Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of triiodothyronine and amiodarone on the promoter of the human LDL receptor gene.

Treatment of patients with amiodarone, a potent anti arrhythmic drug, increases plasma LDL cholesterol levels, similar to that seen during hypothyroidism. This increase is the result of a decreased expression of the hepatic LDL receptor gene. We investigated the effects of thyroid hormone, amiodarone and desethylamiodarone on the first 687 bp upstream of the first ATG of the human LDL receptor gene by co-transfection with TRbeta1 into HepG2 cells. Promoter activity showed a dose-dependent increase upon addition of thyroid hormone up to a maximum of 600% at 10(-6) M T3. Using 5'-deletions it was found that a functional TRE(s) is present between -687 bp and -160 bp upstream of the ATG of the LDL receptor gene. Amiodarone and desethylamiodarone at 10(-6) M reduced basal LDL receptor promoter activity further then with the TRbeta1 alone (to 30% vs. 50% respectively, p<0.01) but interestingly in combination with T3 these compunds show a synergistic effect on promoter activity (to 225% T3 alone vs. 380% respectively, p<0.01).
Practices for managing a flare of long-standing rheumatoid arthritis: survey among French rheumatologists.

OBJECTIVE To describe the practices of rheumatologists in France for managing a flare in a patient being treated for long-standing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to estimate the corresponding costs. METHODS A survey questionnaire was sent to the 2485 practicing rheumatologists in France; 917 completed questionnaires were returned (37% response rate). The questionnaire collected information on the respondents and on their recommendations for managing a fictional patient with a 10-year history of RA in flare, with a recent episode of neck pain, despite prednisone and methotrexate therapy. Investigational and treatment (first month) costs were estimated from the perspective of society in 2001 Euros. RESULTS Over 80% of the respondents recommended measuring laboratory inflammation parameters, complete blood cell counts, liver enzymes, serum creatinine, and radiographs (hands, anteroposterior cervical spine view, wrists, knees); 50-70% recommended additional cervical spine incidences, elbow and chest radiographs, and bone absorptiometry. Adding anti-TNF therapy (24%) or another DMARD (10%), increasing the methotrexate dosage (24%), and substituting leflunomide for methotrexate were the main recommended treatments. Most respondents suggested continuing the glucocorticoid in the same dosage (61%) or a higher dosage (36%). Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were recommended by 65% and 41% of respondents and rehabilitation therapy by 83%. The median cost was 500 Euro (mean 1105 Euro; range 80-4089 Euro). CONCLUSION We found a high level of agreement among French rheumatologists regarding the evaluation of established RA. Marked variations in recommended treatments were observed and translated into major cost differences.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Evidence in Colombian SMEs

In the current economic landscape, the importance of innovation for the competitiveness of companies is increasingly recognized. The literature points to entrepreneurship as an important source of innovation. Although it is considered that the entrepreneurial orientation affects the results of the innovation, the empirical evidence in a country like Colombia, which today has as policy priority to stimulate both entrepreneurship and innovation, is practically null. In this chapter, the authors study this relationship in the context of a sample of SMEs through a linear regression analysis. The results indicate, as predicted, that to the extent that there is greater innovation, proactivity, and risk orientation, the better the results of innovation.
High Operating Temperature Midwave Infrared InAs/GaSb Superlattice Photodetectors on (111) GaSb Substrates

We report on the detailed radiometric characterization of midwave infrared (MWIR) (100% cutoff wavelength, i.e., λ<sub>100%</sub>, was 5.6 μm at 295 K) InAs/GaSb type-II strained layer superlattice (T2SL) detectors grown on the GaSb (111) substrate. At 295 K and 4 μm, a dark current density J<i>d</i> of 0.53 A/cm<sup>2</sup> (at -50 mV) and specific detectivity D* = 8.5 × 10<sup>9</sup> Jones (at 0 V) were demonstrated, which are superior values to the state-of-the-art MWIR T2SL detectors with the same (p-i-n) design grown on conventional GaSb (100) substrates.
Social capital, income inequality, and mortality.

OBJECTIVES Recent studies have demonstrated that income inequality is related to mortality rates. It was hypothesized, in this study, that income inequality is related to reduction in social cohesion and that disinvestment in social capital is in turn associated with increased mortality. METHODS In this cross-sectional ecologic study based on data from 39 states, social capital was measured by weighted responses to two items from the General Social Survey: per capita density of membership in voluntary groups in each state and level of social trust, as gauged by the proportion of residents in each state who believed that people could be trusted. Age-standardized total and cause-specific mortality rates in 1990 were obtained for each state. RESULTS Income inequality was strongly correlated with both per capita group membership (r = -.46) and lack of social trust (r = .76). In turn, both social trust and group membership were associated with total mortality, as well as rates of death from coronary heart disease, malignant neoplasms, and infant mortality. CONCLUSIONS These data support the notion that income inequality leads to increased mortality via disinvestment in social capital.
World Café method integrated with QFD for obtaining the Voice of the Customer

Paper aims: Investigate the results of the use of the World Café method as a tool to assist the capture of the Voice of the Customer, in a curricular discipline that works with ABPj (Project-Based Learning). Originality: As the authors have not found in the literature the application of the World Café method integrated to QFD. Research method: Teachers and the coordination of a Logistics course worked together on the application of the method, following the five major phases of the action research, which are: diagnosis, planning, action, evaluation and learning. Main findings: The method allowed to establish the most important personal characteristics needed to develop the pedagogical projects, from the point of view of the students. Implications for theory and practice: The findings of this work can be used as a basis to understand how to engage students in pedagogical logistics projects.
Agrobacterium Bioassay Strain for Ultrasensitive Detection of N-Acylhomoserine Lactone-Type Quorum-Sensing Molecules: Detection of Autoinducers in Mesorhizobium huakuii

ABSTRACT An ultrasensitive bioassay system for the detection of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) was constructed in Agrobacterium tumefaciens by using the T7 expression system to overproduce the AHL receptor TraR. This strain detected many diverse AHLs, some at extremely low concentrations. We used this strain to detect for the first time AHLs made by Mesorhizobium huakuii, which symbiotically fixes nitrogen in association with the legume Astragalus sinicus, a source of green manure throughout eastern Asia.
Electrode-Gap Effects on the Electron Density and Electron Temperature in Atmospheric Radio-Frequency Discharges

The electrode-gap effects on discharge characteristics have attracted increasing attention in the design of atmospheric discharge devices. In this paper, a 1-D fluid model is used to explore the influences of electrode gap on the electron density and temperature of atmospheric radio-frequency discharges under a constant power density condition. As the electrode gap is increased, both the applied voltage and current density increase and the computational data and analytical equations show a monotonic increase in the electron density; the peak electron temperature in the sheath increases but decreases in the bulk plasma region. At a constant power density, altering the electrode gap can be used to tailor the spatial distribution of the electron density and electrode temperature.
Some aspects of tick-borne diseases of British sheep

The significance of tick-borne fever (TBF) and other tick-borne diseases of British sheep are reviewed. Experimental and field studies were carried out to clarify the role of TBF as a pathogen per se and as a predisposing factor in other diseases. Experimental TBF infection caused anorexia and depression in two- to three-week-old lambs, which under the stress of a hill environment could alone be a cause of mortality. Nine out of 10 lambs experimentally inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus during the febrile phase of a TBF reaction developed pyaemic lesions compared with four out of 20 lambs inoculated with S aureus alone. Specific pathogen-free lambs inoculated with an aerosol of Pasteurella haemolytica serotype A1 during a TBF reaction showed more severe clinical signs and had more extensive pathological changes at necropsy than control lambs given P haemolytica alone. Dual infection with TBF and louping-ill virus showed that not only were dually infected sheep more susceptible to louping-ill but almost all of them succumbed to a haemorrhagic syndrome involving a systemic mycotic infection with Rhizomucor pucillus. None of eight sheep given louping-ill virus alone developed this syndrome. Field studies indicated that morbidity and mortality in lambs in south-west Scotland could be markedly reduced by dipping and long acting antibiotic prophylaxis. Lamb groups in which both of these were carried out incurred losses of only 0.6 per cent compared with 10.3 per cent in control groups. In addition antibiotic-treated lamb groups demonstrated significantly better weight gains than untreated groups. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa

Building on existing literature and the analysis of a portfolio of development projects (past and under implementation), this paper reviews the evolution of water user associations (WUAs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), reflecting on the conceptualization of how they operate, and the promised outcomes related to irrigation development, and the efficient and effective delivery of irrigation services. It also moves one step further from existing studies on WUAs, postulating that additional reflection is needed to understand the limitations of WUAs and proposes alternative, viable and context-based adapted models. This need is particularly strong in SSA where irrigation is incipient, and governments and donors are still consolidating their development approaches. Whereas a growing body of international literature takes into account the sociopolitical context of decentralized irrigation management, practical indication on what remains to be done to address the various limitations found in SSA stays meagre and scattered. The objective of this paper is not to challenge the myth of WUAs but to learn how to better deliver on the promised outcomes. The underlying message is that, if the SSA region is to be made water and food secure while respecting resource sustainability, community development, livelihoods and equality of resource access, the recurrent templates for WUA management and governance need to be revisited and adapted to local needs.
Effect of reality-based management on the effectiveness of human resources in Alborz steel company

Alborz Steel Company to survive needs the reality-based management which analyze all opportunities and threats, strengths and weaknesses of organization. Due to the successes and importance of reality-based management in the event of providing the required background for the most effectiveness of human resources in this company, this research in purpose of determining the effect of reality-based management on the effectiveness of human resources in Alborz Company considered to collect and survey the ideas of the sample include 54 persons among managers and experts of Alborz Company with more than three years work experience.Methodology:Presented research can be counted as kind of descriptive survey researches in terms of grouping the researches based on data collection method. And also according to grouping the researches based on purpose, presented research is in group of applied research. Methods of collecting information are both library and field methods. For collecting the data related to the literature of subject and research background library studies were used. At field method questionnaire was used to collect data as the instrument. In section of data analyzing the data, the data had obtained from performing the questionnaires were analyzed in two descriptive and inferential sections using the SPSS software. In descriptive section the operation related to demographics information of people in sample was done through the SPSS software. Tables and charts include mean, frequency, cumulative percentage, and … also were used in that section. In inferential section, first the Kolmogorov-Smirnove test was used in order to survey the population distribution. Testing the research hypotheses were done by correlation and non-linear regression tests.Results:After collecting data and analyzing their findings, all minor hypotheses were accepted and also research main hypothesis were tested and accepted,so it can be said that: the reality-based management effects on effectiveness of human resources in Alborz Steel Company. Conclusion:Finally, it is suggested; giving any kind of financial reward or acting increases in salaries and wages of employees according to result of evaluation of employees' performance or observing expected behaviors during the specific period (preferably long time), and using the plans like "reward plan".
Context in Emotion Perception

We review recent work demonstrating consistent context effects during emotion perception. Visual scenes, voices, bodies, other faces, cultural orientation, and even words shape how emotion is perceived in a face, calling into question the still-common assumption that the emotional state of a person is written on and can be read from the face like words on a page. Incorporating context during emotion perception appears to be routine, efficient, and, to some degree, automatic. This evidence challenges the standard view of emotion perception represented in psychology texts, in the cognitive neuroscience literature, and in the popular media and points to a necessary change in the basic paradigm used in the scientific study of emotion perception.
Understanding the intention to continue use a mobile payment

In recent years, with the development of information technology and intelligent terminals, more and more people are paying attention to the mobile payment. It attracts a large number of enterprises to get involved in the competition for consumers’ mobile wallets. From the perspective of use experiences, competitors, and other people, this study develops a theoretical model to understand the effect of internal and external factors on intention to continue use a mobile payment. Alipay wallet is the largest mobile payments provider in the world. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the users of Alipay wallet in China. The research model was tested by using the Partial Least Squares technique. The results show that source credibility, perceived usefulness, and perceived integration from use experiences affect intention to continue use through trust; trust is an important mediator. Moreover, subjective norm from other people has a significant impact on intention to continue use, while competitors’ marketing efforts have not. The implications of the findings are discussed.
The Transverse Abdominal Island Flap: Part I. Indications, Contraindications, Results, and Complications

The transverse abdominal island flap is not just another myocutaneous flap. Although it derives its blood supply from myocutaneous perforators, the portion of the skin and fat that overlies muscle comprises only about 20% of its surface. The surface area of the flap by far exceeds the surface area of the entire muscle that carries it. Its hemodynamics are more complicated than usual and consist of delicate communications between the superior and inferior deep epigastric systems and the deep and superficial epigastric systems across the midline. Its use in breast reconstruction has been as exciting as it is complex. We describe our experience with 60 consecutive patients and 65 transverse abdominal island flaps.
Short‐term weightlessness produced by parabolic flight maneuvers altered gene expression patterns in human endothelial cells

This study focused on the effects of short‐term microgravity (22 s) on the gene expression and morphology of endothelial cells (ECs) and evaluated gravisensitive signaling elements. ECs were investigated during four German Space Agency (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft‐ und Raumfahrt) parabolic flight campaigns. Hoechst 33342 and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining showed no signs of cell death in ECs after 31 parabolas (P31). Gene array analysis revealed 320 significantly regulated genes after the first parabola (P1) and P31. COL4A5, COL8A1, ITGA6, ITGA10, and ITGB3 mRNAs were down‐regulated after P1. EDN1 and TNFRSF12A mRNAs were up‐regulated. ADAM19, CARD8, CD40, GSN, PRKCA (all down‐regulated after P1), and PRKAA1 (AMPKα1) mRNAs (up‐regulated) provide a very early protective mechanism of cell survival induced by 22 s microgravity. The ABL2 gene was significantly up‐regulated after P1 and P31, TUBB was slightly induced, but ACTA2 and VIM mRNAs were not changed. β‐Tubulin immunofluorescence revealed a cytoplasmic rearrangement. Vibration had no effect. Hypergravity reduced CARD8, NOS3, VASH1, SERPINH1 (all P1), CAV2, ADAM19, TNFRSF12A, CD40, and ITGA6 (P31) mRNAs. These data suggest that microgravity alters the gene expression patterns and the cytoskeleton of ECs very early. Several gravisensitive signaling elements, such as AMPKα1 and integrins, are involved in the reaction of ECs to altered gravity. —Grosse, J., Wehland, M. , Pietsch, J., Ma, X. , Ulbrich, C. , Schulz, H. , Saar, K. , Hübner, N. , Hauslage, J., Hemmersbach, R. , Braun, M. , van Loon, J., Vagt, N. , Infanger, M. , Eilles, C. , Egli, M. , Richter, P., Baltz, T. , Einspanier, R. , Sharbati, S. , Grimm, D. Short‐term weightlessness produced by parabolic flight maneuvers altered gene expression patterns in human endothelial cells. FASEB J. 26, 639–655 (2012). www.fasebj. org
The Who‚ What and Why: An Analysis of Personal Data Transparency Notices in the UK

Data protection laws require organisations to be transparent about how they use personal data. This article explores the potential of machine-readable privacy notices to address this transparency challenge. We analyse a large source of open data comprised of semi-structured privacy notifications from hundreds of thousands of organisations in the UK, to investigate the reasons for data collection, the types of personal data collected and from whom, and the types of recipients who have access to the data. We analyse three specific sectors in detail; health, finance, and data brokerage. Finally, we draw recommendations for possible future applications of open data to privacy policies and transparency notices.
The Agri-Environmental Knowledge Innovation System for Water Quality Improvement

In this paper we have taken an Innovation Systems approach to examine the structure and function of the Irish Agri-Environmental Knowledge and Innovation System with the aim of improving water quality in Ireland. Utilising a methodology due to Hekkert et al., (2007), we described and analysed the Innovation System under a number of headings, particularly focusing on specific incentives and features. A key part in changing the regulatory or public incentive system is to change the behaviour not only of the farmers but also of the policy makers to facilitate the movement to a more localised approach. The fundamental message of this paper is that improving a complex local environmental externality • Requires local solutions and information and incentives • Taking an Innovation System perspective to the problem solution • Means that changing the behaviour of farmers may involve changing the behaviour of others upstream within the innovation system, requiring an examination of their incentives and motivations • Local information is necessary to facilitate local decisions • While solutions are local, one must by mindful of transaction costs. Where transaction costs higher than the cost of implementation locally, then it may make sense to focus on less targeted measures, particularly in areas with lower risk.
Sinonasal Carcinoma

Objective To determine whether or not patient race and ethnicity affect sinonasal cancer survival. Study Design Retrospective database analysis. Setting National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database, 1988-2010. Subjects and Methods Sinonasal carcinoma cases were extracted according to site codes and histology recode–broad groupings. The cohort was used to calculate disease-specific survival in regard to race and ethnicity. Extracted data were further analyzed through direct comparisons and multivariable Cox regression models controlling for patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Results Unadjusted survival curves for all sinonasal carcinomas showed poorer disease-specific survival for black versus white patients (P = .02), which was eliminated after controlling for tumor characteristics (hazard ratio: 1.02, P = .86). Specifically for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, significantly poorer disease-specific survival was found for both black (P = .01) and Hispanic (P = .01) patients as compared with white patients. Similarly, when controlling for tumor characteristics, the disease-specific survival disparity was eliminated for black (hazard ratio: 0.93, P = .59) and Hispanic patients (hazard ratio: 1.01, P = .94). Conclusion Black race is a risk factor for poorer disease-specific survival when all sinonasal histologic subtypes are examined together. Specifically for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma, both black race and Hispanic ethnicity are risk factors for poorer disease-specific survival. When tumor characteristics are controlled for in this cohort, the survival disparity is eliminated, demonstrating that the disparity can be accounted for exclusively by more advanced disease at presentation, opposed to the more complex effect seen in other subsites of the head and neck.
An Empirical Model for Managing Quality in the Electronics Industry

Much of the empirical research in the past two decades has suggested that quality management (QM) is context dependent. This research develops an empirical QM model in a technology‐based sector—electronics manufacturing. Based on quantitative and qualitative investigations of 225 electronics firms in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of China, a path analytic model is developed. The empirical model shows that a typical quality management system (QMS) in the electronics industry is composed of four major modules, namely leadership, cultural elements, operational support systems, and process management. These modules create a series of chain effects on organizational performance, rather than acting as parallel elements with an equal impact. By quantifying their effects on organizational performance and comparing the model to others in the literature, we identify those QM constructs that are context dependent. In electronics manufacturing, process management and customer focus are more important than other elements (e.g., cultural factors) for garnering business results. This study contributes to contingency theory and research by identifying the key constructs and their relationships in a competitive, volatile, and technology‐based industry with complex supply networks.