Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nursing Home Choice, Family Bargaining and Optimal Policy in a Hotelling Economy

The family plays a central role in decisions relative to the provision of long term care (LTC). We develop a model of family bargaining to study the impact of the distribution of bargaining power within the family on the choices of nursing homes, and on the location and prices chosen by nursing homes in a Hotelling economy. We show that, if the dependent parent only cares about the distance, whereas his child cares also about the price, the mark up rate of nursing homes is increasing in the bargaining power of the dependent parent. We contrast the laissez-faire with the social optimum, and we show how the social optimum can be decentralized in a first-best setting and in a second-best setting (i.e. when the government cannot force location). Finally, we explore the robustness of our results to considering families with more than one child, and to introducing a wealth accumulation motive within a dynamic OLG model, which allows us to study the joint dynamics of wealth and nursing home prices. We show that a higher capital stock raises the price of nursing homes through higher mark up rates.
Inhibitor of Nrf2 (INrf2 or Keap1) Protein Degrades Bcl-xL via Phosphoglycerate Mutase 5 and Controls Cellular Apoptosis*

INrf2 (Keap1) is an adaptor protein that facilitates INrf2-Cul3-Rbx1-mediated ubiquitination/degradation of Nrf2, a master regulator of cytoprotective gene expression. Here, we present evidence that members of the phosphoglycerate mutase family 5 (PGAM5) proteins are involved in the INrf2-mediated ubiquitination/degradation of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-xL. Mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that INrf2, through its DGR domain, interacts with PGAM5, which in turn interacts with anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL protein. INrf2-Cul3-Rbx1 complex facilitates ubiquitination and degradation of both PGAM5 and Bcl-xL. Overexpression of PGAM5 protein increased INrf2-mediated degradation of Bcl-xL, whereas knocking down PGAM5 by siRNA decreased INrf2 degradation of Bcl-xL, resulting in increased stability of Bcl-xL. Mutation of PGMA5-E79A/S80A abolished INrf2/PGAM5/Bcl-xL interaction. Therefore, PGAM5 protein acts as a bridge between INrf2 and Bcl-xL interaction. Further studies showed that overexpression of INrf2 enhanced degradation of PGAM5-Bcl-xL complex, led to etoposide-mediated accumulation of Bax, increased release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, activated caspase-3/7, and enhanced DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. In addition, antioxidant (tert-butylhydroquinone) treatment destabilized the Nrf2-INrf2-PGAM5-Bcl-xL complex, which resulted in release of Nrf2 in cytosol and mitochondria, release of Bcl-xL in mitochondria, increase in Bcl-xL heterodimerization with Bax in mitochondria, and reduced cellular apoptosis. These data provide the first evidence that INrf2 controls Bcl-xL via PGAM5 and controls cellular apoptosis.
A Note on Tests of Significance and Wage Discrimination

An approach to the empirical validation of wage discrimination (whether it be between the sexes or the races) which has become increasingly popular among researchers is the "decomposition approach" (see, e.g., Blinder [2], Flanagan [6], Malkiel and Malkiel [8], Oaxaca [10], M. M. Smith [12], and S. Smith [13]). Simply put, this technique allows the gross [mean] wage differential to be separated into that portion arising from differences in the [mean] value of productive characteristics and the remaining portion which may be attributable to discrimination1 (and which is often referred to as the discrimination coefficient). In those studies where the latter portion or discrimination coeffi cient is estimated via the decomposition approach, the only test of significance currently available in volves testing for the overall structural difference in the two estimated wage regressions which are called for by this technique (see below). 2 While such a test is no doubt useful in indicating whether or not the two groups under study are paid accord ing to the same pay structure, it does not explicitly answer a crucial question? namely, whether that portion of the differential attributed to discrimina tion is statistically significant (and at what level) or not. In order to ascertain this information, a more appropriate test statistic which is consonant with the decomposition approach and operationally ap pealing is necessary. The purpose, therefore, of this brief note is to aid researchers by suggesting such a test statistic and underscore the care which should be taken in the reporting and interpretation of the resulting discrimination coefficients. Section II presents a brief description of the de
Antidiabetic effects of 11β‐HSD1 inhibition in a mouse model of combined diabetes, dyslipidaemia and atherosclerosis

Aim: 11 β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β‐HSD1) is considered to contribute to the aetiology of the metabolic syndrome, and specific inhibitors have begun to emerge as treatments for insulin resistance and other facets of the syndrome, including atherosclerosis. Given the role of glucocorticoids and 11β‐HSD1 in the anti‐inflammatory response and the involvement of inflammation in the development of atherosclerosis, 11β‐HSD1 inhibition may exacerbate atherosclerosis. Our aim was to investigate in vivo the effects of a specific 11β‐HSD1 inhibitor (2922) on atherosclerosis while assessing glucose homeostasis.
Delay Analysis of Broadcast Routing in Packet-Switching Networks

Broadcast addressing is the capability to send a packet from a source node to all other nodes in the network. Store-and-forward, packet-switching networks are not inherently designed to carry broadcast packets, and broadcasting has to be implemented by some sort of routing algorithm. In this paper, the source based forwarding algorithm is considered. With this algorithm, a spanning tree is defined for each node, and broadcast packets are sent along the branches of these trees. Approximation methods are presented to obtain a lower bound and estimates of the mean broadcast time. The accuracy of these methods is evaluated by comparison with simulation.
Improving Governance and Wellbeing in Fragile States: Three Essays

This dissertation looks at how governance and citizen wellbeing can be improved in fragile states. The first chapter examines, through a field experiment, how measuring and providing citizens information on government veterinarian performance in rural Punjab, Pakistan can improve subsequent service delivery. The second chapter examines how personality traits of three levels of government health workers predict status quo performance, response to an e monitoring policy reform, and response to actionable information on subordinate performance. The third chapter examines how technological change during the Green Revolution influenced the decision of Pakistani leaders to govern large parts of the country at all.
$I_{\rm c}$ Measurements on ${\rm Nb}_{3}{\rm Sn}$ Strands Extracted From ITER CICC Prototypes

The unexpectedly low critical current performance of some ITER prototype cable-in-conduit conductors (CICC) measured in the SULTAN test facility during the last two years led to the question whether it arises from a transverse strain in the strands caused by the transverse Lorentz force or from a damage of filaments in the strands. Since the former process is in principle a reversible effect while the latter is not, measurements of the critical current of ~8 cm long strand sections extracted systematically from prototype samples were performed to see if and by how much the critical current dropped relative to the one of the witness sample. Strand witness samples had been mounted on ITER reference barrels, heat treated together with the conductor samples for the SULTAN tests and their Ic measured. Although the short sample lengths caused experimental difficulties and the number of measured strands permitted only a limited statistical analysis, the general trend of the conductor performance in SULTAN samples-high and stable (i.e. without cyclic load degradation) Tcs or not-is reflected in the Ic measurements on extracted strands.
Structure function evaluation of stacked dies

In this paper simulation experiments demonstrate, that the structure function evaluation of the thermal transient testing is capable to locate die attach failure(s) of stacked die packages. The strength and the location of the die attach failure may be determined with the methodology of a fast thermal transient measurement and the subsequent computer evaluation. The special advantage of the methodology is that normally it does not require any additional circuit elements on any of the dies of the stacked die structure. The paper demonstrates the feasibility of the method both for stacked die structures of the same die size, and for pyramidal stacked die packages.
Evidence that dysregulated DNA mismatch repair characterizes human nonmelanoma skin cancer

Background In addition to an established role in the repair of postreplicative DNA errors, DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins also contribute to cellular responses to exogenous DNA damage. Previously, we have shown that Msh2‐null mice display increased sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) B‐induced tumorigenesis, but squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) generated are microsatellite stable, suggesting a role for MMR other than postreplicative repair in UV‐induced cutaneous tumour formation.
The Transition of China to Sustainable Growth – Implications for the Global Economy and the Euro Area

China’s rise has been the economic success story of the past four decades but economic growth has been slowing and domestic imbalances have widened. This paper analyses the recent evolution of China’s imbalances, the risks they pose to the economic outlook and the potential impact of a transition to sustainable growth in China on the global and euro area economies. The paper documents China’s heavy reliance on investment and credit as drivers of growth, which has created vulnerabilities in a number of sectors and has been accompanied by increased complexity and leverage in the financial system. China retains some buffers, including policy space, to cushion against adverse shocks for the time being, but additional structural reforms would facilitate a shift of China’s economy onto a sustainable and strong growth trajectory in the medium term. China’s size, trade openness, dominant position as consumer of commodities and growing financial integration mean that its transition to sustainable growth is crucial for the global economic outlook. Simulation analysis using global macro models suggests that the spillovers to the euro area would be limited in the case of a modest slowdown in China’s GDP growth, but significant in the case of a sharp downturn. Sensitivity analysis underscores that the spillovers are dependent on the strengths of the various transmission channels, as well as the policy reaction by central banks and governments. JEL Classification: E21, E22, E27, F10, F47, O11, O53
Interleukin-2 treatment of tumor patients can expand regulatory T cells

Augmented numbers of regulatory T cells contribute to the overall immunosuppression in tumor patients. Interleukin-2 has been widely used in the clinics in anticancer therapy, yet evidence has accumulated that the major drawback, limiting clinical efficacy, is the expansion of regulatory T cells, which aggravates immunosuppression.
Dose Response for Amphetamine‐Induced Changes in Dopamine Levels in Push‐Pull Perfusates of Rat Striatum

Abstract: Levels of dopamine were determined in push‐pull perfusates of striatum in chloral hydrate‐anesthetized rats as a function of increasing systemic doses of amphetamine over the range 0.5–5.0 mg/kg. In the absence of amphetamine administration, basal dopamine levels remained stable for at least 6 h. Perfusate levels of dopamine responded in a quantitatively predictable fashion to increasing doses of amphetamine: (1) the maximal increase in perfusate levels of dopamine after amphetamine, relative to predrug levels, was directly proportional to the dose of the drug up to 3 mg/kg (fivefold after 0.5 mg/kg to 30‐fold after 3 mg/kg); (2) the duration over which perfusate levels of dopamine were significantly elevated, with respect to preamphetamine levels, was proportional to the dose of amphetamine up to 5 mg/kg; and (3) each successively higher dose of amphetamine significantly increased the perfusate level of dopamine over that observed at the next lower dose up to 3 mg/kg amphetamine. However, maximal levels of dopamine in striatal perfusates were achieved following 3 mg/kg amphetamine and were not increased further at higher doses of the drug. The data suggest that, at higher doses of amphetamine, extraneuronal metabolism of dopamine may be of sufficient capacity to limit increases in synaptic levels of dopamine. The absence of further increases in perfusate levels of dopamine as the dose of amphetamine is increased beyond 3 mg/kg is discussed in terms of potential relevance to mechanisms of amphetamine‐induced stereotyped behaviors.
Synthesis, characterization and capacitive performance of hydrous manganese dioxide nanostructures

Hydrous manganese dioxide nanostructures were synthesized via a catalytic oxidation reaction mechanism at mild temperatures. It was found that the morphology of the manganese dioxide nanostructures was significantly influenced by the pH of the reaction system. With increasing pH the morphology of manganese dioxide nanostructures changed from urchin-like structures to nanobelts. The capacitive performance was investigated by using cycle voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge techniques. Hydrous manganese dioxide nanostructures obtained from a basic solution exhibited a capacitance of 262 F g − 1 at a current density of 250 mA g − 1 and a capacitive retention of 75% after 1200 cycles, suggesting that this is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors. The high specific capacitance is attributed to the hydrous nature coupled with a high surface area (181 m2 g − 1) of the manganese dioxide nanostructure.
Theoretical Characterization of the Ultra-Broadband Gain Spectra at $\sim$1600–2100 nm From Thulium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers

In this paper, we present the theoretical modeling and characterization of the gain spectra at ~1600-2100 nm from thulium-doped fiber amplifiers (TDFAs) for the first time. Our theoretical model was validated through the comparison with the experiments on the widely tunable TDFAs and thulium-doped fiber lasers using in-band pumping (3H6 →3F4) and 79 χ-nm pumping (3H6 →3H4) schemes. Different emission and absorption cross sections of the commercial thulium-doped fibers were employed for comparison and comprehensive demonstration. We then calculated the performance of the in-band-pumped TDFAs under different spectral cross section profiles and amplifier configurations. It shows, without the restriction of the loss induced by the fiber-optic components, that high optical gains (> 20 dB in small signal regime and > 3 dB in saturation regime) can be achieved over an ultrabroad spectrum ranging from ~1580 to ~2080 nm. We also demonstrate, although it is rarely used in the experiments of the broadband TDFAs, that the 79x-nm cladding pumping scheme can effectively avoid the strong reabsorption at short wavelengths when long gain fibers are used.
Macrophages and apoptosis in the stellate reticulum of the rat enamel organ

Tooth germs of upper first molars of 1, 3, and 5‐d‐old rats, fixed in formaldehyde, were stained for the detection of apoptosis by the TUNEL method, and by the azo‐dye method for the demonstration of acid phosphatase. For conventional light and electron microscopy the specimens were fixed in glutaraldehyde‐formaldehyde and embedded in glycol methacrylate and Araldite. Results showed that macrophages, present in the stellate reticulum, contained basophilic bodies and TUNEL‐positive globules, i.e. apoptotic bodies, in their interior. Macrophages also possessed strong acid phosphatase activity. Electron microscopy showed the presence of large vacuoles inside the macrophages containing dense fragmented material. Taken together these results suggest that the intra‐epithelial macrophages of the stellate reticulum engulf apoptotic bodies.
Baroreflex Sensitivity: Measurement and Clinical Implications

Alterations of the baroreceptor‐heart rate reflex (baroreflex sensitivity, BRS) contribute to the reciprocal reduction of parasympathetic activity and increase of sympathetic activity that accompany the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the measurement of the baroreflex is a source of valuable information in the clinical management of cardiac disease patients, particularly in risk stratification. This article briefly recalls the pathophysiological background of baroreflex control, and reviews the most relevant methods that have been developed so far for the measurement of BRS. They include three “classic” methods: (i) the use of vasoactive drugs, particularly the α‐adrenoreceptor agonist phenylephrine, (ii) the Valsalva maneuver, which produces a natural challenge for the baroreceptors by voluntarily increasing intrathoracic and abdominal pressure through straining, and (iii) the neck chamber technique, which allows a selective activation/deactivation of carotid baroreceptors by application of a negative/positive pressure to the neck region. Two more recent methods based on the analysis of spontaneous oscillations of systolic arterial pressure and RR interval are also reviewed: (i) the sequence method, which analyzes the relationship between increasing/decreasing ramps of blood pressure and related increasing/decreasing changes in RR interval through linear regression, and (ii) spectral methods, which assess the relationship (in terms of gain) between specific oscillatory components of the two signals. The limitations of the coherence criterion for the computation of spectral BRS are discussed, and recent proposals for overcoming them are presented. Most relevant clinical applications of BRS measurement are finally reviewed with particular reference to patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure.
Renal artery stenting for renal insufficiency in solitary kidney in 26 patients.

OBJECTIVE to present our experience with stent placement in renal arteries in solitary kidneys for treating renal insufficiency. DESIGN retrospective analysis. MATERIALS in 26 patients with solitary kidney (17 men, 9 women, mean age: 63 years), presented with renal insufficiency (se-creat >0.144 mmol/l), stent was placed in a stenosed renal artery. We analysed the clinical outcome, based on the level of creatinine at 3 months following the procedure. Clinical benefit was considered when there was a decrease compared to the baseline creatinine by >20% or a stabilisation of the creatinine value (+/-20% of the baseline). RESULTS in 16 of the 26 patients (62%), clinical benefit was achieved. However, 38% of the study population, renal function continued to deteriorate. Baseline creatinine value was the single best predictor for clinical benefit achievement (odds ratio: 13; 95% confidence intervals: 1.6-107, p=0.01). CONCLUSION renal stenting results in improvement or stabilisation of renal function in the majority of the patients with solitary kidneys and renal artery stenosis, presenting with renal insufficiency. Because best outcome was observed mainly in those patients with not progressed renal insufficiency, intervention should be focused on that group.
Expression profile of Oct-4 lung cancer-specific marker prior and subsequent to a salirasib treatment regime

Lung cancer is one of the leading types of cancer that lead to mortalities in the male and female populations. The existing lung cancer-specific markers are not able to accurately predict the condition of the disease, and the response of these markers can vary under various pathological conditions. The ability for tumors to regenerate following treatment can be more aggressive, and this may be due to the remaining lung cancer-specific stem cells, which are resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs. Evaluating cancer stem cells under various pathological conditions, as well as prior and subsequent to treatment, can help to increase the understanding of the underlying mechanisms. In the present study, a mouse model with initial and advanced forms of lung cancer was developed using tobacco smoke carcinogen. It was observed from tissue sections that there were many actively dividing cells spread throughout the mouse lung tissue with the initial stages of lung cancer, and these cells aggregated in advanced stages of lung cancer. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining indicated that there was an increased number of octamer-binding protein 4 (Oct-4)-positive cells present in mouse tissues with advanced stages of the disease compared with tissues without lung cancer or at the initial stages of disease. The cancer stem cell population following salirasib treatment was also investigated in two groups. The mice in the early treatment group were administered with salirasib following 1 month of tumor growth, and the delayed treatment group was treated following 2 months of tumor growth. The number of cancer stem cells was markedly reduced in the early treatment group. However, salirasib failed to have any observable effect in the delayed treatment group. Cancer stem cells were analyzed using the marker Oct-4 to improve an understanding of the proliferative ability of cancer stem cells under various pathological conditions, which may lead to the development of novel cancer therapeutics.
Correlation between Clinical Outcomes and Baseline CT and CT Angiographic Findings in the SWIFT PRIME Trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patient selection for endovascular therapy remains a great challenge in clinic practice. We sought to determine the effect of baseline CT and angiography on outcomes in the Solitaire With the Intention for Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke (SWIFT PRIME) trial and to identify patients who would benefit from endovascular stroke therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary end point was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2. Subgroup and classification and regression tree analysis was performed on baseline ASPECTS, site of occlusion, clot length, collateral status, and onset-to-treatment time. RESULTS: Smaller baseline infarct (n = 145) (ASPECTS 8–10) was associated with better outcomes in patients treated with thrombectomy versus IV tPA alone (66% versus 41%; rate ratio, 1.62) compared with patients with larger baseline infarcts (n = 44) (ASPECTS 6–7) (42% versus 21%; rate ratio, 1.98). The benefit of thrombectomy over IV tPA alone did not differ significantly by ASPECTS. Stratification by occlusion location also showed benefit with thrombectomy across all groups. Improved outcomes after thrombectomy occurred in patients with clot lengths of ≥8 mm (71% versus 43%; rate ratio, 1.67). Outcomes stratified by collateral status had a benefit with thrombectomy across all groups: none–fair collaterals (33% versus 0%), good collaterals (58% versus 44%), and excellent collaterals (82% versus 28%). Using a 3-level classification and regression tree analysis, we observed optimal outcomes in patients with favorable baseline ASPECTS, complete/near-complete recanalization (TICI 2b/3), and early treatment (mean mRS, 1.35 versus 3.73), while univariate and multivariate logistic regression showed significantly better results in patients with higher ASPECTS. CONCLUSIONS: While benefit was seen with endovascular therapy across multiple subgroups, the greatest response was observed in patients with a small baseline core infarct, excellent collaterals, and early treatment.