Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RNA Function Enhances Long-Term Cell Survival

6S RNA was identified in Escherichia coli >30 years ago, but the physiological role of this RNA has remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that 6S RNA-deficient cells are at a disadvantage for survival in stationary phase, a time when 6S RNA regulates transcription. Growth defects were most apparent as a decrease in the competitive fitness of cells lacking 6S RNA. To decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth defects, we have expanded studies of 6S RNA effects on transcription. 6S RNA inhibition of -dependent transcription was not ubiquitous, in spite of the fact that the vast majority of -RNA polymerase is bound by 6S RNA during stationary phase. The -dependent promoters inhibited by 6S RNA contain an extended 10 promoter element, suggesting that this feature may define a class of 6S RNA-regulated genes. We also discovered a secondary effect of 6S RNA in the activation of -dependent transcription at several promoters. We conclude that 6S RNA regulation of both 70 and S activities contributes to increased cell persistence during nutrient deprivation.
The Use of Electronic Medical Records in Jordanian Hospitals: A Nationwide Survey

No previous nationwide study has estimated to what extent electronic health records have been implemented in Jordanian hospitals. The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional study was to explore the level of adoption and use of electronic health records in Jordanian hospitals across all major healthcare service providers. The standardized American Hospital Association annual survey was used. The level of use of electronic functionalities of electronic health records was determined. The association of certain hospital characteristics with the adoption of electronic health records was examined. A proportion of 10.3% of the participating hospitals had a comprehensive use of electronic health records in all units, and 15.5% had a basic system in at least one unit. Most (74.2%, n = 72) had not implemented electronic health records. The hospitals with a higher rate of adoption were found to be larger, government, urban, and teaching hospitals that had coronary care units. The level of adoption of electronic health records in Jordan is relatively low. This fact should impel policy makers to resolve the challenges and obstacles for such adoption. National strategic plans are needed to address the goals and implementation processes of electronic health record systems in all Jordanian hospitals.
Emerging roles of the tumor-associated stroma in promoting tumor metastasis

The stroma in human carcinomas consists of extracellular matrix and various types of non-carcinoma cells, mainly leukocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts and bone marrow-derived progenitors. The tumor-associated stroma actively supports tumor growth by stimulating neo-angiogenesis, as well as proliferation and invasion of apposed carcinoma cells. It has long been accepted that alterations within carcinoma cells mediate metastasis in a cell-autonomous fashion. Recent studies have, however, suggested an additional notion that cancer cells instigate local and systemic changes in the tumor microenvironment and contribute to niche formation for metastasis. Research, aiming to establish the roles of the tumor-associated stroma in facilitating the spread of carcinoma cells into distant organs, has provided an abundance of data and greater knowledge of the biology of metastatic carcinoma cells and associated stromal cells. This has stimulated further advances in the development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting tumor metastasis.
Vaccination with mRNA-Electroporated Dendritic Cells Induces Robust Tumor Antigen-Specific CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells Responses in Stage III and IV Melanoma Patients

Purpose: Electroporation of dendritic cells (DC) with mRNA encoding tumor-associated antigens (TAA) has multiple advantages compared to peptide loading. We investigated the immunologic and clinical responses to vaccination with mRNA-electroporated DC in stage III and IV melanoma patients. Experimental design: Twenty-six stage III HLA*02:01 melanoma patients scheduled for radical lymph node dissection (stage III) and 19 melanoma patients with irresectable locoregional or distant metastatic disease (referred to as stage IV) were included. Monocyte-derived DC, electroporated with mRNA encoding gp100 and tyrosinase, were pulsed with keyhole limpet hemocyanin and administered intranodally. TAA-specific T-cell responses were monitored in blood and skin-test infiltrating lymphocyte (SKIL) cultures. Results: Comparable numbers of vaccine-induced CD8+ and/or CD4+ TAA-specific T-cell responses were detected in SKIL cultures; 17/26 stage III patients and 11/19 stage IV patients. Strikingly, in this population, TAA-specific CD8+ T cells that recognize multiple epitopes and produce elevated levels of IFNγ upon antigenic challenge in vitro, were significantly more often observed in stage III patients; 15/17 versus 3/11 stage IV patients, P = 0.0033. In stage IV patients, one mixed and one partial response were documented. The presence or absence of IFNγ-producing TAA-specific CD8+ T cells in stage IV patients was associated with marked difference in median overall survival of 24.1 months versus 11.0 months, respectively. Conclusion: Vaccination with mRNA-electroporated DC induces a broad repertoire of IFNγ producing TAA-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses, particularly in stage III melanoma patients. Clin Cancer Res; 18(19); 5460–70. ©2012 AACR.
Transformation of cultured rat adrenocortical cells by kirsten murine sarcoma virus (ki‐msv)

Two‐week‐old primary cultures of normal adult rat adrenal cortex were exposed to Kirsten murine sarcoma virus (Ki‐MSV). Within a week, the adrenal cells, which are normally fusiform and aligned in parallel, became pleomorphic and piled up extensively. Saturation density increased from 5–10 × 10<4> to 5–10 × 105 cells/cm<2>, population doubling time during exponential growth decreased from 36–40 to 16 h, acid production increased and the growth rate became independent of a reduction in serum concentration from 10% to 1%. Inoculation of 2 × 106 of these transformed cells into immunodepressed rats produced rapidly growing tumors within 1 week. Histologically, the tumors were pleomorphic carcinomas with areas ranging from anaplasia to near‐normal, highly differentiated adrenocortical tissue. In addition to histologic evidence of differentiation, metabolic studies using 14C‐pregnenolone showed that the transformed cells were capable of 20α reduction and Δ5,3β dehydrogenation, both characteristic of normal steroid‐secreting tissues. The transformed adrenocortical cells produced infectious C‐type virus as indicated by electron microscopy, 3H‐uridine incorporation, and focus formation in NRK (normal rat kidney) cultures. The neutralization pattern of this virus resembled that of authentic Ki‐MSV. The transformation of adrenocortical cells by Ki‐MSV demonstrates the capacity of this agent to induce carcinomas in differentiated cells after short‐term culture, and widens the range of tissues known to be susceptible to Ki‐MSV to include a secretory epithelium of mesodermal origin.
Internationalization and firm performance: meta analysis and new empirical evidence

There has been considerable research on the performance gains attributable to international trade and foreign direct investment in recent years. However, the empirical findings are still unclear, in part because of different studies adopting different methodologies. The first aim of this thesis is to contribute to the international economics and international business literature by conducting a meta-analysis of research that studies the causal relationship between exporting and firm productivity and of research that examines the relationship between multinationality and firm performance. In particular, the results indicate the impact of exporting upon productivity is higher in developing than developed countries, an important result from the point of views of the economic analysis of globalization and economic policy in general. Existing studies on multinationality and firm performance have not considered that multinational firms may differ with respect to their location choices of overseas investment. This is an important aspect given that there are substantial differences across developed and developing countries locations. My research fills this gap by drawing on data covering a very large number of multinational firms from 46 countries. Specifically, I examine whether heterogeneous investments abroad, in developed and developing countries, have significantly different effects on firm performance. The results indicate that multinational firms with more FDI presences in developing countries have significantly higher performance than developed countries. China has been undergoing a period of high economic growth and this is likely
Strong reversible Fe3+-mediated bridging between dopa-containing protein films in water

Metal-containing polymer networks are widespread in biology, particularly for load-bearing exoskeletal biomaterials. Mytilus byssal cuticle is an especially interesting case containing moderate levels of Fe3+ and cuticle protein—mussel foot protein-1 (mfp-1), which has a peculiar combination of high hardness and high extensibility. Mfp-1, containing 13 mol % of dopa (3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) side-chains, is highly positively charged polyelectrolyte (pI ∼ 10) and didn’t show any cohesive tendencies in previous surface forces apparatus (SFA) studies. Here, we show that Fe3+ ions can mediate unusually strong interactions between the positively charged proteins. Using an SFA, Fe3+ was observed to impart robust bridging (Wad ≈ 4.3 mJ/m2) between two noninteracting mfp-1 films in aqueous buffer approaching the ionic strength of seawater. The Fe3+ bridging between the mfp-1-coated surfaces is fully reversible in water, increasing with contact time and iron concentration up to 10 μM; at 100 μM, Fe3+ bridging adhesion is abolished. Bridging is apparently due to the formation of multivalent dopa-iron complexes. Similar Fe-mediated bridging (Wad ≈ 5.7 mJ/m2) by a smaller recombinant dopa-containing analogue indicates that bridging is largely independent of molecular weight and posttranslational modifications other than dopa. The results suggest that dopa-metal interactions may provide an energetic new paradigm for engineering strong, self-healing interactions between polymers under water.
The Plural Form in Franchising: A Synergism of Market and Hierarchy

In a plural form, two or more organisational arrangements possess a synergism when used simultaneously. For example, rather than specialising, many chains contain a large proportion of both franchised and company-owned stores. By franchising some stores while they own others, franchise systems can achieve dynamic efficiency that would be impossible in a homogenous system. Chains value their franchisees because franchisees exercise initiative. However, unless a chain includes a sufficiently high proportion of company stores, it lacks proper incentives to evaluate innovations efficiently. Therefore, despite the dynamism of franchises, a chain must maintain a certain proportion of company stores.
Excessive Corporate Liquidity and Stock Return: Evidence from Indian Business Environment

Purpose: The paper examines the determinants, financial characteristics and the stock returns of the Indian firms holding excessive liquidity during post-meltdown period of 2008-12. Design/methodology/approach: The research design is essentially based on fixed effect model developed by Opler, Pinkowitz, Stulz and Williamson (1999) adjusted for variable specification necessitated by Indian condition and data availability. The model is used to identify the transitory’ and persistent excess liquidity firms. The financial characteristics, quarterly, bi-yearly and yearly stock returns of transitory, persistent excess liquidity firms and non-excess liquidity control firms are compared and analyzed. Findings & Conclusion: In India where banks play a major role in financing in view of illiquid debt market, speculative motive plays a dominant role in holding excess liquidity. Build up of excess liquidity arising from relatively strong economic performance of earlier years is utilised conservatively to decrease leverage rather than to gear up investment when investment opportunity is depressed due to weak macroeconomic outlook and structural factors. Greater liquidity holding does not translate into higher returns for varying periods till one year compared to a portfolio of non-excess cash control firms. But persistent high liquidity firms produce superior return than the return of transitory high liquidity firms. At variance with existing literature the results indicate that marginal value of liquidity does not decline with higher or longer liquidity holding when investment environment is unfavourable.
An Ultralow-Voltage Energy-Efficient Level Shifter

This brief presents an energy-efficient level shifter (LS) able to convert extremely low level input voltages to the nominal voltage domain. To obtain low static power consumption, the proposed architecture is based on the single-stage differential-cascode-voltage-switch scheme. Moreover, it exploits self-adapting pull-up networks to increase the switching speed and to reduce the dynamic energy consumption, while a split input inverting buffer is used as the output stage to further improve energy efficiency. When implemented in a commercial 180-nm CMOS process, the proposed design can up-convert from the deep subthreshold regime (sub-100 mV) to the nominal supply voltage (1.8 V). For the target voltage level conversion from 0.4 to 1.8 V, our LS exhibits an average propagation delay of 31.7 ns, an average static power of less than 60 pW, and an energy per transition of 173 fJ, as experimentally measured across the test chips.
Analysis of Consumer E-Lifestyles and Their Effects on Consumer Resistance to Using Mobile Banking: Empirical Surveys in Thailand and Taiwan

Given that the diffusion rate of mobile banking is slow and research on mobile banking is dominated by the perspective of innovation adoption, this study examines the effects of consumer e-lifestyles on consumer resistance to mobile banking, using the perspective of innovation resistance. From a survey of nearly 1,900 Thai and Taiwanese respondents, this study discovered five principal factors that significantly influence and shape people's e-lifestyles. The influence of each of these factors is unequal and differs between Thai and Taiwanese respondents. The results indicate that, in Thailand, e-lifestyle significantly moderates the effects of traditional, image, and usage barriers to consumers' resistance to using mobile banking; whereas, in Taiwan, e-lifestyle significantly moderates only the effects of traditional and usage barriers. The research has implications for banks in designing effective service and marketing strategies.
Rapid Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex and Rifampin Resistance in Smear-Negative Clinical Samples by Use of an Integrated Real-Time PCR Method

ABSTRACT Sixty-four of 85 (75.3%) smear-negative respiratory (n = 78) and nonrespiratory (n = 7) samples with positive cultures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) were detected by the GeneXpert system using the Xpert MTB/RIF assay (GX). In addition, GX found rpoB mutations in all six of the rifampin-resistant strains detected. The test was negative in 20 culture-negative and 20 nontuberculous culture-positive samples (100% specificity). GX offers high potential for the diagnosis of tuberculosis due to its capacity for direct detection of MTC, its rapidity, and its simplicity.
HRM: a driving force for service quality in five-star hotels in Cyprus

The purpose of this research activity was to investigate the issues surrounding hospitality HRM, specifically recruitment and selection, training and development and communication process, as well as quality of service, in order to increase customer satisfaction. The most important issues surrounding HRM and quality of service were investigated from three different perspectives; those of the employees, the customers and the hospitality professionals. The primary objective of my research was the development of awareness of effective HRM and quality of service in five-star hotels in Cyprus. Based on a review of related literature and information gathered from two focus group sessions (restaurant and front office employees), I also followed with quantitative research. I developed two questionnaires to collect data from hotel employees and hotel customers. Statistical research analysis was then implemented, such as means and frequencies analysis, cross tabulations in collaboration with chi-squares, Pearson correlation coefficient, factor analysis and finally regression analysis. Furthermore, qualitative research with semi-structured interviews were assigned and deployed for relevant and important hospitality professionals such as five-star hotel managers, HR directors, hotel executive directors, trade unions, hospitality consultants and so on. After a thorough analysis of all research findings I was able to clarify the issues surrounding HRM and quality of service in five-star hotels in Cyprus in relation to how HRM and quality of service can be improved. The proposed recommendations and suggestions summary, which act as a quality assurance mechanism via HRM sustainability and effectiveness, aims to enhance HRM and quality of service effectiveness in five-star hotels in Cyprus. Thus employee and customer satisfaction and loyalty are established and eventually increase the success of five-star hotels. The cornerstone of the developed recommendations and suggestions summary rests on the foundation that successful and effective HRM and quality of service in five-star hotels, is based on the commitment of all stakeholders involved.
Rb Enhances p160/SRC Coactivator-dependent Activity of Nuclear Receptors and Hormone Responsiveness*

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (Rb) is best known as a repressor of genes involved in cell cycle progression. Rb has also been implicated in activation of transcription, in particular by nuclear receptors (NRs) and by differentiation-related transcription factors, but the relevance of this activity is unclear. We show that Rb and the related proteins p107 and p130 enhance the activity of NRs related to NGFI-B (Nur factors) through direct interactions with NGFI-B and SRC-2. Although recruitment of SRC/p160 coactivators to the NGFI-B AF1 domain is independent of Rb, its presence enhances SRC-dependent transcription. Rb potentiation of SRC coactivators is exerted on a subset (Nur factors, hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4), SF-1, and ER) but not all NRs. The levels of Rb-related proteins modulate hormone responsiveness of the NGFI-B-dependent pituitary proopiomelanocortin gene and HNF-4-dependent transcription during enterocyte differentiation. Increased Rb expression upon cell differentiation may promote differentiated functions, at least in part, by potentiation of NR activity.
Risk factors for depression in Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether depression in Parkinson disease (PD) is more closely related to the underlying neuropathological process or to environmental and psychological factors by correlating depression in PD with various clinical and demographic variables. DESIGN Major depression, level of depressive symptoms as measured with the Montgomery-Aasberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and clinical characteristics were investigated in a community-based cross-sectional study of carefully diagnosed patients with PD. Both bivariate and multivariate correlation analyses were performed to investigate correlations and predictive values of possible risk factors for major depression and MADRS score in PD. SETTING Depression among patients with PD derived from a prevalence study in the county of Rogaland, Norway. PATIENTS Two hundred forty-five patients with PD. RESULTS Impaired cognitive function and the presence of a thought disorder were significant predictors of major depression. A Mini-Mental State Examination sum score below 24 and level 2 or higher on the thought disorder subscale of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale increased the probability of major depression by a factor of 6.6 and 3.5, respectively. Higher MADRS scores were also associated with lower Mini-Mental State Examination score and higher thought disorder score. In addition, MADRS scores also correlated with more impairment in activities of daily living, presence of motor fluctuations, more evidence of atypical parkinsonism, higher daily doses of levodopa, and younger age on the day on which prevalence was determined. CONCLUSIONS Most of the observations of this study favor the hypothesis that depression in PD is a primary consequence of brain dysfunction. Situational factors may, however, also contribute to mood changes in PD.
Evaluation of 16S rRNA Gene PCR Sensitivity and Specificity for Diagnosis of Prosthetic Joint Infection: a Prospective Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT There is no standard method for the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection (PJI). The contribution of 16S rRNA gene PCR sequencing on a routine basis remains to be defined. We performed a prospective multicenter study to assess the contributions of 16S rRNA gene assays in PJI diagnosis. Over a 2-year period, all patients suspected to have PJIs and a few uninfected patients undergoing primary arthroplasty (control group) were included. Five perioperative samples per patient were collected for culture and 16S rRNA gene PCR sequencing and one for histological examination. Three multicenter quality control assays were performed with both DNA extracts and crushed samples. The diagnosis of PJI was based on clinical, bacteriological, and histological criteria, according to Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines. A molecular diagnosis was modeled on the bacteriological criterion (≥1 positive sample for strict pathogens and ≥2 for commensal skin flora). Molecular data were analyzed according to the diagnosis of PJI. Between December 2010 and March 2012, 264 suspected cases of PJI and 35 control cases were included. PJI was confirmed in 215/264 suspected cases, 192 (89%) with a bacteriological criterion. The PJIs were monomicrobial (163 cases [85%]; staphylococci, n = 108; streptococci, n = 22; Gram-negative bacilli, n = 16; anaerobes, n = 13; others, n = 4) or polymicrobial (29 cases [15%]). The molecular diagnosis was positive in 151/215 confirmed cases of PJI (143 cases with bacteriological PJI documentation and 8 treated cases without bacteriological documentation) and in 2/49 cases without confirmed PJI (sensitivity, 73.3%; specificity, 95.5%). The 16S rRNA gene PCR assay showed a lack of sensitivity in the diagnosis of PJI on a multicenter routine basis.