Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diversity and distribution of seaweed at Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park , Nakhon Si Thammarat Province , Thailand

Diversity and distribution of seaweeds at Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand were carried out between October 2005 and May 2008 at five islets, Ko Taen, Ko Mut Sum, Ko Rab, Ko Wang Nai, and Ko Wang Nok. A total of 60 species were identified including 23 species of Chlorophyta, 19 species of Phaeophyceae in the Chromophyta, 16 species of Rhodophyta, and 2 species of Cyanobacteria. Of these, eight species are believed to be new records for the Thai marine flora. The number of species varied from site to site. Ko Tan had the highest diversity with 49 species and KoWang Nok had the lowest diversity with 22 species. This study provides a more complete species list for further comparative studies between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. We have intensively reviewed the seaweed literature of Thailand, which was very limited. However, recent work on population and community structure have increased from 2005, which helps providing a baseline for future, more complex ecological studies, as well as for coastal management and for the exploration of the seaweed’s economic potential.
Tracking mesoderm induction and its specification to the hemangioblast during embryonic stem cell differentiation

The hematopoietic and endothelial lineages derive from mesoderm and are thought to develop through the maturation of a common progenitor, the hemangioblast. To investigate the developmental processes that regulate mesoderm induction and specification to the hemangioblast, we generated an embryonic stem cell line with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) targeted to the mesodermal gene, brachyury. After the in vitro differentiation of these embryonic stem cells to embryoid bodies, developing mesodermal progenitors could be separated from those with neuroectoderm potential based on GFP expression. Co-expression of GFP with the receptor tyrosine kinase Flk1 revealed the emergence of three distinct cell populations, GFP-Flk1-, GFP+Flk1- and GFP+Flk1+ cells, which represent a developmental progression ranging from pre-mesoderm to prehemangioblast mesoderm to the hemangioblast.
Metastatic patterns of prostatic cancer: Correlation between sites and number of organs involved

Prostatic cancer in 1885 autopsy cases was classified according to the number of organs involved in metastasis, and a comparison was made concerning the frequency of metastasis to the various organs. The frequencies of metastasis to the lungs and para‐aortic lymph nodes were low in cases with single‐organ involvement (4.6% and 2.3%, respectively), but increased rectilinearly in accordance with the number of organs involved and became high in cases with metastasis to three or more organs (49.1% and 21.8% in total, respectively). On the other hand, the frequencies of local extension to the bladder and invasion of the pelvic lymph nodes were high even in cases with single‐organ involvement (34.5% and 9.2%, respectively) and were not significantly changed regardless of the number of organs involved. No significant correlation was seen between pelvic and para‐aortic lymph node involvement. In cases with single‐organ involvement, metastasis to the lumbar spine occurred frequently, but those to the ribs, sternum, and ilium occurred less frequently. There may be multiple metastases in cases with metastases to the para‐aortic lymph nodes, sternum, and ilium. The number of metastatically involved organs is useful in analyzing the mode of metastasis.
A 10-bit 40MS/s low power SHA-less pipelined ADC for system-on-chip digital TV application

A pipelined analog to digital converter which is suitable for low power applications incorporating merged capacitor sharing (MCS) technique is presented. The resolution of the pipelined ADC is improved by sharing an op-amp between two pipelined stages and removing the front end Sample-and-Hold amplifier (SHA). The proposed technique reduces the aperture error due to the absence of SHA and op-amp sharing. The proposed ADC is implemented in 0.18 μm CMOS technology which occupies a die area of 1.3 mm2. The differential and integral non-linearity of the pipelined ADC is +0.32/-0.32LSB and +0.67/-0.67LSB respectively. The ADC achieves an SNDR of 55.67dB and exhibits an FOM of 0.49 pJ/conversion-step while drawing 9.77mW from a 1.8V power supply.
Proposals for Financial Sector Reforms in India: An Appraisal

The Narasimham Committee Report has made a number of recommendations regarding the structure, organization, functions and procedures of the Indian financial system. In this article, Bhole has attempted a critical appraisal of the Report with a view to place the recommendations in a proper perspective and also to generate some thinking on the emerging issues.
Autism spectrum disorders and allergy: observation from a pediatric allergy/immunology clinic

IgE-mediated allergic diseases (e.g., allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic asthma and food allergy) are prevalent (up to 30%) in the general population and are increasing in developed countries. In infants and young children, non-IgE-mediated food allergy is also prevalent. In addition to easily recognized organ-specific symptoms, allergic diseases can cause neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as irritability and hyperactivity, in otherwise healthy individuals. This is also likely to occur in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Moreover, the discomfort and pain associated with allergic diseases could aggravate behavioral symptoms in ASD children. Allergic conditions are easily treatable; however, ASD children may be underdiagnosed and/or undertreated for allergic and other common childhood diseases, in part due to their impaired communication skills. Practicing physicians should be aware of the potential impact of allergic diseases on behavioral symptoms and cognitive activity in ASD children. However, they also need to be aware that certain symptoms often attributed to ‘allergy’ by caregivers may not be immune mediated and should understand that behavioral symptoms can also be affected by many non-IgE-mediated causes.
Developing a Framework of Human Resource Management, Organizational Learning, Knowledge Management Capability, and Organizational Performance

This chapter introduces the framework and the practical concepts of Human Resource Management (HRM), organizational learning, Knowledge Management Capability (KMC), and organizational performance. This chapter also explains the role of HRM, organizational learning, and KMC on organizational performance. The developed framework presents the relationship among the constructs (i.e., HRM, organizational learning, KMC, and organizational performance) and contributes toward a better understanding of the specific mechanisms through which HRM, organizational learning, and KMC positively influence organizational performance. HRM effectively acts as a trigger toward effective organizational learning and KMC processes, thus creating a valuable organizational performance. Organizational performance that can usually help to perform a task in an integrated manner is a source of sustainable competitive advantage. Understanding the role of HRM, organizational learning, KMC, and organizational performance through the framework will significantly enhance the organizational performance and achieve business goals in the modern business world. Developing a Framework of Human Resource Management, Organizational Learning, Knowledge Management Capability, and Organizational Performance
Personality traits in young patients with Parkinson's disease

Objectives– It has been hypothesized that the dopaminergic deficit of older patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with a reduction in the dopamine‐dependent personality trait “novelty seeking”. It is unknown whether this may also be found in younger patients with PD whose dopaminergic deficit is considered to be purely motor. Material and methods– We interviewed 122 patients below 51 years of age and 122 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls with regard to clinical and sociodemographic data. Both groups had to fill out the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) of Cloninger. Neuropsychological testing of formal intelligence and depression was also applied. Results–“Novelty seeking” was not different between both groups. Patients were more often depressed than controls, explaining their difference in “harm avoidance” on the TPQ. “Persistence”, a sub‐scale of the third TPQ dimension “reward dependence”, was significantly higher in patients. Neither sex, nor age, nor educational status were correlated with one of the three personality traits. Conclusions– The higher rate of depression explains our finding of more “harm avoidance” among young PD patients. According to a literature review the choice and performance of controls is crucial whether personality traits in PD patients may be assessed as abnormal.
A cluster of Drosophila homeobox genes involved in mesoderm differentiation programs

Although genes involved in common developmental programs are usually scattered throughout the metazoan genome, there are some important examples of functionally interconnected regulatory genes that display close physical linkage. In particular the homeotic genes, which determine the identities of body parts, are clustered in the Hox complexes and clustering is thought to be crucial for the proper execution of their developmental programs. Here we describe the organization and functional properties of a more recently identified cluster of six homeobox genes at 93DE on the third chromosome of Drosophila. These genes, which include tinman, bagpipe, ladybird early, ladybird late, C15, and slouch, all participate in mesodermal patterning and differentiation programs and show multiple regulatory interactions among each other. We propose that their clustering, through unknown mechanisms, is functionally significant and discuss the similarities and differences between the 93DE homeobox gene cluster and the Hox complexes. BioEssays 23:125–133, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
VEGF‐D promotes tumor growth and lymphatic spread in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma

Lymphatic spread is an important clinical determinant for the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but little is known about the control of lymphangiogenesis in HCC. We addressed expression and biological role of the pro‐(lymph), angiogenic protein VEGF‐D in this tumor entity. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization on specimens of HCC, cirrhotic and normal liver we found abundant expression of VEGF‐D exclusively in the tumor cells. The cognate receptor VEGFR‐3 was detected on blood and lymphatic vessels. By clinicopathological analysis VEGF‐D expression was correlated with pT‐stage of the primary, lymph node metastasis and lymphangiosis carcinomatosa. Three out of 4 human HCC cell lines expressed and secreted VEGF‐D. To approach its biological function, VEGF‐D deficient SKHep‐1 cells were stably transfected with VEGF‐D cDNA and effects on tumor progression were determined in vivo. Compared to mock‐transfected controls, subcutaneous tumors derived from VEGF‐D expressing cells were larger and more frequently metastasized to regional lymph nodes. VEGF‐D expressing tumors exhibited increased microvessel density and increased abundance of peri‐ and intratumoral lymphatics, as assessed by immunostaining for CD31 and for LYVE‐1 and/or podoplanin, respectively. Furthermore, coexpression of the soluble extracellular VEGFR‐3 domain blocked VEGF‐D‐induced tumor growth and lymphatic spread via reduction of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. In the orthotopic approach, VEGF‐D expression resulted in an increased rate of intra‐ and extrahepatic as well as lymph node metastasis. In conclusion, our study suggests that expression of VEGF‐D is involved in growth and lymphatic spread of HCC. Therefore, VEGF‐D might represent a therapeutic target in HCC. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E2 Protein Induces Apoptosis in the Absence of Other HPV Proteins and via a p53-dependent Pathway*

The human papillomavirus (HPV) E2 protein regulates viral gene expression and is also required for viral replication. HPV-transformed cells often contain chromosomally integrated copies of the HPV genome in which the viral E2 gene is disrupted. We have shown previously that re-expression of the HPV 16 E2 protein in HPV 16-transformed cells results in cell death via apoptosis. Here we show that the HPV 16 E2 protein can induce apoptosis in both HPV-transformed and non-HPV-transformed cell lines. E2-induced apoptosis is abrogated by a trans-dominant negative mutant of p53 or by overexpression of the HPV 16 E6 protein, but is increased by overexpression of wild-type p53. We show that mutations that block the DNA binding activity of E2 do not impair the ability of this protein to induce apoptosis. In contrast, removal of both N-terminal domains from the E2 dimer completely blocks E2-induced cell death. Heterodimers formed between wild-type E2 and N-terminally deleted E2 proteins also fail to induce cell death. Our data suggest that neither the DNA binding activity of E2 nor other HPV proteins are required for the induction of apoptosis by E2 and that E2-induced cell death occurs via a p53-dependent pathway.
The quality of life of adults with growth hormone deficiency: comparison with diabetic patients and control subjects

Adults with GH deficiency (GHD) frequently report a poor quality of life (QOL). Whether this poor QOL is specifically due to hormone deficiency or a non specific effect of a chronic condition is not known. We therefore assessed QOL in adults with hypopituitarism and GHD and compared scores with a group of patients with diabetes mellitus, another life‐long condition with potentially serious complications and a group of healthy controls.
A Patient-Focused Solution for Enrolling Clinical Trials in Rare and Selective Cancer Indications: A Landscape of Haystacks and Needles

Participation of adult cancer patients in US-based clinical trials has remained near 3% for decades. Traditional research methodology reaches a small fraction of the target population with a fixed number of predetermined sites. Solutions are needed to ethically increase patient participation and accelerate cancer trial completion. We compared enrollment outcomes of traditional and patient-focused research methodologies. A patient-prioritized method (Just-In-Time; JIT) was implemented in parallel with traditionally managed sites in three cancer trials. JIT research sites were initiated after candidate patients presented, while traditional sites were initiated in advance. JIT sites enrolled with mean rates no less than and up to 2.75-fold greater than traditional sites. Mean patients enrolled per site was comparable (JIT = 1.82, traditional = 1.78). There were fewer nonenrolling JIT sites (2/28, 7%) compared to traditional sites 19/52, 37%). This retrospective analysis supports JIT as a prospective solution to increase cancer clinical trial enrollment and the efficiency of clinical trial administrative activities.
Angiopoietin 1, PDGF‐B, and TGF‐β gene regulation in endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell interaction

The vascular wall is mainly composed of endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The crosstalking between these two cell types is critical in the vascular maturation process. Genetic studies suggest that the Tie2/angiopoietin 1 (Ang1) pathway regulates vascular remodeling. However, the molecular mechanism is unclear. PDGF is a potent chemoattractant for SMCs, and TGF‐β regulates SMC differentiation. Here, we examined gene regulation. PDGF‐B stimulation upregulated Ang1 expression in SMCs through the PI3K and PKC pathways. PDGF‐B stimulation also produced an acute induction of TGF‐β expression in SMCs through the MAPK/ERK pathway. Interestingly, TGF‐β negatively regulated Ang1 expression induced by the PDGF‐B stimulation in SMCs. Reciprocally, we observed that stimulation of ECs with either Ang1 or TGF‐β slightly downregulated PDGF expression. A combination of both TGF‐β with Ang1 produced much stronger downregulation of PDGF. Our data showed complex gene regulations that include both positive and negative regulations between ECs and SMCs to maintain vascular homeostasis. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Group behavioral therapy of obsessive‐compulsive disorder: Seven‐ vs. twelve‐week outcomes

Previous research has demonstrated that individualized behavioral exposure and response prevention therapy is an effective treatment for Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder. In our prior preliminary report, 7‐week group exposure and response prevention therapy was also found effective in reducing obsessions and compulsions. The present report describes a larger sample (N=113) of treatment seeking obsessive‐compulsives who received group behavioral therapy. As before, group exposure and response prevention significantly improved ratings of obsessions, compulsions, and depression. These improvements were maintained at 3‐month and long‐term follow‐up. A sub‐sample of patients who received 12 weeks of treatment had outcomes at the end of the group and at follow‐up that did not significantly differ from those who received 7 weeks of treatment. These results confirm the efficacy of a 7‐week behavioral treatment program administered in a group format. Depression and Anxiety 13:161–165, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Purification of molybdenum oxide, growth and characterization of medium size zinc molybdate crystals for the LUMINEU program

The LUMINEU program aims at performing a pilot experiment on neutrinoless double beta decay of 100 Mo using radiopure ZnMoO4 crystals operated as scintillating bolometers. Growth of high quality radiopure crystals is a complex task, since there are no commercially available molybdenum compounds with the required levels of purity and radioactive contamination. This paper discusses approaches to purify molybdenum and synthesize compound for high quality radiopure ZnMoO4 crystal growth. A combination of a double sublimation (with addition of zinc molybdate) with subsequent recrystallization in aqueous solutions (using zinc molybdate as a collector) was used. Zinc molybdate crystals up to 1.5 kg were grown by the low- thermal-gradient Czochralski technique, their optical, luminescent, diamagnetic, thermal and bolometric properties were tested.
Sgs-3 chromatin structure and trans-activators: developmental and ecdysone induction of a glue enhancer-binding factor, GEBF-I, in Drosophila larvae

The transcription of the Drosophila melanogaster 68C salivary gland glue gene Sgs-3 involves the interaction of a distal and a proximal regulatory region. These are marked in vivo by a specific chromatin structure which is established sequentially during development, starting early in embryogenesis. The distal region is characterized by a stage- and tissue-specific DNase I hypersensitive site. A stage- and tissue-specific factor, GEBF-I, binds in this region and is missing in 2B5 mutant larvae which lack Sgs-3 transcripts. This binding involves the simultaneous interaction with two distinct DNA sequences which induces conformational changes in the protein. Salivary glands acquire competence to respond to ecdysone in the mid-third larval instar, whereafter the hormone rapidly induces both the GEBF-I protein and Sgs-3 transcription.
Sudden death of a male child with varicella after anti-MMR vaccination

Varicella is a common and extremely contagious disease of childhood. It has usually no major complications and healing is complete. Sever infections may be observed on immuno-compromised patients and in adults. Bacterial infections, pneumonia, myocarditis or brain damage are among potentially fatal complications. We report a special case with multiple and rare complications of varicella in a previous healthy 13 months boy, soon after vaccination against MMR and with abrupt evolution to death.
Usefulness of systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria as an index for prognosis judgement

S. Okano, DVM, PhD, M. Yoshida, DVM, U. Fukushima, DVM, PhD, S. Higuchi, DVM, PhD, Department of Small Animal Medicine, K. Takase, DVM, PhD, Department of Veterinary Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan M. Hagio, DVM, PhD, Department of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan S. OKANO, M. YOSHIDA, U. FUKUSHIMA, S. HIGUCHI, K. TAKASE, M. HAGIO
The Sterol Methyltransferases SMT1, SMT2, and SMT3 Influence Arabidopsis Development through Nonbrassinosteroid Products1[W][OA]

Plant sterols are structural components of cell membranes that provide rigidity, permeability, and regional identity to membranes. Sterols are also the precursors to the brassinosteroid signaling molecules. Evidence is accumulating that specific sterols have roles in pattern formation during development. COTYLEDON VASCULAR PATTERNING1 (CVP1) encodes C-24 STEROL METHYLTRANSFERASE2 (SMT2), one of three SMTs in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). SMT2 and SMT3, which also encodes a C-24 SMT, catalyze the reaction that distinguishes the synthesis of structural sterols from signaling brassinosteroid derivatives and are highly regulated. The deficiency of SMT2 in the cvp1 mutant results in moderate developmental defects, including aberrant cotyledon vein patterning, serrated floral organs, and reduced stature, but plants are viable, suggesting that SMT3 activity can substitute for the loss of SMT2. To test the distinct developmental roles of SMT2 and SMT3, we identified a transcript null smt3 mutant. Although smt3 single mutants appear wild type, cvp1 smt3 double mutants show enhanced defects relative to cvp1 mutants, such as discontinuous cotyledon vein pattern, and produce novel phenotypes, including defective root growth, loss of apical dominance, sterility, and homeotic floral transformations. These phenotypes are correlated with major alterations in the profiles of specific sterols but without significant alterations to brassinosteroid profiles. The alterations to sterol profiles in cvp1 mutants affect auxin response, demonstrated by weak auxin insensitivity, enhanced axr1 auxin resistance, ectopically expressed DR5:β-glucuronidase in developing embryos, and defective response to auxin-inhibited PIN2-green fluorescent protein endocytosis. We discuss the developmental roles of sterols implied by these results.
Consumers’ Perceived Interactivity and Intention to use Mobile Banking in Structural Equation Modeling

A fair amount studies has been carried out on mobile banking adoption but limited number of studies focused on perceived interactivity. In reality, literatures on the key motivations of the intention to use mobile banking are no common standard of measurement. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the factors influencing the Malaysian consumers’ intention to use mobile banking services. This research fills the gap by integrating technology acceptance model with perceived risk, perceived cost and perceived interactivity aspects are incorporated. This study’s foremost ambition is to analyze empirically the Malaysian consumers’ intention to use mobile banking services via structural equation modeling approach. The findings indicated usefulness, perceived cost, perceived interactivity, perceived risk, relative advantage and easefulness are significant determinants of consumers’ attitude towards using mobile banking which effects the consumers’ intention to use mobile banking. A critique of the destiny of mobile banking concludes this paper.