Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal and spatial localization of nectin‐1 and l‐afadin during synaptogenesis in hippocampal neurons

Nectins are cell adhesion molecules that, together with the intracellular binding partner afadin, mediate adhesion and signaling at a variety of intercellular junctions. In this work we studied the distribution of nectin‐1 and afadin during hippocampal synapse formation using cultured primary hippocampal neurons. Nectin‐1 and afadin cluster at developing synapses between hippocampal neurons. These nectin‐afadin clusters uniformly colocalize with N‐cadherin–catenin pairs, suggesting that formation of developing synapses involves participation of both bimolecular systems. Nectin‐1 is initially expressed at excitatory and inhibitory synapses but is progressively lost at inhibitory synapses during their maturation. Treatment of neurons with actin depolymerizing agents disrupts the synaptically localized nectin‐1 and afadin cluster at an early stage and elicits nectin‐1 ectodomain shedding. These data indicate that the synaptic localization of nectin‐1 and l‐afadin are F‐actin‐dependent and that the shedding of nectin‐1 is a mechanism contributing to synaptic plasticity. J. Comp. Neurol. 507:1228–1244, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interactions Between Algae (Selenastrum capricornutum) and Pesticides: Implications for Managing Constructed Wetlands for Pesticide Removal

This laboratory study examined the interactions between an algal species found in wetlands (Selenastrum capricornutum) and two agricultural pesticides (atrazine and lindane). Pesticide additions had a positive effect on the chlorophyll a concentrations of the treatments. The presence of algae decreased the aqueous persistence of both pesticides. It is speculated that the algae either provided sites for pesticide sorption or facilitated pesticide degradation.
Success Factors for B2C E-commerce of Food Products

The B2C e-commerce of food products is growing rapidly, but from a relatively low level compared to other product categories. Customers find the e-commerce convenient since they can order their food whenever they like and save time in their everyday life. However, it is not all implementations of e-commerce that have been successful and many different business models exist on the Swedish market competing for success. The aim of this report is to identify the success factors for B2C e-commerce of food products, and to give recommendations on which factors to prioritize for improving the e-commerce business. The Delphi method is applied to fulfill the aim of the report. As a first step, representatives from companies offering e-commerce of food products and e-commerce experts are interviewed to find potential success factors. In parallel, previous research is studied to identify factors influencing success. Through a coding approach a separate set of success factors are identified from the interviews and the previous researchers. The two separate results are then analyzed and discussed which generates identified success factors in the three different categories: Market related activities, Operations related activities, and Digital infrastructure. As a second step of the Delphi method, the interviewees participate in a survey which generates a prioritization among the identified success factors. The prioritization is further analyzed and discussed from a time perspective, where the development phase of the e-commerce is considered. It is concluded that some of the identified factors are more critical in the growth phase, while other factors are of essence in the maturity phase or in both phases. Factors that leads to increased sales volumes, larger customer base and increased market share are prioritized today since the e-commerce actors aim to grow. The factors which contributes to increased profitability are not prioritized yet, while factors facilitating the feeling of convenience for the customers are always of importance.
Measurement of interstitial muscle glucose and lactate concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test.

To study the relationship between blood flow rate and muscle metabolism, muscle microdialysis was performed in nine human subjects (5 females and 4 males) after an oral glucose load (75 g). Two microdialysis probes were inserted into the medial femoral muscle for estimation of glucose and lactate concentrations in the interstitial fluid, and the muscle blood flow was measured concomitantly with strain-gauge plethysmography. After subjects fasted overnight, their glucose concentration in arterial plasma and interstitial fluid was 4.6 +/- 0.13 vs. 3.8 +/- 0.23 mmol/l (P < 0.05), and the corresponding lactate concentrations were 0.60 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.83 +/- 0.07 mmol/l (P < 0.05). Muscle blood flow was 5.2 +/- 0.7 and 7.5 +/- 1.4 ml.100 g-1.min-1 (P < 0.05) at 0 and 90 min after oral glucose, respectively. The arterial-interstitial concentration differences of glucose increased after oral glucose [at 0 min 0.73 +/- 0.24 vs. 2.19 +/- 0.60 mmol/l at 90 min (P < 0.001)]. The corresponding values for lactate were -0.23 +/- 0.10 at 0 min vs.-0.26 +/- 0.18 mmol/l at 90 min (not significant). The data show that 1) the capillary wall is partly rate limiting for glucose uptake, and 2) after oral glucose, the glucose concentration gradient over the capillary wall increases despite a limited increase in blood flow rate, which then mediates approximately 10-20% of total enhancement of glucose uptake in muscle.
RECENT TECHNIQUES FOR EVALUATION OF MEAT QUALITY

Over the years, numerous and varied techniques have been used for evaluation of meat quality and carcasscomposition. Very few existing assessment techniques meet industrial requirements, the most promising beingcited as ultrasonic measurements for assessment of potential texture on live animals and whole carcasses andimage processing and NIR spectroscopy of meat joints and cuts. In this article besides these techniques,electronic nose and NMR techniques are reviewed.
The effects of rest interval length and training on quadriceps femoris muscle. Part I: knee extensor torque and muscle fatigue.

AIM The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of rest interval on quadriceps femoris (QF) muscle strength and fatigue during short-term, high-intensity training. METHODS Fifteen healthy males were assessed for isokinetic QF strength, via peak torque (PT), work (WK) and power (PW), at a pre-set angular velocity of 180 deg x s(-1). Quadriceps femoris muscle fatigue was evaluated as the decline in isokinetic work and power (slope) across 30 maximal concentric contractions. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: Group 1 (short rest interval), Group 2 (long rest interval), and Group 3 (control-no training). Subjects in Group 1 received a rest period of 40 s in between exercise sets corresponding to a 2:1 rest:work ratio. Subjects in Group 2 received a rest period of 160 s corresponding to an 8:1 rest:work ratio. Groups 1 and 2 performed isokinetic knee extension contractions at 180 deg x s(-1) 2 days per week for 6 weeks. RESULTS The results demonstrated a significant increase in QF muscle PT across the 6 week training period in the long rest interval group, and no significant changes in the short rest interval and control groups. Quadriceps femoris muscle work and power were observed to not change significantly across the training period in all 3 groups. The reduction in QF muscle work across the single set of 30 repetitions was observed to decrease significantly in the control group across the 6 week duration; no other significant changes in QF muscle fatigue for work and power were observed. CONCLUSION The major findings of this study suggests that the possibility of different physiological mechanisms of adaptation exist for QF muscle peak torque, work and power, while changes in muscle fatigue resistance may be present when assessed across multiple, rather than a single, bouts of activity.
The Effect of Shareholder-Initiated Corporate Governance on Accrual-Based and Real Earnings Management

Shareholder activism is an important source of corporate governance. Using a dynamic regression discontinuity design on shareholder proposals that pass or fail by a small margin of votes in shareholder meetings, we analyze the effect of shareholder-initiated corporate governance on earnings management. We find that both accrual-based and real earnings management diminish after shareholder proposals are passed. Consistent with improved financial reporting quality, we show that the audit fees are higher following passage of shareholder proposals. We obtain similar reduction in earnings management when we examine the subsample of proposals that focus on changing governance structures (e.g., board independence). Interestingly, when we focus on proposals to improve financial reporting (auditor independence and clawback adoptions), we find that accrual-based earnings management decreases while real earnings management increases, suggesting a substitution effect. This substitution effect is stronger when there are entrenched auditors, consistent with firms shifting away from accrualsbased earnings management when shareholders act to improve auditor independence. Overall, our paper demonstrates that shareholder-initiated corporate governance can affect earnings management and that the effect can vary depending on the nature of the activism.
STUDIES IN CANCER. VII. ENZYME DEFICIENCY IN HUMAN AND EXPERIMENTAL CANCER.

The biochemistry of cancer tissue in experimental animals has been studied extensively. In particular, the behavior of certain enzyme systems in animal tissues has been described. Despite the obvious desirability of understanding the chemical pathology of human cancer, however, there is as yet little information on human tissues. Many of the methods employed in pre-clinical laboratories necessitate the availability of pure-type tumors in considerable numbers, and involve the sacrifice of the animal host. Therefore, such procedures are not directly applicable in the clinic. Obviously, in human cases, it is possible to have surviving samples of neoplasms taken as biopsies or as material excised at operation. Under such circumstances, however, one must be prepared to deal with a wide variety of tissue architectures, complicated by varying degrees of invasion by stroma, hemorrhage, or necrosis. Only by devising simplified methods to cope with these complications can one hope to extend the findings of experimental research to human cancers. One such procedure has been described in a previous communication (1). This involved the study of the succinoxidase and cytochrome systems in neoplastic tissues. The fundamental fact upon which it was based was the report by several investigators (2 to 4) that a deficiency of cytochrome was characteristic and perhaps even universal in neoplasia. Such measurements have been based, in part, upon the low intensity of the A and B bands observed in extracts of tumor tissue or in sections of the surviving tumor (5). It is particularly important to have available quantitative procedures for such studies, because those differences between normal and cancerous
Software based extraction of objective parameters from music performances

Different music performances of the same score may significantly differ from each other. It is obvious that not only the composer’s work, the score, defines the listener’s music experience, but that the music performance itself is an integral part of this experience. Music performers use the information contained in the score, but interpret, transform or add to this information. Four parameter classes can be used to describe a performance objectively: tempo and timing, loudness, timbre and pitch. Each class contains a multitude of individual parameters that are at the performers’ disposal to generate a unique physical rendition of musical ideas. The extraction of such objective parameters is one of the difficulties in music performance research. This work presents an approach to the software-based extraction of tempo and timing, loudness and timbre parameters from audio files to provide a tool for the automatic parameter extraction from music performances. The system is applied to extract data from 21 string quartet performances and a detailed analysis of the extracted data is presented. The main contributions of this thesis are the adaptation and development of signal processing approaches to performance parameter extraction and the presentation and discussion of string quartet performances of a movement of Beethoven’s late String Quartet op. 130. music performance, music performance analysis, automatic tempo extraction, loudness analysis, timbre analysis, string quartet performance, audio content analysis, audio-to-score-matching
Internet adoption decision model among Iranian small and medium enterprises

Information technology plays an important role in making existing businesses more efficient and effective. Moreover it offers the opportunity to create new business by opening up new markets and introducing new products and services. The adoption of information technology represents a huge problem to small business entrepreneurs. Situation they are facing is different from larger corporations. Despite the extensive benefits and opportunities that internet can offer to SMEs, most Iranian SMEs are relatively reluctant as yet to take advantage of the internet and these firms with internet access are using it minimally. The objective of this study is to develop an internet adoption decision model for Iranian SMEs with the help of main behavioral theories by identifying the factors influencing the adoption decision and actual usage of internet from the perspective of decision makers. Among different behavioral theories ,the behavioral model of TAM (Technology Acceptance Model) was used as the base of the modified research model and its foundation was on previous literature on technology acceptance and innovation adoption research . The original constructs of TAM (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, behavioral intention, actual behavior) were retained while the literature suggests subjective norm, image, perceived risk and facilitating conditions to be useful antecedents for internet adoption. Based on the literature, a modified TAM was developed. Hypotheses were discussed in this study related to the theoretical relationships between constructs and antecedents. Quantitative research approach was selected for this thesis. Then measurements of constructs were developed according to prior studies. Afterwards pilot test in three rounds were conducted. The data was gathered through online survey. The response rate was 37.7%. After data filtering to eliminate invalid responses the number of questionnaires decreased to 118. Structural Equation Modeling using visual PLS has been employed to test the proposed research model. Tests of significance for all paths were conducted using the bootstrap re sampling procedure. The results of the structural path analysis of the research model provided support to fifteen hypotheses. The results are consistent with theory of acceptance model. Factors proposed as determinants of internet adoption: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, facilitating conditions, perceived risk, image, subjective norm, attitude and behavioral intention were found to be statistically significant. Finally, the implication of this work to both researchers and practitioners has been discussed.
Using hazard models correctly: a comparison employing different definitions of SMEs financial distress

We consider all serious and neglected concerns while developing discrete and continuous time duration dependent hazard models for predicting default of US SMEs. Comparing theoretical and classification performance aspects of popular hazard models, namely discrete hazard models with logit and clog-log links and the extended Cox model, we report superior performance of discrete hazard models than extended Cox models in classifying defaulted SMEs. Additionally, our proposed default definition for SMEs based on legal bankruptcy laws and firms’ financial health performs significantly better than their alternative counterparts in identifying distressed firms, with superior goodness of fit measures across all econometric specifications.
Improved Pilot-Aided Optical Carrier Phase Recovery for Coherent $M$-QAM

We propose an improved pilot-aided (PA) optical carrier phase recovery (CPR) method, using average operation for noise suppression in PA coherent systems. Performance of this method is investigated and compared with other CPR methods through simulations for 28 Gbaud QPSK, 16-, and 64-QAM systems. Results show that PA-CPR with averaging greatly outperforms PA-CPR without averaging, and achieves better or similar performance compared with other PAor non-PA-CPR methods. In addition, we propose a method using maximum likelihood (ML) phase estimation following PA-CPR with averaging to further improve the laser phase noise tolerance. Specifically, after optimizing the bandwidth of the pilot extraction filter, the maximum linewidth symbol duration products (Δf·T) for 1-dB optical signal to noise ratio penalty at BER of 1 × 10<sup>-3</sup> are improved from 1 × 10<sup>-4</sup>, 3.5 × 10<sup>-5</sup>, and 1 × 10<sup>-5</sup> (by PA-CPR without averaging) to 6.6 × 10<sup>-4</sup>, 2 × 10<sup>-4</sup>, and 3.8 × 10<sup>-5</sup> (by PA-CPR with averaging), for 28 Gbaud QPSK, 16-and 64-QAM systems, respectively. When ML is following PA-CPR with averaging, Δf·T values for 1-dB OSNR penalty are further improved to 9 × 10<sup>-4</sup>, 4.8 × 10<sup>-4</sup>, and 6.5 × 10<sup>-5</sup> for QPSK, 16-and 64-QAM systems, respectively.
Selective release of newly synthesized norepinephrine from the cat spleen during sympathetic nerve stimulation.

During perfusion with tyrosine-C 14 -containing solution, norepinephrine-C 14 is synthesized in the cat spleen. Rapid nerve stimulation results in release of norepinephrine-C 14 having a greater specific activity than that found in the spleen, indicating that the newly synthesized norepinephrine is selectively released. When spleens from cats which had been treated with norepinephrine-H 3 were perfused, the specific activity of norepinephrine released initially was similar to that in the spleen. After a period of continuous nerve stimulation, however, when the immediately available stores were depleted, the specific activity fell to about one-third that found in the spleen. If the perfusing solution contained α-methyltyrosine, an inhibitor of norepinephrine synthesis, initial release was not altered. At later times, however, only about one-third as much norepinephrine was released and the specific activity of the released catecholamine was similar to that in the spleen. These results suggest that, during continued rapid stimulation, mobilization of stored norepinephrine does not play as great a role in maintenance of transmitter release as does new synthesis.
Mobile Banking: A Tradeoff between Mobile Technology and Service for Consumers’ Behavioral Intention

Purpose: This current study examines multifaceted issues of mobile banking, from security and operation to trust and consumers’ behavioral intention through synthesizing the associated seminal studies on the interrelated issues of the vast area of mobile banking. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 116 scholarly articles on different issues of mobile banking were selected to be reviewed and synthesized in this current research to reveal, postulate, and conceptualize the essential paradigms. Findings: Many seminal studies have attempted to conduct research on this emerging mobile communication-oriented service delivery channel. However, a comprehensive picture of mobile banking which captures consumers’ behavior from psychological, technological, and operational perspectives, with potential threats related to security from users, devices, applications, mobile operators, and service providers, is explicitly absent. Research limitations/implications: Weaknesses of the reviewed studies are revealed and future research guidelines are provided to contribute knowledge in the research gaps. Practical implications: This study outlined the findings to develop a grounded theory of mobile banking research through a systematic approach. Originality/value: Although this is an extensive effort to synthesize existing knowledge in mobile banking through a literature review, this study has successfully identified the major strengths and weaknesses of the current studies and developed and established a grounded theory of mobile banking for service design and customers’ satisfaction.
A 3-week gemcitabine-cisplatin regimen for metastatic urothelial cancer.

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy and tolerability of a 3-week outpatient schedule of intravenous gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract (TCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS A two-stage phase II trial enrolled TCC patients with Karnofsky performance status > or = 60, measurable disease, and adequate organ function. Prior adjunctive chemotherapy was allowed provided it had been completed at least 1 year prior to study entry. Treatment consisted of gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 iv days 1 and 8 plus cisplatin 70 mg/m2 day 1 iv repeated every 21 days. The primary outcome was the objective response rate. RESULTS Thirty patients were enrolled at six Canadian centres. Three complete and 10 partial responses were observed in 29 eligible patients (overall response rate 45% [95%CI, 27-63%]). Three patients had stable disease and 13 had progressive disease. The relative dose-intensities of gemcitabine and cisplatin were 81% and 88%, respectively. Toxicity was primarily hematological, and 60% of patients experienced at least one episode of grade 3 or 4 toxicity. One patient died of neutropenic sepsis and two died of vascular events while on treatment. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy and tolerability of this schedule are similar to that reported with the standard 4-week schedule of gemcitabine-cisplatin. In the absence of a large randomized trial, the similarity of these results supports the use of this 3-week program in typical TCC patients treated in both community and academic cancer clinic settings.
Fundamentals and Applications of Electrowetting: A Critical Review

We have witnessed rapid and exciting development in electrowetting (EW) or electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) since 1990s. Owing to its great advantages such as easy operation, sensitive response and electrical reversibility, EW has found many applications in various fi elds, especially in micro- and nano-fl uidics, electronic display, etc. The aim of this review is to inspire new investigations on EW, not only in theory and numerical simulation, but also in experiments, and spur further research on EW for more practical applications. A comprehensive review is presented on the EW research progress, and experiments, theoretical modeling and numerical simulations are covered. After a brief look at the development history, some latest experimental and simulation methods, such as Lattice Boltzmann method, phase-fi eld method and molecular dynamics (MD), are introduced. Some representative practical applications are then presented. Unresolved issues and prospects on EW as the fi nal part of this review are expected to attract more attention and inspire more in-depth studies in this fascinating area. Young (L-Y) equation, curvature effect, elasto-electro-capillarity (EEC), Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), phase-fi eld model, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, coffee stain ring, electronic display, liquid lens, Micro Total Analysis Systems (μ-TAS), cell-based digital microfl uidics