Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of the adenylyl cyclase activator Gsalpha.

The crystal structure of Gsalpha, the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunit that stimulates adenylyl cyclase, was determined at 2.5 A in a complex with guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS). Gsalpha is the prototypic member of a family of GTP-binding proteins that regulate the activities of effectors in a hormone-dependent manner. Comparison of the structure of Gsalpha.GTPgammaS with that of Gialpha.GTPgammaS suggests that their effector specificity is primarily dictated by the shape of the binding surface formed by the switch II helix and the alpha3-beta5 loop, despite the high sequence homology of these elements. In contrast, sequence divergence explains the inability of regulators of G protein signaling to stimulate the GTPase activity of Gsalpha. The betagamma binding surface of Gsalpha is largely conserved in sequence and structure to that of Gialpha, whereas differences in the surface formed by the carboxyl-terminal helix and the alpha4-beta6 loop may mediate receptor specificity.
Market and technology orientations for service delivery innovation: the link of innovative competence

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to deploy an alternative way, drawing upon research in service innovation, to predict service delivery innovation from the extents of market and technology orientations and innovative competence. Design/methodology/approach – Five hypotheses were proposed. A two-part questionnaire was developed. One part of the questionnaire was completed by the sales manager and the other part by the marketing manager of select companies. The questionnaires were distributed to 533 information technology companies in Taiwan. Of the 533 questionnaires returned, 160 questionnaires were deemed usable. This study uses the partial least square analysis to test the hypotheses. Findings – Proactive market orientation and technology orientation affect exploratory and exploitative innovative competences; but, only exploitative innovation competence affects service delivery innovation. Practical implications – The findings indicate that managers need to understand the market trends and the tec.
Biosynthesis of Proteochondroitin Sulfate by HL‐60 Human Promyelocytic Cells

Human promyelocytic cells (HL‐60) were labeled with 35S‐sulfate and either 3H‐glucosamine or 3H‐serine as precursors. Accumulation of 35S‐labeled macromolecules was approximately linear for up to 96 h, with a mean cell:medium ratio of 5.5:1, although activity/105 viable cells reached a plateau level after 24 h. Virtually none of the cell‐associated proteoglycan was removed by trypsinization, consistent with a predominantly intracellular localization. Proteoglycan heterogeneity was investigated by DEAE‐Sephacel chromatography, isopyknic CsCI gradient centrifugation, and gel filtration chromatography. HL‐60 cells appeared to synthesize a single proteoglycan species, Kav = 0.46 on Sepharose CL‐4B and Kav = 0.32 on Sepharose CL‐6B, recovered primarily from the high‐density fractions of a dissociative CsCI gradient (ρ > 1.40 g/l). Degradation products of lower charge density, lower buoyant density, and lower hydrodynamic size were also present, mainly in the cell pellets. The major proteoglycan was found to contain chondroitin sulfate chains of average Mr = 14.5 kD, yielding virtually 100% 4‐sulfated disaccharides on digestion with chondroitinase ABC. The proteoglycan was resistant to trypsin, chymotrypsin, plasmin, and papain, and the core protein Mr was approximately 20 kD by molecular sieve chromatography. Induction of HL‐60 cells with 0.15 dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) resulted in differentiation to a more mature granulocytic phenotype and was associated with a reduction in 35S‐sulfate incorporation to 45% of control values or 32%, expressed as activity/105 cells. Proteoglycans synthesized by DMSO‐treated cells were identical to those from untreated cells in terms of hydrodynamic size, glycosaminoglycan Mr, and sulfation.
Autologous chondrocyte implantation and osteochondral cylinder transplantation in cartilage repair of the knee joint.

To The Editor: We would like to raise the following points regarding the article entitled “Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation and Osteochondral Cylinder Transplantation in Cartilage Repair of the Knee Joint” (2003;85:185-92), by Horas et al. A German-language paper by the same authors presents what appears to be the same study comparing osteochondral cylinder transplantation (OCT) with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI)1 and concludes that the two methods have equally good results. We would like to know why the paper published in The Journal comes to a different conclusion. We commend the authors for publishing their raw data on the Internet. We note that the mean preoperative Lysholm score was lower in the ACI group. If this is accounted for by analyzing the mean change in score, we find no significant difference between the two treatment groups at … Corresponding author: U. Horas, MD, Department of Trauma Surgery, University of Giessen, Rudolf-Buchheim-Strasse 7, D-35385 Giessen, Germany, E-mail address for R. Schnettler:, reinhard.schnettler{at}chiru.med.uni-giessen.de
Motivating shoppers to expand purchases during daylight‐saving time

Purpose – This paper aims to get an understanding of the determinants of unscheduled store visits during daylight‐saving time so that retail service providers may be able to encourage shoppers to expand their purchases during their sporadic store visits.Design/methodology/approach – From the survey data, two econometric models were constructed, which predicted frequencies and times of shoppers' unscheduled grocery purchases. Based on the findings and behavioural principles, a conceptual model is defined for motivating shoppers to expand their purchases during their intermittent store visits.Findings – A considerable number of consumers make unscheduled grocery store visits to their principal grocery stores when the store is kept open during daylight‐saving time. Shoppers are, however, not likely to make significant purchases during these irregular visits.Research limitations/implications – Future research could examine changes in shopping behaviour from the switch back of the clock when DST is over.Practi.
Malnutrition in healthcare settings and the role of gastrostomy feeding

Malnutrition can adversely affect physical and psychological function, influencing both morbidity and mortality. Despite the prevalence of malnutrition and its associated health and economic costs, malnutrition remains under-detected and under-treated in differing healthcare settings. For a subgroup of malnourished individuals, a gastrostomy (a feeding tube placed directly into the stomach) may be required to provide long-term nutritional support. In this review we explore the spectrum and consequences of malnutrition in differing healthcare settings. We then specifically review gastrostomies as a method of providing nutritional support. The review highlights the origins of gastrostomies, and discusses how endoscopic and radiological advances have culminated in an increased demand and placement of gastrostomy feeding tubes. Several studies have raised concerns about the benefits derived following this intervention and also about the patients selected to undergo this procedure. These studies are discussed in detail in this review, alongside suggestions for future research to help better delineate those who will benefit most from this intervention, and improve understanding about how gastrostomies influence nutritional outcomes.
Path analysis of perceived service quality, satisfaction and loyalty in Greek insurance

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to investigate the path service quality → customer satisfaction → loyalty, at the level of constructs, drawing from the Greek insurance industry.Design/methodology/approach – A SERVQUAL type service‐quality instrument is developed for Greek insurance. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses are used to determine the scale's dimensionality. Path analysis is utilized to examine a model linking service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty at the level of constructs' individual determinants.Findings – SERVQUAL's dimensionality is not confirmed. A non‐tangibles, tangibles structure exists in Greek insurance. “Tangibles” does not affect customer satisfaction while WOM is an antecedent of repurchasing intentions. Satisfaction does not directly influence the latter.Research limitations/implications – This study suffers the limitation that it tests the fit of the model within the limits of a single service industry. Another limitation is availability sampling. Ho.
The Ups and Downs of Parkinson Disease: A Prospective Study of Mood and Anxiety Fluctuations

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) patients with motor fluctuations experience mood fluctuations, but studies have been limited in number and methodology. Objectives: To better understand the phenomenology of mood, anxiety, and motor fluctuations in PD. Method: Eighty-seven PD patients and 19 spouse controls completed questionnaires, rating scales, and diaries using visual analogue scales (VAS) to rate mood, anxiety, and motor states. Average daily variance in VAS scores was determined, and PD patients whose average daily variance was larger than that for all of the control subjects were considered to have fluctuations. Results: Twenty-nine percent of patients had fluctuations in anxiety, 24% motor, and 21% mood; 65% had no fluctuations. Seventy-five percent of patients with motor fluctuations had mood and/or anxiety fluctuations, but 5 subjects reported emotional fluctuations without motor fluctuations. The combination of mood and anxiety fluctuations was frequent, but anxiety and mood did not always appear to fluctuate together. Visual inspection of diaries revealed that not all patients exhibited a temporal relationship between emotional and motor fluctuations. Compared with nonfluctuators, those with mood or anxiety fluctuations were more likely to have higher scores on psychiatric rating scales, report histories of depression or anxiety, and use psychotropic medications. Conclusions: PD patients are heterogeneous with regard to the presence, range, and pattern of fluctuations. In general, patients with mood fluctuations also have anxiety fluctuations.
The Impact of the Convergence to IFRS on the Accounting Quality in Mexico

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the implementation of IFRS in the accounting quality of Mexican non-financial listed firms in both the convergence and adoption phases. I used two accounting quality measures, namely value-relevance and earnings management, in a cross-sectional design, comparing the original and restated accounting reports of 42 non-financial listed firms during the period of 2007 to 2009 and 33 of the same firms in 2010 and 2011. I found a decrease in earnings management that primarily stems from the convergence phase in the years 2008 and 2009. These results are relevant for investors interested in emerging markets as a portfolio diversification strategy and for firms listed in those stock markets. Particularly, an increase in transparency could lead to more tradability of stocks listed in the BMV, as potential foreign investors might see in the financial reports prepared under IFRS a tool that increases not only standardization and comparability, but also reliability of accounting information. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first study that documents the effects of each of the phases (convergence and full adoption) on an IFRS implementation process in emerging markets. In addition to this contribution, my results quantitatively support an explanation of Barth et al. (2008) for the mixed results reported in the IFRS adoption literature.
Corporate Financing in East Asia Before the 1997 Crash

Some argue that corporate finance and governance practices were among the root causes of the Asian crisis. It is alleged that high and increasing corporate debt ratios were partly to blame. This claim is overstated: Only South Korea and arguably Thailand had leverage ratios significantly above the G7 range and only South Korea had an income-gearing ratio higher than the G7. Although the reliance on short-term debt was high, there was no drastic change in the maturity structure of debt before the crash. However, conventional factors are relatively more successful in explaining leverage for firms that were less closely connected to the relationship-based financing system. Our paper links to ongoing research on investor protection, cronyism, connections between business and government, and business groups. It ends by commenting on the 2008 financial crisis, currently engulfing the world, and highlights some similarities and paradoxes.
Diabetes‐related autoantibodies do appear in children with coeliac disease

Humoral immune factors related to type 1 diabetes have been investigated in children with coeliac disease. Anti‐insulin (IAAb), immunoglobulin (αIgAb), islet cell (ICA) and glucagon autoantibodies were examined in 15 children with coeliac disease at diagnosis (group 1), in 15 children with coeliac disease following a gluten‐free diet (group 2) and in 30 control patients (groups 3 and 4). IAAb were present in 27% of group 1 and in 20% of group 2 patients and αIgAb were significantly increased in group 1 and 2 patients; two patients in group 2 were positive for ICA; none of the coeliac disease patients were positive for anti‐glucagon antibodies. The levels of anti‐gliadin antibodies in group 1 were positively correlated with those of αIgAb. Coeliac disease‐related HLA antigens were not correlated with antibody presence. The presence of diabetes‐related humoral immune factors in coeliac disease raises the question as to whether or not they are predictive of subclinical pancreatic damage or whether they are simply indicators of a more general autoimmune diathesis.
Sexual Counseling in Patients With Heart Failure: A Silent Phenomenon Results From a Convergent Parallel Mixed Method Study

Background:Patients with heart failure (HF) often worry about resuming sexual activity and may need information. Nurses have a role in helping patients to live with the consequences of HF and can be expected to discuss patients’ sexual concerns. Objective:The aims of this study were to identify whether nurses discuss consequences of HF on sexuality with patients and to explore their perceived role and barriers regarding this topic. Methods:A cross-sectional research design with a convergent parallel mixed method approach was used combining qualitative and quantitative data collected with a self-reported questionnaire. Results:Nurses in this study rarely addressed sexual issues with their patients. The nurses did not feel that discussing sexual concerns with their patients was their responsibility, and only 8% of the nurses expressed confidence to do so. The main phenomenon in discussing sexual concerns seems to be “one of silence”: Neither patients nor nurses talk about sexual concerns. Factors influencing this include structural barriers, lack of knowledge and communication skills, as well as relevance of the topic and relationship to patients. Conclusion:Cardiac nurses in Germany rarely practice sexual counseling. It is a phenomenon that is silent. Education and skill-based training might hold potential to “break the silence. ”
Does Stock Market Boost Firm Innovation? Evidence from Chinese Firms

We investigate the effect of stock market on firm innovation via the len of initial public offering (IPO) using a uniquely matched Chinese firm-level data. Using the difference-in-difference approach, together with the propensity score matching algorithm to construct the treatment and control group, we find that the IPO leads to an increase in both quantity and quality of firm innovation activity. In addition, IPO expands a firm’s scope of innovation beyond its core business. The impact of IPO on firm innovation varies across corporate governance structure. We find that the increase in innovation can be attributed to the fact that the IPO helps to relax the credit constraint that a firm faces before the IPO. Therefore a firm can allocate more resource to innovation through retaining internal inventors and hiring more inventors after the IPO. Finally, we show that the enhanced innovation activity helps a firm create value, indicated by an increase in Tobin’s Q.
Firms and Workers in Transition: A Series of Micro Studies on Vietnam

2 Introduction . 3 1.1 Literature Review . 4 1.2 Data and Econometric Approach . 6 1.3 1.3. 1 Ethnographic Fieldwork . 6 1.3. 2 Quantitative Survey Data . 8 1.3. 3 Econometric Approach and Data Summary Statistics . 11 Results . 19 1.4 1.4. 1 Profits . 19 1.4. 2 Investments and Credit. 23 1.4. 3 Empowerment of Workers . 24 Conclusion . 27 1.5 Bibliography. 29 Appendix . 32 Chapter 2 . 34 Abstract . 35. 35 Introduction . 36 2.1 Literature . 37 2.2 Data . 40 2.3 Empirical Strategy and Results . 46 2.4 Conclusion . 52 2.5 Bibliography. 54 Appendix . 58
Peracetylated N-Acetylmannosamine, a Synthetic Sugar Molecule, Efficiently Rescues Muscle Phenotype and Biochemical Defects in Mouse Model of Sialic Acid-deficient Myopathy*

Background: Distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles/hereditary inclusion body myopathy (DMRV)/hIBM is a sialic acid-deficient myopathy. Results: Tissue sialylation in DMRV/hIBM mice is efficiently increased by Ac4ManNAc, a synthetic compound. Conclusion: Ac4ManNAc rescued muscle phenotype in DMRV/hIBM more efficiently than natural compounds. Significance: Application of this compound includes its potential use in therapy and in understanding the molecular basis of sialic acid deficiency in disease. Distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles/hereditary inclusion body myopathy (DMRV/hIBM), characterized by progressive muscle atrophy, weakness, and degeneration, is due to mutations in GNE, a gene encoding a bifunctional enzyme critical in sialic acid biosynthesis. In the DMRV/hIBM mouse model, which exhibits hyposialylation in various tissues in addition to muscle atrophy, weakness, and degeneration, we recently have demonstrated that the myopathic phenotype was prevented by oral administration of N-acetylneuraminic acid, N-acetylmannosamine, and sialyllactose, underscoring the crucial role of hyposialylation in the disease pathomechanism. The choice for the preferred molecule, however, was limited probably by the complex pharmacokinetics of sialic acids and the lack of biomarkers that could clearly show dose response. To address these issues, we screened several synthetic sugar compounds that could increase sialylation more remarkably and allow demonstration of measurable effects in the DMRV/hIBM mice. In this study, we found that tetra-O-acetylated N-acetylmannosamine increased cell sialylation most efficiently, and in vivo evaluation in DMRV/hIBM mice revealed a more dramatic, measurable effect and improvement in muscle phenotype, enabling us to establish analysis of protein biomarkers that can be used for assessing response to treatment. Our results provide a proof of concept in sialic acid-related molecular therapy with synthetic monosaccharides.
Size and Momentum Profitability in International Stock Markets

We study the link between the profitability of momentum strategies and firm size, drawing on an extensive dataset covering 23 stock markets across the globe. We first present evidence of an “extreme” size premium in a large number of countries. These size premia, however, are most likely not realizable due to low stock market depth. We also show that international momentum profitability declines sharply with market capitalization. Momentum premiums are also considerably diminished by trading costs, when taking into account the actual portfolio turnover incurred when implementing this strategy. In contrast to strategies based on size, we find that momentum premia especially for medium-sized stocks still remain economically and statistically significant in most equity markets worldwide after adjusting for transaction costs.
Information Asymmetry, Relationship Banking and Financing Costs of SME's

We focus on the determinants and potentially associated benefits of relationship banking. Based on existing literature and the unique role intangible assets might play regarding asymmetric information, we derive three testable predictions. Using rich data on firm-bank relationships in Germany, we show that: Firstly, intangible assets can be used to proxy asymmetric information but do not prevent firms to finance externally. Secondly, firms' share of intangible assets statistically significantly determines firms' choice of an exclusive and persistent bank relation. Finally, relationship banking is (potentially) associated with beneficial financing conditions.
Critical raw material strategies in different world regions

The rising imbalance between increased demand for minerals and their tighter supply has resulted in growing concerns about their criticality. This has in turn stimulated both resource-rich and resource-poor countries to take active role in implementing mineral policy strategies. This paper explains why different world regions responded differently to the global problem of securing stable supply of critical minerals, in particular of rare earths. The paper first provides an in-depth overview of development trajectories of critical mineral strategies through a historical case study analysis of major stakeholder regions - China, the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia. Next, it offers answers as to why they have responded the way they did: how national interest considerations, resource endowment circumstances, countries’ historical experience in tackling supply risk and their respective policy styles influenced the development of critical mineral policy choices within a comparative political economy framework. The overall findings show distinctive differences in policy strategies towards critical materials. Whereas Europe opts for a policy dialogue with resource-rich countries, Japan and the United States have a more hands-on approach in research and development initiatives. Australia and China instead, strive to promote domestic mining activities and to protect their resources through resource nationalist policies.
On the complex •OH/•O−-induced free radical chemistry of arylalkylamines with special emphasis on the contribution of the alkylamine side chain

Abstract A full account of the •OH-induced free radical chemistry of an arylalkylamine is given taking all the possible reaction pathways quantitatively into consideration. Such knowledge is indispensable when the alkylamine side chain plays a crucial role in biological activity. The fundamental reactions are investigated on the model compound N-methyl-3-phenypropylamine (MPPA), and extended to its biologically active analog, to the antidepressant fluoxetine (FLX). Pulse radiolysis techniques were applied including redox titration and transient spectral analysis supplemented with DFT calculations. The contribution of the amine moiety to the free radical-induced oxidation mechanism appeared to be appreciable. •O− was used to observe hydrogen atom abstraction events at pH 14 giving rise to the strongly reducing α-aminoalkyl radicals (∼38% of the radical yield) and to benzyl (∼4%), β-aminoalkyl (∼24%), and aminyl radicals (∼31%) of MPPA. One-electron transfer was also observed yielding aminium radicals with low efficiency (∼3%). In the •OH-induced oxidation protonated α-aminoalkyl (∼49%), β-aminoalkyl (∼27%), benzyl radicals (∼4%), and aminium radicals (∼5%) are initially generated on the side chain of MPPA at pH 6, whereas hydroxycyclohexadienyl radicals (∼15%) were also produced. These initial events are followed by complex protonation–deprotonation reactions establishing acid–base equilibria; however, these processes are limited by the transient nature of the radicals and the kinetics of the ongoing reactions. The contribution of the radicals from the side chain alkylamine substituent of FLX totals up to ∼54% of the initially available oxidant yield.