Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trade imbalance and the endogenous optimal tariff

ABSTRACT Endogenous tariff literatures reveal empirically that trade imbalance is negatively related with import tariff, this article gives a theoretical evidence and explanation to support this finding with the methodology of multi-country numerical general equilibrium modelling and simulation. We explore how optimal tariff changes after trade imbalance is introduced, and find that optimal tariffs decrease substantially, either for surplus or deficit countries, when imbalance is considered. Specifically, when the imbalance is modelled in endogenous monetary and inside-money structures, the optimal tariffs decrease by 26% globally on average. Our results suggest that the deepening trade imbalance is beneficial to the global trade liberalization due to its driving tariffs down.
Gene‐Wide Tagging Study of the Association Between KCNT1 Polymorphisms and the Susceptibility and Efficacy of Genetic Generalized Epilepsy in Chinese Population

The causes of genetic generalized epilepsies (GGEs) are still uncertain now. Some studies found that the human potassium channel, subfamily T, member 1 (KCNT1) is the candidate gene causing malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy and autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy which are all rare genetic generalized epilepsies. The aims of this study were going to evaluate the association between KCNT1 common variations and the susceptibility and drug resistance of genetic generalized epilepsies in Chinese population.
Violent Conflicts and the New Mediatization: The Impact of Social Media on the European Parliamentary Agenda Regarding the Syrian War

As key institutions in Western democracies, parliaments have gained importance regarding foreign affairs issues in recent years. Their increasing role as moral tribunes and discussion forums on conflict prevention and resolution have led to the parliamentarization of international affairs. The examination of the parliamentary agenda and the actors who shape it constitutes a fundamental part of agenda-setting studies as applied to the media and political systems. Among these actors, mass media must be highlighted, taking into account the complex process of information gathering for members of Parliament, particularly in cases related to international violent conflicts. Moreover, in the specific situation of the Syrian Civil War, social media have become increasingly important due to the difficulties faced by traditional media in performing their job on the ground. In order to know the impact and roles played by social media in parliamentary debates, we applied a computer assisted quantitative content analysis to 3,249 minutes from the parliaments of United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and the EU, as well as a qualitative analysis. The results show that, during the first part of the conflict, social media were regarded by European parliaments as positive tools for the dissemination of information whereas, in the second phase, the diffusion of jihadist propaganda by such media completely altered the attitudes toward them.
Lactate and pH in the Brain: Association and Dissociation in Different Pathophysiological States

Abstract: Brain tissue pH and lactate content were measured in rats under three different experimental conditions, namely: (1) during complete global cerebral ischemia; (2) after reversible near‐complete cerebral ischemia; and (3) in experimental brain tumors. At the end of the experiments brains were frozen with liquid nitrogen. A series of 20‐μm thick coronal sections was prepared in a cryostat and then used for the regional determination of tissue pH (umbelliferone technique) and tissue lactate (bioluminescent technique). In addition, tissue samples were taken for the quantitative measurement of brain lactate (enzymatic fluorometric technique). The relationship between lactate content and tissue pH was different for each of the three experimental models studied: only after short‐term global cerebral ischemia did an increase in the lactate content correlate with a decrease in tissue pH (r= 0.94; p < 0.001). A highly significant increase in the lactate content (p < 0.001) was accompanied by physiological pH values (6.96 ± 0.08 in comparison to 6.97 ± 0.04 in controls) during recirculation after transient cerebral ischemia and in brain tumors even by an alkaline pH shift. In view of these observations the term “lactacidosis” should not be used without measuring both the lactate content and the pH. The observed dissociation between pH and lactate is due to the fact that both parameters are regulated independently. During anaerobiosis the main source of proton production is ATP hydrolysis rather than glycolysis. It is, therefore, suggested that the terms “acidosis” and “lactosis” should be used instead of “lactacidosis. ”
Cutaneous leucoclastic vasculitis (LV) following bortezomib therapy in a myeloma patient; association with pro‐inflammatory cytokines

Abstract: The proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, has anti‐myeloma activity even in myeloma cells refractory to multiple prior treatments. Bortezomib blocks the production of nuclear factor‐κB (NFκB)‐mediated pro‐inflammatory cytokines. We report a patient with myeloma who developed a cutaneous leucoclastic vasculitis (LV) after bortezomib treatment. The patient with LV exhibited a marked increase in serum levels of IL‐6, TNF‐α, and C‐reactive protein (CRP). Bortezomib administration may enhance the release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, which might play a role in bortezomib‐induced cutaneous LV.
New constant-temperature operating mode for graphite calorimeter at LNE-LNHB

The realization of the unit of absorbed dose at LNE-LNHB is based on calorimetry with the present GR8 graphite calorimeter. For this reason the calorimetric technique must be maintained, developed and improved in the laboratory. The usual quasi-adiabatic operating mode at LNHB is based on the thermal feedback between the core (sensitive element) and the jacket (adjacent body). When a core–jacket temperature difference is detected, a commercially available analogue PID (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) controller sends to the jacket an amount of electrical power to reduce this difference. Nevertheless, the core and jacket temperatures increase with irradiations and electrical calibrations whereas the surrounding is maintained at a fixed temperature to shield against the room temperature variations. At radiotherapy dose rates, fewer than ten measurements, or electrical calibrations, per day can be performed. This paper describes the new constant-temperature operating mode which has been implemented recently to improve flexibility in use and, to some extent, accuracy. The core and the jacket temperatures are maintained at fixed temperatures. A steady state is achieved without irradiation. Then, under irradiation, the electrical power needed to maintain the assigned temperature in the core is reduced by the amount of heat generated by ionizing radiation. The difference between these electrical powers, without and with irradiation, gives the mean absorbed dose rate to the core. The quality of this electrical power substitution measurement is strongly dependent upon the quality of the core and jacket thermal control. The core temperature is maintained at the set value using a digital PID regulator developed at the laboratory with LabView software on PC for this purpose. This regulator is versatile and particularly well suited for calorimetry purposes. Measurements in a cobalt-60 beam have shown no significant difference (<0.09%) between the two operating modes, with an equivalent reproducibility (1σ < 0.06%). These results corroborate the negligible difference of heat transfer between steady and irradiation periods when working in quasi-adiabatic mode with thermal feedback between the core and the jacket. The new constant-temperature mode allows numerous and fully automated measurements. The electrical calibration is an integral part of the measurement; no extra runs are needed. It also allows faster thermal equilibrium before starting runs. Moreover the quality of vacuum within the gaps between the bodies is less important.
Profile of trace metals accumulation in core sediment from Seine river estuary (docks basin)

The Seine is one of the most polluted rivers in Europe with respect to potentially harmful elements. It receives effluents from the upstream Paris urban and industrial area, and also local inputs from the heavily industrialized Rouen and Le Havre regions. The present study deals with this environmental topic and the concentrations of Cd, Ni, Pb, Hg, Zn and Cu were determined in sediment cores collected in the docks basin of Rouen harbour in 2008. The intensity of metal pollution during recent decades was evaluated using an enrichment factor (EF) and a geoaccumulation index (Igeo). The results of vertical distribution showed that the metal pollution in the past is much higher than in the surface sediment. Mercury was found to be the heaviest pollutant (with Igeo and EF exceeding 4 and 20, respectively), and Cd and Pb were the second most important pollutants. A slight contamination in Ni was observed with very low Igeo values. To estimate the sediment toxicity, simultaneously extracted metals/acid volatile sulfides ratio (SEM/AVS) was calculated. Low values of the toxicity index SEM/AVS were observed in the core sediments indicating the inexistence of metal potential toxicity. Also the concentrations of these trace metals were lower than the probable effect concentration values reported as consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for fresh water ecosystems.
Evidence That the Brief Symptom Inventory Can Be Used to Measure Anxiety Quickly and Reliably in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background:Anxiety is not routinely assessed in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Failure to identify and treat patients who are anxious after AMI makes them more vulnerable to the adverse effects of anxiety, including higher complication rates. The anxiety subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) is a simple, reliable measure of anxiety with minimal patient burden. However, there is limited evidence of reliability and validity of the BSI as a measure of anxiety in patients hospitalized for AMI. Objective:The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the reliability and validity of the BSI in hospitalized AMI patients. Method:A total of 536 patients admitted for AMI (62 ± 14 years of age, 66% men, 85% white, 27% with previous myocardial infarction) completed the BSI and the state portion of the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) within 72 hours of admission. Internal consistency reliability, criterion-related validity, and construct validity of the BSI were tested. Results:There was sufficient evidence of internal consistency (Cronbach &agr; = .87), which supported the reliability of the BSI. There was evidence of criterion-related validity based on the Spearman &rgr; correlation coefficient of 0.70 (P < .001) between BSI and SAI scores. Anxious patients had higher complication rates than did nonanxious patients (BSI, 1.31 ± 0.13 vs 0.82 ± 0.08, respectively, P < .001; SAI, 1.34 ± 0.13 vs 0.80 ± 0.07, respectively, P < .001), demonstrating adequate construct validity. In a logistic regression, BSI scores were independent predictors of in-hospital complications after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical variables, which further supported construct validity. Conclusion:These results provide support for the BSI as a reliable, valid instrument for measuring anxiety in patients hospitalized for AMI.
Relationships between protein sequence and structure patterns based on residue contacts

The identification of correlations between sequence patterns and structural motifs is a prerequisite in the development of protein structure prediction methods. The prediction accuracy indicates whether these correlations are discerned. We present an approach to identify long‐range relationships between sequence patterns and structural motifs by varying the granulation of the structure description. Since interaction among residues is a major determinant in protein folding, we consider contact environments formed by two triplets of three sequentially neighboring residues and described by vectors whose components express contact strengths on an atomic level. Through testing various classification schemes, including their resolution and optimizing parameters, discernible relationships between sequences and folds are explored. About ten structural contact states, together with information from noncontacting regions, could improve the accuracy of contact prediction. Proteins 31:172–185, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An intact overexpressed E-cadherin/alpha,beta-catenin axis characterizes the lymphovascular emboli of inflammatory breast carcinoma.

The step of intravasation (lymphovascular invasion), a rate-limiting step in metastasis, is greatly exaggerated in inflammatory breast carcinoma (IBC). Because nearly all human breast carcinoma cell lines grow as solitary nodules in nude/severe combined immunodeficient mice without manifesting lymphovascular invasion, this step has been difficult to study. We captured the essence of the IBC phenotype by establishing a unique human transplantable IBC xenograft, MARY-X, which manifests florid lymphovascular emboli in severe combined immunodeficient/nude mice. Comparing MARY-X with common non-IBC cell lines/xenografts, we discovered an overexpressed and overfunctioning E-cadherin/alpha,beta-catenin axis. In MARY-X, the E-cadherin and catenins were part of a structurally and functionally intact adhesion axis involving the actin cytoskeleton. In vitro, MARY-X grew as round compact spheroids with a cell density 5-10-fold higher than that of other lines. The spheroids of MARY-X completely disadhered when placed in media containing absent Ca(2+) or anti-E-cadherin antibodies or when retrovirally transfected with a dominant-negative E-cadherin mutant (H-2K(d)-E-cad). Anti-E-cadherin antibodies injected i.v. immunolocalized to the pulmonary lymphovascular emboli of MARY-X and caused their dissolution. H-2K(d)-E-cad-transfected MARY-X spheroids were only weakly tumorigenic and did not form lymphovascular emboli. A total of 90% of human IBCs showed increased membrane E-cadherin/alpha,beta-catenin immunoreactivity. These findings indicate that it is the gain and not the loss of the E-cadherin axis that contributes to the IBC phenotype.
Assessing Multilingual Multicultural Teachers' Communication Styles

As many educational institutions become more globally competitive, and the number of diverse teachers increases, it becomes even more imperative to avoid what some cultures might deem as inappropriate and unprofessional verbal and non-verbal forms of communication. Those behaviors are sometimes interpreted in different ways, depending on the cultural perspective. Any unwanted verbal and non-verbal actions often increase stress, unwelcomed job pressures, and hinder a positive work environment. At the institutional level where teachers are very diverse, understanding verbal and nonverbal behaviors must be addressed. The researchers propose a methodology which will help multilingual, multicultural teachers' communication styles within the workplace and how to improve cross-cultural team collaborations. Additionally, the information provided in this study allows educational leaders to make inferences about their teachers' team performance and expectations based on their motivation, experiences, and skills used when working with a multicultural team.
Differential Transmission of the Genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato by Game Birds and Small Rodents in England

ABSTRACT The genetic diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was assessed in a focus of Lyme borreliosis in southern Britain dominated by game birds. Ticks, rodents, and pheasants were analyzed for spirochete infections by PCR targeting the 23S-5S rRNA genes, followed by genotyping by the reverse line blot method. In questingIxodes ricinus ticks, three genospecies of B. burgdorferi sensu lato were detected, with the highest prevalences found for Borrelia garinii and Borrelia valaisiana. B. burgdorferi sensu stricto was rare (<1%) in all tick stages. Borrelia afzelii was not detected in any of the samples. More than 50% of engorged nymphs collected from pheasants were infected with borreliae, mainly B. garinii and/orB. valaisiana. Although 19% of the rodents harboredB. burgdorferi sensu stricto and/or B. gariniiin internal organs, only B. burgdorferi sensu stricto was transmitted to xenodiagnostic tick larvae (it was transmitted to 1% of the larvae). The data indicate that different genospecies of B. burgdorferi sensu lato can be maintained in nature by distinct transmission cycles involving the same vector tick species but different vertebrate host species. Wildlife management may have an influence on the relative risk of different clinical forms of Lyme borreliosis.
Inducible Gene Expression in Tumors Colonized by Modified Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus Strains

ABSTRACT Exogenous gene induction of therapeutic, diagnostic, and safety mechanisms could be a considerable improvement in oncolytic virotherapy. Here, we introduced a doxycycline-inducible promoter system (comprised of a tetracycline repressor, several promoter constructs, and a tet operator sequence) into oncolytic recombinant vaccinia viruses (rVACV), which were further characterized in detail. Experiments in cell cultures as well as in tumor-bearing mice were analyzed to determine the role of the inducible-system components. To accomplish this, we took advantage of the optical reporter construct, which resulted in the production of click-beetle luciferase as well as a red fluorescent protein. The results indicated that each of the system components could be used to optimize the induction rates and had an influence on the background expression levels. Depending on the given gene to be induced in rVACV-colonized tumors of patients, we discuss the doxycycline-inducible promoter system adjustment and further optimization. IMPORTANCE Oncolytic virotherapy of cancer can greatly benefit from the expression of heterologous genes. It is reasonable that some of those heterologous gene products could have detrimental effects either on the cancer patient or on the oncolytic virus itself if they are expressed at the wrong time or if the expression levels are too high. Therefore, exogenous control of gene expression levels by administration of a nontoxic inducer will have positive effects on the safety as well as the therapeutic outcome of oncolytic virotherapy. In addition, it paves the way for the introduction of new therapeutic genes into the genome of oncolytic viruses that could not have been tested otherwise.
Ligne à grande vitesse et affirmation des destinations : quelles stratégies pour le tourisme et les rencontres d’affaires ? Le cas de la LGV Bretagne-Pays de la Loire

EnglishImproving accessibility by simply opening a high-speed rail line (HSL) is no longer considered enough to generate economic development. However, such a measure can be used as an opportunity to unite a range of urban projects. Based on qualitative interviews, our work focuses on the policies adopted by local tourism stakeholders in preparation for the arrival of the HSL serving Brittany and Pays de la Loire. The case of Rennes is enlightening, as it raises a number of questions. The metropolization strategy of a destination, the role of local stakeholders, the logic of co-production and the redefinition of mobility linking tourism and business all reignite questions concerning the relationship between HSLs and territorial development. The relationships that exist between territories, and which evolve in a context that oscillates between synergy and competition, make it possible to identify the positioning of the cities served by the Brittany–Pays de la Loire HSL within their regional context. Establishing a medium-sized destination with an unpretentious tourist image, such as Rennes, requires coordinated action for which improved accessibility is ultimately not the key priority. francaisL’amelioration de l’accessibilite par l’ouverture d’une ligne a grande vitesse ferroviaire (LGV) n’est plus consideree comme suffisante pour generer un developpement economique. Cependant, elle peut etre saisie comme une opportunite pour federer des projets urbains. A partir d’entretiens qualitatifs, la reflexion porte sur les politiques d’anticipation de la LGV Bretagne-Pays de la Loire (LGV BPL) par les acteurs locaux touristiques. Le cas de Rennes est eclairant car il pose plusieurs interrogations. La strategie de metropolisation d’une destination, le role des acteurs locaux, la logique de co-production, la redefinition des mobilites entre le tourisme et les rencontres d’affaires, renouvellent la problematique de la relation entre LGV et developpement territorial. La relation des territoires entre eux, qui evolue entre complementarite et concurrence, permet de situer les villes desservies par la LGV BPL dans leur contexte regional. L’affirmation d’une destination de taille moyenne a l’image touristique peu affirmee, comme Rennes, passe par des actions coordonnees ou l’accessibilite renforcee n’est finalement pas primordiale.
Cadherin-related Neuronal Receptors in Incisor Development

Cadherins are cell adhesion molecules that are critical for tissue development. In this report, we identified members of the cadherin family cadherin-related neuronal receptors (CNRs) 1 and 5 expressed in rat incisors by the differential display method. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that CNR1 mRNA is expressed in the secretory stage but reduced in the early-maturation stage, while CNR5 mRNA is expressed in both these stages. In situ hybridization showed that strong expression of CNR1 is strong in the secretory stage, but reduced in the early phase and diminished in the late phase of the early-maturation stage. CNR5 mRNA is expressed almost at the same levels in the secretory and in the early phase of the early-maturation stages but is absent in the late phase of the early-maturation stage. Both CNR1 and 5 mRNA are continuously expressed in odontoblasts. Immunohistology showed that CNR proteins are expressed in the secretory and early-maturation stages of ameloblasts, but no protein expression at the late-maturation stage was observed. CNR proteins were continuously expressed in odontoblasts. We found that recombinant CNR1 binds dental epithelial and mesenchymal cells through N-terminal domain EC1 in vitro. These results suggest that CNR1 and CNR5 may play an important role in enamel and dentin formation, probably through cell-cell and/or cell-matrix interactions.