Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organized Labor and Loan Pricing: A Regression Discontinuity Design Analysis

This paper provides new evidence on the effect of unionization on the cost of bank loans. By using a regression discontinuity design, we establish a causal relation between new unionization and bank loan pricing. Relative to firms in which unions barely lose elections, firms in which unions barely win elections experience an increase in the spread of the newly originated loans. Further tests suggest that the effect of labor unions on the loan spread arises through the channel of reducing the recovery rate of banks in bankruptcy rather than increasing firms' default risk.
Influence of NO initial concentration on removal efficiency in dielectric barrier discharge reactor

Summary form only given. This paper describes an influence of NO initial concentration on removal efficiency of the multipoint-to-plane geometry DBD reactor. A multipoint type electrode was used as ground electrode in the DBD reactor to reduce an operation voltage. The multipoint electrodes have 528 pyramid shape projections with tip angle of 45deg in an area of 6 cm times 22 cm. An alumina dielectric barrier coated plane electrode was employed as a high voltage electrode, and was set with the gap length of 1 mm. The thickness of alumina dielectric barrier is 0.5 mm. The applied voltage has sinusoidal waveform with 10 kHz frequency. The voltage and current were measured with Tektronix P6015 probe and a Pearson 2877 current probe, respectively. The consumed energy in the reactor was obtained using V-Q Lissajous figure. The gas mixture of N2:O2=9:1 containing NO was used with gas flow rate of 5 L/min. The concentration of NO was obtained using Best Sokki BCL-511 NOx analyzer. The logarithm NO concentration with respect to the specific input energy fell on a straight line for each condition. The slopes of each straight line correspond to energy constants of each condition. The calculated energy constants for each conditions were 188, 14 and 1.0 Nm3/kJ for 50, 200 and 400 ppm NO initial concentrations, respectively. The experimental result also showed the removal rate was decreasing with the increase in the NO initial concentration, and the relating energy constant decreased exponentially.
Metabolic Delivery of Ketone Groups to Sialic Acid Residues

The development of chemical strategies for decorating cells with defined carbohydrate epitopes would greatly facilitate studies of carbohydrate-mediated cell surface interactions. This report describes a general strategy for engineering the display of chemically defined oligosaccharides on cell surfaces that combines the concepts of metabolic engineering and selective chemical reactivity. Using a recently described method (Mahal, L. K., Yarema, K. J., and Bertozzi, C. R. (1997) Science 276, 1125–1128), we delivered a uniquely reactive ketone group to endogenous cell surface sialic acid residues by treating cells with the ketone-bearing metabolic precursor N-levulinoylmannosamine (ManLev). The ketone undergoes highly selective condensation reactions with complementary nucleophiles such as aminooxy and hydrazide groups. The detailed quantitative parameters of ManLev metabolism in human and nonhuman-derived cell lines were determined to establish a foundation for the modification of cell surfaces with novel epitopes at defined cell-surface densities. Ketones within the glycoconjugates on ManLev-treated cells were then reacted with synthetic aminooxy and hydrazide-functionalized carbohydrates. The remodeled cells were endowed with novel lectin binding profiles as determined by flow cytometry analysis. The simplicity and generality of this method make it well suited for use in the study of carbohydrate-mediated cell surface interactions.
Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy for Spinal Origin Spasticity: Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis

Spasticity can affect individuals with spinal injury, spinal disease, or multiple sclerosis. In most cases, spasticity is useful because it helps compensate for motor deficits. Oral medication is ineffective or produces intolerable side effects in ≅ 30% of patients with severe spasticity and surgeries can sometimes have effects inappropriate for patients requiring some degree of spasticity for function. Unsuccessful treatment of severe spasticity affects physical, social, and emotional functioning, as well as nursing care and overall cost of treatment. Intrathecal baclofen, a potent inhibitor of spinal synaptic reflexes, reduces both spasticity and spasms, thus leading to improvements in functioning and patient perception of quality of life, as well as ease of caretaking. Intrathecal baclofen can produce minimal side effects. The programmable pump allows precise dose titration that can be adjusted over a 24‐h period for maximum effectiveness. Intrathecal baclofen generally remains effective for years without producing drug tolerance. Although complications are relatively uncommon, most involve mechanical compromise of the catheter. Cost analysis shows that there is an overall savings associated with intrathecal baclofen therapy, primarily due to a reduction in required hospitalizations and medical care for conditions resulting from spasticity.
Identification and Validation of Specific Markers of Bacillus anthracis Spores by Proteomics and Genomics Approaches*

Bacillus anthracis is the causative bacteria of anthrax, an acute and often fatal disease in humans. The infectious agent, the spore, represents a real bioterrorism threat and its specific identification is crucial. However, because of the high genomic relatedness within the Bacillus cereus group, it is still a real challenge to identify B. anthracis spores confidently. Mass spectrometry-based tools represent a powerful approach to the efficient discovery and identification of such protein markers. Here we undertook comparative proteomics analyses of Bacillus anthracis, cereus and thuringiensis spores to identify proteoforms unique to B. anthracis. The marker discovery pipeline developed combined peptide- and protein-centric approaches using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry experiments using a high resolution/high mass accuracy LTQ-Orbitrap instrument. By combining these data with those from complementary bioinformatics approaches, we were able to highlight a dozen novel proteins consistently observed across all the investigated B. anthracis spores while being absent in B. cereus/thuringiensis spores. To further demonstrate the relevance of these markers and their strict specificity to B. anthracis, the number of strains studied was extended to 55, by including closely related strains such as B. thuringiensis 9727, and above all the B. cereus biovar anthracis CI, CA strains that possess pXO1- and pXO2-like plasmids. Under these conditions, the combination of proteomics and genomics approaches confirms the pertinence of 11 markers. Genes encoding these 11 markers are located on the chromosome, which provides additional targets complementary to the commonly used plasmid-encoded markers. Last but not least, we also report the development of a targeted liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry method involving the selection reaction monitoring mode for the monitoring of the 4 most suitable protein markers. Within a proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate the value of this approach for the further high throughput and specific detection of B. anthracis spores within complex samples.
Fatigue life assessment and enhancement on welded structure: Review on assessment methods with case study and recent technology

Welded joints are often susceptible to fatigue cracks initiation due to the highly concentrated stress at certain locations. The stress distribution of the welded structure is primarily influenced by the weld geometry that can be considered as a governing factor in calculating the fatigue life. In this paper, the recent development on fatigue life estimation method is discussed based on the recommendations of commission XIII of the International Institute of Welding (IIW) focusing on nominal stress, hot spot and the effective notch method. A study case of cruciform fillet welded joint with thickness of 12 mm is selected due to the extensive use as welding structure. The effect of different weld profiles of the cruciform joint on the Stress Intensity Factor and the fatigue life cycle was estimated by varying the throat size using computational numerical method. Further, the recent development in the high frequency mechanical impact method (HFMI) is presented as a reliable, effective and user-friendly method for post-weld fatigue enhancement technique for welded structures.
Mechanism of amyloid plaque formation suggests an intracellular basis of Aβ pathogenicity

The formation of extracellular amyloid plaques is a common patho-biochemical event underlying several debilitating human conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Considerable evidence implies that AD damage arises primarily from small oligomeric amyloid forms of Aβ peptide, but the precise mechanism of pathogenicity remains to be established. Using a cell culture system that reproducibly leads to the formation of Alzheimer’s Aβ amyloid plaques, we show here that the formation of a single amyloid plaque represents a template-dependent process that critically involves the presence of endocytosis- or phagocytosis-competent cells. Internalized Aβ peptide becomes sorted to multivesicular bodies where fibrils grow out, thus penetrating the vesicular membrane. Upon plaque formation, cells undergo cell death and intracellular amyloid structures become released into the extracellular space. These data imply a mechanism where the pathogenic activity of Aβ is attributed, at least in part, to intracellular aggregates.
Regulation of ISW2 by Concerted Action of Histone H4 Tail and Extranucleosomal DNA

ABSTRACT The stable contact of ISW2 with nucleosomal DNA ∼20 bp from the dyad was shown by DNA footprinting and photoaffinity labeling using recombinant histone octamers to require the histone H4 N-terminal tail. Efficient ISW2 remodeling also required the H4 N-terminal tail, although the lack of the H4 tail can be mostly compensated for by increasing the incubation time or concentration of ISW2. Similarly, the length of extranucleosomal DNA affected the stable contact of ISW2 with this same internal nucleosomal site, with the optimal length being 70 to 85 bp. These data indicate the histone H4 tail, in concert with a favorable length of extranucleosomal DNA, recruits and properly orients ISW2 onto the nucleosome for efficient nucleosome remodeling. One consequence of this property of ISW2 is likely its previously observed nucleosome spacing activity.
Overexpression of HA-Bax but Not Bcl-2 or Bcl-XLAttenuates 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis

Bax, a member of the Bcl-2 gene family, is known to promote apoptosis in many cases but to block cell death under certain conditions. To investigate the potential role of Bax in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cell death, we first established and characterized a dopaminergic neuronal cell line (MN9D) stably overexpressing hemagglutinin epitope-tagged Bax (MN9D/HA-Bax) as well as control clones (MN9D/Neo). Treatment of MN9D/Neo cells with 6-OHDA induced typical apoptotic cell death accompanied by shrinkage of the cell, nuclear condensation, and DNA fragmentation as demonstrated by light microscopy and agarose gel analysis. Overexpression of HA-Bax in MN9D cells was shown to attenuate 6-OHDA-induced cell death as determined by the MTT reduction assay and agarose gel analysis for DNA fragmentation. Western blot analysis revealed that cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase induced by 6-OHDA was attenuated in MN9D/HA-Bax cells. In contrast, overexpression of a well-known cell death-inhibiting protein such as Bcl-2 or Bcl-XL did not attenuate 6-OHDA-induced cell death. Interestingly, cell death induced by hydrogen peroxide (0.25-2.0 mM) was significantly accelerated, whereas the rate of cell death induced by menadione (10-50 microM) was not affected in MN9D/HA-Bax cells. Thus, our present data suggest that the functionally diverse roles of Bax may be determined by the type of stress applied to the cell.
Meta-analysis of regional brain volumes in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE The authors' goal was to determine whether patients with schizophrenia differ from comparison subjects in regional brain volumes and whether these differences are similar in male and female subjects. METHOD They conducted a systematic search for structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of patients with schizophrenia that reported volume measurements of selected cortical, subcortical, and ventricular regions in relation to comparison groups. They carried out a meta-analysis of the volumes of these regions in the patients with schizophrenia and the comparison subjects using a random effects model; they also used random effects regression analysis to examine the influence of gender on effect sizes. RESULTS Fifty-eight studies were identified as suitable for analysis; these studies included 1,588 independent patients with schizophrenia. Assuming a volume of 100% in the comparison group, they found that the mean cerebral volume of the subjects with schizophrenia was smaller (98%), but the mean total ventricular volume of the subjects with schizophrenia was greater (126%). Relative to the cerebral volume differences, the regional volumes of the subjects with schizophrenia were 94% in the left and right amygdala, 94% in the left and 95% in the right hippocampus/amygdala, and 93% in the left and 95% in the right parahippocampus. Relative to the global ventricular system differences, the largest differences in ventricular subdivisions were in the right and left body of the lateral ventricle, where the volumes of schizophrenic subjects were 116% and 116%, respectively. For most regions, effect size was not significantly related to gender. CONCLUSIONS Regional structural differences in patients with schizophrenia include bilaterally reduced volume of medial temporal lobe structures. There is a need for greater integration of results from structural MRI studies to avoid redundant research activity.
The effect of varicoceles on testicular blood flow in man.

OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of varicoceles on testicular blood flow in man. METHODS Testicular blood flow was measured in 248 consecutive men attending an infertility clinic and 34 fertile volunteers using color duplex ultrasonography. RESULTS The testicular blood flow of men with either clinical and/or subclinical varicoceles was not significantly different from controls without varicoceles. CONCLUSIONS Varicoceles do not significantly alter testicular blood flow in man.
A sensitivity analysis for publication bias in systematic reviews

There is no simple method of correcting for publication bias in systematic reviews. We suggest a sensitivity analysis in which different patterns of selection bias can be tested against the fit to the funnel plot. Publication bias leads to lower values, and greater uncertainty, in treatment effect estimates. Two examples are discussed. An appendix lists the S-plus code needed for carrying out the analysis.
Molecular Mechanism of a Temperature-Sensitive Phenotype in Peroxisomal Biogenesis Disorder

Peroxisomal biogenesis disorders include Zellweger syndrome and milder phenotypes, such as neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD). Our previous study of a NALD patient with a marked deterioration by a fever revealed a mutation (Ile326Thr) within a SH3 domain of PEX13 protein (Pex13p), showing a temperature-sensitive (TS) phenotype in peroxisomal biogenesis. Clinical TS phenotypes also have been reported in several genetic diseases, but the molecular mechanisms still remain to be clarified. The immunofluorescent staining with anti-Pex13p antibody also revealed TS phenotype of the I326T mutant protein itself in the patient cells. Protease digestion of the recombinant Pex13p-SH3 domain showed an increase of protease susceptibility, suggesting a problem of mutant protein fold. Conformational analyses against urea denaturation using urea gradient gel electrophoresis or fluorescence emission from tryptophan residue revealed that the mutant protein should be easily unfolded. Far-UV circular dichroism (CD) spectra demonstrated that both wild-type and the mutant protein have antiparallel beta-sheets as their secondary structure with slightly different extent. The thermal unfolding profiles measured by CD showed a marked lower melting temperature for I326T protein compared with that of wild-type protein. Analysis of the protein 3D-structure indicated that the Ile326 should be a core residue for folding kinetics and the substitution of Ile326 by threonine should directly alter the kinetic equilibrium, suggesting a marked increase of the unfolded molecules when the patient had a high fever. Structural analyses of the protein in the other genetic diseases could provide an avenue for better understanding of genotype-phenotype correlations.
Indications and impact of postoperative transesophageal echocardiography in cardiac surgical patients

Objective Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has gained widespread acceptance among intensivists as a tool to facilitate decision-making in the management of critically ill patients. This observational study analyzes the indications and impact of TEE and the outcome in patients following cardiac surgery. Design Standardized reports containing indication, main diagnosis, and impact on patient management were completed during TEE. Setting Intensive care unit in a university hospital. Patients Postoperative cardiac surgery patients requiring TEE. Intervention TEE in sedated and mechanically ventilated patients. Measurements and Results Reports were obtained in 301 adult patients between June 1996 and June 2000. Indications were postoperative control of left ventricular function in 102 (34%) cases; unexplained, sudden hemodynamic deterioration in 89 (29%); suspicion of pericardial tamponade in 41 (14%); cardiac ischemia in 26 (9%); and “other” in 43 (14%). In 136 patients (45%), a new diagnosis was established or an important pathology was excluded. Pericardial tamponade was diagnosed in 34 cases (11%) and excluded in 36 cases (12%). Other diagnoses included severe left ventricular failure, large pleural effusion, and others. Therapeutic impact was found in 220 cases (73%): change of pharmacologic treatment and/or fluid therapy in 118 cases (40%), resternotomy in 43 (14%), no reoperation necessary in 39 (13%), and various in 20 (7%). No impact was found in 81 cases (27%). In a subgroup of patients in whom preoperative risk scores were evaluated, the indication for a postoperative TEE was significantly associated with a prolonged stay in the intensive care unit: 7 (5.6, 8.4) days vs. 1 (0.8, 1.2) day (median, [95% confidence interval]) (p < .0001), more neurologic complications (18/137 = 13.1% vs. 21/680 = 3.0%) (p < .0001), and increased mortality (34/153 = 22.2% vs. 18/709 = 2.5%) (p < .0001). Corrected for preoperative risk scores, these differences were still significant. Conclusion Although TEE provided important findings and therapeutic impact in postoperative cardiac surgical patients, patients with comparable preoperative risk who had postoperative TEE examinations had a significantly worse outcome than those without the need for postoperative TEE.
A Risk Management Technique Adopted by Farmers of North India to Mixes a Wide Variety of Crops within a Portfolio

India has made tremendous progress in agriculture over the past decades. Technological change with the introduction of short duration high yielding varieties of wheat and rice in the sixties increased productivity of these crops manifold. The effective price policy coupled with relatively better technology has resulted in the emergence of paddy in kharif and wheat in rabi as the most secured and profitable crops in several states. Consequently, production of wheat and rice in India has increased from 23.8 and 42.2 million tonnes in 1970-71 to 95.8 and 106.3 million tonnes in 2013- 14. This translates into a growth rate of 2.82 and 1.86 per cent per annum for wheat and rice during this period. The output of wheat and rice in the country has reached a saturation point. But, farmers in agriculturally advanced states like Punjab and Haryana two landlocked states in northern India.
The intra business group effects of alliance network extensions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to better understand the influence of business group membership by exploring how actions by a member firm influence other firms in the business group. Specifically, the authors ask two questions in this study: when a member firm forms strategic alliances with partners outside of the business group, how does the alliance influence other members in the business group? Moreover, which types of member firms are more affected than others? Design/methodology/approach – The authors employ standard event-study methodology to examine the stock price responses for the focal and member firms on the announcement of an alliance. Moreover, the authors employ the cross-sectional regression analyses to test hypotheses concerning the impact of alliance, group, and firm characteristics on the cumulative abnormal returns of non-announcing members. All regressions are estimated using ordinary least squares. Findings – The results show that, on average, alliance-announcing member firms e.
Powassan encephalitis: a case report with neuropathology and literature review.

A previously healthy, 64-year-old man presented on Sept. 7, 1997, with a history of headache for the past 3 days and fever (38.9°C) for the past 2 days; he had also been experiencing drowsiness and slurred speech for the past day. While camping in Algonquin Park 2 weeks before presentation the
MLP/BP-based MIMO DFEs for suppressing ISI and ACI to recover distorted QPSK signal in severe ISI channels

In this work, we base on multi-layered perceptron neural networks with backpropagation algorithm (MLP/BP) to construct multi-input multi-output (MIMO) decision feedback equalizers (DFEs). The proposal is used to recover distorted quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signal. From the simulations, we note that the proposed scheme can recover severe distorted signals as well as suppress intersymbol interference (ISI), adjacent channel interference (ACI) and background additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The better bit-error-rate (BER) and packet-error-rate (PER) performance as compared to a set of least-mean-square (LMS) DFEs is achieved. The presented MLP/BP-based MIMO DFE under the severe ISI channels with ACI and AWGN can improve over 1.5dB at PER=10-1 and BER=10-3.