Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does information about MSG (monosodium glutamate) content influence consumer ratings of soups with and without added MSG?

Responses to recent concerns about perceived adverse health effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) have included using prominent labels, e.g., "No added MSG", on products. Label information has been shown to create expectations for a food's sensory properties and acceptability, and influence evaluations of the product. To assess the impact of information about MSG content, subjects evaluated saltiness, richness, natural taste of, and liking for, vegetable soups with (MSG+) and without (MSG-) added MSG. Their attitudes to MSG were evaluated and found to be generally negative. Subjects tasted both soups under three information conditions, presented as an ingredient list: contains added MSG, does not contain added MSG, or no mention of MSG. The expected changes in liking and sensory properties due to added MSG were found, but there were no effects of information. A second experiment used a more obvious manipulation of information on added MSG content, as well as two soup flavors to reduce the obvious differences between the MSG+ and MSG- soups. Again, there were no effects of information. These data suggest that sensory properties are weighted more than information when products are evaluated during tasting, even when the information is highly relevant to beliefs and attitudes.
Unpacking member state preferences in trade policy: a research agenda

In the field of European Union (EU) trade policy research, a large amount of fruitful work has focused on decision-making struggles at the European level. However, few studies have been devoted to the dynamics of preference formation within the Member States. There are no studies that systematically trace positions of EU Member States on trade issues over the years, and we know little of national decision making. Even basic information on governmental procedures is lacking, nor do we know much about the actions and viewpoints of domestic political or societal actors. Furthermore, only a handful of authors try to explain why country A took position X. Rather, Member State desiderata have remained largely exogenous to analyses while states have been treated as unitary actors. Building on an empirical and theoretical critique of the current literature, I argue that we need to complement the question of ‘Why “the EU” did-’, with analyses of ‘Why Member State X wanted-’. In other words: we need to open the black box of Member State preferences.
Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Facilitate the Growth of Barley and Oats in Salt-Impacted Soil: Implications for Phytoremediation of Saline Soils

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) strains that contain the enzyme 1-amino- cyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase can lower stress ethylene levels and improve plant growth. In this study, ACC deaminase-producing bacteria were isolated from a salt-impacted (∼50 dS/m) farm field, and their ability to promote plant growth of barley and oats in saline soil was investigated in pouch assays (1% NaCl), greenhouse trials (9.4 dS/m), and field trials (6–24 dS/m). A mix of previously isolated PGPB strains UW3 (Pseudomonas sp.) and UW4 (P. sp.) was also tested for comparison. Rhizobacterial isolate CMH3 (P. corrugata) and UW3+UW4 partially alleviated plant salt stress in growth pouch assays. In greenhouse trials, CMH3 enhanced root biomass of barley and oats by 200% and 50%, respectively. UW3+UW4, CMH3 and isolate CMH2 also enhanced barley and oat shoot growth by 100%–150%. In field tests, shoot biomass of oats tripled when treated with UW3+UW4 and doubled with CHM3 compared with that of untreated plants. PGPB treatment did not affect salt uptake on a per mass basis; higher plant biomass led to greater salt uptake, resulting in decreased soil salinity. This study demonstrates a method for improving plant growth in marginal saline soils. Associated implications for salt remediation are discussed.
Archetypes based development from the perspective of domain engineering research topics

Archetypes Based Development (ABD) utilizes software engineering triptych together with archetypes and archetype patterns. In ABD, the domain is analysed and the domain model is developed by using the product (what), business process (how), organization structure (where), person (who), order and inventory (when), and rule (why) archetype patterns. In the current paper, ABD is evaluated from the perspective of domain engineering research topics proposed by Bjørner in 2007. The evaluation shows that ABD is in accordance with an approved and important domain facets based domain analysis methodology and provides additional insight into the research questions related to its main processes. We also explain use of ABD and domain models designed in compliance with ABD in real life software development. These outcomes indicate that our domain analysis and modelling approach complements Bjørner's domain modelling and together with Test Driven Modeling results in more flexible, customizable, reliable and interoperable software.
pKa Calculations for class A β‐lactamases: Influence of substrate binding

β‐Lactamases are responsible for bacterial resistance to β‐lactams and are thus of major clinical importance. However, the identity of the general base involved in their mechanism of action is still unclear. Two candidate residues, Glu166 and Lys73, have been proposed to fulfill this role. Previous studies support the proposal that Glu166 acts during the deacylation, but there is no consensus on the possible role of this residue in the acylation step. Recent experimental data and theoretical considerations indicate that Lys73 is protonated in the free β‐lactamases, showing that this residue is unlikely to act as a proton abstractor. On the other hand, it has been proposed that the pKa of Lys73 would be dramatically reduced upon substrate binding and would thus be able to act as a base. To check this hypothesis, we performed continuum electrostatic calculations for five wild‐type and three β‐lactamase mutants to estimate the pKa of Lys73 in the presence of substrates, both in the Henri–Michaelis complex and in the tetrahedral intermediate. In all cases, the pKa of Lys73 was computed to be above 10, showing that it is unlikely to act as a proton abstractor, even when a β‐lactam substrate is bound in the enzyme active site. The pKa of Lys234 is also raised in the tetrahedral intermediate, thus confirming a probable role of this residue in the stabilization of the tetrahedral intermediate. The influence of the β‐lactam carboxylate on the pKa values of the active‐site lysines is also discussed.
Long‐term clinical outcomes of successful versus unsuccessful revascularization with drug‐eluting stents for true chronic total occlusion

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate the long‐term clinical outcomes of patients with successful versus unsuccessful revascularization with drug‐eluting stents (DES) for chronic total occlusion (CTO). Background: The benefits of successful revascularization of CTO remain unclear. Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 333) with “true” CTO, defined as Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 0 on angiography and duration ≥3 months, were divided into two groups, those with successful (CTO success group, n = 251) and unsuccessful (CTO failure group, n = 82) revascularization with DES for CTO lesions. The primary endpoint was defined as major adverse cardiac events (MACE) the composite of death, Q‐wave myocardial infarction (MI), or target vessel revascularization (TVR). Results: The CTO success group was significantly younger, with a higher involvement of LAD, and lower incidences of renal failure, previous myocardial infarction, and previous coronary intervention than the CTO failure group. After a median follow up of 1,317 days (interquartile range, 1,059–1,590 days), there were no significant between‐group differences in rate of MACE, both after crude analysis (9.4% vs. 11.8%, log‐rank P = 0.16) and after adjustment (HR 1.17; 95% CI 0.47–2.88, P = 0.53). On multivariate analysis, major predictors of MACE were left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% (HR 3.14; 95% CI 1.39–7.09, P = 0.005) and multiple CTO (HR 2.38; 95% CI 1.01–5.71, P = 0.049). Conclusions: Long‐term clinical outcomes were similar in the CTO success and failure groups. Multiple CTOs and LVEF <40% in CTO patients were independent predictors of MACE. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metabolically healthy obese individuals present similar chronic inflammation level but less insulin-resistance than obese individuals with metabolic syndrome

The Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors, usually accompanied by the presence of insulin resistance (IR) and a systemic subclinical inflammation state. Metabolically healthy obese (MHO) individuals seem to be protected against cardiometabolic complications. The aim of this work was to characterize phenotypically the low-grade inflammation and the IR in MHO individuals in comparison to obese individuals with MetS and control non obese. We studied two different populations: 940 individuals from the general population of Buenos Aires and 518 individuals from the general population of Venado Tuerto; grouped in three groups: metabolically healthy non-obese individuals (MHNO), MHO and obese individuals with MetS (MSO). Inflammation was measured by the levels of hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C reactive protein), and we found that MHO presented an increase in inflammation when compared with MHNO (Buenos Aires: p<0.001; Venado Tuerto: p<0.001), but they did not differ from MSO. To evaluate IR we analyzed the HOMA (Homoeostatic Model Assessment) values, and we found differences between MHO and MSO (Buenos Aires: p<0.001; Venado Tuerto: p<0.001), but not between MHNO and MHO. In conclusion, MHO group would be defined as a subgroup of obese individuals with an intermediate phenotype between MHNO and MSO individuals considering HOMA, hs-CRP and central obesity.
Medical abortion: A path to safe, high-quality abortion care in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract Background Abortion rates in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are nearly triple those in Western Europe, due to less use of contraception and highly restrictive abortion laws. Women resort to clandestine and often unsafe methods to end unwanted pregnancies, exposing themselves to the risk of complications and mortality. Medical abortion (MA) presents a safer alternative. Objectives To present evidence of MA's contributions to reduced complications, describe strategies to enhance safe MA, and highlight existing barriers to access in LAC, while examining MA's role in newly legal abortion services. Results Substantial declines in abortion-related morbidity and mortality and lower costs of treating complications are observed in LAC with MA than with other self-induction methods. Telephone hotlines, telemedicine and harm reduction models enhance access to safer abortion and help reduce complication rates by facilitating information on MA's proper use. Misoprostol is registered in most LAC countries, but access is increasingly limited by regulations and cost. Conclusion Despite highly restrictive abortion laws in LAC, MA increases access to safer abortion. Yet, significant barriers remain and much more must be done to enhance use of modern contraceptive and safer abortion methods among women in the region.
A study to assess and compare the peripheral blood neutrophil chemotaxis in smokers and non smokers with healthy periodontium, gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis

Background: Chronic periodontitis is the inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth resulting in attachment loss and bone loss. There are certain environmental factors such as smoking that can modify the host response to plaque organisms; hence can account for the aggressive progression of the disease. Smokers show a decreased expression of clinical inflammation even in the presence of abundant plaque accumulation. Neutrophils are the predominant host defense cells which protect the periodontal tissues from plaque organisms, deficiencies of neutrophil function, such as chemotaxis and phagocytosis, often result in increased susceptibility to periodontitis. Smoking can induce alteration in the neutrophil function; therefore, it is of importance to know the changes caused by smoking on neutrophil chemotaxis. This study will provide an essential basis for evaluating the role of nicotine in pathogenesis of periodontal disease by assessing the neutrophil activity. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 smokers and 60 non smokers were examined for this study. Both the groups included 20 subjects with gingivitis, periodontitis, and healthy periodontium. The periodontal status of the study subjects were assessed by gingival index, Russels periodontal index, sulcus bleeding index, and clinical attachment level. The blood sample was taken from each individual for the chemotactic analysis using agarose method. Results: In this study, there was a significant decrease in the neutrophil chemotaxis in smokers with gingivitis, periodontitis, and healthy periodontium, compared to non smokers with similar findings. Conclusion: Delayed neutrophil chemotaxis was found in smokers compared to non smokers with same periodontal status.
La demande d'aide à domicile est-elle sensible au reste-à-charge : une analyse multi-niveaux sur données françaises

This article focuses on the price-elasticity of demand for formal home-care received by disabled elderly. In France a public financing system of long-term care for disabled elderly – aged 60 and over – called APA (Allocation Personnalisee d'Autonomie) has been set up in 2001. This policy is based on a partial subsidization of demand for formal home-care so that an out-of-pocket cost remains. It rests on three variables: the department policy, the provider chosen by the recipient and the income level of the recipient. The induced heterogeneity of the out-of-pocket cost allows price-elasticity estimations but compels me to employ two databases. I use the HSM survey – an individual database on disability and health that is representative of the French population – and the Territoire survey which provides information in each region on the APA policy parameters. The combination of these two databases enables me to approximate the out-of-pocket cost for each individual that is the one-hour formal home-care price. I estimate a multi-level model with random effects and find that the price-elasticity of demand for formal home-care has a value of -0.15 at my average point.
Clinical Features of Patients with Pain Stemming from the Lumbar Zygapophysial Joints: Is the Lumbar Facet Syndrome a Clinical Entity?

Study Design This study is a prospective cross-sectional analytic study. Objectives The authors determined the prevalence and clinical features of patients with pain stemming from the lumbar zygapophysial joints. Summary of Background Data Previous studies have demonstrated a wide range of prevalence for zygapophysial joint pain and conflicting results with regard to clinical signs. Methods One hundred and seventy-six consecutive patients with chronic low back pain were investigated with a series of screening zygapophysial joint blocks using lignocaine and confirmatory blocks using bupivacaine. Results Forty-seven percent of patients had a definite or greater response to the screening injection at one or more levels but only 15% had a 50% or greater response to a confirmatory block. Response to zygapophysial joint injection was not associated with any single clinical feature or set of clinical features. Conclusions The zygapophysial joint is an important source of pain but the existence of a “facet syndrome” must be questioned.
Molecular characterization of chikungunya virus from Andhra Pradesh, India & phylogenetic relationship with Central African isolates.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Chikungunya virus has caused numerous large outbreaks in India. Suspected blood samples from the epidemic were collected and characterized for the identification of the responsible causative from Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. METHODS RT-PCR was used for screening of suspected blood samples. Primers were designed to amplify partial E1 gene and the amplified fragment was cloned and sequenced. The sequence was analyzed and compared with other geographical isolates to find the phylogenetic relationship. RESULTS The sequence was submitted to the Gen bank DNA database (accession DQ888620). Comparative nucleotide homology analysis of the AP Ra-CTR isolate with the other isolates revealed 94.7+/-3.6 per cent of homology of CHIKAPRa-CTR with other isolates of Chikungunya virus at nucleotide level and 96.8+/-3.2 per cent of homology at amino acid level. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION The current epidemic was caused by the Central African genotype of CHIKV, grouped in Central Africa cluster in phylogenetic trees generated based on nucleotide and amino acid sequences.
Breast Sentinel Lymph Node Navigation With Three-Dimensional Interstitial Multidetector-Row Computed Tomographic Lymphography

Objective:Three-dimensional multidetector-row computed tomographic lymphography (3D MDCT-LG) with interstitial injection of a widely available nonionic monometric contrast medium iopamidol was used for navigation of breast sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy. Methods:3D MDCT-LG was obtained after massage of the interstitially injection sites of a total of 4–5 mL undiluted iopamidol at periareolar and peritumoral areas in 68 consecutive patients with early-stage breast cancer, using a 4 detector-row CT scanner. Drainage lymphatic patterns and SLN anatomy were assessed on 3D MDCT-LG images. 3D MDCT-LG-navigated SLN biopsy with combined use of blue dye was followed by backup axillary lymph node dissection to evaluate accuracy of SLN biopsy. Results:The 3D MDCT-LG images clearly localized primary SLNs by visualizing the direct connection between these nodes and their afferent lymphatic vessels on detailed anatomy of the surrounding structures in all patients. Drainage lymphatic pathways on these images were classified into 4 patterns: single route/single SLN (39 cases, 57%), multiple routes/multiple SLNs (10 cases, 15%), single route/multiple SLNs (9 cases, 13%), and multiple routes/single SLN (10 cases, 15%). Under 3D MDCT-LG navigation, SLNs was found at the accurate location in all patients. With backup axillary lymph node dissection, metastasis was found in 14 (20%) patients, and 8 of these patients had metastasis only in the preoperatively identified SLNs. In other 5 positive patients, metastasis was found both in the SLN and non-SLNs. However, micrometastasis eventually was found only in non-SLN in an elderly patient. Overall, the sensitivity, false-negative rate, and accuracy of 3D CT-L-navigated SLN biopsy were 92% (13/14 patients), 7% (1/14 patients), and 98% (67/68 patients), respectively. Conclusions:Topographic 3D interstitial MDCT-LG can be a widely available and reliable navigator for breast SLN biopsy.
Application-Specific R&D Capabilities and the Advantage of Incumbents: Evidence from the Anticancer Drug Market

This paper examines the proposition that during competence-destroying technological changes, incumbents are incompetent in researching in house a radically new technology. They only retain market leadership if their undestroyed, proprietary complementary assets compensate for their research incompetence. In contrast to prior research, I propose that there is not one but two sets of capabilities necessary to execute research and development (R&D), sets that differ in their market specificity: a technology-specific set (i.e., technological platforms that are non-market specific) and an application-specific set (i.e., knowledge of the application that is therefore market specific). Although all markets require both sets of capabilities to execute R&D, prior research has analyzed cases where the application was not as complex, and therefore application-specific capabilities did not represent strategic factors. Because at the start of a technological discontinuity application-specific capabilities are undestroyed and have accrued only to incumbents, when complex enough, these capabilities can represent a source of competitive advantage for these firms, even in the face of competition from diversifying entrants reusing previously acquired technological platforms. I find evidence consistent with my proposition based on data on outcomes from drug discovery (as estimated through clinical endpoints in phase I trials) for firms competing in the anticancer drug market, one of the most complex markets within pharmaceuticals, as the market transitions into the biotechnology revolution. The proposition in this paper implies that although technological platforms can help firms move across markets, application-specific R&D capabilities can help firms retain leadership within a market across technological discontinuities.
Development and Validation of a Scale Measuring Modern Prejudice Toward Gay Men and Lesbian Women

Abstract This paper describes the psychometric properties of the Modern Homonegativity Scale (MHS), which measures contemporary negative attitudes toward gay men and lesbians (i.e., attitudes not based on traditional or moral objections to homosexuality). In Study 1 (N = 353), a preliminary version of the MHS was developed, and its psychometric properties were examined. Participants in Studies 2 and 3 (Ns = 308 and 233, respectively) completed the MHS and other attitudinal measures. The relationships among these variables were investigated to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the scale's construct validity. In Study 4 (N = 36), a behavioural expression of modern homonegativity was examined using the attributional ambiguity paradigm. The results of these studies indicate that the MHS is unidimensional, possesses a high degree of internal consistency, and is factorially distinct from a measure of old-fashioned homonegativity. As hypothesized, scores on the MHS correlated positively with political conservatism, religious behaviour, religious self-schema and modern sexism, but did not correlate significantly with social desirability bias. In addition, the MHS appears to be less susceptible to floor effects than a commonly used measure of old-fashioned homonegativity. Finally, the experimental study revealed that participants obtaining high scores on the MHS were less likely to sit beside individuals wearing T-shirts with pro-gay or pro-lesbian slogans when they could justify their seating choice on nonprejudicial grounds.