Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Colocalizes with CD25+ Cells in Atherosclerotic Vessels

Proteolytic activity in vascular tissue is necessary for cellular migration, remodelling of extracellular matrix and the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Inflammatory cells, mainly macrophages, are numerous in atherosclerotic plaques and may synthesize and secrete proteolytic enzymes. The principal activator of plasminogen in tissues is urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA). To determine if an activated phenotype of inflammatory cells colocalizes with local expression of u-PA in atherosclerotic vessels, vascular biopsies from 15 patients with peripheral atherosclerotic disease were analyzed by immunohistochemistry on consecutive sections. Anti-CD68 antibodies were used as markers for macrophages and were positive in 14/15 specimens. Anti-CD25 (interleukin-2 receptor-α) antibodies were used to identify inflammatory cells with an activated phenotype and were positive in 9/14 CD68+ specimens. The same 9 specimens were positive for u-PA. A positive reaction for u-PA was found only in specimens with CD25+ cells. Specimens with positive reactions for all three antibodies were further analyzed with computer-assisted image analysis. The colocalization with u-PA was higher for CD25 compared to CD68 in all specimens. Mean percentage of the u-PA-positive area in regions positive for cellular markers was 52% (SEM 6%) for CD25 and 19% (SEM 5%) for CD68 (p < 0.01). The results indicated that the activation of macrophages in atherosclerotic vessels may modulate local proteolysis and be of importance in plaque development and stability.
Overcoming immunogenicity associated with the use of biopharmaceuticals

The safety and efficacy of biopharmaceuticals can be severely impaired by their immunogenicity. A risk-based strategy should be used to assess immunogenicity on a case-by-case basis using standardized methods to correlate anti-drug antibody levels with clinical outcome. In silico and in vitro techniques allow putative T-cell epitopes to be identified and eliminated in candidate molecules while maintaining structure and function. Putative T-cell epitopes can be studied in the context of the HLA allotypes representative of the target population in vitro and in transgenic mice that express human HLA genes. Mice immune tolerant to human proteins allow the study of the effect of factors such as aggregation on the loss of immune tolerance. However, significant challenges remain in order to be able predict the immunogenicity of a therapeutic protein in a particular individual.
Metaphor as Dynamical–Ecological Performance

ABSTRACT The revolution in metaphor studies has revealed the motivating presence of underlying conceptual metaphors in people’s use and understanding of metaphorical language and gesture. Metaphorical expression is typically viewed now as bodily enactment of mentally represented metaphorical concepts. My aim in this article is to advance the idea that metaphorical performances are always part of dynamical, ecological cognition and must always be characterized as embodied, enactive, embedded, and extended. The dynamical–ecological perspective emphasizes how human thought and action continuously change over time with metaphor, more specifically, emerging in partial and probabilistic ways given what particular ecologies best afford. I describe different metaphorical performances as they arise in varying situations as people face adaptive challenges. Part of my claim is that metaphorical meanings only exist within the context of their bodily articulations in specific ecological contexts. Embracing a dynamical–ecological approach to metaphor comes with the significant conclusion that metaphor is not a discrete event or activity that is suddenly “there” inside people’s minds but is a dynamical constraint on action that is distributed across brains, bodies, and real-world ecologies.
Georgia and its separatist territories: beyond the point of no return

Though basically a separatist conflict, the situation in Georgia also involves other factors: ethnic and cultural, territorial, energy and political considerations, on both a regional and international scale. It is a conflict in which the interests of Georgia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Russia are at stake, basically caused by the separatist aspirations of the autonomous regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and their desire for independence from Georgia, or to join the Russian Federation, not to mention Russia�s wish to maintain its hegemony and influence in the region. Russia�s firm intention to assert its authority and supremacy in the Caucasus and its resurgence as a world power, laying claim to the position it feels legitimately corresponds to it on the international scene, provokes an unrestrained desire to punish and teach a lesson to an easily overcome rival, while at the same time issuing a warning to deter other possible dissident states and other world powers. Russia is no longer the defeated, Cold War power, but rather a leading stakeholder in the new international order, and one that will not hesitate to defend its interests, particularly in those areas it considers vital and which fall under its sphere of influence
Income Taxation and Equity

Abstract This paper provides an exposition and explanation of the various ways in which value judgements can be instilled into an income tax system, or, if inherent in a pre-existing one, can be drawn out and understood. A putative EU-wide income tax, additional to the national income taxes of the Member States, is used as a vehicle for the analysis. When the identification of equals is done using an appropriate ‘equivalent income function’, and the equal treatment command modelled in terms of it, the resultant tax will in general be differentiated between countries. A supplementary command, “equal progression among equals”, can be achieved if equals are defined as those at the same percentile point in the within-country distributions, and if these distributions differ in logarithms only by location and scale. Differentiated proportional taxes could even be equitable in this scenario, the flat rate being higher in less unequal countries. The value judgements implicit in a given tax system can be exposed in terms of an equivalence scale which is in general “base dependent”.
A Viewpoint on : Observation of Free-Space Single-Atom Matter Wave Interference

Since the early days of quantum mechanics, matterwave interferences with their mind-boggling implications have fascinated generations of physicists. Today we can coherently split and combine beams of electrons, neutrons, atoms, or even large clusters, and make them interfere. The study of these interferometers is motivated by a wide variety of applications, ranging from fundamental physics, such as the study of gravity, to applications, such as global positioning and geodesy, and also provided part of the research honored with the Nobel Prize in physics this year (see 12 October 2012 Focus). The usual technique involves operating an interferometer with sources providing a high flux of particles to increase the signal, while reducing the shot noise. For this and other reasons, many people still think about coherent beam splitting in statistical terms. However, quantum mechanics teaches us that one could operate an interferometer with single particles rather than beams because particles can interfere with themselves [1, 2]. Now, writing in Physical Review Letters, Paul Parazzoli and colleagues [3] at Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico, have realized a new scheme for an interferometer that demonstrates single-particle control in a free-space atom interferometer (Fig. 1). The principle of self-interfering atoms has even been demonstrated in traps [4], for example; however, demonstration of this effect in a free-space interferometer has not been reported until now. The interferometer built by Parazzoli et al. presents a new method for sensing tiny forces with localized objects by a wave-based measurement. The ability to make these measurements is a direct consequence of the free-space geometry, which uses a free-falling particle as the sensing element. It also presents a beautiful textbook experiment for interferences established with a single particle. While cooling the ensemble, they switched on a dipole trap with a tight focus at the optical resolution limit FIG. 1: An atom released from an optical trap, moving through time in one of two different trajectories, shown above a metal surface for an experiment to measure the CasimirPolder effect. When detected, the particle will collapse to one port. (APS/Carin Cain)
Effect of water sorption on the resistance to plastic deformation of a denture base material relined with four different denture reline materials.

PURPOSE The effect of water sorption on the flexural strength at the proportional limit (FSp) of a denture base material relined with four different denture reline materials was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS Denture base specimens were relined either after 24 hours or 30 days of water immersion. The relined specimens were tested after another period of 24 hours or 30 days of water immersion. RESULTS Relined denture specimens generally exhibited lower FSp with an increase in water immersion time and an increase in the thickness of the reline material. CONCLUSIONS The plasticizing effect of absorbed water molecules explains the general decrease in FSp of immersed relined specimens. The absence of a significant effect that water immersion had on some relined specimens under certain immersion conditions was explained by water sorption into the denture base achieving an equilibrium after a period of water immersion, and the resistance of some reline materials to the effect of water immersion.
Specialised care for early psychosis: Symptoms, social functioning and patient satisfaction

Background The provision of early intervention services for people with psychosis is UK government policy, although evidence for benefit of such services is sparse. Aims To evaluate the effects of a service providing specialised care for early psychosis (the Lambeth Early Onset team) on clinical and social outcomes, and on service user satisfaction. Method One hundred and forty-four people with psychosis, presenting to mental health services for the first or second time (if previously failed to engage in treatment), were randomly allocated to care by the early onset team or to standard care. Information was obtained on symptoms, treatment adherence, social and vocational functioning, satisfaction and quality of life. Relapse and rehospitalisation data have been reported separately. Results Outcomes for the participants treated by the early onset team were significantly better at 18 months for aspects of social and vocational functioning, satisfaction, quality of life and medication adherence. Symptom improvement did not significantly differ between the groups. Conclusions The provision of specialised care for early psychosis can achieve better outcomes. The study therefore provides support for current policy.
Comparison of Encryption Schemes as Used in Communication between SCADA Components

In Symmetric encryption, a secret key, which can be a number, a word, or just a string of random letters, is applied to the text of a message to change the content in a particular way. While is Asymmetric Encryption, two keys are used. A public key is made freely available to anyone who might want to send you a message. A second, private key is kept secret, so that only you know it. These Schemes can be integrated to SCADA communication. SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) communication can take place in a number of ways. Early SCADA communication took place over radio, modem, or dedicated serial lines. The internet SCADA facility has brought a lot of advantages in terms of control, data generation and viewing. With these advantages, come the security issues regarding web SCADA. In this paper, comparison between Encryption Schemes as used in Communication between SCADA Components is discussed.
Physical and Sporting Activities Improve Vestibular Afferent Usage and Balance in Elderly Human Subjects

Background: Ageing is associated with a reduction in balance, in particular through dysfunction of each level of postural control, which results in an increased risk of falling. Conversely, the practice of physical activities has been shown to modulate postural control in elderly people. Objective: This study examined the potential positive effects of two types of regular physical and sporting activities on vestibular information and their relation to posture. Methods: Gaze and postural stabilisation was evaluated by caloric and rotational vestibular tests on 18 healthy subjects over the age of 60 who regularly practised low-energy or bioenergetic physical activities and on 18 controls of a similar age who only walked on a regular basis. These subjects were also submitted to static and dynamic posturographic tests. Results: The control group displayed less balance control, with a lower vestibular sensitivity and a relatively high dependency on vision compared to the group practising low-energy physical activities, which had better postural control with good vestibular sensitivity and less dependency on vision. The postural control and vestibular sensitivity of subjects practising bioenergetic activities was average, and required higher visual afferent contribution. Conclusion: Low-energy exercises, already shown to have the most positive impact on balance control by relying more on proprioception, also appear to develop or maintain a high level of vestibular sensitivity allowing elderly people practising such exercises to reduce the weight of vision.
Fragment-based drug discovery using the SHAPES method

The SHAPES method is one of several fragment-based drug discovery methods developed in the last decade. Molecules containing drug-like fragments are screened using NMR methods to find weakly binding (0.1 μM to multi-mM) hits that are then transformed into potent, viable leads. This review analyzes ten years of SHAPES screens, in which potent leads were found for 70 – 80% of the targets screened, and discusses lessons learned about how best to apply fragment-based lead discovery in the pharmaceutical environment. Detailed examples of lead discovery and optimization for the kinases REDK and MK2 are given. Finally, future directions are considered and a strategy is proposed for increasing efficiency by coupling fragment-based screening with receptor-assisted inhibitor design (NMR-RAID).
B-Spline Approximation Using an EKF for Signal Reconstruction of Nonlinear Multifunctional Sensors

In this paper, a novel method based on a B-spline approximation and the extended Kalman filter (EKF) is proposed for the signal reconstruction of nonlinear multifunctional sensors. The B-spline approximation is a very effective and conventional tool for nonlinear modeling. However, the computation of the B-spline control array by the least square method is very complex for implementation on microprocessors. Therefore, the EKF, which is a suboptimal recursive filter, is proposed to compute the control array with high accuracy and a low hardware requirement. Experiments are performed to reconstruct the measurands of a two-input-two-output circuit model and a real three-input-two-output multifunctional sensor. Results show that the proposed method provides a good solution to the signal reconstruction of multifunctional sensors.
Gender and Local Governance in Pakistan: Promoting Participation through Capacity Building

Women’s equal and full participation in decision making is extremely important for good governance, poverty alleviation and equitable human resource development in developing countries. Realizing the need, the Devolution of Power Plan system of Pakistan 2001 provided women 33% representation at all, three tiers of local governance including District, Tehsil (Sub District) and Union Council through the adoption of affirmative action/quotas. However, despite this visible formal representation women participation remained low and limited in the previous term of local governance. A review of existing studies on the subject suggests that diverse cultural, political, economic and demographic factors in Pakistan account for women’s low participation in governance. While the situation determines a clear need for capacity building initiatives it is important that a comprehensive gender capacity building framework be developed in view of the indigenous requirements. Based on a systematic analysis of the diverse factors and domains in which this phenomenon takes place, the paper offers useful insights for developing such a framework for local governance of Pakistan. It suggests adopting a two pronged strategy that seeks to promote participation through developing the people (women councilors and groups) and creating enabling environment in institutions. Specific interventions in this regard include provision of requisite knowledge, developing specific skills, building alliances, networking and mentoring at the individual level and gender sensitivity training, advocacy, institutional alliances and linkages, enhancement of the devolution management skills, and research and documentation at the institutional level.
Open reading frames E6 and E7 of bovine papillomavirus type 1 are both required for full transformation of mouse C127 cells

A series of mutations in open reading frames (ORFs) E6 and E7 of bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) was constructed to analyze the roles of these ORFs in transformation of mouse C127 cells. The mutations were designed to prevent synthesis of specific proteins encoded by these genes. None of the mutations caused a decrease in the focus-forming activity of the full-length viral genome or in the ability of the viral DNA to replicate as a high-copy-number plasmid. Analysis of these mutants in the absence of a functional BPV1 E5 gene revealed a weak focus-forming activity encoded by ORF E6. Mutations preventing synthesis of the E6 protein did cause defects in anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenicity of transfected and transformed cells. However, a frameshift mutation between the first and second ATG codons of ORF E6 did not inhibit induction of colony formation, suggesting that translation from the first methionine codon is not required. Mutations that inactivated ORF E7 or E6/E7 individually did not inhibit induction of colony formation in agarose. However, a defect in this activity was caused by simultaneous disruption of both ORF E7 and ORF E6/E7 when they were expressed from the full-length viral genome but not when they were expressed under the control of a retrovirus long terminal repeat. These results suggest that translation of both ORF E6 and the 3' end of ORF E7 is required for efficient induction of anchorage-independent growth by the intact BPV1 genome.
Relative Effects of Ultraviolet and Visible Light on the Activities of Corn Earworm and Beet Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Nucleopolyhedroviruses

Abstract Five different combinations of fluorescent tubes (UV-B/UV-B, UV-B/UV-A, UV-A/UV-A, UV-B/White, White/White) were used to determine relative effects of UV and visible light on the nucleopolyhedroviruses (NPV) of Helicoverpa zea and Spodoptera exigua. For both viruses, the greatest inactivation occurred with exposure to UV-B radiation. Both virus concentration and radiation exposure time influenced the rate and degree of inactivation. In the case of the UV-A/UV-A and White/White combinations inactivation occurred only with the longest exposure (24 h) and the lowest virus concentration (0.747 PIB/mm2). The NPV from H. zea was found to be more sensitive to UV radiation than the NPV from S. exigua.
Observers and splitting structures in relativistic electrodynamics

We introduce a relativistic splitting structure as a means to map fields and equations of electromagnetism from curved four-dimensional space–time to three-dimensional observerʼs space. We focus on a minimal set of mathematical structures that are directly motivated by the language of the physical theory. Space–time, world-lines, time translation, space platforms and time synchronization all find their mathematical counterparts. The splitting structure is defined without recourse to coordinates or frames. This is noteworthy since, in much of the prevalent literature, observers are identified with adapted coordinates and frames. Among the benefits of the approach is a concise and insightful classification of splitting structures that is juxtaposed to a classification of observers. The application of the framework to the Ehrenfest paradox and Schiffʼs ‘Question in General Relativity’ further illustrates the advantages of the framework, enabling a compact, yet profound analysis of the problems at hand.
Effective Implementation of Technology Innovations in Higher Education Institutions: A Survey of Selected Projects in Universities in Africa

xv CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background to the Study 1 1.1.1 Partnership for Higher Education in Africa 4 1.1.2 Education Technology Initiative 6 1.2 The Statement of the Problem 8 1.3 Objectives of the Study 9 1.4 Research Questions 10 1.5 Significance of the Study 10 1.6 Scope 11 1.7 Limitations of the Study 11 1.8 Thesis Organization 11 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 13 2.
Double-Edged Action of SOD Mimetic in Diabetic Nephropathy

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, and we investigated the effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic, tempol, in diabetic nephropathy. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with tempol from 2 weeks until 8 weeks. The expression of NADPH oxidase, catalase, and myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase activity, and production of peroxide and hypochlorite were evaluated. Tempol treatment prevented the increase in NADPH oxidase and peroxide production in the glomeruli of diabetic rat. Catalase was decreased without change in SOD activity, and MPO was enhanced in the kidney of diabetic rats. Tempol treatment stimulated SOD activity and increased the conversion of superoxide to hydrogen peroxide, and hydrogen peroxide on its hand was converted to hypochlorite by the increased MPO. The reduction of peroxide by tempol was followed by the decrease in TGF-β and mesangial matrix expansion. However, tempol did not reduce hypochlorite or urinary protein excretion. In conclusion, tempol inhibited glomerular matrix expansion via suppression of peroxide production and TGF-β, but it failed to reduce proteinuria, probably due to the increased hypochlorite production in diabetic nephropathy.