Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Research on Provincial High Education Scientific Research Efficiency Based on the DEA-Malmquist Indexes Method:Empirical Research on the Panel Data from Thirty-one Provinces

The dissertation assessed the entire development position of the efficiency of high education scientific research in China,and then analyzed the dynamic change of the efficiency of high education scientific research using the DEA-Malmquist Indexes Method.The research result had reflected that input – output position of the efficiency of high education scientific research was effective and the efficiency of high education scientific research had appeared that the east area was higher than the middle area and the middle area was higher than the west area.However,the current growth of research efficiency was not sustaining,and the trigger factor of the growth of research efficiency was the scale efficiency and the technology development.Therefore,we should adopt the measures,such as reasonable allocation of educational resources,reform of the evaluation mechanics of high education,and establish and implement the technical development planning of high education in order to improve the balanced development of regional high education scientific research,promote the growth quality of high education scientific research and ensure the stable and sustaining growth of high education scientific research.
Phosphorylation of Syntaphilin by cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Modulates Its Interaction with Syntaxin-1 and Annuls Its Inhibitory Effect on Vesicle Exocytosis*

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) can modulate synaptic transmission by acting directly on the neurotransmitter secretory machinery. Here, we identify one possible target: syntaphilin, which was identified as a molecular clamp that controls free syntaxin-1 and dynamin-1 availability and thereby regulates synaptic vesicle exocytosis and endocytosis. Deletion mutation and site-directed mutagenesis experiments pinpoint dominant PKA phosphorylation sites to serines 43 and 56. PKA phosphorylation of syntaphilin significantly decreases its binding to syntaxin-1A in vitro. A syntaphilin mutation of serine 43 to aspartic acid (S43D) shows similar effects on binding. To characterize in vivo phosphorylation events, we generated antisera against a peptide of syntaphilin containing a phosphorylated serine 43. Treatment of rat brain synaptosomes or syntaphilin-transfected HEK 293 cells with the cAMP analogue BIMPS induces in vivo phosphorylation of syntaphilin and inhibits its interaction with syntaxin-1 in neurons. To determine whether PKA phosphorylation of syntaphilin is involved in the regulation of Ca2+-dependent exocytosis, we investigated the effect of overexpression of syntaphilin and its S43D mutant on the regulated secretion of human growth hormone from PC12 cells. Although expression of wild type syntaphilin in PC12 cells exhibits significant reduction in high K+-induced human growth hormone release, the S43D mutant fails to inhibit exocytosis. Our data predict that syntaphilin could be a highly regulated molecule and that PKA phosphorylation could act as an “off” switch for syntaphilin, thus blocking its inhibitory function via the cAMP-dependent signal transduction pathway.
The new political economy of taxation in the developing world

ABSTRACT Concomitant with globalization, neoliberal tax reforms have spread across the globe since the early 1980s. In many countries, statutory rates, the number of tax brackets, and the incidence of tax allowances have been reduced for income taxes; in the developing world, international liberalization has also been associated with reduced revenues from trade taxes and increased pressures for expansion of the value added tax and income tax revenue intake. Yet, competition for mobile assets and new opportunities for tax avoidance potentially constrains taxation of corporate and personal income. Thus, contemporary conditions create especially severe challenges for the pursuit of greater income equality and enhanced public goods provision in developing nations. The present paper situates this special issue's contributions within the theoretical and empirical literatures that seek to explain contemporary changes in taxation. I argue that we know quite a lot about the tax effects of globalization, domestic politics, and their interaction in rich democracies; we know much less about how international forces and domestic factors influence tax reforms in the developing world. In this context, I highlight how each paper in this volume contributes to our understanding of the impacts of globalization and domestic politics on tax policy choices and, in turn, the challenges and opportunities for revenue mobilization in developing nations.
Ventricular perspective on efficiency.

The heart has many efficiencies of different definitions, of which mechanical work efficiency is the most popular and conventional. We have proposed a method to quantify the total mechanical energy generated by ventricular contraction. This energy can be quantified as a specific area called "systolic pressure-volume area" or "PVA" in the ventricular pressure-volume diagram. In the left ventricle of excised, cross-circulated dog heart preparations, we found a closely linear relation between PVA and oxygen consumption (VO2) under various loading conditions in a stable contractile state (Emax). An enhanced contractility was accompanied by an elevation of the load-independent VO2-PVA relation in a parallel manner, where the elevation was proportional to Emax. The slope of the VO2-PVA relation represents the "oxygen cost of mechanical energy (or PVA)" and its reciprocal indicates the "contractile efficiency", i.e., the energy conversion efficiency from PVA-dependent VO2 to PVA. This efficiency was 40% on the average, independent of various inotropic interventions. The slope of the PVA-independent VO2-Emax relation represents the "oxygen cost of contractility (or Emax)". This cost was relatively constant for different inotropic interventions except for myocardial cooling and stunning. We considered the discrepancy between the stable contractile efficiency and the variable thermal economy of force generation and maintenance.
Constraints imposed by the lower extremity extensor synergy in chronic hemiparetic stroke: Preliminary findings

In the present manuscript we implemented the MultiLEIT, a lower extremity isometric torque measurement device to quantify spontaneous joint torque coupling during maximal torque generation in the paretic leg of in chronic hemiparetic stroke. We quantified extension/adduction coupling (coincident with the clinical extension synergy) during the generation of hip extension and ankle plantarflexion maximum voluntary torques. Subjects were then instructed to generate torques outside the synergy by combining hip extension+ hip abduction or ankle plantarflexion + hip abduction. During the hip dual task, the paretic hip torques were significantly different from those measured in the non-paretic and control leg (F = 22.9719, p = 0) and resulted in the inability to generate torques outside the extensor synergy patters. During the dual ankle/ hip task, the paretic extremity generated significantly smaller hip abduction torques compared to controls and to the non-paretic extremity (F = 15.861, p = 0). During this task the paretic extremity was capable of neutralizing the spontaneous adduction torque and generate a net albeit small abduction torque. Results may indicate an increased descending drive from brain stem pathways, particularly during hip extension, responsible for constraints in generating hip abduction torques after stroke.
Demonstration of Lactogenic Receptors in Rat Endocrine Pancreases by Quantitative Autoradiography

A direct effect of growth hormone and/or prolactin on the growth of the pancreatic β-cell has been proposed. This study assessed the presence of human growth hormone (hGH)-binding sites in male adult rat endocrine pancreas via quantitative autoradiography. The binding of 125I-labeled hGH was evaluated by receptor autoradiography on frozen-pancreas cryostat cut sections. The sections were incubated with 125I-hGH (10−10 M) for 75 min at room temperature, and nonspecific binding was determined in the presence of excess native hGH (5 × 10−7 M). The specificity of the binding was assessed in competition experiments with bovine GH and ovine prolactin. The autoradiograms were quantified with a computer-assisted imageprocessing system. The sections were then stained to visualize the endocrine islets. Nondiabetic control and streptozocin (STZ)-injected rats were used. Our results show that 1) there is specific binding of iodinated hGH in small areas of the pancreas, which appear as the Langerhans islets when the autoradiogram and the stained sections are superimposed; 2) the specificity of hGH binding in rat islets is lactogenic; 3) the density of the hGH-binding sites in the endocrine pancreas is estimated at 4.8 fmol/mg protein, with IC50 ranging from 0.98 to 2.50 nM; and 4) binding sites may be present on the β-cell, because specific binding disappears in STZ-injected rats. In conclusion, by use of a quantitative autoradiographic technique, we provide evidence for the presence of lactogenic receptors on rat β-cells.
Mechanism of RNA polymerase II bypass of oxidative cyclopurine DNA lesions

Significance Cyclopurines are bulky oxidative DNA lesions that strongly block RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to interfere with gene transcription and replication in mammalian cells. Cells developed a mechanism enabling slow transcriptional bypass of the cyclopurines. Similar to translesion synthesis by DNA polymerases, lesion bypass by Pol II can be highly mutagenic, leading to transcription errors that are reminiscent of the A rule. We elucidated the mechanism and determined the domain in Pol II responsible for error-free and error-prone lesion bypass. We also identified a positive role of mammalian factor TFIIF in lesion-bypass stimulation. Strikingly, Pol II uses a similar strategy for negotiation with different DNA lesions, such as cyclopurines, pyrimidine dimers, cisplatin, and abasic sites, to reduce the burden of DNA damage on genome stability. In human cells, the oxidative DNA lesion 8,5′-cyclo-2'-deoxyadenosine (CydA) induces prolonged stalling of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) followed by transcriptional bypass, generating both error-free and mutant transcripts with AMP misincorporated immediately downstream from the lesion. Here, we present biochemical and crystallographic evidence for the mechanism of CydA recognition. Pol II stalling results from impaired loading of the template base (5′) next to CydA into the active site, leading to preferential AMP misincorporation. Such predominant AMP insertion, which also occurs at an abasic site, is unaffected by the identity of the 5′-templating base, indicating that it derives from nontemplated synthesis according to an A rule known for DNA polymerases and recently identified for Pol II bypass of pyrimidine dimers. Subsequent to AMP misincorporation, Pol II encounters a major translocation block that is slowly overcome. Thus, the translocation block combined with the poor extension of the dA.rA mispair reduce transcriptional mutagenesis. Moreover, increasing the active-site flexibility by mutation in the trigger loop, which increases the ability of Pol II to accommodate the bulky lesion, and addition of transacting factor TFIIF facilitate CydA bypass. Thus, blocking lesion entry to the active site, translesion A rule synthesis, and translocation block are common features of transcription across different bulky DNA lesions.
Acute retinal necrosis; Vitrectomy versus medical treatment?

A an emerging new scientific approach linking the genome to the environment, Epigenetic, as applied to the interpretation of clinical, epidemiological and biological data in retinoblastoma, can not only explain the inconsistencies of the mutational (“two hit”) model, but also open new outstanding scenarios in the fields of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this eye tumor. This work on retinoblastoma epigenetic is both a collection of literature data arguing against the role of the mutational (“two hit”) model in the genesis of retinoblastoma, and an evaluation of how the Epigenetic, rather than the genetic model fit the variegated phenotypic expression of the disease. The epigenetic model in the genesis of retinoblastoma, proposed herein, emphasizes the role of environment and the interaction of the environment with the genome, in generating retinoblastoma in young children. Environmental toxicants, including radiations, wrong diets, and infectious diseases, among others, all play a major role in conditioning the degree of DNA methylation in embryos and fetuses during pregnancy, thus leading to stable, functional alterations of the genome, which, on the other hand, can be also transmitted from one generation to another, thus mimicking a hereditary disease. An accurate analysis of the currently available literature on both retinoblastoma and Epigenetic, coupled with the knowledge of the variegated phenotypic expression of the disease, can easily lead to the conclusion that retinoblastoma is an epigenetic, rather than a genetic.
Conditioning film and initial biofilm formation on electrochemical CaCO3 deposition on a metallic net in the marine environment

Electrochemical deposition of minerals is a unique technology for artificial reef constructions, relying on calcium carbonate (CaCO3) build-up over metallic structures through electrolysis of seawater. The present study traces the first 72 h following electric current termination on bacterial biofilm build-up on a metallic net covered with CaCO3. 16S rRNA clone libraries indicated a dynamic succession. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were evident at all sampling times while Cyanobacteria appeared only within the first 8 h. A significant increase in total organic carbon (TOC) and total protein was observed after 48 h with a significant correlation (R 2 = 0.74), indicating TOC is a good tool for characterizing initial biofilm formation. 18S rRNA gene sequences obtained 72 h following current termination indicated a significant presence of Cnidarians (51%). Understanding the dynamics among primary bacterial settlers is important because they play a crucial role in driving the colonization of sessile invertebrate communities on artificial, as well as natural surfaces.
Albumin administration improves organ function in critically ill hypoalbuminemic patients: A prospective, randomized, controlled, pilot study*

Objective:To test the hypothesis that administration of albumin to correct hypoalbuminemia might have beneficial effects on organ function in a mixed population of critically ill patients. Design:Prospective, controlled, randomized study. Setting:Thirty-one-bed, mixed medicosurgical department of intensive care. Patients:All adult patients with a serum albumin concentration ≤30 g/L were assessed for eligibility. Principal exclusion criteria were expected length of stay <72 hrs, life expectancy <3 months or a do-not-resuscitate order, albumin administration in the preceding 24 hrs, or evidence of fluid overload. Interventions:The 100 patients were randomized to receive 300 mL of 20% albumin solution on the first day, then 200 mL/day provided their serum albumin concentration was <31 g/dL (albumin group), or to receive no albumin (control group). Measurements and Main Results:The primary outcome was the effect of albumin administration on organ function as assessed by a delta Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score from day 1 to day 7 (or the day of intensive care discharge or death, whichever came first). The two groups of 50 patients were comparable at baseline for age, gender, albumin concentration, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score. Albumin concentration did not change over time in the control group but increased consistently in the albumin group (p < .001). Organ function improved more in the albumin than in the control group (p = .026), mainly due to a difference in respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous system components of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. Diuretic use was identical in both groups, but mean fluid gain was almost three times higher in the control group (1679 ± 1156 vs. 658 ± 1101 mL, p = .04). Median daily calorie intake was higher in the albumin than in the control group (1122 [935–1158] vs. 760 [571–1077] kcal, p = .05). Conclusions:Albumin administration may improve organ function in hypoalbuminemic critically ill patients. It results in a less positive fluid balance and a better tolerance to enteral feeding.
Symptomatic and Functional Improvement in Employed Depressed Patients: A Double-Blind Clinical Trial of Desvenlafaxine Versus Placebo

Objective: This is the first study to assess the efficacy of desvenlafaxine (administered as desvenlafaxine succinate) for improving depressive symptoms and functioning exclusively in employed patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Gainfully employed (≥20 h/wk) male and female outpatients with MDD were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to 12 weeks of double-blind treatment with desvenlafaxine 50 mg/d or placebo. Analysis of covariance was used to compare differences in week 12 adjusted mean changes from baseline on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17) (primary outcome) and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) (key secondary outcome) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population. A predefined, modified ITT population (ie, those in the ITT population with baseline HAM-D17 ≥20) was also analyzed. Tolerability was assessed by recording adverse events and change on the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale. Results: Baseline HAM-D17 scores for desvenlafaxine (n = 285) and placebo (n = 142) were 22.0 and 21.8, whereas baseline SDS scores were 19.8 and 20.4. Adjusted mean differences between desvenlafaxine and placebo were 2.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-3.46; P = 0.002) on the HAM-D17 and 1.3 (95% CI, −0.09 to 2.76; P = 0.067) on the SDS. For the modified ITT sample, desvenlafaxine (n = 208) and placebo (n = 102), baseline HAM-D17 scores were 23.8 and 23.9; the SDS baseline scores were 20.1 and 20.8. Mean differences were 2.6 (95% CI, 0.93-4.22; P = 0.002) on the HAM-D17 and 2.1 (95% CI, 0.36-3.76; P = 0.017) on the SDS. Adverse events and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale scores were comparable between groups. Conclusions: Desvenlafaxine 50 mg/d was efficacious for treating MDD in gainfully employed adults. Between-group differences on the SDS narrowly missed statistical significance in the ITT population alone, but the totality of data suggests functional improvements with active treatment.
Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes protein 1: Role in Genome Stability and Tumorigenesis

SMC1 (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes protein 1), well known as one of the SMC superfamily members, has been explored to function in many activities including chromosome dynamics, cell cycle checkpoint, DNA damage repair and genome stability. Upon being properly assembled as part of cohesin, SMC1 can be phosphorylated by ATM and mediate downstream DNA damage repair after ionizing irradiation. Abnormal gene expression or mutation of SMC1 can cause defect in the DNA damage repair pathway, which has been strongly associated with tumorigenesis. Here we focus to discuss SMC1's role in genome stability maintenance and tumorigenesis. Deciphering the underlying molecular mechanism can provide insight into novel strategies for cancer treatment.
Perceptual asymmetry in consensus estimates of majority and minority members.

Three experiments revealed a consistent pattern of consensus estimates. Numerical status and group growth or decline were manipulated between subjects. Growth was manipulated orthogonally to a 3rd variable: focus. Focus was manipulated by describing growth information with respect either to the in-group or the out-group (e.g., in-group growth and out-group decline). A Numerical Status X Focus interaction emerged in Study 1. Numerical minority members' consensus estimates for an opinion issue increased when growth information was out-group focused, whereas majority members' estimates did not differ as a function of the focus variable. Study 2 replicated these effects across other opinion dimensions. Study 3 confirmed the importance of the growth and focus variables in the absence of numerical status manipulations.
The efficiency of financial systems, liberalization, and economic development

For at least twenty years, mainstream development economists have argued that financial liberalization is the road to higher levels of domestic savings/investment and more efficient allocation of capital. Efficiency is thus clearly associated with a more liberalized, deregulated financial system. This argument, in turn, is implicitly based on the dominant view on the working of financial markets that is, that financial institutions can be pictured as mere intermediaries between savers and investors. Further, the argument also relies on the view that the prices of financial assets reflect the underlying conditions of the final issuers of such assets, a view that has more recently been formalized as the efficient market hypothesis. If financial markets are the loci of allocation of capital, and asset prices are shown to guide savers toward investment with the highest productivity, financial markets are efficient allocators of capital. The aim of this article is to present a critical assessment of the concept of macroeconomic efficiency usually implicit in most mainstream analyses, and, therefore, of the financial liberalization hypothesis. Furthermore, this critical appraisal will be the basis upon which we will attempt to build an alternative Post Keynesian view of the role of the financial system in economic development. Such a view is concerned not so much with answering established questions (such as, "Should we liberalize or not, and how rapidly? "), as with presenting a set of other relevant, but often forgotten, ques
Subarachnoid Small-Dose Bupivacaine Versus Lidocaine for Cervical Cerclage

Cervical cerclage is often performed as an outpatient procedure under subarachnoid anesthesia. Lidocaine was historically the drug of choice for short procedures but has fallen out of favor because of concerns of transient neurologic symptoms (TNS). We performed this study to determine whether small-dose bupivacaine is an acceptable alternative to lidocaine for cervical cerclage. We randomized 59 women to receive either subarachnoid isobaric lidocaine 30 mg or hyperbaric bupivacaine 5.25 mg. Fentanyl 20 &mgr;g was added to both local anesthetics, and the total volume was diluted to 3 mL with 0.9% saline. Onset and highest dermatomal level of sensory block; quality of anesthesia; hypotension; and times until T12 regression, return of lower extremity motor function, ambulation, and micturition were recorded. Symptoms of TNS were evaluated by telephone interview 24 h after surgery. We did not find any significant difference in onset or recovery times between the groups, with the exception of a longer duration until return of lower extremity motor strength in the lidocaine group. Symptoms consistent with TNS that resolved spontaneously within 48 h were reported by two women in the lidocaine group but by none in the bupivacaine group. We conclude that subarachnoid bupivacaine offers a satisfactory alternative to subarachnoid lidocaine for cervical cerclage.