Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal Proteinase-activated Receptor 2, a New Actor in the Control of Blood Pressure and Plasma Potassium Level*

Background: The function of proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) in the distal nephron remains unknown. Results: PAR2 activation increases electroneutral sodium reabsorption and inhibits potassium secretion in collecting ducts and thereby controls blood pressure and plasma potassium. Conclusion: PAR2 controls sodium and potassium homeostasis. Significance: PAR2 is a new actor of aldosterone paradox but also an aldosterone-independent modulator of blood pressure and plasma potassium. Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is a G protein-coupled membrane receptor that is activated upon cleavage of its extracellular N-terminal domain by trypsin and related proteases. PAR2 is expressed in kidney collecting ducts, a main site of control of Na+ and K+ homeostasis, but its function remains unknown. We evaluated whether and how PAR2 might control electrolyte transport in collecting ducts, and thereby participate in the regulation of blood pressure and plasma K+ concentration. PAR2 is expressed at the basolateral border of principal and intercalated cells of the collecting duct where it inhibits K+ secretion and stimulates Na+ reabsorption, respectively. Invalidation of PAR2 gene impairs the ability of the kidney to control Na+ and K+ balance and promotes hypotension and hypokalemia in response to Na+ and K+ depletion, respectively. This study not only reveals a new role of proteases in the control of blood pressure and plasma potassium level, but it also identifies a second membrane receptor, after angiotensin 2 receptor, that differentially controls sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion in the late distal tubule. Conversely to angiotensin 2 receptor, PAR2 is involved in the regulation of sodium and potassium balance in the context of either stimulation or nonstimulation of the renin/angiotensin/aldosterone system. Therefore PAR2 appears not only as a new actor of the aldosterone paradox, but also as an aldosterone-independent modulator of blood pressure and plasma potassium.
Training‐induced adaptations in the central command and peripheral reflex components of the pressor response to isometric exercise of the human triceps surae

1 The effect of calf raise training of the dominant limb on the pressor response to isometric exercise of the triceps surae was examined in the trained dominant limb and the contralateral untrained limb. Blood pressure and heart rate responses to electrically evoked and voluntary exercise at 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), followed by post‐exercise circulatory occlusion (PECO), were compared before and after a 6 week training period. 2 In the trained limb the diastolic blood pressure rise seen during electrically evoked exercise was reduced by 27% after training. However, the response during PECO was not significantly affected. 3 During voluntary exercise of the trained limb, diastolic blood pressure rise was reduced by 28%, and heart rate rise was significantly attenuated after training. During PECO no significant effects of training were observed. 4 Voluntary exercise of the untrained limb resulted in a 24% reduction in diastolic blood pressure rise after the training period, and a significant attenuation of the heart rate increase during exercise. Responses to electrically evoked exercise and PECO of the untrained limb remained unaltered after training. 5 Attenuation of blood pressure and heart rate responses, in the contralateral untrained limb, during voluntary but not electrically evoked exercise, indicates a training‐induced alteration in central command.
Cultural New Year Holidays and Stock Returns Around the World

Using data from eleven major international markets that celebrate six cultural New Year holidays not on January 1st, we show that stock markets tend to outperform in days surrounding the cultural New Year. After controlling for firm characteristics, an average stock earns a 2.5 percent higher abnormal return across all markets in the month of the cultural New Year relative to other non-January times of the year. Further evidence suggests that a positive holiday mood in conjunction with cash infusions prior to the cultural New Year produces elevated stock prices, particularly among the stocks most preferred and traded by individual investors.
The Effect of Commodity Price Fluctuation on Fiscal Performance and Output: Evidence from Central Africa Economic Monetary Community Countries.

CEMAC countries like several others countries are highly dependent to commodity price exports. These products (fuels, agricultural and none, agricultural products) are very volatile. The fluctuation of raw materials can lead to instability of revenues earning of government and producers. This instability is the source of uncertainty, which lead to reduce investment by affecting growth and public spending. The objective of this study is to analyze in the one hand the impact of commodity price fluctuation on fiscal performance and the other hand, the impact of commodity price fluctuation on growth. To achieve these objectives, we will use the VAR methodology in each of six CEMAC countries on period 1990-2010.
Characterization of a cry4Ba‐type gene of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis and evidence of the synergistic larvicidal activity of its encoded protein with Cry2A δ‐endotoxin of B. thuringiensis kurstaki on Culex pipiens (common house mosquito)

A newly isolated strain of Bacillus thuringiensis, named BUPM97, was identified as affiliated to the israelensis subspecies. This strain was selected for its insecticidal activity against larvae of several dipteran insects, such as the common house mosquito (Culex pipiens). A 5 kb EcoRI fragment, containing a cry4Ba‐type gene, named cry4BLB, was cloned from BUPM97. The sequencing of this gene revealed an open reading frame of 3411 bp encoding a protein of 1136 amino acid residues. Similarity analysis of both nucleotide and amino acid sequences revealed that cry4BLB presents several differences from the other previously described cry4Ba‐type genes. Particular attention was paid to a two‐amino‐acid substitution located in domain III of the N‐terminal moiety of this protein, which is very important for both toxicity and specificity of the toxin. The transfer of cry4BLB to an acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis kurstaki strain, HD1CryB, showed that it was expressed, resulting in the production of the typical parasporal crystal inclusions. On the other hand, its transfer to another B. thuringiensis kurstaki strain synthesizing Cry2A endotoxin known to be weakly toxic to the dipteran insect C. pipiens, resulted in the clear increase in the insecticidal activity of the transformed strain. Hence, in the present paper, we demonstrate for the first time that Cry2A and Cry4B act synergistically towards C. pipiens.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: A Path Forward for Using Substantive Analytical Procedures in Auditing Large P&L Accounts: Commentary and Analysis

SUMMARY: Substantive analytical procedures can be an important and effective audit tool to gather evidence and highlight areas of potential misstatement, and for decades have been one of the common substantive procedures applied to income statement accounts. Recently, however, there is a growing trend for public company auditors to forego substantive analytical procedures on large income statement accounts, such as revenue, due to criticisms from regulatory inspectors that such procedures are not capable of providing useful substantive evidence. In this commentary, we address the concern that discouraging the application of appropriately rigorous substantive analytical procedures may diminish overall audit quality. We consider whether rigorous substantive analytical procedures can be designed to provide useful evidence at moderate and low levels of assurance for large income statement accounts, such as revenue, even when the significant-difference threshold exceeds overall materiality. Such procedures ca.
Public Spending in Selected Caribbean Countries

This study examines the relationship between the ratio of government expenditure to gross domestic product and economic activity by investigating the empirical validity of Wagner’s law in selected Caribbean countries. Additionally, the study tests the ratchet hypothesis by searching for evidence of asymmetry in public spending over the business cycle. It narrows a gap in the Caribbean literature by (1) explicitly considering population structure in the empirical investigation of Wagner’s Law and (2) utilizing advanced econometrics techniques that incorporate nonlinearity in testing causality. The study finds no empirical support for Wagner’s Law, with and without population structure taken into account. However, the ratchet hypothesis is validated. The findings provide useful information for policy makers that can help broaden their understanding of the relationship between government spending and national income, which could aid policy formulation.
A new feature weighting method based on probability distribution in imbalanced text classification

Many real-world text classification tasks involve imbalanced training examples. Categories with fewer examples are under-represented and their classifiers often perform far below satisfactory. We propose a new approach using a probability distribution to assign the feature weight and apply it to Naive Bayes classifier. The method is evaluated in our experiments on FuDan Chinese Corpus. The experimental result shows significant improvement for imbalanced datasets while the performance for balanced datasets is not jeopardized. Our approach has suggested a simple and effective solution to boost the performance of text classification over skewed datasets.
Computational Psychometrics for Modeling System Dynamics during Stressful Disasters

Disasters can be very stressful events. However, computational models of stress require data that might be very difficult to collect during disasters. Moreover, personal experiences are not repeatable, so it is not possible to collect bottom-up information when building a coherent model. To overcome these problems, we propose the use of computational models and virtual reality integration to recreate disaster situations, while examining possible dynamics in order to understand human behavior and relative consequences. By providing realistic parameters associated with disaster situations, computational scientists can work more closely with emergency responders to improve the quality of interventions in the future.
Induction of Interferon and Interferon Signaling Pathways by Replication of Defective Interfering Particle RNA in Cells Constitutively Expressing Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Replication Proteins

ABSTRACT We show here that replication of defective interfering (DI) particle RNA in HEK293 cells stably expressing vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) replication proteins potently activates interferon (IFN) and IFN signaling pathways through upregulation of IFN-β promoter, IFN-stimulated response element (ISRE) promoter, and NF-κB promoter activities. Replication of DI particle RNA, not mere expression of the viral replication proteins, was found to be critical for induction of IFN and IFN signaling. The stable cells supporting replication of DI RNA described in this report will be useful in further examining the innate immune signaling pathways and the host cell functions in viral genome replication.
Clonal Differences in Phragmites australis from the Mississippi River Delta

Abstract In the active delta of the Mississippi River, Phragmites australis occurs in large contiguous stands of predominantly two clonal genotypes. We determined morphological variability among and within clones in this environment. Eight morphological variables were measured on culms from eight clonal populations within three subdeltas. Six populations were from the two dominant genotypes, whereas two populations were of two recombinant genotypes. All eight populations were genetically assessed from previous isozymic analysis. Culm, leaf and panicle morphology varied significantly between the two predominant genotypes, whereas the morphology of the two recombinant genotypes generally fell intermediate to that of both dominant genotypes. Morphological differences found within genotypes among the three subdeltas demonstrated phenotypic plasticity within P. australis. Morphological variability across subdeltas is likely the result of one or several environmental factors related to water depth or substrate quality.
Does health insurance reduce illness-related worker absenteeism?

The objective of this article is to examine whether having health insurance reduces illness-related absenteeism among older workers. A nationally representative sample of 1780 workers in the United States, aged 52–64, are drawn from the 2004–2006 Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Binary logistic regressions and censored Tobit models are estimated for workers’ likelihood of missing work days due to illness and the number of illness-related work days missed, respectively, while explicitly addressing the possibility of insurance-selection effects. The findings suggest that over a 12-month period, older workers without health insurance are as likely as insured workers to miss work days due to illness and there are no differences in the number of days missed between insured and uninsured workers. However, there is strong evidence that poor baseline health, onset of new diseases and longer hospitalization significantly increase an older worker's absenteeism at work. These results suggest that having health insurance does not affect illness-related absenteeism among older workers in the US. Future research examining other aspects of worker productivity, such as ‘presenteeism’, and the longer term effects of insurance on productivity can extend our understanding of the role of health insurance in the workplace.
A Six-Step Approach to Business Model Innovation

In both theory and practice, business model innovation is acknowledged as an important means to gain a competitive edge. Designing a new business model, however, requires profound knowledge, experience and skills. To support the task, practitioners can rely on a set of techniques, namely cases, component-based approaches, taxonomies, conceptual models, causal loop diagrams and design patterns. We argue that these techniques only provide valuable support during specific steps of the design process. In addition, there is a tendency towards focusing on model-internal consistency while neglecting the organisation's actual mission and external business environment. Therefore, this study proposes a complementary six-step approach to business model innovation, which is based on the principles of 'networked thinking'. This holistic and systemic approach comprises features of established techniques and explicates assumptions about the organisation's specific business situation. It gives entrepreneurs, decision makers and managers a better handle on structuring, communicating and evaluating different business model designs.
Clinical correlation of a new practical MRI method for assessing central lumbar spinal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate interobserver agreement and determine whether a new MRI grading system agrees with symptoms and neurological signs. METHODS We examined 160 patients (72 males and 88 females; mean age 57 years) who underwent MRI of the lumbar spine at our institution and were evaluated by two musculoskeletal radiologists. The presence and grade of central lumbar spinal stenosis (CLSS) at L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1 were assessed according to a new grading system, the Lee system. The results were correlated with clinical manifestations and neurological examinations [positive neurological manifestation (PNM) and negative neurological manifestation (NNM)]. Statistical analyses were performed using kappa statistics and non-parametric correlation analysis (Spearman's correlation). RESULTS Interobserver agreement in the grading of CLSS between the two readers was substantial (κ=0.780). Interobserver agreement of the L4-5 level and older age group was high (0.789, 0.814). The correlation coefficient (R) of Reader 1 between MRI Grades 0, 1, 2 or 3 and neurological manifestations (negative or positive) was 0.654; the R of Reader 2 was 0.591. In the younger age group (<57 years), the R of Reader 1 was 0.634 and the R of Reader 2 was 0.500. In the older age group (≥57 years), the R of Reader 1 was 0.650 and the R of Reader 2 was 0.645. Correlation coefficients were higher at the L3-4 level (0.612-0.678) than at other levels but did not show statistical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Interobserver agreement for the new CLSS grading system was substantial. Grade 0 was associated with NNMs and Grade 3 with PNMs in this cohort. Grade 2 demonstrates more cases of PNM than NNM but requires further evaluation. Correlations between MRI grades and clinical manifestations were moderate and slightly higher in older patients. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE The new practical MRI grading method can be useful in the categorisation of CLSS and shows strong clinical correlation.
Long and Short Term Effect of China’s Non Oil Import Dominance in Nigeria

China’s import to Nigeria has been going up in the past decade compared to Nigeria’s export to the country which was significantly very low. This has resulted in an unfavourable balance of trade against Nigeria. Data used for this study is sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria Annual Report 2012 in respect of non oil import by country of origin. Imports from all the industrialized nations are a little more than that of China. China has involved itself in every aspect of Nigerian economy like road construction, railway, power plants and telecommunication engineering. The hitherto country which Nigerian citizens found difficult travelling to had relaxed its entry requirement by granting visa exemption to Nigerian government officials. The future of trade relationship between China and Nigeria was further analysed and it was recommended that China should involve itself in manufacturing in Nigeria rather than exporting its finished goods to the country as this will increase the country’s Gross Domestic Product and reduce unemployment among the teeming youths. Dumping should be discouraged in all its ramifications. Unskilled labour especially in construction companies should be given to the locals instead of exporting it into the country. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014. v5n10p156
A Note on the Association between Audit Firm Size and Audit Quality

Abstract. This study proposes that comparison of management earnings forecasts with audited, reported earnings provides an approach to the measurement of audit quality. Assuming that managers have incentives to minimize the difference between forecasted and reported income, higherâ€ quality audit firms will tend to be associated with larger forecast errors. Therefore if, as previous literature suggests, larger auditing firms provide higherâ€ quality audits than do smaller auditing firms, larger auditing firms will tend to be associated with larger forecast errors, all else being equal. Data from the Toronto Stock Exchange are used to examine this proposition. After controlling for client characteristics such as risk, the results indicate that larger auditing firms tend to be associated with larger forecast errors consistent with the proposition that, other things being equal, larger auditing firms provide higherâ€ quality audits than do small auditing firms. RA©sumA©. Les auteurs proposent une technique de mesure de la qualitA© de la vA©rification qui consiste A comparer les prA©visions de la direction relatives aux bA©nA©fices et les bA©nA©fices dA©clarA©s qui ont A©tA© vA©rifiA©s. Si l'on suppose que les gestionnaires ont intA©rAat A minimiser l'A©cart entre les bA©nA©fices prA©vus et les bA©nA©fices dA©clarA©s, les vA©rificateurs de haut calibre auront tendance A Aatre associA©s A des erreurs prA©visionnelles plus importantes. Par consA©quent, si, comme l'ont suggA©rA© les A©tudes antA©rieures, les cabinets d'expertsâ€ comptables importants offrent des services de vA©rification de meilleure qualitA© que les cabinets d'expertsâ€ comptables de taille plus modeste, les cabinets d'expertsâ€ comptables importants auront tendance A Aatre associA©s aux erreurs prA©visionnelles plus grandes, toutes choses A©tant A©gales. Les auteurs utilisent les donnA©es de la Bourse de Toronto pour vA©rifier cette affirmation. Une fois contrA´lA©es les caractA©ristiques du client telles que le risque, les rA©sultats indiquent que les cabinets d'expertsâ€ comptables de grande taille tendent A Aatre associA©s aux erreurs prA©visionnelles plus importantes, ce qui confirme l'hypothA¨se voulant que, toutes choses A©tant A©gales, les cabinets d'expertsâ€ comptables de grande taille offrent des services de vA©rification de meilleure qualitA© que les cabinets d'expertsâ€ comptables de taille plus petite.
Establishment of a proteomic profile associated with gonocyte and spermatogonial stem cell maturation and differentiation in neonatal mice

Initiation of the first wave of spermatogenesis in the neonatal mouse testis is characterized by differentiation of a transient population of germ cells called gonocytes in the center of the seminiferous tubules. After resuming mitotic activity, gonocytes relocate on the basement membrane, giving rise to spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). These processes begin from birth in mice, and differentiated type A spermatogonia first appear by day 6 postpartum. During these processes, Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells in the interstitial tissue form the stem cell “niche,” and influence SSC fate decisions. Thus, we collected whole mouse testis tissues during the first wave of spermatogenesis at specific time points (days 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 postpartum) and constructed a comparative proteomic profile. We identified 252 differentially expressed proteins classified into three clusters based on expression, and bioinformatics analysis correlated each protein pattern to specific cell processes. Expression patterns of nine selected proteins were verified via Western blot, and cellular localizations of three proteins with little known information in testes were further investigated during spermatogenesis. Taken together, the results provide an important reference profile of a functional proteome during neonatal mouse gonocyte and SSC maturation and differentiation.
National Vacancy Rates and the Persistence of Shocks in U.S. Office Markets

In this paper, we develop and estimate a model that decomposes the variance in office vacancy rates into market-specific, time-specific, and random components. The results indicate significant differences in natural vacancy rates across markets. We also find some persistence in deviations from these natural vacancy rates. The analysis is applied to both central business district (CBD) and suburban office markets. We find that natural vacancy rates differ across CBD markets and across suburban markets. Further, the persistence of disequilibrium in one CBD market seems to differ significantly from that in another. This is not shown to be true for suburban markets.
Expression of c‐Jun and Sox‐2 in human schwannomas and traumatic neuromas

Schwann cells myelinate axons of the peripheral nervous system. This process of myelination is regulated by various transcription factors. c‐Jun and Sox‐2 are negative regulators of myelination and control Schwann cell differentiation and plasticity. Schwannoma cells within tumours no longer express myelin markers, and show increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis. We have shown previously that several signalling pathways are activated in schwannoma cells in situ, in particular the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Both in vitro and in vivo we have demonstrated that c‐Jun and Sox‐2 are co‐regulated in Schwann cells and evidence shows that both these proteins regulate myelination negatively. In this study, we aimed to characterize the expression of c‐Jun and Sox‐2 in schwannoma and traumatic neuroma.