Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Symmetrical dimer of the human dopamine transporter revealed by cross-linking Cys-306 at the extracellular end of the sixth transmembrane segment

There is evidence both for and against Na+- and Cl−-dependent neurotransmitter transporters forming oligomers. We found that cross-linking the human dopamine transporter (DAT), which is heterologously expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, either with copper phenanthroline (CuP) or the bifunctional reagent bis-(2-methanethiosulfonatoethyl)amine hydrochloride (bis-EA) increased the apparent molecular mass determined with nonreducing SDS/PAGE from ≈85 to ≈195 kDa. After cross-linking, but not before, coexpressed, differentially epitope-tagged DAT molecules, solubilized in Triton X-100, were coimmunoprecipitated. Thus, the 195-kDa complex was a homodimer. Cross-linking of DAT did not affect tyramine uptake. Replacement of Cys-306 with Ala prevented cross-linking. Replacement of all of the non-disulfide-bonded cysteines in the extracellular and membrane domains, except for Cys-306, did not prevent cross-linking. We conclude that the cross-link is between Cys-306 at the extracellular end of TM6 in each of the two DATs. The motif GVXXGVXXA occurs at the intracellular end of TM6 in DAT and is found in a number of other neurotransmitter transporters. This sequence was originally found at the dimerization interface in glycophorin A, and it promotes dimerization in model systems. Mutation of either glycine disrupted DAT expression and function. The intracellular end of TM6, like the extracellular end, is likely to be part of the dimerization interface.
Minimal Effects of Age and Exposure to a Noisy Environment on Hearing in Alpha9 Nicotinic Receptor Knockout Mice

Studies have suggested a role of weakened medial olivocochlear (OC) efferent feedback in accelerated hearing loss and increased susceptibility to noise. The present study investigated the progression of hearing loss with age and exposure to a noisy environment in medial OC-deficient mice. Alpha9 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor knockout (α9KO) and wild types were screened for hearing loss using auditory brainstem responses. α9KO mice housed in a quiet environment did not show increased hearing loss compared to wild types in young adulthood and middle age. Challenging the medial OC system by housing in a noisy environment did not increase hearing loss in α9KO mice compared to wild types. ABR wave 1 amplitudes also did not show differences between α9KO mice and wild types. These data suggest that deficient medial OC feedback does not result in early onset of hearing loss.
Essays in Quantitative Macroeconomics

My dissertation explores topics in macroeconomics related to labor markets. In the rst chapter, "Parental Time Investment and Human Capital Formation: A Quantitative Analysis of Intergenerational Mobility," I study economic mobility across generations. A large literature has documented low intergenerational mobility in the U.S. over the last few decades, prompting a growing interest in understanding mechanisms underlying intergenerational mobility. In this paper, I construct a quantitative general equilibrium model that explores parental time investment in preschool-aged and younger children as a channel through which economic status can be transmitted intergenerationally. Altruistic parents di¤er in their own human capital and assets, and in the human capital of their children. They each decide how to split their time across investment in their childs human capital, market work, and leisure. My calibrated model reproduces the quintile transition matrix of income as well as the lifecycle inequality seen in U.S. data. Decomposing its results, I nd that heterogeneity in the amount of parental time investment accounts for nearly 20 percent of the observed persistence in intergenerational income. Despite their higher opportunity costs of time, more skilled parents choose to invest more time in their young children. This force signi cantly ampli es the intergenerational correlation of human capital. Policy experiments suggest that interventions targeted at the college decision have little e¤ect on intergenerational mobility. By contrast, I nd that those
Essays in macroeconomics, finance and growth

ESSAYS IN MACROECONOMICS, FINANCE AND GROWTH Gustavo José Camilo Vincent Dirk Krueger João Gomes This dissertation studies economic growth from two different approaches. First, the measurement of misallocation of production inputs in China is analyzed within the context of a dynamic investment model that presents adjustment costs, with the purpose of assessing how much of measured misallocation arises due to the presence of these costs. Given that these are technological constraints, rather than imperfections in markets or distortions arising from sub-optimal institutional features of a country, these are unavoidable. Thus, the potential aggregate productivity gains that would arise in a static model if inputs were perfectly allocated are over estimated, as these would be faced by a social planner. Second, the product cycle as a feature of economic growth is studied. Using historical data from the United States, a model where growth occurs through exogenous innovations with entry-exit dynamics is estimated, and we use it to learn about the features of the product cycle: the number of firms producing an innovation peaks at 19 years and the number of firms that they are associated with varies greatly, yet how much output they imply is much more homogeneous. vi
Diffusion and Perfusion MRI Findings of the Signal-Intensity Abnormalities of Brain Associated with Developmental Venous Anomaly

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Developmental venous anomalies are the most common intracranial vascular malformation. Increased signal-intensity on T2-FLAIR images in the areas drained by developmental venous anomalies are encountered occasionally on brain imaging studies. We evaluated diffusion and perfusion MR imaging findings of the abnormally high signal intensity associated with developmental venous anomalies to describe their pathophysiologic nature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed imaging findings of 34 subjects with signal-intensity abnormalities associated with developmental venous anomalies. All subjects underwent brain MR imaging with contrast and diffusion and perfusion MR imaging. Regions of interest were placed covering abnormally high signal intensity around developmental venous anomalies on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging, and the same ROIs were drawn on the corresponding sections of the diffusion and perfusion MR imaging. We measured the apparent diffusion coefficient, relative cerebral blood volume, relative mean transit time, and time-to-peak of the signal-intensity abnormalities around developmental venous anomalies and compared them with the contralateral normal white matter. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The means of ADC, relative cerebral blood volume, relative mean transit time, and TTP of signal-intensity abnormalities around developmental venous anomalies were calculated as follows: 0.98 ± 0.13 10−3mm2/s, 195.67 ± 102.18 mL/100 g, 16.74 ± 7.38 seconds, and 11.65 ± 7.49 seconds, respectively. The values of normal WM were as follows: 0.74 ± 0.08 10−3mm2/s for ADC, 48.53 ± 22.85 mL/100 g for relative cerebral blood volume, 12.12 ± 4.27 seconds for relative mean transit time, and 8.35 ± 3.89 seconds for TTP. All values of ADC, relative cerebral blood volume, relative mean transit time, and TTP in the signal-intensity abnormalities around developmental venous anomalies were statistically higher than those of normal WM (All P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The diffusion and perfusion MR imaging findings of the signal-intensity abnormalities associated with developmental venous anomaly suggest that the nature of the lesion is vasogenic edema with congestion and delayed perfusion.
Assessment of glycosaminoglycan concentration in equine synovial fluid as a marker of joint disease.

A modification of a colorimetric assay was used to determine synovial fluid total and individual sulphated-glycosaminoglycan concentration in various clinical presentations of joint disease in horses. Concentrations of synovial fluid and serum sulphated-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were measured by the 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) dye assay in normal horses (n = 49), horses with acute (n = 26) or chronic (n = 27) joint disease (defined by clinical, radiographic, and clinicopathological parameters), and horses with cartilaginous lesions at diagnostic arthroscopy, but with normal radiographs and synovial fluid (n = 9). Horses with acute joint disease were subdivided into moderate acute (n = 21) and severe acute (n = 5) joint disease on the basis of synovial fluid analysis and clinical examination. Horses with chronic joint disease were subdivided into mild chronic (n = 9), moderate chronic (n = 10), and severe chronic (n = 8) joint disease on the basis of synovial fluid analysis, clinical examination, and radiographic findings. The concentrations of chondroitin sulphate (CS) and keratan sulphate (KS) were analyzed in each sample following sequential enzymatic digestion of the sample with chondroitinase or keratanase. In addition, the concentration of hyaluronate (HA) in each sample was determined by a colorimetric assay following digestion of the sample with microbial hyaluronidase. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Risk factors for soft tissue knee injuries in active duty U.S. Army soldiers, 2000-2005.

BACKGROUND There is a scarcity of analytic research on active duty Army (ADA) knee injuries (KI), such as soft tissue knee injuries (STKI), which are the predominant ADA KI pattern. PURPOSE To quantify the independent adjusted association of significant ADA STKI risk factors, 2000-2005. MATERIALS/METHODS Using the Total Army Injury and Health Outcomes Database, we (1) captured absolute STKI numbers and rates (N = 83,323) and (2) developed regression models to determine significant STKI risk factors. Models included STKI overall and subcategories: meniscus, patella, anterior/posterior cruciate ligament, and medial/lateral cruciate ligament. RESULTS Eight risk factors significantly increased STKI. They are: (1) prior KI (within 2 years) (odds ratio [OR] 9.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.67-10.00); (2) increasing length of service (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.76-1.90); (3) increasing age (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.50-1.65); (4) prior deployment (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.36-1.41); (5) prior ankle injury (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.14-1.19); (6) Infantry occupation (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.21); (7) marital status (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.08-1.12); (8) and prior hip injury (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.12). MAJOR CONCLUSION Soldiers with a prior KI have nearly a 10-fold increased relative risk of developing a subsequent STKI.
Psychometric Properties of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire - IV (GAD-Q-IV) in Postpartum Mothers

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental disorder of which the main feature is persistent and impairing worry. GAD symptoms are common for women during the postpartum period and GAD prevalence rates have been reported as higher in postpartum mothers than in the general population. Currently, little psychometric evidence exists for a screening measure to detect the possible presence of diagnosable GAD for postpartum women. The purpose of this investigation was to gather psychometric information for the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire–IV (GAD-Q-IV; Newman et al., 2002) with a sample of postpartum mothers. Factor analyses were conducted to determine the factor structure of the GAD-Q-IV in postpartum women. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine a range of potential GAD-Q-IV cut-off scores for detecting the likely presence of GAD in postpartum women. Results from this study provided evidence to justify a 1-factor structure for the GAD-Q-IV responses from postpartum women, which demonstrated structural, metric, and scalar invariance over time. Findings from these analyses provided evidence of incremental validity, as there was a significant increase in predicting GAD diagnoses when GAD-Q-IV responses were used compared with another measure of postpartum depression. Last, using ROC analysis, a range of GAD-Q-IV cut-off scores was determined, which can be applied to screening for the likely presence or absence of GAD in postpartum women. The evidence presented in this study suggests that the GAD-Q-IV could be a viable screening measure used to identify the likely presence of GAD in postpartum women so that further evaluations and treatments can be recommended.
Beneficial Effect of a Low Glycaemic Index Diet in Type 2 Diabetes

Low glycaemic index foods produce low blood glucose and insulin responses in normal subjects, and improve blood glucose control in Type 1 and well‐controlled Type 2 diabetic patients. We studied the effects of a low glycaemic index diet in 15 Type 2 diabetic patients with a mean fasting blood glucose of 9.5 mmol I−1 using a randomized, crossover design. Patients were given pre‐weighed diets (59% energy as carbohydrate, 21% fat, and 24g 1000‐kcal−1 dietary fibre) for two 2‐week periods, with a diet glycaemic index of 60 during one period and 87 during the other. On the low glycaemic index diet, the blood glucose response after a representative breakfast was 29% less than on the high glycaemic index diet (874 ± 108 (± SE) vs ± 204 ± 112 mmol min I−1; p < 0.001), the percentage reduction being almost identical to the 28% difference predicted from the meal glycaemic index values. After the 2‐week low glycaemic index diet, fasting serum fructosamine and cholesterol levels were significantly less than after the high glycaemic index diet (3.17 ± 0.12 vs 3.28 ± 0.16 mmol I−1 p < 0.05, and 5.5 ± 0.4 vs 5.9 ± 0.5 mmol I−1, p < 0.02, respectively. Urinary C‐peptide excretion, as an index of insulin secretion, was 30% lower on the low than the high glycaemic index diet (2.05 ± 0.30 vs 2.93 ± 0.49 nmol mmol‐creatinine−1; p < 0.02), urinary urea was reduced by 19% (347 ± 27 vs 402 ± 39 mmol 24‐h−1; p < 0.025), consistent with enhanced colonic fermentation. These results suggest that low glycaemic index starchy foods may be beneficial in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
Open-door laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spon-dylotic myelopathy: Good outcome in 12 patients using suture anchor fixation

Background and purpose In the classic Hirabayashi procedure, the lamina door is tethered open by sutures between the spinous process and facet capsule or para-vertebral muscle. Our early experiences showed, however, that the loosened sutures result in dislodgement and reclosure of the lifted lamina. We present a modified method to ensure secure fixation and prevent restenosis due to hinge closure. Patients and methods 12 patients with cervical spon-dylotic myelopathy underwent unilateral open-door laminoplasty using suture anchor fixation between 2000 and 2004. The sutures were tied and fixed onto the holed lateral mass screws, instead of using the conventional suture technique. We used radiography, MRI, and CT for imaging studies. The Nurick score was used to assess severity of myelopathy, and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was used to evaluate clinical outcomes before surgery and at the last follow-up visit. Results All patients experienced functional improvement of at least 1 Nurick score after surgery. The JOA score for the 12 patients increased significantly from 6.9 (SD 3.0) before surgery to 13 (SD 1.6) at final follow-up. Postoperative radiography and CT showed increased sagittal diameter and canal expansion. Average preoper-ative and postoperative ranges of motion for the cervical spine were 48 (SD 4.6) and 36 (SD 2.7), respectively. No neurological deterioration due to hinge reclosure and no major surgery-related complications were observed during the follow-up period. Interpretation Open-door laminoplasty using suture anchor fixation effectively maintains expansion of the spinal canal and resists closure while preserving alignment and flexibility. This modified technique is easy to use, has a low complication rate, and provides marked functional improvement for patients with cervical spon-dylolytic myelopathy.
Alterations in HbA1c following minimal or enhanced non-surgical, non-antibiotic treatment of gingivitis or mild periodontitis in type 2 diabetic patients: a pilot trial.

AIM The purpose of this pilot study was to determine and compare the effects of two protocols aimed at reducing periodontal inflammation, upon the metabolic control of the diabetic condition in subjects with elevated baseline glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). METHODS AND MATERIALS Forty-two non-smoking type 2 diabetes subjects with mildly elevated HbA1c (>7 but < 9%) and severely elevated (>9%) were randomized to one of two non-surgical periodontal therapy protocols. Patients in the "minimal therapy" (MT) group received scaling, root planning, and oral hygiene instructions on two occasions six months apart. Participants randomized to the "frequent therapy" (FT) protocol received scaling, root planing, and oral hygiene instructions at two-month intervals and were provided a 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse for home use twice daily. Neither systemic nor local antibiotics were provided to either group. Subjects were asked to report any changes in diabetic medications, nutrition, and physical activity. Data analyses (ANOVA, t-test, Mann-Whitney) grouped subjects according to baseline HbA1c (>7 and < 9%, or > 9%), treatment protocol (minimal or frequent), and +/- medication change. RESULTS In both MT and FT groups the clinical attachment level (CAL) remained unchanged but the other measures [gingival index (GI) and pocket dept (PD)] of periodontal health improved. Mean reductions in plaque showed improvement but calculus was worse in the FT group, likely due to the use of chlorhexidine. At six months, the largest reduction of HbA1c was 3.7; experienced by a subject receiving FT but no changes in diabetic medication. Among the MT and no medication change subjects, the maximum reduction was 1.6. Overall mean reduction in HbA1c of 27 subjects with baseline HbA1c >9.0 and no medication change was 0.6 with no statistical difference between the MT and FT groups. Among the medication-change subjects with baseline HbA1c >9.0, mean reduction of 1.38 was seen with FT compared to 1.10 with MT. CONCLUSION Overall, modest improvements in HbA1c were detected with a trend towards FT being better than MT. Although this pilot trial was under-powered to detect small between-group differences, the magnitude of our findings (0.6 mean improvement in HbA1c) matches closely findings from the only meta-analysis conducted on this topic to date. Larger scale studies must be undertaken on diabetic patients with periodontal problems. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Preventive periodontal regimens for diabetic patients should be sufficiently intense and sustained to eliminate periodontal inflammation and should be closely coordinated with the patient's overall clinical diabetic management.
The impact of Chinese textile imperialism on Nigeria’s textile industry and trade: 1960–2015

SUMMARY This briefing examines the effects of globalisation and the challenge posed by China to the Nigerian textile industry in the twenty-first century. The meteoric rise of imports of cheap Chinese textiles into the Nigerian market, which was formerly dominated by local fabrics, has shifted the balance in favour of the imports, which has consequently destroyed the economic base of the local textile industry.
Analysis of temporal backscattering of cotton crops using a semiempirical model

To develop an operational methodology for estimating soil moisture and crop biophysical parameters and to generate a crop cover map, backscattering signatures of vegetation canopies are investigated using multitemporal Radarsat synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data over a predominantly cotton-growing area in India during low to peak crop growth stage. A simple parameterization of the water-cloud model with volumetric soil moisture content (m/sub v/) and leaf area idex (LAI) is used to simulate the microwave backscattering coefficient (/spl sigma//sup 0/), as it is found to be a good candidate for operational purposes as demonstrated by several workers in past. The influence of crop height (H), LAI, and m/sub v/ on /spl sigma//sup 0/ is investigated during peak crop growth stage. A linear relationship between LAI and crop height is derived semiempirically, and a linear zone is chosen for analysis during the peak crop-growing stage. Estimation of average volume fraction of leaves (V~/sub l/) and attenuation factor (L) by two different approaches is discussed: 1) using linear relationship between LAI versus crop height and 2) from the water-cloud model parameter (/spl kappa/) estimation by iterative minimum least square error approach. It is observed that model-estimated parameters agree well with the measured values within an acceptable error limit. At lower soil moisture, m/sub v//spl cong/0.02(cm/sup 3//spl middot/cm/sup -3/), the dynamic range of /spl sigma//sup 0/ is found to be about +5 dB for 0-70 cm of crop height but monotonously decreases to null at a transition point, having m/sub v//spl ap/0.38(cm/sup 3//spl middot/cm/sup -3/). A positive correlation is found between backscattering coefficient and crop height till this transition point but shows a negative correlation beyond that, signifying the predominant attenuation by vegetation over soil. Differential moisture sensitivity (d/spl sigma//sup 0//dm/sub v/) of the backscattering coefficient decreases by half from 20.55 dB/(cm/sup 3//spl middot/cm/sup -3/) for dry and bare-field conditions to 10.68 dB/(cm/sup 3//spl middot/cm/sup -3/) for wet and crop-covered fields (m/sub v/=0.38cm/sup 3//spl middot/cm/sup -3/, H=70cm), whereas differential crop height sensitivity (d/spl sigma//sup 0//dH) varies from 0.22-0.03 dB/cm for bare-field conditions to crop-covered fields with crop height 70 cm. It is found that the percentage of relative error is smallest (2.27%) for LAI and attenuation factor estimation using the value of V~/sub l/, from LAI models, whereas it is 4.25% when estimating from the attenuation coefficient (/spl kappa/) from the model.
A network view of innovation performance for multinational corporation subsidiaries

ABSTRACT A network view of innovation performance for multinational corporation subsidiaries: functionality and geography. Regional Studies. The literature has recognized the need to understand better the role of network partner characteristics on innovative performance in cases of multiple network embeddedness. This study argues that innovation performance is partly a function of the value created through intra- and inter-organizational flows of knowledge within and across regions. The analyses are based on two random-effects logistic models with sample selection. Results show that the functional breadth of a subsidiary’s inter-organizational network has an inverted ‘U’-shaped relationship with its radical and incremental innovation performance. Additionally, radical innovation performance is influenced by internal and external partners from different geographical locations.