Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shiga Toxins Induce Apoptosis and ER Stress in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Shiga toxins (Stxs) produced by Shiga toxin-producing bacteria Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 and select serotypes of Escherichia coli are the most potent known virulence factors in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic colitis progressing to potentially fatal systemic complications such as acute renal failure, blindness and neurological abnormalities. Although numerous studies have defined apoptotic responses to Shiga toxin type 1 (Stx1) or Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) in a variety of cell types, the potential significance of Stx-induced apoptosis of photoreceptor and pigmented cells of the eye following intoxication is unknown. We explored the use of immortalized human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells as an in vitro model of Stx-induced retinal damage. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report that intoxication of RPE cells with Stxs activates both apoptotic cell death signaling and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. Using live-cell imaging analysis, fluorescently labeled Stx1 or Stx2 were internalized and routed to the RPE cell endoplasmic reticulum. RPE cells were significantly sensitive to wild type Stxs by 72 h, while the cells survived challenge with enzymatically deficient mutant toxins (Stx1A− or Stx2A−). Upon exposure to purified Stxs, RPE cells showed activation of a caspase-dependent apoptotic program involving a reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Δψm), increased activation of ER stress sensors IRE1, PERK and ATF6, and overexpression CHOP and DR5. Finally, we demonstrated that treatment of RPE cells with Stxs resulted in the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), suggesting that the ribotoxic stress response may be triggered. Collectively, these data support the involvement of Stx-induced apoptosis in ocular complications of intoxication. The evaluation of apoptotic responses to Stxs by cells isolated from multiple organs may reveal unique functional patterns of the cytotoxic actions of these toxins in the systemic complications that follow ingestion of toxin-producing bacteria.
Influence of Static Magnetic Field on Cadmium Toxicity: Study of Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Pregnant Rat Tissues

In our environment, we have numerous chances to be exposed to not only static magnetic fields (SMFs) but also many chemicals containing mutagens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of co-exposure to SMF and cadmium (Cd) on the antioxidant enzymes activity and DNA damage in pregnant rat tissues. Pregnant rats were treated with cadmium (CdCl2, 3.0 mg/Kg body weight) or exposed to SMF (128 mT/h/day) and treated with cadmium chlorides (3.0 mg/kg, body weight) for 13 consecutive days as from the 6th to 19th day of gestation. Cd treatment increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-oxodGuo levels in kidney of pregnant rats. However, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione level were decreased in kidney. Interestingly, the combined effects of SMF and Cd have no effects on activities of antioxidant in both tissues compared to cadmium treated group. However, the association between SMF and Cd decreased plasma MDA concentration. The same treatment failed to alter 8-oxodGuo concentration. Sub-acute Cd treatment altered antioxidant enzymes and DNA in kidney of pregnant rats. The results suggest that a homeostatic defence mechanism was activated when SMF was associated to Cd in pregnant rats.
Establishment of an outsourcing selection model for supply chain management

Supply chain management continues to be the focus of considerable research. Many experts and industry executives point out that not only is competition between enterprises, it is also between supply chains. With strong connections and cooperation between supply chain members, the supply chain increases value for end customers and gains competitive advantage, such relationships also create win–win relationships among supply chain members. Thus, selecting supply chain members which includes outsourcing selection is a very important task in supply chain management. Many studies have mentioned the importance of outsourcing selection in supply chain management, and have established methods and criteria for outsourcing selection. However, few studies considered the outsourcing selection from the perspective of the entire supply chain. Thus, we propose an outsourcing selection model for a supply chain. The outsourcing company selected using this model will maximize performance of the entire supply chain. Additionally, this method also calculates the objective of the supply chain with the involvement of the new outsourcing company to the supply chain and resets the objectives for all supply chain members.
A Refresh Scheme for Remote Snapshots

This article presents a scheme called “Difference Table” for maintaining database snapshots stored at sites remote from a central database which are refreshed only upon user request. Database snapshots are currently in widespread use where a subset of the central database is extracted and transmitted to a local workstation and utilized for decision support. The Difference Table method checks each update to a central database table against the definition of the snapshot. If the update is relevant, its effect is stored in a difference table. On receiving the refresh request, the contents of the difference table are transmitted to the remote site where they update the snapshot. The Difference Table scheme allows a selective refresh of the snapshot, in the sense that only the changes to a snapshot since the last refresh are transmitted. We discuss the additional database tables and processes required to support the Difference Table scheme. Performance measures are developed, and both quantitative and qualitative comparisons are made to alternative methods such as full regeneration and the approach used by System R * . By most criteria and in many environments, the Difference Table scheme is preferable to these alternatives. It also has several attractive side benefits which are not available in alternative methods.
Central Bank Intervention and Risk Premia in Foreign Exchange Markets: Evidence of Daily Effects: Switzerland 1986–1995

Since the Plaza Meeting in September 1985, G-10 central banks have intervened in foreign exchange markets in a manner and scale unprecedented in the post Bretton Woods era. Using official daily data on interventions by the Swiss National Bank, this paper evaluates the effectiveness of these interventions and examines their impact on exchange rate risk premia, as defined by deviations from interest rate parity. My results suggests that intervention (via its effect on the risk premium) may be responsible for the frequently observed failure of foreign exchange market efficiency models and for their poor out-of-sample forecasting performance.
Vygotsky, Scaffolding, and the Role of Theory in Writing Center Work

review of social constructivist theories on the issue finds that these theories do not function as theory should, to clarify tutoring approaches and provide impetus for research. To fulfill this theoretical function, the author approaches the issue through Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), complemented by educational studies' scaffolding theory. ZPD explains that learning begins socially and is consequently internalized. This provides a model for tutors to scaffold growth through observing students' understanding and consequently adjusting intervention levels. A scaffolded ZPD approach thus provides an explanatory framework for tutoring practice and a basis for further research
Extension of Wolfe Method for Solving Quadratic Programming with Interval Coefficients

Quadratic programming with interval coefficients developed to overcome cases in classic quadratic programming where the coefficient value is unknown and must be estimated. This paper discusses the extension of Wolfe method. The extended Wolfe method can be used to solve quadratic programming with interval coefficients. The extension process of Wolfe method involves the transformation of the quadratic programming with interval coefficients model into linear programming with interval coefficients model. The next step is transforming linear programming with interval coefficients model into two classic linear programming models with special characteristics, namely, the optimum best and the worst optimum problem.
Mantram repetition for stress management in veterans and employees: a critical incident study.

AIM This paper reports a study assessing the usefulness of a mantram repetition programme. BACKGROUND Complementary/alternative therapies are becoming commonplace, but more research is needed to assess their benefits. A 5-week programme teaching a 'mind-body-spiritual' technique of silently repeating a mantram - a word or phrase with spiritual meaning - to manage stress was developed. A mantram was chosen by individuals, who were taught to repeat it silently throughout the day or night to interrupt unwanted thoughts and elicit the relaxation response. METHODS Participants who attended a 5-week course were invited to participate in the study. Of those who consented, a randomly selected subset (n = 66) was contacted approximately 3 months after the course for a telephone interview using the critical incident interviewing technique. Participants were asked whether the intervention was helpful or not, and if helpful, to identify situations where it was applied. Interviews were transcribed and incidents were identified and categorized to create a taxonomy of uses. The data were collected in 2001-2002. RESULTS Participants included 30 veterans, mostly males (97%), and 36 hospital employees, mostly females (86%). Mean age was 56 years (sd = 12.94). Fifty-five participants (83.3%) practiced the technique and reported 147 incidents where the programme was helpful. Outcomes were organized into a taxonomy of incidents using four major categories that included managing: (a) emotions other than stress (51%); (b) stress (23.8%); (c) insomnia (12.9%); and (d) unwanted thoughts (12.3%). A group of raters reviewed the categories for inter-rater reliability. CONCLUSIONS The majority of participants from two distinct samples reported that the mantram programme was helpful in a variety of situations. The critical incident interviewing method was found to be practical, efficient, and thorough in collecting and analyzing data. Such qualitative methods contribute to understanding the benefits of mind-body complementary therapies.
FINANCIAL MEASUREMENTS TO RANK FARMS IN THE NORTHERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA, USING DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS

Producers use financial benchmarking in agriculture to compare financial performance across production years and to compare competitors in the industry. This study determined whether Data Envelopment Analysis could be used to divide farms in the Northern Cape (South Africa) into different performance groups using financial measurements. Three enterprise groups (crop, mixed, and livestock) were benchmarked using Data Envelopment Analysis and subsequently divided into efficient or inefficient groups according to operating efficiency. Efficient farms had an operating efficiency score of one and inefficient farms less than one. Results indicated that Data Envelopment Analysis could be applied to determine efficient and inefficient farms according to financial results. An alternative benchmarking tool to compare the operating efficiency of one farm relative to similar farms included in the data set was thus provided. It is recommended that the Data Envelopment Analysis benchmarking model be used in conjunction with other models or established norms to provide accurate information and a comprehensive overview of financial performance.
Study regarding the financial stability of commercial banks listed on Bucharest Stock Exchange of CAMELS rating outlook

Q e study's propose is a theoretical and pragmatic approach of the CAMELS rating as of " nancial stability analysis tool of commercial banks listed on BSE. Q e analysis made on the " nancial statements of the four commercial banks listed on Bu- charest Stock Exchange during three " nancial years showed that the credit risk is their point of vulnerability, having a negative in^ uence on the indicators, that are taken into account in the CAMELS model proposed. Q e calculation and the analysis of Basel III Agreement indicators are proposed in order to have an attentive monitor of the bank activity revealed that the four credit institutions listed on BSE are not yet fully prepared to implement the requirements of the agreement.
Calcineurin inhibitor minimization, withdrawal and avoidance protocols after kidney transplantation

A nonquantitative summary of the current evidence suggests that calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) minimization and also CNI‐free protocols are safe and efficient when used after the initial 3 months post‐transplantation. In fact, the largest study so far showed that low‐dose CNI in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroids performed better than standard dose cyclosporine A (CsA). If CsA is used in combination with a mammalian target of rapamycin‐Inhibitor (mTOR‐I) considerable dose reduction of both drugs is required. A better choice than using both drug groups in lower doses together may be the withdrawal of CsA from this combination after 3–12 months. Later withdrawals or conversions to an mTOR‐I failed to show additional benefit in terms of graft function or survival but caused less post‐transplant malignancies. With improved short‐ and medium‐term outcomes, this entity will become more of an issue. In fact, in some areas of the world, nowadays malignancies are the leading cause of death.
A Multicriteria Warehouse Location Model

Determination of new warehouse locations is an important managerial decision. The problem typically involves a number of considerations such as cost per distance of distribution to and from the warehouse, volume of distribution, fixed and variable site costs, service performance of the warehouse and potential increases in demand (or service), as well as many other factors. The economic significance of warehouse location decisions is increasing, particularly due to expected increases in transportation costs, competition for market share and changing demand patterns.
An Analysis of the Application of Combined Forecast in China's Inbound Tourism Based on IOWHA Operator

In order to improve the forecast precision of monthly data of China's inbound tourists,we choose currently the most relatively superior monomial forecast model—TRAMO/SEATS short memory forecast model and ARFIMA long memory forecast model and adopt traditional linear forecast model that is most suitable for forecasting monthly data of China's inbound tourists to combine each monomial forecast model based on IOWHA operator.The results show that combined forecast model that the paper establishes based on IOWHA operator has achieved the highest forecast precision of monthly data of China's inbound tourists so far.Finally,the paper in accordance with the comparison between actual value of China's inbound tourists and prediction of combined model value,makes a quantitative analysis of the impact degree and time lag of world financial crisis and other events on China's inbound tourism and probe into the future tendency for developing China's inbound tourism.
What Consumer Research Is

R esearchers frequently have explicitly or implicitly posed the question: What is consumer research? (Belk 1986; Jacoby 1975; Holbrook 1987). While a formal definition of consumer research may be of little value, since consumer research will ultimately be defined by what researchers achieve, there is a need for direction. We begin with the premise that consumer research, whatever form it might take, seeks to produce knowledge about consumer behavior. Although simple, this premise points up the fact that consumer research is a means to an end. Of course consumer research is about consumers and about behavior, but this is hardly limiting or even informative. After all, anything can be construed as the consumption of something and consumption must entail some kind of behavior. Emphasis should be on the knowledge produced: What possible kinds of knowledge could be created by consumer research?
Multihoming in Two-Sided Markets: An Empirical Inquiry in the Video Game Console Industry

Two-sided markets are composed of platform owners and two distinct user networks that either buy or sell applications for the platform. The authors focus on multihoming—the choice of an agent in a user network to use more than one platform. In the context of the video game console industry, they examine the conditions affecting seller-level multihoming decisions on a given platform. Furthermore, they investigate how platform-level multihoming of applications affects the sales of the platform. The authors show that increased platform-level multihoming of applications hurts platform sales, a finding consistent with literature on brand differentiation, but they also show that this effect vanishes as platforms mature or gain market share. The authors find that platform-level multihoming of applications affects platform sales more strongly than the number of applications. Furthermore, among mature platforms, an increasing market share leads to more seller-level multihoming, while among nascent platforms, seller-level multihoming decreases as platform market share increases. These findings prompt scholars to look beyond network size in analyzing two-sided markets and provide guidance to both (application) sellers and platform owners.
Wideband Compact 4-Port Dual Polarized Self-Grounded Bowtie Antenna

We present a dual-polarized self-grounded bowtie antenna. The antenna is mechanically simple and wideband. One of the characteristics is its flexibility: it can be used either as a 4-port antenna in multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems or as a directional 2-port dual-polarized antenna in radar or sensor systems. The latter application requires a balun. The 4-petal geometry of the antenna has been optimized for the best matching to 50 Ω coax over 1.5-3 GHz. Both simulated and measured results are presented to verify the design. The antenna radiates over parts of the bandwidth similar to four Huygens source, one from each petal, each having directivity close to 4.8 dBi.
The Pedagogical Efficacy of a Sales Management Simulation

This paper presents a study of a Sales Management Simulation that was used in five classes across two universities. One of the authors, Bob Cook, developed and currently markets the MARS Sales Management Simulation that is the subject of the study. The simulation is an Internet-based version that can easily be accessed by students and administered by faculty. As indicated by 151 responses to a survey, students found the simulation experience to bean exceptional learning tool that surpassed the textbook in helping them to understand sales force issues, develop high level decision making and problem solving skill sets, and increase their interest level in course content. Implications for pedagogical use of a sales management simulation are discussed.
Exact spike timing computational model of convolutional associative memories

In this paper, we propose the implementation of an associative memory model using exact spike time signalling. We implement Circular Holographic Reduced Representations, an implementation of Vector Symbolic Architectures, which is a candidate for an associative memory framework described by holonomic brain theory. Using this architecture, we demonstrate the capacity of spiking neural networks to implement an associative memory with a high degree of recall accuracy. The recordings of spiking dynamics during various computational stages contain elements of the stochastic spike synchrony observed in cortical EEG recordings, as well as clearly separable computational phases suitable for functional analysis. We show that the framework is able to very accurately memorize and recall associated symbolic identifiers under ideal conditions (with no noise), maintaining very accurate and predictable spike timing. Furthermore, we test the framework in the noisy environment which is known to exist in cortical tissue. Besides reporting accuracy analysis for this case, we propose computational requirements (constraints) needed for the exact spike timing framework to work in such noisy conditions.
Antecedents and consequences of corporate governance reform: the case of Germany

The paper examines the antecedents and consequences of the voluntary adoption of corporate governance reform in firms embedded in a relationship-based governance system with less protection of minority shareholders. In such locations, ownership structure should be a key determinant of governance reform. Firms with dispersed ownership are likely to face agency problems but may lack sufficient ownership power in the hand of external owners for adoption to occur. Extensive ownership by external parties facilitates adoption but decreases the need and motivation to adopt governance reform. We examined the adoption of stock-based incentive plans and transparent accounting regulations (e.g., greater disclosure to shareholders) among large German firms (DAX 100) during the late 1990s. We found an inverse ‘U’-shaped relationship between ownership concentration and governance reform. In addition, we found that firms adopting governance reform were more likely to engage in corporate divestitures and achieve higher levels of market performance than firms not adopting governance reform. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Circularly polarized antenna based on mu-negative transmission line

A circularly polarized (CP) antenna based on mu-negative (MNG) transmission lines (TLs) is presented. The antenna consists of two pairs of resonators for two orthogonal polarizations. The 90° phase difference between them is achieved by detuning the corresponding resonance frequencies. The simulation results show that the 10 dB bandwidth (BW) of 29 MHz and 3 dB axial ratio (AR) BW of 7 MHz are obtained at 1.5 GHz. Also, the right-hand (RH) CP gain is 2.22 dBic in broadside direction and the minimum 3 dB AR beamwidth of 116° is simulated at φ = 60°. The results indicate that the antenna is suitable for the applications demanding for wide coverage area such as global position system (GPS) and wireless local area network (WLAN).
SMART FLEXIBLE DISPATCHABLE TRANSMISSION SERVICES AND FLOWGATE BIDDING IN SECURITY CONSTRAINT UNIT COMMITMENT

Abstract– To attract more investments for developing smart transmission networks and increasing their flexibility and efficiency, recently policies have been suggested which provide financial incentives in transmission network investment. One of these policies is price biding for incremental transmission capacity and transmission elements in power markets. According to Federal Electricity Regulatory Committee, flowgate bidding is defined as allowing a line’s flow to exceed its rated capacity for a short period of time for a set penalty, i.e., price. This paper concentrates on the development of a comprehensive model for flowgate bidding and Dispatchable Transmission Services (DTS) in security constraint unit commitment. DTS and flowgate biddings are used during contingencies and steady state to determine optimal required energy and reserve values. As the scale of the problem is large, the benders decomposition algorithm is used to solve the problem. To investigate the efficiency of the proposed strategy, IEEE 6 and 24 bus case tests are studied. According to the obtained results, this strategy decreases energy and reserve marginal prices, as well as reliability cost. Furthermore, the suggested plan is an incentive to the owners of transmission companies.