Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
12-Month Follow-Up Study of Drug Treatment in Pathological Gamblers: A Primary Outcome Study

Background: Pathological gambling (PG) is a relatively common and highly disabling impulse control disorder. A range of psychotherapeutic agents including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antiepileptic drugs, and opioid antagonists are shown to be effective in the short-term treatment of PG. The use of a wide range of pharmacological treatments for PG is consistent with the observation that PG shares features of obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders, impulse control disorders, and addictive disorders. The aim of the study is to assess the rate of relapse in treatment-responder pathological gamblers after discontinuation of the active treatment. Methods: Our study sample was composed of 43 male pathological gamblers who had been full responders to 1 of 4 drug treatment regimens (fluvoxamine, topiramate, bupropion SR, or naltrexone) from several previous acute open-label (12-week) comparison studies. Full response was defined as the absence of gambling for a 1-month duration together with improvement on the Clinical Global Improvement scale. The 43 full responders were then followed prospectively for an additional 9 months, which included a 3-month open-label continuation phase and a 6-month medication-free follow-up phase. Follow-up visits were performed on a monthly basis throughout the duration of study. At every follow-up visit, a comprehensive psychiatric diagnostic evaluation was performed on all patients, and patients were assessed for symptoms of gambling using a self-report instrument and collateral family reports. The Clinical Global Impression Improvement scale was also administered at every follow-up visit. Raters were blind to the previous drug treatment. Results: Most patients did not relapse during the 6-month medication-free follow-up phase. Three of 6 patients with fluvoxamine, 3 of 9 with topiramate, 7 of 18 with bupropion SR, and 4 of 10 with naltrexone relapsed. Relapse was strictly defined as gambling behavior at any time during the 6-month medication-free follow-up period. Most of the patients did not gamble during the follow-up period, and the patients that did gamble reported a decrease in gambling losses. Conclusions: This naturalistic long-term follow-up outcome study demonstrates that among pathological gamblers who respond to a 6-month trial of medication, most patients seem to maintain full-response during a 6-month medication-free follow-up phase. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Prospective, Comparative Evaluation of Three Laser Systems Used Individually and in Combination for Axillary Hair Removal

Background Using the concept of selective photothermolysis, a variety of laser systems have been developed to remove unwanted hair. Objective To evaluate the relative efficacy, tolerability, and subject satisfaction of three different laser systems used individually and in rotation for axillary hair removal. Methods Twenty female patients (17 with dark-colored hair, 3 with red or light-colored hair) with Fitzpatrick phototype II skin received three treatments performed at 6- to 8-week intervals. Each axilla was divided in half to yield four distinct areas that were treated by the following lasers: (1) three sessions with a long-pulse 755 nm alexandrite laser, (2) three sessions with a long-pulse 810 nm diode laser, (3) three sessions with a long-pulse 1,064 nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, and (4) rotational treatment consisting of a single session by each of the three laser systems. Percent hair reduction and acute and long-term side effects were evaluated after treatment. Subjects completed questionnaires assessing tolerability and satisfaction. Results All subjects tolerated the treatments well, with only local, transient side effects seen. At the 3-month follow-up, the greatest average hair reduction was comparably similarly seen after the alexandrite laser at 59.3 ± 9.7% and the 810 nm diode laser at 58.7 ± 7.7%. The Nd:YAG laser and rotational regimens were less efficacious, with 31.9 ± 11.1% and 39.8 ± 10.1% hair reduction, respectively. Subjects with red or light-colored hair experienced 5 to 15% reduced efficacy with any laser system used. Subjects found the alexandrite and diode lasers to be equally tolerable, with only slight discomfort, and the Nd:YAG laser to be the least comfortable of the three systems. Overall, subject satisfaction of each treated site, in decreasing order, was (1) the 810 nm diode laser, (2) the alexandrite laser, (3) rotational therapy, and (4) the Nd:YAG laser. Conclusion At the 3-month follow-up, the long-pulse alexandrite and 810 nm diode lasers demonstrated no statistically significant differences in efficacy, comparable efficacy and tolerability, and highest subject satisfaction. Rotational therapy with the three laser systems is not as effective as treatment with the alexandrite laser or diode laser alone but is statistically more effective than use of the long-pulse Nd:YAG system alone. Individuals with red or light-colored hair and Fitzpatrick phototype II skin have decreased efficacy of laser treatment than those with dark-colored hair and the same phototype.
Lipids Regulate Lck Protein Activity through Their Interactions with the Lck Src Homology 2 Domain*

Lymphocyte-specific protein-tyrosine kinase (Lck) plays an essential role in T cell receptor (TCR) signaling and T cell development, but its activation mechanism is not fully understood. To explore the possibility that plasma membrane (PM) lipids control TCR signaling activities of Lck, we measured the membrane binding properties of its regulatory Src homology 2 (SH2) and Src homology 3 domains. The Lck SH2 domain binds anionic PM lipids with high affinity but with low specificity. Electrostatic potential calculation, NMR analysis, and mutational studies identified the lipid-binding site of the Lck SH2 domain that includes surface-exposed basic, aromatic, and hydrophobic residues but not the phospho-Tyr binding pocket. Mutation of lipid binding residues greatly reduced the interaction of Lck with the ζ chain in the activated TCR signaling complex and its overall TCR signaling activities. These results suggest that PM lipids, including phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, modulate interaction of Lck with its binding partners in the TCR signaling complex and its TCR signaling activities in a spatiotemporally specific manner via its SH2 domain.
Gastrin and gastric enterochromaffin-like cell carcinoids in the rat.

Life-long administration (greater than or equal to 2 years) of a number of long-acting gastric acid inhibitors (including H2-receptor antagonists, omeprazole and ciprofibrate) has been associated with the development of gastric enterochromaffin-like cell (ECL cell) carcinoids in rats. It has been postulated that they are a consequence of some unique property of the longer-acting acid inhibitors. There is, however, a great deal of evidence to support the hypothesis that these gastric ECL cell carcinoids develop as a result of life-long hypergastrinaemia in rats. Several lines of investigation reported here show that gastric ECL cell hyperplasia occurs when gastrin levels are increased without the use of acid-inhibiting drugs. In rats, hypergastrinaemia developed after 4 weeks' administration of exogenous gastrin (4 micrograms/kg/h). The number of gastric ECL cells per visual field had increased to 250 compared with 180 in the controls. Long-term hypergastrinaemia, induced by partial gastric corpectomy, increased plasma gastrin levels from 200 to 800 pg/ml and the density of gastric ECL cells increased from 190 to 310 cells/visual field 10 weeks after the operation. Importantly, gastric ECL cell hyperplasia, which was produced in rats by administration of omeprazole, 14 mg/kg/day for 1 year, was fully reversible following normalization of gastrin levels. Until now, gastric ECL cell carcinoids have not been reported in studies of shorter-acting, reversible H2-receptor antagonists such as ranitidine, perhaps because the correct staining techniques (i.e. Grimelius and Sevier-Munger silver stains) have not been used. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Themes and Topics in Parliamentary Oversight Hearings: A New Direction in Textual Data Analysis

Abstract This paper contributes to the growing empirical work on deliberation in legislatures by proposing a novel approach to analysing parliamentary hearings using both thematic and topic modelling textual analysis software. We explore variations in deliberative quality across economic policy type (fiscal policy, monetary policy and financial stability) and across parliamentary chambers (Commons and Lords) in UK select committee oversight hearings during the 2010–2015 Parliament. Our overall focus is not only to suggest a multi-method approach to the textual analysis of parliamentary data, but also to explore more substantive aspects of parliamentary oversight, such as: (1) the extent to which oversight varies between unelected and elected policy makers; and (2) whether parliamentarians conduct oversight more forcefully or more along partisan lines when they are challenging fellow politicians as opposed to central bank officials. Our findings suggest consistent differences in deliberative styles between types of hearings (fiscal, monetary, financial stability) and between chambers (Commons, Lords).
Blood pressure variability and arterial elasticity in hyperlipidaemic subjects.

INTRODUCTION It is debatable whether the assessment of low density lipoprotein or total cholesterol (TC) alone is sufficient to identify an individual's risk of having myocardial infarction. In the Framingham study, the risk of coronary artery disease was better indicated by an increase in the TC to high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC: HDL) ratio. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and arterial compliances in hyperlipidaemics, which was defined as TC:HDL of more than 5.0 as compared to normolipidaemics. METHODS 22 subjects with hyperlipidaemia were age-, gender- and weight-matched with normolipidaemic controls. 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was recorded and arterial compliances were measured. RESULTS There were significantly higher 24-hour systolic (SBP) (19.9 +/- 6.1 mmHg vs. 16.1 +/- 4.4 mmHg, p-value is less than 0.01), diastolic (16.6 +/- 4.7 mmHg vs. 13.9 +/- 4.8 mmHg, p-value is less than 0.05) and mean arterial (16.3 +/- 4.9 mmHg vs. 13.3 +/- 4.7 mmHg, p-value is less than 0.05) BPVs in the hyperlipidaemic group as compared to the normolipidaemic group. There were no significant differences in large and small arterial compliances between groups. There was a significant inverse relationship between SBP and large arterial compliance (r-value equals to -0.46, p-value is less than 0.05). There was no correlation between BPV and arterial compliances. CONCLUSION The BPV was higher in hyperlipidaemic subjects as compared to normolipidaemic subjects. Large arterial compliance was negatively correlated with SBP in hyperlipidaemic subjects.
Research on diagnosis of abnormal causes in quality of weld based on the Bayesian net model

In the process of major equipment manufacturing, the quality of weld is an important influencing factor of the product. The diagnosis of abnormal causes in the quality of weld is the premise and important procedure in the quality management. In this paper, a new diagnosis method of abnormal causes for the weld quality based on Bayesian net model is proposed. Firstly, the quality characters and abnormal influencing factors are defined by analyzing the measuring data of weld. Meanwhile, to build the Bayesian net model, the quality characters and abnormal influencing factors is used as the symptom node and the abnormal cause node respectively. Then the priori probability of Bayesian net model can be obtained from the historical fault cases and expert knowledge. In the end, the diagnosis of abnormal causes is realized by the priori probability reasoning. A case study is provided to illustrate the validity of the proposed method.
QoE-driven video enhancements in wireless networks through predictive packet drops

In recent years, video streaming traffic has increased exponentially over the Internet. This can be observed through the emergence of various video on demand sites such as Netflix, Amazon movies and others. In parallel, IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) technology has been deployed extensively from home to public areas. Although significant research has been done to address issues on video streaming through WiFi networks, it remains a challenging area. There are still interesting areas to be addressed especially to enhance user satisfaction in terms of Quality of Experience (QoE). After reviewing the existing research in improving video QoE through queuing in wireless environments, this paper propose a predictive packet drop technique to maintain a certain level of QoE based on predictive PSNR value without users' feedback. The proposed mechanism identifies packets as part of video frames and predicts the impact of their delay and loss on the resulting video performance. This reduces the need for client feedback and optimizes the resulting QoE of the delivered video. Therefore based on this information, the proposed algorithm can prioritize the video frames (I-, P- or B-Frames) whether to queue or drop in scenarios where bandwidth and limited. This method is evaluated using NS-3 simulator with Evalvid module.
Local Vasodilator Response to Mobile Phones

Objectives The use of mobile phones with the resulting generation of potentially harmful electromagnetic fields (EMF) is the focus of public interest. Heat generation and the activation of the inducible form of nitric oxide (NO) synthase may be possible causes of the biological effects of EMF exposure. We investigated if a mobile telephone conversation can modify skin temperature, NO, and nasal resistance.
Comment on ‘Shear wave profiles from surface wave inversion: the impact of uncertainty on seismic site response analysis’

We discuss a study on the effect of surface wave solution non-uniqueness on seismic site response. The inversion approach used in the considered paper may lead to a significant overestimation of the uncertainties due to solution non-uniqueness. We also address the numerical simulation of seismic site response. We apply a consistent framework to a synthetic dataset to show that, contrary to what is claimed in the considered study, the solution non-uniqueness has negligible effect in this specific case.
Antithetical NFATc1–Sox2 and p53–miR200 signaling networks govern pancreatic cancer cell plasticity

In adaptation to oncogenic signals, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells undergo epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process combining tumor cell dedifferentiation with acquisition of stemness features. However, the mechanisms linking oncogene‐induced signaling pathways with EMT and stemness remain largely elusive. Here, we uncover the inflammation‐induced transcription factor NFATc1 as a central regulator of pancreatic cancer cell plasticity. In particular, we show that NFATc1 drives EMT reprogramming and maintains pancreatic cancer cells in a stem cell‐like state through Sox2‐dependent transcription of EMT and stemness factors. Intriguingly, NFATc1–Sox2 complex‐mediated PDAC dedifferentiation and progression is opposed by antithetical p53‐miR200c signaling, and inactivation of the tumor suppressor pathway is essential for tumor dedifferentiation and dissemination both in genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) and human PDAC. Based on these findings, we propose the existence of a hierarchical signaling network regulating PDAC cell plasticity and suggest that the molecular decision between epithelial cell preservation and conversion into a dedifferentiated cancer stem cell‐like phenotype depends on opposing levels of p53 and NFATc1 signaling activities.
Evidence of suboptimal management of cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and symptomatic atherosclerosis

Background: Given that most deaths among patients with diabetes mellitus are due to cardiovascular disease, we sought to determine the extent to which medications proven to reduce cardiovascular mortality are prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes who have symptomatic atherosclerosis (i.e., coronary artery disease [CAD], cerebrovascular disease [CBVD] or peripheral arterial disease [PAD]). Methods: Administrative records from Saskatchewan Health were used to evaluate the use of antiplatelet agents, statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors by people with treated type 2 diabetes with and without symptomatic atherosclerosis. CAD and CBVD were defined by International Classification of Diseases (ninth revision) codes, and PAD was defined on the basis of pentoxifylline use or lower limb amputation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compare medication use in patients with and without PAD, with adjustments for differences in age, sex and comorbidity. Results: In this cohort of 12 106 patients with type 2 diabetes (mean age 64 years, 55% male, mean follow-up 5 years), fewer than 25% received an antiplatelet agent or statin, and fewer than 50% received an ACE inhibitor. Although patients with CAD were more likely to receive antiplatelet agents, statins or ACE inhibitors than people without CAD (p < 0.001 for all), the overall use of these medications was suboptimal (37%, 29% and 60% respectively among patients with symptomatic CAD). Similar patterns of practice were found for patients with symptomatic CBVD and PAD. All 3 proven efficacious therapies were prescribed for only 11% of patients with CAD, 22% with CBVD and 12% with PAD. Patients with PAD who had undergone lower limb amputation were no more likely to subsequently receive antiplatelet agents or statins than those without an amputation. Interpretation: Diabetic patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease are undertreated with medications known to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, perhaps because of a “glucocentric” view of diabetes. Programs to improve the quality of cardiovascular risk reduction in these high-risk patients are needed.
The Zinc Finger Transcription Factor Gli2 Mediates Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 Expression in Osteoblasts in Response to Hedgehog Signaling

ABSTRACT Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) plays a critical role in osteoblast function. In Drosophila, Cubitus interruptus (Ci), which mediates hedgehog signaling, regulates gene expression of dpp, the ortholog of mammalian BMP-2. Null mutation of the transcription factor Gli2, a mammalian homolog of Ci, results in severe skeletal abnormalities in mice. We hypothesize that Gli2 regulates BMP-2 gene transcription and thus osteoblast differentiation. In the present study, we show that overexpression of Gli2 enhances BMP-2 promoter activity and mRNA expression in osteoblast precursor cells. In contrast, knocking down Gli2 expression by Gli2 small interfering RNA or genetic ablation of the Gli2 gene results in significant inhibition of BMP-2 gene expression in osteoblasts. Promoter analyses, including chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, provided direct evidence that Gli2 physically interacts with the BMP-2 promoter. Functional studies showed that Gli2 is required for osteoblast maturation in a BMP-2-dependent manner. Finally, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) stimulates BMP-2 promoter activity and osteoblast differentiation, and the effects of Shh are mediated by Gli2. Taken together, these results indicate that Gli2 mediates hedgehog signaling in osteoblasts and is a powerful activator of BMP-2 gene expression, which is required in turn for normal osteoblast differentiation.
The Use of Panel Models in Assessments of Climate Impacts on Agriculture

Assessments of climate change impacts on agriculture are increasingly relying on panel models to examine the relationship between agricultural outcomes and weather fluctuations. This article reviews the strengths and weaknesses of such models. We argue that panel models are ideal for assessing climate impacts on agriculture because they use group fixed effects to absorb all time-invariant variation and thus rely on weather deviations from the mean that are random and exogenous. Using this random and exogenous source of variation is crucial to identifying a causal relationship between agricultural outcomes and weather. In addition, the large number of observations offered by a panel data set allows the identification of a nonlinear response function, which is an important step in modeling the effects of climate change, as the response can be highly nonlinear. Despite these strengths of panel models, they may still suffer from omitted variable biases of time-varying variables, such as pollution shocks, which are correlated with the weather shocks. Moreover, because group fixed effects absorb a lot of the signal in the weather variables, the signal:noise ratio might decrease. Thus researchers should be careful when constructing the weather variables in order to avoid having noise in the data that causes downward biases in the coefficients.
Distribution System State Estimation Using an Artificial Neural Network Approach for Pseudo Measurement Modeling

This paper presents an alternative approach to pseudo measurement modeling in the context of distribution system state estimation (DSSE). In the proposed approach, pseudo measurements are generated from a few real measurements using artificial neural networks (ANNs) in conjunction with typical load profiles. The error associated with the generated pseudo measurements is made suitable for use in the weighted least squares (WLS) state estimation by decomposition into several components through the Gaussian mixture model (GMM). The effect of ANN-based pseudo measurement modeling on the quality of state estimation is demonstrated on a 95-bus section of the U.K. generic distribution system (UKGDS) model.
Between a rock and a hard place : the monetary policy dilemma in Latin America and the Caribbean

After a growth slowdown that lasted six years the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region is finally expected to resume positive growth in 2017, with market analysts forecasting real GDP growth of 1.2 percent for 2017 and 2.3 percent for 2018. In general, external factors that are typically important drivers of growth for the region (such as commodities prices and growth in China for SA) and growth in the U.S. for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (MCC) are expected to remain roughly stable, or even show slight improvements. On the other hand, the gradual increase in world interest rates, led by rises in the Federal Funds Rate and the slow unwinding of the large increase in the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet since the Global Financial Crisis may eventually negatively affect global liquidity. Indeed, as emphasized in Chapter 1 of the report, a major macroeconomic worry in the region comes from the weak fiscal situation in most countries, particularly in SA. In this context, Chapter 2 – the core of this report – analyzes in detail how monetary policy has been conducted in the region and what may be its potential to support growth, without risking some hard-won gains in the battle against inflation. Specifically, the chapter is built around a critical monetary policy dilemma faced by many countries in the region.