Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal Angiotensin-II Receptors Expression Changes in a Model of Preeclampsia

The blunted response to angiotensin II (Ang II) during pregnancy is lost in patients by preeclampsia. This impaired response has been attributed to a change in one or both of the Ang II receptors, type 1 (AT1R) and type 2 (AT2R). The ratio of the Ang II receptor types in the kidney has not been studied. We postulated that an imbalance exists between AT1R/AT2R receptors in the renal cortex from rats subjected to an experimental model of preeclampsia, and that this altered ratio can modify the characteristic blunted pressor response to Ang II during pregnancy. The feto-placental units of Wistar rats were made ischemic by subrenal aortic coarctation, thus creating an experimental model of preeclampsia. We measured the AT1R and AT2R protein expression and the presence of the heterodimer AT1R/AT2R in the renal cortex and evaluated the pressor response to Ang II in an isolated kidney preparation from non-pregnant, healthy pregnant, and preeclampsia model rats. Pregnancy increased AT2R and AT1R/AT2R heterodimer expression and decreased the pressor response to Ang II. In contrast, AT1R increased, while AT2R and AT1R/AT2R heterodimer decreased in the preeclampsia model group. Thus, Ang II hypersensitivity observed in preeclampsia might be related to an increased expression of AT1R over AT2R and to a decreased presence of the AT1R/AT2R heterodimer in renal cortex.
An Appraisal of the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises on Poverty Alleviation in Southwestern State of Osun in Nigeria

This study is an appraisal of the performance of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) on poverty alleviation in Osun State of Nigeria. The broad aim of the study is to examine the impact of the small and medium scale enterprises on poverty alleviation. The other objectives of the study will also be to determine if there exists a relationship between poverty alleviation and SMEs and identify factors in hindering the performance and development of SMEs in Osun state in particular and Nigeria in general. It is an empirical study which made use of both primary and secondary sources of data collection. Questionnaires were administered on 150 randomly selected SMEs through balloting in the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the area office of Osun state. The respondents include SMEs operators as small shop owners, pure and bottled water, bread making factories, hairdressing, fashion designing shops, business centre. Literatures on the subject area were copiously sourced from relevant books, journals and government publications. The study found out that the SMEs were making impact on alleviating the level of poverty in the state in spite of the non-cooperative attitude and excessive paper works of formal banks. The various sources of funds by the SMEs operators were Microfinance banks, Loans from friends and family, personal loans and contributions. The respondents remarked that the agency created by government such as Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has been unable to impact on SMEs development in Osun state due to the ineptitude in service delivery and corruption which has eaten deep into the fabric of Nigeria system. The study suggested that if the SMEs sector is given all the necessary assistance such as seed money, loanable funds and training programmes, Poverty which is due to lack of access to income earning opportunities and lack of capacity to take advantage of the opportunities, that is threatening global prosperity in general and national economic growth and development in particular would be taken care off. It concluded that SMEDAN was unable to achieve the vision for which it was established such as establishing a structured and efficient micro, small and medium enterprises sector that will enhance sustainable economic development of Nigeria in general. However inspite of the failure of this government agency the SMEs had been able to impact on the poverty level in the state.
Integrin signaling through FAK in the regulation of mammary stem cells and breast cancer

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase identified as a key mediator of intracellular signaling by integrins, a major family of cell surface receptors for extracellular matrix, in the regulation of different cellular functions in a variety of cells. Upon activation by integrins through disruption of an autoinhibitory mechanism, FAK undergoes autophosphorylation and forms a complex with Src and other cellular proteins to trigger downstream signaling through its kinase activity or scaffolding function. A number of integrins are identified as surface markers for mammary stem cells (MaSCs), and both integrins and FAK are found to play crucial roles in the maintenance of MaSCs in studies using mouse models, suggesting that integrin signaling through FAK may serve as a functional marker for MaSCs. Consistent with previous studies linking increased expression and activation of FAK to human breast cancer, these findings suggest a novel cellular mechanism of FAK promotion of mammary tumorigenesis by maintaining the pools of MaSCs as targets of oncogenic transformation. Furthermore, FAK inactivation in mouse models of breast cancer also reduced the pool of mammary cancer stem cells (MaCSCs), decreased their self‐renewal in vitro, and compromised their tumorigenicity and maintenance in vivo, suggesting a potential role of integrin signaling through FAK in breast cancer growth and progression through its functions in MaCSCs. This review discusses these recent advances and future studies into the mechanism of integrin signaling through FAK in breast cancer through regulation of MaCSCs that may lead to development of novel therapies for this deadly disease. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(4): 268–276, 2010
Which Firms Benefit More From Inward Foreign Direct Investment

In the study of the effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on host countries, an interesting question that is highly relevant to government policy concerning FDI is whether the benefits of inward FDI both as "own-firm" effects of FDI in foreign subsidiaries and positive spillover effects for other firms are captured to a larger extent by certain types of enterprises in the host economy? Are there particular characteristics (often called absorptive capacity, e.g. by Cohen, Levinthal 1989) that determine whether a firm can benefit from positive spillovers? In this paper I will try to assess these issues based on enterprise level panel data from Estonia. I find that for the total factor productivity effects of FDI at the subsidiary level, characteristics such as export or domestic market orientation of the affiliate may be important. I do not find that selected indicators such as exporting, R&D activity or intensity of technology in the sector are important for benefiting from horizontal spillovers of FDI in Estonia.
The multiple effects of a showroom on casino outlets in Las Vegas

The Multiple Effects of a Showroom on Casino Outlets in Las Vegas by Dongnam Kang Dr. Carola Raab, Thesis Committee Chair Professor o f Tourism and Convention Administration University o f Nevada, Las Vegas In the competitive casino market o f Las Vegas, casino operators make efforts to lure more visitors to their properties by offering various live entertainment shows that competitors do not offer. The reviewed literature revealed that showrooms appeared to attract people to the casino floor and, consequently, had significant impact on driving additional casino revenues. However, the literature did not reveal actual evidence that showrooms, which require huge investments and operating costs, actually generate additional revenues to casino hotels. Therefore, the purpose o f this research is to investigate the indirect impacts o f shows offered in a hotel casino by examining the amount o f money spectators spent in the casino and other outlets located in the same property. In eight o f the nine hypotheses, the results revealed that there was no significant relationship between the amount o f money respondents spent to purchase show tickets and the amount o f money spent in the casino hotel. It can be concluded that although some show patrons spent more money on purchasing show tickets than others, it did not mean that they also contributed to more overall casino hotel revenues.
Employability of Individuals with Varying Disabilities and Costs of Needed Workplace Accommodations.

Employability of Individuals with Varying Types of Disabilities and Costs of Needed Workplace Accommodations by Bram Cassidy Bevins The present study examined the relationship between an individual’s disability and needed workplace accommodations and employability. The participants for this study were businessmen and businesswomen in Southwestern Virginia who possessed the ability to hire employees. Results indicated that an individual with a physical disability was thought of as more employable and favorable than a nondisabled individual, a blind individual, and an obese individual. Results also indicated that a physically disabled individual would be hired before a blind individual and an obese individual when workplace accommodations were needed. One possible explanation for these findings is that it is desirable to hire someone with a disability so that a company will possess the appearance of being diversified. Future studies may investigate the differences between small businesses and large businesses as it relates to the employing of individuals with disabilities.
Detection of Measles Virus-Specific Immunoglobulin M in Dried Venous Blood Samples by Using a Commercial Enzyme Immunoassay

ABSTRACT The optical densities (ODs) of 216 dried venous blood (DVB) samples submitted to the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory as part of enhanced measles surveillance were compared to the ODs of the corresponding serum samples collected at the same time. DVB samples, stored for up to 24 months at 4°C, were tested by the Dade Behring Enzygnost Anti-Measles-Virus/IgM immunoassay. Elution and testing conditions were optimized with the use of spiked DVB samples. The assay showed an overall sensitivity of 90.2% and a specificity of 98.8% for DVB samples compared to the results for serum. When the results were analyzed according to the length of time that the DVB sample had been stored, the assay was 100% sensitive and 97% specific according to the ODs for those samples stored for less than 6 months compared to the results for the corresponding serum samples, with 97.7% agreement between the results for the two sample types. These results demonstrate the potential for the use of DVB samples for the diagnosis of measles in routine diagnostic laboratories.
HOXC5 and HOXC8 expression are selectively turned on in human cervical cancer cells compared to normal keratinocytes.

A growing number of data have sustained the involvement of homeobox genes expression deregulation in cancer. In this study, we have performed an exhaustive survey of the expression of the 39 class I HOX genes expressed in normal and malignant human cervix keratinocytes. Using RT-PCR, we observed that the vast majority (34/39) of HOX genes are expressed in normal keratinocytes. Only HOXA2, HOXA7, HOXC5, HOXC8 and HOXD12 were found to be silent. Interestingly, this pattern is conserved in the transformed keratinocytes (SiHa cells) except for the appearance of HOXC5 and HOXC8 mRNA. The HOXC5 and HOXC8 expression was also observed in two other transformed keratinocytes cell lines of independent origins, Eil-8 and 18-11S3, and confirmed by in situ hybridization. Our data add weight to the body of evidence attributing to a specific adult tissue a particular combination of expressed HOX genes and suggest that HOXC5 and/or HOXC8 could be involved in the process leading to the transformation of cervical keratinocytes.
Vesicle transport in chloroplasts

The photosynthetic reactions have been thoroughly studied, but less is known about the biogenesis of the structures harboring the photosynthetic machinery: the thylakoid membranes. Lipids, constituting both the envelopes and thylakoids, are amphipathic molecules with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic ends. Due to this, lipids are not likely to pass the stroma spontaneously, but rather arranged in a way that isolates the hydrophobic parts from the water-based surrounding. As the thylakoid lipids are produced at the envelopes, they have to pass the stroma. Hypotheses about how this is accomplished have been suggested over the years, ranging from invaginations of envelope membranes and direct contact sites between envelope and thylakoid membranes, to lipids being transferred as small spheres, i.e. vesicles. Indeed, vesicles have been identified with electron microscopy, but although repeatedly observed, not much focus has been given to how vesicles in the chloroplast could be regulated. Vesicle transport is known from the cytosol of both animals and plants. There, vesicles with protein cargo shuttle different compartments and the process is highly regulated by different sets of proteins. In paper I we show that vesicles are not only present in the cytosol of plants, but also in chloroplasts and other plastids. These vesicles can be found during different conditions and temperatures, and without chemical inhibitors. This indicates that vesicles are persistent features. How chloroplastic vesicles are regulated is largely unknown, although they are strongly suggested to be of eukaryotic origin and appear to have similarities with cytosolic vesicle systems. In paper II and III, we used a bioinformatics approach to identify putative components of vesicle transport in the chloroplast. Several homologs to COPII proteins of the cytosol were identified in the chloroplast (paper II), but interestingly, homologs related to the cytosolic COPI and CCV systems could not be identified to the same extent (paper III). It was therefore suggested that the vesicle system in chloroplasts is most similar to COPII, or even unique. In paper IV, one of the homologs was characterized and proposed to have a role in vesicle fusion.
THE GLOBALIZATION OF MARKETS

The worldwide success of a growing list of products that have become household names is evidence that consumers the world over, despite deep-rooted cultural differences, are becoming more and more alike or, as the author puts it, "homogenized. " In consequence, he contends, the traditional MNC's strategy of tailoring its products to the needs of multiple markets may put it at a severe disadvantage vis-a-vis competitors who apply marketing imagination to the task of developing advanced, functional, reliable standardized products, at the right price, on a global scale.
A new approach to develop computer-aided detection schemes of digital mammograms

The purpose of this study is to develop a new global mammographic image feature analysis based computer-aided detection (CAD) scheme and evaluate its performance in detecting positive screening mammography examinations. A dataset that includes images acquired from 1896 full-field digital mammography (FFDM) screening examinations was used in this study. Among them, 812 cases were positive for cancer and 1084 were negative or benign. After segmenting the breast area, a computerized scheme was applied to compute 92 global mammographic tissue density based features on each of four mammograms of the craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) views. After adding three existing popular risk factors (woman’s age, subjectively rated mammographic density, and family breast cancer history) into the initial feature pool, we applied a sequential forward floating selection feature selection algorithm to select relevant features from the bilateral CC and MLO view images separately. The selected CC and MLO view image features were used to train two artificial neural networks (ANNs). The results were then fused by a third ANN to build a two-stage classifier to predict the likelihood of the FFDM screening examination being positive. CAD performance was tested using a ten-fold cross-validation method. The computed area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was AUC = 0.779 ± 0.025 and the odds ratio monotonically increased from 1 to 31.55 as CAD-generated detection scores increased. The study demonstrated that this new global image feature based CAD scheme had a relatively higher discriminatory power to cue the FFDM examinations with high risk of being positive, which may provide a new CAD-cueing method to assist radiologists in reading and interpreting screening mammograms.
From Student to Emergency Nurse: A Qualitative Study of an Educational Support Seminar

The purpose of this qualitative study was to document the transition experience of new nursing graduates who participated in an educational support seminar during their first year of emergency room (ER) practice. Study participants reported that the seminar provided learning and nurturing that facilitated their integration into the ER team, influenced their decision to stay in the ER, and grounded the process of their professionalization. Important considerations regarding education, professionalization, and leadership emerged.
Experimentally Induced Recruitment of Plasmacytoid (CD123high) Dendritic Cells in Human Nasal Allergy1

Recent evidence suggests that the previously enigmatic cell type designated plasmacytoid monocytes can function as dendritic cells and contribute substantially to both innate and adaptive immunity. This cell type has previously been described only in bone marrow, blood, and organized lymphoid tissue, but not at effector sites with direct Ag exposure such as the mucosae. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (P-DCs) matured in vitro can induce T cells to produce allergy-promoting Th2 cytokines; therefore, their possible occurrence in nasal mucosa during experimentally elicited allergic rhinitis was examined. Patients with silent nasal allergy were challenged topically with relevant allergen daily for 7 days. Biopsy specimens as well as blood samples were obtained before and during such provocation, and P-DCs were identified by their high expression of CD123 (IL-3R α-chain), together with CD45RA. Our results showed that P-DCs were present in low and variable numbers in normal nasal mucosa but increased dramatically during the allergic reaction. This accumulation concurred with the expression of the L-selectin ligand peripheral lymph node addressin on the mucosal vascular endothelium. The latter observation was particularly interesting in view of the high levels of L-selectin on circulating P-DC precursors and of previous reports suggesting that these cells can enter organized lymphoid tissue via high endothelial venules (which express peripheral lymph node addressin constitutively). Together, our findings suggested that P-DCs are involved in the triggering of airway allergy and that they are directed to allergic lesions by adhesion molecules that normally mediate leukocyte extravasation in organized lymphoid tissue.
An international lender of last resort, the IMF, and the Federal Reserve

Recent discussions relating to reform of the “international financial architecture” have drawn attention to the function of an international lender of last resort (LOLR). There are, however, few, if any, clear delineations of this important function, partly because of differing premises, definitions, and understandings of an international LOLR role. After summarizing well-established domestic LOLR functions, this paper describes the international LOLR role. The question as to whether existing institutions such as the IMF or the Federal Reserve can provide such international LOLR services is then addressed.
Treatment of Ovarian Inactivity in Mares During the Breeding Season with PMSG/hCG, PMSG or GnRH and the Effect of Treatment on Estradiol and Progesterone Concentrations

The objective of the present study was to treat ovarian inactivity in mares during the breeding season by using three protocols. Mares (n = 52) kept under field condition in the Green Mountain area, north of Libya were examined transrectally by ultrasound during the breeding season. They were assigned to have inactive ovaries which was confirmed by measuring serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations. Mares were treated with either PMSG/hCG (n = 32), PMSG alone (n = 10) or GnRH (n = 10). Estrus was detected by stallions and mares in estrus were allowed to be mated two times 2 days apart and examined for pregnancy by ultrasound one month later. The results showed that in the PMSG/hCG group, 19 (59.4%) mares out of 32 exhibited estrus, while 6 (60%) and 5 (50%) mares out of 10 exhibited estrus in PMSG and GnRH groups, respectively. Also the results showed that 16 mares (50.0%) ovulated in PMSG/hCG group compared with 4 mares (40.0%) in GnRH group. However, there was no ovulation in PMSG group. Conception rate was 37.0 and 30.0% in PMSG/hCG and GnRH groups, respectively. Hormonal analysis showed that estradiol and progesterone concentrations were basal at start of treatment. Thereafter, estradiol concentration increased dramatically during estrus in all treated groups. Moreover, progesterone concentration increased 10 days post-mating in PMSG/hCG and GnRH groups while still low in PMSG group. Finally, we conclude that PMSG/hCG and GnRH can be used to treat ovarian inactivity in mares and induce follicular growth and ovulation. On the other hand, we cannot recommend PMSG alone to treat ovarian inactivity in mares.
Technology Acceptance of Cloud Computing: Empirical Evidence from German IT Departments

In this article, we examine the technology acceptance of cloud computing by analyzing empirical data from 100 CIOs and IT managers from stock indexed companies using factor analysis. For a valid methodological background we use a modified version of the common Technology Acceptance Model. The outcomes indicate that user acceptance of cloud computing can be explained and predicted by various non monetary variables concerning social influence and cognitive instrumental process. In particular, factors such as image, job relevance and perceived usefulness play an important role in cloud computing acceptance. These findings advance theory and contribute to the foundation for future research aimed at improving our understanding of technology adoption behavior. They also provide a structured and more systematic approach for cloud service providers on how to build their services and promoting them to the market.
A low-power dual-mode 20-Gb/s NRZ and 28-Gb/s PAM-4 voltage-mode transmitter

A dual-mode NRZ/PAM-4 differential low-swing voltage-mode transmitter employs a quarter-rate output multiplexing architecture for low-power operation. In NRZ mode, 2-tap feedforward equalization is realized with analog replica-bias tap control that is configurable in high-performance controlled-impedance or energy-efficient impedance-modulated settings. This analog control also allows for efficient generation of the middle levels in PAM-4 operation. Fabricated in GP 65nm CMOS, the transmitter supports an output swing range of 100–400mVPpd with up to 12dB of equalization in NRZ mode and achieves energy efficiencies of 1.48 and 0.91pJ/b at 20-Gb/s NRZ and 28-Gb/s PAM-4 data rates. Operation in the NRZ energy-efficient impedance-modulation setting allows for power savings of up to 32% relative to the controlled-impedance setting.