Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cloning of the cDNAs Coding for Two Novel Molybdo-flavoproteins Showing High Similarity with Aldehyde Oxidase and Xanthine Oxidoreductase*

The cDNAs coding for two novel mouse molybdo-flavoproteins, AOH1 and AOH2 (aldehydeoxidase homolog 1 and 2), were isolated. The AOH1 and AOH2 cDNAs code for polypeptides of 1336 amino acids. The two proteins have similar primary structure and show striking amino acid identity with aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductase, two other molybdo-flavoenzymes. AOH1 and AOH2 contain consensus sequences for a molybdopterin-binding site and two distinct 2Fe-2S redox centers. In its native conformation, AOH1 has a molecular weight consistent with a homotetrameric structure. Transfection of the AOH1 and AOH2 cDNAs results in the production of proteins with phenanthridine but not hypoxanthine oxidizing activity. Furthermore, the AOH1 protein has benzaldehyde oxidizing activity with electrophoretic characteristics identical to those of a previously identified aldehyde oxidase isoenzyme (Holmes, R. S. (1979) Biochem. Genet. 17, 517–528). The AOH1 transcript is expressed in the hepatocytes of the adult and fetal liver and in spermatogonia. In liver, the AOH1 protein is synthesized in a gender-specific fashion. The expression of AOH2 is limited to keratinized epithelia and the basal layer of the epidermis and hair folliculi. The selective cell and tissue distribution of AOH1 and AOH2 mRNAs is consistent with the localization of the respective protein products.
Eye movement abnormalities in essential tremor may indicate cerebellar dysfunction.

Experimental and clinical data indicate that the cerebellum is involved in the pathophysiology of advanced stages of essential tremor (ET). The aim of this study was to determine whether a dysfunction also affects cerebellar structures involved in eye movement control. Eye movements of 14 patients with ET and 11 age-matched control subjects were recorded using the scleral search-coil technique. Vestibular function was assessed by electro-oculography. Eight ET patients had clinical evidence of intention tremor (ET(IT)); six had a predominantly postural tremor (ET(PT)) without intention tremor. ET patients showed two major deficits that may indicate cerebellar dysfunction: (i) an impaired smooth pursuit initiation; and (ii) pathological suppression of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) time constant by head tilts ('otolith dumping'). In the step ramp smooth pursuit paradigm, the initial eye acceleration in the first 60 ms of pursuit generation was significantly reduced in ET patients, particularly in ET(IT) patients, by approximately 44% (mean 23.4 degrees/s(2)) compared with that of control subjects (mean 41.3 degrees/s(2)). Subsequent steady-state pursuit velocity and sinusoidal pursuit gain (e.g. 0.4 Hz: 0.90 versus 0.78) were also significantly decreased in ET patients, whereas pursuit latency was unaffected. The intention tremor score correlated with the pursuit deficit, e.g. ET(IT) patients were significantly more affected than ET(PT) patients. Gain and time constant (tau) of horizontal VOR were normal, but suppression of the VOR time constant by head tilt ('otolith dumping') was pathological in 41% of ET patients, particularly in ET(IT) patients. Saccades and gaze-holding function were not impaired. The deficit of pursuit initiation, its correlation with the intensity of intention tremor, and the pathological VOR dumping provide additional evidence of a cerebellar dysfunction in the advanced stage of ET, when intention tremor becomes part of the clinical symptoms, and point to a common pathomechanism. The oculomotor deficits may indicate an impairment of the caudal vermis in ET.
The role of specifications and contracts in outsourced product development in the automotive industry

Much attention has been paid to relationships between supplier and buyer finns, especially in the field of product development and in particular in the automotive industry. There has been a growing debate on the need to increase the responsibilities for suppliers and have a win-win relationship with them instead of an adversarial relationship. Research has been extensive, dealing with issues like location of suppliers, just in time, tiering of suppliers, etc., although little attention has been paid to the issue of specifications and contracts which are an important part of the product development process. The specification flow between the buyer and suppliers is necessary in order to obtain the product. Specifications could be validated' with the help of written contracts and thus can be seen as an important part of the contracts. The objective of the study is to understand the role of specifications and contracts in these companies and thus contribute to knowledge and the understanding of practitioners. One automotive OEM located in Europe was used for the case study. One aircraft OEM, also located in Europe, was used for supplementary data collection. In-depth interviews in five first-tier suppliers, and an open ended questionnaire survey (internal and external) have been used to provide complementary perspectives. The research2 is guided by a qualitative inductive approach and is aimed at developing ideas grounded in field observations. Strauss & Corbin's (1990) method for coding qualitative data has been followed in order to model the role of specifications and contracts. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with various managers in the OEMs and supplier companies, participant and direct observation, internal documents, and questionnaires. Specifications were identified to have a role in guiding outsourcing decisions, function as a means of communication, help decide the time of involvement of the suppliers, help differentiate suppliers, create visions for suppliers and help provide competitive advantage. Contracts were identified to have a role in reaching agreements for continuing supply and help assist in the validation of specifications.
Heme Oxygenase-1 Mediates the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Acute Alcohol on IL-10 Induction Involving p38 MAPK Activation in Monocytes

Inflammation and immunoregulatory cytokines play a central role in alcohol-induced liver damage. We previously reported that acute alcohol treatment augments IL-10 and inhibits TNF-α production in monocytes. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a stress-inducible protein, also regulates IL-10 and TNF-α production. Here, we report that augmentation of LPS-induced IL-10 production by alcohol was prevented by inhibition of HO-1 activity. Acute ethanol increased LPS-induced enzyme activity and RNA levels of HO-1, and DNA binding of AP-1, a transcription factor essential in HO-1 regulation. LPS-induced phospho-p38 MAPK levels were augmented by ethanol treatment and the p38 inhibitor, SB203580, prevented both the ethanol-induced increase in IL-10 production and the inhibitory effect of ethanol on TNF-α production. Ethanol-induced down-regulation of TNF-α production was abrogated by inhibition of HO-1. We found that LPS-induced activation of NF-κB, a regulator of TNF-α, was inhibited by both ethanol treatment and HO-1 activation, but the ethanol-induced inhibition of NF-κB was HO-1 independent. In LPS-challenged mice in vivo, both acute alcohol administration and HO-1 activation augmented IL-10 and inhibited TNF-α serum levels. These results show that 1) acute alcohol augments HO-1 activation in monocytes, 2) HO-1 activation plays a role in alcohol-induced augmentation of IL-10 production likely via increased p38 MAPK activation, and 3) HO-1 activation is involved in attenuation of TNF-α production by alcohol independent of inhibition of NF-κB activation by alcohol. Thus, HO-1 activation is a key mediator of the anti-inflammatory effects of acute alcohol on monocytes.
Optimization of transfection mediated by calcium phosphate for plasmid rAAV‐LacZ (recombinant adeno‐associated virus–β‐galactosidase reporter gene) production in suspension‐cultured HEK‐293 (human embryonic kidney 293) cells

rAAV (recombinant adeno‐associated virus) has become a very useful gene‐delivery vector for gene therapy. However, it is very difficult to generate rAAV using triple transfection on a commercial scale, owing to its low productivity and inconveniently adhesive nature of its culture. An optimal suspension‐culture transfection procedure was developed for rAAV‐LacZ production in suspended HEK‐293 cells mediated by calcium phosphate (lacZ, a reporter gene, codes for β‐galactosidase). The study showed that cytotoxicity of transfection complexes and cell aggregation in suspension culture were two key factors affecting high suspension‐culture transfection efficiency. Cytotoxicity of transfection complexes was influenced effectively by mixture of Ca2+ and plasmid DNA when their concentrations were decreased from 300 to 150 mM and from 3.0 to 1.5 μg/ml respectively, as manifested by a relatively higher cell viability after suspension‐culture transfection. Moreover, the transfection efficiency was still less than 15%. In addition, we explored the disruption of cell aggregation and the control of transfection‐complex size with 2.0 mM EGTA treatment for 30 min before transfection and the addition of 100 mM Mg2+ during transfection respectively, procedures which enhanced transfection efficiency significantly, owing to more contact and endocytosis between cells and transfection complexes. Finally, the high transfection level and rAAV‐LacZ titre achieved under optimized suspension‐culture transfection conditions, namely 40% and 5×1011 v.g. (vector genomes)/60 ml of medium respectively, is promising for the technique's application in the large‐scale production of rAAV.
Exploring Antecedents & Consequences Of Customer Satisfaction With Smartphones: Implications For CRM

Customers of smartphones spend most of their waking time using them, as they have become the most innovative electronic devices. As the time spent on smartphones increases, the customer’s dependence on smartphones also increases. Therefore smartphones are more than telecommunication devices to customers. This paper examines factors (i.e., antecedents) affecting smartphone customer satisfaction and factors (i.e., consequences) arising from smartphone customer satisfaction. In particular, this study explores how the level of customer satisfaction affects loyalty, brand image, corporate image and country of origin. This study involved an online survey and applied t-test, factor, and regression analyses. The results provide managerial and theoretical implications for satisfaction and customer relationship management.
The soluble viral glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus efficiently sensitizes target cells for lysis by CD4+ T lymphocytes

The soluble glycoprotein Gs of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), at approximately 10(4) molecules per cell, sensitized target cells for lysis by clones of CD4+ cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). In addition to lysis, the clones responded by proliferation and interleukin-2 release. Targets sensitized by Gs competed effectively with VSV-infected cells for recognition. Immune cytolysis by these CD4+ CTLs was restricted by class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and was specific to VSV. The specific class II MHC antigen which was restricting for each clone remained the same whether the targets were sensitized by infection with VSV or by exogenously added soluble antigen. Sensitization by Gs appeared to require prior processing because the antigen-presenting cells that were fixed prior to exposure to Gs failed to be recognized by the CTL clones. The high efficiency of this uptake and processing was suggested by the inability of Gs at concentrations up to 10(7) per cell to block superinfection by VSV or to effect the RNA-synthetic machinery of uninfected cells. Also, Gs failed to hemolyze sheep erythrocytes when there was hemolysis by virions or an amino-terminal peptide of the VSV glycoprotein. Extrapolation of these results to viral diseases was possible because soluble viral glycoproteins were naturally synthesized during many viral infections and class II MHC antigens were inducible in cells of nonlymphoid origin. Therefore, CD4+ CTLs may be important participants in increasing virus-induced pathology, especially among adjacent uninfected cells.
A micromachined piezoelectric tactile sensor for an endoscopic grasper-theory, fabrication and experiments

Present-day commercial endoscopic graspers do not have any built-in sensors, thus, the surgeon does not have the necessary tactile feedback to manipulate the tissue safely. This paper presents the design, fabrication, testing, and experimental results of a micromachined tactile sensor, which can be integrated with the tips of commercial endoscopic graspers. The prototype sensor consists of three layers. The top layer is made of micromachined silicon with a rigid tooth-like structure similar to the present-day endoscopic grasper. The bottom layer is made of flat Plexiglass serving as a substrate. Packaged between the Plexiglass and the silicon is a patterned Polyvinglidene Fluoride (PVDF) film. The proposed sensor exhibits high sensitivity, a large dynamic range, and a high signal-to-noise ratio. Through experimental results, it is shown that the magnitude and position of an applied force can be determined from the magnitude and slope of the output signals from the PVDF sensing elements. Structural analysis is also performed using the finite-element method, and the results are compared with the experimental analysis. The advantages and limitations of this sensor are also reported. A discussion of how the design of the sensor can be integrated with the design of an endoscopic grasper is also presented.
Intelligent traffic signal controller based on type-2 fuzzy logic and NSGAII

Intelligent traffic signal control (TSC) system is important for the alleviation of traffic congestion. Usually, most of the researches about TSC focused on single intersection based on type-1 fuzzy set. Compared with type-1 fuzzy logic controller (FLC), type-2 FLC can deal with more uncertainties in the road traffic control system. Therefore, a type-2 FLC optimized by NSGAII (T2-NSGAII) is designed for TSC in a complex road network, in which the intersection’s traffic signal time is dynamically adjusted by its own and adjacent intersections’ traffic volumes to reduce global delay time and traffic congestion. In T2-NSGAII, the expert rule set and the parameters of the fuzzy membership functions are simultaneously optimized by NSGAII to achieve less time delay and traffic congestion. In the simulations of a six-intersection traffic network with different vehicular arrival rates, it is demonstrated that T2-NSGAII has better performance compared with vehicle actuated controller based on fixed-time control (FTC), type-1 FLC, type-2 FLC and isolatedly optimized Type-2 FLC and the total delay time could be reduced by 76.3%, 65.1%, 58.3% and 35.4% respectively.
The influence of social responsibility image relative to product and service quality on brand loyalty: an exploratory study of quick-service restaurants.

Social responsibility (SR) is becoming an increasingly significant component of many firms’ strategic planning decisions. Research has shown that consumers tend to reward socially responsible behavior. However, there has been little testing of the construct in the hospitality industry. Additionally, when other important variables that influence consumer brand loyalty are considered, will brand social responsibility image (BSRI) still play a significant role? This study investigates the importance of SR and its impact on brand loyalty, relative to product quality and service quality in the quick-service restaurant industry. The authors were also interested to learn whether BSRI impacted consumers' image of product and service quality. It was found that BSRI had a positive impact on brand loyalty, product quality, and service quality. However, product quality was a significantly stronger predictor of brand loyalty than BSRI. Where the vast majority of studies of SR have utilized scenario analysis of hypothetical firms, this study utilizes consumers' perceptions of a real-world firm.
Medial Epiphysiolysis in Severe Infantile Tibia Vara

Abstract: Recurrent varus deformity and shortening frequently result following valgus osteotomy alone for advanced stage infantile tibia vara (ITV), due to the proximal medial physeal dysfunction which resembles a complete growth arrest in Langenskiöld grade III or greater lesions. Epiphysiolysis is a possible treatment alternative which, if successful, can restore symmetric proximal tibial growth and obviate the need for additional complex treatments to address recurrent angular deformity and limb length inequality. We reviewed 24 patients, ages 5-10 years, with 27 affected tibiae, who underwent epiphysiolysis of the proximal medial tibia combined with valgus osteotomy. The procedure was >80% successful in restoring growth and avoiding varus recurrence in children <7 years old. Patients >age 7, patients with relative undercorrection of their mechanical axis at the time of surgery, and patients with previous failed surgical treatment were more likely not to benefit from epiphysiolysis, and consequently alternative methods may be more appropriate.
Venture capital investing: the complete handbook for investing in private businesses for outstanding profits

In his classic bestseller Venture Capital Handbook, leading venture capitalist David Gladstone showed thousands of companies how to get funding and work with early stage investors. Now, in his revision of the classic, Venture Capital Investing, he looks at venture capital through the eyes of the investor. Gladstone shows all of you VC investors and angels exactly how to weed through scores of business proposals and find the gem that will deliver outstanding returns, especially in these soft economic times. You will learn what to look for in a business proposition; how to assess entrepreneurs and their management teams; how to evaluate financial statements, market niches, competitive environments, and product innovations; how to investigate a business that's already operating; and how to build effective partnerships with existing portfolio companies.
Vision-Based Vehicle Detection System Applying Hypothesis Fitting

In this paper, we propose the improved vision-based vehicle detection system which is added a hypothesis fitting (HF) step to the typical vehicle detection system consisting of the hypothesis generation (HG) and hypothesis verification (HV) step. In the HG step, the system generates hypotheses using shadow regions appearing under vehicles. In the HV step, the system verifies whether a hypothesis is a vehicle or not by applying a classifier and feature vectors extracted from the hypothesis. The proposed HF step is conducted between HG and HV steps and help to improve performance of the vehicle verification by adapting region of hypotheses. We verify the performance of our proposed HF method through a total of 4,797 hypotheses, 1,606 positive hypotheses, and 3,191 negative hypotheses data set.
Kinetic and Fluid Model Hierarchies for Supply Chains

We present a model hierarchy for queuing networks and supply chains, analogous to the hierarchy leading from the many body problem to the equations of gas dynamics. Various possible mean field models for the interaction of individual parts in the chain are presented. For the case of linearly ordered queues the mean field models and fluid approximations are verified numerically.
Probability of Information-Based Trading as a Pricing Factor in Taiwan Stock Market

Easley, Hvidkjaer and O'Hara (2002) study the role of information-based trading in affecting U.S. asset returns. They find that information risk or the probability of information-based trading (PIN) is a determinant of the expected returns of NYSE listed stocks. In this paper, we investigate whether emerging financial markets also share similar findings. Specifically, we use transactions and quote data of Taiwan Stock Exchange to measure PIN. Cross-sectional asset pricing tests show that PIN is a significant pricing factor in Taiwan stock market. An increase of ten percentage point in PIN on average requires an additional of four to seven percent in annual stock returns.
Reproducibility of a food frequency questionnaire and stability of dietary habits determined from five annually repeated measurements.

OBJECTIVES In studies on diet and cancer, diet assessment should address long-term intake. Therefore, the authors determined the 5-year reproducibility of a self-administered 150-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) used to assess dietary habits in the Netherlands Cohort Study on diet and cancer. Since the FFQ was repeated more than once, the pure test-retest reliability of the FFQ could be distinguished from the intra-individual change in nutrient intake over time. These results were furthermore used to investigate the measurement error structure of the FFQ. DESIGN After baseline administration in 1986, the FFQ was annually repeated from 1987 to 1991 in independent random samples of the cohort (n = 400). Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between baseline and repeated measurements of nutrient intake, calculated for each time interval, were regressed on time interval to provide separate estimates of the test-retest correlation (intercept of regression line) and of the decline in correlation over time (slope). The proportion of correlated measurement error was derived from combining the test-retest results with those from a validation study, in which the FFQ was validated against three 3-day diet records. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Response was stable at 82%. The test-retest r ranged from 0.42 for selenium intake to 0.90 for alcohol intake. The slopes of the regression lines were relatively flat, but negative for most nutrients; on average, the decline in r amounted to 0.07 after 5 years, indicating that the potential of a single FFQ measurement to rank subjects according to nutrient intake dropped only slightly over time. This is important for studies on cancer since a long induction period may be involved. It was furthermore shown that the proportion of within-subject (error) variance of the FFQ method that could be attributed to correlated error ranged from 0 to 50%. This finding confirms that a reliability study may underestimate the measurement error of a method. SPONSORSHIP Dutch Cancer Society (grants CIVO 86-1 and CIVO 90-3).
Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Bleeding in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients

Similar to adults, children under physiologic stress can develop an imbalance in defensive (mucosal layer, motility) and aggressive (gastric acid, bile salts, enzymes) factors responsible for maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal tract. Hypoxia in the gastrointestinal tract likely disrupts the defensive factors, thereby permitting damage by aggressive factors to upper gastrointestinal epithelium that may progress to stress ulceration and acute upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding (UGIB). The basic pathophysiology may be similar in children and adults; however, differences in the time to developing ulceration, ulcer location, and number of ulcers have been reported. Functional development of the gastrointestinal tract is influenced by disease, gestational and postnatal age, and exposure to and type of enteral feedings, thereby confounding the development and prophylaxis of UGIB in neonates and infants. In addition, pharmacotherapy decisions are often complicated by drug administration issues and adverse effects.