Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of sulfated derivatives of polysaccharides extracted from Auricularia auricular on hematologic injury induced by radiation

Background: Ionizing radiaƟ on induces the producƟ on of reacƟ ve oxygen species (ROS), which play an important causaƟ ve role in cell death. The aim of this study was to invesƟ gate the protecƟ ve effects of sulfated derivaƟ ves of neutral polysaccharides extracted from Auricularia auricular (SNAAP). Materials and Methods: Whole blood samples from healthy donors treated with SNAAP at different concentraƟ ons (20, 60, 100 μg/mL) were exposed to various doses of X-rays. Wistar rat spleen lymphocytes, in cultures, were treated with SNAAP at different concentraƟ ons (20, 60, 100 μg/mL) in the presence p.o 12 hours prior to 8 Gy gamma radiaƟ on exposure. Animals were administered with SNAAP at doses of 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight d p.o 7 days prior to sub-lethal doses (6 Gy) of whole body gamma radiaƟ on exposure. Results: SNAAP is an effecƟ ve radio protector against X-ray radiaƟ on induced in vitro cellular damage in human peripheral blood. Furthermore, to support this finding the effect of SNAAP on a rat's spleen lymphocytes, when cultured and examined 24 hours aŌ er exposure to 8 Gy γ of radiaƟ on, demonstrated the effect of polysaccharides on a rat's spleen lymphocytes, pretreated by the SNAAP, can increase the cell viability compared with irradiated group at a concentraƟ on of 20, 60 and 100 μg/mL. Likewise, this radiaƟ on-induced therapy decreased each mouse's body weight and effecƟ vely sƟ mulated the immune system of all radiated mice. Moreover, when induced by Co60, the SNAAP decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) acƟ vity in the whole blood supply of the irradiated mice. Conclusion: These encouraging results support further research into the clinical pharmacology of SNAAP as a novel agent for human radiaƟ on protecƟ on.
Normobaric hyperoxia reduces MRI diffusion abnormalities and infarct size in experimental stroke

BackgroundHyperbaric oxygen therapy is considered an important stroke treatment strategy. BackgroundTo determine whether normobaric oxygen is neuroprotective, and, if so, what the therapeutic time window is. MethodsExperiment 1—Serial diffusion- and perfusion-weighted MRI (DWI and PWI) was performed after middle cerebral artery filament occlusion (MCAO) in rats randomized to FiO2 30% (normoxia) or FiO2 100% (hyperoxia). Experiment 2—48-hour lesion volumes were analyzed in rats subjected to 2-hour MCAO and randomized to normoxia or hyperoxia starting 15, 30, or 45 minutes after MCAO and ending 15 minutes after reperfusion. ResultsExperiment 1—Lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were persistently low in normoxic animals. In hyperoxia-treated rats, ADC values in cortical border zones showed progressive recovery from 66 ± 3% of contralateral before hyperoxia, to 104 ± 20% at ∼2 hours. Striatal ADC values showed early but ill-sustained improvement. ADC lesion volumes increased progressively in the normoxia group. In the hyperoxia group, ADC lesion volumes tended to decrease after starting hyperoxia; however, lesions later increased in size, and 2-hour lesion volumes were not significantly different from baseline. PWI showed stable right MCA hypoperfusion in all animals. Experiment 2—Hyperoxia within 30 minutes significantly reduced total and cortical lesion volumes at 48 hours after stroke. Striatal lesion volumes were significantly reduced in the hyperoxia-15 group. ConclusionIn rats subjected to transient stroke, 100% oxygen administered within 30 minutes salvages ischemic brain tissue, especially in the cerebral cortex. Reducing the time to treatment enhances the degree of neuroprotection.
Hematologic studies of children with lead poisoning.

Thirteen cases of lead poisoning in children were studied hematologically and compared with a similar age group with uncomplicated nutritional iron deficiency anemia. Both groups had a moderate to severe microcytic hypochromic anemia, with a low plasma iron and per cent iron saturation. The group with lead poisoning also had an increase in stippling, target cells and reticulocytes, not present in the other group. The total iron-binding capacity was lower in the lead-poisoning group. The most prominent finding was a great increase in free erythrocyte protoporphyrin in the lead-poisoning group. The group with lead poisoning probably had previous nutritional iron deficiency anemia upon which the lead poisoning had superimposed other hematologic changes. It is not known whether the coincidence of nutritional iron deficiency anemia and lead poisoning has special significance.
New Kids on the Blockchain: How Bitcoin's Technology Could Reinvent the Stock Market

Bitcoin is the first and most successful digital currency in the world. It is polarized in the news almost daily, with either glowing reviews of the many benefits of an alternative and international currency, or doomsday predictions of anarchy, deflation, and another tulip bubble.This Article focuses on the truly innovative aspect of Bitcoin — and that which has gone mostly unnoticed since its inception — the technological platform used to transfer Bitcoin from one party to another. This technology is called the Blockchain. The Blockchain eschews a bank or other middleman and allows parties to transfer funds directly to one another, using a peer-to-peer system. This disruptive technology has done for money transfers what email did for sending mail — by removing the need for a trusted third party just as email removed the need for using the post office to send mail.If this technology can be used for peer-to-peer money transfers, why not extend the technology to accomplish other forms of transfers? Imagine selling a house or buying a car peer-to-peer. What about using the Blockchain technology to buy and sell stocks? Stocks exchanged completely peer-to-peer could resolve many of the issues facing the stock market today, including high frequency trading and short sales. This article focuses on developing a peer-to-peer stock market system, the legal implications of such a system, and how this system will fit in with current legislation and regulation.
An Improved Uplink Sparse Coded Multiple Access

Sparse coded multiple access (SCMA) has received considerable attention recently as a candidate multiple access scheme for 5G cellular systems. This letter proposes an improved uplink SCMA scheme where instead of the multi-dimensional constellation (MDC) mapping and a fixed number of nonzero elements per sparse codeword, a varying number of coded symbols from each user are directly mapped onto the resource elements. We show that the proposed SCMA scheme outperforms the MDC-SCMA scheme in terms of both error rate performance and receiver complexity when the user load is high.
Towards Fully Integrated Low-Cost Inductive Powered CMOS Wireless Temperature Sensor

We describe the complete monolithic integration of an inductive powered wireless sensor system using commercial complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor technology. The wireless system includes: two on-chip inductors used for communication and polarization, a cross-coupled oscillator for communication (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{935.6 MHz}$</tex-math></inline-formula>), an inductive coupled energy receiver system (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{13.5 MHz}$</tex-math></inline-formula>), a signal converter that converts constant current signals into pulses of modulated width, an asynchronous controller for autonomous operation of the chip, and an integrated temperature sensor. The chip was wirelessly biased by an inductive power transfer link at a distance of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{2 mm}$</tex-math></inline-formula>. The signal transmitted by the chip was detected by a spectral analyzer and a dipole antenna up to a distance of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{110 cm}$</tex-math></inline-formula> with an intensity of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{-88 dBm}$</tex-math></inline-formula>. The integrated temperature sensor shows a linear response (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R^{2} = 0.9968$</tex-math></inline-formula>) and presents a sensitivity of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{192, 94}\text{ Hz}/^{\circ }\text{C}$</tex-math> </inline-formula>. The full system occupies <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$74.93\%$</tex-math> </inline-formula> of an area of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{1.5 mm}$</tex-math></inline-formula> <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times$</tex-math></inline-formula> <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{1.5 mm}$</tex-math></inline-formula>. This wireless system is functional out-of-the-box without the need for additional components or post-processes. This integration leads to more robust, smaller, and a potentially cheaper wireless sensor systems, and provides new opportunities for size- and cost-sensitive applications.
International Banking Crises: Large-Scale Failures, Massive Government Interventions

Why Banks Fail Bank Growth and Failure by Benton E. Gup International Banking Crises: The Real Estate Connection by Benton E. Gup International Bank Lending and the Southeast Asia Financial Crisis by Philip F. Bartholomew and Nancy A. Wentzler Crises in Selected Countries Thailand: A Tale of Sustained Growth and Then Collapse by Benton E. Gup and Doowoo Nam Financial Crisis in Thailand by Kiyoshi Abe The Economic Crisis of Indonesia by Doowoo Nam and Benton E. Gup The Economic Crisis of South Korea by Doowoo Nam and Benton E. Gup Russia's Financial Debacle by Benton E. Gup and Doowoo Nam The Tequila Banking Crisis in Argentina by Marcelo Dabos and Laura Gomez Mera Measuring the Default of Banks: The Case of Mutual Banks in Argentina during the Tequila Bankins Crisis by Marcelo Dabos Bank Regulatory Issues Is Prudential Bank Regulation Effective? by Benton E. Gup The Decision to Fail Banks: A Global View by Benton E. Gup and Philip F. Bartholomew What Basle Forgot by D. Johannes Juttner and Benton E. Gup Problem Bank Resolution: Evaluating the Options by Anthony M. Santomero and Paul Hoffman Resolving, Recapitalizing, and Restructuring Insolvent Banks and Banking Systems by George G. Kaufman Index
PSTPIP Is a Substrate of PTP-PEST and Serves as a Scaffold Guiding PTP-PEST Toward a Specific Dephosphorylation of WASP*

PSTPIP is a tyrosine-phosphorylated protein involved in the organization of the cytoskeleton. Its ectopic expression induces filipodial-like membrane extensions in NIH 3T3 cells. We previously observed a defect in cytokinesis and an increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of PSTPIP in PTP-PEST-deficient fibroblasts. In this article, we demonstrate that PTP-PEST and PSTPIP are found in the same complexes in vivo and that they interact directly through the CTH domain of PTP-PEST and the coiled-coil domain of PSTPIP. We tested pathways that could regulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of PSTPIP. We found that the activation of the epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor receptors can induce PSTPIP phosphorylation. With the use of the PP2 inhibitor, we demonstrate that Src kinases are not involved in the epidermal growth factor-mediated phosphorylation of PSTPIP. Together with previous results, this suggests that c-Abl is the critical tyrosine kinase downstream of growth factor receptors responsible for PSTPIP phosphorylation. We also demonstrate that PTP-PEST dephosphorylates PSTPIP at tyrosine 344. Importantly, we identified tyrosine 344 as the main phosphorylation site of PSTPIP by performing tryptic phosphopeptide maps. This is an important finding since tyrosine 367 of PSTPIP was also proposed as a candidate phosphorylation site involved in the negative regulation of the association between PSTPIP and WASP. In this respect, we observed that the PSTPIP·WASP complex is stable in vivo and is not affected by the phosphorylation of PSTPIP. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PSTPIP serves as a scaffold protein between PTP-PEST and WASP and allows PTP-PEST to dephosphorylate WASP. This finding suggests a possible mechanism for PTP-PEST to directly modulate actin remodeling through the PSTPIP-WASP interaction.
The GABAA Receptor α2 Subunit Activates a Neuronal TLR4 Signal in the Ventral Tegmental Area that Regulates Alcohol and Nicotine Abuse

Alcoholism initiates with episodes of excessive alcohol drinking, known as binge drinking, which is one form of excessive drinking (NIAAA Newsletter, 2004) that is related to impulsivity and anxiety (Ducci et al., 2007; Edenberg et al., 2004) and is also predictive of smoking status. The predisposition of non-alcohol exposed subjects to initiate binge drinking is controlled by neuroimmune signaling that includes an innately activated neuronal Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signal. This signal also regulates cognitive impulsivity, a heritable trait that defines drug abuse initiation. However, the mechanism of signal activation, its function in dopaminergic (TH+) neurons within the reward circuitry implicated in drug-seeking behavior [viz. the ventral tegmental area (VTA)], and its contribution to nicotine co-abuse are still poorly understood. We report that the γ-aminobutyric acidA receptor (GABAAR) α2 subunit activates the TLR4 signal in neurons, culminating in the activation (phosphorylation/nuclear translocation) of cyclic AMP response element binding (CREB) but not NF-kB transcription factors and the upregulation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The signal is activated through α2/TLR4 interaction, as evidenced by co-immunoprecipitation, and it is present in the VTA from drug-untreated alcohol-preferring P rats. VTA infusion of neurotropic herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors for α2 (pHSVsiLA2) or TLR4 (pHSVsiTLR4) but not scrambled (pHSVsiNC) siRNA inhibits signal activation and both binge alcohol drinking and nicotine sensitization, suggesting that the α2-activated TLR4 signal contributes to the regulation of both alcohol and nicotine abuse.
Virtual Worlds for Serious Applications ( VS-GAMES ' 12 ) PR : EPARe : a game-based approach to relationship guidance for adolescents

Ensuring adolescents are equipped with the necessary skills to handle coercion and pressure from peers is a central component of effective relationship education. However, for teachers attempting to convey these principles, didactic methods have been shown to meet with limited success, as the highest-risk students may fail to engage with the subject matter in a meaningful fashion. In this paper, the potential a digital game may hold as a component of a blended learning solution to this problem is explored though the development of PR:EPARe (Positive Relationships: Eliminating Coercion and Pressure in Adolescent Relationships). Adopting a participatory design approach, designers considered relevant input from stakeholders, subject experts, teachers and students in the development of PR:EPARe. Participatory involvement has allowed the game to be developed in such a way that draws focus on the role of the end user to extend from the traditional of successful game based learning. An examination of the first section of the PR:EPARe game is undertaken through a cluster randomized control trial of 507 students across three UK schools. Using ANOVA to demonstrating significant differences between control and game groups (p<0.05) for responses to a range of questions on preparedness and self-efficacy. An overall significant positive effect of the game over time when compared to the control (p<0.001) is observed. Based on these preliminary findings, the participatory approach to development is shown to lead to a developed game which is wellreceived by students, offering the potential to provide a valuable resource for teachers attempting to address this difficult subject within a classroom-based context. © 2012 S. Clarke, S. Arnab, I. Dunwell, K. Brown. Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the scientific programme committee of VS-Games 2012
The leader sequence of the subgenomic mRNA's of Rous sarcoma virus is approximately 390 nucleotides

The subgenomic mRNA's of Rous sarcoma virus share a common 5' leader sequence spliced from genomic RNA. We have examined the 5' terminal sequences of four Rous sarcoma virus RNAs: virion RNA and three species of intracellular mRNA which direct the synthesis of the RSV gene products. The lengths of the leaders on the RNAs were determined by the extent that they could protect cloned Rous sarcoma virus DNA fragments from S1 nuclease digestion after RNA-DNA hybridization. We found that the subgenomic mRNA's that direct the synthesis of the env and src gene products have uninterrupted spliced leader sequences of approximately 390 nucleotides, whereas virion RNA and full-length intracellular viral RNA have 5' termini homologous to the cloned viral DNA probe over at least the first 735 bases. In the accompanying manuscript we have determined the nucleotide sequence of the 5' end of the Rous sarcoma virus genome, including the candidate splice donor site identified here (Swanstrom et al., J. Virol. 41:535-541, 1982).
COMITOLOGY CHOICES IN THE EU LEGISLATIVE PROCESS: CONTESTED OR CONSENSUAL DECISIONS?

Studies show that the EU institutions have strong preferences with regard to the design of the EU comitology system which, consequently, is the result of intense inter-institutional negotiations. However, the exact choice of comitology procedure to install in a given legislative proposal has received much less scholarly attention. Based on a behavioural logic of control maximization, this article investigates the comitology preferences of the Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament in the legislative process. The findings from an analysis of all new directives and regulations in the years 1999–2006, a total of 686 acts, show that the Council seeks strict comitology control while the Commission and the Parliament both seek permissive control. This holds even though the legislative process is characterized by a high degree of agreement on comitology. The analysis indicates that this is because the actors strategically anticipate each other's preferences, not because there is a true alignment of preferences.
Management of Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Pathological Myopia: The Era of Changes

AbstractChoroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathological myopia is an important cause of significant visual impairment in young adults. High myopia is particularly prevalent in Asian population. New scientific contributions have been made to the understanding of high myopia and myopic CNV. Treatment for myopic CNV has previously relied on photodynamic therapy, laser photocoagulation, and submacular surgery. The treatment outcomes from these modalities are, however, controversial. The introduction of antiangiogenic agents including bevacizumab and ranibizumab has brought the treatment of myopic CNV into a new era. The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of the natural history of myopic CNV, the prognostic factors, and the various treatment options including laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy, with particular attention on antiangiogenic agents.
Evidence of a Post-GST Increase in the Underground Economy

Experience in other countries suggests that evasion of value-added taxes is a significant problem at the retail level. There is a likelihood that, at the margin, switching from the narrow-based federal manufacturers’ sales tax to the broad based goods and services tax (GST) may have increased the incentives and opportunities for tax evasion in Canada. This study analyzes the growth in cash balances held by the public, as an indicator of transaction volumes, and finds that there has been a substantial increase in the underground economy since the introduction of the GST. The underreporting of income means that not only GST revenue is lost, but also the associated income tax and provincial sales tax. The increase in the size of the underground economy in this paper was inferred in a somewhat simplistic way from the residuals in an equation estimating the demand for cash. This approach was refined in the author's subsequent paper in the Canadian Tax Journal, "Estimating the Underground Economy: A Critical Evaluation of the Monetary Approach," (1994), Vol. 42, No. 4.
Recent Developments in the Econometrics of Panel Data

In this landmark collection, the editor has selected the most influential papers on the econometrics of panel data published in the period from 1992â€“2001, thus providing an update on developments in the field since the two volumes edited by G.S. Maddala in 1993, which covered the period from 1966â€“1992.
Effect of coenzymes and thyroid hormones on the dual activities of Xenopus cytosolic thyroid-hormone-binding protein (xCTBP) with aldehyde dehydrogenase activity.

A cytosolic thyroid-hormone-binding protein (xCTBP), predominantly responsible for the major binding activity of T3 in the cytosol of Xenopus liver, has been shown to be identical to aldehyde dehydrogenase class 1 (ALDH1) [Yamauchi, K. , Nakajima, J., Hayashi, H. , Horiuchi, R. & Tata, J.R. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 8460-8469]. Within this paper we surveyed which signaling, and other, compounds affect the thyroid hormone binding activity and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity of recombinant Xenopus ALDH1 (xCTBP/xALDH1) while examining the relationship between these two activities. NAD+ and NADH (each 200 microm), and two steroids (20 microm), inhibit significantly the T3-binding activity, while NADH and NADPH (each 200 microm), and iodothyronines (1 microm), inhibit the ALDH activity. Scatchard analysis and kinetic studies of xCTBP/xALDH1 indicate that NAD+ and T3 are noncompetitive inhibitors of thyroid-hormone-binding and ALDH activities, respectively. These results indicate the formation of a ternary complex consisting of the protein, NAD+ and thyroid hormone. Although the in vitro studies indicate that NAD+ and NADH markedly decrease T3-binding to xCTBP/xALDH1 at approximately 10-4 m, a concentration equal to the NAD content in various Xenopus tissues, photoaffinity-labeling of [125I]T3 using cultured Xenopus cells demonstrates xCTBP/xALDH1 bound T3 within living cells. These results raise the possibility that an unknown factor(s) besides NAD+ and NADH may modulate the thyroid-hormone-binding activity of xCTBP/xALDH1. In comparison, thyroid hormone, at its physiological concentration, would poorly modulate the enzyme activity of xCTBP/xALDH1.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF LOCOMOTION: SIGNIFICANCE OF PREMATURITY, CEREBRAL PALSY and SEX

Data on the development of locomotion during the first two years of life were collected for 128 preterm infants (21 with varying degrees of cerebral palsy) and for 111 healthy term infants. Most stages of locomotion occurred at slightly later ages among the neurologically unimpaired preterm infants than among those born at term (age corrected for prematurity). There was no difference between preterm and term infants with regard to the number and types of pathways of locomotion, or to age at onset and type of first movements through space. By 95 months of age, 95 per cent of term infants and 92 per cent of preterm infants showed some ability to move through space. The infants with severe cerebral palsy had considerable delay in the development of locomotion, but this occurred to only a minor extent when the degree of cerebral palsy was mild or moderate. Most stages of locomotion occurred at slightly earlier ages for boys than for girls, but these differences were not significant at any age. The number and types of pathways of locomotion, and types of first movements, were comparable in both sexes.