Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why household debt held by Korean seniors is problematic: An international comparison

This paper analyzes why the household debt held by seniors in Korea is highly vulnerable, compared to the US and major European countries. Based on household-level micro data, seniors in Korea have lower income, lower income stability, and fewer financial assets than those in the US and European countries. In addition, the macro-financial environment over the last decade in Korea promoted debt accumulation. Hence, if Korean economy is hit by adverse macro-financial shocks, such as a sudden increase in interest rate or a decline in house prices, seniors in Korea are expected to be impacted most seriously.
Development and assessment of sensitive immuno‐PCR assays for the quantification of cerebrospinal fluid three‐ and four‐repeat tau isoforms in tauopathies

Characteristic tau isoform composition of the insoluble fibrillar tau inclusions define tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17/frontotemporal lobar degeneration‐tau (FTDP‐17/FTLD‐tau). Exon 10 splicing mutations in the tau gene, MAPT, in familial FTDP‐17 cause elevation of tau isoforms with four microtubule‐binding repeat domains (4R‐tau) compared to those with three repeats (3R‐tau). On the basis of two well‐characterised monoclonal antibodies against 3R‐ and 4R‐tau, we developed novel, sensitive immuno‐PCR assays for measuring the trace amounts of these isoforms in CSF. This was with the aim of assessing if CSF tau isoform changes reflect the pathological changes in tau isoform homeostasis in the degenerative brain and if these would be relevant for differential clinical diagnosis. Initial analysis of clinical CSF samples of PSP (n = 46), corticobasal syndrome (CBS; n = 22), AD (n = 11), Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD; n = 16) and 35 controls revealed selective decreases of immunoreactive 4R‐tau in CSF of PSP and AD patients compared with controls, and lower 4R‐tau levels in AD compared with PDD. These decreases could be related to the disease‐specific conformational masking of the RD4‐binding epitope because of abnormal folding and/or aggregation of the 4R‐tau isoforms in tauopathies or increased sequestration of the 4R‐tau isoforms in brain tau pathology.
Human Papillomavirus DNA Replication Compartments in a Transient DNA Replication System

ABSTRACT Many DNA viruses replicate their genomes at nuclear foci in infected cells. Using indirect immunofluorescence in combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization, we colocalized the human papillomavirus (HPV) replicating proteins E1 and E2 and the replicating origin-containing plasmid to nuclear foci in transiently transfected cells. The host replication protein A (RP-A) was also colocalized to these foci. These nuclear structures were identified as active sites of viral DNA synthesis by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse-labeling. Unexpectedly, the great majority of RP-A and BrdU incorporation was found in these HPV replication domains. Furthermore, E1, E2, and RP-A were also colocalized to nuclear foci in the absence of an origin-containing plasmid. These observations suggest a spatial reorganization of the host DNA replication machinery upon HPV DNA replication or E1 and E2 expression. Alternatively, viral DNA replication might be targeted to host nuclear domains that are active during the late S phase, when such domains are limited in number. In a fraction of cells expressing E1 and E2, the promyelocytic leukemia protein, a component of nuclear domain 10 (ND10), was either partially or completely colocalized with E1 and E2. Since ND10 structures were recently hypothesized to be sites of bovine papillomavirus virion assembly, our observation suggests that HPV DNA amplification might be partially coupled to virion assembly.
Understanding the role of tryptophan and serotonin metabolism in gastrointestinal function

Abstract Tryptophan is the precursor of a wide array of metabolites, which are involved in a variety of aspects of human nutrition and metabolism. Accumulating evidence suggests a role of tryptophan metabolites, especially serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamin) in intestinal (patho) physiology, although mechanisms of action are still poorly understood. Alterations of serotonin metabolism may give rise to gastrointestinal dysfunction. Recently, it has been postulated that other metabolites of tryptophan, mostly of the kynurenine pathway, also play a role in regulating gut function. This review analyses the current knowledge of the interrelationship between tryptophan metabolic pathways and summarizes the existing scientific evidence regarding the role of tryptophan metabolites in intestinal function and in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases.
Bivariate Analysis of the Relationship between Advertising and Sales

This article builds on the existing literature by studying the inter-linkage between sales and advertising expenditure in India. The article takes a sample of 100 Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies in India and studies their advertising and sales for the period ranging from 2001–2002 to 2010–2011. The study uses various tools including mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, kurtosis, skewness, correlation, regression for getting insights into the data. Econometric analyses including auto-correlation, partial auto-correlation, augmented Dickey–Fuller test, vector auto regression, variance decomposition analysis, Johansen’s co-integration and vector error correction model have been employed to find out the bivariate relationship between the variables under reference. The article finds that the dependency of the current period’s advertising expenses on previous years’ sales is far more significant than the dependency of sales revenue over advertising expenses. The article provides significant inputs for the further studies that may focus on adding more variables such as profits and firm value, and study the multivariate relationship among them.
Adansonian Analysis and Deoxyribonucleic Acid Base Composition of Serratia marcescens

Colwell, R. R. (Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.), and M. Mandel. Adansonian analysis and deoxyribonucleic acid base composition of Serratia marcescens. J. Bacteriol. 89:454–461. 1965. —A total of 33 strains of Serratia marcescens were subjected to Adansonian analysis for which more than 200 coded features for each of the organisms were included. In addition, the base composition [expressed as moles per cent guanine + cytosine (G + C)] of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) prepared from each of the strains was determined. Except for four strains which were intermediate between Serratia and the Hafnia and Aerobacter group C of Edwards and Ewing, the S. marcescens species group proved to be extremely homogeneous, and the different strains showed high affinities for each other (mean similarity, ¯S = 77%). The G + C ratio of the DNA from the Serratia strains ranged from 56.2 to 58.4% G + C. Many species names have been listed for the genus, but only a single clustering of the strains was obtained at the species level, for which the species name S. marcescens was retained. S. kiliensis, S. indica, S. plymuthica, and S. marinorubra could not be distinguished from S. marcescens; it was concluded, therefore, that there is only a single species in the genus. The variety designation kiliensis does not appear to be valid, since no subspecies clustering of strains with negative Voges-Proskauer reactions could be detected. The characteristics of the species are listed, and a description of S. marcescens is presented.
Directly Printed Packaging-Paper-Based Chipless RFID Tag With Coplanar $LC$  Resonator

This letter presents the design, simulation, fabrication, and characterization of an LC-resonator-based chipless RFID tag. The ID-generating circuit is designed based on a reconfigurable LC resonance circuit. Phase position modulation (PPM) coding is used for the enhancement of the coding capacity. The tag has been realized on packaging paper using all printing technique. In fabrication, overprinting process has been investigated as an effective pathway for the improvement of the conductivities. The tag with 4.25-bit coding capacity has been examined using a sweeping frequency signal transmitted from a vector network analyzer, and experimental results confirm the feasibility of the proposed chipless tag. With further optimizations, the tag can be used in the item-level tracking and identification applications, especially for the management of paper tickets and banknotes.
Positive and negative regulation of IL‐12 receptor expression of naive CD4+ T cells by CD28/CD152 co‐stimulation

IL‐12 is a critical cytokine for polarizing naive CD4+ T cells toward Th1 subset. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the mechanism of IL‐12R expression of naive CD4+ T cells. In this report, we present evidence to show that expression of both IL‐12Rβ1 and β2 mRNA is regulated by signals mediated through CD28 and CD152. Naive CD4+ T cells stimulated with anti‐CD3 alone neither expressed IL‐12Rβ2 mRNA nor bound detectable level of rIL‐12, although they expressed a very low level of IL‐12Rβ1 mRNA when stimulated with a high dose of anti‐CD3. Expression of IL‐12Rβ1 and β2 mRNA was induced by the co‐ligation of CD3 and CD28, and it was down‐regulated by the ligation of CD152. CD28 ligation induced not only IL‐12Rβ1 and β2 mRNA expression, but also enhanced IFN‐γR to mediate up‐regulation of IL‐12R by IFN‐γ.
Secreted Peptide Signals Required for Maintenance of Root Stem Cell Niche in Arabidopsis

Making Roots A tiny bunch of stem cells generates the bulk and diversity of plant roots. These cells are found at the root meristem and are themselves regulated by signaling inputs from a variety of sources. In Arabidopsis, Matsuzaki et al. (p. 1065) have identified a family of peptide factors that regulate these root stem cells. These peptides, known as root meristem growth factors, carry the post-translational modification, tyrosine sulfation, and are essential for maintaining the root stem cell niche. Short-range signaling by sulfated peptides maintains root stem cells. Stem cells are maintained in the niche by intercellular interactions and signaling networks. In this work, we study extracellular signals required for maintenance of the root stem cell niche in higher plants. We identify a family of functionally redundant homologous peptides that are secreted, tyrosine-sulfated, and expressed mainly in the stem cell area and the innermost layer of central columella cells. We name these peptides root meristem growth factors (RGFs). RGFs are required for maintenance of the root stem cell niche and transit amplifying cell proliferation in Arabidopsis. RGF1 defines expression levels and patterns of the stem cell transcription factor PLETHORA, mainly at the posttranscriptional level. The RGFs function independently of the auxin pathway. These peptide signals play a crucial role in postembryonic root development.
Analysis of longitudinal data

Background Longitudinal data arise frequently in psychiatric investigations, and are most often analysed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) procedures. However, as routinely applied, the method is not satisfactory, particularly when the data are affected by subjects dropping-out of the study. More suitable methods are now available. Method Problems with the MANOVA approach are discussed and the advantages of alternative procedures stressed. Results Using MANOVA on complete cases to analyse unbalanced longitudinal data can be seriously misleading. More recently developed methods are far more suitable, but only if the missing values are non-informative. Conclusions Routine use of MANOVA for the analysis of longitudinal data, particularly when there is a substantial proportion of drop-outs, is ill advised. Statisticians have considerably enriched the available methodologies during the past decade, and psychiatric researchers dealing with such data should be aware of the advantages of the newer methods.
Melatonin prevents possible radiotherapy-induced thyroid injury

Abstract Purpose: We aimed to investigate the protective effect of melatonin in radiotherapy-induced thyroid gland injury in an experimental rat model. Materials and methods: Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups: the control group, melatonin treatment group, radiotherapy group and melatonin plus radiotherapy group. The neck region of each rat was defined by simulation and radiated with 2 Gray (Gy) per min with 6-MV photon beams, for a total dose of 18 Gy. Melatonin was administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg through intraperitoneal injection, 15 min prior to radiation exposure. Thirty days after the beginning of the study, rats were decapitated and analyses of blood and thyroid tissue were performed. Results: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the radiotherapy group were significantly higher than those in the melatonin plus radiotherapy group (p < .05), whereas interleukin-10 (IL-10) and glutathione (GSH) values were higher in the melatonin plus radiotherapy group (p < .05). The infiltration of inflammatory cells and percentage of apoptosis in the radiotherapy group were significantly higher than those in the melatonin plus radiotherapy group (p < .05). Conclusions: Melatonin helped protect thyroid gland structure against the undesired cytotoxic effects of radiotherapy in rats.
Population trends in China and India (A Review).

Because the combined populations of China and India represent about 40% of total world population evolving population dynamics in them are of significance to the well-being of a substantial proportion of the total world population. Published demographic data for India are extensive but less than completely accurate while data for China are sparse and potentially precise but of an accuracy that cannot be fully verified. China grew about 78% and India about 89% between 1951-81 with Chinas cumulative growth less despite lower mortality because of a greater decline in the birth rate. Total fertility rates in China and India respectively were about 5.5 and 6.0 in the 1950s and 2.5 and 4.9 in the late 1970s. Life expectancies rose from about 40-45 in China and under 35 in India in 1951 to about 65 in China and almost 50 in India in the late 1970s. Although the 2 countries are very different in economic and political organization their populations are still over 80% rural about 70% of their labor forces are in agriculture manufacturing has risen more rapidly than aggregate national production in each and estimated per capita incomes are still small in both. Chinas mortality level is more favorable because the government emphasizes egalitarian income distribution and health care and the central organization is probably more effective in providing preventive health care. The greater fertility reduction in China did not occur because of a more consistent government position in favor of lower fertility the Chinese having undergone several changes of direction on family planning since 1951 in comparison to the constancy of the Indian position. Chinas reduction occurred because of more effective government measures once a belated commitment was made to reduce fertility and because of a social context more favorable to a fall in the birth rate. Since 1951 the demographic development of India has been close to the high variant suggested in Coale and Hoovers classic "Population Growth and Economic development in Low Income Countries" and the foregone advantages of population control are similar to the benefits cited by the Chinese in support of their stringent birth planning campaign. Both China and India will inevitably have large population increases before their population growth stabilizes because of their young age structures.
Expanding the definition of hypothalamic obesity

Hypothalamic obesity (HyOb) was first defined as the significant polyphagia and weight gain that occurs after extensive suprasellar operations for excision of hypothalamic tumours. However, polyphagia and weight gain complicate other disorders related to the hypothalamus, including those that cause structural damage to the hypothalamus like tumours, trauma, radiotherapy; genetic disorders such as Prader–Willi syndrome; side effects of psychotropic drugs; and mutations in several genes involved in hypothalamic satiety signalling. Moreover, ‘simple’ obesity is associated with polymorphisms in several genes involved in hypothalamic weight‐regulating pathways. Thus, understanding HyOb may enhance our understanding of ‘simple’ obesity. This review will claim that HyOb is a far wider phenomenon than hitherto understood by the narrow definition of post‐surgical weight gain. It will emphasize the similarity in clinical characteristics and therapeutic approaches for HyOb, as well as its mechanisms. HyOb, regardless of its aetiology, is a result of impairment in hypothalamic regulatory centres of body weight and energy expenditure. The pathophysiology includes loss of sensitivity to afferent peripheral humoral signals, such as, leptin on the one hand and dysfunctional afferent signals, on the other hand. The most important afferent signals deranged are energy regulation by the sympathetic nervous system and regulation of insulin secretion. Dys‐regulation of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β‐HSD1) activity and melatonin may also have a role in the development of HyOb. The complexity of the syndrome requires simultaneous targeting of several mechanisms that are deranged in the HyOb patient. We review the studies evaluating possible treatment strategies, including sympathomimetics, somatostatin analogues, triiodothyronine, sibutramine, and surgery.
Modelling voltage-demand relationship on power distribution grid for distributed demand management

Most existing demand response or management algorithms require a dedicated communication infrastructure to coordinate actions of electricity users. However, the necessary communication infrastructures may not be available in many low-voltage (LV) networks around the world. On the other hand, implicit information on the state of the network is readily available at all times via measurements. In this paper we propose a stochastic modelling approach to estimate aggregate network demand from local voltage measurements at each household using a gamma distribution. The model suggests a linear relationship between the expected value of network demand and voltages at households in the network. We propose a set of illustrative distributed demand control algorithms that allow making decisions based on local information only. Depending on the nature of different appliances, the algorithms either shift the entire demand block to another time (for deferable loads such as driers) or alter the consumption rate of an appliance continuously (for granular loads such as electric vehicles). We illustrate via simulations that the stochastic model captures the actual relationship between voltage and demand. The resulting demand management algorithms are efficient in reducing demand peaks without reducing the overall consumption. Moreover, the lack of explicit communication requirements makes the algorithms scalable and readily applicable to most LV networks.
Association between perceived health status and satisfaction with quality of care: evidence from users of primary health care in Oman.

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to assess the influence of perceived health status, as measured by SF-12, on the client's views of service quality. METHODS A structured interview of patients was carried out in six primary health care centres in Adh Dhahira region health authority in the Sultanate of Oman. A total of 1226 patients aged 15 and over attending the different health care services within the health centres took part in the study. The main outcome measures were patients' satisfaction with the different aspects of health care and their perceived physical and mental health status. RESULTS When adjusted for the relevant background factors such as age and gender, poor perceived health status has been found to predict less positive judgements of various aspects of health care quality. Poor mental health status, for example, predicts less positive judgements of aspects that are linked to the accessibility of the service and interpersonal aspects of care such as the working hours of the centre, GP's attitude and time spent with the GP (P < 0.05, <0.05 and <0.01, respectively). Poor physical health status, on the other hand, predicts less positive judgements of aspects such as cleanliness of the building, confidentiality of consultation with the GP, explanation about the visit to the antenatal clinic and standard of antenatal clinic in general (P < 0.05, <0.05, <0.05 and <0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION Users' perceived health status has to be evaluated concurrently with assessing satisfaction with the quality of health care services. This would provide more valid results with regard to the patients' views on their level of satisfaction with health care quality.
Body mass index and the risk of stroke in men.

BACKGROUND Although obesity is an established risk factor for coronary heart disease, its role as a risk factor for stroke remains controversial. METHODS Prospective cohort study among 21 414 US male physicians participating in the Physicians' Health Study. Incidence of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke was measured by self-report and confirmed by medical record review. We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the association of body mass index (BMI), calculated as self-reported weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters, with risk of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke. RESULTS During 12.5 years of follow-up, 747 strokes (631 ischemic, 104 hemorrhagic, and 12 undefined) occurred. Compared with participants with BMIs less than 23, those with BMIs of 30 or greater had an adjusted relative risk of 2.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-2.71) for total stroke, 1.95 (95% CI, 1.39-2.72) for ischemic stroke, and 2.25 (95% CI, 1.01-5.01) for hemorrhagic stroke. When BMI was evaluated as a continuous variable, each unit increase of BMI was associated with a significant 6% increase in the adjusted relative risks of total (95% CI, 4%-8%), ischemic (95% CI, 3%-8%), and hemorrhagic stroke (95% CI, 1%-12%). Additional adjustment for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia slightly attenuated the risks for total and ischemic (relative risk, 4%; 95% CI, 2%-7%), but not hemorrhagic, stroke. CONCLUSIONS These prospective data indicate a significant increase in the relative risk of total stroke and its 2 major subtypes with each unit increase of BMI that is independent of the effects of hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol. Because BMI is a modifiable risk factor, the prevention of stroke may be another benefit associated with preventing obesity in adults.