Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CTCF May Not Directly Regulate ERα mRNA Expression in the ER+ MCF7 Breast Cancer Cell Line

Introduction: CTCF is an evolutionally conserved 11-zinc finger protein factor involved in an array of processes whose deregulation could lead to cellular transformation. Through interactions with ERα binding regions and ERregulated genes, CTCF was shown to compartmentalize the cellular genome into domains. It also colocalized with ERα in MCF7 cells and had interactions with ERα during histone deacetylase recruitment and fork-head activity. A fast-running isoform was previously shown to be expressed in breast cancer tissue but not in normal breast tissue. It is not clear whether there is a regulatory relationship between CTCF and ERα in breast cancer. Aim: To determine whether CTCF expression regulated ERα expression in the ER+ MCF7 breast cancer cell line. Methods: MCF7 breast cancer cells were transfected with either CTCF expression vectors or siRNA against CTCF. Following CTCF over-expression and knock-down, changes in endogenous expression of ERα gene and protein expression were monitored by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (using MIQE guidelines) and western blot analysis respectively. Results: CTCF plasmid overexpression and siRNA knockdown was associated with cell rounding but with 96.4% and 95.7% cell viability respectively. Increase in CTCF mRNA on over-expression was associated with a rise in CTCF protein expression. siRNA knockdown of CTCF mRNA was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in CTCF protein expression. CTCF over-expression and knockdown appeared to inhibit the ability to detect ERα protein expression by western blotting. Neither the over-expression nor knockdown of CTCF altered ERα mRNA expression as detected by QPCR. Conclusion: Alterations in CTCF mRNA expression did not affect ERα gene expression in MCF7 cells suggesting that CTCF interactions with the estrogen receptor in breast cancer may not be mediated via direct regulation of ERα mRNA expression.
UVB‐induced Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Phosphorylation is Critical for Downstream Signaling and Keratinocyte Survival ¶

We have recently shown that UVB radiation activates epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/extracellular regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38 signaling pathways in keratinocytes. However, the functional relevance of these processes for downstream signaling and cell survival remains to be determined. The specific EGFR inhibitor PD153035 markedly decreased UVB‐induced phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK1/2 and shc, whereas p38 activation was unaffected. PD153035 pretreatment followed by UVB reduced clonogenic potential and enhanced peroxide production, apoptosis and cell death. Our data suggest that ligand‐independent phosphorylation of EGFR and likely dependent downstream signaling pathways regulate cellular defense mechanisms important for cell survival following oxidative stress.
Radiation performance enhancement of an ultra wide band antenna using metamaterial band-pass filter

In this paper, a metamaterial structure based on Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) cell is proposed to achieve an isotropic band-pass filtering response. This filter consists of a planar layer formed by a 3×3 metamaterials cell array with transmittive filtering behavior at 3.5 GHz. This design with 45 mm × 45 mm dimension is then integrated in close proximity at distance of 10 mm with an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) antenna to enhance it’ s performances around a 3.5 GHz operating frequency. Simulation results ensure that filter geometry provides the advantage of polarization independency and also exhibits the angular stability up to 45◦ for both Transverse Electric (TE) and Transverse magnetic (TM) modes. More importantly, enhancement in antenna radiation pattern characteristics is illustrated when the planar FSS layer is integrated at a small distance from the radiator. Moreover, antenna gain was improved to 3.22 dBi, adaptation of antenna port (S11) was increased to -53.26 dB and antenna bandwidth reduction to 1.7 GHz is also detected. All these performances make the proposed design as a good choice used to shield signals in UWB wireless applications especially for connected object in 5G.
Sensitivity of Biologically Active UV Radiation to Stratospheric Ozone Changes: Effects of Action Spectrum Shape and Wavelength Range ¶

Biological action spectra are commonly used to assess health and ecosystem responses to increases in spectral ultraviolet (UV) irradiances resulting from stratospheric ozone (O3) reductions. For each action spectrum, a normalized sensitivity coefficient (the radiation amplification factor [RAF]) can be calculated as the relative increase in biologically active UV irradiance for a given relative decrease in the atmospheric O3 column amount. We use a detailed radiative transfer model to calculate the dependence of RAF on the O3 column amount and the solar zenith angle (and, therefore, implicitly on latitude and season) for several commonly used action spectra. A simple analytical model is used to interpret the results in terms of the semilogarithmic slope of the action spectra in the UV‐B and UV‐A wavelength ranges. We also show that RAF may be overestimated substantially if the UV‐A portion of an action spectrum is significant but is neglected. This is illustrated using several idealized action spectra as well as published action spectra for plant responses to UV irradiation. Generally, if the portion of an action spectrum measured longward of ∼300 nm spans less than about two orders in magnitude in its sensitivity, significant errors in the estimated RAF may ensue, and the use of this action spectrum in O3‐related studies can be compromised.
Bioarchaeology International (Volume 1)

Bioarchaeological perspectives of collapse scenarios have contributed to our understanding of the persistence and regeneration of communities after the fall of states and empires. We suggest that the osteological examination of everyday lived experience can further elucidate local lifeways during these transitory periods. Focusing on ancient Nubia after the decline of the colonial Egyptian New Kingdom Empire, we examine musculoskeletal activity patterns (entheseal changes) and traumatic injury in remains uncovered at Tombos, a cemetery at the Third Cataract of the Nile. We find evidence that entheseal changes increased at Tombos from the New Kingdom Period to the postcolonial Third Intermediate/ Napatan Periods; however, accidental trauma does not significantly increase between the two periods. With regard to the elevated entheseal changes, we suggest that Nubians may have been engaged in quarrying, agropastoralism, and construction efforts. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that this population was biologically resilient, which may have limited accidental/occupational traumatic injury. We view these changes to the Tombos quotidian experience from an agent-centered perspective; we posit that during the postcolonial period, Nubians revitalized their sociopolitical and economic systems through these everyday practices, which contributed to the independent and powerful Napatan state.
Is the Excited‐State H‐atom Transfer in Hypericin Concerted? ¶

The excited‐state intramolecular H‐atom transfer of hypericin (Hyp) was investigated as a function of pH in monodispersed reverse micelles formed by sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate/heptane/water and in complexes with Tb3+ under conditions in which one of the two carbonyl groups of Hyp is incapable of accepting a hydrogen atom. The results of pump‐probe transient absorption experiments provide no evidence for a concerted H‐atom transfer mechanism.
Photochromism of Viologens Included in Crown Ether Cavity ¶

The effect of a π‐electron–donating macrocyclic molecule on the photochromic behavior of viologen derivatives was investigated in a thin polymer film. The intermolecular interactions between the viologens and the macrocyclic molecule were investigated in a solution before photoirradiation. In acetone, benzylviologens, N,N′‐dibenzyl‐4,4′‐bipyridinium hexafluorophosphate (1) and N,N′‐dibenzyl‐trans‐1,2‐bis(4‐pyridinium)ethylene hexafluorophosphate (2) each derived from 4,4′‐bipiyridine and trans‐1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene, respectively, form an inclusion complex with p‐benzocrown ether (3) with binding constants of ca 200 M−1, which was driven by a charge transfer interaction. The peak wavelength of the charge transfer absorption band was at 453 and 421 nm for the inclusion complexes of 1 and 2 with 3, respectively. Upon photoirradiation to the polymer film containing 1, the film changed color from colorless to blue, associated with the reduction of 1 from the dication to the radical cation. The original dication was recovered after 120 min. The addition of 3 into the film containing 1 caused not only the color change from colorless to yellow, associated with the charge transfer interaction between 1 and 3 before photoirradiation, but also an acceleration in the bleaching rate of the photoreduced 1. When p‐dimethoxybenzene (4) was used as an acyclic analog of 3, a negligible change in the photochromic behavior of 1 was observed. Similar effect of 3 on the photochromic behavior of 2 was observed. These results imply that the π‐electron–donating macrocyclic molecule causes a faster bleaching of photoreduced viologens by forming the inclusion complex.
Cloning and Characterization of an Active Fragment of Luciferase from a Luminescent Marine Alga, Pyrocystis lunula ¶

Two marine dinoflagellates, Lingulodinium polyedrum and Pyrocystis lunula, emit light in a reaction involving the enzymatic oxidation of its tetrapyrrole luciferin by molecular oxygen. The characteristic properties of P. lunula luciferase have not been clarified, whereas L. polyedrum luciferase, which has three active domains, has been characterized. A cloned partial cDNA of the P. lunula luciferase encodes an active fragment corresponding to part of domain 2 and all of domain 3 of L. polyedrum luciferase. The homology of the amino acid sequence between the two luciferases in domain 3 is about 84.3%. A recombinant His‐tagged luciferase fragment containing domain 3 (Mr= 46 kDa) catalyzed the light‐emitting oxidation of luciferin (λmax= 474 nm). This protein was purified by a single affinity‐chromatography procedure. The pH–activity profile and the bioluminescence spectrum of the recombinant enzyme having a third domain are almost identical to those of an extract from P. lunula cultured in vitro. The recombinant enzyme is active at pH 8.0, although the recombinant enzyme derived from the second domain of L. polyedrum luciferase is inactive at pH 8.0. Substitution of Glu‐201 by histidine in the third domain of P. lunula luciferase showed a decrease of activity above pH 7.0, suggesting that histidine residues could be responsible for pH‐sensitivity in dinoflagellate luciferase.
Phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase marks the inhibition of in vivo neuronal activity

For decades, the expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) such as c-fos has been the most widely used molecular marker representing neuronal activation. However, to date, there is no equivalent surrogate available for the decrease of neuronal activity (i.e., inhibition). Here, we developed an optogenetic-based biochemical screen in which population neural activities can be controlled by light with single action potential precision, followed by unbiased phosphoproteomic profiling. We identified that the phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (pPDH) inversely correlated with the intensity of action potential firing in primary neurons. In in vivo mouse models, monoclonal antibody-based pPDH immunostaining detected neuronal inhibition across the brain induced by a wide range of factors including general anesthesia, sensory experiences, and natural behaviors. Thus, as an in vivo marker for neuronal inhibition, pPDH can be used together with IEGs or other cell-type markers to profile and identify bi-directional neural dynamics induced by experiences or behaviors.
Study of Polymorphysisms in Adipocyte Fatty Acid Binding Protein Gene and Their Relationship with Fatness Related Traits in Chick

PCR-SSCP was used to detect polymorphic sites in chick adipocyte fatty acid binding protein gene(A-FABP). Six Chinese local breeds,Beijing Fatty chick,Dwarf chick,Taihe Silky Fowl chick,Chongrenma chick,Xiayan chick,Luyuan chick and an imported breed,Arbor Acre broil,were used as tested populations.Three PCR-SSCP loci were detected.The frequencies of genotype and allele were significantly different in different populations.Sequence analysis revealed that C→T,G→A,and C→T transitions were responsible for the polymorphisms.Some traits related fatness such as body weight,content of intramuscular fat(IMF) and percentage of abdominal fat weight to body weight(AFP) were measured in Beijing Fatty chick and Dwarf chick/ We found that meat quality traits were significantly related to different genotypes in the populations tested.
Fundamental and higher-order excited modes of radial oscillation of neutron stars for various types of cold nucleonic and hyperonic matter

This research paper complements our earlier qualitative study of the effect of viscosity and thermal conductivity on the radial oscillation and relaxation of non-rotating neutron stars. The fundamental and first two lowest-frequency excited modes of radial oscillation have been computed in the high nuclear density regime for a set of seven realistic equations of state (EoS) as functions of central energy density. Various types of zero-temperature EoS of cold nucleonic and hybrid nucleon–hyperon–quark matter models are used in the inner core to determine the internal structure in and around the hydrostatic equilibrium states and investigate the influence of each EoS on the dynamical behavior of non-rotating neutron stars. We confirm the principal results of earlier, related studies that suggest an underlying correlation between the frequency spectrum of the fundamental oscillation mode and the variation of the adiabatic index over the high nuclear-density regime. We provide valuable information to impose further constraints on the plausible set of realistic EoS models, in addition to the practical applications for the rapidly evolving field of asteroseismology of compact objects.
Information technology governance model for a low resource institution with fragmented IT portfolio

The emergence of information technology governance in higher education has emerged as important for aligning information technology goals with that of institutions in order to achieve the mission and vision of institutions. Even though higher education institutions in South Africa have some form of information technology governance or information technology strategic committee in place, they are still struggling to operationalize their mandate effectively in order to achieve their objectives. The struggle is even more in settings that are low on resources and where the information technology portfolio is highly fragmented. In this article, an information technology governance model suitable for low resource settings and fragmented information technology portfolios is proposed to assist institutions having this type of setting achieve successful strategic information technology alignment. Case study research was used to: 1) understand information technology challenges that an institution with this type of setting faces and; 2) understand how other similar institutions have implemented their information technolgy governance. The findings from the case studies contributed to the development of an effective information technology governance model suited to these institutions with low resource settings and having fragmented information technology portifolios. Initial evaluation of the model using existing literature review, existing information technology governance frameworks and case studies used in the study indicate the validity of the model.
Investigating the Mediating Role of Perceived Organizational Support in the Relationship Between Sense of Coherence, Professional Ethics, and Job Performance of Nurses

Background: Job performance is one of the basic concepts in organizations, based on which, the responsibilities and success of each individual in the organization are realized. The main objective of the current study was to investigate the mediating role of perceived organizational support in the relationship between Sense of Coherence (SOC), professional ethics, and the job performance of nurses in Ahvaz City, Iran.
Evaluation of Farmers’ Willingness to Pay (WTP) for Sesame Seed Driller Machine Rental Service in Kafta-Humera District, Western Tigray, Ethiopia

The use of row planter in Ethiopia for sesame production is almost at the infant stage, and most seeds were typically sown through manual broadcasting as the tariff of imported agricultural machinery (row planter) is high. This shows that poor and small-scale farmers are unable to purchase row planter/sesame seed driller machine/ as its cost is expensive and their land is small. Hence, this study has assessed farmers' willingness to pay to rent sesame seed driller machine service by conducting a survey of 124 farmers in Kafta-humera district, western Tigray, Ethiopia. A survey questionnaire related to CVM was designed and face-to-face interviews were made to collect the data. The descriptive result showed that 85.48% of the farmers were willing to rent the Sesame seed driller machine with a mean of ETB 911.37 per hectare. The Probit regression results confirm that the educational level, access to extension service, the income of the household, and access to credit were the factors that affecting the farmers’ level of willingness to pay positively. However, the cultivable land size was negatively influencing willingness to rent sesame seed driller machine by the farmers. Regarding the perception of farmers, majority of the respondents were perceived positively particularly with the statements of “sesame seed driller machine decreases weed occurrence and makes easy to control weed, increases sesame grain yield and it makes Original Research Article Gebre; AJAEES, 38(8): 51-60, 2020; Article no.AJAEES. 58658 52 farmers financially profitable". However, they perceived negatively on that it drills a higher seed rate and missed plant to some extent. The study, therefore, recommends encouraging well educated and better off people to engage in sesame farming, overhauling agricultural extension services. Moreover, it is suggested that investors, cooperatives or private companies should introduce sesame seed driller machine not only for themselves but also to rent service at a fair price.
Carbon in Canada’s boreal forest — A synthesis1

Canada’s managed boreal forest, 54% of the nation’s total boreal forest area, stores 28 Pg carbon (C) in biomass, dead organic matter, and soil pools. The net C balance is dominated by the difference of two large continuous fluxes: C uptake (net primary production) and release during decomposition (heterotrophic respiration). Additional releases of C can be high in years, or in areas, that experience large anthropogenic or natural disturbances. From 1990 to 2008, Canada’s managed boreal forest has acted as C sink of 28 Tg C year−1, removing CO2 from the atmosphere to replace the 17 Tg of C annually harvested and store an additional 11 Tg of C year−1 in ecosystem C pools. A large fraction (57%) of the C harvested since 1990 remains stored in wood products and solid waste disposal sites in Canada and abroad, replacing C emitted from the decay or burning of wood harvested prior to 1990 and contributing to net increases in product and landfill C pools. Wood product use has reduced emissions in other sectors by substituting for emission-intensive products (concrete, steel). The C balance of the unmanaged boreal forest is currently unknown. The future C balance of the Canadian boreal forest will affect the global atmospheric C budget and influence the mitigation efforts required to attain atmospheric CO2 stabilization targets. The single biggest threat to C stocks is human-caused climate change. Large C stocks have accumulated in the boreal because decomposition is limited by cold temperatures and often anoxic environments. Increases in temperatures and disturbance rates could result in a large net C source during the remainder of this century and beyond. Uncertainties about the impacts of global change remain high, but we emphasize the asymmetry of risk: sustained large-scale increases in productivity are unlikely to be of sufficient magnitude to offset higher emissions from increased disturbances and heterotrophic respiration. Reducing the uncertainties of the current and future C balance of Canada’s 270 Mha of boreal forest requires addressing gaps in monitoring, observation, and quantification of forest C dynamics, with particular attention to 125 Mha of unmanaged boreal forest with extensive areas of deep organic soils, peatlands, and permafrost containing large quantities of C that are vulnerable to
Impact of ischemic cardiomyopathy on right ventricular function using speckle tracking echocardiography

Aim : to assess RV function by 2D speckle tracking imaging in patients with ICM. Method: This study included38 patients with ICM (ischemic cardiomyopthy) and 30 healthy subjects as a control group. Conventional echo-Doppler parameters of right ventricular function together with tissue Doppler imaging derived RV strain and speckle-tracking echo-derived RV global strain (STE-RVGST) were obtained.Result: The two groups were matched in age and sex . ICM had significantly higher values of MV-E vel, MV-E/A ratio and LV Tei index, with significantly lower values of MV-DT compared to group II. There is significant high basal, mid and longitudinal RVD, RVEDV, RVESD, RVED area, RVES area in ICM than control group and statistically significant low RVEF, TAPSE, RV-FAC in ICM than control group and no significant difference as regard RVEDD and RVESD. While in evaluation of conventional RV Doppler parameters there is significant high TV-A vel, TV-SPG and RV Tei index in Group I than control group and statistically significant low TV-EDT and TV E/A in ICM than control group and no significant difference as regard TV-E vel and Pulm- TVI. In this study RV TDI and speckle tracking parameters revealed statistically significant low Free Ea, Free Sa, TD-derived RV strain and STE-RVGST in ICM than control group and no statistically significant difference in Free Aa and E/Ea.Conclusion: patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy have both systolic and diastolic RV dysfunction, RV global longitudinal strain have an additive role in assessment of RV systolic dysfunction.
A REVIEW OF VARIOUS GEAR GEOMETRY MODIFICATION METHODOLOGIES

Now-a-days Gear Failure of the system is the most common issue faced by many Industries. Many Methodologies have been evolved for preventing the gear failures and gear noise such as Geometry Modifications of gears. The Geometry Modification of the gears mainly involves two methodsMacro-geometry modification and Micro-geometry modification. Here, study of the different geometry modification methods of gears is presented. The aim of this paper is to study different geometry modification methods for gears and their effectiveness. In this work, the analysis from one of the papers is conducted.