Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BENCHMARKING THE UPWARD PRICING PRESSURE MODELWITH FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION EVIDENCE

The upward pricing pressure (UPP) model was introduced in the 2010 revision of the Merger Guidelines, although little insight was offered for how to operationalize an UPP screen. Abstracting from the potential for efficiencies, this article defines an UPP-related benchmark of 15 percent using data from a review of Federal Trade Commission merger challenge decisions. While the historical record highlights the importance of diversion ratios, the other key input into the UPP index, the margin, appears to play little role in the review process. A supplemental analysis of the case-specific evidence associated with unilateral merger review serves to confirm the benchmark results. Moreover, a detailed case study of unilateral-effects analyses identifies a number of application issues that may negate the finding of an UPP-based competitive concern. Thus, careful study should be undertaken before (1) using an UPP index as a merger screen with a benchmark well below 15 percent (diversions well below 30 percent), (2) customizing the UPP calculation for either high or low values of the margin, or (3) using an UPP index to impose a strong presumption of a competitive concern.
Effects of brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange (BIG) 1 and KANK1 proteins on cell polarity and directed migration during wound healing

Brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange protein (BIG) 1 activates class I ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs) by accelerating the replacement of bound GDP with GTP to initiate recruitment of coat proteins for membrane vesicle formation. Among proteins that interact with BIG1, kinesin family member 21A (KIF21A), a plus-end-directed motor protein, moves cargo away from the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) on microtubules. Because KANK1, a protein containing N-terminal KN, C-terminal ankyrin-repeat, and intervening coiled-coil domains, has multiple actions in cells and also interacts with KIF21A, we explored a possible interaction between it and BIG1. We obtained evidence for a functional and physical association between these proteins, and found that the effects of BIG1 and KANK1 depletion on cell migration in wound-healing assays were remarkably similar. Treatment of cells with BIG1- or KANK1-specific siRNA interfered significantly with directed cell migration and initial orientation of Golgi/MTOC toward the leading edge, which was not mimicked by KIF21A depletion. Although colocalization of overexpressed KANK1 and endogenous BIG1 in HeLa cells was not clear microscopically, their reciprocal immunoprecipitation (IP) is compatible with the presence of small percentages of each protein in the same complexes. Depletion or overexpression of BIG1 protein appeared not to affect KANK1 distribution. Our data identify actions of both BIG1 and KANK1 in regulating cell polarity during directed migration; these actions are consistent with the presence of both BIG1 and KANK1 in dynamic multimolecular complexes that maintain Golgi/MTOC orientation, differ from those that might contain all three proteins (BIG1, KIF21A, and KANK1), and function in directed transport along microtubules.
Vitamin E for treating children's scars. Does it help reduce scarring?

QUESTION A few of my patients have been told to use vitamin E cream after surgery or repair of a laceration. What is the evidence for this suggestion, and is this treatment suitable for all patients? ANSWER Vitamin E is the main lipid-soluble antioxidant in the skin. Several anecdotal reports have suggested that topical use of vitamin E cream can reduce scar formation. Current evidence from the literature, however, does not support that proposition. In fact, studies report some adverse effects with use of vitamin E. Further research is needed before application of vitamin E cream becomes the standard of care.
Understanding the Linkages Between Perceived Causative Impairment and Activity Limitations Among Older People Living in the Community: A Population-Based Assessment

Objective:The aim of this study was to better understand the linkages between impairment and activity limitation among groups of elderly community-living persons. Design:This study used a United States population-based complex survey with weights used to make accurate population prevalence estimates from the 1994 National Health Interview Survey on Disability. Included were 2429 persons 70 yrs or older with one or more activity of daily living or instrumental activity of daily living-only activity limitations. Limitations were addressed according to the impairment(s) perceived to be causing them. Results:Musculoskeletal impairments accounted for more than one-third of all perceived causes. The odds of having any activity of daily living limitations for persons whose limitations were attributed to musculoskeletal impairments and to brain or behavioral impairments were 2.12 times (95% confidence interval, 1.63-2.76) and 3.00 times (95% confidence interval, 2.23-4.03) the odds for the reference group of cardiopulmonary and hematology impairment. Conclusions:Although musculoskeletal impairments were the most common cause of activity limitation, impairments associated with brain or behavioral disturbance were perceived as most disabling.
Performance and Heat Tolerance of Broilers as Affected by Genotype and High Ambient Temperature

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of the broiler's genotype (Gt) and ambient temperature (Ta) on performance and core body temperature (Tcore) of broiler chicks. A factorial arrangement of two Gt (Hubbard and ISA J57 chicks) and two Ta (moderate, 23±0.5°C and hot, 33±0.5°C) were used in this study. Performance data (body weight gain, feed intake and feed:gain ratio) were determined weekly for six weeks. Chicks' Tcore was measured using a biotelemetric system between Weeks five and six. Results showed that body weight gain and feed intake were significantly high, and feed:gain ratio was significantly low for Hubbard chicks compared to those of ISA J57 chicks. High Ta significantly reduced weight gain and feed intake. Furthermore, the reduction in body weight gain and feed intake under the hot Ta was more pronounced for Hubbard chicks than those of the ISA J57 chicks resulting in significant Gt by Ta interaction. Chicks grown under moderate Ta had significantly lower Tcore than those grown under hot Ta. The Tcore of the Hubbard chicks was significantly lower than that of the ISA J57 at the moderate Ta while under the hot Ta, the magnitude of the change in Tcore was more pronounced in Hubbard chicks than that of ISA J57; this resulted in a significant Gt by Ta interaction. The results of this study indicate that chicks with higher potential for growth under thermo-neutral temperature are more susceptible to heat stress than chicks with lower potential for growth. This maybe due, at least in part, to their lower body Tcore under moderate temperature and to the lesser ability of these fast growing chicks to regulate their Tcore when exposed to heat stress, as was clearly shown on these birds' performance. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 10 : 1502-1506)
Long Memory Volatility Persistence in High Frequency Precious Metals Returns

Using high frequency data, this paper examines the long memory property in the conditional volatility of the precious metals return series at different time frequencies using FIGARCH models. Very significant long memory characteristics have been detected in absolute returns by using Semiparametric local Whittle estimation of the long memory parameter. Estimation of the long memory parameter across many different data sampling frequencies gives consistent estimates of the long memory parameter, indicating that the series are exactly to show some degree of self-similarity. Results indicate that the long memory property remains quite consistent across different time frequencies for both unconditional and conditional volatility measures. This study is useful for investors and traders (with different trading horizons) and it can be used in predicting expected future volatility and in designing and implementing trading strategies at different time frequencies.
Neuroprotective Effects of Stem Cells in Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke, the most common subtype of stroke, has been one of the leading causes of mobility and mortality worldwide. However, it is still lacking of efficient agents. Stem cell therapy, with its vigorous advantages, has attracted researchers around the world. Numerous experimental researches in animal models of stroke have demonstrated the promising efficacy in treating ischemic stroke. The underlying mechanism involved antiapoptosis, anti-inflammation, promotion of angiogenesis and neurogenesis, formation of new neural cells and neuronal circuitry, antioxidation, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) protection. This review would focus on the types and neuroprotective actions of stem cells and its potential mechanisms for ischemic stroke.
The CsgA and Lpp Proteins of an Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain Affect HEp-2 Cell Invasion, Motility, and Biofilm Formation

ABSTRACT In Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain ATCC 43895, a guanine-to-thymine transversion in the csgD promoter created strain 43895OR. Strain 43895OR produces an abundant extracellular matrix rich in curli fibers, forms biofilms on solid surfaces, invades cultured epithelial cells, and is more virulent in mice than strain 43895. In this study we compared the formic acid-soluble proteins expressed by strains 43895OR and 43895 using one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis and identified two differentially expressed proteins. A 17-kDa protein unique to strain 43895OR was identified from matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight analysis combined with mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem MS (MS/MS) as the curli subunit encoded by csgA. A <10-kDa protein, more highly expressed in strain 43895, was identified as the Lpp lipoprotein. Mutants of strain 43895OR with disruption of lpp, csgA, or both lpp and csgA were created and tested for changes in phenotype and function. The results of this study show that both Lpp and CsgA contribute to the observed colony morphology, Congo red binding, motility, and biofilm formation. We also show that both CsgA and Lpp are required by strain 43895OR for the invasion of cultured HEp-2 cells. These studies suggest that in strain 43895OR, the murein lipoprotein Lpp indirectly regulates CsgA expression through the CpxAR system by a posttranscriptional mechanism.
Melatonin Rhythm Abnormalities and Sleep Disorders in the Elderly

Abstract Biological aging is often associated with sleep problems and daytime napping. Complaints of difficulty in initiating and maintaining sleep, as well as daytime drowsiness, are more common in the elderly than in any other age group. This report reviews evidence that impaired melatonin secretion is associated with sleep disorders in old age. Circulating melatonin levels have been found to be significantly lower and onset and peak times have been delayed in elderly insomniacs as compared to age-matched control subjects. In view of these findings, we investigated the effects of melatonin treatment on melatonin-deficient insomnia in the elderly. From the results of our study, it seems likely that melatonin replacement therapy may be beneficial in the initiation and maintenance of sleep in this population.
Preparing Future Secondary Agricultural Education Teachers To Work With Students With Learning Disabilities: Reports from Teacher Educators

Secondary agricultural education programs are enrolling increasing numbers of students with various disabilities. One consequence is that pre–service teachers are expressing a need for additional preparation to work with such students. This study was conducted to examine the preparation that pre– service teachers receive to work with students with learning disabilities in secondary agricultural education programs. The target population for the study was agricultural teacher educators who plan and in some situations, deliver such preparation. An instrument was mailed to a purposive sample of 84 teacher educators in the fall of 2006. As a result, 63 were returned for a 75% response rate. The respondents reported the cooperative pairs/groups teaching technique and the extra/extended time accommodation as most covered in their teacher education programs. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001was the federal legislation pre–service teachers felt was most covered in their program to prepare them to implement in the secondary setting. A majority (73%) of the respondents indicated that their pre– service teachers must complete at least one special education course. It is recommended that when a special education course is not offered by another department, agricultural teacher education programs should offer a course within the department.
The migration of cancer and normal cells in response to the surface topography and rigidity

Human melanoma cells (A2058) and human epidermalmelanocytes (HEMn) were used for this study. The soft substrata were fabricated by standard concentration (10∶1) of polydimethylsiloxane. The surface patterns included cones and grooves with line width at 1 µm and 6 µm. Directional migration, parallel migration to the groove, was observed on groove surface, no clear preferred migration orientation on the cones and flat substrata. The frequency of cells moving along the groove decreased with smaller line width. Flat-top cone was the best surface morphology to influence the spreading area of melanoma cell. The migration speed on glass was the lowest. The highest speeds of A2058 and HEMn cells were 0.69 ± 0.06 and 1.01 ± 0.29 µm/min was obtained on the 6 µm cones and 1 µm grooves respectively.
Methylcobamide:Coenzyme M Methyltransferase Isozymes from Methanosarcina barkeri

A comparative study was made on the physicochemical characteristics of two isozymes of methylcobamide:- coenzyme M methyltransferase (MT2). Both isozymes catalyzed S-methylation of 2-thioethanesulfonate (coenzyme M) and exhibited similar apparent Km values for coenzyme M of 35 μM (MT2-A) and 20 μM (MT2-M). Weak binding to methylcobalamin was indicated by the apparent Km of 14 mM for both isozymes. Cob(I)alamin was established as the major product of the reaction, demonstrating heterolytic cleavage of the methylcobamide carbon-cobalt bond. The isozymes were shown to be zinc-containing metalloproteins. Metal ion chelators strongly inhibited both isozymes. A variety of coenzyme M analogs were tested for activity and/or inhibition. One alternative substrate 3-mercaptopropionate was discovered, with apparent Km 9 mM (MT2-A) and 10 mM (MT2-M). The results suggested an active site geometry in which coenzyme M is bound both by S-coordination to zinc, and electrostatic interaction of the sulfonate with a cationic group on the enzyme. Methanosarcina barkeri genes cmtA and cmtM encoding both isozymes were cloned and sequenced. Both genes encoded proteins with 339 amino acids and predicted molecular masses of 36-37 kDa. Active forms of both isozymes were expressed in Escherichia coli. A conserved segment with the potential for metal binding was found. The possibility of zinc involvement in catalysis of coenzyme M methylation is considered.
Transcription factor Sp1, also known as specificity protein 1 as a therapeutic target

Introduction: Specificity protein (Sp) transcription factors (TFs) are members of the Sp/Kruppel-like factor family, and Sp proteins play an important role in embryonic and early postnatal development. Sp1 has been the most extensively investigated member of this family, and expression of this protein decreases with age, whereas Sp1 and other family members (Sp3 and Sp4) are highly expressed in tumors and cancer cell lines. Area covered: The prognostic significance of Sp1 in cancer patients and the functional pro-oncogenic activities of Sp1, Sp3 and Sp4 in cancer cell lines are summarized. Several different approaches have been used to target downregulation of Sp TFs and Sp-regulated genes, and this includes identification of different structural classes of antineoplastic agents including NSAIDs, natural products and their synthetic analogs and several well-characterized drugs including arsenic trioxide, aspirin and metformin. The multiple pathways involved in drug-induced Sp downregulation are also discussed. Expert opinion: The recognition by the scientific and clinical community that experimental and clinically used antineoplastic agents downregulate Sp1, Sp3 and Sp4, and pro-oncogenic Sp-regulated genes will facilitate future clinical applications for individual drug and drug combination therapies that take advantage of their unusual effects.
An iterative approach for the global estimation of sentence similarity

Measuring the similarity between two sentences is often difficult due to their small lexical overlap. Instead of focusing on the sets of features in two given sentences between which we must measure similarity, we propose a sentence similarity method that considers two types of constraints that must be satisfied by all pairs of sentences in a given corpus. Namely, (a) if two sentences share many features in common, then it is likely that the remaining features in each sentence are also related, and (b) if two sentences contain many related features, then those two sentences are themselves similar. The two constraints are utilized in an iterative bootstrapping procedure that simultaneously updates both word and sentence similarity scores. Experimental results on SemEval 2015 Task 2 dataset show that the proposed iterative approach for measuring sentence semantic similarity is significantly better than the non-iterative counterparts.
Cerebrovascular response in migraineurs during prophylactic treatment with acupuncture: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES The study objective was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on cerebrovascular response in migraineurs by transcranial Doppler ultrasound. DESIGN This study was a randomized, quasi double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. SUBJECTS Thirty-five (35) migraineurs were diagnosed according to the International Headache Society criteria. The stimulus paradigm was performed in 18 verum and 17 placebo acupuncture patients. INTERVENTIONS Participants were treated with acupuncture according to Traditional Chinese Medicine recommendations. All patients received one session of acupuncture each week for 8 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture treatment, headache frequency and intensity was monitored by a headache diary. Cerebral blood flow velocity data were analyzed with a validated technique based on automated stimulus-related averaging. Vasotonus was determined by systolic and mean flow velocities and pulsality index in right and left middle cerebral arteries during rest. Cerebrovascular response was evaluated by detecting the cerebrovascular Valsalva ratio by maximum end-diastolic flow velocity acceleration during the straining phase of a Valsalva maneuver. Additionally, the centroperipheral Valsalva ratio was determined by the quotient of the cerebrovascular ratio to the corresponding blood pressure acceleration. RESULTS Pre-/post-acupuncture treatment comparisons between verum- and placebo- acupuncture groups demonstrated a significant decrease of days with migraine headache in the verum group (-52.5%; p<0.001), whereas placebo-acupuncture patients profited to a smaller extent and the duration of headache attack (hours/month) did not decrease significantly. Pretreatment recordings showed increased vasotonus and exaggerated cerebrovascular response in migraineurs. Pre-/post-treatment comparisons demonstrated no significant differences in vasotonus between groups, while cerebrovascular response patterns to Valsalva stimulus were significantly (p<0.001) diminished in verum-acupuncture patients, but not in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that prophylactic treatment of migraineurs by standardized acupuncture might positively influence the dysfunction of the cerebrovascular response to autonomic stimuli, but not the cerebral vasotonus during rest.
Exploring decision-relevant information pooling by humanitarian disaster response teams

It is a well-known fact that a lack of information will lead to suboptimal decisions. But even when actors jointly have all the information they need to make a well-informed decision, they may fail to find a superior alternative. This hidden profile paradigm would cause misrepresentations of crisis situations and lead to ineffective response. In this research-in-progress paper, we present the first stage of our experimental study on group decision making in humanitarian disaster response, in which we want to find out how teams can be supported to share more information, make better sense, and ultimately avoid such misrepresentations of crisis situations. First results reveal that humanitarian disaster response teams are able to share significantly more information if they would make use of more advanced information and communication systems. However, none of the teams in the experimental setup managed to find the optimal decision.
Is Monetary Financing Inflationary? A Case Study of the Canadian Economy, 1935-75

Historically high levels of private and public debt coupled with already very low short-term interest rates appear to limit the options for stimulative monetary policy in many advanced economies today. One option that has not yet been considered is monetary financing by central banks to boost demand and/or relieve debt burdens. We find little empirical evidence to support the standard objection to such policies: that they will lead to uncontrollable inflation. Theoretical models of inflationary monetary financing rest upon inaccurate conceptions of the modern endogenous money creation process. This paper presents a counter-example in the activities of the Bank of Canada during the period 1935-75, when, working with the government, it engaged in significant direct or indirect monetary financing to support fiscal expansion, economic growth, and industrialization. An institutional case study of the period, complemented by a general-to-specific econometric analysis, finds no support for a relationship between monetary financing and inflation. The findings lend support to recent calls for explicit monetary financing to boost highly indebted economies and a more general rethink of the dominant New Macroeconomic Consensus policy framework that prohibits monetary financing.