Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance measurement of corporate venture capital - balanced scorecard in theory and practice

A large number of corporations have invested in e-business ventures in order to create strategic values, such as enhanced innovation or improved entrepreneurship, within the firm's network. The achievement of these objectives may take several years before resulting in financial returns for the corporation and is therefore very difficult to measure. At the same time, challenging market conditions have put financial valuations especially of e-business ventures under pressure over the last years. Consequently, the realisation of strategic returns becomes increasingly important to Corporate Venture Capital investors. This paper develops a performance measurement framework based on the Balanced Scorecard concept of Kaplan and Norton. The framework intends to make the results of Corporate Venture Capital activities more transparent by integrating both strategic and financial measures. The case of Siemens Venture Capital illustrates the practical use of a Balanced Scorecard. It shows the development process of the Siemens Venture Capital Scorecard and demonstrates its evolution over several years.
Relationship between coronary arterial remodeling, fibrous cap thickness and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND Thin-capped fibroatheroma (TCFA) is a recognized precursor lesion for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Positive remodeling (PR) is the predominant pattern of arterial remodeling in patients with ACS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between coronary arterial remodeling, fibrous cap thickness and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentration in patients with ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS The 47 consecutive ACS patients were enrolled in this study. Arterial remodeling of culprit plaque was assessed by intravascular ultrasound, and fibrous cap thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography. The remodeling index (RI) was calculated as lesion divided by the reference external elastic membrane cross-sectional area, and PR was defined as RI >1.05 (PR group). TCFA were observed more frequently in the PR group than in the intermediate and negative remodeling (IR/NR) groups (59% vs 17%, P<0.01). RI was inversely correlated with fibrous cap thickness (r=0.47, P=0.02). hs-CRP levels were higher in the PR group than in the IR/NR groups (0.32 +/-0.26 vs 0.18 +/-0.14 mg/dl, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Coronary arterial remodeling, fibrous cap thickness and hs-CRP level in patients with ACS are associated with each other. This result suggests that inflammation simultaneously contributes to both plaque growth and plaque instability.
Immune response to native NadA from Neisseria meningitidis and its expression in clinical isolates in Brazil.

A mAb against the NadA protein from Neisseria meningitidis strain 3006 (serosubtype B : 2b : P1.2 : P5.2,8) demonstrated strong bactericidal activity against Brazilian epidemic serogroup B strain N44/89 (B : 4,7 : P1.19,15 : P5.5,7) and a serogroup C strain, IMC 2135 (C : 2a : P1.5,2), but not against another serogroup C strain, N1002/90 (C : 2b : P1.3 : P5.8). The immunogenicity of native NadA in an outer-membrane vesicle (OMV) preparation was also tested. Serum from mice immunized with OMV from serogroup B strain N44/89, which contains the NadA protein, showed bactericidal activity against serogroup B and C strains possessing NadA. In dot-blot analysis of 100 serogroup B and 100 serogroup C isolates from Brazilian patients, the mAb to NadA recognized about 60 % of the samples from both serogroups. The molecular mass of the NadA protein from strain N44/89 determined by mass spectrometry was 37 971 Da and the peptide sequences were identical to those of NadA from N. meningitidis strain MC58.
Prevalence of obesity is low in people who do not eat meat

EDITOR,—Britain is failing to meet targets that have been set for reducing obesity.1 One of the aims of the Health of the Nation strategy is to reduce the percentages of men and women who are obese to 6% and 8%, respectively, by 2005,2 but the Health Survey for England 1994 shows that the prevalence of obesity had increased to 13.2% among men and 16.0% among women by 1994.3 This increase is probably partly due to a reduction in physical activity; the importance of the composition of the diet is not …
Colonoscopy surveillance of colorectal polyp recurrence in two years after the first polypectomy

Background and aims: Colonoscopic polypectomy and regular surveillance of colorectal polyps are important to prevent colorectal cancer. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of colorectal polyp and assess the predictive factors of colorectal polyp recurrence in 2 years after the first polypectomy. Methods: Total 194 patients with colorectal polyps underwent follow-up colonoscopy within 2 years after initial colonoscopy polypectomy in our hospital were retrospectively investigated. The age of patients at the diagnosis of colorectal polyps, as well as the initial size, number, location, and pathological type of polyps were analyzed in patients with polyp recurrence (recurrence group) and those without (no-recurrence group). Results: The mean interval of surveillance colonoscopy was 18.57±8.42 months. The recurrence rate of colorectal polyps was 71.6% within 2 years. There were significant differences between the recurrence group and the no-recurrence group in terms of age of patients at diagnosis, as well as the number and location of polyps (P=0.01, 0.007 and 0.004, respectively), however, there was no significant difference in pathological type and risk stratification of polyps (both P>0.05). Nevertheless, neoplastic-polyp and high-risk patients significantly benefited from colonoscopy polypectomy compared with nonneoplastic-polyp and low-risk patients. However, 19.4% nonneoplastic-polyps and 15.5% low-risk patients might be overlooked by guideline. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the age of patients at diagnosis and the initial number of adenomas ≥3 were independent risk factors of polyps recurrence within 2 years after the first polypectomy. Conclusion: The recurrence rate of colorectal polyps was 71.6% within 2 years after the first polypectomy. The age of patients at diagnosis of colorectal polyps and the initial number of adenomas ≥3 were independent risk factors of polyps recurrence within 2 years.
Comparative assessment of the flow rate of root canal sealers

Purpose: This study evaluated the flow rate of the Acroseal, AH Plus, Endomethasone N, Sealapex, and ActiV GP according to the standards of the ISO specification 6876/2001. Methods: A volume of 0.05 mL of the cement mixed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations was placed on a glass plate. At 180±5 s after the commencement of mixing, the second glass plate was placed on top of the sealer, followed by the weight of mass approximately 100 g to make a total mass on the plate of 120±2 g. Ten min after the start of mixing, the weight was removed and the value of the diameter of the compressed disc of sealer was measured. The mean of three such determinations for each sealer was taken as the flow of the material. The mean values were compared using ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. Results: The results obtained were: Acroseal 21.24 mm, AH Plus 22.72 mm, ActiV GP 24.90 mm, Endomethasone N 18.76 mm, and Sealapex 25.15 mm. Conclusion: Only the Endomethasone N did not conform to ISO Specification that requires that a sealer shall have a diameter of not less than 20 mm. The Sealapex achieved the greatest flow, but it did not differ from Activ GP and AH Plus (P>0.5).
A cloning approach to classifier training

The Al-Alaoui algorithm is a weighted mean-square error (MSE) approach to pattern recognition. It employs cloning of the erroneously classified samples to increase the population of their corresponding classes. The algorithm was originally developed for linear classifiers. In this paper, the algorithm is extended to multilayer neural networks which may be used as nonlinear classifiers. It is also shown that the application of the Al-Alaoui algorithm to multilayer neural networks speeds up the convergence of the back-propagation algorithm.
Crosstalk of inflammatory mediators and lipid parameters as early markers of renal dysfunction in stable renal transplant recipients with regard to immunosuppression.

BACKGROUND Kidney transplantation is still the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease, therefore it is important to establish all modifiable risk factors for initiation of renal dysfunction. MATERIAL/METHODS We enrolled 73 renal transplant recipients, who were more than 12 months post-renal transplant surgery, had a stable graft function, had no clinically present cardiovascular disease, and were on standard immunosuppressive therapy. The concentrations of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), CRP, lipids, and lipoproteins were measured. We used logistic regression to calculate non-adjusted, age, and multivariable-adjusted ORs and 95% confidence intervals for glomerular filtration rate, GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2). RESULTS Non-adjusted OR showed that there was a significant risk of reduced GFR in patients with total cholesterol higher than 5.19 mmol/L, LDL cholesterol ≥ 4.1 mmol/L, non- HDL ≥ 4.2 mmol/L, and higher VCAM-1 concentration. After adjustment for age and in multivariable model, OR showed a significant risk for reduced GFR in patients with total cholesterol ≥ 5.2 mmol/L, LDL ≥ 4.1 mmol/L, non-HDL ≥ 4.2 mmol/L, and higher VCAM-1 concentration. HDL, triglycerides, CRP, and lipoprotein ratios did not have any significance as predictors of renal dysfunction. There were no differences in all evaluated parameters between groups in regard to immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSIONS Total cholesterol, LDL, non-HDL, and VCAM-1 are strong and independent predictors of renal dysfunction in stable renal transplant recipients. In contrast, HDL, CRP, triglycerides, and ICAM-1 did not seem to have any impact on renal dysfunction.
Hypertension; East and West

Hypertension is the number one public health burden accounting for most cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. While the more developed western countries have shown some success in combating hypertension, the same cannot be said for developing and newly developed countries in the East. The prevalence of hypertension is increasing in the East and coupled with low awareness, and poor blood pressure control on treatment, it will continue to pose substantial health demand in the East. Lessons needs to be learned from the West to combat this public health scourge.
The Incremental Cost of Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in a Family Planning Clinic

A standard cost-finding methodology was used to estimate the incremental expenses associated with the provision of screening, diagnostic and treatment services for N. gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in a family planning clinic serving high risk adolescents. The study included both the personnel and nonpersonnel costs accrued in administering screening and diagnostic tests, contacting patients with infection, treating patients with infection, and administering tests of cure. The cost per screening test averaged $9.74 when part of a routine family planning visit. Diagnostic tests provided to drop-ins with symptoms averaged $19.92. Treatment-related costs per visit averaged $24.97. The total incremental cost of providing STD screening, diagnosis, and treatment services in the clinic represented 14% of the clinic's overall budget during the study period.
The impacts of climate change and human activities on biogeochemical cycles on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

With a pace of about twice the observed rate of global warming, the temperature on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (Earth's ‘third pole’) has increased by 0.2 °C per decade over the past 50 years, which results in significant permafrost thawing and glacier retreat. Our review suggested that warming enhanced net primary production and soil respiration, decreased methane (CH4) emissions from wetlands and increased CH4 consumption of meadows, but might increase CH4 emissions from lakes. Warming‐induced permafrost thawing and glaciers melting would also result in substantial emission of old carbon dioxide (CO2) and CH4. Nitrous oxide (N2O) emission was not stimulated by warming itself, but might be slightly enhanced by wetting. However, there are many uncertainties in such biogeochemical cycles under climate change. Human activities (e.g. grazing, land cover changes) further modified the biogeochemical cycles and amplified such uncertainties on the plateau. If the projected warming and wetting continues, the future biogeochemical cycles will be more complicated. So facing research in this field is an ongoing challenge of integrating field observations with process‐based ecosystem models to predict the impacts of future climate change and human activities at various temporal and spatial scales. To reduce the uncertainties and to improve the precision of the predictions of the impacts of climate change and human activities on biogeochemical cycles, efforts should focus on conducting more field observation studies, integrating data within improved models, and developing new knowledge about coupling among carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus biogeochemical cycles as well as about the role of microbes in these cycles.
Storage of competent cells for Agrobacterium transformation.

A modified protocol of the freeze-thaw method') for transformation of Agrobacterium tumefaciens with The protocol follows basically the method of Nishiguchi et al.2), but was simplified and shortened. Additionally a new method for storage of competent agrobacteria is described, which allows the quick and easy application of A.t. transformation in daily lab routine.
A stochastic dual dynamic programming approach for optimal operation of DER aggregators

The operation of aggregators of distributed energy resources (DER) is a highly complex task that is affected by numerous factors of uncertainty such as renewables injections, load levels and market conditions. However, traditional stochastic programming approaches neglect information around temporal dependency of the uncertain variables due to computational tractability limitations. This paper proposes a novel stochastic dual dynamic programming (SDDP) approach for the optimal operation of a DER aggregator. The traditional SDDP framework is extended to capture temporal dependency of the uncertain wind power output, through the integration of an n-order autoregressive (AR) model. This method is demonstrated to achieve a better trade-off between solution efficiency and computational time requirements compared to traditional stochastic programming approaches based on the use of scenario trees.
Drug delivery application of extracellular vesicles; insight into production, drug loading, targeting, and pharmacokinetics

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted from any types of cells and shuttle between donor cells and recipient cells. Since EVs deliver their cargos such as proteins, nucleic acids, and other molecules for intercellular communication, they are considered as novel mode of drug delivery vesicles. EVs possess advantages such as inherent targeting ability and non-toxicity over conventional nanocarriers. Much efforts have so far been made for the application of EVs as a drug delivery carrier, however, basic techniques, such as mass-scale production, drug loading, and engineering of EVs are still limited. In this review, we summarize following four points. First, recent progress on the production method for EVs is described. Second, current techniques of drug loading methods are summarized. Third, targeting approach to specifically deliver cargo molecules for diseased sites by engineered EVs is discussed. Lastly, strategies to control pharmacokinetics and improve biodistribution are discussed.
AutoGrow: A Novel Algorithm for Protein Inhibitor Design

Due in part to the increasing availability of crystallographic protein structures as well as rapid improvements in computing power, the past few decades have seen an explosion in the field of computer‐based rational drug design. Several algorithms have been developed to identify or generate potential ligands in silico by optimizing the ligand–receptor hydrogen bond, electrostatic, and hydrophobic interactions. We here present AutoGrow, a novel computer‐aided drug design algorithm that combines the strengths of both fragment‐based growing and docking algorithms. To validate AutoGrow, we recreate three crystallographically resolved ligands from their constituent fragments.
Severe Illness in Furniture Makers Using a New Glue: 1-Bromopropane Toxicity Confounded by Arsenic

Objective: To describe the illnesses of four workers with high concentrations of serum bromide after exposure to glue containing 1-bromopropane (1-BP). Methods: We reviewed all available clinical records, examined the workers, and obtained additional urinary arsenic values. We used standard autoanalyzer and other routine methods for blood and urinalysis. Results: All four workers had symptoms and abnormal physical findings when hospitalized, remaining symptomatic with abnormal examinations 3 months later. Milder symptoms persisted in two workers, 8 years after their initial illnesses. Both have returned to work. Follow-up was unavailable for the other two workers. Conclusions: Severe illness occurred in four gluers after 1-BP exposures associated with elevated levels of serum bromide. All had elevated urinary arsenic concentrations, the source of which remains unknown, but which confound interpretation of the abnormal bromide levels and clinical findings present during the acute illnesses.
Obesity--a growing issue.

OBJECTIVES This article, based on longitudinal data, follows a sample of people who were aged 20 to 56 in 1994/95 to determine the percentage who made the transition from normal to overweight, or from overweight to obese by 2002/03. Characteristics that increased the chances of overweight people becoming obese are examined. DATA SOURCES The data are from five cycles of the National Population Health Survey, 1994/95 through 2002/03. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to identify variables associated with an increased or decreased risk of becoming obese; 1,937 men and 1,184 women who were overweight in 1994/95 were selected. MAIN RESULTS Close to a third (32%) of people who were aged 20 to 56 and of normal weight in 1994/95 had become overweight by 2002/03. During the same period, almost a quarter of those who had been overweight in 1994/95 had become obese. Among people who were overweight, the risk of obesity was relatively high for younger men and members of low-income households. Overweight men who smoked or who had activity restrictions had a high risk of obesity. Physical activity helped women avoid obesity.
Wolbachia surface protein (WSP) inhibits apoptosis in human neutrophils

Polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) are essential for the innate immune response against invading bacteria. At the same time, modulation of PMNs’ apoptosis or cell death by bacteria has emerged as a mechanism of pathogenesis. Wolbachia bacteria are Gram‐negative endosymbionts of filarial nematodes and arthropods, phylogenetically related to the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Neorickettsia (family Anaplasmataceae). Although several pathogens are known to interfere with apoptosis, there is only limited information on specific proteins that modulate this phenomenon. This is the first evidence for the anti‐apoptotic activity of a surface protein of Wolbachia from filarial nematode parasites (the Wolbachia surface protein, WSP). The inhibition of apoptosis was demonstrated on purified human PMNs in vitro by different methods. TUNEL assay showed that the percentage of dead cells was reduced after stimulation with WSP; Annexin V‐FITC binding assay confirmed that cell death was due mainly to apoptosis and not to necrosis. Reduced caspase‐3 activity in stimulated cells also confirmed an inhibition of the apoptotic process.
Molecular Cloning and Functional Characterization of a Novel Receptor-activated TRP Ca2+ Channel from Mouse Brain*

Characterization of mammalian homologues of Drosophila TRP proteins, which induce light-activated Ca2+ conductance in photoreceptors, has been an important clue to understand molecular mechanisms underlying receptor-activated Ca2+ influx in vertebrate cells. We have here isolated cDNA that encodes a novel TRP homologue, TRP5, predominantly expressed in the brain. Recombinant expression of the TRP5 cDNA in human embryonic kidney cells dramatically potentiated extracellular Ca2+-dependent rises of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+] i ) evoked by ATP. These [Ca2+] i transients were inhibited by SK&F96365, a blocker of receptor-activated Ca2+ entry, and by La3+. Expression of the TRP5 cDNA, however, did not significantly affect [Ca2+] i transients induced by thapsigargin, an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases. ATP stimulation of TRP5-transfected cells pretreated with thapsigargin to deplete internal Ca2+stores caused intact extracellular Ca2+-dependent [Ca2+] i transients, whereas ATP suppressed [Ca2+] i in thapsigargin-pretreated control cells. Furthermore, in ATP-stimulated, TRP5-expressing cells, there was no significant correlation between Ca2+ release from the internal Ca2+ store and influx of extracellular Ca2+. Whole-cell mode of patch-clamp recording from TRP5-expressing cells demonstrated that ATP application induced a large inward current in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Omission of Ca2+ from intrapipette solution abolished the current in TRP5-expressing cells, whereas 10 nm intrapipette Ca2+ was sufficient to support TRP5 activity triggered by ATP receptor stimulation. Permeability ratios estimated from the zero-current potentials of this current wereP Ca:P Na:P Cs= 14.3:1.5:1. Our findings suggest that TRP5 directs the formation of a Ca2+-selective ion channel activated by receptor stimulation through a pathway that involves Ca2+ but not depletion of Ca2+ store in mammalian cells.
High‐resolution diffusion and relaxation‐edited magic angle spinning 1H NMR spectroscopy of intact liver tissue

High‐resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) 1H NMR spectroscopy is ideal for monitoring the metabolic environment within tissues, particularly when spectra are weighted by physical properties such as T1 and T2 relaxation times and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs). In this study, spectral‐editing using T1 and T2 relaxation times and ADCs at variable diffusion times was used in conjunction with HRMAS 1H NMR spectroscopy at 14.1 T in liver tissue. To enhance the sensitivity of ADC measurements to low molecular weight metabolites a T2 spin echo was included in a standard stimulated gradient spin‐echo sequence. Fatty liver induced in rats by chronic orotic acid feeding was investigated using this modified sequence. An increase in the combined ADC for the co‐resonant peaks glucose, betaine, and TMAO during fatty liver disease was detected (ADCs = 0.60 ± 0.11 and 0.35 ± 0.1 * 10−9 m2s−1 (n = 3) for rats fed with and without orotic acid), indicative of a reduction in glucose and betaine and an increase in TMAO. Magn Reson Med 50:925–930, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.