Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metalloproteinases are enriched in microglia compared with leukocytes and they regulate cytokine levels in activated microglia

Microglia are resident immune cells within the central nervous system (CNS). They become activated following neurological insults and increase their expression of cytokines. Also elevated in CNS injuries are proteases, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs). The spectrum of metalloproteinase members expressed by microglia and by the systemic leukocytes that infiltrate the injured CNS is unknown, as are their functions. We determined the levels of transcripts encoding all 24 MMPs, nine ADAMs, and their four physiological antagonists, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), in human microglia, B and T cells, monocytes, and neutrophils. We found a distinct pattern for each immune subset and an enrichment of metalloproteinases in microglia compared with leukocytes. When microglia were activated, there was an upregulation of transcripts for nine metalloproteinases, and reduction of TIMP3. Activation of microglia also resulted in increased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and IL‐10 protein in the conditioned media of cells. The amount of secreted TNF‐α, but not IL‐1β or IL‐10, was suppressed by BB94, a broad spectrum metalloproteinase inhibitor, and by TIMP3 but not TIMP1 or TIMP2. This inhibitory profile suggests the involvement of an ADAM member in TNF‐α secretion. We conclude that microglia bear a metalloproteinase signature distinct from systemic cells, and that following activation, microglia upregulate TNF‐α protein levels through a combination of elevated cytokine transcripts, increased metalloproteinase level and activity, and through the decrease of TIMP3. The results have implications for the regulation of neuroinflammation and its outcomes following CNS injuries. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synchronization of a network of oscillators with delays in the case of 1-D smart antennas array: a passivity analysis approach

In this paper, networks of oscillators are studied in the case of 1D antennas array. Each oscillator of the network is associated to an antenna. In this case, time delays are introduced between oscillator outputs in order to modify the spatial gain of the antenna array. The unidirectionally coupled network has not be investigated in smart antenna array. Firstly, the structure is proposed with hyper-frequency elements and secondly, a new analysis tool is presented to study the stability. The delay effects on the network synchronization are tackled and it is assumed that the parameters of the oscillators are in a polytope. Using Lyapunov methods and LMI (linear matrix inequality) framework and the dissipativity theory, a new condition is given to ensure global exponential synchronization. A validation is made in simulation with Matlab.
A Review on the Relationship Between Business Plan Learning Outcomes and Business Plan Simulation in Entrepreneurial Education

Entrepreneurship education prepare graduate to be more confident to enter the business world. They need to be prepare of various skills as an added value besides their program certificate. To start-up a business the graduate need plan and pitch skills to present their business plan to the funder. Due to that an initiative had been made to explore the relationship of business simulation to achieve business plan learning outcome. The literature of learning outcome of from business plan and business simulation use to explore the relationship. The finding show that business plan learning outcome can be achieve through business simulation.
IF AT FIRST YOU DON ’ T SUCCEED : A FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING FOLLOWER COMPLIANCE IN MULTIPLE INFLUENCE ATTEMPTS

We propose a framework for understanding the influence process in multiple influence attempts. The framework incorporates the constructs of influence tactics, bases of social power, work motivation, compliance and commitment, and modes of conflict management to arrive at a sequential illustration of the influence process through primary and secondary influence attempts. Propositions are developed and directions for future research are explored.
Adaptation Becoming Business as Usual: A Framework for Climate-Change-Ready Transport Infrastructure

Extreme weather damages and disrupts transport infrastructure in a multitude of ways. Heavy rainfall and ensuing landslides or flooding may lead to road or rail closures; extreme heat can damage road surfaces, or cause tracks, signalling or electronic equipment to overheat, or thermal discomfort for passengers. As extreme weather is expected to occur more frequently in the future, transport infrastructure owners and operators must increase their preparedness in order to reduce weather-related service disruption and the associated financial costs. This article presents a two-sided framework for use by any organisation to develop climate-change-ready transport infrastructure, regardless of their current level of knowledge or preparedness for climate change. The framework is composed of an adaptation strategy and an implementation plan, and has the overarching ambition to embed climate change adaptation within organisational procedures so it becomes a normal function of business. It advocates adaptation pathways, i.e., sequential adaptive actions that do not compromise future actions. The circular, iterative structure ensures new knowledge, or socio-economic changes may be incorporated, and that previous adaptations are evaluated. Moreover, the framework aligns with existing asset management procedures (e.g., ISO standards) or governmental or organisational approaches to climate change adaptation. By adopting this framework, organisations can self-identify their own level of adaptation readiness and seek to enhance it.
ACQUISITION PERFORMANCE: EXPERIENCE OR COMPETENCE?

In a study of over 10,000 acquisitions between 1991 and 2002, we find evidence that past success raises future performance in private, or semi-private, bids but not in public bids. We also find that past success was not associated with the number of prior acquisitions. We attribute this past success to an unobserved acquisition competence and argue that acquisition competence must be based on some sort of informational advantage that is dissipated in public bidding situations.
The role of thiol oxidative stress response in heat‐induced protein aggregate formation during thermotolerance in Bacillus subtilis

Using Bacillus subtilis as a model organism, we investigated thermotolerance development by analysing cell survival and in vivo protein aggregate formation in severely heat‐shocked cells primed by a mild heat shock. We observed an increased survival during severe heat stress, accompanied by a strong reduction of heat‐induced cellular protein aggregates in cells lacking the ClpXP protease. We could demonstrate that the transcription factor Spx, a regulatory substrate of ClpXP, is critical for the prevention of protein aggregate formation because its regulon encodes redox chaperones, such as thioredoxin, required for protection against thiol‐specific oxidative stress. Consequently B. subtilis cells grown in the absence of oxygen were more protected against severe heat shock and much less protein aggregates were detected compared to aerobically grown cells. The presented results indicate that in B. subtilis Spx and its regulon plays not only an important role for oxidative but also for heat stress response and thermotolerance development. In addition, our experiments suggest that the protection of misfolded proteins from thiol oxidation during heat shock can be critical for the prevention of cellular protein aggregation in vivo.
Insights on the Rapid Adoption of Pusa 1121: Basmati Variety in North India

In this paper we apply duration analysis to study the factors driving the speed of adoption of a popular Basmati rice variety called Pusa 1121. We use data from a primary survey on variety adoption and crop economics conducted in 2017. The sample comprises of 1305 Basmati growing farmers from the north Indian states of Haryana and Punjab. Pusa 1121 was adopted rapidly by 60% farmers between 5 and 10 years from its release in 2005. Results from the duration analysis highlight the key role of superior quality traits of Pusa 1121 and assured market demand. Access to varietal information from extension agents also shortened farmersâ€™ time to adoption. Moreover, we show that early adopters of Pusa 1121 positively influenced other farmersâ€™ speed of adoption within their village network.
Tailoring the Morphology and the Optical Properties of Semiconductor Nanocrystals by Alloying

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) or quantum dots (QDs) based on semiconductors open possibilities for applications in new areas (Bawendi et al., 1990; Alivisatos, 1996; Markovich et al., 1999). Since hot injection synthesis of mono-dispersed spherical nanocrystals using organometallic precursors was introduced by an MIT group (Murray et al., 1993), extensive works have been devoted to make variation of their size and shape, compositions. In this chapter, we will focus on the effect of the alloying or impurity doping on the shape and the optical properties of the NCs. In the first section, we will introduce and discuss the effect of alloying on the morphology of semiconductor NCs. The effects of Pb2+ addition on the morphological development of CdSe nanocrystals was discussed. The addition of Pb ions in the initial precursor solution for the synthesis of alloyed CdSe NCs changed the morphology of CdSe nanocrystals to branched rod with high aspect ratio. The branched nanocrystals are mainly composed of wurzite phase grown along [001] direction and the length of rods in each branched nanocrystal can be increased by increasing amount of Pb2+ addition to accelerate anisotropic growth of nanocrystals. The luminescence, however, mostly arises from trap-related recombination and significantly red-shifted by Pb2+ addition. Moreover, it will be shown that the zinc blend-wurzite polymorphism was popularly observed in these branched CdSe NCs and the twinned structure gave rise to highly asymmetric line shape of photoluminescence spectra. Based on the known optical properties, we will further discuss the application of the branched CdSe NCs to the photovoltaic devices. In the second section, we discussed the effect of the alloying on the optical properties of Cdfree I-III-VI2 group semiconductor nanocrystals. Although, many works have been focused on II-VI semiconductors such as CdSe, CdS, CdTe, etc. due to their high quantum yield of fluorescence with tunable emission wavelength, incorporation of toxic heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Hg in the II-VI semiconductors have limited their public application. As alternatives to II-VI semiconductors, several materials system including III-V semiconductor NCs (e.g. InP) and impurity-doped ZnS NCs have been developed. However, each material system have some drawbacks such as requirement of expensive pyrophoric compounds as precursors, chemical stability, tunability of emission wavelength, etc. Ternary chalcopyritetype I-III-VI2 group semiconductor NCs were also synthesized as less-toxic new candidates
Scaling 112 Gb/s Optical Networks With the Nonlinear Threshold Metric

A nonlinear penalty threshold that contains the total nonlinear phase shift is examined as a criterion for scaling fiber optic links. We investigate 112 Gb/s PDM-QPSK hybrid optical networks consisting of either TrueWave (G.655) or AllWave (G.652) fiber. We establish experimental and simulation environments with robust absolute matching in both linear and nonlinear regimes. We identify both XPM and SPM penalties in 0% and 100% inline dispersion compensation schemes for the two different fiber types. Both experimental and simulation results reveal that 0% inline-compensated links operate with larger nonlinear threshold for increasing span count and readily yield simple design rules.
Hierarchical similarity biases in idea evaluation: A study in enterprise crowdfunding

To be successful innovators, organizations must select the best ideas for implementation. Extant research shows that idea selection is distorted by a number of biases, but has failed to consider hierarchy, a key element of organizations. We examine how hierarchical distance between an idea's creator and its evaluator affects evaluation outcomes and thus advance three competing theoretical predictions based on homophily, competition, and status. To test our predictions, we use a unique dataset from an enterprise crowdfunding initiative at Siemens where 265 employees evaluated 77 ideas by allocating corporate funds, resulting in 20,405 evaluation dyads. We find that idea evaluations are more favorable if the idea creator is hierarchically similar to the evaluator, thus supporting the homophily perspective. Idea novelty amplifies this bias, inducing more social evaluations. Our findings are robust to various specifications and tests, and are absent in a subsample where idea creators remained anonymous. We contribute to the idea evaluation research and inform organizational idea selection process designs.
Co-Registration of Bioluminescence Tomography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Multimodal In Vivo Stem Cell Tracking

We present a practical approach for coregistration of bioluminescence tomography (BLT), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) images. For this, we developed a customized animal shuttle composed of nonfluorescent, MR-compatible Delrin plastic that fits a commercially available MR surface coil. Mouse embryonic stem cells were transfected with the luciferase gene and labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Cells were stereotaxically implanted in the mouse brain and imaged weekly for 4 weeks with bioluminescent imaging (IVIS Spectrum CT scanner) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 11.7 T horizontal bore scanner). Without the use of software coregistration, in vitro phantom studies yielded root-mean-square errors of 7.6 × 10−3, 0.93 mm, and 0.78 mm along the medial–lateral (ML), dorsal–ventral (DV), and anterior–posterior (AP) axes, respectively. Rotation errors were negligible. Software coregistration by translation along the DV and AP axes resulted in consistent agreement between the CT and MR images, without the need for rotation or warping. In vivo coregistered BLT/MRI mouse brain data sets showed a single diffuse region of bioluminescent imaging photon signal and MRI hypointensity. Over time, the transplanted cells formed tumors as histopathologically validated. Disagreement between BLT and MRI tumor location was greatest along the DV axis (1.4 ± 0.2 mm) than along the ML (0.5 ± 0.3 mm) and the AP axes (0.6 mm) because of the uncertainty of the depth of origin of the BLT signal. Combining the high spatial anatomical information of MRI with the cell viability/proliferation data from BLT should facilitate preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutic candidate stem cells.
Nuclear Warhead Verification: A Review of Attribute and Template Systems

Verification of current nuclear arms control treaties between United States and Russia relies primarily on the verification of delivery vehicles. Warheads are counted indirectly via the delivery vehicles that they are associated with. As states move to lower numbers of nuclear weapons in their arsenals, verification will likely pose complex challenges. Most importantly, future nuclear disarmament treaties may place limits on the total number of nuclear weapons in the arsenals. Their verification would require inspections of individual nuclear warheads without revealing secret information. Confirming the authenticity of nuclear warheads and perhaps also of warhead components is at the center of the verification challenge for future reductions in the nuclear arsenals. This paper provides an overview of the development of verification systems, and highlights the challenges and the opportunities for future research in this area.
Hundreds of ankyrin‐like repeats in functionally diverse proteins: Mobile modules that cross phyla horizontally?

Based on pattern searches and systematic database screening, almost 650 different ankyrin‐like (ANK) repeats from nearly all phyla have been identified; more than 150 of them are reported here for the first time. Their presence in functionally diverse proteins such as enzymes, toxins, and transcription factors strongly suggests domain shuffling, but their occurrence in prokaryotes and yeast excludes exon shuffling. The spreading mechanism remains unknown, but in at least three cases horizontal gene transfer appears to be involved. ANK repeats occur in at least four consecutive copies. The terminal repeats are more variable in sequence. One feature of the internal repeats is a predicted central hydrophobic α‐helix, which is likely to interact with other repeats. The functions of the ankyrin‐like repeats are compatible with a role in protein‐protein interactions. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quality Improvement Project Examining Nurses' Perceptions Regarding the Use of Technology for Interpretation for Patients with Limited English Proficiency

This study measured the positive and negative aspects of perceptions in nurses regarding technology used in language interpretation for patients who have limited English proficiency (LEP). A sample of forty-seven nurses participated in the study. A trial of Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) was implemented and perceptions were measured for VRI technology as compared to the telephone interpretation technology that was available before the trial. Instrumentation included demographic questionnaires measuring participant characteristics, and questionnaires measuring positive and negative perceptions of technology were administered pretrial for telephone interpretation technology and post-trial for the VRI technology. Each perception questionnaire included four open ended questions regarding how technology affected patient rapport, communication, and nursing care. There was a significant increase in positive perceptions of VRI compared to telephone interpretation technology (p= .000). There was also a significant decrease in negative perceptions VRI technology when compared to telephone technology (p=.000). Nurses in the Millennial generation showed a significantly higher belief that VRI assisted in the faster completion of duties (p=0.009), while the Baby Boomer participants showed a significantly higher beliefs that VRI draws nurses time away from patients (p= 0.017). The study results support the literature that states VRI technology is preferred by healthcare providers in relation to the effects on nursing time and communication. As predicted by the theoretical framework chosen for this study, the Technology Acceptance model, the VRI technology will have successful adoption and will ensure increased use of this form of certified language interpretation.
Financial Distress and Hedging: Evidence from Canadian Oil Firms

The paper explores the link between financial distress and the commodity price hedging behaviour of Canadian oil firms. Specifically, we argue that the expected costs of financial distress have been associated with the hedging behaviour for Canadian oil firms between 2005 and 2015. We use firm-level annual data for 92 Canadian-based, publicly traded oil extraction companies. Results from Honore’s semiparametric model for panel data with fixed effects and Heckman's two-step model show that firms with higher short-term and long-term debt tend to hedge more. Furthermore, an increase in the Altman bankruptcy score by one is associated with the decline of the hedge ratio by 1.2 to 1.7 percentage points.
Frequency of Epstein - Barr Virus in Patients Presenting with Acute Febrile Illness in Kenya

Background Most acute febrile illnesses (AFI) are usually not associated with a specific diagnosis because of limitations of available diagnostics. This study reports on the frequency of EBV viremia and viral load in children and adults presenting with febrile illness in hospitals in Kenya. Methodology/Principal Findings A pathogen surveillance study was conducted on patients presenting with AFI (N = 796) at outpatient departments in 8 hospitals located in diverse regions of Kenya. Enrollment criterion to the study was fever without a readily diagnosable infection. All the patients had AFI not attributable to the common causes of fever in Kenyan hospitals, such as malaria or rickettsiae, leptospira, brucella and salmonella and they were hence categorized as having AFI of unknown etiology. EBV was detected in blood using quantitative TaqMan-based qPCR targeting a highly conserved BALF5 gene. The overall frequency of EBV viremia in this population was 29.2%, with significantly higher proportion in younger children of <5years (33.8%, p = 0.039) compared to patients aged ≥5 years (26.3% for 5–15 years or 18.8% for >15 years). With respect to geographical localities, the frequency of EBV viremia was higher in the Lake Victoria region (36.4%), compared to Kisii highland (24.6%), Coastal region (22.2%) and Semi-Arid region (25%). Furthermore, patients from the malaria endemic coastal region and the Lake Victoria region presented with significantly higher viremia than individuals from other regions of Kenya. Conclusions/Significance This study provides profiles of EBV in patients with AFI from diverse eco-regions of Kenya. Of significant interest is the high frequency of EBV viremia in younger children. The observed high frequencies of EBV viremia and elevated viral loads in residents of high malaria transmission areas are probably related to malaria induced immune activation and resultant expansion of EBV infected B-cells.
The computational notion of life

The present paper discusses a topic often neglected by contemporary philosophy of biology: The relation between metaphorical notions of living organisms as information processing systems, the attempts to model such systems by computational means (e.g., Artificial Life research), and the idea that life itself is a computational phenomenon. This question has ramifications in theoretical biology and the definition of life, in theoretical computer science and the concept of computation, and in semiotics (the study of signs in the most general sense, including information, signification, and meaning), and the concept of the interpreter. It is argued, that the theory of autopoietic systems known from theoretical biology should be integrated with a biosemiotic reflection on the natural history of signs.