Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring Issue- and Time-Variation in Supreme Court Justice Preferences

While unidimensional preference estimates for the U.S. Supreme Court exist in both constant and time-varying forms, estimating variation in preferences across areas of the law has been difficult because multidimensional scaling models perform poorly in the context of a nine-member court. We introduce a new approach to recovering estimates of judicial preferences that are localized to particular legal issues as well as periods of time. Using multiple indices of substantive similarity among cases, we apply a kernel-weighted optimal classification estimator to analyze how justices' preference vary across both areas of the law and time. We find that incorporating variation in substantive area significantly improves the predictive power of estimated preference orderings over a model that only allows for variation in preferences over time. We also find substantial variation in the identity of the median justice across areas of the law during most periods of the modern court, suggesting a need to reconsider empirical and theoretical research that hinges on the existence of a unitary and well-identified median justice.
Increasing paternal age is associated with delayed conception in a large population of fertile couples: evidence for declining fecundity in older men. The ALSPAC Study Team (Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood).

The impact of male age on fecundity remains controversial. Here, a large population study was used to investigate the effect of paternal age on time to conception. All couples in the Avon Health district expecting a baby between 1 April 1991 and 31 December 1992 were eligible. Questionnaires completed by both the man and the woman at 18 weeks gestation covered specific fertility factors, e.g. parity, paternity, cohabitation and oral contraception; and non-specific factors, e.g. educational achievement, housing, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity. Logistic regression was used to identify factors independently related to conception in < or =6 or < or =12 months. Of 8515 planned pregnancies, 74% were conceived in < or =6 months, 14% in the second 6 months and 12% after more than a year. Nine variables, including the age of the woman, were independently related to time to conception. After adjustment for these, the likelihood of conception within 6 or 12 months was lower in older men. Compared to men <25 years old, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for conception in < or =12 months were 0.62 (0.40, 0.98), 0.50 (0.31, 0.81) and 0.51 (0.31, 0.86) in men aged 30-34, 35-39 and > or =40 years respectively.
The Effect of Insulin Treatment on HbA1c, Body Weight and Lipids in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Secondary-Failure to Sulfonylureas.

No conclusive data are available about the long-term effect of insulin treatment in type 2 diabetic patients failing to maximal doses of sulfonylureas and caloric restriction. In total 160 non-obese type 2 diabetic patients with secondary failure were substituted with insulin using a diabetic teaching and care program. From these 160 patients 40 died within the observation period of five years; 102 patients had a complete five year follow-up, whereas the remaining 18 patients did not come to regular follow-up visits. Metabolic control parameters improved significantly in the 102 patients with the complete five year follow-up. Postprandial plasma glucose (16.0 mM vs 10.9 mM; p < 0.0001) and HbA1c values (8.7% vs 7.1%, p < 0.0001) decreased significantly from the state before to five years after insulin substitution. In addition, plasma lipid levels could be significantly lowered under insulin therapy (cholesterol 6.2 +/- 1.5 mM vs 5.4 +/- 3.6 mM, p < 0.0002; triglycerides 2.8 +/- 1.6 mM vs 2.4 +/- 2.1 mM, p < 0.01). However, we observed a significant weight gain (mean: 10.6 kg) associated with insulin application during the five year follow-up. Thus, the body-mass-index decreased from 28.9 at onset of type 2 diabetes to 24.5 (p < 0.0001) at time of secondary failure and increased again to 28.5 (p < 0.0001) at five years after onset of insulin treatment. Furthermore, small increases of plasma creatinine from 88.4 microM to 115 microM, as well as systolic (19.3 kPa to 20.7 kPa) and diastolic (10.7 kPa to 11.3 kPa) blood pressures were observed. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The ex-illiterate brain: The critical period, cognitive reserve and HAROLD model

The lifelong acquisition of cognitive skills shapes the biology of the brain. However, there are critical periods for the best use of the brain to process the acquired information. Objectives To discuss the critical period of cognitive acquisition, the concept of cognitive reserve and the HAROLD (Hemispheric Asymmetry Reduction in Older adults) model. Methods Seven women who learned how to read and to write after the age of 50 (ex-illiterates) and five women with 10 years of regular schooling (controls) were submitted to a language recognition test while brain activity was being recorded using magnetoencephalography. Spoken words were delivered binaurally via two plastic tubs terminating in ear inserts, and recordings were made with a whole head magnetometer consisting of 148 magnetometer coils. Results Both groups performed similarly on the task of identifying target words. Analysis of the number of sources of activity in the left and right hemispheres revealed significant differences between the two groups, showing that ex-illiterate subjects exhibited less brain functional asymmetry during the language task. Conclusions These results should be interpreted with caution because the groups were small. However, these findings reinforce the concept that poorly educated subjects tend to use the brain for information processing in a different way to subjects with a high educational level or who were schooled at the regular time. Finally, the recruiting of both hemispheres to tackle the language recognition test occurred to a greater degree in the ex-illiterate group where this can be interpreted as a sign of difficulty performing the task.
Impact of Exercise-Induced Fatigue on the Strength, Postural Control, and Gait of Children with a Neuromuscular Disease

Objective Children with a neuromuscular disease are prone to early muscular fatigue. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of fatigue induced by a walking exercise on the strength, postural control, and gait of children with a neuromuscular disease. Design Maximal isometric knee strength (extension and flexion), quiet standing postural control, and gait were evaluated in 12 children (8.8 [1.4] yrs) with a neuromuscular disease before and after a walking exercise. The participants were asked to stop walking when they considered themselves “very fatigued. ” Results After the exercise-induced fatigue, a significant increase in range of motion in pelvis obliquity, hip abduction and adduction, and ankle flexion and extension during gait was reported along with an increase in stride length variability. Fatigue also reduced the knee flexor strength and had a detrimental effect on postural control. Conclusions Fatigue affects the strength, postural control, and gait of children with a neuromuscular disease and could notably increase the risks of falling and the occurrence of serious injuries.
Enhanced heart failure, mortality and renin activation in female mice with experimental dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the major cause of heart failure affecting both women and men. Limited clinical studies show conflicting data in sex-related differences in the progression of dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure (HF) outcomes. We examined the comparative sex-related progression of cardiomyopathy and the development of HF (at 4, 7, 13 weeks of age) in a well-established, transgenic mouse model of DCM that recapitulates the progressive stages of human HF. By 13 weeks of age, female mice with DCM had more severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular dilation and wall thinning (P<0.001 for all) than age-matched male mice with DCM. Female mice also had greater lung edema (P<0.001), cardiac fibrosis (P<0.01) and pleural effusions, which were not rescued by ovariectomy. By comparison to DCM male mice at 13 weeks, these pathological changes in female mice with DCM, were associated with significant increases in plasma active renin (P<0.01), angiotensin II (P<0.01) and aldosterone levels (P<0.001). In comparison to DCM male mice, DCM female mice also showed differential expression of the natriuretic peptide system with lower corin and higher ANP, BNP and cGMP levels at 13 weeks of age. We conclude, that female mice with experimental DCM have an accelerated progression of cardiomyopathy and HF, which was not corrected by early ovariectomy. These alterations are associated with early renin activation with increased angiotensin II and aldosterone levels, and altered expression of the natriuretic peptide system.
Congenital morphological abnormalities of the distal vertebral arteries (CMADVA) and their relationship with vertigo and dizziness.

BACKGROUND The aim of our study was to identify congenital morphological abnormalities of distal vertebral arteries (CMADVA) and their association with cerebral hypoperfusion leading to vertigo, and the role of MR and MRA in the diagnosis of vertebrobasilar (VB) abnormalities. MATERIAL/METHODS 768 patients who complained of dizziness and/or vertigo were included in the study and evaluated by MR and MRA. CMADVAs were determined in 88 of the cases with no other explanation for vertigo and dizziness. 150 patients without dizziness or vertigo were used as a control group. The 3D TOF (Time- of- flight) MR angiographic technique was used. RESULTS CMADVAs were detected in 88 of 768 patients (11.5%) with vertigo and/or dizziness. We also detected CMADVAs in 4 (2.7%) of 150 persons in the control group. The patients with abnormal vertebral artery findings were classified into ten categories. Lacunar infarcts in the brain stem were found in 8 patients after long-duration vertigo attacks. There was significant correlation between the control and vertigo groups in terms of CMADVA (p=0.0001). After excluding the control group, there was a significant relationship between CMADVA and vertigo and/or dizziness symptoms (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS We believe that vertigo and dizziness associated with CMADVA is a real entity that deserves greater attention. For this reason, the vertebrobasilar system in these patients should be examined for CMADVA with MRA. This would enable us to take preventive measures against brainstem ischemia or at least elucidate the etiology of vertigo in these patients.
Is Systematic Risk Diversifiable? Presentation of a Portfolio Model that Eliminates Systematic Risk

The possibility to minimize volatility of the systematic risk while maximizing returns, is the use of an optimized buy long/sell short strategy that takes into account, that the market model is kinky. The equation of the market model – including a beta plus for increasing markets and a beta minus for descending markets – seems to be more qualified for this reason. The following approach shows the derivation of equations for an optimal configuration of a mix of stocks. These equations and some examples and figures of optimized portfolios – including some tests of significance – support strategies for investments in leveraged portfolios also. The approach seems to modify the meaning of "nondiversifiable-risk" of the market risk.
In vitro evidence for differential involvement of CTGF, TGFbeta, and PDGF-BB in mesangial response to injury.

BACKGROUND Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a profibrotic growth factor, which is upregulated in wound healing and renal fibrosis, including anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis. The kinetics of CTGF mRNA expression in anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis suggested that CTGF regulation might contribute to glomerular response to injury downstream of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta). In anti-Thy-1.1 nephritis the initial damage is followed by mesangial repair and limited sclerosis, which involves mesangial cell (MC) activation (alpha-smooth-muscle actin (alphaSMA) expression), proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix production. The present in vitro study addresses the possible role of CTGF in these different aspects of mesangial response to injury, and how CTGF activity might relate to effects of TGFbeta and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). METHODS AND RESULTS Immunostaining and ELISA showed that alphaSMA expression and transformation of MC into myofibroblast-like cells was induced by TGFbeta, but not affected by PDGF-BB, CTGF, or neutralizing anti-CTGF antibodies. [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and Ki67 staining demonstrated that, unlike PDGF-BB, neither CTGF nor TGFbeta induced the proliferation of MC. In contrast, both CTGF and TGFbeta induced MC migration, as evidenced by approximation of wound edges in scrape-wounded, non-proliferating rat MC monolayers. In addition, fibronectin expression was upregulated by both CTGF and TGFbeta, as measured by dot-blot analysis. Anti-CTGF completely blocked the effect of added CTGF. Moreover, anti-CTGF significantly reduced TGFbeta-induced increase in fibronectin. CONCLUSION It thus appears that CTGF is specifically involved in a subset of the adaptive changes of MC involved in mesangial repair and sclerosis, which makes it an interesting candidate target for future intervention strategies.
Effect of obesity and insulin sensitivity on adiponectin isoform distribution

Background Adiponectin is an insulin‐sensitizing, antiatherogenic and anti‐inflammatory adipocytokine that circulates in three isoforms: a trimer [low‐molecular weight (LMW)], a hexamer (trimer‐dimer) of medium molecular weight (MMW) and a multimeric high molecular weight (HMW) isoform. Evidence is accumulating that HMW adiponectin is the active isoform of the adipocytokine. We investigated the impact of adipose tissue and insulin sensitivity on adiponectin isoform distribution.
DETECTION OF OCCULT LYMPH NODE TUMOR CELLS IN NODE-NEGATIVE GASTRIC CANCER PATIENTS

ABSTRACT Background: The presence of lymph nodes metastasis is one of the most important prognostic indicators in gastric cancer. The micrometastases have been studied as prognostic factor in gastric cancer, which are related to decrease overall survival and increased risk of recurrence. However, their identification is limited by conventional methodology, since they can be overlooked after routine staining. Aim: To investigate the presence of occult tumor cells using cytokeratin (CK) AE1/AE3 immunostaining in gastric cancer patients histologically lymph node negative (pN0) by H&E. Methods: Forty patients (T1-T4N0) submitted to a potentially curative gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy were evaluated. The results for metastases, micrometastases and isolated tumor cells were also associated to clinicopathological characteristics and their impact on stage grouping. Tumor deposits within lymph nodes were defined according to the tumor-node-metastases guidelines (7th TNM). Results: A total of 1439 lymph nodes were obtained (~36 per patient). Tumor cells were detected by immunohistochemistry in 24 lymph nodes from 12 patients (30%). Neoplasic cells were detected as a single or cluster tumor cells. Tumor (p=0.002), venous (p=0.016), lymphatic (p=0.006) and perineural invasions (p=0.04), as well as peritumoral lymphocytic response (p=0.012) were correlated to CK-positive immunostaining tumor cells in originally negative lymph nodes by H&E. The histologic stage of two patients was upstaged from stage IB to stage IIA. Four of the 28 CK-negative patients (14.3%) and three among 12 CK-positive patients (25%) had disease recurrence (p=0.65). Conclusion: The CK-immunostaining is an effective method for detecting occult tumor cells in lymph nodes and may be recommended to precisely determine tumor stage. It may be useful as supplement to H&E routine to provide better pathological staging.
Why isn't flow-mediated dilation enhanced in athletes?

PURPOSE Studies performed in animals and humans strongly suggest that exercise training and physical activity enhance arterial endothelial function. Studies of athletes have, however, been less definitive. METHODS We recruited a range of Olympic and world class athletes who participate in upper or lower limb predominant activities and examined brachial and superficial femoral artery diameter responses to 5-min ischemia (flow-mediated dilation [FMD]) and glyceryl trinitrate, wall thickness (WT) and wall-to-lumen ratio using Doppler and two-dimensional ultrasound. Subjects were elite male canoe paddlers (n = 12), squash players (n = 13), lower limb dominant athletes (i.e., runners/cyclists/triathletes, n = 13), or age- and sex-matched control subjects (n = 16). RESULTS Athletes demonstrated lower superficial femoral artery FMD than controls (P < 0.05), whereas in the brachial artery, a lower FMD was found in squash players (P < 0.05). Both arteries showed a significant inverse correlation between diameter and FMD (P < 0.05), and a significant inverse relationship was apparent between wall-to-lumen ratio and FMD in the superficial femoral artery (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Although artery FMD was lower in athletes, artery size was larger and WT smaller than controls. The apparent reduction in artery FMD may relate to the profound structural remodeling in the diameter and WT of the conduit arteries of athletes. These findings have implications for the interpretation of FMD data, particularly as it pertains to the effect of athletic endeavor on cardiovascular health.
Task‐Correlated Facial and Head Movements in Classifier‐Based Real‐Time fMRI

Real‐time fMRI is especially vulnerable to task‐correlated movement artifacts because statistical methods normally available in conventional analyses to remove such signals cannot be used in the context of real‐time fMRI. Multi‐voxel classifier‐based methods, although advantageous in many respects, are particularly sensitive. Here we systematically studied various movements of the head and face to determine to what extent these can “masquerade” as signal in multi‐voxel classifiers.
Role of an esterase in flavor volatile variation within the tomato clade

Tomato flavor is dependent upon a complex mixture of volatiles including multiple acetate esters. Red-fruited species of the tomato clade accumulate a relatively low content of acetate esters in comparison with the green-fruited species. We show that the difference in volatile ester content between the red- and green-fruited species is associated with insertion of a retrotransposon adjacent to the most enzymatically active member of a family of esterases. This insertion causes higher expression of the esterase, resulting in the reduced levels of multiple esters that are negatively correlated with human preferences for tomato. The insertion was evolutionarily fixed in the red-fruited species, suggesting that high expression of the esterase and consequent low ester content may provide an adaptive advantage in the ancestor of the red-fruited species. These results illustrate at a molecular level how closely related species exhibit major differences in volatile production by altering a volatile-associated catabolic activity.
All-fiber ultra-short pulse hybrid mode-locked laser with high power amplifier

Ultra-short pulse (USP) fiber lasers have a great potential for their applications in various fields of science, industry and technology [1]. We have implemented MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) configuration. Master oscillator (MO) is ring all-fiber laser with 92.6 fs parabolic spectra dechirped pulses at a central wavelength of 1560nm with 11.2mW average output power and 38.2MHz repetition rate [2]. The short pulses were realized with a hybrid mode-locking (ML) technique [3] that implies a co-action of two ML mechanisms - saturable absorber based on the Boron-Nitride-doped Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes [4] and Nonlinear Polarization Evolution [5] in fibers. MO total cavity dispersion is DT ≈ +0.01 ps2 for the central wavelength λ0 = 1560nm as it was estimated according to the measured dispersion of fibers. The pulse evolution in preamplifier and in MO ring cavity has a similar structure. Note that in preamplifier output average power was increased to 100mW with slight change of the pulse duration and spectrum shape after master oscillator. Thus, we suggest similariton generation in MO according to obtained measurements. For achieving high output power we used chirped pulse amplification technique and stretched the pulse in the high-power amplifier entrance. The active fiber of the high-power amplifier is single mode double-clad Er-doped (without Yb3+) fiber with mode field diameter ~ 25 μm pumped at 980 nm. As a result, output power of 3.1W with a pulse duration ~ 20 ps without compression was achieved after high power amplification corresponding to pulse energy of ~ 80 nJ and peak power of ~ 4 kW.
Functional Domain Analysis of Interferon Consensus Sequence Binding Protein (ICSBP) and Its Association with Interferon Regulatory Factors (*)

Interferon consensus sequence binding protein (ICSBP) is a member of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) family of proteins that include IRF-1, IRF-2, and ISGF3 which share sequence similarity at the putative DNA binding domain (DBD). ICSBP is expressed exclusively in cells of the immune system and acts as a repressor of interferon consensus sequence (ICS) containing promoters that can be alleviated by interferons. In this communication, we have searched for functional domains of ICSBP by dissecting the DBD from the repression activity. The putative DBD of ICSBP (amino acids 1-121) when fused in frame to the transcriptional activation domain of the herpes simplex VP16 (ICSBP-VP16) is a very strong activator of ICS-containing promoters. In addition, ICSBP-VP16 fusion construct transfected into adenovirus (Ad) 12 transformed cells enabled cell surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens as did treatment with interferon. On the other hand, the DBD of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4 was fused in frame to a truncated ICSBP in which the DBD was impaired resulting in a chimeric construct GAL4-ICSBP. This construct is capable of repressing promoters containing GAL4 binding sites. Thus, ICSBP contains at least two independent domains: a DBD and a transcriptional repressor domain. Furthermore, we have tested possible interactions between ICSBP and IRFs. The chimeric construct GAL4-ICSBP inhibited the stimulated effect of IRF-1 on a reporter gene, implying for a possible interaction between IRF-1 and ICSBP. Electromobility shift assays, demonstrated that ICSBP can associate with IRF-2 or IRF-1 in vitro as well as in vivo. Thus, ICSBP contains a third functional domain that enables the association with IRFs. These associations are probably important for the fine balance between positive and negative regulators involved in the interferon-mediated signal transduction pathways in cells of the immune system.
Loss of l(3)mbt leads to acquisition of the ping-pong cycle in Drosophila ovarian somatic cells

Sumiyoshi et al. show that CRISPR-mediated loss of function of lethal (3) malignant brain tumor [l(3)mbt] leads to ectopic activation of the germ-specific ping-pong cycle in ovarian somatic cells. Perinuclear foci resembling nuage, the ping-pong center, appeared following l(3)mbt mutation.