Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Release of pig leukocytes during pig kidney perfusion and characterization of pig lymphocyte carbohydrate xenoantigens

Abstract: The Galα1–3Gal (αGal) antigen is considered the main xenoantigen in the pig to human species combination but other porcine antigens have to be considered such as the swine lymphocyte antigen (SLA), the blood group A/O and the Hanganutziu–Deicher (H–D) antigens. The H–D antigens are N‐glycolyl‐neuraminic acid (NeuGc) terminated gangliosides that are widely distributed in mammalian species but absent in humans. Upon exposure to a vascularized pig organ, the human recipient can be immunized by direct interaction with the pig tissue or/and by transfer of tissue/cells from the organ into the recipient. In the present work, we describe the release of cells from porcine kidneys upon perfusion and the expression of glycolipid based αGal, blood group A/O and H–D antigens in pig lymphocytes. Pig kidneys were flushed with 20 ml of NaCl or Lidocain containing 5000 U heparin, and thereafter perfused with 3000‐ml perfusion solution and the cells released were counted and examined microscopically. Neutral glycolipid and ganglioside fractions were extracted from purified pig lymphocytes. The extracted components were characterized by thin layer chromatography, degradation and mass spectrometry. The expression of αGal and H–D epitopes on cells released from pig kidneys and purified pig lymphocytes were studied by immune electron microscopy. A total amount of about 300 × 106 leukocytes, mainly lymphocytes were released in the perfusate from the kidneys, of which about 100 × 106 cells were eluated in the 600 to 2400 ml perfusate fraction. Immunelectron microscopical analysis with Griffonia simplicifolia isolectin B4 showed staining of pig leukocytes and other cells, morphologically similar to endothelial cells, released in the perfusate. The purified porcine lymphocytes contained 930 μg neutral glycolipid (4.2 μg/mg cell protein) of which 95% was glycolipids with one to four sugar residues. Immunostaining of the neutral glycolipid fractions revealed αGal terminated compounds migrating in the five and 10 to 12 sugar regions and blood group A compounds in the six and eight sugar regions. Two major gangliosides NeuGc‐GM3 and NeuGc‐GD3 were found in the pig lymphocytes. In a patient extracorporeally xenoperfused with a pig kidney, an increased staining of both αGal terminated structures as well as the H–D reactive gangliosides were found in the post‐perfusion serum samples. In summary, leukocytes, mainly lymphocytes are released from pig kidneys during perfusion which may contribute to immunization of human xenograft recipients.
Critical social marketing: assessing the impact of alcohol marketing on youth drinking

This paper presents data from wave one of a longitudinal cohort study examining the impact of alcohol marketing on drinking of 920 secondary school pupils in Scotland. Critical social marketing studies such as this can help to inform the evidence base, and policy and regulation. Variables were constructed for 13 different types of alcohol marketing, along with various measures of drinking behaviour. Confounding variables tested included media exposure, demographics and parental and peer influence. Regression analyses found significant associations between awareness of, exposure to, and involvement in, alcohol marketing, and drinking behaviours and attitudes towards alcohol. The findings add to the evidence base demonstrating an association between alcohol marketing and youth drinking behaviour, and can help inform policy and regulation.
Reply to Debevec and Millet.

to the editor: We agree with Drs. Debevec and Millet ([1][1]) that a study with either a longer duration (>6 h) or intermittent hypoxic exposures might detect differences in certain outcomes between hypobaric hypoxia (NH) and normobaric hypoxia (HH). Symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) can
An Empirical Study of Group Stewardship and Learning: Implications for Work Group Effectiveness

This research studies the effects of group stewardship and group learning on permanent work groups performing the core work and service processes in their organizations. Stewardship has been proposed as a potentially significant form of intrinsic motivation that causes people to act collectively in the best interests of their organization’s stakeholders. However, stewardship has not been operationalized nor have its antecedents and consequences been empirically tested in prior field research. After defining group stewardship, the construct is shown to be distinct from related concepts such as psychological ownership and identification with the organization. While previous research has studied the concepts of individual and organizational learning, the concept of group learning is just emerging in the group effectiveness literature. Group learning is shown to be a multidimensional concept including integration of external perspectives, within-group collaboration, and practical application through experimentation. Within and between analysis (WABA) is utilized to determine which task, group and organizational constructs relate to the development of group stewardship at the individual, group and organizational levels of analysis. Four constructs, the need for analysis in doing the group’s work, group potency, affective trust, and identification with the organization, are shown to be especially significant in developing group stewardship. Additionally, each of these four factors is shown to support different aspects of group learning. Finally, group stewardship is shown to be highly correlated with the presence of group learning, proactive behaviors, group performance, and employee job satisfaction.
Broadband Circularly Polarized Crossed-Dipole Antenna With a Single Asymmetrical Cross-Loop

This letter presents a broadband cavity-backed circularly polarized (CP) crossed-dipole antenna encircled by a novel asymmetrical cross-loop. By using the single parasitic cross-loop, the antenna has a simple structure and a compact configuration. More importantly, it produces additional two CP modes. The suitable combination of the crossed dipole and the cross-loop provides broadband CP operation. The measured results show that the proposed antenna with an overall dimension of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.1{\lambda _0} \times 1.1{\lambda _0} \times 0.28{\lambda _0}$</tex-math></inline-formula> (in terms of the CP center frequency) features broadband CP characteristics of an impedance bandwidth with <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$S_{11}$</tex-math> </inline-formula> < –10 dB from 3.14 to 6.34 GHz (67.5%) and a 3 dB axial-ratio bandwidth from 3.83 to 6.62 GHz (53.4%). A unidirectional right-hand circular-polarized radiation pattern with a peak gain of 10.62 dBi is achieved over the CP operating band.
Effects of customer equity drivers on customer loyalty in B2B context

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the effects of customer equity drivers on customer loyalty via customer trust in a B2B context.Design/methodology/approach – A self‐administered online survey was conducted to collect data from the organizational customers of an on‐hold service company in Australia. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data.Findings – The study reveals that in a B2B context, value equity and relationship equity have significant influence on customer loyalty through the mediating effect of customer trust. On the other hand, brand equity is found to have no effect on customer trust and loyalty.Practical implications – In order to obtain business customers' loyalty, managers should focus more on value and relationship equity than brand equity.Originality/value – While most of the previous studies on “customer equity” focused on the B2C context, this study focuses on a B2B context. It demonstrates the impact of customer equity drivers on business customers' loyalty.
Lack of association between CYP21 V281L variant and polycystic ovary syndrome in Italian women

Aim. To investigate the association between V281L CYP21 polymorphism and the hyperandrogenic phenotype of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in a cohort of 110 Italian women. Methods. The CYP21 genotype distribution was evaluated in 50 women with PCOS and 60 control subjects. Genotypes were detected using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis performed on polymerase chain reaction templates from genomic DNA. Genotypes distribution was compared between groups and we considered a p-value less than 0.05 as statistically significant. Results. The frequency of VV, VL and LL was in agreement with other populations. Nevertheless no significant association was observed between CYP21 polymorphism and the presence of PCOS in an Italian cohort of women. Conclusion. Although CYP21 gene, involved in steroidogenesis, is a candidate gene for pathogenesis of PCOS, our data suggest that V281L polymorphism is not associated with PCOS in Italian women; a larger study is needed to confirm this result.
The Role of Consensus in Sales Team Performance

Although team-based selling is highly prominent in practice, research on the drivers of its effectiveness is sparse. Drawing from the literature on climate consensus, the authors propose that in addition to leadership and team factors, team consensus plays a critical role in boosting sales team effectiveness. Using survey and archival data from a sample of 185 pharmaceutical sales teams, the authors find that high team consensus regarding team-level leadership empowerment behaviors (LEBs) and team interpersonal climate quality enhances team potency given high LEBs but weakens team potency given low LEBs. In turn, team potency translates into sales team performance through both extra-role (team helping behavior) and in-role (team effort) behavior. The authors discuss the implications of these findings.
Effects of wall impedance on transmission and attenuation of higher-order modes in vocal-tract model

This paper presents the effects of a wall impedance on the propagation of higher-order modes in a three-dimensional vocal-tract model. This model is constructed using an asymmetrically connected structure of rectangular acoustic tubes, and can parametrically represent acoustic characteristics in higher frequencies where the assumption of the plane wave propagation does not hold. The propagation constants of the higher-order modes are calculated taking account of the wall impedance. The resonance characteristics of the vocal-tract model are evaluated based on the transfer impedance between an input volume velocity and an output sound-pressure.
How a DNA Polymerase Clamp Loader Opens a Sliding Clamp

Crystal structures show how the sliding clamp that facilitates processive replication is loaded onto DNA. Processive chromosomal replication relies on sliding DNA clamps, which are loaded onto DNA by pentameric clamp loader complexes belonging to the AAA+ family of adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases). We present structures for the ATP-bound state of the clamp loader complex from bacteriophage T4, bound to an open clamp and primer-template DNA. The clamp loader traps a spiral conformation of the open clamp so that both the loader and the clamp match the helical symmetry of DNA. One structure reveals that ATP has been hydrolyzed in one subunit and suggests that clamp closure and ejection of the loader involves disruption of the ATP-dependent match in symmetry. The structures explain how synergy among the loader, the clamp, and DNA can trigger ATP hydrolysis and release of the closed clamp on DNA.
Prediction of Business Failure and Fraudulent Financial Reporting: Evidence from Malaysia

Fraud has been of concern for many corporate managers and regulators since many businesses have been victim of business failures. Business failure corporations have reported and become an element of fraudulent financial reporting.Therefore, the first aim of this study is to examine whether a collective prediction tool can be used to predict business failure and fraudulent financial reporting.The second and more important objective of this study is to examine whether business failure companies are associated with fraudulent financial reporting. The collective prediction tool is based on ratio analysis, Beneish M-score model and Z-score model. Using publicly available information in the annual reports of 24 failed firms matched with 24 non-failed firms listed on Bursa Malaysia, relevant information are extracted and applied in the three models to assist in predicting business failure and detecting fraudulent financial reporting. A total of 10 ratios, cash conversion cycle, Beneish M-score model and Altman's Z-score model were identified for examination as potential predictors of business failure and fraudulent financial reporting. Based on the results, the model was accurate in classifying the total sample of approximately 96 per cent as predictors of business failure and approximately 83.3 per cent as predictors of fraudulent financial reporting as well as predicting the relationship between business failures and fraudulent financial reporting. Hence, it can be concluded that these model functions effectively and can be adopted by regulators, bankers, management, internal and external auditors and to the forensic accountants so that proper preventive or corrective action can be taken to mitigate fraud at its inception.
COUNTY-LEVEL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT MODEL IN INNER MONGOLIA

As the foundation of national economy,county-level economy in Inner Mongolia plays an important role in the economic promotion and the raise of people's living standard in Inner Mongolia.Recently,county-level economy in Inner Mongolia is becoming obviously more competitive and its development is the fastest in the Western territory.It has contributed much to the economy of Inner Mongolia and the hundred strong counties in the autonomous region has become an important increasing pole.However,due to the development unbalance between the East and the West and the imperfect industrial structure,county-level industries are comparatively small in scale and poor in its level.Therefore,it is necessary for them to develop and advocate characteristic economy and various economy so as to highlight its regional characteristics and full play its advantages to walk on a suitable sustainable road.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS): epidemiology, diagnosis and management

SARS is a serious respiratory illness that frequently runs a rapidly progressive downhill course. In just 6 weeks it has spread to all continents of the globe. At the time of writing more than 7000 cases have been reported worldwide and over 500 have died. The primary mode of transmission appears to be by droplets. Good supportive care and the judicious use of ribavirin and steroids result in recovery in over 90% of patients, but randomised controlled trials are needed to define the roles of these treatments. Success in controlling the disease relies on early identification of suspect cases, proper isolation, and meticulous infection control measures. Development of sensitive and specific rapid diagnostic tests is underway. Since February 2003 the world has been hit by a highly contagious respiratory infection which frequently results in rapidly progressive respiratory failure. In late 2002 and early 2003 there were reports of outbreaks of atypical pneumonia of unknown aetiology in Southern China. Initially the condition primarily affected close contacts of the patients and healthcare workers who looked after them. With increasing recognition of this unusual infection, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention termed the condition “severe acute respiratory syndrome” (SARS). 1 Over the past few months the global medical community has worked together to achieve an unprecedented speed of progress in our understanding of SARS. Here we review the current knowledge of the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment of this devastating condition. The outbreak in Hong Kong began when an infected doctor from Southern China checked into a hotel on 21 February 2003. His symptoms of a respiratory tract infection had apparently started almost 1 week before his arrival in Hong Kong. He passed on the infection to eight key persons who had either stayed at the hotel as guests or who …
Proliferative, IFNγ and IL-2-producing T-cell responses to HIV-2 in untreated HIV-2 infection

Objective:To evaluate HIV-2-specific proliferative, interferon (IFN)γ- and interleukin (IL)-2-producing T-cell responses in HIV-2 infection and their relationship with plasma HIV-2 RNA. Methods:HIV-2-Gag-p26 and cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD4 T-cell responses from 19 untreated HIV-2-infected subjects (median CD4 cell counts, 561 × 106/l) were compared by lymphoproliferation assay, IFNγ secretion in culture supernatants by ELISA, and intracellular staining (ICS) of IFNγ and IL-2. CD8 responses were assessed by IFNγ-ELISpot using pools of SIVmac239-Gag peptides (87% of homology with HIV-2). Results:HIV-2-specific IFNγ production was detected in 53% and 92% patients by ELISA and ICS, respectively, while HIV-2-specific IL-2 production was detected in only 33% by ICS and lymphoproliferation in 21% patients. All IL-2-producing CD4 T cells co-produced IFNγ. Overall, frequencies of Th1 responses to HIV-2 were similar to CMV in subjects with undetectable plasma HIV-2 RNA, while significantly lower than CMV in HIV-2 RNA-positive subjects, despite similar CD4 cell counts in both groups. In addition, proliferative responses to HIV-2 were correlated to IFNγ secretion (r > 0.68, P < 0.01), and were significantly higher in HIV-2 RNA-negative (P < 0.05) than in HIV-2 RNA-positive subjects. Frequencies of SIV-Gag-specific CD8 cells, detected in 93% of patients, were also higher in HIV-2 RNA-negative subjects, though not significantly. Overall, HIV-2-specific T-cell responses were not correlated to CD4 cell counts. Conclusion:Proliferative, IFNγ- and IL-2-producing T-cell responses to HIV-2 are as robust as CMV-specific responses in untreated HIV-2 subjects with undetectable plasma HIV-2 levels, independently of CD4 cell depletion and despite lower frequencies of IL-2-producing T cells compared to IFNγ. In addition, lymphoproliferative responses to HIV-2 were associated with lack of viral replication.
Achieving Sustainable Growth through the Adoption of Integrated Business and Information Solutions: A Case Study of Nigerian Small & Medium Sized Enterprises

The economic growth of any country depends, to a certain degree, on the ability of the country’s business community to maximize their growth potential. One of the biggest contributors from the business community of any nation, to the nation’s economic development, is the small and medium sized enterprise (SME) sector. Studies have shown that SMEs and indeed, large and multi-national organizations can improve their productive capacity by using the benefits of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT). In this paper, we explore how the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the developing economies such as Nigeria can achieve their own growth through the adoption of the concept of Integrated Business and Information Solutions (IBIS). The relationships between the levels of investment made in these technologies and their resultant impacts on the growth of the organizations are also explored and analyzed. A pilot study of 40 Nigerian SMEs from across 5 industry sectors confirmed the hypothesis that increased investment in IBIS results in increased growth. The paper concludes with a discussion of the issues, prospects and problems surrounding the adoption of this concept, as well as suggestions on the way forward.
Substrate Specificities of SR Proteins in Constitutive Splicing Are Determined by Their RNA Recognition Motifs and Composite Pre-mRNA Exonic Elements

ABSTRACT We report striking differences in the substrate specificities of two human SR proteins, SF2/ASF and SC35, in constitutive splicing. β-Globin pre-mRNA (exons 1 and 2) is spliced indiscriminately with either SR protein. Human immunodeficiency virus tatpre-mRNA (exons 2 and 3) and immunoglobulin μ-chain (IgM) pre-mRNA (exons C3 and C4) are preferentially spliced with SF2/ASF and SC35, respectively. Using in vitro splicing with mutated or chimeric derivatives of the tat and IgM pre-mRNAs, we defined specific combinations of segments in the downstream exons, which mediate either positive or negative effects to confer SR protein specificity. A series of recombinant chimeric proteins consisting of domains of SF2/ASF and SC35 in various combinations was used to localize trans-acting domains responsible for substrate specificity. The RS domains of SF2/ASF and SC35 can be exchanged without effect on substrate specificity. The RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) of SF2/ASF are active only in the context of a two-RRM structure, and RRM2 has a dominant role in substrate specificity. In contrast, the single RRM of SC35 can function alone, but its substrate specificity can be influenced by the presence of an additional RRM. The RRMs behave as modules that, when present in different combinations, can have positive, neutral, or negative effects on splicing, depending upon the specific substrate. We conclude that SR protein-specific recognition of specific positive and negative pre-mRNA exonic elements via one or more RRMs is a crucial determinant of the substrate specificity of SR proteins in constitutive splicing.
In vitro cultivation of Treponema pallidum: independent confirmation

In vitro cultivation of the virulent Nichols strain of Treponema pallidum was achieved in a tissue culture system as described by A. H. Fieldsteel, D. L. Cox, and R. A. Moeckli (Infect. Immun. 32:908-915, 1981). In 7 of 8 experiments, 8.9- to 26.2-fold increases in the number of T. pallidum were observed over a 12- to 12-day period of incubation.
Costs and Benefits of Land Ownership: The Case of Russian Firms

Private ownership confers numerous benefits, including stronger performance incentives, better use of privately owned assets, and improved access to finance. We argue that privately owned land could be both an asset and a liability, and overall net benefits of land ownership are contingent on the quality of surrounding institutions. We present a simple model and empirical evidence based on the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS) in Russia, which clearly demonstrates such conditionality in the case of land ownership by Russian industrial firms. Consistently with earlier literature, land ownership facilitates firms’ access to finance (the “de Soto effect”), but at the same time entails additional risks and obstacles to doing business. When the quality of property rights protection and other key institutions is poor, land ownership could have an adverse effect on firms’ performance
Assessing the tone of televised economic messages during economic recovery: Positive and negative, global and local

Abstract Objective: To map the tone of local and global economic information transmitted in news and non-news TV programming during economic recovery, and to resolve a conflict in the literature between research where a negative trend in economic news was identified and studies which concluded that economic news reflects actual economic circumstances. Method: A content analysis of 140 hours of prime-time programming (news and non-news) aired by commercial networks and public broadcasting in Israel during one month. Results: Local news reflects fairly accurately current trends in the stock exchange while still maintaining a general tendency to employ a negative tone more frequently than a positive tone, even during economic recovery. Global economic news is more positive in tone than local economic news. References to the economy in the news are more positive and frequent than references to the economy in non-news programming. The tone of economic news in public broadcasting is more negative than the tone of economic news aired on commercial stations. Conclusions: The existence of a negative bias in economic news depends on the reported event. While News about the stock exchange is not biased, less concrete news is negatively biased.