Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE PURCHASE SOCIETY: ADAPTATION TO ECONOMIC FRONTIERS*

A sociocultural category, termed the Purchase Society, is proposed as a framework within which to analyze adaptations by simpler societies living on the economic frontiers of both agrarian and industrializing states. Unlike peasantry, purchase societies maintain their political autonomy and are not enmeshed in the political controls characteristic of agrarian states. Consequently, their involvement with a wider society is characterized not by coercive demands for payment of various rents to the state, but solely by engagement in trade or wage labor to obtain items of foreign manufacture which have become cultural necessities. In order to participate successfully in this wider economic network, internal socio-political and economic structures may adapt in any number of ways so as to facilitate the formation of outside economic ties.
Phase I trial of the histone deacetylase inhibitor, depsipeptide (FR901228, NSC 630176), in patients with refractory neoplasms.

PURPOSE The primary objectives of this trial were to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and to characterize the toxicities and pharmacokinetics of depsipeptide (FR901228) given on a day-1 and day-5 schedule every 21 days. A secondary objective of the trial was to seek evidence of antineoplastic activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with advanced or refractory neoplasms received depsipeptide by a 4-h i.v. infusion on days 1 and 5 of a 21-day cycle. On the basis of preclinical data suggesting that depsipeptide may have significant cardiac toxicity, patients were treated while receiving continuous cardiac monitoring and were followed with serial cardiac enzyme determinations, electrocardiograms (ECGs), and nuclear ventriculograms (MUGA scans). The starting dose of the trial was 1 mg/m(2), and dose escalations proceeded through a total of eight dose levels to a maximum of 24.9 mg/m(2). Toxicities were graded using the National Cancer Institute common toxicity criteria, and pharmacokinetics were determined using a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method. RESULTS Patients (37) received a total of 88 cycles of treatment on study (range: one to eight cycles). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed, and the MTD exceeded at a dose of 24.9 mg/m(2). The DLTs included grade-3 fatigue (3 patients), grade-3 nausea and vomiting (1 patient), grade-4 thrombocytopenia (2 patients), and grade-4 cardiac arrhythmia (1 patient, atrial fibrillation). The MTD was defined at the seventh dose level (17.8 mg/m(2)). Reversible ST/T changes and mild reversible dysrhythmias were observed on the post-treatment ECG. There were no clinically significant changes in left ventricular ejection fraction. One patient achieved a partial response. The plasma disposition of depsipeptide was well described by a first-order, two-compartment model. The mean volume of distribution, clearance, t(1/2alpha) and t(1/2beta) at a dose of 17.8 mg/m(2) was: 8.6 liters/m(2), 11.6 liters/h/m(2), 0.42 h, and 8.1 h, respectively. The mean maximum plasma concentration at the MTD was 472.6 ng/ml (range: 249-577.8 ng/ml). Biological assays showed that the serum levels achieved could cause the characteristic cell cycle effects of this agent when serum was added to PC3 cells in culture, as well as increased histone acetylation in patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CONCLUSION The MTD of depsipeptide given on a day-1 and -5 schedule every 21 days is 17.8 mg/m(2). The DLTs are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and transient thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. Whereas cardiac toxicity was anticipated based on preclinical data, there was no evidence of myocardial damage. However, reversible ECG changes with ST/T wave flattening were regularly observed. Biologically active serum concentrations were achieved, and 1 patient obtained a partial response. The recommended Phase II dose is 17.8 mg/m(2) administered on day 1 and 5 of a 21-day cycle.
Single-Image Calibration of Off-Axis Catadioptric Cameras Using Lines

We present a novel calibration method for off-axis catadioptric cameras, i.e. standard perspective cameras placed in a generic position w.r. t. an axial-symmetric mirror of unknown shape. The proposed method estimates the intrinsic parameters of the natural perspective camera, the 3D shape of the mirror and its pose w.r. t. the camera. The peculiarity of our approach is that, unlike several other calibration methods, we do not require any cross section of the mirror to be visible in the image. Instead, we require that the catadioptric image contains at least the image of one generic space line. We then derive some constraints that, combined with the harmonic homology relating the apparent contours of the mirror, allow us to calibrate the off-axis camera. We provide experimental results both on synthetic and camera images that prove the validity of the technique.
Pannexins, distant relatives of the connexin family with specific cellular functions?

Intercellular communication (IC) is mediated by gap junctions (GJs) and hemichannels, which consist of proteins. This has been particularly well documented for the connexin (Cx) family. Initially, Cxs were thought to be the only proteins capable of GJ formation in vertebrates. About 10 years ago, however, a new GJ‐forming protein family related to invertebrate innexins (Inxs) was discovered in vertebrates, and named the pannexin (Panx) family. Panxs, which are structurally similar to Cxs, but evolutionarily distinct, have been shown to be co‐expressed with Cxs in vertebrates. Both protein families show distinct properties and have their own particular function. Identification of the mechanisms that control Panx channel gating is a major challenge for future work. In this review, we focus on the specific properties and role of Panxs in normal and pathological conditions.
Les effets de l’éducation sur les attitudes sociopolitiques des étudiants : le cas de deux universités en Roumanie

Measured by the differences between the sociopolitical attitudes of first and fourth year students in psychology, the effects of education are investigated by comparing two Rumanian universities (Bucharest and Cluj). Students at Bucharest University reported more favorable attitudes towards socialism (i.e., the former political system) than those at Cluj University. These attitudes positively predicted classical measures of sociopolitical conservatism (authoritarism and antiegalitarism) and negatively predicted attitudes toward capitalism. In addition, in accordance with studies on the effects of education, results favour the socialization hypothesis : Whereas the attitudes of students from Bucharest and Cluj in first year do not differ, significant differences are observed in fourth year.
Optimizing Opportunistic Routing in Asynchronous Wireless Sensor Networks

Asynchronous sleep schedule and geographical routing are two efficient and scalable solutions for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, the schedule may degrade the delay performance of the routing protocol, and the optimal combined utilization of these two solutions is still an open question. In this letter, we propose a geographical-based opportunistic routing protocol for asynchronous WSNs. Each node maintains multiple relay candidates that make geographical progresses of more than a threshold <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\gamma$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and opportunistically forwards data packet to the first candidate that wakes up. We can obtain the optimal end-to-end delay performance, by just tuning <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\gamma$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Analytical and simulation results show that the derived optimal <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\gamma$ </tex-math></inline-formula> can make a good tradeoff between the single-hop delay and the hop count of forwarding path, and minimize the end-to-end delay of forwarding path.
CD36 gene transfer confers capacity for phagocytosis of cells undergoing apoptosis

Phagocyte recognition and ingestion of intact cells undergoing apoptosis are key events in this generally important program of cell death. Insufficient phagocyte capacity for apoptotic cells can result in failure to clear dying cells before membrane integrity is lost, resulting in leakage of noxious cell contents and severe tissue damage. However, no means has been available to increase phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells. We now report that transfection of the macrophage adhesion molecule CD36 into human Bowes melanoma cells specifically conferred greatly increased capacity to ingest apoptotic neutrophils, lymphocytes, and fibroblasts, comparable to that exhibited by macrophages. Furthermore, when CD36 was transfected into another cell type with limited capacity to take up apoptotic bodies, the monkey COS- 7 cell, similar effects were observed. Therefore, CD36 gene transfer can confer "professional" capacity to ingest apoptotic cells upon "amateur" phagocytes.
Prolate shift frames and their duals

We investigate frames for the Paley-Wiener space PW<sub>Ω</sub> of square-integrable functions bandlimited to [-Ω/2, Ω/2] generated by translates φ<sub>n</sub> (t - αℓ) of prolate spheroidal wave-functions ψ<sub>n</sub> (where α > 0 and ℓ is an integer). We estimate frame bounds and give a Fourier construction of the dual frames. An ℓ<sup>2</sup> estimate on the decay of uniform samples of prolate functions is given to show that the computation of the duals can be done efficiently.
Effect of Foot Position on the Electromyographical Activity of the Superficial Quadriceps Muscles During the Parallel Squat and Knee Extension

Many strength trainers believe that varying the foot position during the parallel squat or knee extension can target specific muscles of the quadriceps group. To test this theory, 10 men performed 3 parallel squats at added resistance equal to their body weight and 3 knee extensions at 8- to 10-RM resistance under 3 treatment conditions: toes pointed out, lateral rotation of the tibia (LR); toes straight forward, no rotation of the tibia (N); and inward, medial rotation of the tibia (MR). Lifts were separated by a 5-min rest. Bipolar surface electrodes placed on the bellies of the v. lateralis and v. medialis and on the lateral and medial portions of the rectus femoris revealed no significant differences in electrical activity for any muscle due to changes in foot position during the squat. During the knee extension, however, LR produced a significantly greater mean rmsEMG than the other foot positions across all muscles. Thus for the squat a lifter should choose the most stable and comfortable position. For the knee extension, however, maintaining a laterally rotated position is best.
Purification and Characterization of an Acid Phosphatase from Mycoplasma fermentans

An acid phosphatase associated with the cell membranes of Mycoplasma fermentans was released from the membranes with Triton X‐100, then purified by ion‐exchange chromatography on DEAE‐Sephacel and CM‐Sepharose, followed by affinity chromatography on Con A‐Sepharose. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme revealed a single band with a molecular mass of 31.2 kilodaltons. The enzyme activity toward p‐nitrophenyl phosphate was enhanced remarkably by Cu2+, Co2+ and Mg2+, but the activity was not inhibited by EDTA. The enzyme dephosphorylated O‐phospho‐l‐tyrosine as well as p‐nitrophenyl phosphate, but not O‐phospho‐l‐threonine, O‐phospho‐l‐serine, glucose‐1‐phosphate, phosphoryl choline and adenosine triphosphate. The level of the O‐phospho‐l‐tyrosine phosphatase activity was the highest in Mycoplasma faucium and the second highest in Mycoplasma fermentans of all tested human mycoplasmas.
Oxidant-Redox Regulation of Pulmonary Vascular Responses to Hypoxia and Nitric Oxide-cGMP Signaling

Most current theories for the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) include a role for reactive oxygen species and/or changes in redox regulation, but extreme controversy exists regarding which systems and redox changes mediate the HPV response. Nitric oxide (NO) appears to help to maintain low pulmonary arterial pressure, suppress HPV, and prevent the development of pulmonary hypertension. Our studies have found a key role for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in bovine pulmonary arterial smooth muscle functioning to maintain elevated levels of cytosolic NADPH which fuels the generation of vasodilator levels of hydrogen peroxide. HPV results from hypoxia removing vasodilation by peroxide. Decreased superoxide generation by Nox4 oxidase and its conversion to peroxide by Cu,Zn-SOD appear to be potential factors in sensing hypoxia, and decreased cGMP-associated vasodilation and removal of redox controlled vasodilator mechanisms by increased cytosolic NADPH may be key coordinators of the HPV response. Oxidant generation associated with vascular disease processes, including the removal of NO by superoxide, and attenuation of its ability to stimulate cGMP production by oxidation of the heme and thiols of soluble guanylate cyclase attenuate potential beneficial actions of NO on pulmonary arterial function. While pulmonary hypertension appears to have multiple poorly understood effects on redox-associated processes, potentially influencing responses to hypoxia and NO-cGMP signaling, much remains to be elucidated regarding how these processes may be important factors in the progression, expression and therapeutic treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
Safety and efficacy of cocoa flavanol intake in healthy adults: a randomized, controlled, double-masked trial.

BACKGROUND Evidence from dietary intervention studies shows that the intake of flavanols and procyanidins can be beneficial for cardiovascular health. Nevertheless, there is a clear need for advancing our understanding with regard to safe amounts of intake for these bioactives. OBJECTIVE The aim was to investigate in healthy adults the effects of cocoa flavanol (CF) intake amount and intake duration on blood pressure, platelet function, metabolic variables, and potential adverse events (AEs). DESIGN This investigation consisted of 2 parts. Part 1 was an open-label, intake-amount escalation study, in which 34 healthy adults (aged 35-55 y) consumed escalating amounts of CFs, ranging from 1000 to 2000 mg/d over 6 wk. Primary outcomes were blood pressure and platelet function, select metabolic variables, and the occurrence and severity of AEs. Secondary outcomes included plasma concentrations of CF-derived metabolites and methylxanthines. On the basis of the outcomes of study part 1, and assessing the same outcome measures, part 2 of this investigation was a controlled, randomized, double-masked, 2-parallel-arm dietary intervention study in which healthy participants (aged 35-55 y) were asked to consume for 12 consecutive weeks up to 2000 mg CFs/d (n = 46) or a CF-free control (n = 28). RESULTS Daily intake of up to 2000 mg CFs/d for 12 wk was not associated with significant changes in blood pressure or platelet function compared with CF-free controls in normotensive, healthy individuals who exhibited a very low risk of cardiovascular disease. There were no clinically relevant changes in the metabolic variables assessed in either of the groups. AEs reported were classified as mild in severity and did not significantly differ between study arms. CONCLUSION The consumption of CFs in amounts up to 2000 mg/d for 12 wk was well tolerated in healthy men and women. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02447770 (part 1) and NCT02447783 (part 2).
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Inhibition in Traumatic Brain Injury: In Vitro and In Vivo Effects

The authors provide the first in vitro and in vivo evidence that perturbations in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal-transduction pathways are involved in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury. In primary rat cortical cultures, mechanical trauma induced a rapid and selective phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 kinase, whereas there was no detectable change in the c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Treatment with PD98059, which inhibits MAPK/ERK 1/2, the upstream activator of ERK, significantly increased cell survival in vitro. The p38 kinase and JNK inhibitor SB203580 had no protective effect. Similar results were obtained in vivo using a controlled cortical impact model of traumatic injury in mouse brain. Rapid and selective upregulation occurred in ERK and p38 pathways with no detectable changes in JNK. Confocal immunohistochemistry showed that phospho-ERK colocalized with the neuronal nuclei marker but not the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein. Inhibition of the ERK pathway with PD98059 resulted in a significant reduction of cortical lesion volumes 7 days after trauma. The p38 kinase and JNK inhibitor SB203580 had no detectable beneficial effect. These data indicate that critical perturbations in MAPK pathways mediate cerebral damage after acute injury, and further suggest that ERK is a novel therapeutic target in traumatic brain injury.
Ereignisbezogene Negativierung und Alphaband-Desynchronisation bei motorischen Reaktionen

The foreperiod of a motor reaction to an impending stimulus is accompanied by a slow negative wave of the event-related potential, the "contingent negative variation" (CNV), when the imperative stimulus follows at a fixed interval to a warning stimulus. Using similar experimental paradigms, an event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the alpha range occurs indicating cortical activation before and during motor acts. Both EEG-parameters were quantified for four subjects using the following experimental design: One second after a non-informative warning signal (WS) a cue was presented that indicated by which hand the subject had to respond quickly after presentation of a reaction stimulus (RS); subjects were requested to respond by pressing a button with their left or right thumb. EEG-signals were recorded unipolarly from 17 electrodes. Average ERPs and ERD were computed for all electrode sites for trials with left and right hand movements, respectively, and topographically displayed in simultaneous amplitude and ERD-maps. CNV and ERD could be observed simultaneously over similar brain regions, namely central over the motor cortex, frontal with possible location over the supplementary motor area (SMA) and also covering the parietal region. While the CNV had a interindividually different and wide distribution, the ERD calculated for the upper alpha band mapped focally over the electrode sites C3 and C4 overlaying primary sensorimotor structures, with a contralateral dominance. In contrast to the negativity which is terminated following delivery of the response stimulus, the ERD persisted during the motor reaction showing a similar pattern some hundreds of milliseconds before and after movement onset. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tanner graphs for group block codes and lattices: Construction and complexity

We develop a Tanner graph (TG) construction for an Abelian group block code L with arbitrary alphabets at different coordinates, an important application of which is the representation of the label code of a lattice. The construction is based on the modular linear constraints imposed on the code symbols by a set of generators for the dual code L*. As a necessary step toward the construction of a TG for L we devise an efficient algorithm for finding a generating set for L*. In the process, we develop a construction for lattices based on an arbitrary Abelian group block code, called generalized Construction A (GCA), and explore relationships among a group code, its GCA lattice, and their duals. We also study the problem of finding low-complexity TGs for Abelian group block codes and lattices; and derive tight lower bounds on the label-code complexity of lattices. It is shown that for many important lattices, the minimal label codes which achieve the lower bounds cannot be supported by cycle-free Tanner graphs.
The minus‐end actin capping protein, UNC‐94/tropomodulin, regulates development of the Caenorhabditis elegans intestine

Background: Tropomodulins are actin‐capping proteins that regulate the stability of the slow‐growing, minus‐ends of actin filaments. The C. elegans tropomodulin homolog, UNC‐94, has sequence and functional similarity to vertebrate tropomodulins. We investigated the role of UNC‐94 in C. elegans intestinal morphogenesis. Results: In the embryonic C. elegans intestine, UNC‐94 localizes to the terminal web, an actin‐ and intermediate filament‐rich structure that underlies the apical membrane. Loss of UNC‐94 function results in areas of flattened intestinal lumen. In worms homozygous for the strong loss‐of‐function allele, unc‐94(tm724), the terminal web is thinner and the amount of F‐actin is reduced, pointing to a role for UNC‐94 in regulating the structure of the terminal web. The non‐muscle myosin, NMY‐1, also localizes to the terminal web, and we present evidence that increasing actomyosin contractility by depleting the myosin phosphatase regulatory subunit, mel‐11, can rescue the flattened lumen phenotype of unc‐94 mutants. Conclusions: The data support a model in which minus‐end actin capping by UNC‐94 promotes proper F‐actin structure and contraction in the terminal web, yielding proper shape of the intestinal lumen. This establishes a new role for a tropomodulin in regulating lumen shape during tubulogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 243:753–764, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Review article:Morphology in Greek Linguistics: The State of the Art

In recent years, morphology has received increasing attention within linguistic theory. It deals with word structure and attracts significant interest in languages that are morphologically rich, such as Modern Greek (hereafter Greek). In this paper, I present an overview of the main theoretical studies that focus on Greek morphology in the last four decades, with a particular emphasis on those following the framework of generative grammar. Reasons of space prevent me from giving an exhaustive presentation of all the topics that have been examined from a synchronic point of view. Moreover, I do not take into consideration studies on historical and dialectal morphology or lexical borrowing, or works that cover areas where morphological issues interact with research in domains such as computational linguistics, psycholinguistics, and neurolinguistics.
The German Education System: Dysfunctional for an Immigration Society

75 Dr. Georg Auernheimer is affiliated with the Deutsches Gesellschaft für Erziehungswissenschaft, Kommission Interkulturelle Pädagogik und Vergleichende Erziehungswissenschaft; he is coeditor of the journal Migration und Soziale Arbeit and on the educational faculty of the University of Cologne. His areas of specialization include comparative education and multicultural education. Translated by Stephen Naron. European Education, vol. 37, no. 4, Winter 2005–6, pp. 75–89. © 2006 M.E. Sharpe, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1056–4934/2006 $9.50 + 0.00.
Complete mitochondrial genome of the striped sandgoby Acentrogobius pflaumii (Perciformes, gobiidae)

The striped sandgoby, Acentrogobius pflaumii (Perciformes, Gobiidae), is a widespread goby inhabiting shallow sandy–muddy bottoms in temperate riverine estuaries and inner bays. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of A. pflaumii was firstly determined. The genome is 16,515 bp in length and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 2 main non-coding regions (the control region and the origin of the light-strand replication). The overall base composition of A. pflaumii is 25.8% for T, 29.3% for C, 26.6% for A, and 18.3% for G, with a slight A+T bias of 52.4%. It has the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement.