Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coastal zone management—a new approach in California

Abstract California's eight‐month‐old comprehensive coastal zone planning and management program was enacted by vote of the people through the initiative process (Proposition 20). The new law created one state, and six regional commissions and requires them to prepare a comprehensive, long‐range plan for the conservation and use of California's coastal zone resources. During the planning process, the commissions must exercise strict permit controls over all new developments in the coastal zone. The major objectives of Proposition 20 include: 1) preparation of a comprehensive, long‐range and enforceable plan; 2) increased public access and recreational opportunities in the coastal zone; 3) slow coastal development pressures; 4) assure that coastal developments, undertaken during the planning process, are consistent with the intent of the Act; 5) provide a coordinated statewide coastal zone land and water use control system that protects regional, state and national interests. Although confronted by problem.
Assessing the role of ortho-substitution on polychlorinated biphenyl binding to transthyretin, a thyroxine transport protein.

ortho-Substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) make up a large part of the PCB residue found in the environment and human tissues. Our laboratory as well as others have demonstrated that ortho-substituted congeners exhibit important biological activities by aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor-independent mechanisms, including changes in second messenger systems necessary for normal cell function and growth. Previous structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on second messengers and transthyretin (TTR; prealbumin) binding focused little attention on the ortho-substituted PCBs. Disruption of thyroid hormone (TH) transport is one potentially important mechanism by which PCBs can alter TH homeostasis. A more systematic study of PCB binding to TTR, a major TH transport protein, was undertaken, in which the role of ortho-substitution was more thoroughly investigated. Results from this study indicated that the ortho-only substituted series showed significant binding activity and the relative affinities were 2,2',6 > 2,2' = 2,6 >> 2 = 2,2',6, 6'. As anticipated on the basis of steric considerations, bromine was shown to be more active as an ortho-substituent where the relative affinity of 2,2'-Br was equivalent to 2,2',6-Cl. The congener patterns (di-meta-substitution in one or both rings) most closely resembling the diiodophenolic ring of thyroxine (T(4)) showed the highest binding activity. Multiple ortho-substituents were shown to decrease binding activity in such patterns. Congener patterns (single meta-substitution in one or both rings) more closely resembling the monoiodophenolic ring of T(3) showed significantly lower binding activity, consistent with the relatively low binding activity of T(3) and smaller size of chlorine compared to iodine. The addition of ortho-substitution to such patterns gave variable results depending on the substituent relationship (adjacency or nonadjacency) to the pattern. Some patterns such as 2, 2',4,4',5,5' showed good binding activity and represent common congeners in the commercial Aroclor mixtures and in the environment. The binding potencies of ortho-PCBs to TTR may represent a signature SAR that predicts specific biologic/toxic effects. In this regard, the binding potencies were consistent with measured biological activities of these PCBs, including effects on cell dopamine content, Ca(2+) homeostasis, and protein kinase C translocation in neuronal cells and brain homogenate preparations.
Multi-level antenna pattern representation for the synthesis of multi-beam coverage

In the design of multi-beam antennas, several synthesis methods have been developed, but usually little importance has been given to the representation of the antenna far field. The goal of this paper is to find an efficient representation of the desired field, that concentrates the information of the design task in a few basis functions; if properly coded, this enables synthesis algorithms to converge faster. An adaptive wavelet expansion of the far field of multi-beam circular aperture antennas is presented, and applied in the synthesis of the satellite coverage of Europe. Two synthesis techniques are considered, a simple projection method and a genetic algorithm (GA) based optimization. The developed wavelet basis allows most of the information of the desired pattern to be concentrated in a few basis functions; as a result, we have verified better convergence with both synthesis algorithms, and an improvement in the final synthesized directivity with respect to that using the standard beam basis. We consider a circular aperture; extending the technique we previously applied a hexagonal lattice array (Vipiana, F. et al., AP-S Digests, vol.1, p.575-8, 2004). A key ingredient of the proposed representation is that the wavelet generation scheme has been made adaptive to the desired mask, taking advantage of the explicit hierarchical, multilevel nature of the basis. The developed multi-level wavelet-based representation of the radiated field is then tested employing a projection and a GA synthesis method, showing an improvement in the performances.
[The effects of intravenous dexketoprofen on postoperative analgesia and morphine consumption in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy].

OBJECTIVES Dexketoprofen trometamol is a water-soluble salt of the dextrorotatory enantiomer of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intravenous dexketoprofen on postoperative pain. METHODS This study was performed on 50 (ASA I-II) patients scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy. Fifty patients were randomized into two equal groups. Patients received saline solution (Group I) or 50 mg intravenous dexketoprofen (Group II) 1 hour (h) before surgery and 8-16 h after surgery. All patients received a standard anesthetic protocol. At the end of surgery, all patients received intravenous (IV) morphine via a PCA (patient- controlled analgesia) device. Pain scores were assessed at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery. Morphine consumption and adverse effects were noted during the first 24 h after the surgery. The pain scores were significantly lower in the dexketoprofen group compared with the control group (p<0.05). RESULTS The cumulative morphine consumption was also lower in the dexketoprofen group than the control group (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in adverse effects between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION We conclude that the administration of IV dexketoprofen provided a significant analgesic benefit and decreased the morphine requirements in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy.
Cumulative cultural learning: Development and diversity

The complexity and variability of human culture is unmatched by any other species. Humans live in culturally constructed niches filled with artifacts, skills, beliefs, and practices that have been inherited, accumulated, and modified over generations. A causal account of the complexity of human culture must explain its distinguishing characteristics: It is cumulative and highly variable within and across populations. I propose that the psychological adaptations supporting cumulative cultural transmission are universal but are sufficiently flexible to support the acquisition of highly variable behavioral repertoires. This paper describes variation in the transmission practices (teaching) and acquisition strategies (imitation) that support cumulative cultural learning in childhood. Examining flexibility and variation in caregiver socialization and children’s learning extends our understanding of evolution in living systems by providing insight into the psychological foundations of cumulative cultural transmission—the cornerstone of human cultural diversity.
The Impact of Information and Communication Technologies on Economic Growth in Latin America in Comparative Perspective

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are spreading fast across Latin America and the Caribbean. This trend has brought about important economic and social changes, which have largely gone unmeasured until recently. Here, analysts from the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean along with other distinguished scholars in the field of ICT, growth and productivity provide theoretical and empirical insights to the debate on the role of ICT in economic development.
Gut-liver axis: a new point of attack to treat chronic liver damage?

excision without further waiting for repeat endoscopy and “blind” tissue biopsy. Figure 1 shows a midtransverse lesion (Japanese Research Society Classification Isp) that was treated with EMR (8) after exclusion of a submucosally invasive type V pit pattern within an area of central depression. HRMC postresection demonstrated residual tissue with a type IIIs pit pattern. The resection margin was subsequently extended using a second lateralized submucosal saline “lift. ” Resection margins at this point were then reassessed after a second dye spray with 0.5% indigo carmine. After this, a mucosal toilet with normal saline was applied with subsequent mucolysis using 5 mL of acetylcystine (2 mg/mL) and localized application of crystal violet (0.05%) using a steel tipped catheter (Olympus 111019, Tokyo, Japan) around the remaining circumferential border. Type I pit was evident, indicative of complete resection margins. Histological examination confirmed the complete excision of colonic adenocarcinoma, with clear vertical and horizontal margins. Further studies assessing the efficacy of this technique in a large prospective cohort are required.
The short-term impact of a continuing medical education program on providers' attitudes toward treating diabetes.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term impact of a 7-h type 2 diabetes continuing medical education (CME) program. Outcomes included a measure of health care providers' diabetes knowledge and the Diabetes Attitude Scale (DAS), a validated measure of attitudes toward diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A CME program on type 2 diabetes was presented by an expert panel in Chicago during November 1998. A before-after trial with pre- and postintervention measurements of diabetes knowledge and attitudes toward diabetes was administered as part of the program. A convenience sample of the 129 health care providers in attendance resulted in 91 (71%) completed pre- and postintervention surveys. RESULTS Within-subjects analysis revealed increases in knowledge and more favorable attitudes toward diabetes after the program. Between-subjects analysis revealed that attitude changes differed for physicians as compared with allied health care providers. CONCLUSIONS A CME program was associated with an increase in knowledge of diabetes and more favorable attitudes toward diabetes as measured by the DAS. The DAS changes were subtly different for the physician group as compared with the allied health care provider group. These results suggest that the DAS can be a useful instrument for measuring the short-term impact of educational interventions.
Mode of Action of Potato Apyrase.∗

Summary With the use of hexokinase, it has been possible to show that the adenylpyrophosphatase from potato does not contain adenylate kinase. The lack of competitive inhibition of ATP splitting by ADP suggests two sites of enzymic activity, one acting on ATP, the other on ADP.
Optimized Standby Rate Reduces the Ventricular Rate Variability in Pacemaker Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Patients with chronic atria! fibrillation (AF) and symptomatic bradycardia often receive ventricular‐based pacemakers. However, many of these patients continue to have symptoms of palpitations, which may be due to ventricular rate variability. It has previously been shown that contin uous ventricular pacing during AF has a stabilizing effect on the ventricular rate. Hence, a study was initiated to determine whether a patient‐specific optimal ventricular standby rate that reduces the ventricular rate variability, without over‐pacing, could be predicted. A ventricular rate stabilization (VRS) pacing algorithm that increases the pacing rate until instability is reduced below a threshold was developed. The VRS algorithm was utilized to determine a patient‐specific standby rate in 15 patients with chronic AF, intact AV nodal conduction, and implanted pacemakers. The computer algorithm controlled a pacemaker programmer to automatically change the pacemaker's ventricular pacing rate via telemetry. Patients were studied for 15 minutes with VRS and for 15 minutes with 50 ppm fixed rate pacing (control). The results were as follows: (1) VRS versus control = P < 0.05; (2) mean ventricular pacing rate (ppm): 77 ± 13 versus 50 ± 0; (3) mean ventricular rate (beats/mm); 82 ± 13 versus 79 ± 12; (4) ventricular rate coefficient of variation (%): 11 ± 1 versus 22 ± 5; (5) percent pacing: 75 ± 8 versus 6 ± 8; (6) percent of RR intervals less than minimum pacing interval eliminated: 58 ± 12; (8) regression analysis: mean VRS pacing rate (beats/min) = 0.96 X mean control ventricular rate + 2.3, r2= 0.85. We concluded that: (1) a moderate increase in the ventricular pacing rate was required to substantially stabilize the ventricular rate; (2) the resulting mean ventricular rate increased marginally: (3) a majority of RR cycles less than each patient's minimum pacing interval were eliminated; and (4) there was a linear relationship between the mean ventricular rate during control and the optimal ventricular pacing rate. Thus, a ventricular pacing rate close to the mean ventricular rate during control consistently reduced the ventricular variability. Although pacing at an increased ventricular standby rate reduces variability at rest, the optimal solution would likely be an adaptive rate algorithm that changes the ventricular standby rate as the mean intrinsic rate varies.
Ser-3 is important for regulating Mos interaction with and stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase

Mos is a germ cell-specific serine/threonine protein kinase that activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) through MAPK kinase (MKK). In Xenopus oocytes, Mos synthesis is required for progesterone-induced activation of MAPK and maturation promoting factor. Injection of Mos or active MAPK causes mitotic arrest in early embryos, suggesting that Mos also acts via MKK and MAPK to induce the arrest of unfertilized eggs in metaphase of meiosis II. We have investigated whether Mos activity is regulated by phosphorylation. Previous studies have identified Ser-3 as the principal autophosphorylation site. We show that Mos interacts with the catalytic domain of MKK in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae two-hybrid test. Acidic substitutions of the sites phosphorylated by Mos in MKK reduce the interaction, implying that the complex may dissociate after phosphorylation of MKK by Mos. Furthermore, the Mos-MKK interaction requires Mos kinase activity, suggesting that Mos autophosphorylation may be involved in the interaction. Substitution of Ser-3 of Mos with Ala reduces the interaction with MKK and also reduces both the activation of MKK by Mos in vitro and cleavage arrest induced by Mos fusion protein in Xenopus embryos. By contrast, substitution of Ser-3 by Glu, an acidic amino acid that mimics phosphoserine, fosters the Mos interaction with MKK and permits activation of MKK in vitro and Mos-induced cleavage arrest. Moreover, the Glu-3 substitution increases the interaction of a kinase-inactive Mos mutant with MKK. Taken together, these results suggest that an important step in Mos activation involves the phosphorylation at Ser-3, which promotes Mos interaction with and activation of MKK.
COX15 Codes for a Mitochondrial Protein Essential for the Assembly of Yeast Cytochrome Oxidase*

The respiratory defect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants assigned to complementation group G4 of apet strain collection stems from their failure to synthesize cytochrome oxidase. The mutations do not affect expression of either the mitochondrially or nuclearly encoded subunits of the enzyme. The cytochrome oxidase deficiency also does not appear to be related to mitochondrial copper metabolism or heme abiosynthesis. These data suggest that the mutants are likely to be impaired in assembly of the enzyme. A gene designated COX15has been cloned by transformation of mutants from complementation group G4. This gene is identical to reading frame YER141w on chromosome 5. To facilitate further studies, Cox15p has been expressed as a biotinylated protein. Biotinylated Cox15p fully restores cytochrome oxidase incox15 mutants, indicating that the carboxyl-terminal sequence with biotin does not affect its function. Cox15p is a constituent of the mitochondrial inner membrane and, because of its resistance to proteolysis, probably is largely embedded in the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane. The present studies further emphasize the complexity of cytochrome oxidase assembly and report a new constituent of mitochondria involved in this process. The existence of COX15 homologs in Schizosaccharomyces pombeand Caenorhabditis elegans suggests that it may be widely distributed in eucaryotic organisms.
The Entrepreneurial Role of Local Bureaucracy in China: A Case Study of Shandong Province

The Chinese local state bureaucracy has been a major promoter and organizer of economic reforms and development in the post-Mao years. In fulfilling its economic functions, it has exhibited profit-seeking orientation, sensitivity to market mechanisms, readiness for risk-taking, and high degrees of rationality and efficiency, all of which are the key characteristics of modern entrepreneurship. Such entrepreneurial qualities are defined in this paper as “local state entrepreneurship,” which partly accounts for the success of post-Mao economic reforms. Based on information from cities in Shandong province, particularly Qingdao, this paper distinguishes between two types of local state entrepreneurship: direct and indirect. The former is the entrepreneurial behavior of local governments (e.g., promoting enterprise ownership reform) that directly involves or has an immediate impact on enterprises, whereas the latter concerns local government activities (e.g., infrastructure construction and building a labor market) that indirectly benefit enterprises.
The economics of military spending, conflict and growth

This dissertation is a collection of studies on the economics of peace and security. Chapter one introduces the roles military spending and conflict play in affecting economic growth, while also considering the causes of civil conflict. Chapter two investigates the relationship between military expenditure and economic growth, considering group heterogeneity and non-linearity. Using an exogenous growth model and dynamic panel approach, the results suggest military burden to have a negative effect on growth. Breaking the overall panel down into various sub-samples shows estimates that are remarkably consistent with the full panel. These results provide strong support for the argument that military spending has an adverse effect on growth. There are, however, some intriguing results suggesting that for certain types of countries military burden has no negative growth effect. Chapter three deals with the transnational spatial spillover effects of conflict on neighbouring countries. It moves beyond using geographical distance as a spillover measurement and allows for economic and political distances. The initial empirical results suggest that conflict has a strong negative spillover effect on directly contiguous countries growth, but no significant impacts were observed for non-contiguous countries. When economic and political factors are considered, this result remains, but the spillover effect is smaller. While the impact of conflict remains devastating, it is important to take other factors into account as studies using only geographical distance may be overestimating the impact on neighbours. The fourth chapter examines the determinants of civil war, using a zeroinflated modelling approach to deal with excess zeroes in the dependent variable. Traditional probit and logit models have limited capacity in dealing with this issue and can create misleading results, which is illustrated through replicating published work. A general greed-grievance model is then estimated giving further support to using zero-inflated models. While the standard probit models tend to emphasise opportunity variables, consistent in other studies, the zero-inflated model gives supports both opportunity and grievance variables. In particular, ethnicity, democracy and inequality are found to play a significant role in civil war prevalence. Finally, chapter five summarises the findings of the dissertation, providing some policy recommendations, concluding remarks and discusses future research opportunities.
Direct Endovascular Recanalization of Chronic Carotid Occlusion: Should We Do It? Case Report

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE:Patients with chronic carotid artery occlusion face a significant risk of stroke. It is believed that treatment is indicated if medical therapy fails or even as prophylaxis in high-risk patients. Direct surgical repair with carotid endarterectomy has a considerable failure rate and significant associated risks. Indirect repair with an extracranial-to-intracranial bypass has become the mainstay of surgical treatment. In this case study, the authors assess the feasibility of direct endovascular recanalization in the setting of chronic carotid occlusion, and discuss technical nuances and indications in comparison with the world literature and alternative options. CLINICAL PRESENTATION:Two patients presented with symptomatic, chronic, complete occlusion of the proximal carotid artery. The duration of documented occlusion exceeded 3 years in one patient and 6 months in the other. METHODS:Endovascular recanalization was attempted using extracranial and intracranial stenting with proximal protection (flow arrest/reversal). Both patients had an excellent radiographic result, improving from Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) grade 0 (no perfusion) to grade 3 (complete perfusion). The first patient's clinical symptoms resolved. The second patient remained unchanged with a mild facial droop. CONCLUSION:These preliminary results show potential for the endovascular management of this complicated disease. Long-term results and more data will determine the ultimate place of endovascular recanalization for symptomatic chronic carotid occlusion among other therapies.
Restoration of C1q levels by bone marrow transplantation attenuates autoimmune disease associated with C1q deficiency in mice

C1q deficiency in both humans and mice is strongly associated with autoimmunity. We have previously shown that bone marrow transplantation (BMT) restored C1q levels in C1q‐deficient (C1qa–/–) mice. Here, we studied the effect of BMT on autoimmunity in C1qa–/– mice. Following irradiation, young C1qa–/– or wild‐type MRL/Mp mice received bone marrow cells (BMC) from strain‐matched wild‐type or C1qa–/– animals. C1q levels increased rapidly when C1qa–/– mice received BMC from wild‐type mice. Conversely, they decreased slowly in wild‐type mice transplanted with C1qa–/– BMC. C1qa–/– animals transplanted with C1qa–/– BMC demonstrated accelerated disease when compared with wild‐type mice given wild‐type BMC. In contrast, a significant delay in the development of autoantibodies and glomerulonephritis was observed in C1qa–/– mice reconstituted with wild‐type BMC, and the impaired clearance of apoptotic cells, previously described in C1qa–/– mice, was rectified. Moreover, the autoimmune disease was accelerated in wild‐type mice given C1qa–/– BMC compared to animals transplanted with wild‐type cells. These results provide supporting evidence that BMT may be a therapeutic option in the treatment of autoimmunity associated with human C1q deficiency.