Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effect of Aqueous Extracts from Marine Sponges on the Activity and Expression of Gelatinases A (MMP-2) and B (MMP-9) in Rat Astrocyte Cultures

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether water soluble compounds present in aqueous extracts from seven Mediterranean demosponges exert biological activity towards matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which represent important pathogenic factors of human diseases. Aqueous extracts were tested on LPS-activated cultured rat astrocytes, and levels and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were assessed by zymography and RT-PCR, respectively. Our results demonstrated that the studied extracts contain water soluble compounds able to inhibit MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and expression. We also compared the anti-MMP activities present in aqueous extracts from wild and reared specimens of Tethya aurantium and T. citrina. The results obtained revealed that the reared sponges maintain the production of bioactive compounds with inhibitory effect on MMP-2 and MMP-9 for all the duration of the rearing period. Taken together, our results indicate that the aqueous extracts from the selected Mediterranean demosponges possess a variety of water-soluble bioactive compounds, which are able to inhibit MMPs at different levels. The presence of biological activity in aqueous extracts from reared specimens of T. aurantium and T. citrina strongly encourage sponge aquaculture as a valid option to supply sponge biomass for drug development on a large scale.
Blocking resolution for short flows in optical flow switching networks

A critical issue for optical flow switching (OFS) is the utilization efficiency of network resource for short flow traffic. A flow can be blocked because of destination or path contentions. We propose the distributed Multi-Destination Control Protocol (MDCP) that can reduce blockings. We give a theoretical bound of throughput for MDCP, evaluating the constraint of round-trip-delay to the network throughput. Simulation shows that a throughput of over 80% can be achieved for short flows less than one second, thus opening up the possibility for OFS networks to carry many mass market applications such as video downloads.
Predictors of Non-Adherence to Breast Cancer Screening among Hospitalized Women

Objective Disparities in screening mammography use persists among low income women, even those who are insured, despite the proven mortality benefit. A recent study reported that more than a third of hospitalized women were non-adherent with breast cancer screening. The current study explores prevalence of socio-demographic and clinical variables associated with non-adherence to screening mammography recommendations among hospitalized women. Patients and Methods A cross sectional bedside survey was conducted to collect socio-demographic and clinical comorbidity data thought to effect breast cancer screening adherence of hospitalized women aged 50–75 years. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between these factors and non-adherence to screening mammography. Results Of 250 enrolled women, 61% were of low income, and 42% reported non-adherence to screening guidelines. After adjustment for socio-demographic and clinical predictors, three variables were found to be independently associated with non-adherence to breast cancer screening: low income (OR = 3.81, 95%CI; 1.84–7.89), current or ex-smoker (OR = 2.29, 95%CI; 1.12–4.67), and history of stroke (OR = 2.83, 95%CI; 1.21–6.60). By contrast, hospitalized women with diabetes were more likely to be compliant with breast cancer screening (OR = 2.70, 95%CI 1.35–5.34). Conclusion Because hospitalization creates the scenario wherein patients are in close proximity to healthcare resources, at a time when they may be reflecting upon their health status, strategies could be employed to counsel, educate, and motivate these patients towards health maintenance. Capitalizing on this opportunity would involve offering screening during hospitalization for those who are overdue, particularly for those who are at higher risk of disease.
Tipping the Balance of Autism Risk: Potential Mechanisms Linking Pesticides and Autism

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been increasing in many parts of the world and a portion of cases are attributable to environmental exposures. Conclusive replicated findings have yet to appear on any specific exposure; however, mounting evidence suggests gestational pesticides exposures are strong candidates. Because multiple developmental processes are implicated in ASDs during gestation and early life, biological plausibility is more likely if these agents can be shown to affect core pathophysiological features. Objectives: Our objectives were to examine shared mechanisms between autism pathophysiology and the effects of pesticide exposures, focusing on neuroexcitability, oxidative stress, and immune functions and to outline the biological correlates between pesticide exposure and autism risk. Methods: We review and discuss previous research related to autism risk, developmental effects of early pesticide exposure, and basic biological mechanisms by which pesticides may induce or exacerbate pathophysiological features of autism. Discussion: On the basis of experimental and observational research, certain pesticides may be capable of inducing core features of autism, but little is known about the timing or dose, or which of various mechanisms is sufficient to induce this condition. Conclusions: In animal studies, we encourage more research on gene × environment interactions, as well as experimental exposure to mixtures of compounds. Similarly, epidemiologic studies in humans with exceptionally high exposures can identify which pesticide classes are of greatest concern, and studies focused on gene × environment are needed to determine if there are susceptible subpopulations at greater risk from pesticide exposures.
Management by Participation: Creating a Climate for Personal and Organizational Development

If you ally habit such a referred management by participation creating a climate for personal and organizational development books that will come up with the money for you worth, acquire the unconditionally best seller from us currently from several preferred authors. If you want to entertaining books, lots of novels, tale, jokes, and more fictions collections are furthermore launched, from best seller to one of the most current released.
The Microsoft Research Sentence Completion Challenge

Work on modeling semantics in text is progressing quickly, yet currently there are few public datasets which authors can use to measure and compare their systems. This work takes a step towards addressing this issue. We present the MSR Sentence Completion Challenge Data, which consists of 1,040 sentences, each of which has four impostor sentences, in which a single (fixed) word in the original sentence has been replaced by an impostor word with similar occurrence statistics. For each sentence the task is then to determine which of the five choices for that word is the correct one. This dataset was constructed from Project Gutenberg data. Seed sentences were selected from five of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novels, and then imposter words were suggested with the aid of a language model trained on over 500 19th century novels. The language model was used to compute 30 alternative words for a given low frequency word in a sentence, and human judges then picked the 4 best impostor words, based on a set of provided guidelines. Although the data presented here will not be changed, this is still a work in progress, and we plan to add similar datasets based on other sources. This technical report is a living document and will be updated appropriately as new datasets are constructed and new results on existing datasets (for example, using human subjects) are reported.
A model for Long-term Industrial Energy Forecasting (LIEF)

The purpose of this report is to establish the content and structural validity of the Long-term Industrial Energy Forecasting (LIEF) model, and to provide estimates for the model`s parameters. The model is intended to provide decision makers with a relatively simple, yet credible tool to forecast the impacts of policies which affect long-term energy demand in the manufacturing sector. Particular strengths of this model are its relative simplicity which facilitates both ease of use and understanding of results, and the inclusion of relevant causal relationships which provide useful policy handles. The modeling approach of LIEF is intermediate between top-down econometric modeling and bottom-up technology models. It relies on the following simple concept, that trends in aggregate energy demand are dependent upon the factors: (1) trends in total production; (2) sectoral or structural shift, that is, changes in the mix of industrial output from energy-intensive to energy non-intensive sectors; and (3) changes in real energy intensity due to technical change and energy-price effects as measured by the amount of energy used per unit of manufacturing output (KBtu per constant $ of output). The manufacturing sector is first disaggregated according to their historic output growth rates, energy intensities and recycling opportunities. Exogenous, more » macroeconomic forecasts of individual subsector growth rates and energy prices can then be combined with endogenous forecasts of real energy intensity trends to yield forecasts of overall energy demand. 75 refs. « less
Modelling GDP in CEECs Using Smooth Transitions

This paper employs smooth transition models to investigate the GDP series of ten CEECs. Allowing for a transition in both trend and intercept we examine the response of GDP to reforms in CEECs. Our results indicate that in only a small of number of countries is there evidence to suggest that the impact of the reforms on long-run growth has been positive. In most cases there has been no significant impact of the transition on the trend growth rate. There also appears to be little difference in terms of the depth of recession, speed of adjustment and the impact of reforms on GDP growth depending upon whether a country adopted a gradual or a fast approach to reforms.
Endogenous steroids and financial risk taking on a London trading floor

Little is known about the role of the endocrine system in financial risk taking. Here, we report the findings of a study in which we sampled, under real working conditions, endogenous steroids from a group of male traders in the City of London. We found that a trader's morning testosterone level predicts his day's profitability. We also found that a trader's cortisol rises with both the variance of his trading results and the volatility of the market. Our results suggest that higher testosterone may contribute to economic return, whereas cortisol is increased by risk. Our results point to a further possibility: testosterone and cortisol are known to have cognitive and behavioral effects, so if the acutely elevated steroids we observed were to persist or increase as volatility rises, they may shift risk preferences and even affect a trader's ability to engage in rational choice.
On Proebsting''s Law

In 1965 Gordon Moore observed that the capacity of semiconductor ICs doubled every 18 to 24 months. This trend, now known as Moore''s Law, has held for over 25 years and is responsible for the exponential increase in microprocessor performance over this period. In 1998 Todd Proebsting made a similar-in-spirit, but altogether less optimistic observation about optimizing compilers. His observation, henceforth known as Proebsting''s Law, is that improvements to compiler technology double the performance of typical programs every 18 years. Proebsting has suggested an experiment to evaluate the veracity of his observation. This paper presents the results of this experiment and some comments on what Proebsting''s Law portends for compiler research.
Two essays on health care costs and asset returns

The first essay investigates whether health care is a priced factor in asset returns. Specifically, in the search for empirical relationships between macroeconomic factors and asset returns, health care appears to be a significant US economic force receiving less attention than others such as (aggregate) inflation, production or consumption measures. We use the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index to measure medial inflation shocks as a candidate macroeconomic factor whose riskiness the market rewards. Incorporating multiple model specifications during the period 1967-2009, we find this inflationary component to be a relatively robust source of priced risk in US stock returns.
Ambition, Federalism, and Legislative Politics in Brazil: Subject Index

List of tables and figures Abbreviations and acronyms Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: 1. Ambition theory and political careers in Brazil 2. In the absence of congressional careerism: short stints, flat hierarchies and low payoffs in the chamber of deputies 3. Progressive ambition and congressional 'hot seats' in Brazil, 1945-98 4. Labyrinths of power, Brazilian style: post-chamber political careers Part II: 5. The 'Gubematorial coattails effect': federalism and congressional elections in Brazil Part III: 6. On the political (in)efficacy of pork-barreling in the chamber of deputies 7. Progressive ambition, federalism and pork-barreling in Brazil 8. Institutions of their own design? democratization and fiscal decentralization in Brazil, 1975-95 9. The Cardoso administration and changes in Brazilian federalism Conclusion Appendices References Indexes.
Counting the Public In: Presidents, Public Opinion, and Foreign Policy

Preface1. Linking Public Opinion and Foreign Policy2. Preserving Public Support: Eisenhower and Dulles as Pragmatists3. The Crisis Context: Anticipating Domestic Opposition over the Offshore Islands4. The Reflexive Context: Boxed in by Public Opinion at Dien Bien Phu5. The Innovative Context: Standing Firm Pushing Forward, and Giving Way After Sputnik6. The Deliberative Context: Leadership and Limitations in the Formulation of the New Look7. Presidential Public Opinion Orientations Since World War II8. Crises and Recent Presidents9. Deliberative Cases and Recent Presidents10. Conclusions and Implications for Theory and Practice
Nation-building and foreign policy in India : an identity-strategy conflict

"Nation-Building and Foreign Policy in India: An Identity-Strategy Conflict" presents an evaluation of Indian foreign policy. It analyses the unusual concern of Indian strategic thinking about political values. The book argues that in Indian foreign policy, there has been a shift from a strict concern for national interest towards idealist considerations. Thus creating what the author calls an 'idealist inflection'. This inflection does not have its roots in cultural aspects or grand strategy. Instead, it is best understood with reference to the political process of nation-building, characterised by the specific choices and decisions taken by the two leading protagonists of the Indian National Movement - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The values they chose to place at the heart of India's national identity have spilt into the country's foreign policy. The book then goes on to study the changes in India's foreign policy and national identity since Nehru's time until today. "Nation-Building and Foreign Policy in India: An Identity-Strategy Conflict" will be of interest to academicians, policy-makers and general readers with an interest in foreign policy and international relations.
Investasi dan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Regional (Studi Kasus pada 26 Propinsi di Indonesia, Pra dan Pasca Otonomi

The aim of this study is to examine the affect of investment on regional economic growth 26 province pre and pasca authonomy for periods of 1998-2003 using GLS method (General Least Square) for process polling data. Factor that affect the regional economic growth are foreign direct investments (X1), direct domestic investmens (X2), we also identify other factors (as controlled variables) that can influence the regional economic growth. These variables are labor force (X3), inflation rate (X4), and rate openness economic proÂ¬vince (X5). The results found regional economic growth for periods 1998-2003 are influenced by foreign direct investments (X1), labor force (X3), and rate openness economic proÂ¬vince (X5). However direct domestic investments (X2), and inflation rate (X4) do not affect to regional economic growth. But for periods 1998-2000 (pre authonomy) foreign direct inÂ¬vestments (X1), and rate openness economic province (X5) affect to regional economic growth. Periods 2000-2003 (pasca authonomy) inflation rate (X4) and rate openness ecoÂ¬nomic province (X5) affect to regional economic growth. Keywords:Â Â Â investment, foreign direct investments, direct domestic investments, regional ecoÂ¬nomic growth, pre authonomy, pasca authonomy, and panel data.
Resolving Discrepant Findings on ANGPTL8 in β-Cell Proliferation: A Collaborative Approach to Resolving the Betatrophin Controversy

The β-cell mitogenic effects of ANGPTL8 have been subjected to substantial debate. The original findings suggested that ANGPTL8 overexpression in mice induced a 17-fold increase in β-cell proliferation. Subsequent studies in mice contested this claim, but a more recent report in rats supported the original observations. These conflicting results might be explained by variable ANGPTL8 expression and differing methods of β-cell quantification. To resolve the controversy, three independent labs collaborated on a blinded study to test the effects of ANGPTL8 upon β-cell proliferation. Recombinant human betatrophin (hBT) fused to maltose binding protein (MBP) was delivered to mice by intravenous injection. The results demonstrate that ANGPTL8 does not stimulate significant β-cell proliferation. Each lab employed different methods for β-cell identification, resulting in variable quantification of β-cell proliferation and suggests a need for standardizing practices for β-cell quantification. We also observed a new action of ANGPTL8 in stimulating CD45+ hematopoietic-derived cell proliferation which may explain, in part, published discrepancies. Overall, the hypothesis that ANGPTL8 induces dramatic and specific β-cell proliferation can no longer be supported. However, while ANGPTL8 does not stimulate robust β-cell proliferation, the original experimental model using drug-induced (S961) insulin resistance was validated in subsequent studies, and thus still represents a robust system for studying signals that are either necessary or sufficient for β-cell expansion. As an added note, we would like to commend collaborative group efforts, with repetition of results and procedures in multiple laboratories, as an effective method to resolve discrepancies in the literature.
Assessing the impact of European Union policies on urban transport : a comparative analysis

The impact EU (European Union) policies have at the local level is little understood and explored, especially in the field of urban transport. Yet the EU has a growing influence in the urban transport sphere. This thesis examines the EU’s impact on urban transport policies throughout Europe and assesses whether the EU has contributed to generate sustainable mobility at the local level. It argues that certain EU regulatory policies and funding programmes have had an impact on urban transport policies and have contributed to fostering sustainable mobility policies. Three methods were used for this study: content analysis of interviews with key stakeholders, comparative analysis of key documents in different countries and cities, in particular France and the UK, and surveys of a wide sample of policy makers in European cities. The findings of this study illustrate that the role played by the EU in the field of urban transport is increasingly important. The main EU influence in this field emanates from its environmental policies in a strong yet indirect way, as well as from its funding programmes in a more direct way but with less effect. EU climate change policies’ impact on urban transport is limited but increasing. Finally this study finds that the EU plays an important role in the field of urban transport and that local policy makers generally welcome initiatives and funding emanating from the European Commission. Discussion and recommendations are formulated highlighting the increasing importance supranational institutions such as the EU play in fostering sustainable urban mobility in collaboration with actors across different levels.
Learning Deficits and Agenesis of Synapses and Myelinated Axons in Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase-Deficient Mice

Although previous studies have reported a role for phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) in axonal definition and growth in vitro, it is not clear whether PI3K regulates axonal formation and synaptogenesis in vivo. The goal of the present study was to clarify the role of PI3K in behavioral functions and some underlying neuroanatomical structures. Immunohistochemistry, an electron-microscopic analysis and behavioral tests were carried out. Knockout mice lacking the p85α regulatory subunit of PI3K (p85α–/– mice) significantly showed learning deficits, restlessness and motivation deficit. Expression of phosphorylated Akt, which indirectly shows the activity of PI3K, was high in myelinated axons, especially in axonal bundles in the striatum of wild-type mice, but was significantly low in the striatum, cerebral cortex and the hippocampal CA3 of p85α–/– mice. The axonal marker protein level decreased mainly in the striatum and cerebral cortex of p85α–/– mice. In these two regions, myelinated axons are rich in the wild-type mice. However, the density of myelinated axons and myelin thickness were significantly low in the striatum and cerebral cortex of p85α–/– mice. Synaptic protein level was clearly decreased in the striatum, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus of p85α–/– mice when compared with wild mice. The present results suggest that PI3K plays a role in the generation and/or maintenance of synapses and myelinated axons in the brain and that deficiencies in PI3K activity result in abnormalities in several neuronal functions, including learning, restlessness and motivation.
Law of spreading of the crest of a breaking wave

In a wide range of conditions, ocean waves break. This can be seen as the manifestation of a singularity in the dynamics of the fluid surface, moving under the effect of the fluid motion underneath. We show that, at the onset of breaking, the wave crest expands in the spanwise direction as the square root of time. This is first derived from a theoretical analysis and then compared with experimental findings. The agreement is excellent.
THE BENEFITS AND BURDENS OF HIGH REPUTATION DURING DISRUPTIONS: THE ROLE OF MEDIA REPUTATION, ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION, AND DISRUPTION TYPE

I examine the effect of media reputation of organizations prior to a disruptive event on stakeholders’ decision to transact with an organization after the event. The essay focuses on the interplay of two aspects of news coverage of organizations: the amount and tenor of coverage and their relation to stakeholder familiarity with and emotional attitude towards a focal organization prior to disruptions. A description of typology of organizational archetypes generated by news media—celebrity, infamous, peripheral, and unfamiliar organizations—is followed by propositions that examine how each of the four archetypes is affected by disruptions. Relying on research in mass communications, social psychology, and organization studies I suggest that being covered by the news media is not always beneficial, and during disruptions may negatively affect organizations.