Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differing mechanisms of cAMP‐ versus seawater‐induced oocyte maturation in marine nemertean worms II. The roles of tyrosine kinases and phosphatases

Instead of blocking oocyte maturation as it does in most animals, cAMP causes oocytes of marine nemertean worms to initiate maturation (=germinal vesicle breakdown, “GVBD”). To characterize cAMP‐induced GVBD in nemerteans, inhibitors of tyrosine kinase signaling were tested on Cerebratulus sp. oocytes that had been incubated in cAMP‐elevating drugs versus seawater (SW) alone. Such tests yielded similar results for Src‐like tyrosine kinase blockers, as the inhibitors prevented mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation without stopping either GVBD or maturation‐promoting factor (MPF) activation in both SW and cAMP‐elevating treatments. Alternatively, genistein, a general tyrosine kinase antagonist, and piceatannol, an inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase Syk, reduced GVBD and MAPK/MPF activities in SW‐, but not cAMP‐induced maturation. Similarly, inhibitors of the human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 (HER‐2) tyrosine kinase prevented GVBD and MAPK/MPF activations in oocytes treated with SW, but not with cAMP‐elevating drugs. Antagonists of either protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) or the dual‐specificity phosphatase Cdc25 also reduced GVBD and MAPK/MPF activities in SW‐treated oocytes without generally affecting cAMP‐induced maturation. Collectively, these data suggest cAMP triggers GVBD via pathways that do not require MAPK activation or several components of tyrosine kinase signaling. In addition, such differences in tyrosine kinase cascades, coupled with the dissimilar patterns of Ser/Thr kinase signaling described in the accompanying study, indicate that nemertean oocytes are capable of utilizing multiple mechanisms to activate MPF during GVBD. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 73: 1564–1577, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hyponatremia and outcomes in patients with heart failure

Studies spanning several decades have identified hyponatremia as common and significantly associated with poor outcomes in patients with acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Despite the development and wide application of neurohormonal inhibitory therapy, which might have been expected to reduce the incidence of hyponatremia, recent studies from both randomised controlled trials and registries continue to identify hyponatremia in up to 27% of patients with ADHF. Also, despite the use of contemporary therapies, hyponatremia remains independently and closely correlated with poor outcomes, including death.1 A key question which is unresolved is whether hyponatremia contributes directly to poor outcomes in ADHF or is simply a marker for disease severity or, possibly, for other factors which might influence disease progression. Hyponatremia could, in theory, directly influence morbidity and mortality in HF. The brain undergoes adaptation to a slow fall in serum osmolality by losing osmotically active substances, including various neurotransmitters. This loss may lead to adverse effects on neurocognitive function.2 Whether myocytes, particularly dysfunctional myocytes, are affected by hypotonicity has never been studied. It is certainly possible that either mechanical or electrical function could be adversely affected. Hyponatremia in heart failure is largely due to the inappropriate secretion of the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP). Free water reabsorption is mediated by the renal V2 receptor for AVP. However, the V1a effects of AVP include vasoconstriction and myocardial hypertrophy mediated by signalling pathways similar to those stimulated by angiotensin II. In theory, high AVP levels could adversely affect outcome in heart failure via V1a signalling.3 If this were true, hyponatremia may be a marker for high AVP levels, which in turn could affect outcome via excessive V1a stimulation. Hyponatremia is often exacerbated by loop diuretic therapy, and clinicians often reduce diuretics when hyponatremia occurs, potentially leaving patients in a congested state. …
Serotonin receptor (5-HT 2A) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms: triggers of fibromyalgia?

INTRODUCTION Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic syndrome characterized by diffuse and chronic pain associated with fatigue, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, memory loss, and dizziness. Although the physiological mechanisms that control fibromyalgia have not been precisely established, neuroendocrine, genetic or molecular factors may be involved in fibromyalgia. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to characterize serotonin receptor (5-HT2A) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphisms in Brazilian patients with fibromyalgia and to evaluate the participation of these polymorphisms in the etiology of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS Genomic DNA extracted from 102 blood samples (51 patients, 51 controls) was used for molecular characterization of the 5-HT2A and COMT gene polymorphisms by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS Analysis of the 5-HT2A polymorphism revealed a frequency of 25.49% C/C, 49.02% T/C and 25.49% T/T in patients, and of 17.65% C/C, 62.74% T/C and 19.61% T/T in the control group, with no differences between the two groups.Analysis of the COMT polymorphism in patients showed a frequency of 17.65% and 45.10% for genotypes H/H and L/H, respectively. In the control group the frequency was 29.42% for H/H and 60.78% for L/H, also with no differences between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference in the frequency of the L/L genotype between patients (37.25%) and controls (9.8%), which permitted differentiation between the two groups. CONCLUSION The L/L genotype was more frequent among fibromyalgia patients. Though considering a polygenic situation and environmental factors, the molecular study of the rs4680 SNP of the COMT gene may be helpful to the identification of susceptible individuals.
Customer Loyalty and its Influence on Price Wars’ Intensity in the Indonesian Lighting Industry

Several aspects of consumer behavior can increase the likelihood of price conflicts where organizations are subsequently influenced to engage in price wars. As the main aspect of business activities relates to the success of financial transactions, customer loyalty and price sensitivity becomes a decisive factor that defines market characteristics in the long run. Using quantitative survey data from respondents in the Indonesian lighting industry, this research is aimed to generate an understanding of how practitioners view their customer’s characteristics in relation to competitive interaction. The study found that within the context of competition, firms regard loyalty and sensitivity to be influenced by sufficient acceptance of price positioning strategies.
Cosmetic outcomes following appendectomy in children: a comparison of surgical techniques.

BACKGROUND Although cosmetic superiority is widely stated as an advantage of single-incision laparoscopy, there are limited studies looking at cosmetic outcome. We sought to determine patients' cosmetic satisfaction after undergoing appendectomy by the single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA), multiport laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), or open appendectomy (OA) procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS Five hundred eighty pediatric patients who underwent appendectomy at a single institution between February 2010 and July 2011 were identified and asked to complete the Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), a validated evaluation tool for linear scars. In addition, patients were asked the "Ultimate Question" (UQ), which correlates with a patient's overall satisfaction. Linear regression models were used to examine differences between surgical approaches with statistical significance set at P<. 05. Covariates for all models included patient demographics, length of stay, and surgeon. RESULTS In total, 212 surveys were returned (SILA, 122; LA, 41; OA, 49) for a response rate of 37%. Regression models demonstrated significantly higher mean total PSAS scores for patients who underwent SILA and laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) appendectomy procedures compared with the open procedure (SILA, 8.70; LA, 8.86; OA, 8.01; β=-0.21, P<.05). Patients who experienced the SILA and LA procedures reported significantly higher mean UQ scores compared with OA (SILA, 9.79; LA, 9.75; OA, 9.39; β=-0.22, P<.05). SILA patients reported a 10 on the UQ significantly more often (91.1%) compared with either LA (81%) or OA (75.5%) (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS SILA or LA appendectomy was associated with significantly increased cosmetic satisfaction by patients and their families when compared with OA. This is the first study to show that pediatric patients value attempts to minimize scarring with laparoscopic surgery. Further studies are needed to determine if specific patient factors influence satisfaction with scars.
Myopia progression in children is linked with reduced foveal mfERG response.

PURPOSE To study the changes in retinal electrophysiology in children during myopia progression during a 1-year period. METHODS Twenty-six children aged from 9 to 13 years were recruited for the global flash multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) measured at 49% and 96% contrast, in two visits 1 year apart. The amplitudes and implicit times of both direct component (DC) and induced component (IC) measured at these two visits were analyzed and compared. Pearson's correlation was used to study the association between the changes of mfERG response and myopia progression during the test period. RESULTS Myopia increased by -0.48 ± 0.32 diopter (D) (P < 0.001) during the year, with 24 of 26 children becoming more myopic (range = 0.00 to ∼ -1.38 D); axial length increased by 0.25 ± 0.11 mm (P < 0.001) during the year. The increased myopia was highly correlated with increase in axial length (r = -0.70; P < 0.001). The central DC and IC amplitudes at 49% contrast reduced significantly as myopia progressed and the paracentral implicit times of these two components were reduced considerably. However, the high-contrast responses were virtually unaffected. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggested that the inner retinal functions in the central retina, with some involvement of the paracentral region, were decreased as myopia progressed in children.
Impact of export promotion programs on SME export performance: empirical evidence from an emerging nation

The literature on government export promotion programs (EPPs) and other antecedents of export performance is relatively rich. On one hand, a significant body of research over the decades (e.g. Cavusgil and Michael, 1990; Seringhaus and Rosson, 1990; Kotabe and Czinkota, 1992; Donthu and Kim, 1993; Czinkota, 1994; Katsikeas et al., 1996; Gencturk and Kotabe, 2001; Francis and CollinsDodd, 2004; Gillespie and Riddle, 2004; Hutchinson et al., 2006; Brewer, 2009) has highlighted the benefit of using EPPs by exporting firms. On the other hand, the international marketing literature is replete with conceptual and empirical research that pertains to the factors that influence firm export performance (e.g. Bilkey and Tesar, 1977; Cavusgil and Nevin, 1981; Madsen, 1994; Cadogan et al., 2002; Cadogan et al., 2005; Morgan et al., 2004; Lee et al., 2007; Leonidou et al., 2007; Racela et al., 2007). However, researchers from both sides have paid little attention to the study of the true impact of EPPs and other government policies in shaping export business strategy and potentially influencing the export success of business firms, especially small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs). In a conceptual paper Leonidou and colleagues (Leonidou et al., 2007) provide a critical review of the internal and external factors that stimulate small firms’ exporting activities and posit that government assistance ‘seriously encourage[s] firms to initiate and/or develop exports’ (p. 747). Interestingly, no research thus far has empirically examined ‘how’ it encourages firms to initiate and/or develop exports; that is, what is the mechanism through which the use of EPPs affects a firm’s exporting success? This research examines the benefits of EPPs in a novel way to understand the mechanism of how EPPs actually facilitate SMEs’ export success, and contributes both theoretically and methodologically. First, from a theoretical perspective, the mechanisms of how EPPs alter export behavior and performance are still not well understood (Lages and Montgomery, 2005). In an EJM article Lages and Montgomery (2005)
A Comparative Study of the Thermal Performance of Building Materials

This study focuses on the environmental performance of a selection of buildings in the typical Central Anatolian village of Şahmuratli in Turkey. The objective was to search for affordable and energy-efficient construction techniques suitable for rural settlements and incorporating traditional cultural values in a semi-arid upland region characterised by long severe winters and hot, dry summers. This was pursued by analysing temperature and humidity measurements within buildings constructed from a variety of traditional and modern materials. The thermal behaviour and comfort, the patterns of energy use and the appropriateness of the different building techniques and materials are analysed, compared and discussed. Aspects of this ongoing study, initiated by a British Council Partnership Programme, are presented in this paper which focuses on a traditional mudbrick structure, a straw bale house and an aerated concrete building. We demonstrate how a building envelope reacts to outdoor conditions through graphic illustration and show ways in which the research can be extended by the creation of simulations using Ecotect software. This research contributes to the promotion of passive and low energy architecture towards a sustainable future.
Emergence of Inter-municipal Cooperation and its Support among Citizens and Local Politicians

Inter-municipal cooperation (IMC) is promoted as a way in which small, fiscally weak municipalities can cope with intensified interregional competition and demographic change. We provide first evidence on citizens’ support for IMC using survey data from rural Germany. We cover different fields of public services and find the support for IMC to be lower for services where IMC implies intensified interaction with citizens from neighboring municipalities. The main research question asks whether citizens’ support for IMC is larger in municipalities that can – by the logic of normative theory – expect higher net benefits from IMC. The answer is largely negative: While support for IMC decreases in the travel-time to neighboring municipalities, we do not find the support for IMC to be higher among citizens in small and/or fiscally weak municipalities, nor do we find the available of suitable partners to matter. At the same time, citizens’ policy preferences strongly depend on individual-level factors. Believing that IMC reduces citizens’ influence and control reduces the support for IMC substantially. Trust in local politicians and a high degree of emotional attachment to the home municipality reduce citizens’ support for IMC.
Lower extremity kinematics in running athletes with and without a history of medial shin pain.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND Medial shin pain (MSP) is a common complaint that may stop an athlete from running. No previous study has identified deficits in pelvic, hip or knee motion as potential contributing factors to MSP. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in kinematics during running between uninjured athletes and those with MSP. Secondary analyses investigated differences in limbs between groups and differences between sexes. METHODS This case-control study investigated fourteen runners aged 18-40 years old with a history of unilateral MSP and fourteen runner controls. Three dimensional lower quarter kinematics were captured as runners ran on a treadmill. Specifically, peak hip internal rotation (IR), frontal plane pelvic tilt (PT) excursion, and knee flexion were examined. RESULTS Groups were similar in age, mass, height, and training mileage. Subjects with a history of MSP demonstrated significantly greater frontal plane PT (P = 0.002, Effect size = 0.55) and peak hip IR (P = 0.004, Effect size = 0.51); and less knee flexion (P = 0.02, Effect size = 0.46) than the control group. No significant difference was found in kinematics of the MSP group during their involved side stance phase as compared to their non-involved side. CONCLUSIONS Runners with MSP displayed greater PT excursion, peak hip IR, and decreased knee flexion while running as compared to a control group. These results should help guide treatment for the running athlete that experiences MSP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3b.
Antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects of the tannins of Terminalia catappa L.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) react with biological molecules and destroy the structure of cells and eventually cause free radical-induced disease such as inflammation and cancer. Previous studies showed that an aqueus extract of Terminalia catappa L. exhibited superoxide radical scavenger activity and modification of mitomycin C-induced clasto-genicity. In order to investigate the multiple antioxidant effect of the tannin components of T. catappa L. , their ability to prevent lipid peroxidation, superoxide formation and their free radical scavenging activity were evaluated. The results indicated that all of these components showed potent antioxidant activity. Punicalagin and punicalin were the most abundant components and had the strongest anti-oxidative effects of this group of tannins.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Immunohistochemical Studies in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Using the Survival Tree Model

Objective: Various immunohistochemical studies have been performed regarding intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), including the cell cycle-related proteins (p27, cyclin D1, 14-3-3σ, p53, cyclin B1 and Ki-67), the proto-oncogenes (c-erbB-2 and c-Met), the extracellular matrix proteins (tenascin and laminin) and others (β-catenin, epidermal growth factor receptor, osteopontin, aquaporin 1, MUC5AC and fascin). Nevertheless, none of these have been proven to be a predictive power of the prognosis with high specificity and sensitivity for ICC. Methods: Sixty-one patients with ICC were selected and ICC specimens were immunohistochemically stained with the above 16 markers, as previously reported. Results: The immunoreactivity of osteopontin, tenascin and Ki-67 divided the patients with ICC into 4 subgroups by the survival tree model. There was a significant relationship between the location of the tumor, TNM classification, histological differentiation, tumor size, lymphatic permeation, perineural invasion, lymph node metastasis, intrahepatic metastasis and viral infection among the 4 subgroups. In addition, there was a significant difference in survival among the 4 subgroups. Conclusion: In this study, the subgrouping by the survival tree model might be helpful for predicting the patients’ prognosis in ICC.
Task assignment strategy for overloaded systems

Size-based load distribution approaches are proposed to deal with high variation of task size. One of the most critical problem of these approaches is that they do not consider task deadlines (which if not met may cause task starvation). This paper proposes an extension of our early work on dynamic load balancing [E.L. Hahne et al., June 2002, M. Mirhakkak et al., Aug. 2001, A.S. Tanenbaum, 1996] (called LFF) which takes the relative processing time of task of a task into account and dynamically assigns it to the fittest server with a lighter load and high processing capacity. LFF-PRIORITY dynamically computes the task size priority and task deadline priority and puts them in a priority based multi-section queue. The testing results clearly show that LFF-PRIORITY out performs existing load distribution strategies. More importantly, more than 80% of tasks meet their task deadlines under LFF-PRIORITY strategy.
Possible Effects of Strategy Instruction on L1 and L2 Reading.

The present study investigates the reading strategies of Turkish EFL students in Turkish and English and the possible effects of reading instruction on reading in Turkish and English. The study addresses the following questions: a) Does strategy instruction in EFL reading affect EFL reading strategies and reading comprehension in English? b) Does strategy instruction in EFL reading affect reading strategies in Turkish? The participants consisted of 8 Turkish students enrolled in a pre-intermediate level class of a one-year intensive English course offered at a Turkish-medium technical university. The data came from think-aloud protocols, observation, a background questionnaire, a semi-structured interview and the reading component of the PET (the Preliminary English Test). The results indicated that strategy instruction had a positive effect on both Turkish and English reading strategies and reading comprehension in English.
Performance and business relatedness as drivers of exit decision: A study of MNCs from an emerging country

Research summary This study examines the exit behavior of emerging market MNCs in the context of the parent company (PC)–foreign affiliate (FA) relationship. Specifically, we consider business relatedness as a moderating variable and examine its impact on the relationship between a FA's international performance and its exit decision from a foreign market. Our results, based on data collected from multiple informants in 180 Chinese firms, indicate that product relatedness and intangible resources relatedness have a different moderating impact on the FA performance-FA exit decision relationship. Implications of these findings along with the limitations of the study are discussed. Managerial summary Although the research on international entry and expansion is particularly important, an aspect which has been largely ignored in the literature is the exit behavior of firms. This study examines whether the extent to which a foreign subsidiary is similar to its parent's core business may influence the firm's exit decision. The findings indicate that managers are more likely to exit a poorly-performing FA if there is a high (versus low) level of product relatedness between the FA and its PC's core business. The results also suggest that intangible resources relatedness exerts a different contingent effect on the FA performance-FA exit relationship from product relatedness.
Outcomes of Critically Ill Gynecological Cancer Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Unit

Purpose: To assess the characteristics of critically ill patients with gynecological cancer, and to evaluate their prognosis. Methods: Fifty-two critically ill patients with gynecological cancer admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) were included. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with hospital mortality. Results: Thirty-five patients (67.3%) had carcinoma of the cervix uteri and 11 (21.2%) had ovarian cancer. The mortality rate in the ICU was 17.3% (9 of 52) and hospital mortality rate were 23%(12 of 52). In the multivariate analysis, independent prognostic factors for hospital mortality were vasopressor use (odds ratio [OR] = 8.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.05-36; P = .03) and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.01-2.09; P = .048). Conclusions: The independent prognostic factors for hospital mortality were the need for vasopressors and the APACHE II score.
Characteristic analysis of an ironless linear synchronous motor with novel halbach magnet array

A novel ironless synchronous permanent magnet linear motor with Halbach array is proposed. The operation principle and structure of this linear motor are introduced. Based on magnetic vector potential equation and boundary conditions, flux density distribution induced by the permanent magnet array is analysed analytically. And then the expression of the air-gap flux density distribution was derived. Characteristics such as thrust and back-EMF are obtained analytically and compared with the finite element simulation results. A prototype machine is manufactured and some experimental study is carried out, which validate the analytical and simulated results.