Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Levodopa‐responsive rubral (Holmes') tremor

A 25-year-old, right-handed man, previously in goodhealth, suddenly developed drowsiness and left hemipa-resis. This was followed by disturbance of conscious-ness, which rapidly progressed to coma. A computedtomography scan performed some hours later showedright-midbrain hemorrhage. Two weeks later, he re-gained consciousness but had complete right-lid ptosis;diplopia; right hemiataxia; left hemiparesis; and an in-voluntary movement characterized by dystonia-like pos-tures in the left hemibody, most apparent in the upper leftlimb. This movement was not present during sleep andlasted for a few weeks. Two months after the hemor-rhage, a mild-intensity, large-amplitude resting tremorarose in the left hemibody. Tremor was also present dur-ing posture and action and was worsened by emotionalstress. Dystonic posture of the distal upper limb withulnar deviation was also noted. At that time, gait wasvery difficult. MRI obtained 2 years posthemorrhageshowed a small right-midbrain T1 hyposignal corre-sponding to hemorrhage sequel (Fig. 1). The patient wasgiven a single oral dose of levodopa–carbidopa (250/25);this resulted in excellent improvement in his tremor thatpersisted for about 3 hours. In view of this, he was startedon levodopa–carbidopa 250/25 3 times a day. He hasreceived levodopa in the same dose for more than 6months, and the treatment has maintained the same clini-cal efficacy.
Waste polyethylene terephthalate as an aggregate in concrete

This paper reports the strength behaviour of concrete containing three types of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) aggregate. Results are also analysed to determine the PET-aggregate's effect on the relationship between the flexural and splitting tensile strengths and compressive strength and to know whether the relationships between compressive strength and other strength characteristics given in European design codes are applicable to concrete made with PET-aggregates. The compressive strength development of concrete containing all types of PET-aggregate behaves like in conventional concrete, though the incorporation of any type of PET-aggregate significantly lowers the compressive strength of the resulting concrete. The PET-aggregate incorporation improves the toughness behaviour of the resulting concrete. This behaviour is dependent on PET-aggregate's shape and is maximised for concrete containing coarse, flaky PET-aggregate. The splitting tensile and flexural strength characteristics are proportional to the loss in compressive strength of concrete containing plastic aggregates.
A multidisciplinary study using in vivo tumor models and microfluidic cell-on-chip approach to explore the cross-talk between cancer and immune cells

Abstract A full elucidation of events occurring inside the cancer microenvironment is fundamental for the optimization of more effective therapies. In the present study, the cross-talk between cancer and immune cells was examined by employing mice deficient (KO) in interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-8, a transcription factor essential for induction of competent immune responses. The in vivo results showed that IRF-8 KO mice were highly permissive to B16.F10 melanoma growth and metastasis due to failure of their immune cells to exert proper immunosurveillance. These events were found to be dependent on soluble factors released by cells of the immune system capable of shaping the malignant phenotype of melanoma cells. An on-chip model was then generated to further explore the reciprocal interactions between the B16.F10 and immune cells. B16.F10 and immune cells were co-cultured in a microfluidic device composed of three culturing chambers suitably inter-connected by an array of microchannels; mutual interactions were then followed using time-lapse microscopy. It was observed that WT immune cells migrated through the microchannels towards the B16.F10 cells, establishing tight interactions that in turn limited tumor spread. In contrast, IRF-8 KO immune cells poorly interacted with the melanoma cells, resulting in a more invasive behavior of the B16.F10 cells. These results suggest that IRF-8 expression plays a key role in the cross-talk between melanoma and immune cells, and under-score the value of cell-on-chip approaches as useful in vitro tools to reconstruct complex in vivo microenvironments on a microscale level to explore cell interactions such as those occurring within a cancer immunoenvironment.
Regulation of cell signalling by vitamin E

Résumé La vitamine E, l'antioxydant liposoluble le plus important, fut découverte à l'Université de Californie à Berkeley en 1922. Depuis sa découverte, les études sur les tocophérols et les tocotrienols que constitue cette vitamine, ont été centrées pour la plupart sur leurs propriétés antioxydantes. En 1991, le groupe de Angelo Azzi (Boscoboinik et al. 1991a,b) fut le premier à décrire les fonctions autres que les antioxydantes et de transmission de signaux de l'α-tocophérol, en démontrant la régulation par la vitamine E de l'activité de la protéine kinase C dans les cellules de muscle lisse. Au niveau de la transcription, l'²-tocophérol module l'expression de la protéine de transfert hépatique de l'α-tocophérol, ainsi que l'expression du ge`ne alpha1 du collage`ne du foie, du ge`ne de la collagénase et du ge`ne de l'α-tropomyosine. Récemment, un facteur de transcription dépendant du tocophérol (la protéine associée au tocophérol) a été découvert. Il a été démontré sur des cellules cultivées que la vitamine E inhibe l'inflammation, l'adhésion cellulaire, l'agrégation des plaquettes et la prolifération des cellules de muscle lisse. Les avancées récentes de la biologie moléculaire et des techniques génomiques ont conduit à la découverte de nouveaux ge`nes et des mécanismes de transduction des signaux sensibles à la vitamine E.
Basel III: Rethinking Liquidity and Leverage

In my study I focus on important topics of the new banking regulation Basel III: leverage and liquidity. Using linear regression I analysed banks’ long term liquidity and leverage ratios and profitability in 12 emerging market, new member, countries and in 15 developed, old member, countries of the EU between 2008 and 2010. I point out that in EU12 there is negative relationship between profit and interbank market dependence in 2010, while positive correlation between profit and funding base stability ratio. In the case of EU15 there is a negative correlation between solvency and profitability in 2008, while the relationship is positive between capital quality – more Tier 1 capital – and profitability. Furthermore, I have tested the Myers-Majluf theory with monthly aggregated equity issue and the Dow Jones financial institutions index changes relating to the eurozone between 1990 and 2011. According to this theory, equity issue leads to lower equity prices. I point out that on an aggregated level (eurozone) the theory cannot be proved. Myers-Majluf theory is particularly important in the process of banking recapitalisation, since it is this theory that dictates slower banking capitalisation. From the perspective of a macroprudential policy capital increase would be more beneficial than asset decrease.
Decimalization and Market Quality

The relation between tick size and market quality is of interests to both academics and practitioners. The decimalization on the NYSE offers a rare opportunity to empirically examine the effects of tick size change on market quality. This paper performs a thorough study of the influences of tick size change based on the first three pilot stocks and all the NYSE common stocks (the full samples). Our empirical results indicate that, consistent with the literature, both spreads and depth decline significantly after decimalization. Both decreases in spreads and depth suggest that traders whose trade size does not exceed the reduced depth will enjoy lower transaction costs after decimalization. However, the impact on large traders is unclear. This makes it difficult to determine whether the market quality is improved for all traders after decimalization. Our results show that volume per trade decreases significantly after decimalization, especially for stocks that are actively traded or traded with a larger order size. Such results demonstrate that, after decimalization, either small traders participate more frequently or there are more front-runners entering the market. To examine these conjectures, we examine the changes in degree of front-running surrounding decimalization, and show that the degree of front-running does increase, especially for higher-priced stocks. These evidences support that there are more front-runners entering the decimal pricing system. Furthermore, stocks with different characteristics have different reactions to decimalization. Our results lend support to multiple optimal tick sizes for stocks with different characteristics, instead of a uniform minimum tick size for all stocks.
A Comparative Study of the Histopathologic Features of Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle, Fallow Deer (Dama dama), Sika Deer (Cervus nippon), and Red Deer and Elk (Cervus elaphus)

Sections of tuberculous lesions from 23 elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) and red deer (Cervus elaphus elaphus), 12 fallow deer (Dama dama), 10 sika deer (Cervus nippon), and 30 cattle were examined and compared. Lesions were scored for caseous necrosis, mineralization, neutrophils, macrophages, giant cells, and acid-fast bacilli. Some differences in lesion morphology between the species were noted. Elk/red deer lesions had marked variation and often differed from bovine lesions in several characteristics; elk/red deer lesions usually had scattered peripheral mineralization rather than central mineralization and contained more neutrophils and fewer giant cells than did bovine lesions. Fallow deer lesions contained more giant cells but were otherwise indistinguishable from elk lesions. Sika deer lesions had more giant cells and fewer neutrophils than did lesions from cattle or other cervid species. Sika deer giant cells were larger and contained more nuclei than did giant cells in the other species.
Fully abundance-constrained endmember finding for hyperspectral images

Fully constrained least squares (FCLS) method has been widely used in linear spectral mixture analysis (LSMA). This paper presents two versions of FCLS, to be called SeQuential FCLS (SQ-FCLS) and SuCcessive FCLS (SC-FCLS) to find endmembers. In order to address random issues in initial conditions, two versions of FCLS, Iterative FCLS (I-FLCS) and Random FCLS (RFCLS) are also developed.
Beliefs and Behaviors: Internet Users' Understanding of Behavioral Advertising

This paper presents empirical data on American adult Internet users’ knowledge about and perceptions of Internet advertising techniques. We present the results of in-depth interviews and an online survey focusing on participants’ views of online advertising and their ability to make decisions about privacy tradeoffs. We find users hold misconceptions about the purpose of cookies and the effects of clearing them, which limits cookie management as a self-help mechanism enabling user choice. Only 11% of respondents understood the text description of NAI opt-out cookies, which are a self-help mechanism that enables user choice. 86% believe ads are tailored to websites they have visited in the past, but only 39% believe there are currently ads based on email content, and only 9% think it is OK to see ads based on email content as long as their email service is free. About 20% of participants want the benefits of targeted advertising, but 64% find the idea invasive, and we see signs of a possible chilling effect with 40% self-reporting they would change their online behavior if advertisers were collecting data. We find a gap between people’s willingness to pay to protect their privacy and their willingness to accept discounts in exchange for private information. 69% believe privacy is a right and 61% think it is “extortion” to pay to keep their data private. Only 11% say they would pay to avoid ads. With the exception of contextual advertisements, we find most participants would prefer random ads to tailored ads, but approximately 20% of participants would rather tailored ads. We find participants are comfortable with the idea that advertising supports free online content, but they do not believe their data are part of that exchange. We conclude with observations for public policy, technologists, and education.
A comparison of ATV-related behaviors, exposures, and injuries between farm youth and nonfarm youth.

CONTEXT All terrain vehicles (ATVs) are a popular form of transportation and recreation for youth. ATVs are also convenient for farm-related activities. However, the impact of the farming environment on ATV-related injuries is not clear. PURPOSE To determine differences in ATV-related behaviors, exposures, risk factors, and injuries between farm youth and their nonfarm peers. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was used. A survey was administered to 652 youths in agricultural education programs throughout the state of Arkansas. RESULTS A majority (60%) of students have operated ATVs within the past month. Cross tabulations found that farm youth who rode ATVs were more likely to be white and male, to own a 3-wheel ATV, and to ride more often with a single rider. Risk factors for sustaining an ATV-related injury were frequency of use and the number of persons on the ATV. CONCLUSIONS Study findings suggest that ATV use among farm youth does differ from their nonfarm peers. ATV use among all youth is a safety concern in Arkansas because of the behaviors and exposures that the youth cited.
Influence of Gender on the Supervisory Relationship: A Review of the Empirical Research from 1996 to 2010

Twelve empirical studies published since 1996 regarding the effects of gender on the supervisory relationship are reviewed. Each study was reviewed and critiqued in relation to its methodology, research design, critical findings, and limitations. The results of these studies indicate that (a) gender influences the openness and affiliation one experiences in supervision, (b) care and concern are important to master-level supervisees, (c) female supervisors have a greater relationship focus than do male supervisors, (d) male supervisors rate hypothetical supervisees more negatively when the supervisee is depicted as female than when the supervisee is male, (e) females are more conservative than males on boundary negotiations, and (f) supervisors use different strategies with male and female supervisees. The majority of these studies have research design limitations that limit the generalization of findings. Results are discussed in relation to best practices and future directions for research.
EX VIVO GENERATION OF EFFECTIVE EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (EBV)-SPECIFIC CD8+ CYTOTOXIC T LYMPHOCYTES FROM THE PERIPHERAL BLOOD OF IMMUNOCOMPETENT EPSTEIN BARR VIRUS-SERONEGATIVE INDIVIDUALS1

Background. Although readily accomplished from immunocompetent Epstein-Barr virus- (EBV) seropositive individuals, the effective ex vivo generation of EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of EBV-seronegative subjects has proven to be a challenge.The focus of our study was to ascertain optimized culture conditions required for the ex vivo generation of EBV-reactive autologous CTL from the PBMC of EBV-seronegative volunteers. Method. Freshly isolated PBMC obtained from immunocompetent EBV-seronegative and -seropositive individuals were used to generate EBV-specific autologous CTL lines using both conventional and a novel, modified ex vivo culture technique. Results. In contrast to responses observed in EBV-seropositives after two to three rounds of ex vivo stimulation, &ggr;-irradiated autologous lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) were incapable of eliciting an effective anti-EBV cytotoxic response when freshly-isolated PBMC from EBV-seronegative individuals were used as responders. Under these culture conditions, CD4+ T cells with preferential expression of the Th 2-type cytokine IL-4 were predominantly expanded in the PBMC obtained from EBV-seronegative individuals. However, the addition of recombinant human (rh) IL-12 during the primary phase of ex vivo stimulation resulted in augmentation of EBV-specific cytolysis of autologous LCL by CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, there was down-regulation in the secretion of IL-4 and up-regulation in that of the Th 1-type cytokine IFN-&ggr; by responder CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Conclusions. Taken together these data suggest that the addition of rhIL-12 during the primary phase of ex vivo stimulation of freshly isolated PBMC from EBV-seronegative individuals results in skewing of the immune response predominantly towards a CD4+ Th 1-type (IFN-&ggr;) with the generation of an efficacious CTL-mediated anti-EBV reactivity. This novel ex vivo approach for generating effective autologous EBV-specific CTL could be adopted to treat refractory posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders, which may be encountered in EBV-seropositive→EBV-seronegative organ transplant recipients. Additionally, these ex vivo generated anti-EBV T cells could also be infused perioperatively to enhance prophylactically immunity against EBV infection in high-risk EBV-seronegative organ allograft recipients.
Training socially responsive health care graduates: Is service learning an effective educational approach?

Background: Health care educators strive to train graduates who are socially responsive and can act as “change agents” for communities they serve. Service learning (SL) is increasingly being used to teach the social aspects of health care and develop students’ social responsiveness. However, the effectiveness of SL as an educational intervention has not been established. Aim: To assess the evidence for the effectiveness of SL. Method: Seven electronic databases were searched up to 2012 and included all articles on SL for pre-professional health care students. Hand searching was also conducted. Results: A total of 1485 articles were identified, 53 fulfilled the search and quality appraisal criteria and were reviewed across six domains of potential SL effects: (i) personal and interpersonal development; (ii) understanding and applying knowledge; (iii) engagement, curiosity and reflective practice; (iv) critical thinking; (v) perspective transformation and (vi) citizenship. Conclusion: While SL experiences appear highly valued by educators and students the effectiveness of SL remains unclear. SL is different from other forms of experiential learning because it explicitly aims to establish reciprocity between all partners and increase students’ social responsiveness. Impact studies based on the interpretative paradigm, aligned with the principles of social accountability and including all stakeholder perspectives are necessary.
Strategic decision-making of Chinese managers on corporate social responsibility issues: A policy-capturing study

The motivations of this study are as follows: to provide a comprehensive review of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature; to analyse CSR issues from a strategic decision-making aspect; and to investigate the process of individual decision-makers’ CSRrelated decision-making in China. Therefore, the aims of this research are (1) to examine how managers’ strategic decision-making concerning CSR differs in different environments, (2) to analyse how stakeholder claims influence a manager’s SDM concerning CSR, and (3) to explore stakeholder salience and causal explanation theory in CSR activities. The author utilised a policy-capturing method to develop a series of scenarios concerning CSR activities. 376 valid questionnaires at the individual level were received from Chinese managers. Concerning the main research findings, this study indicated support for the proposition that the claims of employees and government had a positive impact on CSR-related SDM. Meanwhile, additional factors such as the level of previous company donation, firm size, firm age, CEOs’ attitudes towards charity donation and charitable organisations also had a positive impact on managers’ CSR-related SDM. Moreover, the higher the level of resultant self-enhancement, the less likely it is that managers make decisions to participate in CSR activities. In other words, the higher the resultant self-enhancement represents the managers are at the higher level of egoism (lower level of altruism), therefore this kind of managers are less likely to participate in CSR activities. Compared to managers who work for manufacturing and mining industries, managers from the financial services industry are more likely to make decisions to participate in CSR activities. From a theoretical perspective, this research contributes to the development of corporate social responsibility and strategic decision-making theory, as well as the application of stakeholder-salience and causal-explanation theory. Finally this study also provides suggestions for corporations and government from the practical perspective.
Review Paper: A Review of the Cellular Response on Electrospun Nanofibers for Tissue Engineering

Electrospinning has been employed extensively in tissue engineering to generate nanofibrous scaffolds from either natural or synthetic biodegradable polymers to simulate the cellular microenvironment. Electrospinning rapidly produces fibers of the nanolength scale and the process offers many opportunities to tailor the physical, chemical, and biological properties of a material for specific applications and cellular environments. There is growing evidence that nanofibers amplify certain biological responses such as contact guidance and differentiation, however this has not been fully exploited in tissue engineering. This review addresses the cellular interactions with electrospun scaffolds, with particular focus on neural, bone, cartilage, and vascular tissue regeneration. Some aspects of scaffold design, including architectural properties, surface functionalization and materials selection are also addressed.
Multiple chromosomes in bacteria: structure and function of chromosome II of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1T

Although multiple chromosomes occur in bacteria, much remains to be learned about their structural and functional interrelationships. To study the structure-function relationships of chromosomes I and II of the facultative photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4. 1T, auxotrophic mutants were isolated. Five strains having transposon insertions in chromosome II showed requirements for p-aminobenzoic acid (pABA)-dihydroxybenzoic acid (dHBA), serine, thymine, uracil, or histidine. The His, Thy, and pABA-dHBA mutants reverted to prototrophy at low frequency and concordantly lost their transposon insertions from the genome. The Ser, Ura, and pABA-dHBA mutants were complemented by cosmids that carried the region of chromosome II where the transposon insertions were located. The cosmids used for complementation analysis were selected, on the basis of map position, from a set of overlapping clones that had been ordered by a combination of hybridization and restriction endonuclease mapping. These experiments provide the basis for detailed studies of the structure, function, and interaction between each chromosome, and they demonstrate at this early stage of investigation that no fundamental differences exist between each chromosome.
Insulin Sensitivity and Mitochondrial Gene Mutation

a beneficial effect on glycemic control and was associated with a more favorable response of Lp(a) compared with placebo, there was an associated increase in plasma apoB. The rise in plasma apoB on acarbose may have been due to increased coIonic acetate production resulting from the fermentation of nonabsorbed carbohydrate. This would be analogous to the mechanism for increased plasma apoB in subjects who ingest lactulose (6). Longer term studies of atherosclerosis end points will be required to determine whether a potential benefit of the sustained use of acarbose on Lp(a) might outweigh any potential detriment due to an elevation in apoB, an atherogenic risk factor.