Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Regulation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling in Articular Cartilage*

Articular chondrocytes respond to mechanical forces by alterations in gene expression, proliferative status, and metabolic functions. Little is known concerning the cell signaling systems that receive, transduce, and convey mechanical information to the chondrocyte interior. Here, we show that ex vivo cartilage compression stimulates the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and SAPK/ERK kinase-1 (SEK1) of the JNK pathway. Mechanical compression induced a phased phosphorylation of ERK consisting of a rapid induction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation at 10 min, a rapid decay, and a sustained level of ERK2 phosphorylation that persisted for at least 24 h. Mechanical compression also induced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in strictly a transient fashion, with maximal phosphorylation occurring at 10 min. Mechanical compression stimulated SEK1 phosphorylation, with a maximum at the relatively delayed time point of 1 h and with a higher amplitude than ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. These data demonstrate that mechanical compression alone activates MAPK signaling in intact cartilage. In addition, these data demonstrate distinct temporal patterns of MAPK signaling in response to mechanical loading and to the anabolic insulin-like growth factor-I. Finally, the data indicate that compression coactivates distinct signaling pathways that may help define the nature of mechanotransduction in cartilage.
What makes linkages "good" linkages? Firms, the investment climate and business support services in Vietnam

The role of backward linkages between foreign and local firms is considered as a crucial factor to favour the economic development of a country. This work tries to unveil its different dimensions with respect to the Vietnamese case. We develop our research questions in two steps. We first analyse what are the determinants of linkages, looking at both their extent and the capacity to set up a local supply chain. Then, we provide empirical evidence for the probability of linkages to be vehicles to enhance local firm’s capacity to benefit from FDI. Our main findings reveal that firm specific factors affect mainly the size of linkages, while it is the provision of key business support services to investors to determine the probability for linkages to become “good” linkages.
Is E-Band Satellite Communication Viable?: Advances in Modern Solid-State Technology Open Up the Next Frequency Band for SatCom

The Russians launched the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, into an elliptical low-Earth orbit (LEO) in October 1957. Through its four external antennas, Sputnik 1 broadcast radio beacons at 20.005 and 40.01 MHz to study the density of the atmosphere and the radio-wave propagation through the ionosphere. This historic event represents the advent of the satellite age. Since then, satellites have become an integral part of global navigation, Earth observation, broadcasting, and communication systems. The latter complements conventional wired and wireless terrestrial communication and provides an effective platform to relay radio signals between two arbitrary points on or near the Earth. Satellite communication offers end users a high level of flexibility. Irrespective of the geological coordinate, the user can benefit from a broad spectrum for various applications, from two-way voice and data communication to video conferencing.
An Empirical Investigation of the Effect of Market Orientation and Entrepreneurship Orientation Alignment on Product Innovation

This article develops a concept of an alignment between market and entrepreneurship orientations and reports the results of a study designed to investigate its effect on a firm's product innovation. A sample of 181 firms was classified into four categories labeled as market/entrepreneurship orientation (ME), entrepreneurship orientation (EO), market-oriented (MO), and conservative (CO) firms. One-way ANOVA and planned contrast tests (PCT) were used to identify whether or not specific product innovation decisions, activities, and performance vary across the groups. The results indicate that these groups of firms significantly differ with respect to both subjective and objective measures of new product performance, and with product innovation strategies and activities pertaining to timing of market entry, product quality, marketing synergy, proficiency of market launch, and management support for innovation. Further, the findings suggest that these groups of firms are not significantly different with respect to perceived environmental hostility and intensity of market competition. This finding suggests that the groups of firms are robust across environments and that the findings presented in this study are not an artifact of environmental variation. Managerial and research implications of the results are discussed.
Determining Interbrand Substitutability through Survey Measurement of Consumer Preference Structures

The authors develop a survey approach to determine cross-price elasticities and switching matrices for brands in a prespecified product class. The survey determines for each household whether to elicit multiple subhousehold preference structures to account for differing user/usage situations within the household. The preference structures (brand preferences and price-preference tradeoffs) obtained are used to specify preference functions and estimate choice probabilities. The choice probabilities depend on brand prices and form the basis for obtaining market-level cross-price elasticities and switching matrices by aggregation. The survey-based results are found to be predictive of the actual purchase behavior of 2000 IRI scanner panel households residing in the same area as, but not included in, the survey sample.
An Analysis of the Convergence Level of Tangible Assets (PPE) According to Romanian National Accounting Regulation and IFRS for Smes

This paper aims a comparative analysis between IFRS for SMEs and Romanian national accounting regulations concerning measurement of formal convergence level of definitions, treatment and policies of Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) and highlighting main national fiscal rules related. With the purpose to not contribute only to the measurement of PPE formal level of harmonization, we intend to analyze some PPE related accounting practices used by Romanian certified accountants. To this effect we addressed an on-line questionnaire to certified accountants including questions concerning their opinion to: fair value method used for revaluation, accelerated depreciation, the limit value for tangible assets and inventory objects. Finally, we assessed a medium level of formal convergence in the area of PPE, but there are significant impediments if the case of a possible implementation of IFRS for SMEs especially because of the fiscal rules which usually influence accounting practices and because professional accountants considerably agree PPE practices which are not common within IFRS for SMEs.
Automatic Geometric Projector Calibration - Application to a 3D Real-time Visual Feedback

In this paper, we present a fully automatic method for the geometric calibration of a video projector. The approach is based on the Heikkila’s camera calibration algorithm. It combines Gray coded structured light patterns projection and a RGBD camera. Any projection surface can be used. Intrinsic and extrinsic parameters are computed without a scale factor uncertainty and any prior knowledge about the projector and the projection surface. While the structured light provides pixel to pixel correspondences between the projector and the camera, the depth map provides the 3D coordinates of the projected points. Couples of pixel coordinates and their corresponding 3D coordinates are established and used as input for the Heikkila’s algorithm. The projector calibration is used as a basis to augment the scene with information from the RGBD camera in real-time.
Glycohemoglobin not as predictive as fasting glucose as a measure of prediabetes in predicting proteinuria.

BACKGROUND There is little data on the assessment of prediabetes with proteinuria. METHODS This is a cross-sectional cohort study assessing prediabetes with proteinuria in a large Japanese population. Using a nationwide health checkup database of 228 778 Japanese aged ≥20 years (median 66 years; 39.3% were men; none had pre-existing cardiovascular disease), we examined the association between prediabetes and proteinuria (≥1+ on dipstick) separately in prediabetes subjects diagnosed with the new hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) criterion only (PD-A1c), the impaired fasting plasma glucose only (PD-IFG) and fulfilling both criteria (PD-Both). RESULTS According to the American Diabetes Association's (ADA's) criterion of 5.7-6.4% HbA1c and/or 100-125 mg/dL fasting plasma glucose, 43.8% of the subjects were judged as having prediabetes. Prediabetes subjects were divided into subclasses of PD-A1c (53.7%), PD-IFG (21.7%) and PD-Both (24.5%), respectively. Therefore, 21.7% of prediabetes subjects were missed using the new HbA1c criterion only. Compared with subjects with normal glucose tolerance (as a reference), the odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (95% CI)] for the increased risk of proteinuria (≥1+) in diabetes itself was 2.191 (2.081-2.307) and in whole prediabetes was 1.093 (1.046-1.142); when prediabetes was subdivided, the OR for proteinuria in PD-IFG was 1.217 (1.140-1.300) and that in PD-Both was 1.249 (1.174-1.329), but that in PD-A1c was not significant, even after adjustment for significant covariates, such as age, sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, eGFR, lifestyle and lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS Prediabetes is a significant risk factor for proteinuria compared with completely normal glucose level, and subjects with prediabetes defined using IFG are at significantly higher risk for proteinuria than those defined by HbA1c only.
The cycle of crisis in clinical education: Why national-level strategies must be prioritized

Lindy McAllister (2005) presents a timely, thought provoking, and I believe accurate and comprehensive discussion of the complex issues and challenges currently facing the stakeholders in clinical education in Australia, and many other countries. Given the complexity of the situation, she rightly argues for the adoption of multiple strategies in order to help address the clinical placement shortfall, enhance the clinical educator and student experience, and move the context of clinical education forward to meet the demands of the developing and diversifying nature of speech pathology practice. I agree in principle with the adoption of these strategies, with some minor caveats and further suggestions that I will outline initially in this commentary. However, I will also argue for a greater and urgent emphasis on national-level, government funding interventions and strategies if we are to assure the quality of our clinical education programs. In the 18 years that I have been directly involved in clinical education in the university sector in Australia, I have not previously seen such shortfalls in placement availability, and such levels of stress in both clinical educators and academics supporting clinical education programs. I perceive a major crisis is looming in clinical education in speech pathology, much of which McAllister (2005) has alluded to. My suggested response to such a crisis is not only to adopt the variety of strategies outlined in McAllister’s paper but also to tackle, head on, what I believe to be the prime source of the crisis, that is, a lack of direct government funding for the non-medical, professional education programs, such as speech pathology. Response to selected McAllister (2005) strategies
Brand credibility in services - antecedents and outcome

This paper examined key antecedents and outcome of brand credibility in services. Based on the literature on signaling theory, a conceptual model was proposed and tested by a sample of 318 customers of mobilephone services in Vietnam. The results indicate that brand credibility has a positive effect on willingness to purchase. Further, brand investments, signal consistency, and clarity are factors that explain brand credibility. In addition, brand investments underlie signal consistency and clarity. The results also reveal that those relationships were found to be different between new and older service providers.
Radiation-induced small bowel disease: latest developments and clinical guidance

Ionizing radiation is commonly used to treat a number of malignancies. Although highly effective and now more targeted, many patients suffer side effects. The number of cancer survivors has increased and so there are more patients presenting with symptoms that have arisen as a result of radiotherapy. Radiation damage to small bowel tissue can cause acute or chronic radiation enteritis producing symptoms such as pain, bloating, nausea, faecal urgency, diarrhoea and rectal bleeding which can have a significant impact on patient’s quality of life. This review outlines the pathogenesis of radiation injury to the small bowel along with the prevention of radiation damage via radiotherapy techniques plus medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, statins and probiotics. It also covers the treatment of both acute and chronic radiation enteritis via a variety of medical (including hyperbaric oxygen), dietetic, endoscopic and surgical therapies.
Comparison of data processing tools in hadoop

Since the evolution of computer started, the data that has been generated has also subsequently increased. Eventually, the storage costs increased, but due to advancements in technology and in the field of science these costs have drastically been reduced. Owing to this fact, the data generation has increased exponentially. In 2012, 90% of the entire data which existed in the past had been generated by the end of 2014. These massive amounts of data are usually stored in the form of data sets which are called Big Data. The concern is not the storage of this data, but the processing of the data that is being continuously generated. The data we know has been divided into three categories — Structured Data, Semi-Structured Data and Unstructured Data. 80% of the data generated around the world from various sources such as social media is in unstructured format, primarily text form, while structured data is information present in the form of titled columns and rows which can be easily processed and ordered by data mining tools. We also have semi-structured forms of data which do not conform to any of the previous models mentioned or generic relational database models but contain tags or other markers which are used to separate semantic elements and enforce hierarchies of records and fields within the data. To process this kind of gargantuan amounts data we have different kind of tools in Hadoop, namely — MapReduce, Pig and Hive.
Factors that contribute to the use of social networking sites in implementing Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes in mobile phone service providers: a comparative study of Safaricom and Telkom Kenya

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of the business strategy. Corporates around the world engage in different forms of CSR which enable them to be part of the community in which they operate. Given the wide variety of the ways in which CSR is practiced and the different parties involved in implementing CSR. the communication tool utilised becomes an important consideration for corporate organisations. There are various communication tools available for corporate organisations to use although their efficacy and suitability is dependent on various factors. The purpose of the study was therefore to establish the factors contributing to the use of social networking sites (SNS) in the implementation of CSR programmes by mobile phone service providers in Kenya. The study compared two mobile phone service providers, Safaricom and Telkom Kenya, and looked at how they utilise CSR in their everyday operations. This study reveals that several factors contribute to the use of SNS as a communication tool. Attracting and engaging the youth, the user friendly features of SNS, the nature of the sponsorships, the location of the beneficiary organisation and the efficiency of the donor organisations are some of the factors that the study unearthed. The study concludes that features of SNS especially their capability for instant feedback, userfriendly characteristics and the fact that users generate their own content is key to their uptake by the corporate organisations. However, the uneven rate of internet penetration and speed in the country where the rural population is not as connected as the urban population is halting the use of SNS as a business communication tool. There should be more sensitization in the business community on the use of SNS, the study further concluded.
Green tea epigallocatechin gallate inhibits insulin stimulation of adipocyte glucose uptake via the 67-kilodalton laminin receptor and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways.

Insulin and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) are reported to regulate obesity and fat accumulation, respectively. This study investigated the pathways involved in EGCG modulation of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 and C3H10T1/2 adipocytes. EGCG inhibited insulin stimulation of adipocyte glucose uptake in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The concentration of EGCG that decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by 50-60% was approximately 5-10 µM for a period of 2 h. At 10 µM, EGCG and gallic acid were more effective than (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, and (-)-epicatechin 3-gallate. We identified the EGCG receptor [also known as the 67-kDa laminin receptor (67LR)] in fat cells and extended the findings for this study to clarify whether EGCG-induced changes in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes could be mediated through the 67LR. Pretreatment of adipocytes with a 67LR antibody, but not normal rabbit immunoglobulin, prevented the effects of EGCG on insulin-increased glucose uptake. This suggests that the 67LR mediates the effect of EGCG on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes. Moreover, pretreatment with an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, such as compound C, but not with a glutathione (GSH) activator, such as N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), blocked the antiinsulin effect of EGCG on adipocyte glucose uptake. These data suggest that EGCG exerts its anti-insulin action on adipocyte glucose uptake via the AMPK, but not the GSH, pathway. The results of this study possibly support that EGCG mediates fat content.
Information and communication technologies in tourism

Tourism has developed into one of the world’s most important industrial sectors, growing faster than the world’s gross domestic product for the last 30 years. According to World Travel and Tourism Councils’ prediction (WTTC) tourism contribution to the GDP will be 4.2% directly and 9.6% together (direct, indirect) in 2011. This sector’s contribution to the labor market will be 99 million people directly and 260 million people all together in the same year. (WTTC, 2011) In the past years – except for the drop caused by recession – tourism turned into one of the propulsive industries in Hungary. Therefore, in order to make our guests desire to return to Hungary and to entice others to visit Hungary too, we – who live here – should provide tourists with an appropriate level of services. Among services, one of the most important areas is the information service. Development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the expansion of the Internet penetration have changed dramatically in the last few decades. Tourism platforms are a growing phenomenon on the Internet, and this resource has substantially altered the tourism-related information search and destination selection process. In consequence of these changes, new technologies have been adopted into the tourism industry (hotel information systems, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Internet, web technology, mobile technology) and this trend is likely to continue into the future. In recent years, social media websites and searching have become an increasingly dominant mode in travelers’ use of the Internet. Because tourism can be considered as one of the most profitable sectors of the Hungarian economy, and in rural areas it is often the only successful economic activity, it is vital to make Hungary much more attractive with the help of developed ICTs.
Contingent Convertible Bonds (CoCos)

In den vergangenen Jahren hat eine relativ neue Form der Kapitalaufnahme, zumeist von Banken, Einzug in den Finanzmarkt gehalten: Contingent Convertible Bonds, kurz CoCos. Laut Dealogic1 wurden allein in Europa im Jahr 2013 ca. USD 14,3 Mrd. an CoCos emittiert; bis März 2014 waren es schon USD 10 Mrd. CoCos sind komplex und schwierig zu bewerten. Deshalb ist diese neue Anlagegattung unter Finanzmarktakteuren nicht ganz unumstritten.
Characterization of Novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis Mutants Hypersusceptible to β-Lactam Antibiotics

ABSTRACT Our laboratory previously constructed mutants of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis with deletions in the genes for their major β-lactamases, BlaC and BlaS, respectively, and showed that the mutants have increased susceptibilities to most β-lactam antibiotics, particularly the penicillins. However, there is still a basal level of resistance in the mutants to certain penicillins, and the susceptibilities of the mutants to some cephalosporin-based β-lactams are essentially the same as those of the wild types. We hypothesized that characterizing additional mutants (derived from β-lactamase deletion mutants) that are hypersusceptible to β-lactam antibiotics might reveal novel genes involved with other mechanisms of β-lactam resistance, peptidoglycan assembly, and cell envelope physiology. We report here the isolation and characterization of nine β-lactam antibiotic-hypersusceptible transposon mutants, two of which have insertions in genes known to be involved with peptidoglycan biosynthesis (ponA2 and dapB); the other seven mutants have insertions which affect novel genes. These genes can be classified into three groups: those involved with peptidoglycan biosynthesis, cell division, and other cell envelope processes. Two of the peptidoglycan-biosynthetic genes (ponA2 and pbpX) may encode β-lactam antibiotic-resistant enzymes proposed to be involved with the synthesis of the unusual diaminopimelyl linkages within the mycobacterial peptidoglycan.
Do Foreign Exchange Fund Managers Behave Like Positive Feedback Traders?

This paper introduces a Heterogeneous Agent Model (HAM) for foreign exchange fund managers, and estimates it on currency trader indices. Fund managers dynamically allocate capital conditional on recent performance to a value strategy, a momentum strategy, and a carry strategy. Estimation results reveal that a large part of the behavior of currency managers can indeed be described by these three simple strategies, and currency managers behave like positive feedback traders at the short run, but as negative feedback traders at the longer run. We finally show that fund managers are switching in the correct direction, but could improve performance by switching less aggressively.