Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human gingiva is another site of C-reactive protein formation.

OBJECTIVES C-reactive protein (CRP) is primarily synthesized in the liver. It is hypothesized that human gingiva per se may produce CRP and its expression could be associated with IL-6. This study elucidated the CRP expression profile in human gingiva and its possible association with IL-6. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety-four gingival biopsies were collected from 44 subjects with chronic periodontitis and 18 periodontally healthy subjects. CRP protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, while CRP and IL-6 mRNAs were examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR. CRP protein expression in the reconstituted human gingival epithelia (RHGE) was examined by the particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay and Western blotting. RESULTS CRP protein was detected in gingival tissues from patients and healthy subjects by immunohistochemistry and confirmed by Western blotting. Its expression pattern and level at 16 pairs of periodontal pocket tissues and the adjacent clinically healthy tissues from 16 patients were significantly interrelated (r(s)=0.693, p<0.01). CRP mRNA expression was strongly correlated with IL-6 (r=0.694, p<0.001). Both CRP protein and mRNA were detected in the RHGE. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows for the first time that human gingiva is able to produce CRP in situ that may be associated with IL-6 activity.
Audit Report Lag: A Study of the Bangladeshi Listed Companies

Financial statements are prepared to provide useful information in making business and economic decisions. This information is important for users, especially investors as they use the statements to assess financial condition and performance of the related companies. However, this information is only useful when it is up to date and can be retrieved by investors on timely basis. It is contended that, when the time taken to produce the audit report increased, the usefulness of the information disclosed in company annual reports would decline. The delay in the production of audited financial statements not only affects the usefulness of the information but also the relevancy and reliability of the documents. Despite the importance of timely release of financial information, little has been done to investigate the cause of audit report lag–that is, the main reason of financial reporting delay, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. Thus, the main purpose of this study is to identify factors that affect the timeliness of audit reports of the Bangladeshi listed companies. Based on a sample of 87 listed companies, the results of the study indicate that the time taken to conclude the audit work is around 101 days. The shortest is 14 days, while the longest is 272 days. The multivariate results show that type of auditor, financial company, profitability and company size significantly reduced the time taken to prepare audit report. On the other hand, type of audit report and leverage significantly increase the time taken to conclude the audit work.
The European Competitiveness The Economic Crisis Lessons of Transportation Enterprises in Poland and other Central and Eastern Europe Countries

One of the main aims of the European Union (EU) is the European competitiveness. To achieve this goal, it is important to study the lessons of the economic crisis. This in turn allows the development of measures. The aim of this article is to analyse the economic crisis lessons of the transportation and storage enterprises of Poland and other new EU Member States from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE-8), and to compare them on the EU level. The purpose is to analyse the labour productivity before and after the economic crisis by gross value added per person employed and employee and turnover per person employed. We will look at how the economic crisis has affected the labour productivity of transportation companies and analyze the changes in the companies. In the background, we look at the countries' economic (GDP) development and quality of life. What are the lessons learned from the economic crisis? The literature review shows the crisis theory. Based on this and previous publications, we will offer a number of generalized suggestions.
Regulation of Hypoxic Death in C. elegans by the Insulin/IGF Receptor Homolog DAF-2

To identify genetic determinants of hypoxic cell death, we screened for hypoxia-resistant (Hyp) mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans and found that specific reduction-of-function (rf) mutants of daf-2, an insulin/insulinlike growth factor (IGF) receptor (INR) homolog gene, were profoundly Hyp. The hypoxia resistance was acutely inducible just before hypoxic exposure and was mediated through an AKT-1/PDK-1/forkhead transcription factor pathway overlapping with but distinct from signaling pathways regulating life-span and stress resistance. Selective neuronal and muscle expression of daf-2(+) restored hypoxic death, anddaf-2(rf) prevented hypoxia-induced muscle and neuronal cell death, which demonstrates a potential for INR modulation in prophylaxis against hypoxic injury of neurons and myocytes.
Abnormal trigeminocervical response in patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy

Objective: To investigate the value of the trigeminocervical response (TCR) for revealing bulbar involvement in patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). Methods: Thirty patients with SBMA and 30 healthy male controls were included in this study. In all of the normal controls, stimulation of the infraorbital nerve on one side produced bilateral short latency waves consisting of a positive/negative wave, p19/n31, the mean latency of which was measured. The mean square root of the ratio between the amplitude of p19/n31 and the mean rectifi ed surface electromyography (EMG) activity preceding the stimulus, the A value, was estimated. The parameters of the TCR were compared between the two groups. Results: Among the patients with SBMA, 21 (70.0%) had delayed latencies of p19/n31 (P < 0.01) and all (100%) had reduced A values (P < 0.01) relative to the normal controls. Conclusions: All parameters of the TCR were signifi cantly different between the patients with SBMA and the normal controls. The TCR is helpful for revealing abnormal lower brainstem refl ex integration in patients with SBMA.
Optimization of the DC ripple energy compensating circuit on a single-phase voltage source PWM rectifier

This paper presents parameter optimization of the compensating circuit for the reduction of the DC ripple energy on a single-phase voltage source PWM rectifier. In the single-phase PWM rectifier, it is well known that a power pulsation with twice the utility frequency is contained in the output power. In a conventional PWM rectifier, electrolytic capacitors with large capacitance have been used in order to smooth the DC voltage. However, lifetime of those capacitors is shortened by the power pulsation with twice utility frequency. The authors have been studied two kinds of DC ripple compensation circuits, such the authors call an inductive storage method and a capacitive storage method, those enable to transfer the ripple energy appeared on the output DC capacitors into the energy in an additional inductor and additional small capacitors. Hence, extension of the lifetime of the converter can be expected because the small film capacitor substitutes for the large electrolytic capacitors. Moreover, the inductance and capacitance region in which the DC ripple energy can be compensated completely and the overall dimensions of the energy storage devices are shown. Finally, experimental results of compensation characteristics on both the steady state and transient state are discussed.
Is the Active Fund Management Industry Concentrated Enough?

We introduce a theoretical model of the active fund management industry (AFMI) in which performance and size depend on the AFMI's competitiveness (concentration). Under plausible assumptions, as AFMI's concentration decreases, so do fund managers’ incentives for exerting effort in search of alpha. Consequently, managers produce lower gross alpha, and rational investors, inferring lower expected AFMI performance, allocate a smaller portion of their wealth to active funds. Empirically, we find that a decrease in the US mutual fund industry concentration over our sample period is associated with a decrease in its net alpha and size (relative to stock market capitalization).
Content storage effect on the named data network traffic load

Named Data Network (NDN) is a network architecture with a content-centric paradigm, in which the consumer has a certain interest in a content. Requests for data are performed based on the content, not to specific server or producer so that the response to the requested content can be performed by the NDN router, not only by the server or producer. NDN causes data traffic more efficient because the request will be served by the node that closest to the consumer who has the content in its Content Storage. In this research, the performance of NDN is tested based on changes in the size of Content Storage as one of the structures in NDN, and also the changes of frequency of interest. The contribution of this research is to study the effect of the content storage size and the number of frequency of interest on NDN performance, from the network point of view and user point of view. This research use Abilene network topology. The performance will be analyzed from average delay and cache hit ratio as the user centric metrics, and also the data circulation, number of interest message retransmission and packet drop as a network centric metrics. Simulation results show that the size of Content Storage greatly affects the efficiency of data transmission in the NDN network. The smaller the size of Content Storage relatively compared to the number of consumer demand, the greater the network load. Data circulation becomes larger, delay and packet drop increases, the number of packets retransmission increases and the cache hit ratio deteriorates. The provision of Content Storage of the optimum size makes the data transmission on the NDN network efficient. The higher number of frequency of interest, the worse the performance of the system.
Exploring the Factors Influencing UPM English Language Faculty Members' Adoption and Integration of Web-Based Instruction (WBI).

Technology, if integrated effectively, has been found to influence students’ academic performance, develop their higher order thinking and problem solving, improve their motivation, attitude, and interest in learning, and help them prepare for the workforce as well as address the needs of low performing, at-risk, and learning impaired students (Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology, 2005). This paper reports the findings of the study trying to investigate the application and integration of web based instruction by University Putra Malaysia (UPM) lecturers in Serdang , Malaysia. A questionnaire which included the items from the short form of the Moore and Benbasat (1991) instrument as well as some demographic questions was administered to UPM lecturers in Malaysia. Data collected through the survey questionnaire was used to examine the factors influencing the University Putra Malaysia (UPM) lecturers’ perception about application and integration of web based instruction. Our analysis of the data suggests that the innovation adoption variables of relative advantage, compatibility, visibility, ease of use, results demonstrability, and trialability should be considered by university lecturers seeking to increase the rate of adoption of e-Learning within their organisation.
Customer relationship management as a business process

Purpose – Increasingly, customer relationship management (CRM) is being viewed as a strategic, process‐oriented, cross‐functional, value‐creating for buyer and seller, and a means of achieving superior financial performance. However, there is a need for a more holistic view of cross‐functional as it relates to CRM. The purpose of this paper is to describe a macro level cross‐functional view of CRM and provide a structure for managing business‐to‐business relationships to co‐create value and increase shareholder value.Design/methodology/approach – In order to identify the sub‐processes of CRM at the strategic and operational levels as well as the activities that comprise each sub‐process, focus group sessions were conducted with executives from a range of industries. The focus groups were supplemented with visits to companies identified in the focus groups as having the most advanced CRM practices.Findings – The research resulted in a framework that managers can use to implement a cross‐functional, cross‐f.
Synchronizing Ca2+ and cAMP oscillations in pancreatic beta-cells: a role for glucose metabolism and GLP-1 receptors? Focus on "regulation of cAMP dynamics by Ca2+ and G protein-coupled receptors in the pancreatic beta-cell: a computational approach".

the hormonal activation of cAMP production in pancreatic β-cells is accompanied by an increase of cytosolic [cAMP] that can be measured in real time through the use of a cAMP sensor (Epac1-camps) that exhibits a decrease of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) when it binds to cAMP ([9][1
Internal Sources of Competitiveness in Small and Medium Indonesian Food Processing Companies

In this paper, we explore the relationship between market orientation, innovation and business performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesian food processing industry. We examine the potential of market orientation and innovation as the sources of competitiveness of SMEs food processing in Indonesian context. Primary data was collected from five districts in West Java, Indonesia. The sample includes only companies with fewer than 100 employees and those operate in the food processing industry. To understand relationship between market orientation, innovation and performance we used path analytical model approach. Several major findings were found through data analysis. First, this research show that market orientation and innovation affect business performance of SMEs. Second, innovation in SMEs food processing is affected by market orientation. Overall, these research results indicate that market oriented and innovative behavior can be considered as the potential source of competitiveness of SMEs food processing. The valuable contribution of this paper is to strengthening body of knowledge related to SMEs competitiveness, market orientation and innovation since the relevance of modern management theory in practice is still questioned in the context of developing country like Indonesia. Another contribution is to give guidance for business owners and government in improving the competitiveness of SMEs food processing.
New Electronic Trading Systems in Foreign Exchange Markets

The foreign exchange market can be divided in two segments: the interbank market and the customer market. Two recent advances in trading technology, electronic brokers in the interbank market and internet trading for customers, have significantly changed the structure of the foreign exchange market. In this paper we explain the functioning of electronic brokers and internet trading and discuss the economic consequences.
Therapeutic Efficacy of the Novel Stimuli-Sensitive Nano-Ferritins Containing Doxorubicin in a Head and Neck Cancer Model

Doxorubicin is employed alone or in combination for the treatment of several hematological and solid malignancies; despite its efficacy, there are associated cardiotoxicity limits both in its application in patients with heart disease risk factors and also in its long-term use. HFt-MP-PAS40 is a genetically engineered human ferritin heavy chain (HFt)-based construct able to efficiently entrap and deliver doxorubicin to cancer cells. HF-MP-PAS contains a short motif sequence (defined as MP) responsive to proteolytic cleavage by tumor matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), located between each HFt subunit and a masking polypeptide sequence rich in proline (P), alanine (A), and serine (S) residues (PAS). This carrier displayed excellent therapeutic efficacy in a xenogenic pancreatic cancer model in vivo, leading to a significant increase in overall animal survival in treated mice. Herein, we describe the HFt-MP-PAS40-Dox efficacy against squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) with the goal of validating the application of our nano-drug for the treatment of different solid tumors. In addition, a tolerability study in healthy mice was also performed. The results indicate that HFt-MP-PAS40-Dox produced increased anti-tumor effects both in vitro and in vivo in comparison to the free drug in several HNSCC cell lines. In the acute toxicity studies, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of HFt-MP-PAS40-Dox was about 3.5 higher than the free drug: 25 mg/kg versus 7 mg/kg doxorubicin equivalents. Importantly, evaluation of heart tissues provided evidence that doxorubicin is less cardio-toxic when encapsulated inside the ferritin carrier. In conclusion, HFt-MP-PAS40-Dox may be administered safely at higher doses compared with the free drug, resulting in superior efficacy to control HNSCC malignancies.
Model for Radial Dependence of Frequency Distributions for Energy Imparted in Nanometer Volumes from HZE Particles

Abstract Cucinotta, F. A. , Nikjoo, H. and Goodhead, D. T. Model for Radial Dependence of Frequency Distributions for Energy Imparted in Nanometer Volumes from HZE Particles. This paper develops a deterministic model of frequency distributions for energy imparted (total energy deposition) in small volumes similar to DNA molecules from high-energy ions of interest for space radiation protection and cancer therapy. Frequency distributions for energy imparted are useful for considering radiation quality and for modeling biological damage produced by ionizing radiation. For high-energy ions, secondary electron (δ-ray) tracks originating from a primary ion track make dominant contributions to energy deposition events in small volumes. Our method uses the distribution of electrons produced about an ion's path and incorporates results from Monte Carlo simulation of electron tracks to predict frequency distributions for ions, including their dependence on radial distance. The contribution from primary ion events is treated using an impact parameter formalism of spatially restricted linear energy transfer (LET) and energy-transfer straggling. We validate our model by comparing it directly to results from Monte Carlo simulations for proton and α-particle tracks. We show for the first time frequency distributions of energy imparted in DNA structures by several high-energy ions such as cosmic-ray iron ions. Our comparison with results from Monte Carlo simulations at low energies indicates the accuracy of the method.
Vegetable handling, distribution and wholesale profitability in “Abinchi” night market, Kumasi-Ghana

Handling practices Shelf life Wholesale haulage Profitability Vegetables Ghana Abstract The study was conducted on vegetable handling pract ices, distribution and wholesale haulage profitability in Abinchi night ma rket Kumasi, Ghana. Focus group discussions were held for middlemen, market q u ens and men, and 150 market queens and men were randomly selected and in terviewed to elicit prevailing handling practices. SPSS was used to ana lyze data obtained and financial analytical tools; profit margin, return o investment and benefit cost ratio were used to assess the profitability of the vegetable wholesale haulage. Open and closed trucks, mini vans and taxis were id ent fied to be regular modes of transport of vegetables. Vegetables are pa cked and stored in jute sacks with shelf life ranging from 3 to 7 days with visible deterioration over days. The wholesale haulage of vegetable was viable n the months of July, August and September. In mid September 2013, a 150 Kg sack full of cabbage in Tepa, a major hub of vegetable production in the Ashanti region was selling for an average of GH¢15 on farm. This constitutes 3 9% of the total cost of a sack full of cabbage with about 61% constituting th e cost of overheads and transportation at the wholesale centre. The sales p rice of an average sack of cabbage to middlemen was GH¢40, with a net revenue of GH¢ 1.20 on each sack of cabbage sold. A 40Kg jute sack full of carr ot sold at GH¢20 on farm, representing 77% of the total cost per sack.
First-principles theory of inelastic currents in a scanning tunneling microscope

A first principles theory of inelastic tunneling between a model probe tip and an atom adsorbed on a surface is presented, extending the elastic tunneling theory of Tersoff and Hamann. The inelastic current is proportional to the change in the local density of states at the center of the tip due to the addition of the adsorbate. We use the theory to investigate the vibrational heating of an adsorbate below an STM tip. We calculate the desorption rate of H from Si(100)-H(2$\times$1) as function of the sample bias and tunnel current, and find excellent agreement with recent experimental data.
Clinical Characteristics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Turkey: A Multicenter Epidemiologic Survey

Aim To investigate the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in a large multicenter, countrywide, hospital-based study in Turkey. Materials and Methods Twelve centers uniformly distributed throughout Turkey reported through a questionnaire the new IBD cases between 2001 and 2003. The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) has been reported per 100,000 people. Epidemiologic features and clinical characteristics of both diseases were analyzed. Results During the study period, 661 patients of UC and 216 patients of CD were identified. The incidence in the referral population was 4.4/100,000 and 2.2/100,000 for UC and CD, respectively. The age of the patients showed the characteristic biphasic distribution with 2 peaks between 20 and 30 and 50 and 70 years. A male predominance was observed in both diseases. A history of smoking was detected in 15.5% of UC patients and 49.3% of patients with CD. Family history was positive in 4.4% in UC and 8.3% in CD patients. Concomitant amebiasis was observed in 17.3% of patients with UC and 1.3% of patients with CD. A history of appendectomy was reported in 15% of patients with CD and only 3% of patients with UC. Both extraintestinal and local complications were more frequent in CD patients, whereas arthritis was most common in both diseases. Conclusions IBDs are frequently encountered in Turkey. IBD incidence is lower than North and West Europe but close to Middle East in our country. The majority of IBD cases are diagnosed in young people (20 to 40 y) with predominance in males. The rate of both intestinal and extraintestinal complications in our population was low when compared with the data reported in the literature. IBD and especially UC, can coexist with amebiasis or become manifest with amebic infestation. The presence of concomitant ameba may create confusion and cause dilemmas in the diagnosis and treatment of UC.
Role of adenosine kinase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: identification of the ADO1 gene and study of the mutant phenotypes

Sequencing of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome revealed an open reading frame (YJR105w) encoding a putative protein highly similar to adenosine kinases from other species. Disruption of this gene (renamed ADO1) affected utilization of S‐adenosyl methionine (AdoMet) as a purine source and resulted in a severe reduction of adenosine kinase activity in crude extracts. Furthermore, knock‐out of ADO1 led to adenosine excretion in the medium and resistance to the toxic adenosine analogue cordycepin. From these data we conclude that ADO1 encodes yeast adenosine kinase. We also show that ADO1 does not play a major role in adenine utilization in yeast and we propose that the physiological role of adenosine kinase in S. cerevisiae could primarily be to recycle adenosine produced by the methyl cycle. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.