Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of neuroleptics: study of institutionalized elderly people in Montreal, Que.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of neuroleptic use in long-term care institutions in the greater Montreal, Que, area and to estimate the extent of use of atypical neuroleptics. DESIGN Cross-sectional study in which single-day chart reviews were conducted to evaluate the prevalence of use of conventional and atypical neuroleptics. SETTING Ten long-term care institutions in the greater Montreal area. PARTICIPANTS Two thousand, four hundred sixty residents aged 65 years or older living in 10 long-term care institutions in and around Montreal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Single-day medication profiles compiled by institutions' pharmacists. RESULTS Among patients in the 10 participating institutions, use of neuroleptics ranged from 15% to 37% with a mean of 25.2% (620/2460). Atypical neuroleptics were prescribed to 15.6%, conventional neuroleptics to 7.6%, and a combination of both to 2.0% of the 2460 patients. CONCLUSION Use of neuroleptics was relatively prevalent, and there was wide use of atypical neuroleptics in Montreal-area long-term care institutions. There is little information on the safety and efficacy of these medications for institutionalized elderly people.
Modeling Technology as a Dynamic Error Components Process: The Case of the Inter‐country Agricultural Production Function

Abstract In this paper, we propose a dynamic error‐components model to represent the unobserved level of technology. This specification implies a well‐defined common factor dynamic model for per capita output that can be tested explicitly. The model is applied to data on aggregates of agricultural inputs and outputs for groups of countries from the OECD, Africa (AF), Latin America (LA) as well as centrally planned countries, over a period of 31 years. We find that the proposed model fits the data better than alternative static specifications and satisfies the implied common factor restrictions in two of the samples. The results suggest that although technological change seems to have been a faster process for less developed countries relative to the OECD countries, it has not been fast enough to reduce appreciably the enormous differences in average technological levels that still persist between them. †Dedicated to the memory of G. S. Maddala.
Effect of phencyclidine derivatives on anxiety-like behavior using an elevated-plus maze test in mice.

OBJECTIVES The study attempted to investigate the anti-anxiety activities of Phencyclidine (1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine, PCP, I) and some of its derivatives (M, F, L, B, S, P) with the elevated-plus maze (EPM) Test. MATERIAL AND METHODS Phencyclidine and its derivatives (M, F, L, B, S, P) were administrated intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 10 mg/kg to male mice. Anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the elevated-plus maze test. RESULTS EPM results revealed an increase in open arms time spent after applying PCP and M, L, P, and B compounds at the administered dosage. Moreover, an increase in the number of open arm entries was observed with M, P, and B compounds. The P, B and S compounds increased the locomotion of animals, too, which might be considered as the side effect to the compounds. CONCLUSIONS Considering the elevated-plus maze results, it was concluded that M and L compounds could be considered as a potential anxiolytic with less side effects due to a probable high electron donation of the methoxy group, as well as the hydrophilic properties of hydroxyl groups on these compounds.
Demo: user identification and authentication with capacitive touch communication

Today's identification and authentication mechanisms for touchscreen-enabled devices are cumbersome and do not support brief usage and device sharing. To address this challenge, this work explores a novel form of "wireless" communication that exploits the capacitive touchscreens which are now used in laptops, phones, and tablets, as a signal receiver. Using a custom built hardware token, in the form of a wearable ring, we show a proof-of-concept system that transmits a user identification code to the mobile device through the touchscreen. This mechanism works without any modification to the hardware or the firmware of the mobile device.
Relevance of correction for drift and day-to-day variation in cystatin C measurement: a post-hoc analysis of the PREVEND cohort, with independent replication in the ESTHER cohort

Abstract Background: Despite standard laboratory quality control, drift and day-to-day variability in cystatin C measurements can be observed. We investigated whether correction for drift and day-to-day variation in cystatin C measurements improves the association of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk factors and prognosis. Methods: Plasma samples of the PREVEND study (Dutch cohort study, n=8592) were used to measure cystatin C (Gentian assay) on 243 random days. A correction factor was calculated for each measurement day. GFR was estimated with CKD-EPI equation using routinely measured cystatin C (eGFRcysC) and corrected cystatin C (eGFRcysC corr). Participants were categorized in six categories of eGFRcysC and eGFRcysC corr: ≥120, 90–119, 75–89, 60–74, 45–59 and <45 mL/min/1.73m2. Independent replication was performed in the ESTHER study (German cohort study, n=9949). Results: Compared to non-reclassified participants, participants re-classified upward had significantly lower age, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and albuminuria, whereas the opposite was true for participants reclassified downward. CKD risk factors explained more variance in eGFRcysC corr than in eGFRcysC (p<0.001). Compared to non-reclassified participants, risk of incident cardiovascular events (n=789, follow-up 9.3±2.7 years) tended to be higher in downward reclassified and lower in upward reclassified participants. Net reclassification improvement for incident cardiovascular events using eGFRcysC corr was positive (0.102, p=0.019). The ESTHER study showed similar results. Conclusions: Correction for drift and day-to-day variation in cystatin C measurement improves eGFR using cystatin C for its association with CKD risk factors and incident cardiovascular events.
Raman Microspectroscopy Demonstrates Alterations in Human Mandibular Bone after Radiotherapy

Quality and alterations in the biochemical composition of bones used for dental implantation after radiotherapy in cancer patients is always a critical and debatable factor. Clinically the irradiated bone is similar to control bone. The aim of this study was to verify any compositional alterations in human mandible bone after irradiation using Raman microspectroscopy. A total of 36 bone biopsies (21-control, 4-cancer and 11-irradiated) were investigated. Data acquisition points were determined under histopathological supervision. Both mineral and matrix constituents were analyzed by computing area associated with of phosphate (958 cm-1), carbonate (1070 cm-1) and matrix (amide I) bands. Unpaired Student’s t-test was employed to measure level of significance. Absolute mineral contents (phosphate and carbonate) were highest in cancerous specimens. Spectral profile and band-intensity calculations suggest proximity of irradiated specimens with control specimens. Significant differences in both matrix and mineral contents were observed when control/irradiated samples were compared against cancerous specimens. However, no significant differences were observed between control and irradiated groups. Irradiated bone is similar to control and cause of implant loss could be related to osteocytes of the surrounding tissue.
EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS / INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELLS Concise Review : Cord Blood Banking , Transplantation and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell : Success and Opportunities

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has become a standard practice to treat a number of malignant and nonmalignant hematologic diseases. Bone marrow, mobilized peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood can all serve as primary sources of cells for HCT. The number of cord blood units currently stored is large, although it represents only a fraction of potential collections. With much of the collection being sequestered in private banks for possible autologous use, there is a reason to expect that public banks may not be able to provide for the demand in coming years as use of cord blood for treatment of patients with diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma continues to increase. We suggest that a possible solution to encourage private banks to share their valuable units is to apply recent methodologies to generate induced pluripotent stem cells from cord cells and to optimize techniques to generate hematopoietic lineages from them. This strategy would allow us to take advantage of the units already collected under appropriate regulatory guidelines, to access a pristine cell that can be converted to a pluripotent cell at a much higher efficiency and in a shorter time period than other cells. The ability to potentially replenish a used cord unit with new cells, as well as extend the potential utility of cord blood for additional therapeutic applications, should allow banks to develop an appropriate business model for both private and public cord blood banks to flourish. STEM CELLS 2012;30:55–60 Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
CEOs'Career Backgrounds and Corporate Long‐Term Strategic Planning*

CEOs affect corporate outcomes along various dimensions, including the emphasis placed on long-term strategic planning. This study assesses the impact of CEOs’functional and industry specializations on R&D and capital spending in four manufacturing industries. We found only limited support for our position that CEOs with more professional-type careers are less willing than other CEOs to have their firms make long-term investments. “A critical theme of… the modem industrial enterprise is that creating and maintaining such capabilities is a continuing, long-term process–a process that requires sound, long-term perspectives from the decision makers responsible for the health and growth of their enterprise. ” (Chandler 1991, p. 627)
Posttranslational modification by an isolevuglandin diminishes activity of the mitochondrial cytochrome P450 27A1[S]

Posttranslational modification by isolevuglandins (isoLGs), arachidonate oxidation products, is an important yet understudied process associated with altered protein properties. This type of modification is detected in cytochrome P450 27A1 (CYP27A1), a multifunction enzyme expressed in almost every cell and involved in the metabolism of cholesterol and other sterols. Previously, the CYP27A1 Lys358-isoLG adduct was found in human retina afflicted with age-related macular degeneration. Yet, the effect of Lys358 modification on enzyme activity was not investigated. Herein, we characterized catalytic properties of Lys358 as well as Lys476 CYP27A1 mutants before and after isoLG treatment and quantified the extent of modification by multiple reaction monitoring. The K358R mutant was less susceptible to isoLG-induced loss of catalytic activity than the wild type (WT), whereas the K476R mutant was nearly as vulnerable as the WT. Both mutants showed less isoLG modification than WT. Thus, modification of Lys358, a residue involved in redox partner interactions, is the major contributor to isoLG-associated loss of CYP27A1 activity. Our data show the specificity of isoLG modification, provide direct evidence that isoLG adduction impairs enzyme activity, and support our hypothesis that isoLG modification in the retina is detrimental to CYP27A1 enzyme activity, potentially disrupting cholesterol homeostasis.
Use of Pharmacodynamic Indices To Predict Efficacy of Combination Therapy In Vivo

ABSTRACT Although combination therapy with antimicrobial agents is often used, no available method explains or predicts the efficacies of these combinations satisfactorily. Since the efficacies of antimicrobial agents can be described by pharmacodynamic indices (PDIs), such as area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), peak level, and the time that the concentration is above the MIC (time>MIC), it was hypothesized that the same PDIs would be valid in explaining efficacy during combination therapy. Twenty-four-hour efficacy data (numbers of CFU) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a neutropenic mouse thigh model were determined for various combination regimens: ticarcillin-tobramycin (n = 41 different regimens), ceftazidime-netilmicin (n = 60), ciprofloxacin-ceftazidime (n = 59), netilmicin-ciprofloxacin (n = 38) and for each of these agents given singly. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the importance of various PDIs (time>MIC, time>0.25× the MIC, time>4× the MIC, peak level, AUC, AUC/MIC, and their logarithmically transformed values) during monotherapy and combination therapy. The PDIs that best explained the efficacies of single-agent regimens were time>0.25× the MIC for beta-lactams and log AUC/MIC for ciprofloxacin and the aminoglycosides. For the combination regimens, regression analysis showed that efficacy could best be explained by the combination of the two PDIs that each best explained the response for the respective agents given singly. A regression model for the efficacy of combination therapy was developed by use of a linear combination of the regression models of the PDI with the highestR2 for each agent given singly. The model values for the single-agent therapies were then used in that equation, and the predicted values that were obtained were compared with the experimental values. The responses of the combination regimens could best be predicted by the sum of the responses of the single-agent regimens as functions of their respective PDIs (e.g., time>0.25× the MIC for ticarcillin and log AUC/MIC for tobramycin). The relationship between the predicted response and the observed response for the combination regimens may be useful for determination of the presence of synergism. We conclude that the PDIs for the individual drugs used in this study are class dependent and predictive of outcome not only when the drugs are given as single agents but also when they are given in combination. When given in combination, there appears to be a degree of synergism independent of the dosing regimen applied.
Institutions and preferences in settings of causal complexity: foreign institutional investors and corporate restructuring practices in France

In this article, we illustrate how the interaction between institutional arrangements and the presence of different categories of firm stakeholders with specific preferences provides important insights to understand the conditions under which corporate restructuring practices are introduced. Institutions shape the range of actors' strategic options and mediate the translation of the preferences of firm stakeholders into corporate policies. Nonetheless, strategic choice remains possible since firm stakeholders constitute subgroups with different interests and incentives that influence how they operate in an institutional framework. In particular, we examine under what conditions UK/US-based institutional investors and equity-based compensation incentives are associated with the implementation of asset divestitures and employee layoffs in France. We uncover three key findings. First, the presence of hedge funds and equity-based pay influence the likelihood of French companies undertaking asset divestitures. Second, the impact of hedge funds on employee layoffs is contingent on the ownership structure of firms. Third, layoffs in France are driven by inferior performance – a result that contrasts with the American experience whereby employee layoffs are also used as a strategic mechanism to deal with institutional investors in good times. Our findings demonstrate the importance of the institutional constraints of (national level) employment protection and the moderating effects of ownership structure (firm level) on the strategic and employment policies of French companies.
Mutations in different pigmentation genes are associated with parallel melanism in island flycatchers

The independent evolution of similar traits across multiple taxa provides some of the most compelling evidence of natural selection. Little is known, however, about the genetic basis of these convergent or parallel traits: are they mediated by identical or different mutations in the same genes, or unique mutations in different genes? Using a combination of candidate gene and reduced representation genomic sequencing approaches, we explore the genetic basis of and the evolutionary processes that mediate similar plumage colour shared by isolated populations of the Monarcha castaneiventris flycatcher of the Solomon Islands. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) that explicitly controlled for population structure revealed that mutations in known pigmentation genes are the best predictors of parallel plumage colour. That is, entirely black or melanic birds from one small island share an amino acid substitution in the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), whereas similarly melanic birds from another small island over 100 km away share an amino acid substitution in a predicted binding site of agouti signalling protein (ASIP). A third larger island, which separates the two melanic populations, is inhabited by birds with chestnut bellies that lack the melanic MC1R and ASIP allelic variants. Formal FST outlier tests corroborated the results of the GWAS and suggested that strong, directional selection drives the near fixation of the MC1R and ASIP variants across islands. Our results, therefore, suggest that selection acting on different mutations with large phenotypic effects can drive the evolution of parallel melanism, despite the relatively small population size on islands.
Insights into the candidacidal mechanism of Ctn[15‐34] ‐ a carboxyl‐terminal, crotalicidin‐derived peptide related to cathelicidins

Purpose. Ctn[15‐34], a carboxyl‐terminal fragment of crotalicidin (a cathelicidin from the venom gland of a South American rattlesnake), has shown antifungal activity against clinical and standard strains of Candida species. The aim of the present work was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the candidicidal activity of Ctn[15‐34]. Methodology. The time‐kill profile and drug synergism were evaluated by means of a microdilution assay and multi‐parametric flow cytometry. The presumptive interaction of Ctn[15‐34] with lipid membranes was estimated in vitro with a lipid‐mimic compound, the chromogenic substance 4‐nitro‐3‐(octanoyloxy)benzoic acid (4N3OBA). Results/Key findings. The absorbance increment (at 425 nm) indicated a concentration‐ and time‐dependent in‐solution association between Ctn[15‐34] and 4N3OBA. The interaction of Ctn[15‐34] with Candida cells was confirmed by flow cytometric measurements with the 5(6)‐carboxyfluorescein‐labelled peptide (CF‐Ctn[15‐34]). Analysis of the killing time of Candida exposed to Ctn[15‐34] and amphotericin B (AMB) showed that both the peptide and polyene drug reduce the number of c.f. u. but in mechanistically different ways. The Ctn[15‐34] peptide alone caused yeast cell membrane disruption, which was confirmed by lactate dehydrogenase leakage and biomarkers of cell death mediated by necrosis. Conclusion. Overall, Ctn[15‐34] displays a synergistic antifungal activity with AMB, an effect that can be further developed into a multi‐target therapeutic option with other antimycotics currently in use.
A CASE STUDY FOR PRODUCTION SYSTEM ANALYSIS OF TURKISH ANGORA GOAT FARMS

DASKIRAN, I. , S. CANKAYA, N. K. DARCAN and E. GUNES, 2010. A case study for production system analysis of Turkish Angora goat farms. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 16: 512-520 The aim of this study was to determine both the current economic situation and the major characteristics of Angora goat farms. For this study, 100 goat farms were surveyed in the Ankara province, specifically, the Polatli, Gudul, Ayas, Beypazari, and Nallihan district, to examine the role breeding plays in the rural economy. In addition to technical analyses of Angora goat production, some outstanding traits of Angora goats were determined. There were no significant differences among the Polatli, Nallihan, Ayas and Gudul provinces, except for the Beypazari province in terms of goat population (P < 0.05). Over the last twenty years, the number of angora goats has decreased by almost 89%. Total mohair, milk and meat production has slumped because of the decrease in goat numbers. The main income of these farms is obtained from mohair, meat and the sale of live animals. Most of the milk produced from the goats is consumed by the families of the farmers. Concentrated feed is used by the majority of farms when the goats are housed in pens, especially in wintertime. Among farmers, 91% declared the use of concentrated feed throughout the entire year, whereas 9% of them use it only in wintertime.
Ethyl 2-(4-nitrobenzamido)benzoate, a non-merohedral twin

In the title compound, C16H14N2O5, a non-merohedral twin, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the two benzene rings is 4.0 (9)°. The ethyl group is disordered [0.643 (14) and 0.357 (14) occupancy]. The nitro group is twisted by 16.4 (4)° from the mean plane of the benzene ring and the mean plane of the carbonyl group is twisted from the mean planes of the two benzene rings by 4.5 (0) and 4.7 (9)°. An intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak intermolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen-bond interactions.
Exploring Vulnerability to Suicide in the Developmental History of Young Men: A Psychological Autopsy Study

This study explores the developmental history of ten young men who completed suicide in the transition to adulthood. The young men, aged 18–30, had no previous history of suicide attempts or treatment in mental health. In-depth interviews with four to eight informants for each suicide were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three developmental issues from early age onwards emerged: (a) unsuccessful in becoming independent; (b) weakened competence to deal with shame; and (c) trapped in anger. The capacity to regulate emotions like shame and anger could make certain men vulnerable to suicide when facing adult challenges and defeats.
The impact of carbon nanotubes diameter on their thermal conductivity - Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics approach

In the current paper the influence of diameter of finite-length zig-zag single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) on its thermal conductivity at room temperature in ballistic regime was described. The fourteen types of SWNT with various chrality from (7,0) to (20,0) and with constant length (213 nm) were investigated. To calculate the thermal conductivity the non-equilibrium molecular dynamics technique was implemented in commercially available software for molecular modelling.