Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health opportunities in Colombia

Resumen: De acuerdo con la teoria de igualdad de oportunidades, la desigualdad en un resultado final (por ejemplo, los ingresos monetarios) es causada, principalmente, por dos tipos de caracteristicas: las circunstancias y el esfuerzo individual. Los individuos no tienen control sobre las primeras, pero si sobre el esfuerzo. Las desigualdades en los resultados finales que son generadas por las circunstancias se consideran injustas, mientras que las generadas por las segundas, no. En este articulo se busca calcular el nivel de desigualdad injusta en salud existente en Colombia. Se concluye, preliminarmente, que en Colombia hay evidencia de desigualdad de oportunidades en salud, la cual explica entre el 30% y el 40% de la desigualdad total en el estado de salud autorreportado por los individuos. Considerando solamente las circunstancias observables, se concluye que la salud de la madre, la estructura del hogar durante la ninez y el genero son caracteristicas individuales que tienen una influencia considerable sobre este tipo de desigualdad. Abstract: According to the theory of equality of opportunity, inequality in final outcomes (e.g., monetary income) is mainly caused by two broad characteristics: circumstances and individual effort. Individuals have no control on the former but on the latter. Inequalities in final outcomes caused by circumstances are considered unfair, while those generated by effort are not. In this paper, we calculate the level of unjust inequality in health in Colombia. A preliminary conclusion is that Colombia presents evidence of inequality of opportunities in health, which explains between 30% and 40% of total inequality in self-reported health status. Considering only observable circumstances, mother’s health, household structure through childhood, and gender are individual characteristics that have considerable influence on this type of inequality.
Rapid Protein Kinase A—Mediated Activation of Cyclic AMP‐Phosphodiesterase by Parathyroid Hormone in UMR‐106 Osteoblast‐like Cells

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) plays an essential role in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. The effects of PTH are known to be mediated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and calcium and by the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). cAMP is hydrolyzed to the inactive form 5′ AMP by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). We have investigated the role of PTH on PDE regulation in UMR‐106 osteoblast‐like cells. Treatment with 10 nM PTH caused a 3‐fold increase in the PDE activity. The activation of PDE could be seen within 2 minutes and reached maximal levels after 20 minutes. The PTH effect was dose dependent with a half‐maximal dose of 2 nM. The effect of PTH could be mimicked by the cAMP analogs Bt2 cAMP and forskolin, but not by PTH fragment 3–34, calcium ionophore A23187, or by the PKC activator phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate. The PDE activity stimulated by PTH could be abolished by the PKA inhibitor H‐8. The PDE activated by PTH was inhibitable by low concentrations of the cAMP‐PDE–specific inhibitor RO 20‐1724 (IC50 = 0.2 μM), but not by low concentrations of the inhibitors of cGMP‐stimulated and cGMP‐inhibited PDEs MEP‐1 and milrinone (IC50 for both compounds >30 μM). The PTH‐stimulated cAMP accumulation was potentiated about 7‐fold in the presence of RO 20‐1724. H‐8 potentiated the PTH‐stimulated cAMP accumulation about 4‐fold. Our results show that PTH rapidly stimulates the activity of cAMP‐PDE in UMR‐106 cells. The PDE activation involves cAMP and PKA. Inhibition of PKA can abolish the PTH‐stimulated PDE activation and leads to increased accumulation of intracellular cAMP.
Mode of spread to and within the central nervous system after oral infection of neonatal mice with the DA strain of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus is a neurotropic enterovirus known to cause biphasic neural disease after intracerebral inoculation into adult mice. The present study characterizes a neonatal mouse model with a high disease incidence for the study of the acute phase of the pathogenesis of the DA strain of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus after oral infection. The route of viral spread to and within the central nervous system (CNS) was determined by examining the kinetics of viral replication in various organs and by performing histopathological analysis. Viral antigen was detected widely in the neonatal CNS, mainly in the gray matter, and it was asymmetrical and multifocal in its distribution, with considerable variation in lesion distribution from animal to animal. Necrotizing lesions appeared to expand by direct extension from infected cells to their close neighbors, with a general disregard of neuroanatomical boundaries. The diencephalon showed particular susceptibility to viral infection. Other areas of the CNS, including the cerebellum and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, were consistently spared. Neurons with axons extending peripherally to other organs or receiving direct input from the peripheral nervous system were not preferentially affected. The kinetics of viral replication in the liver, spleen, and CNS and the histopathological findings indicate that viral entry to the CNS is via a direct hematogenous route in orally infected neonatal mice and that the disease then progresses within the CNS mainly by direct extension from initial foci.
IL-17 Stimulates Intraperitoneal Neutrophil Infiltration Through the Release of GROα Chemokine from Mesothelial Cells1

IL-17 is a newly discovered cytokine implicated in the regulation of hemopoiesis and inflammation. Because IL-17 production is restricted to activated T lymphocytes, the effects exerted by IL-17 may help one to understand the contribution of T cells to the inflammatory response. We investigated the role of IL-17 in leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity. Leukocyte infiltration in vivo was assessed in BALB/Cj mice. Effects of IL-17 on chemokine generation in vitro were examined in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC). Administration of IL-17 i.p. resulted in a selective recruitment of neutrophils into the peritoneum and increased levels of KC chemokine (murine homologue of human growth-related oncogene α (GROα). Pretreatment with anti-KC Ab significantly reduced the IL-17-driven neutrophil accumulation. Primary cultures of HPMC expressed IL-17 receptor mRNA. Exposure of HPMC to IL-17 led to a dose- and time-dependent induction of GROα mRNA and protein. Combination of IL-17 together with TNF-α resulted in an increased stability of GROα mRNA and synergistic release of GROα protein. Anti-IL-17 Ab blocked the effects of IL-17 in vitro and in vivo. IL-17 is capable of selectively recruiting neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity via the release of neutrophil-specific chemokines from the peritoneal mesothelium.
Effect of Hip Hemiarthroplasty on Articular Cartilage and Bone in a Canine Model

The purpose of this study was to determine if acetabular articular cartilage damage occurs in the presence or absence of changes in subchondral plate thickness or porosity and trabecular bone architecture after hip hemiarthroplasty. Eight canines were sacrificed 6 months after receiving unilateral hemiarthroplasties in which a cobalt chrome alloy femoral head was used. The acetabular cartilage, subchondral plate, and trabecular bone were quantitatively evaluated. Although the articular cartilage in the treated hip showed gross and histologic degenerative changes, there were no differences in the treated and contralateral hips in any of the trabecular bone parameters or subchondral plate thickness. However, the subchondral plate porosity was increased 2.6-fold in the treated hip. Therefore, degradation of cartilage can occur in the absence of thickening of the subchondral plate or alterations in the supporting trabecular bone architecture. These observations provide a better understanding of the role that periarticular bone has in the degenerative process after hemiarthoplasty.
A lumped element circuit model for monolithic transformers in silicon-based RFICs

This paper presents an ideal lumped-element equivalent circuit model for on-chip monolithic transformers on silicon substrates. R, L Foster networks in a T-topology are used to capture the frequency-dependent proximity and skin effects in the transformer windings as well as substrate eddy-current effects and, hence, the complete frequency-dependent self and mutual impedances of the transformer. The model is passive by construction and is compatible with transient simulations. A stacked transformer on a 10 ohm-centimeter CMOS substrate has been used to verify the model. The model exhibits good agreement with simulation data and measurements over a frequency range of 0.1 - 10 GHz.
Clinical significance of cancer in radical prostatectomy specimens: analysis from a contemporary series of 2900 men

Summary With prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing, up to 49% of detected tumours are small and in some of these cases there is a possibility that the tumour will remain clinically insignificant during the patient's remaining lifetime. The current study was performed to characterise the extent of cancer in men treated by radical prostatectomy (RP) in a community without population-based PSA screening. Clinical and pathological data of 2900 patients who underwent RP between 2008 and 2012 were analysed. Specimens were entirely embedded and evaluated by routine haematoxylin and eosin staining. Tumours were graded using recent modifications to the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) modified Gleason grading system, and staged according to the ISUP recommendations. Tumours were considered pathologically insignificant if organ confined, with a volume of <0.5 cc and a Gleason score (GS) of <7. The mean age of patients in the series was 63 years (range 32–79 years) and the mean pre-operative PSA was 7.16 ng/mL (range 0.4–69). In total, 2614 (90.1%) were classified as cT1; however, insignificant tumours were found in only 150 (5.2%) patients following examination of the radical prostatectomy specimen. A total of 2681 cases (92.4%) had a final GS of ≥7, 1144 (39.4%) had extraprostatic extension (EPE), of which 88.7% were classified as established; 669 (23.1%) had a tumour volume of >3 cc and 284 (9.8%) had surgical margin positivity. Seminal vesicle involvement was seen in 159 (5.5%) cases. Of 693 patients who had a lymphadenectomy, 31 (4.5%) had lymph node metastases. Aged ⩽50 years were 212 (7.3%) patients (mean age 47 years). Of these, 194 were classified as cT1 while 192 (90.6%) were found to have significant cancer on examination of the radical prostatectomy specimen. We have shown in our series that although 90.1% of tumours were cT1, an overwhelming majority of tumours were found to be pathologically significant following RP, with a high proportion of cases showing high stage disease, seminal vesicle involvement and lymph node metastasis. These results suggest that, contrary to estimates from international trials, ad hoc PSA testing is associated with low levels of over-treating.
Symptoms of burnout and service recovery performance

Purpose – This study aims to expand on previous research on the antecedents and outcomes of burnout, and to examine the role of job resourcefulness as a situational personality trait with the capacity to ameliorate burnout. Using data from Call Center frontline employees (FLEs) in a New Zealand banking context, the paper seeks to investigate the direct influence of job resourcefulness in a model examining the antecedents and outcomes of burnout.Design/methodology/approach – Call Center FLEs completed a self‐administered questionnaire on job demands, job resources, burnout symptoms, job resourcefulness and service recovery performance. Data obtained from the FLEs were analyzed using the SEM‐based Partial Least Squares (PLS) methodology.Findings – Eight of the 14 advanced hypotheses were supported and the results suggest that job resourcefulness plays a significant role in burnout and in influencing Call Center FLE service recovery performance.Research limitations/implications – Limitations of the study inc.
Obesity: Pathogenesis and emerging targets for drug development

Obesity leads to premature death and impairs quality of life. In general, weight loss is responsible and reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease that is associated with obesity. One of the recognized and well establishment treatment option for weight loss i.e. pharmacotherapy where cardiovascular safety issues with some previous weight loss drugs raise concerns for newly approved pharmacotherapies. Previously, number of anti-obesity drugs that are already withdrawn from the market because of adverse side effects. In the present study, our group focused only on antiobesity drugs that are currently under investigation and also understand its pathogenesis. Although lot of anti-obesity drugs are in the pipeline, the process for getting such type of drugs to be marketed has recently proven so difficult.
Annual activity report

Criteria I. Professional Responsibility This section should provide a broad overview of the year's accomplishments relating to the individuals primary job assignment(s). It should provide evidence that the individual has mastered his or her job and performs it effectively, and is committed to the mission of the University. A. Assignments, Projects, and Accomplishments Activities listed in this section should reflect the individual is performing his/her assignment in a manner consistent with the annual assignment and the goals/objectives established by the individual and their supervisor.
A reconceptualisation of destination tourism management:focussing on sustainability and corporate social responsibility

Investigating the linkages between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the business strategies of tourism destination businesses offers the prospect of new perspectives on the management of sustainable tourism. Previous tourism management discussion has been dominated by research into tourist perceptions and joint government and industry planning processes for addressing physical and social impacts of tourism. And although there has been some discussion of the ethical and CSR aspects of tourism there has been a notable lack of empirical research.
Chronic effects of complete limbic lobe destruction in man

THE LIMBIC SYSTEM was first proposed as the anatomic substrate of emotional behavior by Papez’ in 1937. Subsequently, extensive analysis of the function of this system has been undertaken through observation of altered behavior in patients having developmental abnonnalities2~3 or acquired lesions of the limbic system.4-17 Simultaneously, experimental analysis has been attempted by many workers in this I t is apparent from these studies that the limbic system functions in the outward expression of inner feeling states. I t is concerned with the experiencing of fear, anger, affection, pleasurable sensations, and reproductive stimuli. The limbic system has an essential role in information storage as well. A case of acute necrotizing encephalitis involving the limbic system with seven-year survival afforded a unique opportunity to observe the clinical syndrome of chronic and complete limbic destruction in man.
Fast Coding Unit Size Decision in HEVC Intra Coding

The current high efficiency video coding (HEVC) standard is developed to achieve greatly improved compression performance compared with the previous coding standard H.264/AVC. It adopts a quadtree based picture partition structure to flexibility signal various texture characteristics of images. However, this results in a dramatic increase in computational complexity, which obstructs HEVC in real-time application. To alleviate this problem, we propose a fast coding unit (CU) size decision algorithm in HEVC intra coding based on consideration of the depth level of neighboring CUs, distribution of rate distortion (RD) value and distribution of residual data. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can achieve up to 60% time reduction with negligible RD performance loss. key words: HEVC, CU, size decision, intra coding
Distinct subsets of nucleus accumbens neurons encode operant responding for ethanol versus water

Subsets of nucleus accumbens (NAc) neurons process information about operant responses for drugs as well as natural rewards (food and water) by excitations and inhibitions in firing rate time‐locked to the operant response. The degree to which ensembles of neurons exhibit similar firing patterns when encoding cues and operant responses across different reinforcer conditions will provide critical information regarding the functional organization of this nucleus. The present experiment evaluated the relative contribution of subsets of accumbens neurons that encode distinct features of lever press responding for ethanol vs. water. Electrophysiological recordings (n = 153 neurons) were made in the accumbens of rats trained on concurrent reinforcement schedules for ethanol and water throughout a self‐administration session. During operant responding, 52% of neurons exhibited patterned discharges characterized by significant increases or decreases in firing rate of ± 1 s relative to lever presses for ethanol and/or water. Of these phasic cells, 85% discriminated between presses for ethanol and water (i.e. exhibited firing patterns unique to one reinforcer type), while 15% exhibited identical firing patterns relative to lever presses for both reinforcers. Notably, the data revealed that both high ethanol preference and spatially distinct lever positions contributed to the reinforcer specificity. Together, these data demonstrate that subsets of NAc neurons encode conditioned and instrumental aspects of ethanol vs. water reinforcement in well‐trained rats, and that reinforcer preference and spatial cues are important components of this differential information processing.
Recent Advances in the Design, Modeling, and Control of Multiphase Machines—Part II

The main objective of this two-part state-of-the-art paper called “Recent Advances in the Design, Modeling, and Control of Multiphase Machines” is to present latest contributions in the multiphase machines' field. The first part of this paper focuses on the recent progress in the design, modeling, and control, whereas the drive is in healthy operation. This second part presents relevant contributions in two not analyzed fields. The first is in relation with the use of the additional degrees of freedom of multiphase machines and the exploitation of their fault-tolerant capabilities without adding extra hardware. The second one analyzes multiphase generation, particularly in grid-connected wind energy conversion systems and stand-alone applications. Recent progresses are shown and open challenges and future research directions are discussed.
Effect of re-expansion after short-period lung collapse on pulmonary capillary permeability and pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in isolated rabbit lungs.

BACKGROUND Re-expansion pulmonary oedema is a rare complication caused by rapid re-expansion of a chronically collapsed lung. Several cases of pulmonary oedema associated with one-lung ventilation (OLV) have been reported recently. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in pulmonary oedema fluid are suggested to play important roles in its development. Activation of cytokines after re-expansion of collapsed lung during OLV has not been thoroughly investigated. Here we investigated the effects of re-expansion of the collapsed lung on pulmonary oedema formation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. METHODS Lungs isolated from female white Japanese rabbits were perfused and divided into a basal (BAS) group (n=7, baseline measurement alone), a control (CONT) group (n=9, ventilated without lung collapse for 120 min) and an atelectasis (ATEL) group (n=9, lung collapsed for 55 min followed by re-expansion and ventilation for 65 min). Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and the coefficient of filtration (Kfc) were measured at baseline and 60 and 120 min. At the end of perfusion, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid/plasma protein ratio (B/P), wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D) and mRNA expressions of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined. RESULTS TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA were significantly up-regulated in lungs of the ATEL group compared with BAS and CONT, though no significant differences were noted in PVR, Kfc, B/P and W/D within and between groups. MPO increased at 120 min in CONT and ATEL groups. CONCLUSION Pro-inflammatory cytokines were up-regulated upon re-expansion and ventilation after short-period lung collapse, though no changes were noted in pulmonary capillary permeability.
Exploring socially responsible purchasing in Swedish organisations

The role of businesses in contemporary society is changing. Many companies experience rapt attention to their actions from a number of stakeholders, among others customers, media, governments and investors. The popular press and academic literature alike point to many examples: mining companies have come under attack for collusion with corrupt governments (IIED and WBCSD, 2002); apparel retailers have faced scandals over the use of sweatshop or child labour (Henkle, 2005; Nijhof, Forterre et al., 2008), oil companies were criticised for engaging in activities that drive people from their settlements or for sponsoring military actions in developing countries (Frynas and Scott, 2003), while toy industry (Bjurling, 2004) and major mobile manufacturers (Chan, de Haan et al., 2008) got under scrutiny for breaching international conventions on working conditions and workers rights. Even public organisations are getting under public scrutiny, as for example in case of street stones used in Swedish municipalities that were produced in poor working conditions in China (Johnson, Huitfeldt et al., 2006). Over time this attention has compelled the organisations to incorporate non-economic criteria into their purchasing and procurement practices. Despite the growing attention to social issues, little knowledge exists regarding the incorporation of social aspects into procurement activities by both businesses and public organisations. Although much can be learned from looking at the green purchasing literature, it is a fact that many of the preconditions and practices are different in socially responsible purchasing (Carter, 2004).