Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dopamine (3-hydroxytyramine) and brain function.

The whole body of evidence discussed in this article shows that brain dopamine can be regarded as a strong candidate for a physiologically active substance, regulating the functioning of some extrapyramidal centers, especially substantia nigra, striatum and pallidum. The following findings provide strong support for this view: The dopamine is mainly confined to the extrapyramidal regions mentioned; in these regions, the amine is localized in specific neurons and nerve terminals; its rate of turnover is of a high order of magnitude; is there a correlation between itsconcentration in the brain and the functional state of the extrapyramidal centers following administration of certain drugs; there is a striking relationship between some extrapyramidal disorders (drug-induced and genuine parkinsonism) and the lack of the amine in the substantia nigra, the striatum and the pallidum; and, finally, that substantia nigra exerts a direct influence on the concentration of the amine in the striatum by virtue of the nigro-striatal dopamine-containing fibers. In the extrapyramidal centers, dopamine may have either inhibitory or excitatory activity. Neurophysiological evidence obtained in different species points to a predominantly inhibitory activity of dopamine on single neurons of the brain. Evidence showing that in the retina and in the median eminence (including the pituitary stalk) dopamine may be the predominant catecholamine argues in favor of a specific function of the amine in these brain structures, although there are at present no direct findings to prove this suggestion. From the evidence discussed in this article a good case can be made for the concept that the physiological activity of the brain dopamine is quite different from that of brain norepinephrine. There are as yet. , however, no experiments to positively show that dopamine is a true neuro-transmitter substance in the brain. All central dopamine effects could equally well be explained by assuming that the amine is a modifier of synaptic transmission. Therefore, in order to establish dopamine unequivocally as a central neurotransmitter substance, there is still one crucial experiment to be done: to demonstrate that upon stimulation of the relevant parts of the brain, dopamine is in fact released at synapses to exert by itself an effect on the neurons standing in synaptic relationship with the stimulated dopamine-containing terminals. It is to be hoped that we shall not have to wait too long for this experiment to be performed.
Cadmium toxicity induced changes in plant water relations and oxidative metabolism of Brassica juncea L. plants.

Excess of cadmium (Cd) induced changes in oxidative scenario and water status of plants viz., total water content, specific water content, water saturation deficit (WSD) and transpiration of Brassica juncea plants grown in soil pot culture. Although lower and marginal levels of excess cadmium (100 and 250 ppm) improved growth but higher levels (500 ppm) caused significant suppression. Significant accumulation of proline, an indicator of water stress, occurred at higher level of Cd. Gradual increases in activities of certain antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and peroxidase along with increased lipid peroxidation are suggestive of disturbed oxidative metabolism. Taking together, the deleterious effects of Cd and its effects on oxidative metabolism clearly indicate enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to be instrumental in producing toxic effects of Cd. The excess levels of Cd also decreased the concentrations of soluble protein and chlorophylls and increased the ratio of chlorophyll a/b.
The Sorghum bicolor reference genome: improved assembly and annotations, a transcriptome atlas, and signatures of genome organization

Sorghum bicolor is a drought tolerant C4 grass used for production of grain, forage, sugar, and lignocellulosic biomass and a genetic model for C4 grasses due to its relatively small genome (~800 Mbp), diploid genetics, diverse germplasm, and colinearity with other C4 grass genomes. In this study, deep sequencing, genetic linkage analysis, and transcriptome data were used to produce and annotate a high quality reference genome sequence. Reference genome sequence order was improved, 29.6 Mbp of additional sequence was incorporated, the number of genes annotated increased 24% to 34,211, average gene length and N50 increased, and error frequency was reduced 10-fold to 1 per 100 kbp. Sub-telomeric repeats with characteristics of Tandem Repeats In Miniature (TRIM) elements were identified at the termini of most chromosomes. Nucleosome occupancy predictions identified nucleosomes positioned immediately downstream of transcription start sites and at different densities across chromosomes. Alignment of the reference genome sequence to 56 resequenced genomes from diverse sorghum genotypes identified ~7.4M SNPs and 1.8M indels. Large scale variant features in euchromatin were identified with periodicities of ~25 kbp. An RNA transcriptome atlas of gene expression was constructed from 47 samples derived from growing and developed tissues of the major plant organs (roots, leaves, stems, panicles, seed) collected during the juvenile, vegetative and reproductive phases. Analysis of the transcriptome data indicated that tissue type and protein kinase expression had large influences on transcriptional profile clustering. The updated assembly, annotation, and transcriptome data represent a resource for C4 grass research and crop improvement.
Combination Insulin-Sulfonylurea Therapy

Combination sulfonylurea-insulin therapy for patients with diabetes mellitus has been evaluated by numerous investigators with various experimental designs. Much of the data are conflicting, and clear conclusions do not seem justified. Insulin-sulfonylurea therapy is probably not clinically useful in most patients with insulindependent diabetes mellitus. Most non-insulindependent diabetic (NIDOM) patients are also unlikely to have meaningful improvement in glycemic regulation on insulin-sulfonylurea therapy. A subset of NIDDM patients who are mildly to moderately obese, have adequate endogenous insulin secretory reserve, and are in poor glycemic regulation (fasting plasma glucose >11mM and/or HbA1 >10%), despite twice-daily insulin administration of >70 U/day, may show significant improvement of glycemic regulation and/or decreases in insulin daily dose on insulin-sulfonylurea therapy. The mechanisms by which insulin-sulfonylurea therapy improves glycemic regulation and decreases insulin requirements involve an increase in endogenous insulin secretion and possibly some extrapancreatic actions of the sulfonylureas on muscle and liver.
An Analysis of Energy and Environment Efficiency of China's Iron and Steel Industry

Due to heavy energy consumption and low technical efficiency, China's iron and steel industry is trapped in the dilemma "large but not strong". This situation not only exerts enormous pressure on energy security but also on increased carbon emission and environmental pollution. The contribution of this study is to calculate the energy and environment efficiency of China's iron and steel industry and to analyze the factors affecting this efficiency. An index of energy and environment efficiency is introduced based on Directional Slacks-based Distance Measure Model. This index is adopted to measure the energy and environment efficiency of China's iron and steel industry using 2,382 firm observations during 2001 to 2005. In addition, Hierarchy Linear Model (HLM) is applied to analyze the factors which can influence the efficiency with both firm-level and province-level data. The conclusions are as follows: The energy and environment efficiency of China's iron and steel industry did not have a significant change during the research period. A firm's age, size, ownership, product category and the economy of its province have significant influence on its energy and environment efficiency.
Affinity of a galactose‐specific legume lectin from Dolichos lablab to adenine revealed by X‐ray cystallography

Crystal structure analysis of a galactose‐specific lectin from a leguminous food crop Dolichos lablab (Indian lablab beans) has been carried out to obtain insights into its quaternary association and lectin‐carbohydrate interactions. The analysis led to the identification of adenine binding sites at the dimeric interfaces of the heterotetrameric lectin. Structural details of similar adenine binding were reported in only one legume lectin, Dolichos biflorus, before this study. Here, we present the structure of the galactose‐binding D. lablab lectin at different pH values in the native form and in complex with galactose and adenine. This first structure report on this lectin also provides a high resolution atomic view of legume lectin‐adenine interactions. The tetramer has two canonical and two DB58‐like interfaces. The binding of adenine, a non‐carbohydrate ligand, is found to occur at four hydrophobic sites at the core of the tetramer at the DB58‐like dimeric interfaces and does not interfere with the carbohydrate‐binding site. To support the crystallographic observations, the adenine binding was further quantified by carrying out isothermal calorimetric titration. By this method, we not only estimated the affinity of the lectin to adenine but also showed that adenine binds with negative cooperativity in solution. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(7):633–644, 2013
Regulation of Insulin-Stimulated Glucose Transporter GLUT4 Translocation and Akt Kinase Activity by Ceramide

ABSTRACT The sphingomyelin derivative ceramide is a signaling molecule implicated in numerous physiological events. Recently published reports indicate that ceramide levels are elevated in insulin-responsive tissues of diabetic animals and that agents which trigger ceramide production inhibit insulin signaling. In the present series of studies, the short-chain ceramide analog C2-ceramide inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose transport by ∼50% in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, with similar reductions in hormone-stimulated translocation of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter (GLUT4) and insulin-responsive aminopeptidase. C2-ceramide also inhibited phosphorylation and activation of Akt, a molecule proposed to mediate multiple insulin-stimulated metabolic events. C2-ceramide, at concentrations which antagonized activation of both glucose uptake and Akt, had no effect on the tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) or the amounts of p85 protein and phosphatidylinositol kinase activity that immunoprecipitated with anti-IRS-1 or antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. Moreover, C2-ceramide also inhibited stimulation of Akt by platelet-derived growth factor, an event that is IRS-1 independent. C2-ceramide did not inhibit insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase or pp70 S6-kinase, and it actually stimulated phosphorylation of the latter in the absence of insulin. Various pharmacological agents, including the immunosuppressant rapamycin, the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, and several protein kinase C inhibitors, were without effect on ceramide’s inhibition of Akt. These studies demonstrate ceramide’s capacity to inhibit activation of Akt and imply that this is a mechanism of antagonism of insulin-dependent physiological events, such as the peripheral activation of glucose transport and the suppression of apoptosis.
The Philosophy of Economics: Welfare Propositions of Economics and Interpersonal Comparisons of Utility

Nicholas Kaldor (1908–1986) was born in Budapest and educated in Budapest, Berlin, and at the London School of Economics. In addition to an academic career, which was centered at Cambridge University, Kaldor served as an advisor to several governments and was instrumental in devising the value added tax (VAT). In this brief essay, originally published in 1939, he argues that the net benefit of a policy – the amount that “winners” would be willing to pay minus the amount that “losers” would need to be compensated – provides a measure of the capacity of an economy to satisfy preferences that does not require interpersonal comparisons or any judgment concerning the justice of different distributions. In a separate essay published in the same year, John Hicks defends the same idea, and assessment of alternatives in terms of net benefits is often called “the Kaldor-Hicks efficiency criterion. ” In the December 1938 issue of the E conomic J ournal Professor Robbins returns to the question of the status of interpersonal comparisons of utility. It is not the purpose of this note to question Professor Robbins' view regarding the scientific status of such comparisons; with this the present writer is in entire agreement. Its purpose is rather to examine the relevance of this whole question to what is commonly called “welfare economics. ” In previous discussions of this problem it has been rather too readily assumed, on both sides, that the scientific justification of such comparisons determines whether “economics as a science can say anything by way of prescription. ”
A 2.5-D Angularly Stable Frequency Selective Surface Using Via-Based Structure for 5G EMI Shielding

A novel broadband bandpass frequency-selective surface (FSS) designed for fifth generation (5G) EMI shielding is proposed in this paper. This new design employs the vertical vias into the 2-D periodic arrays, and such a single 2.5-D periodic layer of via-based structure is demonstrated to produce a highly stable angular response up to 60° for both TE and TM polarizations. By cascading two layers of such 2.5-D periodic arrays, the proposed FSS is able to obtain a broad passband as well as the wide out-of-band rejection. Moreover, it has a quite sharp band edge between the passband and the specified stopband. A corresponding equivalent circuit model (ECM) is further developed for better analysis of the operating principle. Finally, a prototype working at the center frequency of around 28 GHz is fabricated and measured. The main novelty of this paper is introducing the 2.5-D concept into designing a wideband FSS, and further reduce the unit size as well as improve the angular stability. Favorable agreement is achieved among the 3-D full-wave simulation, ECM and measurement. All these results demonstrate that the proposed FSS is a good candidate for 5G EMI shielding.
Effects of a psychosocial intervention on survival among patients with stage I breast and prostate cancer: a matched case-control study.

CONTEXT Psychosocial factors have been linked to the development and progression of cancer and shown to be relevant in cancer care. However, the evidence that psychosocial interventions affect cancer survival is less conclusive. Few methodologically sound studies have addressed this issue. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of a 6-week psychosocial intervention on survival among patients with stage I breast and prostate cancer. DESIGN Matched case-control. SETTING 3 rural hospitals or cancer centers in central Pennsylvania. PATIENTS 21 breast and 29 prostate stage I cancer patients (treatment group) matched with 74 breast and 65 prostate stage I cancer patients from the same hospitals who did not receive the intervention (control group). INTERVENTION Six 2-hour health psychology classes conducted by a licensed staff psychologist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Survival time was compared between the 2 groups and with national norms. RESULTS The intervention group lived significantly longer than did matched controls. At 4- to 7-year follow-up (median = 4.2 years), none of the breast cancer patients in the intervention group died, whereas 12% of those in the control group died. Twice as many matched-control prostate cancer patients died compared with those in the intervention group (28% vs 14%). Control group survival was similar to national norms. CONCLUSIONS These results are consistent with prior clinical trials and suggest that short-term psychosocial interventions that encourage the expression of emotions, provide social support, and teach coping skills can influence survival among cancer patients. However, self-selection bias cannot be ruled out as an alternative explanation for the results. These interventions merit further consideration and research.
Poor Comparability of Prothrombin Fragment 1 + 2 Values Measured by Two Commercial ELISA Methods: Influence of Different Anticoagulants and Standards

Summary We compared F 1 + 2 results obtained with two commercial ELISA methods (Behring and Baxter) assaying the same plasma samples. There was little correlation between the results of the two methods, as shown by the low correlation coefficient (r = 0.50) and by low percentage of concordant classification (normal or abnormal) of the samples (24%). Such poor correlation is probably due to the different anticoagulants suggested, because correlation improved when both methods were carried out in plasmas collected with the same anticoagulant. However, the Baxter method still gave significantly lower F 1 + 2 values than the Behring method. Assuming that this difference is due to the use of standards with different F 1 +2 concentrations, the standards from Behring and Baxter were evaluated by both methods. Parallel dose-response curves were obtained when the standards were run by the Behring method but not by the Baxter method, indicating that the two standards are qualitatively different. This study demonstrates that the two F 1 + 2 methods give different values for the same samples and that these values are poorly correlated. Standardization of the F 1 + 2 assays cannot be achieved easily simply by using a common standard and the use of different anticoagulants appears to be the main reason for poor standardization.
International manufacturing network: past, present, and future

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine, and present a comprehensive review of, the existing literature on the international manufacturing network (IMN). Design/methodology/approach – The original data set used for reviewing the IMN literature consisted of 107 articles selected from 21 journals: more specifically, 40 articles are concerned with plant-level analysis, and 67 articles are related to IMN-level analysis. The literature is simultaneously reviewed by two researchers. The relevance and contribution of each reviewed paper is discussed and mutually agreed upon. Findings – The paper highlights the different concepts related to IMN and traces the evolution of IMN-related research. Based on two levels of analysis (i.e. plant and network), this paper further reviews and discusses the IMN-specific literature in detail to determine the number of IMN articles published across the journals, the dominant methodologies employed, and the research focus reflected in IMN studies. A research trajectory.
PENGARUH GAYA HIDUP TERHADAP MINAT BELI KONSUMEN DALAM BERBELANJA ONLINE (Studi Kasus Pada Mahasiswa STIE BIMA)

This study aims to determine the effect of lifestyle on buying interest in online shopping at Campus STIE in Bima. This type of research is an associative study. The population in this study is all students who have done online shopping on Campus STIE in Bima. The sample used is 50 people with this technique sampling used in this research is Purposive Sampling. Data analysis technique using simple linear regression test. The results showed that there is a significant influence of lifestyle on buying interest in online shopping is evidenced from t Count of 5.004> 1.676 with a significance value of 0.000 smaller than 0.05 (0.000 <0.05). Keyword: lifestyle and buying interest.
Blood Groups Distributions of Donors/Patients in a Tertiary Hospital

Amac: Turkiye'de Sakarya ilinde yasayan gonullu kan bagiscilari tarafindan bagislanan kan ve kan urunleri ile ABO ve Rh kan gruplarinin dagilimini gostermek. Yontemler: Ocak 2009 ve Eylul 2013 tarihleri ​​arasinda Sakarya Universitesi'ne basvuran gonullu kan bagiscilari tarafindan bagislanan kan ve kan urunleri verileri retrospektif olarak incelendi. Kan gruplari, EDTA katkili kan ornekleri ile tup aglutinasyon yontemi ve jel kart aglutinasyon teknikleri kullanilarak otomatik olarak gerceklestirildi. Bulgular: Sonuclarimiza gore calisma grubumuzdaki kan gruplarinin dagilimi su sekildedir: 0 Rh (+) % 30.2; 0 Rh (-) % 5.6; A Rh (+) % 38.1; A Rh (-) % 6.2; B Rh (+) % 10.5; B Rh (-) % 2.1; AB Rh (+) % 6.2 ve AB Rh (-) % 1.3. Calismamizda, Rh faktoru goz onune alinmadan, kan faktoru sonuclari goz onune alindiginda hastalarin asagidaki yuzdelerde oldugu tespit edilmistir: A, % 44.3; 0, % 35.7; B, % 12.5 ve AB, % 7.5. Rh (+) (% 84.9) ve Rh (-) (% 15.1) oranlari da belirtildigi gibi hesaplandi. Sonuc: Genel olarak, ulkemizdeki verilerle karsilastirildiginda calismamizda A kan grubu belirgin olarak daha yuksek iken, B ve AB gruplari en dusuk insidans oranlarina sahipti. Bu calismanin Turkiye'de Kan Gruplari Dagilimi Veritabani’nin olusturulmasina katki saglayacagini dusunuyoruz.
Swedish households' indebtedness and ability to pay: a household level study

Household borrowing has increased considerably in a number of developed countries in the past two decades, both in absolute terms and relative to household income. This has raised concerns about the sustainability of household debt, the household sector’s vulnerability and possible implications for the stability of the financial system and banks’ loan losses. Given the inherent limitations of analysing aggregate data, such as the mixing of debt holding and non-debt holding households, in its ana-lysis of the household sector’s balance sheet the Riksbank has increasingly turned to micro data. Furthermore, this approach allows stress testing of the ability to pay in the household sector. The purpose of this paper is to give a detailed exposé of how the Riksbank uses micro data for analysing the debt-carrying ability of the household sector. What the data tell us, in brief, is that the distribution of household debt in Sweden is highly skewed towards high income earners who also hold a large portion of the household sector’s assets. The results also indicate that, despite the considerable increase in household indebtedness in the past decade, Swedish households do not seem particularly vulnerable to rising interest rates or rising unemployment.
Ophthalmic Artery Blood Flow Parameters in Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

Purpose To investigate orbital flow parameters of ophthalmic artery (OA) in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG) by ultrasonography. Methods This case-control study included 38 patients with XFG and 32 healthy control subjects. Color Doppler imaging was performed to evaluate orbital flow parameters of OA. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to define the best cutoff value. Results In the XFG group, decreased peak systolic velocity (p = 0.114), end diastolic velocity (p = 0.002), and increased resistivity index (RI) (p<0.001) at OA compared to healthy controls were observed. A cutoff value 0.72 for OA RI was found to have a sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 94%. Conclusions The results support the findings of increased vascular resistance in OA XFG. High sensitivity and specificity obtained for OA RI may be useful in evaluation of future therapeutic vascular agents.