Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cleavage of C4b by C3b inactivator: production of a nicked form of C4b, C4b', as an intermediate cleavage product of C4b by C3b inactivator.

We have investigated the mechanism of cleavage of C4b into C4c and C4d by the C3b inactivator (C3bINA) and revealed the formation of a nicked form of C4b as an intermediate cleavage product. The cleavage of C4b by the C3bINA was a two-step reaction. The first cleavage occurred on the alpha-chain (89,000 daltons) yielding two fragments, 73,000 daltons and 16,000 daltons. These fragments were bound to each other or to the beta or gamma chain through disulfide linkages. Therefore, an altered form of C4b, C4b', consisting of four disulfide-linked polypeptide chains with the same m.w. as C4b, was produced as an intermediate cleavage product. Subsequently, the second cleavage occurred on the alpha-chain fragment of 73,000 daltons to produce the two generally recognized fragments, C4c and C4d. In both cleavage reactions, a high m.w. cofactor protein, C4bC3bINACo, which is the same protein described as the C4 binding protein, was required, suggesting that both of the proteolytic processes are catalyzed by the C3bINA.
The financialisation of the nonfinancial corporation. A critique to the financial rentieralization hypothesis

One aspect in which nonfinancial corporations are said to be financialised is that they emulate the asset and income structure of financial corporations. This is what we call the financial rentieralization hypothesis. In this article we show that the evidence used to sustain it, in the US setting, has to be reconsidered. Our findings show that, contrary to the financial rentieralization hypothesis, financial income averages 2.5% of total income since the ‘80s while net financial profit gets more negative as percentage of total profit for nonfinancial corporations. In terms of assets, some of the alleged financial assets actually reflect other activities in which nonfinancial corporations have been increasingly engaging: internationalization of production, activities refocusing and M&As.
Participation of K+ Channels in the Endothelium-Dependent and Endothelium-Independent Components of the Relaxant Effect of Rosuvastatin in Rat Aortic Rings

Rosuvastatin was tested on rat aortic rings in the presence and absence of K+ channel blockers, mevalonic acid, and inhibitors of nitric oxide, prostaglandins, or endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor synthesis. The direct vascular effects of rosuvastatin were then evaluated by obtaining dose—response curves. Rosuvastatin relaxed aortic rings with and, to a lesser degree, without endothelium. Under both these conditions this effect was partially inhibited by L-NAME, tetraethylammonium, apamin + charybdotoxin (only administered together), or mevalonic acid. The combination of L-NAME with any of the other 3 treatments completely inhibited the effect of rosuvastatin, but indomethacin, clotrimazol, glibenclamide, charybdotoxin, or apamin alone had no effect. Therefore, the relaxation induced by rosuvastatin, even in the absence of endothelium, is partially related to 2 different mechanisms, one that is isoprenoid dependent and NO mediated and the other that is tied to the opening of Ca 2+-dependent K+ channels of the slow subfamily.
Development of a tool to characterize business models for forestry services

The Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) region is a part of northern Europe with common characteristics of low population density and low economic diversity, but with an abundance of natural resources. The region covers areas in eight countries, of which this study has focused on Sweden, Finland, Great Britain, and Ireland. Forests constitute a main resource in the region, with potential to create job opportu-nities. In Sweden and Finland, forestry service contractors have struggled with low profitability. Studies show reasons such as insufficient turnover, and shortcomings in business relationships and operational conditions. There are also identified differ-ences in contractors’ business structures. No studies have however targeted their business model design, which has been shown to provide competitive advantages in other industries. Therefore, this study aimed to adapt, validate and evaluate a business model canvas (BMC) for characterization of forestry service businesses by a three-step approach: 1) Adaptation: Experts in applying BMCs and in forestry services were interviewed targeting suitable adaptations to forestry. 2) Validation: The ability of the adapted canvas to capture variations between contractors and markets was tested by interviewing experts in the focus countries. 3) Evaluation: Outcomes were evaluated to adjust and propose a For-estry BMC (FBMC). Results revealed many similarities and differences, both within and between markets. Commonly, customer companies have a strong influence on business model design. Key differences were found in details of business model components, which moti-vates the need for a structured tool such as the FBMC to ensure covering of all rele-vant aspects.
Sector productivity and geographical diversification as export enhancing factors: the case of Portugal

An investigation of the relationship between productivity growth and exporting is vital to understand whether the policies of productivity-enhancing or of export-promotion are more adequate for economic progress. This thesis considers the relationship between exporting and productivity for thirty-two economic activities, in Portugal, from 2005 to 2017. I find that economic activities with high productivity levels are systematically likelier to register higher export levels than less productive ones. This result corroborates the self-selection theory. Furthermore, I test for the effect of geographical diversification on the volume of exports, and the presence of diminishing returns in this association. For both cases I find significant results, suggesting that economic activities enlisting more export destinations tend to possess higher export volumes, but also that after a certain threshold the negative effects of geographical diversification offset the associated positive benefits.
Effect of restorative techniques on fracture resistance of endodontically treated premolars

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of restorative materials and glass fiber post on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated premolars. Material and Methods: Fifty extracted single rooted lower premolars were used in this in vitro study and divided into 5 groups: sound teeth (control group); mesial-occlusal-distal (MOD) preparation + endodontic treatment + composite restoration; MOD preparation + endodontic treatment + glass fiber post + composite restoration; MOD preparation + endodontic treatment + amalgam restoration; MOD preparation + endodontic treatment + glass fiber post + amalgam restoration. The specimens were loaded on a universal testing machine at the crosshead speed of1 mm/min until fracture. The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA test. Results: The mean loads at fracture were 860.11 N, 801.79 N, 761.39 N, 737.14 N and 707.85 N respectively. There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in the fracture resistance of teeth restored with composite and amalgam, as well as restored with or without glass fiber post. Conclusions: The type of restorative material and the usage of glass fiber post do not have visible influence on the fracture resistance of the endodontically treated mandibular premolars.
Peer Effects in Endogenous Networks

This paper presents a model of strategic network formation with local complementarities in effort levels and positive local externalities. Results are obtained for a general class of payoff functions, which subsumes the linear-quadratic specification frequently used in theoretical and applied work. We assume homogeneous agents and characterize equilibria for two-sided and one-sided link formation. (Pairwise) Nash equilibrium networks are nested split graphs, which are a strict subset of core-periphery networks. We highlight the relevance of the convexity of the value function for obtaining these structures. More central agents are shown to exert more effort and obtain higher gross payoffs in equilibrium. However, net of linking cost, central agents may obtain strictly lower net payoffs. The curvature of the value function is also important for efficiency considerations. These findings are relevant for many social and economic phenomena, such as educational attainment, criminal activity, labor market participation, and R&D expenditures of firms.
Proactive strategic responses to sustainability determinants: the use of management control systems

ix DECLARATION.xi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.xii CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 BACKGROUND . 1 1.2 MOTIVATION OF THE THESIS . 6 1.3 THE STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS . 15 1.4 OUTLINE OF THE THESIS . 19 CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW . 21 2.
Immune cell functions in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer kills nearly 29,000 people in the United States annually-as many people as are diagnosed with the disease. Chemotherapeutic treatment is ineffective in halting progression of the disease. Yet, specific immunity to pancreatic tumor cells in subjects with pancreatic cancer has been demonstrated repeatedly during the last 24 years. Attempts to expand and enhance tumor-specific immunity with biotherapy, however, have not met with success. The question remains, "Why can't specific immunity regulate pancreatic cancer growth? " The idea that tumor cells have evolved protective mechanisms against immunity was raised years ago and has recently been revisited by a number of research laboratories. In pancreatic cancer, soluble factors produced by and for the protection of the tumor environment have been detected and are often distributed to the victim's circulatory system where they may effect a more generalized immunosuppression. Yet the nature of these soluble factors remains controversial, since some also serve as tumor antigens that are recognized by the same T cells that may become inactivated by them. Unless the problem of tumor-derived immunosuppressive products is addressed directly through basic and translational research studies, successful biotherapeutic treatment for pancreatic cancer may not be forthcoming.
Prognostic implications of DNA aneuploidy in 156 untreated multiple myeloma patients

In this study the incidence of DNA aneuploidy in a large series of untreated multiple myeloma (MM) patients was assessed in order to determine its clinical and prognostic significance. A total of 156 MM patients were included in the study. DNA measurements were performed in all cases at diagnosis using two different flow cytometry methods: (1) propidium iodide (PI) staining on isolated nuclei, and (2) CD38/PI double staining on whole cells. The DNA ploidy status was correlated with the most relevant clinical and haematological disease characteristics. From the 156 cases analysed, 91 (58%) were aneuploid (56% hyperdiploid and 2% hypodiploid). The correlation between the two techniques on the detection of DNA aneuploidy was excellent, although CD38/PI double staining would be preferable in cases with <5% of DNA aneuploid plasma cells (PC). Upon comparing the clinical and haematological disease characteristics of hyperdiploid versus diploid cases, the former group was characterized by a lower age, reduced incidence of anaemia, lower 02M levels, higher proliferative activity within the residual normal haemopoietic cells, increased expression of CD 5 6 antigen in PC, and higher proportion of PB CD4+ T cells. In contrast, diploid cases had a higher expression of the CD10, CD20 and CD15 antigens and greater numbers of PB CD56+CD3 NK cells (P < 0–05). Circulating PC were identified in six cases, all being diploid. Overall survival was significantly longer in hyperdiploid compared to diploid MM (P = 0–02).
Globalization, Poverty and Environmental Degradation: Sustainable Development in Pakistan

The purpose of the present research is to investigate the impact of globalization, and poverty along with other socio-economic and demographic factors (such as industrialization, fertilizer use, urbanization, population growth and education) on environmental degradation in Pakistan . The study analyzed simultaneously the effect of environmental degradation, globalization and poverty on economic growth as well. The Study found a long run relationship between economic growth, environmental degradation, globalization, poverty and other socio-economic and demographic factors mentioned above. The study displayed that increased globalization caused to decrease the rate of environmental degradation and played positive roll on economic development in Pakistan . The analysis suggested that poverty may cause to increase environmental degradation and may slower the process of economic development if it would not be alleviated. If we want to attain sustainable development in Pakistan , we have to globalize our resources, reduce poverty, own green technologies, control growing population and urbanization rate.
Malignant struma ovarii: presentation and management.

Struma ovarii are rare tumours and just over 400 cases are reported in the world literature (Gould et al, 1983). The incidence of malignancy is reported as 5–10% of all cases of struma ovarii (Marcus & Marcus, 1961) but has been reported as less (Gould et al, 1983). The metastasis rate is estimated to be 5–6% (Emge, 1940) and only 21 cases with metastases have so far been reported (Dalley, 1970; Pardo-Mindan & Vazquez, 1983; Willemse et al, 1987; Rosenblum et al, 1989). Owing to their rarity, there is no universal agreement as to management. Surgical excision continues to remain the initial definitive primary treatment. However, metastatic and recurrent malignant struma ovarii have been treated with radioactive 131I (Woodruff et al, 1966; Kempers et al, 1970; Willemse et al, 1987). Intra-peritoneal radiocolloids (Woodruff et al, 1966; Rosenblum et al, 1989) and external beam radiotherapy (Gonzalez-Angulo et al, 1963; Woodruff et al, 1966; Pardo-Mindan & Vazquez, 1983) have also found a useful role in pall.
Modeling and simulation of sol-gel thin films for monolithic microwave integrated circuit applications

This paper reports on the feasibility study of using sol gel lead zirconate titanate for monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) thin film capacitors. The films were modeled as thin film microstrip lines (TFMS) and their microwave behaviour was simulated using a commercially available electromagnetic simulator Sonnet. The capacitances were calculated for film thicknesses ranging from 0.1 - 0.3 /spl mu/m and with dielectric constant from 100 - 1000 over the frequency range of 1 to 100 GHz. In addition, the characteristic impedances of various TFMS lines were also calculated for different line widths. For a 500 dielectric constant/1 /spl mu/m film thickness structure, the width obtained for a 50 /spl Omega/ is less than 1 /spl mu/m. Results of this study show that the proposed sol-gel material can be used for efficient size reduction in MMIC.
Contribution of Wildlife to the Value of U.S. Southern Forestland

Rural appraisers should be aware of the important contribution wildlife values and hunting leases make to forestland value. Many rural appraisals take place on small family holdings that constitute about 62 percent of private forestland in the United States. Roughly 12 percent of these small forest holdings are leased for hunting or some other recreational use, producing significant annual revenue. The methodology to value these contributions is described. Using southern hunting lease revenues and a six percent real discount rate, hunting leases increased forestland values by $184.00 per acre on average, certainly a significant contribution to value.
The Effectiveness of Using the Cooperative Language Learning Approach to Enhance EFL Writing Skills among Saudi University Students

Cooperative language learning (CLL) approach was used to encourage second-year university students at the college of languages and translation, at Al-Imam University to learn from their peers so that they could develop their writing skills. Students in CLL-based groups were trained to be more responsible for their learning through developing their personal interaction as well as their linguistic competence in a more relaxed social context. This treatment included sophomore students enrolled in EN 211 course in the second semester of 2013 academic year. Two instruments were used in this study; a pre-post writing test, and an attitude questionnaire. The pre- and post- scores from the test were calculated for descriptive statistics and compared using a Wilcoxon Test. The process of evaluating students’ writings focused mainly on analyzing their mistakes with regard to spelling, using of vocabulary, grammar, punctuation as well as coherence. The findings revealed that the students’ scores in writing were higher for the post-test than the pre-test at the significance level of . 001 after being subject to this kind of treatment. However, it must be stated that the degree of improvement was not extremely high as students still made some mistakes with regard to the previously mentioned points. As for the attitude scale, the results obtained proved that the students developed positive attitudes towards using the cooperative learning approach to develop language skills in general and to develop their writing skills in particular.
Assessment of Rice Market Competiveness Using Horizontal Price Transmission: Empirical Evidence from Southern Region of Nigeria

The study examined the horizontal price transmission and market integration between the local and foreign rice market in the Southern region of Nigeria. The study used average monthly prices of local and foreign rice in the rural and urban markets from January 2005 to June 2014. The findings show that, prices of local and foreign rice in the rural and urban markets have constant exponential growth rate of 0.60%. The Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a strong positive relationship between prices of local and foreign rice in both rural and urban markets. The cross-product Granger causality test revealed bidirectional relationship between prices of local and foreign rice in the region. The results of the cross co-integration test revealed the presence of co-integration between prices of the two products. The coefficients of the price variable in the cross co-integration equations for the local and foreign rice markets converge to the law of one price which connotes instantaneous price adjustment and competitiveness. The result of the cross - product error correction model also confirmed the existence of the short run market integration between the two markets. The study established the fact that, price of local rice competes favorably with its foreign counter part and thus a perfect substitute especially in the rural area. Based on the finding, it is recommended that, short term policies should be used to intervene in the rice sub sector in the region. Policies aimed at boosting local production of rice should be encouraged, while value additions in the domestic produced rice should be pursuit vigorously.
Can fear conditioning repel California sea lions from fishing activities?

Marine mammal interactions with fisheries create conflicts that can threaten human safety, economic interests and marine mammal survival. A deterrent that capitalizes on learning mechanisms, like fear conditioning, may enhance success while simultaneously balancing welfare concerns and reduce noise pollution. During fear conditioning, individuals learn the cues that precede the dangerous stimuli, and respond by avoiding the painful situations. We tested the efficacy of fear conditioning using acoustic stimuli for reducing California sea lion Zalophus californianus interactions from two fishing contexts in California, USA; bait barges and recreational fishing vessels. We performed conditioning trials on 24 individual sea lions interacting with bait barges. We tested for acquisition of conditioned fear by pairing a neutral tone with a startle stimulus. Avoidance was strongest in response to the startle stimulus alone, but low when paired with a neutral tone. From actively fishing vessels, we tested for fear conditioning by exposing sea lions to a neutral tone followed by a startle pulse, a startle pulse alone or a no sound control. We conducted playbacks from 146 (including 48 no sound control) stops over two summer fishing seasons (2013, 2014). The startle stimulus decreased surfacing frequency, reduced bait foraging and increased surfacing distance from the vessel while the conditioned stimulus only caused a mild reduction in surfacing frequency with no other behavioral change. Exposing animals to a pair of a conditioned stimulus with a startle pulse did not achieve the intended management outcome. Rather, it generated evidence (in two study contexts) of immediate learning that led to the reduction of the unconditioned response. Taken together, our results suggest that for fear conditioning to be applied as a non‐lethal deterrent, careful consideration has to be given to individual behavior, the unconditioned/conditioned responses and the overall management goals.
Investigating Multiple Devices Used in the Hotel Reservation Process

With the growing ownership of multiple technology devices, and the contribution of mobile travel bookings to the overall travel market, it is critical to investigate the hotel searching and booking process for different device users. This research investigates four categories of device users via a survey with 383 respondents, in the context of search behaviour and information sources used. The results reveal that search engines and family and friends are the most frequently used information sources while the personal computer (PC) is the most used device for both searching and booking. However, there is a significant difference in how these device users engage with information sources, specifically online travel agents (OTAs) and search engines. Furthermore, device users favor one device and are unlikely to switch devices during the search process.
Diagnostic utility of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS‐C16 and QIDS‐SR16) in the elderly

Doraiswamy PM, Bernstein IH, Rush AJ, Kyutoku Y, Carmody TJ, Macleod L, Venkatraman S, Burks M, Stegman D, Witte B, Trivedi MH. Diagnostic utility of the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS‐C16 and QIDS‐SR16) in the elderly.
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) Induces Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells: Role in Endothelial Permeability

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a member of the perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) containing an eight-carbon backbone. PFOS is a man-made chemical with carbon–fluorine bonds that are among the strongest in organic chemistry, and PFOS is widely used in industry. Human occupational and environmental exposure to PFOS occurs globally. PFOS is non-biodegradable and is persistent in the human body and environment. In this study, data demonstrated that exposure of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) to PFOS induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at both high and low concentrations. Morphologically, it was found that exposure to PFOS induced actin filament remodeling and endothelial permeability changes in HMVEC. Furthermore, data demonstrated that the production of ROS plays a regulatory role in PFOS-induced actin filament remodeling and the increase in endothelial permeability. Our results indicate that the generation of ROS may play a role in PFOS-induced aberrations of the endothelial permeability barrier. The results generated from this study may provide a new insight into the potential adverse effects of PFOS exposure on humans at the cellular level.