Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collagen V Is a Potential Substrate for Clostridial Collagenase G in Pancreatic Islet Isolation

The clostridial collagenases, H and G, play key roles in pancreatic islet isolation. Collagenases digest the peptide bond between Yaa and the subsequent Gly in Gly-Xaa-Yaa repeats. To fully understand the pancreatic islet isolation process, identification of the collagenase substrates in the tissue is very important. Although collagen types I and III were reported as possible substrates for collagenase H, the substrate for collagenase G remains unknown. In this study, collagen type V was focused upon as the target for collagenases. In vitro digestion experiments for collagen type V were performed and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Porcine pancreatic tissues were digested in vitro under three conditions and observed during digestion. The results revealed that collagen type V was only digested by collagenase G and that the digestion was initiated from the N-terminal part. Tissue degradation during porcine islet isolation was only observed in the presence of both collagenases H and G. These findings suggest that collagen type V is one of the substrates for collagenase G. The enzymatic activity of collagenase G appears to be more important for pancreatic islet isolation in large mammals such as pigs and humans.
WHICH HOTEL ATTRIBUTES MATTER FOR MASS TOURIST: A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ON TOURISTS’ REVIEW ON TRIP ADVISOR

Development of Internet and especially Web2.0 technologies introduced numerous opportunities for tourism industry. Due to new web-based platforms where customers can buy, evaluate and comment the products and/or services, Internet has become an important source of data that can be used in academic research. Therefore, the researchers of this paper aimed to determine the most important attributes that affect hotel choice based on the comments on one of the world’s most popular online travel platforms-Trip Advisor. In the scope of the research are reviews and comments on hotels found in touristic center of Belek in one of the most popular mass tourism destinations – Antalya. As a result of the content analysis, there are three groups of attributes which matter for mass tourists in terms of their hotel choice: attributes regarding destination, service and hotel, with attributes under the service category representing the most dominant ones in terms of hotel choice. The results of this research may be useful to hotel investors and potential hotel guests as well contribute to the overall knowledge about online travel behavior and preferences. Keywords Hotel attributes, hotel choice, Trip Advisor reviews, Belek region Antalya, content analysis
Antecedents of SME internationalization: multiple case study of Finnish SMEs' expansion into Estonia

This thesis studies the phenomenon of SME internationalization in the context of the Finnish mechanical engineering and metals industry. The first objective of the study is to identify and examine the Finnish mechanical engineering and metals industry SMEs’ antecedents of internationalization. The second objective is to examine why these SMEs decide to expand their operations into Estonia in particular. The topic of this study is very timely, as the high interest towards Estonia as a target market for Finnish SMEs’ international expansion is expected to continue. The theoretical framework of this study is formed by taking a look at the earlier literature focusing on antecedents of SME internationalization. Existing models, as well as major internationalization theories, are discussed in the light of the research questions and objectives of the study. Since there is a relatively limited amount of data on Finnish SMEs’ internationalization to Estonia available, a broader range of literature on SME internationalization to the CEEC is examined. The empirical research was conducted as a multiple case study of three Finnish mechanical engineering and metals industry SMEs. All of the case companies had expanded into Estonia after the country gained its independence in 1991. The data was collected through personal interviews with the case companies’ founders and key executives. Moreover, some additional and corrective questions were placed by e-mail. Secondary sources were used to complement the data. The results of this study indicate that an in-depth understanding of internationalization antecedents in the Finnish mechanical engineering and metals industry SMEs requires an analysis at three different levels: environmental level, firm level and managerial level. At all levels of the analysis, internationalization antecedents can be divided into two interlinked groups. The first group consists of internationalization antecedents of primary importance. Among other things, the entrepreneur’s prior international experience and commitment to internationalization, the company’s networks, as well as several host country and home country related factors fall into this category. The second group consists of internationalization antecedents of secondary importance, and includes factors such as the global mindset of the entrepreneur, the strategic orientation of the company, and costs of the target market. The key findings of this research show that existing customer networks and the increasing demand for the industry products, in particular, appear to be the most important factors for Finnish mechanical engineering and metals industry SMEs to expand into Estonia. Lower labour and production costs, the Estonian taxation system, and financial benefits for investing companies, in turn, seem to help SMEs make the final internationalization decision in favour of Estonia
High-Throughput Detection of West Nile Virus RNA

ABSTRACT The recent outbreaks of West Nile virus (WNV) in the northeastern United States and other regions of the world have made it essential to develop an efficient protocol for surveillance of WNV. In the present report, we describe a high-throughput procedure that combines automated RNA extraction, amplification, and detection of WNV RNA. The procedure analyzed 96 samples in approximately 4.5 h. A robotic system, the ABI Prism 6700 Automated Nucleic Acid workstation, extracted RNA and set up reactions for real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR in a 96-well format. The robot extracted RNA with a recovery as efficient as that of a commercial RNA extraction kit. A real-time RT-PCR assay was used to detect and quantitate WNV RNA. Using in vitro transcribed RNA, we estimated the detection limit of the real-time RT-PCR to be approximately 40 copies of RNA. A standard RT-PCR assay was optimized to a sensitivity similar to that of the real-time RT-PCR. The standard assay can be reliably used to test a small number of samples or to confirm previous test results. Using internal primers in a nested RT-PCR, we increased the sensitivity by approximately 10-fold compared to that of the standard RT-PCR. The results of the study demonstrated for the first time that the use of an automated system for the purpose of large-scale viral RNA surveillance dramatically increased the speed and efficiency of sample throughput for diagnosis.
Does Voluntary Governance Work? : Insights from Specialty Coffee

Agricultural businesses contribute to sustainability problems, but they are also increasingly central to the effort to develop solutions. One way of moving toward sustainability is through regulatory governance. In this thesis, I analyze a tool of regulatory governance called voluntary market-based regulatory initiatives. Specifically, I investigate two types of initiatives, certification and disclosure, involving businesses and consumers in regulatory governance. I researched these types of initiatives by selecting the case of specialty coffee, which has high levels of acceptance, experience, and support of voluntary governance for sustainability initiatives. To study developing certification initiatives, I analyzed direct trade schemes in the US, Denmark, and Sweden over a period of several years. To study voluntary disclosure initiatives, I analyzed the widely-used sustainability reporting system from the Global Reporting Initiative, the reporting recommendations from a new multi-stakeholder initiative called the Sustainable Coffee Challenge, and the practice of sustainability reporting among specialty coffee roasters in North America.My research indicates that voluntary market-based regulatory initiatives could contribute to governance for sustainability through involving businesses and consumers in governance, but that there are limitations. The limitations of this approach were showcased by the inability of US direct trade founders to enforce common definitions of direct trade due to the voluntary nature of the initiative and the inability or unwillingness of private actors to enforce definitions, in part due to perceived self-interest. This shows how such initiatives can have difficulty penalizing or using disincentives to inspire change. Direct trade scheme developments demonstrated the active inclusion of consumers within regulatory governance, but this active role was pushed on consumers rather than requested by consumers. In addition, there were indications of limitations of consumer skill in differentiating between regulatory schemes. Sustainability reporting among US specialty coffee roasters reveals poor conditions for empowerment through disclosure as disclosed information is not comprehensive, comparable, or useful because too few companies report and those that do report disclose information inconsistently. Collaboratively defined material topics, such as the goals and measurements defined within the Sustainable Coffee Challenge, do have the potential to improve the quality and usefulness of voluntary disclosures for governance, although it is too soon to say whether this has worked in practice. Finally, both voluntary certification and disclosure involving businesses focus on problem solving and avoid broader sustainability strategies such as substituting coffee with a more sustainable alternative or trying to decrease coffee consumption. (Less)
Endoscopic microsurgery or the larynx.

A new surgical technique, the laryngoscopic procedures with the operating microscope for removal of singer's node's polyps or other benign lesions of the larynx, has been employed. Intruments invented and used for this technique include a supplemental lens attached to the conventional operating microscope, a modified direct laryngoscope through which a binocular view of the larynx can be obtained, a self-retaining chest arm attached to the larygoscope, vanious types of forceps and scissors and a small knife with a long handle.One hundred and fifty patients with laryngeal lesions were subjected to the current study.The advantages of microsurgery of the laryx are that 1) the lesions of the larynx are so magnified through the microscope that even minute changes invisiale to the naked eyes are well observed and meticulous procedures in the larynx are feasible, and 2) the binocular stereoscopic view of the larynx allows accurate and precise approach of the instruments to the lesion with the best focus on the forceps or knife and the lesion.Microsurgery can be usefully applied to surgical procedures of the larynx which may be impossible by the naked eye.Results of pre-and postoperative examinations of the patients phonation are discussed.In an experiment, the larynx of dogs was surgically manipulated by means of microsurgery and the histological examination was carried out on the removed larynx.
“They’ll Always Find a Way to Get to You”: Technology Use in Adolescent Romantic Relationships and Its Role in Dating Violence and Abuse

Electronic communication technology (ECT), such as mobile phones and online communication tools, is widely used by adolescents; however, the availability of such tools may have both positive and negative impacts within the context of romantic relationships. While an established literature has documented the nature, prevalence, and impact of traditional forms of adolescent dating violence and abuse (ADVA), limited empirical investigation has focused on the role of ECT in ADVA or what shall be termed technology-assisted adolescent dating violence and abuse (TAADVA) and how adolescents perceive the impact of TAADVA relative to ADVA. In this article, the authors explore the role ECT plays in adolescent romantic relationships and psychologically abusive and controlling ADVA behaviors and its perceived impact. An opportunity sample of 52 adolescents (22 males and 30 females) between the ages of 12 and 18 years participated in the study. One all-female and seven mixed-gendered semi-structured focus groups were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to identify three superordinate themes, including (a) perceived healthy versus unhealthy communication, (b) perceived monitoring and controlling communication, and (c) perceived impact of technology-assisted abuse compared with that in person. While ECTs had a positive impact on the development and maintenance of adolescent romantic relationships, such tools also provided a new avenue for unhealthy, harassment, monitoring, and controlling behaviors within these relationships. ECT was also perceived to provide unique impacts in terms of making TAADVA seem both less harmful and more harmful than ADVA experienced in person. Adolescents’ perceptions and experiences of ECT in romantic relationships and TAADVA may also vary be gender. Implications of the findings are discussed, and recommendations are made for future research.
Mutations in the N‐terminal region of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe glutathione transporter pgt1+ allows functional expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Pgt1p encodes a glutathione transporter in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, orthologous to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae glutathione transporter, Hgt1p. Despite high similarity to Hgt1p, Pgt1p failed to display functionality during heterologous expression in S. cerevisiae. In the present study we employed a genetic strategy to investigate the reason behind the non‐functionality of pgt1+ in S. cerevisiae. Functional mutants were isolated after in vitro mutagenesis. Several mutants were obtained and four mutants analysed. Among these, three yielded different point mutations in the N‐terminal region (301–350 bp) of the transporter before the first transmembrane domain, while one mutant contained a deletion of 42 nucleotides within the same region. The mutant pgt1+ proteins not only expressed and localized correctly, but displayed high‐affinity glutathione transport capabilities in S. cerevisae. Comparison of wild‐type pgt1+ with the functional mutants revealed that a loss in protein expression was responsible for lack of functionality of wild‐type pgt1+ in S. cerevisiae. The mRNA levels in wild‐type and mutants were comparable, suggesting that the block was in translation. The formation of a strong stem–loop structure appeared to be responsible for inefficient translation in pgt1+ and disruption of these structures in the mutants was probably permitting translation. This was confirmed by making silent mutations in this region of wild‐type pgt1+, which led to their functionality in S. cerevisiae. This genetic strategy to relieve functional blocks in expression should greatly facilitate the study of these and other transporters from more intractable genetic organisms in a heterologous expression system. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A conceptualisation of supply chain effectiveness

With globalisation leading to increased competition within their markets, businesses face new challenges. One of these is the management and subsequent efficiency of their supply chains. Through carefully considered and implemented supply chain management, businesses can attain a competitive advantage over their competitors. However, there is evidence to suggest that in practice, success factors attributed to efficiency of supply chains are not being addressed. This is of concern, as more businesses are now competing supply chain vs supply chain rather than directly as business vs business. This study investigates the success factors related to the management of successful supply chains. The research methodology of this study utilised a quantitative survey instrument informed by qualitative information. It encapsulates structured themes within a conceptual framework and encompasses the associated critical success factors of each theme. Responses from 307 supply chain decision makers, have enabled both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to take place. Through an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) the findings firstly identified 48 variables as critical factors directly attributed to supply chain efficiency. A confirmatory factor analysis offered the plausibility of a model fit of a 7V conceptual framework when addressing supply chain efficiency. The research contributes to the relatively new field research area of supply chain management and specifically critical success factors. It develops a conceptual framework that can assist organisations when planning and managing their supply chains. In doing so it also identifies critical success factors that if managed can improve supply chain efficiency and assist organisations in attaining a competitive advantage.
Multiple Roles of WIN 3 in Regulating Disease Resistance , Cell Death , and Flowering Time in Arabidopsis 1 [ C ] [ W ] [ OA ]

The salicylic acid (SA) regulatory gene HOPW1-1-INTERACTING3 (WIN3) was previously shown to confer resistance to the biotrophic pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. Here, we report that WIN3 controls broad-spectrum disease resistance to the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea and contributes to basal defense induced by flg22, a 22-amino acid peptide derived from the conserved region of bacterial flagellin proteins. Genetic analysis indicates that WIN3 acts additively with several known SA regulators, including PHYTOALEXIN DEFICIENT4, NONEXPRESSOR OF PR GENES1 (NPR1), and SA INDUCTIONDEFICIENT2, in regulating SA accumulation, cell death, and/or disease resistance in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant acd6-1. Interestingly, expression of WIN3 is also dependent on these SA regulators and can be activated by cell death, suggesting that WIN3-mediated signaling is interconnected with those derived from other SA regulators and cell death. Surprisingly, we found that WIN3 and NPR1 synergistically affect flowering time via influencing the expression of flowering regulatory genes FLOWERING LOCUS C and FLOWERING LOCUS T. Taken together, our data reveal that WIN3 represents a novel node in the SA signaling networks to regulate plant defense and flowering time. They also highlight that plant innate immunity and development are closely connected processes, precise regulation of which should be important for the fitness of plants.
Psychosocial Adjustment and Substance Use of Cambodian and Vietnamese Immigrant Youth

Southeast Asians living in the United States are a unique Asian immigrant population. They are considered one of the “newer” Asian immigrant groups, tend to be less affluent compared with their East and South Asian counterparts, and are steadily growing in number. Unfortunately, few studies have been conducted specifically about Southeast Asian immigrants. The lack of studies, coupled with the community’s growing mental health issues, suggests the need for increased research on this population. This study contributes to the literature by examining the extent to which identification with Vietnamese or Cambodian culture, peer relationships, and coping behaviors affect substance use among Cambodian and Vietnamese immigrant youth. A sample of 102 participants, age 12 to 18 years, completed self-report measures regarding these variables. Results indicate that identification with one’s culture of origin and coping behaviors moderate the relationship between deviant peer association and substance use. Results are discussed within a contextual model of problem behavior among Southeast Asian youth.
cAMP response element‐binding protein activation in ligation preconditioning in neonatal brain

Perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic (HI) brain injury is a major cause of permanent neurological dysfunction in children. An approach to study the treatment of neonatal HI encephalopathy that allows for neuroprotection is to investigate the states of tolerance to HI. Twenty‐four‐hour carotid‐artery ligation preconditioning established by delaying the onset of hypoxia for 24 hours after permanent unilateral carotid ligation rats markedly diminished the cerebral injury, however, the signaling mechanisms of this carotid‐artery ligation preconditioning in neonatal rats remain unknown. Ligation of the carotid artery 24 hours before hypoxia provided complete neuroprotection and produced improved performance on the Morris water maze compared with ligation performed 1 hour before hypoxia. Carotid artery ligation 6 hours before hypoxia produced intermediate benefit. The 24‐hour carotid‐artery ligation preconditioning was associated with a robust and sustained activation of a transcription factor, the cAMP response element–binding protein (CREB), on its phosphorylation site on Ser133. Intracerebroventricular infusions of antisense CREB oligodeoxynucleotides significantly reduced the 24‐hour carotid‐artery ligation–induced neuroprotection effects by decreasing CREB expressions. Pharmacological activation of the cAMP‐CREB signaling with rolipram 24 hours before hypoxia protected rat pups at behavioral and pathological levels by sustained increased CREB phosphorylation. This study suggests that 24‐hour carotid‐artery ligation preconditioning provides important mechanisms for potential pharmacological preconditioning against neonatal HI brain injury. Ann Neurol, 2004
Recently published indicators allow for comparison of radiation treatment rates relative to evidence-based guidelines for rectal cancer.

The system performance initiative of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is the first pan-Canadian report to offer indicators for measuring treatment practice patterns by province and for comparing practice with current guidelines. The 2011 Cancer System Performance Report 1 presents data on guideline-based treatment indicators for the second year, allowing for a preliminary trend analysis. The decision to examine indicators measuring treatment practice patterns came from several workshops and consultations involving a broad range of experts and knowledge leaders from across the cancer care landscape. Among the treatment indicators examined is the percentage of resected stage II and III rectal cancer cases receiving neoadjuvant (preoperative) radiation therapy (RT).