Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic and Pharmacological Inhibition of Rho-associated Kinase II Enhances Adipogenesis*

Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) regulates reorganization of actin cytoskeleton. During adipogenesis, the structure of filamentous actin is converted from long stress fibers to cortical actin, suggesting that the ROCK is involved in adipogenesis. Two ROCK isoforms have been identified: ROCK-I and ROCK-II. However, pharmacological inhibitors of ROCK cannot distinguish two ROCK isoforms. In the present study, we examined the role of ROCK in adipogenesis and actin cytoskeleton using genetic and pharmacological approaches. Y-27632, which inhibits the activity of both ROCK isoforms, enhanced adipogenesis through the up-regulation of adipogenic transcription factors in 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, Y-27632 restored inhibition of adipogenesis by lysophosphatidic acid, which activates Rho. Regarding actin cytoskeleton, Y-27632 disrupted stress fibers in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Next, we analyzed adipogenesis of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from ROCK-I and ROCK-II knock-out mice, respectively. Adipogenesis of ROCK-II (-/-) MEFs was markedly enhanced compared with wild-type MEFs while that of ROCK-I (-/-) MEFs was not. In contrast to pharmacological approaches, no obvious alteration was found in actin cytoskeleton of ROCK-II (-/-) MEFs compared with wild-type MEFs. In 3T3-L1 cells, knockdown of ROCK-II by RNA interference enhanced the expression of adipogenic transcription factors while that of ROCK-I did not. Moreover, Y-27632 inhibited IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and enhanced Akt phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Similarly, Akt phosphorylation in ROCK-II (-/-) MEFs was augmented compared with wild-type MEFs. In conclusion, inhibition of ROCK-II, not ROCK-I, enhances adipogenesis accompanied by the up-regulation of adipogenic transcription factors. Augmentation of insulin signaling may contribute to the enhancement of adipogenesis.
[Effects of IFN-γ on immunomodulation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from fetal side of human placenta tissues].

AIM To obtain fetal mesenchymal stem cells isolated from human placental tissue (hfPMSCs) and study the effects of IFN-γ on immunomodulatory property of hfPMSCs in vitro. METHODS hfPMSCs were isolated from the fetal side of human placentas by enzyme digestion. Expressions of cell surface antigens CD73, CD90, CD105, CD14, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR were tested by flow cytometry. The fetal origin of the placental cells was verified by DNA identity test using four known short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphic markers D2S1399, D10S2325, D18S535 and GATA198B05. After hfPMSCs were treated with 10 ng/mL IFN-γ, the expressions of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and HGF at both mRNA and protein levels were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR) and ELISA. The expressions in controls without IFN-γ treatment were examined in the same way. RESULTS The isolated cells expressed MSCs surface markers CD73, CD90 and CD105, but did not express CD14, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR. For all the STR markers tested, the MSCs from the fetal side of the placenta carried the alleles of both maternal and paternal origin, indicative of the fetal genome. q-PCR indicated that the expression of IL6 mRNA in IFN-γ treated group was significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), whereas the levels of IL-10 and HGF mRNA were down-regulated by IFN-γ treatment (P<0.05). ELISA revealed that IFN-γ treated group expressed strikingly the higher level of IL-6 protein compared with the control group (P<0.05), and the lower levels of IL-8, IL-10 and HGF (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The method used in the study can obtain hfPMSCs from human placenta tissues, and IFN-γ has a negative effect on immune suppression function of the hfPMSCs.
Contextual factors affecting knowledge management diffusion in SMEs

Purpose – Based on the knowledge management (KM) perspective, innovation diffusion theory and technology-organization-environment framework, the purpose of this paper is to develop a research model to investigate the influence of technological (information technology (IT) support and IT effectiveness), organizational (top management support, sharing culture, and reward system) and environmental (competitive pressure) contexts on the two-stage KM diffusion (KM adoption and implementation) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach – Data gathered from 119 SME senior managers (including owner, vice president, and business manager) in Taiwan were employed to test the relationships between the research model constructs using the partial least squares approach. Findings – The results showed that technological, organizational, and environmental factors have different effects on KM adoption and implementation stages. Specially, IT support has the strongest effect on KM adoption stage, wh.
Desired Versus Actual Training for Online Instructors in Community Colleges

The growth of distance education and the demand for instructors has developed over the past ten to fifteen years. There is a perception that the type and amount of instructor preparation is highly variable between institutions. Of the faculty members at two year institutions surveyed, nearly half did not attend training over the previous year. With technology changing rapidly, there is a need for training annually to assure faculty members who teach online are prepared. Distance education administrators need to evaluate their distance education programs and develop a consistent and current infrastructure to assure that their faculty members are being properly trained to teach online.
Fast adaptive interpolation filter algorithm for bi-predicted frame in video coding

This paper proposes a novel adaptive interpolation filter (AIF) to reduce computational complexity and bit-rate of video coding. In the proposed AIF, the filter coefficients of B frames, which are predicted from those of adjacent P frames with a novel parabolic model, are unnecessary to transmit. Experimental results show that the coding complexity is reduced by 40.22% with no penalty on coding efficiency and 1.59% bit-rate reduction is achieved at low bit-rate against conventional AIF.
Solutions of delay differential equations by using differential transform method

Differential transform method (DTM) is extended for delay differential equations. By using DTM, we manage to obtain the numerical, analytical, and exact solutions of both linear and nonlinear equations. In comparison with the existing techniques, the DTM is a reliable method that needs less work and does not require strong assumptions and linearization.
Exploring the Role of Affect Recognition in Web-Capable Applications

In this paper we present the results from a qualitative study exploring people's opinions and reactions to the possibility of emotion-aware adaptive web user interfaces, those which will have the capability to read users' emotions and adapt accordingly. The purpose of this work is to improve understanding of how people envision such emotion-aware interfaces may be a part of their computing experience, and to explore any concerns that people have relating to this technology. We expect that such information will be helpful for directing the development of new emotion-aware adaptive web interfaces.
The effectiveness of accounting information systems in Jordanian private higher education institutions

This study aimed to explore the factors that affecting the accounting information systems in Jordanian private higher education institutions. In doing so, this study distributed 94 questionnaires, only 54 questionnaires were returned. The results showed that the human resources, hardware, software, and data bases have a positive significant relationship with efficiency of AIS. More studies are needed to explore other factors that affecting accounting information systems efficiency since the R 2 of current study is 63.8% which means there are 36.2% of factors did not explored yet
Ranking of factors which affect and are affected by employees' psychological empowerment using QFD approach

the present research aims to investigate and rank which affect and re affected by employees’ psychological empowerment in order to help organizations and their employees to be more committed to their jobs by accessing resources and feeling control and ownership and use initiative in their works in order to do works well so that their effectiveness and efficiency within organization will be improved.in the present research, all factors which affect and are affected by employees’ psychological empowerment were ranked using QFD approach. Research sample included 50 managers of Bandar-e-Imam Petrochemical complex who were selected randomly and responded to research instrument. Correlation coefficient and QFD analysis were used for data analysis. The results showed that variables like intellectual stimulation and influence on employees’ empowerment had the greatest impacts and factors like promotion opportunities, quality of supervision in the current job are affected largely by employees’ psychological empowerment. Accessible sample in this research constituted managers of Bandar-e-Imam Petrochemical Corporation and this made it difficult to generalize the research results. Since previous studies have only dealt with presence of relationship between psychological empowerment as a mediating variable, the present research tries to consider factors which affect employees’ psychological empowerment so that more complete results are obtained.
2DTriPnP: A Robust Two-Dimensional Method for Fine Visual Localization Using Google Streetview Database

The complete camera pose (location + orientation) of the Google street view (GSV) images is provided by Google. Hence, one can utilize this information to localize a query camera based on the projective geometry. The existing literature works either perform image retrieval-based rough location recognition or require high-computational power/specific features for three-dimensional fine localization. In this paper, we propose a robust 2-D method for outdoor image-based localization using the GSV database. Having found the nearest neighboring images (best matches) in the GSV database using image retrieval techniques or the GPS circle information, the proposed method can be applied for robust fine localization of pedestrians/vehicles. The proposed method first finds the common features among the three views, i.e., query view and two from the best matches. Next, for each common feature, a 2-D triangulation is performed using the retrieved database images to find the feature world coordinates. We call this procedure “2DTri. ” Afterward, a novel set of nonlinear equations is solved to estimate the fine location of the query. The novel set of equations can be interpreted as a 2-D version of the well-known perspective n-point (PnP) problem, which we call “2DPnP. ” Hence, the proposed method is named “2DTriPnP. ” The 2DPnP step is performed in a robust way, which is more accurate and considerably less complex compared to the conventional RANSAC-based robust methods. 2DTriPnP will be demonstrated experimentally to show better localization performance compared to other state-of-the-art methods.
The Diffusion of Electronic Portfolios In Teacher Education

Abstract This is the second part of a two-part article on the diffusion of electronic portfolios in preservice teacher education. The first part addressed issues of adoption and implementation; this part documents “next steps” and key recommendations by informants from the six programs studied. Next steps included streamlining requirements, addressing reliability of technology and access, and planning for data aggregation and program evaluation. Key recommendations were to involve a broad base of participants in the planning process, clarify the purposes for electronic portfolios, move forward incrementally, and provide sufficient technology access, training, and support. The study concludes that a range of research is needed to inform future decisions pertaining to the large-scale implementation of electronic portfolios in teacher education.
Tracking Cairns: Biologging Improves the Use of Seabirds as Sentinels of the Sea

In 1987, David Cairns proposed that a gradient of colony-based measures on seabirds could be used to assess food supply in the ocean. Measures closely tied to the ocean, such as foraging trip duration, would be sensitive to small declines in food supply while measures more closely tied with the nest site, such as reproductive success, would be sensitive to large declines in food supply. The continual refinement of tracking devices holds the potential of clearly linking variables measured via seabirds to food supply, possibly extending Cairns' hypothesis. Here, we review the various tests of Cairns' hypothesis, and demonstrate that those tests have had variable success, partly because of the complex and nonlinear relationships between food supply and colony-based measures. We summarise the metrics available from biologgers and argue that such devices can provide a linear indication of food supply that is more sensitive and more easily interpreted. We conclude that Cairns' hypothesis can be extended to biologger-derived parameters and that seabird behaviour can be used as an early warning signal for declining food supply.
Integration of Relationships and Business Network Development in the Russian Transition Economy

The transition to market economy in Russia in the 1980s and 1990s is analysed in terms of fragmented and integrated relationships in business networks. A longitudinal case study of the relationships of a Russian company shows that integrated relationships are replacing fragmented ones, that is, relationships which only include either exchange connections or resource use dependence are phased out in favour of relationships which include both these dimensions. This development towards a network of integrated relationships is driven by the pressure of change generated by the incompleteness of fragmented relationships but slowed down by the complexity of multilateral use dependence.
Influential Factors for Good Corporate Governance

Efficient Corporate Governance demands sound regulations and governed through healthier procedures. The objective of this study is to review the four variables; 1) Agency Problem, 2) Transparent Audit, 3) Management Holdings, and 4) Equity Return and Dividend Payout determined for good corporate governance performance in particular under the title "Influential Factors for Good Corporate Governance". The self-administrated questionnaire was used for data collection. The population of this study was the professionals and experts of manufacturing and services industries of Pakistan.The sample size was 167 professionals of the Pakistani industries. SPSS is used for reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, descriptive and regression analysis. Agency Problem and Transparent Audit have a significant relationship with Good Corporate Governance whereas Management Holding and Equity Return have been emerged as insignificant variables. All four independent variables have been emerged as positively correlated with the dependent variables.
Understanding e‐auction use by procurement professionals: motivation, attitudes and perceptions

Purpose – E‐auctions have had a big impact on procurement over the past decade. Despite the benefits, there has been well documented resistance to this procurement medium. There is a need to understand factors which influence motivation to use and attitude towards e‐auctions, in order to facilitate practitioners' ability to develop and adapt e‐auctions into an effective procurement tool. This paper seeks to address this issue.Design/methodology/approach – A model of the inter‐relationships between e‐auction drivers is derived from an analysis of the literature. Data from a sample of senior procurement professionals across several industry sectors were collected by online questionnaire and a structural equation model was fitted using PLS.Findings – The study reveals that e‐auction use for procurement is motivated by building relationships with suppliers and not solely as a means of optimising prices of goods and services. Where attitude towards e‐auction use is negative, this is mainly driven by a strategi.
Localization of components of the chemotaxis machinery of Escherichia coli using fluorescent protein fusions

We prepared fusions of yellow fluorescent protein [the YFP variant of green fluorescent protein (GFP)] with the cytoplasmic chemotaxis proteins CheY, CheZ and CheA and the flagellar motor protein FliM, and studied their localization in wild‐type and mutant cells of Escherichia coli. All but the CheA fusions were functional. The cytoplasmic proteins CheY, CheZ and CheA tended to cluster at the cell poles in a manner similar to that observed earlier for methyl‐accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs), but only if MCPs were present. Co‐localization of CheY and CheZ with MCPs was CheA dependent, and co‐localization of CheA with MCPs was CheW dependent, as expected. Co‐localization with MCPs was confirmed by immunofluorescence using an anti‐MCP primary antibody. The motor protein FliM appeared as discrete spots on the sides of the cell. These were seen in wild‐type cells and in a fliN mutant, but not in flhC or fliG mutants. Co‐localization with flagellar structures was confirmed by immunofluorescence using an antihook primary antibody. Surprisingly, we did not observe co‐localization of CheY with motors, even under conditions in which cells tumbled.
Chemical radioprotection and radiosensitization of mammalian cells growing in vitro.

The radiosensitizing and radioprotective effects of various compounds have been characterized in Chinese hamster fibroblasts growing in vitro and in a model chemical system utilizing DNA as target. The contribution to the lethal action of ionizing radiation in mammalian cells from the indirect effect of OH has been measured. The data are consistent with the “oxygen fixation hypothesis,” whereby target free radicals react either with radical-reducing species, resulting in “chemical repair,” or with radical-oxidizing species, resulting in “fixation” of radical damage to a potentially lethal form. Radical repair–fixation competition has been demonstrated in the in vitro chemical system with a sensitizer other than O2. Dimethyl sulfoxide is shown to radioprotect in both the cellular and chemical systems by scavenging OH. Cysteamine, on the other hand, is shown to protect primarily by adding to the pool of radical-reducing species, resulting in enhanced repair of free-radical damage in the targets. Electron-af.
CMOS mixer design with micromachined input matching circuits for wireless applications

This paper demonstrates a new high quality and low cost double-balanced Gilbert mixer using CMOS-based MEMS technology. MEMS integrating matching circuits improve the performance of the mixer. The simulation shows 30% improved of inductor series resistance (from 15.828 ohms to 10.224 ohms @ 1GHz) with MEMS technology. An EM inductors model simulation is established. Both square and octagonal inductors with and without micromachined process are simulated and compared. Simulation result shows the mixer with octagonal inductor and micromachined process improved, in dB, a 25.4% in insertion loss, an 11.8% increase in conversion gain, a 42.45% in third intercept point (IIP3) and an 11.96% improvement in noise figure (NF)
Correlation of plasma viral loads and presence of Chikungunya IgM antibodies with cytokine/chemokine levels during acute Chikungunya virus infection

Chikungunya (CHIKV) is an emerging arboviral infection of public health concern in India contributing to widespread morbidity. The precise molecular events occurring early in the infection have not been well understood. Cytokines/chemokines are suspected to play a key role in its pathogenesis. Very few studies have correlated the plasma levels of cytokines/chemokines with diagnostic markers such as viral loads and presence of CHIKV IgM antibodies. Understanding these dynamics in the early phase of CHIKV infection is likely to provide an insight into the evolution of the immune response, identify biomarkers for assessing severity, and for development of newer therapeutic strategies. This study was therefore undertaken to estimate the levels of various cytokines/chemokines in plasma samples of patients infected with CHIKV and correlate to viral load and CHIKV IgM antibodies. Cytokine/chemokine levels and viral loads in plasma were measured using cytometric bead array and TaqMan real time PCR assay, respectively. The findings revealed that acute phase of CHIKV infection is characterized by predominant inflammatory responses mediated by IL‐6, IL‐8, IP‐10, MCP‐1, and MIG (P < 0.003). Plasma levels of IL‐6 (r = 0.53, P < 0.05) and MCP‐1 (r = 0.83, P < 0.05) emerged as reliable biomarkers of high viral loads in Chikungunya patients. Further, presence of elevated levels of MCP‐1 and MIG during the chronic phase of the disease suggests that these chemokines may contribute to perpetuation of symptoms. Hence, these chemokines might serve as targets for the development of treatment to ameliorate the symptoms during the acute phase and prevent the development of chronic manifestations. J. Med. Virol. 86:1393–1401, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Series and Parallel Elastic Actuation: Influence of Operating Positions on Design and Control

It is well-established that properly tuned elastic elements can make robotic actuators more energy-efficient, especially in cyclic tasks. Considering a drive train topology, two important subcategories of elastic actuators are series elastic actuation (SEA) and parallel elastic actuation (PEA). There is still no definite answer to the fundamental question which topology consumes less energy in a given task. This paper approaches the problem by studying oscillatory motions of a single degree-of-freedom link in a gravitational field. The imposed motion is a sinusoid with a nonzero offset requiring a static torque that needs to be compensated by the actuation system. Simulations and experiments show that the SEA consumes less energy up to certain offset angles. At high offsets, the PEA becomes the more energy-efficient alternative, provided that its no-load angle is properly tuned. Inverse dynamics simulations show how a threshold offset angle can be determined for a given task.
Factors Affecting Online Advertising Recall: A Study of Students

ABSTRACT In this article we examine factors that might impact on web advertising recall and recognition. These factors include the viewing mode, duration of page viewing, and web page context factors, including text and page background complexity and the style of the banner advertisement. Via an experimental design conducted on a student sample, we manipulate these factors over several levels. The key finding is that the longer a person is exposed to a web page containing a banner advertisement, the more likely they are to remember that banner advertisement. We also find that recognition scores are much higher than both unaided and aided recall scores. Finally, web users in a goal-directed mode are much less likely to recall and recognize banner advertisements than users who are surfing a site.