Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Federalism, Chinese Style: The Political Basis for Economic Success in China

China's remarkable economic success rests on a foundation of political reform providing a considerable degree of credible commitment to markets. This reform reflects a special type of institutionalized decentralization that the authors call “federalism, Chinese style. ” This form of decentralization has three consequences. First, it fosters competition, not only in product markets, but also among local governments for labor and foreign capital. This competition, in turn, encourages local government experimentation and learning with new forms of enterprises, regulation, and economic relationships. Second, it provides incentives for local governments to promote local economic prosperity. Finally, it provides a significant amount of protection to local governments and their enterprises from political intrusion by the central government.
The nerve of ovulation-inducing factor in semen

A component in seminal fluid elicits an ovulatory response and has been discovered in every species examined thus far. The existence of an ovulation-inducing factor (OIF) in seminal plasma has broad implications and evokes questions about identity, tissue sources, mechanism of action, role among species, and clinical relevance in infertility. Most of these questions remain unanswered. The goal of this study was to determine the identity of OIF in support of the hypothesis that it is a single distinct and widely conserved entity. Seminal plasma from llamas and bulls was used as representative of induced and spontaneous ovulators, respectively. A fraction isolated from llama seminal plasma by column chromatography was identified as OIF by eliciting luteinizing hormone (LH) release and ovulation in llamas. MALDI-TOF revealed a molecular mass of 13,221 Da, and 12–23 aa sequences of OIF had homology with human, porcine, bovine, and murine sequences of β nerve growth factor (β-NGF). X-ray diffraction data were used to solve the full sequence and structure of OIF as β-NGF. Neurite development and up-regulation of trkA in phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells in vitro confirmed NGF-like properties of OIF. Western blot analysis of llama and bull seminal plasma confirmed immunorecognition of OIF using polyclonal mouse anti-NGF, and administration of β-NGF from mouse submandibular glands induced ovulation in llamas. We conclude that OIF in seminal plasma is β-NGF and that it is highly conserved. An endocrine route of action of NGF elucidates a previously unknown pathway for the direct influence of the male on the hypothalamo–pituitary–gonadal axis of the inseminated female.
Platelet aggregation, stroke, and transient ischemic attack in middle‐aged and elderly patients

Platelet aggregation was studied with optical density methods in a group of 39 patients with stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and in age, sex, and race-matched controls. The patients were divided at age 60 into young stroke patients and young controls (18 pairs) and old stroke patients and old controls (21 pairs). A semiquantitative measure of the threshold of phase II of platelet aggregation and extent of disaggregation 3 minutes after peak aggregation were used as an index of platelet aggregability. Aggregability was significantly greater in young stroke patients than in young controls. Aggregability was similar in old stroke patients and old controls. Both old stroke patients and old controls were hyperaggregable compared with young controls, indicating that aggregability rises with age. This suggests that platelet aggregability is a significant risk factor for stroke but is relatively more important in the younger than in the older stroke patient.
Evaluation of DNA intercalation potential of pharmaceuticals and other chemicals by cell‐based and three‐dimensional computational approaches

To what extent noncovalent chemical‐DNA interactions, in particular weak nonbonded DNA intercalation, contribute to genotoxic responses in mammalian cells has not been fully elucidated. Moreover, with the exception of predominantly flat, multiple‐fused‐ring structures, our ability to predict intercalation ability of novel compounds is nearly completely lacking. Computational programs such as DEREK and MCASE recognize primarily those molecules that can form irreversible covalent adducts with DNA since their learning sets, for the most part, have not been populated by compounds for which a relationship between noncovalent interaction and genotoxicity exists. We describe here a novel three‐dimensional (3D) computational DNA‐docking model for prediction of DNA intercalative activity of molecules with both classical and nonclassical intercalating structures. The 3D docking results show a remarkable concordance with results obtained from testing these molecules directly in the Chinese hamster V79 cell‐based bleomycin amplification system suggesting that either or both of these approaches may have utility in defining noncovalent chemical‐DNA interactions. The ability to predict and/or demonstrate cellular DNA intercalation of novel molecules may well provide fresh insights into the nature and mechanistic basis of structurally unexpected genotoxicity observed during safety testing. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 44:163–173, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MicroRNA-7 Promotes Glycolysis to Protect against 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced Cell Death*

Background: The dopaminergic neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), kills cells by inhibiting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Results: MicroRNA-7-mediated repression of RelA expression and subsequent increase in glucose transporter Glut3 level augments glycolysis in neuronal cells. Conclusion: MicroRNA-7 protects cells against MPP+-induced cytotoxicity by enhancing glycolysis. Significance: MicroRNA-7 could potentially mitigate the effects of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation defects in Parkinson disease. Parkinson disease is associated with decreased activity of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This defect can be recapitulated in vitro by challenging dopaminergic cells with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), a neurotoxin that inhibits complex I of electron transport chain. Consequently, oxidative phosphorylation is blocked, and cells become dependent on glycolysis for ATP production. Therefore, increasing the rate of glycolysis might help cells to produce more ATP to meet their energy demands. In the present study, we show that microRNA-7, a non-coding RNA that protects dopaminergic neuronal cells against MPP+-induced cell death, promotes glycolysis in dopaminergic SH-SY5Y and differentiated human neural progenitor ReNcell VM cells, as evidenced by increased ATP production, glucose consumption, and lactic acid production. Through a series of experiments, we demonstrate that targeted repression of RelA by microRNA-7, as well as subsequent increase in the neuronal glucose transporter 3 (Glut3), underlies this glycolysis-promoting effect. Consistently, silencing Glut3 expression diminishes the protective effect of microRNA-7 against MPP+. Further, microRNA-7 fails to prevent MPP+-induced cell death when SH-SY5Y cells are cultured in a low glucose medium, as well as when differentiated ReNcell VM cells or primary mouse neurons are treated with the hexokinase inhibitor, 2-deoxy-d-glucose, indicating that a functional glycolytic pathway is required for this protective effect. In conclusion, microRNA-7, by down-regulating RelA, augments Glut3 expression, promotes glycolysis, and subsequently prevents MPP+-induced cell death. This protective effect of microRNA-7 could be exploited to correct the defects in oxidative phosphorylation in Parkinson disease.
Real‐time Realistic Rendering and Lighting of Forests

Realistic real‐time rendering and lighting of forests is an important aspect for simulators and video games. This is a difficult problem, due to the massive amount of geometry: aerial forest views display millions of trees on a wide range of distances, from the camera to the horizon. Light interactions, whose effects are visible at all scales, are also a problem: sun and sky dome contributions, shadows between trees, inside trees, on the ground, and view‐light masking correlations. In this paper we present a method to render very large forest scenes in real‐time, with realistic lighting at all scales, and without popping nor aliasing. Our method is based on two new forest representations, z‐fields and shader‐maps, with a seamless transition between them. Our first model builds on light fields and height fields to represent and render the nearest trees individually, accounting for all lighting effects. Our second model is a location, view and light dependent shader mapped on the terrain, accounting for the cumulated subpixel effects. Qualitative comparisons with photos show that our method produces realistic results.
[All-inside meniscal repair using the RapidLoc device].

OBJECTIVES Although conventional suture techniques yield satisfactory results in the treatment of meniscal ruptures, they are inherent with long operative time and high complication rates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of meniscal repair with the use of the RapidLoc device. METHODS The study included 57 consecutive patients (all males; mean age 24 years; range 17 to 33 years) who underwent meniscal repair with the RapidLoc device. The mean time from injury to surgery was 20 days (range 7 to 60 days). The mean length of meniscal ruptures was 25 mm (range 10 to 35 mm). A mean of two RapidLoc fixators were used for each rupture. Thirty patients had associated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture; of whom 17 patients underwent ACL reconstruction with hamstring autografts. Thirteen patients refused ACL reconstruction and underwent only meniscal repair. Functional results were evaluated using the Tegner activity score, Lysholm score, and IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) subjective knee evaluation form. Clinical assessments were made using the Barrett criteria. The mean follow-up was 39 months (range 18 to 66 months). RESULTS The mean operation time including diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy was 25 minutes (range 15 to 35 min). Compared to the preoperative scores, all functional scores showed significant improvements (p<0.001) with the following increases: Lysholm score from 58.8 + or - 13.7 to 93.3 + or - 7.7, Tegner activity score from 3.5 + or - 1.0 to 6.0 + or - 1.6, and IKDC score from 52.8 + or - 10.5 to 91.4 + or - 4.0. According to the Barrett criteria, meniscal healing was achieved in all the patients. Second-look arthroscopy was performed in one patient due to pain and swelling, which showed an unabsorbed tophat of the RapidLoc device. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the RapidLoc meniscal repair device may be an appropriate choice in selected cases because of satisfactory short-term clinical results, ease of applicability, short operation time, and low complication rate.
Evidence for an extracellular matrix bridge guiding proepicardial cell migration to the myocardium of chick embryos

During heart development, the proepicardium (PE) gives rise to cells of the epicardial epithelium, connective tissue of the subepicardium and the myocardium, and smooth muscle, endothelium, and connective tissue of the coronary arteries. The PE arises as an outgrowth of the pericardial serosa at embryonic day 2 (Hamburger and Hamilton stage [HH] 14) of chick development. Between stages HH14 and HH17, multicellular villous projections extend from the PE toward the dorsal aspect of the lesser curvature of the myocardium. On reaching the atrioventricular (AV) junction, the cells spread over the myocardium, eventually enveloping the complete heart surface as a simple squamous epithelium. Although the lineage of the PE cells is well established, it remains uncertain how cells of the PE reach the myocardial surface and specifically target the AV junction. By using a combination of serial section reconstructions, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy, we have identified an extracellular matrix bridge (ECMB) spanning the coelomic cavity between the PE and the myocardium. The ECMB is first detectable at HH14 and persists until the PE contacts the bare myocardial surface. This ECMB stains intensely with ruthenium red and Alcian blue, contains heparan sulfate and fibronectin, and exhibits both fibrillar and globular ultrastructure, reminiscent of proteoglycans. After PE attachment to the myocardium (HH16–HH17), the subepicardium exhibited strong staining for heparan sulfate. Heparinase injection into the pericardial coelom at HH15 resulted in aberrant development of the primordial epicardium. On the basis of these studies, we suggest that the ECMB may participate in migration and targeting of the PE to the myocardium. Developmental Dynamics 227:511–523, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pulse contour analysis versus thermodilution in cardiac surgery patients

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that there is a lack of agreement between intermittent cold bolus thermodilution (ICO) and a semicontinuous method with dilution of heat (CCO) in cardiac surgical patients following hypothermic extracorporeal circulation (HCPB). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare both ICO and CCO with continuous pulse contour analysis (PCCO): a method based on a fundamentally different principle of determining cardiac output (CO).
Bearing Fault Diagnosis using Multiclass Support Vector Machine with efficient Feature Selection Methods

-Fault diagnosis in bearings has been the subject of intensive research as bearings are critical component in manyrotating machinery applications and an unexpected failure of the bearing may cause substantial economic losses. Vibration analysis has been used as a predictive maintenance procedure and as a support for machinery maintenance decisions. In this study, we used Multiclass Support Vector Machines (MSVM) for classification task. SVM is a powerful classification tool that is becoming increasingly popular in various machine-learning applications. In data pre-processing step advance signal processing methods such as wavelet transform is used to extract the features which reveals the characteristics of the actual conditions of the bearing. To reduce the dimensionality of the feature SVM–Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE),Wrapper subset method, ReliefF method and Principle component analysis (PCA). Moreover, investigation is done performance of MSVM with mentioned different feature selection strategies as well as MSVM alone on basis of classification accuracy. To validate the proposed methodology, four kinds of running states are simulated with artificially created faults in bearing that is accommodated in the test rig. By comparing classification accuracy along with computation timing the best scheme is selected for diagnostic prediction. Index Term-Test rig, fault diagnosis, wavelet, SVM–Recursive Feature Elimination, Wrapper subset method, ReliefF method and Principle component analysis(PCA)
Dynamic Optimization Solution for Green Service Migration in Data Centres

While many aspects of the Future Internet are uncertain, one thing that is clear is that service demand will continue to rise. Also, advances in mobile devices and service technology will almost certainly cause service usage patterns to vary considerably. Another issue that the Future Internet community must be acutely aware of is the huge movement towards more sustainable forms of computing and communications technology. With the recent attention that has been put on IT energy consumption (data-centres in particular), all computing and communications systems need to consider their environmental impact from the outset. With that in mind, we propose a solution for determining the optimal placement of services in data-centre network, in order to maximize the overall renewable energy usage and minimize the cooling energy consumption. We then perform a series of experiments in order to evaluate our solution, incorporating dynamic service request profiles and actual weather and renewable energy production values.
86 GHz static and 110 GHz dynamic frequency dividers in SiGe bipolar technology

We present static and dynamic frequency dividers manufactured in a 200 GHz f/sub T/ SiGe bipolar technology. The static divider has a divide ratio of 32 and operates up to 86.2 GHz. The dynamic divider is based on regenerative frequency division and has a divide ratio of two. It operates up to 110 GHz (limited by the measurement equipment). The power consumption of the static and dynamic frequency dividers is 900 mW and 310 mW, respectively.
Flexible PSO-based optimization of millimeter-wave triple-band antennas by the use of fractal configuration

This paper proposes a triple-band antenna based on the fractal structure of Sierpinski gasket optimized by particle swarm optimization (PSO). Relying on the highly desirable attributes including compact size, low profile, conformal and especially multiband of fractal structure, the feature of triple-band is not tricky to obtain. Implementing PSO permits the antenna to operate better. A finite element method simulator is used to simulate the proposed antenna. Results show the difference between the antenna without the optimization and the antenna using PSO.
A Hidden Active Site in the Potential Drug Target Mycobacterium tuberculosis dUTPase Is Accessible through Small Amplitude Protein Conformational Changes*

dUTPases catalyze the hydrolysis of dUTP into dUMP and pyrophosphate to maintain the proper nucleotide pool for DNA metabolism. Recent evidence suggests that dUTPases may also represent a selective drug target in mycobacteria because of the crucial role of these enzymes in maintaining DNA integrity. Nucleotide-hydrolyzing enzymes typically harbor a buried ligand-binding pocket at interdomain or intersubunit clefts, facilitating proper solvent shielding for the catalyzed reaction. The mechanism by which substrate binds this hidden pocket and product is released in dUTPases is unresolved because of conflicting crystallographic and spectroscopic data. We sought to resolve this conflict by using a combination of random acceleration molecular dynamics (RAMD) methodology and structural and biochemical methods to study the dUTPase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In particular, the RAMD approach used in this study provided invaluable insights into the nucleotide dissociation process that reconciles all previous experimental observations. Specifically, our data suggest that nucleotide binding takes place as a small stretch of amino acids transiently slides away and partially uncovers the active site. The in silico data further revealed a new dUTPase conformation on the pathway to a relatively open active site. To probe this model, we developed the Trp21 reporter and collected crystallographic, spectroscopic, and kinetic data that confirmed the interaction of Trp21 with the active site shielding C-terminal arm, suggesting that the RAMD method is effective. In summary, our computational simulations and spectroscopic results support the idea that small loop movements in dUTPase allow the shuttlingof the nucleotides between the binding pocket and the solvent.
Rhythm and Melody in Children and Adolescents after Left or Right Temporal Lobectomy

Rhythm (a pattern of onset times and duration of sounds) and melody (a pattern of sound pitches) were studied in 22 children and adolescents several years after temporal lobectomy for intractable epilepsy. Left and right lobectomy groups discriminated rhythms equally well, but the right lobectomy group was poorer at discriminating melodies. Children and adolescents with right lobectomy, but not those with left temporal lobectomy, had higher melody scores with increasing age. Rhythm but not melody was related to memory for the right lobectomy group. In neither group was melody related to age at onset of non-febrile seizures, time from surgery to music tests, or the linear amount of temporal lobe resection. Pitch and melodic contour show different patterns of lateralization after temporal lobectomy in childhood or adolescence.
Changes in Gait Velocity, Mean Knee Flexion in Stance, Body Mass Index, and Popliteal Angle With Age in Ambulatory Children With Cerebral Palsy

Background The purpose of this study was to explore changes in body mass index (BMI), gait velocity, mean knee flexion in stance, and popliteal angle with age in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. Methods A cross-sectional sample of 188 ambulatory children with cerebral palsy Gross Motor Function Classification System II or III who had a motion analysis evaluation. Subjects had no previous surgical interventions and were between the ages of 4 and 21. Velocity was normalized to limb length, and BMI was converted to age-adjusted percentile scores (BMI-a). Results For GMFCS level II children, age and normalized velocity demonstrated a moderate and significant relationship (r = −0.4; P = 0.000). Age explained 20% of the variance in normalized velocity (P = 0.000). Weak but significant relationships were found between mean knee flexion in stance and normalized velocity (r = −0.3; P = 0.000) and popliteal angle and age (r = 0.3; P < 0.002). For GMFCS level III children, the following variables demonstrated a weak but significant association: normalized velocity and BMI-a (r = 0.3; P < 0.006), popliteal angle, and mean knee flexion in stance (r = 0.3; P < 0.022). Age was not associated with velocity, mean knee flexion in stance, BMI-a, or popliteal angle. Conclusions For GMFCS level II children, as age increases, there is a slight decrease in normalized velocity, and with decreasing normalized velocity, there is slightly increased mean knee flexion in stance. For GMFCS level III children, age was not associated with slower velocities, increased mean knee flexion in stance, or increased popliteal angle. Increased BMI-a was not associated with slower gait velocities or increased mean knee flexion in stance. Increasing BMI-a was not associated with increasing age. Level of Evidence Prognostic study, level IV (case series [no or historical control group]).
The role of sodium channels in disease.

Native sodium channels exist as polypeptide multimers of an alpha-subunit (260 kDa) and subsidiary and smaller beta-subunits, which are divided into at least three subtypes--beta(1), beta(2) and beta(3). The alpha-subunits are structurally diverse, arising from multiple sodium channel genes and alternative splicing events. Recent progress has led to a good understanding of the molecular structure of sodium channels, how they work and the significance of their expression in particular cell types. This, coupled with experimental studies linking particular isoforms with particular disease states and the discovery of distinct human sodium channelopathies (specific mutations in specific isoforms that cause a variety of diseases, including paralysis, long QT syndrome and epilepsy), is beginning to reveal how particular sodium channel subtypes underlie specific pathologies. All this provides great potential for the development of new therapies. The first generation of sodium channel blockers has led to a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant that is now widely used (lamotrigine) and an impressive neuroprotective agent that is in clinical trials for stroke (sipatrigine). The development of the next generation of sodium channel blockers will be greatly facilitated by elaboration of the pharmacology of the various isoforms, which itself is dependent upon the existence of reliable, rapid and high-throughput assays for sodium channel activity.