Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ups and downs of genome size evolution in polyploid species of Nicotiana (Solanaceae).

BACKGROUND In studies looking at individual polyploid species, the most common patterns of genomic change are that either genome size in the polyploid is additive (i.e. the sum of parental genome donors) or there is evidence of genome downsizing. Reports showing an increase in genome size are rare. In a large-scale analysis of 3008 species, genome downsizing was shown to be a widespread biological response to polyploidy. Polyploidy in the genus Nicotiana (Solanaceae) is common with approx. 40 % of the approx. 75 species being allotetraploid. Recent advances in understanding phylogenetic relationships of Nicotiana species and dating polyploid formation enable a temporal dimension to be added to the analysis of genome size evolution in these polyploids. METHODS Genome sizes were measured in 18 species of Nicotiana (nine diploids and nine polyploids) ranging in age from <200,000 years to approx. 4.5 Myr old, to determine the direction and extent of genome size change following polyploidy. These data were combined with data from genomic in situ hybridization and increasing amounts of information on sequence composition in Nicotiana to provide insights into the molecular basis of genome size changes. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS By comparing the expected genome size of the polyploid (based on summing the genome size of species identified as either a parent or most closely related to the diploid progenitors) with the observed genome size, four polyploids showed genome downsizing and five showed increases. There was no discernable pattern in the direction of genome size change with age of polyploids, although with increasing age the amount of genome size change increased. In older polyploids (approx. 4.5 million years old) the increase in genome size was associated with loss of detectable genomic in situ hybridization signal, whereas some hybridization signal was still detected in species exhibiting genome downsizing. The possible significance of these results is discussed.
Algorithmic Trading and Liquidity Commonality

Although previous research has documented a low intraday liquidity commonality across stocks, it has grown over the past decade. Using the introduction of hybrid market in the New York Stock Exchange, I show that at least a part of this growth can be attributed to an increase in algorithmic trading; hybridization increases the 5-minute liquidity comovement by 30 to 50%. Moreover, the effect is stronger at daily frequencies: hybridization induces a 90% higher daily liquidity co-movement. These results are due to both an increase in market liquidity risk and a decrease in idiosyncratic liquidity volatility.
Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease from continuous speech using deep convolutional networks without manual selection of features

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a relatively common neurodegenerative disabling disease. It affects central nervous system with profound effect on the motor system. The most common symptoms include slowness, rigidity and tremor during motion. It has been suggested that the vocal cords are among the first one to be affected and thus the speech is affected at very early stage of the disease and continues to deteriorate as the disease progress. In this work, we focus on automating the process of diagnosis from continuous native speech by removing the necessity of a trained personal from the diagnosis process. This is done by using an adaptation of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architecture for one-dimensional signal processing (i.e. raw speech signal) on a relatively small training set. This is a continuation to previous works where we showed (i) that this task can be achieved by using manually-extracted features of the speech (such as formants and their ratios) and (ii) by using an automatic process of auditory features extraction, where the features were selected by signal processing specialist.
Empirical Analysis on Factors Behind Successful Entrepreneurs

This research analyzes how human capital and social capital may impact business start-up activities by dividing the business start-up process into three stages and two periods. It shows that the kind of social capital involved in setting up a company differs from that required for the entrepreneur to make a profit. It also shows that successful entrepreneurs and those who are not exhibit different trends in their selection of persons with whom they consult regarding business operations and the contents of the consultations.
Fiyat Sonu Yazim Stratejileri: Kafe ve Restoran Menü Fiyatlarinin Öğrenci Algilari Üzerindeki Etkisini Belirlemeye Yönelik Nitel Bir Çalişma

Bu calismanin amaci, psikolojik fiyatlandirma yontemlerinden birisi olan fiyat sonu yazim stratejisinin, kafe ve luks restoranlardaki uygulama bicimlerini arastirmak ve bu stratejiyle olusturulmus menulerin algilamalarda ucuz ve yuksek kalite imajini yansitip yansitmadigini incelemektir. Calismanin yontem kismi iki asamadan olusturulmustur. Birinci asamada Ankara'da bulunan kafe ve luks restoranlardan 70 adet menu toplanmis ve fiyat sonu yazim stratejisinin yiyecek-icecek isletmelerindeki uygulamalari arastirilmistir. Ilk asamada luks restoranlarin menulerinde yuksek kalitenin simgesi olarak kabul edilen . 00'li (orn 7.00) fiyat sonlandirmasi ve kusuratsiz fiyat yaziminin (orn. 7) agirlikli olarak tercih edildigi gorulmustur. Arastirmanin ikinci asamasinda, fiyat sonu yazim stratejisinin musteri algilamalarini nasil etkiledigini belirlemek uzere senaryolar olusturulmus ve bu senaryolar uzerinden orneklem kapsamina alinan ogrencilerin tercihleri incelenmistir. Elde edilen bulgulara gore . 00'li fiyat sonu yazim stratejisinin ve kusuratsiz fiyat yazim seklinin, yuksek kalite imajini yansittigi anlasilmistir. Ancak ucuz imajinin nasil algilandigini arastirmak icin kullanilan . 99'lu ve . 00'li fiyat sonlandirmalarinin herhangi bir etki yaratmadigi ortaya cikmistir.
Lowered IL-4-producing T cells and decreased IL-4 secretion in peripheral blood from subjects with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND To evaluate T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 cells and cytokines in patients with three different subtypes of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). METHODS Peripheral blood was obtained from 25 children with JRA suffering from active arthritis (8 systemic, 9 pauciarticular and 8 polyarticular). Eight healthy children were recruited as controls. T helper cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were evaluated by using intracellular staining analysis of cytokine production with 3-colored flow cytometry. A Th1 cell was defined as an interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) producing CD4+ cell, and a Th2 cell as an interleukin-4 (IL-4) producing CD4+ cell. The production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma from PBMC was measured by ELISA. RESULTS In comparison with normal controls, the patients with JRA had significantly fewer Th2 cells among their PBMC (0.78 +/- 0.56% vs. 5.44 +/- 2.33%, p < 0.001). The percentage of Th1 cells among PBMC was not different between patients and normal controls (4.32 +/- 3.24% vs. 4.52 +/- 2.56%, p > 0.5). The ratio of Th1/Th2 cells in the patient group was significantly higher than the control group (8.38 +/- 8.63 vs. 0.95 +/- 0.66, p < 0.001). After 24-hour culture, the PBMC from JRA patients produced less IL-4 than that of controls (3.61 +/- 0.56 pg/mL vs. 4.29 +/- 0.68 pg/mL, p = 0.002). The production of IL-2, IL-5, and IFN-gamma did not show significant differences between JRA patients and normal controls. CONCLUSION Decreased IL-4 producing T-helper cells were identified in all three subtypes of JRA. This implicates that an imbalance of Th sub-populations might be a predominant factor in JRA pathogenesis.
The Effect of Increased Transparency on Manipulation and Value Relevance of Non-Gaap Disclosures by Real Estate Investment Trusts (Reits)

This paper examines whether industry efforts to increase uniformity and improve transparency of a non-GAAP performance measure change manager behavior and market perceptions. We find that the frequency of REITs meeting or beating analysts' expectations of funds from operations (FFO) decreased following explicit industry initiatives to discourage manipulation. Concurrent with this shift, we find that the value relevance of FFO to investors increased, particularly for firms reporting a reconciliation of FFO with GAAP earnings. Collectively, our results suggest that industry guidance about non-GAAP performance curtailed managers' opportunistic reporting. Furthermore, the market response to FFO is consistent with investors perceiving less manipulation and greater reliability. We also provide evidence supporting the SEC's requirement for reconciling non-GAAP disclosures with GAAP measures.
What Do We Know About Women on Boards?

In this article, we examine the current state of the research on firm performance and the gender diversity of firms’ boards of directors. First, we present and analyze descriptive statistics for 13,000 board seats of the Standard and Poor’s (S&P) 1500 companies for the years 2003-2007. Next, we review the conceptual propositions of the business case for women on boards, i.e., the link between women directors and firm financial performance. Finally, we review selected empirical evidence on the link between women directors and firm financial performance. We find the evidence on the business case for women directors is mixed, but tends to support the view that the ability of women directors to influence profitability and shareholder value is contingent on the specific circumstances of each company.
All-trans Retinoic Acid Stimulates IL-2-Mediated Proliferation of Human T Lymphocytes: Early Induction of Cyclin D31

Vitamin A is established as an important immune regulator, but the mechanisms whereby vitamin A regulates T cell biology are poorly defined. In this study, we show that an active metabolite of vitamin A, all-trans retinoic acid (RA), potently stimulates T cell proliferation by modulating IL-2-mediated signaling downstream of IL-2R and independent of the induction of IL-2. Thus, at concentrations as low as 0.1 nM, RA enhanced the division of normal human T lymphocytes that were simultaneously stimulated with anti-CD3 mAbs and saturating concentrations of IL-2. At the optimal concentration of RA (50 nM), a 3-fold increase in T cell proliferation was observed. The induced proliferation was preceded by increased phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein and enhanced G1- to S-phase progression. Interestingly, the promitogenic effect of RA was found to be particularly directed toward increased expression of cyclin D3 at both the mRNA and protein level. Furthermore, the stimulatory effect of RA on cyclin D3 expression as well as on cell proliferation was completely abolished in the presence of the JAK inhibitor AG-490 or blocking IL-2Rα mAbs, and RA also enhanced cyclin D3 expression and T cell proliferation in the presence of IL-2 alone. Finally, we showed that the proliferative effect of RA was mimicked by agonists of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and completely inhibited by a RAR-selective antagonist. In conclusion, our results indicate that RA, via RAR, stimulates IL-2-induced signaling in a JAK-dependent manner to enhance cyclin D3 expression and thereby promote T cell proliferation.
The Remorin C-terminal Anchor was shaped by convergent evolution among membrane binding domains

StREM1.3 Remorin is a well-established plant raftophilic protein, predominantly associated with sterol- and sphingolipid-rich membrane rafts. We recently identified a C-terminal domain (RemCA) required and sufficient for StREM1.3 anchoring to the plasma membrane. Here, we report a search for homologs and analogs of RemCA domain in publicly available protein sequence and structure databases. We could not identify RemCA homologous domains outside the Remorin family but we identified domains sharing bias in amino-acid composition and predicted structural fold with RemCA in bacterial, viral and animal proteins. These results suggest that RemCA emerged by convergent evolution among unrelated membrane binding domain.
Thioredoxin m 4 Controls Photosynthetic Alternative Electron Pathways in Arabidopsis 1 [ C ] [ W ]

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7265, Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (A.C., S.V., N.B.-L., M.H., P.R., D.R.); Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Institut de Biologie Environnementale et Biotechnologie, Service de Biologie Végétale et Microbiologie Environnementales, Laboratoire d’Ecophysiologie Moléculaire des Plantes, 13108 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, France (S.V., N.B.-L., M.H., P.R., D.R.); Université Aix-Marseille, 13108 SaintPaul-lez-Durance, France (A.C., S.V., N.B.-L., M.H., P.R., D.R.); Instituto de Agrobiotecnologia, Universidad Pública de Navarra-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Gobierno de Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain (R.S.-B., I.F.); Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Laboratoire des Interactions PlantesMicroorganismes, Unité Mixte de Recherche 441, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France (A.-C.C.); and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes-Microorganismes, Unité Mixte de Recherche 2594, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France (A.-C.C.)
An examination of tertiary students desire to found an enterprise

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the paper aims to identify and explain the behaviour and intentions of students in their decision to start entrepreneurial activities and establish an enterprise. Second, the paper aims to identify whether students in tertiary level institutions in Ireland display the personality traits of an entrepreneur, which are necessary to found an enterprise.Design/methodology/approach – In order to implement the study linkages with Ireland's Network of Teachers and Researchers in Entrepreneurship was utilized in the formation of a database. This resulted in a stratified random sample of tertiary level institutions being collected. Data were collected from 248 randomly chosen third‐level students.Findings – The study presents some encouraging findings concerning the intentions of students to start a business. Some 82 per cent of respondents have had some thoughts or have started with the realisation and founded a business. This indicates that even at a young ag.
Paths to success: an ambidexterity perspective on how responsive and proactive market orientations affect SMEs' business performance

Despite advancements in understanding the distinction between responsive and proactive market orientations, their effects on business performance are still not explicit. Drawing on the market orientation and ambidexterity literature, this study examines how responsive and proactive market orientations affect business performance in SMEs from an ambidexterity perspective. In this study, we develop a theoretical model toward market orientation for business performance from an ambidexterity perspective. Ambidextrous market orientation (AMO) is defined as a match in the relative magnitude of responsive and proactive market orientations. Using a sample of 186 high-tech firms in China, the authors find that responsive and proactive market orientations are positively associated with exploitative and exploratory innovation strategies, respectively, and exploitative and exploratory innovation strategies are both positively related to business performance. More importantly, we find evidence consistent with the ambidexterity hypothesis by showing that (1) AMO has a positive impact on innovation ambidexterity (i.e., balanced dimension) in SMEs, (2) ambidexterity innovation mediates the relationship between AMO and business performance in SMEs, and (3) ambidexterity innovation has a more positive impact than exploitative and exploratory innovation strategies on business performance. Academic and managerial implications are also discussed.
Evolving 'Rules of the Game' in Corporate Governance Reform

While post-scandal reforms in the USA, UK and Australia were prompted by similar motivations, interesting differences in terms of their focus and structure still resonate in current corporate governance debate. The unique contours of the various regulatory responses challenge not only the traditional convergence hypothesis, but also the idea that a unified common law corporate governance model exists. Rather, a fluid, dynamic and increasingly fragmented picture of corporate governance has emerged. Within this developing corporate governance framework, various jurisdictions are able to test regulatory techniques and learn by their own trial and error, and that of other jurisdictions.
Antecedents of Intentionally Incomplete Inter-Firm Contracts

We investigate (1) whether frms deliberately write incomplete contracts, and (2) if so, under which conditions. a better understanding of this phenomenon is important, because research shows that incomplete contracts can yield higher results than fully specifed ones. p]We investigate these questions using the grounded theory methodology developed by Glaser and Strauss, and specifcally the Straussarian version. We conducted thirty-seven semi-structured in-depth interviews with executives from diferent industries who negotiate contracts. We found that, given a confdent view of the world, executives are willing to write incomplete inter-frm contracts under the following circumstances: a) they have a confdent attitude towards their environment, b) they trust their contracting partner, c) the power relationship between the companies is equal, and d) the value of the contract is relatively low, i.e., of minor strategic importance.
Multiwall Carbon Nanotube-Induced DNA Damage and Cytotoxicity in Male Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been introduced recently as a novel carrier system for both small and large therapeutic molecules. Biotin-functionalized single-wall CNTs have been conjugated with the anticancer agent taxoid using a cleavable linker, and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) conjugated with iron nanoparticles have been efficiently loaded with doxorubicin. 1,2 The MWCNTs are effective transporters for biological macromolecules and drugs to target cells and tissues, thereby attracting the attention of the biomedical industry. 3 –7 Administrating MWCNTs for medical application invariably involves intravenous administration and ultimate contact with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs), yet toxicological studies on the effect of MWCNTs on HPBLs are lacking. Accordingly, this study evaluated the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of MWCNTs on healthy male HPBLs. Healthy male HPBLs were treated with MWCNTs at 3 different concentrations (12.5, 25, and 50 μg/mL) for 48 hours. Under these conditions, the MWCNTs induced significant cell growth retardation, DNA damage, and cytotoxicity. The MWCNT-treated HPBLs also exhibited an increased intracellular reactive oxygen species level during the experimental period, which leads to cell damage and death, proliferation inhibition, DNA damage, and an inflammatory response.
Performance Appraisal of Indian Public Sector Banks

The strength of economy of any country basically hinges on the strength and efficiency of financial system, which, in turn, depends upon a sound and solvent banking system. Banks needs to be more closely watched than any other type of economic unit. The regulators have recommended bank’s supervision through CAMEL rating model to assess the performance of banks, which is better than the earlier systems. The present study aims to measure the financial performance of Indian public sector banks excluding State Bank Group for the period of 2006-11. The study found that Bank of Baroda was at the first position with overall composite ranking average of 6.05 due to its better performance in the areas of liquidity and asset quality, closely followed by Andhra Bank with overall composite ranking average of 6.15 because of its strength in the spheres of management efficiency, capital adequacy and asset quality. United Bank of India hold the bottom most rank with overall composite ranking average of 14.60 due to management inefficiency, poor assets and earning quality. The study recommends that United Bank of India has to improve its management efficiency, assets and earning quality. Similarly Bank of Maharashtra should take necessary steps to improve its liquidity position and management efficiency.
Impact of internal factors in measuring profitability of local and foreign banks: evidence from 16 Malaysia commercial banks

The purpose of this research is to determine the internal factors that affect the profitability of Malaysia commercial banks. The dependent variable used in the study is bank profitability while the independent variables that influence the bank profitability are bank size, liquidity risk, capital adequacy, non-performing loans and cost efficiency. Secondary data was collected and gathered from Bursa Malaysia and respective banks in this research. This study used panel data consisting 16 Malaysia commercial banks from the year 2004 to 2013. Fixed effect model was chosen to examine the relationship between bank profitability and bank size, liquidity risk, capital adequacy, non-performing loans and cost efficiency. The factors that have positive influences on bank profitability are bank size and capital adequacy. On the other hand, liquidity risk, non-performing loans and cost efficiency give negative relationship towards the bank profitability. From the empirical findings, capital adequacy, non-performing loans and cost efficiency turned out to be significant whereas bank size and liquidity risk are insignificant towards bank profitability. The result also concludes that the cost efficiency is the most influencing factor towards the bank profitability in Malaysia among all the factors studied in this research.
International HRM as an enabler in human capital development: A Saudi Arabian case study

Using the human resource development and international human resource management literature this study examines the effects of international training on the development of human capital in a developing country. A survey of 200 Saudi Arabian students studying internationally found that despite the comparatively generous nature of funding and support while studying, the lack of pre-departure training resulted in less than optimum outcomes as did the uncertainty associate with return from some assignments. Developing human capital using sovereign wealth is a worthwhile objective for any country but planning should understand the imperatives from many decades of research in international human resource management.
Power Asymmetry, Adaptation and Collaboration in Dyadic Relationships Involving a Powerful Partner

Buyer–supplier relationships involve dyadic interactions, but there is a dearth of empirical dyadic analysis of these relationships. While relationships with a power balance between partners do exist, relationships typically occur in the context of power asymmetry. This study examines how perceptions of power use and prevailing relationship quality in dyadic relationships characterized by substantial power asymmetry affect behavioral and operational outcomes. Hierarchical regression is used to analyze data from a dyadic survey of relationships of a brand-name buying organization and its suppliers. Results indicate that power use affects partner behavior and operational performance, but the nature of the relationship dictates which power sources are most appropriate. In addition, the mediation effect of power imbalance shows that both relational and transactional factors can play an important role in supply chain exchanges.