Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum endocan concentration and its correlation with severity of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy

Abstract Introduction: Endocan plays a role in the development of vascular tissue in health and disease and is an indicator of endothelial cells activation and angiogenesis. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between endocan serum levels and various types of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women. Patients and methods: We created three study groups (preeclampsia [n = 60], chronic hypertension [n = 39], gestational hypertension [n = 58]) and the control group consisting of 59 healthy pregnant women. The endocan serum concentration was assessed using commercially available ELISA kit. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in endocan serum levels (pg/mL) in each study group compared to controls. The multiple regression did not reveal significant differences between endocan levels in each study group after adjustment for prepregnancy BMI. We did not find any significant correlations between the endocan serum level and patients’ age, gestational age (GA) at sample collection, prepregnancy BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and 24-hour urinary protein excretion in each analyzed group. Moreover, in the preeclamptic participants, we did not observe a significant relationship between the endocan concentration and the features indicating the severity of the disease other than elevated blood pressure. There were no differences in endocan serum level in preeclampsia subgroups: early-onset versus late-onset and mild versus severe preeclampsia. Conclusions: Endocan is not involved in the pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women and could not be regarded as a marker of endothelial dysfunction in these cases.
Sedimentary models of coarse-grained deltas in the Neogene basins of the Betic Cordillera (SE Spain): Tortonian and Pliocene examples

The Late Tortonian and Early Pliocene represent the two periods of greatest extension and sedimentary volume of the marine deltaic systems developing in the Betic Cordillera. The complex palaeogeography of the Betic Cordillera during the Late Tortonian, consisting of marine intramontane basins surrounded by important reliefs (e.g. Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Filabres) and interconnected by narrow corridors, encouraged the development of very coarse-grained deltaic systems forming on basin margins and often controlled by tectonics. In this palaeogeographic setting, the Tortonian deltaic systems on the eastern boundary of the Granada Basin, the deltas of the Guadix Basin (Alicun, Lopera and Bodurria deltas) and the Alboloduy deltas in the Tabernas Basin developed. Delta building took place throughout a fourth-order (<1 m.a.) transgressive-regressive cycle, consisting of four tectonic systems tracts that include the deltas studied here - a transgressive systems tract controlled by a extensional tectonic regime (Alboloduy deltas and lower Bodurria deltaic sequences), a highstand systems tract (fan deltas in Granada and upper Bodurria deltaic sequences), a forced-regressive systems tract conditioned by regional tectonic uplift of the central sector of the Cordillera and a lowstand systems tract (small Gilbert-type deltas at Alicun, Lopera and the last Bodurria delta). The regressive phase of the cycle was conditioned by folding and uplift of the source area of the deltas. During the Early Pliocene marine deltaic sedimentation in the Betic Cordillera was restricted to the peri-Mediterranean basins flooded by the earliest Pliocene transgression. After the Pliocene transgression the palaeogeography was characterised by different NW-SE oriented gulfs and bays bounded by mountain ranges such as Sierra de Gador, located between the Andarax Corridor and the Campo de Dalias, basins in which the deltaic systems of Alhama de Almeria and Adra respectively prograded. Catastrophic sedimentation events (storms and/or floods) recorded as erosion surfaces, backsets and accumulation layers of oysters and clasts with barnacles on the delta fronts played an important part in the construction (and destruction) of these deltas. Shallow-water Gilbert-type deltas predominate among the examples selected. Palaeogeographic differences in the Tortonian and Pliocene encouraged the development of alluvial fans as feeder systems of the Tortonian deltas and high energy fluvial systems in the case of the Pliocene deltas. The relatively high tectonic subsidence of the basins in the Tortonian in comparison with the Pliocene affected the vertical accumulation of thick deltaic successions (up to 250 m) multiconstructed by several decametric sequences in the Tortonian, whereas the Pliocene deltas mainly developed horizontally. Some of the Tortonian deltaic sequences are capped by bioconstructed limestones such as coral reef patches, red algae biostromes and stromatolites, interpreted as facies of delta abandonment.
Taxonomic value of the leaf micro-morphology and quantitative phytochemistry of Clitoria ternatea and Centrosema pubescens (Papilionoideae, Fabaceae)

The foliar epidermal and phytochemical characteristics of Clitoria ternatea and Centrosema pubescens are studied in this work. Results have revealed minor differences between the examined species. A microscopic study has shown that both species are hypoamphistomatic, have irregular cells and simple trichomes on their abaxial and adaxial surfaces. C. pubescens has more stomata, trichomes and epidermal cells than C. ternatea, but its stomata and epidermal cells are smaller in size. The stomata index ranges between 5.1–21.0 %. On the other hand, a phytochemical analysis has shown little difference in the amount of bioactive compounds present in both species, except for in the flavonoid content which was significantly different between the two. Although phytosteroidal content in the two species is also not very significant, its presence may be linked to the species medicinal value as an aphrodisiac.
Longitudinal Vibrations Analysis of Vehicular Clutch

This paper investigates the dynamic nature of clutch pedal in-cycle vibration as a powertrain NVH concern. The concern, referred to as "whoop" in industry, occurs during the clutch engagement and disengagement processes. The MATLAB and ADAMS as powerful programs for simulating dynamic systems to model clutch actuation system as a series of multi-bodies between the flywheel and the clutch pedal are used. Finally, the results are compared to experimental evidence and other models which were provided before.
PRESERVATIVE ACTIVITIES OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOL EXTRACTS OF PARKIA BIGLOBOSA

The study was aimed at determining the phytochemical, antimicrobial and preservative properties of aqueous (PAE) and ethanol (PEE) extracts of drink. Result of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phytochemicals in various combinations, while the antimicrobial assay revealed a broad spectrum of activity on the tested bacterial and fungal isolates at various c (PAE and PEE) revealed the presence of compounds such as stearic acid in PAE and n in PEE. The sensory evaluation of the preserved ginger drink using different concentrations of PAE and PEE indicates acceptance of the drink treated with 1% PEE most, with a percentage likeness of 70.0% compared to untreated drink with percentage likeness of 11.0% after 102 hours of storage. Sodium benzoate (a commercial preservative) had percentage likeness o 102 hours of storage, therefore, this study has demonstrated evidence of the prospects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of degree of acceptability.
NO . 67 / 02 Survival , Short-Term and Long-Term Performance of Strategic Alliances av

Can we predict which alliances that will terminate, and which alliances that will be successful over time? This is the core research question raised in this paper. By reviewing transaction cost economics, the resource-based view of strategy, and the relational contracting perspective, we derive at important alliance characteristics that these perspectives suggest as important for understanding alliance success and failure. Our hypotheses were tested on one hundred strategic alliances from the Norwegian manufacturing sector covering a five-year period. The results show that strategic alliances based on access to strategic important resources were less likely to terminate abruptly. We also found that newly established alliances had a higher termination rate than older alliances, indicating that alliances go through different phases of termination risk. Short-term performance was primarily affected by factors such as getting access to complementary and strategic important resources, whereas long-term performance was be related to the partners’ ability to extend and develop the alliance. SNF Working Paper No. 67/02
Foliar applications of alpha-tocopherol improves the composition of fresh pods of Vigna radiata subjected to water deficiency

Alpha-tocopherol (α-Toc), so-called vitamin E, is a low molecular weight lipophilic antioxidant that generally protects plants from stress-induced cellular oxidation. It is well known that exogenously applied α-Toc is effective in improving plant growth and developmental processes under adverse environmental conditions. The current study was performed to determine the best concentration of α-Toc [0 (no spray), 100, 200, and 300 mg L-1] that could improve the biological yield and chemical constituents of fresh green pods of mung bean (Vigna radiata) and hence their quality under varying water regimes. Foliar spray of α-Toc significantly improved total soluble proteins, chlorophyll a and b, total soluble sugars, proline, phenolics, total free amino acids, nonreducing sugars, and activities of SOD, POD, and CAT under water stress conditions. However, no prominent change was observed in reducing sugars and biological yield due to externally applied α-Toc in either mung bean cultivar subjected to either water regime. Both mung bean cultivars (Cyclone 7008 and Cyclone 8009) showed similar behavior in chlorophyll a and b, while cv. Cyclone 7008 was superior with respect to the concentrations of total soluble sugars and total free amino acids, whereas Cyclone 8009 was better in activities of CAT, SOD, and POD. Overall, externally applied 200 and 300 mg L-1 α-Toc considerably enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD and CAT), chlorophyll a and b, proline, and total phenolic contents in both mung bean cultivars.
Title Timing synchronization in decode-and-forward cooperativecommunication systems

Cooperative communication systems have attracted much attention recently due to their desirable performance gain while using single antenna terminals. This paper addresses the joint timing and channel estimation problem, and furthermore the resynchronization of multiple timing offsets in a cooperative relay system. The estimations of timing and channel are conducted in two phases and the associated Cramér-Rao bounds (CRB) are derived for both phases. It is demonstrated that the conventional CRB is not valid for timing parameters under fading conditions, and a new bound called Weighted Bayesian CRB is proposed. With the timing and channel estimates, a general framework of the resynchronization filter design is developed in order to compensate the multiple timing offsets at the destination. The proposed methods are applied to different scenarios with varying degrees of timing misalignment and are numerically shown to provide excellent performances that approach the perfectly synchronized case.
Enteropathogenic E. coli relies on collaboration between the formin mDia1 and the Arp2/3 complex for actin pedestal biogenesis and maintenance

Enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EPEC and EHEC) are closely related extracellular pathogens that reorganize host cell actin into “pedestals” beneath the tightly adherent bacteria. This pedestal-forming activity is both a critical step in pathogenesis, and it makes EPEC and EHEC useful models for studying the actin rearrangements that underlie membrane protrusions. To generate pedestals, EPEC relies on the tyrosine phosphorylated bacterial effector protein Tir to bind host adaptor proteins that recruit N-WASP, a nucleation-promoting factor that activates the Arp2/3 complex to drive actin polymerization. In contrast, EHEC depends on the effector EspFU to multimerize N-WASP and promote Arp2/3 activation. Although these core pathways of pedestal assembly are well-characterized, the contributions of additional actin nucleation factors are unknown. We investigated potential cooperation between the Arp2/3 complex and other classes of nucleators using chemical inhibitors, siRNAs, and knockout cell lines. We found that inhibition of formins impairs actin pedestal assembly, motility, and cellular colonization for bacteria using the EPEC, but not the EHEC, pathway of actin polymerization. We also identified mDia1 as the formin contributing to EPEC pedestal assembly, as its expression level positively correlates with the efficiency of pedestal formation, and it localizes to the base of pedestals both during their initiation and once they have reached steady state. Collectively, our data suggest that mDia1 enhances EPEC pedestal biogenesis and maintenance by generating seed filaments to be used by the N-WASP-Arp2/3-dependent actin nucleation machinery and by sustaining Src-mediated phosphorylation of Tir.
A Hydrological Cycle Model for the Globally Resolved Energy Balance Model (GREB) v1.0

Abstract. In this study, we describe the development of the hydrological cycle for the Globally Resolved Energy Balance (GREB) model. Starting from a very simple zero order hydrological cycle model included in the GREB model, we develop three new models: precipitation, evaporation and horizontal transport of water vapour. Precipitation is modelled based on the actual simulated specific and relative humidity in GREB and the prescribed boundary condition of vertical velocity. The evaporation bulk formula is slightly refined by considering differences in the sensitivity to winds between land and oceans, and by improving the estimates of the wind magnitudes. Horizontal transport of water vapour is improved by approximating moisture convergence by vertical velocity. The new parameterisations are fitted against observations (GPCP) and reanalysis data sets (ERA-Interim). The new hydrological cycle is evaluated against CMIP model simulation, reduction in correction terms and by three different sensitivity experiments (Annual Cycle, El Nino Southern Oscillation and Climate Change). The skill of the hydrological cycle in the GREB model is now within the range of more complex CMIP5 CGCMs and capable of simulating key features of the climate system within the range of uncertainty of CMIP5 model simulations. The results illustrate that the new GREB model’s hydrological cycle is a useful model to study the climate’s hydrological response to external forcings and also to study inter-model differences or biases.
Upregulated microRNAs in membranous glomerulonephropathy are associated with significant downregulation of IL6 and MYC mRNAs

Membranous glomerulonephropathy (MGN) is a glomerulopathy characterized by subepithelial deposits of immune complexes on the extracapillary side of the glomerular basement membrane. Insertion of C5b‐9 (complement membrane‐attack complex) into the membrane leads to functional impairment of the glomerular capillary wall. Knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of MGN is actually scanty. MicroRNA (miRNA) profiling in MGN and unaffected tissues was performed by TaqMan Low‐Density Arrays. Expression of miRNAs and miRNA targets was evaluated in Real‐Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In vitro transient silencing of miRNAs was achieved through transfection with miRNA inhibitors. Ten miRNAs (let‐7a‐5p, let‐7b‐5p, let‐7c‐5p, let‐7d‐5p, miR‐107, miR‐129‐3p, miR‐423‐5p, miR‐516‐3p, miR‐532‐3p, and miR‐1275) were differentially expressed (DE) in MGN biopsies compared to unaffected controls. Interleukin 6 (IL6) and MYC messenger RNAs (mRNAs; targets of DE miRNAs) were significantly downregulated in biopsies from MGN patients, and upregulated in A498 cells following let‐7a‐5p or let‐7c‐5p transient silencing. Gene ontology analysis showed that DE miRNAs regulate pathways associated with MGN pathogenesis, including cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis. A significant correlation between DE miRNAs and mRNAs and clinical parameters (i.e., antiphospholipid antibodies, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration, proteinuria, and serum cholesterol) has been detected. Based on our data, we propose that DE miRNAs and their downstream network may be involved in MGN pathogenesis and could be considered as potential diagnostic biomarkers of MGN.
Risk of potential drug-drug interactions in the cardiac intensive care units

Objectives: To identify and compare the prevalence of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in the intensive cardiac care units (CCUs) of 2 tertiary care hospitals and analyze their association with various predictors. Methods: This one-year prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar, Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) and Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), Peshawar, Pakistan, between January 2014 to Janury 2015. The patient medication profiles from the respective CCUs were evaluated for potential DDIs (PDDIs) using Micromedex DrugReax and Drug interaction facts. Results: The prevalence of PDDIs was 96.5% and 95.7% in the 2 hospitals, with over 1200 PDDIs in total. A significant association was found between the number of prescribed drugs and PDDIs in both hospitals. Conclusion: The knowledge of PDDIs is either lacking among the clinicians or is not taken into consideration. Monitoring PDDIs and timely interventions are required to minimize the adverse outcomes.
Age and perceptions of luxury: An investigation into the impact of age on the perceptions of old versus new luxury

This study investigates the relation between age and perceptions of luxury. We explore the respondents' sensitivity to 'new luxury' and 'old luxury. ' We empirically investigate these relationships using data from a Brazilian sample. Our total sample consists of 671 respondents mostly between 12 and 24 years of age. The findings reflect the conventional wisdom that the older the person the closer their perceptions are to 'old luxury,' and that younger people's perceptions more closely align with 'new luxury. ' Furthermore, when examined in the context of gender, these differences in perceptions are only significant for females.
Benefits andHarms of Intensive Blood Pressure Treatment in Adults Aged 60 Years or Older A Systematic Review andMeta-analysis

Data Synthesis: Nine trials provided high-strength evidence that BP control to less than 150/90 mm Hg reduces mortality (relative risk [RR], 0.90 [95% CI, 0.83 to 0.98]), cardiac events (RR, 0.77 [CI, 0.68 to 0.89]), and stroke (RR, 0.74 [CI, 0.65 to 0.84]). Six trials yielded lowto moderate-strength evidence that lower targets (≤140/85 mm Hg) are associated with marginally significant decreases in cardiac events (RR, 0.82 [CI, 0.64 to 1.00]) and stroke (RR, 0.79 [CI, 0.59 to 0.99]) and nonsignificantly fewer deaths (RR, 0.86 [CI, 0.69 to 1.06]). Lowto moderate-strength evidence showed that lower BP targets do not increase falls or cognitive impairment.
A Framework for Clarifying the Goal and Implementation of ISO

Many organisations are dissatisfied with the outcomes of ISO implementations. This paper proposes that this dissatisfaction is often a consequence of a lack of clarity as to the goal of the implementation and the lack of a clear linkage to the organisational goal over the implementation. The paper proposes that the use of the relatively new tool from the Theory of Constraints – the Strategy and Tactic (S&T) tree can help to provide this linkage and to guide the subsequent implementation. The integration of the S&T Tree and Treacy and Wiersema’s Value Discipline model (1993) is used to focus the original goal setting and subsequent implementation. A case example is then presented to illustrate the application of the model.
Robin Hopkins Reinforcement Pollinator-Mediated Selection on Flower Color Allele Drives

clicking here. colleagues, clients, or customers by , you can order high-quality copies for your If you wish to distribute this article to others here. following the guidelines can be obtained by Permission to republish or repurpose articles or portions of articles ): March 2, 2012 www.sciencemag. org (this infomation is current as of The following resources related to this article are available online at http://www.sciencemag. org/content/335/6072/1090.full. html version of this article at: including high-resolution figures, can be found in the online Updated information and services, http://www.sciencemag. org/content/suppl/2012/02/02/science.1215198. DC1.html can be found at: Supporting Online Material http://www.sciencemag. org/content/335/6072/1090.full. html#ref-list-1 , 5 of which can be accessed free: cites 25 articles This article http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/collection/evolution Evolution subject collections: This article appears in the following
The MetaCyc database of metabolic pathways and enzymes and the BioCyc collection of Pathway/Genome Databases

The MetaCyc database (MetaCyc.org) is a comprehensive and freely accessible database describing metabolic pathways and enzymes from all domains of life. MetaCyc pathways are experimentally determined, mostly small-molecule metabolic pathways and are curated from the primary scientific literature. MetaCyc contains >2100 pathways derived from >37 000 publications, and is the largest curated collection of metabolic pathways currently available. BioCyc (BioCyc.org) is a collection of >3000 organism-specific Pathway/Genome Databases (PGDBs), each containing the full genome and predicted metabolic network of one organism, including metabolites, enzymes, reactions, metabolic pathways, predicted operons, transport systems and pathway-hole fillers. Additions to BioCyc over the past 2 years include YeastCyc, a PGDB for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and 891 new genomes from the Human Microbiome Project. The BioCyc Web site offers a variety of tools for querying and analysis of PGDBs, including Omics Viewers and tools for comparative analysis. New developments include atom mappings in reactions, a new representation of glycan degradation pathways, improved compound structure display, better coverage of enzyme kinetic data, enhancements of the Web Groups functionality, improvements to the Omics viewers, a new representation of the Enzyme Commission system and, for the desktop version of the software, the ability to save display states.
STRONG PHOTOELECTRON EMISSION FROM SILVER NANOSTRUCTURES

Localized optically-nonlinear photoelectron emission from metal (silver) nanostructures under two-pulse emission has been developed for relatively low energy. For two-photon emission from random metal nanostructures, it has been shown that the coherent control allows one to move nanosize hot spots whose positions are controllable on a nanometer scale. It is proposed to use silver random planer composite and introduce this photoemission process as an ultrafast process, on femtosecond or subfemtosecond scale. Keywords: photoelectron emission, nanostructures, two-photon pulse DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4038/josuk.v5i0. 4090 J Sci.Univ.Kelaniya 5 (2010): 47-54