Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Endoplasmic Reticulum Retrieval Signal Partitions Human Foamy Virus Maturation to Intracytoplasmic Membranes

ABSTRACT Among all retroviruses, foamy viruses (FVs) are unique in that they regularly mature at intracytoplasmic membranes. The envelope glycoprotein of FV encodes an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retrieval signal, the dilysine motif (KKXX), that functions to localize the human FV (HFV) glycoprotein to the ER. This study analyzed the function of the dilysine motif in the context of infectious molecular clones of HFV that encoded mutations in the dilysine motif. Electron microscopy (EM) demonstrated virion budding both intracytoplasmically and at the plasma membrane for the wild-type and mutant viruses. Additionally, mutant viruses retained their infectivity, but viruses lacking the dilysine signal budded at the plasma membrane to a greater extent than did wild-type viruses. Interestingly, this relative increase in budding across the plasma membrane did not increase the overall release of viral particles into cell culture media as measured by protein levels in viral pellets or infectious virus titers. We conclude that the dilysine motif of HFV imposes a partial restriction on the site of viral maturation but is not necessary for viral infectivity.
Absorption of Bile Pigments by the Gall Bladder

Abstract A technique is described for preparation in the guinea pig of an in situ, isolated, vascularized gall bladder that exhibits normal absorptive functions. Absorption of labeled bile pigments from the gall bladder was determined by the subsequent excretion of radioactivity in hepatic bile. Over a wide range of concentrations, unconjugated bilirubin-14C was well absorbed, whereas transfer of conjugated bilirubin proceeded slowly. Mesobilirubinogen-3H was absorbed poorly from whole bile, but was absorbed as rapidly as unconjugated bilirubin from a solution of pure conjugated bile salt. Bilirubin absorption was not impaired by iodoacetamide, 1.5 mM, or dinitrophenol, 1.0 mM, even though water transport was affected. This indicated that absorption of bilirubin was not dependent upon water transport, nor upon energy-dependent processes. The linear relationship between absorption and concentration of pigment at low concentrations in bile salt solutions suggested that pigment was transferred by passive diffusion. At higher pigment concentrations or in whole bile, this simple relationship was modified by interactions of pigment with bile salts and other constituents of bile. These interactions did not necessarily involve binding of bilirubin in micelles. The slow absorption of the more polar conjugates and photo-oxidative derivatives of bilirubin suggested that bilirubin was absorbed principally by nonionic, and partially, by ionic diffusion. Concentrations of pure conjugated bile salts above 3.5 mM were found to be injurious to the gall bladder mucosa. This mucosal injury did not affect the kinetics of bilirubin absorption. During in vitro incubation of bile at 37°C, decay of bilirubin and hydrolysis of the conjugate proceeded as first-order reactions. The effects of these processes on the kinetics of bilirubin absorption, and their possible role in the formation of “white bile” and in the demonstrated appearance of unconjugated bilirubin in hepatic bile, are discussed.
A Review of Knowledge Management Theory and Future Directions

The focal point in the science of Management is to discover and formulate “laws of behavior” that will increase productivity. Nowadays, productivity depends on the ability of managers to create new knowledge and generate “smart” action. In the new economy, knowledge has become the primary factor of production and not machinery or financial capital as in the old industrial economy. Within the new business environment, a company's profitability depends, to a large extent, on its ability to learn and adapt. Learning ability has been proven to increase when organizations knowingly employ dynamic processes that help nurture, leverage and motivate people to improve and share their capacity to act. These processes encapsulate the notion of Knowledge Management (KM). Endeavoring to contribute in the development of managerial theory and KM theory in particular, this paper attempts to deliver two outcomes. Firstly, a historical account of KM theory identifies the current stage as the third phase of its development, whereby KM represents a social process. Secondly, the comprehensive literature review of KM provided proffers a new way of categorizing scholarly contributions into positivistic, interpretive with a resource-based orientation, interpretive with a knowledge-based orientation and organic approaches. Included are suggestions for theoretical avenues that may light the path for further development of this dynamic field. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies of Pain: An Investigation of Signal Decay during and across Sessions

Background:Several investigations into brain activation caused by pain have suggested that the multiple painful stimulations used in typical block designs may cause attenuation over time of the signal within activated areas. The effect this may have on pain investigations using multiple tasks has not been investigated. The signal decay across a task of four repeating pain stimulations and between two serial pain tasks separated by a 4-min interval was examined to determine whether signal attenuation may significantly confound pain investigations. Methods:The characteristics of the brain activation of six subjects were determined using whole brain blood oxygenation level–dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging on a 1.5-T scanner. Tasks included both tingling and pain induced by transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the median nerve. The average group maps were analyzed by general linear modeling with corrected cluster P values of less than 0.05. The time courses of individual voxels were further investigated by analysis of variance with P values of less than 0.05. Results:Significant differences between pain and tingling were found in the ipsilateral cerebellum, contralateral thalamus, secondary somatosensory cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex. Highly significant signal decay was found to exist across each single pain task, but the signal was found to be restored after a 4-min rest period. Conclusions:This work shows that serial pain tasks can be used for functional magnetic resonance imaging studies using electrical nerve stimulation as a stimulus, as long as sufficient time is allowed between the two tasks.
Intra-Industry Capital Structure Dispersion

Why do firms in some industries exhibit very similar debt ratios, while firms in other industries do not? This paper examines the dispersion in leverage ratios among firms within an industry, and relates this dispersion to industry characteristics. We find that more concentrated industries and industries where the use of leasing is more intense exhibit greater intra-industry dispersion. We also document greater dispersion in industries where firms use less incentive compensation, sit more insiders in their boards, are older, and have larger capital expenditures in relation to their assets. Copyright Blackwell Publishing 2005.
Are Exchange Rates Excessively Variable?

"Unnecessary variation" is defined as variation not attributable to variation in fundamentals. In the absence of a good model of macroeconomic fundamentals, the question "are exchange rates excessively variable? " cannot be answered by comparing the variance of the actual exchange rate to the variance of a set of fundamentals. This article notes the failure of regression equations to explain exchange rate movements even using contemporaneous macroeconomic variables, as well as the statistical rejections of the unbiasedness of the forward exchange rate as a predictor. It then argues that, given these results, there is not much to be learned from the variance-bounds tests and bubbles tests. The article then discusses recent results on variation in the exchange risk premiums arising from variation in conditional variances, both as a source of the bias in the forward rate tests and as a source of variation in the spot rate. It ends with a discussion of whether speculators' expectations are stabilizing or destabilizing, as measured by survey data. The conclusion is that it is possible that exchange rates have been excessively variable-as, for example, when there are speculative bubbles-but that if policy makers try systematically to exploit their credibility in order to stabilize exchange rates, they may see their current credibility vanish.
Extensive Reading in EFL Classroom at Secondary Schools in Bangladesh: Current Practices and Future Possibilities

Extensive reading is being practiced in many EFL and ESL classrooms as an effective means for developing learners’ reading as well as other related skills. This paper is based on a small-scale study that explores the current practices and future possibilities of using extensive reading in the EFL classrooms at the junior secondary schools in Bangladesh. The study reports the responses of 100 secondary English teachers on different aspects of using extensive reading tasks in the EFL classrooms of Bangladeshi schools. It is found that though the teachers of Bangladesh express positive beliefs about the benefits of extensive reading, the techniques they follow in their classrooms at present mostly encourage intensive reading. It is also evident that teachers who deal with extensive reading do not often follow the best practices in the classrooms. It is suggested in this study that extensive reading needs to be promoted in the Bangladeshi schools through coordinated efforts of all the stakeholders in the secondary education system. It is stressed that a combination of initiatives such as teacher training, awareness raising, curriculum reform and changing existing assessment format can promote the practices of extensive reading activities among the young learners.
The Effect of a Closing Call Auction on Market Quality and Trading Strategies

We study the effects of the introduction of a closing auction (CA) on the microstructure on the continuous trading phase in Borsa Italiana and Paris Bourse. We postulate and compare several empirical predictions based on both standard Kyle-type models and more recent models of limit order book. We find that while the CA has no effect during most of the day, its effect on the last minutes of trading is dramatic. We document a sharp decline in volume, associated with a significant reduction in spread and volatility, and an increase in aggressiveness of liquidity suppliers during the last minutes. We show that the differences in the Reference Price algorithm between Milan and Paris have a significant effect: the CA attracts greater volumes when the Reference Price is equated to the CA price.
Internationalization of China's MBA Education: Failing to Walk the Talk?

This article presents an overview of the internationalization of MBA education in Mainland China, exposes the main challenges this education is facing and proposes strategies to overcome them. Results reveal two main findings: 1) Chinese MBA educators show a growing interest and awareness in the internationalization of their MBA education, but there is a large dispersion of the internationalization stages of the different business schools; 2) for the majority of the business schools examined, although their mission statements show a considerable awareness and interest in international MBA education, these have not been translated into specific actions well. Our study offers not only a reflection on the current situation but also a platform for other studies to follow.
Fabrication of mesenchymal stem cells-integrated vascular constructs mimicking multiple properties of the native blood vessels

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-populated small diameter (6 mm) vascular constructs were fabricated. The constructs mimicked the native vessels in multiple levels, i.e. having similar structure and morphology to that of the extracellular matrix in the native blood vessels; recapitulating mechanical properties such as compliance and burst pressure of the native blood vessels; simulating the highly cellularized nature of the native blood vessels; and having an antithrombogenic lumen. The constructs were fabricated by simultaneously assembling poly(ester carbonate urethane) urea nanofibers and MSCs in an electrical field. The nanofibers had a diameter similar to that of the collagen and elastin fibers in the native blood vessels. MSCs were distributed evenly in the constructs. The constructs were highly cellularized when the cell loading density was exceeded 6 million/ml. The vascular constructs were strong and flexible with breaking strains of 144–202%, tensile strengths of 0.80–1.29 MPa, compliances of 13.23–21.96 × 10−4 mmHg−1, stiffness indexes of 7.3–9.8, and burst pressures greater than 1700 mmHg. These mechanical properties were similar to those of the native blood vessels. In vitro platelet deposition experiments showed that platelet adhesion was remarkably decreased in the MSCs-populated constructs compared to that in the construct without MSCs. An increase in MSC density in the constructs further decreased platelet adhesion. When cultured in a spinner flask, MSCs maintained their mitochondria viability and cell number during a two-week culture period, as confirmed by MTT and dsDNA assays. These vascular constructs may hold the potential to regenerate functional small diameter vessels for cardiovascular tissue repair.
On the Determinants of Corporate Hedging

Finance theory indicates that hedging increases firm value by reducing expected taxes, expected costs of financial distre ss, or other agency costs. This paper provides evidence on these hypothe ses using survey data on firms' use of forwards, futures, swaps, and options combined with COMPUTSTAT data on firm characteristics. Of 16 9 firms in the sample, 104 firms use hedging instruments in 1986. The data suggest that firms which hedge face more convex tax functions, have less coverage of fixed claims, are larger, have more growth options in their investment opportunity set, and employ fewer hedgin g substitutes. Copyright 1993 by American Finance Association.
Changes in the Total Fecal Bacterial Population in Individual Horses Maintained on a Restricted Diet Over 6 Weeks

Twelve mature (aged 5–16 years) horses and ponies of mixed breed and type were fed restricted (1.25% BM Dry matter) quantities of one of two fiber based diets formulated to be iso-caloric. Diet 1 comprised of 0.8% body mass (BM) of chaff based complete feed plus 0.45% BM low energy grass hay (the same hay used for both diets). Diet 2 comprised 0.1% BM of a nutrient balancer plus 1.15% BM grass hay. Fecal samples were collected at week 10 and week 16. DNA was extracted and the V1-V2 regions of 16SrDNA were 454-pyrosequenced to investigate the bacterial microbiome of the horse. The two most abundant phyla found in both diets and sampling periods were the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. There was a clear reduction in Bacteroidetes with a concordant increase in Firmicutes over time. There was a limited degree of stability within the bacterial community of the hindgut of horses, with 65% of bacteria retained, over a 6 week period whilst on a uniform diet. The presence of a core community defined by being present in all samples (each animal/diet combination) included in the study and being present at 0.1% relative abundance (or greater) was identified. In total 65 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified that fit the definition of core making up 21–28% of the total sequences recovered. As with total population the most abundant phyla were the Bacteroidetes followed by the Firmicutes, however there was no obvious shift in phyla due to period. Indeed, when the relative abundance of OTUs was examined across diets and periods there was no significant effect of diet or period alone or in combination on the relative abundance of the core OTUs.
Structural Change in Canadian Meat Demand

Results derived from a time-varying parameterization of the AIDS model provide evidence of a structural change in Canadian meat demand (beef, pork, chicken). The structural change was accompanied with significant changes in some of the parameters of the model, and was biased in favor of chicken at the expense of beef. Les resultats d'une parametrisation du modele AIDS variant dans le temps indiquent une modification structurelle de la demande de viande (boeuf, pore, poulet) au Canada. Cette modification structurelle a ete accompagnee par des changements importants a certains parametres du modele et semble favoriser le poulet aux depens du boeuf.
Did dividend policy change during the financial crisis

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether corporate dividend policy changed during the financial crisis. Design/methodology/approach - For this study, a life-cycle model is used to predict the probability that a firm pays a dividend. The data sample for this research follows that of Fama and French and of DeAngelo Findings - This study shows evidence that the probability that a firm paid a dividend declined in 2008 and 2009, even after taking the firm's financial condition into account. Furthermore, the analysis also shows that dividend policy did shift during the financial crisis. Originality/value - The results of this study show that dividend policy did shift during the financial crisis. The research provides evidence that firms placed additional emphasis on financial viability after the financial crisis.
Elevated basal and post-feed glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) concentrations in the neonatal period.

BACKGROUND Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that stimulates glucose-induced insulin secretion, increases beta-cell proliferation, neogenesis and beta-cell mass. In adults, plasma concentrations of amidated GLP-1 are typically within the 5-10 pmol/l range in the fasting state and increases to approximately 50 pmol/l after ingestion of a mixed meal. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We measured plasma glucose, insulin and amidated forms of GLP-1 prefeed and then at 20 and 60 min post-feed following ingestion of a 60-70 ml of standard milk feed in preterm (n=10, 34-37 weeks) and term newborn infants (n=12, 37-42 weeks). Reverse-phase fast protein liquid chromatography was used to characterise the molecular nature of the circulating GLP-1. RESULTS Mean birth weight was 3.18 kg and mean age at sampling for GLP-1 was 7.7 days. The mean basal GLP-1 concentration was 79.1 pmol/l, which increased to 156.6 pmol/l (+/-70.9, P<0.001) and 121.5 pmol/l (+/-59.2) at 20 and 60 min respectively. Reverse-phase chromatography analysis suggested that the majority of GLP-1 immunoreactivity (>75%) represented GLP-1 (7-36) amide and (9-36) amide. CONCLUSIONS Basal and post-feed amidated GLP-1 concentrations in neonates are grossly raised with the major fractions of circulating GLP-1 being (7-36) amide and (9-36) amide. Elevated GLP-1 concentrations in the newborn period may have a role in regulating maturation of enteroendocrine system and also of increasing pancreatic beta-cell mass and regeneration. The high levels of GLP-1 may be due to immaturity of the dipeptidyl peptidase IV and or lower glomerular filtration rate in the neonatal period. Further studies are required to understand the role of GLP-1 in the neonatal period.
Starting salaries for agribusiness graduates from an AASCARR institution: The case of Southern Illinois University

Starting salaries for agribusiness economics graduates from a non-land grant (AASCARR) institution, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), are examined and compared to those documented for land grant agriculture programs. Factors such as advanced degrees, grade point average, gender, rural backgrounds, and community college transfers are found to significantly influence earnings. SIUC graduates' starting salary and its determining factors are found to be comparable to those of land grant universities. The results suggest that non-land grant agribusiness graduates are competitive in the national labor market. Furthermore, the results are consistent with previous findings that show increasing students' grade point averages can increase marketability and starting salary. This is important information for students, their advisors, and agribusiness hiring mangers bidding for their services. lEconLit citations: J310, J430.r © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 21: 65-80, 2005.
Teacher Education Program Admission Criteria and What Beginning Teachers Need to know to be Successful Teachers

Most teacher education programs receive many more applications than they can accept. How should programs select among applicants and how should the programs evaluate the success of their selection processes? In this article we review the criteria utilized throughout North America to select prospective teachers into education programs. The strengths and weaknesses of each criterion are discussed. We propose a conceptual framework linking the knowledge, skills, and attitudes beginning teachers need, the preparation that teacher education programs provide, and the programs’ application criteria. In the conclusion, the authors make numerous suggestions about how to adapt and change the current selection criteria so that the resultant product is the successful teacher. The authors challenge teacher education programs to critically examine their admission criteria.
A Two-Fluid Approach to Town Traffic

A two-fluid model of town traffic has been developed by extending ideas formulated in an earlier kinetic theory of multilane traffic. The-two fluids are taken to consist of moving cars and cars stopped as a result of traffic conditions. The average speed of the moving vehicles is assumed to be proportional to the fraction of the vehicles that are moving raised to a power that reflects the "goodness" of the traffic. It is then found that the trip time per unit distance is essentially linearly related to the stop time per unit distance, in general accord with data obtained in many cities. Relations are developed on this basis for flow, among other variables, versus average speed. These relations contain a new parameter that is identified with the quality of the traffic network system.
Country and Currency Risk Premia in an Emerging Market

Abstract The magnitude and determinants of credit and currency risks are topics of considerable importance. This paper uses data on peso- and dollar-denominated debt issued by the Mexican government to identify currency and country risk premia. We show that shocks in equity and debt market returns translate into long-term increases in the premium demanded by investors with respect to currency and country factors. Country and currency premia help explain equity returns and closed-end fund discounts. Additional evidence is provided showing that investors did not anticipate the magnitude or timing of the currency devaluation of December 1994 and the subsequent financial crisis.