Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subnuclear localization of FOS‐like immunoreactivity in the rat parabrachial nucleus after nociceptive stimulation

The effect of noxious stimulation on the expression of FOS‐like immunoreactivity (FOS‐LI) in neurons of the parabrachial nucleus (PB) was studied in awake, freely moving rats. In one series of experiments, the rats were subjected to noxious mechanical stimulation (pinch) of either the nape of the neck or the base of the tail for 20 seconds every 5 minutes for 90 minutes, and then they were killed by transcardial perfusion after 45–210 minutes. Control animals received innocuous mechanical stimulation (brush) of the tail. Noxious stimuli resulted in FOS‐LI in neurons in the dorsal part of the lateral PB, with heavy labeling in the superior lateral (PBsl) and the dorsal lateral (PBdl) subnuclei. FOS‐LI was also elicited in the central lateral subnucleus (PBcl) and, although much more sparsely, in the external lateral subnucleus and the Kölliker‐Fuse nucleus. Tail and neck stimulation resulted in similar labeling patterns, but more neurons, particularly in PBsl, expressed FOS‐LI after pinch of the tail than of the neck.
Impedance cardiography in uncomplicated pregnancy and pre-eclampsia: A reliability study

It has been reported that cardiac contractility is altered in pre-eclampsia compared with normal pregnancy. Because of the non-invasive nature of impedance cardiography (ICG), this method is gaining popularity in the obstetric field. We assessed the reliability of ICG measurements in uncomplicated 3rd trimester pregnancies (UP) and pre-eclamptic pregnancies (PE). ICG measurements were recorded before and after three position changes, and this examination was done twice (session 1 and 2) per subject. For each of the 22 haemodynamic parameters, inter- and intrasession Pearson's correlation coefficients (PCC) were calculated for mean values of 30 measurements per position per subject. PCC was consistently ≥ 0.80 for contractility parameters ‘acceleration-’, ‘velocity-’ and ‘heather-index’ in both UP and PE. These data illustrate that correlation between repeated ICG measurements of cardiac contractility is high under standardised conditions, and that ICG may be useful to study changes of cardiac contractility in pregnancy.
Backward to Forward Scanning Periodic Leaky-Wave Antenna With Wide Scanning Range

A new type of circularly polarized printed periodic leaky-wave antenna (LWA) structure with a wide scanning range and reduced sidelobe level (SLL) is presented. Fifteen matched unit cells (UCs) are cascaded along the direction of propagation to provide seamless frequency scanning from 20 to 29 GHz with a scanning range of 95° from backward to forward quadrant. The open-stopband has been suppressed around the broadside region by matching the input impedance of the UC to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line. Two empirical transmission line models are presented to describe the behavior of the periodic LWA. Parametric study using full-wave simulation is used to improve the SLL and minimize the axial ratio of the circular polarization leading to a fully optimized periodic leaky LWA.
Structured literature review about intellectual capital and innovation

The purpose of this paper is to review and critique the literature dealing with the relationship between intellectual capital (IC) and innovation, and to outline the future of this research field. ,Structured literature review (SLR). ,The relationship between IC and innovation has been examined in great detail; however, much remains to be understood regarding the way of approaching and conceptualising both IC and innovation according to the current business environment. Moreover, academic literature on the IC-innovation relationship shows a disconnection between academia, and both business practice and policy-making, in this research domain. ,Since the study was developed by one person, the results could be influenced by her subjective interpretation. In addition, only journal articles published between 2006 and 2015 have been examined. ,This paper contributes to IC literature by providing a unique SLR of the IC-innovation field of research. The paper points to pathways for future research in the IC-innovation domain.
Understanding the toxic potencies of xenobiotics inducing TCDD/TCDF-like effects$

Abstract Toxic potencies of xenobiotics such as halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons inducing 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin/2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDD/TCDF)-like effects were investigated by quantitative structure–toxicity relationships (QSTR) using their aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) binding affinity data. A descriptor pool was created using the SPARTAN 10, DRAGON 6.0 and ADMET 8.0 software packages, and the descriptors were selected using QSARINS (v.2.2.1) software. The QSTR models generated for AhR binding affinities of chemicals with TCDD/TCDF-like effects were internally and externally validated in line with the Organization of Economic Co–operation and Development (OECD) principles. The TCDD-based model had six descriptors from DRAGON 6.0 and ADMET 8.0, whereas the TCDF-based model had seven descriptors from DRAGON 6.0. The predictive ability of the generated models was tested on a diverse group of chemicals including polychlorinated/brominated biphenyls, dioxins/furans, ethers, polyaromatic hydrocarbons with fused heterocyclic rings (i.e. phenoxathiins, thianthrenes and dibenzothiophenes) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (i.e. halogenated naphthalenes and phenanthrenes) with no AhR binding data. For the external set chemicals, the structural coverage of the generated models was 90% and 89% for TCDD and TCDF-like effects, respectively.
Physician assistants in Canada: update on health policy initiatives.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the health policies related to physician assistants (PAs) and to understand the factors influencing this medical work force movement. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE This work combines a review of the literature and qualitative information, and it serves as a historical bookmark. The approach was selected when attempts to obtain reports or literature using customary electronic bibliography (PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and MEDLINE) searches in English and French, from 1970 through 2010, identified only 14 documents (including gray literature) of relevance. Reports, provincial documents, and information from developers of the PA movement supplemented the literature base. MAIN MESSAGE The historical development of the role of PAs in Canada spans 2 decades. There are now more than 250 PAs, most working in family medicine and emergency medicine. Enabling legislation for PAs has been formalized in Manitoba, and 3 provinces have recognized PAs in various policy statements or initiatives. Three universities and 1 military training centre have enrolled more than 120 students in PA programs. Retired PAs of the Canadian Forces, returning ex-patriot Canadians who had trained as PAs in PA programs in the United States, and American immigrants are working as PAs in Canada. Demonstration projects are under way to better understand the usefulness of PAs in various medical settings. CONCLUSION For a public health policy enactment of this size and effect, the literature on PAs in Canada is sparse and limited. In spite of this, PA employment is expanding, family medicine practices are using PAs, and there is enabling legislation planned. The result will likely be increased use of PAs. Documentation about PAs, review of their use, and outcomes research are needed to evaluate this new type of clinician in Canadian society.
The Australian National Survey of Psychotic Disorders: profile of psychosocial disability and its risk factors

Background. Knowledge of the level of psychosocial impairment associated with psychosis is important in evaluating the impact of the illness on those affected. When such knowledge is derived from community-based epidemiological surveys, it can help in providing a public health perspective for service planning with information derived from representative samples of patients. Methods. A two-phase epidemiological survey of persons with psychosis in four predominantly urban areas of Australia. First phase screening for psychosis (N = 5710) was followed by a semi-structured interview of a stratified random sample (N = 980) to assess psychopathology (lifetime and current) and psychosocial disability. Results. Most of the interviewees were unemployed and had never married. There was widespread impairment in sexual and social relationships and in the performance of activities of daily living. Over half expressed dissatisfaction with life in general. Persons with affective psychoses were often as disabled as those with schizophrenia and diagnostic categorizations were not important in the conferment of risk for disability. Rather, poor pre-morbid work or social adjustment and poor course of illness were potent risk factors for diverse forms of disability in persons with psychosis. Conclusion. A large proportion of persons with experience of psychosis living in the community suffers from significant levels of psychosocial disability. Disablement seems to reflect, in part, a diathesis of poor pre-morbid functioning and less than optimal response to treatment of the disorder.
Molecular Genetic Insights on Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) Ecology and Conservation in Namibia

Abstract The extent and geographic patterns of molecular genetic diversity of the largest remaining free-ranging cheetah population were described in a survey of 313 individuals from throughout Namibia. Levels of relatedness, including paternity/maternity (parentage), were assessed across all individuals using 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci, and unrelated cheetahs (n = 89) from 7 regions were genotyped at 38 loci to document broad geographical patterns. There was limited differentiation among regions, evidence that this is a generally panmictic population. Measures of genetic variation were similar among all regions and were comparable with Eastern African cheetah populations. Parentage analyses confirmed several observations based on field studies, including 21 of 23 previously hypothesized family groups, 40 probable parent/offspring pairs, and 8 sibling groups. These results also verified the successful integration and reproduction of several cheetahs following natural dispersal or translocation. Animals within social groups (family groups, male coalitions, or sibling groups) were generally related. Within the main study area, radio-collared female cheetahs were more closely interrelated than similarly compared males, a pattern consistent with greater male dispersal. The long-term maintenance of current patterns of genetic variation in Namibia depends on retaining habitat characteristics that promote natural dispersal and gene flow of cheetahs.
Designing between pedagogies and cultures: Audio-visual Chinese language resources for Australian schools

Abstract This design-based study examines the creation and development of audio-visual Chinese language teaching and learning materials for Australian schools by incorporating users’ feedback and content writers’ input that emerged in the designing process. Data were collected from workshop feedback of two groups of Chinese-language teachers from primary and secondary schools in Australia and content writers’ reflections of their understanding and transformation of their understanding of Chinese teaching and learning materials for Australian schools. It is found that a reciprocal process between the users and content writers can effectively facilitate the creation and development of user-oriented teaching and learning materials which are sensitive to the local curriculum needs. Based on teachers’ comments and content writers’ ideas, appropriate audio-visual Chinese language teaching and learning materials need to be tailor-made with a range of topics focusing on current China. A strong pedagogical scaffolding needs to be embedded into the materials and tasks, supporting students’ language learning in the classroom. The creation of Chinese texts needs to employ simple yet authentic language structures on topics of relevance to students’ life. Findings also indicate that audio-visual resources need to be accompanied with quality images and subtitles. All audio recordings should be spoken by Chinese native speakers, who are fluent in standard Mandarin. Additionally, it is suggested that an interactive learning platform could effectively enhance peer learning.
Beyond localization: from hodology to function

A century on, Campbell's largely forgotten 1905 monograph on the localization of cerebral function has a distinctly contemporary feel. Although his map of cortical fields has been eclipsed by Brodmann's later contribution, Campbell's project went beyond cytoarchitectonic cartography, attempting to integrate clinical, anatomical and physiological evidence to provide a guide to function. A key component of Campbell's integrative, functional anatomical approach was hodology—the pattern of white matter connections between cortical areas—foreshadowing a recently developed functional anatomical technique: diffusion tensor tractography. Here, we revisit Campbell's model of the human visual system using tractography to illustrate prominent white matter connections within the occipital lobe and from occipital to frontal, parietal and temporal regions. Campbell used his integrative approach to support the view that vision consisted of a ‘visuo-sensory’ and a ‘visuo-psychic’ stage, combining hodological, cytoarchitectonic, physiological and clinicopathological evidence to locate the former within the calcarine cortex and the latter within the cortical field surrounding it. Speaking directly to contemporary debates surrounding the neurobiology of conscious vision and providing a framework with which to shape future developments in tractography, Campbell's integrative functional anatomical approach is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago.
Essays on Social Norms and Economic Change

This dissertation consists of three empirical essays concerning social norms and their effect on economic outcomes. Each essays discusses a seperate subject. The first paper, Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Gender Norms and Women Executives in the United States studies social norms as a distal cause of differences between genders in corporate executive recruitment strategies. Using census-level panel data covering executive positions of large U.S. corporations, and matching regional data on gender norms, we explore whether gender norms are causally related with recruitment patterns at the executive floor. Controlling for legal institutions and quality of labor supply, we show that gender norms do indeed have a substantial and significant impact on executive recruitment patterns. The norms of both men and women have an effect, although the channels through which they operate differ: while the former operates mostly only in tandem with increasing education among women the latter has a strong direct effect. Further, we find that norms take about 15 years to materially affect recruitment decisions and that national level norms have a greater effect than regional norms.The second essay, Getting Used to Diversity? Immigration and Trust in Sweden, studies the effect of historical diversity on modern diversity’s effect on generalized trust using Swedish individual level trust data and historical diversity data reaching back over a century. The results show that present-day increases in diversity lowers social trust only in those regions who had high levels of diversity in the past. This effect is driven by non-Nordic immigration while immigrants from the other Nordic countries do not have any negative effect on trust. This results suggests that the historical experiences of diversity increases the saliency of group dividers based on region of birth, even over time. The third and last essay, The Effect of Business Incubators on Firm Size and Performance: The Case of ICT Firms in Southern Sweden, uses data on ICT firms both with and without incubator experience in Malmo and Lund, two towns in the very south of Sweden. The results show that the incubators located in these town do not positively affect their incumbents’ returns, employment, level of assets, or sales. In fact, while still located at the incubator, incubated firms have lower returns and sell less than comparable firms outside of the incubator. Previous results on the effects of incubation differ depending on the region studied suggesting that local context, including local entrepreneurial culture, is an important determinant of the effectiveness of business incubators.
Is platelet mass a more significant indicator than platelet count of closure of patent ductus arteriosus?

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether or not platelet mass contributes to closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature newborns. Study design and subjects: This retrospective study included 115 preterm newborns with hemodynamically significant PDA (hPDA) and 120 newborns without PDA. The newborns’ platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were noted from their files and the platelet mass (platelet count plus MPV/103) was calculated. Patients with congenital abnormality, persistent pulmonary hypertension or sepsis were not included in the study. Results: Platelet count and PDW were found to not be risk factors for closure of hPDA (p > 0.05), but both high platelet mass (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.12–1.41) and MPV (OR 1.87; 95% CI 2.52–3.85) were determined to be independent risk factors for hPDA. Conclusions: Platelet mass may be a more significant indicator than platelet count of closure of hPDA in preterm newborns.
Risk of Malignancy in Thyroid Incidentaloma is Not Increased in Overweight or Obese Patients, but in Young Patients

ABSTRACT Thyroid incidentaloma is defined as an unsuspected, asymptomatic thyroid lesion that is discovered on an imaging study or during an operation unrelated to the thyroid gland. We aim to evaluate the relationship between overweight or obese and risk of malignancy in patients with thyroid incidentaloma detected by F18-flurodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and factors to predict risk of malignancy in thyroid incidentaloma. From January 2010 to December 2013, a total of 238 patients were eligible for this study. Using the Bethesda system for reporting thyroid cytopathology, categories I-III were defined as a nonmalignancy and categories V–VI were defined as a malignancy. When patients with body mass index (BMI) of less than 23 and 23 or more were divided into two groups of normal and overweight or obese, risk of malignancy of thyroid incidentaloma was not significantly different between two groups (P = 0.1812). In logistic regression analysis, age was the only variable that showed a significant association with malignancy of thyroid incidentaloma (odds ratio 0.9608, P = 0.0021). However, none of sex, height, weight, and BMI was predictor of malignancy of thyroid incidentaloma. We demonstrated that being overweight or obese did not increase rate of malignancy in patients with thyroid incidentaloma.
Household Income Trajectories, PROGRESA-Oportunidades, and Child Well-being at Pre-school Age in Rural Mexico

Abstract This study examines the extent to which household income around the time of birth and income trajectory, influenced by the conditional cash transfer programme PROGRESA-Oportunidades, are associated with the physiological, cognitive, motor, and emotional well-being of pre-school children in rural Mexico. Using the ENCASEH/ENCEL, Structural Equation Models are developed to explore the association between household income over the course of the child’s life, taking part in the cash transfer programme, and indicators of well-being at 4–6 years of age. Results indicate that household income around the time of birth is positively associated with child outcomes at 4–6 years of age. This reinforces the evidence that early poverty has a scarring effect on children’s capabilities. Results also show that improving income trajectories were found to be positively associated with better child development, and PROGRESA-Oportunidades had an indirect positive impact on children the 5- and 4-year-old groups by influencing the income trajectories of their households.
SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF AMOXICILLIN IN PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS THROUGH DIAZOTIZATION AND COUPLING REACTION

Two simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the determination of amoxicillin (AMX) in pure form and pharmaceutical preparations. The proposed methods are based on a coupling reaction between AMX and diazotized p-amino benzoic acid or diazotized procain in alkaline medium to form an intense yellow, water-soluble dyes that are stable and have a maximum absorption at 435 nm using diazotized p- amino benzoic acid and 450 nm on using diazotized procain. The calibration graphs were linear over the concentration rangs of 0.4 to 10 µg mL -1 and 0.4 to 14 µg mL -1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1877 µg mL -1 and 0.1916 µg mL 1 ,molar absorbtivity of 1.914×10 4 L mol -1 cm -1 and 2.544×10 4 L mol -1 cm -1 , Sandellʼs sensitivity of 21.912×10 -3 µg ml -1 and 16.486 ×10 -3 µg ml -1 for diazotized p-amino benzoic acid and diazotized procain, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of AMX in capsules and injections.
Everolimus and Erlotinib as Second- or Third-Line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction: The epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib is an approved treatment for chemotherapy-refractory advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Because activated epidermal growth factor receptor signals through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, adding the oral mTOR inhibitor everolimus to erlotinib may improve efficacy by blocking multiple components of the same pathway. We conducted a phase I study to determine feasible dosages of combination therapy with erlotinib and everolimus for previously treated metastatic or unresectable NSCLC. Methods: Participants had advanced NSCLC progressing after two or less previous chemotherapy regimens. Feasibility of daily/weekly everolimus plus daily erlotinib was determined using a 6 + 6 dose-escalation design based on the rate of dose-limiting toxicities. Antitumor activity was assessed by the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors study. Results: Of the 94 patients enrolled, 90% had stage IV NSCLC, 19% never smoked, and 15% were current smokers. Eighty-nine patients experienced one or more adverse events possibly related to any study medication. The most common dose-limiting toxicities were stomatitis (n = 5), rash (n = 4), and diarrhea (n = 3). Maximum tolerated doses were everolimus 5 mg per day or 50 mg per week plus erlotinib 150 mg per day. In daily everolimus cohorts (n = 74), nine patients achieved a complete/partial response and 28 had stable disease (median duration disease control, 9.3 months). In weekly everolimus cohorts (n = 20), no tumor response was observed; seven patients had stable disease (median duration, 9.6 months). Conclusions: Combination therapy with everolimus 5 mg per day or 50 mg per week and erlotinib 150 mg per day provided acceptable tolerability and disease control. A randomized phase II study evaluating this combination in comparison with erlotinib alone is complete and is being analyzed.