Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The size and position of heterologous insertions in a silent locus differentially affect pilin recombination in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Gonococcal pilus antigenic and phase variation result from unidirectional, RecA‐dependent recombination of DNA sequences from a silent pilin copy (pilS ) into the expressed pilin gene (pilE ). To develop a quantitative assay for pilin gene recombination that is independent of phase variation, a promoterless cat gene was inserted into pilS, and recombination of ′cat into pilE was detected by selection of chloramphenicol‐resistant (CmR) variants expressing ′cat from the pilin promoter. Although RecA‐dependent CmR variants occurred, none were generated by the simple transfer of ′cat into pilE. Instead, each CmR variant contained a new pilin locus that was a hybrid of sequences from the pilE and the pilS1::′cat loci in addition to the two starting loci. Therefore, this system could not be used to quantify antigenic variation. However, combined studies of these hybrid loci and of recombination products generated during additional pilS mutational analyses demonstrated that both the size and position of an insertion in pilS differentially affect pilin recombination. Also, the hybrid loci appear to be intermediates of antigenic variation. This enabled the creation of molecular models for the recombination reactions that result in pilin antigenic variation.
Competition and Screening with Skilled and Motivated Workers

We study optimal contracts offered by two firms competing for the exclusive services of one worker, who is privately informed about her ability and her motivation. Firms differ both in their production technology and in the mission they pursue and a motivated worker is keen to be hired by the missionoriented firm. We find that the matching of worker types to firms is always Pareto-efficient. When the difference in firms’ technology is high, only the most efficient firm is active. When the difference is not very high, then agent types sort themselves by motivation: the mission-oriented firm hires motivated types and the profit-oriented firm employs non-motivated ones, independently of ability. Effort provision is higher when the worker is hired by the mission-oriented firm, but a compensating wage differential might exist: the motivated worker is paid less by the mission-oriented firm. Such an earnings penalty is driven entirely by motivation, is increasing in ability and is associated to low power of incentives.
Urine and urine‐derived compounds induce c‐fos mRNA expression in accessory olfactory bulb

SOILED bedding from male mice induced c-fos mRNA expression in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) and main olfactory bulb (MOB) of female mice. The increase observed in the AOB, but not the MOB, was dependent on the presence of the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Male urine alone also increased c-fos mRNA expression in the AOB. The urine-derived compounds dehydro-exo-brevicomin (DHB) and sec-butyl-dihydrothiazole (SBT) in combination with major urinary protein (MUP) induced significantly greater c-fos mRNA expression in the AOB than in the MOB. The results indicate that compounds derived from male urine are detected at the AOB and suggest that specific urinary compounds play an important role in AOB-mediated reproductive events.
Is there any impact of human influence factors on quality of experience?

The increasing popularity of real-time communication services has driven a rising interest in understanding the factors influencing the quality of experience (QoE). Many research activities aiming to accomplish this goal have addressed different influence factors (IFs), which may be classified into three categories, i.e., human IFs, context IFs, and system IFs. Although the importance of human IFs (HIFs) has been already emphasized, these factors have been considered to a limited extent, and due to lack of empirical evidence, they still remain not well understood. Therefore, this research has been motivated by the challenge to provide a deeper understanding of HIF's impact on QoE in the context of the real-time communication services. In order to accomplish this and verify the conclusions derived from related work, we have conducted two experimental studies which consider voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and unified communication (UC) services. Experimental results show no existence of impacts of selected HIFs on the user's overall QoE while using either VoIP or UC services. However, this highlights the need for further research on this topic due its importance for satisfying end user needs and expectations in the context of real-time communication services.
Bodily Communication of Emotion: Evidence for Extrafacial Behavioral Expressions and Available Coding Systems

Although scientists dating back to Darwin have noted the importance of the body in communicating emotion, current research on emotion communication tends to emphasize the face. In this article we review the evidence for bodily expressions of emotions—that is, the handful of emotions that are displayed and recognized from certain bodily behaviors (i.e., pride, joy, sadness, shame, embarrassment, anger, fear, and disgust). We also review the previously developed coding systems available for identifying emotions from bodily behaviors. Although no extant coding system provides an exhaustive list of bodily behaviors known to communicate a panoply of emotions, our review provides the foundation for developing such a system.
Microdecompression for lumbar spinal canal stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN A description of the technique for lumbar microdecompression and a prospective study of the outcomes. OBJECTIVE To describe and analyze a technique that affords an excellent decompression while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Commonly used techniques of lumbar decompression that include bilateral takedown of paraspinal musculature and aggressive bony resection can result in significant iatrogenic sequelae. A less destructive alternative is needed. METHODS Unilateral limited takedown of multifidus was undertaken, and ipsilateral decompression performed. The contralateral side then was addressed under the midline structures with microscopic visualization--thereby preserving the supra-/interspinous ligament complex and the contralateral musculature. Thirty consecutive patients undergoing the procedure were analyzed prospectively and after a follow-up period by independent observers using a modified validated functional outcome score and patient satisfaction measures. RESULTS The technique affords an excellent decompression while minimizing destruction to tissues not directly involved in the pathologic process. Functional outcome scores doubled, and 87% of patients reported high satisfaction rates. CONCLUSIONS Lumbar microdecompression is a minimally invasive technique that appears to provide excellent functional outcomes.
Incorporating oliguria into the diagnostic criteria for acute kidney injury after on-pump cardiac surgery: impact on incidence and outcomes.

OBJECTIVES Consensus definitions represent an important step toward defining the epidemiology of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the oliguric component of these definitions remains of uncertain impact and utility after cardiac surgery. The authors sought to define the specific impact of oliguric criteria, both alone and in combination with serum creatinine criteria, on the observed incidence of AKI and associated adverse outcomes following adult cardiac surgery. DESIGN Retrospective observational study over a 1-year period. SETTING Academic medical institution. PARTICIPANTS A total of 311 adult patients undergoing elective valve and/or coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS No interventions were performed as part of the study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Hourly urine output and daily serum creatinine were recorded in the 2 days following surgery. AKI was defined by Acute Kidney Injury Network oliguric and serum creatinine criteria. Defined by serum creatinine criteria alone, the incidence of AKI was 17.7% and was associated strongly with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 6.6, 95% confidence interval 1.4-30.5, p = 0.02) and renal replacement therapy (odds ratio 12.7, 95% confidence interval 2.4-67.3, p = 0.003) as well as time to discharge from the intensive care unit and hospital. Defined by oliguric criteria alone through 48 hours following surgery, the incidence of AKI dramatically increased to 55.6% but was not associated with mortality, renal replacement therapy, or time to discharge. CONCLUSIONS Acute Kidney Injury Network oliguric criteria applied over 48 hours after surgery dramatically increased the measured incidence of AKI after cardiac surgery, but was not associated with adverse outcomes.
Reliability of foot trajectory measures within and between testing sessions.

BACKGROUND Impaired control of foot trajectory during the swing phase of gait is hypothesized to increase the risk of slipping or tripping. Before assessing the predictive validity of foot trajectory measures with respect to incidence of falls, it is necessary to establish their reliability. The purpose of this study is to assess within- and between-session reliability of foot trajectory measures and traditional temporal-distance measures in healthy elderly women during gait. METHODS Sixteen healthy, elderly women (ages 65-79 years) completed six sets of five trials each of natural and fast cadence gait during a 3.5-hour period on each of 4 days. An optoelectric motion analysis system and heel switches were used to obtain both foot trajectory (minimum toe clearance during swing, vertical, and horizontal heel contact velocities) and temporal-distance measures (step width, cadence, velocity, stride length, and time). RESULTS Within-session test-retest reliability of all variables at natural and fast speeds was good to excellent, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of greater than 0.9 for all but one measure (fast cadence stride time). ICCs for between-session test-retest reliability were slightly lower, but still greater than 0.9 for all but two measures (fast cadence stride time and natural cadence vertical heel contact velocity). Heel contact velocities quantified at the instant of heel contact correlated strongly with values obtained by averaging over the last 2% of the gait cycle. DISCUSSION The good to excellent within- and between-session reliability of these foot trajectory measures supports their use as a possible means of assessing subtle changes in gait motor control. Confirmation of an association between alterations in foot trajectory measures and incidence of falls awaits further study.
A Study of Internal Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in Small Medium Enterprises Located in the State of Selangor

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has gained its attention and popularity since the last decade. There are many CSR debates which shaped by trends and fashions as well as fundamental changes of the political, social, and economic spheres of life. Tracing back, the precursor to CSR was topic of charitable giving, which had been in existence since 1980s. Todate, CSR has evolved to a business concept that had been accepted widely. Business corporations are focusing on CSR due to tremendous pressures from the society. Presently, CSR approach has geared toward stakeholder instead of shareholder compared to when it was started. Stakeholder management and CSR is a relational affair. Stakeholder theory means engaging with critical stakeholders such as employees, suppliers, customers, media, local communities, NGOs, could be the source of new ideas and opportunities (Freeman, 2009). This present a research agenda to look into the internal CSR practices towards the crucial internal stakeholders, i.e., the employees in aspects such as the pervasiveness of it’s practices, and how it affect the employees attitudes and behaviors. Adding on, as small medium enterprises (SMEs) are gaining its foothold in Malaysia economy. Hence, this research takes place in the state of Selangor which recorded the highest number of SME establishments. As SMEs are involved as the unit analysis in this research, entrepreneurial orientation is used to investigate its influence on the implementation of internal CSR. Overall, the results show significant impact between entrepreneurial orientation with the implementation of internal CSR and internal CSR practices also show positive relationship with employees’ organizational commitment and job satisfaction. The results reveal that the implementation of internal CSR has enhanced employees’ organizational commitment as well as job satisfaction. The results also revealed that internal CSR practices can reduce employees’ turnover intention. With the benefits of internal CSR towards employees’ attitudes and behaviors, SMEs may use this practice to augment employees’ performance in SMEs. Keywords : internal CSR, employees, SMEs, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, turnover intention
Effect of moderate or intensive disease management program on outcome in patients with heart failure: Coordinating Study Evaluating Outcomes of Advising and Counseling in Heart Failure (COACH).

BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) disease management programs are widely implemented, but data about their effect on outcome have been inconsistent. METHODS The Coordinating Study Evaluating Outcomes of Advising and Counseling in Heart Failure (COACH) was a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial in which 1023 patients were enrolled after hospitalization because of HF. Patients were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: a control group (follow-up by a cardiologist) and 2 intervention groups with additional basic or intensive support by a nurse specializing in management of patients with HF. Patients were studied for 18 months. Primary end points were time to death or rehospitalization because of HF and the number of days lost to death or hospitalization. RESULTS Mean patient age was 71 years; 38% were women; and 50% of patients had mild HF and 50% had moderate to severe HF. During the study, 411 patients (40%) were readmitted because of HF or died from any cause: 42% in the control group, and 41% and 38% in the basic and intensive support groups, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.96 and 0.93, respectively; P = .73 and P = .52, respectively). The number of days lost to death or hospitalization was 39 960 in the control group, 33 731 days for the basic intervention group (P = .81), and 34 268 for the intensive support group (P = .49). All-cause mortality occurred in 29% of patients in the control group, and there was a trend toward lower mortality in the intervention groups combined (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.08; P = .18). There were slightly more hospitalizations in the 2 intervention groups (basic intervention group, P = .89; and intensive support group, P = .60). CONCLUSIONS Neither moderate nor intensive disease management by a nurse specializing in management of patients with HF reduced the combined end points of death and hospitalization because of HF compared with standard follow-up. There was a nonsignificant, potentially relevant reduction in mortality, accompanied by a slight increase in the number of short hospitalizations in both intervention groups. Clinical Trial Registry http://trialregister.nl Identifier: NCT 98675639.
Do Bank Acquisitions Increase Shareholders' Wealth? A Comparison between Market-Based and Accounting-Based Performance Indicators for Some Italian Banks

We compare accounting-based with stock price-based performance measures for a small sample of Italian listed banks acquired over the period 1992-1997. On average the performance change after the acquisition is positive, according to both type of indicators. However, there is very little correlation between the size of the stock market reaction to the acquisition announcement and the size of the performance improvement measured according to post-acquisition accounting data. We find a somewhat stronger positive correlation between control premia paid in the acquisitions and the subsequent performance change of the acquired banks. This evidence suggests that control premia reflect the efficiency gains expected by the bidders, rather than private benefits, allowing minority shareholders of target banks to cash ex ante part of the efficiency gains achieved ex post by the new controlling shareholder. We also find that control premia tend to be larger whenever the acquiring bank is relatively less efficient than the acquired bank. JEL classification code: G21, G34, G14
Potential revenues from a new day-use fee

The Corps of Engineers will be implementing a new user fee at day-use areas during the next two years. This paper presents the procedures used to estimate the revenue that the new fee would generate at six Corps projects located across the U.S. The results suggest that revenues will fall well short of the naive projection calculated on the assumption that the new fee will not affect the current level of visitations.
Profiting from Technological Innovation: The Effect of Competitor Patenting on Firm Value

In 1986, Teece proposed a seminal framework for analyzing why innovators may fail to benefit from their innovations. He argued, in part, that firms with the requisite complementary assets can often expropriate an innovator's returns especially when appropriability regimes are weak. In this paper, we explore the implications of this framework from the perspective of an incumbent firm - more precisely, of investors in that firm - facing innovation by inventors from outside its industry. We demonstrate that the financial-market value of publicly traded firms depends on patented innovation by competitors, both existing rivals and industry outsiders. Our empirical study generates three main results. First, the financial-market value of an incumbent is negatively associated with "important" patenting by outsiders. Second, in industries characterized by weak appropriability regimes or by a strong reliance on complementary assets, this relationship is reversed: important patenting by outsiders is positively associated with the incumbent's financial-market value. Third, the effect of outsiders' patented innovation on the focal incumbent is qualitatively different than that of existing rivals' patented innovation on the incumbent. These results are consistent with implications of Teece (1986) and with recently developed models that formalize elements of his framework. More generally, these results support theories about both the market-stealing and spillover effects of innovation.
Differential Gel Electrophoresis and Transgenic Mitochondrial Calcium Reporters Demonstrate Spatiotemporal Filtering in Calcium Control of Mitochondria*

Mitochondria must adjust both their intracellular location and their metabolism in order to balance their output to the needs of the cell. Here we show by the proteomic technique of time series difference gel electrophoresis that a major result of neuroendocrine stimulation of the Drosophila renal tubule is an extensive remodeling of the mitochondrial matrix. By generating Drosophila that were transgenic for both luminescent and fluorescent mitochondrial calcium reporters, it was shown that mitochondrial calcium tracked the slow (minutes) but not the rapid (<1 s) changes in cytoplasmic calcium and that this resulted in both increased mitochondrial membrane polarization and elevated cellular ATP levels. The selective V-ATPase inhibitor, bafilomycin, further enhanced ATP levels, suggesting that the apical plasma membrane V-ATPase is a major consumer of ATP. Both the mitochondrial calcium signal and the increase in ATP were abolished by the mitochondrial calcium uniporter blocker Ru360. By using both mitochondrial calcium imaging and the potential sensing dye JC-1, the apical mitochondria of principal cells were found to be selectively responsive to neuropeptide signaling. As the ultimate target is the V-ATPase in the apical plasma membrane, this selective activation of mitochondria is clearly adaptive. The results highlight the dynamic nature and both spatial and temporal heterogeneity of calcium signaling possible in differentiated, organotypic cells and provide a new model for neuroendocrine control of V-ATPase.
Three tuf-like genes in the kirromycin producer Streptomyces ramocissimus.

We have identified, cloned and sequenced three tuf-like genes from Streptomyces ramocissimus (Sr.), the producer of the antibiotic kirromycin which inhibits protein synthesis by binding the polypeptide chain elongation factor EF-Tu. The tuf-1 gene encodes a protein with 71% amino acid residues identical to the well characterized elongation factor Tu of Escherichia coli (Ec.EF-Tu). The genetic location of tuf-1 downstream of a fus homologue and the in vitro activity of Sr.EF-Tu1 show that tuf-1 encodes a genuine EF-Tu. The putative Sr.EF-Tu2 and Sr.EF-Tu3 proteins are 69% and 63% identical to Ec.EF-Tu. Homologues of tuf-1 and tuf-3 were detected in all five Streptomyces strains investigated, but tuf-2 was found in S. ramocissimus only. The three tuf genes were expressed in E. coli and used to produce polyclonal antibodies. Western blot analysis showed that Sr.EF-Tu1 was present at all times under kirromycin production conditions in submerged and surface-grown cultures of S. ramocissimus and in germinating spores. The expression of tuf-2 and tuf-3 was, however, below the detection level. Surprisingly, Sr.EF-Tu1 was kirromycin sensitive, which excludes the possibility that EF-Tu is involved in the kirromycin resistance of S. ramocissimus.
Creative Destruction? UK Evidence that Buyouts Cut Jobs to Raise Returns

Building on previous work (Cressy et al, 2007) showing that buyouts have higher operating profitability in the post-buyout period the paper examines contradictory popular claims that Private Equity (PE)-backed LBOs generate or destroy jobs as a result of the process of 'rationalization'. Using a sample of 48 UK buyouts and a matched sample of 84 non-PE-backed UK companies over the period 1995-2000 we run log linear employment regressions for 1-5 years after the buyout. A PE dummy represents companies that have PE backing whilst other variables control for initial employment, gearing, investee size and profitability together with industry and macro effects. Heckman sample selection regressions deal with the problem of missing employment data. We find that there is no 'choice' effect: in the buyout year there are no significant differences between buyout companies and controls. Furthermore, in the post-buyout regressions the PE dummy is highly significant and quantitatively important so that buyout organizations involve job losses. Over the first post-buyout year for example PE companies' employment falls relative to controls by 7% rising to 23% over the first 4 years. In the last year of the study (year 5) employment increases. Leveraged buyouts thus bring about quick and substantial reductions in employment in target companies during the period of 'rationalization'. However, both initial profitability, 3-year average post-buyout profitability and 3 year sales growth have positive elasticities with respect to future employment. Therefore, buyouts generating higher operating profits from job cuts are associated with compensating job creation as profitability increases and sales expand, thereby helping to offset job losses arising from initial rationalization of the business.