Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advantages and limitations of nonhuman primates as animal models in genetic research on complex diseases

Abstract: The genetic similarity between humans and nonhuman primates makes nonhuman primates uniquely suited as models for genetic research on complex physiological and behavioral phenotypes. By comparison with human subjects, nonhuman primates, like other animal models, have several advantages for these types of studies: 1) constant environmental conditions can be maintained over long periods of time, greatly increasing the power to detect genetic effects; 2) different environmental conditions can be imposed sequentially on individuals to characterize genotype‐environment interactions; 3) complex pedigrees that are much more powerful for genetic analysis than typically available human pedigrees can be generated; 4) genetic hypotheses can be tested prospectively by selective matings; and 5) essential invasive and terminal experiments can be conducted. Limitations of genetic research with nonhuman primates include cost and availability. However, the ability to manipulate both genetic and environmental factors in captive primate populations indicates the promise of genetic research with these important animal models for illuminating complex disease processes. The utility of nonhuman primates for biomedical research on human health problems is illustrated by examples concerning the use of baboons in studies of osteoporosis, alcohol metabolism, and lipoproteins.
Testing the Adaptive Markets Hypothesis for Brazil

The goal of this paper is to evaluate Brazilian stock market efficiency using daily data for the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange Index from January 1995 to December 2012. We employ a variance ratio statistic with wild bootstrap, developed to test linear dependency, to test for the Random Walk Hypothesis. We also use the generalized spectral test for the nonlinear case. We employ moving subsamples with fixed size, checking the existence of random walk behavior. We test whether market efficiency depends on market conditions (Adaptative Markets Hypothesis - AMH). We cannot reject both the RWH and AMH.
Mrd1p Is Required for Processing of Pre-rRNA and for Maintenance of Steady-state Levels of 40 S Ribosomal Subunits in Yeast*

Ribosome biogenesis is a conserved process in eukaryotes that requires a large number of small nucleolar RNAs and trans-acting proteins. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae MRD1 (multiple RNA-bindingdomain) gene encodes a novel protein that contains five consensus RNA-binding domains. Mrd1p is essential for viability. Mrd1p partially co-localizes with the nucleolar protein Nop1p. Depletion of Mrd1p leads to a selective reduction of 18 S rRNA and 40 S ribosomal subunits. Mrd1p associates with the 35 S precursor rRNA (pre-rRNA) and U3 small nucleolar RNAs and is necessary for the initial processing at the A0–A2 cleavage sites in pre-rRNA. The presence of five RNA-binding domains in Mrd1p suggests that Mrd1p may function to correctly fold pre-rRNA, a requisite for proper cleavage. Sequence comparisons suggest that Mrd1p homologues exist in all eukaryotes.
Association of uric acid, atherogenic index of plasma and albuminuria in diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND The associations of serum uric acid (UA), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and albuminuria with cardiovascular disease have been shown. Several studies focused on association of serum UA and dyslipidemia, serum UA and renal impairment, dyslipidemia and renal impairment. However, to date, in literature, there have been no studies demonstrating the relationship between these parameters in diabetic patients together. AIMS We aimed to investigate the association between serum UA, albuminuria and AIP in diabetic patients. METHODS This was a retrospective study involving data of 645 diabetic patients. The patients were separated into groups according to their serum uric acid and AIP levels. The quantitative urine albumin/creatinine ratio in morning spot urine samples were used for standard albuminuria determination. Serum uric acid levels under 6 mg/dL were considered as normal. AIP was calculated as the logarithmically transformed ratio of triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol. RESULTS AIP and albuminuria levels were high in high serum UA group compared to normal UA group. Uric acid and albuminuria tended to increase with increasing AIP. Correlation analysis showed that albuminuria, AIP and UA were significantly correlated with each other. Additionally, in binary logistic regression analysis, AIP was found to be independently associated with high UA levels. CONCLUSIONS Present study reveals that serum UA, AIP and albuminuria are closely related. Physicians should be aware that patients with concomitant hyperuricemia, albuminuria and high AIP are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Our study confirms that there is a need for larger prospective studies to determine the mechanisms underlying the association of serum UA, AIP and albuminuria.
Differential Associations of Inflammatory Markers With Insulin Sensitivity and Secretion: The Prospective METSIM Study

Context: Low‐grade inflammation is involved in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, prospective studies evaluating inflammatory markers as predictors of changes in insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity are lacking. Objective: We investigated the associations of glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RA), and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) with insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, incident type 2 diabetes, hypertension, CVD events, and total mortality in the prospective Metabolic Syndrome in Men (METSIM) study. Design: A prospective study. Participants: The cross‐sectional METSIM study included 8749 nondiabetic Finnish men aged 45 to 73 years, who had been randomly selected from the population register of Kuopio, Finland. A total of 5401 men participated in the 6.8‐year follow‐up study. Main Outcome Measures: Changes in insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and cardiometabolic traits during the follow‐up period and the incidence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, CVD events, and total mortality. Results: During the follow‐up period, GlycA was associated with impaired insulin secretion, hyperglycemia, incident type 2 diabetes (hazard ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.29 to 1.46) and CVD (hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 1.32). IL‐1RA and hs‐CRP were associated with adverse changes in insulin sensitivity and obesity‐related traits and with total mortality (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 1.20; and hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 1.11, respectively). Conclusions: Inflammatory markers differentially predicted changes in insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. GlycA predicted impaired insulin secretion, and IL‐1RA and hs‐CRP predicted changes in insulin sensitivity. Combining the three markers improved the prediction of disease outcomes, suggesting that they capture different aspects of low‐grade inflammation.
Reliability of the surgical Pleth index for assessment of postoperative pain: A pilot study

BACKGROUND Postoperative pain control is essential and may have a beneficial effect on postoperative outcome and morbidity. Analgesia quality is controlled using tools such as a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). These tools require cooperation and often fail in the presence of reduced awareness. The Surgical Pleth index (SPI) has been introduced as a monitoring tool for intraoperative pain under general anaesthesia. OBJECTIVE We investigated the correlation between SPI and pain intensity, analgesic consumption and fitness for discharge in the postanaesthesia care unit. DESIGN An observational study. SETTING The central postanaesthesia care unit of our tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS Written informed consent was obtained from 100 patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Patients below the age of 18 years and those with an abnormal cardiac rhythm were excluded from the study. INTERVENTION Patients were interviewed every 10 min for 2 h. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Pain intensity measured by NRS, discomfort and Aldrete and Post-Anaesthetic Discharge Scoring System (PADSS) scores were noted. SPI and total dose of opioids administered were recorded. RESULTS A total of 1300 pain measurements were recorded; 482 (37%) reflected no or mild pain (NRS 0 to 3), 532 (41%) moderate pain (NRS 4 to 6) and 286 (22%) severe pain (NRS 7 to 10). Both NRS (r = 0.62, P < 0.001) and SPI (r = 0.38, P < 0.001) correlated significantly with total opioid consumption. SPI showed a moderate correlation with NRS (r = 0.49, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed moderate sensitivity and specificity for discrimination between low and moderate pain (NRS ⩽3) (sensitivity 67%, specificity 69% for SPI ⩽45), and between moderate and severe pain (NRS >6) (sensitivity 72%, specificity 72% for SPI ≥57). SPI and NRS showed weak negative correlations with Aldrete and PADSS scores. CONCLUSION Sensitivity and specificity of SPI to discriminate between low, moderate and severe pain levels was moderate. Both NRS and SPI correlated significantly with total opioid consumption.
Relating the Institutional Approach in Management Accounting to Institutional Economics: An Essay on Dual-mode Rationality

In management accounting literature an institutionalist stream is emerging that generates intense discussions and research (Scapens 1994; Burns and Scapens 2000; Duindam and Verstegen 2000). Although the discussion in the discipline of management accounting often refers to new institutional economics literature as well as original institutional economics literature, there are fewer references in the opposite direction. In this paper we try to strengthen the connection between management accounting and institutional economics. Analyzing the functioning of management accounting rules and practices creates an opportunity to substantiate the view of the economy seen as an instituted process. Management accounting practices are one part of the institutional infrastructure that control, coordinate and facilitate human decision-making. We start from the very heart of management accounting, by giving contents to the concepts of "Management" and "Accounting. " William Redmond's (2004) institutional rationality provides one of the cornerstones of the analysis. We consider management accounting rules as a means through which institutional rationality is achieved. Given these foundations, the functioning of management accounting mechanisms and principles within an organization is derived. If management accounting is based on institutional rationality, management accounting mechanisms can be seen as institutional rules i.e., a structure of routines and habits that guide behavior and create a predictable order. Through their influence on the decision room of decision makers in organizations, management accounting principles can play a coordinating role. Furthermore, management accounting principles evolve in interaction with other coordinating mechanisms; their development is context bound and path dependent. As management accounting rules come to be seen as part of the institutional infrastructure, questions emerge about the relationship between management
Orientation-selective digital filters based on 1D prototypes

In this paper we propose a simple analytical design method for 2D digital filters with an orientation-selective frequency response. This method relies on a 1D IIR prototype filter, whose shape is identical with the cross-section of the oriented filter to be designed. We determine a 1D to 2D complex transformation which leads to a 2D oriented filter through simple substitution in each factor of the transfer function. The design method ensures the stability of the resulting 2D IIR filter, provided the prototype is also stable. We also present a simpler particular case, namely a zero-phase oriented filter, and a full design for given specifications is presented. Simulation results are finally given, to illustrate the detection of straight lines with a given orientation from an image, using the 2D oriented filter.
THYMINELESS INDUCTION OF BACTERIOPHAGE IN BACILLUS MEGATERIUM

Maisch, W. F. (University of Illinois, Urbana), and J. T. Wachsman. Thymineless induction of bacteriophage in Bacillus megaterium. J. Bacteriol. 88:1388–1393. 1964. —Strain KM:T−(L) of Bacillus megaterium was obtained by lysogenizing a previously characterized thymine auxotroph of strain KM (KM:T−) with a phage suspension from B. megaterium 899a. When strain KM:T−(L) is deprived of thymidine in an otherwise sufficient medium, both thymineless death and phage induction occur. The presence of thymidine is required, however, for phage development. When cells are starved for 2 hr, intracellular phage and free phage may be detected approximately 30 and 40 min, respectively, after thymidine addition. Maximal free phage titers were found to vary between 3 × 108 and 5 × 109 per ml. This represents as much as a 50,000-fold increase in free phage titer over that found during thymidine starvation, and up to a 1,000-fold increase over that found during normal exponential growth.
Impact of third-generation drugs on the activity of first-line chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analytical approach.

BACKGROUND The therapeutic equivalence of different third-generation agents in the first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has long been accepted, although recent studies seem to suggest some superiority of gemcitabine- or docetaxel-containing regimens over other third-generation doublets. OBJECTIVE To assess the relative impact of different third-generation drugs on the activity of first-line chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer by considering both response and progressive disease (PD) rates as outcome measures. METHODS Published and unpublished data were collected from randomized trials comparing a gemcitabine-, docetaxel-, vinorelbine- or paclitaxel-containing regimen with one or more gemcitabine-, docetaxel-, vinorelbine- or paclitaxel-free combinations. For each study, 2 x 2 tables were constructed for both response and immediate progression. Pooled odds ratios were calculated using a general variance-based method. RESULTS Forty-five trials (11,867 patients) were eligible. The odds of obtaining an objective response to treatment were similar across different regimens. Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy was associated with a 14% lower risk for immediate progression, whereas patients receiving paclitaxel showed a 22% higher risk for having PD as the best response. Docetaxel treatment provided a nonsignificant 9% lower odds for progression. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that different third-generation regimens have comparable activity in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced NSCLC. Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy provides better disease control, whereas the risk for immediate progression is significantly higher when paclitaxel-containing regimens are used.
MEC: Memory-efficient Convolution for Deep Neural Network

Convolution is a critical component in modern deep neural networks, thus several algorithms for convolution have been developed. Direct convolution is simple but suffers from poor performance. As an alternative, multiple indirect methods have been proposed including im2col-based convolution, FFT-based convolution, or Winograd-based algorithm. However, all these indirect methods have high memory-overhead, which creates performance degradation and offers a poor trade-off between performance and memory consumption. In this work, we propose a memory-efficient convolution or MEC with compact lowering, which reduces memory-overhead substantially and accelerates convolution process. MEC lowers the input matrix in a simple yet efficient/compact way (i.e., much less memory-overhead), and then executes multiple small matrix multiplications in parallel to get convolution completed. Additionally, the reduced memory footprint improves memory sub-system efficiency, improving performance. Our experimental results show that MEC reduces memory consumption significantly with good speedup on both mobile and server platforms, compared with other indirect convolution algorithms.
Design of a 3D UWB linear array of vivaldi antennas devoted to water leaks detection

The design of a linear Vivaldi antenna array for water leaks detection is presented. We show the 3D antenna design with the bandwidth of interest between 250-2000 MHz, which is necessary for sufficient depth penetration and high resolution imaging and characterization. New modifications on features with respect to the traditional Vivaldi antenna design are discussed. The radiation patterns show that the directivity increases with frequency. Near-fields in E and H planes in the front of the antenna are depicted and display smooth spreading over a sufficiently narrow area of radiation exposure. The impact of the ground on the antenna is analyzed. The complete design of a linear array of 4 elements is presented, and the mutual coupling between elements is illustrated.
Construction of a plasmid for human brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its effect on retinal pigment epithelial cell viability

Several studies have investigated the protective functions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in retinitis pigmentosa. However, a BDNF-based therapy for retinitis pigmentosa is not yet available. To develop an efficient treatment for fundus disease, an eukaryotic expression plasmid was generated and used to transfect human 293T cells to assess the expression and bioactivity of BDNF on acute retinal pigment epithelial-19 (ARPE-19) cells, a human retinal epithelial cell line. After 96 hours of co-culture in a Transwell chamber, ARPE-19 cells exposed to BDNF secreted by 293T cells were more viable than ARPE-19 cells not exposed to secreted BDNF. Western blot assay showed that Bax levels were downregulated and that Bcl-2 levels were upregulated in human ARPE-19 cells exposed to BDNF. Furthermore, 293T cells transfected with the BDNF gene steadily secreted the protein. The powerful anti-apoptotic function of this BDNF may be useful for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa and other retinal degenerative diseases.
M-current inhibition rapidly induces a unique CK2-dependent plasticity of the axon initial segment

Significance The axon initial segment (AIS), the region where neurons generate spikes, was recently shown to be a highly dynamic structure, exhibiting plasticity over wide timescales. Here we triggered a unique form of AIS plasticity in hippocampal pyramidal neurons by selectively targeting the AIS M-type K+ channels. We uncovered the mechanisms whereby sustained cholinergic activation or direct M-channel block rapidly trigger a unique form of AIS plasticity. Minutes to hours of sustained M-current depression resulted in a compensatory reduction in intrinsic excitability associated with distal shift of the axonal spike trigger zone and distal relocation of both Na+ and M-channels. These fast homeostatic changes, necessary to stabilize network excitability, were dependent on the crucial AIS protein, protein kinase CK2. Alterations in synaptic input, persisting for hours to days, elicit homeostatic plastic changes in the axon initial segment (AIS), which is pivotal for spike generation. Here, in hippocampal pyramidal neurons of both primary cultures and slices, we triggered a unique form of AIS plasticity by selectively targeting M-type K+ channels, which predominantly localize to the AIS and are essential for tuning neuronal excitability. While acute M-current inhibition via cholinergic activation or direct channel block made neurons more excitable, minutes to hours of sustained M-current depression resulted in a gradual reduction in intrinsic excitability. Dual soma–axon patch-clamp recordings combined with axonal Na+ imaging and immunocytochemistry revealed that these compensatory alterations were associated with a distal shift of the spike trigger zone and distal relocation of FGF14, Na+, and Kv7 channels but not ankyrin G. The concomitant distal redistribution of FGF14 together with Nav and Kv7 segments along the AIS suggests that these channels relocate as a structural and functional unit. These fast homeostatic changes were independent of l-type Ca2+ channel activity but were contingent on the crucial AIS protein, protein kinase CK2. Using compartmental simulations, we examined the effects of varying the AIS position relative to the soma and found that AIS distal relocation of both Nav and Kv7 channels elicited a decrease in neuronal excitability. Thus, alterations in M-channel activity rapidly trigger unique AIS plasticity to stabilize network excitability.
A DRD1 haplotype is associated with risk for autism spectrum disorders in male‐only affected sib‐pair families

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have impairments in executive function and social cognition, with males generally being more severely affected in these areas than females. Because the dopamine D1 receptor (encoded by DRD1) is integral to the neural circuitry mediating these processes, we examined the DRD1 gene for its role in susceptibility to ASDs by performing single marker and haplotype case–control comparisons, family‐based association tests, and genotype–phenotype assessments (quantitative transmission disequilibrium tests: QTDT) using three DRD1 polymorphisms, rs265981C/T, rs4532A/G, and rs686T/C. Our previous findings suggested that the dopaminergic system may be more integrally involved in families with affected males only than in other families. We therefore restricted our study to families with two or more affected males (N = 112). There was over‐transmission of rs265981‐C and rs4532‐A in these families (P = 0.040, P = 0.038), with haplotype TDT analysis showing over‐transmission of the C‐A‐T haplotype (P = 0.022) from mothers to affected sons (P = 0.013). In addition, haplotype case–control comparisons revealed an increase of this putative risk haplotype in affected individuals relative to a comparison group (P = 0.004). QTDT analyses showed associations of the rs265981‐C, rs4532‐A, rs686‐T alleles, and the C‐A‐T haplotype with more severe problems in social interaction, greater difficulties with nonverbal communication and increased stereotypies compared to individuals with other haplotypes. Preferential haplotype transmission of markers at the DRD1 locus and an increased frequency of a specific haplotype support the DRD1 gene as a risk gene for core symptoms of ASD in families having only affected males. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fiscal shocks, the real exchange rate and the trade balance: some evidence for emerging economies

Abstract This paper implements a structural vector auto regression (SVAR) analysis to investigate the impacts and importance of fiscal shocks on the dynamics of the real exchange rate and the trade balance in three emerging economies: Brazil, Chile and Mexico. We show that the effects of an unexpected increase in government spending are not uniform across countries with higher spending leading to a depreciation of the real exchange rate in Brazil and Chile, whereas in Mexico, we observe an appreciation. The trade balance deteriorates in all three countries. We also report that an unexpected increase in taxes leads to recessionary impacts and improves the trade balance. Only in Mexico is there evidence of a real exchange rate depreciation. Finally, we show that fiscal shocks account for roughly 20% of real exchange fluctuations.
Perineural Hematoma Following Lumbar Transforaminal Steroid Injection Causing Acute‐on‐Chronic Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Case Report

Transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) are commonly performed for the treatment of lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus and lumbosacral radiculopathy. Although rare, documented complications including spinal cord infarction, paraparesis, epidural abscess, paraplegia, and epidural hematoma have been reported. Here, we present a case of perineural hematoma affecting the L4 nerve root resulting in progressive acute‐on‐chronic lumbar radiculopathy following TFESI.