Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opioids and Opioid Maintenance Therapies: Their Impact on Monocyte-Mediated HIV Neuropathogenesis.

BACKGROUND HIV-1 enters the CNS within two weeks after peripheral infection and results in chronic neuroinflammation that leads to HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in more than 50% of infected people. HIV enters the CNS by transmigration of infected monocytes across the blood brain barrier. Intravenous drug abuse is a major risk factor for HIV-1 infection, and opioids have been shown to alter the progression and severity of HAND. Methadone and buprenorphine are opioid derivates that are used as opioid maintenance therapies. They are commonly used to treat opioid dependency in HIV infected substance abusers, but their effects on monocyte migration relevant to the development of cognitive impairment are not well characterized. CONCLUSION Here, we will discuss the effects of opioids and opioid maintenance therapies on the inflammatory functions of monocytes and macrophages that are related to the development of neuroinflammation in the context of HIV infection.
Sex differences in the human visual system

This Mini‐Review summarizes a wide range of sex differences in the human visual system, with a primary focus on sex differences in visual perception and its neural basis. We highlight sex differences in both basic and high‐level visual processing, with evidence from behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging studies. We argue that sex differences in human visual processing, no matter how small or subtle, support the view that females and males truly see the world differently. We acknowledge some of the controversy regarding sex differences in human vision and propose that such controversy should be interpreted as a source of motivation for continued efforts to assess the validity and reliability of published sex differences and for continued research on sex differences in human vision and the nervous system in general. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Defining professionalism in medical education: A systematic review

Introduction: We undertook a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the literature to identify how professionalism is defined in the medical education literature. Methods: Eligible studies included any articles published between 1999 and 2009 inclusive presenting viewpoints, opinions, or empirical research on defining medical professionalism. Results: We identified 195 papers on the topic of definition of professionalism in medicine. Of these, we rated 26 as high quality and included these in the narrative synthesis. Conclusion: As yet there is no overarching conceptual context of medical professionalism that is universally agreed upon. The continually shifting nature of the organizational and social milieu in which medicine operates creates a dynamic situation where no definition has yet taken hold as definitive.
Auction Models Supporting End-to-End Connection Trading

—The paper concerns bandwidth allocation problem on the telecommunication market where there are many sellers and buyers. Sellers oﬀer the bandwidth of telecommunication links. Buyers are interested in the purchase of the bandwidth of several links that makes up an end-to-end connection between two nodes of telecommunication network. We analyze three auction models supporting such a bandwidth exchange: NSP (network second price), BCBT (model for balancing communication bandwidth trading) and BCBT-CG which is a modiﬁcation of BCBT that applies column generation technique. All of these models concern divisible network resources, treat bandwidth of telecommunication links as an elementary commodity oﬀered for sale, and allow for purchasing bandwidth along multiple paths joining two telecommunication nodes. All of them also aim at maximizing the social welfare. Considered auction models have been compared in the respect of economic and computational eﬃciency. Experimental studies have been performed on several test instances based on the SNDlib library data sets.
Racial Disparities in Diabetes Care Processes, Outcomes, and Treatment Intensity

Background. Black Americans with diabetes have a higher burden of illness and mortality than do white Americans. However, the extent to which differences in medical care processes and treatment intensity contribute to poorer diabetes outcomes is unknown. Objective. To assess racial disparities in the quality of diabetes care processes, intermediate outcomes, and treatment intensity. Methods. We conducted an observational study of 801 white and 115 black patients who completed the Diabetes Quality Improvement Project survey (response rate = 72%) in 21 Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities using survey data; medical record information on receipt of diabetes services (A1c, low-density lipoprotein [LDL], nephropathy screen, and foot and dilated eye examinations), and intermediate outcomes (glucose control measured by A1c; cholesterol control measured by LDL; and achieved level of blood pressure); and pharmacy data on filled prescriptions. Results. There were no racial differences in receipt of an A1c test or foot examination. Blacks were less likely than whites to have LDL checked in the past 2 years (72% vs. 80%, P <0.05) and to have a dilated eye examination (50% vs. 63%, P <0.01). Even after adjusting for patients’ age, education, income, insulin use, diabetes self-management, duration, severity, comorbidities, and health services utilization, racial disparities in receipt of an LDL test and eye examination persisted. After taking into account the nested structure of the data using a random intercepts model, blacks remained significantly less likely to have LDL testing than whites who received care within the same facility (68% vs. 83%, P <0.01). In contrast, there were no longer differences in receipt of eye examinations, suggesting that black patients were more likely to be receiving care at facilities with overall lower rates of eye examinations. After adjusting for patient characteristics and facility effects, black patients were substantially more likely than whites to have poor cholesterol control (LDL ⩾130) and blood pressure control (BP ⩾140/90 mm Hg) (P <0.01). Among those with poor blood pressure and lipid control, blacks received as intensive treatment as whites for these conditions. Conclusions. We found racial disparities in some diabetes care process and intermediate outcome quality measures, but not in intensity of treatment for those patients with poor control. Disparities in receipt of eye examinations were the result of black patients being more likely to receive care at lower-performing facilities, whereas for other quality measures, racial disparities within facilities were substantial.
The Month-of-the-Year Effect in Post-Communist East European Stock Markets

This paper studies the month-of-the-year (MOY) effect between 2004 and 2014, also considering the impact of the 2008 crisis. MOYis present in most East European countries, but the patterns changebetween countries and, also, as a result of the crisis.Thus, markets should be analyzed separately and periodically, especially after important events, as their behavior changes. It appears that some markets try to correct the observed pattern in the same year, by creatingan inverse one. This creates another opportunity for informed investors to create profitable strategies, a sign that the level of efficiency on the markets is low.
A Risk-based Airport Security Policy

This paper argues for a risk-based security policy for our nation's airports. It reviews the two main tools necessary for a risk-based security model for U.S. airports. (1) A Pre-clearing system for a subset of low-risk air passengers. After passing the clearing system, these passengers can then have their boarding expedited. (2) A system for identifying high-risk passengers for intensified scrutiny. The system proposed for this high-risk scrutiny is called the Risk Screening System; and it would rely on information already in airline reservation systems. Therefore, it would not create any additional privacy concerns.
Transference Interpretation in the Psychotherapy of Borderline Patients: A High‐Risk, High‐Gain Phenomenon

&NA; The effectiveness of transference interpretation in the psychodynamic psychotherapy of patients with borderline personality disorder has been highly controversial. Both highly expressive approaches that stress the value of transference interpretation and supportive strategies that eschew transference work have been advocated in the literature. We review this literature and identify three emerging trends in thought: (1) Primarily interpretive approaches should be reserved for patients with greater levels of ego strength. (2) Whichever technique is used, a strong therapeutic alliance is the foundation of treatment. (3) Expressive and supportive techniques should not be juxtaposed as polarized opposites; supportive interventions often pave the way for transference interpretation. Our psychotherapy process study revealed that transference interpretations tended to have greater impact‐both positive and negative‐than other interventions made with patients with borderline personality disorder. We conclude that such factors as neuropsychologically based cognitive dysfunction, a history of early trauma, patterns of object relations involving interpersonal distance, masochistic tendencies, and anaclltic rather than Introjective psychopathology are among the patient characteristics that influence the impact of transference interpretation on the therapeutic alliance. Bias toward expressive technique and countertransference issues appear to be relevant to the therapist's difficulty in shifting to a more supportive approach when indicated.
Uma discussão a respeito do uso de medidas de desempenho em sistemas de operações.

O uso de medidas de desempenho vem sendo muito estudado face a necessidade de mudança das empresas ante aos desafios competitivos por elas enfrentados. Este trabalho busca identificar os papéis que um sistema de medicão de desempenho deve desempenhar, tendo como contexto a estratégia de manufatura. A metodologia empregada é um survey aplicado a alunos de cursos de especialização em ̳Engenharia de Produção‘ e ̳Produção Enxuta‘. Ao todo foram trabalhados 104 questionários, representando empresas da região metropolitana de Curitiba. Os resultados comprovaram aplicações tradicionais no ̳controle de desempenho‘, bem como identificaram usos de natureza estratégica para as medidas de desempenho.
Enhancements to the BIS international banking statistics

The BIS international banking statistics (IBS) are a long-established data set for monitoring banks’ international activities. The IBS comprise several data sets, each consisting of aggregated information for the banking system (as opposed to individual institutions) and collected with a different objective in mind. Collectively, they are a key source of information for analysing financial stability issues ranging from country risk exposures to funding risks in different currencies and banks’ role in the transmission of shocks across countries. They have been used in top-level academic research (eg Aviat and Coeurdacier (2007), Buch et al (2010), Cetorelli and Goldberg (2011), Houston et al (2011), Lane and Shambaugh (2010), Ongena et al (2013)), as well as by policymakers (eg Bernanke et al (2011), Haldane (2009)) and market participants (eg Deutsche Bank (2010)).
企业社会责任 = Corporate social responsibility

The primary function of business is to create wealth and value for its customers, shareholders, employees and society at large. Today, this role of private enterprise in a market economy and the positive contribution of entrepreneurial initiative to environmental and social progress are increasingly recognized worldwide. Wealth generation and economic growth are the foundations of business's capacity to contribute effectively to improve environmental and social conditions.
Monosomy for the X-chromosome is associated with an atherogenic lipid profile.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Men typically have a more atherogenic lipid profile than women characterized by higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels and reduced lipid particle size, contributing to a greater risk for coronary disease. To determine whether X-chromosomal gene dosage affects lipid metabolism independent of sex steroid effects, we compared lipid profiles in age- and body mass-matched young women with ovarian failure, differing only in X-chromosome dosage. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Women with premature ovarian failure associated with monosomy X or Turner syndrome (TS, n = 118) were compared with women with 46,XX premature ovarian failure (n = 51) in an in-patient clinical research center unit at the National Institutes of Health. These women were normally on estrogen replacement treatment but discontinued the estrogen 2 wk before study. MAJOR OUTCOMES Fasting lipid levels and nuclear magnetic resonance lipid particle profiles in the two study groups were the major outcomes. RESULTS Average age and body mass were similar in the two groups of women, but LDL cholesterol (P = 0.001) and triglyceride levels (P = 0.0005) were higher in the TS group. Also among women with TS, average LDL particle size was reduced (P < 0.0001) and LDL particle concentration increased, with a 2-fold increase in the smallest particle categories (P < 0.0001). Whereas total high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were similar, high-density lipoprotein particle size was significantly smaller in women with TS, compared with women with premature ovarian failure (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Women with 45,X with ovarian failure exhibit a distinctly more atherogenic lipid profile than 46,XX women with ovarian failure, suggesting that the second X-chromosome contributes to a more salutary lipid profile in normal women, independent of sex steroid effects.
Diet and vitamin D status among pregnant Pakistani women in Oslo.

OBJECTIVES In the present study the diet and the nutritional status of pregnant Pakistani immigrant women have been compared with a group of Norwegian women. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey of women in the 18th week of pregnancy. SETTING Women referred to routine ultrasound examination at Aker and Ullevål Hospitals in Norway. SUBJECTS All (58) healthy women of Pakistani origin referred from October of 1991 to January of 1992 were included, of whom 38 (66%) participated. Forty-five Norwegian women were randomly included in the same period and 38 (84%) of these women participated. RESULTS The serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were significantly lower in the Pakistanis compared with the Norwegians (median 19 nmol/l vs 55 nmol/l, P < 0.001) and 83% of the Pakistani women had 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels below the reference value (< 30 nmol/l). The Pakistanis had higher levels of serum parathyroid hormone (median 2.6 vs 1.6 pmol/l, P < 0.001). The Pakistanis also had a lower dietary intake of vitamin D than that of the Norwegians (median 2.2 vs 3.3 micrograms/day, P < 0.05), and a lower total intake, including supplements (median 2.9 vs 7.0 micrograms/day, P < 0.001). Among the Pakistanis a correlation was found between the dietary intake of margarine, the main source of vitamin D in the diet, and the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in serum, r = 0.48 (P = 0.01). In general, the Pakistanis avoided any direct sunshine exposure, and no relation between outdoor activity and serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was found. The Pakistani women had a lower intake of calcium than the Norwegians (median 793 vs 1134 mg/day, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION This study has shown that Pakistani women living in Oslo are at great risk of developing vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy. The main reasons for this are avoidance of sun exposure, a low dietary intake of vitamin D, and no or little use of supplementation.
Effects of Intraspecific Competition and Nutrient Supply on the Endangered Northeastern Bulrush, Scirpus ancistrochaetus Schuyler (Cyperaceae)

Abstract The effect of intraspecific competition and nutrient supply on the endangered northeastern bulrush, Scirpus ancistrochaetus, was examined in a full-factorial greenhouse experiment. Seedlings were exposed to 4 densities (1, 5, 10 or 25 plants/pot) and 3 nutrient concentrations (3, 25 or 50% of full strength) for 9 wk. Height, mass and survival generally decreased with increasing density. Root to shoot ratio (R : S) increased with density, indicating that competition primarily involved belowground resources. Nutrient concentration significantly affected average plant height, total mass and R : S but did not affect survival. Plant height and total mass generally increased with increasing nutrient concentration, whereas R : S decreased. In general, the negative effect of intraspecific competition on plant height and total mass was greatest at the highest nutrient concentration, confirming that the intensity of intraspecific competition increases with resource supply in this species. Neither density nor nutrient concentration affected the population distribution of plant sizes in densities over 1 plant/pot, suggesting that size hierarchies, and therefore asymmetric competition, are not important during seedling growth in this species. Information gained from this study can be used towards understanding seedling establishment in the field and, in turn, towards effective management and reintroduction of this endangered species.
Expression of a 66-kD heat shock protein associated with the process of cyst formation of a true slime mold, Physarum polycephalum.

Under unfavorable conditions for growth, haploid myxoamoebae of Physarum polycephalum retracted their pseudopodia and changed their cell shape into disk-like form, after which they constructed the cell walls to form microcysts. These morphological changes of haploid cells were associated with changes in intracellular distribution of actin filaments. Staining with phalloidin showed that actin filaments were almost uniformly distributed throughout the cytoplasm of the myxoamoebae. When these cells were transferred to a cyst-inducing medium, the actin structures changed into short rods or dots, after which the rods/dots disappeared in the microcysts. An incubation of the myxoamoebae in the cyst-inducing medium caused the synthesis of several proteins, among which a 66-kD protein was most prominently induced. The morphological changes and the induction of the 66-kD protein was pronounced at elevated temperatures, e.g. 40 degrees C. The 66-kD protein was not induced, however, when plasmodia of the same species were incubated at 40 degrees C. We found that the 66-kD protein was co-precipitated with polymerized actin and bound to ATP-agarose. A double staining of the disk-shaped cells with anti-66-kD protein antibody and phalloidin revealed superimposable localization of the 66-kD protein and actin filaments in the short rods or dots. Although the induction of the 66-kD protein was enhanced at high temperatures, the protein was immunologically unrelated to the common heat shock proteins, HSP70 and HSP90, those are highly conserved during evolution. These results indicate that the 66-kD protein is a novel heat shock protein which is specifically expressed during cyst formation.
The Dynamics of Male Self-Employment in Canada: Comparing the 1990s to the 2000s

This paper examines how the nature of self-employment may have changed, by comparing the labour market transition rates for males (between non-employment, paid employment, own-account self-employment, and self-employment with paid help) in two panels of the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID): the 1993-1998 panel and the 2002-2007 panel. An econometric model is then estimated for the purpose of characterizing the change further.
Evaluation de la cybercriminalité au Maroc: Cas d'un établissement universitaire

Depuis quelques années, le Maroc connaît une croissance considérable d'attaques relevant de la cybercriminalité. Ces attaques ont comme cibles les réseaux et systèmes appartenant à des individus, entreprises, organisations et administrations. Cette croissance évolue en parallèle avec l'informatisation accrue que connaît le pays depuis plus d'une décennie. Cependant, il n'existe, à notre connaissance, aucune étude scientifique complète quantifiant et évaluant avec précision les paramètres relatifs aux attaques. Dans cet objectif, nous avons mis en place des pots de miel à l'ENSA de Marrakech. Dans cet article, nous présentons nos résultats d'observation et d'analyse des attaques, à savoir : les provenances des menaces, les intentions des pirates, le niveau de coopération entre les attaquants, etc.
Thrombelastography early amplitudes in bleeding and coagulopathic trauma patients: Results from a multicenter study

BACKGROUND Early amplitudes in the viscoelastic hemostatic assays, thrombelastography (TEG) and rotation thromboelastometry (ROTEM), provide fast results, which is critical in the resuscitation of bleeding patients. This study investigated associations between TEG early amplitudes and standard TEG variables in a large multicenter cohort of moderately to severely injured trauma patients admitted at three North European Level I Trauma Centers. METHODS Prospective observational study of 404 trauma patients with clinical suspicion of severe injury from London, UK, Copenhagen, Denmark and Oslo, Norway. Biochemistry and clinical data including outcome and TEG parameters were recorded upon arrival. Kaolin TEG, Rapid TEG, and TEG functional fibrinogen curves were extracted, and early amplitudes A5 and A10 (amplitude at 5 and 10 minutes) were registered. Patients were stratified according to international normalized ratio of 1.2 or less or greater than 1.2, as well as transfusion requirements (nontransfused, 1–9 red blood cell units and ≥10 red blood cell units in 12 hours). RESULTS In total, 404 patients were included, median Injury Severity Score was 13. There were strong positive correlations between A5/A10 and maximum amplitude in all investigated assays. All TEG values except rTEG maximum amplitude and kTEG maximum amplitude correlated significantly with mortality in transfused patients. Time from initiation of assay to A5 and A10 were lowest for rapid TEG and TEG functional fibrinogen compared with kaolin TEG. Rapid TEG A5 reduced time to result with greater than 50% compared with rapid TEG maximum amplitude. CONCLUSION We found strong associations between TEG early amplitudes A5/A10 and maximum amplitude in rapid TEG, kaolin TEG, and TEG functional fibrinogen across trauma patients with coagulopathy and massive transfusion requirements. Introducing the use of early amplitudes can reduce time to diagnosis of coagulopathy and may be used in TEG monitoring of trauma patient. Further randomized controlled trials evaluating the role of TEG in guiding hemostatic resuscitation are warranted. Level of evidence Prognostic study, level III.