Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arg-gingipain Acts as a Major Processing Enzyme for Various Cell Surface Proteins in Porphyromonas gingivalis*

Arg-gingipain (RGP) is an Arg-X-specific cysteine proteinase produced by the Gram-negative anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis and has been shown to be a potent virulence factor in progressive periodontal disease (Nakayama, K., Kadowaki, T., Okamoto, K., and Yamamoto, K. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 23619–23626). In this study, we provide evidence that RGP acts as a major processing enzyme for various cell surface and secretory proteins in P. gingivalis. Fimbrilin, a major component of fimbriae, remained in the precursor form in the RGP-null mutant. Prefimbrilin expressed inEscherichia coli was converted to the mature fimbrilinin vitro when incubated with purified RGP, but its conversion was suppressed by potent RGP inhibitors. The results were consistent with the electron microscopic observation indicating little or no fimbriation in the RGP-null mutant. The immunogenic 75-kDa cell surface protein was also shown to retain its proform in the RGP-null mutant. In addition, Lys-gingipain (KGP) was found to be abnormally processed in the RGP-null mutant. In contrast, both prefimbrilin and the 75-kDa protein precursor were processed to their respective mature forms in the KGP-null mutant, suggesting that KGP is not involved in the normal processing mechanisms of these proteins. These results suggest that RGP not only acts as a direct virulence factor but also makes a significant contribution as a major processing enzyme to the virulence of P. gingivalis.
KLP10A and KLP59C: The Dynamic Duo of Microtubule Depolymerization

Kinesin-13s are important effectors of microtubule depolymerization in cells. In a recent series of studies, we examined the roles played by kinesin-13s throughout the cell cycle in Drosophila. Our findings have revealed remarkable coordination between two family members, KLP10A and KLP59C, in which alterations in the relative targeting of these proteins allows them to participate in markedly different tasks at distinct points in the cell cycle. During mitosis, KLP10A and KLP59C function in parallel by targeting to and depolymerizing the opposite ends of kinetochore-associated microtubules, thereby driving poleward chromatid motility by a Pacman-Flux mechanism. Alternatively, during interphase, both proteins target to the same end of the microtubule but act in series to divide the labor of microtubule depolymerization. KLP10A initiates depolymerization while KLP59C perpetuates depolymerization after its initiation. Below, we detail these findings and examine some of their implications.
Core Leader Competencies for Implementing Sustainability Strategies in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Because smalland medium-sized enterprises contribute as much as 70% of the world’s pollution, small-business leaders need to develop and implement strategic approaches to sustainable development. Global sustainable development spending may reach $5 trillion by 2030. Guided by leadership competency theory, this qualitative multiple case study explored the core competencies of 5 independent small business leaders who had successfully implemented environmentally sustainable initiatives in their manufacturing firms in eastern Nebraska. Interviews and company planning documents including strategic business plans were gathered, coded, and cross-case analyzed, and member checking was periodically conducted to strengthen the trustworthiness of interpretations. Thematic analysis identified 6 themes: industry knowledge, decision making, strategy and planning, environmental sustainability knowledge, communication and interpersonal skills, and passion and commitment. The implications for positive social change include the potential for enabling small to medium business leaders to develop environmentally sustainable strategies that could contribute to an increased focus on environmentally sustainable actions leading to reduced pollution and more socially responsible communities. Core Leader Competencies for Implementing Sustainability Strategies in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises by Alan W. Jackson MBA, Anna Maria College, 1990 BGS, University of Nebraska, Omaha, 1988 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University October 2016 Dedication The journey of a lifetime is possible only with the help of family, friends, and colleagues, without whom this doctoral study could not have been accomplished. I owe a debt to my wife, Jill, for her undying patience and love, and the numerous extra burdens this process has caused her. To my sons Will and J. Scott, this doctoral study is evidence that persistence is the marrow of determination. Always persevere. To my late mother and father, I miss you both more than words can say. To my colleagues at work, thank you for your constant encouragement, especially Dr. Judy Grotrian, Dr. Christy Hutchison, Dr. Mary Goebel-Lundholm, and Dr. Sheri Grotrian-Ryan. Acknowledgments Thank you to my chair, Dr. Peter Anthony, for supporting me with extremely fast turnarounds and excellent guidance. I could not have asked for a better mentor and I am profoundly grateful to have had your guidance. I would also like to thank my committee members, Dr. Steven Munkeby and Dr. Al Endres, for their valued feedback. Finally, thank you, Dr. Freda Turner and Fred Walker, for encouraging and inspiring me; I would not be where I am today without you both.
Postfabrication Phase Error Correction of Silicon Photonic Circuits by Single Femtosecond Laser Pulses

Phase errors caused by fabrication variations in silicon photonic integrated circuits are an important problem, which negatively impacts device yield and performance. This paper reports our recent progress in the development of a method for permanent, postfabrication phase error correction of silicon photonic circuits based on femtosecond laser irradiation. Using beam shaping technique, we achieve a 14-fold enhancement in the phase tuning resolution of the method with a Gaussian-shaped beam compared to a top-hat beam. The large improvement in the tuning resolution makes the femtosecond laser method potentially useful for very fine phase trimming of silicon photonic circuits. We also show that femtosecond laser pulses can directly modify silicon photonic devices through a SiO2 cladding layer, making it the only permanent post-fabrication method that can tune silicon photonic circuits protected by an oxide cladding.
[The amigdaloid body: functional implications].

INTRODUCTION The amygdaloid body is a structure localized to the temporal lobe in mammals, formed by different nuclei and traditionally associated with the emotion system of the brain. Some investigators have suggested an alternative function for the amygdaloid body, considering it to be part of the system modulating memory. Much of the experimental data supports both functions. DEVELOPMENT The relation of the amygdaloid body with the emotions has been based on the study of the conditioning of fear, by which an emotionally neutral stimulus can cause emotional reactions due to its temporal association with an adverse stimulus. It has been shown that the amygdaloid body is necessary for learning and expressing this conditioning, and is therefore involved in emotional learning. With regard to the relation of the amygdaloid body with the modulation of memory, one should point out the results which show that it is not always necessary for learning and memory, but is necessary for showing the modulating effects of different substances on memory. The amygdaloid body modulates the storage of memory in other regions of the brain, such as the caudate nucleus and the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS Current data suggests that the whole amygdaloid complex is not involved in the two functions. However, the lateral and central nuclei participate in emotional learning whilst the basolateral nucleus is especially involved in modulation of the memory when emotional activation occurs.
Risk of new-onset diabetes in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension study

Background There has been uncertainty about the risk of new-onset diabetes in hypertensive individuals treated with different blood pressure-decreasing drugs. Objectives To study this risk in hypertensive individuals who were at risk of developing diabetes mellitus in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study. Methods In the LIFE study, with a double-masked, randomized, parallel-group design, 9193 patients (46% men) with hypertension (mean age 67 years, average pressure 174/98 mmHg after placebo run-in) and electrocardiogram-documented left ventricular hypertrophy were randomly assigned to once-daily losartan- or atenolol-based antihypertensive treatment and followed for at least 4 years (mean 4.8 years). At baseline, 7998 patients did not have diabetes mellitus and were thus at risk of developing this condition during the study. To demonstrate ability to predict new-onset diabetes, we developed a prediction score using the significant variables from multivariate analyses (serum glucose, body mass index, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and history of prior use of antihypertensive drugs). Results There was a steadily increasing risk of diabetes with increasing level-of-risk score; patients in the highest quartile were at considerably greater risk than those in the three lower ones. Treatment with losartan was associated with lower risk of development of diabetes within each of the four quartiles of the risk score. As previously reported, new-onset diabetes mellitus occurred in 242 patients receiving losartan (13.0 per 1000 person-years) and 320 receiving atenolol (17.5 per 1000 person-years); relative risk 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.63 to 0.88;P < 0.001). Conclusions New-onset diabetes could be strongly predicted by a newly developed risk score using baseline serum glucose concentration (non-fasting), body mass index, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, systolic blood pressure and history of prior use of antihypertensive drugs. Independently of these risk factors, fewer hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy developed diabetes mellitus if they were treated with losartan than if they were treated with atenolol.
Cost-Effectiveness of Hospital Pay-for-Performance Incentives

One increasingly popular mechanism for stimulating quality improvements is pay-for-performance, or incentive, programs. This article examines the cost-effectiveness of a hospital incentive system for heart-related care, using a principal-agent model, where the insurer is the principal and hospitals are the agents. Four-year incentive system costs for the payer were $22,059,383, composed primarily of payments to the participating hospitals, with approximately 5 percent in administrative costs. Effectiveness is measured in stages, beginning with improvements in the processes of heart care. Care process improvements are converted into quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained, with reference to literatures on clinical effectiveness and survival. An estimated 24,418 patients received improved care, resulting in a range of QALYs from 733 to 1,701, depending on assumptions about clinical effectiveness. Cost per QALY was found to be between $12,967 and $30,081, a level well under consensus measures of the value of a QALY.
Short-Term Power Allocation for Slowly Fading Channels Based on Markov Prediction

An optimal power allocation algorithm for delay- limited energy-constrained data transmission in block-fading channels, where blocks are separated in time, is proposed in this paper. Using this algorithm together with a discrete predictive model for the channel, an optimal power allocation strategy is obtained which minimizes the information outage probability based on the current channel state as well as a probabilistic knowledge of the future channel states. It is shown that for schemes with various orders of predictability of the channel, this algorithm outperforms equal power allocation in terms of the outage probability and the average maximum achievable rate. I. INTRODUCTION
Fabrication and characterization of Si-MOSFET's with PECVD amorphous Ta2O5 gate insulator

Silicon MOS transistors having amorphous Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ insulator gates have been fabricated. The Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ films were deposited using a low pressure (a few mtorr) plasma-enhanced CVD process in a microwave (2.45 GHz) excited electron cyclotron resonance reactor. The source gas was TaF/sub 5/. Electrical characteristics of p-channel Al gate transistors are presented.
A passive and privacy-friendly area based localization for wireless indoor networks

The proliferation of geosocial networking applications has fostered an intense interest to enrich Location-based Services (LBSs). The poor scalability of Global Positioning System (GPS) within the building or dense urban area has forced such services to leverage the existing network infrastructure such as wireless networks. However, most of indoor localization systems pose a great risk to the client's privacy since the systems require the exchange of client's private information that allows the tracking of client's whereabouts. In this paper, we propose a passive and privacy-friendly area based localization system to address the privacy issue and intrinsic properties of wireless indoor channel. This system utilizes information element field in the beacon frame to piggyback the network information for the client to construct lightweight radio map. In this paper also, we evaluate the performance of the radio map in facilitating the localization system.
VISIT The Laryngoscope Interactive Case Studies on the World Wide Web http://www.laryngoscope.com

Objectives/Hypothesis: Genetic etiology is suspected in the development of nasal polyposis on the basis of familial aggregation. This study investigated whether there is an association between HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, and -DQB1 alleles and developing nasal polyposis. Study Design: Data from 50 polypectomized patients were compared with data from 50 healthy randomly selected controls. Polyp score, possible asthma, aspirin sensitivity, and ASA triad were also recorded. Methods: Genotyping of HLA-DRB1 alleles was carried out with the Dynal RELI SSO HLA-DRB, a direct DNA probe test that utilizes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nucleic acid hybridization for the differentiation of 70 HLA-DRB alleles and 9 supertypes. For DQA1* genotyping PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) was used, differentiating eight alleles. The DQB1* typing was carried out using a INNO-LiPA DQB PCR-reverse hybridization kit, allowing the discrimination of 30 alleles. Results: People carrying the HLA-DR7-DQA1*0201, and -DQB1*0202 haplotype were found to have a two to three times higher odds ratios (ORs) for developing the disease, compared with controls. Patients with ASA triad carried the above-mentioned DR7 allele with the linked alleles significantly more often (P < .001). Subjects carrying HLA-DR5 allele and the linked alleles had lower odds ratio values. Conclusion: These results underline that allergy is not conditional for the formation of nasal polyps as thought before. Nasal polyposis associated with asthma and aspirin sensitivity is probably a unique form of nasal polyps. The authors plan further investigations in this field.
Milk and Acid-Base Balance: Proposed Hypothesis versus Scientific Evidence

Recently the lay press has claimed a hypothetical association among dairy product consumption, generation of dietary acid, and harm to human health. This theoretical association is based on the idea that the protein and phosphate in milk and dairy products make them acid-producing foods, which cause our bodies to become acidified, promoting diseases of modern civilization. Some authors have suggested that dairy products are not helpful and perhaps detrimental to bone health because higher osteoporotic fracture incidence is observed in countries with higher dairy product consumption. However, scientific evidence does not support any of these claims. Milk and dairy products neither produce acid upon metabolism nor cause metabolic acidosis, and systemic pH is not influenced by diet. Observations of higher dairy product intake in countries with prevalent osteoporosis do not hold when urban environments are compared, likely due to physical labor in rural locations. Milk and other dairy products continue to be a good source of dietary protein and other nutrients. Key teaching points: • Measurement of an acidic pH urine does not reflect metabolic acidosis or an adverse health condition. • The modern diet, and dairy product consumption, does not make the body acidic. • Alkaline diets alter urine pH but do not change systemic pH. • Net acid excretion is not an important influence of calcium metabolism. • Milk is not acid producing. • Dietary phosphate does not have a negative impact on calcium metabolism, which is contrary to the acid-ash hypothesis.
A minimally invasive technique for percutaneous lumbar facet augmentation: Technical description of a novel device

Background: We describe a new posterior dynamic stabilizing system that can be used to augment the mechanics of the degenerating lumbar segment. The mechanism of this system differs from other previously described surgical techniques that have been designed to augment lumbar biomechanics. The implant and technique we describe is an extension-limiting one, and it is designed to support and cushion the facet complex. Furthermore, it is inserted through an entirely percutaneous technique. The purpose of this technical note is to demonstrate a novel posterior surgical approach for the treatment of lumbar degenerative. Methods: This report describes a novel, percutaneously placed, posterior dynamic stabilization system as an alternative option to treat lumbar degenerative disk disease with and without lumbar spinal stenosis. The system does not require a midline soft-tissue dissection, nor subperiosteal dissection, and is a truly minimally invasive means for posterior augmentation of the functional facet complex. This system can be implanted as a stand-alone procedure or in conjunction with decompression procedures. Results: One-year clinical results in nine individual patients, all treated for degenerative disease of the lower lumbar spine, are presented. Conclusions: This novel technique allows for percutaneous posterior dynamic stabilization of the lumbar facet complex. The use of this procedure may allow a less invasive alternative to traditional approaches to the lumbar spine as well as an alternative to other newly developed posterior dynamic stabilization systems.
THE PREVALENCE OF CELIAC DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH IRON-DEFICIENCY ANEMIA IN CENTER AND SOUTH AREA OF IRAN.

BACKGROUND Celiac disease is an immune-mediated enteropathy due to a permanent sensitivity to gluten in genetically susceptible people. Iron-deficiency anemia is the most widely experienced anemia in humans. Iron-deficiency anemia additionally is a common extra intestinal manifestation of celiac disease. OBJECTIVE To investigate correlation between tTg levels and histological alterations and then to determine the prevalence of celiac disease in Center and South area patients of Iran with iron deficiency anemia. METHODS A total of 402 patients aged 12-78 years who presented with iron-deficiency anemia were included in this study. Hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and serum ferritin were determined. Venous blood samples for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody immunoglobuline A and G were obtained from these patients. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was recommended to patients who had positive serology. RESULTS Of 402 patients with iron-deficiency anemia, 42 (10.4%) had positive serology for celiac disease. The small intestine biopsy of all patients with positive serology showed pathological changes (Marsh I, II & III). There was not significant difference in the mean hemoglobin level between iron-deficiency anemia patients with celiac disease and without celiac disease, duodenal biopsy results did not show significant relationship between the severity of pathological changes and levels of anti-tTG IgG (P -value: 0/869) but significant relationship was discovered between pathological changes and levels of anti-tTG IgA (P -value: 0/004). CONCLUSION Screening of celiac disease by anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody should be completed as a routine investigation in patients with iron-deficiency anemia. Also physicians must consider celiac disease as a possible reason of anemia in all patients with iron deficiency anemia.
The photodynamic action of eosin , a singlet-oxygen generator The inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport

Eosin, a known generator of singlet oxygen, applied to leaf discs of Pisum sativum L. sensitized the inhibition of photosynthesis. Analysis of partial photosynthetic electron-transport reactions and of the kinetics of variable chlorophyll fluorescence located the damage at photosystem II. This injury required the presence of oxygen and was also caused by the irradiation of eosin-treated leaf tissue with green light. The role of oxygen and photodynamic reactions in the susceptibility of photosystem II to damage by environmental stresses is discussed.
From Creative Ideas to Innovation Performance: The Role of Assessment Criteria

This article aims to make idea screening studies even more relevant to innovation management by coupling a set of assessment criteria so that they can be used for identifying early product ideas with innovation potential. We develop a framework, which integrates the complementary theoretical perspectives from the creativity and innovation literatures. The approach draws novelty and usefulness insights from the creativity literature and combines these with novelty and market potential insights from the innovation literature. The resulting framework encompasses novelty of a product idea and its usefulness to the intended recipients, but with a distinct focus on the value to the firm that can be created through market potential. This set of criteria makes it possible to couple creative ideas for new products directly to potential innovation performance. For the study, industry and market experts made assessments of 106 student-generated projects; these assessments underline the distinctiveness of the three criteria and support the value of each criterion's independent role in assessing the innovation potential. Two student project cases particularly shed light on the relevance of each criterion and on its unique relationship within the framework.
The collectivization of lebanese national identity from contending historical narratives. (c2014)

A major obstacle to the formation of a national identity is the lack of a unified national memory. Since the country’s 1943 independence, Lebanese have disagreed on a single historic narrative and failed to produce a unified history school textbook. Persistent differences among the various political and sectarian communities on what, why and how historic events took place are to blame. The thesis examines the correlations between the construction of collective memory, teaching history, and, subsequently, the formation of a national identity. It explores strategies that can help establish a unified curriculum for teaching the history of the Lebanese Civil War and the foundation of a collective memory through different narratives. It claims that a unified history book based on contending stories from different political and sectarian perspective might be possible to be collected and streamed into educational curriculum. This theme is tested through a comparative focus group research design that examine the impacts of teaching pedagogies through a single and multiple narratives collected from various contending political and sectarian discourses.