Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aromatase expression in extragonadal tissues of the Sebright chicken is controlled by a retroviral promoter.

These studies have clarified a number of issues regarding the genetic control of extragonadal aromatase expression in birds carrying the henny-feathering trait. The marked increased in extragonadal aromatase expression of a unique species of aromatase mRNA is apparently controlled by a retrovirus. We have not yet established whether this promoter is the consequence of a new retroviral insertion or is due to a mutation in a preexisting retrovirus. It is of interest in this regard that the chicken aromatase gene is located in a region of chromosome 1 known to be rich in retroviral insertions. Second, the relationship of the henny-feathering trait to normal and abnormal extragonadal aromatase expression in man remains to be determined. At one extreme, it is possible that a similar mechanism may underlie syndromes typified by increases in extraglandular aromatase expression. Even if the parallel proves to be less exact, the Sebright chicken provides important insight into how aromatase expression may be modulated differently in different tissues. Finally, the discovery that retroviral sequences appear to modulate the expression of aromatase in extragonadal tissues represents an unusual method by which the genetic control of genes can be altered. In the case of the henny-feathering trait, the alteration in the dimorphic feathering pattern was the principal clue to the altered regulation of extragonadal aromatase. This relation is in keeping with the other examples of altered gene expression caused by retroviruses that have also caused morphologic alterations such as changes in coat color or the appearance of neoplasms (for examples, see Refs. 14-16). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Impact of Exchange Rate Explosive Nature on Trade: Focusing Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to measure the effect of exchange rate instability on the Pakistan Trading activities. This study measure the instability of exchange rate and its effects on trade with the help of regression model. The time series data from the year 1980-2013 has been analyzed. The results shows that exchange rate instability has positive direct relation with the trade. It also shows that rely only on one vehicle currency (USD) has adverse impact on trade as well as on investors decision making power. Traders can protect the economy from the adverse affects of exchange rate instability by trading with the developing countries with low income and by using the policy to not rely only on one currency but to use different currencies while trading with other countries. So for that Pakistan has to show more interest in trading with developing countries to protect country from future exchange rate effects.
Enhancing equivalent circuit model of Dual Channel Vertical Strained Impact Ionization MOSFET (DC-VESIMOS) for biosensor applications

Dual Channel Vertical Strained Impact Ionization MOSFET (DC-VESIMOS) device shows superb performance with lower subthreshold slope (S) value of 11.48mV/dec and high range of ON and OFF current of 1013 obtained which indicates fast switching behavior and low leakage current respectively by using Silvaco's TCAD. Besides that, high breakdown voltage, VB of 2.45V is obtained which results in high reliability where the device become a promising candidates as a biosensor applications device. DC-VESIMOS demonstrated S value of 10.53mV/dec with supply voltage of VDS=1.75V in circuitry level. A considerable high breakdown voltage (VB=2.6V) and high ratio of ION/IOFF indicates low leakage currents and good reliability. The input of K parameter determines device behavior and the best value selected is when K=5 when compared with the published experimental works. Increase in body doping concentration will decrease the ON voltage of the device. In many aspects, DC-VESIMOS performance revealed that it was a best candidate to become one of the low power and high performance based biosensor applications device in the future.
Use of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire in estimation of long‐term productivity costs in patients with recent‐onset rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: To evaluate the utility of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) in the estimation of loss of productivity due to early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to develop a simple model for analysis of the cost–benefit of therapies. Methods: In the Finnish Rheumatoid Arthritis Combination Therapy (FIN‐RACo) trial, 162 patients with recent‐onset RA who were available for the workforce were randomized to receive either a combination of three disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or a single DMARD for 2 years and were followed up for 5 years. No biological drugs were used. Data on sick leave and RA‐related disability pensions came from official register records. Loss of productivity was computed by both the human capital approach (HCA) and the friction cost approach (FCA). Functional capacity was assessed by the HAQ at baseline and at 6 months. Results: Over 5 years, mean loss of productivity per year was EUR 8344 by the HCA and EUR 1928 by the FCA. The level of the HAQ index at 6 months, but not the change in HAQ from baseline, determined productivity costs. With the HCA, a monotonous association between annual loss of productivity and the 6‐month HAQ was found: EUR 2087 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1340–2903] per one step (0.13) on the HAQ scale from 0 to 1.88. With the FCA, the increase in loss of productivity was cut at the HAQ level of 0.5 to 0.75 (EUR 17 740 in 5 years). Conclusion: The HAQ index at 6 months may serve as a determinant of long‐term RA‐related indirect costs in economic analyses in early RA.
A Discussion on Social Entrepreneurship in South Africa: A Look at Why Social Entrepreneurship Offers Opportunity to Strengthen Civil Society and Fast Track Socio-Economic Development in South Africa

This chapter explores the literature on social entrepreneurship and civil society in South Africa, with a brief look on the country context and the need to fast track socio-economic change. It presents weaknesses in the current ability of civil society to function well and argues that social entrepreneurship offers opportunity to strengthen traditional methods of delivering social value, whilst introducing new aproaches. The chapter provides brief insights on where social entrepreneurs require greater support to be effective and looks at where there are quick wins to enable them to thrive.
Postlaminectomy Adhesion of the Cauda Equina: Inhibitory Effects of Anti‐inflammatory Drugs on Cauda Equina Adhesion in Rats

Study Design. Effects of the systemic administration of anti‐inflammatory drugs on cauda equina adhesion after lumbar laminectomy were evaluated in rats. Objectives. To obtain basic data on preventive measures for lumbar adhesive arachnoiditis. Summary of Background Data. Laminectomy‐induced cauda equina adhesion has been proved by rat experiments and postoperative serial magnetic resonance imaging tests in humans. In rats, laminectomy induces an increase in vascular permeability, resulting in cauda equina adhesion. Methods. Wistar rats laminectomized from L5 to L6 were divided into three groups: the control group received only vehicle solutions, the indomethacin group received oral indomethacin for 7 days, and the steroid group was administered intraperitoneal methylprednisolone for 3 days. At 24 hours and 3 weeks and 6 weeks after laminectomy, cauda equina adhesion and leakage of a protein tracer from the nutrient vessels were histologically compared in the three groups. Results. Both indomethacin and methylprednisolone significantly suppressed cauda equina adhesion and protein leakage from the nutrient vessels at 24 hours after laminectomy. Rats treated with the anti‐inflammatory drugs showed diminution of cauda equina adhesion and the neural degeneration at 3 weeks and 6 weeks after laminectomy. Conclusions. Anti‐inflammatory drug administration before and after laminectomy suppressed cauda equina adhesion as well as facilitating recovery from cauda equina adhesion.
Immunogenicity of Heterologous Recombinant Adenovirus Prime-Boost Vaccine Regimens Is Enhanced by Circumventing Vector Cross-Reactivity

ABSTRACT The high prevalence of preexisting immunity to adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) in human populations has led to the development of recombinant adenovirus (rAd) vectors derived from rare Ad serotypes as vaccine candidates for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and other pathogens. Vaccine vectors have been constructed from Ad subgroup B, including rAd11 and rAd35, as well as from Ad subgroup D, including rAd49. However, the optimal combination of vectors for heterologous rAd prime-boost vaccine regimens and the extent of cross-reactive vector-specific neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) remain poorly defined. We have shown previously that the closely related vectors rAd11 and rAd35 elicited low levels of cross-reactive NAbs. Here we show that these cross-reactive NAbs correlated with substantial sequence homology in the hexon hypervariable regions (HVRs) and suppressed the immunogenicity of heterologous rAd prime-boost regimens. In contrast, vectors with lower hexon HVR homology, such as rAd35 and rAd49, did not elicit detectable cross-reactive vector-specific NAbs. Consistent with these findings, rAd35-rAd49 vaccine regimens proved more immunogenic than both rAd35-rAd5 and rAd35-rAd11 regimens in mice with anti-Ad5 immunity. These data suggest that optimal heterologous rAd prime-boost regimens should include two vectors that are both rare in human populations to circumvent preexisting antivector immunity as well as sufficiently immunologically distinct to avoid cross-reactive antivector immunity.
The minimal gene set member msrA, encoding peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase, is a virulence determinant of the plant pathogen Erwinia chrysanthemi.

Peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase (MsrA), which repairs oxidized proteins, is present in most living organisms, and the cognate structural gene belongs to the so-called minimum gene set [Mushegian, A. R. & Koonin, E. V. , (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93, 10268-10273]. In this work, we report that MsrA is required for full virulence of the plant pathogen Erwinia chrysanthemi. The following differences were observed between the wild-type and a MsrA- mutant: (i) the MsrA- mutant was more sensitive to oxidative stress; (ii) the MsrA- mutant was less motile on solid surface; (iii) the MsrA- mutant exhibited reduced virulence on chicory leaves; and (iv) no systemic invasion was observed when the MsrA- mutant was inoculated into whole Saintpaulia ionantha plants. These results suggest that plants respond to virulent pathogens by producing active oxygen species, and that enzymes repairing oxidative damage allow virulent pathogens to survive the host environment, thereby supporting the theory that active oxygen species play a key role in plant defense.
Superior filament formation control in HfO2 based RRAM for high-performance low-power operation of 1 µA to 20 µA at +/− 1V

Low operation current and voltage range are required for scaled low power RRAM devices in high density memory cell arrays. In this work, for the first time we demonstrate 1 uA, +/- 1V bipolar switching of TiN/HfOx/Zr/W RRAM devices. High switching performance up to 108 cycles at low power and a 100× reduction of the high-resistance-state current was achieved by identification and utilization of key parameters for establishing superior control of the conductive filament formation.
A review of statistical methods for preprocessing oligonucleotide microarrays

Microarrays have become an indispensable tool in biomedical research. This powerful technology not only makes it possible to quantify a large number of nucleic acid molecules simultaneously, but also produces data with many sources of noise. A number of preprocessing steps are therefore necessary to convert the raw data, usually in the form of hybridisation images, to measures of biological meaning that can be used in further statistical analysis. Preprocessing of oligonucleotide arrays includes image processing, background adjustment, data normalisation/transformation and sometimes summarisation when multiple probes are used to target one genomic unit. In this article, we review the issues encountered in each preprocessing step and introduce the statistical models and methods in preprocessing.
Correlations between Bone Histopathology and Serum Biochemistry in Uremic Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis

To define which noninvasive investigations are of value in predicting bone histology, we analyzed transiliac bone specimens (66 biopsies, 14 autopsies) from 80 uremic patients on chronic dialysis. Results were compared with values of different measurements of parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (APH), osteocalcin, calcitonin, baseline and post-deferroxamine (DFO) aluminium (Al), - β2 microglobulin, ferritin and bone mineral density Among histomorphometric parameters, woven osteoid, active osteoblastic surface and resorption surface showed the best correlations with dynamic and biochemical marks of active bone metabolism. Among biochemical parameters, intact PTH and APH were better related to histomorphometric and dynamic bone parameters than other PTH measurements as well as osteocalcin, while calcitonin was related to no parameters. Stainable Al alone, and not total bone Al content was related to bone histology. Baseline Al was related to lamellar osteoid, while post-DFO Al was related to stainable Al. β2 microglobulin was positively related to active osteoid surface and ferritin was inversely related to the mineral apposition rate, while bone mineral density was related only to total bone volume. We conclude that, though definite diagnosis requires the use of histological methods, few simple biochemical parameters may offer insight to the bone metabolic status, useful to the physician in day to day clinical practice.
Systems toxicology: applications of toxicogenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics in toxicology

Toxicogenomics can facilitate the identification and characterization of toxicity, as illustrated in this review. Toxicogenomics, the application of the functional genomics technologies (transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) in toxicology enables the study of adverse effects of xenobiotic substances in relation to structure and activity of the genome. The advantages and limitations of the different technologies are evaluated, and the prospects for integration of the technologies into a systems biology or systems toxicology approach are discussed. Applications of toxicogenomics in various laboratories around the world show that the crucial steps and sequence of events at the molecular level can be studied to provide detailed insights into mechanisms of toxic action. Toxicogenomics allowed for more sensitive and earlier detection of adverse effects in (animal) toxicity studies. Furthermore, the effects of exposure to mixtures could be studied in more detail. This review argues that in the (near) future, human health risk assessment will truly benefit from toxicogenomics (systems toxicology).
Factors associated with clinical progression in HIV-2 infected-patients: The French ANRS cohort

Objectives: To identify factors associated with clinical progression in HIV-2 infected patients. Design: French prospective cohort initiated in 1994. Methods: Follow-up data are collected twice a year; viral load is assessed once a year by cellular viraemia, quantitative proviral DNA and plasma RNA. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used for studying baseline factors associated with clinical progression. Results: By December 2001, 217 patients had been enrolled. At inclusion, 80%, 6% and 14% were Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) group A, B and C, respectively. Median CD4 cell count was 436 × 106/l. In the 48% of positive specimens, the median plasma RNA titre was 3.0 log10 copies/ml. Mean follow-up of the 179 patients seen at least twice was 34.4 months. Of these 13 died and nine progressed to group C. Ninety-three (52%) received antiretroviral therapy during a mean of 33 months, including a protease inhibitor in 48%. The probability of remaining AIDS-free was 97% and 95% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. Independent variables associated with clinical progression were age ⩾ 40 years [hazard ratio (HR), 11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4–91.8; P = 0.03] and plasma RNA (HR, 2.5 per additional log10 copies/ml; 95% CI, 1.3–4.7, P < 0.01). Prior group B symptoms and CD4 cell count < 200 × 106/l were associated with progression to AIDS. AIDS and plasma RNA were predictive of death. Conclusion: Considering the limited progression rate of HIV-2 infection, combined antiretroviral therapy should be discussed in patients with high plasma RNA titres, which threshold value remains to be defined. It is recommended in case of AIDS, CDC group B symptoms or CD4 cell count < 200 × 106/l.
Poster: Connectivity analysis of millimeter wave vehicular networks

The next generations of vehicles will require data transmission capacities that go well beyond the capabilities of the current communication technologies for vehicular networks, calling for new solutions. In this regard, the millimeter-wave (mmWave) band is very appealing due to the vast amount of largely unused available spectrum. Nevertheless, the potential is hindered by the very difficult propagation characteristics of the mmWave channel, especially when considering highly mobile scenarios. In particular, mmWave links are typically directional, to benefit from the resulting beamforming gain, and require strict coordination between the endpoints to maintain or restore beam alignment, an operation which may require a significant overhead. The preservation of the connectivity has therefore widespread implications for the design of efficient vehicular protocols and affects the communication performance of the network nodes. In this paper, we illustrate some of the complex and interesting tradeoffs that have to be considered when engineering solutions for vehicular scenarios based on mmWave links. We investigate the performance of mmWave vehicular communications in dynamic systems and analyze the impact of several automotive-specific features such as the nodes speed, the alignment periodicity, the base stations density and the antenna geometry.
Institutions, complementarity, human resource management and performance in a South-East Asian Petrostate: the case of Brunei

Abstract This is a study on the incidence and impact of specific sets of HR practices on organisational performance (OP) across different types of firm, within an emerging market setting, where institutional arrangements are fluid and developing. The literature on comparative capitalism suggests that, within advanced societies, formal and informal regulations are mutually supportive, and will be sustained by associated HR systems, optimising OP. In contrast, in settings where institutional arrangements are weaker, there will not be the same incentives for disseminating mutually supportive HR bundles, and when these do exist, they are unlikely to yield any better outcomes. We found that this was indeed the case in the petrostate of Brunei as the usage of integrated HR models did not work better than individual interventions. Whilst it is often assumed that, in petrostates, the primary focus of institution-building is to service the needs of the oil-and-gas industry, we found no evidence to suggest that integrated HR systems were any more effective there; this may reflect the extent to which the industry’s HR needs may be simply resolved through turning to overseas labour markets – both for skilled and unskilled labour. At the same time, we found that the efficacy of HR practices varied according to firm characteristics: even in challenging contexts, firms may devise their own solutions according to their capabilities and endowments.
Advances in Understanding the Process of Epileptogenesis Based on Patient Material: What Can the Patient Tell Us?

Summary: Many different types of epileptic seizures and epileptic syndromes exist. The process of epileptogenesis and the progressive nature of epilepsy, however, can most easily be investigated in the acquired epilepsies, in which a brain insult presumably gives rise to changes in neuronal systems that ultimately become capable of generating spontaneous ictal events. Invasive in vivo and in vitro research can be carried out in patients with acquired epileptogenic lesions in the course of epilepsy surgery; however, such studies are possible only for those epileptic conditions that can be treated surgically, and can be used only to examine an end stage of the epileptogenic process. Consequently, experimental animal models of human epileptic conditions are still required to study mechanisms by which specific cerebral insults initiate the epileptogenic process and the progression of an epileptic disturbance. Most current parallel human/animal invasive research has been focused on temporal lobe epilepsy, and particularly that form associated with hippocampal sclerosis, the most common human epileptogenic lesion. Studies indicate that epileptogenesis in this condition is initiated by specific types of cell loss and neuronal reorganization, which results not only in enhanced excitation, but also in enhanced inhibition, predisposing to hypersynchronization. Even within this single, well‐studied epileptic disorder, evidence is found for more than one type of ictal onset, and individual seizures can demonstrate a transition from one ictal mechanism to another. Recent in vivo and in vitro parallel, reiterative investigations in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, and in rats with intrahippocampal kainate‐induced hippocampal seizures, have revealed the presence of interictal epileptiform events, termed “fast ripples,” which appear to be unique in tissue capable of generating spontaneous seizures. Pursuit of the fundamental mechanisms underlying these abnormalities should elucidate the neurobiologic basis of epileptogenicity in this disorder. Furthermore, if these events are markers for epileptogenicity, they may have clinical value for diagnosis and pharmacologic, as well as surgical, treatment. Further research is needed to determine if these observations are relevant to other types of epilepsies.