Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alanine-Glyoxylate Aminotransferase-2 Metabolizes Endogenous Methylarginines, Regulates NO, and Controls Blood Pressure

Objective—Asymmetric dimethylarginine is an endogenous inhibitor of NO synthesis that may mediate cardiovascular disease. Alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase-2 (AGXT2) has been proposed to degrade asymmetric dimethylarginine. We investigated the significance of AGXT2 in methylarginine metabolism in vivo and examined the effect of this enzyme on blood pressure. Methods and Results—In isolated mouse kidney mitochondria, we show asymmetric dimethylarginine deamination under physiological conditions. We demonstrate increased asymmetric dimethylarginine, reduced NO, and hypertension in an AGXT2 knockout mouse. We provide evidence for a role of AGXT2 in methylarginine metabolism in humans by demonstrating an inverse relationship between renal (allograft) gene expression and circulating substrate levels and an association between expression and urinary concentrations of the product. Finally, we examined data from a meta-analysis of blood pressure genome-wide association studies. No genome-wide significance was observed, but taking a hypothesis-driven approach, there was a suggestive association between the T allele at rs37369 (which causes a valine-isoleucine substitution and altered levels of AGXT2 substrate) and a modest increase in diastolic blood pressure (P=0.0052). Conclusion—Although the effect of variation at rs37369 needs further study, these findings suggest that AGXT2 is an important regulator of methylarginines and represents a novel mechanism through which the kidney regulates blood pressure.
The Major Growth Strategies Adopted by Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya: A Case of Kisumu County

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) formulate growth strategies in order to attain high market share, high productivity and gain more profit and attract more customers. In Kenya, small businesses fail because of adopting wrong strategies that do not enhance growth. Therefore, this study sought to investigate growth strategies adopted by SMEs in Kenya, focusing on artisans operating within one of the biggest market in the country-Kibuye market. The study employed descriptive survey research design and used questionnaires to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. The study affirmed the theory of growth strategies by indicating through its findings that enterprises move through distinguishable stages of growth and that each stage contains a relatively calm period of growth that ends with a management crisis. The findings of the study clearly demonstration that SMEs in Kenya have realized relative growth with each stage of growth characterized with myriad management challenges. The major growth strategy the enterprises adopted is product development strategy, but to a moderate extent through identification of new markets for their new existing products. The study also found that most entrepreneurs adopted product development strategy that targeted specific market segments.
The development of business–government strategies by diversified firms

This paper uses grounded theory to explore internal (intrafirm) conflicts in the formulation of business–government strategies by corporations with diversified business units. We find that three types of conflict exist within firms: conflict over proactive policy positions advocated by the firm (prepolicy issues), conflict over reactive internal distribution of compliance costs/benefits (postpolicy issues), and representational conflict (e.g., individual business units vs. corporate representation in the external public policy arena). We also develop a grounded framework for organizational structures for conflict resolution in the strategic management of government relations, based upon our case studies, and find a relationship between particular structures and the degree of diversification. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A differential scheme for Spatial Modulation

In this paper, by considering the case of two transmit antennas, we propose a novel approach for introducing differential signaling into Spatial Modulation (SM)/Space-Shift Keying (SSK) and thus develop a differential SM/SSK (DSM/DSSK) scheme, where neither the transmitter nor the receiver has access to channel state information. The proposed approach can be applied to any equal energy signal constellations. Performance analysis of the proposed DSM is developed analytically and demonstrated via simulations, leading to some interesting observations and useful conclusions. It is shown that the performance degradation of DSM over SM can be less than 3dB and that the loss decreases as the number of receive antennas decreases.
Purchased business services influence downstream supply chain members

Purpose – Supply chain management and business networks have gained increased attention in services settings. The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of external purchased services by a service provider on the satisfaction of downstream supply chain members, i.e. end‐users. The focus is on transaction‐specific satisfaction as it provides in‐depth information on specific satisfaction elements.Design/methodology/approach – To test the propositions, one business service provider purchasing a service from an external supplier is selected. Data are collected by sending a web survey to the business service provider's customers. partial least squares (PLS) is used to analyze the data as transaction‐specific satisfaction is considered as a formative construct.Findings – PLS analyses indicate that the elements determining satisfaction with the external supplier and those determining satisfaction with the business service provider differ. Moreover, transaction‐specific satisfaction of end‐users wi.
Visual search with image modification in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE AMD results in loss of central vision and a dependence on low-resolution peripheral vision. While many image enhancement techniques have been proposed, there is a lack of quantitative comparison of the effectiveness of enhancement. We developed a natural visual search task that uses patients' eye movements as a quantitative and functional measure of the efficacy of image modification. METHODS Eye movements of 17 patients (mean age = 77 years) with AMD were recorded while they searched for target objects in natural images. Eight different image modification methods were implemented and included manipulations of local image or edge contrast, color, and crowding. In a subsequent task, patients ranked their preference of the image modifications. RESULTS Within individual participants, there was no significant difference in search duration or accuracy across eight different image manipulations. When data were collapsed across all image modifications, a multivariate model identified six significant predictors for normalized search duration including scotoma size and acuity, as well as interactions among scotoma size, age, acuity, and contrast (P < 0.05). Additionally, an analysis of image statistics showed no correlation with search performance across all image modifications. Rank ordering of enhancement methods based on participants' preference revealed a trend that participants preferred the least modified images (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS There was no quantitative effect of image modification on search performance. A better understanding of low- and high-level components of visual search in natural scenes is necessary to improve future attempts at image enhancement for low vision patients. Different search tasks may require alternative image modifications to improve patient functioning and performance.
Do Silicone Nasal Septal Splints with Integral Airway Reduce Postoperative Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?

Objective. This study aims to compare the effects of Merocel nasal packs and silicone nasal septal splints with integral airway on the ventilation and pressure of the middle ear when applied intranasally after septoplasty for isolated septal deviation. Study Design. A prospective, randomized trial. Setting. A tertiary referral center. Subjects and Methods. Fifty-one patients who underwent septoplasty for nasal respiratory impairment caused by septal deviation were randomized into 2 groups. After septoplasty, bilateral anterior Merocel nasal packs were applied in one group, while silicone nasal septal splints with integral airway were applied in the other group. Middle ear pressures were compared using preoperative and post-operative tympanometry. Results. Pathological decrease in the middle ear pressure in at least 1 ear was determined in 17 patients (73.9%) in the Merocel group compared with only 6 patients (21.4%) in the silicone nasal septal splint group at the 48th postoperative hour. In the first 24 hours following surgery, decreases in tympanometric pressures were seen in both groups, but more in the Merocel group. After 24 hours, middle ear pressures continued to decrease in the Merocel group but started to increase in the silicone nasal septal splint group. Conclusion. Because they allow inhalation through the nose and cause less Eustachian tube dysfunction than Merocel, using silicone nasal septal splints with integral airway instead of packing after septoplasty seems a more reasonable option.
Towards Entrepreneurial Learning Competencies: The Perspective of Built Environment Students.

This paper sought to discuss entrepreneurial learning competencies by determining the outcome of entrepreneurial learning on the views of built environment students in the university setting. In this study, three relevant competencies were identified for entrepreneurial learning through literature, namely: entrepreneurial attitude, entrepreneurial skills and knowledge of entrepreneurship. On this basis, questionnaire was designed and administered to graduate students in built environment. In all, a total of 124 questionnaires were administered to respondents. Out this, 84 were retrieved representing a response rate of 68% and were further subjected to analysis using Relative Importance Index (RII). The findings from the study highlighted on competencies factors that have great impact on entrepreneurs in dealing with tasks and problems related to entrepreneurial learning processes. These key entrepreneurial competencies as perceived by the built environment students were ranked as: entrepreneurial attitude, knowledge of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skill. The findings may help stakeholders in the building industry including up-coming graduate students. Thus, it could help in their journey into entrepreneurial terrain affiliated to advancement of their career, as a way to increase private wealth and the pursuit of a more balanced life.
An auto-focusing-noise suppressor for cellphone movies based on multiple noise references

This paper proposes an auto-focusing-noise suppressor for cellphonemovies based onmultiple noise references. Auto-focusing (AF) noise generated by lens actuators is suppressed with a spectral gain calculated from a combination of multiple noise references prepared in advance. For quick adjustment to individual differences among products,mixing ratios for noise references are adaptively determined by analysis results of the input signal. For simultaneous suppression of background noise, the spectral gain for AF noise or that for background noise, whichever is smaller, is applied to the input signal for actual suppression. Simulation results demonstrate that an AF noise generated by a commercial cellphone handset is successfully suppressed with little distortion in the target signal. Sound demonstration is provided upon presentation.
Departure capacity prediction for hub airport in thunderstorm based on data mining method

Capacity prediction is significant for flight plan in airport, which can contribute to the reduction of flight delays and passenger backlogs, thus ensuring the orderly operation of hub airport in thunderstorm. The factors such as weather and traffic control often lead to a large-scale flight delays. Thunderstorms is the major factor that results in the decline of airport operation capacity, which has the characteristics such as difficult to predict, dynamic evolution and large sphere of influence. This paper analyzed the factors which affect the departure capacity according to the operation data of the past five years in Beijing Capital International Airport, then established a prediction model for the departure capacity based on Support Vector Machine (SVM) and developed software installed in the operation control department. The results indicated that the prediction model has practical value with relatively high accuracy. And it can be concluded that this capacity prediction model can reduce the flight delays and ensure that the number of flights matches the support capability of the operation control of Beijing Capital International Airport.
In-theater piracy: finding where the pirate was

Pirate copies of feature films are proliferating on the Internet. DVD rip or screener recording methods involve the duplication of officially distributed media whereas 'cam' versions are illicitly captured with handheld camcorders in movie theaters. Several, complementary, multimedia forensic techniques such as copy identification, forensic tracking marks or sensor forensics can deter those clandestine recordings. In the case of camcorder capture in a theater, the image is often geometrically distorted, the main artifact being the trapezoidal effect, also known as 'keystoning', due to a capture viewing axis not being perpendicular to the screen. In this paper we propose to analyze the geometric distortions in a pirate copy to determine the camcorder viewing angle to the screen perpendicular and derive the approximate position of the pirate in the theater. The problem is first of all geometrically defined, by describing the general projection and capture setup, and by identifying unknown parameters and estimates. The estimation approach based on the identification of an eight-parameter homographic model of the 'keystoning' effect is then presented. A validation experiment based on ground truth collected in a real movie theater is reported, and the accuracy of the proposed method is assessed.
Experimental investigation of electron transport properties of gallium nitride nanowires

We report transport properties of gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires grown using direct reaction of ammonia and gallium vapor. Reliable devices, such as four-terminal resistivity measuring structures and field-effect transistors, were realized by dielectrophoretically aligning the nanowires on an oxidized silicon substrate and subsequently applying standard microfabrication techniques. Room-temperature resistivity in the range of (1.0–6.2)×10−2 Ω cm was obtained for the nanowires with diameters ranging from 200 to 90 nm. Temperature-dependent resistivity and mobility measurements indicated the possible sources for the n-type conductivity and high background charge carrier concentration in these nanowires. Specific contact resistance in the range of 5.0×10−5 Ω cm2 was extracted for Ti/Al/Ti/Au metal contacts to GaN nanowires. Significant reduction in the activation energy of the dopants at low temperatures (<200 K) was observed in the temperature-dependent resistivity measurement of these nanowires, which is .
Mon1a Protein Acts in Trafficking through the Secretory Apparatus*

Background: Mon1a is known to be involved in membrane trafficking. Results: Reductions in Mon1a delay ER-to-Golgi trafficking and ERGIC-53-positive vesicle formation. Mon1a interacts with cytoplasmic dynein to efficiently traffic vesicles from ER to Golgi. Conclusion: Mon1a plays a role in anterograde trafficking in the secretory pathway. Significance: This work elucidates a role for Mon1a, known to be involved in the endocytic pathway, acting in the secretory pathway. Mon1a was originally identified as a modifier gene of vesicular traffic, as a mutant Mon1a allele resulted in increased localization of cell surface proteins, whereas reduced levels of Mon1a showed decreased secretory activity. Here we show that Mon1a affects different steps in the secretory pathway including endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi traffic. siRNA-dependent reduction of Mon1a levels resulted in a delay in the reformation of the Golgi apparatus after Brefeldin A treatment. Endoglycosidase H treatment of ts045VSVG-GFP confirmed that knockdown of Mon1a delayed endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi trafficking. Reductions in Mon1a also resulted in delayed trafficking from Golgi to the plasma membrane. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis showed that Mon1a associates with dynein intermediate chain. Reductions in Mon1a or dynein altered steady state Golgi morphology. Reductions in Mon1a delayed formation of ERGIC-53-positive vesicles, whereas reductions in dynein did not affect vesicle formation. These data provide strong evidence for a role for Mon1a in anterograde trafficking through the secretory apparatus.
CONCISE COMMUNICATION: Effect of computer-assisted self-interviews on reporting of sexual HIV risk behaviours in a general population sample: a methodological experiment

Results: A total of 901 interviews were completed; 829 individuals were eligible for and accepted the self-completion module. Internal consistency of data items was greater with CASI than PAPI and item non-response was lower. Overall, there was no signi®cant difference in rates of reporting between CASI and PAPI. The main effect for CASI compared with PAPI in a generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis was an OR (95% CI) of 1.04 (0.92±1.17). Variables were also examined individually, including homosexual partnership (adjusted OR 1.26 95% CI 0.69±2.29), payment for sex (adjusted OR 0.68 95% CI 0.29±1.59), masturbation (adjusted OR 0.89 95% CI 0.66± 1.22) and ®ve or more partners in the past 5 years (OR 0.85 95% CI 0.61±1.19).
Proteomic analysis of anti‐Francisella tularensis LVS antibody response in murine model of tularemia

Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain infection of mice has been established as an experimental model of tularemia that is suitable for studies of immune mechanisms against the intracellular pathogen. In this study, the model was used to explore immunogenic repertoire of F. tularensis with the aim of identifying new molecules able to activate the host immune system, potential bacterial markers with vaccine, and diagnostic applications. Immunoproteomic approach based on the combination of two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and mass spectrometry was applied. Globally, 36 different proteins were identified, which strongly reacted with sera from experimentally infected mice, including several putative virulence markers of intracellular pathogens as nucleoside diphosphate kinase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, RNA‐binding protein Hfq, and molecular chaperone ClpB. Of them, 27 proteins are described for the first time as immunorelevant Francisella proteins. When comparing murine immunoproteome of F. tularensis with our previous data from human patients, 25 of the total of 50 identified murine sera immunoreactive spots were recognized by human sera collected from patients suffering from tularemia, as well. Immune sera from two Lps gene congenic strains of mice, C3H/HeN (Lpsn) and C3H/HeJ (Lpsd), represented murine immunoproteome in this study. The spectrum of immunoreactive spots detected by two‐dimensional immunoblotting varied throughout the course of infection depending on murine strain. Nevertheless, the antibody patterns of the two strains showed significant homogeneity in being directed against almost identical subset of antigens.
The Impact of Neighborhood Spatial Form on Household Carbon Emissions: Based on the Study in Beijing

It is imperative to identify the impact of spatial form on household carbon emissions,so as to construct low-carbon cities.This study chose 14 neighborhoods in Beijing and collected household emissions data by questionnaire survey. Specific emission characteristics were identified in the five types of neighborhoods by using GIS. The impact of spatial form on household carbon emissions was investigated in details,by controlling the impact of neighborhoods' socioeconomic condition. It is found that,in general,neighborhood's household carbon emissions increase in the sequence of urban village,traditional hutong,socialist Danwei,commercial apartment building,and segregated neighborhood. Though the impacts of socioeconomic factor is more significant than those of spatial form,the latter do have direct influence on household carbon emissions. Finally specific policy suggestions for constructing low carbon city are proposed from the perspective of low carbon neighborhood planning.
Determining the main dimensions that affect e-customer relationship management readiness in the Egyptian banking industry

Adopting electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) in a country like Egypt, with over 80 million, needs clear understanding of the Egyptian users’ characteristics, perception, and e-readiness. E-CRM provides various benefits to banks, employees and bank clients, and can serve a great number of users regardless of the bank’s capacity and working hours. In order to better understand the e-CRM readiness in the Egyptian context, a structured questionnaire was devised to survey a sufficient number of bank employees; as the actual e-CRM users. The investigation was conducted in Alexandria, as the second main city in Egypt. Data collected was analysed statistically using SPSS. From the data analysis, supported by a review of literature, the researchers could better understand the problem, derive conclusions and make recommendations to e-CRM decision makers, which would help promote and enhance the e-CRM in Egypt.
Improvement of ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition by a band-limited white noise

The empirical mode decomposition (EMD) was a tool proposed for analysis of nonlinear and non-stationary signals and was successfully used in various applications. However, one of the major drawbacks of the EMD is the appearance of mode mixing when the signal consists of widely disparate scales. The EEMD was developed to solve the mode-mixing with the assistance of added white noises which produced the residue noise in the signal reconstructed. The effect of the added white noise can be reduced to a negligibly small level by increasing the number of ensemble trials of a few hundred, to the detriment of increased computing time. A modified EEMD, termed MEEMD, was proposed to improve the EEMD computational efficiency substantially by replacing the white noise by a band-limited noise. But, the MEEMD did not specify the type of filter used and its characteristics. In this study, we showed that the right choice of the filter type and its order improved appreciably the computational efficiency of the MEEMD.