Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 96-well plate fluorescence assay for assessment of cellular permeability and active efflux in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli.

OBJECTIVES Multiply antibiotic-resistant (MAR) mutants of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica are characterized by reduced susceptibility to several unrelated antibiotics, biocides and other xenobiotics. Porin loss and/or active efflux have been identified as a key mechanisms of MAR. A single rapid test was developed for MAR. METHODS The intracellular accumulation of the fluorescent probe Hoechst (H) 33342 (bisbenzimide) by MAR mutants and those with defined disruptions in efflux pump and porin genes was determined in 96-well plate format. RESULTS The accumulation of H33342 was significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced in MAR mutants of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium (n = 4) and E. coli (n = 3) by 41 +/- 8% and 17.3 +/- 7.2%, respectively, compared with their parental strains, which was reversed by the transmembrane proton gradient-collapsing agent carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP) and the efflux pump inhibitor phenylalanine-arginine-beta-naphthylamide (PA beta N). The accumulation of H33342 was significantly reduced in mutants of Salmonella Typhimurium with defined disruptions in genes encoding the porins OmpC, OmpF, OmpX and OmpW, but increased in those with disruptions in efflux pump components TolC, AcrB and AcrF. Reduced accumulation of H33342 in three other MAR mutants of Salmonella Typhimurium correlated with the expression of porin and efflux pump proteins. CONCLUSIONS The intracellular accumulation of H33342 provided a sensitive and specific test for MAR that is cheap and relatively rapid. Differential sensitivity to CCCP and PA beta N provided a further means to phenotypically identify MAR mutants and the role of active efflux in each strain.
The dynamic characteristics of an isolated self-excited induction generator driven by a wind turbine

The analysis of self-excited induction generator (SEIG) starts from its magnetizing inductance. The value of magnetizing inductance at very low terminal voltage is one of the key factors for self excitation. This paper presents the effect of magnetizing inductance on self-excitation and describes the loading analysis of an isolated induction generator. It also describes how the operating frequency and generated voltage are affected by the change in operating slip value. Wind powered self-excited induction generators (SEIG) have an input wind which is not controllable, but they can be set to operate within a given variation of speed. The experimental and simulated results for a dynamic generated voltage, frequency, stator current and power are presented.
Four-Week Repeated Oral Toxicity Study of AIP1, a Water-soluble Carbohydrate Fraction from Artemisia iwayomogi in Mice

Artemisia iwayomogi , a member of the Compositae, is a perennial herb easily found in Korea and used as a traditional medicine to treat liver disease. AIP1, a water-soluble carbohydrate fraction from Artemisia iwayomogi , showed anti-tumor and immuno-modulating activities in animal studies. A subacute toxicological evaluation of AIP1 was performed for 4 weeks in ICR mice. After administration of AIP1 (0, 20, 100, 500 mg/kg/day), the clinical signs, mortalities, body weight changes, hematology, blood clinical biochemistry, urinalysis, organ histopathology, organ weights and gross finding were examined. The results showed that there were no significant differences in body weight changes, food intakes, water consumptions, or organ weights among different dose groups. Also we observed no death and abnormal clinical signs during the experimental period. Between the groups orally treated with AIP1 and the control group, there was no statistical significance in hematological test or serum biochemical values. Histopathological examination showed no abnormal changes in AIP1 groups. These results suggest that no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of the oral administration of AIP1 for 4 weeks was considered to be more than 500 mg/kg/ day in mice under the condition investigated in current study.
Dakota Gold®-brand dried distiller’s grainswith solubles: effects on finishingperformance and carcass characteristics

A 153-day trial was conducted using 345 heifers to determine optimal level of Dakota Gold dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) in finishing diets based on steam-flaked corn. Diets contained six levels of DDGS: 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, and 75%. DDGS affected average daily gain, final weight and hot carcass weight, all of which increased with 15% DDGS and then decreased as additional DDGS was added. Growth performance of heifers fed 30% DDGS was similar to those fed no DDGS. In general, heifers were overfinished, with 61% being Yield Grade 3 or greater and 83% grading Choice or Prime. Backfat tended to decrease with addition of DDGS, and kidney, pelvic, and heart fat and marbling scores tended to be greatest for intermediate levels of DDGS. Percentage of carcasses grading Choice or Prime tended to be lower for heifers fed 60 or 75% DDGS.
Multicriteria predictors using aggregation functions based on item views

Multicriteria Collaborative Filtering is a promising approach to recommender systems that explores user ratings on item components in order to generate high quality recommendations. This paper focuses on multicriteria collaborative recommender systems and proposes a new algorithm that estimates aggregation functions, which represent the relative importance of individual components, based on the concept of item views. Experiments on a real multicriteria movie dataset demonstrate that our approach outperforms other aggregation models in terms of prediction precision and coverage. Furthermore, the study shows how the concept of item views (i) naturally emerges from the properties of the dataset, (ii) addresses the multicriteria recommendation problem, (iii) provides a mechanism to explain recommendations and (iv) drives the implementation of the rich user interfaces required by this type of recommender systems.
Efficiency and the Role of Default When Security Markets Are Incomplete

This paper argues that default plays an important positive role in the economy. If markets are incomplete and traders are only able to enter into contracts that they will be able to execute regardless of future events, contingent contracting may be severely restricted. Moreover, opening new markets may not relieve these restrictions. Default promotes efficiency in a way that opening new markets does not by making it possible for traders to enter into contracts that they will be able to execute with high probability but not with certainty. Copyright 1993 by American Economic Association.
Shaped by Their Daughters: Executives, Female Socialization, and Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate executives managing some of the largest public companies in the U.S. are shaped by their daughters. When a firm’s chief executive officer (CEO) has a daughter, the corporate social responsibility rating (CSR) is about 9.1% higher, compared to a median firm. The results are robust to confronting several sources of endogeneity, e.g., examining first-born CEO daughters and CEO changes. The relation is strongest for diversity, but significant also for broader pro-social practices related to the environment and employee relations. Our study contributes to research on female socialization, heterogeneity in CSR policies, and plausibly exogenous determinants of CEOs’ styles.
Comparison of PERSIANN and V7 TRMM Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) products with rain gauge data over Iran

The objective of this research is to evaluate daily rain rates derived from three widely used high-resolution satellite precipitation products (PERSIANN, TMPA-3B42V7, and TMPA-3B42RT) using rain gauge observations over the entire country of Iran. Evaluations are implemented for 47 comprehensive daily rainfall events during the winter and spring seasons from 2003 to 2006. These events are selected because each encompasses more than 50% of the country’s area. In this study, daily rainfall observations derived from 1180 rain gauges distributed throughout the country are employed as reference surface data. Six statistical indices: bias, multiplicative bias (MBias), relative bias (RBias), mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and linear correlation coefficient (CC), as well as a contingency table are applied to evaluate the satellite rainfall estimates qualitatively. The spatially averaged results over the entire country indicate that 3B42V7, with an average bias value of –1.47 mmd−1, RBias of –13.6%, MAE of 4.5 mmd−1, RMSE of 6.5 mmd−1, and CC of 0.61, leads to better estimates of daily precipitation than those of PERSIANN and 3B42RT. Furthermore, PERSIANN with an average MBias value of 0.56 tends to underestimate precipitation, while 3B42V7 and 3B42RT with average MBias values of 0.86 and 1.02, respectively, demonstrate a reasonable agreement in regard to rainfall estimations with the rain gauge data. With respect to the categorical verification technique implemented in this study, PERSIANN exhibits better results associated with the probability of detection of rainfall events; however, its false alarm ratio is worse than that of 3B42V7 and 3B42RT.
The Existence of Pairwise Stable Networks

We examine networks connecting individuals, where the payoff to an individual from an economic or social activity depends on the full network of connections among individuals. Individuals can form and sever links connecting themselves to other individuals based on the improvement that the resulting network offers them relative to the current network. As individuals do this, we obtain sequences of networks called `improving paths. ’ We study conditions under which such sequences cycle, and conditions under which such sequences lead to a stable network. Specifically, we give conditions necessary and sufficient to rule out cycles, which are in turn sufficient conditions for existence of pairwise stable networks. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: A14, D20, J00. Humanities and Social Sciences 228-77, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA (jacksonm@hss.caltech.edu) Department of Economics, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA (wattsa@siu.edu) This paper was prepared for a lecture presented at the 9th SJE-KISDI International Symposium: Cost Allocation and Telecommunications, Seoul National University. We thank the participants for the helpful discussion and especially to Youngsub Chun for the invitation to participate.
HPV Type Distribution and Cervical Cytology among HIV-Positive Tanzanian and South African Women

Background. There are limited data on high-risk human papillomavirus (hr-HPV) genotypes among HIV-positive women in Africa, and little is known about their relationship with cervical cytology in these populations. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 194 HIV-positive women (143 from Tanzania, and 51 from South Africa) to evaluate HPV genotypes among HIV-positive women with normal and abnormal cytology. Cervical samples were genotyped for HPV types, and slides were evaluated for atypical squamous cell changes according to the Bethesda classification system. Results. Prevalence of high grade squamous intraepithelial dysplasia (HSIL) was 9%. Overall, more than half (56%) of women were infected with an hr-HPV type; 94% of women with HSIL (n = 16), 90% of women with LSIL (n = 35), and 42% of women within normal limits (WNL) (n = 58) tested positive for hr-HPV. Overall, the most prevalent hr-HPV subtypes were HPV16 (26%) and HPV52 (30%). Regional differences in the prevalence of HPV18 and HPV35 were found. Conclusion. Regional differences in HPV genotypes among African women warrant the need to consider different monitoring programmes for cervical preneoplasia. HPV-based screening tests for cervical preneoplasia would be highly inefficient unless coupled with cytology screening of the HPV-positive sample, especially in HIV-positive women.
Minorities, Social Capital and Voting

It is widely held that voter turnout among immigrants and ethnic minorities is lower than among the native born. The goal of our paper is to explore the determinants of voting, comparing immigrant, minority and majority citizens in Canada. We use the 2002 wave of the Equality Security Community Survey to explore the relationship between personal characteristics (age, sex, education, and household type) work characteristics, social capital attributes (trust in government, belonging, civic awareness and interaction with others) and ethnic characteristics (ethnic origin, place of birth and religion) and voting. We find that the combination of socio-demographic and social capital attributes largely overrides the impact of immigration and ethnicity. This suggests that it is not the minority attribute that impacts voting. Rather it is age, level of schooling and level of civic engagement which effects voting, both federal and provincial.
Risk Management Systems: Using Data Mining in Developing Countries’ Customs Administrations

Limiting intrusive customs inspections is recommended under the revised Kyoto Convention, and is also a proposal discussed as part of World Trade Organization (WTO) trade facilitation negotiations. To limit such inspection, the more modern administrations intervene at all stages of the customs chain using electronic data exchange and risk analysis and focusing their resources on a posteriori controls. Customs administrations of developing countries are slow to move in that direction. Risk analysis would therefore seem to be a priority for modernising the customs systems in developing countries. The most effective risk management system uses statistical scoring techniques. Several simple statistical techniques are tested in this article. They all show a good capability to predict and detect declarations that contain infractions. They can easily be implemented in developing countries’ customs administrations and replace the rather inefficient methods of selectivity that result in high rates of control and very low rates of recorded infractions.
Control Strategy for Cooperating Disparate

To manipulate large payloads typical of space construction, the concept of a small arm mounted on the end of a large arm is introduced. The main purposes of such a configuration are 1) to increase the structural stiffness of the robot by bracing against or locking to a stationary frame, and 2) to maintain a firm position constraint between the robot's base and workpieces by grasping them. In this re_arch, possible topologies for a combination of disparate large and small arms are discussed, and kinematics, dynamics, controls, and coordination of the two arms, especially when they brace at the tip of the small arm, are developed. In the thesis, the feasibility and improvement in performance wilt be verified, not only with analytical work and simulation results but also with experiments on the existing arrangement (RALF and SAM).
Towards a Semantic Classification of Spanish Verbs Based on Subcategorisation Information

We present experiments aiming at an automatic classification of Spanish verbs into lexical semantic classes. We apply well-known techniques that have been developed for the English language to Spanish, proving that empirical methods can be re-used through languages without substantial changes in the methodology. Our results on subcategorisation acquisition compare favourably to the state of the art for English. For the verb classification task, we use a hierarchical clustering algorithm, and we compare the output clusters to a manually constructed classification.
Decision-Level Fusion of EEG and Pupil Features for Single-Trial Visual Detection Analysis

Several recent studies have reported success in applying EEG-based signal analysis to achieve accurate single-trial classification of responses to visual target detection. Pupil responses are proposed as a complementary modality that can support improved accuracy of single-trial signal analysis. We develop a pupillary response feature-extraction and -selection procedure that helps to improve the classification performance of a system based only on EEG signal analysis. We apply a two-level linear classifier to obtain cognitive-task-related analysis of EEG and pupil responses. The classification results based on the two modalities are then fused at the decision level. Here, the goal is to support increased classification confidence through the inherent modality complementarities. The fusion results show significant improvement over classification performance based on a single modality.
Proof of Concept, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effect of Simvastatin on the Course of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Background HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors are ubiquitous in our community yet their potential role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remains to be determined. Methodology/Principal Findings Objectives: To evaluate the effect of simvastatin on AMD progression and the effect modification by polymorphism in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and complement factor H (CFH) genes. Design: A proof of concept double-masked randomized controlled study. Participants: 114 participants aged 53 to 91 years, with either bilateral intermediate AMD or unilateral non-advanced AMD (with advanced AMD in fellow eye), BCVA≥20/60 in at least one eye, and a normal lipid profile. Intervention: Simvastatin 40 mg/day or placebo, allocated 1∶1. Main outcome measures: Progression of AMD either to advanced AMD or in severity of non-advanced AMD. Results. The cumulative AMD progression rates were 70% in the placebo and 54% in the simvastatin group. Intent to treat multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, smoking and baseline AMD severity, showed a significant 2-fold decrease in the risk of progression in the simvastatin group: OR 0.43 (0.18–0.99), p = 0.047. Post-hoc analysis stratified by baseline AMD severity showed no benefit from treatment in those who had advanced AMD in the fellow eye before enrolment: OR 0.97 (0.27–3.52), p = 0.96, after adjusting for age, sex and smoking. However, there was a significant reduction in the risk of progression in the bilateral intermediate AMD group compared to placebo [adjusted OR 0.23 (0.07–0.75), p = 0.015]. The most prominent effect was observed amongst those who had the CC (Y402H) at risk genotype of the CFH gene [OR 0.08 (0.02–0.45), p = 0.004]. No evidence of harm from simvastatin intervention was detected. Conclusion/Significance Simvastatin may slow progression of non-advanced AMD, especially for those with the at risk CFH genotype CC (Y402H). Further exploration of the potential use of statins for AMD, with emphasis on genetic subgroups, is warranted. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN1260500032065
Brain Activity Related with Mathematics Anxiety

For the purpose of determining neurophysiological mechanism of math anxiety, we conducted an EEG measurement for 22 sixth grade elementary students including 11 students with high math anxiety (HMA group), and 11 students with low math anxiety (LMA group). We found that in HMA group, delta wave was significantly generated from the right frontal lobe, and in LMA group, four paths are clearly connected while they perform math tasks (right inferior occipital gyrus ↔ left superior parietal lobule /left middle frontal gyrus ↔ left inferior parietal lobule /left middle frontal gyrus ↔ right inferior parietal lobule /right middle frontal gyrus ↔ right inferior parietal lobule). According to the above results we suggest that math anxiety is related to emotions associated with pain, reduces working memory and has a negative effect on math performance
Manipulability of Future-Independent Tests

The difficulties in properly anticipating key economic variables may encourage decision makers to rely on experts' forecasts. Professional forecasters, however, may not be reliable and so their forecasts must be empirically tested. This may induce experts to forecast strategically in order to pass the test. A test can be ignorantly passed if a false expert, with no knowledge of the data-generating process, can pass the test. Many tests that are unlikely to reject correct forecasts can be ignorantly passed. Tests that cannot be ignorantly passed do exist, but these tests must make use of predictions contingent on data not yet observed at the time the forecasts are rejected. Such tests cannot be run if forecasters report only the probability of the next period's events on the basis of the actually observed data. This result shows that it is difficult to dismiss false, but strategic, experts who know how theories are tested. This result also shows an important role that can be played by predictions contingent on data not yet observed. Copyright 2008 The Econometric Society.
An Unusual Presentation of Mesenteric Panniculitis

Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare disorder characterized by a tumor-like expansion of the mesentery due to variable degrees of fat necrosis, chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Its pathophysiology remains unclear despite the description of associations with inflammatory disorders or malignancies, especially lymphomas.1 The disease remains asymptomatic in 30–50% of cases, and the most common clinical presentations are abdominal pain, palpable abdominal mass or intestinal obstruction.1,2 Most patients present a benign, slowly progressive course, and the outcome of the disease is usually favorable.1,2 Nevertheless, in about 20% of patients, mesenteric panniculitis is associated with significant morbidity and a chronic debilitating course.3 We report a case of this poorly known entity, which presented as a systemic disease with severe constitutional manifestations and rapid deterioration of the general condition of the patient, which made diagnosis difficult.
Market Efficiency and Marketing to Enhance Income of Crop Producers

Recent changes in farm policy have renewed interest in using marketing strategies based on futures and options markets to enhance the income of field crop producers. This article reviews the literature surrounding the dominant academic theory of the behavior of futures and options markets, the efficient market hypothesis. The following conclusion is reached: while individuals can beat the market, few can consistently do so. This conclusion is consistent with Grossman and Stiglitz's model of market efficiency in which individuals who consistently earn trading returns have superior access to information or superior analytical ability. One implication is that, with few exceptions, the crop producers who survive will be those with the lowest cost of production since efforts to improve revenue through better marketing will have limited success. There do appear to be some successful marketing strategies. One is to base storage decisions on when a producer harvests the crop relative to the national harvest of the crop. Another is to base storage decisions on whether the current basis exceeds the cost of storage, and then to use hedging to assure an expected positive return.