Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Apolipoprotein A-I Expression in Rats is Not Altered by Troglitazone1

Insulin is known to upregulate apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) promoter activity and to increase apoA1 gene expression in vivo. To determine if enhancement of insulin action with insulin sensitizers can also increase the apoA-I expression, we studied the in vivo effect of troglitazone, a potent insulin sensitizer, on the expression of rat hepatic and intestinal apoA-I mRNA using Northern blot analysis. The plasma, hepatic, and intestinal apoA-I content was also measured with immunoblot analysis using a specific anti-rat apoA-I antiserum. Troglitazone, given mixed with rat chow (0.2%) for 18 days, did not Increase either plasma or tissue apoA-I mRNA or protein content. Intestinal apoA-I mRNA content relative to glyceraldehyde-3 phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) mRNA was significantly lower compared with hepatic tissue content in both control and troglitazone-treated rats. The effect of troglitazone on the rat apoA-I promoter was examined using transient transfection analysis in HepG2 cells transfected with the apoA-I-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter plasmid (pAI.474.CAT). CAT activity (percentage acetylation of chloramphenicol as means ± SEM) was not significantly different in ethanol (vehicle)-treated cells compared with cells treated with troglitazone (50.5% ± 2.5% in control cells vs 57.7% ± 8.2% and 53.5% ± 4.2% in cells treated with 10 and 100 mM troglitazone, respectively). It is concluded that troglitazone doses Known to achieve insulin sensitization did not enhance rat apoA-I promoter activity sufficiently to result in an increased apoA-I mRNA or protein expression in the Intact rat. However, peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) agonists that have significant PPAR α activity in addition to their PPAR γ effects, may well be able to induce apoA-I expression.
Ballistic Fractures During The 2003 Gulf Conflict – Early Prognosis And High Complication Rate

Background Ballistic fractures are devastating injuries often necessitating extensive reconstructive surgery or amputation, particularly if associated with high-energy transfer wounds. Infective complications are common, particularly in the austere environment encountered in war. We present the management and early outcome of these injuries with reference to the mechanism of injury and bony injury. Method Data on ballistic fractures was collected prospectively during the ‘warfighting’ phase of the 2003 Gulf Conflict, between 19th March and 20th May. Fractures were scored using the Red Cross Fracture classification and early outcome analysed. Results Thirty-nine patients, with 50 ballistic fractures, were treated by British military surgeons. Patients were predominantly Iraqi (90%) and 50 per cent of ballistic fractures were caused by bullets. Seventeen upper limb fractures and 33 lower limb fractures were sustained. There were seven traumatic amputations, and a further 2 limbs were amputated primarily. Methods of primary stabilisation for the remaining 41 fractures were: external fixation (22%), POP (14.5%), K-wires (14.5%) traction (10%), and no stabilisation (39%). Seven individuals were evacuated early after primary surgery, hence 43 ballistic fractures were available for follow-up. 13/43 (30%) of wounds became infected, 5/43 (11.5%) were deep infections necessitating surgical drainage. There were 4 late amputations (9.5%), 3 of which had initially been managed by external fixation. Infection occurred significantly more often in gunshot fractures (10/21, 48%), wounds closed primarily – against the principles of war surgery (4/5, 80%) and intra-articular fractures (3/3, 100%) (p=0.022, 0.024 and 0.023 respectively). Differing methods of stabilisation had no bearing on the rate of postoperative infection. Conclusion Ballistic fractures remain a challenge for trauma surgeons in times of war and still have a poor prognosis. Further work is required to determine the optimal treatment of these injuries during conflicts. In addition, there still seems to be a continued need to re-learn the principles of war surgery in order to minimise complications and optimise functional recovery.
Inhibition of Staphylococcus epidermidis Biofilm by Trimethylsilane Plasma Coating

ABSTRACT Biofilm formation on implantable medical devices is a major impediment to the treatment of nosocomial infections and promotes local progressive tissue destruction. Staphylococcus epidermidis infections are the leading cause of biofilm formation on indwelling devices. Bacteria in biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotic treatment, which in combination with the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance among human pathogens further complicates treatment of biofilm-related device infections. We have developed a novel plasma coating technology. Trimethylsilane (TMS) was used as a monomer to coat the surfaces of 316L stainless steel and grade 5 titanium alloy, which are widely used in implantable medical devices. The results of biofilm assays demonstrated that this TMS coating markedly decreased S. epidermidis biofilm formation by inhibiting the attachment of bacterial cells to the TMS-coated surfaces during the early phase of biofilm development. We also discovered that bacterial cells on the TMS-coated surfaces were more susceptible to antibiotic treatment than their counterparts in biofilms on uncoated surfaces. These findings suggested that TMS coating could result in a surface that is resistant to biofilm development and also in a bacterial community that is more sensitive to antibiotic therapy than typical biofilms.
An RMRAC Current Regulator for Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor Based on Statistical Model Interpretation

A new robust model reference adaptive control (RMRAC) scheme for the current regulation of a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is proposed in a synchronous frame, which is completely free from the control performance degradation caused by parameter uncertainties. The current regulator of the PMSM is the innermost loop of its electromechanical driving system and plays an important role in the control hierarchy. When the PMSM runs precisely at high speeds, the cross-coupling terms must be compensated for. In the proposed RMRAC, the input signal is composed of the control voltage obtained by the model reference adaptive control (MRAC) law and the output of the disturbance estimator. The gains of the feedforward and feedback controllers are estimated by the proposed modified gradient method, where the system disturbances are filtered out by the estimated current regulation error. A voltage corresponding to the estimated system disturbances is fed forward to the control input in order to filter out the disturbances. The proposed method compensates the cross-coupling terms in a synchronous current model regardless of parameter variations. It also shows a good real-time performance due to the simplicity of control structure. Through simulations and real experiments, the efficiency of the proposed method is verified.
Impact of social identity on second language learning anxiety: The Pakistani perspective

The language learners in Pakistan are required to get adequate knowledge of English language in order to strive for a better future. It has been investigated that in few parts of the world the learners are inclined towards their social identity, culture, tradition and values which sometimes hinder them to speak foreign language. It has been observed by the linguists that social identity is a cause of anxiety in second language learners in different parts of the world. Due to inclination towards their own language, the students become reluctant to use another language which ultimately makes them anxious and less proficient learners. This study has been conducted to investigate whether social identity is also a cause of anxiety in second language learning in Pakistan. The researchers have focused the main and core issues of identity which are stuck in the minds of the language learners when they learn English language.
Globalisation and Economic Growth: A Panel Data Approach

Using different kinds of panel unit root and cointegration tests as well as panel estimations this paper seeks to improve upon the existing literature by testing the possible relationship between globalisation and the real GDP of 29 countries across almost all continents for the period 1970–2013. The results obtained allow us to confirm that globalisation is clearly relevant to economic growth, mostly when globalisation is proxied by variables related to international transactions, but also when it is proxied with the globalisation indexes and sub-indexes provided by the database of the Swiss think-tank KOF. There is also clear evidence that the long-run relationships, measured through panel cointegration, are stronger among the countries belonging to the same continent, Europe, as well as among those with a higher GDP per capita.
Major congenital malformations after first-trimester exposure to ACE inhibitors.

BACKGROUND Use of angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy is contraindicated because of their association with an increased risk of fetopathy. In contrast, first-trimester use of ACE inhibitors has not been linked to adverse fetal outcomes. We conducted a study to assess the association between exposure to ACE inhibitors during the first trimester of pregnancy only and the risk of congenital malformations. METHODS We studied a cohort of 29,507 infants enrolled in Tennessee Medicaid and born between 1985 and 2000 for whom there was no evidence of maternal diabetes. We identified 209 infants with exposure to ACE inhibitors in the first trimester alone, 202 infants with exposure to other antihypertensive medications in the first trimester alone, and 29,096 infants with no exposure to antihypertensive drugs at any time during gestation. Major congenital malformations were identified from linked vital records and hospitalization claims during the first year of life and confirmed by review of medical records. RESULTS Infants with only first-trimester exposure to ACE inhibitors had an increased risk of major congenital malformations (risk ratio, 2.71; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.72 to 4.27) as compared with infants who had no exposure to antihypertensive medications. In contrast, fetal exposure to other antihypertensive medications during only the first trimester did not confer an increased risk (risk ratio, 0.66; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.25 to 1.75). Infants exposed to ACE inhibitors were at increased risk for malformations of the cardiovascular system (risk ratio, 3.72; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.89 to 7.30) and the central nervous system (risk ratio, 4.39; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.37 to 14.02). CONCLUSIONS Exposure to ACE inhibitors during the first trimester cannot be considered safe and should be avoided.
Matrix metalloproteinase–9 and spontaneous hemorrhage in an animal model of cerebral amyloid angiopathy

We examined the potential role of the extra‐cellular matrix‐degrading enzyme, matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9), in the pathogenesis of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)‐induced spontaneous hemorrhage. The amyloid‐beta peptide (Aβ) induced the synthesis, release and activation of MMP‐9 in murine cerebral endothelial cells, resulting in increased extracellular matrix degradation. Furthermore, extensive MMP‐9 immunoreactivity was observed in CAA‐vessels with evidence of microhemorrhage in aged APPsw transgenic mice, but not detected in aged wild type or young APPsw mice. These results suggest that increased vascular MMP‐9 expression, stimulated by Aβ, may play a role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with CAA. Ann Neurol 2003;54:000–000
Arbitrage Pricing Theory in Ergodic Markets

Traditional approaches to Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT) propose a factor model, but empirical applications of APT are, nowadays, based on seemingly unrelated regression. I drop the factor model and assume only that the market is ergodic. This enables me to apply the theory of Hilbert spaces in a natural way. The expected return on any asset can always be approximated by an affine-linear function of its betas and we are able to estimate the relative number of assets that violate the APT equation by taking the expected returns and betas in the market into account. I present a simple sufficient condition for the APT equation in its inexact form. Further, I show that the APT equation holds true in its exact form if and only if an equilibrium market is exhaustive, which means that it must be possible to replicate the betas and idiosyncratic risk of each asset by some strategy that diversifies away all approximation errors in the market.
Self-triggered based semi-global consensus tracking of multi-agent systems with input saturation

Self-triggered control is a technique which can determine the next sampling instant by virtue of the last sampling information. Combining this technique and the low-gain feedback one, we investigate the consensus tracking of general linear multi-agent systems with input saturation and updating delays in this paper. Specific formulations of heterogeneous updating delays and heterogeneous sampling periods are acquired to guarantee the semi-global consensus tracking of multi-agent systems. Numerical simulations are provided to verify the main results.
Diagnostic delay in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: results from the Danish nationwide DANBIO registry

Background/purpose Early diagnosis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases is important in order to improve long-term outcome. We studied whether delay in diagnosis (time between onset of symptoms and establishment of diagnosis) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PSA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) changed from year 2000 to 2011. Methods Month and year of initial symptoms and diagnosis, gender, hospital, year of birth and date of first data entry were obtained for 13 721 patients with RA, PSA or AS who had been registered in the DANBIO registry. Time between symptom onset and diagnosis was modelled using generalised linear regression to predict the average duration for each calendar year of initial symptoms with adjustments for gender, year of birth and date of DANBIO entry. Results Patients with valid data (RA: 10 416 (73%); PSA: 1970 (68%); AS: 1335 (65%)) did not differ significantly from the whole DANBIO population, except more missing data in early years. The regression model showed that the mean duration from initial symptoms to diagnosis for RA, PSA and AS declined steadily from 30, 53 and 66 months (year 2000), respectively, to 3–4 months (year 2011). Sensitivity analyses including patients who were included after 2005, patients who had received biological treatment or had symptom onset less than 2 and 5 years prior to first entry into DANBIO showed similar results. Conclusion Since the year 2000, a significant reduction in diagnostic delay was observed in this large cohort of patients with RA, PSA or AS, probably reflecting a stronger awareness of the importance of early diagnosis.
Renewed Activism for the Labor Movement: The Urgency of Young Worker Engagement

In this article, the authors consider the findings of a multi-year, case study-based research project on young workers and the labor movement in four countries: France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The authors examine the conditions under which young workers actively engage in contemporary labor movements. Although the industrial relations context matters, the authors find the most persuasive explanations to be agency-based. Especially important are the relative openness and active encouragement of unions to the leadership development of young workers, and the persistence and creativity of groups of young workers in promoting their own engagement. Embodying labor’s potential for movement building and resistance to authoritarianism and right-wing populism, young workers offer hope for the future if unions can bring them aboard.
Mode-division multiplexing systems: Propagation effects, performance and complexity

This article consists of a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation. Some of the specific areas/topics discussed include: Mode coupling (Sources, effects and models); Modal dispersion (Principal modes, Statistics of group delays, MDM system complexity); Modal gains and losses (Statistics of gains/losses and noise, MDM system performance, Frequency diversity).
Empirical Research on Spatial Diffusion Process of Knowledge Spillovers

Firstly, this paper gave a brief review of the core issues of previous studies on spatial distribution of knowledge spillovers. That laid the theoretical foundation for further research. Secondly, this paper roughly described the diffusion process of solar patents in Bejing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Pearl River Delta regions by means of correlation analysis based on patent information of the application date and address of patentee. After that, this paper introduced the variables of spatial distance, knowledge absorptive capacity, knowledge gap and pollution control and built the empirical model of patent, and then collecting data to test them. The results showed that knowledge absorptive capacity was the most significant factor than the other three, followed by the knowledge gap. The influence of spatial distance on knowledge spillovers was limited and the most weak influence factor was pollution control.
Syndrome based treatment guidelines for critical tropical infections

Sir, I read the guidelines from the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine Tropical fever Group in the article “Tropical fevers: Management guidelines” by Singhi et al. with great interest. [1] At the outset I congratulate the Journal, Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine and the members of the expert Review Committee for the recommendations on a neglected issue of public health concern particularly with availability of limited epidemiological data. The syndrome-based approach, especially in the monsoon and post monsoon season (seasonal fever) may not be specific for the cause of fever; however the algorithm is very relevant as the treatment is specific for the differential diagnosis. The favorable climatic conditions are a fertile ground for certain infections particularly the arthropod-borne. Our primary and secondary care hospitals, which attend majority of these patients are resource-limited and lack access to diagnostic tests. Further, the diagnosis of some of these infections is serology based, which may be negative initially. Hence, sensitizing clinicians across the country regarding the “syndromic approach” is justified particularly for seasonal tropical fevers. However, there are the following areas of concern: Fever with encephalopathy: These patients should also receive doxycycline. Meningoencephalitis is a known complication of scrub typhus in addition to focal neurological deficits[2,3,4] Dose of ceftriaxone: The 2 g intravenous BD recommended daily dose of ceftriaxone in this syndromic approach is debatable. The recommended empirical daily dose of ceftriaxone for enteric fever is 1-2 g/daily or 2 g/once a day. [5,6] The recommended daily dose of ceftriaxone for leptospirosis is 1 g/once a day[7,8] Dose of oseltamivir: The 150 mg BD recommended daily dose of tablet oseltamivir in this syndromic approach is again debatable. The recommended adult dose (>40 kg weight) of oseltamivir is 75 mg BD. [9]
UNCERTAINTY, FLEXIBILITY AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF COMPANIES: MODELLING FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MANAGERS

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study is to propose a model to estimate how uncertainty, flexibility, and operational performance are related. The assumption is that competition in the current business environ-ment has been broadening consumers’ options. These options have brought uncertainty to companies regarding the adoption of operational strategies, particularly to adjustment of flexibility to their competitive priorities.Originality/value: The research designed a theoretical model that pre-sents convergent, discriminant validity, and good reliability. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the perceived uncertainty, flexibility, and ope-rational performance from a set of evaluated companies.Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected out of managers and analysts from the financial, energy, and manufacturing sectors. The uncertainty was estimated by taking into account the state, the effect, and the choice of responses from changes in business environment. In addition, it was considered the flexibility and the performance within the operational indicators.Findings: The results reveal moderate managers’ ability to predict the state of the environment and its effects on their organization’s activi-ties. Also they show that uncertainty does not influence the operational performance when mediated by flexibility. Thus, in a moderate envi-ronmental stability, flexibility can be adopted to mitigate the effects of uncertainty on operational performance.
Three‐dimensional organization of testicular interstitial tissue and lymphatic space in the rat

Rat testes fixed by vascular perfusion were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. This revealed a complex organization of the interstitial tissue and an extensive “testicular lymphatic space” composed of continuous “peritubular lymphatic sinusoids. ” No cellular connections exist between the interstitium and the tubules. Each sinusoid completely surrounds an individual seminiferous tubule, and adjacent sinusoids communicate freely through fenestrae in the interstitium. Thus, material must enter the lymph to gain access to the tubules. The sinusoids are delimited by separate endothelial cell layers over the tubules and interstitium. The layer over the interstitium is discontinuous in specific areas according to the geometry of the tubule packing. Interstitial tissue located in the flattened biconcave interstices between two adjacent tubules is consistently covered with endothelial cells, while that located in the open, triangular interstices between three or more tubules consistently lacks an endothelium. Most of the Leydig cells are located in the “open interstitium” and are directly exposed to the lymph. Physiological implications of the “testicular lymphatic space” and additional features of the interstitium are discussed.