Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the neuroprotective effects of adrenoceptor drugs in retinal cell culture and intact retina.

PURPOSE The efficacy of beta1-adrenoceptor (AR)-selective (betaxolol and metoprolol) and nonselective (timolol) antagonists and the alpha2-AR agonist UK14,304 as retinal neuroprotectants was compared and contrasted in an in vitro glutamate excitotoxicity model. The ability of UK14,304, brimonidine, and betaxolol to alter glutamate-receptor-induced changes in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) was also determined in isolated retinal neurons and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in an intact retina preparation. METHODS Neuronal survival was measured in mixed retinal cell cultures treated for 24 hours with media containing 100 microM glutamate, with or without the addition of each of the drugs (1-1000 microM). Effects of glutamate on glia were also investigated in a C6 glioma cell line. Glutamate-induced changes in [Ca2+]i with and without UK14,304, and its analogue brimonidine were assessed by calcium-imaging techniques in retinal neurons in culture. The effect of betaxolol on [Ca2+]i was investigated in RGCs in intact rabbit retina. RESULTS In cell cultures, 10-1000 microM glutamate resulted in a dose-dependent loss of neurons, but not of glia. The absence of glutamate toxicity in glia was confirmed in C6 glioma cells. Betaxolol, but not timolol or metoprolol, significantly increased survival (from 52% of control in glutamate-only to 78% with 10 microM betaxolol) after excitotoxic insult. UK14,304 also increased survival (from 62% of control in glutamate only to 109% and 101% of control with 10 and 100 microM UK14,304, respectively). This effect was blocked by the specific alpha2-antagonist, yohimbine. Both UK14,304 and brimonidine (10-100 microM) reduced glutamate-induced [Ca2+]i increases in retinal neurons in culture. The actions of the alpha2-agonists in reducing glutamate-induced [Ca2+]i increases were reduced by yohimbine (1 microM). Betaxolol (100 microM) reduced N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced increases of [Ca2+]i in RGCs in intact retina. CONCLUSIONS Betaxolol reduced glutamate excitotoxicity in retinal neurons in vitro through a mechanism independent of beta-AR interactions. UK14,304, acting through alpha2-ARs, was also neuroprotective in vitro. The neuroprotective actions of betaxolol and the alpha2-agonists on retinal neurons may be due, at least in part, to a direct reduction of glutamate receptor-mediated increases of [Ca2+]i.
Regional competition in property taxes, school spending, and tax abatements

REGIONAL COMPETITION IN PROPERTY TAXES, SCHOOL SPENDING, AND TAX ABATEMENTS By Sung Hoon Kang In this dissertation, I examine the effects of changes in property tax rates, school spending, and tax abatements on residential, commercial, and industrial property value growth in Southeast Michigan using data for all 152 communities in the five counties surrounding Detroit over the years 1983 through 2002. This is a period during which state government mandated major changes to school finance. The major contribution of this research is to provide new insights about the differential effects of policy changes on property classes. A key challenge in this work is to properly address the potential endogenous relationship between policy changes and property value growth. In this regard, my strategy is to consider the time period immediately before and after the imposition of Proposal A, which resulted in significant differential changes to both property tax rates and school spending for all communities in the state. In addition, I use spatial econometric techniques to account for potential fiscal spillover effects of competitor policy changes on one’s own property value growth. In this analysis, I find that: 1) residential property values are more responsive to school spending changes than property tax rate changes; 2) commercial and industrial property values are more responsive to tax rate changes than school spending changes; 3) commercial and industrial property values are more responsive to changes in tax rates than are residential properties; and 4) regional competition plays an important role in property value growth in the Southeast Michigan region. I also examine the degree to which the use of industrial property tax abatements spurs property value growth in the same region surrounding Detroit. My findings show that: 1) localities that offer tax abatements yield statistically significant positive impacts on industrial property value growth; 2) the impacts are larger in high tax than in low tax communities; 3) there are positive spillover effects of tax abatements on residential and commercial property value growth; 4) the fiscal benefits to local government of tax abatements are much smaller than the cost of offering tax abatements; 5) this conclusion is remains intact even when I consider spillover benefits of the tax abatements; and 6) tax abatements offered in competitor communities do not appear to influence own industrial or other property value growth.
Randomized Outpatient Trial of Single- and Dual-Hormone Closed-Loop Systems That Adapt to Exercise Using Wearable Sensors

OBJECTIVE Automated insulin delivery is the new standard for type 1 diabetes, but exercise-related hypoglycemia remains a challenge. Our aim was to determine whether a dual-hormone closed-loop system using wearable sensors to detect exercise and adjust dosing to reduce exercise-related hypoglycemia would outperform other forms of closed-loop and open-loop therapy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Participants underwent four arms in randomized order: dual-hormone, single-hormone, predictive low glucose suspend, and continuation of current care over 4 outpatient days. Each arm included three moderate-intensity aerobic exercise sessions. The two primary outcomes were percentage of time in hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL) and in a target range (70–180 mg/dL) assessed across the entire study and from the start of the in-clinic exercise until the next meal. RESULTS The analysis included 20 adults with type 1 diabetes who completed all arms. The mean time (SD) in hypoglycemia was the lowest with dual-hormone during the exercise period: 3.4% (4.5) vs. 8.3% (12.6) single-hormone (P = 0.009) vs. 7.6% (8.0) predictive low glucose suspend (P < 0.001) vs. 4.3% (6.8) current care where pre-exercise insulin adjustments were allowed (P = 0.49). Time in hypoglycemia was also the lowest with dual-hormone during the entire 4-day study: 1.3% (1.0) vs. 2.8% (1.7) single-hormone (P < 0.001) vs. 2.0% (1.5) predictive low glucose suspend (P = 0.04) vs. 3.1% (3.2) current care (P = 0.007). Time in range during the entire study was the highest with single-hormone: 74.3% (8.0) vs. 72.0% (10.8) dual-hormone (P = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS The addition of glucagon delivery to a closed-loop system with automated exercise detection reduces hypoglycemia in physically active adults with type 1 diabetes.
Time Series Analysis of Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: A Case Study of India

The study investigates the relationship between the foreign direct investment (FDI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the period 1975-2013. Granger causality test & Johansen’s co-integration test have been applied to explore the direction of causality & long run relationship between the variables foreign direct investment (FDI) and gross domestic product (GDP). The result shows that the FDI and the GDP are co-integrated and, hence, a long-run equilibrium relationship exists between them. It is observed that the FDI positively relate to GDP. In the Granger causality sense, FDI causes the GDP in the both long-run and short-run. There is bidirectional causality exists between FDI and GDP.
Mitigated Tregs and augmented Th17 cells and cytokines are associated with severity of experimental autoimmune neuritis

Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN), an animal model of human Guillain–Barré syndrome, has long been considered as a T helper (Th) 1 cell–mediated autoimmune disorder. However, deficiency of IFN‐γ, a signature Th1 cytokine, aggravated EAN, with features of elevated production of IL‐17A, despite an alleviated systemic Th1 immune response. We hypothesized that Th17 cells and their cytokines might play a pathogenic role in EAN. To further clarify the roles of these Th and regulatory T cell (Treg) cytokines in the pathogenesis of EAN and their interrelationship, we investigated the expression of Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg cytokines in EAN in this study. We found that the levels of Th17 cells and IL‐17A in cauda equina (CE)‐infiltrating cells and splenic mononuclear cells (MNCs) as well as in serum paralleled the disease evolution, which increased progressively during the initiation stage and reached higher value at the peak of EAN. The same pattern was also noticed for the expression of IL‐22. The diverse expression profiles of FoxP3, IL‐17 receptors A and C were seen in CE‐infiltrating cells and splenic MNCs in EAN. These findings indicate a major pro‐inflammatory role of Th17 cells and IL‐17A in the pathogenesis of EAN. Therapeutic interventions may be focused upon inhibiting Th17 cells and their cytokines in the early phase of EAN, so as to delay and suppress clinical signs of the disease, which has relevance for future studies on pathogenesis and treatment of GBS in humans.
Comparison of linoleic acid-containing water-in-oil emulsion with urea-containing water-in-oil emulsion in the treatment of atopic dermatitis: a randomized clinical trial

Background Application of topical moisturizers is an essential part of the management of atopic dermatitis (AD). Linoleic acid (LA), the most abundant fatty acid in the epidermis, and its derivatives have an essential role in the structure and function of the epidermal barrier, and their defects are prominent in AD. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of two cosmetic products containing either LA or urea in patients with AD. Patients and methods A total of 20 patients with AD who met the eligibility criteria and provided written informed consents were enrolled in this randomized, intra-individual split-body, single-center trial. Symmetrical lesions of patients were randomized for treatment with LA- or urea-containing water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions applied two to three times daily for 4 weeks. The efficacy of the two products was evaluated by local Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) of both lesions and also patient (or guardian) satisfaction. In addition, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum (SC) hydration, pH, sebum, temperature, erythema, melanin content, and ultrasonographic thickness and echo density of epidermis and dermis were measured before, and 2 and 4 weeks after, treatment. Results Four weeks of treatment with the LA-containing product resulted in a significant decrease in local SCORAD, TEWL, erythema, and echo density of dermis, as well as an increase in SC hydration compared to baseline. The urea-containing product also reduced the local SCO-RAD and echo density of dermis and increased SC hydration. In contrast to the LA-containing product, changes in TEWL and erythema were not significant. Moreover, the reduction of erythema was significantly higher in the LA-containing product-treated side compared to the urea-containing product-treated side (p = 0.006). Conclusion Both LA- or urea-containing w/o emulsions can significantly improve barrier dysfunction and clinical severity of AD. In agreement with literature, it was confirmed that an LA-containing w/o emulsion exhibited erythema-reducing effects. Since emollients should be used on a regular basis, patients should choose a product by individual preference following recommendation by their dermatologists.
NF‐κB activation stimulates osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue by increasing TAZ expression

Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) is a skeletal catabolic agent that stimulates osteoclastogenesis and inhibits osteoblast function. Although TNF‐α inhibits the mineralization of osteoblasts, the effect of TNF‐α on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is not clear. In this study, we determined the effect of TNF‐α on osteogenic differentiation of stromal cells derived from human adipose tissue (hADSC) and the role of NF‐κB activation on TNF‐α activity. TNF‐α treatment dose‐dependently increased osteogenic differentiation over the first 3 days of treatment. TNF‐α activated ERK and increased NF‐κB promoter activity. PDTC, an NF‐κB inhibitor, blocked the osteogenic differentiation induced by TNF‐α and TLR‐ligands, but U102, an ERK inhibitor, did not. Overexpression of miR‐146a induced the inhibition of IRAK1 expression and inhibited basal and TNF‐α‐ and TLR ligand‐induced osteogenic differentiation. TNF‐α and TLR ligands increased the expression of transcriptional coactivator with PDZ‐binding motif (TAZ), which was inhibited by the addition of PDTC. A ChIP assay showed that p65 was bound to the TAZ promoter. TNF‐α also increased osteogenic differentiation of human gastroepiploic artery smooth muscle cells. Our data indicate that TNF‐α enhances osteogenic differentiation of hADSC via the activation of NF‐κB and a subsequent increase of TAZ expression. J. Cell. Physiol. 223: 168–177, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High levels of Nesfatin-1 in relation to the dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axes in depressed patients with subclinical hypothyroidism

Despite the increasing amount of evidence suggesting a relationship between depression and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), the exact mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of plasma Nesfatin-1 levels and dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axes in the comorbidity of depression and SCH. Dysfunctions of the HPA and HPT axes were detected by measuring plasma corticosterone and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations, respectively. Subjects in the patient group were selected from patients hospitalized at the Anhui Mental Health Center, and subjects in the control group were recruited from healthy volunteers. Healthy control subjects were matched to the patients in terms of weight and body mass index. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was administered to both the groups. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to measure plasma Nesfatin-1, corticosterone, and TSH levels. A radioimmunoassay kit was used for the measurement of the plasma-free triiodothyronine and plasma-free thyroxine. The results showed that the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores and average Nesfatin-1, corticosterone, and TSH levels were significantly higher in depressed patients with SCH than in the control group. Moreover, positive relationships were observed between Nesfatin-1 levels and the concentrations of corticosterone (r=0.626, P<0.001) and TSH (r=0.229, P=0.036) in depressed patients with SCH. These findings indicate that Nesfatin-1 is involved in the comorbidity of depression and SCH, and the mechanism underlying this involvement might be related to the dysfunction of the HPA and HPT axes.
Eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic COPD patients with chronic respiratory failure: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an exacerbation marker

Aim Increased dyspnea, sputum volume, and purulence are subjective symptoms in COPD patients. To diagnose COPD exacerbations with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) and to assess the requirement for antibiotic treatment, physicians require more objective criteria. We aimed to investigate whether neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can be used as an infectious exacerbation marker in COPD patients with CRF. Patients and methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed in the intensive care outpatient clinic of a tertiary training hospital between 2014 and 2015. Patients admitted with CRF due to COPD and who had complete blood count (CBC) results were enrolled. CBC results and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were obtained from the hospital online database. The “modified exacerbation model (MEM)” was defined as follows: exacerbation A, leukocytes ≥12,000/mm3, CRP >10 mg/dL; exacerbation B, leukocytes ≥10,000/mm3, CRP >10 mg/dL; exacerbation C, leukocytes ≥10,000/mm3, CRP >8 mg/dL; exacerbation D, leukocytes ≥10,000/mm3, CRP >5 mg/dL. The cutoff value of NLR was defined for each model. Patients were split into two groups based on the NLR cutoff value according to the “NLR exacerbation model” and further subgrouped according to peripheral eosinophil percentage (eosinophils ≥2% and <2%) and compared with the MEM. Results A total of 1,066 COPD patients (430 females, 40.3%), with a mean age of 66±13 years, were included. A NLR cutoff value of 3.54 (NLR ≥3.54, n=366, 34%) showed the highest sensitivity and specificity for model A (78%, 69%), model B (63%, 71%), model C (61%, 72%), and model D (58%, 72%). Peripheral eosinophilia (PE ≥2%) was present in 48 patients (4.5%). The ratio of patients with PE <2% in the NLR ≥3.54 group was significantly higher in the MEM (P<0.001). Conclusion The NLR presents an attractive option as an exacerbation marker in COPD patients with CRF due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. In COPD patients with CRF, where the NLR is ≥3.54, PE levels are <2%, and subjective symptoms are present, antibiotic treatment should be considered.
Structure and Function of von Willebrand Factor

Introduction The reader will find here a concise summary of established notions on the structure and function of von Willebrand factor (vWF), followed by a brief discussion of selected recent advances that illustrate how this molecule supports platelet function in hemostasis and thrombosis. A comprehensive review of the topic is beyond the scope of this chapter and may be found elsewhere.1-3
Effect of Different Materials and Coolant Channel Configurations on the Performance of Actively Cooled Panels

The combustor liners of high speed combustion chamber are subjected to high thermal loads. Active cooling of such liners is seen as a viable option and research in this area is currently underway in many countries due to the advantages it offers. The main method of heat transfer is the regenerative cooling, where in coolant is passed through the channels provided in the combustion liner. But, the configuration of such liners has to be optimized in terms of providing desired cooling efficiency with the given mass flow rate of the coolant, so as not to carry the coolant more than required and keep the weight per unit area under control. The cooling efficiency is mainly dependent on several factors, which include the properties of material, dimensions of the cross-section of the flow, shape of the channel, mass flow rate of the coolant. For the current investigation different candidate high temperature materials and channel shape combinations are investigated for their thermal performance to effectively remove the high heat flux. The comparison brings out the most efficient material cum configuration suitable for application to the high speed combustion chamber. In the initial study, various configurations are verified based on minimum weight per unit area with the help of 1D MATLAB program and the results are further validated for the suitable configurations using ANSYS CFX. It was found that at high heat fluxes Nb-Cb752 can serve at lower mass flow rates.GRCop-84 material is found to compete with Nb-Cb752 in terms of the mass flow rate required. For a given mass flow rate, Inconel X-750 has the lowest weight per unit area compared to the other materials. Parabolic shape has been found to effective followed by Trapezoidal and rectangular shapes. So, it is important that the combination of the material and channel configuration play a significant role in the design of efficient heat exchanger of a high speed combustion chamber.
Microstructure and Superconducting Properties of Doped Bi,Pb-2223 Thin Films Fabricated by Sputtering and Annealing

The microstructure and superconducting properties of doped thin films of the superconductor (Bi,Pb)<sub>2</sub>Sr <sub>2</sub>Ca<sub>2</sub>Cu<sub>3</sub>O<sub>x</sub> (Bi,Pb–2223), fabricated by sputtering using doped Bi,Pb-2223 targets and subsequent annealing, were investigated. The aim of this paper was to assess the feasibility of increasing the critical current density (<italic>J<sub>c</sub></italic>) for Bi,Pb-2223 tapes and to address the weak response of Bi,Pb-2223 to magnetic fields via doping with various elements. The transition temperature (<italic>T<sub> c</sub></italic>) for a pure Bi,Pb-2223 film was determined to be 86.8 K, while doped Bi,Pb-2223 films exhibited higher values, with T<sub>c</sub> of 95.0 K for an Hf-doped film. <italic>I<sub>c</sub>-B-T</italic>-angle transport data indicated that J<sub>c</sub> for an Hf-doped Bi,Pb-2223 film was much higher than that for an undoped film at all angles at 77.3 K and 0.5 T.
Successful ERP implementation: an integrative model

Purpose – The paper aims to present a conceptual model that better defines critical success factors to ERP implementation organized with the technology, organization and environment (TOE) framework. The paper also adds to current literature the critical success factor of trust with the vendor, system and consultant which has largely been ignored in the past.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses past literature and theoretical and conceptual framework development to illustrate a new conceptual model that incorporates critical success factors that have both been empirically tied to ERP implementation success in the past and new insights into how trust impacts ERP implementation success.Findings – The paper finds a lack of research depicted in how trust impacts ERP implementation success and likewise a lack of a greater conceptual model organized to provide insight into ERP implementation success.Originality/value – The paper proposes a holistic conceptual framework for ERP implementation success and .
Electronic structure of interstitial hydrogen in lutetium oxide from DFT+U calculations and comparison study with μ SR spectroscopy

The electronic structure of hydrogen impurity in ${\mathrm{Lu}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ was studied by first-principles calculations and muonium spectroscopy. The computational scheme was based on two methods which are well suited to treat defect calculations in $f$-electron systems: first, a semilocal functional of conventional density-functional theory (DFT) and secondly a $\text{DFT}+U$ approach which accounts for the on-site correlation of the $4f$ electrons via an effective Hubbard-type interaction. Three different types of stable configurations were found for hydrogen depending upon its charge state. In its negatively charged and neutral states, hydrogen favors interstitial configurations residing either at the unoccupied sites of the oxygen sublattice or at the empty cube centers surrounded by the lanthanide ions. In contrast, the positively charged state stabilized only as a bond configuration, where hydrogen binds to oxygen ions. Overall, the results between the two methods agree in the ordering of the formation energies of the different impurity configurations, though within $\text{DFT}+U$ the charge-transition (electrical) levels are found at Fermi-level positions with higher energies. Both methods predict that hydrogen is an amphoteric defect in ${\mathrm{Lu}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ if the lowest-energy configurations are used to obtain the charge-transition, thermodynamic levels. The calculations of hyperfine constants for the neutral interstitial configurations show a predominantly isotropic hyperfine interaction with two distinct values of 926 MHz and 1061 MHz for the Fermi-contact term originating from the two corresponding interstitial positions of hydrogen in the lattice. These high values are consistent with the muonium spectroscopy measurements which also reveal a strongly isotropic hyperfine signature for the neutral muonium fraction with a magnitude slightly larger (1130 MHz) from the ab initio results (after scaling with the magnetic moments of the respective nuclei).