Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intracellular and external recording from frog ventricular fibers during hypertonic perfusion.

Isolated frog hearts perfused with hypertonic solutions passed through three reversible stages: I ) altered spontaneous waveforms; II ) absence of spontaneous activity but responsive to stimulation; III ) nonresponsive. The following patterns of action potentials were observed with intracellular recording during stage I : 1 ) the plateaus gradually disappeared leaving short-duration spikes. 2 ) These spikes often occurred as high-frequency bursts usually accompanied by sustained contractions. Quiescent cells were often located adjacent to active ones, and many fibers fired at frequencies lower than that of the ECG. 3 ) Often a ‘slow wave’ gradually differentiated from the plateau and resulted in separation of a fast initial spike from a later slow wave. These observations suggest fiber-to-fiber junctional transmission rather than conduction within a syncytium. Hypertonic solutions may: a ) depress fiber-to-fiber transmission, b ) alter the time courses of the Na and K conductances and c ) directly depress the contractile mechanism.
Evaluation of a Campus Service Quality Recreational Scale

Abstract In the past two decades, several researchers have applied service quality frameworks in sport-related domains in measuring service quality among participants. However, university campus recreation has been scarce as compared to organised sport at local, regional and national levels, which often depends on a limited tenure linked to their membership as a registered student at a university. The purpose of the study is to investigate service quality dimensions as perceived by university leisure and recreation students. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken among 301 university students using a non-probability purposive sampling. Variables that constituted campus recreation service quality were operationalised through a literature review, including sport and recreational scales. Through factor analysis, seven distinct dimensions of campus recreation service quality were established. These factors were labelled: people interaction, facility design, sociability, physical change, equipment, ambience and program range. Item total correlations show satisfactory convergence of the items within their relevant constructs. This study complements the existing recreational sports body of knowledge by exploring campus recreation service quality. These dimensions may assist campus recreation mangers to understand the dimensions that are pertinent among students within a university context better. Recreation managers, in their periodic measurement of service quality, can incorporate these dimensions.
Green Supply Chain Management Practices and Organizational Performance: An Empirical Study in Malaysian Manufacturing Firms

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine the influence of green supply chain management practices (GSCMP) and manufacturing capabilities on organizational performances. A quantitative method was used with the data obtained from the sample of 103 large manufacturing firms listed in the Federation of Malaysia Manufacturers (FMM). Smart-PLS 3.0 software was employed to confirm the data validity and reliability, and test the structural path modeling. This implies that GSCMP with manufacturing capabilities as the mediator is important to foster the organizational performance among manufacturing firms. A total of 103 manufacturing companies in Malaysia participated in this study with a response rate of 18%. It shows that only eight sub-hypotheses out of thirteen sub-hypotheses were supported, and the remaining five sub-hypotheses were not supported. The conclusion of this study provides the theoretical and practical implications as well as suggestions for future studies in different industries such as service, tourism and information technology. Keywords: Green supply chain management practices; organizational performances; manufacturing capabilities; Resource Based View Theory; Federation of Malaysia Manufacturers; Malaysia. ABSTRAK Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji pengaruh amalan pengurusan rantaian bekalan hijau dan keupayaan perkilangan terhadap prestasi organisasi. Kaedah kuantitatif telah digunakan untuk dapatan data 103 sampel dari firma perkilanagan yang tersenarai di Persekutuan Pekilang-pekilang Malaysia (FMM). Perisian Smart-PLS digunakan untuk manjalankan analisis statistik bagi memastikan kesahan dan kebolehpercayaan, dan juga menguji path modeling. Kajian ini melibatkan amalan pengurusan rantaian bekalan hijau dengan keupayaan pengeluaran sebagai mediator adalah penting terhadap prestasi organisasi di kalangan firma perkilangan. Sejumlah 103 firma perkilangan di Malaysia telah mengambil bahagian dalam penyelidikan tersebut dengan kadar tindakbalas sebanyak 18%. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa terdapat lapan daripada tiga belas andaian yang disokong dan lima andaian yang tidak disokong. Kajian ini memberikan implikasi kepada teori dan praktikal serta boleh dicerakinkan untuk kajian masa depan di industri yang berlainan seperti perkhidmatan, perlancongan dan informasi teknologi. Kata kunci: Amalan pengurusan rantaian bekalan hijau; prestasi organisasi; keupayaan pengeluaran; Resource Based View Theory; Persekutuan Pekilang-pekilang Malaysia; Malaysia
RELATIONSHIP OF ALTERED THYROID HORMONE INDICES TO SURVIVAL IN NONTHYROIDAL ILLNESSES

Although alterations of serum thyroid hormone indices are frequent in nonthyroidal illnesses, their relationship to survival is poorly defined. Consequently, the prevalence and prognostic relevance of alterations in thyroidal indices were evaluated prospectively in 195 patients requiring intensive medical therapy and in 75 critically ill patients with serum total T4 (TT4) levels below 3 μg/dl. In the 195 patients, serum total T3 (TT3) and TT4 levels were reduced in 69% and 43% respectively. Decreased TT4 levels had the highest correlation with mortality (P < 0·001) and correctly predicted outcome in 70% of patients. Other thyroidal indices, which were significantly different between survivors and nonsurvivors, correlated with TT4 and did not contribute independently to prediction accuracy when assessed by discriminant function analysis.
Soft sensor for adaptive pH control, an industrial application

Summary form only given. A non linear soft sensor (EKF) has been coupled with a linear adaptive controller to solve pH control problems in actual plants. Direct linearisation of the titration curve (non linear S-shape) to perform classical linear control is not a general solution because this curve, characteristic of the process, is constantly changing as the properties of the inlet flow vary. Our approach enables us to consider the highly non-linear pH control problem as a linear one. It consists of two steps: a soft sensor (EKF) based on a simple dynamic model (derived from mass balances) is designed to provide estimates of the unmeasured acid/base concentrations; a linear controller is then applied for the control of the composition of the outlet flow (instead of the pH) This pH control scheme is based on a simple and classical model of acid-base titration. It ignores the precipitation of any salts. The pH controller can be applied to a wide variety of neutralisation processes such as a continuous stirred tank or tubular reactor, in which an acid flow is titrated with a base (or vice versa), with or without precipitation of salts, pre-titration and re-circulation. Prior to on-line implementation, a feasibility study and the necessary tuning of the controller (and soft sensor) were done by dynamic simulations of the process using SpeedUp®. The simulations highlighted the good performance of the controller for extreme throughput change (under variable recycle time delay), inlet pH variations and set point changes. Even in the case of significant process/model mismatches, the pH estimate and measurement agreed perfectly. Implementation results are displayed for an effluent treatment unit of a Shell chemical plant. They clearly show the improvement in pH control since this tool was switched on. pH variations have decreased significantly, and operators are now freed from pH control problems.
Capital Cities and Urban Sustainability

Capital cities stand out among cities as likely leading drivers in the effort to empower sustainable innovation as they provide a hub for connecting a variety of key constituencies. While acknowledging the successes capital cities have achieved, the international, multidisciplinary contributors to this work discuss how there is room to do more and improve. The promotion of specific sustainability policies in crucial areas such as clean water provision, high tech innovation, public procurement contracting, and improving flood control in capital cities is examined through various global case studies. The examples range from relatively rich capital cities, such as Copenhagen, where the well-financed hub would be expected to succeed in generating sustainable policies, to poorer cities such as Phnom Penh, where such an optimistic outcome can seem less likely.
Amplification created restriction sites for genotyping SNPs in the bovine ABCG2 and its association with milk production traits (Brief Report) Amplification erstellt Restriktionsschnittstellen zur Genotypisierung SNPs in der Rinder-ABCG2 und ihre Verbindung mit Milchleistungsmerkmalen (Brief Report)

Abstract. ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette, subfamily G, member 2) belongs to the superfamily of ATPbinding cassette (ABC) transporters. In ATP-dependent processes, ABCG2 is responsible for transporting xenobiotics and cytostatic drugs across various cellular membranes. The ABCG2 gene is expressed in the apical membrane of alveolar mammary epithelial cells and is responsible for the active secretion of substrates into mouse milk. Other members of the ABC subfamily G are sterol transporters. It therefore appears that ABCG2 might transport cholesterol into milk (COHEN-ZINDER et al. 2005). In the study by COHEN-ZINDER et al. (2005), several SNPs were detected in the ABCG2 gene but only two were genotyped – in exon 14 and in intron 3. In the case of SNP A/C in exon 14 resulting in an amino acid change Y581S, it was demonstrated that this substitution affects milk yield and composition. To detect theses polymorphisms in our study we used a new PCR-RFLP method based on an amplification created restriction site (ACRS). This method has been frequently used by various researchers in recent times (e.g. ZYCH et al. 2007). The aim of this study was to estimate the frequencies of genotypes and alleles and to investigate possible associations between ABCG2 polymorphisms and milk production traits in Jersey cows.
Conjugated linoleic acid

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), first positively identified in 1987 (Ha et al.), is a collective term describing the positional and geometric conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid. Linoleic acid (C18:2) has double bonds located on carbons 9 and 12, both in the cis (c) configuration, whereas CLA has either the cis or trans (t) configuration or both located along the carbon chain. Sources of CLA have been shown to elicit many favorable biological responses including: (i) increased rate and (or) efficiency of gain in growing rats (Chin et al., 1994) and pigs (Dugan et al., 1997; Thiel et al., 1998; O’Quinn PR, Waylan AT, Nelssen JL et al., submitted for publication); (ii) reduced fat deposition and increased lean in mice (Park et al., 1997) and pigs (Dugan et al., 1997; Thiel et al., 1998; O’Quinn et al., 2000a); (iii) improved immune function in rats and chicks (Cook et al., 1993; Sugano et al., 1998); and (iv) reduced atherosclerosis in rabbits (Lee et al., 1994) and hamsters (Nicolosi et al., 1997). Conjugated linoleic acid is also a potent anticarcinogen in vivo and in vitro (Ha et al., 1990; Ip et al., 1991; Durgam and Fernandes, 1997) and may exhibit some antioxidant properties (Decker, 1995), possibly as a result of its involvement in the metabolism of a-tocopherol (O’Quinn et al., 1999). Additionally, CLA increases adipocyte insulin sensitivity (Houseknecht et al., 1998b) and, therefore, has become a highly studied factor for the management of type I (Collier et al., 1988) and type II (Hendra et al., 1991; Singh et al., 1992) diabetes mellitus, a disease affecting over 100 million people in the United States alone (Pickup and Crook (1998).
Increasing success and effectiveness of mangrove conservation investments : a guide for project developers, donors and investors

Mangroves are among the most important ecosystems on the planet. They provide nursery grounds for a wide variety of marine and landbased species, sustain livelihoods of coastal populations, and protection from ocean swell and extreme weather events. However, mangroves are being cleared, degraded, or lost at a rapid pace. This report is targeted at project developers, donors and investors. It aims to serve as a guide to improve the long-term environmental, social and economic returns from mangrove conservation investments by highlighting the opportunities as well as risks of such endeavours. The report provides a set of recommendations and lessons learned, derived from a literature search, interviews and case studies from Viet Nam, Kenya and Madagascar.
Biomass Selection for Optimal Anaerobic Treatment of Olive Mill Wastewater

This research was conducted to identify the most efficient biomass out of five different types of biomass sources for anaerobic treatment of Olive Mill Wastewater (OMW). This study was first focused on examining the selected biomass in anaerobic batch systems with sodium acetate solutions (control study). Then, the different types of biomass were tested with raw OMW (water-diluted) and with pretreated OMW by coagulation-flocculation using Poly Aluminum Chloride (PACl) combined with hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2). Two types of biomass from wastewater treatment systems of a citrus juice producing company "PriGat" and from a citric acid manufacturing factory "Gadot", were found to be the most efficient sources of microorganisms to anaerobically treat both sodium acetate solution and OMW. Both types of biomass were examined under different concentration ranges (1-40 g l-1) of OMW in order to detect the maximal COD tolerance for the microorganisms. The results show that 70-85% of COD removal was reached using Gadot biomass after 8-10 days when the initial concentration of OMW was up to 5 g l-1, while a similar removal efficiency was achieved using OMW of initial COD concentration of 10 g l-1 in 2-4 days of contact time with the PriGat biomass. The physico-chemical pretreatment of OMW was found to enhance the anaerobic activity for the treatment of OMW with initial concentration of 20 g l-1 using PriGat biomass. This finding is attributed to reducing the concentrations of polyphenols and other toxicants originally present in OMW upon the applied pretreatment process.
Role of adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase–p70 ribosomal S6 kinase‐1 pathway in repression of liver X receptor‐alpha–dependent lipogenic gene induction and hepatic steatosis by a novel class of dithiolethiones

Dithiolethiones, a novel class of adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators, prevent insulin resistance through AMPK‐dependent p70 ribosomal S6 kinase‐1 (S6K1) inhibition. There is no known effect of S6K1 for liver X receptor‐alpha (LXRα)‐mediated lipogenic gene expression and steatosis, a cause of chronic liver disease. This study investigated the role of S6K1 in LXRα activation and the effects of oltipraz (prototype) and other dithiolethiones on LXRα‐dependent lipogenesis in hepatocytes and high‐fat diet animal model. Oltipraz prevented the ability of LXRα agonist (T0901317) to activate sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1c (SREBP‐1c), inhibiting its own mRNA and protein induction. Impaired SREBP‐1c activity by oltipraz caused inhibition of LXRα‐induced transcription of the fatty acid synthase, LXRα, acetyl‐CoA carboxylase, stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1, and adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette transporter A1 genes. S6K1 activation antagonized the inhibitory effect of oltipraz on SREBP‐1c activation, whereas dominant negative (DN) mutant S6K1 and rapamycin inhibited the T0901317‐induced SREBP‐1c expression. Oltipraz impaired LXRα DNA binding activity and LXR agonist‐induced CYP7A1‐LXRE‐luciferase (CYP7A1) transactivation. Moreover, in vitro S6K1 directly phosphorylated LXRα at serine residues for gene transactivation, which was antagonized by its DN mutant. S6K1 inhibition antagonized CYP7A1 induction promoted by AMPK inhibition, whereas AMPK activation abrogated S6K1‐dependent CYP7A1 induction, supporting the opposing role of S6K1 and AMPK in LXR activity. Finally, oltipraz was found to inhibit hepatic triglyceride accumulation and lipogenic gene induction in mice fed a high‐fat diet. Other dithiolethiones also inhibited SREBP‐1c induction by T0901317. Conclusion: Our findings showing the role of AMPK‐S6K1 pathway in LXR activity and S6K1‐dependent inhibition of LXRα‐induced lipogenic gene transactivation by a novel class of dithiolethiones led to the identification of S6K1 as a particularly attractive target for intervention in hepatic steatosis. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)
Organizational Capabilities, Value Cocreation, and Marketing Innovation: How Well Are We Prepared to Face Future Challenges?

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the importance of management and strategic development, as well as network management and market orientation, in the results of innovation in marketing and collaboration of companies. In addition, the authors analyze how collaboration with other agents of interest is fundamental for the change of projects to have strategic impact, that is, for there to be a relationship between the development efforts of the area and the results of the business. Hence, the relevance of business models and the existence of dynamic capabilities to create value to the organization, the client, and society are analyzed. Coupled with the authors' empirical examination of the degree of collaboration that Chilean industrial companies have achieved, the main contributions of this chapter are (1) an explanatory study that provides a systematic analysis of literature regarding innovation organizational capabilities; (2) identification of three aspects of structure of a company's network, market orientation, and strategic development, which are relevant to consider when establishing superior performance; and (3) generation of empirical evidence through a study applied to companies of the business-to-business sector in Chile using a self-administered survey method and presentation of results at the variable level.
Evaluation multicritère des technologies de stockage couplées aux énergies renouvelables : conception et réalisation de la plateforme de simulation ODYSSEY pour l'optimisation du dimensionnement et de la gestion énergétique

L'objectif de ces travaux de these etait de concevoir et de developper un outil de simulation et d'optimisation multicriteres de centrales couplant des sources d'energies renouvelables (EnR) et des moyens de stockage. L'optimisation porte sur le dimensionnement de l'installation (taille des unites de production EnR et de stockage) et sur la ou les strategies de gestion de la centrale EnR-stockage selon des criteres technico-economiques evalues par l'outil. L'originalite de l'outil developpe reside dans la modularite de definition de l'architecture EnR-stockage, dans la prise en compte de plusieurs niveaux de modelisation (echelle et precision) des differents composants du systeme et dans l'integration du vieillissement. L'outil developpe est egalement illustre sur des cas d'etudes afin d'apprecier sa pertinence.
The bluF gene of Rhodobacter capsulatus is involved in conversion of cobinamide to cobalamin (vitamin B12)

The bluF gene of Rhodobacter capsulatus is the first gene of the bluFEDCB operon which is involved in late steps of the cobalamin synthesis. To determine the function of the bluF gene product, a bluF::omega-Km mutant strain was constructed and characterized. This vitamin B12 auxotrophic mutant strain shows a 3.5-times higher vitamin B12 requirement under phototrophic growth conditions than under chemotrophic growth conditions. Surprisingly, the bluF promoter activity does not respond to alterations to the oxygen tension or vitamin B12 concentration.
Impact of cochlear implantation on speech understanding, depression, and loneliness in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE To compare speech understanding ability, the level of depression, and the degree of loneliness experienced by elderly cochlear implant (CI) users (>or= 70 years), adult CI users (<or= 60 years), and elderly hearing aid (HA) users (>or= 70 years). DESIGN Clinical study. SETTING Tertiary academic neuro-otologic and audiologic centre. METHODS Three groups of patients were enrolled: (1) nine unilateral CI users 70 years or older at the time of implantation (mean 77.7 years), (2) eight unilateral CI users 60 years or younger at the time of implantation (mean 51.1 years), and (3) nine bilateral HA users 70 years or older (mean 77.5 years). Subjects underwent speech perception testing and completed two scales regarding their perceived levels of depression (pre-/post-CI) and feelings of loneliness (pre-/post-CI). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Speech understanding scores in quiet and in noise and quality of life indicators (UCLA Loneliness Questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Screening Scale). RESULTS There were no perioperative complications. No significant differences in speech understanding ability in quiet or in noise between elderly and younger CI patients were observed (p < .05). Cochlear implantation decreased perceived depression in elderly recipients and loneliness in both elderly and younger recipients. Finally, elderly CI users were no more depressed or lonely than their age-matched peers with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who use HAs. CONCLUSIONS Cochlear implantation in elderly patients results in speech perception abilities comparable to those of younger CI recipients, as well as measurable improvements in depression and loneliness.
Impact of Awareness Rising Program on Corporate Social Responsibility Practice: an Analysis in Selected Bank

This paper interprets how to commercial banks practice corporate social responsibility in Bangladesh. This study represents focus on different Rules and regulations of Bangladesh. It also focuses on different awareness raising program of different organization arranged at different times. The standard chartered bank and the Daily Star arranged different awards to motivate different organizations towards Corporate social responsibility program. Different banks are now focusing on CSR activities as government has identified different sectors of CSR investment to get 10 % tax rebate on Corporate Social Responsibility expenditure. Now, among different banks, the paper shows that the first priority of most of the bank is to invest in educational sectors. IBBL, Exim bank, DBBL, bank asia etc. invest only those sectors that provide tax rebate facilities to the organizations. The trend of CSR investment also showing increasing for the last few years with the increasing number of awareness rising program on corporate social responsibility. Keywords : Corporate Social Responsibility, awareness, investment sectors, education, Community Development. DOI : 10.7176/EJBM/11-3-16