Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Presynaptic N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Activity Is Increased Through Protein Kinase C in Paclitaxel-induced Neuropathic Pain *

Painful peripheral neuropathy is a severe adverse effect of chemotherapeutic drugs such as paclitaxel (Taxol). The glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are critically involved in the synaptic plasticity associated with neuropathic pain. However, paclitaxel treatment does not alter the postsynaptic NMDAR activity of spinal dorsal horn neurons. In this study, we determined whether paclitaxel affects presynaptic NMDAR activity by recording excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) of dorsal horn neurons in spinal cord slices. In paclitaxel-treated rats, the baseline frequency of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) was significantly increased; the NMDAR antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5) completely normalized this frequency. Also, AP5 significantly reduced the amplitude of monosynaptic EPSCs evoked by dorsal root stimulation and reversed the reduction in the paired-pulse ratio of evoked EPSCs in paclitaxel-treated rats. Blocking GluN2A-containing, but not GluN2B-containing, NMDARs largely decreased the frequency of mEPSCs and the amplitude of evoked EPSCs of dorsal horn neurons in paclitaxel-treated rats. Furthermore, inhibition of protein kinase C fully reversed the increased frequency of mEPSCs and the amplitude of evoked EPSCs in paclitaxel-treated rats. Paclitaxel treatment significantly increased the protein level of GluN2A and phosphorylated GluN1 in the dorsal root ganglion. In addition, intrathecal injection of AP5 or systemic administration of memantine profoundly attenuated pain hypersensitivity induced by paclitaxel. Our findings indicate that paclitaxel treatment induces tonic activation of presynaptic NMDARs in the spinal cord through protein kinase C to potentiate nociceptive input from primary afferent nerves. Targeting presynaptic NMDARs at the spinal cord level may be an effective strategy for treating chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.
Tip motion in amplitude modulation (tapping-mode) atomic-force microscopy: Comparison between continuous and point-mass models

We discuss the influence of high-order frequency components in the operation of an amplitude modulation atomic-force microscope ~AFM! A comparative study of point-mass and continuous models is performed to describe the tip motion. The tip–surface interaction force excites high-order frequency components whenever a higher harmonic of the excitation force is close to an eigenmode of the cantilever beam. The strength of those components depends on the set point amplitude and the fundamental resonance frequency of the cantilever. However, for standard operating conditions with quality factors in the 10 – 10 range, higher-order components are about three orders of magnitude smaller than the component at the excitation frequency. We conclude that point-mass models are suitable to describe the operation of a tapping-mode AFM in air environments. © 2002 American Institute of Physics. @DOI: 10.1063/1.1456543 #
The future of the working classes: a comparison between J.S. Mill and A. Marshall

Abstract Both J. S. Mill and A. Marshall had a lifelong interest in the living conditions of the working classes and theorized the possibility of a new age, characterized by a widespread mental and moral cultivation. This paper compares the precise arguments put forward by them in the period ranging from Mill's to Marshall's Principles, against the background of the evidence of social and human progress at their times. It is argued that, at different stages and with different specific arguments, their predictions relied on self-reinforcing mechanisms, in which a better life was the cause, no less than the effect, of progress. In order to make similarities and differences more transparent from a logical point of view, two simple mathematical formulations are proposed.
Presenilin 1 is involved in maturation and trafficking of N‐cadherin to the plasma membrane

One pathological characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is extensive synapse loss. Presenilin 1 (PS1) is linked to the pathogenesis of early onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) and is localized at the synapse, where it binds N‐cadherin and modulates its adhesive activity. To elucidate the role of the PS1/N‐cadherin interaction in synaptic contact, we established SH‐SY5Y cells stably expressing wild‐type (wt) PS1 and dominant‐negative (D385A) PS1. We show that the formation of cadherin‐based cell–cell contact among SH‐SY5Y cells stably expressing D385A PS1 was suppressed. Conversely, wt PS1 cells exhibited enhanced cell–cell contact and colony formation. Suppression of cell–cell contact in D385A cells was accompanied by an alteration in N‐cadherin subcellular localization; N‐cadherin was retained mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and cell surface expression was reduced. We conclude that PS1 is essential for efficient trafficking of N‐cadherin from the ER to the plasma membrane. PS1‐mediated delivery of N‐cadherin to the plasma membrane is important for N‐cadherin to exert its physiological function, and it may control the state of cell–cell contact. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sparse filtering based hyperspectral unmixing

This work proposes a hyperspectral unmixing technique based on sparse filtering approach. The proposed method exploits the sparsity of feature distribution rather than modeling the data distribution. The proposed sparse filtering based unmixing procedure is essentially parameter-free, and the only parameter is to find the number of endmembers to be extracted. This approach is a blind unmixing approach because it does not require prior knowledge of endmember matrix. Experimental results on two real hyperspectral datasets demonstrate that the proposed sparse filtering procedure provide better abundance maps compared to nonnegative matrix factorization based approach.
The Spillover Effects of Target Interest Rate News from the U.S. Fed and the European Central Bank on the Asia-Pacific Stock Markets

This paper examines the spillover effects of the U.S. Fed’s and the European Central Bank (ECB)’s target interest rate news on the market returns and return volatilities of twelve stock markets in the Asia-Pacific region over the period 1999-2006. The news spillover effects on the returns are generally consistent with the literature where a majority of stock markets shows significant negative returns in response to unexpected rate rises. Whilst the results of the speed of adjustment for the Fed’s news are mixed, the ECB news was absorbed slowly, in general. The return volatilities were higher in response to the interest rate news from the both sources. In addition, both the Fed and the ECB news elicited delayed or persisting volatility responses.
Light-Activated Antimicrobial Coating for the Continuous Disinfection of Surfaces

Abstract The ability of a photosensitizer-containing cellulose acetate film to kill bacteria was evaluated. Substantial kills were achieved following irradiation of the film with white light for up to 24 hours. Applying a photosensitizer-containing coating to surfaces could reduce the environmental load of pathogens, thus helping to prevent infectious disease transmission.
The Determinants of Global Integration Strategies of Chinese Multinationals—Some Empirical Evidence

The main purpose of this research is to understand the determinants of global integration strategies of Chinese Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). In this article, we identify four expansion strategies for Chinese MNEs, that is, horizontal, vertical, lateral and risk diversification and we investigate a series of location and firm-level factors that determine the adoption of each strategy. We present empirical evidence based on data from the 2008 Spring edition of the Lexis Nexis Corporate Affiliates Directory. Our results indicate that Chinese MNEs expand internationally through a grid of strategic choices which is diversified geographically and industrially.
Simultaneously, speed and flux control of a induction motor, with brain emotional learning based intelligent controller (BELBIC)

In this paper, a modern intelligent control based on computational model of mammalian limbic system and emotional processes (BELBIC) is presented for speed and flux control of induction motor simultaneously. In this work, a novel and simple model of induction motor drives control plant is achieved by using the intelligent control system, which controls motor speed and flux accurately, without needing to using any conventional controllers and also, quite independent of motor parameters. This generation of intelligent controllers that has high auto learning speed with simple structure shows excellent praxis for industrial scale utilization truly.
Estimate of the elasticities of substitution of the CES and translog production functions in Tunisia

On the basis of the CES and translog production functions, this study compares the degrees of capital-labour substitution of a developing country. In order to change the tradition of some modellers, we try to present estimates of substitution elasticity caused by these two production functions applied to the Tunisian economy. In these estimations, we use statistical data about the 1961/2010 period for the five sectors of the global economy by choosing two factors of production. We apply the nonlinear least squares method to estimate the substitution elasticity in each sector of the CES function using the GAMS software and the SURE method in order to estimate the translog function by means of the STATA software. The results indicate a strong similitude between the elasticity substitution estimates for each function, which are significantly below the unity.
Measuring performance the productive way

Performance measurement is a conscious effort on the part of any organisation to know its standing vis-a-vis others in the contemporary field besides its attempt to know the utilisation of its internal resources. In today's highly competitive business environment, an effective performance measure is required that will help managers to understand whether their business is moving as per plans or not. With growing complexities in the business world, traditional performance measures, like financial measures, seem to be inadequate to address problems faced by the managers to carry their business effectively. It is being viewed as a simple manipulation of various costing data available with the organisation. A good performance measure is one that can be used in decision-making process. Productivity is a buzzword in the competitive business scenario today. It covers all aspects of manufacturing/service sectors. It has become a powerful tool with the managers to continuously enhance its operational capabilities and increase returns from scarce resources. A case study is presented to augment authors view on performance measurement.
The Spectre of Deflation: A Review of Empirical Evidence

What explains the widespread fear of deflation? This article reviews the history of thought, economic history, and empirical evidence on deflation, with a view to answering this question. It also outlines informally the main effects of deflation in applied monetary models. The main finding is that - for both historical and contemporary deflations - there are many open, empirical questions that could be answered using the tools economists use to study inflation and monetary policy more generally.
Functional matrix structure for project management in China: the case of a state-owned project-driven enterprise

This paper examines the adoption of a functional matrix structure by a project driven enterprise in China to further the knowledge of the practices of managing Chinese project driven enterprises. Using the case study of a project driven enterprise in central China, the study shows that a functional matrix structure, although with weaknesses, is appropriate to the enterprise because it allowed better coordination without creating unnecessary internal conflicts, and compromising on established Chinese management characteristics. The study also shows that a functional matrix structure that takes into account Chinese management characteristics can be beneficial to project driven enterprises in China.
Control of cascading failures in coupled map lattices based on adaptive predictive pinning control

An adaptive predictive pinning control is proposed to suppress the cascade in coupled map lattices (CMLs). Two monitoring strategies are applied: (1) A specific fraction of nodes with the highest degree or betweenness are chosen to constitute the set of monitored nodes; (2) During the cascade, an adaptive pinning control is implemented, in which only the nodes in the monitored set whose current state is normal but whose predictive state is abnormal, are pinned with the predictive controller. Simulations show that for the scale-free (SF) CML the degree-based monitoring strategy is advantageous over the betweenness-based strategy, while for the small-world (SW) CML the situation is the opposite. With the adaptive predictive pinning control, the fewer local controllers can effectively suppress the cascade throughout the whole network.
Macroeconomic uncertainty and corporate liquidity: the Indian case

Interest in the uncertainties prevailing at the macroeconomic level has always been well known in economic literature. This article analyses the effect of firm level and macroeconomic uncertainty on the decisions of Indian firms with regard to their optimal cash holdings. Using a dynamic panel data model, the study finds strong support for the hypothesis that Indian firms increase their cash holdings with an increase in either form of uncertainty. Also, results for the sub-samples show that middle-aged and middle-sized firms are most affected by variations in macroeconomic uncertainty.
Determining the Survivorship of Commercial Banks in Nigeria

This study is on determin ing the risk of survival of co mmercial banks in Nigeria using Surv ival Analysis. Survival analysis involves the modelling of time to event data; where death or failu re is considered an "event" in the survival analysis literature. The survival analysis can be used for socio-economic research to investigate complex phenomena such as unemploy ment, employ ment, inflat ion, supply and demand for bank loans, life expectancy of the products, the producer and consumer to mention a few. The source of data used in this study is secondary data obtained from financial reports, NDIC (Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation) and CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) publications. Fro m the findings it was observed that about 67% of the twenty five commercial banks that met the 25 billion Naira capitalization in year 2005 survived to year 2011. Also, it was observed that the exp lanatroy variables Merger history, Age of operation in Nigeria, Revenue and Asset has no significant contribution to the survival of the banks.
Meeting after meeting: 20 years of discoveries by the members of the Exocytosis–Endocytosis Club

Twenty years ago, a group of French cell biologists merged two scientific clubs with the aim of bringing together researchers in the fields of Endocytosis and Exocytosis. Founded in 1997, the first annual meeting of the Exocytosis Club was held in 1998. The Endocytosis Club held quarterly meetings from its founding in 1999. The first joint annual meeting of the Exocytosis–Endocytosis Club took place in Paris in April, 2001. What started as a modest gathering of enthusiastic scientists working in the field of cell trafficking has gone from strength to strength, rapidly becoming an unmissable yearly meeting, vividly demonstrating the high quality of science performed in our community and beyond. On the occasion of the 20th meeting of our club, we want to provide historic insight into the fields of exocytosis and endocytosis, and by extension, to subcellular trafficking, highlighting how French scientists have contributed to major advances in these fields. Today, the Exocytosis–Endocytosis Club represents a vibrant and friendly community that will hold its 20th meeting at the Presqu'Ile de Giens, near Toulon in the South of France, on May 11–13, 2017.
Glycoalkaloids (α-chaconine and α-solanine) contents of selected Pakistani potato cultivars and their dietary intake assessment.

Glycoalkaloids (α-solanine and α-chaconine) are naturally occurring toxic compounds in potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.) that cause acute intoxication in humans after their consumption. Present research was conducted to evaluate α-chaconine, α-solanine, and total glycoalkaloids (TGAs) contents in the peel and flesh portions by high-performance liquid chromatography method in selected Pakistani potato cultivars. The α-solanine content varies 45.98 ± 1.63 to 2742.60 ± 92.97 mg/100 g of dry weight (DW) in peel and from 4.01 ± 0.14 to 2466.56 ± 87.21 mg/100 g of DW in flesh. Similarly, α-chaconine content varied from 4.42 ± 0.16 to 6818.40 ± 211.07 mg/100 g of DW in potato peel and from 3.94 ± 0.14 to 475.33 ± 16.81 mg/100 g DW in flesh portion. The TGA concentration varied from 177.20 ± 6.26 to 5449.90 ± 192.68 mg/100 g of DW in peel and from 3.08 ± 0.11 to 14.69 ± 0.52 mg/100 g of DW in flesh portion of all the potato cultivars tested. All the potato cultivars contained lower concentration of TGA than the limits recommended as safe, except 2 cultivars, that is FD8-3 (2539.18 ± 89.77 mg/100 g of DW) and Cardinal (506.16 ± 17.90 mg/kg). The dietary intake assessment of potato cultivars revealed that Cardinal, FD 35-36, FD 8-3, and FD 3-9 contained higher amount of TGA in whole potato, although FD 8-3 only possessed higher content of TGA (154.93 ± 7.75) in its flesh portion rendering it unfit for human consumption. Practical Application: This paper was based on the research conducted on toxic compounds present in all possible potato cultivars in Pakistan. Actually, we quantify the toxic compounds (glycoalkaloids) of potato cultivars through HPLC and their dietary assessment. This paper revealed safety assessment and their application in food industries especially potato processing.
Inverse optimal trajectory tracking for discrete time nonlinear positive systems

In this paper, discrete time inverse optimal trajectory tracking for a class of non-linear positive systems is proposed. The scheme is developed for MIMO (multi-input, multi-output) a! ne systems. This approach is adapted for glycemic control of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. The control law calculates the insulin delivery rate in order to prevent hyperglycemia levels. A neural model is obtained from an on-line neural identifier, which uses a recurrent neural network, trained with the extended Kalman filter (EKF); this neural model has an a! ne form, which permits the applicability of inverse optimal control scheme. The proposed algorithm is tuned to follow a desired trajectory; this trajectory reproduces the glucose absorption of a healthy person. Simulation results illustrate the applicability of the control law in biological processes.
Corporate Acquisitions: A Theory of Special Cases? A Review of Event Studies Applied to Acquisitions

MERGERS OCCUR WHEN an acquiring firm and a target firm(s) agree to combine under legal procedures established in the states in which the merger participants are incorporated. A tender offer is an offer to purchase a proportion of the outstanding shares of the target firm at specified terms on or before a specified date. Those shareholders not tendering their shares retain an ownership interest in the firm. The term "acquisition" is used in a generic sense to refer to any takeover. Economists, especially those specializing in industrial organization, have theories to explain the motivations for horizontal acquisitions and to a lesser extent, vertical acquisitions. However, conglomerate acquisitions appear to present problems to some economists and Governmental organizations. The literature on mergers is replete with studies which evaluate the impact of acquisitions on the participants. The original studies consider the impact of mergers on the risk of the resulting firm and on its profitability. In investigating these isssues the pre and post acquisition behaviour of both bidders and targets is examined, and there is an attempt to isolate and measure the impact of the acquisition from other events that affect the firm. Performance measures are based either on accounting data or on stock price reactions to the acquisition; to identify acquisition specific influences comparisons of the merger sample to a non-merger control group are used. These studies are seriously compromised for the following reasons: accounting data do not provide information on the expected long-run impacts of the acquisition on the participants; there are serious problems in defining a comparable control group; and the comparison group does not provide information on how the specific firms would have performed without the acquisition. ' This review focuses on those studies which utilize stock market data and measure the performance of merger participants over the acquisition period as
Relational Contracts in the Courts: An Analysis of Incomplete Agreements and Judicial Strategies

CONTRACTS scholars are paying increasing attention to a class of contracts that are called "relational. "' Economists are paying increasing attention to a class of contracts called "incomplete. " According to the lawyers, relational contracts usually are incomplete. Thus, the legal and economic literatures should overlap but do not. One of the benefits to closing this gap is that an answer appears to a puzzling feature of both contract and commercial law. In some doctrinal areas, such as products liability and insurance, courts have been interventionist.2 They have interpreted contracts to realize social goals and have refused to enforce clear contract language that conflicted with their sense of justice. In other areas, such as franchising and the contract-excuse doctrines, the courts have been reticent. They have read contracts literally and, sometimes, have deferred to the judgments of powerful firms
The New ‘U’

Today's talk about tenure must be framed within broader discussions about the role of the university. Our university system is now over one hundred years old, the “Old-Time College” is gone, the “cold war” university is no longer viable, and the foundations of the modern “multiversity” are cracking, so it is time to talk about change. But change is not necessarily reform, and resisting change probably will not keep things the way they are, so academics must understand the forces reshaping the university. Whenever I listen to colleagues defend the status quo by saying that the United States has a university system that is the envy of the world, I hear echoes of the Detroit automobile industry's casual dismissal of foreign competitors in the early 1960s. The decision not to change did not preserve the auto industry, and it is unlikely to preserve public universities as we know them. The current debates about tenure began with ideological attacks on “tenured radicals” who used their secure jobs to subvert conservative cultural values. The attack on tenure gathered steam as fiscal hawks in financially-strapped states looked for ways to save money and found huge state university systems with budgets to match. When asked why he robbed banks, the legendary Willie Sutton replied, “Because that's where the money is. ” When asked why they are robbing tenure, legislators, regents, and administrators reply, “Because that's where the money is. ” Personnel costs are a large share of university budgets and tenure ties the hands of administrators and legislators accustomed to using purse strings to control universities.