Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of NO-Induced cGMP-Like Immunoreactive Neurones in the Abdominal Nervous System of the Crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a signalling molecule by activating soluble guanylate cyclase and causing accumulation of the second messenger cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) in target cells. In order to detect the presence of NO-cGMP signalling pathway in the crayfish abdominal nervous system, accumulation of NO-induced cGMP was investigated by anti-cGMP immunochemistry. Some preparations were incubated in a high-K+ saline containing an inhibitor of cGMP-degrading phosphodiesterase, 3-isobutyl-1-methyxanthine (IBMX), to activate NO generating neurones, which could release NO in the ganglion, and then immunohistochemistry using an anti-cGMP antibody was performed. The other preparations were incubated in NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) saline containing IBMX before anti-cGMP immunohistochemistry was performed. The distribution of cGMP-like immunoreactive neurones in high-K+ treated preparations was similar to that of cGMP-like immunoreactive neurones in NO donor treated preparations. About 70-80 cell bodies and many neuronal branches in the neuropilar area of the ganglion were stained, although no neurones showed immunoreactivity unless preparations were activated by either high-K+ or the NO donor. Some of them were identical neurones, and they were intersegmental ascending interneurones and motor neurones. Sensory afferents that innervates hind gut showed strong cGMP-like immunoreactivity, although no mechanosensory afferents showed any immunoreactivity. These results strongly suggest the presence of an NO-cGMP signalling pathway that regulates neuronal events in the abdominal nervous system of the crayfish.
MAIZEWALL. Database and Developmental Gene Expression Profiling of Cell Wall Biosynthesis and Assembly in Maize 1[W]

An extensive search for maize (Zea mays) genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis and assembly has been performed and 735 sequences have been centralized in a database, MAIZEWALL (http://www.polebio.scsv.ups-tlse.fr/MAIZEWALL). MAIZEWALL contains a bioinformatic analysis for each entry and gene expression data that are accessible via a user-friendly interface. A maize cell wall macroarray composed of a gene-specific tag for each entry was also constructed to monitor global cell wall-related gene expression in different organs and during internode development. By using this macroarray, we identified sets of genes that exhibit organ and internode-stage preferential expression profiles. These data provide a comprehensive fingerprint of cell wall-related gene expression throughout the maize plant. Moreover, an in-depth examination of genes involved in lignin biosynthesis coupled to biochemical and cytological data from different organs and stages of internode development has also been undertaken. These results allow us to trace spatially and developmentally regulated, putative preferential routes of monolignol biosynthesis involving specific gene family members and suggest that, although all of the gene families of the currently accepted monolignol biosynthetic pathway are conserved in maize, there are subtle differences in family size and a high degree of complexity in spatial expression patterns. These differences are in keeping with the diversity of lignified cell types throughout the maize plant.
Comparative effects of ketamine on Bispectral Index and spectral entropy of the electroencephalogram under sevoflurane anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND The Bispectral Index (BIS) and spectral entropy of the electroencephalogram can be used to assess the depth of hypnosis. Ketamine is known to increase BIS in anaesthetized patients and may confound that index as a guide to steer administration of hypnotics. We compared the effects of ketamine on BIS, response entropy (RE) and state entropy (SE) during surgery under sevoflurane anaesthesia. METHODS Twenty-two women undergoing gynaecological surgery were enrolled in this double-blind, randomized study. Anaesthesia was induced i.v. and maintained with sevoflurane. Under stable surgical and anaesthetic conditions, patients were assigned to receive either a bolus of ketamine 0.5 mg kg(-1) or the same volume of saline. Blood pressure, heart rate, BIS, RE and SE were measured every 2.5 min from 10 min before (baseline) until 15 min after ketamine or saline administration. The maximum relative increase in BIS, RE and SE compared with baseline was calculated for each patient. Values are mean (sd). RESULTS Baseline values were BIS 33 (4), RE 31 (5), SE 30 (5) for the ketamine patients and BIS 35 (3), RE 33 (5) and SE 32 (6) for the patients receiving saline. BIS, RE and SE increased significantly from 5 min (BIS) and 2.5 min (RE and SE) after ketamine administration, peaking at 46 (8) (BIS), 52 (12) (RE) and 50 (12) (SE) respectively. The maximum relative increase in RE [42.2 (10.4%)] and SE [41.6 (10.9)%] was higher than that of BIS [29.4 (10.4%)]. Blood pressure, heart rate and RE-SE gradient did not change in either group. CONCLUSIONS Ketamine administered under sevoflurane anaesthesia causes a significant increase in BIS, RE and SE without modification of the RE-SE gradient. This increase is paradoxical in that it is associated with a deepening level of hypnosis.
Inflation News and Euro Area Inflation Expectations

Do euro area inflation expectations remain well-anchored? This paper finds that the protracted period of low (and below-target) inflation in the euro area since 2013 has weakened their anchoring. Testing their sensitivity to inflation and macroeconomic news, this paper expands existing results in two key dimensions. First, by analyzing all available (advanced) inflation releases. Second, the reactions of expectations are investigated at daily, time-varying and intraday frequency regressions to add robustness to our conclusions. Results point to a significant impact of inflation news over recent years that had not been observed before in the euro area.
Evidence for the Interplay between Trehalose Metabolism and Hsp104 in Yeast

ABSTRACT Disruption of the HSP104 gene in a mutant which cannot accumulate trehalose during heat shock treatment caused trehalose accumulation (H. Iwahashi, K. Obuchi, S. Fujii, and Y. Komatsu, Lett. Appl. Microbiol 25:43–47, 1997). This implies that Hsp104 affects trehalose metabolism. Thus, we measured the activities of enzymes involved in trehalose metabolism. The activities of trehalose-synthesizing and -hydrolyzing enzymes are low in theHSP104 disruption mutant during heat shock. This data is correlated with intracellular trehalose and glucose levels observed in the HSP104 disruption mutant. These results suggest that during heat shock, Hsp104 contributes to the simultaneous increase in both accumulation and degradation of trehalose.
Wage Distress: Phenomenological Research on Employees

Great effort has been invested in the areas of management, psychology andespecially in organizational behavior and human capital. It is very crucial formanagement to look into the welfare and well-being of employees such asfocusing into the monetary and non-monetary rewards. Employeesatisfaction and organization reward system is seen as interrelatedcomponents in an organization. Organizational rewards help organizations inenhancing employee’s motivation, morale in leading to employeesatisfaction. Hermeneutical Phenomenological approach is used to unfoldand uncover the feeling of those involved in depth. Multiple participantswere interviewed one-on-one in their natural work setting to attain theperspective of wage distress. Staffs from various ranks and industries wereinterviewed face-to-face using digital video recordings. The major themeemerged from the study, Wage Distress, I use this new term, as it explainsthat an employee’s frustration on his/her career where this is no hope ofdevelopment. This research comes as an evident that employees claim wagedistress do exists in most working environment. Promotion is being blocked,no salary increment and underpaid is experienced most of employeesresulting to wage distress. The researcher upholds the originality of this workwith full pride and honesty for current and future improvement anddevelopment, paving the way for researchers to continue to fill in theknowledge gap. This research contributes to guiding HRD practitioners toencourage organizations to embrace and cultivate a holistic approachtowards management in fostering value in every employee’s perception.Employee satisfaction, recognition, greater performance, and retention canbe achieved for organizations as a result of this.
Contribution of HDL‐apolipoproteins to the inhibition of low density lipoprotein oxidation and lipid accumulation in macrophages

High‐density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as a protective factor against atherosclerosis. However, whether HDL‐apolipoproteins (apo‐HDL) contribute to the protection in arterial cells remains unclear. The localization patterns of human apolipoproteins in atherosclerotic arteries were determined using immunohistochemical examination. The results indicate that several apolipoproteins are retained in component cells of the coronary artery walls. To elucidate the possible roles of apo‐HDL in the protection of atherosclerotic lesion formation, we investigated the effects of apo‐HDL on the formation of conjugated diene (CD) in a cell‐free system and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) in the medium of a macrophage‐mediated LDL oxidation system. The results showed that apo‐HDL significantly exerted an inhibitory effect on LDL lipid oxidation in vitro. In addition, apo‐HDL decreased cholesterol influx but enhanced cholesterol efflux from J774 macrophages in a dose‐dependent manner. These results are consistent with the notion that there is reduced intracellular lipid accumulation in apo‐HDL treated macrophages. These data provide a direct evidence for apo‐HDL in protecting LDL from oxidative modification and in reducing the accumulation of cholesterol and lipid droplets by J774 macrophages. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 258–267, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How to change the game of security cooperation: The case of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership

The challenges of a polycentric world necessitate new ways of addressing global problems. Of late, strategic partnerships have become prominent features in the foreign profiles of international actors. They can be seen as a practice of cooperation, and can be further broken down to patterned actions, such as diplomacy and summitry. These practices feature prominently in the ASEAN-China strategic partnership for two reasons. First, diplomacy has proven to be pivotal in both the securitization and the desecuritization of the South China Sea maritime dispute. Second, summitry is the foundation of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, which was formally established in 1996, and on which the strategic partnership is built. Looking at the ASEAN-China strategic partnership from the perspective of practice theory can then identify the constitutive effects of practices on regional cooperation. This effectively moves the discussion about strategic partnerships from what they are to how they operate in international relations. The practices of diplomacy and summitry in ASEAN-China relations can then be argued as the key forces behind regional cooperation.
Goodwill and Performance

In a context of external growth in constant emergence and in the midst ofÂ globalization, mergers and acquisitions are multiplying. As a result, goodwill hasÂ taken considerable weight in the groups' balance sheets. As a matter of fact, theÂ concept of goodwill has been for over a decade a subject of debates andÂ discussions trying to define the concept and discuss its treatment in accountingÂ and finance. Beginning with an overview to shed light on the literature reviewÂ related to goodwill, its accounting treatment and performance measurement, thisÂ article will be an attempt to determine the link between the value of goodwill fromÂ an accounting point of view and performance measurement based on the results ofÂ previous studies. In fact, our study will focus mainly on the M&A initiated in USÂ between 2014 and 2016. Given these points, through our analysis we conclude aÂ positive and strong relationship between goodwill and Residual Economic Income.JEL classification numbers: G32, O34, G34, O32, H11, M41Keywords: Goodwill, performance, value creation, super profit, goodwillÂ accounting, acquisition.
Enhancing polyethylenimine's delivery of plasmid DNA into mammalian cells

The effect of various chemical modifications of nitrogen atoms on the efficiency of polyethylenimines (PEIs) as synthetic vectors for the delivery of plasmid DNA into monkey kidney cells in vitro has been systematically investigated. The resultant structure–activity relationship has both provided mechanistic insights and led to PEI derivatives with markedly enhanced performance. For example, N-acylation of PEI with the molecular mass of 25 kDa (PEI25, one of the most potent polycationic gene delivery vectors) with alanine nearly doubles its transfection efficiency in the presence of serum and also lowers its toxicity. Furthermore, dodecylation of primary amino groups of 2-kDa PEI yields a nontoxic polycation whose transfection efficiency in the presence of serum is 400 times higher than the parent's and which exceeds 5-fold even that of PEI25.
Reply to “Comments on “Stored Energies and Radiation Q””

It will be shown that “Comments on `Stored energies and radiation Q”' by Capek and Jelinek contains numerous errors, misconceptions, inaccuracies, false assumptions, misunderstandings, and unjustified claims. The analysis of the comment is built on a false assumption that the terminal current of an antenna fed by a waveguide is independent of frequency. This false assumption arises from the misunderstandings on the basic theory of transmission lines and misconceptions of normalization for a linear system. As a result, all the equations obtained from the assumption in the comment are incorrect, and the related discussions are not true. The delta gap source modeling has been abused in the comment, and this is reflected in the numerical results in the comment that give rise to negative stored energy. The main results of the commented paper have been misinterpreted, and the related analysis is established on illogical reasoning. The comment fails to pinpoint any errors in the commented paper.
Siderophore-mediated signaling regulates virulence factor production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Numerous bacteria secrete low molecular weight compounds termed siderophores that have a high affinity for iron ions. Siderophores have a well-documented role as iron-scavenging chemicals, chelating iron ions in the environment whereupon the ferrisiderophores reenter the bacterial cells by means of specific cell-surface receptors. The iron is then released for incorporation into bacterial proteins. Here we show that in addition to its role as an iron-scavenger, the siderophore pyoverdine that is secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulates the production of at least three virulence factors (exotoxin A, an endoprotease, and pyoverdine itself), which are major contributors to the ability of this bacterium to cause disease. Regulation occurs through a transmembrane signaling system that includes an outer membrane receptor for ferripyoverdine, a signal-transducing protein that is predicted to extend from the periplasm into the cytoplasm, and a sigma factor. Expression of genes that form part of the regulon is triggered by pyoverdine so that this siderophore acts as a signaling molecule to control the production of secreted products. Recognition that a siderophore acts as a signaling molecule has important implications for the understanding of interactions between bacterial cells.
The methodology of situational and competence centers development in order to increase the national economic and social stability

Now situational and competence centers (SCC) play important role in Russia digital economic. The general purpose of SCC relates to solve the federal (regional) resources management optimization problem in order to increase the economic and social stability in the society and minimize all kinds of losses resulted in state of emergency situations and their aftermath caused by social and economic crises, natural disasters and man-caused accidents. In the paper, we describe the main modern problems, which are connected with the development SCC. These problems include: development a complex of cutting-edge technologies necessary and sufficient for creation of federal (regional) SCC; development and implementation projects of SCC and provide scientific and technical support and maintenance to these systems, including modernization, technology transfer and customers' staff training; render multidimensional expert and consulting support to federal and regional SCC in conditions of emergency situations. We propose some paths of listed problems solving for Regional Center of Competence (RCC).
Mechanisms of the preventive effect of pilsicainide on atrial fibrillation originating from the pulmonary vein.

BACKGROUND It has been shown that pilsicainide terminates atrial fibrillation (AF) by pharmacologic pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. However, whether it can prevent AF induction originating from the PV by the same mechanism is still uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS Rapid pacing from the left superior PV (LSPV) and the right atrial free wall (RAF) was performed to induce AF during electrical stimulation of both cervical vagal nerves in 6 anesthetized dogs and during the infusion of acetylcholine (ACh) in 8 isolated atria. Rapid pacing induced AF in all dogs, regardless of the pacing site, before pilsicainide. Pilsicainide (1 mg/kg) prevented AF during rapid pacing from the LSPV, with an impulse conduction block between the LSPV and the left atrial free wall (LAF). However, the same dose of pilsicainide did not prevent AF when pacing was performed from the RAF. Pilsicainide partially restored the action potential duration shortened by ACh infusion and prevented AF with an impulse conduction block at the LSPV-left atrial junction in all isolated preparations tested. CONCLUSION The results suggest that (1) impulse conduction block at the LSPV-LA junction is the underlying mechanism of pilsicainide-induced prevention of vagally-induced AF originating from the LSPV and (2) pilsicainide is more effective at preventing AF originating from the LSPV than that from the RA.
Prevalence of esophageal cancer during the pretreatment of hypopharyngeal cancer patients: Routinely performed esophagogastroduodenoscopy and FDG-PET/CT findings

Abstract Background. The prevalence of esophageal cancer accompanied by hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) is high and increasing rapidly in Asia. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of esophageal cancer during the pretreatment of HPC patients who were routinely examined using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and to discuss the utility of these examinations. Material and methods. Between September 2005 and September 2010, 33 patients with newly diagnosed HPC (all with squamous cell carcinoma) underwent EGD (after a conventional endoscopy, iodine staining was performed) and FDG-PET/CT examinations. We evaluated the prevalence of esophageal cancer among HPC patients according to the EGD findings and determined the sensitivity of FDG-PET/CT for the detection of esophageal primary tumors for each clinical T classification. Results. In 17 of the 33 patients (51.5%), 29 biopsy-proven esophageal squamous cell carcinomas were diagnosed using EGD. In eight of the 17 (47.1%) patients, two or more esophageal cancer lesions were diagnosed. Twenty-four of the 29 (82.8%) lesions were superficial esophageal cancers, and the remaining five (17.2%) lesions were advanced esophageal cancers. In six of the 29 (20.7%) esophageal cancer lesions that were detected using FDG-PET/CT, only one of the 29 (3.4%) lesions was evaluated as being equivocal; the remaining 22 (75.9%) lesions were not detected. The distribution of the clinical T classifications detected using FDG-PET/CT was as follows: T1a, 0/21 (0%); T1b, 1/3 (33%); and T3, 5/5 (100%). Conclusions. The prevalence of esophageal cancer during the pretreatment of HPC patients was 51.5%; this prevalence was higher than that in previous reports. We believe that the increasing proportion of superficial lesions (82.8%) detected using iodine staining and EGD may have led to the relatively high prevalence. FDG-PET/CT detected only 20.7% of the esophageal cancers, although FDG-PET/CT is capable of detecting unexpected primary malignant tumors other than esophageal cancer.
Communicative and participatory paradigm in the European territorial policies. A discourse analysis

ABSTRACT Communicative planning has been widely criticized for having little to do with the official legal procedures and for low-quality spatial solutions. It has also been blamed to be an empty concept, referring to an action that in itself has no content. This critique gives ground to the question: what is actually the role of the communicative and participatory paradigm in contemporary territorial policies? In this paper, we adopt discourse analysis methods to study the European documents on spatial planning in their three characteristic strands: smart city, integrated planning and multilevel governance. By extracting eight core principles (governance, sustainability, communication, participation, resilience, innovation, cooperation and coordination), we measure the importance of the communicative and participatory paradigm in the current planning discourse in Europe. We find that despite critique it remains one of the fundamental building-blocks of the European territorial policy. Communicative planning principles are visibly present in all the analysed strands of spatial planning in Europe.
Leveraging Comparables for New Product Sales Forecasting

Many firms regularly introduce new products. Before the launch of any new product, firms need to make various operational decisions, which are guided by the sales forecast. The new product sales forecasting problem is challenging when compared to forecasting sales of existing products. For existing products, historical sales data gives an indicator of future sales, but this data is not available for a new product. We propose a novel sales forecasting model that is estimated with data of comparable products introduced in the past. We formulate the problem of clustering products and fitting forecasting models to these clusters simultaneously. Inherently, the model has a large number of parameters, which can lead to an overly complex model. Hence, we add regularization to the model so that it can estimate sparse models. This problem is computationally hard, and as a result, we develop a scalable algorithm that produces a forecasting model with good analytical guarantees on the prediction error. In close collaboration with our industry partner Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Inc., a major fast moving consumer goods manufacturer, we test our approach on real datasets, after which we check the robustness of our results with data from a large fast fashion retailer. We show that, compared to several widely used forecasting methods, our approach improves MAPE and WMAPE by 20-60% across various product segments compared to several widely used forecasting methods. Additionally, for the consumer goods manufacturer, we develop a fast and easy-to-use Excel tool that aids managers with forecasting and making decisions before a new product launch.