Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, lowers plasma cholesterol and attenuates hepatic lipid peroxidation during carbon-tetrachloride–associated hepatotoxicity in rats

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin production are suggested to play important, complex roles in the pathogenesis of various liver diseases. Studies on the effects of COX-2 inhibitors on the progression of liver fibrosis present controversial results, and the proposed therapeutic potential of these agents in chronic liver disease is predicated largely on their effectiveness in modulating hepatic stellate cell activation in vitro. This study investigated the modulatory effect of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, in CCl4-mediated hepatotoxicity in rats. Thirty Wistar albino rats, weighing 120–180 g, were assigned into five groups of 6 rats/group. Groups 1 and 2 received saline (10 mL/kg) and CCl4 (80 mg/kg), respectively. Group 3 was given celecoxib (5.7 mg/kg), whereas groups 4 and 5 were pretreated with 2.9 and 5.7 mg/kg/day of celecoxib, respectively, 1 hour before CCl4 treatment. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities increased significantly by 118.5, 150.0, and 51.3%, respectively, with an accompanying decrease (P < 0.05) in total protein and albumin after CCl4 treatment. Hepatotoxicity was associated with a significant increase in plasma cholesterol, hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), and severe hepatic necrosis with marked fatty and cellular (i.e., mononuclear cells) infiltration. Although celecoxib neither reduced CCl4-induced increases in marker enzymes of hepatotoxicity nor significantly attenuated hepatic necrosis, it, however, was effective in reducing elevated cholesterol by 16.5 and 20.8% and LPO by 12.9 and 35.5% at 2.9 and 5.7 mg/kg, respectively. Data suggest that COX-2 inhibitors may be effective in controlling hypercholesterolemia and peroxidative changes associated with liver injury.
On public investment, long‐run growth, and the real exchange rate

This paper extends the Barro (1990) endogenous growth model with productive government services to a two-country world with perfect capital mobility, populated by optimising agents with uncertain lifetimes. It shows that increases in government spending on infrastructure for the home country result in higher growth rates and a terms of trade improvement. Both these effects are reversed after a point, showing that a hump-shaped curve--similar to the Barro curve, but with different properties--can be obtained here even with lump-sum taxes. We also examine the welfare implications of public investment policies, and characterise the world economy's dynamics. Copyright 2002, Oxford University Press.
Chimeric tyrosine kinase-HDAC inhibitors as antiproliferative agents

Combined treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKi) and additional drugs is emerging as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. TKi and histone-deacetylase inhibitors (HDI) are two classes of anti-tumor agents with distant mechanisms of action. We have designed and synthesized chimeric compounds, which comprise structural elements of the TKi imatinib, and of prototypical HDI compounds. These compounds retain TKi activity similar to imatinib, exemplified by the inhibition of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor, and c-Kit kinase in intact cells. In addition, the chimeric compounds have in vitro and cellular HDI activity, and potently inhibit growth of cancer cell lines, including that of imatinib-resistant cell lines. Chimeric molecules with combined TKi and HDI activity may simplify combination treatment and be applicable to overcome clinical resistance to TKi single-agent therapy.
Embedding outcomes recording in Barnardo's performance management approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe how Barnardo's, a large children's charity, has developed a system for measuring and reporting on service user outcomes as part of its performance management approach. The challenges that confront third sector organisations when adopting this approach are summarised, as are the benefits that can accrue.Design/methodology/approach – The paper's approach is to describe the development of an outcome monitoring tool (OMT) and to explore some of the benefits of and challenges to embedding this tool across Barnardo's services.Findings – Third sector organisations operate in competitive, resource‐constrained environments, where funding arrangements are often short‐term and piecemeal. The ability to evidence the effectiveness of services through demonstrating positive outcomes for service users is becoming an increasingly important factor in the process of securing and sustaining funding. An outcome‐focused approach contributes to the development of excellent ser.
Number, Age Composition and School Achievements of Siblings in Two African Capital Cities

This paper uses biographical data from Dakar and Yaoundé, two large African cities, to study the link between number of siblings and school attainment. The data describe all fertility events experienced by parents and the number of siblings of each child over time. The average family size effect is estimated first. The family size effect at different ages is then estimated. The results show that, in Dakar, both the overall and age-specific effect of family size on education are negative and statistically significant. In Yaoundé, the overall effect is not significant, but negative effects at some schooling ages (between 14 and 17) are observed in this study. Finally, the negative impact of family size on school achievement seems to be driven more by elder siblings than by younger ones.
Modeling meiotic chromosome pairing: nuclear envelope attachment, telomere-led active random motion, and anomalous diffusion

The recognition and pairing of homologous chromosomes during meiosis is a complex physical and molecular process involving a combination of polymer dynamics and molecular recognition events. Two highly conserved features of meiotic chromosome behavior are the attachment of telomeres to the nuclear envelope and the active random motion of telomeres driven by their interaction with cytoskeletal motor proteins. Both of these features have been proposed to facilitate the process of homolog pairing, but exactly what role these features play in meiosis remains poorly understood. Here we investigate the roles of active motion and nuclear envelope tethering using a Brownian dynamics simulation in which meiotic chromosomes are represented by a Rouse polymer model subjected to tethering and active forces at the telomeres. We find that tethering telomeres to the nuclear envelope slows down pairing relative to the rates achieved by unattached chromosomes, but that randomly directed active forces applied to the telomeres speed up pairing dramatically in a manner that depends on the statistical properties of the telomere force fluctuations. The increased rate of initial pairing cannot be explained by stretching out of the chromosome conformation but instead seems to correlate with anomalous diffusion of sub-telomeric regions.
Policy Perspectives on National Security and Foreign Policy Decision Making

This article reviews major decision-making models with an emphasis on basic theoretical perspectives as well as on how these models explain foreign policy decision making and national and international security decisions. Furthermore, we examine how these models have been utilized in explanations of various international crises. Specifically, for each model, we present examples drawn from the literature on applications of the respective model to foreign policy and national security decisions. The theories we have reviewed are as follows: rational choice, cybernetic model, prospect theory, poliheuristic theory, organizational and bureaucratic politics, groupthink and polythink, and analogical reasoning. We also review the Applied Decision Analysis method, and the concept of biases in decision making.
Improved quadrature formulas for boundary integral equations with conducting or dielectric edge singularities

In this paper we derive new two-dimensional (2-D) quadrature formulas for the discretization of boundary integral equations in the presence of conducting or dielectric edges. The proposed formulas allow us to exactly integrate polynomials of degree less than or equal to five, multiplied by an algebraic singular factor that diverges along one side of the triangular integration domain. This is the kind of singularity that occurs when physical edges are present in both conducting and dielectric bodies. Numerical tests are performed on the presented formulas, in order to validate the achieved improvement in accuracy, and examples are given of their application to the determination of radar cross-section of 3-D metallic objects.
A robust estimation of hedonic price models: least absolute deviations estimation

Conventional parametric estimation of the hedonic price models is not robust to heteroscedastic and/or non-normal error structure. This paper applies least absolute deviations (LAD) estimation as a robust approach to estimating the hedonic price models, using the Korea housing markets data. The paper finds that LAD estimation produces more reasonable results and that it proves robust in a situation where other estimation results based on various functional form models produce inaccurate or misleading results.
Feed forward and feedback control for over-ground locomotion in anaesthetized cats

The biological central pattern generator (CPG) integrates open and closed loop control to produce over-ground walking. The goal of this study was to develop a physiologically based algorithm capable of mimicking the biological system to control multiple joints in the lower extremities for producing over-ground walking. The algorithm used state-based models of the step cycle each of which produced different stimulation patterns. Two configurations were implemented to restore over-ground walking in five adult anaesthetized cats using intramuscular stimulation (IMS) of the main hip, knee and ankle flexor and extensor muscles in the hind limbs. An open loop controller relied only on intrinsic timing while a hybrid-CPG controller added sensory feedback from force plates (representing limb loading), and accelerometers and gyroscopes (representing limb position). Stimulation applied to hind limb muscles caused extension or flexion in the hips, knees and ankles. A total of 113 walking trials were obtained across all experiments. Of these, 74 were successful in which the cats traversed 75% of the 3.5 m over-ground walkway. In these trials, the average peak step length decreased from 24.9 ± 8.4 to 21.8 ± 7.5 (normalized units) and the median number of steps per trial increased from 7 (Q1 = 6, Q3 = 9) to 9 (8, 11) with the hybrid-CPG controller. Moreover, within these trials, the hybrid-CPG controller produced more successful steps (step length ≤ 20 cm; ground reaction force ≥ 12.5% body weight) than the open loop controller: 372 of 544 steps (68%) versus 65 of 134 steps (49%), respectively. This supports our previous preliminary findings, and affirms that physiologically based hybrid-CPG approaches produce more successful stepping than open loop controllers. The algorithm provides the foundation for a neural prosthetic controller and a framework to implement more detailed control of locomotion in the future.
An Exercise Prescription Primer for People with Depression

A substantial body of evidence supports the value of exercise in the treatment of people with depression. The guidelines for exercise prescription, however, are limited, and based on those developed for healthy populations. This article explores the evidence for exercise in the treatment of depression and the role mental health nurses may play in the delivery of this information. A model of exercise prescription is put forward based on the available evidence and taking into account the challenges faced by mental health nurses and people with depression.
Sélection et tests de seuils de convergence.

Résumé Cet article propose une méthodologie différente de celle de Durlauf et John­son [1992] permettant de tester et de localiser les seuils séparant les différents processus de convergence. La particularité de notre approche est d'utiliser une procédure simple reposant sur des estimations récursives sur des données réor­données et permettant de sélectionner les différents régimes de croissance par une analyse graphique des indicateurs récursifs (t de student, résidus). Une appli­cation de cette procédure à un échantillon de 91 pays permet de mettre clairement en évidence deux processus de convergence selon le niveau initial du PIB par tête.
Flexible Modelling of Time to Failure in Risky Careers

Failure time models correcting for heterogeneity are used to explain the length of participation in a risky career. Using data from t he National Football League, the authors first employ a class of techniques whic h ignore unobserved heterogeneity; hence these methods impose severe restriction s on the estimated hazard. The authors then examine a second class of techniques which correct for unobserv-ables and thereby allow greater flexibility in the e stimated hazard. Within this second class, they find that the estimated hazard u sing the Burr-12 density is much more accurate than densities in the first class , which include the exponential and Weibull. They expect that this density could be employed to successfully explain career duration in other high-risk, high-st resscareers as well. Copyright 1986 by MIT Press.
Facts and Myths about Research on Public Policy Implementation: Out‐of‐Fashion, Allegedly Dead, But Still Very Much Alive and Relevant

Despite several decades of research on public policy implementation we know surprisingly little, not only about cumulative research results, but also about several other key aspects of this research field. This article tries to amend these deficiencies by presenting the results of a comprehensive literature survey. Its main purpose is to challenge, revise, and supplement some conventional wisdom about implementation research. A second motivation is to lay the foundation for and initiate a much needed synthesis of empirical research results. The main results are: The overall volume of publications on policy implementation has not stagnated or declined dramatically since the mid 1980s as is commonly asserted. On the contrary, it has continued to grow exponentially through the 1990s and into the twenty-first century. Even more surprising is that a large number of publications are located outside the core fields. Hence, the literature is substantially larger and more multidisciplinary than most commentators realize. Doctoral dissertations are the most ignored, but probably the richest, largest, and best source of empirical research results. Tracing the origin as well as the location of the disciplinary and geographical cradle of implementation studies must also be readjusted significantly. The ethnocentric bias of this research field toward the Western hemisphere has been, and still is, strong and some policy sectors are given much more attention than others. Although positive in many ways, the predominant multidisciplinary character of implementation research still poses some serious problems with respect to theory development. Thus, I discuss whether a resurgence of interest in policy implementation among policy scholars may already be occurring. Finally, I suggest that the time is long overdue for efforts to synthesize research results in a more rigorous scientific manner than has hitherto been done.
The Production of Nominal Compounds in Aphasia

This study reports the difficulties of aphasic patients in producing nominal compounds in German. In a picture naming task with semantically relatively transparent targets it was found that the word frequency of the components determined the accuracy of the patients' performance. A second picture naming task using relatively opaque targets, and a further naming task in which patients were confronted with aurally presented object paraphrases using very opaque targets, are reported. The error patterns of all three tasks give evidence for morpheme-based mis-productions (e.g., componential substitutions), however, in declining proportions with decreasing semantic transparency. Access to final (or basic) components was clearly superior to initial (or determinative) components suggesting position-specific access routines.
Isoform-dependent Formation of Heteromeric Ca2+ Release Channels (Ryanodine Receptors)*

Three ryanodine receptor (RyR) isoforms, RyR1, RyR2, and RyR3, are expressed in mammalian tissues. It is unclear whether RyR isoforms are capable of forming heteromeric channels. To investigate their ability to form heteromeric channels, we co-expressed different RyR isoforms in HEK293 cells and examined their interactions biochemically and functionally. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that RyR2 is able to interact physically with RyR3 and RyR1 in HEK293 cells and that RyR1 does not interact with RyR3. Co-expression of a ryanodine binding deficient mutant of RyR2, RyR2 (I4827T), with RyR3 (wt) restored [3H]ryanodine binding to the mutant. Interactions between RyR isoforms were further assessed by complementation analysis using mutants RyR2 (I4827T), RyR2 (E3987A), RyR3 (I4732T), RyR3 (E3885A), and RyR1 (E4032A), all of which are deficient in caffeine response. Caffeine-induced Ca2+release was restored in HEK293 cells co-transfected with mutants RyR2 (I4827T) and RyR3 (E3885A), RyR2 (E3987A) and RyR3 (I4732T), or RyR2 (I4827T) and RyR1 (E4032A), but not with RyR1 (E4032A) and RyR3 (I4732T), indicating that mutants of RyR2 and RyR3, or RyR2 and RyR1, but not RyR1 and RyR3, are able to complement each other. Co-expression of RyR3 (wt) and a pore mutant of RyR2, RyR2 (G4824A), produced regulatable single channels with intermediate unitary conductances. These observations demonstrate that RyR2 is capable of forming functional heteromeric channels with RyR3 and RyR1, whereas RyR1 is incapable of forming heteromeric channels with RyR3.
Impactos do índice Dow Jones, commodities e câmbio sobre o Ibovespa: uma análise do efeito contágio

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the existence of contagion effects of the Dow Jones index, commodity prices and exchange rate on the trajectory of the Bovespa index in the period 1999-2010, and analyze the long-term relationships between the variables. The theoretical framework is based on contagion effect, which occurs in the spread of market disturbances from one country to another country as discussed by Dornbusch, Park and Claessens (2000), Pericoli and Sbracia (2003), and Forbes and Rigobon (2002), as well as in empirical studies such as Lamounier and Nogueira (2007), Tabak e Lima (2003), Groppo (2006) and Pimenta (2004), among others, complete with research of the impact on commodity prices in the stock market, as can be seen in Barr and Kantor (2002). For this purpose, a cointegration test from the procedure suggested by Johansen (1991) was applied, and a vector autoregression model (VAR), initially proposed by Sims (1980) and Sims (1986), with the causality/exogeneity Granger test, was utilized. The results of Johansen cointegration test did not indicate the existence of long-term relationships between the variables. As to short-term effects, the impulse response functions showed that the Brazilian stock market index reacts positively to shocks in commodity prices and the U.S. stock market, and it demonstrates a positive reaction to currency depreciation, which suggests presence of the contagion effect.
Experienced and Novice Investors: Does Environmental Information Influence Investment Allocation Decisions?

This paper examines the effect of environmental information on investment decisions. The results are based on an experiment in which groups of investors (varied by experience) were asked to make short- and long-term investment allocation decisions based on financial information and on supplementary environmental information (varied between cases). The results suggest that environmental information disclosure influences investment allocation decisions. The results also suggest that potentially mitigating factors such as the investment horizon and the experience level of investors affect investment allocation decisions, but the predicted main effect of positive environmental information holds across different investment horizons and investor types. Hence, the results are not attributable to interaction effects. Interestingly, compared to other company information, environmental information is not rated as being very important by participating subjects even though the results suggest that it influences investment decisions.
Minnesota's Earned Income Credit Program: Utilization by Current and Former Welfare Households and the Impact of Policy Parameters

We examine the utilization of a state earned income credit by current and former welfare recipients using two measures: receipt among all current and former welfare recipients and among only those eligible for the credit. Both measures may be useful, depending upon which groups policymakers hope to target. We further characterize utilization by examining how receipt varies with earnings and by demographic group, the length of time current and former welfare households receive the state earned income credit, and whether recipient households respond to changes in the parameters to state earned income credit programs.
B7 Interactions with CD28 and CTLA-4 Control Tolerance or Induction of Mucosal Inflammation in Chronic Experimental Colitis1

CD28-B7 interaction plays a critical costimulatory role in inducing T cell activation, while CTLA-4-B7 interaction provides a negative signal that is essential in immune homeostasis. Transfer of CD45RBhighCD4+ T cells from syngeneic mice induces transmural colon inflammation in SCID recipients. This adoptive transfer model was used to investigate the contribution of B7-CD28/CTLA-4 interactions to the control of intestinal inflammation. CD45RBhighCD4+ cells from CD28−/− mice failed to induce mucosal inflammation in SCID recipients. Administration of anti-B7.1 (but not anti-B7.2) after transfer of wild-type CD45RBhighCD4+ cells also prevented wasting disease with colitis, abrogated leukocyte infiltration, and reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ by lamina propria CD4+ cells. In contrast, anti-CTLA-4 treatment led to deterioration of disease, to more severe inflammation, and to enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines. Of note, CD25+CD4+ cells from CD28−/− mice similar to those from the wild-type mice were efficient to prevent intestinal mucosal inflammation induced by the wild-type CD45RBhigh cells. The inhibitory functions of these regulatory T cells were effectively blocked by anti-CTLA-4. These data show that the B7-CD28 costimulatory pathway is required for induction of effector T cells and for intestinal mucosal inflammation, while the regulatory T cells function in a CD28-independent way. CTLA-4 signaling plays a key role in maintaining mucosal lymphocyte tolerance, most likely by activating the regulatory T cells.
On Parallelizing SGD for Pairwise Learning to Rank in Collaborative Filtering Recommender Systems

Learning to rank with pairwise loss functions has been found useful in collaborative filtering recommender systems. At web scale, the optimization is often based on matrix factorization with stochastic gradient descent (SGD) which has a sequential nature. We investigate two different shared memory lock-free parallel SGD schemes based on block partitioning and no partitioning for use with pairwise loss functions. To speed up convergence to a solution, we extrapolate simple practical algorithms from their application to pointwise learning to rank. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithms are quite useful regarding their ranking ability and speedup patterns in comparison to their sequential counterpart.