Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between Vitamin D Status, Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Viral Load in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection.

BACKGROUND The role of vitamin D in the pathophysiology of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is still unclear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the associations between vitamin D and immunological, virological, and oxidative stress biomarkers in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. METHODS The serum levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were determined in 314 HIV-1- infected individuals and 127 controls and the values ≥30 ng/mL defined a vitamin D sufficient (VDS) status, and <30 ng/mL defined the presence of hypovitaminosis D (HD). Oxidative stress was evaluated with plasma levels of lipid hydroperoxides, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), carbonyl protein, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), and sulfhydryl groups of proteins. Plasma HIV-1 viral load and CD4+/CD8+ T cells were quantified. RESULTS The 25(OH)D levels and vitamin D status did not differ between HIV-1-infected individuals and controls. Hydroperoxides and AOPP were higher (p<0.0001 and p=0.002, respectively), whereas TRAP, carbonyl protein, and NOx were lower in HIV-1-infected individuals than controls (p<0.0001). HIV-1-infected individuals with HD showed higher hydroperoxide levels than those with a VDS status (p=0.012) and controls (p=0.022), independent of ethnicity and antiretroviral therapy. A positive correlation between 25(OH)D ≥30 ng/mL and viral load was observed when expressed as the number of copies/mL (r=0.178, p=0.039), as well as log10 copies/mL (r=0.183, p=0.033). CONCLUSION These results suggest the bimodal influence of vitamin D in the modulation of immune response in HIV-1 infection, considering its differential susceptibility to modulation of the various immune targets and pathways.
An inhibitor of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibits apoB secretion from HepG2 cells.

The microsomal triglyceride (TG) transfer protein (MTP) is a heterodimeric lipid transfer protein that catalyzes the transport of triglyceride, cholesteryl ester, and phosphatidylcholine between membranes. Previous studies showing that the proximal cause of abetalipoproteinemia is an absence of MTP indicate that MTP function is required for the assembly of the apolipoprotein B (apoB) containing plasma lipoproteins, i.e., very low density lipoproteins and chylomicrons. However, the precise role of MTP in lipoprotein assembly is not known. In this study, the role of MTP in lipoprotein assembly is investigated using an inhibitor of MTP-mediated lipid transport, 2-[1-(3, 3-diphenylpropyl)-4-piperidinyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-o ne (BMS-200150). The similarity of the IC50 for inhibition of bovine MTP-mediated TG transfer (0.6 microM) to the Kd for binding of BMS-200150 to bovine MTP (1.3 microM) strongly supports that the inhibition of TG transfer is the result of a direct effect of the compound on MTP. BMS-200150 also inhibits the transfer of phosphatidylcholine, however to a lesser extent (30% at a concentration that almost completely inhibits TG and cholesteryl ester transfer). When BMS-200150 is added to cultured HepG2 cells, a human liver-derived cell line that secretes apoB containing lipoproteins, it inhibits apoB secretion in a concentration dependent manner. These results support the hypothesis that transport of lipid, and in particular, the transport of neutral lipid by MTP, plays a critical role in the assembly of apoB containing lipoproteins.
ABC of heart failure: Management: digoxin and other inotropes, ß blockers, and antiarrhythmic and antithrombotic treatment

Clinical assessment is mandatory before detailed investigations are conducted in patients with suspected heart failure, although specific clinical features are often absent and the condition can be diagnosed accurately only in conjunction with more objective investigation, particularly echocardiography. Although open access echocardiography is now increasingly available, appropriate pre-referral investigations include chest radiography, 12 lead electrocardiography, and renal chemistry.
Simple partial seizures

A 12-year-old girl developed simple partial motor and sensory seizures due to a right perirolandic astrocytoma. Subdural EEG recording and functional stimulation disclosed close correlation between EEG-clinical manifestations of focal seizures and functional responses to cortical stimulation. This case supports the idea that responses in the perirolandic area to endogenous epileptogenic activity and to cortical stimulation reflect common underlying physiologic mechanisms.
Energy Metabolism during Apoptosis

We have investigated cell metabolism during apoptosis in the murine interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent cell line Bo and two derivative clones (B14 and B15) overexpressing human bcl-2a. On removal of IL-3, Bo cells underwent apoptosis within 8 h, whereas B14 and B15 cells were resistant for at least 24 h. Metabolically, Bo, B14, and B15 cells were indistinguishable from each other. All were insensitive to mitochondrial poisons, derived ATP entirely by glycolysis, and maintained similar mitochondrial membrane potentials measured by rhodamine-123 fluorescence with or without IL-3. All virtually ceased glycolysis and production of lactic acid on IL-3 withdrawal but maintained intracellular [ATP] until in Bo cultures the cells began to apoptose. B14 and B15 cells became glycolytically arrested but maintained stable ATP levels during protection from apoptosis. Depletion of intracellular ATP by uncoupling the mitochondrial ATPase with 2,4-dinitrophenol or carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone induced apoptosis in Bo cells with or without IL-3, but not in B14 or B15 cells. bcl-2-overexpressing cells were recoverable with high plating efficiency even after prolonged exposure to 2,4-dinitrophenol. We conclude that IL-3 withdrawal leads to arrest of energy metabolism in which ATP levels are maintained. In Bo cells this is followed by apoptosis, whereas in bcl-2-overexpressing cells this state is stably prolonged. ATP depletion is a strong apoptotic signal which overrides IL-3 signaling in normal cells but is ineffective in bcl-2-overexpressing cells. Prolonged metabolic arrest and resistance to ATP depletion facilitated by bcl-2 are both reversible. Persistent reversible metabolic dormancy would provide cells with a survival advantage in nonsustainable environments (e.g. hypoxia or substrate lack) and suggests a mechanism for the survival advantage displayed by cells overexpressing bcl-2.
PA*: Optimal Path Planning for Perception Tasks

In this paper we introduce the problem of planning for perception of a target position. Given a sensing target, the robot has to move to a goal position from where the target can be perceived. Our algorithm minimizes the overall path cost as a function of both motion and perception costs, given an initial robot position and a sensing target. We contribute a heuristic search method, PA*, that efficiently searches for an optimal path. We prove the proposed heuristic is admissible, and introduce a new goal state stopping condition.
Proteomic Identification of Desmoglein 2 and Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule as Substrates of ADAM17 and ADAM10 by Difference Gel Electrophoresis

ABSTRACT In contrast with the early view of metalloproteases as simple extracellular matrix-degrading entities, recent findings show that they are highly specific modulators of different signaling pathways involved, positively or negatively, in tumor development. Thus, before considering a given metalloprotease a therapeutic target, it seems advisable to characterize its function by identifying its repertoire of substrates. Here, we present a proteomic approach to identify ADAM17 substrates by difference gel electrophoresis. We found that the shedding of the extracellular domain of the transferrin receptor and those of two cell-cell adhesion molecules, activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) and desmoglein 2 (Dsg-2), is increased in cells overexpressing ADAM17. Genetic evidence shows that while ADAM17 is responsible for the shedding of ALCAM, both ADAM17 and ADAM10 can act on Dsg-2. Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor leads to the upregulation of the shedding of Dsg-2 and to the concomitant upregulation of ADAM17, but not ADAM10, supporting the ability of overexpressed ADAM17 to shed Dsg-2. These results unveil a role of ADAM10 and ADAM17 in the shedding of cell-cell adhesion molecules. Since loss of cell adhesion is an early event in tumor development, these results suggest that ADAM17 is a useful target in anticancer therapy.
Student needs and motives when attending a university: exploring the Syrian case

This paper aims at exploring student needs and motives to pursue higher education in Syria. Based on the model of student buyer behavior developed by Kotler and Fox in 1995, the study focuses on the first step of this model, so-called motives. The study results are based on qualitative data collected by means of semi-structured styles of interviews with 30 current students at three higher education institutions in Syria in the summer of 2010.The study reveals three dimensions of needs and motives. These are: Self needs and motives; Social needs and motives, and Souk (market) needs and motives. Accordingly, several detailed explanations for each dimension concluded from the study are presented. The findings reveal that the three dimensions are important for university students in Syria when attending universities. People responsible for marketing in higher education institutions need to pay attention to understand their students' motives when designing their customer-oriented marketing strategies. Study programs at universities could be designed to better satisfy such needs and motives. This study could provide bases for further research through a replication of the model using the information offered by the survey. Further research could investigate the research questions in a wider student population employing a quantitative approach. The importance of this study comes from the classification of needs and motives into a three-Ss model (Self, Society and Souk). The study also shows originality into understanding motives of Syrian students in attending certain universities in particular.
Human Resources Management Practices in China

Abstract Based on a survey of 308 firms in China, this paper compares the human resource management practices of Township and Village Enterprises (TVEs) with the Sino-foreign joint ventures (SFJVs) formed between TVEs and foreign firms. Systematic differences in employment practices are found in recruiting, educational qualifications of top management, training, benefits, and the role of unions in enterprise management. These differences are consistent with the predictions of institutional theory. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future research and management of enterprises in China.
Managerial Characteristics, Corporate Governance and Corporate Performance: The Case of Nigerian Quoted Companies

This study examines the governance structure of Nigerian firms and their managerial characteristics, and the extent to which the governance structure and managerial characteristics influence performance. There is no doubt that the structure of ownership of a firm and its managerial characteristics have an important impact on the capability of the firm to respond to external factors impinging on its performance. This study focuses on companies quoted on the first-tier Security Market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The study utilizes a panel data methodological framework covering the period 1993-2002. Our findings show that managerial characteristics and corporate governance have implications on performance. We also find that the qualitative direction and quantitative importance of indicators of corporate governance and managerial characteristics on performance vary for low growth firms and high growth firms.
A graph theoretic approach for supply chain coordination

Supply chain coordination is an effective approach to manage the dependencies among supply chain members. These members often try to achieve their respective objectives, disregarding the objective of the complete supply chain. This results in higher supply chain costs, greater lead times and a large variance between supply and demand. Supply chain coordination is defined as the joint effort of the supply chain members towards mutually defined goals. There are a number of mechanisms to achieve coordination. The existing literature lacks in presenting a comprehensive measure of supply chain coordination. In this paper, an attempt has been made to identify various mechanisms of coordination. A graph theoretic approach is used to model various mechanisms of coordination and their interdependencies. The digraph representing the supply chain coordination is converted to its adjacency matrix whose permanent function gives a composite index of coordination. This approach helps compare organisations in terms of their coordination capability.
Electrospun nanofibers with copper phthalocyanine for detecting ammonia

Copper phthalocyanine particles were added to polymer solution of Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) 6.0 wt % and to Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) 20.0 wt %. Using electrospinning process we obtained composite PAN/CuPc and PVDF/CuPc fibers. As copper phthalocyanine has sensitivity to ammonia, it was possible depositing nanofibers on the substrate of a micro device constructed with an Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal (PQC) for detection of ammonia.
Executive remuneration, financial performance and corporate governance in UK and Spanish listed firms

This study examines the relationship between executive directors’ remuneration and the financial performance and corporate governance arrangements of the UK and Spanish listed firms. These countries’ corporate governance framework has been shaped by differences in legal origin, culture and backgrounds. For example, the UK legal arrangements can be defined as to be constituted in common-law, whereas for Spanish firms, the legal arrangement is based on civil law. We estimate both static and dynamic regression models to test our hypotheses and we estimate our regression using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM). Estimated results for both countries show that directors’ remuneration levels are positively related with measures of firm value and financial performance. This means that remuneration levels do not lead to a point whereby firm value is reduced due to excessive remuneration. These results hold for our long-run estimates. That is, estimates based on panel cointegration and panel error correction. Measures of corporate governance also impacts on the level of executive pay. Our results have important implications for existing corporate governance arrangements and how the interests of stakeholders are protected. For example, long-run results suggest that directors’ remuneration adjusts in a way to capture variation in financial performance
AN ANALYSIS ON THE STRUCTURE OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISM INDUSTRY IN GUANGDONG

The current situation and the characteristic during the development period of international tourism industrial structure in Guangdong are analysed,proceeding with the facet of benefit of international tourism industrial structure,and using the quantification method such as shift-share method,specialization index and structural change index.Some questions and countermeasures are pointed out that it should be paid attention to the rationality development of international tourism of Guangdong in the future.It is offerred some relevant reference for the development of Guangdong's international travel industry.
Versicorin, a new lovastatin analogue from the fungus Aspergillus versicolor SC0156

A new lovastatin analogue versicorin (1), together with three related compounds, decumbenones A (2) and B (3) and versiol (4), were isolated from mycelial solid cultures of Aspergillus versicolor SC0156. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of MS data and NMR spectroscopic analysis. The new compound versicorin (1) possesses a hexahydro-2H-naphtho[1,8-bc]furan moiety, which is a rare type of the lovastatin-analogous compounds. A hypothetical biosynthetic pathway for compounds 1–4 was proposed.
Thuthuka students' perceptions of factors influencing success

South Africa has a shortage of black (African and coloured) chartered accountants. The Thuthuka Project, initiated by the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA), aims to increase the number of black accounting students. The Thuthuka Project includes funding, as well as a comprehensive support programme, for black students to study BCom Accounting (or equivalent) at a SAICA-accredited university. This article reports on research into the factors that promote and hinder the academic success of Thuthuka students. The findings of this study might help other students to achieve success and may assist in the transformation of the chartered accountancy profession. A questionnaire was used to gather data on the perceived success factors of Thuthuka students (from all the SAICA-accredited universities in South Africa). It was found that Thuthuka students believed that support was the main factor contributing to their success, followed by individual commitment.
Eddy Current Effects in a Switched Reluctance Motor

This paper investigates the losses that may occur in the windings of a switched reluctance machine due to additional eddy currents. Essentially, turns on the surface of the leading-edge coil side of the stator pole will experience a magnetic field during the conducting cycle in a similar manner to an airgap winding. A finite element model is developed that splits the coils into individual turns so that the losses in each turn can be calculated individually
Taint Reverse Propagation for Analysis of Privacy Leak

Privacy leak is becoming a serious problem for every computer user. It will be a threat to user accounts, passwords and private documents. Privacy leak detection has been an important research point in security research community. Current privacy leak techniques mainly focus on static analysis and dynamic taint tracking. Static analysis often produces too many false positives. Dynamic taint tracking will degrade the performance of program execution. In the paper, we propose a method which uses taint reverse propagation to analyze the data streams in programs. Experiments show that we can achieve more efficient and accurate analysis for the analysts to judge the programs' behaviors. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first team to use the reverse propagation in privacy leak.
Proceed at Your Peril: Crowdfunding and the Securities Act of 1933

A promising Web-based funding model for small business firms has emerged over the past few years. Crowdfunding (as this model has come to be known) actually includes a variety of business models, all of which use the Internet to fund business ventures by connecting promoters of businesses or projects needing funding with potential funders. Most of these funders are not professional investors; instead, they are just members of the Internet “crowd” that like the business idea of a particular entrepreneur and want to help him or her out with a nominal amount of funding — even $10. Some (but not all) manifestations of crowdfunding result in the offer and sale of interests that are securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Offers and sales of securities that are neither registered nor exempt from registration violate the Securities Act. The high cost of registration is prohibitive for small businesses that might benefit from crowdfunding. Accordingly, if crowdfunding is to achieve its optimal benefit (or even just survive or thrive), there must be some intervention. This dilemma has caught the attention of many, including the U.S. Congress and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This article first shows how crowdfunding interests may be securities under the Securities Act and describes key legal effects of that security status - including the requirement of registration (absent an exemption). The article then explains why the offer and sale of crowdfunding interests under certain conditions should not require registration and offers the principles, process, and substantive parameters of a possible solution in the form of a new registration exemption adopted by the SEC under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act.
Developing a rural land investment performance index for New Zealand

Agricultural production is one of the major industries in New Zealand and accounts for over 60% of all export trade. The farming industry comprises 70,000 entities ranging in size from small individual run farms to large corporate operations. The reliance of the New Zealand economy to the international rural sector has seen considerable volatility in the rural land markets over the past four decades, with significant shifts in rural land prices based on location, land use and underlying international rural commodity prices. With the increasing attention being paid to the rural sector, especially in relation to food production and bio-fuels, there has been an increasing corporate interest in rural land ownership in relatively low subsidised agricultural producing countries such as New Zealand and Australia. A factor that has limited this participation of institutional investors previously has been a lack of reliable and up-to-date investment performance data for this asset class. This paper is the initial starting phase in the development of a New Zealand South Island rural land investment performance index and covers the period 1990-2007. The research in this paper analyses all rural sales transactions in the South Island and develops a capital return index for rural property based on major rural property land use. Additional work on this index will cover both total return performance and geographic location.
Theory of mind, attention, and executive function in kindergarten boys

The present study explored the relationship between theory of mind (ToM), attention, and executive function in 66 kindergarten boys drawn from four rural school districts. Three stories designed to test understanding of first and second order mental states were administered. Executive function and attention were assessed, respectively, by scores on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Behavior Assessment Scales for Children, Second Edition (BASC‐2). Analyses indicated that children identified by teachers as evidencing attention difficulties scored lower on false belief measures and were more likely to be identified as exhibiting behavioral difficulties associated with executive dysfunction than children identified as evidencing fewer attention difficulties. Attention and executive function were predictive of total ToM scores.