Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective actions of des-acylated ghrelin on brain injury and blood-brain barrier disruption after stroke in mice.

The major ghrelin forms, acylated ghrelin and des-acylated ghrelin, are novel gastrointestinal hormones. Moreover, emerging evidence indicates that these peptides may have other functions including neuro- and vaso-protection. Here, we investigated whether post-stroke treatment with acylated ghrelin or des-acylated ghrelin could improve functional and histological endpoints of stroke outcome in mice after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo). We found that des-acylated ghrelin (1 mg/kg) improved neurological and functional performance, reduced infarct and swelling, and decreased apoptosis. In addition, it reduced blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in vivo and attenuated the hyper-permeability of mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cells after oxygen glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD + RO). By contrast, acylated ghrelin (1 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg) had no significant effect on these endpoints of stroke outcome. Next we found that des-acylated ghrelin's vasoprotective actions were associated with increased expression of tight junction proteins (occludin and claudin-5), and decreased cell death. Moreover, it attenuated superoxide production, Nox activity and expression of 3-nitrotyrosine. Collectively, these results demonstrate that post-stroke treatment with des-acylated ghrelin, but not acylated ghrelin, protects against ischaemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury and swelling, and BBB disruption, by reducing oxidative and/or nitrosative damage.
Mitogen‐activated protein kinase activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) participates in p38 MAPK regulated control of oligodendrocyte differentiation

The p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases (p38 MAPKs) are a family of kinases that regulate a number of cellular functions including cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. We have previously reported a role for p38 MAPK in the regulation of oligodendrocyte (OLG) differentiation and Schwann cell myelination. Here, we extend our previous findings by showing that a p38 substrate, mitogen‐activated protein kinase activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) is a downstream element of the p38 signaling pathway responsible for effecting OLG differentiation. Inhibition of MK2 activity in oligodendrocyte progenitors (OLPs) using CMPD1 [4‐(2′‐fluorobiphenyl‐4‐yl)‐N‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐butyramide] blocked the activation of MK2 and resulted in decreased accumulation of myelin‐differentiation markers, including myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG) and myelin basic protein (MBP). We corroborated these findings using a small‐interfering RNA to MK2, which decreased the myelin‐specific lipid galactosylceramide and MAG. Treatment of cultures with CMPD1 decreased the steady state levels of mRNA encoding myelin transcription factor 1 (Myt1), MAG, MBP, and Opalin, a transmembrane sialylglycoprotein expressed in oligodendrocytes. In contrast, increases were observed in the mRNA levels of OLG transcriptional repressors, including transcription factor 4 (Tcf4), Notch1, and inhibitor of differentiation 2 (Id2). Furthermore, we found that the predominantly expressed isoform of p38 in OLGs, p38α, and MK2 can form coimmunoprecipitable complexes in OLPs and OLGs. Our results demonstrate that the p38‐MK2 pathway is a component of the signaling cascade regulating OLG differentiation. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of Kimchi Powder on the Quality Properties of Emulsion Type Sausage Made with Irradiated Pork Meat

In this study, the effects of kimchi powder on the quality properties of an emulsion type sausage made with irradiated porkmeat were investigated. Raw ground pork ham was gamma-irradiated at 5 and 10 kGy, and the emulsion type sausage wasthen manufactured with the irradiated pork meat. The pH value was shown to increase by irradiation of raw material(p<0.05). Samples containing kimchi powder had a lower pH value than other treatments, but no significant differenceswere observed. In a sensory evaluation, the scores of all the criteria were decreased with an increased irradiation dose of rawmaterial, but samples containing kimchi powder had a higher sensory score than other treatments in all irradiation doses ofraw material. The TBARS values were increased by irradiation of raw material and the samples containing kimchi powderhad the highest value (p<0.05). Odor substances analyzed by an electronic nose were increased with increased irradiationdose of raw material in all treatments, and samples containing kimchi powder showed a higher increase of odor substancesthan other treatments. Thus, this study demonstrated that kimchi powder was effective in eliminating the off-odor and flavorof sausages made with irradiated pork meat despite the increase of the TBARS value.Key words: irradiation, sausage, kimchi powder, quality characteristics
Asset Price Bubbles in the Perspective of New Keynesian Theory

Developments in the real world depends on human reaction to economic events which is also determined by dominating economic thought. Dominance of neoliberal and monetarist thinking was the main cause of ignoring asset price bubbles and their effects on real economy. New keynesian economic thinking provides an alternative. Hyman Minsky’s model of financial instability was more effectively able to explain super-bubbles in US economy and subsequent ‚Great Recession’. Ignorance of momentum-bias of traders and banks contributed to this crises. Emerging markets and Baltic countries were strongly influenced by credit oversupply in US. Instabilities were so sizeable that IMF approved using capital control and proposal or tax on financial transactions was made. Policymakers and individuals should abandon ignorance of speculative asset price bubbles and improve their analytical skills to recognize bubbles and change their behavior.
Mass customizing products and services

Many innovative companies are experimenting with a strategy of mass customization—the low‐cost production of high variety, even individually customized goods and services. Based on his experiences at IBM and research into mass customization conducted at MIT and at the IBM Consulting Group, the author has identified five basic methods for mass customizing products and services.
Synthetic triterpenoids attenuate cytotoxic retinal injury: cross-talk between Nrf2 and PI3K/AKT signaling through inhibition of the lipid phosphatase PTEN.

PURPOSE Evidence implicating oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration suggests that antioxidant therapy could play a role in preventing its progression. The aim of this study was to determine whether derivatives of the triterpenoid (TP) 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid (CDDO; CDDO-imidazolide [-Im], CDDO-ethylamide [-EA], and CDDO-trifluoroethylamide [-TFEA]) confer cytoprotection from oxidative- and photooxidative-induced cellular damage and to explore the molecular mechanisms of this cytoprotection. METHODS Retinal pigment epithelial and retinal photoreceptor cell lines were treated with TP derivatives. Induction of Nrf2 signaling was measured by reporter assay. Cytoprotection was quantified by MTT assay. To determine whether TPs confer in vivo cytoprotection, BALB/c mice were pretreated with CDDO-TFEA, and retinal degeneration was induced by light exposure. To explore the association of TPs with PTEN, a biotinylated derivative of CDDO (CDDO-Bt) was used. RESULTS Treatment with CDDO-Im-, -TFEA-, or -EA-induced Nrf2 signaling and TP pretreatment protected retinal cell lines from oxidant-induced cell death. The antioxidant and cytoprotective potential of these compounds was then examined in vivo. Treatment of BALB/c mice with CDDO-TFEA induced the Nrf2-regulated transcripts glcl and trx1 in retinal tissue and was protective from photooxidative retinal damage. Treatment with CDDO-Im leads to phosphorylation of AKT. CDDO-Bt directly binds cysteine 124 within PTEN's active site and inhibits PTEN's lipid phosphatase activity in vitro. Thus the stimulation of AKT activity is mediated by TP inhibition of PTEN activity. CONCLUSIONS These studies highlight the potential of TPs in retinal cytoprotection and implicate PTEN inhibition as a target in cytoprotection.
Economic valuation of irrigation water: Evidence from lower Moshi irrigation Scheme in Tanzania

Water scarcity is globally getting worse in the light of increase in demand for water use. Human and ecosystem health and economic development are affected by problems of water scarcity and water pollution. This article assessed the economic value of irrigation water in crop production around the Lower Moshi Irrigation Scheme in Tanzania. Specifically, the study determines and estimates economic value of paddy and maize using Residual Imputation Method while the Change in Net Income Approach was used to compute the net output values. Household questionnaires, checklist for key informants and participant observation were employed for data collection. Questionnaire survey was administered to 105 households to establish the major agricultural activities, crops, costs of production and income accrued from these activities. Data relating to household characteristics and water related economic activities were analysed using LiMDEP 12 statistical software whereby Microsoft Excel was employed to analyze data and quantify benefits accumulated from water (returns). Findings revealed that, 78.3 percent of the respondents own land and 21.7 percent of them rent the land for crop production. The net values of water for irrigated paddy and maize were estimated to Tshs 661.2 (US$ 0.413 per m3) and Tshs 329.25 (US$ 0.21 per m3) respectively. Furthermore, the results indicated that, the more profitable enterprise is irrigated paddy with a profit margin per Ha of Tshs 2,467,611, followed by maize with a profit margin per Ha of Tshs 742,450.
Re‐examining green purchase behaviour and the green consumer profile: new evidences

Purpose – This paper aims to re‐examine the determinants of ecologically conscious consumer behaviour (ECCB) by analysing the green consumer profile (socio‐demographic and psychographic variables), building on the work of Straughan and Roberts. Moreover, the study explores the determinants of effective green purchase behaviour (GPB) considering ECCB and green purchase intention (GPI) previously evaluated.Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a quantitative study based on an online survey. Data collection was implemented in two different phases: in the first phase ECCB, GPI and profiling variables were measured. One month later, the same respondents evaluated their effective GPB. Through path analysis the effects of ECCB and GPI on GPB were measured.Findings – The results show that psychographic variables, with emphasis on perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE) and altruism, are more relevant than socio‐demographics in explaining ECCB. The consumers with higher ECCB have shown higher green pu.
A Review on Mobile SMS Spam Filtering Techniques

Under short messaging service (SMS) spam is understood the unsolicited or undesired messages received on mobile phones. These SMS spams constitute a veritable nuisance to the mobile subscribers. This marketing practice also worries service providers in view of the fact that it upsets their clients or even causes them lose subscribers. By way of mitigating this practice, researchers have proposed several solutions for the detection and filtering of SMS spams. In this paper, we present a review of the currently available methods, challenges, and future research directions on spam detection techniques, filtering, and mitigation of mobile SMS spams. The existing research literature is critically reviewed and analyzed. The most popular techniques for SMS spam detection, filtering, and mitigation are compared, including the used data sets, their findings, and limitations, and the future research directions are discussed. This review is designed to assist expert researchers to identify open areas that need further improvement.
Pathway for large-scale conformational change in annexin V.

Crystallographic studies have shown that the binding of calcium to domain III of annexin V is accompanied by a large conformational change involving surface exposure of Trp187. Here we examine this conformational transition using computer simulation. It is found that the burial of Trp187 is accompanied by a large increase in conformational strain, compensated by improved protein-protein interaction energies. A low energy pathway for the conformational change is determined using the conjugate peak refinement method [Fischer, S. , and Karplus, M. (1992) Chem. Phys. Lett. 194, 252-261] with solvent effects taken into account using nonuniform charge scaling. The pathway obtained is complex, involving >300 dihedral angle transitions and the complete unwinding of one helix. Acidic residues play a key role in the conformational pathway, via a succession of direct hydrogen bonds with the indole ring of Trp187. This finding is discussed in the light of experimentally determined pH, calcium ion and mutational effects on the conformational transition.
The Norm of Stare Decisis

Theory: Precedent might affect Supreme Court decision making in a number of ways. One conception, the conventional view scrutinized by Segal and Spaeth, sees precedent as the primary reason why justices make the decisions that they do. A second regards precedent as a normative constraint on justices acting on their personal preferences. On this account, justices have a preferred rule that they would like to establish in the case before them, but they strategically modify their position to take account of a norm favoring respect for precedent in order to produce a decision as close as is possible to their preferred outcome. Hypothesis: If precedent is a norm, researchers would be unlikely to detect its presence by conventional examinations of the vote. Rather, it would manifest itself throughout the decision making process in some of the following ways: attorneys' attention to precedent and justices' appeals to and respect for the doctrine. Methods: Counts of attorneys' use of authorities in written briefs, of justices' appeals to precedent during conference discussion, of justices' invocation of precedent in their opinions, anid of the Court's alterations of stare decisis. Results: Since the data support our account of stare decisis as a norm that structures judicial decisions, we question research designs that focus solely on how precedent affects the disposition of cases.
Publicness as an antecedent of transformational leadership: the case of Norway

A large number of empirical studies have shown a wide range of positive effects of transformational leadership, which is arguably the dominating leadership paradigm in the last two decades. In this study, we ask whether this type of leadership is as common in public as in private organizations. Through a survey, the leadership style of 2488 leaders in Norwegian organizations with more than ten employees was mapped out. Focus is set on whether the occurrence of transformational leadership varies according to an organization’s publicness. It is hypothesized that the effect of publicness on transformational leadership will be mediated through bureaucratization, centralization, professionalization, pro-social motivation and gender composition. The study controls for organization size and task, variables often missing in comparisons of public and private organizations. The main finding is that publicness has no direct effect on transformational leadership when controlling for main task, organizational size and the leader’s gender. However, it does affect transformational leadership indirectly through bureaucratization, professionalization and gender composition. Based on the findings, more general implications for comparing public and private organizations are discussed. Points for practitioners It is often claimed that leadership in the public sector is different from leadership in the private sector. This study shows that such a claim is an oversimplification. First, there should be an awareness that leadership does not take place only in the private or public sector, but also in a myriad of hybrids between the public and the private sectors. Second, various challenges for leaders may be more strongly linked to basic features such as task and organizational size, rather than to whether an organization is public or private.
America's Challenge: Effective Teachers for At-Risk Schools and Students.

This work was originally produced in whole or in part by the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality with funds from the U.S. Department of Education under cooperative agreement number S283B050051. The content does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Education, nor does mention or visual representation of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the federal government.
Antimicrobial Properties of Brevinin‐2‐Related Peptide and its Analogs: Efficacy Against Multidrug‐Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Brevinin‐2 related peptide (B2RP; GIWDTIKSMG10KVFAGKILQN20L.NH2), first isolated from skin secretions of the mink frog Lithobates septentrionalis, shows broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity but its therapeutic potential is limited by moderate hemolytic activity. The peptide adopts an α‐helical conformation in a membrane‐mimetic solvent but amphipathicity is low. Increasing amphipathicity together with hydrophobicity by the substitutions Lys16→Leu and Lys16→Ala increased hemolytic activity approximately fivefold without increasing antimicrobial potency. The substitution Leu18→Lys increased both cationicity and amphipathicity but produced decreases in both antimicrobial potency and hemolytic activity. In contrast, increasing cationicity of B2RP without changing amphipathicity by the substitution Asp4→Lys resulted in a fourfold increase in potency against Escherichia coli [minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 6 μm) and twofold increases in potency against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 12.5 μm) and Candida albicans (MIC = 6 μm) without changing significantly hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes (LC50 = 95 μm). The emergence of antibiotic‐resistant strains of the Gram‐negative bacterium Acinetobacter baumannii constitutes a serious risk to public health. B2RP (MIC = 3–6 μm) and [Lys4]B2RP (MIC = 1.5–3 μm) potently inhibited the growth of nosocomial isolates of multidrug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Although the analogs [Lys4, Lys18]B2RP and [Lys4, Ala16, Lys18]B2RP showed reduced potency against Staphylococcus aureus, they retained activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (MIC = 3–6 μm) and had very low hemolytic activity (LC50 > 200 μm).
Business Management of Japanese Corporations in China: Focusing on the China-Japan Comparative Study of Leadership and Organizational Culture

The purpose of this article is to explore what Japanese corporations in China can do to build an attractive leadership and organizational culture. In the field of leadership theory and studies of organizational culture, there have been few studies targeting Chinese corporations although studies on Japanese and Western corporations abound. I will analyze the influence of performance through appropriate leadership and organizational culture upon organization, clarify the leadership style and organizational culture best suited to the improvement of organizational performance, and then recommend them to Japanese corporations for their local management in China.
A new architecture for OGSA-based grid information service

The grid information service (GIS), which is mainly used for resource discovery and monitoring, plays an important role in grid systems. Although many GIS systems have been proposed, e.g. MDS2, no appropriate solutions exist for the OGSA-based grid systems today. The architecture for OGSA-based GIS, i.e. FOSIS (forest structured information service), is proposed in this paper. FOSIS is featured by its forest structure, which is composed of multiple trees of GIS.
The ISO 26000 guidance on social responsibility international standard: what are the business governance implications?

Purpose – On November 1, 2010, the Geneva‐based International Organization for Standardization (ISO) launched ISO 26000:2010, Guidance on Social Responsibility (hereafter ISO SR international standard), a document that integrates international expertise on the concept of the social responsibility of organizations in society. The purpose of this paper is to identify and critically analyze the reasons for and against business enterprises implementing the ISO 26000 SR international standard.Design/methodology/approach – This analysis identifies the following reasons for business enterprises to implement the ISO SR international standard: first, the positive image of ISO as a globally reputable and credible organization for establishing international technical standards; second, the development of an international consensus among stakeholders regarding the definition and objectives of social responsibility as it pertains to the economic, environmental, and social impacts of business enterprises on society and.
Clinical course of non‐specific low back pain: A systematic review of prospective cohort studies set in primary care

Non‐specific low back pain is a relatively common and recurrent condition for which at present there is no effective cure. In current guidelines, the prognosis of acute non‐specific back pain is assumed to be favourable, but this assumption is mainly based on return to function. This systematic review investigates the clinical course of pain in patients with non‐specific acute low back pain who seek treatment in primary care.
MorphableUI: a hypergraph-based approach to distributed multimodal interaction for rapid prototyping and changing environments

Nowadays, users interact with applications in constantly changing environments. The plethora of I/O modalities is beneficial for a wide range of application areas such as virtual reality, cloud-based software, or scientific visualization. These areas require interfaces based not only on the traditional mouse and keyboard but also on gestures, speech, or highly-specialized and environment-dependent equipment. We introduce a hypergraph-based interaction model and its implementation as a distributed system, called MorphableUI. Its primary focus is to deliver a user- and developer-friendly way to establish dynamic connections between applications and interaction devices. We present an easy-to-use API for developers and a mobile frontend for users to set up their preferred interfaces. During runtime, MorphableUI transports interaction data between devices and applications. As one of the novelties, the system supports I/O transfer functions by automatically splitting, merging, and casting inputs from different modalities. MorphableUI emphasizes rapid prototyping and, e.g., facilitates the execution of user studies due to easy UI reconfiguration and device exchangeability.
When the Innovator Fails to Capture Rents From Innovation

ABSTRACT Innovating firms face the dilemma of knowing when they will be able to appropriate the rents accruing from their innovations. Only the future value of the rents creates an incentive to innovate, and all innovations that are either imitated or improved upon by competitors preempt innovator firms from capturing the rents. In this conceptual article, we observe boundary conditions under which protection ensures appropriation. A paradox emerges in that innovators benefit from networking and bandwagon effects but not from total diffusion of the knowledge. While networks are excellent vehicles for innovation, business and social ties connecting firms deepen the hazards associated with the appropriation of rents.