Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavioral and neurochemical effects of acute chlorpyrifos in rats: tolerance to prolonged inhibition of cholinesterase.

The preponderance of studies of tolerance to organophosphate (OP) cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors indicates that functional recovery accompanies neurochemical compensations for the inhibited enzyme. Contrary to prediction, rats dosed with the OP diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) showed progressive and persistent impairment of cognitive and motor function over a 3-week period of daily exposure, despite neurochemical and pharmacological evidence of tolerance to its inhibition of ChE. To determine whether these functional effects of DFP resulted from inhibition of ChE and downregulation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors, rats were dosed with chlorpyrifos (CPF), an OP pesticide which inhibits blood and brain ChE of rats for weeks after a single injection. Long-Evans rats were trained to perform an appetitive test of memory and motor function and were then injected s.c. with 0, 60, 125 or 250 mg/kg of CPF in peanut oil and tested 5 days/week for 7 weeks. Unconditioned behavior was also rated for signs of cholinergic toxicity. CPF inhibited ChE activity in whole blood in a dose-related manner for more than 53 days. The degree and time course of ChE inhibition in blood and brain and the downregulation of muscarinic receptors in brain after 125 mg/kg of CPF closely paralleled the previously reported effects of 25 daily injections of 0.2 mg/kg of DFP. In addition, CPF-treated rats were subsensitive to oxotremorine-induced hypothermia for at least 32 days after CPF. However, functional deficits (in working memory and motor function) appeared within 2 days after injection of CPF and recovered within 3 weeks, long before ChE activity and receptor density returned to control levels. Thus, the effects of CPF were neither progressive nor as persistent as those seen during daily DFP injections. This difference suggests that the DFP-induced behavioral changes observed previously cannot be attributed entirely to its effects on ChE activity and changes in [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding.
Towards securing SCADA systems against process-related threats

We propose a tool-assisted approach to address process-related threats on SCADA systems. Process-related threats have not been addressed before in a systematic manner. Our approach consists of two steps: threat analysis and threat mitigation. For the threat analysis, we combine two methodologies (PHEA and HAZOP) to systematically identify process-related threats. The threat mitigation is supported by our tool, MELISSA, that helps to detect incidents (attacks or user mistakes). MELISSA uses SCADA system logs and visualization techniques to highlight potential incidents. A preliminary case study suggests that our approach is effective in detecting anomalous events that might alter the regular SCADA process work-flow.
Predictors of undetectable plasma viral load in HIV-positive adults receiving antiretroviral therapy in Southern Brazil.

Factors associated with undetectable viral load (<80 copies/ml) were investigated among non-pregnant adults in antiretroviral treatment in a specialized service for HIV/AIDS in Southern Brazil. Use of antiretrovirals was investigated in two interviews (one month interval). Clinical data were collected from the clinical records; viral load previous to adherence measurement was defined the viral load previous to the first interview; the final viral load, the viral load subsequent to the second interview (interval between measures approximately 6 months). Undetectable final viral load occurred in 48% of the patients and was positively associated with levels of treatment adherence (p<0.001), being 19% for less than 60% of adherence and about 60% for adherence greater than 80%. In the multivariate model, the odds of undetectable final viral load was four times greater for 80-94% and > or =95% of adherence (CI 95% 1,80-13,28; CI 95% 1,73-9,53), compared with less than 60% adherence; it was greater for less than 6 months in treatment (OR = 3.37; CI 95% 1.09-10.46); and smaller for viral load previous to adherence measurement 5.2 log10 (OR = 0.19; CI95% 0.06-0.58), adjusted for these variables and sex, age, clinical status, current immune status, group of drugs and interval between the two measurements of viral load. The crude odds were lower for age 16-24 years and use of Nucleoside Analog Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors only, but these effects were not significant in the multivariate model. There was no evidence of effect of sex, clinical status, current immune status, and changes in treatment regimen. Treatment adherence gave the largest effect. Motivational interventions directed at adherence may improve treatment effectiveness.
Loop Nerve Graft Prefabrication in Peripheral Nerve Defect Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Delayed autologous nerve graft reconstruction is inevitable in devastating injuries. Delayed or prolonged repair time has deleterious effects on nerve grafts. We aimed improving and accelerating nerve graft reconstruction process in a rat long nerve defect model with loop nerve graft prefabrication particularly to utilize for injuries with tissue loss. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into three groups. 1.5 cm long peroneal nerve segment was excised, reversed in orientation, and used as autologous nerve graft. In conventional interpositional nerve graft group (Group 1), nerve defects were repaired in single-stage. In loop nerve graft prefabrication group (Group 2), grafts were sutured end-to-end (ETE) to the proximal peroneal nerve stumps. Distal ends of the grafts were sutured end-to-side to the peroneal nerve stumps 5 mm proximal to the ETE repair sites in first stage. In second stage, distal ends of the prefabricated grafts were transposed and sutured to distal nerve stumps. In staged conventional interpositional nerve graft group (Group 3), grafts were sutured ETE to proximal peroneal nerve stumps in first stage. Distal ends of the grafts and nerve stumps were tacked to the surrounding muscles until the final repair in second stage. Follow-up period was 4 weeks for each stage in Groups 2 and 3, and 8 weeks for Group 1. Peroneal function index (PFI), electrophysiology, and histological assessments were conducted after 8 weeks. P<0.05 was considered significant for statistical analysis. RESULTS: PFI results of Group 1 (−22.75±5.76) and 2 (−22.08±6) did not show statistical difference (p>0.05). Group 3 (−33.64±6.4) had a statistical difference compared to other groups (p<0.05). Electrophysiology results of Group 1 (16.19±2.15 mV/1.16±0.21 ms) and 2 (15.95±2.82 mV/1.17±0.16 ms) did not present statistical difference (p>0.05), whereas both groups had a statistical difference compared to Group 3 (10.44±1.96 mV/1.51±0.15 ms) (p<0.05). Axon counts of Group 1 (2227±260.4) and 3 (2194±201.1) did not have statistical difference (p>0.05), whereas both groups had significantly poor axon counts compared to Group 2 (2531±91.18) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Loop nerve graft prefabrication improved axonal regeneration without delay. Loop prefabrication can accelerate prolonged regeneration time for the injuries indicating a delayed nerve reconstruction. Higher axon counts derived with loop nerve prefabrication may even foster its investigation in immediate long nerve defect reconstructions in further studies.
Clinical presentation of nipah virus infection in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND In Bangladesh, 4 outbreaks of Nipah virus infection were identified during the period 2001-2004. METHODS We characterized the clinical features of Nipah virus-infected individuals affected by these outbreaks. We classified patients as having confirmed cases of Nipah virus infection if they had antibodies reactive with Nipah virus antigen. Patients were considered to have probable cases of Nipah virus infection if they had symptoms consistent with Nipah virus infection during the same time and in the same community as patients with confirmed cases. RESULTS We identified 92 patients with Nipah virus infection, 67 (73%) of whom died. Although all age groups were affected, 2 outbreaks principally affected young persons (median age, 12 years); 62% of the affected persons were male. Fever, altered mental status, headache, cough, respiratory difficulty, vomiting, and convulsions were the most common signs and symptoms; clinical and radiographic features of acute respiratory distress syndrome of Nipah illness were identified during the fourth outbreak. Among those who died, death occurred a median of 6 days (range, 2-36 days) after the onset of illness. Patients who died were more likely than survivors to have a temperature >37.8 degrees C, altered mental status, difficulty breathing, and abnormal plantar reflexes. Among patients with Nipah virus infection who had well-defined exposure to another patient infected with Nipah virus, the median incubation period was 9 days (range, 6-11 days). CONCLUSIONS Nipah virus infection produced rapidly progressive severe illness affecting the central nervous and respiratory systems. Clinical characteristics of Nipah virus infection in Bangladesh, including a severe respiratory component, appear distinct from clinical characteristics reported during earlier outbreaks in other countries.
Corporate Governance and Shareholder Litigation

The probability for shareholder litigation is studied and how corporate governance characteristics and other factors explain it. Shareholder litigation results from failure of corporate governance. Thus a better quality of corporate governance is hypothesized to decrease the litigation probability. Corporate governance index is constructed based on principal components. It is found to be a significant predictor of shareholder litigation.
Low‐dose ARA‐C consistently induces hematologic responses in the clinical 5q–syndrome

Five patients with the classical clinical syndrome associated with a deletion of the long arm of chromosome 5, i.e., anemia, macrocytosis, and thrombocytosis, or a normal platelet count, were treated successfully with subcutaneous low‐dose cytosine arabinoside (LDARA‐C). Prior therapy with other drugs had failed in four of the five patients. A total of nine complete and one partial hematologic responses were induced in five patients. Duration of the first hematologic response ranged from 3 to 30+ months. Two patients (cases 3 and 4) continue in their first hematologic response at 29 and 30 months. Upon relapse, up to three responses could be reinduced in two patients. Duration of the subsequent hematologic responses in case 1 was 16, 8, and 10 months and case 2 achieved two responses of 15 and 18+ months duration. LDARA‐C therapy was associated with mild to severe neutropenia and moderate to severe thrombocytopenia. Thus, subcutaneous LDARA‐C is highly effective in the treatment of patients with myelodysplasia associated with deletion of the long– arm of chromosome 5 (5q–). © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Achieving Step-Change in Outsourcing Maturity: Toward Collaborative Innovation

This article describes the collaborative innovation practices used by outsourcing clients and their suppliers, based on insights gained from 26 organizations with a mature sourcing capability drawn from Europe, the U.S., and Asia/Pacific. We present a collaborative innovation framework comprising the four practices (Leading, Contracting, Organizing, and Performing) that these client organizations have adopted to achieve the "step-change" in outsourcing maturity that is needed to make collaborative innovation a reality. Three cases of information technology (ITO) and business process (BPO) outsourcing arrangements are described to illustrate these practices. The article concludes with lessons that emerged from our multi-year study that can be used to achieve the step-change needed to move to collaborative innovation in outsourcing.
Tumor necrosis factor mediates myelin and oligodendrocyte damage in vitro

Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rhTNF) has been tested for its effect on myelinated cultures of mouse spinal cord tissue. As controls, recombinant human interferon gamma (rhIFN) and interleukin‐2 (rhIL‐2) were tested, as well as T‐cell supernatants, antigalactocerebroside serum, and normal culture medium. It was found that rhTNF induced delayed‐onset (18–24 hr) oligodendrocyte necrosis and a type of myelin dilatation peculiar to this system. Some nerve fibers progressed to demyelination by 72 hours. The myelin dilatation was not reversible by return to normal feeding solution for 3 days. In contrast, rhIFN, rhIL‐2, T‐cell supernatants, and normal medium had little or no effect on cultures. This mechanism differs from other immune‐mediated mechanisms in that it appears that a physiological (not structural) demyelination occurs initially without overt destruction of the myelin sheath. These observations are relevant to the evolution of the multiple sclerosis plaque: dysfunction of ionic channels might contribute to the eventual demise of oligodendrocytes and axons in the longstanding lesion.
Query By Singing / Humming System Using Segment-based Melody Matching for Music Retrieval

Query By Singing/Humming is a melody recognition system for music retrieval by using a singing or humming query. A segment-based melody matching approach is proposed to solve the problems of puff noise and inconsistent tempo, and to lower the computational complexity of traditional Linear Scaling method in Query By Singing/Humming system. The query and midi in database are separated into several segments by four methods we proposed, namely, “Cross n Semitones”, “Moving Average”, “Composite Moving Average”, and “Combination of Cross n Semitones and Composite Moving Average”. Linear scaling is then applied in each corresponding segment. The top 10 recognition rate of our method can reach 70.6%. In addition, from our examples, it shows that segment-based method can solve the problems of puff noise and inconsistent tempo better than traditional global Linear Scaling. The segment-based methods also reduce the computation complexity by jumping to the possible segment boundary and using the segment ratio as scaling ratio, instead of comparing frame by frame from the very beginning and trying different scaling ratio in traditional Linear Scaling method. Key-Words: Query By Singing/Humming, Music Retrieval, Melody Matching, Segment-Based, Linear scaling, Moving Average
An Overall Perspective on Banking Regulation

Recently, the theory of banking regulation has undergone important changes. This has been the consequence of a number of compounding effects that have been occurring in the financial sector. First among these is on-going financial innovation, which has caused a virtual revolution in both financial instruments and markets. As a result, the markets and institutions that must be regulated have changed substantially over time. At the same time, regulation has evolved, as the regulators have learned the lessons from the recent spat of banking crises. As a consequence of these experiences, regulation has become more sophisticated, with the introduction of capital requirements and more complex restrictions on operating procedures.
Behavioral Finance and Investor Types: Managing Behavior to Make Better Investment Decisions

This groundbreaking book shows how to invest wisely by managing your behavior, and not just your money. Step by step, Michael Pompian (a leading authority in the practical application of Behavioral Finance concepts to wealth management) helps you plan a strategy targeted to your personality. The book includes a test for determining your investment type and offers strategies you can put into use when investing. It also includes a brief history of the stock market, and easy-to-comprehend information about stocks and investing to help you lay a solid foundation for your investment decisions.
Suppression of Dynamic On-Resistance Increase and Gate Charge Measurements in High-Voltage GaN-HEMTs With Optimized Field-Plate Structure

The dynamic on-resistance increase associated with the current collapse phenomena in high-voltage GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) has been suppressed by employing an optimized field-plate (FP) structure. The fabricated GaN-HEMTs of 600 V/4.7 A and 940 V/4.4 A for power-electronics applications employ a dual-FP structure consisting of a short-gate FP underneath a long-source FP. The measured on-resistance shows minimal increase during high-voltage switching due to increased electric-field uniformity between the gate and drain as a result of using the dual FP. The gate-drain charge Q gd for the fabricated devices has also been measured to provide a basis for discussion of the ability of high-speed switching operation. Although Q gd /A (A: active device area) was almost the same as that of the conventional Si-power MOSFETs, R on A was dramatically reduced to about a seventh of the reported 600-V Si-MOSFET value. Therefore, R on Q gd for 600-V device was reduced to 0.32 OmeganC, which was approximately a sixth of that for the Si-power MOSFETs. The high-voltage GaN-HEMTs have significant advantages over silicon-power MOSFETs in terms of both the reduced on-resistance and the high-speed switching capability.
Disappearing Subsidiaries: The Cases of Google and Oracle

From 2009 to 2010, 98 percent of Google’s and 99 percent of Oracle’s subsidiaries disappeared from the Exhibit 21s filed with their SEC Form 10Ks. However, a March 2012 search of available public company registries revealed that at least 65 percent of the missing subsidiaries remained active as of the companies’ 2010 filing dates. The decisions of Google and Oracle to disclose fewer subsidiaries stands in contrast to the literature documenting that firms providing more information enjoy lower costs of debt and equity capital. We employ legitimacy theory, institutional theory, agency theory, and political cost theory to explain the Google and Oracle decisions. Ultimately, however, we develop a new insight, that tax avoidance represents an additional source of capital beyond debt and equity, and this capital source exists in a unique setting that encourages less disclosure of certain types of information.
CROWDFUNDING: SOLVING THE SME FUNDING PROBLEM AND DEMOCRATISING ACCESS TO CAPITAL

This article provides a comprehensive review of the crowdfunding phenomenon. It argues that equity crowdfunding (ECF) and to a lesser extent peer-to peer lending, offer the possibility of a global solution to the Small-to Medium sized Enterprise (SME) funding problem. In the USA, the SME funding problem is exacerbated by the so-called “start-up slowdown”. These two factors inject a degree of urgency into resolving optimal means to implement ECF. Here, as with the “fin-tech” revolution, the law lags technological developments. The second main argument is that ECF democratises access to capital for SMEs together with access to investments for ordinary citizens. The article begins by providing definitions, business models and historical background before moving to outline the SME funding problem and new constraints on SME lending since the global financial crisis. ECF is placed within the so-called financing escalator and distinguished from venture capital and angel financing. The global market for crowdfunding is reviewed in order to indicate growth trends in the sector. Some common legal issues associated with crowdfunding are presented before a review of crowdfunding globally. Dominant models in some OECD countries and the potential for crowdfunding to assist SMEs in the undeveloped world are explored. The conclusion outlines key considerations and choices for legislators confronting the regulatory puzzles presented by crowdfunding.
Development of the olivocerebellar projection in the rat: I. Transient biochemical compartmentation of the inferior olive

In the present study the early phases of the development of the inferior olive were examined by using immunocytochemical techniques. We observed that, from embryonic day 16 onward, antibodies against the calcium binding proteins parvalbumin and calbindin and the calcitonin gene related peptide stain partially overlapping territories of the inferior olive. This staining delimits a biochemical zonation of the inferior olive which is combinatory and transient. We have previously observed a biochemical parcellation of the cerebellar Purkinje cells which, like that of the inferior olive, is first observed, at E16, involves the combined expression of marker proteins and is also transient. In order to know whether the biochemical compartmentations of the cerebellum and inferior olive arise independently, the time course of the development of the olivocerebellar projection was studied by anterograde and retrograde in vitro axonal tracing by using the fluorescent carbocyanine dye DiI. The olivocerebellar axons were found to reach the limit of the cerebellar plate at E16 and to enter it at E17. Even at this age the great majority of the climbing fibers are tightly fasciculated, which minimizes their interactions with the PC clusters. These observations indicate that the topographical heterogeneity of Purkinje cells and inferior olive neurons arise independently. The transient biochemical individualization of subgroups of neurons during development could contribute to recognition mechanisms. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protective Roles of γδ T Cells and Interleukin-15 in Escherichia coli Infection in Mice

ABSTRACT The number of γδ T cells in the peritoneal cavity was increased after an intraperitoneal (i.p.) infection with Escherichia coli in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-responsive C3H/HeN mice but not in LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice. The γδ T cells preferentially expressed invariant Vγ6 and Vδ1 chains and proliferated to produce a large amount of gamma interferon in the presence of LPS. Mice depleted of γδ T cells by T-cell receptor δ gene mutation showed impaired resistance against E. coli as assessed by bacterial growth. Macrophages from C3H/HeN mice infected with E. coli expressed higher levels of interleukin-15 (IL-15) mRNA than those from the infected C3H/HeJ mice. Administration of anti-IL-15 monoclonal antibody inhibited, albeit partially, the appearance of γδ T cells in C3H/HeN mice after E. coli infection and diminished the host defense against the infection. These results suggest that LPS-stimulated γδ T cells play an important role in the host defense against E. coli infection and that IL-15 may be partly involved in the protection via an increase in the γδ T cells.
Cytokine–Ion Channel Interactions in Pulmonary Inflammation

The lungs conceptually represent a sponge that is interposed in series in the bodies’ systemic circulation to take up oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide. As such, it matches the huge surface areas of the alveolar epithelium to the pulmonary blood capillaries. The lung’s constant exposure to the exterior necessitates a competent immune system, as evidenced by the association of clinical immunodeficiencies with pulmonary infections. From the in utero to the postnatal and adult situation, there is an inherent vital need to manage alveolar fluid reabsorption, be it postnatally, or in case of hydrostatic or permeability edema. Whereas a wealth of literature exists on the physiological basis of fluid and solute reabsorption by ion channels and water pores, only sparse knowledge is available so far on pathological situations, such as in microbial infection, acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome, and in the pulmonary reimplantation response in transplanted lungs. The aim of this review is to discuss alveolar liquid clearance in a selection of lung injury models, thereby especially focusing on cytokines and mediators that modulate ion channels. Inflammation is characterized by complex and probably time-dependent co-signaling, interactions between the involved cell types, as well as by cell demise and barrier dysfunction, which may not uniquely determine a clinical picture. This review, therefore, aims to give integrative thoughts and wants to foster the unraveling of unmet needs in future research.