Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional impairment as a defining feature of: amnestic MCI cognitive, emotional, and demographic correlates

ABSTRACT Background: Early definitions of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) excluded the presence of functional impairment, with preservation of a person's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) as a diagnostic criterion. However, recent studies have reported varying degrees of functional impairment associated with MCI. Hence, we aimed to test the potential functional impairment associated with MCI and its predictors. Methods: Sixty-nine healthy elderly subjects, 115 amnestic single-domain MCI subjects (a-MCI), and 111 amnestic multi-domain MCI subjects (md-MCI) were assessed using a battery of neuropsychological tests including measures of attention, memory, working memory, executive functions, language, and depression. Additionally, functional ability was assessed by both qualitative (WHO-DAS II) and quantitative (CHART) instruments. Cognitive and functional performance was compared between groups, and regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of functional ability. Results: The md-MCI group was more impaired than the a-MCI group, and both were more impaired than healthy subjects in all cognitive measures, in total CHART score, CHART cognitive and mobility subscores, and WHO-DAS II communication and participation subscales. For the rest of the functional measures, the md-MCI group was more impaired than healthy controls. Prediction of functional ability by cognitive measures was limited to md-MCI subjects and was higher for the CHART than for the WHO-DAS II. The WHO-DAS II was largely influenced by depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Functional impairment is a defining feature of MCI and is partially dependent on the degree of cognitive impairment. Quantitative measures of functional ability seem more sensitive to functional impairment in MCI than qualitative measures, which seem to be more related to depression.
Inhibition of mitochondrial gene expression by antisense RNA of mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA)

Mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA) plays an important role in regulating the expression of mitochondrial genes. To gain a better understanding of the relationships between mitochondrial gene expression and mtTFA, the mtTFA gene was inserted into a mammalian expression vector, both in the sense orientation and in the antisense orientation. After construction, these plasmids were transfected into COS‐7 cells. In antisense‐transformed cells, the expression of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and subunit III genes encoded by mitochondrial DNA was inhibited and there was an accompanying reduction of the level of mtTFA protein. These results provide direct evidence that the expression of mitochondrial genes is under the control of mtTFA.
BSD adder for floating point arithmetic: A review

Now a days, modification in floating point architectures is very demanding area for researchers so there is always a challenge to design an efficient Floating Point Architecture. Out of any other operation, Floating Point Addition has been very popularly used. This paper presents the highly efficient BSD adder for effective way to present fast addition. Using this BSD adder in the computation algorithm of FFT Butterfly Architecture, can enhance the efficiency and at the same time can reduce the complexity, area, power consumption and delay. Starting from the design of 2 bit BSD adder we went up to design of 58 bit BSD adder as presented in this paper. BSD adder is implemented in Verilog HDL and targeted to three different families FPGA: Spartan6, Virtex5 and Virtex6 in Xilinx 13.2 ISE software. The main aim is to speed up the circuit by reducing delay have been achieved.
Commercialisation, factor prices and technological progress in the transition to modern economic growth

We provide a model of the links between commercialisation and technological progress, which is consistent with the historical evidence and places market relations at the heart of the industrial revolution. First, commercialisation raised wages as a growing reliance on impersonal labour market transactions in place of customary relations with a high degree of monitoring led to the adoption of efficiency wages. Second, commercialisation lowered interest rates as a growing reliance on impersonal capital market transactions in place of active investor involvement in investment projects led investors to allow borrowers to keep a larger share of the profits. Third, the resulting rise in the wage/cost of capital ratio led to the adoption of a more capital-intensive technology. Fourth, this led to a faster rate of technological progress through greater learning by doing on the capital intensive production technology. Fifth, the rate of technological progress was raised further by the patent system, which allowed the commercialisation of property rights in innovations embodied in machinery.
Arlequin suite ver 3.5: a new series of programs to perform population genetics analyses under Linux and Windows

We present here a new version of the Arlequin program available under three different forms: a Windows graphical version (Winarl35), a console version of Arlequin (arlecore), and a specific console version to compute summary statistics (arlsumstat). The command‐line versions run under both Linux and Windows. The main innovations of the new version include enhanced outputs in XML format, the possibility to embed graphics displaying computation results directly into output files, and the implementation of a new method to detect loci under selection from genome scans. Command‐line versions are designed to handle large series of files, and arlsumstat can be used to generate summary statistics from simulated data sets within an Approximate Bayesian Computation framework.
2-Trifluoromethyl-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium hydrogen sulfate

In the crystal of the title molecular salt, C8H6F3N2 +·HSO4 −, cation-to-anion N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds generate [100] chains. Anion-to-anion O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds generate [001] helices and cross-link the chains into a three-dimensional network.
Managerial traits, market orientation and organisational performance: an empirical examination in a Middle Eastern context

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the role of managerial traits (need for achievement, tolerance for ambiguity, conformity, and individualism) in advancing market orientation and in turn business performance. The sample of the study consisted of 262 bank branch managers in Jordan. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data and test the hypotheses. Results supported all five hypotheses. Specifically, need for achievement, tolerance for ambiguity, conformity and individualism are all positively and significantly related to market orientation. This study provides evidence that managerial traits may be effective enablers of market orientation and in turn of firm performance. Firms could recruit, select and train managers with certain traits when they are in pursuit of market orientation. Even though numerous studies considered structure, process, system, behaviour, competence, leadership, and context as enhancers of market orientation, not much attention has been given to the plausible effects of psychological traits of managers on market orientation. By testing four important managerial traits, the study advances the literature on predictors of market orientation.
An Adaptive Self-powered Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Circuit and Its Application on Bridge Condition Monitoring

The abundant mechanical vibration energy in bridge road environment can be converted into electric energy by using the piezoelectric energy harvest technology, which could be an efficient way to provide energy required by the wireless sensor network in the bridge condition monitoring system. An autonomous energy harvesting system has been designed based on cantilever beams for sensing and acquiring the bridge vibration energy. After the analysis of the dynamic properties of the piezoelectric cantilever beam in the energy conversion, three kinds of interface circuits were compared through simulation and experimental results. It was shown that the VD interface circuit has less power loss. Furthermore, the proposed closed loop control method based on the VD circuit was simple, adaptive, and self-powered, which is suitable for the road energy harvesting application. Finally, the energy harvesting system based on VD circuit was realized with harvested power of around 0.8mW.
The Treasury Yield Curve as a Cointegrated System

Abstract This paper examines the temporal relationship between interest rates on Treasury securities ranging in maturity from three months to 30 years. We find strong empirical support that the seven Treasury rates selected are cointegrated, a conclusion that is insensitive to the normalization chosen. In particular, the hypothesis of noncointegration is rejected decisively regardless of the rate selected as the dependent variable in the cointegrating equation. To determine whether this information can be used to improve forecasts of Treasury rates, the seven rates are forecasted with a corresponding errorcorrection model that is shown to outperform an augmented VAR model that ignores the cointegration of the rates. The results are consistent with the belief that arbitrage limits the extent to which rates on different maturities of a given security diverge. In addition, the results confirm the appropriateness of imposing a common stochastic process for interest rates in equilibrium models of the term structure.
Preincubation of Bradyrhizobium japonicum with Genistein Accelerates Nodule Development of Soybean at Suboptimal Root Zone Temperatures

In the soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) N2-fixing symbiosis, suboptimal root zone temperatures (RZTs) slow nodule development, especially at temperatures below 17[deg]C. A step in the infection process that occurs within the first 24 h is particularly sensitive to suboptimal RZT. The first phase in the establishment of the soybean-Bradyrhizobium japonicum symbiosis is the exchange of recognition molecules. The most effective plant-to-bacterium signal is genistein. Binding of genistein to B. japonicum activates many of the B. japonicum nod genes. To our knowledge, the potential of sub-optimal RZT to disrupt this interorganismal signaling has not previously been investigated. Controlled environment experiments were conducted to determine whether the preincubation of B. japonicum with genistein increases soybean nodulation and N2 fixation at suboptimal RZT and whether the time between inoculation and root-hair curling is shortened by genistein application. The results of these experiments indicated that (a) genistein application increased soybean nodulation at suboptimal RZTs (17.5 and 15[deg]C) but not at the optimal RZT (25[deg]C); (b) the period between inoculation and root-hair curling was shortened by inoculation with bradyrhizobia preincubated with genistein; (c) at 17.5 and 15[deg]C RZT, the onset of N2 fixation occurred earlier in plants that received genistein-treated bradyrhizobia than in plants inoculated with untreated bradyrhizobia; (d) over the tested concentration range, genistein application at 15 to 20 [mu]M was the most effective in stimulating nodulation; and (e) between 25 and 15[deg]C, as RZT decreased, there was an increase in the nodulation-stimulating potential of genistein.
Modeling Household Demand: An AIDS Model

Studies on economic crises usually focus on the supply side effects. However, working on a country accustomed to economic crises, this study searches for the demand side effects of economic crises, if there are any. For this purpose, the household expenditure is modeled by the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) and data are estimated decomposing the crisis period into two sub-periods. The estimation results note some changes in the cross-price elasticities of goods in question.
Ca2+- and Myosin Phosphorylation–independent Relaxation by Halothane in K+-depolarized Rat Mesenteric Arteries

Background Volatile anesthetics inhibit vascular smooth muscle contraction, but the mechanisms responsible are uncertain. In this study, the effects of halothane on Ca2+ signaling and Ca2+ activation of contractile proteins were examined in high K+-depolarized smooth muscle from rat mesenteric resistance arteries. Methods Vessels were cannulated and held at a constant transmural pressure (40 mmHg). Image analysis and microfluorimetry were used to simultaneously measure vessel diameter and smooth muscle intracellular [Ca2+] concentration ([Ca2+]i). Myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation was measured using the Western blotting technique. Results Step increases in extracellular [Ca2+] concentration (0–10 mm) in high K+ (40 mm)–depolarized smooth muscle produced incremental increases in [Ca2+]i, MLC phosphorylation, and contraction. Halothane (0.5–4.5%) inhibited contraction in a concentration-dependent manner, but the decrease in [Ca2+]i was small, and there was a marked shift in the [Ca2+]i–contraction relationship to the right, indicating an important Ca2+ desensitizing effect. Halothane (0.5–4.5%) did not affect MLC phosphorylation or the [Ca2+]–MLC phosphorylation relationship, but the MLC phosphorylation–contraction relationship was also shifted rightward, indicating an “MLC phosphorylation” desensitizing effect. In contrast, control relaxations produced by the Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine were accompanied by decreases in both [Ca2+]i and MLC phosphorylation, and nifedipine had no affect on the [Ca2+]i–contraction, [Ca2+]i–MLC phosphorylation, and MLC phosphorylation–contraction relationships. Conclusions In high K+-depolarized vascular smooth muscle, halothane relaxation is largely mediated by a Ca2+ and MLC phosphorylation desensitizing effect. These results suggest that the relaxing action of halothane is independent of the classic Ca2+-induced myosin phosphorylation contraction mechanism.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of procalcitonin and phosphorus in acute mesenteric ischemia.

BACKGROUND In this study, using an animal model of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), we investigated the possible use of procalcitonin and phosphorus in the early diagnosis of AMI. METHODS In this study, 21 New Zealand rabbits were used. Subjects were allocated into three groups as Control, Sham and Ischemia. No intervention was performed in the subjects in the Control group. In the subjects in the Sham and Ischemia groups, laparotomy was performed with midline incision. In the Ischemia group, the superior mesenteric artery was found and tied after laparotomy. Blood was drawn from the animals in all groups at 0, 1, 3 and 6 hours, and procalcitonin and phosphorus levels were studied in these samples. RESULTS In the Ischemia group, the increase in the levels of serum phosphorus and procalcitonin was found to be statistically significant compared to the Control and Sham groups (p<0.05). The levels of phosphorus and procalcitonin were detected to increase from the 1st hour after ischemia onset, and the increase continued for the following 6 hours (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Phosphorus and procalcitonin may be important parameters for use in the early diagnosis and prognosis of AMI.
MRTF/SRF dependent transcriptional regulation of TAZ in breast cancer cells

Dysregulation of Hippo pathway results in activation of transcriptional co-activators YAP/TAZ in breast cancer. Previously, we showed that overexpression of TAZ in breast cancer promotes cell migration, invasion and tumorigenesis. Here, we show that upregulation of TAZ in breast cancers could also be due to dysregulation of TAZ transcription. Heregulin β1 (HRG1) increases TAZ mRNA level in breast cancer cells. TAZ is a direct target of MRTF/SRF transcriptional factors which are activated by HRG1. Both MRTF/SRF and TAZ are the important downstream effectors enhancing cell migration induced by HRG1. TAZ mRNA level is correlated with nuclear localization of MRTF in breast cancer cells and the mRNA level of MRTF/SRF direct target genes in breast cancers, indicating the correlation between MRTF/SRF activity and TAZ expression. Our results provide new insights into the transcriptional regulation of TAZ and dysregulation mechanism of TAZ in breast cancer, which could be a new therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.
Linkage between operator binding and dimer to octamer self-assembly of bacteriophage lambda cI repressor.

Cooperative binding of the bacteriophage lambda cI repressor dimer to specific sites of the phage operators OR and OL controls the developmental state of the phage. Cooperativity has long been thought to be mediated by self-assembly of repressor dimers to form tetramers which can bind simultaneously to adjacent operators. More recently, we demonstrated that when free repressor dimers self-associate in solution, tetramer is an intermediate in a concerted assembly reaction leading to octamer as the predominant higher order species [Senear, D. F. , et al. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 6179-6189]. Even as a minority component in the assembly reaction, tetramer can account for pairwise cooperativity. In a similar manner, were it able to bind all three operators simultaneously, octamer could account for three-way cooperativity. In fact, based solely on repressor self-assembly, the naive prediction is that the repressor-OR interactions should be substantially more cooperative than they are. Evidently, there are unfavorable contributions to cooperativity from processes other than repressor self-assembly. Here, we focus on coupling between repressor self-association and operator binding as one possible unfavorable contribution to cooperativity. Sedimentation equilibrium analysis was used to compare the dimer-octamer association reactions of a repressor dimer-OR1 complex and free repressor dimer. Fluorescence anisotropy was used to investigate OR1 binding to free dimers and dimers assembled as higher order species. The results of these experiments indicate a significant and salt-dependent unfavorable contribution generated by such coupling. Since the oligonucleotides used in these experiments are the size of single operator sites, this coupling is mediated by the protein, not by the DNA. This mechanism does not account for an additional, salt-independent, unfavorable contribution which we presume is transmitted via the DNA. Thus, unfavorable contributions generated by structural transitions in both macromolecules serve to moderate the effect of self-association alone. We speculate that this is a general feature of cooperative protein-DNA interactions.
Optimal delay constrained offloading for vehicular edge computing networks

The increasing number of smart vehicles and their resource hungry applications pose new challenges in terms of computation and processing for providing reliable and efficient vehicular services. Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) is a new paradigm with potential to improve vehicular services through computation offloading in close proximity to mobile vehicles. However, in the road with dense traffic flow, the computation limitation of these MEC servers may endanger the quality of offloading service. To address the problem, we propose a hierarchical cloud-based Vehicular Edge Computing (VEC) offloading framework, where a backup computing server in the neighborhood is introduced to make up for the deficit computing resources of MEC servers. Based on this framework, we adopt a Stackelberg game theoretic approach to design an optimal multilevel offloading scheme, which maximizes the utilities of both the vehicles and the computing servers. Furthermore, to obtain the optimal offloading strategies, we present an iterative distributed algorithm and prove its convergence. Numerical results indicate that our proposed scheme greatly enhances the utility of the offloading service providers.
Property and inflation

Reviews the evidence on the inflation‐hedging characteristics of UK commercial property as an asset class. That evidence suggests that commercial property is a very imperfect hedge against unanticipated inflation. Furthermore, the returns have been substantially lower than on equities and residential property. Describes and considers new financial contracts which might allow investors to gain exposure to movements in house price without becoming landlords.
Host-Feeding Habits of Culex and Other Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Borough of Queens in New York City, with Characters and Techniques for Identification of Culex Mosquitoes

Abstract The host-feeding patterns of mosquitoes (n = 247) collected in the Borough of Queens in New York City in July and August 2000 were investigated using an indirect ELISA and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-heteroduplex assay. Culex pipiens L. and Cx. restuans Theobald fed primarily on birds, and their feeding habits support their implication as enzootic vectors of West Nile virus. Culex salinarius Coquillett and Coquillettidia perturbans (Walker) fed mainly on mammals, with fewer blood meals taken from birds, and these two species are potential bridge vectors of West Nile virus. Culex mosquitoes took blood meals (n = 54) from 11 different avian species. Only the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), American robin (Turdus migratorius), and Brown-headed cow bird (MolIothrus ater) were fed upon by all three Culex species. Multiple blood feedings on avian hosts were detected in Cx. pipiens and Cx. restuans. Species identifications of Culex mosquitoes made using morphological characteristics were confirmed with a PCR assay that employed species-specific primers. All Cx. pipiens (n = 20) and Cx. salinarius (n = 10) specimens were correctly identified, but three (20%) of 15 Cx. restuans were misidentified as Cx. pipiens.
Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Leptin Levels in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objectives Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), but previous studies assessing the effect of CPAP on leptin in patients with OSAHS yielded conflicting results. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine whether CPAP therapy could reduce serum leptin levels. Data Sources Databases of PubMed, Elsevier, and SCI were thoroughly searched by 2 independent reviewers. Methods RevMan (version 5.2) was used for data synthesis. Weighted mean difference (WMD) before and after CPAP therapy was calculated to estimate the effects of CPAP therapy. Results A total of 11 studies involving 413 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that the total WMD for leptin levels was 1.44 units (95% confidence interval: 1.11-1.77, P < .01) before and after CPAP therapy. Subgroup analysis exhibited that leptin was decreased within 3 days after the therapy, and it was further reduced within 1 to 3 months and beyond. Conclusions The results of our meta-analysis showed that CPAP could significantly reduce leptin levels in OSAHS patients without concomitant weight loss.
Segregation of female and male workers in Spain: occupations and industries

This paper studies female and male segregation in the Spanish labor market paying special attention to differences among industries. For this purpose, it studies segregation when jointly considering differences in 66 occupations and 4 large sectors (agriculture-fishing, construction, industry, and services), and analyzes the evolution of segregation from 1994 to 2009. In addition, it quantifies the occupational segregation within each large sector. In order to delve deeper in the analysis, differences between public and private services in terms of occupational segregation are also offered. In doing so, this paper uses additively decomposable indices, together with local segregation curves, recently proposed in the literature, which allows us to go further in the empirical analysis.