Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic and mitochondrial remodelling in cisplatin resistance: studies on ovarian cancer cells and derived cytoplasmic hybrids

The onset of resistance to cisplatin still limits its use in the chemotherapy of ovarian cancer and, despite several mechanisms of resistance have been discovered, they are not exhaustive. The aim of this study was to identify which other pathways are exploited by cancer cells to escape cisplatin cytotoxicity, to possibly prevent or overcome the phenomenon with new pharmacological approaches. The increase of anaerobic glycolysis, even in the presence of oxygen (Warburg effect), is the first observation indicating the alteration of energetic metabolism used by tumor cells as a strategy to adapt and grow independently from the availability of the substrate. This evidence suggested us to investigate the hypothesis that a similar metabolic strategy might be of relevance in resistance to cisplatin. Recently it has been shown that only approximately 1% of intracellular platinum is bound to nuclear DNA, while the great majority of the intracellular drug is available to interact with other nucleophilic sites including but not limited to phospholipids, cytosolic, cytoskeletal and membrane proteins, RNA and mitochondrial DNA. mtDNA, unlike nDNA, does not possess efficient repair systems and is therefore more susceptible to the onset of mutations often associated to cancer development, loss of tumor suppressor, activation of oncogenes and mitochondrial dysfunctions often related with an increase of glycolytic activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the energetic metabolism and the mitochondrial function of cisplatin-resistant (C13) and sensitive (2008) ovarian cancer cells with different experimental approaches. Results revealed that resistant cells present a significant reduced respiratory chain activity correlated to a lower mitochondrial mass, altered mitochondrial morphology as well as a metabolomic profile typical of a lipogenic phenotype. To investigate the role of mtDNA and nDNA in the mitochondrial and metabolic remodeling of cisplatin-resistant line, cancer cells (2008-C13) were used to generate transmitochondrial hybrids (H2008-HC13). Mitochondrial DNA of parental and hybrid cells was sequenced, showing similar, almost non pathological, polymorphisms. Interestingly, investigating the energetic metabolism and the mitochondrial structure of hybrids, no differences were observed between H2008 and HC13. These data demonstrated that the metabolic reprogramming of C13 cells was not dependent from mtDNA, but was controlled by nuclear factors. Having regard to these data, the activity of some nuclear transcription factors (HIF-1α, and c-Myc) involved in the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells, has been evaluated and it has been highlighted a different expression of some of their target genes involved in the glycolytic flux. Finally, the metabolic profile of 2008-C13 cells has been outlined by LC-MS which evidenced some interesting differences in aminoacids, phospholipids and antioxidants content.
A Drop in the Bucket or a Pebble in a Pond: Commercial Building Partners' Replication of EEMs Across Their Portfolios

This study presents findings from questionnaire and interview data investigating replication efforts of Commercial Building Partnerships (CBP) partners that worked directly with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). PNNL partnered with 12 organizations on new and retrofit construction projects as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) CBP program. PNNL and other national laboratories collaborate with industry leaders that own large portfolios of buildings to develop high performance projects for new construction and renovation. This project accelerates market adoption of commercially available energy saving technologies into the design process for new and upgraded commercial buildings. The labs provide assistance to the partners’ design teams and make a business case for energy investments. From the owner’s perspective, a sound investment results in energy savings based on corporate objectives and design. Through a feedback questionnaire, along with personal interviews, PNNL gathered qualitative and quantitative information relating to replication efforts by each organization. Data gathered through this process were analyzed to provide insight into two primary research areas: 1) CBP partners’ replication efforts of technologies and approaches used in the CBP project to the rest of the organization’s building portfolio (including replication verification), and 2) the market potential for technology diffusion into the total U.S. commercial building stock, as a direct result of the entire CBP program. Conclusions of this study indicate by 2030, a range of 2,957 to 97,101 buildings will be impacted by the CBP program through partner replication efforts, representing over 22% of all buildings in partner portfolios, and an energy savings potential between 2.3 and 77 trillion Btus annually.
Emotion and Emotion Regulation in Intergroup Conflict An Appraisal-Based Framework

S cholars who study international relations and ethnic conflicts have long recognized the central role played by emotions in conflict escalation, deescalation, and resolution (Horowitz, 1985; lindner, 2006; petersen, 2002). this suggests that psychological research has much to contribute to the understanding of large-scale protracted conflicts, which are the ones typically addressed in the international relations literature. Surprisingly, however, psychologists have devoted relatively little attention to the role of emotion and emotion regulation in such intense conflicts. our goal in this chapter is to present a general framework for examining emotion and emotion regulation in intergroup conflict situations. our focus is on intense intractable conflicts. However, given the paucity of psychological research on the role of emotions in such conflicts, we draw upon findings from the broader domain of emotions and intergroup relations. We begin our chapter by defining key concepts in the study of emotion, emotion regulation and the psychology of intergroup conflicts. We then introduce a conceptual framework for examining how emotion and emotion regulation affect individuals’ beliefs, attitudes and behaviors regarding the conflict. next, based on a review of the literature, we apply our
Globalization and Technological Capabilities: Evidence from Mexico's Patent Records ca. 1870-1911

Using a new database of all patents issues in Mexico between 1870 and 1911, this paper explores the impact of the vast wave of technology imports into Mexico during the nineteenth century period of globalization. Historians have established that massive technology imports made possible sustained economic growth and early industrialization during this period, but have not systematically explored the degree to which the skills and know-how embodied in new imported technologies stimulated adaptive and inventive activity in Mexico. Did imported technologies stimulate local technological creativity, or were Mexican technicians largely isolated from the adoption and use of imported techniques? The evidence shows that imports did stimulate patenting activity by Mexicans, although this response was modest in relation to increased patenting by inventors from North Atlantic countries. In general, Mexican inventors focused on activities outside the core technical advances on the global frontier, and often on activities that were more entrepreneurial than technical, although we can observe several important exceptions. These findings support the argument that technological capabilities were scarce in Mexico and local technicians had few opportunities to engage with and learn from imported know-how.
Exploration of Gene Expression Data in a Visually Linked Environment

The development of high throughput genetic analysis techniques, such as microarray DNA chips, opened the gates for the simultaneous analysis of gene expression of thousands of genes. This data can be used for diagnostic and research purposes alike. With ever more data being generated, the problem of deriving knowledge from it increases, not at last due to its multidimensionality. In this thesis the integrated application of two established multidimensional information visualization methods is proposed: parallel coordinates and heat maps. The true value of knowledge about gene expression regulation can only be exploited when information about the biological context is available. That knowledge is modeled in special graphs, called pathways. Previous work in the Caleydo framework established a 2.5D pathway visualization method. The goal of this thesis is to bring the pathways into context with high level gene expression visualization methods, by employing visual links among pathway elements and expression data. The visual links are drawn among up to five independent views, arranged in 3D, simultaneously, thereby showing relations which were previously difficult to identify.
Immunopathogenesis of Chronic Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by destruction of non- mineralized and mineralized connective tissues. The pathogenesis of periodontitis involves a complex interplay between periodontopathogens and the host immunity, greatly influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Failure in the inflammation resolving mechanism leads to establishment of a chronic inflammatory process, result- ing in the progressive destruction of bone and soft tissue. The aim of this chapter is to summarize the role of innate and specific immune response involved in pathogenesis of periodontitis. Cells and inflammatory mediators, those participating in inflammatory process of the ligamentous supporting structure and in resorption of alveolar bone, will be presented. resistant to the disease and will not develop CP. The disease progression depends on the increased production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα), metalloproteinases, and prostaglandins or decreased production of antiinflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGFβ) and inhibitors of metalloproteinases. The knowledge of the immunopathogenesis mechanisms in the chronic periodontitis could contribute to new therapeutic approaches.
Influence of Zincovit Drop (nutritional food supplement) on Immune System in Normal and Cyclophosphamide Intoxicated Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of Zincovit (ZVT) drop (nutritional food supplement) on the immune system in normal healthy and cyclophosphamide (CP) intoxicated Wistar rats. Methods: The study was carried out in healthy and immunotoxic Wistar rats (CP; 20 mg/kg/day) with ZVT drop (a combined formulation of multivitamin-multimineral, flaxseed oil, and lysine) at the dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg/day for 45 days. Hematological and immunological parameters, such as immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgM, interferon-γ, interleukin-2, and interleukin-4, were assessed. In addition, histopathological examination of the spleen was also performed. Results: There were no significant changes in all the hematological parameters such as total leukocyte, differential leukocyte, total erythrocyte, and total platelets count, hemoglobin amount and also the immunological parameters such as IgG, IgM, interferon-γ, and interleukin-4 level among the treatment groups except interleukin-2. There was a significant increase in interleukin-2 level in the group of animals treated with ZVT drop at the dose of 25 mg/kg (p<0.001) and 50 mg/kg (p<0.05) in comparison with normal control animals. Conclusion: The present study revealed the immunomodulatory effect of ZVT drop at the dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg/day in normal healthy Wistar rats. Keywords: Zincovit drop, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin-multimineral nutritional food supplement, Cyclophosphamide, Immunomodulatory.
Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SIBERIAN SYNCHROTRON RADIATION CENTRE

By means of analysis of fluorescence spectra close to and far off the K-edge of nickel (XANES and EXAFS methods) during the synthesis of nickel molybdate by the reaction NiO+a-MoO3 ®b-NiOMoO4, an unknown phase was observed which can be related to a product with low atomic nickel content. Nickel coordination with oxygen atoms is in this phase substantially different from octahedral. This signifies that there are several stage of the synthesis. At the initial stage of this synthesis , the traditional formation of the layer of final product, b-NiOMoO4, and its smooth growing for the next time do not take place but an intermidiate phase is formed. The possible phase are offered and analysed. 1 Institute of Solid State Chemistry, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russian Federation 2Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russian Federation e-mail: chernov@inp.nsk.su tolochko@inp.nsk.su nix@sunsr.inp.nsk.su Ó Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics
Possible mechanism for modulating cardiovascular system during running in humans

Cardiovascular response to running exercise was studied with a simple pulsatile cardiovascular model. Published experimental data during graded exercise were used to tune the model parameters. Study results show that cardiac output is modulated by rhythmic muscle contractions during running. It oscillates when step rate and heart rate are not synchronised but stabilises when they are synchronised. A maximum cardiac output can be achieved by synchronising step rate with heart rate at an optimal phase delay.
Collagen - Modified Layered Silicate Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine of Bone Tissue

Zina Vuluga1, Catalina-Gabriela Potarniche2, Madalina Georgiana Albu3, Viorica Trandafir4, Dana Iordachescu5 and Eugeniu Vasile5 1National Research and Development Institute for Chemistry and Petrochemistry-ICECHIM, Bucharest 2Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Aalborg University, Aalborg, 3National Research and Development Institute for Textile and Leather, Bucharest, 4University of Bucharest, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bucharest, 5METAV CD, Bucharest, 1,3,4,5Romania 2Denmark
Soybean (Glycine max) complementation and the zinc status of HIV and AIDS affected children in Suba District, Kenya.

The HIV and AIDS pandemic continues to ravage families and communities throughout the world particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. The scourge is associated with malnutrition specifically underweight, stunting and wasting among school children most of whom are orphaned by HIV. Subsequently, inadequate food supply at the household level has led to micronutrient deficiencies especially zinc. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional status of children aged 6-9 years in HIV and AIDS affected households in Suba District and to determine the effect of soybean complementation on zinc status of the children. Suba District, Kenya is resource-poor with high levels of food insecurity and lack of diet diversification. Experimental study design was employed in this study. Multi-stage, stratified and simple random sampling strategies were used to identify a total of 158 HIV and AIDS affected children from rural communities of Suba District who formed the study sample. Of these, one-hundred and six (106) children from both Sindo and Lambwe primary schools were put on a feeding trial; they were fed on corn-soy blend daily for three months. Fifty-two (52) children selected from Ong’ayo Primary School formed the control group and were not put on the feeding trial. Structured questionnaires were used to gather demographic and socio-economic data from mothers or guardians of the children. Anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were used to assess the nutritional status of children at baseline. Biochemical tests were carried out to determine serum zinc levels of the children between baseline and three months. These tests were analyzed at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Laboratories in Nairobi. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5 and the Nutri-Survey computer soft ware. A probability value of Key words: Underweight, stunting, wasting, zinc, soybean
DISTURBANCE REJECTION ANALYSIS FOR STRUCTURED UNCERTAIN LUR'E SYSTEMS

This paper is concerned with disturbance rejection analysis of structured uncertain Lur'e systems through invariant set analysis using Lyapunov function method. The conditions on robust ellipsoidal attractor for uncertain Lur'e systems are presented in terms of LMIs, which simultaneously ensure absolute stability and disturbance rejection of Lur'e systems. An estimate of the maximum set included in a robust ellipsoidal attractor is presented. Finally, a numerical example is worked out to illustrate the main results. Copyright c ∞ 2002 IFAC
Model Uncertainty in Cloud–Circulation Coupling, and Cloud-Radiative Response to Increasing CO2, Linked to Biases in Climatological Circulation

Recent analyses of global climate models suggest that uncertainty in the coupling between midlatitude clouds and the atmospheric circulation contributes to uncertainty in climate sensitivity. However, the reasons behind model differences in the cloud–circulation coupling have remained unclear. Here, we use a global climate model in an idealized aquaplanet setup to show that the Southern Hemisphere climatological circulation, which in many models is biased equatorward, contributes to the model differences in the cloud–circulation coupling. For the same poleward shift of the Hadley cell (HC) edge, models with narrower climatological HCs exhibit stronger midlatitude cloud-induced shortwave warming than models with wider climatological HCs. This cloud-induced radiative warming results predominantly from a subsidence warming that decreases cloud fraction and is stronger for narrower HCs because of a larger meridional gradient in the vertical velocity. A comparison of our aquaplanet results with comprehensive climate models suggests that about half of the model uncertainty in the midlatitude cloud–circulation coupling stems from this impact of the circulation on the large-scale temperature structure of the atmosphere, and thus could be removed by improving the climatological circulation in models. This illustrates how understanding of large-scale dynamics can help reduce uncertainty in clouds and their response to climate change.
In vitro urolithiasis models: An evaluation of prophylactic management against kidney stones

Urolithiasis is a global health problem with high recurrence rate. Different in vivo and in vitro models have been successfully used to evaluate the antiurolithiatic potential of medicinal plants. In vitro models provide the study of renal stone formation and in vivo models declare pathological effects of urolithiasis. Thus, in vitro models are significantly and effectively used to evaluate prophylactic management and in vivo gives the direction towards urolithiasis treatment. This paper describes the advantages, limitations and applications of both model specially, the role of in vitro studies in the evaluation of prophylactic management.
The Aesthetic Features of Korean Alphabetic System - Hangul

The Korean alphabet, Hangul, is the unique alphabet which has a definite production process. All of the letters of Hangul can be defined in terms of production according to their aesthetic features. The main consonants were produced due to the articulation places in the mouth and the others were produced adding some other additional strokes on them. Vowels are based on the cosmic representation which consist of three original letters where the others are produced upon these three letters.
Preparation and Structural Characterization of Sol-Gel-Derived Silver Silica Nanocomposite Powders

The silver embedded silica powders (Ag/SiO2) have been successfully prepared by sol-gel method. Ag nanoparticles were formed from the thermal decomposition of the silver nitrate. X-ray diffraction shows that the silver nanocrystals have appeared after a heat-treatment at 600 °C. TEM images show that the spherical silver particles with an average size around 30 nm dispersed homogeneously in silica matrix. The data of XRD, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy prove that the formation of the silver nanocrystals influent on the structural evolution of the silica matrix. The presence of metal nanocrystals leads to remarkable decrease in crystallizing temperature of SiO2. In addition, the adsorption-desorption analysis indicated that the growth of Ag particles makes the pores in silica structure widen.
Elimination of the Reaction Rate “Scale Effect”: Application of the Lagrangian Reactive Particle‐Tracking Method to Simulate Mixing‐Limited, Field‐Scale Biodegradation at the Schoolcraft (MI, USA) Site

Measured (or empirically fitted) reaction rates at groundwater remediation sites are typically much lower than those found in the same material at the batch or laboratory scale. The reduced rates are commonly attributed to poorer mixing at the larger scales. A variety of methods have been proposed to account for this scaling effect in reactive transport. In this study, we use the Lagrangian particle‐tracking and reaction (PTR) method to simulate a field bioremediation experiment at the Schoolcraft, MI site. A denitrifying bacterium, Pseudomonas Stutzeri strain KC (KC), was injected to the aquifer, along with sufficient substrate, to degrade the contaminant, carbon tetrachloride (CT), under anaerobic conditions. The PTR method simulates chemical reactions through probabilistic rules of particle collisions, interactions, and transformations to address the scale effect (lower apparent reaction rates for each level of upscaling, from batch to column to field scale). In contrast to a prior Eulerian reaction model, the PTR method is able to match the field‐scale experiment using the rate coefficients obtained from batch experiments.
Trends in performance of science and technology students (1997–2008) in Ireland

Hunt and Lawson 1 displayed the evidence of decline in the mathematical standards of first-year students in Coventry University between 1991 and 1995. Gill 2 sought to investigate if this was also the case in the University of Limerick (UL). The results of diagnostic tests administered to first-year undergraduates in the science and technology groups (service mathematics courses) between 1997 and 2002 displayed the evidence that the mathematical standard of students entering the university of Limerick service mathematics courses had declined over the 6 years studied. In this article, the authors revisit the university of Limerick database, which currently holds data for over 6200 students, to investigate current mathematical entry standards of students in service mathematics courses. The university of Limerick responses to the ‘Mathematics Problem’ are also described. Ireland presents a unique situation in terms of the mathematical homogeneity of its third-level students; most students enter via the same route, i.e. the Leaving Certificate, on completion of 13 years of formal mathematics education. However, while research results and coping mechanisms in terms of learning support are not generalizable, they are portable. It is hoped that mathematics educators worldwide can learn from the Irish situation.