Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GABAA AND GABAB RECEPTOR‐MEDIATED INHIBITION OF SYMPATHETIC OUTFLOW IN THE PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS IS BLUNTED IN CHRONIC HEART FAILURE

1 Alterations in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are reported to be involved in sympathetic overactivity in chronic heart failure (CHF). Inhibitory inputs into the PVN contribute to sympathetic outflow. The aim of the present study was to comparatively determine the role of GABA mechanisms in the PVN in the tonic control of cardiovascular activity in anaesthetized sham and CHF rats. 2 The CHF model was induced by coronary artery ligation. Unilateral microinjection of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol (0.1–0.8 nmol/200 nL) or the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen (0.25–2.0 nmol/200 nL) into the PVN produced similar, dose‐dependent reductions in arterial pressure (AP), heart rate (HR) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). This response was significantly blunted in CHF rats. In contrast, microinjection of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (25–200 pmol/200 nL) or the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP35348 (0.25–2.0 nmol/200 nL) into the PVN caused larger, dose‐dependent increases in AP, HR and RSNA in sham than in CHF rats. 3 Polymerase chain reaction data showed that mRNA expression levels of the GABAA receptor α1‐subunit and of the GABAB1(a) and GABAB1(b) receptor subtypes in the PVN were significantly lower in CHF than in sham rats. 4 The results of the present study suggest that the tonic inhibition mediated by both GABAA and GABAB receptors in the PVN on sympathetic outflow is blunted in CHF, which may be an important mechanism responsible for sympathetic hyperactivity in CHF.
Social-affective strategy instruction in EFL materials: The case of English textbooks and official programs in Tunisia

This paper reports on the findings of a descriptive study which sought to evaluate the integration of social-affective strategy instruction in EFL official documents and textbooks used in basic and secondary education in Tunisia. The study relied on document survey, and used qualitative and quantitative methods. The corpus under investigation included official programs, textbooks, and teacher’s guidebooks for grade 6 and 9 of basic education, and grade 3 of secondary education in Tunisia. The results of the study indicated that the implementation of social-affective strategy instruction in textbooks was limited and mostly implicit. Although the official programs tended to provide solid foundations for strategy instruction, they fell short of offering explicit guidelines thereof. A promising finding, however, was that the textbooks made use of content areas and activities which can very well host social-affective strategy instruction if intended by teachers and material designers. Implications of the study as well as recommendations for teachers and material designers are presented and discussed in this paper.
External Finance Premium and Macroeconomic Outcomes in Nigeria

We develop a small open economy Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium model with financial frictions to emphasize the effects of credit market imperfections on macroeconomic outcomes in Nigeria. Financial frictions appear because of the existence of an agency problem that exposes entrepreneurs to high external finance premium. Findings demonstrate that financial frictions matter in the sluggishness of economy activity in Nigeria. Financial constraint lowered GDP level only by 10 percent in presence of domestic shocks, contrast to 30 percent in presence of foreign shocks. Furthermore, monetary policy can create pace to ease access to finance with end of fostering economy activity.
Estimating deaths and injuries due to road traffic accidents in Karachi, Pakistan, through the capture-recapture method.

BACKGROUND Road traffic accidents (RTA) are an important yet preventable cause of death and disability in developing countries like Pakistan. Yet accurate epidemiological data on injuries in developing country injuries is often difficult to obtain. We applied the capture-recapture method to estimate the death and injury rates due to RTA in Karachi. METHODS We applied the two-sample capture-recapture method using traffic police records as one source of capture and the logs of a non-government ambulance service as the second capture source for the same 10 months and 20 days for which 1994 data were available. We generated a conservative adjusted estimate of injuries and deaths by considering entries in the two sources as matched if they reported the same date, time, and place, and at least one of the other matching variables, of name, vehicle registration number, vehicle types or patient outcome. We then compared the estimated rates with the police rates. RESULTS In 1994 police reported 544 deaths and 793 injuries due to RTA while ambulance records noted 343 deaths and 2048 injuries. The capture-recapture analysis estimated at least 972 (95% CI: 912-1031) deaths and 18,936 (95% CI: 15,507-22,342) injuries attributable to RTA during the study period. Official sources counted only 56% of deaths and 4% of serious injuries. The estimated rates for the year 1994 were 185 injuries and 11.2 deaths per 100,000 population. CONCLUSION Road traffic injuries and deaths in Karachi are a much more substantial health problem than is evident from official statistics.
Decentralized Control For Interconnected Uncertain Systems: Extensions To Higher-Order Uncertainties

Dectralized controller design for large-scale uncertain systems with higher-order uncertainties is investigated. The uncertainties are assumed to be bounded by a knows or unknown pth-order polynomial in states. A non-adaptive controller is proposed to handle the case when the pth-order polynomial is known. An adaptive controller is proposed to deal with the unknown case. The effectiveness of the proposed decentralized control schemes is demonstrated by a numerical simulation of two inverted pendulums on carts.
Emergence and Spread of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Clinical Isolates Harboring Mosaic-Like Structure of Penicillin-Binding Protein 2 in Central Japan

ABSTRACT Of 150 clinical isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae recovered in 2001, we examined 55 clinical isolates of N. gonorrhoeae for which cefixime MICs were ≥0.125 μg/ml and randomly selected 15 isolates for which cefixime MICs were ≤0.06 μg/ml for analysis of alterations in the penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP 2) gene. We found insertion of an extra codon (Asp-345a) in the transpeptidase domain of PBP 2, and this insertion occurred alone or in conjunction with other amino acid substitutions. We also found a mosaic PBP 2 that was composed of fragments of the PBP 2 proteins from Neisseria cinera and Neisseria perflava. This mosaic PBP 2 was significantly associated with decreased susceptibilities to penicillin and cephalosporins, especially oral cephalosporins. For most of the isolates with a mosaic PBP 2, the cefixime MICs were ≥0.5 μg/ml and the cefdinir MICs were ≥1 μg/ml. Analysis of chromosomal DNA restriction patterns by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that most isolates with the mosaic PBP 2 were genetically similar. The recombination events that generated the mosaic PBP 2 would likely have contributed to the decreased sensitivities to cephalosporins. Isolates with the mosaic PBP 2 appear to threaten the efficacy of the currently recommended regimen with cefixime. The emergence of such strains may be the result of the in vivo generation of clones in which interspecies recombination occurred between the penA genes of N. gonorrhoeae and commensal Neisseria species.
A Research on the Spatial Structure and Efficiency of China's Expansion of Urban Built-up Area(1990-2009)

We select the data of China's 260 cities from 1990 to 2009;analyze the characteristics,the spatial structure and evolution of urban expansion based on rank-size law,the index of and GIS.Then we introduce an index of to evaluate the efficiency of urban expansion.The research results are as follows:(1) Urban expansion has obvious stage characteristics,mainly due to the adjustment of national urban strategy.Urban development trend after 2000 is not balanced and urban system has turbulent changes. (2) The trend that urban built-up areas are getting larger is more significant.Urban type is promoted to a higher level.City regional spatial distribution is extremely uneven.The regional differences of the city situated lead to urban sprawl,thus the city status also changes. (3) The urban growth rate of all regions was significantly different.The provincial capital city expansion is slow at first but fast at last.The urban expansion of many cities formed a regional group.Urban rapid expansion mismatches with the urban population growth.The overall urban rapid expansion should be slowed down. (4) The efficiency of urban expansion is very different at different stages.The level of expansion efficiency pointed out that the urban built-up expansion in different city should choose appropriate development path,and develop appropriate policies and measures.
Comparative Study of Different Acorus Species in Potentiating Neuronal Differentiation in Cultured PC12 Cells

Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma (ATR), the rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, is a common traditional Chinese medicine being used clinically for mental disorder. However, other Acorus species herbs are all having the same Chinese name ‘Chang Pu’, making the confusion in herbal market. Acori Graminei Rhizoma (AGR) and Acori Calami Rhizoma (ACR) are common adulterants of ATR. Here, we aim to provide a comparative analysis between ATR, AGR, and ACR in potentiating neuronal differentiation. Volatile oil, derived from Acorus species, was applied onto cultured PC12 cells, and various parameters were determined: (i) transcriptional activation of neurofilament promoters was determined by the promoter‐driven luciferase activity assay; (ii) the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells was captured and measured; and (iii) the neurofilament expression and its underlying mechanism were analyzed by western blotting. The co‐treatment of ATR, AGR, or ACR volatile oil with low concentration of nerve growth factor (NGF) could potentiate the NGF‐induced neuronal differentiation in cultured PC12 cells. In addition, application of protein kinase A inhibitor H89 in cultures blocked the induction of neurofilament. Among these three Acorus species, ATR volatile oil showed the highest NGF‐induced induction in neurite outgrowth and neurofilament expression, as compared with that of AGR and ACR. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conferences as Learning Spaces on Climate Change and Sustainability: Insights from University Students' Experiences

The international community is increasingly recognizing the importance of youth's meaningful engagement and empowerment for managing long-term climate change challenges, and of their consultation on policies and decisions that affect their well-being and sustainable development. Yet the extent to which new learning is generated in current spaces for youth participation in local, national and global negotiations and decision-making on environmental issues remains less understood. This Chapter discusses the importance and effectiveness of youth-targeted and youth-led environmental conferences, forums, workshops and similar events in advancing the learning experiences of youth participants in these events. Testimonials from young people, generated through in-depth interviews of youth participants at environmental conferences and forums in the Netherlands and South Africa provide key insights into their engagement. The findings highlight the need for more empowering and critically engaging platforms for youth participation and for adequate mentoring of young participants.
Impact of Minimized Extracorporeal Circulation on Outcome in Patients With Preoperative Anemia Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Preoperative anemia and low hematocrit during cardiopulmonary bypass have been associated with worse outcome in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The minimized extracorporeal circulation (MECC) allows a reduction of the negative effects associated with conventional extracorporeal circulation (CECC). In this study, the impact of the MECC on outcome of anemic patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was assessed. Between January 2004 and December 2011, 1,945 consecutive patients with preoperative anemia underwent isolated CABG using CECC (44.8%) or MECC (55.2%). The cutoff point for anemia was 13 g/dl for men and 12 g/dl for women. The postoperative creatine kinase and lactate levels were significantly lower in the MECC group (p < 0.001). There was no difference in postoperative blood loss between the groups. However, the intraoperative and postoperative transfusion requirements were significantly lower in the MECC group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, MECC patients had lower incidences of postoperative acute renal failure, and low cardiac output syndrome, shorter intensive care unit lengths of stay and reduced 30-day mortality (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a reduced postoperative mortality, lower transfusion requirements, and less renal and myocardial damage encourage the use of MECC for CABG, especially in the specific high-risk subgroup of patients with anemia.
Relationship of Microvascular Disease in Diabetes to Metabolic Control

Dogs were made alioxan-diabetic and randomly distributed into either of two prospective treatment groups. In one group it was intended that the metabolic signs of diabetes be controlled poorly, and commercial insulin was administered in doses inadequate to prevent chronic, severe hyperglycemie and glucosuria. In the other group it was intended that the metabolic disorder be well controlled, and the animals received food and commercial insulin twice daily such that the hyperglycemie and glucosuria became mild or infrequent. Experimental improvement of the carbohydrate disorder was accompanied by amelioration of hyperUpemia and other clinical signs of deficient insulin activity. By 60 months of diabetes, retinal capillary aneurysms, pericyte ghosts, obliterated vessels, and other microvascular abnormalities typical of diabetes were apparent In each animal of the poor-control group. Better control was found to reduce significantly the incidence and severity of microvascular lesions. The data suggest that the mechanism responsible for diabetic retinopathy is initiated as a result of deficient insulin activity and that the development of the microvascular complications of diabetes are preventable and may be inhibited by careful control of the metabolic disorder.
Environmental sustainability management in the foodservice industry: Understanding the antecedents and consequences

ABSTRACT This study was designed to develop a conceptual framework of environmental sustainability management in the foodservice industry and test the proposed model. The specific purposes of this study were to identify the significant factors that may have impact on sustainability management, and to investigate the influence of sustainable management practices on restaurants’ performances. An online survey was conducted to collect the data and a total of 450 complete responses were received from the participants (a response rate of 22.5%). The findings indicated that two antecedent factors—top management commitment and public concern—had significant relationships with restaurants’ sustainable practices such as energy/water efficiency, reusing/recycling, and socially responsible activities. The results also showed that two sustainable practices—energy/water efficiency and sustainable policy—had significantly affected restaurants’ performance factors such as market share/cost advantage as well as stakeholders’ satisfaction.
Looking Down the Road Less Traveled: Challenges to Persuading the Legal Profession to Define Problems More Humanistically

This essay will focus on three factors that may help to explain why it seems to be so difficult for many lawyers to escape the confines of a narrow, legalistic framing of issues-or more poetically, why they may be predisposed against looking down "the road less traveled by. " These factors should be taken into account as challenges to the widespread adoption of innovative, more humanistic approaches to lawyering. First, the essay will turn to research regarding the psyches and psychological needs of the people who choose to attend law school and become lawyers. Second, the essay will consider what is required from lawyers to sustain the autonomy and privileges of their profession. Third, the essay will examine the demands of the business of law. Finally, the essay will consider the potential role of legal education in helping lawyers to develop an integration of thinking and feeling like a lawyer.
Ovarian Cancer HO-8910 Cell Apoptosis Induced by Crocin in vitro

The effect and mechanism of ovarian cancer HO-8910 cell apoptosis induced by crocin. MTT assay was performed to detect the inhibitory action of crocin on the proliferation of HO-8910 cells. Flow cytometry was used to test the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate of ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells. Western blot analysis was utilized to measure the levels of apoptotic proteins such as p53, Fas/APO-1, and Caspase-3. MTT analysis revealed that crocin significantly inhibited the growth of HO-8910 cells. Additionally, flow cytometry illustrated that crocin raised the proportion of HO-8910 cells in the G0/G1 phase and increased their apoptosis rate. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed that crocin up-regulated the expression of p53, Fas/APO-1, and Caspase-3. The results of this study showed that crocin can significantly inhibit the growth of HO-8910 cells and arrest them in the G0/G1 phase. Crocin can also promote ovarian cancer HO-8910 cell apoptosis, most likely by increasing p53 and Fas/APO-1 expression, and then activating the apoptotic pathway regulated by Caspase-3.
A novel Antarctic microbial endolithic community within gypsum crusts.

A novel endolithic microbial habitat is described from a climatically extreme site at Two Step Cliffs, Alexander Island, Antarctic Peninsula (71 degrees 54'S, 68 degrees 13'W). Small endolithic colonies (<3 mm in diameter) are found within the translucent gypsum crust that forms on the surface of sandstone boulders. Gypsum crusts are found on ice-free rocks throughout the Antarctic and therefore offer potential colonization sites at more inhospitable locations, including sites at higher latitudes. Cyanobacterial, bacterial and fungal components were cultured from the crust material and have been identified as Chloroglea sp. , Sphingomonas sp. and Verticillium sp. respectively. A non-cultured, black-pigmented fungus was also found. Cyanobacterial primary productivity is low: at depths of 1.2 and 2.5 mm within the crust, estimates of possible cell divisions per year were < 38 and four respectively. This microniche is proposed to provide protection from desiccation, rapid temperature variation and UV radiation flux while allowing penetration of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) for utilization by phototrophs. The endolithic communities are less extensive than those of the Dry Valleys, continental Antarctica, probably owing to only recent deglaciation (<7000 year ago).
BRAF mutations in conjunctival melanoma.

PURPOSE An activating mutation in exon 15 of the BRAF gene has been found in a high proportion of cutaneous melanomas and cutaneous nevi but not in uveal melanoma. Conjunctival melanoma shows greater clinical similarity to cutaneous melanoma than does uveal melanoma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the T1799A BRAF mutation found in cutaneous melanoma is also present in conjunctival melanoma. METHODS DNA was extracted from paraffin sections obtained from glutaraldehyde or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded conjunctival melanomas. Forty-two specimens were identified from 25 patients. Seminested PCR was used to amplify exon 15 of the BRAF gene, and the resultant PCR product was purified and directly sequenced. Sequences from conjunctival melanomas were compared with the wild-type sequence of the BRAF gene. The presence or absence of the BRAF mutation was compared with the clinicopathological features. RESULTS The T1799A (V600E) mutation was detected by sequencing in melanomas from 5 of 22 patients as well as in the positive control, a cutaneous melanoma cell line. In this small series, no statistically significant associations between the presence of the BRAF mutation and clinicopathological characteristics were detected, although tumors with this mutation tended to have a larger diameter and greater depth of invasion and to contain epithelioid cells. CONCLUSIONS Others have demonstrated a BRAF T1799A-activating mutation in cutaneous but not uveal melanoma. In this study, this BRAF mutation was demonstrated in some conjunctival melanoma tissue samples, suggesting that some conjunctival melanomas may share biological features in common with cutaneous melanoma.
Mycobacterium haemophilum and Lymphadenitis in Immunocompetent Children, Israel

The database of a major microbiology laboratory in Israel was searched to determine the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis in immunocompetent children. We observed a 4-fold increase in nontuberculous mycobacteria isolates during 1985–2006, which was attributable mainly to increased detection of Mycobacterium haemophilum starting in 1996.
Effect of body mass index on peak growth hormone response to provocative testing in children with short stature.

CONTEXT Obesity is associated with decreased spontaneous and stimulated GH secretion, but the effect of body mass index (BMI) on results of GH stimulation testing in children with short stature is not known. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine the impact of BMI on peak GH to provocative testing in children with short stature. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This was a retrospective review of provocative GH testing performed in 116 children 2-18 yr old in the ambulatory clinic of the Pediatric Endocrinology Unit at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 2004-2008. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome measure was peak stimulated GH. Height, weight, IGF-I, and IGF-binding protein 3 were also measured. RESULTS In univariate regression analysis, BMI sd score (BMI SDS) was inversely associated with natural log (ln) peak GH to provocative testing (P = 0.002), whereas height SDS, ln IGF-I, and IGF-binding protein 3 were not significantly associated with ln peak GH. After controlling for age, gender, BMI, and pubertal status, BMI (P = 0.002) remained independently associated with ln peak GH. BMI SDS significantly influenced the likelihood of diagnosis of GH deficiency using peak GH cutoffs of 10, 7, and 5 microg/liter. CONCLUSION In children with short stature, BMI affects peak stimulated GH and should be considered when interpreting GH testing. Higher BMI SDS, even within the normal range, may lead to overdiagnosis of GH deficiency.