Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using parental active travel behavior and beliefs to predict active travel to school among children

Abstract Active travel (AT) is associated with improved health in adults and children, and children’s AT to school has steadily declined in recent years. Understanding influences on AT will inform intervention development to increase AT among youth. Therein, this study aimed to examine the relationship between AT of children to school and parental AT behavior and beliefs. This was a cross-sectional study of employed adults conducted via an online survey. Participants reported the number of times per week their children, themselves and their spouses actively traveled. Beliefs for AT were also measured. Logistic regressions predicted child AT to school based on parental AT behavior and beliefs. Parents (n = 344) were primarily white (85.8%), female (66.3%), overweight or obese (48.0%) and married (82.6%), with high levels of income and education and reported that 12.2% (n = 41) of their children were active travelers. Children had higher odds of AT to school if the parent actively traveled (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.23 [1.12–1.34], p<.001) or the spouse was an active traveler (OR = 1.28 [1.14–1.45], p<.001). Speaking with children about reasons for AT (OR = 1.61 [1.19–2.18], p=.002), children being eager to actively travel to school (OR = 4.20 [2.82–6.25], p<.001), and parental AT as a child (OR = 1.29 [1.03–1.60], p=.02) were associated with more AT, and odds of children actively traveling to school were lower with higher parent body mass index (OR = 0.87 [0.79–0.96], p=.005) and more cars in the household (OR = 0.47 [0.30–0.72], p=.001). These findings suggest that children’s AT to school is directly influenced by the travel behavior, attitudes, and beliefs of parents.
The pilA regulatory gene modulates the pilus‐mediated adhesion of Neisseria meningitidis by controlling the transcription of pilC1

Adherence to eukaryotic cells is essential in the pathogenesis of Neisseria meningitidis. Pilus‐mediated adhesion has been shown to play an essential role in this process. Pilin, the pilus major subunit, and two pilus associated proteins, PilC1 and PilC2, are key components in meningococcal adhesiveness. Phase and/or antigenic variation of these molecules are the only identified means by which N. meningitidis modulates pilus‐mediated adhesion. PilA/PilB is a pleiotropic regulatory system first characterized in Neisseria gonorrhoeae where it controls pilin gene transcription. Similar alleles are found in N. meningitidis. To address the role of this regulatory pathway in N. meningitidis, we engineered a meningococcal pilA mutant strain and analysed the consequences of this mutation on pilus‐mediated adhesion using epithelial Hec‐1‐B cells. This mutation resulted in a threefold reduction in adhesiveness. As no change in the amount of pilin nor in pilin gene mRNA was detected, we compared the expression of the pilC genes in both pilA and parental strains. Two transcriptional fusions pilC1–lacZ and pilC2–lacZ were constructed. A threefold reduction in β‐galactosidase activity was observed in the pilA mutant strain harbouring the pilC1–lacZ fusion. No effect of the pilA mutation on β‐galactosidase activity was observed in the strain carrying the pilC2–lacZ fusion. Gel retardation experiments confirmed that the PilA protein binds to the promoter region of pilC1 but not of pilC2. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PilA modulates meningococcal adhesiveness via the transcription of pilC1. Thus, in addition to phase variation, a more co‐ordinate and responsive system may allow a fine adaptation of adhesiveness of meningococci to various environmental signals.
Knowledge management practices in healthcare settings: a systematic review

Knowledge is an intangible asset in Organizations, and provides a comparative advantage to those who possess it. Hospitals are complex organizations with unique characteristics because of the heterogeneity of health professionals' orientation, the composite networking and the decision-making processes. A deeper understanding of knowledge management (KM) could streamline productivity and coordinate the use of resources more efficient. We conducted a systematic literature search of peer-reviewed papers that described key elements of KM using three databases (Medline, Cinahl and Health Source: nursing/academic edition) for a 10-year period (1/1/2004-25/11/2014). The included articles were subjected to qualitative content analysis. We retrieved 604 articles of which 20 articles were eligible for analysis. Most of the studies (n=13) used a qualitative methodology. The total sample size was 2155 participants. The key elements that arose were as follows: perceptions of KM, synthesis, dissemination, collaboration, means of KM and leadership. Moreover, this study identified barriers for KM implementation, like time restrictions and limited skills. Healthcare managers ought to cultivate a knowledge environment, operate as role models, provide the tools for KM and reward people who act as knowledge brokers. Opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing should be encouraged. Successful KM should be patient-centered to gain its maximum value. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmental sustainability orientation, competitive strategy and financial performance

Extant research has established that environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) has a positive influence on performance outcomes. Nevertheless, several contingencies tend to affect the strength of this relationship. In this study, we draw on natural resource‐based theory to introduce competitive strategies as moderators in the ESO–performance nexus. Using time‐lagged data obtained from 269 firms in Ghana, this study finds that firms pursuing the differentiation strategy can positively boost performance outcomes with ESO than without differentiation strategy. We also find that firms can use the low‐cost or the integrated strategy to get higher impact on performance with ESO, respectively. Based on the results, firms in Ghana do not need differentiation strategy in order to boost the effect of ESO on financial performance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Confirmation of the species status of the blackfly Simulium galeratum in Britain using molecular taxonomy

Abstract Since 1920 Simulium reptans (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Simuliidae) has been reported as exhibiting two different larval morphotypes, a typical S. reptans and an atypical S. reptans var. galeratum, which differ in the markings of the larval head capsule. Inconsistent variation in adults and no apparent variation in the pupae have led taxonomists to conclude that these types in Britain are a single species. We investigated populations in Britain where either the typical form or var. galeratum is found, and one population where the two exist sympatrically. A phylogenetic study based upon a region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene (DNA barcoding) produced a tree that delineated the morphotypes into two distinct monophyletic clades. The average Kimura‐2‐parameter distances within each clade (i.e. within each morphotype) were very low (0.67% and 0.78%), with the distances between morphotypes being 9−10‐fold greater (mean 7.06%). This is concordant with differences within and between species in other taxa; based upon the strict correlation between the molecular variation and the morphotypes, we propose the re‐instatement of S. galeratum to species status.
In Search of a Scapegoat: The Global Corporate Blame Game

Humanity has a long tradition of searching for means to cope with crisis situations and to manage the order of society. In our contemporary world, corporations with their complex global networking often face crises and need to minimise damage. This paper aims to identify why and how scapegoating is used as a strategy in crisis communication by global business. To this end, Situational Crisis Communication Theory has been used to analyse some recent corporate crises (e.g. Volkswagen AG’s handling of its emissions debacle and Costa Cruises’ fatally shipwrecked Costa Concordia). This study reveals that, even though slightly different from its ancient counterparts in its aims, scapegoating is a frequent tool of corporations seeking to mitigate their multi-causal crises. It also appraises the efficacy of this manoeuvre.
Oxidase activity of a flavin‐dependent thymidylate synthase

Flavin‐dependent thymidylate synthases (FDTS) catalyze the production of dTMP from dUMP and N5,N10‐methylene‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydrofolate (CH2H4folate). In contrast to human and other classical thymidylate synthases, the activity of FDTS depends on a FAD coenzyme, and its catalytic mechanism is very different. Several human pathogens rely on this recently discovered enzyme, making it an attractive target for novel antibiotics. Like many other flavoenzymes, FDTS can function as an oxidase, which catalyzes the reduction of O2 to H2O2, using reduced NADPH or other reducing agents. In this study, we exploit the oxidase activity of FDTS from Thermatoga maritima to probe the binding and release features of the substrates and products during its synthase activity. Results from steady‐state and single‐turnover experiments suggest a sequential kinetic mechanism of substrate binding during FDTS oxidase activity. CH2H4folate competitively inhibits the oxidase activity, which indicates that CH2H4folate and O2 compete for the same reduced and dUMP‐activated enzymatic complex (FDTS–FADH2–NADP+–dUMP). These studies imply that the binding of CH2H4folate precedes NADP+ release during FDTS activity. The inhibition constant of CH2H4folate towards the oxidase activity was determined to be rather small (2 μm), which indicates a tight binding of CH2H4folate to the FDTS–FADH2–NADP+–dUMP complex.
Characterization of dTDP-4-dehydrorhamnose 3,5-Epimerase and dTDP-4-dehydrorhamnose Reductase, Required for dTDP-l-rhamnose Biosynthesis in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium LT2*

The thymidine diphosphate-l-rhamnose biosynthesis pathway is required for assembly of surface glycoconjugates in a growing list of bacterial pathogens, making this pathway a potential therapeutic target. However, the terminal reactions have not been characterized. To complete assignment of the reactions, the four enzymes (RmlABCD) that constitute the pathway in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium LT2 were overexpressed. The purified RmlC and D enzymes together catalyze the terminal two steps involving NAD(P)H-dependent formation of dTDP-l-rhamnose from dTDP-6-deoxy-d-xylo-4-hexulose. RmlC was assigned as the thymidine diphosphate-4-dehydrorhamnose 3,5-epimerase by showing its activity to be NAD(P)H-independent. Spectrofluorometric and radiolabeling experiments were used to demonstrate the ability of RmlC to catalyze the formation of dTDP-6-deoxy-l-lyxo-4-hexulose from dTDP-6-deoxy-d-xylo-4-hexulose. Under reaction conditions, RmlC converted approximately 3% of its substrate to product. RmlD was unequivocally identified as the thymidine diphosphate-4-dehydrorhamnose reductase. The reductase property of RmlD was shown by equilibrium analysis and its ability to enable efficient biosynthesis of dTDP-l-rhamnose, even in the presence of low amounts of dTDP-6-deoxy-l-lyxo-4-hexulose. Comparison of 23 known and predicted RmlD sequences identified several conserved amino acid residues, especially the serine-tyrosine-lysine catalytic triad, characteristic for members of the reductase/epimerase/dehydrogenase protein superfamily. In conclusion, RmlD is a novel member of this protein superfamily.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Inhibiting the Amine Oxidase Activity of Semicarbazide-Sensitive Amine Oxidase

Human semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) or vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is a copper-containing amine oxidase (AOC3, EC 1.4.3.6) that has both enzymatic and adhesive function. SSAO catalyzes the oxidative deamination of primary amines, resulting in the formation of the corresponding aldehyde and release of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Membrane-bound SSAO is an inflammation-inducible endothelial cell adhesion molecule that mediates the interaction between leukocytes and activated endothelial cells in inflamed vessels. Both the direct adhesive and enzymatic functions seem to be involved in the adhesion cascade. LJP 1207 [N′-(2-phenyl-allyl)-hydrazine hydrochloride] is a potent (human SSAO IC50 = 17 nM), selective, and orally available SSAO inhibitor that blocks both the enzymatic and adhesion functions of SSAO/VAP-1. In a mouse model of ulcerative colitis, LJP 1207 significantly reduces mortality, loss of body weight, and colonic cytokine levels. Quantitative histopathological assessment of colitis activity in this model showed a highly significant suppression of inflammation, injury, and ulceration scores in the animals treated with the SSAO/VAP-1 inhibitor. LJP 1207 also reduced serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged mice and prolonged survival post-LPS-induced endotoxemia. Therapeutic and prophylactic administration of LJP 1207 in the rat carrageenan footpad model also markedly inhibited swelling and inflammation. Overall, the data suggest that small molecule SSAO/VAP-1 inhibitors may provide clinical benefit in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases.
Molecular cloning of the bovine MYOC and induction of its expression in trabecular meshwork cells.

PURPOSE Myocilin gene (MYOC) was identified as one of the disease-causing genes of primary open-angle glaucoma. This study was conducted to establish a system for the investigation of the biological role of MYOC in vitro by using bovine eyes, which are easy to obtain and have been widely used to examine the aqueous outflow system. The cDNA sequence of the bovine MYOC was determined and its expression in bovine eyes was examined with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. METHODS Bovine MYOC cDNA was obtained from cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells, and part of its sequence was determined using a primer pair designed based on the known sequence of the human MYOC gene. The 3' and 5' ends of this sequence were determined using the method of 3' and 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The induction of the MYOC gene in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells after exposure to dexamethasone was quantitatively examined with real-time quantitative PCR using a probe designed according to the sequence of the determined bovine MYOC gene. RESULTS Bovine MYOC protein was composed of 490 amino acids, which was 81.6% identical with that of human MYOC protein. Most of the amino acid residues of which mutation was reported to cause glaucoma were conserved in the bovine MYOC protein. After 2 weeks of treatment with 500 nM dexamethasone, expression of bovine MYOC mRNA was amplified 14-fold (14.1+/-5.1-fold, mean +/- SEM) measured by real-time quantitative PCR. CONCLUSIONS The cDNA sequence of the bovine MYOC gene had a high degree of similarity to that of the human MYOC gene. Investigation of the function of bovine MYOC may contribute to identifying the role of MYOC protein in the aqueous outflow system.
Bioactive surface modification on amide-photografted poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)

Collagen was chemically immobilized on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) films via hydrophilic polyacrylamide spacers, aiming to establish the bioactive surface and the inner surface models. The inner surface modified films presented higher wettability than the surface modified films. Wide-angle x-ray diffraction results showed that the d-spacing values of the inner surface model increased compared with those of the surface model, but there was no significant difference between the amide- and collagen-modified PHBV films. The peak melting temperatures of PHBV and the special endotherm around 70 °C were following the order: PHBV > amide-modified PHBV > collagen-modified PHBV. The weight loss of the collagen-modified PHBV (inner surface model) might involve hydrolyzation and mineralization during 360 days of incubation, with a maximum value of 18.24%, while PHBV films did not show significant weight loss. The pH value of the degradation fluids fluctuated in the range of 6.86–7.22, as the initial pH was recorded at 7.20. Based on the surface model, collagen-modified PHBV scaffolds were prepared, which enhanced chondrocyte adhesion and spread on the biomimetic surface. Two surface modification models might develop a protocol with a view to generating a biocompatible and biomechanical scaffold for use in meniscus regeneration.
Repetition time in echo planar functional MRI

To date, surprisingly little attention has been directed toward determining the optimum TR in a functional imaging experiment. A survey of the literature reveals a wide range of TRs, but little justification for a specific TR. Long‐TR functional imaging experiments provide maximum signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in the raw images; allow for the collection of a large number of slice locations; and decrease the size of the data set acquired, simplifying storage and handling. This work, however, demonstrates that long‐TR imaging sacrifices statistical power when the paradigm timing is held fixed. That is, for a fixed‐run duration consisting of multiple activation/control blocks, shorter TR acquisitions (on the order of 1000 ms) provide better discrimination between the activated and nonactivated brain tissue regions than do long‐TR acquisitions (on the order of 4000 ms). Results are shown for modeling the functional imaging experiment and for three different paradigms performed on normal subjects. Magn Reson Med 46:748–755, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 Regulates Activation of Activator Protein-1 in Murine Fibroblasts1

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1 is activated in response to DNA injury in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and has been implicated in cell dysfunction in inflammation. We investigated the role of PARP-1 on the AP-1 pathway, which is involved in the signal transduction of the inflammatory process. In murine wild-type fibroblasts, oxidative challenge by peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide or immunological challenge by IL-1 and 20% FCS induced phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-4, activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and DNA binding of AP-1. In comparative experiments, peroxynitrite induced DNA binding of heat shock factor-1. Pretreatment of wild-type cells with 5-iodo-6-amino-1,2-benzopyrone, a PARP-1 inhibitor, inhibited JNK activation and DNA binding of AP-1. In parallel experiments in PARP-1-deficient fibroblasts, DNA binding of AP-1 was completely abolished. Activation of JNK was significantly elevated at basal condition, but it exhibited a lesser increase after oxidative or immunological challenge than in wild-type fibroblasts. Nuclear content of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-4 was observed in PARP-1-deficient cells after peroxynitrite challenge only. Western blotting analysis for AP-1 subunits indicated that c-Fos was similarly expressed in wild-type and PARP-1-deficient cells. Phosphorylated c-Jun was expressed after oxidative or immunological challenge, but not in basal condition, in wild-type cells; however, it was significantly elevated at basal condition and further enhanced after oxidative or immunological challenge in PARP-1-deficient cells. No DNA binding of heat shock factor-1 was observed in PARP-1-deficient cells. These data demonstrate that PARP-1 plays a pivotal role in the modulation of transcription.
Flat embedding and immunolabelling of SW 1116 colon carcinoma cells in LR white: An improved technique in light and electron microscopy

Human SW 1116 colon carcinoma cells were grown on matrix‐covered coverslips and flat embedded in specially prepared gelatin capsules in the hydrophylic resin LR White. Dehydration and polymerization were carried out so as to maximize preservation of antigenicity. Sections were cut perpendicular to the substratum. To visualize mucin, semithin sections of SW 1116 cells were stained with periodic acid Schiff (PAS) reagent for light microscopy, and ultrathin sections were labelled with a monoclonal mucin antibody (Mab 19‐9) and immunogold for electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence was carried out on whole cultured cells using Mab 19‐9. The morphological preservation of SW 1116 cells embedded in LR White was comparable to that of Epon‐embedded cells. Mucin was localized on the microvillar surface of the apical plasma membrane and occasionally in intercellular spaces between adjacent cells. Mucin was also present in vesicles in the apical and lateral part, and to a lesser extent in the basal part of the cells. We conclude that this new technology significantly improves the morphological preservation of cells and tissues in LR White, while also serving to sustain the antigenicity of cellular antigens.
Def1 interacts with TFIIH and modulates RNA polymerase II transcription

Significance All eukaryotes respond to DNA damage by polyubiquitylation and degradation of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (pol II), facilitated by the Elongin-Cullin ubiquitin ligase. In yeast, the recruitment of the ubiquitin ligase to pol II is dependent on Def1. We report a finding made in the course of isolating TFIIH-Def1 from yeast that suggests a potential novel function of Def1 as a transcription regulator in response to cellular stress. The function of Def1 in transcription regulation is demonstrably separable from its role in coordinating pol II stability in response to cellular stress. The DNA damage response is an essential process for the survival of living cells. In a subset of stress-responsive genes in humans, Elongin controls transcription in response to multiple stimuli, such as DNA damage, oxidative stress, and heat shock. Yeast Elongin (Ela1-Elc1), along with Def1, is known to facilitate ubiquitylation and degradation of RNA polymerase II (pol II) in response to multiple stimuli, yet transcription activity has not been examined. We have found that Def1 copurifies from yeast whole-cell extract with TFIIH, the largest general transcription factor required for transcription initiation and nucleotide excision repair. The addition of recombinant Def1 and Ela1-Elc1 enhanced transcription initiation in an in vitro reconstituted system including pol II, the general transcription factors, and TFIIS. Def1 also enhanced transcription restart from TFIIS-induced cleavage in a pol II transcribing complex. In the Δdef1 strain, heat shock genes were misregulated, indicating that Def1 is required for induction of some stress-responsive genes in yeast. Taken together, our results extend the understanding of the molecular mechanism of transcription regulation on cellular stress and reveal functional similarities to the mammalian system.