Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What are the principal mediators of optic nerve regeneration after inflammatory stimulation in the eye?

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) normally fail to regenerate axons, but can do so when exposed to inflammatory stimulation (IS) in the eye. Astrocyte-derived ciliary neurotrophic factor/leukemia inhibitory factor (CNTF/LIF) and macrophage-derived oncomodulin have been proposed as mediators of this phenomenon (1, 2). Yin et al. claim that macrophage-derived oncomodulin is “the principal mediator” of IS-induced axon regeneration, whereas CNTF is not contributing (3). Next to arguments against this claim presented elsewhere (1, 2), I wish to point out that oncomodulin alone does not stimulate axon regeneration either in vitro or in vivo (1, 3, 4), and that at sufficient concentrations, CNTF and LIF alone stimulate stronger …
Herbaceous layer and soil response to experimental acidification in a central Appalachian hardwood forest

The herbaceous layer is an important component of forest ecosystems and a potentially sensitive vegetation stratum in response to acid deposition. This study tested several hypotheses concerning soil and herbaceous layer response to experimental acidification at the Fernow Experimental Forest in north-central West Virginia. Fifteen circular sample plots (0.04 ha) were established in each of three watersheds: WS3 (an {approx} 20-yr-old watershed receiving acidification treatment with (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}SO{sub 4}), WS4 (>80-yr-old control), and WS7 ({approx} 20-yr-old control). The herb layer was sampled intensively in 10 1-m{sup 2} subplots within each sample plot, including determination of species composition, cover, and random biomass harvests. Few differences among watersheds for virtually all measured soil variables indicated minimal response of soil fertility to the acidification treatment. The herbaceous layer was also quite similar among watersheds with respect to cover-biomass and species diversity; WS7, however, had {approx} 70% higher herb layer cover that both Ws3 and WS4, a result of the predominance of a few high-cover fern species and attributable to the north-facing aspect of WS7 vs. south-facing aspects of WS3/WS4. There was a high degree of species similarity among watersheds, suggesting no shift in species composition in response to acidification. There was alsomore » minimal response of element concentrations to acidification, although Fe and Al exhibited evidence of increased uptake in WS3. We conclude that, contrary to our expectations, there has been little substantive response of the soil and herb layer to acidification, but hypothesize that herbaceous layer species may experience toxicity problems with increased mobility of Al and micronutrients in the future. 47 refs., 3 figs., 4 tabs. « less
CYP3A5*3 Affects Plasma Disposition of Noroxycodone and Dose Escalation in Cancer Patients Receiving Oxycodone

The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma dispositions of oxycodone and its demethylates and dose escalation based on genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6, CYP3A5, ABCB1, and OPRM1 in cancer patients receiving oxycodone. Sixty‐two Japanese cancer patients receiving oxycodone extended‐release tablets were enrolled. Predose plasma concentrations (C12) of oxycodone, noroxycodone, and oxymorphone were determined at the titrated dose. Daily oxycodone escalation rate was evaluated as the opioid escalation index (OEI). Genetic variants did not significantly alter oxycodone C12. Oxymorphone C12 and its ratio to oxycodone C12 were significantly higher in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers than in intermediate metabolizers but did not affect dose escalation. In contrast, noroxycodone C12 and its ratio to oxycodone C12 were significantly higher in the CYP3A5*1 carrier group than in the *3/*3 group. The OEI was significantly higher in the CYP3A5*3/*3 group than in the *1 carrier group. No significant difference was observed in the OEI in the other genetic variants. Noroxycodone C12 was higher in the dose escalation group as compared to the nonescalation group and significantly affected the incidence of dose escalation. In conclusion, CYP3A5*3 altered the plasma disposition of noroxycodone, which was inversely affecting the dose escalation in cancer patients receiving oxycodone.
Accuracy of a Pediatric Behavioral Health Screener to Detect Untreated Behavioral Health Problems in Primary Care Settings

An estimated 10% to 20% of youth in primary care exhibit behavioral symptoms and may go underdetected. Most screeners identify risk base of symptoms alone, irrespective of functional impairment. To address this issue, the Pediatric Symptom Checklist–17 (PSC-17), a widely used symptom screener, was combined with functional impairment and current behavioral services enrollment items to form the Pediatric Behavioral Health Screen (PBHS) and assessed compared to the full Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). A total of 267 youth between 6 and 16 years of age were administered the screener and the CBCL. Areas under the receiver operating curves approached or exceeded 0.90 in all analyses, reflecting excellent classification accuracy. Almost no false negatives were observed among currently untreated cases with functional impairment. No differential item functioning was found. Performance of the PSC-17 as a pediatric primary care behavioral health screener supported previous research, and additional functional impairment items to form the PBHS appeared useful, particularly for interpreting borderline range scores.
Chronic carvedilol reduces mortality and renal damage in hypertensive stroke-prone rats.

The effects of carvedilol, a novel vasodilating beta-blocker and antioxidant, and propranolol on survival, neurobehavioral deficits, cardiovascular parameters, plasma renin, plasma aldosterone levels and renal pathology were determined in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats were allowed access to 1% NaCl as the drinking solution and a high fat diet supplemented with carvedilol (1200 or 2400 ppm) or propranolol (2400 ppm). The control group consisted of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats placed on the same diet with no drug supplement. Animals fed propranolol had a blood level of 864 +/- 68 ng/ml, whereas carvedilol-fed animals had blood levels of 24 +/- 4 ng/ml at 1200 ppm and 471 +/- 145 ng/ml at 2400 ppm. Carvedilol and propranolol treatment resulted in significant beta adrenoceptor blockade. Both compounds reduced heart rate, but had no significant effects on systolic arterial blood pressure. Carvedilol- and propranolol-treated animals also exhibited significant, prolonged protection from neurobehavioral deficits and mortality (P < .01). Elevated plasma renin activity and aldosterone levels seen in untreated controls were significantly decreased by propranolol (P < .05), and to a considerably greater extent by the same dose of carvedilol (P < .01). Carvedilol decreased renal histopathological damage and cardiac hypertrophy to a greater extent (P < .01) than propranolol (at equal doses). Both carvedilol (P < .01)- and propranolol (P < .01)-treated animals had considerably reduced renal damage at 18 weeks of treatment. Carvedilol reduced renal damage more than propranolol (P < .05). In addition, the lower (1200 ppm) dose of carvedilol, which decreased neurobehavioral deficits and mortality, had no significant effects on organ mass or renal function, but significantly (P < .01) reduced renal damage. These data indicate that both beta adrenoceptor blockers, especially carvedilol to a considerably greater degree, convey significant protection in a genetic model of severe hypertension that results in renal and cardiovascular organ pathology, neurobehavioral deficits and premature death.
The clinical development of histone deacetylase inhibitors as targeted anticancer drugs

Importance of the field: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are being developed as a new, targeted class of anticancer drugs. Area covered in this review: This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of the HDAC inhibitors, which selectively induce cancer cell death. What the reader will gain: There are 11 zinc-dependent HDACs in humans and the biological roles of these lysine deacetylases are not completely understood. It is clear that these different HDACs are not redundant in their activity. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which HDAC inhibitors can induce transformed cell growth arrest and cell death, inhibit cell mobility and have antiangiogenesis activity. There are more than a dozen HDAC inhibitors, including hydroxamates, cyclic peptides, benzamides and fatty acids, in various stages of clinical trials and many more compounds in preclinical development. The chemically different HDAC inhibitors may target different HDACs. Take home message: There are extensive preclinical studies with transformed cells in culture and tumor-bearing animal models, as well as limited clinical studies reported to date, which indicate that HDAC inhibitors will be most useful when used in combination with cytotoxic or other targeted anticancer agents.
A method of automatic sizing logic driver of 16nm Fin-FET

In this paper, we study the optimal design of drivers for high performance VLSI system based on the advanced 16nm Fin-FET logic process. The optimal design of drivers is important to the high-speed lower power VLSI, such as the high speed bus of processor, clock network and the critical signals in SOC system. Different from the well known method which optimize the drivers using a fixed size-ratio e(= 2.73) between the neighbor inverters, we optimize sizing drivers efficiently by an automatic method and we will get high performance of inverter chain. Firstly, we derive the relationship among the parameters of delay, driver size (fin numbers), driver stages, input/output (or interconnect) loading. Then, we construct the driver optimal tool based on the parameters' relationship of the driver.
Interline Unified Power Quality Conditioner

This paper proposes a new connection for a unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) to improve the power quality of two feeders in a distribution system. A UPQC consists of a series voltage-source converter (VSC) and a shunt VSC both joined together by a common dc bus. It is demonstrated how this device is connected between two independent feeders to regulate the bus voltage of one of the feeders while regulating the voltage across a sensitive load in the other feeder. Since the UPQC is connected between two different feeders (lines), this connection of the UPQC will be called an interline UPQC (IUPQC). The structure, control and capability of the IUPQC are discussed in this paper. The efficacy of the proposed configuration has been verified through simulation studies using PSCAD/EMTDC
Quasi-Monostatic Versus Near Forward Scatter Geometry in WiFi-Based Passive Radar Sensors

In this paper, the comparison is investigated between quasi-monostatic and near forward scatter configurations for WiFi-based passive radar sensors. To this purpose, a barrier coverage application for vehicular targets is considered as a possible implementation of the conceived green sensor within surface transportation monitoring solutions. The performance of the two alternative sensor geometries are compared by means of theoretical and experimental analysis as well as based on considerations on the practical implementation. The reported results provide a realistic characterization of the performance of a bistatic radar sensor to be exploited in barrier coverage problems and give indications for the design of such a system. The specific demonstration with WiFi-based passive radar aims at extending the use of this emerging technology to perimeter monitoring applications for vehicular targets, exploiting the near forward scatter geometry.
DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS PROVIDE BETTER OPTION FOR MANAGEMENT OF TUBERCLULOSIS

Patient noncompliance to current tuberculosis (TB) therapy owing to multidrug administration daily leads to treatment failure and emergence of multidrug resistant and extensively drug resistant TB. To avoid the daily dosing, application of nanotechnology is the only viable solution by virtue of sustained release of drugs. Other potential advantages of the system include the possibility of selecting various routes of dosing, reduction in drug dosage/adverse effects/drug interactions, targeting drug resistant and latent bacteria etc. Plenty of work has been done in animal models of TB to support the notion that nanomedicine provides a ray of hope to encounter TB effectively; certain crucial questions are yet to be addressed.
Total Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of the Tetramic Acid Based Natural Product Harzianic Acid and Its Stereoisomers

The bioactive natural product harzianic acid was prepared for the first time in just six steps (longest linear sequence) with an overall yield of 22%. The identification of conditions to telescope amide bond formation and a Lacey–Dieckmann reaction into one pot proved important. The three stereoisomers of harzianic acid were also prepared, providing material for comparison of their biological activity. While all of the isomers promoted root growth, improved antifungal activity was unexpectedly associated with isomers in the enantiomeric series opposite that of harzianic acid.
Acute dystonic reactions to neuroleptic drugs.

Abnormal involuntary muscle movements are well known side effects associated with the administration of phenothiazine and butyrophenone derivatives1-3. Essentially three types of abnormal involuntary movements or dyskinesias have been reported. These are ,tardive dyskinesia, akathisia, and acute dystonia. of the
Cliche recognition in legacy software: a scalable, knowledge-based approach

Many software reverse engineering techniques that are sufficiently "light-weight" (i.e. computationally inexpensive) to be able to work on large systems tend to compute syntactic information that, while useful, does not capture the meaning of the program. At the same time, many "heavy-weight" (i.e. computationally expensive) techniques that compute information in terms of human strategies hidden in the software tend not to be efficient enough to work on large real-world systems. We are working on applying a heavy-weight technique of program cliche recognition to the real-world problem of software reverse engineering. This paper presents our approach to program cliche recognition and focuses on issues of scalability, robustness and human-system interaction. We demonstrate the approach by describing how it can be applied to the reverse engineering of a real-world software system.
Infection with vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus containing the vanA resistance gene.

Vancomycin-resistant S. aureus was cultured from the exit site of a temporary dialysis catheter of a patient with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and persistent foot ulcers. The organism carried the vanA resistance gene, which may have come from the vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis that was also isolated from the patient, who had received vancomycin for several weeks.
Assessing the Determinants of Willingness to Pay for Urban Flood Control: The Role of Locational, Demographic and Attitudinal Factors

The urbanization of urban watersheds can influence flooding risks. Traditional Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood risk maps identify 100 year floodplains. These maps are updated infrequently. However, as a community urbanizes, flood risks can change, especially for downstream residents. Thus, one would expect that the willingness to pay (WTP) to prevent the worsening of flooding risk would depend in part on the location of the household in the community and their associated flooding risk. Economists and regional scientists have evaluated the role played by traditional demographic factors. However, attitudinal factors measuring community norms, political philosophy, and other psychological factors that may be unique to the individual have not received the same level of scrutiny. Milwaukee, WI has experienced major flooding events, classified as floods with an expected frequency of once every 100 years or less, in 1986 and most recently in 1997 and 1998. In this study, 1000 residents of the Menomonee watershed in Milwaukee were interviewed in a two-wave panel survey (i.e., telephone interviews took place in 2000 and 2001) to determine their willingness to pay for a referendum which would prevent flood risks from worsening. The interviews queried respondents about their attitudes concerning flooding and ecological risks, political beliefs, information seeking behavior, and other psychological factors unique to the respondent. Information was also gathered on demographic characteristics of the respondent, and also that individuals address. The address was geocoded and hydrologic modeling was used to determine the unique flood risk associated with the residence. A willingness to pay function was estimated using Tobit analysis. Preliminary findings indicated that all three categories of factors influence willingness to pay, with psychological factors and flood risk factors having a relatively strong impact on willingness to pay. Paper prepared for the 2005 Annual Meetings of the Midcontinent Regional Science Association and the Southern Regional Science Association in Arlington VA, April 8-10, 2005. PLEASE DO NOT QUOTE WITHOUT PERMISSION.
Extracting business process decomposition: A practical approach using the ISIran V methodology

Purpose – This paper seeks to offer a step‐by‐step methodology to extract and model business processes with a focus on business process decomposition. The main motivation is the lack of repeatable measurable methods and techniques for extracting business process decomposition.Design/methodology/approach – A step‐by‐step methodology for extracting business process models is provided. This methodology is called “the V methodology” because of its approach to break down the enterprise through a functional hierarchy and then collecting it up again via its process decomposition. Porter's value chain model is noticed as a powerful tool to complete the roadmap. The paper is designed using sections: benefits and necessities of having such a methodology, terminology, the V methodology, learned lessons and further work.Findings – Success stories using the V methodology expressing its impact on quality business process models are mentioned. Experts find it useful to gain unified process models as well as helping them.
NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

This article provides a survey of a growing body of empirical evidence that points towards the important long-term effects that historic events can have on current economic development. The most recent studies, using micro-level data and more sophisticated identification techniques, have moved beyond testing whether history matters, and attempt to identify exactly why history matters. The most commonly examined channels include: institutions, culture, knowledge and technology, and movements between multiple equilibria. The article concludes with a discussion of the questions that remain and the direct of current research in the literature. Nathan Nunn Department of Economics Harvard University 1805 Cambridge Street Cambridge, MA 02138 and NBER nnunn@fas.harvard. edu
Autoregulation of estrogen and androgen receptor mRNAs and downregulation of androgen receptor mRNA by estrogen in primary cultures of lizard testis cells.

Steroid hormones regulate many developmental and physiological processes via specific receptors whose number can be up- or downregulated. The regulation of estrogen (ER) and androgen (AR) receptor mRNAs in primary cultures of lizard testis is described. The high degree of homology between the probes used and the receptor mRNAs in lizard testis was consistent with the high-stringency hybridisation conditions and the molecular size of ER mRNAs (7.4 and 4.5 kb) and AR mRNA (9.5 kb). Primary cultures of testis cells revealed a time- and drug-dependent relationship between ER and AR mRNAs. 17beta-oestradiol (E) autoregulated ER mRNA and downregulated AR mRNA. The antiestrogen ICI 164,384 reversed the latter effect. Cycloheximide (Cy), to inhibit protein synthesis, in combination with E, impaired the AR mRNA expression. Testosterone (T) autoregulated the expression of its own receptor mRNA whereas this effect was reversed by both flutamide (F) and Cy. Dose-response experiments showed that low concentrations of steroids (E or T 10(-12) M) increased ER or AR mRNA levels, respectively. These results suggest that both estrogen and androgen may autoregulate the expression of their own receptor mRNAs. Since in lizard testis androgens are significantly involved in meiosis and spermiogenesis and E dramatically impairs the AR mRNA expression, the latter effect may be key in regulating certain phases of reproduction.
VCO phase-noise improvement by gate-finger configuration of 0.13-/spl mu/m CMOS transistors

Using a standard logic process, 0.13-/spl mu/m RF CMOS devices with multifinger gate structure have been fabricated. The flicker noise and minimum noise figure characteristics have been investigated with different gate layout splits, where the device parasitic resistance is the determining factor in this issue. The stripe-shaped gate configuration demonstrates better noise performance, due to the reduction of device gate resistance. In addition, the MOS varactors designed with different gate layouts were used in a 5.2-GHz voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) design, where the VCO with the stripe-shaped (2 /spl mu/m /spl times/ 36 fingers) gate varactor improved about 6 dB in phase-noise performance at 100-kHz offset frequency than that of square-shaped (8 /spl mu/m /spl times/ 9 fingers) gate varactor.
Is initiation of atorvastatin for employees a good buy for employers?

The continually increasing share of US economic resources spent on health care has once again placed health care reform at the top of the domestic policy agenda of the Obama administration and Congress. Most of the current debate in Congress and the public press has been concerned with ways to increase health insurance coverage among uninsured individuals and has had little to do with restructuring the US health care delivery system. Fortunately, during the past 5 years, a number of new policy initiatives have attempted to improve the quality of care and the dollar value of health services purchased. One of the more promising of these efforts has focused on improving physician-patient decisions on the choice of treatment when several alternative interventions have been shown to be safe; this type of analysis is known as comparative effectiveness research. This approach was endorsed in an Institute of Medicine report that supports better decision making in health care.1 Comparative effectiveness research received financial support with the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which allocated more than $1 billion to conduct studies in this area. Since President Obama signed this act, several federal funding agencies, including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, have published prioritized lists of clinical areas for comparative effectiveness research and requested proposals to conduct studies.