Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation of complement receptor 3 on human monocytes by cross‐linking of very‐late antigen‐5 is mediated via protein tyrosine kinases

Bordetella pertussis interacts with very‐late antigen‐5 (VLA‐5) receptors on the human monocyte resulting in cross‐linking of these receptors followed by activation of complement receptor 3 (CR3) and firm adhesion of B. pertussis to these monocytes. In the present study we investigated whether protein tyrosine kinases are involved in the activation of CR3 on monocytes, which was assessed by the binding of C3bi‐coated erythrocytes (EC3bi). Pre‐incubation of monocytes with tyrphostin‐A47, a specific protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, before adherence of the cells to an anti‐VLA‐5 monoclonal antibody‐coated surface, or addition of tyrphostin‐A47 within 10 min of the adherence to such surface, reduced the binding of EC3bi to monocytes significantly. Pre‐incubation of monocytes with tyrphostin‐A47 reduced the binding of B. pertussis to such monocytes as well. Inhibitors of protein kinase A and/or C had no effect on EC3bi binding to monocytes. Cross‐linking of VLA‐5 on monocytes resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins. Together, these results indicate that protein tyrosine kinases are involved in the VLA‐5‐induced activation of CR3 on human monocytes.
Surface Area of Human Erythrocyte Lipids: Reinvestigation of Experiments on Plasma Membrane

Ratios of the lipid monolayer area to the erythrocyte surface area are 2:1 at low surface pressures and approach 1: 1 at collapse pressures. Un saturated phospholipids in cholesterol-phospholipid complexes of membrane ex tracts resemble their saturated derivatives at collapse pressures. Area ratio and phospholipid area data are related by an equation that tests hypothetical values for molecular areas used in membrane models.
How Deep Was the September Stock Exchange Crisis? Putting Last Events into Perspective on the American and French Stock Markets with an Index of Market Shocks

Following the World Trade Centre disaster, markets reacted strongly both in Europe and in the United States. The extent of this crisis was difficult to assess at the time, underlining the need for a specific tool to measure the gravity of financial crises. A first measure is recently proposed and applied to the exchange rates market by Zumbach, et al (2000-a and 2000-b). Their measure relies on an analogy with geophysics; the related Index Market Shocks (IMS) that we propose here is also analogue to the Richter scale used for earthquakes. We implement this measure on the French and the American stock markets in order to put into perspective the recent market events. The crisis induced by September attacks was actually the worst since 1987. However, when compared with the major historical crises, this one is not amongst the ten worst - neither in magnitude nor length.
Prevalence of Staphylococcus species during the periparturient period in primiparous and multiparous cows.

During a 14-mo period, 77 multiparous and 36 primiparous cows were sampled to determine the prevalence of staphylococci during the periparturient period. Distal streak canal swabs were taken at 14 d prepartum, and foremilk was sampled the first 5 consecutive wk of lactation. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 7.6% of quarters of primiparous cows but from only . 6% of quarters of multiparous cows at parturition. Prevalence in primiparous cows declined to 3.5% by the wk-1 sampling. Quarter prevalence of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species prepartum, at parturition, and wk 1 to 5 in primiparous cows was 38.9, 27.8, 15.3, 14.6, 13.2, 15.3, and 14.6%, respectively. In multiparous cows, prevalence at these times was 50.3, 12.3, 6.2, 8.1, 10.7, 7.1, and 8.1%. Staphylococcus chromogenes was the predominant species isolated, accounting for over 50% of the staphylococci isolated at each sampling time. Results suggest that high prevalence of staphylococci isolated prepartum is a reflection of natural skin flora and that a higher postpartum prevalence of these organisms was observed in primiparous cows than in multiparous cows. These data suggest also that the peripartum heifer could be a source of Staphylococcus aureus in the lactating herd.
An anatomy of Chinese stock and futures markets’ dynamic features

This letter uses a fusion model to investigate the coexistence of three distinctive dynamic features of Chinese stock and stock index futures markets: permanent volatility, transitory volatility and jumps. These three features are included in the component-GARCH-jump model proposed in the research. The empirical results show that permanent volatility has smooth movement and that the transitory volatilities strongly resemble each other. Jumps and volatility do not coincide significantly, indicating that the model divides them efficiently. In addition, the stock market is often restrained by daily price limits and processes abrupt information more slowly. Therefore, the stock market has more transitory part and the futures market has more jumps.
Comparison of consumer perceptions and preference toward organic versus conventionally produced foods: A review and update of the literature

Abstract Growing interest in organic agriculture has prompted numerous studies that compare various aspects of organic and conventionally produced foods. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of empirical studies comparing organic products and conventionally grown alternatives. The emphasis is on key organic consumer demand and marketing issues, including: (1) the implications of an economic definition of organically grown food for consumer demand; (2) attributes that shoppers consider most when comparing organic with conventionally grown products; (3) level and characteristics of consumer knowledge and awareness about organic food; (4) assessment methods and characteristics of organic consumer attitudes and preferences; (5) size of price premium and characteristics of consumers’ willingness-to-pay for organic products; and (6) profile of organic consumers. Overall, although there is some knowledge and awareness about organic products, consumers are not consistent in their interpretation of what is organic. Secondly, while consumers typically understand the broad issues about organic foods, many tend not to understand the complexities and niceties of organic farming practices and organic food quality attributes. Uncertainty regarding the true attributes of organic, and skepticism about organic labels, part of which stems from reported cases of (inadvertent) mislabeling, and product misrepresentation, and partly because of nonuniform organic standards and certification procedures, may hold some consumers back from purchasing organic. Thirdly, concern for human health and safety, which is a key factor that influences consumer preference for organic food, is consistent with observed deterioration in human health over time and, therefore, motivates consumers to buy organic food as insurance and/or investment in health. Fourthly, the proportion of consumers who are willing to pay a price premium for organic food decreases with premium level. On the other hand, premiums tend to increase with (combinations of) preferred attributes. In addition, demand tends to depend more on the price differential with respect to conventionally grown products, than on actual price. In contrast to sensitivity of demand to changes in price, income elasticity of demand for organic foods is generally small. Finally, it is important for policy analysts and researchers to note that organic fresh fruits and vegetables currently dominate the organic consumer's food basket. Furthermore, it is not clear whether frequent buyers consider particular organic products (e.g., organic meat) as normal goods, or if consumers consider such products as luxury goods.
Thiol Antioxidant Reversal of Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate-Induced Reciprocal Regulation of AP-1 and NF-κB

Abstract Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) has been shown to have unique reciprocal activities in activating AP-1 and inhibiting NF-κB, two oxidative stresssensitive transcription factors. The opposing effects of PDTC on these two transcription factors have been attributed to its thiol antioxidant properties. In the present study, PDTC activation of AP-1, like its inhibition of NFκB, in bovine cerebral endothelial cells (BCECs) was zinc-dependent, consistent with the contention that PDTC acts as a zinc ionophore and the apparent reciprocal actions of PDTC are mediated by zinc. Unlike PDTC, other thiols and non-thiol antioxidants did not activate AP-1 on their own. Thiol, but not nonthiol, antioxidants reversed PDTC actions on AP-1 and NF-κB. PDTC reduced the intracellular glutathione content, and depletion of the cellular glutathione store by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) further augmented PDTC actions on AP-1 and NF-κB. Nacetyl cysteine (NAC), a thiol antioxidant, reversed PDTC actions even after irreversible depletion of the cellular glutathione store by BSO. These findings together suggest that thiol antioxidant reversal of PDTC actions on AP-1 and NF-κB is independent of their established roles in scavenging oxygen free radicals or repleting the cellular glutathione content. The results in the present and earlier studies suggest that thiol antioxidants are likely to act as metal chelators that buffer zinc mediation of the reciprocal actions of PDTC on AP-1 and NF-κB.
Enhancing Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR) Level-0 Physical Process Security Using Field Device Distinct Native Attribute Features

The need for improved critical infrastructure and key resource security is unquestioned and there has been minimal emphasis on level-0 (PHY process) improvements. Wired signal distinct native attribute finger-printing is investigated here as a non-intrusive PHY-based security augmentation to support an envisioned layered security strategy. Results are based on experimental response collections from highway addressable remote transducer differential pressure transmitter devices from three manufacturers (Yokogawa, Honeywell, and Endress+Hauser) in an automated process control system. Device discrimination is assessed using time domain (TD) and slope-based FSK (SB-FSK) fingerprints input to multiple discriminant analysis, maximum likelihood and random forest (RndF) classifiers. For 12 different classes (two devices per manufacturer at two distinct set points), both classifiers performed reliably and achieved an arbitrary performance benchmark of average cross-class percent correct of %<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C$ </tex-math></inline-formula> > 90%. The least challenging cross-manufacturer results included near-perfect %<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C\approx 100$ </tex-math></inline-formula>%, while the more challenging like-model (serial number) discrimination results included 90% < %<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C$ </tex-math></inline-formula> < 100%, with TD fingerprinting marginally outperforming SB-FSK fingerprinting; SB-FSK benefits from having less stringent response alignment and registration requirements. The RndF classifier was most beneficial and enabled reliable selection of dimensionally reduced fingerprint subsets that minimize data storage and computational requirements. The RndF selected feature sets contained 15% of the full-dimensional feature sets and only suffered a worst case %<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C_{\Delta}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> = 3% to %<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C_{\Delta}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> = 4% performance degradation.
Beyond body size: muscle biochemistry and body shape explain ontogenetic variation of anti-predatory behaviour in the lizard Salvator merianae

ABSTRACT Anti-predatory behaviour evolves under the strong action of natural selection because the success of individuals avoiding predation essentially defines their fitness. Choice of anti-predatory strategies is defined by prey characteristics as well as environmental temperature. An additional dimension often relegated in this multilevel equation is the ontogenetic component. In the tegu Salvator merianae, adults run away from predators at high temperatures but prefer fighting when it is cold, whereas juveniles exhibit the same flight strategy within a wide thermal range. Here, we integrate physiology and morphology to understand ontogenetic variation in the temperature-dependent shift of anti-predatory behaviour in these lizards. We compiled data for body shape and size, and quantified enzyme activity in hindlimb and head muscles, testing the hypothesis that morphophysiological models explain ontogenetic variation in behavioural associations. Our prediction is that juveniles exhibit body shape and muscle biochemistry that enhance flight strategies. We identified biochemical differences between muscles mainly in the LDH:CS ratio, whereby hindlimb muscles were more glycolytic than the jaw musculature. Juveniles, which often use evasive strategies to avoid predation, have more glycolytic hindlimb muscles and are much smaller when compared with adults 1–2 years old. Ontogenetic differences in body shape were identified but marginally contributed to behavioural variation between juvenile and adult tegus, and variation in anti-predatory behaviour in these lizards resides mainly in associations between body size and muscle biochemistry. Our results are discussed in the ecological context of predator avoidance by individuals differing in body size living at temperature-variable environments, where restrictions imposed by the cold could be compensated by specific phenotypes. Summary: Juvenile and adult tegus exhibit different anti-predatory strategies at 22.5°C, which can be explained by differences in body size, limb proportions, jaw length and muscle biochemistry.
A 100–200MHz, high linearity and high Q 6-order Gm-C LPF for broadband wireless communication

A 100-200MHz 6-order low-pass filter was implemented in TSMC 0. 13μm CMOS process which can be used in the analog baseband of broadband wireless communication system to realize high data rate. Linearity optimization technology is discussed in operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) in order to improve the linearity of filter, and the IIP3 of LPF designed is 15.75dBm. According to the traditional methods to realize active inductor, the non-ideal characteristic of OTA is taken into account and a method for improving the quality factor of the filter is presented, and high band-out signal suppression is realized with more than 40dB LPF adjacent channel rejection. The filter prototype is 6-order Chebyshev low pass filter and the cutoff frequency is adjustable due to the capacitor array. The filter works under 1.2V supply voltage and its power consumption is 17.7mW.
Fluorine-18-FDG and iodine-131-iodide uptake in thyroid cancer.

UNLABELLED We conducted a prospective study to define the sensitivity of 131I scintigraphy and 18FDG PET whole-body scanning in the detection of thyroid cancer and metastases. METHODS Forty-one patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma who underwent thyroidectomy and 131I elimination of the remaining thyroid were studied by 18FDG whole-body PET in 52 examinations and by 131I whole-body scanning. RESULTS Combined 18FDG and 131I imaging resulted in a sensitivity of about 95%, with alternating uptake of 131I and 18FDG in the metastases: 131I trapping metastases with no 18FDG uptake and 18FDG trapping metastases with no 131I uptake. Five uptake types were differentiated. Alternating uptake was found in about 90% of the patients, which was nearly identical to the sensitivity of the combined 131I/18FDG investigation. In six patients with increasing human thyroglobulin levels, we found that 18FDG whole-body PET localized positive neck metastases of papillary thyroid carcinomas that were histologically confirmed after extirpation. CONCLUSION Combination 18FDG and 131I whole-body imaging protocol enables detection of local recurrence or metastases on whole-body scans that are often not shown by other imaging methods. Biochemical grading of thyroid cancer may also be possible with this method: Tumors with remaining functional differentiation for hormone synthesis and iodine uptake have low glucose metabolism in more than 95%; tumors without this functional differentiation of 131I uptake show high, glucose metabolism. Fluorine-18-FDG uptake seems to be an indicator of poor functional differentiation, and possibly higher malignancy, in thyroid cancer.
Fixing up the world: GATT and the WTO

This paper, published in Labour Focus on Eastern Europe , Number 59, 1998. pp 74-93 and reproduced in a number of journals and books, examines the consequences for world trade of the restructuring – commonly termed ‘globalisation’ that arose out of the Uruguay round of the GATT and let to the reconstruction of the World Trade Organisation in its present form, beginning in 1982. It establishes that the widely-held view of the system of world trade as a symmetric free trade system is largely mythical. It shows, on the basis of a study of the outcome of disputes within the GATT over the critical period in which the present world trading system was founded, that decisive non-market advantages were established by dominant continental trading blocs organised around NAFTA, the EEC and APEC, which as Stiglitz at the time explained, ‘tilted the playing field’ systematically in favour of these blocs.
The Replication Factor C Clamp Loader Requires Arginine Finger Sensors to Drive DNA Binding and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Loading*♦

Replication factor C (RFC) is an AAA+ heteropentamer that couples the energy of ATP binding and hydrolysis to the loading of the DNA polymerase processivity clamp, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), onto DNA. RFC consists of five subunits in a spiral arrangement (RFC-A, -B, -C, -D, and -E, corresponding to subunits RFC1, RFC4, RFC3, RFC2, and RFC5, respectively). The RFC subunits are AAA+ family proteins and the complex contains four ATP sites (sites A, B, C, and D) located at subunit interfaces. In each ATP site, an arginine residue from one subunit is located near the γ-phosphate of ATP bound in the adjacent subunit. These arginines act as “arginine fingers” that can potentially perform two functions: sensing that ATP is bound and catalyzing ATP hydrolysis. In this study, the arginine fingers in RFC were mutated to examine the steps in the PCNA loading mechanism that occur after RFC binds ATP. This report finds that the ATP sites of RFC function in distinct steps during loading of PCNA onto DNA. ATP binding to RFC powers recruitment and opening of PCNA and activates a γ-phosphate sensor in ATP site C that promotes DNA association. ATP hydrolysis in site D is uniquely stimulated by PCNA, and we propose that this event is coupled to PCNA closure around DNA, which starts an ordered hydrolysis around the ring. PCNA closure severs contact to RFC subunits D and E (RFC2 and RFC5), and the γ-phosphate sensor of ATP site C is switched off, resulting in low affinity of RFC for DNA and ejection of RFC from the site of PCNA loading.
Patient perspectives of medical confidentiality: a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE To lay the groundwork for a better understanding of patient views on medical confidentiality. DESIGN Studies were found by searching medline, bioethicsline, and selected bibliographies. Articles concerning physician perspectives or implications of legal and administrative regulations were excluded. Only peer-reviewed journal articles reporting original research on patients' confidentiality views and conduct were included. MAIN RESULTS Many patients are unaware of or misunderstand their legal or ethical right to medical confidentiality protections, which leads them to both over- and underestimate confidentiality protections. The possibility that medical information might be revealed, intentionally or not, to acquaintances in a clinic or other social community troubles patients as much as information release to insurers or employers. A significant minority of patients distrust confidentiality protections, leading some to report that they delay or forgo medical care. If doubtful that confidentiality will be upheld, patients will act independently to protect information. CONCLUSIONS Our review found a wider variety of understandings and beliefs about medical confidentiality among patients than are often indicated in the writings of practitioners or legal experts. As medical confidentiality regulations evolve, these differences need to be recognized and accounted for in interactions between practitioners and patients.
EUROLAND AND EAST ASIA IN A DOLLAR-BASED INTERNATIONAL MONETARY SYSTEM: MUNDELL REVISITED

August 9, 1999 Robert Mundell's long standing enthusiasm for European monetary unification was vindicated by the formal advent of the euro on January 1, 1999. For almost 30 years, he has seen clearly that the advantages of a common European currency would swamp any disadvantages. But therein lies a paradox. The fierce scholarly debate for more than a decade before EMU's advent on whether a one-size-fits-all monetary policy was appropriate for Europe pitted politicians, who on the continent were mainly in favor, against economists, who generally were much more doubtful. And the doubters who opposed EMU used arguments drawn from Mundell's own work! Specifically, his classic article, "The Theory of Optimum Currency Currency Areas (1961) comes down against a one-size-fits-all monetary policy-and seems to argue in favor of making currency areas smaller rather than larger. In this paper, I will first present some doctrinal history to resolve the paradox and better explain Mundell's position today. Second, I will look at how the new euro and the dollar can best co-exist-given the latter's traditional role as international money. Third, in the absence of an "Asian euro", I will argue for a common monetary standard in East Asia based on the dollar.
The regulation of immune cells by Lactobacilli: a potential therapeutic target for anti-atherosclerosis therapy

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease regulated by several immune cells including lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. Gut probiotic bacteria like Lactobacilli have been shown immunomodificatory effects in the progression of atherogenesis. Some Lactobacillus stains can upregulate the activity of regulatory T-lymphocytes, suppress T-lymphocyte helper (Th) cells Th1, Th17, alter the Th1/Th2 ratio, influence the subsets ratio of M1/M2 macrophages, inhibit foam cell formation by suppressing macrophage phagocytosis of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, block the activation of the immune system with dendritic cells, which are expected to suppress the atherosclerosis-related inflammation. However, various strains can have various effects on inflammation. Some other Lactobacillus strains were found have potential pro-atherogenic effect through promote Th1 cell activity, increase pro-inflammatory cytokines levels as well as decrease anti-inflammatory cytokines levels. Thus, identifying the appropriate strains is essential to the therapeutic potential of Lactobacilli as an anti-atherosclerotic therapy.