Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Mycoplasma species in cell culture by PCR and RFLP based method: effect of BM-cyclin to cure infections.

PURPOSE A two-stage nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay system was described that amplifies the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region sequences of Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma infections in cell cultures and virus stocks. METHODS Established cell lines and virus stocks were screened for the presence of Mycoplasma by using nested PCR using two sets of outer and inner primers, amplifies 16S-23S rRNA. PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay was used to detect and identify most of the species-specific Mycoplasmas involved in cell cultures and virus stock contaminants. Infected cultures detected by PCR-RFLP were further treated with BM-cyclin (5 microg/mL) and passaged for three times and tested for Mycoplasma infections by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS Mycoplasma pirum and Mycoplasma orale infections were detected by nested PCR. Species specificity was identified by using RFLP of Vsp I, Cla I and Hin dIII restriction enzymes. Mycoplasma infections were cured by treatment with BM-cyclin. This was further confirmed by non-amplification of PCR amplimers in BM-cyclin treated vs. non-treated cultures. CONCLUSIONS Regular monitoring of cell cultures for Mycoplasma infections and identification of species-specific Mollicutes will identify the source of contaminations. This approach can be used for quality control of the biological reagents used in cell culture and virology laboratories.
The market place of medical tourism facilitators in South Africa

Although there is no single definition for medical tourism, it is generally acknowledged that it refers to travel activity that involves a medical procedure. Cosmetic tourism refers to a subspecialty that is concerned primarily with the enhancement of physical appearance. The concept of combining travel with cosmetic surgery comes as a fresh idea to South Africa and its growing popularity is based on: the low cost of medical procedures in the developing countries, affordable air fares, favourable exchange rates and the internet. A medical tourism facilitator (MTF) acts as a coordinator between medical tourists and medical service providers such as surgeons or clinics and arranges treatment itineraries, lodging and local logistics. Attractive tourist packages ultimately provoke demand for this industry. In South Africa, the number of studies and availability of data on cosmetic tourism remains limited. The role of the MTFs calls for and validates this research within the medical tourism niche market in South Africa. The population included individuals who have made an appointment with a registered plastic surgeon. It was thus impossible to pre-determine the precise number of the population. A qualitative methodology was used to collect data anonymously from 236 voluntary respondents in the surgeon’s waiting rooms after their consent was obtained. Results indicate that cosmetic tourists come from all over South Africa. The majority were female and organised the leisure component themselves. This opens the door for MTFs to investigate possible penetration into this travel market and thus to the expansion of the market.
Discovery of a Unique Extracellular Polysaccharide in Members of the Pathogenic Bacillus That Can Co-form with Spores*

An exopolysaccharide, produced during the late stage of stationary growth phase, was discovered and purified from the culture medium of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus anthracis, and Bacillus thuringiensis when strains were grown in a defined nutrient medium that induces biofilm. Two-dimensional NMR structural characterization of the polysaccharide, named pzX, revealed that it is composed of an unusual three amino-sugar sequence repeat of [-3)XylNAc4OAc(α1–3)GlcNAcA4OAc(α1-3)XylNAc(α1-]n. The sugar residue XylNAc had never been described previously in any glycan structure. The XNAC operon that contains the genes for the assembly of pzX is also unique and so far has been identified only in members of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group. Microscopic and biochemical analyses indicate that pzX co-forms during sporulation, so that upon the release of the spore to the extracellular milieu it becomes surrounded by pzX. The relative amounts of pzX produced can be manipulated by specific nutrients in the medium, but rich medium appears to suppress pzX formation. pzX has the following unique characteristics: a surfactant property that lowers surface tension, a cell/spore antiaggregant, and an adherence property that increases spores binding to surfaces. pzX in Bacillus could represent a trait shared by many spore-producing microorganisms. It suggests pzX is an active player in spore physiology and may provide new insights to the successful survival of the B. cereus species in natural environments or in the hosts.
Payments are A-Changin’ But Cash Still Rules

Retail payment systems continue to become faster and more convenient. Yet, despite increased use of electronic payments around the world, there is scant evidence of a shift away from cash. As the appetite for cash remains unabated, few societies are close to "cashless" or even "less-cash". In fact, demand for cash has risen in most advanced economies since the start of the Great Financial Crisis. This resurgence appears to be driven by store-of-value motives (reflecting lower opportunity cost of holding cash) rather than by payment needs.
The demonstration of serum interleukin 6–8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, complement, and immunoglobulin levels in Behçet’s disease with ocular involvement

Purpose: To investigate whether there are alterations in the humoral immune system in patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) with ocular involvement. Methods: Twenty-four BD patients with active uveitis and without any other manifestations of the disease were included in Group I-a. The same patients were reassessed during the convalescence period and assigned to Group I-c. Moreover, 24 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (Group II) were included in the study. Serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, complement (C) 3, C4, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in Groups I-a, I-c, and II were measured and compared. Results: IgA, C3, C4, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha levels were higher in Group I-a than in Groups I-c and II. Conclusions: IgA-, C3-, C4-, IL6-, IL8-, and TNF-alpha- mediated mechanisms might be responsible for ocular lesions in BD.
Hardware and software modelling and testing of non-conventional data-flow architecture

This paper covers new recurrent data-flow computational model, as well as architecture that implements principles and ideas of this model. Basic differences of this model from the existing ones and examine key aspects of this new computational model including its implementation in the form of Hybrid Recurrent Architecture of Digital Signal Processor are described. The approach and methodology of hardware and software modelling and testing based on new architecture are being proposed. We introduce the model of implementation of the proposed architecture as well as imitation modelling tools of recurrent data-flow architecture, implementing said model. Functionality of imitation model and its role in software development suite for new architecture software development is being described. We introduce the notion of the target modelling platform called GAROS IDE. The results of platform testing on several subtasks of isolated words recognition problem are presented.
Factors that Influence the use of Mobile Banking in Lebanon: Integration of UTAUT2 and 3M Model

Mobile banking (M-banking) is a remote service offered by financial institutions that enables customers to access banking services by the use of mobile devices (e.g. phone, tablet, etc.) at any time and in any place. Hence, mobile banking has been marketed as a useful and innovative service that banks offer to their consumers to improve their satisfaction and loyalty. However, in developing countries, acceptance and use of mobile banking technology is still poor. Thus, the current study proposed a conceptual model that tries to explain the factors that influence the use of mobile banking from a customer perspective. The basis for this framework is the integration of the 3M model of motivation and personality and the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology two (UTAUT2). For its analysis, a self-administrated questionnaire was developed with which data was obtained from a non-random sample of Lebanese banking customers. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was then employed to analyse the data collected, using EQS 6.1 for windows and Stata 14.0. The results obtained supported links among personality traits, motivational factors and use behaviour. Specifically, Lebanese individuals’ mobile banking use was significantly influenced by effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, need for cognition, need for structure, need for affiliation, proactive personality, neuroticism, and agreeableness. However, performance expectancy, social influence, general self-efficacy, extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness to experience did not have a significant impact on use behaviour. Examining factors that influence the use of mobile banking especially in Lebanon makes important contributions to literature and practice. The current study extends the theoretical model of UTAUT2 by incorporating personality constructs. More in particular, it highlights the importance of psychological aspects in predicting technology acceptance behaviour. Lastly, it is an attempt to provide guidelines for effective marketing strategies that enhance mobile banking usage rates in Lebanon.
Characterization of intracellular pH gradients in human multidrug‐resistant tumor cells by means of scanning microspectrofluorometry and dual‐emission‐ratio probes

Multidrug‐resistant cells are believed to contain a plasma‐membrane‐efflux pump which is hypothesized to expel anti‐cancer drugs from the cytosol to the cell exterior. Many of these drugs are classified as weak bases whose binding to intracellular targets is pH‐dependent. Slight alterations in intracellular pH gradients have been shown to affect accumulation, endocytosis and secretion of drugs. In this study, we developed a new method based on confocal spectral imaging analysis to determine intracellular pH gradients in sensitive and MDR tumor cells. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and tetramethylrhodamine conjugated to dextran (FRD) and SNAFL‐calcein‐AM were used to determine pH in acidic compartments. Carboxy‐SNARF1‐AM was used to examine cytosolic pH. We observed that sensitive (HL60, K562, CEM and MCF7) cells exhibit lower acidity of the subcellular organelles than that corresponding to drug‐resistant derivatives. Moreover, results obtained with carboxy‐SNARF1‐AM show that resistant cells display a more alkaline cytosolic pH. This results in a considerably larger pH gradient between the vesicular compartments and the cytosol of resistant cells than of sensitive cells. The lower pH gradient observed in sensitive cells may be related to a disruption in the organization of the trans‐Golgi network (TGN). In drug‐resistant cells, the organization of TGN appears compact. In addition, confocal microscopic analysis of cells labelled with FRD and SNAFL‐calcein showed that sensitive cells contain a lower number of acidified vesicles. This suggest a diminished capacity of these cells to remove protonated drugs from the cytoplasm to secretory compartments followed by their secretion through the activity of the secretory and recycling pathways. Int. J. Cancer 81:81–89, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incentive schemes in the financial industry. An experimental approach

The most recent financial crisis highlighted several fragilities of financial markets. According to several observers, a relevant source of instability could be identified in the incentive schemes of the financial professionals. Yet, it is not clear whether the higher risk is due to the structure of the incentive scheme in itself or whether it emerges as strategic pricing by asset managers in order to deal with a more generalized market competition. In the light of the ongoing debate on the role of the incentive schemes in the financial industry, the main goal of this thesis is to emphasize that market interventions should be implemented by involving in the decision-making process both investors and managers and not only the latter. In this Doctoral thesis, to disentangle and control some possible effects deriving from the delegated portfolio management context, the experimental methodology is implemented. Managers and investors are allowed to interact: we investigate to what extent this interaction affect general results. In Chapter 1 of this Doctoral Thesis the context and the related literature will be provided with a focus on the ongoing debates and on the answers provided by the experimental literature. In Chapter 2 we manipulate the contract design by allowing investors under endowment legitimacy (or not) to decide the incentive scheme while managers have no bargaining power. In Chapter 3 instead, we investigate to what extent a market setting characterized by competition between managers and disclosure of others’ practices affect the market fees’ combination. Differently than in the experiment in Chapter 2, here both players are involved in the decision-making process: managers are asked to propose fees combinations while investors choose the fee combination they want to pay.
In vitro and in vivo degradation of biomimetic octacalcium phosphate and carbonate apatite coatings on titanium implants.

Calcium phosphate (Ca-P) coatings have been applied onto titanium alloys prosthesis to combine the srength of metals with the bioactivity of Ca-P. It has been clearly shown in many publications that Ca-P coating accelerates bone formation around the implant. However, longevity of the Ca-P coating for an optimal bone apposition onto the prosthesis remains controversial. Biomimetic bone-like carbonate apatite (BCA) and Octacalcium Phosphate (OCP) coatings were deposited on Ti6Al4V samples to evaluate their in vitro and in vivo dissolution properties. The coated plates were soaked in alpha-MEM for 1, 2, and 4 weeks, and they were analyzed by Back Scattering Electron Microscopy (BSEM) and by Fourier Transform Infra Red spectroscopy (FTIR). Identical coated plates were implanted subcutaneously in Wistar rats for similar periods. BSEM, FTIR, and histomorphometry were performed on the explants. In vitro and in vivo, a carbonate apatite (CA) formed onto OCP and BCA coatings via a dissolution-precipitation process. In vitro, both coatings dissolved overtime, whereas in vivo BCA calcified and OCP partially dissolved after 1 week. Thereafter, OCP remained stable. This different in vivo behavior can be attributed to (1) different organic compounds that might prevent or enhance Ca-P dissolution, (2) a greater reactivity of OCP due to its large open structure, or (3) different thermodynamic stability between OCP and BCA phases. These structural and compositional differences promote either the progressive loss or calcification of the Ca-P coating and might lead to different osseointegration of coated implants.
How does greenwashing affect green branding equity and purchase intention? An empirical research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship among greenwashing, green brand equity, brand credibility, green brand associations and purchase intention. Design/methodology/approach As an object to study, two brands were chosen: a high-involved brand and a low-involved brand. Data were collected from 500 consumers by survey method, and structural equation modeling was run to test the research hypotheses. Findings As a result, it was found that green brand associations and brand credibility positively affect green brand equity, and green brand equity has a positive and strong impact on purchase intention of consumers. In addition to that greenwashing negatively affects green brand associations and brand credibility, and therefore, indirectly influence green brand equity and purchase intention. Research limitations/implications Previous studies conceptualize greenwashing and examine its effects on company performance and skepticism. This study is a first attempt to explore the effects of greenwashing on green branding strategies. Practical implications Managers should be aware of that greenwashing not only negatively affects purchase intention but also generates negative outcomes for the relationship with the brands. Originality/value There is no other study, at least to the author’s knowledge, testing the effects of greenwashing on green brand perceptions and green purchase intention.
High-speed stream driven inferences of global wave distributions at geosynchronous orbit: relevance to radiation-belt dynamics

Three superposed epoch analyses of plasma data from geosynchronous orbit are compared to infer relative distributions of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC)- and whistler-mode wave instabilities. Both local-time and storm-time behaviours are studied with respect to dynamics of relativistic electrons. Using LANL-GEO particle data and a quasi-linear approximation for the wave growth allows us to estimate the instability of the two wave modes. This simple technique can allow powerful insights into wave–particle interactions at geosynchronous orbit. Whistler-wave activity peaks on the dayside during the early recovery phase and can continue to be above normal levels for several days. The main phase of all storms exhibits the most EMIC-wave activity, whereas in the recovery phase of the most radiation-belt-effective storms, a significantly suppressed level of EMIC activity is inferred. These key results indicate new dynamics relating to plasma delivery, source and response, but support generally accepted views of whistlers as a source process and EMIC-mode waves as a major loss contributor at geosynchronous orbit.
Ribotyping and plasmid profiling of Yersinia ruckeri

J.A. GARCIA, L. DOMINGUEZ, J.L. LARSEN AND K. PEDERSEN. 1998. A total of 183 strains of Yersinia ruckeri, isolated from a wide variety of sources, were studied with respect to their plasmid profile and ribotype patterns. Eight plasmid profiles and 11 ribotypes were demonstrated, with one profile being predominant by both typing methods. The results suggest a clonal structure for this species, with a predominant clone being responsible for most of the outbreaks worldwide. The results of a long‐time survey in several fish farms in Spain and Denmark seem to support this idea.
Frequency of lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus and effect of splenectomy in proximal gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and frequency of lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus in proximal gastric cancer and the effect of splenectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Three hundred and forty-nine patients undergoing total gastrectomy for primary proximal gastric cancer were included. Among these patients, lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus was histologically assessed in 201 cases. RESULTS The incidence of lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus was 31 cases (15.4%). No lymph node metastasis to the splenic hilus was detected in any T1 and T2 tumors located at the lesser curvature and anterior wall. No significant difference was observed between the survival rates of patients with and without splenectomy in each stage. CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that gastrectomy with spleen preservation may be recommended at least in patients with T1 or T2 tumors located at the lesser curvature and anterior wall.
The relevance of images in user generated content. A mixed method study of when and why major brands retweet

This paper develops unique new insight for business practitioners and academic researchers into the interaction between consumers and brands on social media platforms, principally where brands choose to interact with, and amplify, user-generated content (UGC) by retweeting it on their own brand channels. Despite increasing research into social media in general, there is a relative lack of available academic research on major brands engaging with consumer content, which may, be in part due to the pace of change and exponential growth in this emerging area. This mixed method study develops insight conducted over an 18-month period with leading social media practitioners, concluding that primarily a brand's social media team opportunistically seek out and retweet organic image-led UGC to convey specific messages across multiple platforms. Content containing imagery lends authenticity to brand storytelling; brands with tangible products are more likely to receive organic UGC which contains images than intangible brands.
PENGARUH ORIENTASI PASAR, INOVASI, ORIENTASI KEWIRAUSAHAAN TERHADAP KEUNGGULAN BERSAING DAN KINERJA PEMASARAN (Studi pada Kuliner Kafe kota Malang)

This research aims to determine and explain: (1) determine of market orientation on competitive advantage: (2) determine of Innovation on Competitive Advantage: (3) determine of Orientation of Entrepreneurship on Competitive Advantage: (4) determine of Market Orientation on Marketing Performance: Determine of Innovation on Marketing Performance: (6) determine Entrepreneurship Orientation on Marketing Performance: (7) determine Competitive Advantage on Marketing Performance . This study was held on culinary cafe Malang City. Using explanatory research with quantitative approach. The variable are (X1), Innovation (X2), Entrepreneurship Orientation (X3). Dependent variable of this research is Competitive Advantage (Z) and Marketing Performance (Y). The whole variables are measured using Likert Scale.The amount of samples that have been used in this study are 41 respendents is owner and manager owner and manager of culinary cafe in Malang city. The data that used in this study was primary data and secondary data. Primary data obtained from the questionnaire distribution, while secondary data obtained from the Institute related to this topic and research. Instrument test was using validity test and reliability test. Kеywords: Entrepreneurship Orientation, Innovation, Market Orientation,Competitive Advantages, Marketing Performance АBSTRАK Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menjelaskan: (1) pengaruh orientasi pasar terhadap keunggulan bersaing: (2) pengaruh Inovasi terhadap Keunggulan Bersaing: (3) pengaruh Orientasi Kewirausahaan terhadap Keunggulan Bersaing: (4) pengaruh Orientasi Pasar terhadap Kinerja Pemasaran: (5) pengaruh Inovasi terhadap Kinerja Pemasaran: (6) pengaruh Orientasi Kewirausahaan terhadap Kinerja Pemasaran: (7) pengaruh Keunggulan Bersaing terhadap Kinerja Pemasaran.Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah explanatory research dengan menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dimana penelitian dilakukan pada kuliner kafe Kota Malang. Variabel yang digunakan terdiri dari: Orientasi Pasar (X1), Inovasi (X2), Orientasi Kewirausahaan (X3). Dependent variable dari penelitian ini adalah Keunggulan Bersaing (Z) dan Kinerja Pemasaran (Y). Seluruh variabel yanga diukur dengan menggunakan skala Likert.Jumlah sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini sebesar 41 orang responden yaitu pemilik dan pengelola kuliner kafe Kota Malang yang terdaftar pada Badan Pelayanan Pajak Daerah kota Malang. Jenis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah data primer dan sekunder. Data primer didapat dari hasil penyebaran kuesioner, sedangkan data sekunder didapat dari Lembaga yang terkait dengan topik dan penelitian ini. Pengujian instrument dengan menggunakan uji validitas dan uji reliabilitas. Kаtа Kunci: Kompеntеnsi, Motivasi, Kinеrja.