Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cyclic AMP-elevating Agents Promote Cumulus Cell Survival and Hyaluronan Matrix Stability, Thereby Prolonging the Time of Mouse Oocyte Fertilizability*

Cumulus cells sustain the development and fertilization of the mammalian oocyte. These cells are retained around the oocyte by a hyaluronan-rich extracellular matrix synthesized before ovulation, a process called cumulus cell-oocyte complex (COC) expansion. Hyaluronan release and dispersion of the cumulus cells progressively occur after ovulation, paralleling the decline of oocyte fertilization. We show here that, in mice, postovulatory changes of matrix are temporally correlated to cumulus cell death. Cumulus cell apoptosis and matrix disassembly also occurred in ovulated COCs cultured in vitro. COCs expanded in vitro with FSH or EGF underwent the same changes, whereas those expanded with 8-bromo-adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) maintained integrity for a longer time. It is noteworthy that 8-Br-cAMP treatment was also effective on ovulated COCs cultured in vitro, prolonging the vitality of the cumulus cells and the stability of the matrix from a few hours to >2 days. Stimulation of endogenous adenylate cyclase with forskolin or inhibition of phosphodiesterase with rolipram produced similar effects. The treatment with selective cAMP analogues suggests that the effects of cAMP elevation are exerted through an EPAC-independent, PKA type II-dependent signaling pathway, probably acting at the post-transcriptional level. Finally, overnight culture of ovulated COCs with 8-Br-cAMP significantly counteracted the decrease of fertilization rate, doubling the number of fertilized oocytes compared with control conditions. In conclusion, these studies suggest that cAMP-elevating agents prevent cumulus cell senescence and allow them to continue to exert beneficial effects on oocyte and sperm, thereby extending in vitro the time frame of oocyte fertilizability.
Local government accounting system reform in italy: a critical analysis

This paper illustrates the aims and the contents of the 1995 Local Government Accounting Act, which introduced an accrual-based financial reporting for Italian municipalities and provinces. To this end, this paper focuses on a sample of 23 local governments that produced these reports for the first time in 1998, and highlights a series of problems that emerged with regard to both communicational efficacy and fair presentation. The conclusions summarize the major gaps between the reform’s objectives and actual effects, and explain the reasons for these gaps and formulate some suggestions in order to re-design the system.
Value-at-Risk: The Effect of Autoregression in a Quantile Process

Value-at-Risk (VaR) is an institutional measure of risk favored by financial regulators. VaR may be interpreted as a quantile of future portfolio values conditional on the information available, where the most common quantile used is 95%. Here we demonstrate Conditional Autoregressive Value at Risk, first introduced by Engle, Manganelli (2001). CAViaR suggests that negative/positive returns are not i.i. d. , and that there is significant autocorrelation. The model is tested using data from 1986- 1999 and 1999-2009 for GM, IBM, XOM, SPX, and then validated via the dynamic quantile test. Results suggest that the tails (upper/lower quantile) of a distribution of returns behave differently than the core.
Role of Conserved Residues of the WRKY Domain in the DNA-binding of Tobacco WRKY Family Proteins

Four cDNA clones of tobacco that could code for polypeptides with two WRKY domains were isolated. Among four NtWRKYs and other WRKY family proteins, sequence similarity was basically limited to the two WRKY domains. Glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins with the C-terminal WRKY domain of four NtWRKYs bound specifically to the W-box (TTGACC), and the N-terminal WRKY domain showed weaker binding activity with the W-box compared to the C-terminal domain. The DNA-binding activity of the WRKY domain was abolished by o-phenanthroline and this inhibition was recovered specifically by Zn2+. Substitution of the conserved cysteine and histidine residues of the plant-specific C2H2-type zinc finger-like motif in the WRKY domain abolished the DNA binding. In addition, mutations in the invariable WRKYGQK sequence at the N-terminal side of the zinc finger-like motif also significantly reduced the DNA-binding activity, suggesting that these residues are required for proper folding of the DNA-binding zinc finger.
Chemistry, Distribution, and Metabolism of Tomato Carotenoids and Their Impact on Human Health

Recent epidemiological studies have suggested that the consumption of tomatoes and tomato-based food products reduce the risk of prostate cancer in humans. This protective effect has been attributed to carotenoids, which are one of the major classes of phytochemicals in this fruit. The most abundant carotenoid in tomato is lycopene, followed by phytoene, phytofluene, ζ-carotene, -γ-carotene, ß-carotene, neurosporene, and lutein. The distribution of lycopene and related carotenoids in tomatoes and tomato-based food products has been determined by extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography-UV/Visible photodiode array detection. Detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of human serum, milk, and organs, particularly prostate, have revealed the presence of all the aforementioned carotenoids in biologically significant concentrations. Two oxidative metabolites of lycopene, 2, 6-cyclolycopene-1, 5-diols A and B, which are only present in tomatoes in extremely low concentrations, have been isolated and identified in human serum, milk, organs (liver, lung, breast, liver, prostate, colon) and skin. Carotenoids may also play an important role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and other blinding disorders. Among 25 dietary carotenoids and nine metabolites routinely found in human serum, mainly (3R, 3'R, 6'R)-lutein, (3R, 3'R)-zeaxanthin, lycopene, and their metabolites were detected in ocular tissues. In this review we identified and quantified the complete spectrum of carotenoids from pooled human retinal pigment epithelium, ciliary body, iris, lens, and in the uveal tract and in other tissues of the human eye to gain a better insight into the metabolic pathways of ocular carotenoids. Although (3R, 3'R, 6'R)-lutein, (3R, 3'R)-zeaxanthin, and their metabolites constitute the major carotenoids in human ocular tissues, lycopene and a wide range of dietary carotenoids have been detected in high concentrations in ciliary body and retinal pigment epithelium. The possible role of lycopene and other dietary carotenoids in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration and other eye diseases Is discussed.
The 11 T Dipole for HL-LHC: Status and Plan

The upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) collimation system includes additional collimators in the LHC lattice. The longitudinal space for these collimators will be created by replacing some of the LHC main dipoles with shorter but stronger dipoles compatible with the LHC lattice and main systems. The project plan comprises the construction of two cryoassemblies containing each of the two 11-T dipoles of 5.5-m length for possible installation on either side of interaction point 2 of LHC in the years 2018-2019 for ion operation, and the installation of two cryoassemblies on either side of interaction point 7 of LHC in the years 2023-2024 for proton operation. The development program conducted in conjunction between the Fermilab and CERN magnet groups is progressing well. The development activities carried out on the side of Fermilab were concluded in the middle of 2015 with the fabrication and test of a 1-m-long two-in-one model and those on the CERN side are ramping up with the construction of 2-m-long models and the preparation of the tooling for the fabrication of the first full-length prototype. The engineering design of the cryomagnet is well advanced, including the definition of the various interfaces, e.g., with the collimator, powering, protection, and vacuum systems. Several practice coils of 5.5-m length have been already fabricated. This paper describes the overall progress of the project, the final design of the cryomagnet, and the performance of the most recent models. The overall plan toward the fabrication of the series magnets for the two phases of the upgrade of the LHC collimation system is also presented.
Combinations of Personal Characteristic Types and Learning Effectiveness of Teams

In software and IT systems engineering, personal characteristics are expected to impact performance and attitude. To clarify the optimal composition in a team of students in academic education, we researched the relationship between student personality characteristics and learning effectiveness of teams using the Five Factor and Stress theory (FFS). The results taken from a Project-based Learning (PBL) course at Waseda University showed that educational effectiveness is highest when a team consists of management and anchor types without leadership types. In addition to FFS, we are currently adopting the Five Factor Model (FFM), which is a well-accepted personal characteristic model, to dig deeper the relationship in different courses on IT systems and software development conducted at various universities. Preliminary results show that although individual characteristics are not strongly correlated to learning effectiveness, there are a few strong team correlations. As our future work, we plan to acquire more data and investigate relationship between FFS measurements and FFM ones in terms of learning effectiveness.
Living donor liver transplant for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma using a deceased donor graft to reconstruct inferior vena cava

Liver transplantation is now an acceptable treatment for small hepatocellular carcinomas in the setting of cirrhosis. Larger tumors in cirrhotic livers and unresectable tumors in noncirrhotic livers (including fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinomas) may also be indications for transplantation. With the limited number of cadaver grafts available, living donor liver transplant is becoming an option for some of these patients. We describe a method of reconstruction of the recipient inferior vena cava with deceased donor graft in right lobe living donation for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma. (Liver Transpl 2004;10:555–556.)
Quadrupling the dose of inhaled corticosteroid to prevent asthma exacerbations: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial.

RATIONALE Asthma exacerbations are unpredictable, disruptive, and frightening, and are therefore important to prevent. OBJECTIVES We investigated whether a policy of quadrupling the dose of inhaled corticosteroid when asthma control starts to deteriorate reduces asthma exacerbations requiring treatment with oral corticosteroids. METHODS A total of 403 people with asthma were given a self-management plan and randomized to take an active or placebo corticosteroid inhaler in addition to their usual asthma treatment when their PEF fell by 15% on 2 consecutive days or by 30% on 1 day. The study inhalers provided a quadrupling or no change in corticosteroid dose. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Eighteen of 197 (9%) and 29 of 203 (14%) participants had an exacerbation of asthma requiring treatment with oral corticosteroids in the active and placebo groups, respectively, giving a risk ratio of 0.64 (95% confidence interval, 0.37-1.11, P = 0.11). Of the 94 participants who started the study inhaler far fewer required treatment with oral corticosteroids in the active compared with the placebo group: 12 of 56 (21%) in the active group and 19 of 38 (50%) in the placebo group, giving a risk ratio of 0.43 (95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.78, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Although our primary outcome did not reach statistical significance, quadrupling the dose of inhaled corticosteroid when asthma control starts to deteriorate appears to reduce acute exacerbations of asthma and deserves further investigation. Clinical trial registered with www.controlled-trials.com (ISRCTN 46018181).
The influence of lower-limb dominance on postural balance

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Maintainance of postural balance requires detection of body movements, integration of sensory information in the central nervous system and an appropriate motor response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether lower-limb dominance has an influence on postural balance. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP) and at Hospital do Coração (HCor). METHODS: Forty healthy sedentary males aged 20 to 40 years, without any injuries, were evaluated. A single-foot balance test was carried out using the Biodex Balance System equipment, comparing the dominant leg with the nondominant leg of the same individual. The instability protocols used were level 8 (more stable) and level 2 (less stable), and three instability indices were calculated: anteroposterior, mediolateral and general. RESULTS: The volunteers’ mean age was 26 ± 5 years (range: 20-38), mean weight 72.3 ± 11 kg (range: 46-107) and mean height 176 ± 6 cm (range: 169-186). Thirty-four of them (85%) presented right-leg dominance (defined according to which leg they used for kicking) and six (15%) had left-leg dominance. There were no significant differences between the dominant and nondominant legs at the two levels of stability (eight and two), for any of the instability indices (general, anteroposterior and mediolateral). CONCLUSION: The lower-limb dominance did not influence single-foot balance among sedentary males.
Radio-based multi-sensor system for person tracking and indoor positioning

Sensor based person tracking is a challenging topic. The main objective is positioning in areas without GPS connection, i.e. indoors. A research project is carried out at BAM, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, to develop and to validate a multi-sensor system for 3D localization. It combines body motion sensing and a guard system for the tracking and recording of the status of persons. The so named BodyGuard system was designed for sensor-based monitoring and radio-based transmission of the movement of a person. Algorithms were developed to transform the sensor data into a spatial coordinate. This paper describes how the BodyGuard system operates, which main components were used in the system, how the individual sensor data are converted into 3D motion data, with which algorithms the individual sensors are processed, how individual errors are compensated and how the sensor data are merged into a 3D Model. Final objective of the BodyGuard system is to determine the exact location of a person in a building, e.g. during fire-fighting operations.
Examing and Analyzing the Volatility and Weak Market Efficiency of Metallic Futures Prices

The ARCH effect of the return time series of Chinese copper and aluminum futures is argued by analyzing their distribution and volatility. The GARCH(1,1) models show that the two futures markets are with strong clustering and persistence characteristics although the aluminum futures is more strongly affected by the outside factors than the copper futures. By the GARCH(1,1) model, we obtain that the Chinese metallic futures market doesn't reach the weak market efficiency until now, which has been proved with high risk.
A Method of Pre-surgical Oral Orthopaedics

A preliminary report of a technique of pre-surgical treatment in cleft lip and palate patients is outlined utilizing an adjustable intra-oral appliance with extra-oral strapping. The appliance is constructed with an adjustable spring for expansion and two shelves overlapping in the midline to allow palatal continuity during treatment. Frequently, only one appliance for each patient is required. The techniques of appliance construction, pre-surgical management and surgical repair of the lip are outlined.
A new class of generalized continuous robust control algorithm for arbitrary order systems

In this paper a new class of continuous control structure is proposed for arbitrary order systems. The control is robust against disturbances and model uncertainties. The convergence condition is proved with the help of homogeneous Lyapunov function for second order systems. The proposed method is validated in simulation in presence of disturbances. The main advantages of this proposed control structure are its simple structure and less chattering.
Application of automated eightfold suppression of water and ethanol signals in 1H NMR to provide sensitivity for analyzing alcoholic beverages

The 400 MHz 1H NMR analysis of alcoholic beverages using standard pulse programs lacks the necessary sensitivity to detect minor constituents such as methanol, acetaldehyde or ethyl acetate. This study investigates the application of a shaped pulse sequence during the relaxation delay to suppress the eight 1H NMR frequencies of water and ethanol (the OH singlet of both water and ethanol, as well as the CH2 quartet and CH3 triplet of ethanol). The sequence of reference measurement for frequency determination followed by the suppression experiment is controlled by a macro in the acquisition software so that a measurement under full automation is possible (12 min per sample total time). Additionally, sample preparation was optimized to avoid precipitation, which is facilitated by 1 : 1 dilution with ethanol and pH 7.4 buffer.
RITS—connecting transcription, RNA interference, and heterochromatin assembly in fission yeast

In recent years, a bevy of evidence has been unearthed indicating that ‘silent’ heterochromatin is not as transcriptionally inert as once thought. In the unicellular yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the processing of transcripts derived from centromeric repeats into homologous short interfering RNA (siRNA) is essential for the formation of centromeric heterochromatin. Deletion of genes required for siRNA biogenesis showed that core components of the canonical RNA interference (RNAi) pathway are essential for centromeric heterochromatin assembly as well as for centromere function. Subsequent purification of the RNA‐induced initiation of transcriptional gene silencing (RITS) complex provided the critical link between siRNAs and heterochromatin assembly, with RITS acting as a physical bridge between noncoding RNA scaffolds and chromatin. Here, we review current understanding of how RITS promotes heterochromatin formation and how it participates in transcription‐coupled silencing. WIREs RNA 2011 2 632–646 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.80
EEG as a part of the decision-making process in the emergency department

Study objective Although electroencephalography (EEG) is a useful diagnostic tool for patients with a suspected seizure, its value in informing the acute care of patients in the emergency department (ED) remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of EEG results on subsequent patient management in or from the ED. Materials and methods This prospective observational study was carried out in the ED of a tertiary-care university hospital. All patients presenting to the ED with seizure or seizure-mimicking symptoms were included in the study. EEG was advised for all patients after an initial evaluation. Before EEG, the ED physician and neurologist were asked clinical questions about the patient. The consistency between the clinical decision of emergency physicians before the EEG report and the final management of patients determined by the consultant neurologist was analyzed. The interobserver reliability of the physicians was determined. Results Overall, 110 patients were enrolled in the study. The sensitivity and specificity of ED physicians’ diagnosis of the presence of seizure were both 88% (95% confidence interval, 79–93 and 62–97%). The interobserver reliabilities and &kgr; values of ED physicians and neurologists were found to be ‘moderate’. Patients with abnormal EEG results were prescribed new medication (P=0.003) and changes in therapy (P=0.59) were more than for patients with normal results. Conclusion As seizure is a clinical event, EEG is not essential for diagnosing the presence of a seizure clinically in the ED. However, the results of EEG provide useful information especially for treatment choices. As the timing of the study affects the diagnostic efficacy of the test, EEG recordings should be performed within 24 h either in ED or in the epilepsy clinic.
Inhibition of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (MAPK)-interacting Kinase (MNK) Preferentially Affects Translation of mRNAs Containing Both a 5′-Terminal Cap and Hairpin*

The MAPK-interacting kinases 1 and 2 (MNK1 and MNK2) are activated by extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) or p38 in response to cellular stress and extracellular stimuli that include growth factors, cytokines, and hormones. Modulation of MNK activity affects translation of mRNAs involved in the cell cycle, cancer progression, and cell survival. However, the mechanism by which MNK selectively affects translation of these mRNAs is not understood. MNK binds eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) and phosphorylates the cap-binding protein eIF4E. Using a cell-free translation system from rabbit reticulocytes programmed with mRNAs containing different 5′-ends, we show that an MNK inhibitor, CGP57380, affects translation of only those mRNAs that contain both a cap and a hairpin in the 5′-UTR. Similarly, a C-terminal fragment of human eIF4G-1, eIF4G(1357–1600), which prevents binding of MNK to intact eIF4G, reduces eIF4E phosphorylation and inhibits translation of only capped and hairpin-containing mRNAs. Analysis of proteins bound to m7GTP-Sepharose reveals that both CGP and eIF4G(1357–1600) decrease binding of eIF4E to eIF4G. These data suggest that MNK stimulates translation only of mRNAs containing both a cap and 5′-terminal RNA duplex via eIF4E phosphorylation, thereby enhancing the coupled cap-binding and RNA-unwinding activities of eIF4F.
Mediators and Moderators of Magazine Advertisement Effects on Adolescent Cigarette Smoking

The purpose of the present study is to examine the relation between magazine advertising for cigarettes and adolescent cigarette smoking. Participants (242 adolescents) reported their frequency of reading 46 magazines and their attention to cigarette ads. Recognition of cigarette ads, passive peer pressure (i.e., normative beliefs), and the smoker image also were assessed. Results indicate that exposure to cigarette advertising and recognition of ads augment the effect of passive peer pressure on smoking. In addition, a positive smoker image was associated with attention to advertising and mediated the relation between attention and smoking. It is suggested that the effect of magazine ads on adolescents should be considered in policymaking on cigarette advertising.