Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Th1 immune response against HIV‐1 Gag p24‐derived peptides in mice expressing HLA‐A02.01 and HLA‐DR1

Using HLA‐DR1‐transgenic H‐2 class II knockout mice, we identified two new HLA‐DR1‐restricted HIV‐1 Gag p24‐derived epitopes (Gag321–340 and Gag331–350) and confirmed the immunogenicity of seven that have been previously described. The human relevance was confirmed for the two new ones (Gag321–340 and Gag331–350) assaying peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HLA‐DR1+ HIV‐1‐infected long‐term asymptomatic subjects and showing that Gag331–350 could prime CD4+ T cells from two HLA‐DR1+ HIV‐1 seronegative donors in vitro. Seven of these epitopes, structurally conserved among HIV‐1 clade B isolates, were selected for a comparative evaluation of their Th1 helper potential by immunizing HLA‐A02.01/HLA‐DR1‐transgenic, H‐2 class I/class II knockout mice with recombinant mouse invariant chain constructs in which each helper epitope was inserted in association with two reporter HIV‐1‐derived HLA‐A02.01‐restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes. A T helper effect was demonstrated in all cases, and was particularly strong with epitopes Gag301–320, Gag321–340 and Gag271–290, which should, therefore, be considered in the design of new vaccines.
Coal Consumption and Economic Growth in Turkey

This aim of this paper is to use asymmetric causality tests to examine the coal consumption and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) relationship in Turkey based on data from 1980 to 2006. To investigate this relationship, a multivariate system is employed by including fixed capital formation and labor force variables into the model. The empirical results obtained from asymmetric causality tests show no causality for coal consumption and GDP relationship in Turkey. The results indicate that coal consumption does not affect growth; hence, energy conservation policies may be pursued without adversely affecting growth in Turkey. Thus, neutrality hypothesis is confirmed for Turkey. This means that a decrease in coal consumption does not affect economic growth and vice versa. In this case, policymakers should explore the feasibility of either decreasing the coal consumption or increasing the efficiency of coal consumption. Keywords: Economic growth; coal consumption; asymmetric causality; Turkey JEL Classifications: O; Q43
Building virtual spaces: Young people, participation and the Internet

The Internet is often portrayed as a democratising force that facilitates new participatory practices. It is often assumed that young people have been the big ‘winners’, even the leaders, in the advent of participation via the Internet. It is argued here that an in-depth analysis of existing participatory spaces is able to expand our understanding of how Australian young people are being mobilised into new Internet-based political practices. The article provides case studies of three non-government organisations with participatory Internet sites – Vibewire Youth Services, Inspire Foundation and GetUp! The novelty of these youth-led, Internet-based political spaces is evaluated, and the differences between the sites reveals varied approaches to liberal, communitarian and deliberative forms of participation. The level of interactivity, capacity for agency by young people, and possibilities for community building, are all explored.
Influence of impurities on photocarrier diffusion of high-growth-rate microcrystalline silicon

The ambipolar photocarrier diffusion length, L<inf>amb</inf>, observed using the steady-state photocarrier grating technique, has been investigated regarding high-growth-rate microcrystalline Si (μc-Si) together with the lateral size, σ<inf>L</inf>, of grain (column) determined from fractal concepts. Experimental results revealed that the relation between L<inf>amb</inf> and σ<inf>L</inf> is linear, and the slope, L<inf>amb</inf>/σ<inf>L</inf>, being almost unity or less, indicates intra-grain photocarrier diffusion. Furthermore, after exchanging the aged gas-purifiers for SiH<inf>4</inf> and H<inf>2</inf> gases to the fresh ones, L<inf>amb</inf> was increased for each σ<inf>L</inf>, yielding that the slope, L<inf>amb</inf>/σ<inf>L</inf>, was increased from 0.77 to 1.1. In this article, we discuss the effects of impurities, particularly oxygen, on L<inf>amb</inf>, in conjunction with the elemental analyses by secondary-ion-microprobe-mass spectrometry.
Living with a parent with dementia: A family resilience study

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with family resilience in families caring for a parent with dementia. A mixed-methods approach was followed to collect data from a convenience sample drawn from the Cape Metropolitan area in the Western Cape, South Africa. The study sample comprised 47 families in which adult children were caring for a parent with dementia. The quantitative data analysis was conducted using analyses of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s product–moment correlation coefficients and a best-subsets multiple regression analysis. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic content analysis. It was found that acceptance, optimism, positive communication patterns, family connectedness, spirituality, social support, economic resources and the effective management of symptoms helped these families adapt to the burdens of dementia care. In addition to expanding the literature regarding family resilience, the findings could be used to develop interventions tailored to the needs of these families caring for a parent with dementia to create a family environment that enhances adjustment and adaptation.
Sum MSE optimization for downlink multiuser MIMO systems with per antenna power constraint: Downlink-uplink duality approach

This paper considers transceiver design problem for downlink multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. We examine minimization of sum mean-square-error (MSE) constrained with each base station (BS) antenna power problem. The problem is examined for the practically relevant scenario where the noise vector of each mobile station (MS) is a zero-mean circularly symmetric complex Gaussian random variable with arbitrary covariance matrix. We propose a novel downlink-uplink duality based iterative solution to solve the problem. The problem is solved as follows. First, we establish novel sum MSE downlink-uplink duality. Our duality is established by formulating the noise covariance matrix of the uplink channel as a fixed point function. Second, we formulate the power allocation part of each problem in the downlink channel as a Geometric Program (GP). Third, using the duality result and the solution of GP, we utilize alternating optimization technique to solve the original downlink problem. In our simulation results, we have observed that the proposed duality based solution utilizes less power than that of existing algorithm.
Women Acting for Women? An Analysis of Gender and Debate Participation in the British House of Commons 2005–2007

The recent push for more women parliamentarians around the world via positive action measures such as gender quotas naturally begs the question of whether the increased descriptive representation of women in parliament is making a substantive difference, in terms of the types of policies passed, behavioral norms, and procedures. How does the substantive representation of women take place? One way of measuring gendered impacts in politics is to look at the participation of Members of Parliament (MPs) in formal, parliamentary debate on key policy issues. It is reasonable to assume that one (though certainly not the only) measure of a good MP is his or her ability to contribute his or her voice and thoughts to public policy debates in parliament. Furthermore, if we consider women MPs representative of women in particular as a marginalized group, making their voices heard in parliamentary debates is perhaps one of the best ways of acting for women. As Melissa Williams (1998, 138) argues, the unique voice of women is a necessary component for women's political equality: It is not enough that women communicate their perspectives to men; a full respect for women's agency, and a full protection of their interests, requires that they act on their own behalf. Only through their legislative presence can women be sure that the “woman's point of view” on each policy issue is formulated and expressed.
Adoption of Web-Based Applications in the Financial Sector: The Case of Online Insurance

ABSTRACT Implementation of new technologies is a never-ending process that attempts to secure the best available tools to accomplish organizational goals. Previous studies on technology implementation discuss the technology adoption process and the multiple factors that are important for making this process successful. This study focuses on the adoption of web-based applications in the insurance industry. An in-depth investigation of relevant literature on the technology adoption process and data collected from insurance companies helped us identify the success factors for online insurance. Relevant factors include infrastructure flexibility, website availability, the degree of business integration, and company age.
Management and outcome of complications after laparoscopic antireflux operations.

HYPOTHESIS Perioperative complications of laparoscopic antireflux operations are infrequent and treatable and do not cause permanent disability. DESIGN Retrospective review of all patients with laparoscopic antireflux operations for the management and outcome of all complications. SETTING University medical center. PATIENTS All 538 patients who underwent operation from January 20, 1993, through December 28, 1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Complications were defined as any major or minor deviation from the standard postoperative clinical pathway. Minor complications did not require invasive treatment and were not expected to result in permanent disability. Major complications required invasive treatment or could result in permanent disability. The frequency of complications was also stratified into those that occurred during primary antireflux procedures and those that occurred during reoperations for previously failed procedures. RESULTS Ninety-two complications occurred in 538 operations (17.1%). Sixty-eight patients (12.6%) experienced minor complications. Postoperative ileus was the most common complication (n = 37 [6.9%]), followed by pneumothorax (n = 13 [2.4%]) and urinary retention (n = 10 [1.9%]). Major complications were present in only 24 patients (4.5%) and occurred significantly more frequently after reoperations. Of these, dysphagia was the most frequent complication observed (n = 11 [2.0%]), followed by perforated viscus (n = 4 [0.7%]). Two patients (0.4%) died. All but 4 major complications resulted in full recovery. CONCLUSIONS Major complications in laparoscopic antireflux surgery are rare, their treatment is straightforward, and permanent disability is uncommon. Complications occur twice as often during reoperations, highlighting the difficulty in performing these procedures. Although primary laparoscopic antireflux operations are performed by many general surgeons routinely, reoperations should be performed by a team experienced in laparoscopic esophageal surgery.
Optimal Investment, Monitoring, and the Staging of Venture Capital

This paper examines the structure of staged venture capital investments when agency and monitoring costs exist. Expected agency costs increase as assets become less tangible, growth options increase, and asset specificity rises. Data from a random sample of 794 venture-capital-backed firms support the predictions. Venture capitalists concentrate investments in early stage and high technology companies where informational asymmetries are highest. Decreases in industry ratios of tangible assets to total assets, higher market-to-book ratios, and greater R&D intensities lead to more frequent monitoring. Venture capitalists periodically gather information and maintain the option to discontinue funding projects with little probability of going public. Copyright 1995 by American Finance Association.
Crystal structure of an antiparallel DNA fragment with Hoogsteen base pairing

We report here an alternative double-helical structure of the DNA molecule. It has been found in the d(ATABrUAT) and d(ATATAT) sequences by single-crystal x-ray crystallography. This sequence is found not only in TATA boxes, but also in other regulatory regions of DNA. Bases of the two antiparallel strands form Hoogsteen pairs, with adenines in the syn conformation. The structure is related neither to those found in triple helices nor to parallel DNA duplexes. Its conformational parameters are very similar to those of duplex DNA in the B form. Both forms may coexist under physiological conditions, although the Hoogsteen pairing greatly influences the recognition sites on DNA. Our results demonstrate that an alternative to the classical B-DNA double helix is possible.
Preventing Bubbles: What Role for Financial Regulation?

In the wake of the U.S. housing bubble and collapse and the consequent financial collapse of 2007-2009 and its severe consequences for the U.S. economy, it is unsurprising that there have been calls for policy makers to prevent future asset price bubbles – through the better exercise of monetary policy and/or financial regulatory policy. This essay focuses on financial regulation and argues that such efforts would, at best, be ineffective and, at worst, could squelch productive and efficient asset pricing. Instead, policy makers should focus on better regulatory efforts – better prudential regulation – to ameliorate the consequences of asset bubble deflations on the financial sector.
Generation-Y Employees' Turnover: Work-Values Fit Perspective

With the increased acceptability of generational differences at the workplace, generation-Y employees arebeginning to become featured at the workplace, with radical changes in their work values. In the case ofMalaysia, theorists and practitioners are keenly interested to investigate the reasons behind one of this workplacerelated behaviours, which is high turnover stemming, particularly from this cohort, due to organisational andeconomic benefits of retaining such employees. This conceptual paper attempts to address generation-Y’s highturnover intention from the perspective of Person-Environment fit. This generation may experience lack of fitwith communicated or supplied work values, as many of its work values are not well known to employers.However, it is not substantiated which type of work values fit may impact the behavioural intention for thegeneration Y workforce. However, this paper elaborates how each work values fit may or may not affect thedecision to quit.
Predictors of Effective Web-Based International Business Management Courses in China: Students’ Perceptions on Course Interaction and Satisfaction

The aim of this study is to examine the determinants of effective web-based teaching and learning processes, using MEBIR (Management Education by Internet Readiness) Scale. Data were obtained from 407 students studying in a number of universities in China. The results demonstrate that the perceived quality of the web-based international management courses offered in the Chinese universities hinges on a number of factors such as course interaction, and course satisfaction. The study identified the Internet readiness of students at universities in China and paved avenues for asynchronous learning networks with the use of collaborative Internet technologies in interuniversity instructions. The implications surrounding the effect of the web-based management programs on students, staff, and universities are discussed.
Caries incidence and orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

abstract – One hundred and seventy-three individuals receiving orthodontic treatment according to an edgewise-light wire technique, wearing full band orthodontic appliances in one or both dental arches, were investigated to determine the incidence of dental caries at the end of the therapy. Topical application of sodium fluoride was used prior to, during, and after the period of active treatment. Thorough instruction in manual toothbrushing with a horizontal scrub technique was given. The carious state of the gingival enamel areas was assessed according to a proposed Caries Index system. The average period of treatment was 19.0 months. A reference group received no form of orthodontic treatment, no tooth-brushing instruction, nor regular application of fluoride. The results indicate that, on an over-all basis, the number of new enamel alterations was small, and the total caries frequency was not markedly influenced by the appliances. The vast majority of the carious lesions were observed in comparatively few patients. On the other hand, the distribution of the lesions was significantly different in the reference and in the experimental groups, both with regard to the individual tooth and the individual tooth surface. The bands had a protecting effect on all proximal surfaces and on the completely covered vestibular and lingual surfaces of the molars, while the partly covered vestibular and lingual surfaces of the anterior teeth were subject to an increased caries susceptibility in comparison with the reference subjects. However, most vestibular and lingual lesions were reversed by regular applications of fluoride, or eliminated by slight grinding.
A Quality Assuring Mechanism for Crowdsourcing with Strategic Experts

We consider a class of crowdsourcing problems where the owner of a task benefits from the high quality opinions provided by experts. Executing the task at an assured quality level in a cost effective manner in such situations becomes a mechanism design problem when the individual qualities are private information of the experts. The considered class of task execution problems falls into the category of interdependent values, where one cannot simultaneously achieve truthfulness and efficiency in the unrestricted setting due to an impossibility result [7]. We propose a mechanism QUEST, that leverages the structure of our special class of problems and guarantees allocative efficiency, ex-post incentive compatibility, ex-post individual rationality, and strict budget balance, which even the mechanism given by Mezzetti [13] cannot achieve in this setting. The ex-post individual rationality comes under a tight sufficiency condition, and we show that the above four properties are not simultaneously satisfiable if the sufficient condition is violated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt in developing a quality assuring crowdsourcing mechanism in an interdependent value setting with quality levels held private by strategic agents.
FET properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes individually assembled utilizing single strand DNA

This paper reports a new assembly process for isolated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on MEMS structures utilizing single strand DNA (ssDNA) and the electrical properties of SWCNT field effect transistors (FETs). Mono-dispersed SWCNT solution was prepared by wrapping biotin modified ssDNA around SWCNT and the SWCNTs were assembled onto gold electrodes using biotin-avidin bindings. The isolated SWCNT bridges between electrode gaps of 100 to 300 nm wide were successfully demonstrated. To improve electrical contacts, electroless gold deposition was employed. The Id-Vg curves in back-gate FET configurations showed either metallic or semiconducting properties and we confirmed that the isolated SWCNTs were individually assembled between the electrodes.
The International Dimension of African Economic Growth

The paper sheds light on the importance of the international dimension for African economic growth. While existing evidence points to a positive impact of openness on growth, the appropriate dynamics of the implications are yet to be captured. The beneficial effects of exports are confirmed for African economies, though available evidence suggests that it is the manufacturing component that seems to really matter for growth. International shocks in the form of terms of trade declines; economic instabilities of capital (investment) and imports; world interest rates; real exchange rate misalignment; and external debt all appear to exercise adverse implications for growth in Africa.
Equity Aspects in Transportation Projects: Case Study of Transit Fare Change in Haifa

ABSTRACT This article analyzes the equity effects of transit fare integration by evaluating its impacts on different groups of riders through a case study of the city of Haifa in Israel. Vertical equity was analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine the distribution of the fare change among various groups of riders. The Lorenz curve and the Gini index were used to analyze whether the fare change was equally distributed. While the Gini index showed that the fare change was not equally distributed, the vertical analysis indicated that disadvantage passengers benefited most from the reform.
Effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in management of sudden hearing loss

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of sudden hearing loss. Study design: Patients with sudden hearing loss were divided into study and control groups. The 36 patients in the study group were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to standard medical therapy, whereas the 21 patients in the control group were treated with only standard medical therapy. Subjects and methods: Both groups were treated with standard therapy, comprising prednisolone starting at a dose of 1 mg/kg and reducing over three weeks. Patients in the study group received hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to standard drug therapy. Results: Success rates were 78.95 per cent in the study group and 71.30 per cent in the control group. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Considering the cost of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its inconvenience to patients, this treatment should only be considered in patients suffering sudden hearing loss if there are contraindications to standard medical treatment.
Frequency of Paraoxonase 192/55 Polymorphism in an Iranian Population

Paraoxonase (PON1) is a serum enzyme that plays an important role in prevention of atherosclerosis and also protects against organophosphate-induced neurotoxicity. PON1 displays a high variablility in human populations. In this study, PON1-192 and −55 polymorphisms and correlation to serum PON1 activity were investigated in 132 healthy Iranian individuals from Isfahan province. The genotype frequencies for PON1-192 were approximately 48% (QQ), 42. % (QR), and 10% (RR) and for PON1-55 17% (MM), 48% (ML), and 35% (LL). Thus, the frequencies of alleles R and L were 0.31 and 0.59, respectively. PON1 activity toward paraoxon was markedly affected in both polymorphic populations in the following order QQ < QR < RR genotype for PON1-192 and MM < ML < LL genotype for PON1-55. Neither polymorphism significantly affected PON1 activity toward phenylacetate. The RR/LL individuals had the highest PON1 activity and QQ/MM individuals the least. The QR/ML haplotype was the most frequent seen in Iranians, and the RR/MM and QR/MM haplotypes were absent in this population. In conclusion, the frequencies of PON1-192 and −55 polymorphisms in this Iranian population were different from those seen in other Asian populations from Japan and China but similar to those for European Caucasians.