Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Column chromatography of human small-intestinal maltase, isomaltase and invertase activities.

1. The maltase, isomaltase and invertase (sucrase) activities of solubilized mucosal preparations from human jejunum and ileum were studied with column chromatography on anion-exchange (diethylaminoethyl- and triethylaminoethyl-)cellulose and Sephadex G-200 gel. 2. On ion-exchange cellulose columns both kinds of enzyme preparations yielded two major disaccharidase peaks. The first peak contained maltase Ia (=isomaltase) and maltase Ib (=invertase). The second peak contained maltase II and maltase III. 3. On Sephadex G-200 gel columns jejunal preparations yielded the corresponding peaks as on ion-exchange columns, but the peaks appeared in the reverse order in the effluent. The ileal preparation studied yielded a single peak on gel columns, containing all the activities studied and eluted with the ;void volume'. 4. Precipitation with ethanol did not affect the behaviour of the enzymes during ion-exchange chromatography. When gel filtration was performed after ethanol precipitation of the enzymes, however, two peaks were obtained also with the ileal preparation, and subfractionation of the invertase was obtained with both kinds of preparations. 5. The second peak from ion-exchange chromatograms, containing maltase II and maltase III, on concentration was found to have very weak isomaltase activity, probably exerted by these enzymes as such. This activity accounts for only about 1% of the total isomaltase activity of the mucosa. 6. The results support the concept of the specificity of the human small-intestinal disaccharidases previously described after heat-inactivation experiments. The subfractionation of the invertase that under certain conditions is seen on Sephadex G-200 columns appears most likely to be an artifact. Consequently the nomenclature for the human maltose-, isomaltose- and sucrose-splitting enzymes proposed by another research group after gel-filtration chromatography studies should be abandoned. It seems more logical to keep the nomenclature based on heat inactivation [maltase Ia (=isomaltase), maltase Ib (=invertase or sucrase), maltase II and maltase III] until increased knowledge about the specificity and structure of these enzymes makes possible a more rational nomenclature.
How Urban Sustainable Development Can Improve Tourism Attractiveness

This paper investigates the role of sustainable development in city tourism attractiveness. A tripartite theoretical model of tourism attractiveness was tested to verify the relevance of the economic, environmental, social and cultural aspects of urban sustainable development. The comparative analysis of Québec City and Bordeaux was based on visitors’ perceptions established through a questionnaire survey conducted with 499 tourists in summer 2014. This analysis produced three main findings. First, four levels of city tourism attractiveness were revealed (context, belt, complementary attractions and nucleus) and variables related to the urban living environment stood out in importance. Second, visitors recognized four sustainable development dimensions, and proved most sensitive to cultural aspects, followed by environmental concerns. Third, the correlations between tourism attractiveness and sustainable development were stronger within the broader spheres of attractiveness. The study reveals that sustainability notions are most strongly internalized by tourists when tangibly reflected in the public space. By offering visitors new perspectives on urban living, sustainable development brings smart solutions to perpetuate the urban tourism industry while improving quality of life for residents.
The relaxing effect of perivascular tissue on porcine retinal arterioles in vitro is mimicked by N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate and is blocked by prostaglandin synthesis inhibition

Purpose: Retinal hyperperfusion resulting from disturbances in the regulation of arteriolar tone is involved in the pathophysiology of a variety of retinal diseases. The mechanisms underlying this regulation of tone involve cellular components in both the vascular wall and the perivascular tissue. However, previous in vitro studies of the influence of perivascular retinal tissue on retinal tone regulation have been hampered by the release of an endogenous relaxing factor that renders the arteriole insensitive to vasoconstrictors. The purpose of the present study was to test whether N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) and γ‐amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors, and a cyclooxygenase (COX) product influence this effect of perivascular retinal tissue in vitro.
Are you doing what you want to do? Leisure preferences of adolescents with cerebral palsy

Abstract Objective: This study aimed at describing leisure activity preferences of adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and their relationship to participation and to identify factors associated with greater interest in particular leisure activities. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. Participants were adolescents (n = 127; 59.5% male; ages 12–19 years old; mean = 15.3; SD = 2.01 years) with CP (GMFCS levels: I 40%, II 33%, III–IV 26%), who could complete the Preferences for Activities of Children (PAC) and other self-report questionnaires. Results: Social (2.53; 0.38) and active-physical activities were most preferred (2.10; 0.42), and self-improvement activities were least preferred (1.93; 0.49). Preference for certain activities was not strongly associated with actual involvement in these activities. Family activity-orientation, family expressiveness, and adolescent’s motivation explained 15% of the variance in preferences for social activities, and 37% of the variance in preferences for self-improvement activities. Conclusion: Family factors, personal factors, and functional abilities influence leisure preferences. Rehabilitation interventions should consider adolescents’ preferences and family dynamics to promote leisure participation.
Essays on Energy Economics and Market Structure: Investigating Catalysts for Entry and Exit

Broadly defined, this dissertation focused on the roles uncertainty, irreversibility, and environmental regulation played in firm entry and exit decisions in energy markets. A prominent innovation of this work was the integration of real options theory and applied econometric techniques. Uncertain energy prices combined with irreversible sunk costs of entry and exit create an economic benefit in delaying entry or exit, known as an option value. An option value approach to understanding firm decisions presents a more robust framework for capturing the impact of uncertainty and irreversibility on energy market structure. Chapters 1 and 2 utilized this modeling approach, while Chapter 3 used applied econometrics. As a result, this dissertation can be split into two major themes. The first is the role of uncertainty and irreversibility on market entry. Chapter 1 investigated whether a small firm, drilling less than 8 natural gas wells, would have entered the natural gas market during the hydraulic fracturing boom of the 2000s, given historic natural gas prices and reserves. Chapter 1 also examined if technological advances in hydraulic fracturing, horizontal drilling, and 3-D seismic imaging, land lease speculation, or a regime change in natural gas demand drove small firm entry. Each hypothesis was tested using a real options model of market entry and data on natural gas turnover. The second theme involves the role of uncertainty, irreversibility, and environmental regulation on energy market exit. Chapter 2 investigated this theme with both an optimal stopping model and an empirical analysis of the drivers of coal-fired electricity generator retirement. Chapter 2 developed and implemented a real options model of coal-fired generator retirement to back out the net retirement costs implied by the observed timing of nearly 200 retirement decisions between 2009 and 2015. Propensity score matching was
Shareholder as client: Firms, markets, and the new business of planning

ABSTRACT Though there has been significant interest in the financialization of urban space, there has been little examination of the role of planning practitioners in these processes. Professional practices in publicly traded planning and engineering “megafirms”—global companies created through mergers and diversification—are marked by the influence of capital markets and shareholder value metrics, rather than traditional political and bureaucratic constraints. Drawing on analysis of corporate reports, political activity, and merger data, this research uses a financial lens through which to understand the changing nature of professional practices. The findings show that firms seek to influence funding decisions through activities such as lobbying and campaign finance, as well as more subtle strategies that draw on professional expertise. The imperative to increase shareholder value is driven down to the professional level, with tactics that integrate professional and entrepreneurial motives. With firms largely dependent on public-sector funding, this raises concerns about how tactics to increase shareholder value may conflict with both professional values and the public interest.
Contrasting responses of non-small cell lung cancer to antiangiogenic therapies depend on histological subtype

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway is a clinically validated antiangiogenic target for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, some contradictory results have been reported on the biological effects of antiangiogenic drugs. In order to evaluate the efficacy of these drugs in NSCLC histological subtypes, we analyzed the anticancer effect of two anti‐VEGFR2 therapies (sunitinib and DC101) in chemically induced mouse models and tumorgrafts of lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Antiangiogenic treatments induced vascular trimming in both histological subtypes. In ADC tumors, vascular trimming was accompanied by tumor stabilization. In contrast, in SCC tumors, antiangiogenic therapy was associated with disease progression and induction of tumor proliferation. Moreover, in SCC, anti‐VEGFR2 therapies increased the expression of stem cell markers such as aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1, CD133, and CD15, independently of intratumoral hypoxia. In vitro studies with ADC cell lines revealed that antiangiogenic treatments reduced pAKT and pERK signaling and inhibited proliferation, while in SCC‐derived cell lines the same treatments increased pAKT and pERK, and induced survival. In conclusion, this study evaluates for the first time the effect of antiangiogenic drugs in lung SCC murine models in vivo and sheds light on the contradictory results of antiangiogenic therapies in NSCLC.
CONSUMPTION FUNCTION IN THE WESTERN BALKANS COUNTRIES

In this paper relationship between consumption and income is examined in the Western Balkans countries in period 2005-2014. The relationship is explored in form of the Keynesian consumption function structured as a simple regression equation in which variations in consumption are explained by changes in income. Parameters obtained from the regression equation have signs in accordance with the standard economic theory. GDP (used as a proxy for income) has a positive and significant impact on private household consumption. The Hausman and the Breusch-Pagan Lagrangian test are also done in order to decide between usage of random or fixed effect techniques, and after that between random effect and ordinary least square techniques. Marginal propensity to consume appears to be less than average propensity to consume (APC) implying a decrease in APC through time. Consumption expenditures of this group of countries conform to models based on the Keynesian consumption function. Household consumption expenditures are estimated for period 2015-2017 by usage of the World Bank projections and the resulting figures predict an increase in consumption. Policy recommendation from the model used in this paper is that economic growth could be boosted by reducing the factors that influence consumption such as taxes.
The association study between DHCR24 polymorphisms and Alzheimer's disease

DHCR24 gene in chromosome 1 encodes seladin 1, a cholesterol synthesizing enzyme. Seladin 1 protects neurons from Aβ42 mediated toxicity and participates in regulation of Aβ42 formation by organizing the placement of APP cleaving β‐secretase in cholesterol‐rich detergent‐resistant membrane domains (DRMs). In Alzheimer's disease (AD) the level of seladin 1 in affected neurons is reduced, DRMs are disorganized and Aβ42 formation is increased. To examine genetic association of the DHCR24 with AD, we genotyped four single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites (rs638944, rs600491, rs718265, and rs7374) in 414 Finnish AD cases and 459 controls and calculated the allelic and genotypic distribution of both cases and controls. The single locus association analysis indicated that men carrying the T allele of rs600491 had an increased risk of AD (OR 1.7 95% CI 1.2–2.4; P = 0.004, Bonferroni corrected P = 0.048 with 12 tests). We estimated haplotypes of SNPs rs638944 and rs600491 between cases and controls and found overall distribution of haplotypes highly significant (P < 0.001). There was a common protective haplotype TC with frequency of 0.22 in cases and 0.30 in controls (P < 0.001) and a risk haplotype GC with frequency of 0.10 in cases and 0.05 in controls (P < 0.001). We also measured CSF Aβ42, tau and phosphorylated tau (ptau) levels in a subgroup of AD cases (n = 44) and controls (n = 10) and found that AD cases that carry rs718265 GG had lower levels of Aβ42 than other genotype carriers. Our findings indicate that DHCR24 gene may be associated with AD risk. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nociceptin and its receptor in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons in neuropathic and inflammatory pain models: implications on pain processing

Abstract Nociceptin (NC), by activating its receptor, the opioid receptor‐like 1 (ORL1) receptor, exerts an effect on a number of functions in the nervous system including locomotion, learning and memory, and processing of pain signals. Data on the expression of NC and ORL1 receptor in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and on its modulation after nerve injury and inflammation are controversial. We therefore sought to investigate the immunoreactivity (IR) of NC and ORL1 receptor in DRG neurons in two pain models, a pure neuropathic pain model, namely partial sciatic nerve transection (PST), and an inflammatory pain model, complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) injection into the hindpaw. In intact DRG neurons, both NC and ORL1 receptor IR were present in mainly small‐ and medium‐sized neurons, NC IR in 31% and ORL1 receptor IR in 33% of all neuronal profiles. Both NC and ORL1 receptor IR were upregulated 7 days after nerve injury (to 56 and 55%) and inflammation (to 53 and 48%), respectively. Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), a neuronal marker of nerve injury, was induced in DRG neurons 7 and 14 days after PST and 7 days after CFA injection. Double labeling with ATF3 revealed expression of NC and ORL1 receptor in intact as well as in injured primary afferent neurons. Thus, NC and the ORL1 receptor may be involved in the modulation of neuropathic and inflammatory pain at the level of the primary afferent neuron.
Molecular epidemiology characterization of the urinary excretion of polyomavirus in healthy individuals from portugal—a Southern European population

The human polyomaviruses—BKV and JCV—are members of Polyomaviridae family and after primary infections they persist as latent infection especially in the kidneys. BKV reactivation is mainly related to urinary tract diseases and JCV reactivation can induce the disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The aim of our study was to characterize the excretion of polyomaviruses in urine samples of healthy individuals from a Portuguese population. We analyzed 498 DNA samples using PCR‐RFLP, the sequence amplified consisted in 176 or 173 bp within the antigen T region. Our results indicate that 23.9% of the samples were positive for JCV, 1.8% positive for BKV and 74.3% of the individuals were negative for both viruses. We observed an increased prevalence of JCV shedding in male individuals in comparison to female (P = 0.026). Furthermore, the shedding of both polyomaviruses was influenced by the age of individuals with a significant increase in individuals with more than 56 years old (P = 0.005). Our results show that the shedding of polyomavirus in urine of healthy individuals is highly variable between genders, is influenced by age and differs from region to region. Further studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence of polyomaviruses in healthy individuals, in order to understand the biological behaviour of these viruses. J. Med. Virol. 79: 1194–1198, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Collaborative Multi-Agent Approach to Web Information Foraging

In this paper the task of Information Foraging (IF) is considered as a useful paradigm to address Exploratory Search. In the context of IF, a Web navigation strategy is introduced and formalized, and a multi-agent based model is proposed to exploit a collaborative approach to Information Foraging. A system based on this model has been developed, and its preliminary evaluations on the ACM and DBLP repositories are reported. The results are promising and show the ability of the proposed Web Information Foraging system to find relevant Web pages.
Semiconductor to metal transition in bilayer phosphorene under normal compressive strain

Phosphorene, a two-dimensional analog of black phosphorous, has been a subject of immense interest recently, due to its high carrier mobilities and a tunable bandgap. So far, tunability has been predicted to be obtained with very high compressive/tensile in-plane strains, and vertical electric field, which are difficult to achieve experimentally. Here, we show using density functional theory based calculations the possibility of tuning electronic properties by applying normal compressive strain in bilayer phosphorene. A complete and fully reversible semiconductor to metal transition has been observed at ∼ 13.35 % ? > strain, which can be easily realized experimentally. Furthermore, a direct to indirect bandgap transition has also been observed at ∼ 3 % ? > strain, which is a signature of unique band-gap modulation pattern in this material. The absence of negative frequencies in phonon spectra as a function of strain demonstrates the structural integrity of the sheets at relatively higher strain range. The carrier mobilities and effective masses also do not change significantly as a function of strain, keeping the transport properties nearly unchanged. This inherent ease of tunability of electronic properties without affecting the excellent transport properties of phosphorene sheets is expected to pave way for further fundamental research leading to phosphorene-based multi-physics devices.
Oxidative Stress and Energy Crises in Neuronal Dysfunction

Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in many forms of cell death, particularly in the central nervous system. The mitochondria are required at the same time to generate adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) for the cell, sequester excess cytoplasmic Ca2+, and both produce and detoxify superoxide free radicals. The electron transport chain and proton circuit are central in keeping these three balls in the air at the same time. We have investigated the bioenergetics of the in situ mitochondria in cultured neurons exposed to pathological glutamate concentrations to model glutamate excitotoxicity and have revised the conventional view that mitochondrial calcium loading results in increased oxidative stress that damages the mitochondrion and ultimately the cell. Instead, a central role is played under these conditions by limitations in mitochondrial and cellular ATP generating capacity. Sodium and calcium entering via the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor impose a large energetic load on cells and can use the entire respiratory capacity of the in situ mitochondria. As a result, even modest restrictions in mitochondrial capacity—caused by low concentrations of electron transport chain inhibitors such as rotenone, as in models of Parkinson's disease; low concentrations of uncouplers, to test the so‐called neuroprotective mild uncoupling hypothesis; or preexisting oxidative stress—greatly potentiate glutamate excitotoxicity. Our findings may lead to a reevaluation of the potential for mild uncoupling to provide a neuroprotective role in aging‐related neurodegenerative disorders because the deleterious consequences of restricting ATP generating capacity greatly outweigh the negligible effects on the levels of mitochondrial superoxide radicals in intact neurons.
The Nef protein of primate lentiviruses

The Nef protein of primate lentiviruses acts as an important virulence factor in vivo both in monkeys and in humans. Among a human cohort of long‐term non‐progressors, several Nef defective HIV1 viruses have been isolated, indicating that Nef may accelerate HIV progression and disease in humans. Additionally, a Nef‐deleted SIV virus has low titres in rhesus monkeys and the animals develop AIDS at a much slower rate. In vitro, Nef can exert at least three kinds of effects: it downregulates CD4 and MHC class I, it stimulates virion infectivity and it alters signal transduction pathways. To accomplish this, Nef interacts with a series of cellular partners including CD4, components of the adaptor complexes AP‐1 and AP‐2, and several protein kinases, Nef often functioning as a connector between targets and effectors. The high degree of understanding of at least some aspects of Nef action, as well as the importance of this viral gene product for disease induction, identify Nef as a valuable target for the development of novel antiviral therapies. Moreover, the possibility of developing vaccines using attenuated viruses with deletions in nef and other crucial genes raises the possibility that the AIDS epidemic might one day be restrained. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, anticancer and anti-microbial effect of Origanum vulgare: a systematic review

Origanum vulgar is a perennial herb belongs to Origanum. The aim of this study was to overview its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer and anti-microbial effects. This review article was carried out by searching studies in PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and IranMedex databases. The initial search strategy identified about 103 references. The search terms were “Origanum vulgare”, “Anti-inflammatory”, “Antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial effect”, “pharmacological effects". It is commonly used for treatment of inflammatory, different kinds of cancer including Colon, lung cancers due to its most component 4-terpineol and microbial diseases. It was said to possess antioxidant effect including iron chelating, scavenging activity, and the redox state cells modification because of presence of phenolic compound including ferulic, rosmarinic, p-coumaric and caffeic, while predominant flavonoids were quercetin, apigenin kaempferol. Origanum vulgar is used for the treatment of various diseases such as different kinds of cancers and possess lots of effects as antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. In this study, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial effect of this plant are presented using published articles in scientific sites. Besides, it was said to be good for cancer treatment.