estimation, and we test and describe enhanced routines that address heteroskedasticity- and autocorrelation-consistent standard errors, weak instruments, limited-information maximum likelihood and k-class estimation, tests for endogeneity and Ramsey's regression specification-error test, and autocorrelation tests for instrumental variable estimates and panel-data instrumental variable estimates.
Induction of sensitive skin and sensitive scalp by hair dyeing

Hair dyes are more and more used and the role of the exposure to these products in the development of skin reactions in the exposed region is suspected. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of hair dyes on facial skin and scalp sensitivity by performing a Computer Assisted Web Interview on 1257 women older than 15 years old. Differences were observed in the scores evaluating facial skin and scalp sensitivity according to different parameters. Women aged between 15 and 24 years old suffered more from skin and scalp sensitivity both for hair dye users and for non-users. The results obtained according to hair dye usage patterns indicated the highest sensitivity of the scalp and facial skin when the hair dyeing process was performed at home with professional products, or when the type of product used was bleach alone or bleach followed by another dyeing product. The severity of facial skin and scalp sensitivity depends on different factors and seems to be potentially exacerbated by the hair dyeing process.
Transparent wood for functional and structural applications

Optically transparent wood combines mechanical performance with optical functionalities is an emerging candidate for applications in smart buildings and structural optics and photonics. The present review summarizes transparent wood preparation methods, optical and mechanical performance, and functionalization routes, and discusses potential applications. The various challenges are discussed for the purpose of improved performance, scaled-up production and realization of advanced applications. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘New horizons for cellulose nanotechnology’.
The association of circulating ferritin with serum concentrations of fibroblast growth factor-23 measured by three commercial assays

Background: The measurement of the serum concentration of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is beginning to be used as a diagnostic tool in renal phosphate wasting disorders. Having observed an increased serum FGF-23 in three subjects with low circulating ferritin concentrations we investigated the association between low ferritin and raised serum FGF-23. Methods: We measured FGF-23 in 150 random anonymized serum samples with ferritin concentrations between <5 and 50 µg/L using three commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. One kit, Human FGF-23[C-term] (Immutopics Inc, USA) measures total FGF-23 whereas the other two kits, Immutopics intact and FGF-23 ELISA (Kainos, Japan) are reported to measure only the biologically active intact molecule. Results: We have detected a significant inverse correlation of -0.565 (P<0.0001) between serum ferritin when <50 µg/L and FGF-23 using the C-terminal assay. This relationship is also shown with the Immutopics intact assay but is not demonstrated with the Kainos intact assay. Conclusion: The measurement of FGF-23 by both Immutopics assays is altered in the presence of low circulating concentrations of serum ferritin whereas with the Kainos intact assay this effect was not demonstrated. Serum ferritin should be measured when an elevated FGF-23 is obtained using the Immutopics C-terminal or intact FGF-23 assay to prevent misdiagnosis of the cause of this abnormality.
Arch dimension changes from successful slow maxillary expansion of unilateral posterior crossbite.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term effects of successful slow maxillary expansion without fixed appliances or retainers in the mixed dentition on patients with unilateral crossbites, using Haas-type, hyrax, or quad helix appliances. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serial dental casts of 110 patients were evaluated at three time points: preexpansion (T1) (mean age 7 years/7 months), postexpansion (T2) (mean age 8 years/8 months), and approximately 4 years later in the permanent dentition (T3) (mean age 12 years/9 months). Maxillary and mandibular intercanine and intermolar widths, arch length, and perimeter and molar angulation were measured at all three time intervals with the Michigan published growth norms serving as a control. RESULTS Successful treatment by slow maxillary expansion (SME) produced similarly favorable expansion by all three expanders in all measurements for both arches. Maxillary arch widths were narrower than controls pretreatment (T1) and wider than controls immediately post treatment (T2). Long-term (T3) maxillary intermolar width was the same as controls, with intercanine width significantly wider than controls. Maxillary intercanine and intermolar width increased from T1 to T3, by 4.5 mm and 3.5 mm, respectively, with 98% of intercanine and 80% of intermolar expansion remaining at T3. Maxillary arch circumference increased by 1 mm from T1 to T3. Mandibular width did not change significantly. CONCLUSION Maxillary arch dimensions in early mixed dentition in patients with unilateral posterior crossbite showed good stability 4 years post treatment in the permanent dentition.
Dynamics of osseointegration in various human and animal models - a comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the sequential events of osseointegration in various model situations. MATERIAL AND METHODS A series of eight recent sequential studies on the early phases of osseointegration performed in various species analyzing new bone apposition and parent bone resorption at the implant surfaces have been studied. One human, six dog and one rabbit studies were analyzed for old and new bone percentages, assessed at least at 4 periods of the early osseointegration. Data on new and old parent bone in contact with the implant surfaces were collected. The interception point of the two proportions of new and old bone was calculated in terms of osseointegration (y; %) and period of the interceptions (x; days). RESULTS It has been shown that the interception point of old and new bone proportions was strongly influenced by the choice of the model adopted (human, dog, rabbit), by the density of the surrounding bone (cortical, spongy, trabecular) and by the implant geometry. Implant surface configuration, time of implantation and load influenced the interception point to a lesser degree. The fastest rate of osseointegration was observed in the rabbit model followed by the dog model. The slowest osseointegration rate was seen in humans. Osseointegration was documented best in spongiosa bone when compared to cortical bone. The moderately rough surfaces gave rise to faster osseointegration than did the turned implant surfaces. CONCLUSIONS The interception points may provide information on efficacy of early osseointegration. The slope of the line (m) is related to the efficacy of bone appositions.
Use of Budesonide in the Treatment of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Twenty patients with active sarcoidosis (increased serum ACE activity) and progressive pulmonary disease (stages 2-3) were treated with inhaled budesonide instead of with oral glucocorticosteroids in an open clinical study. Results after an 18-month treatment are reported. A general improvement in chest roentgenograms and FVC was noted. Serum ACE activity was normalized. The results indicate that pulmonary manifestations of sarcoidosis can be treated with the inhaled steroid, budesonide. In this way the risk of systemic side effects is considerably reduced. The final place of inhaled budesonide in the treatment of sarcoidosis must be determined via placebo-controlled and comparative, double-blinded clinical studies in larger series of patients.
The membrane proteases adams and hepsin are differentially expressed in renal cell carcinoma. Are they potential tumor markers?

PURPOSE ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinases) as cell surface proteins with adhesion and protease activity, and hepsin as a transmembrane protease have important roles in many biological processes. We assessed the expression of various ADAMs and of hepsin in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and correlated expression with clinicopathological data. MATERIALS AND METHODS mRNA expression of ADAM-8, 17, 19, 28, TS1 and TS2, and of hepsin was investigated in paired tissue samples from cancerous and noncancerous parts of the kidneys of 27 patients with RCC who underwent tumor nephrectomy. Measurements were performed by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on a LightCycler instrument (Roche Applied Science, Mannheim, Germany). The data were related to housekeeping gene porphobilinogen deaminase mRNA. RESULTS All ADAMs except ADAM-TS1 were significantly higher but hepsin was less expressed (at least p <0.05) in cancerous vs matched noncancerous tissue. Expression was differentially related to tumor stage. ADAM-8 and ADAM-TS2 over expression as well as decreased hepsin expression were associated with shorter patient survival. The Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that ADAM-TS2 was an independent prognostic factor for cancer related death. ADAM-8 was the best predictor of distant metastases. CONCLUSIONS The differential expression of hepsin and ADAMs suggests early and late involvement of membrane proteases in the development of RCC. Their association with the clinical outcome illustrates their potential usefulness as biomarkers for RCC.
Strained AlInN/GaN HEMTs on SiC With 2.1-A/mm Output Current and 104-GHz Cutoff Frequency

We report on a dc/RF performance of lattice-strained AlInN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) on SiC substrate. HEMT devices were fabricated with gate periphery of 2 × 150 μm with an 80-nm T-gate and ~2.5-μm source-drain spacing. Fabricated devices simultaneously demonstrated up to 2.11 A/mm with f<sub>t-ext</sub> = 104 GHz and f<sub>t-int</sub> = 113 GHz. The high performance is attributed to the combination of low R<sub>sh</sub> ~ 230 Ω/sq (μ ~ 1079 cm<sup>2</sup>/V · s, n<sub>s</sub> ~ 2.39 × 10<sup>13</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup>) and thin ~110-Å total barrier thickness with a short gate length. Other device parameters include R<sub>c</sub> = 0.29 Ω · mm, I<sub>g,leak</sub> = 27.9 μA/mm, g<sub>m,peak</sub> = 432 mS/mm, and V<sub>th</sub> = -5.8 V. To our knowledge, this is among the highest current densities reported for any HEMT operating with a unity current gain frequency exceeding 100 GHz.
SOD1 (Copper/Zinc Superoxide Dismutase) Deficiency Drives Amyloid β Protein Oligomerization and Memory Loss in Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease*

Oxidative stress is closely linked to the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. Soluble amyloid β (Aβ) oligomers cause cognitive impairment and synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer disease (AD). However, the relationship between oligomers, oxidative stress, and their localization during disease progression is uncertain. Our previous study demonstrated that mice deficient in cytoplasmic copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD, SOD1) have features of drusen formation, a hallmark of age-related macular degeneration (Imamura, Y., Noda, S., Hashizume, K., Shinoda, K., Yamaguchi, M., Uchiyama, S., Shimizu, T., Mizushima, Y., Shirasawa, T., and Tsubota, K. (2006) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 103, 11282–11287). Amyloid assembly has been implicated as a common mechanism of plaque and drusen formation. Here, we show that Sod1 deficiency in an amyloid precursor protein-overexpressing mouse model (AD mouse, Tg2576) accelerated Aβ oligomerization and memory impairment as compared with control AD mouse and that these phenomena were basically mediated by oxidative damage. The increased plaque and neuronal inflammation were accompanied by the generation of Nϵ-carboxymethyl lysine in advanced glycation end products, a rapid marker of oxidative damage, induced by Sod1 gene-dependent reduction. The Sod1 deletion also caused Tau phosphorylation and the lower levels of synaptophysin. Furthermore, the levels of SOD1 were significantly decreased in human AD patients rather than non-AD age-matched individuals, but mitochondrial SOD (Mn-SOD, SOD2) and extracellular SOD (CuZn-SOD, SOD3) were not. These findings suggest that cytoplasmic superoxide radical plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of AD. Activation of Sod1 may be a therapeutic strategy for the inhibition of AD progression.
Measuring Intramucosal pH in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Maintenance of adequate perfusion is essential for health of the intestinal mucosa. Methods available to assess intestinal perfusion provide information on mesenteric blood flow, which may differ from mucosal flow. Intramucosal pH (pHi) is influenced by tissue oxygenation and perfusion. Gastric pHi can be measured using the technique of tonometry. A prospective observational clinical study was performed to examine relationships between measured gastric pHi and mucosal CO2 (mCO2), and acid-base balance, gastrointestinal complications (necrotizing enterocolitis and perforation), and death in infants <1500 g birth weight. A nasogastric tonometry catheter (size 5F) was inserted into the stomach of infants, and pHi was calculated from mCO2 levels measured using saline tonometry. Measurements were performed at 3, 12, 24, and 48 h, then daily until arterial access was unavailable. Two hundred eleven sets of measurements were performed on 38 infants [birth weight (mean ±SD), 863 ± 241 g; gestation, 26.5 ± 1.8 wk; and median Clinical Risk Index for Babies score, 8.0 (interquartile range, 5.0–10.75)]. Mean pHi was 7.27 (95% confidence interval, 7.26–7.28) and mean mCO2 was 47.0 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 45.7–48.3 mm Hg). pHi and mCO2 correlated significantly with arterial pH (pHa), arterial Pco2 (Paco2), and arterial base excess. There were no significant relationships between pHa and pH gap (pHa−pHi) or CO2 gap (mCO2−Paco2). Recurrent low pHi (<7.2 on more than one occasion) and an mCO2/Paco2 ratio of ≥1.29 were significantly associated with an increase in gastrointestinal complications. There were no statistically significant associations with death. In conclusion, changes in pH gap and CO2 gap can occur without alteration in pHa. Abnormalities in pHi might predict gastrointestinal complications in infants <1500 g.
Screening of Students' Intentions to Adopt Mobile - Learning: A Case from Egypt

Mobile technology is a growing field with emerging new discoveries. The introduction of third generation mobile network services and the convergence of mobile and traditional internet services will make the mobile communication a key enabler for achieving competitive advantages in developing countries, including opportunities for mobile learning (M-learning). This study explores the possibility of applying M-learning in Egypt by looking at the factors that affect the studentsâ€™ intentions to adopt M-learning. Data was collected by a survey of 239 business students of the English program in the faculty of commerce at Mansoura University. The technology adoption model is studied with two more independent variables, namely, pressure to act and resource availability. Results showed that there are four factors that can be used in modelling studentsâ€™ intentions to adopt M-learning. These factors are attitude towards M-learning, perceived usefulness, availability of resources and perceived ease of use.
Information Security Outsourcing with System Interdependency and Mandatory Security Requirement

The rapid growth of computer networks has led to a proliferation of information security standards. To meet these security standards, some organizations outsource security protection to a managed security service provider (MSSP). However, this may give rise to system interdependency risks. This paper analyzes how such system interdependency risks interact with a mandatory security requirement to affect the equilibrium behaviors of an MSSP and its clients. We show that a mandatory security requirement will increase the MSSP's effort and motivate it to serve more clients. Although more clients can benefit from the MSSP's protection, they are also subjected to greater system interdependency risks. Social welfare will decrease if the mandatory security requirement is high, and imposing verifiability may exacerbate social welfare losses. Our results imply that recent initiatives such as issuing certification to enforce computer security protection, or encouraging auditing of managed security services, may not be advisable.