Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Digestion Enzymes on Islet Viability and Cellular Composition

The choice of enzyme blend is critical for successful islet isolation. Islet yield, viability, integrity, and function are important factors that influence the outcome of islet transplantation. Liberase HI has been used as a standard enzyme for pancreas digestion and has successfully produced islets that reversed diabetes. However, the replacement of Liberase HI with collagenase NB1 has significantly influenced the process outcome, both in quality and quantity of the isolated islets. The assessment of islet cells by Flow Cytometry (FC) has been reported to be useful for evaluating islet quality. The aim of this study was to assess the isolation outcomes and islet quality when comparing human islet cell processed with Liberase HI and NB1. A total of 66 islet isolations, 46 processed using Liberase HI and 20 using Serva NB1, were retrospectively analyzed. Islet yield, function in vitro, islet cell viability by FC, as well as isolation-related factors were compared. There was no significant difference in donor characteristics such as age and height; however, body mass index (BMI) in the Liberase HI group was significantly higher. There was also no significant difference in prepurification, postisolation, or postculture IEQ or percent recovery between the two groups. Flow data showed Liberase HI preparations had a significantly higher percent of live cells (DAPI-) and NG+/ TMRE+ when compared to NB1. Stimulation Indices (SI) for Liberase HI (n = 45) showed 3.17 and NB1 (n = 18) 2.71 (p = NS). The results of Annexin V/DAPI staining for live, apoptotic, and necrotic cells were 50.7 ± 2.24%, 14.4 ± 1.02%, and 27.8 ± 1.92% for Liberase HI versus 48.1 ± 1.93%, 12.3 ± 0.92%, and 33.9 ± 2.28% for NB1. Islets isolated using Liberase HI showed higher viable β cells by NG/TMRE staining and decreased necrosis by Annexin V/DAPI staining. FC assessment may be useful for determining the choice of digestion enzyme to maximize viable islets.
Immune response to Vi polysaccharide, heat-killed whole cells, and outer membrane protein of Salmonella typhi.

INTRODUCTION Salmonella typhiVi capsular polysaccharide (ViCPS) is a licensed vaccine against typhoid fever in many countries; in Egypt, the killed whole-cell vaccine is still used. In this study, mice were used as an animal model to evaluate the immune response to ViCPS and other S. typhi antigens such as heat-killed whole cells and outer membrane protein (OMP). METHODOLOGY The three antigens were laboratory prepared, injected into mice groups, and the humoral response was evaluated using the indirect whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The sensitivity of this assay was investigated using in situ or pre-heated whole cells as coating antigens. In addition, the effect of the immunization route for ViCPS was examined. RESULTS Immunizing doses of heat-killed whole cells as well as ViCPS, 2 and 4 µg given subcutaneously (SC) and 4 µg given intraperitoneally (IP), showed significant immune response compared to controls. However, the responses to these doses were not significantly different from each other. The OMP showed a higher significant response. The sensitivity of indirect whole-cell ELISA was enhanced significantly by in situ heat treatment of the coating antigen rather than the pre-heated coating antigen. CONCLUSIONS The three antigens showed significant immune response. The immune response to OMP was higher. Though heat-killed whole cells and ViCPS are almost similar in immunizing level, ViCPS is recommended. The SC route was more immunizing than the IP one. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the indirect whole-cell ELISA technique could be enhanced by in situ heat inactivation of the coating cells.
Anglo-German business collaboration : pitfalls and potentials

The objectives of the Research - Sample and Methods of Study (Appendix: Interview Schedule) - Cross Cultural Collaborative Configurations in Anglo-German Business - Cultural Influences on British and German Marketing (Appendix: Empirical Examples) - Qualifications and Skills of British and German Managements - The Views of the Managers - Organisational Behaviour in British and German firms - Problems in Cross-cultural Parent-subsidiary Relationships - The Views of the Subsidiaries - Pitfalls and Potentials of Anglo-German Business Collaboration - References - Index
The Effect of R&D Subsidies on Private R&D: Evidence from Italian Manufacturing Data

This paper uses a comprehensive firm level data set for the manufacturing sector in Italy to investigate the effect of government support on privately financed R&D expenditure. Estimates from a two-step equation model suggest that public assistance has a positive effect on private R&D investment. A non parametric matching procedure is also used to investigate the same effect. Here again the results suggest that the recipient firms achieve more private R&D than they would have without public support. The paper also examines whether public funding effects the financial sources available for R&D and finds that grants encourage credit financing for R&D. The effects on the use of internal sources are not conclusive.
Identification of molecular subtypes of gastric cancer with different responses to PI3-kinase inhibitors and 5-fluorouracil.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Almost all gastric cancers are adenocarcinomas, which have considerable heterogeneity among patients. We sought to identify subtypes of gastric adenocarcinomas with particular biological properties and responses to chemotherapy and targeted agents. METHODS We compared gene expression patterns among 248 gastric tumors; using a robust method of unsupervised clustering, consensus hierarchical clustering with iterative feature selection, we identified 3 major subtypes. We developed a classifier for these subtypes and validated it in 70 tumors from a different population. We identified distinct genomic and epigenomic properties of the subtypes. We determined drug sensitivities of the subtypes in primary tumors using clinical survival data, and in cell lines through high-throughput drug screening. RESULTS We identified 3 subtypes of gastric adenocarcinoma: proliferative, metabolic, and mesenchymal. Tumors of the proliferative subtype had high levels of genomic instability, TP53 mutations, and DNA hypomethylation. Cancer cells of the metabolic subtype were more sensitive to 5-fluorouracil than the other subtypes. Furthermore, in 2 independent groups of patients, those with tumors of the metabolic subtype appeared to have greater benefits with 5-fluorouracil treatment. Tumors of the mesenchymal subtype contain cells with features of cancer stem cells, and cell lines of this subtype are particularly sensitive to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-AKT-mTOR inhibitors in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Based on gene expression patterns, we classified gastric cancers into 3 subtypes, and validated these in an independent set of tumors. The subgroups have differences in molecular and genetic features and response to therapy; this information might be used to select specific treatment approaches for patients with gastric cancer.
Four Practical Lessons Learned from Multidisciplinary Projects

In this study we perform extended Lessons Learned interviews concerning collaboration in multidisciplinary engineering projects at DLR, the German Aerospace Center. Interviews are held with all available members out of several project teams. The success of a project is evaluated against a) standard Lessons Learned scales (as used in Project Management, PM) and b) the perceived satisfaction of the interviewees. Furthermore, we inquire about the nature of collaboration and individual experiences. From the interviews we could identify the influence of four main factors: i) organizational structure; ii) organizational practice; iii) leadership and iv) continuity. The above factors cannot be captured with standard PM methods. These rather need to be ``discovered anew'' by project managers. The goal of our investigation is to let the practice of good ``real live'' project management flow into future projects and into education.
[Using ITS2 barcode to identify ephedrae herba].

OBJECTIVE To identify Ephedrae Herba using the ITS2 barcode and to secure its quality and safety in medication. METHOD Total genomic DNA was isolated from Ephedrae Herba and its closely related species. Nuclear DNA ITS2 sequences were amplified, and purified PCR products were sequenced. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed using the CodonCode Aligner. The Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) distances were calculated using software MEGA 5.0. Identification analyses were performed using BLAST1, Nearest Distance and neighbor-joining (NJ) methods. RESULT The intra-specific genetic distances of Ephedrae Herba were ranged from 0 to 0.002. The inter-specific genetic distances between Ephedrae Herba and its closely related species were ranged from 0.004 to 0.034. All the three methods showed that ITS2 could discriminate Ephedrae Herba from its closely related species correctly. CONCLUSION The ITS2 region is suitable to be used for authentication of Ephedrae Herba, and our study further confirmed the effectiveness of ITS2 to identify traditional Chinese medicinal materials.
The Bamboo Network: How Expatriate Chinese Entrepreneurs Are Creating a New Economic Superpower in Asia

This work shows how a remarkable group of ethnic Chinese families is transforming Mainland China. These enterprising leaders fled the mainland after the communist take-over and built extensive business empires throughout Southeast Asia. Thanks to the powerful ties of language and culture, these entrepreneurs are often seen as the most desirable partners for joint ventures in China, and they are responsible for much of the industrialization and modernization of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the booming costal zone of China. In the process, they are creating the fastest-growing and most competitive economy in the world, a region that will soon rival the United States and Western Europe as an economic power and compete with Japan for the number two slot in the world economy. Despite the serious domestic problems likely to arise in one or more countries within the region, overseas Chinese business families will continue to take advantage of changing threats and opportunities. Whether as friends or rivals of the bamboo network, it will be wise for businesses throughout the world to learn more about this exotic sector of the global marketplace.
veA Is Required for Toxin and Sclerotial Production in Aspergillus parasiticus

ABSTRACT It was long been noted that secondary metabolism is associated with fungal development. In Aspergillus nidulans, conidiation and mycotoxin production are linked by a G protein signaling pathway. Also in A. nidulans, cleistothecial development and mycotoxin production are controlled by a gene called veA. Here we report the characterization of a veA ortholog in the aflatoxin-producing fungus A. parasiticus. Cleistothecia are not produced by Aspergillus parasiticus; instead, this fungus produces spherical structures called sclerotia that allow for survival under adverse conditions. Deletion of veA from A. parasiticus resulted in the blockage of sclerotial formation as well as a blockage in the production of aflatoxin intermediates. Our results indicate that A. parasiticus veA is required for the expression of aflR and aflJ, which regulate the activation of the aflatoxin gene cluster. In addition to these findings, we observed that deletion of veA reduced conidiation both on the culture medium and on peanut seed. The fact that veA is necessary for conidiation, production of resistant structures, and aflatoxin biosynthesis makes veA a good candidate gene to control aflatoxin biosynthesis or fungal development and in this way to greatly decrease its devastating impact on health and the economy.
Suppression of transforming growth factor β signalling aborts caerulein induced pancreatitis and eliminates restricted stimulation at high caerulein concentrations

Background: Transforming growth factors βs (TGF-βs) are implicated in pancreatic tissue repair but their role in acute pancreatitis is not known. To determine whether endogenous TGF-βs modulate the course of caerulein induced acute pancreatitis, caerulein was administered to wild-type (FVB−/−) and transgenic mice that are heterozygous (FVB+/−) for expression of a dominant negative type II TGF-β receptor. Methods: After 7 hourly supramaximal injections of caerulein, the pancreas was evaluated histologically and serum was assayed for amylase and lipase levels. Next, the effects of caerulein on amylase secretion were determined in mouse pancreatic acini, and cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor expression was assessed. Results: The normal mouse pancreas was devoid of inflammatory cells whereas the pancreas from transgenic mice contained lymphocytic infiltrates. Caerulein injection in wild-type mice resulted in 6- and 36-fold increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, respectively, increased serum trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP) levels, gross oedema and a marked inflammatory response in the pancreas that consisted mainly of neutrophils and macrophages. By contrast, FVB+/− mice exhibited minimal alterations in response to caerulein with attenuated neutrophil–macrophage infiltrates. Moreover, acini from FVB+/− mice did not exhibit restricted stimulation at high caerulein concentrations, even though CCK receptor mRNA levels were not decreased. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that a functional TGF-β signalling pathway may be required for caerulein to induce acute pancreatitis and for the CCK receptor to induce acinar cell damage at high ligand concentrations. Our results also support the concept that restricted stimulation at high caerulein concentrations contributes to the ability of caerulein to induce acute pancreatitis.
FDI Inflows to Sweden Consequences for Innovation and Renewal

FDI inflows have expanded rapidly during the past decade. This paper analyses if such inflows do introduce new characteristics of the innovation systems at national and regional levels. The paper studies two phenomena. First, what novelties are brought into the host region (country) when FDI inflows occur? Second, what are the consequences for the innovation intensity, technology transfer and economic performance of firms in a regional (national) economy that experiences FDI inflows? These issues are assessed by examining the characteristics of foreign multinationals and comparing them with the characteristics of multinational, uninational and non-affiliate firms, respectively. The analyses control for location, examine regional impacts, and are based on CIS data (Community Innovation Survey III). The paper contributes to earlier studies in two important ways. First, it compares FDI firms with three other distinct types of corporate structure. Second, it combines results from both parametric and non-parametric estimations. The results indicate that FDI inflows in an unambiguous way renew the local economy when acquiring or replacing domestic multi-unit firms (uninationals). Compared to other types of corporate structure, FDI firms do not seem to improve innovation characteristics of the local economy.
Entrepreneurship or Survival? Caste and Gender of Small Business in India

We use unit-level data from the registered manufacturing segment of the Third and Fourth rounds of the Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) census data for 2001-2 and 2006-7 respectively, to understand the changes in involvement and dynamics not only of Dalits (officially, Scheduled Castes, or SCs), but also of other marginalized groups, specifically Adivasis (officially, Scheduled Tribes, or STs) and women, in this sector. We empirically estimate the growth rates for these enterprises and analyse the determinants, including caste and gender of the enterprise owner. We find clear and persistent caste and gender disparities in virtually all enterprise characteristics in the registered manufacturing MSME sector. The share of SC-ST ownership has declined over the period, SC-ST enterprises tend to be smaller, more rural than urban, have a greater share of owner-operated (single employee) units. The inter-state variation in share of ST-SC businesses reveals that with the exception of the tribal majority north-eastern states, SC and ST businesses are under-represented as compared to their share in state populations. The sectoral mix varies considerably by rural-urban location as well as by the caste and gender of the owner. The traditional stigmatizing association with leather-work continues to be one of the top five business activities for SCs and not for other caste groups. The gender-caste overlap indicates that the share of female-owned and female-managed enterprises is significantly greater among SC-ST-owned enterprises, than those owned by Others, and especially by Hindu upper-castes.The majority of the MSME workforce is employed in non-SC-ST owned firms. Also, there is evidence of homophily in OBC and upper-caste-owned firms, suggesting that the rise in Dalit entrepreneurship is key to increasing Dalit employment in the small business sector. While it is significant that there is now an emerging section of Dalit entrepreneurs, we find that most Dalit businesses occupy a very different place in the production chain, viz., that they are engaged in the bottom-of-the-ladder, low productivity, survival activities, as can be seen from our estimates of their lower rate of growth, after controlling for other characteristics. Thus, we find that entrepreneurship as a vehicle for social mobility for Dalits is yet to become a reality for India.
Switching of Candida albicans during successive episodes of recurrent vaginitis

Strain relatedness and switching were monitored in Candida albicans strains isolated from different body locations through three episodes of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis separated by two treatment-latency periods in a single patient. Strain relatedness was assessed by comparing Southern blot hybridization patterns with the relatively immobile mid-repeat sequence Ca3. The following conclusions are demonstrated. (i) Three different strains of C. albicans colonized the mouth, the area under the breasts, and the vulvovaginal, anal, and rectal regions, respectively, at the time of the first infection. (ii) The same strain of C. albicans was responsible for the three vaginal infections. (iii) Switching of colony phenotype occurred with each new vaginal infection. (iv) Enrichment of drug-resistant switch phenotypes (assessed in vitro) was unlikely the basis for the changes in the switch phenotypes of the strain found in the vulvovaginal, anal, and rectal areas after treatment of the first infection with clotrimazole. (v) The same strain of C. albicans was responsible for the recurrent increases in mouth colonization and was distinct from the recurrent vaginal strain. The results of this case study demonstrate the need for further detailed analyses of full-body mycofloras, strain relatedness, switching repertoires, and changes in drug susceptibility during successive episodes of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Independent Determinants of Second Derivative of the Finger Photoplethysmogram among Various Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Men

The second derivative of the finger photoplethysmogram (SDPTG) has been used as a non-invasive examination for arterial stiffness. The present study sought to elucidate independent determinants of the SDPTG among various cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged Japanese men. The SDPTG was obtained from the cuticle of the left-hand forefinger in 973 male workers (mean age: 44±6 years) during a medical checkup at a company. The SDPTG indices (b/a and d/a) were calculated from the height of the wave components. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the independent determinants of an increased b/a (highest quartile of the b/a) were age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.12 per 1-year increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.15), hypertension (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.03–2.65), dyslipidemia (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.09–2.09), impaired fasting glucose/diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.16–5.07), and a lack of regular exercise (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.29–3.08). Similarly, independent determinants of a decreased d/a (lowest quartile of the d/a) were age (OR: 1.11 per 1-year increase, 95% CI: 1.08–1.14), hypertension (OR: 3.44, 95% CI: 2.20–5.38), and alcohol intake 6 or 7 days per week (OR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.80–4.06). No independent association was observed between the SDPTG indices and blood leukocyte count or serum C-reactive protein levels. In conclusion, the SDPTG indices reflect arterial properties affected by several cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged Japanese men. The association between inflammation and the SDPTG should be evaluated in further studies.
The valuation of collateralised debt obligations: multi-period modelling in a risk-neutral framework

For over fifty years, mortgages have been securitised by selling the rights to the mortgage cash flows to third party investors. Over the past ten years or so, a similar securitisation process has been undertaken with corporate debt. The claims on the cash flowing from the corporate debt portfolio are called collateralised debt obligations (CDO). CDO cash flows are dependent on the interaction of a portfolio of debt securities over many time periods. They are particularly sensitive to the correlation among the underlying secunties and to the terms of the indenture. While much progress has been made in modelling debt portfolios over a single period, there has been a lot less published about the interaction of debt secunties m a portfolio over many penods. This thesis develops a model for valuing CDOs using a nsk-neutral approach in a multiperiod setting. A model is also developed which reproduces Moody’s CDO rating. The Moody’s rating is compared to that which is implied from applying the nsk-neutral model, the differences analysed and the implications for regulatory capital for CDOs explored.
On the Recoverable and Permanent Components of NBTI in p-Channel Power VDMOSFETs

This paper introduces a new experimental approach allowing to investigate the recoverable and permanent components in commercial p-channel power VDMOSFETs subjected to negative bias temperature (NBT) stressing. In many applications, devices can be used in multiple modes, which include application of static or pulsed gate voltages at different stages of device operation. Accordingly, we have investigated stress-induced degradation in the cases where the static stress was followed by the pulsed NBT stress conditions and vice versa. The results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms responsible for the buildup of oxide charge and interface traps. It has been shown that the differences in the permanent components of the oxide charge and interface traps between devices exposed to static stress followed by pulsed NBT stress and those exposed only to static NBT stress tend to decrease during the pulsed stress as the duty cycle increases but cannot be completely removed.
CEO Compensation and Bank Risk: Empirical Evidence from the Canadian Banking System

Recent studies on CEO compensation, both theoretically and empirically have shown the inability to link the CEO pay with the firm’s performance. From the empirical work of Brewer III, Hunter and Jackson III (2004), the authors relate CEO compensation to the risk-taking factor of the U.S. banks. As such, recent studies on the Canadian executive compensation have shown that the rise in the top executives’ pay is not entirely related to the firm’s performance. Studies focusing on Canadian firms are available but only few studies are available on the Canadian banking firms. Focusing on the Big Six banks in Canada, this paper will evaluate the CEO compensation and its relationship with the bank risk-taking factor. Furthermore, this paper will find out if the moral hazard issue affecting the U.S. banks is relevant to the Canadian banks as well.