Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phosphoinositides Regulate Clathrin-Dependent Endocytosis at the Tip of Pollen Tubes in Arabidopsis and Tobacco[W]

Two interconvertible phosphoinositides, PI(4,5)P2 and PI4P, function in different steps of clathrin-dependent endocytosis in pollen tubes. Whereas accumulation of PI(4,5)P2 is required for the initial steps of membrane invagination, PI4P is required for the later steps of closing and/or fission of invaginated membrane. Using the tip-growing pollen tube of Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum as a model to investigate endocytosis mechanisms, we show that phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase 6 (PIP5K6) regulates clathrin-dependent endocytosis in pollen tubes. Green fluorescent protein–tagged PIP5K6 was preferentially localized to the subapical plasma membrane (PM) in pollen tubes where it apparently converts phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2]. RNA interference–induced suppression of PIP5K6 expression impaired tip growth and inhibited clathrin-dependent endocytosis in pollen tubes. By contrast, PIP5K6 overexpression induced massive aggregation of the PM in pollen tube tips. This PM abnormality was apparently due to excessive clathrin-dependent membrane invagination because this defect was suppressed by the expression of a dominant-negative mutant of clathrin heavy chain. These results support a role for PI(4,5)P2 in promoting early stages of clathrin-dependent endocytosis (i.e., membrane invagination). Interestingly, the PIP5K6 overexpression-induced PM abnormality was partially suppressed not only by the overexpression of PLC2, which breaks down PI(4,5)P2, but also by that of PI4Kβ1, which increases the pool of PI4P. Based on these observations, we propose that a proper balance between PI4P and PI(4,5)P2 is required for clathrin-dependent endocytosis in the tip of pollen tubes.
Incidence and Structure of European Buyout Syndicates: Empirical Results from an Integrated Study

We empirically examine under what conditions lead financiers decide to finance a buyout through a syndicate of multiple investors and how these syndicates are structured, using a unique dataset of 865 European buyouts during 1999-2009. We rely on a theoretical framework that integrates the benefits of syndication, based on risk-diversification, resource-based, and deal-flow motives, and the costs of syndication, such as potential information and incentive problems within the syndicate. We find evidence that lead financiers syndicate to diversify target default and legal risk, and to learn about the institutions of the target country. Lead financiers subsequently decide on the fraction of the deal to retain and on the number of syndicate participants so as to minimize syndication costs while further maximizing syndication benefits. Interestingly, and after accounting for the endogeneity of syndication decisions, we find that the post-buyout profitability and growth of target firms are superior when buyouts are syndicated and when these syndicates are structured to maximize investor involvement while limiting conflicts of interest.
The Influence of Perceived Belonging on Social Network Site Adoption

Adoption research on Social Network Sites (SNSs) indicates that all three popular Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) constructs, Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Enjoyment, and Perceived Usefulness, influence the Behavioral Intention to Use SNSs. In contrast, little is known about the specific antecedents of Perceived Enjoyment and Perceived Usefulness in an SNS context. We address this gap by studying whether Perceived Belonging, which we describe as the degree to which a person feels connected to and accepted by other individuals, has an influence on these two constructs. After surveying 415 students and applying a structural equation modeling approach, we confirm that Perceived Belonging positively influences both Perceived Enjoyment and Perceived Usefulness and, hence, also indirectly influences overall SNS adoption behavior.
Comprehensive assessment of DNA copy number alterations in human prostate cancers using Affymetrix 100K SNP mapping array

Although multiple recurrent chromosomal alterations have been identified in prostate cancer cells, the specific genes driving the apparent selection of these changes remain largely unknown. In part, this uncertainty is due to the limited resolution of the techniques used to detect these alterations. In this study, we applied a high‐resolution genome‐wide method, Affymetrix 100K SNP mapping array, to screen for somatic DNA copy number (CN) alterations among 22 pairs of samples from primary prostate cancers and matched nonmalignant tissues. We detected 355 recurrent deletions and 223 recurrent gains, many of which were novel. As expected, the sizes of novel alterations tend to be smaller. Importantly, among tumors with increasing grade, Gleason sum 6, 7, and 8, we found a significant trend of larger number of alterations in the tumors with higher grade. Overall, gains are significantly more likely to occur within genes (74%) than are deletions (49%). However, when we looked at the most frequent CN alterations, defined as those in ≥4 subjects, we observed that both gains (85%) and deletions (57%) occur preferentially within genes. An example of a novel, recurrent alteration observed in this study was a deletion between the ERG and TMPRSS2 genes on chromosome 21, presumably related to the recently identified fusion transcripts from these two genes. Results from this study provide a basis for a systematic and comprehensive cataloging of CN alterations associated with grades of prostate cancer, and the subsequent identification of specific genes that associated with initiation and progression of the disease. This article contains supplementary material available via the Internet at http://www.interscience. wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
COMPETENCE MODEL IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROCESS

Traditional learning processes in contemporary management practice, especially in global business environment, are being challenged by new approaches. They can not be avoided in the hospitality and tourism industry. Kolb’s experimental learning model is a solid base to build on. Experimental learning theory uses personal and group experiences while taking participants through various stages of learning associated with the theory. However, when talking about concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation as stages of experimental learning, student variations in attitude, motivation, and style as well as ability have to be understood. The model of competences as underlying characteristic of a person could help to clarify this issue. We comprehend competence as a broader concept than skills. Affective and motivational factors should be added as well as personality traits next to different kinds of skills. Moreover, we could claim that cognition is only one aspect of the human mind. The other two aspects: affection and conation have often been neglected in education. Due to that reason we will decompose competences into cognitive, behavioural, and conative. While the first two are increasingly present and included in education programmes, conative ones are scarcely the subject of training programmes, because they are inborn and can be only encouraged, but their role should not be neglected.
Dose-Dependent Toxicity of a Commercially Available Demineralized Bone Matrix Material

Study Design. A relative risk assessment was performed to determine the safety of three commercially available Grafton demineralized bone matrix quantities used in athymic rats. Objective. To evaluate the possible dose-dependent adverse effects of a commercially available demineralized bone matrix containing glycerol. Summary of Background Data. Commercially available Grafton demineralized bone matrix contains glycerol. The toxic effects of glycerol leading to acute renal failure have been documented. The toxicity of this glycerol-containing substance in higher doses has not been reported. Methods. Three doses of Grafton putty were implanted in the upper hind limb muscles of athymic nude rats. The rats were observed for adverse effects and early death. Histologic studies were performed. Results. All eight of the rats implanted with the highest dose of Grafton putty (0.008 mL/g) died, five of them within 12 hours of implantation and three in 48 to 72 hours. One rat with the intermediate dose (0.004 mL/g) died within 12 hours of implantation. By 72 hours after implantation, three of the six rats (50%) with the intermediate dose had died. All six of the rats receiving the lowest dose (0.002cc/g) survived. The median lethal dose of Grafton putty in athymic rats was estimated to be 0.00469 mL/g body weight. Histologic analysis of the animals that received the high dose showed acute tubular necrosis, probably secondary to rhabdomyolysis. Conclusions. In athymic rats, large amounts of Grafton putty lead to death in a dose-dependent manner. Because the median lethal doses of Grafton putty (0.00469 mL/g) and glycerol (0.00442 mL/g) are comparable, a potential source of toxicity is the glycerol contained in the material. The results of this study suggest that high doses have the potential to cause acute renal failure. The authors suggest that clinical usage of Grafton putty in humans should be limited to no more than 2 mL/kg body weight of this material.
Paradigm Shifts - E-Business and Business/Systems Integration

The last decade or so spawned a host of business and technology innovations. On the business side, we saw business process reengineering, the management philosophies of customer relationship management and supply chain management, virtual organizations, electronic commerce, and business-tobusiness trading exchanges. On the technology side, we saw client-server computing, enterprise resource planning systems, the widespread adoption of Internet protocols, intranets and enterprise information portals, software package support for customer relationship management, supply chain management and other activities related to electronic business, and applications service providers. This tutorial puts put these business and technology innovations into historical context and relates them to one another through the unifying concepts of business integration and systems integration. One theme of the tutorial is the incomplete linkage between business integration and systems integration. Another is the imperfect relationship between the management philosophies of customer relationship management, supply chain management and electronic
The Effect of the Income Smoothing on the Market Return of Listed Companies in Amman Stock Exchange

The study aims to identify the effect of the income smoothing on the market return of the industrial and service companies listed on Amman Stock Exchange. They study also investigates the effect of firm size and type of sector on the income smoothing process. The sample of the study comprises 44 industrial companies and 26 service companies listed on the Amman stock exchange during the period of (1996-2005). Eckel, (1981) model was used to classify the companies into smoothers and non-smoother. Four measures of income are used to achieve the objective of the study which are gross profit, net operating income, income before tax and net income. Three measures for size are used in the study: average of sales, average of total assets, and average of total market value. Descriptive measures, Person Test, Multiple Regression and T-Test are used to analyze the data of the study. The findings of the study revealed that some Jordanian companies practiced income smoothing, where the income smoothing appeared in all four measures of income in both sectors and in different proportions. It also indicated that there is no significant difference occurred between the type of sector and income smoothing behavior by using different income measures except gross profit as a measure of smooth. Also, there is no significant difference occurred between the size of smoothing companies and non-smooth companies concerning their income by using three size measures (average of sales, average of total assets, and average of total market value) with an exception to the difference between the size smooth companies and non-smooth companies in case of using average sales when both sectors are tested at the same time. Finally, the findings indicated that there is a significant statistical impact of income smoothing behavior on abnormal market return.
Emerging Boards of Directors: Board Behavior, Functions and Firm Performance

Bulk of the empirical studies on corporate boards analyze boards in an institutional environment of dispersed ownership, i.e. mainly in the USA and UK. In this paper we investigate the role that corporate boards play in an environment with highly concentrated ownership and weak institutional environment, using new data from a survey of board members in Russian firms. First, we sketch a simple typology of Russian boards. Second, we show how board characteristics and ownership structure of a firm are correlated with the relative importance of different board functions. We provide evidence that in Russian firms advisory role of boards, i.e. their role in formulating a strategy, seems to be more important than monitoring role. Since large owners have strong incentives to monitor management directly, the monitoring role of the board is reduced. Finally, we test the effect of board's involvement in strategic issues on firm performance and find it to be insignificant.
Experimental analyses and molecular simulation of the thermal aging of transformer insulation paper

Thermal aging of insulation paper occurs during transformer operation, with the water produced during aging accelerating the thermal aging process. Insulation paper aging largely determines the operational life of a transformer pressboard; accordingly, research pertaining to insulation paper enhancement is significant with respect to the functional safety of transformers. Within molecular research, particularly that focusing on molecular simulation, appropriate force field selection is paramount in order to acquire accurate results, in addition to appropriately reflecting cellulose thermal stability and associated degradation mechanisms. In the current study, two diverse cellulose models (water only; water, dicyandiamide, melamine and polyacrylamide) are developed and analyzed. Numerous model variables, including the diffusion coefficient of water and cellulose chain distance, are collated, in order to examine the effects of amines on the thermal stability of cellulose. Additionally, a novel insulation paper is formulated by combining traditional insulation paper with three diverse amines; an accelerated aging experiment is thus undertaken, comparing traditional and modified insulation paper samples at 110 °C, together with periodic assessment of both microwater content and the degree of polymerization (DP). Results indicate that during transformer operation, a higher degree of elasticity is associated with the modified insulation paper, thus significantly increasing its toughness and extensibility, in parallel with decreasing it brittleness. Results also show that the DP associated with cellulose comprising the modified insulation paper decreases at a reduced rate, with measured water content significantly less than that of traditional insulation paper. Simulation results are consistent with experimental findings. Therefore, it may be concluded that the thermal aging properties of cellulose significantly improve upon addition of dicyandiamide, melamine, and polyacrylamide as thermal stabilizers.
A Study on the Effects of Collaborative Supply Management on Buyer and Supplier Performance：From a View of Capabilities Transfer Throughout the Supply Chain

Managers have come to realized that a large and increasing amount of sources for a corporate competitive advantage can be found in their company's supply chain. At a fundamental level, there is a similar consensus that building a collaborative supply management is a more effective way of managing firms' supply chains. This paper is an attempt to examine the effects of collaborative supply management by probing a mechanism which shows how competences and/or performance are transferred from suppliers to markets through the supply chains. Research hypotheses regarding the relationships between collaborative supply management, supplier Performance, buyer internal performance (new product development and operational performance), and buyer market performance were empirically validated by utilizing a structural equation modeling analysis. The research result Indicates the positive impacts of a collaborative supply chain on supply performance as well as buyer internal and market performance, which also well illustrate how the improved competence and/or performance of suppliers engendered from the supplier-buyer collaboration flows throughout the entire supply chain.
Enhancement of p53 gene transfer efficiency in hepatic tumor mediated by transferrin receptor through trans-arterial delivery

Transferrin-DNA complex mediated by transferrin receptor in combination with interventional trans-arterial injection into a target organ may be a duel-target-oriented delivery means to achieve an efficient gene therapy. In this study, transferrin receptor expression in normal human hepatocyte and two hepatocellular-carcinoma cells (Huh7/SK-Hep1) was determined. p53-LipofectAMINE with different amounts of transferrin was transfected into the cells and the gene transfection efficiency was evaluated. After VX2 rabbit hepatocarcinoma model was established, the transferrin-p53-LipofectAMINE complex was delivered into the hepatic artery via interventional techniques to analyze the therapeutic p53 gene transfer efficiency in vivo by Western blot, immunohistochemical/immunofluorescence staining analysis and survival time. The results were transferrin receptor expression in Huh7 and SK-Hep1 cells was higher than in normal hepatocyte. Transfection efficiency of p53 was increased in vitro in both Huh7 and SK-Hep1 cells with increasing transferrin in a dose-dependent manner. As compared to intravenous administration, interventional injection of p53-gene complex into hepatic tumor mediated by transferrin-receptor, could enhance the gene transfer efficiency in vivo as evaluated by Western blot, immunohistochemical/immunofluorenscence staining analyses and improved animal survival (H = 12.567, p = 0.0019). These findings show the transferrin-transferrin receptor system combined with interventional techniques enhanced p53-gene transfer to hepatic tumor and the duel-target-oriented gene delivery may be an effective approach for gene therapy.
Linoleate and Fatty-acid Patterns of Serum Lipids in Multiple Sclerosis and Other Diseases

The linoleic acid content of serum lipids was measured in 47 patients with multiple sclerosis, 29 patients with other neurological diseases, 35 patients with acute non-neurological illnesses, and 49 healthy control subjects. Reduced linoleic acid content of serum lipids was not specific to multiple sclerosis and occurred in all ill patients with acute non-neurological illness. The fatty-acid pattern of serum lipids in illness resembles that of essential fatty-acid deficiency. It seems that this pattern of reduced linoleic acid content with increased oleic, palmitic, and palmitoleic acid content may be a general phenomenon in ill patients.
Creating Growth in New Markets: A Simultaneous Model of Firm Entry and Price

Sales in a new market generally follow a hockey-stick pattern: After commercialization, sales are very low for some time before there is a dramatic takeoff in growth. Reported sales takeoffs across products vary widely from a few years to several decades. Prior research identifies new firm entry or price declines as key factors that relate to the timing of a sales takeoff in new markets. However, this literature considers these variables to be exogenous and only finds unilateral effects. In the present article, new firm entry and price declines are modeled as being endogenous. Thus, the simultaneous relationship between price declines and firm entry in the introductory period of new markets when industry sales are negligible is studied. Using a sample of new markets formed in the United States during the last 135 years, strong support for a simultaneous model of price and firm entry is found: Price decreases relate to the competitive pressures associated with firm entry, and, in turn, firm entry is lower in new markets with rapidly falling prices. Furthermore, a key driver of firm entry during the early years of a new market involves the level of patent activity, and a key driver of price decreases is the presence of large firms. In contrast to the recommendations from other research, these results indicate that rapid price declines may further delay sales takeoff in industries by dampening new firm entry. Instead, rapid sales takeoffs in new markets come from encouraging greater innovative activity and the entry of large firms.
Epidemiology of eating disorders: creating opportunities to move the current classification paradigm forward.

The three articles presented in the epidemiology section of this special classification issue represent investigations across three populations in the USA: Asians, Blacks, and Latinos. The strengths of these studies are multiple. All of the data sets were taken from large, nationally representative population studies, with the first and last of these papers using data from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS). Across all papers, the epidemiology of eating disorders was examined in adults, with an additional investigation of adolescents (aged 13–17 years) in the Black population. Diagnoses were generated using the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI), an omnibus psychiatric interview that generates DSM-IV eating disorder diagnoses for the lifetime as well as the previous 12month period, and which has been used in recent epidemiological studies. 1,2 Making direct comparison possible across the three populations, all investigators used the nomenclature system of the National Comorbidity Survey, 1 yielding diagnoses of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and a meta-category, all binge eating disorders (BE). In addition, a category of so-called ‘‘partial AN’’ was investigated in the Latino population, where the amenorrhea criterion was not required. A welcome addition to the epidemiology literature was investigation of males as well as females across the three studies.