Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
KEY FACTORS FOR INFORMATION INTEGRATION IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN – MEASUREMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS

This paper aims to identify key factors related to information management and integration in the supply chain (SC). The initial set of factors was identified in the literature, namely, information quality and content, performance metrics, and information technologies. The construct was then tested empirically using the sample of 200 Polish companies. Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) were based on a structured questionnaire, then, data exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed. The conducted EFA determined four main factors for information management and integration in the supply chain that should be considered, namely, information characteristics, ICT used in information management, the scope of information and shared performance metrics. Results confirmed the importance of some of the factors related to information management in the supply chain, however having a different set of variables than indicated in the literature. Additionally, research introduced new factors, namely, information characteristics and the scope of shared information, instead of information quality and information content. Moreover, findings suggested that the key role in SC information integration was related to established technologies, focused on transport, customer, and ERP management, while emerging technologies, such as cloud computing and data mining were not of the top importance among the surveyed companies.
Extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic field induces neural differentiation of hBM‐MSCs through regulation of (Zn)‐metallothionein‐3

Extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic field (ELFEMF) can stimulate neural differentiation in human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal cells (hBM‐MSCs), and this provides an opportunity for research on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Metallothionein‐3 (MT3), an isoform of the metal‐binding proteins, metallothioneins, involved in maintaining intracellular zinc (Zn) homeostasis and the deregulation of zinc homeostasis, has separately been implicated in AD. Here, we investigated the effect of ELFEMF‐induced neural differentiation of hBM‐MSCs on Zn‐MT3 homeostatic interaction. Exposure to ELFEMF induced neural differentiation of hBM‐MSCs, which was characterized by decreased proliferation and enhanced neural‐like morphology. We observed expression of neuronal markers such as β‐tubulin3, pleiotrophin, and neurofilament‐M at the mRNA level and MAP2 at the protein level. ELFEMF‐induced neural differentiation correlated with decreased expression of metal‐response element‐transcription factor 1 and MT3, as well as decreased intracellular Zn concentration. In addition, upregulation of dihydropyrimidinase‐related protein 2 was observed, but there was no change in γ‐enolase expression. These data indicate a possible regulatory mechanism for MT3 during neural differentiation. Our findings provide considerable insight into molecular mechanisms involved in neural differentiation, which is useful for developing new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Bioelectromagnetics. 38:364–373, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association Between Poorer Quality of Life and Psychiatric Morbidity in Patients With Different Dermatological Conditions

Objective: To determine the relationship between skin-related quality of life and psychiatric morbidity in patients with different skin conditions. Methods: We recruited all adults attending the outpatient clinics of the Dermatological Institute IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy, during 14 predetermined days. Eligible patients, who gave their informed consent, completed the Skindex-29 and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We used a stringent cut-off threshold (≥5 on the GHQ-12) for identification of psychiatric morbidity. Skindex-29 scale scores were computed separately for GHQ noncases and GHQ cases. Results: A total of 2,136 patients were included in the analysis. For all skin conditions, GHQ cases had substantially poorer score in all 3 domains of quality of life, Symptoms, Emotions, and Functioning. Most differences remained significant after adjusting for clinical severity, age, sex, and education in multiple regression models. These differences were not as marked in the Symptoms scale for some conditions known to be nearly asymptomatic (eg, alopecia, vitiligo, nevi), suggesting that, although patients with psychiatric morbidity might be more burdened by their symptoms, nevertheless they do not perceive nonexistent symptoms. Conclusion: In most skin conditions we considered, psychiatric morbidity was strongly associated with poorer quality of life. Although the cross-sectional nature of our study does not allow identification of the direction of this association, care for the psychological condition of patients might have an impact on their quality of life.
Effects of antisense IRAK-2 oligonucleotides on PGI2 release induced by IL-1 and TNF.

AIM To explore the effects of antisense interleukin-1 receptor associated kinase-2 oligonucleotide (IRAK-2 ODN) on the prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) induced by interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). METHODS The HUVEC were transfected with antisense IRAK-2 ODN and stimulated with IL-1 and TNF. The levels of PGI2 release were analyzed by competitive ELISA. RESULTS Pre-transfection with antisense IRAK-2 ODN could remarkably decrease the levels of PGI2 synthesis induced by IL-1 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, whereas it could not attenuate the one stimulated by TNF. CONCLUSION The responses of antisense IRAK-2 ODN to IL-1 and TNF-stimulated PGI2 release are different. IRAK-2 plays a key role in the IL-1 signaling events leading to PGI2 release.
Delay Factors in Reconstruction Projects: A Case Study of Mataf Expansion Project

Delays in construction projects are a common phenomenon throughout the industry. This problem has many negative impacts on the time, cost, and sustainability of the projects. Many studies were conducted to identify the main causes of this delay in new construction projects in different regions but very few studies have focused on finding an explanation for the causes of delay in major reconstruction projects that have great religious and cultural sustainability. This paper examines the factors that contributed to work delays in one of the most major reconstruction projects that took place recently in the Middle East, which is namely the Mataf Expansion Project in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Fourteen interviews were conducted with project managers, construction managers, and senior site engineers to identify the factors that they encountered and led to the delay in the reconstruction activities of this project. Some of the findings were consistent and similar to most other causes of delay that are associated with new construction projects. However, interestingly, this research has discovered the existence of other unavoidable factors that caused a delay and should be considered for any similar reconstruction projects. The results showed that these factors could be divided into two groups: the first one is related to the demolition phase (five factors) and the second group is related to construction works (nine factors). In addition, it has been observed that the building material during the reconstruction is considered one of the major delaying factors. Finally, these 14 delay factors should be carefully considered to assure the sustainability of the main object’s function during the reconstruction activities.
Assessment Study About Using Underground Water for Tilapia Culture for the First time in El-Bahria Oasis Desert, Egypt

The present study was carried out in El-Bahria Oasis desert (Giza-Egypt) for 8 months (March–October) as a new study to assess the culture of tilapia spp. in underground well water. The obtained results showed a significant increase (P<0.01) in the values of plasma total protein, glucose, AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), creatinine, uric acid, sodium, potassium and magnesium as well as a significant decrease (P<0.01) in plasma total lipids and calcium concentration. Furthermore, iron content in some selected vital organs was increased gradually with time, the studied organs are arranged according to their iron content in the following order: spleen < liver < kidney < gills < muscle. Remarkable changes were observed in the chemical muscle composition where the results showed a significant increase (P<0.01) in muscle water content, total lipids and ash. However, a significant decrease (P<0.01) in muscle total protein at the end of the study was observed. The growth of all male farmed tilapia in well water with a 3.2 mg/1 iron concentration was unexpected; despite the presence of this high concentration of iron, the weight gain of cultured fish was 250±14.5 g. Molecular techniques are used nowadays as a good indicator for assessing the alteration in the genomes. RAPD-PCR technique indicated appearance of some changes in polymorphism band patterns. There also exists a distinct distance between the band patterns of cultured fish (T) and control fish (C). Histopathlogical sections showed pathological alterations in liver, kidney gills and spleen and the obtained results were discussed.
History and Update on Host Defense Against Vaginal Candidiasis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), caused by Candida albicans, remains a significant problem in women of childbearing age. While cell‐mediated immunity is considered the predominant host defense mechanism against mucosal candidal infections, two decades of research from animal models and clinical studies have revealed a lack of a protective role for adaptive immunity against VVC caused by putative immunoregulatory mechanisms. Moreover, natural protective mechanisms and factors associated with susceptibility to infection have remained elusive. That is until recently, when through a live challenge model in humans, it was revealed that protection against vaginitis coincides with a non‐inflammatory innate presence, whereas symptomatic infection correlates with a neutrophil infiltrate in the vaginal lumen and elevated fungal burden. Thus, instead of VVC being caused by a putative deficient adaptive immune response, it is now being considered that symptomatic vaginitis is caused by an aggressive innate response.
Intravenous Administration of Class I Antiarrhythmic Drugs Induced T Wave Alternans in a Patient with Brugada Syndrome

T Wave Alternans in Brugada Syndrome. A 71‐year‐old man who experienced aborted sudden death was referred to our hospital. Coronary artery disease and cerebral accident were ruled out by conventional tests. The 12‐lead ECG obtained at rest showed a right bundle branch block pattern and ST segment elevation in leads V1 to V3. Double ventricular extrastimuli at coupling intervals > 180 msec induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) twice during electrophysiologic study. Intravenous administration of procainamide accentuated ST segment elevation in leads V1 to V3, and visible T wave alternans was induced in leads V2 and V3 at a dose of 450 mg. Initiation of T wave alternans was not associated with changes of the cardiac cycle or development of premature beats. When procainamide infusion was discontinued, T wave alternans disappeared before the elevated ST segment returned to the control level. Pilsicainide also accentuated ST segment elevation and induced similar T wave alternans in leads V2 and V3. Class I antiarrhythmic drug‐related T wave alternans has been reported rarely in Brugada syndrome, but it may represent enhanced arrhythmogenicity of VF. We need to monitor closely and study the clinical implications of T wave alternans in Brugada syndrome.
Toward an understanding of the Cdc48/p97 ATPase

A conserved AAA+ ATPase, called Cdc48 in yeast and p97 or VCP in metazoans, plays an essential role in many cellular processes by segregating polyubiquitinated proteins from complexes or membranes. For example, in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein degradation (ERAD), Cdc48/p97 pulls polyubiquitinated, misfolded proteins out of the ER and transfers them to the proteasome. Cdc48/p97 consists of an N-terminal domain and two ATPase domains (D1 and D2). Six Cdc48 monomers form a double-ring structure surrounding a central pore. Cdc48/p97 cooperates with a number of different cofactors, which bind either to the N-terminal domain or to the C-terminal tail. The mechanism of Cdc48/p97 action is poorly understood, despite its critical role in many cellular systems. Recent in vitro experiments using yeast Cdc48 and its heterodimeric cofactor Ufd1/Npl4 (UN) have resulted in novel mechanistic insight. After interaction of the substrate-attached polyubiquitin chain with UN, Cdc48 uses ATP hydrolysis in the D2 domain to move the polypeptide through its central pore, thereby unfolding the substrate. ATP hydrolysis in the D1 domain is involved in substrate release from the Cdc48 complex, which requires the cooperation of the ATPase with a deubiquitinase (DUB). Surprisingly, the DUB does not completely remove all ubiquitin molecules; the remaining oligoubiquitin chain is also translocated through the pore. Cdc48 action bears similarities to the translocation mechanisms employed by bacterial AAA ATPases and the eukaryotic 19S subunit of the proteasome, but differs significantly from that of a related type II ATPase, the NEM-sensitive fusion protein (NSF). Many questions about Cdc48/p97 remain unanswered, including how it handles well-folded substrate proteins, how it passes substrates to the proteasome, and how various cofactors modify substrates and regulate its function.
Effect of sodium hypochlorite on human root dentine--mechanical, chemical and structural evaluation.

AIM To investigate the mechanical, chemical and structural alterations of human root dentine following exposure to ascending sodium hypochlorite concentrations. METHODOLOGY Three-point bending tests were carried out on standardized root dentine bars (n = 8 per group, sectioned from sound extracted human third molar teeth) to evaluate their flexural strength and modulus of elasticity after immersion in 5 mL of water (control), 1% NaOCl, 5% NaOCl or 9% NaOCl at 37 degrees C for 1 h. Additional dentine specimens were studied using microelemental analysis, light microscopy following bulk staining with basic fuchsin, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Numerical data were compared using one-way ANOVA. Bonferroni's correction was applied for multiple testing. RESULTS Immersion in 1% NaOCl did not cause a significant drop in elastic modulus or flexural strength values in comparison to water, whilst immersion in 5% and 9% hypochlorite reduced these values by half (P < 0.05). Both, carbon and nitrogen contents of the specimens were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by 5% and 9% NaOCl, whilst 1% NaOCl had no such effect. Exposure to 5% NaOCl rendered the superficial 80-100 mum of the intertubular dentine permeable to basic fuchsin. Three-dimensional SEM reconstructions of partly demineralized specimens showed NaOCl concentration-dependent matrix deterioration. Backscattered electron micrographs revealed that hypochlorite at any of the tested concentrations left the inorganic dentine components intact. CONCLUSIONS The current data link the concentration-dependent hypochlorite effect on the mechanical dentine properties with the dissolution of organic dentine components.
Bank Concentration and Firms' Debt Structure: Evidence from China

The argument on the puzzling relationship between bank concentration and firms' debt structure in China remains inconclusive as the effects of firm ownership competition and firm size competition are intertwined in the existing research. This article utilizes the market shares of Big Four state-owned banks to investigate whether bank concentration affects debt structure in China. The results show that bank concentration has a stronger positive effect on debt maturity for state-owned enterprises and large-sized enterprises. The effect of bank concentration on debt maturity strengthens with firm state ownership and firm size. Moreover, state-owned enterprises and large-sized enterprises are associated with a longer debt maturity compared to non-state-owned enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises, respectively. These results reveal that privatizing state-owned banks and state-owned enterprises would be an effective way to reduce credit discrimination and relieve the capital constraints of non-state-owned enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Lagging Strand DNA Synthesis at the Eukaryotic Replication Fork Involves Binding and Stimulation of FEN-1 by Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (*)

The 5′ 3′-exonuclease domain of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I is required for the completion of lagging strand DNA synthesis, and yet this domain is not present in any of the eukaryotic DNA polymerases. Recently, the gene encoding the functional and evolutionary equivalent of this 5′ 3′-exonuclease domain has been identified. It is called FEN-1 in mouse and human cells and RTH1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This 42-kDa enzyme is required for Okazaki fragment processing. Here we report that FEN-1 physically interacts with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), the processivity factor for DNA polymerases and . Through protein-protein interactions, PCNA focuses FEN-1 on branched DNA substrates (flap structures) and on nicked DNA substrates, thereby stimulating its activity 10-50-fold but only if PCNA can functionally assemble as a toroidal trimer around the DNA. This interaction is important in the physical orchestration of lagging strand synthesis and may have implications for how PCNA stimulates other members of the FEN-1 nuclease family in a broad range of DNA metabolic transactions.
Can haematological tests predict cardiovascular risk? The 2005 Kettle Lecture *

The risk of venous or arterial thrombosis is routinely assessed by clinical variables (risk factors) supplemented by measurement of blood lipids and glucose for arterial thrombotic events. Haematological tests that might play a role in risk prediction include haemostatic variables, haematocrit and inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, plasma viscosity, white cell count). Recent epidemiological studies of these phenotypes and related genotypes are reviewed. For the risk prediction of first venous thrombosis, screening for thrombophilias in ‘high‐risk’ situations does not appear clinically effective or cost‐effective; with the possible exception of women considering oral hormone replacement therapy. General screening after a first venous event to predict recurrence (or risk in asymptomatic relatives) does not appear effective; with the possible exception of d‐dimer, which requires further study. For risk prediction of first arterial thrombosis, screening adds little to prediction by current clinical risk scores. Screening of persons after a first arterial event, or with atrial fibrillation (e.g. with d‐dimer for stroke prediction), requires further study. In conclusion, haematological tests have very limited roles in the prediction of cardiovascular risk, and should only be used according to evidence‐based guidelines. The need for management studies is highlighted.
Is the risk of atrial fibrillation higher in athletes than in the general population? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS The aim of this study was to examine by a systematic literature review and meta-analysis whether the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) is higher in athletes compared with not athletes. METHODS AND RESULTS A comprehensive systematic search was conducted for case-control studies that examined cases of AF or atrial flutter in athletes vs. controls. Extracted data from the eligible studies were meta-analysed using fixed effects model. Six case-control studies were eligible for meta-analysis. A total of 655 athletes and 895 controls were compared. Mean age was 51+/-9 years and 93% were men. There were 147 (23%) vs. 116 (12.5%) cases of AF among athletes compared with controls. The overall risk of AF was significantly higher in athletes than in controls with odds ratio (95% confidence interval)=5.29 (3.57-7.85), P=0.0001, and Z-score=8.08. For heterogeneity, the calculated chi2=2.92, P=0.633, and I2=0% were not significant. CONCLUSION The risk of AF is significantly higher in athletes compared with not athletes. However, this finding should be confirmed further in large-scale prospective longitudinal studies.
Three-way ROCs

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis traditionally has dealt with dichoto mous diagnostic tasks (e.g., determining whether a disorder is present or absent). Often, however, medical problems involve distinguishing among more than two diag nostic alternatives. This article extends ROC concepts to diagnostic enterprises with three possible outcomes. For a trichotomous decision task, one can plot a ROC surface on three-dimensional coordinates; the volume under the ROC surface (VUS) equals the probability that test values will allow a decision maker to correctly sort a trio of items containing a randomly-selected member from each of three populations. Thus, the VUS summarizes global diagnostic accuracy for trichotomous tests, just as the area under a ROC curve does for a two-alternative diagnostic task. Information gain at points on the surface can be calculated just as is done for two-dimensional ROC curves, and investigators can thus compare three-way ROCs by comparing maximum information gain on each ROC surface. Key words: receiver operating characteristic, ROC, three-way ROC, three-alternative decision task, resampling, bootstrap, infor mation. (Med Decis Making 1999;19:78-89)
The pluripotency factor Nanog regulates pericentromeric heterochromatin organization in mouse embryonic stem cells

Here, Novo et al. identify a new critical role for the transcription factor Nanog in maintaining an open heterochromatin state in pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells and demonstrate that forced expression of Nanog is sufficient to remodel and decondense chromatin in more developmentally advanced mammalian cell types. This study delineates a direct connection between the pluripotency network and chromatin organization and shows that maintainence of an open heterochromatin architecture is highly regulated in embryonic stem cells.