Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long‐term effects of castration on the skeleton of male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

While osteopenia (OPE) and osteoporosis (OPO) have been studied in various species of aging nonhuman primates and extensively in ovariectomized rhesus and cynomolgus macaques, there is virtually no information on the effects of castration on the skeleton of male nonhuman primates. Most information on castrated male primates comes from a few studies on the skeletons of eunuchs. This report used a subset of the Caribbean Primate Research Center's (CPRC) Cayo Santiago (CS) rhesus macaque skeletal collection to qualitatively and quantitatively compare the bone mineral density (BMD) of castrated and age‐matched intact males and, thereby, determine the long‐term effects of castration (orchidectomy) on bone. Lumbar vertebrae, femora, and crania were evaluated using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) and digital radiography augmented, when fresh tissues were available, with autoradiography and histology. Results confirmed physical examinations of long bones that castration causes changes in the skeleton of male rhesus macaques similar to those found in eunuchs, including OPE and OPO of the vertebrae and femora, thinning of the skull, and vertebral fractures and kyphosis of the spine more severe than that caused by normal aging alone. Also like eunuchs, some castrated CS male rhesus monkeys had a longer life span than intact males or females. Based on these results and the effects of castration on other tissues and organs of eunuchs, on behavior, hormone profiles and possibly on cognition and visual perception of human and nonhuman primates, and other mammals, castrated male rhesus macaques should be used with caution for laboratory studies and should be considered a separate category from intact males. Despite these caveats, the castrated male rhesus macaque should make an excellent animal model in which to test hormone replacement therapies for boys and men orchidectomized for testicular and prostate cancer. Am. J. Primatol. 78:152–166, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Odds of Critical Injuries in Unrestrained Pediatric Victims of Motor Vehicle Collision

Objectives: To compare morbidity and mortality between pediatric victims of motor vehicle collisions (MVC) who were unrestrained to those restrained and to describe compliance with child restraint usage in our population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective consecutive chart review study was performed on MVC victims 14 years old and younger who presented to our academic, level 1 trauma emergency department in 2003. Each patient's emergency department and hospital course was reviewed and data were collected. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for unrestrained children with respect to restrained children for fractures; intraabdominal injuries, intrathoracic injuries, intracranial injuries, admission, surgery, blood transfusion, intubation; and deaths. Hospital charges and length of hospital stay were compared between those unrestrained and restrained. Percentage of children unrestrained was determined. Results: Of 336 patients, 81 (24%) were unrestrained. Mean hospital stay for unrestrained children was longer, 1.94 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-3.12) versus 0.098 days (95% CI 0.02-0.21). Unrestrained victims had higher mean charges, $14,754 (95% CI $7676-$21,831) versus $1996 (95% CI $1207-$2786). Admissions (OR = 14.48, 95% CI 5.91-38.63), fractures (OR = 5.85, 95% CI 2.13-16.89), intraabdominal injuries (OR = 20.16, 95% CI 2.36-930.68), and intrathoracic injuries (OR = 13.09, 95% CI 1.26-647.05) were all more likely in unrestrained patients. No restrained child had intracranial injury, whereas 9/81 (11.11%) of unrestrained did. Odds were higher in unrestrained for surgery [OR = 13.09, 95% CI 3.30-74.33] and transfusion [OR = 27.61, 95% CI 3.56-229.85]. Ten out of 81 (12.35%) of unrestrained children required intubation versus none for restrained. The only 2 mortalities were unrestrained patients. Conclusion: Critical injuries and cost of care are higher in unrestrained than restrained children. Improved compliance with child safety restraint in southern Arizona should decrease childhood morbidity and mortality from MVCs.
Assessment of clinically silent atherosclerotic disease and established and novel risk factors for predicting myocardial infarction and cardiac death in healthy middle-aged subjects: rationale and design of the Heinz Nixdorf RECALL Study. Risk Factors, Evaluation of Coronary Calcium and Lifestyle.

BACKGROUND In view of consistently high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates, international efforts are aimed at developing tools for more precise risk prediction to allow preventive treatment targeted at high-risk individuals. Direct visualization of anatomic, preclinical atherosclerotic disease has the potential for individualized risk discrimination. Further, a variety of risk factors are actively evaluated, including markers of the activity of atherosclerotic disease, thrombogenic risk, and genetic polymorphisms. METHODS The Heinz Nixdorf RECALL (Risk Factors, Evaluation of Coronary Calcium and Lifestyle) study is a population-based, prospective cohort study of the comparative value of modern risk stratification techniques for "hard" cardiac events. It is designed and powered to define the relative risk associated with the specific extent of coronary atherosclerosis measured by means of electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT)-derived coronary calcium quantities for myocardial infarction and cardiac death in 5 years in 4200 males and females aged 45 to 75 years in an unselected urban population from the large, heavily industrialized Ruhr area. Additionally, the predictive values of conventional cardiovascular risk factors, new candidate and socioeconomic risk factors, certain genetic polymorphisms, and direct signs of subclinical disease are examined with the ankle-brachial index, resting and stress electrocardiograms, and determination of carotid artery intima-media thickness. Prospective clinical risk-benefit and health economic analyses are an inherent part of the study. Study findings with established clinical significance are reported to the participants, but the EBCT findings are withheld until the conclusion of the study. CONCLUSIONS The Heinz Nixdorf RECALL study will define appropriate methods for identifying high-risk subgroups in the general urban population who may derive the greatest benefit from preventive treatment.
Epidemiology of Epstein–Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus infections in peripheral blood leukocytes revealed by a multiplex PCR assay

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been developed for the simultaneous detection of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) in a clinical sample. Primers of multiplex PCR were designed to amplify specific regions of the EBV EBNA1, CMV IE2, and KSHV LANA genes. This multiplex PCR assay was found to have detection sensitivities of 1–10 copies of purified viral DNA cloned into the plasmid. To assess diagnostic and pre‐clinical applications with this method, we utilized KSHV‐positive primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells, EBV‐positive Burkitt's lymphoma cells, CMV‐infected fibroblast cells, and clinically prepared peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) that had been infected with viruses. We found that this multiplex PCR assay has high sensitivity and specificity for simultaneous detection of EBV, CMV, and KSHV genomes in a single amplification from a clinical material. Using this multiplex PCR assay, we investigated the prevalence of EBV, CMV, and KSHV in PBL samples from normal Japanese randomly selected. KSHV, EBV, and CMV genomes were detected in samples from 2 (0.2%), 377 (39.5%), and 27 (2.8%) of the 953 blood donors, respectively. Interestingly, both EBV and CMV genomes were detected in samples from all KSHV‐positive donors. J. Med. Virol. 78:1635–1642, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic Isolation among Morphotypes in the Photosymbiotic Didemnid Didemnum molle (Ascidiacea, Tunicata) from the Ryukyus and Taiwan

Didemnum molle, a colonial ascidian that harbors the symbiotic cyanophyte Prochloron spp. , is distributed throughout the coral reefs of the Indo—West Pacific Ocean. Several morphotypes of D. molle are characterized by the color and size of their colonies. Previous molecular phylogeny inferred from gene sequences for the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) identified four morphotypes (i.e., gray, brown, white, and large) from several sites in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. With the addition of 17 specimens, including another morphotype (small), from several collection sites (Taiwan and the Ryukyus), the present report demonstrates genetic separation among the five morphotypes based on COI sequences. A number of sexually mature specimens of the different morphotypes were collected at the same times and sites, indicating reproductive isolation among morphotypes.
Chemical Feeding Deterrent Mobilized in Response to Insect Herbivory and Counteradaptation by Epilachna tredecimnotata

Experimentally damaged leaves of Cucurbita moschata mobilize substances to the damaged region within 40 minutes. These substances stimulate feeding by Acalymma vittata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and inhibit feeding by Epilacha tredecimnotata (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae). Under natural conditions, Epilachna cuts a circular trench in the leaf before feeding on the encircled leaf material, thus preventing mobilization of the deterrent substances to the feeding area.
Do European Funds support the formation of firms? New evidence from Italy

During the Great Recession, European Cohesion Policy had an important countercyclical function. It contributed to resilience and supported economic development at the local level. This paper investigates spatial variation in new firm formation in Italy and studies the role of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the period 2007–2013. Our analysis confirms that per capita expenditure of EU funds is positively and significantly correlated with new firm formation in the aftermath of the international crisis. In line with the existing literature, the analysis confirms that formal education, unemployment, and the size of the regional economy are important drivers in new business formation. Our findings differ partially from the existing literature as regards the implications of firm size and industrial specialization. Service‐oriented provinces and areas dominated by large and medium‐sized firms are more likely to foster entrepreneurial capacity, presumably due to spin‐offs and the effects on the network of suppliers. Durante la Gran Recesion, la Politica de Cohesion Europea tuvo una importante funcion anticiclica. Esta politica contribuyo a la resiliencia y apoyo el desarrollo economico a nivel local. Este articulo investiga la variacion espacial en la formacion de nuevas empresas en Italia y estudia el papel del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) en el periodo 2007–2013. El analisis confirma que el gasto per capita de los fondos de la UE esta correlacionado positiva y significativamente con la creacion de nuevas empresas tras la crisis internacional. De acuerdo con la literatura existente, el analisis confirma que la educacion formal, el desempleo y el tamano de la economia regional son impulsores importantes de la formacion de nuevas empresas. Nuestros hallazgos difieren parcialmente de la literatura existente en cuanto a las implicaciones del tamano de la empresa y la especializacion industrial. Las provincias orientadas hacia los servicios y las areas dominadas por grandes y medianas empresas es mas probable que fomenten la capacidad empresarial, presumiblemente debido a las empresas derivadas y a los efectos en la red de proveedores. グレート・リセッションの間、欧州結束政策はカウンターシクリカルな重要な働きをした。 レジリエンスに貢献し、地域レベルの経済発展の支えとなった。 本稿では、イタリアの新しい企業の形式における空間的バリエーションと、2007~2013年のヨーロッパ地域開発基金(European Regional Development Fund:ERDF)の役割について検討する。 分析の結果から、EU基金の一人あたりの支出は、世界金融危機の影響により、企業の新形式に対しプラスかつ有意な相関性があることが確認される。 また、既存研究と同じく、フォーマル教育、失業、地域経済の規模が新しい業態の重要な推進要因であることが確認される。 我々の所見は、企業の規模と産業特化のインプリケーションに関して、既存研究とは部分的に異なるものである。 サービス業志向の県と大規模および中規模企業が優勢な地域は、おそらくは、スピンオフやサプライヤーのネットワークに対する影響が原因となって、アントレプレナー的キャパシティが育成される傾向にある。
Simian immunodeficiency virus mutants resistant to serum neutralization arise during persistent infection of rhesus monkeys

We previously described the pattern of sequence variation in gp120 following persistent infection of rhesus monkeys with the pathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac239 molecular clone (D.P.W. Burns and R.C. Desrosiers, J. Virol. 65:1843, 1991). Sequence changes were confined largely to five variable regions (V1 to V5), four of which correspond to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 variable regions. Remarkably, 182 of 186 nucleotide substitutions that were documented in these variable regions resulted in amino acid changes. This is an extremely nonrandom pattern, which suggests selective pressure driving amino acid changes in discrete variable domains. In the present study, we investigated whether neutralizing-antibody responses are one selective force responsible at least in part for the observed pattern of sequence variation. Variant env sequences called 1-12 and 8-22 obtained 69 and 93 weeks after infection of a rhesus monkey with cloned SIVmac239 were recombined into the parental SIVmac239 genome, and variant viruses were generated by transfection of cultured cells with cloned DNA. The 1-12 and 8-22 recombinants differ from the parental SIVmac239 at 18 amino acid positions in gp120 and at 5 and 10 amino acid positions, respectively, in gp41. Sequential sera from the monkey infected with cloned SIVmac239 from which the 1-12 and 8-22 variants were isolated showed much higher neutralizing antibody titers to cloned SIVmac239 than to the cloned 1-12 and 8-22 variants. For example, at 55 weeks postinfection the neutralizing antibody titer against SIVmac239 was 640 while those to the variant viruses were 40 and less than 20. Two other rhesus monkeys infected with cloned SIVmac239 showed a similar pattern. Rhesus monkeys were also experimentally infected with the cloned variants so that the type-specific nature of the neutralizing antibody responses could be verified. Indeed, each of these monkeys showed neutralizing-antibody responses of much higher titer to the homologous variant used for infection. These experiments unambiguously demonstrate that SIV mutants resistant to serum neutralization arise during the course of persistent infection of rhesus monkeys.
A hybrid system of Iris and Fingerprint recognition for security applications

The increase in security level due to the use of biometric recognition systems compared to traditional identification systems is helping in the rapid advancement of such systems. The use of Fingerprint or Iris recognition systems is considered to be reliable and accurate. Both systems do have some drawbacks and errors. In order to minimize the error and increase the accuracy, we propose a hybrid system for identification by using both fingerprint recognition and Iris recognition systems. In this paper, the algorithm used for identification for Iris image was based on Ng et al algorithm using Rapid Haar Wavelet Decomposition while the algorithm used for fingerprint identification presented by Porpanomchai et al is based on the Euclidean distance from the bifurcation point to the core point. Both algorithms were modified and then combined for the hybrid system. The simulation results show the improvement in performance of the proposed method and the added advantages of combining both identifications systems.
The contrasting role of government and NGO support towards the entrepreneurs at base of pyramid and effect on subjective wellbeing

There are disagreements surrounding the role of government and non-government organizations (NGOs) on the micro-entrepreneurship business success particularly in the developing countries. Thus, this article aims to delve into the role of government and NGO in ensuring entrepreneurial business success. In addition, the study attempts to explore the impact of financial and non-financial performance on the subjective wellbeing of base of the pyramid (BoP) entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. From cross-sectional empirical study with structured questionnaire, data were examined by structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The result of this study indicates the role of government organizations in developing countries are still not instrumental in the market-based approach for societal development. Rather, NGOs play vital role in achieving the business success (financial and non-financial performance) of the micro-entrepreneurs through providing required supports. In addition, financial and non-financial performances were found to be strong predictors for subjective wellbeing for the micro-entrepreneurs. The study implicates that the notion of institutional theory can be associated with the capability approach theory. Government and NGOs would likely to consider these results in their policy making and extend support to BoP micro-entrepreneurs more efficiently and effectively to contribute to the poverty eradication movement.
Modeling Hormesis Using a Non-Monotonic Copula Method

This paper presents a probabilistic method for capturing non-monotonic behavior under the biphasic dose-response regime observed in many biological systems experiencing different types of stress. The proposed method is based on the rolling-pin method introduced earlier to estimate highly nonlinear and non-monotonic joint probability distributions from continuous domain data. We show that the proposed method outperforms the conventional parametric methods in terms of the error (namely RMSE) and it needs fewer parameters to be estimated a priori, while offering high flexibility. The application and performance of the proposed method are shown through an example.
Money, Inflation and Output in Nigeria and South Africa: Could Friedman and Schwartz Be Right?

ABSTRACT This study examines the non-linear relationship between money, inflation and output with respect to the Friedman and Schwartz hypotheses that monetary policy affects prices in the long-run but not in the short-run, and influences output in the short-run but not in the long-run. The study examines the case of Nigeria and South Africa for the period 1970–2016 using the ARDL approach. The study proved that Friedman and Schwartz were right that money growth influences output in the short-run and not in the long-run. This suggests monetary policy is neutral in the long-run; however, the findings of this study cast some doubts on their popular view that money growth affect prices in the long-run but not in the short-run. This study shows that money growth actually affects prices both in the short and long-run. Thus, it is only the long-run dimension of the second hypothesis that is valid; the short-run view of the hypothesis is invalid for both Nigeria and South Africa. In fact, the significant estimates of money growth on inflation in both countries prove that inflation is everywhere a monetary phenomenon (both in the short and long run).
Game Theoretic Analysis of Cooperative Message Forwarding in Opportunistic Mobile Networks

In cooperative communication, a set of players forming a coalition ensures communal behavior among themselves by helping one another in message forwarding. Opportunistic mobile networks (OMNs) require multihop communications for transferring messages from the source to the destination nodes. However, noncooperative nodes only forward their own messages to others, and drop others’ messages upon receiving them. So, the message delivery overhead increases in OMN. For minimizing the overhead and maximizing the delivery rate, we propose two coalition-based cooperative schemes: 1) simple coalition formation (SCF) and 2) overlapping coalition formation (OCF) game. In SCF, we consider the presence of a central information center, whereas OCF is a fully distributed scheme. In SCF, coalitions are disjoint, whereas in OCF, a node may be the member of multiple coalitions at the same time. All nodes in a coalition help each other cooperatively by forwarding group messages to the intermediate or destination nodes. The goal of the nodes is to achieve high success rate in delivering messages. The proposed SCF scheme is cohesive, in which disjoint coalitions always combine to form grand coalition. In OCF, a node reaches a stable grand coalition when all the nodes of the OMN are members of overlapping coalition of the node. No node gains by deviating from the grand coalition in SCF and OCF. Simulation results based on synthetic mobility model and real-life traces show that the message delivery ratio of OMNs increase by up to 67%, as compared to the noncooperative scenario. Moreover, the message overhead ratio using the proposed coalition-based schemes reduces by up to about (1/3)rd of that of the noncooperative communication scheme.
Numerical Simulation of Ostwald Ripening in Emulsions.

Ostwald ripening at finite dispersed phase volumes was modeled successfully using linearized analytical solutions of the ripening equations and an explicit numerical routine. The numerical approach incorporated a number frequency distribution of drop radii rather than using a discrete number of drops. The effect of finite dispersed phase volume fraction was accounted for by using half the average separation distance between drops as the mass transfer boundary. The numerical predictions matched analytical predictions for infinitely dilute systems almost exactly and were in qualitative agreement with analytical predictions for infinitely concentrated systems. The numerical model was applied to the full range of dispersed phase concentrations and successfully predicted experimental cumulative frequency distributions. The growth rate, i.e. the change in the cube of the mean radius with time, was confirmed to be constant at any dispersed phase volume fraction. A simple expression was developed relating growth rate to dispersed phase volume fraction. Predicted growth rates at dispersed phase volume fractions less than 0.2 matched those found experimentally and by other numerical methods. Predicted growth rates at higher dispersed phase volume fractions agreed well with experimental data from the literature but were significantly higher than predictions from other numerical methods. Copyright 1997 Academic Press.
Ceramide: A stress signal and mediator of growth suppression and apoptosis

A novel pathway termed the sphingomyelin cycle has been identified whereby membrane sphingomyelin is hydrolyzed in response to multiple extracellular stimuli (such as tumor necrosis factor α) which cause activation of regulated sphingomyelinases. The product, ceramide, has emerged as a second messenger that mediates many of the cellular effects of these extracellular stimuli. An intriguing relation exists between activation of the sphingomyelin cycle and the action of multiple stress stimuli that induce growth arrest and programmed cell death. Exogenously administered ceramide mimics these growth‐suppressing effects, including the induction of apoptosis. This review will highlight the role of the sphingomyelin cycle in signal transduction and will focus on the role and function of ceramide in the regulation of cell growth in general and apoptosis specifically.