Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hormone-dependent Recruitment of NF-Y to the Uteroglobin Gene Enhancer Associated with Chromatin Remodeling in Rabbit Endometrial Epithelium*

Expression of the rabbit uteroglobin gene is hormonally induced in cells of the endometrial epithelium during the preimplantation phase of pregnancy. Here we show that progesterone activation of the gene is mediated by two clusters of hormone responsive elements located between 2.4 and 2.7 kilobase pairs upstream of the transcriptional start site. Between these two clusters, genomic footprinting studies in the intact endometrial epithelium reveal the hormone-inducible occupancy of several cis-acting elements. One of the protected elements shows sequence homology to the consensus binding site of the transcription factor NF-Y, which binds to the element in gel shift experiments. This uteroglobin Y box is essential for enhancer activity in transient transfection experiments with endometrial and non-endometrial cell lines, in accordance with the ubiquitous expression of NF-Y. To understand why binding of this ubiquitous factor to the uteroglobin Y box in endometrium depends on hormone induction, we examined the chromatin structure of the relevant gene region. In the uninduced state, the enhancer region appears to be organized into positioned nucleosomes. Upon hormone induction, this nucleosomal pattern is lost and the enhancer region becomes hypersensitive to nucleases, suggesting that a hormone-induced change in the local chromatin structure unmasks previously unaccessible binding sites for transcription factors. Our results emphasize the limitations of using transient transfection assays for the functional analysis of cis-acting elements and underline the need for including the native chromatin organization in this kind of studies.
Effect on energy supply contribution by incorporating rooftop photovoltaic systems within the City of Johannesburg

The City of Johannesburg (COJ), an economic hub of South Africa with a 17% national growth domestic product (GDP) and contributing 47% of Gauteng provincial economy, has been greatly impacted by the energy sustainability challenges that beset South Africa especially since the 2008 energy crisis. In Queensland, Australia, rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) has demonstrated to be an impeccable renewable (RE) source that has been utilised at a large scale to ease energy sustainability problems. The availability of over 2200kWh/m2 of annual average solar irradiance, vast amounts of unused rooftop spaces and land scarcity within COJ makes rooftop photovoltaic (PV) deployment a viable solution to ease the city's energy concerns. The research thus analyses the impact of implementing rooftop PV systems within COJ from an energy security improvement, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction and employment creation viewpoints using a case study of Langlaagte, Roodepoort and Sandton testing stations. Results indicated that 2.28GWh/year could be generated at 15.4% PV panel efficiency and 79% performance ratio contributing approximately 12.14% of the three sites' energy requirements, with a potential to produce 84.76GWh over a 25-year PV module lifespan. The results highlighted annual carbon emission reductions of 2349.43 tonnes, contributing over 12% of the annual emission reductions for the three sites, lessening emissions by 58735.75 tonnes over a 25-year lifespan. The generated energy capacity resulted in the creation of 68 temporary and permanent jobs in the city. Large scale deployment of rooftop PV systems can greatly reduce COJ's current 28.2% unemployment rate. The research results can assist COJ to evaluate the sustainability implications of a full-scale deployment of PV systems on the city's suitable rooftops. The research equips the city with informative data that can aid in strategy and policy formulation as the city endeavours to achieve its short and long term sustainability objectives.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY & LIFE SCIENCES Protective role of vitamin c against cytotoxicity induced by adriamycin in mice

In the present investigation the protective effects of ascorbic acid in adriamycin induced cytotoxicit y was evaluated in in vivo animal using analysis of chromosomal abe rrations in somatic cells of mice. Three doses of a scorbic acid were selected for modulation and given to animals a fter priming with adriamycin. The animals were sac rificed after 24hr. , 48 hr. and 72 hr and mitotic preparations we re made according to the standard method and slides were prepared. In AA treated animals, the percentage of chromosomal aberrations were found to be in signifi cant. But when perimed along with adriamycin, a significant d ecrease was observed in the percentage of chromosomal aberrations when animals primed with ascorbic acid. In conclusion our results indicate that vitamin C ameliorated genotoxicity induced by adrianycin in mice somatic in vivo.
Criando valor sustentável

Apesar da recente disseminacao do discurso da sustentabilidade, grande parte dos executivos ainda considera o desenvolvimento sustentavel uma especie de mal necessario, uma vez que envolve regulacoes, custos e responsabilidades onerosas. Este artigo apresenta um modelo complexo e multifacetado de criacao de valor para os acionistas que leva em conta os desafios globais do desenvolvimento sustentavel. Mostra, que a sustentabilidade nao e irreconciliavel com o crescimento economico, mas que, ao contrario, pode ser importante fonte de vantagem competitiva e de geracao de valor para acionistas e comunidade em geral.
Millimeter-wave Bragg diffraction of a micro-fabricated crystal structure

A millimeter-wave Bragg diffraction is described at 94 GHz by placing a model crystal in a parallel-plate waveguide, a crystal that is composed of dielectric rods by micro-fabrication or just metal stubs. In previously published designs, the angle occurring peak intensity could not match well with the Bragg's law because the multiple scattering is not negligible. The problem can be solved by reducing the scattering amplitude of the crystal, i.e. controlling the radius of dielectric rod or the height of metal stub, which is verified by the experiments as well as the simulation. This study offers a design guide for the instructional laboratory equipment and allows teachers to educate the students about the concepts of scattering and diffraction and millimeter-wave knowledge.
Probability and Algorithms

The most important questions of life are, for the most part, really only problems of probability. Strictly speaking one may even say that nearly all our knowledge is problematical; and in the small number of things which we are able to know with certainty, even in the mathematical sciences themselves, induction and analogy, the principal means for discovering truth, are based on probabilities, so that the entire system of human knowledge is connected with this theory. Pierre-Simon Laplace. Introduction to Theorie Analytique des Probabilities. Oeuvres, t. 7. Paris, 1886, p. 5.
eview mall molecule inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus-encoded NS 5 A protein scar

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a modern-day pandemic; 2–3% of the world’s population are thought to be infected with the virus and are subsequently at risk of developing end-stage liver diseases. The traditional standard of care (SOC) for HCV-infected patients has been limited to a regimen of pegylated-interferon alpha (pegIFN) and ribavirin; displaying low cure rates in a majority of patients and severe side effects. However, in 2011 the first direct-acting antivirals (DAA) were licensed to treat HCV-infected patients in combination with SOC, which served to elevate treatment response rates. The HCV drug development pipeline is currently populated with many additional and improved DAAs; primarily molecules that target the virus-encoded protease or polymerase enzymes. These molecules are being evaluated both in combination with the traditional SOC and together with other DAAs as all-oral pegIFN-free regimens with the ultimate goal of developing multiple DAA-containing HCV therapies that do not rely on an pegIFN backbone. A recent addition to the arsenal of HCV inhibitors in development is represented by an entirely new DAA class; molecules that target the HCV-encoded non-enzymatic NS5A protein. NS5A is essential for HCV propagation and, although its actual functions are largely unknown, it is likely a key regulator of viral genome replication and virion assembly. The protein is exquisitely sensitive to small moleculemediated inhibition; NS5A-targeting molecules are probably the most potent antiviral molecules ever discovered and exhibit a number of other attractive drug-like properties, including activity against many HCV genotypes/subtypes and once-daily dosing potential. Although their mechanism of action is unclear, NS5A-targeting molecules are already proving their utility in clinical evaluation; particularly as components of pegIFN-sparring DAA combination regimens. This review will aim to amalgamate our current understanding and knowledge of NS5A-targeting molecules; their discovery, properties, applications, and insight into their future impact as components of all-oral pegIFN-free DAA combination therapies to combat HCV infection. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Sustained-releasing hollow microparticles with dual-anticancer drugs elicit greater shrinkage of tumor spheroids

Polymeric particulate delivery systems are vastly explored for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. However, the preparation of polymeric particulate systems with the capability of providing sustained release of two or more drugs is still a challenge. Herein, poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid, 50:50) hollow microparticles co-loaded with doxorubicin and paclitaxel were developed through double-emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Hollow microparticles were formed through the addition of an osmolyte into the fabrication process. The benefits of hollow over solid microparticles were found to be higher encapsulation efficiency and a more rapid drug release rate. Further modification of the hollow microparticles was accomplished through the introduction of methyl-β-cyclodextrin. With this, a higher encapsulation efficiency of both drugs and an enhanced cumulative release were achieved. Spheroid study further demonstrated that the controlled release of the drugs from the methyl-β-cyclodextrin -loaded hollow microparticles exhibited enhanced tumor regressions of MCF-7 tumor spheroids. Such hollow dual-drug-loaded hollow microparticles with sustained releasing capabilities may have a potential for future applications in cancer therapy.
Evidence for the involvement of the ventro-medial prefrontal cortex in a short-term storage of visual images

The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of the ventro-medial prefrontal cortex in short-term visual memory. Patients with focal lesions to the right gyrus rectus were impaired on a size judgement task, which required short-term retention of laterally presented visual patterns. The impairment was most evident when the stimuli were addressed to the damaged hemisphere (left visual field presentations) and when separated by very short (50–500 ms) intervals. The findings suggest that the ventro-medial part of the orbitofrontal cortex, like the ventro-lateral part, is involved in short-term storage of icon-like representations of visual objects, and also that there exists a right-hemispheric specialization for that function. Our study presents the first direct evidence of such specific memory effects in humans using a lesion method and points to the importance of the right gyrus rectus area in maintaining the representation of stimuli after they are removed from view.
Uncovering the Knowledge Coordination Process in ICT Outsourcing

Required) Knowledge coordination has a central role in the successful performance of teams in different domains (e.g. software development and disaster response). It is also critical to harmoniously manage the interplay between customer and provider in an outsourced service desk. This paper seeks to explore how knowledge coordination is performed between two organizations in such environment. To this end, this study utilizes a grounded theory approach, which helps us to improve our understanding of this particular phenomenon, while developing context-oriented theory. A case study with a South American service provider, whose main focus is to satisfy the ICT outsourcing needs of customers, uncovers four categories of coordination mechanisms necessary to leverage knowledge between the provider and the customer: understanding the customer; building a sound base; operating across teams; and enhancing practices.
Efficient Estimation of Osteoporosis using Artificial Neural Networks

In this communication, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is applied to discriminate osteoporotic fracture and control cases in a group of 304 patients. ANN is one of the popular methods in optimization of complex engineering problems compared to the classical statistical methods. In our study group, we consider some parameters as inputs: three bone densitometry parameters (BMD) (Femoral neck BMD, total body BMD and L2L4 spine BMD), three fractal parameters [1,5] (Hmin, Hmean, Hmax), and age of the patient. We studied three ANN structures with various inputs and hidden neurons. We have reached up to 81.66% correct classification. In comparison we have tested a classical discriminant analysis (Mahalanobis-Fisher) and we only obtained 72% of correct classification. We can conclude that ANN is one of the promising methods in the diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Efficient cell characterization for SSTA

Statistical static timing analysis(SSTA) is an emerging technique that addresses increasing process variation effects on circuit behavior for designs at 65 nm and below. SSTA offers a number of advantages over traditional corner based static timing analysis(STA), most notably it provides a more realistic estimation of timing relative to actual silicon performance. Accurate statistical timing analysis needs accurate statistical cell models, which in turn requires a new approach to cell library characterization. A statistical cell characterization system must adequately capture the effects of variation, while simultaneously maintaining fast turnaround time to avoid being the bottleneck in the statistical analysis flow. In this paper, we review various issues in statistical timing analysis. We also describe an efficient library characterization methodology which can reduce the time needed to construct statistical cell library using interpolation.
The Separation of Benign and Malignant Mesothelial Proliferations

The separation of benign from malignant mesothelial proliferations has emerged as a major problem in the pathology of the serosal membranes. For both epithelial and spindle cell mesothelial processes, true stromal invasion is the most accurate indicator of malignancy, but stromal invasion is often difficult to assess, especially in small biopsies. In the pleural cavity, deep penetration of a thickened and fibrotic pleura or penetration of mesothelial cells into the fat of the chest wall are good indicators of malignancy; however, superficial entrapment of mesothelial cells and glands by organizing effusions is common in benign reactions and needs to be distinguished from invasion. In the peritoneal cavity, invasion of fat or of organ walls is again the most reliable indicator of malignancy, but entrapment of benign cells in organizing granulation tissue or between fat lobules is frequent and confusing. Proliferations confined to the pleural or peritoneal space, particularly linear arrays of atypical mesothelial cells on the free surface, should not be called malignant in the absence of unequivocal invasion. Cytologic atypia is often not helpful in separating benign from malignant reactions, because benign processes are commonly atypical and mesotheliomas are often deceptively monotonous. Densely packed mesothelial cells within the pleural space are frequent in benign reactions, but densely packed mesothelial cells within the stroma favor a diagnosis of malignancy. Organizing effusions (fibrous pleurisy) typically show zonation with high cellularity and cytologic atypia toward the pleural space and increasing fibrosis with decreasing cellularity and lesser atypia toward the chest wall, whereas sarcomatous (including desmoplastic) mesotheliomas do not demonstrate this type of zonation. Elongated capillaries perpendicular to the pleural surface are seen in organizing effusions but are not a feature of sarcomatous mesotheliomas. The combination of a paucicellular storiform pattern, plus invasion of the stroma (including fat and adjacent tissues), or bland necrosis, overtly sarcomatous foci, or distant metastases, is required for the diagnosis of desmoplastic mesothelioma. Necrosis is usually a sign of malignancy but is occasionally seen in benign mesothelial reactions. Keratin staining is useful in indicating the distribution of mesothelial cells, and particularly in demonstrating penetration of mesothelial cells into the stroma or adjacent structures, but is of no help in separating benign and malignant proliferations because both are keratin-positive. Although both p53 and EMA staining have been proposed as markers of mesothelial malignancy, in our experience they are not helpful for the individual case.
Task planning based on the interpretation of spatial structures

U ovom istraživanju razvijen je novi algoritam planiranja za transformaciju pocetnog neuređenog stanja objekata u uređeno konacno stanje. Zadatak algoritma planiranja je pronaci moguci niz djelovanja kojima se pocetno stanje okoline, kroz konacan broj diskretnih transformacija, može dovesti u zadano konacno stanje. Stanje okoline tumaci se kroz položaj i orijentaciju objekata. Zadatak planiranja rjesava se u dva koraka. Razvijena je konstruktivna heuristika pomocu koje se dobiva pocetni skup rjesenja. Konstruktivna heuristika koristi mutacije za generiranje pocetne populacije. Genetski algoritam je razvijen za optimizaciju pocetnog skupa rjesenja. Genetski algoritam karakteriziran je usporednom evolucijskom strategijom za pronalaženje rjesenja, s ciljem prostorne pretvorbe neuređenog stanja objekata u uređeno, ogranicen na dvodimenzionalnu interpretaciju radnog prostora. Verifikacija algoritma planiranja napravljena je u virtualnom okruženju.
Causal psychological factors involved in dental phobia

The study was designed in order to allow the investigation of theoretical predictions regarding the determinants of dental phobia. By way analysis we test under which conditions self-cognitions have a direct action or not on the semeiology of dentist oriented anxiety. We also study the role of the pain and of pre-existent anxiogenic fond. The sample was made of 198 participants (teenagers and adults aged between 15 and 35 years old) who were assessed with a scale package during one session before the stomatological intervention phase. The study indicates that the anxiogenic fond is the one residing at the basis of developing specific phobia for dentist and for administered treatment. Previous pain experience in association with basal anxiety creates the set of mediators between irrational beliefs and self-esteem oscillations.
Contrast-Enhanced 3-D MRA in Decision Making for Carotid Endarterectomy: A 6-Year Experience

Background: Systematic need for angiography in diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis and indication of surgical therapy is still debated. Noninvasive imaging techniques such as MR angiography (MRA) or CT angiography (CTA) offer an alternative to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and are increasingly used in clinical practice. In this study, we present the radiological characteristics and clinical results of a series of patients operated on the basis of combined ultrasonography (US)/MRA. Methods: This observational study included all the patients consecutively operated for a carotid stenosis in our Department from October 1998 to December 2004. The applied MRA protocol had previously been established in a large correlation study with DSA. DSA was used only in case of discordance between US and MRA. The preoperative radiological information furnished by MRA was compared with intraoperative findings. The outcome of the operation was assessed according to ECST criteria. Results: Among 327 patients, preoperative MRA was performed in 278 (85%), DSA in 44 (13.5%) and CT angiography in 5 (1.5%). Most of DSA studies were performed as emergency for preparation of endovascular therapy or for reasons other than carotid stenosis. Eleven additional DSA (3.3%) complemented US/MRA, mostly because diverging diagnosis of subocclusion of ICA. No direct morbidity or intraoperative difficulty was related to preoperative MRA. Combined mortality/major morbidity rate was 0.9% (3 patients) and minor morbidity rate 5.5% (18 patients). Conclusions: This observational study describes a well-established practice of carotid surgery and supports the exclusive use of non invasive diagnostic imaging for indicating and deciding the operation.
Seeking a Diagnosis for Memory Problems: The Experiences of Caregivers and Families in 5 Limited English Proficiency Communities

Limited data exist on how members of different cultures understand dementia. The Northwestern Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center in collaboration with Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly and Alzheimer's Association-Greater Illinois Chapter collaborated to raise awareness in 5 limited English proficiency (LEP) communities (Assyrian, Arabic, Bosnian, Hindi, and Urdu) during 2005 to 2008 through a grant from the Administration on Aging Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants to States. After the second year of the program, 267 individuals with cognitive impairment were identified with cognitive impairment and enrolled; however, only 13% of those sought a medical evaluation to obtain a diagnosis or further help for their memory problems. This project sought to: (1) understand how these LEP community groups conceptualize dementia and (2) understand reasons LEP communities sought or did not seek a diagnosis. Using a community-based participatory research approach, ethnic community leaders conducted 48 interviews in a convenience sample of persons enrolled in the previous Administration on Aging demonstration grant. These interviews were conducted with family members of identified persons with dementia in their native language. Interview notes were translated and subjected to thematic analysis. The majority view memory loss as explainable and normative—due to aging, reaction to medication or trauma experienced by war, family problems, or the immigration experience. This conceptualization and the perception that a doctor cannot help influenced whether they sought an evaluation. Those who saw a doctor were looking for medical treatment and help with difficult behaviors. Experience in the doctor's office was variable. Discussion of analysis with ethnic communities revealed the significance of stigma in the data gathering. Continued community-based participatory research approaches with LEP communities could further highlight needs for culturally relevant education and intervention.