Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel laminin 5 gamma 2-chain fragments potentiating the limbal epithelial cell outgrowth on amniotic membrane.

PURPOSE Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs)-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation potentially releases cryptic motility factors involved in somatic stem cell migration and epithelial outgrowth. The authors previously demonstrated that MMP-9 is upregulated in limbal epithelial cells cultivated on amniotic membrane (AM). Here, the authors further investigated whether plasminogen activator (PA)/plasmin regulates MMP-9 activity in this model implicated in the processing of laminin 5 (Ln5), a component of amniotic basement membrane. METHODS Limbal epithelial cells migrated from limbal explants were expanded on intact AM. The activities and proteins of uPA and MMP-9 in limbal epithelial cells were determined by fibrin and gelatin zymography, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescent staining. Specific pharmacological inhibitors including MMPs inhibitor GM6001, MMP-2/-9 inhibitor, and uPA inhibitor B428 were used to determine whether the PA/plasmin/MMP-9 axis induces cell growth via Ln5 in this model. RESULTS These data showed that MMP-9 activity was attenuated by a selective uPA inhibitor, B428. Furthermore, MMP-9 activity was enhanced by exogenous addition or pre-incubation with plasmin. These results demonstrated that PA/plasmin regulates MMP-9 expression. An interesting proteolytic fragment of Ln5 gamma 2-chain was suppressed by pretreatment with GM6001, B428, or neutralizing antibodies of MMP-9 and uPA, indicating that Ln5 gamma 2-chain is processed by uPA/MMP-9. Moreover, the extent of limbal outgrowth was also retarded by B428. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that MMP-9 activity was upregulated by PA/plasmin, which in turn processed Ln5 gamma 2-chain to facilitate limbal outgrowth on intact AM.
Prescribing in pregnancy and lactation.

The topic of drug ingestion related to pregnancy, and the peri-pregnant period including lactation has always been important but under-studied. It is therefore gratifying to see that in this issue there are 4 papers devoted to this topic, covering the period from 3 months prior to conception to early post-partum, including lactation.
Comparación de algoritmos detectores de puntos singulares para reconocimiento de objetos en vídeo quirúrgico.

El analisis de video laparoscopico ofrece nuevas posibilidades a la navegacion quirurgica al garantizar una incorporacion minima de tecnologia en quirofano, evitando asi alterar la ergonomia y los flujos de trabajo de las intervenciones. Una de sus principales ventajas es que puede servir como fuente de datos para reconstruir tridimensionalmente la escena laparoscopica, lo que permite dotar al cirujano de la sensacion de profundidad perdida en este tipo de cirugia. En el presente trabajo de investigacion se comparan dos detectores de puntos singulares, SIFT y SURF, para estimar cual de los dos podria integrarse en un algoritmo de calculo de coordenadas 3D, MonoSLAM, basado en la deteccion y el seguimiento de estos puntos singulares en los fotogramas del video. Los resultados obtenidos posicionan a SURF como la mejor opcion gracias a su rapidez y a su mayor capacidad de discriminacion entre estructuras anatomicas e instrumental quirurgico.
Impact of service quality on customer satisfaction in banking industry of Pakistan: A case study of Karachi

Abstract. Analyzing measures of customers’ satisfaction is an immense dilemma because customer is becoming more demanding regarding service quality in banking sector of Pakistan. It is important to understand the impact of service quality on customer satisfaction. Nowadays, the only demand of the customers is to get the good value for their money. Due to increasing market competitiveness no one can deny the significance of service quality. Therefore, it is challenging for the bankers to meet the customer expectation. By reviewing the study, banking sector can have direction to understand the major factors of service quality that influence customers’ satisfaction. It also provides understanding that building long term and a strong customer relation is critical for the banking industry. This study provides insight of service quality impact on customer satisfaction in banking sector of Pakistan. This study is based on the core dimensions of service quality i.e. tangibility, responsiveness, assurance, empathy and reliability. To highlight the significance of service quality, customer satisfaction this study based on Karachi market, four hundred branch banking customers district wise were chosen from the branches of four leading banks (HBL, SCBPL, MBL and NBP) to represent four main sectors (Private, International, Islamic and Public) as respondents. A questionnaire instrument based modified SERVPERF scale was used to collect the data. The results of the study suggest customer satisfaction based on service quality dimensions such as tangibility, empathy and assurance having positive and significant relationship. But reliability and responsiveness was not useful estimator for customer satisfaction whereas assurance, responsiveness, tangibility and empathy depict significant impact and positive relationship with customer loyalty. However reliability once again not found as useful estimator of customer loyalty. Keywords. Customer satisfaction, Service quality, Perceived quality, Performance, Customer expectation. JEL. L84, L15, L25.
Recognition of N-Glycolylneuraminic Acid Linked to Galactose by the α2,3 Linkage Is Associated with Intestinal Replication of Influenza A Virus in Ducks

ABSTRACT The hemagglutinin (HA) of H3 human influenza viruses does not support viral replication in duck intestine despite its avian origin. A Leu-to-Gln mutation at position 226 and a Ser-to-Gly mutation at position 228 in the HA of human A/Udorn/307/72 (H3N2) permit a reassortant virus [human Udorn HA, with all other genes from A/mallard/New York/6750/78 (H2N2)] to replicate in ducks. To understand the molecular basis of this change in host range restriction, we investigated the receptor specificity of duck influenza viruses as well as of human-duck virus reassortants. The results indicate that the recognition of a glycoconjugate moiety possessingN-glycolneuramic acid (NeuGc) linked to galactose by the α2,3 linkage (NeuGcα2,3Gal) is associated with viral replication in duck intestine. Immunofluorescence assays with NeuGcα2,3Gal-specific antiserum detected this moiety primarily on the crypt epithelial cells of duck colon. Such recognition, together with biochemical evidence of NeuGc in crypt cells, correlated exactly with the ability of the virus to replicate in duck colon. These results suggest that recognition of the NeuGcα2,3-Gal moiety plays an important role in the enterotropism of avian influenza viruses.
The Evaluation of Three Pillars of Corporate Social Responsibility in Practise

The submitted article deals with the evaluation of three pillars of Corporate Social responsibilty (CSR) in practise. We used primary and secondary resources for this evaluation. At the beginning, we try to briefly introduce the issue of the renewed EU strategy for corporate social responsibility, the concept of stakeholders, instruments and certifications of CSR, the triple bottom line as well as dimensions and areas of intervention of the CSR. The main attention is devoted to the results and discussion, where the evaluation of three pillars (social, economic and environmental) activities of the business entity and with evaluation of the current state of perception of social responsibility by employees based on the questionnaire survey. At the end, we can state that company is responsible for all its employees, respects human rights, is strongly against child labour, antisocial and unethical business practices and combats discrimination. The corporate staffs are motivated by the flexible working time, possibility of home office, safe workplace, supporting social programs, special trainings opportunities, programs for professional enhancement, language courses, and courses for personal development.
Guidelines for splinting implants.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Teeth and implants have different mobility patterns. Thus, it has been believed that implant-supported restorations should not be connected to natural teeth. However, this is not always the case. PURPOSE This article presents guidelines for connection of restorative components when implant abutments and natural teeth are involved. METHODS Methods of connection are discussed. CONCLUSION This article presents options for splinting of prosthetic components.
A Guideline for the Optimum Fin Width Considering Hot-Carrier and NBTI Degradation in MuGFETs

Considering both hot-carrier and negative-bias-temperature-instability (NBTI) degradations, a guideline for the optimum fin width in p-channel multiple-gate MOSFETs (p-MuGFETs) has been suggested. From the different dependences of the fin width on both hot-carrier and NBTI degradations in p-MuGFETs, the optimum fin width has been extracted empirically to maximize the device lifetime. The optimum fin width increases as the stress temperature increases. When the fin width is narrower than the optimum fin width, the device lifetime is dominantly determined by NBTI degradation. However, when the fin width is wider than the optimum fin width, the device lifetime is determined by hot-carrier degradation. Considering both hot-carrier and NBTI degradations, the tradeoff between fin width and fin number has been discussed.
Complement-associated deposits in the human retina.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate complement activation and associated inflammatory mechanisms in normal, aged human retina. METHODS Evidence of complement activation and associated mechanisms was assessed in normal human retina (n = 52) using a panel of antibodies directed against membrane attack complex (C5b-9), microglia (CD11b), amyloid precursor protein (APP), scavenger receptor (CD36), and a phytolectin (RCA-I). Fifty-two eyes, categorized into two age groups, were used. Nineteen "younger" eyes (<56 years) and 33 "older" eyes (>69 years) with no history of ocular disease were processed between 4 and 22 hours, with a median delay of 14 hours postmortem. RESULTS Age-dependent expression was evident in C5b-9, APP, CD11b, and RCA-I, but not CD36, immunoreactivity. Immunoreactivity for C5b-9 was robust in Bruch membrane (BM) and the intercapillary pillars of Bruch. Immunoreactivity for APP was robust in the basal cytoplasm of the retinal pigment epithelium. Immunoreactivity for CD11b was robust on the surface of the retinal pigment epithelial cell, in the choriocapillaris, and in BM. Lectin binding of RCA-I was strong throughout the neuroretina. CONCLUSIONS Robust immunostaining for APP in older donor eyes suggested that amyloid beta peptides may be one of the triggers of complement activation during the normal aging process. Microglial markers CD11b and RCA-I also increase with age, suggesting a concomitant inflammatory response to C5b-9 deposits in the retinal pigment epithelium, BM, and CC. Immunoreactivity for CD36 was strong in both age groups; the lack of age dependence in this candidate receptor for amyloid beta suggested that complement activation may arise from interactions of amyloid beta with other candidate receptors in normal human retina.
Periodicity versus Chaos in One-Dimensional Dynamics

We survey recent results in one-dimensional dynamics and, as an application, we derive rigorous basic dynamical facts for two standard models in population dynamics, the Ricker and the Hassell families. We also informally discuss the concept of chaos in the context of one-dimensional discrete time models. First we use the model case of the quadratic family for an informal exposition. We then review precise generic results before turning to the population models. Our focus is on typical asymptotic behavior, seen for most initial conditions and for large sets of maps. Parameter sets corresponding to different types of attractors are described. In particular it is shown that maps with strong chaotic properties appear with positive frequency in parameter space in our population models. Natural measures (asymptotic distributions) and their stability properties are considered.
Antifungal defense of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is mediated by blocking adhesion and nutrient depletion

Candida albicans is an inhabitant of mucosal surfaces in healthy individuals but also the most common cause of fungal nosocomial blood stream infections, associated with high morbidity and mortality. As such life-threatening infections often disseminate from superficial mucosal infections we aimed to study the use of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in prevention of mucosal C. albicans infections. Here, we demonstrate that LGG protects oral epithelial tissue from damage caused by C. albicans in our in vitro model of oral candidiasis. Furthermore, we provide insights into the mechanisms behind this protection and dissect direct and indirect effects of LGG on C. albicans pathogenicity. C. albicans viability was not affected by LGG. Instead, transcriptional profiling using RNA-Seq indicated dramatic metabolic reprogramming of C. albicans. Additionally, LGG had a significant impact on major virulence attributes, including adhesion, invasion, and hyphal extension, whose reduction, consequently, prevented epithelial damage. This was accompanied by glucose depletion and repression of ergosterol synthesis, caused by LGG, but also due to blocked adhesion sites. Therefore, LGG protects oral epithelia against C. albicans infection by preventing fungal adhesion, invasion and damage, driven, at least in parts, by metabolic reprogramming due to nutrient limitation caused by LGG.
CMOS devices below 0.1 /spl mu/m: how high will performance go?

Issues, challenges, and potential directions for further performance gains beyond 0.1 /spl mu/m CMOS are explored. Gate oxide thickness will soon be tunneling-current limited below 20 /spl Aring/, or roughly 7 atomic layers. V/sub dd/ scaling will slow to accommodate pressure on performance from V/sub t/-nonscaling, pushing CMOS to higher electric fields. Highly abrupt, vertically and laterally nonuniform SUPER-HALO doping profiles will be required for control of short-channel effects in the 0.05 /spl mu/m channel-length regime. More than 6-levels of hierarchical wiring, with the top levels limited only by the speed of EM-wave propagation, are needed to deal with interconnect RC delays. Beyond conventional CMOS, several non-mainstream device alternatives such as SOI, SiGe, and low-temperature CMOS are discussed. The potential performance benefit of each in a CMOS circuit is assessed.
Serine racemase protein expression in cortex and hippocampus in schizophrenia

Evidence of glutamatergic dysfunction in schizophrenia associated with the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor has historically demonstrated changes primarily attributable to neurons. We propose an astrocytic component to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor dysfunction in this illness. We studied the expression of serine racemase, an astrocytic enzyme which synthesizes the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor coagonist D-serine, using Western blot analysis in postmortem hippocampus and cortex in schizophrenia and a comparison group. We found increased expression in the hippocampus in schizophrenia. This is the first study to demonstrate alterations in schizophrenia of an astrocytic enzyme responsible for synthesizing a neuromodulator, and further evidence that astrocytes may play a direct role in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Web-service-agents-based Securities Trading Simulation System

A global trend towards automated trading systems encourages the appearances of different kinds of decision support systems (DSS) for securities trading. However, the efficiency and effectiveness of the trading decisions and investment strategies suggested by a computer based system are always being oppugned by researchers for abnegating the specialists’ professional intermediary roles in traditional floor trading. Without proper validations, evaluations and comparisons, those valuable decision support systems can hardly be adopted trustily. This paper presents a Web-service-agents-based Securities Trading Simulation System (STSS) as a platform to validate, evaluate and compare the existing securities trading decision support systems by using the real world securities trading data from Chicago Stock Exchange. Agent technology is applied to deal with the complex, dynamic, and distributed securities trading processes. Web-services techniques are proposed for more interoperability and scalability in network-based business environment. By integrating agent technology with Web-services to make use of the advantages of both, this approach provides a more intelligent, flexible, and comprehensive platform to simulate the securities trading process. Performance of different decision support systems for securities trading can be validated, evaluated and compared either separately or simultaneously on a real time basis.
Optimal selection of ARQ parameters in QAM channels

For a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) communication channel with forward error correction (FEC) and automatic repeat request (ARQ), the bit error rate (BER) is estimated as a function of the channel signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A method is presented for trading off the number of allowed transmissions and the level of margin (or the line ARQ gain) applied to the channel SNR. The line ARQ gain maximizing the channel throughput is shown to be a sum of the channel SNR and some function of the bit load and FEC parameters. Using this result, we formulate a fast method of determining the optimum ARQ parameters at the actual channel conditions, based on their values at some reference conditions, the latter being either stored in the modem memory or pre-calculated prior to channel initialization. The derivations are presented both for AWGN and slowly fading channel conditions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact Analysis of NBTI/PBTI on SRAM V MIN and Design Techniques for Improved SRAM V MIN

Negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) and positive bias temperature instability (PBTI) are critical circuit reliability issues in highly scaled CMOS technologies. In this paper, we analyze the impacts of NBTI and PBTI on SRAM VMIN, and present a design solution for mitigating the impact of NBTI and PBTI on SRAM VMIN. Two different types of SRAM VMIN (SNM-limited VMIN and time-limited VMIN) are explained. Simulation results show that SNM-limited VMIN is more sensitive to NBTI while time-limited VMIN is more prone to suffer from PBTI effect. The proposed NBTI/PBTI-aware control of wordline pulse width and woldline voltage improves cell stability, and mitigates the VMIN degradation induced by NBTI/PBTI.
A New Spatial Encoding Method for Sparse Binary Data

Spatial encoding is an important technique for spatial binary data storage, which differentiates the defined data from the undefined data in many computer graphics applications. However, previous methods make significant memory cost when the spatial data becomes very sparse, particularly for high resolution domains. In this paper, we present a new sparse encoding method which has less storage requirement. It is simple and efficient in storing spatial binary data. Our method utilizes commonly used array to store the specific dimensional coordinate for each defined data. To achieve efficient access on the GPUs, we recur to an auxiliary table to record the first defined element of each row. Compared to several popular approaches, the experimental results on 2D images and 3D models demonstrate that our method has a better memory performance on spatial binary data.
Consumption Patterns of Carbohydrate Sources in Food Secure and Insecure Provinces of Indonesia in 2017

The availability and affordability in obtaining sufficient quantity of food is an important indicator of food security. Food is one of the problem in agricultural sector. Every province in Indonesia mostly still depends on rice consumption. This shows that consumption patterns of carbohydrate sources are still not diverse. One effective strategy to achieve food security is to develop food diversification. This study aimed to analyze consumption patterns and the level of diversification of carbohydrate as food sources and analyze the difference of income and food price in affecting carbohydrate diversification as food sources on food secure and insecure provinces. This study utilized SUSENAS data and analyzed them using index of Berry and Linier Approximation Almost Ideal Demand System (LA AIDS). This study found that the level of income and the level of food diversification in food-secure province is higher than in food-insecure province. In addition, price change in carbohydrate sources has been proven to be more influential on the food demand in food insecure province.
Practice and Challenges towards Healthy Cafeteria in Selangor, Malaysia

Dietary intake is directly affected by the availability of food choices at the cafeteria. Understanding the issues among cafeteria operators in providing healthy eating environment is vital. Thus, a qualitative study was conducted to identify the practice and barriers among cafeteria operators in Selangor. Eleven food handlers were recruited by a convenience sampling. This study revealed respondents have similar understanding of healthy cafeteria and challenges faced by them were making sure every staff has the correct understanding of healthy foods and financial constraint. Respondents suggested to provide training on food handling and health promotion campaign.Keywords: Dietary intake, Healthy Eating, Cafeteria OperatoreISSN 2398-4279 © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.