Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
p110 CUX1 Cooperates with E2F Transcription Factors in the Transcriptional Activation of Cell Cycle-Regulated Genes

ABSTRACT The transcription factor p110 CUX1 was shown to stimulate cell proliferation by accelerating entry into S phase. As p110 CUX1 can function as a transcriptional repressor or activator depending on promoter context, we investigated its mechanism of transcriptional activation using the DNA polymerase α gene promoter as a model system. Linker-scanning analysis revealed that a low-affinity E2F binding site is required for transcriptional activation. Moreover, coexpression with a dominant-negative mutant of DP-1 suggested that endogenous E2F factors are indeed needed for p110-mediated activation. Tandem affinity purification, coimmunoprecipitation, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and reporter assays indicated that p110 CUX1 can engage in weak protein-protein interactions with E2F1 and E2F2, stimulate their recruitment to the DNA polymerase α gene promoter, and cooperate with these factors in transcriptional activation. On the other hand, in vitro assays suggested that the interaction between CUX1 and E2F1 either is not direct or is regulated by posttranslational modifications. Genome-wide location analysis revealed that targets common to p110 CUX1 and E2F1 included many genes involved in cell cycle, DNA replication, and DNA repair. Comparison of the degree of enrichment for various E2F factors suggested that binding of p110 CUX1 to a promoter will favor the specific recruitment of E2F1, and to a lesser extent E2F2, over E2F3 and E2F4. Reporter assays on a subset of common targets confirmed that p110 CUX1 and E2F1 cooperate in their transcriptional activation. Overall, our results show that p110 CUX1 and E2F1 cooperate in the regulation of many cell cycle genes.
Cerebrovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Incidence of CVD in diabetic men was reported to be twice as that of non-diabetics and almost three times greater in diabetic women in the Framingham Study. It is postulated that excessive glycation and oxidation, endothelial dysfunction and increased platelet aggregation may be responsible for endothelial proliferation and thickening of plasmatic membrane in small blood vessels ('lipohyalinosis') leading to lacunar infarction. Prothrombotic state may precipitate a stroke, however, platelet aggregability, elevated fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and D-dimer were not significantly related to stroke in diabetic mellitus (DM), whereas suppressed fibrinolytic activity was a common finding. Of many unknown factors in pathogenesis, the deficient insulin secretion, resistance to action of insulin at level of 'insulin receptors', changes in counter regulatory hormones (e.g. glucagon, pancreatic polypetides, growth hormone, catecholamines, etc.) and decrease in the hepatic sensitivity to insulin action in suppressing glucose output have received more attention. Hyperosmolar state can simulate stroke syndromes. Early recognition and treatment of risk factors such as hypertension or better glycemic control, correction of hyperlipidemia or obesity in diabetic population are important. In diabetic subjects already showing recurrent transient cerebral ischemic attacks (TIAs) or minor strokes, the benefit of antiplatelet agents or antithrombotic therapy in prevention of major strokes is well established. Ramipril has been found to be effective in reducing stroke risk by 33% in diabetic patinets in HOPE study.
Circular histogram thresholding for color image segmentation

A circular histogram thresholding for color image segmentation is proposed. A circular hue histogram is first constructed based on a UCS (I,H,S) color space. The histogram is automatically smoothed by a scale-space filter, then transformed into traditional histogram form, and finally recursively thresholded based on the maximum principle of variance. Three comparisons of performance are reported: (i) the proposed thresholding on the circular histogram with that on a traditional histogram; (ii) the proposed thresholding with clustering; and (iii) thresholding based on a UCS hue attribute with that based on a non-UCS hue attribute. Benefits of the proposed approach are confirmed in experiments.
The Impact of Changing Ventilator Parameters on Availability of Nebulized Drugs in an in Vitro Neonatal Lung System

An in vitro model was developed to assess nebulized drug delivery. The model simulated the intubated neonate and examined the effect of changes in a variety of parameters commonly confronted in the clinical setting. Theophylline was nebulized for 15 minutes and captured in an artificial lung system (a 1000-mL intravenous bag). Variables were: Peak pressure (20, 24, 28 cm H2O), ventilator rate (40, 60, 80 breaths/min), nebulizer flow rate (5, 7, 10 L/min), endotracheal tube size (2.5, 3.0, 3.5 mm), and ventilator type (Servo 900C, Bourns BP 200, Bear Cub BP 2001). The amount of drug actually captured in the bag ranged from 0.009 to 12.59 percent (mean 2.08). A multivariate analysis showed that only nebulizer flow rate had a statistically significant effect on drug delivery with 10 L/min delivering the most drug. All factors combined only accounted for 11.5 percent of the variability in drug delivery. In light of the wide and unpredictable amounts of drug delivered through ventilators, dosing to pharmacologic effect rather than staying within narrow dosing guidelines may be more rational in patients responding poorly to standard doses.
Do different reperfusion methods affect the outcomes of stroke induced by MCAO in adult rats?

There are two patterns of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) models used in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) I/R models, which differ in the use of unilateral or bilateral carotid artery reperfusion. The primary difference between the two patterns of I/R models is the complexity of the surgery procedure. However, researchers in this field have no idea whether there are any differences in outcomes of these two methods. In this study, we investigated the effects of the two methods on neurological deficits, infarct volume, blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Through evaluating the current way of bilateral common carotid artery reperfusion, we tried to find whether it could be replaced by an easier way. We found that there were no statistical significant differences between the different methods in infarct volume, neurological deficits, BBB integrity, and the level of BDNF (P > 0.05). These data demonstrated that different methods did not affect the neurological deficits, infarct volume, BBB integrity, and the BDNF protein level, which provides reference when we use an experimental stroke. These results suggest that the two methods have similar capability for inducing cerebral I/R injury and can be interchanged.
Very Low Rate Convolutional Codes for Maximum Theoretical Performance of Spread-Spectrum Multiple-Access Channels

A spread-spectrum multiple-access (SSMA) communication system is treated for which both spreading and error control is provided by binary PSK modulation with orthogonal convolution codes. Performance of spread-spectrum multiple access by a large number of users employing this type of coded modulation is determined in the presence of background Gaussian noise. With this approach and coordinated processing at a common receiver, it is shown that the aggregate data rate of all simultaneous users can approach the Shannon capacity of the Gaussian noise channel. >
Treating Scars: Addressing Surface, Volume, and Movement to Optimize Results: Part 1. Mild Grades of Scarring

Background The management of scarring (from acne, surgery, or disease) remains a common concern and an ongoing challenge, with improvement, not eradication, the goal. Methods To describe a growing strategy used in esthetic dermatology illustrating the effects of movement, volume, and surface changes on skin aging, deformity, or disease using a grading scale of disease burden to classify scarred patients. Results Through the use of this grading scale and with emphasis on the role of surface, volume changes, and recurrent movement, treatment planning will be suggested and relevant treatments reviewed. Tabulated treatment planning will also present algorithms summarizing a logical approach to the treatment of more‐minor grades of scarring. Conclusion More‐minor grades of scarring may be assessed in terms of treatments to restore minor volume loss and to improve the surface of the skin.
Silver nanoparticles: Synthesis methods, bio-applications and properties

Abstract Silver nanoparticles size makes wide range of new applications in various fields of industry. Synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles for applications such as catalysis, electronics, optics, environmental and biotechnology is an area of constant interest. Two main methods for Silver nanoparticles are the physical and chemical methods. The problem with these methods is absorption of toxic substances onto them. Green synthesis approaches overcome this limitation. Silver nanoparticles size makes wide range of new applications in various fields of industry. This article summarizes exclusively scalable techniques and focuses on strengths, respectively, limitations with respect to the biomedical applicability and regulatory requirements concerning silver nanoparticles.
A unique PDZ domain and arrestin-like fold interaction reveals mechanistic details of endocytic recycling by SNX27-retromer

Significance Cell surface proteins are regulated by a constant cycle of internalization and recycling from intracellular compartments called endosomes. From these organelles, two protein sorting platforms, sorting nexin 27 (SNX27) and the retromer complex, play a critical role in the retrieval of various proteins responsible for ion transport, glucose metabolism, neurotransmission, and other cell functions. Based on the three-dimensional structure of SNX27 in complex with the retromer subunit VPS26, we define the mechanism by which these proteins cooperate to drive endosomal cargo sorting. Retromer and SNX27 dysfunction is implicated in various disorders, including diabetes, Down syndrome, Parkinson disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, and this work provides important insights into the assembly of this essential endosomal sorting machinery. The sorting nexin 27 (SNX27)-retromer complex is a major regulator of endosome-to-plasma membrane recycling of transmembrane cargos that contain a PSD95, Dlg1, zo-1 (PDZ)-binding motif. Here we describe the core interaction in SNX27-retromer assembly and its functional relevance for cargo sorting. Crystal structures and NMR experiments reveal that an exposed β-hairpin in the SNX27 PDZ domain engages a groove in the arrestin-like structure of the vacuolar protein sorting 26A (VPS26A) retromer subunit. The structure establishes how the SNX27 PDZ domain simultaneously binds PDZ-binding motifs and retromer-associated VPS26. Importantly, VPS26A binding increases the affinity of the SNX27 PDZ domain for PDZ- binding motifs by an order of magnitude, revealing cooperativity in cargo selection. With disruption of SNX27 and retromer function linked to synaptic dysfunction and neurodegenerative disease, our work provides the first step, to our knowledge, in the molecular description of this important sorting complex, and more broadly describes a unique interaction between a PDZ domain and an arrestin-like fold.
Auditory steady-state responses in normal hearing adults: A test-retest reliability study

The test-retest reliability of the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) has received limited attention. Therefore, the aim was to assess the test-retest reliability of an 80-Hz multiple-ASSR system in normal-hearing subjects by a comprehensive set of statistical methods. Twenty-nine participants (15 females) aged between 18 and 30 years contributed to two sessions (test-retest), and the ASSR thresholds were determined with a descending search protocol using a 10-dB precision. The test-retest reliability was assessed by a three-layered approach which consisted of Pearson product-moment correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and standard error of measurement (SEM). The correlations for ASSR thresholds ranged from poor (0.34) for 500 Hz CF to moderate (0.55) for 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz CF. A two-way ANOVA of the difference scores (ASSR threshold minus behavioral threshold) demonstrated no significant difference between test and retest. The SEM determined the normal tolerance for clinical error of repeated thresholds and the ASSR SEM values fell well within ±10 dB HL. This investigation shows that the multiple ASSR-technique produces a clinically acceptable test-retest reliability for normal-hearing adults.
Application of Polychromatic µCT for Mineral Density Determination

Accurate assessment of mineral density (MD) provides information critical to the understanding of mineralization processes of calcified tissues, including bones and teeth. High-resolution three-dimensional assessment of the MD of teeth has been demonstrated by relatively inaccessible synchrotron radiation microcomputed tomography (SRµCT). While conventional desktop µCT (CµCT) technology is widely available, polychromatic source and cone-shaped beam geometry confound MD assessment. Recently, considerable attention has been given to optimizing quantitative data from CµCT systems with polychromatic x-ray sources. In this review, we focus on the approaches that minimize inaccuracies arising from beam hardening, in particular, beam filtration during the scan, beam-hardening correction during reconstruction, and mineral density calibration. Filtration along with lowest possible source voltage results in a narrow and near-single-peak spectrum, favoring high contrast and minimal beam-hardening artifacts. More effective beam monochromatization approaches are described. We also examine the significance of beam-hardening correction in determining the accuracy of mineral density estimation. In addition, standards for the calibration of reconstructed grey-scale attenuation values against MD, including K2PHO4 liquid phantom, and polymer-hydroxyapatite (HA) and solid hydroxyapatite (HA) phantoms, are discussed.
Sustainable Energy in Post-Communist East- Central Europe - A Comprehensive Study

Energy is managed in a complex way by the theories of sustainability. All three pillars of sustainability (society, environment, and economy) are inseparable from the energy sector, because energy consumption causes so many externalities that threaten welfare in the long run. Most environmental problems are in close connection with energy use and production, such as nuclear waste management, oil spills, emission, etc. Furthermore, energy is an integral part of the economic and social development, and sustainable energy is a core issue. In this review a previously developed but recently improved methodology is presented which is suitable for the measurement of sustainable energy. Using panel data and estimating a Fixed Effects Model, we examine whether economic development contributes to the effectiveness of policy implementation for sustainable energy development in East-Central Europe.
Affine-Invariant Recognition of Handwritten Characters via Accelerated KL Divergence Minimization

This paper proposes a new, affine-invariant image matching technique via accelerated KL (Kullback-Leibler) divergence minimization. First, we represent an image as a probability distribution by setting the sum of pixel values at one. Second, we introduce affine parameters into either of the two images' probability distributions using the Gaussian kernel density estimation. Finally, we determine optimal affine parameters that minimize KL divergence via an iterative method. In particular, without using such conventional nonlinear optimization techniques as the Levenberg-Marquardt method we devise an accelerated iterative method adapted to the KL divergence minimization problem through effective linear approximation. Recognition experiments using the handwritten numeral database IPTP CDROM1B show that the proposed method achieves a much higher recognition rate of 91.5% at suppressed computational cost than that of 83.7% obtained by a simple image matching method based on a normal KL divergence.
Bulk and CC-Tape Based Superconducting Shields for Magnetic Cloaks

Two-shell scheme consisting of an outer ferromagnetic tube and an inner superconducting cylinder was experimentally verified as a promising design concept for making magnetic cloaks of centimeter size. Because some applications may require bigger sizes of the shielded volume, scalability of dimensions is an important parameter in the assessment of various options for cloak design. It is easy to prepare uniform ferromagnetic tubes with diameters exceeding several centimeters. On the other hand, producing a superconducting shield with comparable dimensions is not trivial. In the present work, we examined two types of superconducting inserts. The first type is the hollow cylinder made from the bulk superconducting material—BSCCO-2212. In the second type, there are 12 mm wide coated conductor tapes helically wound on the fiberglass former forming the shielding layers. Both superconducting cylinders with identical inner diameter 43 mm and length 145 mm were tested in low frequency ac magnetic field. We compare the shielding properties and the complex magnetic susceptibility of these inserts.
Assessment of occupational exposure to leptospirosis in a sheep-only abattoir

SUMMARY This study estimated the frequency of exposure of meat workers to carcasses infected with Leptospira serovars Hardjobovis or Pomona in a sheep-only abattoir in New Zealand. A stochastic spreadsheet model was developed to assess the daily risk of exposure of eviscerators, meat inspectors and offal handlers to live leptospires in sheep carcasses from May to November 2004 (high-risk period), and from December 2004 to June 2005 (low-risk period). The average sheep processed per day were 225 for an eviscerator, 374 for a meat inspector, and 1123 for an offal handler. The median daily exposures during high- and low-risk periods were 11 [95% distribution interval (DI) 5–19] and three (95% DI 1–8) infected carcasses/day for eviscerators, 18 (95% DI 9–29) and six (95% DI 2–12) for meat inspectors, and 54 (95% DI 32–83) and 18 (95% DI 8–31) for offal handlers, respectively. Stochastic risk modelling provided evidence that processing of sheep carcasses exposed meat workers regularly to live leptospires with substantial seasonal variation.
[Tris(3,5-diphenylpyrazolyl)hydroborato]nickel(II) bromide

In the title tris(pyrazolyl)borate (TpPh2) complex, [NiBr(C45H34BN6)], the Ni, Br and B atoms lie on a crystallographic threefold axis and a distorted NiN3Br tetrahedral geometry arises for the metal ion. In the crystal, C—H⋯(C=C) and C—H⋯π interactions help to establish the polar crystal packing.
Generalized Network Formulation: Application to Flange—Mounted Radiating Waveguides

Electromagnetic linear field problems can be rigorously and systematically formulated in terms of linear networks. Use of the equivalence theorem permits the decomposition of the computational domain into sub-domains with common interfaces. In each sub-domain the basic building blocks for a linear network representation are provided by Tellegen's theorem and by the two alternative representations of the Green's function. Tellegen's theorem provides the basis for expressing field at interfaces in a consistent way. The eigenfunction expansion of the Green's function provides a resonant-type equivalent circuit useful for expressing the field inside a sub-domain; while the Green's function direct solution emphasizes a transmission line network; in particular a spherical transmission line provides the network representation of radiation problems. In this paper, the generalized network formulation is applied to the problem of radiation from flange-mounted waveguides. While this problem has been already solved with a variety of approaches, the advantage of the generalized network formulation is that, while comprising the previously developed approaches, it also allows rigorous derivation of network representations. In particular it is shown that, by expressing the field in the half-space in terms of spherical waves, the physically matched solutions provide, in some cases, advantages for numerical computations and for network representations.
Access, inclusion, belonging: Perceptions of post-secondary refugee-background students

II LIST OF FIGURES . V LIST OF TABLES . VI ATTESTATION . VII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . VIII CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 PERSONAL POSITION AND NOMENCLATURE . 1 RATIONALE . 2 MY STORY . 4 RESEARCH AIM AND SUB-QUESTIONS . 6 STRUCTURE OF THE DISSERTATION . 7 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 8 SOCIAL CONTEXT . 9 Understanding context: Ecological systems theory . 13 EDUCATIONAL CONTEXTS . 14 SCHOOL CONTEXT . 15 CONTEXTUALISING BELONGING . 16 SCHOOL LEADERSHIP . 17 TEACHERS . 21 HOME AND SCHOOL CONNECTION . 25 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY AND METHOD . 31 RESEARCH DESIGN . 31 DATA COLLECTING METHOD: SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS . 33 DATA COLLECTION . 35 DATA ANALYSIS . 36 VALIDITY . 36 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS . 37 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS . 39 MY NAME IS AJ, AND THIS IS MY STORY . 40 MY NAME IS NIGAR, AND THIS IS MY STORY . 44 MY NAME IS TEE, AND THIS IS MY STORY . 46 MY NAME IS DOH, AND THIS IS MY STORY . 49 CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION . 54 CONTEXTS OF UNCERTAINTY . 55 CONTEXTS OF OPPORTUNITY . 57 CONCLUSION: SHIFTING PARADIGM AND IMPLICATION FOR FUTURE STUDIES . 61 SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STUDY AND POTENTIAL OUTCOMES AND BENEFITS OF THIS RESEARCH . 63 RECOMMENDATIONS . 64 LIMITATIONS AND REFLEXIVITY . 67 FINAL REMARKS . 67
Erythrocyte oxidative damage in rat treated with CCl4

Owing to the presence of hemoglobin and polyunsaturated fatty acids, erythrocytes are a convenient model to understand membrane oxidative damage induced by various xenobiotic pro-oxidants. This study investigated the antioxidant activity of vanillin, a naturally occurring food-flavoring agent, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced erythrocyte damages in Wistar albino rats. A single injection of CCl4 (1 ml/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) caused a significant induction of oxidative damage as evidenced by increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, protein carbonyl levels and osmotic fragility accompanied with a significant decrease in Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activities. Furthermore, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly elevated, while glutathione levels, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase activities were markedly reduced in the erythrocytes of CCl4-treated rats. Pretreatment of rats with vanillin (150 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 3 consecutive days before CCl4 injection protected erythrocytes against the increase of lipid peroxidation and degradation of membrane proteins compared to CCl4-treated rats and exhibited marked prevention against CCl4-induced oxidative stress, alterations of membrane-bound enzymes as well as erythrocyte osmotic fragility. Our results suggest that vanillin plays a protective and curative role against the harmful effects of CCl4 on erythrocytes, thus ensuring membrane cell integrity.
Energy-efficient random sleep protocol based on distributed coding for sensor-to-vehicle communications

In this paper, we propose a random sleep protocol based on distributed coding (RSDC) to realize an energy-efficient sensor-to-vehicle communications. In the proposed protocol, every sensors independently decide to either sleep or transmit with a given sleep probability. The sleep of sensors can be considered as erasures; packets are erased with the sleep probability. We, hence, introduce Luby-transform (LT) codes to efficiently decode original packets. Also, we compare our proposed protocol with a conventional protocol, and numerical results show that our proposed scheme achieves even higher energy efficiency.