Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Folic acid conjugation improves the bioavailability and chemosensitizing efficacy of curcumin-encapsulated PLGA-PEG nanoparticles towards paclitaxel chemotherapy

Nanoencapsulation has emerged as a novel strategy to enhance the pharmacokinetic and therapeutic potential of conventional drugs. Recent studies from our lab have established the efficacy of curcumin in sensitizing cervical cancer cells and breast cancer cells towards paclitaxel and 5-FU chemotherapy respectively. Factors that hinder the clinical use of curcumin as a sensitizer or therapeutic agent include its poor bioavailability and retention time. Earlier reports of improvement in bioavailability and retention of drugs upon nanoencapsulation have motivated us in developing various nanoformulations of curcumin, which were found to exhibit significant enhancement in bioavailability and retention time as assessed by our previous in vitro studies. Among the various formulations tested, curcumin-entrapped in PLGA-PEG nanoparticles conjugated to folic acid (PPF-curcumin) displayed maximum cell death. In the present study, we have demonstrated the efficacy of this formulation in augmenting the bioavailability and retention time of curcumin, in vivo, in Swiss albino mice. Further, the acute and chronic toxicity studies proved that the formulation is pharmacologically safe. We have also evaluated its potential in chemosensitizing cervical cancer cells to paclitaxel and have verified the results using cervical cancer xenograft model in NOD-SCID mice. Folic acid conjugation significantly enhanced the efficacy of curcumin in down-regulating various survival signals induced by paclitaxel in cervical cancer cells and have considerably improved its potential in inhibiting the tumor growth of cervical cancer xenografts. The non-toxic nature coupled with improved chemosensitization potential makes PPF-curcumin a promising candidate formulation for clinical trials.
Profiling the segments of visitors to Portuguese protected areas

This study identifies the diversity of domestic visitors to Portuguese protected areas (PPA) based on benefit segmentation. The segments of PPA visitors are also compared with other nature-based tourist segments using some empirical benefit segmentation literature. Data were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire and multivariate statistics techniques (principal components, hierarchical and K-means cluster analyses) were applied. Five distinct segments of visitors were identified based on the motivation for their visit and further characterized by the perceived importance of activities, facilities and services, frequency of visit and socio-demographics. Three segments are nature-focused and two are focused on activities or events. Only one segment shows specific interests and motivations associated with ecotourism and similar characteristics to international ecotourists; moreover, the reasons for the visit in one segment are unrelated to any of the motivations of nature-based tourism. Some implications for management are also described.
Is the nocturnal fall in blood pressure reduced in essential hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome?

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether an impaired reduction in nocturnal blood pressure (BP), defined on the basis of two periods of ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), is present in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome, as defined by the NCEP criteria. Methods: 460 grade 1 and 2 untreated essential hypertensives (mean age 45.9 ± 11.9 years) referred for the first time to our outpatient hospital clinic underwent the following procedures: 1) medical history and physical examination; 2) repeated clinic BP measurements; 3) routine examinations; 4) ABPM over two 24‐hour periods within 4 weeks. Metabolic syndrome was defined as at least three of the following alterations: increased waist circumference, increased triglycerides, decreased HDL‐cholesterol, increased BP, or high fasting glucose. Nocturnal dipping was defined as a night‐time reduction in average SBP and DBP >10% compared to average daytime values. Results: The 135 patients with metabolic syndrome (group I) were similar for age, gender and known duration of hypertension to the 325 patients without it (group II). There were no significant differences between the two groups in average 48‐hour, daytime, night‐time SBP/DBP values and the percentage nocturnal SBP and DBP decrease (−17.7/−15.7 vs.−18.4/−16.2, p = ns). A reproducible nocturnal dipping (decrease in BP >10% from mean daytime in both ABPM periods) and non‐dipping profile (decrease in BP ≤10% in both ABPM periods) was found in 74 (54.8%) and 29 (21.4%) in group I and in 169 (52.1%) and 73 (22.4%) in group II, respectively (p = ns); 32 patients (23.7%) in group I and 83 patients (25.5%) in group II had a variable dipping profile (p = ns). Conclusions: This study shows that no significant difference exists in nocturnal BP patterns, assessed by two ABPMs, in untreated essential hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome compared to those without it.
The Effects of Contracting, Litigation, Regulation, and Tax Costs on Conditional and Unconditional Conservatism: Cross-Sectional Evidence at the Firm Level

Prior studies propose four explanations for accounting conservatism, and recent studies classify conservatism into two forms: conditional and unconditional conservatism. This paper examines whether each proposed explanation applies to conditional conservatism, unconditional conservatism, or both. The findings are as follows: (1) contracting induces conditional conservatism; (2) litigation induces both forms; (3) regulation induces unconditional conservatism; and (4) taxation induces unconditional conservatism. These findings indicate that the two forms of conservatism play distinct roles in contracting, regulation, and taxation, as well as a common role in litigation. They also play an interrelated role, as suggested by the finding that unconditional conservatism reduces conditional conservatism. The combined evidence implies that because the two forms meet distinct needs but are negatively interrelated, it is necessary to trade them off.
Structure/Function Relationship of the cAMP Response Element in Tyrosine Hydroxylase Gene Transcription*

Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is limited to catecholamine-producing neurons and neuroendocrine cells in a cell type-specific manner and is inducible by the cAMP-regulated signaling pathway. Previous results indicated that the cAMP response element (CRE) residing at −45 to −38 base pairs upstream of the transcription initiation site is essential for both basal and cAMP-inducible promoter activity of the 2.4-kilobase or shorter upstream sequence of the TH gene (Kim, K. S., Lee, M. K., Carroll, J., and Joh, T. H. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 15689–15695; Lazaroff, M. , Patankar, S. , Yoon, S. O. , and Chikaraishi, D. M. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 21579–21589). Here, we further report that the CRE is critical for the promoter activity of the 5.6- or 9.0-kilobase upstream sequences of the rat TH gene, which had been shown to direct the cell-specific TH expression in vivo. To define the structure/function relationship of the CRE in transcriptional activation of the TH gene, we performed saturated mutational analyses of 12 nucleotides encompassing the CRE. Mutation of any nucleotide within the octamer motif results in a significant decrease of both basal and cAMP-inducible transcriptional activity of the TH reporter gene construct. Among the four nucleotides adjacent to the CRE (two 5′ and two 3′), only the G residue at the immediate 3′ position is important for full transcriptional activity. DNase I footprint analysis indicates a positive correlation between in vivo promoter activity and in vitro interaction between the CRE motif and its cognate protein factor(s). Reconstruction experiments using a TH promoter in which the native CRE was rendered inactive show that the CRE can transactivate transcription in either orientation through a window of approximately 200 base pairs upstream of the transcription initiation site, suggesting that CRE supports transcriptional activation of the TH gene in a distance-dependent manner. Finally, when the distance between the CRE and TATA box was changed by inserting an additional 5 or 10 bases, it was observed that both insertional mutations increased activity by approximately 3-fold. The cAMP inducibility was as intact as the wild type construct. Together, these results are consistent with a model in which transcriptional activation of the TH gene by the CRE requires that it be located within a certain proximity of the CAP site but does not depend on a stringent stereospecific alignment in relationship to the TATA element.
Performance improvement using a multi-level converter in a DTC based induction motor drive

Direct Torque Control (DTC) is the state-of-the-art control strategy for 3-phase AC motor drives which allows direct control of torque and flux without involving very intensive computations that are inevitable for field oriented control (FOC). It is well known that DTC has more torque and flux ripples as compared to FOC as the former is based on voltage vector selection from a 3-phase 2-level inverter that offers only 6 non-zero voltage vectors as feasible choices. Increasing the number of levels in a 3-phase inverter will allow more choices of voltage vectors and hence torque pulsations can be minimized in high performance drives; however, this also increases the complexity of computations and power circuit. The three-level inverter used in this work involves only three additional bi-directional switches as compared to the number of switches in two level inverter and hence the cost increase is insignificant as compared to a two-level voltage source inverter (VSI). The major advantages of DTC such as no requirements of current controllers, axes transformation and rotor position sensors-are still preserved when we use a three-level VSI. DTC's lesser parameter dependency and fast torque response has made it popular in industrial motor control. The objective of this research work is to evaluate and compare the performances of a DTC based three-phase induction motor drive while it is being fed by a two-level and three-level VSIs. A two-level hysteresis band controller is used for the flux comparator and a three-level and five level hysteresis controller is used for the torque comparators in the two cases. The performances of the drive in these two cases are compared in terms of starting current, starting torque, response time, and responses during speed and load disturbances. The amount of pulsations in the torque and current are estimated for the two-level and three-level VSI fed cases. From the obtained results it is clearly seen that the three-level VSI fed DTC drive yields a better overall performance as compared to the two-level case.
Effects of trade opening on household welfare: the Chilean case

The document presents an ex-post analysis of the effects of trade policy changes on poverty and income distribution in Chile between 1999 and 2006. We follow the methodology developed by Porto (2006) and Nicita (2009), both of whom identify three channels of transmission through which a change in trade policy variables (e.g., tariffs) affects the welfare of households. The effect is estimated by characterizing the labor demand elasticities, the effect of border prices on revenues, and the ensuing effect on the wage bill of each industry.
Small Firm Networking

Despite significant research interest in small firm networks, gaps continue to exist in knowledge and understanding about the concept of a network and its relationship with small firms. This article seeks to build upon extant research by discussing some of the findings to emerge from a qualitative study of small firm networks. The findings presented concentrate on the contents found to exist across the social networks in which six small service firms are embedded. Discussion of these reveal the multiplexity of network relationships and emphasize the informal nature of small firm networking processes. In particular, discussion provides some insight into what motivates small firms to engage in networking and identifies areas for future research.
Low-Carbon Standards and Labels in China

This article examines the emergence of carbon standards and labels, with a focus on China as one of the key drivers of the future global economy. The article attempts to answer two questions. First, as Chinese firms take on more substantive roles in global production networks, how do they deal with environmental and sustainability standards, especially those which concern carbon footprints and emission reduction in production and supply chains? Second, to what extent and how is China likely to become active in setting sustainability standards in tomorrow's markets? The underlying question is: what strategies do Chinese actors follow in response to carbon standards? The core argument of the article is that China cannot choose whether, but only how, to react to the emergence of international carbon standards. Ignoring and/or mitigating such standards are not viable options, at least in the short run. The most promising pathway for Chinese actors is to leverage either their own standards, i.e. ones tailored to their needs and preferences, or standards which they have already helped to transform in favour of their interests by engaging in international standard-setting processes.
Environmental scan: influence on strategic direction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer the environmental scan as a valued tool for the facilities management (FM) operation to assist in determining strategic direction.Design/methodology/approach – After defining the environmental scan, its usefulness is explored from the perspective of a single case study public institution FM organisation. Once the information is captured, the potential analysis and value is discussed.Findings – The environmental scan is seen as a valuable tool in the FM organisation to solicit input from both the institution's administration and the customer community leaders. Through this analysis, the FM organisation can refine its strategic direction by determining what it is doing well, what it should investigate doing, and what it should consider to stop doing.Research limitations/implications – The single case study does raise the issue of generalisability. However, given the nature of what can be gained from qualitative research, the reader is cautioned to take into ac.
Corporate ethics in TQM: management versus employee expectations and perceptions

Purpose – The objective of this research is to develop and describe a conceptual framework of corporate ethics in total quality management (TQM). Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on a summarised in-depth and longitudinal case illustration. The summarised case describes corporate ethics in an intra-corporate relationship. Findings – TQM requires human resources and failing to care for them will affect accordingly the success of TQM. The case description illustrates the evolution of management versus employee expectations and perceptions of corporate ethics. It has an emphasis on the human resources of a company that strives towards TQM. As the quality of corporate ethics decreases the outcome of TQM is also affected (i.e. directly or indirectly). The case is initialised in an atmosphere of management and employee optimism and positivism of corporate ethics, which is a requisite from both parties in order to ensure prosperous TQM. The successive change towards pessimism and negativism of corporate ethics in the intra-corporate relationship concludes the in-depth case description. Research limitations/implications – Four parameters of corporate ethics are used to incorporate corporate ethics into TQM, namely management versus employee expectations and perceptions. Internal corporate quality management should always be regarded as dependent upon the achieved equilibrium between management and employee perceptions. It is also dependent upon the derived equilibrium between management and employee previous expectations. Practical implications – An important insight of this research is that TQM requires the continuous attention to the management versus employee expectations and perceptions inherent in corporate ethics of internal business operations. Furthermore, corporate ethics is complementary to business ethics. Originality/value – The case description has shown that TQM may be running well and accomplishing the hard goals. However, TQM is not only about figures, profits and costs. It is also a business approach that should penetrate all activities inside and outside that are related to the company, including the soft issues.
Biomolecular Mechanisms of Calvarial Bone Induction: Immature versus Mature Dura Mater

The ability of newborns and immature animals to reossify calvarial defects has been well described. This capacity is generally lost in children greater than 2 years of age and in mature animals. The dura mater has been implicated as a regulator of calvarial reossification. To date, however, few studies have attempted to identify biomolecular differences in the dura mater that enable immature, but not mature, dura to induce osteogenesis. The purpose of these studies was to analyze metabolic characteristics, protein/gene expression, and capacity to form mineralized bone nodules of cells derived from immature and mature dura mater. Transforming growth factor beta‐1, basic fibroblast growth factor, collagen type I&agr;I, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase are critical growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins essential for successful osteogenesis. In this study, we have characterized the proliferation rates of immature (6‐day‐old rats, n = 40) and mature (adult rats, n = 10) dura cell cultures. In addition, we analyzed the expression of transforming growth factor beta‐1, basic fibroblast growth factor‐2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and alkaline phosphatase. Our in vitro findings were corroborated with Northern blot analysis of mRNA expression in total cellular RNA isolated from snap‐frozen age‐matched dural tissues (6‐day‐old rats, n = 60; adult rats, n = 10). Finally, the capacity of cultured dural cells to form mineralized bone nodules was assessed. We demonstrated that immature dural cells proliferate significantly faster and produce significantly more proliferating cell nuclear antigen than mature dural cells (p < 0.01). Additionally, immature dural cells produce significantly greater amounts of transforming growth factor beta‐1, basic fibroblast growth factor‐2, and alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.01). Furthermore, Northern blot analysis of RNA isolated from immature and mature dural tissues demonstrated a greater than 9‐fold, 8‐fold, and 21‐fold increase in transforming growth factor beta‐1, osteocalcin, and collagen I&agr;I gene expression, respectively, in immature as compared with mature dura mater. Finally, in keeping with their in vivo phenotype, immature dural cells formed large calcified bone nodules in vitro, whereas mature dural cells failed to form bone nodules even with extended culture. These studies suggest that differential expression of growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules may be a critical difference between the osteoinductive capacity of immature and mature dura mater. Finally, we believe that the biomolecular bone‐ and matrix‐inducing phenotype of immature dura mater regulates the ability of young children and immature animals to heal calvarial defects. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 105: 1382, 2000.)
Tone-Taste Synesthesia: A Replication

Holt-Hansen (1, 2 ) reported a cross-modal phenomenon involving the perceptual harmony of a pulsed pure tone and the gustatory sensations of beer. Subjects agreed on a different pitch of harmony for each of a number of beers. During cross-modal harmony, the flavor of the beer was enhanced and some subjects reported extraordinary experiences. The purpose of this study was to replicate those findings. In addition to a Canadian Carlsberg beer, a non-alcoholic beer was examined, as well as unsweetened grapefruit juice, dill pickles, and hard candy. Ten adults from the university conlmunity were successively tested using HolrHansen's (1, 2) reported procedures. Subjects were comfortably seared at a table. They selected a preferred intensity, pulse rate, and duty cycle. The task was to savor a beverage or food while listening to the tone and to report when there was harmony between the taste and the tone. Further, subjects were told that such harmony might result in enhanced flavor or other rich, pleasant experiences. The order of taste samples was balanced across subjects. Ascending and descending trials were made. The task was difficult. Subjects reported low confidence in their judgments. None had rich or extraordinary experiences. A statistical summary appears in the table.
Evidence for synovitis in active polymyalgia rheumatica: sonographic study in a large series of patients.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency and localization of synovitis and enthesitis in patients with active, untreated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) by ultrasonography (US). METHODS Polyarticular sonographic evaluation was carried out in 50 consecutive patients with PMR at disease onset. Results were compared with 50 consecutive patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SpA) and 50 with seronegative and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at disease onset. RESULTS Synovitis and/or effusion was detected, in at least one joint, in 100% of patients with PMR. The most frequent alterations observed in patients with PMR were effusion in the subacromial-subdeltoid (SA-SD) bursa in 70% of patients, tenosynovitis of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) in 68%, glenohumeral joint effusion in 66%, tenosynovitis of the flexor tendons in the carpal tunnel in 38%, radiocarpal effusion in 18%, wrist extensors tenosynovitis in 18%, coxofemoral joint effusion in 40%. knee effusion in 38%, and ankle effusion in 10%. Enthesitis and tendonitis of the anchoring tendons were relatively rare in all the articular sites. Comparison of the SpA and PMR patients showed that enthesitis (mostly in the elbow, knee, and heel) was significantly more frequent in SpA. There was a significant difference in glenohumeral and coxofemoral effusion between the PMR and SpA patients (66% vs 16% and 40% vs 14%, respectively). Comparison of PMR and RA patients showed no significant difference in the involvement of entheses, shoulder, hip, or wrist flexor tendons in the carpal tunnel. Synovitis of the elbow, knee, and wrist was significantly more frequent in the SpA and RA patients than in those with PMR. CONCLUSION Synovitis was detected in at least one site in 100% of patients with PMR. SA-SD bursitis, LHBT tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and glenohumeral, knee and hip synovitis were the most frequent alterations in PMR. Enthesitis was relatively rare at any articular site.
Transaction costs in group microcredit in India

Purpose – Existing literature indicates that transaction costs are a major contributor to high interest rates on microcredit loans. The purpose of the study was to examine the composition of transaction costs to be able to draw implications on how lending rates in microcredit could be reduced in a sustainable manner.Design/methodology/approach – As the study required in‐depth insights on the processes being followed within a micro finance institution (MFI), the case study method was used. Three established MFIs mainly engaged in microcredit – using group‐lending model – were studied.Findings – The results of the study indicate that the key drivers of direct transaction costs are field worker compensation and number of groups handled per field worker. Collection activity is the single largest contributor.Research limitations/implications – Generalisations based on the case studies should be done with caution.Practical implications – It is suggested that MFIs, in order to reduce direct transaction costs, in.