Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrated Comparison of GWAS, Transcriptome, and Proteomics Studies Highlights Similarities in the Biological Basis of Animal and Human Myopia.

Purpose To identify commonalities between the genes in close proximity to genome-wide association study (GWAS) refractive error and axial length loci, and the genes and proteins differentially expressed in animal models of optically induced refractive error. Methods The GWAS catalog was searched for loci significantly (P ≤ 5*10-8) associated with refractive error or axial length. PubMed was searched for exploratory animal transcriptome and proteomics studies of optically induced refractive error. A total of 15 GWAS, 7 transcriptome, and 9 proteomics studies met inclusion criteria. Ensembl's BioMart was used to identify human orthologs for the differentially expressed genes and proteins from animal studies. These orthologs were then compared to the protein-coding genes within 1 megabase (Mb), 500 kilobases (kb), and 250 kb of human GWAS loci by using the GeneOverlap R package, and Benjamini-Hochberg-adjusted P values and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each intersection. Results The genes near human GWAS loci overlapped significantly with the genes downregulated during early myopia induction in animals (1Mb: OR = 1.56, P = 0.025; 500 kb: OR = 1.92, P = 0.010; 250 kb: OR = 2.33, P = 0.010). There was also significant overlap between the genes and proteins differentially expressed in late myopia (OR = 4.12, P = 0.018). When animal study results were segregated by methodologic parameters, GWAS candidate genes overlapped significantly with the genes differentially expressed at early (OR = 1.50, P = 0.010) but not late (OR = 1.04, P = 0.684) induction time-points. Gene and protein expression responses also appeared well conserved across model species, and there was no evidence of greater GWAS-transcriptome concordance in similar species to humans (e.g., primates or mammals). Conclusions These findings suggest that genetic and environmental factors control ocular growth via similar biological pathways across species, and support the continued use of animal models for investigating the biological mechanisms underlying human myopia development.
Association of the Platelet Glycoprotein IIIa PIA1/A2 Gene Polymorphism to Coronary Artery Disease but not to Nonfatal Myocardial Infarction in Low Risk Patients

Summary Background. The platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa functions as a receptor for fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor during platelet aggregation. In a small case-control study, evidence has been presented that the PlA2 allele of the platelet glycoprotein GPIIIa PlA1/A2 gene polymorphism might be an independent risk factor for acute myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and Results. We explored the association of the PlA1A2 to the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), as assessed angiographically in 2252 male individuals, and to myocardial infarction (MI). The severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) was also estimated by calculating a CHD score according to Gensini. The PlA genotype was determined by allele specific restriction digestion. Relation of the PlA2 allele to CAD: In the total population, the frequency of the PlA2 allele was not associated to the presence or to the extent of CAD. Also the CHD scores of PlA1/PlA2 genotypes were essentially the same. However, after exclusion of individuals with high BMI (≥26.9 kg/m2) and/or low apoAI (<1.43 g/l) PlA2PlA2 carriers had clearly higher CHD scores than PlA1PlA1 genotypes; PlA1PlA2 heterozygotes had intermediate values (p <0.05). After division of the study population into one group of individuals without any angiographic signs of CAD (CHD score = 0) and into another group of patients with severe CAD (CHD score (≥120), a strong association of the PlA2 allele with severe CAD was also found in the same low risk groups; e.g. exclusion of persons with high BMI and low apoAI resulted in an Odds ratio of 5.37 (1.46-19.7) (p <0.02). Relation of the PlA2 allele to MI: No association was found between PlA1/PlA2 genotypes and risk of MI neither in the total population nor in low risk subgroups. Conclusions. Whereas no difference in the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies between controls and survivors of MI could be detected, the PlA2 allele is associated with CHD in low risk patients.
Long run/Short run Relationship between Inflation and Oil Price in Sri Lanka

Amarasinghe, A.A.M.D. , Department of Accountancy & Finance, Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka malithamarasinghe123@gmail.com Kumara, A.A.A.G. , Department of Accountancy & Finance, Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka aagkumara@gmail.com Walakumbura, S.H. M.L. , Department of Accountancy & Finance, Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka luckysabra@gmail.com
Ubiquitin E3 Ligase Itch Negatively Regulates Osteoblast Differentiation from Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells

Itch, a HECT family E3 ligase, affects numerous cell functions by regulating ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of target proteins. However, the role of Itch in osteoblasts has not been investigated. We report that Itch−/− mice have significantly increased bone volume, osteoblast numbers, and bone formation rate. Using bone marrow stromal cells from Itch−/− mice and wild‐type (WT) littermates as bone marrow mesenchymal precursor cells (BM‐MPCs), we found that BM‐MPCs from Itch−/− mice have compatible numbers of cells expressing mesenchymal stem cell markers. However, Itch−/− BM‐MPCs grew faster in an in vitro culture, formed more CFU‐F mesenchymal colonies, and exhibited increased osteoblast differentiation and decreased adipogenesis. Importantly, Itch−/− mesenchymal colony cells formed significantly more new bone in a tibial defect of recipient mice compared with WT cells. The expression levels of JunB, an AP‐1 transcription factor that positively regulate osteoblast differentiation, were significantly increased in Itch−/− BM‐MPCs when proteasome function is intact. In contrast, the amount of ubiquitinated JunB protein was markedly decreased in Itch−/− cells when proteasome function was blocked. Overexpression of WT Itch, but not an Itch ligase‐inactive mutant, rescued differentiation defects of Itch−/− BM‐MPCs. Itch−/− BM‐MPCs had a similar role in immune modulation as WT cells. Thus, Itch negatively controls osteoblast differentiation from BM‐MPCs through the regulation of proteasomal degradation of positive osteoblast regulator JunB protein. Itch is a potential new target for bone anabolic drug development to treat patients with bone loss. STEM Cells 2013;31:1574–1583
Metallization of sub-30 nm interconnects: Comparison of different liner/seed combinations

Narrow trenches with Critical Dimensions down to 17 nm were patterned in oxide using a sacrificial FIN approach and used to evaluate the scalability of TaN/Ta, RuTa, TaN + Co and MnOx metallization schemes. So far, the RuTa metallization scheme has proved to be the most promising candidate to achieve a successful metallization of 25 nm interconnects, providing high electrical yields and a good compatibility with the slurries used during CMP.
Hans Gertz Revisited: The Different Effects of Invisibility and Darkness on Pursuit Eye Movements

Subjects were required to track their self-moved hands with smooth eye movements in total darkness. The effect of holding transparent and opaque screens between the eyes and the hand upon pursuit eye movements was examined. Opaque screens produced a significant decrement in pursuit when the eye was moving in a direction in which it was generally less efficient at making smooth eye movements.
Promoter Hypermethylation and Its Impact on Expression of MGMT Gene in the GIT Malignant Patients of Kashmiri Origin

ABSTRACT Epigenetic alterations, in addition to multiple gene abnormalities, are involved in the genesis and progression of human cancers. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer is a major medical and economic burden worldwide. Aberrant methylation of CpG islands within promoter regions is associated with transcriptional inactivation of various tumor suppressor genes. Although a number of cancer-associated genes have been found to be hypermethylated in GIT cancer, valuable methylation markers for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of this cancer remain largely unknown. O6-methyguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a DNA-repair gene that removes mutagenic and cytotoxic adducts from the O6 position of guanine induced by alkylating agents. MGMT promoter hypermethylation and reduced expression have been found in some primary human carcinomas. We studied DNA methylation of CpG islands of the MGMT gene and its relation with MGMT protein expression in human GIT carcinomas. A total of 210 GIT tumor samples and 90 adjacent normal tissues were analyzed for MGMT promoter methylation by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction after bisulfite modification of DNA and same samples were analyzed for MGMT protein expression by Western blotting. The methylation frequencies of MGMT gene promoter were 41.4%, 34.2%, and 44.2% in stomach, esophageal, and colorectal cancer cases while as 16.6, 13.3, and 13.3 in respective controls. MGMT protein was found downregulated in controls of all GIT. The results suggest that methylation at CpG islands of MGMT may be responsible for the downregulation of MGMT protein expression in GIT cancers.
The inferior vena caval conduit — a neglected technique in transplantation of the right cadaveric kidney?

Abstract A short right renal vein may reduce access or compromise optimal positioning during transplantation of the right cadaveric kidney. This difficulty could be overcome by using the inferior vena cava (IVC) as a venous conduit to lengthen the short right renal vein. This manoeuvre would also facilitate training by ensuring safe tension‐free vascular anastomoses since the kidney can be lifted up a comfortable distance, thus improving exposure of the operative field. In a postal survey, only a third of UK renal transplant units utilised the IVC conduit. Despite 81.5 % of units claiming that they harvest the IVC during organ retrieval, a 2‐year retrospective audit revealed that only 4.3 % of imported right kidneys had the IVC. The IVC remains a much under‐utilised resource in the UK despite its potential benefit as a venous conduit in transplanting the right cadaveric kidney. We urge all retrieving surgeons to routinely harvest the IVC with right cadaveric kidneys during organ procurement.
An evaluative case study of curriculum development and implementation in PELUM College

An Evaluative Case Study of Curriculum Development and Implementation in PELUM College Zimbabwe This evaluative study examined the development and implementation of a multi-disciplinary agroecology and community development curriculum by PELUM College Zimbabwe, The college, which emerged to implement the curriculum, comprises of non-govemmental organisations, university departments and government agencies coordinated by PELUM Association, PELUM supports participalory ecological land-use management and the curriculum was aimed at community development workers, The curriculum's four pillars were: community development facilitation; natural resources management; sustainable crop and animal production; and organisational management. The study explored the conceptual integrity of the socially-critical oriented curriculum, focusing on the written curriculum; resource material development; participation; praxis; assessment and accreditation; as well as project planning and implementation by trainees, The methodology was essentially interpretive, with a participatory and praxiological orientation inspired by the socially critical framework of the curriculum, I gathered data over two years, analysing documents covering a period of nine years, and involving about 75 participants in the research through questionnaires, in-depth semi-slructured interviews and focus group discussions, My key findings were that the curriculum and the participatory process in which it had been developed and implemented had potential to address pedagogical and developmental shortcomings of more conventional curricula, The major weaknesses in the curriculum and its development arose from the under-utilisation of the curriculum framework that should have guided participation and decision-making, I examined tensions in the curriculum implementation, finding them similar to those experienced in other environmental education programmes in the reg ion , In keeping with the praxiological and formative orientation to the evaluation, I conclude with recommendations specific to the case under study, ; ( . /0
A Comparative Study of Teachers' Pedagogical Competencies in Supporting Children with Learning Difficulties in Primary Schools in Ghana and Brunei Darussalam.

Teachers’ pedagogical competencies level is increasingly affecting the implementation of inclusive education policy in many countries. The aimed at comparing primary school teachers’ competence levels in supporting children with learning difficulties in Brunei Darussalam and Ghana. Descriptive survey design was used and 188 primary school teachers from Brunei Darussalam and Ghana participated in the study. Results showed that teachers from Brunei Darussalam and Ghana had limited to moderate competencies in supporting children with learning difficulties in the general education classroom. In addition, the results showed that there was no significant difference between the competence level of teachers in Brunei Darussalam and Ghana. It is recommended both countries must work towards improving their teachers’ competencies in curriculum adaptation, instructional strategies, identification and assessment of children disabilities and their skills in collaboration. A Comparative Study of Teachers’ Pedagogical Competencies in Supporting Children with Learning Difficulties in Primary Schools in Ghana and Brunei Darussalam Brunei Darussalam and Ghana are both signatories to many international declarations and convention including the Declaration of Rights of Disabled Persons, 1975; the Convention on the children’ Rights to equal education, 1989, UNESCO’s World Conference of Education for All, at Jomtien, Thailand in 1990; and the Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education in 1994 (Norulfazidah, 2011; Koay et al., 2006; Kuyini & Mangope, 2011; UNESCO, 1994; Kuyini, 2013). These declarations, especially the Salamanca statement and Framework urged all governments to adopt, as a matter of law or guiding principles, the principles of inclusive education. Moreover, Brunei Darussalam and Ghana have made some strides in providing for the needs of children with disabilities in their schools. In the case of Brunei Darussalam, the Government of Brunei Darussalam (GoBD), through its Ministry of Education (MoE), adopted principle and philosophy of inclusive education to be practised in Brunei Darussalam. This gave birth to the principle of inclusive education in Brunei Darussalam. Since then, Inclusive education has become part and parcel of Brunei Darussalam education system (Koay,Lim, Sim and Elkins, 2006; Norulfazidah, 2011). In line with the principle of inclusive education, Brunei Darussalam’s special education policy guidelines state: “All pupils are able to learn given an appropriate learning environment. Appropriate learning environments can be created within the inclusive school. The inclusive school is one that
Symbolic Stochastic Chase Decoding of Reed-Solomon and BCH Codes

This paper proposes the Symbolic-Stochastic Chase Decoding Algorithm (S-SCA) for the Reed-Solomon (RS) and BCH codes. By efficient usage of void space between constellation points for $q$-ary modulations and using soft information at the input of the decoder, the S-SCA is capable of outperforming conventional Symbolic-Chase algorithm (S-CA) with less computational cost. Since the S-SCA starts with the randomized generation of likely test-vectors, it reduces the complexity to polynomial order and also it does not need to find the least reliable symbols to generate test-vectors. Our simulation results show that by increasing the number of test-vectors, the performance of the algorithm can approach the ML bound. The S-SCA($1K$) provides near $2$ dB gain in comparison with S-CA($1K$) for $(31, 25)$ RS code using $32$-QAM. Furthermore, the algorithm provides near $3$ dB further gain with $1K$ iteration compared with S-CA($65K$) when $(255, 239)$ RS code is used in an AWGN channel. For the Rayleigh fading channel and the same code, the algorithm provides more that $5$ dB gain. Also for $(63, 57)$ BCH codes and $8$-PSK modulation the proposed algorithm provides $3$dB gain with less complexity. This decoder is Soft-Input Soft-Output (SISO) decoder and is highly attractive in low power applications. Finally, the Symbolic-Search Bitwise-Transmission Stochastic Chase Algorithm (SSBT-SCA) was introduced for RS codes over BPSK transmission that is capable of generating symbolic test-vectors that reduce complexity and mitigate burst errors.
Modifications in astrocyte morphology and calcium signaling induced by a brain capillary endothelial cell line

Astrocytes extend specialized endfoot processes to perisynaptic and perivascular regions, and thus are positioned to mediate the bidirectional flow of metabolic, ionic, and other transmissive substances between neurons and the blood stream. While mutual structural and functional interactions between neurons and astrocytes have been documented, less is known about the interactions between astrocytes and cerebrovascular cells. For example, although the ability of astrocytes to induce structural and functional changes in endothelial cells is established, the reciprocity of brain endothelial cells to induce changes in astrocytes is undetermined. This issue is addressed in the present study. Changes in primary cultures of neonatal mouse cortical astrocytes were investigated following their coculture with mouse brain capillary endothelial (bEnd3) cells. The presence of bEnd3 cells altered the morphology of astrocytes by transforming them from confluent monolayers into networks of elongated multicellular columns. These columns did not occur when either bEnd3 cells or astrocytes were cocultured with other cell types, suggesting that astrocytes undergo specific morphological consequences when placed in close proximity to brain endothelial cells. In addition to these structural changes, the pharmacological profile of astrocytes was modified by coculture with bEnd3 cells. Astrocytes in the cocultures showed an increased Ca2+ responsiveness to bradykinin and glutamate, but no change in responsiveness to ATP, as compared to controls. Coculturing the astrocytes with a neuronal cell line resulted in increased responsiveness of the glial responses to glutamate but not to bradykinin. These studies indicate that brain endothelial cells induce changes in astrocyte morphology and pharmacology. GLIA 38:137–145, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The "Muscle-Bone Unit" in Children and Adolescents: A 2000 Overview

In former views hormones, calcium, vitamin D and other humoral and nonmechanical agents dominated control of postnatal bone strength (and "mass") in children and adolescents. However later evidence that led to the Utah paradigm of skeletal physiology revealed that this control depends strongly on the largest mechanical loads on bones. Trauma excepted, muscles cause the largest loads and the largest bone strains, and these strains help to control the biological mechanisms that determine whole-bone strength. That makes the strength of children's load-bearing bones depend strongly on growing muscle strength and how bones respond to it. Most hormones and other nonmechanical agents that affect bone strength can help or hinder that "bone strength-muscle strength" relationship but cannot replace it. In addition some agents long thought to exert bone effects by acting directly on bone cells, affect muscle strength too. In that way they could affect bone strength indirectly. Such agents include growth hormone, adrenalcorticosteroid analogs, androgens, calcium, genes, vitamin D and its metabolites, etc. Thus bone and muscle do form a kind of operational unit. It is part of the Utah paradigm that supplements earlier views with later evidence and concepts. The paradigm explains how the "bone strength-muscle strength" relationship works. This article provides an overview of that physiology, and some of its implications for pediatric endocrinologists.
SIRT2 overexpression in hepatocellular carcinoma mediates epithelial to mesenchymal transition by protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase‐3β/β‐catenin signaling

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) has been implicated in telomere maintenance and the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, the role of other sirtuins in the pathogenesis of HCC remains elusive. We found that sirtuin 2 (SIRT2), another member of the sirtuin family, also contributes to cell motility and invasiveness of HCC. SIRT2 is up‐regulated in HCC cell lines and in a subset of human HCC tissues (23/45). Up‐regulations of SIRT2 in primary HCC tumors were significantly correlated with the presence of microscopic vascular invasion (P = 0.001), a more advanced tumor stage (P = 0.004), and shorter overall survival (P = 0.0499). Functional studies by short hairpin RNA–mediated suppression of SIRT2 expression in HCC cell lines revealed significant inhibition of motility and invasiveness. Depletion of SIRT2 also led to the regression of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotypes, whereas the ectopic expression of SIRT2 in the immortalized hepatocyte cell line L02 promoted cell motility and invasiveness. Mechanistic studies revealed that SIRT2 regulates the deacetylation and activation of protein kinase B, which subsequently impinges on the glycogen synthase kinase‐3β/β‐catenin signaling pathway to regulate EMT. Conclusions: Our findings have uncovered a novel role for SIRT2 in HCC metastasis, and provide a rationale to explore the use of sirtuin inhibitors in HCC therapy. (HEPATOLOGY 2013;)
Deposition of Pd nanoparticles on ultrathin Al2O3 films

It is widely accepted that self-assembling nanostructure of metals with well-defined spatial order is one of the promising ways for engineering new materials. Recent years revealed substantial progress in fabricating metal nanoparticles on ultrathin oxide films due to their ordered surface. In this work, we present the results on the adsorption of Pd nanoparticles on the ultrathin Al2O3 films prepared on the Ni3Al(111) substrate. The thermal stability of the Pd nanoparticles has been studied. The results showed that the Pd nanoparticles with size of about 4 nm are stable at 580 K, but aggregation of the Pd nanoparticles was found at 730 K.
Natural Hedging with Fix and Floating Strike Guarantees

The paper analyzes minimum return rate guarantees (MRRGs) including fixed guarantee rates prevailing for the whole contract horizon as well as floating guarantee rates which are linked to the interest rate evolution. In a complete arbitrage free market where the asset and bond price dynamics are given by Gaussian processes, we obtain closed form pricing solutions for both guarantee schemes. Differences in the guarantee costs are then explained by the difference of the arbitrage free values of the fix and floating rate guarantees and the difference between cumulated volatilities resulting from forward and simple volatilities. We then consider the perspective of the asset liability management, i.e. we analyze the sensitivities of the asset and liability side against changes in the interest rate. We show that a combination of fix price and floating strike guarantees enables a natural hedge against changes in the interest rate.