Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of ion channels and neurofilaments during neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonal carcinoma cell lines.

1. an embryonal carcinoma cell line, PCC4‐Aza1‐ECA2, was induced to differentiate to neurones by two different procedures: an addition of retinoic acid to the culture medium or a reduction of serum concentration. The changes in membrane currents during differentiation were studied by the whole‐cell variation of the patch‐clamp technique and the change in neurofilament expression was studied immunohistochemically. 2. Stem cells showed the outward K+ current which inactivated slightly, but no inward currents were observed. These cells did not express neurofilament. 3. Three days after an addition of 10(‐7) M‐retinoic acid, neurofilament‐positive round cells without processes began to appear. The inward currents observed in these cells were the Na+ current and fast‐inactivating Ca2+‐channel current. Four days after an addition of 10(‐7) M‐retinoic acid, the cells began to extend processes and showed an intense neurofilament expression. The inward currents were the Na+ current and slow‐inactivating Ca2+‐channel current, while the fast‐inactivating Ca2+‐channel current observed previously had almost disappeared. The amplitude of the outward K+ current was larger than that in the stem cell and it did not show clear inactivation. 4. By reducing the serum concentration in the medium from 10 to 0.1%, cells with processes were observed after 6 days. They were neurofilament‐positive and had the Na+ current, both fast‐ and slow‐inactivating Ca2+‐channel currents, and the outward K+ current which inactivated slightly. 5. The properties of these ionic currents observed in induced neurones were studied. The Na+ current was blocked by 0.1 microM‐tetrodotoxin at any stage. The Na+ current was evoked by a depolarization pulse to a level above ‐40 mV with a maximum amplitude at around ‐10 mV. The fast‐inactivating Ca2+‐channel current was evoked by a depolarization to a level above ‐50 mV with a maximum amplitude at around ‐15 mV. It was resistant to 50 microM‐Cd2+. The slow‐inactivating Ca2+‐channel current was evoked by a depolarization pulse to a level above ‐30 mV with a maximum amplitude at around +5 mV. It was blocked by 50 microM‐Cd2+. It showed slight inactivation, which was not voltage‐dependent but current‐dependent. It was enhanced by 1 microM‐Bay K 8644. The outward K+ current was blocked by replacing intracellular K+ with Cs+. 6. Another embryonal carcinoma cell line, P19, was induced to differentiate to neurons by adding 10(‐6) M‐retinoic acid to the medium. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Emergence of Stand-Alone Social and Environmental Reporting in Mainland China: An Exploratory Research Note

Despite the increasing prominence of China1 in the world economy and its importance socially and environmentally, there is still relatively little English-language research into social and environmental disclosure by Chinese companies. This paper has the explicitly modest intention of reviewing and extending the extant literature and offering additional descriptive data about Chinese stand-alone social and environmental reports. There is a range of inferences which appear to be counter-intuitive to Anglo-Saxon and European researchers and which will deserve further research.
Managerial Decision Making and Capital Structure

This article investigates leverage influence on project selection. First, the authors examine 428 mergers (1962-82) and then 389 acquisitions of all types (1982-86). Announcement-period acquirer returns are greater the higher the leverage of the acquirer. A third data set contains 173 acquisitions undertaken during 1978-90 for firms that underwent major increases in leverage, often forced by hostile takeover. Acquisition performance increases after restructuring. The evidence is invariant with respect to methodology--beta-adjusted abnormal returns, numeraire portfolio approach, and three-factor regression model residuals produce identical results. Overall, the data support the hypothesis that debt improves managerial decision-making. Copyright 1993 by University of Chicago Press.
Growth and employment in de-industrializing Philippines

The Philippines was rated in the early 1960s by the World Bank as second only to Japan in Asia's industrialization race. In the 1970s–1990s, the Philippines pursued export-oriented industrialization (EOI). However, the Philippines’ industrial drive failed to take off and we trace this failure to the narrow program of EOI that Philippines pursued with the support of international financial institutions, which was myopic because it simply focused on how to open up the economy without a focus on industrial upgrading. There were no value-adding linkages with the domestic economy, home-grown export champions, program for upgrading and infrastructure and support institutions for national producers. The failure is due to the absence of systemic governance and policy coherence. Nonetheless, the Philippines has posted positive growth rates in recent decades, due largely to remittances of Filipino migrant but has helped transform the country into a service-sector-led economy without passing through industrial transformation.
Improved IPSec tunnel establishment for 3GPP–WLAN interworking

Interworking between wireless local area network (WLAN) and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) is facing more and more problems linked to security threats. Securing this interworking is a major challenge because of the vastly different architectures used within each network. Therefore, security is one of the major technical concerns in wireless networks that include measures such as authentication and encryption. Among the major challenges in the interworking security is the securing of the network layer. The goal of this article is twofold. First, we propose a new scheme to secure 3GPP LTE–WLAN interworking by the establishment of an improved IP Security tunnel between them. The proposed solution combines the Internet Key Exchange (IKEv2) with the Host Identity Protocol (HIP) to set up a security association based on two parameters, which are location and identity. Our novel scheme, which is called HIP_IKEv2, guarantees better security properties than each protocol used alone. Second, we benefit from Mobile Internet Key Exchange protocol (MOBIKE) in case of mobility events (handover). And we extend HIP_IKEv2 to HIP_MOBIKEv2 protocol in order to reduce the authentication signaling traffic. The proposed solution reinforces authentication, eliminates man‐in‐the‐middle attack, reduces denial‐of‐service attack, assures the integrity of messages, and secures against reply attack. Finally, our proposed solution has been modeled and verified using the Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications and the Security Protocol Animator, which has proved its security when an intruder is present. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The New York City Fiscal Crisis: What Happened and What Is to Be Done?

The New York City fiscal crisis as it was played out in the nation's newspapers this year had all the elements of a first class drama. There was first of all the tension-would the city make it through its periodic financial hurdles, would the Ford Administration blink, what would happen if the city defaulted? Then there were the accusations was it the fault of Wagner, Lindsay, Beame, Rockefeller, Ford, the unions, or economic and social forces beyond the city's control? Then the controversy-the issue seemed ideally suited to split deficit spenders from budget balancers, soft-headed liberals from hardheaded accountants, eastern establishment intellectuals from the silent majority. Finally, though it did not capture as much press coverage, the crisis also graphically illustrated several basic issues in the economics of federalism that are now creeping into public finance textbooks-the proper role of local and national governments in stabilizing the economy and redistributing income, whether the federal or the state government has an obligation to protect the financial integrity of local governments, whether public expenditures can be effectively controlled in the short run. This paper discusses the city's fiscal plight in the context of all of these issues. I. How Big are the Deficits?
Helping Organizations Help Others: Organization Development as a Facilitator of Social Change

This article explores organization development (OD) interventions and their likelihood of increasing social change outcomes in public agencies. The central argument of this work is that public and nonprofit organizations can deliver better social outcomes by systematically engaging in OD interventions. An in-depth survey was conducted in 3 agencies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at the end of the gubernatorial administration of Tom Ridge (1995–2002). During his administration, Governor Ridge led the agencies of Pennsylvania government through a large-scale change effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The change effort was a remarkable event for the Commonwealth because no other governor in the history of the state had attempted to conceptualize and deliver a comprehensive large-scale change management initiative. The successes and setbacks served as a fertile context to shed light on the following research question: Do OD interventions increase the likelihood that public organizations will deliver better social outcomes? This question is important in that public organizations may need to engage in organization development activities to improve their internal operations, which in turn may help them provide exemplary social outcomes to those whom they serve. In short, organization development interventions might allow public organizations to help themselves to help others.
Treatment Persistence with Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists and Inhaled Corticosteroids

Background. Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) must be taken continuously to control persistent asthma. We compared the use of LTRAs and ICSs in patients with similar level of asthma control at treatment initiation with particular attention to treatment persistence. Methods. Two cohorts of 15 to 45 year old patients with asthma were selected from the Quebec Health Insurance Plan Database between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2000. We first identified new users of LTRAs and from the remaining patients, we selected new users of ICSs. The ICS patients were then one-to-one matched to LTRA patients on the use of short-acting β2-agonists and oral corticosteroids in the year prior to the date of the first LTRA or ICS dispensation (index date). We compared compliance to initial therapies using Cox proportional hazards models. Results. Each of the LTRA and ICS cohorts included 2200 patients. Multivariate model showed that compliance was significantly better for LTRAs than for ICSs [adjusted rate ratio of treatment discontinuation (aRR), 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42–0.49]. If in both groups all medications filled were taken at the prescribed dose, the annual percent of days on therapy for LTRA users would have been twice that for ICS users (38% vs. 19%; p < 0.0001). Conclusion. The findings of this observational study indicate a far from optimal persistence to LTRAs and ICSs in asthmatic patients. The superior persistence to LTRAs might result in better effectiveness.
Globalization in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Part I

This report on the pharmaceutical industry will be published in two parts. Part I begins with a summary of the study and its conclusions. The authors then provide an overview of the characteristics of the industry and current trends in its growth and structure: production and consumption, employment, research and development, capital investment, firm and product concentration and product competition, and pricing. A discussion of international trade follows, covering intra- and inter-regional, intra-firm, and intra-industry trade. The report will continue in the next issue of the Journal (Part II) with a look at foreign direct investment, inter-firm networks, and governmental policies.
Expert panels evaluating research: decision-making and sources of bias

This study consists of in-depth analysis of six international evaluations of Norwegian research. There was little overlapping competence on the panels, a high degree of task division and the composition of an expert panel, the organisation of its work and lack of group interaction, may have been decisive for the conclusions of the evaluations. Moreover, there seems to have been a serious disparity between the processes and resources of the studied evaluations and the demands that ideally should be met when judging scholarly quality. The revealed weaknesses are believed to be inherent to the concept of expert panel evaluation of research as an instrument for national research policy, and not specific for the studied evaluations. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
Optimal Fiscal and Monetary Policy

We provide an introduction to optimal fiscal and monetary policy using the primal approach to optimal taxation. We use this approach to address how fiscal and monetary policy should be set over the long run and over the business cycle. We find four substantive lessons for policymaking: Capital income taxes should be high initially and then roughly zero; tax rates on labor and consumption should be roughly constant; state-contingent taxes on assets should be used to provide insurance against adverse shocks; and monetary policy should be conducted so as to keep nominal interest rates close to zero. We begin optimal taxation in a static context. We then develop a general framework to analyze optimal fiscal policy. Finally, we analyze optimal monetary policy in three commonly used models of money: a cash-credit economy, a money-in-the-utility-function economy
Inducible Nitric-oxide Synthase Is Regulated by the Proteasome Degradation Pathway*

Inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) is responsible for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis froml-arginine in response to inflammatory mediators. To determine the degradation pathway of iNOS, human epithelial kidney HEK293 cells with stable expression of human iNOS were incubated in the presence of various degradation pathway inhibitors. Treatment with the proteasomal inhibitors lactacystin, MG132, andN-acetyl-l-leucinyl-l-leucinyl-l-norleucinal resulted in the accumulation of iNOS, indicating that these inhibitors blocked its degradation. Moreover, proteasomal inhibition blocked iNOS degradation in a dose- and time-dependent manner as well as when NO synthesis was inhibited byN ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Furthermore, proteasomal inhibition blocked the degradation of an iNOS splice variant that lacked the capacity to dimerize and of an iNOS mutant that lacks l-arginine binding ability, suggesting that iNOS is targeted by proteasomes, notwithstanding its capacity to produce NO, dimerize, or bind the substrate. In contrast to proteasomal inhibitors, the calpain inhibitor calpastatin and the lysosomal inhibitorstrans-epoxysuccinyl-l-leucylamido-4-guanidino butane, leupeptin, pepstatin-A, chloroquine, and NH4Cl did not lead to significant accumulation of iNOS. Interestingly, when cytokines were used to induce iNOS in RT4 human epithelial cells, the effect of proteasomal inhibition was dichotomous. Lactacystin added prior to cytokine stimulation prevented iNOS induction by blocking the degradation of the NF-κB inhibitor IκB-α, thus preventing activation of NF-κB. In contrast, lactacystin added 48 h after iNOS induction led to the accumulation of iNOS. Similarly, in murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7, lactacystin blocked iNOS degradation when added 48 h after iNOS induction by lipopolysaccharide. These data identify the proteasome as the primary degradation pathway for iNOS.
Both IL‐12p70 and IL‐23 are synthesized during active Crohn's disease and are down‐regulated by treatment with anti‐IL‐12 p40 monoclonal antibody

Background: Interleukin (IL)‐12p70 and IL‐23 are key T helper‐1 (TH1) cytokines that drive the inflammation seen in numerous models of intestinal inflammation. These molecules contain an identical p40 chain that is bound to a p35 chain in IL‐12 and a p19 chain in IL‐23, making both potentially susceptible to modulation by an anti‐IL‐12p40 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Methods: In the present study, we sought to determine whether active inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with the increased synthesis of both of these cytokines and whether patients treated with an anti‐IL‐12p40 mAb down‐regulate IL‐23 as well as IL‐12p70 as previous reported. Results: To this end we initially determined that IL‐12p70 secretion by control and CD antigen‐presenting cells (macrophages) in lamina propria mononuclear populations is optimized by stimulation with CD40L and interferon‐&ggr;. In subsequent studies using these stimulation conditions we found that patients with CD manifested both increased IL‐12p70 and IL‐23 secretion before anti‐IL‐12p40 mAb treatment and normal levels of secretion of these cytokines following cessation of treatment. Antigen‐presenting cells in lamina propria mononuclear cells from ulcerative colitis patients, in contrast, produced only baseline levels of IL‐23. Finally, we found that IL‐23‐induced T cell production of IL‐17 and IL‐6 are also greatly reduced after antibody treatment. The latter data are parallel to those from previous studies showing that anti‐IL‐12p40 down‐regulates IFN‐&ggr; and tumor necrosis factor‐&agr; secretion. Conclusions: We conclude that CD but not ulcerative colitis is associated with high levels of both IL‐12p70 and IL‐23 secretion as well as the secretion of downstream effector cytokines, and that this cytokine production is down‐regulated following administration of IL‐12p40 mAb.
Author ' s personal copy Reliability analysis of time series force plate data of community dwelling older adults

Frequency-based analysis of body sway has been used to distinguish between healthy young, healthy elderly adults and elderly adults with Huntingtons disease. Our aim was to assess the reliability of spectral-based outcomes of the centre of pressure (CoP) kinematics in order to determine if these outcomes could be tested for their capability to distinguish between elderly fallers and non-fallers in a future study. We have studied balance for 30 community dwelling healthy older adults 60 years or older. Four test conditions were used. Three successive trials were performed for each condition. CoP kinematics were estimated with a force platform with three strain gauges set in a triangular position. The frequency content of these signals was estimated. Intrasession correlation coefficients (ICC’s) were then calculated for all test conditions. The reliability of the selected parameters varied between low and high (ICC 0.652–0.939). The ICC’s for the narrow stance tests were higher compared to tests with normal standing conditions (0.771–0.94) to (0.652–0.865). The highest value was obtained in the high frequency band (0.939). These measures should be viewed with caution when screening geriatric patients because their reliability cannot always be assumed. 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. * Corresponding author at: Zurich University of Applied Sciences, School of Health Professions, Institute of Physiotherapy, Technikumstrasse 71, P.O. Box 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland. Tel. : +41 934 6449; fax: +41 935 6449. E-mail address: Christoph.Bauer@zhaw.ch (C. Bauer).
Perceptions of climate change on the Island of Providencia

Climate change-related impacts have the capacity to substantially influence Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean. Currently, many SIDS are engaged in large-scale vulnerability assessments that aim to identify, analyse, and inform solutions to mitigate climate change-related impacts. Many of these assessments, while useful, place little emphasis on the local stakeholders' perceptions of climate change. One such Caribbean community impacted by climate-related change is Providence Island in Colombia. Using a vulnerability assessment framework (Marshall, P.A. et al. 2010. A framework for social adaptation to climate change: sustaining tropical coastal communities and industries. Gland: IUCN Publication Services), researchers interviewed island residents (N = 23) about their perceptions of climate change, impacts on the local environment, and how the island community may adapt. All interviews were transcribed and analysed using a priori and open coding to identify patterns of and relationships between stakeholders' responses. Results indicate that local perceptions of climate change are linked to (1) environmental knowledge, (2) environmental awareness, attitudes, and beliefs, and (3) perceptions of risk. Implications for local adaptive strategies, education, communication, and suggestions for engagement at the local level are discussed.
Environmentally induced cholinergic urticaria and anaphylaxis.

Although urticaria is generally an uncomfortable condition, it is usually considered to be relatively benign. Recent evidence indicates that numerous environmental stimuli can initiate cholinergic urticaria, and severe systemic manifestations may be associated with the onset of the urticaria. Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is a specific life-threatening reaction that has been documented to occur very unpredictably in susceptible individuals with cholinergic urticaria. The occurrence of severe hypotension, syncope, or laryngeal edema poses specific limitations to optimum performance should it occur in individuals employed in critical occupations. Although treatment with appropriate medications is generally effective in control of symptoms, these medications frequently have side effects not tolerable in high-risk situations. Four cases of U.S. Air Force aircrewmen referred to the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine for aeromedical evaluation illustrate the spectrum of problems that can be associated with cholinergic urticaria. Exercise history should always be carefully evaluated in all individuals who present with urticaria.
Survey of Fungal Diseases of Some Vegetables and Fruits in Aswan, EGYPT

Fifteen species belonging to 9 terrestrial fungal genera were isolated from diseased fruits and vegetables on PDA media during this investigation. Aspergillus came in high incidence genera and represented by three species namely; A. flavus var colamnaris, A. niger and A. ochraceus. Another four fungal genera were came in the second position after Aspergillus and represented by two identified species these were; Acremonium, Alternaria, Fusarium and Penicillium. The remaining four fungal genera which isolated were representative by only one species were; Botryotrichum sp. , Gilmaniela humicola, Mucor hiemalis and Torula sp. Solanum lycopersicum was yielded the highest number of genera and species (7 and 11, respectively). Psidium guava was yield the lowest number of fungal genera and species (1 and 1). All fungal which isolated in this investigation were screened for their ability to cellulose production on CMC agar plates within 3 days, among all tested isolates Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium proliferatum were the highest fungal isolates produced clear zone (3.65 mm) and (3.15 mm) respectively.