Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fusimotor reflexes in triceps surae muscle elicited by stretch of muscles in the contralateral hind limb of the cat.

Experiments were performed on twenty‐one cats anaesthetized with alpha‐chloralose. The aim of this study was to investigate the reflex effects on triceps surae and plantaris fusimotor neurones elicited by tonic stretch of the contralateral posterior biceps and semitendinosus (p.b.s.t.) and the contralateral triceps surae and plantaris muscles, to compare these effects with the effects evoked by flexion or extension of the intact contralateral hind limb (Appelberg, Hulliger, Johansson & Sojka, 1984) and to clarify the interactions between the reflexes from contralateral and ipsilateral muscles. Activity in fusimotor neurones was studied indirectly by recording from primary muscle spindle afferents of the triceps surae and plantaris muscle. The mean rate of firing and the modulation of the afferent response to sinusoidal extension of the triceps surae and plantaris muscles was determined. Control measurements were made with the ipsilateral p.b.s.t. , the contralateral p.b.s.t. and the contralateral triceps and plantaris muscles relaxed. Tests were made with tonic stretch of one of these muscles alone or with two of them simultaneously. With stretch of the contralateral p.b.s.t. ten out of eighty‐four primary afferents (11.9%) showed predominantly dynamic reflexes (six out of forty‐one in spinalized preparations: 14.6%), twenty‐two (26.2%) showed mixed or predominantly static effects (one spinalized: 2.4%) and fifty‐two units (61.9%) showed no effect (thirty‐four spinalized: 83.0%). The reflex effects could be reproduced by electrical stimulation of the cut contralateral p.b.s.t. nerve either at group II or at group III strength. With stretch of the contralateral triceps and plantaris muscles seventy out of seventy‐six (92.1%) primary muscle spindle afferents showed no effect and six (7.9%) mixed or predominantly static reflex effects. In general, the reflex effects were not accompanied by detectable electromyographic (e.m.g.) activity in the ipsilateral triceps and plantaris (recorded with surface or needle electrodes), indicating that the reflexes mainly involved gamma‐motoneurones. The difference in efficacy between contralateral flexor (p.b.s.t.) and extensor (triceps and plantaris) muscles seems to be in accordance with the response pattern found with extension or flexion of the intact contralateral hind limb (Appelberg et al. 1984). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Simulación de la estructura temporal de tasas de interés: Una aplicación al cálculo de riesgo de tasas de interés

In order to provide a tool for risk management improvement and appropriate regulation, a methodology for measuring interest rate risk is applied in this paper. After estimating and simulating the interest rate term structure, the value at risk and expected shortfall are calculated on a portfolio. An application of alpha-stable distributions has allowed representing the asymmetric, leptokurtic and heavy tailed shape of financial returns and occurrence of extreme scenarios.
Eighteen- to Twenty-four-Year Follow-up After Complete Rupture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

A unilateral, complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament was diagnosed in 60 consecutive patients by arthroscopy within 1 week of trauma. Most ruptured ligaments were treated by acute nonaugmented repair immediately after the arthroscopy. Fifty-five and 56 patients were reevaluated after 12 years and 20 years, respectively. Twenty-five patients (45%) had at least one reoperation during the follow-up period of 20 years, primarily for meniscal problems. Seven patients (13%) had repeat anterior cruciate ligament surgery. The overall Lysholm knee function score remained at a median of 90 points from 12 to 20 years, but patients had decreased their sporting activities from team sports at full rehabilitation to physical fitness activities at the late follow-up. Patients who had repeat surgery had a worse knee function score, were less satisfied with their knees, and also had to change activities and change work more often than patients without reoperation. The majority of patients had, at both follow-up periods, unstable knees. At 20 years, weightbearing radiographs showed slight-to-moderate changes equivalent to osteoarthrosis in 84% (47) of patients and a 32% increase in osteoarthrosis since the 12-year evaluation.
The use and abuse of routine stool microbiology: a College of American Pathologists Q-probes study of 601 institutions.

OBJECTIVE To examine the efficiency with which physicians use routine stool microbiology tests. DESIGN Questionnaire and structured review of 100 consecutive stool bacteriology and parasitology examinations at each participating institution. SETTING Six hundred one institutions enrolled in the College of American Pathologists Q-probes Program. RESULTS Of 59500 bacteriology specimens, 3808 (6.4%) contained a pathogen. The vast majority (99%) of bacterial pathogens were detected in either the first or second specimen submitted. Almost 40% of inpatient specimens were collected after the third day of hospitalization, but only 0.6% of these specimens were positive for enteric pathogens that had not been previously recovered. More than half of the laboratories reported having no limits on the number of bacteriology specimens per patient that could be submitted for testing, and fewer than 8% of laboratories rejected specimens from inpatients after a certain number of days in the hospital. The frequency with which laboratories performed tests for Clostridium difficile varied widely. Of 58500 parasitology specimens, 1463 (2.5%) contained a pathogen; 97.6% of pathogens were detected by the second stool specimen, and 99.8% were detected by the third specimen. Only 0.7% of specimens from inpatients hospitalized more than 4 days contained a new pathogen. CONCLUSIONS We recommend that no more than two bacteriology specimens and no more that two or three parasitology specimens be processed per patient without consultation. Standard stool examination for a bacterial pathogens has a low yield and should not be performed after 3 days of hospitalization. Likewise, parasitology examinations should not be performed after 4 days of hospitalization.
Staging an Essay: Play and Playwriting for Redirecting Habits of Mind.

Many first-year students struggle with the transition from high school writing to college writing as higher-order demands are made and new discipline-specific genres are added. Previous writing training can provide a “mental set effect,” old habits of mind, which inhibits growth. Additionally, students receive writing training in courses other than the composition class that may further interfere with development and the acquisition of the critical thinking needed for college writing. In this article, we argue that playwriting exercises, informed by Vygotsky’s theory of play, offer a mode to foster critical thinking common to writing practice across the academy and actuate Burke’s “parlor” of academic discourse. Writing-About-Writing (WAW) after playwriting exercises strengthens writer identity and facilitates the transfer of knowledge to other genres.
[Stages of behavioral change regarding physical activity in students from a Brazilian town].

OBJECTIVES Verifying the association between stages of behavioural change (SBC) for physical activity (PA) and socio-demographic factors, behavioural factors and PA barriers in students from a small town in Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study's representative sample was formed by 281 high school students from Simão Dias, Sergipe State, in Brazil, having 17.4 (± 1.98) mean age. Socio-demographic information was collected via a self-administered instrument (gender, age, school grade, economic level (EL) and family-head's EL), SBC for PA, behavioural factors (smoking, alcohol and stress) and PA barriers. A hierarchical model was used, involving Poisson regression with respective confidence intervals; significance level was set at 5 % for all analysis. RESULTS 65.8 % of the participating students were classified in stages referring to inactive physical behaviour. Being female had the probability of presenting 1.37 times higher inactive behaviour (1.14-1.65 95 %CI) when compared to being male in the final regression model; having a low EL remained a risk factor, compared to medium EL students (PR=1.41; 1.15-1.72 95 %CI). CONCLUSION These findings may prove useful for developing health promotion programmes in school environments, paying special attention to female and low-EL students.
Optimizing legume cropping : The policy questions

The cultivation of legumes is low in Europe. Public policy incentives and/or regulations have a role to play in changing this. This chapter examines six such policies. The CAPRI (Common Agricultural Policy Regional Impact) model, a partial equilibrium model for the agricultural sector, is used to simulate the effects of these policies and compare them to what would happen if no policy action were taken. Five of these policy scenarios are aimed at grain legumes (pulses and soybean), and one at forage legumes (in particular, clover). Three of the policies could be incorporated into the Common Agricultural Policy, whereas the other three are more general in nature: related to consumption, international trade and climate-change mitigation. It is the latter two that are likely to have the most significant effect on the cultivation of grain legumes.
Serotonin transporter gene methylation is associated with hippocampal gray matter volume

The serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) and the 5‐HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphisms in its gene (SLC6A4) have been associated with depression, increased stress‐response, and brain structural alterations such as reduced hippocampal volumes. Recently, epigenetic processes including SLC6A4 promoter methylation were shown to be affected by stress, trauma, or maltreatment and are regarded to be involved in the etiology of affective disorders. However, neurobiological correlates of SLC6A4 promoter methylation have never been studied or compared to genotype effects by means of human neuroimaging hitherto
Masticatory function and patient satisfaction with implant-supported mandibular overdentures: a prospective 5-year study.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of treatment with implant-supported mandibular overdentures in terms of biting and chewing, in entirely satisfied and not fully satisfied patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve edentulous patients who had worn dentures for at least 5 years participated. They were in good health but had retention problems with their mandibular dentures. First, all patients received new dentures. After 3 months, two Astra Tech implants were placed in the anterior part of the mandible, and 6 months later the abutments were connected. Patient assessment (questionnaire) and functional recordings (chewing ability, bite force, electromyographic activity) were performed with the new dentures, and again 3 months, 1 year, and 5 years after overdenture treatment. RESULTS After treatment, all patients were able to comminute hard and tough food, the maximum bite force and the chewing activity increased in parallel, and the duration of the chewing cycle was reduced. Every patient felt improved function and reduction of chewing pain. However, the seven patients not fully satisfied with the function of the implant-supported mandibular overdentures were characterized by lower muscle activity, even before implant placement, than the entirely satisfied patients. CONCLUSION Implant-supported mandibular overdenture treatment permits better biting and chewing function than conventional complete dentures.
Interactions between Angiotensin ll and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Renomedullary Interstitial Cells: The Role of Neutral Endopeptidase

Background/Aims: Neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibition attenuates renal damage in the diabetic kidney, but little is known about the mechanisms of this renoprotective effect. Methods: We examined the interaction between angiotensin II (Ang II) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) under low (5 mM) and high (30 mM) glucose conditions, on cell proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in renomedullary interstitial cells (RMICs) derived from wild-type (WT) and NEP-deficient (NEP–) mice. Results: Under high glucose conditions, Ang II (10–6M) increased cell proliferation (control, 174.3 ± 16.9; Ang II, 846.3 ± 91.0 cpm/well) and ECM synthesis (control, 22.3 ± 3.1; Ang II, 79.0 ± 9.6 cpm/cell) in RMICs derived from WT and NEP– mice to a similar extent. ANP (10–7M) reduced Ang II-induced cell proliferation and ECM synthesis in RMICs derived from both strains, but more efficiently in RMICs derived from NEP–mice. The Ang II-induced cell proliferation and ECM synthesis was attenuated with AT1 receptor blockade, but more efficiently in RMICs-derived NEP– mice. Conclusions: This data shows that ANP and AT1 receptor blockade attenuate Ang II-induced RMIC proliferation and ECM synthesis more efficiently in the absence of NEP. These results support the concept that NEP inhibition is beneficial in attenuating abnormal cell growth and ECM metabolism associated with diabetic nephropathy.
Coaliciones electorales y desempeño legislativo: dos juegos desconectados

espanol? Tienen las alianzas electorales un efecto sobre el comportamiento de los legisladores en las comisiones permanentes del Congreso? En este articulo se muestra que no existe evidencia estadisticamente significativa acerca de que compromisos electorales que llevaron a la eleccion de un diputado se traduzcan en apoyos legislativos a la agenda de politica publica propuesta por el Ejecutivo nacional. Mediante un analisis de como dictaminan los diputados oficialistas argentinos en comision, se encuentra que el apoyo a proyectos del Ejecutivo es explicado por variables institucionales, como la pertenencia a un (inter)bloque o el calendario electoral, y por variables contextuales, como el apoyo que un presidente tiene en la opinion publica. EnglishDo electoral coalitions have an effect on the behavior of legislators in the permanent committees of Congress? In this article I show that there is no statistically significant evidence that electoral commitments translate into individual legislative support for the public policy agenda proposed by president. Through an analysis of Argentinean ruling party deputies’ positions in committee, it is shown that support for executive projects is explained by institutional variables, such as partisan belonging or the electoral calendar, and by contextual variables, such as the presidential public opinion approva
Glial–Neuronal–Endothelial Interactions are Involved in the Control of GnRH Secretion

In recent years compelling evidence has been provided that cell–cell interactions involving non‐neuronal cells, such as glial and endothelial cells, are important in regulating the secretion of GnRH, the neuropeptide that controls both sexual development and adult reproductive function. Modification of the anatomical relationship that exist between GnRH nerve endings and glial cell processes in the external zone of the median eminence modulates the access of GnRH nerve terminals to the portal vasculature during the oestrous cycle. The establishment of direct neuro‐haemal junctions between GnRH neuroendocrine terminals and the portal vasculature on the day of pro‐oestrus may be critical for the transfer of GnRH upon its release into the fenestrated capillaries of the median eminence. Notwithstanding the importance of these plastic rearrangements, glial and endothelial cells also regulate GnRH neuronal function via specific cell–cell signalling molecules. While endothelial cells of the median eminence use nitric oxide to effect this regulatory control, astrocytes employ several growth factors, and in particular those of the EGF family and their erbB receptors to facilitate GnRH release during sexual development. Loss of function of each of these erbB receptors involved in the astroglial control of GnRH secretion leads to delayed sexual development. It is clear that regulation of GnRH secretion by cell–cell communication mechanisms other than transsynaptic inputs is an important component of the central neuroendocrine process controlling mammalian reproduction.
Bronchoalveolar lavage chitotriosidase activity as a biomarker of sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND Chitotriosidase (CTO) was shown to be a good biomarker of sarcoidosis. Increased levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were reported and associated with more severe forms of the disease. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of CTO in BALF as a routine biomarker of sarcoidosis. METHODS The study included 85 patients in 9 control subjects in whom serum and BALF CTO were measured. RESULTS Significantly higher CTO levels were detected in BALF of sarcoidosis patients than in control subjects (p < 0.001). There was good correlation between serum and BALF CTO levels in sarcoidosis patients (Spearman's Rho 0.481, p < 0.001). Serum but not BALF CTO had good correlation with clinical parameters. Only in a group of patients with BALF CTO above upper normal range there was association of BALF CTO with impaired FVC (p = 0.020) and chest radiograph score (0-2 vs. 3-4, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS In comparison to serum CTO no additional benefit of determining CTO in BAL for routine sarcoidosis workup was shown.
Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate prescriptions identified by Beers and STOPP criteria in co-morbid older patients at hospital discharge.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIP) and the association with polypharmacy (more than six drugs prescribed) in co-morbid older patients in a critical moment of care transition such as hospital discharge by means of two explicit criteria (Beers 2012 and STOPP 2008). METHOD Cross-sectional study carried out in an older patients' population (≥65 years old) discharged from a university hospital in Spain. We recorded patients' information regarding demographics, diagnosis, drugs prescribed and associated pathological conditions and calculated the Charlson co-morbidity index. Data were obtained from the electronic medical records of hospital discharge. Beers (2012) and STOPP criteria (2008) were applied for PIP detection. The strength of association between polypharmacy and the presence of PIP was assessed by calculating the crude and adjusted odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval. RESULTS From 1004 patients of a 15% random sample, just 624 that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The number of prescribed drugs was a risk factor for PIP according to both criteria, even after adjusting for confounding variables. PIP frequency was higher in patients who received more than 12 medications (Beers: 34.8%, STOPP: 54.4%). Each additional medication increased the risk of PIP by 14 or 15% (Beers or STOPP). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the strategies used for PIP reduction in co-morbid older patients should focus on the management of polypharmacy. Medication review at hospital discharge is highly recommended for patients taking more than six drugs.
Recent developments in gender differences in pay

Gender differences in pay continue to persist, despite decades of equal-pay legislation and the promotion of equal opportunities. This thesis examines differences in pay between men and women in Italy during the period 2005-2014 and puts special emphasis on the effects of sample selection. It decomposes the gender pay gap in different subsamples and identifies drivers of the gap that remained unobserved so far. In particular, it shows the empirical disappearance of the gender pay gap in Italy for public-contest recruited employees. It further reveals that the wage gap between men and women for overeducated workers is mainly explained by generally unobservable characteristics. From the methodological perspective, this work provides two novelties. First, it adds to the literature on quantile-regression approaches by adjusting the wage model based on unconditional quantile regression for sample selection. Second, an alternative estimation approach that builds on the omitted variable bias formula is proposed, in order to directly estimate the change of the gender pay gap and its components over time. The empirical part of this thesis is based on a large Italian data set (ISFOL PLUS 2005-2014). The case of Italy is particularly interesting for the study of gender differences in pay and gender-specific selection into wage work given low levels of the aggregate gender pay gap (approximately 6.0%) on the one hand, and high employment gaps between men and women (more than 20.0%) on the other hand. Lohnunterschiede zwischen Mannern und Frauen bestehen trotz Gleichstellungsgesetzten und der Forderung von Chancengleichheit auf dem Arbeitsmarkt. Die vorliegende Dissertation untersucht geschlechtsspezifische Lohnunterschiede in Italien fur den Zeitraum 2005-2014 und kontrolliert fur Selektionseffekte in die Stichprobe. Die Lohnlucke wird dazu in diverse Teilstichproben aufgeteilt. Bisher unbeobachtete Faktoren werden dabei als Hauptverursacher des Lohnunterschieds identifiziert. Insbesondere zeigt die Dissertation das empirische Verschwinden der Lohnlucke in Italien fur Individuen die per Public Contest in ihren Job eingetreten sind. Auch wird gezeigt, dass der Lohnunterschied von Arbeitnehmern, deren Arbeitsplatze ein geringeres Ausbildungsniveau als das erlangte erfordern, hauptsachlich durch unbeobachtete Faktoren erklart werden kann. Methodisch wird das Model der unbedingten Quantilsregression um Selektion erweitert und ein alternativer Schatzansatz vorgeschlagen. Letzterer erlaubt es, Veranderungen in der geschlechtsspezifischen Lohnlucke uber die Zeit direkt zu schatzen. Der empirische Teil der Arbeit basiert auf dem italienischen Datensatz ISFOL PLUS 2005-2014. Der Fall Italiens ist fur die Analyse von geschlechtsspezifischen Selektionseffekten und Lohnunterschieden besonders interessant. Einerseits ist das italienische geschlechtsspezifische Lohndifferenzial mit ca. 6.0% relativ gering, andererseits gibt es eine grose Beschaftigungslucke zwischen Mannern und Frauen (mehr als 20.0%).