Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic evidence for the vital function of osterix in cementogenesis

To date, attempts to regenerate a complete tooth, including the critical periodontal tissues associated with the tooth root, have not been successful. Controversy still exists regarding the origin of the cell source for cellular cementum (epithelial or mesenchymal). This disagreement may be partially due to a lack of understanding of the events leading to the initiation and development of the tooth roots and supportive tissues, such as the cementum. Osterix (OSX) is a transcriptional factor essential for osteogenesis, but its role in cementogenesis has not been addressed. In the present study, we first documented a close relationship between the temporal‐ and spatial‐expression pattern of Osx and the formation of cellular cementum. We then generated 3.6‐kilobase (kb) collagen type I (3.6‐kb Col 1)‐Osx transgenic mice, which displayed accelerated cementum formation versus wild‐type (WT) controls. Importantly, the conditional deletion of Osx in the mesenchymal cells with two different Cre systems (the 2.3‐kb Col 1 and an inducible CAG–Cre estrogen receptor [CreER]) led to a sharp reduction in cellular cementum formation (including the cementum mass and mineral deposition rate) and gene expression of dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) by cementocytes. However, the deletion of the Osx gene after cellular cementum formed did not alter the properties of the mature cementum as evaluated by backscattered scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and resin‐casted SEM. Transient transfection of Osx in the cementoblasts in vitro significantly inhibited cell proliferation and increased cell differentiation and mineralization. Taken together, these data support: (1) the mesenchymal origin of cellular cementum (from periodontal ligament [PDL] progenitor cells); (2) the vital role of OSX in controlling the formation of cellular cementum; and (3) the limited remodeling of cellular cementum in adult mice. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Analysis of the force between DNA molecules and substrate in AFM-based manipulation process

The force acting between molecules and substrates is crucial for the manipulation process. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is not only a versatile tool for imaging in biological research, but also a versatile one for the manipulation of biological molecules. Because of the high mechanical resolution of AFM, it is preferred for the study of the interaction of mechanics in biological systems. This work is focused on the using of the Single-molecule force spectroscopy based on AFM (AFM-SMFS) method in the process of DNA manipulation. It explored the manipulation methods based on AFM, and then introduced one of the modification methods of the DNA molecules and the AFM cantilever. Compared with the different statements of the AFM cantilever by AFM-SMFS, analyzed the adhesion force between the molecules and the substrates.
Deep Packet Inspection Based Application-Aware Traffic Control for Software Defined Networks

Software defined networks (SDN) is perceived to have specific capabilities for utilization by network infrastructures automatically. The success of OpenFlow protocol is to decouple control plane from data plane completely. However, current SDN still regards the network as a group of devices rather than a holistic resource, and traffic monitoring and control only relies on network states but not including traffic behaviours. Although speed of packet forwarding is improved significantly, QoS demands can not be satisfied when network congested, unavailability of SDN in some resource constrained scenes does not present well. To address this, we propose an application-aware traffic control scheme, in which both network states and traffic behaviours are exploited cooperatively. Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) is introduced into SDN controller. Meanwhile, a mechanism for packet classification and behaviour matching is designed. To perform information exchange between components, a publish/subscribe based middle ware is designed. Besides, mathematical models for analysing network throughput and latency are established. Simulation results show that proposed scheme can facilitate the improvement of throughput and reduce latency time of end-to-end communication.
The Dynamics of Industrial Competition

The Dynamics of Industrial Competition, first published in 1995, describes the internal dynamics of industries using longitudinal data that make it possible to track firms over time. It provides a comprehensive picture of a number of different aspects of firm turnover in North America that arise from the competitive process - the entry and the exit of firms, the growth and decline of incumbent firms, and the merger process. Instantaneous and cumulative measures of market dynamics are provided by examining change in both the short and the long run. Using various measures of firm turnover to proxy the amount of competition, the study examines and contextualizes the relationship between industry performance and the intensity of the competitive process.
Nowcasting Quarterly GDP Dynamics in the Euro Area – The Role of Sentiment Indicators

Abstract The paper compares the most closely watched sentiment indicators with respect to their ability to nowcast quarterly GDP dynamics in the Euro Area and its biggest economies. We analyse cross-correlations and out-of-sample forecast errors generated from equations estimated by rolling regressions in fixed-length window. The results show that models employing PMI Composite perform best in the cases of the Euro Area, Germany, France and Italy, whilst Spanish GDP dynamics is best nowcasted using ESI-based models. PMI-based models generate the most accurate nowcasts at the beginning of the quarter, as well as during periods of high volatility of GDP growth rates Streszczenie W artykule porównane zostały zdolności najpilniej obserwowanych wskaźników obrazujących nastroje gospodarcze do bieżącego prognozowania kwartalnej dynamiki PKB w strefie euro i jej największych państwach członkowskich. Analizowane są korelacje krzyżowe oraz błędy prognoz poza próbę, wygenerowane z równań szacowanych w oparciu o regresję kroczącą w oknie stałej długości. Wyniki wskazują, że modele wykorzystujące wskaźnik PMI Composite dają na ogół najlepsze wyniki w strefie euro, Niemczech, Francji i Włoszech, podczas gdy bieżąca dynamika hiszpańskiego PKB jest najprecyzyjniej prognozowana przez modele oparte na wskaźniku ESI. Modele oparte na PMI generują relatywnie najlepsze prognozy na początku kwartału, a także w okresach wysokiej zmienności stóp wzrostu PKB.
MONITORING OF ERYTHROPOIESIS BY THE SERUM TRANSFERRIN RECEPTOR AND ERYTHROPOIETIN '

Virlually ail l'dis have Lransrcrrin n. :ccptors (a lrallslllcmbwnc glycoprotcin) on their surface, but in a normal adult, 80% of them arc in the erythroid marrow. Sorne of them arc lost inlo thc circulation whcrc they can be mcasurcd by immuno-assays. A direct and highly signiti~ cant correlalion cxisls bclwccn scrum transfcrrin rcccplor Icyel and crylhron transfcrrin uptakc in humans. The Illcasurcmcnt of scrum transferrin rcceplar has wide clinical applications for the quantitaüon of erythropoiesis. It can be used Lo study erythropoiesis in situations in whieh felTokinetics is Ilot acceptable, such aS prcgnancy. It is particularly useful for seriaI SLudies, i.e., for monitoring the recovery of erythropoiesis after stem cclI transplantation or after treatmcnl with erythropoictin. Combined with the detcrmination of serum erythropoietin, both evaluated in relation to the degree of anemia, they provide a physiological approach to the diagnosis of anemÎa. Thus, the simultaneous determination of hematocrit, reticulocytes, serum transferrin reccptor and serum erythropoielin has high discriminatory value in distinguishing bctween a dcfeet in erythroid proliferation, maturation or red ccII survival. Il is also particularly uscful for delecting the presencc or multiple mcehanisms of ancmia in the same j1utiel1l.
PWL cores for nonlinear array processing

This paper presents an analysis of different alternatives for the realization of a VLSI cell in a nonlinear neuronal array, based on a simplicial piecewise linear (PWL) operation. Depending on the type of existing design constraints, namely, speed or density, different bus sizes can be used to broadcast the parameters stored in the memory, and in addition, row and column operations can be serialized. Based on a 90nm technology process, the different options will be analyzed and compared using simulations.
Simvastatin reduces the production of prothrombotic prostasomes in human prostate cancer cells

Summary Cancer confers a prothrombotic state and statins are associated with a lowered risk for prostate cancer in vivo by unknown mechanisms. Prostate cancer cells release tissue factor (TF)-bearing, cholesterol-rich prostasomes which are procoagulant in vitro and a possible source for the blood-borne TF found in prostate cancer patients. We investigated the effect of cholesterol depletion on the production of prostasomes and on the TF activity in the conditioned medium of simvastatin-treated PC3 cells. Human PC3 prostate cancer cells were treated with high and low concentrations of simvastatin for different time periods. Caspase-3 was detected with the Array Scan microscope, where-asTF mRNA and protein were analyzed by TaqMan and flow cytometry. TF activity was assessed by measuring the cleavage of a chromogenic thrombin substrate. Prostasomes were isolated by repeated centrifugations and detected and quantified by flow cy tometry. A micromolar dose of simvastatin caused reduction of TF expression and induction of apoptosis in the PC3 cells. The levels of TF on the prostasomes were also decreased but the TF activity in the conditioned medium of the simvastatin-treated PC3 cells was increased due to apoptosis-dependent release of prostasomes. Treatment with a nanomolar dose of simvastatin did not induce apoptosis or alter the expression of TF but instead decreased the production and release of the prostasomes. The TF activity was reduced in parity with the decline in prostasome release. In conclusion, in prostate cancer, a nanomolar dose of simvastatin may have an anti-thrombotic effect due to decreased levels of circulating TF-bearing prostasomes.
Statistical behavior of complex cancer karyotypes

Epithelial tumors commonly show complex and variable karyotypes that obscure the identification of general patterns of the karyotypic evolution. To overcome some of these problems, we previously systematically analyzed the accumulated cytogenetic data from individual tumor types by using various statistical means. In the present study, we compare previous results obtained for nine tumor types and perform several meta‐analyses of data obtained from a number of epithelial tumors, including head and neck, kidney, bladder, breast, colorectal, ovarian, and lung cancer, as well as from malignant melanoma and Wilms tumor, with the specific aim of discovering common patterns of karyotypic evolution. We show that these tumors frequently develop through a hypo‐ or a hyperdiploid pathway and progress by an increasing number of alternative imbalances through at least two karyotypic phases, Phases I and II, and possibly through a third, Phase III. During Phase I, the karyotypes exhibited a power law distribution of both the number of changes per tumor and the frequency distribution at which bands were involved in breaks. At the transition from Phase I to Phase II/III, the observed power law distributions were lost, indicating a transition from an ordered and highly structured process to a disordered and chaotic pattern. The change in karyotypic orderliness at the transition from Phase I to Phase II/III was also shown by a drastic difference in karyotypic entropy. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using Adolescents’ Drawings to Reveal Stereotypes About Ethnic Groups in Guatemala

It is important to identify stereotypes about indigenous people because those stereotypes influence prejudice and discrimination, both obstacles to social justice and universal human rights. The purpose of the current study was to document the stereotypes, as held by Guatemalan adolescents, of indigenous Maya people (e.g., Maya) and nonindigenous Ladinos in Guatemala (the 2 main ethnic groups in Guatemala). Guatemalan adolescents (N = 465; 38.3% female; Mage = 14.51 years; SDage = 1.81 years) provided drawings and written characteristics about indigenous Maya and nonindigenous Ladino people, which were then coded for patterns in the data. These patterns included negative stereotypes, such as the Maya being lazy and Ladina women being weak; and positive stereotypes, such as the Maya being caring and warm and Ladino men being successful. There were also interactions between the participants’ own gender and ethnicity and how they depicted the target they were assigned. For example, male participants were unlikely to depict male targets of either ethnicity engaging in homemaking activities. Finally, there was evidence of in-group bias based both on gender and ethnicity. These findings suggest that perhaps because indigenous groups around the world share some common negative stereotypes, an understanding of these stereotypes will aid in decreasing prejudice and discrimination against indigenous people, could reduce intergroup conflict, and increase access to basic human rights.
Sustainable Use and Management of Crop Genetic Resources: Landraces on Hungarian Small Farms

Crop genetic resources are natural assets that are necessary for future crop improvement. In isolated, marginal production environments where markets function imperfectly, farm families depend on them directly for food. In recognition of their importance, international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture encourage national governments to support their sustainable use and management, on farms and in gene bank collections. Hungary is a signatory to these international agreements. The aim of this study is to contribute research-based information to support the design of efficient and equitable conservation programmes for socially valuable crop landraces still found on small farms in Hungary. Landrace cultivation and richness is predicted with a Poisson hurdle model applied to data from a statistical survey of 323 households in three pilot conservation sites. Poorer, larger farm families with older decision-makers, who are more isolated from market infrastructure, are more likely to grow landraces and maintain greater landrace richness. Those managing smaller farms with lower quality soils and less irrigation have higher predicted probabilities of growing landraces. Findings suggest that the development of market infrastructure may contribute to abandonment of landraces, although specialised markets for high-quality products merit further investigation. Where economic development opportunities remain limited, supporting the continued management of crop genetic resources on farms could have positive equity implications and address other social goals, although the full cost and benefit implications of relevant policy instruments would need to be assessed in the context of Hungary’s national agri-environmental programme.
Factors affecting the positioning of wineries based on the value added by the DO certification

The Designation of Origin (DO) conveys an array of dimensions, such as recognition, quality, reputation and loyalty which constitutes a worthy asset to the agri-businesses. In the region where this study is based (Aragón-Spain) there are four DOs for wine and 6 recently created geographic identifications. The wine industry in the region is not homogeneous. The firms differ in terms of structure, market orientation, diversification, marketing policies, and, in particular, in the use of the certification schemes and bottling. The latter two variables are viewed as proxies of a latent successful policy that leads the firm to add value to its product and accordingly, to a good positioning in the market. The objective of this paper is to identify the characteristics of the firms which pursue such a strategy. The study is based on data collected through a questionnaire addressed to the wineries in the region. To reach the objective proposed, we first classify the wineries according to the weight of certified and bottled wine by means of cluster analysis. Then, we estimate a logit model to find out which are the most relevant factors that influence the success of the firm positioning.
Regression-Based Simulation of Anti- Poverty Policies in Uganda

In this paper, we investigate factors affecting total household consumption and poverty in Uganda using household survey data. Our analysis indicates that household wellbeing can be improved by expanding education at all levels (primary, secondary, and university), expanding formal employment, increasing the number of microenterprises, reducing the average household size, expanding the number of schools and health facilities so that distance to these facilities is reduced, and by providing electricity, marketing outlets, credit, and telephone service in more communities. To help policymakers assess the effects of particular policies on the national poverty rate, we developed a simulation model from our regression estimates. The simulations translate the regression results into a form that policymakers can readily understand.
Extreme returns in emerging stock markets: evidence of a MAX effect in South Korea

We investigate the significance of extreme positive returns (MAX) in the cross-sectional pricing of stocks in South Korea. Our results provide important out-of-sample evidence of a strong negative MAX effect similar to that documented by Bali et al. (2011) in the US stock market. For equal-weighted portfolios, the difference between returns on the portfolios with the highest and lowest maximum daily returns is −1.87% per month. The corresponding difference in alpha is −1.41% per month. The results are robust to controls for size, value, skewness, momentum, short-term reversal and idiosyncratic volatility. We also sort the portfolios by the average of the five highest daily returns within the month and report return and alpha spreads of −2.21% and −2.01% per month, respectively. However, unlike in Bali et al. (2011), the MAX effect cannot reverse the idiosyncratic volatility effect in the South Korean stock market. Our results imply investor preference for high-MAX stocks, consistent with cumulative prospect theory (CPT) where investors sub-optimally overweight the possibility that extreme returns will persist. The MAX effect is also consistent with the optimal expectations framework where investors derive utility from overestimating the probabilities of events in which their investments pay off well.
Sensory system for detection of Harumanis mango fruit maturity

Olfactory systems are a device that is able to replicate the human olfactory sense. By using Interdigitated Electrode (IDE) structure, a sensor array for detecting mango volatile utilizing molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) as the sensing material was fabricated. Each sensor will be responsible for detecting different volatiles emitted from mango. The novel MIP sensory system able detects gases selectively through an increase in electrical capacitance when the targeted mango gases are adsorbed on the sensor's surface. Each sensor will be first be calibrated by identifying the baseline value prior inserting the mango in the chamber. Once the mango is inserted, the capacitance shift on each sensor will help to determine different mango volatiles being emitted by mango and absorb by each of the sensor. The capacitance shift will be then calculated by an interface circuit to determine the level of mango maturity ranging from non ripe, semi ripe or ripe. By having an array of such sensors, with each IDE tuned to different unique volatiles, a robust and accurate fruit maturity determination can be performed. These studies provide an interesting and alternative solution for agriculture sector to improve the quality of harvest.
Using slaughterhouse waste in a biochemical-based biorefinery – results from pilot scale tests

ABSTRACT A novel biorefinery concept was piloted using protein-rich slaughterhouse waste, chicken manure and straw as feedstocks. The basic idea was to provide a proof of concept for the production of platform chemicals and biofuels from organic waste materials at non-septic conditions. The desired biochemical routes were 2,3-butanediol and acetone–butanol fermentation. The results showed that hydrolysis resulted only in low amounts of easily degradable carbohydrates. However, amino acids released from the protein-rich slaughterhouse waste were utilized and fermented by the bacteria in the process. Product formation was directed towards acidogenic compounds rather than solventogenic products due to increasing pH-value affected by ammonia release during amino acid fermentation. Hence, the process was not effective for 2,3-butanediol production, whereas butyrate, propionate, γ-aminobutyrate and valerate were predominantly produced. This offered fast means for converting tedious protein-rich waste mixtures into utilizable chemical goods. Furthermore, the residual liquid from the bioreactor showed significantly higher biogas production potential than the corresponding substrates. The combination of the biorefinery approach to produce chemicals and biofuels with anaerobic digestion of the residues to recover energy in form of methane and nutrients that can be utilized for animal feed production could be a feasible concept for organic waste utilization.
Real exchange rate and openness in emerging economies: Argentina in the long run

Argentina's economic policies since the beginning of the century, provide an interesting background to the study of real exchange rate (RER) management in emerging countries. In this article, four types of RER overvaluation are identified. In the 1920s, Argentina provides a short example of overvaluation in the context of a fixed exchange rate policy. Moreover, estimations show that import substitution regimes can lead to a misalignment of RER. Argentina illustrates also the difficult management of RER in a volatile environment. Results allow, in addition, a better understanding of the failure of the trade liberalization attempts of the country and reminds one that successfully integrating the world economy requires an appropriate RER policy.