Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Remote Sensing in Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Monitoring: Concepts and Methods†

The crimes committed against humanity during World War II shocked the global community into action. As the world continued to uncover the full extent of the Holocaust, international leaders in the newly formed United Nations (UN) drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and established a mandate to protect human rights and prevent atrocities. However, certain situations increase the likelihood of human-rights violations and therefore the need for human-rights monitoring of conflicts (Edwards and Koettl 2011). Because of ongoing abuses, the un, along with other governmental and nongovernmental organizations (ngos), conducts widespread and intensive human-rights monitoring campaigns. Broadly described by the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights as the "active collection, verification and immediate use of information to address human rights problems" (OHCHR 2001, 3), human-rights monitoring documents any violations that include governmental and nonstate transgressions of human rights and the failures of the state to protect those rights. Remote sensing is a tool that improves detection of and potentially provides a deterrent to human-rights violations. Remote-sensing platforms include helicopters and fixed-wing or unmanned aerial vehicles. However, these platforms are limited in several aspects, including limited range and the need for basing facilities near conflict areas, which are often in very remote locations. These platforms also require overflight permission from the host government, which is often the alleged transgressor. For these reasons, organizations that monitor human rights have increasingly turned to space-based imagery to identify and document conflict. Language: en
Identification of Novel DNA Binding Targets and Regulatory Domains of a Murine Tinman Homeodomain Factor, nkx-2.5(*)

A murine cardiac-specific homeodomain gene named csx (Komuro, I., and Izumo. S.(1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 90, 8145-8149) and nkx-2.5 (Lints, T. J., Parsons, L. M., Hartley, L., Lyons, I., and Harvey, R. P.(1993) Development 119, 419-431) was identified as a potential vertebrate homologue of Drosophila tinman, a mesoderm determination factor required for insect heart formation (Bodmer, R.(1993) Development 118, 719-729). Bacterial expression of the nkx-2.5 homeodomain allowed us to identify downstream DNA targets from a library of randomly generated oligonucleotides. High affinity nkx-2.5 DNA binding sites, 5′-TNNAGTG-3′, represented novel binding sequences, whereas intermediate and weaker affinity sites, 5′-C(A/T)TTAATTN-3′, contained the typical 5′-TAAT-3′ core required by most homeodomain factors for DNA binding. We also observed that nkx-2.5 served as a modest transcription activator in transfection assays done in 10T1/2 fibroblasts with multimerized binding sites linked to a luciferase reporter gene. Functional dissection of nkx-2.5 revealed a COOH-terminal inhibitory domain composed mainly of clusters of alanines and prolines, which appeared to mask a potent activation domain composed of hydrophobic and highly charged amino acids.
Patient expectations “vis-à-vis” an innovative remote therapeutic device: Case of chronic wounds in diabetic patients

SWAN-iCare is an ambitious project which will provide a major leap forward in the management of chronic wounds, mainly diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) and venous leg ulcers (VLU). It aims at a next generation integrated solution for remote monitoring and personalized therapy of foot and leg ulcers, as well as providing an objective continuous evaluation of the wound condition, in contrast to the current subjective evaluation made by the clinician. In this paper, we present an inventory and analysis of user/patient expectations and concerns collected during patients' “Focus Groups” held in Grenoble University Hospital. Combining remote monitoring and personalized care for wound management has immense potential, however, meeting patient expectations and addressing their concerns about a device during its development is crucial to improving its subsequent acceptance post-marketing and patient compliance. Analysis of results shows that patients' main expectation was that the innovative device will provide improved medical surveillance of their wound, with fewer visits to the clinic or surgery. However, these patients are often elderly and ill at ease using new technologies. This suggests that operations intended to be done by patients (and carers) must be as simple as possible.
Combined Experimental and Computational Approaches Reveal Distinct pH Dependence of Pectin Methylesterase Inhibitors1

The pH dependence of PMEI, proteins that fine-tune the activity of pectin methylesterases, can be predicted by molecular dynamics simulation and validated in vitro and on pollen tube development. The fine-tuning of the degree of methylesterification of cell wall pectin is a key to regulating cell elongation and ultimately the shape of the plant body. Pectin methylesterification is spatiotemporally controlled by pectin methylesterases (PMEs; 66 members in Arabidopsis [Arabidopsis thaliana]). The comparably large number of proteinaceous pectin methylesterase inhibitors (PMEIs; 76 members in Arabidopsis) questions the specificity of the PME-PMEI interaction and the functional role of such abundance. To understand the difference, or redundancy, between PMEIs, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict the behavior of two PMEIs that are coexpressed and have distinct effects on plant development: AtPMEI4 and AtPMEI9. Simulations revealed the structural determinants of the pH dependence for the interaction of these inhibitors with AtPME3, a major PME expressed in roots. Key residues that are likely to play a role in the pH dependence were identified. The predictions obtained from MD simulations were confirmed in vitro, showing that AtPMEI9 is a stronger, less pH-independent inhibitor compared with AtPMEI4. Using pollen tubes as a developmental model, we showed that these biochemical differences have a biological significance. Application of purified proteins at pH ranges in which PMEI inhibition differed between AtPMEI4 and AtPMEI9 had distinct consequences on pollen tube elongation. Therefore, MD simulations have proven to be a powerful tool to predict functional diversity between PMEIs, allowing the discovery of a strategy that may be used by PMEIs to inhibit PMEs in different microenvironmental conditions and paving the way to identify the specific role of PMEI diversity in muro.
The Anti-inflammatory Sesquiterpene Lactone Helenalin Inhibits the Transcription Factor NF-κB by Directly Targeting p65*

The sesquiterpene lactone helenalin is a potent anti-inflammatory drug whose molecular mechanism of action remains unclear despite numerous investigations. We have previously shown that helenalin and other sesquiterpene lactones selectively inhibit activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, a central mediator of the human immune response. These drugs must target a central step in NF-κB pathway, since they inhibit NF-κB induction by four different stimuli. It has previously been reported that sesquiterpene lactones exert their effect by inhibiting degradation of IκB, the inhibitory subunit of NF-κB. These data contradicted our report that IκB is not detectable in helenalin-treated, ocadaic acid-stimulated cells. Here we use confocal laser scanning microscopy to demonstrate the presence of IκB-released, nuclear NF-κB in helenalin-treated, tumor necrosis factor-α stimulated cells. These data show that neither IκB degradation nor NF-κB nuclear translocation are inhibited by helenalin. Rather, we provide evidence that helenalin selectively alkylates the p65 subunit of NF-κB. This sesquiterpene lactone is the first anti-inflammatory agent shown to exert its effect by directly modifying NF-κB.
Relationships among leadership practices, work environments, staff communication and outcomes in long-term care.

AIM To examine the role that work relationships have on two long-term care outcomes: job satisfaction and turnover intention. BACKGROUND It is easy to overlook the impact that human relations have in shaping work environments that are conducive to organizational effectiveness. Employee job satisfaction and retention are important organizational outcomes. METHODS Six hundred and seventy-five nursing and other staff from 26 long-term care facilities were surveyed about their work environments, work group relationships, observed leadership practices, organizational support, job satisfaction and turnover intention. RESULTS Higher job satisfaction was associated with lower emotional exhaustion burnout, higher global empowerment, higher organizational support, higher psychological empowerment, stronger work group cohesion and higher personal accomplishment. Higher turnover intention was associated with lower job satisfaction, higher emotional exhaustion burnout, more outside job opportunities, weaker work group cohesion, lower personal accomplishment and higher depersonalization. CONCLUSIONS No relationship was found between leadership practices and job satisfaction or turnover intention. Stronger work group relationships, stronger sense of personal accomplishment and lower emotional exhaustion have direct effects on increasing job satisfaction and lowering turnover intention. IMPLICATIONS To retain long-term care staff, attention should be paid to fostering positive work group cohesion, supporting and acknowledging staff accomplishments and minimizing staff burnout.
Intensive weight loss combining flexible dialysis with a personalized, ad libitum, coach‐assisted diet program. A “pilot” case series

Obesity is a growing problem on dialysis. The best approach to weight loss has not been established. The risks of malnutrition may offset the advantages of weight loss. Personalized hemodialysis schedules, with an incremental approach, are gaining interest; to date, no studies have explored its potential in allowing weight loss. This case series reports on combining flexible, incremental hemodialysis, and intensive weight loss. Setting: a small Dialysis Unit, following incremental personalized schedules (2–6 sessions/week, depending on residual function), tailored to an equivalent renal clearance >12 mL/min. Four obese and two overweigh patients (5 male, 1 female; age: 40–63 years; body mass index [BMI] 31.1 kg/m2) were enrolled in a coach‐assisted weight loss program, with an “ad libitum” approach (3–6 foods/day chosen on the basis of their glycemic index and glycemic load). The diet consists of 8 weeks of rapid weight loss followed by 8–12 weeks of maintenance; both phases can be repeated. This study measures weight loss, side effects, and patients' opinions. Over 12–30 months, all patients lost weight (median −10.3 kg [5.7–20], median ΔBMI–3.2). Serum albumin (pre‐diet 3.78; post‐diet 3.83 g/dL), hemoglobin (pre‐diet 11; post‐diet 11.2 g/dL), and acid–base balance (HCO3 pre‐diet: 23.3; post‐diet: 23.4 mmol/L) remained stable, with decreasing needs for erythropoietin and citrate or bicarbonate supplements. Calcium‐phosphate‐parathyroid hormone (PTH) balance improved (PTH‐pre 576; post 286 pg/mL). Three out of 4 hypertensive patients discontinued, 1 decreased antihypertensives. None experienced severe side effects. Patient satisfaction was high (9 on a 0–10 analog scale). Personalized, incremental hemodialysis schedules allow patient enrollment in intensive personalized weight loss programs, with promising results.
Generic Competition in the US Pharmaceutical Industry

Abstract We develop a simultaneous equations estimation framework to understand the interactions among generic entry, prices, and market shares. We base our estimates on a panel data sample of 40 brand‐name drugs that first experienced generic competition during the period July 1992–January 1998. We find that generic share and price are simultaneously determined, while the number of generic entrants is a key determinant of generic market share and the generic‐to‐brand price ratio. In addition, we find generic competition to be particularly intense for blockbuster drugs, which experience significantly more generic entrants, price erosion, and generic penetration than other drugs.
Cooperative Internet Access in Resource Constrained Environments

Access to the Internet has become available at virtually any place in developed and developing countries, either by fixed-line or wireless access. The Internet users are used to check emails, read web pages, or see a video at any time via the Internet and are annoyed if the access does not work or does work but too slowly for the used application. The access to the Internet is stable and fast enough in metro areas, but even in these area the access network is just too slow under certain circumstances. In many other situations, such as in rural areas or while being on the move, the network capacity is usually not sufficient to keep up with the capacity demand of the applications used by the users. The easiest conclusion in cases where the network access is too slow for a specific application is simply: give up. Another approach is to call for an upgrade of the network to offer more capacity, but this is not as easy, as this involves the network operator to do the upgrade. We call such a situation where the Internet access is too slow a resource constrained environment. This thesis presents throughput measurements of such an environment for 2 UMTS-based mobile wireless networks to show the limits of a real deployments. However, typically there is not a single user in an area with such a limited Internet access, but multiple users with their Internet terminal. We use the possibility of having multiple users in the same area to let them cooperatively retrieve data from the Internet. The scheme we introduce allows a group of users in physical proximity to jointly access a resource or resources, by efficiently using the Internet access ressources each user contributes to the group, with the goal to overcome a resource constrained environment of each single host. The basic idea is: use several (fixed-line or wireless) Internet access links at the same time and distribute the data retrieval load among them ( application layer channel bonding ). This assumes the presence of a 2nd high-bandwidth local network (e. g., WLAN in ad-hoc mode) which allows content redistribution between these users free of charge. The framework we are proposing is called Cooperative Internet Access and is defined on the conceptual level in this thesis and elaborated with 2 applications using the frame work. We show how the cooperative Internet access enables near live peer-to-peer video streaming in a resource constrained environment where it would be otherwise impossible to watch video. We present the system design for peer-to-peer video streaming in such an environment and evaluate it with a simulative study which uses the results of the above mentioned 3G measurements for the network environment.As 2nd application we use web browsing which is also an application type which suffers from a resource constrained environment, as the web content is delivered too slowly to the users, making most of today s web pages hard to use. The system design for our cooperative web access approach re-uses the foundation framework, as also used by the peer-to-peer use case, to improve the access to web pages.
Pregnancy Outcome in 211 Patients With Mild Chronic Hypertension

The purpose of the present clinical investigation was to determine the risks associated with mild chronic hypertension in pregnancy. Two hundred eleven consecutive pregnancies complicated by mild chronic hypertension (diastolic blood pressure, 90 to 110 mmHg) were analyzed. All patients were followed closely throughout pregnancy with frequent prenatal visits and serial assessment of fetal status. Antihypertensive drugs were discontinued at the time of the first prenatal visit. Only 13% of these patients required antihypertensive medications later in pregnancy. There were 2 stillbirths and 4 neonatal deaths for an overall perinatal mortality of 28.1/1000. However, the majority of deaths (5 of 6) occurred among the 21 patients with superimposed preeclampsia. This subgroup was also characterized by a high rate of growth-retarded infants (32%). For patients without superimposed preeclampsia, 5.3% of the infants were small for gestational age and there was only one perinatal death. Thus, for patients with mild chronic hypertension, discontinuance of antihypertension medications does not adversely affect the antepartum course or perinatal outcome. In fact, in the absence of superimposed preeclampsia, the perinatal mortality for these patients approaches that of the general obstetric population. Therefore, in pregnancies complicated by mild chronic hypertension, factors other than increased blood pressure per se might be responsible for the poor perinatal outcome reported in such pregnancies.
Feelings of energy are associated with physical activity and sleep quality, but not adiposity, in middle-aged postmenopausal women

ObjectiveFeelings of fatigue and low energy are widespread among middle-aged women and have been shown to negatively affect quality of life. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations among adiposity, physical activity, and feelings of fatigue and energy in postmenopausal women. MethodsPostmenopausal women (N = 74; mean [SD] age, 58.9 [3.8] y) were assessed for adiposity (via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), steps per day, minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day (via an accelerometer), prior week intensity of psychological vigor (via the Profile of Mood States—Short Form), and prior month frequency of energy feelings (via the vitality scale of the 36-item Medical Outcomes Survey—Short Form). Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale. ResultsAdiposity was negatively related to steps per day (r = −0.55, P < 0.05) and minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day (r = −0.48, P < 0.05). Adiposity was not significantly related to vigor, vitality, or any other psychological measures. Greater vitality was associated with lower total number of medications (r = −0.31, P < 0.01), more steps per day (r = 0.28, P < 0.05), and higher minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day (r = 0.37, P < 0.01). Prior week feelings of vigor were unrelated to any variable of interest. Regression analyses revealed that minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day independently explained 8% of the variance in vitality, whereas sleep quality was also a significant predictor of vitality (both P < 0.05). ConclusionsEngaging in recommended amounts of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day is associated with higher monthly frequency of energy feelings, regardless of adiposity status, in middle-aged postmenopausal women.
Cloning, sequencing, and expression in Escherichia coli of the gene encoding a 45-kilodalton protein, elongation factor Tu, from Chlamydia trachomatis serovar F

The gene encoding a 45-kDa protein (45K) of Chlamydia trachomatis serovar F was cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Alignment of the deduced peptide sequence with E. coli elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) demonstrated 69% identity. The 45K was recognized by a Chlamydia genus-specific monoclonal antibody GP-45 and cross-reacted with a monospecific polyclonal antibody to E. coli EF-Tu. Purified recombinant 45K has the capability to bind GDP, and the binding was enhanced in the presence of E. coli elongation factor Ts (EF-Ts). The GDP binding was specifically inhibited by the monoclonal antibody GP-45. These data suggest that the 45K is a chlamydial EF-Tu, and it forms a functional complex with E. coli EF-Ts protein.
Design and simulation of a high-gain organic operational amplifier for use in quantification of cholesterol in low-cost point-of-care devices

This paper presents circuit design and simulations of a high gain organic Op-Amp, for use in quantification of real cholesterol, in the range of 1-9 mM. A 7-stage inverter chain is added onto the design so as to enhance the amplifier gain. The circuit adapts p-channel transistors only (PMOS) design architecture with saturated loads, simulated on a conventional platform, using appropriate OTFT model and associated parameters. The effect of variation in threshold voltage on circuit operation is also examined. For a supply voltage of ±15 V, the DC output voltage is found to be within an acceptable range of -1 V to -12.5 V, with a highest open loop gain of 83 dB. The closed loop gain is also in agreement with theoretical values, in the range of 1.5 dB to 39 dB, with corresponding bandwidths of 770 Hz to 275 Hz respectively. The latter gain of 39 dB and/or gain-bandwidth product of 10.63 kHz is currently the highest reported in the literature, for this lower supply voltage. The amplifier offers adequate quantification factor, with linear sensitivity of -0.7 V/mM. This paper is the first to adapt organic circuit designs in quantification of cholesterol, with promising outputs, for implementation in low-cost sensor systems.
Skeletal muscle cellularity and histochemistry in young lean and obese pigs.

The cellularity and histochemistry of the semitendinosus muscle was studied in lean and obese pigs at 14 days of age. Muscles from lean animals had lower (P less than .05) muscle weights and minimum fiber diameters and had reduced (P less than .05) percentages of dry matter and protein when contrasted to obese muscles. Concentrations of RNA and glycogen were independent of animal strain but DNA levels were severely depressed (P less than .01) in obese muscle. Histochemistry for lipid, NADH-TR, acid ATPase, esterase and glycogen (PAS) indicated no strain effects. Regardless of strain, sections from larger animals showed histochemical patterns indicative of more mature muscles. These studies demonstrate abnormalities in muscle cellular characteristics in the young obese animal. Furthermore, these abnormalities may accelerate muscle maturation and hasten the fattening phase of growth.
[Patterns of hepatic cells death during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in cirrhotic rats].

OBJECTIVE To research on the main pattern of hepatic cells death during hepatic ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R) injury in cirrhotic rat. METHODS Cirrhotic rat model was established by carbon tetrachloride replication. These rats were randomly divided into sham operation group and I/R group. In the I/R group, 70% i/R injury model was established and then the liver samples were taken 0, 1, 6, 24, and 48 hours after reperfusion. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, Na+ - K+ ATPase, and Ca2+ ATPase were compared. the percentage of apoptotic/oncotic hepatic cells was measured with flow cytometry, and the changes in hepatic cellular structures were observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group, the levels of serum AST and ALT significantly increased in the I/R group (P < 0.05), reaching their peak levels at the 6th hour. The activities of Na+ - K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase dramatically decreased one hour after reperfusion and then gradually recovered (P < 0.05). Hepatic cells mainly suffered oncosis at the early stage after reperfusion (within 6 hours); at the late stage (around 24 hours after reperfusion), apoptosis became the main death pattern. CONCLUSION Oncosis is the main pattern of hepatic cells death during I/R injury in cirrhotic rat, and the severity of hepatic injury correlates with the oncosis.