Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural characterization of a 2 : 1 distamycin A d ( CGCAAATI ' GGC ) complex by two-dimensional NMR ( drug-DNA interactions / drug binding / DNA minor groove / intermolecular contacts )

Two-dimensional NMR has been used to study the 2:1 distamycin A-d(CGCAAATTGGC)-d(GCCAATTTGCG) complex. The nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) experiment was used to assign the aromatic and C1'H DNA protons and to identify drug-DNA contacts. These data indicate that two drug molecules bind simultaneously in the minor groove of the central 5'-AAATT-3' segment and are in close contact with both the DNA and one another. One drug binds with the formyl end close to the second adenine base of the A-rich strand, while the other drug binds with the formyl end close to the second adenine of the complementary strand. With this binding orientation, the positively charged propylamidinium groups are directed toward opposite ends of the helix. Molecular modeling shows that the minor groove must expand relative to the 1:1 complex to accommodate both drugs. Energy calculations suggest that electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals forces contribute to the stability of the complex. An understanding ofdrug-DNA interactions at the molecular level is important in facilitating the design of new drugs and probes that can recognize specific DNA sequences. Distamycin A is an oligopeptide antibiotic (Fig. 1) that binds preferentially to the minor groove of A+T-rich DNA sites (1, 2). Recently, several studies of 1:1 distamycin A-DNA complexes have provided insight into both the specificity and the forces responsible for the tight binding of this drug. Footprinting and affinity cleaving studies (3) have shown that distamycin A binds tightly to 5'-AAATT-3' in two orientations to a degree dependent on flanking base pairs and, in general, prefers sites that contain several adjacent adenine residues. NMR studies of distamycin A with d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 (4, 5) have shown that 5'-AATT-3' is a good binding site, while calorimetric studies of distamycin A with d(GCGAATTCGC)2 (6) indicate that the binding constant for the complex is near 3 x 108 M-1, and that the binding process is enthalpy driven. Recent crystallographic studies of distamycin A with d(CGCAAA1TJ7GCG)2 (7) revealed that the drug bound to a 5'-ATTT-3' sequence, although other sites with four A-T base pairs were available. Similar results have been obtained from footprinting (8, 9), calorimetric (10), crystallographic (11-14), and NMR (15-18) studies of netropsin-DNA complexes. Analysis of these data indicates that van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, and electrostatic forces (19) contribute to the stability of these complexes and the sequence specificity of these drugs. Using NMR spectroscopy, we have now examined the binding of distamycin A to d(CGCAAATTGGC)d(GCCAAITTTGCG),t henceforth called the AAATT duplex. Our major motivation was to examine which binding sites were occupied in solution when a sequence with more I H H H U FFg H H3-1 H3-2 N. , CH2 NH2 NH1 NH3 NH5 H3-3 H CH2 -
In-Depth Citizen Interaction with E-Government from Taxpayers' Behavioral Perspectives 1

This study explores the key factors of the electronic tax filing system (EFS) from the behavioral perspectives of the end users. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study examines the antecedents of information technology usage and proposes an integrated model for the empirical examination of the users’ behavioral intentions for using EFS. The results show that perceived behavior control most significantly affects the end users’ intentions for the EFS usage. In addition, users’ overall satisfactions, specifically those explained by ease of use of the EFS also influence their intention to adopt the EFS. Discussions and policy recommendations for promoting the EFS are provided according to the empirical results.
The Economic Impact of Educational Institutions: Issues and Methodology

This article provides a framework for conducting economic analysis for educational institutions. Such institutions, because they affect future output and income through human capital formation, have effects beyond the usual form of economic impact. To date, we are aware of no published impact studies that have adequately dealt with this issue, and most have not effectively handled the traditional sources of impact as arise through the import substitution phenomenon (the impact from increased local source spending in the area caused by the institution’s presence.) This study demonstrates an approach to handling all three sources of impact (export, import substitution, and human capital) and provides a description of the data sources needed to conduct such a study. In addition, the authors include a case study of Xavier University’s impact to demonstrate the viability of their proposed methodology.
Affect and loneliness among centenarians and the oldest old: The role of individual and social resources

Objectives: Affect and loneliness are important indicators of mental health and well-being in older adulthood and are linked to significant outcomes including physical health and mortality. Given a large focus on young–old adults within gerontological research, the primary aim of this study was to examine the ability of individual and social resources in predicting affect and loneliness within a sample of oldest-old individuals including centenarians, an understudied population. Methods: Participants were assessed during the most recent cross-sectional data collection of the Georgia Centenarian Study. The eligible sample included 55 octogenarians (M = 83.70 years, SD = 2.68; range = 81–90) and 77 centenarians (M = 99.78 years, SD = 1.64; range = 98–109). Subjects scored 17 or greater on the Mini-Mental Status Exam and completed mental health assessments. Results: Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the relation of affect and loneliness with demographic characteristics, physical and social functioning, cognition, and personality. Within this sample of cognitively intact oldest old, measures of executive control and cognitive functioning demonstrated limited association with mental health. Personality, specifically neuroticism, was strongly related to mental health indicators for both age groups and social relations were particularly important associates of centenarians’ mental health. Discussion: Findings indicate the distinctiveness of mental health indicators and the need to distinguish differential roles of individual and social resources in determining these outcomes among octogenarians and centenarians
Introduction: Sexual Violence: Current Perspectives on Prevention and Intervention

Whether we turn to the news media or scientific research articles, the evidence is all around us that sexual violence is a problem for our communities. The National Violence Against Women Survey found, for example, that 18% of a national sample of women reported attempted or completed rape in their lifetime (Tjaden & Thoennes, 1998). Fisher, Cullen, and Turner’s (2000) national sample of college women found incidence rates of 2.8% for completed or attempted rape in one year with lifetime rates of 10% for rape. Rates are higher when a broader array of sexual violence experiences are considered. Causal explanations lie at all levels of the ecological model including community factors such as peer norms (e.g., Schwartz & DeKeseredy, 1997, 2000) as well as more individual-level attitudes (e.g., O’Donohue, Yeater, & Fanetti, 2003). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2004) recently released a report highlighting the need for more attention to prevention of this problem. Incorporated in their discussion is a map for such work which includes the need for careful definition of the problem and its causes within specific communities and the implementation and evaluation of promising practices. Karjane,
Adverse reproductive outcome induced by Parvovirus B19 and TORCH infections in women with high-risk pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION The frequency of fetopathogenic viruses and Toxoplasma gondii infections in the TORCH group (Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus) together with Parvovirus B19 (B19) in pregnant women with bad obstetric history (BOH) and/or concurrent pregnancy complications was investigated. METHODOLOGY Sixty women (20-35 years) with BOH and/or antecedent pregnancy complications were studied. Twenty-nine healthy pregnant women matched for age, parity and gestational age served as controls. Sera were analyzed for IgM antibodies for B19 and TORCH agents by ELISA. Cord blood and 33 placental tissues from six malformed newborns were tested for B19 DNA by PCR. RESULTS Out of 60 high-risk pregnant women, 47 (78%) had BOH while 23 (38.3%) had underlying complications including polyhydramnios (n=10), oligohydramnios (n=6) and intrauterine growth restriction (n=7). Adverse outcomes occurred in 36 (60%) high-risk cases. All 16 cases with polyhydramnios/oligohydramnios resulted in preterm stillbirths while the remaining 20 cases resulted in seven abortions, six newborns with congenital malformations, four full-term stillbirths and three cases of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF). IgM positivity to T. gondii, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus and B19 virus was 8.3%, 15%, 30%, 3.3% and 13.6% respectively. B19 infection caused NIHF in three cases and cardiac anomaly in one. All placental tissues and cord blood were negative for B19 DNA. None of the controls had IgM antibodies to any pathogen. CONCLUSIONS Women with BOH and/or pregnancy complications had a high frequency of TORCH and parvovirus B19 infections causing fetal wastage, IUGR, NIHF and congenital malformations.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Firms’ Cost of Equity: How Does Culture Matter?

Prior studies have established a link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and cost of capital by coming to the conclusion that investing in CSR can generate future benefits for a firm. However, empirical support for this assertion has been mainly limited to the US market. We use an international sample, containing 48 countries from 2002-2013, to explain cross-country variations in the effects of CSR on cost of capital in different cultural contexts. We focus on the question of whether the relation between CSR and cost of equity is moderated by the culture of a society. We find that the decreasing effect of CSR on cost of equity is stronger in countries with lower levels of individualism, power distance, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation.
Using optimization to create self-stable human-like running

SUMMARY This paper demonstrates how numerical optimization techniques can efficiently be used to create self-stable running motions for a human-like robot model. Exploitation of self-stability is considered to be a crucial factor for biological running and might be the key for success to make bipedal and humanoid robots run in the future. We investigate a two-dimensional simulation model of running with nine bodies (trunk, thighs, shanks, feet, and arms) powered by external moments at all internal joints. Using efficient optimal control techniques and stability optimization, we were able to determine model parameters and actuator inputs that lead to fully open-loop stable running motions.
The Repercussions on Small Banks and Small Businesses of Procyclical Bank Capital and Countercyclical Loan Guarantees

Small businesses rely on banks for credit more than large businesses do. As a result, small business may be more adversely affected when adverse shocks, such as reduced bank capital or higher interest rates, reduce the supply of bank loans. We use annual, state-level data for 1990-2000 to estimate: (1) how much lower bank capital and higher interest rates affected businesses of various sizes, (2) how much SBA-guaranteed loans cushioned small business in particular and the economy more generally, and (3) whether the effects were larger during recessions and when interest rates were high. Lower bank capital and higher interest rates reduced bank lending, economic growth, employment, and payrolls at businesses of all sizes. Furthermore, lower bank capital at small banks impinged more on small business than on large business. The results also provided some weak evidence that SBA-guaranteed loans raised economic growth rates, employment, wages and salaries, and non-farm proprietors' incomes. SBA-guaranteed loans were less procyclical and less affected by capital pressures on banks than were non-guaranteed loans. As a result, SBA programs tended to stabilize the economy by offsetting the effects of recessions and bank capital pressures. When economic growth was slow or interest rates were high, the effects on small business of per unit change in bank capital, loan delinquencies, and SBA-guaranteed loans were larger.
In vitro initiated sperm forward motility in caput spermatozoa: weak and transient

Testicular spermatozoa during journey through epididymis acquire forward motility, which is essential for fertility. To understand the biochemistry of sperm motility initiation, various initiation media have been developed that permitted high level of motility induction (55–60%) in the immature caput‐spermatozoa in presence of activating principles: theophylline, bicarbonate and epididymal plasma (EP) when analysed microscopically. Here, we show for the first time using caprine model that stability and quality of in vitro‐induced motility in the caput spermatozoa is insignificant in contrast to naturally induced motility in mature cauda spermatozoa. In vitro‐induced motility of the immature spermatozoa was lost completely upon the removal of these activators by centrifugation. Selective withdrawal of either EP or HCO3 by dilution retains 50–60% of the in vitro‐induced motility. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that in vitro‐induced vertical motility in immature spermatozoa is too little when compared to mature spermatozoa. In in vitro‐initiated caput spermatozoa, cyclic adenosine monophosphate level becomes doubled but lesser than cauda spermatozoa. This revelation concludes that scientific knowledge generated over the years on the basis of in vitro initiation method is insignificant and needs improvisation to delineate biochemical regulation of sperm motility which in turn has remarkable potential in wide biological fields, especially in infertility treatment.
Characteristics of physically active smokers and implications for harm reduction.

OBJECTIVES We sought to establish the prevalence of physical activity among smokers, whether or not physically active smokers were more likely to attempt cessation, and who these physically active smokers were. METHODS We used logistic regression to contrast physically active and inactive smokers in a secondary data analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1. RESULTS Physically active smokers represented almost one quarter of the smoking population. Compared with physically inactive smokers, physically active smokers were more likely to have attempted cessation in the past year. Physically active smokers were more likely to be young, single, and men compared with their inactive counterparts. Income had no influence in distinguishing physically active and inactive smokers. CONCLUSIONS Skepticism persists regarding the practicality and potential risks of promoting physical activity as a harm-reduction strategy for tobacco use. We found that a modest proportion of the daily smoking population was physically active and that engagement in this behavior was related to greater cessation attempts. Interventions could be developed that target smokers who are likely to adopt physical activity.
Do Norms Matter in Marketing Relationships?

Transaction cost analysis is rapidly becoming an important theoretical paradigm in marketing. However, the accumulation of transaction cost studies has been accompanied by a growing body of criticism, primarily directed toward its underlying behavioral norm of opportunism. That norm is a serious theoretical deficiency, not only because it may be descriptively inaccurate, but also because it limits the applicability of the theoretical framework. The authors show that norms play a very significant role in structuring economically efficient relationships between independent firms. In the absence of supportive norms, it is not possible for parties whose specific assets are at risk to acquire vertical control as per the transaction cost prescription. Instead, those parties lose control because of their dependence. An empirical test of the conceptual model in a sample of manufacturer-supplier relationships shows good support for the authors’ hypotheses.
Dynamic friction identification using neural networks

This paper shows the dynamical nature of friction in an industrial high accuracy pointing device. We investigate the presence of physical effects affecting friction evolution: Dahl's effect. Stribeck's effect, time-lag. Friction identification is done using a nonlinear dynamical black-box scheme: neural networks. Experimental results show the good agreement between the proposed scheme and the physical friction.
Resource Redeployment Following Horizontal Mergers and Acquisitions in Europe and the United States, 1988-1992

This paper studies redeployment of resources between target and acquiring businesses following horizontal acquisitions. The analysis draws from perspectives that emphasize the strategic importance of resources that are subject to market failure. We define a five-part typology of R&D, manufacturing, marketing, managerial, and financial resources. We show that targets and acquirers frequently redeploy resources following horizontal acquisitions, especially resources that frequently face market failure.
Assessing The Relationship Between Service Quality And Customer Satisfaction; Evidence From Nigerian Banking Industry

It is the performance of service that creates true customers: customers who buy more and who influence others to buy . However, Nigerian Banks have been found to be characterized by poor service quality. This study was therefore carried to examine the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction. Two hypotheses were formulated in this study and appropriate statistical techniques employed to test the hypotheses were multiple regression and correlation. The study reveals that service quality has significant effect on customer satisfaction. The result also show that there is a relationship between gender and customer service. Conclusion was drawn and it was recommended based on the findings of the study that the banks should focus more on their customers rather than on the products and services, which they sell because customers are the true business of every company.
Marketing Decision Support and Intelligent Systems: Precisely Worthwhile or Vaguely Worthless?

decision support system (MDSS) literature so as to provide maximal guidance to researchers and practitioners on how best to improve marketing decision-making using decision support systems. In order to achieve this goal, we lay out a taxonomy of decision support systems, create an integrative framework showing the drivers that maximally aid successful implementation, and propose future research that will help to resolve the inconclusive results in the literature. Throughout the chapter, we also attempt to reunite the divided decision support system literature by examining the assumptions underlying different research traditions in a broad, integrative context. The chapter is structured as follows. We first place decision support system research in context by characterizing the major assumptions used in the two research traditions that form the backbone of the DSS field. We also make the case that decision support can be helpful even to expert decisionmakers. Second, we define the basic constructs that are antecedent to decision support system design. Third, in light of these basic constructs, we construct a taxonomy of the types of decision support systems that we will be discussing. Fourth, we propose a metric for evaluating DSS success and we present an integrative framework that reflects the factors that appear most directly to affect the success of marketing decision support systems. We also relate existing systems to the taxonomy and framework. Fifth, we review the factors in our framework to identify the most important and to provide guidance about best practices. Sixth, we answer the question: do MDSS work? Seventh, we examine the research on knowledge-based systems in marketing, assess whether they work, and discuss the relationship between these systems and other types of decision support systems. Eighth, we briefly review recent developments in machine learning and data mining. Finally, we provide general comments and our thoughts on future directions for research. Readers who are interested in another recent review should see Wierenga et al. (1999).
FG2015 age progression evaluation

The topic of face-aging received increased attention by the computer vision community during the recent years. This interest is motivated by important real life applications where accurate age progression algorithms can be used. However, age progression methodologies may only be used in real applications provided that they have the ability to produce accurate age progressed images. Therefore it is of utmost importance to encourage the development of accurate age progression algorithms through the formulation of performance evaluation protocols that can be used for obtaining accurate performance evaluation results for different algorithms reported in the literature. In this paper we describe the organization of the, first ever, pilot independent age progression competition that aims to provide the basis of a robust framework for assessing age progression methodologies. The evaluation carried out involves the use of several machine-based and human-based indicators that were used for assessing eight age progression methods.
A Research Modeling to Understand Online Shopping Intention

This study aims to shed light on the antecedents relating to the extent of both the attitude toward online shopping and the purchase intention. This work is done from an integrated research framework based on the Attitude Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A total of 370 randomly selected respondents from the states of Selangor, Malaysia answered the questionnaire and the data was analyzed using path analysis to identify the possible predictors. The results support the use of the construct "attitude toward online shopping" as a bridge to connect the Attitude Model and the Behavioral Intention Model to establish an integrated research framework and to shed light on how consumers form their attitudes toward online shopping and make purchase intention. Online retailer should provide more benefits than ever before, with the consequence that consumers will hold a more positive attitude toward online shopping that leads to their purchase intentions. In summary, online retailers need to ensure that the online shopping process through their websites should be making as easy, simple and convenient as possible for consumers to shop online. The websites should also be designed in such a way that they are not too confusing for potential new buyers, particularly among consumers, who may not be familiar with this new form of shopping. In addition, online retailers need to provide a competitive price for products in order to attract online shoppers to their websites and encourage them to make purchase decisions. This study pioneers in building an integrated research framework to understand how consumers form their attitudes toward online shopping and make purchase intention.