Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Prevents Amyloid-β Peptide-Induced Neuronal Death Via a Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-Dependent Signaling Pathway

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), an endogenous bile acid, modulates cell death by interrupting classic pathways of apoptosis. Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, where a significant loss of neuronal cells is thought to occur by apoptosis. In this study, we explored the cell death pathway and signaling mechanisms involved in Aβ-induced toxicity and further investigated the anti-apoptotic effect(s) of TUDCA. Our data show significant induction of apoptosis in isolated cortical neurons incubated with Aβ peptide. Apoptosis was associated with translocation of pro-apoptotic Bax to the mitochondria, followed by cytochrome c release, caspase activation, and DNA and nuclear fragmentation. In addition, there was almost immediate but weak activation of the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositide 3′-OH kinase (PI3K) pathway with wortmannin did not markedly affect Aβ-induced cell death, suggesting that this signaling pathway is not crucial for Aβ-mediated toxicity. Notably, co-incubation with TUDCA significantly modulated each of the Aβ-induced apoptotic events. Moreover, wortmannin decreased TUDCA protection against Aβ-induced apoptosis, reduced Akt phosphorylation, and increased Bax translocation to mitochondria. Together, these findings indicate that Aβ-induced apoptosis of cortical neurons proceeds through a Bax mitochondrial pathway. Further, the PI3K signaling cascade plays a role in regulating the anti-apoptotic effects of TUDCA.
Cheese yield , casein fractions and major components of milk of Saanen and Anglo-Nubian dairy goats

Over the last two decades, goat production had significant increments around the world, particularly in developing countries (Boyazoglu and Morand-Fehr, 2001). Most of the goat milk production is used for small-scale artisan cheesemaking. Cheese properties, quality, and yield depend on milk composition, especially protein, casein, and fat content (Storry et al., 1983; Ambrosoli et al., 1988). Milk composition is also influenced by breed, age, stage of lactation, lactation number, month of sampling, nutrition, and environmental and genetic factors (Storry et al., 1983). Breed has been frequently reported in the literature as one of the main variables affecting goat milk composition (Sung et al., 1999; Clark and Sherbon, 2000), including casein fractions (Clark and Sherbon, 2000; Moatsou et al., 2004). The proportion of the different casein fractions, particularly the αs1CN content, have been shown to influence coagulation properties, cheese yield, and protein content (Ambrosoli et al., 1988; Grosclaude et al., 1994; Clark and Sherbon, 2000).
Selective Impairment of a Subset of Ran-GTP-binding Domains of Ran-binding Protein 2 (Ranbp2) Suffices to Recapitulate the Degeneration of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Triggered by Ranbp2 Ablation*

Background: Ranbp2 and its Ran-GTP-binding domains' roles in RPE survival/function, a multidisease target, are elusive. Results: RPE undergoes degeneration, disruptions of proteostasis of Ranbp2 partners, and blood-retinal barrier upon Ranbp2 ablation. Impairment of selective Ran-GTP-binding domains of Ranbp2 suffices to promote RPE degeneration. Conclusion: Ran GTPase regulation by Ranbp2 is vital to RPE. Significance: Ranbp2-dependent targets/mechanisms with therapeutic potential in RPE degeneration are uncovered. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration underpins diseases triggered by disparate genetic lesions, noxious insults, or both. The pleiotropic Ranbp2 controls the expression of intrinsic and extrinsic pathological stressors impinging on cellular viability. However, the physiological targets and mechanisms controlled by Ranbp2 in tissue homeostasis, such as RPE, are ill defined. We show that mice, RPE-cre::Ranbp2−/−, with selective Ranbp2 ablation in RPE develop pigmentary changes, syncytia, hypoplasia, age-dependent centrifugal and non-apoptotic degeneration of the RPE, and secondary leakage of choriocapillaris. These manifestations are accompanied by the development of F-actin clouds, metalloproteinase-11 activation, deregulation of expression or subcellular localization of critical RPE proteins, atrophic cell extrusions into the subretinal space, and compensatory proliferation of peripheral RPE. To gain mechanistic insights into what Ranbp2 activities are vital to the RPE, we performed genetic complementation analyses of transgenic lines of bacterial artificial chromosomes of Ranbp2 harboring loss of function of selective Ranbp2 domains expressed in a Ranbp2−/− background. Among the transgenic lines produced, only TgRBD2/3*-HA::RPE-cre::Ranbp2−/−-expressing mutations, which selectively impair binding of RBD2/3 (Ran-binding domains 2 and 3) of Ranbp2 to Ran-GTP, recapitulate RPE degeneration, as observed with RPE-cre::Ranbp2−/−. By contrast, TgRBD2/3*-HA expression rescues the degeneration of cone photoreceptors lacking Ranbp2. The RPE of RPE-cre::Ranbp2−/− and TgRBD2/3*-HA::RPE-cre::Ranbp2−/− share proteostatic deregulation of Ran GTPase, serotransferrin, and γ-tubulin and suppression of light-evoked electrophysiological responses. These studies unravel selective roles of Ranbp2 and its RBD2 and RBD3 in RPE survival and functions. We posit that the control of Ran GTPase by Ranbp2 emerges as a novel therapeutic target in diseases promoting RPE degeneration.
Assessment of MagNA Pure LC Extraction System for Detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in PreservCyt Samples by the Roche AMPLICOR and LINEAR ARRAY HPV Tests

ABSTRACT Roche Molecular Systems recently released two PCR-based assays, AMPLICOR and LINEAR ARRAY (LA), for the detection and genotyping, respectively, of human papillomaviruses (HPVs). The manual specimen processing method recommended for use with both assays, AmpliLute, can be time-consuming and labor-intensive and is open to potential specimen cross-contamination. We evaluated the Roche MagNA Pure LC (MP) as an alternative for specimen processing prior to use with either assay. DNA was extracted from cervical brushings, collected in PreservCyt media, by AmpliLute and MP using DNA-I and Total Nucleic Acid (TNA) kits, from 150 patients with histologically confirmed cervical abnormalities. DNA was amplified and detected by AMPLICOR and the LA HPV test. Concordances of 96.5% (139 of 144) (κ = 0.93) and 95.1% (135 of 142) (κ = 0.90) were generated by AMPLICOR when we compared DNA extracts from AmpliLute to MP DNA-I and TNA, respectively. The HPV genotype profiles were identical in 78.7 and 74.7% of samples between AmpliLute and DNA-I or TNA, respectively. To improve LA concordance, all 150 specimens were extracted by MP DNA-I protocol after the centrifugation of 1-ml PreservCyt samples. This modified approach improved HPV genotype concordance levels between AmpliLute and MP DNA-I to 88.0% (P = 0.043) without affecting AMPLICOR sensitivity. Laboratories that have an automated MP extraction system would find this procedure more feasible and easier to handle than the recommended manual extraction method and could substitute such extractions for AMPLICOR and LA HPV tests once internally validated.
The fixABCX Genes in Rhodospirillum rubrum Encode a Putative Membrane Complex Participating in Electron Transfer to Nitrogenase

ABSTRACT In our efforts to identify the components participating in electron transport to nitrogenase in Rhodospirillum rubrum, we used mini-Tn5 mutagenesis followed by metronidazole selection. One of the mutants isolated, SNT-1, exhibited a decreased growth rate and about 25% of the in vivo nitrogenase activity compared to the wild-type values. The in vitro nitrogenase activity was essentially wild type, indicating that the mutation affects electron transport to nitrogenase. Sequencing showed that the Tn5 insertion is located in a region with a high level of similarity to fixC, and extended sequencing revealed additional putative fix genes, in the order fixABCX. Complementation of SNT-1 with the whole fix gene cluster in trans restored wild-type nitrogenase activity and growth. Using Western blotting, we demonstrated that expression of fixA and fixB occurs only under conditions under which nitrogenase also is expressed. SNT-1 was further shown to produce larger amounts of both ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxgenase and polyhydroxy alkanoates than the wild type, indicating that the redox status is affected in this mutant. Using Western blotting, we found that FixA and FixB are soluble proteins, whereas FixC most likely is a transmembrane protein. We propose that the fixABCX genes encode a membrane protein complex that plays a central role in electron transfer to nitrogenase in R. rubrum. Furthermore, we suggest that FixC is the link between nitrogen fixation and the proton motive force generated in the photosynthetic reactions.
Automatic Localization of the Optic Disc Center in Retinal Images based on Angle Detection in Curvature Scale Space

Digital images of the retina is widely used for screening of patients suffering from sight threatening diseases such as Diabetic retinopathy and Glaucoma. The localization of the Optic Disc OD center is the first and necessary step identification and segmentation of anatomical structures and in pathological retinal images. From the center of the optic disc spreads the major blood vessels of the retina. Therefore, by considering the high number of vessels and the high number of the angles resulted from the vessels crossing, the authors propose a new method based on the number of angles in the vicinity of optic disc for localization of the center of optic disc. The first step is pre-processing of retinal image for separate the fundus from its background and increase the contrast between contours. In the second step, the authors use the Curvature Scale Space CSS for angle detection. In the next step, they move a window about the size of optic disc to count the number of corners. In the final step, they use the center of windows which has the most number of corners for localizing the optic disc center. The proposed method is evaluated on DRIVE, CHASE_DB1 and STARE databases and the success rate is 100, 100 and 96.3%, respectively.
Health and Safety in Small Firms with Particular Reference to Spain

MIKE RIGBY IS HEAD OF DMSION OF HUMAN Resource Management, South Bank University, London, England; Teresa Lawlor is Professor of Contemporary Spanish Studies at Kingston University, England. This paper, through a review of relevant literature, first develops a best practice model for intervention in SMEs to improve health and safety performance. It then reports a research project which examined the role of intermediaries in improving SME performance in health and safety in Spain. The research found a high degree of congruence between the best practice model and the reported cases of successful intermediary intervention. The successful interventions emphasised the importance of outreach activity which stressed to SMEs the short-term economic advantage of taking action and which targeted companies with poor accident records. The successful intermediaries exhibit a high degree of sectoral specialisation and tended to be quite prescriptive in their approach. A high degree of collaboration between intermediaries including enforcement agencies, insurance companies, employers' associations and trade unions was particularly likely to result in effective interventions. In addition, successful interventions tended to have a strong regional identity. Within these general parameters a variety of different models of intervention were successful. The paper finally considers the relevance of the findings of the research to a more regulated business environment such as the UK.
Nonparametric estimation for L evy processes with a view towards mathematical nance

Nonparametric methods for the estimation of the L evy density of a L evy process X are developed. Estimators that can be written in terms of the \jumps" of X are introduced, and so are discretedata based approximations. A model selection approach made up of two steps is investigated. The rst step consists in the selection of a good estimator from a linear model of proposed L evy densities, while the second is a data-driven selection of a linear model among a given collection of linear models. By providing lower bounds for the minimax risk of estimation over Besov L evy densities, our estimators are shown to achieve the \best" rate of convergence. A numerical study for the case of histogram estimators and for variance Gamma processes, models of key importance in risky asset price modeling driven by L evy processes, is presented.
The Efects of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives and Price Premiums on Polish Consumers' Responses: An Experimental Study

Abstract This article explores whether, how and which forms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives influence consumer perceptions of the value of and intention to buy responsibly manufactured yogurt, and identifies the impact of the price rise effect on consumer responses. An experimental study was conducted using scenarios with a sample of 421 university students. The results indicate that information about positive corporate behavior evokes higher perceived value and buying intention than information about negative corporate behavior; that responses differ significantly depending on whether or not the CSR initiative relates to the firm's core business; and that there is a level of consumer sensitivity to the price premium for a responsibly made yogurt. This study expands existing knowledge beyond previous areas of focus by demonstrating that a CSR initiative related to a firm's core business generates higher perceived value and buying intention than a non-related initiative, and by showing that there exists a trade-of between functional and social attributes. The findings of this study may be of interest to companies by showing the level of premium price acceptance and by demonstrating that CSR initiatives detached from basic business activity may bring negative consequences in terms of sales volume.
International Bond Diversification Strategies; The Impact of Currency, Country, and Credit Risk

We investigate the incremental role of emerging market debt and corporate bonds in internationally diversified government bond portfolios. Contrary to earlier results, we find that international diversification among government bonds does not yield significant diversification benefits. This result is obtained using mean-variance spanning and intersection tests, with restrictions for short sales, both for currency unhedged and hedged internationally developed market government bonds. Currency hedged international corporate bonds in turn do offer some diversification benefits, and emerging market debt, in particular, significantly shifts the mean-variance frontier for a developed market investor. Since especially unconstrained mean-variance spanning and intersection tests can indicate significant diversification benefits, but lead to frontier portfolios with extreme weights, we also consider some ex-ante global government bond portfolio strategies. We find that passive global benchmarks such as GDP-weighed government bond portfolios perform quite well within developed countries.
Commercial Real Estate Rental Index: A Dynamic Panel Data Model Estimation

Using the actual quarterly rental income generated in the years between 2001 and 2010 by over 9,000 NCREIF commercial properties, we construct a commercial real estate rental index and estimate the time series properties (e.g., mean‐reversion speed and volatility) of market‐wide rental growth using a dynamic panel data model. The dynamic panel data model has several advantages over a standard hedonic regression. In addition, we incorporate age effects into our panel data model, and by doing so we correct the age bias in the repeated sales method and in the simple average method. Our estimates show that rental growth is cyclical but it generally lags behind broader economic growth. Surprisingly, the long‐term average rental growth is significantly lower than what is usually perceived, and the volatility of rental growth can be significantly under estimated when the conventional methods are adopted. We also find significant cross‐property type and cross‐region variations in the rental adjustment process. In contrast to the existing literature, we find a strong negative relation between rental growth and cap rate, and that this relation is significantly stronger than that between NOI growth and cap rate. Finally, we establish an empirical relation between price return and rental growth in the commercial real estate market.
Working time trends and developments in Europe

The objective of this paper is to summarise what is known about key trends and developments in working time across Europe. The European Region analysed in this paper includes not only the 27 current member states of the European Union (EU), but extends even beyond its borders. This paper review trends and patterns in working hours in the broadest range of countries possible given data limitations (especially outside the EU), with a focus on: average weekly hours of work and the proportion of workers working 'excessively long hours' (defined as usual working hours of 48 or more per week); developments regarding one unique form of working time arrangement, part-time work, with a focus on the incidence of part-time work in each country, changes in this incidence over time, the female share of part-time employment and issues related to the quality of part-time jobs; and finally considers trends in the organisation of working time across Europe, with a focus on the incidence of non-standard work schedules (e.g. night work and weekend work) and shift work, as well as the extent to which various types of flexible working time arrangements are being deployed in individual enterprises. Finally, the paper presents some policy suggestions within a broad framework designed to advance the International Labour Organisation (ILO) concept of decent work in the area of working time. Copyright The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Cambridge Political Economy Society. All rights reserved. , Oxford University Press.
Readers' Reactions to Mixtures of Advertising and Editorial Content in Magazines

Abstract This article focuses on reactions toward two mixtures of advertising and editorial content in magazines, namely theme features and advertorials. A survey among subscribers (n=316) to five different magazines showed that the most editorial mixture generated the most attention, appreciation, and acceptance. Furthermore, audience reactions toward mixtures were influenced by the perceived authority and informational value of the magazines. The findings did not substantiate concerns that have been expressed in the literature about the misleading character of these subtle forms of advertising. Intertwining of advertising and editorial content appears to be a promising format for advertisers and publishers.
Dynamic medium term Granger causality between growth and poverty

This paper examines the causal relationship between growth and poverty reduction in developing countries between 1970 and 1998. For this purpose, we apply a modified form of traditional Granger causality tests to suit the short times series that are available, and use panel data model evaluation techniques to test the out-of-sample forecasting performance of competing models. We conclude that the evidence supports the hypothesis that growth causes unidirectional poverty reduction measured by the $1/day poverty rate in the period 70s-80s. These results are confirmed by country groups when we split the countries sample into low- and middle-income countries and into mid-high- and very-high-inequality countries. However, in the period 80s-90s economic growth does not causes poverty reduction growth in a Granger-causal fashion, except in low-income countries for the $1/day poverty rate.
The production function approach to the Belgian output gap, estimation of a multivariate structural time series model

A multivariate structural time series model is applied to the factor inputs of a production function to estimate the Belgian output gap. The number of independent cycles and the frequencies are not restricted a priori. Phase shifts are introduced to allow for leads and lags. Over 1983-2004, a 3.5 years periodicity is found in the cycles. The cycles in the participation and unemployment rates are negligible. Two independent cycles hide behind the cycles of the other variables: hours, TFP and capacity utilization. Phase shifts are significant, with hours leading by as much as 3 quarters and capacity utilization lagging.
Theory and Measurement of Modern Transition

The process of modernization is neither instantaneous nor homogeneous across countries. Given the large productivity growth gap between traditional and modern sectors, the gradual and varying degree of transition between these technologies seems puzzling. We develop a theory of transition that resolves this puzzle. The key forces are sector-specific complementarity between work-experience and labor, and exogenous technical progress present only in the modern sector. Using nationally representative micro data from the Socio-Economic Survey of Thailand (1976-1996), we measure the theory by estimating cross-sectional earnings functions, and assess if the model captures the observed dynamics of transition. The model jointly explains the gradual and S-shaped transition, stagnant growth of aggregate earnings, and the rise and fall of experience-earnings profiles in Thailand.
Effects of anosognosia and neuropsychiatric symptoms on the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer's disease: a 24‐month follow‐up study

Neuropsychiatric symptoms and anosognosia are known to influence the perceived quality of life of patients (QoL‐p) with Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study analysed their impact on patient and caregiver ratings of QoL‐p and how these ratings changed in relation to the severity of dementia.
Trends in Research, Productivity Growth and Competitiveness in Agriculture in New Zealand and Australia

Investment in R&D has long been regarded as an important source of productivity growth in New Zealand and Australian agriculture. Perhaps because research lags are long, current investment in R&D is monitored closely. In this paper trends in public investment in R&D and in productivity growth are reviewed. Investment in R&D has been flat in both countries although in recent years investment in New Zealand has increased. Nevertheless research intensity in Australia has been significantly higher than that in New Zealand. Productivity growth is also likely to have been higher. Econometric evidence about the sources of productivity growth is rarely clear. We develop some scenarios about the importance of domestic and foreign R&D and other sources of productivity growth and find that returns to investments in domestic research in both countries are likely to have been in the order of 15-20 percent.
Globalization and Support for National Cultural Protectionism from a Cross-National Perspective

This study answers the question to what extent support for national cultural protectionism differs between countries, and to what extent differences between countries are related to levels of globalization. We propose that globalization processes affect people 0 s support of cultural protection- ism, both by a diversification view on globalization, that is, larger supply of goods, and by a nationalistic interpretation, that is, a threat to the nation and rising nationalism. National cultural protectionism of 27,725 respondents from 23 countries is analyzed (International Social Survey Programme data). Multi-level analyses show that globalization affects cultural protectionism negatively, providing support for the diversification interpretation. However, the positive indirect effect of globalization on cultural protectionism via chauvinism and cultural patriotism provides evidence for the nationalistic interpretation.