Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deficiency of Biglycan Causes Cardiac Fibroblasts to Differentiate into a Myofibroblast Phenotype*

Myocardial infarction (MI) is followed by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, which is on the one hand required for the healing response and the formation of stable scar tissue. However, on the other hand, ECM remodeling can lead to fibrosis and decreased ventricular compliance. The small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP), biglycan (bgn), has been shown to be critically involved in these processes. During post-infarct remodeling cardiac fibroblasts differentiate into myofibroblasts which are the main cell type mediating ECM remodeling. The aim of the present study was to characterize the role of bgn in modulating the phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts. Cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from hearts of wild-type (WT) versus bgn−/0 mice. Phenotypic characterization of the bgn−/0 fibroblasts revealed increased proliferation. Importantly, this phenotype of bgn−/0 fibroblasts was abolished to the WT level by reconstitution of biglycan in the ECM. TGF-β receptor II expression and phosphorylation of SMAD2 were increased. Furthermore, indicative of a myofibroblast phenotype bgn−/0 fibroblasts were characterized by increased α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) incorporated into stress fibers, increased formation of focal adhesions, and increased contraction of collagen gels. Administration of neutralizing antibodies to TGF-β reversed the pro-proliferative, myofibroblastic phenotype. In vivo post-MI α-SMA, TGF-β receptor II expression, and SMAD2 phosphorylation were markedly increased in bgn−/0 mice. Collectively, the data suggest that bgn deficiency promotes myofibroblast differentiation and proliferation in vitro and in vivo likely due to increased responses to TGF-β and SMAD2 signaling.
Fast subspace decomposition

Many recent signal processing techniques in various areas, e.g., array signal processing, system identification, and spectrum estimation, require a step of extracting the low-dimensional subspace from a large space. This step is usually called subspace decomposition, which is conventionally accomplished by an eigendecomposition (ED). Since an ED requires O(M/sup 3/) flops for an M/spl times/M matrix, it may represent a barrier to the real-time implementation of these algorithms. The authors present a fast algorithm for signal subspace decomposition, which is termed FSD, that exploits the special matrix structure (low-rank plus identity) associated with signal subspace algorithms and requires only O(M/sup 2/d) flops, where d(often/spl Lt/M) denotes the signal subspace dimension. Unlike most of alternatives, the dimension of the signal subspace is not assumed known apriori and is estimated as part of the procedure. Moreover, theoretical analysis has been conducted, and its results show the strong consistency of the new detection scheme and the asymptotic equivalence between FSD and ED in estimating the signal subspace. Their new approach can also exploit other matrix structure common in signal processing areas, e.g., Toeplitz or Hankel, and thus achieve another order of computational reduction. Moreover, it can be easily implemented in parallel to reduce further the computation time to as little as O(Md) (using O(M) simple processors). >
Managing Voluntary Community Investment:Empirical Research in Fiji's Tourism Industry

This paper presents the findings from a study of 39 tourism firms, which provided voluntary support for indigenous communities in Fiji. As one aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), community investment poses particular challenges for business managers given the interests of community members are often more disparate and harder to satisfy than those of internal stakeholders. The findings reveal significant differences between firms in how community expectations, communication, and initiatives are managed. Overall, the findings are consistent with other empirical studies that show the complexity of managing community stakeholders in a developing country context, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Viewpoint: retailer power, manufacturer power, competition and some questions of economic analysis

Comments on the increase in the discussion in the UK on retail competition, retailer power and the relationships that exist between retailers and suppliers. Asserts that in many cases these discussions have missed or misrepresented important aspects that define retail efficiency and customer satisfaction. Considers that much economic analysis still tends to concentrate on production rather than services. Asks whether economic ideas should be reviewed in order to allow economics to reflect more clearly the realities of the changed economic system of the distribution of goods and services.
New evidence for a presynaptic action of prednisolone at neuromuscular junctions

The action of prednisolone at the neuromuscular junction was studied in mouse isolated phrenic nerve–diaphragm and rat external popliteal/sciatic nerve–tibialis anterior muscle preparations. Prednisolone (0.03 mM and 0.3 mM) did not alter the twitch‐tension in phrenic nerve–diaphragm preparations after 120 min, but increased the frequency (170 ± 4%) and amplitude (200 ± 13%) of miniature end‐plate potentials. Quantal content was not influenced by the glucocorticoid treatment. Prednisolone (400 μg/kg) did not change the twitch‐tension in rat external popliteal/sciatic nerve–tibialis anterior muscle preparations. However, this steroid (0.3 mM) prevented the neuromuscular blockade by d‐tubocurarine (1.45 μM) in mouse preparations by 70 ± 10% (P < 0.05). A similar effect (82 ± 6% protection, P < 0.05) occurred in rats treated with prednisolone (400 μg/kg) before d‐tubocurarine (225 μg/kg). In phrenic nerve–diaphragm preparations, prednisolone (0.3 mM) increased (13 ± 4%, p < 0.05) the twitch‐tension in the presence of β‐bungarotoxin (1 μM), and prevented the blockade produced by this toxin (0.15 μM) in its third phase of action. This presynaptic facilitatory effect may contribute to the usefulness of prednisolone in myasthenia gravis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 37‐43, 2002
The Innovation Resistance of IT Workforce to Mobile Commerce

This study investigates the differences between IT workers, who possess a high understanding of technology, and non-IT workers in the resistance to accepting an innovative service like mobile commerce. From a total of 317 survey respondents, the results of the study revealed that perceived risk, compatability, and complexity were the significant factors for resistance to mobile commerce for IT workers, while relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity were the factors of resistance for non-IT workers. Higher innovation resistance was shown to result in lower intention of use for both groups of mobile commerce users.
The Effects of an Optional Federal Charter on Competition in the Life Insurance Industry

In this report we examine the likely effects of an Optional Federal Charter (OFC) regulatory system on competition in the life insurance and annuities industry and related markets. Increasingly, many US insurers advocate the creation of an OFC and the associated regulatory framework for several reasons. Primarily, they believe that the adoption of an OFC would reduce the costs and impediments imposed by the current state-based regulatory system. Further, they believe that the adoption of an OFC structure will facilitate interstate operations and enhance the industry's competitiveness relative to other financial service providers and international insurers. The proposal of an OFC system has generated an intensive debate on a number of issues, including its implications for market competition and the associated effects on consumers. Based on our analysis, we conclude that the life insurance industry is structurally competitive based on its inherent characteristics but that many insurers have not fully achieved maximum efficiency due, at least in part, to the barriers and costs caused by state regulation. Our analysis further leads us to the opinion that the creation of an OFC, properly structured and implemented, would likely increase competition in the US life insurance industry, the broader market for financial services, and international insurance markets.
Store brand proneness and maximal customer satisfaction in grocery stores

To identify the factors whose perception has the greatest influence on customer satisfaction, the authors analyse a database of 422 Spanish consumers who purchase from different types of self-service grocery stores in a representative Spanish city. The findings reveal that among consumers who exhibit a low propensity to buy store brands, perceptions of the quality image, as well as perceptions of service and convenience, have positive and significant influences on the maximum level of customer satisfaction. However, for those consumers who are not prone to buying store brands, only the perception of services and convenience influence their maximum level of satisfaction. This research outlines which features can help retailers focus their strategies on appropriate consumer targets, according to the retailer’s own features, and thus attain a sustainable competitive advantage though their differentiation. Key words: Grocery retailing, maximum level of customer satisfaction, store brand proneness.
The mammalian KIR2.x inward rectifier ion channel family: expression pattern and pathophysiology

Inward rectifier currents based on KIR2.x subunits are regarded as essential components for establishing a stable and negative resting membrane potential in many excitable cell types. Pharmacological inhibition, null mutation in mice and dominant positive and negative mutations in patients reveal some of the important functions of these channels in their native tissues. Here we review the complex mammalian expression pattern of KIR2.x subunits and relate these to the outcomes of functional inhibition of the resultant channels. Correlations between expression and function in muscle and bone tissue are observed, while we recognize a discrepancy between neuronal expression and function.
Mechanisms of cardioprotection by lysophospholipids

The lysophospholipids sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphosphatidic acid (LPA) reduce mortality in hypoxic cardiac myocytes. S1P is also cardioprotective in both mouse and rat models of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Although these results are consistent with prior work in other cell types, it is not known what signaling events are critical to cardioprotection, particularly with respect to ceramide and the preservation of mitochondrial function, which is essential for cardiac cell survival. Neither receptor regulation nor signaling has been studied during I/R in the heart with or without the application of S1P or LPA. The role of sphingosine kinase in I/R and in ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has not been defined, nor has the fate or function of S1P generated by this enzyme, particularly during preconditioning or I/R, been elucidated. Whether S1P infused systemically in animal models of myocardial infarction in which survival is an end‐point will be hemodynamically tolerated has not been determined. If not, the substitution of agents such as the monosialoganglioside GM‐1, which activates sphingosine kinase, or the development of alternative ligands for S1P receptors will be necessary. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multinationals and corporate social responsibility in developing countries: a case study of Nigeria

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has a powerful potential to make positive contributions to addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities in developing countries. On the other hand, there are ways in which CSR could, whether by mistake or design, damage the same communities, politically, socially and economically. This paper presents evidence that demonstrates that although there is a good business case for Shell to contribute to poverty alleviation in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, there is also a danger that in the long term Shell could effectively be leading the pace of, and directing the paths to, socio-economic development in the region with little or no contribution from the Nigerian government. The paper concludes that lack of national macro-economic planning and management, backed by equitable resource allocation, and an enabling environment, have significant implications for the overall performance of CSR initiatives by multinational corporations (MNCs) in developing countries. In other words, if the macro-economy is under-performing due to government failure, there is a likelihood that the contributions of MNCs to poverty alleviation could fail to achieve the desired outcomes. Good governance in all its dimensions is therefore an important component of the CSR agenda. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Rehabilitation with Functional Electrical Stimulation in Stroke Patients

In recent years, our understanding of motor learning, neuroplasticity and functional recovery after the occurrence of brain lesion has grown significantly. New findings in basic neuroscience have provided an impetus for research in motor rehabilitation. Several prospective studies have shown that repeated motor practice and motor activity in a real world environment have a favorable effect on motor recovery in stroke patients. Electrical stimulation can be applied in a variety of ways to the hemiparetic upper extremity following a stroke. In particular, electromyography (EMG)- triggered electrical muscle stimulation improves the motor function of the hemiparetic arm and hand. Triggered electrical stimulation is reported to be more effective than non-triggered electrical stimulation in facilitating upper extremity motor recovery after stroke. EMG-controlled functional electrical stimulation (FES) induces greater muscle contraction by electrical stimulation that is in proportion to voluntary integrated EMG signals. EMG-controlled FES and motor point block for antagonist muscles have been applied as a new hybrid FES therapy in an outpatient rehabilitation clinic for patients with stroke with good result. Daily EMG-controlled FES home-program therapy with novel equipment has been shown to effectively improve wrist, finger extension, and shoulder flexion. Combined modulation of voluntary movement, proprioceptive sensory feedback, and electrical stimulation might play an important role in improving impaired sensory-motor integration by EMG-controlled FES therapy. A multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) studies in which the hemoglobin levels in the brain were non-invasively and dynamically measured during functional activity found that the cerebral blood flow in the injured sensory-motor cortex area is greater during a EMG-controlled FES session than during simple active movement or simple electrical stimulation. Nevertheless, evidence-based strategies for FES rehabilitation are more and more available, particularly for patients suffering from hemiparesis.
Replacement of mammalian auditory hair cells

WE investigated the potential for hair cell regeneration in neonatal rat organs of Corti grown in culture following destruction of hair cells by neomycin toxicity. Replacement hair cells were observed by light and scanning electron microscopy in lesion sites in the cultures treated with transforming growth factor-α, epidermal growth factor or a combination of both factors for 5–7 days post-injury. These new cells had morphological characteristics of immature hair cells. Autoradiographic localization of [3H]thymidine-labelled cells on semi-thin sections indicated that these replacement hair cells did not arise through renewed mitotic division, although an important mitotic proliferation was observed outside the area of supporting and sensory cells.
The contingent role of customer orientation and entrepreneurial orientation on product innovation and performance

This paper synthesizes marketing and entrepreneurship literature and postulates the complementary nature of a customer orientation with that of an entrepreneurial orientation, then explores their relationships with product innovation and performance. A path analysis was used to test the hypotheses based on data collected from a sample of 159 strategic business units in 15 different industries. The results show that an entrepreneurial orientation does not have a relationship with product innovation unless it is coupled with the complementary effect of a customer orientation. This study also indicates that product innovation mediates this complementary effect on new product and firm performance. In addition, a customer orientation is found to exert a direct positive effect on both new product and firm performances. Although most hypotheses were supported, two out of five were not. As such, the findings present valuable practical insights as well as interesting contributions to the theoretical advancements in marketing and entrepreneurship.
Hybrid-Excited Stator Slot Permanent Magnet Machines—Influence of Stator and Rotor Pole Combinations

The hybrid-excited stator slot permanent magnet (HSSPM) machines have good flux regulation capability due to the dc excitation. This makes them attractive candidates for variable speed applications. In this paper, the choices of stator/rotor pole combinations for an arbitrary number of armature phases are discussed. The three-phase 12-10/11/13/14 stator/rotor poles HSSPM machines with single- and double-layer windings are further investigated. Their open-circuit characteristics, torque, inductances, and unbalanced magnetic forces are comparatively studied using 2-D finite-element analysis (FEA). Finally, the 2-D FEA is experimentally validated.
Store managers, profitability and satisfaction in multi-unit enterprises

Purpose – This study aims to explore how managers of multi-unit retail chains balance unit customer satisfaction and profitability through the manager ' s customer, sales, and production operating orientations. Design/methodology/approach – This research links survey data (gathered from unit managers and customers) to customer satisfaction and unit financial performance. Findings – The study found that the store managers ' customer and sales operating orientations are strongly related to financial performance; further, these effects are negatively moderated by a production operating orientation. Results also indicate that the store manager ' s customer and sales operating orientations are related to customer satisfaction only when moderated by his/her production operating orientation. Research limitations/implications – Using a sample drawn from within a single firm, this research examines profitability and customer satisfaction at the unit level and identifies the manager of the unit as occupying a key s.
Social Networking: The New Marketing Channel

Over the past several years social media and networking sites have seen a meteoric rise in their use, not only by everyday people, but also by businesses using these sites as a strategic marketing channel. Social media allows a business to connect with its target market and develop an ongoing relationship through the creation and publication of creative content that is of a specific value to its target market. This paper outlines and defines the nature of social media and social networking sites and how businesses can strategically integrate their use into the air marketing mix.
Principales determinantes del valor de negocio de la it: el estado del arte bajo la RBV

The analysis of Information Technology (IT), its strategic formulation, as well as its impacts on firm’s competitive position has shown increasing interest in the current years. It has become one of the most recent lines of research. In this study, a resource-based perspective of IT is adopted. From this view, firm is considered as an organized, unique set of resources and skills that tend to be heterogeneously distributed across firms and that can support a competitive advantage. The purpose of this paper is to identify a set of key IT resources, including complementary organizational resources of the firm, in order to provide a useful framework for future research and to facilitate the research concerning the impacts of IT over the organizational performance.
Innovation in Chinese Agribusinesses: Synergies between Internal Resources and External Networks *

The existing literature on innovation concentrates mostly on large industrial firms and hightechnology industries. Little attention has been given to agribusiness since it is often incorrectly considered to be an industry with low levels of technology and innovation. This paper develops a framework in which innovation results from synergies between internal resources and external networks. This paper applies and tests the framework using data from a panel survey of 32 leading agribusiness firms located in Shandong Province, China, was carried out from 2005-2007. The empirical results indicate the importance of internal resources, external networks, and the synergies between them.
[Fetal alcohol syndrome in adulthood. A long-term study].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Maternal alcohol addiction in pregnancy causes fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE) in children. At present, little is known about the physical, mental, and social long-term consequences in adulthood. PATIENTS AND METHODS Since 1974, 52 children with FAS and FAE, all born to alcohol dependent mothers, were prospectively followed up from birth to adulthood. Height, weight and head circumferences were based on percentile standards; mental and school development were assessed by school reports and by intelligence subtests. By structural interviews, occupational and social follow-up were assessed. RESULTS Growth retardation continued mainly in severely affected adults with underweight in 26%, underheight in 30%, and microcephaly in 46%. They mostly lived in foster families, only 6/52 were able to live independently. In 56% special schools for handicapped and mentally disabled were attended. In most cases (37/52), simple occupations without vocational training were practised. CONCLUSIONS It is mainly the neurotoxic effects of alcohol in pregnancy that have longlasting developmental significance in adults. Because of the dysmorphic changes over time, it is difficult to diagnose FAS and FAE only in adulthood.
Services – Marketing with a Difference?

In recent years there has been a marked development of the “service company”, first in North America and now in Western Europe. Much attention has been given to the marketing of services, but little in the sense of how to do services marketing. This is changing as more and more services begin to take the question of marketing seriously. This article looks at the theory, practice, and future of services marketing.
Advantages of Football Tourism within the framework of Sustainable Tourism Model study A Mediterranean City Antalya

Inability to extend tourism in four seasons and the squeeze of economic activities adhered to tourism in a period changing through April - October months called as "tourism season" are the common problems of many tourism regions and investors. "Sustainable Tourism" activities for tourism investors to benefit from investments in tourism through the whole year have put a smile on tourism investors' faces. Football tourism is a product of such activities. "Football tourism", one of the branches of alternative tourism and expected to be the gateway for other tourism methods, used to energize the winter season titled "dead season" in tourism will be examined with face to face interviews along with the literature by this study.