Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estrogens Augment the Stimulation of Ovarian Aromatase Activity by Follicle-stimulating Hormone in Cultured Rat Granulosa Cells *

The effects of estrogens on ovarian aromatase activity were investigated in vitro using granulosa cells from immature hypophysectomized estrogen-primed rats. The cells were cultured for 3 days in an androgen-free medium in the presence of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), with or without the specified estrogen. After washing, the cells were reincubated for 5 h with M androstenedione, and the formation of estrogens was measured. Estrogen production by control and diethylstilbestrol-treated cells was negligible, while FSH stimulated aromatase activity. Furthermore, concomitant treatment with diethylstilbestrol led to dose-dependent increases in the FSH-induced aromatase activity with an EDso value of 4 X lo-’ M and an apparent V, value 12to 16-fold higher than those induced by FSH alone. The direct stimulatory effect of estrogens was time-dependent and was not accounted for by increases in cell protein. Various native and synthetic estrogens also augmented the FSH induction of aromatases (native estrogens: estradiol-17P = estrone > estradiol-17cu > estriol; synthetic estrogens: hexestrol > moxestrol > ethinyl estradiol >>> chlorotrianisene and mestranol). The effect of estradiol-17P was dosedependent with an ED50 value of 9 x lo-’ M, which is within the physiological levels of follicular estradiol17p. Although treatment with androgens also enhanced the FSH-induced aromatases, treatment with a progestin (R5020) or a mineralocorticoid (aldosterone) was without effect. Thus, estrogens directly augment the stimulation of granulosa cell aromatase activity by FSH. Follicular estrogens may activate intraovarian autoregulatory positive feedback mechanisms to enhance their own production, resulting in selective follicle maturation and the preovulatory estrogen surge.
Subpanel level time-sharing Maximum Power Point Tracking system with self-adaptively adjusted control strategy

The Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) has been revealed to be a promising technique allowing the increase of efficiency and reliability of Photovoltaic (PV) systems. To further eliminate the mismatch between the strings inside PV panels, the subpanel level DMPPT technique is proposed. However, such a system has higher cost than panel level solution because each cell string inside the panel must be equipped with an individual DC-DC converter and a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller. To solve this problem, a subpanel level time-sharing MPPT control is proposed in this paper. Moreover, the subpanel level time-sharing MPPT control is improved by making the enable signal self-adaptively adjusted to achieve the full utilization of MPPT controller and fast reactions to the environmental changes.
Lifestyle behaviors and early diagnosis practices of cancer patients.

BACKGROUND The aim was to determine the lifestyle behaviors and the practices for early diagnosis of cancer of cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for this study. The sample consisted of 222 patients with a diagnosis of cancer (non-random sample method). Ethical permission was obtained of the Non-interventional Research Ethics Committee of our Institution. Values of p<0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS It was observed that 54.4% of the patients had never performed breast self-examination, 60.8% had never had a mammography, and 71.2% had never had a Pap smear. Sixty-six point two percent of patients had never had screening for colon cancer within the past ten years. GIS cancers were higher in smokers and ex-smokers (p=0.005), in drinkers and in ex-drinkers (p=0.000). The breast cancer rate was higher in obese people (p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study provide information on the healthy lifestyle behavior of cancer patients before their diagnosis, and their use of early diagnosis practices. The important aspect of this study is to extend cancer patients' period of life after the diagnosis and treatment process, to make them conscious of risky lifestyle and nutritional behavior so that they can maintain a high quality of life, and to start initiatives in this direction that would ensure changes in behavior.
Puzzles in the Forex Tokyo “Fixing”: Order Imbalances and Biased Pricing by Banks

“Fixing” in the foreign exchange market is a market practice that determines the bid-ask-mid-point exchange rate at a scheduled time, 10am in Tokyo and 4pm in London. The fixing exchange rate is then applied to the settlement of foreign exchange transactions between banks and retail customers including broker dealers, institutional investors, insurance companies, exporters and importers, with varying bid-ask spreads. Our findings for the Tokyo fixing are summarized as follows. (1) Price spikes in the Tokyo fixing are more frequent than in the London fixing. (2) The customer orders are biased toward buying the foreign currencies, which is predictable. (3) Before 2008, the fixing prices set by banks were biased upward, and higher than the highest transaction price during the fixing time window. (4) Even after 2008, the fixing prices announced by banks were still above the median transaction price during the fixing window, suggesting that banks make predictable profits. (5) The calendar effects also matter for determination of the fixing rate and the price fluctuation around fixing time.
NEIGHBORHOOD ATTRIBUTES AND COMMUTING BEHAVIOR: TRANSIT CHOICE

Neighborhood type matters when we try to explain variations in public transit commuting. We found this statistical link over a sample of all census tracts in the four largest California metro areas. In this research, we used statistical cluster analysis to identify twenty generic neighborhood types. The variables used in the analysis included broad indicators of location and population density, street design, transit access and highway access. Once identified, the denser neighborhoods had higher transit use, other things equal. Yet, what distinguishes the research is that we did not use a simple density measure to differentiate neighborhoods. Rather, density was an important ingredient of our neighborhood-type definition -which surpassed simple density in explanatory power.
Endogenous auxin and cytokinin contents associated with shoot formation in leaves of pineapple cultured in vitro

The in vitro culture of pineapple leaves on a shoot induction medium (SIM) results in the formation of protuberances and further development in shoots, and plantlets. The contents of endogenous indoleacetic acid (IAA) and five cytokinins (Cks), N6(2-isopentenyl)adenine (iP), N6(2-isopentenyl)adenosine (iPR), zeatin (Z), zeatin riboside (ZR) and N6-benzyladenine (BA), present in the basal portion of those leaves, were correlated to the organogenic response that occurs over 15 days of culture. The endogenous auxin/cytokinins ratio was lowest on the 3rd day, mainly due to a strong increase in the iP level. It seems that endogenous iP concentration triggered the induction signal for an organogenic response in pineapple leaf bases. The rise in iP content required the presence of BA and a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in the medium, suggesting that endogenous iP production is regulated in response to these growth regulator uptakes.
B cell antigen receptor cross‐linking induces tyrosine phosphorylation and membrane translocation of a multimeric Shc complex that is augmented by CD19 co‐ligation

The SH2 domain‐containing transforming Shc protein has been implicated in mitogenic signaling via several surface receptors through p21ras. Following tyrosine phosphorylation by either receptor or non‐receptor tyrosine kinases, Shc may interact with the adaptor protein Grb2, which is linked to Sos1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for human ras. Ligation of the antigen receptor complex on B cells (BCR) is known to activate various intracellular signaling pathways, which may accumulate in mitogenic responses. With respect to the initial steps, the activation of BCR‐associated non‐receptor tyrosine kinases appears to be indispensible. In this report we show that Shc proteins become tyrosine phosphorylated after BCR ligation on both transformed and normal human B cells. This is accompanied by the association of Shc with Grb2 proteins and a yet unidentified 145‐kDa tyrosine phosphorylated protein. Subcellular fractionation revealed that this activation‐induced multimeric Shc complex rapidly translocates towards the plasma membrane. Co‐ligation of the BCR with the CD19 molecule results in a marked increase of these events, whereas CD19 cross‐linking alone does not induce Shc tyrosine phosphorylation or translocation. Thus, in B cells the Shc complex may represent a molecular junction between the BCR and the mitogenic p21ras cascade.
ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS (AHP) APPROACH ON CONSUMER PREFERENCE IN FRANCHISE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT SELECTION IN MANADO CITY (Study at: McDonald’s, KFC, and A&W)

Franchise fast food restaurant has become one of the preferred restaurants in Manado City. There have been many outlets franchise fast food restaurant which opened its business in Manado City. The purpose of this research is to analyze the most preferred franchise fast food restaurant by consumer and to analyze the criteria that influence consumer in selecting franchise fast food restaurant. Researcher used Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to compare each franchise fast food restaurant as the alternative. Population and sample in this research are people in Manado who have eaten and have experienced the service in McDonald’s, KFC, and A&W. The sample this research consist of 50 respondents. The sample technique is purposive sampling. The result shows that McDonald’s is the most preferred franchise fast food restaurant by the consumer, followed by KFC, and A&W. The result also shows that the criteria with the highest influence on consumer in selecting franchise fast food restaurant is price. Researcher suggests that every franchise fast food restaurant in Manado City to focus on their price strategy in order to attract more consumers. Keywords : analytical hierarchy process, consumer preference, franchise fast food
Extraordinary transmission with evanescent wave enhancement in planar waveguide loaded with anisotropic metamaterials

We have found by theoretical analysis that extraordinary EM wave transmission could occur for TE modes at frequency below the cutoff frequency of the hollow waveguide by inserting different kinds of anisotropic metamaterials (AMMs) in the hollow waveguide. Such transmission of EM energy has no lower cutoff frequency and is due to the conversion of the evanescent wave into propagating mode inside the AMMs, which is quite different from that in the case of waveguide loaded with an isotropic left-handed material slab. We believe that such AMM loaded waveguide structure could find applications in sub-wavelength microwave transmission or resonating components.
Heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 is an activator of the Hsp104 motor

Heat shock protein (Hsp) 104 is a ring-forming, protein-remodeling machine that harnesses the energy of ATP binding and hydrolysis to drive protein disaggregation. Although Hsp104 is an active ATPase, the recovery of functional protein requires the species-specific cooperation of the Hsp70 system. However, like Hsp104, Hsp70 is an active ATPase, which recognizes aggregated and aggregation-prone proteins, making it difficult to differentiate the mechanistic roles of Hsp104 and Hsp70 during protein disaggregation. Mapping the Hsp70-binding sites in yeast Hsp104 using peptide array technology and photo–cross-linking revealed a striking conservation of the primary Hsp70-binding motifs on the Hsp104 middle-domain across species, despite lack of sequence identity. Remarkably, inserting a Strep-Tactin binding motif at the spatially conserved Hsp70-binding site elicits the Hsp104 protein disaggregating activity that now depends on Strep-Tactin but no longer requires Hsp70/40. Consistent with a Strep-Tactin–dependent activation step, we found that full-length Hsp70 on its own could activate the Hsp104 hexamer by promoting intersubunit coordination, suggesting that Hsp70 is an activator of the Hsp104 motor.
Utilization of growth monitoring and promotion services and associated factors among under two years of age children in Southern Ethiopia

Growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) is a prevention activity comprised of growth monitoring (GM) linked with promotion that serves as the core activity in an integrated child health and nutrition program. However, different methods of institutional studies have shown that utilization of GM services has remained to be inadequate. There is scarcity of studies conducted about GMP in quantitative method. Therefore, this study was conducted to address the proportion of GMP services and associated factors among children under two years of age in rural communities of Mareka district, Southern Ethiopia. Community based cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to September 2015. Single population proportion formula was used to determine the sample size with multi stage sampling technique. A total of 819 children under two years of age were included. Pretest was done on 10% of the total sample size. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions used to analyze data. The response rate was 95%. Utilization of GMP services was 16.9%. Institutional delivery AOR (95% CI): 3.01(1.65–5.50), index child age 12–17 months AOR (95% CI): 4.03(2.16–7.51) and 18–23 months AOR (95% CI): 3.08(1.70–5.57), family size 4–5 AOR(95% CI): 0.14(0.06–0.33), family size >5 AOR(95% CI): 0.34(0.14–0.82), regular GMP attendance AOR (95% CI): 4.37(2.45–7.80), medium wealth index AOR(95% CI): 3.14(1.51–6.52) and high wealth index AOR(95% CI): 3.24(1.59–6.62) were factors associated with utilization of GMP services. Utilization of GMP services was low. Thus, efforts should be made to improve utilization of GMP services through promotion of institutional delivery, different family planning methods, and regular GMP attendance.
Critical Factors Effecting Supplier Participation in Green Supply Chain A Case study of Thai Auto Parts Manufacturing

Due to the increased awareness of environmental issues on sustainable development in supply chain, green supply chain management has become an important concern for manufacturers. The objective of this research is to identify the critical factors for supplier participation in green supply chain. Three potential factors of supplier participation in green supply chain were proposed in research framework: environmental regulations, customer pressures, supplier’s management and organization. The research used survey data obtained on auto parts manufacturers in Thailand and testing the relationships with Structural Equation Modeling. The results revealed that all three factors have positive impact to supplier participation in green supply chain. The contribution of this study is to provide guidelines for auto part manufacturers and government to place strong emphasis on the critical factors of green participation and motivate their supply chain members to realize the importance of environmental protection and achieve the sustainable supply chain performance.
Alcohol Consumption Among University Students in North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany—Results From a Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Objective: To assess alcohol use and problem drinking among university students in the German Federal State of North Rhine–Westphalia (NRW) and to examine the associated factors. Method: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 universities in 2006–2007 in NRW by a standardized questionnaire and 3,306 students provided information (response rate of 88%). Problem drinking was measured by the CAGE questionnaire. Results: Alcohol consumption in the last 3 months was reported by >90 % of students. About 80% reported heavy drinking, and 20% displayed problem drinking. Male students, students living in residence halls, and students from sport faculties had a higher risk of heavy drinking and problem drinking. When students were compared across study years, frequency of heavy drinking decreased with higher semesters. Conclusions: Overall, heavy drinking and problem drinking are common among university students in this sample. Intervention programs should be designed for students at a particularly high risk.
A Filterable Agent, Recovered from Ak Leukemic Extracts, Causing Salivary Gland Carcinomas in C3H Mice.∗

Summary 1. Extracts prepared from livers, spleens, and lymphatic tumors of leukemic Ak mice, were centrifugated at 1400 × g (15 minutes), then 7000 × g (5 to 10 minutes), and finally passed through Selas porcelain niters. The filtered extracts were then inoculated into newborn (less than 16 hours old) C3H or C3H(f) suckling mice. 2. Of the 84 mice inoculated with fresh, filtered extracts, 9 died from leukemia, and 15 others developed bilateral epitheliomas possibly arising in the salivary glands. ‡ Of the 54 control litter-mates inoculated with heated (68°C for 30 minutes) extracts, only one developed a cervical tumor. 3. Extracts prepared from Ak leukemic cells may therefore contain 2 different agents, pathogenic for newborn C3H or C3H(f) mice: one, causing leukemia, and another salivary gland epitheliomas. These agents may differ in size. 4. It is assumed that the leukemic agent may interfere with the tumor agent preventing it from exerting its pathogenic properties on the cells of its usual Ak, carrier host, or that mice of the Ak line may be naturally resistant to the tumor agent. 5. Salivary gland tumors have not been observed in untreated mice of either the Ak, the C3H, or C3H(f) inbred lines.
Will treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with an IL-6R inhibitor help facilitate the ‘age of remission’?

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic disease, which negatively influences patients’ quality of life, work productivity and longevity. Current therapies include traditional and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Although these are effective for many, a substantial proportion of patients fail to respond to these agents, suffer from loss of efficacy and/or experience unpleasant side effects, highlighting the need for alternatives. Objectives/methods: To address how a greater proportion of RA patients may potentially achieve disease remission, we reviewed data on IL-6 as a therapeutic target. Results/conclusions: IL-6 is an important driver of RA pathogenesis, mediating both articular and systemic effects of the disease. Tocilizumab, an inhibitor of the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), is beneficial in treating RA in a variety of clinical contexts. Evidence to date supports the use of tocilizumab, as monotherapy or combination therapy, as an effective approach to the treatment of RA. Here, we discuss key efficacy and safety data from the recently published Phase III trials.
IFRS Adoption in the EU and the Challenge of Nomenclature Evidence from the UK, France, and Germany

Since the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the subsequent directive by the European Union (EU), all companies operating in the EU are required to report their consolidated financial statements in line with the IFRS. This study examines the consolidated financial statements of the top 170 listed companies in three major EU stock exchanges (UK, France and Germany) and uncovered a disparity in the use of common nomenclatures. The findings reveal that the inconsistencies in the application of terminologies such as statement of financial position instead of balance sheet and sequence of arrangement of assets in order of liquidity constitute the main differences for entities operating in the three countries. Such differences pose an imminent challenge in the comparability and interpretation of financial results.
Role of active nitrogen molecules in progression of septic shock

Active nitrogen molecules are formed as a result of cell metabolism. They are essential for cell metabolism, but when produced in excess, they contribute to the pathogenesis of several disease processes. These nitrogen molecules play an important role in vascular instability of septic shock. This study was planned to detect the role of active nitrogen molecules in the progression of septic shock.
Traffic Safety and Human Capital

This paper documents a large educational gradient in traffic fatality rates and investigates its source. Compared to individuals with a college education, those with at most a high school diploma are more than four times as likely to die in a traffic accident, a gradient exceeding that for all-cause mortality. More educated individuals’ health behaviors, such as drinking or seat belt use, support this gradient. A panel analysis of data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System indicates that this gradient is, to a small degree, causal, particularly for males, who cause most traffic accidents.
Tobramycin Inhalation Powder™: a novel drug delivery system for treating chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis

Lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) is typified by the development of chronic airways infection culminating in bronchiectasis and progression to end-stage respiratory disease. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a ubiquitous Gram-negative bacteria, is the archetypical CF pathogen and is associated with an accelerated clinical decline. The development and widespread use of chronic suppressive aerosolized antibacterial therapies, in particular Tobramycin Inhalation Solution (TIS), in CF has contributed to reduced lung function decline and improved survival. However, the requirement for the aerosolization of these agents through nebulizers has been associated with increased treatment burden, reduced quality of life and remain a barrier to broader uptake. Tobramycin Inhalation Powder (TIP™) has been developed by Novartis with the express purpose of delivering the same benefits as TIS in a time-effective manner. Administered via the T-326™ (Novartis) Inhaler in four individual 28-mg capsules, TIP can be administered in a quarter of the time of traditional nebulizers and is inherently portable. In clinical studies, TIP has been shown to be safe, result in equivalent or superior reductions in P. aeruginosa sputum density and produce similar improvements in pulmonary function. TIP offers significant advantages in time saving, portability and convenience over traditional nebulized TIS with comparable clinical outcomes for individuals with CF.