Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meta-Analysis on the Association of ALDH2 Polymorphisms and Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus, Diabetic Retinopathy

Type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) is a disease with high prevalence and a major cause for death worldwide. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major manifestation of diabetes. Aldehyde dehydrogenease 2 (ALDH2) detoxifies aldehyde produced during ethanol metabolism and oxidative stress. It has been found that the polymorphism in ALDH2 rs671 is probably associated with the risk of T2DM and DR. However, a lot of inconsistency and controversy still exists. In order to get a more precise and comprehensive estimation for the association between ALDH2 polymorphism with the risk of T2DM and DR, we conducted the present meta-analysis. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases, such as Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, for all related studies. The included studies met the inclusion criteria, such as being case-control studies about the association of ALDH2 polymorphism and T2DM or DR susceptibility, with sufficient data for the present analysis. Eight studies with 2374 cases and 6694 controls were involved in the present meta-analysis. The results indicated a significant lower risk of T2DM for *1/*1 genotype in homozygous models (*1/*1 vs. *2/*2, OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.11–0.89, p = 0.03) and in the dominant model (*1/*1 vs. *2/*2 + *1/*2, OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.37–1.00, p = 0.05). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity found a significant lower risk of T2DM in Chinese in all genotype models. No significant relation was found between ALDH2 rs671 and DR. In conclusion, the current meta-analysis indicated that ALDH2 rs671 was significantly related with T2DM. The ALDH2 rs671 might be able to be used as a predictor for the risk of T2DM. However, due to the existence of heterogeneity and publication bias in the involved studies, our results should be interpreted with caution.
Anti-HIV Agent Trichosanthin Enhances the Capabilities of Chemokines to Stimulate Chemotaxis and G Protein Activation, and This Is Mediated through Interaction of Trichosanthin and Chemokine Receptors

Trichosanthin (TCS), an active protein component isolated from a traditional Chinese medicinal herb Trichosanthes kirilowii, has been shown to inhibit HIV infection and has been applied in clinical treatment of AIDS. The recent development that chemokines and chemokine receptors play important roles in HIV infection led us to investigate the possible functional interaction of TCS with chemokines and their receptors. This study demonstrated that TCS greatly enhanced both RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted)– and stromal cell–derived factor (SDF)-1α–stimulated chemotaxis (EC50 ≅ 1 nM) in leukocytes (THP-1, Jurkat, and peripheral blood lymphocyte cells) and activation of pertussis toxin–sensitive G proteins (EC50 ≅ 20 nM). TCS also significantly augmented chemokine-stimulated activation of chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4 as well as CCR1, CCR2B, CCR3, and CCR4 transiently expressed in HEK293 cells. A mutant TCS with 4,000-fold lower ribosome-inactivating activity showed similar augmentation activity as wild-type TCS. Moreover, flow cytometry demonstrated that the specific association of TCS to the cell membranes required the presence of chemokine receptors, and laser confocal microscopy reveals that TCS was colocalized with chemokine receptors on the membranes. The results from TCS-Sepharose pull-down and TCS and chemokine receptor coimmunoprecipitation and cross-linking experiments demonstrated association of TCS with CCR5. Thus, our data clearly demonstrated that TCS synergizes activities of chemokines to stimulate chemotaxis and G protein activation, and the effects of TCS are likely to be mediated through its interaction with chemokine receptors.
Wave-averaged and Wave-resolving Numerical Modeling of Vorticity Transport in the Nearshore Region: the SANDYDUCK Case Study

INTRODUCTION Numerical modeling of unstable nearshore flows has become quite popular in the last decade. A class of models, usually adopted for this purpose, relies on averaging the equations over the time scales of the short waves (hence wave averaged models). The wave characteristics, and in turn the forcing terms are provided by another model (wave driver). Examples of longshore current studies using these models are Ozkan Haller and Kirby (1999), Zhao et al. (2003), among others. On the other hand in wave resolving models, all the time scales of the hydrodynamics are explicitly solved. Boussinesq-type models (BTMs hereinafter) belong to this class of models and have been used, for instance, in Chen et al. (2003), Gobbi et al. (2000) and Johnson and Pattiaratchi (2006) among others. When applied in similar conditions, the two approaches may produce different results in terms of flow description due to different forcing mechanisms. Differences may arise within the same class of models that share a similar set of equations. In particular it has been shown in Gobbi et al. (2000) that different transport equations for vertical vorticity may be written starting from different BTMs, depending on the order of magnitude of the retained vertical vorticity. The modeled flows in wave averaged models are characterized by less energetic fluctuations with respect to those predicted by BTMs. In turn the vorticity transport is radically different,
Heterodox Central Bankers: Eccles, Prebisch and Financial Reform in 1930s

The Great Depression led to a need to rethink the principles of central banking, as much as it had led to the rethinking of economics in general, with the Keynesian Revolution at the forefront of the theoretical changes. This paper suggests that the role of the monetary authority as a fiscal agent of government and the abandonment of the view of the economy as self-regulated were the central changes in central banking in the center. In addition, in the periphery central banks changed to try to insulate the worst effects of balance of payments crises and the use of capital controls became more common. Marriner S. Eccles, in the United States, and Raul Prebisch, in Argentina, are paradigmatic examples of those new tendencies of central banking in the 1930s.
Focal Electrical Stimulation of Major Ganglion Cell Types in the Primate Retina for the Design of Visual Prostheses

Electrical stimulation of retinal neurons with an advanced retinal prosthesis may eventually provide high-resolution artificial vision to the blind. However, the success of future prostheses depends on the ability to activate the major parallel visual pathways of the human visual system. Electrical stimulation of the five numerically dominant retinal ganglion cell types was investigated by simultaneous stimulation and recording in isolated peripheral primate (Macaca sp.) retina using multi-electrode arrays. ON and OFF midget, ON and OFF parasol, and small bistratified ganglion cells could all be activated directly to fire a single spike with submillisecond latency using brief pulses of current within established safety limits. Thresholds for electrical stimulation were similar in all five cell types. In many cases, a single cell could be specifically activated without activating neighboring cells of the same type or other types. These findings support the feasibility of direct electrical stimulation of the major visual pathways at or near their native spatial and temporal resolution.
The Influence of Personality on Digital Photo Sharing

This study examined photographic communication within the uses and gratifications framework. Several personality factors were tested as predictors of motives for communicating via photographs. Memory, relationship maintenance, self-expression and relationship formation motives positively predicted photographic communication. Extraversion positively predicted most photo messaging use motives, while Neuroticism was a negative predictor of photo messaging use. The remaining three personality predictors, Agreeableness, Openness to Experience, and Conscientiousness also provided significant findings.
Parental Involvement in the Educational System: To Empower Parents To Become More Knowledgeable and Effective.

Many countries throughout the world have developed programs to encourage parents to become more involved in their children's schools and education. In Turkey, the importance of parent involvement has been recognized only recently. The parental involvement program initiated in TED Ankara College in Ankara is Turkey's first Kindergarten and primary school parental involvement program. The program, which features a blend of written materials, meetings, and parent participation in schools and classes is conducted at three levels as follows: level 1 (weekly bulletins, open class); level 2 (panolar, letters to parents and children, communication notebooks, monthly curriculum summaries, home programs, monthly brochures); and level 3 (volunteer parents for school activities, parents as assistant teachers, parents as resource persons, meetings with parents). Parents have credited the program with equipping them with parenting skills, facilitating their understanding of their children's development, and improving their attitudes toward school. Teachers have praised the program for strengthening their relationship with students' families and creating common ground for communicating with students and parents. Studies have shown that, by helping to empower parents, parent involvement programs have helped parents (especially women) with their own development, their children's development, and their community's development. (Contains 10 references.) (MN) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Parental Involvement in the Educational System: To Empower Parents to Become More Knowledgeable and Effective.
An examination of the Chiropteran HoxD locus from an evolutionary perspective

SUMMARY Duplications of Hox gene clusters have been suggested as a mechanism whereby new Hox functions can be developed while preserving critical ancestral roles. However, in tetrapods, particularly in mammals, there is great variability in limb structure morphologies that are known to be affected by Hox genes without further Hox cluster duplications. The lack of further duplications suggests that if Hox genes have played a direct role in the morphological elaboration of tetrapod limbs, the changes must have come about from Hox protein sequence changes or from changes regarding the amount, time, and place of Hox gene expression. To investigate whether such changes to Hox genes could play a role in limb elaboration, we examined the HoxD locus in bats, which have both highly elaborated fore‐ and hindlimbs. We found that while the Chiropteran HoxD13 protein was highly conserved, there was an expansion of HoxD13 expression in the posterior portion of the Chiropteran forelimb and into the leading edge of the wing membrane. We were also able to uncover a number of unique lineage‐specific sequence changes to a known HoxD limb enhancer, the Global Control Region (GCR). Further, mouse transgenic assays showed that the Chiropteran GCR has new limb enhancer activity domains beyond that reported for the Human GCR. These results suggest that modulation of Hox gene expression may be a mechanism for effecting morphological change in lineage‐specific manner while maintaining ancestral constraints and cluster integrity.
Present and Future of Internet Banking in China

This paper has several objectives. First, it illustrates the history and explosive growth of Internet banking services in China. In general, the development of Internet banking services is still in its nascent stages in China, with a considerable quantity of potential customers. Second, we discuss the characteristics of Internet banking in China. We have determined that Chinese Internet banking transactions tend to be comparatively business-related, and that current Internet banking users skew young, highly-educated, and wealthy. Additionally, there is a regional difference in adopting Internet banking. Third, this study discusses the potential market for Internet banking services in China, and three factors that may influence the development of Chinese Internet banking. Finally, we propose two marketing suggestions regarding the expansion of the Chinese Internet banking market.
An Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitor, 12-(3-Adamantan-1-yl-ureido)dodecanoic Acid (AUDA), Reduces Ischemic Cerebral Infarct Size in Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors have been demonstrated to have cardiovascular protective actions. This hydrolase enzyme converts fatty acid epoxides to their corresponding diols, and this conversion can alter the biologic activity of these metabolites. We hypothesized that 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)dodecanoic acid (AUDA), a sEH inhibitor, would protect stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats from cerebral ischemia. AUDA was administered to 6-week-old male rats for 6 weeks, during which blood pressure was measured by telemetry. Cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, the size of the cerebral infarct was assessed after 6 hours of ischemia, and the results were expressed as a percentage of the hemisphere infarcted (%HI). Vascular structure and function were assessed using a pressurized arteriograph. Plasma levels of AUDA at the end of the treatment period averaged 5.0 ± 0.4 ng/mL, and the urinary excretion rate was 99 ± 21 ng/d. AUDA-treated rats had significantly smaller cerebral infarcts than control rats (36 ± 4% vs 53 ± 4% HI, treated versus control, P < 0.05, n = 6). This difference occurred independently of changes in blood pressure. AUDA treatment increased the passive compliance of the cerebral vessels but had no effect on vascular structure. The results of this study provide novel evidence suggesting that the sEH inhibitor AUDA is a possible therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke.
Cosmological constraints from calibrated Yonetoku and Amati relation suggest fundamental plane of gamma-ray bursts

We consider two empirical relations using data only from the prompt emission of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), the peak energy (Ep)–peak luminosity (Lp) relation (so called Yonetoku relation) and the Ep–isotropic energy (Eiso) relation (so called Amati relation). Both relations show high correlation degree, but they also have larger dispersion around the best fit function rather than the statistical uncertainty. Then we first investigated the correlation between the residuals of Lp and Eiso from the best function, and found that a partial linear correlation degree is quite small of ρLpEisoEp = 0.379. This fact indicates that some kinds of independence may exist between Amati and Yonetoku relation even if they are characterized by the same physical quantity Ep, and similar quantities Lp and Eiso which mean the brightness of the prompt emission. Therefore we may have to recognize two relations as the independent distance indicators. From this point of view, we compare constraints on cosmological parameters, Ωm and ΩΛ, using the Yonetoku and the Amati relation calibrated by low-redshift GRBs with z < 1.8. We found that they are different in 1-σ level, although they are still consistent in 2-σ level. In this paper, we introduce a luminosity time TL defined by TL≡Eiso/Lp as a hidden parameter to correct the large dispersion of the Yonetoku relation. A new relation is described as (Lp/1052 erg s−1) = 10−3.87±0.19(Ep/keV)1.82±0.08(TL/s)−0.34±0.09. We succeeded in reducing the systematic error about 40% level, and might be regarded as ``Fundamental plane'' of GRBs. We show a possible radiation model for this new relation. Finally, applying the new relation to high-redshift GRBs with 1.8 < z < 5.6, we obtain (Ωm, ΩΛ) = (0.17+0.15−0.08, 1.21+0.07−0.61), which is consistent with the concordance cosmological model.
When Less Is More in Boosting Survey Response Rates*

Author(s): Conn, KM; Mo, CH; Sellers, LM | Abstract: © 2019 by the Southwestern Social Science Association Objectives: Previous general population survey research has found that, relative to monetary incentives, altruistic appeals are ineffective in increasing survey response and that offering additional monetary incentives is always desirable. We consider an alternative population—a pro-social population—and ask whether these same conclusions apply. Methods: To evaluate the relative effectiveness of different incentive strategies, we randomly assign individuals to one of five conditions. We consider altruistic incentives (a narrative appeal or a charitable donation) and monetary incentives (three separate lotteries). Results: Among pro-social individuals, “less is more”: altruistic appeals are just as effective, if not more effective, than costly monetary incentives. Moreover, the simplest lottery structure (fewer large-payoff prizes) is the most cost effective of the lotteries. Conclusions: The target population of interest matters when designing survey incentive strategies. Moreover, increasing the incentives budget is not always beneficial.
Quantitative Hepatitis B Core Antibody Level Is a New Predictor for Treatment Response In HBeAg-positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Peginterferon

A recent study revealed that quantitative hepatitis B core antibody (qAnti-HBc) level could serve as a novel marker for predicting treatment response. In the present study, we further investigated the predictive value of qAnti-HBc level in HBeAg-positive patients undergoing PEG-IFN therapy. A total of 140 HBeAg-positive patients who underwent PEG-IFN therapy for 48 weeks and follow-up for 24 weeks were enrolled in this study. Serum samples were taken every 12 weeks post-treatment. The predictive value of the baseline qAnti-HBc level for treatment response was evaluated. Patients were further divided into 2 groups according to the baseline qAnti-HBc level, and the response rate was compared. Additionally, the kinetics of the virological and biochemical parameters were analyzed. Patients who achieved response had a significantly higher baseline qAnti-HBc level (serological response [SR], 4.52±0.36 vs. 4.19±0.58, p=0.001; virological response [VR], 4.53±0.35 vs. 4.22±0.57, p=0.005; combined response [CR], 4.50±0.36 vs. 4.22±0.58, p=0.009)). Baseline qAnti-HBc was the only parameter that was independently correlated with SR (p=0.008), VR (p=0.010) and CR(p=0.019). Patients with baseline qAnti-HBc levels ≥30,000 IU/mL had significantly higher response rates, more HBV DNA suppression, and better hepatitis control in PEG-IFN treatment. In conclusion, qAnti-HBc level may be a novel biomarker for predicting treatment response in HBeAg-positive patients receiving PEG-IFN therapy.
Macromolecular Architecture in Eukaryotic Cells Visualized by Cryoelectron Tomography

Electron tomography of vitrified cells is a noninvasive three-dimensional imaging technique that opens up new vistas for exploring the supramolecular organization of the cytoplasm. We applied this technique to Dictyostelium cells, focusing on the actin cytoskeleton. In actin networks reconstructed without prior removal of membranes or extraction of soluble proteins, the cross-linking of individual microfilaments, their branching angles, and membrane attachment sites can be analyzed. At a resolution of 5 to 6 nanometers, single macromolecules with distinct shapes, such as the 26Sproteasome, can be identified in an unperturbed cellular environment.
A crisis-robust carry trade strategy developed using the VIX

This thesis tested whether a carry trade strategy can be made crisis-robust using the VIX. The crisis-robust carry trade strategy uses three in-sample estimated crisis definitions to determine an out-of-sample crisis period. During the estimated crisis periods this thesis tested four different alternative strategies including a PPP-based strategy and a momentum strategy. Furthermore, this thesis developed equally-weighted portfolios without filters, equally-weighted portfolio including filters and IRD/ΔPPP/momentum-weighted portfolios, which consisted of 21 major currency pairs. The performance of in total 36 developed crisis-robust carry trade strategies are examined in this thesis. The crisis-robust portfolios generally outperformed the carry trade strategy, the PPP-based strategy and a naive 50/50 combination of the carry trade strategy and the PPP-based strategy based on risk-adjusted performance measures. This thesis concluded that an equally-weighted CT-PPP portfolio including filters using the ΔVIX crisis definition meets the traits of a crisis-robust carry trade strategy. A Mean-Variance analysis showed that the CT-PPP portfolio including filters using the ΔVIX crisis definition is expected to be economically significant for an investor.
Energy Injection Episodes in Gamma-Ray Bursts: The Light Curves and Polarization Properties of GRB 021004

Several GRB afterglow light curves deviate strongly from the power-law decay observed in most bursts. We show that these variations can be accounted for by including refreshed shocks in the standard fireball model previously used to interpret the overall afterglow behavior. As an example, we consider GRB 021004, which exhibited strong light-curve variations and has a reasonably well time-resolved polarimetry. We show that the light curves in the R band, X-rays, and radio can be accounted for by four energy injection episodes in addition to the initial event. The polarization variations are shown to be a consequence of the injections.
Negotiated employee involvement in the Societas Europaea : a new mode towards harmonization and convergence or to heterogeneity and fragmentation?

Presenting author: Prof. Dr. Berndt Keller Additional author: Frank Werner Organisation/affiliations of presenting author: Professor of Employment Relations, University of Konstanz, Germany; Address: Fach D 83, D-78457 Konstanz, E-mail: Berndt.Karl. Keller@uni-konstanz.de Organisation/affiliations of additional author: PhD-student at the chair of Prof. Berndt Keller, University of Konstanz, Germany; Address: Fach D 83, D-78457 Konstanz, E-mail: Frank.Werner@uni-konstanz.de
Influence of Concurrent Obesity and Low Birth Weight on Blood Pressure Phenotype in Youth

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of obesity and low birth weight on both office and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) values, as well as on aortic-derived parameters in youths. A total of 422 white youths, from 10 to 18 years of age, were included. Subjects were divided into 4 groups according to the presence (234; 55%) or the absence (188; 45%) of obesity and according to low (114; 27%) or normal (308; 73%, birth weight. Spacelabs 90207 was used to measure ambulatory BP during a 24-hour period. SphygmoCor radial/aortic transform software was used to estimate aortic pressure waveform. Office, 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime systolic BP values were significantly higher in those subjects with low birth weight who became obese. The lowest BP values were present in nonobese subjects in the absence of low birth weight. In the middle, with similar BP values, were nonobese subjects with low birth weight and obese subjects in the absence of low birth weight. No interaction existed between obesity and low birth weight in the office (P=0.165) or ambulatory (P=0.603) systolic BP values. Augmentation index, an estimate of the pulse wave reflection, was significantly higher in the nonobese low birth weight group when compared with the other groups after controlling for height, heart rate, and diastolic BP. A significant interaction between low birth weight and obesity (P<0.005) existed. In conclusion, although the low birth weight children who become obese have the highest systolic BP values, the presence of obesity blunts the increment of the reflecting wave observed in low birth weight subjects.