Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Semantic Interoperability Architecture for Pervasive Computing and Internet of Things

Pervasive computing and Internet of Things (IoTs) paradigms have created a huge potential for new business. To fully realize this potential, there is a need for a common way to abstract the heterogeneity of devices so that their functionality can be represented as a virtual computing platform. To this end, we present novel semantic level interoperability architecture for pervasive computing and IoTs. There are two main principles in the proposed architecture. First, information and capabilities of devices are represented with semantic web knowledge representation technologies and interaction with devices and the physical world is achieved by accessing and modifying their virtual representations. Second, global IoT is divided into numerous local smart spaces managed by a semantic information broker (SIB) that provides a means to monitor and update the virtual representation of the physical world. An integral part of the architecture is a resolution infrastructure that provides a means to resolve the network address of a SIB either using a physical object identifier as a pointer to information or by searching SIBs matching a specification represented with SPARQL. We present several reference implementations and applications that we have developed to evaluate the architecture in practice. The evaluation also includes performance studies that, together with the applications, demonstrate the suitability of the architecture to real-life IoT scenarios. In addition, to validate that the proposed architecture conforms to the common IoT-A architecture reference model (ARM), we map the central components of the architecture to the IoT-ARM.
Changes in Chromatin Conformation during Radiation-Induced Apoptosis in Human Lymphocytes

Abstract Belyaev, I. Y. , Czene, S. and Harms-Ringdahl, M. Changes in Chromatin Conformation during Radiation-Induced Apoptosis in Human Lymphocytes. Radiat. Res. 156, 355–364 (2001). Human peripheral lymphocytes in G0 phase were irradiated with 1–5 Gy of γ rays. The biochemical and morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis were examined for 72 h after irradiation. In parallel, changes in chromatin conformation were studied by the method of anomalous viscosity time dependence (AVTD) and by measurements of nuclear halo size. An immediate and dose-dependent relaxation of chromatin, which became saturated at doses above 2–3 Gy, was revealed by the AVTD method. The state of relaxed chromatin lasted up to 12–24 h after irradiation, a response considerably longer than the time attributable to repair of radiation-induced DNA breaks. Measurements of nuclear halo size also indicated the initial relaxation of chromatin in the irradiated cells and its subsequent condensation. This condensation of chromatin as revealed with AVTD correlated well with nuclear condensation, as measured with dual fluorescence staining, and with DNA fragmentation, as measured by conventional and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Late apoptotic cells did not contribute significantly to the AVTD signal, showing that the chromatin of these cells was completely condensed and fragmented.
The association between Histone 3 Lysine 27 Trimethylation ( H 3 K 27 me 3 ) and Prostate Cancer : Relationship with Clinicopathological

Background: It is well established that genetic and epigenetic altera tions are common events in prostate cancer, which may lead to aberrant expression of crit ical genes. The importance of epigenetic mechanisms in prostate cancer carcinogenesis is increasingly evident. In this study, the focus will be on histone modifications and the primary objectives are to map H3K27me3 marks and quantify RAR beta 2, ER alpha, SRC3, RGMA, PGR, and EZH2 gene expressions in prostate cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. In addition, a data analysis was made i n connection with the clinicopathological parameters. Patients and methods: 71 normal specimens and 66 cancer prostate tissues were randomly selected in order to assess the proportion of the repressive H3K27me3 chromatin m arks and gene expression. H3K27me3 levels were evaluated by ChIP-qPCR and mRNA expression usi ng RT-qPCR between prostate cancer and normal tissues. Subsequently, western-blotting w as performed for protein detection. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, and Tukey’s test was used to correct for multiple comparisons (p-value threshold of 0.05). The principal componen t analysis (PCA) and Page | 2 discriminant factorial analysis (DFA) were used to explore association between H3K27me3 level and clinicopathological parameters. Results: The study demonstrated that H3K27me3 level was significantly e riched at RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR, and RGMA promoter regions in prostate cancer tissues compared to normal ti ssues. After stratification by clinicopathological parameters, the H3K27me 3 level was positively correlated with Gleason score, PSA level and clinical stage for RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR, and RGMA. High H3K27me3 mark was significantly associated with decreased RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR and RGMA gene expressions in prostate cancer sample compared to the norma l one. Moreover, the results showed that mRNA level of EZH2, AR and SRC3 are upregulated in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate tissues and this correlates positively with Gleas on score, PSA levels and clinical stages. Obviously, these observations were confirmed by protein level using western -blot. Conclusions: This data clearly demonstrated that H3K27me3 level correla ted with aggressive tumor features. Also this study revealed that reverse correlation of RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR, and RGMA expressions with EZH2, SRC3, and AR expressions in prostate cancer tissues suggests that these ge n are the target of EZH2. Therefore, all therapeutic strategies leading to histone demet hylation with epigenetic drugs such as histone methyltransferase inhibitor may be relevant treatments against
Title Effects and mechanisms of action of sildenafil citrate in humanchorionic arteries

Objectives: Sildenafil citrate, a specific phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, is increasingly used for pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy. Sildenafil is also emerging as a potential candidate for the treatment of intra-uterine growth retardation and for premature labor. Its effects in the fetoplacental circulation are not known. Our objectives were to determine whether phosphodiesterase-5 is present in the human feto-placental circulation, and to characterize the effects and mechanisms of action of sildenafil citrate in this circulation. Study Design: Ex vivo human chorionic plate arterial rings were used in all experiments. The presence of phosphodiesterase-5 in the feto-placental circulation was determined by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. In a subsequent series of pharmacologic studies, the effects of sildenafil citrate in pre-constricted chorionic plate arterial rings were determined. Additional studies examined the role of cGMP and nitric oxide in mediating the effects of sildenafil. Results: Phosphodiesterase-5 mRNA and protein was demonstrated in human chorionic plate arteries. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated phosphodiesterase-5 within the arterial muscle layer. Sildenafil citrate produced dose dependent vasodilatation at concentrations at and greater than 10 nM. Both the direct cGMP inhibitor methylene blue and the cGMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS significantly attenuated the vasodilation produced by sildenafil citrate. Inhibition of NO production with L-NAME did not attenuate the vasodilator effects of sildenafil. In contrast, sildenafil citrate significantly enhanced the vasodilation produced by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside. Conclusion: Phosphodiesterase-5 is present in the feto-placental circulation. Sildenafil citrate vasodilates the feto-placental circulation via a cGMP dependent mechanism involving increased responsiveness to NO. Published: 23 April 2009 Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2009, 7:34 doi:10.1186/1477-7827-7-34 Received: 6 November 2008 Accepted: 23 April 2009 This article is available from: http://www.rbej. com/content/7/1/34 © 2009 Maharaj et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2009, 7:34 http://www.rbej. com/content/7/1/34
Regulation of STAT1 Nuclear Export by Jak1

ABSTRACT Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) mediates gene expression in response to cytokines and growth factors. Activation of STAT1 is achieved through its tyrosine phosphorylation, a process that involves Jak tyrosine kinases. Here we show that STAT1, although phosphorylated on Y701, is unable to localize in the nucleus in the absence of Jak1 or Jak1 kinase activity. In contrast, the nuclear accumulation of STAT1 in Tyk2-deficient cells remains intact. Nuclear presence of tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT1 could be restored in Jak1-deficient cells by leptomycin B, an inhibitor of nuclear export. Amino acids 197 to 205 of STAT1 were found to encode a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES). An L→A mutation within the NES restored nuclear retention of STAT1 in Jak1-deficient cells. Impaired binding of the transcriptional coactivator CBP to tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT1 derived from Jak1-deficient cells offers a model for the intermolecular regulation of the nuclear export sequence.
The Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Associations of Grief and Complicated Grief With Sleep Quality in Older Adults

ABSTRACT Objective/Background: About 15% of grievers experience complicated grief. We determined cross-sectional and longitudinal relations of grief and complicated grief with sleep duration and quality in the general population of elderly adults. Participants: We included 5,421 men and women from the prospective population-based Rotterdam Study. Methods: The Inventory of Complicated Grief was used to define grief and complicated grief. We assessed sleep with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: After 6 years, 3,511 (80% of survivors) underwent the follow-up interview. Complicated grief was cross-sectionally associated with shorter sleep duration and lower sleep quality. These associations were explained by the presence of depressive symptoms. The prospective analyses showed that sleep duration and sleep quality did not decline further during follow-up of persons who experienced grief or complicated grief. Conclusion: In community-dwelling, middle-aged and older adults, persons with normal and complicated grief had both a shorter sleep duration and a lower sleep quality, mainly explained by depressive symptoms. However, prospective analyses showed that sleep quality and sleep duration do not decline further in persons with normal grief and complicated grief.
Superstition, witchcraft and HIV prevention in sub-Saharan Africa: the case of Ghana

Belief in superstition and witchcraft is central to many African conceptions of illness, disease causation and etiology. While a number of anthropological studies have alluded to a theoretical link between such beliefs and HIV prevention in particular, there is limited empirical assessment of the association. Using data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey and applying random-effects logit models, we investigate whether the belief that AIDS can spread through witchcraft associates with the sexual decision making of never-married men and women. The results show that men who believed AIDS can spread through witchcraft and other supernatural means were less likely to have used condoms at last sexual intercourse, controlling for other socioeconomic and cultural variables. Women with similar beliefs were more likely to have experienced sexual intercourse but less likely to have used condoms at last sex. For women, however, the relationship between such superstitious beliefs and condom use was somewhat attenuated after controlling for ethnicity and region of residence. From a policy perspective, the findings suggest that local beliefs regarding AIDS causation must be considered in designing HIV/AIDS programmes and interventions.
Functional Centromeres Determine the Activation Time of Pericentric Origins of DNA Replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The centromeric regions of all Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosomes are found in early replicating domains, a property conserved among centromeres in fungi and some higher eukaryotes. Surprisingly, little is known about the biological significance or the mechanism of early centromere replication; however, the extensive conservation suggests that it is important for chromosome maintenance. Do centromeres ensure their early replication by promoting early activation of nearby origins, or have they migrated over evolutionary time to reside in early replicating regions? In Candida albicans, a neocentromere contains an early firing origin, supporting the first hypothesis but not addressing whether the new origin is intrinsically early firing or whether the centromere influences replication time. Because the activation time of individual origins is not an intrinsic property of S. cerevisiae origins, but is influenced by surrounding sequences, we sought to test the hypothesis that centromeres influence replication time by moving a centromere to a late replication domain. We used a modified Meselson-Stahl density transfer assay to measure the kinetics of replication for regions of chromosome XIV in which either the functional centromere or a point-mutated version had been moved near origins that reside in a late replication region. We show that a functional centromere acts in cis over a distance as great as 19 kb to advance the initiation time of origins. Our results constitute a direct link between establishment of the kinetochore and the replication initiation machinery, and suggest that the proposed higher-order structure of the pericentric chromatin influences replication initiation.
Transcriptional Targeting of Lentiviral Vectors by Long Terminal Repeat Enhancer Replacement

ABSTRACT Gene therapy of many genetic diseases requires permanent gene transfer into self-renewing stem cells and restriction of transgene expression to specific progenies. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-derived lentiviral vectors are very effective in transducing rare, nondividing stem cell populations (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells) without altering their long-term repopulation and differentiation capacities. We developed a strategy for transcriptional targeting of lentiviral vectors based on replacing the viral long terminal repeat (LTR) enhancer with cell lineage-specific, genomic control elements. An upstream enhancer (HS2) of the erythroid-specific GATA-1 gene was used to replace most of the U3 region of the LTR, immediately upstream of the HIV type 1 (HIV-1) promoter. The modified LTR was used to drive the expression of a reporter gene (the green fluorescent protein [GFP] gene), while a second gene (a truncated form of the p75 nerve growth factor receptor [ΔLNGFR]) was placed under the control of an internal constitutive promoter to monitor cell transduction, or to immunoselect transduced cells, independently from the expression of the targeted promoter. The transcriptionally targeted vectors were used to transduce cell lines, human CD34+ hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells, and murine bone marrow (BM)-repopulating stem cells. Gene expression was analyzed in the stem cell progeny in vitro and in vivo after xenotransplantation into nonobese diabetic-SCID mice or BM transplantation in coisogenic mice. The modified LTR directed high levels of transgene expression specifically in mature erythroblasts, in a TAT-independent fashion and with no alteration in titer, infectivity, and genomic stability of the lentiviral vector. Expression from the modified LTR was higher, better restricted, and showed less position-effect variegation than that obtained by the same combination of enhancer-promoter elements placed in a conventional, internal position. Cloning of the woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element at a defined position in the targeted vector allowed selective accumulation of the genomic transcripts with respect to the internal RNA transcript, with no loss of cell-type restriction. A critical advantage of this targeting strategy is the use of a spliced, major viral transcript to express a therapeutic gene and that of an internal, independently regulated promoter to express an additional gene for either cell marking or in vivo selection purposes.
How to make the best strategy to manage thromboembolism in ovarian cancer?

Ovariancancerhasseveraluniquecharacteristicsamong� adultsolidtumors:�thehighestriskofthromboembolismfrom� thediseaseburdenitselfandrelatedtreatments,�survivalben- efitofextensivecytoreductivesurgerytominimizeresidual� tumorevenincasesofperitonealseeding,�andthestrongest� hereditaryportioninadultsolidtumors. Riskfactorsforvenousthromboembolicdiseaseincludes� activecancer,�advancedstage,�cancertypesuchasgyneco- logiccancers,�regionalbulkylymphadenopathywithextrinsic� vascularcompression,�familialand/oracquiredhypercoagu- lability,�medicalcomorbidities,�poorperformancestatus,�and� oldage�(1). �Ovariancanceristheoneofthebulkymalignant� tumorsoftheperitonealcavity,�andtherefore,�wecanassume� thattherewillbeaveryhighriskofthromboembolisminsuch� patients. �Theriskofthromboembolismisrelatedtosecret- ingfactorsfromthetumorsuchastissuefactors,�reduced� physicalactivity,�andchemotherapy. �Extensivecytoreductive� surgerytominimizeresidualtumorisessentialforthebest� treatmentoutcomesintermsofdiseasespecificsurvivalinthe� managementofovariancancer. �Classically,�extensivesurgery� andpelvicsurgeryareclassifiedasoneoftheriskfactorsfor� surgery-relatedthromboembolism. �Contrarytocommonbe- lief,�extensivecytoreductivesurgeryisnotrelatedtotherisk� ofpostoperativethromboembolisminpatientswithovarian� cancer�(2,3). �Thismaybeexplainedbythefactthattheriskof� thromboembolismisrelatedcloselywithtumorburdenrather� thanthesurgicalprocedureitselfwhileprovidingdualthrom- boprophylaxisconsistingofgradientstockingsandenoxa- parinadministration. �Theriskofthromboembolismshould� becarefullyevaluatedwheneverthereissuspiciousovarian� cancer,�andclinicalsuspicionismostimportant. �Symptomsof� thromboembolismsuchasdyspneaand/orlegedemacanbe� easilyignoredbecauseascites,�pleuraleffusion,� orlymphede- maiscommonlyidentifiedinovariancancerpatients. �There- fore,�carefulandobjectiveevaluationisrequiredforovarian� cancerpatientswithsuchsymptoms. Inthisissue,�Kawaguchietal. �revealedthatD-dimerlevel� of� 1.5�µg/mL. � D-dimerisnotexpensiveandverysimpletoevaluate. �Because� thromboembolismmayresultinalife-threateningevent,�early� detectionofthromboembolismisobviouslyveryimportant. � Prospectivestudiesforsubclinicaldetectionofthrombo- embolismusingD-dimerand/orthromboembolism-related� symptomsarerequiredtoconfirmthecost-effectivenessand/ orsurvivalbenefit. �Newrecommendationsontheguidelines� ofthromboembolismisrequiredbasedoncurrentevidence� andresultsfromfutureclinicaltrials.
Detection of pinching gestures using a depth sensor and its application to 3D modeling

Focusing on the pinching movement to develop an intuitive 3D input interface for drawing in the 3D space, we proposed the interface capable of inputting information for hand gestures simultaneously with three degree of freedom for positions, three degree of freedom for postures, and one degree of freedom for On/Off toggle. Moreover, we showed the accuracy for posture input quantitatively by conducting the evaluation experiment, and created the application using the proposed interface to evaluate its usefulness. The result demonstrated that the proposed method enables a finely-shaped form to be created by means of hand gestures and it may be sufficiently created as an input interface for this application.
Reactions of Albino Rats to Injections of Dextran

Summary and Conclusions Albino rats give a demonstrable reactin of redness, swelling of loose tissue, pruritis and stupor, when injected with doses of Dextran comparable to recommended doses for humans. Three different lots of Dextran gave the same reactions. Fractions of varying mean molecular weight all vave prompt reactions when administered intravenously. The delay in reaction following intraperitoneal injection may be related to the time required for the Dextran to enter the general circulation in sufficient quantity. The larger molecules pass more slowly into the circulating blood. Dextran reactions in rats following injections on subsequent days are diminished.
A randomized, controlled trial of a low-dose contraceptive containing 20 microg of ethinyl estradiol and 100 microg of levonorgestrel for acne treatment.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of a low-dose oral contraceptive (OC) containing 100 microg of levonorgestrel (LNG) and 20 microg of ethinyl estradiol (EE) compared with placebo for the treatment of moderate acne. DESIGN Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING Outpatient dermatology clinics. PATIENT(S) Women (> or =14 years old; n = 350) with normal menstrual cycles and moderate acne were randomized to receive LNG/EE or placebo for six cycles. INTERVENTION(S) Twenty microg of EE and 100 microg of LNG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Acne lesion counts and clinician global assessment were performed at baseline and at each cycle. Patient self-assessment was carried out at baseline and at cycles 4 and 6; blood pressure and weight were measured at baseline and at cycles 1, 3, and 6. RESULT(S) Inflammatory, noninflammatory, and total lesion counts at cycle 6 with LNG/EE were significantly lower compared to placebo. Patients in the LNG/EE group also had significantly better clinician global and patient self-assessment scores than those in the placebo group at cycle. Changes in weight from baseline were similar between patients in the LNG/EE and placebo groups at all measured time points. CONCLUSION(S) This double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrates that a low-dose OC containing 20 microg of EE and 100 microg of LNG is an effective and safe treatment for moderate acne.
Application of Hidden Markov Model to Analyze Enthusiasts' Dynamics of a Lifestyle Brand

This study investigates the dynamics of customers' buying behavior of a prominent lifestyle brand in Japan with an unique brand community. The analysis examines the lifestyle of its customers, from dimensions of customers' enthusiasm towards the brand to purchase preference factors of where, when, and how purchases. We construct a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to relate the customers' profile based on the multiple purchase preference factors to observe buying behavior over four different periods. Using this model, we have identified six relationship states and classified customers into corresponding behavioral sets over four periods. Finally, the hidden customer states are compared among male, female, mature, and variety of shop visits behavior for identifying key behavioral differences. The findings on customer behavioral dynamics are useful to retailers for the purpose of enhancing services and customer experiences through more appropriate product recommendations and for new product development.
Regional Wireless Network Platform for Context-Aware Services and Its Implementation

Nerve Net is a concept of regional wireless access platform where multiple service providers can provide their own services with the shared use of the network and sensors, making various context-aware services practical. It works as the nervous system of the human beings. Densely located, interconnected access points with database and data processing unit will provide mobility to terminals without a location server and will enable secure sensor data transport on a highly reliable, managed mesh network. The motivation, concept, architecture, system configuration, and preliminary performance results of Nerve Net are introduced.