Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction in the Initial-Burst Release by Surface Crosslinking of PLGA Microparticles Containing Hydrophilic or Hydrophobic Drugs

Sustained-release approaches are emerging for the delivery of drugs from polymer encapsulation. However, the most persistent problem that remains is the initial burst release of the drug, which can exceed the toxic limits. Dexamethasone, a hydrophobic drug, was encapsulated in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles using the solvent evaporation method. The drug release profile of these microparticles was studied and the initial burst was reduced by crosslinking of the microparticle surface using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and tri(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate. Due to surface crosslinking, an additional diffusional resistance was created, which prevented easy dissolution of the drug into the release medium and brought about a substantial reduction in the initial burst release. Moreover, the time required for reaching a stationary-state release was also observed to be delayed, prolonging the sustained drug delivery. This concept was further tested with a hydrophilic drug, the sodium salt of dexamethasone phosphate, encapsulated in PLGA polymer microparticles and was observed to reduce the burst release as well. For synthesizing the polymer microparticles containing dexamethasone, an o/w microemulsion and solvent evaporation technique was used; whereas, for those containing dexamethasone phosphate, w/o/o/o phase separation/coacervation technique was used. The surface crosslinking was performed by ultraviolet radiation.
An Alternative Definition of Economic Regions in the U.S. Based on Similarities in State Business Cycles

Since the 1950s the Bureau of Economic analysis (BEA) has grouped the states into eight regions based primarily on cross-sectional similarities in their socioeconomic characteristics. This is the most frequently used grouping of states in the U.S. for economic analysis. Since several recent studies concentrate on similarities and differences in regional business cycles, this paper groups states into regions based not on a broad set of socioeconomic characteristics but on the similarities in their business cycles. The analysis makes use of a consistent set of coincident indexes estimated from a Stock and Watson-type model. The author applies k-means cluster analysis to the cyclical components of these indexes to group the 48 contiguous states into eight regions with similar cycles. Having grouped the states into regions, the author determines the relative strength of cohesion among the states in the various regions. Finally, the author compares the regions defined in this paper with the BEA regions.
Efficient SAR Raw Data Generation for Anisotropic Urban Scenes Based on Inverse Processing

This letter describes efficient synthetic aperture radar raw data generation in the wavenumber domain using inverse processing. An exact form based on an inverse Omega-k algorithm and an approximate form based on an inverse Chirp Scaling algorithm are described, and examples are presented for a point scatterer. A methodology to incorporate the anisotropic behavior of an urban scene in a reflectivity map is also presented and demonstrated by means of a subaperture analysis.
Functional bowel disorders and associated risk factors in hemodialysis patients in Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Functional bowel disorders (FBDs) impair the quality of life in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of the subtypes of FBDs in hemodialysis (HD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This prospective, cross-sectional study included 80 patients who received HD for more than 3 months (patient group) and 80 healthy controls (control group). FBDs were diagnosed according to the Rome II diagnostic criteria by excluding organic pathologies. RESULTS Forty-six (57.5%) patients were males, and their average age was 62.13±12.92 (23-90) years. The mean duration of dialysis was 57.48±59.23 (3-312) months, and the mean Kt/V (K: dialyzer clearance of urea, t: dialysis time, V: volume of distrubition of urea) value was 1.53±0.31. The rate of FBDs was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p=0.01). In total, 7.5% of the patients had irritable bowel syndrome, 3.8% had functional bloating, and 16.3% had functional constipation. FBDs were significantly higher in women (p=0.004). While there was no statistically significant difference between patients with and those without FBDs in terms of the presence of additional diseases, smoking, alcohol use, educational level, marital status, and resi- dential areas (p>0.05), serum phosphorus (P) levels were significantly higher in the patients with FBDs (p=0.03). CONCLUSION FBDs and their functional constipation subtype are more common in HD patients than in the healthy population in Turkey. FBDs are most frequently observed in females and housewives with high serum P levels.
How High Can We Go With Phenytoin?

Phenytoin is an effective anticonvulsant, but high serum phenytoin concentrations may be associated with serious toxicity. The upper limit for the therapeutic serum concentration of phenytoin is considered to be 80 &mgr;mol/L. However, in some situations higher serum concentrations are needed to control seizures. The authors describe a 9-year-old girl who needed concentrations twice the normal amount to control recurrent episodes of decreased levels of consciousness. Except for nystagmus, she had no other signs of phenytoin toxicity. This patient highlights the critical principle in therapeutic drug monitoring of individualizing drug therapy. Although some patients receiving phenytoin may achieve seizure control with “subtherapeutic” levels (i.e., <40 &mgr;mol/L), others may need supratherapeutic levels, as was the case with this patient. Clinicians should be careful not to treat “numbers” (i.e., serum concentrations), but rather the patient's clinical condition, with a careful balance between therapeutic advantage and adverse effects.
An examination of the antecedents of e-customer loyalty in a confucian culture: The case of South Korea

As the Internet is posing revolutionary changes to customer service and the way customers interact and purchase from businesses, loyal e-customers are crucial for the long-term survival and profitability of a business. Driven by high connectivity, reach and richness of information in today's global business environment, the task of retaining and creating loyal e-customers calls for an appreciation of cultural factors and their impact on e-customer service and loyalty. Specifically, this study examines the impact of Confucian culture on e-customer loyalty in South Korea. Since no research has yet examined the link between Confucian values and e-customer loyalty, the study proposes a conceptual model for empirical analysis by drawing on insights from Hofstede's cultural dimensions and previous studies on e-customer loyalty in European contexts. The main results show that high power distance in Confucian culture is positively associated with affiliation. But this high power distance in Confucian culture is moderated by marketing activities that lead to lock-in. This indicates the profound influence of collectivism in Confucian culture and emphasises the importance of referral and community participation in increasing stickiness and hence loyal e-customers.
The adult carer quality of life questionnaire (AC-QoL): comparison with measures of burden and well-being, and Italian validation

Abstract Purpose: Family caregivers are essential assets in the rehabilitation process, and their psychophysical health should represent a concern for healthcare services. This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Adult Carer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Italian version, and its convergent-discriminant validity with measures of caring burden, resilience, health, and well-being. Materials and Methods: Participants were 591 parents (89.2% females; aged 25–69) of children treated as outpatients in 14 centers of “Istituto Medea – La Nostra Famiglia”, an Italian rehabilitation institution. They completed: Adult Carer Quality of Life Questionnaire, a 40-item scale assessing care-related challenges, resources, and benefits; Caregiver Burden Inventory; Resilience Scale for Adults; Satisfaction With Life Scale; Health Survey SF-36. The psychometric properties of the Adult Carer Quality of Life Questionnaire were investigated through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and reliability evaluation; correlation coefficients assessed convergent and discriminant validity with burden and well-being measures. Results: The original eight-factor structure of the Adult Carer Quality of Life Questionnaire showed good adequacy and internal consistency; convergent and discriminant validity with measures of burden, resilience, satisfaction, physical and mental health were satisfactory. Conclusions: The Italian version of the Adult Carer Quality of Life Questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument to assess caregivers’ perceived challenges and resources. As a parsimonious and easily administrable tool, it can be used to evaluate caregivers’ quality of life and related interventions. Implications for Rehabilitation Family caregivers are essential assets for the rehabilitation process, and their challenges and resources need to be considered by healthcare services. Information on caregivers’ frailties to be reduced and strengths to be empowered allows to design interventions promoting well-being and social integration of people with disabilities and their families. The Adult Carer Quality of Life is a comprehensive measure of burden and well-being dimensions that can be easily administered to caregivers of any age.
Visitor motivation, satisfaction and behavioural intention: the 2005 Naadam Festival, Ulaanbaatar

The study investigates visitor motivation for attending the 2005 Naadam Festival in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It identifies motivation variance on the basis of socio-demographic variables and examines the factors of significance with regard to visitor satisfaction and intention to revisit the festival. Five motivation dimensions, consistent with those identified in previous research, were identified. The horse riding and wrestling events were the most satisfying aspects of the festival from the visitor perspective, followed by Naadam's uniqueness, the opening ceremony and the authenticity of the festival. Significant differences in motivation dimensions, satisfaction and intention to revisit the festival were found on the basis of visitor origin, gender and age. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Social networking websites and teens: an overview

In the past five years, social networking sites have rocketed from a niche activity into a phenomenon that engages tens of millions of internet users. More than half of all online American youths aged 12-17 use online social networking sites, according to this national survey. The survey finds that older teens, particularly girls, are more likely to use these sites. For girls, the sites are primarily places to reinforce pre-existing friendships; for boys, they also provide opportunities for flirting and making new friends.
THE EFFECT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN OLD AGE PENSION ON LABOUR SUPPLY OF THE ELDERLY

In this paper, we estimate the effect of the means tested South African Old Age Pension on labour supply amongst the elderly African subpopulation in South Africa. We find significant decreases in employment rates and labour supply. Those who remain employed beyond the pensionable age are more likely to work in jobs with flexible hours of work, and work even fewer hours than people in similar jobs who are not pension age-eligible. Our results suggest that governments do need to consider the labour supply related incentives provided via its various welfare programmes. Copyright (c) 2006 The Author. Journal compilation (c) 2006 Economic Society of South Africa.
Major CD4 T-Cell Depletion and Immune Senescence in a Patient with Chronic Granulomatous Disease

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) results from primary defects in phagocytic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. T-cell evaluation is usually neglected during patients’ follow-up, although T-cell depletion has been reported in CGD through unknown mechanisms. We describe here a 36-year-old patient with X-linked CGD with severe CD4 T-cell depletion <200 CD4 T-cells/μl, providing insights into the mechanisms that underlie T-cell loss in the context of oxidative burst defects. In addition to the typical infections, the patient featured a progressive T-cell loss associated with persistent lymphocyte activation, expansion of interleukin (IL)-17-producing CD4 T-cells, and impaired thymic activity, leading to a reduced replenishment of the T-cell pool. A relative CD4 depletion was also found at the gut mucosal level, although no bias to IL-17-production was documented. This immunological pattern of exhaustion of immune resources favors prompt, potentially curative, therapeutic interventions in CGD patients, namely, stem-cell transplantation or gene therapy. Moreover, this clinical case raises new research questions on the interplay of ROS production and T-cell homeostasis and immune senescence.
Mixing apples with oranges? Partisanship and active labour market policies in Europe

There are competing theoretical expectations and conflicting empirical results concerning the impact of partisanship on spending on active labour market policies (ALMPs). This paper argues that one should distinguish between different ALMPs. Employment incentives and rehabilitation programmes incentivize the unemployed to accept jobs. Direct job creation reduces the supply of labour by creating non-commercial jobs. Training schemes raise the human capital of the unemployed. Using regression analysis this paper shows that the positions of political parties towards these three types of ALMPs are different. Party preferences also depend on the welfare regime in which parties are located. In Scandinavia, left-wing parties support neither employment incentives nor direct job creation schemes. In continental and Liberal welfare regimes, left-wing parties oppose employment incentives and rehabilitation programmes to a lesser extent and they support direct job creation. There is no impact of partisanship on training. These results reconcile the previously contradictory findings concerning the impact of the Left on ALMPs.
Recent Developments in the Electrochemistry of Some Nitro Compounds of Biological Significance

The redox chemistry of different nitro compounds of biological significance is focused to understand how the reduction of the nitro group can play an active role in several aspects as: electroanalytical determinations, free radical generation and stability and free radical reactivity. We have focused our studies to a lot of pharmaceuticals belonging mainly to the following families: calcium antagonists as nitrobenzene substituted 1,4-dihydropyridines, antibacterial and anti protozoan agents as nitroimidazoles and nitrofurans. The formation of the nitro radical anion as the product of the one electron reduction of nitro compounds generates a series of important consequences passing from chemical to biological aspects. We have used electrochemical techniques to study the formation, stability and reactivity of this nitro radical anion in different media. From cyclic voltammetric experiments it is possible qualitatively to visualize the formation of the nitro radical anion through the one-electron reversible couple due to the redox system nitro / nitro radical anion . Furthermore also is possible the quantitative determination of the kinetic rate constant of the nitro radical anion decay and the interaction constants with other molecules. Although substituents may affect the redox potential and consequently the stability or reactivity of the nitro radical anions, other factors are important in regulation of these properties. Among these factors, it is possible to mention the nature of the reaction media making possible the occurrence of intermolecular reactions of the father-son type between the nitro radical anion and an acidic hydrogen present in the molecules.
A NOTE ON THE TWO-INPUT ARC ELASTICITY OF SUBSTITUTION

This note suggests a measure for the two-input arc elasticity of substitution that comes up naturally and preserves the salient characteristic of the Hicks-Robinson original concept. In particular, (i) it gives the average value of point substitution elasticities over the logarithmic arc of the input price ratio, and leads therefore to the exact estimation of the CES production function family, and (ii) its relationships with the discrete change in factor shares are formally parallel to those well known for the point elasticity assumption.
The Causes and Consequences of IMF Conditionality

We develop a public choice model of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in which credit and conditionality are simultaneously determined by the demand for, and supply of, IMF credit. A graphical analysis illustrates the comparative statics in response to various shocks. We apply the model to explain the main changes in the rules governing conditionality and in the number of conditions per program. We observe a highly significant positive correlation between the number of conditions per program and the prior use of Fund credit relative to quota in 1959-99. A panel data analysis of 206 letters of intent from April 1997 through February 2003 reveals that the number of conditions depends negatively on international reserves and positively on interest rates in the world capital market, monetary expansion in the borrowing country, and the number of World Bank adjustment loans. Finally, the effects of conditionality are analyzed for the first time. Our instrumental variables estimate shows that the number of conditions do not have a significant effect on any of the five typical instrument and target variables considered. The final section links the analysis of IMF conditionality with the literature on tied transfers in public economics and develops some novel proposals for the reform of IMF conditionality.
Effects of Navigation Tool Information on Hypertext Navigation Behavior: A Configural Analysis of Page-Transition Data

The effects of navigation tools in hypertext have been studied predominantly through performance measures such as speed, accuracy, number of pages accessed and recall of document elements. In contrast, the current study uses multidimensional scaling to examine differences in path data, specifically page-transition frequencies, for four navigation tool groups. Each of these navigation tools contains different combinations of spatial and conceptual information. Users’ page-transition choices during an information search task in a hypertext document with hierarchically organized material were examined. The results indicate that users’ page-transition patterns are heavily influenced by the type of information contained in the navigation tool but transition patterns are not totally linear.
Empirical affected‐sib‐pair statistics: Two simulation strategies

We compare two simulation procedures used to determine empirical distributions of three affected sib‐pair test‐statistics in family samples with missing parental marker information. P1 and P2 procedures differ according to whether affected sibs'genotypes are ignored (P1) or accounted for (P2) to generate the unknown parental genotypes. Overall, our results show that P2 procedure performs better than P1, particularly when marker heterozygosity is high (H = 75%) or when marker data from unaffected siblings are available with low marker heterozygosity (H = 50%). These results are similar for all affected sib‐pair tests. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
THE RATE OF RETURN ON R&D IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SUGAR INDUSTRY, 1925–2001

Abstract The rate of return (ROR) on R&D in the South African Sugar Industry is estimated from a Ridge Regression of a production function of time series data for the period 1925 to 2001. The Industry has kept records on R&D expenditure, yields, rainfall and related factors over a 75-year period. Sugar cane yield was measured in tons sucrose to account for quality improvement. In this function, R&D expenditure lagged three years was significant (t = 6.5) in explaining increased sucrose production per ha. Other highly significant variables in this model were rainfall (t = 5.2) and real cost of production (t = 8.4). A dummy interaction with R&D was significant (t = 2.9) implying a greater impact for R&D technology during the period 1959 to 1975 than either before or after this period. The standardised regression model indicated that the R&D variable was one of the most important variables in explaining yield. Using the elasticity of production estimate for the R&D variable of the un-standardised model, a Benefit/Cost ratio for this variable of 1.41 was estimated, if benefit of millers is excluded and 1.59, if the gain to millers is included. In the latter estimates, the exports realisation price of sugar was used as the appropriate shadow price. A real internal rate of return was estimated at 17%. A unique feature of the South African Sugar Industry is that research is privately funded by the industry, which implies that the distortionary impact of taxes need not be accounted for, as is the case with public funded research.
Recombinant soluble human interleukin-6 receptor. Expression in Escherichia coli, renaturation and purification.

The recombinant soluble human interleukin-6 receptor (srhIL-6R) was expressed in Escherichia coli as a non-glycosylated protein comprising the first 339 amino acids after the signal peptide. The protein accumulated within the cells as insoluble protein aggregates (inclusion bodies). After solubilization, 10% of the denatured srhIL-6R could be renaturated by an in vitro folding procedure using L-arginine and the glutathione-redox system. The native receptors were purified to near homogeneity by affinity chromatography on an IL-6-Sepharose column. The functional features of the recombinant soluble receptor were further analysed. A part of the extracellular domain (amino acids 145-345) of the human interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) was expressed in E. coli and the purified protein was used to raise antibodies in rabbits. Characterization of the antiserum obtained indicated that an epitope of 13 amino acids close to the transmembrane region is needed for recognition by the antibodies. Since the antiserum obtained did not interfere with IL-6 binding, it could be used to establish a cell-free IL-6-binding assay, In this assay, the srhIL-6R bound IL-6 with an affinity of Kd = 1.5 nM as measured by Scatchard-plot analysis. When 125I-IL-6 was chemically cross-linked to the purified srhIL-6R and analyzed by SDS/PAGE, several 125I-IL-6-containing bands were detected, indicating the possible existence of a multimeric structure of the natural IL-6/IL-6R complex. The srhIL-6R was shown to exhibit biological activity, i.e. it stimulated acute-phase protein synthesis in the recently established human hepatoma cell line HepG2-IL-6 which does not express the IL-6-binding subunit of the IL-6R complex on the cell surface.