Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae type 2A phosphatase in the actin cytoskeleton and in entry into mitosis.

We have prepared a temperature‐sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae type 2A phosphatase (PP2A) mutant, pph21‐102. At the restrictive temperature, the pph21‐102 cells arrested predominantly with small or aberrant buds, and their actin cytoskeleton and chitin deposition were abnormal. The involvement of PP2A in bud growth may be due to the role of PP2A in actin distribution during the cell cycle. Moreover, after a shift to the non‐permissive temperature, the pph21‐102 cells were blocked in G2 and had low activity of Clb2‐Cdc28 kinase. Expression of Clb2 from the S.cerevisiae ADH promoter in pph21‐102 cells was able to partially bypass the G2 arrest in the first cell cycle, but was not able to stimulate passage through a second mitosis. These cells had higher total amounts of Clb2‐Cdc28 kinase activity, but the Clb2‐normalized specific activity was lower in the pph21‐102 cells compared with wild‐type cells. Unlike wild‐type strains, a PP2A‐deficient strain was sensitive to the loss of MIH1, which is a homolog of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe mitotic inducer cdc25+. Furthermore, the cdc28F19 mutation cured the synthetic defects of a PP2A‐deficient strain containing a deletion of MIH1. These results suggest that PP2A is required during G2 for the activation of Clb‐Cdc28 kinase complexes for progression into mitosis.
The effect of four-phase teaching method on midwifery students’ emotional intelligence in managing the childbirth

Background: An active teaching method has been used widely in medical education. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the four-phase teaching method on midwifery students’ emotional intelligence (EQ) in managing the childbirth. Materials and Methods: This was an experimental study that performed in 2013 in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Thirty midwifery students were involved in this study and selected through a random sampling method. The EQ questionnaire (43Q) was completed by both the groups, before and after the education. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 14, the independent t-test, and the paired t-test. The statistically significant level was considered to be <0.05. Results: The findings of the independent t-test did not show any significant difference between EQ scores of the experimental and the control group before the intervention, whereas a statistically significant difference was observed after the intervention between the scores of two groups (P = 0.009). The paired t-test showed a statistically significant difference in EQ scores in the two groups after the intervention in the four-phase and the control group, respectively, as P = 0.005 and P = 0.018. Furthermore, the rate of self-efficiency has increased in the experimental group and control group as 66% and 13% (P = 0.024), respectively. Conclusion: The four-phase teaching method can increase the EQ levels of midwifery students. Therefore, the conduction of this educational model is recommended as an effective learning method.
Prognostic factors for invasive aspergillosis in patients with haematological malignancies

Reliable data defining risk factors for invasive aspergillosis (IA) in haematological patients are limited. Analysis of factors influencing IA-associated death is especially valuable in the light of recent progress in managing IA. Between 1997 and 2005 we evaluated factors influencing IA-attributable mortality. For univariate analyses we used Wilcoxon and log-rank test, and for multivariate analysis a Cox model of logistic backward regression was applied. Attributable mortality was 41% after 1 y. 50% of attributable deaths occurred within 6 weeks after IA diagnosis. Various parameters significantly correlated with death after IA: 1) uncontrolled malignancy (p =0.007); 2) extrapulmonary disease (p =0.0003); 3) stable disease, mixed response or progressive disease at first radiological evaluation (p =0.004); 4) proven IA (p =0.02); 5) IA > 110 d after PBSCT (p =0.0112). Prolonged duration of neutropenia was associated with increased mortality (p =0.0001). We observed a trend towards improved survival of IA during recent y (2003–2005). In a multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with attributable mortality included y of first diagnosis (p =0.0492), extrapulmonary IA (p =0.0353) and duration of neutropenia (p =0.0088). In conclusion, the identified risk factors may serve for the definition of high-risk situations. In these settings, increased efforts of prevention, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of IA are warranted in order to improve survival.
Schizosaccharomyces pombe Hsk1p Is a Potential Cds1p Target Required for Genome Integrity

ABSTRACT The fission yeast Hsk1p kinase is an essential activator of DNA replication. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a novel mutant allele of the gene. Consistent with its role in the initiation of DNA synthesis, hsk1ts genetically interacts with several S-phase mutants. At the restrictive temperature,hsk1ts cells suffer abnormal S phase and loss of nuclear integrity and are sensitive to both DNA-damaging agents and replication arrest. Interestingly, hsk1tsmutants released to the restrictive temperature after early S-phase arrest in hydroxyurea (HU) are able to complete bulk DNA synthesis but they nevertheless undergo an abnormal mitosis. These findings indicate a second role for hsk1 subsequent to HU arrest. Consistent with a later S-phase role, hsk1ts is synthetically lethal with Δrqh1 (RecQ helicase) orrad21ts (cohesin) mutants and suppressed by Δcds1 (RAD53 kinase) mutants. We demonstrate that Hsk1p undergoes Cds1p-dependent phosphorylation in response to HU and that it is a direct substrate of purified Cds1p kinase in vitro. These results indicate that the Hsk1p kinase is a potential target of Cds1p regulation and that its activity is required after replication initiation for normal mitosis.
Cost management along the supply chain

The potential of strategic cost management tools to support inter-company supply chain value creation has been highlighted by a number of researchers. However, not much research using case studies has been done to demonstrate how cost management tools are applied along supply chains. In addition, limited research has focused on cost management along supply chains in developing countries such as South Africa. This research uses multiple case studies to investigate and gain insight into the manner in which cost management is applied along a product’s supply chain in a developing country - South Africa. The main objective of the study is to contribute to a better understanding of how costs along supply chains can be managed using cost management tools. The paper demonstrates that cost management techniques such as target costing, total quality management, just-in-time and life-cycle costing are being applied. In addition, the research reveals that these cost management techniques assist in cost planning, inventory reduction, cycle time reduction, improved customer satisfaction leading to lower returns and warranty costs, proactive management of quality-related costs, and extended cost analysis across the supply chains
Why Do People Volunteer? An Experimental Analysis of Preferences for Time Donations

Why do individuals volunteer their time even when recipients receive far less value than the donor's opportunity cost? Previous models of altruism that focus on the overall impact of a gift cannot rationalize this behavior, despite its prevalence. We develop a model that relaxes this assumption, al- lowing for differential warm glow depending on the form of the donation. In a series of laboratory experiments that control for other aspects of volunteering, such as its signaling value, subjects demonstrate behavior consistent with the theoretical assumption that gifts of time produce greater utility than the same transfers in the form of money. Subjects perform an effort task, accruing earnings at potentially different wage rates for themselves or a charity of their choice, with the ability to transfer any of their personal earnings to charity at the end of the experiment. Subjects exhibit strong preferences for donating time even when differential wage rates make it costly to do so. The results provide new insights on the nature of volunteering and gift-giving.
Differences in Thermal Tolerance Among Sockeye Salmon Populations

Environmental conditions encountered during migration shape cardiorespiratory physiology in sockeye salmon. Climate change–induced increases in summer water temperature have been associated with elevated mortality of adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) during river migration. We show that cardiorespiratory physiology varies at the population level among Fraser River sockeye salmon and relates to historical environmental conditions encountered while migrating. Fish from populations with more challenging migratory environments have greater aerobic scope, larger hearts, and better coronary supply. Furthermore, thermal optima for aerobic, cardiac, and heart rate scopes are consistent with the historic river temperature ranges for each population. This study suggests that physiological adaptation occurs at a very local scale, with population-specific thermal limits being set by physiological limitations in aerobic performance, possibly due to cardiac collapse at high temperatures.
Causality Relationship between Bond Ratings and Credit Spreads

The role of credit rating agencies has been questioned in the recent years. Existing empirical studies provide mixed evidence on the informational value of bond ratings for financial investors. In this study we examine the relationship between bond ratings and credit spreads for US corporate bonds using a Granger causality approach in panel data sets. The findings indicate that ratings generally carry some informational value for corporate bond investors. The causal relationship is more evident for negative watch lists and during periods of economic uncertainty, but its direction depends on ratings quality. Overall, we find bond ratings and credit spreads to be related in long-term.
Pride Goes Before a Fall: Federal Reserve Policy and Asset Markets

Considerable debate rages about whether Federal Reserve policy was too lax in the early part of the 2000s, thereby fueling the home-price bubble that was the proximate cause of the global financial crisis. We present evidence that the view that modest alterations to monetary policy have vast consequences is inconsistent with theory and not supported by evidence. We take a close look at the responses of asset markets to changes in the short-term policy interest rate since the founding of the Fed in 1914. Changes in the federal funds rate have no systematic effect on either long-term interest rates or housing prices over nearly a century. Indeed, since the mid-1990s the policy rate had a negative relationship with long-term interest rates. This is consistent with a global view of capital markets where massive cross-border flows shape the availability of domestic credit and asset prices. The evidence casts doubts on arguments that a moderately different monetary policy path might have mattered.
The antimicrobial potential of 14 natural herbal dentifrices: results of an in vitro diffusion method study.

BACKGROUND Increasing numbers of Americans are using natural herbal products for general and oral health care. Few of these products, however, have undergone rigorous testing, as evidenced by the limited amount of information on their safety and efficacy in the literature. The authors conducted an in vitro study to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of 14 natural herbal dentifrices. METHODS The authors used a diffusion method to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of 14 natural herbal dentifrices against four microorganisms: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Actinomyces viscosus and Candida albicans. Colgate Total (Colgate-Palmolive, New York City) and sterile pyrogen-free water served as the positive and negative controls, respectively. The authors tested the natural herbal dentifrices at full strength and at 1:1 dilution. They measured the zones of inhibition at 24 and 48 hours to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of the dentifrices. RESULTS Six herbal dentifrices were effective in inhibiting the growth of all four microorganisms. The positive control produced significantly sized inhibition zones with all four microorganisms, while the negative control produced no observable zones. Six herbal dentifrices produced larger inhibition zones with A. viscosus than did the positive control. Six herbal dentifrices were inhibitory against C. albicans at full strength, but at 1:1 dilution, only three had such inhibitory effect. One herbal dentifrice produced microbial growth around and over the samples, indicating possible microbial contamination of the toothpaste. Only one herbal dentifrice showed consistent antimicrobial activity against all four microorganisms. CONCLUSIONS The variation in antimicrobial inhibition among the herbal dentifrices indicates that more research is needed to validate their effectiveness claims. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS This study provides practitioners with insight into the claims of natural herbal dentifrices' antimicrobial effects.
FATORES QUE INFLUENCIAM O DISCLOSURE AMBIENTAL: UM ESTUDO NAS EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS NO PERÍODO DE 2006 A 2010

This study aimed to identify factors that influenced the environmental disclosure of Brazilian companies listed on the BM & FBovespa in the period 2006-2010. We performed a content analysis in notes, environmental reports and management reports of 154 Brazilian companies. The results showed that only the size of the company positively influences the level of environmental disclosure . However, it also showed that the variable New Market and Debt boosted negatively environmental disclosure , no corroborating studies that found a positive relationship between these variables and voluntary disclosure . It was also found that the apex of environmental disclosure occurred in 2008, it is known that companies in this period were affected by the financial crisis and also the creation of Law 11,638. Because of the fall of environmental information in 2009, it can be inferred from the results obtained that the financial crisis may have been the determining factor in raising the level of environmental disclosure in financial reports in 2008, because the higher the level of information voluntarily evidenced stakeholders for greater protection of companies that can maintain and leverage its market value. Keywords : Environmental disclosure . Brazilian companies. Content analysis.
A Novel Approach to Ambulatory Monitoring

Background. Promoting whole body activities, such as walking, can help improve recovery after stroke. However, little information exists regarding the characteristics of daily walking in patients enrolled in rehabilitation poststroke. The objectives of this study were to: (1) examine the quantity of walking and duration of individual bouts of walking during an inpatient day, (2) compare standard laboratory symmetry measures with measures of symmetry captured throughout the day, and (3) investigate the association between quantity of walking and indices of stroke severity. Methods. The study examined ambulatory activity among 16 inpatients with subacute stroke who were bilaterally instrumented with a wireless accelerometer above the ankle for approximately 8 continuous hours. Results. On average, patients demonstrated 47.5 minutes (standard deviation [SD] = 26.6 minutes) of total walking activity and walking bout durations of 54.4 s (SD = 21.5 s). A statistically significant association was found between the number of walking bouts to total walking time (r = .76; P = .006) and laboratory gait speed (r = .51; P = .045) and between laboratory gait speed and balance impairment (r = .60; P = .013). Also, a significant increase in gait asymmetry was observed during day-long measurement compared with the standard laboratory-based assessment (P = .006). Conclusions. Rather modest amounts of daily walking were found for these ambulatory inpatients, consistent with previous reports about patients after stroke. Bouts of walking were short in duration, and the gait was more asymmetrical, compared with a standard gait assessment. Unobtrusive monitoring of daily walking exposes the characteristics and temporal qualities of poststroke ambulation.
Health Insurance Coverage for Pennsylvania Dairy Farm Managers

A survey of more than 1200 Pennsylvania dairy farm managers showed that almost 20% of those managers do not have health insurance. Of those farm managers with health insurance, 67% had insurance acquired through the farm business. Farm characteristics and demographic information were used to determine indicators of health insurance coverage. Age, education, net farm income, off-farm income, milk marketing cooperative membership, and intensity of hired labor use all had significant effects on the likelihood of having health insurance and on whether such insurance was provided by the farm business.
The Technological Progress of Malaysian Banks: An Empirical Investigation

It is customary to argue that technological innovations result in productivity enhancement. This paper explores this issue in the context of the Malaysian banking sector which has been subject to enormous restructuring and technological innovations, inclusive of the introduction of e-banking. The provision of banking services through electronic delivery channels can be equated with the e-government initiatives. This study attempts to identify the contribution of e-banking and technological progress of Malaysian commercial banks by employing the Malmquist productivity index (MPI), whereby productivity growth amongst the banks is broken down into technical efficiency change, scale change and technological change. The sample includes all 10 domestic commercial banks in Malaysia over the period of 1997 to 2002. The principle findings indicate an overall rise in total productivity, driven by technological progress rather than scale change or technical efficiency change. Extending to e-government, the employment of high-end, state of the art information and communication technologies can facilitate efficient and effective delivery of government services through electronic delivery channels. The results, which detail the improvements achieved by the best practice bank, may provide useful insights for government regulators and management for policy formulation.
Model Uncertainty for Long-Term Investors

We develop a method to identify the most important predictors of long-term asset returns and use it to analyze the impact of model uncertainty on long-term investors. We find that the impact of model uncertainty changes a lot over time which leads to considerable time-variation in all moments of the predictive stock return distribution. Even though stocks are safer in the long-run than short-run when model uncertainty is low, stocks are actually riskier in the long-run when model uncertainty is high. For buy-and-hold and dynamic portfolios with long investment horizons, incorporating model uncertainty substantially lowers the equity allocation.
The role of surface stress in structural transitions, epitaxial growth and magnetism on the nanoscale

We review results on combined stress measurements by the crystal curvature technique and structural investigations on different nanoscale systems. It is shown that stress measurements offer highly sensitive and accurate data which identify even subtle structural changes in the sub-monolayer coverage regime. We discuss the unique potential of stress measurements to complement structural investigations of atomic layers and at surfaces. Our examples reveal that stress measurements enhance, support and clarify the interpretation of quantitative structural data. The role of surface stress and film stress for structural transitions in epitaxial growth, surfactant-mediated growth, surface reconstruction and adsorbate-induced spin reorientation transitions in monolayers is discussed.
Service Quality : (Service Gap Analysis) A case study - "Komvux"

The customer‘s standard of living and consciousness is demanding the importance of service quality. Service quality is mandatory to provide added value to the customers, retain and make loyal customers. This paper focuses on the customer expectation, customer perception and the gap between customer expectation and perception to measure the service quality. We have analyzed the service quality which has a great impact on customer satisfaction.
Moral Intensity , Organizational Factors , and Ethical Decision Making : An Empirical Examination of Postgraduate Accounting and Business Students

Employing and modifying the model by Jones (1991), this study examines the effects of moral intensity and organizational factors on individual ethical decision making. Organizational factors, used to be ignored in previous research, are also believed to influence the ethical decision making process. A survey applying four different scenarios was conducted to master and doctoral degree students in accounting and business majors in an eminent university in Indonesia to catch their work experiences. The results show that different ethical scenarios do not affect the moral intensity as well as the ethical decision making. Moral intensity is multidimensional and social consensus is evident to be the most influencing determinant in ethical decision making process. Organizational factors such as the existence of code of conduct and tone at the top are confirmed generally not to impact on moral intensity to create ethical decision. In the meantime, postgraduate accounting students are justified to have higher ethical sensitivity than those from other business departments. These findings may imply that the ethical sensitivity of individuals to identify ethical dilemma in particular cases are not simply affected by the moral intensity. This relationship is more complex in nature to understand the way how individual act ethically.
Authority and Hierarchy within Anonymous Internet Relay Chat Networks

The protest group Anonymous has emerged as one of the most significant social movements of recent years, announcing their arrival as a globally recognized brand with regular disruptive cyber attacks and the leak of large volumes of sensitive data. Despite the obvious significance of Anonymous, to date, little academic research has been focused on what role hierarchy and internal authority play (if any) within the group. Bespoke software was used to structure over 5000 examples of IRC log files, so that a base line descriptive statistical picture could be drawn, as well as a more granular enumeration of the privileges associated with individual users.
Comparison of Rizatriptan 10 mg vs. Naratriptan 2.5 mg in Migraine

Rizatriptan (MAXALTTM, Merck & Co., Inc.) is a selective 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist with rapid oral absorption and early onset of action for the acute treatment of migraine. This randomized, double-masked, double-dummy, placebo-controlled study compared rizatriptan 10 mg to naratriptan (NARAMIGTM, AMERGETM, both Glaxo Wellcome plc) 2.5 mg in 522 patients treating a single migraine attack. Rizatriptan was more effective than naratriptan. Rizatriptan provided earlier headache relief than naratriptan (hazard ratio 1.62, p < 0.001), acting as early as 30 min. More patients were pain free at 2 h on rizatriptan than on naratriptan (44.8 vs. 20.7%, p < 0.001). Rizatriptan also provided earlier relief of associated migraine symptoms within 2 h than naratriptan and more patients had normal function at 2 h (39.3 vs. 22.6%, p < 0.001). Both active treatments were effective compared to placebo. Both active treatments were well tolerated. The most common side effects with rizatriptan were dizziness, asthenia/fatigue, nausea and somnolence, while the most common side effects with naratriptan were dizziness and asthenia/fatigue.