Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endocytosis of therapeutic macromolecules in tumor cells - Mechanistic aspects of the proteoglycan receptor function

Novel therapeutics to combat cancer are urgently needed. Most current pharmacological therapies have severe side effects and are seldom curative. Macromolecular drugs, and in particular nucleic acid based drugs, offer a potential remedy for this situation. Currently, the absence of efficacious and safe methods to deliver nucleic acids to intracellular sites of action is the main impediment to the introduction of nucleic acid based therapies in the clinic. Viral delivery methods have been demonstrated to efficiently deliver nucleic acids, but also to be associated with severe, occasionally life threatening, immune reactions. Non-viral delivery methods are, so far, not sufficiently efficient for use in the clinic. Many viral and virtually all non-viral macromolecular delivery methods depend on cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HS PGs) for efficient uptake, however the details of this mechanism and the exact role of the PG has been unclear. The aim of this thesis was to clarify the role of the cell surface PG in macromolecular uptake processes. It is demonstrated that mammalian cells can internalize extracellular DNA by a pathway strictly dependent on cell surface PGs and this pathway is characterized. Secreted, positively charged, proteins and peptides including the antimicrobial peptide LL-37, are shown to facilitate the uptake process. It is also demonstrated that specific HS epitopes, present on cell surface HS PGs, are pivotal for the uptake of diverse HS binding ligands including polyamines and macromolecular antibody complexes. Finally, using a newly developed method for the isolation of endocytic vesicles, it is demonstrated that both classes of cell surface HS PGs, syndecans and glypicans, are true internalizing receptors capable of intracellular macromolecular delivery. This thesis advances our understanding of PGs as potential targets for macromolecular delivery vehicles. This understanding will be of aid for the development of future macromolecular drugs to the benefit of the patient.
Polarization-diversity antennas for compact base stations

This paper describes the use of diversity reception for mobile radio base stations and compares the performance of space and polarization diversity techniques. It is seen that in urban areas polarization diversity offers performance that is generally comparable with that of space diversity. The compact 3-antenna system of a polarization diversity base station is much more acceptable as a feature of the urban landscape. Performance trials in rural areas trials show a less clear picture – while most experimenters report that space diversity is a superior method, others have obtained results favoring polarization diversity. The paper discusses possible reasons for these differences.
Can Video Conferencing Be as Easy as Telephoning?—A Home Healthcare Case Study

In comparison with almost universal adoption of telephony and mobile technologies in modern day healthcare, video conferencing has yet to become a ubiquitous clinical tool. Currently telehealth services are faced with a bewildering range of video conferencing software and hardware choices. This paper provides a case study in the selection of video conferencing services by the Flinders University Telehealth in the Home trial (FTH Trial) to support healthcare in the home. Using pragmatic methods, video conferencing solutions available on the market were assessed for usability, reliability, cost, compatibility, interoperability, performance and privacy considerations. The process of elimination through which the eventual solution was chosen, the selection criteria used for each requirement and the corresponding results are described. The resulting product set, although functional, had restricted ability to directly connect with systems used by healthcare providers elsewhere in the system. This outcome illustrates the impact on one small telehealth provider of the broader struggles between competing video conferencing vendors. At stake is the ability to communicate between healthcare organizations and provide public access to healthcare. Comparison of the current state of the video conferencing market place with the evolution of the telephony system reveals that video conferencing still has a long way to go before it can be considered as easy to use as the telephone. Health organizations that are concerned to improve access and quality of care should seek to influence greater standardization and interoperability though cooperation with one another, the private sector, international organizations and by encouraging governments to play a more active role in this sphere.
Evaluation of Hematology Profiles and Measurement of Serum Cardiac Troponin Level in Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is an important multisystemic disease in dogs which is caused by Ehrlichia canis ( E. canis ). Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and severe anemia from E. canis might be the potential causes of myocardial damage. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is considered to be a sensitive and specific biomarker for myocardial damage in many mammalian species. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of CME on serum cTnT levels in dogs and to determine the relationship between serum cTnT and values obtained from hematology. Fifty-two client-owned dogs were recruited into this study and clinical data were thoroughly recorded. Blood samples were collected from 52 dogs and tested for antigen of E. canis by multiplex PCR. The cTnT levels were measured by Elecsys®/cobas e™ cTnT fourth-generation assay. The dogs were divided into 4 groups. The control group consisted of 15 healthy dogs. The negative group included 20 dogs presented with at least 2 inclusion criteria but yielded negative results for Multiplex PCR. The E. canis infected group consisted of 10 dogs, which were positive for E. canis only. Lastly, the other blood parasite infected group included 7 dogs with multiplex PCR positive for Babesia spp . and/or Hepatozoon canis . Results showed that serum cTnT concentration was not different among the 4 groups (p = 0.70) and did not significantly increase in dogs with natural E. canis infection. However, there was a negative correlation between cTnT and RBC, and a correlation of cTnT with age. These implied that anemia and aging might cause myocardial injury, consequently, increased serum cTnT level in both normal and E. canis infected dogs.
Comparison of drift velocities of nighttime equatorial plasma depletions with ambient plasma drifts and thermospheric neutral winds

This is the first study to compare plasma depletion drifts with the ambient plasma drifts and neutral winds in the post sunset equatorial ionosphere using global‐scale satellite observations. The local time and latitude variations of the drift velocities of O+ plasma depletions at 350–400 km altitude are derived from the observations of the far ultraviolet imager operated on the IMAGE satellite during 10 March to 7 June 2002. These depletion drift velocities are compared with the simultaneously measured ion drift velocities and neutral winds by the ROCSAT‐1 and the CHAMP satellites for a similar time period. The analysis shows that the zonal drift velocity of plasma depletions is smaller than both the ambient ion zonal drift velocity and the neutral zonal wind at 18:00–20:00 magnetic local time, and after 21:00, the variations of these velocities are similar. The difference of the plasma depletion drift with the background is found to be smaller at lower latitudes. Furthermore, the zonal drift velocity of the depletion is found to have a large latitudinal gradient specifically at 12°–18° magnetic latitude, which again does not match the ambient ion drift and the neutral wind. This latitudinal difference has been reported by previous studies, but those studies use models and they only compare the depletion drifts with the modeled neutral winds. This study provides a measure of the difference that has never been studied before by any study using global observations. It has been suggested that polarization electric fields inside the plasma depletion structure drive the plasma to drift westward and thus the depletion structure moves to the east. The latitudinal gradient of the depletion drift velocity seen here in this study could also be explained by the polarization electric fields. For the C‐shaped (reversed C) depletion, the polarization electric fields inside the depletion drive a westward drift of plasma and this drift velocity changes with increasing latitude. Consequently, the depletion drift has a latitudinal gradient becoming significant at higher latitudes.
In Vitro Screening of Ten Selected Traditionally Used Medicinal Plants in Vihiga County, Kenya for Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity

The emergence of fungal and bacterial opportunistic infections as well as the challenges in their management has led to the continuous need for exploration, discovery and development of innovative antifungal and antibacterial drug molecules including those from plant sources. Ethnopharmacological information on plants is often of importance while searching for plants of potential medicinal value or new ways of using an already known plant. It has been estimated that 74% of the pharmacologically active plant derived components were discovered after ethno-medical evaluation of the respective plants [1-3]. Several plants in Kenya have similarly been evaluated and found to possess antimicrobial activity [4].
WORKING PAPER SERIES No . 4 / 2007 OPTIMAL PORTFOLIO CHOICE AND INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION

In this paper we analyze how an individual should optimally invest in her own human capital when she also has financial wealth. We treat the individual’s option to take more education as expansion options and apply real option analysis. We characterize the individual’s optimal consumption strategy and portfolio weights. The individual has a demand for hedging financial risk, labor income risk, and also wage level risk.
Multi-model simulation of CO and HCHO in the Southern Hemisphere: comparison with observations and impact of biogenic emissions

Abstract. We investigate the impact of biogenic emissions on carbon monoxide (CO) and formaldehyde (HCHO) in the Southern Hemisphere (SH), with simulations using two different biogenic emission inventories for isoprene and monoterpenes. Results from four atmospheric chemistry models are compared to continuous long-term ground-based CO and HCHO column measurements at the SH Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) sites, the satellite measurement of tropospheric CO columns from the Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT), and in situ surface CO measurements from across the SH, representing a subset of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Global Monitoring Division (NOAA GMD) network. Simulated mean model CO using the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (v2.1) computed in the frame work of the Land Community Model (CLM-MEGANv2.1) inventory is in better agreement with both column and surface observations than simulations adopting the emission inventory generated from the LPJ-GUESS dynamical vegetation model framework, which markedly underestimate measured column and surface CO at most sites. Differences in biogenic emissions cause large differences in CO in the source regions which propagate to the remote SH. Significant inter-model differences exist in modelled column and surface CO, and secondary production of CO dominates these inter-model differences, due mainly to differences in the models' oxidation schemes for volatile organic compounds, predominantly isoprene oxidation. While biogenic emissions are a significant factor in modelling SH CO, inter-model differences pose an additional challenge to constrain these emissions. Corresponding comparisons of HCHO columns at two SH mid-latitude sites reveal that all models significantly underestimate the observed values by approximately a factor of 2. There is a much smaller impact on HCHO of the significantly different biogenic emissions in remote regions, compared to the source regions. Decreased biogenic emissions cause decreased CO export to remote regions, which leads to increased OH; this in turn results in increased HCHO production through methane oxidation. In agreement with earlier studies, we corroborate that significant HCHO sources are likely missing in the models in the remote SH.
Protective Footwear And The Risk Of Slipping In Older Workers – Definitions, Achievements, Recommendations

Abstract Foot slippage is the most widespread unforeseen event causing falls on the same level, and a potentially contributing factor to falls from height and falls to a lower level. Statistical data on the number of slip-related accidents at work show the importance of the problem of slipping and indicate the need to continuously improve preventive measures designed to reduce injuries related to slipping, tripping, and falling (STF) on the same level. It is therefore necessary to continuously and insightfully analyze the causes of falls and undertake efforts to eliminate the occurrence of slip- and trip-induced workplace accidents. The occurrence of slips and trips is primarily related to the type and quality of floor surfaces, but it also depends on the biomechanical characteristics of the lower limbs in the transitional phases of walking gait, sole material and tread, human factors such as age, weight, and motor and vision function, the ability to adapt to the floor surface conditions, as well as on a number of factors linked to the workplace environment and work organization. This problem is going to escalate as a result of the higher retirement age, due to which many persons over the age of 60 will have to continue working, often in hazardous conditions.
Fuzzy Adaptive Prescribed Performance Control for a Class of Uncertain Nonlinear Systems with Unknown Dead-Zone Inputs

This paper proposes a fuzzy adaptive prescribed performance control scheme for a class of uncertain chaotic systems with unknown control gains and unknown dead-zone inputs. Firstly, an error transformation is introduced to transform the original constrained system into an equivalent unconstrained one. Then, based on the error transformation technique and the predefined performance technique, a fuzzy adaptive feedback control method is developed. It is shown that all the signals of the resulting closed-loop system are bounded. Finally, an illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed technique.
SYNTHESIS OF ZNO:MN NANOPARTICLES, NANOBELTS AND NANORODS

Doping is a widely used method to improve the electrical and optical properties of semiconductors. However synthesis route is also very important to get different type of nanostructures with different properties. Different types of ZnO nanostructures doped with Mn having variable doping concentrations by weight percentage have been synthesized in the laboratory using wet chemical synthesis technique. Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM) image shows the nanobelt around one millimeter and Transmission Electron Microscope(TEM) studies shows that the average diameter of the particles is 25100 nm and the diameter of the rod is 66nm.
Effect of Injection Timing on Exhaust Emissions and Combustion Characteristics of Direct Injection Diesel Engine with Ceramic Coated Cylinder Head

Experiments were carried out to study exhaust emissions and combustion characteristics of diesel engine with low heat rejection (LHR–1) combustion chamber consisting of conventional piston, conventional liner and ceramic coated cylinder head with neat diesel with varied injection timing. Combustion diagnosis was determined by using miniature Piezo electric pressure transducer and TDC (top dead centre) by using pressure-crank angle software package. Exhaust emissions of particulate levels and nitrogen oxide (NOx) levels were found out with varied brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), while combustion characteristics of peak pressure, time of occurrence of peak pressure and maximum rate of pressure rise are were determined at full load operation of both versions of the combustion chamber. The optimum injection timing was found to be 31obTDC (before top dead centre) with conventional engine, while it was 30 o bTDC for engine with LHR–1combustion chamber with diesel operation. Engine with LHR–1 combustion chamber with neat diesel operation showed comparable particulate emissions and increase of NO xlevels at manufacturer’s recommended injection timing of 27obTDC, and the combustion characteristics improved marginally with advanced injection timing of 30obTDC in comparison with CE at 27obTDC.
Acceptability Testing of a Mobile Application to Improve Immunization Status Monitoring and Compliance in Selected Barangay Health Centers in Iligan City

With the availability of vaccines given freely by the government for immunization, it is still a question as to why the goal of 100% fully immunized child (FIC) status has yet to be reached. Hence, an android application was created, designed and developed to help increase the immunization rate specifically in Iligan City which only has 81.01% or 7,509 out of 9269 total eligible population. This mobile application was tested for its acceptability among nurses, midwives, and/or Barangay Health workers in ten different Barangay Health Centers in Iligan City. This was done in three phases; the orientation phase, implementation phase, and evaluation phase. Results showed that the application was strongly beneficial (Median=4) to them with an extreme ease of use (Median=6.75). They were also very satisfied (Median=1) with its performance. The findings of this study have proved to be promising in improving monitoring of immunization status and compliance. The android application is of great contribution and has guaranteed a time-saving, cost-effective way in productivity and delivery of safe, quality care.
Content-Based GeoLocation Detection for Placing Tweets Pertaining To Trending News on Map

In the last few years, social media services such as Twitter have proven to provide first-line information on current news events such as civil unrest, protests, elections, etc. The limited availability of self-identified geolocation information makes it challenging to place such current and trending news on the globe. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel approach for contentbased geo-location of Arabic and English language tweets by collating contextual tweets into a document using a user-tweeting-frequency based temporal window. We compute the distances of the content-based geo-located tweets against the device-based geospatial points provided natively via Twitter API as well as the Twitter User Profile based locations. We show that content-based geo-location detection provides an effective way of geo-localizing trending news topics, geo-political entities and Hashtags.
N 2 fixation in eddies of the eastern tropical South Pacific Ocean

Abstract. Mesoscale eddies play a major role in controlling ocean biogeochemistry. By impacting nutrient availability and water column ventilation, they are of critical importance for oceanic primary production. In the eastern tropical South Pacific Ocean off Peru, where a large and persistent oxygen-deficient zone is present, mesoscale processes have been reported to occur frequently. However, investigations into their biological activity are mostly based on model simulations, and direct measurements of carbon and dinitrogen (N2) fixation are scarce. We examined an open-ocean cyclonic eddy and two anticyclonic mode water eddies: a coastal one and an open-ocean one in the waters off Peru along a section at 16° S in austral summer 2012. Molecular data and bioassay incubations point towards a difference between the active diazotrophic communities present in the cyclonic eddy and the anticyclonic mode water eddies. In the cyclonic eddy, highest rates of N2 fixation were measured in surface waters but no N2 fixation signal was detected at intermediate water depths. In contrast, both anticyclonic mode water eddies showed pronounced maxima in N2 fixation below the euphotic zone as evidenced by rate measurements and geochemical data. N2 fixation and carbon (C) fixation were higher in the young coastal mode water eddy compared to the older offshore mode water eddy. A co-occurrence between N2 fixation and biogenic N2, an indicator for N loss, indicated a link between N loss and N2 fixation in the mode water eddies, which was not observed for the cyclonic eddy. The comparison of two consecutive surveys of the coastal mode water eddy in November 2012 and December 2012 also revealed a reduction in N2 and C fixation at intermediate depths along with a reduction in chlorophyll by half, mirroring an aging effect in this eddy. Our data indicate an important role for anticyclonic mode water eddies in stimulating N2 fixation and thus supplying N offshore.
North Atlantic SST Anomalies and the Cold North European Weather Events of Winter 2009/10 and December 2010

AbstractNorthern Europe experienced consecutive periods of extreme cold weather in the winter of 2009/10 and in late 2010. These periods were characterized by a tripole pattern in North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies and exceptionally negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). A global ocean–atmosphere general circulation model (OAGCM) is used to investigate the ocean’s role in influencing North Atlantic and European climate. Observed SST anomalies are used to force the atmospheric model and the resultant changes in atmospheric conditions over northern Europe are examined. Different atmospheric responses occur in the winter of 2009/10 and the early winter of 2010. These experiments suggest that North Atlantic SST anomalies did not significantly affect the development of the negative NAO phase in the cold winter of 2009/10. However, in November and December 2010 the large-scale North Atlantic SST anomaly pattern leads to a significant shift in the atmospheric circulation ove.