Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of SIRT1 and oxidative stress in diabetic dry eye.

OBJECTIVE To explore the expression of SIRT1 with oxidative stress and observe physiological and pathological changes in the corneas as well as the association between SIRT1 and oxidative stress of diabetic dry eyes in mice. METHOD Forty-eight C57BL/6Jdb/db mice at eight weeks of age were divided randomly into two groups: the diabetic dry eye group and the diabetic group. An additional forty-eight C57BL/6J mice at eight weeks of age were divided randomly into two groups: the dry eye group and the control group. Every mouse in the dry eye groups (diabetic and normal) was injected with scopolamine hydrobromide three times daily, combined with low humidity to establish a dry eye model. After the intervention, phenol red cotton string tests and corneal fluorescein staining were performed. In addition, HE staining and immunofluorescence were done. Expression of SIRT1 in the cornea was examined by real-time PCR and Western Blot and expression of FOXO3 and MnSOD proteins was detected by Western Blot. RESULTS At one, four, and eight weeks post intervention, all of the groups except the controls showed significant decreases in tear production and increases in the corneal fluorescein stain (P<0.05 vs control). Between the experimental groups, the diabetic dry eye group had the least tear production and the highest corneal fluorescein stain score (P<0.05). As the disease progressed, all of the experimental groups showed obviously pathological changes in HE staining, particularly the diabetic dry eye group. In the 1(st) and 4(th) week, the expression of SIRT1, FOXO3, and MnSOD were significantly higher in the diabetic DE and DM groups but lower in the DE group compared to the controls (P<0.05). In the 8(th) week, the expression of SIRT1, FOXO3, and MnSOD was significantly down-regulated in the diabetic DE group and the DM group (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence showed similar results. CONCLUSION In the condition of diabetic dry eye, tear production declined markedly coupled with seriously wounded corneal epithelium. Oxidative stress in the cornea was enhanced significantly and the expression of SIRT1 was decreased.
An Analysis of the Relationship between Transport Capital and Tourism Development in a Dynamic Framework

This paper investigates the contribution of transportation capital, an often neglected element in the overall attractiveness of Mauritius as a tourist destination. To gauge its effect, the study extends a classical demand for international tourism function to include a proxy of transport infrastructure. Accounting for the possibility of endogeneity and dynamism in tourism modelling, cointegration analysis in a vector autoregressive model is employed to assess the hypothesized link. Results from the analysis show that the stock of transport capital has contributed positively to the number of tourist arrivals in both the short run and the long run. The study thus highlights the importance of transport capital in adding to the value of tourism service and experience.
Entrepreneurship as translation: Understanding entrepreneurial opportunities through actor-network theory

Entrepreneurship scholars argue that opportunities are at the heart of entrepreneurial activity. Yet, there is still a heated debate on the nature of opportunities. The discovery view argues that opportunities are discovered and have objective existence prior to the entrepreneurial process. The creation view argues that the discovery view is incomplete and makes wrongful assumptions about agency, process and opportunities in entrepreneurship. More conceptual development, however, is needed for the creation view to become a fully developed theoretical alternative to the discovery view. In this article, Actor-Network Theory is used to develop the creation view and further our understanding of entrepreneurial processes.
Cloning and sequencing of cagA gene fragment of Helicobacter pylori with coccoid form.

AIM To clone and sequence the cagA gene fragment of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) with coccoid form. METHODS H pylori strain NCTC11637 were transformed to coccoid form by exposure to antibiotics in subinhibitory concentrations. The coccoid H pylori was collected. cagA gene of the coccoid H pylori strain was amplified by PCR. After purified, the target fragment was cloned into plasmid pMD-18T. The recombinant plasmid pMD-18T-cagA was transformed into E.coli JM109. Positive clones were screened and identified by PCR and digestion with restriction endonucleases. The sequence of inserted fragment was then analysed. RESULTS cagA gene of 3,444 bp was obtained from the coccoid H pylori genome DNA. The recombinant plasmid pMD-18T-cagA was constructed, then it was digested by BamH I+Sac I, and the product of digestion was identical with the predicted one. Sequence analysis showed that the homology of coccoid and the reported original sequence H pylori was 99.7%. CONCLUSION The recombinant plasmid containing cagA gene from coccoid H pylori has been constructed successfully. The coccoid H pylori contain completed cagA gene, which may be related to pathogenicity of them.
Generative convolutional networks for latent fingerprint reconstruction

Performance of fingerprint recognition depends heavily on the extraction of minutiae points. Enhancement of the fingerprint ridge pattern is thus an essential pre-processing step that noticeably reduces false positive and negative detection rates. A particularly challenging setting is when the fingerprint images are corrupted or partially missing. In this work, we apply generative convolutional networks to denoise visible minutiae and predict the missing parts of the ridge pattern. The proposed enhancement approach is tested as a pre-processing step in combination with several standard feature extraction methods such as MINDTCT, followed by biometric comparison using MCC and BO-ZORTH3. We evaluate our method on several publicly available latent fingerprint datasets captured using different sensors.
Structural and Functional Profiling of the Lateral Gate of the Sec61 Translocon*

Background: The Sec61 lateral gate mediates transmembrane segment insertion into the ER membrane. Results: Interactions and the effects of mutations of the Sec61 lateral gating helix residues were determined. Conclusion: Key residues that modulate translocation, membrane insertion, and topogenesis of membrane proteins are identified. Significance: This study offers mechanistic and structural insights into Sec61 gating. The evolutionarily conserved Sec61 translocon mediates the translocation and membrane insertion of proteins. For the integration of proteins into the membrane, the Sec61 translocon opens laterally to the lipid bilayer. Previous studies suggest that the lateral opening of the channel is mediated by the helices TM2b and TM7 of a pore-forming subunit of the Sec61 translocon. To map key residues in TM2b and TM7 in yeast Sec61 that modulate lateral gating activity, we performed alanine scanning and in vivo site-directed photocross-linking experiments. Alanine scanning identified two groups of critical residues in the lateral gate, one group that leads to defects in the translocation and membrane insertion of proteins and the other group that causes faster translocation and facilitates membrane insertion. Photocross-linking data show that the former group of residues is located at the interface of the lateral gate. Furthermore, different degrees of defects for the membrane insertion of single- and double-spanning membrane proteins were observed depending on whether the mutations were located in TM2b or TM7. These results demonstrate subtle differences in the molecular mechanism of the signal sequence binding/opening of the lateral gate and membrane insertion of a succeeding transmembrane segment in a polytopic membrane protein.
Developing Forestry Curricula: Experiences from a Kenyan-Finnish project

SUMMARY In the context of the challenges that forestry education faces, the improvement of curricula to increase its attractiveness and address the changing needs of the society is imperative. With the aim of improving the forestry education offered at the University of Eldoret in Kenya, a joint project was carried out together with the University of Eastern Finland during 2011–2012. One of the tasks of the project was to revise the curriculum of the undergraduate programme in forestry. According to the needs assessment, the biggest gaps in subject-specific competencies were in areas such as forest information systems and forests and climate change, as well as in generic competencies such as computer skills. The need to update and expand contents (e.g. on dryland forestry) and learning methods (e.g. more practicals) clearly emerged. The proposed changes in the context of various initiatives to improve forestry education in Kenya and worldwide are discussed.
Characterizing helical microstrip antenna mounted on a dielectric-coated circular cylinder using MoM and closed-form Green's function

A method of moments (MoM) and closed-form Green's function approach are employed to characterize the radiation pattern of a center-fed helical microstrip antenna mounted on a superstrate of a circular conducting cylinder. An analytic expression for the current on the helical microstrip antenna is rigorously obtained by solving a mixed potential integral equation (MPIE) in the spatial domain. With the analytic expression for the current, radiation patterns of the helical antenna can be calculated analytically using the far-field Hankel transform. The proposed method can be easily applied to analyze the effects of substrate and superstrate on the radiation pattern of the helical antenna. A good agreement between the results of the presented Green's function and MoM approach and those of the reciprocity approach provides validation for the presented method.
Parameterised Process Algebraic Verification by Precongruence Reduction

Decidability of the parameterised verification problem is shown for a class of systems and safety properties given as (multiply) parameterised labelled transition systems with an (infinite) set of valuations representing the allowed parameter values. The idea is to reduce the set of valuations by exploiting the precongruence of the correctness relation (traces refinement). An algorithm based on the result is provided.
Successful Succession in Family Business

Successful succession of CEOs is a crucial goal for family firms: without the next generations leadership and direct management, the firm cannot survive as a family firm, let alone maintain its character. When owner-managers retire, more than two-thirds of family firms cease or pass to new owners; less than one-third are continued by the next generation (Beckhard and Dyer, 1983; Emshwiller, 1989; Lansberg, 1988). If the owners of the firm want it to remain under family ownership and direction, then succession becomes a crucial strategic issue. For roughly nine out of ten U.S. businesses that are familyowned and run (a higher proportion in the rest of the free world), continuity is an issue. For family firms, successful succession begins many years before an offspring takes over as CEO. It is the lengthiest strategic process for family firms. It is a time when the old must help the young with educational and operational challenges, for potential successors must learn to take advantage of their families' values and special competencies as well as to develop their own expertise. The succession process in family firms involves numerous participants. The behavior and expectations of the CEO parent and employed offspring are affected by other family members, other executives in the firm, suppliers, bankers, and customers (Figure 1). For the succession process to unfold smoothly, key participants must come to feel comfortable with one another. This article presents a framework integrating the factors affectingsuccession and focuses on those factors that can be controlled by core players.1 Keyplayers must also deal effectivelywith uncontrollable environmental factors that influence the firm, but they should 110t pretend to manage them.i Our framework can be used as a checklist to help parents and offspring assess their succession process and identify major conflicts. Use it to indicate directions for positive change.
(−)-(9S)-9-(3-Bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-2,3,5,6,7,9-hexahydrothieno[3,2-b]quinolin-8(4H)-one 1,1-Dioxide (A-278637): A Novel ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channel Opener Efficacious in Suppressing Urinary Bladder Contractions. II. In Vivo Characterization

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel openers (KCOs) have been shown to inhibit spontaneous myogenic contractile activity of the urinary bladder, a mechanism hypothesized to underlie detrusor instability and symptoms of overactive bladder. However, the therapeutic utility of KCOs has been limited by a lack of differentiation of bladder versus vascular effects. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo potency and bladder selectivity of (−)-(9S)-9-(3-bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-2,3,5,6,7,9-hexahydrothieno[3,2-b]quinolin-8(4H)-one 1,1-dioxide (A-278637), a novel dihydropyridine KCO, in a pig model of detrusor instability secondary to partial bladder outlet obstruction. For comparison, we profiled two KCOs, ((R)-4-[3,4-dioxo-2-(1,2,2-trimethyl-propylamino)-cyclobut-1-enylamino]-3-ethyl-benzonitrile (WAY-133537) and (S)-N-(4-benzoylphenyl)-3,3,3-trifluro-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-propionamide (ZD6169), reported previously to have improved bladder selectivity in vivo and a calcium channel blocker, nifedipine. Effective doses of A-278637, WAY-133537, ZD6169, and nifedipine to inhibit unstable contraction area under the curve by 35% and to decrease mean arterial pressure by 10% were 4.2 and 12, 109 and 51, 661 and 371, and 136 and 30 nmol/kg i.v. , yielding corresponding bladder selectivity ratios of 3, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.2. Therefore, A-278637 was approximately 5- to 6-fold more bladder-selective than the other KCOs and 15-fold more selective than nifedipine, the latter approximately 4.5-fold vascular-selective. The potency of KCOs to inhibit unstable contraction in vivo was accurately predicted by their potency to inhibit spontaneous contractile activity of pig detrusor strips in vitro. These results indicate that A-278637, with enhanced potency and bladder selectivity compared with the other compounds evaluated, could serve as a useful tool in the investigation of smooth muscle KATPchannel openers as novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of overactive bladder.
Volatility Based Sentiment Indicators for Timing the Markets

VIX, published by the Chicago Board Options Exchange, is a well known implied volatility estimator. In this paper we assess its capability to be used as a sentiment indicator, and to give signals for a short term investment strategy. It will be proved and discussed how VIX-based strategies – also known as “Contrarian” strategies – can be effective as they lead to higher returns than the market. We also propose a purer sentiment indicator derived from VIX that gives more accurate market timing signals. We call this indicator “Net Emotional Volatility Index” (NEVI). It proves to have interesting properties, a highly significant statistical relationship with the market return, and a considerable power to time the market. The results of our back-testing for the period 2001-2002 and 2006-2007 using the two indicators are presented, compared and discussed. Possible explanations of the information that NEVI brings and why its signals work are provided.
FDI and the Capital Intensity of 'Dirty' Sectors: A Missing Piece of the Pollution Haven Puzzle

In an increasingly integrated world, falling trade barriers mean that the role environmental regulations play in shaping a country's comparative advantage is greater than ever. This has lead to fears that “dirty” industries will relocate to developing regions where environmental regulations may be less stringent. A number of reasons have been offered to explain why, despite anecdotal evidence and the predictions of theoretical studies, little empirical verification for the existence of pollution havens has been found. Little attention, however, has been paid to the capital intensity of pollution intensive sectors. We investigate the relationship between US outward FDI and factor endowments across sectors to two developing countries. We highlight the role of capital and believe it partially explains why pollution havens are not more widespread. Our approach also highlights those countries that are likeliest to become pollution havens. A multivariate analysis reveals some evidence of pollution haven consistent behavior.
Modelling the Australian government's buyback scheme with a dynamic multi-regional CGE model

TERM-H2O is a dynamic, multi-regional computable general equilibrium model of the Australian economy with agricultural detail adapted to include regional water accounts. It focuses on the effects of inter-regional water trading. Factors of production are mobile between sectors in farm industries. TERM-H2O includes complementarity conditions that impose constraints on the volume of irrigation water traded between regions. The application detailed here is to the Commonwealth government's water buyback scheme against a background of temporary drought. The buyback scheme provides a windfall gain for holders of water rights by raising the price of irrigation water. The scheme may provide a net benefit to irrigation regions while increasing environmental flows.
Scale Economies, the Value of Time, and the Demand for Money: Longitudinal Evidence from Firms

COMPUSTAT data on 12,000 firms for the years 1961–92 indicate that large firms hold less cash as a percentage of sale than small ones. Whether comparisons are made within or across industries, the clasticity of cash balance with respect to sales is about 0.8. Firms headquartered in counties with high wages hold more money for a given level of sales, a finding consistent with the idea that time can substitute for mony in the provision of transactions services. The estimates are consistent with both scale economies in the holding of money and secular declines in velocity.
Implementing Collaboration Between Organizations: An Empirical Study Of Supply Chain Partnering

Many managers attempt to develop collaborative alliances with other organizations. Such strategies are difficult to implement: they are as likely to fail as to succeeed. Implementing and managing an alliance is harder than deciding to collaborate. This paper explores the topic empirically through a study of one form of alliance – supply chain partnering. It presents an interaction model of partnering which shows seven contextual factors that shape, and are shaped by, human action. This context can both help and hinder the emergence of co-operative behaviour. The model is illustrated through a case study of two organizations (customer and supplier) attempting to co-operate more closely. The case shows how the cultural and other differences between the parties at first caused difficulty. Actions were taken to change aspects of the context to facilitate more co-operative behaviour. Improving interpersonal relations led to further actions to create more formal mechanisms which would support future co-operation. These appear to have contributed to the relationship exceeding the initial expectations of the partners. The interaction model illuminates both the content and process of supply chain partnering.
Knowledge Creates Markets: The Influence of Entrepreneurial Support and Patent Rights on Academic Entrepreneurship

We use an exogenous change in German Federal law to examine how entrepreneurial support and the ownership of patent rights influence academic entrepreneurship. In 2002, the German Federal Government enacted a major reform called Knowledge Creates Markets that set up new infrastructure to facilitate university-industry technology transfer and shifted the ownership of patent rights from university researchers to their universities. Based on a novel researcher-level panel database that includes a control group not affected by the policy change, we find no evidence that the new infrastructure resulted in an increase in start-up companies by university researchers. The shift in patent rights may have strengthened the relationship between patents on university-discovered inventions and university start-ups; however, it substantially decreased the volume of patents with the largest decrease taking place in faculty-firm patenting relationships.
Anxiety in school students: Role of parenting and gender

Background: The prevalence of anxiety is high in school going children; however pattern of parenting and gender of the child are important factors for the development of anxiety. Gender role and parenting patterns are important construct that vary across different sociocultural setting hence are important to be studied in Indian context. Materials and Methods: In a cross sectional study all students of both sexes studying in class VIII, were assessed using the Spence anxiety scale (children version). Results: The sample consisted of 146 (55% male and 45% female) with a mean age of 12.71 years. A total of 16 (11%) students scored above cutoff for high anxiety, the mean scores across gender shows that female students scored significantly higher in total and all sub types of anxiety. Most of the students perceived their parents ‘Democratic’ and other two authoritarian and permissive type of parenting were almost equal. There was significantly higher anxiety among the students who perceived their parents as authoritarian. Conclusions: The prevalence of high anxiety was 11% in class VIII students. High anxiety in students was significantly associated with female gender and authoritarian parenting pattern as perceived by the children.
Determinants of tuition at comprehensive

This study attempts to build and estimate a model that explains the behaviour of the supply of and demand for education at comprehensive universities in the United States. The statistical analysis uses data for the year 1990 - 91 for 360 comprehensive universities. The results suggest that a perfectly competitive market exists for this education. The quantity of students, cost of education, average SAT score, class size, level of highest degree offered, and tier of the institution explain variations in tuition at comprehensive universities.
TREINAMENTO E DESENVOLVIMENTO: UM ESTUDO DE CASO NA EMPRESA LLV METALÚRGICA SITUADA NO RIO GRANDE DO SUL.

The investment in training and developing of people is important for the organization keep and/or broaden its competitive advantage. Some companies realize the necessity of stimulating and supporting the continuous development of their employees in order to achieve their objectives and consolidate their strategies. Given this, this paper has as a general objective to analyze the process of training and development of the LLV Metallurgical Company situated in Novo Hamburgo - RS. It is noteworthy that the subject training and development is widely discussed in the academic environment, but the company of this study still has incipient practices in relation to the subject, therefore of great value for its administration to reflect on the possibilities and contributions that this study provides assisting in the pursuit of the organizational objectives. In order to meet the proposed goal, this research characterizes itself as descriptive and of qualitative nature. The obtaining of the data has been made through the application of semi-structured interviews, document analysis and participant observation. From the analysis of content of the collected data, a training and development proposal has been elaborated in order to contribute to the consolidation of the mission and strategies of the company.