Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unitary A‐currents of rat locus coeruleus neurones grown in cell culture: rectification caused by internal Mg2+ and Na+.

1. We have used whole‐cell and single‐channel recording to study the transient outward potassium current (A‐current) of rat locus coeruleus neurones grown in tissue culture. The A‐current was largely inactivated at the resting potential, but could be activated from sufficiently negative holding potentials during steps positive to ‐50 mV. The current was sensitive to 4‐aminopyridine. Another slowly activating, sustained current was similar to a delayed rectifier. 2. In the on‐cell configuration the unitary conductance of channels carrying A‐current was 40.9 +/‐ 2.2 pS (n = 6) with high external potassium (140 mM) and 14.8 +/‐ 1.4 pS (n = 11) with 3 mM [K+]o. The unitary current‐voltage relation was not linear, but had a negative slope at very positive voltages in 3 mM [K+]o. The reversal potential changed with [K]o as expected for a K+ channel. 3. The open state probability of A‐current channels was voltage dependent, reaching a peak of 0.78 +/‐ 0.17 (seven patches). The relationships between both activation and inactivation and membrane potential were well fitted by Boltzmann expressions. Activation was half‐maximum at a potential 71.9 +/‐ 11.8 mV (n = 4) positive to the resting potential (approximately ‐61 mV). Inactivation was half‐complete 29.4 +/‐ 3.8 mV (n = 4) negative to the resting potential. There was evidence from runs analysis for slow inactivation of channels. 4. Channels showed frequent visits to substates, the most readily identifiable of which had an amplitude 0.55 +/‐ 0.04 (n = 5) of the fully open state. Other substates had amplitudes of around 0.25 and 0.75. Occupancy of substates was greater at negative membrane potentials. 5. A preliminary analysis of kinetic behaviour, treating visits to substates as openings, shows that open times are distributed as a single exponential. The open time was 16.2 ms (n = 4) at a voltage 100 mV positive to the resting potential, increasing with further depolarization. Closed times are distributed as the sum of three or four exponentials. First latency distributions are strongly voltage dependent and show a delay, giving a sigmoidal rise to the distribution. Increasing temperature increased unitary current and reduced mean open time. 6. The mechanism of the rectification seen in the unitary current‐voltage relationship was examined using excised, inside‐out patches. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Who are the market beaters: lucky investors, insiders or who else?

Conditions of beating the market is always top of the interests of investors throughout the history. In this study we aim to find who beats the market using a special trade and portfolio data from a stock exchange namely Borsa Istanbul. Instead of market data, investor based data used in this paper provides us to make stronger analyses. We initially find that 87% of individual and 92% of institutional investors get returns in a random way. Then the rest of investors are investigated to determine who consistently beats the market and gets abnormal returns. And we mainly find that the market beating gets longer with increasing portfolio size and diversification, while it gets shorter with increasing turnover. Additionally, longer beating length means higher shares of women, old adults, funds and foreigner. Furthermore, we analyze the return performance of investors in our study and show that the picture becomes reversed compared to beating length criteria. Finally, the insiders are compared with other investors to understand whether the market is efficient in the strong form or not. And the findings indicate that the insiders cannot be specifically differentiated from other investors. Therefore, we end up with the evidence that there is strong form efficiency in Borsa Istanbul.
Back-scattered and secondary electron images of scanning electron microscopy in dentistry: a new method for surface analysis

Abstract Objective. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is a popular tool for investigating the root canal surface to visualize dentinal tubules, the smear layer and various root canal filling materials in endodontics. Most of the SEM micrographs taken in endodontic research are in secondary electrons (SE) mode, in which the topographic view of a subject can be demonstrated without giving any information about the real structure. Back-scattered electron (BSE) images are also used, which reveal some information about the internal structure while providing no topographic details. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using back-scattered (BSE) and secondary electron (SE) mode of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) together for obtaining detailed information about biomaterials in relation to dental structures. Materials and methods. Mesiobuccal roots of four permanent maxillary molars were cleaned and shaped with rotary instruments. Two samples were obturated with gutta-percha and sealer. After 2 weeks, gutta-perch was removed using rotary instruments and chloroform. In the other phase of the study, white mineral trioxide aggregate was mixed and packed into five glass tubes and exposed to blood, deionized water, synthetic tissue fluid and egg white. All the samples were prepared for visualization under SE and BSE modes of SEM to observe the characteristics of material remnants and surface structures. Results. BSE mode illustrated different grey scale views which made it possible to differentiate dentin chips from filling material remnants on the surface of root canal dentin. In addition, SE mode focused on image topography, while a BSE detector showed new texture formation on the surface of white mineral trioxide aggregate exposed to proteinaceous fluids such as blood or egg white. Conclusions. Mapping BSE and SE micrographs helped us to better understand the structure of materials on the surface of root canal dentin and MTA. Moreover, analysis of structure of materials on the surface of root canal dentine and MTA can be performed better by mapping of BSE and SE micrographs.
Effect of Human Capital Development on Economic Growth of Ecowas Member States

This study examines the random effect of human capital development on economic growth of ECOWAS member states for the period of thirty seven years from 1980-2016, the measurement of random effect of human capital development on economic growth of ECOWAS member countries encompasses World Development Indicator and human capital index, four human capital variables are used, namely: expenditures on education (EED), expenditures on health (EHE), gross domestic product (GDP) and school enrollment (SCE), these variables were transformed to logarithm of base ten (10) to give more robust estimates,the economic growth was proxied by GDP, which is dependent variable, the empirical evidence is based on the Pedroni residual co-integration approach to test for the long-run relationship among the variables, the findings show that there is positive and significant relationship between GDP and government expenditure on education, expenditure on health and school enrollment in the ECOWAS counties, the study concludes that human capital development has an effect on economic growth in the ECOWAS region,the study is very relevant to the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals agendas for two fundamental reasons: (a) Exclusive development is a critical policy syndrome in ECOWAS region where human capital development is a key to attain the SDGs extreme poverty target despite enjoying more than two decades of growth resurgence in some member states. (b) Growth in the region can primarily be driven by high human capital with the population of member countries expected to double in about 30 years, high investment on education and health for inclusive development is very welcome. This is essential because studies have shown that the increase in human capital development (resulting from increasing investment in education and health) would be enhances economic growth and development.
Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Central and Eastern Europe

Malmquist total factor productivity (TFP) index has been extensively applied in the literature to measure productivity growth decomposition. This study applies a parametric decomposition of a Generalized Malmquist TFP index to measure and compare the levels and trends in agricultural productivity in European countries, making use of the most-recent data available from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations. The aim of this study is to measure TFP developments in agriculture of transition countries after breakdown of socialism and to compare their TFP growth with other European countries. The Generalized Malmquist productivity index can be decomposed into technological change, technical efficiency change and scale efficiency change. These measures will provide insightful information for policymakers in designing proper policies to promote a higher growth rate in agriculture in transition countries. JEL: Q16, Q18, P27
Analysis of the Genome of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 2006 Spinach-Associated Outbreak Isolate Indicates Candidate Genes That May Enhance Virulence

ABSTRACT In addition to causing diarrhea, Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection can lead to hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe disease characterized by hemolysis and renal failure. Differences in HUS frequency among E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks have been noted, but our understanding of bacterial factors that promote HUS is incomplete. In 2006, in an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 caused by consumption of contaminated spinach, there was a notably high frequency of HUS. We sequenced the genome of the strain responsible (TW14359) with the goal of identifying candidate genetic factors that contribute to an enhanced ability to cause HUS. The TW14359 genome contains 70 kb of DNA segments not present in either of the two reference O157:H7 genomes. We identified seven putative virulence determinants, including two putative type III secretion system effector proteins, candidate genes that could result in increased pathogenicity or, alternatively, adaptation to plants, and an intact anaerobic nitric oxide reductase gene, norV. We surveyed 100 O157:H7 isolates for the presence of these putative virulence determinants. A norV deletion was found in over one-half of the strains surveyed and correlated strikingly with the absence of stx1. The other putative virulence factors were found in 8 to 35% of the O157:H7 isolates surveyed, and their presence also correlated with the presence of norV and the absence of stx1, indicating that the presence of norV may serve as a marker of a greater propensity for HUS, similar to the correlation between the absence of stx1 and a propensity for HUS.
ELECTRONICĂ FILTERING LOW NOISE AMPLIFIERS FOR SAW-LESS CMOS RECEIVERS

CMOS low noise amplifiers with filtering capability represent an exotic class of LNAs offering the opportunity for RF designers to minimize their design by avoiding the SAW passive filters. Thought as a state of the art, the paper reviews the most outstanding architectures proposed in the literature, trying to offer some insight on designing bandpass LNAs envisaging SAW-less receivers.
Diversity and Ecology of Benthic Diatoms in Karagöl Lake in Karagöl-Sahara National Park (Şavşat, Artvin, Turkey)

The main goal of this study is to determine the composition, diversity and ecology of benthic diatoms in Karagöl Lake in Karagöl-Sahara National Park. Monthly sampling (from sediments, stones and aquatic plants in littoral zone of the lake) taken in three consecutive years revealed 57 diatom taxa with Gomphonema and Pinnularia being the most abundant species while other genera are represented with three or fewer species. Lindavia ocellata was the most dominant taxon in the samplings examined throughout the whole study. The values of diversity and evenness indices are high during the spring and early summer. Based on cluster analysis for monthly samples of epipelic diatom, there are two different groups at the lowest similarity level. The associations between August 2010 and September 2010 months are the most significant with 86.02%. The organism number of epipelic diatoms showed positive correlation (P<0.01) with dissolved oxygen, while negative correlation (P<0.05) with temperature. Detailed floristic and ecological examination of the benthic diatom communities has not been carried out before this study in this lake. Therefore, this study is the first to our knowledge towards revealing aquatic benthic diatom biodiversity of Karagöl-Sahara National Park and provides basis for future investigations.
First phylogenetic analysis of dengue virus serotype 4 circulating in Espírito Santo state, Brazil, in 2013 and 2014

SUMMARY The purpose of the present study was to reconstruct the phylogeny of dengue virus serotype 4 (DENV-4) that was circulating in Espírito Santo state, Brazil, in 2013 and 2014, and to discuss the epidemiological implications associated with this evolutionary hypothesis. Partial envelope gene of eight DENV-4 samples from Espírito Santo state were sequenced and aligned with 72 worldwide DENV-4 reference sequences from GenBank. A phylogenetic tree was reconstructed through Bayesian Inference and the Time of the Most Recent Common Ancestor was estimated. The study detected the circulation of DENV-4 genotype II in Espírito Santo state, which was closely related to strains from the states of Mato Grosso collected in 2012 and of São Paulo sampled in 2015. This cluster emerged around 2011, approximately 4 years after the entry of the genotype II in Brazil through its northern states, possibly imported from Venezuela and Colombia. This is so far the first phylogenetic study of the DENV-4 circulating in Espírito Santo state and shows the importance of an internal route of dengue viral circulation in Brazil to the introduction of the virus into this state.
The Influence of Intellectual Stimulation Leadership Behavior on Employee Performance in SMEs in Kenya

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of intellectual stimulation leadership behaviour on employee performance in Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya. This study targeted the KPMG top 100 SMEs of 2014 in Kenya. A correlational research design was employed to investigate the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable. A stratified proportionate random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample of 226 out of a target population of 553 Managers. Data was collected using MLQ structured questionnaire. Pearson’s correlation, multiple regression and chi-square techniques were used to analyse the data. The results showed that intellectual stimulation leadership behaviour and Employee Performance in SMEs in Kenya had a strong positive and significant correlation r(194) = . 722, p< . 000 and a positive and significant relationship,( β = .722, t(194)= 14.444, p< . 000. ). The study concluded that better employee performance is achieved when a leader encourage employees to think critically in dealing with problems that they encounter in the course of their work, use their own initiative, and seek innovative methods to approach their work and assignments.
MCP-1 induces inflammatory activation of human tubular epithelial cells: involvement of the transcription factors, nuclear factor-kappaB and activating protein-1.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a potent chemokine synthesized by several cell types, e.g., inflammatory cells, such as monocytes, and resident renal cells, such as human tubular epithelial cells (TECs). Besides induction of monocyte recruitment, MCP-1 has been suggested to induce non-leukocytes to produce cytokines and adhesion molecules. Inflammation of the tubulointerstitium is a hallmark of many renal diseases and contributes to progression of renal failure; the purpose therefore of this study was to investigate the influence of MCP-1 on markers of inflammatory activation in human TECs. MCP-1 stimulated interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) synthesis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In parallel, MCP-1 increased IL-6 and ICAM-1 mRNA expression in human TECs. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin, GF109203X, BAPTA-AM, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate inhibited MCP-1-dependent IL-6 and ICAM-1 synthesis, suggesting the involvement of Gi-proteins, protein kinase C, intracellular Ca(2+), and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in MCP-1 signaling. Using electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay, we observed that MCP-1 stimulated binding activity of NF-kappaB. Binding activity of the activator protein-1 (AP-1), which has been implicated to regulate induction of the IL-6 gene together with NF-kappaB, was also stimulated by MCP-1. In the present experiments, NF-kappaB and AP-1 were involved in the MCP-1-mediated induction of IL-6, as demonstrated by cis element double-stranded (decoy) oligonucleotides (ODN). In contrast to IL-6 release, MCP-1-induced ICAM-1 expression was predominantly dependent on NF-kappaB activation. These results document for the first time that MCP-1 induces an inflammatory response in human TECs. This may be an important new mechanism in the pathogenesis of tubulointerstitial inflammation.
Reproducibility of visual analog scale measurements of dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of visual analog scale ratings of the effort to breathe (VASe) and the degree of discomfort evoked by breathing (VASd) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during exercise. Six subjects with moderately severe COPD (FEV1 = 1.12 +/- 0.29 L, FEV1/FVC = 44 +/- 4%) underwent progressive incremental exercise testing to a symptom-limited maximum every week for 8 wk. VASe and VASd were highly correlated in each subject (r = 0.99 +/- 0.01). The slope of the VASd/VASe relationship for all trials in all subjects was not significantly different from 1, indicating that our subjects were rating a common sensation with the two scales. VASe at maximal exercise was reproducible in every subject; the within-subject coefficient of variation (CV) was 6% (range, 2 to 10%) and compared favorably with physiologic indices: 7% (range, 3 to 12%) for oxygen consumption and 10% (range, 5 to 16%) for minute ventilation (VI). In contrast, submaximal VAS ratings were highly variable. At 66% of the maximal work load, the within-subject CV for VASe was 21% (range, 11 to 28%) compared with 6% (range, 4 to 7%) for VO2 (p less than 0.003) and 10% (range, 5 to 16%) for VI (p less than 0.01). VASe correlated linearly with VI and VO2 in all subjects in all trials. However, within an individual subject the slope and position of these relationships varied widely between trials. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Randomized Comparison Between the Pentax AWS Video Laryngoscope and the Macintosh Laryngoscope in Morbidly Obese Patients

BACKGROUND: The Pentax AWS is a novel video laryngoscope designed to facilitate tracheal intubation by providing indirect visualization of the laryngeal inlet. We sought to compare the intubation success rate and time to intubation for the Pentax AWS and the classic Macintosh laryngoscope. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that intubation with the Pentax AWS would be easier and faster than with a standard Macintosh #4 blade in obese patients. METHODS: One hundred five obese patients (body mass index between 30 and 50 kg/m2) requiring orotracheal intubation for elective surgery were allocated randomly to tracheal intubation with either the Macintosh (using a #4 blade) or the Pentax AWS laryngoscope. Two experienced anesthesiologists served as laryngoscopists. Intubation success rate, time to intubation, ease of intubation, and occurrence of complications were recorded. RESULTS: Intubations using the Macintosh laryngoscope and #4 blade were significantly faster than with the Pentax AWS device: half of the patients' tracheas were intubated successfully within 26 seconds with the Macintosh #4 blade, whereas the same fraction required 38 seconds with the AWS. The first-attempt success rate with the Pentax AWS was 86%; the rate increased to 90% with a second attempt. In contrast, all patients' tracheas were intubated successfully with the Macintosh #4 blade, with a first-attempt success rate of 92%, which increased to 100% by the second attempt. CONCLUSION: The time required for tracheal intubation using the Pentax AWS was longer than for the Macintosh laryngoscope and #4 blade. The AWS should not routinely be substituted for a conventional Macintosh #4 blade in morbidly obese patients.
Ultralow-dose micronized 17beta-estradiol and bone density and bone metabolism in older women: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Estrogen therapy is known to prevent osteoporosis, but studies have shown that conventional doses increase adverse events. Whether lower doses, one quarter of standard treatment, prevent bone loss is not known. OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of 3 years of treatment with 0.25 mg/d of micronized 17beta-estradiol on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover in healthy older postmenopausal women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted from July 24, 1998, through June 14, 2002, at a university general clinical research center in the United States. Healthy, community-dwelling women (N = 167) who were older than 65 years at enrollment. INTERVENTION Dosage of 0.25 mg/d of micronized 17beta-estradiol (n = 83) or placebo (n = 84); all women who had not had a hysterectomy received 100 mg/d of oral micronized progesterone for 2-week periods every 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The BMD of the hip, spine, wrist, and total body measured annually for 3 years. Serum and urine biochemical markers of bone resorption and formation and sex hormones were measured at baseline, 3 months, and during years 1 and 3 of treatment. RESULTS Mean BMD increased at all sites for participants taking low-dose estrogen (17beta-estradiol) compared with placebo (P<.001). Compared with participants receiving placebo, participants taking low-dose estrogen had BMD increases of 2.6% for the femoral neck; 3.6%, total hip; 2.8%, spine; and 1.2%, total body. Markers of bone turnover, N-telopeptides of type 1 collagen, and bone alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly (P<.001) in participants taking low-dose estrogen compared with placebo. Estradiol, estrone, and sex hormone-binding globulin levels increased in the estrogen-treated group compared with placebo. The adverse effect profile was similar; specifically, there were no statistically significant differences in breast tenderness, changes in endometrial thickness or pathological effects, or annual mammographic results between the 2 groups. The number of abnormal mammograms over 3 years was 15 for the low-dose estrogen group and 10 for the placebo group (8 occurred at baseline) (P =.26). There were no reports of breast cancer during the study. CONCLUSIONS In older women, a dosage of 0.25 mg/d of 17beta-estradiol increased bone density of the hip, spine, and total body, and reduced bone turnover, with minimal adverse effects. Future studies evaluating the effect of low-dose estrogen on fractures are indicated.