Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virus-specific, CD8+ major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-infected beta2-microglobulin-deficient mice

Following infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), normal adult mice generate virus-specific, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which clear the virus after intraperitoneal infection or cause death following intracranial (i.c.) infection. We have investigated the response of beta2-microglobulin-deficient (beta2m-) mice of the H-2d haplotype (KOD mice) to LCMV infection. Unlike H-2b beta2m- mice, which generate CD4+ MHC class II-restricted CTL in response to LCMV, KOD mice generate high levels of CD8+ MHC class I-restricted, virus-specific CTL. These CTL are specific for the LCMV nucleoprotein epitope (residues 118 to 126) in association with the Ld class I molecule, analogous to the CTL response in wild-type mice. KOD mice are also susceptible to lethal LCM disease, with 75 to 80% of the mice dying 7 to 9 days following i.c. infection with virus. Similar to results with normal mice, lethal LCM disease in KOD mice is prevented by in vivo depletion of CD8+ T cells prior to i.c. infection. In contrast to wild-type mice, however, KOD mice cannot control LCMV and become persistently infected. Overall, these results demonstrate that beta2m is not an absolute requirement for presentation of endogenous antigen on Ld or for induction of virus-specific Ld-restricted CTL in vivo.
Absolute, cascade-free cross sections for the 2S-->2P transition in Zn+ using electron-energy-loss and merged-beams methods.

Absolute, cascade-free excitation cross sections in an ion have been measured for the resonance {sup 2}{ital S}{r arrow}{sup 2}{ital P} transition in Zn{sup +} using electron-energy-loss and merged electron-ion beams methods. Measurements were carried out at electron energies of below threshold to 6 times threshold. Comparisons are made with 2-, 5-, and 15-state close-coupling and distorted-wave theories. There is good agreement between experiment and the 15-state close-coupling cross sections over the energy range of the calculations.
Additive effects of hyperbaric oxygen and platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB in chondrocyte transplantation via up‐regulation expression of platelet‐derived growth factor‐β receptor

The present study investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB (PDGF‐BB) in chondrocyte transplantation. In vitro, chondrocytes were treated with HBO, PDGF‐BB, and HBO combined with PDGF‐BB (H+P). Cell growth was analyzed using cell counting, MTT assay, and FACS analysis. mRNA expression of the PDGF‐α receptor (PDGFR‐α) and β receptor (PDGFR‐β) was detected by RT‐PCR. Protein expression of PDGFR‐β was detected by Western blotting. In vivo, chondrocytes and PDGF‐BB were suspended in alginate as a transplantation system. Cartilage defects were grafted with this system and with or without HBO treatment. Released PDGF‐BB concentration was quantified by ELISA. After 8 weeks, animals were sacrificed and the repaired tissues were examined. In vitro data suggested that each treatment increased cell growth via the up‐regulated mRNA expression of PDGFR‐α and increased cell accumulation in the S‐phase. The H+P treatment was more additive in cell growth and in mRNA and protein expression of PDGFR‐β than HBO or PDGF‐BB. In vivo results suggested that PDGF‐BB delivery lasted for more than 5 weeks. Scoring results showed that each treatment significantly increased the cartilage repair. Safranin‐O and type II collagen staining confirmed the hyaline‐like cartilage regeneration in the repaired tissues. In situ up‐regulation of PDGFR‐β expression partially explains the additive effect of H+P treatment in cartilage repair. Accordingly, H+P offers a potential treatment method for cartilage repair. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 27:1439–1446, 2009
Improved targeting of JAK 2 leads to increased therapeutic ef fi cacy in myeloproliferative neoplasms

• Genetic deletion of JAK2 in vivo shows that MPN cells remain fully dependent on JAK2 signaling for survival. • Dual JAK2 targeting with JAK and HSP90 inhibitors offers increased efficacy in murine models and primary samples. The discovery of JAK2/MPL mutations in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) led to clinical development of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for treatment of MPN. These inhibitors improve constitutional symptoms and splenomegaly but do not significantly reduce mutant allele burden in patients. We recently showed that chronic exposure to JAK inhibitors results in inhibitor persistence via JAK2 transactivation and persistent JAK–signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling.We performed genetic and pharmacologic studies to determine whether improved JAK2 inhibition would show increased efficacy inMPNmodels andprimarysamples. Jak2deletion in vivo led to profound reduction in disease burden not seenwith JAK inhibitors, and deletion of Jak2 following chronic ruxolitinib therapy markedly reduced mutant allele burden. This demonstrates that JAK2 remains an essential target in MPN cells that survive in the setting of chronic JAK inhibition. Combination therapy with the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor PU-H71 and ruxolitinib reduced total and phospho-JAK2 and achieved more potent inhibition of downstream signaling than ruxolitinib monotherapy. Combination treatment improved blood counts, spleen weights, and reduced bone marrow fibrosis compared with ruxolitinib alone. These data suggest alternate approaches that increase JAK2 targeting, including combination JAK/HSP90 inhibitor therapy, are warranted in the clinical setting. (Blood. 2014;123(13):2075-2083)
Nonlinear adjustments in deviations from the law of one price for wholesale hog prices

This article applies the Band-Threshold Autoregression (Band-TAR) model to investigate whether the law of one price (LOOP) holds in Taiwanese wholesale hog markets during the period from May 1987 through December 2003. We find evidence of a nonlinear mean reversion in deviations from the LOOP for relative hog prices. Our empirical study confirms the presence of thresholds and provides strong evidence in support of the view that the regional hog markets have been tightly integrated in Taiwan and that the wholesale hog market in Taiwan is an efficient market economy. Furthermore, the estimated half-lives from the nonlinear generalized impulse response analysis are as short as four months. Copyright (c) 2008 International Association of Agricultural Economists.
Development and evaluation of a novel biodegradable sustained release microsphere formulation of paclitaxel intended to treat breast cancer

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a novel 1 month depot paclitaxel (PTX) microspheres that give a sustained and complete drug release. Materials and Methods: PTX loaded microspheres were prepared by o/w emulsion solvent evaporation technique using the blends of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) 75/25, polycaprolactone 14,000 and polycaprolactone 80,000. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate drug excipient compatibility. Compatible blends were used to prepare F1-F6 microspheres, the process was characterised and the optimum formulation was selected based on the release. Optimised formulation was characterised for solid state of the drug using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies, surface morphology using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in vivo drug release, in vitro in vivo correlation (IVIVC) and anticancer activity. Anticancer activity of release medium was determined using the cell viability assay in Michigan Cancer Foundation (MCF-7) cell line. Results: Blend of PLGA with polycaprolactone (Mwt 14,000) at a ratio of 1:1 (F5) resulted in complete release of the drug in a time frame of 30 days. F5 was considered as the optimised formulation. Incomplete release of the drug resulted from other formulations. The surface of the optimised formulation was smooth and the drug changed its solid state upon fabrication. The formulation also resulted in 1-month drug release in vivo. The released drug from F5 demonstrated anticancer activity for 1-month. Cell viability was reduced drastically with the release medium from F5 formulation. A 100% IVIVC was obtained with F5 formulation suggesting the authenticity of in vitro release, in vivo release and the use of the formulation in breast cancer. Conclusions: From our study, it was concluded that with careful selection of different polymers and their combinations, PTX 1 month depot formulation with 100% drug release and that can be used in breast cancer was developed.
Escherichia coli sigma 54 RNA polymerase recognizes Caulobacter crescentus flbG and flaN flagellar gene promoters in vitro

A set of the periodically regulated flagellar (fla) genes of Caulobacter crescentus contain conserved promoter sequence elements at -24 and -12 that are very similar to the sequence of the nitrogen assimilation (Ntr) and nitrogen fixation (Nif) promoters of enteric bacteria and Rhizobium spp. Transcription from Ntr and Nif promoters requires RNA polymerase containing sigma 54 instead of the usual sigma 70 and, in the case of the Ntr promoters, is activated by the transcription factors NRI and NRII. We have now demonstrated that the C. crescentus flbG and flaN promoters, which contain the Ntr/Nif type of consensus sequence, are utilized by purified Escherichia coli sigma 54 RNA polymerase (E sigma 54) in the presence of NRI and NRII but not by the purified sigma 70 RNA polymerase (E sigma 70) of E. coli. Oligonucleotide-generated flbG promoter deletions that removed the highly conserved GG dinucleotide at -24 or the GC dinucleotide at -12 or altered the spacing between the -24 and -12 sequence elements prevented utilization of the flbG promoter by the E. coli E sigma 54. Transversions of T to G at positions -26 and -15 also inactivated flbG promoter function in the E. coli cell-free transcription system, while a transition of G to A at position -16 in the nonconserved spacer region had no effect. The C. crescentus flaO and flbF promoters, which do not contain the Ntr/Nif-type promoter consensus sequence, were not utilized by either purified E sigma 54 or E sigma 70 from E. coli. Our results help to define the features of the Ntr/Nif-type consensus sequence required for promoter utilization by purified E. coli E sigma 54 and support the idea that C. crescentus may contain a specialized polymerase with similar promoter specificity required for expression of a set of fla genes.
The disclosure effectiveness of financial disclosure regulations to individual investors: evidence from the laboratory

Nine treatments of a laboratory experiment are used to examine the disclosure effectiveness of financial risk regulation on investors' purchase decisions. The effectiveness of financial risk disclosures on investor purchase decisions is defined in terms of the observed strength of the interaction between news favourableness and information load. Information load is conditioned on whether financial risk information is presented as financial ratios, abbreviated financial reports or detailed financial statements. Disclosure effectiveness is examined both within subject (news favourableness) and between-subject (information load). Individual investors' purchase decisions are found to be sensitive to both news favourableness and information load, especially where financial risk information is disclosed as financial ratios.
Microphysical and optical properties of midlatitude cirrus clouds observed in the southern hemisphere during INCA

Airborne microphysical and optical properties of cirrus clouds, jet‐stream and wave clouds were measured at temperatures ranging from −25°C to −62°C in the southern hemisphere from Punta Arenas (53°S) in March and April 2000 during the INCA experiment (INterhemispheric differences in Cirrus properties from Anthropogenic emissions). The observations related to cirrus clouds show general decreases of the ice water content (18 mg m−3 to 0.05 mg m−3), extinction coefficient (0.70 km−1 to 0.08 km−1), ice particle concentration (2.2 cm−3 to 0.5 cm−3), and the effective diameter (80 µm to 17 µm) linked to the variation of ambient temperature (−25°C to −60°C). The lowest temperature at which supercooled water droplets were detected was −33°C. The asymmetry parameter shows relatively small variations, with the smallest values (0.758) observed at the lowest temperatures. High‐altitude clouds which form with a rapid vertical transport, i.e. jet‐stream cirrus and orographic‐wave ice‐cloud, are characterized by very high values of ice particle concentrations (up to 100 cm−3) compared to mean values as a whole (1.45 cm−3). These two kinds of high clouds are the subjects of detailed case‐studies. Although formed at a similar range of temperatures and with similar aerosol properties, the strong differences in cloud properties and humidity fields highlight the key role of the dynamical structure in controlling the formation, evolution and subsequent radiative properties of such high‐altitude clouds. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
XBRL: An (Open) Source of Enlightenment or Disillusion?

ABSTRACT Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) is being adopted by European regulators as a data standard for the exchange of business information. This paper examines the approach of XBRL International (XII) to the meta-data standard's development and diffusion. We theorise the development of XBRL using concepts drawn from a model of successful open source projects. Comparison of the open source model to XBRL enables us to identify a number of interesting similarities and differences. In common with open source projects, the benefits and progress of XBRL have been overstated and ‘hyped’ by enthusiastic participants. While XBRL is an open data standard in terms of access to the equivalent of its ‘source code’ we find that the governance structure of the XBRL consortium is significantly different to a model open source approach. The barrier to participation that is created by requiring paid membership and a focus on transacting business at physical conferences and meetings is identified as particularly critical. Decisions about the technical structure of XBRL, the regulator-led pattern of adoption and the organisation of XII are discussed. Finally areas for future research are identified.
Profits persistence and ownership: evidence from the Italian banking sector

The hypothesis that ownership structure affects persistence of profits in the Italian banking industry is tested. The time-invariant components of ROA and ROE are regressed against ownership concentration and the fraction of shares held by the major shareholders. The results show that abnormal profits increase if ownership is concentrated in foundations and banks, and decrease if market forces are allowed to operate.
Corporate social responsibility policies of commercial banks in developing countries

ABSTRACT We investigate the corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies of commercial banks in developing countries. Our analysis is based on a sample of 402 banks from 44 countries. We also analyze how bank and country characteristics connect with banks' CSR policies. We find that there is a significant difference regarding the CSR scores among individual banks and countries. There is not much difference along various per capita income classes. We establish a positive and significant association between CSR policies and bank characteristics such as total assets and return on assets, as well as with country specific characteristics such as financial development and the ability of citizens to freely express their opinions. The openness of a country is negatively associated with banks' CSR policies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Agent-based Modeling and Simulation for an Order-To-Cash Process using NetLogo

Additional support was provided by the center for Computational Analysis of Social and Organizational Systems and the Institute for Software Research at Carnegie Mellon University. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies. We are grateful to John Wassick from DOW Chemical Company for his support and advice.
Economic impact of marketing alliances on shareholders' wealth

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine whether marketing alliances create value for shareholders, and whether the results are robust across different business cycles. Design/methodology/approach - Using standard event study methodology, abnormal returns (AR) were computed for 402 firms which formed marketing alliances in a 12-month period covering three business time periods, namely bull, bear and post 9/11 periods. ANOVA and regression analyses were performed on cumulative abnormal returns (CAR). Findings - Significant and positive AR were found on announcement day for firms forming marketing alliances. When the sample is segmented by market capitalization, small cap firms were found to stand to benefit the most, particularly when partnering with a large firm. During the bear market period, marketing alliances tend to benefit small cap firms and firms with low profitability, whereas during the bull market period, marketing alliances benefit firms with low asset utilization. Research limitations/implications - Results are limited by the accuracy of the models used to measure AR. Practical implications - The results seem to suggest that smaller partners tend to benefit more from marketing alliance, and the effect changes with business cycle. Originality/value - The paper analyses how the benefits of forming a marketing alliance are shared between partnering firms and how the different phases of business cycle influence the distribution of benefits.
A linear discretization of the volume conductor boundary integral equation using analytically integrated elements (electrophysiology application)

A method is presented to compute the potential distribution on the surface of a homogeneous isolated conductor of arbitrary shape. The method is based on an approximation of a boundary integral equation as a set of linear algebraic equations. The potential is described as a piecewise linear or quadratic function. The matrix elements of the discretized equation are expressed as analytical formulas. <<ETX>>
PRIMEROSE: PROBABILISTIC RULE INDUCTION METHOD BASED ON ROUGH SETS AND RESAMPLING METHODS

Automated knowledge acquisition is an important research issue in machine learning. Several methods of inductive learning, such as ID3 family and AQ family, have been applied to discover meaningful knowledge from large databases and their usefulness is assured in several aspects. However, since their methods are of a deterministic nature and the reliability of acquired knowledge is not evaluated statistically, these methods are ineffective when applied to domains essentially probabilistic in nature, such as medical domains. Extending concepts of rough set theory to a probabilistic domain, we introduce a new approach to knowledge acquisition, which induces probabilistic rules based on rough set theory (PRIMEROSE) and develop a program that extracts rules for an expert system from a clinical database, using this method. The results show that the derived rules almost correspond to those of the medical experts.
The relationship between debt level and fiscal sustainability in OECD countries

In this paper we unify the traditional approaches to testing for fiscal sustainability considering the stock-flow system that fiscal variables configure. Our approach encompasses previous ways of testing for sustainability. The results obtained for a group of 17 OECD countries point to weak fiscal sustainability, as well as to the existence of cointegration between deficit and debt, confirming the relevance of the stock-flow approach. Allowing for structural breaks and multicointegration turns out to be of critical importance to assess whether the fiscal authorities apply their policies looking for sustainability and whether, simultaneously, they try to stabilize real debt target levels.
The Effect of Taxation on Labor Supply: Evaluating the Gary Negative Income Tax Experiment

A model of labor supply is formulated which takes explicit account of nonlinearities in the budget set which arise because the net, after-tax wage depends on hours worked. These nonlinearities may lead to a convex budget set due to the effect of progressive marginal tax rates, or they may lead to a nonconvex budget set due to the effect of government transfer programs such as AFDC or a negative income tax. The nonlinearities affect both the marginal wage and the "virtual" nonlabor income which the individual faces. The model is estimated on a sample of prime-age males from the Gary negative income tax experiment.
Xylan-degrading enzymes in male and female flower nectar of Cucurbita pepo.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Nectar is a very complex mixture of substances. Some components (sugars and amino acids) are considered primary alimentary rewards for animals and have been investigated and characterized in numerous species for many years. In contrast, nectar proteins have been the subject of few studies and little is known of their function. Only very recently have detailed studies and characterization of nectar proteins been undertaken, and then for only a very few species. This current work represents a first step in the identification of a protein profile for the floral nectar of Cucurbita pepo. In this regard, the species studied is of particular interest in that it is monoecious with unisexual flowers and, consequently, it is possible that nectar proteins derived from male and female flowers may differ. METHODS Manually excised spots from two-dimensional (2-D) electrophoresis were subjected to in-gel protein digestion. The resulting peptides were sequenced using nanoscale LC-ESI/MS-MS (liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/tandem mass spectrometry). An MS/MS ions search was carried out in Swiss-Prot and NCBInr databases using MASCOT software. KEY RESULTS Two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed a total of 24 spots and a different protein profile for male and female flower nectar. Four main proteins recognized by 2-D electrophoresis most closely resemble β-d-xylosidases from Arabidopsis thaliana and have some homology to a β-d-xylosidase from Medicago varia. They were present in similar quantities in male and female flowers and had the same molecular weight, but with slightly different isoelectric points. CONCLUSIONS A putative function for xylosidases in floral nectar of C. pepo is proposed, namely that they may be involved in degrading the oligosaccharides released by the nectary cell walls in response to hydrolytic enzymes produced by invading micro-organisms. Several types of oligosaccharides have been reported to increase the pathogenic potential of micro-organisms. Thus, it is possible that such a mechanism may reduce the virulence of pathogens present in nectar.
TESTING FOR MULTIPLE STRUCTURAL BREAKS: AN APPLICATION OF BAI-PERRON TEST TO THE NOMINAL INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION IN TURKEY

This paper aims to tests for multiple structural breaks in the nominal interest rate and inflation rate using the methodology developed by Bai and Perron (1998). The monthly data on Turkish 90 days time-deposits interest rate and consumer price index inflation rate over the period of 1980:1-2004:12 are used. The empirical results give little evidence of mean breaks in the interest rate series. However, the data on inflation rates is consistent with two breaks that are located at 1987:9 and 2000:2.