Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market Segmentation, Liquidity Spillover, and Closed-End Country Fund Discounts

In a segmented international capital market, the illiquidity of a country fund in the market in which its shares are traded affects only the share price of the fund (S), while the illiquidity of its underlying assets in the market in which these are traded affects only the fund net asset value (NAV). In an integrated market, illiquidity in one market can easily spill over to another and affect both the fund share price and its underlying asset value. It follows that the closed-end country fund premium, P[reverse not equivalent]ln(S)-ln(NAV), is negatively (positively) affected by the fund (underlying asset) illiquidity in segmented capital markets, but has only an ambiguous association with either fund or underlying asset illiquidity in an integrated market. Empirical evidence for the 8/1987 to 12/2001 period from U.S.-traded single-country closed-end funds shows that the fund premium has a negative (positive) association with the fund (underlying asset) illiquidity, and the relation is much stronger for funds investing in segmented markets. The results suggest that illiquidity plays a significant role in explaining closed-end country fund premia.
Morphological and Biochemical Changes in Carotenoid Granules in the Ventral Skin during Growth of the Japanese Newt Cynops pyrrhogaster

Abstract The color of the ventral skin of the Japanese adult newt Cynops pyrrhogaster is red, whereas that of the small juvenile newts at metamorphosis is creamy. Xanthophores in the red skin have many ring carotenoid vesicles (rcv) and a few homogenous carotenoid granules (hcg), as reported earlier. To understand the reason for this change in coloration of the ventral skin of the newt, we carried out histological and biochemical studies to see whether the size and the number of carotenoid granules (hcg and rcv) in the xanthophores and also carotenoid content in the ventral skin change during the growth of this animal. By electron microscopic observation, only hcg were observed in the creamy skin of larvae at stage 59. The diameter of the hcg in the skin of the larvae was approximately 0.85 μm, but significantly decreased to 0.35 μm in the skin of the small juvenile newt. However, the number of the hcg/100 μm2 of a xanthophore in the ventral skin was very low in the larva at stage 59, but increased in the small juvenile. The carotenoid content was very low in the creamy skin of small juveniles, but dramatically high in the red skin of the adult newts. In the red skin of the adult newt, many rcv (85%) and a few hcg (15%) were observed. However, the number of carotenoid granules (rcv and hcg)/100 μm2 of a xanthophore in the red skin of adult newts was not different from that of hcg/100 μm2 of a xanthophore in the creamy skin of small juveniles. The results, taken together, suggest that the increase in the size and the number of carotenoid granules and also carotenoid content in the ventral skin is very important for red body coloration during the growth of the Japanese newt Cynops pyrrhogaster.
Novel origin of lamin-derived cytoplasmic intermediate filaments in tardigrades

Intermediate filament (IF) proteins, including nuclear lamins and cytoplasmic IF proteins, are essential cytoskeletal components of bilaterian cells. Despite their important role in protecting tissues against mechanical force, no cytoplasmic IF proteins have been convincingly identified in arthropods. Here we show that the ancestral cytoplasmic IF protein gene was lost in the entire panarthropod (onychophoran + tardigrade + arthropod) rather than arthropod lineage and that nuclear, lamin-derived proteins instead acquired new cytoplasmic roles at least three times independently in collembolans, copepods, and tardigrades. Transcriptomic and genomic data revealed three IF protein genes in the tardigrade Hypsibius dujardini, one of which (cytotardin) occurs exclusively in the cytoplasm of epidermal and foregut epithelia, where it forms belt-like filaments around each epithelial cell. These results suggest that a lamin derivative has been co-opted to enhance tissue stability in tardigrades, a function otherwise served by cytoplasmic IF proteins in all other bilaterians. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.11117. 001
Paracrine factors for neurodegenerative disorders: special emphasis on Parkinson's disease

The progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral mesencephalon is the main pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Drugs currently available only alleviate the principal symptomatic motor-related disturbances and their benefit is counteracted by side effects in the long time. While cell replacement strategies for approaching PD by means of intrastriatal implantation of dopaminergic neurons showed some encouraging results in a number of patients this therapeutical approach aims primarily to replenish the lack of dopamine but not halting disease progression. Hence, over the past decades various strategies have been exploited to protect the dopaminergic neurons in the ventral mesencephalon from dying. Of special importance are in this context neurotrophic factors, drugs striving against oxidative stress and bioenergetic supplements. Particularly, several neurotrophic factors have been described to specifically increase the survival and/or growth of dopaminergic neurons in vitro and in vivo, including neurotrophins and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family members.
[Validation of the SCOFF questionnaire for screening the eating behaviour disorders of adolescents in school].

OBJECTIVE To determine the internal consistency and criteria validity of the SCOFF questionnaire for screening adolescent eating behaviour disorders. DESIGN Validation study with stochastic sampling. SETTING Three schools at Bucaramanga, Colombia. PARTICIPANTS 241 students selected at random from 1595 possible ones. MAIN INTERVENTIONS SCOFF questionnaire and semi-structured CIDI interview, administered independently. MAIN MEASUREMENTS Social and personal details, Cronbach's alpha, sensitivity analysis, specificity, forecast values, Cohen mean kappa test, and ROC curve. RESULTS Sensitivity found was 81.9% (95% CI, 70.7-89.7) and specificity, 78.7% (95% CI, 71.7-84.6). The area under the ROC curve was 0.8596 (95% CI, 0.8108-0.9084); the Cronbach's alpha test, 0.436, and the Cohen mean kappa, 0.554 (95% CI, 0.425-0.683). CONCLUSIONS The SCOFF questionnaire is an acceptable alternative for screening groups of adolescents because of its simplicity and speed of administration.
Assessment of Dimensionless Form of Kostiakov Model

Infiltration is the process by which water enters the earth’s surface. Although contribution of soil water to total water present on earth surface is negligible, but it is of prime importance for plant life. Very recently, dimensionless form of Kostiakov equation was proposed for precise estimation of Kostiakov model parameters. The present paper is an assessment of accuracy of proposed dimensionless form of Kostiakov model. However, it has been found that the cumulative infiltration estimated by nonlinear optimization technique are more accurate than those estimated by dimensionless form of Kostiakov equation and the graphical method. Therefore, the present paper proposes application of Generalized Reduced Gradient (GRG), a nonlinear optimization technique to estimate Kostiakov model parameters precisely rather than using dimensionless form of Kostiakov equation. Infiltration data of various types of soil have been considered in the present study for the generalization of the results.
Autoradiographic and chemical localization of 5‐hydroxytryptamine in identified neurons in the leech

The large leech neurons known as Retzius cells contain substantial amounts of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) stored in granules. Previous studies show that these cells are able to make 5‐HT from precursors. The present study, which is a combined chemical and autoradiographic analysis of these cells after the administration of radioactive 5‐HT or 5‐HTP, confirms that the cells make 5‐HT from precursors. In addition, this study shows that the cells can acquire and store 5‐HT when it is present in the environment. Thus, if 5‐HT is available, these cells need not manufacture this compound from precursors. Furthermore, the newly acquired 5 HT seems to be stored in the granules that characterize these cells. Finally, this study shows that the Retzius acquire or make the 5‐HT in vivo.
The research on performances of interior permanent magnet synchronous motor with different pole and slot combinations

A comparing study is done for interior permanent magnet synchronous motors (IPMSM) with different pole and slot combinations. The effect on winding factor, electromagnetic torque components, salient ratio, cogging torque and torque ripple for different pole and slot combinations are calculated. The characteristics of torque performance, losses and demagnetizing ability for different slots per pole and per phase are analyzed. To take the 12-slot-10-pole motor for example, the D,Q axis inductance vs. current, the torque vs. angle curve and electromagnetic torque are simulated using finite element analysis (FEA). The prototype was made and experiments were tested. The experiment results and simulate analysis are good agreements. The conclusions are good design references for multi-pole concentrated winding interior permanent magnet synchronous motor.
Gender and Pulmonary Gas Exchange During Exercise

HOPKINS, S. R. , and C. A. HARMS. Gender and pulmonary gas exchange during exercise. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 50–56, 2004. Relative to body size, women have a lower diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, smaller airway diameter, and smaller lung volumes than men. The effect that these differences have on gas exchange during exercise is incompletely understood. Women may have a larger alveolar-arterial PO2difference that may be compensated for, in part, by increased alveolar ventilation.
A single magnetic field exposure system for sequential investigation of real time and downstream cellular responses

To be able to correlate real time membrane potential or ion flux changes with further downstream gene transcription responses due to extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, we devised an experimental system consisting of a pair of symmetric circular coils. This system can be used on an inverted microscope stage (real time signaling) as well as inside controlled environment incubators (gene transcription end points). The system includes a unique, custom made switch box for blinding the experimental staff and a power amplifier. We report herein the design and characterization of the system with respect to parameters considered important in in vitro ELF–EMF exposure studies, including linear magnetic field distribution, compensation for microscope objective lens interference, heating effects of the coils, and harmonic content of the signals. Bioelectromagnetics 25:27–32, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
p53 and risk of endometriosis in Indian women.

AIM To investigate the role of loss of heterozygosity (LOH), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and the expression of gene p53 in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. METHODS LOH at the p53 gene locus (17p13.1) was examined in matched ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues from 31 endometriosis patients by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-GeneScan analysis. The genotyping of selected p53 SNPs (n=10) was carried out on genomic DNA of blood from endometriosis patients (n=720) and controls (n=500) by PCR sequencing. The p53 expression levels were analyzed in the endometrial tissues from endometriosis patients (n=5) and controls (n=4) by Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS LOH was observed at the 17p13.1 locus (38.7%) in the ectopic endometrium but not in the eutopic endometrium of patients. The genotype (p=0.909) and allele (p=0.729) distribution of the p53 codon Arg72Pro polymorphism was not significantly different between patients and controls. The polymorphism was not observed at codon 47 along the other SNPs studied. There was no preferential loss of either "Arg72" or "Pro72" alleles among the LOH-positive heterozygous cases. In addition, decreased p53 expression was observed more often in the endometrium of patients than in controls. CONCLUSIONS p53 SNPs are not associated with endometriosis in Indian women. However, LOH and reduced expression of p53 are related with the risk of endometriosis in Indian women.
Evaluation of Serum-Lipid-Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease

There is now sufficient evidence to suggest that cardiovascular pathology and altered lipid metabolism contribute to the development of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the present study, 24 AD patients and 15 controls were assessed for cardiovascular risk based on serum lipid and lipid oxidation parameters. The AD patients appeared to have a more favorable cardiovascular risk profile than the controls based on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) values. The levels of thiobarbituric-acid-rective substances and the activity of the enzyme paraoxonase (PON) following copper oxidation indicate that female patients may have better protection against serum and perhaps tissue oxidants than males with AD. While the higher HDL-C values indicate lower cardiovascular risk, additional data on oxidized lipid parameters suggest a lower level of protection against serum oxidants in male AD probands.
Perennial Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium): Properties of Invaded Tidal Marshes

Abstract Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed) is recognized as a threat to wetland habitats throughout much of the western United States, but its role in tidal marshes has not been explored. Over three seasons in three regions of San Francisco Estuary (Suisun, San Pablo, and South San Francisco bays), we characterized locations in tidal marshes where monotypic stands of L. latifolium are replacing the native Sarcocornia pacifica (pickleweed). Soils within L. latifolium stands had significantly lower moisture, salinity, organic matter, and carbon ∶ nitrogen (C ∶ N) and higher pH than in adjacent S. pacifica stands at similar elevation and distance from channels. In addition, L. latifolium canopies were 2 to 3 times taller, thus increasing light reaching soils, and tended to support different insect/spider assemblages (sampled only at the Suisun site). Patterns were generally consistent across the three sites, although less pronounced for some measures at the South Bay site. Overall, these data suggest that L. latifolium invasion of tidal marshes is leading to modification of both structural and functional properties, several of which might further facilitate spread of the invader; however, additional study is needed to determine cause vs. effect for several soil characteristics. Nomenclature: Perennial pepperweed, Lepidium latifolium Linnaeus, Sarcocornia pacifica (Standl.) A. J. Scott.
Performance estimation of interior permanent-magnet brushless motors using the voltage-driven flux-MMF diagram

The flux-magnetomotive force (flux-MMF) diagram, or "energy conversion loop," is a powerful tool for computing the parameters of saturated interior permanent-magnet brushless motors, especially when the assumptions underlying classical dq theory are not valid, as is often the case in modern practice. Efficient finite-element computation of the flux-MMF diagram is possible when the motor current is known a priori, but in high-speed operation the current regulator can lose control of the current waveform and the computation becomes "voltage-driven" rather than "current-driven. " This paper describes an efficient method for estimating the motor performance-average torque, inductances-by solving the voltage-driven problem. It presents experimental validation for a two-pole brushless interior permanent-magnet motor. The paper also discusses the general conditions under which this method is appropriate, and compares the method with alternative approaches.
Beneficial hemodynamic effects of prone positioning in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

RATIONALE The effects of prone positioning during acute respiratory distress syndrome on all the components of cardiac function have not been investigated under protective ventilation and maximal alveolar recruitment. OBJECTIVES To investigate the hemodynamic effects of prone positioning. METHODS We included 18 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome ventilated with protective ventilation and an end-expiratory positive pressure titrated to a plateau pressure of 28-30 cm H2O. Before and within 20 minutes of starting prone positioning, hemodynamic, respiratory, intraabdominal pressure, and echocardiographic data were collected. Before prone positioning, preload reserve was assessed by a passive leg raising test. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS In all patients, prone positioning increased the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure over inspired oxygen fraction, the intraabdominal pressure, and the right and left cardiac preload. The pulmonary vascular resistance decreased along with the ratio of the right/left ventricular end-diastolic areas suggesting a decrease of the right ventricular afterload. In the nine patients with preload reserve, prone positioning significantly increased cardiac index (3.0 [2.3-3.5] to 3.6 [3.2-4.4] L/min/m(2)). In the remaining patients, cardiac index did not change despite a significant decrease in the pulmonary vascular resistance. CONCLUSIONS In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome under protective ventilation and maximal alveolar recruitment, prone positioning increased the cardiac index only in patients with preload reserve, emphasizing the important role of preload in the hemodynamic effects of prone positioning.
High-sensitivity two-stage erbium-doped fiber preamplifier at 10 Gb/s

An optical preamplifier with a record sensitivity of -38.8 dBm (102 photons/bit) at 10 Gb/s has been demonstrated. When the amplifier is employed in a practical link without an input isolator, the sensitivity is only slightly degraded to -37.6 dBm (135 photons/bit) by input coupling losses and feedback due to Rayleigh backscattering in the transmission fiber. It is predicted that this penalty can be reduced to 0.15 dB with an improved isolator in the composite EDFA. <<ETX>>
The Biology and Behaviour of Intracerebral Adrenal Transplants in Animals and Man

The catecholamine containing chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla have recently been employed as intracerebral grafts in man and animals with lesions of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. This review outlines the basic biology of the chromaffin cell with reference to its efficacy as a source of dopamine in the grafted state. This is followed by an evaluation of the use of these grafts in experimentally lesioned animals and in patients with Parkinson's disease.
The use of prn medication in a child and adolescent mental health inpatient service in France

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of “as needed” (pro re nata or prn) psychotropic medication in a child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient population. The study was carried out on the psychiatry ward of a paediatric teaching hospital in Paris, France. Methods. A prospective analysis of prn psychotropic drug prescriptions and administrations was conducted for all patients hospitalised over a period of 4 months. The study group consisted of 187 patients. Results. In total, 93 prn prescriptions were written, for 27% of the patients (51) but only 14% (26) received a total of 76 administrations. Antipsychotic drugs accounted for 54% of the prescriptions, anxiolytics for 33%, antiepileptic drugs for 8%, antiparkinsonian drugs for 4% and hypnotic drugs for 1%. Anxiety was the reason given for 67% of the prn administrations, with hydroxyzine used in 69% of these cases. Disruptive behaviour accounted for 22% of prn administrations, with antipsychotic drugs accounting for 88% of these administrations. Insomnia accounted for 8% of prn administrations, and antipsychotic drug-induced dystonia accounted for 3% of such administrations. Conclusion. Controlled studies are required to assess the efficacy and safety of prn medication and the conditions in which its use is indicated.
Effect of pravastatin on coronary events after myocardial infarction in patients with average cholesterol levels.

In a recent article in The New England Journal of Medicine ,1 Sacks and his colleagues for the Cholesterol and Recurrent Events Trial Investigators (CARE study) determined whether lowering serum cholesterol values has a benefit on survival and morbidity in patients with coronary heart disease and “average” serum cholesterol levels. In a double-blind trial that …
Synthetic isothiocyanate indole-3-ethyl isothiocyanate (homoITC) enhances sensitivity of human ovarian carcinoma cell lines A2780 and A2780/CP to cisplatin.

Isothiocyanates (ITCs), popular chemopreventive agents present in cruciferous vegetables, prove growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing activities in cancer cell lines in vitro. Our study presents a new synthetic ITC derivate indol-3-ethyl isothiocyanate (homoITC) as an effective modulator of cellular proliferation and inducer of apoptosis with potential utility as an anticancer drug or a sensitizer to routinely used chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin (cis-Pt). We analyzed the growth inhibitory effects of homoITC in the human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780 and its cisplatin-resistant variant A2780/CP using MTT-test and its apoptosis-inducing properties by flow cytometry and caspase 3 activation. Combination index (CI) values from Calcusyn software were used to characterize the interactions of homoITC and cis-Pt as synergistic (CI1). Significant synergistic effect in growth inhibition of homoITC (5 - 15 microM) and cis-Pt (2.5 - 10 microM) on A2780 parental cell line (CI from 0.42 to 0.85) was also observed on A2780/CP resistant subline (CI from 0.18 to 0.73) for 10-50 microM cis-Pt concentrations and the same concentrations of homoITC. Synergy in growth inhibition correlated with the potential of homoITC to stimulate apoptosis induced by cis-Pt.We conclude that homoITC may be worth of further studies assessing its value in the ovarian cancer treatment and elucidating mechanisms of its action.
Suicidal ideation and associated factors among community‐dwelling elders in Taiwan

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to explore the suicidal ideation of community‐dwelling elderly and the factors associated with their intention to commit suicide. Using a multilevel stratified sampling strategy, 1000 elderly subjects were recruited (aged 65–74 years old) in Taiwan during the year 2001. The degree of depression and its correlates were assessed. Suicidal ideation was measured by asking respondents if they had had any suicidal thoughts in the previous week. In all, 16.7% of respondents reported suicidal ideation within the past week; its occurrence was related to sex, religious belief, employment status, marital status, average family monthly income, physical health status, depressive symptoms, and community activity participation. Further multivariate logistic regression revealed that, aside from depressive symptoms and a lower level of education, no community participation in the past 6 months was significantly associated with the appearance of suicidal ideation. The prevalence of suicidal ideation among the elderly in Taiwan is higher than in Western countries. Participation in social activities is negatively associated with elderly suicidal ideation. The dimension of social participation deserves further exploration and should be considered in community mental health promotion interventions for elderly people.