Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gene Therapy Vectors Based on Adeno-Associated Virus Type 1

ABSTRACT The complete sequence of adeno-associated virus type 1 (AAV-1) was defined. Its genome of 4,718 nucleotides demonstrates high homology with those of other AAV serotypes, including AAV-6, which appears to have arisen from homologous recombination between AAV-1 and AAV-2. Analysis of sera from nonhuman and human primates for neutralizing antibodies (NAB) against AAV-1 and AAV-2 revealed the following. (i) NAB to AAV-1 are more common than NAB to AAV-2 in nonhuman primates, while the reverse is true in humans; and (ii) sera from 36% of nonhuman primates neutralized AAV-1 but not AAV-2, while sera from 8% of humans neutralized AAV-2 but not AAV-1. An infectious clone of AAV-1 was isolated from a replicated monomer form, and vectors were created with AAV-2 inverted terminal repeats and AAV-1 Rep and Cap functions. Both AAV-1- and AAV-2-based vectors transduced murine liver and muscle in vivo; AAV-1 was more efficient for muscle, while AAV-2 transduced liver more efficiently. Strong NAB responses were detected for each vector administered to murine skeletal muscle; these responses prevented readministration of the same serotype but did not substantially cross-neutralize the other serotype. Similar results were observed in the context of liver-directed gene transfer, except for a significant, but incomplete, neutralization of AAV-1 from a previous treatment with AAV-2. Vectors based on AAV-1 may be preferred in some applications of human gene therapy.
Epidemiologic analysis of Mycoplasma spp isolated from bulk-tank milk samples obtained from dairy herds that were members of a milk cooperative.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of Mycoplasma spp in herds that were members of a milk cooperative. DESIGN Epidemiologic study. SAMPLE POPULATION 267 dairy herds that were members of a milk cooperative. PROCEDURE Bulk-tank milk samples were collected monthly during a 6-year period from all dairies in the cooperative. Samples were submitted to the cooperative's laboratory for bacterial culture for Mycoplasma spp, using direct plating. Milk samples positive for Mycoplasma organisms were speciated. RESULTS Prevalence of positive samples varied from 1.8 to 5.8% for all species of Mycoplasma and from 1.2 to 3.1% for Mycoplasma spp known to be mastitis pathogens. One mycoplasmal species was isolated initially on 99 of 198 (50.0%) dairies, but 68 of 198 (34.3%) dairies had 2 species isolated. Mycoplasma bovis, M californicum, and M bovigenitalium were consistently isolated, but M bovis (243/499; 48.6%) was the most commonly isolated species. Acholeplasma laidlawii was more prevalent in 1989 and 1995 than other years. Mycoplasma bovigenitalium and M californicum had a seasonal distribution. Less than 50 colonies per plate were isolated for most (317/500; 63.4%) bulk-tank samples. Of the milk samples with > 100 colonies/plate, Mycoplasma bovis was isolated most frequently (73/243; 30.0%). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Distribution of Mycoplasma spp varied by year, number of colonies isolated per sample, season, and herd. Therefore, it may be necessary to routinely sample bulk-tank milk, and all isolates should be speciated. Culture results from milk cooperatives should be used with other monitoring information to determine the Mycoplasma status of herds.
Women in Board of Directors and Real Earnings Management: Accretive Share Buyback in Malaysia

Gender diversity of boards and reporting of earnings are two most debated issues in the corporate world. In this context, the paper explores how the presence of women directors on the corporate board influence real earnings management through accretive buyback programs. Using a sample of 601 firms’ observations that engage in accretive share buyback from 2010-2015, the findings reveal that existence of women directors on the board is associated with less engagement in accretive share buyback activities. We further find that firms with a higher number of independent directors are less likely to practice real earnings management through accretive buyback programs. Our paper contributes to the debate on gender diversity on boards and its influence on the utilisation of accretive buyback programs as a tool to real earnings management.
CD34+ progenitors and colony‐forming units‐granulocyte macrophage are recruited during large‐volume leukapheresis and concentrated by counterflow centrifugal elutriation

The recruitment of mononuclear cells (MNCs), colony‐forming units‐ granulocyte macrophage (CFU‐GM), lymphocyte subpopulations, and CD34+ progenitor cells was studied during large‐volume (15–25 L blood processed) peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) harvests. Normal donors (n = 13) underwent a 4‐hour leukapheresis designed to maximize PBSC yield (blood flow rate, 85 mL/min). Mean (± SD) volume processed was 17.7 ± 0.4 L, and yield was 2.4 ± 0.7 × 10(10) white cells containing 99 percent MNCs and 1.3 mL red cells per L of blood processed. Postapheresis hematocrit, platelets, and MNCs were reduced from preapheresis values by 7, 35, and 23 percent, respectively (p < 0.05). In nine donors, the component was collected as four 1‐hour samples, and culturing of CFU‐GM and flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations and CD34±;/HLA‐DR±; cells were done in individual samples. Total CFU‐GM were 2.4 ± 1.4 × 10(6) (3.0 ± 1.8 × 10(4) CFU‐GM/kg) and lymphocytes were 20.8 × 10(9), with 75 percent CD3±; T cells, 10 percent CD19/CD20±; B cells, and 17 percent natural killer cells. A more than twofold increase in CFU‐GM and CD34±; cells was noted over the course of the 4‐hour procedure (p < 0.05). In four donors, the leukapheresis component underwent counterflow centrifugal elutriation (CCE), which separated it into four fractions in an attempt to concentrate CD34±; and CFU‐GM progenitors and to deplete T‐lymphocytes on a large scale. There was a 1.8‐, 4.6‐, 3.9‐, and 0.32‐fold increase in CFU‐GM in the four fractions relative to the unseparated component. CD34+ cells represented 0.09,0.23, 0.66, and 0.41 percent of the fractions, respectively, while there was a relative de‐ pletion of CD3+ T‐lymphocytes by 61.4, 78.7, 85.1, and 98.1 percent. Thus, MNCs, CFU‐GM, and CD34+ cells are recruited during lar e‐volume leukapheresis, which ma generate adequate mean CFU‐GM er kg to afow PBSC bone marrow rescue in &wer procedures. CD34+ and CFU‐eM rogenitors are concentrated by CCE, and T cells are modestly depleted by CCE.
The Effect of Market Volatility on Liquidity and Stock Returns in the Korean Stock Market

This study analyzes the effect of market volatility on stock returns using data from the Korean stock market from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014. We show that unexpected increases in market volatility accompany decreases in both stock returns and liquidity and the effect of volatility shock on stock returns is greater for stocks with more domestic or foreign institutional trading. Individual investors mitigate the negative effect of volatility shock on stock returns. The interaction effect of market volatility and liquidity on stock returns is stronger for stocks with more foreign institutional trading. We also document some evidence of asymmetric effects of market volatility on stock returns that are related to whether trades are buyer or seller-initiated.
FIRM ORIENTATIONS AND PERFORMANCE OF HOTELS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: The study sought to assess the effect of firm orientation on the performance of hotels in Nairobi, Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 232 consisting of 174 employees in three cadres of staff and 58 hotel owners from the 58 hotels in Nairobi region that are registered with Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers. Since this number was small and easily manageable, the study adopted a census. The study used primary data collected through the administration of questionnaires. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to aid the processing and analysis of the data collected. Multiple linear regressions were conducted. The statistics that generated included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results: The study findings revealed that market structure in terms of industry competition and market power, organizational structure, strategic orientation and market orientation had a positive effect on the performance of hotels in this county. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy : The study recommended that sufficient regulation and supervision within the hotel industry was needed to ensure healthy competition among the businesses especially due to the competitive nature of the industry. Hotel businesses had to develop positioning strategies such as quality customer service, physical attractiveness, and range of product offerings, unique product features, and safety and security systems, information technologies which would enable them to perform and survive the stiff competition within the industry. The study also recommended that a blend of organization structure that allowed greater organization of the functions of the hotels and ensured efficient and easier way of corporation and coordination among different stakeholders should be adopted. Since strategic orientation comprised of all the other firm orientations and was one of the most important tools in a firm, the study recommended that it was crucial for the hotels to set aside resources that would support the implementation of various strategies to deal with every challenge in the businesses. The study further recommended that it was necessary for the hotels to advance their competitor orientation by keeping up with and constantly monitoring the strategies employed by their competitors.
Insolvency Regimes, Technology Diffusion and Productivity Growth: Evidence from Firms in OECD Countries

This paper explores the link between the design of insolvency regimes across countries and laggard firms’ multi-factor productivity (MFP) growth, using new OECD indicators of the design of insolvency regimes. Firm-level analysis shows that reforms to insolvency regimes that lower barriers to corporate restructuring are associated with higher MFP growth of laggard firms. These results are consistent with the idea that insolvency regimes that do not unduly inhibit corporate restructuring can incentivise experimentation and provide scope to reconfigure production and organisational structures in order to faciliate technological adoption. The results also highlight policy complementarities, with insolvency regimes that reduce the cost of entrepreneurial failure potentially enhancing the MFP gains from lowering administrative entry barriers in product markets. Finally, we find that reducing debt bias in corporate tax systems and well-developed venture capital markets are associated higher laggard firm MFP growth, suggesting that equity financing can also be an important driver of technological diffusion. These findings carry strong policy implications, in light of the fact that there is much scope to reform insolvency regimes in many OECD countries and given evidence that stalling technological diffusion has contributed to the aggregate productivity slowdown.
Wireless Calibration of a Surface Acoustic Wave Resonator as a Strain Sensor

In this paper, calibration data for a single one-port surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator strain sensor fabricated on 36° (AT) quartz is presented. This substrate was chosen as it is traditionally associated with temperature stability in SAW resonator design. To investigate the sensor as a general-purpose strain sensing element the sensors were bonded using standard adhesives and calibrated using a special-purpose test apparatus and a repeatable testing methodology. Bonding effects and thermal sensitivities are empirically investigated. Longitudinal and transverse strain sensitivities at a range of temperatures are presented as well as the variation in sensor sensitivity as function of alignment angle to applied strain.
The Influence of Financial Distress Using Altman Z-Score, the Beta of Stocks and Inflation to the Stock Return

Objective – Stock is one securities among other securities, as a high risk instrument. Stock classified as high risk due to reflection in the uncertainty of the rate of return to be received by investors in the future. The purpose of this research is to examine of financial distress as measured by the Altman Z-Score, systematic risk as measured by beta stocks and macroeconomic measured by inflation on stock returns Manufacturing Company listed on the Stock Exchange 2008-2012 period Methodology/Technique – From 133 companies listed, 75 companies are taken as sample by using purposive sampling technique. Panel data regression analysis shows that the overall effect of variables is equal to 28.7%. Findings – Partially, the variables that affect the stock returns are financial distress with Altman Z-Score, beta stocks and inflation. Novelty – Financial distress with the measurement using the Altman Z-Score. Type of Paper: Empirical
The Ex-Day Phenomenon and Share Price Performance on Emerging Markets

We study share price performance at the ex-dividend date and its relation to trading volume and a set of factors corresponding to different explanatory theories. Among the investigated factors that may have impact on the ex-dividend date share price are dividend yield, capital gains tax rate and dividends tax rate, transaction costs, market microstructure characteristics, market stock risk, and the disposition effect. The research was conducted using the panel data of companies from the BRIC zone for the period of 2005-2015. According to the obtained results, dividend capturing and disposition effect theories are likely to have explanatory power for the ex-day phenomenon for our sample. Tax theory and dividend clientele theory have not found empirical support.
Baseline and stimulated turnover of cell surface c‐Kit expression in different types of human mast cells

Abstract: The receptor tyrosine kinase c‐Kit is fundamental to mast cell (MC) development and maintenance. Its regulation can occur at various levels, but nothing is known about how this is accomplished in normal human tissue MC. Likewise, the baseline turnover of c‐Kit has not been addressed yet. We used mature MC from human skin, along with the MC lines LAD‐2 and HMC‐1 and treated them with stem cell factor (SCF), cycloheximide, actinomycin D (AD) and combinations thereof, and determined expression levels of c‐Kit and other surface receptors by flow cytometry. Ligand‐induced internalization of c‐Kit was found to be a universal mechanism and detectable in all MC subtypes. By Western blot analysis of LAD‐2 cells, c‐Kit was found to nearly disappear 3 h after the addition of SCF to slowly recover thereafter. Investigations into the baseline turnover of c‐Kit expression revealed that c‐Kit is strongly affected by the inhibition of de novo translation in all MC subsets, while a suppression of transcription had a weaker effect and displayed greater cell‐to‐cell variation. Only a minor impact on other cell surface receptors (CD29, CD50 and CD54) was noted. On combined treatment, cycloheximide, AD and SCF displayed additive effects, resulting in a complete disappearance of c‐Kit from the cell surface. In conclusion, c‐Kit represents a rapidly cycling cell surface receptor. It is not only immediately internalized upon binding of its ligand, but it is also heavily affected by the inhibition of translation or transcription when viewed against an average background. Interestingly, c‐Kit regulation seems largely independent of the MC subtype.
Coronal Shear Fractures of the Distal End of the Humerus*

We identified a shear fracture of the distal articular surface of the humerus, with anterior and proximal displacement of the capitellum and a portion of the trochlea, in six patients (five female and one male). The average age of the patients was thirty-eight years (range, ten to sixty-three years). Each fracture was the result of a fall from a standing height. A characteristic radiographic abnormality, which we have termed the double-arc sign, was seen on the lateral radiograph of each patient and represented the subchondral bone of the displaced capitellum and the lateral trochlear ridge. All patients were managed with open reduction, internal fixation, and early motion of the elbow. The average duration of follow-up was twenty-two months (range, eighteen to twenty-six months). The fracture united in all patients at an average of six weeks (range, four to nine weeks), without radiographic evidence of osteonecrosis of the fracture fragment. Flexion of the elbow averaged 141 degrees (range, 130 to 150 degrees), with an average flexion contracture of 15 degrees (range, 0 to 40 degrees). Pronation of the forearm averaged 83 degrees, and supination averaged 84 degrees. All patients had a good or excellent functional result, according to the elbow-rating scale of Broberg and Morrey.
Dieting concerns of 10-year-old girls and their mothers.

The responses of a group of 10-year-old girls on a dietary restraint questionnaire described a wide range of dieting concerns. Subgroups of highly restrained and low-restrained girls were identified and their mothers interviewed. A strong relationship (r = .68) was found between the degree of dietary restraint expressed by the girls and their mothers. The highly restrained girls had a significantly higher EAT score than the low-restrained girls, and shared with their mothers a susceptibility to the disinhibitory effects of negative mood states on their eating behaviour.
Accelerating Access to New Malaria Vector Control Tools: A National and Global Health Policy Analysis

7 BACKGROUND . 7 METHODS . 7 RESULTS . 7 CONCLUSIONS . 8 ABBREVIATIONS . 13 LIST OF TABLES . 14 LIST OF FIGURES . 15
The Social and Cultural Context of Risk and Prevention: Food and Physical Activity in an Urban Aboriginal Community

One of the key public health challenges facing indigenous and other minority communities is how to develop and implement effective, acceptable, and sustainable strategies for the prevention of noninsulindependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In this article, the authors describe how an ethnographic approach was used to contextualize the behavioral risk factors for NIDDM and applied to the development of a more meaningful and appropriate epidemiological risk factor survey instrument for an urban Aboriginal population in Australia. The overall research design comprised a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. The ethnographic study showed that the complex web of meanings that tie people to their family and community can and should be taken into account in any social epidemiology of health and illness if the findings are to have any effective and long-term potential to contribute to successful public health interventions targeting these behavioral risk factors.
Influence of Occupational Exposure to Organic Solvent Mixtures on Contrast Sensitivity in Printers

Learning ObjectivesExplain why contrast sensitivity was used as a measure of visual function in this study of organic solvent exposure in the print industry.Recall when visual function was tested in relation to solvent exposure.Summarize the findings of this study and their implications for the role of contrast sensitivity testing of printers exposed to solvent mixtures in the course of their work. Contrast sensitivity measurement accurately evaluates the sensitivity of all human visual channels, even in a more detailed manner than simple acuity measures can. This is a study of visual contrast sensitivity in a series of subjects occupationally exposed to organic solvents. Contrast sensitivity was measured for 42 printers and 28 age-stratified controls using the Vistech VCTS 6500 chart. The exposed workers distinguished between following three groups of printers: “low exposed,” “middle exposed,” and “high exposed. ” Abnormal contrast sensitivity results were recorded for the right eye in 38% of the printers and 11% of the controls and for the left eye in 38% of the printers and 7% of the controls. Especially, we found a reduced contrast sensitivity in all three groups exposed to solvents for both eyes. We conclude that contrast sensitivity is abnormal in workers exposed to organic solvents. The reduced contrast sensitivity in printers seems to be an indicator of visual defects induced in response to organic solvents exposure.
Genome-Wide Analysis of the Lysine Biosynthesis Pathway Network during Maize Seed Development

Lysine is one of the most limiting essential amino acids for humans and livestock. The nutritional value of maize (Zea mays L.) is reduced by its poor lysine content. To better understand the lysine biosynthesis pathway in maize seed, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of the genes involved in lysine biosynthesis. We identified lysine biosynthesis pathway genes (LBPGs) and investigated whether a diaminopimelate pathway variant exists in maize. We analyzed two genes encoding the key enzyme dihydrodipicolinate synthase, and determined that they contribute differently to lysine synthesis during maize seed development. A coexpression network of LBPGs was constructed using RNA-sequencing data from 21 developmental stages of B73 maize seed. We found a large set of genes encoding ribosomal proteins, elongation factors and zein proteins that were coexpressed with LBPGs. The coexpressed genes were enriched in cellular metabolism terms and protein related terms. A phylogenetic analysis of the LBPGs from different plant species revealed different relationships. Additionally, six transcription factor (TF) families containing 13 TFs were identified as the Hub TFs of the LBPGs modules. Several expression quantitative trait loci of LBPGs were also identified. Our results should help to elucidate the lysine biosynthesis pathway network in maize seed.
Chronic Effects of Waterborne PFOS Exposure on Growth , Development , Reproduction and Hepatotoxicity in Zebrafish

To evaluate the potential effects on growth and reproduction of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), the zebrafish fry (F0, 14 d post-fertilization, dpf) were chronically exposed to various concentrations of PFOS (0, 10, 50 and 250 μg l–1) until sex mature (70 d) and effects on reproductive capacity and endocrine disrupted potential were assessed. No significant adverse effects on survival were observed in developing zebrafish exposed to PFOS for 70 d under all tested concentrations. Reduction of growth (weight and length) and histological alternations most prominently with lipid droplets accumulation in the liver were only observed in the male fish. Whole body triiodothyronine (T3) levels were not significantly changed in both male and female. Gonadal somatic index (GSI) of the females was significantly reduced in the exposure groups. Despite hepatic vitellogenin (VTG) gene expression was significantly up-regulated, no intersex was found in testes as well as the sex ratio was not changed. After 70 d exposure, remaining fish were placed to clean water for 30 d to assess recovery of hepatotoxicity, but histological alternations in the male fish liver were not reversible. To determine possible developmental effects of PFOS exposure on the F1 generation, a subset of exposed females was paired with unexposed males. The results showed that hatching rates were not affected. However, embryo malformations largely with curved spines were observed in 50 and 250 μg l–1 of PFOS treated groups and resulted in mortality. Taken together, the study suggested that long-term maternal exposure zebrafish to lower concentration of PFOS could impair development in the F1 generation, and the risk assessment of estrogenic endocrine disruption of PFOS in the aquatic environment is likely small.