Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic Analysis of Calcium Remodeling in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells undergo the remodeling of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, which contributes to cancer hallmarks such as enhanced proliferation, invasion and survival. Ca2+ remodeling includes critical changes in store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) and Ca2+ store content. Some changes have been investigated at the molecular level. However, since nearly 100 genes are involved in intracellular Ca2+ transport, a comprehensive view of Ca2+ remodeling in CRC is lacking. We have used Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to investigate differences in expression of 77 selected gene transcripts involved in intracellular Ca2+ transport in CRC. To this end, mRNA from normal human colonic NCM460 cells and human colon cancer HT29 cells was isolated and used as a template for transcriptomic sequencing and expression analysis using Ion Torrent technology. After data transformation and filtering, exploratory analysis revealed that both cell types were well segregated. In addition, differential gene expression using R and bioconductor packages show significant differences in expression of selected voltage-operated Ca2+ channels and store-operated Ca2+ entry players, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, Ca2+ release channels, Ca2+ pumps, Na+/Ca2+ exchanger isoforms and genes involved in mitochondrial Ca2+ transport. These data provide the first comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of Ca2+ remodeling in CRC.
A Wideband Cavity-Backed Elliptical Printed Dipole Antenna With Enhanced Radiation Patterns

A new wideband unidirectional cavity-backed elliptical printed dipole antenna with enhanced radiation patterns is proposed. The cavity utilized in the proposed antenna is a simple cylindrical cavity, which can generate broadside radiation patterns. An elliptical printed dipole director is placed in front of the elliptical printed dipole antenna for improving the radiation patterns in the upper frequency band. The antenna is fed by an SMA connector through a step-tapered balun accomplishing a transition from a microstrip line to a parallel stripline. The antenna is fabricated and measured. Results show that the antenna achieves an impedance bandwidth of 129.7% for ${\rm VSWR}\leq 2.0$ from 1.55 to 7.27 GHz. Stable unidirectional radiation patterns with an antenna gain of 8.04–13.27 dBi, low back radiation, and low cross polarization are found over the operating frequencies.
HELICOBACTER PYLORI: AN INTRODUCTION

Arshad Mehmood, M. Akram, Shahab-uddin Afzal Ahmed, Khan Usmanghani, Abdul Hannan, E. Mohiuddin, M. Asif, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Department of Surgery and Allied Sciences Department of Pre-clinical Sciences, Faculty of Eastern Medicine, Hamdard University. Department of Conventional Medicine, Islamia University Bahawalpur
Assessing Market Access: Do Developing Countries Really Get a Preferential Treatment?

This paper provides an assessment of the existing preferences on the products currently exported in a few key developed countries’ markets: EU, Japan and US. The analysis is undertaken drawing on the trade preferences database provided by the most recent version (release 6) of the GTAP database. This includes a presentation of the structure of tariff regimes in these key developed countries and identification of countries and sectors that are most reliant on tariff preferences. The paper computes theoretically consistent protection indexes using a comparative static applied general equilibrium model (Global Trade Analysis Project – GTAP) featuring imperfect competition. We construct bilateral indicators of protection focused on the applied tariffs faced by the exports of each country, using an index of trade policy restrictiveness, the Mercantilistic Trade Restrictiveness Index (MTRI), as the tariff aggregator. Our results provide a picture which is quite different from the one yielded by traditional indexes, such as the trade-weighted tariff average, or market access measures based on bound tariffs.
Sequence Analysis of the gyrA andparC Homologues of a Wild-Type Strain of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Its Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Mutants

ABSTRACT Vibrio parahaemolyticus causes seafood-borne gastroenteritis in humans. It is particularly important in Japan, where raw seafood is frequently consumed. Fluoroquinolone is one of the current drugs of choice for treating patients infected by V. parahaemolyticus because resistant strains are rarely found. To study a possible fluoroquinolone resistance mechanism in this organism, nucleotide sequences that are homologous to known gyrA andparC genes have been cloned from V. parahaemolyticus AQ3815 and sequenced by amplification with degenerate primers of the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR), followed by cassette ligation-mediated PCR. Open reading frames encoding polypeptides of 878 and 761 amino acid residues were detected in the gyrA and parC homologues, respectively. The V. parahaemolyticus GyrA and ParC sequences were most closely related to Erwinia carotovora GyrA (76% identity) and Escherichia coli ParC (69% identity) sequences, respectively. Ciprofloxacin-resistant mutants of AQ3815 were obtained on an agar medium by multistep selection with increasing levels of the quinolone. One point mutation only in the gyrA QRDR was detected among mutants with low- to intermediate-level resistance, while point mutations in both the gyrA and parCQRDRs were detected only in strains with high-level resistance. These results strongly suggest that, as in other gram-negative bacteria, GyrA and ParC are the primary and secondary targets, respectively, of ciprofloxacin in V. parahaemolyticus.
A 179-mW 2304-bit flexible LDPC decoder for Wireless-MAN applications

A 2304-bit flexible decoder for low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes is presented for Wireless-MAN applications. Based on modified turbo-decoding message-passing (M-TDMP) algorithm, the decoder achieves low complexity as well as fast convergence which produces high throughput of 138 Mbps working at 50 MHz. By adopting a novel scheme for early termination of iteration, the proposed decoder obtains large power efficiency. The decoder is implemented in SMIC 0.18 ¿m 1P6M CMOS technology, features a power dissipation of 179-mW operating at 50 MHz, and costs an area of 12.5 mm2.
Slit Diaphragm Protein Neph1 and Its Signaling

Background: Neph1 is a podocyte protein that is critical for maintaining renal function. Results: Inhibiting Neph1 signaling preserves podocyte structure and function in response to glomerular injury-inducing agents. Conclusion: Maintaining a robust expression of Neph1 at the podocyte cell membrane protects podocytes from renal injury. Significance: This is the first report demonstrating that Neph1 signaling is a therapeutic target for preventing podocyte damage. Podocytes are specialized epithelial cells that are critical components of the glomerular filtration barrier, and their dysfunction leads to proteinuria and renal failure. Therefore, preserving podocyte function is therapeutically significant. In this study, we identified Neph1 signaling as a therapeutic target that upon inhibition prevented podocyte damage from a glomerular injury-inducing agent puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN). To specifically inhibit Neph1 signaling, we used a protein transduction approach, where the cytoplasmic domain of Neph1 (Neph1CD) tagged with a protein transduction domain trans-activator of transcription was transduced in cultured podocytes prior to treatment with PAN. The PAN-induced Neph1 phosphorylation was significantly reduced in Neph1CD-transduced cells; in addition, these cells were resistant to PAN-induced cytoskeletal damage. The biochemical analysis using subfractionation studies showed that unlike control cells Neph1 was retained in the lipid raft fractions in the transduced cells following treatment with PAN, indicating that transduction of Neph1CD in podocytes prevented PAN-induced mislocalization of Neph1. In accordance, the immunofluorescence analysis further suggested that Neph1CD-transduced cells had increased ability to retain endogenous Neph1 at the membrane in response to PAN-induced injury. Similar results were obtained when angiotensin was used as an injury-inducing agent. Consistent with these observations, maintaining high levels of Neph1 at the membrane using a podocyte cell line overexpressing chimeric Neph1 increased the ability of podocytes to resist PAN-induced injury and PAN-induced albumin leakage. Using a zebrafish in vivo PAN and adriamycin injury models, we further demonstrated the ability of transduced Neph1CD to preserve glomerular function. Collectively, these results support the conclusion that inhibiting Neph1 signaling is therapeutically significant in preventing podocyte damage from glomerular injury.
Well-developed Financial Intermediary Sector Promotes Stock Market Development

This article explores the interaction between a kingdom on the Himalayan frontier and colonial rule. Drawing on recent anthropological research regarding the local expression of political sovereignty through 'government by deity’ (devta ka raj), it aims to reinterpret the actions taken by Bashahr’s ruling class in relation to their colonial superiors. As British interests in modernisation and forestry challenged the rulers’ power base, the latter devised alternative methods in order to retain their authority. The increasing contestation of power in the latter half of the nineteenth century gradually polarised the kingdom’s ruling strata between those advocating accommodation to British rule and those bent on retaining their independence. The culmination of this process saw a transformed kingship in early twentieth–century Bashahr.
First Notification of Positive Blood Cultures and the High Accuracy of the Gram Stain Report

ABSTRACT When blood cultures turn positive, the attending physicians are usually notified immediately about Gram stain findings. However, information on the accuracy of Gram staining is very limited. We examined the accuracy of preliminary blood culture reports provided by a regional laboratory in an observational study including the years 1996, 2000 to 2001, and 2003. We used data from computer files and technicians' laboratory notes. The study was restricted to cultures with one morphological type. Using cultural identification as a reference, we estimated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) for the following defined morphological groups: gram-positive cocci in clusters, gram-positive cocci in chains or diplococci, gram-positive rods, gram-negative cocci, gram-negative rods, and yeasts. We further evaluated the Gram stain and wet mount findings for the most frequent bacterial species/groups. We obtained 5,893 positive blood cultures and the following results for the defined groups: sensitivity, range of 91.3 to 99.7%; specificity, 98.9 to 100%; PPV, 94.6 to 100%; and NPV, 99.0 to 100%. The sensitivity for the most frequent species was in the range 91.3 to 100%, with nonhemolytic streptococci having the lowest value (sensitivity, 91.3%; 95% confidence interval, 86.2 to 94.9%). Wet mount reports were less accurate (sensitivity of 30 to 70% for species with peritrichous motility), and Enterobacteriaceae (notably Salmonella spp.) accounted for 25% of the reports stating polar motility. In conclusion, we demonstrated a high accuracy of Gram stain reports, whereas wet mount microscopy was generally less accurate.
Extraction, purification and characterization of lectin from Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. white seeds (white kidney bean).

The purpose of the research was to study the purification and characterization of lectin from Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv.white seeds. The lectin was purified by sequence of steps , namly , first with ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by ion exchange (DEAE cellulose) and gel filtration (sephadex G-200) chromatographies , and finally by
Economic Integration in Asia: Quo Vadis Malaysia?

Neo-liberal globalization has accelerated the space of economic integration in Asia, particularly between the rising superpowers of China and India and other Asian nations. In this connection, this paper examines the degree of economic integration between Malaysia and the rapidly developing economies of China and India on the one hand and the United States and Japan on the other. This study shows that Malaysia is more integrated with China and India than with the United States and Japan. It is not that global integration is becoming less significant in Malaysia but that regional integration is becoming more deterministic.
Evaluation of a PCR-amplified IS6110 insertion element in the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison to microscopic methods in Sudan.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method (IS6110 insertion site) in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in sputum samples in comparison to smears by using culture on Loewenstein-Jensen medium as a standard. METHODS The study was conducted during the period 1999 through to 2000, at Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan, on 200 sputum samples. The samples were collected from patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis, were examined using a PCR amplified IS6110 insertion element in comparison to Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Culture on Loewenstein-Jensen medium was used as the standard to control the 2 tests. RESULTS Microscope sensitivity was found to be 65.4% and the specificity was 90.5%, whereas sensitivity of the IS6110 was 88.5% and specificity was 98.6%. CONCLUSION The study concluded that though IS6110 sensitivity was 13.1% higher than smear method, it provided a significant improvement in specificity for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Improvement is still needed to increase the sensitivity of the IS6110 methods by decreasing the number of the false negative samples before its use can be at routine levels.
A stochastic frontier model for measuring online bank profit efficiency

This study revisited an alternative profit efficiency function specified by Berger & Mester, (1997) and we applied Battese & Coelli, (1995) inefficiency model as a unified and consistent framework in exploring the determinants of important factors causing profit efficiency differential on banking industry in Bangladesh. Using stochastic frontier technique we estimated bank specific profit efficiency for the period 2000 to 2007. This study attempted to examine the changes in the profit efficiency in accordance with NBs (Nationalized Commercial Banks), ISBs (Islamic Banks), FBs (Foreign Banks) and PBs (Private Banks) and significant variations of efficiencies across different kinds of banks in time periods. We found that the profit inefficiency has declined over the reference period and Translog Production Function is more preferable than Cobb-Douglas Production Function. Our results showed that Nationalized Commercial Banks were significantly inefficient and on the contrary ISBs, FBs, and PBs were efficient in producing profit and noteworthy. The estimated year wise average efficiencies of the sample banks from the profit efficiency model was 0.664 while group wise average profit efficiency was 0,639. Dhaka Bank is highly efficient with score 0.89 and AB Bank was found lowest efficient with score 0,35 according to the sample data.
The Organization of Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Activities and Computer Use

In it, we describe the findings with respect to the second topic. However, several times mention will be made of the survey which was done in order to obtain the data relevant to the first topic. (A detailed description of the survey and its results can be found in an article in the January 1972 issue of the Journal of Business, "The Effect of Task Volume and Complexity upon Computer Use.") A survey of the literature on our present topic leaves the impression of a pronounced consensus among most authors that failure of computer projects is not due primarily to technical constraints but rather to the absence of a number of organizational conditions. ' Most
Employment Regimes and the Quality of Work

The book makes a major new contribution to the sociology of employment by comparing the quality of working life in European societies with very different institutional systems - France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, and Sweden. It focuses in particular on skills and skill development, opportunities for training, the scope for initiative in work, the difficulty of combining work and family life, and the security of employment. Drawing on a range of nationally representative surveys, it reveals striking differences in the quality of work in different European countries. It also provides for the first time rigorous comparative evidence on the experiences of different types of employee and an assessment of whether there has been a trend over time to greater polarization between a core workforce of relatively privileged employees and a peripheral workforce suffering from cumulative disadvantage. It explores the relevance of three influential theoretical perspectives, focussing respectively on the common dynamics of capitalist societies, differences in production regimes between capitalist societies, and differences in the institutional systems of employment regulation. It argues that it is the third of these - an 'employment regime' perspective - that provides the most convincing account of the factors that affect the quality of work in capitalist societies. The findings underline the importance of differences in national policies for people's experiences of work and point to the need for a renewal at European level of initiatives for improving the quality of work. Contributors to this volume - Martina Dieckhoff is Post-doctoral research fellow at the Danish National Institute of Social Research in Copenhagen. Duncan Gallie is an Official Fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford, and Professor of Sociology of the University of Oxford. Jean-Marie Jungblut is a researcher and project leader at the Centre of European Social Research (MZES) in Mannheim. Philip J. O'Connell is Research Professor and head of the Education and Labour Market Research Division at the Economic and Social Research Institute in Dublin. Stefani Scherer is a research fellow at Milano-Bicocca University, Department of Sociology and Social Research. Nadia Steiber is a Research Associate at the Institute of Sociology and Social Research at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. Michael Tahlin is Professor of Sociology at the Swedish Institute for Social Research (SOFI), Stockholm University. Serge Paugam is Professor of sociology and Director of the Department of Doctoral Studies in Sociology at the EHESS (Paris). He is also Director of a research team on Social Inequalities in the Centre Maurice Halbwachs (CNRS/EHESS/ENS). Ying Zhou is Research Officer at Nuffield College, Oxford.
The sensitivity of poverty rates to macro-level changes in the European Union

The authors use the European Union-wide tax--benefit model, EUROMOD, to establish baseline rates of relative poverty in 1998 for each of the Member States and then explore their sensitivity to (a) an increase in unemployment, (b) real income growth and (c) an increase in earnings inequality. They find that poverty rates are sensitive to such 'macro-level' changes but that the size--and in some cases the direction--of the effect varies across countries. If such indicators are to be used in judging the effectiveness of social policies, it is important that differences in responsiveness are fully understood. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
Current Thinking on the Relationship Between Rhinosinusitis and Asthma

An observation made initially on clinical grounds and epidemiologic evidence, i.e., that rhinosinusitis and asthma are closely linked diseases is now supported by a growing body of scientific evidence. Most recent evidence supports the characterization of rhinosinusitis and asthma as two compartmental expressions of a common mucosal susceptibility to exogenous stimuli. In addition, there is evidence that the compartmental processes can affect and amplify each other via a systemic intermediary. The bone marrow is involved in this process, and IL-5 may be a key cytokine for orchestrating the systemic interaction. These facts argue that rhinosinusitis and asthma are not simply localized disease processes but part of a systemic inflammatory disease affecting the respiratory tract. They also provide a compelling rationale for combined treatment strategies with consideration of the treatment of rhinosinusitis as a means of improving asthma control and monitoring for signs of bronchial involvement in those with rhinosinusitis.
A Graph Based Semi-Supervised Approach for Analysis of Derivational Nouns in Sanskrit

Derivational nouns are widely used in Sanskrit corpora and represent an important cornerstone of productivity in the language. Currently there exists no analyser that identifies the derivational nouns. We propose a semi supervised approach for identification of derivational nouns in Sanskrit. We not only identify the derivational words, but also link them to their corresponding source words. Our novelty comes in the design of the network structure for the task. The edge weights are featurised based on the phonetic, morphological, syntactic and the semantic similarity shared between the words to be identified. We find that our model is effective for the task, even when we employ a labelled dataset which is only 5 % to that of the entire dataset.
The influence of career planning towards insurance agents' strategy for career satisfaction

This research reports on the influence of career planning and career strategy on insurance agents’ career satisfaction. A total of 531 full-time insurance agents located in the Northern states of Peninsular Malaysia participated in this research. Using hierarchical multiple regression, researchers found that awareness of self and environment were positively related to career strategy and career satisfaction. Goal-setting had a positive relationship with career strategy and a negative influence on career satisfaction. The results further indicated that career strategy partially mediates the relationship between awareness of self and environment and career satisfaction. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings were also discussed. Field of Research: Human resource management, Career management
The Effect of Logistics Service Quality on Customer Loyalty through Relationship Quality in the Container Shipping Context

The objective of this research is to explore the role of logistics service quality in generating shipper loyalty, considering relationship quality in the unique context of container shipping. This is to fill the gaps revealed in the current understanding of ocean carrier-shipper relationships, particularly the lack of studies attempting to investigate shippers' future intentions to use the same carrier as opposed to the previous studies that focused on carrier selection criteria or on shippers' satisfaction with the service attributes. Soft concepts such as customer loyalty and logistics service quality have been increasingly explored in a variety of industries to offer further insight into the relationship issues. However, it was discovered that relatively few studies on this topic have been conducted in the context of maritime transport. The theoretical model is tested on data collected through a postal questionnaire survey of 227 freight forwarders in South Korea. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is employed to rigorously examine relationships among the extensive set of key variables simultaneously in a holistic manner. The findings demonstrate that container shipping lines should develop a high level of logistics service quality as well as relationship quality in order to attain higher (beyond mere satisfaction) levels of shippers' loyalty.