Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytoprotective Effects of Nicotinamide Derivatives in Endothelial Cells

Following discovery of NAD+-dependent reactions that control gene expression, cytoprotection, and longevity, there has been a renewed therapeutic interest in precursors, such as nicotinamide and its derivatives. We tested 20 analogues of nicotinamide for their ability to protect endothelial cells from peroxynitrite stress and their effect on poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activity. Several nicotinamide derivatives protected endothelial cells from peroxynitrite-induced depletion of cellular NAD+ and ATP concentrations, but only some of these compounds inhibited PARP. We conclude that some nicotinamide derivatives provide protection of endothelial cells against peroxynitrite-induced injury independent of inhibition of PARP activity. Preservation of the NAD+ pool was a common effect of these compounds.
Essays on capability development through alliances

As a result of the surging rate of technological innovation in the last decades, firms in high-technology industries increasingly rely on alliances to tap into external knowledge sources and to develop new products and services. While alliances are of vital importance to many firms to develop new capabilities, they also inflict substantial economic costs to firms engaging in these activities, making effective design and management of alliance strategies crucial. Nevertheless, empirical evidence about the specific strategies for firms to benefit from alliances as well as about how firms make alliance formation decisions remains inconclusive. To address these issues, the three studies in this dissertation explore the antecedents and consequences of capability development through alliances in high-technology industries. By illuminating the antecedents and outcomes of different knowledge utilization strategies in alliances, the findings of this dissertation aim to improve the understanding and management of strategic alliances and provide actionable guidelines to managers and other corporate stakeholders in shaping the corporate development strategies of their firms.
Markovian Decision Processes in Shipment Consolidation

Shipment consolidation is a logistics strategy that combines two or more orders or shipments so that a larger quantity can be dispatched on the same vehicle. This paper discusses a discrete-time Markovian decision process (MDP) approach for determining when to release consolidated loads. We assume that the shipper controls the timing of each load dispatch. Thus, whenever a customer places an order, a choice must be made between dispatching this order (plus all others waiting) immediately, or continuing to consolidate until at least the arrival of the next order. Our MDP models of shipment consolidation consider movement by for-hire transportation (common carriage) or by a firm's own vehicles (private fleet). Small but realistic numerical examples illustrate the application of these models and the data-aggregation issues that must be resolved. Two minimization criteria are considered: cost per unit time, or cost per hundredweight per unit time. For private carriage, the optimal policy is of the control-limit type; for common carriage, it may not be. These potential differences in form of the optimal policy are true for either objective function. The possibly contrasting optimal policies are interpreted in light of the costs encountered by an industrial firm's private fleet compared to the freight charges of a public trucking company.
Prognostic value of mature microRNA-21 and microRNA-205 overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer by quantitative real-time RT-PCR.

BACKGROUND microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles are being intensively investigated for their involvement in carcinogenesis. We evaluated the prognostic value of mature microRNA-21 (miR-21) and mature microRNA-205 (miR-205) overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 48 pairs of NSCLC fresh frozen tissue specimens collected at time of surgery and before chemotherapy. Highly specific amplification and quantification of mature miR-21 and mature miR-205 was achieved using looped real time RT-PCR. RESULTS miRNA expression, determined by real time RT-PCR, was defined by DeltaDeltaCt measurements. We detected overexpression of mature miR-21 in 25 (52.0%) of the 48 NSCLC paired specimens and overexpression of miR-205 in 31 (64.6%). Overexpression was assessed after comparison of miRNA expression in NSCLC tissues and in their corresponding noncancerous tissues with respect to U6 expression. During the follow-up period, 29 of 48 (60.4%) patients relapsed, and 23 of 48 died (47.9%). Mature miR-21 was upregulated in 16 of 29 (55.2%) patients who relapsed and 15 of 23 (65.2%) patients who died. Mature miR-205 was overexpressed in 19 of 29 patients who relapsed (65.5%) and 15 of 23 patients who died (65.2%). Mature miR-21 overexpression correlated with overall survival (OS) of the patients (P = 0.027), whereas overexpression of mature miR-205 did not. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that overexpression of mature miR-21 is an independent negative prognostic factor for OS in NSCLC patients.
AN EXAMPLE OF ANOMALOUS SINGULAR HOMOLOGY

Introduction. The Cech homology groups of an r-dimensional space are known to vanish in dimensions greater than r. We will show that the corresponding assertion for the singular homology groups is false, even on the category of locally (r 1)-connected compacta. An rdimensional compactum X, locally contractible save at one point, is given such that the singular homology groups H,(X; Q) with rational coefficients are nontrivial for infinitely many values of q. This settles a question raised by Eilenberg and Steenrod [1, Problem 22]. Let X denote the union of a countable number of r-spheres (r > 1) with a single point in common and a metric topology such that the diameter of the spheres tends to zero with increasing index. This example was suggested by Steenrod. Our result is
Morphological Correlates of Acute and Permanent Hearing Loss During Experimental Pneumococcal Meningitis

In patients with acute bacterial meningitis, hearing loss can be transient but is often permanent. The mechanisms underlying meningitis‐associated hearing loss are not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated the morphological correlates of hearing loss in a rat model of pneumococcal meningitis. Transcutaneous intracisternal injection of Streptococcus pneumoniae resulted in a dose‐dependent hearing loss (determined by auditory brainstem response audiometry), which was partially reversible during the acute stage. Nevertheless, a severe permanent hearing loss persisted until 2 weeks after infection. Suppurative labyrinthitis was accompanied by blood‐labyrinth barrier disruption (determined by cochlear Evans blue extravasation), which correlated closely with hearing loss during the acute stage but not after recovery. Two weeks after infection, spiral ganglion neuronal density was markedly decreased and correlated with the severity of permanent hearing loss. Neuronal loss can be explained by the new finding of meningitis‐associated spiral ganglion neuronal necrosis rather than apop‐tosis (determined by morphology, TUNEL staining, and immunohistochemistry).
The Effect of Change Management on Operational Excellence in Electrical and Electronics Industry: Evidence from Malaysia

The objective of this study is to investigate the main hypothesis between change management and operational excellence.This empirical research utilizes causal studies as it attempt to ascertain the relationship between the soft systems in the change management and operational excellence. The study focuses on the soft systems (i.e. leadership, human resource, culture) in the change management.Based on the literature review, the authors develop a linkage that the change management factors are likely to contribute positively to the operational excellence of the organization.A survey of a sample of Malaysia’s manufacturing leading sector, Electrical and Electronics (E&E) industry was conducted between February 2013 and June 2013.More than 100 organizations responded to the questionnaire survey.Data was analyzed using multiple regressions.The theoretical framework guided by theoretical perspectives which is the resource-based view.There was a significant and positive relationship between transformational leadership style, human resource practices and involvement cultural trait on the achievement of operational excellence.Importantly, this research finding adds value to theory building in both change management and operational management domains.The contribution to a body of knowledge in terms of promoting better understanding of the operational excellence in Malaysian E&E industry. Practical adoption of change management may improve infrastructural decision areas of manufacturing strategy such as bench marking, best practices, quality practices and human resource policies. Therefore, it has implication on activities concerning organization and managing change.
Is more always better? An examination of the nonlinear effects of perceived organizational support on individual outcomes

ABSTRACT A wide range of research has accumulated detailing the positive associations of perceived organizational support (POS) with desirable workplace outcomes (e.g., high performance, high commitment, low deviance). In the process, there has been an implicit assumption that these relationships are linear, with ever-increasing POS resulting in ever-increasing positive outcomes. However, there are theoretical and practical reasons to question whether these relationships may be nonlinear rather than linear. Our results offer support for the notion that the relationships between POS and key individual outcomes rated by the supervisor may best be represented as nonlinear. We conclude by highlighting the implications for both theory and practice.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia candidate genes derived from embryonic transcriptomes

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a common (1 in 3,000 live births) major congenital malformation that results in significant morbidity and mortality. The discovery of CDH loci using standard genetic approaches has been hindered by its genetic heterogeneity. We hypothesized that gene expression profiling of developing embryonic diaphragms would help identify genes likely to be associated with diaphragm defects. We generated a time series of whole-transcriptome expression profiles from laser captured embryonic mouse diaphragms at embryonic day (E)11.5 and E12.5 when experimental perturbations lead to CDH phenotypes, and E16.5 when the diaphragm is fully formed. Gene sets defining biologically relevant pathways and temporal expression trends were identified by using a series of bioinformatic algorithms. These developmental sets were then compared with a manually curated list of genes previously shown to cause diaphragm defects in humans and in mouse models. Our integrative filtering strategy identified 27 candidates for CDH. We examined the diaphragms of knockout mice for one of the candidate genes, pre–B-cell leukemia transcription factor 1 (Pbx1), and identified a range of previously undetected diaphragmatic defects. Our study demonstrates the utility of genetic characterization of normal development as an integral part of a disease gene identification and prioritization strategy for CDH, an approach that can be extended to other diseases and developmental anomalies.
Sources of psychological states related to peak performance in elite table tennis players

The purpose of this study was to investigate the source of psychological states for peak performance in elite table tennis players. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten elite table tennis players (mean age = 20.90 ±1.85 years, mean sport years = 12.40±2.86), and the average duration of each interview lasted about 60 minutes . Content analysis was performed to analyze the qualitative data of transcribed verbatim obtained through individual face-to-face interviews. Optimal mental states were characterized by concentration, self-confidence, positive thinking, emotion management, and motivation through inductive analysis. Sources of concentration included sober-minded thinking, concentration on the present and seeking an opportunity to reverse. The sources of self-confidence were influenced by coaches' mental, tactical, and physical preparations before competition, belief in techniques, and social support. The sources of positive thinking included self-challenging and self-encouragement. Mental relaxation and competing as if just practicing were sources of emotional management. A desire to win and caring about results were the sources of motivation. These findings allow sport psychologists and coaches to target psychological skills to focus on and organize training programs for table tennis players.
The Influence of Trust in Traditional Contracting: Investigating the "Lived Experience" of Stakeholders

The traditional procurement approach is ever-present within the construction industry. With fundamental design principles founded on definitive risk allocation, this transactional based approach fails to acknowledge or foster the cooperative relationships considered to be vital to the success of any project. Contractual design encourages stakeholders to defend their own individual interest to the likely detriment of project objectives. These failings are not disputed, however, given that trust is a fundamental requirement for human interaction the influence of trust is potentially important in terms of stakeholder relationships and ultimate project success. Trust is therefore examined within this context. A conceptual framework of trust is presented and subsequently used to code and analyse detailed, semi-structured interviews with multiple stakeholders from different projects. Using a phenomenological investigation of trust via the lived experiences of multiple practitioners, issues pertaining to the formation and maintenance of trust within traditionally procured construction projects are examined. Trust was found to be integral to the lived experiences of practitioners, with both good and bad relationships evident within the constructs of traditional procurement mechanisms. In this regard, individual personalities were considered significant, along with appropriate risk identification and management. Communication, particularly of an informal nature, was also highlighted. A greater emphasis on project team selection during the initial stages of a project would therefore be beneficial, as would careful consideration of the allocation of risk. Contract design would also be enhanced through prescriptive protocols for developing and maintaining trust, along with mandated mechanisms for informal communication, particularly when responding to negative events. A greater understanding regarding the consequences of lost trust and the intricacies of trust repair would also be of value.
Should I stay or should I go? Customers’ reactions faced with the deterioration of a business relationship

Purpose – Inter-organisational relationships are sometimes subject to degradation. When incidents arise, and relationship attractiveness decreases, its evolution becomes uncertain. Adopting the supplier perspective, and starting from the idea that the outcome of the degradation process is mainly determined by customers’ reactions, this paper aims to develop a framework helping managers to understand those reactions. Design/methodology/approach – A case study carried out with a large French industrial company (FabIndus) specialised in the production of supplies destined to a large variety of business sectors. 26 semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff members of FabIndus and customers’ representatives identified as having recently been confronted with deterioration in their relationship. Findings – The paper finds that customers’ reactions vary according to the nature of the business relationship and the customer commitment when degradation begins. Using two types of commitment and the exit-voice-loyalty-neglect (EVLN) model, it is possible to identify four types of reactions in the situation of the deterioration of a relationship. For each one of the reactions, the paper defines the response strategy that suppliers may take on. Originality/value – The paper underlines the importance of a segmented view of business behaviours faced with the deterioration of a relationship. This can be helpful to elaborate differentiated response strategies, to avoid mutual misunderstandings.
Effects of Corporate Governance on the Performance of Private Economic Groups in Vietnam

Using the unique combined dataset of three previous surveys, this paper examines the effects of corporate governance on the performance of large private interprises in Vietnam. Five measures of corporate governance and three variable proxies for performance are employed to investigate effects of corporate governance on performance. Estimated results show that Chair-CEO duality positively correlates with better performance, and increasing the size of the board of directors is negatively associated with worse performance regardless of performance measures. These empirical effects are the same across sectors, export and import–related enterprises, and between female and male CEO enterprises. Independence of the board has no link to performance of enterprises. Such results contribute to the extant literature by providing empirical evidence and shedding light on understanding the effects of corporate governance on the performance of large private enterprises in Vietnam.
Low-Income and Low-Access Households' Expenditures on Healthy Food Away From Home

Low-income and low-access (LILA) households’ expenditures on healthy food away from home are analyzed by retailer type using the USDA’s National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey. Based on the results of Vuong model selection tests, the lognormal double-hurdle model is used to estimate households’ healthy food away from home (FAFH) participation and expenditures at four retailer types: supermarkets, convenience retailers, quick-service restaurants and full-service restaurants. Results indicate that LILA households are more likely to purchase healthy FAFH from convenience retailers than non-LILA households. Participating LILA households also have greater overall expenditures on healthy FAFH. This relationship is particularly pronounced at quick-service restaurants, where participating LILA households spend 15% more than non-LILA households on healthy FAFH. Other significant findings include that households’ healthy FAFH participation and expenditure decisions at each retailer type vary based on nutritional knowledge and time constraints, as well as other basic demographic, economic and geographic factors.
Effects of silver nanoparticles administration on the liver of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): histological and biochemical studies

Despite increasing application of silver nanoparticles (NPs) in industry and consumer products, there is still little known about their potential toxicity, particularly to organisms in aquatic environments. Regarding fast development of the nanotechnology and its diverse applications, is very important having enough data on the probably its side effects on the aquatic body organs. Therefore, present investigations were taken on the effects of nanosilver administration on the liver's histology and biochemistry in rainbow trout. For this study, the silver nanoparticles were synthesized in a one-step reduction process in an aqueous solution. 60 O. mykiss were obtained from a local commercial hatchery. Fish were divided randomly into four groups. Experimental fish were exposed to concentration of 3, 300 and 1000 mg/L of nanosilver solution for eight weeks. At the end of experiments, blood samples were collected and biochemical analyses of sera were performed. Tissue samples were also taken and histological alterations of the liver were examined. In the hepatic structure of the treated fish with nanosilver; local congestion in the liver parenchyma, decreasing in the size and diameter of the hepatocytes and massive destination in the hepatic sinusoids sizes were seen In addition, the serum levels of total protein was decreased significantly (P<0.05) by elevation in the nanosilver concentration. On the other hands, AST and ALT levels in sera showed a significant increase in the nanosilver treated fish (P<0.05) when compared to control group. It is concluded that nanosilver treating could induces hepatic side effects and its administrating in the aquatic systems should be reconsidered.
Degradation of an ubiquitin‐conjugated protein is associated with myoblast differentiation in primary cell culture

At the early stages of myogenesis, myoblasts fuse to form multinucleated myotubes. This morphological differentiation is the result of dynamic changes in gene regulation and expression. The ubiquitin proteasome‐dependent pathway has been reported to play an important role in many aspects of cellular functions such as regulation of growth and cell cycle progression. In this study, we showed that the amount of mRNA's corresponding to the iota subunit of the 20S proteasome, the level of the S4 subunit of the 19S complex and the 20S and 26S proteasomes peptidase activities increased during myoblast fusion. Cell permeable 20S proteasome inhibitor prevented fusion with concomitant accumulation of ubiquitin‐conjugated protein. On the other hand, inhibition of ubiquitin ligase E3 enzymes prevented the formation of ubiquitin conjugate and decreased the fusion process. These results strongly support the involvement of the ubiquitin‐proteasome proteolytic pathway in the events leading to myoblast fusion.
Structural Insights into Sulfite Oxidase Deficiency*

Sulfite oxidase deficiency is a lethal genetic disease that results from defects either in the genes encoding proteins involved in molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis or in the sulfite oxidase gene itself. Several point mutations in the sulfite oxidase gene have been identified from patients suffering from this disease worldwide. Although detailed biochemical analyses have been carried out on these mutations, no structural data could be obtained because of problems in crystallizing recombinant human and rat sulfite oxidases and the failure to clone the chicken sulfite oxidase gene. We synthesized the gene for chicken sulfite oxidase de novo, working backward from the amino acid sequence of the native chicken liver enzyme by PCR amplification of a series of 72 overlapping primers. The recombinant protein displayed the characteristic absorption spectrum of sulfite oxidase and exhibited steady state and rapid kinetic parameters comparable with those of the tissue-derived enzyme. We solved the crystal structures of the wild type and the sulfite oxidase deficiency-causing R138Q (R160Q in humans) variant of recombinant chicken sulfite oxidase in the resting and sulfate-bound forms. Significant alterations in the substrate-binding pocket were detected in the structure of the mutant, and a comparison between the wild type and mutant protein revealed that the active site residue Arg-450 adopts different conformations in the presence and absence of bound sulfate. The size of the binding pocket is thereby considerably reduced, and its position relative to the cofactor is shifted, causing an increase in the distance of the sulfur atom of the bound sulfate to the molybdenum.
Assessment of the ability of mice fed on vitamin A supplemented diet to respond to a variety of potential contact sensitizers

The contact sensitizing potential of various compounds was tested in mice maintained on a did supplemented with vitamin A acetate. Substances, were applied epicutaneously. After challenge. increases, in ear thickness were measured and the differences in response between control and treated groups determined by the Mann Whitney lest. A number test sensilizers. including Dowicil® 200, einnamaldehyde, hydroxycitronellal and Kathon® CG gave positive sensitivity responses.