Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pertussis Toxin-insensitive Activation of the Heterotrimeric G-proteins Gi/Go by the NG108-15 G-protein Activator*

A ligand-independent activator of heterotrimeric brain G-protein was partially purified from detergent-solubilized extracts of the neuroblastoma-glioma cell hybrid NG108-15. The G-protein activator (NG108-15 G-protein activator (NG-GPA)) increased [35S]guanosine 5′-O-(thiotriphosphate) ([35S]GTPγS) to purified brain G-protein in a magnesium-dependent manner and promoted GDP dissociation from Gαo. The NG-GPA also increased GTPγS binding to purified, recombinant Gαi2, Gαi3, and Gαo, but minimally altered nucleotide binding to purified transducin. The NG-GPA increased GTPγS binding to membrane-bound G-proteins and inhibited basal, forskolin- and hormone-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in DDT1-MF-2 cell membranes. In contrast to G-protein coupled receptor-mediated activation of heterotrimeric G-proteins in DDT1-MF-2 cell membrane preparations, the action of the NG-GPA was not altered by treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin. ADP-ribosylation of purified brain G-protein also failed to alter the increase in GTPγS binding elicited by the NG-GPA. Thus, the NG-GPA acts in a manner distinct from that of a G-protein coupled receptor and other recently described receptor-independent activators of G-protein signaling. These data indicate the presence of unexpected regulatory domains on Gi/Go proteins and suggest the existence of pertussis toxin-insensitive modes of signal input to Gi/Go signaling systems.
The impact of globalization on consumer acculturation

Purpose – This paper seeks to explore whether predisposition towards foreign brands and consumer acculturation would differ across demographic segments in an emerging market (India). Further, the paper aims to investigate if predisposition towards foreign brands (acting as a proxy for forces of globalization) would lead to consumer acculturation among consumers in India.Design/methodology/approach – Instruments to measure predisposition towards foreign brands and consumer acculturation were developed on the basis of extensive literature review. The data comprised of urban, educated, middle‐class Indian consumers. The data were collected using structured questionnaire. ANOVA and T‐test results were used to determine if extent of predisposition towards foreign brands and consumer acculturation would differ across demographic segments. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the impact of predisposition towards foreign brands on consumer acculturation.Findings – The findings indicate that significant d.
Frequency of Interactions and Hand Disinfections among Anesthesiologists While Providing Anesthesia Care in the Operating Room: Induction versus Maintenance

We evaluated the behaviors of anesthesiologists during induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Contacts with surfaces occurred a mean (±standard error) of 154.8 ± 7.7 and 60 ± 3.1 times per hour during induction and maintenance, respectively (P < .0001). Hand hygiene events were 1.8 ± 0.27 per hour during induction versus 1.19 ± 0.27 during maintenance (P = .018). Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;35(8):1056–1059
LITAF, a BCL6 target gene, regulates autophagy in mature B‐cell lymphomas

We have previously reported that LITAF is silenced by promoter hypermethylation in germinal centre‐derived B‐cell lymphomas, but beyond these data the regulation and function of lipopolysaccharide‐induced tumour necrosis factor (TNF) factor (LITAF) in B cells are unknown. Gene expression and immunohistochemical studies revealed that LITAF and BCL6 show opposite expression in tonsil B‐cell subpopulations and B‐cell lymphomas, suggesting that BCL6 may regulate LITAF expression. Accordingly, BCL6 silencing increased LITAF expression, and chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated a direct transcriptional repression of LITAF by BCL6. Gain‐ and loss‐of‐function experiments in different B‐cell lymphoma cell lines revealed that, in contrast to its function in monocytes, LITAF does not induce lipopolysaccharide‐mediated TNF secretion in B cells. However, gene expression microarrays defined a LITAF‐related transcriptional signature containing genes regulating autophagy, including MAP1LC3B (LC3B). In addition, immunofluorescence analysis co‐localized LITAF with autophagosomes, further suggesting a possible role in autophagy modulation. Accordingly, ectopic LITAF expression in B‐cell lymphoma cells enhanced autophagy responses to starvation, which were impaired upon LITAF silencing. Our results indicate that the BCL6‐mediated transcriptional repression of LITAF may inhibit autophagy in B cells during the germinal centre reaction, and suggest that the constitutive repression of autophagy responses in BCL6‐driven lymphomas may contribute to lymphomagenesis.
Have cancer cytogeneticists been wrong in assigning chromosome 12 breakpoints in benign tumors?

We read with interest the recent article by Wanschura et al. (1995) in which they describe mapping to band 12q15 of a cosmid pool encompassing the breakpoints of chromosome 12 that occur in lipomas, pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland, and uterine leiomyomas. These findings, in addition to the recent demonstration that one gene, HMGZC, mapped to 12q15 (Schoenmakers et al., 1995), is disrupted by different translocations in all aforementioned entities as well as in five other types of benign mesenchymal tumors (Ashar et al., 1995; Schoenmakers et al., 1995), seem conclusively to settle the argument as to whether the chromosome 12 breakpoints in benign tumors should be assigned to 12q13, 12q14, or 12q15. We are pleased that our assignment of chromosome 12 breakpoints to 12q15 in five different translocations in lipoma, including the two most commonly observed, i.e., t(3; 12)(q28;q15) and t(1;12)(p31.3p32;qlS) (Mrozek et al., 1993, 1995), was confirmed by the aforementioned studies. At the same time, we are surprised that Wanschura et al. (1995) failed to mention both our 1993 work on high-resolution mapping of the 12q breakpoints in lipoma (Mrozek et al., 1993) and the earlier report of Pandis et al. (1990) localizing the 12q breakpoint to 12q15 in the t( 12;14)(qlS;q24.1) typical of uterine leiomyoma. Consequently, the statement of Wanschura e t al. (1995) that “the cytogenetic determination of the [chromosome 121 breakpoints seems to have been inaccurate, possibly biased by the banding patterns of both chromosomes involved in the aberrations” is inaccurate. This inaccurate statement is presumably based on an incomplete literature search, because all published cytogenetic analyses in which high-resolution banding patterns of chromosomes were achieved (Pandis et al., 1990; Mrozek et al., 1993) have clearly indicated band 12q15 as the locus for translocations involving 12q in uterine leiomyoma and lipoma.
Investment, population growth and GNP as determinants of US immigration.

Northern countries typically attract migrants from poorer countries because of the formers' high wage rates and demand for labor. In particular, the US receives large numbers of legal migrants from almost every country and region of the world. This paper explores the determinants of permanent emigration to the US during 1989-93 using data drawn from the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Annual Tapes for the period. The analysis is restricted to only legal migration from 150 countries, and specifically investigates whether emigration to the US during 1989-93 can be accounted for by demographic and economic conditions in sending countries, or by levels of US investment in sending countries. No support is found for claims that rapid population growth and US investment fuel US immigration; emigration is comparatively far lower from countries experiencing rapid population growth and not significantly correlated with US investment, while the US typically invests the most in the more developed countries which send relatively few migrants to the US. Geographic proximity is the most important correlate of migration, followed by the population size of sending countries, which is negatively related to emigration. Some evidence was found that emigration will decrease as countries develop. Who a country decides to admit and how many people are admitted depend mainly upon public policy and very little upon the economic and demographic conditions of sending countries.
Auditor independence in Malaysia : the perceptions of loan officers and professional investors

The current study examined several issues regarding auditor independence from the perspective of an emerging market such as Malaysia. A spate of ‘mini-Enrons’ in 2007 and 2008 has raised questions of investor confidence in the financial system specifically the national stock market. These scandals involving listed companies have highlighted concerns of regulators and other interested parties relating to threats to auditor independence. Factors affecting the ability of auditors to remain independent include long audit tenure, financial dependence on a single audit client, non-audit services provided to audit clients, ex-auditor employment with an audit client and the existence of audit committees. It is therefore timely to examine the importance of auditor independence in the provision of reliable and credible financial information. The current study uses a questionnaire survey to examine users’ (bank loan officers and professional investors) perceptions of the impact of the various factors on auditor independence. The results of the study revealed that Malaysian users of financial statements have serious concerns about the threats to auditor independence. The results also reveal that audit committees are perceived as the main safeguard for auditor independence. In general, both groups of respondents agreed that the current regulations for auditors, as set down by the Malaysian Institute of Accountants’ By-Laws, were sufficient to safeguard auditor independence. However, there are mechanisms that the financial statement users believed should be implemented that could provide greater protection for their investment. For example, the loan officers in this study seemed to prefer mandatory audit firm rotation to partner rotation. Further investigation indicated that differences existed in perceptions across the examined demographic and background variables. The results of the study also suggest that Malaysian loan officers and professional investors still have faith in the auditing profession and this is reflected in their belief that audited financial statements are important for them to make lending and investing decisions.
Analyzing factors towards adopting ICT within supply network in the UK

Literature has shown that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) had been a potential source of disruption to business and at the same time ICT might be advantageous in supporting business at risk. Data from a questionnaire survey of 110 organizations across various sectors in the United Kingdom (UK) are used to answer the research question: “what are the key determinants to the adoption of ICT in an organization within its supply network? ” The data collected were analyzed quantitatively, from simple analyses such as mean scores, and Spearman correlation coefficients, to more sophisticated analysis such as factor analysis, ANOVA, and logistic regression. Adoption level is predicted by a model with three (3) categories of independent variables including (i) the characteristics of ICT; including, the relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, and observability), (ii) the internal and external factors of innovation characteristics (managers’ support, strategy integration, and stakeholders pressure on the innovation), and (iii) the external environment (stakeholders pressure, system openness, environmental uncertainties and supply chain complexity). The main findings revealed that the adoption behavior in organizations within the supply chain can be understood from the model developed in this study. The most significant predictors of the adoption level of ICT are relative advantage, managers’ support, and system openness.
Effects of early horn growth on reproduction and hunting mortality in female chamois.

1. Environmental conditions during early development can affect the growth patterns of vertebrates, influencing future survival and reproduction. In long-lived mammals, females that experience poor environmental conditions early in life may delay primiparity. In female bovids, annual horn growth increments may provide a record of age-specific reproduction and body growth. Horn length, however, may also be a criterion used by hunters in selecting animals to harvest, possibly leading to artificial selection. 2. We studied three populations of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) in the western Alps to explore the relationships between female horn length and early growth, age of primiparity and age-specific reproduction. We also compared the risk of harvest to reproductive status and horn length. 3. Early horn growth was positively correlated with body mass in pre-reproductive females and with reproduction in very young and senescent adults. Females with strong early horn growth attained primiparity at an earlier age than those with weak early growth. Horn length did not affect hunter selection, but we found a strong hunter preference for nonlactating females. 4. Our research highlights the persistent effects of early development on reproductive performance in mammals. Moderate sport harvests are unlikely to affect the evolution of phenotypic traits and reproductive strategies in female chamois. A policy of penalizing hunters that harvest lactating females, however, may increase the harvest of 2-year-old females, which have high reproductive potential.
Globalisation of Innovation in SMEs: Why They Go Abroad and What They Bring Back Home

This paper investigates the drivers and the effects of the internationalisation of innovation activities in SMEs based on a large data set of German firms. We look at different stages of the innovation process (R&D, design, production and sales of new products, and implementation of new processes) and explore the role of internal resources, home market competition and innovation-related location advantages for an SME’s decision to engage in innovation activities abroad. By linking international innovation activities to firm growth in the home market we try to identify likely internationalisation effects at the firm level. The results show that export experience and experience in knowledge protection are highly important for international innovation activities of SMEs. High innovation costs at home stimulate internationalisation of non-R&D innovation activities, and shortage of qualified labour expels production of new products. R&D activities abroad and exports of new products spur firm growth in the home market.COMMENT: Axel Mangelsdorf
A Research Agenda for Sexual Revictimization

Sexual violence against women is a significant problem with serious consequences for women's well-being, including an increased risk of subsequent sexual violence (or revictimization). Although there is substantial and mounting research about sexual revictimization, significant knowledge gaps remain. The factors and processes that drive revictimization are still largely unknown, and thus, little evidence exists to inform revictimization prevention interventions. Given the increased research attention to revictimization, this is an appropriate juncture to take stock of what is known about revictimization and to prioritize next steps for research. This article develops an agenda for further research by identifying three priority areas for investigation, including prospective research, revictimization resilience, and contextualizing revictimization. Next, the article overviews cutting-edge statistical methods that offer innovative ways to investigate these priority areas including growth, multilevel, and person-centered models. Recommendations for revictimization measurement and sampling are also given.
ZINC AND ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID ALLEVIATE CYPERMETHRIN INDUCED REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY IN MATURE MALE WISTAR RAT

Cypermethrin ( α- Cyano-3-Phenoxybenzyl (+ cis, trans) 3-(2, 2-Dichlorovinyl)-2, 2-dimethyl cyclopropane carboxylate) is an active pyrethroid which intensively controls a wide range of pests in agriculture and an ecto-parasiticide in humans and animals. It has moderate carcinogenic, mutagenic, immunosuppressive and hepatotoxic effects. It causes brain and locomotor disorders, polyneuropathy. The present study was conducted to evaluate the adverse effects of cypermethrin on the reproductive system of male Wistar rats, and also to assess the alleviating role of zinc and α-lipoic acid under these toxic conditions. Male Albino Wistar rats received oral cypermethrin treatment at two dose levels(40 mg/kg body wt,80 mg/kg body wt) and combined cypermethrin, zinc (227 mg/l in drinking water), and α-lipoic acid (35 mg/kg body wt) treatments for consecutive 14 days. The effects of the treatments were studied on some reproductive markers in rat testis including antioxidant parameters. Cypermethrin reduced the testicular index, sperm motility of rats of cypermethrin treated groups. Significant increase in seminal fructose concentration, testicular glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), testicular malon-dialdehyde (MDA) level were seen whereas reduced glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of testis were decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control group. The present study showed that zinc and α-lipoic acid supplementation restored the altered reproductive parameters towards normal levels. The results revealed the beneficial influences of zinc and α-lipoic acid in reducing the harmful effects of cypermethrin on male reproductive system of rat.
POTENTIAL USE OF KOMBUCHA CRUDE EXTRACT IN POSTHARVEST GRAPE MOULDS CONTROL

Postharvest diseases of fruits and grapes are caused by fungi and bacteria and the losses in this step increase several folds than in the field. In the case of the grapes, most damages are due to the presence of filamentous fungi belonging to species like Botrytis sp. , Penicillium sp. or Aspergillus sp. Several non-chemical treatments have been proposed for fungal decay control, including acetic acid. Our experiments have targeted the potential inhibitory effect of different tea sourced Kombucha crude extracts on the most common moulds of the grapes in pre and postharvest steps. Kombucha is known mainly as a consortium (SCOBY symbiotic acetic/lactic bacteria and yeast). Because of the presence of acetic bacteria the final content in acetic acid of Kombucha suspensions vary between 8.5 and 17 g/l. Kombucha tea suspension has been prepared starting from three different source of tea plants, respectively green tea, green tea with Melissa officinalis L. and oolong tea. The most significant inhibition has been registered in the case of Botrytis cinerea (38 -55%), less significant on Penicillium expansum (4-8%) and not significant on Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus carbonarius. It is proposed further to investigate the inhibition of Kombucha extracts, in vivo, on artificially infected grape berries with Botrytis cinerea and to validate the in vitro results.
Loyalty Rewards and Monopoly Pricing

This article examines the impact of customer reward programs on the competitive outcome in duopolistic markets. We argue that loyalty discounts for repeat customers constitute a commitment device beneficial to suppliers rather than customers. Analyzing a two-period Bertrand model we show that the use of loyalty discounts makes it possible for duopolists to attain the fully collusive outcome in both periods. By offering generous loyalty discounts, the firms can credibly commit to refrain from second period poaching given that they attract enough customers in period one. Loyalty discounts invite firms to collude in the first period.
Management of the Nipple-Areola Complex in Selected Patients Undergoing Primary Breast Reconstruction: A Comparison of Immediate Replantation and Delayed Reconstruction

Background Management of the nipple-areola complex is an important issue in primary breast reconstruction. When nipple-sparing mastectomy is not suitable, alternatives are immediate nipple-areola complex replantation and delayed reconstruction. The aim of this study was to examine whether patients benefit more from nipple-areola complex preservation by immediate replantation or delayed nipple-areola complex reconstruction. Methods Postoperative results and patient satisfaction after 54 primary breast reconstructions with immediate nipple-areola complex replantation or delayed nipple-areola complex reconstruction were retrospectively evaluated. Results The nipple-areola complex was replanted immediately in 37 cases and reconstructed later with nipple sharing and full-thickness skin grafting in 17 cases. Compared with immediate replantation, delayed reconstruction resulted in significantly better postoperative nipple projection (P = 0.01*, Mann-Whitney U test), greater similarity of color and projection with the contralateral side and greater patient satisfaction (Breast-Q). Complete loss of projection occurred in 4 of the 37 replanted nipple-areola complexes. No complete nipple-areola complex necrosis or tumor recurrence was observed in any patient. Conclusions Immediate nipple-areola complex replantation is a safe and reliable procedure for selected patients with contraindications for nipple-sparing mastectomy who have a strong desire to maintain their own nipple-areola complexes, or in bilateral cases. However, drawbacks of this procedure include loss of projection and depigmentation. Delayed reconstruction with nipple sharing and full-thickness skin grafting is a good alternative, especially in unilateral cases; it leads to better postoperative results and greater patient satisfaction, but it involves a nipple-areola complex-free period.
The Relationship between the Percentage Share of Industry Deposits and the Percentage Share of Industry Loans and Advances: The Case of Ghanaian Banking Industry

The purpose of the study was to describe the relationship between the percentage share of industry deposits taken by a bank and the percentage share of industry loans and advances given by such bank, using 2012 fiscal year as a reference point. The study made use of cross-sectional analysis. The population of this study was made up of all commercial banks operating in Ghana. They are twenty-six (26) in number. However, a sample size of twenty-four (24) of these banks was used for the study. Data was mainly collected from secondary sources including financial reports of the selected banks, scholarly journals, business and financial newspapers, corporate journals, and report of 2013 Ghana Banking Survey. Descriptive, inferential and exploratory data analyses were performed. The study revealed that there is a strong positive correlation between the percentage share of industry deposits and the percentage share of industry loans and advances. The regression model which establishes the relationship between percentage share of industry deposits and lending is given as Y = 0.423+ 0.899X, where Y is the percentage share of industry lending and X being the percentage share of industry deposits. The coefficient of determination (R-sq) is 85.6%. The study therefore confirms the findings by Olokoyo (2011) that commercial banks deposits have the greatest impacts on their lending. Keywords: Banks, Industry, deposits, loans and advances, relationship, percentage share