Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of the European Working Time Directive on anaesthetic working patterns and training

There is concern that the European Working Time Directive 2009 has led to reduced time available for training, and this study examined if this has been the case. For two identical six‐month periods in 1999 (pre‐Directive) and 2009 (post‐Directive), weekly data were collected on the total number of sessions attended by trainees, the number of supervised sessions and the leave days taken. A total of 5925 theatre sessions were analysed (2353 in 1999 and 3572 in 2009). For ST1‐2 trainees, there was a 37% increase in theatre sessions attended (p = 0.02), with a 77% increase in the number of these sessions supervised by a consultant (p = 0.02). For ST3‐7 trainees, there was a reduction in the number of theatre sessions attended of 27% (p = 0.03), but this was not accompanied by a significant increase in the number of consultant‐supervised sessions (11% increase; p = 0.18). The aggregate median increase in weekly consultant‐supervised theatre sessions per trainee increased for ST1‐2 trainees (70% increase; p = 0.0016) but not for ST3‐7 trainees (11% increase; p = 0.31). For neither trainee group did training time decline. Our data contradict the hypothesis that the European Working Time Directive has reduced access to training, or suggest that if it has, other factors (such as improved trainee rostering) have overridden its effect.
Ionizing Radiation Triggers Chromatin-bound kin17 Complex Formation in Human Cells*

The human DNA-binding HSAkin17 protein cross-reacts with antibodies raised against the stress-activated Escherichia coli RecA protein. We show here that HSAkin17 protein is directly associated with chromosomal DNA as judged by cross-linking experiments on living cells. We detected increased amounts of DNA-bound HSAkin17 protein 24 h after γ irradiation, with 2.6-fold moreHSAkin17 molecules after 6 Gy of irradiation (46,000–117,000 molecules). At this time we observed that highly proliferating RKO cells displayed the concentration and co-localization of HSAkin17 and replication protein A in nucleoplasmic foci. Our results suggest that 24 h post-irradiationHSAkin17 protein may localize at the sites of unrepaired DNA damages. RKO clones expressing an HSA KIN17antisense transcript (RASK.5 and RASK.13 cells) revealed that reducedHSAkin17 protein levels are correlated with a decrease in clonogenic cell growth and cell proliferation, as well as an accumulation of cells in early and mid-S phase. Taken together our observations support the idea that HSAkin17 protein is a DNA maintenance protein involved in the cellular response to the presence of DNA damage and suggest that it helps to overcome the perturbation of DNA replication produced by unrepaired lesions.
Living arrangements, changes in living arrangements, and survival among community dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVES This study examines whether living arrangements and changes in living arrangements are associated with survival among older community-dwelling adults, and whether differences in health status account for observed differences in survival. METHODS The sample consisted of 5085 persons aged 70 years or older who had participated in the Longitudinal Study of Aging in 1984 and 1986. Proportional hazards models were used to examine associations of survival time through 1990 with living arrangements in 1984 and with changes in living arrangements from 1984 to 1986. RESULTS Women who lived with someone other than a spouse at baseline or who changed from living with a spouse to living with someone other than a spouse were at greater risk of dying than women in other living arrangements, independent of health status or functioning. Among men, survival time was not generally associated with baseline living arrangements. CONCLUSIONS Older adults who live alone or who change from living with someone to living alone do not have an increased mortality risk. However, living with or changing to living with someone other than a spouse may be associated with increased mortality risk.
Longitudinal relationships between perceived stress, exercise self-regulation and exercise involvement among physically active adolescents

Abstract Stress exposure may undermine exercisers’ capability to self-regulate their exercise behaviour. This longitudinal study examined the interplay between perceived stress, exercise self-regulation (assessment of action and coping planning) and participation in vigorous exercise in vocational students. Moreover, this study examined whether high exercise self-regulation moderates the assumed negative relationship between stress and exercise. A sample of 580 physically active vocational students ( ± s 17.8 ± 1.3 years, 33.8% girls) was assessed. All participants completed two identical validated questionnaires assessing stress, exercise self-regulation and exercise with a span of 10 months in between survey completion periods. The cross-sectional analyses show that high exercise self-regulation attenuated the assumed negative relationship between stress and exercise. In the longitudinal analyses, however, only a non-significant trend was found. Significant longitudinal relationships existed between exercise self-regulation and exercise involvement. Latent difference score models revealed that a drop in the exercise self-regulation was associated with a concurrent decrease in exercise participation. Cross-lagged panel analyses showed that high exercise self-regulation levels positively predicted exercise behaviour, but an inverse relationship was not supported. The findings suggested that higher exercise self-regulation levels were positively associated with future exercise involvement in currently active adolescents. While partial support was found that exercise self-regulation moderated the influence of stress on exercise, the findings demonstrated that higher exercise self-regulation levels had a positive impact on future exercise involvement in already active individuals.
Novel Terahertz Antenna Based on a Silicon Lens Fed by a Leaky Wave Enhanced Waveguide

We introduce a novel antenna concept suitable for future integrated arrays at terahertz frequencies. The antenna consists of an extended hemispherical lens antenna fed by a leaky wave waveguide feed that can be integrated with sensors and detectors such as Schottky diodes. In this antenna architecture, a couple of TE/TM leaky wave modes are excited in a resonant cavity formed by a waveguide opening ground plane and a silicon lens. Due to these modes, the field radiated by the waveguide inside the lens is a very directive pattern that illuminates the upper part of the lens. Having a directive primary field helps to increase the f-number of the lens improving several factors as spill over, off axis distortions and coating layer fabrication. The antenna structure is compatible with modern semiconductor fabrication technology and lends itself nicely for large format imaging arrays. In this contribution, we investigate the important parameters of a single antenna such as reflection coefficient, directivity, Gaussicity, phase center and off-axis displacement tolerances, and we validate our simulations by measuring the far field radiation patterns of a 545 GHz prototype.
Up regulation of the production of tumour necrosis factor α and interferon γ by T cells in ankylosing spondylitis during treatment with etanercept

Background: Treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with the recombinant, soluble tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) receptor molecule etanercept has been shown to be clinically highly effective. The precise mechanism of action, however, is not known. Objective: To assess the change in the cytokine secreting ability of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and macrophages during etanercept treatment. Patients and methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 10 patients with AS treated with 25 mg etanercept and 10 patients with AS treated with placebo were investigated during treatment given twice weekly subcutaneously. Production of cytokines by T cells was investigated after in vitro stimulation by flow cytometry. Results: Twelve weeks of etanercept treatment induced a significant increase in the number of interferon γ (IFNγ) positive (14.2% (9.6–19.5%) before v 24.4% (13.4–36.4%) after) and TNFα positive CD4+ T cells (p=0.008 for both cytokines) and IFNγ positive (37.5% (19.0–45.4%) before v 52.9% (33.2–60.0%) after) and TNFα positive CD8+ T cells (p=0.008 for both cytokines) upon phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin stimulation, but not in the placebo group. Furthermore, etanercept treatment induced a significant increase in the number of IFNγ positive CD8+ T cells (p=0.024 at 12 weeks) and a non-significant increase of TNFα positive CD8+ T cells after in vitro stimulation with the aggrecan derived peptides. Conclusions: Neutralisation of peripheral TNFα does not induce a down regulation of the ability of T cells to produce TNFα but rather an up regulation, possibly due to a counterregulatory mechanism.
Fixing the currency: analysing the implications for property investment performance

This paper analyses the historic effects of exchange rate movements on returns, risk and diversification of office markets within the Euro zone in order to gain insights into the investment consequences of conversion to a fixed rate currency regime. The data used in the study represents annual office rental growth rates for 22 European cities from nine European Union countries between 1985 and 1996. Relative performance is reported in terms of domestic currency and in terms of deutsche marks. The evidence presented suggests that Euro zone property investors in ‘southern’ countries are now protected from short term jump risk associated with flexible peg currency arrangements and medium/long-term currency volatility. Historically exchange rate movements have produced decreases in returns and increases in volatility. For northern ‘bloc’ cities, the effects of fixing the exchange rate are minimal. For these cities, national exchange rate fluctuations against the deutsche mark have been minor and the resultant implications for property risk and return to non-domestic SCA investors have been negligible. Moreover, although previous research would suggest that the effect of currency volatility is to decrease market correlation, this cannot be observed within the Euro zone.
State Ownership and Corporate Performance : A Quantile Analysis on China ’ s Listed Companies

It has been a hot topic to assess the effect of state shareholding on corporate performance in the context of China. The assessments are mainly empirical and the findings are diverse. In this paper we present a formal model to investigate the choices of risk and effort by listed state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The model establishes a behavior-based link between state shareholding positions and corporate performance. It suggests a significantly negative relationship between state shareholding ratio and corporate performance when the perceived level of profitability is high, and an insignificant relationship otherwise. The estimations of conditional quantile regression models based on a panel dataset of China’s listed companies during 1994-2000 confirm the predictions of our theory. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: D82, G32, G34, P31. Corresponding Author: Prof. Laixiang Sun, Department of Financial and Management Studies, SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG, UK. Tel. +44-20-78984821, Fax. +44-20-76377075, Email: Laixiang.Sun@soas.ac. uk . State Ownership and Corporate Performance: A Quantile Analysis on China’s Listed Companies SOAS, University of London 2
Nephrographic effect in renal angiography; an experimental study in dogs.

The nephrographic effect in urography and in renal angiography is in both instances caused by an accumulation of the contrast medium within the renal tissues. The ~nechanism of this phenomenon occurring during urography has been studied by EDLINC ct coll. (I H54. 1H57) who found it to depend upon the reduction of the glomerular filtration pressure. and stasis within the tubules, due either to a fall in blood pressure caused by shock or to back pressure within the renal pelvis resulting from ureteral stasis. The plasma concentration of the contrast medium within the renal vessels is low and plays no significant part in the increased density of the organ; the glomerular filtration has more or less ceased and the tubular function alone plays the main role in the nephrographic effect in urography. At renal angiography EDSi\IAN (1957) attributes an equal role in the nephrographic effect to the contrast medium which fills the vessels and also accumulates in the excretory system; in the beginning, the accumulation of the contrast medium is mostly confined to the capillaries of the cortex. later moving to the nephrons and adjacent cells. VOCLER & HERBST (1958) describe the nephrographic effect in angiography as merely the summation of the contrast-filling in the capillaries.
Strategies for Hepatic Gene Correction

Gene augmentation has been the paradigm in the majority of gene therapy protocols but in recent years the potential of repairing the mutated gene in situ by targeted gene correction has become a reality. In fact, targeted gene repair has many advantages over conventional replacement strategies, notably the possibility to treat dominant as well as recessive disorders, and the small molecular size of the pharmacologically active agent. Chimeric RNA/DNA oligonucleotides, small fragment homologous replacement, as well as triplex-forming and single-stranded oligonucleotides are all examples of the growing armamentarium for gene repair, and are the subject of this review. In addition, we have also included a discussion of the reawakened Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon system as a novel non-viral gene replacement strategy.
Case Report: Intra-articular calcaneal fracture reduced with minimal open reduction, external fixation with the use of balloon kyphoplasty technique.

Calcaneal fractures may be difficult to reduce and there are many possible complications of the standard open reduction and internal fixation. This case study illustrates use of the Ilizarov method combined with a balloon kyphoplasty technique as an additional approach to reduce these complex fractures with a minimal incision. This innovative technique not only minimize risk of infection, but also offers an alternative approach to patients who would otherwise be poor candidates for the standard calcaneal fracture requiring an open reduction internal fixation.
Discovery of new anti-inflammatory drugs from plant origin

SUMMARY From traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbs with (assumed) antiinflammatory properties are taken into study in order to isolate the active principles. The isolation is guided by biological activity in relevant bioassays. Here the background of several bioassays is discussed and some examples are presented, with special attention to apocynin, a lead compound intensively studied by our research group as well as in close co-operation with several other institutes.
Molecular basis for estrogen receptor alpha deficiency in BRCA1-linked breast cancer.

BACKGROUND BRCA1-mutant breast tumors are typically estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) negative, whereas most sporadic tumors express wild-type BRCA1 and are ER alpha positive. We examined a possible mechanism for the observed ER alpha-negative phenotype of BRCA1-mutant tumors. METHODS We used a breast cancer disease-specific microarray to identify transcripts that were differentially expressed between paraffin-embedded samples of 17 BRCA1-mutant and 14 sporadic breast tumors. We measured the mRNA levels of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) (the gene encoding ER alpha), which was differentially expressed in the tumor samples, by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Regulation of ESR1 mRNA and ER alpha protein expression was assessed in human breast cancer HCC1937 cells that were stably reconstituted with wild-type BRCA1 expression construct and in human breast cancer T47D and MCF-7 cells transiently transfected with BRCA1-specific short-interfering RNA (siRNA). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to determine if BRCA1 binds the ESR1 promoter and to identify other interacting proteins. Sensitivity to the antiestrogen drug fulvestrant was examined in T47D and MCF-7 cells transfected with BRCA1-specific siRNA. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Mean ESR1 gene expression was 5.4-fold lower in BRCA1-mutant tumors than in sporadic tumors (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6-fold to 40.1-fold, P = .0019). The transcription factor Oct-1 recruited BRCA1 to the ESR1 promoter, and both BRCA1 and Oct-1 were required for ER alpha expression. BRCA1-depleted breast cancer cells expressing exogenous ER alpha were more sensitive to fulvestrant than BRCA1-depleted cells transfected with empty vector (T47D cells, the mean concentration of fulvestrant that inhibited the growth of 40% of the cells [IC40] for empty vector versus ER alpha: >10(-5) versus 8.0 x 10(-9) M [95% CI = 3.1 x 10(-10) to 3.2 x 10(-6) M]; MCF-7 cells, mean IC40 for empty vector versus ER alpha: >10(-5) versus 4.9 x 10(-8) M [95% CI = 2.0 x 10(-9) to 3.9 x 10(-6) M]). CONCLUSIONS BRCA1 alters the response of breast cancer cells to antiestrogen therapy by directly modulating ER alpha expression.
Turbulence and drag in a high Reynolds number tidal passage targetted for in-stream tidal power

Results are presented from an investigation of turbulence and bottom drag carried out in Grand Passage, lower Bay of Fundy. Flow measurements were made using a broadband 600 kHz acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) sampling at nearly 2 Hz, and two single-point sensors: an acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) sampling at 1 Hz, and a time-of-flight velocity sensor (MAVS) sampling at 12 Hz. All instruments were bottommounted. The maximum depth-averaged tidal current speed was 1.6 m/s. The local bathymetry was characterized by 20 m mean water depth and ca. 0.5 m high, 8 m wavelength dunes. The ADCP was deployed to one side of the dune field; the singlepoint sensor platform was within the dune field. Due to high water clarity, the ADV correlations at moderate to high flow speeds were very low, precluding estimation of turbulence quantities. In contrast, the time-of-flight velocity data are noise free - the measurement does not require the presence of sound scatterers - and the spectra exhibit a well-defined inertial subrange. Turbulent Reynolds stress estimates from the time-offlight sensor data yield friction velocities (u*) and bottom drag coefficients (Cd) comparable to those determined from the ADCP profiles via the law-of-the-wall. The ratio of RMS vertical velocity variance to friction velocity in the time-of-flight data is close to 1.2, consistent with results obtained within the constant stress layer in the atmospheric boundary layer and in rough boundary laboratory experiments. Turbulence quantities are estimated from the (de-noised) ADCP velocity spectra via the variance method, modified here for application to a sloping seabed by taking advantage of the orientation relative to the local isobaths of the orthogonal acoustic beam pair planes. Noise levels were determined from the spectra ensemble-averaged in equal mean flow speed intervals, and are very close to the manufacturer's quoted value. When the constant stress layer was sufficiently thick - i.e. during ebb tide - the RMS turbulence intensities in the lower ADCP range bins are entirely consistent with the anisotropic relationships between Cartesian RMS turbulent velocity components and u* obtained in rough boundary wind tunnel experiments [1]; the ADCP Reynolds stresses agree with the Law-of-the-Wall shear stress estimates; and vertical profiles of Reynolds stress are very different from the linear decrease with height expected for (lower Reynolds number) straight and narrow open channel flows. During flood tide, the boundary layer was much thinner, and the lowermost ADCP bin - at 2.1 m height - was outside the constant stress layer. The pronounced asymmetries between flood and ebb (i.e. in boundary layer thickness, turbulence intensity, and (Cd) are attributed to differences in upstream bathymetry. Index Terms-turbulence, bottom stress, tidal power, broadband acoustic Doppler profiler, acoustic time-of-flight sensor.
Positive and negative qualities of South African adolescents' parent and peer relationships

Parent and peer relationships are important social resources for adolescents. South African research on adolescents' relationships, however, underemphasises these relationships as potential positive resources. Studies also tend to use samples from urban populations, while rural and semi-rural adolescent populations are neglected. This study focused on White and Coloured adolescents living in one South African semi-rural community and their ratings of positive and negative relationship qualities in relationships with parents and peers. Using the Network of Relationships Inventory (NRI), we found that mothers, best friends and romantic partners were relatively equal sources of social support. Mothers' high ratings for support, conflict and punishment may point to mothers bearing the primary responsibility for child care. Fathers' low support ratings raise concern as father involvement is important for adolescents' well-being. White participants overall rated their relationship higher for support and lower for negative qualities than the Coloured participants.
Cytoalbuminologic dissociation in Asian patients with Guillain‐Barré and Miller Fisher syndromes

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein level, cell count, and its relationship to the timing of lumbar puncture were collected from patients with Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) and Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) from various Asian centers. A total of 507 patients with GBS were studied. Overall, 56% had elevated CSF protein level. This was significantly lower than that reported in a recent Dutch study (56% vs 64%). Cytoalbuminologic dissociation was also lower in the Asian cohort (55% vs 64%), with a significantly higher proportion of patients with mild pleocytosis (26% vs 15%). A lower proportion of the 164 patients with MFS had elevated CSF protein level (38% vs 56%), mild pleocytosis (11% vs 26%), and cytoalbuminologic dissociation (41% vs 55%) compared to patients with GBS. In both conditions, cytoalbuminologic dissociation was linked to the timing of lumbar puncture. Cytoalbuminologic dissociation was only observed in half of the Asian patients with GBS and MFS, and it is strongly dependent on the timing of the lumbar puncture.
Sustainability of fiscal policy: the case of Albania

This discussion material focuses on evaluating the long-run meanreverting properties of debt to GDP ratio by unit root approach. Findings demonstrate that the debt to GDP is mean-reverting over time, while there seems to be no evidence when this indicator is measured in real terms. Further, the material considers a fiscal policy reaction function to understand whether government pursued appropriate policies to avoid excessive debt accumulation. Results presume that fiscal authorities react systematically to raising debt ratio, by generating future surpluses, but not enough to avoid excessive debt accumulation. Comparing simultaneously results from both approaches implies that Albanian fiscal policy is sustainable. But, the profligacy of fiscal authorities put it at risk, considering that the pursued fiscal policies do not avoid excessive debt accumulation. Error term analysis reveals that fiscal policy has been stable across time, even though evidence seems to illustrate that global financial and economic crisis had a negative impact. However, evidence seems to suggest that fiscal policy is relatively volatile when public debt is close to or above the 60 per cent of GDP ratio.