Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depth profile study of abnormal collagen orientation in keratoconus corneas.

1. Yagi T, Sotozono C, Tanaka M, et al. Cytokine storm arising on the ocular surface in a patient with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Br J Ophthalmol. 2011; 95(7):1030-1031. 2. Ueta M, Sotozono C, Nakano M, et al. Association between prostaglandin E receptor 3 polymorphisms and Stevens-Johnson syndrome identified by means of a genome-wide association study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;126(6): 1218-1225, e10. 3. Ueta M, Matsuoka T, Yokoi N, Kinoshita S. Prostaglandin E2 suppresses polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C)-stimulated cytokine production via prostaglandin E2 receptor (EP) 2 and 3 in human conjunctival epithelial cells. Br J Ophthalmol. 2011;95(6):859-863. 4. Ueta M, Matsuoka T, Yokoi N, Kinoshita S. Prostaglandin E receptor subtype EP3 downregulates TSLP expression in human conjunctival epithelium. Br J Ophthalmol. 2011;95(5):742-743. 5. Ueta M, Kinoshita S. Innate immunity of the ocular surface. Brain Res Bull. 2010;81(2-3):219-228. 6. Takayama K, Garcı́a-Cardena G, Sukhova GK, Comander J, Gimbrone MA Jr, Libby P. Prostaglandin E2 suppresses chemokine production in human macrophages through the EP4 receptor. J Biol Chem. 2002;277(46):44147-44154.
Triplet correlation functions for hard spheres: Comparison of different approaches.

We present numerical results of a comparison between several approximations for the determination of the triplet correlation functions of a simple liquid, which have been proposed during recent years; the system we have considered is a simple hard-sphere system. Two of the methods (one proposed by Barrat, Hansen, and Pastore [Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 2075 (1987); Mol. Phys. 63, 747 (1988)], and the other one based on a formal density expansion of the triplet distribution function) are purely numerical; the other two methods are based on a density-functional theory (reproducing both thermodynamics and pair structure of the Wertheim-Thiele description of hard spheres) and provide for this special system analytic expressions of the triplet direct correlation function in q space. If the triplet configurations are not too close (i.e., at most one direct contact between the spheres), we find good agreement between the different methods; this is quite remarkable since these approximations have completely different conceptual origins. If, however, the three particles form configurations with rather short interparticle distances the differences in the results may become quite substantial.
The Impact of Workforce Diversity on Firm Productivity at Service Office of State Property and Auction (Kpknl) Manado

Workforce diversity is a mix of people within a workforce who are considered to be, in some way different from those in the prevailing constituency. Organizations have recognized the importance of embracing policies and practicing to diversity their workforces because it helps enhance competitiveness, build talent, expand organizational capabilities, and enhance access to markets like diverse customer bases. The benefits of diversity are achieved by acknowledging the strengths diversity can bring to organization. Service office of state property and auction (KPKNL) Manado is one of firm in Manado as one of base of workforce diversity that come not just from Manado but also from outside Manado. KPKNL Manado became representative for firm that haves foundation of workforce diversity. The objective of this research is to analyze factors workforce diversity on firm productivity especially in KPKNL Manado. Research method that had been used for this research is associated with multiple linear regression analysis technique. The population in this research is all employees at KPKNL Manado with sample as many as 36 respondents. This shows that workforce diversity (age diversity, educational diversity and gender diversity) has impact toward firm productivity and age diversity is the most significant factor that affects to firm Productivity at KPKNL Manado. Keywords : workforce diversity, firm Productivity
The effect of corporate branding dimensions on consumers' product evaluation: A cross‐cultural analysis

Purpose – The paper aims to investigate both Western and Eastern corporate branding thoughts and examine the interrelation among four corporate branding dimensions (i.e. corporate name, image, reputation and loyalty) and their joint impact on consumers' product evaluation.Design/methodology/approach – Building on extensive literature, a model of consumers' product evaluation that includes the major determinants of corporate branding is proposed. Based on a sample of 218 Japanese and American consumers, structural equation modeling and general linear model analyses are used to test hypotheses.Findings – The research reveals that Japanese and American consumers have different perceptions with respect to the effect of corporate image and corporate loyalty. The corporate name was found to have a significant impact on corporate image and corporate reputation was found to have a significant affect on corporate loyalty. The corporate reputation is also found to be a mediator of the corporate image's effect on co.
Saline irrigations following sinus surgery - a controlled, single blinded, randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common health problem. If medical treatment fails, endonasal sinus surgery is a valuable treatment option. A thorough postsurgical treatment is needed including, among others, nasal saline irrigations (NSI). In this prospective, controlled, single blinded, randomized trial, we aimed to evaluate efficacy of nasal saline irrigations following endonasal sinus surgery in CRS-patients with nasal polyps. METHODOLOGY We examined patient's nasal symptoms, general quality of life and postoperative condition of the mucosa. We also investigated whether or not NSI reduced the number of missed workdays after surgery (MWD). Patients were randomized into an irrigation and non-irrigation arm. RESULTS Following treatment, mean nasal sum-score in the irrigation arm was 4.4 and in the non-irrigation arm it was 6.3. Accordingly, mean general sum-score in the irrigation arm was 2.5 and in the non-irrigation arm 4.8. Thus, nasal irrigation led to a more pronounced improvement of nasal and general symptoms than in the non-irrigation arm. No differences were observed in postoperative condition of mucosa or number of MWD. CONCLUSIONS Nasal irrigation improves symptoms score after ESS in patients with CRSwNP.
Social media for disease awareness in Brazil : pharmaceutical employees perspective

In Brazil, one of the strategies adopted by the firms is the use of social media focusing on promote the disease (disease branding) to the general public in order to encourage them to seek for a doctor and to be treated with its drugs. Social media can be a powerful tool to engage people around health subjects (Moorhead S at all, 2013). This research focus on the aspects that marketers should take into consideration while developing social media strategies for pharmaceutical products, using a sample of employees of pharmaceutical industry in Brazil. METHODOLOGY: Participants and design: Pharmaceutical employees of different departments at the pharmaceutical industry (N=45). Products managers ,with experience in social media campaign into the Pharmaceutical Industry (N=3). The research was conducted using crosssectional quantitative (employee survey) and qualitative (product managers analysis) overall design.
TSH signaling and cell survival in 3 T 3L 1 preadipocytes

Bell, Andrea, AnneMarie Gagnon, Patti Dods, Denise Papineau, Mario Tiberi, and Alexander Sorisky. TSH signaling and cell survival in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 283: C1056–C1064, 2002; 10.1152/ ajpcell.00058. 2002. —Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) action in adipose tissue remains largely unknown. Our previous work indicates that human preadipocytes express functional TSH receptor (TSHR) protein, demonstrated by TSH activation of p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K). We have now studied murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to further characterize TSH signaling and cellular action. Western blot analysis of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte lysate revealed the 100-kDa mature processed form of TSHR. TSH activated p70 S6K and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), as measured by immunoblot analysis. Preincubation with wortmannin or LY-294002 completely blocked TSH activation of p70 S6K and PKB/Akt, implicating phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in their regulation. TSH increased phosphotyrosine protein(s) in the 125-kDa region and augmented the associated PI3K activity fourfold. TSH had no effect on cAMP levels in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, suggesting that adenylyl cyclase is not involved in TSH activation of the PI3K-PKB/Akt-p70 S6K pathway. 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell death was reduced by 29–76% in serum-deprived (6 h) preadipocytes treated with 1–20 M TSH. In the presence of 20 M TSH, an 88% reduction in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells was observed in serum-starved (3 h) 3T3-L1 preadipocytes as well as a 93% reduction in the level of cleaved activated caspase 3. In summary, TSH acts as a survival factor in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. TSH does not stimulate cAMP accumulation in these cells but instead activates a PI3K-PKB/Akt-p70 S6K pathway.
Activation-induced T-cell death is cell cycle dependent and regulated by cyclin B

Developing thymocytes and some T-cell hybridomas undergo activation-dependent programmed cell death. Although recent studies have identified some critical regulators in programmed cell death, the role of cell cycle regulation in activation-induced cell death in T cells has not been addressed. We demonstrate that synchronized T-cell hybridomas, irrespective of the point in the cell cycle at which they are activated, stop cycling shortly after they reach G2/M. These cells exhibit the diagnostic characteristics of apoptotic cell death. Although p34cdc2 levels are not perturbed after activation of synchronously cycling T cells, cyclin B- and p34cdc2-associated histone H1 kinase activity is persistently elevated. This activation-dependent induction of H1 kinase activity in T cells is associated with a decrease in the phosphotyrosine content of p34cdc2. We also demonstrate that transient inappropriate coexpression of cyclin B with p34cdc2 induces DNA fragmentation in a heterologous cell type. Finally, in T cells, cyclin B-specific antisense oligonucleotides suppress activation-induced cell death but not cell death induced by exposure to dexamethasone. We therefore conclude that a persistent elevation of the level of cyclin B kinase is required for activation-induced programmed T-cell death.
Online Estimation of Elbow Joint Angle Using Upper Arm Acceleration: A Movement Partitioning Approach

Estimating the elbow angle using shoulder data is very important and valuable in Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) systems which can be useful in assisting C5/C6 SCI patients. Much research has been conducted based on the elbow-shoulder synergies. The aim of this study was the online estimation of elbow flexion/extension angle from the upper arm acceleration signals during ADLs. For this, a three-level hierarchical structure was proposed based on a new approach, i.e. ‘the movement phases’. These levels include Clustering, Recognition using HMMs and Angle estimation using neural networks. ADLs were partitioned to the movement phases in order to obtain a structured and efficient method. It was an online structure that was very useful in the FES control systems. Different initial locations for the objects were considered in recording the data to increase the richness of the database and to improve the neural networks generalization. The cross correlation coefficient (K) and Normalized Root Mean Squared Error (NRMSE) between the estimated and actual angles, were obtained at 90.25% and 13.64%, respectively. A post-processing method was proposed to modify the discontinuity intervals of the estimated angles. Using the post-processing, K and NRMSE were obtained at 91.19% and 12.83%, respectively.
The occurrence of a serum fetal alpha-1 protein in developing mice and murine hepatomas and teratomas.

Two fetal-specific serum antigens were demonstrated in fetal mouse protein extracts and in newborn serum when examined by immunodiffusion with antiserum to fetal extract. After dilution of the antiserum, microcomplement fixation assay was specific for one of these antigens. This antigen had the electrophoretic mobility of an α1-globulin and a molecular weight of 65,000 to 70,000. Synthesis of α1 fetal antigen begins on or before the 10th day of gestation; the total amount rises to a maximum at 20 days of gestation and falls sharply after birth. α1 fetal antigen is not present in adult serum in concentrations greater than 0.0025% that of newborn serum. Synthesis of α1 antigen is resumed in adult mice bearing transplantable hepatoma and teratoma tumors. A clonal in vitro line of testicular teratocarcinoma was found to synthesize α1 fetal antigen. α1 fetal antigens synthesized by perinatal mice, hepatomas, and undifferentiated teratoma cells are serologically identical.
Insect digestive enzymes as a target for pest control

The continual need to increase food production necessitates the development and application of novel biotechnologies to enable the provision of improved crop varieties in a timely and cost-effective way. Plants and herbivores have been co-evolving for thousands of years, and as a result, plants have defence mechanisms that offer protection against many herbivores/predators. Plant proteinase inhibitors (PIs), which play a potent defensive role against predators and pathogens, are natural, defense-related proteins often present in seeds and induced in certain plant tissues by herbivory or wounding. This review describes the main classes of proteinase inhibitors and proteinases, their distribution and localization, general properties, and their main functions. Possible applications utilities for the PI and proteolytic enzymes in plant biotechnology have been reviewed.
Knowledge spillovers and absorption capacity: a model of technological learning

Using the phenomenon of learning-by-doing (LBD) as a conceptual base, the author develops a model of technological learning. Currently, knowledge generated from LBD is limited to within-product-generation effects. This conceptualization is extended by suggesting that knowledge from LBD spills over across functions, products, and product generations. Technological learning is viewed as a combination of technology-specific and firm-specific phenomena. It is argued that technological learning is the interactional outcome of knowledge spillovers (which are specific to a technology) and absorptive capacity (which is firm-specific). Thus, spillovers in conjunction with absorptive capacities result in differing rates of technological learning and thus differing levels of technological capabilities/knowledge. Implications for business strategy are briefly discussed. <<ETX>>
The Legionella pneumophila IcmR protein exhibits chaperone activity for IcmQ by preventing its participation in high‐molecular‐weight complexes

A key event in legionellosis is the ability of Legionella pneumophila to survive and proliferate inside alveolar macrophages. The dot/icm genes, which are necessary for intracellular growth, show sequence similarity to genes encoding conjugative transfer systems, and it is believed that they are responsible for the formation of a secretion apparatus. Evidence is provided here that the IcmR and IcmQ proteins participate in a chaperone–substrate relationship similar to that observed for translocated proteins in type III and type IV secretion apparatuses. Immobilized IcmQ was found to bind IcmR from crude bacterial extracts efficiently. Furthermore, purified IcmR and IcmQ bind with high affinity. This interaction was also observed in vivo by co‐immunoprecipitation. The presence of IcmR was found to affect the physical state of IcmQ directly. In the absence of IcmR, IcmQ formed high‐molecular‐weight complexes both in vivo and in vitro, whereas IcmR prevented and reversed the formation of these complexes.
Experimental Analysis of Pattern and Polarization Reconfigurable Circular Patch Antennas for MIMO Systems

In this paper, we investigate the performance achievable with pattern and polarization multielement reconfigurable antennas in narrowband and broadband multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems by means of two-port reconfigurable circular patch antennas (RCPAs). We use field measurements collected in an indoor environment to determine the channel capacity achievable with the RCPAs when used at one or at both ends of the communication link. To conduct this analysis, we use two types of RCPAs: 1) an RCPA with two different antenna configurations, exploiting only pattern diversity and 2) an RCPA with three different antenna configurations, exploiting both pattern and polarization diversity. The benefits offered by each state (i.e., excited radiation pattern and polarization) of the RCPAs are investigated in both line-of-sight (LOS) and nonline-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios. The analysis shows the effectiveness of each array configuration in increasing the diversity level of the system and the amount of signal power received in LOS and NLOS communication links. The radiation efficiency and the level of pattern and polarization diversity of each configuration are investigated to explain the performance offered by this class of antennas in MIMO systems. Finally, we show the difference in performance achievable with these antennas when employed in narrowband or broadband communication systems.
Mutants of Diplococcus pneumoniae that Lack Deoxyribonucleases and Other Activities Possibly Pertinent to Genetic Transformation

Mutants of Diplococcus pneumoniae that lacked the two major deoxyribonucleases of the cell—one an endonuclease, the other an exonuclease preferentially active on native deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)—were obtained. The development of a method for detecting mutant colonies, based on the binding of methyl green to DNA, facilitated isolation of the mutants. Neither enzyme was essential for growth of the cells, for repair of ultraviolet damage, or for any phase of DNA-mediated transformation. Residual deoxyribonuclease activity in the double mutant corresponded to an exonuclease, approximately one-fifth as active as the major exonuclease, that attacked native and denatured DNA equally well. This activity appeared to be associated with the DNA-polymerase enzyme. A mutant that apparently lacked a cell wall lytic enzyme was also fully transformable. A mutant strain that was four times more sensitive to ultraviolet light than the wild type also transformed normally. Recipient cells of this strain were deficient in the repair of ultraviolet-irradiated transforming DNA. Mutants were found which, unlike the wild type, integrated donor markers only with high efficiency, thereby indicating that a particular cellular component that is susceptible to loss by mutation, such as an enzyme, is responsible for low integration efficiency.
Xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein interacts physically and functionally with thymine DNA glycosylase

The XPC–HR23B complex recognizes various helix‐distorting lesions in DNA and initiates global genome nucleotide excision repair. Here we describe a novel functional interaction between XPC–HR23B and thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG), which initiates base excision repair (BER) of G/T mismatches generated by spontaneous deamination of 5‐methylcytosine. XPC–HR23B stimulated TDG activity by promoting the release of TDG from abasic sites that result from the excision of mismatched T bases. In the presence of AP endonuclease (APE), XPC–HR23B had an additive effect on the enzymatic turnover of TDG without significantly inhibiting the subsequent action of APE. Our observations suggest that XPC–HR23B may participate in BER of G/T mismatches, thereby contributing to the suppression of spontaneous mutations that may be one of the contributory factors for the promotion of carcinogenesis in xeroderma pigmentosum genetic complementation group C patients.
Relationship between Capital Structure and Ownership Structure: A Comparative Study of Textile and Non Textile Manufacturing Firms

The current study explores the impact of ownership structure on capital structure in textile sector and rest of the manufacturing sectors (non-textile) in Pakistan using regression analysis with fixed effect model. As textile sector is the largest manufacturing sector in Pakistan and having diversified financial characteristics, however, there exists a gap whether textile sector’s ownership and capital structure relationship matches with other manufacturing sectors or not. Current study tries to fill this gap. The results indicate that in textile sector, no significant relationship exists between ownership concentration and capital structure whereas a significant negative relationship is found between these two variables in case of non-textile firms in Pakistan. However, institutional ownership variable was found to be non-significant in both textile and non-textile sectors. Other control variables were found to have the results as hypothesized. Period of study used in this study is 2006-2009 and sample comprises of KSE listed firms. Keywords: Ownership concentration, capital structure, institutional shareholding.
Identification of Tetraspanin-7 as a Target of Autoantibodies in Type 1 Diabetes

The presence of autoantibodies to multiple-islet autoantigens confers high risk for the development of type 1 diabetes. Four major autoantigens are established (insulin, glutamate decarboxylase, IA2, and zinc transporter-8), but the molecular identity of a fifth, a 38-kDa membrane glycoprotein (Glima), is unknown. Glima antibodies have been detectable only by immunoprecipitation from extracts of radiolabeled islet or neuronal cells. We sought to identify Glima to enable efficient assay of these autoantibodies. Mouse brain and lung were shown to express Glima. Membrane glycoproteins from extracts of these organs were enriched by detergent phase separation, lectin affinity chromatography, and SDS-PAGE. Proteins were also immunoaffinity purified from brain extracts using autoantibodies from the sera of patients with diabetes before SDS-PAGE. Eluates from gel regions equivalent to 38 kDa were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for protein identification. Three proteins were detected in samples from the brain and lung extracts, and in the immunoaffinity-purified sample, but not in the negative control. Only tetraspanin-7, a multipass transmembrane glycoprotein with neuroendocrine expression, had physical characteristics expected of Glima. Tetraspanin-7 was confirmed as an autoantigen by demonstrating binding to autoantibodies in type 1 diabetes. We identify tetraspanin-7 as a target of autoimmunity in diabetes, allowing its exploitation for diabetes prediction and immunotherapy.
Policy instruments for increasing demand for public transport in india

Efficient public transport is important for meeting mobility needs in a rapidly growing economy in India. A higher share of public transport would also reduce emissions and energy demand. Hence, it is important to identify policy variables that could significantly influence public transport demand. This influence can be characterized using the demand elasticity. This research has estimated static and dynamic log linear demand functions for public transport using a panel of Indian cities over 1990- 2011. Transit fare is significant and inelastic with respect to transit demand. Service quality, approximated by the density of the coverage of the transport service, is the most important policy variable that affects demand, and can be a key lever for increasing the share of public transport, eve more so than bus fares. Finally, social and demographic variables highlight the complex nature of public bus transit demand in India.