Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Germinal center B cells rescued from apoptosis by CD40 ligation or attachment to follicular dendritic cells, but not by engagement of surface immunoglobulin or adhesion receptors, become resistant to CD95‐induced apoptosis

Germinal centers (GC) constitute a specialized microenvironment essential for the formation of memory B cells, B cell affinity maturation and isotype switching. Within the GC, the B cells closely interact with follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and T cells, which both provide stimuli to the B cells that prevent their entry into apoptosis and promote their differentiation into memory cells or plasma cells. Cross‐linking of B cell immunoglobulin (Ig) receptors by antigen, stimulation of the integrin adhesion molecules LFA‐1 and VLA‐4 on the B cell through interaction with their counter receptors ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 on the FDC and cross‐linking of CD40 on the B cells through interaction with the CD40 ligand (CD40L) on T cells have been shown to prevent entry into apoptosis of GC B cells. Triggering of CD95, on the other hand, has been shown to induce apoptosis. We therefore investigated the interaction between adhesion‐mediated signals, Ig, CD40, and CD95. The spontaneous apoptosis of GC B cells was not further increased by adding anti‐CD95. However. CD95 stimulation did result in apoptosis of GC B cells in the presence of anti‐Ig or adhesion‐mediated rescue signals, which indicates that CD95 expressed on GC B cells is functionally active. In contrast, anti‐CD95 was unable to induce apoptosis in cells rescued via CD40 stimulation, suggesting an important role for CD40L expressed on GC T cells in apoptosis regulation. We also studied apoptosis of B cells adhering to FDC, and found that B cells that interact with FDC were also rescued from CD95‐induced apoptosis. A human CD40.Fcu fusion protein that blocks CD40 ligation failed to inhibit this effect. Our studies therefore indicate that neither CD40, Ig receptors, nor adhesion receptors mediate rescue from apoptosis by FDC.
German Open Ended Real Estate Fund Performance – The Impact of Liquidity

The liquidity crisis in the German Open-Ended Real Estate Funds (GOEREFs) industry was characterized by large outflows of money in several funds. Large and ongoing redemptions of fund shares held by both institutional and private / retail investors led to suspensions of redemptions, termination of funds and, ultimately, a new law. This study provides the most comprehensive overview of how the funds performed and how pronounced the differences between classes of funds in the €80bn+ industry are. Using not only the net asset values of the funds as reported by the fund management companies, but the prices obtained at the secondary market when redemptions are suspended, indexes are constructed in order to provide a clear view of the performance of GOEREFs when the most relevant prices are used – those that may be achieved directly, rather than using book values. In this sense, the indexes provide a liquidity-corrected picture of fund returns.
The Relevance of Environmental Disclosures for Investors and Other Stakeholder Groups: Are Such Disclosures Incrementally Informative?

This study examines the impact of voluntary environmental disclosure on the cost of equity capital and firm value, and on the public perception about a firm’s environmental performance. A salient feature of the study is that our analysis controls for corporate environmental performance using actual toxic emissions data and for firms’ general disclosure propensity. We measure voluntary environmental disclosures in standalone environmental reports, CSR reports, and corporate web sites using a disclosure index consistent with the Global Reporting Initiative disclosure framework. Using a sample of firms from the five most polluting industries in the U.S., we find that voluntary environmental disclosures are incrementally informative for investors over current toxic emissions data in our firm valuation analyses. We also find that investors appear to use toxic emissions data to assess the firm risks and unbooked future environmental liabilities. In addition, we find that voluntary environmental disclosure is positively associated with the Janis-Fadner coefficient, consistent with voluntary environmental disclosure enhancing non-investor stakeholder perception about firms’ environmental performance. However, we do not find evidence that voluntary environmental disclosures affects firm’s cost of equity capital.
Performance consequences of brand equity management: evidence from organizations in the value chain

Evaluating the consequences of brand equity management is one of the most important measurement issues for intangible assets in the new economy. Studies have validated the effect of brand equity on the value of the firm and addressed the capital market effects of intangible associations such as brand value. Yet, there is not sufficient evidence on which dimensions of brand equity should be measured and monitored to support financial performance. Using regression analysis on a sample of managers in Austrian organizations, this study investigates the effect of perceived brand equity on brand profitability, brand sales volume, and perceived customer value. Results indicate strong support for measures of perceived quality, brand loyalty, and brand awareness as antecedents of firm performance, customer value and willingness to buy.
Towards a model for trust relationships in virtual enterprises

Trust is a crucial concept in order to address scalability in managing security tasks such as authentication, authorization and access control. In this paper we discuss the concept of trust by defining a general theoretical model to describe basic trust relationships in heterogeneous environments composed of several Administrative Domains (ADs), i.e. autonomous domains for both security and administrative issues. As a result, we introduce the design of a Trust Management System (TMS) that we plan to deploy into a middleware architecture in order to provide a framework for implementing trust relationships in Virtual Enterprises (VEs).
Impact of Sensory and Motor Defects on Oral Function in an Animal Model

Objective To evaluate the combined functional impact on swallowing of tongue sensory and motor loss using a rat model. Study Design Rats underwent selective neurectomies with transection of the motor (hypoglossal) nerve or motor and sensory (lingual) nerves. Postoperative functional parameters were followed for 2 weeks. Setting Translational research. Subjects and Methods Thirty-six adolescent male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: anesthetic (n = 6), sham surgery (n = 8), hypoglossal transection (n = 10), and hypoglossal and lingual transection (n = 12). Each morning on postoperative days 1 to 14, the water and food intake were quantified and the animal weighed. Two-way analyses of variance (SigmaPlot; SYSTAT, San Jose, California) were performed with factors of “group” and “postoperative day” (POD) to analyze whether a significant difference existed between water intake, pellet consumption, and weight change. Results The hypoglossal and lingual group consumed significantly less water during PODs 1 to 2 and significantly less food during PODs 1 to 3 than any other group. This established a significant difference in body weight between the hypoglossal and lingual group and all other groups for the duration of the study. Measured parameters in the hypoglossal group better approximated those of the control anesthetic and sham groups. Conclusions The addition of a sensory loss to a motor deficit involving the oral tongue results in a measurably significant difference in weight gain, a marker of function, compared with rats with only a motor deficit. Additional studies are needed to determine if there would be similar findings in a model of sensate vs asensate oral tongue reconstruction.
Market orientation in nonprofit organizations: innovativeness, resource scarcity, and performance

The theory of market orientation, emerging from the context of for-profit organizations, has potential application and use in the nonprofit sector. This research proposes links between market orientation, innovativeness, resource scarcity, funding source, and performance related variables in the nonprofit context. Based on the empirical data from 579 nonprofit organizations in India engaged in service delivery to beneficiaries, the study shows that market orientation in nonprofit organizations improves peer reputation, beneficiary satisfaction, and innovativeness. However, market orientation alone is not enough. Innovativeness is the missing link that mediates the market orientation and effectiveness relationship. The study shows that market orientation does not help in attracting resources in the Indian context, a finding which runs counter to the evidences from previous studies carried out in the context of developed countries. The study finds that resource scarcity and funding sources do not moderate the market orientation and performance relationship. The implications for practitioners are discussed.
Androgen and psychosexual development: Core gender identity, sexual orientation, and recalled childhood gender role behavior in women and men with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)

We assessed core gender identity, sexual orientation, and recalled childhood gender role behavior in 16 women and 9 men with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and in 15 unaffected female and 10 unaffected male relatives, all between the ages of 18 and 44 years. Women with CAH recalled significantly more male‐typical play behavior as children than did unaffected women, whereas men with and without CAH did not differ. Women with CAH also reported significantly less satisfaction with the female sex of assignment and less heterosexual interest than did unaffected women. Again, men with CAH did not differ significantly from unaffected men in these respects. Our results for women with CAH are consistent with numerous prior reports indicating that girls with CAH show increased male‐typical play behavior. They also support the hypotheses that these women show reduced heterosexual interest and reduced satisfaction with the female sex of assignment. Our results for males are consistent with most prior reports that boys with CAH do not show a general alteration in childhood play behavior. In addition, they provide initial evidence that core gender identity and sexual orientation are unaffected in men with CAH. Finally, among women with CAH, we found that recalled male‐typical play in childhood correlated with reduced satisfaction with the female gender and reduced heterosexual interest in adulthood. Although prospective studies are needed, these results suggest that those girls with CAH who show the greatest alterations in childhood play behavior may be the most likely to develop a bisexual or homosexual orientation as adults and to be dissatisfied with the female sex of assignment.
Phase I study of anti--epidermal growth factor receptor antibody cetuximab in combination with radiation therapy in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of a chimeric anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody, cetuximab, in combination with radiation therapy (RT) in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. PATIENTS AND METHODS We treated 16 patients in five successive treatment schedules. A standard dose escalation procedure was used; three patients entered onto the study at each dose level of cetuximab received conventional RT (70 Gy, 2 Gy/d), and the final three patients received hyperfractionated RT (76.8 Gy, 1.2 Gy bid). Cetuximab was delivered as a loading dose of 100 to 500 mg/m(2), followed by weekly infusions of 100 to 250 mg/m(2) for 7 to 8 weeks. Circulating levels of cetuximab during therapy were determined using a biomolecular interaction analysis core instrument. Human antichimeric antibody response was evaluated with a double-antigen radiometric assay. The recommended phase II/III dose was defined as the optimal cetuximab dose level based on the pharmacologic parameters and adverse events. RESULTS The most commonly reported adverse events were fever, asthenia, transaminase elevation, nausea, and skin toxicities (grade 1 to 2 in most patients). Skin toxicity outside of the RT field was not strictly dose-dependent; however, grade 2 or higher events were observed in patients treated with higher dose regimens. There was one grade 4 allergic reaction. Most acute adverse effects were associated with RT (xerostomia, mucositis, and local skin toxicity). No antibodies against cetuximab were detected. All patients achieved an objective response (13 complete and two partial remissions). CONCLUSION Cetuximab can be safely administered with RT. The recommended dose for phase II/III studies is a loading dose of 400 to 500 mg/m(2) and a maintenance weekly dose of 250 mg/m(2).
Shopping Center Rents and Agglomeration Economies: Preliminary Findings from Empirical Evidence

This study is an attempt to model shopping centre rents and to investigate whether agglomeration economies are a driving force in the rent determination process. It is part of a research program based on physical and financial information obtained from seven superregional, regional and community shopping centre managers in Quebec City for the 19982000 period. At this point, some 784 shops are covered in the study with gross base rent, operating expenses and gross leasable area being available for all of them. Partial information on lease duration as well as yearly sales is also available. While still preliminary, findings clearly suggest that larger centres generate substantial agglomeration economies for several categories of shops. Retail structure internal to shopping centres as well as cyclical factors also play a significant role in the rent determination process.
Ramadan Fasting Decreases Body Fat but Not Protein Mass

Background: Many studies have shown various results regarding the effects of Ramadan fasting on weight and body composition in healthy individuals. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on body composition in healthy Indonesian medical staff. Objectives: In this study, we examined the influence of Ramadan fasting on body composition in healthy medical staff. Patients and Methods: The longitudinal study was performed during and after Ramadan fasting in 2013 (August to October). Fourty-three medical staff members (physicians, nurses and nutritionists) at the Internal Medicine Ward of the Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital were measured to compare their calorie intake, weight, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and body composition, including body fat, protein, minerals and water, on the first and 28th days of Ramadan and also 4-5 weeks after Ramadan fasting. Measurements were obtained for all 43 subjects on the 28th day of Ramadan, but they were obtained for only 25 subjects 4 - 5 weeks after Ramadan. Results: By the 28th day of Ramadan, it was found that the body weight, BMI, body fat, water and mineral measures had decreased significantly (-0.874 ± 0.859 kg, P < 0.001; -0.36 ± 0.371 kg/m2, P < 0.001; -0.484 ± 0.597 kg, P < 0.001; -0.293 ± 0.486 kg, P = 0.001; -0.054 ± 0.059 kg, P < 0.001, respectively). Protein body mass and calorie intake did not significantly change (-0.049 ± 0.170 kg, P = 0.561; 12.94 ± 760.608 Kcal, P = 0.082 respectively). By 4 - 5 weeks after Ramadan, body weight and composition had returned to the same levels as on the first day of Ramadan. Conclusions: Ramadan fasting resulted in weight loss even it was only a temporary effect, as the weight was quickly regained within one month after fasting. The catabolism catabolic state, which is related to protein loss, was not triggered during Ramadan fasting. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of weight loss during Ramadan fasting in healthy individuals.
A Comparison of Visual Response Properties in the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus and Primary Visual Cortex of Awake and Anesthetized Mice

The cerebral cortex of the mouse has become one of the most important systems for studying information processing and the neural correlates of behavior. Multiple studies have examined the first stages of visual cortical processing: primary visual cortex (V1) and its thalamic inputs from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), but more rarely in the lateral posterior nucleus (LP) in mice. Multiple single-unit surveys of dLGN and V1, both with electrophysiology and two-photon calcium imaging, have described receptive fields in anesthetized animals. Increasingly, awake animals are being used in physiological studies, so it is important to compare neuronal responses between awake and anesthetized state. We have performed a comprehensive survey of spatial and temporal response properties in V1, dLGN, and lateral posterior nucleus of both anesthetized and awake animals, using a common set of stimuli: drifting sine-wave gratings spanning a broad range of spatial and temporal parameters, and sparse noise stimuli consisting of flashed light and dark squares. Most qualitative receptive field parameters were found to be unchanged between the two states, such as most aspects of spatial processing, but there were significant differences in several parameters, most notably in temporal processing. Compared with anesthetized animals, the temporal frequency that evoked the peak response was shifted toward higher values in the dLGN of awake mice and responses were more sustained. Further, the peak response to a flashed stimulus was earlier in all three areas. Overall, however, receptive field properties in the anesthetized animal remain a good model for those in the awake animal. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The primary visual cortex (V1) of the mouse and its inputs from visual thalamus (dLGN), have become a dominant model for studying information processing in the brain. Early surveys of visual response properties (receptive fields) were performed in anesthetized animals. Although most recent studies of V1 have been performed in awake animals to examine links between vision and behavior, there have been few comprehensive studies of receptive field properties in the awake mouse, especially in dLGN and lateral posterior nucleus. We have performed a comparative survey of receptive fields in dLGN, lateral posterior nucleus, and V1 in anesthetized and awake mice. We found multiple differences in processing of time-varying stimuli, whereas the spatial aspects of receptive fields remain comparatively unchanged.
The Effect of miRNA‐122 in Regulating Fat Deposition in a Cell Line Model

Accumulating evidence supports the role of miR‐122 in fatty liver disease. We investigated miR‐122 expression in a steatotic hepatocyte model, the effect of miR‐122 over‐expression and inhibition in the pathogenesis. Human hepatic cell line L02 was induced with oleic acid to establish the steatotic hepatocyte model. Intracellular lipid content was observed with laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), and triglyceride content was determined with kits. Total RNA was extracted and reversely transcribed into cDNA. miR‐122 expression was measured using qRT‐PCR. Subsequently, miR‐122 mimic and miR‐122 inhibitor were transfected into steatotic hepatocytes to observe their effect on intracellular lipid content. The lipid fluorescence intensity and triglyceride content within the steatotic hepatocytes were significantly higher than those in normal control (860.01 ± 26.52 vs. 257.77 ± 29.69 and 3.47 ± 0.12 vs. 1.85 ± 0.02 at 24 h) (P < 0.01). miR‐122 expression in steatotic hepatocytes was down‐regulated compared with that in control ( 2−ΔCt value: 0.0286 ± 0.0078 vs. 0.0075 ± 0.0012) (P ≪ 0.01). After transfection, miR‐122 expression ( 2−ΔCt value) in the miR‐122 mimic group increased 2.96‐fold compared with that in control, and its lipid fluorescence intensity was significantly lower than that in control (790.92 ± 46.72 vs. 1,022.16 ± 49.66) (P < 0.01). Nevertheless, miR‐122 expression decreased 3.45‐fold in the miR‐122 inhibitor group compared with that in control, and its fluorescence intensity was significantly higher than that in control (1,386.49 ± 40.34 vs 1,022.16 ± 49.66)(P ≪ 0.01). We concluded that miR‐122 was down‐regulated in steatotic hepatocytes model. The pathogenesis of hepatocyte steatosis was enhanced by miR‐122 mimic and reduced with miR‐122 inhibitor. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 839–846, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Testosterone concentrations in women aged 25-50 years: associations with lifestyle, body composition, and ovarian status.

While there is substantial evidence of the importance of endogenous and exogenous estrogen in reproductive health and chronic disease, there is little consideration of androgens in women's health. In the Michigan Bone Health Study (1992-1995), the authors examined the correlates of testosterone concentrations in pre- and perimenopausal women (i.e., age, menopausal status, body composition, and lifestyle behaviors) in a population-based longitudinal study including three annual examinations among 611 women aged 25-50 years identified through a census in a midwestern community. Current smokers had the highest testosterone concentrations with decreasing values in former and nonsmokers (p = 0.0001). Body composition measures (body mass index, body fat (%), weight (kg), lean body mass (kg), and fat mass (kg)) were significantly and positively associated with total testosterone concentrations in a dose-response manner. Hysterectomy with oophorectomy was associated with significantly lower testosterone concentrations. Alcohol consumption, physical activity, and dietary macronutrient intake were not associated with testosterone concentrations. This is one of the first studies to examine correlates of serum testosterone concentrations in anticipation of the growing interest in the role of androgens in women's health. The greater circulating levels of testosterone in obese women and smokers suggest that testosterone concentrations should be considered in the natural history of disease conditions where obesity and smoking are risk factors, including cardiovascular disease.
Perceptions of Lean Six Sigma: A Multiple Case Study in the Financial Services Industry

From 2001 onward, books and papers about the application of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in service industries describe typical LSS deployment characteristics, such as the human element. The objective of this paper is to identify which LSS attributes affect employee and management attitudes and how the contextual frame affects this relation during the LSS change initiative. This study was conducted in the financial services industry. The research examines how the attributes of LSS affect attitude in terms of acceptance, contribution, or rejection of the LSS change initiative by managers and employees. A thorough qualitative multiple case study comprising five companies and 25 interviewees is seeking to answer how the attitudes toward the LSS change initiative differ per case. After exhaustive within-and cross-case analysis, theoretical and practitioner conclusions are drawn and the three main findings are discussed: 1) of all aspects of LSS, cost saving is the likely candidate to receive long-lasting attention; 2) the tendency to simplify the accounts of the LSS change initiative forms a fertile basis for misconceptions and extreme interpretations; and 3) the drive required to keep the LSS initiative going comes from a gradual and incremental implementation of LSS. The implications for LSS practitioners and managers implementing a LSS change initiative are discussed.