Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antecedents to Digital Platform Usage in Industry 4.0 
by Established Manufacturers

Digital platforms are expected to have the potential for a multitude of purposes forindustrial enterprises, for instance when integrated within the concept of Industry 4.0. Despite itsrelevance for industrial value creation, little research on platforms in the industrial context hasbeen undertaken so far. Owing to the lack of research in this field, the paper aims to investigate thepotentials and challenges of digital platforms in order to generate an understanding of theantecedents to the use of digital platforms by established manufacturers. In thequalitative-exploratory study, the paper uses a qualitative empirical research approach, relying onin-depth expert interviews. The sample comprises interviews with managers of 102 German andAustrian industrial enterprises from several industrial sectors. All of the enterprises regarded havepractical experiences with digital platforms. The results show that the main potentials of digitalplatforms are reducing transaction costs, combining strengths of enterprises, and realizingeconomies of scale as well as economies of scope. Yet, digital platforms bring challenges, such as alack of trust, competitive thinking, high coordination efforts, and loss of confidential information.The paper further distinguishes between various industry sectors revealing interesting differences.Based on the results, the paper indicates possibilities for future research and provides corporatepractice with implications.
A Comparative Study on Resilience, Perceived Social Support and Hopelessness Among Cancer Patients Treated with Curative and Palliative Care

Aim: Psychological distress is common among patients affected by cancer. In this study, we examined the relationship between resilience, social support, and hopelessness among cancer patients treated with curative and palliative care. Patients and Methods: Sixty cancer patients in the age range of 18–65 years were randomly selected and divided into two groups based on their treatment intent namely, curative care (n = 30) and palliative care (n = 30). Both groups were assessed by the following instruments: Bharathiar University Resilience Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Beck Hopelessness Scale. Results: Resilience was significantly associated with less hopelessness and higher levels of perceived social support. Conclusion: Cancer patients are found to be resilient, and the role of social support and hopelessness on promoting resilience cannot be ignored.
Actin-mediated bacterial propulsion: comet profile, velocity pulsations

The propulsion of bacteria under the action of an actin gel network is examined in terms of gel concentration dynamics. The model includes the elasticity of the network, the gel–bacterium interaction, the bulk and interface polymerization. A formula for the cruise velocity is obtained where the contributions to bacterial motility arising from elasticity and polymerization are made explicit. Higher velocities correspond to lower concentration peaks and longer tails, in agreement with experimental results. The condition for the onset of motion is explicitly given. The behavior of the system is explored by varying the growth rates and the gel elasticity. At steady state two regimes are found, respectively, of constant and pulsating velocity; in the latter case, the velocity undergoes sudden accelerations and subsequent recoveries. The transition to the pulsating regime is obtained by increasing the elastic response of the gel.
Interactions between a Nuclear Transporter and a Subset of Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins Depend on Ran GTPase

ABSTRACT Proteins to be transported into the nucleus are recognized by members of the importin-karyopherin nuclear transport receptor family. After docking at the nuclear pore complex (NPC), the cargo-receptor complex moves through the aqueous pore channel. Once cargo is released, the importin then moves back through the channel for new rounds of transport. Thus, importin and exportin, another member of this family involved in export, are thought to continuously shuttle between the nuclear interior and the cytoplasm. In order to understand how nuclear transporters traverse the NPC, we constructed functional protein fusions between several members of the yeast importin family, including Pse1p, Sxm1p, Xpo1p, and Kap95p, and the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Complexes containing nuclear transporters were isolated by using highly specific anti-GFP antibodies. Pse1-GFP was studied in the most detail. Pse1-GFP is in a complex with importin-α and -β (Srp1p and Kap95p in yeast cells) that is sensitive to the nucleotide-bound state of the Ran GTPase. In addition, Pse1p associates with the nucleoporins Nsp1p, Nup159p, and Nup116p, while Sxm1p, Xpo1p, and Kap95p show different patterns of interaction with nucleoporins. Association of Pse1p with nucleoporins also depends on the nucleotide-bound state of Ran; when Ran is in the GTP-bound state, the nucleoporin association is lost. A mutant form of Pse1p that does not bind Ran also fails to interact with nucleoporins. These data indicate that transport receptors such as Pse1p interact in a Ran-dependent manner with certain nucleoporins. These nucleoporins may represent major docking sites for Pse1p as it moves in or out of the nucleus via the NPC.
Human DNA Polymerase η Is Required for Common Fragile Site Stability during Unperturbed DNA Replication

ABSTRACT Human DNA polymerase η (Pol η) modulates susceptibility to skin cancer by promoting translesion DNA synthesis (TLS) past sunlight-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. Despite its well-established role in TLS synthesis, the role of Pol η in maintaining genome stability in the absence of external DNA damage has not been well explored. We show here that short hairpin RNA-mediated depletion of Pol η from undamaged human cells affects cell cycle progression and the rate of cell proliferation and results in increased spontaneous chromosome breaks and common fragile site expression with the activation of ATM-mediated DNA damage checkpoint signaling. These phenotypes were also observed in association with modified replication factory dynamics during S phase. In contrast to that seen in Pol η-depleted cells, none of these cellular or karyotypic defects were observed in cells depleted for Pol ι, the closest relative of Pol η. Our results identify a new role for Pol η in maintaining genomic stability during unperturbed S phase and challenge the idea that the sole functional role of Pol η in human cells is in TLS DNA damage tolerance and/or repair pathways following exogenous DNA damage.
Amino Acid Racemization in Pseudomonas putida KT2440

ABSTRACT d-Amino acids have been shown to play an increasingly diverse role in bacterial physiology, yet much remains to be learned about their synthesis and catabolism. Here we used the model soil- and rhizosphere-dwelling organism Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to elaborate on the genomics and enzymology of d-amino acid metabolism. P. putida KT2440 catabolized the d-stereoisomers of lysine, phenylalanine, arginine, alanine, and hydroxyproline as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources. With the exception of phenylalanine, each of these amino acids was racemized by P. putida KT2440 enzymes. Three amino acid racemases were identified from a genomic screen, and the enzymes were further characterized in vitro. The putative biosynthetic alanine racemase Alr showed broad substrate specificity, exhibiting measurable racemase activity with 9 of the 19 chiral amino acids. Among these amino acids, activity was the highest with lysine, and the kcat/Km values with l- and d-lysine were 3 orders of magnitude greater than the kcat/Km values with l- and d-alanine. Conversely, the putative catabolic alanine racemase DadX showed narrow substrate specificity, clearly preferring only the alanine stereoisomers as the substrates. However, DadX did show 6- and 9-fold higher kcat/Km values than Alr with l- and d-alanine, respectively. The annotated proline racemase ProR of P. putida KT2440 showed negligible activity with either stereoisomer of the 19 chiral amino acids but exhibited strong epimerization activity with hydroxyproline as the substrate. Comparative genomic analysis revealed differences among pseudomonads with respect to alanine racemase genes that may point to different roles for these genes among closely related species.
The Wealth-Building Diamond of Project Management: An Integrative Emerging Model

More and more, investors are solicited to invest in projects of all sizes. Companies like Apple rely on and operate based on projects. Bankers, in particular, are regularly presented with many projects in which they have to decide whether to provide funds or not, not always knowing what to expect in the end. Financials are not enough; investors want to know and contemplate the inner aspects of the project as it will materialize. This article reports the key criteria in ensuring project management success and proposes the creation of an emergent model following the guidelines associated with grounded theory.
The estimated mechanical advantage of the prosimian ankle joint musculature, and implications for locomotor adaptation

In this study we compared the power arm lengths and mechanical advantages attributed to 12 lower leg muscles across three prosimian species. The origins and insertions of the lower leg muscles in Garnett's galago, the ring‐tailed lemur, and the slow loris were quantified and correlated with positional behaviour. The ankle joint of the galago has a speed‐oriented mechanical system, in contrast to that of the slow loris, which exhibits more power‐oriented mechanics. The lemur ankle joint exhibited intermediate power arm lengths and an intermediate mechanical advantage relative to the other primates. This result suggests that the mechanical differences in the ankle between the galago and the lemur, taxa that exhibit similar locomotory repertoires, reflect a difference in the kinematics and kinetics of leaping (i.e. generalised vs. specialised leapers). In contrast to leaping primates, lorises have developed a more power‐oriented mechanical system as a foot adaptation for positional behaviours such as bridging or cantilevering in their arboreal habitat.
Building a polysaccharide hydrogel capsule delivery system for control release of ibuprofen

Abstract Development of a delivery system which can effectively carry hydrophobic drugs and have pH response is becoming necessary. Here we demonstrate that through preparation of β-cyclodextrin polymer (β-CDP), a hydrophobic drug molecule of ibuprofen (IBU) was incorporated into our prepared β-CDP inner cavities, aiming to improve the poor water solubility of IBU. A core-shell capsule structure has been designed for achieving the drug pH targeted and sustained release. This delivery system was built with polysaccharide polymer of Sodium alginate (SA), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) by physical cross-linking. The drug pH-response control release is this hydrogel system’s chief merit, which has potential value for synthesizing enteric capsule. Besides, due to our simple preparing strategy, optimal conditions can be readily determined and the synthesis process can be accurately controlled, leading to consistent and reproducible hydrogel capsules. In addition, phase-solubility method was used to investigate the solubilization effect of IBU by β-CDP. SEM was used to prove the forming of core and shell structure. FT-IR and 1H-NMR were also used to perform structural characteristics. By the technique of UV determination, the pH targeted and sustained release study were also performed. The results have proved that our prepared polysaccharide hydrogel capsule delivery system has potential applications as oral drugs delivery in the field of biomedical materials.
Does clinical management impact height potential in children with severe acquired hypothyroidism?

Abstract Background: Severe acquired hypothyroidism often results in significant height deficit due to rapid bone age advancement following treatment. Whether gradual correction of hypothyroidism and/or adjunctive growth-promoting therapies (GPTs) augment final adult height (FAH) is controversial. Objective: To investigate time to euthyroidism, pace of bone age advancement (ΔBA/ΔCA), and impact of GPTs on FAH. Methods and patients: Retrospective review of 21 children (10.1±3.0 years) with profound hypothyroidism. Results: Baseline bone age standard deviation score (SDS) was –4.1±1.8, whereas height SDS was –3.0±1.1. Average time to euthyroidism was 9.7 months (2.3–33.7 months). Average ΔBA/ΔCA was 2.3±0.9. Six of 13 patients at FAH received GPTs. No correlation was found between time to euthyroidism and rate of skeletal maturation. No difference in height outcome was seen between those who received GPTs and those who did not. Conclusions: Neither time to euthyroidism nor use of GPTs significantly affected height potential in our patients.
Environmental Equity Research: Review With Focus on Outdoor Air Pollution Research Methods and Analytic Tools

The objective of this study was to review environmental equity research on outdoor air pollution and, specifically, methods and tools used in research, published in English, with the aim of recommending the best methods and analytic tools. English language publications from 2000 to 2012 were identified in Google Scholar, Ovid MEDLINE, and PubMed. Research methodologies and results were reviewed and potential deficiencies and knowledge gaps identified. The publications show that exposure to outdoor air pollution differs by social factors, but findings are inconsistent in Canada. In terms of study designs, most were small and ecological and therefore prone to the ecological fallacy. Newer tools such as geographic information systems, modeling, and biomarkers offer improved precision in exposure measurement. Higher-quality research using large, individual-based samples and more precise analytic tools are needed to provide better evidence for policy-making to reduce environmental inequities.
Activation through Cannabinoid Receptors 1 and 2 on Dendritic Cells Triggers NF-κB-Dependent Apoptosis: Novel Role for Endogenous and Exogenous Cannabinoids in Immunoregulation1

The precise role of cannabinoid receptors (CB)1 and CB2, as well as endogenous ligands for these receptors, on immune cells remains unclear. In the current study, we examined the effect of endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids on murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs). Addition of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a major psychoactive component found in marijuana or anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid, to DC cultures induced apoptosis in DCs. DCs expressed CB1 and CB2 receptors and the engagement of both receptors was necessary to trigger apoptosis. Treatment with THC induced caspase-2, -8, and -9 activation, cleavage of Bid, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and cytochrome c release, suggesting involvement of death-receptor and mitochondrial pathways. DCs from Bid-knockout mice were sensitive to THC-induced apoptosis thereby suggesting that Bid was dispensable. There was no induction of p44/p42 MAPK, p38 MAPK, or stress-activated protein/JNK pathway in THC-treated DCs. However, THC treatment induced phosphorylation of IκB-α, and enhanced the transcription of several apoptotic genes regulated by NF-κB. Moreover, inhibition of NF-κB was able to block THC-induced apoptosis in DCs. Lastly, in vivo treatment of mice with THC caused depletion of splenic DCs. Together, our study demonstrates for the first time that endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids may suppress the immune response through their ability to induce apoptosis in DCs.
Oxidation state of the XRCC1 N-terminal domain regulates DNA polymerase β binding affinity

Formation of a complex between the XRCC1 N-terminal domain (NTD) and DNA polymerase β (Pol β) is central to base excision repair of damaged DNA. Two crystal forms of XRCC1-NTD complexed with Pol β have been solved, revealing that the XRCC1-NTD is able to adopt a redox-dependent alternate fold, characterized by a disulfide bond, and substantial variations of secondary structure, folding topology, and electrostatic surface. Although most of these structural changes occur distal to the interface, the oxidized XRCC1-NTD forms additional interactions with Pol β, enhancing affinity by an order of magnitude. Transient disulfide bond formation is increasingly recognized as an important molecular regulatory mechanism. The results presented here suggest a paradigm in DNA repair in which the redox state of a scaffolding protein plays an active role in organizing the repair complex.
A Novel Design for Memristor-Based Logic Switch and Crossbar Circuits

Recently, it has been demonstrated that memristors can be utilized as logic gates, control switches as well as memory elements. In this paper, we analyze the different AND, OR, and NOT logic gates which are based on memristors. In addition, a novel design for a memristor-based switch is presented, which can be used in the peripheral read/write circuits of the memristor-based memory. Moreover, methods of consecutive read with long refresh intervals and fast write for the proposed design are also discussed. Another highlight of this work is the analysis of the proposed memristor-based crossbar architecture which has a series of excellent features, such as good-compatibility, high-density, non-volatility, low-power, and good-scalability. Simulation results also show that the proposed memory array has superior performances compared to other memristor-based arrays proposed in the existing technical literature.
Engineered kinase activation reveals unique morphodynamic phenotypes and associated trafficking for Src family isoforms

Significance Src family kinases (SFKs), critical in many aspects of homeostasis and disease, occur as multiple isoforms. It has been difficult to dissect the unique function of each isoform because their structures are so similar. Here we specifically activated each SFK isoform through insertion of an engineered domain. The domain caused the kinases to be catalytically inactive until they were reactivated by the small molecule rapamycin. Computational methods for quantifying dynamic changes in cell shape revealed that activation of each isoform produced dramatically different cell behaviors. Quantitative analysis showed that these behaviors correlated with specific patterns of subcellular trafficking, and depended on isoform acylation. The Src kinase family comprises nine homologous members whose distinct expression patterns and cellular distributions indicate that they have unique roles. These roles have not been determined because genetic manipulation has not produced clearly distinct phenotypes, and the kinases’ homology complicates generation of specific inhibitors. Through insertion of a modified FK506 binding protein (insertable FKBP12, iFKBP) into the protein kinase isoforms Fyn, Src, Lyn, and Yes, we engineered kinase analogs that can be activated within minutes in living cells (RapR analogs). Combining our RapR analogs with computational tools for quantifying and characterizing cellular dynamics, we demonstrate that Src family isoforms produce very different phenotypes, encompassing cell spreading, polarized motility, and production of long, thin cell extensions. Activation of Src and Fyn led to patterns of kinase translocation that correlated with morphological changes in temporally distinct stages. Phenotypes were dependent on N-terminal acylation, not on Src homology 3 (SH3) and Src homology 2 (SH2) domains, and correlated with movement between a perinuclear compartment, adhesions, and the plasma membrane.
Composition of Cassia fistula Oil and its Antifungal Activity by Disrupting Ergosterol Biosynthesis

Cassia fistula oil was investigated for antifungal activities against standard and clinical isolates of Candida species. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of C. fistula oil revealed the presence of antimicrobial compounds like β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, betulinic acid, lupeol, fucosterol, α-amyrin and friedelin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the pulp and seed oils ranged between 250-300 and 350-500 μg/mL respectively. Both oils also inhibited by ≥63.8% ergosterol bio-synthesis in Candida cell wall {fluconazole (standard) ≥89.1%)}. The MICs were significantly correlated with the ergosterol content decrease in the cell wall (Student's t test p ≤ 0.005). We can, therefore, conclude that active compounds are present in Cassia fistula oil that primarily target ergosterol biosynthesis in Candida cell wall.
Long-term skeletal and dental effects and treatment timing for functional appliances in Class II malocclusion.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the long-term skeletal and dentoalveolar effects and to evaluate treatment timing of Class II treatment with functional appliances followed by fixed appliances. MATERIALS AND METHODS A group of 40 patients (22 females and 18 males) with Class II malocclusion consecutively treated either with a Bionator or an Activator followed by fixed appliances was compared with a control group of 20 subjects (9 females and 11 males) with untreated Class II malocclusion. Lateral cephalograms were available at the start of treatment (mean age 10 years), end of treatment with functional appliances (mean age 12 years), and long-term observation (mean age 18.6 years). The treated sample also was divided into two groups according to skeletal maturity. The early-treatment group was composed of 20 subjects (12 females and 8 males) treated before puberty, while the late-treatment group included 20 subjects (10 females and 10 males) treated at puberty. Statistical comparisons were performed with analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc tests. RESULTS Significant long-term mandibular changes (Co-Gn) in the treated group (3.6 mm over the controls) were associated with improvements in the skeletal sagittal intermaxillary relationship, overjet, and molar relationship (∼3.0-3.5 mm). Treatment during the pubertal peak was able to produce significantly greater increases in total mandibular length (4.3 mm) and mandibular ramus height (3.1 mm) associated with a significant advancement of the bony chin (3.9 mm) when compared with treatment before puberty. CONCLUSION Treatment of Class II malocclusion with functional appliances appears to be more effective at puberty.
Double-rotor ironless radial flux permanent magnet machine

The use of electric machinery is often restricted or complicated in weight-sensitive applications such as light vehicle propulsion due to the amount of heavy ferromagnetic materials generally required. An existing Double-Rotor, Radial Flux, Air-cored Permanent Magnet (D-RFAPM) design was altered by adding inter-pole azimuthally oriented magnets to complete the flux path instead of a ferrous yoke. This allows the use of lighter nonmagnetic materials, e.g. aluminium or carbon fibre plastic, for structure. A simple 1-D magnetic model was used to perform initial design and gauge the thickness of magnets required. Detailed electromagnetic design was done using Finite Element Analysis(FEA), especially to determine the shape of the radial flux density distribution in the centre of the stator windings. With a sinusoidal distribution, voltage and torque constants can be calculated using the same approximations as for the D-RFAPM design. A prototype was constructed in order to achieve a proof of concept. Initial tests gave favourable results indicating near sinusoidal induced voltage waveforms and adequate performance achievement. The research and resulting prototype represent the early stages of a concept that both requires and merits further investigation.