Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lifetime Prevalence of Major Depression and Its Effect on Treatment Outcome in Obese Type II Diabetic Patients

Objective — To assess the lifetime prevalence of major depression (MD) and its relation to glycemic control among a group of non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetic subjects seeking obesity treatment and to determine whether a history of MD affected response to treatment. Research Design and Methods — Sixty-six obese subjects with type II diabetes (22 men, 44 women) completed the Inventory to Diagnose Depression-Lifetime Version before a 52-wk behavioral weight-control program. Weight, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, and mood were assessed at pre-and posttreatment. Results — Thirty-two percent of the subjects reported a history of MD. Neither a history of MD nor current depressive symptoms were associated with pretreatment glycemic control. However, a history of MD was related to treatment attrition (52.4 vs. 22.2%, P = 0.03). Subjects with and without a history of MD showed comparable improvements in weight, glycemic control, and mood. Conclusions — A history of MD among type II diabetic patients seeking obesity treatment was not related to pretreatment glycemic control but was associated with higher rates of attrition from treatment. Individuals with a history of MD who completed the program did not differ from those with no history of MD in response to treatment.
The Tetraspanin CD81 Is Necessary for Partitioning of Coligated CD19/CD21-B Cell Antigen Receptor Complexes into Signaling-Active Lipid Rafts 1

Tetraspanins have been hypothesized to facilitate the organization of functional multimolecular membrane complexes. In B cells the tetraspanin CD81 is a component of the CD19/CD21 complex. When coligated to the B cell Ag receptor (BCR), the CD19/CD21 complex significantly enhances BCR signaling in part by prolonging the association of the BCR with signaling-active lipid rafts. In this study CD81 is shown to associate with lipid rafts upon coligation of the BCR and the CD19/CD21 complex. Using B cells from CD81-deficient mice we demonstrate that in the absence of CD81, coligated BCR and CD19/CD21 complexes fail to partition into lipid rafts and enhance BCR signaling from rafts. Furthermore, a chimeric CD19 protein that associates only weakly if at all with CD81 fails to promote the association of coligated BCR with lipid rafts. The requirement for CD81 to promote lipid raft association may define a novel mechanism by which tetraspanins function as molecular facilitators of signaling receptors.
How do banking crises affect aggregate consumption? Evidence from international crisis episodes

This paper considers the effect of systemic financial crises on aggregate consumption. Using a sample of 23 countries over 32 years, we find that consumption growth seems lower during banking crises, crises following credit booms and crises following house price booms. Moreover, the response to income growth seems to change, which may be due to credit constraints. In the long run, consumption appears to be linked to income, housing and other financial wealth.
Infectivity Determinants of the Hepatitis B Virus Pre-S Domain Are Confined to the N-Terminal 75 Amino Acid Residues

ABSTRACT The N-terminal pre-S domain of the large hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope protein plays a pivotal role at the initial step of the viral entry pathway. In the present study, the entire pre-S domain was mapped for infectivity determinants, following a reverse-genetics approach and using in vitro infection assays with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) or HBV particles. The results demonstrate that lesions created within the N-terminal 75 amino acids of the pre-S region abrogate infectivity, whereas mutations between amino acids 76 and 113, overlapping the matrix domain, had no effect. In contrast to the results of a recent study (L. Stoeckl, A. Funk, A. Kopitzki, B. Brandenburg, S. Oess, H. Will, H. Sirma, and E. Hildt, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 103:6730-6734, 2006), the deletion of a cell membrane translocation motif (TLM) located between amino acids 148 and 161 at the C terminus of pre-S2 did not interfere with the infectivity of the resulting HDV or HBV mutants. Furthermore, a series of large deletions overlapping the pre-S2 domain were compatible with infectivity, although the efficiency of infection was reduced when the deletions extended to the pre-S1 domain. Overall, the results demonstrate that the activity of the pre-S domain at viral entry solely depends on the integrity of its first 75 amino acids and thus excludes any function of the matrix domain or TLM.
Imperfect Labor Mobility and Unemployment in LDCs

In the two-sector, two-factor general equilibrium literature, generic unemployment has been introduced under the assumption of decreasing returns to scale in production (see e.g., Batra and Seth [1, 295-306], and Yu [10, 399-404]), whereas sector-specific unemployment has been introduced under the assumption of sticky wages (e.g., Harris and Todaro [6, 136-42], Corden and Findlay [5, 59-78], Khan [8, 527-47], and Marjit [9, 527-47]). In either case, however, labor is assumed to be perfectly mobile between two sectors. The latter assumption has recently been a major topic of further research in the two-sector general equilibrium literature. Specifically, it is argued that in a perfectly competitive environment, despite significant intersectoral wage differential caused by various parametric policy changes, enough labor do not move from the low wage to the high wage sector to equate the wage rates in two sectors even in the long run. Locational preferences, attachment to existing arrangements, and also the high costs of relocation are usually cited as the possible reasons behind the sluggish movement of labor from one sector to the other. Casas [2, 747-61], in a pioneering article, has modeled this phenomenon of general immobility of labor in a standard two-sector model of production. In his model, however, Casas assumes full employment of labor. The purpose of the present paper is to extend the Casas model further by incorporating unemployment caused by sector-specific sticky wages of the Harris-Todaro variety, and examine the effects of growth and trade policies on output, employment, and welfare of a small country. We will highlight the role of the elasticity of labor mobility parameter in our main results, and demonstrate that there exists a critical (minimum) value of the elasticity of labor mobility parameter that will ensure the validity of the conventional results even in the world of imperfect labor mobility. Several interesting results emerge from our analysis. In particular, we have shown that capital accumulation causes urban unemployment to rise and the optimal tariff for a small open economy is positive. The paper is organized as follows. In section II, we lay out the basic model of labor immobility and unemployment; and in section III we derive the basic comparative static results. In
Ultra‐rapid engineered collagen constructs tested in an in vivo nursery site

Collagen is a naturally occurring structural protein, highly conserved across species. Conventionally, tissue engineering aims to convert cell‐seeded constructs into a tissue‐like architecture with biomimetic function. However, cell‐mediated remodelling of biomaterial scaffolds in vitro has proved to be slow, costly and difficult to control. We have recently developed a novel process for ultra‐rapid engineering of tissue‐like constructs without the need for cell‐based remodelling. Using plastic compression of type I collagen gels, the densities of collagen and cells together with mechanical properties can be brought controllably to near‐tissue levels in minutes rather than weeks/months. We have now implanted these constructs in a test site across intercostal spaces in a rabbit model designed to provide cyclical tensile loading in vivo, to test their integration, cell ingrowth and angiogenic response over 5 weeks. Post‐implanted constructs were recovered and tested for host vascularization, inflammatory response and mechanical integrity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lagrangian cobordisms via generating families: Construction and geography

Embedded Lagrangian cobordisms between Legendrian submanifolds are produced by isotopy, spinning, and handle-attachment constructions that employ the technique of generating families. Moreover, any Legendrian with a generating family has an immersed Lagrangian filling with a compatible generating family. These constructions are applied in several directions, in particular to a nonclassical geography question: any graded group satisfying a duality condition can be realized as the generating family homology of a connected Legendrian submanifold in R 2nC1 or in the 1‐jet
Some considerations regarding the legal responsibility and the social responsibility

The judicial responsibility is acknowledged in the judicial doctrine2, as being ‘the starting point’ of the entire social responsibility, position that continues to have from ancient times until today, thus providing an expression of Law on its most concerted form, which reflect the stage of evolution of the entire social life. Expressing forms and realities of social life, both values and norms are ideal standards of conduct, perceived as individual requirements by each member of society3. The human action enforces the compliance of certain rules and its subordination of certain goals and interests, according to a system of principles and criteria; this is because the individual lead his existence in a relational system with others, a system characterized by extensive interactions and interdependencies. In any society may appear different types of conduct, whose broad includes those conformist, innovative, as well as those non-conformists, escapist or deviant. As full integration of the individual in society, legal norms are not an exclusive element; these are the foundation of a set of rules for the most various types. The institution of social responsibility arises precisely in this way, representing a higher level of integration of the individual in the society.
Optimal Step-Stress Accelerated Degradation Test Plan for Gamma Degradation Processes

Step-stress accelerated degradation testing (SSADT) is a useful tool for assessing the lifetime distribution of highly reliable products (under a typical-use condition) when the available test items are very few. Recently, an optimal SSADT plan was proposed based on the assumption that the underlying degradation path follows a Wiener process. However, the degradation model of many materials (especially in the case of fatigue data) may be more appropriately modeled by a gamma process which exhibits a monotone increasing pattern. Hence, in practice, designing an efficient SSADT plan for a gamma degradation process is of great interest. In this paper, we first introduce the SSADT model when the degradation path follows a gamma process. Next, under the constraint that the total experimental cost does not exceed a pre-specified budget, the optimal settings such as sample size, measurement frequency, and termination time are obtained by minimizing the approximate variance of the estimated MTTF of the lifetime distribution of the product. Finally, an example is presented to illustrate the proposed method.
Estimating and visualizing the impact of wind forecast errors on system operations

With more wind power on the system, operators need to make decisions with power output uncertainties coming from multiple locations. The cumulative effects of all the uncertainties on the system are non-obvious. Incorrect assessment of the cumulative effect could affect the reliability and stability of the power system. This paper proposes a method of utilizing very short term wind forecasts (less than 6 hours ahead) for multiple wind farm sites to analyze potential system impacts. The output is a visualization that can alert system operators to possible transmission line overloads. In addition, this paper proposes a modification to a prior method that estimates the confidence interval of a forecast. The modified method performs well for very short term forecasts of less than 6 hours.
Wages, Amenities and Negative Attitudes

We exploit the regional variation in negative attitudes towards immigrants to Sweden in order to analyse the consequences of the attitudes on immigrants welfare. We find that attitudes towards immigrants are of importance: they both affect their labour market outcomes and their quality of life. We interpret the negative effect on wages as evidence of labour market discrimination. We estimate the welfare effects of negative attitudes, through their wage and local amenities, for immigrants with different levels of skills, origin, gender and age.
Non-Bragg scattering contributions to the dual-polarized SAR imaging of Hurricane Earl

The Bragg scattering theory does not explain the cross-polarized (VH or HV) normalized radar-backscatter cross-sections (NRCSs) from the ocean surface very well. The difference lies in the non-Bragg scatterings mechanisms including specular reflection and quasi-specular reflection or diffraction on the sharp edges of wave breaking. The specular reflection is a function of radar incidence angle and is negligible for the intermediate incidence angle. The quasi-specular reflection and diffraction on the sharp edges of wave breaking is a function of incidence angle, wind speed and direction. In this study, we adopt the C-band Cross-polarization Ocean (C-2PO) model as the total backscatter from the ocean surface, and assume the non-Bragg scattering as the differences between NRCSs simulated by C-2PO model and composite Bragg model. And a non-Bragg scattering ratio is suggested. With the collocated datasets of wind speeds, wind directions, measured by airborne SFMR and NRCSs from SAR, the suggested non-Bragg scattering ratio is validated.
Molecular Determinants of Gem Protein Inhibition of P/Q-type Ca2+ Channels*

Background: Gem, an RGK protein, strongly inhibits P/Q-type Ca2+ channels. Results: A 12-amino acid C-terminal fragment and a 3-amino acid motif in the core of Gem play an important role in this inhibition. Conclusion: Gem possesses two candidate inhibitory sites. Significance: This work identifies key molecular determinants of Ca2+ channel inhibition by RGK proteins, offering opportunities to modulate this inhibition. The RGK family of monomeric GTP-binding proteins potently inhibits high voltage-activated Ca2+ channels. The molecular mechanisms of this inhibition are largely unclear. In Xenopus oocytes, Gem suppresses the activity of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels on the plasma membrane. This is presumed to occur through direct interactions of one or more Gem inhibitory sites and the pore-forming Cav2.1 subunit in a manner dependent on the Ca2+ channel subunit β (Cavβ). In this study we investigated the molecular determinants in Gem that are critical for this inhibition. Like other RGK proteins, Gem contains a conserved Ras-like core and extended N and C termini. A 12-amino acid fragment in the C terminus was found to be crucial for and sufficient to produce Cavβ-dependent inhibition, suggesting that this region forms an inhibitory site. A three-amino acid motif in the core was also found to be critical, possibly forming another inhibitory site. Mutating either site individually did not hamper Gem inhibition, but mutating both sites together completely abolished Gem inhibition without affecting Gem protein expression level or disrupting Gem interaction with Cav2.1 or Cavβ. Mutating Gem residues that are crucial for interactions with previously demonstrated RGK modulators such as calmodulin, 14-3-3, and phosphatidylinositol lipids did not significantly affect Gem inhibition. These results suggest that Gem contains two candidate inhibitory sites, each capable of producing full inhibition of P/Q-type Ca2+ channels.
Chiral polarization control using cascaded tensor impedance surfaces

Chiral polarization control refers to two specific polarization effects: Namely, linear polarization rotation and circular polarization selectivity. Here we discuss the realization of these effects in two examples, not using naturally chiral media, but using cascaded tensor impedance surfaces. In the first example, we show measured results for a polarization rotator using two back-to-back tensor Huygens surfaces. Huygens surfaces consist of orthogonal electric and magnetic dipoles which have high transmission and low reflection. By cascading them we are able to realize a polarization rotation with large transmission. In the second example we develop a multi-mode transmission-line model for cascaded impedance surfaces made out of electric dipoles. We use this multimode model to semi-analytically find the required tensor impedances to demonstrate a design for circular polarization selectivity.
Simulated Runoff and Sediment Yield Responses to Land-Use Change Using the SWAT Model in Northeast China

Land-use change is one key factor influencing the hydrological process. In this study, the Hun River Basin (HRB) (7919 km2), a typical alpine region with only four gauge meteorological stations, was selected as the study area. The China Meteorological Assimilation Driving Datasets for the SWAT model (CMADS), widely adopted in East Asia, was used with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to simulate runoff and sediment yield responses to land-use change and to examine the accuracy of CMADS in the HRB. The criteria values for daily/monthly runoff and monthly sediment yield simulations were satisfactory; however, the validation of daily sediment yield was poor. Forestland decreased sediment yield throughout the year, increased water percolation, and reduced runoff during the wet season, while it decreased water percolation and increased runoff during the dry season. The responses of grassland and forestland to runoff and sediment yield were similar, but the former was weaker than the latter in terms of soil and water conservation. Cropland (urban land) generally increased (increased) runoff and increased (decreased) sediment yield; however, a higher sediment yield could occur in urban land than that in cropland when precipitation was light.
Self‐association of streptococcus pyogenes collagen‐like constructs into higher order structures

A number of bacterial collagen‐like proteins with Gly as every third residue and a high Pro content have been observed to form stable triple‐helical structures despite the absence of hydroxyproline (Hyp). Here, the high yield cold‐shock expression system is used to obtain purified recombinant collagen‐like protein (V‐CL) from Streptococcus pyogenes containing an N‐terminal globular domain V followed by the collagen triple‐helix domain CL and the modified construct with two tandem collagen domains V‐CL‐CL. Both constructs and their isolated collagenous domains form stable triple‐helices characterized by very sharp thermal transitions at 35–37°C and by high values of calorimetric enthalpy. Procedures for the formation of collagen SLS crystallites lead to parallel arrays of in register V‐CL‐CL molecules, as well as centrosymmetric arrays of dimers joined at their globular domains. At neutral pH and high concentrations, the bacterial constructs all show a tendency towards aggregation. The isolated collagen domains, CL and CL‐CL, form units of diameter 4–5 nm which bundle together and twist to make larger fibrillar structures. Thus, although this S. pyogenes collagen‐like protein is a cell surface protein with no indication of participation in higher order structure, the triple‐helix domain has the potential of forming fibrillar structures even in the absence of hydroxyproline. The formation of fibrils suggests bacterial collagen proteins may be useful for biomaterials and tissue engineering applications.
A novel role of Krüppel-like factor 4 in Zhikong scallop Chlamys farreri during spermatogenesis

Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is a kind of zinc finger transcription factor, which is involved in terminal differentiation of epithelial cells and reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in mammals. In the present study, we identified a full-length cDNA of Klf4 in Zhikong scallop Chamys farreri (Cf-Klf4) and found that Cf-Klf4 presented a sexual dimorphic expression characteristic in C. farreri gonads. Cf-Klf4 expression was significantly higher in testes than in ovaries from growing stage to mature stage detected by quantitative real-time PCR, and was located in male gametes, except for spermatozoa during spermatogenesis through in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, while no positive signal was visible in female gametes during oogenesis. Furthermore, the knockdown of Cf-Klf4 in testes by means of in vivo RNA interference led to an obviously developmental retardance, lower gonadosomatic index, less male gametes and more apoptotic spermatocytes. Interestingly, we found that two out of eight scallops showed a hermaphroditic phenotype characteristic of male-to-female sex reversal when the Klf4 mRNA and protein levels were knocked down in males. These results verified that Klf4 plays an important role in testis functional maintenance and is necessary in spermatogenesis of C. farreri.
Development and Status of the National Oral Health Surveillance System

During the last 2 decades of the 20th century, few national, state, or local oral health programs were able to conduct public health surveillance in a timely fashion. Under the leadership of the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors and with substantial support from the Division of Oral Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Oral Health Surveillance System was established as a first step in helping oral health programs routinely document population needs and program impact with standard, feasible methods. In 1999, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists approved 7 oral health indicators for public health surveillance: 3 for adults (most recent dental visit, most recent dental cleaning, total tooth loss) using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; 3 for third-grade students (presence of treated or untreated dental caries, untreated tooth decay, dental sealants) collected by states using a standard screening protocol; and the percentage of the population served by public water systems that receives optimally fluoridated water, tracked through the Water Fluoridation Reporting System. The Web site that describes the National Oral Health Surveillance System (http://www.cdc.gov/nohss/) and provides access to current indicators was launched in 2001 with adult and water fluoridation data for all states; child indicators were added later. Data are now available electronically for 35 to 51 states (including the District of Columbia), depending on the indicator, indicating progress toward state-specific monitoring of these oral health indicators.
Quantitative volumetric magnetization transfer analysis in multiple sclerosis: Estimation of macroscopic and microscopic disease burden

Magnetization transfer imaging (MTI) has been shown to be sensitive to both macroscopic and microscopic disease in multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study three‐dimensional MTI was used to estimate the global burden of disease in large volumes of brain tissue. MTI was performed in 15 MS patients and 11 normal controls. In seven MS patients MTI was performed on two different occasions. MTI data were displayed as magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) histograms and analyzed. The peak height of the histograms, presumably reflecting the residual amount of normal brain tissue, was lower in MS patients as compared with normal controls (P < 0.001), and was found to correlate with the duration of disease (P < 0.05). A decrease of the MTR histogram peak height was observed in the course of the disease (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that in MS, volumetric MTI provides quantitative information reflecting the global burden of disease.