Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lysophosphatidic Acid and Lovastatin Might Protect Kidney in Renal I/R Injury by Downregulating MCP-1 in Rat

Abstract Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of renal failure. The aim of our study is to explore the role of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and lovastatin on renal I/R injury and its mechanism in the rat. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group; renal I/R for 0 h, 4 h, 12 h, and 24 h groups; LPA treatment group; and lovastatin treatment group (n = 10). Rats were killed to determine the level of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in renal tissue, renal function [serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)], and renal histomorphology to evaluate the effectiveness of LPA and lovastatin. Normal renal tissue had a low level of MCP-1. The level of MCP-1 began to rise at 0 h after reperfusion, reached peak value at 4 h, and then gradually fell off. Compared with sham-operated group, MCP-1 was increased in all renal I/R injury groups (p < 0.01). With the extension of reperfusion, Cr and BUN were significantly increased (p < 0.01). There were damages in kidney tubules, renal interstitium, and kidney glomerulus in renal I/R injury groups. Paller’s score was significantly increased in all renal I/R injury groups compared with sham-operated group (p < 0.01). LPA and lovastatin reduced the level of MCP-1, Cr, BUN, and damages of renal histomorphology (p < 0.01). The level of MCP-1 in renal tissue dynamically increases in renal I/R injury, indicating that MCP-1 is involved in renal I/R injury. LPA and lovastatin might protect renal function by downregulating MCP-1 in renal I/R injury.
Growth factors upregulate astrocyte [Ca2+]i oscillation by increasing SERCA2b expression

Previously, we reported upregulation of astrocyte [Ca2+]i oscillation by growth factors (i.e., conversion of glutamate‐induced sustained [Ca2+]i increase in astrocytes cultured in a defined medium to [Ca2+]i oscillation by EGF and bFGF treatment over 48 h) (Morita et al., ( 2003 ) J Neurosci 23:10944–10952). As our previous study also showed that these growth factors increase intracellular Ca2+ stores, this study was performed to investigate the mechanism underlying loading of intracellular Ca2+ stores in astrocytes, especially sarco‐endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), as a candidate mechanism by which growth factors upregulate [Ca2+]i oscillation. The results indicated that the growth factors upregulated a SERCA inhibitor‐sensitive component of [Ca2+]i clearance, and increased expression of the SERCA subtype, SERCA2b. Furthermore, treating the growth factor‐treated astrocytes with a low concentration of SERCA inhibitor to partially inhibit SERCA reduced the level of intracellular Ca2+ storage and reversed glutamate‐induced [Ca2+]i oscillations to sustained [Ca2+]i increases. Thus, the upregulation of [Ca2+]i oscillations was attributed to the upregulation of SERCA activities. These results indicated that these growth factors regulate the pattern of glutamate‐induced astrocyte [Ca2+]i increases via SERCA2b expression. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Realistic stress representation in 2nd level interconnections of productive BGA components during drop test simulations

Virtual prototyping is able to speed-up the development cycle of new products if based on exact models. In case of dynamic mechanical loads like JEDEC drop tests of BGA modules, broken copper traces at the PCB side are more and more often observed to be the ultimate failure effects. Straightforward FEM simulations showed unrealistic high stress and strain results not matching with the experimentally gained characteristic lifetimes of productive BGA components.
Exploring Customers' Perceptions of Third Party Maintenance, Repair, and Operating Programs

Exploring Customers’ Perceptions of Third Party Maintenance, Repair, and Operating Programs by Reginald E. Peterson MBA, Kennesaw State University, 2002 BS, University of Florida, 1995 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University May 2016 Abstract A survey of 25 industrial manufacturing organizations in the U. S. indicated that 70% of respondents experienced dissatisfaction with their outsourcing programs due to unfulfilled expectations, which caused negative continuance intentions. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to explore the experiences of customers who currently use 3PMRO outsourcing programs to determine what factors affect satisfaction levels in theA survey of 25 industrial manufacturing organizations in the U. S. indicated that 70% of respondents experienced dissatisfaction with their outsourcing programs due to unfulfilled expectations, which caused negative continuance intentions. The purpose of this descriptive case study was to explore the experiences of customers who currently use 3PMRO outsourcing programs to determine what factors affect satisfaction levels in the Southern United States. The conceptual framework for this study was the expectancy disconfirmation paradigm, which connects consumer satisfaction level to the fulfillment of consumer expectations. Data were collected from interviews of 22 procurement professionals of maintenance, repair, and operating supplies; observations of 3PMRO supplier performance meetings; and the analysis of performance scorecard documents. Data were analyzed using pattern matching followed by thematic analysis. Three themes were identified through the data analysis that affected consumer satisfaction: inventory management services, utilization of outsourced labor resources, and total cost value of the 3PMRO program. According to results, satisfaction of 3PMRO consumers are based on the proper utilization of a 3PMRO program for the intended limitations of the organization, reduced MRO supply costs, improved inventory management strategies, and improved competitive advantage from the realignment of resources to focus on core competencies. Implications for positive social change include increased awareness of cradle-to-grave inventory management to prevent improper disposal of nonbiodegradable materials into our environment. Exploring Customers’ Perceptions of Third Party Maintenance, Repair, and Operating Programs by Reginald E. Peterson MBA, Kennesaw State University, 2002 BS, University of Florida, 1995 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University May 2016
The Impact of the 2007 Reforms on the Information Environment in the Chinese A-share Market

This paper examines the impact of China’s 2007 reforms on information disclosure regulations and accounting standards in the Chinese A-share market. The reforms were expected to improve the information environment in the Chinese stock market by requiring continuous disclosure, prohibiting “selective disclosure” of private information, and converging Chinese accounting standards with IFRS. Contrary to expectations our results show that the earnings forecast accuracy by local Chinese financial analysts decreased in the post-reform period, while the earnings forecast accuracy of foreign financial analysts did not change significantly. In the post-reform period, we also find there was a significant decrease in the adverse selection component of bid-ask spread. Overall our results suggest that informed trading decreased after the 2007 reforms, which indicates a reduced level of “selective disclosure” of private information to local analysts.
Rickettsia-like organisms and chitinase production in relation to transmission of trypanosomes by tsetse flies

SUMMARY Rickettsia-like organisms (RLO) from tsetse midguts and mosquito cell cultures showed high levels of endochitinase activity. A line of Glossina morsitans morsitans highly susceptible to midgut trypanosome infection and with high incidence of RLO infection showed significantly greater chitinolytic activity than G. austeni which had low RLO incidence and were correspondingly refractory to midgut infection. Midgut infection rates of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in G. m. morsitans showed a dose-related increase when flies were fed N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) in the infective meal and for 4 subsequent days. A model is proposed for susceptibility to trypanosome infection based on the generation of GlcNAc by RLO endochitinase activity in tsetse pupae inhibiting midgut lectin in teneral flies.
Petrologic evidence for low-temperature, possibly flood evaporitic origin of carbonates in the ALH84001 meteorite.

High-temperature models for origin of the carbonates in Martian meteorite ALH84001 are implausible. The impact metasomatism model, invoking reaction between CO2 rich fluid and the host orthopyroxenite, requires conversion of olivine into orthopyroxene, yet olivine in ALH84001 shows no depletion in carbonate-rich areas; or else conversion of orthopyroxene into silica, which should have yielded a higher silica/carbonate ratio. The impact melt model implies that the fracture-linked carbonates, as products of melt injection, should appear as continuous planar veins, but in many areas they do not. Both vapor deposition and impact melting seem inconsistent with the zoned poikilotopic texture of many large carbonates. The popular hydrothermal model is inconsistent with the virtual absence of secondary hydrated silicates in ALH84001. Prior brecciation should have facilitated alteration. Hydrothermal fluids would be warm, and rate of hydration of mafic silicates obeys an Arrhenius law, at least up to approximately 100 degrees C. Most important, hydrothermal episodes tend to last for many years. Many areas of the ancient Martian crust show evidence for massive flooding. I propose that the carbonates formed as evaporite deposits from floodwaters that percolated through the fractures of ALH84001, but only briefly, as evaporation and groundwater flow caused the water table to quickly recede beneath the level of this rock during the later stages of the flood episode. The setting might have been a layer of megaregolith beneath a surface catchment of pooled floodwater, analogous to a playa lake. Carbonate precipitation would occur in response to evaporative concentration of the water. To explain the scarcity of sulfates in ALH84001, the water table must be assumed to recede quickly relative to the rate of evaporation. During the period when ALH84001 was above the water table, evaporation would have slowed, as the evaporation front passed beneath the surface of the debris layer, and possibly earlier, if the shrinking pool of surface water developed a porous sulfate crust. Alternatively, ALH84001 may have developed as a Martian form of calcrete, i.e., the evaporating flood(s) may have been entirely below ground as it (they) passed slowly through ALH84001. The greatest advantage of the flood evaporite model is that it exposes ALH84001 to carbonate precipitation without prolonged exposure to aqueous alteration. The model also seems consistent with the heavy and extremely heterogeneous oxygen isotopic compositions of the carbonates. However, this hypothesis seems no more than marginally consistent with the suggestion of McKay et al. [1996] that the carbonates are biogenic.
An Analysis of Crossing over within a Heterozygous Inversion in Drosophila Melanogaster.

HE study of crossing over between chromosomes differing by an inversion provides information on the capability of chromosomes to synapse and undergo exchange despite the niechanical ohstacle imposed by the inversion loop configuration. Extensive information is available in Drosophila iaelanogaster on the frequencies of crossing over outside the inverted region of inversion heterozygotes, but measurement of crossing over within the inversion presents difficulties, since single crossovers are ordinarily lost by the formation of dicentrics or duplication-deficiency chromosomes. Frequencies of double crossing over in very long inversion heterozygotes are known ; this type of heterozygote, however, constitutes the least interesting and infortnative case because the chromosomes may pair in reverse direction without the formation of a typical inversion loop. The ideal conditions for this sort of study, then, include the use of a medium-sized inversion centrally located in a chromosome arni with an appreciable pairing segment on both sides of the inversion and some specially devised constitution such that crossovers both within and outside of the inversion yield genetically detectable products. These conditions have been fulfilled by the use of a tandem metacentric compound X chromosome heterozygous for the dl-49 inversion. An analysis of crossing over in this conipound is presented below. ,
Micromorphological changes in resin-dentin bonds after 1 year of water storage.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degradation of resin-dentin bonds after 1 year of water storage. Resin-dentin-bonded specimens were prepared with the use of an adhesive resin system (One-Step: Bisco). Half of the experimental specimens were sectioned perpendicular to the adhesive interface to produce a beam (adhesive area: 0.9 mm(2)) before being stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 1 year. The remaining half of the bonded specimens were sectioned into beams of similar dimensions after 1 year of water storage. Additional bonded specimens that had been stored in water for 24 h before sectioning into beams were used as controls. The beams in the two experimental groups and the control group were subjected to microtensile bond testing. Fractography was performed on all fractured beams with the use of FE-SEM. There were significant (p <.05) differences in bond strength among the control specimens (55.9 +/- 12.9 MPa), specimens that had been sectioned into beams after water storage (68.9 +/- 18.6 MPa), and specimens that had been sectioned into beams before water storage (28.1 +/- 9.3 MPa). Fractography revealed that the resin material was gradually extracted from the periphery to the center portion of the beam. This probably accounted for the decrease in bond strength after 1 year of water storage.
Do Emerging Markets Have Higher Stock Synchronicity? The International Evidence

We examine stock market synchronous behaviour of 41 countries using the classical stock synchronicity measure. It is found that emerging economy stock markets are more synchronous than the developed economy stock markets. We also find that postcommunist countries stock markets are more synchronous on average than the common law and the civil law country stock markets. There is evidence that over the 10 year study period our stock synchronicity time series data is stationary and that China, Malaysia and Turkey exhibit the highest stock synchronicity during the study period, consistent with previous literature.
Clonal analysis and identification of epidemic strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by antibiotyping and determination of protein A gene and coagulase gene polymorphisms

Forty-three methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates with known genetic and epidemiological relatedness and different degrees of transmission were analyzed by antibiotyping, protein A gene polymorphism analysis, and coagulase gene polymorphism analysis. The three typing systems were evaluated for their performance and convenience to define clones and to discriminate between epidemic MRSA (EMRSA) and sporadic MRSA (SMRSA). Antibiotyping and AluI restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the coagulase gene were able to define clones in the same way as DNA macrorestriction analysis (SmaI). However, both techniques presented disadvantages, making neither of them useful as a single typing method. Protein A gene polymorphism analysis appeared to be of no value for clonal analysis. None of the three typing methods was able to differentiate between EMRSA and SMRSA.
Studying Order Picking in an Operating Automobile Manufacturing Plant

Order picking is the process of collecting items from an assortment in inventory. In previous studies, we focused on carefully-controlled, internally-valid studies comparing the speed and accuracy of various versions of mobile order picking systems. However, such studies lack the ecological validity of testing on a manufacturing line with experienced employees fulfilling actual orders under time and accuracy constraints. In this work we discuss our experiences from planning and conducting a study in a large automobile company.
Medically assisted reproduction and second‐trimester maternal serum marker screening for Down syndrome

To evaluate the effect of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) on total hCG, free ß‐hCG, AFP and unconjugated estriol (uE3) used as markers for second‐trimester Down syndrome maternal serum screening.
A New Measure of Financial Constraints Applicable to Private and Public Firms

We study managers’ self-assessment of their firm’s financial constraint status to assess the validity of commonly used indicators of financial constraints. As categorizations based on common financial constraints measures lead to high misclassifications, we derive a new measure of financial constraints which performs well in-sample and out-of-sample for private firms. Applying our new measure to a large sample of private European firms, we find consistently lower investment-cash flow sensitivities and greater distortions in response to exogenous financing frictions for constrained firms across countries. Besides private firms, our new measure can also be applied to listed U.S. firms, as it reliably identifies constrained firms as measured by the occurrence of liquidity events and the incidence of an inelastic capital supply.
Telecom-Band Directional Coupler Written With Femtosecond Fiber Laser

A femtosecond fiber laser with 1-MHz repetition rate was optimized to write low-loss waveguides and directional couplers inside bulk borosilicate glass. For the first time, this three-dimensional writing method has produced low insertion loss and near-unity maximum coupling ratio. Results are presented at telecommunication wavelengths of 1310 and 1550 nm
Characteristics of First Urinary Tract Infection With Fever in Children: A Prospective Clinical and Imaging Study

Background: Our objective is to provide the clinical characteristics, uropathogen frequencies, and antimicrobial resistance rates of first urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosed in febrile Belgian children. The ability of noninvasive ultrasound to detect renal abnormalities and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in these patients was also assessed. Methods: We prospectively followed (median, 20 months) 209 children treated for first febrile UTI. Renal ultrasound (US) and voiding cystourethrography examinations were performed in all patients. Results: Among these children, 63% were females and 37% were males, and 75% of them had their first UTI before the age of 2 years. The most common causative agent was Escherichia coli (91% of cases) with high rate resistance to ampicillin (58%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (38%). Of these children, 25% had evidence of VUR (15 boys and 38 girls). VUR was of low grade in 85% of cases. The overall performance of renal US as a diagnostic test to detect significant uropathies excluding low-grade VUR was excellent; the sensitivity attained 97% and the specificity 94%. Conclusion: Girls represent 63% of cases with first UTI. For 91% of UTIs, Escherichia coli is held responsible with a high rate of resistance to ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. US is an excellent screening tool that allows avoidance of unjustified voiding cystourethrography studies.
X-band and K-band low-phase-noise VCOs using SiGe BiCMOS technology

From the past two decades, SiGe transistors have been identified as excellent candidates to match requirements both for high purity signal generation and high frequency applications. Moreover, SiGe BiCMOS technology benefits from CMOS devices that allow high integration levels for monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) phase locked loop (PLL) systems. This work focuses on the only analogue circuit of a PLL: the voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) which is one of the cornerstones of a transceiver because its stability mainly influences the data rate of the channel. X-band and K-band VCOs are investigated. Design rules are compared for two different topologies in the X-band. The K-band VCO is also designed to assess the technology behaviour for higher frequencies. State-of-the-art results are obtained and compared with the best published performances to date. New expressions of a figure of merit (FOM) are proposed to provide an accurate comparison between designs featuring scattered performances.
Shall We Resect the Tip of Manubrium Mallei in Tympanoplasty?

Objectives In tympanoplasty operations if perforation is related with malleus handle, malleus handle is desepithelised. We planned this research to investigate whether the epithelial remnants remain as a result of this desepithelisation or not. Methods The 35 patients who were performed tympanoplasty operation were divided into two groups. In the first group which included 13 patients the tip portion of manubrium mallei were cut off without desepithelisation. In the second group which included 22 patients the tip portions of manubrium mallei were cut off after the meticulous desepithelisation. The presence of squamous epithelium was examined histopathologically on the specimens. Results Squamous epithelium was observed in 9 of the 13 non-desepithelised specimens and in 6 of 22 desepithelised specimens. Conclusion In tympanoplasty operations despite careful desepithelisation, squamous epithelial remnants may remain on the malleus handle. So the tip of manubrium mallei could be resected to prevent the future development of cholesteatoma.
Regulation and Investment in Telecom Network Infrastructure Facilities: The Recent Developments and Debates

The regulation has the greatest role in forcing the introduction and the establishment of competition in the fixed telecom markets by facilitating the entrants’ access conditions to the incumbent’s infrastructure facilities (the local loop). Recently, the sole way to ensure the development of telecom industry consists to promote innovation and investment in network infrastructure technologies. This paper provides a critical review of both recent theoretical and empirical literature that address the issues of regulation on innovation and investment in the fixed telecommunication in-frastructures.
Influence of feed intake, forage physical form, and forage fiber content on particle size of masticated forage, ruminal digesta, and feces of dairy cows.

Two trials were conducted to determine particle size of masticates, ruminal digesta, and feces of dairy cows. In Trial 1, three Holstein cows with ruminal cannulae were fed prebloom alfalfa hay in long, chopped, or pelleted form in a Latin square design (21-d periods) conducted in early lactation (wk 3 to 11) and again during the dry period to attain high (3.75) and low (1.95% of BW) feed consumption. In trial 2, prebloom, midbloom, and full bloom alfalfa hay, mature bromegrass hay, and corn silage were fed to early lactation (wk 5 to 15) Holsteins in a 5 X 5 Latin square design (15-d periods). All diets (Trials 1 and 2) were formulated to 17% CP and contained forage:grain in a 60:40 ratio (DM basis). Similar particle distributions of digesta from long and chopped hay diets suggest little influence of chopping forage on particle size reduction when high quality forage is fed. The large proportion of DM in the small particle (less than .6 mm) pool in the rumen in both trials suggests that rate of escape of small particles from the rumen is an important factor influencing ruminal retention time. Increased proportion of coarse (greater than or equal to 2.36-mm screen) fecal particles at high intake and with fine grinding appears related to a reduction in chewing per unit feed consumed. Soluble DM and particulate matter passing a . 063-mm screen made up a significant portion (30 to 50%) of the total DM sieved from all sampling sites in both trials.