Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complex regulation of the expression of the polysialylated form of the neuronal cell adhesion molecule by glucocorticoids in the rat hippocampus

The gyrus dentatus is one of the few areas of the brain that continues to produce neurons after birth. The newborn cells differentiate into granule cells which project axons to their postsynaptic targets. This step is accompanied by the transient expression of the polysialylated isoforms of neuronal cell adhesion molecules (PSA‐NCAM) by the developing neurons. Glucocorticoid hormones have been shown to inhibit neurogenesis. We noted a functional correlation between PSA‐NCAM expression and glucocorticoid action after manipulation of corticosterone levels in the adrenalectomized rat. Adrenalectomy increased neurogenesis, evaluated from the incorporation of 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine in neuronal precursors, as well as PSA‐NCAM expression. The increase in PSA‐NCAM‐immunoreactive (IR) cells in the gyrus dentatus, evidenced 72 h following adrenalectomy, persisted for at least a month. It was accompanied by enhanced dendritic arborization of PSA‐NCAM‐IR cells in the gyrus dentatus and by an increase in number of PSA‐NCAM‐IR fibres in the CA3 subfield. Neurogenesis was normalized by restitution of diurnal or nocturnal levels of corticosterone, whereas normalization of PSA‐NCAM expression was only observed after simulation of the complete circadian fluctuation of the hormone. Our findings reveal the complex action of corticosterone in modulating the expression of PSA‐NCAM in the gyrus dentatus of the hippocampal formation. They also highlight the importance of corticosterone fluctuations in the control of neurogenesis and plasticity in this structure.
Measurement of Distance Error in Reaching Movement of the Human Hand without Using Vision

This paper deliberates the spatial cognitive ability of the moving distance of the human hand, which is measured by using motion capture. Before the movement begins, the subject is shown a standard length. Then, both horizontal and vertical blindfold hand movements were measured using the proposed protocol for six right handed subjects in order to investigate the cognitive ability of the moving distance of the human hand. The experimental results show that the average moving distances obtained in both directions were quite smaller than the standard length; an inverse ";V"; pattern in percentage result was observed only in the horizontal movement. The experimental result also demonstrated an interesting relationship between the hand moving distance and manipulability of the upper limb.
Neurological, nutritional and alcohol consumption factors underlie cognitive and motor deficits in chronic alcoholism

Variations in pattern and extent of cognitive and motor impairment occur in alcoholism (ALC). Causes of such heterogeneity are elusive and inconsistently accounted for by demographic or alcohol consumption differences. We examined neurological and nutritional factors as possible contributors to heterogeneity in impairment. Participants with ALC (n = 96) and a normal comparison group (n = 41) were examined on six cognitive and motor domains. Signs of historically determined subclinical Wernicke's encephalopathy were detected using the Caine et al. criteria, which were based on postmortem examination and chart review of antemortem data of alcoholic cases with postmortem evidence for Wernicke's encephalopathy. Herein, four Caine criteria provided quantification of dietary deficiency, cerebellar dysfunction, low general cognitive functioning and oculomotor abnormalities in 86 of the 96 ALC participants. Subgroups based on Caine criteria yielded a graded effect, where those meeting more criteria exhibited greater impairment than those meeting no to fewer criteria. These results could not be accounted for by history of drug dependence. Multiple regression indicated that compromised performance on ataxia, indicative of cerebellar dysfunction, predicted non‐mnemonic and upper motor deficits, whereas low whole blood thiamine level, consistent with limbic circuit dysfunction, predicted mnemonic deficits. This double dissociation indicates biological markers that contribute to heterogeneity in expression of functional impairment in ALC. That non‐mnemonic and mnemonic deficits are subserved by the dissociable neural systems of frontocerebellar and limbic circuitry, both commonly disrupted in ALC, suggests neural mechanisms that can differentially affect selective functions, thereby contributing to heterogeneity in pattern and extent of dysfunction in ALC.
Eyeblinking during problem solving: the effect of problem difficulty and internally vs externally directed attention.

This study examined the eyeblink rate during non-visual problem solving. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design compared eyeblink rates for easy and difficult problems, internally and externally directed attention, and numerical and alphabetical tasks. The major finding was a higher eyeblink rate for difficult problems. There was also a significant interaction between difficulty and the direction of attention; internally directed attention yielded higher blink rates only during the solution of easy problems. Range-corrected data yielded the same pattern of results, but F-values were consistently higher and accounted for a larger proportion of the variance.
Motives for the Financial Valuation of Intangibles: Reasons and Results

Wealth and growth in today’s economy are driven primarily by intangible resources (Lev & Zambon, 2003). The importance of intangible assets as strategic resources is nothing new. Marshall (1890) already recognised the importance of knowledge as a significant resource and a powerful production factor. However, a growing interest in their management and in developing valuation and measurement models did not emerge until halfway through the 1990s (Edvinsson, 1997; Edvinsson & Malone, 1997). ABSTRACT
The State Role in School Turnaround: Emerging Best Practices.

This document is protected by copyright law as indicated in a notice appearing later in this work. This PDF is provided for non-commercial use only. Permission is required from WestEd to reproduce or reuse in any other form for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please see WestEd Permissions. Foreword from The State Role in School Turnaround: Emerging Best Practices Bryan Hassel
Privatization in China: Technology and Gender in the Manufacturing Sector

type="main" xml:id="coep12071-abs-0001"> This paper examines the impact of privatization on gender discrimination in China across firms with different technology intensities. Using a comprehensive firm-level survey, the paper identifies gender wage-productivity differentials by directly estimating the relative productivity levels of workers from the production function of firms. The panel structure of the survey is taken advantage of by following firms that were fully state-owned in the initial year, and distinguishing them from firms that were later privatized. The main results show that privatization was associated with an increase in relative productivity of female workers in high technology industries, and a reduction in relative productivity of female workers in low technology industries. Time varying coefficient results suggest that the improvements in gender outcomes in high technology industries may not be maintained in the long run as the relative wage and productivity ratios tend to deteriorate, potentially due to low supply of highly educated female workers. At the same time, outcomes in privatized low technology industries increase over time, lowering the wage and productivity gaps between male and female workers. (JEL J16, J31, P20)
The Impact of Mesoscale Gravity Waves on Homogeneous Ice Nucleation in Cirrus Clouds

Effects of a spectrum of mesoscale gravity waves on homogeneous aerosol freezing in midlatitude cirrus are studied by means of parcel model simulations that are driven by random vertical wind speeds constrained by balloon measurements. Stochastic wave forcing with mean updraft speeds of 5–20 cm/s leads to substantial nucleated ice crystal number concentrations (ICNC) of 0.1–1 cm−3 in situations with slow large‐scale cooling, which by itself would generate fewer ice crystals. The stochastic nature of wave‐driven air parcel temperatures enhances ICNC even further, but the times required to reach freezing conditions unsupported by large‐scale cooling may vary widely. In the presence of wave forcing, ice crystals with low ICNC (<1–10 L−1) are also generated by homogeneous freezing, albeit only rarely. Comparisons with aircraft measurements suggest significant influences of heterogeneous ice‐nucleating particles and ice crystal sedimentation on ICNC, but quantifying their individual contributions remains elusive.
Back Pain and Backpacks in School Children

Objective: Back pain in adults is common and well studied. In contrast, back pain in children has received comparatively little scientific study, despite recent media attention. The purpose of this study is to see what factors influence the prevalence of back pain in middle school children, with particular attention to the weight of children's backpacks and the availability of school lockers. Methods: A population-based sample of 1540 children ages 11-14 years in a large metropolitan area was studied. A questionnaire was used to determine presence and severity of back pain, availability of lockers, backpack use, use of 1 or 2 straps to carry backpack, activity limitations due to back pain, and use of pain medication for back pain. Gender, age, weight of the child, and weight of his or her backpack were recorded. Results of scoliosis screening were evaluated with regard to the above information. Data were analyzed using the &khgr;2 test and univariate or multivariate logistic regression analysis as appropriate. Results: Overall, 37% of the children reported back pain. Backpacks were used by 97% of children, hence there were too few students not using backpacks to treat backpack use as an independent variable. Multivariate analysis found back pain associated with use of a heavier backpack (P = 0.001), younger age (P < 0.001), female sex (P < 0.001), and a positive screening examination for scoliosis (P = 0.009). Children with lockers available reported less back pain (P = 0.016). The use of 1 or 2 straps to carry the backpack did not have a significant association with back pain (P = 0.588). Of the children who reported back pain, 34% limited their activity due to the pain, 14% use medication for pain relief, and 82% believed their backpack either caused or worsened their pain. Conclusions: The incidence of back pain in early adolescence approaches that seen in adults. Recommendations for an "acceptable" weight of backpacks cannot be made from this study, as the weights of students' backpacks seem directly proportional to the likelihood of back pain. This study identifies 2 factors associated with self-reported back pain in early adolescents that are amenable to change: availability of school lockers and lighter backpacks. These findings may be useful in advising families and influencing school policies.
Nucleated Red Blood Cells in Term Fetuses: Reference Values Using an Automated Analyzer

Background: Nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) are present in small numbers in the cord blood of healthy fetuses at birth. Acute and chronic stimuli, such as fetal hypoxia, cause increased circulating levels of NRBCs. Manual counting is presently the only way to quantify NRBCs, but it is time-consuming and inaccurate. Recently, automated approaches have been developed in order to quantify NRBCs. Objectives: Our aim was to compare manual vs. automated NRBC counting and derive reference values in umbilical cord blood samples from healthy term fetuses. Methods: We analyzed blood samples from 131 healthy term fetuses by the automated approach and calculated reference values of NRBC counts as percentiles. To compare automated NRBC count with manual count we obtained umbilical cord blood samples from 50 further fetuses. Results: Significant positive correlation was obtained between the two methods (r2 = 0.988, Bland-Altman plot mean difference NRBCs/100 WBC: –0.590). The median for NRBCs/100 WBC was 3.05 (range 0–11.6) and the median for absolute NRBC counts ×109/l was 0.39 (range 0–1.8). Conclusions: We demonstrate that values obtained with the automated NRBC counting method are comparable to those obtained with the microscopic manual evaluation and give reference values for umbilical cord NRBCs at term that can be used in clinical practice.
Simultaneous Microwave- and Millimeter-Wave Signal Generation With a 1310-nm Quantum-Dot-Distributed Feedback Laser

Simultaneous generation of microwave- and millimeter-wave (mm-wave) signals is demonstrated experimentally using a 1310-nm quantum-dot-(QD)-distributed-feedback (DFB) laser. The reported technique is based on the period-1 dynamics and dual-mode lasing induced in the laser device under external optical injection. Tunability of the generated microwave- and mm-wave signals is obtained. Furthermore, abrupt switching between different frequency regimes in the microwave- and mm-wave bands is also observed. These novel frequency switching mechanisms added to the tuning capability of the system offer exciting prospects for novel uses of QD lasers in ultrahigh-frequency applications. Our approach also benefits from a simple experimental configuration using basic optical fiber components making our technique totally compatible with optical telecommunication networks.
Association of polymorphisms in heat shock protein 70 genes with the susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss: A meta-analysis

Background Several case-control studies reported the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in HSP70 genes and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). However, their conclusions are conflicting. This meta-analysis aims to identify the association of HSP70 variants and NIHL susceptibility. Method A systematical literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Wanfang Chinese database. The pooled odds radio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and p value were calculated in fixed- or random-effects model according to the I2 value in the heterogeneity test. Results Four articles containing five studies, including 633 cases and 926 controls, were included. Under the allele, homozygote and dominant model, the pooled ORs (95%CI, p-value) of rs1061581 were 1.32 (1.06–1.67, p = 0.019), 1.93 (1.10–3.36, p = 0.021) and 1.455 (1.408–2.019, p = 0.025), respectively. In addition, a significant association was found between rs2227956 in Caucasians and the NIHL susceptibility under all five genetic models. We did not discover evidence sufficient to prove the associations between the other three SNPs (rs1043618, rs2763979 and rs2075800) and the NIHL susceptibility. Conclusion This meta-analysis indicated that the two HSP70 variants, rs1061581 and rs2227956, may serve as genetic susceptibility factors for NIHL. Larger scale studies are required to further update the results.
The stability of sustained oscillations in symmetric cooperative competitive networks

In an earlier work of M.A. Cohen et al. (1983), it was shown that distance-dependent on-center off-surround neural networks whose on-center is self-excitatory only is stable. In a later publication (M.A. Cohen, 1988), it was shown that should the excitatory on-center be broadened, then persistent oscillations are possible. In this work the stability of some of these oscillations is shown. <<ETX>>
Cooperative rate control in ATM networks

This paper introduces the concept of a bottleneck-switches cooperation in the explicit rate-control framework of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks. The proposed controller regulates the rates of available bit rate (ABR) traffic class and requires only local information exchange between bottleneck nodes. A sufficient condition for network closed loop stability is given and it is used for switch-controller parameters design. A realistic numerical validation is carried out by a discrete packet simulator.
Volatility Transmission and Dynamic Correlation Analysis between Developed and Emerging European Stock Markets during Sovereign Debt Crisis

This study empirically examines the impact of the sovereign debt crisis on three Central and Eastern European emerging stock markets (the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland will be referred as three CEE). Particular attention is given to volatility transmission and conditional correlation changes in the aftermath of the European crisis against the backdrop of countries which have experienced substantial decline in their equity markets. These countries are known as GIPSI (Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Italy). In order to compare the conditional correlation and account for indirect transmission, the UK, Germany, and France, also referred to as EU 3, are included. To account for the time-variability of the conditional correlations, a dynamic structure is employed that uses the multivariate DCC model of Engle (2002). In order to gauge the impact of the crisis the data are divided into pre-EU crisis and during/after EU crisis, the results are fourfold. First, with the exception of the Greek market, a significant spillover effect from the GIPSI and EU 3 to the three CEE is noticed. Second, among the three CEE the stock market of Poland has shown a significantly higher level of weighted average conditional correlation as compared to Hungary and the Czech Republic. Third, the EU 3 have a higher level of weighted average correlation as compared to GIPSI and, among the GIPIS countries, Spain and Italy have higher level correlations with three CEE. Fourth, the Greek stock market remains the most volatile out of all the mature markets in the sample but the unconditional and conditional correlations during the sovereign debt crisis are substantially lower with respect to three CEE.
Antenatal glucocorticoid treatment is not associated with long-term metabolic risks in individuals born before 32 weeks of gestation

Background: A single course of maternal glucocorticoid treatment is effective in reducing neonatal mortality after preterm birth. However, in animals, maternal glucocorticoid treatment is associated with lifelong hyperglycaemia and hypertension, and impaired nephrogenesis in offspring. Findings from studies in humans on this topic are highly contradictory due to a number of methodological flaws, and renal function after glucocorticoid exposure has never been assessed. Objectives: To assess in individuals born <32 gestational weeks whether antenatal glucocorticoid treatment for preterm birth is associated with long-term metabolical risks, including renal function, in adulthood. Design: Birth cohort study. Setting: Multicentre study. Patients: 412 19 year olds born <32 gestational weeks from the Project On Preterm and Small-for-gestational-age infants (POPS) cohort. Interventions: Maternal betamethasone 12 mg administered twice with a 24 h interval. Main outcome measures: Body composition, insulin resistance, the serum lipid profile, blood pressure and estimated renal function. Results: We did not find any long-term adverse effects of antenatal betamethasone, with the exception of an effect on glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In 19-year-old survivors, GFR was lower after betamethasone: −5.2 ml/min (95% CI −8.9 to −1.4) per 1.73 m2. Conclusions: The reduction in neonatal mortality associated with a single course of maternal betamethasone is not accompanied by long-term metabolical risks in survivors of preterm birth. The only adverse effect found was lower GFR. Although this difference was not clinically relevant at 19 years, it might predict an increased risk of chronic renal failure in prematurely born individuals who were exposed antenatally to betamethasone.
The New Vote Denial: Where Election Reform Meets the Voting Rights Act

The years since the 2000 presidential election have witnessed unprecedented attention to the mechanics of election administration. Among the administrative practices considered under the general rubric of election reform are voter registration, provisional voting, ballot security measures, voting machines, early and absentee voting, challenges to voter eligibility, and the process for recounts and contests. Recognizing that every vote really does matter, at least in some elections, the parties have made these subjects a new electoral battleground. This focus on the nuts and bolts of election administration coincides with increased attention to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), key provisions of the which are scheduled to expire in 2007. The subject of this article is the cases in which these two areas - election reform and VRA enforcement - intersect. More specifically, it is on cases in which minority voters allege that administrative practices result in the disproportionate denial of their votes. The most prominent examples are cases in the areas of voting equipment, felon disenfranchisement, and voter ID requirements. The question that frames the article's analysis is how the VRA, particularly Section 2 of that Act, should apply to these cases. The article distinguishes cases involving vote denial from those involving vote dilution. The former term refers to practices that are deployed in such a way as to prevent people from voting or having their votes counted (such as literacy tests, poll taxes, all-white primaries, and language barriers), while the latter refers to practices that diminish minorities' political influence where they were allowed to vote (such as at-large elections and redistricting plans). The first generation of VRA enforcement focused mainly on vote denial, while the second generation focused mainly on vote dilution. The application of the VRA to practices such as felon disenfranchisement, voting machines, and voter ID laws represents a new generation of VRA enforcement. But there is relatively little case authority or academic commentary on Section 2's application to such new vote denial cases. This article attempts to address this shortcoming by suggesting a legal standard that should govern Section 2 vote denial claims. In particular, it recommends a burden-shifting test that borrows from cases interpreting Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This test has the advantage of capturing those practices which weaken minorities' voting strength and may result from intentional discrimination, while still taking into account governmental ends that are so compelling as to justify disproportionate barriers to minority participation.
Laminin Expression by Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts

Our previous study demonstrated that a laminin-like molecule produced by periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PLFs) induces gingival epithelial cell chemotaxis. The aim of this study was to identify the laminin isoforms that are expressed by PLFs. Proteins in PLF-conditioned medium from serum-free cultures were separated by gel filtration followed by gelatin-affinity chromatography to remove fibronectin. Protein expression of laminin isoforms was determined using Western blotting, and mRNA expression was examined by RT-PCR. Partially purified laminin evoked gingival epithelial cell chemotaxis, and this activity was blocked by anti-integrin α3, α6, and β1 antibodies. Although RT-PCR analysis showed PLFs expressed laminin α1 to α5, β1 to β3, γ1, and γ2 chain mRNAs, the predominant laminin chains detected by Western blotting were α4, α2, β1, β2, and γ1. These results suggest that PLFs secrete mainly laminin-8/9 (α4β1γ1/α4β2γ1) and laminin-2/4 (α2β1γ1/α2β2γ1). PLF-derived laminins may be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of periodontitis by inducing apical migration of epithelial cells in certain circumstances.